| WELCOME TO THE TASK FORCE BUILDER'S HOME PAGE Rach Kien, Long An Province, South Vietnam (The Delta) These Pages Dedicated To All Who Served With The Task Force Builders In Rach Kein, Long An Province, South Vietnam |
| ABOUT THE COMMANDER OF THE TFB MICHAEL MILLER On December 10, 1967, a week after the new Task Force Builder moved into their tent city base camp in the hostile Mekong Delta town of Rach Kien, an intense mortar attack on the TFB camp resulted in one man being killed, Donald H. Guittar, and the wounding of eleven others. Immediately, sleeping bunkers were erected for the survivors. Project work continued. Throughout December and early January, 1968, Intelligence reports indicated that large VC units were moving into the Rach Kien area. If small, self-reliant TFB was to remain in the Delta, extraordinary Command Leadership was essential. Throughout late December, 1967 and early January, 1968 an intense search for such a leader was made. A self confident, obviously competent, and experienced Captain arrived. After about two weeks of close observation, TFB was visited. The 19 and 20 year soldiers in TFB were busily working, and apparently happy. In 42 year old SFC Miller’s opinion, their high moral was fragile. Capt Miller was offered the opportunity to volunteer for the position of TFB Commander. His response was viewed closely—he immediately and eagerly accepted the job. Nothing else would have been accepted. From the beginning, he established discipline. It was accepted, the first goal and proof of leadership. Tactics to protect TFB in their base camp; on the roads; and at the jobsites was his first priority. It became known that a 5000 man NVA regiment controlled the Rach Kien area. After three attacks on the TFB convoys to worksites, the VC decided that the properly spaced, highly disciplined, and very aggressive TFB convoys should be avoided. They chose the 3/39th Infantry convoys, inflicting heavy casualties. TFB, on occasion went to the rescue of 3/39th convoys. The VC also left isolated TFB job sites unmolested. The TFB base camp received 42 mortar attacks in 1968. The highly disciplined young soldiers did not suffer another single death Living in rather primitive conditions, Capt Miller knew that the very tight discipline he imposed on all tactical considerations, had to be relaxed for the closely confined and constant living relationship of TFB. Here, the true depth and measure of his Leadership emerged. It was obvious then, from the high morale, and almost total absence of disciplinary problems—and in the obvious esteem with which the young soldiers of TFB held him. To-day, the abiding respect and affection offered by his men from TFB demonstrate that Capt Miller overcame the almost impossible challenge of eating, sleeping, working, and relaxing with his men, virtually full time, and still maintaining discipline and their respect. Few leaders have the innate self confidence and self discipline to overcome this challenge. For a year , Capt Miller commanded TFB without a single additional death in the same vicinity and environment that the 3/39th Infantry suffered terrible casualties until they were replaced by the 2/39th Infantry. Thirty eight years later, Capt Miller is leading the healing of his comrades. Surely, for such superb, sensitive, enduring, and inspiring leadership, God has filled Mike’s Crown with stars. |
Two men of the TFB working on school in Rach Kein
Howard Snider thought the guy with glasses was me, sorry Howard it's not. I was in the Delta area
only one time. Seems to me it was early 1969, we had to take a load of timbers down to a bridge
that was being built. Dan Potter drove a jeep with one of our Lieutenant's and I drove my 5-ton
dump loaded down with these huge timbers. I had so much weight on the truck it seemed like it
took forever to get enough speed to change gears. On our way down we went through this one
small village, I must have been doing 50+ trying to keep up with Dan and the Lieutenant. This old
Papa Son came out of nowhere and to this day I don't know how I ever kept from hitting him, when
he saw me coming he froze, I swerved, don't know why the truck didn't flip with the speed I had
and the quickness of me yanking on the steering wheel, but both of us came out unscathed.
(though I shook for quite awhile afterwards)
We finally reached the Delta and the bridge dumped the timbers, but unfortunate for us it was too
late to return to the safe confines of Long Bing. We had to spend the night in the Delta. I had
heard war stories about what these guys were going through, but after spending the one night in
the Delta, I had a whole new respect for them.
These guys did and went through more than any of us at Long Binh could imagine and still got
their jobs done. My hat's off the each and every one of them, they did amazing work under the
most adverse conditions. If you have not been told before now let me just say, THANKS guys and
your work will not be forgotten!!
Gary (Sig)
only one time. Seems to me it was early 1969, we had to take a load of timbers down to a bridge
that was being built. Dan Potter drove a jeep with one of our Lieutenant's and I drove my 5-ton
dump loaded down with these huge timbers. I had so much weight on the truck it seemed like it
took forever to get enough speed to change gears. On our way down we went through this one
small village, I must have been doing 50+ trying to keep up with Dan and the Lieutenant. This old
Papa Son came out of nowhere and to this day I don't know how I ever kept from hitting him, when
he saw me coming he froze, I swerved, don't know why the truck didn't flip with the speed I had
and the quickness of me yanking on the steering wheel, but both of us came out unscathed.
(though I shook for quite awhile afterwards)
We finally reached the Delta and the bridge dumped the timbers, but unfortunate for us it was too
late to return to the safe confines of Long Bing. We had to spend the night in the Delta. I had
heard war stories about what these guys were going through, but after spending the one night in
the Delta, I had a whole new respect for them.
These guys did and went through more than any of us at Long Binh could imagine and still got
their jobs done. My hat's off the each and every one of them, they did amazing work under the
most adverse conditions. If you have not been told before now let me just say, THANKS guys and
your work will not be forgotten!!
Gary (Sig)
Gary Sigafoo..............site owner/webmaster
Last up-dated .............................02/ 04/ 2008
Last up-dated .............................02/ 04/ 2008
| IF YOU WERE WITH THE TASK FORCE BUILDERS, YOU NEED TO CLICK HERE FOR EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON AGENT ORANGE |
A tribute to the Task Force Builders Rach Kien, South
Vietnam 1967 to 1968 By Bonnie Dunlap. Her husband John
is a former member of the TFB.
Thanks guys, this turned out better than I had hoped for.
Turn your volume up
Vietnam 1967 to 1968 By Bonnie Dunlap. Her husband John
is a former member of the TFB.
Thanks guys, this turned out better than I had hoped for.
Turn your volume up
