Battle of the Rock

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,
(most likely from the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion, stationed at Pleiku).
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 of the 129th AVN Company, AML and AHC flying slicks out of An Son,
and Hawkeyes of the 203rd AVN Company, SURV L. (Surveillance Light Aircraft) flying 0-1 Birddog fixed wing
out of Phu Hiep; 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 from the 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) out of An Son; air psyops teams;
combat sky spots, most likely OL-22 Bongo from Pleiku; 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.

Below is the article from the 4th Infantry Division Newspaper "The Ivy Leaf"
reporting the Battle of the Rock:

SGT Melvin Rutherford

Killed In Action
during the Battle of the Rock

June 20, 1970

NVA weapons captured
during the Battle of the Rock

Twelve AK-47 rifles were
captured, along with 1500 rounds
of ammunition.

Eleven Bronze Star Medals
were awarded for valor
during the Battle of the Rock.

Note the medals are on a 22nd Infantry
"Regulars By God" pillow
ready for the presentation ceremony.

Photo by George Heidt

Left:

Four adjoining maps were put together
to show the area of operations
for the Battle of The Rock.

LZ Niagara is to the west with LZ Terrace
to the south and The Rock is to the east.

The Dak Krong Bung River can be seen
just to the west of The Rock winding itself
down past LZ Terrace.

Artillery support came from both Niagara
and Terrace during the battle.

Section of maps showing relative locations of LZ Niagara and The Rock.
Artillery from the Fire Support Base at Niagara fired missions in support
of the U.S. forces as they engaged with the North Vietnamese at The Rock.