A Day In Our Lives ... Long Ago And Far Away
 

HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
April 11, 1971

Forward Area: 1-20 Infantry Headquarters is located at LZ Liz and the Battalion continued to work with ARVN units in their Area of Operations. At 0030hrs Saber 40 is on station for Box 31B, broke station at 0055hrs with negative findings. At 0740hrs 1-20 Infantry LZ Liz Access Road is now open. At 1600hrs Re supply Shit Dolphin 21 (191), location 628523, Alpha Company 3rd Platoon while departing the 3rd Platoon field location, Dolphin 21 was hit by 1 M-79 round. The Aircraft attempted to fly out of the 3rd Platoon LZ however it was hit by a second round M-79 fire which caused the aircraft to crash into the LZ and burn. The LZ then came under a heavy volume of small arms, M-79 and B 40 rockets and Machinegun fire, to the northeast and east, south of the perimeter at a distance of 75 to 100 meters. As the elements of the 3rd Platoon were assisting the aircraft and passengers in evacuating the aircraft, the aircraft exploded 5 times in succession killing 2 and wounding 4 others. Simultaneously personnel is on the LZ started receiving hand grenades and satchel charges, time 1610hrs Gun Ships requested at 1603hrs on station at 1611hrs, Shark 3 and 7 and Helix 37 is on station at 1623hrs. Artillery Fire Mission called at 1630hrs. Dust Off 54 is on station, 3rd Platoon still receiving small arms fire at this time, Gun smoke 6, Warlord 34, 3 and 20 on station at 1710hrs. Helix 39 is on station at 1717hrs first Air Strike is at 1730 (4 sorties). Dust Off 54 picked up 7 men from Alpha Company Command Post and inserted them into the 3rd Platoon location to assist them. At 1738hrs Dust Off 54 extracted 6 WIA to Bravo Medical. At 1740hrs Blue Ghost 27 is on station. Helix 39 put in another Air Strike at 1820hrs (4 sorties). Combat Assault (fleet) 5 slicks, 1 AMC is on station at 1825hrs 1st Platoon Bravo Company PZ at LZ Liz and at 1830hrs 26 Pack s and inserted LZ vicinity grid 628523 at 1847hrs. The AMC took 15 to 20 rounds small arms fire from grid 617523 and at 1840hrs gun ships expended on the target with unknown results. Dolphin 21 crew and 2 US WIA where extracted by Dolphin 6 at 1850hrs. At 1855hrs Helix 32 is on station with Air strike (2 sorties), AMC broke station at 1901hrs. Shadow 61 is on station is on station at 2145hrs Contact broken at 1650rhs Results as of 0100hrs April 12, 1971, are as follows. WRAP UP Friendly 11 US KIA (1-174 Aviation Company, 9- Alpha Company 3rd Platoon, 1 (Battalion Chaplain), 10 US WIA (1-Delta Company re supply. 9-Alpha Company 3rd Platoon) Enemy 2 NVA KIA, 1 AK-47 CIA. At 2235hrs TMF OP Wink at 2221hrs 3131A activated unknown number of stationary personnel, negative metal confirmation and at 2245hrs end of mission called due to unknown reason at LZ Snoopy. At 2200hrs String 310 activated 3 to 5 personnel moving west, metal was confirmation and at 2212hrs 20 rounds of HE 4.2 mortar fired from OP Wink and the 155 Artillery did not fire again at LZ Snoopy. Legend: 1st Platoon 39, 2nd Platoon 74, 3rd Platoon 31, 4th Platoon 57, CO-52.

Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for LZ Bronco.

 

