Diary 16-22 OCT 1968
16 Oct - [field strength] 461. (10 APC & 6 TRACK). Quiet nite. Scts escort 2 btrys arty to FSB Washington II, secured & returned.
A Co. - Open Rt 22(1 plat), escort DT-TN-DT convoy (1 plat).
B Co. - Stand down 3d day.
C Co. - Open Rt 26 w/RF
2 APs
Letter ML & Pop
17 Oct - [field strength] 453. 10 APC & 6 TRACK. Received today accelerated promotions 1-E6, 3-E5, 10-E4. Quiet nite. Scts - same as Oct 16.
A Co. - Open Rt 26 w /RF Co.
B Co. - Stand down 4th day.
C Co. - Escort DT-TN-DT convoy.
1 AP
No mail
18 Oct - [field strength] 464. 10 APC & 6 Track. Quiet nite. - Scts same as Oct 16.
OPN THUNDER ROAD II - DAY 1
A Co. - Open Rt 4; linked up at 1230; depart 1815.
B Co. - moved to NDP (XT287657) at1300, arrived 1530 w/ 1 plat C Co.
C Co. - Escort, closed 2100.
Engineers had 1 DT & 1 10T tractor cab hit mine. 1 WIA (mod)
19 Oct - [field strength] 469. Quiet nite - Scts same as Oct 16.
DAY 2
A Co. - Open Rt 4; linked up 1 km N CP White at 1045. Secured VTR opn. Returned Rawlins 1930.
B Co. - Open Rt 4 from NDP to A Co. at 1045. Found 2 mines. Returned NDP 1700.
C Co. - Escort 2 round trips (3 hrs per rd trip) closed 1800. 78 dump trucks moved to FF.
2 letters from ML
Move of DL track from MP [motor pool at TNBC] to field - M548 HQ 94 (D26)
XO List
AGI 19-21 Oct
S-2 - Clearance of TOC Personnel
Classified document secured
S-3 had no program records
CMMI
Maint on individual & TA & unit equip
Send maint personnel to work with CMMI Team
Security of small arms - Key control
20 Oct - [field strength] 492. 10& 8[This style notation about DL APC & tracks continues.] Quiet nite - storm hit 0130; heavy rain (8-10") and high winds until 1200. All operations called off except short RIF's by B & C Co's. Maint & police 1300-1700.
No mail
21 Oct - [field strength] 489. 64 malaria. Quiet nite -IG INSPECTION (less CMMI) went well. All area satisfactory except A Co. security.
THUNDER ROAD II - Day 3
A Co. - Open Rt 4, linked up 0930 at PL Pink. Change of Command [most likely, CPT Beech relieved CPT Montgomery] Closed NDP Mohawk w/ 1 Plat B Co. at 1930.
B Co. - Open Rt 4, linked up 0930. Departed [?] P at 1900. Secure 175 gun. Closed____
C Co. - Escort 3 round trips (approx 150 DT plus misc)
Closed RC - 2100.
Letter from ML & Vic
CMMI - Wpns 90 [% score out of 100]
Tac & Spt eq 80
Commo 90
Spec Purpose Eq 94
Chem 92
Maint Opns 88
Tracks 74
|
From the 25th ID CG Journal: The requirements for crushed rock in the reconstruction of Bao Co have been increased to 200 dump truck loads and the requirement for laterite to 150 dump truck loads. |
22 Oct - [field strength] 490. 7 & 9. Thunder Road - Day 4 (Last day) Quiet nite.
A Co. -Moved out of NDP; opened Rt 4 to CP White at 0930. Closed Tay Ninh 1930.
B Co. - Escort . Closed FSB R 1830 ["closed", in this sense, means arrived]
C Co. - Open Rt 4 to CP White. Closed FSB R 1930.
Scts - Escort.
No mail-wrote Vic
MII3 WATER OPNS REQUIREMENTS (p 64-65 - Driver's Manual) [Apparently we had been ordered to prepare for water operations; the items below were critical ones to be checked before the M113 entered the water or it would sink!]
Trim Vane
Side Shrouds (2)
No RPG holes [doubtful this was in the Driver's Manual]
Drain Plug Hull (30)
Drain
Plug Final Drive (2)
Bilge Pump (2)
Ramp Seal
Ramp Door Seal
Engine Door Seal
Tow Pintles
Rain
Cliff Neilson
Mohawk 6
May-Nov 1968
Illegitimi nil carborundum