ORLL report information
for 7/1 CAV
44 STZ
From date 690430 to 690201
7/1 CAV was a US Army unit
44 STZ was a Vietnamese Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Operation BLACKHAWK
Vinh Long Province, IV Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Vinh Long
Description: The 7/1st Cav ORLL states: During the reporting period (1 Feb - 30 Apr), the Sqdn had 5 KIAs and 42 WIAs (27 returned to duty); 8 destroyed OH-6As and 45 damaged, 1 destroyed UH-1H and 14 damaged, 6 destroyed AH-1Gs and 13 damaged. Safety: HHT flew 1,299 hours with 0 accident, A Trp 6,909 with 4, B Trp 6,620 with 2, and C Trp 6,661 with 0. Personnel: The Sqdn received an infusion of 24 off/wo from 2/17th ACS, 101st Abn and was only allowed a 24 hour overlap. Operations: The three ACTs conducted two types of missions: GS to the 7th, 9th, and 21st ARVN Divs plus the 9th Inf Div, and Operation BLACKHAWK in the 44th STZ. During Apr, all three ATCs provided maximum effort to support Operation BLACKHAWK; this period was unique in that it was the first time that all the ACTs were able to operate under the centralized Sqdn control. The Sqdn established a forward CP in Cao Lanh with the 44th STZ. The Blue platoons were used in conjunction with Vietnamese Camp Strike Forces to exploit situations developed by the air recon. This intensive effort resulted in impressive results especially on Apr 5 and 7. Night missions were conducted throughout the period with emphasis on sampan traffic. Smoke from burning rice paddies made it unsafe and unpratical to use the searchlight system, so flares were used. The Sqdn operations for the 9th US Inf Div emphasized inserting the maximum number of troops in preplanned areas rather than exploiting the aerial reconnaissance capabilities. A "people sniffer" was employed on several missions. Large CS gas dispensers were used and as the gas despersed, the scouts would perform a VR to detect any movement. This techniques worked well but the scouts found the protective mask very irritating if worn for any length of time. A hunter-killer force supported the 9th US Inf Div. The force consisted of one C&C UH-1H, two AH-1Gs and a flare ship for emergency illumination. The sniper's primary duty was to sight, evaluate and engage the target from the C&C ship. Immediately after the sniper engaged the target, the door gunner fired at it with his M-60 until the AH-1Gs could positively identify the area. The AH-1Gs provide area coverage rather than point target engagement. VT fuxes on the aerial rockets insured greater area coverage. The snipers used their starlight scopes to assess the damage and the flareship was used when natural moonlight was not sufficient for the starlight scopes. Results for these missions; 68 confirmed KBA, 107 possibles, and 45 sampans destroyed. Troop D, for the majority, was OPCONned to the 44th STZ providing perimeter security in the vicinity of Vinh Long, Chi Lang, Tri Ton, and Moc Hoa; and convoy security between Ving Long, Can Tho, Chi Lang and Tri Ton. From 13 Feb-10 Apr, the 2nd platoon supported the USSF in taking Mount Coto while retaining the perimeter defense at the FSB at Tri Ton. Their 106MM RR fired continuously day and night in support of the effort to seize the mountain. On 10 Apr, the last enemy resistenance ceased. Basecamp: During Feb, additional ramps, helicopter revetments and maintenance areas were constructed on the sout side of Vinh Long enabling the Sqdn to consolidate the aircraft of the ATCs. Security: New towers, bunkers and fighting positions, to include interior positions, were constructed. When Troop D returned from 120 days in the field, they began ambush and patroling around Vinh Long.
Comments: LTC Crook, George R.; Sqdn CO; ;
MAJ Rhein, John H.; Sqdn XO; ;
CPT Fields, Raymond A.; Sqdn S-1; ;
CPT White, Robert K.; Sqdn S-2; ;
MAJ Thompson, David E.; Sqdn S-3; ;
CPT Cable, Donald V.; Sqdn S-4; ;
1LT Cashion, Gary G.; Signal Off; ;
CPT Kunishi, John F.; Flt Surgeon; ;
CPT McManus, Charles K.; Safety Off; ;
MAJ Weaver, James H.; Maint Off; ;
MAJ Hudnal, Vernon H.; HHT CO; ;
MAJ Sheafer, Phillip G.; A Troop CO; ;
MAJ Gillette, William P. III; B Troop CO; ;
MAJ Leins, David V. Jr.; C Troop CO; ;
CPT Grandel, Ronald D.; D Troop CO; ;
The source for this information was 7/1 CAV ORLL dated 8 May 69
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
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Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023