The Storm

our radio man and our spotter, dropping them both to the j ungle floor, severely wounded. We didn’t even have time to call in a fire mission, as Gunny’s chopper sped past just overhead skimmin' the treetops and headin' for the clearing at the LZ just ahead of us. The Vietcong fired automatic small arms fire at the chopper, but they had passed by so quickly overhead, that it was a futile attempt. We carried our wounded and traveled as fast as possible, which was not nearly fast enough. We knew then that we would never meet up with the Huey at the LZ, so we set up a firin' perimeter to try to survive the onslaught, take out as many of the enemy as possible, and try to make it to the chopper to be airlifted out." "The eight of us found cover, hid our wounded, and waited for the rush of soldiers determined to capture us. The whole jungle seemed to be movin' toward us like a storm front pushin' through the brush, the trees, and the leaves. We set up and waited for the assault, or possibly death from above from Gunny’s 50 caliber machine gun from the chopper door, if ou r capture was inevitable. "I called for the SAT phone and yelled into the microphone to the Huey commander, 'THIS IS FOXTAIL. We are under heavy enemy concentration and need air cover. We cannot make it to the LZ and need assistance. We are returning fire. Watch for the concentration of tracer bullets for target

location. DO YOU READ?' After a pause, 'FOXTAILWE COPY SWITCH TO COM RADIO!'"

Henry continued, "I couldn't believe my ears. Why take the time for a radio transition during a firefight, but I quickly

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