Siege of Khe Sanh

(Day One of Seventy-Seven)

Welcome to the Alamo
The Sergeant Major said
We’re outnumbered eight to one
And they hold the high ground

Retreat is impossible
Surrender unthinkable
They want this ground
And they’re coming to get it

We will die in this place
But we’ll do it well
So get your head right boys
There will be killing tonight

Russell Mann, 1995

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Russell Mann’s hometown is Redding CA. He joined the army in 1965 “after missing a first period English class one too many times.” He was assigned to 1st Group after training as SF Medic. He went to Vietnam TDY to MACVSOG, arriving at Khe Sanh with his team in late January, 1968, just as the Tet Offensive and the 77-day siege began. He joined the Reserves in 1969, retiring in 1995. From 1969 until 1980 Russ worked in construction in the San Francisco Bay Area. He then successfully challenged the nursing licensing board and worked as an ER Nurse in Truckee, CA until 2015. Russ currently lives in Minden, NV.