A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry 25th ID - Veterans


Campaign Streamer

Counteroffensive, 12 Dec 65 - 30 Jun 1966
     We are building timelines for the Troop's service in Vietnam. If you have award citations, SITREP's, AAR's or other documents, they can provide dates that can add to the timelines.  Richard Bradley is our volunteer coordinator for the Counteroffensive timeline. 
     Note 1: Entries that include an exact time or grid coordinates have been extracted from offical documents.  If no time is provided it is a recollection from a unit member. Email us and provide additions or corrections for this timeline.
Jan 1966
 - 25th Infantry Division continues Operation Holokai (Deployment to Vietnam).  Beginning with the marshaling of vehicles of 3 /4 Cav(-) on 11 February and continuing until the arrival of the last vehicles on 25 February, 46 convoy serials totaling 2,746 vehicles were moved from the marshaling area to the port.  During the period 10 February - 15 April, accompanying supplies and unit impedimenta totaling 10,498 STON (21 STON ammunition, 856 STON vehicles and equipment, 9,621 STON miscellaneous general cargo) were moved from the various unit areas and USARHAW supply points to the army port.  186 buses were required to move troops of division (-).
Feb 21
 -   Nearly 400 men of two troops of 3rd Sqdn. 4th Cav., have arrived in Vietnam to boost division strength to nearly 9,000 men.  A Trp., unloaded its armored personnel carriers (APC) and tanks at Saigon Harbor, after a seven-day voyage by LST from Okinawa.  Commanded by Capt. Joseph R. Monihan, of Newburgh, N.Y., A Trp. joined 2nd Bde at Cu Chi.
   Both cavalry reconnaissance troops departed from Hawaii in early January aboard the USNS SULTAN. Prior to arriving in Vietnam, the two troops spent four weeks at Okinawa’s Camp Hansen, where they received and processed nearly 30 new APCs and a number of new M-48A3 tanks. (see Tropic Lightning News article)
- A Trp arrives at the port of Saigon. Trp arrived in port late afternoon and unloaded vehicles from the Navy ships (see photo of A24) into the night. As each vehicle came off the ship, it was driven around the corner and parked in column on a street that bordered the Saigon River.  (See Narrative by Dave Cox)
Feb 22
- A Trp left Saigon around noon. Trp had an MP escort to the edge of the city and crossed the Hoc Mon bridge on Hwy 1 to Cu Chi. (See Narrative by Dave Cox).
Feb 23
- A Trp attaches 6 tanks to 1st Bn 5th Mech for combat operations around Cu Chi. 1/5 Mech was in a NDP at XT 688119. 1st Bn 5th Mech conducted search and clearing operations with only light sniper fire being received.
Feb 24
- The hostility of villagers in Hau Nghia Province melted into smiles February 24 when the trucks f rom the 2nd Bde, rumbled into the hamlet of Bac Ha, laden with clothing, reading material and other supplies from the people of Hawaii. The soap, school supplies, sewing materials and clothing were delivered to the children of Minh-Tan School, which is in Bac Ha, a small relocation village for refugees from North Vietnam. In accepting the materials for his men from the newly arrived A Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav., Col. Lynnwood M. Johnson, Jr., 2nd Bde. commander, said, “With these items and our medical aid program, we will be able to really convince the people of our sincere thanks and aloha to the residents of Hawaii for furnishing supplies that will greatly benefit the Vietnamese families.”  (see Tropic Lightning News article)
Feb 26
- 2nd Bde conducts Operation KOLCHAK.
- A Trp attached to 1/27 Inf Bn. 1/27 Inf attacked along two axes 260800 Feb 66 to secure Objective TARO and destroy VC personnel and fortifications within objective area. A 3/4 Cav attacked along Axis QUEEN to secure southern half of objective; The 4.2 mortar section (3 tubes) A 3/4 Cav was Op/Con of Mortar Platoon l/27 during the operation. A 3/4 Cav received two (2) WIA as result of booby trap. A 3/4 Cav found a bag of documents at approximately 1000 hrs.

