FIRST STRIKE!
D Company, 1/502d Infantry (Airmobile)
101st Infantry Division (Airmobile)
Vietnam
FIRST STRIKE!
D Company, 1/502d Infantry (Airmobile)
101st Infantry Division (Airmobile)
Vietnam
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Commanding Officers
Firebase/Base Camp Locations
Operation Names & Dates
I Corps Firebase & Base Camp Grid Coordinates
HOW TO GET:
Maps of Vietnam
Casualty Information
Detailed U.S. Army Unit Histories
Unit Rosters and Company Morning Reports
Comparison of WWI & Vietnam Experience
Division Operations in Vietnam
Company D, 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
A Short Unofficial History of its Service - Vietnam, 1967-1972
Foreword:
The following information was compiled from the experiences and memories of members
of the Vietnam Veterans of D Co., 1st/502d Infantry Association, and from Battalion
Annual Historical Supplements acquired from the National Archives and 101st Division
HQ. There is no doubt that significant errors and or omissions may have been made
in its creation. Corrections and additions should be sent to Michael Kelley, 2140
36th Street, Sacramento, Ca 95817; e-mail address: kelleyc@ix.netcom.com
Company D, 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry's Unit History in Vietnam:
1st/502d Infantry & its D Company arrived in Vietnam on 16 Dec 67, and the 502d
Infantry Regiment's colors were retired in a ceremony held on 8 Feb 72.
Shelby Stanton's VIETNAM ORDER OF BATTLE contains the following Bn chronology:
Location Service Dates Major Command
Cu Chi Dec 67 - Jan68 2d Brigade
Cu Chi/Hue Feb 68 2d Brigade
Cu Chi Quang Tri Mar 68 2d Brigade
Cu Chi/Phu Bai Apr 68 - Oct 68 2d Brigade
Bien Hoa/Phu Bai Nov 68 2d Brigade
Van Xa Dec 69 - Mar 70 2d Brigade
Phu Bai Apr 70 - Feb 72 2d Brigade
The 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry arrived at Bien Hoa Airbase 15 Dec 67, and was
almost immediately deployed to Cu Chi (25 km NW of and just south of the "Iron
Triangle" in III Corps).
During the last half of Dec 67, the Bn made four separate contacts with the enemy,
resulting in 1 KIA and 6 WIA. The Bn was credited with 4 enemy KIA by body count in
those engagements.
The Battalion's first CA took place at 0807 hrs, 3 Jan 68 when all companies were
airlifted in the vicinity of Cu Chi. That day (3 Jan 68), D Co made heavy contact,
and that night all NDPs of the Bn were mortared, resulting in 1 KIA, 23 slightly WIA
and 13 WIA evacuated. In the early morning hours of 4 Jan 68, A and D Co NDPs
received rockets in their perimeter, and later that day, C Co made heavy contact
resulting in 7 KIA and 1 WIA. Total casualties for the day were 36 WIA, 1 MIA
(later revised to KIA) and 8 KIA (9, with the MIA found). Enemy losses were put at
27 KIA and 2 WIA/POW.
All in all, 1968 got off to a very painful and costly beginning.
On 7 Jan 68, the Bn CA'd to the very historic LZ X-Ray, at the foot of the Chu Pong
Mountain in the Ia Drang Valley on the Cambodian border and site of the first major
battle of the American War in Vietnam (1st Cav Div, Nov 65) some three years
earlier. It made no contact there and departed 10 Jan 68.
14 Jan 68 it CA'd to LZ Gold (XT, 40 km WSW of An Loc, 11 km WSW of FSB Parry, 18 km
S of Cambodian border, 7 km W of Rte 244, 7 km NE Suoi Ba Hoa River and site Battle
of Suoi Tre, 21 Mar 67), in western III Corps, and worked that area until 19 Jan 68.
Initially, D company deployed to the Cu Chi area in south-central Vietnam. In early
Feb 68, shortly after the opening enemy attacks of the massive TET Offensive, the
Battalion was moved north to Quang Tri. En route, it stopping first at Phu Bai
Airport then bivouaced briefly at nearby LZ El Paso (later to become Camp Eagle), a
1st Cav Division firebase. The battalion was Opcon to the 1st Cav Division in
preparation for efforts to eradicate the NVA/VC that had infiltrated into the area
north of Hue in support of the enemy forces holding that Imperial Capitol. It then
moved north to Quang Tri and joined operations with the Cav in that area. Units of
the 1st Cav, and 101st Division (some elements of the 101st among them) also
attacked south along QL-1 (Hwy 1) and toward the northern quadrants of Hue City.
Col John Cushman, 2d Bde commander at the time, recalls that the Cav was intially
very timid with its support of those 2d Bde elements working with it. The Cav
apparently husbanded their aerial resources almost entirely for Cav units (partly
the result of self-interest and partly out of the professional rivalry between the
two proud Airborne Divisions) and it was very difficult for the 101st units to get
airlift scheduled for CAs or even visual recons. Once the 2d Bde elements began
proving themselves stubborn and aggressive opponents in increasing contacts with the
NVA/VC, the Cav began to accept them as part of the First Team and provide more
thoughtful and timely assistance.
Operation Jeb Stuart, the operation to rid the Quang Tri/Thua Thien area of NVA/VC
and liberate Hue began in early February. In the fighting that followed, the Army
lost more casualties in one week than the Marines lost in their very famous and
much-publicized month-long fight to liberate Hue (attacking from the south).
Unfortunately, histories of the Battle for Hue generally ignore the US Army's and
ARVN's participation despite the fact both those units suffered significantly more
casualties than the Marines. In fact, the ARVN were reported to have suffered
approximately 12,000 casualties in uncharacteristically spirited and aggressive
fighting along the western and eastern outskirts of the city. (Speculation suggests
elements other than the Marines were ignored because the press did not accompany
those elements and likely knew little or nothing of their engagements).
Where Army units were concerned, initial contact with the enemy in the Battle for
Hue apparently occurred near the village of Van Xa/PK 17, an area part of what was
known generally as the "Street Without Joy" (and which later became the
site of LZ Sally; adjacent to the village of Van Xa) perhaps ten kilometers
northwest of Hue. At about the time these elements fought through to the northern
outskirts of Hue City itself, the enemy broke contact and fled north, west and east
to avoid annihilation.
