TET 68 OVERVIEW In response to the VC/NVA threat to Saigon the 2/12th was relocated from Camp Rainier (Dau Tieng) to Cu Chi for deployment to various hot spots. The fact that the battalion had been withdrawn from the Cambodian border area of War Zone C to Dau Tieng in the first place was the direct result of General Weyand's - Commanding General, IIFF (Second Field Force) - recognition of the theat to Saigon by having the majority of American forces beating the bushes. Because the main supply line (Hwy 1) was unsafe from Saigon to Cu Chi, LOGISTICS were handled out of a makeshift supply depot called "CONEX CITY" at Tan Son Nhut (Airbase) while the battalion was at Hoc Mon.
16 FEB 68
[BACKGROUND NOTE: 1-5th (Co.'s C, B & HHC) established a Patrol Base at XT781033 two klicks E of downtown Hoc Mon. Co. A
OPCON to 3rd BDE 25th Infantry Division]
17 FEB 68
[BACKGROUND NOTE: 1-5th base at XT803046 five klicks E of downtown Hoc Mon.]
23 FEB 68
C Co KIA:
SP4 James S. Strickland, Jr. (20) of Jacksonville, FL perished in Gia Dinh Province [Hoc Mon area].
NOTES: TAN HOA 1968
BATTALION and events
7 FEB Bn
NL morning XT628180 Co. B
NL morning XT698113 Co.A, C. D in 6th contact area
2pm XT694123 Bn loc. 3 VC (BC)
8 FEB Bn
XT698113 NL morning Co's A, C, D
11:00 pm Bn engage aprox. 150 VC with arty and LFT Unknowns results.
9 FEB Bn
Bn Co. A and C airmobile from XT698113 to Tan Hoa area LZs.
XT691144 one company establish NL .
8:35 pm Co. C fighting XT690145 Tan Hoa anf sweep battle area and finds 8 VC KIA and 20 poss..
Co. A and C fighting;
12:45 pm vic XT6914
2:06 pm supporting gunships received heavy fire.
2:19 pm two US WIA returned with A/W, S/A and air strikes.3:00 pm Co. A at XT692147 received WIAs and KIAs.
Lossses for battle: 9(+/-) and 2 US KIA.
8:29 pm night location, 2 miles south of Tan Hoa, hit by small arms. Returned organic weapons and artillery with unknown results.
10 FEB Bn
XT693144 Co. A, C, and D engaged by enemy. Returned with organic weapons.
7:30 am XT698146 Co. C and D received A/W, S/W and RPG fire. Contact developed to sporadic sniper wire.
1:50 pm Bn [Co's Cand D] withdrew 1 1/2 miles east to vic XT7114.
2:10 pm contact broken.
2:40 Co. B at XT702144 heavy contact by small arms, automatic weapons, .50 caliber machine gun and rocket propelled grenade
fire. Contact continued as of 6pm.
3:00 pm Bn calls in Air Force strikes - 750 lb bombs and 20mm cannon fire.
Battalion sustained 11 US WUA and 1 MIA. VC losses were 11 VC KIA and 3 killed by air.
11 FEB Battalion
XT750150 elements of Bn (-) and ARVN 2 miles east of Tan Hoa an 3/4 miles north of Highway 8A.
1968 Overview
During the year the battalion participate in the Tet Counteroffensive battles in the Spring and fought major battles in the Fall. Janurary saw the battalion in the Katum AO and at Fire Support Base Burt. During TET 68 the battalion moved at the beginning of February from the Dau Tieng Area of Operations to fight near Cu Chi and at Hoc Mon. After Tet the battalion took over security of Dau Tieng Base Camp, and finally found a new new home north of Trang Bang at Fire Support Base Pershing.
JANUARY 1968
OPERATION YELLOWSTONE Phase II (continues)
The second phase of Operation Yellowstone had begun on 9 December 1967 and it ended on 25 January 1968. FSB BURT vic XT4980 FSB KATUM vic XT3391
1 - 4 JAN 68
"Continues OPCON to 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div, extracting rice and conducting recon in force operations." [SOURCE: HQ 2-12th Inf AAR (Yellowstone) 15 March 1968] Since December 29, 1967, the 2-12th rice cache and laager (XT279934).
ELSEWHERE IN VIETNAM: Fire Support Base Burt at (XT499806) under major attack by the 271st and 272nd VC Regiments (4 battalions committed, 2 battalions in reserve. The attack began at 11:30 pm on the 1st and raged untill 6 am on the 2nd, resulting in 401 VC killed, 23 US KIAs and 153 US WIAs. Known as the Battle of FSB Burt (or the Battle of Suoi Cut), it was some 16 klicks southeast of the 12th at Katum.
Defending U.S. forces:
2-22 (M) Inf Co.'s A, B, C
3-22 Inf Co.'s A, B, C
3-13 Artillery Battery B (155 mm self-propelled)
2-27 Arty Batteries A, C
5-2 Arty (one section of M-42 self-propelled "Dusters")
71st Arty Battery D (M55) 29th Arty (one section Battery I)
On the 2nd the 4/9th Inf (Manchu) replaced the 3-22nd Inf who flew to Katum, and then on to Dau Tieng on the 5th - only to return to Burt on the 7th, where they remained until the 23rd when they finally left this place of hell. [NOTE: Oliver Stone, director of the movie PLATOON, was a member of Bravo Company, Third Battalion, Twenty Second Infantry (B/3-22) and the movie's climax may have been based on the battle at FSB Burt - although, I'm sure Stone had many other adventures that could have been the basis. - Sarge]
[SOURCE: 3rd Brigade, 25th Division AAR 19 March 1968]
2-12th INF continues OPCON as 1st Bde. RECON platoon continues as 3rd Bde as RRF.
5 JAN 68
"Bn (-) relocated to FSB KATUM (XT333898). Replaced 3-22 at FSB and assumed FSB security requirements. Bravo Co airmobile from Dau Tieng to Katum, last element departed Dau Tieng 1235H." [SOURCE: HQ 2-12th Inf AAR (Yellowstone) 15 March 1968]
Co. B had been at Dau Tieng as 3rd Bde RRF. Four miles northwest of Katum, the Battalion (-) leaves the site of the rice cache discovered on the 29th of December at (XT279934) and returns to Katum Base Camp at (XT334898) to replace the 3-22 Inf and assume security for the base. Bravo Company airmobile from Dau Tieng to join the battalion at Katum - the last element arriving shortly after noon. [Source: 2-12 Inf AAR 15 MAR 1968] 3-22 Inf leaves FSB Burt for Dau Tieng.
ELSEWHERE IN VIETNAM:
To the east of Katum, the 4/9th Inf "Manchu" working out of FSB Burt fight the Hour Glass Battle north of Katum on an LZ. Three helicopters were shot down and many others shot to pieces.
6 JAN 68
2-12th Inf providing security for Katum, resting and refitting after recent operations. -------- 7 JAN 67 2-12th remains at FSB Katum as security. 3-22 Inf returns to FSB Burt.
8 JAN 68
A Co KIA:
PFC Larry Gene Dearing (20)*
Elements of the 2-12th providing security for Rome Plows one and a half klicks southeast of Katum made contact with an estimated squad of enemy at (XT340884) resulting in two NVA killed. Six hours latter at 4 pm sniper fire killed one U.S. soldier, wounded two others and resulted in one U.S. non-battle injury. Enemy losses unknown. *[Source: Virtual Wall Organization.]
9 JAN 68
D Co KIA's:
SP4 Randolph T. Butler (20) of St. Petersburg, FL
SP4 Tyler W. Cobb, Jr. (19) of La Puete, CA perished in Tay Ninh Province.
Co. D received continuous sniper fire on the 9th just southeast of the previous days contact killing Specialist's Butler and Cobb and wounding another soldier at (XT340884). Enemy casualties unknown.
10 JAN 68
2-12th airmobile west-southwest of Katum to an LZ at (XT274864). Alpha Company had one non-battle injury.
11JAN 68
Co. A departs Katum sweeping east to (XT359901), then north to (XT359920), west to (XT346900) and then southwest back to Katum. Bravo Company provided security for Rome plows working the perimeter. At 6:15 pm Katum received 10 rounds of 82 mm and 15 rounds of 60 mm mortar fire. Negative casualties.
12 JAN 68
Co. C discovered 8 graves with the bodies of 8 males dressed in light green uniforms at (XT345887). This was in the area of the January 8th and 9th contacts. [Source; Yellowstone report] Bn continues as OPCON 1st Bde. RECON platoon as 3rd Bde RRF. At 3:50 pm CRIP vic XT503447 received small armsand automatic fire. Returned fire with organic weapons with negative results. US was shot in the thiigh (friendly) at 3:55 pm XT500477
13 JAN 68
2-12th INF OPCON as 1st Brigade. Local Recon in force around Katum.
