After Action Reports 23

Most significant in the activities of the division between 1 May and 31 July were its counter-offensive operations to defeat the “2nd Phase Offensive” of the enemy against SAIGON-CHOLON and its search and destroy maneuvering to thwart and upset the enemy preparations for his “3rd Phase Offensive” of late July or early August

The “2nd Phase Offensive” (the 1st Phase Offensive” being the TET Offensive of 31 January - 18 February) commenced 2 May and continued until 15 May. Alerted by intelligence sources in late April of the impending enemy attacks into the capital region, the 25th Infantry Division maneuvered the bulk of its combat forces into the southeastern quadrant of its tactical area of operational interest to establish a screen beyond the western environs of SAIGON-CHOLON. Deploying itself in depth in western GIA DINH province, eastern HAU NGHIA Province and northern LONG AN Province, during the first few days of May, the Division effectively executed a mobile defense to block the enemy's main avenues of approach from the northwest, west and southwest. When the enemy main force units of the 5th and 9th VC/NVA and the 7th NVA Divisions committed themselves to their approach marches beginning on 2 May, the 25th Infantry Division moved in force as required to successfully intercept and destroy the advancing enemy before he could reach his assault positions into SAIGON-CHOLON.

With his main ground thrust broken and turned back, the enemy then mounted his boastfull “100 rockets a day” 122mm rocket-mortar assaults against the capital region. Mounting extensive day and night, ground/aerial patrols throughout a “rocket belt,” 10-15 kilometers west of SAIGON, the “Tropic Lightning” Division systematically crushed this threat within a few days of its initiation.

area of operational interest (TAOI) diminished considerably in June and July. With his 2nd Phase Offensive on SAIGON and subsequently threatened artillery assaults on the capital city totally defeated, the enemy demonstrated little willingness to fight. Rather, in June his main force units that remained outside SAIGON broke contact, dispersed and exfiltrated west into Cambodia and northwest into WAR ZONE C. In executing this pull back, the enemy avoided contact and when engaged was quick to disperse into smaller groups and disengage as quickly as possible. Intelligence sources clearly indicated the enemy's intent of withdrawing his depleted main force units to those traditional sanctuaries for replacements, resupply and retraining for future operations. (p3)

With the departure of the enemy main force units from the SAIGON area, the 25th Infantry Division in June committed approximately a third of its combat forces to the continued defensive posture around SAIGON and deployed the remainder of the division to the west and northwest of the city into the western and central portions of the division TAOI.

The divisional units that remained in the immediate SAIGON area did so as a part of the Capital Military District, (later redesignated the Capital Military Assistance Command as a provisional U.S. Command under the control of II Field Forces to assist in the defense of SAIGON) or as elements under division control maneuvering in western GIA DINH Province outskirts of the city.

While these elements provided a defensive shield in and around SAIGON, the other Tropic Lightning combat forces moved from the immediate capital area to the west and northwest to pursue the dispersed enemy and to seek out and destroy his concealed weapons, ammunition and supply caches.

Extensive and wide ranging battalion size search and destroy and reconnaissance-in-force operations were conducted throughout the southern TAOI from the ORIENTAL RIVER on the south, the Cambodian border on the west, the TAY NINH - BAU CO - DAU TIENG axis on the north, and the SAIGON RIVER - THI TINH RIVER axis on the east. These operations were characterized by coordinated daylight cross country search and destroy sweeps seeking enemy base camps and supply caches, village searches in coordination with Vietnamese officials, airmobile assaults against targets of opportunity. At night the division employed extensive platoon size ambushes along canals, rivers, roads, trails and other likely routes of enemy movement. In addition, extensive night time roving platoon size patrols were employed in suspected areas of night time enemy activity. On an average day in June and July, 50% of the combat forces were employed during the day and 50% at night.

In addition to the search and destroy type activities described above, the division was active in securing the principle means of road communications throughout the southern portion of the TAOI. In addition to screening secondary roads, the division maintained around the clock security operation on the extensive main routes of supply in the TAOI. These MSR's are route 1 from SAIGON to CU CHI to GO DA HAU, route 22 from GO DA HAU to TAY NINH City, route 4 from TAY NINH City to RAU CO, routes 13-26-239 from TAY NINH City to DAU TIENG and route 8A from CU CHI to PHU CONG (CU CHI-LONG RINH MSR).

The only portion of the TAOI that division did not enter in force during June and July was the jungled and sparsely populated WAR ZONE C north of the TAY NINH - BAU CO - DAU TIENG axis. This area was subject, however, to extensive surveillance activity both aerial and long range ground reconnaissance by squad and platoon size units. Extensive Air Force B-52 and tactical fighter strikes were placed throughout WAR ZONE C upon enemy base camps, supply concentrations and other targets of opportunity.

Despite the division's all out efforts to seek out the enemy in June and July, the level of contact dropped to the point in which engagement with local force platoon size units in scattered and infrequent skirmishes became the norm. Considerable success was realized however, in discovering weapons, ammunition and supply caches throughout the areas searched. The only consistent contact established by divisional units occurred in the final two weeks of July, when the 3rd Brigade, 101st Air Cavalry Division (OPCON to the 25th Infantry Division) engaged what was established as the 2nd Battalion, 275th VC Regiment along an axis from TRANG BANG (XT489194) to TRUNG LAP (XT585199).

