"Defense of An Loc"

There are episodes in the history of warfare which define the turning point and change the way wars are fought. On April 13th, 1972, The North Vietnamese launched a fierce attack with approximately 40 tanks and supporting troops upon the provincial capital of An Loc, eighty miles north of Saigon. The town was defended by South Vietnamese troops and a small contingent of American advisors, commanded by Col. William Miller, US Army. The defenders were quickly overwhelmed and the situation described became desperate. A column of Soviet made T-54 tanks had penetrated the defenses to within a few yards of the American Command Bunker. Fortunately, the 1st Calvary Division, Battery F, 79th Artillery, otherwise known as the Blue Max, was on station. Two AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters responded, crewed by CWO Barry McIntyre, Major Larry McKay, 1/Lt. Steve Shields, and Capt. Bill Causey and were armed with the newly developed HEAT 2.75" rockets, which had never been tested in combat. In a daring