The last mission of SGT Billy W. Rapp

SGT Billy W. Rapp and CPL Clifford M. Taylor were military policemen assigned to the 1st Military Police Company, 1st Infantry Division, stationed in Di An, RVN. On March 21, 1969, SGT Rapp and CPL Taylor were killed in a Viet Cong ambush near a small Vietnamese fishing village in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The following is a personal account of the incident by fellow MP Glenn Moore who served with Rapp and Taylor:

Besides the typical duties of the military police, we were assigned to a platoon that was designated as the MRCT, or Mobile Resource Control Team. Each morning after the road had been swept for mines, each team would leave the base camp and return after 12 hours of patrol.

Each team consisted of two MPs who were assigned an M151A1 jeep that had no top or windshield. The windshield was replaced by what we called the “flower box” that was made of 2"x12" wood and was where we placed our M-16 rifles. We were also armed with our .45 caliber pistols and an M-60 machine gun mounted in the rear of the jeep. One MP would drive and the other sat on the radio manning the M-60. The antenna was tied down forward to avoid any high trip wires. That may explain why the radio frequently did not work.

Our mission was to pick up our Vietnamese counterpart, namely a Vietnamese MP or National Policeman from their various locations away from the base camp. Our mission was to randomly set up road blocks and assist our counterpart with checking civilian traffic for proper ID and for contraband. Each team would independently work apart from the other teams and typically we did not see another U.S. soldier all day.

Usually we would take into custody several detainees for being a VC suspect, improper ID, draft dodger, deserter, or possession of contraband. Typically, we would wait until we had more than one detainee, then transport them to various Vietnamese detention facilities. Those vehicles, usually motorcycles, that would attempt to elude our checkpoint, were pursued and captured after chase of vehicle then on foot. The only time we could get communication with base camp was when we set up our grid coordinates using a coded method.

On March 21, 1969, when my partner and I returned from our patrol, which was nearing curfew, we were informed that Rapp and Taylor had been ambushed and that all our teams (consisting of 5 or 6) were ordered to retrieve their bodies.

We traveled out the west gate for several miles which was mostly was unpaved. We neared a small Vietnamese fishing village where the road ended at the river. The road was lined with a few dozen thatched huts.

I recall seeing the tire tracks from their jeep which had turned around at the river. Just prior to leaving the village they had stopped on the road.

Taylor was in the driver’s seat and Rapp's body was slumped over the radio and was half out of the jeep. Their bodies were riddled with bullet holes from a few AK-47s from a position inside the last hut in the village that was only several yards away. The M-60 was still in place. Both of their .45 pistols were missing. I don't recall if the M-16's were taken as well.

After securing the scene, measurements, photos, and other evidence was gathered from the hut. We placed their bodies in body bags and returned back to the base as it was getting dark.

I have no idea why the team was there as it was quite a distance away from our usual radius or 5-10 miles. Later we were told that the Vietnamese Policeman had requested the patrol to stop so he could pick some bananas. As he was climbing the tree, the shots were fired killing Rapp and Taylor and the Vietnamese Policeman was wounded on the leg. He was eventually able to call for help. The teams were given other assignments for a while until it was determined it was safe.

Weeks went by when we were told that the VC suspects that ambushed Rapp and Taylor had themselves had been killed in an ambush. On their bodies were found documents and extra rations of rice rewarding them for killing Rapp and Taylor. The .45 pistols were also recovered.

It should be noted that after our long days on patrol, our teams would get together after chow and talk of home and our adventures of the day. Rapp was single and had extended his tour to get an early discharge. Taylor had been married prior to coming to Vietnam and was expecting a son.

Last fall (2015), my wife and I had the honor to go to WV and TN to meet their respective families where we exchanged stories of both men. Rapp would have probably been a West Virginia state trooper like his older brother and Taylor had prospects of playing professional baseball. Both towns where they were raised are very patriotic and have memorials for all who served and died in our nation’s wars. Their little towns have sacrificed many fallen heroes and continue to do so.

 

I was blessed and honored to serve with Rapp and Taylor. I was very humbled to be among their families and friends. -- Glenn Moore.