1 January 1970, the beginning of a new year - and for the Third of the Currahees, 3d Battalion 506th Infantry, this date marked the beginning of its third full year of active combat against the most skillful, tenacious and ruthless enemy ever faced by US combat troops. During the year, 3-506 troopers participated in a diversity
of actions dealing with nearly every phase of the war in Vietnam
and conducted operations from southern II Corp to northern I
Corps and west into Cambodia. Four major operations were carried
out: the siege of Hill 474, the Cambodia operation, Operation
Texas Star, and the Jefferson Glen/Monsoon Plan. In addition,
the battalion continued training and joint operations with GVN
units, pacification and protecting programs for the people of
Vietnam, and civic action programs aimed at winning the hearts
and minds of the people to the GVN by making their lives more
fruitful and prosperous. The first major action was the siege
of Hill 474. The month of January 1970 began with continued patrolling and bushmaster operations with the 44th ARVN in Operation Double Eagle Phase V. On 17 January the battalion embarked on a new mission in the Crow's Foot mountain area in Binh Dinh Province. The operation stretched from 170815 January 1970 through 180900 March 1970. Task Organization The 173d Airborne Brigade was in operational control of Task Force 3-506, and LTC Joseph N. Jaggers Jr. (Wildcat) commanded. Task organization consisted of all units 3-506, Delta Battery 2-320 Artillery, and a detachment from the 326th Engineers. Intelligence Reports from intelligence agencies and sources indicated numerous caves, bunker, base areas, anti-aircraft positions, and hooch complexes on and in the vicinity of Hill 474. Local forces in the area were to conduct pre-Tet stand-off attacks by mortar and rocket to cover the movements of NVA units into their Tet attack positions. Task Force 3-506 was given the mission of deploying into a wide area west of Hoai Nhon District, Binh Dinh Province to seek out these units and spoil their plans for Tet. Operations in compliance with 173d Airborne Brigade directives, TF 3-506 began a redeployment of forces into northern Binh Dinh Province on 16 January 1970, with B/3-506 being combat assaulted to vicinity BS8315 and becoming OPCON to 4-503 173d Abn. Bde. On 17 January 1970 at 0850H, 3/C/3-506 was airlifted from LZ English by CH-47 to Firebase Tape pending redeployment into the AO. Firebase Tape was officially designated TF 3-506 TAC CP at 1340H and Firebase Abby was closed. A(-)/3-506 was airlifted from LZ Uplift at 1620H and combat assaulted to vicinity BS803113. On 18 January, 2/C and CP/C were airlifted from LZ English at 1000H by CH-47 to Firebase Tape to provide security, and B/3-506 returned OPCON from 4-503 173d Abn. Bde. Thus, the stage was set, TF 3-506 was deployed against units they were later to learn were from the 22d Regt., 3d NVA Division, and before the day was out Alpha Company would become the first unit to draw blood. At 181305 January, 3/A/3-506 employed a stay behind ambush from their noon locale at vicinity BS809112 and with organic weapons engaged five VC/NVA. Initially the NVA were pinned down in the open 150 meters from the ambush site. Mini Cav gunships from the 173d Abn. Bde. Helicopter Platoon expended rocket and mini-gun fire against the NVA position, causing them to withdraw, leaving one comrade KIA. Documents found among his equipment indicated that he was a member of the 7th Bn. 22d NVA Regt. On January 19, 3/A continued to the east, and discovered an NVA soldier assumed killed in the 13th ARVN contact five days previously. Signs of recent enemy activity began to be evident as the platoon continued to follow the trail. An almost painful silence enveloped the unit as they cautiously moved forward. The trail became less well defined and seemed to disappear into the rocks and heavy undergrowth to the high ground ahead. As the lead squad moved towards this location, the quiet was suddenly shattered by the kak kak of automatic AK-47 bursts followed by ChiCom grenades. The point man, PFC Robert Mitcheltree, was killed by the initial AK fire from 25 meters away, and his squad forced back under the barrage that followed, was forced to leave his body. 1LT Phil Peters, third Platoon leader maneuvered the remainder of his element forward and formed a hasty defensive position. Exchanges of fire continued between the Alpha troops pinned down in a defensive position and the well entrenched NVA from their high ground positions among the rocks at the base of Hill 474. The "Lt" began making things hot for the enemy as he adjusted gunships on their hiding places. The NVA continued hurling a heavy volume of ChiComs and fired many B-40's at the "Currahees". As the gunship's pressure increased, they crawled very close to the Alpha position so that the aircraft were unable to fire for fear of hitting friendly troops. Throughout the day, whenever lulls in enemy firing occurred, the Alpha "Currahees" would inch forward in recovery efforts towards the body of their fallen comrade. Each attempt was met with a fresh volley of enemy fire. The situation became clear. US soldiers do not abandon dead or wounded comrades. The enemy knew this well, and he was entrenched in advantageous terrain from which he anticipated the continued ability to wound and kill Gl's who would continue to face his fire until the last man was wiped out or their buddy was recovered. Colonel Jaggers recognized the pattern and began to maneuver more "Currahees" to support the beleaguered Alpha. 