The fight for Hue was over but much fighting remained to eliminate the large number
of enemy units that had filtered in amongst the populated areas in the coastal
lowland paddies, hedgerows and sand dunes surrounding the coastal village of Quang
Dien, northeast of Hue. That effort was focused in three major Operations,
Carentan, 10 Mar 68 - 19 Apr 68, immediately followed by Carentan II (Lam Son 216)
19 Apr 68 - 17 May 68, and Nevada Eagle (Lam Son 224) 16 May 68 - 15 Aug 68?.
D Company suffered high casualty rates during its participation in the Quang
Tri/Thua Thien Province operations to liberate Hue (one D Co soldier who died in the
early fighting was Roland Levesque). Casualties began to mount greatly once
concentrations of the enemy operating in the coastal plains were located and fixed
in place. On 3 Mar 68, while supporting D company, the Bn Commander's C & C
Bird was stiched with enemy ground fire, wounding the command pilot, Bn CO LTC Jack
Bishop, his RTO and the Bn S-2. According to the 68 Historical Supplement, the S-2
was DOA at Quang Tri.
Unfortunately, 14 days of the Bn Daily Journal were destroyed during a 122mm Rocket
attack on or about 30 Apr 68, when Bn TOC at FSB Bastogne burned (happend just as
the Bn was OPCONed to the 1st Bde, 16 Apr - 30 Apr 68) and that part of the Bn's
official history was lost forever as a result. In Dec 68, 258 surviving personnel of
the Bn DEROSed to CONUS, the first major impact of the one year tour prescribed for
all US troops. Coupled with the Bn's high casualty rates, roughly 90% of the Bn's
well-trained and highly motivated troops were lost to their successors by the end of
first year!
The Battalion was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm for the
period 19 Apr - 15 Aug 68. Casualties suffered by the Company and Battalion during
1968 were:
144 KIA (hostile)
769 WIA (hostile)
1st Bn/502d Infantry awards for 1968 were:
Distinguished Service Cross 1
Siver Star 35
Distinguished Flying Cross 4
Legion of Merit 1
Bronze Star w/V Device 122
Bronze Star 528
ARCOM w/V Device 71
ARCOM 141
Air Medal 30
Purple Heart 913
During the spring and summer of 1969 the Company & Battalion was frequently
engaged in very serious fighting and suffered heavy casualties (possibly as high as
70%) as a result. Much of the fighting occurred in the vicinity of Fire Support
Bases (FSB's) Veghel & Bastogne (Lash and Zon, possibly as well). For that
period, the Battalion was awarded a Valorous Unit Award (12 Mar - 8 May 69).
On 1 Mar 69, the battalion initiated Operation Massachusetts Striker in Nam Hoa
District and Quong Thuong Districts. Its mission was to conduct combat assaults on
FSB Veghel and recon in force in that area. The operation later continued
southeast, astride Hwy 614 in Quang Nam Province and ended 8 May 69.
Massachusetts Striker was considered very successful from a military point of view
in that 115 VC/NVA were KIA and 3 were taken POW; however, its most significant
aspect was the discovery of a series of huge caches along the "Yellow Brick
Road" leading from the A Shau Valley. Large supplies of equipment and weapons
were found about 45 miles west of Da Nang and included: 13 Chicom trucks, 1 soviet
scout car, 2 bulldozers, 1 ambulance, medical supplies food stuffs and a large
number of field telephone/radio electronics. Among the weapons and ammo found were
632 SKS rifles packed in their original crates (that supplied the troops of the
1/502d Inf with war souvenirs for years to follow!). It was estimated the material
would have supplied an NVA Division for a full year.
On 15 May 69, the 1st/502d was Opcon to the Americal Division and its 1st/46th Inf
for Operation Lamar Plain, in the Chu Lai/Tam Ky area south of Da Nang. During the
operation, the battalion again suffered very heavy casualties while operating out of
FSBs Hustler, Professional and Americal's 1st Bde HQ at Hua Duc (new & old). On
1 Aug 69, the 1st/502d also built FSB Boxer for the Americal.
During Lamar Plains, the Battalion made two significant discoveries in the mountains
southwest of Tam Ky. On 1 Jul 69, it found a cache containing 111 individual
weapons, 33 crew served weapons, three tons of ammunition and 17 bicycles. The
second find was a 15 building hospital complex. Lamar Plains ended 14 Aug 69, and
the 1st/502d Inf returned to control of the 101st Abn, out of LZ Sally.
On 14 Aug 69, Operation Claireborne Chute was begun in the vicinity of FSBs
Birmingham, Arsenal, Arrow and Pohl Bridge (named after Col. Richard S. Pohl, KIA
in 24 Jun 68 helicopter crash or shoot-down). Contact was light but the battalion
expended a considerable effort at improving the fortifications of FSB Birmingham and
Pohl Bridge. Claireborne Chute ended 28 September and was followed immediately by
Operation Republic Square in the same AO. During that operation, contact was again
light and the Battalion worked extensively monitoring the rocket belt around Nui Ke
and training with RF/PF units. Republic Square ended 7 Dec 69.
On 3 Sep 69, Delta Company Commanding Officer Richard C. Miller (Jacksonville, AL)
and seven(?)other D Company men were killed in a tragic helicopter accident near FSB
T-Bone. Other casualties included Neil Epifanio, Gary Evans, Louis Mills, Leroy
Rutherford and a trooper named Conathan (?). Adding to the magnitude of the tragedy
was the fact that either Miller or Evans was the stepson of the then 1st/502d Inf
Battalion Commander (LTC Demming) and the Colonel flew out to investigate the crash
that very sad day only to discover his stepson was one of the victims.
On 19 Sep 69 and along the creek-bed of Khe Ke Creek (at YD 766-074, appx 7 km S of
Pohl Bridge and 5km SSW of Nam Hoa District HQ), elements of Alpha and D Company
found the bones of appx 3,000 Hue City citizens (govt employees, teachers, doctors,
professionals and allied sympathizers) that had been kidnapped from Hue during the
Battle for Hue, Tet 68. The bodies lined the creek-bed on both sides for several
hundreds of meters under 50' high canopy. Many also had their hands bound behind
their backs. It is unknown if the enemy had originally intended to murder their
prisoners or it became a tactial necessity due to the difficulty of moving such a
large group without being detected/interdicted coupled with the huge logistical
problems presented by feeding, clothing and moving such a group. The initial find
mentioned in 1st/502d Inf, 1969 Annual Historical Supplement, 19 Sep 69 entry at p
27. The event and recovery of those bones drew world-wide attention, and the
citizens of Hue honored the Battalion for returning their loved-ones remains.
