SUBJECT: Annual Historical Supplement
1. Reference:
2. Enclosed is the annual supplement to the unit history for the 1st Battalion, 502d Airborne Infantry, during calendar year 1968.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
10 March 1969
This annual supplement to the unit history of the 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry in a brief narrative description of the units activities during combat operations in Vietnam which took place throughout the calendar year.
The Battalion was just beginning contact operations in Vietnam on January 1. The Battalion arrived in Vietnam during December 1967. After the Battalion arrived at Bien Hoa, on 15 December 1967 it moved to Chu Chi Vietnam where the Battalion was located at the start of this reporting period.
The Battalion had made four separate contacts with the enemy during December 1967, resulting in 6 friendly wounded, by hostile actions and 3 killed by hostile action. The Battalion killed 4 enemy by body count in those engagements.
WILSON GAROLD THOMAS SFC 30 24-Oct-67 B CO
The Battalion has numerous news articles and photographs on file at the Battalion which compliment this narrative description of the Battalion’s activities.
The Battalion conducted training and maintenance at the garrison in Chu Chi for preparation of future contact operations’ on January 1 and 2 January.
As 1968 opened, Headquarters and Headquarters Company was located at Cu Chi , RVN. Commanding was Captain Terrance Neil Spiegelberg.
The calendar year 1968 presented the Company with logistical and administrative problems, in support of the numerous operations conducted by the Second Brigade. Significant personnel turbulence was experienced during the year. Most of this was due to the big “DEROS Hump” in November.
The Security Platoon conducted patrols at Cu Chi with very little contact.
From 22 to 29 January the Company moved from Cu Chi to Phu Bai Airfield. This move was conducted by Air Force C-130 aircraft. The Brigade began operation, “Jeb Stuart”.
During this time we received logistical support from FSA Mac Donald, located at LZ El Paso (Now Camp Eagle). Re-supply was accomplished by vehicles, and adequacy depended on road conditions and clearance.
On 27 January the Company moved to LZ El Paso by road convoy. This greatly reduced many of our logistical problems.
LZ El Paso come under 60mm mortar fire the morning of 31 January. Bravo Company 326 Medical Battalion reported 4 killed in the action and 4 wounded in the action. Counter mortar fire engaged the enemy position with unknown results.
February saw the Brigade in the middle of operation, “Jeb Stuart”. Many logistical problems occurred under the constant moving concept used by the Brigade. There was a great shortage of TA 50-901, clothing, batteries, LSA, all types of class IV barrier material, demolitions, hand grenades, trip flares, booby traps, and claymore mines.
First Log command was unable to provide shower, laundry service, potable water, and graves registration section. The lack of these services created severe health and sanitation problems.
On February 1968, Captain James P. Downey assumed command. The security Platoon operated between LZ El Paso and LZ Jane. They participated in the securing of QL#1.
In March the whole Brigade HQ’s moved to LZ Sally. This would be the final move by the Brigade in 1968.
On March 10, operation “Jeb Stuart” came to a close. Many lessons were learned during the very successful operation. Valuable lessons that would be put to use in later operations.
On March 10, operation “ Carentan I” started. Treatment, evacuation and hospitalization of casualties was accomplished by the 571st Medical Detachment to Company B 326 Medical Battalion. For more serious injuries, the patients were sent to 22nd Surgical Hospital, located at Phu Bai. The decision is made there to further evacuate the injured personnel to Japan, or the USA.
3 Jan - Battalion conducted combat assault. 1st lift airborne 08:07hrs. Last lift completed 09:17hrs.
Results to date:
4 Jan - During early morning hours, the NPD of A & D received rockets in their perimeter. During daylight hours Battalion conducted search and destroy operations. Charlie made heavy contact and was supported by gunships and artillery. Charlie had 10WIA. Bravo moved to support Charlie and came under heavy contact. 7 KIA, 1 WIA. One man discovered MIA.
Results to date:
KELMAN WAYNE H CPL 21 04-Jan-68 C CO
5 Jan - Battalion continued search and destroy missions around Cu Chi.
6 Jan - Battalion continued training and remained in perimeter of Cu Chi. During the night hours movement heard around perimeter. At 21:30 hrs. a light was shined on a bunker and a sniper shot one man
7 Jan - Battalion conducted heli-borne lift to LZ X-Ray and set up for night.
8 Jan - Battalion conducted search and destroy mission vicinity of LZ X-Ray. No contact made.
10 Jan - Battalion conducted movement back to and closed on Cu Chi. No contact.
11 thru 14 Jan - Battalion conducted training in preparation for upcoming operations.
14 Jan - Battalion heli-lifted to LZ Gold. Choppers received ground fire but no contact was made. Perimeter formed.
15 Jan - Battalion conducted search and destroy mission from LZ Gold. Scattered very light contact made. Neg. results.
16 Jan - During the early morning hours, Alpha Company’s ambush on river, fired on sampan.
17 Jan - Battalion continued with search and destroy mission. Light contact during time period. A bunker and tunnel complex was found and destroyed.
18 Jan - Flame throwers were used on tunnels as Battalion continued its search and destroy operations.
19 Jan - Battalion returned to Cu Chi and had light contact during the period.
Results to date:
GERWATOWSKI JOSEPH SGT 20 19-Jan-68 A CO
20 Jan to 4 Feb - Battalion conducted recon in force operations in new AO with light contact.
BROWN JOHN THOMAS PFC 19 01-Feb-68 A CO
5 Feb - During the early morning hours the NPD of Alpha was heavily engaged by a reinforced NVA company. Heavy contact from 03:26hrs. till 09:30hrs, when enemy broke contact. Patrols were sent out to assess the situation. Contact made with estimated NVA platoon. 5 NVA KIA (BC). Company sized sweeps sent out resulting in heavy contact and 20 more NVA KIA (BC). Alpha and Bravo extracted. Delta made negative contact.
Results:
MEANS RONALD LEROY SP4 19 05-Feb-68 B CO
6 Feb - Battalion continued search and destroy operations southeast of Quang Tri. Very light contact with negative results.
7 Feb - Battalion continued search and destroy operations SE of Qunag Tri with scattered heavy contact throughout the day. Delta reinforced by Recon and Bravo made contact with estimated NVA reinforced companies.
Results:
Companies moved to NDP's by dark. Estimated 100-150 NVA KIA during the day.
BROWN RAYMOND SP4 20 07-Feb-68 D CO
8 Feb - Battalion continued search and destroy operations southeast of Quan Tri Light contact was made during the day.
Received message from Bde "Aerial observation and other sources gave 1/502 credit for 250 NVA KIA (BC) for period 4 thru 8 Feb 1968
Results:
During the night, Alfa and Bravo NDP were infiltrated by sappers. Attacks very heavy.
DE MELLO CLYDE LAWRENCE CPL 18 09-Feb-68 A CO
12 Feb - Battalion continues search and destroy operations east of Quang Tri and security LZ Jane. Contact light with 1 WIA by booby-trap.
13 Feb - Battalion continues search and destroy operations southeast of Quang Tri and security of LZ Jane. Negative contact made.
14 Feb - During the reporting period the battalion continued S&D operations to the southeast of Quang Tri and continued to furnish security along QL #10 northwest to Hai Lang.
15 Feb - Battalion continues search and destroy operations with moderate contact made. Combat assault by Bravo received S/A and A/W fire during 2nd lift. Negative contact made after that. Alfa and Charlie made contact while sweeping. Results: 1 WIA, Enemy: 14 KIA
16 Feb - Battalion continued search and destroy operations with 2 combat assaults by Alfa and Charlie. Heavy contact
Results
Results to date:
SAUNDERS RANDALL LEROY SP4 20 16-Feb-68 A CO
17 Feb - Battalion continues search and destroy operations southeast of Quang Tri and conducted one combat assault with Alfa company into the same area as contact of yesterday.
PERSHING RICHARD WARREN 2LT 25 17-Feb-68 A CO
18 Feb - Battalion continues search and destroy operations southeast of Quang Tri with light contact and negative results.
19 Feb -Battalion continues search and destroy operations with mission of security of QL #1 in A.O. During this time period 3 VC KIA (BC) by ambush and 1 US WIA later KIA by mine on QL #1.
HARRELL RONNIE PFC 19 19-Feb-68 A CO
20 Feb -Battalion continued with S&D and security mission. Light contact during the day with 1 NVA KIA (BC) by ambush.
21 Feb - Battalion continued with operations and had scattered light to moderate contact by Bravo.
Results:
CANTU FLORENTINO JR SP4 19 21-Feb-68 B CO
22 Feb - Battalion continued search and destroy operations and security QL #1 southeast of Quang Tri. Operations by Alfa resulted in 2 KIA by grenade attack during security of LZ Jane. Bravo while sweeping, made heavy contact with Charlie getting ambushed while moving to Bravo's aid. Delta also in heavy contact during the day.
Results:
MC GEE HERMAN PFC 21 22-Feb-68 A CO
23 Feb - Search and destroy operations continued with security of QL #1. Scattered light contact made with 2 WIA by BBT
LEHR DAVID RICHARD PVT 19 23-Feb-68 D CO
24 Feb - Search and destroy operations continued with security of QL #1. Scattered light contact made with 1 WIA by BBT.
25 Feb -Provided security of QL #1 and bridge ( 460400) in preparation for 26 Feb operation.
26 Feb - Battalion cleared and secured assigned section of QL #1 and conducted combat assault with 3 companies. During the period, light combat was experienced and Alfa NDP was probed by sappers.
Results:
KROMREY DENNIS JOHN PFC 21 26-Feb-68 A CO
27 Feb - Continued search and destroy operation southeast of Quang Tri and cleared and secured Q.L.#1. Two combat assaults resulted in heavy contact by Bravo and light contact by Charlie.
Results:
TROLLINGER JIMMY MICHAEL PFC 20 27-Feb-68 A CO
28 Feb - Battalion moved to FS B Nora. 14 km northwest of Hue. began operation in new AO and Charlie occupied position for preparation of LZ Sally.
29 Feb - Began search and destroy operations in new AO. Alfa and Delta moved northwest from An Lo bridge. Alfa taken under fire by estimated company of NVA. Alfa pulled back and called for and received air strikes, artillery, and gun ships.
Results: 5 NVA KIA (BC)
Results to date:
1 Mar - Battalion began operations in Quang Tri district from FSB Nora, An Lo Bridge and continued construction of FSB Sally. Alfa moved to Ap Lai Xa (YD 638310) where they had made heavy contact on 29 Feb 1968. They found no enemy but villagers stated that there had been approx. 200 NVA/VC in the village and that they had been up most of the night dragging off their dead. Delta made light contact in vic. YD 642298 and Battalion CO's C&C ship used to kill 16 NVA.
Results: 16 NVA KIA (BC) by Strike's C&C.
2 Mar -Battalion continued search and destroy operations and made light contact throughout the day. Booby-Traps caused 3 WIA.
3 Mar - Battalion continued search and destroy operations from An LO Bridge to ( YD 671311) Ap Duc Trong. Bravo and Charlie made heavy contact from village and called for all available fire support and pulled back. After heavy contact for 4 hours, B&C were withdrawn by air. During extraction battalion commanders C&C received heavy fire wounding battalion CO, his RTO, battalion S-2, and command pilot. Battalion S-2 DOA at Evans.
Results:
BORGMAN RICHARD LEE PFC 21 03-Mar-68 B CO
4 Mar - Battalion continued search and destroy operations and conducted joint sweep with PF's, vic. An Lo Bridge. Results: 2 NVA KIA (BC). Recon made light contact and had 2 men WIA.
5 Mar- Battalion continued search and destroy operations with light contact. 1 man WIA from pungi pit.
6 Mar - Heavy contact made by Delta company at 13:43hrs. vic. YD698304 (W-Shaped vill). Delta broke contact at 16:12 hrs. and were extracted from hot LZ after using all available fire support on village. Estimated 2 reinforced companies in the village.
Results
CARPENTER CLINTON R JR SP4 21 06-Mar-68 D CO
7 Mar - Battalion continued search and destroy operations and made 3 company size C/A's resulting in moderate contact. Bravo recovered the bodies of the 2 MIA from Delta.