Mar 4
- A Trp (-) attached to 1/5 Inf(M) Bn for operation Waikiki.  A Trp's 3 mortar squads attached to Heavy Mortar PLT 1/5 Inf(M) Bn. 3rd PLT A Trp attached to Co A 1/5 Inf.  3rd PLT Co A 1/5 Inf attached to A Trp 3/4 Cav. Intelligence prior to the operation indicated that two estimated VC LF companies C1/306and C 54, to include two VC guerrilla platoons, were known to have temporarily occupied small houses and defensive positions in the area of operations. The enemy was expected to utilize small elements up to platoon size to harass attacking elements through the use of heavy sniper fire, boobytraps and mines.
- Task Force 1/5 Inf(M) crossed the LD at 0710 hours and moved along Route Jack to occupy attack Position Apple (Co B), Orange (Co A1/5 Inf & 3rd PLT /A/3/4 Cav), and Cherry (A Trp 3/4 Cav(-). Recon Platoon screened the movement along Route Jack and Co B secured the attack positions. At 0740 hours Heavy Mortar Platoon & 3 Mortar Squads 3/4 Cav occupied Position Plum to support the attack. Each unit received some small arms fire while moving into their attack positions but suffered no casualties.
- At 0952 hrs A Trp 3/4 Cav(-) located an enemy bunker with seven VC vic XT 624174 which was taken under fire and estimated two VC were killed and four wounded.
- At 10:20 hrs A Trp 3/4 Cav(-) located three VC in black uniforms and steel helmets vic XT 637173, employed small arms fire and estimated killing two and wounding one.
- At 12:52 hrs Co A 1/5 Inf & 3rd PLT A/3/4 Cav found and destroyed a heavily boobytrapped weapons cache vic XT 615175. A Trp 3/4 Cav located a heavily boobytrapped area vic XT 617173 and 600 pounds of rice vic XT 620170. All units closed on PL Zulu by 1422 hours with no enemy contact. A Trp 3/4 Cav was detached from TF 1/5 Inf(m) and attached to the 2/27 Inf at 1452 hours.
Mar 6
- PFC Hugh W Merrill (photo) KIA.
Mar 14
- A Trp attached to 1st Bde for Operation Honolulu. Phase I: 0630 hrs A Trp secured route Blue from vic CU CHI to vicinity BAO TRAI,  XT526045 in coordination with ARVN Ranger Battalion.
Mar 15
- At 1500 Co B 2/27 Inf was alerted for an Eagle flight to vic XT482085 where seventy VC were reported assembling.  Co B departed at 1630 hrs and joined a platoon from A Trp in the vicinity of the objective.  There was no more contact as a result of the action.
Mar 16
- Co C 2/27 Inf conducted an Eagle Flight to vic XT584017 at 1030 hrs.  The company landed and began search and destroy operations with a platoon from A Trp acting as a blocking force.  There was no organized VC resistance, but numerous mine fields were encountered.  Sixteen VC suspects were evacuated.  Each house in the area had a bunker adjacent to it.  Booby trapped grenades on bamboo stakes with trip wires caused seven friendly WIA's.
 Mar 17
- 1 Mech Inf PLT from Co B 1/5 Inf(M) attached to A Trp. The Brigade Command Post secured by A Trp (-) at Position ACE.
Mar 18
 - The attached platoon from Co B, hit a mine vic XT 474127 and received no casualties; however, the platoon sustained two WIA's due to boobytraps vic XT 462130.
- At 0800 A Trp and a platoon from B Co 65th Engineers conducted a daylight sweep vic XT540110.  The Task Force failed to make significant contact, but did retrieve a Vietnamese Ranger who reported he had been kidnapped by VC.  At the same time, he indicated approximately 100 VC were located vic XT529113.
Mar 20
- A Trp attached to 1/5 Inf Bn(M) for Operation WAIKIKI. 3rd PLT A Trp attached to Co A 1/5 Inf(M).  A Trp mortar squads attached to 1/5 Inf(M) Mortar PLT.
- A Trp (-) crossed the LD at 0834 hours and received some small arms fire from the woods to their front. A Trp located an enemy bunker with seven VC vic XT 624174 which was taken under fire and estimated two VC were killed and four wounded. A Trp occupied Position Peach. A Trp located three VC in black uniforms and steel helmets vic XT 637173, employed small arms fire and estimated killing two and wounding one. A Trp located a heavily boobytrapped area vic XT 617173 and 600 pounds of rice vic XT 620170. All units closed on PL Zulu by 1422 hours with no enemy contact.
- A Trp was detached from 1/5 Inf(M) and attached to the 2/27 Inf at 1452 hours.
