Intimately familiar with the action.
Childhood best friend was the Squad Pig/MG 1st Plt C co 1/46. We hooked up there and in Chu Lai, several times before 2/13/71, the ambush that proceeded the assault on Maryanne, which was a few clicks from the border of Laos, completely controlled by the NVA.
The L shaped ambush completely decimated the squad. MBFF suffered 7/7.62 rounds, having made the decision to go down the trail to assist/pull back/rescue his brothers. Every-time he went back down the trail he has hit again. The book describes the event, but he and those that survived did not tell the full story to Nolan, they held that close to themselves.
Photo's on Maryanne
Photo1 Murph, Lt. KIA
Photo 2 L/R KIA, Lany, Sq Leader KIA, Murph
The Citation for his SS, was a MOH nomination, but it was turned down on Nixon desk, due to the Div Co, The Bde Co, The Co Co being relived of Command. Can't have leadership recommendation for an award, while being relived of command.
Several of us went to DC in '78 to reverse that decision to no avail.
BuffloBob may have more input as he was CO of a Plt in B co 1/46. iirc, after having finished the Q course Alpha. He related that they ran the PLT like 4 ODA's.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_FSB_Mary_Ann
https://blog.togetherweserved.com/20...base-mary-ann/
https://www.historynet.com/deadly-sa...e-vietnam-war/