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My name is Tom Skiens. I developed the 46 months of SITREP's you will find in buffgrunt.com. To read the total story see: |
SITREP
is a military acronym that stands for, Situation report. A sitrep can be
defined as; a short concise statement identifying a unit’s current location and
tactical situation.
If you served in the 4/3 in 1968 and you got
hot steel in your body there is a 98% chance your name will be on these
pages.
If you were snake bit, FUO, Dysentery, Malaria, heat exhaustion,
twisted ankle or broke back from a runaway Blivit
there is only a 95% chance your name will appear. It is a good sign
when your
name does not appear at all. 1968 is the year of the booby trap.
The Boomer page points this out by showing location and number of
Bouncing Betty's ect. that blowed us up a whole bunch.
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Received report From Company D that 4.2 FO is
missing from patrol. Patrol is looking for him. At 2150H Co. D reports
SGT Maddox KIA by hostile fire and
Co. C requests DUSTOFF for 4 US WIA.
Etchings from the wall
29 Dec.
67 1448H SEE Journal #4
This would be the first combat assault conducted by
Co C.
At 1448H Co C engaged 3-4 VC. One VC threw grenade wounding 2 US.
Co C
captured 1 female VCS with a bullet in her ass.
01
Jan. 68
Co C reported VN children passing out
anti-war propaganda to troops. Material brought into Brigade
02
Jan. 68
PF & RF troops will conduct an operation
in our AO. All personnel are cautioned to not fire at these individuals.
Co B returned one EM by DUSTOFF. EM has frag
wounds received when he tried to blow a hole in a dried mud hooch with his M-79
GL.
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04 Jan. 68
Booby trapped hole in defensive wire vic.
Bunker 60-61. (Friendly booby trap)
11
Jan 68
SEE Journal
#1
Co D reports that a man jumped out of the
bushes, knocked weapon out of GI’s hands. GI took out knife and stabbed VC in
the back. The VC
LT Scully KHA
PFC Hall KHA.
SSG Conroy, WHA
SGT Montgomery,
SGT Walker,
SP4 Thrasher,
PFC Garner,
SP4 Elston,
PFC Henderson
PFC Howes WHA.
17
Jan. 68
Co C extracts 7,500 LBS of rice. Approx 6,000
LBS left to move.
18
Jan. 68 1740H
Ragged Ladder Bravo informed TOC that 80 VC
KIA by Gunship vic. BS5080.
(Editors note, the area from BS 4683 to BS 5490 will later
be nick named, (Sniper Alley) The fourth battalion of the 3rd infantry will trip 16
Booby traps along this same streach of well traveled ground during the first 6 months of combat in 1968.
Earth Google Snapshot view of Sniper Alley.
Total rice extracted during operation, (A
& C) 37,080 LBS.
Co C sitrep neg. Obs 1 destroyed APC Vic.
BS529853
21
Jan. 68 1046H SEE Journal #7
Co C finds 1 VC KIA and 2 fresh graves. 2nd
plt received permission to dig up graves. They dug out 1 live VC wearing shorts
but no
Co B request DUSTOFF result of booby trap at
BS526921
SSG Robert Wise
PFC William Jeffers
Co C reports sniper fire vic. BS541888.
(Sniper Alley)
Image boosted from geckocountry.com
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01
Feb. 68 SEE Report #8
Co C reports receiving sniper fire vic.
BS525877. (Sniper alley)
02 Journal #1
Msg. Fm Maj. Sanders, Bde. S-3 (assistant),
to Maj. Holck by LL; one company alerted for CA. Company will be OPCON TF
Barker. Co C alerted. SEE Journal #4
Co C req medics (Rabies innoc. team) be
picked up by Helicopter; pickup complete 1520H and moved to Co A Loc.
03
Feb. 68 1750H
Co A reports that the 2 medics with Co A has
not received mail for 20 days. Supplies not sufficient for amount of days they
have been on OP.
One individual has not been paid sense Oct.
67.
