In every battlefield there are legends, and this is another one.
It can be said that it is unique and cutting-edge because of the story of this Navy officer.
It can be said that it is as advanced as the action movies we have seen before! 
Captain John Ripley (his rank at the time) was given a patrol mission.
To explore the area around Dong-Ha Bridge, which at that time
It can be said that it coincided with a large troop movement by the North Vietnamese army.
In an operation called the "Easter Offensive," which was a large-scale mobilization
And it was an operation in which North Vietnamese units attacked the base of US forces.
The largest and most powerful invasion by North Vietnam.
The most during the Vietnam War.
At that time, Ripley had to face 20,000 North Vietnamese soldiers.
and more than 200 tanks were prepared to move troops into South Vietnam.
Where the only thing in between is the Dong Ha Bridge... 
Of course.. with the forces with Ripley, they could not stop the tanks and North Vietnamese soldiers.
With that amount of money, the only thing they could do was "ask for help".
But what I got back was a short order from my commander:
"Hold on until the remaining company is dissolved" can be called a suicide order.
It could be said that it's part of the unit, but it's still Ripley's only hope to survive there.
The mission was still accomplished, which was "We must blow up the bridge."
Due to the monsoon weather, air support was not possible.
Not including the various equipment, it was not possible to fight against the North Vietnamese forces.
It can be said that at that time, the other side of the bridge was almost completely occupied.
Ripley arrives at the bridge with tank driver James Smock.
He was another American soldier who was present and witnessed the event.
Where they encountered South Vietnamese engineers carrying TNT.
500 pounds of weight to prepare to blow up the bridge.
But the problem is... he can't blow up the bridge because of its position.
It can't be done. The only way to do it is to blow up the bridge neck, which is now.
Tens of thousands of North Vietnamese soldiers were stationed there, and had not yet been integrated.
Barbed wire all around to prevent anyone from installing bombs. 
In that second, John Ripley made a decision to carry out a mission that could be called
Legendary daredevil, he would be the one to carry the bomb kit and install it on the other side of the bridge.
All by yourself, by climbing under the bridge alternately until it's finished!
It's a pretty crazy plan, but Ripley isn't the only hero.
But there is still Sergeant Huynh Van Luom from the Vietnamese Army who is with Ripley.
Decided to charge in to buy Ripley time by firing at the tanks.
To attract attention and buy time until Ripley successfully plants the bomb.
For three hours, Ripley climbed the bridge without the North Vietnamese battalion knowing.
The only thing Ripley has is two hands and physical strength.
To carry himself over and over the bridge to install the bomb under the bridge. 
Imagine doing pull-ups on a bar. The minutes are already very difficult.
But this is almost 3 hours, with the body still carrying TNT and other equipment.
But the entertainment doesn't end there... no matter how well it buys time.
And no matter how quietly Ripley climbs, the truth will eventually be revealed.
When North Vietnamese soldiers noticed someone climbing under the bridge!
Ripley was immediately shot by North Vietnamese soldiers, and of course,
All he could do at that time was dodge the bullets with both hands. Yes, that's right..
Ripley uses both hands to climb a bridge to avoid the barrage of bullets fired at him by soldiers.
The only thing that saved Ripley was the structure of the bridge he was on. 
And the entertainment comes to a close.. when the bomb explodes at Ripley.
After installing for 3 hours, it turned out that he didn't have a detonator!
The only thing he could do was install a fuse in the form of Timing Fuel.
At that time, he had no idea how long it would take before it exploded.
The only thing Ripley did at that time was weld the fuse.
Along with the fuse, he bites the wire! Yes, he uses his mouth to bite the wire.
The connection between the detonator fuse and the detonator wire.
At that second.. if he didn't hold the wire tightly enough, the bomb wouldn't have worked.
But if he bites the cord too hard, his head will explode instead...
But then Ripley chose to use her mouth to hold the fuse.
Until another soldier was able to reach the detonator.
And the effort was successful! The bomb Ripley had set up was able to explode.
Both the Dong Ha Bridge and the North Vietnamese Army's hopes of moving were dashed.
Entering South Vietnam, it can be called Ripley's reckless operation.
Help buy time for South Vietnam and make North Vietnamese forces
They were unable to invade South Vietnam for three years.
John Ripley survived the incident.
and received the Navy Cross for bravery
And his heroic deeds were recorded.
Including a statue that recreates Ripley's events.
The one called "Ripley at the Bridge"
Based at the US Naval Academy 
John Ripley returned to Vietnam and took a photo with Dong Ha Bridge.
( which was later repaired ) once again with a sign placed
To confirm his legendary exploits
John Ripley served in the Army for over 35 years, retiring in 1992.
And he passed away peacefully in 2008 at the age of 69.
Soon after, his legend and heroism were enshrined.
He is in the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame, where he was the first Marine.
Who was also included in the list and his success story.
It has been developed as one of the training contents of the installation topic.
and defuses the bombs at US Army Ranger schools to this day.
Source: 'Hold and Die' — The Marine Who Became a Legend on Easter Sunday (coffeeordie.com)
This is how 'Ripley at the Bridge' became a Marine Corps legend - We Are The Mighty
Translator and editor: Ronnakrit " Viking " Sripumma
On April 9, 2021