Air Force Magazine, Volume 93, Issue 11 (2010). pp. 42-46.
Language:
English
Abstract:
CMSgt. Richard L. Etchberger's defense against the North Vietnamese sappers saved his companions, but he was mortally wounded on the rescue helicopter. He was one of the 19 Americans on the mountain Phou Pha Thi top in Laos, operating a top secret radar site. They were lightly armed, with only 10 M-16 rifles shared among them. The airmen had no real training with the weapons, only a general familiarization and the opportunity for some informal firing. On March 18, 2011, mortar, artillery, and rocket rounds began falling on the mountaintop around 6 p.m. The barrage ceased at 7:45 p.m., but the Hmong were engaged in heavy fighting at lower elevations. About 9 p.m., Ambassador Sullivan decided evacuation would begin the next morning, despite Air Force reluctance to close the site. Because of Etchberger's fierce defense and heroic and selfless actions, he was able to deny the enemy access to his position and save the lives of his remaining crew.