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FOR WHICH WE STAND
A poem by Peter S. Griffin
For “Old Glory”, proudly waving across our sacred land,
“One nation under God”, we’ll defend, this most divine of plans…
With “liberty and justice for all”,
For our many freedoms, we answer our nation’s call…
Into harm’s way, our courage, never to sway,
Through the darkest of nights and the most tumultuous of days…
Our shores be protected, the ultimate of sacrifice, shall not impede our way,
The most determined and deadliest of enemies, we shall stay…
“The home of the brave and the land of the free”,
Will live on forever, this, our sabers, do guarantee…
Where the eagle protects the dove,
For “The Star Spangled Banner” and the Constitution we so dearly love…
From on high, the Screaming Eagles soar,
The shroud of oppression, by talons sharp, soon be tore…
The torch of Lady Liberty, lights the way,
Her “Sky Soldiers” will save the day..!
For our ghosts of battles past, like them, we stand proud and fast,
“The Bill of Rights”, we promise, shall forever last…
“The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air”,
Though death may surround us, to the Reaper, we’ll show no fear…
Storming the gates of hell, with all our strength, we will STRIKE,
No matter, the roaring inferno, Satan does ignite…
The intense heat and consuming flames, we shall smother,
Does not “The Lord of the Flies” know, Saint Michael, be our brother..?
“In God We Trust”, and rightfully so,
For it is He who creates, elite troopers - so daring and bold..!
Ever-ready, to go anywhere, to oppose any foe,
Gallant warriors, sporting crests of eagle claw, true blue and gold…
For the girl next door and Mother’s apple pie,
Helicopters and parachutes will fill the sky…
“For amber waves of grain and purple mountain’s majesty”,
We will always fulfill our “Rendezvous With Destiny”…
To lay down one’s life for his friend, no greater love than this,
Please remember me, be our dying wish…
“Duty, Honor, Country”, to protect our people and beloved land,
Tis the Widowmaker’s solemn purpose, FOR WHICH WE STAND..!
"DAKTO, A LESSON FOR ME AND YOU
(Map courtesy of the National Archives)
A poem by Peter S. Griffin
In June of 1966, two deadly forces would converge,
An all out battle, the blood would surge...
The 101st Airborne and the 24th NVA,
They'd lock their horns, those fateful days...
General Giap ordered the mission,
"Annihilate the American forces at Dak To...
Destroy them all, their base camps too;
No one left alive, when you're through"..!
Over the hills of Toumorong they swarmed,
To silence our guns, not forewarned...
Attacking from all four sides,
Our listening posts, caught by surprise...
These outposts spread the news,
As enemy rounds slid down their tubes...
As the sentinels were overrun,
The strengthening of defenses had begun...
The 326 Engineers had constructed , a vital bridge,
Fighting as infantry, heroically, not an inch they would give..!
Later under heavy fire, in triple canopy, they cut out LZ's,
Evacuating our wounded, relieving their suffering...
Whistles blowing, machine guns glowing,
Mortar blasts, wounded groaning...
Charging our howitzers by cover of dark,
Bee Hive rounds, finding their mark..!
Green tracers lit up the sky,
Charlie shouting, "Tonight you die"...
Captured radios, Charlie on our wire,
Army vehicles exploding in fire...
Grenades being thrown, satchels are blown,
Fix bayonets, hold your own...
M16s in full roar, enemy khaki, a bloody gore,
105s firing at point blank, decimating enemy ranks...
"Puff the Magic Dragon" flies over the hill,
Firing mini guns, multiplying the kills...
"Smokey the Bear" dropping their flares,
Enemy confusion, seen quite clear...
When daylight comes, we attack in great force,
But Charlie had run, enough for this course...
Not much time to catch our breath,
Refitting ourselves, we went after our catch...
Our Tiger Force, hunting in the valley,
Attacked a strong force that had rallied...
Out numbered and out gunned,
The Tigers chewed 'em up, but were badly stung...
The North Vietnamese Army was finding out,
Just what Airborne soldiers were all about...
Never had so few, been so tough to chew,
Thinking they'd won, our hunting, just begun...
