Lawrence Witherow

LAWRENCE WITHEROW

Lawrence Witherow was on the Jul 1970 Roster. He is from Clearfield, PA

PHOTOS

I was not able to find photos for Larry.

NOTES FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Ed Mitchell posted this on April 17. 2021 on our Facebook group page:

18 APRIL 1970, IN MEMORIUM:
SGT MICHAEL JOHN VAGNONE, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry; Killed-In-Action (18 April 1970) by gun or small arms fire vicinity MGRS Grid YD365164; MOS 11B; Stamford, Connecticut.
SP/4 ROBERT LEE DANGBERG, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry; Killed-In-Action (18 April 1970) by gun or small arms fire vicinity MGRS Grid YD365164; MOS 11B; Winside, Nebraska.

WE MOURN THE LOSS OF THESE TWO WARRIOR-BROTHERS AND WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR “WE FOUGHT FOR ONE ANOTHER”.

After relieving B Company at the trail junction vicinity grid YD362165 mid to late morning on 17 April, A Company dug in (as part of a hasty defense) and prepared to continue offensive operations to the south on the 18th despite receiving almost continuous NVA mortar fire coming from the south and into and around our perimeter. (Over the course of our time spent at the ridge line defensive position [17-23 Apr] we incurred a significant number of mortar casualties but no deaths that I’m aware of.) My decision to attack south as soon as possible was made based on the following: (1) I knew the NVA knew where we were and I would not allow them the time to plan and execute a counter-attack on their on timelines; (2) We were obviously sitting astride a main NVA line of communication and supply route supporting their buildup around FSB RIPCORD thus we would disrupt their plans as long as possible; (3) We had the tactical advantage of superb subordinate leadership, a shortened decision cycle at platoon/squad level, and an advantage in maneuver and firepower; (4) the trail junction we occupied along the ridge line was “key terrain” for both of us however it gave us superb communications, an LZ for resupply/evacuation operations, visibility of the next ridge line south; and (5) the trail junction gave us the best defensible terrain in our area of operations.

Mid morning on the 18th, A Company attacked south with LT Jim Kwiecien’s 2nd Platoon leading followed by LT Jim Knight’s 1st Platoon (and my command element). Dave Poole’s 3rd Platoon was in reserve. By mid afternoon, 2nd Platoon had moved slowly and cautiously no more than a few hundred meters down very steep and heavily vegetated jungle and “hooked” a bit left (east) into an even steeper ravine. Years later, Chris Lingo told me he was “walking point” for the 2nd Platoon (from SGT Vitkow’s squad) when he halted the platoon’s movement suspecting “something wasn’t right”. However, “the point” directed to keep moving across. Within moments after LIngo made it to the far side of the ravine, the NVA opened fire at close range. During the violent exchange SGT Lawrence Vagnone and SP/4 Robert Dangberg were killed in action. PFC Lawrence Witherow and perhaps one or more others were wounded. One or more NVA soldiers were also killed in the melee. As the fight continued, I sent 1st Platoon forward along 2nd Platoon’s right flank and they made immediate contact with an enemy force over-watching the trail south killing one NVA soldier before the NVA withdrew.

With two platoon’s making contact at two separate locations, I made the decision to back away and return with our casualties to our defenses on the ridge line (for 1st and 2nd Platoon, it would be a long harowing night below our ridge line defenses). My assessment was that we had encountered the NVA security elements of a larger force “bunkered” near the Khe Ouaun stream and I immediately told Russ Cook, our FO, that I would not commit A Company to a second attack into the area until we had laid it to waste with artillery.

We would meet elements of the NVA 803rd Infantry Regiment to our south along the trail again on the 19th after a night of constant artillery bombardment. This attack confirmed the location of their primary defenses and set the course for their eventual destruction by tactical air strikes and continuous artillery.

(A Company’s battles with elements of the NVA 2nd Battalion, 803rd Infantry Regiment, 324B Division would be continuous through the afternoon of 23 April 1970 and our extraction...the men of A Company accomplished the mission they’d been given...”TO LOCATE AND DESTROY ENEMY FORCES, BASE CAMPS, AND CACHE SITES”. I could have not been more proud to have led such a great Company of warriors!)

In 2002 Dale Lewis posted the following in our Guestbook:

My name is Dale Lewis, assigned to A Co. 2nd/501st April 1970. I joined the Co. on May 5th, 1970 on FSB Henderson. As you know we were overrun the following morning and suffered tremendous loss. Of the 33(?) KIA, 2 went missing, Sgt's. Teran and Kier's remains were recently identified and returned to family members. I first returned to Vietnam in 1994 in a personal effort to account for MIA's and have made numerous trips over the years. I presently live in Danang and have turned my attention to going back to FSB Henderson. In 2000 I was able to locate FSB Henderson and photo it from a distance, the crater left by the ammo dump going up is quite obvious. I'm hoping to return on Sep. 2nd, 2002 and spend a few days on top. I say hoping as the trip to Henderson will start with a short boat ride crossing the river and then by foot to the top. I expect the trip to the top will take approx. 24 hrs. It is a trip I have long looked forward to but worry my age (53) may be an obstacle in my desire to return. When we were hit on Henderson I was RTO for Lt. Knight, also in my fighting position were unknown Sgt. and medic. I was on last chopper out and have often wondered what happened in the days following May 6, 1970. Thanks for web site, just what I needed here in Vietnam.

In 2013 Thomas Hook posted the following in our Guestbook:

I just found out that my old platoon leader James Knight is alive and well. Can you give me his email address? Thomas Hook 1970.

On Aug 9, 2021 Ed Mitchell wrote:

a superb PL and A Company’s only Platoon Leader who got through the fights on REUP Hill, FSB GRANITE and FSB HENDERSON.