Proud Americans host Vietnam Memorial

The Proud Americans 2/32nd Field Artillery will be holding a Vietnam Memorial at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Constitutional Memorial Park next door to the U.S. Army Museum at Fort Sill.

Ralph Jones, a Vietnam veteran in charge of the event, said their group was the only military group in the history of America that volunteered to go into battles to save other Americans. One particular battle was at Base Illingworth.

“There were three battles in one week,” Jones said. “It was a baiting operation, a first camp division operation underneath Maj. Gen. Roberts. We sacrificed so they could draw the enemy on in so they could kill them. These bases did not have a Constantine wire or land mines, it was just grass.”

The base overlooked a heavily-used North Vietnamese Army route, according to the Proud American’s website. It was supposed to be a three day in and out operation, but quickly turned into an eight day battle. The base was small with no hard defenses. Too small for 8-inch howitzers to fit in the base. They had to make a bulge to make room for the weapons when the NVA attacked.

The three battles took place March 21, 29 and April 1, Jones said.

“The main battle was April 1,” Jones said. “Forty-two Americans died and 137 Purple Hearts.”

The group and their battles are not well known, but they were one of many significant battalions and soldiers who gave their lives to protect their fellow soldiers and country.

Anyone can come on Tuesday to acknowledge the fallen, yet remembered, soldiers.

For more information on the Proud Americans and their many battles including one with Jones, visit their website.