Headquarters and Headquarter Company
August 8, 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 0715hrs Hornet 45 (116 AHC) re supply chopper is on station. At 0840hrs LZ Liz Access Road has been mine swept. At 1050hrs 4 ARVN S-4 at his location and coordinating with 1-20 Infantry on living space and bunkers. In connection with the possible assumption of responsibility, of LZ Liz by the 4 ARVN, Colonel Q will be here tomorrow to effect coordination. Would like to know what Colonel Goodwin, and like LTC Whitley to do in regards to I.G. which begins tomorrow and this proposed transfer of responsibility. At 1130hrs the wrecked 26th Engineer Tank has arrived at 1030hrs by use of M88. At 1130hrs LATE SPOT at 1555hrs Report to told Brigade had hit a mine, at that time SGT Mell told Maddox there were 4 WIA. Received call from resupply chopper that WIA was only stunned. This passed to CPT Cummings that 4 WIA were only stunned. At approximately 1620hrs call come from CPT Berdan that required 5 WIA did need a routine Dust Off and Dust Off call was not passed to Brigade due to oversight. At 1-20 Infantry since RTO was not aware of the call to CPT Cummings. The fifth man evac was not wounded but was sent back for examination because of dizziness and ringing in his ear. 1LT Hopfer Dust Off 1-20 Infantry attempted to pass complete report of incident involving tank at Nui Vong at 2240hrs to Jackoby. Jackoby stated he had a full spot report and did not need more information. At 0315hrs the complete report was sent to Brigade because 1LT Hopfer knew RTO had changes and felt that completely answers was needed by Colonel Goodwin. Report Cover as follows -1155hrs- Tank hit mine: 1. M48 tank from 26 Engineer Battalion hit a 155mm booby trap mine while going from OP Nui Vong to LZ Snoopy on water run, left crater 6’ X 6’. 2. The Officer in Charge 1LT Pribal authorized the tank to leave the outpost in order to pull a water trailer to Snoopy for water re supply. 1LT Pribal had misunderstood an earlier discussion with LTC Whitley concerning water shortages and resupply. When the possibility of using the US Tank for the mission was discussed it was predicated upon obtaining clearance through the TOC of the 1-20 Infantry. 1LT Pribal erroneously through the discussion with the Battalion Commander constituted approval for use of the tank when such approval had not been intended. No clearance for movement was obtained from the (1-20 Infantry) TOC prior to the departure of the tank. 3 this was the first time that the M-48 tank from 26 Engineer Battalion had been utilized for such a mission. In the past the 2 ARVN tanks had pulled the water trailer each day for refill. The 2 ARVN tanks had departed Nui Vong the morning of 7 August 1971. The 2 ARVN tanks had performed their mission since 2 August 1971 after Division Artillery had coordinated with the 2nd ARVN Division to have the tanks assist in the water supply. 4. There were 5 ID from Bravo Company 1-20 Infantry WIA when the tank hit the mine/booby trap. The personnel from Bravo Company were sent out as a security element with the tank. There was no serious wounded, all routine Dusted Off. The damage to the tank, track on right side was blown off and the 2 road wheels were blown off. 5. The Recon Platoon 1-20 Infantry was sent to the site of disable tank for security during the night of 7 August 1971. 6. A M88 from the 26 Engineer will evac tank on 8 August 1971. 7. A written report will follow. At 0400hrs 1LT Hodges Brigade request to know in which action the 5 X-Ray personnel were wounded. 1LT Hopfer told Hodges that WIA occurred in the incident with tank from Cupid element and 5 WIA were from this X-Ray element. This was not logged as report but 1LT Hopfer refereed 1LT Holdges to report sent at 0315hrs. Corrective action is being taken by the 1-20 Infantry, all traffic to Brigade and received from Brigade will be completed and logged in journal. At 1141hrs APD61 cleared 4 ARVN for Air Calvary, Air Strikes and Artillery ASAP 1147hrs to 1900hrs (LT MINH). At 1145hrs while on a Search and Clear Mission 4-4 ARVN Battalion made contact with unknown size results: 1 VC KIA, 1 AK47 CIA BS289538. At 1240hrs 2 sorties have been laid on at 0900hrs to go from LZ Liz to North OP. Bird will be on secure push and will ask for 14F. At 1355hrs a report done at 081720hrs August 1971 Truck hit Vietnamese on highway (1:)) 1. ¾ Ton vehicle from Charlie Battery 1-82 Artillery while in route to Bronco for water hit a Vietnamese female at BS787423. (2.) There were 2 vehicles traveling in convoy, the first vehicle being a ¾ ton mention in paragraph 1 ( 3). The Vietnamese female was traveling from east to west and apparently did not see the vehicle and walked into the left side of the vehicle tried to avoid the accident by swinging on to the right shoulder (west) of the road.