unit history information
for 7/1 CAV
44 STZ
From date 690731 to 690501
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 that during the period the Sqdn reported 1 KIA, 20 WIAs of which 15 returned to duty; 4 OH-6As destroyed with 26 damaged, 3 UH-1Hs with 8, and 3 AH-1Gs with 8; HHT flew 1,126 hours with 0 accidents, A Trp 6,851 with 3, B Trp 6,259 with 2, and C Trp 6,016 with 1. Operations: The Sqdn continued extensive operations for the 44th STZ including continuous night and day coverage of the border regions with two ACTs during the day and one ACT as Hunter/Killer teams during the night. Several night contacts were made with large forces attempting to infiltrate and the report lists a page and a half of captured or destroyed enemy weapons, equipment, and ammo. The Hunter/Killer team tactics were modified to use incendiary grenades to mark the target and the Cobras used a mix of point detonating and VT fuzed rockets plus fleshette rounds when they were available. The report includes a discussion of the successful use of a single Cobra versus two on some Hunter/Killer teams. Use of "People Sniffer" at night was not successful, so it was discontinued. The HQ continued to use the forward CP at Cao Lanh. D Trp deployed as a fire support element for Vietnamese Forces for periods of up to seven days. Basecamp: PA&E is presently building a cement border around each refueling pad so the gravel and PSP can be held in place. Grounding wires were installed at all 14 miniports. Construction of new billets for B Trp and D/3/5th Cav started in the latter weeks of the quarter. Frequent patrolling and ambushes by the Blues were used around Vinh Long along with Last Light VRs of the airfield sensitive zones.
Comments: LTC Derrick, George E.; Sqdn CO; ;
MAJ Rhein, John H.; Sqdn XO; ;
CPT Hull, Willaim T.; Sqdn S-1; ;
MAJ Sheaffer, Phillip G.; Sqdn S-2; ;
MAJ Thompson, David E.; Sqdn S-3; ;
CPT Cable, Donald V.; Sqdn S-4; ;
1LT Cashion, Gary C.; Signal Off; ;
CPT Kunishi, John F.; Flt Surgeon; ;
CW2 Suarez, Jose A.; Safety Off; ;
CPT Black, Robert H.; Maint Off; ;
MAJ Hudnall, Vernon H.; HHT CO; ;
MAJ Kidwell, Walter E.; A Trp CO; ;
MAJ Gillette, William P. III; B Trp CO; ;
MAJ Rittenhouse, William R.; C Trp CO; ;
CPT Steiner, Charles R.; D Trp CO; ;
The source for this information was 7/1 CAV ORLL dated 10 Aug 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