Headquarters and Headquarter Company
September 17, 1968
Forward Area: 1-20 Infantry Headquarters is located at LZ Chevy and will continued to work with ARVN units and Special Forces in their Area of Operations. At 1905hrs Task Force Galloway reports 1-20 Infantry Utility, ship received small arms fire with 1 hit and negative casualties. The 1-20 Infantry begins their part in Operation CHAMPAIGN GROVE and OPCON to Task Force GALLOWAY.
Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for LZ Bronco with a S-4 section at Chu Lai. At 1620hrs S-3 from 26 Engineer reports at BS746495 a 2 ½ ton truck hit mine, 2 WHA (E), unknown unit and unknown damage.
Alpha Company
September 17, 1968
At 0541hrs a squad ambush from Alpha Company was hit by estimated enemy platoon near the Alpha Company Night Defense Post vicinity BS383717. The ambush called for help and Alpha Company moved to reinforce but did not reach the location in time. Arriving at 0645hrs Alpha Company found that the ambush had been overrun leaving 4 KHA and 3 WHA. Alpha Company at 0610hrs requested a Dust Off for 1 litter patient and 6 ambulatory patients. Gun ships were requests and Guns scrambled to come to Alpha Company aid. Alpha Company pursued the enemy to the southwest. At 1043hrs Task Force Galloway reports Alpha Company at BS381739 found 4 packs which contained rice, 2 new NVA gas masks, 1 new B-40 Rocket and several Documents. At 1215hrs vicinity BS678736 a evading NVA engaged at 50 meters resulting in 1 NVA KIA and 1 AK-47 CIA then five minutes later 2 more NVA threw a hand grenade and tried to evade but was engaged resulting in 2 NVA KIA and 1 RPG CIA. At 1320hrs Task Force Galloway at BS381730 found 3 B-40 rockets with boasters, 1 Launcher, pouch bag, 2 packs of rice and 1 NVA canteen all where evac to LZ Chevy. Alpha Company had 1 WHA from the thrown grenade. A tunnel was discovered at this location, BS378736, found containing 1 RPG, 2 AK-47, 6 RPG rounds, and 2,200 rounds of small arms ammunition. Alpha Company continued the search of the area with negative results. The Rest of the Battalion companies where moving to either support or cut off the area near Alpha Company. Alpha Company reports PFC RICHARD ALAN CHAMBERS, PFC WILLIE CHARLES HARDY, SP4 GEORGE LEE JR., PFC GEORGE DAVID SHANNON is Listed as KHA for that day and SGT Donald J. Marithew, John W. Hall, PFC Tony A. Honeycutt, PFC Wayne R. Taylor frag wounds 0600hrs and PFC Larry D. Myers gunshots wounds at 0600hrs where evac to 2nd Surgical Hospital. PFC Clarence Dust was evac to the 27th Surgical Hospital with frag wound at 1430hrs.
Bravo Company
September 17, 1968
Alpha Company ambush position was hit by estimates Platoon near Alpha Company Night Defense Position vicinity BS383717. At 1310hrs Bravo Company will swept to the Northwest from vicinity HA THANH are now at BS385730. At 1800hrs Bravo Company reports their Night Defense Position at BS360694 and will sweep southwest to vicinity BS340676.
Charlie Company
September 17, 1968
Charlie Company Conducted a Combat Assault to BS385748 and then swept north to BS395754 with negative contact.
Delta Company
September 17, 1968
1-20th Infantry joined Operation CHAMPAIGN GROVE on the ground. At 1541hrs a squad ambush from Alpha Company was hit by estimate enemy platoon near the Alpha Company Night Defense Position in the vicinity of BS383717. The ambush called for help and Alpha Company moved to reinforce but not able to reach the location in time. Arriving at 0645hrs Alpha Company found that the ambush had been over run leaving 4 KHA and 3 WHA. Alpha Company pursued the enemy to the southwest. At 0701Delta Company conducts a Combat Assault to BS345723 3 lifts LZ where cold finish at 0731hrs. At 1017hrs Delta Company at BS351740 spotted 7 VC with weapons and packs moving to north and firing artillery. At 1145hrs Delta Company at BS345725 received 50 caliber rounds at time and engaged with air strikes. At 1215hrs vicinity BS378736 and evading NVA was engaged at 50 meters resulting in 1 NVA KIA and 1 AK-47 and five minutes later 2 more NVA threw a Hand Grenade and tied to evade but were engaged resulting in 2 NVA KIA and 1 RPG CIA. Alpha Company had 1 WHA from the thrown grenade. Tunnel was discovered at this location, BS378736, containing 1 RPG, 2 AK-47, 6 RPG rounds, and 2,200 round small arms ammunition. Alpha Company continued the search of the area with negative results. Bravo Company swept northwest from vicinity HA THANH to BS395754 with negative contact. Charlie Company swept from HA THANH north to BS395754 with negative contact. Delta Company conducted a Recon in Force to the southwest. At 1759hrs vicinity BS368653 Delta Company received sniper fire resulting in 1 WHA. Fire was returned with negative results and they moved on to the Night Defense Position. Delta Company reports SP4 Terry S Morse with gunshot wound evac and attached to 2nd Surgical Hospital.
Echo Company
September 17, 1968
Echo Company is located at LZ Chevy where Battalion Forward is and coordinates with the Battalion Rear Elements and Base Defense elements on LZ Chevy. The 4.2 Platoon is located on LZ Chevy where they continue to provide direct fire support for the (1-20 Infantry Battalion).