"Prairie Fire" x2 - Page 6

**Ambush Master** · 05-09-2013, 21:47

Just listened to this again. Some of the younger guys may appreciate it.

Later
Martin

Stobey · 05-09-2013, 23:21

Just listened to this for the first time. Don't know what to say... I had goosebumps; but felt helpless knowing the situation of the - 2 remaining - men of RT Colorado (even though I knew I was listening to a piece of history). I will listen again to gain a better understanding of exactly the sequence of events.

For some reason I thought "Broken Arrow" was used to define a situation where an [RT] group was completely surrounded and outnumbered. (Ah. That's where I remembered it - from the movie, "We Were Soldiers". Actually a very good movie.)

But this wasn't a movie - this was for real. And "Prairie Fire" is about as good a "descriptor" as any to describe soldiers about to be overwhelmed by enemy forces. Did anyone from either of the RTs survive this nightmare encounter?

God bless them, AND those who came to their rescue! Thank you for posting this. I wish more people could hear - and understand - the realities of battle. Specifically those who would use the U.S. Armed Forces for their "social experiments".

SPEC4 · 01-29-2014, 08:05

Been gone 43 years, hard to believe.

01-29-2014, 10:47

A few months ago, I talked to Lyn St. Laurent on the phone for a long time. He gave me his view point on what happened that day. He had been very close to Dave Mixter when the RPG went off. Lyn is an amazing man to say the least. He says that he still keeps in touch with Pat Mitchell and others.

I will be talking to him again this week sometime.

tazaygul · 02-02-2014, 20:26

Deleted

Koldsteel · 02-11-2014, 21:15

Im sitting here listening to this for the first time.

First of all, Thank You one and all for your service ! I cant really come up with any better words.

And thank you for keeping this thread alive for me to stumble across.

SPEC4 · 01-29-2017, 10:22

January 29, 1971, remembering "Lurch"
Hand salute

RobGraham · 03-27-2021, 07:30

Hi

I am working on a video game with SOA / former MACV SOG team leaders
My forum board intro is here
Regarding the original post in this thread, is there any way to reach MAB32?
I would like to request permission to use his excellent detailed description of the events on 29 January 1971 on our website.

My email if needed.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Rob

RobGraham · 04-26-2021, 02:13

Update:

I have now received confirmation from Pat Mitchell and Lyn St. Laurent who were both on the ground in RT Colorado, and John Plaster who was flying above in Covey, that we can use the original recording sent to us by mail. The sender Barry Subelsky also gave his permission.

Could someone flag my request to MAB32 please? We'd like to makecontact in the next week if possible.

We'd like to reproduce the original post here to describe the contents of the tape.
The audio has now also been cleaned up and digitized by our sound engineer and a copy lodged safely with SOCOM Command Historian via Major General Ken Bowra, who is in our team.

Thank you!

Rob

**Box** · 08-27-2025, 08:59

Harold - one strike and you're out.