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Counteroffensive Phase VI, 2 Nov 1968 - 22 Feb 1969 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. Mel
Moss, Trp Cdr from Sep. 68 to Feb. 69, is our volunteer coordinator for
the Phase V 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.
Note 2 Email us and provide additions or corrections for this timeline. - Troop continues squadron operations in the Filhol AO. Mid Nov - Troop moves north of Filhol to the Iron Triangle. Thanksgiving 1968 - Troop in the Iron Triangle on the bluffs above the Saigon River. - 1st Platoon tanks engaged sampans on the Saigon River. - Special Thanksgiving meal with all the trimming from mess section. (view menu) - Col McGowan lands in NDP and scoops out ice cream for the troops. Late Nov - Troop reenters Ann Margaret Gate and proceeds to MSR vicinity of Trang Bang. Operations center out of FSB Stuart. November 30 - Colonel McGowan directed A Troop to conduct operations in the Ho Bo Woods. - Troop moved north of FSB Patton and Trung Lap into the Ho Bo Woods. - Late afternoon, light small arms fire & A10, Lt Moore's APC, hits a mine. - A10 driver medivac by helicopter. - Troop continued movement North to enter Ho Bo Woods with only APCs. - SA fire received and returned. Movement continued till directed to move to NDP and link up with tanks and Colonel’s track. - Troop proceeds to NDP and about to link up with tanks. - Lead 3 Tanks get stuck up to sponson boxes just as they leave dirt road in soft ground. Remainder of tanks redirected to Infantry FSB. (photo) - Troop sets up NDP around 3 stuck tanks. - A10 recovered and pulled into NDP. (photo) - Two 1st platoon tracks go back South and escort 1SG Barney up to NDP with hot meal and resupply. (photo of 1SG Barney) - Col. McGowan's helicopter just about to touch down in NDP, hit by RPG after dark. RPG entered fuel tank and blew through and out the other side. Moments pass, finally word received Colonel McGowan, 2 pilots, door gunners and S3 Air all secured. Troop returned fire. Dec 1 AM - Troop continues NDP defense in Hobo Woods. - Buried Huey remains, blades and left front door. - Ramp pulled off of APC attempting to recover tanks. VTR arrives and retrieves 3 tanks. Dec 1 PM - Squadron directed A Troop to return to Cu Chi base camp for maintenance. - 1st Platoon tank accidentally fired off a 50 cal round inside the gate. On arrival in A Troop motor pool, Squadron wanted to know who fired 50 cal round? Maintenance conducted and resupply. - Day ends with barbeque in Troop area of base camp. (photo) - Lt See reassigned to Division. Early Dec - Operations on the MSR. - Lt Ayres assigned as 3d Platoon Leader. - Lt Hogue reassigned to Troop XO. Dec 5 - Troop establishes NDP in the Fihol Rubber Plantation with Squadron HQ at grid XT688184. - 2nd platoon NDP located at grid XT680200 east of Trung Lap. - After daybreak Troop conducts 2 platoon size searches at grids XT680200 and XT687179. - Troop establishes 3 NDPs in the southern Fihol. 1st platoon NDP at grid XT672173. 2nd platoon NDP is at grid XT679178. 3rd platoon NDP is at grid XT 686182. Dec 6 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs in the southern Fihol. - 1st platoon NDP located at grid XT672173; 2nd platoon located at grid XT679178; 3rd plat NDP located at grid XT686182. Dec 7 - Troop located in Cu Chi. - Troop moved from Cu Chi to south of An Duc vicinity grid XT544150 and establishes NDP. Dec 8 - Troop A (-) is located vicinity XT542151. - At first light, 1st platoon sweeps Hwy 1 South and West to vicinity XT503153 and returns to NDP. Dec 9 - Troop NDP located at grid XT542151. - 1st platoon conducts opns with 1 Co RF/PF from Cu Chi Sub Sector. - 2nd platoon RF/PF unit establishes blocking position vic XT560155. - 1 platoon RF/PF and 1st platoon sweep through Thai My to vicinity grids XT553168 and XT570163. - Upon completion of sweeps elements return to their respective NDPs. - At first light, platoon sweeps Hwy 1 from vic XT543157 to Cu Chi. - Troop (-) sweeps Hwy 7A fromm junction at Hwy 1 to vic XT503161 and returns to NDP. - At 0825 hrs vicinity XT533151, Troop detonates fragment grenade booby trapped with trip wire, resulting in 1 US WIA (dustoff). Dec 10 - Troop NDP vic XT543151 south of An Duc. - 1 platoon established night strong point vicinity XT550193. - At first light, 1 platoon sweeps Hwy 1 from XT543177 to vic XT503161. - Troop (-) conducts Reconnaissance-in-Force vic of Thai My. - 1 platoon Trp A conducts combined Reconnaissance-in-Force and search with 636th RF vic XT551177. - Troop secures FSB STUART. Dec 11 - Troop (-) NDP is located vicinity XT543151. - 1st platoon night strong point vicinity XT575163. - At first light, 1st platoon sweeps Hwy 1 from vicinity XT543177 to Cu Chi and conducts local RIFs vicinity of Thai My. - 2nd platoon Troop A conducts combined RIF with 1 platoon 636th RF Co to vicinity grids XT525150 and XT502160 and returns to NDP. Dec 12 - Troop NDP located vicinity XT543151. - 1st platoon sweeps Hwy 1 from vicinity XT544177 to vicinity XT628126. - Troop also sweeps Hwy 7A from NDP to Hwy 1; then West to vicinity XT503161. - Upon completion of sweep, conducts RIFs vicinity Thai My and returns to NDP. - Troop and ARVNs detonated an unknown type booby trap, resulting in 1 ARVN KIA, 2 ARVNs WIA (dustoff), 1 US WIA (dustoff). (photo) Dec 13 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs. 1 platoon located vicinity XT482195; 1 platoon located FSB STUART vicinity XT501194; 1 platoon strong point located vicinity XT543177. - At first light, platoon at strong point sweeps Hwy 1 from Trang Bang to 2nd Bde boundary vic XT459250. Dec 14 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs. 1 platoon located Trang Bang football field; 1 platoon located FSB STUART; 1 platoon strong point vicinity XT543174. - At first light, Troop A (-) swept Hwy 1 fm Cu Chi to 2nd Bde boundary and Hwy 19 from Trang Bang to 2nd Bde boundary, vicinity XT459250; 1 plat provided escort for convoy to Dau Tieng and back. - At 0920 hrs vicinity XT533195, 1st platoon tank detonated a 60 lb anti-tank resulting in 4 US WIA from Co C 2-12 Inf OPCON; major damage to tank. Dec 15 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs. 1 platoon NDP located Trang Bang football field vicinity XT484196; 1 platoon located FSB STUART vicinity XT501194; 1 platoon strong point vic XT550193. -At first light, Trp A (-) swept and cleared Hwy 1 from Cu Chi to Northwest to 2nd Bde boundary. Mid Dec - Troopers write message to VC on hootch near deserted hamlet. - VC write message back to A Troop. Dec 16 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs. 1 platoon NDP located Trang Bang football field; 1 platoon located FSB STUART vicinity XT501194; 1 platoon strong point FSB STUART. - At 2215 hrs vicinity XT545173 Troop observes movement with starlight scope and engaged with SA; neg results. - At 2008 hrs vicinity XT543178, Troop receives automatic weapons fire; returns fire; neg casualties, VC losses unknown. Dec 17 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs. 1 platoon NDP located Trang Bang football field; 1 platoon located FSB STUART vicinity XT501194; 1 platoon strong point vicinity grid XT501194. - At first light, Troop (-) sweeps Hwy 1 from Cu Chi NW to 2nd Bde boundary - 2d Platoon moved out of FSB Stewart near Trang Bang to conduct morning sweep. - 2nd platoon tank slews turret to the right and accidentally fires main gun. Young 8 year old girl