4th Battalion, 9th Infantry: This combined force was designated TASK FORCE DUNLOP. The tank battalion took up blocking positions along an axis in the vicinity XT5807, and the infantrymen occupied blocking positions from XT6005 to XT6105 to XT6206. The enemy force was thus surrounded on three sides with a vast swamp area to its rear. The fires of four artillery batteries and eight air strikes were placed on the enemy throughout the day. A total of 35 enemy dead and one POW were confirmed by nightfall .

backed up to a swamp. Taking the enemy under heavy fire with supporting artillery, helicopter gunships and air strikes, the ground units slowly tightened the vice on the besieged VC. By the end of daylight activities the task force had recovered an additional 26 enemy dead and three prisoners of war. Elements of the task force remained in their blocking positions during the night as supporting fires continued to pound at the enemy positions.

As TASK FORCE DUNLOP continued its operations, other division units engaged in light and widely scattered contacts with the enemy. Helicopters from B Company, 25th Aviation Battalion flying area reconnaissance along the ORIENTAL RIVER between GO DAU HAU and TAY NINH observed and engaged an unknown size enemy force at XT291335. The action resulted in 33 enemy dead and 2 POW's. The enemy force was later identified as a local force VC Company from TAY NINH Province

At 1730H, A Company, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry (Mech) sweeping approximately four kilometers northeast of DUC HOA received fire from an unknown number of enemy at XS623987. The company attacked into the position and accounted for 15 enemy dead and one POW. This enemy force was determined to be an element of the 273rd VC Regiment.

operations in the vicinity of XT5906 - XT5905. As ground forces swept into the enemy positions they discovered an additional forty enemy dead, most of whom had been killed by artillery and air strikes. Additionally large numbers of abandoned individual and crew served weapons along with ammunition, supplies and food were discovered. Contact was maintained with the enemy and supporting fires from helicopters, artillery and tactical air continued to be used in heavy volume.

At 1245, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Mech) sweeping along route 1 at a location approximately three kilometers southeast of the CU CHI Base Camp (XT637120) engaged an estimated VC platoon. In a contact that continued until 1800 hours, the company surrounded by helicopter gunships accounted for 22 VC KIA. The enemy force was identified as a unit of the 7th VC local force battalion.

Also on the afternoon of 5 May, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry searching approximately three kilometers southwest of the SAIGON RIVER town of PHU CONG discovered a large enemy ammunition cache at XT794117. In addition to large numbers of RPG rounds and hand grenades, the enemy captured 72 complete 122mm rockets and 21,500 rounds of small arms ammunition.

redeployment into the southeastern quadrant of the TAOI by this date. Mounting intensive daytime battalion and company size reconnaissance-in-force and air mobile combat assault operations continued with platoon and squad size night stationary and mobile ambush patrols. The division established a virtual 24 hour-a-day screen to the northwest, west and southwest of SAIGON-CHOLON. Despite these blanketing maneuvers, only the 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry experienced significant encounters with the enemy. The squadron's B Troop flying armed aerial reconnaissance along and east of the ORIENTAL RIVER, between the 00 east-west grid line and DUC HOA, and C Troop flying similar missions in the southern BOI LOI WOODS (center of mass XT5035) and northeast of TRANG BANG along route 237, detected and engaged small groups of enemy on five separate occasions during the day. The armed helicopters accounted for 15 VC KIA by body count and destroyed one AK-47 and one sampan.

Divisional maneuver battalions and supporting organic and attached aviation units continued their search for the enemy along suspected avenues of approach in the SAIGON-CHOLON area from the northwest, west and southwest. Again, only the 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry enjoyed any success in locating the enemy.

B Troop continuing its armed aerial reconnaissance of the area it had over-flown the previous day, observed enemy movement north of DUC HOA in the vicinity of XT5310. Engaging the area with automatic weapons and rockets, the gunships drew intense ground fire. Supporting artillery and Air Force tactical fighter air strikes were placed into the area. Following the lifting of these fires, the air cavalrymen went back into the area on low level reconnaissance and counted 25 enemy dead and four destroyed .50 caliber machine guns. Intelligence sources later identified the enemy as elements of the 271st VC Regiment.

Meanwhile, C Troop had turned its attention to reconnaissance of the IRON TRIANGLE, (center of mass XT7226) and the HO BO WOODS (center of mass XT6027). At 1700 hours the troop detected approximately 60 VC positioned in a tree line along a canal on an axis from XT728181 to XT740178 to XT737173. The armed helicopters engaged the enemy force with their automatic weapons and rockets and then called in artillery and air strikes. A search of the target area subsequent to these attacks revealed 23 VC dead and numerous blood trails leading out of the area to the north. These dead were identified ask being from elements of the 101st NVA Regiment.

attacks became more apparent, and the division reacted accordingly. At 1000 hours, B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, continuing its armed aerial reconnaissance east of the ORIENTAL RIVER, sighted an estimated 200 VC at XT598068. This enemy force was immediately engaged by the gunships and artillery, and tactical fighter air strikes were directed into the area. The 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry (Mech) which was maneuvering on a search operation a short distance to the south of the enemy position was directed to engage. By 1040 hours the battalion had moved into blocking positions along an axis from XT5906 to XT5904. This maneuver fixed the enemy position, and by 1520 hours the 4th of the 23rd was reinforced by the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, and the

