1970

History of the 12^th Cav in Vietnam 27 Jul 1968 – 30 Nov 1971
According to the collective remembrances of it’s surviving troopers.

CPT Errol D. Alexander, July-Oct 1968
CPT Kenneth G. Carlson, Oct 68-Mar 69
CPT Larry R. Robinson, Mar-Sep 1969
CPT William C. Kaufman, Sep-Nov 1969
CPT Matthias A. Spruill, Nov 69-Feb 70
CPT John L. B. Smith, Feb-May 1970
CPT Robert R. Richards, May-Oct 70
CPT Woodrow W. Waldrop, Oct 70-Apr 71
CPT Edward E. Helton, Apr-Oct 71

January 1970

2Jan

After a fun filled New Years on the bunker line at Charlie 2 (C2), the Cav pulled out. C 2 took rounds promptly at 7:00 a.m. on a regular basis and the Cav waited for it to end. 26 & 28 were down for repairs and both crews were drinking coffee in the one-foot deep mud to determine how we were going to get these two monsters back on the road. One crummy rocket came in and landed fifty feet away. The angle of impact was such that most of the shrapnel went forward. Messed up a 2 1/2 ton and blew holes in the shit house. Lucky no one was using it.

Unfortunately, there was shrapnel that came back and nailed seven out of eight of us. Daryl Pence, 26G was sent back to the states. I knew Deierling was hit right away, because I saw his shirt rip across the back. Bass took a chunk in the leg and had infection problems for the remainder of his tour. The rest of us just received minor injuries.

A week later, working the DMZ with Sgt Alexander as TC on 26 (DiSanto was on R&R), we hit a land mine. That was the infamous night that we locked and left 26 and came in after dark via flares. Mendoza's track hit a mine. Spruill had negotiations with the medivac (Batman). We got in about 2:00 a.m. to C 2.

The next day we loaded a canister round and fired on 26 before towing it to A 4 where two of us stayed with it for four days of monsoon.

DiSanto came back from his R&R to no tank, no gunner, and no driver. At that time I was an extra guy, because I was new in country and became the gunner.
A week to remember, (John Sharpe)

John, I remember that day because my track was back at C2 for some reason. It was about the time Stamm was KIA. If I remember correctly the rocket landed beyond the guys but close. They caught the back blast. Mike D would know since he was wounded. I guess that is why C2 was rocket alley. Bob T.

I remember this day very well! PR, Maggot, and myself went out to pull 3 of the wounded troopers to safety!! C2 was ROCKET ALLEY!! Thank GOD we made it home. Kid

I DOOO remember That John I Think Myself and Fenwick were the only Two without a Scratch

Merle A28 Reed

I also remember that when the rocket landed, I along with my crew, was in that bunker next to the 4/12 mess area, as we were in C2 every morning around breakfast time, safe from that lethal rain. The protocol was get your breakfast and walk directly into the bunker to eat it. Because you always timed it right, the "incoming" siren would always go off  after you got your breakfast. That morning, someone came running into the bunker yelling for the 1st platoon doc. Doc Kagimoto ran outside along with PR, Kid, and Maggot. As the rockets were still falling, I thought it wise to be around to retrieve them should it become necessary. I kept on eating breakfast. I wondered why someone was outside during rocket attack time. During the same medivac , my friend Papasan, who had arrived with me in-country, was flown out never to be seen again. I thought he was one of the wounded from the rocket, but he wasn't. Someone had either pushed him or punched him and he fell from his track. He had just transferred off my track to the mortar track after 6 months on the crew. I think the bad craziness exhibited by SS and I finally got to him, and the relatively saner mortar crew appealed to him. Unfortunately for him, someone didn't like him. I never knew what really happened to Papasan until 2001, when I located SS, who told me the story. Papasan made it back to the world in one piece and I talked to him also in 2001, but he didn't want to reveal who sent him to the hospital. Pineapple

Around Jan 9^th
N.E. of C-2 within easy sight of the Red Chinese Flag, 1 tank hit a mine about 3 PM.  Another tank started to pull around it to tow him and hit a booby trap.  Claymore in a tree at a height to wipe everyone off a track, but since the tank was higher the main blast hit the center.  The TC (Drake) caught pellets in the side of his face, groin, leg and side - medivac'd.  It was getting dark so we locked up the tank (26?) to leave it and started leaving.  We got about 100 yards when a 1st platoon track hit a mine that about 8 of us tracks had already been over (finally got the rust broken loose??). All 5 onboard were medivac'd.  We finally made it back to C-2 about 9PM with arty supplying illumination all the way in.
(R. Klinsky)

Hey guys,
By the time you receive this, except for Pineapple, it will be January 12, this is the Day that according to Duffy, I flew...The day that 1-0 hit a mine late in the evening at the "marketplace".

We ran over a mine. I always wondered what it was going to feel like? would our driver survive? would I survive? would it hurt? would our APC explode considering the amount of Ammo we carried? All those questions went through my mind the instant after the explosion. I remember talking to Hestand, the muffled noise of an explosion, the sensation of going up into the air, lots of dirt around me, the .50 Cal going up ahead of me.....landing on the inside of the APC and the .50 landing on my chest....looking at the gas tank and wondering if it would explode because the mine hit just ahead of it. My back did not hurt right away until I jumped off the track and started looking for Walker, our driver, then I realized I really hurt. That day is etched in my memory also because that is the day that our Capt. promised the medivac to shoot him down if he did not come get us out, he became my hero that day.

The next day I remember Big Daddy helping me get dressed, I could not get out of bed in Quang Tri, we were there 3 days and were sent back to join the Troop.

I wrote a speech in College about this experience because on the Chopper ride to the hospital Walker's face was bandaged up and he kept saying," I can't see, I can't see" with lots of concern, Big Daddy put his arm around him and told him, "don't worry Walker, you gonna be ok" I looked down and could see the lights of the city or the base. Please don't mind me rambling on, just wanted to share it with you all, I probably have shared it before with you , but I always like to share it with someone on this day.....We shall never forget!!
I always remember those that shared the experience with me....Love you all.
Wally

Wally,
You're right you did share that before, but it is okay. I think about that event often. That was a tough time for the Cav. Monte Stamm and Al Hall were killed in the few weeks prior and a rocket wounded about seven guys on C-2 on January 2nd.

I was driving 26 that day. Mike Deireling was laid up with shrapnel wounds, Sgt Alexander was the TC, because Di Santo hadn't returned from his R & R yet. Daryl Pence was send home with shrapnel wounds, so I don't remember who the loader or gunner was.

That chain of events started with me hitting a land mine. We tried driving it on one track, towing it, and finally booby trapping it and leaving it for the night.

The one thing that stands out in my mind was how well the arty guys handled those flares. A-4 fired for us until we were too close to A-4, then C-2 took over. When we were too close for C-2 to fire, A-4 had turned there guns around and fired.