Results:
TEDRICK WARREN GAMBIEL JR SGT 20 07-Mar-68 A CO
8 Mar - Battalion continued operations and Alfa made heavy contact near An Dong Lam (YD 680318). After 3 hours of heavy fighting Alfa was ordered to pull back leaving 3 KIA bodies because of intense fire.
Results:
ARNDT CRAIG ALAN SP4 20 08-Mar-68 A CO
9 Mar - Battalion conducted joint 3 company assault on village complex center of mass YD6731. Alfa, Bravo, and Charlie remained in heavy contact from 09:00hrs. to 14:45hrs. Air Strikes, artillery, naval gunfire, and organic weapons, used against suspected 2 Bn's of NVA in villages.
Results:
CLEWLOW ROBERT LEE SGT 19 09-Mar-68 A CO
10 Mar - Companies engaged in heavy contact vic YD6731. Charlie and Alfa recovered 5 MIA (KIA). Alfa reported finding 38 more bodies from yesterday's action and killed 10 more.
Results:
11 Mar - Battalion conducted joint operations and swept Ap Duc Trong with ARVN's. Contact was light and ARVN's found 46 NVA KIA (BC) by artillery and captured 3 more.
Results:
12 Mar - Battalion continued operations and made light contact.
Results:
13 Mar- Battalion made light contact during the day and an ambush from Charlie fired on 70 -80 NVA with artillery.
Results:
14 Mar - Continued operations and moved companies to LZ Sally for marshalling and stand down.
MC CONNELL WILLIAM WALKER SP5 26 14-Mar-68 HHC
15 Mar - Continued operations and found 1 NVA KIA (BC) by small arms, one day old. Received credit for 48 NVA KIA (BC) by artillery on March 11.
Results:
BLEVINS DANNY EUGENE PFC 18 15-Mar-68 B CO
16 & 17 Mar - Battalion conducted limited operations and made negative contact.
18 Mar - Battalion conducted full operations but made little contact until Delta spotted 10 VC around a fire at 21:30hrsa. vic. (575287). With PF's, the Delta element surrounded and opened fire on the VC.
Results:
19 Mar - Alfa, Bravo, and Delta remained at Sally. Charlie moved to (615235) and began preparing FSB Strike. No contact.
20 Mar - Limited search and destroy operations around Sally conducted. Fortification of FSB Strike continued.
21 Mar - Limited search and destroy operations continued. Alfa ambushed 10 VC and later found a small tunnel complex.
Results:
24 Mar - The Battalion made only light contact except for Delta which received heavy fire from village at ( YD618198). All available fire support was utilized.
Results:
JONES BENJAMIN ALLEN SP4 20 22-Mar-68 A CO
26 Mar – (Not found in the Daily report, the following information is provided from Memory) Cpt Greg Mills established a small 4.2 mortal FSB Lyon. C Co was flown in to guard FSB Lyon and B Co was in the valley to the West of FSB Lyon 629223 (hill 285) in heavy contact with the enemy. An error in adjustment of the 4.2 mortar fire resulted in heavy casualties. Retired General Cushman, 2d Bde Commander at the time, recalled this as the worst memory of his military career.
ARMSTRONG EDWIN LAWRENCE PFC 20 26-Mar-68 B CO
28 Mar - Battalion continued search and destroy operations and experienced several changes in command personnel.
29,30, & 31 Mar - The Battalion continued search and destroy operations in Quang Dien District and defense of An Lo Bridge and LZ Sally. Very light contact was made with negative results.
WEST JAMES OSCAR PFC 23 31-Mar-68 A CO
Results from 19 Dec 1967 to 1 April 1968
1 Apr - Company “A" OPCON 3d Marine Division. The other units conducted normal operations with negative results.
2 Apr - Company "A" OPCON to 3d Marine Division. Company "B" captured 2 tax collectors in village. vic YD5731. They also destroyed 3 bunkers and 3 VC KIA. Company "D" had 1 man injured by BBT.
3 Apr - Company "A" returned to the battalion from 3d Marine Division. There was negative enemy contact in the Battalion.
4 Apr - A day of light contact with company B receiving sniper fire vic. YD5927. Negative friendly or enemy casualties. Company "D" had a grenade thrown in their perimeter. They engaged with small arms resulting in 1 VC KIA.
5 Apr - Company "A" provided mine sweep on QL#1 from An Lo to Camp Evans. 1 platoon moved by truck to vic. YD6030 to act as a blocking force in support of company B conducting RIF from vic. YD5829 to vic. YD6127. They engaged only 1 sniper but had 1 US KIA and 3 WIA from BBT. They found BBT's, a sub machine gun, 3 B40 rockets and several other small arms.
RHODES GARY ARTHUR SGT 20 05-Apr-68 B CO
6 Apr - A day of light contact throughout the battalion. Company "D" engaged 10 VC vic. YD4840 resulting in 3 VC KIA.
CHARETTE MARK OWEN SGT 19 06-Apr-68 B CO
7 Apr - Company "D" continued searching area vic YD4864 resulting in 5 VC KIA. The other units conducted search and clear operations and ambushes with negative contact.
8 Apr - Company A found an arms cache while conducting RIF vic. YD5325. They found 3 M1 rifles, 1 SMG, 160 rounds S/A. Company "B" received automatic weapons fire vic. YD6025, suffering 2 WIA. They returned fire with unknown results. Company "C" (-) remained at Camp Evans preparing for future operations and conducting training.
9 Apr - Company "A" received their log vic. YD5425. Shortly thereafter they moved approximately 200 meters NE. Early the next morning 50 VC attacked deserted log sight using long cane poles to flip satchel charges. Company "A" made contact with the enemy suffering 2 KIA and 1 WIA. Enemy losses were 2 VC KIA. Company B found 9 122mm rockets (complete).
COUGHLIN PATRICK CHARLES PFC 19 09-Apr-68 A CO
10 Apr - Company "A" NDP vic. YD5325 received satchel charges, RPG rounds, and S/A fire. Negative casualties) They returned fire with unknown results. Company D conducted security of Phong Dien Bridge and local ambushes. One of these ambushes vic. YD4937, engaged 4 VC with negative results. Recon killed 3 VC vic. YD 5231.
12 Apr - The only contact was by company B. They engaged 5 VC vic. YD5830 with negative results.
13 Apr - 13 April is the day that 1/502 Infantry was released from the mission of security of Camp Evans. The CP moved from Camp Evans to LZ Sally.
14 Apr - The day was a day of relaxation for the battle weary troopers of 1-502 as they had stand down at Wunder Beach.
15 Apr - A day spent in completing the move to LZ Sally. The units took re-supply and prepared for future operations.
16 Apr - The battalion went OPCON to the 1st Brigade until, 30 April. During this operation the records were destroyed in a rocket attack.
BELL REGINALD CONRAD SP4 19 16-Apr-68 D CO
1 May - Battalion moved back into Quang Dien District by helicopter and began RIF operations and security of An Lo Bridge and clearing of Q.L.#1. "C" sprang an ambush at (706348) on 5 NVA, killing 2 (BC). Later 2 VC were captured as they walked into the NPD. After interrogation it was learned that they were going to vic. 715330 to act as guides for NVA. At 05:30hrs. the NDP received SA fire and suffered 1 WIA. At 06:35hrs. they moved to the village ( 715330 ) and swept it finding a grave approximately 24 hours old with 4 KIA.
Results:
Alfa returned from OPCON to 1-501 Infantry after 3 day operation (Battle of Phuoc Yen). They received credit for 80 NVA KIA (BC)
DALEY DANIEL WILLIAM PFC 20 01-May-68 A CO
4 May - Cordon by A, B, and Recon with other 2nd Bde elements at vic. 692303. Contact was heavy during the night by elements seeking to escape the Cordon. Artillery was called for and adjusted as well as use of small arms. At first light a sweep of the area revealed; Enemy: - 26 NVA KIA (BC) 2 VC KIA (BC) 3 VC POW
5 May - Battalion continued RIF and security missions. A & B cordoned vill. vic. 700304 and had 1 WIA from grenade while enemy losses were 1 NVA KIA (BC), 2 NVA WIA/POW
6 May - Battalion continued its pacification operations. A company NDP was under sporadic contact from 03:35hrs. till 05:45hrs. and had 2 WIA from SA fire, from estimated reinforced squad. First light check revealed 1 NVA KIA (BC).
Results:
BROGDON DONALD RAY CPL 18 06-May-68 A CO
7 May - Bravo swept vill at first light, vic 750290 and made contact. Results, 3 WIA: 5 NVA KIA (BC). Charlie made contact at 08:00hrs and remained in contact throughout the day, vic 748307. There was heavy MG, light MG, AW and SA. Called in artillery and air strikes.
Results:
CLARK JERRY WAYNE PFC 22 07-May-68 C CO
8 May - Battalion continued RIF and security missions of An Lo and QL #1.
MORAN JOHN FRANCIS SGT 22 08-May-68 C CO
9 May - Bravo found 15 NVA KIA (BC) from air strike at 724294.
Results:
JONES EVERETT SORRELL SSG 28 09-May-68 D CO
10 May - Battalion continued RIF and security missions in AO and made moderate to heavy contact.
Results:
Results:
COOLEY SHELBY EMERSON PFC 22 10-May-68 C CO
11 May - Light contact was made during the day and Charlie recovered their MIA (KIA) and found 1 NVA KIA (BC)
12, 13, and 14 May - Light contact made during this time as the Battalion continued the RIF and security missions in the AO. On the 14th, Recon and Bravo operating with PF's from Quang Dien, killed 1 NVA (BC), 2 VC (BC)
15,16 and 17 May - Light contact made as the battalion was credited with 6 VC KIA (BC) and 2 VC POW.
LUMAN RONNIE DEAN SP4 21 17-May-68 C CO
18, 19 May - Light contact and the Battalion received 2 WIA from snipers.
20, 21 May - The Battalion continued the RIF operations and security mission of An Lo and QL#1. During those 2 days only light contact was made.
Results:
Delta, while conducting the road sweep from An Lo to Evans, spotted a mine but before they could remove it a civilian bus ran over it. Results, no one injured but the bus was heavily damaged.
22 May - Bravo Company, while on a RIF vic. 694305, received fire from the vill. After returning fire and artillery, they swept the area and found 2 NVA KIA (BC) and captured 5 NVA/VC POW's in their bunkers.
Results: - 3 NVA KIA (BC) : 5 POW
23, 24, and 25 May - Battalion made light contact throughout the period while conducting RIF and security missions throughout the AO.
Results from these operations were:
26 May - As the battalion continued operations in the AO, Charlie suffered 6 WIA from a BBT, 105mm round and Delta made heavy contact vic. 691312. They returned fire and called in artillery and estimated the enemy element as an NVA company (-). 14 WIA.
Results:
27 May - The Battalion made light contact during the day's operations.
Results:
MILLER VERNELL HENRY JR PFC : 18 : 27-May-68 : C CO
28, 29, 30, and 31 May - The Battalion continued RIF operations in the AO and security mission of An Lo Bridge and QL#1. During this period contact was very light and resulted in 7 VC captured with weapons.
Results from 19 December 1967 to June 1 1968:
1 Jun - Light contact. Bravo Company caught 2 VC coming out of bunkers. 2 VC KIA (BC).
2 Jun - Battalion RIF with PF's, Bravo joint RIF with PF's, vic. YD7140. Found that almost all of the gates entering the Vill. were BBT with grenades. These grenades were blown in place. As they swept through the village they received light contact and returned fire, wounding 1 VC who fled. They also blew several BBT's in place but 1 PF was killed when he stepped on a 105mm BBT.
3 Jun - Battalion continued operations. Alfa secured An Lo and conducted RIF with 1 platoon of PF's, at vic. YD6231. PF's attacked and killed 3 VC and had 3 WIA.
4 Jun - Battalion continued operation and road sweep. Co B conducted a CA to vic. 699288 and conducted S&C operations with negative contact.
