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

Campaign Streamer

Counteroffensive Phase II, 1 Jul 1966 - 31 May 1967
     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 Phase II 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.
July 1 1966
 - 25th Division continues Operation Fresno which began on 11 June.
- 1st PLT (LT Spielman) attached to 2/14 Inf Bn for Operation Fort Smith. A 2/14 completed lift to LZ at 1155 hrs.  A 2/14 picked up by 3/4 Cav Plat and returned Bn base 1610 hrs.
- 2nd PLT, A Trp under control of 1/27 Inf Bn. At 0458 hrs, 2nd plat, A Trp and A1/27 Inf departed for ambush Mercedes location to make a thorough check of the area.  A total of 14 VCS were found in vic XT562030.  The VCS were returned to base camp.  At 0856 hrs, 2nd Plt A Trp and A1/27 Inf reported that they could find nothing further and returned to base.
- 3rd PLT, A Trp under control of 2d Bn 27th Infantry for Operation Grand Canyon. 3rd PLT along with the 2/27 Security Platoon and an engineer bulldozer departed the 2/27 Inf's bn area at 0904 hrs and moved to the village of AP CAY PUSO  Their mission was to fill in the trench systems in the area.  As the Cav Platoon moved along route Castle, elements of the Security Platoon were dropped off to ensure continual security of this route.  By 1330 hrs 700 meters of trenches had been filled, and it was decided that this time to bring this element back to base camp.
July 2
- 1st PLT 3/4 Cav reported sniper fire from XT508180 at 0705 hrs. 3/4 Cav returned fire and silenced VC. 1st PLT 3/4 Cav hit one mine and damaged one track at XT514181.  Three more anti tank mines found and destroyed in place (same area). All elements closed Bn base by 1430 hrs.
- 2nd PLT still attached to 1/27 Inf Bn. At 0526 hrs, Co A 1/27 Inf moved out and sealed off the southern boundary of the village to insure that no one escaped, while 2nd PLT A Troop secured the route from bn fwd def base to the southern edge of Ap Hau Hoa. 2nd PLT A Trp was released from TF1/27 Inf control at 1515 hrs and returned to Cu Chi.
- The 3rd Platoon, A Trp, 3/ 4 Cav. With a rifle platoon from A Co, 2/27 attached (and a bulldozer) departed 2/27 Inf base camp to fill in more trench systems.  The rifle platoon out-posted the return route for the Cav platoon.  At 1117 hrs, one AT mine was destroyed at XT542100.  One minor WIA was suffered from a booby trap (XT542100).  Trafficability of tracked vehicles in this area was very limited.  At 1200 hrs artillery (20 HE delay rounds) was fired at a suspected VC ammo cache (XT56160497).
July 3
- 1st PLT released from attachment to 2/14 INF Bn.
- Because of the heavy rain fall during this period, the capabilities of the Cav Platoon attached to 2/27 Infantry and the bulldozer teams were limited to only the higher areas. 3rd PLT is reactionary force for Operation Angry, performs care and maintenance, & is reserve force for 2/27 Inf Recon PLT.
- Ambush patrol by A28 infantry squad reinforced departed the perimeter early evening. The ambush site 5 km from the NDP placed the patrol between a Special Forces post and NVA. Terrain was not favorable to Air Spt or use of tracked vehicles. The NVA attempted to overrun the SF Post, there was heavy mortar fire inbound and out bound, heavy large automatic weapons fire. Ambush patrol stayed in position all night.
July 4
- The next morning the A28 ambush patrol marched back to the NDP.
- 3rd PLT released from attachment to 2/27 INF Bn.
July 26
 - PFC Lorenzo C. Maulden KIA.

Aug 24
- Co A 1/5 Inf(M) was attached to the 3/4 Cav to provide security for convoys along the highway from Cu Chi to Tay Ninh.

