10 MAY 1966 – 31 JULY 1966

OPERATION PAUL REVERE I began the first of four phases of OPERATION PAUL REVERE which started 10 May 1966 and ended 25 December 1966.

The 2/35 Inf, as part of the 3d Brigade Task Force displaced from Pleiku by motor convoy on 10 May 1966, to OASIS (ZA 107276) to provide reserve/reaction force and security force for the Brigade forward base, and to conduct search and destroy operations initially in AO 21 and 22.

The decision was made to conduct the operation in three phases:

Phase I: Conduct motor move 10 May 1966 from Pleiku to Brigade forward base.

Phase II: Conduct rapid search and destroy operations in AO 21 and 22 to determine whether there were heavy enemy concentrations in the AO.

Phase III: Conduct detailed reconnaissance and surveillance operations in AO 21 and 22 to detect enemy activity and to locate routes of movement. Establish blocking positions and ambushes on principal routes of movement to disrupt enemy efforts to reconnoiter, infiltrate, withdraw, or establish caches in AO.

Phase I and II were completed on 17 May 1966 without contact.

On 22 May 1966, the Reconnaissance Platoon, 2/35 Inf, conducted a heliborne assault into LZ 29A and began a longrange in the North and West portions of the AO. During its patrol, the platoon accounted for four NVA KIA and one NVA WIA. There were no friendly casualties.

On 27 May 1966, the 2/35 Inf conducted a heliborne assault into AO 11 and 12 with companies A and B landing at LZ 12A (YA 908385). The battalion (-) landed at LZ 11A (YA 873369). Companies A and B later closed to LZ 11A after conducting search and destroy operations to the northwest and southwest, respectively.

Based on a terrain analysis, the valley associated with LZ 10A (YA 769376) appeared to be a likely area for use by enemy forces, hence Company B was directed to prepare for a heliborne assault into LZ 10A on 28 May 1966.

On the morning of 28 May 1966, Company B, commanded by Captain James R. Maisano, conducted the heliborne assault into LZ 10A. Following the assault, the mission assigned was to conduct a search and destroy operation along an assigned axis to the east along the valley floor, establish a company ambush at dusk, and return to the battalion base, YA873369, on 29 May 1966.

At 1100, the first lift of nine HU-1D helicopters placed 63 men (1st platoon, company HQ, and part of the 2d platoon) into the LZ without incident. As the lst platoon secured the NW portion of the LZ, suddenly they began to receive heavy enemy small arms fire from an estimated reinforced squad. After the initial contact, which resulted in four US casualties, the LZ appeared secure; however, as DUSTOFF medevac aircraft attempted to land extremely heavy ground fire was received from the NW. The DUSTOFF aircraft was driven off with several hits. The estimate of enemy strength was raised to a reinforced platoon. Following the DUSTOFF incident, the volume of fire declined, although occasional sniper and AW fire continued to be triggered by movement of friendly troops.

Following the initial DUSTOFF attempt, 52d Avn Bn gunships (BUCCANEER 6) made repeated passes firing both machineguns and rockets into the wood lines running north and south. Particularly heavy fire was delivered against a machine gun which was firings across the flank of the 1st platoon from the SW and could not be reached by friendly small arms fire. The gunships, however, did not suppress enemy fire to the degree required. Friendly positions were marked with smoke and two A1E aircraft strafed and dropped napalm on the machinegun position. Still the machine gun continued in actin. Another flight (F4C jet aircraft) appeared on the scene and shortly thereafter neutralized the enemy position with 500 pound bombs. The AlE’s meanwhile, were effectively suppressing enemy fire to the north.

Immediately following the air strike, the lst platoon maneuvered a squad to .the southwestern portion of the LZ and made contact with two NVA. On contact, both fled into the woods to the west. A large number of packs and equipment plus one 12.7mm anti-aircraft weapon were found. The latter was returned to the company CP. The squad continued a clockwise sweep of the entire LZ. A second anti-aircraft gun was found virtually destroyed by the airstrike. Discovery of guns #3, 4 and 5 followed in quick succession as the sweep was completed.

At approximately 1430, the remainder of Company B was lifted into the LZ. With the exception of some automatic weapons fire at the aircraft, this lilt was carried out without major incident. On the ground, the 1st platoon put down a base of fire to the north. Enemy fire ceased as the aircraft departed. The perimeter was then reorganized and captured enemy equipment and gear were consolidated at the company CP.

