SITREP-68. SITREP is a military acronym that stands for, Situation report. A sitrep can be defined as; A short concise statement identifying a units current
location and tactical situation. The 40 pages of sitrep’s
contained in this paper are derived from 3,000 pages of S/2-S/3 daily staff journals for the 4/3 11th LIB, Americal
Div. 1968. Sitrep’s highlight
the activities of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta companies as well as, Recon,
Aero scouts, HHC, C&C and T F Barker. Read on and you will find crisis, conundrum and comedy.
Editors note:
If you served in the 4/3
in 1968 and you got hot steel in your body there is a 95% chance your name will be on these pages. If you were snake bit,
FUO, Dysentery, Malaria, heat exhaustion, or twisted ankle, there is only a 70%
chance your name will appear. It is a good sign when your name does not appear at all.
DECEMBER
23 Dec. 67 2140H
Received report from Company
D that 4.2 FO is missing from patrol. Patrol is looking for him. At 2150H Co. D reports Sgt. Maddox KIA by hostile fire and
Pfc. Goodwin slightly wounded. Co. C requests DUSTOFF for 4 US WIA.
29 Dec. 67 1448H
This would be the first
combat assault conducted by Co C. At 1448H Co C engaged 3-4 VC. One VC threw grenade wounding 2 US. Co C captured 1 female
VCS with a bullet in her ass.
JANUARY
01 Jan. 68
Co C reported VN children
passing out anti-war propaganda to troops. Material brought into Bde.
02 Jan. 68
PF & RF troops will
conduct an operation in our AO. All personnel are cautioned to not fire at these individuals.
04 Jan. 68
Co B returned one EM by
DUSTOFF. EM has frag wounds received when he tried to blow a hole in a dried mud hooch with his M-79 GL.
04 Jan. 68
Booby trapped hole in
defensive wire vic. Bunker 60-61. (friendly booby trap)
11 Jan 68
Co D reports that a man
jumped out of the bushes, knocked weapon out of GI’s hands. GI took out knife and stabbed VC in the back. VC last seen running away with knife in back.
13 Jan. 68 1243H
Co C have hit mine at
BS588833. DUSTOFF completed at 1315. Mine was Bouncing Betty.
Lt. Scully KHA
PFC. Hall KHA.
SSG. Conroy, WHA
SGT Montgomery,
SGT Walker,
SP4 Thrasher,
PFC Garner,
SP4 Elston,
PFC Henderson
PFC Howes WHA.
16 Jan. 68
Medic PFC Fullerton accidental
shooting of PFC. David Perkett. DOW
17 Jan. 68
Co C extracts 7,500 LBS
of rice. Approx 6,000 LBS left to move.
18 Jan. 68 1740H
Ragged Ladder Bravo informed
TOC that 80 VC KIA by Gunship vic. BS5080. (editors note, the area around BS 5088 will later be nick named,
Sniper Alley)
19 Jan. 68
Total rice extracted during
operation, (A & C) 37,080 LBS.
20 Jan. 68 0955H
Co C sitrep neg. Obs 1
destroyed APC Vic. BS529853
21 Jan. 68 1046H
Co C finds 1 VC KIA and
2 fresh graves. 2nd plt received permission to dig up graves. 2nd plt. Dug out 1 live VC wearing shorts,
no equipment . Also 2 bodies and 5 hands. One body was burnt and had half face missing. One body 6+ ft. tall and believed
to be Chinese.
22 Jan. 68
SSG. Robert Wise and PFC.
William Jeffers hit booby trap at BS526921
25 Jan. 68 0700H
4/3 now OPCON 198th
LIB
26 Jan 68
Co C reports sniper fire
vic. BS518884. ( sniper alley )
26 Jan. 68
Co C reports sniper fire
vic. BS541888. ( sniper alley )
FEBRUARY
01 Feb. 68
Co C reports receiving
sniper fire vic. BS525877. ( sniper alley )
03 Feb. 68 1325H
Msg. Fm Maj. Sanders,
Bde. S-3 (assistant), to Maj. Holck by LL; one company alerted for CA. Company will be OPCON TF Barker. Co C alerted.
03 Feb. 68 1515H
Co C req medics (Rabies
innoc. team) be picked up by Helicopter; pickup complete 1520H and moved to Co A Loc.
03 Feb. 68 1750H
Co A reports that the
2 medics with Co A have not received mail for 20 days. Supplies not sufficient for amount of days they have been on OP. One
individual has not been paid sense Oct. 67.
09 Feb. 68 1750H
Co D req. DUSTOFF BS596909.
For 4 US WHA by booby trap. Pers. Concerned;
Jose Saenz,
Robert Morgan,
Robert Standerfer,
Vernon Ghiosby.