Oct 13
- At 1215 hrs Co B, 2d Bn, 14th Inf and 2d Plat, A Trp 3/4 Cav made contact with what was confirmed to be the C4 Company (Heavy Weapons), 7th Bn, 165A Regiment. This contact was initiated by elements of the C4 Company, when an APC was hit by 2 RPG-2 rounds from a trench at XT762227.
Oct  15
 - SSG James E. Joslyn (photo) and SP4 Kenneth E. Shrum (photo) KIA.

Nov 30
 - 25th Division begins Operation Fairfax near Saigon.

Dec 1
- 25th Infantry Division begins Operation Ala Moana. This operation was conducted in HAU NGHIA Province to destroy VC forces, supplies and base camps near the Division base camp at CU CHI, and in the FILHOL Plantation.
Dec 15
 - PFC James N. Wymer (photo) KIA.

Jan 1 1967
- Operation Sam Houston begun by 25th Division along the Laos border.
Jan 8
 - 25th Division begins Operation Cedar Falls in the Iron Triangle.
Jan 23
- Operation Fitchburg 196th Inf Bde continues with Troop A, 3d Sqdn, 4th Cav assuming mission of base camp security, S&D, and Road clearing operation vic TAY NINH.
Jan 28
- Phase XVI Operation Fitchburg (27 January - 31 January) 3rd Bn, 21st Inf, 196th Inf Bde conducted a BUDDY operation with PHILCAG's Civic Action program. Battalion CP, Co B and 2nd plat A Trp, 3/4 Cav, departed base camp 280858 hrs and closed FSB vic XT160467 at 0946 hrs. No significant enemy contact was made.

Feb 7
- Phase XVIII Operation Fitchburg (1 February - 18 February) 4/9 Inf and A Trp, 3/4 Cav were placed OPCON to the 196 Inf Brigade for base camp defense and security of the 25th Infantry Division Fwd CP at TAY NINH.
Feb 22
- 25th Division begins Operation Junction City in Tay Ninh province.
- On 22 Feb 67, 1st Bde assumed responsibility for Op ALA MOANA and dispatched Co A, 4th Bn, 9th Inf (MANCHU) to the FILHOL Plantation (XT701190) to clear the road from CU CHI to PHU HOA DONG, and to provide security for attached Engineer elements in clearing the wooded area.  On 260030 Feb, Co A 4th Bn, 9th Inf (MANCHU) was attacked by an est VC battalion (probably 1st Bn MR IV), utilizing mortars, rifle grenades and human wave assault tactics.  The attack was repelled by AW, Arty, Gunships and Airstrikes.  The Division base reaction force (Trp A, 3rd Sqdn, 4th Cav and Co B, 4th Bn, 9th Inf) was committed at 260310 Feb and linked up with Co A, 4th Bn, 9th Inf, at 260410HG.  Action terminated at 0800 hrs.
Feb 26
- On 26 February, A Co, 4th Bn, 9th Inf, with elements of Co A, 6th Engrs attached, received heavy SA, AW, rifle grenade and mortar fire from an estimated 250 VC, at XT701191. A reactionary force consisting of Co B, 4th Bn, 9th Inf elements and Trp A, 3rd Sqdn, 4th Cav encountered an ambush en route to Co A, 4th Bn, 9th Inf's location, but penetrated it successfully.  As a result of the complete action which began at 260030 February and terminated at approximately 260600 February, VC casualties were 113 KIA (BC) and 33 KIA (poss).  Captured were 2 US BARs, 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 CHICOM carbine with grenade launcher, 1 Russian light machine gun, 2 RPG-2 rocket launchers with 18 RPG-2 rds, 1 M1 rifle and 1 .50 Cal tripod.  A PW, HUYNH VAN HUYNH, captured in the area was identified as an Assistant Squad Leader, 2nd Plt, 5th Company, 1st Battalion, MR IV.  Numerous documents captured on the battlefield made reference to the MR IV Bn, indicating that 1st Bn, MR IV was the unit that initiated the action.

Mar 5
 - PFC Donald E White KIA.
Mar 6
 - SGT Walter Rogers Blalock (photo) KIA.

