Vietnam War Timeline

107
13 September 1968
Alpha 1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div
Bn Forward Fire Base
LZ Mary Lou, ZA 227840, Kontum

A 1/35 reported SRP team 9-3Y an element of 3rd platoon in contact receiving small arms fire at grid AZ170709, approximately 100 meters from their location. No report of mortars or grenades. Size of enemy force unknown believed to be NVA. 9-3Y reported 3 WIA\'s friendly. One EM took a round in the chest and one in the leg. No reports at this time concerning the wounds of the other EM. At 1205 hours 9-3Y reported an enemy force 75 meters from their position. They are still receiving small arms fire. Arty called in to aid the SRP position. Dust-Offs and gunships were requested 1206 hours. Informed Bde that Dust-Offs and Gunships were on the way at 1230 hours. One platoon from 2/8 Inf. OPCON to the 1/35 Inf. for C/A into contact area. 9-3Y reports contact broken at 1234 hours. Bde requested that 3rd ARVN Armored Cav to move into the area of contact but due to the time factor they were unable to make it. At 1248 hours WH-10/18 on station en route to LZ Mary Lou. Platoon from 2/8 Inf. en route to Plei Mrong. They will be awaiting instructions from the Bn CO, LTC Mundie. AT 1300 hours A Co reported gunships and Dust-Off on station and the 9-3Y element had one KIA and 3 WIA\'s. At 1320 hours an air strike was called in to work the area south of the contact area. At 1326 hours A Co reported Dust-Off complete for WIA\'s. Could not pick up the KIA. One radio AN/PRC-25 and two (2) M-16 rifles left behind. At 1400 hours Cider #32 Tactical Aircraft reported that he has 2 skyraiders ready for TOT at 1445 hours. At 1504 hours first C/A from Plei Mrong 2/8 element complete. They hit the ground at coordinate AZ 170709, LZ Green. AT 1507 hours C/A complete from the 2/8 Inf. element. At 1555 hours Cider #32 reported the air strikes complete. At 1543 hours the first lift of ARVN compound Plei Mrong (CSF) on ground LZ Green at coordinate AZ 161705. At 1600 hours A Co reported 9-3 element is surrounded by an unknown enemy force, believed to be VC at grid AZ 178726. At 1620 hours 9-3Y element reported that they were in contact, receiving heavy small arms fire at 1622 hours. The Bn CO LTC Mundie reported a helicopter (WH-10 Slick) going in to extract SRP team at 1625 hours. At 1625 hours extraction complete. Skyraiders shelled the area with 20 mm cannon fire. 93-1 element reported 2 WIA\'s during the contact. At 1700 hours Cider \"3 (FAC) reported that he has 2 sets of fighters en route to work the area of 93-1 contact. At 1730 hours a platoon from the 2/8 Inf. was extracted from the contact area. At 1705 hours the ARVN Company (CSF) was extracted from the contact area. At 1815 hours Cider \"3 (FAC) reported fighters on location with air strikes in general vicinity of ZA 178726. At 1825 hours Cider #3 reported 2 large secondary explosions in the area of the air strike. Read out on daily action; Confirmed report on 1st contact of 93Y element resulted in 1 KIA and 2 WIA\'s. Other 2 men of SRP team unharmed. Contact started at 1155 hours, unknown size enemy force, believed to be NVA and using automatic weapons. The other 2 EM who were wounded took rounds in their legs. 1 EM took frag wounds in the buttocks. Confirmed report contact of 93-1 team. Reportedly received small arms fire at 1620 hours by an unknown size enemy force believed to be VC. Friendly casualties were 2 WIA\'s. 1 EM received wounds in he left thigh. Other EM received wounds in buttocks.