walking at edge of road accidentally killed from concussion and canister round impacts the Buddist Temple. - At 1150 hrs vicinity XT503260, 3rd platoon tank and truck detonated separated mines; results, 2 US WIA (dustoff), minor damage to vehicles. - 3rd platoon Tank teeters on bridge that VC command detonated north of Trang Bang. - Tank retrieved late afternoon by Troop Maintenance section. - Troop CO and 2d Platoon Leader, SFC Smith meeting when mortar rounds start impacting, 2d Platoon exits FSB for NDP. - Trang Bang FSB received and returned small arms fire that night. - 1st Platoon NDP receives and return small arms fire. - At 2130 hrs vicinity grid XT478184, 3rd platoon AP observed 3 personnel and eng with SA; negative returned fire; results unknown. Dec 18 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs. 1 platoon NDP located Trang Bang football field vicinity grid XT484196. 1 platoon located at FSB STUART vicinity grid XT501194. 1 platoon strong point vicinity grid XT550193. - At first light Troop (-) swept Hwy 1 from Cu Chi NW to 2nd Bde boundary and Hwy 19 from Trang Bang to 2nd Bde boundary. Dec 19 - Troop (-) moved North to outpost Big and Little Rubber vicinity Tay Ninh. - Troop (-) provides escort for convoy to Dau Tieng. Dec 20 - Troop establishes 3 NDPs. 1 platoon NDP located Trang Bang football field; 1 platoon located at FSB STUART vicinity grid XT501194. 1 platoon strong point located vicinity grid XT550173. - At first light Troop (-) sweeps Hwy 1 fromm Cu Chi NW to 2nd Bde boundary. - 1 platoon North to outpost the Big and Little rubber vic Tay Ninh. - Troop (-) provided escort for convoy to Dau Tieng. - Troop remains in Tay Ninh under OPCON of 1st Bde, 25th ID. Late Dec - First night of operations in Tay Ninh, incident with VN SF. - A Troop requests permission to test fire, Bde Hqs approves and recinds approval once Troop opens up. Christmas 1968 - Troop on blocking positions around Tay Ninh. - A10 replacement track held in Cu Chi to be used as a bunker for the entertainers from the Bob Hope Show. - Doug Langdon, driver of A10 got to see the Bob Hope show. - Major fireworks display in the Tay Ninh area on Christmas Eve. Late Dec - Troop still at Tay Ninh. - Conducted night operations including escort of night resupply convoy for division. - Platoons conduct NDP near Nui Ba Dinh. (photo) New Years Eve 1968 - Troop in NDPs again major fireworks to celebrate the arrival of 1969 Jan 1 & 2, 1969 - Troop remains in Tay Ninh Base Camp in preparation to rejoin Squadron. Jan 3 - Troop moves back down alt MSR, highway QL22. NDP at Trang Bang. Jan 4 - Troop moves North up the road to Boi Loi Woods. One tank hits mind and is evacuated - Squadron S3, Maj Huff, and Chaplain ___________with the Troop. - 1st & 2 Plts establish laager to secure Squadron HQ. - Trp Cmd Section and 3d Platoon conduct reconnaissance west of NDP. - Operations conclude late afternoon and rejoin 1st and 2d Platoons in NDP. - 1st platoon mortar fires 2 illumination rounds as registration to support C Troop NDP. - Division CounterMortar Radar picks up rounds and authorizes counterbattery fire mission. ARVN Arty Battery fires the mission. - Rounds impact on and in front of NDP. No injuries to personnel or damage to equipment. Jan 7 - Troop is a reaction force for a LRRP Team 11 from F Troop, 75th Ranger. - LRRPs had been inserted by helicopter into the Trapazoid. LRRPs under attack at 1345 hrs. - Troop moved to extract LRRPs and received small arms fire & RPG fire at 1445 hrs 600 meters to North of LRRP teams location at XT578294. - A Troop engagement with enemy lasts until 1540 hrs. - Enemy disengages at 1540 hrs and LRRP Team was picked up by A Troop at grid XT578296. - Troop moves to night postition at