A-Shau Valley, Vietnam — 101st Airborne Division
The Facts About
The Facts About
The Battle of Firebase Ripcord
The military discouraged the media from covering this battle. Because of that, the American public never knew what happened here.
March 12, 1970 — July 23, 1970
139
American soldiers killed in the battle
75
Americans killed July 1–23 alone during the siege
4½
Months the battle lasted
3
American soldiers still Missing in Action
3
Medal of Honor recipients
25,000
NVA soldiers in the A-Shau Valley area
The complete record
Facts of the Battle
1
The battle lasted 4½ months — from March 12 to July 23, 1970.
2
139 American soldiers were killed in the Battle of Ripcord. Three American soldiers are still Missing in Action.
3
3 American soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor and 5 were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for their actions during the battle.
4
The siege of Firebase Ripcord and the heaviest fighting was from July 1st to July 23rd, 1970, in which 75 Americans were killed in just 23 days.
5
There were approximately 25,000 NVA soldiers in the area of the A-Shau Valley during the battle.
6
The final days of the battle saw some of the fiercest fighting. Units on and around Firebase Ripcord — including men on the firebase itself, on Hill 902, Hill 805, and surrounding areas — all faced overwhelming enemy forces. Every man who served at Ripcord paid a heavy price. 14 Americans were killed and 56 were wounded on July 22nd alone.
7
The loss of Firebase Ripcord gave the NVA open territory to move south in mass forces, with significant strategic consequences for the remainder of the war.
8
Hamburger Hill — fought one year earlier in the same area — was the political reason additional troops were kept from being sent in to reinforce Ripcord. Fear of bad press left the American soldiers on and around Ripcord in extreme danger without adequate reinforcement.
9
Actor Chuck Norris had a brother, Weiland Norris, who served in Alpha Company and was killed in this battle.
10
Bob Kalsu of the Buffalo Bills — the only active professional athlete to die in the Vietnam War — was killed in this battle.
Valor recognized
Awards & Honors
Medal of Honor
3
The nation's highest military honor, awarded to three soldiers for extraordinary valor during the Battle of Firebase Ripcord.
Distinguished Service Cross
5
The second highest military decoration for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat, awarded to five soldiers.
Books, television & media
Ripcord in the Media
Television
War Stories with Oliver North
Oliver North featured the story of Firebase Ripcord in his television program War Stories, one of the few times the battle received national media coverage.
Television
National Geographic — Inside the Vietnam War
The story of Firebase Ripcord is featured in the 3rd hour of National Geographic's documentary series Inside the Vietnam War.
Book
The Siege of Firebase Ripcord — Keith Nolan
A detailed account of the battle and the men who fought it, drawing on the shared memories of Ripcord Association members.
Book
Hell on a Hilltop — General Ben Harrison
The story of the battle told by both the American General and the NVA General who fought each other at Ripcord — a unique dual perspective on the same battle.
Book
Remembering Firebase Ripcord — Chris Brady
Contains over 100 interviews with Ripcord veterans, preserving their firsthand accounts of the battle.
New Book — Releasing May 1, 2026
The End of the Rope — James R. Smither
The most comprehensive account of the Ripcord campaign ever written, based on fifteen years of interviews with Ripcord veterans. Available for pre-order now from Casemate Publishers. Members of the Ripcord Association may order at a 50% discount.