After the Battle of Ong Thanh, we were in a desperate situation. Even with reinforcements, our force was outnumbered by the enemy force which has been estimated to have been at least 1200 soldiers. We were within rock-throwing distance of their basecamp, with no fortifications of our own and with 130+ casualties. It was fully expected that the enemy force would press the attack again, catching us in the rescue operation. In the meantime, there was sniper fire creating continuous hazard. Trying to find and save wounded soldiers was the first order of business. There were many seriously wounded soldiers and every minute was crucial. The closest clearing to evacuate wounded was at least 800m away and we didn't have the manpower or the time to carry seriously wounded casualties that far. Instead, chainsaws were dropped in and a small clearing was cut in the jungle, just large enough for a 2-man helicopter, and the Nighthawks and other aviators who flew OH-13 observation helicopters were tasked with making the dangerous trips in and out of that makeshift LZ to carry out the most seriously wounded of our casualties. I was privileged to receive this message a few years ago from former WO2 Burton Bucher, who flew for the Nighthawks out of Lai Khe. :

"I flew in support of the Black Lions that day and remember it like it was yesterday. We flew as the 3rd Bde Aviation section of the First Infantry division out of Lai Khe--had 6 H-13s and had as memory serves used 2-3 that day.. We got the call they needed medivac ships and had no idea what we were going into--and really what was going on---came onto the site and talked on the radio-between ships-we had 6 on station when I was there. The troops had cut down a few trees to make a hole big enough to get a H13 into --- Huey wouldn't fit--too big --- we shot a approach to a hover then a vertical descent of 100-120 feet and rested our skids on a cut down tree---Loaded the wounded one at a time --then a vertical climb of 120 feet out of that hole with everything the ship had to give 3200 rpm overspeed to 3300rpm as we pulled power --riding right pedal looking for a hollow in the trees to help build rotor rpm---right on the jagged edge ---we flew to a rice paddy open area not 1-2 klics away--we landed and transferred to the Huey medivacs--then back to the hole and do it again--I got six out that day-- the other 13 pilots about the same --we only took the wounded--not the dead--I read the book "They Marched Into Sunlight" and remember that they said the pilots didn't seem to care or were disconnected---I can tell you we did care!!!! it's just we were right on the edge of what that ship could do and pushed them beyond their limits---The Pucker factor was very high and that "moments of fear" thing was all the same between the pilots as we talked later--we were totally focused on the job at hand --we didn't lose a ship that day and got out 35-40 guys that wouldn't of had a chance-----Proud to have served----Nighthawkbravo 3rd Bde 1st Inf Div."

Many thanks to Ken Hinks, who took this photo of an OH-13 in Lai Khe basecamp and graciously shared it with me.