DSC Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class Nicholas W. Schoch, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).
Specialist Four Schoch distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 10 to 18 May 1969 while serving as a medical aidman during a mission to capture the enemy citadel of Dong Ap Bia Mountain. On 10 May his company engaged an entrenched North Vietnamese force, and Specialist Schoch rushed to the area of fiercest conflict and began to administer medical aid to the wounded. Once, he moved to aid three seriously wounded men lying in an area completely devoid of cover. While treating one of the men, he became the target of a sniper in a nearby tree. Taking the weapon of the man he was treating, he killed the sniper. On 13 May his unit assaulted the enemy stronghold and again came under heavy concentration of hostile fire. As Specialist Schoch was applying first aid to the wounded of the lead element, the medical aidman of another platoon sustained serious wounds and could not breathe. Braving hostile fire, he skillfully performed a tracheotomy on his wounded comrade who resumed breathing and was evacuated. Later as he was treating a casualty, an enemy fragmentation grenade fell near him and the wounded man. He instantly grabbed the grenade and threw it into a nearby bomb crater and then eliminated the enemy soldier who had thrown the device. After completing treatment, he carried the American to a landing zone for evacuation. On the following day, Specialist Schoch treated and evacuated four wounded soldiers who had been well forward in a maneuver toward the summit of the mountain.
On 15 May, as the battle for the hill still raged, a helicopter carrying ammunition was downed by hostile fire. Despite the fact that the burning aircraft might explode at any moment, Specialist Schoch ran to the wreckage and retrieved an unconscious survivor and carried him through a barrage of sniper fire to safety where he administered first aid, saving the man's life. For the remainder of the day and until 18 May, he took charge of medical treatment and evacuation on the emergency landing zone. Specialist Four Schoch's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Information provided by Find a Grave contributor: BarryC (47806468)∼Father is Ivan Schock.
Napa Register Newspaper, Veterans Day 2014, November 11
Peace activist, war hero remembered
BILL DYER
Nikko Schoch grew up among the vineyards around Oakville. His father, Ivan Schoch, became
a leading grapegrower in the Napa Valley, starting out as a foreman on the now famous To Kalon property.
After the owner, Martin Stel- ling, died in an automobile acci- dent, Ivan was able to purchase To Kolan in 1953, when Nikko was 5 years old. Ivan was one of two investors who helped Robert Mondavi start up his winery during the 1960s. Within the same decade fate placed Nikko in a much different setting.
Nikko was a pacifist and opposed the war in Vietnam.
In 1968, after leaving Columbia University, Nikko considered going to jail in protest of the draft, but instead filed as a con- scientious objector.
Within months he was serv- ing in the 101st Airborne as a medic. Forty-five years ago American troops, including the 101st Airborne, engaged in an 11-day frontal assault on a hill over looking the A Shau Valley, thought to be a major supply and staging area for the North Viet- namese army, operating under the cover of triple canopy jungle. The Vietnamese called it Dong Ap Bia (Crouching Beast Hill).
Originally referred to by the military as Hill 937, the metric elevation shown on their maps. The members of the 101st Airborne — the "Screaming Eagles" — came to call it Ham- burger Hill.
They engaged in 11 attempts in 10 days to occupy the top of Hamburger Hill. Frequently the North Vietnamese army would engage in violent battles, then retreat before American air
fire was directed at them. This time they stayed and fought fromasystemofbunkersand tunnels near the top of the hill — believed to be a regimental headquarters or major sup-
ply base.
American losses were par- ticularly heavy at a clearing
just below the bunkers, which some American soldiers felt was intended as a "killing field," in that the NVA withheld fire until the Americans were exposed there. Then they were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 fire coming from the bunkers and from snipers in the surrounding tree canopies.
Close combat took place throughout the battle, some- times with each side separated by only 20 meters. Additional American casualties occurred during five attacks by support- ing aircraft that were off target, resulting in seven killed and 53 woundedby"friendlyfire."
