This “Hill” soon defined the first platoon and the AO they patrolled.
Fire Support Base Hill 4-11 early 1970
On July 8, 1969, the first platoon, in a column of two’s, entered the rear of the Chinook helicopter, and the Chinook lifted off to take them to secure the new firebase location on a hill seven miles west of Quang Ngai City. The Chinook landed without receiving enemy fire, and they exited through the rear door as soon as it dropped.
They got on line to sweep the hill for booby traps. We found booby-trapped grenades, 2.75-inch rockets, and a canister full of napalm with a firing device planted in the ground.
Captain Tyson erected a sign on top of the hill that named the hill Fire Support Base Kelley-McCoy. Kelley and McCoy were two NCOs killed one day apart in the Rice Bowl a week earlier. However, the name Hill 4-11 became the official name of the firebase. The companies would take turns building the FSB. Alpha Company took the first 30-day rotation while the other companies patrolled the new AO along with the ARVNs.
They got on line to sweep the hill for booby traps. We found booby-trapped grenades, 2.75-inch rockets, and a canister full of napalm with a firing device planted in the ground.
Captain Tyson erected a sign on top of the hill that named the hill Fire Support Base Kelley-McCoy. Kelley and McCoy were two NCOs killed one day apart in the Rice Bowl a week earlier. However, the name Hill 4-11 became the official name of the firebase. The companies would take turns building the FSB. Alpha Company took the first 30-day rotation while the other companies patrolled the new AO along with the ARVNs.
First Platoon loading onto a Chinook
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Captain Tyson displaying the sign
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Lt. Baxter taking a break on the Hill
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On July 11, 1969 (three days after we secured the Hill), the platoon sat at their positions on Hill 4-11. Out of nowhere, we heard songs playing from the jungle 800 meters away. Everyone on the Hill got quiet. The three songs played were “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” by Peter, Paul, and Mary, “Oh, Susannah” by James Taylor, and “North to Alaska” by Johnny Horton. The sound quality was pretty good. Then the broadcast changed to someone speaking in English, asking us why we were fighting in Vietnam. He told us to surrender, come over to their side, or get wiped out.
Our artillery fired many rounds at the suspected NVA position, and once the guns quit firing, the NVA made fun of them for missing.
Our artillery fired many rounds at the suspected NVA position, and once the guns quit firing, the NVA made fun of them for missing.
Location of Jan 14 Ambush 2 KIA and 2 WIA
D Btry 6th/11th Arty on Hill 4-11 July 1969
F-4 Phantoms Air Strikes: Video taken on Hill 4-11, July and August 1969
Daily Log written by Col Leslie J. Stottle USA Ret (Battalion Commander)
A photograph of Fire Support Base Hill 4-11 today. Glyn Haynie and Mike Dankert returned to Vietnam, and took this photo on June 16, 2018.