Some pretty cool shit for a bunch of kids.
John

Wally and John, I remember that night too. I was driving 29 and trying to be careful and not lose a track. The best thing that night was when Capt Spruill called in that medivac and threatened to shoot it down. I'm glad that we only suffered a few wounded. That was not a good place to be that late and not set up in an NDP.
Bob Taylor

Wally, I remember that night well:) I was driving 13. After you boys were Choppered out we SHOT THE HELL out of everything on our way home:) I always wondered myself about how it would feel to hit a mine. Thanks be to God I never did!! Sure came close a few times. I know in my Heart The LORD protected all of us. I will Never Forget Duffy seating on top of the track reading his Bible, and Praying for all of us!! As I look back today I just want Duffy to know how thankful I am for his Faithfulness in The LORD:)
Kid

Hey Wally, welcome to that exclusive club of "minefinders".
The APC I was on (21) rolled over two of them while I was in-country. One was on September 30, 1969 while we were working out of Charlie-2 and the other was on February 8, 1970 while working out of Cua Viet (isn't it amazing how those dates stick in one's head?) The first one, two of my best buddies Jim Lundvall and Ed Ward were medevaced out and wound up going home because of their wounds. The rest of us on the personnel carrier were messed up a little bit though not as bad as Ed and Jim. I remember being covered in black powder and walking around in a daze.

The mine on Feb. 8 wasn't quite as bad as the first but hitting a mine is definitely an experience not to be forgotten.
Turtle

I also remember that night. At that time I was the 4.2" mortar platoon leader in 1/77. I had split the platoon, leaving 2 tubes at C2 with the platoon Sgt and I took 2 tubes to A4. We had been there since mid Nov. We got the fire mission to provide continuos illumination for the Cav. If my memory still functions, we fired all the ilum we had except for our final defensive supply. Yes, the tubes got so hot that one gunner did piss on it (not a nice odor)!
Nice to know someone appreciated our efforts.
Earl Schorpp (40)

Wally:
The day you flew was also my first experience at being "airborne". It's funny some of the things you think about while flying through the air. I remember being aware that the mine went off under the left rear of the track and wondering if the shape charge we kept there was going to explode. A day or two after we were medavaced I left to meet my wife in Hawaii for R&R. One of the toughest things I ever had to do was get back on the plane to go back, when my last memory of that place was hitting the mine. Speaking of memory, when I got back Capt. Spruill commended me for the report I made over the radio immediately after the incident. Didn't remember it then, don't remember it now. Anyway, the crew of 10 is still around and I look forward to seeing everyone in Sept.
LT Styles

The night was real bad; the capper was that A12 was the last track to pull into A4 that night/morning. That day the troop’s cooks had made a trip up there to feed the troop a hot non-C ration meal. By the time our crew got to the meal site, there was nothing but a few thin slices of mystery meat and dibs and drabs of boiled carrots left. After swearing at the cooks, the crew left and relaxed by taking a tub bath in an artillery water buffalo (they denied us use of their shower.)
Pineapple.

09Jan

Al Hall is killed while waiting for a USO show at C-2, accidentally shot in the back by a REMF.

We went to a USO show at C-2.  Waiting for the show to start when a shot sounded and everyone scattered - except 2 medics who immediately started both kinds of artificial respiration on the guy hit (Al Hall you say, I never knew him).  The 16 round never exited, just tore up his lungs and he was gone in a very short time.  Som new guy from arty had grabbed a 16 off the rack.  No mag in it but he never checked for the round someone had left in the chamber - safety off.  He leaned it against the split log bench; trigger snagged and went off point blank into Al's back. A lot more details are permanently etched in my mind about this.  About 15 minutes before this happened; I had been sitting exactly where he was when he was shot.  Some buddies came in so I moved 2 benches back and into the middle and a few minutes later he came and sat there.  …But for the grace of God…
(R. Klinsky)

The rest of A Troop moves from LZ Nancy, to new and improved quarters at Quang Tri Combat Base. For most of the troop, it’s no big deal since we spend most of our time in the field, but now on stand downs, the conditions are less primitive.

Jan 10 1970 At C2, going north of A4, cold, can see your breath (Taylor)

Jan 24 back to Quang Tri (Taylor)

EXCERPTS FROM GREENE RIVER COAAR

19 January 1970 – 22 July 1970

1. (U) NAME AND TYPE OF OPERATION:

b. Type. Search and Clear, reconnaissance in force, rocket suppression and ambush.

3. (U) LOCATION: Trieu Phong, Hai Lang, Mai Linh, Cam Lo, Huong Hoa, Gio Linh Districts, Quang Tri Province , RVN.

4. (U) COMMAND HEADQUARTERS: Headquarters, 1 st Inf Bde, 5 th Inf Div (M)

6. (C) TASK ORGANIZATION:

a. The brigade normally operated with four task forces formed by the cross attachment of infantry, mechanized infantry, tank and armored cavalry units. The composition of these task forces was varied on a mission type basis.

A/4-12 Cav operational control to 1-77 Armor

11. (C) EXECUTION: Following is a chronological list of significant events which occurred during Operation Greene River :

(46) 2 May 70 – At 0905H vic YD278468 1/A/4-12 Cav with members of the A/7 Engr received SAF from the south of their location from an estimated NVA squad. 1/A/4-12 Cav returned fire with organic weapons and searched the area. Results: Three US WIA (M).

(55) 4 July 70 – At 0659H personnel of A/4-12 Cav while retrieving a mechanical ambush vic YD343448 discovered three claymore mines missing and a fourth booby trapped. The booby trapped detonated resulting in one US WIA(E).

21Jan

Hey all, By the time you get this it will be 34 years  to the day since rockets rained on us at Charlie Two.  Does anyone remember that???? I recall that it was a beautifully clear day, brisk and cool, Had rained recently and there was lots of mud on the ground because Big Daddy and I ended up in the mud when the shit hit the fan.  I remember running into the command bunker and we were freaking out!! Capt. Spruill was sitting on his cot, I can still see him putting on his boots muttering to himself,,,,,," you damned civilians,"" I yelled" Capt. we are getting rockets" he said, don't worry about it, put on your flack jacket.  He proceded to go outside and call artillery on their ass.  That night there was a b-52 strike on the possition,,,( as I remember it). Just wanted to share the memories with you all.  Sorry I remember so much of it. Love to all wally

Papasan, Gerald Holden, is medivac’d after a fistfight (?) at C2 in which is he thrown off a track. He never returned.
(SS)

Larry somebody (not Veatch or Corso) was involved in that fight with Papasan.
(Duffy)\

22Jan

First night back from C2, we stayed there for a month and half. Two Troopers were killed, Stamm 2^nd platoon KIA and Alfred Hall accidentally shot in the back by a REMF while at a USO show. A17 and A10 hit mines; A10 had two or three people hurt. A10 driver was the most serious but he is back with us now. We went west of C2 a lot, Doc Parker found 28 mortar rounds. Received incoming about a half-dozen times; I guess it was not too bad except for the rain. We went so far north this time you could see the NVA flag flying across the DMZ with your naked eye.
(Coop)

Need a little help from anyone, I found a letter my dad wrote to a congressman about a grudge against the VA, in it, it states how he was wounded the first time, it says (Mike Minchey), “I was wounded on the last day of January of 1970,when a soldier in front of me walked into a booby-trap at Jones Creek, I was blinded in right eye and wounded in lower leg and spent the next several weeks on the Naval Ship USS Repose, Instead of going home on a medivac I stayed on board till my eyesight improved and I volunteered to return to combat.” Does this incident sound familiar sound familiar to anyone dad also stated that he was on the ship several weeks before he could return to duty.
Thanks (Derek Minchey)

February 1970

Monsoon ends.

