Viet Cong Death
Viet Cong Death
On the morning of March 2, 1968, soldiers from Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment walked into the "Eight Minute Ambush," one of the worst single-encounter loss of life incidents in the Vietnam War. While the company crossed a bridge at Hoc Mon, a large enemy force opened up from both sides. Eight minutes later, the Viet Cong broke contact leaving half of the company dead and another quarter wounded. One soldier's heroism stood out in the effort to drive back the enemy as stem the loss of life.
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SP4 Nicholas Cutinha watched as every officer in his company was killed or wounded. With the soldiers pinned down and disorganized, Cutinha took charge. He grabbed his machine gun and ran forward toward the coming enemy. The sight of him drew enemy fire, and one bullet struck his leg. As the fire intensified with mortars, rockets, and mines, Cutinha assumed command of all the survivors in his area and initiated a withdrawal, while providing covering fire. He killed several enemy soldiers but sustained another leg wound when his machine gun was destroyed by incoming rounds. Undaunted, he crawled through a hail of bullets to an operable machine gun in order to continue the defense of his injured comrades who were being administered medical treatment. Cutinha maintained this position, refused assistance, and provided defensive fire for his comrades until he fell mortally wounded. He was solely responsible for killing 15 enemy soldiers while saving the lives of at least nine members of his own unit.
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Of the roughly 100 soldiers present, 50 were killed and 24 wounded. For his outstanding heroism, Nicholas Cutinha was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
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