Between 1 Jan 69 and Sep 69, Delta company suffered at least 12 KIA-hostile
(including possibly 3 Vietnamese Kit Carson Scouts), 8 KIA(?) non-hostile and 61
WIA (KIA figures are for outright deaths only and do not include those who may have
died after transport to an Evac Hospital). By Jun 69, it's estimated the entire
Company roster contained a total of but 40 names! The Battalion was again awarded
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm for the period 15 Aug - 14 May 69.
1st/502d Infantry Battalion casualties for the year 1969 totaled: 82 KIA and 213 WIA
(non-mortal). Its personnel were awarded 1 Distinguished Service Cross, 37 Silver
Stars, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 122 Bronze Stars w/V Device, 57 ARCOMs w/V
Device, 295 Purple Hearts.
After the author joined the Company in Nov 69, combat action died down considerably
as the enemy altered its tactics in order conserve and rebuild its forces, as well
as to allow the political turmoil in the US to weaken America's resolve for
continuing the war effort.
Casualties in 1970 were very light despite the fact the Battalion heavily patrolled
its rugged AO south and west of Hue. During the author's stay with Delta Company
between Nov 69 & Sep 70, it lost four KIA and about 21 WIA. The KIA were:
Michael Gross (13 Jun 70); Donnie Smith (3d Plt medic RTO, while TDY to B/3/506th
for Cambodian invasion May 70); Kit Carson Scout Trinh Trong (13 Jun 70) and 3d Plt
Medic Stephen T. Smith (WIA 16 Sep 70, Died of wounds 21 Sep 70).
The Battalion's 1970 Annual Historical Supplement reports the following figures for
that year: Casualties totaled 8 KIA, 52 WIA. Awards included 3 Silver Stars, 23
Bronze Stars w/V Device, 15 ARCOMs w/V Device, 60 Purple Hearts.
Apparently action picked-up again in 1971, and the Battalion was again awarded the
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm for the period 1 Mar - 9 Oct 71.
Otherwise we know nothing about its experience during that period.
Company Commanding Officers:
COs were: CPTs Al Greenhouse, Jack Justice, Gregory F. Mills, Danny
Trew, Henry Hammond, Richard C.Miller (KIA), Garry W. Thornley, Peter
J. Grasser, Steven Rader, Roger Compton, Nightingale
Battalion Commanding Officers:
LTC Davis ?- 10 Nov 68
LTC Carter 10 Nov 68 to ?
LTC Bishop
LTC Keener
LTC Arvid West
Vietnam Firebases/locations occupied by D Company & 1st/502d in Vietnam:
An Lo Bridge (YD 623-303 Mar - Jul 68)
Ap Do Trong (B/C Co hvy contact here 3 Mar 68, YD 671-311, Bn CO wounded
in C&C, Bn S-2 DOA)
Ap Dong Lang (8Mar68, YD-680-318, A Co hvy contact, 4 KIA, 23 WIA, 3
MIA/KIA)
Ap Duc Trong (YD 67-3, 9-11 Mar 68, Bn hvy contact, 8 KIA, 17 WIA, 2 MIA/KIA)
Ap Kim Ngoc (village)
Ap Lai Xa (A Co hvy contact 29 Feb 68, then moved there 2 Mar 68, YD 638-310)
Camp Eagle (originally LZ El Paso)
Camp Evans (first visit Mar 68)
Camp Hockmuth (Phu Bai, HQ Jan 70 - Feb 72)
Camp Periera (Americal AO)
Chu Lai (Americal AO)
Chu Lai Beach (Americal AO R&R site)
Col Co Beach POL Farm (aka Cocao or Eagle Beach)
Cu Chi (15 Dec 68 - 28 Jan)
Dong A Tay
Eagle Beach R&R Site (aka Col Co Beach POL Farm)
FSB Apache (YD, somewhere in Thua Thien Prov. Recon here 26 Oct 68)
FSB Arrow
FSB Arsenal (YD 818-080)
FSB Bastogne
FSB Birmingham (YD 704-101, aka Hill 90, appx 12 km SSW of Hue on Hwy
547. Charlie Co appears to have been the first of the Bn to be here,
lifted in 18 Nov 68)
FSB Blaze
FSB Blitz
FSB Boxer (Americal AO)
FSB Brick
FSB Forward
FSB Georgia (YD 420-033, Aka Hill 1242 (4,074'). FSB appx 3 km NW of
FSB Berchtesgarden and 3 km SE of FSB Eagle's Nest on NE edge of A
Shau Valley, D Co here 11 - 21 Aug 68)
FSB Hardcore
FSB Henry
FSB Hustler (Americal AO)
FSB Lash
FSB Nola (YD 617-302, variation in spelling of Nora? Gen Cushman's
memoir lists a FSB Nola at this location and 68 Bn Hist Supp says
there was a FSB Nora in almost exactly the same location)
FSB Nora (YD 617-302?, Feb - Mar 68, possibly Nola? Was 14 km NW of Hue,
Quang Dien District)
FSB O'Reilly
FSB Omaha (YD, location unknown or if it was even a FSB. Recon here,
16-17 Nov 68)
FSB Panther (26 element of A Co OPCON to 2d/50st here, 21 Nov 68)
FSB Pinky
FSB Pistol
FSB Professional (Americal AO)
FSB Rakkasan
FSB Rifle
FSB Sandy (YD 877-247, portion of Charlie Co here 16 Dec 68 after being
OPCON 1st/501st)
FSB Strike (YD 615-235, constructed by C Co beginning 19 Mar 68)
FSB T-Bone (YD 65-20, C Co first unit of Bn here, 16 Oct 68)
FSB Veghel
FSB Zon
Hai Lang (Feb 68)
Hua Duc HQ (Americal AO)
Huong Tra District (Thua Thien Prov)
Hwy 547 (Camp Eagle, FSBs Birmingham, Bastogne and Veghel et al, were
along this road. Led from Hue to A Shau Valley, built in 68 by 36th
Eng)
Hwy 551 (YD 826-312 was its NE end at LCU Ramp, Tan My. Bn pulled
security of POL line and pump stations along this road that ran from
vicinity og Eagle Beach to NE corner of Hue)
Hwy 554 (YD 690-342, ran NE from its intersection with QL-1 at YD
623-304 (An Lo Bridge), to its terminus near Quang Dien at listed
grid. Was only appx 8 km in length. See Quang Dien)
LCU Ramp, Tan My (YD 826-312)
LZ El Paso (later Camp Eagle)
LZ Gold (Jan 68)
LZ Jane (Feb 68)
LZ Sally (helped construct, Feb - Mar 68; Bn HQ Apr 68-?, Nov 69 - Mar 70,
aka Van Xa)
LZ X-Ray (7 Jan 68 - 10 Jan 68)
Nam Hoa (village, Nam Hoa District HQ)
Nam Hoa District (Thua Thien Prov, inc FSBs Arrow, Birmingham, Rifle,
Pohl Bridge, Pistol, Arsenal, Camp Eagle, Phu Bai, Veghel et al.)
