Chapter 40

Ambush at the L

On the morning of April 25 at 0830, the Eleventh Engineers, stationed in the Ca Lu compound, went out on one of their routine work parties. They were systematically repairing Highway 9 and repairing all the bridges that had been blown out or damaged to the extent that it would not support a vehicle. They were working to improve the highway for traffic through to the base at Khe Sanh. They left Ca Lu with several vehicles, including a small personnel carrier, several dump trucks, a 6-by, and an Ontos. A short time after they left, the Ontos, which had been at the rear of the column, came racing back and reported that their convoy had been ambushed seven kilometers south.

Two squads from Second Platoon mounted up on several vehicles and raced out to the ambush site, located at an L-shaped curve in the highway called “the elbow,” a perfect spot for an ambush. As we neared the elbow, we got off the vehicles and advanced on foot, prepared to receive opposition. Arriving at the elbow, we saw the vehicles were abandoned in the middle of the road, all were damaged. A mine in the middle of the road had been set off under the lead dump truck, blocking the narrow road and preventing the following vehicles from getting through. We approached cautiously, expecting to take fire. Nothing happened, so we got up to the ambush site and set up security. Searching through the vehicles, we found five bodies. All the rest of the twenty-eight-man team was missing.

We split up into small teams to search the area. I led a team. We followed a fresh trail through the grass and foliage running parallel to the road for a short distance then turned toward the riverbank. Entering the willows and rounding the corner where the trail descended to the river, I saw the muzzle of an M14 aimed at me. A single Marine was visible above the riverbank. He was wearing his helmet and had a battle dressing covering one eye. I jumped back and hollered for him to hold his fire. I then identified myself and let him know we were from Lima Company and we were there to get them out. He acknowledged, lowered his rifle, and gave me permission to advance. We headed down to their position.