by SP5 E. H. Buchmann, Jr.

A team of eight helicopters formed a tight circle, their twirling rotor blades slicing through the hot Vietnam air directly over Camp Evans near Hue.  The first of the choppers broke the formation and descended onto the Screaming Eagle Re­placement Training School (SERTS) heli­pad, stirring up a fine spray of dust as it made its hasty landing.  Instantly a group of camouflage‑clad Vietnamese soldiers scrambled from the “slick,” darted across the pad and watched as the remaining aircraft dropped off their comrades.

On the right shirt pocket of each soldier’s skin‑tight fatigues was a triangular patch with the embroidered face of a growling panther.  Below the panther were the words: Hac Bao.  Hac Bao, a well respected name throughout northern Military Region ­is the name given to an elite group of hard­core, highly‑trained and spirited Vietnam­ese fighting men‑a single, all‑volunteer company of special mission ARVN soldiers.

Formed in 1964, the Panthers are com­monly referred to by citizens of the north­ern provinces of the Republic of Vietnam as the “Saviors of Hue” for their actions against the enemy forces in the Tet Offensive of 1968.  The Hac Bao company is credited with striking the final blow that drove the NVA from the imperial city.

After the last helicopter dropped its load the Hac Bao secured their M‑16 rifles and packs and marched back to the rows of black hooches at the SERTS training area.

The weary platoon of ARVN Panthers had just returned from a 36‑hour patrol mission deep in the mountainous jungles near the Laotian border.  This patrol was the final phase of an eight‑day training program provided by the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) to familiarize the Hac Bao with U.S. Army fighting tactics.

The Hac Bao company was broken down into six platoon‑size cycles with each pla­toon taking its turn for the period of train­ing at Camp Evans.  Utilizing the SERTS training area, along with a combined group of the division’s best instructors, the Panthers settled into eight days of classroom study and practical training.

With lesson plans laid cut by Rangers from Company L, 75th Infantry, and selected members of the SERTS teaching staff, the new pupils were presented an orientation.

“The purpose of this training,” began 1LT Michael P. Grim, executive officer of Company L and officer‑in‑charge of the Hac Bao training, “is to develop you into a more effective platoon‑size strike force for employment anywhere in northern Military Region I.”  The Staunton, Va., native continued, “To do this, we will expose you to some of the combat methods practiced by the United States Army and further familiarize you with the airmobility concept of the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).”

Because few of the Hac Bao soldiers could understand English, Vietnamese in­terpreters were employed to break down the language barrier.  The procedure proved worthwhile with each American instructor making his points, followed by the Vietnam­ese translation.

Seated on rows of wooden bleachers, the black‑bereted ARVN soldiers were given courses in aerial photograph, map and compass reading.

“The Hac Bao are extremely proficient with compasses and maps,” said Ranger SSG James E. Moran of Milford, Conn., “but most of them don’t need a map to see where they are.  They know where they are.  After all, this is their country and they’ve been fighting in these jungles for a long time.”

On the second day of training the Hac Bao were able to see firsthand some of the important things that they have going for them while out in the field.  An aerial rocket artillery (ARA) demonstration by Cobras of Battery C, 4th Battalion (Airmobile), 77th Artillery, vividly illustrated what a rocket‑equipped helicopter can do to targets on the ground.  Perched on a set of bleachers in an open field, well away from Camp Evans, the Hac Bao watched the Cobra pilot engage an imaginary target on the hillside, first firing his rockets, then sending down a steady rain of lead from his mini‑gun.  The ARVN soldiers were urged to request ARA support from the “Griffins” whenever they needed it.

Dawn of the third day found the platoon of Panthers being taken by truck out­side the perimeter to the SERTS demoli­tion range.  There in the grassy flatlands, SFC Floyd Brown, Dixon, Ky., from the 326th Engineer Battalion, divided his day of instruction into two parts: classroom techniques on the use of demolitions, followed by practical exercises.

Aided by the interpreter, the sergeant explained the various types of explosives and the proper method for handling and detonating each.  After a morning of tutor­ing, the Hac Bao were given a chance to compose a live C‑4 charge and detonate it.  With all necessary fuses and wires hooked up, one Panther, with “Seattle” inked on his camouflaged helmet cover, jumped behind the protective barrier and squeezed the detonator.  After flinching from the sharp explosion, the Hac Bao conjured‑up a smile.  “Numba one, numba one!” he shouted.

The Panther platoon stared upward at the SERTS 40‑foot rapelling tower as they were briefed on the proper application of the “Swiss Seat,” on the fourth morning. 

            Donning leather gloves and D‑rings, the Hac Bao, one by one, manipulated each ladder rung to the top of the tower.

“There’s a lot of pride in this unit,” said Moran.  “The morale of these soldiers is incredibly high and the name Hac Bao means a lot to them.  They have such a hate for the NVA soldiers that it works in their favor—helps keep their spirit up.”

