FSB Ripcord

Encyclopedia : F : FS : FSB : FSB Ripcord

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Units Involved

2.1 United States
2.2 North Vietnam

3 References

3.1 Books
3.2 Articles
3.3 Video
3.4 Associations

4 See Also

Introduction

The battle of Fire Support Base RIPCORD was the last major battle fought by United States ground forces in Vietnam. Located on the eastern edge of the A Shau Valley, and taking place at the same time as the invasion of Cambodia, the operation was under a news blackout. The participants were bound to secrecy for fifteen years, so little was known about the battle until 1985, when the [FSB Ripcord Association] was founded. Three Congressional Medals of Honor and five Distinguished Service Crosses were earned during the operations. 250 US servicemen were KIA including Col Andre Lucas, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, and 1LT Bob Kalsu - the only recently active pro athlete to be killed in Vietnam. Fighting from four hilltops, surrounded, and outnumbered nearly ten to one, US forces virtually destroyed eight of nine NVA battalions before an aerial withdrawal under heavy mortar, anti-aircraft, and small arms fire. NVA losses at Ripcord delayed the ability of North Vietnam to overrun South Vietnam for at least one year.

Units Involved

United States

2nd Battalion (Currahees), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). The main US infantry unit involved.
2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
2nd Battalion, 319th Artillery.
2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery.
2/17th Cavalry.
158th Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Assault and Gunship companies.
159th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion. Lift company.
58th Scout Dog Platoon, 101st Airborne Division.

North Vietnam

324B Division. The main PAVN division involved.
304B Division. Supporting role.
Four artillery battalions.
Four 120mm mortar companies.
One anti-aircraft battalion.
One sapper battalion (reinforced)

References

Books

"Ripcord: Screaming Eagles Under Siege, Vietnam 1970" by Keith W. Nolan, Presidio Press, 2000, ISBN 0891416420
"Hell On A Hill Top: America's Last Major Battle In Vietnam" by Major General Benjamin L. Harrison, iUniverse Press (available from [Ripcord Association])
"The Price of Exit", by Tom Marshall, Ballentine Books, 1998. ISBN 0804117152

Articles

[Rescue From FSB Ripcord], by Tom Marshall

Video

"Siege at Firebase Ripcord", War Stories with Oliver North, Fox News Productions, product # FOX25004600

Associations

[FSB Ripcord Association] - For Survivors, Family and Friends of the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam, March 12 - July 23, 1970. Archived quarterly publications in pdf format.