TASK FORCE DAEMS completed its operations against the enemy force in the general vicinity of XT6005, XT6006, XT6105 and XT5907. The 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry and 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mech) swept through the area during the day and discovered 113 additional enemy dead and substantial numbers of enemy weapons, ammunition and supplies. The total enemy casualties by body count in the four day engagement was 213 dead. From five prisoners taken in the battle, it was learned that the enemy force intercepted and blocked by TASK FORCE DUNLOP - DAEMS consisted of a battalion of the 271st VC Regiment and that the survivors of the engagement, many of them wounded, had fled north through the swamp

As the 4th of the 9th and 1st of the 5th prepared for their mopping up activities for the day, TASK FORCE DAEMS sent the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry and 2nd Battalion 34th Armor south into the vicinity of BOA TRAI to reinforce the ARVN - RF-PF garrison of that town which was attacked by a three battalion enemy force (the 2678, 267 and D-16 VC battalions) in the early morning hours. At XT4805 the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry (Mech) closed with an enemy unit at 0730. Supported by helicopters and artillery, the battalion accounted for 44 enemy dead and captured one prisoner in an all day running battle to the west of BOA TRAI.

B Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry in a sweep one kilometer north of Route 1, midway between CU CHI and TRANG BANG (XT568175) engaged an estimated VC platoon at 0815 and inflicted 18 KIA and one POW on the enemy before he broke contact and retreated to the west. The 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Mech) maneuvering near CU CHI in the vicinity of its C Company's contact of the previous day, established contact with an enemy force of unknown size and claimed 12 VC KIA in the ensuing fire fight. At 1435, B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry following up on the 4th of the 23rd's contact earlier in the day near BAO TRAI, spotted 50 VC moving west away from the area of contact. The helicopters engaged the fleeing enemy and killed an additional 15 VC.

In the predawn hours of 7 May, A and B Companies of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry and C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry commenced a reconnaissance-in-force operation in the vicinity of XT7303 approximately ten kilometers northwest of SAIGON-CHOLON. At 1115 hours this force ran into a large number of enemy, a force that was later identified as the 3rd Battalion 88th NVA Regiment. After a heated encounter that lasted through the day and the night and into the following day, the US force supported by helicopter gunships, artillery and tactical air, inflicted 199 dead on this enemy battalion. The survivors of the NVA battalion fled to the west.

unknown size enemy force. Engaging the enemy with organic weapons, the company accounted for 32 VC KIA and two prisoners before contact was lost. Later in the day at 1155, five kilometers to the northwest (XS703962), the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry night defensive location engaged an unknown size VC force that moved into its position. In the fire-fight that took place, 32 VC KIA were recorded and 2 POW's taken. The two actions are believed to have involved the same enemy battalion of the 271st VC Regiment; the later fight taking place as the VC sought to evade the first US unit which took it under fire.

Meanwhile, a short distance to the northeast of there, the VC battalion was fighting its second battle of the day. D Company, 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry was engaging a VC company. With the support of armed helicopters, the US troops drove off the advancing enemy who left 24 dead and two prisoners behind.

Further to the north, the 2nd Battalion , 34th Armor was sweeping Route 1 south of HOC MON (XT741020) in an area where it had a light contact the previous day. At 1245 the tankers came under fire. Returning fire with organic weapons and supported by armed helicopters, artillery and air strikes, the 2nd of the 34th Armor pursued the enemy all day and into the night. Contact was lost at 0200 on the 9th. Forty-four enemy dead were recovered and one prisoner was taken.

Throughout the first week of May, many division base camps, artillery fire support bases and battalion night defensive positions had come under light but harassing enemy stand off rocket and mortar attacks. In the darkness of the early morning hours of 9 May, this enemy tactic was intensified with two heavy assaults.

An hour later, Fire Support Base MAURY at XT618022 came under a heavy mortar and rocket attack followed by a battalion size ground assault. A Company and the Scout Platoon of the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry which were securing the artillery positions were reinforced by the battalion's B Company and I Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Cavalry. In a fight that lasted until 0600, US casualties were nine KIA and 68 wounded. Additionally two 105mm and two 155mm howitzers were destroyed by enemy sappers who had breached the perimeter defense. Fourteen enemy dead were counted at the following morning and one POW was taken.

On the same day at 1450, A and B Companies and the Reconnaissance Platoon of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry made an air mobile combat assault into a swamp five kilometers east of DUC HOA (XT 6595) to check out a large enemy force reported to be in the area. Making contact immediately upon the landing, the infantry swept through the area with the support of helicopter gunships. In the contact that lasted until 2100, the infantrymen recovered 66 enemy dead, took three prisoners and captured three 122mm rocket launchers and numerous other items of enemy weapons, ammunition and equipment. The prisoners later identified their unit as the 208th NVA Rocket Regiment.

Continuing their wide spread search for enemy units west of SAIGON, the maneuver battalions of the 25th Infantry Division established numerous small contact on 10 May. The most significant of these involved C Company, 4th Battalion, 7th Infantry which located an enemy force approximately nine kilometers west of SAIGON at XS700914 at 1035. Pursuing the enemy, which was later learned to be elements of the 271st VC Regiment to the north, C Company claimed 26 enemy dead and one prisoner in an all day fight which broke at 2118 hours.

