Byron
Hill
Doing
laundry in WP can obtained from F/2/11
Byron
Hill, H&S and M/3/5, 67-68
Served as Forward Observer with Mighty Mike from March through September
1967. Then served with 3/5 Hdqtrs. until January 1968.
Was
proud to serve with Captain McElroy; Gunny Denny Dinota and a bunch
of other great Marines during Operation UNION; UNION II; COCHISE; SWIFT;
and several smaller operations. Received the Silver Star for actions
in UNION. Semper fi, Byron
The
following operations are listed in my OQR (Service Record Book):
1) Foxtrot X-Ray in support of US Army special forces at Tien
Phouc RVN
2) Operation UNION – 23 Apr 67- 17 May 67
3) Operation UNION II- 26 May 67 – 6 Jun 67
4) Operation ADAIR – 15 Jun 67-24 Jun 67
5) Operation CALHOUN – 25 Jun 67 – 1 Jul 67
6) Operation PIKE – 1 Aug 67 – 3 Aug 67
7) Operation COCHISE – 11 Aug 67 – 26 Aug 67
8) Operation YAZOO – 27 Aug 67 – 5 Sep 67
SILVER
STAR CITATION:
"For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving
as an Artillery Forward Observer with Company M, Third Battalion,
Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations
against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On
13 May 1967, during Operation UNION, the defensive positions of
Company M came under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons
and mortar fire. Unhesitatingly exposing himself to heavy
enemy fire, First Lieutenant HILL maneuvered to an exposed vantage
point to adjust artillery fire against the enemy's positions and
remained in this unprotected position for over two hours, skillfully
directing and adjusting supporting arms fire until the enemy fire
was silenced.
Upon
learning that the platoon commander, platoon sergeant and guide
of the Second Platoon had been seriously wounded, he assumed command
of the unit and moved across 200 meters of fire swept terrain
to the platoon's location. Demonstrating exceptional leadership
and tactical ability, First Lieutenant HILL reorganized the unit,
encouraged his men and aggressively led the platoon.
Later
in the afternoon, he was recalled to the command post where he
immediately coordinated and supervised the planning of night defensive
fires for the company's position. In the early morning hours 14
May 1967, the enemy launched an intense machine gun and mortar
attack, closely followed by a coordinated infantry assault against
the company's position. With complete disregard for his own safety,
he moved to an exposed vantage point and for over two hours, calmly
directed artillery fire on the hostile force, often within ninety
meters of the company's lines.
As
the attack subsided, First Lieutenant HILL relentlessly pursued
the fleeing enemy with intense supporting arms fire. In
large measure due to his determined efforts and superior professional
ability, Company M accounted for over 150 enemy confirmed killed.
By his steadfast courage, exceptional professionalism and selfless
devotion to duty, First Lieutenant HILL was an inspiration to
all who served with him and upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
FOR
THE PRESIDENT
V.
H. KRULAK
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING
|
My
wife Janet & I kissing goodbye at MCAS El Toro 3/21/67
Outside
our tent on Hill 65
Hill 65 was the base camp we established at the end of
Operation UNION
Preparing
my hole next to a tent somewhere in the Que Son Valley
Some
mortar fins which the bad guys had tossed at us on one of the operations
Filling
sand bags
Giving
fire commands to 105 MM Howitzers of F/2/11 in support of 3/5
105MM
Howitzers of F/2/11 firing in support of 3/5
Me
as C.O. of F/2/11 with X.O. Lt. Joe Stenger
Taking
“ Bio Break” on Hill 65 between Operation UNION and UNION II
Left:
Byron with Cpl. Spears, my driver from F/2/11
Right: Capt (?) Commo of 3/5 during Operation UNION and UNION II
1st
Sergeant Cauffman of F/2/11
The “Top” loved to tell the Marines of F/2/11 “How the cow eats the
cabbage”! He was a great 1st Sgt. for the Marines of F/2/11, and as
the C.O. I depended on him for input and trusted him completely. He
was seriously wounded in the arm shortly before he was due to rotate
home, but he survived.
A
female French journalist and her photographer who traveled with 3/5
for several days on Operation UNION II
Using
shower facilities at Hill 65 between Operation UNION and UNION II
“My
Haystack”
It
was located near the Ville of Que Son and was a source of comfort and
inspiration for me.
Christmas
Day, 1967
On
Christmas Day 1967, the villagers came to the F/2/11 position at Fort
Bravo, just south of DaNang and presented this flower arrangement to
the men of F/2/11. Even though it looked like “funeral flowers” to us
we did appreciate the gesture, especially when it didn’t blow up.
Group
of Vietnamese “DiDi’ing” through DaNang as we headed North during the
1968 Tet Offensive
View
of Hai Van Pass North of DaNang
As F/2/11 was headed north to Phu Bai during Tet in 1968, so that we
could continue to support 3/5.
Left:
Girls of a Philippine band that was sponsored by the USO
Right: USO Hostess at the show
Swimming
in the South China Sea
F/2/11 was assigned a firing position just off the beach when things
cooled down after the 1968 Tet Offensive.
H&S and M/3/5 website
Operation
DESOTO
Operation UNION and UNION II
Operation
COCHISE
Operation
SWIFT
(Background
by Redeye)
