March 28th, 1969 recap
The battalion remained in mutually supporting blocking positions along the Cu Kotah mountain range. Alpha, Charlie, HHC, B/6-29 FA and the Recon Platoon at LZ Cider, and Bravo & Delta at LZ D-Handle. A single platoon from Bravo occupied a night ambush location near the old Bravo command post on LZ Swift.
Alpha Company made an unsuccessful attempt to recover its missing men from the action on March 27th. After it encountered stiff resistance from a well entrench NVA unit, it withdrew back to a night defensive position on Hill 900 and waited for artillery and airstrikes to soften up the enemy positions. Charlie Company sent two platoons to secure the battalion firebase on LZ Cider.
A Delta Company SRP encountered heavy NVA movement all around it, and employed its claymore mines and supporting fire from the mortars on LZ D-Handle. By midnight, the SRP was still in place, and Delta Company and the Bravo Company platoon on LZ Swift reported indications of heavy movement around their positions.
March 29th, 1969
Bravo & Delta companies remained co-located on LZ D-Handle, securing the 4.2″ Mortar Platoon. Bravo Company’s 3rd Platoon remained in an ambush position vicinity LZ Swift. At 0555 hours, the NVA launched a an indirect fire attack on both the Bravo 3rd Platoon position and the Delta Company perimeter on LZ D-Handle. The attack consisted of 60 and 82mm mortar fire. The indirect fire attack was followed by an enemy ground and sapper attack. The enemy attack was repulsed by close combat on both locations. On LZ D-Handle, NVA sapper teams were able to breach the perimeter and use satchel charges to destroy several occupied bunkers. As the NVA forces withdrew, they were engaged by gunships and mortar and artillery fire.
28 soldiers from Bravo & Delta were wounded and two Delta Company men, Staff Sergeant Stephen Board, from Belle, West Virginia and Private First Class Danny Perkins from Mount Holly, North Carolina, are killed in action. The NVA casualties were 33 KIA confirmed by body count and at least 25 probably wounded. Likely many more casualties were carried from the battlefield, and the actual NVA casualty counts were much higher.
During the day, Bravo Company’s 2nd Platoon engaged two NVA southwest of LZ D-Handle, killing both. On the evening of the 28th, LZ D-Handle received sporadic small arms and mortar fire with negative damage or casualties.
Alpha & Charlie companies remained in their positions from the 28th. Bad weather and the action on LZ D-Handle forced a postponement of the Alpha Company recovery mission.
March 29th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0315 hours
Bravo Company reports that B Co 3rd Platoon has one NVA in their ambush site, and two more going towards SRP43 location. SPR43 is waiting for the NVA to enter killing zone before opening up. 3rd Platoon also reports that one NVA moving south back toward SRP and another NVA which they lost track of.
0316 hours
All other elements report negative situation.
0445 hours
NVA are still in front of SRP43 location and are not attempting to move. SRP43 will just have to sit tight and wait for support element at first light.
0555 hours
Captain Foss reports possibility of receiving incoming at this time.
0600 hours
Captain Foss reports incoming at B Co old location. D Co has casualties. Unknown number of incoming rounds.
0605 hours
Major Williams told Brigade that Bravo Company 3rd Platoon is also getting incoming near B Co location. Request for Spooky has been granted.
0615 hours
Bravo Company 3rd Platoon can’t make it back to B Co location because of explosions going off all around 3rd Platoon location. 3rd Platoon believed to be surrounded. Light organics being employed at D Co location.
0620 hours
3rd Platoon of Bravo Company spotted an additional NVA at B Co old command post (CP).
0630 hours
Bravo Company 3rd Platoon reported receiving automatic weapons fire from their north.
0635 hours
Bravo Company 3rd Platoon. Incoming has ceased. They still have a couple of NVA spotted.
0650 hours
Delta Company reports 10 WIA and one KIA at this time.
0700 hours
Bravo Company is departing at this time to link up with their platoon.
0705 hours
Delta Company Captain Foss reports he thinks the NVA were planning a ground attack at 0600 hours. They put on a mortar prep of about 80 high explosive rounds and a few gas. They were hit from northwest and north. Their listening posts (LP) were hit but the NVA didn’t come any closer.
0715 hours
Gunships (Gambler 36) have checked in on Command A and are enroute to Bravo Company location.
0720 hours
A Dustoff has been called for the four WIA.
0725 hours
The gunships are at Bravo Company location and B Co is controlling from the ground.
0727 hours
Bravo Company(-) point element are closing on B Co 3rd Platoon location.
