Film Reviews:

JULY 2024:

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)
We Were Soldiers (2002)

A First Hand Account of the Young and the Brave…

We Were Soldiers Once… and Young is a gripping, powerful, and meticulously detailed account of the Battle of Ia Drang, which occurred November 1965 during the Vietnam War. This book, written in 1992, and co-authored by Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, provides an unprecedented look into the first major engagement between the United States Army and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN).

Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young. In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.
U.S. Army soldiers air-lifted into LZ X-Ray. Combat operations at Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam, November 1965. Major Bruce P. Crandall's UH-1D helicopter climbs skyward after discharging a load of infantrymen on a search and destroy mission. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
A napalm strike erupts in a fireball near US troops in South Vietnam, 1966 during the Vietnam War. (AP Photo)
Moore at the United States Military Academy in May 2010. Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy
Joseph L. Galloway in 2007. Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.
Service Mark of the United States Army.
The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), officially the Vietnam People's Army, also recognized as the Vietnamese Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Việt Nam, lit. 'Military of Vietnam') or the People's Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Nhân dân), is the national military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the armed wing of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The PAVN is a part of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces and includes: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard and Coast Guard. Vietnam does not have a separate Ground Force or Army service. All ground troops, army corps, military districts and special forces are designated under the umbrella terms combined arms (Vietnamese: binh chủng hợp thành) and are belonged to the Ministry of National Defence, directly under the command of the CPV Central Military Commission, the Minister of National Defence, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. The military flag of the PAVN is the National flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam defaced with the motto Quyết thắng (Determination to win) added in yellow at the top left (or by the side of the flagpole) Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), as part of the Pleiku Campaign conducted early in the Vietnam War, at the eastern foot of the Chu Pong Massif in the central highlands of Vietnam, in 1965. It is notable for being the first large scale helicopter air assault and also the first use of Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers in a tactical support role. Ia Drang set the blueprint for the Vietnam War with the Americans relying on air mobility, artillery fire and close air support, while the PAVN neutralized that firepower by quickly engaging American forces at very close range. Ia Drang comprised two main engagements, centered on two helicopter landing zones (LZs), the first known as LZ X-Ray, followed by LZ Albany, farther north in the Ia Drang Valley. LZ X-Ray involved the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment and supporting units under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, and took place November 14–16, at LZ X-Ray. Surrounded and under heavy fire from a numerically superior force, the American forces were able to hold back the North Vietnamese forces over three days, largely through the support of air power and heavy artillery bombardment, which the North Vietnamese lacked. The Americans claimed LZ X-Ray as a tactical victory, citing a 10:1 kill ratio. The second engagement involved the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment plus supporting units under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Robert McDade, and took place on November 17 at LZ Albany. When an American battalion was ambushed in close quarters, who were unable to use air and artillery support due to the close engagement of the North Vietnamese, the Americans suffered an over-50% casualty rate before being extricated. Both sides claimed victory. The battle at LZ X-Ray was documented in the CBS special report Battle of Ia Drang Valley by Morley Safer and the critically acclaimed book We Were Soldiers Once... And Young by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. In 1994, Moore, Galloway and men who fought on both the American and North Vietnamese sides, traveled back to the remote jungle clearings where the battle took place. At the time the U.S. did not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam. The risky trip which took a year to arrange was part of an award-winning ABC News documentary, They Were Young and Brave produced by Terence Wrong. Randall Wallace depicted the battle at LZ X-Ray in the 2002 movie We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson and Barry Pepper as Moore and Galloway, respectively. Galloway later described Ia Drang as "the battle that convinced Ho Chi Minh he could win". Photo Credit: EDUCBA

Authors’ Background and Perspective

Lt. Col. Hal Moore, Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), and Journalist Joe L. Galloway. Moore and Galloway defended themselves against Hữu An's Northern Vietnamese forces in the Ia Drang Valley in Novemeber 1965. Photo Credit: "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young (1992)

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore:

Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy

At the time of the Battle of Ia Drang, Moore was a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Moore’s military background, strategic acumen, and leadership qualities made him a key figure in the battle. His firsthand experience and intimate knowledge of the events provide a deeply personal and authoritative perspective on the battle.

1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. "Hal" Moore, center, confers with Nadal. Courtesy Ramon Nadal
Moore examines a slain enemy soldier. He made sure that no Americans were left behind. Photo Credit: United States Army
In 1994, Moore, Galloway and men who fought on both the American and North Vietnamese sides, traveled back to the remote jungle clearings where the battle took place. At the time the U.S. did not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam. The risky trip which took a year to arrange was part of an award-winning ABC News documentary, They Were Young and Brave produced by Terence Wrong. Photo Credit: ABC News
Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy

Joseph L. Galloway:

Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.

Galloway was a United Press International (UPI) correspondent and the only journalist present on the ground during the battle. His courageous decision to stay with the troops and document their experiences lends the narrative an authenticity and immediacy that only an eyewitness account can provide. Galloway’s journalistic skills complement Moore’s military insights, creating a balanced and comprehensive portrayal of the events.

Galloway aboard a U.S. Marine H-34 helicopter enroute to an operation in I Corps, in early 1966. Credit: United States Army
United Press International
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.

Detailed Review of the Book

Structure and Content: The book is structured to give readers a chronological and detailed recounting of the Battle of Ia Drang. It begins with the context of the Vietnam War, the strategies of both the U.S. and North Vietnamese forces, and the preparation leading up to the battle. The narrative then dives into the battle itself, covering the intense and chaotic fighting at LZ X-Ray and LZ Albany, and concludes with the aftermath and reflections on the broader implications of the battle.

