Chinese Bandit Recon LRRP Team 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav

[RANGERConners]

RANGER Jerry Conners served with:

The Chinese Bandit Recon LRRP Team 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav 1965-66 was awarded TWO Presidential Unit Citations, the nation's highest unit decoration for extraordinary heroism for their participation in the Battles of the Ia Drang (Pleiku November 1965) and Nathan Hale (Trung Luong June 1966); conducted the historic FIRST night combat rappel lead by RANGER Lawson; and performed DOD/MACV directed long range reconnaissance (LRRP) operations lead by 101st RECONDO Grimes along the northern Cambodia and southern Laos borders in the spring of 1966 ..."Laying Down FIRST Tracks in the Central Highlands…Chinese Bandits Penetrate Deeper!"

[RANGERConners]

Chinese Bandit Parachute Jumps and Patrolling at Pleiku, S. Vietnam in December 1965 by RANGER Jerry Conners, Chinese Bandit 13
After the Battle of Ia Drang where the Chinese Bandits would be awarded their first Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism, the entire Chinese Bandit Recon Platoon was relocated to Lake Pleiku where patrolling was conducted on the margin of the tea plantations and in support of other Jumping Mustang search and destroy missions in the Kontum area while operating with the 1^st Bn 9^th Cav. Aerial and ground reconnaissance efforts had confirmed that the NVA were withdrawing towards Cambodia and only small enemy units were believed to be operating in the area; however the local American and South Vietnamese units remained concerned that another large NVA attack would occur during Christmas or New Years Day. Our patrolling confirmed that no large NVA units were mobilizing in or near the area.
A parachute proficiency jump was scheduled for December 29, 1965 and the Chinese Bandits and portions of the Jumping Mustang 1^st Bn (ABN) 8^th Cav performed parachute jumps from UH-1’s on the drop zone located above the lake during a visit to our unit by General Westmoreland. Some of us had the opportunity to make more than one jump in the late afternoon. Several jumpmasters were used and most of the NCOs competed for the duty with RANGER Lawson obtaining the honor for the Chinese Bandits. This and other parachute activities are described briefly in Colonel Ken Mertel’s book.
We continued to patrol in the Pleiku area in preparation for the planned assault into Cambodia that was tentatively scheduled for January. We rotated the assignments of each Chinese Bandit to provide them the opportunity to perform different patrolling assignments and roles. Tyler displayed the strongest interest in performing the lead point position and an aptitude for tracking and detecting signs of enemy activity. Both reconnaissance and combat patrolling exercises were performed where Frank Spickler was responsible for the support team that included Hatcher and Carley with his M-60 machinegun. We were able to practice all of our immediate action drills and continue to improve our skills, especially in navigating long distances.
On the morning of December 30, we boarded two UH-1 helicopters where I was accompanied by the assault team in the lead helicopter and the trail aircraft transported Spickler’s support team. Our short flight would take us away from the tea plantations to a small village located west of Lake Pleiku where we were to be inserted on a two ship landing zone that offered no cover or concealment. The village was located about one kilometer from a South Vietnamese armored unit and had a civilian population of about 200 persons and enemy contact was not expected.
As we approached the landing zone, the Chinese Bandits positioned themselves on the struts with our patrol caps stowed and weapons readied. When the helicopter flared and settled to a running three feet hover, we jumped, ran and dropped to the ground about 30 meters from the departing helicopters. As the Chinese Bandits support team exited from the second helicopter and my assault team began to make zigzag runs towards the short fence that surrounded the village, we began receiving small arms fire from an unknown position within the village. I yelled for Frank to position the machine gun to the south near the street that divided the village in two parts and "Don’t let anyone get through!" A second later two bullets struck the ground near me and I detected those firing from a position near the fence and north of where we had landed. As I aimed to return fire, two rifle carrying khaki clad men darted away from the fence line and towards the center of the village.
We continued our charged without firing towards the cover and concealment that was available beyond the fence. Some Chinese Bandits went through and others vaulted and dove over the fence. The fence was intended to secure small livestock and broke easily when I charged through it. Frank’s support team ran the ‘100 yard dash’ along my assault teams left flank and I heard him yell that he was in position. From the time we had begun to receive fire until both teams were in position less than fifteen seconds had lapsed. I did not check on the condition of the Chinese Bandits but pressed the attack while yelling to Frank that we were heading north and repeated again "Don’t let them get through." As the assault team moved forward, I glanced back towards the landing zone and observed that no Chinese Bandits were down, as Tyler, and the two Halls began to maneuver I yelled to them to determine if they had been wounded and each man yelled back "No!" Without asking, Frank yelled from a distance that his men were ‘OK’.
We moved cautiously expecting contact but reached the north end of the village without finding anyone armed. Underground tunnels were located near each hut, which were constructed on stilts. Most men, women and children of the village moved to the safety of the underground bunkers as we approached but a few did not. Frank had not observed anyone crossing the street and I concluded that the enemy was hiding either on the side we had just searched or had crossed to the other side before Frank and his men had reached his observation and gun position.
The helicopters that had inserted us earlier had departed as planned and Stevens had been radioing situation reports as we were attacking. Two gunships and one command and control helicopter being flown by Colonel Mertel arrived overhead as we completed our search of the area east of the street being observed by Frank Spickler. Col. Mertel directed me to depart the village and move by foot to another landing zone for extraction while the gunships remained on station to provide supporting fires.
We did not return to the village and I did not question the decision to withdraw. The Jumping Mustang Daily Journal records that only four rounds were fired at the Chinese Bandits and that report is based solely on my report during the debriefing that occurred that evening in the Battalion Commander’s CP.

