March 30th, 1969 recap
Alpha Company makes another attempt to recover their fallen men from March 27th. After letting A Co close to within 100 meters of the initial contact site, the NVA unleashed an ambush. The company, effectively split in two by snipers in trees and mortar fire, is forced yet again to withdraw. Small groups of Alpha Company soldiers engage the NVA in brutal firefights, killing some, while taking additional casualties. By the time A Co makes it back to its original position on top of the hill, six men are MIA (presumed KIA) and over 30 wounded.
SFC Arthur Bradberry, PFC James Fox, SP4 Johnny Gibson, SGT Charles Lamby, SP4 Clarence Latimer (promoted to SFC while in MIA status) and SGT Fred Smith are all missing. Alpha Company survivors report seeing all of them killed in action, but there was no opportunity to recover their bodies.
March 31st, 1969
During the night, the perimeter of Alpha & Charlie company north of LZ Cider received approximately 150 rounds of mixed enemy fire, including 60mm and 82mm mortars and 75mm recoilless rifle. The perimeter experienced enemy ground probes as well. A Spooky gunship was called in for support, and stayed on station the remainder of the night. Alpha & Charlie Company were later extracted from their perimeter and airlifted to LZ Cider. LZ Cider also received at least seven rounds of enemy mortar and recoilless rifle fire with negative damage or casualties.
LZ D-Handle received approximately 35 rounds of mixed 60mm and 82mm mortar fire, resulting in three men wounded in action.
The battalion continued to employ short range and ambush patrols in the area of operations, with no reported contact. The contact area of Alpha Company and the area between LZ D-Handle and LZ Cider was brought under heavy aerial and artillery bombardment.
March 31st, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0008 hours
Charlie Company reports one round of incoming real close to perimeter. 60mm or 82mm.
0010 hours
Charlie Company reports negative situation and Task Force Swift reports negative situation.
0025 hours
Charlie Company reports receiving incoming light organics and small arms and automatic fire. Rounds landed inside perimeter. Recoilless rifle and 82mm.
0028 hours
LZ Cider employing light organics and Redleg at this time.
0030 hours
Charlie Company reports still receiving incoming from the west by recoilless rifle. Negative small arms at this time. LTC Larkin put in a request for a Spooky to Brigade.
0035 hours
Brigade informed us that Spooky 22 will check in on our Command A.
0037 hours
Charlie Company reports negative friendly casualties from incoming.
0040 hours
Charlie Company reports pops from incoming rounds are at a 320 degree azimuth from C Co location.
0045 hours
Charlie Company reports still getting 5-6 incoming rounds from 60mm and recoilless rifle. Negative casualties.
0055 hours
Charlie Company reports receiving 6-8 round from 60mm in the last 5-7 minutes. Negative incoming from recoilless rifle and negative casualties.
0100 hours
Suspected recoilless rifle position YA 831815. Charlie Company reports negative incoming for last 2-3 minutes. C Co has negative listening posts out and negative movement at this time.
0115 hours
Brigade informed us that the three Combat Sky Spots (CSS) we requested are within one kilometer. Brigade will plot the three grids in an event we should get a ground attack we can adjust them closer. Brigade will also have some CSS around A Co location.
0125 hours
Task Force Swift reports negative situation.
0127 hours
Spooky 22 checked in on air-ground net.
0130 hours
Charlie Company reports still having incoming. Very light incoming still negative casualties. C Co working Spooky in. Redleg still being employed.
0133 hours
Charlie Company received grenades thrown from outside their wire. C Co engaged with grenades and M-79.
0140 hours
Spooky 22 making contact with Charlie Company and informed them to get down because he’ll be working real close to their location. Spooky will be working from east-west.
0143 hours
Charlie Company reports movement and employed a grenade. Movement has ceased. Still negative casualties. C Co is working in Spooky at this time.
0145 hours
Request for another Spooky on stand-by when Spooky 22 has expended.
0150 hours
Negative situation from all elements to include Task Force Swift.
0210 hours
LTC Larkin informed Brigade that he talked to Spooky and asked him to stay on station for 45 minutes. Ammo will be the problem, not fuel.
