,. j,'~ j ~ --~. i · rc-.pi(~ the le~c1 olononts ,.1el'l(/ye'~ ::-.n(1 \jere...

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,. ..... J ,c. ... _ f I I J , Expor10noos 9 July 1966 OOLl O:.f'ioer, Troop 0 i _. . .. - 011 t.ho ;·Jorning of 9 July 1966, tho lot Sct1rilron 4tll Oc.vc.J.ry (-) r!10Ycd to O:: ... 10t'!.te division size rooon in foroe miaS-ion in tho ('.l'oo. SOUtll of LOO '-Tost of' I'Iich"ny 13. :rIlc !,!':'..in Qrls of \-r.:'.S c.long t:!e.: HIln! T::.tl.::: Rood. Tttis ro;'.(l is :-. sooond;.;ry roc.d "111io11 ,·r.s in eOllc.itioll tho oporC'..tion. It orlondo from thy !'ol·tion tho Xi\. RUb".Jor fl· n"k.tion c.t :AT 7M.801 tllro1!gh i.'.:lflor·:rolrth enc1 over tMO setrl.-fore1c.blo stroc.tlS to tho e.:ntr::-.l!OC of ·tho Tll. .... rubber Flr.llt.:·.tioll .::.roc, r.t oool'din.':!.tos XT 6311706. 'j,'l1;) movod frOi;1 its p.)rlllc tor ::-.. t tho Al! 100 : ... irs trip ,·Ii th Troop C ... follo\-1(;<1 by Troop. 81.1· fiLlO 'IO.t: e;'.1"l:" c.ppro::d.I!lC.toly 0''l30. .iu-t:tl1, .. ry U1"1i ts ' .. Tore pre-poei tioncd to sup;,ort ... dron mov\.! to support '-I:'.s ;.:vc.il::blo ,·lit.h en the.: oolUIln 0.11' {'.n n:tl-force 1rO ridinr: in tho Gaw;c1ron CC£:lolioopter. Troop 0 ::lOY.;:C! south ;hIY 13 to ::-.. RJ :-'.t XT 760847 "lhero tho troop thon :;'"'1::1 southr.1onc c(;ool1d':-.ry 1c.terite p).;:'.l!tC'.tion to c. .. :(-£ ap-proxiLr.te ooordc IT 745S08. . Troo t order of I!lllroh C'.l1d forr.ntion woro c.o £'ol:;.owo: ls';' l:'lr-.to'- J CP group \1/00 I s Eadio APC 0 l'JnJGOOl J "3(::' E,::. OOllSio-'GinG of Cperr.tioae/Oomm AI'O, .. !.1i Iil CUC'C:t011 .At·C. . Tb.c trooprVTR b'::('ll left ._'.t the iiillh T..'1C'.n...'1. c1urL,g CO.S o:".1"J.ier opcr':.±.ion. 'rIO flc.ll1C tlU"'wer trc.ok (Zippo \T-).S inte[,;l"et(.d i!:to the tc.otioc.J. fermtion tho 1st pk.toon •. Tc.otioc.l ·rorDlL!.tio:l tlu-oughout the mc.jcrity oit" tl1CJ cporc.tion oor..sistecl of the 1st p1r.toon f1c.l'l1d .... t:·.e re .... d w:-.y C!l ·tho rizht er \IOSt .:'.l!d of tho roc.d, the 2d p1..-.tocn on tho left or Sc,uthl SE of tho road. The CP group, 3e1 p1:.teon C'.l1d Tr··,r:p !-!q (-) f'cD.O\10d bJ.7 dist.. ..... noes alone ·the ro::-.d"r.::".y tho O} 3l'rup gener:-.llY ::-..llilOd "lith the roc.r vuhicle of the fJ:.llldng rlc.tC'ons. , ... 6rc ::-:vaiJ. .. :ble fer tIns op'orC'..tion; c,ne frGu the 1st p:btoon .. oed thcr t:le othor' tl-TO t::'.L'ks led thdr reopeotivo fJ..·:mlc p1C.tccll ::'crm':!.tions. Tho 3d pJ..".toon did not t.. .... l1ks. The cqu ...... c1.ron (-) cle;mcnts of CClilpc.ny B J 1/2 Illi' Bn i:ltC troop i'orn:--.tions e:.l 7 July Givil1g c. of ci::c fight.ing trol.:pers .:-.bo:'l"d 0['.011 trc.ck. it is to n.c"'.rl"c.to the :-.ctir::ns of or org:"'.uic cn.vc.lry tro;'pers, it must be theso inf'-'.l1·tr:rr.1ell c:.t'!.ic!u.y ::.na e:coollcntly to cevo.lry troop tactics end f tl[;ht cxoc:oc- in r-'1'1r l' . .. .. '_" w'" ..• ·\-Iit!l the L, the pro-recon pcsitLns, crtillerypro:::.;r;:'..tions \-Joro i"iJ::ce c.1en£; route (;f 1',:>or '-Tu:'!.t:.lcr clcL'.yeC: c.pprc::::::.::.. .... tely rul Ilour. 1'11<; Troop rem.. .... i..'od ill this holdinG pc:;i .. :.t co:'rc.s 745808 for r:.vr:.T c.n hcur until thCl 10'" coi.J.L"'lg LTC 1o"l'::ne,' 00, c:avc the order to mcvo out c.nd Trc- p 0 in a. dq:.:!..oyef.. i'ors."!tiel1, movee: couth t:!cn SY pc.rc.llcling tb:; Aa tho .tro-p le:'t t!"'.v suuthern edce of rubber, tho underbrush ju..'S10 . boo='.mo sc t:!icli: thnt tilo 1st plntoon" w.:'.S lln:lble .. v"r L, f]r;.nking fcrll".tion on tho right of the road.··· rJAtc -n tc tho St-l in Co colurm :t:on:r-.tion ('.lcng tIlu roc(1. ---------- ... -_ ........... -. :--'"'.-. ----_._. - ... 1 J i.au A a _ OJ PPC as _lAdAiA&! .:))t..)$Cf4P$$D:;;a¥4JW 1h.,4$k,e ;,. M t 24$ P., __ c.¥Jxe2i4;.£U. ISS -", 4 ,AM.' lEea,s ..... - t " I

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Page 1: ,. J,'~ J ~ --~. I · Rc-.pi(~ the le~c1 olononts ,.1el'l(/ye'~ ::-.n(1 \Jere ellC9[ec1 by onol1:Y ncrt.."'.r "'J1.:: ~"'lti-t....rut: !iro.As on.Orl;r cont·· ct (~oveJ.o~"c·1

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no.t·i;~.o Expor10noos 9 July 1966

OOLl :~r.t~.in~ O:.f'ioer, Troop 0 i _. . .. -

• 011 t.ho ;·Jorning of 9 July 1966, tho lot Sct1rilron 4tll Oc.vc.J.ry (-) r!10Ycd to O:: ... 10t'!.te ~ division size rooon in foroe miaS-ion in tho ('.l'oo. SOUtll of X~ LOO ':>'~ld '-Tost of' I'Iich"ny 13. :rIlc !,!':'..in Qrls of ::-.dv~noo \-r.:'.S c.long t:!e.: HIln! T::.tl.::: Rood. Tttis ro;'.(l is :-. sooond;.;ry J..r~torito roc.d "111io11 ,·r.s in oxoolJ.en·~ eOllc.itioll (lu.rin~ tho oporC'..tion. It orlondo from thy eout!l~rn !'ol·tion o~; tho Xi\. Cl~T RUb".Jor fl· n"k.tion c.t ooorcli!'~to :AT 7M.801 tllro1!gh suoonc!~.T"." i.'.:lflor·:rolrth enc1 over tMO setrl.-fore1c.blo stroc.tlS to tho e.:ntr::-.l!OC of ·tho l:il~l Tll. .... ~1h rubber Flr.llt.:·.tioll .::.roc, r.t oool'din.':!.tos XT 6311706.

