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A
Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry 25th ID
- Veterans Timeline: TET
Counteroffensive,
30 Jan 1968 - 1 Apr 1968 Last Updated on: Saturday, June 18, 2016 09:08:26 PM We are building
timelines for the Troop's service in Vietnam. If you have award
citations, SITREP's, AAR's or other documents, they can provide
dates that can add to the timelines. David Olsen, A18 Oct 68
to Oct 69, is our volunteer coordinator for the Winter-Spring 1970
timeline.
Note 1: Entries that include an exact time or grid coordinates have been extracted from offical documents. If no time is provided it is a recollection from a unit member. Note 2: Email David Olsen or the website to provide additions or corrections for this timeline. Jan 30 - The Squadron secured major areas along MSR. Jan 31
- C Troop (-) reacted to Ton Son Nhut Air Base. The Troop was ambushed outside gate 051. The Squadron reacted with Troop D and Troop B (+). The results of action was 3 APC completely lost, 1 Tank completely lost, 7 APC damaged, 14 US KHA, 64 US WHA, 309 VC KIA (BC), 24 VC PW, 1 Chicom radio, numerous weapons and equipment. - 0400 hours call from the division tactical operations center (DTOC) gave Squadron Cdr the be prepared mission to move one troop southeast to a strategic town on the northwestern outskirts of A TrpIGON and the huge TON SON NHUT Airbase complex. (AVDCCG 29 November 1968 COMMANDERS COMBAT NOTE NUMBER 20, Combat Action Analysis Number 6). - The S3 immediately alerted C Troop (minus one platoon) which was available at the division base camp. The squadron's other two ground troops were deployed along the main supply route (MSR) to the northwest of the base. - B Troop was located at a bridge site 15 kilometers up the road and A Troop was positioned at an artillery fire support base 28 kilometers away. The detached C Troop platoon was providing security for a critical MSR bridge 10 kilometers to the southeast in the vicinity to which the remainder of the troop was preparing to move. - Having no contingency plan for a reaction mission to the town to the southeast and with no information concerning what was taking place there, the S3 immediately drove to the DTOC to discuss the situation with the division G3. Information available to the operations officer and his staff at the DTOC was sketchy. The division had received a be prepared mission from its higher headquarters to react to an enemy threat in the vicinity of the town, but the exact nature of the threat had not been defined. - While the S3 was at the DTOC, division received the order to send immediately one cavalry troop into the town. There it would be met by a representative of the major command headquarters for the area who would provide further instructions. This mission and special instructions were passed to the squadron S3, and at approximately 0430 hours the tanks and armored personnel carriers (APC) of the Headquarters element and two platoons of C Troop moved in column formation through the main gate of the division base camp and turned southeast down the MSR. - Since the area to which the troop was moving was not in the squadron's normal area of operations, few maps of the vicinity were available within the squadron headquarters. As the troop commander moved out he was able to locate one map of the area. He personally had been in the area only once during his tour and was only vaguely familiar with the terrain and surroundings in which he would be operating. As the troop wheeled southeast along the MSR, the troop commander ordered his vehicles off the highway to move cross-country parallel to the roadway. He reasoned that if anything big was taking place to his southeast, the enemy might well attempt to interdict the MSR with mines, road blocks and ambushes to cut off reinforcements. - While the troop was reacting towards the town, a message was received at division TOC from higher headquarters changing the unit's original mission. The troop was to proceed with all haste beyond the town and further south to TON SON NHUT Airbase which was under attack from the west by an estimated 300 enemy troops. The troop would be met on the MSR before it reached the airbase by a jeep which would guide the unit to the location where it was needed. - In response to this message, the DTOC requested information concerning the situation at TON SON NHUT: namely, on which side of the road was the enemy located, what information was available relative to the enemy units which were in the area, and did the troop have clearance to fire all its organic weapons in this heavily populated and developed area? In the confusion which existed at the time, no direct reply to these questions was forthcoming before the troop was doing battle. - As C Troop approached the town, the change of mission message was flashed to it over the squadron command radio net. With these new instructions in affect, the troop commander ordered his column to roll past the town and remain on the road to push the remaining nine kilometers to the western approaches to TON SON NHUT. As it moved down the road, the column encountered no resistance. The troop commander noted, however, that the several villages and populated areas along the way were deserted. Approaching the airbase at approximately 0700 hours, the column found no jeep waiting along the road to serve as its guide. The