The Plei Trap Valley is located in Vietnam's Central Highlands, west of the Nam Sathay River and close to the
Cambodian border. During the war, the Plei Trap was heavily used as an infiltration route and base area, connecting at its
northwestern end with the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. The area is a torturous place with some of the most difficult terrain
imaginable - steep mountains, mist-shrouded valleys, dense jungle coverage. The low-lying areas are overshadowed by rugged mountains,
and daylight temperatures soar above 105 degrees. In 1967, potable water was scarce, but insects and other pests - including the enemy -
were plentiful.
The Plei Trap had a nickname - the Valley of Tears. And into the Valley of Tears came the men of the 4th Infantry Division.
The 4th's Second Brigade had arrived in Vietnam in August 1966, and the entire Division had closed by mid-September 1966.
Between September and the end of the year, 4th ID engaged in heavy jungle training and operations in the coastal plain area
of I Corps.
In early January 1967 the 4th Infantry Division moved into the western area of the Central Highlands, determined to engage
the North Vietnamese Army's 1st and 10th Divisions. Operation Sam Houston began immediately, with US units clearing the
highland plains of Pleiku and Kontum Provinces, preparatory to more substantial campaigns west of the Nam Sathay River.
The 2nd Brigade, 4th ID, crossed the river in mid-February, entering the Valley of Tears. Artillery and air support was
difficult due to the terrain and weather conditions. Joined by the 1st Brigade, the 4th Division pushed slowly westwards,
hoping to trap the NVA close to the Cambodian border. Instead, they suffered constant ambush in ideal defensive terrain.
By mid-March, both brigades began pulling back to the eastern side of the Se Sanh River.
In the last major engagement of Operation Sam Houston, elements of the 1st Bn, 8th Infantry, were employed as blocking forces
intended to hamper the movement of NVA forces. On March 21, 1967, Company A and with Company B were dropped by helicopter into
Polei Doc to search for a missing Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP). After stopping for the night, the two companies
split up. Within 15 minutes of breaking camp on the morning of March 22, Company A came under attack by a North Vietnamese
force about three times their size and familiar with the terrain. The NVA attempted to split the
company in half.
"We were supposed to be a blocking force against a small unit of NVA that had been spotted by a Recon Team and spotter
plane. We choppered out to an LZ on the 21st and proceeded to march towards the NVA force. When we set up our perimeter
that night I as well as others were on LP's.
Next morning we set out for the final position and were ambushed by a Battalion sized NVA outfit. The battle started around
7:30 AM and the heaviest fighting ended around 4:30 PM. Lighter fighting continued after 4:30 PM while the choppers were
getting the wounded out."
John Nelson, SP4, A/1/8
McNerney moved to the front to assess the situation. He was confronted by heavy machine gun fire and
moved forward through it to kill the machine gunner. While returning to his lines he was blown off his feet by a grenade.
When he returned to his unit he learned the company commander and all of the officers except 1st Lt. Rick Sauer had been
killed or wounded. Within a few minutes, Sauer was incapacitated by gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
Due to the intense action many casualties were not evacuated until late in the afternoon. Company B, several kilometers from
Company A, fought all day to reach the unit, reaching them late in the day. Despite his own injuries, McNerney refused to be
evacuated and remained with A Company until a new commander arrived the next day.
During the Battle of Polei Doc, A Company's (totaling 108 troops) casualties include 22 men killed in action and 42 wounded,
a 60% casualty rate. After the battle, U.S. troops identified 139 NVA KIA around the A 1/8 perimeter, and another 400 NVA graves
were located in the area a short time later. As a result of their actions during the battle that day, two men were awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross, 7 the Silver Star, 25 the Bronze Star, and 65 a Purple Heart. McNerney was awarded the Medal of
Honor. To evacuate wounded and bring in fresh supplies, helicopter pilot CWO Donald Rawlinson repeatedly returned to the
company's position despite heavy enemy small-arms fire. Lt. Col. Rick Sauer later said, "He came and flew out the wounded.
He risked his life multiple times. ... The back of his Huey helicopter was just flowing in blood from continually taking out
the wounded people. He did quite a job. " Rawlinson was recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross and was adopted as a
member of A Company by its troops. The battalion was one of the most highly decorated battalions of the Vietnam War.
Four members were recognized with Medals of Honor within a 60-day period.
During the fight, Alpha 1/8 suffered 22 men killed in action and an additional 42 wounded - a 75 percent casualty rate.
But the greatly outnumbered GIs were not routed by the NVA - they held their ground until relieved and they brought their dead
and wounded out with them. Immediately after the battle 139 NVA dead were counted around the A/1/8 position. A subsequent
sweep of the area identified approximately 400 NVA graves.