Nui Hoan Gay (Hill 434, aka Bananna Mtn)
Nui Hoan Gay (Hill 434, Banana Mtn)
Nui Hon Vuon (Hill 309, T-Bone)
Nui Ke (Hill 618)
Nui Mo Tau
Phong Dien Bridge (10 Apr 68, YD 52-34, on QL-1, appx 3 km NW Camp Evans)
Phu Vang (YD 783-269, D Co here 5 Oct 68, other Companies here in Oct 68
as well)
Phuc Yen (A Co OPCON 1/501st, 29 Apr - 1 May 68, for Battle of Phuoc Yen)
Pohl Bridge (aka Nam Hoa Bridge)
QL-1 (Quang Tri to Phu Bai)
Quang Dien District (Thua Thien Prov)
Quang Dien District HQ (YD 687-341, just E of Hwy 554 at its NE
terminus, 7 km N of QL 1, 6.5 km SE of the Gulf of Tonkin and 10 km
NNW of Hue City., 1st/502d Bn HQ on 31 Dec 68)
Quang Tri (Jan - Mar 68)
Tam Ky (Americal AO)
Tan My LCU Ramp (YD 826-312)
Thon My Chan Bridge (YD 460-400)
Utah Beach (aka Wunder Beach)
Van Xa (near LZ Sally)
W-Shaped Village (YD 698-304, 6 Mar 68, D Co hvy contact w/2 NVA Cos, 5
KIA, 25 WIA, 2 MIA)
Wunder Beah (aka Utah Beach)
Operations Involving the 1st/502d Infantry were:
1968: Battle for Hue, Jeb Stuart Feb 68 - 10 Mar 68 (opcon 1st Bde,
1st Cav); Carentan, 10 Mar 68 - 19 Apr 68; Carentan II (Lam
Son 216) 19Apr68-17 May 68, Nevada Eagle (Lam Son 224)
16 May 68 - 15 Aug 68?
1969: Nevada Eagle, Sherman Peak, Massachusetts Striker, Lamar
Plains (opcon 23d Inf Div- Americal), Claireborne Chute,
Republic Square, Randolph Glen
1970: Randolph Glen, Texas Star, Jefferson Glen
1971: ?
1972: ?
Following is a listing of, and grid locations for, most of the Firebases & Base
Camps used by the 101st Abn Div in I Corps during the Vietnam War.
A Listing of I Corps Fire Support Base/Base Camp Locations,
Republic of Vietnam, 1965-72
Firebase Grid Coordinates* Name/Hill Height in Meters/info
A Luoi YD 386-000 Laos, Lam Son 719, ARVN Abn
A Shau Village & Sp Forces Camp/airbase
A-1 YD 270-236 Also listed as 270-732?
A-2 YD 214-738
A-3 YD 174-721
A-4 YD 113-703 Con Thien
Airborne YD 354-071
Alpine XD 761-531
Americal 1st Bde FSSE BT 290-230 ???
An Loc Americal?
Angel YD 186-487
Anne YD 559-039 Also Spelled "Ann"
Anzio YD 929-072
Apache YD 629-222
Argonne XD 756-532
Arrow YD 798-107 aka Panther II
Arsenal YD 818-080 FSB aka Nui Khe Tre or Hill 140, 2d Bde,
1st/502d Inf 69-71, 8 Km SW of Phu Bai,
10 km ESE of FSB Birmingham, 9 km SE of
Pohl Bridge, 7 km SE of Nam Hoa Dist HQ
and 600 meters E of Song Ta Trach River.
Ground assault 6 Apr 70, against C/1/502d
Inf and 2d/11th Arty, 101st Abn Div. 105mm
& 81mm. Thua Thien Prov, I Corps.
Ax ZC 002-910
Ba Long 12th Mar Arty 67, 6-105mm
Baldy Americal, aka LZ Baldy
Banana Mountain Hill 434, prominent terrain feature in
1st/502d Inf AO, 3Km N of Nui Ke
Barbara YD 329-337 also listed as 328-336
Barnett XD 199-322
Bastogne YD 620-095 FSB Due west of FSB Birmingham along
Hwy 547, and appx 25 km WSW of Hue. Built in 68 by 2d Bde, 101st Abn
Div. 175mm cannons here could just reach the N end of the A Shau
Valley in support of the 1st Cav and 1st Bde of the 101st during
operation Delaware. Built-up for that operation by the 1st Bde of the
101st in preparation for that op. Was scene of heavy fighting and
overrun and occupied by NVA forces during both the 1972 Easter
Offensive and the 1975 Final Offensive. 81MM, 105mm, 8", 175mm
Arty and 40mm Dusters of 3d/5th Cav here at various times. Also
listed at 625-095? Thua Thien Prov, I Corps.
Bayonet Americal. Vicinty of Chu Lai and
adjacent QL-1 on its W side.
Berchtesgarden YD 423-004 also listed as 43-01 or 42-01
Betty YD 339-501
Bible XD 945-623
Birmingham, FSB YD 704-101 FSB aka Hill 90, appx 12 km SSW of Hue
City along Hwy 547 just N of the Song Huu Trach (W branch of the
Perfume River) and appx 8 km? E of FSB Bastogne. Built by 326th Eng
and 1/502d Inf, 2d Bde 101st Abn during Operation Jeb Stuart, Mar or
Apr 68?. Named in honor of Plt Sgt Edward A. Birmingham, KIA 2 Oct 67,
who drowned while trying to rescue a man caught in the middle of a
river crossing & under fire. Overrun in 72 Offensive and 1975
Final Offensive. Built by the 326th Eng and elements of the 101st Abn
Div's 2d Bde USMC Tac Air navigation unit, 326th Engs (326th Eng HQ?),
81MM, 105mm, 8", 175mm Arty and 40mm Dusters of 3d/5th Cav? Do
not confuse with 1st Cav FSB, or Americal FSB with same name. Thua
Thien Prov, I Corps. Not to be confused with Americal's LZ Birmingham
NW of Chu Lai.