[RANGERConners]

MOD EDIT:

Jerome Conners is a MILITARY FRAUD and I will not have him defile this LRS forum with his bullshit stories...

I think it is time to report him under the new Stolen Valor act.

Eyes

[RANGERConners]

RAYMOND CARLEY REMEMBERED
by Ranger Jerry Conners,
Chinese Bandit Recon 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav, 1965-66

face down crawling
the pain does not matter anymore
they can not help me,
Don't try he yells
to those nearby
must it end

the ground is warm,
the smell of the earth
the fallen leaves in hand
engulfed in the sounds of withering fire
touched twice again
he grimaces and smiles
through gritted teeth
alone without strength
must it end,

colder now
shaking
unable to breathe
or tear the collar too close
about his neck,
struggling frantically
to hold on
numb now,
through squinted eyes some light,
soaked in blood
fingers slowly grasping emptiness,
swaying in the arms of death
let there be more

Note: Raymond Carley [ http://thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=7869 ] was killed on June 23, 1966 during the Battle of Trung Luong where the Chinese Bandits were awarded their 2d Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during the period 1965-66…the first was awarded for participation in the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965. More information on the Chinese Bandits can be obtained at http://www.geocities.com/d6566mustangs/

[RANGERConners]

Combat/Reconnaissance Patrol of the Recon 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav during Operation Nathan Hale June 23, 1966

On July 19, 1966 the 2d Bn (ABN) 327th Inf, 101st Airborne Division conducted air assaults northwest of Tuy Hoa in the vicinity of Trung Luong Valley and encountered heavy resistance and casualties from battles with the 66th, 95th and 18th Regiments of the North Vietnamese Army 302d Division. B and C Companies of the 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav, 1st Cav Division were inserted to reinforce the 2/327 Inf on June 20. B Co 1/8th Cav linked up with B Co 2/327 Inf in the morning on June 21 in the vicinity of LZ Eagle. The two airborne battalions experienced continuous attacks, including hand-to-hand combat, and inflicted heavy losses on the two NVA attacking battalions. One wounded NVA company commander was captured from the area in front of the rifle companies and reported his unit had been annihilated and the other NVA units had begun to withdraw on the evening of June 22d.

On June 22, Recon 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav (Chinese Bandits) were extracted from reconnaissance operations being performed in Kontum Province and airlifted to Tuy Hoa airport and placed under the operational control of the 1st Bn 9th Cav, 1st Cav Division. At 0530, 23 June, the Chinese Bandits Recon Platoon and one Recon Platoon of the 1/9th Cav were inserted into separate landing zones southwest of LZ Eagle to regain contact with the one of the withdrawing NVA forces. The sun was shining and the weather dry and combat engagement was anticipated so the ranger patrol caps were stowed and helmets donned as the Bandits approached and then exited the helicopters on the tree lined hilltop LZ. Both landing zones were located adjacent to wide, ox cart size, trails that led to the higher hilltops where several hundred of the NVA 66th Regiment were believed to be occupying. The Bandit LZ was located along the ridgeline approaching the expected enemy position and the 1/9th Recon LZ was located further downhill in a draw on the Bandit’s left flank.