( 4). Battalion Commander and S-5 from the 1-20 Infantry went to the scene of accident immediately after it happened. MP from Quang Nagi investigates the accident and they will prepare a formal report at a later time. (5). District Chief from Duc Pho and deputy senior advisor Duc Pho and deputy senior advisor Duc Pho was on the scene of the accident. 6. A payment of 10,000 piasters was paid to the relatives (handled by Duc Pho advisor) and this amount will be repaid Duc Pho Advisor at a later time by G-5 Division. (7). Relatives of the deceased female have the option of filing a claim through normal channels. (8). At 1915hrs the crowd dispersed-1-20 Infantry, Charlie Battery 1-82 Artillery personnel returned to LZ Liz. The deceased and relatives were taken to Duc Pho. At 1400hrs M88 Vehicle Tactical Retriever has left Nui Vong for Snoopy. At 1416hrs LOH time change from 1400hrs to 1500hrs is changed to 1500hrs to 1600hrs. At 1540hrs Primo 2 (11 Brigade Aviation) is on station and broke station at 1630hrs. At 1615hrs 26 Engineer pad closed tomorrow 1300hrs to 1600hrs. At 1622hrs 4-4 ARVN while on Search and Clear Mission CIA 2 NVA 304453. At 1640hrs Primo 2 is down for oil chips at LZ Dragon. At 1700hrs Hornet 5 is on station for resupply. At 1800hrs Hornet 5 broke station. At RF 103 made contact results 1 RF KIA< 2 VC KIA, 1 AK 47 CIA not US confirmed. At 1800hrs Access Road reports the inspection of 20 vehicles from 0600 to 1800hrs negative results. At 0830hrs 3-4 ARVN Battalion made contact with unknown size enemy force with results 2 VC KIA, 4 VC CIA and 2 carbine CIA at BS734448. At 1845hrs TO Bravo, Charlie and Delta Companies from Battalion Commander, when submitting plans each day they will also submit proposed Night Defense Position for the next night. At 2022hrs Inferno Black is on station in Box 52 breaking station in Box 52 at 2055hrs at 2055hrs at Bronco Perimeter, and broke station at 2105hrs. At 2109hrs request a scout Dog for Charlie Company, reply: none are valuable now, try again in about 3 days! Legend: 1st Platoon 59, 2nd Platoon 56, 3rd Platoon 89, 4th Platoon 97 and 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 8, 1971
Alpha Company continued their Security Mission for LZ Liz and Access Road.
Bravo Company
August 8, 1971
LATE SPOT Report for incident made at 1555hrs August 8, 1971 M-48 tank from 26 Engineer Battalion hit a booby trap mine while going to LZ Snoopy on water run, tank was used to haul water trailer. It was the first time M-48 tank was used with 2 ARVN Tanks departed that morning on 7 August. The 5 US where from Bravo Company 1-20 Infantry when tank hit the booby trap, Bravo Company was providing Security for the tank. Recon Platoon was sent to site of disabled for Security during the Night of August 7, 1971. At 0815hrs Bravo Company 1st Platoon is moving to BS640492. At 1812hrs Bravo Company 1st and 2nd Platoons has moved into their Night Defense Position at BS643497. At 1955hrs Bravo Company reports 0 Mechanical Ambushes out. Bravo Company reports SP4 John A Schmidt was attached to 91 Evac Hospital.
Charlie Company
August 8, 1971
At 1310hrs Charlie Company 59 and Command Post moving out to BS667248 and at 1400hrs Charlie Company 1st Platoon is at BS624297 and at 1549hrs are on there way back to BS643495 and closed back on BS643495. At 1415hrs Charlie Company 59 V Patrol is moving out for BS624297. At 1722hrs Charlie Company reports that all elements are moving to their Night Defense Position at BS669487. At 1730hrs Hornet 5 while going to Charlie Company LZ grazed a tree and had several blades strikes from tree limbs and leaves to LZ Liz where shut down on LZ Liz to check Bird, negative damages. At 1755hrs Charlie Company has all element closed on their Night Defense Position at BS669187.
Delta Company
August 8, 1971
At 1332hrs Delta Company is located at BS645485 and at 1610hrs Delta Company 1st Platoon and Command Post at BS648485 and then at 1745hrs Delta Company moved into their Night Defense Position at BS647486 and all elements closed by 1953hrs.
Echo Company
August 8, 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.