As of February, unit configurations for maneuvering battalions:
1st Brigade: 4-9th, 3-22nd, 4-23rd (M)
2nd Brigade: 2-14th, 2-34 (M), 2-12th, 1-5th (M), 2/27th
3rd Brigade: 1-27th, 2-22nd (M)
BRAVO NEAR THE LITTLE BRIDGE
D Co. KIA's:
SP4 Joe E. Hester (22) of Mayfield, KY
PFC Milton A. Ross (20) of Omaha, NE perished in Binh Duong Province.
HHC KIA:
Medic SP4 Thomas M. "Doc" Neal (20) of Hartford, CT
9 FEB 69
Co. A at Stuart
Co. B at Pershing
Co.'s C and D at PB Granite
Co. A secured Fire Support Base Stuart and the Trang Bang bridge, as well as providing one platoon for road security on the
southern portion of highway LTL 6-A.
1969
1969 OVERVIEW
BATTALION COMMANDER:
LTC Thomas Dreisonstok
LTC John E. Mann - 18 March to 12 August 1969
LTC Burton Walrath - 13 August 1969 to early 1970
LOCATION: AO -- Trang Bang northeast 12 miles to Saigon River, and just off LTL-6A ("Six Alpha") to 4 or 5 miles east -- including the Citadel, the Ho Bo woods, and the Boi Loi woods.
HQ -- Fire Support Pershing
REAR -- Cu Chi Base Camp
OUTPOSTS: -- Fire Support Stuart -- Patrol Base Dees - 6 May to Oct/Nov 1969 -- Patrol Base Laurence
The 2-12th Infantry fought vicious battles in early 1969; the Spring of the year; and during the "Mini-Tet" holiday. The October 24th firefight - in the Ho Bo Woods - caused Alpha major casualties. The Army claimed that the North sent down about 110,000 NVA during 1969. An amazing number. We were shipping over about 2,400 a week. So things - replacement wise - were about equal.
COMBAT BATTALIONs IN VIETNAM:
98 Infantry
3 Tank
9 Artillery
"Throughout the year 1969 the battalion operated northeast of Cu Chi in three traditional enemy strong-holds, the Ho Bo woods, the Boi Loi woods and the "Citadel". The "Citadel", an area of rice paddies and secondary growth covers the north-eastern portion of HAU NGHIA province. It had been a resting place and supply area for the V.C. for many years and was dominated by a well-trained and well equipped enemy force with many years of combat experience and success in battle to its credit. The battalion’s primary mission was to destroy the enemy in and around the "Citadel" and return the area to government control."
1969 OVERVIEW
BATTALION COMMANDER:
LTC Thomas Dreisonstok
LTC John E. Mann - 18 March to 12 August 1969
LTC Burton Walrath - 13 August 1969 to early 1970
LOCATION: AO -- Trang Bang northeast 12 miles to Saigon River, and just off LTL-6A ("Six Alpha") to 4 or 5 miles east -- including the Citadel, the Ho Bo woods, and the Boi Loi woods.
HQ -- Fire Support Pershing
REAR -- Cu Chi Base Camp
OUTPOSTS: -- Fire Support Stuart -- Patrol Base Dees - 6 May to Oct/Nov 1969 -- Patrol Base Laurence
The 2-12th Infantry fought vicious battles in early 1969; the Spring of the year; and during the "Mini-Tet" holiday. The October 24th firefight - in the Ho Bo Woods - caused Alpha major casualties. The Army claimed that the North sent down about 110,000 NVA during 1969. An amazing number. We were shipping over about 2,400 a week. So things - replacement wise - were about equal.
COMBAT BATTALIONs IN VIETNAM:
98 Infantry
3 Tank
9 Artillery
"Throughout the year 1969 the battalion operated northeast of Cu Chi in three traditional enemy strong-holds, the Ho Bo woods, the Boi Loi woods and the "Citadel". The "Citadel", an area of rice paddies and secondary growth covers the north-eastern portion of HAU NGHIA province. It had been a resting place and supply area for the V.C. for many years and was dominated by a well-trained and well equipped enemy force with many years of combat experience and success in battle to its credit. The battalion’s primary mission was to destroy the enemy in and around the "Citadel" and return the area to government control."
1 JAN 69
Co. A Operational Control (OPCON) to C/1/5 Mech.
Inf. (the Bobcats)
Co. B & B/2/27 Night Laagered
Co. D in Cu Chi for Stand Down
CRIP in Trang Bang
1 platoon Co. B & 1 plt. Co. C on Road Security along
LTL 6-A (known as Six Alpha)
Co. A 2-12th (& C Co. 1/5th) providing security for Rome Plows clearing land along Six Alpha at Ap Gia Lam -
just north of the cemetary - north of Trang Bang.
2 JAN 69
Co. B at Fire Support Base (FSB) Pershing
Co. D Cu Chi Stand Down. Returns via convoy and replaces Co. C at FSB Stuart.
Co. C (upon relief) moved from Stuart to Pershing.
One (1) platoon B & 1 plt C Road Security.
1 platoon of Bravo 'riffed' from Pershing to Ap Long Muc (vic 520247) on south side of Dry Lake and returned to Pershing
C Co. OPCON to 3/4 CAV. One platoon of the Cav was at Stuart.
Co. A OPCON to 1/5th Mech for Rome Plow security night laager (NL) at Ap Gia Lam.
Co. A Operational Control (OPCON) to C/1/5 Mech.
Inf. (the Bobcats)
Co. B & B/2/27 Night Laagered
Co. D in Cu Chi for Stand Down
CRIP in Trang Bang
1 platoon Co. B & 1 plt. Co. C on Road Security along
LTL 6-A (known as Six Alpha)
Co. A 2-12th (& C Co. 1/5th) providing security for Rome Plows clearing land along Six Alpha at Ap Gia Lam -
just north of the cemetary - north of Trang Bang.
2 JAN 69
Co. B at Fire Support Base (FSB) Pershing
Co. D Cu Chi Stand Down. Returns via convoy and replaces Co. C at FSB Stuart.
Co. C (upon relief) moved from Stuart to Pershing.
One (1) platoon B & 1 plt C Road Security.
1 platoon of Bravo 'riffed' from Pershing to Ap Long Muc (vic 520247) on south side of Dry Lake and returned to Pershing
C Co. OPCON to 3/4 CAV. One platoon of the Cav was at Stuart.
Co. A OPCON to 1/5th Mech for Rome Plow security night laager (NL) at Ap Gia Lam.
3 JAN 69
Co. A OPCON to Mech for Rome Plow operations north of Trang Bang in Xa Bao Me (1/2 click north of
Pagoda). At 3:55pm a Rome Plow hit a large mine and became a "combat loss."
Co.'s B & C at Pershing.
Co. D at Stuart with one platoon of Armor coming in every night for additional security.
Co. B set up a Check Point [road block] along Six Alpha at that nasty little VC village (vic XT525).
Co. C riffed west accross 6-A and the stream to an area west of Rung Cay - to check point at 499259 for
a search. They then moved south a click. Moved through that nasty little VC village and back to Pershing.
Co. D swept the lower end of Six Alpha (TL - 6A).
4 JAN 69
Co. A still OPCON with the Mech & Rome Plows in the Xa Bao Me area east of 6-A and north of Trang
Bang. They took several RPG rounds that severely damaged a Rome Plow.
Co.'s B & C night laagered at FSB Pershing.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
1 platoon C Co. & 1 plt. D Co. on Road Security.
Co. B (2 platoons) patroled south from Pershing through Ap Truong Gai; Ong Dam (so of the rubber)
and back.
Co. C (2 plt.s) patrolled east from Pershing to an area just west of Bo Heo; then between Bo Heo and Suoi Sup and back to base.
5 JAN 69
A Co., 2-12th Inf. & A/1-5 Mech. established a new night laager north-east of Trang Bang in the vicinity of An Thoi / An Binh. B & C Co.'s at Pershing. D Co. at Stuart. 1 platoon B Co. & 1 plt. D Co. have Road Security.
Co. B flies north-west out of Pershing; over Six Alpha & the stream to an LZ just north of the Nguyen-van-Tan rubber plantation. They moved north one click and messed around a little and flew back to base.
Co. C flies NW and lands in a rice paddy - between the Suoi Cao and Nguyen-van-Tan rubber plantations near Suoi Cao(2) - one mile west of Bravo's LZ. Charlie company moved north about a click and returned to base.
That evening, Bravo on way to their ambush position engaged three VC - just east of that nasty little VC village vic XT5025. Bravo struck with organic weapons and 81mm mortars. No known results.
6 JAN 69
Co. A 2-12 & 1plt. B/1-5 are night laagered three clicks east of Trang Bang and one click north of Hwy 1.
[From the ARVN 'French Fort' on Hwy 1 go NE one click on the dirt ox-cart road through Ap An Binh.]
While working 1/2 klm. south of the night laager a Rome Plow was damaged by a mine.
Co. B was night laagered (NL) four clicks SE of Pershing in the Xa Troung Dai area - future site of
Patrol Base Dees in MAY. A Bravo AP blew a bush on 12VC with claymores and killed 11 VC (BC).
Moving back to the laager they spotted a group of ten VC and called in artillery on them. At the same time
Bravo was mortared by the VC. No friendly casualties in the exchanges. During the day, other elements of
Bravo riffed south of Round Lake. This element spotted six enemy and they were engaged by a
helicopter light fire team (LFT) resulting in 5 VC KIA(possible).
C Co. at FSB Pershing. Charlie company Eagle Flight to an LZ just west of Ong Dam - one click west of where Bravo was working. Charlie then flew three clicks east - pass Rd. Lake - to an LZ near Xa Trung Hung where they received fire from an estimated six VC/NVA. Charlie returned fire with organic weapons and a LFT with unknown results
Co. A OPCON to Mech for Rome Plow operations north of Trang Bang in Xa Bao Me (1/2 click north of
Pagoda). At 3:55pm a Rome Plow hit a large mine and became a "combat loss."
Co.'s B & C at Pershing.
Co. D at Stuart with one platoon of Armor coming in every night for additional security.
Co. B set up a Check Point [road block] along Six Alpha at that nasty little VC village (vic XT525).
Co. C riffed west accross 6-A and the stream to an area west of Rung Cay - to check point at 499259 for
a search. They then moved south a click. Moved through that nasty little VC village and back to Pershing.
Co. D swept the lower end of Six Alpha (TL - 6A).
4 JAN 69
Co. A still OPCON with the Mech & Rome Plows in the Xa Bao Me area east of 6-A and north of Trang
Bang. They took several RPG rounds that severely damaged a Rome Plow.
Co.'s B & C night laagered at FSB Pershing.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
1 platoon C Co. & 1 plt. D Co. on Road Security.
Co. B (2 platoons) patroled south from Pershing through Ap Truong Gai; Ong Dam (so of the rubber)
and back.
Co. C (2 plt.s) patrolled east from Pershing to an area just west of Bo Heo; then between Bo Heo and Suoi Sup and back to base.
5 JAN 69
A Co., 2-12th Inf. & A/1-5 Mech. established a new night laager north-east of Trang Bang in the vicinity of An Thoi / An Binh. B & C Co.'s at Pershing. D Co. at Stuart. 1 platoon B Co. & 1 plt. D Co. have Road Security.
Co. B flies north-west out of Pershing; over Six Alpha & the stream to an LZ just north of the Nguyen-van-Tan rubber plantation. They moved north one click and messed around a little and flew back to base.
Co. C flies NW and lands in a rice paddy - between the Suoi Cao and Nguyen-van-Tan rubber plantations near Suoi Cao(2) - one mile west of Bravo's LZ. Charlie company moved north about a click and returned to base.
That evening, Bravo on way to their ambush position engaged three VC - just east of that nasty little VC village vic XT5025. Bravo struck with organic weapons and 81mm mortars. No known results.
6 JAN 69
Co. A 2-12 & 1plt. B/1-5 are night laagered three clicks east of Trang Bang and one click north of Hwy 1.
[From the ARVN 'French Fort' on Hwy 1 go NE one click on the dirt ox-cart road through Ap An Binh.]
While working 1/2 klm. south of the night laager a Rome Plow was damaged by a mine.
