40th Anniversary Son Tay Raid

[rdret1]

http://www.psywarrior.com/sontay.html

Today we salute those exceptionally brave Quiet Professionals, who did everything they could to bring American POWs back from Vietnam. Today is the 40th anniversary of the Son Tay Raid. We salute you, veterans of Son Tay! To those still with us: thank you for your brilliant service and sacrifices. Thank you for teaching many of us what it meant to be a Special Forces soldier. For those who have passed on: your memory will live forever in the annals of Special Forces history. Thank you for your service and sacrifices.

[JJ_BPK]

Thanks to the QP's that put their lives on the line to try the impossible.

And thanks for the post..

[Gypsy]

Thanks to everyone involved in the Son Tay Raid! Your actions and sacrifices shall not be forgotten.

As a very young trooper in the "Q", I met several Son Tay Raiders. Some were JFK school house instructors, some worked CIF, all were very much loved, respected and admired.

I'm very honored to have met a few of them.

Not sure who it was, but I met the man, the story I remember.

A soldier, assigned to the aircraft that crashed inside the compound, on purpose, had reheared moving from the crash site to a "tree inside the compund" to lay down supressive fire with his M-60, and 500 rds., his assistant gunner carried an additional 1000 rds.!!!

The tree was identified by spy craft photos, when the aircraft landed, (crashed), the soldiers moved the 25M, but the tree was gone. Standing there, not knowing what to do, the soldier was slapped on the left shoulder and told, "LAY DOWN NOW!!!".

After 1000 hours of rehearsal time, he was conditioned to walk/run the 25 meters.

A simple thing as lying down escaped him, he and his asst gunner just froze.

Nothing but great respect for the Son Tay Raiders.

Thanks fellas.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by wet dog

As a very young trooper in the "Q", I met several Son Tay Raiders. Some were JFK school house instructors, some worked CIF, all were very much loved, respected and admired.

I'm very honored to have met a few of them.

Not sure who it was, but I met the man, the story I remember.

A soldier, assigned to the aircraft that crashed inside the compound, on purpose, had reheared moving from the crash site to a "tree inside the compund" to lay down supressive fire with his M-60, and 500 rds., his assistant gunner carried an additional 1000 rds.!!!

The tree was identified by spy craft photos, when the aircraft landed, (crashed), the soldiers moved the 25M, but the tree was gone. Standing there, not knowing what to do, the soldier was slapped on the left shoulder and told, "LAY DOWN NOW!!!".

After 1000 hours of rehearsal time, he was conditioned to walk/run the 25 meters.

A simple thing as lying down escaped him, he and his asst gunner just froze.

Nothing but great respect for the Son Tay Raiders.

Thanks fellas.

I think that was Sgt Jacovenko, wasn't it? I remember a similar vignette...

Originally Posted by Dusty

I think that was Sgt Jacovenko, wasn't it? I remember a similar vignette...

That may be right, I was was too young to consider ever writing this stuff down in a journal at the time.

Another regret.

None the less, what a remarkable story!!!!

[rdret1]

Originally Posted by wet dog

None the less, what a remarkable story!!!!

And a testament to the power of muscle memory!

[Richard]

The Raid took place while I was in Cbt Engr AIT at Fort Lost In The Woods. It became a textbook case for SF and I later got to serve with and know a number of Raiders - Leroy Carlson, Jake Jakovenko, Don Taapken, Dave Nickerson, George Petrie, Billy K Moore, Pappy Kittleson, Bill Tapley, Ronnie Strahan, Paul Poole, Jesse Black, and Elmer D Adams.

George - the first man on the ground in the compound because he was thrown out when the HH-3 crashed - is in the hospital again but should be released soon. Age and the results of a long-serving SF lifestyle have caught up with him but he's still one tough SOB. Ross Perot personally ensures George gets the best treatment available here.

These guys are an inspirational chunk of living history - I hope more of y'all can meet some of them one day before they, too, are gone - you'll never regret it and you'll never forget it.

Richard

[ZonieDiver]

Originally Posted by wet dog

As a very young trooper in the "Q", I met several Son Tay Raiders. Some were JFK school house instructors, some worked CIF, all were very much loved, respected and admired.

I'm very honored to have met a few of them.

Not sure who it was, but I met the man, the story I remember.

A soldier, assigned to the aircraft that crashed inside the compound, on purpose, had reheared moving from the crash site to a "tree inside the compund" to lay down supressive fire with his M-60, and 500 rds., his assistant gunner carried an additional 1000 rds.!!!

The tree was identified by spy craft photos, when the aircraft landed, (crashed), the soldiers moved the 25M, but the tree was gone. Standing there, not knowing what to do, the soldier was slapped on the left shoulder and told, "LAY DOWN NOW!!!".

After 1000 hours of rehearsal time, he was conditioned to walk/run the 25 meters.

A simple thing as lying down escaped him, he and his asst gunner just froze.

Nothing but great respect for the Son Tay Raiders.

Thanks fellas.

I was in Weapons training in SFTG when Son Tay happened. Even as a 'Snuffy' (as we were then called), it was a very proud time. I first heard the story Wet Dog relates on the Weapons final FTX. We were moving among different weapons, and came to a stationed manned by SSG St. Clair - a Son Tay raider. He related the story to his very rapt audience, and in my memory, he related that it occurred to him, but it may have been related as having happened to another.

Nonetheless, imagine the cojones it took! Even today, I am awed.

[mojaveman]

During Phase III of the SFQC in '84 an officer who's name I forgot and who was a Captain at the time of the operation gave us a very good presentation on Operation Ivory Coast.

After being assigned to 5th SFG I had the privilige of serving with three Son Tay raiders, all of whom were pretty impressive people.

Originally Posted by mojaveman

When I attended Phase III of the SFQC in '84 an officer who's name I forgot and who was a young Captain at the time of the operation gave us a pretty good presentation on Operation Ivory Coast.

After being assigned to 5th SFG I had the privilige of serving with three Son Tay raiders, all pretty impressive people.

If you heard a presentation at Ft. Bragg by an officer who served as a young Cpt at the time of the op it was probably Meadows.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

I was in Weapons training in SFTG when Son Tay happened. Even as a 'Snuffy' (as we were then called), it was a very proud time. I first heard the story Wet Dog relates on the Weapons final FTX. We were moving among different weapons, and came to a stationed manned by SSG St. Clair - a Son Tay raider. He related the story to his very rapt audience, and in my memory, he related that it occurred to him, but it may have been related as having happened to another.

Nonetheless, imagine the cojones it took! Even today, I am awed.

Absolutely Zonie,"COJONES" being the key word here,it's amazing how these guys had them.......... Never having the privilege of meeting any of them like some of you have,but sincerely wishing I had......... Men like these make me feel proud that I'm a Green Beret......

Big Teddy

[The Reaper]

Thanks for trying, brothers.

TR

[SF_BHT]

Thanks you very much for trying and inspiring future Special Forces Soldiers to be the best like you are.

[Snaquebite]

I had the priviledge of working with/for a few of these soldiers during my career. They all were always an inspiration and a wealth of knowledge. Others I had the priviledge to meet. They too always had a way of inspiring the people around them. Thanks to all you brave soldiers.

http://www.sontayraider.com/