The Battle of Polei Duc: Into the Valley of Tears

The Battle of Polei Duc: Into the Valley of Tears

March 22, 1967
Plei Trap Valley, Vietnam

The Plei Trap Valley, a rugged and unforgiving stretch of terrain in Vietnam's Central Highlands, was a battlefield where courage was tested and legends were forged. Nestled west of the Nam Sathay River, near the Cambodian border, the valley was a key infiltration route for the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). Thick jungle, towering mountains, and relentless heat created a nightmarish landscape where water was scarce, but danger was abundant.

Among American troops, the valley earned a chilling nickname—"The Valley of Tears." It was here that the men of the 4th Infantry Division would face one of their deadliest encounters of the war.

Operation Sam Houston: The Fight for the Highlands

The 4th Infantry Division had arrived in Vietnam in late 1966, training for jungle warfare before moving into the Central Highlands in early 1967. In February, their 2nd Brigade crossed the Nam Sathay River, determined to engage the NVA’s 1st and 10th Divisions. They entered the Valley of Tears, hoping to trap enemy forces near the Cambodian border. Instead, they were met with relentless ambushes, the enemy using the treacherous terrain to their advantage.

By March 1967, after weeks of intense fighting, U.S. forces began pulling back to the eastern side of the Se Sanh River. But before they could withdraw completely, one final battle would erupt—one that would cost them dearly.

March 22, 1967: The Battle of Polei Duc

On March 21, 1967, elements of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division were deployed as blocking forces to disrupt NVA movements. Among them were Alpha and Bravo Companies, assigned to search for a missing Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) in the dense jungle near Polei Duc.

As Alpha Company—comprising 108 troops—set up camp for the night, they remained unaware that a battalion-sized NVA force lurked nearby, preparing for an ambush. The next morning, within just 15 minutes of breaking camp, they were hit.

The NVA, outnumbering Alpha Company nearly 3 to 1, struck with brutal precision, attempting to split the company in half. What was supposed to be a blocking mission quickly turned into a desperate fight for survival.

Specialist John Nelson of Alpha Company later recalled:
"The battle started around 7:30 AM and the heaviest fighting ended around 4:30 PM. Lighter fighting continued while the choppers were getting the wounded out."

Amidst the chaos, Sergeant Timothy Xavier Murphy, fighting alongside his brothers-in-arms, was caught in the devastating crossfire. A grenade explosion tragically ended his life, one of 22 brave men who fell that day.

A Desperate Stand

With their company commander and all but one officer dead or wounded, 1st Lt. Rick Sauer took command—only to be shot and gravely wounded moments later. Sergeant David McNerney, wounded by shrapnel, refused evacuation and led the defense, taking out an enemy machine gunner while calling in air and artillery support. His heroism under fire would later earn him the Medal of Honor.

Meanwhile, Bravo Company, several kilometers away, fought through enemy lines to reach Alpha Company’s position. By the time they arrived, it was late in the day. The helicopters of CWO Donald Rawlinson braved relentless enemy fire to evacuate the wounded.

When the battle finally ended, the toll was staggering. Alpha Company had suffered 22 killed and 42 wounded—a 75% casualty rate. But they had held the line. Their dead and wounded were carried out with them.

In the aftermath, 139 enemy bodies were counted around the perimeter. A later sweep of the area uncovered nearly 400 additional NVA graves—a grim testament to the ferocity of the fight.

Honoring the Fallen

The Battle of Polei Duc became one of the most decorated engagements of the Vietnam War. The soldiers of Alpha Company received:

• 1 Medal of Honor
• 2 Distinguished Service Crosses
• 7 Silver Stars
• 25 Bronze Stars
• 65 Purple Hearts

Sergeant Timothy Xavier Murphy’s name is forever enshrined on Panel 17E, Line 22 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. His courage, and that of his fellow soldiers, ensured that even in overwhelming darkness, the spirit of the American soldier endured.

He and his fallen brothers will never be forgotten.