5 Jun - Contact was light, with 2 Hoi Chanh's coming into Co. A's NDP. They had 1 AK-47 and 1 SKS.
6 Jun - Battalion continued operations with Delta working with Rome plow. Contact was light, capturing 1 VC, and 10,000 pounds of rice, 1 SKS and 2 VC KIA, and wounding 1 more who escaped.
7 Jun - Battalion continued sear of villages in the AO, capturing 1 VC. 10,000 pounds of rice, 1 SKS, and 2 VC KIA and wounding one more who escaped.
8 Jun - Was a day of heavy activity with all units reporting at least light contact. The Bn killed 4 VC, captured 4 VC and 2 M-16, 1 AK-47, 1 Czech MG and ammo. US troops had three slightly wounded by shrapnel. Two of the VC captured was in a sampan hauling rice down the river. They said that VC used this method quite often.
9 Jun - Co. "C" and Co. "A" combined for a cordon search of an area vic. YD7030. The cordon resulted in 2 VC KIA and a large cache containing weapons, ammo, clothing and food. There were 23 bunkers in the area, 15 had been used recently. ( all destroyed) In vic YD7133 numerous punji pits were encountered.
10 Jun - Co. "C" and Co. "A" continued sweep of cordon established 9 June while D Co. continued Rome plow operations. They requested and received an air strike vic. YD6931. Co. "C" and "A" had light contact, capturing 7 VC, 5 tons of rice while they had 1 friendly KIA and 4 WIA. The Rome plow destroyed another 36 bunkers. The PSYOPS plane flew over the AO making leaflet drops and loud speaker broadcasts.
MILLER LARRY T : PFC : 23 10-Jun-68 : D CO
11 Jun - The cordon operation was completed with 6 more VC KIA, 1 Hoi Chanh, 9 ½ tons of rice were discovered. Also a directive came out on this day from Brigade that said all elements operating independently would have compass, map, radio, and strobe light.
COLLINS TOBY ERNEST : PFC : 20 : 11-Jun-68 : E CO
12 Jun - Very light contact. 2 VC KIA. Co. "C" found 19 tons of rice. 1 PF was WIA by a BBT.
13 Jun - The PF's joined Co. A and B in a joint operation resulting in 5 VC KIA, 5 VC captured, VC Hoi Chanh, 2 - AK-47's, 1- M-16, and 1- B40, were captured. 1 PF and 1 US were WIA. <
br>Co. D continued to support Rome plow which destroyed 5 acres of village, 75 bunkers, and 300 meters of hedgerow.
14 Jun - Battalion continued search and clear operations in AO and security of An Lo Bridge. Light contact with 1 VC KIA, 8 VC's and 1 NVA captured, 1 VC captain. The VC KIA was a lieutenant. The Rome plow continued operations, destroying 100 meters of hedgerow and 20 bunkers. Alfa also destroyed 20 bunkers and a small cache.
15 Jun - A cordon and a sweep of the village vic. YD6432 2 was conducted. The area was heavily BBT'd. As a result, 1 man was WIA, and 2 KIA. [C Co 5 KIA’s, AKIN was a new replacement who just arrived in noon supply chopper. Everett Carter, who was in Sally when the casualties were reported, rejoined C Co who had been moved to An Lo Bridge to regroup after heavy casualties, believed ASKIN was KIA as AKIN hadn’t had a chance to be known yet. Per Keith Askin. An air strike was requested to destroy BBT's in the village.
AKIN JOHN VINCENT PFC 20 15-Jun-68 C CO
16 Jun - Co. "A" initiated ambush, killed 3 VC, captured 2 VC (WIA) and 2-AK47's. Co. "D" was released from Rome plow and "A" assumed Rome plow security. Rome plow destroyed 500 meters of hedgerow and 88 bunkers. PF's conducted patrols and had light contact. 2 friendly WIA. Co. "B" had 2 WIA.
BERNARD THOMAS D PFC 21 16-Jun-68 B CO
17 Jun - Co. "C" combined with tanks for RIF vic YD6233, with negative contact. Co. "A" , with Rome plow destroyed 93 bunkers, 400 meters of hedgerow and uncovered 3 bodies. One VC was detained. Co. "A" had 1 US WIA.
18 Jun - Co. "C" and tanks conducted RIF. Tanks were utilized to recon by fire and fired canister rounds at suspected BBT.
19 Jun - Battalion continued operations with very light contact. Killed 1 VC. Rome plow destroyed 80 bunkers.
20 Jun - Battalion continued search and clear operations. 6 VC KIA (one of these was district economic chief) captured 3 AK44's, 1 Czech MG, and 1 SKS.
21 Jun - Co. "C", Co. "D", and 1 ARVN Co. combined for a search and clear operation, vic YD7232.
Results:
22 Jun - The 4/3 ARVN Battalion operated in our AO, vic. While moving into position they were ambushed and later mortared, receiving 6 KIA and 10 WIA. PF's killed 6 VC, captured 1 AK47, 1 AK44, 1 SKS, and 1-90mmrr. In this operation the PF platoon leader was KIA.
23 Jun - Joint operations were conducted with ARVN and PF's/ Light contact. PF's captured 7 VC in a sampan.
24 Jun - Battalion continued search and clear operations. Very light contact. Enemy is becoming very evasive.
Results: 1 VC KIA, 5 tons of rice seized.
25 Jun - Very light contact. A NDP was probed on ground and mortared. 2 friendly WIA's. 3 VC were captured and 2 Hoi Chanh's.
26 Jun - A joint operation by A and B Co.'s was conducted with B blocking vic. YD7132 and A sweeping, from south towards their blocking position. Results: B killed 6 VC and captured 2. A killed 2, and captured 1. Along with several weapons.
27 Jun - The Battalion conducted defense of An Lo, RP security, and search and clear operations. Very light contact. US captured 2 VC. PF's received 6 Hoi Chanh. They said all their leaders had been killed by airborne. There were 2 US WIA from BBT.
28 Jun - Co. B, set up blocking position while PF's conducted eagle flight. Resulting in B killing 6 VC. PF's killed 4 VC, captured 3 VC. Delta Co. had 1 KIA and 6 WIA as result of BBT.
HEISER EDWARD MICHAEL SP4 18 28-Jun-68 D CO
29 Jun - Co. A, conducted RIF vic. With PF's. Captured 1 VC and SKS. Found 2 tons of rice and 1 VC KIA by artillery.
30 Jun - Co. A, set up blocking position on NW side of village vic. YD6832, while PF's swept through, from SE, resulting in 3 VC KIA, 5 VC captured.
1 July - Battalion continued search and clear operation. Elements from "Pistol Pete" (Sweet Banner 65), PF, Recon and Alfa combined in a joint operation vic. YD6338. Results: 2 VC KIA. Later 1 NVA and 1 VC Hoi Chanh to "A". PF's with "A". killed 3 VC, captured 3 VC.
GREGOIRE MILES ROBERT SGT 18 01-Jul-68 C CO
2 July - Battalion continued operation with 5 tanks attached to "D", 4 dozers (RP) to "B". Contact light with 1 VC KIA (stay behind ambush) 1 US and 1 PF WIA by BBT.
3 July - Because of heavy BBT in vic. YD6129 artillery preps followed by air strikes were used prior to troops entering the area.
WEISTER RONALD KEITH PFC 21 03-Jul-68 D CO
4 July - Battalion continued operations with security for An Lo, mine sweep and search and clear operations. One eagle flight was flown. An air strike was called in on vic. YD6029. Contact was light. Gun ships, KIA 3 VC, 3 bodies ( 2 VC and 1 NVA ) KIA by artillery were discovered buried. The Battalion encountered many BBT's suffering 4 WIA and fifteen tons of rice were recovered from cache.
5 July - Battalion continued search and clear, and Rome plow operation. Resulting in 3 VC KIA and 4 VC captured. A Hoi Chanh was taken up in a chopper for PSYOPS purposes. 1 US KIA by BBT and 1 WIA.
TEMPLETON GARY DALE PFC 20 05-Jul-68 A CO
6 July - Light contact was made. "B" had 1 WIA from BBT and PF's had 1 KIA from BBT. Several weapons and small caches were found and 1 VC KIA.
7 July - A busy day with Co. "A" working to resettle refugees. The Battalion flew eagle flights and one CA vic. YD6930. Total results were; 10 VC captured/WIA, 4 VC KIA and 1 NVA captured. One eagle flight observed cache, with 10 SKS's and 60mm tube. Numerous other SA were captured by Battalion.
8 July - Very light activity in AO. Refugees still being moved. 1 VC captured. Pf's got 3 Hoi Chanh's.
9 July - Light sporadic contact throughout the AO. PF's combined with US in joint operation including 2 separate CA's. The results were 3 VC KIA, 10 VC captured, 3 Hoi Chanh, and numerous caches and equipment discovered.
10 July - Although Battalion conducted full scale operation with PF's, making 2 CA's, the enemy was elusive. Several weapons were found, 4 NVA KIA and 1 VC KIA.
11 July - Operations continued with CO. "D" securing An Lo and working with dozer. "C" searching in vic. YD6530 for caches. Other units conducted search and clear operations. Light contact with 1 VC KIA and 2 Hoi Chanh's. The Hoi Chanh said they had given up because of the Rome plows and eagle flights. They said 20 other VC fled to the mountains, that day.
12 July - Company "D" continued Rome plow operation south of An Lo on the west side of the river. They continued to destroy bunkers, buildings, and found small caches. "A", "B", and "C" continued search and clear operation with light contact. Company "A" had 2 US WIA by BBT. Company "B" found excess of a ton of rice and captured 1 VC, vic. YD7132. One Hoi Chanh, turned himself into Company "B".
13 July - Company "B", Recon and PF's established cordon around village in vic. YD6438, with Sweet Banner 65 to sweep from the south. The totals were; CO. "B": 4 VC KIA, 4 weapons, PF's; 19 VC KIA, 16 weapons, 4 VC captured, 2 VCS. Company "D" continued Rome plow work. Company "C" found 5 tons of rice.
HILL RANDALL STEVEN SP4 19 13-Jul-68 A CO
14 July - Company "A" continued RIF vic. YD6026 to YD 6128. They had 2 US WIA by BBT. Company "B" and Recon, CA'd to YD6929 and YD7029, and continued search and clear operation. Company "C" searched and cleared, vic. YD6630. Sweet Banner 65, vic. YD6334, had contact. Killed 7 VC and captured 2 VC. They also found 12 AK44's, in one cache.
COX FRANK WILLIAM JR 1LT 30 14-Jul-68 A CO
15 July - The Battalion continued operations in the same locations. The enemy is becoming more evasive and less willing to fight. The day had very little enemy activity. 2 Hoi Chanh's turned themselves into PF's.
16 July - Company "A" security of An Lo and Rome plow. Company "B", Recon and PF's are still working in the fish hook area center of mass YD7029. They found 9 VC KIA, 2 NVA KIA. They also discovered 20 NVA KIA in plastic bags in the river, vic. YD7029. This is further evidence of the blows dealt to VC/NVA.
17 July - Company "B" continued search and clear in Phouc Yen village. They discovered 6 SKS, 3 AK47's, 1 Chicom 9mm pistol, 1-82mm mortar, various ammo and comm. equipment and 7 NVA KIA. They also killed 2 VC by ambush. Recon conducted CA, vic. YD6129. LZ was Red and door gunner on gunship WIA, enemy broke contact and fled.
18 July - Company "A" security of An Lo and Rome plow.
MOORE RONNIE GENE SP4 20 18-Jul-68 C CO
19 July - Battalion continued to secure An Lo and conduct search and clear operations with light contact.
20 July - Company "D" sprung an ambush on 2 VC. Killed 1 VC. Company "A" secured An Lo Bridge. "B","C", and "D" continued search and clear operations with negative contact.
21 July - Companies "A", "C", and Recon cordon village, vic. YD6432 and searched, resulting in 2 NVA KIA and 1 NVA captured. Also captured weapons and destroyed BBT's in the area. CS was dropped from a helicopter after the cordon was set up. Company "B", RIF in vic. YD7231, wounded 1 VC. Company "D" sprung ambush vic. YD6129 on 1 VC, negative assessment.