troop commander directed his unit to continue moving. In the vicinity of the west gate to TON SON NHUT, the tanks and armored personnel carriers came under heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire from a large textile factory on the west side of the highway. Returning this fire as it moved, the column continued approximately 200 meters south of the factory where the lead tank was struck by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). The crippled tank came to a halt blocking the highway and stopping the remainder of the column behind it. Immediately the troop came under heavy fire from both sides of the road. The cavalrymen dismounted and deployed to the ditches along the road to return the enemy's fire. The mounted cannon and 50 caliber machine guns on the tanks and APC's also swung into action laying down a heavy screen of fire to both the east and west. - Unknown to the troop commander at the time was the fact that his unit had sliced directly across the path of a three battalion enemy assault on TON SON NHUT Airbase from the west. His column had come to a halt in such a position as to cut off an estimated 300 enemy troop who had breached the airbase perimeter and occupied the western end of the active east-west runway from the main body of the enemy force which was moving in from the west in anticipation of throwing a knockout blow at the airbase. The crossfire in which the troop found itself was intense. One tank and three armored personnel carriers were knocked out by the initial outburst of fire and were aflame. Within five minutes, the troop commander was seriously wounded and unconscious on the deck of an APC and the other officers in the formation were either killed or wounded. Command of the troop was taken by a sergeant-first-class who directed the unit's actions until the arrival of reinforcements. One of the sergeant's first actions was to radio a situation report to his squadron commander and request reinforcements and supporting fires. - The squadron commander's reaction to this call was immediate and threefold. A request had earlier been placed with the division G3 to release the detached C Troop platoon from its bridge security mission so that it could join its parent unit at TAN SON NHUT. This request had initially been denied. When he learned that C Troop was in heavy contact and the situation at TON SON NHUT was extremely critical, the squadron commander again made the request which this time was quickly approved. At approximately 0710 hours, the platoon at the bridge was ordered to move immediately down the 14 kilometers separating it from the contact area to reinforce the troop. - Secondly, B Troop which was located at the bridge site northwest of the division base camp and 39 kilometers from the contact area had been given a be prepared mission at 0430 hours to react to the C Troop move to the south should that maneuver develop a contact. At approximately 0710 hours, B Troop was given the order to reinforce C Troop at TON SON NHUT. Already mounted and ready to move, B Troop was on the road and racing to the southeast at maximum speed within minutes. - Thirdly, as soon as the C Troop contact was reported, the squadron commander requested and received permission from the DTOC to scramble the helicopter gunships from D Troop, the squadron's organic air cavalry unit. Within minutes of the request for supporting fires, these gunships were airborne for the five minute flight to the airbase. - The C Troop platoon located on the bridge to the northeast of TAN SON NHUT mounted up and pushed down the road towards the airbase on order. At approximately 0730 hours the platoon was approaching the contact area. At this point, the platoon leader was contacted over the radio by the squadron commander who had arrived over the contact area in his command and control (C and C) helicopter only moments before. The squadron commander had made a rapid estimate of the situation. Fully aware of the forces that were available to him, he quickly devised a plan to destroy the massive enemy force he could now observe moving on C Troop and the airbase from the west. - Instead of ordering the platoon to link up with its parent troop by driving straight down the road, the squadron commander directed the platoon column to turn east off the MSR at an airbase gate several hundred meters north of the contact area. He then guided the platoon to the western end of the active east-west runway where a base security force was engaging the enemy troop who had penetrated the perimeter. Bringing the platoon on line facing the enemy, the squadron commander ordered the column to drive through the enemy formation to link up with the troop several hundred meters away on the road . With hesitating, the platoon moved forward at high speed rolling over the startled enemy to its front. This maneuver, in addition to killing many enemy, created havoc with the enemy formation causing it to disperse and scatter. As the platoon rolled to its link up, the enemy force to the rear of C Troop was no longer an effective fighting formation and was easily handled by the airbase security personnel who counter attacked to exploit the situation. - While the platoon was executing this maneuver, four armed helicopters of D Troop arrived on station over the contact area. The squadron commander ordered the gunships to concentrate their automatic weapons and