Significant contact with he enemy west of SAIGON continued light and scattered throughout 11 May. At 1445 C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry fixed an estimated VC platoon in a hedgerow XT835050 approximately three kilometers west of the SAIGON RIVER <uninteligiable>----------------in helicopter gunships and artillery to engage the estimated VC ------------------------------<uninteligiable>

The enemy stepped up the tempo of his activities west of SAIGON. In the early morning hours of 12 May, he staged a battalion size attack on artillery Fire Support Base PIKE VI at XS735940. Beginning at 0138 with a mass mortar barrage The enemy staged several human wave assaults on the fire support base perimeter. Defended by Artillery and 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery and elements of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, the fire support base perimeter turned back all assaults. By 0407, the enemy attack was broken. At daylight, 98 enemy bodies were counted outside the perimeter wire and numerous weapons, ammunition and supplies were found abandoned.

Later in the day, C Company, 1st Battalion 5th Infantry (Mech) searching for the enemy in the vicinity of XS7097, discovered an estimated platoon hiding in bunkers. Supported by artillery and air strikes, the company moved into the enemy positions and claimed 17 VC KIA and one POW in the action.

MSR (Route 1) from GO DAU HA to the HOC MON Bridge (XT712071) was again performing this operation when at 0850 it came into contact with an unknown size enemy force in the village of AP BAU DIEU (XT563167) midway between TRANG BANG and CU CHI. In a running house to house battle that lasted throughout the day, the battalion accounted for 19 enemy dead and one prisoner. The prisoner identified his unit as a TRANG BANG local force company.

At about the same time that the “Triple Deuces” were initiating their contact, Company D of the 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry was conducting a sweep through an area approximately five kilometers south of PHU CONG (xt795095). During the previous night, artillery had engaged a target in this area detected by radar. The infantrymen in their search discovered 15 VC KIA killed by artillery.

Again about the same time, elements of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade which had become OPCON (operational control) on 12 May to the Tropic Lightning Division, located the enemy in the vicinity of XT7283. With initial contact made at 0820 by the Reconnaissance Platoon of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, Companies A and D of the 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry quickly moved to reinforce. Supported by armed helicopters, artillery and air strikes, these units pursued the estimated VC battalion until 2200 when contact was lost. Enemy losses for the encounter were established at 65 KIA by body count.

Far to the north in TAY NINH Province, the communications relay complex operated at the summit of NUI BA DEN (XT281582) was attacked by enemy sapper forces at 2145 hours. Successful in their effort to breach the perimeter of the mountain top compound, the enemy destroyed the communications relay facilities with mortars and satchel charges. Although the enemy lost 25 KIA in the fight which transpired, 19 US troops died in the fight.

The 199th contact with the enemy in the vicinity of the previous day's encounter continued intense. Establishing a night defensive position at XS720843, Company A, 5th of the 12th and Companies B and D of the 2nd of the 3rd, came under attack at 0255 hours. In a battle that ran to until 0430, these infantry units supported by armed helicopters and artillery accounted for another 60 enemy dead. At about the same time

(0300), C Company, 2nd Battalion 3rd Infantry was attacked in its night defensive position at XS573837. In the ensuing fire fight, the company aided by helicopter gunships, artillery and air strikes killed 31 of he attacking enemy. Intelligence gained from documents captured by the 2199th in these three engagements revealed that the enemy force in each case was an element of the 273rd VC Regiment.

On the 13th and 14th of May intelligence sources indicated that enemy units which had moved towards SAIGON beginning on the 3rd of May were now exfiltrating the area in movements back to their sanctuary areas. Divisional units were now employed to pursue the fleeing enemy. The A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry sweeping for the enemy in the northern HO BO WOODS intercepted a large enemy unit moving north at XT560308. In an all day battle, A Troop reinforced by the Squadron's C Troop and supported by gunships, artillery and air strikes accounted for 82 VC KIA and captured three prisoners. The POW's identified their unit as the 7th Battalion, SR-1, local force and reported that the battalion had been in constant contact for ten days with US and ARVN forces and had lost 400 of its 500 personnel either killed, wounded or missing. The survivors were pulling back into WAR ZONE C in northern TAY NINH Province.

On 16 May the pattern of contact with enemy forces throughout the division TAOI continued to move away from SAIGON further indicating the exfiltration of enemy units which had attempted to close on the city early in the month. At 1725 hours B Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry (199th Light Infantry Brigade) searching for enemy forces approximately one kilometer north of the KING SAND CANAL, (XS668878) engaged an unknown enemy force. Attacking the enemy force as it moved west, the company killed 20 VC before the enemy unit was able to break contact. Flying late afternoon armed aerial reconnaissance missions over the HO BO WOODS and IRON TRIANGLE, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry detected 150 to 200 VC at XT732193. The enemy were engaged by the armed helicopters in addition to artillery and air strikes that were called in. A check of the area following the engagement revealed the bodies of 21 VC.

