We Remember, FST Phillip R. Chassion

On the morning of February 2, 1968 — the third brutal day of the Tet Offensive — A Company, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division air-assaulted near Xuan Phong hamlet in Binh Thuan Province to engage enemy forces operating around Phan Thiet. What they entered was not a routine contact, but a fortified enemy position protecting the headquarters of the 482nd Viet Cong Battalion.

The fight exploded into close-quarters combat and raged through the afternoon and into the night. Second Platoon led the advance and was met with devastating heavy weapons fire from concealed enemy positions inside homes and buildings throughout the hamlet. Casualties mounted quickly.

PFC Andrew J. Daniel was wounded on the porch of a large two-story structure and lay exposed under fire. Multiple attempts were made to reach him. During one of those efforts, SFC James A. Bunn was killed while trying to enter the rear of the building.

Hearing urgent radio calls reporting “men down,” Fire Support Team Leader Phillip R. Chassion moved forward to help his trapped comrades. As he approached the rear of the structure, enemy fire struck him repeatedly. He was killed almost instantly — falling while attempting to reach the wounded.

Alpha Company later withdrew to establish a night defensive perimeter. Under cover of darkness, a rescue team re-entered the enemy-held area and recovered the bodies of Bunn, Chassion, and Daniel.

For his sacrifice and leadership, Phillip R. Chassion was posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant.

He did not hesitate.

He did not turn back.

He answered the call — and paid the ultimate price.