April 2nd, 1969 recap
The 1-22 Infantry is inserted into positions west and south of the 3-12 Infantry positions at LZ Cider and LZ D-Handle. The NVA forces that have battered the line companies of the 3-12 Infantry were now between the two battalion pincer. Bravo & Charlie Companies of the 3-12 move out and take up blocking positions, further tightening the 4th Infantry Division grasp on the Cu Kotah and Cu Don mountains.
April 3rd, 1969
The 3-12 Infantry occupied blocking positions to the east and north of the freshly inserted 1-22 Infantry elements to the south and west. Early in the morning on April 3rd, the point element of Charlie Company 1-22 Infantry received heavy small arms fire, causing several casualties. One man, SGT Ronald Thacker is killed in action. Alpha and Bravo Company of the 1-22 Infantry also make contact with NVA forces, with no reported casualties on either side
The 3-12 Infantry elements encountered light contact with NVA elements later in the day, but no casualties or damage was noted in the log. Additional airstrikes were delivered to suspected NVA locations and known targets throughout the area of operations.
Operation Wayne Grey After Action Report
The official After Action Report for Operation Wayne Grey states the following for April 3rd, 1969.
On April 3rd, the 1-22 Infantry attacked toward Objective Red. 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1-22 Infantry made contact with an unknown force at YA816795. The platoon was reinforced by C/1-22 Infantry and ordered to withdraw. Results were 1 NVA KIA, 1 US KIA, and 14 US WIA. Bravo Company, 1-22 Infantry made contact with an unknown size force at YA805818, resulting in one Kit Carson Scout WIA. The company withdrew to it night location at YA808822.
April 3rd Daily Journal entries
0901 hours
Charlie Company 1-22 Infantry ran into a booby trap and then received small arms fire from north YA 816796
0920 hours
Colonel Knight has arrived at this location.
0946 hours
General Pepke arrived at LZ Cider to visit 1-22 Infantry
0958 hours
General Pepke departed LZ Cider.
1015 hours
Charlie Company 1-22 Infantry reports contact broken at this time.
1020 hours
Lt Wiley requested to exceed our supply request of detonator cord – 3000 feet.
1110 hours
Alpha Company 1-22 Infantry is in contact at this time. 816795.
1126 hours
General Irzyk has arrived at this location.
1130 hours
Air Cav at YA 775786 found three wood structures. One located in side of mountain. Two on top of ground. Dimensions – 15’x20′ with one foot of overhead cover, 4’x8’x6′ with 1.5 feet of overhead cover, 6’x8’x6′ with 1.5 feet of overhead cover. They had been used in last 72 hours.
1155 hours
General Irzyk has departed this location.
1215 hours
Bravo Company of 1-22 Infantry spotted unknown amount of NVA in the open. Engaged with small arms fire. Negative friendly casualties. Grid YA 805818.
1340 hours
General Irzyk has arrived at this location.
1520 hours
General Irzyk has departed this location.
1545 hours
Charlie Company commanding officer Captain Lee said one of this observation points saw movement north going east. He is sending out a platoon to check it out.
1600 hours
Colonel Knight departed this location.
1610 hours
Charlie Company reports that if it was movement it was one person at most. But couldn’t find any evidence of him.
1635 hours
Charlie Company reports that enlisted man name Wilson, Roger was injured by falling tree on his right side. Injury is possible internal due to possible fracture.
1711 hours
Airstrike going in at YA 826813
1720 hours
Airstrike completed.
1831 hours
Delta Company reports movement to their east. Sounds like people walking. Three to four people. Light organcis being employed at YA 824853.
1840 hours
Bravo Company reports that their SRP22 was about 40 meters from night location and had an explosion. The SRP thinks it was a frag or a rocket. B Co believes it sounded like a mortar round. the SRP did received shrapnel but no casualties.
1846 hours
Night locations sent to Brigade. Plan summary is same as yesterday.
1848 hours
1-22 Infantry night locations sent to Brigade and 3-12 Infantry companies
Alpha – 826796
Charlie – 816796
Bravo & Delta – 806822
Recon – 806826
1845 hours
Delta Company checked out area of sightings. Negative findings.
2000 hours
Status sent to Brigade
2240 hours
Charlie Company reports seeing lights at a 190 degree azimuth from his location approximately 250-300 meters from over terrain feature moving towards SRP33.
2250 hours
Uni. Fred YA 782828 1500 mm
Randolph YA 790813 500 lm
Photo Readout cover 75%
Time 1240 hours 31 March YA 768826
2345 hours
LTC Dillion the new G-3 will arrive at LZ Cider on 4 April 69 at 1425-1440 hours. He will be briefed by 3-12 staff on current operations and disposition of forces.