March 17th recap
The four line companies of the battalion enjoyed another relatively quiet day. Alpha & Charlie continued improving the LZ Cider perimeter. A planned lift of the rest of the battalion TOC from LZ Swinger was accomplished at 1400 hours. Split into several elements since March 1st, the battalion was finally reformed. Bravo Battery, 6-29 Field Artillery and the battalion Recon Platoon also continued their occupation of LZ Cider.
Six kilometers north of the battalion firebase at LZ Cider, Bravo & Delta companies continued to send out small element patrols. Focused mostly on the looming ridgeline to the southwest, the patrols encountered little to no NVA activity on the 17th.
March 18th, 1969 – LZ Cider – HHC, Alpha, Charlie, Recon, B/6-29 FA
At 0930 hours a short range patrol (SRP) manned by members of the Battalion Recon platoon makes contact with a small NVA element. The members of the SRP throw hand grenades and withdraw back to the Charlie Company patrol base. The initial attempt to locate the contact site is unsuccessful, and it isn’t until 1647 hours that a platoon from Alpha Company is able to locate it. The presence of blood trails indicate that at least one of the NVA patrol has been badly wounded.
Charlie Company, which started the day co-located with Alpha on the battalion firebase, begins a company patrol to the north along a crescent shaped ridgeline. Charlie establishes a company patrol base on a semi-clear 820 meter high hilltop roughly 1.5 kilometers north of LZ Cider.
March 18th, 1969 – LZ Swift, LZ D-Handle – Bravo, Delta, 4.2″ Mortars
At 0755 hours, 1LT Walter Mouzon, the platoon leader of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company orders his men to move southwest of LZ D-Handle and towards a looming 800+ meter hill roughly a kilometer and a half away. His platoon, composed of approximately 20 men moves quickly across a narrow saddle and begins climbing towards the 860 meter peak. By 0910, Mouzon’s point element has neared the crest of the hill when they spot a single NVA pop up from a hidden bunker. The NVA soldier, catching a glimpse of the approaching Americans, ducks back down and out of sight. 1LT Mouzon calls for fire support from the Delta Company 4th Platoon 81mm mortar section. 40 delay fuse and point detonation rounds smash into the area around the NVA bunker. The NVA soldier then opens fire with small arms, but is quickly killed by the Delta Company infantrymen.
Before 1LT Mouzon can move his men forward, his flank elements begin receiving a heavy volume of enemy small arms, rockets and mortar fire. Dozens of NVA soldiers pour overwhelming fire into his position. His point element is quickly cut off, and the situation begins to unravel. He requests support from his company commander, Captain Foss, who orders Delta Company’s 2nd Platoon to move and reinforce 3rd Platoon.
The men of 2nd and 3rd Platoons spend the next nine hours engulfed in a storm of NVA rockets, mortars and automatic weapons fire. In desperate small unit actions, groups of soldiers push up the hill, making attempt after attempt to recover their fallen comrades. 1LT Mouzon, wounded in the leg, is at one point completely isolated from the rest of his platoon. Somehow, despite the intense fighting all around him, he is eventually recovered and evacuated from the battlefield.
The remnants of the two platoons join together on the east side of the ridgeline and form a hasty perimeter. Throughout the day, dozens of airstrikes have impacted the top of the hill. Artillery and mortars fill each and every void left by the departing American aircraft. The combined platoons position is secure, for the moment. It is likely that the NVA suffer far greater casualties than the two battered platoons of Delta Company.
Casualties
Seven Delta Company soldiers are killed in action during the fighting on March 18th, 1969. Nineteen more are wounded, at least 18 of whom seriously enough to be evacuated.
- https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/2650/ROBERT-L-BARRETT-JR/
- https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/5714/DAN-M-BRITT/
- https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/11901/MARK-F-DANIELS/
- https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/12262/LARRY-K-DAVIS/
- https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/14519/JOE-B-EASTERN/
- https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/26459/WILLIAM-L-JOHNSON-2/
- https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/29717/JIMMY-L-LARSEN/
March 18th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0725 hours
Delta Company reports ambush patrol (AP) closed
0728 hours
Charlie Company reports AP closed
0755 hours
Report from Brigade to inform Bravo Company that two scout teams will arrive today.
0800 hours
Yellow Scarf will be working in same AO as yesterday
0830 hours
SP time for Delta Company 3rd Platoon is 0755 hours. SP time for Charlie Company is 0815 hours.
0845 hours
Cider 13 checked in. We have negative traffic for him at this time. Cider 13 will stay on our Command A.
