Vietnam War Timeline

457
5 October 1968
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div
Bn (1/35) Forward Fire Base
Duc Co, LZ Jean YA845251

5 Oct 1968

Unit Locations:

A Co (-) LZ Jean at Duc Co
B Co (-) LZ Jean at Duc Co
C Co LZ Jean
D Co LZ Jean
Detachment Recon Plt at bridge in Kontum, OPCON 1/14 Inf.
4.2 Mortar Plt FOB #2 (Kontum) OPCON 1/14 Inf.

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 5 October 1968. At 0835 hours SRP team O A Co 1/35 saw movement at grid YA 845246. They proceeded to search the area and they found some matted brush where 2-3 individuals had slept. A Change of command was held at LZ Jean grid coordinate YA 845252. Lieutenant Colonel Buckner assumed command of the 1st Battalion 35th Infantry. At 1343 hours the Commanding General Major General Charles P. Stone arrived at this location. The General made a round of the perimeter and stressed the need for tanglefoot wire around the perimeter. Also some equipment for LZ Jean.

0001 hours (C) 3d Bde 4th Inf Div Bn Forward Fire Base LZ Jean, Duc Co YA845251.

0150 hours (C) A Co has negative contact with SRP's T-U. They will keep us posted.

0303 hours (C) A Co re-established communications with SRP's T and U.

0835 hours (C) SRP O saw movement at grid YA845246. He yelled "Halt" several times at the individual also fired M-16. Searched the area and found matted brush where 2-3 individuals had slept the night before.

0850 hours (C) SRP locations for A Co: O - closed, R-847246, U-857246, T-closing, Q-848232, S-863238, P-850232.

0900 hours (C) R and P closed. P enroute to grid YA855235.

0930 hours (C) SRP U closed LZ Jean.

0945 hours (C) Tomorrow a Survey Team will arrive at this location for a survey from the Special Forces Camp at Duc Co to LZ Jean. Require security.

1030 hours (C) SRP P at grid 854234.

1120 hours (C) Request priority Dust-Off for EM with temperature of 105 degrees FUO (fever unknown origin).

1140 hours (C) Dust-Off 30 ETA 45-60 minutes.

1147 hours (C) The Bde CO Colonel McClellan is enroute to Duc Co at this time. ETA 15 minutes.

1200 hours (C) The Bde CO Colonel McClellan is at our location.

1247 hours (C) W-27 informs us that Kirby Tank 41 will be at our location at 1400 hours.

1250 hours (C) Whiskey 41-QSL message from W-27.

1305 hours (C) Dust-Off 32 ETA 30 minutes.

1320 hours (C) Dust-Off 32 on station. ETA 10 minutes.

1326 hours (C) Kirby tanks 41 ETA 15-20 minutes (Commanding General)

1343 hours (C) Kirby Tanks 41 this location.

1344 hours (C) Dust-Off complete.

1400 hours (C) Request another Dust-Off from EM with 105-degree temperature. FUO.

1410 hours (C) Dust-Off 30 or 32 ETA 20-30 minutes.

1415 hours (C) Informed that Dust-Off patient will be taken to the 71st Evac by the Commanding General.

1420 hours (C) SRP's A-L departed LZ Jean at this time.

1510 hours (C) SRP Q closed LZ Jean at this time.

1515 hours SRP A closed LZ Jean at 0915 hours.

1530 hours (C) DELAYED ENTRY - 0925 hours to 1000 hours 5 October 1968 - B Closed LZ Jean at 0925 hours, SRP C closed LZ at 0939 hours, D closed at 0941 hours, E closed at 0958 hours, F closed at 1000 hours.

1610 hours (C) Bde CO Colonel McClellan informs the Bn CO LTC Buckner that the Division CO Major General Charles P. Stone requests that tanglefoot be placed around LZ Jean. Informed 76 NCS at LZ Jean to turn in a list of required material necessary to perform this task.

1635 hours (C) Requested from Bde 20 copies of 4 October policy letter published from 3d Bde HQ regarding employment of SRP's.

1640 hours (C) B Co informs us that SRP's R, S and T departed Duc Co at this time.

2210 hours (C) Chow 76C requests a Dust-Off for a man from 83 element with temperature of 105 degrees. We called Bde and they say that on a priority Dust-Off he will have to wait until morning. Checking with the 83 element now as to the exact condition of the patient.

2215 hours (C) Informed Bde that the man is an emergency case and that he must be taken in tonight. They are standing by for an ETA.

2217 hours (C) 15C says line no. 122 of C Co and line no. 3 of D Co are not at Pleiku. Chow 27 informed them that they were and requested them forward tomorrow.

2240 hours (C) W27 says that 2 of the SRP teams are too close together. Chow 27 informed W27 that SRP team 20T would move into position when moonlight permits.

2245 hours (C) Bde informs us that we will get the Dust-Off (reference Journal entry 2215 hours). Will call in the ETA.

2258 hours (C) Dust-Off 30 now on station.

2305 hours (C) Message from W27 to Bn 41: Wanted to name the LZ Jean. 41 agreed firmly.

2315 hours (C) Dust-Off complete of line no 83 of C Co.

2317 hours (C) C Co 41 wants an investigation of the comment made by the Dust-Off pilot. (He questions the medic's judgement of not wrapping a poncho around the patient and not pulling his clothes off. Such should have been done if the patient really had that high of a temperature). Chow 27 wants to know if the malaria roster is complete or if they have a definite system to insure that malaria pills are taken.