The Bandits moved along the ridgeline trail and at mid-morning, point man PFC Raymond Carley observed a NVA size squad moving towards them and away from the 1/9th Recon Platoon that was proceeding along the lower trail towards the intersection of both trails. Carley and three others moved into a position ahead in the vicinity of coordinates CQ 958626 where they were able to kill three of the fleeing NVA before the remaining NVA, wearing khaki uniforms and some tan helmets, retreated further uphill.

The Bandits continued up hill along the trail with Carley now opting to carry the new AK47 that he had removed from one of the NVA and having given his own M16 and ammunition to the medic assigned to Recon. Anticipating a main NVA force to be occupying the intersection of the trails being used by the Bandits and the 1/9th Recon Platoon, the 25 man Chinese Bandit force advanced slowly along both sides of the trail while listening to the voices and sounds of the NVA preparing positions along the ridgeline ahead. Carley continued uphill ahead of the other Bandits until he located the first enemy positions and machinegun along the left side of the trail where the Bandits began to move into combat positions amongst the small and sparsely treed locations below the NVA. A second machinegun position was located on the right side of the trail and moments later a third NVA machinegun opened fire and the Bandits exchanged small arms fire (rifle, machinegun, and grenades) for several minutes as they attempted to advance and attack the NVA force.

Operating without orders, SP/4 Frank Spickler, team leader of the 3d Scout Squad, immediately ran forward to assist Carley and those engaging the most concentrated NVA force located in the vicinity of coordinates CQ 962618 where he observed Carley laying along the trail about 30 feet in front of the nearest NVA position. Carley had been shot several times and although alive, he was unable to crawl clear of the withering fire. Spickler moved closer and avoided detection by the NVA until he attempted to cross the trail and pull Carley to safety. Heavy enemy fire prevented Spickler from advancing and he withdrew a short distance to obtain the assistance of other Bandits located near him. Spickler positioned one of the scouts in a location where the scout could provide suppressing fire during his effort to move Carley. Leaving his rifle with the other Bandits, Spickler again moved into position near Carley, he dashed towards him, dropping to a low crawl when the NVA fired on him and then rolling near Carley, he was able to hoist Carley on his back and quickly dragged him towards the side of the trail. During this attempt, Spickler felt the impact of bullets entering Carley. Once clear of the most intense fire, Spickler carried Carley to the medic who was already treating several, but less wounded Bandits.

During his second attempt to retrieve Carley, Spickler had located SGT James Lester lying less than ten feet from where Carley had been laying. Again acting without orders, Spickler returned to the area in front of the enemy’s position where he low crawled under fire and dragged the much heavier Lester clear of direct enemy fire.

The Recon Platoon of the 1/9th Cav had quickly advanced along the wide trail located in the draw and came alongside the left flank of the Chinese Bandits, where both Recon Platoons unsuccessfully attempted a coordinated attack in an effort to over run the NVA positions located near the intersection of both trails.

MSG Johnson, acting platoon leader of the Chinese Bandits, directed Spickler to move forward to a position between the lead scouts and the NVA and mark the position with smoke grenades. All available indirect fire mortars and artillery were positioned to support the other elements of the 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav and the 2d Bn (ABN) 327th Inf and only ARA equipped gunships were able to provide supporting fires. Spickler remained in position, marking the enemy lines while the gunships continually attacked the NVA located in front of the two Recon Platoons and on the higher hilltops for about thirty minutes. One gunship pass was made ‘danger close’ resulting in a 2.75-inch FF aerial rocket exploding and injury several Bandits, including SSG Robert Grimes, the 1st Scout Squad Leader and acting Platoon Sergeant.
The NVA withdrew further uphill allowing the two Recon Platoons to carry their killed and wounded scouts along the side of the lower trail that had been used by the Recon Platoon of the 1/9th Cav. However, as darkness fell, another large NVA force resumed the attack and pursued the wounded men of both Recon Platoons as they made their way towards the LZ designated for extraction. Small firefights occurred throughout the night resulting in further Bandits being wounded. Approaching the LZ that was secured by other troops from the 3d Brigade, 1st Cav Division, in the early morning light, medivac helicopters arrived and both Recon Platoons were airlifted to a field medical station that had been located along Highway One. The bodies of Chinese Bandits PFC Raymond Carley and Sergeants James Lester and Honorio Ramirez and the other many wounded Bandits were left with the medics, doctors and nurses. The remaining Chinese Bandits rejoined the 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav and commenced patrolling in the area SW of LZ Eagle on June 26, 1966.