Soldiers of the U.S. Amry 1/7th Cavalry and Lt. Col. Hal Moore's regiment during the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. Photo Credit: United States Army
Soldiers moving through the jungle terrain that was the Vietnam War circa late 1960s. Photo Credit: Getty Images
LZ X-Ray: at 13°34′4.6″N 107°42′50.4″E as his landing zone, a flat clearing surrounded by low trees at the eastern base of the Chu Pong Massif and bordered by a dry creek bed on the west. The Ia Drang River was about 2 km (1 mi) to the northwest. Day 1: November 14, 1965 Landings 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry troopers landing at LZ X-Ray On November 14, an ARVN intelligence source by intercept of radio communication indicated that before dawn, some assault elements of the PAVN B3 Field Front started moving out of their assembly areas to attack the Plei Me camp. At 10:48, the first troops of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry (1/7) arrived at LZ X-Ray with members of B Company touching down after about 30 minutes of bombardment via artillery, aerial rockets and air strikes. The troops were inserted about 200 meters from the position of the PAVN 9th Battalion, 66th Regiment. The air assault insertion had the effect of causing the B3 Field Front to postpone the attack on the Plei Me camp. B3 Field Front Command fell for the subterfuge, decided to postpone the attack on Plei Me camp, and met the new threat with its 7th and 9th Battalions, while the remaining units of its force were put on hold at their staging positions. Accompanying Captain John Herren's B Company were Moore and his 1st Battalion command group. Instead of attempting to secure the entire landing zone with such a limited force, most of B Company was kept near the center of the LZ as a strike force, while smaller units were sent out to reconnoiter the surrounding area. Following their arrival, Herren ordered B Company to move west past the creek bed. Within approximately 30 minutes, one of his squads under Sgt. John Mingo surprised and captured an unarmed deserter from the PAVN 33rd Regiment. The prisoner revealed that there were three PAVN battalions on the Chu Pong Mountain – an estimated 1,600 troops compared to fewer than 200 American soldiers on the ground at that point. At 11:20, the second lift from the 1st battalion arrived, with the rest of B Company and one platoon of Capt. Tony Nadal's A Company. Fifty minutes later, the third lift arrived, consisting of the other two platoons of A Company. A Company took up positions to the rear and left flank of B Company along the dry creek bed, and to the west and to the south facing perpendicular down the creek bed. At 12:15, the first shots were fired on the three platoons of B Company that were patrolling the jungle northwest of the dry creek bed. Five minutes later, Herren ordered his 1st Platoon under Lt. Al Devney and 2nd Platoon under Lt. Henry Herrick to advance abreast of each other and the 3rd Platoon (under Lt. Dennis Deal) to follow as a reserve unit. Lt. Devney's 1st Platoon led approximately 100 yards (91 m) west of the creek bed, with Herrick's 2nd Platoon to his rear and right flank. Just before 13:00, Devney's 1st platoon was heavily assaulted on both flanks by the PAVN, taking casualties and becoming pinned down in the process. It was around this point that Herrick radioed in that his 2nd Platoon were taking fire from their right flank, and that he was pursuing a squad of PAVN in that direction. Knowles called Kinnard to report that the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry had engaged the enemy and requested an additional battalion – the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry – to counter the PAVN 7th and 9th Battalions. Herrick's platoon is cut off In pursuit of the PAVN on his right flank, Herrick's 2nd Platoon, B Company, was quickly spread out over a space of around 50 meters, and became separated from the rest of 1/7 by approximately 100 meters. Soon, Herrick radioed in to ask whether he should enter or circumvent a clearing that his platoon had come across in the bush. Herrick expressed concerns that he might become cut off from the battalion if he tried to skirt the clearing and therefore would be leading his men through it in pursuit of the enemy. An intense firefight quickly erupted in the clearing; during the first three or four minutes his platoon inflicted heavy losses on the PAVN who streamed out of the trees, while his men did not take any casualties. Herrick soon radioed in that the enemy were closing in around his left and right flanks. Capt. Herren responded by ordering Herrick to attempt to link back with Devney's 1st Platoon. Herrick replied that there was a large enemy force between his men and 1st Platoon. The situation quickly disintegrated for Herrick's 2nd Platoon, which began taking casualties as the PAVN attack persisted. Herrick ordered his men to form a defensive perimeter on a small knoll in the clearing. Within approximately 25 minutes, five men of 2nd Platoon were killed, including Herrick who, before dying, radioed Herren to report that he was hit and was passing command over to Sgt. Carl Palmer, ordered the signals codes to be destroyed and artillery support to be called in. 2nd Platoon was technically under the command of SFC Mac McHenry, but he was positioned elsewhere on the perimeter. Sgts. Palmer and Robert Stokes were also dead, leaving Sgt. Ernie Savage, 3rd Squad Leader, to assume command by virtue of being close to the radio, and proceeded to call in repeated artillery support around the 2nd Platoon's position. By this point, eight men of the platoon had been killed and 13 wounded. Under Savage's leadership, and with the extraordinary care of the 2nd Platoon's medic Charlie Lose, the platoon held the knoll for the duration of the battle at X-Ray. Spec. Galen Bungum, 2nd Platoon, B Company, later said of the stand at the knoll: "We gathered up all the full magazines we could find and stacked them up in front of us. There was no way we could dig a foxhole. The handle was blown off my entrenching tool and one of my canteens had a hole blown through it. The fire was so heavy that if you tried to raise up to dig you were dead. There was death and destruction all around."