Courage Under Fire: The 101st Airborne’s Hidden Battle at Tam Ky

“If I could choose one book about infantry fighting in Vietnam to recommend to others, Sherwood’s Courage Under Fire: the 101st Airborne’s Hidden Battle at Tam Ky, would be it.” Cpt (R) David Gibson, Former Commander Of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 501st Infantry (Geronimo), 101st Airborne Division In 1969 At Tam Ky.

Finalist, 2021 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Awards

Courage Under Fire is the first book published about Operation Lamar Plain. After 50 years, the story of the renowned 101st Airborne’s major offensive near Tam Ky, South Vietnam remains largely unknown. Fighting at Tam Ky by the 1st Brigade began 15 May 1969 while the 101st’s 3rd Brigade battled on Hamburger Hill. The political consequences of Hamburger Hill’s high casualties caused Lamar Plain and its high casualties to remain classified and undisclosed. Decades later, the fighting at Tam Ky is mostly forgotten except by those who fought there.

Sherwood’s superb research of now declassified records uncovers how such a large battle could remain hidden and undisclosed. But that is not the heart of his story. His focus is on the courage and commitment of the young infantry soldiers who fought. Many were sons of WWII and Korean War veterans. They had a legacy to uphold—to honor their families, the 101st Airborne, and their nation. Most of all in the crux of battle, they would not let their fellow soldiers down.

Courage Under Fire uses actual battle records and eyewitness accounts to follow “Never Quit” Delta Company and its sister companies through 28 days of continuous combat at Tam Ky. Delta Company’s young infantry soldiers live up to their motto despite increasing casualties, a tough enemy, harsh battlefield conditions, and loss of leaders. For all who fought at Tam Ky, their bravery and devotion to duty in an increasingly unpopular war is worthy to be remembered. With veterans of Tam Ky now growing older and fewer in number, it is past time to tell their story.

Table of Contents

Foreword
The Infantryman’s Creed
Preface
Acknowledgments

Prologue
Introduction: Into the Fray

Part 1 Combat Operations Before Tam Ky, 1 March-15 May 1969
Chapter 1 Hue and Beyond, 1 March-11 April
Chapter 2 The A Shau Valley, 12 April-15 May

Part 2 Initial Combat Operations at Tam Ky, 15 May-2 June 1969
Chapter 3 Arrival and First Combat Assault, 15-16 May
Chapter 4 Finding the Enemy, 17-20 May
Chapter 5 A Brutal Day-Long Engagement, 21 May
Chapter 6 Recovery and Review, 21-22 May
Chapter 7 Follow-on Operations, 23-30 May
Chapter 8 A Broken Cease Fire, 31 May
Chapter 9 Change of Command, 1-2 June

Part 3 The Decisive Battle at Tam Ky, 3-12 June 1969
Chapter 10 Hill 376: The Final Challenge
Chapter 11 Combat Assault and First Contact, 3-4 June
Chapter 12 Trouble on the Hill, 5 June
Chapter 13 The Move to the Top, 6 June
Chapter 14 Nearing the Top, 7 June
Chapter 15 Unexpected Setbacks, 8 June
Chapter 16 Turning Point, 9 June
Chapter 17 Aftermath, 10 June
Chapter 18 Coming Off the Hill, 11 June
Chapter 19 Extraction, 12 June
Chapter 20 Final Thoughts on Hill 376 and Tam Ky
Epilogue Looking Back Over 50 Years Later

Appendix 1 Operation Lamar Plain: A Hidden and Almost Forgotten Battle
Appendix 2 The Enemy at Tam Ky
Appendix 3 Organization for Combat at Tam Ky
Appendix 4 Delta Company Soldiers
Appendix 5 Delta Soldiers Killed in Action, 1 March-15 August 1969
Appendix 6 1-501st Medics Killed in Action, 1 March-15 August 1969
Appendix 7 PTSD and Agent Orange
Appendix 8 Life After Vietnam

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index