March 29th, 1969 recap
Bravo & Delta Company on LZ D-Handle are hit with a heavy NVA indirect fire attack just before first light on the 29th. It is followed by a ground attack by sappers and enemy infantry using satchel charges, small arms and B-40 rockets. The LZ D-Handle perimeter is briefly penetrated, and several bunkers collapsed by exploding satchel charges. The attack is repulsed at both the Bravo Company 3rd Platoon position near LZ Swift, and at LZ D-Handle.
At least 29 soldiers from the battalion are wounded in action, and two Delta Company soldiers, Staff Sergeant Stephen Board, from Belle, West Virginia and Private First Class Danny Perkins from Mount Holly, North Carolina, are killed in action.
March 30th, 1969
The day began with an NVA probe against an Alpha Company listening post located outside the Alpha Company perimeter on Hill 900. The LP, consisting of just two or three soldiers, spotted a small group of NVA and opened fire with small arms. A grenade was thrown back into their position, and lacking the strength for a sustained firefight, the men scrambled back to the A Co perimeter. A small element from A Co was then sent out to recover a radio and rifle that had been left at the LP position. The equipment was still there, along with the body of an NVA soldier dressed in green fatigues and armed with an AK-47 and a grenade.
For Alpha Company, March 30th was to be the day they made another attempt to recover their fallen men from the action on March 27th. The weather however, was not cooperating. A series of Forward Air Controller (FAC) airstrikes set to be delivered to the target area was called off, and instead, a series of Combat Sky Spots airstrikes ordered. Combat Sky Spot airstrikes used a radar guided technology that allowed aircraft flying above the clouds to drop ordnances on specific grid coordinates. Less accurate than FAC directed visual targeting, it was the best Alpha was going to get.
At 1430 hours, a heavy artillery preparation using at least two batteries was fired against the Alpha Company target area. The 105mm howitzers from B/6-29 FA at LZ Cider provided most of the support. The A Co element consisted of two platoons and about half a dozen attachments. Numbering around 70 men, they were a formidable force. One platoon was left at the old night defensive position on Hill 900. The men expected trouble. The NVA in the area were extremely well entrenched, and likely knew what direction A Co would come from.
The Alpha Company men slowly wound their way down through the thick triple canopy jungle toward the contact site from March 27th. Just over an hour in to the patrol, men began to notice movement out on Alpha Company’s flanks. Captain Joglar, the A Co commanding officer, ordered a shift in the patrol route, turning southeast and away from the perceived threat of NVA on his northern flank. His men, eager to recover their fallen comrades, must have felt the thick jungle vegetation closing in around them. At 1645, the patrol turned west once again, with just a few hundred meters separating them from the target location.
At 1720 hours, within 50-100 meters of the initial contact site on March 27th which claimed the lives of seven members of Alpha Company, the NVA launched yet another ambush. The lead element was immediately pinned down by heavy accurate automatic and small arms fire. NVA mortar teams began lobbing 82mm mortars into the Alpha Company column, and B-40 rockets began impacting the ground and trees, showering the A Co men with deadly shrapnel.
For the next two hours, the men of Alpha Company fought a desperate fight to extract themselves from the deadly ambush. Snipers, hidden in the trees, split the company in two, separating the lead element from the command and rear elements. The once cohesive unit began to break down, and small groups of Alpha Company men formed together, fighting as small units as they attempted to reorganize. At 1910, the company commanders radio operator reported that he has gathered a group of 30-40 men with him, but Captain Joglar cannot be found.
Eventually, under the temporary command of Lt Armstrong, one of the platoon leaders, all but six Alpha Company men returned to their original position near Hill 900. The dustoff evacuations began and the cost of the engagement became clear. 36 men were wounded in action, the majority of whom needed to be evacuated. Six men are missing, but are reported killed in action based on witness reports from the A Co survivors. SFC Arthur Bradberry, PFC James Fox, SP4 Johnny Gibson, SGT Charles Lamby, SP4 Clarence Latimer and SGT Fred Smith are all presumed dead. It would be over a week before five of their bodies would be recovered. Latimer, from Due West, South Carolina could not be found and was listed as MIA until 1978, when a presumptive finding of death was issued. [author’s note – Clarence Latimer continued to be promoted while in MIA status, which is why military records show him as a Sergeant First Class.]
