Vietnam War Timeline

404
14 May 1969
1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

3rd Bde 4th Inf Div Bn
(1/35) Forward Fire Base
LZ Oasis ZA117277

Unit Locations:
1/35th CP is at LZ Oasis
A Co CP YA982285
A Co 3d plt is at the Rock Quarry
B Co ZA093246
C Co CP ZA031200
D Co YA987219
Recon Plt ZA056198
4.2 Plt YA982285

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 14 May 1969. Unit locations: At LZ Oasis grid ZA117277; Battalion Headquarters (Forward), 1/35th Command post is at LZ Oasis ZA117277; A Company at ZA982285; B Company at ZA093246; C Company at ZA031200; D Company at YA987219; Recon platoon at ZA056198; 4.2 mortar platoon YA982285; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Forward) at LZ Oasis; At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear).

At 0153 hours bunker #5 saw enemy soldiers in the wire and 2 trip flares were set off, the enemy was taken under fire with small arms, M79 and M60 fire. At 0157 hours on 14 May 69 near bunker #5 position, enemy of 5 soldiers were engaged by small arms, M79 and M-60 Machine guns. At 0205 hours on 14 May 69 bunkers 4 and 5 engaged the enemy, they fled to north. Enemy was outside of the wire and friendly troops did not observe weapons on them. Place of above action was LZ Oasis. At 0213 hours 14 May 69 we informed B Company (coordinate ZA093246) on receiving incoming and they should remain alert. At 0850 hours 14 May 69 (vicinity LZ Oasis) a vehicle designated to perform trash detail took 2 rounds of sniper fire (vicinity Trash dump). At 1130 hours, the 3d platoon of B Company (at coordinate ZA125283) found a B-40 cap, one sandal and a bloody cloth. Presence of wounded enemy was suspected in the area, however, Scout dogs were unable to pick up a scent from the cloth. At 1245 hours on 14 May 69 B Company discovered that one EM had a small piece of shrapnel in his left cheek which was caused by friendly mortar fire 131913 May. At 1345 hours on 14 May 69 C Company water patrol saw one individual with a weapon and fired small arms at him. They do not know if the wounded him or not. At 1608 hours on 14 May 69 3rd platoon D Company (vicinity coordinate ZA008232) activated a booby trap, which was not on a trail. It wounded 8 men and of the 8 men 5 were litter patients and three were ambulatory. At 1700 hours on 14 May 69 the readout said the trap previously mentioned was a claymore mine set up by the enemy. At 1724 hours on 14 May 69 D Company reported 8 WIA's and 1 KIA. At 1743 hours on 14 May 69 D Company reports that they have a total of 9 WIA and 8 of ours and the dog handler is KIA. At 1900 hours 14 May 69 the aid station informed us that the dog handler is also KIA. Late entry - Battalion S3 informed TOC that upon arriving at D Company's location, he did observe another booby trap with wires placed between two trees. It was estimated to be a possible helicopter booby trap located in the general vicinity of ZA008261. D Co 3d platoon reports their location as ZA008232. At 1704 hours on 14 May 69 the S4 resupply truck driver reported at 1345 hours while enroute to the Rock Quarry vicinity ZA074304 he was fired at with automatic weapons or possible 50 caliber fire which came from the south at a distance unknown. Small arms fire was returned with undetermined results. At 2112 hours on 14 May 69 B Company 70 element observed 25 to 30 enemy (vicinity ZA146285) moving northwest. The Company is planning artillery at this time.

0755 hours (C) To CO of Co B: Move one plt to vicinity LZ Oasis as soon as possible to follow blood trails and drag marks east from the Oasis perimeter. (B) Send 1 other plt sweeping east from the present location to drag valley vicinity of coordinate ZA120233 then northeast along the valley to establish N/L's vicinity of coordinate ZA157270. (C) Move CP weapons plt and remaining rifle plt east to vicinity of coordinates ZA130250. Establish a patrol base and conduct daylight sweep, night ambushes of the route into and away from Oasis.

0800 hours (C) To CO of D Co: 1. Sweep northeast from present location along the likely routes of enemy movement into and away from the Oasis area. 2. Occupy blocking ambushes at the following location tonight- ZA034239, 023239, 010239, 000240, YA998244 and 995253.

0815 hours (C) To Co CO: 1. Sweep northeast from present location along the likely routes of enemy movement to and from LZ Oasis. 2. Occupy blocking positions and ambushes at the following location tonight- ZA078232, 072237, 064328, 059239, 050238 and 043239.


0830 hours (C) To Recon: 1. Sweep north from the present location to vicinity of coordinate ZA106255. 2. Be prepared to establish ambushes, blocking positions in that area. 3. You are a Battalion Reaction Force.

1608 hours (C) D Co 3d plt at ZA008232 hit a booby trap string connected to a possible 105 arty rounds. This was not on a trail and they have 8 WIA, 5 litter, and 3 ambulatory. They informed Pleiku Dust-Off at 1624 hours and D Co 3d plt said they have no LZ but will have one cleared in approximately 30 minutes.

1638 hours (C) D Co requested a Dust-Off with a hoist.

1700 hours (C) Bn S3 at D Co 3d plt location says the booby trap is now to be believed a claymore mine set up by the enemy. After Medivac is complete a through search will be made of the area for fragments to determine the type.

1705 hours (U) DELAYED ENTRY - On 14 May 69 at 1650 hours Bn S3 informed us that on arriving at t D Co 3d plt location they observed another wire strung between 2 trees. It could be possible helicopter trap general vicinity ZA008261.

1724 hours (C) D Co's 3d plt reports they have 8 WIA's and 1 KIA.

1725 hours (C) S-3 at D Co 3d plt location reports booby trap was a US type claymore set off by a US type detonator, which was buried in the ground on an old trail. The squad was cutting a trail and came across this old trail and stepped on the claymore detonator.

1813 hours (C) B Co reports at ZA105251 movement to the east 75 meters. They have coordinated with Recon and are now reconning by fire with M-16 and M-79.

2030 hours (C) C Co 3d plt hears tubes popping at 315 degrees and 1 click at ZA054230. C Co hears 50 caliber at 20 degrees azimuth 3 clicks approximately at ZA054230.

2040 hours (C) Recon and B Co CO hear tubes popping vicinity ZA124267.

2045 hours (C) A Co sees flashes at 225 degrees azimuth approximately 6 clicks and 140 degrees azimuth 6 clicks.

2053 hours (C) A Co hears tubes popping at 125 degrees azimuth approximately 6 clicks.

2112 hours (C) B Co reports their 702 element observed 25 to 30 enemy moving southwest at grid ZA146285 and they are planning arty at this time.

2145 hours (C) B Co says Battery under check fire at this time and we are unable to use Redleg at this time.