22 July - Battalion continued search and clear operations. Company "A" made contact with 2 VC, vic. YD6132 with negative results. Company "B" sprung ambush, vic. YD7132 resulting in 1 VC KIA, 2 VC WIA, 10 VC captured. "B" killed 1 VC earlier, vic.YD7233.
23 July - Company "A" secured An Lo and RIF in vic. of bridge. They killed 2 VC, vic. YD6132. They also captured 1 VC, vic. YD6132.
24 July - Very light contact with Battalion continuing search and clear operations.
25 July - Company "A" secured An Lo Bridge and assisted in security of Rome Plow.
26 July - Battalion continued search and clear operations with all companies receiving at least sniper fire. When fire was returned, the enemy fled. The VC are now in smaller groups. 1 US, from "C" Company was wounded by BBT.
27 July - Company "A" secured An Lo Bridge and mine sweep.
28 July - Company "A" secured An Lo Bridge. Company "B" conducted RIF to village C/M YD6828, where a few small caches were found and numerous BBT's, but negative contact. Company "C" no caps. Company "D", OPCON, 1st Bde. PF CA'd to YD7029. RIF to village C/M YD7030. Results: 3 VC KIA (1 was platoon leader and another assistant platoon leader of Tan Taun Lai.)
29 July - Company "A", secured An Lo Bridge and mine sweep.
30 July - Battalion continued search and clear operations with negative contact. Battalion concentrated on caches and BBT. A total of 6 Chieu Hoi's surrendered.
31 July - "A" Company secured An Lo Bridge. "B" continued RIF. "C" had contact, vic. YD6431 but enemy fled. Company "D", OPCON, 1st Bde. Recon received 2 RPG rounds, vic. YD6432 but never saw enemy.
1 Aug - Company "A", secured An Lo Bridge and established local ambushes.
2 Aug - Battalion continued normal operations with Company "A" securing An LO Bridge, mine sweep, and local patrols. One ambush killed 1 VC, vic. YD6339. Patrols killed 2 VC, vic. YD6833 and captured 2 VC, vic. YD6334.
3 Aug - Battalion conducted normal operations with company "B" killing 1 VC in spider hole.
4 Aug - Company "A" secured An Lo Bridge, RIF to village, vic. YD6432. They encountered BBT but no VC.
5 Aug - Company "A" secured An Lo Bridge and conducted Eagle Flights to the north, into "Street" area.
6 Aug - Battalion continued RIF operations and secured An Lo Bridge. Several small caches were discovered and Company "C" killed 1 VC.
7 Aug - Battalion conducted RIF operations. Company "C" conducted CA and engaged 1 VC with negative assessment.
8 Aug - Battalion continued with RIF operations. Company "C" conducted CA and Recon had established ambushes. Recon had light contact with 3 VC, negative assessment.
9 Aug - Intensive operations, including Eagle Flights by Co. "B" and CA by Recon. Total for the day were: 2 VC captured by Co. "B". "B" also come under mortar attack and had 3 WIA.
10 Aug - Company "A" secured An Lo Bridge and established ambushes. They sprang ambush, vic. YD6131, resulting in 2 NVA captured. The NVA said they were from the 9th NVA regiment. "A" Co. encountered many BBT's, resulting in 2 KIA and2 WIA.
OLENZUK PAUL GREGORY PFC 22 10-Aug-68 A CO
11-16 Aug - Battalion continued RIF, security of An Lo Bridge, and Rome plow operations with very light contact. Company "A" was taken off of An Lo security and "B" Co. replaced them.
FINK PHILIP RUSH 1SG 41 13-Aug-68 A CO
17 Aug - Company "A" received 60mm mortar fire, vic. YD6133. They called for artillery but first light check proved negative assessment. Company "B" secured An LO Bridge and worked with Rome plow.
18 Aug - Contact was light with "B" Co. capturing 2 VCS. 1 VC WIA was brought into CP by his parents. He was evacuated to 22d Surgical.
19 Aug - Company "C" detained 3 VCS while conducting RIF operation, vic. YD6334. While moving VCS to an LZ, one VCS detonated a BBT, injuring all 3 VCS and 2 US. Company "D" received several mortar rounds at FSB Georgia, resulting in 1 US WIA.
20 Aug - Company "A" conducted RIF, vic. YD6131 with negative contact.
LAWHORNE DONNIE JACKSON SP4 19 20-Aug-68 B CO
21 -22Aug - Contact extremely light. Company "D" was sent to LZ Sally for RRF duty. They utilized this time to get new equipment and resupply.
23 Aug - Company "A" RIF, vic. YD6133. They were utilizing local sampans to search river and one capsized. 1 US drowned.
GOODEN JOHNNIE SGT 19 23-Aug-68 D CO
24 Aug - Company "A" engaged small VC force, vic. YD6133 with SA. Negative assessment. They also engaged 6 sampans resulting in 2 VC KIA.
25 Aug - Received a report that C114 LF VC company was located in a village, vic. YD6830. Company "D" was sent to cordon the area. Early that morning 7 VC tried to swim the river. Results: 7 VC KIA. 1 other VC KIA in river later. A search of the village the next day resulted in no enemy being found.
26 Aug - Company "A" RIF operation and Rome plow security. They found 2 VC in bunker. They had been dead about a week. No other contact.
27 Aug - Company "A" sprang ambush on 2 VC, vic. YD6123, resulting in 1 VC KIA. Received 3 RPG rounds, vic. YD6131, 3 US WIA. There was light contact with 2 other groups of VC ( 2-3). 1 VC KIA, vic. YD6134.
28 Aug - Battalion continued normal operation. The only contact was by ambushes. Company "C" called artillery on approximately 9 VC, 400-500 meters Northeast of vic. YD6033, with negative results.
HOOK MARK LOREN PFC 18 28-Aug-68 C CO
29 Aug - Very light contact. 1 VC was captured in a bunker by Company "A", working with Rome plow.
30 Aug - Company "A" conducted RIF, vic. YD5132, resulting in 1 VC KIA and 16 VCS captured. Recon made contact, vic. YD6830. They engaged 2 VC but they fled. Company "B" killed 2 VC, wounded 2 VC, while operating, vic. YD6438.
31 Aug - Company "A" was the only unit to have contact. They killed 1 VC, vic. YD6830.
1 Sep - An ambush by company "D" engaged 1 VC, vic. YD6730, resulting in 1 VC KIA and a weapon. Recon was sent to vic. YD7231, where log bird had fired on 3 NVA. Recon got 1 NVA KIA, 1 NVA and 1 VC captured.
2 Sep - No significant contact but the Battalion continued to encounter many BBT's.
3 Sep - Company "A" found 2 VC bodies in a bunker, vic. YD6232. Company "B" found about 3000lb of rice. Recon found 2 VC graves.
4 - 5 Sep - No contact was made. Company "C" replaced company "A" on An Lo Bridge security.
7 Sep - Company "A", killed 1 VC and captured 2 , vic. YD7030. Company found weapons cache with 26 weapons, vic. YD6234. Company "C" secured An Lo Bridge and established local ambushes. Recon killed 2 VC and captured 1 VC, vic. YD7334.
8 Sep - Company "A" captured 2 female VC, vic. YD7030. They killed 2 VC and captured 2, vic. YD65?? The VC fled, dropping 2 weapons. Blood trails were found but no bodies.
WHELAN MICHAEL PATRICK SGT 20 08-Sep-68 E CO
9 Sep - Very light contact. Company "B" sprang an ambush on 2 VC, vic. YD6035, resulting in 2 VC KIA.
10 Sep - Company "A" continued RIF, vic. YD6630, finding 5 tons of rice, killing 1 VC in a bunker and capturing 2 VCS. "A" Co. engaged 5 VC, vic. YD6730 from ambush. Negative results.
11 Sep - Company "A" conducted RIF, vic. YD6631.
12 Sep - Company "A" engaged 2 VC in a bunker, vic. YD6729. 1 killed and 1 captured. They had contact with 2 or 3 VC, twice more but negative assessment.
14 Sep - Company "B" continued cordon, calling in artillery and air strikes. Final results for the day were 8 VC KIA, 11 VC POW, 4 VCS. The other units continued normal activity with negative contact.
15 - 17 Sep - Battalion continued RIF operations, Rome plow operation, and security of An LO Bridge. The enemy was evasive and there were only two light sniper contacts, with negative assessment. The units continued to encounter BBT and find small caches.
18 Sep - Company "A" sprung an ambush, vic. YD6729 on 1 VC, resulting in 1 VC KIA. Company "B" provided security for Rome plow. Company "C" still OPCN to 1/501.
19 Sep - Company "D" had light contact with 2 VC, vic. YD6630 with negative results. Recon engaged 5 VC, vic. YD7130 with negative results. They later engaged 1 VC from ambush in the same area, resulting in 1 VC KIA.
20 Sep - Company "A" security of An LO. Company "B", OPCN to 1/501. Company "C" RIF vic. YD6530. They had 2 light contacts with 3 VC, vic. YD6628 and 4 VC, vic. YD7029, with negative assessment.
21 - 23 Sep - Normal activities continued with no contact. Company "B" found 1 ammo cache, vic. YD6029.
24 Sep - Battalion continued RIF operation. Company "B", OPCON to 1/501. Company "D" killed 2 VC, vic. YD6234. Recon engaged 2 VC, vic. YD6913 resulting in 1 VC captured.
25 Sep - Company "A" security of An Lo and local patrols and ambushes. Company "B" on operation at Phu Vang. Company "C" and "D" continued RIF operation. Recon captured 1 VCS, vic. YD6930
26 Sep - A day of very light contact. The only unit to make contact was company "D". They ambushed 2 VC, resulting in 2 VC KIA.
27-28 Sep - The Battalion continued normal combat operations, but there was no enemy contact, in these two days.
29 Sep - Company "A", security of An Lo and mine sweep. Company "B" had movement near one of their ambushes, vic. YD6532. They engaged with SA fire, with negative results. A look-out on the tower at An Lo, spotted 15 individuals, digging-in. Artillery was called in…..results unknown.
30 Sep - Company "C" replaced company "A" on An Lo Bridge security. Company "C" conducted RIF operation, vic. YD6731. Company "B" detained 7 VCS, vic. YD6135.
1 Oct - Company "A" conducted RIF. Vic. YD6530. They engaged 2 VC with SA fire, resulting in 1 VC KIA. One of their day ambushes KIA 1 VC, vic. YD6928. Company "B" engaged 3 VC with SA fire and clamors, vic. YD6031, with negative assessment.
2 - 3 Oct - No enemy activity or contact during this period.
4 Oct - Company "A" set up blocking positions, vic. YD6729 for 2 platoons sweeping from southeast. Company "B" had 2 Cheiu Hoi's lead them to an arms cache, containing 2 60mm mortars and 18 individual weapons, 1000 rounds of ammo, 8 clamors (Chi Com), 10 rifle grenades, and 2 RPG rounds. Company "C" received 2 mortar rounds at An Lo. Negative casualties. Recon had stand-down at LZ Sally.
5 Oct - Company "A" conducted RIF and ambushes, vic. YD6730 with negative contact. Company "B" found 1 SKS, ammo and other equipment, vic. YD6538. At vic. YD 6130, Company "B" engaged 1 VC with negative assessment. Company "D" at Phu Vang.
6 Oct - The Battalion (-) (with the exception of "D", at Phu Vang) continued normal operations with negative contact. We did provide 4 EM to NP on a check point to look for VC and draft dodgers. The EM worked with elements from Pistol Pete, from vic. YD7529 to vic. YD8332. They detained 183 people who were classified as follows.
10 Oct - Negative contact.
11 Oct - Company "A" is at Phu Vang. They have security for one/S on highway 551 and occupied strong points along POL pipline, security of pumping station, Hue Bridge and LCU ramp.
12 Oct - Company "A" still at Phu Vang, with the same mission. Company "B" and "C" continued RIF operation and ambushes with negative contact. Company "D" captured 4 VC in vic. YD6629 in bunkers. They also captured 2 M-16, 1-.45 pistol and a light MG. Recon continued RIF and night ambushes with negative contact.