From G. Gersaba’s War Dairy:

01Feb
Cua Viet:
We got here 2 days ago. 1-2 caught fire 3 miles before we reached here. The batteries have mysteriously reversed polarity, they tell me. The days have sped by, unlike our track. Otherwise, on the way over here, we went through Quang Tri City for the first time in my tour. Tripped out on the sidewalks, shops, traffic cops, etc., I was surprised to see that a real city exists here. Since I came in country the only city I’ve seen was Saigon.

02Feb
Crossed the Cua Viet today, going north. Nice day to ride in the sun. It has been a long time since we’ve last seen the sun.

Sgt. Styles comes up to me and tells me that I’m going on LP and Stoecker will take it out. OK, what the fuck, I say, and he says nothing, turns and leaves. Fuck. After a while, Lt. Styles comes around and says that I’m in charge of the LP again. Sgt. Styles comes back and says, “I’ve changed my mind you’re in charge.” What the fuck?? Stoecker comes by and says that he doesn’t care that he’s not in charge and volunteers to hump the radio. Should I break the news? I’m a fucking Speck 4! So we stealthily set up about 250 meters from the village. It was very realistic. Mendoza, Stoecker and Hooper are with me. I survive the night.

03Feb
Another sunny day. Is it true that the monsoons are over? February is the fabled time. Since September, it has been nothing but rain, and here I am with a fresh pack of Marlboros, and a tepid Pepsi to greet the day. Last night was a semi-bummer, but today the sun shines and my heart sings. But essentially, this day is the same as yesterday (as all days are.) Spent an uncomfortable night wrestling with flu symptoms. I think I have a head cold, at the least. Defcons kept me awake all night as they screeched overhead to land about 2000 meters west of our NDP. Intelligence predicts that the 2^nd platoon, which is NDP’d on the other side of Jones’ Creek, is going to get hit tonight.

We swept some flat sand today with PC’s on line. Most ridiculous exercise yet. Object of a sweep being to look under rocks and shake bushes, something we can’t do in an area devoid of bushes and trees. I guess we were looking for mines. I lost my nerve and made Alvis and SS drive, better them than me.

They’re telling me I have to attend the TC meetings since I’ve been taking out LP’s since Groove left us in December. Great. When the hell will they give 1-2 a sergeant? I’ve been asking since December, with no answer.

04Feb
Today we will go to Jones’ Creek to dick around and eat lunch. We are scheduled to go back to the great sand wastes in the afternoon. I am definitely sick. My nose is running and my eyes are sore. Alvis gave me some penicillin and some thing he said was “generic” Contac. I should beat this cold by tomorrow. Sgt. Styles thinks I’m high. Wow.

Feb 4 Cua Viet, here 4 days now (Taylor)

05Feb
I feel better. My nose is still running, but my body doesn’t feel as if was used as a bowling pin, like last night. Yesterday, I could hardly move.

At the end of my guard, about 0215hrs, Cooper’s LP spotted fifteen gooks! He called for 19’s mortar tube and artillery. Christ! 15 gooks? This morning we go on a body count hunt. It rained last night. I got wet despite my being inside all night. Today it is overcast. Maybe I spoke too soon about the end of the monsoon.

We checked out the area where Cooper saw those gooks. Found nothing. No blood trails, nothing. So we dried our wet sleeping bags and poncho liners ~the rain did catch us by surprise. I am still sick, but feeling 100% better than I did yesterday. Tonight, Big Daddy takes an LP out.

My sprocket broke loose, all of the bolts snapped off because of short blocking to increase the tension. I have to be towed back. Bummer. 1-2 dies again, unable to finish another mission. Have to remember to replace the block, and puzzle the motor pool sergeant once again.

06Feb
Ah! Today! Nothing happened in the night. No gooks to shoot at. At 8 AM, I broke track and while I was working, an explosion sounded about a click away, near the village. I find out later it was an advisor to the PF & RF (ruff & puffs) who stepped on a tank mine. It was in about the same spot the old 1-7 hit one last November. Brings back visions of the grunt Captain who went the same way at the Marketplace in August.

I am towed in with some difficulty – but make it in safe, only to run into skirmish #25 with motor daddy on sprocket theory. I let him have his way without too much argument. I used works like “probably” the bolts were loose…It is nice to be back in Cua Viet proper.

Oh yes, I made friends with the kids from Lang Ha, the village across the Cua Viet Navy base. “Mason” was one of the kid’s names. I smoked one of their horrible gook cigarettes and shot marbles with them. Mostly it was a nice day in the sunshine.

TET starts today, also is “Red” Phillips’ birthday. SS and Alvis stay in the field. I saw the tail-end (ha-ha) of “Some Like it Hot.” The movie was excruciatingly boring, even for what little I saw.

07Feb
I assembled a sprocket today with almost no help. All I needed was professional opinion. That is the extent of the work I did. It took me most of the morning, a job normally done in about 10-15 minutes by someone competent. From lunch to about 4pm, I read a science-fiction novel, “Operation Time Search” a story about the war between Atlantis and Mu. I never heard of Mu. Did you hear that? Are there cows around here? Photograph of Pineapple assembling a sprocket.

This afternoon, a LCM carrying a deuce and a half and army people hit a mine just as they docked in Dong Ha. 2 killed, 1 mutilated and one missing. One of the killed, a guy in HQ 1/77^th, on the mortar track, was on the way to face charges for possession of marijuana. The mine blew the 2 ½ ton off the boat. No navy men hurt bad.

08Feb
Pulled KP today in the Navy Mess, not as difficult as KP in the world. I did very very little, almost nothing, but what can you say about KP?

They found the “missing” in that Dong Ha explosion. He was under the 2 ½ ton. Crushed. His name was “Joker” same company as those others that were killed. He was to face charges too. He locked and loaded on the master-at-arms in the club. Swift justice dealt out by the Cua Viet river!

While on the subject of mines, 2-1, 2^nd platoon Sergeant Hunter hit one today near those French ruins where I shot marbles with the kids. The driver had a sore jaw and broken teeth. Sgt Hunter, a huge guy, limed into the mess-hall. The mine blew him out of the cupola with is .50 caliber MG.

Otherwise, today was another dull day in the NAM! Would duck hormones help?

09Feb
A day characterized by dull recollections of the night before. Worked hard all day. Nearly got the track together. Received some “care” packages from the silent majority. Best ones since Christmas!

Motor Daddy, after seeing me pull apart a track adjuster, popped his eyes and accused me of having the mechanical ability of a monkey. How right he is! Luckily, Giz put it back together again despite motor daddy’s doubts about all the kings horses and all the kings men.

10Feb
Got the PC together today. Batteries down low. Looks like slave-starting from now on. In disgust, I volunteered for afternoon detail on the bunker line. Tried to see Tony Rome and True Grit this morning, but at the last moment, the films were cancelled.

Parkinson tells me that a girl who read his palm two years ago predicted “a horrible death” for him before his 24^th birthday. In about 2 days, we shall see. Actually that’s a bummer of a thing to think about in the field. I don’t think I’ll drive anymore.

