SSGT Patterson And The Battle For The Loc Ninh Compound

    Kenneth L Patterson Jr, was a native of Cleveland Ohio. He had enlisted in the Army back in December of 1962, and by 1967, he found himself (probably not for the first time either) in Vietnam. At the time he was a member of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (or MACV),  “Light Weapons Advisor” to Reconnaissance Company, 5th Division, of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (commonly abbreviated ARVN).



    On the night of October 29, 1967, at roughly 0100 hours, the enemy soldiers of the 9th Viet Cong Division started to attack both the South Vietnamese District Headquarters and the U.S. Special Forces Camp, both located in the Loc Ninh compound. They started off their attack with a barrage of 82mm and 120mm mortar rounds as well as 122mm rockets. Roughly an hour later VC sappers rushed the northern premier of the district headquarters and attached satchel charges on the wire perimeter, this blew a hole big enough for 2 battalion sized enemy elements to storm inside the compound.


    The defenders withdrew to the south end of the compound, while they called in reinforcements. Shortly after, American air power came to the rescue. Two UH-1B helicopter gunships showed up and began attacking the Viet Cong. Soon an AC-47 “Spooky” showed up and began raining down lead on the enemy attackers, and the reserve force that was in the tree line. 


    The aerial support was a great help, but it couldn’t completely eradicate the enemy. The district chief called for an artillery barrage practically on his own position causing great losses to the enemy. At 0400 hours, the Viet Cong withdrew and air and artillery strikes followed them on the retreat. At dawn elements of the ARVN, including SSGT Patterson’s 5th Recon Co started to conduct a search and clear operation on the compound. They found the enemy held up in the bunkers in the compound. 


    Staff Sergeant Patterson, rushing forward with ammunition and a M-72 Rocket Launcher stormed through a field of fire until he found a position that was suitable for firing onto the bunkers. While the enemy fire exploded all around him, SSGT Patterson used his M-72 rocket launcher and destroyed the first enemy bunker in his sights. He was either carrying multiple M-72s, or someone gave him theirs, because he used a second launcher and personally destroyed a second enemy bunker. 


    As if the destruction of the 2 enemy bunkers was not enough commotion on the morning of October 29, 1967. At one point during the engagement SSGT Patterson witnessed another of his fellow advisors being pinned down by enemy sniper fire. Again with no thought whatsoever towards his own personal safety, he ran forward and fired suppressive fire onto the sniper's position. As he threw lead at the enemy’s position, the advisor was able to withdraw back to a safer position, and this was instrumental in saving the mans life. SSGT Patterson’s actions were essential in both the attack on the invading Viet Cong and the recapture of the Loc Ninh Compound. When the action was over, 135 dead VC were counted. For his brave and heroic actions that day, Staff Sergeant Kenneth Patterson would be awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a “V” for valor device.




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