Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967 photo - Dave Berry photos at pbase.com

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Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967

The Battle of Xom Bo II took place on June 17, 1967, during Operation Billings. About 36 American soldiers from 1/16th Inf. and 2/28th Inf. were killed. Many more were wounded.

2/28th Inf. Bravo Co., 3rd Platoon, had 9 KIA. John McCoy, who was a replacement after the battle, put together an excellent tribute to the soldiers of 3rd Platoon here: http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~realmccoy/billings.html

Recon Platoon, 1/16th Inf., also had 9 KIA.

These 3 photos were taken after the battle, while the wounded were being cared for. This is the real face of combat. No Rambo and no glamour. Just pain and misery.

The photos were acquired from 1st Infantry Division archives.

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Rodrick Thornton		15-Jun-2019 20:33
I was a member of HHC 1/16 Recon Plt (May 1966-67). I discover in 1979 when I met SSG (now CSM) Gradie Sanders in Germany that he and other people thought I was killed in that battle (I left May 31, 1967). I am in contact with these heroes every day. I am Bless to know them they my brothers. If you are interest, we be can reach at: www.devour29er.com/ Welcome Home and God Bless you

Steve wassmut h		31-Aug-2018 01:50
This still gives me nightmares I said up dreaming

Guest		16-Aug-2018 21:12
Ijust want someone to know,there is an individual onyoutube, claiming to have been there but his story sounds made up,reeksofstoenvalor. Actslike. He doesn't know what he's talking about especially when he mixes medics and corpsman, as a son of a REAL Vietnam Vet, who passed away when I was young, find this disrespectful

Thomas Biondi		28-Feb-2018 04:13
I belive some of the pictures were June 14 Xom bo 1 .I was there both days June 14 &17 with the B Co 1/16 2nd platoon.I recognize Phill Garcia as one of the wounded on the14th of June.Great photos!

phil vessello		29-Jan-2017 16:04
I was Dungeon 242 kilo an rto for a arty capt with Hq 1st 16th that day, I am both proud an sadden by that day.

Wayne Wade		17-Sep-2016 14:57
Wayne Wade - I was a private with the B Company 1/18th who relieved the 1/16th at the battle of Xom Bo II although I did not realize until recently that this battle had a name and I could not remember the exact date. Nor did I know that the Black Lions were involved. What is etched in my mind as long as I live, was the large number of black body bags I saw as I ran from my Huey to the wood line. You may read my detailed account of my experience just after we landed at the following web address: www.iam777.org/Retribution.htm

Mike Boberg		15-Nov-2015 00:27
My uncle, Edward "Eddie" Smith, was a PFC with Co B 1/16, killed June 17, in the Battle of Xombo. If anyone has any information on him or knew him, please contact me at michael.boberg@gmail.com. Thanks!

Wayne Wade		12-Nov-2015 20:20
I have often wondered if my unit, the 1/18th got in on the tail end of the Battle of Xom Bo II. One day while pulling rear guard at Lai Khe, our rest was abruptly interrupted when we were loaded on hueys and dropped into a near-by hot LZ to relieve the 1/16th who had gotten ambushed. They left and we stayed a few days. The enemy pulled back and we secured the LZ. Was this part of that same battle? Anyway, you can read details of what happened next after we secured that LZ, highlighted in blue at my web page but can some one add clarity here? www.iam777.org/Testimony.htm

William		12-Jun-2015 03:17
My step father was there with the 2/28. His name is Frank Holzworth and the guys called him "Hazel." If anyone remembers him email me at VaTrooper@gmail.com

Rencontre moto		04-Jun-2015 09:24
simply stunning

Sally Santa Cruz		21-May-2015 01:19
Does anyone know anybody who was in the 9th Eng. during 1967-68. I need help with my husband VA claim. His name was Alex Santa Cruz some called him cruz.

Dennis Basford		11-Mar-2015 17:47
C/1/16. I helped carry out the wounded just as seen in this picture. What a day.

randy selby		10-Nov-2014 19:42
searching for someone who knew charles patrick kelly kia 17june1967. please contact me by phone (714) 375-7754

Phillip B Garcia		22-Aug-2014 00:59
Phillip Garcia , second platoon, Company B, 1/16. My reason for writing is to give thank to the Black Lion who I regard with great respect as demonstrated great sprit as demonstrated by this web site.

