March 27th, 1969 recap
On March 27th, the battalion remained in mutually supportive positions in the Cu Kotah mountains west of Kontum. For HHC, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Recon and the 4.2″ Mortar platoon, the day was much like previous days. Overnight patrols returned with little to report. New patrols were sent out, in small groups of four to six men for short range reconnaissance patrols, and larger 25-man platoon sized ambush patrols.
For Alpha Company, the day turned dark very quickly. Alpha Company’s 3rd Platoon, on a routine recon patrol north of LZ Cider, engaged a small group of NVA soldiers on a trail, and killed two of them. Moments later, the NVA turned the tables on the 29 men from Alpha Company, and unleashed a deadly torrent of automatic weapons, small arms, B-40 rocket and mortar fire. By the time the platoon was able to link up with the rest of the company and return to the firebase, eight men were lost. The bodies of six would be recovered in the coming weeks, one was never found, and the last would spend nearly four years in NVA prison camps.
March 28th, 1969 – Bravo and Delta Company on LZ D-Handle
Bravo Company, which had occupied LZ Swift continuously since March 12th, moved off of the LZ and occupied a security position on the mortar base at LZ D-Handle. Bravo’s 3rd Platoon remained on Swift to secure the excess supplies and equipment until it could be lifted out by helicopter. Both companies sent out additional short range and platoon patrols to the surrounding areas. At 1855 hours, SRP43, located one kilometer west of LZ D-Handle, reported that a small group of NVA were closing on their position. Captain Foss, the Delta Company commander, called in mortars from his 81mm mortar platoon, which forced the NVA to take cover under a large log near the SRP. The SRP, isolated and in danger of being surrounded, triggered it’s claymore mines. Additional mortar support was called in, and the enemy movement stopped. By midnight on the 28th, the Delta Company SRP was still in place and reported hearing sounds of moans and groans coming from the area where the NVA had taken cover.
March 28th, 1969 – HHC, Alpha, Charlie, Recon and B/6-29 FA on LZ Cider
Early on the 28th, Charlie Company sent two platoons to secure LZ Cider in order to free up Alpha Company to make another attempt to recover their fallen men from the action on the previous day. Alpha Company moved initially north along a crescent shaped ridgeline before it swung southwest to approach the previous days contact area from the opposite direction as before.
At 1330 hours, Alpha Company reported being in contact in the vicinity of YA 826815. The company pulled back under the cover of mortar and artillery fire. Alpha Company was successful in withdrawing from the contact area without sustaining casualties and under cover of gunships suppressing enemy mortar fire returned to the engagement location. Alpha Company reported a large enemy bunker complex in the area of contact and pulled back once again. Multiple airstrikes and artillery and mortar fire were then placed on the enemy position.
Alpha Company established a night defensive perimeter on the eastern slope of Hill 900, roughly 800 meters from the contact area. It then sent out two short range patrols to establish night positions on its western and eastern flanks. Alpha Company would let the airstrikes and artillery soften up the target, and try again another day.
March 28th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0625 hours
Individual from Alpha Company has negative change in condition. Dustoff (priority) has been cancelled.
0620 hours
Redleg will employ direct fire on finger to the north of LZ Cider.
0830 hours
FAC (Cider 13) checked in on Command A.
0920 hours
Colonel Knight has arrived at this location (LZ Cider).
0945 hours
FAC (Cider 13) reported that weather didn’t seem to be clearing at all. It would be at least two hours before he could bring in any airstrike.
1015 hours
Colonel Knight has departed this location (LZ Cider).
1043 hours
FAC (Cider 13) reported weather was still too bad for any fighters to come in. Cider 13 will go off station at this time. Cider 10 will be with us in about 45 minutes and keep us informed when he can bring the fighters in.
1100 hours
A Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) was requested for LTC Larkin. Brigade informed us that there were no air assets available today. Colonel Knight said LTC Larkin could use his Command & Control (C-C) slick for a couple hours this morning.
1125 hours
LTC Larkin is airborne at this time in Colonel Knights C-C slick.
1200 hours
Bravo Company(-) moved to Delta Company location at LZ D-Handle. They left one platoon behind to secure backhaul.
1215 hours
1-14 Infantry locations
A Co – LZ Short
B Co – LZ Stud
C Co – LZ Bunker Hill
D Co – LZ Carol – 887776
Recon + Mortars – LZ Brillo Pad
1230 hours
LTC Larkin returned to this location (LZ Cider).
1315 hours
Brigade requested we release Colonel Knights C-C bird.
1317 hours
Alpha Company enroute to area where their 3rd Platoon made contact yesterday 27 March. Is presently at YA 832815.
1330 hours
Alpha Company is in contact at this time. They are receiving fire from the west and south.
1340 hours
Air Cav checked in Command A. Enroute to their Area of Operations (AO). They will be available if needed.