Mar 29
- A Trp attached to 1/69 Ar Bn for Operation Circle Pines. One Main Force Battalion, the 307 Bn of the 165A Regt, has been reported in the operations area. The 048 Heavy Weapons Company was reported supporting the 307 Bn. Exact locations and dispositions of the VC forces were not known. It was believed that when the VC determined that a major U.S. attack was underway they would attempt to withdraw and exfiltrate in small groups to safe areas in the Ho Bo Woods (XT 6228) and the Iron Triangle (XT 7025).
- The Task Force moved from the base camp at 0700.  A Trp, 3/4 Cav initially moved rapidly across the area of operations to establish a blocking position vic XT664239.  Its move was slowed, however, by disabled vehicles from VC mines and the position was occupied at 1745 hours.  A Trp released from attachment to 1/69 Ar Bn.
- A Trp attached to 1/5 Mech. The largest problem encountered in resupply was receiving the attached unit, A Trp, 3/4 Cav,  on the fourth day of the operation and being informed that they needed 1,000 gallons of MOGAS and 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel to accomplish their mission. The fuel was delivered despite a shortage of daylight time.
Mar 30
- The TF 1/69 Ar Bn continued its (illegible) along the northern edge of the Brigade area of operations.  Along the eastern boundary of the operational area, a platoon of tanks with a Cav platoon as escort linked up with the Recon plat from 1/5 Mech at 1020 hours.  The group disrupted VC exfiltration from the area and moved east where it made contact with 7th ARVN representative operating to the east.  8500 lbs of rice and corn were discovered in a storage area vic XT647226 and a tunnel complex including a mess hall and school were discovered at XT640220.

Apr 1
- A Trp attached to 1/5 Inf(M) Bn.
Apr 2
- Task Force 1/5 Inf attacked at 0730 hrs. The TF seized its objectives along the Saigon River with no contact; however, en route mines damaged three vehicles from A Trp, 3/4 Cav.  A report of VC activity further to the north was confirmed so Co A was dispatched to the area vic XT628304.  A VC force of two squads was engaged in the area resulting in six VC KIA (BC).  One APC, however, was destroyed by a 175mm round rigged for command detonation.  VC base areas discovered near the river were destroyed. Due to reported VC activity north of the Bde TF objectives, the Task Force was given the mission to seize a new blocking position vic OP D (XT 628304).
 Apr 4
- A Trp relieved from attachment to 1/5 Inf(M) and attached to 1/69 Ar Bn at 0700 hrs.
Apr 27
- A Trp attached to 1/27 Inf Bn for Operation Maili. The VC had been active in the operational area, especially around DUC LAP (XT557054) which had been subjected to several attacks, mining incidents, mortar attacks and sniper fire.  VC units reported to be operating in AO included the DONG THAP (DT2) Regt consisting of the 267th Bn (strength 400) and the 269th Bn (strength 500); 506th Local Force Bn (strength 300); and C2 Company (strength 75-100).  With the exception of C2 Co, which is a local force unit, the VC units are well equipped with assorted small arms and automatic weapons, 60mm and 81mm mortars, 57mm and 75mm Recoilless rifles.  According to reports the DUC HOA LIASON ROUTE and VC SUPPLY ROUTE #1 B run through the operational area.  A VC safe area was reported as being located in vic of XT5703, XT5903, XT5902.
- TF 1/27 Inf conducts search and destroy operations to seek out and destroy VC forces and supplies; prepares to assist or support ¾ Cav elements operating from CU CHI to BAO TRAI (XT526044); establish liaison with HAU NGHIA advisor team (XT526044) for coordination of operation and pacification of AO.
Apr 29
- At 0800 hrs 2nd PLT A3/4 Cav was attached to TF 1/27 and at 1330 hrs began a sweep through the general area of operation Maili with negative contact. 2nd PLT 2 A3/4 Cav destroyed 2 tunnels vic XT567044.
