Headquarters and Headquarter Company
July 5, 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 0825hrs Helix 31 observed lots of trail activity and numerous long structures from grid BS390450 down stream to BS465368. Helix 31 reports observer lots of activity at grids BS455367, BS483375, BS495377 and BS472410 also from BS478424 down stream to BS495440. At 0900hrs 1-20 Infantry reports Helix at BS781350 spotted 5 men, walking on trail. When flew over they looked up and evaded, not able to get ground troops at this time. At 0915hrs 1-20 Infantry TOC S-3 at BS870332 found a 60mm mortar round booby trap with a pull wire release firing device, had trip wire across trail and destroyed in place just outside perimeter on east side of LZ Thunder. At 1630hrs MACV PF will run a road clearing operation 6 July. They will start at BS794409 and move north to BS782434 and will start at 0800hrs and return to bridge 115 by 1500hrs. At 2055hrs MACV Duc Pho request Area Of Operation extension for PF from 1-20 Infantry to move from Duc Pho at 0300hrs up Highway 1 to vicinity An Trong (1) and move west to vicinity BS781399 work area. Return to Duc Pho at 1700hrs 6 July 1968. Major Cowling S-3 approved.
Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for LZ Bronco. Late Report: at 0830hrs Charlie Company 26th Engineers at DATE/TIME 042315hrs LZ Bronco heard sounds coming from motor pool, checked and found 1 man challenged him, man fled toward wire, fired 3 shots over his head, man successfully evaded. At 0910hrs Delta Company 19 Engineer reports Road is open from LZ Bronco to Bong Song. At 0950hrs Bravo Company 19 Engineer reports Road is open from LZ Bronco to LZ Dragon. At 1900hrs 523rd Signal at 789421 a 2 ½ ton truck hit a mine, resulting in 4 US WHA, all with multiple frag wounds but in good condition. All evacuated by Chopper from 174th Aviation. MP asked Wrecker for 6th Support to pick up vehicle and 3-1 Infantry will provide security for Vehicle.
Alpha Company
July 5, 1968
At 1158hrs Charlie Company located at BS788305. At 1900hrs Alpha Company is in their Night Defense Position at BS790303, 10 at BS786302, 20 BS798300 and 30 BS794307.
Bravo Company
July 5, 1968
Bravo Company continued their Security Mission for LZ Thunder. At 1900hrs Bravo Company (-) is located at LZ Thunder with 30 Night Defense Position at BS844365, 31 ambush at BS813363. At 2010rs Bravo Company 6 at BS859345 and 30 spotted 6 VC in dark clothing carrying 1 mortar tub unknown size set up in deflated position, and 3 VC walked away and 3VC stayed. Called Artillery will use H & I all night, and we will sweep area tonight, will report. At 2010hrs 1-20 Infantry TOC at BS859345 B-6 reports B 30 spotted 6 VC in dark clothing carrying 1 Mortar tub unknown size set up in position, 3 VC walked away and 3 stayed, called artillery, will H & I area all night and will sweep the area tonight will report results. At 2113hrs Bravo Company 33 moved into grid BS859350 where they fired Artillery (23 rounds of 105mm) captured 3 male and 2 female VCS and received 2 M-79 rounds from wood line to southeast vicinity BS859353 and are going to check wood line at this time. Artillery results negative at this time. At 2330hrs Bravo Company at BS864326 spotted 7 lights moving north to south calling Artillery results unknown.
Charlie Company
July 5, 1968
At 0815hrs Charlie Company at BS858248 found a cave 10’ wide 4’ high and 20’ long, contained a 5 gal can of explosives with nails and glass on top of explosives, one 106 canister full of salt, water can, 1 basket, cave and contents destroyed. At 1158hrs Charlie Company is located at BS880233. At 1900hrs Charlie Company established their Night Defense Position at BS879231, with 10 BS877234, 20 BS881236 and 30 BS879231.
Delta Company
July 5, 1968
Delta Company continued their Security Mission for LZ Charlie Brown. At 1320hrs Delta Company at BS923162 man hit booby trap results 1 US WHA Dust off completed at 1339hrs. At 1517hrs Delta at BS922159 found Punji pit approximately 3’ deep, 2’ wide and 2’ off trail appears to be about 2 days old will destroy. At 1900hrs Delta Company at there Night Defense Position at BS926155. SGT David Hoy JR was evac with frag wounds to 2nd Surgical Hospital at1315hrs and attached.
Echo Company
July 5, 1968
Echo Company is located at LZ Thunder where Battalion Forward is and coordinates with the Battalion Rear Elements and Base Defense elements on LZ Thunder. The 4.2 Platoon is located on LZ Thunder where they continue to provide direct fire support for the Battalion. At 1000hrs Recon Platoon location is at BS475528. At 1158hrs Recon Platoon reports their location at BS483526. At 1430hrs Recon Platoon request the following items clean set fatigues, 30 cans of foot powder, 30 cans of insect repellent. Also a Sundry Pack, cigarettes and toilet articles only, 10 PRC 25 batteries, mail, 3 cases beer, 3 cases of coke, 1 note book pad, spiral line type and mail with hot chow for supper on Saturday and Sunday element will close on 061300hrs. At 1900hrs Recon Platoon reports their Night Defense Position at BS483525.