0910 hours
Delta Company reports that at grid YA 817840 D Co 3rd Platoon spotted one NVA in hole. 3rd Platoon reported that they detected the NVA when he popped his head out then went back in. 3rd Platoon spotted individual approximately 50 meters from his location. Employing light organics.
0925 hours
Brigade has been informed of Delta Company 3rd Platoon sighting of one NVA. Brigade said there is no need for Yellow Scarf because there is only one NVA and there is a platoon of D Co out there. Brigade wants platoon to engage with M-79.
0930 hours
Bravo Company reported that he will be using the scout team to check out his perimeter additionally 300 meters out. Do the numerous NVA bodies and since the NVA left in such a hurry. The dogs can be used to find things they left behind.
Recon Platoon: SRP 31 at YA 812798 their night location. Spotted one NVA checking out their claymores. SRP spotted five more NVA behind them at a distance of five feet. SRP threw grenades and escaped. SRP left all equipment at night location. SRP had negative casualties and returned to patrol base. YA 828798 by 1020 hours. SRP is convinced they killed or wounded NVA. 2nd Platoon of Alpha Company will be sent to sweep contact area and recover equipment and radio.
0935 hours
Bravo Company Patrol #2 with dogs has just SP Bravo Company location (LZ Swift).
0940 hours
Cav just checked in and will be working to the east.
0945 hours
Brigade reported that the Assistant Division Commander is inbound to LZ Cider grid YA 829799.
0955 hours
Charlie Company reported to Major Williams that his element has reached the end of his terrain feature.
1000 hours
General Irzyk has just arrived at LZ Cider YA 829799.
1022 hours
Captain Foss reported that D Co 3rd Platoon made contact at grid YA 818839.
3rd Platoon of D Co after light organics have been employed at grid YA817840. Started up the hill when they made contact with estimated enemy platoon at YA 818839. 3rd Platoon D Co received incoming B-40 round, also confronted by bunkers and started receiving small arms fire. Light organics still being employed.
1030 hours
Swamy 31 checked in with Captain Foss and is on station for 3rd Platoon Delta Company.
1035 hours
Yellow Scarf on station coming from the west to assist 3rd Platoon Delta Company. SP time for reinforcing element is 1025 hours, call sign 542. 2nd Platoon moving south from D Co location to link up with 3rd Platoon D Co.
1040 hours
Negative contact at this time.
1048 hours
Red Birds have checked in with 3rd Platoon Delta Company. Captain Foss has check fire of 3rd Platoon in affect.
1050 hours
LTC Larkin is airborne at this time. Enroute to contact area.
2nd Platoon D Co approximately 300 meters from 3rd Platoon D Co.
1052 hours
2nd Platoon D Co reports receiving small arms from one NVA behind a rock, pinning down 2nd Platoon Delta Company.
1055 hours
3rd Platoon Delta Company spotted NVA behind them to the west on a trail. 2nd Platoon approximately 200 meters from 3rd Platoon.
1100 hours
Yellow Scarf reports that he is receiving small arms fire in all directions. They cannot engage because of scattered friendlies
1110 hours
3rd Platoon D Co reports small arms coming from top of finger to the south. Lt. Mouzon informed Red Birds to work over top of finger.
1115 hours
2nd Platoon approximately 100-150 meters from 3rd Platoon D Co.
1120 hours
Lt Mouzon of 3rd Platoon Delta Company reports negative situation at this time. Lt Mouzon has all individuals accounted for except for two that are still on top. Captain Foss employing light organics at this time.
1125 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company cannot advance forward because individual behind rock still has them pinned.
1130 hours
2nd Platoon is still engaging individual behind rock. 3rd Platoon is receiving small arms from the south to north. 2nd Platoon still cannot link up with 3rd Platoon. LT Mouzon planning fire and maneuver to retrieve WIA still on top.
1135 hours
Charlie Company reports being on top of his objective and has negative situation report.
1145 hours
3rd Platoon Delta Company reports a fire in area of WIA.
1200 hours
3rd Platoon Delta Company cannot move. Every attempt he made to move he was fired upon. 2nd Platoon Delta Company still cannot get by NVA behind rock. 2nd Platoon trying to move around and link up with 3rd Platoon at a different direction.
1215 hours
Lt Mouzon reported receiving incoming B-40 round. Lt Mouzon is WIA. Red Birds dropping napalm and hi-drags. The start of airstrike is 1235 hours.
1230 hours
Link up between both elements is still not complete.
1245 hours
S-3 : Bravo Company will send one platoon to Delta Company patrol base and secure it.
1250 hours
Delta Company (minus) will SP shortly to assist 2nd and 3rd Platoons in contact.