[3]: 117, 118  Savage later recalled of the repeated PAVN assaults: "It seemed like they didn't care how many of them were killed. Some of them were stumbling, walking right into us. Some had their guns slung and were charging bare-handed. I didn't run out of ammo – had about thirty magazines in my pack. And no problems with the M16. An hour before dark three men walked up on the perimeter. I killed all three of them 15 feet away." Fight for the creek bed 1st Cavalry troops engage PAVN With 2nd Platoon, B Company cut off and surrounded, the rest of 1/7 fought to maintain a perimeter. At 13:32, C Company under Capt. Bob Edwards arrived, taking up positions along the south and southwest facing the mountain. At around 13:45, through his Operations Officer flying above the battlefield (Capt. Matt Dillon), Moore called in air strikes, artillery and aerial rocket artillery on the mountain to prevent the North Vietnamese from advancing on the battalion's position. Lt. Bob Taft's 3rd Platoon, A Company, confronted approximately 150 PAVN soldiers advancing down the length and sides of the creek bed (from the south) toward the battalion. The platoon's troopers were told to drop their packs and move forward for the assault. The resulting exchange was particularly costly for the platoon — its lead forces were quickly cut down. 3rd Platoon was forced to pull back, and its leader Lt. Taft was killed. Sgt. Lorenzo Nathan, a Korean War veteran, took command of 3rd Platoon which was able to halt the PAVN advance down the creek bed. The PAVN forces shifted their attack to 3rd Platoon's right flank in an attempt to flank B Company. Their advance was quickly stopped by Lt. Walter "Joe" Marm's 2nd Platoon, A Company, situated on B Company's left flank. Moore had ordered Captain Nadal (A Company) to lend B Company one of his platoons, in an effort to allow Herren (B Company) to attempt to fight through to Herrick's (2nd Platoon, B Company) position. From Lt. Marm's (2nd Platoon, A Company) new position, his men killed some 80 PAVN troops with close range machine gun, rifle, and grenade assault. The surviving PAVN made their way back to the creek bed, where they were cut down by fire from the rest of A Company. Taft's (3rd Platoon, A Company) dog tags were discovered on the body of a PAVN soldier who had been killed by Taft's platoon. Upset that Taft's body had been left on the battlefield, Nadal (A Company commander) and his radio operator, Sgt. Jack Gell, brought his and the bodies of other Americans back to the creek bed under heavy fire. Attack from the south At 14:30, the last troops of C Company (1/7) arrived, along with the lead elements of D Company (1/7) under Capt. Ray Lefebvre. The insertion took place with intense PAVN fire pouring into the landing zone, and the Huey crews and newly arrived 1/7 troopers suffered many casualties. The small contingent of D Company took up position on A Company's left flank. C Company, assembled along the south and southwest in full strength, was met within minutes by a head-on assault. C Company's commander, Capt. Edwards, radioed in that an estimated 175 to 200 PAVN troops were charging his company's lines. With a clear line of sight over their sector of the battlefield, C Company was able to call in and adjust heavy ordnance support with precision, inflicting devastating losses on the PAVN forces. Many PAVN soldiers were burned to death as they scrambled from their bunkers in a hasty retreat, while others were caught in a second barrage of artillery shells. By 15:00 the attack had been stopped, and one hour after launching the assault the PAVN forces withdrew. Attack on Alpha and Delta Companies At approximately the same time, A Company and the lead elements of D Company (which had accompanied Alpha Company at the perimeter in the vicinity of the creek bed) were subjected to a fierce PAVN attack. Covering the critical left flank were two of A Company's machine gun crews positioned 75 yards (70 m) southwest of the company's main position. Spec. Theron Ladner (with his assistant gunner PFC Rodriguez Rivera) and Spec. 4 Russell Adams (with his assistant gunner Spec. 4 Bill Beck) had positioned their guns 10 yards (9 m) apart, and proceeded to pour heavy fire into the PAVN forces attempting to cut into the perimeter between C and A Companies. Moore later credited the two gun teams with preventing the PAVN from rolling up Alpha Company and driving a wedge into the battalion between Alpha and Charlie Companies. Spec. 4 Adams and Pfc. Rivera were severely wounded in the attack. After the two were carried to the battalion's collection point at Moore's command post to await evacuation by air, Spec. 4 Beck, Spec. Ladner and Pfc. Edward Dougherty (an ammo bearer) continued their close range suppression of the PAVN advance. Spec. 4 Beck later said of the battle: "When Doc Nall was there with me, working on Russell, fear, real fear, hit me. Fear like I had never known before. Fear comes, and once you recognize it and accept it, it passes just as fast as it comes, and you don't really think about it anymore. You just do what you have to do, but you learn the real meaning of fear and life and death. For the next two hours I was alone on that gun, shooting at the enemy." Delta Company's troopers also experienced heavy losses in repelling the PAVN assault and Captain Lefebvre was wounded soon after arriving at LZ X-Ray. One of his platoon leaders, Lt. Raul Taboada, was also severely wounded, and Lefebvre passed command of D Company to SSgt. George Gonzales (who, unknown to Lefebvre, had also been wounded). While medical evacuation helicopters (medevacs) were supposed to transport the battalion's increasing numbers of casualties, they evacuated only two before the pilots called off their mission under intense PAVN fire. Casualties were loaded onto the assault Hueys (lifting the battalion's forces to X-Ray), whose pilots carried load after load of wounded from the battlefield. 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry's intelligence officer Capt. Tom Metsker (who had been wounded) was fatally hit when helping Lefebvre aboard a Huey.[15]: 124  360-degree perimeter Capt. Edwards (C Company) ordered SSgt. Gonzales who had been given command of D Company by its commander, to position D Company on C Company's left flank, extending the perimeter to cover the southeast side of X-Ray. At 15:20, the last of the 1st battalion arrived and Lt. Larry Litton assumed command of D Company. It was during this lift that one Huey, having approached the landing zone too high, crash-landed on the outskirts of the perimeter near the command post (those on board were quickly rescued by the battalion). With Delta Company's weapons teams on the ground, its mortar units were concentrated with the rest of the battalion's in a single station to support Alpha and Bravo Companies. D Company's reconnaissance platoon (commanded by Lieutenant James Rackstraw) was positioned along the north and east of the landing zone, establishing a 360-degree perimeter over X-Ray. Had the PAVN forces circled around to the north of the U.S. positions prior to this point, they would have found their approach unhindered.[15]: 124  Second push to the lost platoon As the PAVN attack on Alpha Company diminished, Moore organized another effort to rescue 2nd Platoon, B Company. At 15:45, Moore ordered Alpha Company and Bravo Company to evacuate their casualties and pull back from engagement with the PAVN. Shortly after, Alpha and Bravo Companies began their advance from the creek bed toward 2nd Platoon, B Company and soon suffered casualties. At one point, B Company's advance was halted by a firmly entrenched PAVN machine-gun position at a large termite hill. Lt. Marm, 2nd Platoon, A Company, fired a light anti-tank weapon (LAW) at the machine-gun position, charged the position with grenades while under fire, and killed the remaining PAVN at the machine-gun position with rifle fire. The following day, a dozen dead PAVN troops (including one officer) were found in the position. Marm was wounded in the neck and jaw in the assault and was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his lone assault.