The Claws Of The Black Panthers*
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January 31, 1968*
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Hue, South Vietnam*
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ARVN Defend vs. NVA Assault*
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Design: C. Berry*
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During the opening of the Tet offensive, the ancient city of Hue was lightly defended because of the holiday cease-fire. The only actual combat unit in the city was the Hac Bao (Black Panther) Company, which was a unit of the ARVN Rangers. This company; along with elements of the 1st ARVN Division's Ordnance Company, were deployed at Tay Loc Airfield, located on the northwest corner of the Citadel.*
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On the night of the 30-31st of January, the NVA 800th and 802nd Battalions; with the help of sympathizers, entered the city and took the walled Citadel largely unopposed and by 0230, were advancing on the airfield. The commander of the Hac Bao Company, the ironically named 1st Lt. Tran Ngoc Hue, deployed his troops on the southeastern part of the airfield amongst the hangers, maintenence sheds and administrative buildings. The 800th attacked and quickly ovewhelmed the northen part of Tay Loc but as the North Vietnamese crossed the open tarmac towards the south, they met the withering fire of the waiting Black Panthers. After several attempts to force the position, mounting casualties from the tenacious defense forced the NVA to withdraw.*
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The coming of dawn saw the Hac Bao still grimly holding on to the southeast section of the airfield. The Black Panthers denied the enemy control of Tay Loc until morning when they were ordered to withdraw to the 1st ARVN Division's Headquarters compound and bolster the defence of that embattled position.*
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Sources:*
 "The Siege At Hue" by George W. Smith; 1999; Lynne  Rienner Publishing, Boulder,CO; ISBN-10:0804119465*
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Vietnam's Forgotten Army : Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN
Author: 	Wiest, Andrew A.
Publication: 	New York New York University Press, 2008.
Product ID: 	219445
ISBN: 	9780814794104*