Two platoons from Charlie Company, which were positioned nearby, linked up with the survivors and reinforced their position near Hill 900. The other two platoons of Charlie assumed security of the battalion firebase at LZ Cider. Recon Platoon, and a single squad from Charlie, continued to occupy the patrol base just southwest of the firebase.
On LZ D-Handle, Bravo & Delta Company and the 4.2″ Mortar Platoon established a series of short range and ambush patrols near the firebase. After the perimeter breach at LZ D-Handle on the 28th, and reports of heavy action involving Alpha Company, the men of the 3-12 Infantry were on edge. The NVA had made the month of March extremely hard for the Braves of the 3-12, and as the sun set on the 30th, no one knew what would come next.
March 30th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0040 hours
Task Force Swift reports movement from their listening post (LP) at north-northeast. Employing M-79s.
0050 hours
Task Force Swift reports two individuals approaching northeast and they are going to employ frags to not pinpoint their location.
0110 hours
Task Force Swift reports that Bravo Company has movement directly towards their front. They’re employing frag grenades and M-79.
0215 hours
Negative situation from all element. TF Swift reports movement still around perimeter. If movement gets closer they will employ with grenades and M-79.
0240 hours
Task Force Swift has been informed of Harassment & Interdiction fires from this location (LZ Cider).
0430 hours
Alpha Company reports that LP had movement and opened up with small arms.
Alpha Company reports LP spotted three NVA in the open. LP engaged with small arms and believed to have killed on of them.
0443 hours
Alpha Company reports that when LP engaged with small arms a grenade was thrown at them. LP withdrew back to perimeter, leaving one PRC-25 and one weapon. Light organics are being employed at this time. Also entire line has been alerted. Two batteries of arty are also being employed.
0500 hours
Alpha Company stopped employing light organics at this time and is sending LPs back out.
0515 hours
All elements to include TF Swift have negative situations.
0605 hours
Major Fried reports that he has good visibility and will move his command post back into his location.
0640 hours
Alpha Company has small element moving back out to LP position and try and recover the radio and weapon.
0655 hours
Alpha Company small element has reached LP position. Recovered the radio and weapon and found one dead NVA.
0715 hours
Alpha Company found the following on the NVA they shot this morning.
Khakis, sandals, AK-47 with two 30 round magazines, one Chi-Com frag grenade, First Aid kit, belt with gold star, notebook with writing in it and some drawn pictures. One picture of a tank.
0740 hours
FAC (Cider 15) checked in Command A. He’s enroute to our location.
0745 hours
FAC (Cider 15) checked out for high priority mission for 1-8 Infantry.
0750 hours
Charlie Company 2nd Platoon will be reaction force for Air Cav today. Air Cav area of operations (AO) will be a Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA) of YA 773812 south to YA 77084, west to YA 750785, north to YA 763813. 2nd area YA 756835 south to YA 757803, west to YA 746802 and north to YA 745834.
0840 hours
Air Cav (Swamy 83) checked in on Command A. He will drop of an element to coordinate from the ground while he makes his BDA.
0955 hours
FAC (Cider 15) checked in and reports he can not put in any airstrikes because of the weather.
1000 hours
Because of negative airstrikes we have requested the following Combat Sky Spot (CSS)
YA 826817 – known mortar position
YA 826813 – bunker complex – occupied
YA 825811 – bunker complex – occupied
YA 826810 to YA 828814 – NVA all over in bunkers
Nearest friendlies for all of these will be 1000 meters east, 1500 meters south, 2000 meters north
1005 hours
Charlie Company. A squad out on a local patrol at grid YA 825785 found a trail running southwest to northeast. In the middle of this trail they found small white flowers evenly spaced two feet apart for approximately 10 meters. The flowers were quite fresh.