13 Oct - Company "A" operating at Phu Vang. Company "B" had one and WIA, vic. YD6930 by sniper. They returned fire but had negative assessment. Company "C" security of An Lo, mine sweep and local patrols and ambushes. Company "D" receiver SA firs, vic. YD6628. They returned fire with SA, MG and M-79. A sweep of the area produced 4 VC KIA. Recon captured documents from a sampan, vic. YD7233. The VCS in sampan escaped.
14 Oct - The Battalion continued RIF and ambushes with negative contact. The documents found on one of Company "D's" KIA's, of 13 Oct, showed that one of them was a company CO., Hoang Van Trung, of K300B.
15 Oct - Company "B" was only unit to have contact. They engaged 2 VC in sampans, vic. YD7129, resulting in 2 VC KIA.
16 Oct - The Battalion had negative enemy contact on this day. It was, however, and important day as it was the day we assumed security of FSB T-Bone. Company "C" lifted to T-Bone at 16:00hrs.
17 -18 Oct - TIR missions, ambushes and eagle flights, failed to develop contact.
MASON JAMES PHILLIP SP5 19 17-Oct-68 HHC
19 Oct - Battalion continued RIF operation, security of An Lo, T-Bone and company "A" at Phu Vang. No contact made. Company "C" found small cache, vic. YD7230
20 Oct - Company "A", at Phu Vang. Company "B" security of An Lo and mine sweep. The 1/3 ARVN regiment, working in our AO, vic. YD6529, found 2 VC bodies attributed to company "D", 8 days ago. Company "D", engaged 3 VC, vic. YD6438, with SA fire,. Negative assessment. Company "C", 36 element, at T-Bone.
21 Oct - Negative enemy contact. PSYOPS personnel, led by Chu Hoi, captured 60mm mortar. Two PACV's from Pistol Pete, started operating in northeast part of our AO, bounded by Song Bo and Jung Rivers. They picked up 1 VCS. Our S-3 acted as aerial observers for this operation.
22 Oct - Company "A", at PhuVang. Company "B" security of An Lo and mine sweep. Company "C" worked with PACV's from PistolPete. Company "D" was the only unit to make contact. They engaged 3 VC wounding 1. The other 2 fled carrying the wounded with them.
23 Oct - Company "B" while on An Lo Bridge security, engaged 1 VC with small arms. Negative assessment. The S-3 air sighted 2 VC from log bird and engaged, resulting in 2 VC KIA and 2 weapons.
24 Oct - Company "A" lifted from Phu Vang to vic. YD8130. Company "B" security of An Lo. Company "C" lifted from T-Bone to Phu Vang to assume security mission of company "A".
25 Oct - The only unit making contact was company "D". They engaged 2 VC with negative assessment. They found 3 cases of RPG rounds and other ammo, vic. YD6453.
26 Oct - Company "A" detained 1 VCS, vic. YD7132. Company "B" security of An Lo Bridge. Company "C" (-) Phu Vang. Company "D" OPCON to 1/501, "C" Company, 26 element, T-Bone. Recon FSB Apache.
27 Oct - The Battalion had negative enemy contact. The last light recon flight engaged 1 VC, unknown results, but captured 10 grenades, 1-.45 pistol, 4 rucksacks and some documents.
28 Oct - Company "A" ambushes, vic. YD7233, received SA fire. They engaged 2 VC with negative results. 1 IS WIA. Company "B" security of An Lo. Company "C" (-) at Phu Vang. Company "D" OPCON to 1/501. "C" Company, 26 element, FSB T-Bone, security.
29 -30 Oct - No contact made.
1 Nov - Company "A" conducted RIF operation, vic. YD6630. Company "B" security of An Lo ,mine sweep and local patrols and ambushes. Company "C" (-) Phu Vang, providing security for mine sweep of highway 551, occupied strong points on POL pipeline, security of pump station and LCU ramp. Company "D", OPCON to 1/501. Recon at Apache. Co. "C", 26 element, at T-Bone. Negative contact.
2 Nov - The units continued operations in the same vic., except that Company "D" returned to An Lo and Company "B" went OPCON to 1/502. There was negative contact.
3 Nov - Battalion continued normal operations with negative contact.
4 Nov - Company "A" RIF, vic. YD6630. Company "B" OPCON to 1/501. Company "C" at Phu Vang. Company "D" security of An Lo Bridge. recon security of FSB T-Bone. There was negative contact.
5 Nov. - Company "A" was lifted by "hook" to FSB T-Bone. Their mission, to provide security and conduct local patrols and ambushes. Company "B" OPCON to 1/501. Company "C" (-), Phu Vang. Company "D" security of An Lo, mine sweep and local patrols and ambushes. No contact.
6 - 7 Nov - Battalion continued normal operations with negative contact. Company "B" returned to LZ Sally. Company "C" returned from Phu Vang and lifted to vic. YD5815 for RIF operations.
8 Nov - This day marks another important day in the history of the Battalion. On Nov. 8 and AO extension into the sands area referred to as "the street". Company "B" and 4 platoons of PF's, conducted a CA, vic. YD5840 and YD6040 and set up cordon with 1 platoon of tanks from which saturation patrols could be run. Naval river patrol boats, were used as a blocking force, vic. YD6041 and YD5942. The C&C, drew SA fire and returned fire on suspected enemy locations with negative results. Company "B" hit a 105 BBT injuring 2. Patrol boats detained 5 VCS but they were later classified as IC and released.
9 Nov - Company "A" continued security of FSB T-Bone. Company "B" continued cordon with PF's and tanks. They received SA fire, vic. YD6039 with negative casualties. They returned fire with negative results. They had 1 KIA and 1 WIA from a 105mm BBT. Company "C" conducted RIF operation, vic. YD5717. Company "D" security of AN Lo Bridge.
LEATUTUFU FAGALII LAITA SSG 22 09-Nov-68 B CO
10 Nov - Company "B" was the only unit to have contact, engaging 2 VC with SA, vic. YD6140, resulting in 2 VC POW. They tripped 60mm BBT, resulting in 3 WIA. The 1/502, received a new "First Strike". LCT Davis replaced LTC Carter as the Battalion Commander. General Zais, General Trung, several other generals and numerous Division VIP's attended the ceremony at LZ Sally.
11 Nov - Company "A" security of T-Bone, local patrols and ambushes in the area. Company "B" continued operation in "street" area. They had light contact with estimated 2 VC but there were negative casualties. Company "C" RIF from vic. YD5818, southeast to vic. YD5717. Company "D" security of An Lo Bridge. Recon RIF from LZ Sally to YD 6124.
12 Nov - Company "A" switched security missions with Company "D". Company "A" lifted , via "hook" from An Lo to FSB T-Bone. Company "D" lifted , via "hook", from T-Bone, to An Lo. Company "B" engaged 2 VC from ambush with clamor and SA fire, with negative assessment. Company "C", form ambushes, observed movement, threw hand grenades, with negative results.
13 Nov - Company "A" security of An Lo Bridge. Company "B" had 1 platoon of PF's lifted in via log bird to YD5939. The tanks attached to Company "B", continued to work with unit on RIF missions. Company "B" found 1 BBT (homemade), vic. YD6139, resulting in 4 VC KIA and 1 VC POW. Later, vic. YD6238, 2 VC KIA in bunker. Company "D" operating in mountains, near FSB T-Bone, spotted 4 VC. They called in ARA and artillery with negative assessment. Recon sighted a "red-filtered-light", vic. YD6121 and called in artillery with negative assessment.
14 Nov - Company "A", while on security mission at An Lo, received 6 rounds of 60mm mortar fire. Negative causalities. Company "B" continued operation in "Street" area, vic. YD614?, resulting in 3 VC KIA and 4 VC captured, along with 1 AK47. The VC were all hiding in bunkers. Company "D" found a cave , vic. YD6219 with 1000ft. of det-cord, 1 mine and ammo.
15 Nov - The Battalion continued normal operations with negative contact. All units are conducting classes in spare time as the Battalion is experiencing a large turnover of personnel, returning to CONURC.
16 Nov - Company "A" security of An Lo Bridge. Company "B" conducted CA from vic. YD6337 to YD6023. Negative contact. Company "C" lifted, via "hook", from FSB T-Bone to LZ Sally for stand-down and resupply. Company "D" lifted, via "hook" to FSB T-Bone and assumed security of FSB T-Bone. Recon engaged 3 VC in sampan, resulting in 2 VC KIA and captured 1 AK and 1 .32 cal. Pistol. Recon lifted ,via log bird to Omaha.
17 Nov - Recon departed Omaha to vic. YD6038, to establish blocking position. They were joined by 1 tank platoon and 1 PF platoon. Company "C" CA'd to vic. YD6040 and started sweeping towards the blocking force. At vic. YD6038, Recon killed 1 VC.
18 Nov - Battalion continued normal operations with negative contact. One of the tanks, opcon to Company "C", hit an AP mine with negative damage. Company "C" released Recon and tank platoon from opcon and was lifted via "hook" to FSB Birmingham. They became OPCON to 2/501.
19 Nov - Company "A" security of An Lo Bridge. Company "B" conducted RIF operation, vic. YD6321 with negative contact. Company "C" OPCON to 2/501. Company "D" security of FSB T-Bone. 1 platoon to 1 PF company, conducted joint saturation patrols, vic. YD6724. Recon destroyed 2 bouncing betty mines and captured 4 VC, vic. YD6140.
20 Nov - Company "A" security of An LO Bridge, mine sweep and local patrols and ambushes. They found 1 bouncing betty mine, vic. YD6123 and destroyed in place. Company "B" found 2 250lb. Bomb while conducting RIF operation, vic. YD6231. They destroyed it in place. Company "C" OPCN to 2/501. Company "D" security of FSB T-Bone. 1 platoon of PF's was lifted by log bird to work jointly with Recon, vic. YD6040.
21 Nov - Company "A" sent their 26 element to FSB Panther, OPCON to 2/501. Company "B" conducted RIF to FSB T-Bone and assumed security mission of T-Bone. Company "C", OPCON to 2/501. Company "D" conducted RIF to vic. YD6418. Recon killed 6 VC and captured 4 VC, 1 French MG, 2 AK47's, and 1 M-79, documents and ammo, vic. YD6630.
22 Nov - Company "A" lifted from An Lo via "hook" to vic. YD7133. Recon and "D" Co. , 36 element, security of An Lo Bridge. Company "B" received 2 platoons of PF's to assist in RIF operation, vic. YD6125.
23 Nov - Company "D" found Battalion sized base camp, vic. YD6318, with 60 bunkers, 20% of which had overhead cover. The area looked like a platoon sized element had used the bunkers in the last 24 hours. Recon and PF's captured 2 VC, vic. YD6630. One of them identified 12 VC supply personnel. They are being checked now.
24 - 25 Nov - Company "D" was the only unit to have contact. They engaged 3 VC, vic. YD6218, resulting in 3 VC KIA.
26 Nov - Company "A", lifted via "hook" to FSB T-Bone and conducted RIF to vic. YD6219. Company "B" security of T-Bone with local patrols and ambushes. Company "C" released from OPCON 2/501 and lifted from FSB Birmingham to LZ Sally. Company "D" had contact at YD6120 with 1 VC. Negative assessment. "D" Co., later moved via "hook" to AN Lo Bridge and assumed mission of securing bridge.
27 Nov - Company "D" engaged 1 VC, vic. YD6218 while on RIF operation. Results: 1 VC KIA. Later in the day, they found 5 graves ( results of earlier contact in area) Recon and PF's, killed 4 VC and captured 1 VC and 5 weapons, vic. YD6536.; Company "C". OPCON to 2/501.
28 Nov - Company "A", security of An Lo Bridge. Company "B" security of T-Bone, with B16 OPCON to 2/501/ Company "C" OPCON to 2/501. Company "D" killed 2 NVA. Captured 1 AK47 and 3 magazines and found 5 graves. Vic. YD6218. Recon conducted RIF from vic. YD6433 to AN Lo.
29 Nov - The only contact was Company "D". 1 man KIA by sniper. Company "D" searched the area thoroughly but the enemy had fled.