Company B then began a sweep to the north to clear the area and obtain a body count. The initial count totaled ten. Sweep elements then moved out some 150 meters and returned; however, upon return, sniper fire again came from a bunker position at the north end of the LZ. Because the sweep elements of the lst and 2d platoons were mixed, a consolidated squad attacked the bunker with grenades. Two NVA were KIA and two were captured. Both POW’s were returned to the brigade CP. Because of this action, another sweep was generated. This sweep likewise received sniper fire from the NW. Snipers accounted for two friendly WIA. The 3d platoon maneuvered against the snipers, later determined to number two, and suffered one KIA and seven WIA, including the platoon leader who later in the day died of wounds. The snipers, both excellent marksman, were firing one semiautomatic and one automatic weapon from positions concealed behind trees. Both were killed by M-79 and M-60 MG fire.

At approximately 1630, the seriously wounded were lifted out by the brigade CO’s helicopter. Prior to this, two DUSTOFF ships had been driven off by enemy fire. One of these had received several hits. Additional wounded subsequently were lifted out without incident by two 52d Avn Bn gunships. The enemy was believed to have withdrawn. Resupply was requested. Information was then received that Company A, 1st Bn, 35th Inf, would be lifted into the LZ as a reinforcing element and would be placed under OPCON of the 2/35 Inf. The 2/35 Inf Executive Officer (Major Wallace S. Tyson) was lifted into the LZ to command the two company task force and to accomplish the mission of holding the LZ on the night of 28 May 1966. Company A, 1/35 Inf, commanded by Captain Anthony Bisantz, was lifted in at 1700. To assist in the landing, B 2/35 Inf put down a base of fire. No enemy fire was observed. The perimeter promptly was reorganized with A 1/35 Inf taking the western sector and B 2/35th Inf the eastern sector. Positions were prepared.

At approximately 1800, the Company A, 1/35 Inf, 81mm mortar section was lifted into the LZ along with one 4.2" mortar from the 2/35 Inf 107mm Cannon Platoon. Total mortars available thus consisted of two 81mm of B 2/35 Inf, two 81 mm of A 1/35 Inf, one 107mm of HQ 2/35 Inf and one 107mm of HQ 1/35 Inf. All were located on an "island" (the LZ was essentially a swamp) in the northeastern sector of the LZ. By 2000, all DEFCONS had been fired and ammunition and ration resupply had arrived. LP’s were put out and all. was quiet.

At 0110, 29 May 1966, the task force was attacked along a 400 meter front confined to the north side of the LZ. The main attack appeared to be in a NW to S direction with a secondary attack driving NE to SW. The attack, which appeared to come in waves, lasted until 0300 and was followed thereafter by sporadic fire until 0430, During the attack, DEFCONS were fired by all available indirect fire weapons. Organic 81mm mortars fired almost all of their ammunition (200 rds), some as close as 25 meters to friendly positions. This mortar fire was extremely effective and is thought to have prevented a probable breakthrough. Friendly task force casualties were one 1 KIA and nine WIA.

At 0700, 29 May l966, the task force conducted local sweeps fifty meters out, one platoon at a time In the immediate area, some 30-40 NVA bodies were found. Later A 1/35th conducted a more extensive sweep while B 2/35 Inf, how it reduced strength, secured the perimeter.

Upon return of the sweep (approximately 0830), sniper fire again became frequent, in fact, B 2/35 Inf suffered its greatest number of casualties from sniper attacks. Much of the sniper fire was directed at the mortar positions, although it felt that the primary reason for the enemy’s return was to fire on incoming aircraft. These snipers also used automatic weapons. From 0830 to 1200, sniper fire was so intense that personnel on the northern and eastern portions of the LZ effectively were pinned down. Armed helicopters were called to suppress the fire (causing 81mm fire on sniper positions to cease). Again because of the close proximity of friendly positions plus the heavy foliage density, the gunships were ineffective. An airborne FAC was contacted. He spotted en automatic weapon position at the east end of the LZ. Friendly lines were marked with smoke and two AlE’s made two successful runs. The third run consisted of an accidental napalm attack on the CP of B 2/35 Inf. Results of this unfortunate incident were six WIA, all of whom later had to be evacuated. Two successful napalm runs followed, after which the FAC aircraft again hosed down the periphery of the LZ with heavy bombing and cannonading.

At approximately 1400 29 May 1966, C 1/35 Inf arrived by helicopter. The companies on the ground assisted by moving the northern edge of the LZ and laying down a base of fire to the N and NE. B 2/35 Inf and A 1/35 Inf then secured the northern portion of the LZ and C 1/35 secured the southern portion. This reinforcement caused the snipers to withdraw. At 1800, 1/35 Inf (-) closed and command in the LZ passed to CO, 1/35 Inf.