3/D began moving northeast to block enemy routes of withdrawal and reinforcement. Bravo Company was airlifted to vicinity BS8210 closing at 1642H and came under harassing fire from a ridge line to the southwest. Gunships suppressed the attackers and B Company followed in direction of enemy signs, discovering footprints, trails, and camouflaged foxholes. In the meantime, third platoon Delta received numerous RPG'S, though no casualties were sustained. C Company (-) was alerted for possible deployment from Firebase Tape. Elements from three companies had been in contact and the battle was on. With daylight on the wane, Alpha's third pulled back from the contact area to NDP with B Company. When a perimeter was secured, two Alpha troopers wounded by shrapnel from ChiComs were medivaced. Guard holes were dug and the men settled down to the night routine with Shadow and flare ships on station to give support if needed. The following day (20 January) men of 3-506 moved out in pursuit of the NVA. Bravo moved up a fresh trail estimated to have been used by an NVA company within the previous 24 hours. Charlie Third prepared for airlift to FB Tape to provide security. One company from the 173d was placed on standby for possible deployment to the vicinity of 474. Alpha Company again moved towards the location of PFC Mitcheltree's body. Third platoon dropped rucks 150 meters from the initial contact area. Third squad secured equipment and first and second squads moved up providing mutual security. As the lead squad drew near the body, enemy soldiers again opened up. The fire was initialized with a claymore followed by small arms and ChiCom frags. One man received a head wound. Sergeant Brent M. Steere seeing the man separated from his fire team placed a heavy volume of fire on the enemy forcing him back and enabling the man to rejoin his squad. Sergeant Steer then continued inching forward and was wounded. Ignoring his painful wound he continued to fire and advance and repelled the enemy attack so that his squad could withdraw and regroup. The company commander, lLT Mazurka, and the third platoon leader regrouped forces for another effort. As the lead squad again moved up, two NVA were fixed and killed in the deadly fires of a fighting mad unit. They were apparently trying to set up an ambush between the body and the element they knew would return. They did not anticipate the speed with which Alpha would regroup and return. The enemy were armed with frags and two AK-50's. At 1300H gunships of C/7-17 Cav again came on station. They caught three NVA and killed two while receiving fire on three passes. The birds expended and one came in to medivac the wounded. 2/A and 3/A assumed mutually supporting positions and moved towards the contact area. The third platoon moved slowly forward and heard NVA voices in the area ahead. A squad moved on and took rockets and frags which wounded the Company CO and his RTO. Third platoon pressed on and second platoon took two wounded from B-40's. With gunships on station, the Battalion Commander ordered the company to move off to high ground for a NDP and dustoff of the additional wounded. The company again prepared night positions and began a restless night. The enemy must be driven out, and tomorrow must be the day. The night was punctuated with the expenditure of hundreds of rounds as numerous battery five fire for affects were utilized in pounding suspected enemy locations. The Delta Battery "Redlegs" were determined to do their part. On the twenty-first of January 1/A moved towards the body of the 3/A KIA. 3/A found that two NVA KIA had been buried and located an ambush position under construction. They again withdrew and adjusted extensive arty prep with numerous secondaries. Two 81 mm mortars from FB Tape were moved to C Co CP vic BS809098 to support the task force. When the tubes were cut off, Bravo moved up and secured the 3/A KIA and moved to a PZ for extraction of the body. Alpha Company swept on and engaged two NVA who fled. In the meantime, D Company reached the top of Hill 474 vic 825101 and reported large cave and tunnel complexes which appeared to be honeycombed throughout Hill 474. Signs of fresh enemy activity were everywhere, i.e. a fresh fire, several pairs of pants and shirts. On January 22 first platoon B Company received AK fire with negative casualties from an unknown enemy sized forced concealed in the rocks and underbrush vic BS809102. Three Charlie found a well-used trail and a handwritten (Vietnamese) note at vic 8011 indicating that a VC had gone home to visit with his family because he had not seen them in a long time. Action continued light on the 23d. Ground surveillance equipment
picked up 12 VC/NVA moving east through "Combat Alley"
