March 20th, 1969 recap
Delta Company was ordered to make another assault. Bravo Companies 1st Platoon is OPCON to Delta, reinforcing their numbers after the heavy losses suffered on March 18th. After some initial success, Delta Company was once again bogged down by heavy fire coming from dug in NVA elements on the hilltop. An attached scout dog was killed in action, and at least four men wounded. After over nine hours, Delta was forced to withdraw back to LZ D-Handle. The bodies of two men KIA on March 18th were recovered and evacuated, along with the wounded men. More airstrikes were ordered, and Delta will try again another day.
On LZ Cider, the day was spent with local patrols. Nothing significant was noted in the log until 1845 hours, when the firebase began to receive in coming fire. For nearly an hour, NVA mortars and recoilless rifle fire pounded the firebase. No casualties or significant damage was reported, and an airstrike was ordered against the suspected point of origin.
March 21st, 1969
After the massive indirect fire attack on LZ Cider the evening before, the Alpha and Charlie companies and the Recon platoon send out multiple patrols to try to pinpoint the point of origin and disrupt any NVA forces in the area.
Four major findings are recorded in the log. Charlie company’s Ambush Patrol (AP) 2 discovers two separate one man positions to the southwest. At one, four 2.75″ rockets are found. Charlie companies AP1 finds fresh cut trees west of the firebase, and hears sounds of trees being cut further downslope and west towards a large river valley. The most significant finding occurs approximately 800 meters southeast of the firebase perimeter. Charlie company’s 4th Platoon discovers a newly constructed NVA bunker complex, consisting of at least 15 well constructed and well concealed bunkers.
Delta Company, ordered to make another assault on Million Dollar Hill, is delayed by the lack of available aircraft for needed preparatory airstrikes. The men of Bravo & Delta companies conduct local patrols, and eventually watch airstrikes hit targets on the hill late in the afternoon. The 4th Infantry Division Commander, aware of the situation, requests a series of 10 more airstrikes against Million Dollar Hill for March 22nd. The hill is quickly earning its name.
March 21st, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0020 hours
Alpha Company 2nd Platoon reports the sighting of one NVA, 2nd Platoon engaging with grenades
0022 hours
The last Combat Sky Spot will be 0130 afterwards Spooky will be sent back up.
0030 hours
Alpha Company 2nd Platoon reports negative movement at this time.
0031 hours
Listening Post (LP) 512 has movement at this time. LP will engage with frags.
0145 hours
Alpha Company reports 2nd Platoon has movement again. 2nd Platoon will engage with grenades.
0700 hours
Delta Company commander Captain Foss reported that they did lose one M-16 yesterday. S/N 870780.
0740 hours
FAC (Cider 15) has checked in on Command A.
0745 hours
Alpha Company old ambush patrol (AP) 1 and AP2 have departed their night locations.
0810 hours
Brigade reported that Division Chemical Officer would be around today.
0935 hours
Charlie Company AP2 at YA 818787 found a one man hootch. It has been built within the last week and used within three or four days. There was a little rice and rock salt in the hootch. The hootch and rice were destroyed.
1005 hours
FAC (Cider 16) checked in on Command A. He reported it will be difficult getting any airstrikes in today until weather clears.
1012 hours
Charlie Company 4th Platoon has departed C Co location to check out possible bunker complex.
1100 hours
Division Chemical officer checked in on Command A. He will be dropping CS on YA 817839.
1110 hours
CS prep on YA 817839 is complete.
1130 hours
CS drop was followed up by artillery 105mm – 92 round high explosive, 8 rounds White Phosphorous
1131 hours
Charlie Company 4th Platoon is at YA 833796.
1220 hours
Charlie Company 4th Platoon is at YA 833790.
1225 hours
Pre planned Arc Lights – negative Time on Target scheduled
1230 hours
FAC (Cider 13) checked in on Command A. He will try and get some big bombs (750s) to drop on 817839 so Delta Company can make another attempt at getting up on that hill.
1240 hours
FAC (Cider 13) reported negative fighters at this time.
1245 hours
Charlie Company AP1 at grid YA 814797 found several freshly cut trees. From that location at an azimuth of 270 degree they hear chopping.
1300 hours
Charlie Company 4th Platoon has found a large bunker complex built very recently.
1310 hours
FAC (Cider 13) reported he had a set of fighters with 750lb bombs but they won’t be here for over an hour. This means Delta Company will not have sufficient time to go up on that hill today. 817839.
1320 hours
Alpha Company AP2 has departed A Co location.
1325 hours
Charlie Company 4th Platoon has found a bunker complex at YA 832793. Consisted of 15 bunkers well built and camouflaged.
1330 hours
Colonel Knight has arrived at this location.
1345 hours
Alpha Company AP2 is at YA 836804
1352 hours
Colonel Knight has departed this location.
1400 hours
Charlie Company 4th Platoon has closed C Co location.
1402 hours
Alpha Company AP1 has departed A Co location.
1405 hours
Charlie Company AP2 is at YA 819780.
1425 hours
Brigade intel push has been changed to 62.60.
1435 hours
Airstrike with 750s with delay at YA 818839.
1450 hours
Charlie Company AP2 found four 2.75mm rockets and a ladder to a sniper platform which was 3’x4′ and 20 feet off the ground and in a tree. At the bottom of the ladder was a hole three feet deep, two feet wide and six feet long. Plus six logs which were to be used as overhead cover. Last used one week ago. Vicinity YA 811781.
1500 hours
Airstrike completed at YA 818839.
1530 hours
Alpha Company AP1 YA 841803, AP2 at YA 836807.
1551 hours
Alpha Company AP2 night location is YA 835809.
1606 hours
CS was put in on grid YA 811806.
1615 hours
CS put in on grid YA 817839.
1630 hours
Charlie Company AP1 at YA 807805 and AP2 at YA 805794.
1715 hours
Charlie Company AP1 at YA 807795 and AP2 at YA 816786.
2055 hours
Commanding General directs that 10 airstrikes will go in on Delta Company objective. These 10 have been requested starting early morning 22 March. Major Williams was informed.
2115 hours
Above message was sent to Delta Company commanding officer.
2330 hours
Alpha Company reports that listening post (LP) 512 spotted an individual through his Starlight scope approximately 25 meters to his front. LP has employ grenades.
