Charlie Company - April 1969 This picture was taken on April 18, 1969, the day following the capture of the two Chi-Com .51 cal machine guns. On the previous day, April 17, CPT Boots Blanks had led Charlie Company on an air assault on an NVA position that had shot down a LOH southwest of LZ Bronco. The assault, supported by two Cobra gunships, was successfull in capturing both machine guns, which were equipped with anti-aircraft sights. The cost of the assault was several wounded and three KIAs from Charlie Company: Tommy Calvin Heaton, Fred Karaman, and Albert Allen Ladd.

The captured machine guns were transported to LZ Bronco where this Charlie Company picture was taken. (Recollection by Donald E. Duell.)