The Magnificent Bastards (32 page)

Above and Below:
BLT 2/4 Marines sweep through Dai Do and Dinh To on 3 May 1968.
Courtesy F H. Morgan
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Among the C/3-21 grunts ambushed at Nhi Ha on 2 May 1968 were SSgt. James M. Goad (with bush hat in front), Sgt. Jimmie L. Coulthard (seated with hands clasped), Sp4 Derryl D. Odom (standing with fist on hip), and Pfc. Wayne Crist (with glasses).
Courtesy J. L. Coulthard
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Sgt. Roger W. Starr, a C/3-21 machine gunner.
Courtesy R. W. Starr
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SSgt. Goad of C/3-21 shows off the helmet he was wearing when he was hit in the head with two bullets during an earlier action. He didn’t get a scratch. He wasn’t as lucky at Nhi Ha in early May 1968.
Courtesy J. M. Goad
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Capt. Jan S. Hildebrand, the 3-21st Infantry battalion surgeon, in his aid station at Mai Xa Chanh West.
Courtesy J. S. Hildebrand
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Sfc. Buford Mathis (left) and his RTO, Pfc. Charles C. Cox, of D/3-21, about two hours before the 4 May 1968 assault on Nhi Ha.
Courtesy C. C. Cox
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Sgt. Larry See (wearing glasses), D/3-21.
Courtesy L. H. See
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Capt. Dennis A. Leach, CO of C/3-21. Leach commanded the task force that seized Nhi Ha and held it despite repeated NVA counterattacks.
Courtesy J. S. Hildebrand
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The Gimlets took this church bell as a souvenir when they took Nhi Ha on 5 May 1968. It was eventually donated to an orphanage in Tarn Ky.
Courtesy J. S. Hildebrand
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Lt. Col. Snyder sits in the ruins of the church at Nhi Ha after the operation.
Courtesy J. S. Hildebrand
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Sgt. Starr awaits medical evacuation after being blinded in his right eye during the attack on the night of 5-6 May 1968.
Courtesy R. W. Starr
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Sgt. James L. Stone, A/3-21.
Courtesy J. L. Stone
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