“A lot of them,” continued the sergeant, “lost their families to the NVA during the ’68 Tet Offensive, so whenever they make enemy contact in the field they start shout­ing ‘Hac Bao.’  It sort of works as a terror factor against the NVA.”

True to Moran’s words, the team of Panthers rapelled down the tower in big swinging bounds, shouting “Hac Bao, Hac Bao” all the way.

Making an unexpected visit, MG Ngo Troung, then commander of the 1st In­fantry Division (ARVN), and COL Jesse L. Wheeler, U.S. advisor to the division, watched intently as the Panther troops descended the tower wall.  Pleased with the progress of the training the visitors spent the morning viewing the Hac Bao drill.

In the afternoon the Panthers grouped at the SERTS helipad where they were to rapell from a helicopter.  With a last minute pep‑talk by 1LT Minh, commander of the ARVN platoon, the troops, harnessed in “Swiss Seats,” jogged to the waiting bird.  As the chopper lifted off, Ranger SSG Robert J. Fobert, NCOIC of the training program, acted as safety man, grabbing the ground end of the sturdy rapelling rope.

           “Most of the Hac Bao have rapelled before,” said Fobert, of Hubbard, Ore., “but for most of them this will be the first time from a helicopter.  I doubt it’ll bother them though because they aren’t afraid to do anything,” he added.

Without hesitation, the troops stepped out onto the skids of the hovering chopper and with one mighty leap backwards they slid the 80 feet to the ground.

Back in the bleachers on the fifth day, the Hac Bao were shown the chalk‑board tactics of ambushes and patrols.  All eyes were intent on the instructor’s platform as SGT “Jo‑Jo” D. Bouck, Panorama City, Calif., discussed reconnaissance missions and raid patrols, explaining the differences and effectiveness of each.

For the entire day the Hac Bao were given detailed instruction on the proper maneuvers of a small‑sized force working in the mountainous jungle regions.  “It is very important,” stressed Bouck, “that you pick up all the information you can from these classes, because you’ll be putting to use all that you have learned here when you go out on the actual mission begin­ning tomorrow.”

“The Hac Bao are excellent jungle fighters,” pointed out Moran, “and it would be foolish for us to tell them how to fight in the terrain they know best.  How­ever, in the past they have worked primarily as a company‑size element, which is why they’re here at SERTS—to study the tactics of a platoon‑size strike force.”  He con­tinued, “Since the Rangers are trained to work in smaller elements, we were asked to relate our knowledge of this type of fighting to the Hac Bao.  But in a program of this type,” he added, “both the Vietnam­ese and Americans can learn from each other.”

Plans for the operation had been care­fully laid out.  The Panthers were to be inserted into a known enemy area in the mountainous region near the Laotian border.  There the Hac Bao Platoon, along with the four Ranger advisors, Moran, Fobert, Bouck and SGT Robert R. Jones, would conduct a 36‑hour patrol, with expectations of making enemy contact.

Preparations were made in the morning hours of the sixth day and by noon the Hac Bao were standing by with their field equipment waiting for the choppers from the 2nd Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry, to take them to the action.

The flight was short and, weighted down with packs and rifles, the ARVN sprang from the hovering helicopters and quickly set up a defensive position on the ground.  1LT Minh called his platoon sergeant, SFC Ky, and the Ranger advisors together for a quick conference.

“You’re in command now, sir,” said Moran, “we’re just along for the ride.”  With these words, Minh took charge and moved his men out through the jungles, beginning their day‑and‑a‑half operation.

Later that day the Hac Bao made contact with a small NVA element.  After gaining immediate fire superiority the Panthers began shouting “Hac Bao” so that their reputable identity would be known to the enemy.  A later investigation turned up a fresh blood trail.  Also discovered on the operation were three old enemy bunkers and mortar sites.

“We were well taken care of by the Hac Bao,” said Jones, from Jamestown, Ind.  “We were treated just like guests all of the. time, but we still had to ‘hump’ hard and fast to keep up with them.  1LT Minh really kept us moving.”

Extracted the next afternoon, the Panther team was flown back to Camp Evans where they showered off the dirt and relaxed the weary muscles that had carried them through the long week of training.

Sitting around a briefing table, Minh and his squad leaders went over the high points of the cycle with the Rangers and SERTS officials.  A favorable critique of the Hac Bao’s eight days of training was made, showing the program as having been benefi­cial on all counts.  The Panthers had broadened their scope as a fighting unit by learning to better utilize their unique fighting capabilities throughout northern Military Region 1.

The ARVN soldiers’ week full of demoli­tions, rapelling, and their hours of classes and miles of jungle “humping” ended with a formal graduation on the eighth and final day.

Present at the ceremony was 101st Assistant Division Commander, BG Sidney B. Berry, who spoke in behalf of the di­vision.  “In America,” he said, “we honor the Rangers as one of our best fighting units.  Therefore, it is only appropriate that the Rangers and you work together in training.  Congratulations to you, Hac Bao, for you are the best.”