J. 26 February 1968
(a) The 3-60th Infantry (-) began its airmobile
operation into the area of operations, by deploying B Company as
the first element to LZ Bravo vacinity W8831075. The first lift of
B Company landed on the LZ at 0940 hours and received sporadic sniper
fire from the vicinity of objectives 56, 98 and 101. The second lift,
upon landing at 1000 hours was immediately engaged by accurate small
arms and automatic weapons fire. The LZ was prepared, prior to the
first element landing, by artillery fires and airstrikes. However,
the enemy was afforded protection against the preparation fires by
the well constructed fighting positions (bunkers and holes). As a
result of the enemy's fires, the second lift of B Company sustained ten
US KIA and an excess number US personnel wounded (approximately 20
WIA); seven of which were reported to be in serious condition. Of
the twelve helicopters conducting the lift, one was destroyed and
eleven were badly damaged to the extent that additional replacement
helicopters were required to complete the airmobile operation.
Elements of Bravo Company 3-60th Infantry on the LZ suddenly found
themselves confronted with the task of suppressing the enemy fires;
the majority of the automatic weapons fire was coming from the vicinity
of W8813077. The artillery forward observer and his radio man were
wounded while aboard one of the helicopters. At 1130 hours, additional
helicopters were available for Echo Company 3-60th Infantry to load
for movement into the AO in order to link up with and assist Bravo
Company. Echo Company 3-60th was airborne at 1150 hours and at 1159
hours landed in the AO unopposed and southwest of Bravo Company
3-60th Infantry postion vicinity W8813083. Alpha Company 3-60th
Infantry was introduced Into the AO vicinity W8814083 at 1405 hours
In one lift, Additional airmobile assets were provided by 4th Corps
to expedite the airlift. Alpha 3-60th Infantry followed Echo 3-60th
towards B Company's location, and received small arms and automatic
weapons fire vicinity W8813078. At 1430 hours, Echo 3-60th Infantry's
movement was delayed during a stream crossing. While crossing, the
company was engaged with small arms and automatic weapons fire
for approximately 20 minutes vicinity W8811078; three US were WIA as
a result of these fires, Meanwhile Bravo 3-60th Infantry was still
engaging the enemy; and at 1545 hours both Bravo and Echo Companies
were In heavy contact with the enemy and were not able to effect the
link up. An enemy machinegun position, vicinity W8813077, prevented
an expedious link up of the companies. The machinegun position was
eliminated by elements of Bravo Company, killing the machinegun
crew of four VC. The link up was completed at 1715 hours, at which
time B Company was placed under the operational control of E Company
because Bravo 3-60th Infantry had sustained heavy casualties. The
three companies (A, B and E) secured the area of contact and established
their perimeter of defense for the night. Resupply and medical
evacuations were conducted. The enemy continued to engage the companies
with sporadic small arms and sniper fire throughout the evening.
Echo Company 3-60th Infantry reported they were monitoring an enemy
radio net; and the communications indicated that the VC would not
withdraw from the area because of US armed helicopters. The enemy
personnel losses were not known at this time; however, it was also
difficult to determine the exact number of casualties that the 3-60th
Infantry Battalion had sustained. Approximately ten US were KIA and 40 or
more had been WIA.