Searching for suspected enemy ammunition caches along the banks of the RACH TRA Canal north of SAIGON and west of the SAIGON RIVER, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry at XT789073 located and evacuated 98 rounds of 75mm ammo, 40 anti-tank mines, 120 round of RPG-2 ammo, 24 rounds of 60mm ammo, 5 complete 122mm rockets, two AK-47 rifles and 20 pounds of medical supplies. The company also destroyed in place 162 rounds of 82mm mortar ammo. At 1555 while flying the CU CHI Base Camp “rocket belt”, the Division Artillery Command and Control helicopter detected an enemy rocket position in the northern FILHOL PLANTATION (XT648225). Earlier in the day, at 1220 hours, B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry flying reconnaissance in the same general area engaged another rocket site at XT620207 resulting in two VC KIA and eight 122mm rockets destroyed. Engaging the position with its automatic weapons and calling in artillery, ten 122mm rockets were destroyed and ten VC KIA accounted for. The 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry conducted reconnaissance in force operations eight kilometers north of DOC HOA, located 22 VC killed by artillery and air strikes and located and destroyed in place 43 -82mm mortar rounds.

Pressing the search for enemy forces and equipment, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry located and evacuated the following from XT754167: six light machine guns, 20 AK-47 rifles, two 75mm recoilless rifles, five 82mm mortar, one 60mm mortar, one .51 cal machine gun, one 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, five PRC-10 radios, two anti-tank mines and 600 rounds of small arms ammo.

Continuing to search for enemy forces north of DUC HOA, the 6th Battalion, 9th Infantry engaged an unknown size force at XT631042 at 0840. The contact was initiated when D Company made an air mobile combat assault into a “hot” landing zone. D Company was reinforced during the day by A and C Companies as well as supported by artillery, armed helicopters and air strikes. A total of 18 VC KIA were located after contact was broken late in the day. Documents found on the enemy dead identified the enemy unit in contact as the 3rd Battalion, 272nd VC Regiment.

The 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry following up on its contact of the previous day searched the area surrounding the battle area. At 0955 at XS634933 Company B took a small VC force under fire and accounted for nine VC KIA, as well as capturing numerous individual weapons and ammunition. Meanwhile, at a location seven kilometers north of TAN SON NHUT Air Base, C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry on a search and destroy operation, ran into an estimated VC platoon hiding in bunkers along a canal bank. Engaging the enemy with organic weapons, artillery and armed helicopters, C Company destroyed the enemy platoon in place, accounting for 25 VC KIA.

The 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry which had been stalking the 3rd Battalion, 272nd VC Regiment for several days north of DUC HOA, found their prey at 0318 when the enemy battalion attacked the 4th of the 9th night location at XS634993. Turning back the enemy assault with the aid of supporting artillery and air strikes, the infantry pursued the enemy as they pulled back. In heavy fighting which ended late in the afternoon of the 21st several kilometers to the north of the night defensive position, the 4th of the 9th accounted for 44 VC bodies and two POW's. Air Force tactical air strikes flown in support of the battalion were credited with an additional 25 VC bodies that were located.

The 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mech) searching for enemy forces, had moved in the Southern BOI LOI WOODS north of TRANG BANG, received an attack on its night defensive position at XT533290 at approximately 0005 hours. The enemy assault was repulsed and broken by 0345 when the enemy withdrew leaving 29 dead around the perimeter wire and two POW's. The enemy also left behind two machine guns, six RPG rocket launchers, six AK-47 rifles, 34 hand grenades and 57 RPG rounds.

Later in the morning (0840), Troops A and B of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry searching in an area a short distance to the northeast of the 1st of the 5th's contact (XT574278) came into contact with an unknown size enemy force. In a running battle which lasted all day, the cavalrymen, supported by helicopter gunships, artillery and air strikes, accounted for another 29 VC dead. Far to the north of these actions, at the TAY NINH Base Camp, an enemy sapper unit at 0500 attacked and overran four gun positions of the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Artillery on the base camp perimeter. Seven VC KIA were accounted for by the defending artillery-men, but the enemy succeeded in destroying one 155mm gun and one 8” Howitzer.

The 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry continuing their pursuit of the 3rd Battalion, 272nd VC Regiment, in the DUC HOA area, located an estimated enemy company three kilometers south of the town at XS625985. The battalion's A Company engaged the VC force with organic weapons, artillery, armed helicopters and air strikes between 0830 and 1915 hours. After contact with the enemy was broken, A Company discovered 19 VC KIA. To the north, the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry continued its search for enemy forces and weapons and ammunition caches immediately north of TAN SON NHUT Air Base. At 1045 hours, B Company came across an estimated VC platoon at XT824046. After a fire fight which included support from armed helicopters and artillery, 12 VC KIA were accounted for, and two POW's taken.

On 25 May, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry was relocated from the DUC HOA area to a new battalion area of operations northeast of HOC MON where it established a new base camp at XT778035. Conducting a company size combat assault and sweep to the northwest of the battalion base camp, A Company engaged an unknown number of VC between 1005 and 1430 hours at XT784084. Supported by artillery, armed helicopters and air strikes, the infantry accounted for 23 VC KIA in the engagement.