07 Feb 68
PFC Gleghorn SEE Journal #2
08 Feb. 68
William Young SEE Journal #2
09
Feb. 68 1750H
Co D req. DUSTOFF BS596909. For 4 US WHA by
booby trap. Pers. Concerned;
Jose Saenz,
Robert Morgan,
Robert Standerfer,
09
Feb. 68 1920H
Co A, 1st Plt. While moving into
ambush position Co A shot 1 VCS in the leg. As GI’s approached, the VC blew
himself up scattering large amounts of Money, documents and body parts all over
field.
10
Feb. 68 1215H
Fm. TF Barker, (Co B 4/3) made contact with
unk. Size VC element. SEE Journal #3
10
Feb. 68
Co D reports 3 persons wounded result of
booby trap. Persons involved: SEE journal #4
Sydney Stanton,
Charles Robertson,
Roger Williams.
Co A extracts 4,000 LBS rice
Recon Plt. Killed 2 VC, captured 2 VC, one
slightly wounded. Possible 2 more kills by Dolphin ship.
When Platoons and companies engage 5 or 6 VC,
they request gun ships and artillery; this is not correct-Platoon must do the
work. Platoon leaders, once they receive fire must estimate the situation,
develop it, fire and maneuver--be aggressive!!! Don’t wait for supporting
fires-------Go after the Dinks before they break contact and disappear
into their holes. It is wrong for 1 or 2 snipers to hold up an Americal
Platoon.
Lt. Ross See Journal #7
13 Feb. 68
Dustoff SEE Report #A
TF Barker reports to this TOC. Co B 4/3 Inf.
Rec’d 3 mortar rounds. 3rd round KHA one man vic. BS737804. KHA
Peter Collicchio US 55881248 SEE Journal #1 #3 #5 #6 #7
Co C 4th Plt was working with
Recon platoon when a cow came running out of the bushes directly toward Sgt.
Hartley. Sgt. Hartley shot and killed the cow in self defense. Cow was
evacuated to OP George. Civilians demand 10,000 dong in payment.
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Co B 4/3 had 1 KHA by mine.
SGT Anthony Podebrasky, US 55981248
4/3 receives 32 replacements: A Co gets 8, B
Co gets 8, C Co gets 11, D Co gets 13.
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17
Feb. 68 1300H
Reference Co D mine at 1025H.
SP4 Serro Gregory E. lost part of both legs,
SP4 Bishop Arnold D., Shrapnel in leg and
chest.
SP4 Crescente Rafeal A. slight wound by
shrapnel, (face).
PFC Brown Chenels W. Slightly wounded by
shrapnel in stomach.
SP4 Willingham Kern P., condition unknown.
PSG Williams Maurice T., lost arm and leg.
SSG Wester Wilburn E. KIA.
Co B tripped 250-500 Lb. bomb resulting in 1
US KHA,
Sp4 Clifton Walker
and 2 WHA,
PFC David K Pomeroy and
PFC Percy McFarland. Later report Pomeroy
KHA.
Co A finds improvised bomb.
19 Feb. 68 SEE Journal #1
News See Report #B
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20 Feb. 68
Dustoff SEE Journal #4
? SEE Journal #5
21
Feb. 68 1125H
Recon req. DUSTOFF for 1 ind. W/shrapnel
wounds from secondary blast while grenading hut,
PFC Richard M Mejia. SEE Journal #4 #6 Report #A
22 Feb. 68
Plans SEE Journal #A
Co C req. DUSTOFF for 1 US who fell, hurt
back, paralyzed.
Co B w/TF Barker has 7 WHA. Names of 4;
Blecher,
Heckard,
McKenny,
and Lee. Resulting from AP mine.
25 Feb. 68
Jimmy Steadmen SEE Journal #5
Lessons--------See Journsl #D
Co C hits booby trapped ammo box filled with
explosives. KHA,
James Nichols,
Monte Van Skike,
John Stewart.
