Hill 55 and Liberty Road
1966 / 67, Hill 55 south of DaNang in the background. We were starting our morning mine sweep. I was a combat engineer with c/1/26. This 1.5 mile stretch this side of the river (Song Thu Bon River in background) was called Liberty Road. We swept it every morning to open it up for resupply traffic out to An Hoa. We had a squad of engineers and a squad of grunts split on each flank and also a tank. That day I was driving the mule. We rotated the jobs so you only had to sweep about every third day or so. On the lower left corner on the mule you can see the mine detector. The sea bag had our explosives, det cord supplies. Our platoon HQ was on top of Hill 55 which can be seen in the background. We would routinely find mines one way or another and also receive sniper fire during the sweep. I have more photos if anyone is interested. This is my first posting and am trying to contact some of the guys in my unit during that time. I can't remember names.
Discussion
cole johnson May 10 2012, 9:55 pm
Hey man my dad was Hill 55 67-68 he remembers the NVA bringing out a old french cannon and blowning up a phone tower. Do u know him he was a Radio Operator Name Barry L. Johnson hes bunker was next Carlos Hathcock & i mean right next to him. He had blue eyes blonde hair was about 19 at the time. Please help me !!& Please Write BACK.
Joseph Ryan May 17 2012, 10:50 pm
Hay David, I was with 1st Mar Div, 1st Anti Tank Bat (Ontos) C Co. in 66 - 68. We camped on a small hill at the other end of Liberty Road near the Laos boarder. Every morning we mine swept towards Hill 55 and my night, along with standing guard and patrols, weighted for the periodic troubled calls from the hills with the 144 artillery when they came under attack as they had very little small arms. The enemy, after the first couple of times, would leave rather quickly when they heard us coming. Usually we sent three pigs which was 18 106s, 6 50 cal spotter riffles and three 30 cals (along with 9 carbines 3 45 grease guns and we each had a 45 pistol.
Every now and then we would take a 106 and lend it to you guys to put on that ‘mule’ you were riding when they needed help guarding a outpost.
Good to see you made it home, Your brother in arms - Joseph
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