[30] The second push had advanced just over 75 yards (70 m) toward the lost platoon's position before being stopped by the PAVN. Alpha Company's 1st Platoon, leading the advance, was at risk of becoming separated from the battalion, and at one point it was being engaged by an American M60 machine gun that had been taken by the PAVN from a dead 2nd Platoon gunner. The impasse lasted between 20 and 30 minutes before Nadal (A Company) and Herren (B Company) requested permission to withdraw back to X-Ray (to which Moore agreed).[15]: 124–5  Americans dig in for the night X-Ray perimeter, night of November 14 Near 17:00, the lead elements of Bravo Company of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry (2/7) arrived at LZ X-Ray to reinforce the embattled 1st Battalion; the company closed in at 18:00 hours. In preparation for a defensive position to last the night, Moore ordered Bravo Company's commander Capt. Myron Diduryk to place two of his platoons between B/1/7 and D/1/7 on the northeast side of the perimeter. Diduryk's 2nd Platoon, B Company (under Lt. James Lane), was used to reinforce C/1/7's position (which was stretched over a disproportionately long line). By nightfall, the battle had taken a heavy toll on Moore's battalion (1/7): B company had taken 47 casualties (including one officer) and A Company had taken 34 casualties (including three officers); C company had taken four casualties. Around this time, Colonel Brown ordered the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry to be heli-lifted to LZ Victor, at 5 kilometers from LZ X-Ray to be ready to reinforce the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry and the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry the next morning.[31] The American forces were placed on full alert throughout the night. Under the light of a bright moon, the PAVN probed every company on the perimeter (with the exception of D/1/7) in small squad-sized units. The Americans exercised some level of restraint in their response. The M60 gun crews, tactically positioned around the perimeter to provide for multiple fields of fire, were told to hold their fire until otherwise ordered (so as to conceal their true location from the PAVN). Second Platoon of B Company (1/7) under the leadership of Sgt. Savage, suffered three sizable assaults of the night (one just before midnight, one at 03:15, and one at 04:30). The PAVN, using bugles to signal their forces, were repelled from the knoll with artillery, grenade and rifle fire. Savage's "lost platoon" survived the night without taking additional casualties. At 18:50, Gen. Kinnard discussed with Gen. Larsen the possibility of having a B-52 strike at the area of LZ X-Ray. At 21:00 the 1st Air Cavalry selected coordinates for B-52 strike in Code – YA 870000, YA 830000, YA 830070, YA 870070 with alternative targets (in Code) YA 8607, YA 9007, YA 9000, YA 8600. Photo Credit: "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young (1992)
LZ Albany: about 2.5 km (2 mi) to the northeast of X-Ray at 13°35′43″N 107°42′55″E LZ Albany Day 4: November 17 At 09:00, 1st Air Cavalry TOC submitted an Arc Light request to J3/MACV for 13:00 on 18 November. Meanwhile, the two remaining battalions abandoned LZ X-Ray and began a tactical march to new landing zones. Lt. Col. Bob Tully, commanding the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, went to LZ Columbus about 4 km (2 mi) to the northeast, and Lt. Col. Robert McDade, commanding the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, went to LZ Albany about 4 km (2 mi) to the north-northeast, close to the Ia Drang. Tully's men moved out at 09:00; McDade's followed 10 minutes later.[3]: 277  B-52s were on their way from Guam, and their target for the third day of bombing was the slopes of the Chu Pong massif and LZ X-Ray itself. The U.S. ground forces had to move outside a 2 miles (3.2 km) safety zone by midmorning to be clear of the bombardment.[44] With the two remaining battalions quietly abandoning the landing zone by land instead of by helicopters to make way for the B-52 strike any PAVN troops of the 7th and 9th Battalions at the vacated X-Ray area were caught by surprise. Events leading to an ambush The first indication of PAVN presence was observed by the reconnaissance platoon's point squad, leading the American column. SSgt. Donald J. Slovak, the squad leader, saw "Ho Chi Minh sandal foot markings, bamboo arrows on the ground pointing north, matted grass and grains of rice."[3]: 285, 286  After marching about 2,000 meters, Alpha Company (2/7) leading 2/7, headed northwest, while 2/5 continued on to LZ Columbus. Alpha Company came upon some grass huts, which they were directed to burn. At 11:38, Tully's men of 2/5, were logged into its objective, LZ Columbus. PAVN troops in the area consisted of elements the 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment, 1st Battalion, 33rd Regiment and the headquarters of the 3rd Battalion, 33rd Regiment. The 33rd Regiment's battalions were under strength from casualties incurred during the battle at the Plei Me camp, the 8th Battalion was General Chu Huy Man's reserve battalion, fresh and rested. The elements of the two PAVN battalions that were involved in the clash with the Air Cavalry troops were: 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 33rd Regiment, 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, 33rd Regiment, 6th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment, 7th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment and 8th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment. While the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry was moving up northwest toward the position of 1st Battalion CP, 33rd Regiment nested at the east side of Ia Drang river, the 8th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment marched down southeast along the Ia Drang river, and the 6th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment and 7th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment marched down on a collision path toward the Air Cavalry unit. The 8th Battalion was led by Lê Xuân Phối. Alpha Company noticed the sudden absence of air cover and their commander, Capt. Joel Sugdinis, wondered where the aerial rocket artillery choppers were. He soon heard the sound of distant explosions to his rear; the B-52s were making their bombing runs on the Chu Pong massif. Lt. D. P. (Pat) Payne, the recon platoon leader, was walking around some termite hills when he suddenly came upon a PAVN soldier resting on the ground. Payne jumped on the soldier and took him prisoner. Simultaneously, about 10 yards away, his platoon sergeant captured a second PAVN soldier. Other members of the PAVN recon team may have escaped and reported to the headquarters of the 1st Battalion, 33rd Regiment. The PAVN then began to organize an assault on the American column. As word of the capture reached him, McDade ordered a halt as he went forward from the rear of the column to interrogate the prisoners personally. The two captured PAVN soldiers were policed up about 100 yards from the southwestern edge of the Albany clearing, the report of which reached division forward at Pleiku at 11:57. McDade then called his company commanders of 2/7 forward for a conference; most of whom were accompanied by their radio operators. Alpha Company moved forward to LZ Albany; McDade and his command group were with them. Following orders, the other company commanders were moving forward to join McDade. Delta Company, which was next in the column following Alpha Company, was holding in place; so was Charlie Company, which was next in line. Second Battalion Headquarters Company followed and Alpha Company, 1/5, brought up the rear of the column. The American column was halted in unprepared, open terrain and strung out in 550-yard (500 m) line of march.  