Apr 6
- On 6 Apr, Co B, 2nd Bn, 14th Inf assisted by a platoon of Trp A, 3rd Sqdn, 4th Cav conducted a Search and Seal Op at VINH CU (XT6815) resulting 1 VC KIA (BC) and 12 detainees.
Apr 7
- Operation SABER THRUST begins by 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry in five phases.  All phases involved S & D and patrolling pps in the vic of the CU CHI base camp and along the Main Supply Route.  Phase I on 7 and 8 April vic TRANG BANG (XT489194 was conducted by Trp A with Battery B, 2nd Bn, 13th Arty in direct support.  An ambush patrol of Trp A engaged a VC squad resulting in 2 VC KIA (BC).
Apr 9
-Phase II involved a squadron controlled sweep vic LOC THANH (XT438166) on 9 and 10 April.  Squadron Task Force included Trp B and Trp D, Co C, 4th Bn, 23rd Inf (Mech) (detached from 1st Bde) and Btry A, 2nd Bn, 13th Arty.  With the PF Co from TRANG BANG in a blocking psn, the Sqdn detained 42 Vietnamese moving NW. Apr 13
- Phase III was conducted from 13 - 15 April by Trps B and D, with an attached rifle platoon from Co B, 1st Bn, 5th Inf (Mech) with Btry A, 2nd Bn, 13th Arty in DS.  On 14 April, an ambush patrol engaged an estimated VC squad, resulting in 1 VC KIA (BC).  Gunships in support of the op killed 5 VC (poss).  Later an APC from Trp A was struck by an RPG-2 round at XT583157 (no US casualties, minor damage to vehicle). Results:  2 detainees, 1 VC KIA (poss).  On 15 April at 0300, a Checkmate and encirclement of the hamlet of PHUOC MY (XT585153) was conducted.  Results:  4 VC PW's and 12 Civil Defendants detained. 
Apr 17
- Phase IV began on 17 April and concluded 19 April.  It involved Trps A and D, and 1 rifle platoon of Co A, 1st Bn, 5th Inf (Mech) conducting S & D Ops vic TRUNG LAP (XT585198), with Btry A, 2nd Bn, 13th Arty in DS.  On 19 April, an ambush patrol Trp A engaged an estimated VC squad.  Results:  1 VC KIA (BC) and 1 VC KIA (poss).
Apr 20
- Phase V of SABER THRUST occurred on 20 April.  A Squadron Task Force operated in a sweep leading to AP BAU DUNG (XT370370).  Forces involved were Trp A, Trp D, Co B, 4th Bn, 23rd Inf (Mech) and Btry A, 7th Bn, 11th Arty.  Three airstrikes were employed.  Two gunships of Trp D accounted for 2 VC KIA (BC), and the Aero-Rifle Platoon, Trp D also killed 2 VC (BC).  Trp A killed 11 VC (BC) and suffered two US WIA.  Co B, 4th Bn, 23rd Inf (Mech) killed 2 VC (poss) and captured extensive medical supplies.  A sweep of the area by ARVN forces on 21 April reported finding 32 VC bodies, a result of this operation.  A document found on one VC body identified the VC unit as the 401 Co, D-14 Bn.
     Results of Operation SABER THRUST to date were:  51 VC KIA (BC), 10 VC KIA (poss), 4 VC PWs, 66 detainees.  Captured were:  1 AK-47 rifle, 1 CHICOM Carbine, 10 lbs Medical Supplies.  Destroyed were:  15 tunnels, 36 bunkers, 30 punji pits, 11,450 lbs rice, 1 blacksmith's forge, 2 - 15mm rounds, 2 company size base camps, 1 squad size base camp, 5 structures, 3 trench lines, 1 mess area.

May 1
- In support of Operation Manhattan, Troops  A and D, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry were making sweeps back and forth across the southern edge of the Boi Loi and HoBo Woods to spot and engage any Viet Cong who might try to flee that way. They mad three contacts with the enemy during the first week of May, resulting in two Viet Cong killed and five Viet Cong captured.
May 12
 - SP4 John E Carmack, PFC Raymond A Gibbs, and SGT Clarence R Husk KIA.


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