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Shiny Bayonet

by Michael O. Gregory

85 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #05-0824; ISBN 1-4120-5923-2; US$12.21, C$14.04, EUR10.03, £7.02

An historical account of the first combat operation of the Vietnam war of the men of the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile), 10-14 October 1965. This battle was not just our first combat experience, but also the first combat test of the air mobile concept.

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About the Book      About the Author      Reviews and testimonials      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

Operation Shiny Bayonet was the first combat operation of the Vietnam War of the 1 Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry Regiment. It was a five-day operation of which we were in contact with the enemy for three days. The Battalion suffered its first combat casualties and fatalities of the war. It was a time that we made mistakes and learned what combat really was. As one of my comrades put it, "We were a bunch of scared kids that had no idea what we were getting ourselves into." It was five days that changed us all.

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About the Author

Born in 1939 at Fort Worth, Texas. Was raised on a ranch in North Texas. Joined the U.S. Navy and served honorably for four years. During my time in the Navy made five cruises to the arctic, up into Baffin Bay, Hudson's Bay, into the northern reaches of Foxx Basin. After my navy service, joined the U.S. Army and became a paratrooper. Served most of my army career in parachute or light infantry. Served one tour of duty in Vietnam with the Airborne Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division. My second tour in Vietnam was as an infantry heavy weapons advisor on a mobile advisor team. I also served the army in Hawaii and in Germany. My last assignment before retirement was Weapons Department, The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. I have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Cross of Gallantry (Republic of Vietnam), Combat Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist Badge, Commando Badge (French Army). Retired from military service since July 1977.

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Reviews and Testimonials

A review from The Sabre, the official publication for the 1st U.S. Cavalry Division Association:

For publication: One of our 12th Cavalry members, Michael O. Gregory has authored a book on the operation in Vietnam called SHINY BAYONET. Operation SHINY BAYONET was the first real test in the field of the airmobile concept just prior to the major engagement at the Ia Drang Valley in the Republic of Vietnam. Thiose interested in ordering this account of 12th Cavalry History should contact Trooper Michael O. Gregory. Congratulations, Mike.

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A review from The Crossed Sabres, the official publication of the 12th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Association:

Trooper Michael O. Gregory who served in B 1/12 from 7/65 to 6/66 has written the history of the first combat operation of the 12th Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam. His book, like the operation, is called Shiny Bayonet. Trooper Gregory knows the battle and knows the 12th Cavalry. Gregory was assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) and was with the Division on July 3, 1965 when the 11th Air Assault became the 1st Cavalry Division.

After shipping out from Savannah, GA aboard the USNS Geiger, the Regiment landed at Qui Nhon, Vietnam on September 20th, 1965.

Trooper Gregory's book is a detailed account of the five days of battle from October 10 to 14, 1965, less than a month after entering the country.

His book is well written and includes many photos of the battle and the Troopers who served in the 12th.

The book is available from the publisher: Trafford Publishing, 6E - 2333 Government St., Victoria, BC V8T 4P4, Canada. Order online at trafford.com/05-0824

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Dear Mike

I've been gone for a week and couldn't pick up "Shiny Bayonet" until Saturday. I couldn't put it down even though my poor eyesight required me to use a magnifying glass. You have done a masterful job.

You told me details of B Company's activities that I never knew, or at least can't remember now. You did a great job of sketching in the general activities of the rest of the battalion as well. You did a wonderful job of research. I am pleased that you highlighted the heroic acts of Billy Lord and joe Belocchi as well as others.

I hope the book will get the wide distribution it deserves -- I'm sure all Chargers will treasure it as I do. It was great to see you at the reunion. Thanks for doing such a great job and being such a good soldier.

Boot to Boot and Semper Paraatus

Bob M. Shoemaker

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Excerpts

With the first light came the grim evidence that it wasn't just shadows that the machinegun crew was shooting at last night. A body laid about 50 yards in front of their position. As soon as we secured from stand too we went out to check the body. It was that of a Vietnamese male, ago unknown but most likely in his thirties. He was dressed in black shirt, black shorts, sandals and wearing a backpack. We searched but couldn't find a weapon. This was the first time I saw bullet wounds up close. I was amazed at how much destruction one small missile could cause. The wound that most attracted me was in his thigh. The entry wound was small like someone has stabbed him with a pencil. The exit wound looked like someone had split him open with an axe. The wound looked to be from an M-16 assault rifle.

We searched the pack to see if there was anything of intelligence value. Everything in the pack had been carefully wrapped in plastic to keep it dry. Aside from personal effects there were several manuals, two of them hand written copies. One of them was of real interest to us. It was full of cartoon characters that we were sure was American soldiers. We didn't have to read Vietnamese to be able to know what it was all about. It was a description of our habits, customs and ways of doing things. If you believed the book we were all tall and lanky and brainless morons that looked like goofy. There was also a silk scarf with an embroidered picture of Ho Chi Mien. It had been damaged when a bullet punched through the folds of cloth. In the bottom of the pack was a large amount of South Vietnamese currency, several hundred piasters, a small fortune for a Vietnamese peasant. He must have been a Viet Cong payroll officer or tax collector. We all wondered what he had been doing so close to our perimeter last night.

We took the pack and repacked it then sent it to the Company Command Post. There was just one item that didn't make it to the command post. That was the silk scarf with Uncle Ho's picture on it. It was tucked safely away in someone's pocket.

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Catalogue Information

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