Cider 14 : airstrike is completed – secondary explosion on top of ridge.
Delta Company : Resumes employing of mortar fire. 3rd Platoon indicates movement to the south – requests immediate help – feels everybody is wounded. 2nd Platoon is moving east as fast as possible to effect link up.
1255 hours
Battalion Commander is airborne in Hummingbird 1
Cider 10 is coming on station will have set of fighters at approximately 1315 hours
D Co 3rd Platoon leader indicates his people are laying all around him. Nobody moves. 2nd Platoon is ordered again to assist.
1300 hours
Delta Company CO reports he believes that 3rd Platoon is believed to have two people remaining 15-20 WIAs at this time. Both M60 are lost. 2nd Platoon about 250 meters away.
1310 hours
2nd Platoon reached east side of finger about 200 meters from 3rd Platoon.
Mortars are check fired so Cider 14 & 10 may get fix on 3rd Platoon.
Air Cav gunships are on station to expend. Three gunship strike going in now.
1315 hours
3rd & 2nd Platoon gained radio contact. Estimated 100 meters before link-up.
Cider 13 reports when his F4s made strike a B-40 was fired at them.
1320 hours
Platoon of Bravo Company closed Delta Company position. Delta (-) will await link up of 2nd & 3rd platoon before moving
Alpha Company : reports 2nd Platoon cannot find night location of SRP 31. SRP 31 members acting as guide appear to have been only about 300 meters from Charlie Companies patrol base.
1330 hours
Gunships have expended – D Co mortars resume at this time.
3rd Platoon gives situation report. Only two others moving – enemy believed to be still in bunkers.
1335 hours
Battalion Commander coordinates with Delta Company employment of artillery on enemy location.
1343 hours
2nd Platoon reports receiving small arms fire from snipers on top of hill – mortars being employed.
1345 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company reports NVA all around them.
1350 hours
2nd Platoon D Co reports they killed one NVA, three others ran away. They believe to be 75 meters away from 3rd Platoon and about still NVA are between both platoons.
1410 hours
Alpha Company : 2nd Platoon closed Recon Platoon patrol base (827796). Recon Platoon will SP to recover SRP 31s equipment.
1415 hours
3rd platoon leader reports he still has about five people.
Alpha Company : 2nd Platoon SPs again from Recon patrol base to recover SRP 31 equipment.
1420 hours
3rd Platoon reports receiving AK fire from south. 2nd Platoon reports pinned down again by two NVA behind trees. Employing M-79.
1425 hours
2nd Platoon is receiving B-40 fire – employing frags & small arms – negative casualties.
Cider 10 gets check fire from Delta Company mortars – has one set of fighters on station.
1430 hours
Cider 10 is putting in airstrike.
1435 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company is still maneuvering to link up with 3rd Platoon. Pinned down by 4-5 NVA located between the two platoons.
1441 hours
Cider 10 airstrike complete. 3rd Platoon reports NVA still firing. Delta Company employing mortars again.
2nd Platoon still pinned down employing frags & M-79.
1445 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company reports they killed three NVA but still two remain behind trees. Employing frags & M-79.
1450 hours
Crocodile 6 reports on station with two gunships
1455 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company indicates that they are dealing with estimated 4-5 NVA dug in between the two platoons. Request 3rd Platoon send party down to assist and make link up.
1500 hours
Gunships (Crocodile 6) starts runs on top of hill.
1505 hours
2nd Platoon indicates still pinned down by a B-40 rocket launcher and 4-5 other NVA behind trees. 2nd Platoon employing fire & maneuver to overcome.
1510 hours
3rd Platoon Delta Company. He has eight personnel not wounded. He can account for 17 total. He has several KIAs forward of his position. He cannot account for four personnel.
1512 hours
Gunships have expended.
1514 hours
3rd Platoon Delta Company gives another body count : 4 KIA/MIA, 9 WIA at his position, 8 personnel OK.
Delta Company commences to employ mortars again – also they requested resupply of 81mm High Explosive rounds.
1530 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company reports additional small arms fire from north.
1540 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company reports having voice contact with 3rd Platoon element.
1545 hours
Delta Company 3rd Platoon is surrounded from all side but the east and will try to pull back to east to link up with 2nd Platoon D Co. He said he will try to take all WIAs & KIAs. He has one more KIA & one more WIA.
1550 hours
2nd Platoon of D Co just reported KIA the B-40 NVA man.
1600 hours
Delta Company 2nd Platoon has reported that the NVA are between him and 3rd Platoon. But they will try to move until they are linked up with 3rd Platoon.
1605 hours
3rd Platoon reported they have quite a bit of WIA at this time.
