04 Dec 68 1320

Message from Brigade's S-2; 2 enemy units are operating in the Duc Pho AO; C-120 Sapper Company at grid square BS8630, and C-219 Local Force Company at grid square BS7938.

04 Dec 68 1412

C & C extracted 1 VCS from coordinate grid location  BS870350 to LZ Bronco for interrogation. 1540                                                                                                      VCS is a civil defender & a member of the Farmers Association. Individuals hamlet is VC controlled. 4 VC are armed with M-1 rifles in hamlet. Information from Brigade TOC. Grid location of hamlet is BS870353.

04 Dec 68 1430

Charlie Company at grid coordinates BS862357, KIA 1 F 25-30 years of age. Individual was evading Charlie Company; Negative weapons or documents.

04 Dec 68 1610

Charlie Company's 1st platoon engaged one VC at grid location BS856355, who evaded into a tunnel. The VC refused to come out of the tunnel, so a grenade was tossed into the tunnel; Results; 1 VC KIA.

04 Dec 68 1645

Late Entry; At 1550 hrs. ARVN's received heavy automatic weapons fire at grid coordinate BS905228. Element reports a estimated enemy squad size VC unit was at grids BS920171 & BS919182. Delta Company in support, fired 81mm mortar on enemy grid. Results are unknown at this time.

04 Dec 68 1950

Delta Company reported Win ARVN camp hit today by platoon size element of VC. Time of incident was 1500 hrs. Weapons used in the incident were; AK-47, M-79, M-16, and machine guns. Delta Company reports information from ARVN's; the 406 NVA Battalion & the 119 NVA Battalion at grids BS889271 to BS889200.

04 Dec 68 2240

Received Report from Brigade to Battalion;  81 mm ammunition lot # KN-7-115-68 is defective.

10 Dec 68 0020

Daily Staff Journal dated Dec 9 68; At Gilligan's Island-next io Charlie  Brown, 3 VN men approached the gate, and were wounded by M-79's. It is believed they were looking for treatment. VN apparently were scared and ran away when Navy persons approached them.

10 Dec 68 0235

Flare ship spotted two sampans on the lake, at grid square location BS8434. Engaged with M-60 fire and both sampans were destroyed with one person in each sampan.

10 Dec 68 1100

At 1050 hrs. Bravo Company requests a dust off for 1 US EM from Bravo Company Line # 93 at grid location BS935225, with a broken ankle injury. Dust off completed at 1120 hrs.

Pfc George D. Douglas  broken ankle

10 Dec 68 1400

Bravo Company at grid location BS928224, requested a dust off for 1 US EM from Bravo Company, Line # 46 with a possible broken back injury. Utility ship evacuated EM to The 6th Support, and completed at 1412 hrs.

Sp/4 David E. Karaba   possible broken back injury

10 Dec 68 1610

Bravo Company requested a dust off for 1 US EM from Bravo Company Line # 107 with a back injury. Dust off completed by Utility ship at 1650 hrs.

Pfc D. W. Johnson back injury

10 Dec 68 1925

Battalion Strength Report;

• Alpha Company 105

• Bravo Company  143

• Charlie Company  111

• Delta Company  111

• Echo Company  37

11 Dec 68 0020

Late Entry; At 0010 message to Delta Company from Battalion Commander; all commanders will enjoin every member of this command to adhere to the following:

1. No burning of hooches unless it is ordered by the Battalion Commander.

2. Mistreatment of prisoners will not be tolerated. All VN persons, to include PW's , WB treated will respect and gentleness.

3. Indiscriminate firing of weapons at indigenous persons or into hooches will not be tolerated.

 11 Nov 68 1905

Bravo Company at grid location BS935203, fired on two fishing boats and got two hits on one boat. Fishing boats evaded to the Southeast with swift boats were in pursuit.

11 Dec 68 2120

Bravo Company reports that they fired M-79 & M-60 rounds into 2 boats. Swift boat element went after boats but was uable to catch them. Bravo Company est 3 KIA's. Will check for boats this morning.

13 Dec 68 0130

At grid location BS896318, 2 VC probed Alpha's Company ambush position from the East. Ambush fired on VC with small arms fire with negative casualties. 4.2 called in at 0130 hrs. & the mission ended at 0240 hrs. A total of 10 HE & 1 WP 4.2 rounds were expended. 

 13 Dec 68 0900

Alpha Company at grid location BS825324, engaged 7 to 8 VC evading North and wearing black pj's. Result; 1 VC F WIA. Requested dust off; completed at 0930 hrs. Also  wounded 1 male, but individual escaped. Alpha Company received negative fire.