Over the 10 days of the battle to secure the hill there were 72 Americans killed in action, and 372 wounded, with an overall
Deanna Taylor
Nikko Schoch, standing second from left, with members of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118 in Salt Lake City in 2005, just before the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The chapter is now named in his honor. Photo courtesy of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118.
casualty rate of around 60 per- cent. Repeatedly the platoons had to beat a retreat due to casualties, only to be ordered back up the hill to attack the NVA positions.
On May 20, American troops finally controlled the top of the hill. The next day an Associated Press article titled "War Hater Is Medical Angel" appeared in the Napa Register and newspapers across the country, accompa- nied by a photo showing Nikko giving mouth-to-mouth resus- citation to an injured soldier. This happened to be Nikko's 21st birthday.
After his service was com- pleted Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism. The official docu- ments accompanying this award cited several incidents.
While treating three seri- ously injured soldiers in an area devoid of cover, they were again attacked by a sniper in a nearby tree,andhesavedhiscomrades by using one of their weapons to shoot the sniper.
He came to the aid of a fellow medic who had ceased breathing after taking serious wounds, and while under continued hostile fire, he performed a trache- otomy allowing air to re-enter the lungs.
When a helicopter carry- ing ammunition was brought down by hostile fire, he entered the burning chopper though it might explode at any minute, carried an injured crewman through sniper fire, and admin- istered lifesaving first aid.
While treating another casu- alty, a fragmentation grenade landed near him — he grabbed and tossed it back into the bun- ker it came from. He struggled thereafter with the conflict between his pacifist views and his actions in taking up arms to save his comrades.
Control over the hill was relinquished two weeks later, allowing it to again come under
control of the NVA. This led
to widespread criticism of the military leadership for suffering so many losses in taking the high ground, only to give it up shortly thereafter. If occupying the hill was not of strategic importance, why were the infantry repeatedly ordered to continue the frontal assault at such a cost? If the objective was only to destroy enemy positions, why was this not achieved instead by bomb- ing runs?
When Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Extraordinary Heroism in Action at a ceremony at the Presidio
in San Francisco, he said in an interview that day that his rea- son for accepting the award was that it was meaningful to him because the honor originated with the soldiers he served with on Hamburger Hill.
"If I originally had the knowledge of what war, what the Army, is like, I would not havegonein,"hesaid,adding that he would rather have gone to jail instead.
He became active in anti-war protests. He turned in all his medals during one protest at the San Francisco Civic Center, saying, "The medals mean nothing to me. I'm concerned with people."
He became a leader in Vet- erans for Peace, in which there is now a Nikko Schoch Chapter named in his honor. Nikko continued in civilian life as a caregiver, working as a hospital nurse. But he never overcame the PTSD he suffered, nor the alcoholism that resulted from it, and died several years ago. This Veterans Day I am remembering Nikko, a war hater and hero.
Note: "The Crouching Beast" by Frank Boccia is a recently published personal account of the Battle of Hamburger Hill; Nikko's actions are described
in detail.
Dyer is a winemaker who lives in Calistoga.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class Nicholas W. Schoch, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).
Specialist Four Schoch distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 10 to 18 May 1969 while serving as a medical aidman during a mission to capture the enemy citadel of Dong Ap Bia Mountain. On 10 May his company engaged an entrenched North Vietnamese force, and Specialist Schoch rushed to the area of fiercest conflict and began to administer medical aid to the wounded. Once, he moved to aid three seriously wounded men lying in an area completely devoid of cover. While treating one of the men, he became the target of a sniper in a nearby tree. Taking the weapon of the man he was treating, he killed the sniper. On 13 May his unit assaulted the enemy stronghold and again came under heavy concentration of hostile fire. As Specialist Schoch was applying first aid to the wounded of the lead element, the medical aidman of another platoon sustained serious wounds and could not breathe. Braving hostile fire, he skillfully performed a tracheotomy on his wounded comrade who resumed breathing and was evacuated. Later as he was treating a casualty, an enemy fragmentation grenade fell near him and the wounded man. He instantly grabbed the grenade and threw it into a nearby bomb crater and then eliminated the enemy soldier who had thrown the device. After completing treatment, he carried the American to a landing zone for evacuation. On the following day, Specialist Schoch treated and evacuated four wounded soldiers who had been well forward in a maneuver toward the summit of the mountain.