Co. B was night laagered (NL) four clicks SE of Pershing in the Xa Troung Dai area - future site of
Patrol Base Dees in MAY. A Bravo AP blew a bush on 12VC with claymores and killed 11 VC (BC).
Moving back to the laager they spotted a group of ten VC and called in artillery on them. At the same time
Bravo was mortared by the VC. No friendly casualties in the exchanges. During the day, other elements of
Bravo riffed south of Round Lake. This element spotted six enemy and they were engaged by a
helicopter light fire team (LFT) resulting in 5 VC KIA(possible).
C Co. at FSB Pershing. Charlie company Eagle Flight to an LZ just west of Ong Dam - one click west of where Bravo was working. Charlie then flew three clicks east - pass Rd. Lake - to an LZ near Xa Trung Hung where they received fire from an estimated six VC/NVA. Charlie returned fire with organic weapons and a LFT with unknown results
8 JAN 69
HHC KIA:
Medic SP4 Larry "Doc" E. Stephens (21), Charlie Co, of Walker, AL., perished while on road security in Hua Nghia Province. Casualty report reads "died of illness or injury". Larry was going home in February.
Co. A still working with the Rome Plows east of Trang Bang.
Co. B & 2 platoons of Co. C at FSB Pershing.
1 platoon of Co. C [Co. C (-)] night laagered north of Xa Soui Sup. During the day they did a local rif and
were flown back to Pershing.
1 platoon of B & 1 plt. of C from Pershing have road security.
Co. B moved by convoy to replace Co. A with Rome
Plows. Alpha trucked to Cu Chi for Stand Down.
9 JAN 69
Co. A Stand Down at Cu Chi.
Co. B, 2-12 Inf. OPCON to B(-)1-5th Mech for Rome Plow security. During the day Bravo (and B/1-5 Mech) moved their night laager to a new position (vc XT5618) - nearer road 7-A to Trung Lap - between Ap Duong Trau Nho and Xa Lao Tao. They encounered many booby traps in the area. Between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: an APC hit a mine and was a combat loss; another APC hit a mine resulting in 1 U.S. WIA; the Mech was mortared resulting in 1 US WIA; a Rome Plow was damaged by a mine; and B/1-5 engaged and killed a VC. [NOTE: The symbol "(-)" used after a company denotes that it is a sub-unit of the company - usually a platoon. "B(-) 1-5th" (above) means that there is one platoon of Bravo, First of the Fifth, working with us - and not the entire company.
C Co. at Pershing conducted a rif during the day south between Ong Dam and Bao Me and returned to base.
D Co. at FSB Stuart - with 1 platoon of A/2-34th Armor coming in at night for additional fire support. 1 squad of Delta was outposted at the Troi Sanh stream culvert along Hwy LTL-19 (3 clicks NW of Trang Bang). This evening a Delta ambush patrol had a VC
claymore detonated on them as they were moving to their AP site. 3 US WIA were dusted off.
1 platoon of C Co. & 1 plt. D Co. were on Road
Security today.
10 JAN 69
HHC KIA:
SP4 Douglas L. Ranshaw (18), Radio Operator, of Evart, MI perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Co. A at Cu Chi for Stand Down.
Co. B working between Ap Duong Tra Nho and Ap Cay Mit Nai protecting Rome Plows received RPG fire.
Co. C night laagered at FSB Pershing. 1 platoon of Charlie riffed to search an area just north of Round Lake near Pershing, and returned to base. 1 platoon of Charlie had Road Security along with one platoon of Delta.
Shortly after noon the platoon from D Co. detonated a booby trapped hand grenade - on Six Alpha near the cemetery - resulting in the evacuation of 1 US WIA.
This evening the CRIP platoon received one round of RPG fire when moving to their ambush site.
B Battery, 1/8th Artillery's Lt. John Farley and Sgt. Bert Allen WIA - during a mortar attack on FSB
Pershing - when a round exploded on their guns' sandbagged parapet.
11 JAN 69
HHC KIA:
Medic SP4 Leavy "Doc" C. Solomon (22) Co. C, 3rd platoon Medic, of Palmetto, GA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Doc was working with 3rd plt providing escort for the 65th engineers while doing mine sweeping operations on 6 Alpha. The VC had been setting up booby traps all along the route between Pershing and the ARVN compound on the outskirts of Trang Bang and placing mines in the road hoping to catch convoy vehicles using the road. This morning, Doc Leavy was performing some medcap duties with the local farmers and kids while walking along in front of the engineers. Leavy found one of those mine devices and was killed instantly when he set it off.
According to Lt Sheehan, "Those sandbag mines were often triggered by a homemade “little bamboo box” made from a couple opposing segments of bamboo wrapped with bare wire. I don’t think that there was a lot of quality control. The devise required a large bag of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, a little C4 plastered around and electrical blasting cap buried in the middle of the fertilizer, and a d-sized battery or a couple cells of an AN-PRC-25 batteries.The guy that I knew as Solomon was in the road on a medcap, serving the Vietnamese who came to the road as the engineer’s support vehicles followed behind the mine sweep team. After he stepped on a mine, I went to the road with my RTO a few others. There was a large crater in the red earth, from a sandbag mine intended for a vehicle and probably similar to the one that got me serveral months later. Solomon was laying next to the crater."
Co. A at Cu Chi on Stand Down returned to FSB Pershing on convoy.
Co. B OPCON to A/1-5 Mech (Bobcats) securing Rome Plows in the vicinity of Seven Alpha. At 0145
hours Bravo's ambush patrol sprang an ambush and received rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire from the VC/NVA. During the day a Bobcat track hit a mine causing minor damage.
Co C at Pershing. 1 plt. of Co. C and 1 plt. of Co. D on Road Security. 2nd platoon of Co. C was 1/2 click (west) behind 'the school house' on Six Alpha providing security to a MEDCAP team when they heard an explosion. A booby trap was detonated by 3rd platoon's medic. The platoon was along Six Alpha near the old school between Check Points Delta & Echo). The booby trap explosion resulted in the death of Specialist "Doc" Solomon.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
FSB Pershing was attacked by mortars resulting in 6
US WIA (dusted off).
12 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing.
Co. C conducted an Eagle Flight from Pershing to a LZ south of the Ho Bo's near Xa Sa Nho(1) village.
They riffed south two clicks - to the mid point of the village - and were picked up; flown to a new LZ near Highway 1 where the Rome Plows were working. They moved north and shortly after 11 detonated an unknown type booby trap resulting in 1 US WIA (evacuated). They returned to the LZ and flew back to base.
Co. D at Stuart received three sniper rounds about mid-afternoon.
Co. B securing Rome Plows with Mech received 16 rounds of enemy mortar fire this evening.
HHC KIA:
Medic SP4 Larry "Doc" E. Stephens (21), Charlie Co, of Walker, AL., perished while on road security in Hua Nghia Province. Casualty report reads "died of illness or injury". Larry was going home in February.
Co. A still working with the Rome Plows east of Trang Bang.
Co. B & 2 platoons of Co. C at FSB Pershing.
1 platoon of Co. C [Co. C (-)] night laagered north of Xa Soui Sup. During the day they did a local rif and
were flown back to Pershing.
1 platoon of B & 1 plt. of C from Pershing have road security.
Co. B moved by convoy to replace Co. A with Rome
Plows. Alpha trucked to Cu Chi for Stand Down.
9 JAN 69
Co. A Stand Down at Cu Chi.
Co. B, 2-12 Inf. OPCON to B(-)1-5th Mech for Rome Plow security. During the day Bravo (and B/1-5 Mech) moved their night laager to a new position (vc XT5618) - nearer road 7-A to Trung Lap - between Ap Duong Trau Nho and Xa Lao Tao. They encounered many booby traps in the area. Between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: an APC hit a mine and was a combat loss; another APC hit a mine resulting in 1 U.S. WIA; the Mech was mortared resulting in 1 US WIA; a Rome Plow was damaged by a mine; and B/1-5 engaged and killed a VC. [NOTE: The symbol "(-)" used after a company denotes that it is a sub-unit of the company - usually a platoon. "B(-) 1-5th" (above) means that there is one platoon of Bravo, First of the Fifth, working with us - and not the entire company.
C Co. at Pershing conducted a rif during the day south between Ong Dam and Bao Me and returned to base.
D Co. at FSB Stuart - with 1 platoon of A/2-34th Armor coming in at night for additional fire support. 1 squad of Delta was outposted at the Troi Sanh stream culvert along Hwy LTL-19 (3 clicks NW of Trang Bang). This evening a Delta ambush patrol had a VC
claymore detonated on them as they were moving to their AP site. 3 US WIA were dusted off.
1 platoon of C Co. & 1 plt. D Co. were on Road
Security today.
10 JAN 69
HHC KIA:
SP4 Douglas L. Ranshaw (18), Radio Operator, of Evart, MI perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Co. A at Cu Chi for Stand Down.
Co. B working between Ap Duong Tra Nho and Ap Cay Mit Nai protecting Rome Plows received RPG fire.
Co. C night laagered at FSB Pershing. 1 platoon of Charlie riffed to search an area just north of Round Lake near Pershing, and returned to base. 1 platoon of Charlie had Road Security along with one platoon of Delta.
Shortly after noon the platoon from D Co. detonated a booby trapped hand grenade - on Six Alpha near the cemetery - resulting in the evacuation of 1 US WIA.
This evening the CRIP platoon received one round of RPG fire when moving to their ambush site.
B Battery, 1/8th Artillery's Lt. John Farley and Sgt. Bert Allen WIA - during a mortar attack on FSB
Pershing - when a round exploded on their guns' sandbagged parapet.
11 JAN 69
HHC KIA:
Medic SP4 Leavy "Doc" C. Solomon (22) Co. C, 3rd platoon Medic, of Palmetto, GA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Doc was working with 3rd plt providing escort for the 65th engineers while doing mine sweeping operations on 6 Alpha. The VC had been setting up booby traps all along the route between Pershing and the ARVN compound on the outskirts of Trang Bang and placing mines in the road hoping to catch convoy vehicles using the road. This morning, Doc Leavy was performing some medcap duties with the local farmers and kids while walking along in front of the engineers. Leavy found one of those mine devices and was killed instantly when he set it off.
According to Lt Sheehan, "Those sandbag mines were often triggered by a homemade “little bamboo box” made from a couple opposing segments of bamboo wrapped with bare wire. I don’t think that there was a lot of quality control. The devise required a large bag of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, a little C4 plastered around and electrical blasting cap buried in the middle of the fertilizer, and a d-sized battery or a couple cells of an AN-PRC-25 batteries.The guy that I knew as Solomon was in the road on a medcap, serving the Vietnamese who came to the road as the engineer’s support vehicles followed behind the mine sweep team. After he stepped on a mine, I went to the road with my RTO a few others. There was a large crater in the red earth, from a sandbag mine intended for a vehicle and probably similar to the one that got me serveral months later. Solomon was laying next to the crater."
Co. A at Cu Chi on Stand Down returned to FSB Pershing on convoy.
Co. B OPCON to A/1-5 Mech (Bobcats) securing Rome Plows in the vicinity of Seven Alpha. At 0145
hours Bravo's ambush patrol sprang an ambush and received rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire from the VC/NVA. During the day a Bobcat track hit a mine causing minor damage.
Co C at Pershing. 1 plt. of Co. C and 1 plt. of Co. D on Road Security. 2nd platoon of Co. C was 1/2 click (west) behind 'the school house' on Six Alpha providing security to a MEDCAP team when they heard an explosion. A booby trap was detonated by 3rd platoon's medic. The platoon was along Six Alpha near the old school between Check Points Delta & Echo). The booby trap explosion resulted in the death of Specialist "Doc" Solomon.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
FSB Pershing was attacked by mortars resulting in 6
US WIA (dusted off).
12 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing.
Co. C conducted an Eagle Flight from Pershing to a LZ south of the Ho Bo's near Xa Sa Nho(1) village.
They riffed south two clicks - to the mid point of the village - and were picked up; flown to a new LZ near Highway 1 where the Rome Plows were working. They moved north and shortly after 11 detonated an unknown type booby trap resulting in 1 US WIA (evacuated). They returned to the LZ and flew back to base.
Co. D at Stuart received three sniper rounds about mid-afternoon.