13 Dec 68 1110

Message from E Troop 1st Cav; At grid location BS915165, a VC high jacked a VN policeman and his jeep. Acquired police's 45 pistol and shot him. Individual was dusted off.

13 Dec 68 1215

Late Entry; At 1140 hrs. Delta Company's 1st platoon, spotted 1 VC evading element. Called in gunships to grid location BS717556. Gunship engaged VC with result; 1 VC KIA; negative weapons/documents.

13 Dec 68 1615

Emergency  phone call for Pvt Pasquale Cortese from Alpha Company. Individual left on C & C ship at 1615 hrs.

13 Dec 68 2115

Sick man from Alpha Company at Aid Station with a 102 degree fever had a dust off requested for him. Dust off was refused (FUO's are not a dust off priority)

Pfc John G. Gilman

14 Dec 68 1000

TF PRYOR at grid location BS 773362, spotted 1 VC evading into a small tunnel. Grenade thrown into tunnel. Results; 1 VC KIA, negative weapons / documents.

14 Dec 68 1101

TF PRYOR at the grid location of BS785365, hit a mine  (type unknown) Results; 1 US KHA & 3 US WHA; Dust completed at 1103 hrs. All from Bravo Company.

• Pfc Oscar E. Sanabia  KHA

• Sgt Thomas C. Fegley  WHA  urgent

• Pfc Wayne A. Yeske  WHA  urgent

• Sp/4 Lee E. Gale  WHA   priority

 14 Dec 68 1225

TF PRYOR engaged 1 VC evading at grid location BS786368. Results; 1 VC WIA. WIA is being dusted off & completed 1238 hrs.

14 Dec 68 1545

At grid location BS892312, Alpha Company's platoon spotted an unknown size of VC w/1 carbine and M-60 ammo. Checked with MACV and they stated negative PF's are in the area. 

14 Dec 68 2340

At 2100 hrs. Bravo Company &  Navy persons on Hardstand, were firing 81mm illumination rounds, and some rounds hit the village at Sa Huynh. The rounds burnt three hooches and killed 3 persons. It is undetermined which round did the damage. Bravo Company will make a through investigation.

15 Dec 68 0700

Illumination was being fired in support of Navy. flares were fired over harbor and drifted into the village. At 2100 hrs. Dec 14 68  Bravo Company & Navy persons on Hardstand fired flares.

15 Dec 68 1000

LTC Jack Davis assumes command of 4/3 Infantry Battalion.

15 Dec 68 1720

Battalion Strength Report;

• Alpha Company  105

• Bravo Company  100

• Charlie Company   122

• Delta Company   118

• Echo Company  65

Delta Company reports the PF's informed them that they spotted 40 VC at grid location BS705555. Delta Company's 1st platoon is moving in to investigate the area.

16 Dec 68 1204

Delta Company's 1st platoon received approx 40 rounds of automatic weapons &semi -automatic weapons fire, from 2 positions at grid location BS705555. Negative Casualties.

16 Dec 68 1342

Delta Company at grid location BS705558, found 1 82mm round, booby trapped under a coconut shell.Shell was accidentally kicked and it bounced in the air not going off. Round was destroyed in place.

16 Dec 68 1435

LT Covington (BDG S-5) reports that at 1350 hrs., while in the village of Thuy Thach, he saw a women w/child who had been killed by gunshot. VN woman claimed that child was shot by a US soldier. Lt Covington checked a suspected vehicle and the weapons belonging to the individual of vehicle had not been fired recently. Lt Covington wanted to know if any fire had come from LZ Thunder. Cpt Simpson (S-3 Air) informed Lt Covington that no fire had come from 4/3 Infantry elements & no firing had been cleared by 4/3 Infantry.

16 Dec 68 1615

Alpha Company requests a urgent dust off for 3 US EM persons from Alpha Company, due to a tunnel cave in at grid location BS848283. Dust off completed at 1620 hrs.

• Donny J. Bateman urgent

• Gregory J. Wyrick urgent

• Bruce N. Segor

• Pallischeck FO

16 Dec 68 1622

Explosion in tunnel and individuals were overcome by chlorine gas from C-4 explosive.

17 Dec 68 0745

Bravo Company at grid location BS894236, request a dust off for 1 US from Bravo Company w/ burns on hand from a trip flare. Taken to 6th Support by C&C.