1342 hours
Alpha Company is pulling back slowly at this time with special caution to have everyone with them. Redleg is being employed.
1350 hours
Alpha Company commanding officer reports enemy location YA 826815.
1351 hours
Alpha Company is breaking contact..
1357 hours
Alpha Company is consolidated at this time and ready for airstrikes to go in. They have all personnel accounted for.
1400 hours
Alpha Company pulled back about 200 meters and set up. At that location they received incoming mortars. They are now moving back another 200 meters on high ground.
1415 hours
Alpha Company has pulled back and set up. They have all their people accounted for and negative casualties.
1420 hours
Alpha Company reports mortars could be coming from grid YA 824817.
1421 hours
Alpha Company is presently at YA 834815.
1429 hours
Alpha Company received 35 rounds of mixed mortars (60mm & 82mm) earlier.
1444 hours
Delta Company 1st Platoon is at YA 822846.
1451 hours
Gunships will expend in area of mortars.
1505 hours
Gunships are empty and Redleg being employed.
1511 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon is at YA 822852.
1531 hours
Alpha Company reports that area of contact was estimated size of enemy two platoons and saw about 80 bunkers. Request six airstrikes with 750 delay and two airstrikes with napalm.
1550 hours
Alpha Company is going to send an element to recover.
1551 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon at YA 827852.
1608 hours
Charlie Company ambush patrol (AP) 2, AP4 and AP5 departed C Co location.
1611 hours
Alpha Company patrol who went to recover C-4 are on the way back to A Co location.
1615 hours
Alpha Company patrol closed A Co location.
1640 hours
Airstrike started 1625 hours
1644 hours
2nd airstrike started 1644 hours
1650 hours
2nd airstrike completed.
1655 hours
Cider 15 reports 20 secondaries from napalm.
1725 hours
Cider 15 report heavy movement at YA 823812 going through draw then to west.
1805 hours
Cider 15 said that one of the jets has hydraulic trouble and wants to drop bombs at high altitude at YA 803818. Major Williams gave the okay.
1808 hours
3rd airstrike start 1800 hours
3rd airstrike complete 1809 hours
1815 hours
Cider 15 check out.
1855 hours
Delta Company Captain Foss reported that his short range patrol (SRP) 43 had five NVA 20 meters in front of his location at YA 812845. Will employ mortars.
1900 hours
Combat Sky Spot sent to Brigade
1 – YA 824817 nearest friendlies 1200 meters east-southeast. Time on Target 2100 hours.
2 – YA 819812 nearest friendlies 1100 meters east-northeast. Time on Target 2000 hours.
3 – Ya 820809 nearest friendlies 1300 meters southeast. Time on Target 2230 hours.
1930 hours
Delta Company reported that SRP43 has NVA on both sides of finger. Employing mortars. Alert AP to be on look out for the NVA.
1943 hours
Plans summary sent to Brigade.
2024 hours
Status sent to Brigade
2025 hours
Delta Company reports that SRP43 has NVA southeast separated by five meters and about 20 meters from SRP43. Still adjusting light organics.
2045 hours
Message from Brigade: Extraction 31 March to Polei Kleng. Convoy 31 March to Mary Lou. 1 April to FSB McNerney. Stand down 2-3 April at McNerney. Move to AO 4 April north of Highway 19 generally in AO specified prior to move from Roundbottom.
2047 hours
Arc Lights – 7198 and 7199 – March 29th at 1440 hours. 7190 – March 29th at 1845 hours.
2100 hours
Delta Company SRP43 new night location is YA 817854. He has three NVA under a big log and two more on top of the hill which moved about 10 meters. The NVA under the log moved 15 meters from before.
2130 hours
2nd CSS went in.
2153 hours
Delta Company SRP43 reports one probable NVA KIA. The NVA are not moving and we will keep you advised.
2240 hours
SRP 43 spotted NVA moving. When light organics were employed, NVA stopped and moved again. SRP 43 blew two claymores, believed to have killed two NVA. Two more were blown wounding 2-3. Others escaped to the south of finger. Redleg will be employed for blocking fire and so will light organics for blocking fire. SRP 43 has negative friendly casualties. Situation at this time is negative, except for moans and groans of NVA.
2245 hours
Intel Report
Uni. Fred
YA 776839 1000 LE
YA 873785 3000 LE
Redleg being employed on grids
2305 hours
Situation on SRP 43 still negative. Two NVA that escaped are moving to the southwest along ridgeline down into the valley. The two NVA are believed to be possible WIA by light organics. SRP 43 still hears moans and groans of 2-3 wounded NVA.
2335 hours
CSS at YA 824817, YA 819812 and YA 820809 will be hit again. One at 0100 and the other at 0120.
2340 hours
Delta Company reported that SRP 43 has negative situation report. Details on activity are attached to this log.
2355 hours
Negative situation from all elements.