2/28th Black Lions

2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry

In 1965, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 28th Infantry were deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division. The 1st and 2nd Battalions fought in many of the 1st Infantry Division's major engagements. The 2nd Battalion was awarded a Valorous Unit Award for the battle for Lo Ke during Operations Cedar Falls, Yuscon, Junction City and Shenandoah. In October 1967, an ambush of elements of the 2nd Battalion during Operation Shenandoah II and the ensuring violent engagement with a reinforced Viet Cong Battalion, known as the battle of Ong Thanh, caused many casualties. Both the 1st and the 2nd Battalions were used to seal enemy movement towards Saigon during the enemy's May 5th offensive in 1968. The 2nd Battalion repelled the suicide attack of an estimated 4 Battalions of North Vietnamese Army regulars during the battle of Fire Support Base Julie in October 1968. In November 1968, it had another 2 major clashes with the North Vietnamese Army in the area known as the "Trapezoid."

During much of 1969, both Battalions were involved in the Dong Tien (Progress Together) program, training Army of the Republic of Vietnam units through combined operations, and other forms of mutual support, in order for them to be able to successfully fight on their own. In August and again in November 1969, elements of the 2nd Battalion had major engagements in the Trapezoid. Early 1970 saw the end of the participation of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 28th Infantry in the conflict in Vietnam. After almost 5 years of combat in South Vietnam, the colors of both Battalions were redeployed to Fort Riley, Kansas. During the conflict, Sergeant Paul L. Fitzgerald, Jr. and Private First Class Olin Hargrove of Company A, 2nd Battalion, were officially listed as Missing In Action. Subsequently the Army issued a presumptive finding of death, in both cases. 2nd Lieutenant Robert J. Hibbs of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for heroism during the conflict.

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