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in dead and wounded that was beginning to sap the vitality of the company.

The heavy rains continued unabated during the early evening. Because of the steep terrain tube artillery was unable to place their volleys near enough to the perimeter to be effective in the close-in defense fights. Under the severe weather conditions, the aerial rocket artillery, the usual savior of an isolated airmobile element, could not be expected to function. However, two birds from the 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery (the battalion commander and his XO volunteered for the mission) felt their way up the side of the mountain and, guided by radio, pressed home salvo after salvo of rockets, some within a few feet of the company's perimeter. One last volley, in conjunction with a violent exchange of small arms and automatic weapons fire, ended the enemy threat for the night. The attacks diminished in strength and intensity and by 2000 hours, all contact was broken.

With more than 40 wounded men, along with nearly 20 killed, Coleman had little choice but to remain in position and await reinforcements which had been landed at landing zone HEREFORD during a brief period when the weather broke. The men of Bravo used the respite to continue digging in, and the medics, three of them now badly wounded, worked unceasingly to give aid and comfort to the wounded.

Even though the company was badly hurt, and the men were well aware of their danger the unit maintained its fighting spirit. Not one trooper suggested that the unit pull out. Many indicated their willingness to stand and die on that piece of ground.

At a few minutes after 2200 hours, Bravo with less than 45 effectives actually manning the perimeter was reinforced by some 130 men of Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry. Alfa, commanded by Captain John W. ("Jackie") Cummings, had air assaulted into landing zone HEREFORD and marched without opposition to the perimeter.

To facilitate relief in the pitch blackness, elements of the relieving company were fed into the line and integrated into overall defense. In many cases, members of Bravo Company gave up entirely or shared their hard dug holes with members of the fresh unit.

On 17 May, at 0615 hours, Bravo pulled in its listening posts, which had been stationed some 20-25 meters outside the perimeter, and the two companies initiated a "mad minute" of fire—a systematic spraying of trees and bushes in front of the positions. This firing touched off an immediate enemy reaction, and he launched