vic BS835115 on the high ground along the south slope of Hill
272. A log bird for 3/C took small arms hits picking up backhaul.
With no significant contact or sightings B Company was airlifted
from BS8209 to vic BS8014. Charlie returned to FB Tape to secure
the Battalion TAC CP. The battalion long range reconnaissance platoon is composed of six teams of six men each. Teams are inserted in unsecured, usually greatly isolated areas to detect signs of enemy activity so that likely places for effective employment of rifle companies or other power may be selected. The team is inserted as clandestinely as possible and moves quietly through the jungle in camouflaged fatigues and with all exposed body areas painted with camouflage sticks. Since the unit is too small to match muscle with enemy units it depends upon stealthy movement and concealment for survival. When the team's location is compromised, its very survival usually hinges upon extraordinary skill and individual acts of valor. An example of such valor occurred the night of 23 January and the following day. A team led by Sergeant David J. Lindsey had set up for the night in its usual configuration with rucks at their feet and hands nearly touching so that a circle is formed with each man's body pointing out like the spokes of a wheel. In this way the radio forms the center and the handset is passed from man to man as one at a time they sit up for guard. The perimeter came under heavy attack and Lindsey led his team to cover among the boulders and silenced the enemy with artillery fire. By morning the enemy was reinforced to platoon size and threatened to overrun the team, who having left their equipment at the NDP were now dangerously low on ammunition. Sergeant Lindsey crawled to within 15 meters of the enemy and brought back more ammo. Lindsey then crawled back to emplace a claymore and halt the enemy's steady advance. An AK round ignited a smoke tied to the TL's leg; though painfully burned he detonated the mine. The enemy was simultaneously seeking to flank the team. SP4 Thomas E. Cremeens observed the force and engaged them. Backed up by SP4 Lindsey C. Ford, he eliminated the attacking force that would otherwise have surprised his team. Creemens was wounded but continued to fire and expose himself to the enemy, and Ford assumed full responsibility for adjusting gunships into very close support. SP4 Tommy C. Baker then volunteered to assault an enemy position. He moved fifteen meters through heavy brush to frag the NVA and fire up those not silenced. Sergeant Lindsey observed his ATL lying wounded and placed his own body as a shield over him. Through the superb teamwork and individual deeds of heroism a platoon sized NVA force was repelled in close fighting. For their valor, Lindsey received the DSC, the nation's second highest award, Creemens received the Silver Star and Baker and Ford received the Bronze Star with "V" device. Conventional Might The companies continued to RIF in their AO's with light contact, though many signs of recent enemy activity were observed. On 25 January Delta Company continued searching out the caves. On the southeastern slope 1/D received frags and SA fire from an estimated platoon of NVA. The NVA initiated fire from 25 meters northeast, wounding one US. LTC Jaggers (Wildcat) came down in his Charlie Charlie bird but was driven off by enemy fire in the first attempted medivac. After gunships and four airstrikes, first and second platoons joined in a second effort to evacuate the wounded. This time the NVA waited until the medivac touched down and raked the area with heavy fire. Three litter bearers and the WIA were KIA and two additional US were WIA. The third platoon was engaged from high ground on the northeast slope of the hill. Colonel Jaggers requested two more medivacs of the US casualties and these were forced to abort unsuccessfully by heavy fire from the LZ. Emergency resupply of 7.62 linked, M-16 ball, and multicolored smokes was accomplished. The 173d placed two platoons OPCON to 3-506. A fourth dustoff was driven away by ground fire. Second Platoon C Company while moving to support D Company engaged 4 VC/NVA in a cave with 2 VC/NVA KIA and 2 more probables with 1 US WIA. First platoon C Company combat assaulted into the area. On the 26th, medivacs of D Company's wounded were accomplished with the aid of combat skyspots and gunships. The unit began pounding Hill 474 with airstrikes. As the silver-winged Phantoms streaked in for pass after pass, US ground troops once again counted their blessings for such support. Bravo Company was airlifted from FSB English to vic 825103 and immediately received one US WIA from sniper fires. On the 27th D Company requested high priority be placed on extraction of their 4 KIA so they could move out. B Company found two graves of enemy soldiers probably killed by fire from their NDP the previous night. C Company engaged two enemy on the ridge line to their flank. Twenty-one airstrikes were adjusted in on Hill 474. All of Delta Company closed in on the area with light skirmishes following the pattern of previous contacts. The NVA would engage from close range with frags and SA fire for 3 to 5 minutes then withdraw to their permanent fighting positions in the tunnels and caves. 1LT Francis F. Patalano 1/C platoon leader observed a VC/NVA at a cave mouth and killed him with a frag. The 28th of January was a busy and unfortunate day for B Company. The unit sighted a fire vic BS833105 and engaged with artillery until it was extinguished. The first platoon then engaged and killed 3 NVA with M-60 fire. 3/B while searching and clearing caves found and evacuated official NVA documents at BS833105. At 1130H one of the 4/D KIA's was extracted from BS833096, and at 1300H 3/B while trying to evacuate the remaining 3 KIA's came under heavy enemy fire. Many acts of personal sacrifice and valor were performed by the platoon as 4 of their comrades were killed and 1 wounded. While still under heavy fire the platoon withdrew to vic BS820115 to dustoff of their wounded. Other units continued patrolling. C Company engaged one NVA, result 1 NVA KIA. As A Company was being combat assaulted to BS820115 at 1639H the second lift bird took hits and set down in an unsecured LZ. The six A Company troopers were picked up by another lift bird and inserted while the damaged helicopter returned to LZ English for repair of its ventilated tail boom. The 29th was a day of airstrikes and deployment of elements for maneuver against the enemy. B/3-503 173d became OPCON to 3-506 and combat assaulted to vic BS835115. A 173d PPS-5 ground surveillance radar was airlifted to C Company at BS826095 at 1725. Combat operations on the 30th were hindered by weather with no significant activity. B Company reported signaling every 20 minutes from BS852082. On 31 January the pounding of Hill 474 continued. Aircraft
