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330
25 May 1969
Recon (Echo) 1/35th
Submitted by: Dave Fogg

From the 15 June 1969 "The Steadfast and Loyal"

Recon's Reflexes Are VC Downfall

By PFC Gerald Ducharme

Oasis- 25 May 1969- The quick, well trained reflexes of an infantry reconnaissance platoon were the downfall of a Viet Cong (VC) squad of eight operating 10 miles west of Camp Enari. The recon platoon from Echo Company of the Famous fighting Fourth Division's 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, discovered eight VC dressed in both green fatigues and black pajamas and equipped with weapons and rucksacks. The enemy squad emerging from a woodline 100 meters south of the Cacti Green platoon was traveling southwest along a stream bank. Without hesitation the recon element reacted before the surprised VC could respond. Small arms fire was employed, resulting in four enemy killed and the detention of one VC suspect. Captain James Scott of Coleman, Tex., battalion S-3, observed the conflict from a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) and commented, "It was the alertness of the platoon members that enabled us to engage the enemy squad without taking any injuries." "Our recon element noticed that the eight enemy suspects were walking into an open area," continued Captain Scott, "and they readied themselves before small arms fire was exchanged."


420
25 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 ZA012286
B Co CP ZA046255
C Co CP ZA040363
D Co CP ZA982285
D Co 1st plt at Rock Quarry
Recon plt ZA120361
4.2 Mortar plt YA982285

Summary: Log opened at 0001 hours 25 May 1969. Unit locations: At LZ Oasis grid ZA117277; Battalion Headquarters (Forward), 1/35th Command Post is at LZ Oasis ZA117277; A Company at ZA022292; B Company at ZA039242; C Company at ZA145365; D Company at ZA982285; Recon platoon is located at ZA121354; 4.2" mortar platoon located at ZA982285; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Support (S-4 Forward) at LZ Oasis; At Base Camp (Camp Enari); Battalion Headquarters (Rear).

At 1022 hours on 25 May 69 Recon platoon reports they saw 8 VC/NVA and employed S/A have 1 wounded (POW) dropped four of them, wearing rucksacks, heading southwest, three enemy killed. At 1035 hours 25 May 69 Recon platoon has one seriously wounded POW. LOH is on ground to extract, captured many documents, have negative weapons, enemy wore black pajamas, others were wearing green uniforms. At 1245 hours 25 May 69 S3 reports, POW has a serious head wound. His name is Le Trouc 1st Sgt. Of 408th Sapper Bn of the GIA LAI Province. At 1330 hours on 25 May 69 Recon platoon captured 5 pounds of documents and papers, 4 NVA Flags, 72 110 Piasters, 4 M-60 ammo cans, 1 pistol belt, 2 canteens. At 1810 hours 25 May 69 the Recon platoon reported receiving S/A fire, 60mm and 5 to 10 rounds at grid ZA115355. Contact was broke at 1815 hours. At 1840 hours on 25 May 69 the Recon platoon reports receiving more S/A from the northwest. At 2318 hours on 25 May 69 the Recon platoon plus 18 and 80 elements spotted one individual and they employed M-79, think there are more because of movement, also employed artillery.

0906 hours (C) C Co to TOC: 1st PZ at 0851 hours, first LZ at 0905 hours, last PZ at 0939 hours, last LZ at 0945 hours.

1022 hours (C) Recon reports they saw 2 VC/NVA and sprayed them with S/A, dropped four of them, have wounded VC/NVA POW. They were wearing rucksacks, heading southwest and 3 enemy killed.

1054 hours (U) DELAYED ENTRY - On 25 May 69 at 1035 hours Recon reports they have one seriously wounded POW and LOH is on ground to extract him. Believe there is 2 more VC/NVA in stream. Captured many documents, negative weapons, enemy was wearing black pajamas and others were wearing green uniforms.

1126 hours (C) S3 officer to TOC: S3 Cpt. Scott requests tracker dog team to Recon's location also want to keep LOH to try and locate VC/NVA that escaped.

1238 hours (C) C Co reports 80 element found 20 foxholes at coordinate ZA126375, barefoot prints approximately 2 days old, one PR boot print not GI type. They found some papers the KCS says they look like VC tax forms. 6 of the holes were NVA type, the rest did not have overhead cover.

1330 hours (C) S2 to TOC: Ref to Recon 1/35th contact at 1022 hours vicinity ZA112353. They captured an estimated 5 lbs. of documents paper, 4 NVA Flags, 72 110 Piasters, 4 M60 ammo cans, 1 pistol belt, 2 canteens and these were evacuated to 3d Bde MI Det. Initial interrogations of WIA NVA indicates that he was a 1st Sgt. Of the 408th Bn Sapper with the mission of interdicting highway between Letlung to Pleiku.

1351 hours (U) DELAYED ENTRY - On 25 May 69 at 1348 hours from Recon CO to S3 officer: Recon to Cpt. Scott: Searched caves, had negative findings. It appears the enemy went to a hill on the tea plantation. Request tracker dog and be informed that the area is close to the edge of my AO. Answer from Cpt. Scott to Recon CO - Go ahead into the plantation to try and find those people.

1401 hours (C) From Recon to TOC: Results are 1 POW, 3 WIA's from action reoprted at 1022 hours this am.

1550 hours (C) From A Co: 80 element at ZA031288 found fresh campsite (used within 24 hrs) found; 1 homemade rucksack, 1 PR GI boots, 2 Montagnard knives, 1 M-16 ammo box with cleaning equipment, 1 part of poncho, 1 bottle of rice.

1810 hours (C) Recon is receiving S/A fire and possible 60mm - 5 to 10 rounds approximate grid ZA115355. Contact was broke at 1815 hours.

1820 hours (C) From S3 to Bde: Request gunships from Recon.

1830 hours (C) Gambler guns on station for Recon.

1840 hours (C) Recon receiving more S/A from northwest.

1915 hours (C) C Co's 80 element at 350 degrees azimuth 1 to 1 1/2 kilometers heard tubes popping.

2318 hours (C) Recon's OP says they spotted one individual - employed M-79 and individual was to their south - they thing that there are some more of the same type in the that area from the movement therefore, they used artillery.


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