Most of the units had flank security posted, but the men were worn out from almost 60 hours without sleep and four hours of marching. The elephant grass was chest-high so visibility was limited. The radios for air or artillery support were with the company commanders. An hour and 10 minutes after the PAVN recon soldiers were captured, Alpha Company and McDade's command group had reached the Albany clearing. McDade and his group walked across the clearing and into a clump of trees. Beyond that clump of trees was another clearing. The remainder of the battalion was in a dispersed column to the east of the LZ. Battalion SgtMaj. James Scott and Sgt. Charles Bass then attempted to question the prisoners again. While they were doing this, Bass heard Vietnamese voices and the interpreter confirmed that these were PAVN talking. Alpha Company had been in the LZ about five minutes and about then, small arms fire began. 2nd Battalion ambushed Lt. Pat Payne's reconnaissance platoon had walked to within 200 yards (180 m) of the headquarters of the PAVN 3rd Battalion, 33rd Regiment; the 550 men of the 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment had been bivouacked to the northeast of the American column. As the Americans rested in the tall grass, PAVN soldiers were coming toward them by the hundreds. It was 13:15. The close quarters battle lasted for 16 hours. PAVN forces first struck at the head of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry's column and rapidly spread down the right or east side of the column in an L-shaped ambush.[48] PAVN troops ran down the length of the column, with units peeling off to attack the outnumbered American soldiers, engaging in hand-to-hand combat. The 6th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment made contact head on with 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 33rd Regiment and 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, 33rd Regiment maneuvered eastward and attacked the lower and upper flanks respectively and the 8th Company, 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment switched its direction north-westward and attacked the column from behind.[46] McDade's command group made it into the clump of trees between the two clearings of LZ Albany. They took cover from rifle and mortar fire within the trees and termite hills. The reconnaissance platoon and 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, provided initial defense at the position. By 13:26, they had been cut off from the rest of the column; the area whence they had come was full of PAVN soldiers. While they waited for air support, the Americans holding LZ Albany drove off any PAVN assaults on them and sniped at the exposed enemy wandering around the perimeter. It was later discovered that the PAVN were mopping up, looking for wounded American soldiers in the tall grass and killing them. All the while the noise of battle could be heard in the woods as the other companies fought. The 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry had been reduced to a small perimeter at Albany composed of survivors of Alpha Company, the recon platoon, survivors from the destroyed Charlie and Delta Companies and the command group. There was also a smaller perimeter at the rear of the column about 500–700 yards due south: Capt. George Forrest's Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry. Forrest had run a gauntlet all the way from the conference called by McDade back to his company when the PAVN mortar rounds started coming in. Charlie and Alpha companies lost 70 men in the first few minutes. Charlie Company suffered 45 dead and more than 50 wounded, the heaviest casualties of any unit that fought on Albany. USAF A-1E Skyraiders soon provided support by dropping napalm bombs, but because of the fog of war and the inter-mixing of American and PAVN troops, it is likely that air and artillery strikes killed NVA and American soldiers indiscriminately. During the battle, Lê Xuân Phôi, the PAVN field commander of 8th Battalion, 66th Regiment, was mortally wounded around one hour into the battle while personally leading one of the PAVN attacks and later died from his wounds a few hours later after nightfall. Phôi was the only high-ranking officer on either side killed in action during the battle at LZ Albany. American reinforcements arrive At 12:00, B-52s struck the areas further up north of LZ Albany and a battle damage assessment (BDA) was conducted by elements of the Cavalry in the afternoon. At 14:55, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry under Capt. Buse Tully began marching from LZ Columbus to the rear of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry column that was about 2 miles (3.2 km) away. By 16:30, they came into contact with the Alpha Company (1/5) perimeter under Capt. Forrest. A one-helicopter landing zone was secured and the wounded were evacuated. Tully's men in 2/5 then began to push forward toward where the rest of the ambushed column would be. PAVN soldiers contested their advance and the Americans came under fire from a wood line. Tully's men assaulted the tree line and drove off the PAVN. At 18:25, orders were received to secure into a two-company perimeter for the night. They planned to resume the advance at daybreak. At around 16:00, Capt. Myron Diduryk's Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, veterans of the fight at LZ X-Ray, got the word that they would be deployed in the battalion's relief. At 18:45 the first helicopters swept over the Albany clearing and the troopers deployed into the tall grass. Lt. Rick Rescorla, the sole remaining platoon leader in Bravo Company, led the reinforcements into the Albany perimeter, which was expanded to provide better security. The wounded at Albany were evacuated at around 22:30 that evening, the helicopters receiving intense ground fire as they landed and took off. The Americans at Albany then settled down for the night. Photo Credit: "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young (1992)
The battle at LZ X-Ray was documented in the CBS special report "The Battle of Ia Drang Valley" by Morley Safer in 1965. Photo Credit: CBS News

