'POP UP' VC KILLED FROM THE SOUTHERN CROSS FOR AUGUST 1, 1968.

Electronic copy of article provided by Leslie Hines

LZ BRONCO — SGT Harold R. Neeley doesn't have to look for Viet Cong-they just seem to pop up in front of him.

A squad leader with the 11th Inf. bde.'s 3rd Bn., 1st Inf., Neeley, of Pensacola, Fla., was participating in a combat assault along a river 10 miles south of Quang Ngai.

As he led his squad of infantrymen along a ridge trail on the riverbank, looking for a place to cross, a Viet Cong pulled himself up over the cliff and onto the trail in front of him.

Before the enemy soldier had a chance to realize his situation, Neeley shot him. A second soldier further down the hill faired better and managed to escape.

But SGT Neeley decided that where there are two Viet Cong, there is probably a spider hole, so he and his men began searching.

Within a few moments they discovered a well-camouflaged hole dug into the side of the hill. In it was another enemy.

The hole contained to pistol belts with canteens and some ammunition. A pile of documents, including several books full of names, topped off the haul.

Despite his good luck Neeley said "I'd just as soon Charlie didn't pop up so close to me again."

An original copy of this document was donated to the Americal Division Veterans Association (ADVA) by LTC Paul Parham who served as Information Officer for the Americal Division.