grid XT565318. Jan. 8 - LRRPs moved by Troop to grid XT577299 and dropped off while Troop was on the move. (view LRRP AAR) - Troop moved North towards river to conduct reconnaissance-in-force. - Troop encountered bunker complex and dug-in NVA with backs to river. - Received small arms, recoilless rifle and RPG fire. - Troop assaulted the position three times. - A16 tank takes RPG in turret. Withdraw to evacuate TC. - B & C Troop in major firefight in same area 3d Platoon and Troop Hq reconned on first day in Bo Loi. Jan 9 - MG Williamson lands in 1st Platoon area before final assault on fortified NVA position. - NVA position breeched and bunkers blown. - Troop continued Reconnaissance-in-Force operations. Mid Jan - Troop directed to NDP to link up with Colonel McGowan. Laagered a little over 3 KM from drop area. - B-52 Arc Light of area north of Troop. Surreal viewing B-52 strike. Troop prepared for first B-52 strike and totally unprepared for follow-on drop. (Photo) - First light Troop conducts BDA. - Laagered that night around old bomb craters filled with water. Troops take turns getting clean. (photo) Jan 16 - Troop maneuvered to the rear of Boi Loi to laager with C Troop. B Troop laagered 1 km away. - Tank throws track and crew works to get it back on. Squadron at a halt - Tank track fixed, A Troop continued maneuver and had fire fight at 1820 hrs with NVA forces. - At 1850 hrs a Cobra gunship supporting A Troop diverted to LRRP Team 15 in vicinity at grid XT529357. LRRPs view enemy forces fleeing Troop. (view LRRP AAR) Jan 17 - First light A & C Troop in combined laager receive RPG and SA fire. Both Troops return fire. - 0730 hrs A Troop directed to reconnaissance-in-force in area of enemy firing. C Troop remain in position awaiting LRRPs and then to maneuver abreast of A Troop. B Troop maneuvering to vicinity. - NVA force hits Troop immediately on forward movement. Body count began, NVA in web gear and helmets. - A Troop encountered fortified bunkers and NVA body count continued. - C Troop directed to move abreast of A Troop on right flank. - 1045 hrs LRRP Team 15 links up with C Troop at XT528353. - NVA cause A & C Troop to cross fire on each other. - Colonel McGowan directed cease fire and conduct180 to return to NDP. - A Troop does a 180, 1st and 2d Platoons respond and began maneuver. 3d Platoon had tank that could not gain traction and unable to maneuver to NDP. Troop Hq’s and Medic track remained with 3d Platoon. Medic track takes RPG to ACAV kit, smokes detonate and moments pass before track commander reported all OK. 3d Platoon tank gets traction and links up at original NDP.- A, B & C Troop deployed in same vicinity. C Troop Acting Cdr directed F4s in close Air support, shrapnel explodes and C Troop Acting Cdr medivaced. - Colonel McGowan directs new mission. A Troop lead, B Troop followed by C Troop In column down edge of Bo Loi Woods. Mission was not to stop, roll over fortifications. - A Troop moved out with 1st Platoon in lead, followed by 2d and 3d plts. - Dirt trail around flank of enemy was lined with NVA bunkers. Tanks fire at point blank range into bunkers.- Phantoms provided napalm on right flank and artillery walked in front of A Troop. - Movement continued, NVA body count builds until 3d Platoon tank bellies up and unable to move forward. NVA target 35 tank with RPG. - Troop medics, Sp4 Jones and Sp4 O’keefe, run from track to track under heavy fire to treat wounded. Sp4 O’Keefe arrives at 35 tank and administered life saving assistance to Sp4 Neal. Troop Cdr, members of 3d Platoon and medics on the ground vicinity of 35 tank now burning. Casualties evaced to other tracks and troopers return to their tracks. - A Troop commenced movement, A6 track received RPG