1606 hours
Delta Company 2nd & 3rd Platoons are about 50-70 meters northeast to each other.
1611 hours
Gunships now on station.
1615 hours
1st Platoon Bravo Company SP D Co location to landing zone picked out by LTC Larkin.
1620 hours
Airstrike is going to support cover for 3rd Platoon. Help link up with 2nd Platoon which will be shortly.
1621 hours
3rd Platoon Delta Company receiving incoming mortars
1625 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company said mortar tube is south of 50-75 meters. 2nd Platoon just received one WIA and is now pinned down from all side and they have mortars incoming.
1627 hours
2nd Platoon D Co reports three WIA badly.
1630 hours
D Co & 2nd Platoon has negative radio contact with 3rd Platoon believes the radio has been knocked out.
1631 hours
Airstrikes have been completed & organics now being emplyoyed.
1635 hours
2nd Platoon D Co is now pulling back down the finger with WIAs
1639 hours
2nd Platoon receiving small arms from the east at the bottom. Receiving fires from the north mostly.
1640 hours
Major Williams request LOHs to help the D Co platoons.
1642 hours
D Co 3rd Platoon has just made contact with D Co commander.
1643 hours
D Co 3rd Platoon leader is all by himself doesn’t know where his elements are. He is also hit in the leg.
1645 hours
Gunships expended & now organics are going in the contact area. Gunships will return.
1647 hours
Alpha Company reports they found the equipment of recon.
1650 hours
2nd Platoon D Co reports that he left one KIA (friendly) behind.
1655 hours
Alpha Company reports they found all the Recon equipment and a helmet plus blood trails.
1700 hours
Yellow Scarfs just checked in Command A (snakes).
2nd Platoon Delta Company reports they had to leave one more (KIA) behind.
1703 hours
Captain Foss believes they knocked out the mortar tube.
1710 hours
2nd Platoon D Co made contact with 12 people of 3rd Platoon Delta Company.
1715 hours
We informed Charlie Company to go up on our Command B.
1716 hours
LTC Larkin has negative contact with Delta Company 3rd Platoon leader
1720 hours
Gunships expended and organics being employed.
1725 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company reports he sees only 4-5 WIA but is not sure
1735 hours
Check fire on mortars and airstrikes are going in.
1736 hours
Delta Company Captain Foss reports he lost two radio and our Command A has been compromised. Delta Company said he will need an internal because he believes his internal has been compromised.
1740 hours
Negative contact with 3rd Platoon leader of Delta Company
1755 hours
2nd Platoon reports eight WIA urgent dustoffs.
1800 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company has reached landing zone.
1805 hours
Captain Foss reports that Cider just got a secondary from his white phosphorous.
1806 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company has reached landing zone.
1807 hours
Spooky 23 will be on station and contact will be on air ground.
1810 hours
Dustoff 31 just checked in Command A. He has to pick up one other patient and refuel then he will pick up our patients.
1814 hours
Gunships now on station.
1815 hours
Hummingbird 1 at time is lifting the WIA.
1820 hours
Reported to Brigade on the following : An unconfirmed six KIA. Confirmed eight WIA and unaccounted for 11 people.
1821 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company has negative incoming mortars and small arms at this time.
1827 hours
2nd Platoon Delta Company has made radio contact with 3rd Platoon leader.
1830 hours
Requested dustoff with penetrator with basket to pick 3rd Platoon leader.
1839 hours
3rd Platoon leader is at 2nd Platoon Delta Company’s location.
1841 hours
Delta Company 2nd & 3rd platoon recap of their WIA. It is 15 WIAs.
1850 hours
Delta Company Captain Foss just informed us that the Chinook who just brought the ammo will pick up eight WIA to take them to 71st Evacuation Hospital (Pleiku).
1905 hours
Dustoff completed of WIA at 2nd Platoon location.
1915 hours
Dustoff complete of WIAs at Delta Company’s location & 2nd Platoon location. Also total 18 WIAs.
1954 hours
Recap of casualites
19 WIA friendlies
4 KIA friendlies
3 MIA friendlies
7 NVA KIA
2025 hours
Our Command A has been compromised and somebody else is using Command B so we are working on 62.50.
2210 hours
Message from Major Williams to the companies. SRPs out, ambushes are in. Also Charlie Company to move generally same way he went to this location than west along the terrain feature. Do not move until well prepped.
2225 hours
Delta Company reports that there are NVA overriding our Air Ground push.
2305 hours
Spooky checked out with 3-12 Infantry.
Handwritten D Co After Action wrap-up found in March 1969 S-3 Operations Daily Journal – retrieved from the National Archives