in the vicinity took a great volume of ground fire. While performing
low level reconnaissance the C&C bird of LTC Jaggers took
several hits which wounded the co-pilot and door gunner. The
ship discharged its wounded and the Battalion Commander showed
the type of professionalism and heroism which had earned him
the affectionate name of "Wildcat" by the veteran 3-506th. Repeated airstrikes opened new cave and tunnel entrances. On the lst of February, B Company explored an extensive system of tunnels at the base of a hill. Throughout the day 11 airstrikes were employed on an "as needed" basis, and as proof of their effectiveness, 8 NVA Chu Hoied to ARVNs at the mouth of Combat Alley. They gave up due to the constant air pounding. For the next 6 days search and clear missions continued in the 474 area. A pattern of sparring and skirmishes developed in which the NVA fired a few ineffective rounds from a distance and then beat a hasty retreat usually with a swarm of gunships hot on their trail. The reason became evident, as the companies continued to find much abandoned equipment and munitions and daily they would find from one to five NVA killed by bombs, artillery, or fougasse strikes. The massive air power was taking its toll. The NVA who had been ambushing and sniping with a costly effectiveness were now backing off fast and could only delay the ever tightening noose on their hilltop stronghold. A typical engagement consisted of the point squad of a RIF approaching rocky brushy areas that might be cave entrances. An NVA would be engaged and killed or withdraw. Then what was probably his living area would be discovered; usually numerous items of equipment and munitions would be in the cave. Often valuable documents would be found. Usual articles discovered in this way included a bag of files resembling Army 201's, typewriter, BAR with rounds, and pith helmets. By the 8th of February, groups of 5 to 8 began to be observed at great distances as it became evident that the enemy was trying to exfiltrate. Stay-behind ambushes were effective in killing NVA going through garbage sumps left after resupply. Again, the desperate situation of the NVA was demonstrated by their willingness to forego security to get food. Almost daily contact produced fatigue among the highly conditioned U.S. Infantry and "Wildcat" sought to rotate units for 8 and 24 hour stand-downs whenever possible. On 11 February, 1/D found 3 NVA buried with care in the wall of a bomb crater. They wore green fatigues with pockets sewn down. These men were assumed to have been NVA officers. Delta Company started detonating CS bags in caves nearby, and as the gas seeped up from concealed exits, NVA scurried away through the woods, always pursued by gunships and artillery. B Company explored a base camp cave complex vic BS835080. It contained numerous bunkers, poncho hooches, chickens and miscellaneous rounds and a two pound booby trap of explosives in a mackerel can with an electrical firing device. On 13 February B Company found another cave and tunnel complex at BS814084. The men described the area as a kind of NVA Holiday Inn with high ceilings supported by bamboo, bunks constructed of bamboo with bamboo water troughs providing running water to individual positions from an underground stream. Equipment found included documents, medical supplies, 100 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 2 AK-47 magazines, 2 NVA canteens, 4x 82mm rounds, 2x 60mm rounds, 4 NVA rucksacks and 3x training sights for RDP light machine-guns. There were several engagements through the day. C Company was engaged by 7 - 9 NVA at 10 - 15 meters taking 1 US WIA. First platoon was pinned down by intense fire and through the heroic efforts of the platoon leader, Francis F. Patalano, managed to regroup, return effective fire, and drive off the enemy force. For his valor in organizing his platoon and adjusting devastating supporting fires, 1LT Patalano received the Silver Star. The medivac attempted at 1300 was shot down and its crew extracted. Fougasse sorties in support of C Company resulted in 3 NVA burned. 2/B engaged an enemy walking north resulting in 1 NVA KIA. At 2216 Recon team 1 vic BS84614 ambushed four NVA killing 3 with claymore and small arms. The fourth was wounded and left a blood trail. The events of February 14 followed a familiar pattern. At 0200 the first platoon of C Company vic BS844095 engaged 5 - 7 NVA with negative results, however the NVA ran to the east and into another ambush from 4-503 resulting in 1 NVA KIA and 1 AK-47 CIA. D Company began a sweep of the first platoon of C Company's contact area and found one additional NVA KBA, 1 RPD light machine-gun, 3 AK-47's, 1 B-40 rocket launcher, five B-40 rockets, 1 ChiCom grenade, and enemy documents. At 1600 hours the third platoon of A Company found the remains of one NVA killed by fougasse. On February 17th units continued making contacts and inflicting losses on the enemy. Unfortunately 2/B lost the platoon leader as he directed his unit under fire although seriously wounded. For his heroism, 1LT Allen P. Johnson received the Silver Star posthumously. His platoon sergeant, SSG Arthur C. Sherwood, took charge and directed the medivac and counterattack against the enemy. He was awarded the Bronze Star with "V".
