"The Battle for Hill 63: A Costly Victory in Quang Tin Province"

On November 22, 1967, U.S. forces intercepted a North Vietnamese Army(NVA) radio transmission from the 3rd Regiment, pinpointing its origin to Hill 63, east of Landing Zone Ross in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. The 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, supported by armored personnel carriers from Troop F, 17th Cavalry, and tanks from Troop A, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, were tasked with the assault. On the morning of November 23, the force split into two groups to approach Hill 63 from opposite sides.

As American troops began climbing Hill 63 at 7:00 AM, they were met with fierce resistance from well-concealed NVA positions, suffering four killed and eleven wounded in the initial exchange. While infantry advanced up the slopes, armored units maneuvered to block potential NVA escape routes to the west. A platoon of NVA soldiers attempted to flee but was pursued to a nearby hamlet, where concealed recoilless rifles fired on U.S. forces, damaging two armored personnel carriers. The Americans responded with concentrated fire, destroying enemy positions in the hamlet.

The fighting on Hill 63 was grueling, with U.S. forces sustaining fifty casualties within the first two hours. Additional troops were brought in on the eastern side to bolster the assault. Meanwhile, Company B, supported by M48 tanks, cleared the hamlet, silencing recoilless rifles and enabling tanks to destroy NVA bunkers. By noon, Companies B and D of the 4/31st Infantry reached the summit of Hill 63, killing the last defenders and securing the position.

The battle for Hill 63 cost the lives of seven U.S. soldiers—PFC Kenneth S. Adams, PFC Philip F. Adams, PFC Rodney E. Loatman, PFC Robert D. Waddell, SP4 Calvin M. Strong, SP4 Ronald H. Essler, and SGT Joseph Cloud Jr.—and left 84 wounded. Posthumous promotions to Corporal were awarded to K. Adams, P. Adams, and Loatman. The NVA suffered significant losses, with 128 killed during the engagement. This costly battle highlighted the intensity of combat in the Vietnam War and the determination of U.S. forces in overcoming fortified enemy positions.

During the Vietnam War, the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry was part of the 196th Infantry Brigade, which was attached to the Americal Division. The battalion was actively involved in counterinsurgency operations, often operating in rugged terrain against North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong forces. Notable battles included engagements like the Battle for Hill 63 in Quang Tin Province, where the unit demonstrated both bravery and resilience despite heavy casualties.