Combat action in the division TAOI on 27 May was focused on the area 14 kilometers west of SAIGON at XS671925 where the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry was located in a night defensive position. At 2250 on the 26th, the battalion's night position came under mortar fire which was intermittent until 0330 hours when the position came under a massive ground attack. The 4th of the 23rd held off the human wave assaults with the aid of armed helicopters, artillery and air strikes. At dawn, the 4th of the 23rd was reinforced by A and C Troops of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry. The combined US force moved out of the NOP at first light and pursued the enemy which was attempting to break contact. The fire-fights in the general vicinity continued until 1600 hours. The enemy body count within the NDP and the surrounding area was 243 VC KIA as compared to 6 US fatalities. In addition, three personnel were taken who identified their mauled unit as the 2nd Battalion, 273rd VC Regiment. Also captured were 28 AK-47 rifles, 11 RPG-2 rocket launchers, 16 machine guns, six 60mm mortars, 49 60mm mortar rounds, 58 hand grenades, 142 RPG-2 rounds and 22,500 rounds of small arms ammunition.

Meanwhile to the north, B Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry and B Company 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry joined forces to engage an unknown size VC force northeast of HOC MON (ST830043 to ST842045) in a running battle that lasted from 0855 until 1700 hours. By the end of the day the two companies had accounted for 15 VC KIA and large amounts of captured enemy ammunition and supplies.

The ground troop (D) of the 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry which had been conducting road clearing and security operations on the road from TAY NINH to GO DAU HA for over two weeks without incident, suddenly found the enemy at 0935 on 30 May. Having drawn sporadic small arms fire along the road at XT335345, elements of the Air Cavalry troop probed the area from which the fire had come and encountered an estimated VC company. The cavalrymen called in supporting artillery, helicopter gunships and air strikes on the enemy position. Sweeping through the area following the lifting of supporting fires, D Troop discovered 14 enemy bodies.

In the meantime, B Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry sweeping northeast of HOC MON along the SAIGON RIVER (XT839049) engaged a small enemy force heavily dug into a bunker complex. Supported by artillery, armed helicopter gunships and air strikes, the infantrymen overran the enemy positions. They accounted for 11 VC KIA and captured five AK-47 rifles, two RPG-2 launchers and one pistol.

B Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation along the SAIGON RIVER, approximately six kilometers northeast of HOC MON (XT791096) encountered an unknown size enemy force at 0055 hours. Armed helicopters, artillery and air strikes were called in to attack the enemy positions. Sweeping into the location occupied by the enemy, the infantrymen located 14 VC bodies and captured two AK-47 rifles, one RPG-2 rocket launcher, one 9mm pistol and two pounds of documents. At the same time, a short distance to the southwest of the B Company contact (XT823047), C Company detected an estimated two VC squads hiding in bunkers. Supporting fires were placed on the enemy positions, and C Company discovered six VC KIA when it assaulted the enemy bunkers.

Conducting a search and destroy mission seven kilometers west of SAIGON, the 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry received fire from an estimated 40 VC at XT708856. Returning fire with organic weapons and calling in supporting artillery and air, the company maintained contact with the enemy from 1355 to 1945. VC losses in the fire-fight were 21 KIA. In the meantime, D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry which had been flying armed aerial reconnaissance over the BOI LOI WOODS, HO BO WOODS and IRON TRIANGLE, detected an unknown number of VC in bunkers at XT728186. In a battle which commenced at 1115 hours, the enemy were hit by armed helicopter, artillery and air strikes. Checking the area following the engagement, the cavalrymen discovered 38 VC KIA.

B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry flying armed aerial reconnaissance along the ORIENTAL RIVER south of BAO TRAI had five separate engagements with small groups of VC moving in the vicinity of the river. The engagements resulted in 17 VC KIA and six enemy sampans destroyed. Helicopters of D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry flying similar missions along the SAIGON RIVER in the vicinity of PHU HOA DONG destroyed 13 enemy sampans throughout the day.

The night defensive position of the 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry at XT483196, came under a heavy mortar attack and company sized ground attack at 0113 hours. Receiving a total of 60 mixed 60mm and 82mm mortar rounds, the cavalrymen reacted swiftly to the ground attack before it could get seriously underway. Fire was placed on the enemy by organic weapons, armed helicopters and artillery. A search of the perimeter area following the abortive assault located seven VC KIA, one POW, two AK-47 rifles, two RPG rocket launchers, nine RPG rounds, eight hand grenades and six mines.

Company A, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry conducting an air mobile combat assault at 0745 hours near the SAIGON RIVER town of PHU LONG, landed in a “hot LZ” at XT851048. As the company landed it drew heavy small arms fire, automatic weapons and rocket fire from an unknown size enemy force in the area. The infantrymen returned fire and called in supporting artillery, armed helicopters and air strikes. At 1140 hours, A Company was reinforced by B Company, and at 1400 hours Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry moved in to reinforce the two companies of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry. All three units remained in contact with the enemy throughout the day and into the night. When the infantry swept through the area of contact the following day, the discovered 46 VC KIA and one POW. Documents taken from the dead enemy and the POW identified the enemy unit in contact as the 1st Battalion, 101st NVA Regiment.

C Company, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry (Mech) sweeping through a swamp midway between SAIGON and DUC HOA (XS695950) at 0915 hours, discovered and confiscated a large enemy ammunition cache located in four sunken sampans. The cache included 10 complete 122 rockets, 82, 82mm mortar rounds, 12 cans of 82mm fuses, 24 cans of 82mm primer, and 5,250 AK-47 rifle rounds,. At 1000 hours B Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry sweeping through the SAIGON “rocket belt” received fire from an unknown size enemy force at XT784072. The company returned fire and called in armed helicopters, artillery and air strikes on the enemy positions. Sweeping through the area later in the day, the infantrymen counted 13 NVA KIA and captured two AK-47 rifles, one .30 caliber machine gun and two RPG-2 rocket launchers

The 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division with two battalions (3rd Battalion 187th Airborne Infantry and 2nd Battalion, 5006th Airborne Infantry) became OPCON to the 25th Infantry Division. The brigade arrived at the CU CHI Base Camp on 14 June and began preparations for operations within the Division TAOI.