The rest of the month settled down to a serious routine of searching cave complexes, bringing air power to bear on the enemy, and regular day-by-day capture of equipment and additions to the body count. Every 3-506 unit participated in contacts and each time the enemy was encountered he was expertly done a job by the veteran "Currahees". The final 18 days of operations around hill 474 can be characterized
as mop-up operations. Contact gradually diminished and the 3-506
searched out completely the caves which had been a haven for
Charlie for so many years. Over the two month period he had lost
101 killed by 3-506, an additional 15 KBA, 2 POW's and 3 Chu
Hoi's. His equipment losses included 31 IWC, 14 CSWC, 2x 82 mortars,
nearly 12,000 rounds SA, 100x 51 cal., 42 B-40's, and 100x mortar
rounds. Other losses included 7,530 pounds of rice, documents,
medical supplies, all types TA-50 gear, clothing and a multitude
of miscellaneous equipment for the field. On March 17th the Battalion closed into the Tiger Mountain
AO due to diminishing contact in the 474 area. The area proved
to be more inhospitable from weather, terrain, and insects than
from the enemy. The terrain was of steep mountainous types ranging
from 200 to over 600 meters, with multiple canopied jungle. The
weather proved fairly good but there were no significant activities
in the Tiger Mountain AO; therefore, TF 3-506 moved to the Crow's
Foot AO on 27 March. March went out like a lamb for the Currahees with no significant contacts. During April, the action began to increase. The weather and terrain in the Crow's Foot area was identical to that described for Tiger Mountain. There were almost daily contacts or discoveries of caches of equipment. The actions were characterized by brief encounters with generally small units. On 2 April vic BR804934 3/3A/3-506 engaged 3 VC/NVA, killing one and capturing his AK-47. At BR760848 1/B/3-506 engaged 2 enemy with negative results, but the unit then discovered a hootch over a bunker which contained a group of miscellaneous equipment. It is interesting to list the material captured; it is characteristic of the types of finds the units made throughout the month. Captured were 1 pair of glasses, 1 bandage with blood stains, 1 Kodak lnstamatic Camera, 1 wallet, 1 fortune telling board, 3 bottles of medicine, 1 bag of rat poison, 1 green fatigue shirt, 1 pair of black pants, 1 pair of grey pants, 1 M-16 ammo can, assorted documents (medical and payroll records), personal letters, notes, and numerous note books. The companies continued finding small caches and fresh graves of NVA killed in light contacts, and they also began to hit booby traps. Typically the booby traps would be of trip wire type with a fuse into a dud U.S. or NVA mortar or artillery round. These proved costly to the units by wounding or killing several U.S. troopers. For several days running in early April, NDP sites received mortar rounds with negative results. Typically these would be fired at platoons in groups of 7 - 10 all at once. By the time the rounds impacted, the enemy mortar crew had begun to withdraw; thus, their only purpose was harassment. On 9 April at vic BR861869, 3/C received 9 mortar rounds resulting in negative FRD casualties. At vic BR852729 I/D set off an NVA booby trap resulting in 3 U.S. WIA requiring a dustoff. A Blazer gunship came on station and spotted 2 bunkers on a trail outside of a village at vic BR8673. A gunship working in the area was shot down and 1/A moved to secure it. A Company took sporadic SA fire and 2 airstrikes were called in. Also two fougasse drops were used. At vic BR856728 D Company's first platoon located a complex of 17 bunkers and six foxholes all freshly dug and ready for OH cover. A pattern began in which great numbers of such positions were discovered and destroyed. On 11 April, the TF sustained equipment and aircraft loss in operations against the enemy. At BR842709 1 vehicle of E/17 Cav returned small arms fire from their west with .50 cal and 152mm, results unknown. A LOH was shot down by enemy fire in grid square BR8066 resulting in 1 crew member KIA. At BR8467 D Company engaged 2 VC/NVA killing one and capturing one AK-47. A slick was shot down by enemy RPG at BR974737 resulting in 4 US WIA. The ship was part of the lift package for B Company CA. B Company entered a hamlet first sighted 9 April, noting the population greatly diminished and the area surrounded with old and new fighting positions. Outstanding activity on 12 April centered around a cave and tunnel complex found at grid square BR8371. A USAF flare and gunship expended in the area causing a large number of secondary explosions; it also received anti-aircraft fire. Air Cav gunships next came in to expend. They reported the strong smell of burned flesh and that the caves in the area of the air strike seemed full of NVA. On 13 April E/17 Cav, D Company, 1/A, and 3(-)C/3-506 all had contacts resulting in 2 U.S. KIA and four wounded. Known enemy losses were 2 KIA. The largest of these contacts involved the C Company element which was engaged by an estimated NVA company using B-40's, SA, and automatic weapons fire. Airstrikes were employed and the enemy driven from their positions. During this engagement, Major Marvin L. Larson, Battalion XO, demonstrated personal courage in landing his C & C on two occasions to medivac seriously wounded men. On each of these occasions, the landing zone was under intense small arms fire and mortars were being employed with very close hits. Major Larson left the ship and aided in carrying the wounded to the waiting chopper and safety. For his courage the XO received the Silver Star. On the 15th 22 VC rallied to U.S. forces at FB Tape under the GVN Chieu Hoi Program. The air and ground war pushed on with three more NVA killed. Throughout the rest of April there were no large engagements.
All units of 3-506 continued concentrated patrolling,and continued
to search out, fix and destroy the enemy. To be sure there were
U.S. casualties, but by the use of Infantry tactics on the ground
and massive power from the air, the enemy was killed off in from
2 to 5 a day. His equipment was either destroyed or captured.
