April 2nd, 1969 Recap
The final extraction of the battalion from this AO, (planned for April 1st) was postponed by Colonel Knight, 1st Brigade commander. It was obvious that there were NVA units still throughout the area. Also, the Alpha Company contact on March 27th and March 30th had left 14 soldiers MIA. Those men were still out there, and needed to be recovered.
Another round of Arc Light bombardment and airstrikes was ordered, and the men in the battalion spent the day on patrol, or laying low in bunkers and foxholes as American bombs pounded the areas outside their perimeter. LZ D-Handle received several rounds of indirect fire, with no reported casualties or damage.
April 2nd, 1969
The arrival of the “Regulars” of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry indicated the high level of importance that the 4th Infantry Division placed on eradicating the NVA presence in the area. During the day on April 2nd, all four companies and the Recon platoon were inserted by combat assault into areas west of the 3-12 Infantry positions. No significant contact was reported, however Alpha & Charlie Companies were forced to divert from their intended landing zone and were inserted at LZ Cider instead. The men from the two companies then shouldered their heavy rucksacks, and pushed west into the thick jungles west of the 3-12 Infantry firebase, establishing night defensive positions.
At LZ D-Handle, Bravo Company moved south overland and established a blocking position at YA 817839, located at the top of Million Dollar Hill, which was so secured by Delta Company on March 22nd, and then abandoned. Charlie Company moved north-northeast from LZ Cider and established a blocking position on Hill 900, roughly 1500 meters north of the battalion firebase.
April 2nd, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0530 hours
Bravo Company is Start Point (SP) at this time.
0605 hours
Bravo Company reports that they are 200-250 meters from Delta Company location. They are set up at tree line at this time. Waiting for day light.
0715 hours
Bravo Company is moving again at this time.
0845 hours
Romeo 97A (gas man) checked in Command A and will be dropping non-persistent CS to our southwest.
0900 hours
Bravo Company has secured objective.
0905 hours
CS drop complete.
Bravo Company reports movement to their east. Estimate 3-5 individuals. They are employing M-79 and light organics.
0930 hours
Arc Light complete. Arc Light number 7229.
0955 hours
Colonel Knight has arrived at this location. (LZ Cider).
1000 hours
Charlie Company has departed their patrol base.
1035 hours
Colonel Knight has departed this location.
1055 hours
1-22 Infantry reports 1st bird in first landing zone. LZ cold.
1105 hours
FAC (Cider 12) checked in Command A and reported airstrike (LZ cutter) going in at YA 818798.
1106 hours
Guard 97 checked in Command A and reported CS drop was available if we needed it.
1112 hours
The CS drop will go in ahead of the airstrike at YA 812798.
1116 hours
General Irzyk has arrived at this location.
1118 hours
Delta Company reported individual with 105 degree temperature. Dustoff was called. ETA 20 minutes.
1125 hours
General Irzyk has departed this location.
1135 hours
CS drop and airstrike complete at YA 812798.
FAC (Cider 10) has checked in Command A and is putting in another airstrike at YA 812798.
1136 hours
Charlie Company is at YA 836810 and holding while mortar prep is going in. They have negative situation.
1150 hours
Delta Company dustoff complete.
1200 hours
Delta Company 1-22 Infantry lift complete.
1245 hours
FAC reported a set of SPADs 10 minutes out for another pass at the LZ cut 812798.
1250 hours
Charlie Company has objective secured. YA 834814.
1317 hours
Bravo Company 1-22 Infantry is complete in 1st LZ.
1336 hours
1-22 Infantry Recon and Mortars complete at LZ 1.
1340 hours
1-22 Infantry elements are arriving at LZ Cider at this time.
1500 hours
Cider 12 (FAC) will put a LZ cut at YA 823810.
1516 hours
Cider 12 (FAC) said Cider 14 (FAC) will put the airstrike in about 150-200 meters northwest of YA 823810.
1517 hours
Division Deputy General Irzyk arrived this location.
1530 hours
General Irzyk left this location.
Task Force Swift dissolved at this time.
1636 hours
LTC Larkin is airborne
1700 hours
LTC return to this location. (LZ Cider).
1800 hours
Night locations sent to Brigade.
1830 hours
Commander of Bravo Company requested a routine dustoff for a man who broke his arm when a tree fell.
1845 hours
A couple of guys were sawing a tree down and never told the enlisted man who was laying down in his hootch and broke his arm in two places.
1903 hours
Plan summary sent to Brigade.
1916 hours
Dustoff came in 1909 hours. Completed 1910 hours.
1930 hours
Bravo Company has movement to his east going north to south. M-79 and light organics was employed.
2000 hours
Delta Company has one individual who was slightly wounded from an M-79. The round hit a tree about 20 meters out. The individual received shrapnel in his upper right arm.
2005 hours
Bravo Company reports 10 NVA 300 meters out going north to south. Employing light organics and Redleg and M-79 rounds. The NVA on eastside of B Co perimeter.
2020 hours
Airstrikes and CSS sent to Brigade.
2201 hours
AO for 7-17th Cav.
Charlie Troop – YB 7706 – YB 8506 – YA 8599 – YA 7799
Alpha Troop – YA 7489 – YA 7989 – YA 7982 – YA 8082 – YA 8078 – YA 7478
Airstrikes
YA 826811 Time on Target 1330 hours
YA 826811 Time on Target 1445 hours
YA 826813 Time on Target 1530 hours
2215 hours
CSS was diverted that was scheduled for 3 April at 0505 hours.
2255 hours
All elements were informed of 1-22 Infantry night locations
Alpha Company – YA 821795
Bravo & Delta Co – YA 811810
Charlie Company – YA 812797
Recon Platoon – YA 806827
Recon has been informed of 1-22 SRP41 at YA 821795