rocket fire on the large number of enemy troop now congested in the large open field to the immediate west of C Troop's position on the road. At this point, C Troop's fire had pinned down the lead elements of this enemy force, and the remainder continuing its advance was piling up directly behind the stalled lead elements. Large groups of enemy suddenly found themselves in a exposed position as the four helicopters raked them with repeated strafing passes up and down the field. - The sudden appearance of the armored column across his route of advance, the maneuvering of the platoon to link up with its parent troop and the devastating attack of the helicopter gunships served to throw the enemy attacking forces into general confusion. At approximately 0815 hours, the B Troop commander advised his squadron commander that the lead vehicles in the troop column were rapidly approaching TAN SON NHUT. - The column had raced the 39 kilometers between its original position and the contact area in approximately one hour. In route the troop had encountered no resistance by fire but did smash through several hastily constructed roadblocks that appeared across the road. The troop commander did not have a map of the area, and he was requesting instructions from the squadron commander. With this the squadron commander still over the battlefield in his command and control helicopter was ready to apply the final blow to his hastily devised plan to destroy the enemy attack. - Coordinating all elements on his squadron command radio net, the commander directed the helicopter gunships to take up positions on the southern flank of the battlefield and to seal that escape route by fire. He then directed B Troop to execute a column right off the MSR on to the unimproved road which formed the northern flank of the battlefield. The lead platoon of the troop was to continue approximately 1,000 meters to the west, do a column left and come up on line. There the platoon was to establish a blocking position sealing the battle area on the west to destroy enemy attempting to escape in that direction. The headquarters element of B Troop was instructed to direct its fire on the enemy located in the factory complex to the north of the contact area. The remaining two platoons were ordered to come on line along the enemy's northern flank and from that position attack to the south through the enemy. The two platoons were to push to the southern end of the battlefield, turn about and attack back to its starting position, In the meantime, C Troop was to maintain its position on the road and support B Troop's movement across its front by fire. - Within minutes all elements were in position, and the squadron commander ordered the attack. The speed with which the maneuver developed, the crushing effect and firepower of the tanks and armored personnel carriers attacking into his midst and the presence and firepower of the cavalry elements on three sides created chaos in the enemy's formation causing it to disperse and scatter. The two platoon line pushed through the enemy, wheeled about and again rolled over the enemy positions. By the time the tanks and armored personnel carriers returned to their initial positions, the enemy attack was broken and his troops were withdrawing in all directions. - Sporadic fighting in the contact area continued throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Pockets of enemy troops had dug into hastily prepared positions within the contact area and had to be dislodged in close fighting. In addition, the squadron turned its tanks to the task of blasting and crushing airbase perimeter bunker position that had been occupied by the enemy and were being stubbornly defended. The squadron also oriented its fires on the enemy occupied factory. Late in the morning and throughout the afternoon U.S. and South Vietnamese Air Force fighter bombers delivered repeated strikes against the enemy lodged within the several buildings which made up the complex. By the time these attacks were completed, the factory had been leveled and was aflame, and the enemy had been forced out. These later actions notwithstanding, however, the squadron had won its battle several hours earlier with the destruction of the enemy assault on the airbase. - A reorganization and muster of the squadron's units on the west side of the airbase late in the afternoon revealed the 15 cavalrymen had been killed in the intense fighting while 23 were wounded. The squadron also lost one tank and three armored personnel carriers. A police of the battlefield over a two day period turned up over 400 enemy bodies, 348 of which were attributed directly to the squadron's actions. Feb 1 - Troop B and C began search and destroy mission vic Tan Son Nhut to destroy the remainder of VC/NVA forces in area. The Squadron was OPCON 2nd Bde 1st Infantry Division until the termination of operations 7 February which results were 3 VC KIA (BC) and 1 VC KIA (POSS). - The Squadron (-) then went OPCON to the 3rd Bde 25th Infantry Division. The Squadron (-) and Co A, 1/27 Inf began search and destroy operations vic Hoc Mon (XT7604). Troop B and Co A 1/27 Inf, were on line moving through area with Troop C as reaction force when Co A 1/27 Inf made heavy contact. Troop C moved up to support Co A 1/27 Inf. Feb 6
of the action were 1 tank destroyed, 2 tanks damaged, 3 APC damaged, 10 US KHA, 53 US WHA, 102 VC KIA (BC).