And great numbers of his carefully prepared fighting positions
and bunkers were dismantled or destroyed. The pattern continued
until 5 May when the battalion was to embark on the Cambodia
Campaign. TF 3-506 received the mission to participate in Operation Binh Tay I, the drive to pacify west Cambodia. The President directed that NVA sanctuaries, staging areas, and storage depots be eliminated in the strip of Cambodia bordering South Vietnam. For years this area had provided a haven for enemy activities, and, for the U.S. policy of Vietnamizing the war to proceed, it posed an intolerable threat to GVN programs and remaining U.S. troops. Terrain in 3-506 AO was generally flat with sparse tree growth except for ridges on top of hills where there was single canopy and dense undergrowth. The hills were not particularly high, reaching a maximum height in the area of 329 meters; therefore, terrain presented no problems of movement to foot troops. Weather was a different situation. The Cambodian operation was working feverishly against time, for the monsoon season produced daily worsening flying weather. And an extended operation with no ground connection for its supply line depended heavily on air resupply. Each day ceilings hung lower and more rain fell, foreshadowing the closing in that all troops in Vietnam were so familiar with. The mission of TF 3-506 was to find, fix, and destroy enemy personnel and equipment. To do this they were to move rapidly until encountering the enemy and then bring maximum combat to bear. The warning order came 032200 May and on 051000 May the battalion was on its way to participation in another important stage of the Vietnam war. Action started immediately when the C & C and several other aircraft received ground fire. For several elements, alternate LZ's had to be utilized due to the ground fire. LTC Jaggers repeatedly set down on LZ's to try to draw fire so that if the area was hot the companies could be inserted elsewhere. He often drew intense fire, having to exchange C & C ships on one occasion. His courage and complete disregard for personal safety undoubtedly saved many lives and insured that no insertions were aborted. He was awarded the Silver Star. At 1430H, the forward TOC at FSB Currahee was operational (vic YA404547) and assumed command and operational control of all TF 3-506. By 1700H B Company had drawn first blood. Vic YA415545 elements of B/3-506 were stopped in a hasty defensive perimeter when two NVA rode up the trail on bicycles, 1 AK-47 and one transistor radio were captured. The incident revealed how successful the swift move into Cambodia had been in surprising the enemy. His complacency was revealed in the fact that he could ride bicycles up and down the trail in perfect freedom. At 1744 B Company received small arms fire with negative casualties. On 6 May at 0937H vic YA415547, C/3-506 skirmished with an unknown size unit of enemy with indefinite results. At 1132H B Company took one wounded from SA fire from a hootch complex. The dustoff was completed while 81 mm mortars were being employed, and a sweep revealed 1 NVA KIA and 1 SKS rifle CIA. At 1515H 2 more NVA and 2 SKS's were found in the contact area. At 1610H B Company again made contact, killing one NVA and capturing an AK-47 and miscellaneous TA-50 gear and 4 bicycles. On 7 May B and D Companies had contact throughout the day resulting in 7 more enemy KIA and the destruction of numerous hootches and food at YA434520. The 8th of May continued with light contact by B and C Companies. D Company highlighted the day's activities on 9 May by the discovery of a large cache of food supplies at 1340H vic YA439523. Among the items found were 30 pigs, 50 chickens, 4 tons of rice, and four SKS rifles. At 1415H two additional hootches were found filled with an estimated 500 tons of rice. The next day, Bravo Company engaged the largest enemy force of the Cambodian campaign for the 3-506 in a struggle that lasted nearly two days. The day started for B Company when it discovered a hospital complex with numerous hootches and a multitude of food stuff and 2 tons of rice. At 1113H, YA458540 light contact was made with a unknown size force and negative results for B Company elements. The unit moved forward, aware that the enemy was in the area in strength. The first platoon left as a reserve force while second and third platoons with the CP moved cautiously forward. At vic YA458540 1515H an estimated battalion of concealed NVA opened up on the two Bravo platoons. The Bravo units returned fire and maneuvered for cover. Several assaults on enemy fortified positions and numerous acts of individual heroism resulted in establishing a hasty defensive position. From this posture air strikes and gunships were employed along with organic artillery support. By dark the company began to run dangerously short of ammunition, and the first platoon in a courageous assault broke through encircling NVA to bring reinforcements and resupply for their strategically engaged comrades. On 11 May D Company linked up with B Company at YA453540 and secured an LZ for extraction of Bravo to FSB Currahee. The unit had sustained 8 killed and 28 wounded while fighting off the massed attacks of two NVA companies. A later sweep of the contact area by Delta Company revealed the bodies of 47 NVA KIA and numerous blood trails leading in numerous directions. The following personnel received awards for valor in that
