1 Jan 70- The people of Phu Loc turned over a 15 yr old VC male to the 298RF and C Co, 3rd Plt. Co D and 736RF made contact with 3 VC at BR 972862 resulting in the capture of one female VC, one lbs of documents and 2 AK47 magazines. Co B and the 133PF made contact with 3 VC at BR 964744 resulting in 1 VC WIA & 1 SKS CIA.
2 Jan 70- LTC Cosper assumed command of 1-503, replacing LTC Fisher. C Co found 800 lbs of rice at CR 024773 which was extracted. Later that evening the same element engaged 3 VC resulting in 1 VC KIA and 1 M16 CIA. D Co and the 736 RF captured 3 VC at BR 972862.
3 Jan 70- A Co, 2nd Plt a discovered a VC base Camp at BR 900791, 1 VC KIA and capturing 300 lbs of rice. Co C and the 43RF conducted a cordon & search VIC BR 977867 resulting in the capture of 22 VC, 1 RF light machine gun, a case of M26 frag grenades, 2 NVA flags and miscellaneous field equipment.
4 Jan 70- C Co and the 298RF while conducting a sweep VIC BR 978844 discovered a bunker, 1 SKS rifle and uncovered a 900 lb rice cache which was turned over to the RFs. Phu My District Hq received 5-10 rounds of mortar fire resulting in 1 PF KIA.
6 Jan 70- D Co, 3rd Plt surprised 3 VC in a hootch resulting in 1 VC KIA, 1 M26 and some documents CIA. C Co and the 298RF were ambushed by approximately 11 VC resulting in 2 RF WIA.
7 Jan 70- B Co, Weapons Plt received an incoming frag grenade resulting in 1 US WIA, C Co found a natural cave containing 1 Thompson sub-machine gun and documents. In a later contact with 2 VC, the element captured 1 SKS.
8 Jan 70- An air Strike was delivered at BR 972736. A Co, 2nd Plt tripped an 82MM boobytrap resulting in 2 US WIA. Recon Team C found a large VC base Camp at BR 861811 which they destroyed.
9 Jan 70- D Co detained one VC suspect. While leading the element to a VC tunnel complex he tripped a M33 boobytrap resulting in 1 VC KIA and 3 US WIA.
10 Jan 70- C Co and the 736PF while conducting a cordon & search at CR 021759, tripped a M26 boobytrap, resulting in 1 US and 2 RF WIA. Three VC turned themselves in under the Open Arms program to A Co. C-7-17 Cav (Yellow Scarf) was committed on an enemy sighting at BR 883792 resulting in 1 VC KIA, 1 VC WIA/CIA, and 1 M16 & 1 M1 Carbine CIA. D Co engaged 6 VC resulting in 1 VC KIA & 1 SKS CIA.
13 Jan 70- A Co, 1st and 2nd Plt conducted a C/A, at BR 863806 and destroyed 2 VC Base Camps. An unknown size force attempted to breech the wire at D Co, 2nd Plt but was unsuccessful.
14 Jan 70- C-7-17 Cav (Yellow Scarf) was committed to an enemy sighting at the Nui Loi. He inserted his aerial rifle platoon which tripped a boobytrap resulting in 1 US KIA & 3 US WIA. B Co reacted & was engaged with VC frag grenades resulting in 1 US KIA and 1 US WIA. There were negative enemy casualties.
15 Jan 70- A Co discovered three tons ot rice at BR 903798. The operation was a result of information passed on by Recon Team D. A Co, 2nd Plt secured the area and a portion of the rice was extracted. The remainder was used to bait any enemy observing the area. As a result of this ploy Co A killed 1 VC and captured 2 VC in that area on 15 Jan 70. On that same date C Co killed 1 VC in a spider hole. Two US were WIA by a frag grenade thrown by this VC.
20 Jan 70- A Co, D Co, 675RF and the 736 RF conducted a cordon & search of Quang Nghiem (4). A Co was C/A'd to a blocking position. The A Co Commander was killed by mortar fire (Cpt William L Phillips). C Co engaged 3 VC AT CR 0575. C-7-17 Cav (Yellow Scarf) reacted and expended in the area, killing 3 VC. Co C detained 6 VC suspects.
