Ripcord Association — Firebase Ripcord — Vietnam 1970
Table of Contents
Everything on the Ripcord Association website — find any page from here
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The Ripcord Association
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Home Page
Latest news, reunion info, newsletter, and new book — the front door to the site
History of the Ripcord Association
How Chip Collins founded the Association in 1983, the first reunion in 1986, and 40+ years of bringing veterans together
Board of Directors
Meet the 5 board members and 2 support team members who lead the Association — with photos and bios
Association By-Laws
Official governing documents of FSB Ripcord Association, Inc. — incorporated in New Jersey, approved February 12, 2015
Membership Application Free
Join the Ripcord Association — free membership open to veterans, family members, and friends
Member Roster
All 729 active members listed by name and unit — searchable and sortable alphabetically
Ripcord Members by State New
Interactive map showing where Ripcord Association members live today — all 50 states represented
Donations
Support the Association — donations fund the newsletter printing, mailing, and reunion costs
Contact Us
Questions, stories, or information about Firebase Ripcord — Frank Marshall responds within 48 hours
DMOR & HMOR Recipients Updated 2026
Distinguished and Honorary Members of the Regiment — 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Bill Heath and Jim Smither among the 2026 inductees.
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Reunions & Newsletter
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2026 Reunion Register Now
Myrtle Beach, SC — October 25–29, 2026. Agenda, hotel reservations, registration form, and costs
2026 Reunion Signup List New
See who has already registered for the 2026 Reunion in Myrtle Beach — updated as registrations are received
Newsletter Archive — All 144 Issues
All 144 issues of the Ripcord Report quarterly newsletter since 1985 — searchable by year with PDF download links
Reunion Yearbooks
14 official yearbooks from Ripcord Association reunions — portraits, group photos, and memories from 2005 through 2024
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The Battle of Firebase Ripcord
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Facts About the Battle
Key facts including 138 KIA, 3 MIA, 3 Medals of Honor, 25,000 NVA in the A-Shau Valley — the battle the world never knew
Operation Texas Star
Official declassified operations narrative by General John J. Hennessey — April 1 through July 23, 1970
2/506th Infantry Unit History 1970
The official history of the "Best of the Currahees" — from January 1970 through the evacuation of Ripcord and beyond
Units Involved in the Battle
Every unit assigned, under operational control, or in support of the 3rd Brigade — infantry, aviation, artillery, and more
KIA Casualty List — 138 Men
In honored memory of every American killed in the Battle of Firebase Ripcord — searchable by name, unit, and date
20 Deadliest Battles of the Vietnam War
Firebase Ripcord ranks #10 — see where it stands among the costliest engagements of the entire Vietnam War
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Books, Videos & Media
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The End of the Rope — New Book Now Available
James R. Smither's comprehensive history of the Ripcord Campaign, based on 15 years of veteran interviews — now available from Casemate Publishers
Books About the Battle
All 8 books written about Firebase Ripcord — with covers, descriptions, and purchase links
Videos About the Battle
9 videos including documentaries, National Geographic, War Stories with Oliver North, and the Ghosts of Ripcord
Firebase Ripcord — Photos by Chris Jensen New
67 photographs taken on Firebase Ripcord in July 1970 by Chris Jensen, photographer with the 221st Signal Company. The only known photographs taken during the battle.
Firebase Ripcord Diorama
A stunning 1/72 scale model of FSB Ripcord built from period photographs — with 6 construction videos
GVSU Veteran Interviews
138 Ripcord veterans interviewed by Dr. James R. Smither of Grand Valley State University — the firsthand accounts behind The End of the Rope. Links to GVSU Digital Archive and YouTube.
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Veterans’ Biographies — The Men of Firebase Ripcord
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Biographies of the Men of Firebase Ripcord New
Personal stories of the veterans who fought in the Battle of Firebase Ripcord — Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and HHC — in their own words. Listed alphabetically. New stories added as members submit them.
Submit Your Biography — Share Your Story of the Battle
If you served at Firebase Ripcord, your story belongs on this site. Download the form, fill it out at your own pace, and mail or email it to Frank. Every company, every man is welcome.
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Coming Soon
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Past Reunions
History of every Ripcord reunion since 1986 with photos from each gathering
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Day-by-Day Battle Reports
Firsthand daily accounts of the battle written by those who were there
Ripcord Association — For Survivors, Family, and Friends of The Battle of Firebase Ripcord
101st Airborne Division · Vietnam · March 12 – July 23, 1970
www.ripcordassociation.com
101st Airborne Division · Vietnam · March 12 – July 23, 1970
www.ripcordassociation.com