Vietnam War Timeline

144
25 April 1966
Bravo 2/35th
Submitted by: SGM(RET) Chuck Beauchamp

Operation Paul Revere

On May 25th, 1966 B Co 2/35 was airlifted out of OASIS to an Area Southwest of Pleiku as part of Operation Paul Revere.

The first night out I took an Ambush Patrol to an area just outside of a large abandoned village. The next morning we returned to the company perimeter and were getting ready to move out when we heard 1SG Harris call for help (He had gone outside the perimeter to take a dump) and three armed Vietnamese came up to him and surrendered.

After that we began our Search & Destroy mission. My squad had the point for the company. Later that afternoon we came up to a Montangard village. As we were working our way around/through the village, a squad (8) of NVA soldiers came walking single file from the brush on our right about 20 meters in front of us. We looked at each other in surprise and opened fire simultaneously. They ran behind some big trees and we exchanged fire for a few minutes. They faded into the brush leaving their packs and blood trails.

Meanwhile the rest of the company behind us ran in to some NVA towing a wheeled soviet machine gun. A fire fight ensued resulting in SGT Norkett of 2nd Plt WIA. By the time the company reached our position it was getting dark and it was obvious that we were in the midst of an enemy concentration. There was some high ground on our direction of march and CPT. Maisano opted to set up there for the night.

The next day we went on a killer hump and joined the rest of the BN in a large open field. That night after mid-night we were alerted by SGT Clapper of 1st PLT B2/35 LP/OP that an enemy force was moving somewhat parallel/diagonally toward our position. They ran into our LP/OP and a fire fight took place. We killed 10-12 NVA and B Co had its first KIA, Doc. Miller, the Company Senior Medic.

The next day we air assaulted into 10 Alfa. By the way, B Co was also awarded the Distinguished Unit Presidential Citation. I was shot in the chest at 10 Alpha (luckily no lasting effects) and we could pretty much hold company formations at the 85th Evac in Quinon. Eventually 1SG Harris (napalm burns) and I ended up in the 106th Hospital in Yokohama, Japan.