(THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY MADE BY BILL BATY FROM THE ORIGINAL)
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS
1ST BATTALION, 18TH INFANTRY
APO San Francisco 96345
30 September 1968
SUBJECT: After Action Report
TO: Commanding Officer
1st Battalion, 18th Infantry
1st Infantry Division
APO San Francisco 96345
1. NAME AND TYPE OF OPERATION: Reconnaissance in force in Di An District
Vicinity of Tan Heip.
2. DATES OF OPERATIONS: 4 May 1968 to 6 May 1968.
3. LOCATION: The location of the operations was vicinity of Tan Heip in
Di An District. The map sheets pertaining to this area are Vietnam, 1;25,000,
Sheets 6330 IVN and 6330 IN.
4. COMMAND HEADQUARTERS: 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
5. REPORTING OFFICER: Maj Phillip McClure, S3, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry.
6. TASK ORGANIZATION:
a. 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry (-): LTC George M. Tronsrue Jr, Commanding
(1) Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry: CPT Miguel A. Oetegui, commanding
(2) Company B, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry: CPT John M. Graham, Commanding
(3) Company D, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry: CPT Hubert S. Shaw Jr., commanding
(4) Headquarters and Headquarters Company (-), 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry
(5) Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry.
b. A Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 4 May 1968.
c. Aerial Rifle Platoon, 7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 4 May 1968
d. 1 Squad PRU's from Di An District Headquarters
e. Interrogators, 2d Brigade IPW Team.
7. SUPPORTING FIRES:
a. The following units provided artillery support for the operations. C Battery,
1st Battalion, 7th Artillery, and A Battery, 2d Battalion, 13th Artillery in
direct support. Both units provided outstanding support during the contact.
b. Helicopter support from the Brigade was provided for reconnaissance, resupply
And control. Helicopter support from the Division was provided for Light Fire
Team fire support and medical evacuation.
8. INTELLIGANCE:
a. Information sources: 2nd Brigade S2.
b. Enemy Forces: Enemy forces located in the area were elements of the Dong Nai
Regiment, C100 of the 21st Independent Battalion, elements of the 5th NVA Division,
C25 Engineer Company (Independent), Di An District Forces.
c. Terrain: Sparse trees, scrub grass, and gullys, built-up area, treelined canals,
rice paddies.
d. Weather: Temperatures ranged from moderate to hot with, light rain and scattered
clouds.
9. MISSION: 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry acting as RIP ro 2d Brigade conducts local
patrols, ambushes, and reconnaissance in force operations in the area surrounding Di An
Base Camp to interdict VC movement and activities and check on reported enemy arms caches.
10. CONDUCT OF OPERATION:
a. 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry conducted company size and platoon size ambushes
along likely avenues of approach, and extensive patrolling operations to interdict
VC movement.
b. A Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry acted as a blocking force on 4 may 1968.
c. 7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry.
11. EXECUTION:
a. General: The three (3) day period was highlighted by the large contact on 4 May
1968. 5-6 May 1968 were largely sweeping operations in the area of 4 May 1968
contact.
b. Operation and results of each day:
4 May 1968: D/1/18 conducted an RIF northeast of Di An Base Camp. At 0945 hrs D company
came under intense enemy fire at coordinates XT919104. At 1007 hrs Recon
Platoon/1/18 married up with 1 platoon from A/1/18 and then moved to reinforce
D/1/18. At 1120 hrs A/1/18 and the remainder of A/1/4 moved to reinforce
D/1/18. At 1220 hrs B/1/18 moved to reinforce. The days operatins were
conducted by 1/18(-) with A/1/4 attached. A/1/18 was placed OPCON to ¼ Cav
(-) and swept area to the south of the contact, with only light contact.
D/1/18, B/1/18, and Recon Platoon/1/18 swept the contact area to the north
with continuous enemy contact throughout the day. Contact was broken at
approximately 2100 hrs. See Incl (1) and two (2). Result of days operation
were 6 U.S. KIA and 23 U.S> WIA, enemy losses 109 VC (BC) and 5 PW's turned
over to Dagger S2. Enemy equipment found by 1/18(-) were 16 AK 47's, 6 AK
50's, 1 AK 54 pistol, 1 cal 30 M2 Carbine, 4 RPG 7's, 4 RPG 2's, 4 RPG 7
rounds with charges, 10 chicomconcusion grenades, 12 chicom anti-tank
grenades, 500 rounds AK ammo, 1 mortar site and aiming circle, and various
web gear.
5 May 1968: B/1/18 with Recon/1/18 and Devistate A conducted RIF in area of 4 May 1968
contact (XT9210. One Platoon A/1/18 was attached to ¼ Cav. At 1202 hrs,
coord XT918109, B/1/18 captured one VC Suspect. At 1304 hrs coord XT919108
B/1/18 killed 1 VC unarmed. At 1435 hrs coord XT919109 B/1/18 captured 1 VC
armed with US .45 cal pistol. At XT920110 B/1/18 found 10 VC (BC) not
previously counted from 4 May 1968 contact. The following equipment was
found throughout the day, 5 AK 47's, 1 chicom SKS carbine, 1 US .45 cal
pistol, 41 chicom grenades, 350 rounds AK 47 ammo, 1 9mm chicom pistol,
400 rounds 9mm pistol ammo, 1 flashlight, 31 RPG 7 rounds, 5 bangalore
torpedos, 2 RPG 7 launchers, 1 steel helmet. A/1/18 had company size night
ambush and D/1/18 had platoon size night ambush.