'j,'l1;) 3~\1.".':'"'.ron movod frOi;1 its p.)rlllc tor ::-.. t tho Al! 100 : ... irs trip ,·Ii th Troop C ~ .~ ... ~.:.~:l::; follo\-1(;<1 by Troop. 81.1· fiLlO 'IO.t: e;'.1"l:" r~lornillG c.ppro::d.I!lC.toly 0''l30.

.iu-t:tl1, .. ry U1"1i ts ' .. Tore pre-poei tioncd to sup;,ort t~lO s~.U&. ... dron mov\.! to t;'~.o S~~. .~il- support '-I:'.s rc::-~c1ily ;.:vc.il::blo ,·lit.h en :!ir-o~.p. oV\.~r the.: oolUIln 0.11' {'.n n:tl-force 1rO ridinr : in tho Gaw;c1ron CC£:lolioopter.

Troop 0 ::lOY.;:C! south ~f ;hIY 13 to ::-.. RJ :-'.t XT 760847 "lhero tho troop thon procooc~o(!. ~rcst. :;'"'1::1 southr.1onc c(;ool1d':-.ry 1c.terite p).;:'.l!tC'.tion ro~c1s to c. ~lole1il1g ~--.roC'. .. :(-£ ap-proxiLr.te ooordc IT 745S08. .

Troot order of I!lllroh C'.l1d forr.ntion woro c.o £'ol:;.owo: ls';' l:'lr-.to'- J CP group \1/00 I s ~II.PO Eadio APC 0

~~ l'JnJGOOl J "3(::' pJ~"'.tc"n i:'.~~: E,::. ~-) ~O"l1.p OOllSio-'GinG of Cperr.tioae/Oomm AI'O, .. !.1i Iil ~.n(.l l.:;..~ntcn~.noc CUC'C:t011 .At·C. .

Tb.c trooprVTR h~d b'::('ll left ._'.t the iiillh T..'1C'.n...'1. pl~~tion c1urL,g CO.S

o:".1"J.ier opcr':.±.ion. 'rIO flc.ll1C tlU"'wer trc.ok (Zippo \T-).S inte[,;l"et(.d i!:to the tc.otioc.J. fermtion o:~ tho 1st pk.toon •. Tc.otioc.l ·rorDlL!.tio:l tlu-oughout the mc.jcrity oit" tl1CJ cporc.tion oor..sistecl of the 1st p1r.toon f1c.l'l1d .... 1~ t:·.e re .... d w:-.y C!l ·tho rizht er \IOSt .:'.l!d 1~; of tho roc.d, the 2d p1..-.tocn on tho left or E.~st, Sc,uthl ~"ld' SE of tho road. The CP group, 3e1 p1:.teon C'.l1d Tr··,r:p !-!q (-) f'cD.O\10d bJ.7 ~~~i:.us dist.. ..... noes alone ·the ro::-.d"r.::".y ·uitJ~. tho Tro(~p O} 3l'rup gener:-.llY ::-..llilOd "lith the roc.r vuhicle of the fJ:.llldng rlc.tC'ons. T:~·oe tC.lll~ , ... 6rc ::-:vaiJ. .. :ble fer tIns op'orC'..tion; c,ne frGu the 1st p:btoon c.~\~r .. oed ~1011C' thcr reac~.ut'"Y, t:le othor' tl-TO t::'.L'ks led thdr reopeotivo fJ..·:mlc p1C.tccll ::'crm':!.tions. Tho 3d pJ..".toon did not l"1..~VO t.. .... l1ks. The cqu ...... c1.ron (-) l~d i::tO&T~t(;d cle;mcnts of CClilpc.ny BJ 1/2 Illi' Bn i:ltC troop i'orn:--.tions e:.l 7 July Givil1g c. t<?·t:"~l of ci::c fight.ing trol.:pers .:-.bo:'l"d 0['.011 trc.ck. AJ.~"·~/u~l:. it is :lr,~possib10 to n.c"'.rl"c.to the se,cr~to :-.ctir::ns of eit!~or ~.tt".cb.cd ir.!~.r:try or org:"'.uic cn.vc.lry tro;'pers, it must be s~dd. th~t theso inf'-'.l1·tr:rr.1ell c.~o.p~cd c:.t'!.ic!u.y ::.na e:coollcntly to cevo.lry troop tactics end f tl[;ht cxoc:oc-inr-'1'1r .~. l' . .. .. '_" w'" ..•

·\-Iit!l the tro,~p !lC.ltee~ L, the pro-recon pcsitLns, crtillerypro:::.;r;:'..tions \-Joro i"iJ::ce c.1en£; tl~c route (;f ~dv:'.~·.co. 1',:>or '-Tu:'!.t:.lcr clcL'.yeC: ~re-lJ1.""'11.:·~i:1:," c.irstri:~es c.pprc::::::.::.. .... tely rul Ilour. 1'11<; Troop rem.. .... i..'od ill this holdinG pc:;i .. c~'-Gl1 :.t co:'rc.s j~7 745808 for sJ.i~~tl~r r:.vr:.T c.n hcur until thCl 10'" coi.J.L"'lg ·lif'to:~.

LTC 1o"l'::ne,' Sc:w..(~.r~m 00, c:avc the order to mcvo out c.nd Trc- p 0 in a. dq:.:!..oyef.. i'ors."!tiel1, movee: couth ~r~. t:!cn SY pc.rc.llcling tb:; ro~'~,J::'"y. Aa tho .tro-p le:'t t!"'.v suuthern edce of t:;:~o rubber, tho underbrush =":1.~ ju..'S10 ~ . .,~:t~! boo='.mo sc t:!icli: thnt tilo 1st plntoon" w.:'.S lln:lble t~~ Iir.~ct .. v"r L, ~. f]r;.nking fcrll".tion on tho right of the road.··· T:~e rJAtc -n r.::ti.'.rnc(~ tc tho r.~~'W::".:- ~d r::rocoodQ~~ St-l in Co colurm :t:on:r-.tion ('.lcng tIlu roc(1.

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J i.au A a _ OJ PPC as _lAdAiA&! .:))t..)$Cf4P$$D:;;a¥4JW 1h.,4$k,e ;,. M t 24$ i.ma_;;e~#.$$.; P., __ c.¥Jxe2i4;.£U. ISS -", 4 ,AM.' lEea,s

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Page 2: ,. J,'~ J ~ --~. I · Rc-.pi(~ the le~c1 olononts ,.1el'l(/ye'~ ::-.n(1 \Jere ellC9[ec1 by onol1:Y ncrt.."'.r "'J1.:: ~"'lti-t....rut: !iro.As on.Orl;r cont·· ct (~oveJ.o~"c·1

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So-;:' tho 2d ~lc.. toon, boc:'.uso r: f c::::trooel"·- lirli toc~ visibility :'".nc1 thick junGlo ~cwth, \It".s f'orcoC'l to roturn to t!-:.e roctl f'ron i +,S left flcnldnC f'orIl':".tion. The troop oontin\!e.:-~ i.'l this pesturo for o.pj?ro'd.n. ... ta3.y 2,100 ~loters.

Tho troop roturneG ·to its f'lankin~ wccGo f'ornction C'.p~roxicatoly et cocr,-1s XT 730786. TIus wedGe fern:. tioD 'Wt'.S continued by Tro'::p C f'or severn! hours o.s the Sqlr.c1ron {-.> ccnc~ucte~ its recon tlission alonG tIle axis of' (l·:!w.nco. Recon by f'ire \-r.!S enployod by the f'lt!.nkinC pJ.ctoons. Ho return :f'ire '-r.!S receivecl c.nd no eneoy activity observec!. DurinC this tine, t'.I'tillory propcrnticlls ~lerc beillG f'ixed sQvc.rcl thoUSC'..l."1d tleters in Advonce of' the tro':p fS lec. ... : olenents. The effectiveness of' this fire cljuld bo observecl o.lonG tho rcnch-JC.Y. Fire teru'1..s :mcl em o.rned Chinook \·r.!S rJc..ldnG passes clong tho roa.d in front of tho troop. Overhccc1 there wore Ilany LOR I S end other COIT.I.cnd and observ~tion aircraft. However, no siGna of on~o1 ectivity were observed. Tho cc1vnnco cc.ntinued in this tlaDner "Ti thout incident until the trot:'P recchod C'. position short of Objectivo DICK on the bridce sito at coords XT 694751. .... .