Narrative Style: The writing style is both vivid and methodical. Moore and Galloway manage to convey the chaos and intensity of combat while maintaining a clear and coherent narrative. Their combined voices—Moore’s authoritative, strategic insights and Galloway’s evocative, human-centered reporting—create a rich and multi-dimensional account.

Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young. In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.

Firsthand Accounts: One of the book’s most significant strengths is its use of firsthand accounts. The authors interviewed hundreds of soldiers who participated in the battle, as well as their families, to provide a comprehensive and personal view of the events. These testimonies add depth and authenticity, highlighting the bravery, fear, and camaraderie experienced by the soldiers.

Julia Compton Moore was the wife of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore, a United States Army officer. Her efforts and complaints in the aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang prompted the U.S. Army to set up survivor support networks and casualty notification teams consisting of uniformed officers, which are still in use. Born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Julia (“Julie”) Compton Moore was the only child of Army Colonel Louis J. Compton and Elizabeth Boon Compton. Mrs. Moore was a graduate of Chevy Chase Junior College, Chevy Chase, Maryland and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a member of the Pi Phi Sorority, prior to her marriage. Wherever her husband was stationed, Mrs. Moore became an integral part of the community, serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Red Cross volunteer in the Army hospitals. She supported the day care centers and worked with the wives clubs to take better care of the enlisted soldier and his family. Mrs. Moore was especially active in setting up the Army Community Service organizations that are now a permanent fixture on all army posts and which assist each soldier as they process into their new duty stations. Since the age of 12, Mrs. Moore has sent the men she loved to war. Her father fought in Europe in World War II, her husband was wounded in Korea and Vietnam, and one of her sons fought with the 82nd Airborne Division in Panama and the Gulf War. Her early and life-long experience with separation and the risk of loss in war provided her a unique empathy with, and understanding of, the lives of families in war. Mrs. Moore was married under crossed sabers in 1949 to Hal Moore, who later commanded the first battalion, 7th Cavalry in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in 1965. The Ia Drang was the first major engagement between the forces of the United States and the forces of the People’s Army of Vietnam. Over 1,000 Vietnamese were killed, at the price of 121 American lives. The impact of this battle at home in Columbus Georgia, where Julie lived with her five young children, was depicted in the 2002 Paramount release, “We Were Soldiers,” and brought to millions of Americans the carnage of combat and its terrible toll on families. Notices of combat deaths in Columbus were delivered to wives and families typically isolated in small apartments, trailer parks, and one-room walk-ups. Photo Credit: United States Army
Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933) is a retired United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a pilot during the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965, in South Vietnam. During the battle, he flew 22 missions in a Bell Huey helicopter into enemy fire to evacuate more than 70 wounded and bring ammunition and supplies to United States forces. His actions in the battle of the Ia Drang valley were portrayed by actor Greg Kinnear in the Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown more than 900 combat missions. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel and worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. Photo Credit: United States Army
Basil Leonard Plumley (January 1, 1920 – October 10, 2012) was a career soldier and airborne combat Infantryman in the United States Army who rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. As a combat veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War, he is most noted for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. Plumley enlisted in the United States Army as a Private on March 31, 1942. He was a Gliderman of the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw action during the Invasion of Normandy and Operation Market Garden. Plumley participated in two glider assaults in the European Theater. His first was on June 6, 1944, during the Invasion of Normandy, and his second was for Operation Market Garden on Sept. 18, 1944. Plumley was shot in the hand the same day for which he received the Purple Heart and was awarded multiple decorations for his service in World War II. During the Korean War, Plumley fought as the member of 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He fought in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. He participated in the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam in 1965, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who praised Plumley as an outstanding NCO and leader in the 1992 book about this battle, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young. The book was the basis for the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, in which Plumley was played by actor Sam Elliott. Plumley was known affectionately by his soldiers as "Old Iron Jaw". Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley served in the Republic of Korea between 1952 and 1953. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major on December 31, 1974, having been awarded 28 different personal, unit, campaign and service awards and decorations in almost 33 years of military service, spanning World War II and the Vietnam War. After his retirement, he worked 15 more years for the army as a civilian in administration at Martin Army Community Hospital and at various medical clinics around Fort Benning, Georgia, retiring again in 1990. Photo Credit: Uniteed States Army
John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.
Barbara, Cammie, and John Lance 'Jack' Geoghegan in 1965. Photo Credit: virtual wall.org
Nguyễn Hữu An with his wife Nguyễn Hữu An (October 1, 1926 – April 9, 1995) was a Vietnamese military officer in the North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) during the Vietnam War. The initial landing of Moore's battalion was met with sporadic resistance, but as more troops arrived, the intensity of the fighting quickly escalated. The PAVN, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hữu An, had prepared for the American assault and swiftly moved to engage the incoming troops. The PAVN's strategy was to close the distance between their forces and the Americans, thereby neutralizing the effectiveness of U.S. air support and artillery. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Tom Metsker was a 1961 graduate of The Citadel. Tom met Catherine LaPlante on a blind date and they fell madly in love and got married. Their baby girl, Karen Doranne Metsker, was just 17 months old when Tom was killed in the Ia Drang Valley. He is featured in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers Once and Young."
Thomas and Catherine Metsker with their daughter Karen. Photo copied with permission from "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young"
Ernie Savage grew up in Alabama and enlisted in the Army in 1960. After basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas he deployed with his battle group to Korea as a machine gunner with an infantry company. He later went to the NCO Academy, and in 1964 was assigned to the 11th Air Assault at Fort Benning, Georgia. His unit left, now part of the 1st Cavalry Division, for Vietnam aboard a troop ship in August 1965. He recalls the Panama Canal, a typhoon in the Pacific, and shooting the new M16s at towed targets off the back of the USNS General Maurice Rose (T-AP-126). He remembers sleeping in pup tents at An Khe before getting wooden-floored GP tents, which was good for the termites. He discusses great leadership, the pursuit of the enemy, the battles at LZ X-ray and Bong Son, South Korean soldiers (“the best”), sharing cookies from home, a making a career of the Army. Key Words: Dien Bien Phu, Fort Riley, Kansas, battle group, Korea, 11 Bravo, Pentomic, NCO Academy, 11th Air Assault, Fort Benning, Georgia, USS Rose, Panama Canal, Cam Ranh Bay, An Khe, pup tents, termites, Combat, Paint Your Wagon, LZ X-ray, Chu Pong Mountain, mortar FO, artillery FO, Bong Son, Starlight scope, M60, Fort McClellan, Alabama