TF Barker Co B 4/3, PVT Richard R. Potter,
Serious head wound from command detonated mine.
Co C has 7 US/WHA by mine. 4 urgent, 3
priority.
John Dillard
Ernest Beam. DOW.
28 Feb. 68
Recon Report #1
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
02 Mar. 68 1320H
Co C 1st Platoon locates Platoon
size NVA camp at BS567864.
Request DUSTOFF for Co B TF Barker,
PSG Russo, Co B was KHA by mortar fire.
Four others wounded 2 serious.
Co A TF Barker request DUSTOFF.
Recon Platoon closed LZ Sue at 1100 hours.
Company D 81mm now on George. Recon attached to Co A.
Co D request DUSTOFF for 3 WHA Booby trap.
Individual is
PFC Edward Van Horn. US 56959448.
Co C reported 1 individual tripped a Bouncing
Betty. Mine sprang into air but failed to detonate.
Americal Military Intelligence detachment
request for Pfc. Dennis ?? (commo platoon) who was injured by Booby Trapped
cigarette lighter.
07 Mar. 68 0250H SEE Journal #1 #2
Recon has contact. No names are listed but the journals talk. 2 staff journals. Journal-1 Journal-2
Sevek--this name came from a 2007 contact by L J Erspamer.
08 March 68
SEE Journal #8
Co B request DUSTOFF for 2 WHA and 1 KHA
result of Booby Trap.
09
Mar. 68 1221H SEE Journal #2 #3 #6 Report #A
Co C engaged 5 VC w/web gear. Result 1 VC
KIA, 1 VC CIA, other 3 escaped.
1st Platoon Co C tripped Booby
Trap resulting in 1 US KHA, 1 US WHA.
SGT Warren Lane
PFC Paul Herrymen, WHA.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 1 US injured by
Water Buffalo. (Non-battle wound)
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11
Mar. 68 2130H SEE Journal #6 #8 Report #D
TOC notified 4.2 Ammo bunker is on fire.
Request DUSTOFF for Individual with 2nd and 3rd degree burns.
PFC Ralph Branson
12
Mar. 68 1735H SEE Journal #2 #3
Co C request DUSTOFF for 2 indiv. Injured by
falling into river.
Unit strength, operation SHOW LOW;
Co A 4/3 Inf. 143 people
Co B 4/3 Inf. 118 people
Co C 4/3 Inf. 166 people
Recon 4/3 Inf. 24 people
Received message from Maj. Hartsfield thru
SFC Mocksing, referance LTC Atkins dinner invitation.
Report from Bde. (SFC Cross) all quite in
Division AO; No significant contacts.
| March 16, 17, 18 Journals |
Operation Show low |
March 17, Newsclips |
Operation Muscatine |
Barkers Chopper #1 #2 #3 |
| Wikipedia My Lai |
My Lai Courts Martial |
MY Lai An Account |
BBC My Lai |
Morgana's view My Lai |
| Court TV My Lai |
Infoplease My Lai |
Answers My Lai |
Blood and Fire My Lai |
Amazon Books My Lai |
Co B request DUSTOFF for 3 WHA result of
Booby trap.
Pfc. Gunta-----left foot blown off
Pfc. Blacher---frag wounds in leg
Pfc. Shiffley---multiple frag wounds
17
Mar. 68 0911H
TF Barker reported 1 man of CO B 4/3 WHA at
0810H Vic. BS741788 by Booby trap.
SGT Larry H. Taylor.
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18
Mar. 68 0924H SEE Journal #2 #3
Co C request DUSTOFF for 2 KHA, 2 WHA result
of Booby trap. DUSTOFF complete 0957
E-3
KHA Richard R Lynn
E-3
KHA Charles L. Bozemen
E-3
WHA Anthony L. Lawrence
E-6
WHA Lloyd Moore
Co B received 12 rounds of mortar fire
resulting in 1 US KHA,
SP4 Milus
5 WHA,
SSG Rushin.