Tom Nolen		02-Mar-2014 17:21
Can anyone give me some information on Gary Ernst?...other than The Virtual Wall. Gary was KIA on June 17, 1967 in Operation Billings.

Kevin B. O'Sullivan		10-Feb-2014 00:52
I was there that day. I was Bravo 2/6 kilo with Bravo Company 1/16. Looking for Gary Fetzer or Tom Tatro from the 4th platoon. Kevin OSullivan

Guest		20-Dec-2013 11:14
american heroes

Charles Reis		16-Dec-2013 04:17
Was with the 1st bal. 2nd inf. 1967-1968 do you have any pictures or names of anyone who was in that company. Thanks

treadhead68		13-Jul-2013 01:43
Remember in the late sixties when the media and Fonda's said that all the soldiers in Nam did was do dope then go out killing innocent women, children and any Vietnamese we came across. That Nam wasn't a war. I hope those punks see this, compare it to warfare in the Pacific during WWII. One thing that still haunts me and will until we meet the Wall Guys again, is the high school faces lying there lifeless, having given up all the rest of their could have beens to end up face down, no light in their eyes anymore, young to us forever. God, we may have been kids when we got there, but we were MEN after our first firefight. Young mans face, old mans eyes.

Lou 'Doc' Pisano		03-Mar-2013 18:45
I was a medic with HHC and flew in during the attack with fellow medics. My close medic friends Mike Stout and Jim Callahan were on the ground with A co. and B co. Mike Stout received silver star for heroic acts of saving lives that day. Unfortunately Mike passed away from a long illness and Jim was killed enroute to be with Mike as he lay dying. May they RIP. Lou 'Doc' Pisano C Co. and HHC medic. 1966-'67

Long Bach Nguyen		03-Feb-2011 06:35
Excellent combat photography showing hardship and care for each others in face of hardship.

felix vallejo		10-May-2010 19:56
I was the medic for 3rd platoon, Bravo company- 2nd/28th that day; I am still living in Austin,Texas at age 64. I have had a long career as a mental health counselor. This day will be forever etched in my mind. I knew Farhat the machine gunner, Victoriano Sosa, a rifelman and all the others. I witness tremendous bravery on the part of everyone. We did the best we could under the circumstances. My God bless everyone who was there that day both those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who lived. Felix Vallejo, Austin, Texas

Gouveia		04-Mar-2010 18:35
This photo, and the others show , the price we (some of us ) pay for freedom, these young men fought and bore the brunt of it all.Just look at them in that war torn situation.I salute all Americans that have ever worn the American Military Uniforms.

gillianmee		05-Feb-2010 01:56
Powerful shot.

alfredo camba jr.		04-Dec-2009 02:02
Strong photojournalistic image about thre horrors of the war! V

Guest		22-Sep-2009 13:14
A very moving & powerful image. Your narrative helps brings home the true cost of war. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Paula Stuart		02-Aug-2009 17:59
God have mercy. Thank you guys for all that you did, and continue to do even today for every American. I appreciate everything that you went through, just to protect me. You followed orders. You did the right thing. You will never be forgotten. God's love and peace to you all. Paula Stuart

Cindi Smith		09-Apr-2009 02:52
This image is so strong and so emotional. I must stop now and view later. I can't keep from crying.

Joe Hare		17-Aug-2008 01:09
Doc Berry Thanks for putting all these photo's together, great job. Would you know which unit these pics of Xom Bo are 1/16 or 2/28. I was Dauntless Bravo 3-6 Kilo on the first day (17 Jun 67) and then Bravo 6 Kilo the second day after the fight when Capt. Turner lost his RTO. Third platoon was point going into clearing, on the west side and took most of the causalities of Bravo Co. These are very moving pictures, some of the faces look a little familiar, but I can't be sure. Were you attached to 3rd Platoon, Bravo 2nd/28th anytime during Jan 67 to Jan 68? I think our medic on Xam Bo was named Valeho (spelling ???)

Kilkenny Photographic Society		11-Feb-2008 00:51
In the most part, a sombre Gallery, especially this photograph. Thanks for so much time in putting these photographs together and for sharing them. We all need to be reminded about the horrors of war. But I fear that mankind has not, and will never, learn the lesson. Go Well Dave. Harry Reid.

Tom Briggs		29-Jan-2008 13:13
Thanks for sharing, Dave ... your caption says it all.

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