Upon .17.Tivc.l nt ccC'rc1s XT 698754 the tr, .. op o.ssUIled a. box forr..o.tion ~r.i.th tho 31 plAtoon deployod fncinG llest, tho flt!.nkinC plc.toons deployed t~ t!le north C'.nr:~ south resl"}ectivcly c.nd tce Troop Hq securing tho reL'..r of' tho box n11el tlC.into.ining cont.. .... ct "Ti th tho trr'.il troop - Troop B. Artillery prop .. ·.rations follo\Tec~ by airs trikes \Jore usee! in softoninG up the bridGo arco.. A p~ticuk.rly effectivo no.pcJ.n strike 'WaS e!lj!loyod to burn out (~enso unL'..cr­bTowth alonG the left &ic1o of the road c.djc.cont to the bridco. Follman;; tho strikes tho 3d plntoon aupported by ovcrw..tchina t.. ..... "1k fire, with two oncrineor nino sveopcr/(1enolition to~lS c.tt.. .... ched, rc.pi~ novee: for'W:'.rc! in C'. nountoc1 ~osturo to tlle bridr;o sides of tho bri,lr::e, C'. quick chock "I::'.S n':'.cl0 fer (1000li tions c.nrl thon tho 3d pL. .... toon lOn£~cr, llSG Tarree crossod sevornl !PClo t~, .... ~~(~ ferco on tho fer aido or tl1e bridGo. Extensivo scoutinG tlino

. sweopin~' end checIaJ wore rr..c1o of the bridGe C.llr.~ surrounclinC creco. No oviclenco of oner.w ectivity 'Wl".O found. Tho bri(~r;o wc\.s in ccod ccnclition o.l'kl

. wouJ.c! f'c.cili t:.-. to tho cror~siIlG of hoevy c.rner. . . DurinG this tina tho TC of C19 recoived c. nocloretely serious arr..ll

co.1ib~r bullet ro~1" in ono of Ilia leGo. No inccninc roundo 1~c.1 been hec~d in tho C'.rec., c.lthouCh c (:.-un toen hc.(~ just n='.t::10 a. Pc.ss ~.l1cl it ~.S felt thc.t tho r.r.n lr.(~ bei,;n hit by c. trc.ysluC. It io ontiroly probnbJ.e tl1a".t. !le eould h ..... ve boon w.undocl by c. hi~1l1ell oneny sniper.

UlJon socurinG tl~o bri:!ce ct DICK, the lot ('.11(".. 2d l)L. .... tocns rospoctively ",oro rt'.picUy rlovoc1 forwcrc.l across tho bric.1ce end into blockinG posi tiona ~lonG either sido cf the ro~c~y a.t c.pproxizr..to coords XT 688748. It 'W:'.S l=.to Did nornin!,; by this tine.

At tllis t~le ~ ro.cio noosneo ,,~.s recoivec fron the Squc(1ron CO, to 8peO(".. up the opcrt'.tions. Bocauso of tine rectors ::'..hc~ the thick junGle crewtb tho troop reverted to a ccl~n rcr~tion, eo described ec.rlior, c.nc1 r.ovod out to tho SU to'WO.l"t:1s Objoctive '1'011 or tho RJ c.t Bl1 59 (ccr-rus XT 663737).

Tho c.cv~nce continuo!:'!. "r.J.thout inci(~ont untilltl~o loee1 plc.toon lec'clar, Lt Ly:ol18 (1st P~~tccn) rcporto(1 5 to7 VC' s r'llllIlinc r:.croas tho rone:.· !ron riGht to,,; lett Cot cpproxirnte coorc1s 671740. Ho quickly roported ~ GrOUp of 20 VC rwminC in the st:'.!1e (~ection. Bot~ thoso !jToups \101"0 innoi'ic.tcly takon ~~or tiro. This infc~ .... tion wes rc.pidly ro~orte~. It wns soon followed by roports ot incol'linC; stl.?-ll nrr~, then aut~tic weapr;us firo

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Page 3: ,. J,'~ J ~ --~. I · Rc-.pi(~ the le~c1 olononts ,.1el'l(/ye'~ ::-.n(1 \Jere ellC9[ec1 by onol1:Y ncrt.."'.r "'J1.:: ~"'lti-t....rut: !iro.As on.Orl;r cont·· ct (~oveJ.o~"c·1

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.. Rc-.pi(~ the le~c1 olononts ,.1el'l(/ye'~ ::-.n(1 \Jere ellC9[ec1 by onol1:Y ncrt.."'.r "'J1.:: ~"'lti-t....rut: !iro. As on.Orl;r cont·· ct (~oveJ.o~"c·1 r~,~'i~11y t~!C '·'cr-'. \lC.S :'=-'000'1 to 'tho Squri'.ron.CO, tl~~:~ at!~is \r.:'.S it"J A l,~.r:·o VC Fe.rco lr .... 1 bOl.n ccnt. .... ctc:l juat s~:c·rt c·f .:.rbjQctivc ',1'01-·i. l'rociso ·~.ct~ ... iJ. 1'lC.rr ... ti.C'l1 of tho b:'.ttlo is ox­tronoly J.ifficult bocc.\.1..S0 ·of. t;:o lr'..ck uf (;bl'lI:'rv~:G:!'c~., los::: (f C:.l1tC.Ct \lith voi!iclos c.,r~ Idl' e:~ eon:: \'C~"'l(:.ot1 10c.~~.or3 :':l'~ vohiclo cC!U'.~.:1(~or::; •

. 'T!10 :JqUo.:xcln CO rOClt1.osto~: ,... ~10tor;.w.l~.tion :.s to \rhic:l :::i:1e of t!:e rcc.a tho nci.'1 c":'llcentraticn \1::'.s 10c:-.tcc1. Illiti .... r.j=" t.:J.is \w.s <1ifficult to .. 10-tornino becr'..~so of t!lC tro!!onc1(')tls volunn of firo bein:~ :put cut by :.11 tllo de~lcyo(l _AI~'s. Rcl')orts nora :J;:'..~10t!l.. .... t tho VC 'loro .... ttonptil1C .I1i('~ cross tho rN' . .:l c.t the front of the ColutUl fron rir'ht to left. 1'..'1~'::iticll.':'.J. rc'~~rrts \lOre rocoivecl cf l:oavy onony' flrc boi ... ·le:· reco'ive-:1 .::'.t tho recx Gf th~ trO('P o.:.l:1 coIlinr fron tIle left siele d' tho roc,i..l. Initicl (~et:.r;ti.n::'.tion v.:'.s ::r..:o t.lta.t tho =ain VC force ·\.'O.s 'locatctl on tho·left or south si(:e of the rond Soon cl'ter ·I:,his, as nc·em-c.te CD.su..".lty C()unts, concise reports c.n'~ :':'.oril"..l observer rop.::rts tcJJ.1oCl up; it vID-s determill0d. tbr:t cncnY' forces uore cOllcentrc:tec1 on tho richt or I-nrl side of the road. Artillery fire w.'.S

roconcentr~tecl in this D.rea. and its ·r~evc.statinG effect could be observe(: b~T t~ ... o (;,TcuD.c1 troops

Airstrikes \lero ir.ltle·.'.i .... t,ely c::'.lle(~ in on tho lott si':!e c:f the roa.I~. Tb.OY \lere continuous r.m •. ~ extrenely effective, espocially thQ Sl::yr~i~lers ·lJt2p.. .... :Jn rt1llS ru1(~ sevcrc.l t'.f the COO =-.tt.~cks.

