RECON TEAM ALASKA, 27 KM SOUTH OF CA LU AIR FIELD 19710518
event Recon Team ALASKA, consisting of three US special forces soldiers and three Nung troops, was inserted into the Da Krong Valley, Thua Thien Province, SVN, reportedly on 8 May 1971. On 18 May, when located about a mile from the Laotian/SVN border, RT ALASKA was engaged by an NVA force and called for an emergency extraction.
Criteria The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding ac... The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description This campaign was from 1 Jul 1970 to 30 June 1971. Fighting continued in Cambodia during early February before and after South Vietnam began its U.S.-aided drive in Laos, Lam Son 719, the most signifiThis campaign was from 1 Jul 1970 to 30 June 1971. Fighting continued in Cambodia during early February before and after South Vietnam began its U.S.-aided drive in Laos, Lam Son 719, the most significant operation during this campaign.
Lam Son 719 was conducted out of I Corps by Vietnamese troops with US fire and air support. Their object was to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail and to destroy enemy bases at Techepone, Laos. The operation consisted of four phases. In Phases I, called Operation DEWEY CANYON II, the 1st Brigade, US 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) occupied the Khe Sanh area and cleared Route No. 9 up to the Laotian border. In the meantime, the US 101st Airborne Division conducted diversionary operations in the A Shau Valley. The US 45th Engineer Group had the mission of repairing Route No. 9 up to the Laotian border. This lasted from 30 January to 7 February 1971. During Phase II US forces continued to provide fire support, helilift, and tactical and strategic air support for ARVN units. This phase was 8 February to March 1971. Phase III ran from March to 16 March 1971; Phase IV was the withdrawal phase.
Faced with mounting losses, Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Lam, the commander of the invasion forces, decided to cut short the operation and ordered a withdrawal.
Lam Son 719, though it was less than a signal success, forestalled a Communist offensive in the spring of 1971. Enemy units and replacements enroute south were diverted to the scene of the action.... More
Memories
event Recon Team ALASKA, consisting of three US special forces soldiers and three Nung troops, was
event Recon Team ALASKA, consisting of three US special forces soldiers and three Nung troops, was inserted into the Da Krong Valley, Thua Thien Province, SVN, reportedly on 8 May 1971. On 18 May, when located about a mile from the Laotian/SVN border, RT ALASKA was engaged by an NVA force and called for an emergency extraction. ... More
Criteria The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding ac... The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight. MoreHide
Comments DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
APO San Francisco 96240
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 2458 23 December 1970
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL ... DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
APO San Francisco 96240
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 2458 23 December 1970
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM
1. TC 439. The following AWARD is announced.
ENTRICAN, DANNY D. 428-86-7106 1LT 31542 Co B (WA4XBOA) APO 96318 IN
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (Second Oak Leaf Cluster)
Date(s) of action: 25 October 1970
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive
Order 11046, 24 August 1962
Reason: For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam: First Lieutenant Entrican
distinguished himsself by heroism on 25 October 1970 while serving
as the senior Special Forces advisor to a company size Camp Strike
Force unit. At 1050 hours the CSF operation in ambush position made
contact with an unknown size enemy unit. Immediately upon receiving
fire, the enemy unleashed a heavy volume of rockets and automatic
weapons fire. Lieutenant Entrican immediately began to manuever the
CIDG elements in order to maintain fire superiority and to prevent
the enemy from escaping. With complete disregard for his own
personal safety Lieutenant Entrican led an assault on the retreating
enemy. He then directed gunship and airstrikes against the enemy.
The results of the contact were 13 NVA killed. First Lieutenant
Entrican's heroic actions were in keeping witht he highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, Special Forces and the United States Army.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
OFFICIAL: HARVEY G. PATTERSON
LTC, Infantry
Adjutant
HARVEY J. PENDLETON
1LT, IN
Asst Adjutant MoreHide
Criteria The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding ac... The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight. MoreHide
Comments DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
APO San Francisco 96240
GENERAL ORDER
NUMBER 2311
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM
1. TC 439
... DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
APO San Francisco 96240
GENERAL ORDER
NUMBER 2311
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM
1. TC 439. The following AWARD is announced
ENTRICAN, DANNY D. 428-86-7106 1LT 31542 Co B (WA4XBOA) APO 96318 IN
Awarded: Bronze Star with "V" Device
Date(s) of service: 11 September 1970
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive
Order 11046, 24 August 1962
Reason: For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam: First Lieutenant Entrican
distinguished him- self by exceptional heroism on 11 September 1970
while serving as senior advisor to a Camp Strike Force operation.
While engaged in the mission of search and control on QL 14,
Lieutenant Entrican lead a point element towards a well used trail
in a densely wooded area. When they were with- in 100 meters of the
trail an estimated company opened up with an intense volume of
automatic fire. after maneuvering the CSF into position, Lieu-
tenant Entrican called for Cobra Gunships and exposed himself to the
enemy fire in order to direct the gunships. Even with the gunships
work- in the area it was evident to him the CSF element could not
hold the superior fire from the NVA/VC position. When he began to
withdraw he noticed a dead NVA/VC body and returned under fire to
search the body for valuable documents. Lieutenant Entrican then
moved his element to a safe position without incurring any
casualties and directed fire from the gunships on the enemy. The
results did not prove so valuable for the enemy after they broke
contact leaving 1 NVA/VC KIA and 1 carbine weapon behind.
Lieutenant Entrican's bravery and devotion to duty were in keep- ing
with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect
great credit upon himself, Special Forces and the United States
Army.
RECON TEAM ALASKA, 27 KM SOUTH OF CA LU AIR FIELD 19710518
event
Recon Team ALASKA, consisting of three US special forces soldiers and three Nung troops, was inserted into the Da Krong Valley, Thua Thien Province, SVN, reportedly on 8 May 1971. On 18 May, when located about a mile from the Laotian/SVN border, RT ALASKA was engaged by an NVA force and called for an emergency extraction.