Blaze YD 539-023
Blitz YC 766-962
Boise YC 941-970
Boxer BS 311-197 Americal, built 1 Aug 69 by 1st/502d Inf
Boyd YD 735-134
Bradley YD 278-119 also listed as 278-122, Hill 1021
Brick YC 835-995 Hill 132, 2d Bde, 101st 69-71
Bronco Americal
Bullet YD 490-143
C-1 YD 213-672
C-2 YD 137-647
C-3 YD 143-611
C-4 YD 313-725
Ca Lu YD 012-455 14 km S, 4 Km E of Rockpile, 12th Mar
Arty, 67, 6-105mm
Cam Lo YD 130-593 12th Mar Arty 67, two 155mm
Camp Brooks Da Nang
Camp Carrol YD 063-547 aka Camp J.J. Carroll, 12th Mar Arty
67, 6-175mm, 4- 155mm, 6-105mm
Camp Hockmuth YD Phu Bai
Camp Eagle YD Between Phu Bai & Hue, W of QL1,
Originally named LZ El Paso when 2d Bde
of 101st Abn landed there in Feb 68,
en route Quang Tri, also 1st Cav?
Camp Evans YD 541-318
Camp Reasoner Hill 327, Da Nang
Cannon YD 029-472
Cates YD 926-443
Cathryn YD 466-112 also listed as Catherine & Kathryn
Cathy YD 583-231
Cecile YD 379-981 Tre Lit, just West of Hwy 538 in the A
Shau Valley
Center Americal
Charger Hotel Americal stand-down billets, Chu Lai
Checkmate YD 633-083 Directly N of Bastogne
Chu Lai Chu Lai Base
Cindy YD 192-411 aka Hooker
Con Thien YD 113-703 aka "A-4" & Con Thien
Combat base
Cua Viet YD 342-698 Port Facility, 12th Mar Arty 67, six
105mm
Cunningham YD 185-134
Currahee YC 402-948
Cutlass YC 956-947 ARVN, aka Outpost Cutlass, in FSB Brick AO
Dallas YD 104-144
Da Nang Da Nang Air Base
Davis YD 252-291
Destiny YC 328-981 Hill 937, Dong Ap Bia (Hamburger Hill)
Dick YD 142-333
Dong Ha YD 245-599 Dong Ha Combat Base
Dottie Americal
Duc Pho Americal
Eagle's Nest YD 406-036 Hill 1487
Eagle Beach YD 830-330 slightly N of Tan My
East Americal
Eden YD 035-385
El Paso YD aka LZ El Paso, 1st Bde 1st Cav base
camp, 1st/502d Jan68, later renamed Camp Eagle
Erskine YD 583-231
Falcon YC
Fat City Americal
Fern XD 929-625
First YC 864-833
Foxy YC 405-975
Freedom Hill
Fuller YD 019-593
Fury YC 534-846
Georgia YD 420-033 Hill 1242, E & S of Eagle's Nest, also 419-029
Geronimo YD 691-201
Gio Linh YD 218-732 12th Mar Arty 67, 4-175mm, 6-105mm
Gladiator YD 416-211 Construction started 29 Mar 70
Goodman YD 324-078
Granite YD 437-190 also listed as 432-197
Hai Lang YD 415-479
Hai Van Pass
Hammer ZC 020-941
Hardcore YD 450-509 Adjacent Utah Beach, later renamed
Wunder Beach, 1st Cav & 2d
Hawk XD 907-401
Hawk Hill Americal
Heidi YD 274-273
Helen YD 515-219 Hill 674, S of Jack on Rocket Ridge,
also 515-220
Henderson YD 081-411 also listed 085-408
Henry YD 688-093
Hill 10 1st/11th Mar Arty
Hill 55 AT 965-615 HQ 1st/11th Marines Artillery
Hill 246 YD 625-144 ARVN FSB built Apr 71 SE of Bastogne
Hill 309 YD 652-202 Visible from & S of LZ Sally, W of
Geronimo, aka Nui Hon Vuon, scene of
battle for d/2d/501st Inf, 101st Abn
20 Mar 68, later site of FSB T-Bone,
commanding view of Hue
Hill 327 1st Mar Div HQ, Division Ridge, 3 Km W
of Da Nang
Hill 805 YD 362-188 near Ripcord Hoi An
Holcomb YD 118-431
Hooker YD 192-411 aka Cindy
Hornet YD 048-375
Houng Dien YD 629-428 Village
Hua Duc (old) Americal
Hau Duc (new) BT 073-063 Americal AO, 1st Bde HQ 69
Hue MACV Compound YD 767-218 estimated
Hustler BT 298-030 Americal AO
Hwy 547 East/west road to A Shau Valley built
by 101st Div Engineers in 1968.
Jack YD 498-282 also listed as 495-285
Jane YD 379-437 aka LZ Jane
Jerome YD 187-274 also listed as 189-283
Jose YD 533-185
Kham Duc Americal?
Karen Americal, aka LZ Karen
Katy YD 433-151
Kelly YD 404-119 aka LZ Kelly
Kathryn YD 466-112 also Listed as "Cathryn"
& 47-11
Ke Sanh XD 852-418
Khe Gio Bridge YD 026-561
Ky Ha
La Vang YD 344-510 Village
Lanf Vei YD 344-510 Village, Lang Vei?
Lang Vei Special Forces Camp S & W of Khe Sahn
Lang Minh Mang YD 748-132 Elaborate, walled tomb of Minh Mang, 1 Km SW of
Pohl Bridge near confluence of Song Huu Trach
& Song Ta Trach were they become Song
Huong, the Perfume River.