Co. B securing Rome Plows with Mech received 16 rounds of enemy mortar fire this evening.
13 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing.
Co. B OPCON to 1-5th MECH for Rome Plow security.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
CRIP at Cu Chi for Stand Down.
1 platoon A & 1 plt. D on Road Security.
Co. C conducted several Eagle Flights many clicks SWW of Pershing near Go Da Ha (Hieu Thien) to X.Giang Chanh along the Van Co Dam River then returned to base.
This turned out to be "one bad day for one platoon of Alpha" on Road Security: At 0930H the Engineers
working with Alpha detonated a large mine on Six Alpha near Check Point Echo (XT501247). 1 US KIA, an engineer, and 1 US WIA (evacuated). At 1456 hours at Check Point Hotel (XT513262) - the intersection of Six Alpha and the Pershing access road - a trip wire activated booby trapped grenade exploded; wounding 2 US WIA (evac). A little over an hour latter another trip-wired grenade went off
wounding Ron Guild, Alpha Co. 1st platoon (XT513262).
14 JAN 69
Co. A at Pershing.
Co. B with B/1-5th Mech working Rome Plows 2 clicks SE of Trang Bang in Ap Phu.
Co. C at Pershing. Co. C(-) at Stuart performed an Eagle Flight to an LZ seven clicks due west of Trang Bang and just south of the Oriental River. [Unusual!] In late afternoon a VC surrendered to C(-).
Co. D at FSB Stuart (Trang Bang).
Co.'s A & D have Road Security today.
15 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
1 platoon of Co. A & 1 platoon of Co D conduct road sweeps along Six Alpha (Road Security). Alpha
patrolled north of Check Point Delta (CP D) and Delta south.
Co. B OPCON to B/1-5 MECH four clicks south of Trang Bang securing Rome Plow operations in area.
In the late afternoon a First of the Fifth track hit a very large mine killing one and wounding four Bobcats.
The APC was a 'Combat Loss.'
Co. C conducted a combat air-assault (CAS) to an LZ south of the Trang Bang River. [Again, this is an
unusual place for the 2-12th to "work." There must have been intel about something in this area.] ARVN's were flown in north of C Co. Charlie conducted a search to the east along the river to a pick-up zone (PZ) near the TL-6, An Hop, Tha La bridge area. As they were moving along the river they recieved M-79 incoming in late morning with no US casualties. They returned fire with organic weapons and artillery. Negative results.
16 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at Pershing.
Co. A conducted an Eagle Flight to the southern Boi Loi - LZ 1 click north of Xa Moi (3). Vic XT5129.
Alpha riffed north a shot distance; encountered two VC and engaged them wwithorganic weapons and artillery
with negative results. Alpha then proceeded to a pick up zone (PZ) and returned to base.
Co. B with 1plt C/1-5 Mech three clicks south of Trang Bang supporting Rome Plow operations in Ap An Phu. Near noon a Rome Plow exploded a mine in the vicinity of Ap An Khuong area - 2 clicks south of the Trang Bang bridge - causing one US WIA.
One platoon of C Co. and one platoon of Co. D on Road Security.
In the early morning Co. C discovered a non booby trapped grenade on their way from Pershing to Six
Alpha. At the same time a trip-wired booby trap grenade exploded wounding one soldier (1 US WIA)
who was dusted off.
17 JAN 69
A Co. KIA's:
PFC Frank H. Browne II (19) of Fort Worth, TX
SP4 Bruce M. Reiter (20) of New York, NY perished in Binh Duong Province.
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing were subjected to a short mortar barrage shortly after 4 a.m. They returned fire
with small arms, mortars and artillery. There were no friendly casualties.
Co. B working with Bobcats and Rome Plows.
One platoon Co. C and 1 plt. Co. D performed road security. 1 platoon of Co. D securing bridge.
1 platoon of Co. A riffed 1 click due south of Pershing thru Ap Truong Giai, swung west to a bridge over a
small stream (behind that nasty little VC village on Six Alpha between Check Point Echo & CP Foxtrot). After crossing the stream they went 1/4 click south (east of, and behind the village) and were to return to base.
Close to 1 p.m. Alpha came under intense small arm, machine gun, and rocket propelled grenade fire
resulting in 2 US WIA and 2 VC KIA (poss). Two hours later, Alpha came under automatic weapons fire and returned fire with artillery, helicopter gunships and their own organic weapons. 1 US KIA and 4 US WIA
(evacuated) during the firefight
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing.
Co. B OPCON to 1-5th MECH for Rome Plow security.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
CRIP at Cu Chi for Stand Down.
1 platoon A & 1 plt. D on Road Security.
Co. C conducted several Eagle Flights many clicks SWW of Pershing near Go Da Ha (Hieu Thien) to X.Giang Chanh along the Van Co Dam River then returned to base.
This turned out to be "one bad day for one platoon of Alpha" on Road Security: At 0930H the Engineers
working with Alpha detonated a large mine on Six Alpha near Check Point Echo (XT501247). 1 US KIA, an engineer, and 1 US WIA (evacuated). At 1456 hours at Check Point Hotel (XT513262) - the intersection of Six Alpha and the Pershing access road - a trip wire activated booby trapped grenade exploded; wounding 2 US WIA (evac). A little over an hour latter another trip-wired grenade went off
wounding Ron Guild, Alpha Co. 1st platoon (XT513262).
14 JAN 69
Co. A at Pershing.
Co. B with B/1-5th Mech working Rome Plows 2 clicks SE of Trang Bang in Ap Phu.
Co. C at Pershing. Co. C(-) at Stuart performed an Eagle Flight to an LZ seven clicks due west of Trang Bang and just south of the Oriental River. [Unusual!] In late afternoon a VC surrendered to C(-).
Co. D at FSB Stuart (Trang Bang).
Co.'s A & D have Road Security today.
15 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing.
Co. D at FSB Stuart.
1 platoon of Co. A & 1 platoon of Co D conduct road sweeps along Six Alpha (Road Security). Alpha
patrolled north of Check Point Delta (CP D) and Delta south.
Co. B OPCON to B/1-5 MECH four clicks south of Trang Bang securing Rome Plow operations in area.
In the late afternoon a First of the Fifth track hit a very large mine killing one and wounding four Bobcats.
The APC was a 'Combat Loss.'
Co. C conducted a combat air-assault (CAS) to an LZ south of the Trang Bang River. [Again, this is an
unusual place for the 2-12th to "work." There must have been intel about something in this area.] ARVN's were flown in north of C Co. Charlie conducted a search to the east along the river to a pick-up zone (PZ) near the TL-6, An Hop, Tha La bridge area. As they were moving along the river they recieved M-79 incoming in late morning with no US casualties. They returned fire with organic weapons and artillery. Negative results.
16 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at Pershing.
Co. A conducted an Eagle Flight to the southern Boi Loi - LZ 1 click north of Xa Moi (3). Vic XT5129.
Alpha riffed north a shot distance; encountered two VC and engaged them wwithorganic weapons and artillery
with negative results. Alpha then proceeded to a pick up zone (PZ) and returned to base.
Co. B with 1plt C/1-5 Mech three clicks south of Trang Bang supporting Rome Plow operations in Ap An Phu. Near noon a Rome Plow exploded a mine in the vicinity of Ap An Khuong area - 2 clicks south of the Trang Bang bridge - causing one US WIA.
One platoon of C Co. and one platoon of Co. D on Road Security.
In the early morning Co. C discovered a non booby trapped grenade on their way from Pershing to Six
Alpha. At the same time a trip-wired booby trap grenade exploded wounding one soldier (1 US WIA)
who was dusted off.
17 JAN 69
A Co. KIA's:
PFC Frank H. Browne II (19) of Fort Worth, TX
SP4 Bruce M. Reiter (20) of New York, NY perished in Binh Duong Province.
Co.'s A & C at FSB Pershing were subjected to a short mortar barrage shortly after 4 a.m. They returned fire
with small arms, mortars and artillery. There were no friendly casualties.
Co. B working with Bobcats and Rome Plows.
One platoon Co. C and 1 plt. Co. D performed road security. 1 platoon of Co. D securing bridge.
1 platoon of Co. A riffed 1 click due south of Pershing thru Ap Truong Giai, swung west to a bridge over a
small stream (behind that nasty little VC village on Six Alpha between Check Point Echo & CP Foxtrot). After crossing the stream they went 1/4 click south (east of, and behind the village) and were to return to base.
Close to 1 p.m. Alpha came under intense small arm, machine gun, and rocket propelled grenade fire
resulting in 2 US WIA and 2 VC KIA (poss). Two hours later, Alpha came under automatic weapons fire and returned fire with artillery, helicopter gunships and their own organic weapons. 1 US KIA and 4 US WIA
(evacuated) during the firefight
17 JAN 69 CONTACT SITE
17 JAN 69 CONTACT SITE
Alpha came under fire - for the second time - in this area (XT 514248) on the northern edge of Ap [hamlet] Truong Giai. The site is about 1 1/2 Clicks SW of Pershing - beyond 'the cemetery.'
The red symbols denote the cemetery south of FSB Pershing. The white lines are ox-cart roads. A road intersection can clearly be seen in the lower left-hand corner of this map. Pale yellow/green areas are open fields and rice paddy. Thin green lines are hedgerows. Very small pale yellow squares surrounded by green are hooch’s. Large pale yellow/green areas surrounded by green hedgerows are paddies and open fields.
18 JAN 69
Co A: CPT Richard Wiggins is replaced by CPT Charles Boyd. Wiggins reports to BN as S-2 Officer until April.
Co.'s A & D at FSB Pershing. B Co. OPCON to 1-5th Inf (M) securing Rome Plows south of Trang Bang. Bravo's night laager (NL) continues to be with The Mech and Rome Plows south of Trang Bang. Co. D at FSB Stuart (Trang Bang bridge). One plt. of Co. D securing the bridge. One platoon of Co. D and 1 plt. of Co. C have Road Security. Co. A performed an aerial flight to an LZ at Xa Bao Dung (vic XT6126) six clicks north-east of Trung Lap. In the late morning - just east of the village - Alpha destroyed a bunker with four shrapnel riddled bodies in it. 4 VC KIA (BC). Shortly after noon Alpha killed an NVA soldier. 1 NVA KIA (BC). Co. A then returned to base. On their way to an ambush site the CRIP platoon received sniper fire 2 clicks north of Trang Bang in Xa Bao Me. The CRIP did not fire back and there were no casualties. The evening of the 18th FSB Pershing was mortared with six to ten rounds of "incoming." There were no casualties and the base returned fire with 4.2" mortar & 105mm cannon fire.
19 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at Pershing. Co. B still under the Operational Control (OPCON) of The Mech. Co. D at Stuart. One (1) platoon of Company A and one (1) platoon of Co. D sweep TL-6A onRoad Security for the Pershing resupply convoy. One (1) platoon of Delta at Trang Bang Bridge for security. In the early morning/night hours of January 19th FSB Pershing received a single round of "incoming." During the day Company E provided security for a MEDCAP at Six Alpha's Check Point Echo - in the vicinity of that nasty little VC village.
26 JAN 69
Co C while conducting a RIF near XT525216 around 1315 hrs, engages 6 VC in a tunnel complex. The VC return fire with SA. In pursuit, Co C kills 3 VC and takes 4 VC POW's; engagement results in a dustoff with 1 POW and 2 U.S. WIA's.