On 15 May, as the battle for the hill still raged, a helicopter carrying ammunition was downed by hostile fire. Despite the fact that the burning aircraft might explode at any moment, Specialist Schoch ran to the wreckage and retrieved an unconscious survivor and carried him through a barrage of sniper fire to safety where he administered first aid, saving the man's life. For the remainder of the day and until 18 May, he took charge of medical treatment and evacuation on the emergency landing zone. Specialist Four Schoch's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Information provided by Find a Grave contributor: BarryC (47806468)∼Father is Ivan Schock.
Napa Register Newspaper, Veterans Day 2014, November 11
Peace activist, war hero remembered
BILL DYER
Nikko Schoch grew up among the vineyards around Oakville. His father, Ivan Schoch, became
a leading grapegrower in the Napa Valley, starting out as a foreman on the now famous To Kalon property.
After the owner, Martin Stel- ling, died in an automobile acci- dent, Ivan was able to purchase To Kolan in 1953, when Nikko was 5 years old. Ivan was one of two investors who helped Robert Mondavi start up his winery during the 1960s. Within the same decade fate placed Nikko in a much different setting.
Nikko was a pacifist and opposed the war in Vietnam.
In 1968, after leaving Columbia University, Nikko considered going to jail in protest of the draft, but instead filed as a con- scientious objector.
Within months he was serv- ing in the 101st Airborne as a medic. Forty-five years ago American troops, including the 101st Airborne, engaged in an 11-day frontal assault on a hill over looking the A Shau Valley, thought to be a major supply and staging area for the North Viet- namese army, operating under the cover of triple canopy jungle. The Vietnamese called it Dong Ap Bia (Crouching Beast Hill).
Originally referred to by the military as Hill 937, the metric elevation shown on their maps. The members of the 101st Airborne — the "Screaming Eagles" — came to call it Ham- burger Hill.
They engaged in 11 attempts in 10 days to occupy the top of Hamburger Hill. Frequently the North Vietnamese army would engage in violent battles, then retreat before American air
fire was directed at them. This time they stayed and fought fromasystemofbunkersand tunnels near the top of the hill — believed to be a regimental headquarters or major sup-
ply base.
American losses were par- ticularly heavy at a clearing
just below the bunkers, which some American soldiers felt was intended as a "killing field," in that the NVA withheld fire until the Americans were exposed there. Then they were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 fire coming from the bunkers and from snipers in the surrounding tree canopies.
Close combat took place throughout the battle, some- times with each side separated by only 20 meters. Additional American casualties occurred during five attacks by support- ing aircraft that were off target, resulting in seven killed and 53 woundedby"friendlyfire."
Over the 10 days of the battle to secure the hill there were 72 Americans killed in action, and 372 wounded, with an overall
Deanna Taylor
Nikko Schoch, standing second from left, with members of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118 in Salt Lake City in 2005, just before the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The chapter is now named in his honor. Photo courtesy of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118.
casualty rate of around 60 per- cent. Repeatedly the platoons had to beat a retreat due to casualties, only to be ordered back up the hill to attack the NVA positions.
On May 20, American troops finally controlled the top of the hill. The next day an Associated Press article titled "War Hater Is Medical Angel" appeared in the Napa Register and newspapers across the country, accompa- nied by a photo showing Nikko giving mouth-to-mouth resus- citation to an injured soldier. This happened to be Nikko's 21st birthday.
After his service was com- pleted Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism. The official docu- ments accompanying this award cited several incidents.
While treating three seri- ously injured soldiers in an area devoid of cover, they were again attacked by a sniper in a nearby tree,andhesavedhiscomrades by using one of their weapons to shoot the sniper.