contact: The highlight of activities on 12 May occurred when C/3-506 discovered a large weapons cache vic YA845550. Among the captured equipment were 760 small arms, 65 CSW, 101x 57mm RR rounds, 222x B-40 rounds, 20x 75mm rounds, 525x 82mm rounds, 8,100 SA ammo, 155 pair of NVA binoculars, and about a thousand grenades and mines of various types and descriptions. There were no major ground activities in the area, but the enemy continued to be engaged in skirmishes for the next four days. The enemy fled before the 3-506 and his tactics seemed to be utilization of stay-behind elements mostly for delay and harassment. Other awards for valor in the Cambodian operation included: During the operation, vast quantities of enemy weapons, munitions, food and supplies were captured. Among the weapons captured were 13 mortar tubes, 2x 51 Cal machine-guns, 12x 9mm Walther automatic pistols, 122x Soviet 7.62 automatic pistols, and over 800 other small arms and crew served weapons. Ten thousand rounds of various types of ammunition were captured. The hospital complex contained all the medicines, bandages, medical and surgical equipment to outfit a field hospital; it was abandoned and left completely intact. Additional miscellaneous items captured included everything from 155 binoculars, assorted tools, base plates, fuses for mortars, and anti-aircraft mounts to U.S. radios and a starlight scope. Enemy personnel losses included 80 KIA from actual body count
and many more blood trails and body parts indicating a much greater
actual total. On 16 May, TF 3-506 began redeployment from Cambodia,
closing on FSB Wildcat inside Vietnam at 1700H. The battalion
then resumed operation Wayne Jumper. On 18 May TF 3-506 was airlifted from FSB Wildcat to Plei Djereng, RVN. Through the remainder of May no significant activities were reported. No significant activities occurred throughout the month of June or until the 8th of July. On 9 July Recon/3-506 encountered a command denoted mine and small arms fire. As a dustoff was requested 3/C/3-506 linked up with Recon at the contact point. Results were 4 U.S. KIA and 4 U.S. WIA. Airstrikes were employed with unknown results. On 10 July at vic AN782308 D Company found a bunker complex which consisted of 45 - 50 bunkers; all were destroyed. On 12 July at vic ZT218368 an OP from 2/D engaged 3 VC/NVA receiving return fire. The VC/NVA approached from the northwest. Results were 1 enemy KIA. Sensor activations later that night indicated a squad sized element at ZT258311. Mortars were employed with unknown results. Throughout the end of July no significant activities occurred. Operations during this period were as follows: Types of operations and method of troop delivery were - Combat
Assaults. TF 3-506 was airlifted from Plei Djereng, RVN, to Ban
Me Thout. The Battalion trains motor marched from Plei Djereng
to Ban Me Thout. TF 3-506 was inserted by truck on the road clearing
mission along QL 21. After being released from Op Byron Moore,
the battalion was airlifted to An Khe, RVN, where it went into
an 8 day retraining period prior to Operation Hancock Mace. TF
3-506 was airlifted to Song Mao and CAed into the AO. At the
completion of Hancock Mace TF 3-506 Infantry motor marched from
An Khe to Tuy Phuoc District and was inserted by truck into the
AO. During August, the Currahees began to hear rumors of a move
up north, and by mid August, preparations began for a historic
reunion with the 101st. The connexes were packed, the clubs dismantled,
and the units readied. On the 20th the move began, and for the
next week, elements of the battalion would arrive at Phu Bai.
Transportation was by air, land, and sea; troops and vehicles
came by C-130; connexes came up by LST. Renovation began immediately. Orderly rooms were established. Offices were partitioned off and administrative equipment set up. Desks, chairs, files, typewriters, and phone nets sprang into operation. S-4, the motor pool and the arms rooms all began to provide operational support; the mess hall began turning out hot chow. On 26 August TF 3-506 again became OPCON to the 101st as part of the 2nd Brigade. Training and familiarization with 101st ways of doing things began immediately. Intelligence briefings and operational planning were under way from the first day, and the battalion began to buzz with speculation about the new area of operation. The morning of 29 August marked the beginning of the new operation, and the "Stand Alone" battalion was to learn how good it was to be supported by your parent unit. The massive air assets of an airmobile division made the Currahees appreciate being once again a part of the 101st. The coordination between supporting elements was very effective as supporting fires were initiated and shifted and lifted as planned, followed by company sized insertions of the battalion. After the slicks had discharged the security company on FSB Brick, the process of quickly constructing a large permanent type firebase began. Bravo Company was assigned the task of construction and security on the FSB, and the first day, this consisted of digging in and refurbishing of old fighting positions. Brick was an ARVN FSB deactivated in the early part of the summer. It was located on terrain completely surrounded by the Song Ta Track River and appropriately called Leech Island. All that was left now was burned out and mostly destroyed bunkers on a barren hilltop. The CH-47 "hooks" started in with sortie after sortie of supplies and equipment. First came water, rations, and ammunition. Then the 326th Engineers arrived with tier equipment. The bulldozers went to work immediately in an attempt to get positions ready for the artillery. By mid afternoon, the guns started arriving, and all of D Battery 320th. Artillery was fired in and ready for action by nightfall. Echo Company arrived with the mortar and recon platoons. By evening, the 81's had fired in defensive targets and the reconnaissance platoon had moved off to the south end of the island. Alpha Company moved to the west for patrolling close in to the FSB and Charlie and Delta patrolled the 82 belt for possible locations of mortars to be used against the new foothold in enemy contested areas. The next day, Delta Company was in contact with an estimated
platoon of NVA vic YD873002 at 1640H. The contact was initiated
when PFC James Lawless detected movement to his squad's flank.
He opened fire and alerted his comrades of the enemy ambush.