 Apr 30
- At 1112 hrs 2nd Plt A3/4 Cav was given an additional mission of sweeping the village of CP HAU HOA with infantrymen mounted.  While conducting this sweep, 2 trenches (130 meters and 80 meters respectively, 9 spider holes and 13 bunkers were destroyed by a tank dozer vic XT567044.  Also a tank from 2nd PLT A3/4, Cav had a track blown by an AT mine vic XT575037 requiring a VTR for return to base
- Vehicle losses reported by A Trp during Operation Circle Pines. 5 M48A3 tanks damaged, (illegible) M48A3 tanks repaired in field, (illegible) tanks were hit twice and repaired, 8 K-(illegible) armored personnel carriers damaged, 4 M-113 armored personnel carriers repaired in field, 4 M-113 armored personnel carriers evacuated to base camp, 1 M-113 armored personnel carrier was hit twice and repaired.

May 1
- TF 1/27 Inf conducted a S & D operation in an area bounded by coordinated XT566073,XT575048, XT573048 and XT594073.  2nd PLT A3/4 Cav conducted a fast sweep from N to S through the area and established a blocking position to the S.
May 2
- TF 1/27 Inf (-) conducted a S & D operation from S to N in an area bounded by coordinates XT555090, XT555078, XT568078 and XT574091 with 2nd PLT A3/4 Cav (+) blocking to the N.
- 1100 hrs 2nd PLT A3/4 Cav began a sweep from a line between XT550088 and XT555088 to line between XT550073 and XT555073 in an attempt to locate enemy radio transmitter but with negative results.
May 3
-  At 0205 hrs, the C1/27 ambush vic XT564046 received the first of 2 coordinated attacks by 2 main force plats and 1 local force plat (50-75 men).  The VC withdrew at approx 0210 hrs and then attacked from 3 sides at 0215 hrs.  Arty fire was called in and at 0235 hrs, Co 1/27 dispatched a rifle plat and 2nd PLT A3/4 Cav to the ambush site.  Re-enforcements arrived at ambush site at 0245 hrs and then action terminated at approx 0300 hrs.  Results:  10 losses:  5 KIA, 5 WIA (includes 1 counterterrorist). 31 VC IA (BC) verified by reports for sector S2 Agent, Regional forces leader and Sector S3/Sector S2.  Upon conducting a sweep in the ambush area at first light, plat C1/27 captured 9 VCs hiding in bushes in vic of night's action (2 were later confirmed to be VCC by Nat'l Police) and the following items:  1-M1 rifle, 1 carbine, 2 carbine ammo pouches, 1 pr Vietnamese jungle boots, 5 BAR magazines, 2 hand grenades (US), 1 smoke grenade, approx 150 rnds assorted 3/A ammo, 2 ponchos, 3 field caps, 1 straw helmet and 1 M79 expanded cart.  2 VC bodies were left in the area of the ambush, 1 of which was identified as a Sqd leader.  Intelligence Plat 1st Co 506 Bn by information located in the lined shirt he was wearing.  From this time until TF 1/27 Inf. Returned to base camp, the area of this ambush was made an outpost dended by a platoon.  In the morning, 2nd PLT C1/27 and 2nd PLT A3/4 Cav (-) established a blocking position vic XT527103 to XT5520?5.
- An additional platoon from 2/27 conducted an Eagle flight and landed vic XT556018, linked up with 2 APC's from 2nd PLT A3/4 Cav and established a blocking position to the S.
- at 1600 hrs 2nd PLT A3/4 Cav was replaced in the operational area by 3rd PLT A3/4 Cav.
May 5
- 0830 hrs, A1/27, with attachments, departed Bn Base on tracks from 3rd PLT A3/4 Cav and began a S&D operation to the E and S in an area bounded by coordinates XT594040, XT592027, XT601027 and XT604040.
May 8
- 1st PLT A3/4 Cav replaced 3rd PLT A3/4 Cav in TF 1/27 Inf AO
May 9
-  A Co 1/27 Inf  with attachments conducted a S & D operation in grid squares XT5706, XT 5806, XT5906, XT6006, XT6105 and XT6205.  1/46 ARVN Regt blocked to the SE vic XT,610030, XT625040, and XT620041 and the 34th ARVN Ranger Bn occupied positions vic XT620020, XT630023 and XT640029 to reinforce and to search these areas for VC equip and material.  A light fire team delivered interdictory fires to assist in sealing off objective area to the N and R. and elements of 1st PLT A3/4 Cav provided a blocking force to the South.
May 16
- A Trp minus 3rd platoon attached to 1st Bde 25th ID for Operation Wahaiwa.