He came to the aid of a fellow medic who had ceased breathing after taking serious wounds, and while under continued hostile fire, he performed a trache- otomy allowing air to re-enter the lungs.
When a helicopter carry- ing ammunition was brought down by hostile fire, he entered the burning chopper though it might explode at any minute, carried an injured crewman through sniper fire, and admin- istered lifesaving first aid.
While treating another casu- alty, a fragmentation grenade landed near him — he grabbed and tossed it back into the bun- ker it came from. He struggled thereafter with the conflict between his pacifist views and his actions in taking up arms to save his comrades.
Control over the hill was relinquished two weeks later, allowing it to again come under
control of the NVA. This led
to widespread criticism of the military leadership for suffering so many losses in taking the high ground, only to give it up shortly thereafter. If occupying the hill was not of strategic importance, why were the infantry repeatedly ordered to continue the frontal assault at such a cost? If the objective was only to destroy enemy positions, why was this not achieved instead by bomb- ing runs?
When Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Extraordinary Heroism in Action at a ceremony at the Presidio
in San Francisco, he said in an interview that day that his rea- son for accepting the award was that it was meaningful to him because the honor originated with the soldiers he served with on Hamburger Hill.
"If I originally had the knowledge of what war, what the Army, is like, I would not havegonein,"hesaid,adding that he would rather have gone to jail instead.
He became active in anti-war protests. He turned in all his medals during one protest at the San Francisco Civic Center, saying, "The medals mean nothing to me. I'm concerned with people."
He became a leader in Vet- erans for Peace, in which there is now a Nikko Schoch Chapter named in his honor. Nikko continued in civilian life as a caregiver, working as a hospital nurse. But he never overcame the PTSD he suffered, nor the alcoholism that resulted from it, and died several years ago. This Veterans Day I am remembering Nikko, a war hater and hero.
Note: "The Crouching Beast" by Frank Boccia is a recently published personal account of the Battle of Hamburger Hill; Nikko's actions are described
in detail.
Dyer is a winemaker who lives in Calistoga.
DSC Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class Nicholas W. Schoch, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).
Specialist Four Schoch distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 10 to 18 May 1969 while serving as a medical aidman during a mission to capture the enemy citadel of Dong Ap Bia Mountain. On 10 May his company engaged an entrenched North Vietnamese force, and Specialist Schoch rushed to the area of fiercest conflict and began to administer medical aid to the wounded. Once, he moved to aid three seriously wounded men lying in an area completely devoid of cover. While treating one of the men, he became the target of a sniper in a nearby tree. Taking the weapon of the man he was treating, he killed the sniper. On 13 May his unit assaulted the enemy stronghold and again came under heavy concentration of hostile fire. As Specialist Schoch was applying first aid to the wounded of the lead element, the medical aidman of another platoon sustained serious wounds and could not breathe. Braving hostile fire, he skillfully performed a tracheotomy on his wounded comrade who resumed breathing and was evacuated. Later as he was treating a casualty, an enemy fragmentation grenade fell near him and the wounded man. He instantly grabbed the grenade and threw it into a nearby bomb crater and then eliminated the enemy soldier who had thrown the device. After completing treatment, he carried the American to a landing zone for evacuation. On the following day, Specialist Schoch treated and evacuated four wounded soldiers who had been well forward in a maneuver toward the summit of the mountain.
On 15 May, as the battle for the hill still raged, a helicopter carrying ammunition was downed by hostile fire. Despite the fact that the burning aircraft might explode at any moment, Specialist Schoch ran to the wreckage and retrieved an unconscious survivor and carried him through a barrage of sniper fire to safety where he administered first aid, saving the man's life. For the remainder of the day and until 18 May, he took charge of medical treatment and evacuation on the emergency landing zone. Specialist Four Schoch's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Information provided by Find a Grave contributor: BarryC (47806468)∼Father is Ivan Schock.
Napa Register Newspaper, Veterans Day 2014, November 11
Peace activist, war hero remembered
BILL DYER
Nikko Schoch grew up among the vineyards around Oakville. His father, Ivan Schoch, became
a leading grapegrower in the Napa Valley, starting out as a foreman on the now famous To Kalon property.
