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1971
History of the 12th Cav in Vietnam 27 Jul 1968
– 30 Nov 1971
According to the collective
remembrances of it’s surviving troopers.
CPT Errol D. Alexander, July-Oct 1968
CPT Kenneth G.
Carlson, Oct 68-Mar 69
CPT Larry R. Robinson, Mar-Sep 1969
CPT
William C. Kaufman, Sep-Nov 1969
CPT Matthias A. Spruill, Nov 69-Feb
70
CPT John L. B. Smith, Feb-May 1970
CPT Robert R. Richards,
May-Oct 70
CPT Woodrow W. Waldrop, Oct 70-Apr 71
CPT Edward E.
Helton, Apr-Oct 71
January 1971
The following information was provided by Short, Keith . (2000) C COMPANY, 1 st BATTALION, 11 th INFANTRY. Colorado : Roshtiek: from his research manual.
Two operations of the 5th Mech out of the AA's; with information in regards to A Troop 4/12 Cav activities.
1/C/1-11, 1/5 Infantry Division (Mech)--Quang Tri Province
3/A/2-506th Infantry (Ambl), 3/101st Airborne Division (Ambl)--Thua Thien
Province
Lam Son 719 Significant Events entries in the Combat After Action Report of
the 1/5 Mech.
According to the AA, A/4-12 Cav had 25 WIA'S and no KIA'S during this
operation.
28 JAN 71
1/A/4-12, 282217H, YD107694 (4km SW S-4).
The unit reported that a trip flare was detonated approximately 75 meters
north of the NDP. They also received 3-4x rounds of AK-47 fire from the
north. Organic weapons fire was placed on the area, and pink light and
radar were employed, but with negative sightings. The area was swept at
first light with negative results.
29 JAN 71
2/A/4-12, 291200H, YD157687 (4km ESE A-4).
An M551 Sheridan detonated a PM60 mine buried near a tank trail. There was
1x US WIA; the vehicle sustained moderate damage. The unit then received
approximately 10x rounds of AK-47 fire from 100 meters west of their
location. The area was engaged with organic weapons fire and was swept
with negative results. There were negative further friendly casualties.
The resulting crater was 5'x3'x7'.
2/A/4-12, 291430H, YD163700 (5km east A-4)
An M551 Sheridan detonated a PM60 mine buried in a tank trail. There was
1x US WIA; the vehicle sustained moderate damage. The crater was 7'x7'x'5.
12 FEB 71
A/4-12, 121145, YD158698 (3km E A-4).
A M551 hit a PM60 pressure activated mine which was buried in an open field
resulting in a crater which was 4' by 4'. There were negative friendly
casualties, the vehicle was a combat loss.
3 APR 71
1-77, 032310H, XD820418 (2km N Khe Sanh).
Team received AK-47 fire and grenades from an estimated 6x NVA. Small arms
fire and grenades were returned. A/4-12 reinforced team. Results: 1x US
KIA, 1x US WIA, 2x NVA KIA. Sniper team at 040800H, made a sweep of area
where there was contact resulting in the following items captured: 2x RPG
rounds, 1x RPG cleaning kit, 1x estimated one pound type of explosive, 1x
homemade bangalore torpedo, 1x hunting knife with scabbard, 1x first-aid
packet, 1x NVA pistol belt with fish cakes. There were heavy blood trails
and drag marks throughout the area.
EXCERPTS FROM MONTANA MUSTANG 1-5 COAAR
08 April 71 – 11 July 71
Montana Mustang Significant Events entries in the Combat After Action
Report of the 1/5 Mech.
According to the AA, A/4-12 Cav had 19 WIA's and 2 KIA's during this
operation. They were attached to Task Force 1-77 Armor with the 1-77 Armor
(-).
20 APR 1971
201025H, YD238460. 2/A/4-12. Track detonated an unknown type
boobytrap--negative casualties or damage. Area was checked with negative
results. No recent area activity.
201230H, YD331445. 3/A/4-12. M551 detonated a 20 pound plastic pressure
activated mine--negative casualties. No recent area activity. 2 vehicles
had passed over mine previously.
1 MAY 1971
011340H, YD290458. 2/A/4-12. M113 hit Arty shell having claymore type
clacker detonator--negative casualties. One roadwheel was blown off.
5 May 1971
051000H, YD249484. 2/A/4-12. M551 hit aluminum type rocket mine blowing
off 2 roadwheels--1 US WIA.
051145H, YD258486. 2/A/4-12 discovered mine made up of 1 RPG and 1 82mm
round. Mine was blown in place.
18 MAY 1971
182040H, YD112719. 2/A/4-12 spotted 3 personnel 50 meters from their
position while on an 8-man ambush and engaged with M16 and M79 fire, the
enemy were engaged with M16 and M79 fire to the South. 4.2" blocking fire
was used to the West.
19 MAY 1971
192115H, YD131684. CP/A/4-12 took 3 unknown rounds of incoming--1 US WIA.
No counterbattery fire.
