OLIVER A BEST JR
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HONORED ON PANEL 25W, LINE 9 OF THE WALL

OLIVER ADRIAN BEST JR

WALL NAME

OLIVER A BEST JR

PANEL / LINE

25W/9

DATE OF BIRTH

12/14/1946

CASUALTY PROVINCE

TAY NINH

DATE OF CASUALTY

05/06/1969

HOME OF RECORD

NEW YORK

COUNTY OF RECORD

New York City

STATE

NY

BRANCH OF SERVICE

ARMY

RANK

1LT

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Contact Details

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR OLIVER ADRIAN BEST JR
POSTED ON 8.1.2018

Attack on Camp Carolyn – May 6, 1969

In the early morning hours of May 6, 1969, Camp Carolyn, a remote U.S. artillery base near the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province, RVN, was attacked by an estimated 300 North Vietnamese Army regulars who charged out of the bamboo forest surrounding the camp in a desperate attempt to overrun the position. The NVA broke through the barbed wire defenses at two points and occupied and held six of the perimeter bunkers and one of the gun positions for nearly two hours. The assault was preceded by a heavy barrage of rocket and mortar fire. After penetrating the perimeter, the enemy ran at the American bunkers, hurling grenades and satchel charges and firing AK-47’s. The force of the attack drove out the U.S. soldiers, and the dugouts were immediately occupied by the NVA. The charge was stopped when the Americans shot holes into the fuel drums near the bunkers and ignited flowing rivers of gas to create a flaming barrier, which effectively blocked further enemy penetration. From that point, the Americans counterattacked with all available personnel, the officers involved being killed at the head of their troops. Artillerymen, supply and signal personnel, and engineers fought and died as emergency infantry reserves. Their counterattacks were hurled against both enemy penetrations, but the most violent fighting occurred on the northern side of Carolyn, where a seesaw battle raged for possession of the 155mm howitzer position. During the course of the battle, this weapon exchanged hands 3 times in hand-to-hand fighting decided at close range with rifles and E-tools (entrenching tools, or shovels). Another light howitzer section was caught in an enemy crossfire between a heavy machine gun and rifles until the U.S. artillerymen managed to turn their lowered muzzle and pump “Beehive” flechettes into the enemy. All enemy automatic weapon fire against the howitzer was instantly silenced. As Cavalry counterattacks continued, the Americans reestablished the perimeter, and the enemy force began withdrawing, breaking contact at 6:00 AM. The action against Carolyn resulted in 10 U.S. killed, 62 wounded. Enemy losses were 101 killed and 29 captured. The lost Americans included 1LT Oliver A. Best Jr., PFC Richard J. Daley, PFC Paul J. Kronthaler, CPL Jackie R. McKenzie, CPL William L. Negrini, SGT Fruto J. Oquendo, SGT Gilbert G. Palacio, SP4 Foster L. Sonnier, SP4 Jose Soto-Concepcion, and CPT Joseph Woodard. Two weeks after the hard-fought defense, the U.S. abandoned the firebase. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “GI’s Bury 100 Enemy, Rebuild Remote Camp’s Defenses.” Atlanta Journal Constitution, May 7, 1969; other web sources also used]
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POSTED ON 5.25.2018
POSTED BY: George Ruzicka

Memorial Day Reflections

RIP Engineer OCS & Vietnam Brother. Will always remember your ready smile & impromptu cadence lyrics. You made us laugh & helped all of us endure OCS. I think of you every Memorial Day & realize that without help from above I would have joined you on the Wall. RIP Brother!
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POSTED ON 3.3.2017
POSTED BY: Lucy Conte Micik

Remembered

DEAR LIEUTENANT OLIVER BEST,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A COMBAT ENGINEER UNIT COMMANDER WITH THE 1ST CAVALRY. THIS WAS THE UNIT OF A FRIEND'S BROTHER. SAY HI TO MIKE. I AM ALSO FROM NEW YORK. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. MANY OF US HAVE BEGUN OUR JOURNEY TO EASTER. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.
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POSTED ON 5.6.2015
POSTED BY: A Grateful Vietnam Vet

Thank You

Thank you Lt. Best for your leadership and courage.
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POSTED ON 5.6.2014
POSTED BY: Curt Carter [email protected]

Remembering An American Hero

Dear 1LT Oliver Adrian Best Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter
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