After the owner, Martin Stel- ling, died in an automobile acci- dent, Ivan was able to purchase To Kolan in 1953, when Nikko was 5 years old. Ivan was one of two investors who helped Robert Mondavi start up his winery during the 1960s. Within the same decade fate placed Nikko in a much different setting.
Nikko was a pacifist and opposed the war in Vietnam.
In 1968, after leaving Columbia University, Nikko considered going to jail in protest of the draft, but instead filed as a con- scientious objector.
Within months he was serv- ing in the 101st Airborne as a medic. Forty-five years ago American troops, including the 101st Airborne, engaged in an 11-day frontal assault on a hill over looking the A Shau Valley, thought to be a major supply and staging area for the North Viet- namese army, operating under the cover of triple canopy jungle. The Vietnamese called it Dong Ap Bia (Crouching Beast Hill).
Originally referred to by the military as Hill 937, the metric elevation shown on their maps. The members of the 101st Airborne — the "Screaming Eagles" — came to call it Ham- burger Hill.
They engaged in 11 attempts in 10 days to occupy the top of Hamburger Hill. Frequently the North Vietnamese army would engage in violent battles, then retreat before American air
fire was directed at them. This time they stayed and fought fromasystemofbunkersand tunnels near the top of the hill — believed to be a regimental headquarters or major sup-
ply base.
American losses were par- ticularly heavy at a clearing
just below the bunkers, which some American soldiers felt was intended as a "killing field," in that the NVA withheld fire until the Americans were exposed there. Then they were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 fire coming from the bunkers and from snipers in the surrounding tree canopies.
Close combat took place throughout the battle, some- times with each side separated by only 20 meters. Additional American casualties occurred during five attacks by support- ing aircraft that were off target, resulting in seven killed and 53 woundedby"friendlyfire."
Over the 10 days of the battle to secure the hill there were 72 Americans killed in action, and 372 wounded, with an overall
Deanna Taylor
Nikko Schoch, standing second from left, with members of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118 in Salt Lake City in 2005, just before the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The chapter is now named in his honor. Photo courtesy of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118.
casualty rate of around 60 per- cent. Repeatedly the platoons had to beat a retreat due to casualties, only to be ordered back up the hill to attack the NVA positions.
On May 20, American troops finally controlled the top of the hill. The next day an Associated Press article titled "War Hater Is Medical Angel" appeared in the Napa Register and newspapers across the country, accompa- nied by a photo showing Nikko giving mouth-to-mouth resus- citation to an injured soldier. This happened to be Nikko's 21st birthday.
After his service was com- pleted Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism. The official docu- ments accompanying this award cited several incidents.
While treating three seri- ously injured soldiers in an area devoid of cover, they were again attacked by a sniper in a nearby tree,andhesavedhiscomrades by using one of their weapons to shoot the sniper.
He came to the aid of a fellow medic who had ceased breathing after taking serious wounds, and while under continued hostile fire, he performed a trache- otomy allowing air to re-enter the lungs.
When a helicopter carry- ing ammunition was brought down by hostile fire, he entered the burning chopper though it might explode at any minute, carried an injured crewman through sniper fire, and admin- istered lifesaving first aid.
While treating another casu- alty, a fragmentation grenade landed near him — he grabbed and tossed it back into the bun- ker it came from. He struggled thereafter with the conflict between his pacifist views and his actions in taking up arms to save his comrades.
Control over the hill was relinquished two weeks later, allowing it to again come under
control of the NVA. This led
to widespread criticism of the military leadership for suffering so many losses in taking the high ground, only to give it up shortly thereafter. If occupying the hill was not of strategic importance, why were the infantry repeatedly ordered to continue the frontal assault at such a cost? If the objective was only to destroy enemy positions, why was this not achieved instead by bomb- ing runs?
When Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Extraordinary Heroism in Action at a ceremony at the Presidio
in San Francisco, he said in an interview that day that his rea- son for accepting the award was that it was meaningful to him because the honor originated with the soldiers he served with on Hamburger Hill.
"If I originally had the knowledge of what war, what the Army, is like, I would not havegonein,"hesaid,adding that he would rather have gone to jail instead.
He became active in anti-war protests. He turned in all his medals during one protest at the San Francisco Civic Center, saying, "The medals mean nothing to me. I'm concerned with people."
He became a leader in Vet- erans for Peace, in which there is now a Nikko Schoch Chapter named in his honor. Nikko continued in civilian life as a caregiver, working as a hospital nurse. But he never overcame the PTSD he suffered, nor the alcoholism that resulted from it, and died several years ago. This Veterans Day I am remembering Nikko, a war hater and hero.
Note: "The Crouching Beast" by Frank Boccia is a recently published personal account of the Battle of Hamburger Hill; Nikko's actions are described
in detail.
Dyer is a winemaker who lives in Calistoga.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class Nicholas W. Schoch, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).
Specialist Four Schoch distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 10 to 18 May 1969 while serving as a medical aidman during a mission to capture the enemy citadel of Dong Ap Bia Mountain. On 10 May his company engaged an entrenched North Vietnamese force, and Specialist Schoch rushed to the area of fiercest conflict and began to administer medical aid to the wounded. Once, he moved to aid three seriously wounded men lying in an area completely devoid of cover. While treating one of the men, he became the target of a sniper in a nearby tree. Taking the weapon of the man he was treating, he killed the sniper. On 13 May his unit assaulted the enemy stronghold and again came under heavy concentration of hostile fire. As Specialist Schoch was applying first aid to the wounded of the lead element, the medical aidman of another platoon sustained serious wounds and could not breathe. Braving hostile fire, he skillfully performed a tracheotomy on his wounded comrade who resumed breathing and was evacuated. Later as he was treating a casualty, an enemy fragmentation grenade fell near him and the wounded man. He instantly grabbed the grenade and threw it into a nearby bomb crater and then eliminated the enemy soldier who had thrown the device. After completing treatment, he carried the American to a landing zone for evacuation. On the following day, Specialist Schoch treated and evacuated four wounded soldiers who had been well forward in a maneuver toward the summit of the mountain.
On 15 May, as the battle for the hill still raged, a helicopter carrying ammunition was downed by hostile fire. Despite the fact that the burning aircraft might explode at any moment, Specialist Schoch ran to the wreckage and retrieved an unconscious survivor and carried him through a barrage of sniper fire to safety where he administered first aid, saving the man's life. For the remainder of the day and until 18 May, he took charge of medical treatment and evacuation on the emergency landing zone. Specialist Four Schoch's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Information provided by Find a Grave contributor: BarryC (47806468)∼Father is Ivan Schock.
Napa Register Newspaper, Veterans Day 2014, November 11
Peace activist, war hero remembered
BILL DYER
Nikko Schoch grew up among the vineyards around Oakville. His father, Ivan Schoch, became
a leading grapegrower in the Napa Valley, starting out as a foreman on the now famous To Kalon property.
After the owner, Martin Stel- ling, died in an automobile acci- dent, Ivan was able to purchase To Kolan in 1953, when Nikko was 5 years old. Ivan was one of two investors who helped Robert Mondavi start up his winery during the 1960s. Within the same decade fate placed Nikko in a much different setting.
Nikko was a pacifist and opposed the war in Vietnam.
In 1968, after leaving Columbia University, Nikko considered going to jail in protest of the draft, but instead filed as a con- scientious objector.
Within months he was serv- ing in the 101st Airborne as a medic. Forty-five years ago American troops, including the 101st Airborne, engaged in an 11-day frontal assault on a hill over looking the A Shau Valley, thought to be a major supply and staging area for the North Viet- namese army, operating under the cover of triple canopy jungle. The Vietnamese called it Dong Ap Bia (Crouching Beast Hill).