Charlie Company of the O'deuce,
Was prowling on the loose...
Catching a large force by surprise,
The enemy decided, "Must do or die"..!
Encircling our force on "No Name Ridge",
The NVA charged, no quarter they'd give...
Tightening the belt, stealing our breath,
"Napalm our position, or we face certain death"...
The enemy intent on zeroing them out,
Devastating this unit, would begin their rout...
Knowing relief would be forthcoming,
Swarms of enemy soldiers started buzzing...
Abu Company of the 1st 327,
Rushed to their aid, a force sent from heaven...
Dropping all caution, to proceed like the wind,
The NVA set deadly traps, to insure their win...
Camouflaged bunkers already in place,
An L-shaped ambush would seal Abu's fate...
AK's opened up with a roar,
Charlie was quick to slam the door...
Two units now trapped, they poised for the kill,
Licking their lips, enjoying the thrill...
Only one thing stood in the way,
Only Airborne courage, could save the day...
Fighting hard, for all their worth,
Supporting fires shook the earth...
These Paratroopers kept counterattacking,
To survive, they must have backing...
They gathered their wounded and made a stand,
Repulsing the enemy, at times, hand to hand...
Rain and darkness shrouded the land,
The enemy started probing, showing their plan...
The blessed darkness was a gift,
The enemy soldiers could not persist..!
As quiet as possible we left our enclave,
Carrying our wounded, our withdrawal was made...
It wouldn't be long before we knew,
A mighty arc light would strike from the blue...
Great craters erupted throughout the jungle,
The sanctuary of the NVA, reduced to rubble...
This North Vietnamese Army was rendered unfit,
These brave Screaming Eagles refused to quit...
Badly outnumbered they evened the odds,
Securing the area, they finished their job...
The Battle of Dak To was a very vicious fight,
Both sides lost much of their might...
Lessons were learned at a very high price,
A drop of blood would only pay for a grain of rice..!
The bravery of our badly outnumbered men,
Defeated a determined enemy at the end...
Leaders such as Emerson, Hackworth, Brown and Carpenter,
Greatly bettered the odds and prevented our slaughter...
Anticipating General Giap's devilish traps,
"Gunfighter" taught him a lesson on counterattack...
Defeating the enemy on their own sod,
The 24th North Vietnamese Army was reduced to a squad..!
Peter S. Griffin
Co.A, 2/502nd Infantry
101st Airborne Division
Viet Nam, 1965-66
Dakto, 7-11 June, 1966
This poem is humbly dedicated to LTG. (RET.) Henry E. Emerson,
"Gunfighter", our beloved battalion commander. His gallant leadership and courage on the battlefield is only surpassed by his affection for the men of his "STRIKE FORCE". Sir, please know our respect and love for you will never "FADEAWAY"! God Bless You, Sir. "Grif"
May you have the strength of eagles' wings,
The faith and courage to fly to new heights,
And the wisdom of the universe to carry you there!
Indian Blessing
THE BATTLE OF AN NINH
A poem by Peter S. Griffin
In Vietnam, to save the day,
U.S. Paratroopers, went into harm's way....
One day in September, of sixty five,
Two deadly enemies, about to collide....
A beautiful morn, we did greet,
No sign of the enemy, we'd soon meet....
Hot chow, a very special treat,
So many troopers, be there time to eat...?
No, chow line too long, so many to feed,
Enough to bring, any enemy, to their knees....
A swarm of helicopters, then arrived,
Rapid deployment, guarantees surprise....
So many soldiers, have to fly by shifts,
On the third lift, assigned my niche....
After landing, "a walk in the sun",
A thorough search, we'd soon be done....
The first landing, went unopposed,
Back they flew, for another load....
As they reached the LZ, not far away,
All hell broke loose, that fateful day....
We could observe the battle flare,
As they flew into the VC snare....
Command radios, their volume high,
Hearing the cries, of those, about to die....
Observing choppers fall from the sky,
"More men and ammo, or all would die"...!
They reported, "VC lying on their backs,
AK's roaring in full attack."...!
As crippled choppers, flew our way,
At the chalk lines, we did pray....
