September 18th, 1966
The Battalion was split into three major elements. Bravo Company and elements of Headquarters Company (HHC) were in Tuy Hua, Vietnam. Charlie Company was on Camp Enari helping to expand the construction of the Division headquarters. Alpha Company and the remainder of HHC were aboard the USNS General Gordon, three days out to sea headed from Tacoma, Washington to Vietnam.
The Battalion was commanded by LTC David Peters, callsign “Brave Warrior”.
September 18th, 1967
The battalion firebase was located at the Plei Ken Ngo Plantation firebase northwest of Pleiku City in Pleiku Province. The Battalion Mortar and Recon Platoons were also stationed there; however, several Recon “Apache” teams are out on missions within the battalion’s assigned AO.
Alpha Company has just finished a five-day patrol. At least a portion of those five days were spent with a CIDG element and assisted by M-113 personnel carriers from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry (Mechanized). A Co will begin a two-day assignment as “palace-guard”, manning the foxholes and bunkers around the firebase perimeter. Bravo Company, has been on “palace-guard” since the 15th, spends the night of the 18th within the firebase perimeter in preparation for an extended company patrol lasting through the end of the month. Charlie Company, on an extended patrol that will last through the end of the month, was located east of the firebase. The newly formed Delta Company (created at the end of August), also spends the night of the 18th within the firebase perimeter. On the morning of the 19th, Delta will conduct a short three-day company patrol to the west of the firebase.
The Battalion is commanded by LTC John Volmer, callsign “Husky”.
The most significant item of note of the day is that by the 18th, the turnover of personnel from the original complement of soldiers from the 3-12 has been completed. With a possible few exceptions of men that extended their tours, all the Braves that trained together at Ft. Lewis, Washington in 1965-66 have completed their tours and are on their way home.
September 18th, 1968
The battalion firebase was located on Firebase 29 (Hill 824) south of Ben Het in Kontum Province, where it had been located continuously since May. The Battalion Mortar and Recon Platoons were also stationed there; however, several Recon “Apache” teams are out on missions within the battalion’s assigned AO.
Each of the line companies in the battalion was given the responsibility for securing a firebase or patrol base with the Dak To District of Kontum Province. Besides maintaining 24-hour security over the perimeter, the infantrymen of the companies would be ordered on local ambush or short-range patrols within the area outside of the base perimeter.
Alpha and Bravo Companies were located on FSB 29, however two platoons of Bravo occupied Hill 990 (FSB 32) to the northwest along with Delta Company. Charlie Company was located on FSB 25 to the northeast of Ben Het. Local patrolling from FSBs 29, 25 and 32 continued with negative results. A short range patrol screen from all three FSBs remained in effect. Planning and preparation were made for the exchange of AOs between the 1-8th Infantry and the 3-12th Infantry, which would begin on September 19th and take several days to be accomplished.
The Battalion was commanded by LTC Jaime Hendrix, callsign “Grizzly”.
September 18th, 1969
The battalion firebase was located on Landing Zone Mattie, located roughly 10 kilometers southeast of the southeastern edge of VC Valley. The firebase location was actually at the very northern edge of Phu Bon Province, marking one of the only times the battalion operated in that province, which sits just south of Binh Dinh Province and southeast of Pleiku Province. The Battalion Mortar and Recon Platoons were also stationed there; however, several Recon “Apache” teams are out on missions within the battalion’s assigned AO.
Alpha Company was stationed at the firebase, providing perimeter security and local patrols. Bravo Company was on the final days of a 19-day company patrol west-southwest of the firebase. Charlie Company and Delta Company were also on company patrols, but to the area southeast and southwest of the firebase, respectively. All four companies had patrols that reported findings of enemy foxholes or bunkers within their assigned AOs, but no significant contact was reported. Several men were evacuated from the field for non-combat related issues, such as convulsions due to high fever or minor injuries.
The Battalion was commanded by LTC John Foss, who later retired as a four-star General.
September 18th, 1970
The battalion firebase was located on LZ Lincoln (Hill 894) roughly 15 kilometers south of An Khe in Binh Dinh Province. The Battalion Mortar and Recon Platoons were also stationed there; however, Recon “Apache” teams 1, 2 and 3 were out on missions within the battalion’s assigned AO.
Alpha, Bravo and Charlie companies were all occupying company patrol bases within the assigned Area of Operations. Each company had at least one platoon sized patrol moving separately from the main company body. Bravo Company had two men wounded in the legs by punji stakes and evacuated. Charlie Company reported the discovery of a small recently deserted village. No people but plenty of signs of recent use, including pigs and chickens tied up or in coops. No signs of VC or NVA activity. Delta Company was assigned the role of firebase security, providing 24-hour perimeter security and local patrols.
The Battalion commander was LTC Donald Cluxton, who was the last man to command the battalion in combat in Vietnam.
