Chronology of Southeast Asia in Conflict: Special Report: 173rd Airborne Brigade Operations 1969

Due to the confusion with name and dates, I have made my best effort at extracting what commanders wrote in their own reports about the 173^rd’s operations. [283] The following dates, operation names, and details have been verified from non-classified and declassified commander reports. All description information has also been taken directly from these same reports.

February 1, 1969 – April 31, 1969. Operations report for the 173d Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers).

In an operational report of 173d Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers) from February 1, 1969 – April 31, 1969, the following comments and details were noted: Since arriving in Vietnam in May 1965, as the American Army's first ground combat unit, the 173d, better known as the Sky Soldiers, have remained alert to quickly and forcefully respond to any enemy threat and meet any assigned mission. To accomplish this mission, the 173d Airborne Brigade conducts a total of 10 combat operations throughout 4ts area of responsibility. Operations took place took place in the following three AO's. AO Dan Cuong/Lee (Bong Son-Uplift), AO Suc Manh (An Khe), and AO Dan Phu/Waineright (Tuy Hoa). In mid-April the Brigade terminated its major combat operations and bean and began conducting pacification operations in Binh Dinh Province. For a short time the Brigade also conducted operations around the port of Qui Nhon in southern Binh Dinh Province. Among the responsibilities of the Brigade are: Reconnaissance-in-force operations throughout its geographical area; security of Highway 10 from An Khe to Mangang Pass (the main logistical link between the coastal port of Qui Nhom and the Central Highlands); security of Highway 4 from Qui Nhon to I Corps (South Vietnam’s only north-south highway), and protection of the villages and rice harvests in the heavily populated agricultural regions along the coast. [283] The 173d Airborne Brigade continued to be under the leadership of Brigadier General John W. Barnes, who assumed command on 15 December 1968. Presently under the control of IFFV, the bridage is conducting operation east of the central highlands, north to I Corps, and south to Tuy Hoa and west to An Khe. There are four airborne infantry battalions of the 503^rd Infantry, the 3d Battalion, 319^th Artillery, E Troop, 17^th Cavalry, the 1^st Battalion (Mech) 50^th Infantry, D Company, 16^th Armor, and 173d Engineer Company. [283]

Operation Darby March I. February 1, 1969 – February 8, 1969.

In AO Dan Phu/Wainwright the 4^th Battalion (Abn) 503d Infantry conducted hunter-killer/reconnaissance in Force operation around Tuy Hoa. [283] The operation was also conducted in conjunction with the 26^th ROK Regiment and the Rhu Yen Province Pacification Program. D/16^th armor continued security operation at An Nghiep Hamlet and provided security at the Tuy Hoa North Airfield and acted as a Rapid Reaction Force. [283]

Operation Darby March II. February 8, 1969 – March 6, 1969.

173rd Airborne Brigade, 4th Battalion in AO Dan Phu/Wainwright, and the 503rd Airborne Infantry clear and search operation in Phú Yên Province. [283] Operation dates have also been reported as being from March 16, 1969 – Apr 15, 1969. [35] [283] AO Dan Cuong/Lee is the Brigade's most densely populated area of operation, containing nearly 350,000 people. Of this number, an estimated 215,000 are considered as bring under Viet Cong influence or as living in contested areas. Most of the population lives along the coast of the South China Sea in the rich, rice producing lowlands and are engaged in either rice production (three to four crops each year) or commercial fishing, for the most part on an individual basis. The entire Binh Dinh area has long been identified as a Viet Cong stronghold, dating back to the days of French occupation. [283] In addition, Route QL 1, Vietnam’s coastal highway and the country's primary highway that runs the length of the country), runs through Binh Dinh’s center. Because of its importance, QL 1 has now been almost completely surfaced with asphalt in Binh Dinh Province. The Vietnam National Railroad, which runs parallel to QL 1, is heavily damaged, and has not been in use in AO Dan Cuong/Lee since late 1964. However, the Vietnam National Railroad now operates between Qui Nhon and Phu Cat Air Force Base, hauling heavy equipment and building materials. [283]

Operation Darby Crest I. February 1, 1969 – March 3, 1969.

In AO Dan Cuong/Lee the 1^st Battalion (Abn) 503d Infantry conducted operations generally to the north of LZ Uplift for the primary purpose of conducting Hunter-Killer/Search operations. The 1/503d received support from C(-)/1-69 Armor and 3/E-17. [283] Also, operations were con ducted 40^th ARVH Regiment in the Crescent Plains area. The operation was targeted against the D22 Hoai An District Co., local force guerrillas and elements of the 18^th NVA Regiment conducting food collection efforts in the Crescent area. Cumulative results after operation termination were as follows: US KIA 1, CIDG losses were none, ARVN losses were 1 KIA and 1 WIA. US inflicted enemy losses as follows: 48KIA, 1 CIA, 18 SA, 6 HG’s, 1 CS, 267 det., misc. documents, 5 RS, 60,000 plasters, 1 civilian radio and misc. equipment. Author’s comments: Of all the after action reports I have read, the one for Darby Crest I is one of the strangest.

