Vietnam War Timeline

204
10 October 1968
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div
Bn Forward Fire Base
LZ Joan, Duc Co, ZA 845252

Unit Locations: A 1/35 (-) at LZ Joan YA 845252; B 1/35 (-) at LZ Joan YA 845252; C 1/35 at LZ Virginia Lee YA 842091; D 1/35 at LZ Jean YA 809232; Recon OPCON 1/14 Inf LZ Mary Lou; 4.2 Mortar Plt OPCON to 1/14 Inf LZ Mary Lou

Summary: The log was opened at 0001 hours 10 October 1968. Unit locations: At LZ Joan; Battalion Headquarters (Forward). A Company, B Company, B Battery 1/92 Artillery, C Battery 7/15 Artillery; At LZ Jean D Co; At LZ Virginia Lee, C Company, A Battery 2/9 Artillery; At LZ Mary Lou, Recon Plt OPCON to 1/14 Inf, 4.2 inch Mortar Plt OPCON 1/14 Inf; Base Camp (Camp Enari), Battalion Headquarters (rear), E Company (-). At 0010 hours B Co Commander was informed to have 1 platoon (2nd Plt) ready to move at 0800 hours for a mine sweep towards the Oasis. The platoon will link up with another element that is sweeping towards this location (LZ Joan YA 845252). After reaching LZ Joan the unit will make a sweep of the road to LZ Virginia Lee. Unit will also locate a bulldozer to LZ Virginia Lee to clear the area of mines in and around the LZ. 0010 hours the Bn S3 Major Royal notified the B Co Commander the he would make a C/A with 2 platoons (1st and 3rd) and 1 CP group at 0800 hours 11 October 1968. To secure and prepare a one (1) Infantry Company and one (1) Artillery Battery LZ at grid coordinate YA 794314. Engineer support will be provided, be prepared to stay there over night. (Reference FRA90 3-68 700PORD 23-68). At 0100 hours B Co Commander reported that SRP 5 had heard a vehicle on the road at grid coordinate YA 785225 moving to the southwest. Artillery was employed. After the Artillery was employed no further sounds were heard. At 0830 hours C Co reported that an individual was accidentally wounded while cleaning his M-16 rifle. The individual discharged a round resulting in injury to his foot. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the accident. New Command "A" frequency requested from the Bde Signal Office due to frequency being compromised by the pathfinder element at 1000 hours, Bde approved a new frequency effective at 1000 hours. At 1115 hours D Co reported that SRP team 16 observed 5-6 personnel moving to the east approximately 250 meters on an azimuth of 160 degrees from their location grid coordinate YA 867243. At 1125 hours the Bde Commander Colonel McClellan reported seeing an unexploded bomb at grid coordinates YA 831098. An element from C Company went to check it out. At 1135 hours the Engineers chief advised the Battalion Commander LTC Buckner they do not think that it would be a wise idea to bring a bulldozer to LZ Virginia Lee. Believes that the Armored Personnel Carriers that are on the sweep (mine sweep) of the road can do the job of the bulldozer. At 1200 hours the new Command "A" frequency was put into effect. At 1440 hours C Company reported on the bomb that the Bde Commander Colonel McClellan found at grid coordinate YA 867243. The type of bomb was US type Air Force Rocket dispenser, with 6 tubes, 3 rockets in each tube. Also several of the rockets were found to be scattered on the ground. Markings made on the dispenser are as follows: Dispenser Rocket SUU-14A identification number X6AE107448, serial number 830099. Rockets were blown in place at 1550 hours. At 1600 hours C Company found an 8-foot long bomb at grid coordinate YA 833097. The bomb is 2 feet wide and weights approximately 835 pounds. It is colored OD with a yellow strip near the nose end. Stock number 1325/051/2880. An EOD team was requested by Bde. Bde informed the Bn S3 Major Royal that the EOD team should arrive at our location at 0735 hours 11 October 1968. At 2035 hours D Company SRP team 3 reported movement 35 meters from their location on an azimuth of 5200 mils. Sounds like people moving in the brush. Artillery was requested and 155's fired. The fire came from LZ Joan. No further movement was reported after the firing. The SRP team saw flashlights and 5-8 individuals moving. At 2043 hours SRP team 3 from C Company reported movement and flashlights approximately 300 meters to the north of their locations. This at grid coordinates YA 816099. Company fired light organics (Mortars) reported that the movement stopped. At 2145 hours there was action reported from Operation Dawn Craft forces. LZ Cold, no sighting reported around LZ X-Ray. Plei Me CSF Company spotted 16 NVA at grid 918023. At 1430 hours the enemy scattered and there was no reported contact. Company is establishing ambushes in the area of the enemy sightings.