Langley YD 023-358
Leatherneck XD 948-312 Hill 2979
Lejune XD 968-534
Liberty Bridge
Lillian YC 497-857
Liz Americal
Long YD 522-217
Los Banos AT 183-134
Lucy YC 424-944
LZ Alpha Laos, Lam Son 719, ARVN Abn
LZ Baldy Americal, aka FSB Baldy
LZ Blue Laos, Lam Son 719, Viet Marines
LZ Bravo Laos, Lam Son 719, ARVN Abn
LZ Brown Laos, Lam Son 719, 1st ARVN Div
LZ Center Americal, abandoned 11 Aug 69, 3/21st Inf
LZ Delta Laos, Lam Son 719, Viet Marines
LZ Delta 1 Laos, Lam Son 719, 1st ARVN Div
LZ Don Laos, Lam Son 719, Viet Marines
LZ East Americal
LZ El Paso YD aka FSB El Paso, 1st Bde 1st Cav base camp,
1st/502d Jan 68, later renamed Camp Eagle
LZ Gator Americal, S of Chu Lai, rear for
5/46th 198LIB at one time
LZ Hope Laos, Lam Son 719, 1st ARVN Div
LZ Hotel Laos, Lam Son 719, Viet Marines
LZ Jane YD 379-437 aka FSB Jane, 1st Cav, 2d Bde 101st Abn 68
while Opcon 1st Cav
LZ Karen Americal
LZ Kelly YD 404-119 aka Kelly
LZ Liz Laos, Lam Son 719, 1st ARVN Div
LZ Lolo Laos, Lam Son 719, 1st ARVN Div
LZ Mary Ann Americal, aka FSB Mary Ann
LZ Moon Laos, Lam Son 719, 1st ARVN Div
LZ Number 30 Laos, Lam Son 719, ARVN Abn
LZ Number 31 Laos, Lam Son 719, ARVN Abn
LZ Prep Americal
LZ Professional Americal, aka FSB Professional
LZ Ross Americal, NW Chu Lai, aka LZ Ross, SW Marble
Mtn.,
LZ Sally YD 639-275 near PK-17 & just N of Hue, 2d Bde, 101st Abn
68/69, 1/321st Arty, C Bty, 2/11th Arty (155mm)
LZ Sharon YD 340-497 aka FSB Sharon
LZ Sharon YD 340-497 aka FSB Sharon
LZ Sophia Laos, Lam Son 719, 1st ARVN Div
Mai loc YD 094-444 Village
Marble Mountain MMAF, Marble Mountain Air Facility
Mary Ann Americal , Overrun & destroyed, late 71
Maureen YD 429-122 also listed as 428-119
Mexico YD 405-232 also listed as 404-231
Miami YD 153-337
Miguel YD 485-206 also 484-205, klick N & tad W of Rakkasan
Miller YD 973-361
Minh Mang's Tomb YD 748-132 Elaborate, walled tomb of Minh Mang, 1 Km SW of
Pohl Bridge near confluence of Song Huu Trach
& Song Ta Trach were they become Song Huong, the
Perfume River, aka Lang Minh
Mang Mink YD 985-355
Mo Duc Americal
Monkey Mountain
Mooney YD 445-190 also listed as 445-195, 446-196
Musket ZC 094-937
Nam Hoa Dist HQ YD763-128 ARVN, RF/PF Compound
Nancy YD 425-395
Neville XD? 2d/4th Mar, overrun 25 Feb 69, 10 KIA
Nola YD near An Lo Bridge, 1/502d Inf, 68
Normandy YD 690-017 Nui Hon
Nui Hon Vuon YD 652-202 Hill 309, scene of battle for d/2d/501st Inf,
101st Abn 20 Mar 68, later site of FSB
T-Bone, site of battle 20 Mar 68 involving
D/2d/501st Inf, 101st Abn
Nui Ke YD 760-055 Hill 618, 17 Km due S of Hue, prominent terrain
feature in 1st/502d Inf AO; OP for 101st &
scene of 1st/508th Inf, 3d Bde, 82d Abn
(opcon 101st Div) Battle of Nui Ke 68
(included US bayonet charge!); 11 days/189
VC/NVA KIA
O'Reilly YD 324-258 Hill 542
Panther II YD 798-107 aka Arrow
Parrot XD 972-412
Pedro YD 250-484
Peking XD 937-475
Pepper YD 340-026 also listed as 344-024, Dong So
Phong Dien YD 528-348 Village
Phu Bai YD 885-135 aka Phu Bai Combat Base, Camp Hochmuth
Phu Bai Airport YD 885-149
Pike YC 664-753 also 666-753
Pinky between LZ Sally & La Chu, W of QL-1,
2d/501st, B/321st Arty, 101st Mar68, named by
2d Bde, 101st Abn CO (Col John Cushman) in
honor of his friend Col. Richard M. Winfield,
whom he met at Ft. Leavenworth KS, and who was
CO 1st Cav Div Arty in 68
Pistol YC 902-902
PK-17 YD 643-286 "Poste Kilometre 17", adjacent 17 Km marker along
QL-1, NW of Hue, ARVN Arty base near LZ Sally,
2d Bde 1st Cav CP moved here 1 Mar 68, HQ
3d Rgt, 1st ARVN Div
Pohl Bridge YD 755-144 aka, Nam Hoa Bridge, 7 Km due S of Hue on Song
Huong River of Perfumes; named after Col Richard
S Pohl, KIA 24 Jun 68, helicopter crash. 101st
2d Bde, 1st/502d Inf 81mm Plt & Navy Seabee
fresh water pumping station for Hue (Seabees
had boats & would water ski on occasion!)
Turned over to ARVNs in Mid 1970. Destroyed in
72 or 75.
Ponder YD 977-012
Professional BT 173-077 Americal, aka LZ Professional
Quang Dien YD 674-336 ARVN District HQ, 1/502d Inf, B/321st Arty 101st
Abn 68, NNW of Hue appx 10 Km, on coast
Quang Ngai Americal
Quick I YD 911-041
Quick II YD 993-897
Rakkasan YD 490-198 Hill 493, Dong Cung Cap, also listed 489-198
Ranger YD
Ranger North Laos, Lam Son 719, ARVN Ranger
Ranger South Laos, Lam Son 719, ARVN Ranger
Razor YD 142-185 also listed 143-187
Reasoner aka Camp Reasoner
Rendevous YC 432-962
Rifle YC 462-987
Rio YD 505-144
Ripcord YD 343-194 C/2/506 secured by ground assault 11Apr70, scene
of Battle for Ripcord May-Jul 70.
Rock Crusher ZD 027-003
Rocket YC 399-903
Rockpile XD 979-559
Ross Americal, NW Chu Lai, aka LZ Ross, SW Marble
Mtn., overrun 19 Aug 72
Roy ZD 805-871 also listed 057-028 ?
