Daily Staff Journal  25-Mar-69

ITEM

TIME

INCIDENTS, MESSAGES, ORDERS, ETC.

1

0001

LOG OPENED by Sgt. Bradley D. Keele, Duty NCO

2

0002

Supporting information for todays journal of events.  Bn. CO (Ltc C. J. Blastos), Bn. XO (MAJ Thomas Ashley), Bn. S-3 (Maj. Richard Gaffney), Bn. S-1 (Cpt. John Mader), Bn. S-2 (1Lt. Donald Johnson), Bn. S-3 Air (Cpt. Wilbur Corbitt), Bn. S-4 (Cpt. James Rackstraw), Points of origin for area of operations PO55 XT 5010 PO54 XT 5000 PO48 XT 6000 PO49 XT 6010, FSB Keene is located at XT 604017, FSB Ayers is located at XT 533035, Objective check points for convoy from Cu Chi to Duc Lap CPY XT 628126, CPD XT 605110, CPT XT 555035, CPN XT 526044, CPH XT 598066, CPC XT 569042, CPB XT 605033, Operations planned for today, A Co. 1) continue current bridge security mission, 2) A Co. 2/34 continue current mission defense of FSB Crockett, B Co. 1) sweep and secure MSR from FSB Ayers to Bao Trai, 2) Co., 9 ships, conduct AMD in AO Joy C/A into LZ 488018, establish contact w/ D Co. and conduct RIF to S.W. to 488014, turn and sweep to W. along stream.  Be prepared to Eagle Flights on order 3) 1AP, 4)Conduct ground RIF into following grids 5402-5403-5502-5503 from Ayers:  Mission:  Establish security in area and deny VC movement in Bao Trai, 5) Provide 1 squad to secure MEDCAP at 1100 in Go Cao (542042).  C Co. OPCON to 2/34 Armor.  D Co. 1) Sweep and secure MSR from FSB Keene to Duc Lap, 2) Co. 9 ships, conduct AMD in AO Joy C/A into LZ1 at 488018 O/A 0800 - conduct RIF to West to OD1 vic 485019, be prepared to Eagle Flight on order, 3) 1AP, 4) 1 platoon be prepared to move  by air to FSB Meade 0830 to under 60 training w/ swamp buggies until 1200 hrs at 1300 conduct RIF from FSB Meade to 596115 to 586103 to 575090 to 580086 to 590098 to 596109 and Rtn.  Provide security for FSB Meade night of 25th.  CRIP 1) Provide 2 gun jeeps for convoy security, 2) Conduct joint VCI operation w/ Duc Hoa District forces subsequent LZ's LZ3-485053, LZ4-492015, LZ5-512033, LZ6-503066, LZ7-478068

3

0100

S/R to Bde N/C all units  [*Situation Report to Brigade, for all units, No Change]

4

0200

S/R to Bde N/C all units

5

0245

ARVN bal game passed to Bde, also S/R N/C all units

6

0400

S/R to Bde N/C all units

7

0500

S/R to Bde N/C all units

8

0532

B Co. APD closed FSB

9

0600

S/R to Bde N/C all units

10

0610

Informed CRIP (Lt. Pheonix) of AO Jane and VCI operation

11

0645

Crockett Blvd complete at this time - sweeping TL15

12

0700

13

0705

2/34 sweep of TL15 complete

14

0710

2/34 sweep of 8A from Bravo to Cu Chi

15

0718

From Bde: Air strike 260600-261900 XT 440100

16

0727

B Co. (-) Departed FSB

17

0727

Requested from Lt. Stone; AO Donna 260600-261800 Grids; 6005, 5705, 5402, 5699, 6000.  AO Phyllis 260600-261800 Grids; 5808, 603106, 628091, 6007

18

0740

CRIP departing Duc Hoa for Ballgame

19

0750

2/34 sweep of 8A at CP 306

20

0800

D Co. airborne 9 ships PZ Keene

21

0810

Joint AP (APGJ) has closed ARVN compound

22

0815

B Co. had per. hit booby trap - 1 priority dustoff, ambulatory U.S. per. at grid 553034 - neg. knowledge type of injury.

23

0817

D Co. down green LZ 488018

24

0830

B Co. stated that booby trap was handmade type - casualty received nails in arm and leg.

25

0832

Dustoff on station(155)

26

0833

AP GJ down green at Keene

27

0835

Requested AO Marsh FR counterparts through Lt. Stone.  AO Marsh - 251200-251800, grids 5013 - 5413 - 5009 - 5409.  Possible rocket sites.

28

0840

Dustoff complete

29

0842

D Co. at location 485015, receiving small arms fire from southwest.

30

0844

From Lt. Stone AO Jane disapproved.

31

0846

D Co. 2nd Plt down green at FSB Meade

32

0850

2/34 Highway 1 complete.

33

0853

Passed to S-3 that Ruff Puff elements will be in these grids 500035 and 500064.

