Headquarters and Headquarter Company
March 1, 1968
Forward Area: 1-20 Infantry Headquarters is located at LZ Thunder and will continued to work with ARVN units in their Area of Operations. At 0020hrs Division puts Gun Ships and Flare ships on alert effective at 0100hrs. The Trawlers are reported near 11th Brigade Area of Operations, with the Flare Ships scrambled at 0100hrs. At 0125hrs Gun Ships scramble to join the flare ships and the Navy Boats began engaging the ships at a reported position of 2 miles from shore. At 0210hrs Flare ships providing illumination and enemy ship released smoke screen, gun ships engaged with rockets. At 0215hrs Ship reported beached and burning. At 0220hrs a secondary explosion observed ship about 200 meters off shore on sand at BS882346. At 0845hrs 6 man navy ODT teams will arrive about 0930hrs to check water off boat location, we must transport them to location. At 1230hrs Tripoli OP observing 3 individuals in back PJ at BS855382 that are moving south along the beach. E Troop elements are aiding in the Search of the beach area. At 1340hrs MACV saw jeep, hit mine on road to sanitary fill near Carentan Bridge at BS826372, approximately 1 mile from main gate. Vehicle on loan to MACV from 6th Support Battalion Vehicle C-18 with McVan, William Charlie Company 6th Support fair condition, Mr Shinks coordinator Ware House, employee MACV Dead, Hinkle, James E-5 HHC 6-11 Artillery is alive, no info at this time. Vietnamese National dead on arrival was MACV employees, indications are that the mine was not command detonated.
Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for LZ Bronco. Bravo Company is in for their Stand Down.
Alpha Company
March 1, 1968
Control and coordination of all elements was effected through the "Sykes’ Regulars" Operations Center on Landing Zone Thunder. As the land forces coverage from the north and south, the sea activity approached the surf line, where, at 0211hrs the enemy ship was blown up with sufficient force to rain debris from a distance of one-quarter of a mile along the shoreline. At 0345hrs Alpha Company Combat Assault is cancelled and will search area of sunken ship and work the area. At 0405hrs Alpha Company at BS882346 found 1 AK 44 on the beach and detained 9 VCS. Delta Company on LZ Thunder is receiving sniper fire, with negative casualties. By 0530hrs Alpha Company detained 72 VCS, Requests Village Chief to help identify VCS in AM. By 1250hrs Alpha Company at BS882346, count of weapons located on beach is now 630 rifles, 42 sub machine guns, 11 light machine guns, 1 heavy machine gun, 4 cases of detonators, 31 fuse assemblies, and 82mm mortar rounds. Also Alpha Company found 2 cases 720 per case 7362 Russian shorts, and 2 cases 720 rounds per case Russian long, 1 75mm HE projective from a recoilless rifle, 5 anti tank mines, unknown type, 187 rifle grenades, polish type, 50 grenade launchers along with 67 more VCS detained. PFC Samuel L. McDonald was attached to the 85th Evac Hospital.
Bravo Company
March 1, 1968
Bravo Company at LZ Bronco will continue their Stand Down.
Charlie Company
March 1, 1968
At 0930hrs Charlie Company at BS615848 and then at 0945hrs vicinity BS615847 found a tunnel with a gasoline engine, Clinton 6.5 HP rigged for carrying will evac. Charlie Company is moving to LZ Uptight with ambushes at BS615849. At 1600hrs Charlie Company at BS615868 detain 1 VCS of military age, found in same location which 2 VC were KIA, evac to 198 Infantry IPW.
Delta Company
March 1, 1968
Delta Company with 2 platoons on LZ Thunder, Delta 2nd Platoon in an ambush position, located to the south of LZ Thunder. At around 2330hrs the navy and gun-ships where forcing an enemy supply-ship to the beach. Alpha Company began moving toward the beach area from the north to cut off beach area from any VC supporting units from reaching the beach area and to try and prevent any weapons from reaching the beach. Alpha Company moved by Armored Personnel Carriers, from their Night Lager Position. During the operation, continuous illumination was provided by flare ships, the direct support artillery battery and the Heavy Mortar Platoon of the 1st Battalion 20 Infantry. The 2nd Platoon in ambush from Delta Company moved toward the beach area from the south to set up a blocking force to seal area to the South. At 0211hrs the enemy ship was blown up with sufficient force to rain debris from a distance of one-quarter of a mile along the shoreline and Delta Company 2nd Platoon was approaching the area. By morning the Delta Platoon was setting up security and picking up damage weapons along the beach area and their blocking position. Delta Company moves an addition platoon from LZ Thunder and joins in the Search and Security of the area. Delta Company took part in the search of the area for weapons and VC suspects in the area.
Echo Company
March 1, 1968
Echo Company and 4.2 platoon where located on LZ Thunder to provide direct support to the Battalion. At 1300hrs the Recon Platoon is located at BS808268 and at 1940hrs Recon Company Platoon is located with Alpha Company at BS845304.