7, an. Forces :

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY He'~dqU;.'."'ters l:'r~ J"t'VSJio'J.. 5C'Sti1 Airoo"'ne Infantry

11. -:-0 : ~ c~ n Frc.ncisco" 95333

UNCLASS/R

ConlT,and :lng Off i cer 3d 2dc , 1 0lst Ab!} Di't It:!'N: S3 Al'O SF 963 83

REGAAOEDUNCLASSIFIED BY

~~OD DIR. 5200. 1 R BY 01<$ otdl1l1t?y99

l. N~!Jl_~.2r-+_®.ntity aneV..9r t:v~f OpoTation: . Operation APACHE SNOH was n co,,::;ined ail-mobHe assault int o t he northern A SHAll Valley, Tn is oper­ntion ;!as per for med in conj unct i on wit h t he 9th Harines and the Jrd ARVN

, iin£imcnt , to de s t r oy NVA/ ve f orces; bl ock enemy route s of inf ilt ration ::" 0m,.. noar by Laos, destroy ensll\v ba se camps in t he area ~ and to locate and destroy enemy r:a che:l,

2 . Dates of Onera tion: lC0730 Hay 1969 - 092/,00 June 1969 .

J . Locatjon : 1119 area of operations was in the QUAN HAM HOA l'Rt;1IG FfiJmPl' ovinC0, RVN. References for this operation wore : AN, sheet no. 6441 I, II, III, IV series L7014 and L7015. Area ti ons; LZ IS and routes of ad"-dnc6 ar e shown in inclosure 1.

I., Control Headgua~: 1st Bn, 506th Abn Inf.

District and Nap, VIETN:'" of opera-

5, l\eportim; Officer: LTC J. M. SOlvERS , Commanding Officer 1st Bn, 506th Aen Inf ,

~ . Task ~:!~a!.1ization : A/ l- 506 1nf Bil-5(j)Inf G/1- 506 t nf D/l- 506 Inf E/ l- 506 Inf~IR/110 Tm B/:: ~~ 6 EngI's • .

7. Supportlnr Forces:

a . .3 Mar Div conducted operations in N/ml AO.

b. 1-1 ARVN wi attachments conductEl d operations in Nt-/ AO,

c , 2- 501 Abn Inf conducted operations in N'N' AO.

d . J -187 Abn L'lf conducted operations in N\~ and adjacent AO.

e . 2- 506 Abn T~f conducted operat ions L~ adj acent AO.

e 3/1 ARVN Regiment w/ attachmonts conducted operationsSE TA BAT ai!'fi ol d i n assigned AO. UNCLASSIFIED

",,-,l A. Z 1\ C , j i iila'~J~~~' -

A.Vrxt-CB SUBJECT :

UNGLASSIFIED 18 June 1969 Combat Operation~ After Acti.on Report, Operation APACHE SNO~I.

. g.

h.

2/ 17 AIR CAY general support, air and g:t'ound recon •

7th AF provided CAS in AO, to include interdiction of the A SRAU Valley,

16Ot,h Aviation group provided airlift capability and resupply sorties.

j. 45th llie;r Gp continued to constr.uct aU weather road went to the A S!-7Ji.:.r Vallc:y"

k. A/2-319 Arty DS, 1··506th Abn Inf.

1.' A/1-83rd Arty (S").

!n. A/2-138 Arty (155).

n. 5/2- 11 Arty (155).

8 . Ll!;}1if .. (~~ce: Operation APACHE Sf/Ol-J Has co;;G.;;cted in the northern :;ort io;! of the Ii SHAl] Valley ;thich was a primary enemy LOC used for moVD­ment of' Tno:terial and infiltration of troops and enemy units tbroughout I Corps n,re:! , The enemy had maintained logistics :i.nstallations and base campo in the north0rn A SHAt! Valley which distributed supplies and replacemonts to units operating in QUANG TRI and THUA THIEN Prov-ince, The importance of the nor thern A SEAU as a vital location had inoreased when the friendly OpElI'n'Ci.onr> began to interdict other key enomy locations in Northern I Corps aroa, The sonior enemy hoadquarters in this arcs was the TRI - THIEN - HUE Milit ary Reeion (TTHMR). This HQ's, equivalent to Corps leval, was respon­sible for military anr1 political activities in QUANG TRI and THUA THIEN Provi nces and the border area of eastern Laos, Principal combat units were 6th, 9th and 29th NVA Regiments, cllch lodth a reported strcngth of approxi­mately 1$00 mon, Additionally, the 675th /aty Regt was reported to have been operating in the A LUOI - A SHAU· area and Base Area 611, in eastern , Utes.

9. Hi,ssi.on: At H-Hour on D-lEy (100730 If.ay 1969) the 1st Bn, 5C6th Airborno Infantry conducted a combat assault along the 180tian border into LZ RED (Soe incl 1), to destroy NVAjVC forces .in assigned area of operat­ions, interdict Route 923 from Laos, and locate and destroy DnGlny caches "i,thin ~3signed AO.

10, tho t he io rl

f2pcopt of the Operation: Two concep'tB of operations werG' planned for eXG cution of this operation and are listod below. It will be notod that aItor-nate concopt of operation was not necessary- in the actual execut­of this operation.

' " The 1s t Battalion, 506th Airborne Infantry conducts a combat assault \,;:!.'"h t hr eo companios .into L2 1 (L2 RED) from PZ loc in staging area at FSB 3l.!,ZE l·!:lth BRAVO Compa.'1Y inserted fir.st to secure tho LZ Dnd si(ne Objective 1. CHi. ltLIE Company and ALFHA Company following in that order, OCC'..lPY

combat of t*no of tklu

GO Kix

UNCLAS01i-l ' ' AVW-CB Ie J\11l0 1969 SURTEC'r ; . Combat Operation:; After Action Report, Opor.:ttion APACHE SNOH.

Obj ective ]. and sioze Objoctive :2 respectively. Tbe first insertion will bo supported by a TAe ilir prop from H-50 to H-15 with a 15 minute arti-11c1'Y prep commencing at H-15. Priority of fires to t!nits in contuc-/;.

b . Mtern'lt,Q C9pCGpt of ...QRel'at ion: In the event L2 1 (L2 RED) bec­omes Ullus3ble, Bn conduct s combat assault "lith threE) cOl'lpanies into LZ 2 with BR.WO Comp,my being inserted first to secure thG L2 and seizes Obj lAo CEAftLE and ALPHA Companies following in that order , seize Obj 2A and 3A l'G:'pectiveJ.y. L2 prop and priority of fires rennin the same.

n . EXEC UTION:

11 . OpGrations ordor 12-69 (APACHE SNO~J) (U), this headquarters was publ:L:ohed in preparation ef this operat ion. Method of oporation to execute O?ORD 12-69 HGS us follmlS :

(1) A/I- 50s AbE Inf. Conducted combat assault on L2 RED following OJ, by B/I - 5Gb flr.d G/1-500; moved t e :.:md s ecured Obj 3; and conductod roc­OmlJL1"ClnCO in fOl' CG ar.d scarch and dostr oy operat.ions in Dssi[,'l1ed AO.

(2) E/1-5OS j,bn Inf. Conducted cemb8t assault on LZ RED; secured L2 RED for companies A, C and Command Group; seized Obj octivG 1 and 2 on ordor; conductod reconnaissance in force and search and dcstrey operations 'n r;t.~c:o·· c-n(">d ,'("\ ..I.. _ '....o .... J_l:,'-A ... ' .. J.v.

(3) C/1- 506 Iii;n Inf. Provided security for the Comrll:!nd Group; combat assaulted on L2 RED; occupied Objoctiv6 1; and initi.:tlly assumed OPCON of the 8J.~~ Mortar Section in diroct support of oporQtion until extraction of tho Slmm Mortar Section on 12 Hay 1969.

(4) D/l-500 Abn Inf . Conducted heliberne rnovcmont commencing 080845 vO vic n BAT (YO 399949) and .established s~curity for construction of FSB CURRi'JIE:8 ; prepared to bocome 3d Brigade RRF effective 100730 Muy with one platoon on 15 min alert nnd remainder of unit en 30 m:l.n alert; as sumed OPCON of 8lrrun Hor-c<]r Sections in IB of FSB CURRAHBE.

( 5) E/1-506 Abn Inf. RCN Plat roleased OPCON to 3d Bio eff 08120J Hay 1969 . Ground Surveillance Seetion displacod to }'SB OURRAHEE.

(6) Radio Relay EIJl1/HHC/I-500 Abn Inf. Hoved to FSB EAGLES NEST frOl!l F3E BIk!:E and .c.ct"d as r elay between forward units and COlJl!r<'wd & Control He~dqu~rtors and Rear Tacti~l Oporations Center.

o. Operations Narrative:

(1) D my (10 Hay 1969):

Oporntion APACHE SNOII com:ncncod at 100730 hour:;, Mny 1969 <]8 tho

UNCLASS" r (,:f", j , f ,_ .....