14 JAN 68
Co.'s A, B and C conducted a combat air assault into an LZ nine klicks northwest of Katum at (XT279972). Gunships covering the assault received fire north of the LZ at (XT279978) and returned fire. An air strike was called in. Co. C investigated and received fire from an estimated 3 VC in the area. Co. B located a minefield and 10 VC bodies in shallow graves. The three companies swept south one klick from the original landing zone to a pick-up zone (PZ) at (XT282958) and returned to Katum. [SOURCE: YELLOWSTONE 25th Div OR-LL] 2-12th continues as OPCON 1st Bde. RECON platoon RRF for 3rd Bde.
15 JAN 68
2-12th BN OPCON to 1st Brigade Co.'s A, B & D rif six klicks southeast down Hwy 246 to Bo Tuc and return to Katum. The battalion located and destroyed three anti-tank mines clearing the road. [ibid Yellowstone report] 2-12th INF OPCON 1st Bde. Recon platoon remains 3rd Bde RRF. [Source: ibid 3rd Bde AAR]
16 JAN 68
2-12th BN 3rd Brigade MOVE TO BURT 2-12th (-) Battalion moved by CH-47 (Chinook) from Katum to FSB Burt to relieve the 4/9th Manchu and Bn returned to 3rd Brigade control from the 1st BDE. 3-22 Inf remained at Burt untill the 23rd and then the 3-22nd flew to Dau Tieng.
17 JAN 68
Battalion in 3rd Brigade 2/12th conducted platoon size patrolling and improving FSB Burt positions. At 9:15 am Co. C found 1 dead (BC) XT506798. Also destroyed 3 mortar positions, 20 bunkers, 50 82mm fuses. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div, After Action Report 19 March 1968]
18 JAN 68
BN in 3rd Bde Alpha Company found three freshly dug 4'x3'x5' foxholes (two with overhead cover) northeast of FSB Burt at (XT515830). At 1:15 pm a Dustoff was called for a soldier with leg cramps. At 4:15 pm a stay behind force discovered a grave with a male dressed in black pajamas. [SOURCE: Yellowstone OR-LL 25th Div HQ] 2/12th search and destroy operations vic XT525810. Co. A at 9:45 am destroy 3 foxholes with overcover vic XT515820. At 1:20 one US suffered leg cramps vic XT517820 (dusted off). At 5:20 pm Co. A found 1 VC KIA (BC) in grave vic XT500810. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div AAR 19 March 1968]
19 JAN 68
BN in 3rd Brigade Battalion conducted Search and Destroy operations to vic XT5181 & XT5182. Co. D found one VC body 500 meters east-northeast of Burt at (XT504808) near 8 am. They continued patrolling and returned to the base at 5 pm. The battalion was conducting loal patrols around FSB Burt. [SOURCE: Yellowstone OR-LL HQ 25th Div]
20 JAN 68
2/12th INF in 3rd Bde Elements of the 2/12th swept to the southeast of FSB Burt. Co. A, 1 klick SE of Burt, at (XT507796) [1] found stakes tied to trees. Stakes were probably use as trail markers. Alpha also discovered and destroyed four 3'x4'x5' bunkers with overhead cover - estimated three days old [1]. At 0850 hours vic (XT509799) [2] found 8 huts, 17 bunkers. Alpha destroyed the bunkers and burned the huts. At 9:45 am at (XT511791) [3] found a week old six foot bunker with overhead cover. At 1020 hours (XT517787) [4] found 7 freshly dug unused graves, 4 foxholes 3'x4'x4' (two incomplete), 6 freshly dug bunkers without overhead cover approx. 1 week old. At 12:25 pm (XT511792) located 1 foxhole and a hut with an 8' long tunnel. At 2:10 pm (XT503797) [6] found probable staging area with 30 (+/-) foxholes having overhead cover, one radio battery case, rucksack, bandages and approximately 100 pounds of rice. Located 6 graves with six males. Found and extracted one bicycle. Co. D found a 3' wide bridge tied with vines at (XT515784) [7]. Also found one AK-47 with magazine at (XT504800) [8]. All elements closed FSB Burt by 4 pm. [SOURCE: HQ 25th DIV Yellowstone OR-LL] 2-12 INF: Continued S&D vic XT5178. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div AAR 19 March 1968]
21 JAN 68
Co. A (point company) and Co. B (trail) sweep two klicks east-southeast out of FSB Burt to (XT524800), then (around 10 pm) swing north. 100 meters north of the turn, Co. B discovers 3 bunkers with overhead cover and 3 foxholes at 10:45 am. The bunkers were very old and already partially destroyed. Co.'s A and B continue north nearly one klick from the turn at XT524800 to a check point at (XT524809) and turned west-southwest towards Burt. At 3:10 pm Alpha discovered 17 bunkers with overhead cover each 3'x4'x4', some bloody rags and two VC entrenching tools. Both companies closed the wire at Burt by 4:30. [SOURCE: Yellowstone II OR-LL] Co. C, 2-12th OPCON to 3-22 Inf. At 8:55 am Co. C, working with Co. D 3-22, find seven bunkers with overhead cover and 100 meters of trenches at (XT489809) one klick west-northwest of FSB Burt. Moving 500 meters due west they found two bunkers with ovehead cover an hour and a half latter at (XT486809). [SOURCE:3-22nd INF, 26th DIV Yellowstone II AAR] RECON remains 3rd BDE CRIP. [? Dau Tieng?] Co. B 9:25 am vic XT524801destroyed 3 bunkers. Co. A 3:17 pm vic XT515804 found 17 bunkers and 2 entrenching tools. [SOURCE: 3rd Brigade, 25th Division AAR 19 March 1968]
22 JAN 68
Co.'s B and D swept east out of FSB Burt. At 0815 hours Co. B found 15 two week old foxholes with no overhead cover at (XT505805). In the same area Delta Company found 35 one man foxholes with no overhead cover about two weeks old. Two-hundred meters SE of the foxholes they found 4 VC bodies about three weeks old. Moving east, Delta found a small base camp at (XT512805). The bunkers were 3'x4'x4' and had overhead cover. Delta destroyed these. Moving southeast from the base camp Delta found a three week old VC body, 2 RPG rounds with charges, and 1 Chicom grenade. By 4 pm both companies had closed the wire at Burt. [SOURCE: YELLOWSTONE II, HQ 25th DIV] Co. C continue OPCON 3-22 INF. RECON platoon continues as BDE CRIP. Co. D 8:14 am vic XT509805 destroyed 15 foxholes and at 8:45 am found 4 bunkers. At 1:10 pm vic XT502??? Co. D found 1 VC KIA (BC) and 2 RPG rounds. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div AAR 19 March 1968]
23 JAN 68
On the 23rd and 24th the battalion conducted cloverleaf operations two clicks north of FSB Burt on Hill 95 (XT504833). 3-22 Inf leaves FSB Burt for Dau Tieng. BACK IN THE WORLD (sort of): A U.S. Navy intelligence gathering ship, the USS Pueblo, is captured by the (Communist) North Koreans on the 23rd. The fate of the crew of 83 absorbs the attention of the Navy and State Departments until the crew is released in December 1968. [As far as I know, the Commies still have the damned ship. Or is that "doomed" ship!? Korean was still a "hot" place 15 plus years after the Korean War Truce - soldiers were still getting killed. I think infantrymen stationd on the Korean DMZ could get a CIB. - Sarge]
25 JAN 68
2-12th conducted local sweeps around FSB Burt. At 3 pm Bravo Company found 2 RPG-2 rounds with boosters 300 meters southeast of the firebase at (XT503805).
26 JAN 68
B Co. KIA:
PFC James C. Curtin (21) of Chicago, IL
A Btry 2-77th FA KIA:
1LT Reginald A. Stancil (24), A Battery 2-77th Arty FO, of Bristol (Fairless Hills), PA perished in Tay Ninh Province.