ArtiJ~cry bnrrc.ros ",ero elevoted to tho riGht sir!o of tho ronc1. They rc.n[;oc.l hoth up c.n(~ :~o\,m the troop cclUI1Il c..n~~ in :m:'. out fron t:10 ro::v'.~.y. ::!'ires \lOre broU[::'t in qui to closo to tho troop P.PC I s but no r.kz'c.Ce \r.:'.s Gustc.inec~ b~r friOlll:ly forces.

DurinG thio porior: sover.:".l CS C::'.s ("rops \lore n. .... rlo fron holic0ptoro of '!'reop C (c'.ir) 1/4 Cr..v:-J.ry. Thooo provi(~oc.1 oxtreIlely effectivo. Tho C1'.r.: llrifto'~ c'v~r tl:e ro~.~:'WO.y nll·.l sottled {'.lcne t!·:o ~~ense ju..."'lC1o en tho lllrl:f tho APC' s eolonr.: the rcc.ll. Ini tklly Ol')! .• e s1i~::ht concern (~cvolol'e:: in ccrt.. .... in nenbol·o of the troop, tl:io 'Ir'.O quickly cvercctle ml(1 the CS ccncentrctiol1 i..."1 tho tr'::'~p b::-.ttle ".rea.· \'ICS net suffj"cient to ccuse :-it'.sld.nC.

A plC'.to·n lovel .:'..pi~roc..ch to tho "le~il C(l:-~br'. t :::cti(.~nc ot.'"'.rts ini ti~lly \lit!l tho 1st ~)lc.t··QnJ tho lC<.".c.1 IJk.toon. Tho 1st plc.tcon 'WeO leC(~i11~: \lith t\lC t.."'.lucs. T!lis pkt-.on received the bru."!t of initial enony fire. Tho 'l'C of tllo lc..'1.<1 t...-u!k '1::'.0 !dllo:1 L"Jrlec~i~tely by n bullet t'oun::! in tb;; hend. SO'n ~rtor t~o plc.tc~n le~~or reported hio scout scction' out of ~ction. Ictor it v.:'.S lcc.rno~~ thc.t the sOcti,-::n lrot:10r c.nt1 2cl squa::! lca:..1nr ,.rore Idllcr.l ~lt: cc..suc.l tics Gustai:.ler1 on c.li ve~).icles.

Tho t'.t~e:,et~ infantry HCO's ron.."J.1!lec1 the TC pooiticllS \l~!Ore pccoible. S.oon tho pJ~t(,C:l ler'.t1or \-JL:,S hit by frc[,'tlonts in tho fc~ce, neck.Co."1,.1 i:o~.t~. }:o \·'.18 o~.cu:-.tct1 by hiD l'J.. .... toon SGT, PSG Crmlf'or(1, 'lho took CODn'1l1::1 of tl~\j ~~lt'.t·on. Tho lot pl. .... tcon :. ... t t!lio ti1:!e ',....0 rocC'i1inC Ull(!or tho presouro c)f hocv;r enony firo. PSG Crr'."i\)r(~ r(;t1..'!rnot~ to t!lC fc:refr0nt cf the colur.~l, initinte',~ ~cti(n to re!1~'.l1 t!10 le{'.:l t...'"'..I1lc C.11(~ roused .tho 1st pL.."tcon to hclc its 0'1:.1 :'.t the lccc~ of thu troop colmm. Tho TC of tile f'l...'1.!J.e thrO\·!or trncl: 'W<'.S soriolWly \1·:;un'.:e~: :".;.1·:~ ~')J.c.ce': ill t:.LO !.1e;1ic llrC. Tho fl'.".r.le tla-cMor ArC continuoi.: te: fir:Lt vi~:i:l"C't1Sly.. Un::1cr ,-1irectiol1 ::.;f thv 'l':i.·or~p CO I PSG Crc..\rl'(.r(~ baC!. hio zippo oJr.··e~l(~ ito nqx·.hl .:1.lonc tho l":tcht sil.~e of tllO rO':-"i c.t c.bcu~ Co 25 r:.~or::reo ~Clo \,li tl: tho roc.t1'Wr'.Y. C-13, tho sc :.lut section J.c::::~1.u!' IS

vo::icle \-r.'.C \.1c.\-!il to c. tyro rX'.n ore\l {'.G it" retur!10~~ frorl tho Dust-c.ff cr :".\y'!icc.l cellcctinc poj rt n. t tho roc.r of the cc,lUlJIl. It \oJr'.C hit by r'..Ilti-~£ firo ~1'lI.~ 'Wr'.C seon burninc, liko\od.so C-19 \or.:'.s hi 1; by cnooy firo :~is=-.bJ..).:: ~ \or-.S soon burn; ng, :l.bbut· m<!-,ro.y nlonc:the colurm' juat o.tf tho ro.~,1.

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• . ( As tho fiGht c-:-·ntinuo'.:. tho l.<Jt pJ ... 'lt:on he .•. : b.:t!l ~,,-1'1ko ill f'ul.1 o.,~rt'.tion ~lonG ",itll thll four liFels. .Tho:r ::: .... :: locJtj :~01.T l'C1 c 2:ilJ.o':'.

Tho CP r:-o·,p ........ S"lit '·''\':"1'1 ';1~J·J·.J.·:'" VC C,.~·t··C.&. ,'" .1.1-,0 ~'e'ic Ia-:C ·'\O,......~ 6. .jol. '\.. "',-·.w .&.' U,1· ...... ..r-: - .. l.: ._- -.. .. '" " • .., tJ .. _ ........ • .., u~-...

colloctl.1· or' tl'o ··'omn" -.c'" ;":.n' ·t",l-i,.,·· .... ··0··· t· ~ col" -ct; 0" 'ev"c·,,.,t.; .... ., "01'nt . ~ • WO' ~U _ c.. .l.. ... ...... -."l...01 It.L. _. \.... \0.. .. .. ··-v _.. ../1 .......:a... .,:.\./.!.- J.':' ..

ldth tho troop Eq (-) LTCUj,' •. C-66, t:.:e Troop COIS t.r~~cl~, ,:_~.c il'litit'.}_~y·in: l'. pocition('.t the rec.r of the 1st plc..t,j(:1 APC's tl:o:l r.-.r·.011~: loc. •. : 010!101ltS of t!lO 2(:· pIc, tee.!. All trc.clm \lCrC consu.:"ltly :',o"in::; en·:: ro~(:jt~stin::; 1'osi'Gions to nvo5.-:: nl1ti-tcn!c c.n(~ ncrt.."'.r firo. ~10 rlC.jority of :"I].n,t:){;ll vehiclos rO:::='.ino(: OU one si:...:o of tho r.o~·~ :)r tI10 other in thoir horri.l1cbono posiJcio:1S. 1'!l0 con!1e.n<.1or IS tra.c!c, C-66 'r.c C011Gt:"'.~tly on t~~o r~ove to bot.~'. si(:os of tIm ro"(' 'l"!'o "cco'"'' ''\1~'''oon ,·I:"'S 10"";"'" ·1J.·+'1 t,., ... 1, C-"5 cO'l""""·l'O<.' ·) .. r t',c '1''''tOO''' ... •• •• ~ ''''- 1.'-'" It .... ... .. "--~:.. ... ~ ~d.u_ ""' • - ..... ~ _. • . J . - ,.Mo." Serr;Oc.llt, GSG Wil[{c·::. 'lilis ~~k.toon rO!lctocl qui clay ~l'l:: offectivoly to clooo on t~~c 1st pl.".toon, (leploy alle: lc.y c:!.Olffl ~. he~vy vol'UJ'"1o of t..."'..:.'1k, 50 co.libcr Co:!': 7.62 ;.:::". ..... C~1i:.10 ~,1.lIl ~~: 1.:79 fire. C-25 J(,;. ... :1k mnotlvcrorJ, c.lol1:; bot!: ;-'i~~os of t!'!o roc.l.~ firL'1C HE ('.Ui.1 c::11.'1is tor ill to suspected J.occ. tio"lS • It l-lr'.S hit in 'Gbe turret 17jl" oi ther :mti-t..'1l'll:: or rifle [;To:'l..'lr.~e fire. 'l'J:..o TC \ns flodorc. tel)" il:.juro(1 and forcoc. to ovc.Ctla.to tho i;a.r1Jc. This tc.n1: 'I=.S rc.picUy rO!.1C.1".lloc1 by SSG Born o..l'lt~ continuod tc fiGht \1011 t~urinc tho rOIninc~or of t!10 be. ttlo. T!lo 2d pJ:..tor:-n !PCls '\-Ioro \ololl \~oployo(: c.1cnC oit~lor s1::o of tho roc.~~ ill C'. ti:·b.t ror-...m.tion. Thoy provit~o:.~ tho steble conter of soctor for the troop collJl'1.n.

