Poloroid photo by Staff Sgt. Larry Joe Powell during memorial services.
US soldiers salute the flag and nine pairs of boots during a memorial service at Landing Zone St. George, in South Vietnam, on November 7, 1969. The previous day the post in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, near Pleiku, was nearly overrun by North Vietnamese regulars and Viet Cong guerrillas in a violent attack that left 9 dead and 31 wounded of the post's 80 man compliment. Outnumered by at least 10-1, American forces battled from just after midnight until daylight to hold back the enemy. Brave helicopter piolots braved the chaotic scene and heavy fire to assist the ground forces and remove the wounded. The 71st Evac Hospital at Pleiku received the injured. The NVA and Viet Cong suffered 40 known dead that were recovered and an unknown number of injured. Staff Sgt. Larry Joe Powell, who was awarded the Bronze Star (with Valor) for his actions during the battle, took a single Poloroid photo of the ceremony. For a look at a news story from Greenbay, Wisconson, click on the link below for a story about another hero from that battle, John Endsley. http://wearegreenbay.com/1fulltext-news-hometownheroes?nxd_id=167532