SGT Maxie Lane Price (20) of Greenville, South Carolina
PFC Edward Joseph Craig (19) of Willingboro, New Jersey
A Co 2-22nd KIA:
PFC Robert Risely Fryer (20) Paso Robles, CA
FSB Burt received 25 82mm rounds at 8 am. This resulted in 5 US KIA and 29 US WIA. PFC Curtin and artillery F.O. 1LT Stancil were sharing a foxhole when it was hit by a mortar. Extraction operations of the battalion from Burt began at 8:45 and the Second of the Twelfth closed Camp Rainier by noon. ".... 26 January 1968, 2-12th to airlit to Dau Tieng to reinforce and/or counterattack the following areas and employ two (2) companies in the Michelin on Reconnaissance in Force Operations, also provide security for vehicle convoy between Dau Tieng and Tay Ninh:...." District Headquarters (Vietnamese) 369th RF Company Ben Do Out-post CRIP and Nguyon Van Than Out-post Cau Cat Out-post Cau Duc Out-post Bridge Cau Binh Out-post Bon Cui [SOURCE: HQ 2-12 Yellowstone AAR 15 March 1968] [Others killed on the 26th- most likely, but not necessarily during the mortar attack - PFC Robert Risley Fryer (MOS 11C10. 2-22nd) who had been "in country" just 19 days, SGT Maxie Lane Price (MOS 13E20 Cannon Fire Direction Control), and PFC Edward Joseph Craig (MOS 13A10) both from 2-77th Field Artillery).]
27 - 31 JAN 68
Battalion (-), at Dau Tieng, conducts Reconnaissance in Force missions in and around the Michelin Rubber Plantation. On the 31st OPERATION YELLOWSTONE ENDS. Results: 5 2/12th KIA, 47 WIA.
TET 68
31 JAN 68 TET OFFENSIVE BEGINS.
During the year the battalion participate in the Tet Counteroffensive battles in the Spring and fought major battles in the Fall. Janurary saw the battalion in the Katum AO and at Fire Support Base Burt. During TET 68 the battalion moved at the beginning of February from the Dau Tieng Area of Operations to fight near Cu Chi and at Hoc Mon. After Tet the battalion took over security of Dau Tieng Base Camp, and finally found a new new home north of Trang Bang at Fire Support Base Pershing.
JANUARY 1968
OPERATION YELLOWSTONE Phase II (continues)
The second phase of Operation Yellowstone had begun on 9 December 1967 and it ended on 25 January 1968. FSB BURT vic XT4980 FSB KATUM vic XT3391
1 - 4 JAN 68
"Continues OPCON to 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div, extracting rice and conducting recon in force operations." [SOURCE: HQ 2-12th Inf AAR (Yellowstone) 15 March 1968] Since December 29, 1967, the 2-12th rice cache and laager (XT279934).
ELSEWHERE IN VIETNAM: Fire Support Base Burt at (XT499806) under major attack by the 271st and 272nd VC Regiments (4 battalions committed, 2 battalions in reserve. The attack began at 11:30 pm on the 1st and raged untill 6 am on the 2nd, resulting in 401 VC killed, 23 US KIAs and 153 US WIAs. Known as the Battle of FSB Burt (or the Battle of Suoi Cut), it was some 16 klicks southeast of the 12th at Katum.
Defending U.S. forces:
2-22 (M) Inf Co.'s A, B, C
3-22 Inf Co.'s A, B, C
3-13 Artillery Battery B (155 mm self-propelled)
2-27 Arty Batteries A, C
5-2 Arty (one section of M-42 self-propelled "Dusters")
71st Arty Battery D (M55) 29th Arty (one section Battery I)
On the 2nd the 4/9th Inf (Manchu) replaced the 3-22nd Inf who flew to Katum, and then on to Dau Tieng on the 5th - only to return to Burt on the 7th, where they remained until the 23rd when they finally left this place of hell. [NOTE: Oliver Stone, director of the movie PLATOON, was a member of Bravo Company, Third Battalion, Twenty Second Infantry (B/3-22) and the movie's climax may have been based on the battle at FSB Burt - although, I'm sure Stone had many other adventures that could have been the basis. - Sarge]
[SOURCE: 3rd Brigade, 25th Division AAR 19 March 1968]
2-12th INF continues OPCON as 1st Bde. RECON platoon continues as 3rd Bde as RRF.
5 JAN 68
"Bn (-) relocated to FSB KATUM (XT333898). Replaced 3-22 at FSB and assumed FSB security requirements. Bravo Co airmobile from Dau Tieng to Katum, last element departed Dau Tieng 1235H." [SOURCE: HQ 2-12th Inf AAR (Yellowstone) 15 March 1968]
Co. B had been at Dau Tieng as 3rd Bde RRF. Four miles northwest of Katum, the Battalion (-) leaves the site of the rice cache discovered on the 29th of December at (XT279934) and returns to Katum Base Camp at (XT334898) to replace the 3-22 Inf and assume security for the base. Bravo Company airmobile from Dau Tieng to join the battalion at Katum - the last element arriving shortly after noon. [Source: 2-12 Inf AAR 15 MAR 1968] 3-22 Inf leaves FSB Burt for Dau Tieng.
ELSEWHERE IN VIETNAM:
To the east of Katum, the 4/9th Inf "Manchu" working out of FSB Burt fight the Hour Glass Battle north of Katum on an LZ. Three helicopters were shot down and many others shot to pieces.
6 JAN 68
2-12th Inf providing security for Katum, resting and refitting after recent operations. -------- 7 JAN 67 2-12th remains at FSB Katum as security. 3-22 Inf returns to FSB Burt.
8 JAN 68
A Co KIA:
PFC Larry Gene Dearing (20)*
Elements of the 2-12th providing security for Rome Plows one and a half klicks southeast of Katum made contact with an estimated squad of enemy at (XT340884) resulting in two NVA killed. Six hours latter at 4 pm sniper fire killed one U.S. soldier, wounded two others and resulted in one U.S. non-battle injury. Enemy losses unknown. *[Source: Virtual Wall Organization.]
9 JAN 68
D Co KIA's:
SP4 Randolph T. Butler (20) of St. Petersburg, FL
SP4 Tyler W. Cobb, Jr. (19) of La Puete, CA perished in Tay Ninh Province.
Co. D received continuous sniper fire on the 9th just southeast of the previous days contact killing Specialist's Butler and Cobb and wounding another soldier at (XT340884). Enemy casualties unknown.
10 JAN 68
2-12th airmobile west-southwest of Katum to an LZ at (XT274864). Alpha Company had one non-battle injury.
11JAN 68
Co. A departs Katum sweeping east to (XT359901), then north to (XT359920), west to (XT346900) and then southwest back to Katum. Bravo Company provided security for Rome plows working the perimeter. At 6:15 pm Katum received 10 rounds of 82 mm and 15 rounds of 60 mm mortar fire. Negative casualties.
12 JAN 68
Co. C discovered 8 graves with the bodies of 8 males dressed in light green uniforms at (XT345887). This was in the area of the January 8th and 9th contacts. [Source; Yellowstone report] Bn continues as OPCON 1st Bde. RECON platoon as 3rd Bde RRF. At 3:50 pm CRIP vic XT503447 received small armsand automatic fire. Returned fire with organic weapons with negative results. US was shot in the thiigh (friendly) at 3:55 pm XT500477
13 JAN 68
2-12th INF OPCON as 1st Brigade. Local Recon in force around Katum.
14 JAN 68
Co.'s A, B and C conducted a combat air assault into an LZ nine klicks northwest of Katum at (XT279972). Gunships covering the assault received fire north of the LZ at (XT279978) and returned fire. An air strike was called in. Co. C investigated and received fire from an estimated 3 VC in the area. Co. B located a minefield and 10 VC bodies in shallow graves. The three companies swept south one klick from the original landing zone to a pick-up zone (PZ) at (XT282958) and returned to Katum. [SOURCE: YELLOWSTONE 25th Div OR-LL] 2-12th continues as OPCON 1st Bde. RECON platoon RRF for 3rd Bde.
15 JAN 68
2-12th BN OPCON to 1st Brigade Co.'s A, B & D rif six klicks southeast down Hwy 246 to Bo Tuc and return to Katum. The battalion located and destroyed three anti-tank mines clearing the road. [ibid Yellowstone report] 2-12th INF OPCON 1st Bde. Recon platoon remains 3rd Bde RRF. [Source: ibid 3rd Bde AAR]
16 JAN 68
2-12th BN 3rd Brigade MOVE TO BURT 2-12th (-) Battalion moved by CH-47 (Chinook) from Katum to FSB Burt to relieve the 4/9th Manchu and Bn returned to 3rd Brigade control from the 1st BDE. 3-22 Inf remained at Burt untill the 23rd and then the 3-22nd flew to Dau Tieng.
