Red Warriors Costliest Battles

Every loss is tragic. Over 200 Red Warriors made the ultimate sacrifice. The end result, however sad,  is the same, be it caused in a single incident or in a major confrontation with the enemy.  Likewise, drowning, friendly fire, accidents, and suicides were all costs of the war. We remember them all. We also honor those many men who were WIA and suffered during and after their tour of duty. Below, however, are the battles measured by the number of KIAs. Each battle stands alone with not one being more or less significant than the other. We simply remember. "WE REMEMBER" Costliest Contacts 12 July 1967      This battle in the Ia Drang Valley, Pleiku Province is the single most horrific and for the Red Warriors the costliest encounter. There are 30 KIA’s as Bravo and Charlie Companies are caught in the grips of an NVA trap. Bravo takes the major brunt of the battle, and their 3rd platoon is nearly wiped out. The only survivors are taken as POW's by the NVA. It is the only time during the battalion's Vietnam history when American soldiers were taken captive. The Company Commander, Captain Brian Rushton is killed, as is 1st Lieutenant Fred Bragg shortly after he assumes command. For a brief Synopsis of this battle see the POW link. You may be interested in the full battle report available on our PX Battle Reports page. To view this battle location see click on map 6536-III. 15/16 February 1967 Kontum Province is the site of a major engagement with the NVA where Charlie Company, located on the infamous (LZ) 501N, undergoes a major assault by the NVA. Bravo and Alpha Companies enter the fight. Losses total 17 KIA. PFC Louis Willet posthumously receives the Medal Honor for his actions during this engagement. You may be interested in the full battle report available on our PX Battle ReportsTo view this battle location see click on map 6437-II 8,9,10 March 1969 Once again in the Kontum Province provides a series of contacts over a three day period resulting in a total of 12 KIAs, with 10 KIA's resulting from enemy contact on March 9. Delta and Bravo Company's were hit on March 8 resulting in 1 KIA from each company. Then on March 9 Bravo Company engages the enemy resulting in 8 KIA, with two more dying of their wounds from March 9. 27 May 1969 This battle in Kontum Province involving Charlie Company ranks as the battalion's next costliest, but no more so than the next three on our list. There are 12 KIA‘s in this engagement. Company Commander Capt. Wandke is hit 7 times, and still he manages to extract his men from the battlefield, but not before the Battalion Commander, LTC Robert Carter is killed. Carter would be the Red Warriors' highest-ranking officer KIA. For the Red Warriors, the next two weeks would see the greatest period of enemy activity and contact. This and the next two battles are in the same AO. To view this battle location see click on map 6537-II. To down load the radio log for May 27, CLICK HERE. Radio designations: A Company = 96; B Company= 39; C Company = 18; D Company = 20; Recon Plt = 92; Battalion = 60 31 May 1969 Just three days after the preceding battle, Bravo Company makes NVA enemy contact. In a repeat of the May 27th fight, it ,too, sustains 12 KIA in fierce fighting as Kontum Province again flares with NVA movement. Delta Company also enguages the enemy this day. To view this battle location see click on map 6537-II. To down load the radio log for May 31, CLICK HERE. Radio designations: A Company = 96; B Company= 39; C Company = 18; D Company = 20; Recon Plt = 92; Battalion = 60 5 June 1969 Just five days after Bravo's contact,  Delta Company walks into an NVA stronghold resulting in 10 KIA, including a Delta medic. The day and night long battle is joined by Charlie Company which comes to their aid and sadly loses one of its own medics. The battle claims 11 lives, a number that marks 34 men lost in the 10 day day period. To view this battle location see click on map 6537-II. 5-II. To down load the radio log for June 5 & 6, CLICK HERE. Radio designations: A Company = 13; B Company= 39; C Company = 67; D Company = 43; Recon Plt = 90; Battalion = 63 CAMBODIA INCURSION May 7-14, 1970 Between May 7 and 14, while in Cambodia, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and HHC Companies share a total of 14 KAI casualties. The "invasion" would be the last serious engagement with the enemy before the Red Warrior battalion returns to the U.S. in November 1970.