Editor’s note: This article first appeared on The War Horse , an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter .

It was December 13, 1968, and our platoon leaders briefed us before we boarded the trucks: Recent intelligence hinted at increased Viet Cong activity on Monkey Mountain.

The trucks rumbled to a halt at the sharp bend in the winding road, marking the trailhead that led up the mountain. As the dust settled, my company disembarked from the trucks and formed a ragged line along the start of the trail’s edge.

I could not shake the feeling that today was going to be a scary day. I am not usually superstitious, but this time it was different.

History books never fully capture the reality of day-

See Full Page