09 Feb. 68 1920H
Co A , 1st
Plt. While moving into ambush position Co A shot 1 VCS in the leg. As GI’s approached, the VC blew himself up scattering
large amounts of Money, documents and body parts all over field.
10 Feb. 68 1215H
Fm. TF Barker, (Co B 4/3
) made contact with unk. size VC element.
10 Feb. 68
Co D reports 3 persons
wounded result of booby trap. Persons involved:
Sydney Stanton,
Charles Robertson,
Roger Williams.
10 Feb. 68 1715H
Co A extracts 4,000 LBS
rice
10 Feb. 68 1725H
Recon Plt. Killed 2 VC,
captured 2 VC, one slightly wounded. Possible 2 more kills by Dolphin ship.
11 Feb. 68 From CG
When Platoons and companies
engage 5 or 6 VC, they request gunship and arty; this is not correct-Platoon must do the work. Platoon leaders, once they
receive fire must estimate the situation, develop it, fire and maneuver--be aggressive!!! Don’t wait for supporting
fires-------Go after the Dinks before they break contact and disappear into their holes. It is wrong for 1 or 2 snipers
to hold up an Americal Platoon. ( editors note: I wonder
if this is the same tight ass General who thought BUFF was not a politically correct name for a firebase. )
15 Feb. 68 Fm.
CG
Observed air strikes in
TF Barker AO; was
extremely pleased and a great deal of confidence in the Air Force’s ability to place an air strike within 200M of friendly
troops. Felt that dropping 750 LBS bombs brought fine results and is safer than arty. Use air strikes whenever possible.
15 Feb. 68 0445H
TF Barker reports to this
TOC. Co B 4/3 Inf. Rec’d 3 mortar rounds. 3rd round KHA one man vic. BS737804. KHA
Peter Collicchio US 55881248
15 Feb. 68 1113H
Co C 4th Plt
was working with Recon platoon when a cow came running out of the bushes directly toward Sgt. Hartley. Sgt. Hartley shot and
killed the cow in self defense. Cow was evacuated to OP George. Civilians demand 10,000 dong in payment.
15 Feb. 68 1615H
Co B 4/3 had 1 KHA by
mine.
Sgt. Anthony Podebrasky,
US 55981248
15 Feb. 68 2200H
4/3 receives 32 replacements:
A Co gets 8, B Co gets 8, C Co gets 11, D Co gets 13.
16 Feb. 68 0945H
Co D hits booby trap resulting
in 3 WHA
17 Feb. 68 1010H
From Maj. Calhoun, S-3,
TF Barker. Co B 4/3;
Sgt Wester, KHA,
Sp4 Brown,WHA,
Sp4 Willingham, WHA (not
serious),
Psg. Williams, Maurice
T., leg and arm blown off. Also 1 more EM unknown.
17 Feb. 68 1025H
Co D req. DUSTOFF for
2 WHA by mine.
17 Feb. 68 1300H
Reference Co D mine at
1025H.
Sp4 Serro Gregory E. lost
part of both legs,
Sp4 Bishop Arnold D.,
Shrapnel in leg and chest.
Sp4 Crescente Rafeal A.
slight wound by shrapnel, (face).
Pfc. Brown Chenels W.
Slightly wounded by shrapnel in stomach.
Sp4 Willingham Kern P.,
condition unknown.
Psg. Williams Maurice
T., lost arm and leg.
SSG. Wester Wilburn E.
KIA.
18 Feb. 68 1405H
Co B tripped 250-500 Lb.
bomb resulting in 1 US KHA,
Sp4 Clifton Walker
and 2 WHA,
Pfc. David K Pomeroy and
Pfc. Percy McFarland.
Later report Pomeroy KHA.
19 Feb. 68 0855H
Co A finds improvised
bomb.
21 Feb. 68 1125H
Recon req. DUSTOFF for
1 ind. W/shrapnel wounds from secondary blast while grenading hut, Pfc. Richard M Mejia.
24 Feb. 68 0914H
Co C req. DUSTOFF for
1 US who fell, hurt back, paralyzed.
24 Feb. 68
1310H
Co B w/TF Barker has 7
WHA. Names of 4; Blecher, Heckard, McKenny, and Lee. Resulting from AP mine.
26 Feb. 68 1530H
Co C hits booby trapped
ammo box filled with explosives. KHA, James Nichols, Monte Van Skike, John Stewart.
26 Feb.68 1615H
TF Barker Co B 4/3, Pvt.
Richard R. Potter, Serious head wound from command detonated mine.
27 Feb. 68 1550H
Co C has 7 US/WHA by mine.
4 urgent, 3 priority. John Dillard and Ernest Beam DOW.