Originally referred to by the military as Hill 937, the metric elevation shown on their maps. The members of the 101st Airborne — the "Screaming Eagles" — came to call it Ham- burger Hill.
They engaged in 11 attempts in 10 days to occupy the top of Hamburger Hill. Frequently the North Vietnamese army would engage in violent battles, then retreat before American air
fire was directed at them. This time they stayed and fought fromasystemofbunkersand tunnels near the top of the hill — believed to be a regimental headquarters or major sup-
ply base.
American losses were par- ticularly heavy at a clearing
just below the bunkers, which some American soldiers felt was intended as a "killing field," in that the NVA withheld fire until the Americans were exposed there. Then they were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 fire coming from the bunkers and from snipers in the surrounding tree canopies.
Close combat took place throughout the battle, some- times with each side separated by only 20 meters. Additional American casualties occurred during five attacks by support- ing aircraft that were off target, resulting in seven killed and 53 woundedby"friendlyfire."
Over the 10 days of the battle to secure the hill there were 72 Americans killed in action, and 372 wounded, with an overall
Deanna Taylor
Nikko Schoch, standing second from left, with members of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118 in Salt Lake City in 2005, just before the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The chapter is now named in his honor. Photo courtesy of Veterans for Peace Chapter 118.
casualty rate of around 60 per- cent. Repeatedly the platoons had to beat a retreat due to casualties, only to be ordered back up the hill to attack the NVA positions.
On May 20, American troops finally controlled the top of the hill. The next day an Associated Press article titled "War Hater Is Medical Angel" appeared in the Napa Register and newspapers across the country, accompa- nied by a photo showing Nikko giving mouth-to-mouth resus- citation to an injured soldier. This happened to be Nikko's 21st birthday.
After his service was com- pleted Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism. The official docu- ments accompanying this award cited several incidents.
While treating three seri- ously injured soldiers in an area devoid of cover, they were again attacked by a sniper in a nearby tree,andhesavedhiscomrades by using one of their weapons to shoot the sniper.
He came to the aid of a fellow medic who had ceased breathing after taking serious wounds, and while under continued hostile fire, he performed a trache- otomy allowing air to re-enter the lungs.
When a helicopter carry- ing ammunition was brought down by hostile fire, he entered the burning chopper though it might explode at any minute, carried an injured crewman through sniper fire, and admin- istered lifesaving first aid.
While treating another casu- alty, a fragmentation grenade landed near him — he grabbed and tossed it back into the bun- ker it came from. He struggled thereafter with the conflict between his pacifist views and his actions in taking up arms to save his comrades.
Control over the hill was relinquished two weeks later, allowing it to again come under
control of the NVA. This led
to widespread criticism of the military leadership for suffering so many losses in taking the high ground, only to give it up shortly thereafter. If occupying the hill was not of strategic importance, why were the infantry repeatedly ordered to continue the frontal assault at such a cost? If the objective was only to destroy enemy positions, why was this not achieved instead by bomb- ing runs?
When Nikko was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Extraordinary Heroism in Action at a ceremony at the Presidio
in San Francisco, he said in an interview that day that his rea- son for accepting the award was that it was meaningful to him because the honor originated with the soldiers he served with on Hamburger Hill.
"If I originally had the knowledge of what war, what the Army, is like, I would not havegonein,"hesaid,adding that he would rather have gone to jail instead.
He became active in anti-war protests. He turned in all his medals during one protest at the San Francisco Civic Center, saying, "The medals mean nothing to me. I'm concerned with people."
He became a leader in Vet- erans for Peace, in which there is now a Nikko Schoch Chapter named in his honor. Nikko continued in civilian life as a caregiver, working as a hospital nurse. But he never overcame the PTSD he suffered, nor the alcoholism that resulted from it, and died several years ago. This Veterans Day I am remembering Nikko, a war hater and hero.
Note: "The Crouching Beast" by Frank Boccia is a recently published personal account of the Battle of Hamburger Hill; Nikko's actions are described
in detail.
Dyer is a winemaker who lives in Calistoga.
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