Battle of the Rock

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Battle of the Rock

June 20-22 1970

Battle of the Rock
Story and Photo by Jim Henderson B 1/22 RVN 69-70

33 years ago today, 20 Jun 1970, in the rugged, triple canopy mountainous terrain of Binh Dinh Province, north of An Khe,
the two day Battle of the Rock began. The battle of "The Rock" was the largest engagement fought by the Regulars in 1970.
An already undermanned and understaffed 2nd Plt of Bravo Co. 1/22, consisting of appx 19 men,
encountered what was later found to be the reinforced 3rd Co, 620th Bn, 2nd Training Rgt of the NVA.
The NVA force, estimated at 120-140 men, chose to stand and fight in a virtually impenetrable huge natural rock formation
near the top of a mountain. What was an incredibly strong defensive position, turned into a tomb for many of them.

During the course of the action additional ground support was provided by the rest of Bravo Co,
elements of Alpha Co 1/22 and Recon 1/22, B Co 2/35, 4 combat tracker teams, and a ground psyops team.
Artillery support was provided by C Bttry 4/42 firing from FSB Niagara and also A Bttry 4/42 firing from FSB Terrace.
Air support included Ciders as FAC's, Bulldogs and Hawkeyes (unk units); Blackjacks and Gambler Guns,
4th AVN Bn; Shamrocks(guns)D/1/10 Cav; Hornets(slicks) and Stingers(guns), 116th AHC; Cougars(guns) 57th AHC; Demons(slicks), 134th AHC; Shadows (AC119); Dustoff 23, air psyops teams; combat sky spots; and air strikes.

At the end of the second day, the results were 29 NVA KIA, 2 WIA and 1 Chieu Hoi.
CIA equipment included 97 ruck sacks, 12 AK 47's and 1500 rds of AK ammo.
US causalities were 1 KIA, Sgt Melvin Rutherford of B/1/22 and 2 WIA also from B/1/22.
A thanks to all who were there and to all who supported and to Sgt Rutherford who gave his all.
God truly watched over us on that mountain top so long ago.

NVA weapons captured during the Battle of the Rock

Above story and photos from Jim Henderson

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Billy J. Williams was a Soldier with 1st Platoon Bravo Company 1/22 Infantry
in 1969-70. Here are his recollections of June 20, 1970:

" I was RTO during a major action on a mountain near FSB Niagra In the summer of 1970
where we encountered a battalion size NVA replacement unit.
I was with SGT. Melvin Rutherford shortly before he was fatally wounded. He was a 3rd platoon squad leader.
The NVA were initially caught off guard and about 105 of their rucksacks were recovered and they had many KIA.
The division newspaper and Stars and Stripes reported on this action.......
As we reached your position ( 3rd Platoon ) after humping ammo, LT. Warfield yelled at me to "Get down!"
He said they needed RTO so I took radio and established commo with C.O. and also brought in dust-offs for casualties.
When I first took the radio Sgt. Rutherford was right by me but took off before I could relay orders from C.O. Tijerina
that might have stopped him from moving too close and apparently right in front of the then undetermined number of NVA.
I recall hearing wailing and cries coming from the jungle areas off the trails in the days following,
apparently disoriented NVA who had survived. Also I recall that NVA tried to run through 2nd platoon night position. "

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