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them of the situation and, in view of the heavy losses, requesting an additional reinforcing company. The request was approved, but the company was not brought in at that time due to heavy fire in the landing zone. The enemy fire was so heavy that movement toward or within the landing zone resulted in more friendly casualties. At 0755 all platoon positions threw a colored smoke grenade on order to define visually for Tac Air, aerial rocket artillery, and the artillery air observer the periphery of the perimeter. All fire support was brought in extremely close and a few rounds of artillery fell inside of the perimeter along with two napalm bombs. However, only two men were wounded from friendly fires. The troopers stood their ground and many individual acts of heroism were recorded. By 1000, the enemy attack had been defeated.

At approximately 1330, all companies in the perimeter screened out for 300 meters and policed the battlefield. The area was littered with dead enemy, weapons and equipment and there was massive evidence from the bloody trails, bandages, etc., that many other enemy had been dragged from the area. Some of the enemy dead were found literally stacked behind ant hills. Two prisoners were taken and evacuated.

Late in the afternoon of 14 November, the brigade commander had moved the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, into landing zone VICTOR. At approximately 0800 hours the following morning, it headed on foot for landing zone X-RAY. By noon, it had closed on the position. With this added strength, the Cavalry troopers were able to attack early in the afternoon and reached the surrounded platoon at 1510. The platoon still had some ammunition left and their morale was good. The wounded were evacuated, and all units were disposed and dug in for the night.

Although the enemy strongly probed their positions during the early hours of 16 November, the Cavalry troops held their positions. Flares were used continuously. At first light, orders were given for all men on the perimeter to spray the trees, the ant hills, and bushes forward of their positions for just over a minute to kill infiltrators and snipers. Immediately upon firing, a force of approximately 30 to 40 enemy exposed themselves forward of Company A of the 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, and began firing their weapons. Apparently the "mad minute" of fire had prematurely triggered a planned enemy attack. The tactic of spraying had accounted for six enemy dead. Several dropped out of the trees in the surrounding areas. The men liked this particular tactic not only for the effect it had on the enemy but for the relief of tension that had been built up throughout the night. By 0930 hours, the first elements