February 1969
1 FEB 69
Co.'s A, B(-), 2-12th and 2 platoons Co. C, 2-27th Infantry (OPCON to 2-12th) at a night laager in Boi Loi at (XT533353) - hearafter refered to as "Boi Loi NL" - 500 meters north of Boi Loi village and Hwy 238. The Boi Loi NL was in Ap Soc Lao, which is 4 clicks west-northwest of the Mushroom and just north of Boi Loi village. Boi Loi NL remained open for some five days, and the companies stationed there were known as Task Force Second of the Twelfth (TF 2-12). [Map Sheet 6231-II] 1 platoon of Co. B OPCON to 2-27th Inf at FSB Reed (XT477126) six clicks due south of Trang Bang. Co. C at FSB Pershing and responsible for securing the northern 6A road. Co. D at FSB Stuart and responsible for securing the southern portion of 6A, and the Trang Bang Bridge. At 1030 hours an engineer tank hit a mine west of Six Alpha, behind the school house, at (XT500256). No casualties. Co. A (out of Boi Loi NL) flew 7 clicks southwest to a landing zone(LZ) at (XT496308) around 11 am. The LZ was in the rice paddy and hedgerow area south of the Boi Loi woods. Two hours latter Alpha received automatic weapons fire in the vicinity of the LZ. They returned fire with organic weapons, called in artillery and gunships and air force airstrikes. Three US soldiers were wounded in action and dusted off. An estimated 20 VC were killed by air. At 5:30 pm the contact was broken and Alpha returned to base. [3 US WIA. 20 VC KBA(poss)] Meanwhile, the Wolfhounds at Boi Loi NL flew eleven clicks southeast to an LZ 2 clicks south of the Mushroom. There was no contact during the day and the 2-27th(-) returned to base.
2 FEB 69
Task Force 2-12 in Boi Loi NL at (XT533353); Co. A 2-12th Inf Co. B(-) 2-12th Inf 2 platoons Co. C 2-27th Inf. 1 platoon Co. B continues OPCON to 2-27th Infantry at Fire Support Base Reed (XT477126). Co. C at FSB Pershing Co. D at FSB Stuart Co. A conducted a combat air assault at 11 am into an LZ at (XT503312) south of the Boi Loi woods and 600 meters northeast of the previous days LZ and contact area. This time Alpha brought the two platoons of Co. C 2-27th with them. The area was searched with negative contact and then the companies returned to the Boi Loi night laager. Meanwhile, Co. B (minus the platoon south of Trang Bang) conducted a patrol out of the Boi Loi NL, one click west to (XT523352) where they turned left and went southwest to (XT504344) where they turned left again and patrolled east one click to a pickup zone (PZ) at (XT516345) and flew back to Boi Loi NL. Co. C (at Pershing) worked with the engineers to clear the northern portion of highway Six Alpha for the daily convoys that would travel over the road. A command detonated mine at (XT502253) was blown on Company C and the engineers resulting in 1 US KIA and 1 US WIA. Co. D (at Stuart) cleared the southern portion of Six Alpha.
3 FEB 69
Co.'s A, B(-) 2-12th and 2 plts Co. C 2-27th at Boi Loi NL (XT533353). Co. A provided security for the Boi Loi night laager and conducted local patrols until 3 pm when they were called on to support the Three-quarter Cav who were in contact. Alpha flew southeast to (XT576287) to support the 3/4th Cav who were fighting 2 clicks due south of the Mushroom. The Cav and Co. A set up a night defensive position (NDP) on the contact site. In response to the absence of Alpha at the Boi Loi night laager, Co. C (at FSB Pershing) flew up two platoons to help secure the night laager in the Boi Loi's. Meanwhile, the Wolfhounds at Boi Loi NL flew due north across the Saigon River where outside of and due north of the village of Thanh An, they came under sporadic sniper fire at 11 am at (XT537382). Negative casualties. During the day, 1 platoon Co. B (with Wolfhounds at FSB Reed south of Trang Bang) patrolled five clicks north-northeast to (XT513165), turned south to (XT515154) and returned to Reed (XT477125). At 7:30 pm the Boi Loi night laager received a mortar attack that wounded one US soldier.
NOTES - 3-4 FEBRUARY:
SITUATION (night of 3 Feb / morning of 4 Feb 69):
BOI LOI NIGHT LAAGER (XT533353)
Co. A 1 platoon Co.
B 3 plts Co.
C 2 plts Co.
C, 2-27 1 plt
FSB REED (Wolfhounds) (XT477125)
Co. B 1 plt
FSB PERSHING (XT519255)
Co. C 2plts
HHC 2-12th 1-8th Artillery 1 battery
FSB STUART (XT501194)
Co. D 4 platoons
HO BO NIGHT LAAGER (XT571283)
Co. A 2-12 3 platoons
Co. C 2-27 1 plt
D Troop, 3-4 Cavalry
LRRP Team #25 -
17 JAN 69 CONTACT SITE
Alpha came under fire - for the second time - in this area (XT 514248) on the northern edge of Ap [hamlet] Truong Giai. The site is about 1 1/2 Clicks SW of Pershing - beyond 'the cemetery.'
The red symbols denote the cemetery south of FSB Pershing. The white lines are ox-cart roads. A road intersection can clearly be seen in the lower left-hand corner of this map. Pale yellow/green areas are open fields and rice paddy. Thin green lines are hedgerows. Very small pale yellow squares surrounded by green are hooch’s. Large pale yellow/green areas surrounded by green hedgerows are paddies and open fields.
18 JAN 69
Co A: CPT Richard Wiggins is replaced by CPT Charles Boyd. Wiggins reports to BN as S-2 Officer until April.
Co.'s A & D at FSB Pershing. B Co. OPCON to 1-5th Inf (M) securing Rome Plows south of Trang Bang. Bravo's night laager (NL) continues to be with The Mech and Rome Plows south of Trang Bang. Co. D at FSB Stuart (Trang Bang bridge). One plt. of Co. D securing the bridge. One platoon of Co. D and 1 plt. of Co. C have Road Security. Co. A performed an aerial flight to an LZ at Xa Bao Dung (vic XT6126) six clicks north-east of Trung Lap. In the late morning - just east of the village - Alpha destroyed a bunker with four shrapnel riddled bodies in it. 4 VC KIA (BC). Shortly after noon Alpha killed an NVA soldier. 1 NVA KIA (BC). Co. A then returned to base. On their way to an ambush site the CRIP platoon received sniper fire 2 clicks north of Trang Bang in Xa Bao Me. The CRIP did not fire back and there were no casualties. The evening of the 18th FSB Pershing was mortared with six to ten rounds of "incoming." There were no casualties and the base returned fire with 4.2" mortar & 105mm cannon fire.
19 JAN 69
Co.'s A & C at Pershing. Co. B still under the Operational Control (OPCON) of The Mech. Co. D at Stuart. One (1) platoon of Company A and one (1) platoon of Co. D sweep TL-6A onRoad Security for the Pershing resupply convoy. One (1) platoon of Delta at Trang Bang Bridge for security. In the early morning/night hours of January 19th FSB Pershing received a single round of "incoming." During the day Company E provided security for a MEDCAP at Six Alpha's Check Point Echo - in the vicinity of that nasty little VC village.
26 JAN 69
Co C while conducting a RIF near XT525216 around 1315 hrs, engages 6 VC in a tunnel complex. The VC return fire with SA. In pursuit, Co C kills 3 VC and takes 4 VC POW's; engagement results in a dustoff with 1 POW and 2 U.S. WIA's.
February 1969
1 FEB 69
Co.'s A, B(-), 2-12th and 2 platoons Co. C, 2-27th Infantry (OPCON to 2-12th) at a night laager in Boi Loi at (XT533353) - hearafter refered to as "Boi Loi NL" - 500 meters north of Boi Loi village and Hwy 238. The Boi Loi NL was in Ap Soc Lao, which is 4 clicks west-northwest of the Mushroom and just north of Boi Loi village. Boi Loi NL remained open for some five days, and the companies stationed there were known as Task Force Second of the Twelfth (TF 2-12). [Map Sheet 6231-II] 1 platoon of Co. B OPCON to 2-27th Inf at FSB Reed (XT477126) six clicks due south of Trang Bang. Co. C at FSB Pershing and responsible for securing the northern 6A road. Co. D at FSB Stuart and responsible for securing the southern portion of 6A, and the Trang Bang Bridge. At 1030 hours an engineer tank hit a mine west of Six Alpha, behind the school house, at (XT500256). No casualties. Co. A (out of Boi Loi NL) flew 7 clicks southwest to a landing zone(LZ) at (XT496308) around 11 am. The LZ was in the rice paddy and hedgerow area south of the Boi Loi woods. Two hours latter Alpha received automatic weapons fire in the vicinity of the LZ. They returned fire with organic weapons, called in artillery and gunships and air force airstrikes. Three US soldiers were wounded in action and dusted off. An estimated 20 VC were killed by air. At 5:30 pm the contact was broken and Alpha returned to base. [3 US WIA. 20 VC KBA(poss)] Meanwhile, the Wolfhounds at Boi Loi NL flew eleven clicks southeast to an LZ 2 clicks south of the Mushroom. There was no contact during the day and the 2-27th(-) returned to base.
2 FEB 69
Task Force 2-12 in Boi Loi NL at (XT533353); Co. A 2-12th Inf Co. B(-) 2-12th Inf 2 platoons Co. C 2-27th Inf. 1 platoon Co. B continues OPCON to 2-27th Infantry at Fire Support Base Reed (XT477126). Co. C at FSB Pershing Co. D at FSB Stuart Co. A conducted a combat air assault at 11 am into an LZ at (XT503312) south of the Boi Loi woods and 600 meters northeast of the previous days LZ and contact area. This time Alpha brought the two platoons of Co. C 2-27th with them. The area was searched with negative contact and then the companies returned to the Boi Loi night laager. Meanwhile, Co. B (minus the platoon south of Trang Bang) conducted a patrol out of the Boi Loi NL, one click west to (XT523352) where they turned left and went southwest to (XT504344) where they turned left again and patrolled east one click to a pickup zone (PZ) at (XT516345) and flew back to Boi Loi NL. Co. C (at Pershing) worked with the engineers to clear the northern portion of highway Six Alpha for the daily convoys that would travel over the road. A command detonated mine at (XT502253) was blown on Company C and the engineers resulting in 1 US KIA and 1 US WIA. Co. D (at Stuart) cleared the southern portion of Six Alpha.
3 FEB 69
Co.'s A, B(-) 2-12th and 2 plts Co. C 2-27th at Boi Loi NL (XT533353). Co. A provided security for the Boi Loi night laager and conducted local patrols until 3 pm when they were called on to support the Three-quarter Cav who were in contact. Alpha flew southeast to (XT576287) to support the 3/4th Cav who were fighting 2 clicks due south of the Mushroom. The Cav and Co. A set up a night defensive position (NDP) on the contact site. In response to the absence of Alpha at the Boi Loi night laager, Co. C (at FSB Pershing) flew up two platoons to help secure the night laager in the Boi Loi's. Meanwhile, the Wolfhounds at Boi Loi NL flew due north across the Saigon River where outside of and due north of the village of Thanh An, they came under sporadic sniper fire at 11 am at (XT537382). Negative casualties. During the day, 1 platoon Co. B (with Wolfhounds at FSB Reed south of Trang Bang) patrolled five clicks north-northeast to (XT513165), turned south to (XT515154) and returned to Reed (XT477125). At 7:30 pm the Boi Loi night laager received a mortar attack that wounded one US soldier.
NOTES - 3-4 FEBRUARY:
SITUATION (night of 3 Feb / morning of 4 Feb 69):
BOI LOI NIGHT LAAGER (XT533353)
Co. A 1 platoon Co.
B 3 plts Co.
C 2 plts Co.
C, 2-27 1 plt
FSB REED (Wolfhounds) (XT477125)
Co. B 1 plt
FSB PERSHING (XT519255)
Co. C 2plts
HHC 2-12th 1-8th Artillery 1 battery
FSB STUART (XT501194)
Co. D 4 platoons
HO BO NIGHT LAAGER (XT571283)
Co. A 2-12 3 platoons
Co. C 2-27 1 plt
D Troop, 3-4 Cavalry
LRRP Team #25 -
THE LAAGER FIGHT
4 FEB 69
A Co KIA:
SSG James D. Camp (21), from Winterset, Iowa, perished in Hua Nghia Province.
NIGHT LAAGER & BATTLE
Co. A, 2-12th Inf - with D Troop, 3-4 CAV, Co. C, 2-27th Inf and LRRP Team 25 - fought a major engagement in the Ho Bo woods at their night laager (XT582283). The NDP was on the edge of the (destroyed) rubber plantation of Don Dien Beyssac.
Note the location of the battle site - black square pointed to by letter opener - in relation to 'the Mushroom' of the Saigon River (and read the story below). The entire area south of the river was 'the Ho Bo woods.' Defensive artillery fire was directed at the VC/NVA (locations indicated by small triangles).