- Troop A went OPCON to the 2nd Bde 25th Infantry Division. They were on search and destroy mission vic Ap Cho (XT7006) making contact with unknown size VC force. They were in contact for 4 days resulting in A Troop being credited with 57 VC KIA (BC). A Troop suffered 6 US KHA & 28 US WIA. Feb 13
- Troop C and HHT returned to Cu Chi leaving Troop B OPCON 3RD Bde. - A Trp in contact with NVA forces at Ap Cho. Six KIA. View photos/shadowboxes: SSG Leonel Buentello, SSG Luther J Page, SSG Thomas A Johnson, SSG Vernon S Tscherter, SGT Charles O Penney, SSG Donald L Lloyd. PFC Harrison Allen WIA & DOW in 1991. Feb 16 - Troop A and B closed Cu Chi. Feb 17 - The next day the Squadron went OPCON 3rd Bde 25th Infantry Division. The Squadron moved to vic XS7295. Feb 19 - Troop C while returning to CP location was ambushed XS758979, returned fire resulting in 1 damaged tank, 2 US KHA, 2 US WHA, and VC losses were unknown. Feb 20 - Troop D went OPCON 3/17 Cav. Feb 21 - Troop B destroyed 18 bunkers, 4 foxholes, and captured 134 rounds of RPG-7, 1 RPG-2 round, 10 electric blasting caps, 4 22lb shape charges at XS702982. Troop C made contact with unknown number VC/NVA XS719922. Troop D and A reacted to the contact resulting in 3 US KHA, 20 US WHA, 1 UH-1C destroyed, 1 APC destroyed, 1 APC damaged, 135 VC KIA (BC), 3 VC KIA (POSS). That evening the Squadron CP was mortared resulting in 12 US WHA and light damage to equipment, 2 VC KIA (BC). 1 VC PW. - SP4 William T Conley, SSG James D Brown KIA. Feb 22 - Troop C picked up 1 VC PW WIA with AK-47 while sweeping thru the area XS719922. They also located 1 ea 7.62 type machinegun on wheels and 2 ea 9mm pistol vic same area. Troop C observed one platoon size element moving east to west XS(illegible). Engaged with artillery and spooky with unknown results. - Troop B detonated a dud round resulting in 1 US WHA. - Troop A and Troop L 3/11 ACR located 2 VC KIA (BC), 1 RPG-2 and 7 rounds AK-47s, misc. web gear, and 1 PBC-25. The Squadron received heavy volume small arms sniper, automatic wpns and RPG fire, returned fire resulting in 1 US KHA, 3 US WHA, 1 VC KIA (BC). - Troop C observed 15-20 VC moving behind berm, engaged with organic weapons resulting in 2 VC KIA (BC), 3 VC KIA (POSS), captured 1 AK-47. Feb 23 - Troop A located and destroyed 50 bunkers XS711931, 2 damaged RPG-7 rounds, and one box of 7.672 ammo. Troop A later located a bunker which contained 1 AK-47, 1 M-16, 2 ea 9MM pistols with magazines, 2 chicon grenades, 2 lbs of documents, 1 medical kit, 1 NVA gas mask, and one field pack. Feb 24 - Troop C on search and destroy, vic XS429997 captured numerous medical supplies, documents, 1 NVA gas mask, 1 AK-47 and destroyed one tunnel, one 500lb bomb, one 105mm round, 2 bunker complexes, 2 rounds 82mm mortar. Troop B received unknown number small arms, automatic weapons and RPG rounds from three sites, followed by mortar attack, returned fire with organic weapons, air and artillery resulting in 1 US KHA, 6 US WIA, and 2 VC KIA (BC). Feb 26 (Tropic Lightning 26 Feb 68: Div Kills 400 Around Cu Chi By LT Bruce Burton:) Feb 27 - Troops A and B on search and destroy captured one detainee and ½ lbs documents, while destroying 30 bunkers. On 26 February Troop A and C received small arms, automatic weapons, and RPG fire XT742015, returning fire with organic weapons, artillery, LFT and Tactical air, resulting in 1 US KHA, 13 US WHA, 1 APC damaged, 1 tank heavy damaged, 7 VC KIA (BC). Mar 1 0001 - SA65 reports that SA35's LP has spotted 3 individuals approaching 75 meters from perimeter moving from South to West over the berm when spotted. Still have individuals in sight. 