11Feb
This looks like a bleak day. Already my PC refuses to start. Burnt-out slave receptacle. No negative ground, all melted away. Dammit! I hate this stupid vehicle!!! I feel like going over to 1-3. Today we go across the river for another 6 day mission.

Feb 11 Cua Viet 6 nights out, three in, new LT.(Taylor)

This time, we pull ambushes. 4-0 elements are already across spending miserable nights in the Cua Viet cold. I anticipate another fight with Motor Daddy today over “who melted the leads on my new cupped slave cable!?  What will I tell him? That the evil spirits that inhabit my track took a hold of it? Gah-damn! The hassles mount steadily over the mechanical state of 1-2.

Across the river today with the old man. We swept our AO which is about ½ way up the river to Dong Ha. Rice paddies up the ass. Conducted my first “cordon and search” since AIT. Cordoned a bombed-out Buddhist temple and searched it.

Word is that the mission is mostly ambushes at night ~ a bummer. Right now, ambushes are the worst things we do in the field.

Word on 1-2 is transfer case. They’ll pull the pack on that hunk of shit! Gizmo scares me with his crappy tracking. Told him we may as well be on the lead vehicle! Riding with Milard and Giz on the 1-3.

12Feb
Hot chow today while the weather is bitter cold. My cold lingers on, hoping for another wet night. We re-swept our AO this morning. I shivered most of the way. Damn the monsoon is still fucking with us!

Today is Parkinson’s birthday. He survived the horrible fate predicted for him. The only negative thing that happened to him was an insect bite near his groin (he said.) What an anti-climax! Whew. I drove for a while today putting my mind at ease about the tracking business.

13Feb
First platoon sends out an ambush patrol at night while operating across the river at Cua Viet. Sgt Styles, Wally, Barnes, Alvis, and Zahler. We ended up being ambushed ourselves. Too detailed to write in, I will describe the scene when I see you all. I have been dying to tell this story for 32 years, since everyone else was sleeping; Alvis and I are the only one that really knows what happened that night. By the time the others woke up the shit was all around us. (W. Mendoza)

Then there was the time when we couldn't decide if we wanted an ambush or a listening post...sent 4 guys as I recall out way to far for a listening post But too Small for an ambush. In the middle of the night the NVA and our guys got into it. The NVA threw grenades so as not to give away their position, our guys opened up with an M60 and M16s. I can't remember who went out that night, but I talked to the guy who had the M60. He ran a belt of ammo thru it took about 2 steps and threw it down as it was slowing his progress. They left the M60 and a prick25 radio in the field.
(Malan)

Was this the same night that Coop, PR, Maggot, Kid, Veatch, and a few others were out, and we took friendly fire coming in to help out Sgt. Styles’ squad? Sounds like the same night. Anyway it was a wild one!! Remember riding up river on the Navy boats, and getting sniped at? It was a wild & crazy time, but got to know a lot of GREAT GUYS!!
(Mike Davis)

From Ggersaba’s war dairy:
Last night, a little after 12, the ambush led by Sgt. Styles (Mendoza, Barnes, Alvis and Zeke) was surprised by some gooks. Very exciting for them. The story is as close as I can piece out, is: Mendoza and Alvis were up on guard. Suddenly without a sound, a gook walks up on the trail they were watching. He was carrying an AK-47 and stooping low. 3 feet from Wally, he stops, spots the ambush and runs. The gook dove into the bush, and with another (who knows who else?) starts pitching grenades at the ambush. In the confusion, our ambush manages to shoot about ½ magazine of 16 and blow one claymore before they start running madly back toward our NDP. Styles deserved some credit for getting all the men back. They left the radio, the M-60, 2 rifles, grenades, sleeping gear and ammo. Yesiree Bob. Must have been some run. Meanwhile, I had a major case of the ass because I had to get up. We pulled 100% alert the rest of the night. I’m going out of my gourd with the lack of sleep. Still, I’m glad I wasn’t out there.

At dawn, we checked out the area. And I do mean dawn, yawn! We found the weapons, radio and everything else intact. We also found 4 Chicom grenades, all duds. Three grenades had the pins pulled and one was completely intact. I guess the guy that threw the last grenade after 3 duds thought maybe he’d bean someone with it. I found something in a cellophane bag that looked like dried food. There were blood trails, but as usual, no bodies. 4/12 Cav strikes again.

The day is overcast and cold again. The C.O. wants a practice ambush with 12 claymores on 12 clickers. What bullshit. We change AO’s today ~ going to our old one just east of Jones’ Creek, word is that no L.P.’s tonight!

Sgt Barrows needs to tell the tale of the 4 ill fated guys who were too far out for a listening post and too weak in strength for an ambush. He knows names etc. The NVA must have kicked one of these guys and got his attention. The NVA threw grenades to prevent giving away their position (damn guys were good) our guys on the other hand opened up with their M60 machinegun and M16s giving the NVA a target for their grenades. I talked to the M60 gunner the next day (can't remember who it was) and he said he ran the 100 round belt thru the M60, took a few running steps with it and decided it was way too heavy to be running with and threw it down. They left the machine gun and their radio out there that night. I don't recall anyone getting wounded. They were way out there as well and had to come back in on a very dark night.I don't remember the details of the mine we hit up on the DMZ. I do recall spending days putting the damn thing back together. It seems to me we hit 3 mines in A17. I know we got a new M48 while we were there and it seems to me we hit one in a Sheridan and got a new one but I've slept since then. Sgt Barrows was telling on the phone the other day about getting the shit knocked out of me with a .50 cal ammo can when we hit the mine north of Cua Viet..Hell I didn't remember that.
GOING TO SIGN OFF FOLKS
MALAN

Hey guys,
By the time you receive this ,it will be 12 Feb. I wanted you all to have this before the end of the day.

It was 31 years ago tonight that a small ambush patrol was ambushed by NVA at Cua Viet.

Sgt. Style, Zahler, Barnes, Alvis and myself were hit while on night ambush about 500 meters from the Troop position .

I recall it was raining lightly, Alvis was on guard, it was about 11:30 PM . We had all turned in for the night, taking 2hours shifts (I think) each, it was Alvis's turn and I had just finished my shift at 11:00pm so I was a bit awake.

The way they hit us it is a miracle that anyone of us survived, much less come out of it without a scratch. The whole incident is too long to recount from beginning to end, suffice to say I thank God I am alive today to retell it.

That is the night I earned my CIB. I can still recall Big Daddy's voice in the dark yelling from the troop location, "Mendoza, come on in! Mendoza come on in!"

I have been spooked about the dark ever since and to this day I cannot sleep in total darkness.

I am glad to be around today to be able to share memories with You all who I consider all to be brothers, even thou in some cases the memory is a bit faint. I look forward to seeing all of you in November, when they will be saying in Vegas, "HERE COMES THE CAV.!!!!"
Take care guys, Wally Mendoza

Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2003 6:56 AM
Subject: Monte Stamm's neice Ashley


Hey Coop:
it's good to hear from you. i was in the 2nd plt., Aug. 18, 69 to Feb. 13, 70. i was a gunner on track 24. Monte Stamm was on 24 with me, also Jerry Hansard was on 24. Stamm got hit on Dec. 15, 1969, and died. I saw a message on the message board from his neice Ashley, asking for anyone who rememered Stamm to contact her. I posted my e mail address, she answered, and i have lost her e mail address. I sent her a message, on the message board to write me again, but no response, so far. I want to thank you for offering to help a old 12th cav. trooper I think of you guy's often. I got hit on Feb. 13, 1970. I spent 6 months in the hospi tal, at Ft. Gordan, Ga. I'm doing well. Maybe i'll see you guy's again someday.

