Vietnam War Timeline

64
1 January 1969
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div
Bn (1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ Lanetta YA857457

Unit Locations:
A 1/35 (-) LZ Lanetta YA857457
B 1/35 (-) LZ MaryEtta YA766492
C 1/35 (-) LZ Betty YA905505
D 1/35 OPCON to 2/1 Cav
Recon Plt (-) LZ Lanetta
4.2" Mortar Plt, LZ Lanetta

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 1 January 1969 Unit locations: At LZ Lanetta YA857457, Battalion Headquarters (Forward), A Company 1/35, E Company, C Battery 2/9 artillery, 3rd platoon D Company 4th Engineers Battalion, counter mortar section from the 52 group; At LZ MaryEtta YA766492; B Company, 1 CSF platoon from the new Special Forces Camp at Plei Djerang; At LZ Betty YA905505; C Company, At grid YA729501; Recon platoon (Night ambush); OPCON Units: D Company OPCON 2/1 Cav; At LZ Oasis; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Forward); At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear).

At 0950 hours 1 January 1969 Recon platoon reported that they had succeeded in getting one man across the river with a rope, shortly thereafter 2 other strong swimmers were safely across the river. At approximately 1115 hours the Battalion Commander was airborne to assist them in crossing the river. Battalion Commander told Recon to remain on the east side of the perimeter, he also informed the Recon platoon leader to have the three individuals that had crossed the river to rest before crossing back to the east side of the river with the rest of the platoon. Further instructing the Recon platoon leader when his platoon was back together to recon south on the east side of the river to look for an easy crossing spot and inform the Bn TOC but do not cross until told to do so. Establish a night ambush along a likely avenue of approach or trail and return to LZ MaryEtta NLT 1200 hours 2 January 1969. B Company platoon was given the same order except to recon northeast and south side of the river and do not attempt to cross unless told to do so, so this action was taken by the Battalion Commander due to the deep swift current of the river water.

At approximately 1150 hours Recon platoon reported that an individual had safely crossed back across the river, the second individual was trying to cross using the rope, that had been strung across the river when he lost his grip and fell into the deep, swift portion of the river. The EM, PFC Cecil J. Clack was observed by some of the platoon members as he was swept some 300 meters downstream and disappeared downstream from view. The platoon Sergeant said that he thought he heard PFC Clack call for "help" one time. The S-3 1/35 immediately requested a chopper from the 3rd Bde to assist in the search of the missing individual; the recon immediately began a search along the east side of the river.

At 1215 hours a Cider aircraft came on station and made low visual reconnaissance over the river area. Cider searched the area for approximately 2 1/2 hours with negative findings, 2 Headhunter aircraft came on station at 1310 hours (HH-60-69) also joined in the search and stayed on station except for refueling at 1715 hours. At 1218 hours the Battalion Commander received his LOH and was airborne and proceeded immediately to the river area and made visual reconnaissancees very low until 1320 hours. He was not able to locate the lost individual. The LOH refueled and was airborne and back over the area with the E Company element at 1350 hours. The Battalion Commander continued his visual reconnaissance until 1515 hours with negative findings at which time he had to go off station.

The air search was cancelled at 1715 hours after approximately 5 hours of air search using 2-fixed wing and one LOH with negative findings. The Recon platoon continued their ground search down the east side of the river back until darkness with negative findings. Battalion was informed by Bde that the 1/10 Cav would be working in the A/O along the river south and west of the 1/35 A/O on 2 Jan 69 and that they were instructed to be observant for the lost US soldier or body of the soldier along the river or along the banks. "NOTE" All Companies were reminded of the requirement that all individuals were instructed in river crossing techniques and units that were working in the area of deep and swift rivers carried the proper items of equipment to assist in the safe river crossing operations.

1420 hours (C) Accident report for individual in Recon; Clack, Cecil J E-3, MOS 11B10 arrived incountry 8 Sep 68 supposedly the strongest swimmer in Recon. At 1145 hours 1 Jan while trying to cross a river was swept downstream by strong current. He was observed floating down the river by some of the individuals that were there and the platoon Sgt. Heard him call "help" once. They watched him float down the river approximately 300 meters. There was nothing that anyone could do due to the depth and the current of the water, the water was traveling at least 15 knots grid is 728500 time 1145 hours, 1 Jan 69 listed as missing in action.