Detail of 4 Feb 69 battle site:
Black Square: U.S. night laager location (XT582283).
Black Arrows: Axis of Ground attacks by VC/NVA. VC mortar attack came from direction of top arrow.
At 0125 hours the night laager came under small arms, machinegun and RPG fire from the north and southwest. Within four minutes B Battery, 1-8th Artillery, at FSB Pershing, was firing upon the enemy.
At 0315 hrs the enemy mortared the laager with five or six rounds and A & D Batteries, 3-13th Artillery fired in response. B Battery, 1-8th was also firing high explosive as well as illumination. They had one secondary explosion - meaning they must have hit one of the mortar or RPG positions. The ground attack caused 2 U.S. KIAs and 11 U.S. WIAs with unknown enemy results.
4 FEB 69
A Co KIA:
SSG James D. Camp (21), from Winterset, Iowa, perished in Hua Nghia Province.
NIGHT LAAGER & BATTLE
Co. A, 2-12th Inf - with D Troop, 3-4 CAV, Co. C, 2-27th Inf and LRRP Team 25 - fought a major engagement in the Ho Bo woods at their night laager (XT582283). The NDP was on the edge of the (destroyed) rubber plantation of Don Dien Beyssac.
Note the location of the battle site - black square pointed to by letter opener - in relation to 'the Mushroom' of the Saigon River (and read the story below). The entire area south of the river was 'the Ho Bo woods.' Defensive artillery fire was directed at the VC/NVA (locations indicated by small triangles).
Detail of 4 Feb 69 battle site:
Black Square: U.S. night laager location (XT582283).
Black Arrows: Axis of Ground attacks by VC/NVA. VC mortar attack came from direction of top arrow.
At 0125 hours the night laager came under small arms, machinegun and RPG fire from the north and southwest. Within four minutes B Battery, 1-8th Artillery, at FSB Pershing, was firing upon the enemy.
At 0315 hrs the enemy mortared the laager with five or six rounds and A & D Batteries, 3-13th Artillery fired in response. B Battery, 1-8th was also firing high explosive as well as illumination. They had one secondary explosion - meaning they must have hit one of the mortar or RPG positions. The ground attack caused 2 U.S. KIAs and 11 U.S. WIAs with unknown enemy results.
GRIGSBY CITATION
".......Private First Class Lester Grigsby of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery.... distinguished himself while serving as forward observer attached to Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry.
While established in a night laager position, Company A came under a massive communist assault. During the initial contact, Grigsby secured a radio and moved through the murderous Viet Cong fire to the perimeter and began adjusting artillry fire on the enemy.
After giving the initial corrections to the FDC, his radio was rendered inoperable by an RPG round.
Undaunted, he exposed himself to a holocaust of exploding projectiles as he returned to secure another radio. After obtaining a radio, he returned through the bullet swept area to the perimeter and effectively resumed adjusting artillery on the hostile force.
His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the defeat of the hostile force...." [From Citation. Source: Tropic Lightning News, Vol. 4 No. 2, March 31,1969.]
".......Private First Class Lester Grigsby of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery.... distinguished himself while serving as forward observer attached to Company A, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry.
While established in a night laager position, Company A came under a massive communist assault. During the initial contact, Grigsby secured a radio and moved through the murderous Viet Cong fire to the perimeter and began adjusting artillry fire on the enemy.
After giving the initial corrections to the FDC, his radio was rendered inoperable by an RPG round.
Undaunted, he exposed himself to a holocaust of exploding projectiles as he returned to secure another radio. After obtaining a radio, he returned through the bullet swept area to the perimeter and effectively resumed adjusting artillery on the hostile force.
His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the defeat of the hostile force...." [From Citation. Source: Tropic Lightning News, Vol. 4 No. 2, March 31,1969.]
NOTES - 4 FEB 69:
During the day, the companies returned to the Boi Loi NL.
SITUATION (night of 4th / morning of 5th):
BOI LOI NL
Co. A 4 pltoons
Co. B(-) 3 plts
Co. C 2-27th 2 plts
FSB PERSHING
Co. C 4 plts
HHC 2-12th
1-8 ARTY 1 battery
FSB STUART
Co. D 4 plts
FSB REED (Wolfhound)
Co. B 1 plt
5 FEB 69
Boi Loi NL: Co.'s A, B(-) 2-12 and 2 plts Co. C 2-27
Pershing: Co. C 2-12
Stuart: Co. D 2-12
1 plt Co. B with the Wolfhounds south of Trang Bag
Co. C(-) 2-27th Inf worked southeast out of the Boi Loi night laager. In the jungle about one click southeast at (XT544344) they had heavy contact east of Bung Binh village with an estimated company of VC at 9:30 am. The VC fired RPGs and heavy automatic weapons at the Wolfhounds. They responded with their organic weapons, artillery fire, helicopter gun ships and Air Force air strikes. One Wolfhound was killed and one wounded and dusted off in the action. VC losses were unknown.
Around noon Co.'s A and B 2-12th flew to a landing zone some four clicks south of the Wolfhound contact. The LZ at (XT544307) was between the Ho Bo and Boi Loi woods near Six Alpha. The companies spent the afternoon trying to close the back door on the enemy and then flew back to their laager in the Boi Loi.
The one platoon of Bravo south of Trang Bang established a blocking position for a Wolfhound operation. Bravo had negative contact, but the Wolfhounds got one VC in An Hung.
During the day, the companies returned to the Boi Loi NL.
SITUATION (night of 4th / morning of 5th):
BOI LOI NL
Co. A 4 pltoons
Co. B(-) 3 plts
Co. C 2-27th 2 plts
FSB PERSHING
Co. C 4 plts
HHC 2-12th
1-8 ARTY 1 battery
FSB STUART
Co. D 4 plts
FSB REED (Wolfhound)
Co. B 1 plt
5 FEB 69
Boi Loi NL: Co.'s A, B(-) 2-12 and 2 plts Co. C 2-27
Pershing: Co. C 2-12
Stuart: Co. D 2-12
1 plt Co. B with the Wolfhounds south of Trang Bag
Co. C(-) 2-27th Inf worked southeast out of the Boi Loi night laager. In the jungle about one click southeast at (XT544344) they had heavy contact east of Bung Binh village with an estimated company of VC at 9:30 am. The VC fired RPGs and heavy automatic weapons at the Wolfhounds. They responded with their organic weapons, artillery fire, helicopter gun ships and Air Force air strikes. One Wolfhound was killed and one wounded and dusted off in the action. VC losses were unknown.
Around noon Co.'s A and B 2-12th flew to a landing zone some four clicks south of the Wolfhound contact. The LZ at (XT544307) was between the Ho Bo and Boi Loi woods near Six Alpha. The companies spent the afternoon trying to close the back door on the enemy and then flew back to their laager in the Boi Loi.
The one platoon of Bravo south of Trang Bang established a blocking position for a Wolfhound operation. Bravo had negative contact, but the Wolfhounds got one VC in An Hung.
Establishment of PB Granite XT597293
6 FEB 69
1 platoon Co. B still working with the Wolfhounds south of Trang Bang.
Co.'s A, B(-) 2-12 and 2 plts of C 2-27 still up at the Boi Loi NL.
Co. C at Pershing
Co. D at Stuart
Co.'s A and B conducted local patrols around Boi Loi night laager. Boi Loi NL closed and companies flown out; Co. B to Pershing and Co. A to Stuart to replace Co. D.
Co. C (Pershing) and Co. D (Stuart) combat air assault at 1:30 pm to a landing zone (LZ) at (XT586290) near the February 3rd/4th contact site. They searched the area around the LZ and then established a patrol base at (XT597293) one click northeast of the landing zone. Patrol base is later named PB Granite.
Meanwhile, one platoon of Co. A, 1-5th Mechanized Infantry (Bobcats) moved north from Trung Lap to join the Warriors for the night at the newly established patrol base at (XT597293) two clicks south of the Mushroom area of the Saigon River.
8 FEB 69
A Co. KIA:
SP4 Michael J. Spear (23) of Chicago, IL perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Co.'s A (Stuart) and B (Pershing) provided one platoon each for Six Alpha road security. Co. B detonated a booby trap in a hedgerow resulting in 1 US WIA (dusted off).
Co. C, at the Ho Bo patrol base, moved 1500 meters west, turned south for 1 click and then moved northeast to return to the patrol base.
Co. D continued to improve the Ho Bo patrol base during the day.
6 FEB 69
1 platoon Co. B still working with the Wolfhounds south of Trang Bang.
Co.'s A, B(-) 2-12 and 2 plts of C 2-27 still up at the Boi Loi NL.
Co. C at Pershing
Co. D at Stuart
Co.'s A and B conducted local patrols around Boi Loi night laager. Boi Loi NL closed and companies flown out; Co. B to Pershing and Co. A to Stuart to replace Co. D.
Co. C (Pershing) and Co. D (Stuart) combat air assault at 1:30 pm to a landing zone (LZ) at (XT586290) near the February 3rd/4th contact site. They searched the area around the LZ and then established a patrol base at (XT597293) one click northeast of the landing zone. Patrol base is later named PB Granite.
Meanwhile, one platoon of Co. A, 1-5th Mechanized Infantry (Bobcats) moved north from Trung Lap to join the Warriors for the night at the newly established patrol base at (XT597293) two clicks south of the Mushroom area of the Saigon River.
8 FEB 69
A Co. KIA:
SP4 Michael J. Spear (23) of Chicago, IL perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Co.'s A (Stuart) and B (Pershing) provided one platoon each for Six Alpha road security. Co. B detonated a booby trap in a hedgerow resulting in 1 US WIA (dusted off).
Co. C, at the Ho Bo patrol base, moved 1500 meters west, turned south for 1 click and then moved northeast to return to the patrol base.
Co. D continued to improve the Ho Bo patrol base during the day.
B Co. KIA:
PFC Russell Byrd Adams (23) of Atlanta, GA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Co. B, 2nd platoon, under command of 1Lt. Howard McKinney were providing security for the engineers sweeping Six Alpha for mines when they were ambushed 100 yards south of the little bridge and old ARVN compound (we called the French Fort). Co. B received small arms and RPG fire from an enemy force of unknown size. Bravo returned fire with their own organic weapons, helicopter gun ships and artillery. In the exchange, Pfc. Adams was killed, Sergeant Larry Fontana was hit in the lower leg by RPG shrapnel, Doc (Pete) Hernandez was shot in the stomach and Lieutenant McKinney had an AK-47 round kiss his knee.
MC KINNEY SILVER STAR CITATION
".... First Lieutenant McKinney distinguished himself by heroic actions on 9 February 1969, while serving as a platoon leader with Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a road clearing mission, Lieutenant McKinney's platoon was ambushed by an unknown size enemy force. Lieutenant McKinney received a painful leg wound in the initial enemy barrage. Despite his wound he directed his platoon's fire against the enemy. When one flank was threatened, Lieutenant McKinney crawled across the open road, exposing himself to the enemy's deadly fire, in order to direct the threatened element. Lieutenant McKinney, once again disregarding his own personal safety and his wound, crawled to the forward most position of the platoon where wounded men were lying. In this forward position he administered life saving first aid and personally assisted them to covered positions. Lieutenant McKinney's actions were responsible for saving several lives and for the defeat of the insurgent force.... "
Meanwhile, on the 9th; Co.'s C and D, in the Ho Bo woods, flew 3 clicks southeast of the patrol base to a landing zone at (XT627282). Moving off the LZ to the west they came under heavy small arms, automatic weapons and RPG fire. They replied with organic weapons, artillery, helicopter gunships and Air force air strikes. 3 US soldier were killed and two wounded in the action. Co. D bore the brunt of the battle with Specialist Hester, Private Ross and Doc Neal killed in action.
Reacting to the contact in the Ho Bo, Co.'s A(-), B and D 1-5th Mechanized Infantry moved to the area in the late afternoon. After contact was broken 1 platoon Co. A and Co. C(-) 1-5th moved west to the 2-12th's patrol base for the night. They were released from OPCON to the Second of the Twelfth the next morning.
10 FEB 69
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co. B FSB Pershing XT518257
Co.'s C and D PB Granite
Co. A secured the Trang Bang Bridge and Co.'s A and B provided one platoon each for road security on Six Alpha. Shortly after noon, Co. D found a VC body at (XT621284) 3 clicks east-southeast of the Ho Bo patrol base in the vicinity of yesterdays contact.