21 Jan 70- Recon Team B walked into an enemy base at BR 890782 and engaged 10 VC. The enemy fled but the Recon Team captured 2 carbines, 1x30 Cal pistol and numerous documents. B Co engaged 2 VC at BR 993802 who were attempting to reverse the claymores at the 2nd Plt CP. Results were 2 VC KIA, 2 M26 frag grenades were CIA.
22 Jan 70- LZ Uplift received 7 rounds of 82MM mortar fire resulting in 1 US KIA, and 6 US WIA.
23 Jan 70- C Co engaged and killed 1 VC in the wire at their weapons platoon. A detainee leading elements of B Co to an enemy base camp tried to escape and was KIA, C Co engaged two VC in an ambush resulting in one VC KIA and one VC WIA.
26 Jan 70- B Co, 2nd Plt engaged 1 VC running into the hills resulting in one VC KIA. Later, B Co, 3rd Plt engaged 15 VC at a range of 350 meters resulting in 3 VC KIA and capturing 3 rucksacks and 2 M26 frag grenades.
27 Jan 70- 1 VC Chieu Hoi'd to B Co, 1st Plt and 117RF. He stated his reason for coming in was that his element had been suffering heavy casualties in Co B's area. An old woman was spotted by C Co, 2nd Plt tending to a fresh grave. She stated that there was a VC in the grave who had been killed in a contact with C Co on 11 Jan 70. The grave was opened and contained the body of a 35yr old male with gunshot wounds.
28 Jan 70- B Co, 1st Plt was engaged by estimated VC Plt armed w/AK47 & M26 Frag grenades VIC BR 967807 resulting in 2 US WIA & 1 M16 damaged by AK47 round.
29 Jan 70- Elements Of the 299th Engineers began work on Highway 505 in order to provide a link from QL1 to the coast.
30 Jan 70- A Co, 1st Plt engaged 3 VC at BR 897804 resulting in one VC KIA and 2 VC female CIA & 2 rucksacks.
31 Jan 70- Hawkeye aircraft received ground fire VIC BR 915880, while checking out the area for enemy. Gunships and an air strike were called in on the area. Working with the gunships were 3 A37 aircraft from the VNAF.
1 Feb 70- C Co, 3rd Plt engaged 3-5 VC at CR 005786 resulting in 1 VC KIA. D Co, 3rd Plt found a new cave complex at BR 968861 which they neutralized with crystallized CS. D Co, 1st Plt found a tunnel complex with sleeping positions for 40 personnel at BR 922875 which they destroyed. C Co, 2nd Plt discovered a cave at CR 007774 occupied by 1 VC. They threw a frag grenade in the cave killing the VC, 1 AK50, 2 AK50 magazines, assorted field equipment and documents were CIA. A Co, 1st Plt engaged 4 VC at BR 902796 resulting in 1 VC female KIA identified as a Womans cell leader of An Thuong.
2 Feb 70- In the early morning hours two holes were cut in the wire at LZ Uplift. At midday LZ Uplift received 10 rounds of 82MM mortar fire resulting in 3 US WIA. Gunships from MACV fired up the area suspected as the enemy location, with negative results.
3 Feb 70- The VC set fire to two Market stalls in Phu Ninh (H). There were small arms fired also and B Co, 3rd Plt reacted but with negative contact made, No civilians were injured in the attack. A 16 year old VC male Chieu Hoi'd to B Co & 117 RF. D Co, 1st Plt engaged 3 VC/NVA at BR 923864 resulting in 1 NVA KIA. A Co, 1st Plt engaged 4 VC at BR 888739. Gunships assisted in the pursuit resulting in 1 VC KIA and 1 AK47 captured. The gunships received small arms fire while working the area. A Co, 2nd Plt engaged 1 VC moving in the hills at BR 891848, resulting in 1 VC KIA. C Co, 4th Plt engaged 4 VC in an ambush at CR044794 resulting in 1 VC KIA & 1 M16 captured.
