Headquarters and Headquarter Company
March 8, 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 1425hrs Tripoli OP observed 3 people on trail at BS843386. Takes cover, whenever aircraft passes over. At 1745hrs1-20 Infantry Security Platoon vicinity BS932245, ambush spotted 25 VC with weapons, fired on VC with results 2 VC KIA and 6 VCS wounded where Dust OFF to Duc Pho. At 1925hrs 1-20 Infantry reports a Vietnamese is with Delta Company and tells the Commanding Officer that he will lead him to some VC in vicinity BS876314 tomorrow morning.
Rear Area: Battalion Rear continued their Mission of general support for the battalion and continued their Security Mission for LZ Bronco.
Alpha Company
March 8, 1968
At 1105hrs Alpha Company at BS473715, found platoon size way station, 5 huts with stone wall around them and Punji stakes also located vicinity. New huts destroyed. Then at 1115hrs Alpha Company at BS475715 found huts 10’X10’ recently used found 1 M-1 carbine magazine, also 2 pigs and 1 chicken. At 1340hrs Alpha Company at BS475710, found small bomb in road in road not buried or booby trap. (Type BLU 3-B) Looks like it was hastily put in road and that it would take very little pressure to set it off and destroyed in place. At 1200hrs Alpha Company at BS484720, found 1 MAS serial number 23449, good condition, had 4 rounds in it ready to fire. Also found 300 empty magazines in belt. Also found 1 dud Butterfly bomb, underground finance bunker that appears to hold, supply documents. Also found 4 BLU bombs, 1-26 hand grenades, 1 M-79 round, 16 M-16 rounds and l canteen cup. At 1415hrs Alpha Company at BS476724, found a hut and a small tunnel with 2 60mm rounds, 1 bag of 1,348 rounds of 30 cal ammo, 128rounds of M-16 ammo, 37 rounds of M-14 ammo and 148 rounds AK-47ammo, plus 4 K-125, 1 M-16 magazine and 2 unknown large type magazines. At 1721hrs Alpha Company at BS482719, Received sniper fires, results 1 US WHA, hit in left leg, Dust Off completed at 1725hrs. At 1739hrs, Alpha Company vicinity BS482728 reported their element received fire at two different times approximately 10 rounds each, Artillery was call in with unknown results. At 1740hrs Alpha Company vicinity BS482719, re-supply ship received small arms fire when landing and taking off approximately 200 feet altitude, have checked area with negative results. (At 2230hrs 4-3 Infantry reports Injured Man was French, Richard was from Charlie Company 26 Engineers). Alpha Company reports Larry K. Rigel was evac to the 85th Evac Hospital and attached to 85th Evac Hospital on March 9, 1968.
Bravo Company
March 8, 1968
Bravo Company continued their Security Mission for LZ Thunder. At 1000hrs Bravo Company 3rd Platoon reports their location at BS866327. At 1100hrs 3rd Platoon at BS865334 found Punji pit 3’ X 2’ will destroy checked area for Booby-traps. At 1120hrs Bravo Company 3rd Platoon reports their location at BS865334.
Charlie Company
March 8, 1968
Charlie Company continued their Security Mission for LZ Dottie. Charlie Company 3rd Platoon is moving out of LZ Dottie and checking in the area east of LZ Dottie on a Search and Clear operations. Charlie Company 3rd Platoon in their night ambushes at BS638865. Had light Contact for the day.
Delta Company
March 8, 1968
At 0850hrs Delta Company at BS891302 found 1 155mm dud, was not a booby trap and destroyed it in place and also detained 1 VCS trying to evade the area. At 1000hrs Delta Company is using multiple patrolling in their Area of Operation with 1st Platoon at BS899304, 2nd Platoon at BS892296 and 3rd Platoon with Command Post at BS89303. Delta Company by 1120hrs the Command Post and 3rd Platoon is now at BS891302 and other patrols are moving. At 1315hrs Delta Company is moving toward BS895302. At 1540hrs Delta Company at BS896309 detained 3 VCS. At 1925hrs Message from Major Davis, A Vietnamese is with Delta Company and tells the CO that he will lead him to some VC in vicinity BS876314 tomorrow morning. At 2100hrs Delta Company reports their ambush locations 1st Platoon at BS894312, 2nd Platoon at BS896317 and 3rd Platoon is at BS894325.
Echo Company
March 8, 1968
Echo Company and 4.2 platoon where located on LZ Thunder to provide direct support to the Battalion. At 0850hrs Recon Platoon is at BS891302 and found 1 155mm dud, not booby trap and destroyed in place. At 0900hrs Recon at BS954362 found a bunker with claymore charges, blasting caps, 2 PRC 25 batteries, ammo can with GI blanket in it; ammo can with gray shirt, towel and barker kit inside. Also found wire under ground approximately 4" leading in 3 directions. Requested a EOD team to check these out. At 1000hrs Recon reports location at BS854362. At 1215hrs at BS854362 EOD tea, found 2 105mm rounds rigged for booby trap and blew it in place. At 1315hrs Recon is located at BS854362 and by 1942hrs Recon Platoon has set up a ambush at BS885284. At 2355hrs 1-20 Infantry TOC PF in contact, firing 81mm mortars in support, suspected 60mm mortars at S864317.