/1-...2 (r lIt1! ! :? I r i )

AVro -CD SUBJEGI':

, UNCI ASSIFIED 18 June 1969 Combat Opol:'!ltions After iLctlon ROport, Operation APACHE SNO~r.

first lift of Co B took off from tho PZ vic FSB BLAZE for insertion into LZ ?.ED. Insortion of B Comp;::ny, lidS follmlod by Co C ,;ith the CohilM.nd Group :md Slmm ilttachmonts, ::md Co j, ,12.5 inserted l,?,st into 12 RTID, comp­leting the insertion at 1110 hOUl'S, 10 May 1969. Co;, conducted reconnaiss­ance in force operations in prepnr[1tion to seize Objoctive 3. Co B (Vic YC 312937) killed 1 ~-VI). offi cer 'With small .::1rms. Officer wns wear ing Il 9mm pistol and carrying on AK-47. The NVA officer I43.S dressod in khakis a nd il thor ough senrch of the body rGvealed identification photos, end docume­nts which I"or e l.etcr confirmed to be plans of ottackil on US positions. At 1300 hours , (vic YC 321929), Co B found n bunker and hooch complex conai­sting of I I, bunkers containing 60-6Omm mortar I' ounds, 96 RRT r01.U1ds, 1 RPG-2 l (um,chor , 40-82mrn mort or roundS, 6 RPD MGls, 5 AK's, 14 rucksncks and 1 Chico:n M(~. All munitions "rero dostroyed in place and all equipment was t;V~',clJc; tGd . C Co with attachments providod ao::urity f or the Command Gnd Co:o.tr.'ol «:;:'oup, ;:md conducted RIF operat ions in assigned AO. Co D provided %curj ty for construction of FSB CURRAHEE. Co E (-) provided DS to FSB c:tffiRfJIl2 . RG CQl1 Platoon OrGaN to 3rd Bde, Qt PSB "-ERCHTESGJ.DEN. All units mov·"c] i r>to Dnc1. occupied NDP's at 102030 hours, at follo,n.ng locations. Co f~ - IC .31/,943, CQ B - YC 311957, Co C - ye 312949. Co D FSB CURRAHEE - YC 399949. Co E ( -) FSB CURRAHEE. RCN PInt - FSB BERCHTFSGl.DEN,

(2) D Day + 1 (11 Noy 1969) :

(a) Co A: Commenced RIF oporr,tions in Qssigned AD, At 1122 hours, Co 11 roport ed finding one ree ently constructed bunkor, believed to he.ve boen Guilt by trail """tellers. One US rocket pod and a cable crossing Ii

r iver vas located vic YC 305938. Also in same vicinity, two hooches, 1 SKS rifle "one auton.atic Hoapon, and Q g!:1rden plot containing bananas, corn, pinea pples , and ,mtermellons were found. All equipment was evacuated ' and' defoliation mission .ms requested to destroy the garden complex.

(b) Co B: Commenced early RIP operations in assigned AO and at 0:.45 hoUl's, one enlisted man was ~oUllded by enell1Y small arms fire during the process of rotrieving Claymores. The enell1Y .ms fired upon with small arms. Hedevac \rc:.s called and completed at 0315 hours. At 1115 hours, Co B found (vic YC 307939) 1200 Ibs of polished rice and 40 Ibs of TNT. Both wore destroyed in place.

(c) Co C: Commenced early RIP opel' at ions in assigned AO and reportGd at 1121 hours the finding of 1 hooch, 10'X6 I X5', containing garden tools and 5 gallons of kerosene . Tho hooch was surrounded by a garden. All lwre destroyed . At 1715 hours , Co C reported rGcei ving incom-lng mortal' rounds vic YC 312929. ~f,ortars '\Iere coming from the '\lest, susp.­e cted location vic IC 2893 , Counter-mortar and artillery fire was employed. Gnnsbips and f1are ships '\Iere called in and remained over night. Mortar attack continued for 1 hour end 15 minutes. Hedevac IS were callGd for 22 personnGl. ):iedovac t s were treated at FSB CURRAHEE and further e,;,C11<lted for additional medical -(;ren twCi'lt. l1edevac IS 'Were completed at 1910 hours,

UNCLA0.'-' H:: ' :' T' \..JU .. I . .

(dj Co II: Contimed to proside security for FSB CuRWEE. At 2X00 hours, D Co LP vi- 0 YC 405293 reported hemi,-,g Wanchcs being broken and something entering the (toter, Seal-1 arm were fired, grenades wore tuhro~, and a first-l&M search of the area was conducted. with negative lYkZ%.ltS.

AU. ;:niLs moved into and occupied NDP's at 2020 hours, Multiple LPrs

AVW-CB SUBJECT:

18 Juno 1969 Combat Operations After Action Report, Operation APACHE SNOt-f,

(d) Co D: Continued to pro'Tide security for FSB CURRAHEE. At 2100 hours, D Co LF vic YC 405293 reported hear ing branches being broken and something entering the "m.ter. Small arms ,lOre fired. grenades were thrown, and a firs t -li ght search of tho area \-Jll.S conducted with negative results.

(e) Co E (-): Continued ns FSB CUHRAHEE.

(f) ReN Pla t, : OPCON 3rd Bde, FSB BERCmESGADEN.

All L'TIits moved into and occupied NDP's at 2020 hours. Multiple LP's 8nd AP's '.fore employed by all units. Co A - YC 308919, Co B - YC 314939, Co C - YC 312928, D Co - FSE CuRRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CURRAHEE. RCN Plat -FSB BER C:"rTESGIl,. DEN •

(:3 ) D Day + 2 (12 Hay 1(69):

(a) Co A: Continued RIF operations in assigned AD in preparation : or s eizing Oujective 3.

(b) Co B: At 1100 hours, Co B 3rd platoon spotted 3 enemy and ilmn­ediateJ.y employed small arms fire, resulting in 1 enemy KIA and 1 AK-47 cE;pt'Jred. Artillery \-Jll.': called j.n on the enen,y loce.tion.

(c) Co C: Continued PJF operations in assigned AD, and provided security for the Bn Command and Control Group.

(d) Go D: CO:1tinued security of FSB CURRAHEE. Multiple AP's and LP's .. Iere established vic FSB CURRAHEE.

(e) Co E (-): Continued DS FSB CL'P.RAHEE.

(f) RCN Plat: OPCON 3rd Ede, FSB BERCHTESGADEN,

All units moved into and' occupied NDp1s at 2015 hours. Multiple LP'a 'lnd AP' s were employed by a 11 units. Co A - YG 314940, Co B - YO 318946, Co C - YC 317942. Co D - FSB CURRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CURRAHEE. RCN Plat -8'SB BIDCHTESGADEN.

(4) D IE.y + 3 (13 May 1969) :

(a) Co A: Continued RIF operatione in assigned AO. At 1110 hours, Co il. r eported spotting 1 !NA trail watcher. Small arms were fired lind artillery ~" ! 1 :,d in. Sutsgquent search of the area revealed a blood trail wi til nega­Give further fir,dings . At 1305 hours, Co A reported finding 8 hooches, 10 I X.15 I, 3 rifle grenades, 1 drUlll of RPD 7. 6mm ammo and 1 steel helmet. (v:i.c YC 317922), All were dostroyed in place.

iVLC-CB ,UEJECT:

UNCI,II,S2'FIED 18 Juno 1969 Comb:Jt Operations Aftor Action Roport, Operation APACHE SNOW.

(b) Co B: Continuod RIF operations in assigned AD. At 100C hours, ~o B rsported f:i.ndi.r:g vi.c YC 318948 a corn field enclosed with a f onco ?50 mc,tors l ong ;:;.,:r: Q recently used trail bO/JOlnE: ;.;;;;s·;;. At 1220 hours, (vic YC 311..947), Co B fomd:3 hoochos, 2D'X40', :2 hooches lO'Xl5' with L4 rounds of SA ammo, All were destroyed in place.

(e) Co C: Continued RH operations and providing s e curity for the 3n COuJ!;;a nd and Control Group. At 1120 hours, Co C reported finding (vic YC 319941 ) 2 ho,)ches 15 'X2D ', 2 French bolt action rifles and 2 crosscut saws. III f1.nd ings were in poor condition and 1.fere destroyed in place.

(d J Co D: Continued providing security for FSB CURRAHEE. At 0633 "D . " .. ~ . d' 1 + DDT> i' ~'~j ',lr~], \~:) 1 '~:~7..~; g:L"\rr.3n vne L1l.SSl0n 01: pl"OVl lng one p a"oon J.U-W; or p03S-

. blc: c;",pluY1Cont ;:mo movcr.ienc, to FSB AIRBORNE in support of 2/501 lnf. At

.1;.57 he,re,: moclovac ,;as called for 2 pers onnel and completed at 1 515 hours . iDe !~a !: h~!.d i nfoct ed3(JnbtU"n and one had been diaGnosed as having flu.

(0) Co E (-): Continued DS F3B CURRAHEE and reported locating lIlomy obsari-'or' vic YC )85953. Hortars and artillery from FSB CURRAEEE were :ired,

(1') RCI~ Plat: DPCON FSB BERCHTESGADEN,

All 1Jni.ts moved into and occup::'ed NDP 's at approximately 2000 hours. 1uH:Lple I,P f::; and AP IS uoro employod by all units . Co A - YC 317944, Co B -CC 3:22955, Co c - ye 321952, Co D - 1"SB ClfHRAEEE. Co E (-) - FSB CURRAHEE. teN Plat - F3B BERCETESGADEN.

r-:OTE: At 1220 hours Conunanding Officer 1st Bn, 506th Abn lnf waS tlorted to plan for tho immediate f.loven:ent of 1-506 units Nand NW to :einforce the 3-187 11.bn 1nf vic YC 327982 which was in contact at that ;ime. ~oans were made and ordors i ssued to all units to immediately move JjNw to support 3-187 Abn 1nf.

( 5) D my + 4. (14 Hay J.969 ) :

TI'8 I-50s Abn Inf moved in a ];JIm.; direction to reinforce 3-187 Abn [nf. Commanuing Officer, 1-5C6 issued orders to Co B to ilmnedlataly begin noving lil-i t.o vic YC 315975,

(a ) Co A: Conti nued RIF operat ions in assigned AO, and moved N/NW ;0 S',lpport 3-187 .1.1;;11 Inf. At 1530 hours, vic YC 317961, Co A reported their :)o:i. d El:m h ad boen kiJ~ed by 3 NllA trail '.<Iatchers, Enemy fled NE with Co A ~n pU!",3uit . Subsequently, ARA was called in on enemy 's last Imown location . ~x:tr',"ction of 1 KEA completed at 1742 hours,

(b) Co B: Conti:1ued RIF operations N/I.iw i:1 assigned AD, to support 3-187 Abn InC At 1450 hours, Co B employed gunships for recon by fire, vic

own .011 Its UNCLASSIFIED

lVIG-CB >UBJECT :

UNCLASSIFIED J./J oJUI1Ol .J.. 7 V7 Combat Operc.tions After Action Report, Operation APACHE SNOW.