0230 hours
Expenditure time for Spooky 22 is 0330. Then will be replaced by another. CSS has been postponed until Spooky is out of the way. CSS will be on order.
0235 hours
Charlie Company received approximately 150 rounds of incoming from mixed 60mm mortar and recoilless rifle.
0245 hours
Brigade informed us that ETA for replacement Spooky will be 0330.
0300 hours
Bravo Company reports movement from the southeast. B Co engaged with frag grenade, shortly thereafter movement ceased.
0305 hours
Negative situation report from all elements to include Task Force Swift.
0330 hours
Brigade has informed us that the Spooky will get their own replacements and for us to to keep them informed.
0350 hours
Bravo Company reports SRP23 at YA 817854 has movement to the northeast. Light organics are being employed at this time.
0435 hours
Alpha Company 1st Platoon reported that 211 on west side of LZ Cider heard movement approximately 40 meters from perimeter. If movement gets closer, they will employ grenades.
0450 hours
Task Force Swift reports spotting one NVA on northern side of perimeter. Engaging with M-79.
0535 hours
Confirmed 51 and 53 are on 100% alert. Same for TOC location and to include Task Force Swift.
0550 hours
Brigade wants to know the following info.
27 March 1125 hours – 30 March 1230 hours – 31 March 0600 hours.
Brigade wants to know amount of 81mm & 4.2″ mortar support given to Alpha Company within these two time phases.
Answers:
1) 4.2″ – 311 high explosive, eight white phosphorous – Total 319
81mm – 251 high explosive, 19 white phosphorous – Total 330
Total 649
2) 4.2″ – 71 high explosive, zero white phosphorous – Total 71
81mm – 96 high explosive, 16 white phosphorous – Total 115
Total 186
Redleg support
C Battery – 1757 high explosive, three white phosphorous, six flare
B Battery – 300 high explosive, 13 white phosphorous
A Battery (2-9) 254 high explosive, two white phosphorous
Total 2301 high explosive, 17 white phosphorous, six flare
0600 hours
Charlie Company 1st Platoon has movement to their front. They employed frags.
0625 hours
Spooky 22 checked out of our Command A.
0635 hours
Charlie Company commanding officer (CO) reports that five individuals at his location from A Co that will be unable to walk.
0645 hours
Brigade requested weather report. 4 miles visibility – 5000′ ceiling, scattered clouds. 15 knot wind from east.
0646 hours
We are receiving incoming at this location and at A Co and C Co(-) location. Recoilless rifle.
0647 hours
Head Hunter requested.
0648 hours
Air Cav requested.
0650 hours
Charlie Company reports recoilless rifle coming from 360 degree azimuth. They have received six rounds a their location and we have received two rounds at LZ Cider.
0700 hours
Brigade reports we should have CSS in 30 minutes.
0710 hours
Charlie Company(-) and Alpha Company received six rounds and LZ Cider received four rounds recoilless rifle. Negative casualties. Redleg is being employed on possible rifle positions.
0715 hours
We are receiving incoming again at Alpha Company and LZ Cider.
0720 hours
FAC (Cider) checked in on Command A.
0730 hours
Charlie Company(-) and Alpha Company received three rounds with one light WIA. Cider received 1-5 rounds negative casualties.
0740 hours
Source estimated location of recoilless rifle is YA 833821.
0741 hours
Total rounds incoming thus far.
Alpha Company – 159 rounds – approximately 20 were recoilless rifle and the were mixture 82mm and 60mm.
LZ Cider – Seven rounds. Five recoilless rifle and two 82mm mortar.
0743 hours
Target grid for first airstrike is YA 825811.
0750 hours
Charlie Company reports one more slight WIA. Hip wound, might not be able to walk.
0753 hours
Charlie Company has movement to their northeast. They are employing M-79 grenade launcher.
0755 hours
Bravo Company SRP22 has departed night location and closed B Co location.
0800 hours
Check fire confirmed below 83 grid line for Cider.
