Commanders Diary

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Diary  4 - 10 Sep 1968

4 Sep - Quiet nite - R at RC, open road to TN, reinforce C Co. C Co. opened road 22. B Co. on standby 0630-1200. A Co. opened Rt. 26. No TN-DT-TN convoy.
Road open - 0820
Convoy by Little Rubber - 0900
Convoy return - 1245.

5 Sep - Quiet nite - R at RC, open road to TN, reinforce C Co. C Co. opened Rt 22. B Co. opened Rt. 26. A Co. on standby to escort D-3/22. A & C Co's to switch. A & C Co's switch every 7 days
Road open - 0810
Convoy by Little Rubber - 1045
Convoy return - 1245.
DT convoy left TN - 1445
DT convoy arrived DT - 1610 33 vehs.

6 Sep - Quiet nite - Recon RC & open road to TN, reinforce A Co. A Co.  opened Rt 26. B Co. opened Rt. 26. C Co. stand down until 1100; 1 plat  SD all day. C C0. (-) escort DT-TN-DT convoy.
Road open - 0750
Convoy by Little Rubber - 1020
Convoy return - 1345.
DT convoy return - 1450
DT convoy close - 1620 50 vehs.

7 Sep - Quiet nite - Recon RC, escort Arty from [ FSB] Buell [coord XT230575, on Rt 4, N of TNBC, W of Nui Ba Dinh, S of FF] to TN [logically, TNBC]; open road & reinforce A Co. A Co. opened Rt 26. C Co. stand down until 1100; 1 plat SD all day. C C0. (-) escort DT-TN-DT convoy.
Road open - 0745
Convoy up - 0930
Convoy - 1245.
DT convoy return \
                                convoy cancelled
DT convoy close /

8 Sep - Quiet  nite - Recon at RC, open road to TN, stand down. A Co. open Rt 22. C  Co. (-) road reinforce. B Co. open Rt 26. 1 plat C Co. escort DT convoy  to CP 36, then stand down.
Road open - 0800
Convoy up - 1045
Convoy - 1415.
DT convoy left 1000 (one way only)
MAILED FILM

[list of items]
radios on line after dark
alcohol in field
Purchasing from VN
Checking during the nite
barb wire - ARVN
Troop safety
BDE Comdrs Meet - no beer in field

[on diary pp for November 29-30 is the notation]
8 Sep 68
DIV COMDR/BDE COMDR NOTES (AS A RESULT of IIFFV/III CORP)
[This is a good example of "pass down the word" from higher HQS. IIFFV was the next higher US HQS above 25th ID; III Corps was the corresponding ARVN HQS.]
1. Do not question directives. [May have been CG 25th ID reflections on his reasons for relieving 1st BDE CO.]
2. G2 - 3 [NVA] Div in area: 5th [with Regts] 33, 275NE, 88; 4th [with Regts] 273, 174, 271; 101st Regt; 9th Plain of Reeds [in vic of] Sgn. [NVA has taken] Heavy losses. Timetable off; pickup local forces. [NVA mission is to:] Destroy 1/3 to ½ of 25th ID; all of 25th ARVN. Intends to go to TN & disrupt convoys. If he can, then in good psn to atk SGN.
3. ABN BDE being replaced by Ranger [probably refers to ARVN units.]. Combined operations [US-ARVN] whenever possible.
4. III Corps. VC infrastructure not being hit.
5. Find enemy &  destroy before he hits SGN. Added emphasis on convoys. In near future,  CMAC boundary to increase. Taking part of 2d BDE TAOR. [Capitol Military Assistance Command - the US-ARVN organization focused on defense of metropolitan SGN.]
6. 3rd BDE, 82nd [Airborne Division] will move to CMAC - 14 Sept. 3rd BDE, 25th ID [formerly the principal combat headquarters at CC] will move forward to Dau Tieng. 2nd BDE, 25th ID [formerly the controlling combat headquarters at DT] move north. BN will straighten out [probably refers to realigning battalion OPCON to the 2nd & 3rd BDE]. Will take 5 days as a minimum.
7. When 2 or more Co's are on opns, must have a BN rep on ground.
8. Lost weapons.
9. Kit Carson scouts.
10. Finding caches.
11. Combat commanders notes - dist[ribute] down to NCO level. Increased professionalism. Watch formation. Haircut, clean clothes, NCO [insignia] on collar.
*12. No more beer in FSB.
13. Security - width & depth.
14. Maintenance.
15. Take minimum casualties.

9 Sep - 58th malaria. Quiet nite - R at RC, open road, reinforce A Co; A Co. open  & outpost Rt 22. B Co. open & outpost rt 26 to CP 36 - 1 plat  stand down, 1 plat escort4/23 resupply, 1 plat escort engr.
Road open - 0800
Convoy up - 0930
Convoy - 1245.
D convoy left - from DT only 1030+ - 1/5 escort
E5-E6 board in field? A Co.?
Wrecker for FF Rd
MEDCAP

10 Sep - Quiet nite - R at RC, open road, OPCON A Co; A Co. open Rt 22. C Co.  open Rt 26. B Co. escort resupply & DT convoy, 1 plat B Co. Stand  down.
Road open - 0800
Convoy up - 0930
Convoy - 1245
D Convoy left 0750 - 1115.

[list of items]
Hats & shirts.
Tomahawks
Storage plans

Gone But Always Remembered

From the 4/23 KIA list
SP5 Ronald Gordon Hack, A Co.

Cliff Neilson
Mohawk 6
May-Nov 68
Illegitimati non carborundum