Detailed Explanation of the Battle of Ia Drang:

The Battle of Ia Drang, fought between November 14-18, 1965, was a significant engagement between the United States Army and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN). The battle is divided into two main engagements: the fight at LZ X-Ray and the subsequent ambush at LZ Albany.

A map of the Battle of Ia Drang (1965) Photo Credit: United States Army

LZ X-Ray: The battle began when Lt. Col. Hal Moore led his men into the Ia Drang Valley, a strategic location near the Cambodian border. Upon landing at LZ X-Ray, Moore’s battalion was immediately engaged by a superior force of North Vietnamese troops. The initial skirmish quickly escalated into a full-scale battle, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

The initial landing of Moore's battalion was met with sporadic resistance, but as more troops arrived, the intensity of the fighting quickly escalated. The PAVN, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hữu An, had prepared for the American assault and swiftly moved to engage the incoming troops. The PAVN's strategy was to close the distance between their forces and the Americans, thereby neutralizing the effectiveness of U.S. air support and artillery. The first day of the battle was marked by fierce, close-quarters combat. American soldiers, relying heavily on their superior firepower and training, fought tenaciously to hold their position. Helicopter gunships provided critical support, strafing PAVN positions and evacuating the wounded. The PAVN, however, continued to press the attack, demonstrating their resolve and tactical acumen. Photo Credit: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Moore’s leadership and tactical decisions were critical in the defense of LZ X-Ray. His decision to land his troops directly into the enemy’s stronghold was risky but aimed at disrupting the PAVN’s operational base. Throughout the battle, Moore’s ability to adapt to the rapidly changing situation, his use of artillery, air support, and the strategic placement of his troops played a crucial role in holding the position.

Soldiers of the U.S. Amry 1/7th Cavalry disembark from a Bell UH-1D Huey at LZ X-Ray during the battle of Ia Drang. Photo Credit: United States Army

The intense combat at LZ X-Ray was marked by close-quarters fighting, with American soldiers often engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. The bravery and resilience of the troops, under Moore’s command, were pivotal in preventing the PAVN from overrunning their position. After three days of fierce fighting, the American forces managed to hold LZ X-Ray, but at a significant cost.