In the interim, resupply was effected. At 1600, sweeps began again. The goal was to push the perimeter out 150 meters in order to provide more adequate LZ security. Again snipers were encountered, with B 2/35 Inf taking the remainder of its casualties. During the perimeter expansion and the resupply activity, enemy 82mm mortar fire was received in and around the LZ. Light casualties resulted (WIA only); however, one of the resupply ships was damaged. Organic mortars returned fire 360⁰ around the LZ with constant shooting and traversing. This proved successful in quieting enemy mortar fire.

By 2000 29 May 1966, the new, perimeter was organized and dug in. Thereafter, all remained quiet with the exception of occasional probes.

Throughout the 2 days of the Battle of 10A, the rest of the 2/35 Inf (-) had light to heavy contact. The Battalion Command Post was attacked by mortars and an unknown size NVA force but after 25 minutes of fighting, contact was broken by the enemy. The Reconnaissance. Platoon, 2/35 Inf, while moving into the village of Plei Bai (YA 822388) received sniper fire from the woods surrounding the village after a villager, recognizing a captured NVA, pointed to the woods to indicate more NVA in the area. To avoid being encircled LT Brennen, the Recon platoon leader, led his men out of the village. He had previously left one squad about 400 meters from the village to provide security for the search element. This squad averted a possible disaster by routing an ambush which had been unleashed on the withdrawing search element. At this time, the search element started receiving incoming mortar fire from several positions to the north and northeast. A link up between the two elements was effected and artillery and mortar fire were called in to the ambush site. Gunships and fighter aircraft from the USAF were requested with the gunships on station first. The gunships raked the area until their ammunition was expended and then two of the ships came in to extract the POW one friendly WIA. By this time the FAC and USAF planes were on target and they were successful in destroying one mortar position and neutralizing four others. By 1830 additional aircraft were on station and destroyed sixteen huts and eight spider holes. The FAC reported sighting five NVA KIA. At 1836, the recon platoon broke contact, because of impending darkness, effected a link-up with elements of Company C and C Company 3/4 Cav who were on the way to reinforce.

During the period 17-19 June 1966, Company A, 2/35 Inf, conducting search and destroy, blocking, and ambush operations, had major contact on two different occasions; both involved friendly ambushes, and in both incidents, the NVA appeared to anticipate the ambush and approached cautiously.

At 1800 17 June 1966, the battalion reconnaissance platoon and elements of the 1st and 3d platoon of Company A, were set at various ambush sites within 400 meters of each other. At 1845, the flank man of the 1st squad, 1st platoon, observed 30-40 NVA approaching the squads position. The first man in the column was wearing a. poncho and the three men following him were wearing ARVN type tiger suits. The squad initiated the ambush and immediately the NVA deployed to encircle the ambush. The remaining elements of the US Forces in the area quickly deployed to the aid of the 1st squad. The recon platoon moved into attack in two directions; one squad moved into a blocking position to the north and the other squad maneuvered westward to hit the rear of the NVA force. This action drove the NVA force into the blocking force which caused the NVA to split up into small groups which fled to the northeast and southeast, A sweep of the area resulted in the discovery of nine NVA KIA. Friendly casualties (one KIA and Five WIA) were evacuated.

On 18 June 1966, a ten man ambush was established by 2d platoon, Company A, at YA 810142. The ambush was placed near a point at which a trail crossed at stream and which was the sight of previous light contact. A waterfall was located just south of the crossing site.

At 1615, two NVA approached the ambush from the south west and it was decided to let then pass. The two men went to the stream, drew water, and started to retrace their steps. Both NVA were KIA when it was decided to spring the ambush. Almost immediately after the firing started, heavy enemy fire was received from the southwest and the ambush became pinned down. The ambush element maneuvered into position and heavy fire was placed at the enemy. A call for reinforcements was received by the platoon leader and he collected 28 personnel to move to the point of contact. LT Ray, the platoon leader, upon arriving at the point of contact, split his force into two groups; one to the south and one to the northeast. The heavy volume of fire produced from this group accounted for 5 NVA KIA and caused the enemy to break contact. Returning to reorganize at the point of contact, LT Ray’s platoon again came under intense fire. In the short fire fight that ensued, the platoon leader was wounded in both his legs. He directed that he and the other seriously wounded personnel be evacuated to the nearest LZ. Enroute to the LZ, the patrol was plagued by intermittent sniper fire. After evacuating the wounded, the platoon under the leadership of the platoon sergeant, effected a link-up with the 3d platoon, Company A, closing into a night location at 2300. A search by the two platoons the following morning revealed nine NVA KIA with an indication that more KIA were removed despite the heavy H & I firing by the artillery.

