The Battle at Truoi Bridge, Hwy 1 Damian Rippberger – October 1, 2012

After the heavy fighting in the Citadel at Hue City, the Battalion sustained so may killed and wounded, that it was in danger of becoming understrength. They soon received new recruits to replace the many marines lost in the Citadel battle and were immediately assigned security duties at various bridges all along the infamous Highway 1 between Hue City and Phu Bai. One of these bridges was The Truoi River Bridge. It was an old railroad bridge and a major “Choke Point” usually guarded by the indigenous South Vietnamese. On March 31st Alpha’s second Platoon and HQ group, which included Alpha’s commander set-in at the bunkered south side of the bridge and ordered at ease. Approximately 30 members of the platoon, assigned duties for the next day, and moved into the small buildings that made up the compound at the bridges entrance. It wasn’t till the end of that day when the bridge started getting hit from enemy fire. The south end of the bridge was now under heavy attack. The battle at Truoi Bridge lasted all through the night and into the next morning. At dawn, through the heroic efforts of the tiny forces, the south end of the bridge was still in Allied control. The second platoon of Alpha Company held its ground and only through the desperate efforts of the suicide “Sappers” of NVA, the bridge was blown and partially destroyed. The NVA paid a huge price trying to take the Truoi Bridge. The enemy casualties were confirmed a sixty-four, but those were just the ones not recovered by dawns first light. Fifthteen Marines and one Corpsman were killed in action during this engagement, and fifty-eight wounded, mostly those of the Marine CP guards.

Nine of these Marines were with Alpha Company

A Co. 1/5 Marines Cpl Walter W. Rosolie, Rosedale, NY LCpl Charles D. Miller, Wewoka, OK Pfc Richard Garcia, San Antonio, TX Pfc Robert K. Horspool, Ogden, UT Pfc Gerald L. Johnson, Mojave, CA Pfc Richard F. Links, Noank, CT Pfc Kevin W. Moore, Milwaukee, WI Pfc William R. Neal, Amarillo, TX Cpl. James J. Tedesco, IAB Co. 1/5 Marines Pfc Edward T. Stone, Dorchester, MAH&S Co. 1/5 Marines (with A/1/5) Cpl Arthur C. McLellan, Terryville, CT HM3 Steven R. Wolter, Hilo, HI LCpl Erasmo Palos, Eagle Pass, TX Pfc Thomas J. Kovacevich, Detroit, MI Pfc Walter R. Riggs, Moorpark, CA Pfc Thomas P. Sweeney, Ashburnham, MA The Truoi Bridge Compound

Taken from the large tower located in the middle of the compound. Lookin NE, Overlooking 81mm Martar and two bunkers. Bunker on top right is ARVN Machine Gun.

Taken from the large tower located in the middle of the compound.The building on the left with the sugar cane laying in front was where Alpha Co set up its command center. When that attack started one of the first motar rounds to hit the compound hit the roof of the command post. That’s where we lost the corpsman and I believe 3 marines. The blast knock out at least one radio and severely hampered communications.

Taken from the large tower located in the middle of the compound. Lookin NW, Overlooking the old tank at the Main Gate of the Compound. Also HWY 1 North in Background.

Gerald Lynn Johnson

Three Alpha squad leaders and best friends Jimmy Tedesco, Walter Rosolie, and Vic Walker, Hoi An late 1967

Mr. & Mrs. Rosolie, Parents of Walter’s receive Silver Star

Cpl. Walter Rosolie, Jr. awarded Siver Star in Hue, KIA March 31st 1968

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Rosolie, Walter William, Cpl