An ambush patrol from C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry engaged 25-30 enemy at 2355 hours. The enemy force walked into the ambush set by the C Company element at XS724993. In the fire fight that ensued, 15 NVA were KIA from the claymores, hand grenades, small arms and automatic weapons fire of the ambush.

A short time later at 0250 hours, the night defensive position of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry at XS740998 came under a heavy mortar attack followed by a human wave ground assault by an estimated battalion sized enemy force. The bunkered perimeter of the night location met the enemy assaults with a heavy volume of fire. The enemy outside the perimeter were also taken under fire by supporting helicopter gunships, artillery and air strikes. The following morning a search of the area beyond the perimeter revealed 72 enemy KIA and resulted in the capture of 29 AK-47 rifles, 13 RPG rocket launchers, three machine guns, 20 RPG rounds and 4-0 small arms rounds. One prisoner was also taken. The attacking enemy unit was identified as the 1st Battalion , 272nd VC Regiment.

On 18 June, D Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry searching for enemy arms and ammunition caches northeast of HOC MON discovered a large supply hidden in a tunnel at XT795070. The company confiscated 32 -122mm rocket war heads, six carbines, seven RPG rocket launchers, 12,680 small arms rounds, 88 RPG rounds and 88 -82mm mortar rounds. The 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne which had moved from CU CHI Base Camp to an area of operations in the TRAPEZOID south of the MICHELIN PLANTATION, had been searching in vain for enemy forces in this area. Its first significant contact occurred at 0420 hours on the 18th when a D Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne on a night patrol engaged an unknown size enemy force. Searching through the area of contact at first light, the company located seven VC KIA.

Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry conducted a helicopter borne assault at 1045 hours into a landing zone five kilometers northeast of HOC MON. As the company landed, it came under fire from an enemy force of unknown size occupying the terrain adjacent to the landing zone. Four helicopters were damaged by the fire, but were able to exit the landing zone. The infantry returned fire and called in armed helicopters and artillery for supporting fire. At 1430 hours, elements of Companies B and D linked up with C and the combined units remained in contact throughout the day. A sweep of the contact area the following morning discovered 44 VC KIA, seven AK-47 rifles, eight RPG-2 rounds, 25 hand grenades and miscellaneous medical supplies. The enemy unit in contact was identified as elements of a battalion of the 101st NVA Regiment.

Shifting its area of operations from the TRAPEZOID south of the MICHELIN PLANTATION to western HAU NGHIA Province southwest of TRANG BANG, the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division engaged in a significant combat action on 21 June. At 1142 hours, Company A, 1st Battalion, 506th Airborne was searching east of the ORIENTAL RIVER at XT430113 when it ran into the base camp of an estimated VC company. In the heavy fire fight that followed, A Company was reinforced by C Company and A Company, 3rd Battalion , 187th Airborne. Helicopter gunships, artillery and air strikes were also brought to bear on the enemy positions. After the contact which lasted through the day and night of 21 June, the area was search and disclosed 64 VC KIA and the capture of 13 AK-47 rifles, two RPG-2 rocket launchers, two machine guns, 29 hand grenades, 19 RPG-2 rounds and 5,000 rounds of small arms ammunition. The enemy unit in contact was later identified as the 267th VC Battalion.

The reconnaissance platoon of the 1st Battalion, 506th Airborne conducting a night search and destroy operation along the west bank of the ORIENTAL RIVER, discovered a large enemy ammunition cache. At 0210 hours the platoon uncovered 106 -75mm recoilless rifle rounds, one 120 mm mortar round, 110 RPG rounds, 429 -60mm mortar rounds, three 82mm rounds and 1,000 rounds of small arms ammunition at XT420105.

B Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Mech) conducted a combined search and destroy operation north of TRANG BANG with the 34th ARVN Ranger Battalion. The force came under fire from an unknown size enemy force at XT500233. Supported by artillery, armed helicopters and air strikes, the joint force swept into the enemy positions and accounted for 20 VC KIA and four POW's.

Company A, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Mech) conducting a road clearing and security mission on the MSR between TAY NINH and TRANG BANG, received fire from an estimated enemy company at 0900 hours in the vicinity of XT358332. At 0920, Company B, reinforced by the battalion heavy mortar platoon, moved north from TRANG BANG to reinforce A Company. At 1005 a platoon of C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry also moved north from TRANG BANG to reinforce, and at 1141 hours two mechanized ARVN companies from TAY NINH moved into the area of contact. After preparation by armed helicopters and mortars, and a CS drop, B Company and the platoon of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry assaulted into the rubber plantation to the east of the road from which the enemy fire had originated. In the contact which continued until 1905 hours, 21 VC KIA were discovered, two POW's were taken and two AK-47's and one machine gun were captured.