On 20 June 1966, Company A, while conducting a search and destroy operation in the area of the previous day’s contact, made contact with and killed two NVA. Later in the afternoon, an OP of Company A sighted seven NVA and took them under fire. Two NVA were KIA. The 2/3 Inf Recon Platoon in the area of the OP discovered another eleven NVA and engaged them, killing eight.

At 1435, Company A (-) again made contact at coordinates ZA 786126 with an estimated thirty to forty NVA in prepared positions. Company A’s initial fire power plus the input of considerable artillery, while undoubtedly damaging to the NVA, was insufficient to cause them to vacate their positions. Thick vegetation and accurate enemy fire prevented a good flanking motion by the company. In addition, two friendly casualties, believed to be KIA, could not be extracted because of the accurate fire placed around the two bodies. At 1805, with darkness approaching, Company A was directed to break contact under cover of an airstrike and set up a defensive perimeter to the east at LZ 27E. The next morning the company moved back to the point of contact, recovered the two MIA, who had been buried by the NVA, and discovered fifteen NVA KIA.

On 30 July 1966, Companies B and C executed a heliborne assault, Company C into LZ 28A and Company B into ZA 046125. The battalion 107mm cannon platoon was moved from LZ 36I to the battalion CP at LZ 36J. Elements of the battalion reconnaissance platoon and Company A made contact with small NVA elements at YA 969056 and YA 959068. Two NVA were killed and an estimated three NVA wounded, There were no friendly casualties.

On 31 July 1966 Companies A and C continued to search for trails in zone and establish ambushes thereon. Company A (-) returned to the area of the 29-30 Jul 66 contact, arriving at YA 968074 at approximately 1100. Noting a suspicious thicket ahead, Capt. McDonough halted his force (consisting of the 1st and 3d platoons) and directed Lt. Steltman, platoon leader of the lead (1st) platoon either to adjust indirect fire on the thicket or to dispatch a small reconnaissance party. Lt. Steltman chose the latter. A reinforced squad was sent outs The squad in turn put out a point man. In perhaps ten minutes, the point man detected three NVA and took them under fire. One M-79 round was fired. Following the M-79 round, a NVA MG began firing. Lt. Steltman began moving the remainder of the lst platoon forward to assist the squad in contact. In the meantime, the forward squad detected another five NVA moving SW. A hot fire fight developed. Capt. McDonough moved forward to contact Lt. Steltman and to develop an estimate, of the situation. Since the heaviest fire at this time was coining from the west, Capt. McDonough maneuvered the 3d platoon, commanded by Lt. Tragakis, in that direction The vegetation in the area near the trail was relatively open, however, west of the trail the vegetation featured tall bamboo and difficult thicket. This terrain condition prevailed all the way west to the IA DRANG River. The 3d platoon came under fire in this thicket. An artillery smoke adjustment round landed practically on top of an enemy MG position area. Veil quickly, the smoke diffused through the thicket and reduced visibility almost to zero. Under these visibility conditions, the enemy in that area broke contact. In the meantime, Lt. Steltman continued to maneuver to the east of the 3d platoon.

Throughout the actions just described, artillery, 81mm and 4.2" mortar fire were brought into the area in quantity. This indirect fire initially was long to the NNE and thereafter was moved SSW into the scene of action. Zone type fire was employed. When at length the indirect fire was lifted, Capt. McDonough’s force swept and searched the area. One NVA KIA was found, also four extremely heavy blood trails. Enemy holes were found in the banks of the stream. (Bn Commanders comment: Of interest is the fact that Company A was engaged across a frontage of at least 200 meters. Capt. McDonough personally identified the presence of three MG’s. The men of the 1st platoon claim to have seen twenty enemy, an unusually high number physically to sight and thus leading one to the conclusion that two or three times that number quite possibly managed to escape detection; plus there remains that portion of the enemy force engaged by the 3d platoon).

Following the search, the 3d platoon was ordered to conduct a counterclockwise sweep of the scene of action. Meanwhile, the 1st platoon collected the friendly casualties (1 KIA, 6 WIA) and dispatched an element to reconnoiter for a medevac LZ. By the time the 3d platoon had completed its sweep, the 1st platoon LZ reconnaissance group also had returned. The 1st platoon then secured the area while the 3d platoon (-) repaired to the LZ and improved it as necessary. The 1st squad, 3d platoon, meanwhile was sent a short distance north along the trail as an additional security measure….time: 1240. Personnel of the1st platoon and several members of the company command group carried the casualties to the LZ. DUSTOFF aircraft negotiated the improved LZ and completed the medevac.