Lz Xray Pictures The First Major Battle of Vietnam. Photo Credit: United States Army
Lz Xray Pictures The First Major Battle of Vietnam. Photo Credit: United States Army

LZ Albany: Following the engagement at LZ X-Ray, American forces moved to LZ Albany, where they were ambushed by the PAVN. The ambush at LZ Albany resulted in one of the most harrowing and deadly encounters for the U.S. troops during the battle. The North Vietnamese forces had expertly set up a killing zone, and the American column was caught off guard, leading to devastating casualties.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. R.C. Rescorla, Platoon Leader of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Ia Drang Valley, Nov. 16, 1965. Photo Credit: DOD photo
The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), officially the Vietnam People's Army, also recognized as the Vietnamese Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Việt Nam, lit. 'Military of Vietnam') or the People's Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Nhân dân), is the national military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the armed wing of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The PAVN is a part of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces and includes: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard and Coast Guard. Vietnam does not have a separate Ground Force or Army service. All ground troops, army corps, military districts and special forces are designated under the umbrella terms combined arms (Vietnamese: binh chủng hợp thành) and are belonged to the Ministry of National Defence, directly under the command of the CPV Central Military Commission, the Minister of National Defence, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. The military flag of the PAVN is the National flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam defaced with the motto Quyết thắng (Determination to win) added in yellow at the top left (or by the side of the flagpole) Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The narrative of LZ Albany is a stark contrast to the relatively controlled defense of LZ X-Ray. The ambush highlighted the challenges and unpredictability of the Vietnam War, where the dense jungle terrain and the guerrilla tactics of the PAVN often neutralized the technological and numerical advantages of the American forces.

American soldiers guarding North Vietnamese prisoners in the Ia Drang Valley in South Vietnam, November 15, 1965. Credit: Neil Sheehan/The New York Times

Themes and Analysis

Leadership and Bravery: One of the central themes of the book is the leadership and bravery exhibited by the soldiers and officers during the battle. Moore’s leadership is highlighted as exemplary, demonstrating the importance of tactical acumen, decisiveness, and concern for the well-being of his men. The soldiers’ bravery, their willingness to face overwhelming odds, and their commitment to their comrades are recurring motifs throughout the narrative.

LTC Harold G. Moore, on his phone, during the battle of LZ X-Ray, November 14-15, 1965. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons Photo
Platoon leader Rick Rescorla participates in a sweep at LZ X-Ray. Photo Credit: United States Army

The Human Cost of War: Moore and Galloway do not shy away from depicting the brutal realities of war. The graphic descriptions of combat, the harrowing accounts of injuries and deaths, and the emotional toll on the soldiers and their families emphasize the human cost of the conflict. The book serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military.

The body of a slain comrade is carried to an evacuation helicopter by soldiers of the U.S. 1st cavalry division in the Ia Drang Valley early in the week of Nov. 15, 1965. The Air Cavalry Division has suffered the heaviest American losses of the Vietnam War during the battle in the Ia Drang area - a battle that began Nov.14. Peter Arnett/AP Photo
Hal and Julie Moore with their daughter, Julie, at Fort Benning. Hal Moore deployed from Fort Benning to Vietnam while the family remained in the Columbus area. Credit: Moore Family

Strategic and Tactical Insights: The book provides detailed insights into the strategies and tactics employed by both sides during the battle. Moore’s analysis of the PAVN’s tactics, the challenges of coordinating air and ground operations, and the impact of terrain on combat operations offer valuable lessons for military historians and strategists.

After action report, Ia Drang Valley operation, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry 14-16 November 1965, provides the following information: operations on 14 November (and activities during the night); enemy attacks of 15 November; the relief of the surrounded 2nd Platoon, Company B, and redisposition of the perimeter; enemy night attack, 0400-0630 hours, 16 November; enemy, friendly casualties, captured; and finally comments.

Reflection on the Vietnam War: We Were Soldiers Once… and Young also serves as a reflection on the broader context of the Vietnam War. The authors critique the political and military decisions that led to the conflict and question the efficacy and morality of the war. The book’s candid portrayal of the complexities and contradictions of the Vietnam War invites readers to reconsider their understanding of this pivotal period in history.

Veterans protesting war in June 1967. Photo Credit: Getty Images

We Were Soldiers Once… and Young is a masterful account of one of the Vietnam War’s most significant battles. The collaboration between Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway results in a narrative that is both deeply personal and broadly informative. The book’s meticulous detail, combined with its vivid storytelling and profound insights, makes it an essential read for anyone interested in military history, leadership, and the human experience of war.

Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young. In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.

The 2002 film adaptation, We Were Soldiers, directed by Randall Wallace and starring Mel Gibson, brings the story of the Battle of Ia Drang to the screen with remarkable fidelity to the source material. The film captures the intensity and heroism of the battle, although it necessarily condenses and dramatizes some aspects for cinematic effect. Nonetheless, the book remains the definitive account, providing a depth of understanding and a breadth of perspective that is unparalleled.

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)
Randall Wallace directing Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images
Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Madeleine Stowe, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Madeleine Stowe, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson, and Greg Kinnear in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Chris Klein, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell, Simbi Kali, and Madeleine Stowe in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell, and Chris Klein in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Sam Elliott, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barry Pepper, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell, and Madeleine Stowe in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Đơn Dương as Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

We Were Soldiers Once… and Young is not just a military history book; it is a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Ia Drang. It is a compelling, moving, and educational read that honors the memory of those who served and provides valuable lessons for future generations.

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)

We Were Soldiers is available now with a subscription to Paramount+ with Showtime…

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