Thanks again,

Ron Stinnett    i had no nickname.

14Feb
What can I say? The morning is as overcast as my clothes. My first exertion today was to fling squares of black tar paper. This is the stuff they put in the crates of M-79 ammo. Kind of like tossing Frisbees.

Yesterday, on the way over to this AO, while on the LCM, I had the same thoughts as I always do; that is, when I ride LCM’s on the river: We’re going to hit a mine. That’s why whenever I board a boat I loosen my shoelaces. Superstitious? You damn right. Today is supposed to be Valentine’s Day back in the world.

Went out on a dismount along Jones’ Creek around noon ostensibly to look for mines floating in the river, but really just to kill time.

Spent the rest of the day either sleeping or skipping stones in the river. No LP tonight. A general pays us a visit and tells us about death and communism. Also, the general expects us to tie down our one row of concertina with tangle foot and engineer stakes tonight! What lifer dreams!

Stoecker, short as hell, (15 days) is driving me crazy with his Gracie Allen logic and incomplete hearing. Ah well, someday…

Oh yes, around lunchtime, I taught some kids how to write their names and drew some silly pictures for comic relief.

15Feb
Instant cocoa this morning. Had a sleepless night because of the killer mosquitoes attacking me. I fought a losing battle. First sentence I said this morning was “Get the Fuck out of Here!” to the gook kids that appear every morning at our NDP, hovering like vultures and begging ~ unlike vultures ~ for food. I can almost see why the men who massacred that village felt no pain as they cut down those skinny children. I find myself wishing I could spray their bodies with my rifle on full automatic. Meanwhile Gizmo is trying to brew the world’s perfect coffee-can-full of cocoa. Tell me life isn’t maintaining a weird cosmic balance.

16Feb
Yesterday, a cataclysmic event! Before I went on the noon dismount, the radio mentioned me, saying that higher wanted me for an interview. Further probing revealed that I am being considered for a job in Finance! Me? Lucked out and become a REMF? Suddenly Vietnam is not as hostile. My problems all erased. No longer will 1-2 dictate my actions. Out of the field and into the kitchen the slave moves!

Clearly this sudden turn in fortunes will have a profound effect on my war dairy. After almost 8 months in the field, I can hardly think, lucked out for the second time in my life, the first was when I was sent to the Cav instead of to the leg unit I was born and bred for. No more sleeping in holes, going on LP’s or AP’s! No more worrying about land mines, no more ambushes to look for. All tension and all danger is now reduced to intangibles. I pulled guard last night, I think it is the last time I put out claymores, concertina, trip flares, and dug a foxhole! Ah yes, 1-2 is “up” today.

17Feb
A trip today on the way back from Cua Viet to Quang Tri. I rode a ¾ ton truck with Karl from the 2^nd platoon driving. I sat in the back with my meager possessions, all of which fit in a M60 ammo can. I had a broken mirror, a double edge razor, a book, “Waiting for Godot,” and a folding pipe from Hong Kong. We stopped in Dong Ha and purchased some fine Dong Ha 100’s to smoke on the way back ~ they look like commercially rolled cigarettes. I don’t know how Karl could drive. I didn’t care. My brains were numb as I:

1. I saw the deputy commander of Red Devil in his air-conditioned office. I started to salute but he waved me off.
2. Saw a major somebody, he’s the commander of Finance, but has an airborne ranger patch on his uniform. Very friendly guy.
3. Saw a Mr. Reynolds, a not so friendly warrant officer.
4. Even tho’ I was high I functioned, because I really really wanted out of the field.
5. Got the job, at least until March 25, I’m out of the field!

But the field is where my buddies are, how about SS, Milard, Giz, Park, Al and everyone else? Ah well. Met Deon, Vouk, PR, Jim D, and Corso to party up the night. [This was the end of my "war diary" of 17 days in February, 1970 ~Pineapple]

19Feb
Been having our trip flares tied off by Charlie.  Bout 9:30 trip flares went off on 3 sides at the same time.  (I was buttoned up in my mortar track (hey, c'mon, it was raining - gotta keep the ammo dry ya'know) when our perimeter exploded w/ return fire.  Banged my head then got it opened up and still remember how incredibly impressive all that firepower was going off allat once.  Damn you guys were good!!!)  I popped illum and HE until we all decided no return fire was going to come.  Chuck was just doing a serious perimeter probe and he learned quickly our shit was much to fast and much to powerful to mess with.  Think they went home to change diapers….
(R. Klinsky)

Feb 19 Cua Viet, going back to Quang Tri on the 22nd. Tankers to get new Sheridans . Lost two APCs to mines. Took speed boat ride on Cua Viet River (Taylor)

22Feb
I just returned from R&R to Hong Kong. I have been putting off for a long time facing something that I had to think about first. About 3 or 4 weeks ago I took out a four LP. We had one M60, three M16s and claymores. We were out about a half click or so in a grave yard. Around 01:00 while I was on guard, I saw movement ( 6 or 7 VC) about two hundred meters to my front. I woke up Coronato and we saw 6 or 7 more go by. I told everyone not to make a sound, I was afraid the VC might hear my knees knocking. The way I have come to look at this is being the safest way I could deal with the issue. One group was to my flank and out of sight while the in front out numbered us, through we would have surprise on our side. We had one other ambush that tried to shot it out with VC in a graveyard and they came out on the short end of thestick. I have thought about this for a long time and like in most of my cases your instincts take over for better or worse. I STILL THINK ABOUT THIS OVER THE YEARS, BUT ALWAYS I COME TO QUESTION, “HOW MANY MEN WHEN OUT AND HOW MANY CAME BACK UNHURT. The Kid, Maggot and myself were talking about traveling to Sidney.
(Coop)

March 1970

1Mar

We made the switch [to Sheridan tanks] on or about March 1, 1970. John 26

The following was contributed by 3^rd platooner Robert Klinsky, from his war dairy:

2Mar
1st platoon spotted 10 gooks across the river today.  Made a sweep but never saw them again - natch.

5Mar
Andy Shuller had a blasting cap go off in his face (oops).  Drew blood and blurred his vision but will be OK.  Medivac'd by boat.

6Mar
A gook sampan boat hit a river mine.  4 killed plus 1 with broken back & neck.  We pulled a sweep and stayed out an extra night.

7Mar
Screw up in 4 deuce defcons from Cua Viet.  Landed an HE 50 mikes from our perimeter.  Like we need this shit!   8th, back to Cua Viet.

10Mar
2nd platoons across river.  CO told them to go straight to a woodline despite their protests they'd pass thru a minefield where they'd hit a mine last month.  Made them go anyway and they hit another mine - 3 medivac'd - broken arm the worst.  They also took two incoming rounds that night.  &*#$%^&* CO!!

14Mar
LT and 4 tracks crossed Jones Creek at low tide.  One track had a breakdown on the wrong side of the creek and they tried towing it back - across the creek - now at high tide.  (Not!)  Got stuck in the middle of the creek with the track full of water and the top 2" showing out of the water.  We left it overnight.

