Army Reporter information
for D/1/1 CAV
For date 710315
D/1/1 CAV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
South Vietnam
Location, Chu Lai
Description: 15Mar71 LOHs blast 13
CHU LAI - Elements of D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cav., trapped and destroyed a 15-man element five miles south of here during a daylight operation. (This might be action of January 21st 1971. ORLL indicates 13 KIA and 2 captured by D/1/1st Cav on this day). An aerial observer working with the 1st Bn., 6th Inf., spotted three sampans loaded with Communist troops moving north along the Tra Bong River and called for support. The enemy immediately took evasive action, beaching their boats on an island and attempting to hide in the thick underbrush growing in the two feet of water that covered the island. Diverted from another mission, the 123rd Aviation Bn.'s Sabre flight (combined air-ground force) moved into the area. LOH pilots Capt. Sidney Austin and WO Doyle U. Miner spotted 15 enemy soldiers occupying the island, confirming the aerial observer's report. Receiving instructions from flight leader Lt. Ralph V. Cain, members of the troop's aero-rifle platoon (Blues) were inserted on the opposite shore, 50 yards away. The enemy failed to respond to repeated attempts by the LOHs to force their surrender and when then subjected to a CS (tear gas) attack in hopes that they would give up. Failing to receive any response, the Sabres requested permission to open fire and were cleared immediately by the district chief. The LOHs, supported by Cobra gunships, blasted the island. A team of volunteers, led by Lt. Arthur L. Galloway and including Staff Sgt. Wheeler Brooks, Sgt. Kevin O'Brien and Pfc Michael Tyson, was inserted by UH1H (Huey) pilot John M. Allen on the submerged island. Sweeping the area, the team detained two suspects. Thirteen enemy dead were accounted for an credited to the LOHs. Continuing the sweep, the Blues recovered eight AK47s and one 9mm plus 20 Chinese Communist grenades. Ammunition and 25 packs containing uniforms were also discovered by the 23rd Infantry Division troops.
Comments: CPT Austin, Sidney; pilot; ;
WO Miner, Doyle U.; pilot; ;
The source for this information was 7103AR.AVN supplied by Les Hines
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