(November 1969 to April 1970)

Steve Smith here.  In looking at the C. Co roster I think I can assist you on two of the guys.  First one is listed as "Pinky".  He was a SP4 and his name is Bruce Kotschwar. 

He recently moved and as of now I do not have his new address.  Pinky was in the 3rd platoon and came into C. Co. a short time after I left (Spring of 70).

The second is "Chief".  His name is Ken Hamil.  He was the RTO (secure set) for Zippo.  Came from the 1st Infantry Div.  Rank - SP4.

I also remember "Chicken Man" but do not recall his formal name.  He was a Lt. (forward observer).

Larry Sonnier was nicknamed "Little TX".  He joined C. Co. late May 70 (3rd Platoon).  After Zip left country the new C.O. sent Larry to the field when he had two weeks or so left. 

Larry stepped on a booby trap and lost his left leg just below the knee.  His wife's name is Rita.  Larry is currently in a rest home (VA) in Lafayette, La.  I am not sure of the date of his injury.

I do vividly remember the fight on Granite.  I was 3rd Platoon Sgt. during the assault.  We lost (3rd Platoon) one dead and three wounded.  The KIA was with our listening post along with the three wounded men.  Danny Richards was one of the wounded.  He along with SGM Foronda most probably could tell a pretty good story. 

About two or three days after the initial attack I ran the recovery of the Sniper Team that suffered two dead one wounded, one missing. 

The missing man ended up walking in that morning while we were still recovering the wounded man and the two KIAs.  SGT Sams was one of the KIAs and I believe Wells was the other. 

The next night we were getting socked in again.  I was getting a brief from Farmer when "The last bird" to Evans was leaving.  Guys were scrambling trying to get loaded.  All the rear guys that came out (Chaplain, Cooks with chow, others, etc.) were "big eyed" and moving fast.

When I returned to my Platoon's fighting positions I found that my Platoon Leader had also loaded on the "last bird".  I was 3rd Platoon Leader when we walked off (that night or a day or so later) and my platoon took point.  We humped all night until about 3 or 4 a.m. 

We hooked up with another Company (C.O. carried a 12 ga).  Next day we choppered back into Granite.  Pretty strange series of events.  When we arrived back at Evans I, along with the team that was with me (during the recovery of the Sniper Team members), were summoned to BN. 

Upon arrival we were greated by a W.O. from C.I.D.  All of us provided written statements regarding what we found (type of terrain, condition of the KIAs/WIA, etc.).

I have previously written a detailed summary about Granite.  I will forward it to you for it will provide more details.