17 JAN 68
Battalion in 3rd Brigade 2/12th conducted platoon size patrolling and improving FSB Burt positions. At 9:15 am Co. C found 1 dead (BC) XT506798. Also destroyed 3 mortar positions, 20 bunkers, 50 82mm fuses. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div, After Action Report 19 March 1968]
18 JAN 68
BN in 3rd Bde Alpha Company found three freshly dug 4'x3'x5' foxholes (two with overhead cover) northeast of FSB Burt at (XT515830). At 1:15 pm a Dustoff was called for a soldier with leg cramps. At 4:15 pm a stay behind force discovered a grave with a male dressed in black pajamas. [SOURCE: Yellowstone OR-LL 25th Div HQ] 2/12th search and destroy operations vic XT525810. Co. A at 9:45 am destroy 3 foxholes with overcover vic XT515820. At 1:20 one US suffered leg cramps vic XT517820 (dusted off). At 5:20 pm Co. A found 1 VC KIA (BC) in grave vic XT500810. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div AAR 19 March 1968]
19 JAN 68
BN in 3rd Brigade Battalion conducted Search and Destroy operations to vic XT5181 & XT5182. Co. D found one VC body 500 meters east-northeast of Burt at (XT504808) near 8 am. They continued patrolling and returned to the base at 5 pm. The battalion was conducting loal patrols around FSB Burt. [SOURCE: Yellowstone OR-LL HQ 25th Div]
20 JAN 68
2/12th INF in 3rd Bde Elements of the 2/12th swept to the southeast of FSB Burt. Co. A, 1 klick SE of Burt, at (XT507796) [1] found stakes tied to trees. Stakes were probably use as trail markers. Alpha also discovered and destroyed four 3'x4'x5' bunkers with overhead cover - estimated three days old [1]. At 0850 hours vic (XT509799) [2] found 8 huts, 17 bunkers. Alpha destroyed the bunkers and burned the huts. At 9:45 am at (XT511791) [3] found a week old six foot bunker with overhead cover. At 1020 hours (XT517787) [4] found 7 freshly dug unused graves, 4 foxholes 3'x4'x4' (two incomplete), 6 freshly dug bunkers without overhead cover approx. 1 week old. At 12:25 pm (XT511792) located 1 foxhole and a hut with an 8' long tunnel. At 2:10 pm (XT503797) [6] found probable staging area with 30 (+/-) foxholes having overhead cover, one radio battery case, rucksack, bandages and approximately 100 pounds of rice. Located 6 graves with six males. Found and extracted one bicycle. Co. D found a 3' wide bridge tied with vines at (XT515784) [7]. Also found one AK-47 with magazine at (XT504800) [8]. All elements closed FSB Burt by 4 pm. [SOURCE: HQ 25th DIV Yellowstone OR-LL] 2-12 INF: Continued S&D vic XT5178. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div AAR 19 March 1968]
21 JAN 68
Co. A (point company) and Co. B (trail) sweep two klicks east-southeast out of FSB Burt to (XT524800), then (around 10 pm) swing north. 100 meters north of the turn, Co. B discovers 3 bunkers with overhead cover and 3 foxholes at 10:45 am. The bunkers were very old and already partially destroyed. Co.'s A and B continue north nearly one klick from the turn at XT524800 to a check point at (XT524809) and turned west-southwest towards Burt. At 3:10 pm Alpha discovered 17 bunkers with overhead cover each 3'x4'x4', some bloody rags and two VC entrenching tools. Both companies closed the wire at Burt by 4:30. [SOURCE: Yellowstone II OR-LL] Co. C, 2-12th OPCON to 3-22 Inf. At 8:55 am Co. C, working with Co. D 3-22, find seven bunkers with overhead cover and 100 meters of trenches at (XT489809) one klick west-northwest of FSB Burt. Moving 500 meters due west they found two bunkers with ovehead cover an hour and a half latter at (XT486809). [SOURCE:3-22nd INF, 26th DIV Yellowstone II AAR] RECON remains 3rd BDE CRIP. [? Dau Tieng?] Co. B 9:25 am vic XT524801destroyed 3 bunkers. Co. A 3:17 pm vic XT515804 found 17 bunkers and 2 entrenching tools. [SOURCE: 3rd Brigade, 25th Division AAR 19 March 1968]
22 JAN 68
Co.'s B and D swept east out of FSB Burt. At 0815 hours Co. B found 15 two week old foxholes with no overhead cover at (XT505805). In the same area Delta Company found 35 one man foxholes with no overhead cover about two weeks old. Two-hundred meters SE of the foxholes they found 4 VC bodies about three weeks old. Moving east, Delta found a small base camp at (XT512805). The bunkers were 3'x4'x4' and had overhead cover. Delta destroyed these. Moving southeast from the base camp Delta found a three week old VC body, 2 RPG rounds with charges, and 1 Chicom grenade. By 4 pm both companies had closed the wire at Burt. [SOURCE: YELLOWSTONE II, HQ 25th DIV] Co. C continue OPCON 3-22 INF. RECON platoon continues as BDE CRIP. Co. D 8:14 am vic XT509805 destroyed 15 foxholes and at 8:45 am found 4 bunkers. At 1:10 pm vic XT502??? Co. D found 1 VC KIA (BC) and 2 RPG rounds. [SOURCE: 3rd Bde, 25th Div AAR 19 March 1968]
23 JAN 68
On the 23rd and 24th the battalion conducted cloverleaf operations two clicks north of FSB Burt on Hill 95 (XT504833). 3-22 Inf leaves FSB Burt for Dau Tieng. BACK IN THE WORLD (sort of): A U.S. Navy intelligence gathering ship, the USS Pueblo, is captured by the (Communist) North Koreans on the 23rd. The fate of the crew of 83 absorbs the attention of the Navy and State Departments until the crew is released in December 1968. [As far as I know, the Commies still have the damned ship. Or is that "doomed" ship!? Korean was still a "hot" place 15 plus years after the Korean War Truce - soldiers were still getting killed. I think infantrymen stationd on the Korean DMZ could get a CIB. - Sarge]
25 JAN 68
2-12th conducted local sweeps around FSB Burt. At 3 pm Bravo Company found 2 RPG-2 rounds with boosters 300 meters southeast of the firebase at (XT503805).
26 JAN 68
B Co. KIA:
PFC James C. Curtin (21) of Chicago, IL
A Btry 2-77th FA KIA:
1LT Reginald A. Stancil (24), A Battery 2-77th Arty FO, of Bristol (Fairless Hills), PA perished in Tay Ninh Province.
SGT Maxie Lane Price (20) of Greenville, South Carolina
PFC Edward Joseph Craig (19) of Willingboro, New Jersey
A Co 2-22nd KIA:
PFC Robert Risely Fryer (20) Paso Robles, CA
FSB Burt received 25 82mm rounds at 8 am. This resulted in 5 US KIA and 29 US WIA. PFC Curtin and artillery F.O. 1LT Stancil were sharing a foxhole when it was hit by a mortar. Extraction operations of the battalion from Burt began at 8:45 and the Second of the Twelfth closed Camp Rainier by noon. ".... 26 January 1968, 2-12th to airlit to Dau Tieng to reinforce and/or counterattack the following areas and employ two (2) companies in the Michelin on Reconnaissance in Force Operations, also provide security for vehicle convoy between Dau Tieng and Tay Ninh:...." District Headquarters (Vietnamese) 369th RF Company Ben Do Out-post CRIP and Nguyon Van Than Out-post Cau Cat Out-post Cau Duc Out-post Bridge Cau Binh Out-post Bon Cui [SOURCE: HQ 2-12 Yellowstone AAR 15 March 1968] [Others killed on the 26th- most likely, but not necessarily during the mortar attack - PFC Robert Risley Fryer (MOS 11C10. 2-22nd) who had been "in country" just 19 days, SGT Maxie Lane Price (MOS 13E20 Cannon Fire Direction Control), and PFC Edward Joseph Craig (MOS 13A10) both from 2-77th Field Artillery).]
27 - 31 JAN 68
Battalion (-), at Dau Tieng, conducts Reconnaissance in Force missions in and around the Michelin Rubber Plantation. On the 31st OPERATION YELLOWSTONE ENDS. Results: 5 2/12th KIA, 47 WIA.
TET 68
31 JAN 68 TET OFFENSIVE BEGINS.
FEBRUARY 1968
OPERATION SARATOGA
1 FEB to 10 MAR 1968
Operation Saratoga was a 2nd Brigade, 25th Division operation that had begun on 7 December 1967 while the 2-12th Infantry was in the 3rd Brigade and participating in Operation Yellowstone. When the battalion came under the operational control (OPCON) of the 2nd Brigade on the 1st they became a unit in Saratoga.
1 FEB 68
The 3rd Brigade's 2-12th Infantry became OPCON to the 2nd Brigade and flew 20 miles south-southeast to a landing zone (XT631180) west of the Filhoi Rubber Plantation, and a couple of klicks north-northwest of Cu Chi base camp. This move was precipitated by the movement to the Saigon area of both battalions of the 27th Infantry in their reaction to the opening shots of Tet 68. Upon landing, the 2-12th busied itself with building a night laager and operating base (XT628180) in the rice paddies some 1 1/2 miles northwest of the wire at Cu Chi base camp and settled in for the night.
