MIA Vietnamese

MIA's - it works both ways

Truong Duc Binh searches for remains of 2 uncles near LZ Brillopad - Fierce fighting May of 1968 - does any Red Warrior have information?

Thirty nine year old Truong Duc Binh wasn't even born yet when his fathers brothers, members of the North Vietnamese Army, died while attacking Red Warrior LZ Brillo Pad in May of 1968. Today he's on a search for the remains of his uncles, and he's seeking Red Warrior help for anyone remembering where NVA bodies may have been buried by American forces.

This story is certainly a first for Red Warriors, and it comes as no surprise that Vietnamese too are seeking their MIA's, just as Americans are doing to this very day. It comes with some surprise that the NVA kept fairly accurate records of their fallen, and the approximate location of their deaths. North Vietnamese military records show that Truong's uncles died in March and May of 1968. Truong's quest has narrowed to his one uncle, Truong Van Kahn, as having been killed on May 16, 1968 on the assault of LZ Brillo Pad.

Truong has visited the site of LZ Brillo Pad more than once, and has noted that the area has changed a lot. He writes. " we have been there in 2009 and at that time the hill is quite clean and clear due to some guys went up there to collect the guns, helmets...and everything by steel to sell for their living. The forest has been destroyed since 2000. And US MIA also taken a helicopter there to look if there was anyone..."

This story began recently when Truong emailed - out of the blue - Red Warrior Paul Ogren. Ogre, who was at Brillopad, tells the story in his own words -

"I was recently contacted by a Vietnamese man, Truong Duc Binh, who had somehow found my name associated with LZ Brillopad. He lost one Uncle March 26, 1968 and another May 16th, 1968 both in Kontum Province. March of 68 1/12 was in the Ban Me Thuot area but May of 68 we were in the Kontum area.

Alpha Company at LZ Alamo
Bravo Company at LZ Bunker Hill
Charlie Company at LZ Brillo Pad
Delta Company at LZ Alamo

Here is a picture of Binh (remember the Vietnamese say their family name first, opposite order of ours)

Vietnamese Man Trying to Find Uncles I was recently contacted by a Vietnamese man, Truong Duc Binh, who had somehow found my name associated with LZ Brillopad. He lost one Uncle March 26, 1968 and another May 16th, 1968 both in Kontum Province. March of 68 1/12 was in the Ban Me Thuot area but May of 68 we were in the Kontum area. Alpha Company at LZ Alamo Bravo Company at LZ Bunker Hill Charlie Company at LZ Brillo Pad Delta Company at LZ Alamo Here is a picture of Binh (remember the Vietnamese say their names in opposite order of ours) Binh was actually in the Kontum area while we exchanging information. He was at the base of FSB 14 Chun Tan Kra mountain which is about 8K north of LZ Brillo Pad. This is what Binh was using as the basis of his search: He has been to Brillo Pad and OP Hill (Hill 1124). In 2009 they found 14 graves on OP Hill. Considering the amount of weapons we recoverd up there I would think there are more sites in the area. A 2,000 pound bomb was dropped dead center by a USAF Skyraider. I am trying to help him locate possible grave sites around the area. Here is what I am fairly certain is the LZ Brillo Pad and OP Hill area Binh and the people he was with agreed that it was the location. I do recall a body about 1K from OP Hill. AS far as Brillo pad sites I think the NVA removed most of their KIA. There is a possibility of sites near the bottom on the East and North East side. I also suggested that the area abour 4K to the N NW of Brillo Pad where all the B-52 strikes occurred. If anyone remembers anything as far as possible sites please let me know. It is my understanding that the Vietnam government had the area off limits until around 2000. After that the area was pretty much stripped bare by scavengers. Here are some recent pictures from the Brillo Pad and OP hill area. The pictures are all pretty much guesses by Ron Reddy and me. The south end of Brillo Pad by where the helipad was An old bunker site on Brillo Pad Trail up to OP Hill (hill 1124) More of the way up to OP Hill Grave site on OP Hill Viets looking at what I think is the west side of OP Hill NVA canteen Rusty AK-47 1

Binh was actually in the Kontum area while we were exchanging email information. He was at the base of FSB 14 Chun Tan Kra mountain which is about 8K north of LZ Brillo Pad.

He has been to Brillo Pad and OP Hill (Hill 1124). In 2009 they found 14 graves on OP Hill. Considering the amount of weapons we recovered up there I would think there are more sites in the area. A 2,000 pound bomb was dropped dead center by a USAF Skyraider. I am trying to help him locate possible grave sites around the area.

(Editors note: It is Op HIll area where Red Warrior Sgt Anund Roark, won the Medal of Honor, and who died May 16, 1968,the same day as Binh's uncle, during fierce fighting - Read his Citation)

Shown in the map below is what I am fairly certain is the LZ Brillo Pad and OP Hill area Also see our website map page and Map section 6537-IV

Truong Duc Binh

Binh, and the people he was with, agreed that it was the location. I personally recall a body about 1K from OP Hill. As far as Brillo pad sites I think the NVA removed most of their KIA.

There is a possibility of sites near the bottom on the East and North East side. I also suggested that the area ab our 4K to the N NW of Brillo Pad where all the B-52 strikes occurred.

If anyone remembers anything as far as possible sites please let me know. [ please email Paul Ogren at <phogren@yahoo.com>]

It is my understanding that the Vietnam government had the area off limits until around 2000. After that the area was pretty much stripped bare by scavengers.

Here are some recent pictures from the Brillo Pad and OP Hill area. The pictures are all pretty much guesses by Ron Reddy and me.