at point blank range and skins under belly of track. A6 Driver reported NVA in spider hole to the front. A6 track proceeds forward and Troop Cdr drops grenade down spider hole. NVA throws grenade back and shrapnel strikes Troop Cdr in back. Troop Cdr reported to Colonel McGowan, one tank hit by RPGs, blowing up and he was hit. Continued movement out of kill zone. - Colonel McGowan directed after lengthy pause, “Roger that my friend, continue movement and I will have you out of there.” - 3d plt tank was abandoned and on fire, B Troop sweeps around burning tank. - 1st plt continued advance on squadron axis. 3d Platoon still halted and having trouble maneuvering forward. Lt Ayres mortally wounded, Platoon Sergeant Brewington wounded and platoon rallied by ------------- to move forward with 2d Platoon following. - Colonel McGowan directs left turn into clearing to form laager and evac casualties. - 1st Platoon executed left turn and began establishing laager. 3d Platoon and 2d Platoon delayed in arriving at laager. Finally, after much individual efforts, 3d Platoon arrived in laager followed by the 2d Platoon. Col.'s LOH started to take out casualties Medivacs arrive and casualties dusted off. Lt Ayres and Sp4 Neal among the first out. - A Troop regrouped in laager. B Troop pulled past and now in lead. C Troop having problems maneuvering past destroyed tank that was exploding. - A Troop ready to move out and B Troop B6 TC reported Troop Cdr needed medivac, wounded by grenade. Colonel McGowan immediately leaves and goes to B Troop to get the Troop Cdr out. - A Troop Cdr requested permission to maneuver around B Troop to break out of the jungle. A Troop on move again. - Sweeps around B Troop. By 1530 hrs the squadron had broken through the NVA position. - A Troop breaks out of Boi Loi and establishes NDP at about 1700 hrs. - Colonel McGowan came in to medivac Cpt Moss. All three Troop Cdrs medivac that day. - Lt. Moore acting commander for night and next day. - PSG Smith had command of both 2d and 3d plts. - 46 enemy bodies and assorted gear found after the battle. (view article vol 4 no. 8 of the Tropic Lightning News) Jan 18 - Squadron conducted resupply and maintenance. - Colonel McGowan drops off A Troop Cdr after wounded were visited in hospital. Jan 19 - Squadron departs Bo Loi Woods. A Troop leads out and same tank that hit mine going into Bo Loi, hit mine going out of Bo Loi. Jan 20 - Battery B 3rd Bn 13th Artillery at FSB Hampton is placed in DS support of 3/4 Cav. Jan 22 - Colonel McGowan notified Troop Cdr that Lt Ayers died at 12th Evac from wounds received on Jan 17th. Jan 23 - Troop establishes NDP at FSB Hampton. 3 LPs put at 2018 hrs.Jan 24. - Troop departs NDP to sweep MSR from CP22 to CP07. - At 1540 hrs Troop conducts a reconnaissance-in-force at XT496927. - Locates 10 tunnels & fighting positions. Destroys tunnels and returned to FSB Hampton at 1652 hrs. (view S-3 SITREP to Division) Late Jan - Troop secured road in support of B Troop operation in the Parrot's Beak. NVA unit enfiltrated a hamlet by coming across the Cambodian border and froming a strong hold. - Troop worked Southwest of Go Da Ha to secure a series of small bridges and culverts on roads to Cambodian border. - Two to three tracks outpost a bridge/culvert. - Two to three more outpost next bridge/culvert. (photo) - Illumination fired in support of B Troop NDP where major battle ensued. B Troop broke the NVA stronghold and Squadron redeployed to the MSR. Feb 1 - Cpt John Wells arrives at Troop and spends the day and night with Cpt Moss. Feb 2 - Cpt Wells assumed command. - A Trp assigned to convoy duty on MSR. - 1034 hrs C trp has flushed out approx 6 VC by Inf at XT388314, also found 5 foxholes. 