Sgt David E. Bird burns on hand from trip flare

17 Dec 68 1325

Bravo Company at grid location BS928224 request a dust off for 1 US civilian. Individual cut knee while working on his boat. Dust off completed at 1348 hrs.

17 Dec 68 1800

In village Sa Huynh it is reported that 1 M-16, 1 m-79 &130 .45 cal pistols were taken off boat.

17 Dec 68 1851

At 1539 hrs Bravo Company Commander informed TOC that a man named Monty Oliphant owns the barge. Individual denies that 130 .45 cal pistols were on his barge.

Investigation and reports From MACV indicate that the 45 cal pistols had fallen overboard from the barge and that VN from the village of Sa Huynh dove for them. The location of the weapons was not known at the end of the reporting period. The investigation continues. Four US civilians who were on the barge and who had traveled to Chu Lai will be questioned.

18 Dec 68 1005

At 0905 hrs Charlie Company at grid location BS789383, spotted 1 VC evading, engaged with small arms fire. Results; 1 VC KIA, approx age is 35, negative weapons & documents.

18 Dec 68 1150

Delta Company at grid location BS810320, hit a booby trap grenade. Results 2US WHA. Dust off requested for 2 US w/frag wounds. Dust off complete at 1200 hrs by C&C.

• Pfc Robert Pelton WHA frag / chest wound

• Sp/4 James R. Herdzik WHA frag / face wound

18 Dec 68 1200

Alpha Company at grid location BS891295, requests a dust off for 1 US EM from Alpha Company with a 104 degree temperature. Dust off Complete at 1210 hrs by C&C.

• Pfc Merle D. Tanner 104 degree temperature

18 Dec 68 1250

Alpha Company at grid location BS896305, found drawings of helicopters, APC's, and boats in a VC village chiefs hooch. Will bring drawings to LZ Thunder.

18 Dec 68 1615

Alpha Company; At 1425 hrs. at grid location BS894306. Alpha Company was patrolling and moving back toward LZ Thunder, with a right & left flank w/ CP moving in center. The Command Post triggered fire from enemy in numerous spider holes. Element received Automatic weapons fire, small arms fire, AK-47 & Carbine fire. Air strike was called in and two aircraft dropped 500 lbs bombs on enemy targets.

18 Dec 68 1620

At 1320 hrs. Alpha Company received fire from grid location BS894306 and are pinned down. This area was South of LZ Thunder and the terrain was flat and was cultivated in sugar cane & potatoes. Requested gunships. HELIX 33 came on station with fighters. Enemy fire came from grids BS891301 & BS 891303 & BS891305. Negative casualties.

18 Dec 68 1620

At 1330 hrs. Alpha Company at grid location BS891305, KIA 2 VC in spider holes. Checking for weapons & documents. Found rough drawn map. Alpha Company closed on LZ Thunder at 1700 hrs.

Summary of Operation

At 1320 hrs Alpha Company received heavy S/A & AW fire at grid BS894306. Gunships & fighters were called to support Alpha Company. Recon platoon has moved by foot from grid BS843330 to BS883302 to join a platoon from Bravo Company along with Bravo Company's Commander to sweep into area, with contact from the West. Bravo Company moved by APC from Charlie Brown. Recon and Bravo Company were in position to support Alpha Company within one hour after contact began. Two TAC air strikes supported the operation. Results; 2 VC KIA & 6VCS.

18 Dec 68 1844

APC; E Troop 1st Cav hit mine at grid location BS915257. APC was traveling North on Highway 1 from Hardstand to Bridge 107. Results; 2 US KHA & 2 US WHA.

• SSGT Donald Albert Kaski KHA

• Cpl Carl Joseph Metcalf Jr. KHA

18 Dec 68 1910

Bravo Company reports that at 500 meters from grid location BS931215. There is a sampan that was following a Naval re-supply ship. 2000 At grid BS931215, sampan was sunk. Results: 2 VC KIA. Reported from Bravo Company.

18 Dec 68 2205

Bravo Company at grid location BS921211, requested a dust off for 1 US from Bravo Company with a temperature of 103 degrees....Dust off was denied until AM & KKA at Hardstand would be dusted off in AM.

19 Dec 68 0740

Staff Journal Dec 18 68 1910 hrs.  Bravo Company reports that at 500 meters from grid location BS931215. There is a sampan that was following a Naval re-supply ship. 2000 At grid BS931215, sampan was sunk. Results: 2 VC KIA. Reported from Bravo Company. There is a change in the body count on sampan's at grid BS 931215. There are 4 VC KIA instead of 2 VC KIA as reported by Bravo Company.

