This bunker was hit by multiple strikes by RPG types 2 and 7. The bunker is an old French bunker built in the 1950's of crumbling concrete reinforced by sandbag placements. The remaining defender known by call sign Echo 37 reported the dead and wounded and the damage done to the enemy in a last radio transmission. All radio calls just after that report by Echo 37 to the bunker went unanswered. Fire from the bunker were aimed at SP defending units. In a belief that all defending SP's were dead, orders were given to lay down return fire on the bunker with the enemy captured bunker then received many hits from artillery and gunship strikes. Just prior to the massive enemy assault, ARVN units assigned to help defend this area of the base retreated leaving their weapons behind without firing a shot at the enemy.
The Security Police defenders held for 24 minutes, giving air base defenders a chance to form defensive lines in attempts to check a huge NVA/VC attack force.
Gallant men of the 377th SPS in the best tradition known in American history during time of war fought until they were out of ammunition and then met their fate.
All five defenders won the Silver Star. The bunker was over run, captured and used by the enemy, retaken by direct assault by SP's. Helicopter Light Fire Teams deployed to the bunker area and then let loose a massive volley of fire but to no avail.
Lots of small fire teams composed of SP's tried to relieve the trapped and cut off SP defenders but it was no use due to the estimated 900 member enemy assault force deployed to breach this part of the TSN perimeter. Of the 051 bunker defenders five SP's, four died of wounds and one badly wounded escaped during attacks on the bunker to be rescued. Two of those deceased were friends of mine.
Many SP ground assaults were made on the 051 bunker position and driven back until an SP got close enough, stripped off his flack jacket vest to improve his aim and threw a grenade in a manner that caused it to explode in the door of the bunker.
The bunker was retaken shortly before noon on 31 Jan. 1968. There were piles of enemy dead all around the bunker not in the photo because of the rules of warfare. It was a TET Offensive battle of 1968 that the USAF should remember.