PFC Hartzell
PFC Millsaps
PFC Mossford
PFC Anderson
Co A request DUSTOFF Vic. BS595837 for 2
SP4 Edward Riley,
William Schuler.
Co C received 1 round sniper fire at
BS513877. 1 US KHA,
Michael Cordia.
Received message from Bde. S-2 that a country
wide attack will commence at KHE SANH. To include 1 corps area.
Co C 2d platoon departed Sue at this time for
assigned mission and stay behind ambush.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 1 US with temp of
104.8.
Richard Jeffrey.
Co B request DUSTOFF for 2 US WHA by VC
grenade.
SP4 Leon R. Mercer,
PFC Michael F. Smith.
Psywar team conducted propaganda broadcast
mission from 1640 to 1730 hours.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 1
PFC Gregory Burnside.
Co D request DUSTOFF for 1 US KHA, 1 US WHA
result of Booby trap.
KHA, Barnett,
WHA , 2LT Henry Warner.
Co B located VC body, Booby trapped
w/grenade. The body was approx. 2 weeks
old. The body had documents, a grenade and a.38 cal. S&W revolver.
SPOT REPORT: Co A 1st squad 1st
plat. Observed 10 VC w/weapons N side of
SPOT REPORT: Co A 1st sqd 1st
plat observed 30 indiv. When engaged the VC broke up into groups of 3 or 4 and
ran away.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 2 US heat
casualties.
Nathaniel Stevens,
Richard Pennamon.
Co D request DUSTOFF for 2 US KHA, 3 US WHA
result of Booby trap.
KHA:
SGT James A. Harrington,
SGT Lee M. Lambert.
WHA:
SGT Larry Phipps,
PFC John Bohan,
SP4 Cavanough Pertilla.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 2 US WHA, 2 US KHA
result of Booby trap. KHA,
SP4 Roy Elston,
SP4 Peter Baldwin.
SSG Lloyd Moore, WHA
PFC James Howes.
Co A request DUSTOFF for 5 US WHA result of
Booby trap.
29 Mar. 68 Summery
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| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
Co C 1st platoon (-) commenced
move from ambush site to LZ Sue.
Co A 3d lift PZ 0800H; TD 0815H. LZ cold. All
lifts complete.
Aero
scout platoon cptr 1 VC w/web gear, 2 grenades.
At 0820H Gunships engaged 1 VC result 1 VC
KIA.
At 0810H Co A tripped a booby trap resulting
in 5
Co C will carry the following equipment for
the upcoming operation; 6 Law’s per plat, 1- 81mm mortar, 12 81mm illume rds, 4
days rations.
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Recon plat engaged 1 VC evading result 1 VC
WIA/CIA (critically)
Co D engaged unk. size enemy force evading
Result 4 VC KIA, 7 VC CIA, 2 VC WIA/CIA, 5 CIA. 2 KIA wearing green uniform
w/pistol belts and packs.
Co D engaged 1 VC result 1 VC KIA.
Co D engaged 1 VC result 1 VC KIA.
Co D engaged 1 VC evading result 1 VC
WIA/CIA.
Co A LZ Sue security and stand down. Co B
OPCON TF Barker. Co C continues operation GOLDEN FLEECE by creating maximum
ambushes and daylight patrols along the Song Tra Bong River/valley. Co D
continued phase 1 of operation CAPASTRANO. Co D had 6 enemy KIA, 9CIA.
Recon squad size stay behind ambush engaged
15 VC resulting in 7 VC KIA, no weapons.
Co D request DUSTOFF for 2 US w/gunshot
wounds. DUSTOFF complete 1341H. Co D KIA 7 VC, 6 weapons.
Bde. TOC; Operation CAPISTRANO renamed;
NORFOLK for the northern section and MUSCATINE for the southern section.
Co D now in process of destroying huts Vic.
BS523689. Found two more huts, Killed pigs, destruction complete 1445H.
Co D received heavy AW and SA fire from unk
size element.
Co D adjusting arty.
Co D request air strike. Co D request DUSTOFF
for 1 US WHA.
