It was the height of the Vietnam War, during the infamous Tet Offensive of 1968, the period of widespread surprise attacks by the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong guerillas that began on Tet - Jan. 30, 1968 - the Vietnamese New Year celebration. The U.S. forces at Phan Thiet, South Vietnam, were in their fourth week of heavy fighting. The enemy activity in and around the coastal city was escalating rapidly in a second major assault.  

The mission of Alpha Company, 3-506th Airborne Infantry, on that day was to engage the enemy and destroy his capability to launch another large-scale attack on the city. The paratroopers walked down the dusty road toward the riverbank, never knowing their lives would be changed forever by the battle before them.

After crossing the Ca Ty, Alexander led his platoon to a strategic position a short distance from the river and awaited further orders. The men had no doubt that they would face the enemy that afternoon, but no one could foresee the overwhelming odds against them. The fateful order to "move out" came, and the platoon moved into an open rice paddy. They were completely exposed to the enemy with nothing but flat, open space in front of them.

Suddenly, a deafening roar of intense small arms- and automatic weapons fire erupted from a huge enemy force that had been waiting in carefully concealed positions. Enemy bullets began to hit and ricochet all around the paratroopers. Enemy rounds pelted the men like giant raindrops hitting dry, parched ground.

The heat of battle did not subside until darkness began to fall. The last of the wounded were being

Alexander recovered from his wounds, continued his military service after Vietnam and completed his career with the Tennessee Army National Guard, retiring in 1995 as a colonel with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Knoxville. Among his service awards are the Silver Star, Bronze Star with combat V, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

Since then Alexander has devoted much time and effort to find and reunite every surviving member of Alpha Company, 3-506th, as well as members of other companies who served

To date, more than 200 members of the 3-506th have been found, and the effort to find others continues daily.

Through Joe Alexander's efforts, a display of 3-506th photographs and other memorabilia from his battalion's participation in the Vietnam War is in place at the Pratt Museum at Fort Campbell, Ky.

"The 3-506 was the best unit of professional people that I have ever had the opportunity to serve with," Alexander says. "A soldier's duty is to fight. In combat, fighting includes killing or being killed. One of the Ten Commandments says, "Thou shalt not kill," but it doesn't say 'except in war.' Every day I pray for forgiveness and ask for eternal peace for those who died, both friendly and enemy."

Epilogue

There are many more stories such as this one that should be told for the sake of posterity. Our children need to understand the true meaning of self-sacrifice and heroism. How many young people of today would die for their country in a far away place? How do they define patriotism? Who would they name as their hero? There are many true heroes among us-those that claim no recognition for their heroic acts and continue to live their lives in obscurity as the world goes on around them.

Lt. Joe Alexander and those who fought with him are true patriotic heroes. They fought the battles, remained steadfast in their dedication to duty, and suffered in silence as our nation diminished their role in an unpopular war. True heroes often go unrecognized unless their specific stories are told, and there are many other fine soldiers who deserve to have their stories told as well. I am currently writing a book about the day-to-day activities of the 3-506th during its first year in Vietnam (October 1967 to October 1968), including the infamous Tet Communist Offensive of 1968. The title of the book will be "They Called Us Currahees" and will include many true stories such as this one, along with pictures and personal interviews with fellow paratroopers during and after battles. It documents the serious side of war, as well as the humorous side of our tour of duty in Vietnam. The book will be completely factual, without hype, and tells of the many heroic and ultimate sacrifices that the men of the 3-506th like Lt. Joe Alexander made for our country."

Jerry Berry, a paratrooper served with Joe Alexander in Vietnam. After arriving with his unit in Vietnam, he became the battalion combat photographer/reporter. A retired U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist, he lives in Libby, Montana with his wife and four children. The 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment (WW II) was recently featured in the Spielberg movie "Saving Private Ryan". Spielberg's is currently working on a 13 part mini-series, again about the 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, during WW II, and based on the novel "Band of Brothers" by Stephen E. Ambrose.