Operation Darby Crest II. March 4, 1969 – March 25, 1969.

In AO Dan Cuong/Lee the 1^st Battalion (Abn) 503d Infantry conducted operations generally to the north of LZ Uplift for the primary purpose of conducting Hunter-Killer/Search operations of selected villages along QL 1 in support of Rural Development Teams and overall pacification projects. The 1/503d received support from C(-)/1-69 Armor and 3/E-17. [283] To a large extent this was a continuation of Operation Darby Crest I.

Operation Darby Crest III. March 25, 1969– April 15, 1969.

Operation Stingray I. March 6, 1969 – March 10, 1969.

The 4/503 moved to AO Suc Manh/Marshall where it conducted operations as a hunter-killer/reconnaissance in Force. [283] The 1^st Battalion (Mech) 50^th Infantry also assisted with security and mine sweeps and perimeter defense of Camp Radcliff until April 15, 1969 whey were relieved by elements of the 4^th Infantry Division. [283]

Operation Stingray II. March 11, 1969.

173rd Airborne Brigade clear and search operation in Bình Định Province. [35] Early on the morning of 8 March, an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion attacked the night defensive positions of an element of the 1^st Brigade, U.S. 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 6 km (4 miles) northeast of Phu Khuong. The enemy attack was preceded by an unreported number and caliber of rocket rounds. The enemy employed small arms, automatic weapons and RPG rocket-grenade fire while the troopers returned fire with organic weapons supported by artillery and helicopter gunships. Action continued until about 0800 hours when contact was lost as the enemy withdrew. In a sweep of the battle area in and around the perimeter, elements of the brigade found the bodies of 154 NVA soldiers killed in the abortive night attack. In addition, eight crew-served (including two flamethrowers) and 23 individual weapons were captured. The following items were left scattered in the area and were captured: 10,000 AK-47 small arms rounds, 73 CHICOM hand grenades, 45 RPG-2 rocket grenades, 4 Bangalore torpedoes, and 250 one-half pound satchel charges. U.S. casualties were 11 killed and 30 wounded.

Operation Darby Punch I. February 8, 1969 – March 6, 1969.

173rd Airborne Brigade, 4th Battalion [283]

Operation Darby Punch II. February 8, 1969 – March 6, 1969.

173rd Airborne Brigade, 4th Battalion in AO An. [283] March 10-May 24, 1970 The 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted its 50th operation, Operation Darby Punch II, in and around the city of An Khe. (This sentence in this field command report is confusing…)

Operation Darby Punch III. March 10, 1969 – March 24, 1969.

173rd Airborne Brigade, 4th Battalion in AO An Khe conducted operations as a hunter-killer/reconnaissance in force operation. [283]

Operation Darby Trail I. February 1, 1969 – February 7, 1969.

In AO Dan Cuong/Lee the 2^nd Battalion (Abn) 503d Infantry conducted operation surrounding LZ English for the primary purpose of hunter-killer/reconnaissance in Force operations. [283] The 2/503d Infantry received support from 2/C-1-69 Armor at North English; 1/E-17 Calvary provided security at the Bong Son Bridge. [283] US forces were combined with the 40^th ARVN Regiment and 2/14^th APC Troop om the Bong Son Plains area. The operation was also targeted against the supply and transportation elements of the 3d NVD Division, Base Area 225 and the possible location of the 2d NVA Regiment. US and allied force losses during this operation was minimal with no KIAs and only 1 WIA. Enemy losses were 4 KIA.

Operation Darby Trail II. February 8, 1969 – April 15, 1969.

In AO Dan Cuong/Lee the 2^nd Battalion (Abn) 503d Infantry as well as the 4/503d conducted operation surrounding LZ English for the primary purpose of hunter-killer/reconnaissance in Force (Hawk/RF) operations. [283] The 2/503d Infantry received support from 2/C-1-69 Armor at North English; 1/E-17 Calvary provided security at the Bong Son Bridge. [283] US forces were combined with the 40^th ARVN Regiment and 2/14^th APC Troop in surrounding areas.

Operation Darby Trail III. October 1, 1969 – October 5, 1969.

