unit history information
for B/7/17 CAV

For date 680201


B/7/17 CAV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Kontum Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Dak To
Description: B/7/17 Cav's AO was Dak To but when the Troop reached Dak To they were unable to land because it was under a heavy mortar attack. They diverted to Kontum to aid in a sweeping operation. Upon reaching Kontum, their aircraft again received enemy fire. NVA gun positions within the city were taken under fire with one confirmed NVA KIA. The lift section then evacuated 3 friendly WIA's to the 71st Evac at Pleiku. While the lift aircraft were enroute back to Kontum, the C-Model gunships were doing their job and accounted for 5 more NVA KIA's. When the lift arrived at Kontum, the Troop received word that the mortar fire had ceased at Dak To and they were to return immediately. Reaching Dak To the Scouts observed an NVA force of unknown size situated in numerous mortar positions. These positions were quickly engaged by the gunships and then by airstrikes. The airstrikes uncovered an extensive complex of well over 200 interconnecting tunnels and bunkers. A second airstrike was employed, resulting in large secondary explosions. Numerous bunkers and 4 mortar positions were destroyed with many of the tunnels collapsed. The Scouts then observed 4 NVA crossing a trail and the gunships were employed. Throughout the first and second gunruns, the gunships received intense fire from a .50 caliber position. One gunship took numerous rounds which caused it to return to Pleiku Air Force Base. The co-pilot received facial wounds from the shattered windows which necessitated his evacuation to the 71st Evac. The pilot returned to Base Camp for treatment. The action credited B Troop with 4 NVA KIA's. The aircraft was recovered later and returned to Base Camp for major repairs. The lift section was reemployed to transport C Company, 1/22d Inf, from Dak To to Kontum which required a total of 20 sorties. During the initial lift, B Troop was credited with 4 more NVA KIA's. B Troop received a change of mission to support A Troop with a convoy escort. The Troop finally departed the AO at 2045.

The source for this information was B/7/17 CAV 4 Feb 67 - 1 JAN 69 Unit History


Additional information is available on CD-ROM.

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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023