173d Image of the Month - Corregidor

Our KIA in May, ‘65-‘71
“One Backward Glance"
*173d Airborne Brigade Association and Vietnam Virtual Wall records report service in these units.
“These guys are us, all of
them. Their stories
are ours.” Larry Paladino, B/2/503d
~ May 1965 ~
Randolph Truman Hicks, HHC/Spt
~ May 1966 ~
Hosea Dennis Adam, B/1/503
“a.k.a Zeke. What a special, joy-filled brother you
were! Whenever, I needed a smile or even a shoulder
to cry on, whenever, I needed a friend, there you were
with some foolishness that would dissolve my woes
into giggles. It was impossible to be with you and not
have fun. I'll never forget that wild night Alice and I
met you at Stillwell, or hanging out on the beach,
dining at Oyama, all those nights you saw me safely
home, goofing on the base bus, that time we
"ghosted" at the Hilltop in Fatema, the night you and
the fellas made me an honorary member of E/17 Cav,
all the Akadama wine we drank, all the movies we
saw, all the games we attended, all the house parties,
all the laughs! The war didn't become real to me until
I read your name on the Stars & Stripes casualty list.
Loosing you changed my entire prospective of the war
and life in general. That was the day the Captain's
little All-American girl went from gung-ho to "Stop the
war now!" Who'd have thought someone so young, so
vital could be gone in an instant? Thought I'd never
smile again, but I do. When I remember the sweet,
funny, protective big brother I never had, I do. I smile
whenever I remember those golden days on The Rock
when we were young and invincible. And I'm still
consumed with laughter at the sight of a Brazil nut
recalling our private joke. Thank you, Zeke, for
enriching my life! Thank you for your ultimate
sacrifice! I love you! Airborne!”
Posted by: Lona Maney Harris
“On 17 May, Company B, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry,
173d Airborne Brigade, airlifted into a new Area of
Operations by helicopter, then air assaulted further
north. Then we patrolled north toward a goose egg
slightly north of Hill 72, planning to set up a perimeter
defense, and the next day do some clover-leafing.
When we were approaching the northernmost limit of
our 105 coverage and would soon be stopping for the
night, we engaged VC Main Force soldiers. First
platoon deployed on line engaging with rifles, M-60,
and hand grenades, and second platoon maneuvered
west to engage the enemy and develop the situation.
Vegetation was very thick and it was not clear initially
that the enemy were in trenches or bunkers. The
enemy line was so wide, however, that both platoons
became fully committed. To engage the enemy with
indirect fire, the forward platoons were pulled back to
establish a hasty perimeter, and artillery and tactical
air strikes were called in. The VC disengaged and
withdrew, leaving some bodies, but no weapons
behind. We kept firing air and artillery on the area
they had occupied and along their probable
withdrawal routes. Since it was late afternoon we
consolidated and reorganized, and did not search the
enemy camp area until the next morning when we
found 16 enemy bodies; we heard later that the
Brigade Radio Research Unit made communication
intercepts indicating that the enemy had some 30 or
more killed. The VC use of automatic weapons,
mortars and heavy MGs indicated at least a reinforced
Main Force company if not a battalion.
We were honored to have served with him.”
Larry Dacunto, Company Commander
Note: Larry’s message was posted in connection with all
B/1/503 men who were KIA with Hosea Adam.
(continued….)
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / May 2013 – Issue 53
Page 24 of 74