Russell XD 912-592 2d/4th Mar, overrun 25Feb69, 29 KIA
Sally YD 639-275 aka LZ Sally
Sandy YD 877-247
Saigon XD 818-277
Sarge YD 028-479 also 038-478, & "Xa'c" Nui Dong Toan, near
Vandergrift
Satan 1 YD 663-222
Satan II YD 761-056
Scotch XD 912-562
Semper Americal
Sharon YD 340-497 aka LZ Sharon
Shepard XD 945-420
Shock YD
Sledge ZC 067-920
Smith YD
Snapper YD
Song Bo River North of Hue, An Lo Bridge & FSB Nola were 2d
Bde, 101st bases in 68
Spear YC 683-921
Stella YD 465-244
Stinson Americal
Strike YD 576-172 Nui Khe Thai
Stud YD 002-493
Summer YD 098-443
Susie YD 271-423
Sword YD 425-312
T-Bone YD 652-202 Visible from & S of LZ Sally, W of Geronimo, aka
Nui Hon Vuon or Hill 309, scene of battle for
D/2d/501st Inf, 101st Abn 20 Mar 68, later site
of FSB T-Bone, commanding view of Hue
Tan My YD near Eagle Beach, Ferry & POL facilities there
Tam Ky
Tenearu XD 827-316
Tennessee YC 552-961
Texas YD 020-356
Thor YC 665-835
Thunder Americal
Tiger Mountain YD 239-118
Tiger Tooth Mtn XD Due north of Khe Sanh, Dong Voi Mep, at 5500 feet,
Highest terrain feature in northern I Corps
Thunder YD 216-176
Tomahawk ZD 811-255 also listed 117-014?
Torch XD 907-278
Tra Bong Americal
Tun Tavern YD 059-328
Turnage YD 252-090
Uptight Americal
Utah Beach renamed Wunder Beach 3 Apr 68, Navy Depot (ship
unloading) near Hai Lang, 2d/ 501st Inf, 101st
Abn 68, turned over to 3d/26th 3d Mar Div
17 Apr 68, near FSB Hardcore
Vandegrift YD 003-488 at base of hill with FSB Sarge on it
Veghel YD 549-036 also listed 55-03, also 550-030 & right on the
"crosshairs", W of FSB Bastogne on Hwy
547, 2d Bde, 101stt 69/70.
Abandoned by ARVN during 72 easter offensive
Vic YC 632-868
Vinh loc YD 049-122
West Americal
Whip YC 589-877
Whiskey Tower BT 018-628 Alpha Battery 1st 11th Marines
Wunder Beach YD 494-565 Utah Beach, renamed Wunder Beach 3 Apr 68 Navy
ship unloading facility near Hai Lang, 2d/501st
Inf 101st Abn 68, turned over to 3d/26th 3d Mar
Div 17 Apr 68, near FSB Hardcore
Zon YD 472-011
85th Evac Hosp YD 879-146 Adjacent to Phu Bai Airport
(*Grid coordinates are based on Defense Mapping Agency 1:50,000 scale,
L-7014 Series Maps. Black & White copies are available from the Library of
Congress and the National Archives.)
As Complied by Ray "Blackie" Blackman (D/2/501), Chuck Hawkins (A&C/2/506) & Mike
"M-60" Kelley (D/1/502), George Lepre, Ralph (407th/8th Radio Research, 5th Mech
Div), Ken Mayberry (big contribution!), Grant Isom, Rock Roades (11th AC), Jim Pene
(5th/46th Inf), Doug Fisher (D&E 2/501st), Doug Durham (A/3d Recon, 3d Mar Div).
Lee Russell (1/46th Americal)
Corrections and additions are welcomed & encouraged: 2140 36th Street, Sacramento,
CA 95817, (916) 455-1946 or email: kelleyc@ix.netcom.com
revised 30 Mar 97 - fsbloc.doc)
Vietnam Military MAP Acquisition:
Here are sources for ordering copies of the exact same 1:50,000 scale topographical
maps (L-7014 Series, used at the platoon level in Vietnam) and the convenient,
larger scale L-509 Series, 1:250,000 scale:
Both the Library of Congress and the National Archives, Cartographic Branch, have
good map resources and you should find them most helpful. Be advised that the
copies are black & white (perhaps some day soon they'll acquire color copy
technology?).
The copies are relatively inexpensive and the quality of reproduction is quite good.
They're apparently done in some oversize Xerox machine, so the image is standard
Xerox-on-bond and is both durable and long lived (none of that thermal crap). (In
past years I was also able to acquire the actual, full-color maps from the Defense
Mapping Agency after - some string pulling with DOD Public Affairs - however, DMA no
longer allows civilian access. If you know someone on active duty, they may be able
to order maps from DMA for you on the sly, though I would never condone the misuse
of government property or privilege!)
Order maps from:
Cartographic & Architectural Branch (NNSC)
National Archives & Record Administration (NARA)
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park MD 20740-6001 (as of 2/95)
(I have little personal experience with this resource and use Library of
Congress almost exclusively)
or,
Geography & Map Division
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540
202-707-6277
202-707-8531 FAX
To order maps from the Library of Congress, you can call and get a quote and then
mail them a check or credit card OK. You can also fax them your credit card
number/exp date with any order. Charge is $2.00 per lineal foot, so the standard
L7014 series, 1:50,000 scale map is runs between $4 and $6. Be sure to request an
L-7014 Series Index map first which I believe they will send you for free! Staff is
very helpful...
L-509 Series maps are available there, too. They are 1:250,000 and cover a lot more
territory that the L-7014 maps. For example, sheet # NE-48-16, entitled
"Hue" (Indochina & Laos, 1962) covers an area from the Hai Van Pass
north to above the DMZ and west to beyond the Vietnamese/Laos border. It has good
topo detail and is an excellent resource.
Casualty Information, How to find and purchase it:
Center for Electronic Records / Army TAGCEN File: A major source of combat casualty
information is the National Archive's, Center for Electronic Record's, Army combat
casualty file (TACGEN file, casualties world-wide, 1961-1981) that provides the grid
co-ordinates where many casualties occurred, the casualty's service/SSN number, the
Division he or she was assigned to at time of death and unit, among other things.
You can by printouts of deaths for a specific date(s) or by name. You can also buy
the entire KIA/Dead file on tape or disk(?) for about $80(?). Contact:
National Archives at College Park
Center for Electronic Records
TAGCEN Army Casualty File
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
tel. 301-713-6645 e-mail cer@arch2.nara.gov
(Chuck Kretzer, 2/97 & Gene Keating, 3/95, were good contacts)
When you combine the maps & TAGCEN file data sources, you can often pinpoint the
actual map location of many combat actions. By the way, the TAGCEN file also
includes wounded and injured personnel but that data is kept confidential because it
includes Social Security numbers. Very few people know about this stuff, so it's
our job to see that the word is spread!
