The Redhorse Review Di An,
Vietnam 12 January 1970HISTORY DELTA TROOP : VIETNAM
News Letters from the past: Vietnam 1969-
The Redhorse Review Di An,
Vietnam 12 January 1970
Volume 1 Number 4
D
TROOP Moves
TO
DI AN
Di
AN--On
the 14th of December the "Blue Tigers" of Troop D, 3d Squadron, 17th
Air Cavalry began their move to Di An, after nearly two years of absence.
A forward element,
came to Di An to
secure, clean up and begin the rebuilding of their new area.
The
"Blue Tigers" left Di An base
camp on
5 January '1968 and, became operational to many units over the span of two
years, returning only momentarily to the control of the 3rd Squadron
17th Air Cavalry. More recently, under the command of CPT William R. Condos,
Jr., the "Blue Tigers" were stationed at Bien Hoa, and in addition to
supporting Company D, 75th Infantry (Rangers) LRRP, were under the operational
control of Bien Hoa Tactical Area Command. Troop D, 75th Infantry (Rangers) was
the only unit having active combat operations in the Long Binh-Bien Hoa area.
On
28 December the various sections began moving their equipment to their new
areas. The move was culminated by a road march from Bien Hoa to the base camp of
Di An. 13 flatboys with connexes, gun jeeps, 106mm jeeps, 2 1/2 ton trucks, and
¾ ton trucks--all
made the March.
Although
the "Blue Tigers" are now' in Di An, they still have their commitment
to the 75th Infantry Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols in Long Binh,
and maintain a platoon size force there at all times.
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A Tiger BY THE Tail
Once you have a
tiger by the tail, them what? Charlie found the answer
"the hard Way when he tried
tangling with the "Blue Tigers" of Troop D,3d Squadron, 17th
Air Cavalry,
leaving behind one dead comrade and evidence of
other inflicted casualties.
On 17 December, elements of the "Blue
Tiger" third platoon were inserted in support of Company D, 75th Infantry (Rangers). whi1e
moving deftly through the jungle, the platoon
heard a occasional single shots in the area.
As the column halted
to determine the direction of the fine, two 81mm mortar rounds exploded
approximately 100 meters to the rear of the platoon. The well concealed HQ
section then observed an unknown sized enemy force approaching from the right.
The enemy returned small arms fire and 81mm mortars near
the platoon after the Blue Tigers" initiated action against the
force.
After the ardor was given to Cease fire, the Scout section made a
reconnaissance by fire both to the front and right of the column. The growl was loud enough to send
the enemy scattering back into the jungle.
One enemy soldier was found dead and several and several
trails of blood were found indicating Charlie had received his scratches. The one
soldier left found
behind, was be an NVA
corporal.
-------------------------------------------------
"I humped an 81rnm mortar up a hill through three feet of mud, and only consolation being that I had brought my radio and could listen to the show.
"All afternoon I had it tuned to the Am station waiting for the show" to begin, only to find out that night that the program had been carried on Fm!"
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During
the month of December,
the "Blue Tigers" of D Troop remained completely combat
operational. They were assigned three daily missions: to maintain daily
daylight reconnaissance sweeps and night ambush positions in their area of
operations, to maintain a ready reaction force in Long Binh for Co. D, 75th
Infantry (Rangers) LRRP; and to provide a force for the Bien
Hoa berm guard. Early in December,
Troop
D was released from its mission under Bien Hoa Tactical Area Command and
continued to perform its same missions while OPCON to 3d Squadron, 17th Air
Cavalry.
During
December, the
"Blue Tigers" performed approximately a dozen: insertions in support
of Co. D, 75th Infantry. Several of these insertions involved tw0
Platoons.
On
3 December the "Blue
Tigers" took the wind out of Charlie's sails by uncovering a large cache.
Aside
from weapons sights and assorted parts and equipment for bicycles, D Troop
cramped the enemy's firepower by capturing 4000, 51 caliber rounds•.
On
the 12th Troop D had its CMMI
and received very satisfactory scores in all areas. CPT William R. Condos,
"Blue Tiger" Commander, extends a "well done" to every man
in the troop, and a special mention goes to SGT Gerald Schurkamp for
his fine
work in CBR (100%), and to the men in the maintenance section: who worked so
hard to insure success.
On
the 17th of December elements of the third platoon
made contact and reported one enemy killed in action, and another possible KIA.
On
the 21st, a 72 man force
was inserted at the sight of a recent B-52 bombing sight, and made an
overnight reconnaissance sweep of the area. The "Blue Tigers" found
traces of what appeared to be a Viet Cong base camp, which included bunkers,
fireplaces, and fresh trails and footprints.
On
Christmas Day, Troop D completed its mission for Bien Hoa berm guard.
On
30 December the "Blue Tigers" made a final road march to Di An
culminating their relocation. And
a special
thanks is sent to C Troop for sharing their mess hall facilities with the
"Blue Tigers" until theirs can be rebuilt.