0730 hours
SRP 43 reports a large force moving north off finger from B Co 3rd Platoon location.
0732 hours
Delta Company also reports large force moving off finger from D Co location to the southwest.
0735 hours
Brigade reports Dustoff 37 enroute to D Co location. ETA 20-25 minutes. On air-land push.
0745 hours
Delta Company reports the ground attack came from the west-southwest. The NVA got into his perimeter and employed small satchel charges. The NVA did not trip any flares and were not observed through starlight scope. They found a B-40 rocket launcher and a few satchel charges inside the perimeter. Two bunkers were collapsed by satchel charges. They found several dud grenades. Two KIA at this time.
Bravo Company has four WIAs. One is urgent. They are departing at this time back to D Co location.
0746 hours
Gunships (Gambler 36) have expended and are headed back toward base camp.
0750 hours
Delta Company SRP43 is hanging tight at their present position. They presently have movement all around them.
0805 hours
Dustoff 37 has checked in on air-land and is in radio contact with Delta Company.
0810 hours
Dustoff 37 while waiting for gunships was flying around over valley to southeast of Delta Company location believes he has seen a tank at generally grid YA 8586.
FAC (Cider 12) has checked in Command A. He reports the weather is too bad for any airstrikes yet this morning.
0820 hours
Dustoff complete at this time. Five WIA were evacuated. Nine WIA left.
0825 hours
Select for mortar tubes. YA 819853-YA 818856.
0830 hours
Delta Company reports they still have four urgent WIA at their location. Total WIAs – 15.
0835 hours
Delta Company reports movement to their east. Generally grid YA 824851.
0845 hours
Delta & Bravo companies report total of 25 WIA and two KIA. Five have been evacuated. He has one more slick load of urgent WIA to get out. Delta Company – 21 WIA, 2 KIA. Bravo Company – 4 WIA, 0 KIA.
0905 hours
Brigade reports our air support request (ASR) has been approved. All we have to do is get the paperwork in to Brigade.
0915 hours
Brigade reports negative approval on air support request which they approved at 0905.
0920 hours
Delta Company has five more urgent WIAs evacuated.
0950 hours
Colonel Knight has arrived at this location (LZ Cider).
1015 hours
1st Brigade CO (Colonel Knight) departed for 54 (Delta Co.) position.
1045 hours
Wrap up of Bravo Company 3rd Platoon activities this morning. They started receiving incoming and small arms fire at 0600. They spotted 3-5 NVA on their old patrol base. There were many explosions in their area. Believed to be satchel charges. They received incoming mortars and three to five B-40 rounds. When it got lighter they observed at least 15-20 NVA moving off their old location to north. They were carrying large rucksacks. Most of them had weapons. Several of them were carrying wounded with them. They engaged the NVA with M-79s, claymore and light organics. Several light organic rounds and M-79 rounds landed amongst the NVA.
1110 hours
Final casualty count for Delta & Bravo companies
Delta Company WIA – 21, KIA – 2
Bravo Company WIA – 7, KIA – 0
1130 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon has made contact at YA 838847. They killed one NVA and wounded one Montagnard type. They have Montagnard with them. He has bad leg wound. The NVA was carrying an SKS. Montagnard was carrying no weapon.
1140 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon now has movement all around them. They have left the wounded Montagnard and are returning to the ambush site.
1150 hours
Brigade informed us that they wanted Redleg and organics expended around area of Bravo Company 2nd Platoon contact and wanted B Co 2nd Platoon to go back and police up the wounded Montagnard. B Co was informed.
1200 hours
Delta Company SRP 43, who had all the movement last night and movement this morning has departed night location enroute to D Co location.
1210 hours
Delta Company reports SRP 43 returning to Delta Company gave erroneous location and were hit by friendly organics. They have two WIAs. One head wound and one arm wound. Delta Company 2nd Platoon is enroute to link up with SRP 43 and assist them.
1220 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon went back to contact area and found previous wounded Montagnard. He had died of wounds when they reached him.
1240 hours
Air Cav (Swanee 83) has checked in Command A. They are coordinating with Major Williams who is at Delta Company location.
1255 hours
FAC (Cider 13) has checked in Command A.
1300 hours
Brigade requested we send FAC (Cider 13) to 1-8 Infantry location. They will try and get us another Cider.
1310 hours
Raids 26 – Speaker plane checked in Command A and will work out in area of B & D companies.
1312 hours
FAC (Cider 22) has checked in Command A.