Both Cu Chi Base Camp and Cu Chi village are under attack. 3-22 Infantry counter-attacks and assumes security for the main supply route (MSR) Highway 1 from Trang Bang to the Hoc Mon Bridge (along with element of the mechinized 4/23 Infantry who were working the Ho Bo's).
2 FEB 68
Night location: XT628180, 2km NW of Cu Chi Base Camp. At 6 a.m. the battalions new night laager received 6 rounds of enemy 82mm mortar fire resulting in negative casualties. The battalion conducted Reconnaissance in Force Operations and airmobile cmbat assaults. In mid-afternoon (1525 hrs) Company A sustained 1 WIA from a booby trap 2 miles (+/-) west of the night laager at XT588173.
3 FEB 68
Night Laager remains NW of Cu Chi Base Camp. At 3:22 a.m. just east of the night laager a ambush patrol (or listening post) sustained 5 US WIA from fragmentation wounds. XT631180.
Companies A and B flew five miles east to an LZ southwest of Phu Hoa. XT705184. Moving north-northeast off the landing zone Company A made contact at 11:35 a.m. with an unknown size enemy force but sustained no casualties. XT708193. Still moving northeast, A and B Companies made contact on the outskirts of Phu Hoa village at 1 p.m. sustaining 12 US wounded by gunshot. XT714197. The enemy lost 7 killed (body count). Three hours latter a supporting gunship was downed in the Filhoi Rubber Plantation by small arms fire. XT700196.
OPERATION SARATOGA
1 FEB to 10 MAR 1968
Operation Saratoga was a 2nd Brigade, 25th Division operation that had begun on 7 December 1967 while the 2-12th Infantry was in the 3rd Brigade and participating in Operation Yellowstone. When the battalion came under the operational control (OPCON) of the 2nd Brigade on the 1st they became a unit in Saratoga.
1 FEB 68
The 3rd Brigade's 2-12th Infantry became OPCON to the 2nd Brigade and flew 20 miles south-southeast to a landing zone (XT631180) west of the Filhoi Rubber Plantation, and a couple of klicks north-northwest of Cu Chi base camp. This move was precipitated by the movement to the Saigon area of both battalions of the 27th Infantry in their reaction to the opening shots of Tet 68. Upon landing, the 2-12th busied itself with building a night laager and operating base (XT628180) in the rice paddies some 1 1/2 miles northwest of the wire at Cu Chi base camp and settled in for the night.
Both Cu Chi Base Camp and Cu Chi village are under attack. 3-22 Infantry counter-attacks and assumes security for the main supply route (MSR) Highway 1 from Trang Bang to the Hoc Mon Bridge (along with element of the mechinized 4/23 Infantry who were working the Ho Bo's).
2 FEB 68
Night location: XT628180, 2km NW of Cu Chi Base Camp. At 6 a.m. the battalions new night laager received 6 rounds of enemy 82mm mortar fire resulting in negative casualties. The battalion conducted Reconnaissance in Force Operations and airmobile cmbat assaults. In mid-afternoon (1525 hrs) Company A sustained 1 WIA from a booby trap 2 miles (+/-) west of the night laager at XT588173.
3 FEB 68
Night Laager remains NW of Cu Chi Base Camp. At 3:22 a.m. just east of the night laager a ambush patrol (or listening post) sustained 5 US WIA from fragmentation wounds. XT631180.
Companies A and B flew five miles east to an LZ southwest of Phu Hoa. XT705184. Moving north-northeast off the landing zone Company A made contact at 11:35 a.m. with an unknown size enemy force but sustained no casualties. XT708193. Still moving northeast, A and B Companies made contact on the outskirts of Phu Hoa village at 1 p.m. sustaining 12 US wounded by gunshot. XT714197. The enemy lost 7 killed (body count). Three hours latter a supporting gunship was downed in the Filhoi Rubber Plantation by small arms fire. XT700196.
4 FEB 68
Night Laager (NL) remains NW of Cu Chi base.
Companies B and C conducted airmobile combat assaults to LZ 4 1/2miles north of Cu Chi camp near the banks of the Saigon River. XT673231. Companies A and C provided security for the night laager.
CLEAN UP BATTLES OF AREA OPERATIONS
5-7 February 1968
With the Battalion still in their night laager (vic XT628180) northwest of Cu Chi Base Camp the effort shifted from north of Cu Chi to the area between the base camp on Highway 8-A (a.k.a. "Eight Alpha") and the collection of villages at AP CHO on Highway 1 - an area code named AO CLEAN-UP.
For three days the 2-12th slugged it out half-way between Eight Alpha and the MSR. For all intents and purposes the fifth of February was THE BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE OF TAN HOA since the fighting was only a mile due south of the village of Tan Hoa, although other histories call the fighting a part of the battles around AP CHO.
5 FEB 68
NL remains NW of Cu Chi base camp.
C Co KIAs:
PFC Kenneth W. Coates (20) of West Branch, MI;
PFC M. L. Curry (18) of Holly Springs, MS;
PFC Larry W. Norgaard (20) of Iroquois, SD
PFC Wesley G. Thurston (26) of Rochester, NY
perished in Binh Duong Province.
Co C air assaulted into Ap Phouc Thoi (XT677124) south of Cu Chi. After moving a mile-and-a-half due east Charlie Company made contact at Ap Phouc Hung (XT694125), a village with an ARVN compound to the north and a road system that ran south to the villages in the vicinity of Ap Cho on Highway 1. At 1:25 p.m. Charlie Company had 1 WIA, by 2 p.m. the company had suffered 8 wounded and 4 dead. Two hours later 2 VC fired on Company C resulting in no casualties. A sweep of the firefight area revealed 34 enemy killed - either by Co. C or supporting artillery, gunships or air strikes.
6 FEB 68
A Co KIA:
PFC Richard Benjamin (22) of Altome, AL died of wounds (DOW) received in Binh Duong Province.
B Co KIA:
SP4 Bradford L. Trout (20) of New Castle, IN, died of wounds (DOW) received in Binh Duong Province.
Former Company B member John Grigsby remembers that Trout and Richard Sorenson "were best buddies - like brothers." Sorenson would die on the 11th at Tan Hoa. The events of February 5th were repeated on the 6th by Alpha and Bravo Companies, the landing zone was (once again) west of Ap Phouc Hung and the companies moved east towards the area of yesterdays contact with Alpha on the left who struck first at XT696124 at 10 a.m.. An hour and-a-half latter Bravo (a few 100 yards to the south) made contact and sustained one wounded in the vicinity of XT695122.
At 1:15 p.m. the companies were fully engaged in the vicinity of XT695122, with sporadic contact continuing until nearly half past five. Enemy forces were engaged by the companies organic weapons with the support of artillery, gunships and air strikes resulting in 15 VC KIA (BC) - seven of them credited to the 2-12th Infantrymen who lost eight wounded and two killed.
7 FEB 68
Night Laager (morning of 7th): Northwest of Cu Chi Base Camp.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW NIGHT LAAGER (NL) SOUTH OF CU CHI
Co.'s A, C and D flew south from the NL above Cu Chi to a landing zone one kilometer soth-southeast of yesterdays contact site. Co. A moved a short distance south of the landing zone and began to construct a new battalion night laager in the vicinity of Ap Phu Loi at XT698113. Meanwhile, Companies C and D searched the last two days contact site and found three Viet Cong bodies.
Up north, Company B was busy tearing down the old night laager northwest of Cu Chi and moving to a billit on the base camp.
Shortly before midnight, elements of the 2-12th Inf engaged at (XT698114) - just east of Ap Phuoc Thoi (2) - some two klicks north of the highway as it passes through Tan Phu Trung/Ap Cho (or) some four klicks north of the Hoc Mon bridge. The 3/4 CAV sent a flare ship to support the 2-12th, whose call sign "Flame 3" at 38.10FM.
Night Laager (NL) remains NW of Cu Chi base.
Companies B and C conducted airmobile combat assaults to LZ 4 1/2miles north of Cu Chi camp near the banks of the Saigon River. XT673231. Companies A and C provided security for the night laager.
CLEAN UP BATTLES OF AREA OPERATIONS
5-7 February 1968
With the Battalion still in their night laager (vic XT628180) northwest of Cu Chi Base Camp the effort shifted from north of Cu Chi to the area between the base camp on Highway 8-A (a.k.a. "Eight Alpha") and the collection of villages at AP CHO on Highway 1 - an area code named AO CLEAN-UP.