5 Feb 70- The enemy abducted 4 villagers from An Hoa (H). C Co, 4th Plt ambush engaged 3 VC walking near the shore of the Dam Trao Lake resulting in 1 VC KIA & M16 CIA.
6 Feb 70- The CP of B Co & 117RF were investigating a report of a large number of VC in Phu Ninh (H). While returning they were ambushed by an unknown number of VC resulting in 1 RF KIA. The element returned fire killing 1 VC.
7 Feb 70- Recon Team B found a company sized base camp. There were numerous caves and firesites with old pottery & cups. There was 1 57 SK round which was extracted. The base camp was destroyed. A Co, 2nd Plt tripped a boobytrap at BR 892848 resulting in 1 US WIA. C Co engaged 6 VC at CR 005794 resulting in 1 US WIA, 1 VC KIA and 1 VC CIA. D Co, 1st Plt captured 1 VC who walked into their patrol at BR 928851. The VC said that there were two more VC KIA in the contact D Co had on 5 Feb.
8 Feb 70- D Co engaged 3 VC at BR 962866 resulting in 1 VC CIA. Two RF bodies were found at BR 962866. They had been killed at close range apparently while returning from a Tet Holiday pass.
9 Feb 70- 7 children playing in the area Of BR 969887 detonated a 105MM boobytrap which wounded all of them. A Co found 4 rucksacks containing 200 lbs of rice at BR 882788. The hamlet chief of Hoa Tan was asassinated by a small boy with a M26 frag grenade.
10 Feb 70- B Co, 2nd Plt tripped a boobytrap at BR 993799 resulting in 2 US WIA. Recon Team C discovered a platoon size base camp at BR 916O85 and shortly after made contact with an estimated platoon of NVA. Gunships were requested and one platoon of D Co was C/A in as a reaction force. There were two possible VC/NVA KIA. Two members of C Co were accidentally wounded by an RF during a night contact.
11 Feb 70- 7 Hoi Chanhs surrendered to E Co and the RF forces at Bridge #4 BR 924B25.
14 Feb 70- B Co, 2nd Plt spotted 3 VC at BR 994788. The element engaged them wounding one VC. Recon Team B spotted 8-10 VC moving in the area of BR 889052. Gunships and the Mini Cav came on station and fired up the area resulting in two possible enemy KIA.
15 Feb 70- Checking the area of contact A Co, 2nd Plt tripped a boobytrap resulting in 2 US WIA. A small base camp with good overhead cover was discovered and destroyed by the unit. A patrol of D Co, 1st Plt was ambushed by 3 VC resulting in 1 US KIA and 4 WIA. Recon Team B spotted 12 VC with weapons and rucksacks entering the village of Van Tuong (1) at BR 891850. The VC left tbe village carrying a body, possibly from the contact of the previous day. Recon Team B requested and adjusted artillery support. Three VC took a direct hit and all others were in the killing zone of the artillery rounds.
16 Feb 70- 7 Vietnamese females were observed by Recon Team B carrying a body from the area of contact outside of Van Tuong (1). D Co, lst Plt checked the area & found that the VC was killed by artillery. A Lambretta stopped near the CP of Co D was checked, and found to contain one corpse and two males with shrapnel wounds. The three were being returned from Bong Son hospital according to a certificate they had and which MACV said was a forgery. The three were believed to be further casualties of the contact outside of Van Tuong (1).
17 Feb 70- While on a visual recon in a LOH, the CO of A Co, Cpt Richard Nash, spotted several VC at BR 907789. Cpt Nash engaged them from the LOH, killing 1 VC and ordered an element of his 2nd Plt to the area where they found a small VC base camp and the body of 1 VC wearing a rucksack and armed with one M26 frag grenade.
18 Feb 70- A Co, 1st Plt discovered an NVA land mine at BR 907792 which they destroyed in place. Recon Team C found an enemy base camp at BA 955855. The base camp had 10 tunnels leading to a room reinforced with the door of an APC. The base camp was destroyed. C Co, 3rd Plt captured 2 VC at CR 012838. A female was detained for questioning and a 14 year old male was found hiding in an underground bunker. The male led them to an M1 carbine hidden underground. C Co, 4th Plt ambush at BR 974845 resulted in 2 VC KIA and 1 M16 with bandolier CIA.
