BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, June 5, 2015--On Dec. 13, 1967, the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division reported for duty in the Republic of Vietnam during Operation Eagle Thrust, the longest and largest airlift directly into a combat zone. In 1967, the Brigade consisted of 1-506th Infantry (Red Currahee), 2-506th Infantry (White Currahee), and 3-187 Infantry (Iron Rakkasans). From 1968 to 1971, the Brigade conducted numerous combat operations in A Shau Valley. Its overall mission was to reject the A Shau Valley as a staging area to the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) that was used to launch attacks into Hue and the central highlands of Vietnam.
The 3-187 Infantry was the most highly decorated Infantry Battalion in Vietnam -- earning two Valorous Unit Awards for combat action in the Binh Duong and Thua Thein provinces, plus two Presidential Unit Citations for the Battle of Trang Bang and the Battle of Dong Ap Bia. From May 10 to 20, 1969, the 3rd Brigade of the 101st launched Operation Apache Snow to clear the entire A Shau Valley of NVA, and 3-187 Infantry was one of three Battalions involved in that Operation. The Iron Rakkasans spent months trying to find the NVA and destroy with limited success. However, over the next 10 days, the Iron Rakkasans focused all their efforts on a small hill know as Hill 937 or Dong Ap Bia, translated in Vietnamese as "the crouching beast," where it finally found the 92nd NVA Regiment entrenched and prepared for a fight. It took the Iron Rakkasans 11 assaults to take the hill at the cost of 72 Americans killed in action and 372 wounded in action, including over 630 enemies killed. Today, the Battle of Dong Ap Bia is commonly known as the Battle of Hamburger Hill.
In 1969, Col. (R) Gerald (Bob) Harkins was assigned as the Company Commander for A/3-187 Infantry. He was one of the four Company Commanders at the Battle of Dong Ap Bia, and one of the two Company Commanders that survived that battle. Prior to the Battle of Dong Ap Bia, then-Capt. Harkins conducted daily search-and-destroy operations in the A Shau Valley. He also conducted operations to defend Firebase Jack and LZ Airborne. Harkins' Company operated almost extensively outside the wire in the A Shau Valley for months at a time. After the Battle of LZ Airborne, A/3-187 Infantry was ordered to head back to Fire Base Rakkasan to refit and prepare for a large scale clearing operation in the A Shau Valley -- a mission named Operation Apache Snow. His company was charged with the mission to establish blocking positions on the Laotian border to keep the NVA from retreating into Laos. After the first day of Battle of Dong Ap Bia, Harkins' company was re-missioned to assist in the battle to seize Hill 937 (Hamburger Hill). His company conducted nine assaults up the Hamburger Hill and on May 20, A/3-187 Infantry broke thru the final row of trenches and bunker, and seized control of the hill. Harkins was wounded in the final assault and never made it to the top of Dong Ap Bia.
Forty-five years later, his son, Lt. Col. Patrick Harkins, became Battalion Commander of 3-187 Infantry. This is Harkins' second tour with the Iron Rakkasans and the second time he's deployed with the Iron Rakkasans to Afghanistan. In January 2001, soon after the attacks of 9-11, Harkins assumed command of B/3-187 Infantry and, in January 2002, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"I have always defined myself as a Rakkasan," he said. "This unit has a special place in my heart for both my father and me. When I was assigned to this Battalion as a junior captain, I really had no idea what I was in for but quickly learned that the Torii is more than a symbol this unit rallies around. It is a daily reminder to all the Rakkasans to improve every day -- to become a better Soldier, a better leader, a better parent, a better adult, and a better Rakkasan."
In total, Task Force Iron conducted over 330 missions in over 11 provinces in Afghanistan. Task Force Iron was responsible for fixed site security, providing Guardian Angels at the Detention Facility in Bagram, providing Quick Reaction Forces for multiple special operations units, and securing cold bases for Expeditionary Advisor Packages. Task Force Iron conducted over 10 named operations incorporating every Tactical Advise and Assist Command in Afghanistan.
This year marks the 46th anniversary of the Battle of Hamburger Hill. The Golden Rakkasans have a reunion at Ft. Campbell every year. The reunion starts off with a viewing of the "Hamburger Hill War Stories" video by Oliver North, and an open discussion with the Soldiers and leaders of the Iron Rakkasans. The next day, the Golden Rakkasans are taken to the range to shoot and receive an orientation on the equipment the Battalion employs. Then the group spends the afternoon conducting an oral history of the Battle of Dong Ap Bia, where the Golden Rakkasans talk in detail about what happened on that hill. Harkins said that the Golden Rakkasans are candid about the mistakes made with the current crop of Iron Rakkasans -- "so we learn from them." That night, there is a memorial dinner and a wreath laying ceremony to honor the fallen from that battle.
"I have taken part in six Hamburger Hill reunions," Harkins said. "This battalion is the most decorated infantry battalion in the Army and we derive strength from our Vets. I normally see at least one of our Golden Rakkasans each week stop by the company or battalion to see the Soldiers. Their message to our Soldiers is a simple. One that resonates throughout this proud unit - you are part of the Iron Rakkasan family and always will define yourself through this battalion as we all have. They talk about their struggles openly with our Soldiers in an attempt to let our Soldiers know that they went thru some dark times too, but they are there to help our Soldiers out when they need it. I have listened 1SG (R) Frank Arias, who survived both the Battle of Ia Drang and Dong Ap Bia, tell our Soldiers that after Vietnam he started drinking heavily but stopped when he met his current wife and when he realized that the current Rakkasans still needed both his mentorship and leadership. Since then, 1SG Arias has participated in Unit Runs and has been at every deployment and redeployment ceremony -- the love he has for our Soldiers is evident each time he visits."
His father participates in the reunions, too.
"As the president of the Weldon F. Honeycutt / Hamburger Hill Chapter of the 187th Infantry Regiment Association, I worked with the leadership of the origination and the Battalion to pull together a meaningful reunion," he said. "As veterans of the 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment, we've grown great strength from the soldiers and leaders of the current battalion. It is family to all of us."
"I know that both my father and the Golden Rakkasans are proud of me but more importantly they are proud of this unit," Harkins said. "The Rakkasans are the most deployed conventional unit in the Global War on Terror and this unit will always answer the call with the professionalism and dedication most people expect from a Rakkasan. And this Battalion will always derive strength knowing that our Golden Rakkasans always have our backs. "
And his dad said he's proud of the battalion, his sons, and his wife.
"As Lt. Col. Harkins' father, I am deeply proud of him and the record the current battalion is forging," he said. "They are very professional, tactically proficient, and great representatives of this country. As proud as I am of Patrick, I wish to recognize the contribution of Mrs. Susan C. Harkins. She has seen me spend three tours in combat situations, Patrick with five tours, and Patrick's older brother Greg with four tours. She is the strength of our family."
(Editor's note: Lt. Col. Patrick Harkins, and Col. (R) Gerald (Bob) Harkins contributed to this story.)
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