For three days the 2-12th slugged it out half-way between Eight Alpha and the MSR. For all intents and purposes the fifth of February was THE BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE OF TAN HOA since the fighting was only a mile due south of the village of Tan Hoa, although other histories call the fighting a part of the battles around AP CHO.
5 FEB 68
NL remains NW of Cu Chi base camp.
C Co KIAs:
PFC Kenneth W. Coates (20) of West Branch, MI;
PFC M. L. Curry (18) of Holly Springs, MS;
PFC Larry W. Norgaard (20) of Iroquois, SD
PFC Wesley G. Thurston (26) of Rochester, NY
perished in Binh Duong Province.
Co C air assaulted into Ap Phouc Thoi (XT677124) south of Cu Chi. After moving a mile-and-a-half due east Charlie Company made contact at Ap Phouc Hung (XT694125), a village with an ARVN compound to the north and a road system that ran south to the villages in the vicinity of Ap Cho on Highway 1. At 1:25 p.m. Charlie Company had 1 WIA, by 2 p.m. the company had suffered 8 wounded and 4 dead. Two hours later 2 VC fired on Company C resulting in no casualties. A sweep of the firefight area revealed 34 enemy killed - either by Co. C or supporting artillery, gunships or air strikes.
6 FEB 68
A Co KIA:
PFC Richard Benjamin (22) of Altome, AL died of wounds (DOW) received in Binh Duong Province.
B Co KIA:
SP4 Bradford L. Trout (20) of New Castle, IN, died of wounds (DOW) received in Binh Duong Province.
Former Company B member John Grigsby remembers that Trout and Richard Sorenson "were best buddies - like brothers." Sorenson would die on the 11th at Tan Hoa. The events of February 5th were repeated on the 6th by Alpha and Bravo Companies, the landing zone was (once again) west of Ap Phouc Hung and the companies moved east towards the area of yesterdays contact with Alpha on the left who struck first at XT696124 at 10 a.m.. An hour and-a-half latter Bravo (a few 100 yards to the south) made contact and sustained one wounded in the vicinity of XT695122.
At 1:15 p.m. the companies were fully engaged in the vicinity of XT695122, with sporadic contact continuing until nearly half past five. Enemy forces were engaged by the companies organic weapons with the support of artillery, gunships and air strikes resulting in 15 VC KIA (BC) - seven of them credited to the 2-12th Infantrymen who lost eight wounded and two killed.
7 FEB 68
Night Laager (morning of 7th): Northwest of Cu Chi Base Camp.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW NIGHT LAAGER (NL) SOUTH OF CU CHI
Co.'s A, C and D flew south from the NL above Cu Chi to a landing zone one kilometer soth-southeast of yesterdays contact site. Co. A moved a short distance south of the landing zone and began to construct a new battalion night laager in the vicinity of Ap Phu Loi at XT698113. Meanwhile, Companies C and D searched the last two days contact site and found three Viet Cong bodies.
Up north, Company B was busy tearing down the old night laager northwest of Cu Chi and moving to a billit on the base camp.
Shortly before midnight, elements of the 2-12th Inf engaged at (XT698114) - just east of Ap Phuoc Thoi (2) - some two klicks north of the highway as it passes through Tan Phu Trung/Ap Cho (or) some four klicks north of the Hoc Mon bridge. The 3/4 CAV sent a flare ship to support the 2-12th, whose call sign "Flame 3" at 38.10FM.
THE BATTLE OF TAN HOA
8-14 February 1968
Vic XT6914 two miles east of Cu Chi Base along Highway 8
8 FEB 68
D Co KIA:
PFC Ned Lee (23) of Flagstaff, AZ perished in the village of Tan Hoa, Binh Duong Province.
D Co WIAs:
LT Ronald Hendricks, 1st platoon, and acting commanding officer of Co. D at the time.
LT Michael Christenson, 2nd platoon.
LT Jeffery Mayfield, 3rd platoon
Joe Bastidas
TAN HOA "SIX DAY BATTLE"
Co. D was engaged in a running battle for six straight days -- February 8 to 14 -- approx. 6 klicks east of the main gate of Cu Chi Base Camp at Tan Hoa (vic XT695145) & Dong Sao (vic XT700105).
LT Ron Hendricks had this to say about the opening phase of the battle outside Cu Chi at Tan Hoa; "I had been the Acting CO until approximately noon. Ed Domaleski was the XO. He had just returned from R&R. I turned the company over to him at that time. We were supposed to be done for the day and just kick back to get ready for ambushes that night. We received a mission to secure some engineers going to the gravel pit. We were picked up dropped near the east gate of Cu Chi. We went into Tan Hoa riding the trucks. The [platoon] order was 3-2-1-4. We stopped and dismounted just inside the village due to suspicious activity. 3d platoon opened fire on a fleeing VC and all hell broke loose. They were in front of us, behind us, and in between us."
The following article from Tropic Lightning News:
SIX DAY FIGHT
122 VC DEAD
3RD BDE -- After battling an estimated battalion of Viet Cong for six consecutive days, elements of the
3rd Bde, 25th Inf Div drive the enemy from the villageof Tan Hoa, two kms east of Cu Chi.
The 2nd Bn, 12th Inf "White Warriors," under the command of LTC Dean Tice, continued to fight the
enemy daily aided by air strikes, artillery and gunships. Weakened by the continued pounding by the
U.S. Forces, the Viet Cong were forced to leave their maze of tunnels, spider holes and bunkers within the village.
A total of 122 enemy were killed and five Viet Cong suspects detained during the bitter fighting. Eleven American soldiers died in the six day period. The six day battle began shortly after helicopters dropped elements of Delta company on a landing zone near the village. The infantrymen immeadiately came under heavy fire from automatic weapons and rocket launchers. For the following five hours the White Warriors steadily pushed into the widespread village which was honeycombed with spiderholes and complex tunnel systems.
1Lt Ronald Hendricks, first platoon leader of Delta company commented about the complex system of tunnels; "Charlie would fire at you from one spiderhole concealed in a hedge row, crawl through a tunnel to a new position and open up again. It made it rough to pinpoint his location, but once we did, we put it to him."
LTC Richard Simpson acting battalion Commander in the absence of Tice, said the men did a magnificent job. The battalion went through a new phase of fighting the Viet Cong. They went against a larger force, well dug in, and by the hard effort of every PFC and SGT, they took the Village. Those are the men that did the job. According to intelligence officers, the enemy was well armed with fully automatic weapons of every caliber the VC are known to employ. They had an abundant supply of ammunition.
8-14 February 1968
Vic XT6914 two miles east of Cu Chi Base along Highway 8
8 FEB 68
D Co KIA:
PFC Ned Lee (23) of Flagstaff, AZ perished in the village of Tan Hoa, Binh Duong Province.
D Co WIAs:
LT Ronald Hendricks, 1st platoon, and acting commanding officer of Co. D at the time.
LT Michael Christenson, 2nd platoon.
LT Jeffery Mayfield, 3rd platoon
Joe Bastidas
TAN HOA "SIX DAY BATTLE"
Co. D was engaged in a running battle for six straight days -- February 8 to 14 -- approx. 6 klicks east of the main gate of Cu Chi Base Camp at Tan Hoa (vic XT695145) & Dong Sao (vic XT700105).
LT Ron Hendricks had this to say about the opening phase of the battle outside Cu Chi at Tan Hoa; "I had been the Acting CO until approximately noon. Ed Domaleski was the XO. He had just returned from R&R. I turned the company over to him at that time. We were supposed to be done for the day and just kick back to get ready for ambushes that night. We received a mission to secure some engineers going to the gravel pit. We were picked up dropped near the east gate of Cu Chi. We went into Tan Hoa riding the trucks. The [platoon] order was 3-2-1-4. We stopped and dismounted just inside the village due to suspicious activity. 3d platoon opened fire on a fleeing VC and all hell broke loose. They were in front of us, behind us, and in between us."
The following article from Tropic Lightning News:
SIX DAY FIGHT
122 VC DEAD
3RD BDE -- After battling an estimated battalion of Viet Cong for six consecutive days, elements of the
3rd Bde, 25th Inf Div drive the enemy from the villageof Tan Hoa, two kms east of Cu Chi.
The 2nd Bn, 12th Inf "White Warriors," under the command of LTC Dean Tice, continued to fight the
enemy daily aided by air strikes, artillery and gunships. Weakened by the continued pounding by the
U.S. Forces, the Viet Cong were forced to leave their maze of tunnels, spider holes and bunkers within the village.
A total of 122 enemy were killed and five Viet Cong suspects detained during the bitter fighting. Eleven American soldiers died in the six day period. The six day battle began shortly after helicopters dropped elements of Delta company on a landing zone near the village. The infantrymen immeadiately came under heavy fire from automatic weapons and rocket launchers. For the following five hours the White Warriors steadily pushed into the widespread village which was honeycombed with spiderholes and complex tunnel systems.