- 1st PLT A Trp attached to 2/14 Infantry. 2/14 Inf Bn crossed the LD,  (Bn bunker line) at 0700 with 1st Plt A Trp screening to the front.  Bn moved generally north into FILHOL PLANTATION with no enemy contact by the main body.  At 1000 the 1st Platoon A Trp received SA fire vic XT682197.  The platoon immediately returned fire and continued to its assigned area.  At 1130 the Cav Platoon encountered 5 VC including one woman vic XT679215 and brought them under fire, killing one and wounding one.  Attempts to recover the wounded VC were unsuccessful.  Several documents and items of personal equipment were found on the body recovered and in the area where the VC dropped them as they fled.  No friendly casualties were sustained.  The Bn closed XT670205 at 1500, and secured a perimeter for the night.
- 2nd PlT A Trp attached to 4/23 Inf Bn. 4/23 Inf Bn crossed LD (Bn bunker line) at 0735.  Recon Plt and 3/4 Cav Plat received sniper fire, XT649209 at 1845 hrs.  One (1) WIA in Recon Plt.  Sniper fire suppressed.
- 3rd PLT attached to 2nd Bde 25th ID.
May 17
- Task Force 2/14 Inf continued S&D operations toward obj TOM.  (XT668235)  A Co 2/14 Inf,  1st PLT A Trp and Recon Plat moved at 0700 hours to occupy blocking positions at XT657227 (A Co),  XT664226  (Recon), and XT668232  (3/4 Cav) in conjunction with a preplanned airstrike on obj TOM.  At 0930 hours the airstrike was aborted and the Cav Plat was ordered to move through obj TOM and link up with A Co.  No enemy contact was encountered during the move through obj TOM.  Cav Plat and the mechanized flame thrower of the engineer squad were detached. No casualties were sustained during the day's operations.
- Task Force 4/23 Inf reported an APC from Cav Plat detonated a mine, XT638203, at 0825 hours.  No casualties sustained.  B Co received sniper fire, XT645204, at 0825 hours.  No casualties sustained.  B Co received sniper fire, XT645204, at 0915 hrs.  Three (3) men wounded and evacuated at 1010 hrs.  Carbine and various written material was captured vic XT64221 at 1230 hrs.  At approx 1400 hrs lead elements of battalion moved into a mined and booby trapped area at XT643227. Three (3) KIA's and nine (9) WIA's were evacuated by “DUST OFF”.  Bn withdrew and established forward base at XT640212.
May 18
 - At 0630 hrs a platoon from A Trp departed TRUNG LAP  to secure LZ  B for 4/9 Inf Bn which was accomplished by 0915 hrs. A total of 446 personnel were lifted into LZ.  At 1220 the Bn crossed the LD in a search and destroy operation toward objective  BILL at XT634253 with Co C and the Cav Plat leading, followed by the Bn command group and A Co.  At 1420 the lead elements of the Bn were on obj BILL (XT643254) having destroyed 5 tunnels and 15 buildings enroute.  Many documents and papers, one tractor with ditch digger attachment and 4 bicycles were captured.  Resupply by air was effected and the Bn secured a perimeter for the night.  A Co had two minor WIA from booby trap fragments during the afternoon.  During the night the Bn received 8-10  60mm rounds or rifle grenades in the perimeter with no casualties.
May 19
- Task Force 4/23 Inf began movement at 0735 hrs.  Just prior to moving, C Co sustained a WIA from sniper fire.  Mines, booby traps and punji pit (XT637228) were reported at 0911 hrs.  Bn also had four (4) WIA's at this location.  At 1031 hrs  Bn received 2 WIA's  at XT639228.  3/4 Cav PLT had 2 WIA's,  XT634230 at 1440 hrs. Fire was returned with .50 Cal MG, small arms and flame track. One VC was had another WIA  at same location at approx 1520 hrs.  Bn TF stopped for the night at XT639232 at 1740 hrs.  Several booby traps and tunnels with connecting shelters were reported by Co C at XT639229.  Sniper fire was received,  XT638228, by the Cav Plat at 1925 hrs.
 May 21
- PFC Theodore J Bradshaw KIA.
May 27
- Task Force 1/27 In Bn at 0625 the Bn cleared the road from 2d Bde CP to XT504257.  The A/3/4 Cav Plt and elements from the 65th Engr remained to secure the road while 1/27th Inf elements moved back to their base.

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