A Message from Hamburger Hill

A Message from Hamburger HillI

n May 1969, U.S. forces launched Operation Apache Snow to clear North Vietnamese troops from Vietnam's A Shau Valley. The operation culminated in the Battle of Hamburger Hill, where American soldiers faced fierce resistance from well-entrenched North Vietnamese forces. After ten days of intense combat, the hill was captured, but its strategic value was minimal, leading to its abandonment shortly after.

Red-1- 6 this is Red-6-Over?
Red-1- 6 this is Red-6-Over?
Silence swallowed the air on other side,
And no response came from the hill of hamburger.
Where gone the unit dispatched there for battle?
Was adverse contact so positive and bloody fatal?
Oh General! Cries the parents of volunteers who left their home,
Their heart swollen with torment and grief, their thoughts mourn.

Heroes lived miles away from home,
Where unique people dwelled.
Deep inside the woods and forest,
Where tingling bite of insects swelled.
Nasty walk with friends, headed to the direction never known.
Green flourished wide along the plain, and cliffs standing brown.
On their back dangled sustenance and gun,
Roscoe in their pockets, and benison from nun.
Steel on their head to shield their fate,
Disciplined of their pace, no one would be late.

For days and night that continued to pass,
Forward and up the unit advanced,
Ignoring behind the beauty of grass.
They could see green shading to swirling gray dust,
They could feel life fading to burning earth’s crust.
The battle nearing in, all arms were alert,
Once they were briefed and told easy won’t be the coming assault.
Now they’re there with sacrificed hope and home,
To fight for the nation never born, to secure its freedom.

The battle hit ground and men started to fall.
Deafening was its sound that trembled darkened sky hall.
This bullet skip but that bullet might hit,
Whether one may live or die, no one could bid.
Medic had no free hands, colored with blood.
Helpless he felt for those, who had their head dropped.
Piercing through the gore blood and cries,
which they had never desired to feel,
Closer they drew towards objective and captured the hill.’

Red-1- 6 Alpha this is Red-6-Over?
Red-1- 6 Alpha this is your General call-in over?
Fading General’s voice vibrated worn out dusted radio,
Wearied were those perceiving lads-
Who couldn’t respond the old rusted audio.
Many lost their hands and many lost their glance,
Memorable their triumph and bravery-
Lest we forget that trance.
Exhausted brave hearts could now return their home,
But they would miss their friends-
More than the medal they won.

The Battle of Hamburger Hill was a significant conflict in the Vietnam War that took place in May 1969. The United States and South Vietnamese forces launched an assault on a heavily fortified hill in the A Shau Valley, which was being used as a major supply route by North Vietnamese troops. The hill was dubbed “Hamburger Hill” due to the intense fighting and heavy casualties on both sides. U.S. soldiers faced fierce resistance from North Vietnamese troops who were well-entrenched in the hill's complex system of bunkers and tunnels. Despite heavy losses, the U.S. forces eventually captured the hill, but the victory was short-lived as they soon withdrew from the area. The battle was controversial, with many questioning the strategic importance of taking the hill and the high cost in human lives. The Battle of Hamburger Hill remains a poignant symbol of the Vietnam War, representing the difficulty and futility of the conflict.

“America without her soldiers would be like God without His angels.” -Claudia Pemberton

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” -G.K. Chesterton

By Dil Kumar Rai (Author &Poet)
Author of Whispers In The Starlight