March 25th, 1969 recap
On LZ Cider, an NVA sniper targeted the landing zone. PVT Walter Brown Jr, an artilleryman from B/6-29 Artillery was hit and required urgent dustoff. He succumbed to his wounds before the evacuation helicopter arrived at the nearest field hospital.
Alpha Company remained as LZ Cider securing B/6-29 Artillery and the 3-12 Infantry TOC. Charlie Company, with Recon Platoon attached, occupied a patrol base just a few hundred meters southwest of the battalion firebase. Alpha Companies 4th Platoon undertook a long circular patrol route down into an unnamed river valley and then back up to the northern end of a crescent shaped ridgeline. It then followed the ridgeline back to LZ Cider. During its patrol, it discovered indications of a company or battalion sized NVA unit, which included bunker complexes, fighting positions, field kitchens and ad hoc classrooms. Bravo Company and Delta Company remained at LZ Swift and LZ D-Handle respectively. The two companies deployed a patrol screen consisting of ten short range patrols and three platoon sized ambush patrols.
March 26th, 1969
The 3-12 Infantry continued to occupy mutually supporting blocking positions along the Cu Kotah mountain range. Its mission is to destroy enemy forces in its assigned Area of Operations (AO) and to interdict NVA infiltration from the Kontum area to Cambodia. With the exception of the battalion Recon Platoon, all battalion elements remained at their previous locations. Alpha (LZ Cider), Bravo (LZ Swift), Charlie (LZ Cider patrol base), Delta (LZ D-Handle), 4.2″ Mortars (LZ D-Handle mortar base). The Recon Platoon reverted back to Battalion control (previously attached to Charlie Company) and established ambush locations southeast of LZ Cider.
A short firefight involving Alpha Company AP1 and an NVA soldier near Hill 900 resulted in no known casualties for either side. Bravo Company AP1 discovered an NVA field aid station with miscellaneous medical supplies and some NVA documents. One man from Bravo was injured and evacuated after being hit by a falling tree near LZ Swift. Charlie Company patrols reported no findings during the day, but had their perimeter probed by a small NVA force late in the evening. The reporting Listening Post (LP) engaged and fell back to the patrol base, with no casualties reported. Delta Company, still understrength after the fighting on the 18th-22nd, sends out platoon(-) sized patrols and SRPs. One of its SRPs has two men wounded by punji stakes, further reducing its fighting strength.
March 26th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0020 hours
From Brigade. Message as follows
Brigade needs to know the total number of weapons and rounds captured or destroyed for this operational period from March 1st and no later than March 26th at 0900 hours. If actual number can not be determined give possible estimate. Starting 26 March, all units must give daily wrap-ups of captured weapons or rounds at the end of activity.
Subjects for Project “Duffle Bag” consisting of one paragraph. All units employing Duffle Bag equipment are reminded that all aspects of the program are classified Confidential “No-Forn”. Release of information pertaining to existence, emplacement and capacity are on a strict “Need to Know Basis” for properly cleared U.S. military personnel only.
0740 hours
Alpha Company ambush patrol (AP) 1 spotted one NVA at YA 833815, 25 meters to the east. It happened quickly and the NVA got out of their sight. Redleg and organics are being employed.
0750 hours
Alpha Company AP1 spotted the NVA again and are exchanging fire at this time.
0752 hours
FAC (Cider 13) checked in Command A and reported an airstrike going in at YA 836821 in approximately 30 minutes.
0830 hours
Alpha Company AP1 spotted one NVA on initial contact. He was wearing green fatigues, no ruck, no head gear. Carrying AK-47. After searching area they found three fresh barefoot tracks. NVA departed to north. These barefoot tracks ran into some tennis shoe tracks.
0831 hours
Airstrike going in at YA 836821 had to be diverted because of Redleg going into area supporting A Co AP1 who was in contact at the time.