23 MAY 1971
230900H, YD100642. A/4-12 took 4x 82mm rounds--negative casualties or
damage. Counterbattery and 81mm fire employed. Scts/1-61 swept area with
negative results.
30 MAY
301440H, YD263485. A/4-12. M113 set off a TM-41 mine with 4.2" round on
top of it blowing off 2 roadwheels and damaging hull around sprocket. 4 US
WIA.
31 MAY
031000H, YD355453. A/4-12. Individual set off anti-personnel mine--1 US
WIA. No recent area activity. Area swept with negative results.
4 JUN
040835H, YD304409. With mine detector, 1/A/4-12 detected boobytrapped
155mm round which was blown in place.
041255H, YD361477. 2/A/4-12. Individual set off pressure activated mine
(anti-personnel)--3 US WIA. No recent activity.
7 JUN 1971
070908H, YD232435. 3/A/4-12. M551 set off suspected 155mm/4.2" round
blowing off 1 roadwheel arm and 2 pads--negative casualties. Area swept
with negative results. No recent area activity.
8 JUN 1971
081400H, YD222456, 2/A/4-12. M113 set off anti-personnel mine wounding
individual on next track--no vehicle damage.
081742H, YD262487. A/4-12. M551 hit unknown type mine which tipped
vehicle on its side with one man trapped inside--2 US WIA.
2 JUL7 1971
021850H, YD137632. A/4-12 took AK-47 and 2 RPGs from unknown size enemy
force and returned organic weapons fire. Negative casualties or damage.
Area swept with negative results.
7 July 1971
071200H, YD095683. A/4-12 found 1 mortar site which they destroyed.
Trooper Memories of 1971
February 1971
March 1971
Pineapple,
Found a letter "Tex" Keith L. Anderson, 3rd
platoon, wrote me in March of 71 after I was home and he had about
70 or so days left. Might be a bit for the journal. I
believe I say he'd been located, if not, let me know cause I've got a
line on him thru Terry.
Keith wrote;
"I
don't guess you've heard about them running us off the Rock Pile.
Just before we went to Khe Sahn, they had us sitting on a hill just
north of the Rock Pile. We stayed there 19days. When we went
up there we had 5 P.C.'s, 2 Sheridans, old 39er, and 50 to 60 men.
When we left, we had 3 P.C.'s, 39er, and 23 men. They hit us with
over 300 rounds of 82mm, 122 rockets and RPG's all within 3 days
time. Nobody got killed, but Boo Coo dustoffs."
Skee
We are getting an account thru print media with its own agenda, thru a
reporter who was not there, for purposes not associated with Nam
service. Nonetheless, there are points of interest.
There are a lot of names I don't recognize, but I was recently departed.
Bounty on Captain's head - oh, I heard $10,000 on ______ when I left,
reckon that's the reference. (Note to all interested: best you do NOT go
out of your way to locate ______.)
Two majors shot at in the 1/77 - that is true to my knowledge. I had
dealings with both. One was seriously wounded, one was killed, and the
man killed was a fine fellow, says I. A good man, his heart was with the
troops in the field. The other was strictly a rear echelon guy, which
was his lot in life, I didn't like his attitude, but he thought he was
doing his job. They apparently went to investigate "loud noise" in an
enlisted bunker after dark in base camp, the guys were doped up
according to the Stars & Stripes Article at the time, the officers got
shot by the people in there. One major crawled back to an HQ bunker. The
guys responsible were rear echelon MF, people wholly isolated from field
activity, near as I could tell from the article, which was published
after I was back in the States. I remember it well, was really disturbed
that a good guy had been killed by REMFs.
There weren't a lot of people above CPT rank I had much respect for over
there. Truth be told, rank was irrelevant as to whom I respected.
Willing to bet that is true for many of you. But the guys I knew who got
killed or fucked up never "deserved" it near as I could tell. Shit just
happened, as later popular philosophy had it. Or as we said, "Don't mean
nuthin."
The other stuff - well, Lehtinen sounds like he was in the wrong place
at the wrong time. Doesn't matter who you are to get hit like that.
Could have been me. Could have been any of us. Let's get him on the
net.
LTee F
Hey Guys, Things really heated up after we went into
Laos and Khe San. I was lucky to spend one night in Khe San, The main
gun blew a seal so I had to return to base for repairs. But I wasn't so
lucky at the Rockpile. We were occupying a hill that was a perfect
location for an artillery observer and as you can guess the NVA wanted
it. We got bombarded with mortars (over two hundred we figure with a 24
hour span), RPGs knocked out one tank, showed me how Superman flies and
shared it's shrapnel with myself, Lt. Bergstrom, and I think about 4
others in our platoon. It was the most frightening time in my life and
my back has never been the same. I remember the night before we thought
we were goners. I was so scared my M-60 turned cherry red before I could
release my fingers from the trigger; I must've fired 2,000 rounds. We
had them linked inside a mini gun container 5K +.
And of
course that was around the same time Nixon escalated the B52 strikes and
we were the recipients of the misfires. They make a nasty land mind. We
lost some good men from them. I'd like to go on but I've got to
ditty-mow. Headed to N.C. to visit my kids.