51£"1CO cOllt~Ct ,,~s lest \-1it~ tho .Ilo(~ic }..PC, pcI'Ilir:s:i.on 'WC'.S Civon for tho 2:1 pJ.c.toon to colloct lloundoG nnt~ roturn to tho dust-off (".ToCt in ono 01 tho fiC~:tinG cc:.rrioro. U:10n roturl1 of t!lO ovt'.cu.. ..... tion trnc!: to tho pJ.('.teon a. ro:··ort 'W::'.c .:-,1:'.:10 t!:c.-'c, C-23 !k ..... (:. boon hit by tho 200r.! cr'J.'lnon firo c.."1i~ thCl.t C-29 }!.c.r.~ SUGk.il1ct~ sovorc.l rmti-tnnk rotmcl hits .:'.lld l:r.D ,::is('.blo<l \U th ::'.11 tho crOl' IdJ.lo(~ or \olOUl1C.:oc1. The 2cl ?la.toon continuocl to firo cCcrossivcly ~.n,~ concontrc.tot~ it firos on tho ri{::ht 8iclo of tllo ron-.:. L.. ..... tor c.s t~lo onor.;y wit:1(XOl", olor.!ents of tho 2c1 pl:::.t0011 "d.t~l Lt Rezok, tI10 pla.torn lOC'.f.:or, !"-Ovcc: to <1:,110 DUct-Ofr Gi to, consolic.c.toe ~'lG !lovoe,:. t:10 l-IoUt"1doc1 to c. now DuGt-Ofz lcc~tion ~t objectiv~ DICK, wost of the bri~co.

Thv .l.~ ~,J.a toon WC'.S hit by onor.!y fire fror: !:loth si(:os of tl!o roc.,: u!:!oc1i:"'. toly t'.fter t~.:o nction ini tic. tod in tho Is t plo. to on m"oc. 'I'hic plntoc.n llCS t'!.&'1o. ... !Jlo to cloGO in t!!O 2:..1 pJr.toon in ~ ticht forn ..... tion. A CC'.~' or c.bc.ut 300 !lctera l~ovelopoc1 botloloel1 thoDo plcto('lns C'.G t:1C fi;':ltihG proGrosso~:. Tho 3c.. pktoen scon \oIC,S in a. hocvy o::CCoGor.lont or its G\m

t'.l"C"·n{~ tho J~VLB, the;> troop IIq croup ~t: :::'1 ::-.r:!o-:.: Clili'!oo!~ ll11ic11 !l:"': boen shot d01·m 011 tho roc,cl\-Ir'.y. This pocition, ::-.t coords IT 6S7746, hocC'.r.~c a stronc l'oint nnd tho initic.l Dust-Off sito. 'l'l;.o 3(~ pktoon fouGht to prctoct tho C:r,::ldllC nUDbcr of cc~sml tics which \-loro c..CCtlr.lul.. ..... tine C'. t tho Chinook or GO­GO sito. In tho ~rocoss tho plo.toon lost two tr~cy.s to c..~ti-~~~lk firo. T'oL!Qsotrac1cc :.160 burnod. Fc.rtul'lctaly t!!O [;:'.1) ~otMOel1 the t110 i J....~toons

:Y.'..a nover cc.~:tiJ.c.lize'l u~:on by' tho VC c.~l tho troop llr'.S nfJ"l:, Gplit. Ti.:.o roc~-.~ro:\ ..... i."10~ opon ~ut l!o~vy fire l';::-'S rocoivoG. frrn t:lis c.ro~. Thc tr..:o: !lc:-.d­q~"'.rters (-) Crcup is il'lclt1::e:l ,lith tho 3\.: pl ..... toon ~.."eC~t1So t!lCy r01.~cht t,ho o!1[,'Ccenont in t!lO S::'.1:10 10c~ticll. Tile cron of tho j~VL3 [c.vo c. GC<\~: ccc')t'!l1t for 'GI10!lS01vos, thoy Ila~motlvoro{~ tho vohiclo continucus17 n11l1 uscc: ::nchmo :un tiro c.nC!. crOlU';.c:os to !woj,:: tl:o onony c:t c. :".ist... .... :.~co. T1~is vo~:icle ,~.s net :.:....::~.,.Co(:. Tho ;.:::li.1'ltOl1 .. "'.llCe soctir,n fOUC:lt t!loir lU'C ::'..s c. GUn. tr;:'.c!t: :mt:' ccvoro'! tho . nodic APe c.::.<l tho opere. tiona/ co:lt10 .iPC (C;O).

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• src Dennis, commo chiefworJted his SO caliber !'18.chine CUll and the ro.ios cl.ternate1yand loaded T.I.DJlY uounded into his track. ne l;:ept reports flowing and called in the initial Dust-Off evcct~tions. nle area of the dovned ChinookbecDJ:1e too "hot" for Dust-O:?f's. The '.iIl'.'s '·Tero pleced in the medic APe for cover a.nd bes,ido tho various firinz AIle's. This accounted for the loss ot contact \lith the medic tro.c!::. Sevorc.1 of t~,.o medics "lOro ,rounded w'hi1e thoy ce.red for tho '\o101.-ndod and ono burnc;cl soriously ",hOll ho entered ODO ot tho burnine .l\PC's to rO,soue \-Iounded. -

Troop ,B elements b",ccn to onter the fighting zona and o.dvanced up Troop C' s herr1ncrbono colur.m t..".king up firing positions. Soveral of tho vehicles closed the gc.p betl10en tho 2d c..&'1d 3d :)lc.toons. k-.tcr the eOliU'1C.I'.cling officor of Troop B, Cpt Kyles, ccno to th~ fOr\~d locution of tIle 1st end 2d pL".. toons '\-d th c. full c::.v~lry pl:::. toone These 'vehicles took up firing psositions with tho majority of' thu firo being placed ~~ tho ro~d~y.

At this .. ·timo in coordi.1'lC.tion \-lith tho CO of Troop D (~t.ir) tho Dust-Off and resupply site \I::'.s roostc.bl1shod to tho llE of tho do\mod Chinook at Objoctivo DICK. T'nis ~oc. "I::'.s roL. ... tivoly froG of' onolilY firo ~"'ld h.. ... d a l."".l'gor :".rO~ \-111ich could ncco:C100a to sovorc.l holicopters. This no", si to rom:iinod tho o~.cution c.nd reauppJ..y point tl1roughout tho rest of' the ~.ttle ~ during tho roorgcniz~tion p~ ... se.

