The Defense of An Loc
by
Dru Blair
There are episodes in the history of warfare which define the turning point and change the way wars are fought. On April 13, 1972 the North Vietnamese launched a fierce attack with approximately 40 tanks and supporting troops upon the provincial capital of An Loc, eighty miles north of Saigon. The town was defended by South Vietnamese troops and a small contingent of American advisors, commanded by Col. William Miller, US Army.
The defenders were quickly overwhelmed and the situation described became desperate. A column of Skoviet made T-54 tanks had penetrated the defenses to within a few yards of the American Command Bunker.
Fortunately, the 1st Cavalry Division, Battery F, 79th Artillery, otherwise known as the Blue Max, was on station. Two AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters responded, crewed by CWO Barry McIntyre, Major Larry McKay, 1/Lt Steve Shields, and Cpt. Bill Causey and were armed with the newly developed HEAT 2.75" rockets, which had never been tested in combat.
In a daring and entirely untried maneuver, the Cobras rolled in and attacked the three enemy T-54's that had approached to within a few yards of Col. Miller's command bunker. The first two 2.75" rockets launched by McIntyre and McKay destroyed the lead tank and halted the attack, and began what can be accurately described as a rout by the Blue Max. With this bold action, McIntyre and McKay become the first helicopter pilots in history to destroy an enemy tank, and demonstrated the lethal capability of the Attack Helicopter as a weapon that would entirely change the face of war.

Captured moment in history: This photo was taken seconds after Blue Max's 2.75" rockets impacted, marking the first tank kill ever by a helicopter. Twin smoke columns testify to the accuracy the McCoy/McIntyre attack. Photo provided by Col William Miller.
Each print is signed by the artist and countersigned by Lt. Col. McKay (RET) and CWO McIntyre, "Serpent 6" the crew who were responsible for the first successful helicopter attack upon an armored force, and Col. William Miller, "Tunnel 10", US Army (RET), the senior ground commander at An Loc.

Edition Size: 750 S/N
Print Size: 29" x 25"

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