A 173rd Airborne Brigade operation of the 4th Infantry Division in the I Corps and II Corps boundary in Binh Dinh Province. The Brigade’s mission was to conduct reconnaissance operations in the An Lão Valley and to interdict the movement of the PAVN 2nd Regiment, 3rd Division across the boundary. This was a combined operation involving 2 battalions of the Brigade, elements of the 23rd Infantry Division and ARVN 4th Regiment, 2nd Division and two regimental task forces of the ARVN 22nd Division for a total of 9 battalions. The results of this operation included 55 PAVN/VC killed and 21 small arms captured. [83]

Operation Washington Green (Bình Định Province). April 15, 1969 – January 1, 1971.

173rd Airborne Brigade pacification operation in the An Lao Valley, Bình Định Province. [42] [283] 173rd Airborne Brigade pacification operation in the An Lao Valley, Bình Định Province. [42] In April 1969 Brigade commander Brig. Gen. John W. Barnes officially ended the unit's pair-off program and replaced it with Operation Washington Green, an intensive area security effort with territorial and paramilitary forces in Bình Định Province. In essence, Washington Green was a second Operation Fairfax, but without the presence of ARVN regulars. Operation Washington Green proved to be the final American campaign in Bình Định Province, and its greatest achievement may have been in training an impressive number of territorial and paramilitary forces. However, in the long run the operation appeared no more successful than Fairfax's efforts to clean up Gia Dinh Province around Saigon prior to the Tet Offensive. Bình Định was not easily pacified by military action alone. American and Vietnamese local intelligence was poor, the area was a traditional VC stronghold, and province and district officials were never able to eliminate the local VC infrastructure. In the "Three Front Concept" to be performed simultaneously and included the pursuit of province and district pacification plans, the upgrading of the training, leadership, and combat effectiveness of all South Vietnamese forces operating in the area of operations, and finally the conduct of combat operations that would complement, exploit, and further stabilize South Vietnamese agencies operating in support of pacification. [83] During the operation each maneuver battalion located its main or forward tactical operations center with that of the MACV Advisory element and the South Vietnamese Government officials at district headquarters. This placed the battalion intelligence officers in close coordination with the District Intelligence Coordination Center. Artillery liaison teams were similarly collocated with the District Fire Direction Centers. This process of collocation was maintained through all lower levels of command, such that US rifle companies collocated with Regional Force (RF) companies and rifle platoons with Popular Force (PF) platoons. [83] The operation concluded with 1,957 PAVN/VC killed.

March 20, 1969. Medal of Honor. Cpl. Terry Kawamura.

Cpl. Terry Kawamura from the 173rd Engineer Company became the 11th Sky Soldier to earn the Medal of Honor. His citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Kawamura distinguished himself by heroic action while serving as a member of the 173d Engineer Company. An enemy demolition team infiltrated the unit quarters area and opened fire with automatic weapons. Disregarding the intense fire, Cpl. Kawamura ran for his weapon. At that moment, a violent explosion tore a hole in the roof and stunned the occupants of the room. Cpl. Kawamura jumped to his feet, secured his weapon and, as he ran toward the door to return the enemy fire, he observed that another explosive charge had been thrown through the hole in the roof to the floor. He immediately realized that 2 stunned fellow soldiers were in great peril and shouted a warning. Although in a position to escape, Cpl. Kawamura unhesitatingly, wheeled around and threw himself on the charge. In completely disregarding' his safety, Cpl. Kawamura prevented serious injury or death to several members of his unit. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Cpl. Kawamura are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Image: Cpl. Medal of Honor. Terry Kawamura

Landing Zone English (aka English Airfield, LZ Dog, LZ English or simply Bong Son).

This is a former U.S. Army base in Bồng Sơn, Bình Định Province, Vietnam. The base was located along Highway 1 approximately 82 km northwest of Qui Nhơn. LZ Dog was originally established by the 1st Cavalry Division in late January 1966 as part of Operation Irving. The base served as headquarters (together with Camp Radcliff) for the 1st Cavalry Division from July 1967 to January 1968.

English was the base for the 173rd Airborne Brigade from May 1968 to August 1971. From August–October 1968 combat engineers from the 18th Engineer Brigade upgraded the existing airstrip into a Lockheed C-130 Hercules capable airfield.

Other units stationed at English included:

7th Battalion, 13th Artillery (1967-October 1969)

1st Battalion, 30th Artillery (April 1967-February 1968)

3rd Battalion, 319th Artillery

3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (March–April 1968) comprising:

1st Battalion, 14th Infantry1st Battalion, 35th Infantry

2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry

1st Battalion, 50th Infantry

19th Combat Engineer Battalion (August 1968 to February 1969)

Chronology of Southeast Asia in Conflict

Friday, May 1, 2020

Special Report: 173rd Airborne Brigade Operations 1969