The following information is second hand and filtered through 35 years of memory. Naturally when I first got to the field as a green 11B PFC, the veteran's told me about 10 Alpha (I think just to get my attention -- it worked!) What I remember being told was that the air assault was to take place on 10 Bravo, near 10 Alpha. 10 Bravo was prepped with air strikes and artillery. The NVA had 5 (I think) antiaircraft weapons on 10 Alpha, but after hearing 10 Bravo being prepped, they left the big guns with a skeleton crew and took off for 10 Bravo as they felt they had us grossly outnumbered. However, the assault took place on 10 Alpha which took the NVA by total surprise. 

B 2/35 (1st PLT I think) was the lead element and was able to capture several of the antiaircraft guns right off the bat before the NVA was able to backtrack and organize an assault. I think all of B 2/35 was able to get in the LZ later in the day but had hold out over the first night totally surrounded. One story I remember was that an ammo bearer for an M-60 team by the name of Dodridge ended up alone after the gunner and assistant gunner were killed. He kept firing through the night. By the next morning, there were many dead enemy soldiers in front of his position. (I have attached a photo that has three soldiers sitting on a bunker, the one on the left reading a book is Dodridge. Unfortunately, it's not a very good photo of him as he is not looking at the camera.) 

The next day they were able to get additional ground units in as well as a 105 or two, which seemed to be very effective and a moral booster for the infantry guys. I'll be interested to see if you can collaborate these stories from the guys that were there. I attached 8 other photo's of B 2/35 guys who I believe all were there except for Larry Goodyear, the third guy on the right in the Dodridge photo. 

The python photo was taken by someone else, I happened to get a copy of it. I believe all those guys were there except for the snake! Two of the soldiers holding the python were later killed in two separate fire-fights. One was Gary Rushing who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for action on 27 Oct 66. Saunier and King might be able to confirm those that were there. 

The photo of SGT Whitmier is him sitting on a makeshift latrine, but you can't tell by looking at the photo. Good luck in your research, it's a great thing that we can assemble first hand info about our unit and get it documented for all to see. Keep up the great work Andy and I'll see you in Seattle. - John B 2/35 '66-67

Castro with hot chow

Dodridge, Peterson, Goodyear

Python

Reed, Peterson, Collins

Philippe Saunier

Sgt Gibbs

Sgt King, Bravo perimeter

Sgt. Brito-Burgos

Sgt Whitmeir