0030 - SA35 has lost sight of the 3 individuals. 0045 - SA has a negative SITREP. 0355 - SA reports stand-to is complete. 0518 - SA reports what appears to be mortars firing to the East in the tree line. 0620 - Stogey 31 is going to make a run at XT76730288. Flex 33 notified this was not area of the rocket site. 0630 - SA marked position with green star clusters. 1st Stogey 31 run clear of SA positions. 0657 - Stogey runs complete. 0750 - S5 reports that SA element knocked over a telephone pole on Hwy 1. Reported to Micro Sunset. S5 has names. 0758 - New Saber lager is at XT713030. 0850 - All elements in new lager. 1045 - SA elements departing Saber lager. 1050 - SA from CP Hotel Right 1.5 1130 - SA from CP Oscar Right .4 Up 1.7 1305 - SA from Oscar Left 1, Down .1 1310 - SA elements departed for old AA (1240 hrs). 1400 - SA elements closed in AA at this time. 1915 - SA status: 4 tanks, 17 PCs 1 M106, 90 EM, & 5 officers. 1924 - SA 10 in position 39, SA20 moving to position 38, SA 30 moving to position 37. 1927 - SA 20 in position 1959 - SA30 in position 2053 - SA6 told not to go to positions 40,41,42 without calling 33 to lift arty fired at XS742996. 2113 - SA spotted 3 individuals in open are vicinity of blocking position 3 moving NW to SE. Request permission to engage. Granted by Flex 3. 2133 - SPOTREP: LA, SA elements; LB 3 individuals; LC XT709018; LD moving NW to SE in low crouch, could not ID weapons; LE lost sight, continuing to observe. 2350 - SA SITREP no change. Mar 2 0050 - Flex 33 to SA, you can move at anytime. 0545 - SA elements on move back to AA. 0632 - SA elements closing in AA. 0800 - SA30 elements returning to blocking position 39 to search for a lost weapon. 0930 - SA30 returning to this location. Have found lost weapon. 1915 - SA elements crossed SP at 1913 hrs. 1916 - From Flex 33 due to intel reports units to maintain exceptionally high readiness tonight. 1955 - SA in position. 1958 - SA locations: A20 &: Trp HQ at XT7070167; A10 at XT709020; A30 at XT710023. 2005 - From Flex 33 from Tropic 6. Heavy contact in III Corps area today. Be prepared for substantial enemy activity in the early morning hours. 2110 - From Flex 33, one element will be OPCON to 2/12 Inf on Mar 4 for daytime operations. 2350 - Negative SITREP. Mar 3 0055 - SA SITREP: no change. 0220 - SA reports hearing AW fire to their NE at 1000 to 1500 meters. 0605 - SA returning to AA. 0921 - From Flex 33: warning order for S5-1 element of SA to prepare for escort duty. 0945 - From Flex 33 inform S5 that the escort will not be needed. 1101 - SA picked up 2 detainees without ID, will be checking them out. 1105 - Area of contact from CP O: right 1.1 up.2 1329 - SA will react to entry 28 and SP at 1330. 1335 - SA SP from AA at this time. 1345 - SA status: 4 tks, 18 M113, 1 M106, 90 EM & 4 officers. 1420 - SA near northern end, normal results, appears to be a lot of ARVN 1445 - SA returning to laager location. 