Quang Tri
(Under Development)
Our
battalion was one of the last units to leave the A Shau Valley on or about
17 May, and we returned to our assigned area of operations west of Quang
Tri. As a consequence of both the Khe Sanh and A Shau Valley operations,
enemy activity in our area was moderate during the remainder of May and
June. However, the records indicate that Bravo Company had two casualties
during the period 24 June, and many during the period 24-26 July 1968
(to be completed).
In
response to intelligence reports indicating the movement of four NVA
divisions to the south and thereby threatening Saigon, the 1st
Cavalry Division was alerted on 26 October 1968 to move as quickly as
possible by air and sea to an area west of Saigon, in the III Corps Tactical
Zone. Combat units of the 1st Brigade commenced deployment in
early November and were placed under the operational control of the 25th
Infantry Division. The 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters deployed
to Phuoc Vinh on 7 November and assumed operational control of the
1st Brigade on 9 November. The new mission of the 1st Cavalry
Division was to conduct reconnaissance in force operations in the provinces
of Binh Long, Phuoc Long and Tay Ninh in order to prevent large-scale enemy
infiltration along the Cambodian border.
REFERENCES
Extensive use has been made of Vietnam Studies: Airmobility 1961-1971,
by Lieutenant General John Tolson, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.,
1973 – CMH Pub 90-4. General Tolson was Commanding General of 1st
Cavalry Division during our period.
Vietnam
Studies: The War in the Northern Provinces 1966-1968,
by Lieutenant General Willard Pearson. Department of the Army, Washington,
D.C., 1975
Secret message on Battle of DAK TO, from MACV Deputy
Commander, General Creighton Abrams, to General Earle G. Wheeler, Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff, date/time 221325Z November 1967.
4th
Infantry Division Combat Operations After Action Report – Battle of DAK TO,
3 January 1968.
1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Combat Operations
After Action Report – Battle of TAM QUAN,
30 December 1967.
Dictionary of the Vietnam War,
edited by James S. Olson; published by Greenwood Press, Inc.; New York,
1988).
227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, After Action Report on the A
Shau Valley.