PARTSAFAS TERRYL GLENN SP4 20 29-Nov-68 D CO
30 Nov - Company "D" was the only unit to make contact. They engaged 3 VC. Vic. YD5640. The enemy fled leaving their rifles and equipment. They sighted 5 more VC but all were out of SA range.
1 Dec - Company "A" conducted RIF to vic. YD6220. They engaged 3 NVA resulting in 2 NVA KIA and 1 NVA captured, along with 2 AKs, and 1 French MG. "A" Co., OPCON to 2/501. Company "B" security of T_Bone with "B" Co., 26 element, OPCON to 2/501. Company "C" moved by vehicle from LZ Sally to secure An Lo Bridge. "First Strike", while flying over AO saw a VC. The VC turned out to be wounded and "First Strike" captured and evacuated via log to 326 med. (This POW furnished intelligence very useful in future mountain operations)
2 Dec - Company "A" engaged 2 VC, vic. YD6220, resulting in 2 VC KIA, 2 AKs, 2 rucksacks and equipment and documents captured. Company "B", security of T-Bone with local patrols and ambushes. "A" Co., 26 element and "B" Co., 16 element, OPCON to 2/501. Company "C" (-) security of An Lo. Company "D", CO. "C" 16 element, Recon, 1 tank platoon and 2 PF platoons (OPCON to "D") established a cordon, center of mass, vic. YD595390. Several BBT's were encountered, resulting in "C" Co, 16 platoon leader KIA and 2 PF WIA. 2 VC were KIA. 1 VC captured with 2 AK47. The cordon also found 1 60mm mortar, 1 RPG, a MG and approx. 700lbs. Of rice.
WEISSMAN VICTOR BARRY 1LT 21 02-Dec-68 C CO
3 Dec - Company "A" conducted RIF, vic. YD6220. They received sniper fire from the northwest. The fire was returned with negative assessment. "A" Co, 26 element, OPCON to 2/501. Company "B" security of T-Bone. Company "C" security of An Lo Bridge. Company "D", with Recon, platoon of tanks and PF's continued cordon operations. They found 1 fresh VC grave ( KIA by artillery) and 1 bouncing betty mine. PF's killed 2 VC and captured 1 weapon, vic. YD6338.
4 Dec - The only significant activities were by Company "D" as the cordon continued. They found 2 RPG rounds and 2 AP mines. Shortly after noon the cordon was terminated. Recon conducted move via "hook" from vic. YD5034 to Omaha. From Omaha, they conducted CA to vic. YD6928.
5 Dec - The Battalion continued normal operations. The only unit to make contact was Company "D". They engaged 2 VC. Vic. YD5934, resulting in 1 VC KIA and 1 AK47 captured. Recon was lifted back to LZ Sally from vic. YD6829, by log bird.
6 Dec - Company "A" (-) moved from vic. YD6120 to FSB T-Bone. "A" Co. 36 element was lifted via "hook" from LZ Sally to T-Bone. Company "A" replaced Company "B" as T-Bone security. Company "B" RIF from T-Bone to vic. YD6519. While moving into their NDP. Company "B" observed movement. Vic. YD6417 and called in artillery. A first light assessment proved negative. Company "C" security of AN Lo Bridge. "C" Co. 16 element with 1 platoon of PF's, conducted RIF to vic. YD6132 where they set up a blocking position for 2 platoons of PF's that conducted a CA to vic. YD6134, then swept towards blocking positions. There was negative contact. Company "D" conducted RIF operations, vic. YD64537. Recon at LZ Sally as RRF for Bde.
7 Dec - Company "A" secured FSB T-Bone and conducted local patrols and ambushes. Company "B" conducted day and night ambushes, vic. YD6518. Company "C" secured An Lo Bridge, security for mine sweep, and conducted local patrols and ambushes. Company "D" conducted RIF to vic. YD6040. They engaged 2 VC resulting in 1 VC WIA and 1 M-26 and rucksack captured. Recon remained at LZ Sally.
8 Dec - Although Recon was the only unit to make contact (they engaged 1 VC at their NDP with negative results), the Battalion conducted several unit moves by "hook". Company "C" moved from An Lo to vic. YD6922. Company "D" moved from vic. YD6139 to An Lo. Recon moved to vic. YD6139 from LZ Sally.
9 Dec - The only unit to have contact was the Recon platoon. They sprung an ambush on 1 VC at vic. YD6139, resulting in 1 VC KIA. Another ambush at vic. YD5939, killed 2 VC with small arms.
10 Dec - On this day we lost the "Street" section of our AO to the 3/5 Cav., for an 8 day operation. Recon and "C" Co. 26 element, went OPCON to 3/5 Cav. For 4 days (10-13). The only contact made was by Company "D", when they engaged 3 VC, vic. YD6124, with negative results.
11 - 12 Dec - Company "A" secured T-Bone. Company "B" conducted RIF operations, vic. YD6118. They engaged 5 VC while operating in this area, but the VC fled with negative assessment. Company "C" (-) is OPCON to 1/501. "C" Co. 26 element, is OPCON to 3/5 Cav. Company "D" secured An Lo Bridge. Recon is OPCON to 3/5 Cav.
13 Dec - Company "A" secured T-Bone with platoon RIF, vic. YD6222. This RIF utilized 2 scout dog teams. A "hook" was utilized to move one 4.2 and one 81mm mortar and crew to Apache for practice firing and was then lifted via "hook" to T-Bone. Company "B" RIF operations, day and night ambushes, vic. YD6218. Company "C" (-) is OPCON to 1/501. Company "D" secured An Lo Bridge. Recon is OPCON to 3/5 Cav.
ROWE SALVATORE ALFRED PFC 18 13-Dec-68 B CO
14 Dec - Company "A" secured T-Bone with 1 platoon on local RIF operations. The unit concentrated on rebuilding and improving fortifications of T-Bone and unit training. Unit training is being stressed in all units as the turbulence of personnel has been a point of concern for the Battalion Commander. Company "B" conducted RIF, vic. YD6188. They found a bunker complex (negative signs of recent use), vic. YD6117 and destroyed it. Company "C" (-) released from 3/5 Cav. And returned via "hook" to LZ Sally. Company "D" secured An Lo Bridge. Recon released from OPCON to 3/5 Cav. And returned to LZ Sally, via "hook" to be RRF.
15 Dec - Company "A" secured FSB T-Bone and conducted local patrols and ambushes. "C" Co. 26 element was OPCON to Company "A". They conducted RIF operation from LZ Sally to vic. YD6020. While concluding RIF they heard a SA shot. On investigation, they found freshly cooked rice along side the trail, vic. YD6121 and later 3 VC. The VC fired on Co. "B". ( negative casualties). Fire was returned and the VC fled. Gunships were called in on suspected locations. Upon searching the area, negative bodies were found, but they did find 3 hooches which contained various gear, ammo, propaganda material and personal effects. Two blood trails were also found. Co. "B", followed the blood trails with negative results.
Company "C" is OPCON to 1/501. Company "D" secured An Lo Bridge. "D" Co. 16 element, CA'd to vic. YD6019 and became OPCON to Company "B". Recon moved by vehicle from LZ Sally to An Lo where they utilized a super contact team.
16 Dec - Company "B" had light contact, vic. YD6119. They engaged 3 VC resulting in 1 VC KIA and2 VC WIA. "B: Co. had 1 US slightly wounded. Company "C" (-) returned to LZ Sally (from OPCON to 1/501) via "hook" from FSB Sandy. Recon platoon (with 2 platoons of PF) departed An Lo to RIF, vic. YD6131. "C" Co. 26 element, conducted Eagle flight from LZ Sally to vic. YD6238. Gunship escort engaged 2 VC with negative results.
LUDWIG JAMES MICHAEL PFC 20 16-Dec-68 B CO
17 Dec - Company "A" security T-Bone with "A" Co. 16 element RIF to LZ Sally. Company "A" (-) was lifted via "hook" from T-Bone to LZ Sally. Company "B" continued RIF operations, vic. YD6121. "B" Co. sprang and ambush, vic. YD6120 against unknown size enemy element. Illumination and artillery were called in with negative results. Company "C" (-) was lifted from LZ Sally to FSB T-Bone. "C" Co. 26 element and 2 PF platoons conducted search and clear operation, vic. YD6139. The area had just been swept by 3-5 task force, but "C" Co. 26 element and PF's killed 3 VC and captured 2 weapons. Company "D" secured An LO Bridge.
18 Dec - On this day there was no enemy contact. Company "B" was lifted via "hook" from vic. YD6221 to An Lo Bridge and replaces Company "D" on Bridge security. Company "D" moved via "hook" from An Lo to vic. YD6321.
19 Dec - Another day of light contact. One of Company "D's" ambushes received SA fire. They called in artillery with negative results. "B" Co. 16 element, Company "A" and Recon established cordon around villages to the southeast of AN Lo, along the Song Bo river. Center of mass, vic. YD6429. The road QL#1 was blocked off by MP's and all traffic checked. The Vietnamese National Police and local PF's swept through cordon.
The results were:
20 Dec - Cordon operations were continued the next day with the following results:
Detained 43
21 Dec - Company "A" had no actual contact but found one NVA/VC base camp. The bunkers contained 3 rifles, various cooking utensils, food and ammo. They also found 2 fresh graves (VC KIA by artillery) Recon and 2 PF platoons conducted search and clear operations, vic. YD6028. They killed 7 VC and captured 3 VC. The VC were all hiding in spider holes and bunkers. Also captured were 3 weapons, ammo, and some documents.
22 Dec - The Battalion continued to conduct extensive RIF throughout the AO. Company "D" however was the only unit to make contact. They engaged 2 VC, vic. YD6119, resulting in 1 VC KIA and 1 US WIA. "D" Co. captured 1 AK47, ammo, and gear. Later in the same area they discovered a cache with SA ammo, RPG round, 25lb. Salt and 2 SKS bayonets.
23 Dec - The only contact was by "D" Co. as they killed 1 VC with small arms fire, vic. YD5921.
24 Dec - Very little activity as the Battalion returned to static positions in observance of the Christmas truce, to start at 1800hrs. Early in the morning. Company "D" killed 1 VC from ambush with a claymor.
25 Dec - Christmas day found Company "A" at LZ Sally, Company "B" at An Lo, Company "C" at T-Bone, and Company "D" at LZ Sally, with Recon at An Lo. The Battalion observed the Christmas truce and enjoyed a Holiday meal.
26 Dec - Company "A" conducted a CA to vic. YD6040 and conducted search and clear operations in vic. of LZ. The results were, 1 VC KIA, 1VC POW, 3 weapons, 750lb. Rice, uniforms, gear, ammo, an some documents were captured. The other units resumed offensive combat operations but had negative contact.
27 Dec - Company "A" had 7 people WIA by BBT they encountered. Many BBT's in the area, vic. YD6140. Company "C" operating in vic. YD6218, found 4 bodies, killed about 3 or 4 days earlier. They also found 2 M-72 LAW's and 1 RPG round. They engaged 2 VC with SA, vic. YD6219 with negative results.
28 Dec - Company "A" continued RIF operation. Vic. YD6140, finding 300lb. Spoild rice and 1 ton polished rice. Company "D" had 1 US WIA by BBT, vic. YD6128. They detained two VCS, vic. YD6326.
29 Dec - Company "A" had 2 WIA from AP mines, vic. YD6334. Company "B" and 2 PF platoons conducted CA to, vic. YD5940. They found and destroyed a BBT, vic. YD5940. In the same area they found a bunker, with ammo, magazines, Vietnamese water purification tablets. Later they found a graveyard, vic. YD5939 with signs stating in Vietnamese, "Stay out Booby Trapped Area".
30 Dec - Company "A" secured An Lo. Company "B" conducted RIF operation, vic. YD6040. They destroyed a 105mm round and an 8 inch round, and found small (200lb) cache of rice. At vic. YD5841 they engaged 1 VC resulting in 1 US WIA. Negative enemy assessment. Company "D" secured T-Bone with 1 platoon ("D"-26) conducting RIF around T-Bone. Recon remained at LZ Sally as RRF.
31 Dec - The Battalion continued combat operations but had negative contact. Company "" found 2000lb of rice, 2 VC in graves ( result of Recon's previous contact) and 5 AP mines.