1457 - SA elements closed CP. 1955 - SA ambush patrol departing AA. 2008 - A20 listening post departing AA. 2020 - SA in position. 2125 - SA ambush patrol in position at this time. 2155 - From Flame 3, SA CP 1 time 041000 Mar 68. 2330 - SA SITREP: no change. Mar 4 SUMMARY - From Operation Saratoga AAR: Troop C and Co D 2/12 Inf on search and destroy vic XT760054 captured one AK-47 and set machinegun tools, 3 lbs of documents, one RPG-7 sight, destroying 19 Chicon grenades, 138 bunkers, 9 rounds of RPG-2 and 7, 6 RPG boosters, 600 meters commo wire, 1 M-17 protective mask, 300 lbs chicom C-4, and 200 rounds of AK-47. 0102 - SA SITREP: no change. 0505 - SA stand-to complete. 0530 - SA ambush patrol entered AA. Will use same points of origin as yesterday. 0910 - SA Status Rpt: 3 officers, 97 EM, 19 APC, 4 TKs. SA crossing SP. 0935 - SA at CP Lincoln. 0945 - SA going off of the net. 1645 - SA withdrew from area. 1 WIA & 1 VC KIA. 1655 - SA located at XT746023. 1945 - SA had sniper fire. Flame element received AK 7 RPG fire. SA got 1 VC KIA & 1 US WIA. Mar 5 0558 - Stand-to complete. 1535 - SA & SB elements will go on an operation tomorrow. 1545 - From Flex 33: SA elements returned to Saber control. 1610 - SA elements at CP L. 1630 - From Saber 3: SA to have one LP tonight. 1638 - SA elements closing on AA. 2155 - LP in position at 2130 hrs. 2230 - SA6 reports his personnel observe one individual standing observing the perimeter. SA listening post is continuing to observe. 2251 - SA6 reports his element lost contact with individual. Continuing to observe the area. 2354 - SITREP: no change. Mar 6 SUMMARY - From Operation Saratoga AAR: 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry received SA,AW, and RPG fire from unknown size VC force, returned fire with all organic weapons, LFT, arty and Tactical Air, resulting in 1 US KHA, 19 US WHA, 1 APC combat loss, 1 APC damaged, 2 tanks damaged, 2 VC KIA (BC), and 15 bunkers destroyed. 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry and D 2-12 Inf while on search and destroy mission vic XT7500 located 2 VC KIA (BC) in graves also destroying 215 bunkers, 4 anti-aircraft positions, 1 CKC grenade, 1 carbine stock and 5 helmets. 0054 - SITREP: no change. 0310 - SA LP spotted 4 individuals, 3 on line &: 1 approximately 50 to 100 meters N. Gave permission to engage. 0350 - SA scanned area with infrared, did not fire. Negative results. 0610 - SA stand-to complete. 0635 - Cu Chi under mortar attack. 0730 - SA reached Line of Departure and deployed at this time. 0732 - SA Status Report: 9 Buicks, 18 Fords 92 EM, & 6 Officers. 0732 - Mustang Delta 1st lift on the ground. 0756 - Mustang Delta 2nd lift on the ground. 0823 - Mustang Delta & SA on LD. 0835 - SA at PL Black. Mustang Delta close to PL Black. SB moving to PL BLack. 0845 - Mustang Delta (D/1/27 Inf) attached to SB effective now. 0906 - Saber elements on the objective. 0911 - Objective is secure. 1445 - Saber elements receiving fire. 1516 - Mustang Delta has one KIA. 1520 - Saber elements received RPG, one vehicle hit, pulling back to bring Arty on objective. 1530 - Saber 6 requests dustoff for 2 WIA, 1 KIA at XT736000. 