1000 hours
Bravo Company AP1 between grids YA 808853 and YA 810853 found the following –
4 – mosquito nets
1 – carrying case for aiming stakes
3 – NVA ruck sacks
4 – ponchos
1 – tropical sweater
1 – US canteen
1 – pair NVA pants
1 – M-16 magazine
1 – well equipped aid station with US type medicine including an empty Bayer aspirin bottle, empty vitamin bottle, bottle of Terpinhydrate, bottle of Vitamin C ampules, bottle of peroxide tablets, bottle of Tetrachel, bottle of Calamine lotion
2 – kitchens
1 – latrine (used within last two days)
1 – flashlight battery
2 – NVA entrenching tools without handles
Several C-Ration and Sundry Pack boxes, several writing pens, a few rice baskets, NVA documents, one notebook, GI pictures. Everything was destroyed except the documents.
1050 hours
Delta Company Captain Foss reported that because of his lack of personnel it would be quite difficult for him to send out two full size platoons and still secure [mortar] firebase. He suggested sending out two platoon(-) size elements and Major Williams agreed.
1055 hours
Brigade is making a Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA) of area 793 W, 803 E, 843 W and 813 S. They requested to know if we have had anybody in that area and if so did they have any findings. We have had negative people in that area.
1245 hours
FAC (Cider 10) checked in and reported he had an airstrike going in at YA 880820. We requested he divert it to YA 836834, which we consider a possible enemy rendezvous point.
1310 hours
FAC (Cider 10) has diverted airstrike to YA 836834. It will be going in shortly.
1315 hours
Bravo Company had a tree fall on a man. He has a bad cut on back of head. Need dustoff. Patient urgent.
1326 hours
FAC (Cider 10) reported airstrike complete. He dropped eight Mark 82 bombs on area requested.
1445 hours
Dustoff complete at Bravo Company location (LZ Swift).
1455 hours
Delta Company reported short range patrol (SRP) 44 has two men with punji stick wounds in leg. SRP44 is heading back to D Co location (LZ D-Handle).
1530 hours
Bravo Company 1st Platoon is at YA 813852 and it is his night location.
1531 hours
Recon Platoon departed Charlie Company’s location.
1558 hours
Delta Company 1st Platoon at YA 849819.
1625 hours
Recon is at YA 834795 also setting up patrol base.
1630 hours
Delta Company SRP44 closed D Co location.
1633 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon reached his night location at YA 824862.
1725 hours
Told 3-8 Infantry all of Bravo Company’s night locations.
1730 hours
Status sent to Brigade
1815 hours
Recon reached their night location YA 834795 and Recon ambush patrol (AP) 4 night location is YA 842795.
1840 hours
Plans summary and night locations sent to Brigade.
1915 hours
3-8 Infantry gave us 900 meters clearance around Bravo Company 2nd Platoon if they have movement.
2011 hours
Brigade informed us that Arc Light 7188-P Time on Target 0935 hours March 27th and persistent CS will be dropped in line from YA 814841 to YA 817839.
2035 hours
Charlie Company reports movement on east side of his listening post (LP). Believes one or two people walking. Will not employ anything until confirm it more.
2100 hours
Negative situation report all elements.
2125 hours
Document capture in II Corps area indicate probably attacks by fire on 26-27 March in Kontum area.
2145 hours
Cav AO for tomorrow is YA 7584 – YA 8084 – YA 8078 to YA 7578. Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA) Arc Lights reaction force is Bravo Company 2nd Platoon. LTC Larkin was informed.
2200 hours
Negative situation report all elements.
2305 hours
Charlie Company reports hearing small arms from one of their LPs. C Co reports probable firing on movement. No confirmation at exact cause at this time.
2320 hours
Charlie Company reports that his LP had movement earlier but couldn’t get a confirmation on what it was. At 2305 hours, the movement was right up on them. The LPs opened up and ran back to the perimeter. Charlie Company still has negative knowledge of what type of movement. At this time they are probing area with Starlight scope.
2322 hours
Companies A, B and D and Recon Platoon reports negative situation at this time.
2355 hours
Intel reports : “Buckskin” YA 810803 radius 1500 meters 24 March