[C 319962 • .fl.-':, 1 5J,.0 hour s , Co B request(1d IDl.'ldevac for 1 person with broken ~ollar bono , No'leYDc completed at 1610 hours .

(c ) Co C: Continued RIP operations in assigned AD and providing ;ecur i t y f or th9 JJn Co!TJna nd and Control Group. Co C continued movement N~TW ;0 support .3-187 Abn Inf.

(d) Co D: Cont inued to provide security for FSB CtlRRAHEE . ..

(e) Co E (-): Cont inued D3 FSB CUnRAHEE.

OFCON .3ni Ede, FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

A, 'j unit" ".,:>vsd into and occupied NDP's at approximately 2020 hom's, ·:ultj o.".~, !,T"c ;;:ld il? 'S ,mre employed by all units. Co A - YC 319961, Co B -IC F;SS(;. CO C -. ::0 .321956, Co D - FSB CLTRRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CURRAHEE • . lGN 7L .. t ~" YS3 }3J:~:: C::jT E3GADEN.

(6) D I::b.y + 5 (15 Hay 1969):

(a) Co A: Cont inued RIF operations N/}lyf in support of 3-187 Abn Inf, ~t 0905 hours, Co A reported their Objective 1, YC 327973 had been siezed lnd sccured . Immediate RIF operations vic Obj 1 \>rus initiated. vnit received small ar ms fir(') and returned ,rith small arms and artillery :tire on suspected ener.q 10c~tions. Area \>tas searched at first light, 16 Hay 1969 with negative !'~[jlilt ::;.

Co ) Co B: Continued RIF operations N/Nw in :mpport of 3-187 Abn 1nf, A.t 0905 hours, Co B reported their Obj ective :2 had been seized and secured. Ene1'lY trail wat ohers Here engaged by B Co 1st plat after receiving AK-47 fire, (vic lID?). &iemy was observed ""earing Jrl1aki. uniforms. At 1230 hours, Co B, 3rd pJ.at. clpott ed 1 N'vA and engaged Hith small arms. Subsequent se3Tch of the ,'), rea r (,suI ted Co B, Jrd platoon engaging an estimated enemy squad. Sma]J. aX';;1S firo .wall returned , and o.rtillery and AHA callea in on 0De:my loc. ation . At 1425 hours , Co B was aga in fired upon with small arms from an unYJl mm ," ize enem.? force. Small arms fire was .. returned and artillery and ARA called in on enemy location. B Co suffered two US WRA. Medevac was completed a t' .1 505 hour ,'_~.

(c ) Co C: Continued RIF operations NjIfI.! t o st:pport 3-187 Abn It'S and pl' G'fiding s ecurity fOl' the En Comm.and and Control Group, At 16.30 hours, modovac '",, ::; called for 1 US with possibl0 broken back. l1edevnc completed at 1722 bours .

(a) Co D: Continued to provide Ilec urity for FSB CURRAHEE, At 1330 hour;~ -"hilo conducting RIF operations vic YC .39091.8, Co D reported finding 1. hooe:'l IO iX15 j ~·:/bunker undorneath, 7 'XID I with 2tt QVGrhe:1d cover f Also found old ba~;kots, t2apots, t o" ,,;-,d arrows, 1 Chicom l-..ayonet and 1 GI mermito can. !~ll 8quiprr;ent \-."8.S destroyed in ~lo ce .

IUIIU II )d!(

AVCG-CB SUBJECT;

UNCLASSIFIED 18 June 1969 Combat Oporations After Action Roport, Operation APACHE SNOW.

(e) Co E (-); Continued DS security of FSB CURRAHEE.

(f) RCN Plat: OPCON Jrd !:?de, FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

All units moved into and occupied NDP's at approY~mately 2030 hours. Multiple LPls and APls wore employed by all units, NDPls ostab1ished at following locations: Co A - YC 327967, Co B - YC 315970, Co C - YC 324956, Co D - 1"S13 CUR.'1AHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CUREA11EE. RCN Plat - FSB BERCHTESGAllEN.

(7) D wy + 6 (16 Hay 1969) ;

(a) Co A; Continued operations vicinity of Obj 1 in support of 'l-1 87 Abn InC At 0735 hours, vic YC 327967, Co A !!lovcd to search arca ,,mere

!;cnny ' .. ,as .located on 15 Hay 69. An unknown size enemy forco fired small orms . : ~ A Co, kLD.ing 1 US and ~:ounding 7 p'.lrsonnel. Artillery, AHA and gunShips ',Iero called in on enemy loc, Air strikes ;Iere ernployQd at 0925, 1020, and .'.OL,.O hours. HGdevacs were completed at 0810 hOUTS. Immediately following ;ompl otion of artillery, ARA, and air strikes, Co A continuod to search for the enemy vic YC 328969, and found 1 bunker, picks, shovels, 2 Russian 1:x<tndflges, ;: Chicom C1a:rmores, and numerous piles of bloody bandages and blood ~,rai1s . At 1345 hours, vic YC 328969, Co A reported sGeing 8-10 Gnomy armod with AK-47's and cnrry:tng bandoleers of ammo, AHA engaged tho "neroy, along 'lith small arms from Co A. Subsequent search of the area resu­Itod in Co A ongaging and ldl1ing 1 NVA and capturillf, 1 AK-47. NVA WElre woll fed, had clean haircuts and were in good physical condition. Co A also found numGrous blood trails. At 1505 hours, Co A requested medevac for 2 US injured by lightning. l'ledevac completed at 1600 hours.

(b) Co B: Continued operations in support of 3-187 Abn Inf end at 1045 hours became engaged in enenr; con:'act from unkno'..Jll size force. Small arms and RPG fire was received from rear and f ront of Co elements. Flanking maneUVGrs employed by elements of Co B relieved the pressure on tho e10nxmts engaged and resulted in contact being broken at 1250 hours, Hedevac ~JaS called but was unable to ev~ctmte tbe injured because of heavy sniper firo. By 1330 hour s , all injured' personnel had been evacuated by LOH to FSE CURRiliEE and by Dustoff to FSB BI.:',ZE. 1 KHA and 8 ',IRA "rero evacuated.

(c) Co C: Continued operations in support of 3-187 Abn Inf and :ro~'iding SGc11l' ity for tM En COlUmund B.nd Control Group.

(a) Co D: Continued se.curity of FSB CURRAHEE, employing multiple ",;, . ~I ... ~n.rl Ap1 s vic FSB CURJ11LtfEE.

(c) Co E (-): Continued DS FSB CURRAHEB,

en RCN Plat: OPCON 3rd Bde, FSB BERC'rlT~GADEti.

All lmit s !:loved into and occupied NDP's at approximately 2015 hours.

,,~ .? UNCLASSIFIED

900, ar,d provj_ding

and omployod rntitipla

iI.Vu....-vlJ

SUBJECT: UNCl.A::;::;ll-lcU .. u V ~>V ~ /Y/

Combat Operations After Action Report, Operation APACHE SNOVl.

}lultipJ.e LP I 5 and Apls wero empJ.oyod by aU units. NDpls were occupied at the followinG locati ons: Co A - ye 328969, Co B - ye 319972, Co C - YC 327965, Co D - FSB CUHHAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CUHllAHEE. HCI{ PJ.at - FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

(8) D ray + '7 (17 }jay 1969):

(a) Co A: Operationo continued. Contact w/enemy began with incoming mortar rounds at 0640 hours. Location of mortars were unknown and no casualt­ies were suffered. At 0950 hours, Co A departed vic YC 328969 roving If/NH to h i.eher terrain 3nd at 1010 hours received small arms fire resulting in 1 IIllA and J. \"'HA. Co A reported that. the enemy was well dug in and that elements of A Co wore continuing up the ridge destroying bunkers on each side of the t rnil. Hedevac wa s called at 1010 hours and completed for 1 KHA and 1 ~lfiA at 1100 hours . At 1200 hou,:s, Co A again received small arms fire from an un]m01-m size enem:; force, coming from well dug in bunkers and fighting positions. Artillery and AJtA were employed, CS ship was called in and compl eted four runs. Using protective m'lsks , Co A continuod the attack end e:1gaged an lmknown s ize enemy force aga in nt 1545 hours. Contact was rJI'oken by tho enomy and dm'ing later maneuvers to tho wost of the ridge Co A was again fired on by \,1011 dug in NVA forces. Co A pulled back and coordinated ar t Hlery, f.-L1A, and addibi onal CS drops. An air strike was callQd in nt 1840 hours , and resulted in ono secoildary explo.';ion vicinity of k Company IS

contact. At 1900 hours, Co A once again received small arms fire resulting in 1 IC':lA and 1 'vIHA. Heclevac was called and completed at 1940 hours,

(b) Co B: Continued operations in support of tho 3-187 Abn Inf and '(egan ea rly movement to the NW, vic of Hill 900. At 1150 hours, Co B fOtmd 2 i'WA helmots, 1 AK-47, 4 RPJ rOtmd s , canteens, pistol belts and 5 wo11-constructed fox holea and a mach5.ne glm position (vtc YC 320972), All equi­pment 1,as ov<'lcnated. At 1450 hours, movement was detected to the rear of Co B. Gunships ~!ere called in and artillery was employed. At 16JO hours, Co B Has fired ,-,pon by an lmkn01ffi enemy size force ~Ti th small arms and RPG IS,

Gunships that were on station also rocei"lTine automatic weapon::; fire. Ono NITA attempted 'rlithdra\o/l and was killed in tho procea:.; by elements of B Co. Co B h2d 1 US K'riA and 2 US WHA; Artillery, AR.il. and air strikes were employed on the enomy fS 10C'.ation. All 1,lliA were medovaced and completed evacuation at 1855 hours.

