April 11th, 1969 recap
The major focus of the day was the recovery of 11 of the 14 men from Alpha Company would were killed in action on March 27th and 30th. All had been listed as missing in action, presumed dead. The two LRRP teams, along with elements from Alpha Company recovered the dead. Elements from Charlie Company assisted in the recovery efforts, as at least three of the bodies were moved overland uphill from the contact site to the C Co patrol base. SGT Gail Kerns, SGT Raymond Czerwiec and SP4 Clarence Latimer could not be located.
April 12th, 1969
The battalion remained in mutually supporting blocking positions along the Cu Kotah and Cu Don mountain range. Alpha, Charlie, HHC, B/6-29 FA near LZ Cider, and Bravo & Delta and the 4.2″ Mortar Platoon on our near LZ D-Handle. The 1-22 Infantry, inserted into the AO on April 2nd, occupied positions to the west of LZ Cider and south of LZ D-Handle
The search for the last three MIA soldiers from Alpha Company is renewed in earnest. Patrols from Alpha Company, Charlie Company, Recon and the two LRRP teams, some accompanied by a team of Scout Dogs, searched for any signs of the missing men.
The search focused on the river valley just south of the contact site, and the northern and southern approaches to that valley. Several large bunker complexes were discovered, along with some indicators of American equipment, but no bodies were found.
Ove 20 short range, ambush or platoon sized patrols were in place outside of the main company perimeters as night fell on April 12th. The 3-12 Infantry, which had been deployed in support of Operation Wayne Grey for over a month, received a warning order to prepare for extraction and re-assignment to an area of operations near An Khe.
April 12th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0120 hours
Delta Company SRP42 has movement 50 meters southwest. Mortars are being employed.
0600 hours
Alpha Company Patrol #2 departed at 829799.
0605 hours
Charlie Company Patrol #1 departed at 833814.
0610 hours
Alpha Company Patrol #1 departed at 829799.
0612 hours
Charlie Company Patrol #2 departed C Co location.
0617 hours
Recon Patrol #1 and Patrol #2 have departed C Co location.
0730 hours
All present locations reported
0815 hours
Old short range patrol (SRP) 21 starting point (SP) night location (NL).
0845 hours
Old SRP 22 SP night location.
0905 hours
Old SRP 22 closed Bravo Company location.
Bravo Company Patrol #2 and Patrol #3 SP B Co location.
0907 hours
Charlie Company patrols are holding present location.
0935 hours
Charlie Company Patrol #2 and Recon Patrol #1 are holding. All other patrols are moving.
0950 hours
Colonel Knight has arrived at this location. (LZ Cider)
1035 hours
Colonel Knight has departed this location.
1040 hours
Bravo Company Patrol #2 closed B Co location.
1050 hours
Bravo Company Patrol #3 closed B Co location.
1105 hours
Delta Company Patrol #1 closed D Co location. (LZ D-Handle)
1130 hours
Alpha Company test firing to east.
1145 hours
Status of present operations sent to Brigade.
1240 hours
Delta Company Patrol #2 SP at 1240 hours.
1300 hours
Alpha Company 1st Platoon departed with scout dogs.
Other dog team enlisted men depart by air to LRRPs.
1335 hours
LRRP team 1-4-M and 1-4-I will be extracted tomorrow, just SP 826812.
1340 hours
Alpha Company 1st Platoon SP 1250 hours with dog team. Moving down finger now at YA 828803. Other patrol locations.
Alpha Company Patrol #1 – YA 823808
Alpha Company Patrol #2 – YA 826807
Charlie Company Patrol #1 – YA 821811
Charlie Company Patrol #2 – YA 827814
Recon Patrol #1 – YA 827810
Recon Patrol #2 – YA 827807
Charlie Company 1st Platoon – YA 829815
1443 hours
LRRP team (1-4-M & 1-4-I) found fighting positions and hootches. About 50 fighting positions. Dimensions four feet long by two feet wide. Three feet deep. Could hold 3-4 persons. Five hootches. Dimensions four feet high x four feet wide x six feet long. The fighting positions had some overhead and some were blown off at YA 822809.
1630 hours
Charlie Company Patrol #1 at grid YA 823817, YA 823814 and YA 825814. Found 50 bunkers and fighting positions. Fighting positions were 2’x4′. Behind each were bunkers dug into the side of the mountain. They were dug in “L” and “T” shapes. They were dug 15 to 20 feet back into the hill. They found several M-16, M-79, M-60 rounds laying around. They also found several dud firecracker rounds. They did nothing with these duds.
They also heard rooster crowing several times at YA 821819.
1930 hours
Night locations sent to Brigade. Plans summary is if assets are available. Air lift of all 3-12 Chinook sorties and Bravo Company from YA 817839. Status sent to Brigade.
2024 hours
Bravo Company reports movement to his north-northeast about 30-40 meters from his listening post (LP). Will keep it under observation.
2031 hours
Bravo Company will employ light organics because the movement has picked up about 5-6 individuals.
2045 hours
Alpha Company 2nd Platoon LPs report on east side see’s one light about 100 meters out at 50 degree azimuth. Employing light organics being employed.
2106 hours
Alpha Company 2nd Platoon reports negative situation. B Co has negative situation and all other elements.
2126 hours
SRP 44 has movement to his south 1-5 individuals about 50 meters from his location moving east to west. Light organics being employed.
2140 hours
Alpha Company reports lights on west just below the wire will employ frags.
2144 hours
Charlie Company SRP 31 has movement to his east. 1-2 individuals and the movement quit. To his west and its continuing towards him. Light organics being employed.
2148 hours
SRP 44 believes it is animal moving around. Light organics still being employed.
2154 hours
SRP 31 said the movement to his west at 75 degree azimuth to the movement. About 20-25 meters from him. 1-2 individuals moving very slowly. Light organics still being employed. Alpha Company said lights went out and sounded like someone was moving away.
2207 hours
Delta Company reports negative situation report.
2210 hours
SRP 31 has negative situation report.
2300 hours
Negative situation report all elements