18 Feb 70- E/l7 Cav left OPCON of TF 1/503d and became OPCON to TF 2/503d.
19 Feb 70- An air strike was flown on a suspected enemy location at BR 955888. In D Co's AO, a M26 boobytrap was tripped by three Vietnamese children, killing two and seriously wounding the third.
20 Feb 70- D Co & 736RF conducted a cordon & search of Quang Nghiem (4) and detained one VC suspect. In C Co's AO, the Assistant Hamlet Chief of Phu Lao (1) was asassinated with a command detonated claymore mine. Recon Team B spotted 20 VC at BR 893791. A Co, 2nd and 3rd Plt reacted. Gunships and artillery worked over the area. A sweep by A Co had negative results. Recon Team D engaged 2 VC at BR 863807 resulting in 2 VC killed and 3 rucksacks CIA. Gunships came on station and spotted three enemy attempting to flee the area and engaged them resulting in three possible VC KIA. An air strike was flown on a known enemy base camp at BR 917880.
21 Feb 70- Recon Team B engaged 1 VC at BR 993777 and the contact developed into a fire fight with a squad size enemy force. An air strike was flown on the area after the Recon Team was extracted.
22 Feb 70- Operation Washington Green III began in Binh Dinh Province. TF 1/503d assumed responsibility for the Bong Son Pass, the Bong Son bridges and the Tiger Mountains. A Co,2/503d & E Co,2/503d became OPCON to the First Battalion. Two VN civilians were seriously wounded when a Lambretta detonated a 105mm boobytrap set along Highway 505. B Co, 1st Plt tripped a M26 boobytrap at BR 955755 resulting in 2 US WIA. The Dustoff ship received ground to air fire while making the pickup and the C&C ship provided security for it until gunships arrived.(Ranger Rick Chess, Mike Coffee)
24 Feb 70- In A Co's AO, the 320RF found a 3 week old weapons cache, containing 2 NVA flags, 6 B40 rockets, 7x60mm rounds, 1x57mm recoiless rifle round, 9 Chicom grenades, and an unknown number of butterfly bomblets.
25 Feb 70- A patrol from B Co, 3rd Plt walked into an enemy base camp spotting 5 VC. The pointman opened fire killing 7 VC, resulting in the capture of 2 SKS rifles, 6 M26 frag grenades, 6 rucksacks and assorted documents.
26 Feb 70- The same element tripped a M26 frag grenade resulting in 2 US WIA.
28 Feb 70- B Co, 1st Plt engaged an unknown number of VC at BR 965775 resulting in 1 VC KIA and 1 US WIA
1 Mar 70- A Co/2-503d moved from Lo Dieu to take over operations in the Crescent. Recon Team 1, 2-503d detained 19 VN civilians who were observed moving into an old VC base camp. D Co, 3rd Plt engaged 3 VC at BR 954868 resulting in 1 VC KIA and 3 Chicom grenades and assorted field equipment captured.
2 Mar 70- C Co, 2nd Plt observed 1 VC setting up a boobytrap at BR 977782. The element engaged him and the boobytrap detonated killing the VC.
3 Mar 70- D Co, 2nd Plt conducted a sweep of Hoa Tan (H) resulting in one VC KIA. D Co, 1st Plt tripped a 82mm boobytrap which was an suspended in a tree, resulting in 1 US KIA & 1 US WIA.
4 Mar 70- A Co, 3rd Plt engaged 1 VC at BR 915780 resulting in 1 VC KIA & assorted documents CIA.
6 Mar 70- A Co, 2/503d found a company sized base camp at BR 884770. Captured and extracted were 12 B40 rockets, 12 Chicom B40 boosters and 12 B40 fin assemblies.
