SGT Robert D. Pryor, U.S. Army (1967-1969)

As an advisor to Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) detachment A-344 at Bunard, Việt Nam, I witnessed unimaginable bravery and devotion to duty in the early morning darkness of 20 June 1969 from my US and CIDG comrades-in-arms.  Việt Cong were overrunning our camp, intending to kill everyone, women and children included.  To rescue them, I searched the spider holes where civilians hid, taking our CIDG interpreter along.  As we approached the kill zone, he suggested trading places.  After switching, a mortar round blew him apart.

An unarmed CIDG Medic who had previously made it to safety returned to help me, dressing my wounds as I prosecuted the war.  In addition to eleven gunshots, I received 19 major shrapnel wounds that night.  The Medic received even more wounds.  Before he died, the Medic stemmed the flow of blood sufficient to keep me in the fight.  Four gunshots were to the head, with two bullets entering my brain (pictured).  A portion of my skull was missing, with brain matter protruding.

After an hour of my engaging the Communists alone, USAF CAPT Dick Gerry arrived with air support.  Contrary to accepted Forward Air Control protocols, he flew his O-1 Bird Dog well below the recommended minimum altitude of 1,500 feet and drove the enemy back.  Air Force efforts enabled SFC Charles Hinson to effect a rescue.  Charles was wounded while searching, but continued.  Once he found me, we faced another problem.  The only Medic on-site that night had already given his life for mine.  My best hope was a medevac.  The Dustoff pilot refused because the Việt Cong controlled our chopper pad.

A second UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) pilot overheard the radio traffic and agreed to attempt a seemingly impossible nighttime extraction inside the camp.  A Huey’s rotor length is 48 feet.  The only opening in our compound was about 55 feet wide.  There were multiple unseen antennas, flagpoles, buildings, and barricades topped with concertina wire to avoid.  It would take a miracle for the pilot to land without lights, as the enemy fired at the sound of the engine.  Twice, the mission had to be aborted due to machine-gun fire.  On the third attempt, the miracle came in the form of Charles Hinson standing motionless at the extraction point as the chopper descended towards the red-filtered flashlight he held.  The nose of the Huey stopped six inches from that flashlight.  1LT John Parda and SFC Carl Cramer then rushed me to the chopper through the barrage of bullets, wounding Carl.

 The rescue was featured in the documentary ‘In The Shadow of The Blade.’  During filming, the Vietnam Dustoff Association tried unsuccessfully to identify the pilot.  Charles and Carl earned Silver Stars.  John earned a Bronze Star w/V.  Dick earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. I was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.  My efforts paled in comparison to the devotion to duty and bravery of others I witnessed that night.  I’ve tried to live a life worthy of their courage and sacrifices by assisting thousands of veterans and their families in receiving the benefits they deserve, and by fostering 25 children, five of whom I adopted.

The chopper landed between the guard shack on the left and the two buildings beyond it.

Charles Hinson at daybreak, covered in my blood.

The four Americans in camp that night, together 31 years later.  Me with John, Charles, and Carl.

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