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175 Echo Troop moved over to support the brigade since we were tied up with the COSVN thing. On the morning of the twentieth, one of their hunter-killer teams was reconning a river northeast of Phuoc Vinh when they spotted nineteen individuals in an open area—all had packs and weapons. The Cobra rolled in and killed ten of them. At 2:10 that afternoon they inserted their Blues and immediately captured an NVA officer. It was almost as if he were waiting at the LZ. About 4:00 P.M. the Blues made contact with two more NVA. After a short firefight, they killed the enemy soldiers and discovered that one had been a forward observer. They had made contact with an NVA artillery unit. The Echo Blues continued their ground recon and made further discoveries: weapons and packs, flour, documents, firing tables, and a map of Phuoc Vinh. The officer the Blues had captured was an NVA warrant officer. More than that, he was the commander of the artillery company that had blown up our hooch. Upon his return to division headquarters at Phuoc Vinh, he began to talk. He was tired of running around the jungle eating rice soup and bugs. He was tired of getting shot at and running from us. He decided to chieu hoi and change sides. On the twenty-first, he went out with the Echo Troop Blues and led them to a 75mm recoilless rifle. Not just any 75mm, but the gun that had hit our hooch! That same morning we lifted off to head back to the COSVN area. There was still a lot of ground to cover out there. About mid-morning I got a call to return to base. “What’s up?” I asked. “Just RTB and shut down when you get here,” I was told. After we shut down we went into the TOC and were told to report to squadron headquarters. Maj. Gen. George W. Putnam, Jr., the new commanding general of the First Cav, was coming over for an Impact Ceremony. A civilian film crew from CBS was there too. We formed up on the parade ground and awaited the general’s arrival. He didn’t keep us waiting long. Major Nelson greeted him with a salute. He faced us and put us at “Parade rest.” Taking up the more relaxed stance, General Putnam began to tell Chapter 18 Steak Out us what the ground troops were finding out in the AO as a result of our find and what a significant find it had been. A short time later the command sergeant major (CSM) bellowed, “Attention to orders!” and we snapped to attention. Several awards were given out before I was called. “Mr. Zahn. Front and center!” I positioned myself in front of the general and saluted. The CSM began to read: General Orders number 18674. Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. TC 439. The following award is announced. Zahn, Randy R. Warrant Officer WO1, United States Army. Troop C, first Squadron (Airmobile) ninth Cavalry. Awarded: Distinguished Flying Cross. Date of Action: 18 October 1970. Theater: Republic of Vietnam. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 2 July 1926. Reason: For heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Zahn distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 October 1970, while serving as pilot in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Zahn made repeated rocket attacks on enemy positions after one of the helicopters had been downed by the hostiles. Again and again he attacked until his ammunition was expired and he was replaced by another gunship. His outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Signed G.E. Newman, Colonel, Chief of Staff. I was incredibly proud as General Putnam pinned the DFC on me. He shook my hand and congratulated me. “Thank you very much, sir.” I saluted. “I was only doing my job.” He smiled and said, “Then keep up the good work!” “Yes, sir.” Fifteen minutes later we all cranked up and were heading back to the AO. Besides the discovery of COSVN, activity in the AO was picking up. The enemy was...

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