(c) Co C: Continued operations viCinity Hill 900, and providing socurity for the Bn COInW2nd Gr;up.

(el) Co D: Continued sectrri'ty of FSB CUTtRAHEE and employed multiple LPls and APls.

(e) Co E (-): DS security of FSB CURRAHEE.

(f) RCN Plat: OPCON 3rd Bdo, FSB BERCHTESGU1EN.

I F' P - : : T j) 12

U!\lC[ I\SS!F!EO 18 .TuM 1969 WJX:-CIl SUBJECr: ComlY:lt Oporations Aftor Action Haport, Oporati.on APACHE SNCM.

All units moved into ond occupied NDP 's at appr oxiW1toly 1955 hours. l1u1tip10 LP's and Apls ,Iero omployml. Imp's located at: Co A -YC 328968, Co B - YC 32OCfO, Co C - Yc 326964, Co D - FSB GURRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CDRRAHEE. RCN Plat - FSB BERCH'l'FSGADEN,

(9) D Dly ;: 8 (18 }I.ay 19(9):

(a) Co A: Continued operations :lIang the ridge line (vic YC 328968} 3nd nt cnoo hOUI'8 rocol. vod RR} fire from well-fortified bunkers to their north. Thore ',Jore no casool ties. Artillery uas placed on the enemy 10cl)tion. i\il' ::;trlk'~s were culled in and comploted at 0845 hours. At 0:140 hours, >,rUllerS' GS was employed (vic YC 328968). Immedi&toly follouing tho CS .l·t,tf.ck, Co A begen receiving Rm and !!l0rtar fire, Gunships \rore employed. 1;.t 1 531 hours, Co A observed 3 INA. Enomy uas fired upon resulting in 3 [':'if t. kJJ.oo , At 15/,) hours, Co A reported r s ce i ving mortar rOlmds ,"nd tha t the ;;!lit "as d81nyed in place by an unknown size enemy force in bunkers. !JunkcI'Il Hero ::rttacked and destroyed and Go A proceeded to continuo the ",t t,~ck , destroying tho mortar position and killing 4 NVA. 4 US vlF.A's wore :,;udev:icI, d . Co A continued the attack tHards Hill 937 and reported their 4th pl atoon ;ras in cor,tact just south of Hill 937. Heavy RR} and automatic weap­·.m~ fj.rCi Wi1S being received . Small ::rrTJlS fire HllS oxcho.::1.ged , and contact IffiS

broken by t.ho enemy at 1935 hOtIT'S. Co A reported finding and destroying II, w)11 --eO~lstructccl bunkors, onch contlliniug 4.-5 rounds of RID (lmmo, vic YC P7973 . At 1%0 hours, Co A bog/ill to dig in for tho night and at 19/+5 hours .IaS ue<.lin in contnct. 1 NVA !-!as killod and :l b3se plate for wortar tube w-dS destroyed. .

(t) Go B: Continuod their attack in the earJy hours and <:I t 0900 !101U'S, spotted 2 NITA ,'rttempt,ing to snenk up or; the roar clement. \-then the INA \{ere close 0110Ue h for small arms fi.1'o t Co B commenced firing and reported both NVA hRd been killed. At 10)2 hours, (vic YC 320973) Co B received RFe fire, r osulting in 1 US MiA. Medevac WDS c .1 D.ed ond completed at 1215 hours. i.Hi'.. w:w called in on the enemy location, At 1115 hours, Co B '.rus agnin under at.tnck from all directions. NoriCl.r fire, heov-j RID's 2nd smaD. urms fire w:u; roccivod, AM was cal1ed in and mortar uttf!ck stopped at 1133 hours. At 1232 hOllrs, Co }) Vi2S [lgain under mort,nr attnck. Artillery and AIlA uoro r3mpl oyed . Contact wns made -wi tll I NYA (Vic YC 321974), resulting in 1 l'IVA killed. Moc1eva c I{as called <1t 1420 hours; howQver, ;;ounded personnel he.d to be 0Y;:C c1lO.tod by the Enttalion L()[T . Due to enemy small ~\rms fire, an LZ largo onough t o accomoduto a WH was available so the aircrnf't could land end bo out of sm:.~11 arms fire. Again at 1620 hours, Co B engagod on unlmown sizo cnam] force. Hed0VD.C for 3 WP.A 1<IUS called and comp10ted at 1640 hours. Contc!ct 1,'OS again mnde at 1910 hours. Contoct continued lmtil upproxim:ltoly ;:0/,.0 fl.Jl.U'S, At this time, u LOR pilot was l.foundod in legs as he lAndod at Co ;.; 13 L2;, 3.11n11 a r ms fire was continually being placed on tho enemy locCltion :.:ncl onG r;l:ltoon of Co B moved to r.md sccured tho dmmod LOH a nd woundod pilot.

UNCLASSIFIED i/ - 1Q

C C _ , L ; '3 ,., - ; , ....

iWffi-CB SUBJECT: Combat OporntionD 1J:tcr j~ct :i. on Roport, Opornt1onuN8B[s~NO\'I .

NDP \"t8 ostnbli <3h€l d. At. 2044 hour s , Co B \.If.U; att.:lcked from tho .NE, Oontact WR8 broken by the enemy at 2055 h01J.l'r: res uJ.t. :ing in 3 US persons tlIA,

(c) Co c·: Continued the attack up t he ridge s ovth of Hill 937, Secll.1"ity vas provided for the En Command and Control Group. At 1700 hours. two elements from Co C were in contact, resulting in 2 NVA killed, At 1858 ho-.rrs , contact was again made by Co C resulting in 2 more NVA killed. At 19/ ... 0 hOlli' S , Co C linked up with Co A (vic YC 329972).

(d) Co D: Continued construction and security of FBB CURRAHEE. The L,th platoon Co D, departed FSB CURRAHEE at 0100 hours conducting RIF operations . At 1510 hours, 2 1TVA were spotted at YC 392953. Artillery and AFA were employed with negative results .

(e) Co E (-): DS security, FSB CURRAHEE.

(f) RCN Plat: OPCON 3rd Bde, FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

All units moved int o and occupied HDP's at 2040 hours. Hultiple Lp1s and Ap1 s were employed, NDPls located at: Co A - YC 327974. Co B - YC 322974, Co C - YC 329972, Co D - FSB GURRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CtlRRAHEE. RCN Plat - ' FBB BERCHTF..sGADEN.

(1 0) D ray + 9 (19 May 1969) :

(a ) Co A: At 0800 hours, Co A r eported their forward element had received RFG fire and was in heavy contact. 3 US were \.JHA with shrapnel. Hedovao was called and completed at 1020 hours, At 1035 hours, Co A engaged and killed 3 NVA in bunkers. Search of the bunker area revealod AK'n, RIG's, and one .51 Cal MG. Since it was necessary to continue the attack illllOOd1ately, Co A was tmable to acourately count all the weapons but reported to the En Comma.nd Group, that Co C was following them and would piCk up all weapons, Numerous bunkers wore destroyed during the next few hours, and sporadic enemy contact continued until 1405 hours \,hen Co A spotted 1 NVA and fired on hin. Additionally 1 0-12 NVA were pi nned down i n bUnkers to their immed­j,,,tc front. CO, Co A reported at 1450 hours that they had counted at least 20 bunkers \,rith 2 lfvA manning each bunker. The bunkers were well-fortifiod and I,mr e defended with AK's, RIG's, and UlZ's, CO, Co A also reported th3.t there wer o many more bunkors, and that he would continue the attack and des1;ruction of the bunkers as rapidly as possible. At 1540 hours, Co A r op­oried I. NV'A KIA, and at 1'715 hours, had reached the top of Hill 900, just south of Hill 937. At 1837 hours, Co A engaged an unknown size enemy force a nd repor ted killing 6 NVA, a ll of which had neat hair cuts and appeared to have been i :1 good physical condition. At 1910 hours , Co A found 1 deud NVA' kiHed by Gl1'..all arms , and 3 killed by shrapnol. At 2003 hours, CO, Co A rop­Cll' tGd body count f or the day wac; 18 confirmed. Also that NVA KIA IS \oIer e wCi1.ring green khakis , NVA helmots, alld some wi th leather shoes. At 2045 hours , ce, Co A reported;2 US KHA and 19 ~JiiA l(l \lere evacuated. 4. HHA's \.J8re

~ ) I!I!I '!i:PIji' 1 ty ,· 'tT'"""l..~

i / - J). Li ~.y'" 'LIC' .:~ (, \ l': \ c. i'i ,,,1.-1 \,~.~[ l. . ......

JiX:; - CD J iU ECT :

.1. ''} <I -...... ~ ,.. .- ; ,

at 3 0r :.LoUi:3 uno H[.:b for :Ln\mcd:i<rtc; t': vncu::l.tiol1" Elcn:lont:: of 3-1 (~'l A:::n Inf 'JCr0 r;;crvocl on Hill ')37.

(b) Co n : CO , Co E reported thnt t r~G ;) ir :~ ·r. l' l kc in ~rlc of r.i::; o02ti on w::s comploto at 0835 hours . At 1030 hours, Co F3 roportGd th::t the Hot a nd LOH had boon flown out of the area llhera it had been shot down n 18 Nay 69.

(0) Co C: Continued the nttack at first light and continuod to ccure the Bn COlru,"land and Control Group. At (J?4? hours, (vic 329972) Co C ound 1 , 51 Cal l'<G . At 0115 hours, Co C found 1 NVA body killod from rev:i. ous day's contact. At 1340 hours, CO, 1-506 Abn Inf dirocted that Co . move up and r elievo tho pressure on Co A ".hich had been in constant ontnct durine most of th~ day. Co C maneuvered rapidly and by 1430 hours ad linked up with Co A (Vic YC 327974). At 2(X)3 hours C Co reported :lVi~; k:i.llod 10 NVA ell/ring the day, Equipment captured from the INA KIA's

:onc i.sted 01' the following: 1 AiC-50, 4 AK-47's; 2 .51 Cal Me' s ; 2 unknO'Wll ypo HG's : 1 Rffi-2 (B-40); 2 Rffi-Z rounds, medical s upplies; 60 rounds .51 ~11 HG <\(!1;no; !.,. AK magazines . 1 Ch.icoID. telephono; 1 mount for .51 G-:ll M:J; :2 'l1cksnc]w, 2 Russian nm!i1..0 box:>:,:, All equipment was evacuated.