1100 hours
LTC Larkin informed Brigade that an airstrike was going in to our northeast and weather is clearing up so he’d like a FAC out here and see if we can get some air now.
1105 hours
Alpha Company reports one man lightly wounded by friendly artillery shrapnel.
1130 hours
Brigade informed us that FAC again confirms negative airstrikes because of weather.
1200 hours
Brigade reports CSS on YA 826817 at 1230 hours. Two F-100 with M-119. They will come in on a 160 degree heading.
1230 hours
FAC (Cider 13) checked in on Command A.
1240 hours
CSS at YA 826817 is complete.
1250 hours
Major Fried reports mortars has one man with temperature of 104 degrees. Brigade reports temp must be 105 degrees before Dustoff is called. We’ll get him out on a log bird as soon as we get one.
1330 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon has spotted an NVA in a tree. Organics are being employed. They spotted him in tree on their old patrol base. They don’t think he spotted them.
1355 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon reported in reference to the NVA in a tree. Turned out to be a monkey. They killed him.
1356 hours
Brigade reported another CSS would be going in at YA 826813 at 1350 hours.
1400 hours
2nd CSS completed at YA 826813.
1430 hours
Prep started for Alpha Company.
1431 hours
Alpha Company departed their night location at YA 834813.
1445 hours
Alpha Company left their 3rd Platoon at their last night location to secure it.
1450 hours
Alpha Company at YA 831814 and along the trail there is a steady blood trail made from last night or day before. West to northwest.
1500 hours
Charlie Company(-) departed their last night location at YA 827797.
1506 hours
Alpha Company reports a dud bomb and it is still smoking. A 500lb bomb and Cider 20 checked in on Command A.
1510 hours
Alpha Company at YA 830814.
1520 hours
Alpha Company is at YA 829813.
1526 hours
Alpha Company reports movement to their right flank where they made contact a few days ago.
1531 hours
Alpha Company lead element has reached the bomb crater and have movement on their right flank. To check out the movement is their 4th Platoon.
1550 hours
Alpha Company is at YA 827813.
1556 hours
Bravo Company SRP23 has movement. 1-3 individuals it was south then move north contour around the finger to northeast. Presently it has stopped. Light organics have been laid and wait for further developments.
1600 hours
Charlie Company(-) is at YA 828804.
1607 hours
Alpha Company is in the area of contact and found some bunkers. They found pistol belt with canteen and cover.
1617 hours
Alpha Company reports they found three bunkers on line in them was papers with writing on them. Believe to be some type of code and also M-60 belts of ammo.
1625 hours
Alpha Company recovered one body bag and one stretcher they lost on March 28th.
1632 hours
Alpha Company reports moving past area of contact and slowly down the finger.
1645 hours
Alpha Company is at YA 848811.
1707 hours
Charlie Company(-) is 25 meters from the crest of the finger he is supposed to be on.
1715 hours
Alpha Company reports that their lead element is 150 meters from objective.
1720 hours
Alpha Company lead element is in contact at 826811.
1722 hours
Alpha Company lead element reports it was an ambush. So far negative casualties.
1735 hours
Alpha Company is still in contact. They have three WIAs. They are trying to pull back and break contact. Redleg is being employed.
1736 hours
Internal net is jammed.
1745 hours
Requested gunships for Alpha Company to Brigade.
1747 hours
Alpha Company is getting incoming. Do not know what type.
1800 hours
The incoming Alpha Company is getting is 82mm mortars.
1805 hours
Alpha Company reports three KIA and more WIAs.
1806 hours
Alpha Company is surrounded by flanks receiving incoming mortars and small arms. Undetermined amount of casualties and is pulling back with what they can bring back. Redleg being employed.