Lopez passed out sitting on his track.  Stomach cramps and seizures.  Medivac'd.  Medivac was going to start treatment for "heatstroke" - Doc Lagnese told them he was just crashing from speed.

15Mar
Went back at low tide and towed LT's track out of Jones Creek and drained it.

March 15 put in for R&R, swimming in ocean daily (Taylor)

16th, back in to Cua Viet.

March 19 cold, rainy, got small dog on track (Taylor)

24Mar
2 AM defcons were a nightmare for our mortar track (49er).  2nd rnd was a dud 300 mikes out, 3rd & 4th hot and on target, 5th hot but 150m short, 6th 25m from the tube - INSIDE OUR PERIMETER!!!  Thank God it either didn't have time to arm or it was another dud!!  Next AM I read the lot number then blew it in place and fired the rest w/ that lot number into the ocean.  Didn't need THAT experience either!

April 1970

April 3 took first chopper ride. Operating on the beach, cold rainy (Taylor)

12Apr
41 hit 40lb mine.  Rodgers got broken left foot, broken right ankle, a hole in his back, and a gash in his left leg requiring 120 stitches.  Werner, sitting behind Rodgers had some internal injuries but was OK in a few weeks.  TC & gunners OK.

Brothers,

I will be arriving Wednesday evening for the reunion.  My cell is 401 354-5433.  I received a letter - snail mail - today from an old trooper, Gerald Standridge.  He's looking for a sworn statement regarding a PC that hit a land mine.  He lists several names of people on the track: Richard G Rogers, J. C. Hunt from KY, Gerald Ware from Atlanta, Carter Fuller from FL, If any of you can help him or know of any of these troopers please contact Gerals A. Standridge, 100 Peach Hill Dr., Jefferson, GA 30549. See you in Vegas LT Zero

That incident happened in April of 1970, about the time and near the location of your famous night firefight on the north side of the Cua Viet river.  I was in 3 rd platoon, but had the great, good pleasure of being on an in-country R&R to Vung Tau when the track hit the mine.  Total combat loss, and I know that Rogers was medevac-ed to CONUS, and later had a foot amputated from injuries received in the blast.  Carter Fuller is a sometimes member of the Commo Net.  According to the last roster that I have, Rogers & Ware are TNF status, there is an address for J.C. Hunt, though I don't know how active he has been in the organization.  Doc Lagnese probably treated the victims of that blast.  I vaguely remember Standridge's name, but don't really recall anything about him.  Perhaps he was medevac-ed too, and didn't spend much time in the platoon.  Long time ago, and that is one of the incidents that I recall hearing about, but did not witness. Jim Good

Brothers: I do recall that incident. The track that blew was in column right behind mine (40). I had just radioed our proposed NDP to troop and started to move to a slight rise on otherwise flat terrain. Cpt Smith and the Battalion S3 Air had also just called and said they were airborne in our area and were coming in to our position. Then the mine blew. When I turned to see what in the hell happened, their track was in the air, and landed on its side, and was on fire by the time I got to it. The guys on top were blown off ( thank God for the soft sand of Cua Viet). Rodgers was still in the drivers seat. We pulled him out and away from the now burning PC. Rounds were starting to cook off. Andy administered morphine to Rodgers. When Cpt Smith and the S3 Air landed in a LOH, I kind of remember Medevacing the wounded on their LOH. I have Standridge's address and will write a letter to him confirming  the incident. See you at FSB Vegas. ETA Thursday mid afternoon. Have a safe trip. Earl (40)

In the fight's aftermath, some medals were handed out to 2nd Platoon:

April 11 returned to Quang Tri for R&R (Taylor)

20 Apr
Left Cua Viet for Quang Tri

25 Apr Pedro
21 hit mine.  1 busted eardrum.  CBL (combat loss) track.

26 Apr Pedro
62 hit small mine - no injuries.

April 27 Got back the 24th pulling bunker guard at Quang Tri (Taylor)

28Apr Pedro
Sheridan and a pickup track (whatever THAT was) hit mines on the way back from a log run.  18 caught fire and driver, Sammons, slightly injured back.

**I think I remember this incident.  Wasn't this the one where the Sheridan & the M-548 (pickup track), and another vehicle, either a second Sheridan or an ACAV, were on the way back to Quang Tri from FB Shitty Smitty?  The TC of the Sheridan thought of something he wanted to tell the CO, and had just initiated a call on the radio.  Since the whole troop was in a perimeter, everyone was on the same frequency, and most of us heard the exchange.     "6, this is XXX (I've forgotten his call sign)" XXX, this is 6, go ahead."     "6, this is XXX AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  [high pitchedscream]      The TC of the other vehicle with them then excitedly keyed his mic and said "6, XXX just hit a big mine and blew up, they are on fire!"      Turns out the Sheridan had hit a dud 155mm WP round, and burst it open.  Scared the bejeezus out of the TC who had his radio keyed, and he screamed like a woman being raped.  The other track could just see the flash and the cloud of smoke that engulfed the Sheridan.  Scared the crap out of everyone for a minute, but as I recall, it really didn't do much if any damage, and no one was hurt.
(Jim Good)

30 Apr 1970
Nixon announced that US troops have attacked Communist sanctuaries in Cambodia, following the overthrow of Prince Sihanouk by US-aided Lon Nol.

May 1970

May Assigned to 20 as gunner, no more mortar track. General and Colonel
stated that the 4/12 was the best outfit in the 5th Div. (Taylor)

4 May 1970
The National Guard kills 4 students at Kent State.

From Klinsky’s War Dairy:

6May Pedro:
18 hit another small mine - it's 3rd.  No one hurt.

7May Pedro:
66 hit a small mine.

14May Pedro:
Watched a LRP team from a couple klicks away getting fired on by some gooks last night.  Cobra came and hosed the area around them.  We went in to extract them this AM.  Pete (my driver) spotted 8-14 uniformed NVA.  We were set up in a horseshoe formation so the direct fire who could see them couldn't fire w/o hitting our own so 6 had us fire them up from 700m out.  A tanker watching thru a scope saw our 1st willy pete marker land in the middle of 3 who'd split off from the rest.  We dropped 75 and fired for effect working the creek bed over pretty good.  A later sweep found a spider hole in the creek bank where they'd holed up.  Never saw them (or bodies) again but recovered 3 of their rucks, medals and certificates, bloody pants and an NVA radio - on our push!!

15 May:
27 hit small mine.

May 18 back out in field (Taylor)

19May:
I'm (Skee) now officially TC of 49er.

May 25 Blocking force, platoon only (Taylor)

27May Happy Birthday to me.
AM; Sgt Smith and Lee had a short fight. 05 later, Coble picked a fight w/ Lee.
2:30 PM, a jet caught fire and crashed within 500m of Quang Tri rear gate.  Monster smoke ring.  The pilots must have bailed w/ 02 'cause we'd given up watching for them in the sky when someone finally saw the speck of their chutes.
4:30 PM  Sgt Mac came out drunk cussin' and threatnin' to kill Georgia, Minchey and a few others for trying to get Coble and Smitty busted.  3rd herd's getting' flaky!!!  WE NEED A STANDDOWN!!!

