Vietnam War Timeline

126
16 October 1968
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div
Bn (1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ Joan, Duc Co, YA 842251

Unit Locations:
A 1/35 LZ Joan, YA 842250
B 1/35 LZ Joan, YA 842251
C 1/35 LZ Virginia Lee, YA 841091
D 1/35 LZ Jean, YA 809232
Recon Plt LZ Jean YA809232
4.2 Mortar Plt OPCON to 1/14 Inf LZ Mary Lou ZA227840

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 16 October 1968. Unit locations: At LZ Joan YA842251, Battalion Headquarters (Forward), A Company 1/35, B Company 1/35, B Battery 1/92 Artillery, C Battery 7/15 Artillery; At LZ Jean YA809232 D Company 1/35, Recon Platoon 1/35, 1 CSF (Camp Strike Force) platoon from the Special Forces Camp at Duc Co; At LZ Virginia Lee YA841091; C Company 1/35, A Battery 2/9 Artillery, 2 CSF platoons from the Special Forces Camp at Duc Co; At LZ Mary Lou ZA227840; 4.2 Mortar Platoon OPCON to 1/14 Inf (returned the 16th); At LZ Oasis; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Forward); At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (rear), E Company (-). At 1000 hours there was a message sent from the Bn CO LTC Buckner to C Co and D Co's: The Monday malaria pills will be administered by the platoon leaders, or platoon sergeant in his absence. The platoon leader or platoon sergeant will insure that each individual swallows the pill while it is given. At 1215 hours the 1st load of 4.2" Mortar platoon closed LZ Joan from LZ Mary Lou. At 1200 hours (DELAY ENTRY) a counter mortar section arrived at LZ Jean from the 2/9 artillery. At 1345 hours C Battery 2/9 (-) artillery arrived at LZ Jean. At 1400 hours the S-5 team reported visiting 2 villages, Med-Cap of 60 and a Vitamin dosage of 130. At 1500 hours the engineers reported finding one (1) 2.75 Navy Rocket at grid coordinate 807234, LOT# LOP5341-11-66, 25 rounds of 81mm HE, 60 rounds WP 60mm, 30 rounds HE, 1 case of "C" rations. 30 PRC 25's batteries. The Engineers destroyed all the items. At 1506 hours the last lift of 4.2" Mortar Platoon closed LZ Joan. At 1720 hours a message from the Bn S-3 Major Royal to C Co CO: Your unit will not place out SRP's tonight, but be prepared to evacuate the LZ on 18 October 1968. Also keep close coordination with Task Force Dawn Graft. At 1745 hours the S-3 notified A, B and D Companies, all SRP's south of highway 19 will be pulled back to LZ Joan, LZ Jean. Prior to 0930 hour 18 October 1968 units will be notified by the S-3 when SRP's are to move back to their positions. At 1840 hours message to all company commanders from the Bn CO LTC Buckner: I will start making unannounced inspection, entire unit will be assembled for the inspection. At 2315 hours the Bde S-3 requests the Bn S-3 Major Royal and D Co CO the give a clearance on grid YA842352 and YA850230 for a sky spot at 2400 hours 17 October 1968 and 2000 hours 18 October 1968. Clearance was given by both units.