0815 hours
Reaction for Air Cav today will be Bravo Company 3rd Platoon. Air Cav AO is YA 7985-YA 8285 and YA 8278 – YA 7978.
0825 hours
FAC (Cider 13) reports 1st airstrike complete. Two small secondaries. Black smoke. 100′ high. Fighters received small arms fire and automatic weapons fire from the ground.
0830 hours
Charlie Company WIA – 1LT Geary and Robert Myers.
0900 hours
Task Force Swift reported that they swept areas where their listening posts (LP) had movement and had negative findings.
0910 hours
FAC (Cider 13) reports he has ordered fighters with retarded bombs and delayed fuses. He doesn’t know if he can get them on time requested.
0920 hours
FAC reports he has another set of fighters coming in about 15 minutes. Four delayed bombs and four napalm.
LTC Larkin requested he put them in a little west and up the finger. Approximately 100-150 meters from last airstrike (YA 825811).
0945 hours
Charlie Company reported he has nine WIA that can’t walk.
1012 hours
2nd airstrike is complete at YA 826813.
1020 hours
From Brigade. 51 & 53(-) be prepared to air lift to LZ Cider. Division chemical officer will bring non-persistent CS out and we will select grids and follow up with artillery.
1025 hours
Air Cav (Swamee 72) checked in Command A and will be working in our area.
1037 hours
FAC (Cider 13) is bringing in third airstrike at this time.
1045 hours
FAC (Cider 10) reports third airstrike complete.
1050 hours
14 WIAs have been evacuated from Alpha Company location to Mary Lou.
1112 hours
LTC Larkin is airborne enroute to Popkorn [???]
1125 hours
Air Cav has spotted a bunker complex. Several bunkers and automatic weapons position. Bunkers have 6’x6′ and 6’x10′ openings. Trails all over look to be fresh. Air Cav believes the NVA are in the bunkers (831811).
1200 hours
Air Cav – Redbird took ground fire. He’s setting down on our pad to look over his bird.
1202 hours
Task Force Swift report incoming. They received two rounds.
1206 hours
Task Force Swift has four more rounds. It’s coming from south. 60mm mortars. Negative casualties at this time.
1210 hours
Task Force Swift has 13 rounds at this time. Bravo Company LP on north has movement all around them. B Co is pulling LP in.
1213 hours
Air Cav is diverting to Task Force Swift area to try and find mortar position.
1215 hours
LTC Larkin called and reported Alpha Company and Charlie Company(-) will be final extracted today from present location to LZ Cider. This will be only move that will take place today.
1217 hours
Major Fried reported possible mortar tube location YA 816840.
1224 hours
FAC (Cider 13) is putting fourth airstrike in at this time.
1230 hours
Task Force Swift reports 35 rounds incoming at this time.
1232 hours
Fighters putting in airstrikes got ground fire again.
1236 hours
Task Force Swift reports negative incoming for last 10 minutes.
1237 hours
Fighters drew ground fire again on their next pass.
1245 hours
FAC (Cider 10) reported fourth airstrike complete at YA 827816.
1250 hours
FAC (Cider 10) checked out and (Cider 12) took his place.
1300 hours
Task Force Swift had three light WIA. They received 35 rounds 82mm possibly some 75mm. About 14 landed inside the perimeter.
1315 hours
Slicks are enroute to make final extraction of Alpha Company and Charlie Company(-). They have guns with them.
1318 hours
Air Cav is departed area to refuel. They will be back in approximately 30-45 minutes.
1319 hours
Task Force Swift SRP21 has movement all around them.
1325 hours
Pickup Zone (PZ) time of final extraction of A Co and C Co(-)
1326 hours
Killer 25 checked in Command A. He has non-persistent CS which he will drop on grids YA 821816 and YA 826811.
1330 hours
Initial PZ of A Co and C Co(-).
1335 hours
Brigade informed us that our Command A would change to 63.60. Alpha Company family push would change to 59.90.
1350 hours
Cider 12 will mark bunker complex for Kill 25.
1353 hours
Killer 25 has completed his mission. He is going to refuel and be back in 20 minutes.
