Mike Company               

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

RVN, 1966 -1971

Scout From 3/5 Aids Beleaguered Marine Squad

By Cpl. Earl Gerheim

PHU BAI, -- A Marine Intelligence scout led a patrol to aid a beleaguered squad, pulled two wounded Marines to safety and then silenced an enemy automatic weapons position during a combat sweep south of Da Nang.

The scout, Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Hignight, "M" Co., 3/5, received word of a squad pinned down by heavy enemy fire.

Hignight volunteered to lead a five man patrol to aid the squad.  As the relief team approached the area, Hignight spotted the squad in a trench and two wounded Leathernecks lying in an open clearing.  Hignight deployed his team, maneuvered to the casualties and carried them to cover.

He then led the squad back towards their command post.  On the way, the Marines encountered a fire team pinned down by enemy fire.  Once again, the squad delivered effective return fire on the enemy.

A dead Marine was lying in an open area.  Again the scout abandoned his protection to retrieve the body.