1810 hours
Alpha Company 3rd Platoon reports movement all around them.
1815 hours
Charlie Company(-) will come up from their reaction position to help out Alpha Company.
1821 hours
Alpha Company has two KIA and is completely surrounded and have heavy casualties. There are snipers in the trees. There are snipers between the CP group and lead element.
1827 hours
Gunships check in on Command A.
1830 hours
Alpha Company is still trying to consolidate.
1840 hours
Negative radio contact with Alpha Company.
1846 hours
Alpha Company request Spooky for tonight from Brigade.
1855 hours
Charlie Company 1st Platoon will combat assault to Alpha Company last night location to help secure that landing zone by Light Observation Helicopter (LOH).
1900 hours
We are getting incoming at LZ Cider. One round mortar.
Alpha Company reports ground contact broken.
1905 hours
FSB Cider is receiving 75mm recoilless rifle incoming (minimum three rounds).
1910 hours
Alpha Company charlie (RTO) estimated 30-40 people with him. He doesn’t know where A Co commander is.
1911 hours
Charlie Company(-) reports negative casualties from incoming.
1915 hours
Alpha Company 1st Platoon was securing A Co last night location.
1916 hours
Brigade informed us that Spooky 23 will be on air-ground net in about 15-20 minutes.
1917 hours
1st Platoon A Co received incoming 75 recoilless rifle fire. 1st platoon is at YA 834813.
1922 hours
Alpha Company reports 18 WIA and will need an urgent dustoff.
Dustoff will come in on Command A 62.20.
1929 hours
Alpha Company 1st Platoon hasn’t received any recoilless rifle fire for 30 minutes.
1930 hours
Spooky 23 checked in at 1930 hours.
1938 hours
Requested second dustoff. Alpha Company has more than nine urgent to be dusted off.
1941 hours
The Dustoff 34 will be on Command A. ETA 30 minutes and Battalion surgeon will be on dustoff.
2000 hours
Lt. Armstrong said no WIA were left behind. 19 WIAs and seven confirmed KIAs.
2010 hours
The second Dustoff and Spooky is now on our air-ground net.
2020 hours
Charlie Company(-) closed A Co night location at this time.
2026 hours
First dustoff in and out.
2103 hours
2nd dustoff completed a total of 16 dusted off.
Night locations send to Brigade
Bravo Company SRP23 spotted two individuals they employed mortars. The individuals fled south. Task Force Swift has movement around the perimeter and is employing light organics.
2110 hours
Alpha Company confirmed 25 NVA KIA by ground fire. NVA were dressed in green fatigues. Armed with AK-47 and many M-16s. Several had packs and were in trees.
2124 hours
Task Force Swift still has movement. SRP23 has negative situation.
2135 hours
One of the killed of Alpha Company had the KAC code and a list of all our pushes.
2200 hours
Alpha Company reports six KIAs but they do not have the bodies.
2210 hours
Recap so far of casualties of Alpha Company. 16 WIAs and six KIAs (no bodies).
2212 hours
Recap of casualties of Alpha Company shows 36 WIA and six MIA.
2240 hours
Task Force Swift reports that patrol #3 spotted four NVA. Light organics and M-79 was employed. Possible one KIA NVA. NVA moving northeast.
2245 hours
Status for elements in contact
A Co – 63 Pick & Shovel – 6
C Co – 44 Redleg – 5
Medics – 1 Total – 119
Missing equipment
M-16 – 10
M-60 – 1
M-79 – 2
PRC-25 – 2 none are on frequency and one is destroyed
2246 hours
Recon will be call situation report from the 242 element.
2330 hours
Charlie Company received one round incoming.
2340 hours
Charlie Company reports that Alpha Company 2nd Platoon has movement approximately 50 meters from perimeter estimated 1-2 individuals. Movement from northeast.
2341 hours
Negative situations from all element.
2350 hours
Charlie Company reports that LP #4 has movement on finger northwest.