1048 hrs C trp receiving fire from left flank. 1141 hrs C trp Dustoff, 3 ambulatory , shapnel US, XT393313. 1335 hrs Airstrike going in at this time. 1400 hrs C trp began to sweep again, received auto fire RPG's, pulling back, 1 APC hit. 1408 hrs Air stike going in at this time. - 1428 hrs MG Williamson gave permission to remove A Trp from convoy and put them in area of contact. - A Trp road marches to Go Dau Ha turns off the road and travels 2 miles Northeast to link up with the squadron. - 1615 hrs C trp needs 50 cals, has 5 nonoperable, needs 4 M60s , has 10 main gun rds left, needs 2 coax for his tanks. - 1633 hrs A Trp arrived on line w/C trp, made contact 1630 hrs. Troop on reconnaissance-in-force. 1655 hrs 4th airstrike going in at this time. 1713 hrs 5th airstrike will be on station at 1530 hrs. - 1744 hrs B Trp moves up into the area of contact. 1751 hrs FAC bringing up another strike. 1759 hrs B Trp is moving up onto A Trp flank. - 1837 hrs A Trp has 1 man w/frag wound in head from air strike, will dustoff w/Muleskinner. 1848 hrs A Trp has 3 Public Information Officers that would like to get out, neg. - 1856 hrs ALL Trps moving out on line. Entire squadron is on line. - Receive heavy fire from bunker complex in woodline. Troop assaults woodline. 1908 hrs A Trp has an APC hit w/RPG, unk damage or casualties. 1912 hrs an RPG hit a tree to front of A Trp. 1914 hrs A Trp reports another RPG. - Sgt Finney, TC A14, is KIA attempting to clear M2 50 Cal. A14 takes 100mm recoilless rifle through the side. A14 also hit by several RPG's. 3 crewmembers were blown out the backdoor and wounded. Platoon medic, "Doc" Jones, went to their aid and while treating one of them had his leg run over as Cpl Davenport, A14 driver, who was wounded and firing at the enemy tried to back the burning APC out of the kill zone. Ammo catches on fire as A14 burns. - PFC McKinnon is KIA when M60 mg he is holding is hit by an RPG and explodes while he is on the backdeck of A35. A 2nd RPG hits vehicle and blast knocks PFC Roger Haake off the backdeck. PFC Haake initially unaccounted for and spent night in enemy positions. See Tropic Lightning News Article March 3, 1969. - PFC Ramsey is KIA. Troop begins to withdraw back across clearing with casualties and establishes night defensive position. A14 continues to burn most of the night. - 1915 hrs B Trp has 2 tracks burning. - 1920 hrs A Trp while pulling back receiving fire from right flank. 1939 hrs ALL Sqdn elements located West of N-S road vic XT391301 (Northeast of HWY QL22). 1940 hrs at 1950 hrs a "spookie" (C130 gunship) will be on station. - 1951 hrs A Trp has 4 litter w/ C Trp for dustoff purpose. 2008 hrs B Trp has 2 wounded, D Trp 73 w/dustoff. 2019 hrs D trp 73 dustoff: 4 litter enroute to Cu Chi 2 ambulatory. 2020 hrs FAC 14 up for air strike . 2038 hrs D Trp 63 picked up 6 personnel, 5 ambulatory & 1 litter. - 2106 hrs "Leatherneck" will make an assault to the south. 2142 hrs ISSUE 16 FAC up on station, Spooky 76 on station, 1 - 2 hrs stations. 2150 hrs Total 30 BC KBA. 2225 hrs Air strikes are rolling in at this time. 2245 hrs Air strikes complete, another on station. 2353 hrs ARVN Marines moving out on assault to south. - 2356 hrs A Trp has 5-6 machine guns they need in field, also get request for vital resupply in morning, have slicks on call from D Trp. 2400 Journal closed. Feb 12 - 1st platoon sets up night laager at XT458235 near X. Gia Binh on Hwy LTL 19. - Lt Moore and platoon medic wounded by booby trap set off in position. - PSG Jenkins in command of 1st platoon. Mid Feb - Reconnaissance-in-Force operations in the Boi Loi Woods. Feb 22 - Battery B 3rd Bn 13th Artillery in DS of 3/4 Cav moves to FSB Woods II to support 3/4 Cav operations in the Boi Loi Woods. |