May 31 track broke down, in Quang Tri (Taylor)

Summer 1970
It was the summer of 1970, I don't recall the month. We were southwest of Quang Tri, in the "Backyard" area between the combat base and the river Photo Quang Tri River. I think LT Schorp was on leave, and don't remember who was calling in the DEFCONs. We may have had a FO with us, but it was probably the platoon sergeant. The area was fairly flat and open, not a lot of brush or trees to stop shrapnel. I don't recall the round being all that close when it went off. Seems like it was just a fluke that one, a lone, big hunk of shrapnel flew a lot farther than usual. The arty guys may have goofed up somehow - extra charge bag, wrong azimuth or deflection, or the guy calling it in may have been more aggressive than he intended, but it really didn't seem especially close. At any rate, we were spending a typical night in the field. All the claymores, tripflares, RPG screens, etc. had been put out. Most of the guys were just loafing, or visiting with friends around other tracks, and not really paying a lot of attention to the DEFCONs. Today, if there were 155mm artillery rounds going off just over a half mile from your campsite, you would be going nuts. In Viet Nam it was just another evening. As I recall Morris Smith telling the story, he was thinking about his upcoming R&R in Hawaii where he was going to meet his wife for a week away from the war. He said that he was trying to determine how many days he had left until leaving on R&R and he raised his left arm to count on his fingers when "Whap!" the hunk of shrapnel hit his left side, and he let out a moan that everyone heard. If he would have had his arm down by his side, he might have lost it. Later, someone found the piece of shrapnell on the floor of his turret. Seems like it was about 6 or 8 inches long, and 2 inches in diameter. It split his side open from just under his armpit to just above his hip, but fortunately didn't cut very deep. Just split the skin, and the shrapnel didn't penetrate him. I can't remember if he had on a flack jacket or not, but I tend to think he didn't. We quickly shut down the artillery, and called a dustoff. Photo of dustoff with Smith onboard  Doc Lagnese may recall some of the details, as I assume he put Smith on the medivac. Smith didn't even stay in the hospital at Quang Tri very long. I remember a few days after the incident we were in the rear, and he was resting at "B Med," Company B, 5th Medical Bn, which was the 5th Mech's organic medical unit, and which served more or less as an outpatient clinic and minor convalescent center. I think Smith only stayed there a very few days before returning to the unit. He probably stayed in the rear on light duty until going on R&R, but eventually he returned to the field with the 3rd Platoon. Just by the grace of God his wounds were relatively minor.
Jim Good

Summer 1970 continued...this is a conversation on the commo net in late Feb 2008

John,

If it was in 1970 near the Rock Pile, it may have been that big fire at
the start of the Bai Long Valley when we went on Task Force 1/77 Armor.
Lots of artillery, the Cav, 1/77, 1/61 and probably other units as well.
Seems like it was June or July of 1970. After taking a large artillery unit
to Van der Grift and setting up a temporary firebase there for a week or so,
we returned to Quang Tri by way of the Bai Long Valley. The first night we
got a big grass fire which nearly got into our perimeter. An attached
engineer bulldozer was outside the perimeter trying to cut a fire break
between us and the flames. The fire got to some of the claymores and set
them off. Interesting night. After that, things were relatively quiet
going back through the Bai Long, but everyone was on full pucker factor
because we were the first U.S. unit to have been out there for quite a
while. LT Zero may offer more details -- not that he caused the fire or
anything. :-)

Jim Good

Jim is right that the fire in the Ba Long valley occurred in mid-‘70 – in mid- to late-July. It is the source of two of the most memorable images that I recall from my time with the Troop. We had been at Firebase Vandergrift as part of an “artillery raid” that the Brigade had conducted, in which they moved 175mm and 8-inch artillery pieces out there in order for them to be in range to do harassing and interdicting fires on the Ho Chi Minh Trail complex (see entry under 9Jul further down in this history). Once that operation was concluded the artillery and other units returned to Quang Tri or Dong Ha Combat Bases, but we were sent south through the Ba Long valley. We set up our first NDP in a huge, grass-filled meadow; I’d estimate (after looking at Google Earth) that it was a mile or more long and a half-mile wide (at about 16deg. 37’ 54”N, 107deg. 01’ 41”E, I think). A few ancillary activities that afternoon were sending a team to blow up a dud bomb (big sucker!) that we had passed and allowing folks to wash up in the river (some “fishing with hand grenades” occurred, as I recall). As Jim says, later on a grass fire started outside the perimeter, started by a smoke grenade, I think. We had an engineer crew with a bulldozer with us; once we saw that the fire was getting serious, those guys went outside our ring of claymores and cut a firebreak around the NDP. That was right about at nightfall. So the first memorable image, from a while later on, was the whole valley full of grass burning in the dark, except where we were – like something out of Apocalypse Now! The other memorable sight occurred when the sun rose. By then the fire had burnt itself out, so there we were, in a little muddy, grassy circle surrounded by black in all directions. [Bob Richards]

John, I checked the Cav website history section and in July of 69 we were near LZ Angel. A marine tripped on of our flares and started a fire. Almost burned our tracks. I only remember it because I wrote home back then and mentioned it in the letter. Pineapple put it on the history section.

Bob Taylor, 2nd Platoon, 69-70

Hey John, the only fire I remember was our first mission to the DMZ (out of good old
LZ Nancy) and this was July or August of 1969. Capt. Robinson was in charge of the
Troop and we would go thru the bush using pop up flares and C-4 (yes, that C-4)
to start fires and deprive the bad guys of cover.
Thought we would burn down the whole DMZ at one point but of course that never happened.

Turtle

Turtle I'm sure we were on some kind of move and got into some high dry
grass. I know we were tired but had to go on. I know we went by the Rock
Pile and some of the older guys told us that the Marines took it on
foot. John

John were we set up on line during the day watching it burn? Or was that our
tracers starting a fire in the dry season????? Damn it's all so jumbled.
Sure wish I'd have kept a journal.
Bob [Rebbec]

Turtle I am not sure any more but I think maybe summer time. John

John, do you remember about what time of year that was?

Turtle

Bob do you remember what we were in when we got caught in some valley at
night and there was a fire coming our way or was it around us? I
remember it was some where past the Rock Pile. I also remember it was a
long night and mission. I guess if you can't remember maybe Turtle can.
Take care. John K. 2nd PLKT. 69/70-- It was in 1970.

June 1970

6 Jun 1970
Robert F. Kennedy assassinated.

From Klinsky’s war dairy:

9Jun
12Pm  Quang Tri got hit by 19 rockets.  Hit the 1/77 hootches killing 2 and wounding 22 engineers - direct hit on their hootches.  Hit empty service club and empty movie area.  Almost hit battalion TOC.  2 hit not far from our hootches - but we were back in the bush.

12Jun
I (Skee) got walked on my bare back by a 6" centipede.  Drew blood.  Doc lanced it w/ a razor blade.  Tight & painful for a day or 2 but no damage.

19Jun
Sgt. Mac hit a mine with 46 (YES, he was driving - for kicks) Blew a nice hole but no damage or injuries.  (believe this is the day Sgt. Otts joined us.)

23Jun
Sgt. Otts and Werner medivac'd for M-79 shrapnel wounds.  (If I remember correctly the round one of them fired hit a limb right over their heads)  Werner right back but Otts needed 4 stitches in his neck.