Witil Troop B well dispoccd nlong tho road"cy ~~ rocon clements of tlr.t Troop pushing to tho S\I, Troop C. '·IC.O ordorod to pmoe b~.ck its for cos to objoctivo DICK lrlth tho cgaiGIlod miDoiol" of oocuring tr.c.t creD., pro­tecting tho bri4go c.nd roaU!)plyil'lgj tho· platoons :C1ovoq oc.cl~ in order: 3d, 1st end 2d. llll wound"d ,·jere t.. ... !;:en diroctly to tllU Dtwt-Ofr £lito ~.ncl :--.ll dcc.d o~.c\l:ltod ~bo:rd Al'C' s to th ... t ::-.rer'.. P..oaupply em' re-c.rrlillg bO(Jc.n 1mlodic.tely. SUPl'ort ~·r..o tromondoubl Flellty of CI'!IlO of c.ll ki.ncls t rop~ce­nont ~ponG, tlocli~::.l SUppliOD c.ncl oupport peraonnol wore brought into DIC;~. Tho troop \It"'.S joined by tho SquadroiI lIc~dC!u.':'.rtera APC soctiOll ~long llith ~"lo liS77 Sqtr.dron l"lodic trC'.c~, \-Ii thO ourcroon. 1r(lop D ('air) Aero niflo

. Pl. ... toon \I:'.s lallded cllc.. c.tt.. ... chcd to Troop C .:!.t Dick in tho le.to u.f'tcrnoon. Durinc this period l~gor 'reinforcooonts 1r.d :.'.lso c.rrived 1."1 tho iIltlod­

ic.to bc.tt1c :o.rO!". in tho fom of t~lO 1/28 Infr.ntry, which \~.s cirJiftccl to DICK c.nd swc;pt S\rl clong the ria:lt pooitien of' tho r~d; ruld C.11 llRVH APC Troop (wi tIl c.n RF CCIJpe.ny) which· closed on tho o.. ... stern oil.go of nICK ill tdd-cl'tcrnoon. Tho P.F COltp.."..lly oocurod tho LZ ::'.t DICK for soverru. hours b7 pus!rl.ng out c. considorc.blo dist::-.nco into tho donse undergrowth on ei tiler side of' tho road c.nd tlle. stre~l lino. This cl.l.owod Troop C to rosup;ly t".nC! rOCl'J'l r:::.pidly. Tho J,RVU' 'AIle Troc.p 1:-. tor novec'!. to socure tho d~,·mO(l Chinook fer tho night.' L:

Ao tbe C.ftcrll00n Crew to r'. c10GO Troop Chad conpletod reoupply, r~n:l0~lt, C~os 1 c.nC: wt'.D in c. t. .... ctict".l pooturo fer futuro nioaiona. Tho tre;~p v:'.O zivc.n c.rdQl'o to ROH, a.t PICK, DOcuro the bridgo allcl C'Su.bl1sh tho i'or\r..rc.t sqUC.C.".rOl'l Cl). Tho troop cliopcaiti~l1! C011sicto(~ (if t:l" 3(.: p1;.toon r'..."ll'! i.~ riflo oquc.c'! oocur1.1'lg tho bri(~l!e c.nl: tho C.l'oc. to the ec.ot cf the bridgo. Tho 2d pl. ... toon .::.ncl the. Aero Rifio pk.toon (-) on tho ccuth or 10ft sida ot tho rot'i! "lith or.1.pll.. ... sis en tho thick u.ru:!.erbrush no..'1.1" tilO rcc.d~ The 1r.ttlo c.'!:::r cmclo(1 \lith tll~ troop in ~h.;, ~bovo c!eocribocl posture :::.t Objective DICK. . •

The follo\odna 10DC011O lo~o(~ ~.ro fcrtlOst in 11.ind durit."'l the prepc.rc.­tiOD ot this D..".l'rr".tic·nj n..'XlO tbrouar AlIC's (Zippl) S!loulC!. bo kept under eirect control ot tho troop CO. '!he loc ... tion ot tho on~ conce:.1trc.ti'jn !1WJt be quic!:l.y r1otul'r.'.inoc.l by tr:.7:0PO en tho r;rounc: ~s "1011 ~o ... ark1 obcorvoro. A hocvy initial b~se CJt firo 011 =-..ll Guapoetoc1. ~OC'Jl is osaor..ti..:.l to ~in tiro Gup~1ority rcpicUy- ill :J:D.y ~ttoopt0(1 ~h.

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Zlpr~ 10 0::'. \"..: .. : bo .,::~ .. !-,J.; :~C:.~ .1\1.: .. :: upon detern:tn.. .... tion of the e:!eI~· concen­trt'.tior.s. Trc.c!: rnou."lt.ec:. Z:J.p:-.o ·r.E:~"vice uni ts o~~Otur.1 :lCCOr;lp~.r.:~ 'c:~e 601~. EeCl.ic il."C'S ~~~ould not. be ut~~_:tzed as n "Dtore:~ol!seil ror ~101;n(~ed, but !:e' t ill cOllst~,.!t s:ll!t·~.le ·.let,~ei1 tIle f'iC~lting area. an(~ a. Du3t-O£,::' site. A Dust-C'r re::n:pply 011·0 J!lt"..st be e:J~ ... bJ.ichec1 m1(~ cOll'trolled by opCr:l.tiolU'.l ;:on,) ::cdiccl. ::'IOl"'SOlUl01 ~.n C'. roasollabJy securo C'.l"oa. onco ~nemy cont='.ct is : \ ... :.~c. i:OOic~ ... l ovc.cu~.:"iol1 frOtl the '.x. ... ·'tlc :re~. l1l'.st 'Oil controllod b:- sn. ..... ll un! t l~ ... J.ors :-..:; \loll c-s medicel clo:'.rinC; porso1ll101. '.

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c· .......... ~.~ ····0 ..... ;r·· .. 'iO-J, A~T roc 'I';, ... ".,.~.I •. ",~ ,," - 'I_.t. ~··t··· .J.-. '~t'" T., .• .. ~~ Q...... . .. '-J ••• _. _:.J - .&;_. ~ "'· ... \._ .... I.". .. :.I~ ....... .:. .. .l\J .. · .. i:.iiJ •• J" , I.,:" •• !.on, •. u ... ~4-i'C'~!tr:" .=ilG coctt:."~.ll(: o:~g~,:",o.1ra f··.l'.io2-d.:lg t~·o nirDu'ip .... t. IJ:lITI ':.::.:ti:":~, Tho !..ot ~ -;::.t::-.J.i:.:::., 26th ;:"~:~~.:~t,J:·;,.., l.·:.~c~o:r c·.T.·(;:r.:.~l of the Divioica .!'l.::-tillory· COt~·~'.::C'.I~:·. ci;~itln'L!\)~ it,!'; '·J,~oii'ic::'..";~.o.: op~r~.~t:i.:.:.':1S ir. ':~llO :·~ru J..o1 ~.rO:'. \-11th tho t:::'1: DUO::G r-rov1..nco Chief :~.l~cl t~l') 7th i' .. :1.VJ.I Reginol1t.

..

2

.,

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'-3 ':I:i:. CO"Tora tho b(".ttlo 0::: 9 July noar ·t.ho NI~:! TZO!-J rub',cr pJ.,'.l!·iir.ti·.~·r..J "r ... 1 t::.u be.ttlo or 25 Al.l.gt.'!.st \o~J.ich did r..ot inv··lvo (I~y squr..c1ron olcp.O:.",!t.s 'l'.:l.:t.cr S(l'.':.c'1.ron c:~!ltrol.

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Int.o'.li.;c~'co S'_'~~·CCS l~'\(~ ~.n(~5.c,.tor1 t~1O.t t,horo ,·nG a Viet Con~ Rogi:l0nt in the IIDTII Ti~'UT c.roa. Tho, US 1st Infa,1try Division ilmilcdio."iicly nD.do plAns to find and fix the unit. Hord leaked out t.hc.t s Sli1O.J~ unit 'Iould proceed to l:a~: Z:''\l! on tho AI'! r..oc l·cr::r T'_:'''.lT Ro('.d, 0Ut o.c~1.W.··.lY' pJn~ls \-Iero rr.c."..e for' 0. hea.vy ('.rnor to.sl~ forao to ml::o the trip. ~epJ.t'.l1ned cir strikos tUld artillory fireo lIcre inclndeci ill t!:e pJnill1inrr.