The 1-5th Mech were released from OPCON to the 2-12th at 8 am.
11 FEB 69
Co. A Stuart XT501194
Co. B Pershing XT518257
Co. C and D Patrol Base Ho Bo XT597293
Co.'s A and B doing the usual thing.
Co. C at Ho Bo patrol base flew 3 clicks northeast to a landing zone at (XT613315) just south of old highway (TL-15) - halfway between the Thai Thai stream and (the village of) Xa Duoc on the Saigon River. Charlie Company moved northwest towards Duoc and turned left just short of the small temple in the town. Charlie moved southwest to a pick-up zone at (XT603313) and returned to base without contact.
[Interesting to note that Co. C were in the area of the present day Vietnamese tourist trap known as "the Tunnels of Cu Chi."]
Co. D went OPCON to the 3rd Brigade's 2/22nd (Mechanized) Infantry - Triple Duce - around 1 pm and worked with the mech until the next day.
12 FEB 69
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co. B FSB Pershing XT518257
Co.'s C & D Patrol Base Granite XT597293 - Co C is OPCON'D to th 1-5th Bobcats
Co. A secured the Trang Bang Bridge and Co.'s A and B supplied one platoon each for road security along LTL 6-A. Co. A covered the southern (or lower) portion and Co. B covered the northern (or upper) portion of Six Alpha.
Co. D, working with the Triple Duce since yesterday, flew in to Fire Support Base Pershing by CH-47 Chinook at first light.
'Bobcats' and 'Warriors' [Co. C] engage tunnel complex six
miles north of Trung Lap near Xa Sa Nho(2)
XT575266.
Co. C went OPCON to the Bobcats of the 1-5th (M) Infantry - most likely Co. B First of the Fifth. Charlie company and the Mech rode 3500 meters southwest of PB Ho Bo and at 10 am discovered and destroyed 20 meters of tunnel at (XT575266). An hour later the Mech troopers detonated a mine - killing one and wounding two. A half hour later, in the same area, a 2-12th infantryman fell into a punji pit and had to be dusted off. The Bobcats and Warriors continued on to establish a blocking force south of the Ho Bo woods (vic XT564284 and XT575277) - oriented to the south to receive any enemy escaping the mechanized forces of Co. A and Co. C, 1-5th Infantry who were driving north. At the end of operations Co. C 2-12th were picked up by the Bobcats of Charlie company and driven back to the Ho Bo patrol base where Charlie company of the Mech spent the night.
13 FEB 69
FSB Pershing Co.'s B and D
FSB Stuart Co. A
PB Granite - Co. C (OPCON to Co. C, 1-5th (Mech) Inf}
Co.'s A and B did their usual thing - one platoon each on road security.
Co. D (-) patrolling out of Pershing worked north of the old French Fort at the little bridge over Six Alpha and returned to Pershing without contact. Route: Pershing to XT503263, XT498277, XT504270 and return to base.
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co. B FSB Pershing XT518257
Co.'s C and D PB Granite
Co. A secured the Trang Bang Bridge and Co.'s A and B provided one platoon each for road security on Six Alpha. Shortly after noon, Co. D found a VC body at (XT621284) 3 clicks east-southeast of the Ho Bo patrol base in the vicinity of yesterdays contact.
The 1-5th Mech were released from OPCON to the 2-12th at 8 am.
11 FEB 69
Co. A Stuart XT501194
Co. B Pershing XT518257
Co. C and D Patrol Base Ho Bo XT597293
Co.'s A and B doing the usual thing.
Co. C at Ho Bo patrol base flew 3 clicks northeast to a landing zone at (XT613315) just south of old highway (TL-15) - halfway between the Thai Thai stream and (the village of) Xa Duoc on the Saigon River. Charlie Company moved northwest towards Duoc and turned left just short of the small temple in the town. Charlie moved southwest to a pick-up zone at (XT603313) and returned to base without contact.
[Interesting to note that Co. C were in the area of the present day Vietnamese tourist trap known as "the Tunnels of Cu Chi."]
Co. D went OPCON to the 3rd Brigade's 2/22nd (Mechanized) Infantry - Triple Duce - around 1 pm and worked with the mech until the next day.
12 FEB 69
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co. B FSB Pershing XT518257
Co.'s C & D Patrol Base Granite XT597293 - Co C is OPCON'D to th 1-5th Bobcats
Co. A secured the Trang Bang Bridge and Co.'s A and B supplied one platoon each for road security along LTL 6-A. Co. A covered the southern (or lower) portion and Co. B covered the northern (or upper) portion of Six Alpha.
Co. D, working with the Triple Duce since yesterday, flew in to Fire Support Base Pershing by CH-47 Chinook at first light.
'Bobcats' and 'Warriors' [Co. C] engage tunnel complex six
miles north of Trung Lap near Xa Sa Nho(2)
XT575266.
Co. C went OPCON to the Bobcats of the 1-5th (M) Infantry - most likely Co. B First of the Fifth. Charlie company and the Mech rode 3500 meters southwest of PB Ho Bo and at 10 am discovered and destroyed 20 meters of tunnel at (XT575266). An hour later the Mech troopers detonated a mine - killing one and wounding two. A half hour later, in the same area, a 2-12th infantryman fell into a punji pit and had to be dusted off. The Bobcats and Warriors continued on to establish a blocking force south of the Ho Bo woods (vic XT564284 and XT575277) - oriented to the south to receive any enemy escaping the mechanized forces of Co. A and Co. C, 1-5th Infantry who were driving north. At the end of operations Co. C 2-12th were picked up by the Bobcats of Charlie company and driven back to the Ho Bo patrol base where Charlie company of the Mech spent the night.
13 FEB 69
FSB Pershing Co.'s B and D
FSB Stuart Co. A
PB Granite - Co. C (OPCON to Co. C, 1-5th (Mech) Inf}
Co.'s A and B did their usual thing - one platoon each on road security.
Co. D (-) patrolling out of Pershing worked north of the old French Fort at the little bridge over Six Alpha and returned to Pershing without contact. Route: Pershing to XT503263, XT498277, XT504270 and return to base.
14 FEB 69
FSB Pershing Co.'s B and D
FSB Stuart Co. A
Patrol Base Granite - Co.C 2-12th (OPCON to Mech), 1 platoon Co. A and Co. C(-) 1-5th (Mech) Inf
Co. A secured Trang Bang Bridge and road security, and (just for a change of pace) Co. D took over the northen Six Alpha road security.
Co. C 2-12th and Co. C 1-5th conducted local security around the Ho Bo patrol base.
15 FEB 69
B Co. KIA:
PFC Lewis R. Valentine (20) of Paoli, PA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co.'s B and D FSB Pershing XT518257
Co. C Ho Bo patrol base (along with Co. C(-) and 1 plt Co. A 1-5th (M) Inf
Co. A and D performed road security on Six Alpha.
One platoon of Co. B patrolled north of Pershing to Square Lake and returned. Route: Pershing (XT518257) north to XT520268 northeast to Square Lake area (XT532275) and returned to Pershing. During the patrol two Bravo infantrymen were wounded by a booby trap in a hedgerow and dusted off. One of the two - Pfc. Valintine - died.
Meanwhile, 1 platoon of Co. C, riding the tracks of Co. C(-) 1-5th Mechanized Infantry, left the Ho Bo patrol base and riffed southwest 1400 meters to (XT590280), swung southeast 800 meters, did a little loop and returned to the patrol base.
OPERATION TOAN THANG II ENDS.
Midnight 15 Feb 69 - It began 1 June 1968.
OPERATION TOAN THANG III begins
16 FEB 69
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co.'s B and D FSB Pershing XT518257
Co. C OPCON to 1-5 (M) Inf at Patrol Base Ho Bo XT597293
Co. A secured the Trang Bang Bridge and provided one platoon to patrol lower Six Alpha (Hwy LTL 6-A).
One platoon of Company D provided road security for the upper portion of Six Alpha. During the patrol Co. D detonated a mine in a hedgerow at (XT504254) in 1 WIA dusted off.
CRIP platoon at Trang Bang patrolled north of Stuart to (XT500220), swung southwest to the northern limits of the city at (XT488207) and returned to base.
Co. B(-) moved south-southeast out of Fire Support Base Pershing and moved 1500 meters to a checkpoint at (XT524242). They then turned southwest for 800 meters to (XT518237), retraced their steps, moving northeast over a click to (XT533244). They then moved northwest to return to Pershing.
Meanwhile, Co. C - working with the Mech's Co. C - conducted a search south of the patrol base in the Ho Bo's. At (XT566264) they engaged and killed one VC.
RESULTS:
2-12 Inf Casualties;
44 KIA
242 WIA
Combat Losses of Major Items (2-12 Inf);
M-60............................4
M16A1........................19
.45 Cal Pistol................1
M79 Grenade Launch....8
AN/PRC-25...................4
AN/PRT-4....................10
AN/PRR-9.....................8
Starlight (HM)................1
Mine Detector................2
Enemy losses (by 2nd Brigade);
VC/NVA KIA (BC)...........1797
VC/NVA KIA (POSS).......876
VC/NVA POW................303
Chieu Hoi's....................17
Detainees.....................1425
[SOURCE: 2d Bde 25th Div AAR Op Toan Thang II 1Jun68-16Feb69]
FSB Pershing Co.'s B and D
FSB Stuart Co. A
Patrol Base Granite - Co.C 2-12th (OPCON to Mech), 1 platoon Co. A and Co. C(-) 1-5th (Mech) Inf
Co. A secured Trang Bang Bridge and road security, and (just for a change of pace) Co. D took over the northen Six Alpha road security.
Co. C 2-12th and Co. C 1-5th conducted local security around the Ho Bo patrol base.
15 FEB 69
B Co. KIA:
PFC Lewis R. Valentine (20) of Paoli, PA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co.'s B and D FSB Pershing XT518257
Co. C Ho Bo patrol base (along with Co. C(-) and 1 plt Co. A 1-5th (M) Inf
Co. A and D performed road security on Six Alpha.
One platoon of Co. B patrolled north of Pershing to Square Lake and returned. Route: Pershing (XT518257) north to XT520268 northeast to Square Lake area (XT532275) and returned to Pershing. During the patrol two Bravo infantrymen were wounded by a booby trap in a hedgerow and dusted off. One of the two - Pfc. Valintine - died.
Meanwhile, 1 platoon of Co. C, riding the tracks of Co. C(-) 1-5th Mechanized Infantry, left the Ho Bo patrol base and riffed southwest 1400 meters to (XT590280), swung southeast 800 meters, did a little loop and returned to the patrol base.
OPERATION TOAN THANG II ENDS.
Midnight 15 Feb 69 - It began 1 June 1968.
OPERATION TOAN THANG III begins
16 FEB 69
Co. A FSB Stuart XT501194
Co.'s B and D FSB Pershing XT518257
Co. C OPCON to 1-5 (M) Inf at Patrol Base Ho Bo XT597293
Co. A secured the Trang Bang Bridge and provided one platoon to patrol lower Six Alpha (Hwy LTL 6-A).
One platoon of Company D provided road security for the upper portion of Six Alpha. During the patrol Co. D detonated a mine in a hedgerow at (XT504254) in 1 WIA dusted off.
CRIP platoon at Trang Bang patrolled north of Stuart to (XT500220), swung southwest to the northern limits of the city at (XT488207) and returned to base.
Co. B(-) moved south-southeast out of Fire Support Base Pershing and moved 1500 meters to a checkpoint at (XT524242). They then turned southwest for 800 meters to (XT518237), retraced their steps, moving northeast over a click to (XT533244). They then moved northwest to return to Pershing.
Meanwhile, Co. C - working with the Mech's Co. C - conducted a search south of the patrol base in the Ho Bo's. At (XT566264) they engaged and killed one VC.