6 May 1968: D/1/18 with Recon/1/18 attached conducted RIF operations in vicinity of
4 May 1968 contact (XT9210). 1 platoon A/1/18 and 1 platoon B/1/18 attached
to ¼ Cav for RIF, OPCON to ¼ Cav B/1/18 found 1 RPF 2 launcher, 2 AK 50,
1 AK 47, 1 NVA gas masks, 7 RPG 2 rounds, 1 RPG 7 round, 8 82mm rounds,
6 anti-tank grenades, 9 RPG 2 boosters, 6 82mm fuses, 2 cans 82mm charges,
1 82mm swab, 2 homemade aiming stakes, 1 unknown type night lighting device,
1 first aid bag with misc items, 99 rounds AK 47 ammo, 1 hammock, 2 packs,
1 AK 47 ammo belt, 1 lb documents, 2 chicom grenades, 5 VC (BC) not
previously counted from 4 may 1968 contact, 1 pinapple grenade. B/1/18
positioned company size night ambush, vicinity XT 884077. At 2015 hrs
B/1/18 blew ambush on 1 VC with result 1 VC (BC).
c. RESULTS:
(1) Friendly losses: KHA - 6 (1/18)
WHA - 23 (1/18)
(2) Enemy losses: KIA (BC) - 126 (10-1/4 Cav)
POW - 6
VC Suspect - 1
(3) Weapons: AK-47 - 22
AK-50 - 7
AK-54 Pistol - 1
Cal 30 M2 carbine - 1
RPG 7's - 6
RPG 2's - 7
RPG 7 rounds - 36
RPG 2 rounds - 37
RPG boosters - 59
Concussion grenades - 10
Fragmentaton Grenades - 15
Anti-tank grenades -18
Pineapple grenades -1
AK-47 ammo rounds - 944
Mortar sight and aiming circle - 1
US .45 cal pistol - 1
Chicom SKS carbine - 1
9mm chicom pistol - 1
9mm pistol ammo rounds - 400
Bangalore torpedos -1
82mm rounds - 8
cans 82mm charges - 2
82mm swab - 1
aiming stakes (homemade) -2
(4) Materials: Steel helmet - 1
Flashlight - 1
NVA gas masks -2
Night lighting devices -1
First aid bag -1
Hammock - 1
Packs -2
AK-47 ammo belt -1
Documents - 1 lb
(5) Food: Cooked rice - 2 lb
(Inclosure to After Action Report0
Battle of Tan Heip - 4 May 68
1. Delta contact - heavily engaged: eventually pulled back to (2) while air (heavy
fire teams) and artillery completed striking area of contact; reinforced by the
Recon Platoon, 1/18th Inf before pulling back boundary between 1/18 and ¼ Cav(-)
effective after Delta had moved to (2); A 1-18 Inf same time. Elements of ¼ Cav
under OPCON 1-18th Inf occupied high ground, blocking all escape to north by fire.
Elements of 7/1 Cav screened area between their 2 points (1) to the east continuously.
2. Delta blocking position.
3. B 1-18th Inf and A ¼ Cav (-) attacked east abreast to reach positions shown. Both
elements in contact with Viet Cong upon reaching points about 100 meters west of
positions shown at (3); A ¼ mopped up and supported by fire as B 1-18th Inf prepared
to continue attack.
4. B 1/18th Inf continued attack to east; D 1-18th Inf reinforced by Recon Platoon
1-18th Inf moved on line and attacked east abreast of B 1-18th Inf through main
area of contact. Large portions of enemy had withdrawn to north and northwest.
B 1-18th Inf hit most of those withdrawing to north while D 1-18th Inf mopped up
vicinity (4).
5. Having reached open rice paddies, B 1-18th Inf was turned north to continue attack
through built up area to northern tree lines within Tan Hiep area; meeting groups
of Viet Cong all along route.
6. D 1-18th Inf and Recon 1-18th attacked east along two parallel tree lines bordering
canals filled with water and with large numbers of Viet Cong who had moved northeast
from area of contact, meeting at (7) and completing the annihilation of those Viet
Cong. PW were captured between (6) and (7).
8. About 10 Viet Cong attempted to run through open rice paddies, hiding behind dikes
between rushes. D 1-18 killed these, with fire support from 7/1 Cav and 2nd Bde LOH.
(Cdr 1-18)
9. Killing numerous Viet Cong enroute and capturing PW just north of (5), B 1-18th
established blocking position here w/one platoon, then began searching tree lines
and draws to the west as elements of A ¼ Cav completed thickening of western blocking
force by moving to (10).
11N and 11S. Ground elements of 7-1 Cav landed at these two points to block Viet Cong
escape along these tree-lined canals. Force at (11N) moved south toward B 1-18th
platoon blocking position at (9). Halted by Viet Cong fire before they could turn
west, they blocked while the B-1-18th Inf platoon attacked east to the sharp bend
in the canal and treeline.
12. B 1-18th Inf encountered several small groups of Viet Cong; annihilated all by
squad-size fire and maneuver.
13. After Clearing the two parallel treelines meeting at (7) and completing the action
at (8), D 1-18th w/Recon 1-18th returned to highway at (13)
14. Upon completion of platoon-size attack to east and mopped-up vicinity (12),
B 1-18th Inf returned to highway 2T 14.
Incl 1
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