1535 - Dustoff 158, ETA 10-15 mins. 1540 - Saber 6, put Arty onto "T" in the road. 1605 - Diamond Head 30 has completed his run expending ordnance, is returning to Cu Chi. 1607 - Pulling back to let air strike come in from N to S while breaking E. 1620 - SA has 1 VC BC, individual armed with AK47 and in civilian clothes. 1655 - Saber elements on move to objective are. Air Strike completed. 1717 - SA elements in heavy contact, received small arms, AW & RPG fire at PL Gold. - SSG David Layman Ray KIA. 1718 - Request dustoff at 737000. 1735 - Dustoff complete. note: Page 4 of journal missing 2301 - SA located from PO O: right .6, down 2.6 Mar 7 0003 - SA SITREP: No change. Negative results on movement on perimeter. 0351 - Mortar attack on Cu Chi Base Camp at 0305 hrs. Negative damage to Saber areas. 0550 - C30 SP with two Class 1 trucks for SA & SB. 0745 - Saber elements will be moving from S to N, LD at 0800 hrs. Arty prep requested, denied, will be on call. 0835 - Saber elements at the LD. 1055 - Saber elements sweep almost complete, still blowing bunkers. 1238 - SA located 40 bunkers 3x4' with overhead cover. 8 bunkers 8x5' with overhead cover. Will destroy & proceed back. 1445 - SA moving back to CP location. 1540 - SA closing back to CP. 1550 - Message from Flex 33, Saber elements be ready to be a reaction force for Flame. Company size ambush vic XT749000. Freq is 61.05. Saber elements have Thunderbird mission tonight. 1900 - SA listening post is at XT713032. 2028 - SA LP departed AA. 2210 - SA SITREP: No change. Mar 8 SUMMARY - From Operation Saratoga AAR: Troop B and B Co. 2-12 Inf. Captured 8 detainees and destroyed 12 bunkers and 12 spider holes while on search and destroy vic XT(illegible). CP (illegible) at (illegible) received 5 rounds (illegible) mortar, returned fire with (illegible) and arty, resulting in 3 US WHA. 0043 - SA SITREP: No change. 0613 - SA stand-to complete. LP returned to AA. 1130 - SA informed that clearance has been grated to test fire up to .50 cal on azimuth of 270/315 from grid 712030. 1615 - SA ambush patrol will be at XT706032. 1805 - SA AP confirmed to be at XT706032. 2238 - Flex 33 informs that Saber is the Thunderbird alert for tonight. 2357- SA SITREP: No change. Mar 9 SUMMARY - From Operation Saratoga AAR: Troop A and 3/22? Inf captured 1 AK 47, documents and a motor bike, they also destroyed 12 rocket positions vic XS736985. 0055 - SA65 SITREP: no change. 0315 - SA element informed that SC personnel observed flash which would put the location of the flash between AP & perimeter. 0612 - SA stand-to complete. 0620 - SA AP in perimeter. 0715 - SA lead is clear the AA. 0719 - SA informed that Flame element will be on Saber push. 0724 - SA trail elements cleared AA. 0727 - SA status: 4 tanks, 17 APCs, 89 EM, 6 Officers. 0750 - SA picking up Flame Delta. 0905 - SA & Flame D are at Lincoln. 0918 - SA at CP L. 0932 - A20, A20, & A6 from Point of Origin D: right 2.3, up 1.3. 0944 - SA 30 from PO Delta: right 1.7, up .6. 1055 - SA element at PO D: right 2.1 up 1.4. 1140 - SA located documents XT743019 consisting of diary, VC type assorted papers, map of Cholon area of Saigon, 1 RPG-2 rd/w booster. 1155 - SA located trench line, L type with several spider holes, 1 canteen, & 1 radio handset. 1200 - Change squelch to "new on". 