RESULTS:
2-12 Inf Casualties;
44 KIA
242 WIA
Combat Losses of Major Items (2-12 Inf);
M-60............................4
M16A1........................19
.45 Cal Pistol................1
M79 Grenade Launch....8
AN/PRC-25...................4
AN/PRT-4....................10
AN/PRR-9.....................8
Starlight (HM)................1
Mine Detector................2
Enemy losses (by 2nd Brigade);
VC/NVA KIA (BC)...........1797
VC/NVA KIA (POSS).......876
VC/NVA POW................303
Chieu Hoi's....................17
Detainees.....................1425
[SOURCE: 2d Bde 25th Div AAR Op Toan Thang II 1Jun68-16Feb69]
17 FEB 69
C Co. continues to operate in the vicinity of Xa Sa Nho(2).
MINI-TET BATTLES
22 FEB 69
'Bobcats' of the 1-5th MECH opcon to 2-12th in Boi Loi.
D Co. KIA:
SP4 Miguel A. Gonzalez-Rivera (20); and
SGT John W. Thomas (20) of Louisburg, NC perished in Binh Duong Province.
23 FEB 69
B Co. KIA:
SP4 John W. Washington (19) of Macon, GA died of wounds (DOW) received in Hua Nghia Province.
25 FEB 69
Cu Chi Base Camp sapper attack this evening.
26 FEB 69
CU CHI. A massive rocket attack struck Cu Chi Base Camp followed by a ground attact by sappers who
destroyed nine Chinook heavy lift helicopters. More than twenty enemy were killed and several captured.
28 FEB 69
C Co. KIA:
PFC Bruce E. Reed (20) of Peekskill, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
C Co., working with the 'Bobcats' RECON Plt three miles NW of Trang Bang - in the southern Suoi Cau rubber plantation - east of Go Dau Ha, vic XT4525 fought a major engagement during which one of the Mech's tracks was destroyed. PFC Reed and one Bobcat were killed, and three Bobcats were wounded in the action.
C Co. continues to operate in the vicinity of Xa Sa Nho(2).
MINI-TET BATTLES
22 FEB 69
'Bobcats' of the 1-5th MECH opcon to 2-12th in Boi Loi.
D Co. KIA:
SP4 Miguel A. Gonzalez-Rivera (20); and
SGT John W. Thomas (20) of Louisburg, NC perished in Binh Duong Province.
23 FEB 69
B Co. KIA:
SP4 John W. Washington (19) of Macon, GA died of wounds (DOW) received in Hua Nghia Province.
25 FEB 69
Cu Chi Base Camp sapper attack this evening.
26 FEB 69
CU CHI. A massive rocket attack struck Cu Chi Base Camp followed by a ground attact by sappers who
destroyed nine Chinook heavy lift helicopters. More than twenty enemy were killed and several captured.
28 FEB 69
C Co. KIA:
PFC Bruce E. Reed (20) of Peekskill, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
C Co., working with the 'Bobcats' RECON Plt three miles NW of Trang Bang - in the southern Suoi Cau rubber plantation - east of Go Dau Ha, vic XT4525 fought a major engagement during which one of the Mech's tracks was destroyed. PFC Reed and one Bobcat were killed, and three Bobcats were wounded in the action.
MARCH 1969
COMMANDER: LTC Mann - 18Mar to 12Aug1969
HQ: FSB Pershing
The month of March was characterized by continued heavy activity in all Brigade areas. The newly executed offensive had gained full momentum. The Division intensified its search for the enemy through extensive ground reconnaissance, air-mobile operations, and widespread aerial reconnaissance. This approach brought success, as elements of the Division began to hit the enemy in his staging areas.
2 MAR 69
D Co. KIA's:
SGT Joseph L. Biddle (22) of Berlin, NJ
SP4 Peter A. Duperry (21) of Whittier, CA
PFC Antonio M. Garcia (23) of Needles, CA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
WIA:
PFC Victor Blusnavage is seriously wounded and sent to Japan, then to Walter Reed Hospital
An unconfirmed report was that a Delta Co's night ambush was heading back to base early in the morning from their ambush site. Somehow they triggered a bomb planted in the road they were using to return to base or was crossing it, killing three men. Delta Co was sent out to sweep the area northeast of Trang Bang after this report came in. Proceeding east the company approached a small settlement in a two column formation, 1st plt leading the right side, looking for VC in the area. Blusnavage who was close to the point man on patrol said "The point man and I spotted some old rusty anti--American signs and as we continued on, we came to a tree with a cardboard sign with shiny fresh red paint, "VOO RA ...." or such. I said to the point man to wait and I will call up the interpreter to read the sign, to tell us where the bomb was located. I turned my back to the men behind me and called out a couple of times for the Kit Carson and then all of a sudden it was triggered." Several men were seriously wounded. A quick response by the men of 1st Plt gave Blusnavage and the others first aid which allowed them to be medevac'd to 12th EVAC which saved their lives.
3 MAR 69
ELSEWHERE IN VIETNAM:
General Abrams is briefed that "'the so-called 'war of liberation' has increasingly become an NVA war." In October 1965, NVA comprised 26 percent of VC/NVA maneuver and combat support strength, while today it is 70 plus."
[Source: SORLEY, Lewis. VIETNAM CHRONICLES: The Abrams Tapes 1968-1972. Pg. 134.]
4 MAR 69
C Co. KIA:
SP4 Richard L. Deimler (21) of Hummelstown, PA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
SFC John Partee 3rd PSG is seriously injured from a fragmentation wound and dies in the hospital on March 29 in Long Binh hospital.
"Among the most successful operations during the month were in areas controlled by the 2nd Brigade deep within the CITADEL and BOI LOI WOODS. On March 4th, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, performed a combat assault only eight miles northwest of CU CHI (XT547250) and a few kilometers south of the hamlet Sa Nho (2) and encountered a heavy volume of fire from a well concealed and entrenched enemy battalion from the 88th NVA Regiment. The contact was reinforced by a task force of three rifle, one mechanized, and one tank company. Three thousand rounds of supporting artillery were fired. This engagement lasted until 1800 hours. An evening sweep of the area revealed 84 enemy dead. The combined forces established a night defensive position in the area. Early the next morning this position received a heavy attack by fire and a subsequent ground attack. Artillery, helicopters and fighters broke the assault, and caused the enemy to leave another 74 dead on the battlefield. U.S. casualties, by contrast, were light: 11 killed, 37 wounded." (quarterly Report ending 30 April, 69 25th Div.
At 0535 hours, the 1-5th Company C night perimeter, located along Highway 237, 4 kilometers northwest of Trung Lap, received small arms and RPG fire. Fire was returned with organic weapons and helicopter gunships. There were no friendly casualties.
At 0745 hours, Companies C and D of the 2-12th Infantry made an airmobile combat assault into Grid XT 5425, several kilometers northwest of the Company C, 1-5th(M) night perimeter. They immediately established heavy contact and Companies A and C, 1-5th(M) were dispatched to reinforce the contact.
At 1308 hours, Company A requested a Dust-off at XT 556258 for one Bobcat with a gunshot wound. At 1315 hours, Company C requested a Dust-off for three Bobcats with gunshot wounds. At 1327 hours, Companies A and C arrived in the area of the 2-12th Infantry contact.
At 1340 hours, 1-5th Company C requested a Dust-off for five wounded Bobcats. At 1345 hours, Company A requested a Dust-off for two wounded Bobcats.
At 1432 hours, Company D, 2-12th Infantry cleared the area of contact and Companies A and C, 1-5th(M) began a sweep of the contact area. At 1703 hours, the mech companies reported that they were no longer receiving enemy fire. The dead bodies of enemy soldiers along with weapons had been located in a search of the contact area.
At 1749 hours, 1-5th Company C reported that two APCs had been hit by RPG fire and one was on fire. Company C requested a Dust-off at 1757 hours for eleven wounded Bobcats. At 1851 hours, Company C requested a Dust-off for one wounded. At 1933 hours, a Dust-off was requested for six Bobcats from Company A with fragmentation wounds.
At 2019 hours, at XT 560263, 1-5th Company C received 3 RPG rounds and some small arms fire. At 2045 hours, Company C reported that all its APCs were now on Highway 7A, in the area of Trung lap. At 2101 hours, they closed their night perimeter. At 2111 hours, Company B closed their night perimeter.
During the day’s contact two Bobcats from Company C were killed and Companies A and C suffered a total of 38 wounded. C 2-12th reports 1 KIA in the action.
5 MAR 69
D Co. KIA's:
SP4 William T. Harris (23) of Clarksville, TN;
SP4 Clayton A. Songle (21) of Minneapolis, MN; and
PFC Stanley B. Ziegler (20) of Cedar Pines Park, CA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
On March 05, 1969, Company A, 1-5th(M) along with Companies C and D, 2-12th Infantry, were in a combined night perimeter at XT 548251, near the area of the previous day’s contact. At 0451 hours, the perimeter began to receive mortar, RPG and small arms fire from the north. A flare ship and helicopter light fire team were requested. At 0536 hours, two Dust-offs were requested for at least 12 litter and more ambulatory casualties. At 0650 hours, the Dust-offs were completed.
At 0700 hours, 1-5th Company B began a road sweep of Highway 1 and then Highway 7A.
At 0710 hours, Company A began a search of the area north of the night perimeter. At 0840 hours, Company C and the recon Platoon began movement to link up with Company A. They reached the area at 1105 hours. The day was spent policing enemy bodies, weapons and equipment from the area of contact.
Company A and Company C, and the Recon Platoon, 1-5th(M) closed FSB Patton by 1730 hours. There were three Bobcats from Company A killed in the day’s action. D 2-12th reports 3 KIA's during the action.
9 MAR 69
HHC WIA/DOW:
Medic SP4 John "Doc" R. Thielen is wounded.
He dies on the 18th.
10 MAR 69
A Co KIA:
PFC Cecil W. "C.W." Tillman (20), 1st Plt, of Memphis, TN perished in Hua Nghia Province.
"C.W. was killed when we were working with the 1-5th Mech. He was on the APC and bent over when a VC claymore, in a spider hole, hit him," said Joe Amari. "He had been awarded the Silver Star for the day Reiter killed [17Jan69], he never got it - he was killed before he saw it."
11 MAR 69
A Co. KIA's:
SP4 Donald L. Fowler (25) of St. Louis, MO;
PFC Melvin Guyton (20) of Hamtramck, MI; and
PFC George J. Smith, Jr. (19) of New York, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
14 MAR 69
Back in The World; a daughter was born to Co. A's Spc4 Jose S. Paz.
THE NIGHT LAAGER BATTLE near Trung Lap
18 MAR 69
Co C iconducts a CA out to an area south of Sa Nho (2) where they make contact and spend the day in pursuit of the enemy. Contact is broken off late in the afternoon and the company sets up a NL site. The 1-5th is located near by.
C Co. KIA:
PFC Loren C. Jones (20) of Unaka, NC perished in Hua Nghia Province.
HHC KIA:
Medic SP5 Leonard "Doc" Dodson (20) - assigned to Co. C from HHC Medical Section - of New York, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Medic SP4 John Roger "Doc" Thielen - wounded on the 9th - perished of his wounds. Thielen's company assignment is unknown.
HHC WIA:
Medic SP4 Bob "Doc" Meyer (RPG) (3rd Plt, C Co.)
Alpha's night laager was attacked. 22 enemy were killed.
COMMANDER: LTC Mann - 18Mar to 12Aug1969
HQ: FSB Pershing
The month of March was characterized by continued heavy activity in all Brigade areas. The newly executed offensive had gained full momentum. The Division intensified its search for the enemy through extensive ground reconnaissance, air-mobile operations, and widespread aerial reconnaissance. This approach brought success, as elements of the Division began to hit the enemy in his staging areas.
2 MAR 69
D Co. KIA's:
SGT Joseph L. Biddle (22) of Berlin, NJ
SP4 Peter A. Duperry (21) of Whittier, CA
PFC Antonio M. Garcia (23) of Needles, CA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
WIA:
PFC Victor Blusnavage is seriously wounded and sent to Japan, then to Walter Reed Hospital
An unconfirmed report was that a Delta Co's night ambush was heading back to base early in the morning from their ambush site. Somehow they triggered a bomb planted in the road they were using to return to base or was crossing it, killing three men. Delta Co was sent out to sweep the area northeast of Trang Bang after this report came in. Proceeding east the company approached a small settlement in a two column formation, 1st plt leading the right side, looking for VC in the area. Blusnavage who was close to the point man on patrol said "The point man and I spotted some old rusty anti--American signs and as we continued on, we came to a tree with a cardboard sign with shiny fresh red paint, "VOO RA ...." or such. I said to the point man to wait and I will call up the interpreter to read the sign, to tell us where the bomb was located. I turned my back to the men behind me and called out a couple of times for the Kit Carson and then all of a sudden it was triggered." Several men were seriously wounded. A quick response by the men of 1st Plt gave Blusnavage and the others first aid which allowed them to be medevac'd to 12th EVAC which saved their lives.
