Headquarters and Headquarter Company
May 12, 1968
Forward Area 1-20 Infantry Headquarters is located at LZ Ross for Operation WHEELER-WALLOWA and are OPCON to the 198th Light Infantry Brigade. As the 196th Light Infantry Brigade moves north to support the Marines. At 1210hrs LZ Ross reports personnel evacuating KHAM DUC Special Forces Camp started to arrive at LZ Ross. At 1320hrs Delta Company is lift into LZ Ross to take over the Security Mission. At 1640hrs 1st lift for Delta Company 4-3 Infantry completed at 1643hrs and will work south of LZ Ross. At 1635hrs Alpha Company 4-21 Infantry at coordinates BT010350 (1) US shot his finger off with M-16, believed to be deliberate action, will be evacuated to 1-20th Infantry LZ Ross by re supply ship. At 2220hrs Alpha Company 4-21 Infantry at AT999349 report seeing 30 people moving toward their location, will keep observing them. The have received 3 60mm mortar rounds outside perimeter and also received 20-30 rounds of automatic weapons fire, will keep under observation with negative casualties. At 2240hrs Alpha Company 4-21 Infantry at AT999349 observed movement to east and engaged with M-79 and presently firing artillery on that location and working back.
Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for LZ Bronco.
Alpha Company
May 12, 1968
At 1054hrs Alpha and Bravo Companies receiving sniper fire from the west 30 element is moving to that location at this time. At 1110hrs Alpha and Bravo Companies are receiving mortars fire at this time. Requested gun ships, and no ships are available. Bravo Company has 11 WHA first Dust Off completed for 2 personnel at 1145hrs.
Bravo Company
May 12, 1968
At 1110hrs Alpha Company and Bravo Company 1-20 Infantry receiving sniper fire from the west, the 30 element moving to the location at this time. At 1110hrs Alpha 1-6 Infantry and Bravo Company 1-6 Infantry are receiving mortars fire at this time. Bravo Company has 11 WHA, first Dust Off completed for 2 personnel at 1145hrs. At 1245hrs Jets flying an air strike mission at grids BT075223-BT064227 received heavy 50 caliber fire from the area. At 1326hrs Alpha Company and Bravo Company 1-20 Infantry had a Dust Off for 8 heat casualties and one concussion completed at 1336hrs. SP5 Thomas W. Peters (Headquarters Company Medic) and PFC Walter G. Johnson where awarded Purple Heart. SGT David A. Fielding, SGT Ronald L.Yoesting, SP4 Stephen R. Adams, PFC David L Ghent JR, PFC Julius Henderson, and PFC Walter G. Johnson where attached to NSA Hospital, Da Nang. Also Bravo Company reports that 2LT Tommy A. Clark and SP4 Jessie J. Palmer where attached to NSA Hospital Da Nang. SP4 Dave E. Blair from Echo Company was evac and attached to NSA Hospital DA Nang. (4.2 FO)
Charlie Company
May 12, 1968
At 1212hrs Charlie Company recap of contact at 1212hrs at coordinates at BT061273, Charlie Company was pinned down by enemy throwing hand grenades from top of the hill. At 1225hrs they reported 7 WHA. At 1307hrs Charlie Company assaulted hill and swept area results 3 NVA KIA. At 1449hrs Dust Off completed for 5 WHA (E) with 2 WHA (M). PFC Robert W. Mauro awarded Purple Heart PFC Leon J. Stevansor, SGT Kenneth Schiel, SP4 Gary Roachevitz and PFC Benigno Buchanon to NSA Hospital Da Nang.
Delta Company
May 12, 1968
At 1320hrs Lift for Delta Company leaving LZ Center is completed and they are sent to LZ Ross. Delta Company is airlift from LZ Center to LZ Ross to takes over Security Mission duties for LZ Ross along with the Road Security Mission.
Echo Company
May 12, 1968
Echo Company is located at LZ Ross where Battalion Forward, is located and coordinates with the Battalion Rear Elements and the Base Defense on LZ Ross. The 4.2 Platoon is located on LZ Ross where they continue to provide direct fire support for the Battalion. 1-20 Infantry Recon Platoon manned OP Tiger, Cobra and Dragon. SP4 Dave E. Blair was attached to NSA Hospital Da Nang (believe he was with Bravo Company).