Riddled by bullets, they limped in,
Dead door gunners, our looks chagrin....
Off we flew, not knowing our fate,
Hoping our arrival, be not too late....
The LZ, much too hot to land,
A hail of fire, stifling our plan...!
All our choppers, now, unfit to fly,
Must reach the airhead, before all died...!
Our artillery, bogged down, out of range,
From our brothers, we felt estranged....
Fighter jets were then unleached,
High explosives and napalm, to close the breech....
Helicopters, on loan, we attained,
An alternate LZ, forced, we attained....
At the airhead, our soldiers fought like hell,
Attack, after attack, they repelled...!
The battle raging, both day and night,
Charlie losing, much of his might....
Hurt so badly, many VC ran away,
Escape and evasion, they'd fight, another day....
As we approached , many caught in our net,
An avenging force, they had met....
Reaching the airhead, with much relief,
Heroic soldiers, we did greet....
They devasted the enemy, in their nest,
Completely surrounded, they passed the test....
The enemy fired on our medivacs,
Expert riflemen, silenced these attacks....
Their battlefield, we then acquired,
From a baptism of blood, our wounded retired....
Badly outnumbered, these troopers, held their own,
An enemy battalion had possessed, that landing zone...!
On that LZ, the enemy rehearsed,
To transform each helicopter, into a hearse...!
Most of our officers, became casualties,
Assumption of command, not a disability....
Sergeants led them, in their plight,
Turning defeat to victory, overnight....
For two days, we policed that battlefield,
So much carnage and death, it was surreal....
Fighting snipers, all that remained,
Most of that battalion, left dead or lame....
I counted the enemy dead, in awe,
Hardly believing, just what I saw....
Flying into the jaws of death,
These paratroopers, proven, among the best....
To the gallant troopers of that LZ,
We salute you and your victory....
Never has so few, fought like so many,
You crippled a battalion of the enemy...!
Looking back , it's plain to see,
Bravery is your legacy....
THE BATTLE OF AN NINH, your victory,
Your glorious, "Rendezvous With Destiny"...!
Death Cards of Company B, 2/502nd Infantry
LISTEN LADIES, I BEG YOU, PLEASE...
A poem by Peter S. Griffin
To enemy soldiers, a most terrifying, shocking sight,
Thousands of Sky Soldiers about to STRIKE..!
The Widowmakers of the 101’s Five O’Deuce,
Elite warriors, ’bout to tighten the noose..!
Staring with disbelief, uncontrollably, they shake with fear,
As hundreds of planes, choppers and chutes fill the air…
Now at treetop level, Hell’s gates are open wide,
Enemy resistance, so very much, like suicide..!
Tears will be shed, black will be worn,
Many a young widow, about to be born…
Freedom’s enemies will pay a high price,
Listen young ladies, save your man’s life..!
For when you see Old Abe’s patch,
Your soldier husband, about to breathe his last..!
Convince him quick, he must throw down his arms,
Spare him from this certain harm..!
Hear my words, LISTEN LADIES, I BEG YOU, PLEASE,
No way possible, victory, he can not achieve..!
All will perish by the sword of the free,
He must surrender, stop the impending misery..!
Don’t let your children lose their father,
He can’t provide, ground into fodder..!
Caskets will become a commodity, rare,
Protest this war, his life you’ll spare..!
Imagine a society, without your young men,
What a terrible price, your agonies will have no end..!
Laughter and happiness will cease to exist,
You’ll curse the day, he chose to enlist..!
Grossly inadequate, his training and weaponry,
He can not defeat advanced technology and bravery..!
The patch of skull, parachute and wings,
Represent the Widowmakers’ deadly sting..!
These Sky Soldiers have never tasted defeat,
Once engaged, their enemies’ life so bleak…
Oh, so profusely, their blood will pour,
Heed my warning, bring them home, bolt the door..!
LISTEN LADIES, I BEG YOU, PLEASE,
If you must, pull him to his knees…
Compassion, the Widowmakers, will gladly, grant your wish,
His name, need not appear, on a casualty list..!
