Headquarters and Headquarter Company
December 4, 1968
Forward Area: 1-20 Infantry Headquarters is located at LZ Volunteer and will continued to work with ARVN units their Area of Operations in OPERATION VERNON LAKE II. At 0915hrs Aero Scots at BS344452 received small arms fire and 1 pilot hit in arm and leg, Escorting aircraft to Binh Son results 1 WHA (E). At 1655hrs Delta Company reports at 332586 15 US WIA (E) 8 to Chu Lai, 7 to LZ Bronco results for friendly Mortar Fire and 81mm fire organic fire from LZ Volunteer 6 for 312 Evac and 8 to 27 Surgical 2 KIA and 13 KIA (E), 1 WIA) suspended use of 81Moartar rounds Lot #KN-7-11568 except for tactical defense fires. Investigation board scheduled on 5 December, rounds causing casualties was 1st of 2 rounds fired in prep for Night Defense Fire checked by Artillery and found correct.
Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for LZ Bronco. LATE REPORT; 11 Brigade LZ Bronco at 031921hrs December 1968 2 POW escaped POW Compound, no further info. At 1258hrs E Troop 1 Cav 11 Brigade at BS883304, APC hit tractor trailer, 2 personnel injury in APC and Dust Off completed at 1300hrs one with broken foot and cut face, 1 with minor cuts and scratches but was Dust Off for GP’s. At 1500hrs Sa Huynh ARVN Special Forces Camp received small and automatic weapons fire with negative casualties or damage to ARVN Compound but 2 Vietnamese children from Village WIA.
Alpha Company
December 4, 1968
Alpha Company continued their Security Mission for LZ Cork. CPT David W. Walsh assumed Command of Alpha Company.
Bravo Company
December 4, 1968
Bravo Company continued to use Search and Clear operations in their Area of Operations. In the afternoon LATE REPORT: At 2150hrs Bravo Company at BS308566 had 5-6 VC set off trip flare on perimeter while VC dispersed they engaged with small arms fire and called in Artillery at BS660568 and Patrol swept area with negative finding. Bravo Company is receiving sniper fire resulting in 1 US WHA.
Charlie Company
December 4, 1968
Charlie Company continued to contact Combat Sweep and Clear operations in their Area of Operation.
Delta Company
December 4, 1968
Delta Company continued to use patrols and day ambushes, at 1655hrs the 3rd Platoon from Delta Company BS332586 calling Defense Targets in with 81mm (4.2?) mortar fire and a short round caused the dead of 3 US personnel who where unloading supplies delivered by helicopter earlier. LT RICHARD LEE BALES, PFC WILLIAM TWO CROW BLAIR and SP 4 STEVE EDWARD WERTZ is listed as KIA. PFC Andrew G. Hoflen, PFC Rane Perez, PFC Vincent J. Senziak, PFC Rodriquez Calderon, SP4 Michael P. Carson and PFC Jose K. Cao evac to 27th Surgical Hospital. Also SP4 John D. Ringler, PFC Charles I. Austin, PFC Glenn T. Warren and PFC Hector Acevedo reported evac to 312th Evac Hospital.
Echo Company
December 4, 1968
Echo Company is located at LZ Cork where Battalion Forward is and coordinates with the Battalion Rear Elements and Base Defense elements on LZ Cork. The 4.2 Platoon is located on LZ Cork where they continue to provide direct fire support for the (1-20 Infantry Battalion). Recon Platoon continue their Security Mission for the 1-20 Infantry TOC.