(d.) Co D: ContillUf3d to provide security for FS13 CURRAHEE and :onduet lUF OpGr,ntj ons vj_c JiSB CURRAHEE. Multiple LP IS and AP's were ;m ~l,loy(:d •

(0) Co E (-) : DS FSB CUHRAHEE.

(1' ) heN Plat: OPCON 3rd Bele, FSB BERCHnSGADEN,

Unit s movod into and occupied NDP's at approxiJrfltely 2000 hours. :'lu1tiplo . LP 's and AP's 1{GrfJ employed. NDP's located at: Co A - YC 327974, Co B - YC 324976, Co C - YC 327968, Co D - FSB CDRRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB CURRAHEE. RCN Plat - F'SB BERCHTESGADEN,

(ll) D IEy + 10 (20 M9.y 1969):

(a ) Co j,: Operation APACHE SNOH continuod and at 0745 hours CO, Co A r e ported th:,:'C air strikes in t heir viCinity had tecn cO lilpls tcd and that hi,; company had b6gun to move f orMlrd. The NVA wer s stiU on the hill, a...'1d a t 0:,)30 hOUX<l, Co A encounterod and kil10d one NVA who threw D. dud hand grcIlDd o . Continued soarch and dostroy oporations rosulted in Co A roceiving s IDa.ll '.1 r ms ,"1rld Rffi fire at 1055 hours from vic YC 320973. Go A spottGd !. 'c:VA ':;.t t his location and c I:'.lled in artillery, At, 1115 hours, Co B linkod up (vLc YC 320973) with Co A t.o est,)olish blockinG positia!'.!] (vi.e YC 324975). At 131.5 hoUl's, Co A had nlov\;1 d to top of Hill 900, (vie YC 328976). At 1458 h()1.lC;:; 1 GO, Go ./"1. r0ported rElceiving incoming mortnr firG from t he west.. _'\~·-i~ilJ.r;;:':r ··' ?1d i~P"/;. ... ~0r8 CD.]~Gd it: o n t ho st:spc cted enemy loc:J.t ion and air

/f - 1:2 ' ... 4."." ; pr- b! I PE

AVDG-CB UNCLASSIFIED SUBJECT: COI;lbai) Ctpo2'n"t.ion:_1 After Action Report, OpOl~EAttion AF!iGJn~; ~~NOH.

ctriko;) wero requested, Co A c.ontinued the attack with cporatic contact thr­oughout tho rornainrlel" of the day, At 1945 hours, Co A linked up ',lith 3-107 Abn lnf and the 1--1 ARVN En vic YO 3270/77,

(b) Co B: Continued operations and made contact with an unknown enemy size force at 0935 hours, (Vic YO 321.976). Co B continued to manOUVl'lr and at 1115 hours, linked up with Co A to establish blocking positions vic YC 325976, At 1125 hours, HQ's 3rd Bde notified the Bn Command Group that indications were that the enemy was 'Tithdrawing towards Co B's location, At 1145 hours, CO, Co B reported that the enemy was to their front and firing RIG IS and small arms, Co B maneuvered and flanked tho enemy and engaged th(~m with small arms and called in artillery. At 1150 hours, CO Co B \-Ias directed to move across the draw to the ,lost (vic ye 320)'71) and that Co C J./ould take up tho blocking positions, At 1155 hours, Co B engaged 3-5 NVA, The enemy used RID's, hand grenades, 1nd 3;:'a11 arms, !i_Hacking from the NE. At 15/,,0 hours, CC B reported entering the area where enemy mortars were being firod from (vic YC 3280/76). ~ont,act "ith the enemy was made at 1620 hours, with NVA in fortified bunkers, _dth:2 enemy personnel per bunker. Co B suffered 2 KHA's and 4 HHA's with 3,"'111 arms wounds, Hedevac was completed at 1815 hours, At 2020 hours, Co 3 l'opor-ted that 5 NVA had been KIA during tho contact and Co B had suffered 1 ERA a.nd 7 US l~liA!s.

(c) Co c: At 0745 h011rs, CO, Co C reported that his mlit was )ccupying n blockin,,:; position vic YC 327968, as the Battalion reserve, ;poradic ce!::tact centinued throughout tho day and at l200 hours, CO, 1-506 iireotecI -that Go C move to vic YC 324971 and relieve the) pressure on Co B \Dd that B Co move to nElW blooking position IS (vic YC 320971). Co C relieved ;0 Bat 11.20 hours, At 1620 hours, 1 platoon of Co C was reported in )ontact with NVA located jon ~lell-construct0d "nd fortifi.ed bunkers, Co C :ontinued to press the attack and suffered 2 US KHA's and 2. US 10m's. ledevac was comple'cod at 1910 hours, Themy casualti.es were unknown,

(d) Co D: Continued security of FSB CURRAHEE and continued RIF 'porations vic ]cSB CURRAHEE.

(0) Co E (-): US FSB CURRil.HE8,

HeN F.l.3.t: orCON 3rrl Bdo, FSB BERClITESGADEE.

Unit,; established NDpIs at 2040 hours, and employed muJtiple LPIS and f"s. Imp's occupJ,od at.: Co A - ye 327977, Co B - YC 327967, Co G - YC ;2796~:j t Go D - F;3B GURHAHE'"8. Co E (-) - FSB CtJP'.ItAEEE. HeN ?lnt - FSB EEGHTD3GADEN qI

("~\ Cu A: l'ch and ll(lstroy operation,;:) ,,!ere (;0ntirnwd by Co A

;1·· '- I~1

01. 1 ... ,,_. . Ldl'~-, b .

AiiUi-CB SUPJECT : Combat Oporations Aftor

in vi c:Ln:i. t.y of Hill 900. At 1055 hourg, Co A found a diary and 82tnr.l mortar firin,'; delta :::hart. Both were ovacuated to Hn, IS 3rd Brigade, At 1300 hourg, Co A bogan to soarch and destroy the bunker complex that they had foueht t hl'ough earlier. As a result of this search, they found 18 NVA KIA in~he bunkers, killod by s ffiGll ar ms and grenades. At 1500 hours, 6 more INA KIA's ",e:re f ound and a t 1540 hours, Co B found 6 more NVA KIA ~!hich wore accred­ited t o Co Al s operation on 20-21 May 69. At 1535 hours, -:;0 f.. found a blmker con:plox vicinity Hi ll 900, (YC 327977), containing 14 CI.icom grenades, 4 'l.PG tubes, 40 B-40 rockets, 20-6Omm mo:t'tar r01mds, 4 AK-47 IS, 8 Chicom ~laymoros, 5,000 rounds AK ammo, and several documents. All was destroyed , xc opt the documents and weapons which wer o later evacuated to Hq's, 3rd 8rigRde. Light contact continued, and at 1925 bours Co A once again found md entorod II 28 bunker complex. In the complex, Co A found 25-82mm mort.:lr l'ounds , 25-60rnr0 mortar rounds, 5 RIG rounds, 1 RIG launcher, 1 P.PD MG, al,d L3 ~nicom grenades, 10 NVA rucksacks with new clothing, 1 diary and 7 NYA 30dies . Tho weapel.s and 0'quipment were evacuctod and all bunkers woro lestroyed.

(b) Co B: Continued their search and destroy operation south of Hill 100 , uJaking conta ct t hroughout the morning hours. Sporadic contact continued lnd at 1540 hour s , Co B found 6 NVA JHA t hat had been killed by Co A on 20 >hy 69. One .51 Cal M:< was also found and evacuated. At 1645 hours, Co B ~pturGd one pm! and evacuated him to HQ'S, 3rd Brigade. At 1610 hours, ~on'i;a ct .... rns made with an unknown enemy size force and resulted in 2 US VHA. :, modevac was callsd l.\.'1d completed at 1640 hours. Co Bls 3 KHAts from ;0 H.11 69 wer o found and evacuated from vic5.nity YC .327968 at 1825 hours.

(c) Co C: Continued search and dostroy operations -and providing ;ecur ity for the Bn Command and Control Group. Sporadic contact con~inued ;hroughout the day, resulting in Co C finding 9 NV! KIA at 1,300 hours, and 'inding 15 bunk0l's, 25-82mm mortar r01.ll1ds, 25-6Ornm mortar rounds, and 1 tFG launcher. All -were destroyed, except the RPG launcher, between 1345 and .600 hours.

(d) Co D: Continued security of FSB CURRAHEE by employing daylight (IF operations a nd multiple LP's and AP's 8-1:: night.

(e) Co E (-): DS FSB CURRAHEE.

(f) RCN PInt : OPCON 3rd Pd e , FSB BERCHTESGADEN'.

All unit s moved into and occupied NDp1s at nppl'oximat oly 2020 hours. lulti plG LP's and Apts wero empluyod. NDP's locater'! ut: Co A - YC 327977, ;0 B - YO 327968, Co C - YC 327968, Co D - FSB CURRAlr8E. Co E (-) - FSB ;1JTI.RhHEE. RCN Plat - FSB BERCHl'ESGADEN.

(13) D Thy + 12 (22 14'.ly 1969 ) :

UNCLASSlf! i~ D il~ li

.- I b !

rl.VrG-CD UNCLASSIFIED 18 JlUl8 19&1 Sl.iBJ8CT: Combat Oporationc After Action Report, Opomtion APACHE SNO',l.