19 Dec 68 0819

HELIX 33 reports the results of air the strike at grid location BS928266; 4 VC KIA.                                                                      0850                                                                                                 HELIX 33 reports from air strike coordinates. Spotted two secondary explosions & received small arms fire. Had 2 fires on the ground.

19 Dec 68 1400

HELIX putting in air strike at coordinates BS877240.               1415                                                                                                  HELIX coordinates BS877240, reports that there were 2 good secondary explosions with a lot white smoke, could be rockets or flares, Burned approximately 3 minutes.

19 Dec 68 1445

Bravo Company's 2nd platoon at grid location BS882264, found a good sniper position, behind some rocks, Also 3 containers of rice (50-75 lbs), water. bed mats & a tunnel that holds 30 persons. 

19 Dec 68 2020

Bravo Company requests a dust off for 1 US Commander of Bravo Company with 104 degree temperature and rising.          2055                                                                                                      After talking to Battalion Surgeon, it is agreed to dust off Cpt Pryor. Dust off from Charlie Brown was completed at 2107 hrs. Cpt. Pryor     104 degree temperature

21 Dec 68 0810

Late Entry; At Dec 20 2300 hrs. at grid location BS854371, Alpha Company spotted movement & lights. Fired 1 M-79 round. Results; 1 VC KIA & 1 VC WIA. Dust off requested, individual had frag wound in arm.

21 Dec 68 0920

Charlie Company requests a dust off for 2 US EM WHA from Charlie Company at grid location BS771344 with frag wounds from a 81mm booby trap. Dust off was completed at 0937 hrs.

• Sp/4  John J. Rollet  WHA      frag wounds
• Sp/4 McKenley Wilton   WHA   frag wounds

21 Dec 68 1500

21 Dec 68 1850

Recon at coordinates BS885274, spotted 2 VC hiding in bushes, they evaded the element and Recon engaged. Results: 1 VC KIA with pistol belt and canteen. Other VC evaded South toward grid BS885271.

21 Dec 68 2015

Late Entry; At 1920 hrs at grid location BS 892273, Recon's point man spotted 3 VC and all were evading with weapons. Recon engaged with M-79 fire. Now working in that area till dark, to see if they hit any of the evading VC.

 25 Dec 68 0740

Recon platoon at  grid location BS863303 requests a dust off for 1 US from Recon platoon. Individual was sick and collapsed. Dust off completed at 0855 hrs.

Pfc Averell Clark  sick & collapsed

25 Dec 68 1230

Bravo Company requests dust off for 1 US EM from Bravo Company. At  the grid location of BS918238, a 1/4 ton truck (jeep) with 4 men from Bravo Company were ambushed by automatic weapons fire  & M-79 fire. Results; 1 US KHA

• Pfc Robert Amspacher  KHA  head injury severe  DOA at 312 Evacuation Hospital Chu Lai 

25 Dec 68 1250

Bravo Company requests a dust off for 2 US EM WHA from Bravo Company with broken leg and head injury. Dust off completed at 1250 hrs.

• Sp/4 Thomas Geary WHA

• Sp/4 Gordon Reynolds WHA 

 25 Dec 68 1445

Bravo Company received 15-20 rounds from sniper at grid location BS935225. Action taken: Bravo Company returned fire. Results; 5 VC KIA, coordinates at grid BS935229, Sharks also received fire at coordinates at grid BS935225.

25 Dec 68 1630

HELIX 03 conducted an AS at coordinates BS932234, 1 hooch destroyed, 2 secondary fires; one sustained fire went 50 feet in the air. Bombs that were used; 6   250 lb bombs, 8 napalm & 20mm.

25 Dec 68 1705

Late Entry; 1630 hrs. Delta Company's 1st platoon apprehended 3 VCS at grid coordinates BS883306. ID card appeared to be altered. They will be extracted to LZ Bronco.

25 Dec 68 1730

Late Entry; Bravo Company at grid coordinates BS932234, reports 1 VC KIA by AS.

25 Dec 68 1850

Battalion Strength Report;

• Alpha Company  102

• Bravo Company  110

• Charlie Company 117

• Delta Company   115

• Echo Company   60

• Profiles   2

27 Dec 68 0015

Brigade notified 4/3 Infantry TOC that PF's at Sa Huynh are under attack by a unknown size enemy force. Requested 4.2 mortar to fire illumination rounds.

27 Dec 68 0825

A dust off is requested by Navy personnel at Hardstand for 1 US with Dysentery. Dust off completed at 0857 hrs.