1Lt Ronald Hendricks, first platoon leader of Delta company commented about the complex system of tunnels; "Charlie would fire at you from one spiderhole concealed in a hedge row, crawl through a tunnel to a new position and open up again. It made it rough to pinpoint his location, but once we did, we put it to him."
LTC Richard Simpson acting battalion Commander in the absence of Tice, said the men did a magnificent job. The battalion went through a new phase of fighting the Viet Cong. They went against a larger force, well dug in, and by the hard effort of every PFC and SGT, they took the Village. Those are the men that did the job. According to intelligence officers, the enemy was well armed with fully automatic weapons of every caliber the VC are known to employ. They had an abundant supply of ammunition.
9 FEB 68
A Co KIAs:
PFC Walter R. Waschick (18) of Merrill, WI perished in Binh Duong Province.
SP4 Rymond J. Palacio (20) of Seaside, CA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
A Co, Arty FO RTO, KIA:
SP4 John R. Barfield (19) of Bude, Mississippi perished in Binh Duong Province.
A Co WIAs:
Numerous.
Dan Hollister (1st platoon) was hit by the splash of an RPG. Dan's major wound was in his right shoulder.
Co. A night laager (NL), 3 1/2 southeast of Cu Chi Base, (NL vic XT698113) moved to establish a new NL (vic 691144) at Tan Hoa.
2-12 INF: Conducted airmobile combat assaults to LZ vic XT676144 NS xt690150. One company established and secured a new night location at XT691144. Co. C with elements of the 554th Enginner Battalion conducted road clearing and security.
10 FEB 68
Tan Hoa (Cu Chi area)
Co. D's commanding officer, LT Ed Domaleski, WIA & evacuated.
[Editors NOTE: Lieutenant Domaleski was the commanding officer of the RECON company in this period and sent to command Delta - note the Delta officer casualties of the 8th.
11 FEB 68
A Co KIA:
SP4 Given W. Bradley (23) of Paducah, KY
PFC Peter A. Hill (20) of Eureka, CA
HHC KIA:
Medic PFC Frank L. Stec (21) of Chicago, IL perished in Hua Nghia Province.
B Co KIA:
PFC Richard L. Sorensen (20) of Eureka, UT perished in Binh Duong Province.
12 FEB 68
A Co KIA:
PFC Max Russel Bever (23) of Waurika, OK perished in Hua Nghia Province.
C Co KIA:
PFC Edmund A. O'Conner (20) of Lindenhurst, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
13 FEB 68
B Co KIA:
SGT Larry W. Barnard (20) of Knoxville, TN and
SP4 Jack W Grandahl (20) of Ironwood, MI, perished in Binh Duong Province.
14 FEB 68
HARRIS CITATION (August 9, 1968):
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James A. Harris, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Harris distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions, on 14 February 1968 as platoon sergeant of an infantry unit during its assault on an enemy infested village. As the lead platoon, led by Sergeant Harris entered the village, its advance was halted by intense enemy fire from a well-fortified trench and bunker system. Undaunted by the murderous fire, Sergeant Harris led a small patrol in an attempt flank and destroy the enemy positions. As he advanced to within ten meters of an enemy machine gun position, he was detected and the enemy began placing heavy machine gun fire on his position, painfully wounding him. Sergeant Harris was forced to withdraw. He quickly reorganized his troops and led another assault on the enemy machine gun position. The withering enemy fire again halted the advance. Sergeant Harris was wounded a second time but refused to be evacuated. Disregarding the pain and loss of blood from his wounds, he obtained two hand grenades and crawled towards the enemy positions alone, leaving his men behind to provide covering fire. As he stood up and threw the grenades, he was wounded a third time. His accurate throw destroyed the enemy position and allowed his platoon to advance. Still refusing medical evacuation, Sergeant Harris continued the mission until it was completed. Staff Sergeant Harris' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
A Co KIAs:
PFC Walter R. Waschick (18) of Merrill, WI perished in Binh Duong Province.
SP4 Rymond J. Palacio (20) of Seaside, CA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
A Co, Arty FO RTO, KIA:
SP4 John R. Barfield (19) of Bude, Mississippi perished in Binh Duong Province.
A Co WIAs:
Numerous.
Dan Hollister (1st platoon) was hit by the splash of an RPG. Dan's major wound was in his right shoulder.
Co. A night laager (NL), 3 1/2 southeast of Cu Chi Base, (NL vic XT698113) moved to establish a new NL (vic 691144) at Tan Hoa.
2-12 INF: Conducted airmobile combat assaults to LZ vic XT676144 NS xt690150. One company established and secured a new night location at XT691144. Co. C with elements of the 554th Enginner Battalion conducted road clearing and security.
10 FEB 68
Tan Hoa (Cu Chi area)
Co. D's commanding officer, LT Ed Domaleski, WIA & evacuated.
[Editors NOTE: Lieutenant Domaleski was the commanding officer of the RECON company in this period and sent to command Delta - note the Delta officer casualties of the 8th.
11 FEB 68
A Co KIA:
SP4 Given W. Bradley (23) of Paducah, KY
PFC Peter A. Hill (20) of Eureka, CA
HHC KIA:
Medic PFC Frank L. Stec (21) of Chicago, IL perished in Hua Nghia Province.
B Co KIA:
PFC Richard L. Sorensen (20) of Eureka, UT perished in Binh Duong Province.
12 FEB 68
A Co KIA:
PFC Max Russel Bever (23) of Waurika, OK perished in Hua Nghia Province.
C Co KIA:
PFC Edmund A. O'Conner (20) of Lindenhurst, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
13 FEB 68
B Co KIA:
SGT Larry W. Barnard (20) of Knoxville, TN and
SP4 Jack W Grandahl (20) of Ironwood, MI, perished in Binh Duong Province.
14 FEB 68
HARRIS CITATION (August 9, 1968):
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James A. Harris, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Harris distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions, on 14 February 1968 as platoon sergeant of an infantry unit during its assault on an enemy infested village. As the lead platoon, led by Sergeant Harris entered the village, its advance was halted by intense enemy fire from a well-fortified trench and bunker system. Undaunted by the murderous fire, Sergeant Harris led a small patrol in an attempt flank and destroy the enemy positions. As he advanced to within ten meters of an enemy machine gun position, he was detected and the enemy began placing heavy machine gun fire on his position, painfully wounding him. Sergeant Harris was forced to withdraw. He quickly reorganized his troops and led another assault on the enemy machine gun position. The withering enemy fire again halted the advance. Sergeant Harris was wounded a second time but refused to be evacuated. Disregarding the pain and loss of blood from his wounds, he obtained two hand grenades and crawled towards the enemy positions alone, leaving his men behind to provide covering fire. As he stood up and threw the grenades, he was wounded a third time. His accurate throw destroyed the enemy position and allowed his platoon to advance. Still refusing medical evacuation, Sergeant Harris continued the mission until it was completed. Staff Sergeant Harris' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
12 FEB Bn
Co's B, C and D working with 65th Engineer Battalion tunnel clearing and bunker clearing in Tan Hoa. XT6814, XT6914, XT7014.
Element of Battalion (-) with ARVN blocking east of Tan Hoa.
11:30 pm XT691144 Bn night laager M79 friendly fire 1 US WIA.
13 FEB Bn
vic XT695140 and XT695147 firefights.
Battalion sustained 3 WIA's and 2 US KIA's.
14 FEB Battalion
6:50 am fpir companies north and south of highway 8A to vic XT695145 sweep with one Company roving to the rear providing reaction force. Negative contact. Found 46 VC KIA (BC) and 3 VC KIA (poss) in yesterdays contact area. During the days sweep, US ued 4.2" mortar, 106 recoiless rifle, artillery, small arms and automatic weapons inthe sweep of Tan Hoa.
Composit of soldiers formed a platoon to secured the laager for the day.
15 FEB Battalion
7:30 am All companies sweep Tan Hoa and battle area vic ST695145 with 4 dozers and Co. A, 65th Engineer Battalion. Negative contact. Located 36 VC KIA (BC).
16 FEB Battalion
2-12th securing engineer clearing bunkers and tunnels.
17 FEB Bn
Battalion releived by L Troop, 11th Armor Cavalry Regiment (11th ACR) and released for 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.
Co's B, C and D working with 65th Engineer Battalion tunnel clearing and bunker clearing in Tan Hoa. XT6814, XT6914, XT7014.
Element of Battalion (-) with ARVN blocking east of Tan Hoa.