8 Mar 70- A Co, 2/503d returned to the control of TF 2/503d.
9 Mar 70- B Co, 1st Plt tripped a M26 boobytrap resulting in 2 US WIA. C Co, 1st Plt & 156RF captured 6 VC sympathizers. The element was moving to an ambush site when at BR 994802 they heard voices discussing the plans for resupply of the VC in the area.
10 Mar 70- A Co, 1st Plt & 320RF while conducting a cordon & search of Van Dinh Thuong, found a M26 boobytrap. In a later contact the 3rd Plt of A Co received a heavy volume of small arms fire at BR 913782. Gunships were called in and worked the area, as the heavy volume of fire prevented the element from maneuvering. A sweep of the area resulted in 1 VC KIA & 1 VC captured.
11 Mar 70- A Co, 2nd Plt, while on ambush at BR 883807 observed 6 VC moving along a stream. The ambush engaged them, killing 2 VC and capturing 5 rucksacks, 2 AK47, 28 Chicom grenades and 2 B40 rockets.
12 Mar 70- A VN farmer hit a M79 boobytrap in C Co's AO at CR 035757. D Co, 2nd Plt engaged 1 VC running into the mountains at BR 966889 resulting in 1 VC KIA, 1 M26 and assorted documents CIA. In B Co's AO the VC destroyed a bridge along Hwy 505 by fire at CR 010782. B Co, 2nd Plt reacted to the burning bridge but the VC fled the area before the elements arrival at the bridge.
13 Mar 70- D Co, 2nd and 3rd Plt made a BDA in VIC BR 955888 and found a bunker complex/base camp completely destroyed. The air strike had been called in the afternoon 12 Mar 70 by Hawkeye 19. At BR 917944, 905895, 916916, 928927, 943958, and 967972 air strikes were called in, for the purpose of constructing landing zones in the Tiger Mts. Elements of A Co's, 3rd Plt received an incoming B40 rocket round in a bunker at BR 926805 resulting in 3 US KIA. The element was co-located with the 272PF. C Co, 2nd Plt rec'd 80-100 AK47 rounds in the Vic CR 023805. There were no casualties.
14 Mar 70- B Co's CP rec'd small arms fire but did not sustain any casualties. D Co, 3rd Plt engaged 8-10 VC at 200 meters at BR 923867 resulting in assorted equipment CIA. There were negative casualties. Recon Team A found a reinforced squad sized VC base camp & 2 small tunnels at BR 925874. The camp & tunnels were destroyed. Shortly after that, Recon Team A, sniper engaged 1 VC female at 200 meters carrying a rucksack. Element saw the VC fall but the terrain was too thick for the element to verify the KIA. C Co, 3rd Plt found a bunker reinforced with cement & logs at BR 977846 and destroyed it.
15 Mar 70- A Co, 1st Plt, found a 82mm mortar round in a hedgerow at BR 892838, The round was set up as a pressure type boobytrap, the round was destroyed.
18 Mar 70- Recon 3 found a cave at BR 956896 containing bottled penicillan dried fish, rice, VC ponchos, an NVA canteen and clothing.
20 Mar 70- C Co, 1st Plat & 156RF engaged 6 VC at CR 006784. Contact was made at 400 meters but element pursued the enemny pinning the VC down with small arms fire. The VC element broke contact leaving behind 2 VC KIA, 1 AK47, 1 M26 grenade and assorted documents. Three US were wounded by a M33 boobytrap while pursuing the enemy.
21 Mar 70- C Co, 4th Plt while conducting a search & clear operation in the southern portion of their AO came upon a heavily boobytraped area. The pointman initially hit a M26 boobytrap at CR 055757 resulting in 1 US WIA. Five other US were WIA in the same area when a daisy chain boobytrap with 3 M26's connected to each other by wires was tripped. B Co, 3rd Plt while on a patrol rcv'd one incoming frag. Element engaged the VC swept the area & found a homemade rifle. There were no friendly or enemy casualties from this contact.
22 Mar 70- B Co, 3rd Plt detected movement near their ambush site. The element engaged the VC with small arms fire at BR 957757. The VC returned fire wounding 1 US. The area was swept with negative results. The Recon Plt 2/503d returned to the control of parent unit on this date.