MARCH
02 Mar. 68 1320H
Co C 1st Platoon
locates Platoon size NVA camp at BS567864.
03 Mar. 68 1305H
Request DUSTOFF for Co
B TF Barker, Psg. Russo, Co B was KHA by mortar fire. Four others wounded, 2 serious.
03 Mar. 68 1802H
Co A TF Barker request
DUSTOFF.
04 Mar. 68 1502H
Recon Platoon closed LZ
Sue at 1100 hours. Company D 81mm now on George. Recon attached to Co A.
05 Mar. 68 0711H
Co D request DUSTOFF for
3 WHA Booby trap. Individual is
Pfc. Edward Van Horn.
US 56959448.
06 Mar. 68 1440H
Co C reported 1 individual
tripped a Bouncing Betty. Mine sprang into air but failed to detonate.
06 Mar. 68 1850H
Americal Military Intelligence
detachment request for Pfc. Dennis ?? (commo platoon) who was injured by Booby Trapped cigarette lighter.
09 mar. 68 0957H
Co B request DUSTOFF for
2 WHA and 1 KHA result of Booby Trap.
09 Mar. 68 1221H
Co C engaged 5 VC w/web
gear. Result 1 VC KIA, 1 VC CIA, other 3 escaped.
10 Mar. 68 0948H
1st Platoon
Co C tripped Booby Trap resulting in 1 US KHA, 1 US WHA.
Sgt.
Warren Lane, KHA.
Pfc. Paul Herrymen, WHA.
10 Mar.68 1650H
Co C request DUSTOFF for
1 US injured by Water Buffalo. (non battle wound)
11 Mar. 68 2130H
TOC notified 4.2 Ammo
bunker is on fire. Request DUSTOFF for Pfc. Ralph Branson US 56588094. Individual has 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
12 Mar. 68 1735H
Co C request DUSTOFF for
2 indiv. Injured by falling into river.
12 Mar. 68 1905H
Recon platoon obs. Vic.
BS465768 40 VC moving toward the TRA KHUC river. E troop engaged with arty. 10 VC KIA
13 Mar. 68 0850H
Unit strength, operation
SHOW LOW;
Co A 4/3 Inf. 143 people
Co B 4/3 Inf. 118 people
Co C 4/3 Inf. 166 people
Recon 4/3 Inf. 24 people
13 Mar. 68 1414H
Received message from
Maj. Hartsfield thru SFC. Mocksing, ref. LTC Atkins dinner invitation.
14 Mar. 68 0700H
All units in the Vic of
respective PZ’s for extraction and termination of operation SHOW LOW.
14 Mar. 68 1802H
Disposition of all units:
Co A OPCON TF Barker
LZ Dottie
Co B OPCON TF Barker
LZ Uptight
Co C
BS537837
Co D-
LZ Sue
Co D 81mm OP
George
Co E-
LZ Sue
Recon
OP George
15 Mar. 68 0640H
Report from Bde. (SFC
Cross) all quite in Division AO; No significant contacts.
15 Mar. 68 1800
Med Cap conducted by Capt.
Gouzoules, (Bn S-5) results: 114 indiv. Treated, 27 male, 39 female, 58 children. Medcap was at AN PHONG (1) hamlet
Editors note; Co B 4/3 will hit 2 Booby traps in one hour while acting as blocking
force for Co C 1/20 which is conducting a combat assault Vic. My Lai.
16 Mar. 68 0915H
Co B 4/3 request DUSTOFF
vic. 733793. Booby trap was 105 arty. round hung from tree. Result, 1 US KHA,
1LT. Cochran.
WHA are Sp4. Wilburn,
Sp4 Cantu, Pfc. Traversa
16 Mar. 68 1015H
Co B request DUSTOFF for
3 WHA result of Booby trap.
Pfc. Gunta-----left foot
blown off
Pfc. Blacher---frag wounds
in leg
Pfc. Shiffley---multiple
frag wounds
16 Mar. 68 1355H
Co C found 2 improvised
hand grenades.
17 Mar. 68 0911H
TF Barker reported 1 man
of CO B 4/3 WHA at 0810H Vic. BS741788 by Booby trap. Sgt. Larry H. Taylor.
17 Mar. 68 0946H
Co C request DUSTOFF for
1 US WHA by Booby trap. Indiv. Concerned, Henderson.
17 Mar. 68 1725H
Co C Vic. BS532889 saw
2 VC on raft. Fired warning shots then engaged w/2 VC KIA.
18 Mar. 68 0924H
Co C request DUSTOFF for
2 KHA, 2 WHA result of Booby trap. Dustoff complete 0957
E-3 KHA Richard R Lynn
E-3 KHA Charles L. Bozemen
E-3 WHA Anthony L. Lawrence
E-6 WHA Lloyd Moore
19 mar. 68 0640H
Co B received 12 rounds
of mortar fire resulting in 1 US KHA,
Sp4. Milus
5 WHA, Ssg. Rushin, Pfc.
Hartzell, Pfc. Millsaps, Pfc. Mossford, Pfc. Anderson.