1356 hours
Charlie Company reports three sorties left on PZ.
1400 hours
Slicks report they received random small arms fire.
1403 hours
Final PZ for A Co & C Co(-).
1406 hours
Final LZ – Lift complete.
1407 hours
Task Force Swift – SRP21 has negative movement at this time.
1408 hours
Artillery from Brace-Cider and Short are being employed on area of CS drop YA 827816 to YA 826811. 175 rounds will be employed.
1409 hours
LTC Larkin has arrived back to LZ Cider.
1420 hours
Artillery follow up complete.
LZ Brace – 100 rounds high explosive
LZ Short – 50 rounds high explosive
LZ Cider – 25 rounds high explosive
1435 hours
Another airstrike going in at the same location as earlier.
1452 hours
CS is now going in at YA 827817. Also airstrike complete.
1457 hours
Airstrike was going where the CS was dropped.
1506 hours
2nd airstrike completed.
1507 hours
3-8 Infantry S-3 said they will have an element at YA 814864 and request AO to change at YA86 line to have everything north temporarily.
1530 hours
Charlie Company ambush patrol (AP) 1 departed C Co location.
1615 hours
Charlie Company AP1 & AP2 is at YA 827796 and Recon departed C Co location.
1617 hours
Air strikes requested for troops assault prep strikes for 1 April.
2 each YA 826816 / bunker complex
2 each YA 825817 / bunker complex
2 each YA 824814 / bunker complex
All above is for 750lbs with delays. Combat Sky Spots.
YA 814807 enemy bunker complexes
YA 821810 and weapons positions
YA 834815 of all CSS
YA 818818, YA 816823, YA 817839, YA 823815, YA 802802, YA 804817
1626 hours
Bravo Company SRP22 has departed B Co location.
1730 hours
CSS at YA 821809 – Nearest friendly 900 meter east. West to east flight.
YA 824811 – Nearest friendly 1100 meters southeast. West to east flight.
1735 hours
Status sent to Brigade.
1950 hours
LTC Larkin informed Brigade that we had drawn 900 81mm mortar rounds and 187 4.2″ mortar rounds. Brigade informed LTC Larkin that he can draw 400 81mm mortars and 300 4.2″ mortars.
2000 hours
Alpha Company reported that at 327 degree azimuth and 1800 meters from the location at YA 829799 mortars are being employed.
2025 hours
3-12 Infantry requests from Brigade a tracker dog team for Task Force Swift on 1 April 1969.
2105 hours
Arc Light 7225 will be close to SRP22 and SRP46 and C Co AP2 so they will have to be pulled into FSB.
2106 hours
Arc Light 7225 grids YA 804806-Y 829823-YA 823831-YA 799814. Time on Target April 1st, 0435 hours.
C Co AP2 and SRP 22 have departed their night locations.
2115 hours
SRP 46 departed their night location.
2136 hours
Arc Light:
7226 for April 1st, 1425 hours. YA 804821-YA 834821-YA 834831-YA 804831.
7227 for April 1st, 1835 hours. YA 797798-YA 807798-YA 807828-YA 797828.
7228 for April 1st, 1835 hours. YA 796826-YA 806829-YA 797857-YA 787854.
7229 for April 1st, 1835 hours. YA 808769-YA 817773-YA 805801-YA 796797.
2130 hours
Charlie Company AP2 and SRP46 closed their locations.
2200 hours
Charlie Company commander Captain Lee reports one of his LPs had an accidental discharge of M-16 and it nicked his finger.
2215 hours
Bravo Company 2nd Platoon closed B Co location.
2335 hours
Enlisted man PFC (E-3) Rivera, Paul C. Had an accidental discharge from M-16. Weapon was off safety. Individual received superficial wound on right finger. Individual was removing plastic cap off flash suppressor when weapon went off.
2340 hours
3-12 Infantry will have two persistent CS gas drops on April 1st, 1969.
I. YA 779799 to YA 782805
II. YA 7779811 to YA 781817
Chemical officer (Code name Romeo 97) will check in on our Command A. No ETA.