(a ) Co A: Sehcdu10cl nil' rltrikes delayed the movement of Co A until OJ/,S hours. Three air strikes \,10re employed vic YC 3209'70, with last '-lir strike beinG completed at 0125 hours. FAC reported to Bn Commani Gr')up that ono of his jets received heavy !W.chine gun fire from Hill 916, (vic YC 315970). Artillery fire was placed on this area. Co A began movement at. (J1I.5 hours and made sporadic contact with the enemy throughout t he morninG hour s . At 1215 hours, (vic YC 327977), Co A fOlUld 4 satchel charges, and 1,000 AK rounds. All were destroyed. Visual contact was established with elements of 1-502 Abn Inf at 1240 hours, after which Co A withdl'e\{ to the west, continuing theiT search and destroy mission.

(b) Co B: Mmroment was delay'ad because of aiT strikes, and at OJ45 hours began t o maneuver (Vic YC 327968). At 1025 hours, Co B found and destro~Ted 4 w011-constructed bunkers. The bunkers contained 3 Chicom gr enades, 2 Rffi cleaning kits (evacuated), 1.51 Cal Me mount, Ilonded Rffi I ftllllcher, I AK-L,7, and 7 NVA KIA. The Rffi launcher and the AK-47 was evacuated. At 1120 hours, Co B found 3 NVA gas masks th5t were booby trappod, All 3 were destroyed. At 1240 hours, Co B found 1 NVA KIA and 26 fresh graves, probably killed by Co C on 21 Nay 69. At 1400 hours, (vic YC 333968) Co B found a bunker complex with well-constructed fighting poSitions near ea ch bunker, Also iii resupply and suspected hospital complex was found. All bunk0rs 'ind supplies were destroyed. At 1715 hours, Co B found 26 NVA KIA that had been recently killed by,air strikes or artillery.

(c) Co C: Began movement at 0945 hours. At iliO hours, (vic YC 327-968) Co C found 7 NVA KIA's who were killed by small arms fire. Sporadic fire was received throughout the day, and at 1630 hours, (vic YC 324969) Co C fOU11d 11 .,ell-constructed bunkers that had boen destroyed by artillery or air strikes. Search of the bunkers resulted in 18 NVA KIA and numerous trails caused by bodies having been dragged away. The search of t.he area continued and at 1920 hours, vic YC 327968 Co C fOlUld 19 more fighting bunko::;,s of which 15 had been destroyed by !irtillery and air strikes. All were destroyed.

(d) Co D: Continuod security of FSB CURRAHEE by employing RIF operations and mtutiple LP's and AP's.

(0) Co E (-); DS s ecurity, FSB CURRAHEE.

(f ) RON Plat: OFCON 3rd Pde, FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

All tmits moved into and occupied NDF's at approximately 2045 hours. Hultiple tP's a nd AP's were €lmp10yed. NDP's located at: Co A - ye 327971, Go B - YC 327968, Co C - YG 327968, Co D - FSB CDRRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB GU?.P;JlEE. ReN fla t - FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

(14) D ra y + 13 (23 l'illy 1969) : UN, IClA'='~l cl r::D I V"-' I I i_ '

WIX}-cn 18- Jur.o J-969 · 3lJr"JECT: COlll]y~ t 0f1orut:i ons Aft!;; r J,ci.,i un Roport, Opora tion AF,1CHE SUI],,.. . ;

UNCLASSIFIED (tl) Co A: Air strikes on Hill 916 again delayed tho e.:lrly mOVl:lznent

)f 1111 comjXlrd.o::;. Air ,)trikes wer e employed and completed at 0810 hour3. Co \ bog<lJ: mOVt1p.IGn t (vic YG 324977 ) and found 3 I'IYA Dhirt: ',d th T/2-6 embroi­larod or, them. Also North Vietnamese w-riting on the trees in the arBa: '''1'0 itny a:ld fiGht - not run. this arOIl is good to fight in.1/ Co A rocei ved the )rdor to commonce movement to vIc YC 315970. At 0945 hours movement began Inti i mmedi<, tel:v contact was made witr. an unknown size enemy force. Fighting ;ontinued throughout the mornmg, and at 1450 hours, Co A found over 100 He rotmds and 1200 lbs of rice vic (YC 322973) that had been partially !ostroyed by air strtl(os. At 1545 hours, Co A found (vic YC .32297.3), 41-:2 ;arbine3, 18 RID rounds, as:)ortod medical supplies, 180 Chicom grenades, l CO 1bc, polished rice, 1-32mm mortar sight, and 7 NVA KIA . All the equipnent )xccpt the weapons WIS destroyed in pla ce. At 1615 hours, Co A found a n'Zlber )1' mTA shirts \!ith embroidered patches on each left pocket: T2./B, T2/6. tnd T. 2 . The T.2 had a red circle around it. The shirts were evacuated to HQ1s lrd Brigade. At 1910 hours, (vie YC .322973) Co A found 11 >len-constructed , - .:'ramo bunkers S' X4' X4' with .3' of overhead cover. All wel'e destroyed.

(b ) Co B: At 0915 hours, Co B began to advance (v.ic Hill 916). It 1050 hours; CO, Co B was ordered to move his UIlit to YC .325973. Co B .111"",o<iiai;elybegan manouvering and a t 1050 hours , (vic ye 325973) found 3 lur.kers containing RID's and SKS's, .3 fresh graves, comminication wire, and l water line system. At 1120 hours in the sarno area, Co B found another mnkor containing mortar equipment, SKS1s, AK-44 l s, RID's, and 1 mortar tube. !"ne ;roapons were evacua.tcd , and the bunkers wero dostroyed. At 1135 hours, ;0 D found a cache of AK-47 la, RID's and numerous containers of small anns ul'..l1luniticn. All >leTe evacuated. At li50 hour" (vic ye 321973) contact was lado with an unlmOIID size enomy forco. Artillery and AM wero called in with mknown results. Co E continued thoir search and ag8m at 1530 hours began ~Gceiving mortar and RFG fire. Artillery was callod in on the suspected memy locations, At 1600 hours (vic Ye 315970) Co B found one MIA. The body :as oxtracted at 1805 hour[;.

(c) Co C: At 1010 hours Co C and Bn Command Group bogan to advance. 'poTudi c contact continued throughout the morning hours. and a t 1340 hotn"s, ;0 C 1i21kod up with Co A a t YC 322973. At 1415 hours Co C fotmd the bodies >:1.' 5 NVA KIA thnt had boen killed by lJ;mall arms fire from clements of Go C m 22 Hay 69. The search continued and P.t 1540 hours the c::;;::p::.r.;y received ~ire froll! a \-:eJ~-constructed btmker. The firo was returned with M-79's and l subsGquent soarch revealed one ~l/A KIA in the bunker. A large bunker complex las found at IC 318971. Artillory was calJ.od in and Co C suffered 5 WHA's Jy shrapnel from friendly ARA. The 5 HHA's were modev(Jcoo at 1620 hours. Tho ;e[\rc i1 ojXlrations continuod thrOUGhout t he remainder of the da y .

(d) Co D: ~ill1.:P.JiHEE recoi ved ;::u rocket o,ttnck

Continuod security of FSB CURRAHEE. At 1345 hours, FSB 6 incolJ1ing 122m:m rockots. Cotmter-artiUory was fired IJ.m torminut fJd H t 1520 hours. All rockets h.it outside the

€;fyi 4" D g;U iL (L> I j- l§. UNCLASSIFIED

.... · , ..... ,,~ :-- v ~

SUBJECT: Combat Operations Aft er Action Report, Operation APAC,l!E snow,

po r-lmeter. Co D :mffered 1 us HHA with s hrapnel wounds. UNCLASSIFIED

(0 ) Go E (- ) : Contlnued DS security, FSB CURRAHrn .

(f') RCN Plat: OPCON 3rd Bd e, FSB BERCHTESGADEH.

All tmit s moved into and occupied NDP!s at approY.imat ely 2CX)0 hOUI'D, Hul-:; i p12 LP ' s and AP's were employed. NDF's located "t: Co A - YC 323976, Co :3 - YO 323974, Co C - YC 324973, Co D - FSB aURRAHEE. Go E (-) - FSB C URHAHEE. n eN rI a t - leSB BERCETESGADEN.

(15) D illy + H (24 Hay 1969) :

(8 \ Co A: Co A continued t o search the area und s peI!t t he duy destr oying Gunkel'S and small caches. By 1100 hours, t.he company had destroyed 16 bunker s , 8 fleht i I!g positions and a t 1753 hours, found and destroyed '5 .- $'X8 !X8 ' blLikers . At 2010 hour s , co, 1-506 Abn Inf r e ported to CO, Co A that radar had pi cked up 10-1 5 NVA n ppr cxim'\tel y 700-800 meters from their location, moving i n t he ir direct ion, Artillery was called in by Co A on the suspected enemy location. Search and del':troy operations continued until Co A occupied their NDP at 2045 hours.

(0) Co B: Co B began the day's operation by recaiving incoming mortar fir e at 0750 hours, Artillery was employed on the suspected enemy location. AI; ('~j20 hours, (ye 32397/+) this company fOlmd 1 bunker containing 1 RPD M:1, 1.2 SKS rifles , ]. H-16 rifle, 3-60mrn mortar rounds, 2 US Carbines, 7-82ro.m mor t.a r r ound s , 1 AK-47 , 50-6Omm mortar fuses, 128 powder charges for 6cmn morta r s , 4 pr opollingcharges for 82mm mortars, 24 Chicom grenades, 15 RIC- 2 rounds, 3 RIC char ges , and 1 beIt of 7 .62 Russian manufactured nmmo. An El quiprncnt was evucuatEld. At 1014 hour s Co B began t o advunce and linked up .lith A Co at 1145 hours . Co B oontinued t heir sear ch a nd destroy operations t l'.rouehcut the r emainder of t he day. At 2122 hours movement was detected by t he company at YC 32.7469. Artiller y waG culled on the suspected enemy l ocation. Resul t s " ere unknown. NDP occupied at 2.0]0 hours.