11:30 pm XT691144 Bn night laager M79 friendly fire 1 US WIA.
13 FEB Bn
vic XT695140 and XT695147 firefights.
Battalion sustained 3 WIA's and 2 US KIA's.
14 FEB Battalion
6:50 am fpir companies north and south of highway 8A to vic XT695145 sweep with one Company roving to the rear providing reaction force. Negative contact. Found 46 VC KIA (BC) and 3 VC KIA (poss) in yesterdays contact area. During the days sweep, US ued 4.2" mortar, 106 recoiless rifle, artillery, small arms and automatic weapons inthe sweep of Tan Hoa.
Composit of soldiers formed a platoon to secured the laager for the day.
15 FEB Battalion
7:30 am All companies sweep Tan Hoa and battle area vic ST695145 with 4 dozers and Co. A, 65th Engineer Battalion. Negative contact. Located 36 VC KIA (BC).
16 FEB Battalion
2-12th securing engineer clearing bunkers and tunnels.
17 FEB Bn
Battalion releived by L Troop, 11th Armor Cavalry Regiment (11th ACR) and released for 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.
ALPHA CO
7 FEB Co. A
XT698113 morning
8 FEB
XT698113 morning NL
8:30 am to LZ XT677139 and sweep back to NL
9 FEB Co. A
XT690150 LZ
Poss. est. new Bn NL
12:45 joins battle
10 FEB Co. A
7:30 XT693144 received enemy fire
1:50 pm withrew 1 1/2 mileseast
2:00 pm air strikes
11 FEB Co. A
1:00 pm XT701145 engaged enemy fire. Returned organic weapons, artillery, light fre team gunships(LFT), and 3 TAC air strikes with bombs and napalm. Resulting in 3 US WIA and 1 US KIA.
4:30 pm Contact ends with additional 2 US WIA s from 3 1/2 firefight. VC losses 6 VC KIA (BC) and 4 VC KIA (poss).
12 FEB Co. A
Company providing security for Battalion laager.
13 FEB Co. A
Company working with 65th Engineer Battalion destroying bunkers and tunnels. vic XT6914
14 FEB Co. A
4 Battalion sweep of Tan Hoa
15 FEB Co. A
Company A secures 4 dozers from Cu Chi to Tan Hoa.
All Battalion companies sweeping Tan Hoa. Negative contact.
16 FEB Co. A
7 FEB Co. A
XT698113 morning
8 FEB
XT698113 morning NL
8:30 am to LZ XT677139 and sweep back to NL
9 FEB Co. A
XT690150 LZ
Poss. est. new Bn NL
12:45 joins battle
10 FEB Co. A
7:30 XT693144 received enemy fire
1:50 pm withrew 1 1/2 mileseast
2:00 pm air strikes
11 FEB Co. A
1:00 pm XT701145 engaged enemy fire. Returned organic weapons, artillery, light fre team gunships(LFT), and 3 TAC air strikes with bombs and napalm. Resulting in 3 US WIA and 1 US KIA.
4:30 pm Contact ends with additional 2 US WIA s from 3 1/2 firefight. VC losses 6 VC KIA (BC) and 4 VC KIA (poss).
12 FEB Co. A
Company providing security for Battalion laager.
13 FEB Co. A
Company working with 65th Engineer Battalion destroying bunkers and tunnels. vic XT6914
14 FEB Co. A
4 Battalion sweep of Tan Hoa
15 FEB Co. A
Company A secures 4 dozers from Cu Chi to Tan Hoa.
All Battalion companies sweeping Tan Hoa. Negative contact.
16 FEB Co. A
CHARLIE CO
7 FEB Co. C
XT696124 sweeping 6th contact
8 FEB Co. C
XT698113 NL morning
Co. C sweeping south of NL
9:40 AP vic XT695120 blows claymore and kills 3 VC (BC).
9 FEB Co. C
XT676144 LZ two miles west of Tan Hoa.
7:45 am Co. C sweeping east of road TL-8A, from Cu Chi Base Camp to Tan Hoa, with 554th Engineers.
8:35 am vic XT690145 Co. C received automatic weapons and .50 caliber fire. Returned organic weapons, artillery and air strikes. Sweep finds 8 VC KIA and 20 (poss).
12:48 pm Alpha joins Co. C fight.
10 FEB Co. C
7:35 am XT698146 enemy fire US 1 WIA in contact
1:10 pm contact broken
12 FEB Co. C
10:00 am XT701145 enemy fire returned by small arms, light fire team (LFT) gunships, and artillery.
11:00 am contact broken
11:35 am XT701145 contact again, 3 US WIA. Fire returned by S/A, LFT's and TAC air strikes. Sporadic sniper for the rest of day.
13 FEB Co. C
Company working with 65th Engineer Battalion in Tan Hoa destroying bunkers and tunnels. vic XT6914
14 FEB Co. C
Four of the Battalion's companies sweep Tan Hoa.
15 FEB Co. C
All Battalion companies sweeping Tan Hoa. Negative contact.
16 FEB Co. C
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DELTA Co
7 FEB Co. D
XT696124 sweeping 6th contact
NL at XT698113 .
8 FEB Co. D
XT698113 NL, morning
8:30 airmobile to LZ 577139 and sweep back to NL by 11:25 am.
Did Co. D go to Cu Chi and rode trucks toward Tan Hoa?
XT692144 2;10 PM CONTACT 12 US WIA. 22 VC KIA (BC). Co. C working with engineers.
9 FEB Co. D
10 FEB Co. D
7:35 am am XT698146 enemy fie
1:10 pm contact broken
11FEB Co. D.
Co. D conducting clearing operations of highway 8A (with B Co.)
12 FEB Co. D
Company working with engineers in Tan Hoa.
13 FEB Co. D
Company at night laager location, providing security and as the Battalion reaction force.
11:30 am XT695140 engaged by enemy AK47 and carbine fire. Fire returned by organic weapons, TAC air strikes and artillery.
Also at 11;30 XT695147 enemy fire contact continued for rest of day.
14 FEB Co. D
Four companies of Battalion sweep Tan Hoa.
15 FEB Co. D
All Battalion companies sweep Tan Hoa. Negative contact.
7 FEB Co. C
XT696124 sweeping 6th contact
8 FEB Co. C
XT698113 NL morning
Co. C sweeping south of NL
9:40 AP vic XT695120 blows claymore and kills 3 VC (BC).
9 FEB Co. C
XT676144 LZ two miles west of Tan Hoa.
7:45 am Co. C sweeping east of road TL-8A, from Cu Chi Base Camp to Tan Hoa, with 554th Engineers.
8:35 am vic XT690145 Co. C received automatic weapons and .50 caliber fire. Returned organic weapons, artillery and air strikes. Sweep finds 8 VC KIA and 20 (poss).
12:48 pm Alpha joins Co. C fight.
10 FEB Co. C
7:35 am XT698146 enemy fire US 1 WIA in contact
1:10 pm contact broken
12 FEB Co. C
10:00 am XT701145 enemy fire returned by small arms, light fire team (LFT) gunships, and artillery.
11:00 am contact broken
11:35 am XT701145 contact again, 3 US WIA. Fire returned by S/A, LFT's and TAC air strikes. Sporadic sniper for the rest of day.
13 FEB Co. C
Company working with 65th Engineer Battalion in Tan Hoa destroying bunkers and tunnels. vic XT6914
14 FEB Co. C
Four of the Battalion's companies sweep Tan Hoa.
15 FEB Co. C
All Battalion companies sweeping Tan Hoa. Negative contact.
16 FEB Co. C
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DELTA Co
7 FEB Co. D
XT696124 sweeping 6th contact
NL at XT698113 .
8 FEB Co. D
XT698113 NL, morning
8:30 airmobile to LZ 577139 and sweep back to NL by 11:25 am.
Did Co. D go to Cu Chi and rode trucks toward Tan Hoa?
XT692144 2;10 PM CONTACT 12 US WIA. 22 VC KIA (BC). Co. C working with engineers.
9 FEB Co. D
10 FEB Co. D
7:35 am am XT698146 enemy fie
1:10 pm contact broken
11FEB Co. D.
Co. D conducting clearing operations of highway 8A (with B Co.)
12 FEB Co. D
Company working with engineers in Tan Hoa.
13 FEB Co. D
Company at night laager location, providing security and as the Battalion reaction force.
11:30 am XT695140 engaged by enemy AK47 and carbine fire. Fire returned by organic weapons, TAC air strikes and artillery.
Also at 11;30 XT695147 enemy fire contact continued for rest of day.
14 FEB Co. D
Four companies of Battalion sweep Tan Hoa.
15 FEB Co. D
All Battalion companies sweep Tan Hoa. Negative contact.