The Fall of Hue
January 31, 1968
The city is stormed, and taken. At the American base in Phu Bai, eight miles south, commanders with no sense of what has happened dispatch two companies of marines—just over three hundred men—against ten thousand enemy troops. The battle begins.
Marine Captain Jim Coolican, who helped coordinate
the fight for the MACV compound and later fought in the Citadel.
Captain Gordon Batcheller, a marine company commander
who was gravely wounded leading his men toward Hue
on the first day of the battle.
Alfredo “Freddie” Gonzalez, the diminutive marine sergeant
from Texas who would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.
Marine Captain Chuck Meadows, commander of Golf Company 2/5,
who was ordered to lead a futile attack on the Citadel
against overwhelming odds.
