1966 :SEAL Team One ambushed in the Rung Sat


Mighty Mo, SEAL Team ONE's heavily armed Mike boat (LCM) is ambushed in the Rung Sat Special Zone, a four hundred square mile mangrove swamp surrounding the main (Long Tau R.) and alternate (Soi Rap R.) shipping channels between Saigon and the South China Sea. 

On Friday night, 7 OCT 66, Mighty Mo was on the upper Dong Tranh River. Also on the same river was a force in excess of 150 NVA reroute to attack the PBR base at Nha Be'. (This was revealed in documents captured in a later SEAL operation.) When the NVA heard Mighty Mo's engines they quickly set up an ambush on both sides of the narrow river. The first shot was a direct hit amidships with a motar round. The SEALs and crew of Mighty Mo responded with five .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 calibers, a mortar and a recoilless rifle. When the battle was over everyone aboard the Mike boat was wounded and fifty-eight enemy were dead. 

I remember parts of that night very well. We were at our battle stations (mine was the stern .50 cal behind the pilot house) straining to see or hear anything in that dark calm night. The engines were turning as slowly and quietly as possible. It was the loudest quiet I have ever heard. 

Then suddenly they scored a direct hit with a mortar round and both river banks erupted with gunfire. Nobody gave the order to return fire--we just did. (Couldn't have heard it anyhow.) Because I was on the stern I remember the smell of the diesel exhausts and the canvas canopy burning above my head and of course the noise level. It was the loudest night of my life. 

I remember alternating fire from one river bank to the other while trying my best to fire in short five round bursts. Shrapnel from an exploding recoilless rifle round penetrated my helmet and I was knocked out instantly. I was reloading at the time so I was looking down. If I had been looking forward it would have hit me in the face. (Lucky me.) 

I temporarily regained consciousness while they were putting me on a helicopter. Although it had died down considerably the fire fight was still going on. Again I briefly regained consciousness at the Third Field Hospital, Saigon where a chaplain was giving me the Last Rites. Within one hour of getting wounded I was being operated on by an Army neurosurgeon. When I woke up three days later the ward was full of guys from the Mike boat. 

Among the first to notice that I was awake were LCDR McCullough, BM1 Roger Moscone and an EN2 whose name I can't remember. They were standing at the foot of my bed with smiles on their faces so I knew that I would pull through. LCDR McCullough had one of those honorable John Wayne type leg wounds that enabled him to hobble around the ward with the aid of a cane to visit his men. I heard that some years later he made Captain. Good for him. He was a good officer. 

I crossed paths with a lot of heroes that night and owe them my life. Among them are whoever put a battle dressing on my head, the guys who put me on the chopper, the guys who stayed at their stations and returned fire, the helicopter crew who landed at night in a fire fight and everyone at the Third Field Hospital, Saigon. 

Army Medics have told me that most head wounds in Vietnam died. I would have been lucky to live another forty-two minutes. It has turned into forty-two years and except for dead brain cells that affect my memory I'm still going strong. Every day since then has been something extra. Even "bad days" could be worse. 

Jim Dickson

I just remembered Dick Pearson, SEAL Team One, Det Golf was on the fore ward starboard .50 cal the night of the ambush.   He visited me at a Mobile Riverine Force Reunion in San Diego in 2001 and filled some blank spots in my memory.    I really appreciated that. 

I just remembered Admiral Ward sent my father a letter after I was wounded (copy enclosed).   I've got to tell you that letter cut through a lot of red tape with the VA.

From: Jim Dickson
To: Doc Riojas 
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 11:29 AM 
Subject: 7 OCT 66 - This Date in Vietnam History 


Hi Doc Riojas, 

I thought you might be interested in an email that Franklin Anderson sent out last year on 7 OCT 66. (see below) 

: This Date in Vietnam History----This was a sad day, even though we never had any KIA, We suffered some permanent injuries that forced two men to retire--LTJG Bill. Pachacek, and PO Bob Henry.  

CPO Herb Ruth was on one of the machine guns and the barrell was so hot you could see the rounds going through it. When it was all over the barrells were drooping. We lost our first casualty on 19 August 66 (Billy Machen), and from that day forward SEAL DET GOLF took vengence on the VC.

Capt Weyers (Then a LT) was instrumental in the initial success of SEAL'S actions in the RSSZ, that paved the way for their continued success, even today.

 One of the Boat Crew Jim Dickson suffered head wounds and also was retired. A GALLANT Group of men that to this day can not go through the Airport Security without setting off the alarms.

 HOOYAH - Franklin    ( I was CO of SEAL Team ONE at this time) 

Billy Machen was the point man on a patrol. As he was going through an open area he noticed the VC were lying in ambush. They were waiting for him to pass through so they could hit the main group. He instantly opened fire thus sacrificing his own life to save his team. 

As the Commander Wandres' yeoman I typed up a recommendation for the Navy Cross. The recommendation resulted in the posthumous award of a Silver Star. I was so impressed by Billy Machen's selfless act and dedication to his team that I put in a special request chit to crew on their Mike boat. 

Jim Dickson

From: Franklin Anderson
To Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 7:18 AM
Subject: Fw: 7 OCT 66 - This Date in Vietnam History 


This is the sequel to the previous message that Jim Dickson sent---It is interesting to note that the SEALS on the Mighty Moe accounted for approximately 58 KIA and untold wounded and broke the VC attempt to invade Nha Be.

 The follow on is that We lost Bill Pachacek and Bob Henry in the near past dying prematurely from the wounds received. "Herb Ruth was later commissioned and went into law enforcement in Utah. He passed away quite some time ago of a Heart Attack---

This group of Valiant men are fading rapidly-- CWO Moscone passed away, and it was "suspected" that Agent Orange was the culprit.

Franklin Anderson

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