This week marks the Battle of Ia Drang Valley 48th anniversary in The Vietnam War. Today, November 18th marks the end of the battle that cemented the concept of “body count” by the American military leadership. 79 Americans and over 1,000 NVA troops were killed in this battle.
One of the most enduring photographs of this battle captures the US 3rd Brigade 1st Air Cavalry and helicopter pilot Bruce Crandall. Crandall flew for 14 consecutive hours between landing zone Xray and U.S. Army firebase Falcon delivering ammunition and evacuating wounded Americans. Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of intrepidity.