Co D request DUSTOFF for 2 US WHA. Co D
engaged w/enemy force of 2 platoons. Spooky will be on station 1950H.
Co C CA to CO D location at 1500H. Co D found
well concealed Hut and Tunnel complex. Co D found 123 personal and crew served
weapons, 3,600 Chicom and hand made hand grenades, 9 B-40 rockets, 200 home
made Bangalore Torpedoes 2 ½” X 3 ½ Ft. long, several thousand lbs. of
explosives.
11
April 68 1923H
Co C spring ambush vic. BS537738 resulting in
1 VC KIA.
LRRP team HELEN report 15 to 20 VC KIA by
arty BS483714.
Co C 2d plat report VC is leading them to
location where 10 VC are hiding in tunnel.
Co C engaged 1 VC resulting in 1 VC WIA/CIA.
Co C report 1 US WHA by sniper. C&C ship
provided DUSTOFF.
Co C reports 1 US WHA by sniper. Minor, no
DUSTOFF needed.
15 April 68
Jesus ---SEE Journal #4
Co B CA LZ cold.
Swift boats checked in, they will be operating
in assigned AO today.
Award ceremony, Silver star for SP4 Slocum,
Co A, will be at LZ Sue 17 April 68 at 1100H.
Co B reports 1 US WHA BS712805 result gun
shot wound to foot.
SGT Robert Caballero. DUSTOFF complete 1545H
Aero scout chopper down w/unk. cause. Will
not be able to assist Co C CA. All four crew members injured and evacuated.
Co C extraction CA. LZ cold
At BS759819 Co C detained 2 VC. Observed
swift boats searching sampans 300m offshore.
Aero scout received permission to put rifle
platoon on ground vic. Crash landed gun ship.
Co D request DUSTOFF
Co C weapons platoon request DUSTOFF for 1 US
w/ gun shot wound in thigh.
Co C weapons platoon report engaging 1 VC
result 1 VC KIA.
Message from BINH SON Dist. HQ’s; today at
1100H VC were placing Booby traps vic. (5789).
Co B observed 5 VC evading. The VC hit a
Booby trap that KIA 4 VC. 1 VC escaped.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 4 US result of Booby trap.
R. Pennamon and L. Hargrove KIA,
O’Neil and Finn WHA.
DUSTOFF requested by 2d platoon E troop. Mine
explosion while receiving supplies. 11 US WHA and 1 US KHA.
19 April 68 Journals and reports: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 REPORTS #A #B #C #D #E
Recon platoon request DUSTOFF result of Booby
trap BS463844. 1 US WHA.
At 1422 hours BS560893 3d platoon Co A and 2d
platoon E troop detonated a mine resulting in 1 US KHA from 3d platoon Co A. 8
US WHA from 3d platoon Co A. 1 US WHA from HHC and 2 US WHA from 2d platoon E
troop.
Recon platoon request DUSTOFF for 1 US KHA 1
US WHA result of Booby trap. BS487858 DUSTOFF completed 0934H
Aero scouts engage 1 VC result 1 VC KIA.
Co D combat assault 0827H. All lifts cold.
Co B combat assault all lifts cold.
Companies B and D engaged 2 VC result 1 VC
KIA.
At 1100 hours 1st platoon Co A
spotted 2 VC placing mines. Believe more Booby traps in area.
Co A found another mine 15ft. From first and
30 ft. from second mine.
Co C request DUSTOFF for female w/unk
illness.
Aero scouts capture 1 VC WIA.
Co D request DUSTOFF for 1 US w/2d & 3d
degree burns on hands result of attempt to heat C rations.
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C-RATIONS
"The single most important
asset we have, is the man or woman |
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Commercially prepared meals
were used in the field. These meals came in a case inside a cardboard sleeve
containing 12 meals. Each meal was in it's own cardboard box, which contained
the individual items sealed in cans. A can opener (called both a "John
Wayne" or a "P-38") was needed to open the cans. The accessory
pack with each meal was sealed in a foil pouch.