Transcribers notes:
The March 24th entry is shown as the following; _ WIA/POW. That's why I put the "?".
The format for KIA,WIA,POW, etc is slightly different on the original but the content is the same. I tried to duplicate the text exactly, in content.
Bob Darmstatter 2Sep99
a. AR 870-50
b. 101st Airborne Division Reg 870-4
1LT, INFANTRY
Adjutant
3 Office, Chief of Military History
1 CINCUSARPAC ATTN: GPOP-MH
1 USARV ATTN: AVFCS-MH
1 HQS 101st Airborne Div.
1 HQS 2nd Bde, 101st Airborne Div.
5 ea company 1st Bn, 502d Infantry.
25 S3 1-502d Infantry
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
2d BRIGADE, 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION ( AIRMOBILE )
APO SAN FRANSISCO 96383
Unit History
1st Battalion, 502 Airborne Infantry
1968 Chapter
BINKO GEORGE PFC 21 27-Dec-67 A CO
CASON WILLIAM ARNOLD PFC 21 27-Dec-67 A CO
Bravo and Alpha discovered numerous Booby-Traps and fresh sign. Delta made heavy contact.
Battalion set up for night in company (+) NDP's. All NDP's mortared during the night.
Casualties: (slight) 23 WIA (Evac) 13 WIA.
Friendly: 19 WIA, 1 KIA
Enemy: 10 NVA (BC)
Friendly - 36 WIA 1 MIA 8 KIA
Enemy: - 27 KIA (BC) 2 WIA (POW)
LONG RICHARD LYTLE SSG 23 04-Jan-68 C CO
MC CRAY THOMAS CPL 29 04-Jan-68 C CO
ROY JAMES WILLIE 3RD SP4 20 04-Jan-68 C CO
SIMON DAVID LOWELL SSG 19 04-Jan-68 C CO
SWEET EUGENE FREDERICK JR; PFC 18 04-Jan-68 C CO
WISHAM GEORGE MERRITT JR 2LT 23 04-Jan-68 C CO
GABRIEL MEREDITH ALTON SGT 20 04-Jan-68 HHC
Bravo linked up with a tank unit and returned to area of contact to find MIA. Body found and identified as missing man.
Other companies had negative contact and returned to Cu Chi for night.
Change: 1 MIA to 1 KIA
Results: 1 WIA
Results, 4 NVA KIA (BC).
Results to date:
Friendly: 37 WIA 9 KIA
Enemy: 5 WIA/POW 31 KIA (BC)
Results: Enemy: 1 VC KIA (BC) AK - 47 Captured
Results: 5 WIA
Friendly: - 42 WIA 9 KIA
Enemy: - 5 WIA/POW 32 KIA (BC)
MOORE JAMES RUSSELL PFC 23 19-Jan-68 A CO
Results:
1 WIA Captured, and 1 AK-47 captured.
HAMILTON JAMES EDWARD SGT 19 01-Feb-68 A CO
HOLLAND JOSEPH PHILLIP CPT 25 01-Feb-68 A CO
WITTLER LARRY ELDON PVT 19 01-Feb-68 D CO
Battalion set up NDP's around Quang Tri for the night.
Friendly: - 33 WIA 1 KIA
Enemy: -0 WIA 25 KIA (BC) 100 KIA (Estimated)
Captured: 2 MG's, 2 AK-47, 1-82mm and 1-60mm Mortar.
Friendly - 6 WIA and 2 KIA.
Enemy - 25 NVA KIA (BC).
URDIALES ALFRED JR PFC 18 07-Feb-68 E CO
Friendly - 82 WIA 12 KIA
Enemy - 6 WIA/POW 305 KIA (BC) 100 KIA ( Estimated )
Casualties - 8 KIA, 19 WIA, 11 NVA KIA (BC)
NORTON THOMAS SP4 20 09-Feb-68 A CO
NOVEL CHARLES EDWARD SP4 21 09-Feb-68 A CO
ROUNSEVILLE JOSEPH WILFRED 1SG 30 09-Feb-68 A CO
TEREJKO BENJAMIN JOHN JR SP4 20 09-Feb-68 A CO
WAITE DONALD STEVEN SP4 19 09-Feb-68 A CO
CRAWFORD CHARLES J JR SP6 20 09-Feb-68 HHC
Friendly: - 1 KIA, 13 WIA, 1 MIA,
Enemy: - 18 KIA (BC)
Friendly: - 116 WIA 1 MIA 21 KIA
Enemy: - 6 WIA/POW 348 KIA (BC) 100 KIA (Estimated)
VOLLMER VALENTINE BERNARD SP4 20 16-Feb-68 A CO
Heavy contact resulted in 1 KIA and 11 WIA with negative enemy assessment.
GREGORY HENRY PFC 20 17-Feb-68 B CO
HOGE FRANK LEE PFC 20 17-Feb-68 B CO
Friendly - 1 KIA, 1 WIA
Enemy: 4 NVA KIA (BC)
Friendly; - 5 KIA, 32 WIA
Enemy: - 12 NVA KIA (BC). Estimated NVA battalion in area.
NEILL JOE MELVIN PFC 18 22-Feb-68 A CO
ZAMORA EDWARD SP4 20 22-Feb-68 C CO
COMBS JAMES STEPHEN SP4 19 22-Feb-68 D CO
LEVESQUE ROLAND PHILLIP SGT 21 22-Feb-68 D CO
Friendly: - 2 KIA 2 WIA
Enemy: 7 NVA KIA (BC)
Friendly: - 12 WIA
Eneny: - 2 NVA KIA (BC)
Friendly: - 1 MIA 177 WIA 31 KIA
Enemy: - 6 WIA/POW 377 KIA (BC) 100 KIA (Estimated)
Friendly: - 17 WIA 4 KIA
Enemy: - 1 WIA/POW 13 KIA (BC) 48 KIA (Estimated)
FAWKS ERNEST EUGENE SP4 30 03-Mar-68 C CO
NORFLEET HENRY JR CPL 18 03-Mar-68 C CO
WILLIAMS JAMES EARL CPL 20 03-Mar-68 C CO
DIMMITT FRANK ROBERT CPT 30 03-Mar-68 HHC
Friendly: - 5 KIA 25 WIA 2 MIA
Enemy: - 58 KIA (BC) Confirmed by aerial observation
CARR ALVIN PFC 19 06-Mar-68 D CO
LATRAILLE DAVID JOHN SP4 20 06-Mar-68 D CO
PALAZZOLA STEPHEN FRANK PFC 19 06-Mar-68 D CO
PIGFORD PHILLIP WAYNE SGT 21 06-Mar-68 D CO
SHAMBAUGH GREGORY RANDALL CPL 20 06-Mar-68 D CO
STYS STANLEY ALBERT PFC 18 06-Mar-68 D CO
Friendly: - 1 KIA 1 WIA 2 MIA (to KIA)
Enemy: - 30 KIA (BC)
Friendly: - 3 KIA 17 WIA 2 MIA
Enemy: - 35 KIA (BC) 4 WIA/POW 50 KIA (Estimated)
BOWERS WILLIAM JAMES SP4 20 08-Mar-68 A CO
HUDSON SAMUEL BERNARD PFC 19 08-Mar-68 A CO
KIDWELL WAYNE MINOR SGT 19 08-Mar-68 A CO
SHRAMKO MICHAEL ANGELO PFC 19 08-Mar-68 A CO
STEPHENS SONNIE PFC 24 08-Mar-68 A CO
VILLAFRANCO RODOLFO SP4 19 08-Mar-68 A CO
WILLIAMS BENHAROLD PFC 18 08-Mar-68 A CO
Friendly: - 3 KIA 17 WIA 2 MIA
Enemy: - 35 KIA (BC) 20 KIA (EST)
HOOD JOHN EDWARD SP4 18 09-Mar-68 C CO
VAZQUEZ WILLIAM SP4 20 09-Mar-68 C CO
KINNARD DANIEL LEE SP4 18 09-Mar-68 HHC
Enemy: - 46 NVA KIA (BC) Artillery 3 WIA/POW
Enemy: - 46 NVA KIA (BC) Artillery 3 WIA/POW
Enemy: - 2 VC KIA (BC) 1 VC POW
Enemy: - 3 NVA KIA (BC) 25 WIA (EST)_
Enemy: - 49 NVA KIA (BC)
Enemy: - 6 KIA (BC) 3 WIA/POW 1 KIA (EST)
Enemy: - 5 VC KIA (BC) 2 VC WIA/POW
Friendly: - 1 KIA 8 WIA 1 MIA
Enemy: - 3 KIA (BC) 10 KIA - WIA/POW
BENN PHILIP CRAIG 2LT 22 26-Mar-68 B CO
DERRICO JACK EDWARD SP4 20 26-Mar-68 B CO
GIBBLE ALVIN RALPH PFC 20 26-Mar-68 B CO
HORTON JOHN RICHARD PFC 21 26-Mar-68 B CO
HUBBARD GLEN DAVID SP4 18 26-Mar-68 B CO
KREK PHILIP JAMES JR SGT 21 26-Mar-68 B CO
KRUEGER WAYNE DALE PFC 20 26-Mar-68 B CO
LINK ROGER MARK PFC 21 26-Mar-68 B CO
SMITH JOE WILKINS PFC 19 26-Mar-68 B CO
TERRY HOYLE JR PFC 21 26-Mar-68 B CO
BARNES JOHN HOWARD SGT 22 27-Mar-68 B CO
MAJ Shachnow went to S3
CPT Greenhouse went from D to S2
CPT Speedy went from C to Asst. S3
1LT Wise went to C as CO
Alfa Company OPCON to 3d Marine Div.
YELVERTON DON JUNIOR SP4 18 31-Mar-68 B CO
Friendly: - 48 KIA 333 WIA 4 MIA
Enemy: - 613 KIA (BC) 26 WIA/POW 210 KIA (EST)
HESS ROBERT JAY PFC 19 18-Apr-68 D CO
WILLIAMS REGINALD JR PFC 23 18-Apr-68 D CO
ALFRED THOMAS SAMUEL PVT 18 23-Apr-68 C CO
BROWN DAVID ALLEN SP4 18 26-Apr-68 C CO
INTIHAR JOHN THOMAS PFC 20 28-Apr-68 A CO
KOVALOFF JOSEPH THOMAS SGT 20 29-Apr-68 A CO
LUTZ LARRY EUGENE PFC 20 30-Apr-68 A CO
TERRY ARIE CPL 24 30-Apr-68 A CO
Friendly: - 1 WIA
Enemy: - 6 KIA (BC) NVA - 2 WIA/POW
GOMEZ GELASIO NICANOR JR SSG 29 01-May-68 A CO
HOUSE JOHN BURNS 2LT 22 01-May-68 A CO
MERSCHEL LAWRENCE JAMES PFC 20 01-May-68 A CO
JACKSON HERMAN SGT 23 03-May-68 A CO
B company established 3 ambushes. At 21:40hrs. one ambush fired on 4 NVA across the river from them. No Assessment could be made. At 07:45hrs. another ambush fired on 5 NVA in a sampan. Results, 5 NVA KIA (BC) and sampan sunk. Bravo combat assault vill. vic 750291 and encountered heavy fire.
Formed a cordon of the vill with Delta and called in air strikes and artillery.
C company ambush killed 2 NVA KIA (BC).
Delta combat assault to 748294 and were pinned down by heavy fire. Went into cordon with Bravo suffering 2 KIA 7 WIA.
Friendly: - 2 KIA 9 WIA
Enemy: 8 NVA KIA (BC) 4 NVA KIA (Est)
MARTINEZ JOHN ANDREW SP4 20 06-May-68 A CO
THREET HOWARD ANDREW CPL 20 06-May-68 A CO
HESSION PATRICK B PFC 18 06-May-68 D CO
QUAN KENNETH RAYMOND PFC 20 06-May-68 D CO
MC LEMORE TILGHMAN RICHARD CPT 27 06-May-68 HHC
Friendly: - 2 KIA 11 WIA 4 MIA (later confirmed and recovered as KIA)
Enemy: - 5 NVA KIA (BC)
DEIKE ROBERT JAMES PFC 20 07-May-68 C CO
JEFFRIES MACK SIMPSON SGT 22 07-May-68 C CO
MYERS BILLY EUGENE SGT 21 07-May-68 C CO
VICTOR GEORGE M SFC 49 07-May-68 C CO
WILLIAMS DONALD WINSLOW CPL 24 07-May-68 C CO
"A" made contact at YD715294. Cordoned the village and called in air strikes.
