Apache (Viet Cong soldier)
Encyclopedia
Apache was a female Viet Cong sniper, platoon commander, and interrogator known as "Apache", because of her methods of torturing US Marines and ARVN troops and letting them bleed to death.
She was killed in 1966 by Carlos Hathcock
— part of a sniper team
of the United States Marine Corps
. His partner, Captain Edward James Land
, manned the spotting scope
, while Hathcock hit her with both of the rounds that he fired.
”, and ascertained it was her”. Hathcock “stopped her. And put one more in for good measure” after artillery ordnance had exploded. (The interview was part of a series that was recorded in 1984 and 1985.)
in 1984 and 1985) Hathcock stated that "She" ... "had her own sniper platoon down there, and I think they were out to get all my snipers — everybody. And she had been there, 'cause we took over from third division, and she had been there when the first division took over, and she just continued to march —
she had been torturing a lot of people prior to us getting there
.
In the same series of interviews, Hathcock stated that "Everytime you say something about her, I see that kid coming to the wire
. Skinned" ... "She skinned that one kid she captured. All night and half the next day. And he come running to the wire. I happened to be on the bunker
and observing and listening and [inaudible] oh Jesus
and that morning she turned him loose. He come to the wire and died right in the wire."
Apache was known for "torturing prisoners within earshot of U.S. bases", according to C.W.Henderson
.
The founder of SEAL Team Six, Richard Marcinko
, said (in 1995) that Hathcock told him one of Apache's "trademarks" was to cut off her victim's eyelids and keep them as souvenirs.
Another of Apache's methods of torture (reported in 2003) involved placing "a half-dozen big rats in a basket and sewing the lid shut" around the victim's head. The rats would gradually eat the skin and flesh down to the bone. Apache often castrated her captives according to Hathcock.
" and attributes the legend's growth to films relating to Vietnam, such as Full Metal Jacket
and books such as Henderson's biographies of Hathcock.
Apache was the basis for the villain of the same name in H.E. Jasper's detective novel Days in Bien-hoa.
She was killed in 1966 by Carlos Hathcock
Carlos Hathcock
Carlos Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps...
— part of a sniper team
Sniper team
A sniper team typically consists of a sniper and a spotter as described in military doctrines of the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Both members can perform either role and often rotate between the two...
of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. His partner, Captain Edward James Land
Edward James Land
Edward James Land, Jr. or Jim Land is a retired Marine Corps Officer who was instrumental in starting the Marine Scout-Sniper program.Land was born in Lincoln Nebraska in 1935.-United States Marine Corps:...
, manned the spotting scope
Spotting scope
A spotting scope is a small portable telescope with added optics to present an erect image, optimized for the observation of terrestrial objects...
, while Hathcock hit her with both of the rounds that he fired.
First-hand account about Apache
In a filmed first hand account, Hathcock said he ”saw the group coming, about 5 of them and saw her squat down to “tinkleUrination
Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, peeing, weeing, pissing, and more rarely, emiction, is the ejection of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. In healthy humans the process of urination is under voluntary control...
”, and ascertained it was her”. Hathcock “stopped her. And put one more in for good measure” after artillery ordnance had exploded. (The interview was part of a series that was recorded in 1984 and 1985.)
Other accounts relating to Apache
On film (interviewed by John PlasterJohn Plaster
Major John L. Plaster is a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier regarded as one of the leading sniper experts in the world. A decorated Vietnam War veteran who served in the covert Studies and Observations Group , Plaster co-founded a renowned sniper school that trains military and law...
in 1984 and 1985) Hathcock stated that "She" ... "had her own sniper platoon down there, and I think they were out to get all my snipers — everybody. And she had been there, 'cause we took over from third division, and she had been there when the first division took over, and she just continued to march —
she had been torturing a lot of people prior to us getting there
Hill 55
Hill 55 or Nui Dat Son was a hill southwest of Danang, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. The hill was located 3 km northeast of the confluence of the Yen, Ai Nghia and La Tho Rivers....
.
In the same series of interviews, Hathcock stated that "Everytime you say something about her, I see that kid coming to the wire
Barbed wire
Barbed wire, also known as barb wire , is a type of fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strand. It is used to construct inexpensive fences and is used atop walls surrounding secured property...
. Skinned" ... "She skinned that one kid she captured. All night and half the next day. And he come running to the wire. I happened to be on the bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
and observing and listening and [inaudible] oh Jesus
and that morning she turned him loose. He come to the wire and died right in the wire."
Apache was known for "torturing prisoners within earshot of U.S. bases", according to C.W.Henderson
Charles Henderson
Charles Henderson was the 35th Governor of Alabama from 1915 to 1919 and a member of the Democratic Party. Before serving as governor, Henderson was mayor of Troy, Alabama from 1886 to 1906 and played a key role in Troy’s business and civic development. After his term as governor, Henderson...
.
The founder of SEAL Team Six, Richard Marcinko
Richard Marcinko
Richard "Dick" Marcinko , is a retired Commander in the United States Navy and a former Navy SEAL. He was the first Commanding Officer of SEAL Team Six and Red Cell...
, said (in 1995) that Hathcock told him one of Apache's "trademarks" was to cut off her victim's eyelids and keep them as souvenirs.
Another of Apache's methods of torture (reported in 2003) involved placing "a half-dozen big rats in a basket and sewing the lid shut" around the victim's head. The rats would gradually eat the skin and flesh down to the bone. Apache often castrated her captives according to Hathcock.
Interpretations in 2010
Sociologist Jerry Lembcke dismisses the accounts of Apache stating, "Apache was more likely a product of comic books" and the story is a "work of fiction created by Vietnam veteransVietnam Veterans
The Vietnam Veterans is an French psychedelic band, hailing originally from Chalon-sur-Saône, a commune in eastern France. They released six full-length albums during the 1980s, starting in 1983. The band was praised by many alternative music publications, including Bucketful Of Brains during the...
" and attributes the legend's growth to films relating to Vietnam, such as Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 war film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. It is an adaptation of the 1979 novel The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford and stars Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey, Arliss Howard and Adam Baldwin. The film follows a platoon of U.S...
and books such as Henderson's biographies of Hathcock.
Apache was the basis for the villain of the same name in H.E. Jasper's detective novel Days in Bien-hoa.