Tho 1st S,!'llnCrOll 4':th Ca.vr.1ry (-) c1epc.rtec1 Al~ 11)C c.t·0700·r.rs 9 JtllY \-Ii t~: Trp C lea.ding follm'led· by Trp B Co B 1/2 Inf loX'.s cc.rrim~ on' tI10 sC!u.. .... c1ron vullclel3. They \Tero eli vided ilP so e.s to provide soven (7) nen on en.ch il..ll3. It ~~s felt t!1.. .... t if cont..."'..ct "Tere ree!o i'~ uoulcl bo in tI10 vicinity of pos~.tion DICI~, a brie'Ge c.t XT 694751. ~lith thio in T:lin.cl \'1-1' C nov(.;d \-11-(;11 0. pL .... toon on e~.ch side of t:10 rocd in o.n ocholon form..."'..tion Cl1d O;.le pl. .... toon in CO~ur£l on the ronde The unit conducted c heavy reco~~ios~nce by fire ~s it moved elon~.

At 0900 hrs Trp C approoched the bridgo a.nd doployed on both oideo of the rond to provide covering fire for the infn.lltrj. '£110 inf::mtry c1.ir.:T.lOuntCtl ~t thio point· to ~o for"It"..rd c.nd check the bridr,e for nine::: e.r..d bor'by trr.po. After' tlloroughly chec!::il1i5 tho c.rer. c.rou.'I'ld the brideo 1'01" !lin.:lS :-.nc.1 booby trc.po, Troop C moved out, thio title in col'lmm forrJ.. .... tion "dtll 0.11 t~.reo p1c.toons 011. thu roc.d. A prOpl'll'l:.:cc1 c.irstrike "lent in .... t pooi tiol! TOL, t. rer.'.c~ junction ~t XT 663736 uI'!ilo e GO_GO ·~.ir~r::'.ft recol'l .. 1'loc1 the ~c::-.. Jco thu soutl~'\.J'est of' '£OH. Tho G)_GO <'..ircr:'..f't" c CH-/:.7 helicopter \-lith ,~ c=-.l .50 n.~c~~.i..'"le~'\.U'lo, c. L~OrIJl!l ~el1.. .... de J_-:'.ullcher =-'::1d ~- 7. 62mm Jl[~cl'-i.."1erruno, "1':'.::: bcillf, field tcsted ill the Republic of' V ietl1r .. ~ r'. t thic J~ine ~ Despite t:le o!'ch'U'.)~ce drcppod on the pooition tho Viet Cong die! not rovcc.l tlleir presel1co =-.t tl..i'l tine, At c.pproxin.::-..tely 1106 hours Lt In.cl:: J~ons, lDt PJ.t Idr of' Trp 'C, reroJ;"ted tlr:t his le~.d vohicle hc.d o;,Jottec1. 10 VII .peroo:''l:.'lel ru."'ll1i~1e· ~.cross tll.:: ro::'.d. Five minutes h. ter he roported the. t 10 noro :1."'..(~ rID'l acroos t!1e r~!'.d ~ he \1r.S U>.!:ing them u11cle!' fire... This seemed to set eff the e:'.tire OJ:'I.bush. Tho lc.. .... d vehicle c.t this' tiJ.:te 'YeS ~l the Vic IT 682743 •

. L~ Lycno e~epJ.9yec1 IUD plc.tocn, putting Jcl1e r-l'lin firepol-ler of hie ~l"Jc."l i~ t!!c direc:tio:l of tIle fleeing e:le:-w. T~; 0 uholo colUIl.'l ·\-1r>.S l"cceiving il1te:lso c.uto!r.tic '\-1ec.pens, on..~ll ~.rns, rocoiless rifle el1d mc·rt.."":T fire.. Cpt, Stevo SJ.~ttery Trp C cODI:l'.llder c:"..lled f'or ::O.n <'..ir stri!~e n.ncl the c.ir force rospol".dec1 ,d th U::-.pnJ.n c.long tho ro:-.d. ;

T'ae forloX'.rd c.ir controller c.t. J~20, reported to t!1(. Sqt".-:'.(".rpn Co!rnncler, LTC Lcon..--.rd Lo"':~ne th .... t he !l. .... d si"·'hted the VC 011 t!lO north aiel\.; of the ro~a n:l~ \1:"'.0 bri~gi11g ta.cticc.l ::-..ir in ~n them. Cpt S1::1. ttery reportee! to LTC loUl'.lle the. t tho re~ of ~!is colur.m \1::'.s being hit l1..c.rd by recoilcso ritle C'..t"1d . ncrt:.r fire •

. Cpt Da.viel Kelley, Trp 13 CO!'!'lO.naer aovo(~ his troop for\onrd into t!!O b..'\ttle c.rec. c.fter roceiving the cot1!.J..":'..ncl fron tIle o<l'l~i'.ron cOll'_:c.nder. Cpt l~elJ.ey sont his second pbtr..on for"v!f'.rd c.nc1 he :LlI:!ec1i ..... t.ely lost his p+t . l~c1er, Lt l3el'ljn::!.il1 l'hillips, .a...."ld tho fIt Sgt PSG Ik,berto Quij::::.no, cuet9 e1irect !lortc.r :!i·!:'s. T!le sec::mc.: pJ..c.trc.n t:lnk 'section lc::::.der 3SG Chester Fe!·~eJ. teok ch=,.rr:;c of t~:c lJJ..c.to(..n ('.nel r:ovcel it f'or,\·r.:-.rc1 to c.asist TrooP C •.

Cpt Ke],1ey instructuc: l:is third plc.t-'on loc.(1er, Lt Ricb::-.r(: \~roe, tc secure C'.n cree. for .ne(~ico.l e~ctl.:l.tioll fcir w01.melcd. The GO_C.Q .:-.ircrc.ft rece~.ve~1 several :!ito CJ.1/.~ lTel1t (~O"lll i~ tilo vicinity OJ. t;le Dust-Off crCr.'.. -'1'!--;s ~.rc..'1. \ICS sti~J. rc;coiving s:r.ll axns o.n{~ nortar fire. Sgt Joll., BJ..air :l vehiclo C('ln::.. .... !l'.~er in tho t!lirCl' plctoon of Tr00P D '\-r.'.S run:dng o~":'lrt 0f

c.:1:"lllli tion c'.llC1 h'.t "burno·;: up Ii hia. • 50 0[".1 rnC1Wle5tm. UsinG !1ic . ini"~i. .... ti':", ho took his ve~rl.cle up to tlle c!o'WIlocl GO_GO ~~-:.(~ ecqtdrot! ono uf tl:.eir 50 cc.libera ~.:l{: c. supply of C!!Clt16"1i"cion.· .

1

'*

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.. lie Jr.c1e severa.l trips bringing a..Jmiltuti tion up to resupply the ve~licles. l-fean,mUe at~ the :)oint of heaviest contact, SSG Alfread Trp C, 1st :PIt scout sect;.on leader reported sighting several VC iiloving D. recoiless rifle trying to get it around to his flo.nk., SSG Brei tschillder, :tll t.he lead tank, atteIilpted to take it undel'! fire.' He "laS mortally 110ullded b:~ a. snipors bullet a~ h~· attempted to take it tutder fire" He "lEI.S mortally' uoountlecl by a snipers bullot ashe attempted to raise hiIlSelf up from his Cupola for a better 1001c. SGG Alfread \·ro.S "'0Ull(leG. sliortly thereafter but remined behind his llo£lpon, r£llJ.yiug his cre'Wf&lembors to repel 'tho VC attack. .

Tho Dust-otf area "ro.s be<;ornin~ jCli1I!lod \lith vohicles o.nd Cpt Slo.ttorey ordered his second p1£l toon leader Lt Stallis1a.s Reczek to tako chc..rgo. \lith able assistance of S[;GGuy rallingsuorth of Troop D Lt Reczek got tho Dust-Orf crea operc.tiong smoothly and startod the COIJbc.t vehiclcs h .... ck to tho frO;lt.