1325 hours
FAC (Cider 22) reports that weather makes airstrikes possibilities super marginal but if he can get some high drags he can put them in.
1345 hours
Air Cav is picking up three WIAs from SRP 43. Delta Company 2nd Platoon is with them and they are heading back to D Co location at this time.
1350 hours
Air Cav has movement at grid YA 815864. Hill 947. 1-8 Infantry said they had nobody at that grid. Nearest friendlies 800-900 meters to the north.
Air Cav took D Co SRP 43 WIAs back to Mary Lou.
1355 hours
FAC (Cider 13) has checked back in Command A. FAC (Cider 22) had to leave because of immediate airstrikes in 2nd Brigade area.
1400 hours
Killer 25 checked in Command A and reported he would be working six to eight kilometers to the west.
1405 hours
Air Cav reports one confirmed NVA KIA at grid YA 823857.
1410 hours
FAC (Cider 13) has airstrikes laid on for 1500 hours.
1412 hours
LTC Larkin has departed this location enroute to 1st Brigade headquarters at Polei Kleng.
1415 hours
Delta Company 2nd Platoon closed D Co location (LZ D-Handle).
1429 hours
This estimate on enemy KIA WIA is based on evaluation by the Commanding Officer (CO), 3-12 Infantry, CO Delta Company, CO Bravo Company on the site.
YA 823857 – one dead NVA – Cav
Delta Company – 12 NVA KIA, 7 probably, 20 wounded
Based on sensing by sight and sound on two arty hits plus known dead and wounded killed or hit in the wire
Bravo Company – 14 NVA KIA (including Montagnard)
Five wounded by M-79 others by mortars and small arms.
On position. Captured In Action (CIA) equipment.
24 satchel charges, two AK-47 with magazines, seven grenades, one SKS rifle, assorted ammo.
11 items of bloody clothing, blood trails, drag marks and several rations and misc. equipment in area 100 meters northwest. Individuals disorganized fast withdrawal.
1445 hours
A Chinook went to Delta Company location. Drew small arms fire. 4-5 rounds. Negative hits. It was hovering at D Co location. YA 823847.
1447 hours
Cider 13 has airstrike going in at YA 826811 at 1500 hours. East to west with left hand break flight.
1505 hours
Airstrike started.
1510 hours
Air Cav is leaving our AO to go up north.
1515 hours
Charlie Company AP5 is at YA 835795.
LTC Larkin returned to this location (LZ Cider).
1517 hours
Airstrike complete.
1525 hours
Charlie Company AP1 (day location) YA 817788 and AP2 at YA 823797.
1550 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon at YA 825852.
1625 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon closed.
1705 hours
LTC Larkin airborne.
1715 hours
LTC Larkin return to 3-12 Infantry location.
1729 hours
Bravo Company patrol #1 departed at YA 822852.
1730 hours
Alpha Company old SRP12 closed YA 834813.
1740 hours
Bravo Company new SRP22 departed YA 822852.
1750 hours
Alpha Company new SRP12 departed YA 834813.
1800 hours
Plans summary and night locations sent to Brigade.
1900 hours
Bravo Company patrol #1 closed at YA 822852.
1910 hours
Delta Company informed us of two PRC-25 were captured. The report is attached to the log.
2020 hours
Alpha Company SRP12 has movement 350 degree azimuth 100 meters. Also sees two NVA southeast 50 meters.
2026 hours
Alpha Company SRP12 and LP reports negative situation.
2044 hours
Task Force Swift reports movement to southeast has stopped. But the movement to the north they had light organics fire for effect. The LP heard running back to the north. Still employing light organics and Redleg. Also requested Spooky.
2050 hours
Delta Company new internal 59.50. D Co has been informed.
2055 hours
Bravo & Delta Companies (TF Swift) reports negative situation. Also asked Brigade to have Spooky on standby.
2100 hours
Delta Company informed us their new internal belongs to 3-8 Alpha Company.
2145 hours
Brigade inform us that hey cannot get a new push for D Co at this time and have them use re-trans 36.05 temporarily.
2210 hours
Task Force Swift received two rounds 82mm mortars landed outside the perimeter.
2214 hours
Task Force Swift received 3rd round 82mm mortar.
2216 hours
Task Force Swift received two AK-47 rounds incoming from the north. Redleg is being employed. LTC Larkin has been informed about TF Swift status.
2255 hours
Task Force Swift reports they have negative incoming and movement has slacked off a little.
2340 hours
On the incoming 82mm round received by TF Swift. It was from north-northeast no pop have been detected.