34

0855

D Co. was receiving small arms from A 340° AZ, 300 meters.  Their present location is 485016.  Receiving negative fire at this time.

35

0903

2/34 Highway 1 complete

36

0905

D Co. again receiving fire small arms and machine gun fire 240°  75m.

37

0917

D Co. - 1 per. received minor injury from shrapnel of friendly rocket fired by gunship.

38

0920

D Co. road sweep at grid 595035

39

0925

D Co. road sweep located at 595036, 1 AP mine.

40

0927

Fire in hole complete.

41

0930

D Co. still receiving sporadic fire on a 240° AZ 75 meters also from 20-30° AZ on right flank, neg. on distance.

42

0936

D Co. reports est. size of enemy force is 1 squad broken up into two different positions - firing arty. from Ayers on the positions at this time.

43

0940

Issue 21 on station

44

0945

Bde request that B Co. remain on security mission until 1630 hrs. due to change in time of change of command by ARVN.

45

0947

D Co. road sweep found 1 - 107mm rocket w/warhead at 596036 laying near road.  Will blow.

46

0953

D Co. receiving negative fire at this time.  Still firing Arty

47

0955

Informed S-3 (Maj. Gaf.) of item #44, also of mission of possible rocket sightings in AO Marsh.

48

0958

Fire in hole complete.

49

1000

B Co. security mission location 553034 - Neg findings

50

1001

B Co. has been released of security mission at this time.

51

1020

Ballgame passed to Bde by Secure and also R.T.T.

52

1022

D Co. receiving sporadic fire (sniper) and machine gun fire

53

1026

CRIP at obj. A, found and destroyed a booby trap (610031) consisting of 3 lbs. of TNT

54

1030

D Co. point man received injury, cannot get at him due to sniper fire.  [Delta Co pinned down rest of day, Bravo comes in to assist - see D Co and B Co entries below to follow the action]

55

1140

D Co. receiving more fire - neg. distance and AZ at this time

56

1141

Bde informed us that we have a standby mission for 9 ships to go to vic. of grid 456256 due to a convoy in contact.  It is the Dau Tieng convoy.  Convoy rec. small arms fire.  B Co. will be the element on standby.

57

1045

D Co. road sweep at 568042

58

1046

D Co. has road swept and secured

59

1047

If B Co. goes on convoy mission, item #56, they will be OPCON to 2/34 Armor.

60

1050

B Co. location is 547034

61

1139

AO Slice has been approved

62

1141

D Co. has another WIA.  Wounded by S/A.  He was with the point element

63

1145

D Co. still receiving fire - small arms, sporadic

64

1155

CRIP element departing Duc Hoa for pickup of their convoy

65

1205

D Co. request dustoff at contact area.  1 urgent litter - head wound, small arms

66

1214

Dustoff 155 on station

67

1216

Convoy departing Cu Chi

68

1218

B Co. airborne 9 ships PZ 547034

69

1220

Convoy at CP4

70

1221

B Co. down green LZ 587016

71

1222

B Co. received fire immediately after they touched down.  Automatic weapons from 200° AZ 150 meters

72

1225

Convoy at CP O

73

1231

The dustoff casualty is now KIA.  Dustoff not coming in for pickup at this time

74

1240

Convoy at CP T

75

1242

Ayres convoy closed FSB Ayres

76

1245

Convoy at CP C

77

1255

Convoy at location 596036, hit an A.P. mine.  Negative casualties - vehicle and convoy continuing on way

78

1258

Convoy at location hit another mine (plastic) 599035.  Negative dustoff required at this time.  Vehicle disabled.

79

1303

Maj. Gaffney reports the C&C ship has received fire.  The pilot has been wounded.  Maj. Downing enroute to CAP for our C&C shiop.

80

1310

Requested dustoff for truck driver (item 78) routine AMB.

81

1315

Our C&C ship id down at Duc Hoa.  Maj. Downing capping for our elements in contact.

82

1316

Requested from S-4 rear a wrecker for disabled vehicle.

83

1318

Findings of the Bandits, location 603019.  1 AK-47, 10 B-40 rds, 10-15 Chicom Claymores, some U.S. Claymores

84

1333

Our C&C ship replacement airborne again.

85

1335

Dustoff 155 is on station

86

1342

Dustoff 155 is complete

87

1343

B Co. and D Co. still receiving fire

88

1343

CRIP escorted convoy back to CPG and CRIP returning to Duc Hoa

89

1405

LFT requested from Bde

90

1407

CRIP convoy escort closed Duc Hoa

91

1408

B Co. has one wounded VN Kit Carson scout.  Small arms.  Dustoff requested, however Bde commander advised to hold off on dustoff until we get to our other wounded

92

1415

Ayres convoy closed Cu Chi

93

1420

D Co. receiving fire from West, 150 meters

94

1421

Reference to LFT request - negative - have Rat Pack rearm and return

95

1432

D Co. receiving neg. fire at this time

96

1437

Issue 24 on station

97

1445

Air assets for tomorrow changed to 1000 hrs - 1500 hrs

98

1450

C&C ship going to refuel

99

1503

The wrecker dispatched to assist our disabled vehicle has hit a small mine.  They have neg. casualties and one flat tire.  They will change tire and continue on way.  Location of accident 587038

100

1525

(Late entry) CRIP closed Duc Hoa, ending their ballgame

101

1555

Requested 90 min. extension on air

102

1600

Request Smoke ship for D Co. and B Co. contact

103

1625

Advised that air assets good until 1830 hrs - smoke ship ETA approx. 30 min.

