Southern Cross information
for 11 BDE 23 INF
39 ENG 23 INF
B/123 AVN

For date 700102


11 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
39 ENG 23 INF was a US Army unit
B/123 AVN was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Ngai Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, FSB BRONCO
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Ordnance Run Toughest Route Say Scrappy Drivers Who Know" by 1LT. James P. Collins 11th IO. FSB BRONCO - The armored personnel carriers and "deuce and a half" trucks formed up as usual, their cold steel sides glistening with the early morning dew. There was a quiet tenseness among the men of the Division who would ride these vehicles on the mine-sweep south to Sa Huynh. They had been ambushed the day before. Before the last vehicle had passed through the gate of the 11th Bde., clearance for harassment and interdiction fire was being requested for a grid several miles away. Duc Pho was still sleepy-eyed but awake enough to smile and flash victory signs as the six vehicles convoy rumbled through. SP4 Alvin Cornelius (New York), Co. A 39th Engr Bn., who was triple checking his M-60 machinegun remarked: "They'll be mighty sorry if they try anything today." Overhead two "Warlord" Cobras of 123rd Aero-Scout Company added emphasis to the statement. H&I to the west," crackles the voice of CPT Michael Moore (Dallas, Texas) 4-21st Inf. over the radio. As if controlled by a single trigger, the convoy opened up, spraying the ridgeline to the right with lead. The recon-by-fire continued periodically over the remainder of the 18 mile paved stretch of Highway One, which was navigated without incident. "The road is open, repeat open, to Sa Huynh." The return trip to Duc Pho has been called the "Ordnance Run" because of the large quantity arms and ammunition turned in to the convoy by the youngsters waiting on the roadside. The Voluntary Information Program (VIP) authorizes payment to civilians for turning in such munitions. This trip was no exception for about five miles south of Duc Pho, when two straw-hatted boys flagged down the convoy. They led 1LT Fred Friesz (Billings, Mont.) to a 155mm artillery round several hundred meters off the road. LT Friesz called for a demo team to blow the round in place and began filling out a VIP receipt form. As he handed the youngsters 300 piasters - the "going rate" for an artillery shell, he remarked: "It's a bargain at any price to deprive the VC of a possible mine or booby trap." The mine sweep convoy returned to 11th Brigade Headquarters, their mission completed for the day. "That's it," said a dusty soldier. "Until tomorrow," added another quietly.

The source for this information was 7001_340.SCR supplied by Les Hines (Southern Cross newspaper from 23rd Inf Div)


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Last updated 12/26/2000

Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023