Presidential libraries, Letters of Condolence: Another little known casualty
resource are the Presidential libraries. Did you know that the Johnson and Nixon
libraries have microfilm of all the letters of condolence sent to a casualty's
families during that president's term? Amazingly enough, those copies include the
addresses to which the letters were mailed and a casualty report specifying the unit
and location where death occurred! That info has helped find families when every
other resource has failed. We only discovered this one about two years ago, and it
has resolved some very tough cases for us.
Detailed Army Battalion Unit Histories - Two Types Available:
US Army Battalion Daily Journals and Battallion Annual Historical Supplements are
vital resources for reconstructing the daily activities of a Battalion during its
Vietnam tour (or any other period of its history) are now available at the National
Archives (declassified in late 80's or early 90's) The Annual Historical Supplement
is a day-by-day accounting of the battalion's activites that is normally about eight
days per page. The Daily Journal is a very detailed accounting on an hour-by-hour
basis of the entire battalions movements, discoveries and casualties. The daily
Journal is very detailed and includes the grid coordinates of every element of the
battalion throughout the day and in some cases even the names and SSN/Service
numbers of casualties. As a result, a single day can be 20-30 pages of detailed
accounting.
The National Archives also has Brigade and Division annual historical supplements
and probably a wealth of other information. There is a charge for copies provided
to the civilian population but its likely the Army could get copies for free or
allow you to send a representative there to make your own copies - call and ask
what's available and how to get it. Contact:
The National Archives
Washington Records Center
Suitland Reference Branch
4205 Suitland Road
Suitland, MD 20408
(301) 763-7410 (Rick Poland or Kristen Flint were helpful in 6/94)
Unit Rosters and Company Morning Reports:
These documents are available from the NPRC in St. Louis. As with the Bn Daily
Journal, there are charges for civilians but probably not for official Army
inquiries. Many of their records are on microfilm and some are barely legible. I
don't think it would be too difficult to compile a complete record of practically
every person who has served with the 1st/502d! The rosters include Service Numbers
up to mid 1969, then Social Security Numbers thereafter. Such records are very
valuable if you want to track down individuals who might have vital data in their
possession. A great resource.
National Personnel Records Center
Army Records Branch
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
Whatever you do, don't overlook the US Army Center for Military History in the
Washington D.C. area. I only have an old phone number for the Army History Center
at (202) 504-5420.
Roster Of Organizations:
Still available indirectly from the Dept of the Army, HQDA (SAPA-CR), Washington,
DC 20310, AUTOVON 224-0739, or (202) 694-0739. Lists a host of organizations and
unit associations that may be of assistance. (had been discontinued but taken over
by a pvt individual who sells the list for $12, his cost. HQDA can tell you how to
purchase).
To Find former military personnel, the very best resource available is:
Lt. Col. Richard Johnson, USA Ret., Author
How to Locate Anyone Who Was ever in The Military
P.O Box 340081
Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234
(Costs about $25 & worth every penny.)
A Comparison of the 101st Airborne Division's Experience
in World War Two and Vietnam
The 101st Division in World War Two:
The Division was in combat for a total of 7 months and 22 days in all of WWII.
Periods it was in combat were:
6 Jun 44 - 13 Jul 44 1 month, 7 days Air Assault, Normandy France
17 Sep 44 - 28 Nov 44 2 Months, 8 days Air Assault, Nijmegen-Arnem Holland
19 Dec 44 - 25 Feb 45 3 Months, 4 days Belgium, Bastogne
4 Apr 45 - 7 May 45 1 Month, 3 days Germany
During WWII, 101st Division's Casualties were:
1,766 Killed in Action
6,388 Wounded in Action
8,154 Total
The 101st in Vietnam:
During the Vietnam War the 101st Division's Casualties were:
4,011 Killed in Action
18,259 Wounded in Action
22,270 Total
Note that the Division's Vietnam casualties were almost three times greater than
those it suffered in WWII (a factor of 2.73 times, to be exact). It suffered 2.27
times as many battle deaths and 2.86 times as many wounded.
The 1st Brigade of the 101st spent a total of about 2,200 days in combat (6.09
years), while the full Divison (including the 2d & 3d Brigades spent a total of
1,573 days (4.31 years) in combat. That combat exposure is in significant contrast
to the 7 month, 22 day total, WWII combat experience of the Division. Given the
casualty data from both conflicts, it seems reasonable to conclude that the Division
saw much more combat in Vietnam than it did in WWII, while it's combat exposure in
WWII was more intensive, relative to the time of exposure.
101st Abn Division Operations in Vietnam:
1st Brigade arrived Vietnam, July 1965 and operated out of Phan Rang, in II Corps
area alone. In December, 67, the remaining 2d and 3d Brigades arrived in-country
and were originally deployed in the III Corps area, while the 1st Brigade continued
operations in II Corps. In 1968 portions of the the Division where placed under the
operational control of the 1st Cavalry Division in I Corps and participated in the
Battle for Hue during TET 68. In Apr/May of 1968, the Division moved north to I
Corps and began operations in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces.
In July, 1969, the Division was converted from an airborne qualified status to a
full Airmobile status.
The 3d Brigade was sent to the Dak To Highlands in Mid-68 and elements of that unit
were later sent down to reinforce the 25th Inf Div around Saigon. In Sep 68, the 3d
brigade redeployed to I Corps at Phong Diem (Just north of Camp Evans and south of
Quan Tri).
The 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry operated out of Phan Thiet for most of the war and
did not participate in any joint operations with any other elements of the 101st
during the entire war. In May 1970, it was the only element of the 101st to
participate in the Invasion of Cambodia.
Along with the 1st ARVN Division, the 101st conducted the last major offensive
operation (Jefferson Glen) of America's involvement in Vietnam. On 12 Nov 71,
President Nixon put all remaining US troops on a purely defensive status.
(The author served as a rifleman & machine Gunner with D/1/502d Infantry from
10 Nov 69 until badly wounded near FSB Blitz on 16 Sep 70. He also coordinates an
informal association of Delta Vietnam vets (more than 100 strong in membership as
of Mar 72) and publishes an occasional newsletter for the association.
revised 18 May 97 - dcohist.doc kellem/word
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