25Jun
27 hit mine on Red Ball. 79 mini-primer, mortar round primer and 105 for a kicker - 105 didn't detonate.  No damage, no injuries.

26Jun
I'm now an official "Acting Jack" (field 5) 24 hit mine - kicker didn't detonate (same FNG must've set them both up).
1/77 scout track hit by command detonated 155 mine in our AO.  Chuck blew it directly under the driver.  Blew him, the lats, seat, dashboard - right up and out the hatch.  Legs gone.  KIA

27 June 1970
Tank A-38 hit mine: the incident took place near the Quang Tri River, about 2 miles south of Quang Tri City. The driver (SP4 Lea) and I (Jim Good) were both slightly injured, and medivaced to Quang Tri. Other guys from the 3rd Platoon saw a young kid, about 14 years of age run from the area. It appears that he set off the command detonated mine as we drove past. Lea, Jerry Darnell, John Davis and I all got the Purple Heart for injuries resulting from that mine.Photograph of damaged A-38.
(Jim Good)

From Klinsky’s war dairy:

28Jun
47 hit mine.  3- 155 rounds.  CBL tank but bruised knee and sore butts the worst injuries.

29Jun
20 hit mine.  Driver took 4 stitches in chin.  CBL track.  Had belly plate which helped a bunch.

July 1970

From R. Klinsky’s war dairy:

1Jul (Skee made 2 digit midget)

3rd herd moved to Hai Lang  w/ 1st platoon joining us later.  3 companies of NVA supposed to be in the area. (what the heck were we…bait???)

3Jul
Tingo shot his big toe almost off w/ a 60. Using the Cav and 2 platoons of 1/77 as a blocking force, the ARVN's waxed 145 NVA.

4Jul
Sgt Debos went out to pick up a gangbang of 4 claymores.  Gooks stole 3 and booby trapped the 4th.  It went off when he was about 20 ft from it.  Messed up his side, legs and chest pretty bad.

9Jul
Moved toward Khe San way west in the Mountains not far from Laos with 3/5 Cav, 1/61, 1/77, 4/12, 175's, 155's, aid station, dozers, & commo (most of Quang Tri, I think), to set up a new firebase.  Mine roller 48 tank hit major mine, knocked it off the road and CBL'd it.  4/12 command track hit mine, CBL.  Broken wrist and bruises worst injuries.

As the entry above shows, the “artillery raid” to FB Vandergrift was a big operation.[see above Summer 1970]This was the first of two such operations in which we participated in the summer of ’70. The troop was the advance guard for the whole shebang. Shortly after we passed the Rockpile, we came to a stream crossing on route 9 (at 16deg. 45’ 58.3” N, 106deg. 51’ 15.7” E). Since we had an engineer team with us, I had them check the ford with their mine-detectors – it came out clear, so we proceeded through the ford. Two Sheridans crossed the ford ahead of the command track. As the command track crossed, the mine detonated (must have been command-detonated). It went off under the right-side track, so the vehicle, besides flying into the air, dumped me, Greg Beining, LT Malm, and whoever else was in the track off on the left side. We landed stacked like cord-wood, and I recall looking back up at the track as it fell back to earth on its side, and thinking, “Man, I hope that doesn’t land on our legs.” It didn’t. Maintenance/recovery took care of evacuating the vehicle; we continued the mission on down the road to Vandergrift. My “trophy” from this incident was a huge and persistent bruise on my left butt-cheek. I didn’t do much sitting down for several days. On thinking about this later, I was pretty pissed that the engineers did not detect the mine during their sweep of the ford. [Bob Richards]

10Jul
24 hit mine while bookin'.  Went down embankment and flipped over. 1, and possibly 3 broken legs (I assume not all on the same guy).   New firebase is shaping up.

15Jul
Convoy from Vandergrift to Cam Lo got ambushed.  RPG's and auto fire.  1 medivac'd - not bad.  On our way back from Cam Lo, 1/61 put out a dismount sweep to check the ambush area.  Got fragged by a gook.  1 KIA, 1 WIA.  Gook got dead too.

18Jul
Dude from 1/61 built his fire over an old M16 mag which exploded and put shrapnel in his face.  Medivac'd.

21Jul
1/61 ambushed 1/77’s scouts!  No one hurt.  Dumb shits!!!

25Jul Pedro
My claymore ambush blew at 6AM.  Blew 1 gook into a tree. Later found 2 rucks. 9PM, 1/77 security platoon killed a gook w/ claymore ambush

August 1970

From KlinskyÕs war dairy:

12Aug 7:30 AM
20 rockets were fired 1800m in front of us aimed at Sharon. Our tanks and mortars fired up the launch site, as did 105's from Ann. Tried to sweep the area but was tri-can - nothing.

14Aug
Brigade security platoon ambushed in our AO. 2KIA, 2 WIA

17Aug PM
27 sank completely in Quang Tri River. CBL.

19Aug
I'm going in for E-5 board. 47 in front of us hit mine. CBL. Roland minor back injuries and shock, Lea paralyzed 2 fingers - also his 3rd mine! Sent stateside.

20Aug
passed 5 board

28 hit mine. CBL. Minor injuries.

21Aug

18 hit mine. CBL.

27Aug

11 hit mine. CBL. Minor injuries.

29Aug

22 hit mine. CBL. Minor injuries.

September 1970

09Sep
Gook fired 2 bursts of AK47 into the perimeter from about 400m out. No injuries, never found him.

29Sep
Sgt. Otts caught shrapnel from 81mm 200m out. Da Nang for recoup.

30Sep
"66 hit mine. 8" round. 6 medivac'd. Beining (driving), broken arm, possibly broken leg, messed up pretty bad - stateside bound. F.O messed up neck &/or back, old man cut head (out cold). FNG - hurt knee, engineer & LT, internal injuries." That was 5 days a'fore I ETS'd!!! That was the last entry (besides "I'm outa here!") in my diary.
Skee

October 1970

11 Oct
Melvin E. Tucker, PFC, perished.

23 Oct
Michael Le Boeuf accidentally killed by a .50 caliber machinegun at home base in Quang Tri

November 1970
23 Nov 1970
A raid into North Vietnam to free American POWs comes up empty-handed.

Thanksgiving 1970:
I left Quang Tri on Thanksgiving Day 1970 to come home. We were to go to Can Ranh Bay. Like most guys, we got orders to go home, but not given a way to get there. Jerry Beverage and I bummed a ride on a C 130 to Da Nang, hoping to find another flight to Cam Ranh from there, but no flights were leaving in the forseeable future. The Air Force ran the club at Da Nang and wouldn't let us in, because it was their Thanksgiving celebration. ( I always thought they were a bunch of pansy as &*%$*&%$). Somehow, we found our way to a French restaurant just outside the base. We celebrated with another guy over some wine. We truly had something to be thankful for, we were on our way home. When we returned to the airport, it was deserted and dark, but we found a cargo flight going to Cam Ranh Bay. There were no seats, just cargo, us, and four or five Vietnamese that looked like farmers and probably had no business in the plane. We flew through the worst storm I've ever flown through. The plane even leaked. I think we landed about 2:00 a.m.
John Sharpe


December 1970
31 Dec 1970
Troop strength is 280,000.