Hill 119

Defending a Reconnaissance Marines’ OP, Vietnam, 1969–70

By: Colonel Michael O. Fallon USMC (Ret), Bing West -foreword by

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

The Marines and Corpsmen of Delta Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division were surrounded by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) for six hundred days in 1969 and 1970 during the Vietnam War. 

Hill 119 is a rise on a finger of land. The hill provided Marines with an excellent 360-degree view of the region, and so it was occupied as an Observation Post. 

Based on its immediate and enduring success as a tactical obstacle for the NVA, the OP became a key piece in the defense of the Da Nang Vital Area. The Marines called supporting arms every day and every night. They rained fire down on the NVA, and killed over a thousand enemy fighters. They posed such a threat that Gen Binh assigned his elite T89 Sapper Battalion to eliminate the Recon Marines on Hill 119. 

Throughout this period, as part of a six-man team, each Recon Marine would run adrenaline-filled patrols deep into enemy territory for six weeks and then serve for two weeks on the OP. Despite its danger, the Marines considered OP duty as a relaxing break.

This first full account of Hill 119, written by historian Michael Fallon, who served as reconnaissance patrol leader on Hill 119, is based upon firsthand accounts from the Recon Marines, carefully cross-referenced with patrol reports and command chronologies. It covers the Marines' experiences in the bush, on the hill, and in the rear.

©2025 Colonel Michael O. Fallon, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) (P)2025 Tantor Media

Hill 119

Fantastic story about the Marine's history in Vietnam during 1969-1970. The book is written by Colonel Michael "Deli" Fallon and takes the reader or listener through his personal experiences and what it was like to be on the front line in the jungles of Vietnam. After reading Hill 119, I have a better understanding of what the Marines were facing and thinking during a very tumultuous time in our country, Colonel Fallin relates his Vietnam story and history with the events that were happening in the United Sates at the same time to give the reader, (of an older age), the ability to remember where they were and what they were feeling. The book is filled with maps. diagrams, and pictures that help create a vivid picture of Hill 119 and the area in Vietnam which the action takes place.

The details with all the actions and all the marines that participated. Amazing.

This book tells the stories from day-to-day with all the details. It gives the credit to these young Marines, who participated at the front end of the spear.

Long and redundantly boring

The book has no real hook it’s just very boring with lots of facts no real interesting stories it over focuses on the Lee incident just never got the point no real theme