Similar to so many battles that were fought in a war that many want to forget, what is now known as "The Anonymous Battle," fought March 26, 1970 during the Vietnam War, has finally received the recognition it deserves.
And at the center of this battle was Washington C.H. man Bryan Cupp, a member of the 11th Armored Calvary's Alpha Troop, who fought in this bloody rescue mission to save a U.S. unit captured by the North Vietnamese army. For four decades, his actions went unrecognized and forgotten until his former captain, John Poindexter, embarked on a six-year process to recognize Cupp and his troop, resulting in a national award.
Being awarded the very first Presidential Unit Citation of the Obama administration puts Cupp in extremely rare company. As one of the small percentage of Vietnam veterans to actually engage in significant, hand-to-hand combat, U.S. officials decided that he and his unit deserved recognition for their valiant, and long forgotten, efforts during the Vietnam War.
"It's nice to get the recognition," said Cupp, who grew up in the New Holland area and currently lives in Washington C.H. with his wife, Janet. "For so many years, we didn't really get the recognition. It seemed to change around Desert Storm, when people started to think about veterans in a different way. So it is nice, but at the same time...it brings up a lot of painful memories."
Cupp's actions are described in Poindexter's book, "The Anonymous Battle."
Specialist Fourth Class Cupp was serving as an armored cavalry assault vehicle driver in the Republic of South Vietnam. On March 26, 1970, Alpha Troop and an attached infantry company volunteered to rescue Charlie Company, Second Battalion, 8th Calvary, 1st Calvary Division, a unit that was surrounded by a North Vietnamese battalion and that faced annihilation within hours.
The trapped infantry company had no chance of withdrawal on its own, reinforcement by the air was impossible, its ammunition was dwindling and it already had incurred most of the 37 wounded and three killed that it would suffer that day. Charlie Company was pinned down by intense machine gun, rifle and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a large fortified bunker complex and by its immobile casualties.
When they reached the embattled infantry unit, Alpha Troop and its attached infantry company unhesitatingly confronted the enemy and shielded the survivors of Charlie Company from further harm. Alpha Troop then executed a valiant assault into the entrenched bunker complex, directing fierce tank and machine gun fire toward camouflaged North Vietnamese positions.
Hostile automatic weapons, rifle and rocket-propelled grenade fire was intense as the enemy, probably outnumbering Alpha Troop three to one, defended itself with extreme determination.
"We pounded on the enemy until they finally broke up and ran," Cupp said.
Specialist Cupp, driving the platoon leader's vehicle, skillfully maneuvered around bomb craters and jungle vegetation to provide maximum scope for his crew to respond to North Vietnamese incoming. During a brief interval in the battle, as enemy fire declined, his platoon leader directed a sweep team to dismount and clear the immediate area.
Cupp was advancing behind the main element of the team when he alertly noted movement in the undergrowth to his left front. He then saw two North Vietnamese soldiers emerging from a bunker in an attempt to strike the rear of the sweep with automatic weapons fire.
Although outnumbered, he attacked, killing both with his rifle. Cupp immediately proceeded forward, unaware of what danger was in front of him and courageously neutralized the bunker with a hand grenade. His visible concern for the safety of the sweep team served as an inspiration to the soldiers of his platoon and encouraged them to continue the perilous advance.
Cupp's bravery supported his platoon in the rescue of 100 trapped American infantrymen who otherwise would have been killed or captured within hours. "His courage and disregard for his own safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his troop and the United States Army," said Poindexter.
In 2006, Cupp received a Bronze Star With V Device. Now Cupp, who just turned 60, and his unit have been honored with the Presidential Unit Citation, and next month, may be making a trip to the White House to be personally recognized by President Barack Obama.
"That would be a once in a lifetime trip," said Cupp. "I'm hoping that it happens. But it's already an honor because this citation is the highest award that the President can give to a unit."
Cupp retired from the service after 23 years. He and his wife have three children and eight grandchildren.
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