60 Minutes of Horror

​Time magazine labeled the attack on Fire Base Mary Ann as a massacre. It was certainly one of the worst loss of life in the Vietnam War. Fire Base Mary Ann was built on a 4,000-foot mountain and was strategically located to intercept enemy troops and supplies moving down the K-7 Corridor and the Dak Rose Trail. Originally meant to be a temporary base, Fire Base Mary Ann evolved to a permanent base station for the first Battalion, 46th Infantry, a part of the Americal Division .On the day of the attack, Charlie Company, a 75-man unit was garrisoned on Fire Base Mary Ann, in addition to a 180 man recon platoon, 34 medics, communication personnel, clerks and cooks from HQ company and eight man contingent from the 4.2 inch mortar platoon, E Company for a total of 231 Americans. There were also 21 South Vietnamese (ARVN) soldiers. Some reports stated the ARVN soldiers did not fight during the attack. The Viet Cong slipped through the defensive perimeter and attacked the Fire Base in the early morning of March 28, 1971. The attack lasted one hour, resulting in 30 soldiers killed in action and 82 wounded in action. Ten soldiers received Silver Stars for their actions that fateful morning. Unfortunately, there were negative repercussions in the aftermath. Officers were relieved of duty, many forced to retire, others were demoted in rank.
This week we salute Russell Ponessa. Russ graduated from Hysham High School in 1969. He volunteered for the draft entering active duty in 1970. He attended basic training at Ft Lewis, Washington then spent 17 weeks in Infantry Advanced Individual Training (AIT) before being shipped to Vietnam. Initially assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, he was transferred to the Americal Division located in the northern part of south Vietnam. The morning of March 28, 1971, Sergeant Ponessa was out on patrol with Delta Company. Ponessa stated he could hear explosions in the distance. The attack on Fire Base Mary Ann lasted an hour although sniper fire and mortar fire continued throughout the day. The next morning his Company arrived at Fire Base Mary Ann to secure, clean up and rebuild the base. Ponessa left the Army in 1971 after his tour of duty was completed. Russ moved to Rosebud County three years ago.
Last weeks article, “Who is killing the American Legion” was written by American Legion member Kevin Motter from Montpelier, Ohio.
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Dr. Irene Dickerson has a doctorate in Business Administration and is a retired Army Colonel living her best life in Big Sky Country.