1220 - SA from PO D, right 2 & up .8. 1236 - SA PL Patton holding for chow. 1250 - SA destroyed 35 BUNKERS 2X3X3', they appear to have been swept earlier. 1320 - All Saber elements located from PO D; right 2.4 up .2. 1402 - SA sweeping south. 1416 - SA located from PO D; right 2.1 down .7. 1515 - SA has started move. 2353 - SA SITREP: negative. Mar 10 SUMMARY - From Operation Saratoga AAR:Troop A while on search and destroy vic XS7099 captured 4 detainees and destroyed 4 individual firing positions, also destroyed were 3 bunkers and 20 sleeping positions. Operation SARATOGA terminated. The Squadron remained in area OPCON to the 3rd Bde 25th Infantry Division. Results: a. Friendly: (1) 760 personnel participated in operation. (2) Casualties: 57 KHA, 253 WHA (3) Vehicles Total Damaged Total Repaired Total Combat Loss Tanks 10 6 4 M113s 22 14 8 UH-15 3 2 1 OH-23 1 1 0 b. Enemy: (1) Enemy Losses: 741 VC KIA (BC), 21 VC KIA (POSS) (2) Captured: 27 AK 47, 4 pistols, 7 machine guns 4 RPG launchers, 19 lbs documents, 2 M-16, 2 radios, and 1 motor bike. (3) Destroyed: 620 bunkers, 13 rocket firing positions, 272 RGP rounds, 6 tunnels, 12 anti-aircraft positions, 380 lbs CKC-C4, 8 gas masks, 22 grenades, 7 RPG weapons. (4) ERI: Received SA 37 times, AW 23 times, 3 grenade attacks, 2 mortar attacks, detonated 5 AT mines 1 AP mine, 32 VC POW's and 36 detainees. (5) FRI: Engaged enemy 21 times without being fired on first Apr 1 0052 - A Trp has a negative SITREP. 0730 - A Trp will take a dozer with them today. 0745 - A Trp sweep North & South started. 0800 - SA65 SPOTREP: LA A20; LB 4 roadblocks; LC XT496235; LD 2' high width of road; LE cleared. 0810 - SA65 reports a 2nd roadblock, found 2 60mm rounds, will blow in place. 0850 - SA65 rpts 2 more roadblocks, 1st one cleared, 2nd resulted in secondary explosion at XT496235. 0855 - SA65 rpts SA10 is at CP31. 0927 - SA6 rpts that sweep found roadblock at XT505194, has a wire in it. Checking it out. 0943 - SPOTREP: LA A20; LB roadblock; LC XT500246; LD 2 rds of 60mm; LE continuing mission. 1018 - A Trp at bridge at XT508260, A10 is at CP B. A6 wants coordination made with 4/23 Mech to turn-over the Engineer element. 1040 - A10 is at CP 21. 1059 - A Trp is at XT513262. 1325 - A10 departed Cu Chi for this location, CP22. 1332 - A30 departing for NE part of perimeter. 1343 - A10 at CP 21. 1350 - A10 at CP 28. 1400 - A10 at CP 8. 1417 - A10 is at CP31. 1420 - A30 is returning to the perimeter. 1432 - A10 & A20 inside AA. A30 enroute to CP. 1507 - A10 closing AA. 1812 - A30 departing AA. 2045 - A30 is in position. 2104 - SA LP departed at 2040 hrs. In position at 2050 hrs. 2140 - SA 6 reports that SA30 has movement to the north of his position. Just spotted it, will keep informed. 2143 - SA 6 reports movement is 50 to 75 meters from A30 elements. SA 6 requests recon by fire with M16 & M79. Permission granted. 2207 - SA 6 reports that A30 is sending out dismounted force to check out area. 2223 - SA 6 reports that A30 checked area of recon by fire. Negative results. Found area where grass looks like someone may have been through it. 2259 - SA 30 moved 150 meters down the road to the south. 2356 - SITREP: no change. Join the 3/4 Cav Association!  |
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