27 Dec 68 1115

At 1030 hrs. Charlie Company reported that intel information confirms that there are weapons hidden in the area. Charlie Company found medical supplies & destroyed 3 dud rounds which had been carried into the village at grid BS929259; 1 105mm, 1  155mm, & 1  4.2 mortar round. Charlie Company's Commander believes these duds may be the source of the many mines used on Highway 1. Found 1 M-1 carbine rifle serial # 1544238. Weapon was in the village at grid BS929259 and was hidden under a rock. Found 2000 lbs of rice in various locations. Element will destroy.

27 Dec 68 1225

Charlie Company at grid location BS929259, 2nd platoon found one SKS-44 rifle in a cave. Part of the serial # isD2762, and remaining  numbers are unreadable due to rust and corrosion.

27 Dec 68 1245

A jeep from Delta Company, turned over on the access road to LZ Thunder. 2 US were injured and a dust off is requested....dust off cancelled.

Pfc Sotana

Pfc Zayas

27 Dec 68 2045

Charlie Company's 3rd platoon at grid location BS934258, sprung ambush on 3 VC. Results; 3 VC KIA, negative weapons, ambush will move to a new location.

27 Dec 68 2055

E Troop 1st  Cav at grid location BS842328, received 60 rounds of automatic weapons fire. PF's received fire 400 meters from Northwest Bridge 107. E Troop is moving to Bridge 108 at this time.

27 Dec 68 2115

Late Entry; At 2055 hrs. at grid location BS840330. E Troop 1st Cav reported that a PF KIA 1 VC w/5 chicoms grenades and pistol belt. Negative weapons.

 28 Dec 68 0815

At grid coordinates BS925260, Charlie Company elements found 2 home made grenades in a hooch. Also found a 1 1/2 lb explosive charge. Explosive & hooch was destroyed.

28 Dec 68 1350

Alpha Company at grid location BS767358, found a tunnel complex, 1 camouflaged hooch with bunker. Near the hooch was found a sand bag that contained; one sewing kit, one bottle of methiolate, one mosquito repellent, one pair of black pj's, ane one ARVN type green uniform.

28 Dec 68 1410

Alpha Company at grid location BS767358, found 1 pair of ARVN boots, 1 US canteen, and 2 tunnels with camouflaged entrances.

28 Dec 68 1615

Delta Company at grid location BS808327 had 1 US from Delta Company trip a 150mm booby trap. Individual was KHA & Delta Company received no other casualties. 

Sgt A. W. Howard Jr  KHA   frag wounds

28 Dec 68 1740

Aero Scouts (123d ARVN ) at grid location BS762358, had a aircraft downed by suspected enemy fire. Two or three of the crew are badly hurt. Alpha Company's 3rd platoon is moving to grid coordinates to secure aircraft.

28 Dec 68 1845

Delta Company's 1st platoon at grid location BS830311, was moving toward night ambush when they saw 10 VC moving in the open. Arty was called in with results; 3 VC KIA; the 7 remaining VC evaded to the Southwest. Negative weapons were found.

28 Dec 68 1900

Alpha Company's 3rd platoon, at grid location BS765358, found in the area of the downed chopper, fresh food, 3 or 4  hats, 2 hooches, VN shirt drying on the brush, and there  was the smell of fresh fires.

28 Dec 68 1905

Alpha Company's 3rd platoon at grid location BS762358, closed in on and around the downed aircraft.

30 Dec 68 1030

Delta Company's 2nd platoon, at grid location BS80631, found 1 plastic bag, it contained; 1 black shirt, 1 T shirt, 1 pair of blue shorts & 1 camouflaged hooch.                                                        1100                                                                                                    Found 1 hooch 8'x6'x8' ft, 1 45 cal holster, 1 M-26 grenade, 1 air matress, old currency & fresh food.                                          1115                                                                                                     Delta Company found 4 hooches at grid location BS806331 that were well camouflaged. Hooches were searched and burned.

30 Dec 68 1330

Delta Company's 2nd platoon at grid location BS806331, found 13 non-electric blasting caps, 10-15 lbs of explosive that is similar to C-4 in hooches. Will destroy.

30 Dec 68 1415

Message from Brigade; 58 drums of CS gas were dropped: contaminated area includes these grids: BS618462 & BS629462  & 631459  &  BS622459. These grids form a box of the contaminated area. All impact gas burst are drifting South to Ba Too.

30 Dec 68 1505

Sharks (174 Avn Co) coming into area: Truck are being fired on near Bridge 105. Sharks are coming on station to protect personnel and vehicles in area.