Col Lowo.no, upon seeing t.he direction of tho :main c-'::tc.ck, roportee: this to tho Division Cor:r"o.ndor uho sprang tho rost or the troop, three, infantry battalions .. poisodto cut off the retroat of the battored VC force. vIi t:l c.ir . on the north, c.rtillory on tho south ~dc1ing to tho troT:1ondouo :::'iro pO\lcr ' of the ca~.1ry unit on tho ground, the VC soon broko conte-.ct c.nc1 flod. Tho 1/28 Inr l..."'.llded to the north ='-l1d attacked ill a soutll",os'~ direction '-Ihilo tho l/l~ In!' l... .... ~lded and \>10r!;:-od closely uith tho 1/4 Cc.v (-). ' B =,-ncl C wero givon tho ~SSiOll to sot up a blocldng position·fro~ XT 693-750 to 65072g. " .

Troop C bir) lU'.cr .boon providing £larue reconnr!.issnnco and firo St1.Pl)Ort, end',r..s Given tho nission to put their A~ro Riflo Plr.toon in at position DICI{ to ROll "d th Troop C r. t the brid~e site. ' .

, Tho fighting l:.ad lr.stec1 for a:)~'roxir!l.:!.tely three hours resulting in Americ::m lossos of 12 KIA' s ~nd 51 \olIA' s. The 272 Regiment: \>lhieh "1t'.s en3c.ged suffered: 278 KIA (BC) ~cl 300 (est) IeIA. Troop C h. ...... d 4 APC's destroyod.

Firo Sup:)ort

At the tine troop C l!l.":'.de" CO;'lt:-'Ct, :-. propJ.='-imod ~ir stri!:::o ~s about to be put i~l fO!'\J:'.rd of their posi tio:i1. . This "1::1.13 qU!ckly revertod to t,~le c.rec. ",bero con"kct !r..c1 been Dr.do. The FAC reauocted l.mrllecE:'.te c.ir c.l1cl thero "r..a CO'1St.--.nt air covor:-.ee throughout the -battle. Therc 'W::".c c.t least 0110

~tillery observer in the ~ir c.t nli ·~ir:l0G. The firo support h. .... cl been oplit up prior to cont.':'.ct a~1d the air "lO:rkod tho southe sido of the roc.d t'.l1d loft tho north sido"to tho C'..rtillory. Gun teClilS fiJ.led in betl1een sortios em concontr~tions. Tho CH-47, GO_GO, providod brevy firo betore being shot (10lln.:

. Frion(l~ Lossos: Tropp C ..

12 KIA '.39 lUA

RosUlts

2

Troop B

21 \OIIA

I

,

I

I t

Page 13: ,. J,'~ J ~ --~. I · Rc-.pi(~ the le~c1 olononts ,.1el'l(/ye'~ ::-.n(1 \Jere ellC9[ec1 by onol1:Y ncrt.."'.r "'J1.:: ~"'lti-t....rut: !iro.As on.Orl;r cont·· ct (~oveJ.o~"c·1

0···· ..

KIA -SSG Bretschneider, ~ne K S;~G· 1 .. Uor(1, UlY's~es SSG 7ergusen, Robert FS' ::;SG i'Qtrec:uJ. t, Robort·}T Sgt r'rice, Illvin Sgt !Iyt~.n, Wo.lJ.D.co S ....... ,. B"

:,,~ £\.J.ng, 00 oy' Sp4 ~lilson, Da.niel Pte Wues s on berry, ~obn Q. Ptc Deck, Robart W. : Ptc ~orr~ro., Josso E.

004 -Ptc Scott, John W

'WIt~ -Opt Slo.ttery,. Stephon H 2lLt Lyons, John K . SeG Beecher, Robert C SSG lIobbo, Eric E, Jr SSG Sl:'.ne.ors, Uilli..'ill D., SSG Potter, Pa.ul 1;1 Sat Vernon, Cbr.'U'les E SSG Wilson, D01'ln1c1 R Sgt l' .. lbert, Benjenin T Sgt Kolley, Oliver R Sgt Bird, Russol B . . Sgt Uclntii-e, Orvi1l9 O. SpS Jk..rris, Curtis K :Ir Sp4RobinSon, Jancs H. Sp4 'Slono, J{'.Des 1-1 Sp4 UcClc.rin, ROl1 .. ,\lLl:e . Sp4 \r.Iisere11~ Forrost Sp4 Stinson, Cecil E Jr Sp4 liforritt, Lewis ·G Sp4 Bocw, FrD.l'l1din M Sp4 Uright, Janes C Sp4 Vo.zo.lc1m,. Po.blo 11 Prc Otto, Joseph S prc Vacovelli, Rc.ytlond Pf'c Enriquez, R'\u1 Ptc 8m. th,. J.:ulOS E Jr prc lI.:mago.n, Georgo S Ptc Littlo~ Costoll Jr

--

.: ; it s; ,,!

G9P1FIBZNl'fAl24

. -r

'TRooP C 9 Juq 66

\~I1 ... -Prc .BJr.n1::, \-lill H ·Ptc T'~.yor, Rich..".r(~ E Ftc Dozior, Laster Jr.: 'M Dilis, Gary L Pte lfoyer, Herecli t~l Ptc Kossler, Paul !( Ptc Ottlings, Joseph Prc Rago.sin, l~gostion

, Ptc· HO\lU'd, E..'1rl

..' UIA -2/Lt Roczok~ St.."Illiskua J E7 Torros, Carlos SSG Jones, JaDes L jr Sgt: Horrison, Orphus Q. Sp4Onoll, Ch..'\t'los J

. PEG Drow, H..'\DS

lmT' Q. ttch TRP 0

lUA -Ptc Sochrest, Janos n Ptc Ooopor, Robert Pte Farrolly, Hubort Sp4 Orton, Jiotlio D

IMA

Sp4, llnrris, Eddio D

rtc Uori.vor ~- r.roJ:v:::!i"::::li:-=-~--""""-'--~---

Pfc Bicldulph, Ronald F

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, .

/1

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2/Lt SSG Sct Sgt SpS Sp4 Pre Pre Pre Pre Pre

2/Lt 2/Lt SSG SSG SSG scr1; Sat Sp4 Pre Pre Pvt Pvt

KIA

~or, -Bt.."'.11lo,. w.

wu Phillips, Bonj~ H Jr Cruz, Ellriquo C lhldon, .'intml Dro\oJIJ,.'1.n, Everott 0 .

. T:-.ylor, Jc.mos R SCC'."rthor·n, R.'1.y:Ilond C l~:-.neo , IlOlU'y L QuijmlO, I:orbort Uhitn..~, Don..'lv~, 1-1 Cockran, Ulyssos Rhodos, Rc.ynond D

-.

l'hughn, Fr~:llclin D . Wroo; nieh. .. "'.rd W. Folno~,'Chostor A Veotoeh, V~stiIlil Burke, Billy Jr BJ.o.ir , John D 0...", to.:L.'U1e, Frank P Bct.rrett, Gornld A Dyer, Eugone F Khrcvslty , John 11. lb.1se;y, John K-u:mQr, Bobbio D

,. .'

CWj\a sa iNTlAfa. . STATUS REronT

Troop B . . 9 Juq 1966.

iJ!T t'.ttch Trp B

Ul,,\ }.hj Taylor, George

Trp D (air)

nu.

Cpt Sanders, John P CWO Don.:.hoo, Frnnk 1-4. Pte Scott, SClll:!io H.

:. .-, .. .,," .... ".

;j 1~ :,.;:j .. ~

D Co lst'Engr atteh T.rp B

DlA

~-

Sgt Johnson, Rogim14 Pre Correa, Josso

\1·. ~~ r f I