Earlier in the day, the night defensive position of the 1st Battalion, 506th Airborne at XT492235, came under attack from an estimated two companies at 0005 hours. In the contact which lasted until 0230, the paratroopers supported by armed helicopters and artillery turned back the enemy assault and accounted for 38 NVA KIA, and the capture of 12 AK-47 rifles, nine RPG rocket launchers, two machine guns, 2000 rounds of small arms ammunition and 40 hand grenades. The attacking companies were later identified as elements of the 2nd Battalion, 275th VC Regiment.

Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, participating in the squadron's road clearing and security mission of the MSR between TAY NINH City and SAIGON, drew fire from an estimated enemy platoon at 0140 at a point on the MSR four kilometers southeast of GO DA HAU (XT413231) The cavalry troop returned the enemy's fire with organic weapons and called in artillery, helicopter gunships and air strikes to hit the enemy positions. Contact with the enemy lasted until 0245 hours. Sweeping through the area at first light, the troop discovered four VC bodies and one AK-47 rifle. At about the same time that this contact was taking place, ten kilometers to the northeast (XT538264) the night defensive position of D Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Airborne Infantry came under attack by an unknown size enemy force. Meeting the attack with organic weapons and supporting artillery, the company fought off the enemy charge. Sweeping into the area from which the enemy came, the company located 13 VC KIA and captured two machine guns, two rocket launchers, four AK-47 rifles, and one field radio.

The 25th Infantry Division's major administrative and logistical base camps located at CU CHI, TAY NINH and DAU TIENG, had come under frequent stand off mortar and rocket attacks during the reporting period. However, all of these attacks were minor in nature involving small amounts of ordnance and were conducted more for harassment than any other purpose. The one exception to this norm was the attack which took place on the DAU TIENG Base Camp beginning at 0220 hours and lasting until 0450. During that period of time, the base camp received 42 -107mm rocket rounds and 515 rounds of mixed 82mm and 60mm mortar rounds. This massive artillery assault was combined with two separate ground probes on two sectors against the base camp perimeter. These probes were met by bunker line personnel and reaction forces from the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry and the Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Artillery. In both cases, the ground probes were repulsed with the enemy breaching the perimeter in only one location. Results of the attack in the way of US losses were five KIA, 55 WIA, 12 quarter ton trucks, five ¾ ton trucks, three 2 ½ ton trucks, three 5 ton trucks, one APC, and six buildings damaged. Enemy losses were recorded at 16 KIA, six AK-47 rifles and one rocket launcher captured, and 434 satchel charges, 61 RPG rounds, 45-60mm mortar rounds, 16 grenades and four mines destroyed..

Tropic Lightning maneuver elements continued to push their search for enemy supply caches. Searching along a canal bank on e mile southwest of the SAIGON RIVER, town of PHU CONG (XT799124), C Company, 1st. Battalion, 27th Infantry uncovered and captured a large supply cache containing 588 rounds of small arms ammunition, 238 -60mm rounds, 18 -60mm rounds, 18 -82mm rounds, 50 rifle grenades, 40 pounds of medical supplies and one AK-47 rifle. Later in the day, at 1832H Companies B and C, 1st Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry, sweeping an area approximately three kilometers northeast of TRANG BANG (XT520217) engaged an unknown size enemy force. The fire-fight that followed was supported by armed helicopters, artillery and an Air Force “Spooky”, a gattling gun armed C-47 cargo aircraft. Pushing through and overrunning the enemy positions, the paratroopers recovered 21 VC KIA. Four troopers died in the contact and 13 were wounded.

kilometer southwest of PHU LONG (XT843046) discovered 12 VC KIA by artillery. Movement had been detected in the area the previous night by radar, and the movement was engaged by artillery. Three destroyed AK-47 rifles and two unserviceable RPG rocket launchers were captured along with three RPG rounds and 14 hand grenades. Searching several kilometers to the northwest of the 2nd of the 14th discovery (XT758124) at 1150 hours, B Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry discovered a cache consisting of one AK-47 rifle, 3,300 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 170 pounds of explosives and 35 blasting caps.

TRANG BANG, D troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry detected approximately 50 VC in bunkers and spider holes at XT473257. Assaulting the enemy with their rockets and automatic weapons and calling in artillery and air strikes, the air cavalry men alerted the nearby 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry to the presence of the enemy unit. At 1547, Companies C and D of the battalion made a helicopter borne assault on the enemy positions. Overrunning the bunkers, the cavalrymen recovered 27 enemy bodies, and captured 15 AK-47 rifles, six RPG rocket launchers, 1000 rounds of AK=47 ammunition, 15RPG rounds and 25 hand grenades.

C and D Companies, 1st Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry discovered an additional six enemy bodies, four AK-47 rifles, 17 RPG rounds, 25 pounds of medical supplies, 350 round of AK-47 ammunition, 2100 pounds of rice, 35 pounds of sugar, one RPG rocket launcher, one pound of documents, 40 -82mm rounds, 30 mortar fuses and seven hand grenades.

At 1040 hours a forward air controller for the 25th ARVN Division detected 10-20 VC unloading two sampans on a canal one kilometer east of the Cambodian border. Air strikes were called in on the site and helicopters of C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry flew into the area to follow up the air strikes. The helicopters engaged several VC in bunkers near the spot where the two sampans lay destroyed. Checking out the results of the attack in the position , the air cavalrymen discovered six VC bodies and determined that the cargo in the sampans had exploded.