ALPHA COMPANY
April 11, 1971

The Battalion Chaplain and hot meal was drop off by resupply chaplain early in the day and at 1600hrs Alpha Company Resupply Ship Dolphin 21, ship #191 was returning to pick up cans and personnel, location 628523, 3rd Platoon while departing the 3rd Platoon field location, Dolphin 21 was hit by 1 M-79 round. The Aircrew attempted to fly the aircraft out of the LZ; however, he was hit by a second round of M-79 round which caused the aircraft to crash into the LZ and burn. The LZ then came under then came under a heavy volume of Small Arms Fire, M-79, B40, and machine gun fire, to the northeast, East, and South of the perimeter at a distance of 75-100 meters. As Alpha Company 3rd Platoon were assisting the aircraft crew and passengers in evacuating the aircraft, simultaneously personnel on the LZ started receiving hand grenades and satchel charges, time 1610hrs. Gun-ships requested at 1603hrs, on station at 1611hrs, Sharks 3 & 7 and Helix 37 on station at 1623hrs. Artillery Fire Mission called at 1930hrs and Dust Off 54 on station. The 3rd Platoon still receiving small arms fire at this time. The additional gun-ships Gun smoke 6, Warlord 34, 3, and 20 on station at 1710hrs. Helix 39 is on station at 1717hrs first air strike in at 1730hrs (4 sorties). Dust Off 54 picked up 7 men form Alpha Company Command Post inserted them into the 3rd Platoon location to assist them. At 1728hrs, Dust Off 54 extracted 6 US WIA to B Med. At 1740hrs Blue Ghost 27 is on station. Helix 39 put in another Air strike at 1820hrs (4 sorties). CA fleet 5 slicks, 1 AMC, on station 1825hrs. 1st platoon Bravo Company was picked up at LZ Liz at 1830hrs (26 packs) and inserted vicinity grid 628523 at 1847hrs. At 1900hrs Bravo Company 1st Platoon is on the ground at Alpha Company 3rd Platoon location, 628523 and are sweeping area. AMC took 15-20 rounds small arms fire from grid 617523 at 1840hrs gun ships expended on target with unknown results. Dolphin 21 crew and 2 US WIA extracted by Dolphin 6 at 1850hrs and at 1855hrs Helix 32 on station with air strikes (2 sorties). AMC broke station at 1904hrs. Shadow 61 is on station at 1950hrs. Helix 32 broke station at 2130hrs. Shark 3 and 7, Gun smoke 6 has broke station at 1915hrs Shadow 61 has broke station at 2145hrs. Contact was broken at 1650hrs. Results as of 0100 hour 12 April 71, are as follows: Friendly 11 US KIA (1-174th AVN Co, 9 Alpha Company 3rd Plat, 1 Battalion Chaplain,) 10 US WIA (1 Delta Company resupply, 9 Alpha Co 3rd Plat). Enemy: 2 NVA KIA, 1 AK-47 CIA. Friendly KIA CHAPLAIN BROWN, SSGT JEAN P. HUMBERT, SGT JAMES L. ARMSTRONG, SP4 JON M. MELIN, SP4 JACK P. BEGLEY, PFC DOUGLAS A. VARNER, PFC JOSEPH E. SCHOOLMEESTERS, PFC EDWARD P PILKINGTON, PFC RICHARD M. WARREN, PFC JOE R. SILVA, SP4 WAYNE CARLOS BAGGETT (174TH ARN CREW MENBER), ARE LISTED AS KHA. The founding personnel reported WHA Sgt Allen R. Barfield, Sgt Ananias McBride, PFC Earl R. Masburn, PFC Mark E Singleton, PFC Larry E. Foust, Sgt Donald H. Furr (Delta Company), SP4 Robert M. Fantone, PFC James P. Skelton, PFC John Lawson, SP4 Michael J. Carretti.

 

BRAVO COMPANY
April 11, 1971

Bravo Company continued to have the Security Mission of LZ Liz. At 1600hrs Alpha Company in heavy contact. Bravo Company 1st platoon Bravo Company was picked up at LZ Liz at 1830hrs (26 packs) and inserted vicinity grid 628523 at 1847hrs. At 1900hrs Bravo Company 1st Platoon is on the ground at Alpha Company 3rd Platoon location, 628523 and sweeping area and the 1st Platoon continued to work with Alpha Company 3rd Platoon as they sweep the area (see Alpha Company).

 

CHARLIE COMPANY
April 11, 1971

Charlie Company set up Patrol Bases and used saturation patrolling in their Area of Operation. At 0910hrs Charlie Company changes 3rd Platoon Patrol Base is changed to 730421 and the 3rd Platoon patrol changed to 744414. At 1535hrs Charlie Company 1st and 3rd Platoons with Command Post is moving to vicinity 7344. Charlie Company at 2045hrs 1st Platoon Night Defense Position vicinity 728421, Charlie Company 2nd Platoon Night Defense Position 716426, 2nd Platoon Ambush 722430, 1st and 3rd and 4th Platoon with Command Post at 722430.

 

DELTA COMPANY
April 11, 1971

Delta Company was using platoon in a Recon in Force in their Area of Operation. At 0745hrs Delta Company 1st Platoon and 3rd Platoon is moving out to vicinity 633537. At 0815hrs Delta Company 2nd Platoon patrol is moving to 645543. At 1000hrs while on patrol 3rd platoon found a bunker in vicinity of 632538, 3.5’ X 3.5’ X 6’. It appeared to be 3-4 months old and had signs of recent use. It was destroyed by artillery impact. At 1300hrs Delta Company 1st Platoon patrol is moving to 630538. At 1600hrs the 3rd platoon Alpha Company had a heavy engagement when they where being re-supply and the helicopter went down a Delta Company Man was on the helicopter was WHA (Donald H. Furr). At 1705hrs Delta Company Location Command Post 2nd and 4th Platoon at 641534, and 1st and 3rd platoon at 627542.The 3rd platoon ambush at 631534 and 1st platoon ambush at 633538. Delta Company reports the following SGT Donald E. Furr was attached to the 91st Evac Hospital.

 

ECHO COMPANY
April 11, 1971

Echo Company headquarters and 4.2 Mortar Platoon is location on LZ Liz, where the 4.2

Platoon providing direct fire support for the Battalion. Echo Company Headquarters has the responsibility for Base Defense. Recon Platoon continued their Security Mission for 1-20 Infantry.

 

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