The 3d platoon moved out to the NNE prior to the completion of the medevac. By 1430, the 1st platoon had caught up to the 3d platoon and Captain McDonough consolidated his forces at YA 97200775. Enemy sniper fire began. The 3d platoon replied with MGs and M-79s. Lt. Knutson, the artillery FO, called in artillery and 4.2" mortar fire. The adjustment and FFE consumed twenty to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, to the east at YA 977078, a FAC had spotted two hooches apparently made of cut lumber. Later he assisted in the adjustment of artillery fire on these hooches. Indirect fire was placed into a thicket north of YA 97200775 and associated with the intermittent stream there. As the artillery and 4.2" mortar fire was lifted from this thicket and shifted to the N and E, Capt. McDonough moved with the 3d platoon across the stream and thicket The platoon emerged from the thicket into an open area north of the stream. A trail junction was noted in the open area. The 3d platoon was sent down the trail heading east toward the hooches. Lt. Steltman brought forward his 1st platoon. He was instructed to investigate the trail to the north. Just as Lt. Steltman was about to put his platoon in motion, the 3d platoon began receiving AW (2) and sniper fire from the north. For a moment, the 3d, platoon and the company command group were pinned down. The snipers seemed to be in trees; however, none could be detected, The 3d platoon quickly generated a base of fire and began maneuvering in the face of accurate enemy sniper fire. This phase lasted perhaps fifteen minutes. Numerous shell holes provided convenient cover. An enemy strong point appeared to be associated with a large rock outcropping NE of the trail junction. Capt McDonough quickly began maneuvering the 1st platoon around to the east of the 3d platoon and into a thicket. Th 1st platoon moved slowly and with caution. Gradually sniper fire from the NE diminished. Meanwhile, the artillery, which previously had been shifted to the N and E, was quickly brought back to the SW. Artillery fragments tore at the treetops over Captain McDonough’s position thirty meters in rear of the forward elements. Under cover of the artillery fire, the wounded were withdrawn. Although the sniper fire diminished in the face of friendly artillery fire, it did not completely cease. Two additional men were wounded in the process of extracting friendly casualties. First Sergeant Perez took charge of the wounded. Captain McDonough dispatched a reconnaissance party to search for a medevac LZ. The wounded were moved to a safe area and the 1st and 3d platoons followed to make room for an air strike on station. Capt McDonough, Lt Knutson, and a MG team from the 1st platoon remained at the scene of action to assist in the conduct of the air strike. Much ordnance was dropped, however, aircraft fuel level became critical before the 500 pounders could be released. Meanwhile, the wounded were moved to a LZ several hundred meters to the west. The LZ required improvement. A power saw was lowered in. The LZ quickly was made acceptable and friendly casualties (2 KIA and 9 WIA) were evacuated by helicopter around 1745.

Once the air strike was completed, Capt McDonough started action to get artillery fire back into the area; however, a psywar ship appeared over the scene of action and requested permission to get into the act. Permission was granted. Company A set out to return to its base at LZ 36J. Following the psywar spiel, another airstrike was brought into the area. This final air effort, which started at approximately 1815, completed the action. H&I fires were programmed into the scene of action in order to deny the enemy an easy battlefield police situation. (Bn Commanders comment: This second contact demonstrates again the deadly effectiveness of snipers. Captain McDonough performed precisely as instructed, i.e., used available support weaponry and maneuvered slowly and with great care. The late hour prevented a search of the scene of action to evaluate the effectiveness of the air and artillery efforts). 

NVA Losses during OPERATION PAUL REVERE I were as follows:

 

PERSONNEL
KIA BC	216
KIA (poss)	276
WIA BC	57
WIA (poss)	337
CIA	23
CIA (suspects)	58
WEAPONS
l2.7 AA Machine Guns	5
Heavy Machine Guns	2
Light Machine Guns	6
AK-47 Assault Rifles	31
SKS Rifles	5
Pistols	2
Anti-tank Weapon	1
AMMUNITION
82mm Mortar	55 rds
Assorted Small Arms Ammunition	Quantity not recorded
MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
Radios	2 ea
Telephones	2 ea
Packs	100 ea
Documents and Medical Supplies	Quantity not recorded