19 Mar. 68 0800H
Co A request DUSTOFF Vic.
BS595837 for 2 US WHA.
Sp4. Edward Riley,
William Schuler.
20 Mar. 68 1055H
Co C received 1 round
sniper fire at BS513877. 1 US KHA,
Michael Cordia.
22 Mar. 68 2143H
Received message from
Bde. S-2 that a country wide attack will commence at KHE SANH. To include 1 corps area.
24 Mar. 68 1045H
Co C 2d platoon departed
Sue at this time for assigned mission and stay behind ambush.
24 mar. 68 1540H
Co C request DUSTOFF for
1 US with temp of 104.8.
Richard Jeffrey.
25 Mar. 68 1100H
Co B request DUSTOFF for
2 US WHA by VC grenade.
Sp4 Leon R. Mercer,
Pfc. Michael F. Smith.
25 Mar. 68 1715H
Psywar team conducted
propaganda broadcast mission from 1640 to 1730 hours.
26 Mar. 68 1256H
Co C request DUSTOFF for 1 US litter patient, serious Bee sting. Pfc. Gregory Burnside.
26 Mar. 68 1530H
Co D request DUSTOFF for
1 US KHA, 1 US WHA result of Booby trap.
KHA, Barnett,
WHA, 2lt. Henry Warner.
26 Mar. 68
1550H
Co B located VC body,
Booby trapped w/grenade. Body approx. 2 weeks old. Body had documents, grenade and a .38 cal. S&W revolver.
27 Mar. 68 1906H
SPOT REPORT: Co A 1st
squad 1st plat. Observed 10 VC w/weapons N side of SONG TRA BONG river. 5 VC began crossing while 5 VC waited.
Engaged and KIA 5 VC in river. Tried to recover bodies but other VC kept up sniper fire.
27 Mar. 68 1920H
SPOT REPORT: Co A 1st
sqd 1st plat observed 30 indiv. When engaged the VC broke up into groups of 3 or 4 and ran away.
28 Mar. 68 1259H
Co C request DUSTOFF for
2 US heat casualties.
Nathaniel Stevens,
Richard Pennamon.
28 Mar. 68 1303H
Co D request DUSTOFF for
2 US KHA, 3 US WHA result of Booby trap. KHA are:
Sgt James A. Harrington,
Sgt Lee M. Lambert.
WHA are, Sgt. Larry Phipps,
Pfc. John Bohan,
Sp4. Cavanough Pertilla.
28 Mar. 68 1335H
Co C request DUSTOFF for
2 US WHA, 2 US KHA result of Booby trap. KHA,
Sp4. Roy Elston,
Sp4. Peter Baldwin.
WHA, Ssg. Lloyd Moore,
Pfc. James Howes.
28 Mar. 68 1935H
Co A request DUSTOFF for
5 US WHA result of Booby trap.
APRIL
01 April 68 0734H
Co C 1st platoon
(-) commenced move from ambush site to LZ Sue.
01 April 68 0815H
Co A 3d lift PZ 0800H;
TD 0815H. LZ cold. All lifts complete.
01 April 68 0825H
Aero scout platoon cptr 1 VC w/web gear, 2 grenades.
01 April 68 0825H
At 0820H Gunships engaged
1 VC result 1 VC KIA.
1 April 68 0836H
Gunships engaged 2 VC
result 2 VC KIA.
1 April 68 1910H
Recon Plat reports 2 VC
KIA w/no weapons or ID
1 April 68 2218H
Recon reports engaging
1 VC w/result 1 VC KIA.
1 April 68 2250H
Recon platoon reports
engaged 1 VC w/ claymore result 1 VC KIA.
2 April 68 0120H
Informed Bde. Total Bn
casualties for March. 9 KIA, 25 WHA
2 April 68 2050H
Telecom from Cpt. Holbrook,
effective immediately the term “Search and Destroy” will no longer be used. Phrases to be used instead include;
Combat sweep, Offensive search, recon in force and Combat patrol.
3 April 68 1040H
At 0810H Co A tripped
a booby trap resulting in 5 US WHA. At 1815H Eng. With mine detectors accompanying 2d platoon tripped another Booby trap resulting
in 1 US KHA, 10 US WHA.
3 April 68 1040H
Final report on Booby
trap incident;
1) At 0810H 2d plat Co
A tripped Booby trap resulting in 4 WHA. (3 evacuated).
2) At 0815H Eng carring
mine detector tripped a Booby trap r