Hold onto your husbands, before they’re gone,
If not, to eternity, they’ll certainly belong…
The Widowmakers will hear your plea,
Death and sadness, does not have to be…
LISTEN LADIES, I BEG YOU, PLEASE…
Safe conduct pass dropped by allied forces to urge the NVA and Viet Cong to surrender.
DOG TAGS OF THE HEART
A poem by Peter S. Griffin
Brave and loyal soldiers, all are they,
Imminent danger, on high alert, they lead the way…
Obedient ‘til the end, they truly be, “man’s best friend,”
These canine warriors, with gallant troopers, they do blend..!
With their life, courageously, they will protect,
Though wounded, still attack, with their last breath…
Ferocious in battle, they know no fear,
With razor sharp teeth, they slash and tear...!
Faithfully, at their master’s side,
Forever ready to fight and die…
No greater love, can there be,
To risk all, defending friends, freedom and liberty..!
West of Hue, Hill 714, an enemy stronghold, it surely be,
Fortified bunkers, NVA soldiers behind every tree..!
A scout dog and handler, lead the way,
Recon and “C” Company, followed that day…
Suddenly, a thump, a blinding flash,
The brave scout dog, breathed his last…
Hit in the chest by fragments from a rifle grenade,
Only time for a fast "good-bye", eventually, a makeshift grave...
Enraged by their canine friend’s gory demise,
A classic online assault, caught the communists by surprise…
A very determined enemy, fought for their lives,
After prolonged, vicious fighting, not a single one survived..!
A large cache of enemy sniper rifles soon were found,
To NVA sharpshooters, surely, soon to be bound..!
Captured American equipment, the enemy had put to use,
One American M-79 grenade launcher, wasted one hell of a pooch..!
Later, in mountain jungles, vegetation, lush and thick,
North Vietnamese soldiers hiding in every niche…
Recon 502nd, a brave dog team working,
Hidden enemy soldiers, scanning, lurking…
The dog gives the sign, released, lunges forward in attack,
All hell breaks loose, AK 47’s and grenades cut no slack...!
The loyal animal, shot and killed, saving lives with his devotion,
Enemy retreat soon forced into motion..!
As one enemy soldier fled the scene,
Stealing the dead war dog, became his scheme…
Under covering fire, the sacrilegious theft was made,
Soon, over a cooking fire, dinner, instead of a hero’s grave..!
Veterans dream of heroic dogs, standing so tall,
Phantom ghosts, still respond to their haunting calls…
Shadows of soldier and animal, poised to STRIKE,
They fight America’s battles throughout the restless nights..!
For these heroes, there be no “WALL”…
No need, a dog howls, combat veterans answer their call…
In our loving memories, these canine warriors, never will part,
Etched in our very souls, DOG TAGS OF THE HEART..!
The above poem was inspired by two dedicated Widowmaker Troopers, James P. Brinker and Alton E. Mabb, Jr., to honor our heroic war dogs. Thank you soldiers!
Dogged Defense on Hill 714
Trooper Charlie Holder stands watch with a scout dog at a newly erected bunker atop Hill 714. The 101st Airborne took the hill from Communist forces after four days of heavy fighting.
SPREAD  the word!
"Anyone who has looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war." Otto Von Bismark
AIRBORNE!
A poem by Peter S. Griffin
Where do we get soldiers such as these?
"Everywhere we go,
People want to know,
Who we are,
Where we come from?
We are the AIRBORNE,
Mighty, mighty AIRBORNE!"
Where do we get soldiers such as these?
We come from the proud heritage, stout heart & invinsible spirit of America,
We come from the "home of the brave and the land of the free!"
Our gallant legacy and noble "Rendezvous With Destiny"...
Forever Liberty!
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!
“The home of the brave and the land of the free”,
Will live on forever, this, our sabers, do guarantee…
Where the eagle protects the dove,
For “The Star Spangled Banner”
And the Constitution we so dearly love…
From on high, the Screaming Eagles soar,
The shroud of oppression,
By talons sharp, soon be tore…
The torch of Lady Liberty, lights the way,
Her “Sky Soldiers” will save the day..!
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!
Enemy, if you attack  you'll face her wrath!
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