Have a nice
weekend.
trap
Rockpile at Khe Shan: 1st Platoon was guarding Hwy. 1; we were facing the Rock; 2nd or 3rd Plt. was to our left rear on another hill as you face the Rock. They were overran with NVA and had to call for our platoon to fire on their position with small arms and mortors. They had dug in and had constructed bunkers while located on that hill for two weeks. Charlie was trying to dig into their bunkers that night. We couls see gooks running in the paremiter as trip flares were burning. Our orders were to fire at anyone we saw in the light--for all our guys were either in bunkers or dead. Our position got plastered by incoming rockets every afternoon about 3:00 o'clock. One guy (Greg Sessions) from my track (12) and another guy along with a FO were airlifted to the top of the Rock to spot the location from where the rockets were being launched. Arty from FSB Vandergriff would plaster them. Khe Sanh was an adventure and a nightmare!
I think we were out in the bush for 90 days when we left Quang Tri for Khe Sanh
NVA: This Charlie's unit hit a LRRP team and we had to reenforce them. The LRRP team lost 2 KIA and we lost 1 KIA. One of the LRRP's was a friend of mine who had extended and was about to rotate home in 60 days. I lost several friends at Khe Sanh. This Charlie did not make it home either Our unit got him in a fire fight when we arrived to extract the LRRPs.
Buddy Puryear
20 Mar 1971
Articles found by Dennis Perrino (Zero):
Miami Herald article written on 25 Feb 1990:
- From Jim Good:
Digital Versions of article
 Miami Herald article written on 25 Feb
1990: Word Document
Miami Herald article written on 25 Feb 1990: As a web
page
April 1971
Our combat base was Quang Tri for the duration. The Troop worked out of many AO's, Charlie Alpha 4, Vandegrift, and we were at Khe Shan when everybody pulled out, now that was an experience! (Walter “SKI” Slawinski HQ 70-71)
May 1971
Hey Troopers,
I think it was
sometime in May of 71 when the 1/5th was replaced by the 101st Air Cav
and of course we were reassigned to them. I remember the changes they
made weren't good. They wanted accountability for every bullet fired and
as a result morale suffered. We felt very unsafe and became rebellious
at that point. To add insult to injury the US cut our budget so
allocations for promotions trickled in .I was in country 8 months before
getting my Sp4 stripe. I couldn't leave there fast enough. It hurt
seeing a great unit falling apart. Our First Sgt. didn't help morale
much neither, he pissed off alot of men back then. He had a preference
for Article 15s.
When I returned to the world and seeing
all the protesting towards us, I flew back to the east coast in civilian
clothing. I didn't care being called baby-killers or warmongers; I just
wanted to go home. I glad to be found and the painful experience is
behind me. I hope that most of our brothers have healed. It made me a
stronger person and no matter how bad things can get, if you can survive
Nam you can survive anything.
See ya
Trap
June 1971
June 8
I was third track behind Farmer's tank went it hit a mine. (KIA webpage for Thomas H. Farmer). Earl Warren and myself tried to crawl up to the tank and
pull Farmer body away from the burning tank. We got about ten feet away
and the ammo started going up and the flames got too hot. Farmer lay
next to the tank and his body was badly burned. I remember seeing the
grate off the back of the tank flying over my track when it hit the
mine. There was an E-6 black guy that was TC and he was blown about 20'
from the tank when it hit the mine. He had a huge piece of shrapnel
protruding from his left foot. The driver got out OK but don't remember
who he was either. I just remember how bad me and Warren felt that we
got so close and yet failed.
Buddy Puryear 1st Plt. '70-71
Tommy Farmer's death -- it happened in the "Backyard" (area around Quang Tri Fire Base). Buddy Puryear
July 1971
August 1971
For a while we worked out of Camp Eagle w/101. While we were out in the bush with the 101, a 30 day mission, the maintenance track was with the 2 nd Plt and we had half of the tracks down, so we were stuck on this hill for at least a week, even the LTR was down, during the day the rest of the Plt would go out looking for Charlie while we sat on this hill pulling guard on all the dead tracks, one day a Huey was flying by when we heard a machine gun and watched the Huey take evasive action, we called it in and the next thing we know there were Cobras firing up a hill about a click from us then the Hueys came in and dropped off some grunts and they took off and a few hours later they came back and picked them up. It sure put us on guard being that close to us. After they left the cobras had fun with us, they flew by then came back and dived on us, everybody was eating dirt. They came back a second time and flew just above our heads and we could see the pilot real good and he gave us the peace sign, laughing all the time! We didn't think it was funny at all! (Walter “SKI” Slawinski HQ 70-71)
September 1971
October 1971
The trip to turn in the equipment was very interesting to say the least. After we loaded all the tracks on a LST we headed towards DaNang, 100 miles south, and everybody (us landlubbers) got seasick, I didn't cause I went down below deck and found a rack and went to sleep, as we arrive there was a typhoon going on, the people put us up in condemned barracks that we didn't stay in to long cause we thought they would come down on us. (Walter “SKI” Slawinski HQ 70-71)
November 1971
December 1971
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