3 MAR 69
ELSEWHERE IN VIETNAM:
General Abrams is briefed that "'the so-called 'war of liberation' has increasingly become an NVA war." In October 1965, NVA comprised 26 percent of VC/NVA maneuver and combat support strength, while today it is 70 plus."
[Source: SORLEY, Lewis. VIETNAM CHRONICLES: The Abrams Tapes 1968-1972. Pg. 134.]
4 MAR 69
C Co. KIA:
SP4 Richard L. Deimler (21) of Hummelstown, PA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
SFC John Partee 3rd PSG is seriously injured from a fragmentation wound and dies in the hospital on March 29 in Long Binh hospital.
"Among the most successful operations during the month were in areas controlled by the 2nd Brigade deep within the CITADEL and BOI LOI WOODS. On March 4th, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, performed a combat assault only eight miles northwest of CU CHI (XT547250) and a few kilometers south of the hamlet Sa Nho (2) and encountered a heavy volume of fire from a well concealed and entrenched enemy battalion from the 88th NVA Regiment. The contact was reinforced by a task force of three rifle, one mechanized, and one tank company. Three thousand rounds of supporting artillery were fired. This engagement lasted until 1800 hours. An evening sweep of the area revealed 84 enemy dead. The combined forces established a night defensive position in the area. Early the next morning this position received a heavy attack by fire and a subsequent ground attack. Artillery, helicopters and fighters broke the assault, and caused the enemy to leave another 74 dead on the battlefield. U.S. casualties, by contrast, were light: 11 killed, 37 wounded." (quarterly Report ending 30 April, 69 25th Div.
At 0535 hours, the 1-5th Company C night perimeter, located along Highway 237, 4 kilometers northwest of Trung Lap, received small arms and RPG fire. Fire was returned with organic weapons and helicopter gunships. There were no friendly casualties.
At 0745 hours, Companies C and D of the 2-12th Infantry made an airmobile combat assault into Grid XT 5425, several kilometers northwest of the Company C, 1-5th(M) night perimeter. They immediately established heavy contact and Companies A and C, 1-5th(M) were dispatched to reinforce the contact.
At 1308 hours, Company A requested a Dust-off at XT 556258 for one Bobcat with a gunshot wound. At 1315 hours, Company C requested a Dust-off for three Bobcats with gunshot wounds. At 1327 hours, Companies A and C arrived in the area of the 2-12th Infantry contact.
At 1340 hours, 1-5th Company C requested a Dust-off for five wounded Bobcats. At 1345 hours, Company A requested a Dust-off for two wounded Bobcats.
At 1432 hours, Company D, 2-12th Infantry cleared the area of contact and Companies A and C, 1-5th(M) began a sweep of the contact area. At 1703 hours, the mech companies reported that they were no longer receiving enemy fire. The dead bodies of enemy soldiers along with weapons had been located in a search of the contact area.
At 1749 hours, 1-5th Company C reported that two APCs had been hit by RPG fire and one was on fire. Company C requested a Dust-off at 1757 hours for eleven wounded Bobcats. At 1851 hours, Company C requested a Dust-off for one wounded. At 1933 hours, a Dust-off was requested for six Bobcats from Company A with fragmentation wounds.
At 2019 hours, at XT 560263, 1-5th Company C received 3 RPG rounds and some small arms fire. At 2045 hours, Company C reported that all its APCs were now on Highway 7A, in the area of Trung lap. At 2101 hours, they closed their night perimeter. At 2111 hours, Company B closed their night perimeter.
During the day’s contact two Bobcats from Company C were killed and Companies A and C suffered a total of 38 wounded. C 2-12th reports 1 KIA in the action.
5 MAR 69
D Co. KIA's:
SP4 William T. Harris (23) of Clarksville, TN;
SP4 Clayton A. Songle (21) of Minneapolis, MN; and
PFC Stanley B. Ziegler (20) of Cedar Pines Park, CA perished in Hua Nghia Province.
On March 05, 1969, Company A, 1-5th(M) along with Companies C and D, 2-12th Infantry, were in a combined night perimeter at XT 548251, near the area of the previous day’s contact. At 0451 hours, the perimeter began to receive mortar, RPG and small arms fire from the north. A flare ship and helicopter light fire team were requested. At 0536 hours, two Dust-offs were requested for at least 12 litter and more ambulatory casualties. At 0650 hours, the Dust-offs were completed.
At 0700 hours, 1-5th Company B began a road sweep of Highway 1 and then Highway 7A.
At 0710 hours, Company A began a search of the area north of the night perimeter. At 0840 hours, Company C and the recon Platoon began movement to link up with Company A. They reached the area at 1105 hours. The day was spent policing enemy bodies, weapons and equipment from the area of contact.
Company A and Company C, and the Recon Platoon, 1-5th(M) closed FSB Patton by 1730 hours. There were three Bobcats from Company A killed in the day’s action. D 2-12th reports 3 KIA's during the action.
9 MAR 69
HHC WIA/DOW:
Medic SP4 John "Doc" R. Thielen is wounded.
He dies on the 18th.
10 MAR 69
A Co KIA:
PFC Cecil W. "C.W." Tillman (20), 1st Plt, of Memphis, TN perished in Hua Nghia Province.
"C.W. was killed when we were working with the 1-5th Mech. He was on the APC and bent over when a VC claymore, in a spider hole, hit him," said Joe Amari. "He had been awarded the Silver Star for the day Reiter killed [17Jan69], he never got it - he was killed before he saw it."
11 MAR 69
A Co. KIA's:
SP4 Donald L. Fowler (25) of St. Louis, MO;
PFC Melvin Guyton (20) of Hamtramck, MI; and
PFC George J. Smith, Jr. (19) of New York, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
14 MAR 69
Back in The World; a daughter was born to Co. A's Spc4 Jose S. Paz.
THE NIGHT LAAGER BATTLE near Trung Lap
18 MAR 69
Co C iconducts a CA out to an area south of Sa Nho (2) where they make contact and spend the day in pursuit of the enemy. Contact is broken off late in the afternoon and the company sets up a NL site. The 1-5th is located near by.
C Co. KIA:
PFC Loren C. Jones (20) of Unaka, NC perished in Hua Nghia Province.
HHC KIA:
Medic SP5 Leonard "Doc" Dodson (20) - assigned to Co. C from HHC Medical Section - of New York, NY perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Medic SP4 John Roger "Doc" Thielen - wounded on the 9th - perished of his wounds. Thielen's company assignment is unknown.
HHC WIA:
Medic SP4 Bob "Doc" Meyer (RPG) (3rd Plt, C Co.)
Alpha's night laager was attacked. 22 enemy were killed.
19 MAR 69
Co C - Just after 0030, the VC attack Company C's night laager. The company is not dug in well and is postioned behind a rice paddy wall. The VC attack from the wood line located to their south with RPG's, AW and SA fire. Bruce Solem says "I am with Bowden and Mikita and all we can do is raise our weapons and fire blindly toward the enemy while lobbing gernades". Sgt. Buckley on the the left flank is working with his gunner Richard Satterthwaite trying to repel the attack. Buckley hears a RPG being launched but before he can say or do anything, it hits, killing Satch and hitting him in the right shoulder. After that,he says he does not remember much. Dennis will end up in Japan in the hospital and spend months and months in recovery.
LTC John Mann, USA (Retired) - who took command of the battalion that day - wrote about the 18 March battle (and the April 27th night attack) in VIETNAM magazine [February 2001, Vol. 13 No.5]:
"Company C did quite well that night. They had two killed and 11 wounded. The Communists lost at least 32 men, and we captured 12 AK-47s, several rocket launchers and a .50-caliber machine gun." - LTC Mann
C Co. KIA:
PFC Richard D. Satterhwaite (21) of Butte, MT perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Results of C Co.'s night laager battle during which Charlie received small arms, machinegun and mortar fire; Charlie Co. fought back with artillery support and was credited with 32 VC/NVA KIA (BC) and 30 VC/NVA KIA (poss.).
20 MAR 69
A Co KIA:
PFC Filemon Serrano (22) from Farmington, New Mexico perished in Hau Nghia Province.
A Co.'s night laager came under attack at 0218 hours. Artillery supported Alpha with high explosive rounds.
26 VC/NVA were KIA (BC).
25 MAR 69
B Co. at FSB Stuart mortared.
28 MAR 69
A Co. attacked with small arms, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Results: 16 VC/NVA KIA (BC), 6 VC/NVA KBA (BC) and 5 VC/NVA KBA (poss). D Co. working four clicks due west of FSB Pershing - on the edge of the Dong Tri Sung rubber plantation - made contact at 1420 hours and moved one quarter click south. By 1633 hours they were pinned down and call for a helicopter light fire team (LFT) and a heavy fire team (HFT).
29 MAR 69
B Co. KIA's:
SP4 Terry J. Barnholt (20) of Garden Grove, CA
PFC Thomas A. Wiese (20) of Mullen, NE perished in Hua Nghia Province.
C Co - DOW:
Sergeant First Class John L. Partee (38) of Concord, NC perished in Binh Duong Province.
Sergeant Partee, 3rd Plt Sgt, died from wounds incurred during firefight of March 4th.
Co C - Just after 0030, the VC attack Company C's night laager. The company is not dug in well and is postioned behind a rice paddy wall. The VC attack from the wood line located to their south with RPG's, AW and SA fire. Bruce Solem says "I am with Bowden and Mikita and all we can do is raise our weapons and fire blindly toward the enemy while lobbing gernades". Sgt. Buckley on the the left flank is working with his gunner Richard Satterthwaite trying to repel the attack. Buckley hears a RPG being launched but before he can say or do anything, it hits, killing Satch and hitting him in the right shoulder. After that,he says he does not remember much. Dennis will end up in Japan in the hospital and spend months and months in recovery.
LTC John Mann, USA (Retired) - who took command of the battalion that day - wrote about the 18 March battle (and the April 27th night attack) in VIETNAM magazine [February 2001, Vol. 13 No.5]:
"Company C did quite well that night. They had two killed and 11 wounded. The Communists lost at least 32 men, and we captured 12 AK-47s, several rocket launchers and a .50-caliber machine gun." - LTC Mann
C Co. KIA:
PFC Richard D. Satterhwaite (21) of Butte, MT perished in Hua Nghia Province.
Results of C Co.'s night laager battle during which Charlie received small arms, machinegun and mortar fire; Charlie Co. fought back with artillery support and was credited with 32 VC/NVA KIA (BC) and 30 VC/NVA KIA (poss.).
20 MAR 69
A Co KIA:
PFC Filemon Serrano (22) from Farmington, New Mexico perished in Hau Nghia Province.
A Co.'s night laager came under attack at 0218 hours. Artillery supported Alpha with high explosive rounds.
26 VC/NVA were KIA (BC).
25 MAR 69
B Co. at FSB Stuart mortared.
28 MAR 69
A Co. attacked with small arms, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Results: 16 VC/NVA KIA (BC), 6 VC/NVA KBA (BC) and 5 VC/NVA KBA (poss). D Co. working four clicks due west of FSB Pershing - on the edge of the Dong Tri Sung rubber plantation - made contact at 1420 hours and moved one quarter click south. By 1633 hours they were pinned down and call for a helicopter light fire team (LFT) and a heavy fire team (HFT).
29 MAR 69
B Co. KIA's:
SP4 Terry J. Barnholt (20) of Garden Grove, CA
PFC Thomas A. Wiese (20) of Mullen, NE perished in Hua Nghia Province.
C Co - DOW:
Sergeant First Class John L. Partee (38) of Concord, NC perished in Binh Duong Province.
Sergeant Partee, 3rd Plt Sgt, died from wounds incurred during firefight of March 4th.
Run mouse over images to enlarge