This description of the actions taken by Carley and Spickler is only one of the many efforts made by the scouts of both Recon Platoons and warrant being written in recognition of those that fought that day on June 23, 1966. Efforts are underway to post the other detailed descriptions of those engagements on the Chinese Bandit LRRP Team Recon 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav homepage.

Raymond Carley [ http://thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=7869 ], our youngest Chinese Bandit, is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego County, California; Frank Spickler was awarded the Bronze Star with V Device (something that remains a source of irritation after forty years…it was initially discussed that he was to be given the Distinguished Service Cross); and Recon 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav was awarded its SECOND Presidential Unit Citation for valor. 101st Recondo Spickler was later shot in the lung while serving as the Platoon Sergeant of the 3d Platoon, C Company, 2d Bn (ABN) 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division and unable to remain on jump status and left the military in 1970.

The 1965-66 Chinese Bandits were to remain a fighting airborne Recon Platoon with its LRRP Team performing extended long range reconnaissance operations along the borders of Laos and Cambodia until November 1966 when they were disbanded having lost most of its original NCOs and scouts.

Extracted from written statement made by Duke Barrett and interviews with Frank Spickler and others serving with the Recon 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav on June 23, 1966; and the official after action reports of the 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav, and 2d Bn (ABN) 327th Infantry.


Historical footnote: Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Hale is best remembered for his "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" speech before being hung following the Battle of Long Island. An account of his capture was written by Consider Tiffany, a British Loyalist, and obtained by the Library of Congress. In Tiffany’s account, Major Robert Rogers of the Queens Rangers ("Rogers Rangers") was the individual responsible for his capture and personally apprehended him. More information can be obtained reference Nathan Hale’s capture in the Library of Congress Information Bulletin-July-August 2003 on line at http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0307-8/hale.html

[yrualeg]

Ranger Conners,

What exactly is a Special Forces Weapons expert? Do you carry a SF Identifier? And who exactly are the "Chinese Bandits" I have searched high and low and the only person that make a reference to them is You?

[CAL]

Hmmm, something stinks....

http://www.armyparatrooper.org/dropz...ead.php?t=8590

[Abn1SG50S]

I'm calling BULLSHIT!!
I don't know about some of this shit, but 1-8 Cav wasn't involved in the battle in the Ia Drang Valley. That was 1-7 Cav under LTC Hal Moore. I double-checked my memory against some references and A/1-8 was on Duc Co SF Camp as a reaction force for 1st Bde, but had nothing to do with the Ia Drang.

I just looked at his fucking profile. Who the hell claims to be DZSO and DACO qualified??!!!

[RedFalcon]

And the blood is in the water...

[rangeroffspr]

And the blood is in the water...

He won't respond. He hasn't posted an answer to any queries on other boards, only the same copies and pastings as thus far.

[yrualeg]

I'm calling BULLSHIT!!
I don't know about some of this shit, but 1-8 Cav wasn't involved in the battle in the Ia Drang Valley. That was 1-7 Cav under LTC Hal Moore. I double-checked my memory against some references and A/1-8 was on Duc Co SF Camp as a reaction force for 1st Bde, but had nothing to do with the Ia Drang.

I just looked at his fucking profile. Who the hell claims to be DZSO and DACO qualified??!!!

Good question....I think he's full of shit too. He seems to be the only expert on the "Chinese Bandits"

[yrualeg]

Another tale from the Storied "Chinese Bandits" patrol team....Left me wanting more of your spine tingling tale of daring do in far away places against all odds.

Spartans ain't got shit on you Bro.

[yrualeg]

And yet Another tale from the Storied "Chinese Bandits" patrol team....Left me wanting more of your spine tingling tale of daring do in far away places against all odds.

Spartans ain't got shit on you Bro.

[blackflagg509]

He tried this shit across the street and when questioned upon it; has never answered any of the queries posted except cut and pasting more and more stories of the "bandits" and "they're exploits." He's full of it and has been called out on numerous military sites; whoever this guy is he needs serious counseling is all I can say, cause he's never going to find acceptance from any military site trying to pass off this crap.

[Psycho7]

Some of our Vietnam vets need to verify this guy or verify he is 100%. Then ban his ass if he won't verify his claims toss him into the abyss.