Diary 6-12 Nov 1968
6 Nov - [field strength] 543. 4 & 6. Quiet nite. Scts - Stand down to 1230. Op'd road to Bragg ; convoy to & from Grant.
A Co. & 164 - Open Rt 26 to CP 25, returned to work on FSB Rawlins.
B Co. - Escort ammo destruction convoy out west gate 0800-1600. Destroyed 16 T.
C Co. - RIF south of road, spotted 1 VC.
No mail -
Visited district chief to discuss VCI.
4th day no rain
7 Nov - [field strength-no entry] 5 & 6. Quiet nite. Scts & C Co. - Same [as 6 November]
B Co. - Escorted 3 tks [tanks] to base of NBD mtn; blasted caves.
A Co. - Same [as 6 November]
Unsuccessful VCI opn. MAJ [Thonius] Robinson [Jr] arrived. [Relieved
MAJ Donald Starnes as XO].
No mail
[List of personnel-related items]
A Co. - 159
B Co. - 160
C Co. - 174
Based on + from Nov-Dec will be even by 31 Dec
HQ Co. - Proj drops & adds bring to +4 by end of Dec.
SVC Co. - Proj drops & gains bring to +9 by 31 Dec.
Request Div orders by [sic. be] cut on 13 for
transfer on (8 Nov) to line co's. MOS not auth line co's will be used as 63 H, 52B,76S as mech & mech helper; 64 A & B - APC Driver
5th day - no rain
8 Nov - [field strength] 564. 6 & 4. Quiet nite. Scts & C Co. - Same. Grant closed.
B Co. - Escort ammo destruction team.
A Co. - Open Rt 26. Recover 2 hulks. Engr blew trees. 164 RF got 3 BC, 2 wpns, 1 POW, booty vic rubber factory.
Letter ML & Shirley
6th day - no rain
9 Nov - [field strength] 564. 7 & 5.Quiet nite. A Co. (+Flame)(+1 plat B Co.) - Open Road from Buell to CP Green. Closed 1730.
Scts - escort 10 veh convoy to & from FF One low boy hit mine, minor damage.
B Co. - escorted 2 TKS to CP White. Fired at mountain.
C Co. - Opened Rt 26.
Letter Mary Lou
7th day - no rain
10 Nov - [field strength] 580. [highest number recorded] 3 & 5. Quiet nite. (B 1-27 Arty replaced by C 1-27). C Co. (+Flame & 2 TKS) - Opened road to FF. TKS fired at NBD and returned.
Scts - Escorted 10 veh to FF.
A Co. - Escorted & secured Engr work party - flew flag [demonstrated force presence]
north of Mo Cong.
B Co. - 1 plat escort ammo destruction.
C Co. (-) - Opened Rt 26.
No mail. Picked up passport
8th day - no rain
11 Nov - [field strength] 564. 67 malaria [no mention of vehicle status] A Co. - Escorted engineer work party on Mo Cong highway.
B Co. - Escorted convoy to and from FF. Moved to Bragg for cordon & search.
C Co. - Opened road to FF. Returned to FSB Bragg.
Scts - escort convoy
Sent 2d box Hold Baggage
Farewell party - received statues & plaque.
12 Nov - [field strength-no entry] Quiet nite. Move to Thien Nhom [maybe Thien Ngon] (FSB Ord) (7.5 km S of Cambodia)
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Div Artillery After Action Report: After the road was opened, Battery c (7/11) moved by road from Tay Ninh Base Camp to FSB Ord. Battery C's mission was to provide the artillery support while the engineers worked on improving the airstrip for the special Forces Camp at Thien Ngon vicinity XT0881 |
A Co. - depart Rawlins 0630; escort engr to AVLB site; secure road; rollup with convoy.
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B Co. - Cordon & search. [Detained for questioning by RVN authorities] 43 suspects (28 Draft Dodgers, 3 VCI, 12 released. Moved to FSB Rawlins.
C Co. - depart Bragg; passed thru A Co. outpost & rollup.
D/3/22 - Air assault into AVLB site.
A/3/22 - air assault into Thien Ngon. Sweep & outpost.
Lead elements closed TN [meaning
Thien Ngon] at 1400.
Dug in and set up.
Scts - Escort arty to jump [slang for temporary] FSB.
161 RF Co. - Airmobiled in & joined up.
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From the 25th ID CG Journal, 12 Nov 68 at 1st BDE HQ; "Operation to Thien Ngon going well. Reports one RF company moved north and was well received to include an honor guard for the Province chief..." |
Cliff Neilson
Mohawk 6
May-Nov 1968
Illegitimi nil carborundum