"B" Company sprung an ambush on 30 NVA with organic weapons. First light revealed 16 NVA KIA (BC).
"C" Company suffered 2 KIA and 2 WIA from sniper fire.
FORDI MICHAEL JOSEPH CPL 20 08-May-68 HHC
Charlie CA'd to YD715302 and made heavy contact, suffering 2 KIA and 3 WIA. Established ambushes around the area of contact and captured 1 NVA who crawled up to one of the positions while trying to escape.
Delta made moderate scattered contact during the day and killed 8 NVA (BC).
Recon found 3 NVA KIA (BC) in a grave at YD723311.
Friendly: - 2 KIA 2 WIA
Enemy: - 26 NVA KIA (BC) 1 POW
Charlie had a running fight with 2 NVA snipers that led into a village at 7?9333, where they received heavy fire that killed their point man and prevented his recovery. Air strikes were called in and caused 10 NVA to leave their bunkers and run into Charlie's positions.
Friendly: - 1 KIA, 1 WIA, and 1 MIA (KIA),
Enemy: - 11 NVA KIA (BC).
Delta made contact at 715328 and called for an air strike. After the strike a sweep of the area revealed 13 NVA KIA (BC).
Recon found 8 NVA KIA (BC) at 720296, killed by air strike, the day before.
Friendly: - 1 KIA 1 WIA 1 MIA (Later recovered as KIA)
Enemy: - 32 NVA KIA (BC)
PATTERSON LARRY GENE SP4 18 10-May-68 C CO
Friendly; - 1 WIA
Enemy: - 4 VC KIA (BC) : 1 VC WIA (Escaped)
Delta fired artillery on suspected enemy positions then swept thru the area and found 3 VC KIA and 1 NVA KIA.
Friendly: 1 WIA BBT
Enemy: 8 VC KIA (BC)
Enemy: : - 20 WIA
Friendly: - 1 WIA BBT : 1 KIA BBT
Enemy: : - 1 VC KIA (BC) : 1 VC POW
Friendly: - 59 KIA : 393 WIA
Enemy: :- 852 KIA (BC) : 250 KIA (EST) : 129 WIA/POW
Delta company ambushed 6 VC, 1 VC KIA. Later found 2 more trying to run away. 2 VC KIA.
Bravo combined operations. Sweep resulted in 1 WAI from fire at vic. YD7132 and 3 NVA KIA in bunkers at vic. YD7131, by H/G.
Recon 1 KIA, 105mm BBT.
Co. C found 5 tons of rice.
Co D and PF's continued operating with Rome plow. Their progress report showed, 200 meters of hedgerow, 45 bunkers destroyed. During the day, 8 VC KIA, 6 VC captured, 1 of these was a messenger who had a document from his commander stating, his men could not fight due to lack of food, weapons, and ammo. There were 5 friendly WIA from BBT.
Co. "A" had one friendly WIA (US)
Bravo Co. was in contact being under mortar fire and SA most of the day. They killed 5 VC and captured 3 Hoi Chanh's. Rome plow continued destroying 450 meters of hedgerow, 5 acres of village and 70 bunkers.
DAVID MICHAEL DENNIS SP4 24 15-Jun-68 C CO
FRANCK RALPH HENRY JR PFC 20 15-Jun-68 C CO
HOYT ARTHUR JAMES SGT 23 15-Jun-68 C CO
VALENZUELA OSCAR PFC 20 15-Jun-68 C CO
"A" Co. continued Rome plow security. Rome plow destroyed 650 meters of hedgerow and 120 bunkers.
"D" Co. and PF's conducted joint operation at vic. YD6930, finding 5 VC bodies and 1 SKS, vic.YD6930. PF's with "D" killed 1 VC.
"A" security for Rome plow. Rome plow destroyed 400 meters of hedgerow and 90 bunkers.
Enemy: 1 VC KIA, 3 VC captured, 7 weapons captured.
"A" Co. captured 1 VC in NDP. He was Hoi Chanh. He then helped "A" and PF's look for the rest of his unit. ARVN had 2 men WIA by BBT, 1 by SA.
Co. B, continued working with Rome plow. Rome plow destroyed 500 meters of hedgerow, 400 meters and 100 meters of village and 83 bunkers.
Co. C, had 1 KIA and 1 WIA by BBT.
CO. "C" got 1 VC KIA, had one WIA from sniper fire.
CO. "A" had 3 WIA by Chi Com grenade. "A" captured 3 VC.
MC CLAFFERTY JAMES EDWARD SGT 24 14-Jul-68 A CO
Company "B" continued search and clear in fish hook area finding several weapons and misc. gear.
Company "C" and 2 platoons of PF's conducted RIF, vic. YD6528. Company "D" RIF, vic. YD6530.
An air strike was called in vic. YD6332. Later assessment: 5 VC KIA. PF's had 3 Hoi Chanh's. Gunships killed 9 VC YD6434.
Company "C" found 4 tons of rice, vic. YD6630.
Company "D" had sniper fire (in-effective), enemy broke contact and fled.
Recon received 3- 60mm mortar rounds with negative casualties.
Company "B" continued RIF operations, vic. YD7332 and YD7133. Resulting in 3 VC KIA, 2 VC POW and 2 VCS. They also captured several weapons.
Company "D" was security for Rome plow. The Rome plow hit a 250# bomb, vic. YD6128, destroying the dozer. The driver was not injured.
Company "A" defense of An Lo Bridge.
Company "B" detained 11 VCS, vic. YD7233 (Later classified IC).
Company "C" had 1 US WIA and killed 1 VC in operation, vic. YD6323.
Company "C" with 1 platoon of PF's, found 1 VC KIA by artillery.
Company "B" and "D" continued search and clear operations with negative contact.
Company "B" conducted joint operations with 7 platoons of PF's. RIF to village C/M, YD6830 with blocking positions at YD6729 and YD 6333. Then 4 platoons of PF's CA'd, vic. YD6629. Totals for the day, PF: 1 VC KIA, 7 VC captured and numerous weapons. "B" Co. : 9 VC KIA. One of these was C114 Company Commander, and later a female VC (Quang Dien LNO ) was killed.
Company "C", RIF, vic. YD6132 and YD6333. They hit 250# BBT. Results: 4 WIA (scout dog KIA) at vic. YD6232. They captured 4 VCS.
Company "B" conducted RIF operations to village C/M vic. YD6829. Results, 11 VC KIA (gunships killed 3 more vic. YD6530), 3 VC POW and 1 Chieu Hoi.
Company "C", Rome plow security.
Company "D", OPCON, 1st Bde. PF's CA'd to vic. YD6631 and YD6530 and conducted sweep and block for Company "B". Results, 2 VC KIA, 4 VC and 1 AK47, captured.
Company "B", RIF, vic. YD6529.
Company “C”, Rome Plows security.
Company "D", sprung ambush, vic. YD6930, on 2 VC, 1 VC KIA. Log bird fired on 3 NVA, vic. YD2331.
Recon moved into the area finding 1 NVA KIA and 2 NVA WIA.
Company "B" conducted CA to vic. YD6928 and captured 2 VC, vic. YD6334.
Company "B" conducted CA to, vic. YD6928, with negative contact.
Company "C", Rome Plow security.
Company "D", OPCON, 1st Bde.
Company "B", RIF C/M, vic. YD6630. They killed 1 VC and captured 3 VC, 1 VCS, vic. YD6432.
Company "C" received SA fire from village , vic. YD6232 and called artillery, with negative assessment.
Company "D", OPCON, 1 327. Recon RIF YD6836.
Company "B" killed 3 VC and captured 2 while on RIF operation, vic. YD6630.
"B" Co. RIF to vic. YD6534. Company "B" killed 1 VC and captured 2 while conducting RIF operation to vic. YD6334. They continued RIF to the south, finding a base camp. Resulting in 5 VC KIA, 5 VC captured and 3 VC. Several weapons were also captured. Later while in NDP, "B" Co. was mortared, hit with SA fire and RPG. "B" Co. had 1 KIA and 11 WIA.
VALKER GEORGE ERNEST 3RD SP4 21 10-Aug-68 A CO
KRISKOVICH RAYMOND GEORGE SP4 24 10-Aug-68 B CO
HAYNES ALBERT RANDELL PFC 20 10-Aug-68 E CO
SNYDER MICHAEL BRYANT SP4 21 10-Aug-68 E CO
Company "D" is at FSB Georgia.
Company "B" secured An Lo and security of Rome plow.
Company "C" discovered 3 VC bodies, vic. YD6333 that had been result of Company "A's" action on, 27 July.
Company "C" also captured 1 VC WIA, vic. YD6433.
Company "B" security of An Lo and Rome plow operation.
Company "C" conducted CA to , vic. YD6031. Results were 3 VC KIA, 1 VC captured and 2 Cheiu Hoi's.
Company "D", killed 2 VC, vic. YD6729 in bunkers.
Company "B" secured An Lo. The enemy tried a small scale ground attack which was repelled. Negative casualties.
Company "C" conducted RIF, vic. YD6333, killing 2 VC, vic. YD6729 in bunkers.
Company "B" continued security of An Lo. They captured 1 VC female, vic. YD6334.
Company's "C" and "D" continued RIF operation with negative contact.
Company "D" observed movement in front of their ambush. They fired SA and threw grenades, resulting in 1 VC KIA.
Company "B" killed 1 VC and discovered 18 individual weapons and 8 MG, vic. YD6234.
Recon killed 2 VC, vic. YD7333.
Company "C" moved to FSB Mongoose, OPCON to 1/501.
Company "D" moved to An Lo Bridge to assume bridge security.
Company "B" sprang and ambush, vic. YD6133 on 2 VC, resulting in 1 VC KIA. This VC was tax a collector. "B" Co. also had security of Rome plow and RIF operations with negative contact.
Company "C" OPCON to 1/501.
Company "A" secured An, local patrols around bridge. They detained 1 VCS.
Recon ambushed 3 VC, killing 1, vic. YD7031
Company "B" continued Rome plow security and RIF operations with negative contact.
Company "C" , OPCON 1/501.
Company "D" security of An LO.
While on Rome plow security, "B" Co. received SA fire, vic. YD6332. A cordon was formed around the village and artillery was called in. A sweep of the area resulted in 9 VC KIA and 10 VC POW, and several weapons. One of the POW's was the CO of the H319th and another cadre finance officer was captured.
IC 131
VCS 9
ARVN deserters 1
Military age males 41
VC 1
Company "B" RIF, vic. YD6929 and night ambushes.
Company "C" security of An Lo and local patrols and ambushes.
Company "D", RIF, vic. YD6629. Killing 1 NVA in a bunker and captured 1 VCS.
Recon had negative contact.
Detained 180
Classified 156 - IC
14 - Draft age men
4 - Deserters
6 - VC
Classified 31 - IC
10 - Draft age men
1 - Deserter
1 - Civil Offender
There was negative enemy contact on this day.
There are no entries on the original for Jan.1 or Jan.2.
The document starts with Jan.3, 1968. Under the "NARRATIVE" section, it explains that the Battalion conducted training and maintenance at garrison in Cu-Chi, for preparation of future contact operations on 1 and 2 January. (Worded kind'a "Dutchy" but that's the way it was written.)
There are no entries for March 25th - March 27th, on the original.
There was no entry for April 11th, on the original.
There are no entries for the dates 17 April through 30 April, on the original.
There are no entries for May 2, or May 3, on the original.
There is no entry for 6 September on the original.
There are no entries for 7 October - 9 October on the original.
There were some areas that were un-readable. Some map corrdinates and possibly some abbreviations.
I have read and re-read it so many times in typing it’s possible I overlooked something.
