I returned to Vietnam from Okinawa, in June 1968.  I was assigned to Delta company,1st. M.P. Bn. F.L.C.  The 1st. M.P. Bn., was charged with the protection of the vital Danang air field perimeter, and bridges that lead to the air base.

These were main approach routes into the base. My company was charged with protecting the perimeter, from gate # 12 at highway #1, and Dog patch. Proceeding south down highway #1, around the air base perimeter to gate #1, which was at the rear entrance to the base.

This is were the jets took off, to go on their missions. From gate #1, the road proceeds south thru the village of Hoa Vang, and on ward to the Cam Le Bridge. At this point the Cam Le spans the Song Cau Do river. We were responsible for the protection of this bridge, as it was a vital avenue of approach to the Danang airbase, if an enemy force made an attempt to seize it.

The battle for Cam Le bridge has been written about, but I am going to relate it  from what I saw, and recall. I was on the south side when the battle began.  I saw much heroics that day, for which credit was not given, I feel it needs to be known, about those brave men who fought, were wounded, and paid the ultimate price at this battle. Also, there were many units that fought in this battle.

The battle did not end at the bridge, only an important part of it. But there is no doubt about it, The Cam Le Bridge was the objective.  An important objective on the part of the Viet Cong, and North Vietnamese, and very costly to them.   I will try to relate, all the units involved.

I served a 2nd tour of duty in Vietnam in 1970, with Hotel company 2nd Bn., 7th. Marines, 1st. Marine DIV. So I saw my share of combat., But throughout the years, The Battle for Cam Le Bridge has left a lasting impression of death, destruction,  fear, and above all else, a glimpse into the reality of hell, in a place called Vietnam..


We had relieved 1st. platoon a couple of days before. 2nd, platoon had rotated back to our rear area, to take up bunker positions on the Danang perimeter lines.

It was 3rd, platoon's turn to pull a month long duty at the Cam Le Bridge. The three platoons always shared a 30 day rotation, between the bridge, and the rear lines.

We were looking forward to the bridge duty, because the Danang perimeter and the rear was a boring routine. Duty on the bridg, gave us a measure of feeling this is what we were trained for.

We ran patrols, and set up ambushes during the nights, and days. We also checked the Vietnamese's I.D. cards, Vehicles, and guarded the bridge. We got to mix it up with the Vietnamese, and had relief from the perimeter lines.