104

1630

D Co. A/T Meade, have closed from operation

105

1650

B Co. 1st plt. is within 15 meters of wounded men from D Co.  The casualties appear to be dead.  B Co. will wait for the smoke ship and try once again to reach the casualties.  At present B Co. 1st plt. is receiving fire from 3 sides.

106

1700

From B Co. the 3 casualties are confirmed KIA

107

1703

Stinger smoke ship on station

108

1704

Stinger also has 3 gunships on station

108

1705

Convoy enroute back to Cu Chi    (108 number error is on journal)

109

1710

Convoy has linked up with the disabled vehicle and is now enroute to Cu Chi

110

1720

Wrecker going back to Cu Chi with the convoy has hit a mine and is disabled.  It was a plastic mine.

111

1725

B Co. now has 2 WIA's and 1 KIA   [1Lt. Jimmy Dale Bean - see line 105]

112

1735

B Co. requested dustoff for 1 litter, 1 ambulatory, 1 KIA.  Priority dustoff, loc. 488018

113

1747

Convoy will send in the remaining 2 1/2 ton to Cu Chi.  They will leave behind one gun jeep for security, also road security personnel will tighten up around the disabled vehicles.

114

1750

Dustoff on station

115

1755

Dustoff complete (dusted off 2 WIA and 1 KIA from B Co. and 1 WIA and 1 KIA from D Co.

116

1800

Issue 15 on station

117

1802

From Maj. Gaffney.  We will establish a NDP (night defensive perimeter) in area of contact, using both ground elements (B & D)`

118

1805

Elements still receiving fire; a Kit Carson with D Co. states he observed NVA in the area and he estimates size of force at 50 NVA

119

1807

2/12 A Co. will come OPCON to us.  9 ships to Keene, 8 ships to FSB Ayres.  Transportation will be provided by us.

120

1820

Issue 04 on station

121

1840

Location of NDP for tonight is 508031

122

1920

B Co. in area of contact received incoming mortar or RPG rds., also small arms.  They are moving to this NDP site (508031)

123

1922

9 ships (2/12) down green

124

1944

9 ships 2/12 airborne

125

1945

AP's for tonight, B Co. AP H 556035, D Co. AP A 598013

126

1958

9 ships down Ayres

127

2000

AMC released

128

2040

Req slick to pick up ammo at Pad 3, bring to Keene, return to Pad 3 pick up some stuff for NDP

129

2043

Nite kits insertion has been completed

130

2049

D Co. MSR closed

131

2206

D Co. at NDP have 2 litter, urgent req. dustoff

132

2209

Dustoff O/S 155 ETA 10-15

133

2219

Dustoff 155 on station

134

2221

D Co. AP A departed

135

2227

Menehune 3 on station will pick up FO at Ayers, bring to Keene, pick up 292 & secure set, take to B & D Co. NDP

136

2250

Dustoff complete this time

137

2305

B Co. AP H in pos.

138

2308

Little Bear 777 on station will make 3 sorties

139

2316

Little Bear 777 completed first sortie

140

2322

Extraction time for night kits 0900 26 Mar

141

2333

Req. LOH for 0800 hrs.

142

2345

D Co. last two WIA's resulted when 1 VC was observed approaching wire, blew 2 claymores, back blast injured U.S. personnel, neg. body count

143

2400

S/R to Bde N/C all units

144

2400

Summary as follows:  A Co. continued bridge security, neg. results.  A Co (-) 2/34 continues regular road sweep mission, neg. results.  B Co. on security mission for ARVN change of command ceremonies.  Hit 1 homemade type booby trap, 1 U.S. ambul. priority.  C/A into AO Joy received fire immediately after touchdown.  Received 1 KIA, 2 WIA, moved out of contact area and set up NDP w/D Co.  C Co. OPCON to 2/34.  D Co. conduct AMD in AO Joy made contact shortly after LZ.  Had 3 KIA's not recovered.  1 WIA, 1 KIA extracted after breaking contact.  Set up NDP with B Co.  Blew claymore on VC approaching wire - neg. body count.  2 U.S. personnel wounded by back blast.  Road security element found 1 anti-personnel mine, 1 - 107 rocket, destroyed.  CRIP on operation with district forces found 1 - 3lb. booby trap, destroyed.  Bandits found 1 AK-47, 10 B-40 rds., 10-15 ChiCom claymores, some U.S. claymores.  1 - 2½ was disabled by mines in MSR - moved into ARVN compound for night.