"The Meal, Combat,
Individual, is designed for issue as the tactical situation dictates, either
in individual units as a meal or in multiples of three as a complete ration.
Its characteristics emphasize utility, flexibility of use, and more variety
of food components than were included in the Ration, Combat, Individual (C
Ration) which it replaces. Twelve different menus are included in the
specification.
Each menu contains: one canned meat item; one
canned fruit, bread or dessert item; Each complete meal contains approximately 1200
calories. The daily ration of 3 meals provides approximately 3600
calories."
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Co C request DUSTOFF for 1 US WHA by AW fire.
Indiv. Concerned,
SGT Don Fox.
22 April 68 Journals and Reports: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
Report #A #B #C #D #E #F
Aero scouts engage and KIA 1 VC w/ multiple
secondary explosions. Believe VC was placing mines.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 1 US KIA, 1 US WHA
result of Booby trap. Persons concerned;
Michael Price KIA,
Richard Cooper WHA.
Co D request DUSTOFF for 1 US injured by .45
cal round to calf. Indiv. Wayne A. Lombardo.
Co C conducted a cordon and search grid.
BS5288. 1 US WHA by AW fire. 1 US KIA 1 US WHA by Booby trap.
CA’s for companies B and D complete at 0921.
All LZ’s cold.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 2 US WHA by Booby
trap.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 2 US KHA result
Booby trap. BS 527853 Indiv KIA,
Russel Matheny,
Lewis Harmon.
Co B request DUSTOFF for 4 US WHA result
Booby trap vic. BS775842 See Journal
Co B detonated Booby trap resulting in 5 US
WHA. 2 or 3 minutes later they detonated another Booby trap resulting
in 4 US
WHA. Indiv concerned:
See Journal
Thomas K Willingham Shrapnel in chest
Marvin R. Jones Shrapnel in both legs
Crecencic C. Garcia Shrapnel in both legs
Amos Williams Shrapnel in back and legs
Richard Silva
Shrapnel in face
Leo J. Stockam Shrapnel in arms and legs
William Price, Richard H. Gerdel and Laster
Walker.
24 April 68 Journals #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
From LTC Henderson: Mine/Booby trap incident
Co B reveals possible pattern. If unit remains in same spot for 24 Hrs. they’ll
get more Booby traps and mines.
Co C request DUSTOFF for 3 US WHA result
Booby trap.
John Pollite,
Peyton Leslie,
Thomas Brzoska.
Co B suffered 9 US WHA, 2 US KHA.
Co C suffered 3 US WHA.
BG Young arrived LZ Dottie for discussions
about how to neutralize or destroy Booby traps, he also talked about extracting
salt.
Co C request DUSTOFF for
1 US WHA, George Daise,
2 US KHA,
Eric Fickland
George Jacobs.
The amount of salt extracted so far totals
26,010 lbs.
Co C request additional DUSTOFF for 1 US in
state of shock.
Co A 1st platoon engaged 1 VC
result 1 VC WIA/CIA.
Aero scouts engage 1 VC result 1 VC WIA/CIA.
Co A secures LZ Sue. Co B extracts salt. Co C
conducts combat sweep. Co D secures LZ Dottie and LZ Uptight. Recon secures OP
George.
Co B request DUSTOFF result sniper fire.
Patrick Tregarthan,
Howard Snitchles,
Robert
Amspacher,
Michael Smith. See Taps
Total amount of salt extracted is 99,960 lbs.
Aero scouts engage 2 VC evading result 1 VC
KIA.
Aero scouts engage 1 VC result 1 VC WIA/CIA.
Co B request DUSTOFF for 6 US WHA result
Booby trap. Indiv concerned;
James Placek,
Ronnie Ladd,
Peter Breitenstein,
Mario Fernandez.
Co B request DUSTOFF for 1 US WHA result
Booby trap.
Aero scouts engaged 1 VC result 1 VC KIA
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