24 Mar 70- A Co, 1st Plt found a claymore mine set up along a trail at BR 89720. It was a command detonated claymore. The area was checked thoroughly but the patrol found negative signs of enemy activity. While clearing the area around their CP, A Co found a spider hole containing a typewriter, 2 lbs of documents and a communist flag. The captured equipment was not in good condition, it is believed the items had been there for quite sometime. There was a drum drop at CR 053757, four sorties were dropped resulting in 7-10 secondary explosions. There had been increased enemy activity in the area of the drop and many caves were reported being used by the VC.
25 Mar 70- A Co, 3rd Plt found a well used trail with bunkers, sleeping positions, used medical supplies and two mortar positions at BR 866806. The elements also found 2 graves containing 2 partially decomposed bodies. It was believed the area was used within the last 24 hours. The position was destroyed.
26 Mar 70- C Co, 1st Plt while conducting a sweep at CR 006794 found 2 waterproof bags hidden in a hedgerow. The bag contained 3 lbs of assorted medical supplies. B Co found two M33 boobytraps on the LZ at their CP. The 117RF at that location investigated the incident further. B Co, 3rd Plt while moving to their night ambush site engaged 4 VC at BR978778. The VC were moving from a village in the area. The element checked the contact area thoroughly and found blood trails but was unable to find any bodies. A check of the area in the morning turned up a rucksack containing assorted medical supplies.
28 Mar 70- D Co, 1st Plt on patrol tripped a M79 boobytrap at BR 888855. One individual received MFW and was dusted off. Recon Team 4 found a cave complex which extended approximately 75 meters. The complex had four entrances with spider holes & bunkers guarding each entrance. The complex was capable of sleeping 70 people comfortably. The Recon element was reacting to intell received from a Chieu Hoi and the 4lst ARVN. The complex was destroyed. D Co, 2nd Plt & 299 Engineers received small arms fire from a sniper at BR 973895 resulting in 1 US WIA. The element returned fire and swept the area with negative results. In the same area, D Co, 2nd Plt found a 175mm round set up as a tripwire boobytrap. The round was blown in place. A claymore mine accidentally detonated killing the 4th Plt Leader of B Co. The element leader was in the process of setting the mine up when it detonated. The incident occurred at the 4th Plt CP.
29 Mar 70- C Co, 1st Plt and 156RF while conducting a cordon & search engaged 3 VC in spider holes at CR 005792. The results of the contact were, 3 VC KIA, l SKS and 2 M16 CIA. Elements of A Co, 1st Plt while checking out a VC base camp at BR 895845 hit a M33 boobytrap. The results were 1 US KIA & 3 US WIA. The element captured 1 rucksack containing assorted equipment and food.
30 Mar 70- C Co, 2nd Plt while on a patrol found a 50 Cal ammo box at CR 006793 containing blasting caps, explosives and various devices. B Co, 1st Plt engaged 6 VC while moving to their night ambush site. The element swept the area finding 1 VC KIA, 1 M2 carbine and 5 lbs of documents CIA. TF 1-503d assumed responsibility for AO Black in the Tiger Mtns. The 4.2 Platoon of 3/506 became OPCON to support that mission.
31 Mar 70- A Co, 3rd Plt engaged an unknown number of VC from their ambush site at BR 883814. The element swept the area and found 1 VC KIA, 1 AK47, and 1 rucksack which contained misc equipment.
| SCHMIDT, Richard C. | Co B | 5 Jan 70 |
| SOLIS, Felix | Co A | 8 Jan 70 |
| CONNORS, Lee | Co B | 14 Jan 70 |
| PHILLIPS, William L, Cpt. | Co A | 20 Jan 70 |
| COONS, Gregory M. | Co D | 15 Feb 70 |
| GOLSON, Anthony | Co D | 3 Mar 70 |
| RUTTIMAN, Allan | Co A | 13 Mar 70 |
| ROEST, Douglas R. | Co A | 13 Mar 70 |
| URQUHART, Thomas | Co A | 13 Mar 70 |
| INSLEE, Raymond S. | Co A | 29 Mar 70 |