Headquarters and Headquarter Company
August 1, 1971
Forward Area: 1-20 Infantry Headquarters is located at LZ Liz and will continued to work with ARVN units in their Area of Operations. At 0127hrs Nui Vong OP while firing 81 Defense Targets a round landed short and impacted on top of a bunker, wounding 1 US with multiple frag wounds to legs (Charles E. Bowen). At 0129hrs Urgent Dust Of was requested and at 0155hrs Dust Off 020 came on station at 0201hrs Dust Off was completed and a complete investigation will be conducted. At 1000hrs Bravo Company 1-20 Infantry Preliminary investigation of the Nui Vong friendly fire incident by LTC James R. Whitley and CPT Robert J. Berdan, seems to indicate a bad round caused the casualty. The round was the 3rd in succession with the first 2 rounds impacting at the proper distance and direction. The 3rd round landed 38 meters from the tube and 800 mils of the deflection on the gun. Charge 1 was fired with an elevation of 1420. With that information the round should of impacted 325 to 350 meters from the gun, on inspection of the charges, they were dry. At 1320hrs 4 ARVN Recon made contact with unknown size enemy force with results 7 VC KIA, 1 AK 47, 1 M-16, 30 Chi Com grenades, 2 hammocks, 5 rucksacks of rice, 1 medical kit, all was sent to Bronco. At 1703hrs 1-20 Infantry Message to all Companies from S-3 effective immediately. All Daily plans will include Checkpoints for all patrols and movements from Patrol Bases to Night Defense Position. Checkpoints will be sent for each 200meters of movement and will be called during movement to reflect current location. At 1800hrs AC 57 (123 Aviation) is on station. At 1855hrs 1-20 Infantry Message from S-3 to LT Studdard Officer in Charge at Nui Vong OP. Anytime there are more civilians approaching your wire you will notify TOC 1-20 Infantry ASAP as to number approximate age. At 1830hrs Inferno 96 (123 Aviation) is out of Air Calvary Box with negative results. At 2045hrs 1-20 Infantry reports Field Strength Alpha 43, Bravo 59, Charlie 46, Echo 12 and HHC 7. At 2100hrs MACV Mo Duc 190230hrs at grid BS719641 received 7 rounds of indirect fire resulting in the roof being knocked off 1 hootch. On July 30 we were informed of the incident by MACV. The Battalion S-2 went to village with the DDSA. At this time a large piece of metal was found which the villages said came from the rounds, which had impacted within the village. This piece of metal is not from a 4.2 or 81mm mortar as it is to large. Personnel on Snoopy said they heard rounds come from the direction of OP Nui Vong at the time but they were very low when they went over Snoopy and were traveling at to high a rate of speed to be mortars. At 2100hrs 1-20 Infantry at DATE/TIME 291410hrs the National Policeman from Duc Pho that was assigned to the Access Road at LZ Liz was traveling south on highway 1. He was stopped at grid BS787422 by 2 teenagers who asked if he was the National Police who worked on Road at LZ Liz. When he answered yes they pull pistols and shot him in the head. At 2101hrs 1-20 Infantry Mechanical Ambushes out: Alpha 1, Bravo 2 and Charlie 4 for a total 7 out. At 2135hrs MACV MO Duc called an Urgent Dust Off for 1 PF sick and in shock at BS747677, Dust Off 52 completed at 2252hrs. At 2242hrs Warlord Black (123Aviation) working in Box 54 and at 2251hrs broke station with mechanical problems. Legend: 1st Platoon 59, 2nd Platoon 56, 3rd Platoon 89, 4th Platoon 97, CO-29.
Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for Chu Lai.
Alpha Company
August 1, 1971
At 0805hrs Alpha Company 1st Platoon moving out to BS760355 and closed on that location at 0715hrs. At 0825hrs Alpha Company 1st Platoon then closed on BS762354. At 1955hrs Alpha Company 2nd Platoon closed on their Night Defense Position at BS762352. Alpha Company field strength is 43 packs and Alpha Company has 1 Mechanical Ambush out tonight.
Bravo Company
August 1, 1971
At 0127hrs Nui Vong, Out Post, while firing 81 Defense Targets a round landed short and impacted on top of a bunker wounding 1 US with Multiple Frag Wounds to the legs. Charlie E. Bowen at 0129hrs WIA an Urgent Dust Off was requested and at 0155hrs Dust Off #051 came on station and at 0201hrs Dust Off was completed. A Complete investigation will be conducted. At 0640hrs Bravo Company 2nd Platoon in Patrol Base at BS721444. At 0650hrs Bravo Company 1st Platoon patrol has moved out to BS712426. At 0948hrs Bravo Company 1st Platoon had 4 Vietnamese kids bring in 1 each 20mm round unfired and gave 4 cans of C Rations. At 1000hrs Report preliminary investigation of Nui Vong friendly fire incident by James R. Whitley and CPT Robert J. Berdan seems to indicate a bad round caused the casualty. The round was the 3rd in succession with the 1st 2 rounds impacting a proper distance and direction. The 3rd round had landed 38 meters from the tube and 800 mils off the deflection on the gun. Charge 1 was fired with elevation of 1420, with this information the round should have impacted 325 to 350 meters from the gun and on inspection of the charges, they were found to be dry. At 2015hrs Bravo Company 1st Platoon in Night Defense Position is at BS722427 and at 2030hrs Bravo Company 2nd Platoon in their Night Defense Position is at BS714434. Bravo Company Field Strength today is 59 and by 2101hrs has 2 Mechanical Ambushes out.
Charlie Company
August 1, 1971
At 0754hrs Charlie Company 1st Platoon found a old 60 ammo can containing receipts book of names and amounts will be back hauled at first opportunity to LZ Liz, now located at BS746363. At 0801hrs Charlie Company 2nd Platoon moving and closed at 1000hrs on BS742366 and at 1038hrs 1st Platoon closed at BS746366. At 1931hrs Charlie Company 1st and 2nd Platoon at checkpoint 1 at BS751371 and by 1956hrs 2nd Platoon at checkpoint 2 location is at BS750366. At 2029hrs Charlie Company is moving into their Night Defense Position at BS751371. Charlie Company field Strength today is 46.
Delta Company
August 1, 1971
Delta Company continued their Security Mission for LZ Liz and a Security Mission for Access Road.
Echo Company
August 1, 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.