US Army’s 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division operational summary for the period of April 25th-30th, 1967. II Corps, Pleiku Province. The 3-12 Inf HQ is moved to LZ Jackson Hole. Alpha & Bravo Companies continue company patrols. Charlie Company secures the perimeter at Jackson Hole.
The Braves enter the mountains
A looming encounter with the NVA on May 1st begins to take shape. As Alpha & Bravo companies move into the mountains west of Jackson Hole, a large NVA force prepares for their arrival. The mountains are filled with dense, thick triple canopy jungle. Hundreds of NVA soldiers remain hidden in entrenched positions, underground bunkers and massive cave complexes. US intelligence reports indicate the presence of this large NVA force, but Alpha & Bravo are unaware of their precise location. Alpha’s latest recorded strength is just over 105 enlisted soldiers and five officers. Bravo Company’s usual strength of around 110 soldiers has been reduced by one platoon. 3rd Platoon, composed of approximately 25 soldiers, are performing security duty at nearby Artillery Hill.
April 30th, 1967 – Preparing for the unknown
Alpha Company settles in to a night defensive position (NDP) high atop a large flat mountain top. Company Commander Captain Lee sends two patrols out to the south. One traverses down a steep gulley and up the other side to a position roughly one kilometer southwest of the NDP. The other splits off from the first patrol at the bottom of the gulley. It positions itself in a ambush position overwatching a thin stream running east and out of the mountains.
Bravo Company, having moved into a second set of high mountains to the east on April 28th, moves down slope and west towards Alpha Company. It establishes an NDP in a relatively clear area near the same stream as the Alpha Company patrol, but four kilometers downstream.
The stage is set, and May 1st, 1967 will begin one of the bloodiest months on record for the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment.