Attack on FSB Hill 4-11
July 14, 1969
by Ryan Okino
July 14, 1969
by Ryan Okino
On July 14, 1969, the NVA launched a coordinated assault on Fire Support Base Hill 4-11.
Explosions and automatic weapons fire jolted the platoon awake. An enemy sapper had breached the perimeter and hurled a satchel charge into one of the bunkers, killing Juan Ramos and Eldon Reynolds instantly. Dusty Rhoades lay critically wounded in the debris.
The company came under heavy small-arms fire as Chi-Com grenades detonated from three directions—south, west, and east—tightening the noose around the firebase.
Captain Tyson immediately called for flare ships and gunships from Chu Lai to provide air support.
Doc Windows and Ryan Okino rushed to Dusty's side, finding long, deep shrapnel wounds across his back and right hand from the satchel charge blast. Working quickly in the darkness punctuated by explosions, they stabilized him as best they could.
Dusty's legs wouldn't respond. Okino and Doc hooked their arms under his shoulders and half-carried, half-dragged him up the hill toward an APC positioned behind the damaged bunker. The APC commander dropped the rear door, and together they lifted Dusty inside, settling him next to another wounded soldier.
Once a dust-off landed, Dusty was loaded with Ramos and Reynolds.
One month later, on August 15, 1969, Ryan Okino was wounded in action. He would spend the next two years recovering at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Explosions and automatic weapons fire jolted the platoon awake. An enemy sapper had breached the perimeter and hurled a satchel charge into one of the bunkers, killing Juan Ramos and Eldon Reynolds instantly. Dusty Rhoades lay critically wounded in the debris.
The company came under heavy small-arms fire as Chi-Com grenades detonated from three directions—south, west, and east—tightening the noose around the firebase.
Captain Tyson immediately called for flare ships and gunships from Chu Lai to provide air support.
Doc Windows and Ryan Okino rushed to Dusty's side, finding long, deep shrapnel wounds across his back and right hand from the satchel charge blast. Working quickly in the darkness punctuated by explosions, they stabilized him as best they could.
Dusty's legs wouldn't respond. Okino and Doc hooked their arms under his shoulders and half-carried, half-dragged him up the hill toward an APC positioned behind the damaged bunker. The APC commander dropped the rear door, and together they lifted Dusty inside, settling him next to another wounded soldier.
Once a dust-off landed, Dusty was loaded with Ramos and Reynolds.
One month later, on August 15, 1969, Ryan Okino was wounded in action. He would spend the next two years recovering at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.