The second platoon drove off the attackers, killing two and capturing
two AK-47's. For their valor in the contact, SSG Jeffery G. Hagadorn
received the Bronze Star with "V" Device and Lawless
and PFC Samuel W. Lacy received the Army Commendation Medal with
"V" Device. As fighting positions were strengthened, emphasis moved to
building of living and sleeping quarters. The firebase was to
be built underground, and the initial step was digging spaces
for bunkers. The CH-47's would then bring in a precut set of
lumber and drop it into the hole. Then the versatile infantry
would build the heavy wooden structures, cover them with dirt
and put on a few layers of sandbags. In less than two weeks,
a barren hill was turned into a permanent, underground firebase
with strong fortifications and revetments. The Currahees had
performed their first task for the 101st in an outstanding fashion.
They were ready to move
deeper into the jungle in search of an ever scarcer enemy. On 17 September, the companies were air assaulted into the
FSB Pistol AO, and the FSB 7 miles southeast of Brick was opened.
The dense jungle and steep mountain slope, combined with the
heat of late summer made for difficult movement, but the hardened
veterans of 3-506 drove hard into the Elephant and Rum Rum Valleys. Operations continued with concentrated search and attack patrolling. The Reconnaissance platoon of Echo Company operated as a full-sized unit because of the remote locations in which the enemy was sought. On the 22nd of September, PFC Patrick J. Norton distinguished himself by engaging and probably killing one NVA; he received the Bronze Star with "V" Device. The platoon commanded by 1LT Mark Bastey knew they were getting into an area of intense enemy activity, as trails, footprints and pushed over brush revealed the passage of troops. 251527H September, Recon had been set up around a resupply LZ vic YC963812. The weather had delayed the backhaul bird for several hours, and the platoon was tied to the LZ longer than they wanted to be. The enemy moved into high ground 200 - 400 meters north of their location and opened fire with RPG'S, mortars, machine-guns, and small arms. In the ensuing battle Recon lost two killed and five wounded. Through many acts of individual heroism, the unit formed a hasty perimeter and rained a heavy volume of organic and supporting fires on the enemy who fled, leaving an unknown number of casualties. The following received awards for gallantry in that action: The battalion continued patrolling and surveillance around
FSB Pistol through 4 October. At that time, the unit air moved
to Phu Bai Combat Base for refresher training and to prepare
for future operations. From 13 - 31 October, 3-506 was OPCON to lst Bde and operated
in the FSB Birmingham AO. During
this period of operations the battalion experienced resupply,
combat movement, and tactical difficulties. Due to the monsoon
weather, log birds and lift birds were constantly on hold; therefore,
the companies were usually waiting for movements and covered
little territory in their RIF operations. A 5 day patrol base
type operation was attempted, but too much time was spent around
the LZ and no ground was covered. Due to the wet weather, the
battalion started lifting one platoon in daily to the battalion
base to dry out and change clothes. Enemy contact was at a minimum
because the weather hampered their operations as well as ours. From the first through the twenty-fourth of November, the battalion operated in the FSB Arsenal AO, returning OPCON to the 2nd Brigade. Contact continued light as the weather forced the airmobile battalion to occupy lower ground where cloud covers would not preclude resupply and air movements. In this lower area, the enemy were scarce. On 2 November a typical skirmish developed with a lone NVA opening fire on the CP of 2/D. The platoon leader SGT Allen D. Hunter was seriously wounded but continued to direct air support and artillery fire; he received the Bronze Star with "V" Device. PFC Jerry J. Fromme, seeing the platoon leader and medical aid man seriously wounded, moved them to safety and took charge of the platoon, organizing a perimeter and securing the medivac location; he received the Silver Star. The last week of November was the battalion's turn to again receive refresher training and stand-down at Phu Bai. The first day of December saw 3-506 again deployed into the Brick AO. The remainder of the month and the year would be spent in search of caches, mortar sites, and fighting positions. The companies closed into the AO and all moved out prior to the end of the first day. Action proved light, as the enemy sought to avoid contact. The first incident occurred 12 December when 1/C received one burst of AK-47 fire from a range of 30 meters. Results were 1 US KIA and negative enemy assessments. On December 16 the battalion bid farewell to LTC John Martling and welcomed our new battalion Commander LTC Othar J. Shalikashvili. Later that day, Delta Company made contact with one NVA in what began a series of almost daily contacts to the end of the month. At 1120 vic 871005, 1/D made contact with one NVA with results of 1 NVA KIA. The next day, Delta's second platoon ran into an unknown sized enemy force in an engagement that was typical of those to follow. The enemy from a concealed location opened fire on the platoon and wounded one U.S. The Gl's returned fire and swept toward the enemy, causing him to withdraw. While sweeping the contact area, another casualty occurred when a booby trap with pressure type firing device was detonated. During the next couple of days, Delta Company backed off and the area was pounded with artillery, air strikes, and flame drops. The company then swept into the area, encountering booby traps which were covered by fire from the enemy. Several US were killed or wounded, while three more NVA were KIA. The numerous contacts resulted in many acts of bravery and
devotion to duty. The following personnel were decorated for
valorous actions: The year ended with Delta Company driving down into the valley northeast of Brick, in hot pursuit of an estimated enemy platoon. From a document published by S-3, submitted by James M. Nemeth (B Co, 3rd BN, 1970). |
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