(d) Co C: Co C and tho Bn Command Group began to advance at 0745 hour s and nt 1m3 hoUt'", at YC 324973, found 4 bunkers containing 4 Ghicom gr el1'-\des , 22-82mm mortar rOlillds, 12-6Omm mortar rOlillds, 40 lbs -'of polished rice , .:1nd 2 SKS rifles. All items were evacuated except the f ollowing items whi ch · .... "' 1;' 0 d ost r oyod: 33 Chicom EP'en3des , 17 RFG rounds 1 J:.nttory, 8 eloct ::' i c bl a :; ti ng caps, 7 non-electric blastine; caps, 2-} Ib blocks of TNT, 2-82r.iPl IDorta r f use s and 4 i gnition fuses fo r 82mm mor tars . At 1100 hours , CO 1 - 506 Abn Inf r e ported that Go C had destroyod 19 bunkers 6 ' x6' of which 11 hed GlG0pi ng pos i tions. That af t ernoon the c ompany f Olmd 20 more we11-constructed bunker s , ?O RIC rounds , 50 Chieom grenades , 3, 000 r ound s AK :lmmo, and l CX) J.bs of HVA domoli tion. .Destr uction of bunkers and ce chc ;.:ept t ho c()u: pcny busy for the r cmni nder of t he da y until they occup~Gd their NDP at 2040 hours.

(f) RCN Plat: QPCON 3rd 3de, E'S33 BEIICHTES?&IEN,

(16) Si I&y -f- 15 (25 Nay 1969):

(b) co 3: Conducted xmconnaissance in force operations in assigned A0 and had no onomy cont;,lc% du&q the day,

(c) Co C: ContinuEd Lo provide sscwity for the Bn Ccxnmand Group and

(d) Co D: Continued secw5ty of FSB RIF opmations, IJ% and AI?%.

in assigned Al and had negative

(0) co E (-) : E FS3 CrnPAHEE,

• ~ ~ • .L. ... .r-~JO

SUBJECT: Combat Oporations Aftor Action Report, ..LO lllA1J.V .L.7U7

Operation APAG'HE SNOW, UNCLASSIFIED

(d) Co D: Contit~uod soctrrity of FSB CURRAHEE, employing multiple daylight HIE" s, nieht LP' 6 and AP' s,

(e) Co E (-); DS FSB CDRRAlIEE,

(f) RCN Plat: OPCON 3rd Bde, FSB 3ERCHTESG.!I.DEN.

All units moved into and occupied Imp's at approxiJnately 2045 hours. Multiple LP'G and Apls 'Here employed by all units. NDP locations: Co A -YC 327974, Co B - YC 327969, Co C - YC 327969, Co D - FSB CURRAHEE, Co E (-) -FSB CURJIAHE.t1:. RCN Plat - FSB BERCHTES GADEN ,

(16 ) D Dly + 15 (25 May 1969) :

(a) Co A: Continued their search and destroy operations throughout t he day with no enemy contact. At. 1220 hours Co A found items of US equip.­ment that had been booby trapped with l-82mm mortar round. BET IJas destroyed in pl ace , At 3220 hours, a recently used area was discovered containing 1 NVIi. cant een, numerous first aid bandages both new and used, and 1 bottle of unlmown type pilis. At 16m hours, 3 electrical wires, running N & S were di::; cover ed, lhey ~rere made of 20 gauge copper wire with white insulators, The \,fire Has cut in nUlOOro'lS places.

(t) Co B: Conducted reconnaissance in force operat,ions in assi.gned AO and had no enemy contact during the day.

(e) Co C: Continued to provide s ecurity for the En Command Group and conducted r econnaissance in force operations in assigned AC and had negati VEl

contact with t he enemy,

(d) Co D: Continued security of FSB CURRAHEE by employing multiple RIF operations, Lpis and AP's.

(e) Co E (-): DS FSB CURFAHEE.

(r) RCN Plat: OPCON 3rd Me, FSB BNiCHTF...5GADEN.

All units moved into and occupied NDP's at approximately 2000 hours. Hultiplo LP's and Apls werc employed by all units, NDP's located at: Co A - ye 333967, Co B - YC 327965, Co C - YC 327965, Co D - FSB CDRRAHEE. Co E (-) - PST) CUP-RAHEE. RCN Plat - FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

(17) D Day + 16 (26 May 1969 ) ~

Operation "APACHE SNOW" continued with units conducting search and d'Jstroy operations \oIithin their assigned AO IS, At 0950 hours, the CG 10lst A:i.r borne Divis i on visited FS3 CURRAHEE and presented the Silver Star to LTC Jill,lES N. BOw'ERS, C~;:-":;landing Officer, 1st Battalion, 506th Airborne Infantry

lJ i\Jr' LE cc:,"'c," I \ . .1 I-\ "J '~)t', ".,',,1

UNCLASSf FIED 18 Ju.ne 1969 s IWECT : Combat Operations After Action Rsport, Operation APACHE SNOW,

(a) co A: Continued soarch and destroy operations in assigned AO, No m-~~~:y contact was mude duri~ the day,

AVlX}-CB SUBJECT:

UNCLASSIFIED 18 June 1969 Combllt Operations After Act.ion Report, Operation APACHE SNOW.

for hi s action ' s on 20 Nay 69, vi cinity Hill 937 .

(a) Co A: Continued cearch and destroy operations in assigned AO, No enemy conta ct \I1lS mude during the day,

(b) Co B: Continued their search of bunker complexes am at 1835 hours reported finding 49-6Omm mortar rounds, 2-6Onnn mortar char ges, 35 RFG-2 rounds , 12 rifle grenades, 33-82)Jl)l mortar charges, :2 5 propellent sho11 [; , and 7 jlj{-47 magazines at YG 336961. Al.l ,lore destroyed in place excopt tho mort.ar ammo which 1-JaS extr acted to HQ IS, 3rd Brigade .

(c) Co C: Continued their sea rch and destroy operations and at 1430 hours , linked up with Co B at YC 333966, At 1514 hours, the En Command Group and Co C found high t ension wires with 2 different type insulators ",t YC 333966 . Bicycle tra cks 1oI0re found throughout the same a r op. on numerous rec0ntly used trail s found in tho same vicinity. At 1527 hours , -tho com})o'1ny discovered ntUllCrous bunker s with fighting pOSitions, 10c:J.ted Cl.t YO 337963 . Also 23 hoaches were found, each with bunkers underneath and fighting positions nearby. Tho bunkers were 6 'X8 I and 6'XIO' with 2-3' overhead cover. In the same area 12-~n mortar roundS, 3 RFG-2 rounds , 1 large 2-man cross-cut saw, and miscellaneous tools wore found. All wer e destroyed except the mortar ammo which was extracted to rlQ's, J rd Br igade.

(d) Go D: Continued the security of FSB CURRA1{EE, employing multiplG lay-light lUF' s , nigh'c LP IS and Apr s .

(e) Co E (- ) : DS FSB CURRAHEE.

(f) RCN Plat : OPCOO 3rd Bde, FSB BERCH1'ESGADE2!.

Units movod into and occupied NDP 's at approximately 2000 hours. 'lultipl e LP ' s and AP's were employed, NDP 's located at: Co A - ye 347969, ~o B - YG 331996, Go C - YC 337963, Co D - FSB CDRRAHEE. Co E (-) - FSB :URRAEEE. RON Plat - FSB BERCHTESGAOEN.

(18) D ray + 17 (27 Hay 1969):

Ope ration "APAc]E SNOVl" continued as units of the 1st of the ;URRAHEE'S conductod sGarch and destroy operat i or.s in vicinity of Hill 937. l t 0820 hours, Co B reported finding one fresh grave containing 1 INA KIA, d lled by small arms and wuHr ing US type 10Ieb gear. At 1545 hours , Co C ~ol)nd 8. corn field 25 meters long. The field was destroyed. All unit s con­;tnuod recon.~aissancc in force operations but there 1m 3 no contact 10Iith the mCp.iY d,"ring the day. All uni ts mOVed i nto UDP's at 2030 hours and ;st"bJi.'lhcd mul tiple J"p ' s and Ap ts • HOP 's l ocatod a t: Co A - YO 348972 , ;c B - YC 337962 , Co C - YC 31.8961, Co 0 _ FSB CURRAHEE. Co E (- ) - FSB

AvtG_cn UNCLASSIFIED .w Juno .J.';!07

SUBJECT : Combllt Opo1' (ltionrJ .~i'tor Action Report, Oporation A.PACHE SHOW.

CUP.l1!u!EE. ReN Plat - FSB BERCHTESG,\ DEN,

(19) D fuy + 18 (28 Hny 196')) :

All units continued operati.on "APACHE SNOW", Tho major event of the day l·mD t.ho oxchange of missions and AU IS ·cotween D ~.nd C CO IS, CO A wos airlifted to FSB CURT'illHEE :md assumed th9 mission of socuring FSB CURRAH:EE; D Co replaced Co A in t.he 11.0, A round-robin-type airlift cOlllJOOncen at 1310 hours, Hi th last PZ/LZ being completed at 1402 hours, Report was r oceived from 3rd Brigado that FSB BRi\DLEY had been attacked at 0440 hour~, . CO, 1-506 informed the rear TOe to increase seeurity of FSB ClJ'R!lfl-fEE and t o increase their H & I fires. All units movod into and occupi '>o :TDF' ~l ::t e.pproximatoly 20/+5 hours and ostabJ.ished multiple LP I 8 and Apls, rem" ,) located at: Co Ii - FSB CURRAHEE, Co B - YC )50962, Co C - YC 355964, Co D - YC 35197/+ . Co E (-) - FSB CDRRAHEE. RCN Plnt - FSB BERCHTESGADEN.

(20) D Iby + 19 (29 Hay 1969):

3rrl Brigade notified CO, 1-506 that t.hG RCN Plat would by rGliovcd of }'SB security of FSB BERCHTESGADEN on 31 Hay 69, ond \wuld return to Batto.lion (;ontroJ.. Also t.hat operations in lOlst AO I{ould be hcJ.ted from 3C06OO Noy te .310600 May in observanc~ of Buddha IS birtilday.

( ~\) Co A: Cont.inued the security of FSB CURRAHEE by conducting daylight RIF operations and employing multiple night LP1s and AP's,

(b) Co B: Bogan RIF at 0800 hours and roported 1 US with high fover. HedGvac was completed at 0900 hours. The company continued search and destroy op€rations throughout the day without enemy contact.

(c) Co C: Continued security of the En Command Group and at 0936 hours, r eported finding 4 bunkers 4'X.3 IX) I (vic YC 356966). Two had 2-3' everhead cover of dirt nnd logs and all wer0 destroyed.

(d) Co D: Bogan RIF at first light !lnd moved (vic YC 36CY173) am fOllr,d 1 hoo ch Hith a well-constructed underground bunker containing 1 box of H.to alrmO, 2. blocks of TNT, 1,0 AK-/+7 rounds, 2. empty M-16 magazinos, 1 st0cl folding chair, and miscellaneous pottery and silverware, Bunker and all findir~s were destrOJ~d.

(8) Co E (-); DS FSB CG~~\HEE.

(1') RCN Pl at: OrCON 3rd Bdo, FSB BEnOJTF.sGADEN.

At IJ21 hours, FSB CUR.t:?AHEE r eceived s ix incominG 122nun rockets W~iCf: l anded j us1; outfiido ·~he perimeter with nogc.tivo cClsu't lties.

Smrch and destroy operations in 4ssi@ed

RI3 at first &$-I-G and at IL217 hours made en0my force (vlc 3% 37596?)+ Small arms fi.re

AVIX':-CB SUDJEGT :

UNCLASSIFIED IG J.U.'10 191::1) Combnt Op~rations fLftor Action Report, Operation Jd'AC,1!E SNOI'I.

Al l units moved into and o()cupiod NDpls at Ilpprorlmatoly 2045 hours . Multiple LP's and Apts w&ro omployod. Imp's located vic: Co A -FSB CURRMJEE, Co B - YC 365966, Co C - YC 360/166, Co D - YC 36?966, Co E (- ) - F'SB CUIUiAllEE, RCN Plat - FSB DERCHTESGADEN.

(21) D D1 y + 20 (30 MH.y 1969):

Opor ations in support of "APACHE St!Oi,,''' wero halted in ob3ervance of the Buddha's birthday. All units utilized this time to prop1ro their cqui I-rnont f or futuro oporations. NDP's wore occupied at approxi!lll1tcly 2.01,5 hours a nd multiple LP'3 and AP' s wore employed, NTIP's located at: Co A - FSB CtRFNlEE, Co B - YC 365954, Co C - YC 369966, Co D - YC 3699th. Co E (- ) - FSB CtRRAHEE, RCN PJ.at - FSB BERCHTESGA DEll ,

D my + 21 (31 Hay 1969) :

Oporation "AFACF.E Si,;o;';,j r 0:::ume d a t 0600 hours , with all units beGinninG to RTF ut 0705 hours , ReN Plat oon wns r elie vud of s ecurity for I"3D BSi,CEI'EBGilDEN and was a ir liftod to FSB CURRAHEE, completing the move at 093J :-lOlU' S ,

(a ) Co A: 80ntinued to provide 30curi ty for FSD CURRAHEE. aS3Ullloo OPCON ReN Plat and omployed it in RIF operations in vic FSB CURRAHEE.

(b) Co B: Conducted search and dfJstroy operations in assigned AD, with negative enemy contact.

(c ) Co C; Conducted search a nd destroy operations in assigned AD, 1,i.th negative enemy contact.

(d) Co D: Commenced RIF at first light and at 1217 hours made conta ct wit.h an unknown size enemy force (vic YC 375967). Small arms fire and grenades wer e r ecei ved from approximately )0 meters away, Contact was broken by t he enemy at 1310 hours. Co D suffered 4 US WHA with shrapnel '"ounus , Hedeva c was completed at 1320 hours. Continuing the RIF at 1610 hours, Co D made contaot again by an estimated squad size enemy force resulting in one US lll1Ui., Enemy casualties wer e unknown, Medevac "oO.s complet ed at 1749 hours .

(e) Co E (-) ; DS FSB CURRAHEE.

(f) ReN Plat: DS FSB C UR!tI\HEE.

Al l unit s moved into and occupied NDP 's at a pproximately 2020 hours, Dnu e s tabl ished multiple LP' s and AP's. NDP 's located at: Co A - FSB ClJH,1il.:1EE, Co B - YC 376942 , Co C - YC 379962, Co D - YC 377967, Co E (-) -i:::;B CUf?RAHEE, HeN Pl at - ?SB CURRAHEE ..

UNCLASSIFIED

(f) FEN Slat: Continued to prcMdc security for FSB CI23WEE,

AVffi-CB SUBEC'l';

(23 )

UNCLASSIFIED 18 .June 1969 Combat Oporations Ai'tor Action fleport, Operation APACHE SilO;";.

D '[by + 2;~ (1 June 1969) :

CO, 1-506 Abn Inf was g'iven the l1'.ission of providing 2 cO!lIpanies for a combat assault operation vic YC 34CJ190 to search for and destroy ~[1fA/VC forces and caches. Plans were formulated and orders wero iacued for Compa:l:~ os B and D to begin movement immediately east to FSB CUTffiAHEE to prepare for coml-Jilt assault operation::: on 3 .Tu..'10 69. (See inclU3ure 2 for area oi operations).

(a) Co A: Continued to provide security for FSB C~BEZ by conducting RIF operations and employing multiple LP's anCi APt:>.

(t) Co B: Search and destroy operation::: continued and at 1100 ':01.:.:r :, I Co B he.d one man medevaced for a broken leg. Mede'!ac was completed. It. :12 .'3 7 hou!'s. The company continued to search the area of operation east vo;.!" rds PSB CIJRRAEEE without enemy contact,

(c) Co C: Continued to prov.i.de ::;6CllXity for the En Command Group '-end conduet.ed search and destroy pperations throughout the day without enemy contact.

Cd) Co D: At 0915 hou!'G, vic YC .375968 the company found 1 fighti1"~ position with 1-6Qnm mortar complete, 28-60mm mortar rounds with primers, 4 rucksacks, 100 lbs polished rice, 1 US protoctive mask, 2 boxes 60mm mortar fUSGo, 2 Chicom grenados, ]. Chicoro claymore, and 1 NVA pistol belt. The pistol belt had 'IHObil , "GIAN YOlEN", "HT l6552lTIt and "HGUYIR GUON Lex:: TRAN wr:l.tten on it. All fi ghting positions were deRtroyed, and all equipment "ras evacuated. The company continued their search and at llOO hours found a bunker complex (YG 376967 ) .d,th 4 bunkers, 2 with overhead cover and 2 under construct::'on. In the .same area, three cooldng hooches were found. All bunkers and hooches were destroyed , Search of the area was continued and at 1347 hours, 1 metal badge 1,rlth silver writing on it was found. In the S8Jne aroa 2 bunkers 1-2 'X4'X2' and 1-12 'X200XS' with 3' overhead cover lIere fo nnd which had been recently constructed. AlJ. equipment lias extracted and all b~~kers were destroyed. The search continued eastward towards FSB CUP-BAilEE Hi thout enomy contact.

(e) Co E (=): Continued to provide security for FSB CDRRAHEE.

(f) RCN' Plat: Continued to provide security for FSB ClJ1ffiAEEE.

All lmits movod into and occupied NDpts at apprOximately 2010 hours ,'bltiple Lpt s and Apts wore employed.. NDP's l ocated at: Co A - FSF C; ;;TIR4H.?Z, Co B - ye Y}5947 , Co C - YC 393955, Co D - YC39C1;166. Co E (-) -,' <:' ; ' ( "r>;R " I.)'7E PC" Pl""" "~B CUmD An=>' :: ,--". " J ~: ~ ... ...t1...: .;..b , . ~ 1'1 <..:Lv - 1'0 )~.

jl-~

(;H I 5 3

Ui\lCLASSIFIED :a;: , , ...., Ii&

(c) co E (-) : Continued to pso~ide seou.rity for FSB CU?L%.HEl3,

AVfX',-CJ3 UNCLA~;;'ir'i.:.. ' 18 J1l.nS .l')!:f) SUB.l)i;C'l': Combnt ()porations Aftnr Action Haport, Operation APACHE SNOW ,

(~!.) D DIY + ?3 (2 June 1969):

(n) Co A: Continued to pro'lide security for FSB CURRAifEE by Omploying multiple doyJight RIF's and night LP's and AP'a,

(b) Co B: BO[,'1ln moving at f ir:;t light ond at 0710 hours cloBed at FSS CURRAHEE , The company conducted maintenance vf equipment and W,:H:

"iven a ,; t~nd down. Showers, clean clothing , ice cream, and ropair too.ms ;.'01' ordnance and sigml i terns W6ro provided. Rem'linder of the day was

devoted to preparo.t·ion for tho next day's operation.

(0) Co C: Continued their early movement with the En Command Group md clo;o;eci F'3B CURRAHEE at 0330 hours . The company co!1ducted maintenance of

,cqui ;J.-\er;"t and was given a stand down. Showers, clean clothes, ice cream A :,d :rep:?il' t 8c'l,mS f or ordnance and signal itsll'.5 were prov1ded. The remainder jf t!,e r:a,Y was devotod to maintonancfl and rela:x7ltion and preparation for :.'i.!turo operfltions.

(d) Co D; At 0820 hours, YC 311966 found 1 hooch l5'X25'XlOf with t. hatched roof and a bnmboo flocI' . An animal pen was close by and shoved signs Df recellt use , Hooch and pen wore" de:; t royed . The company continued RIFing Cl3st\.f8rd and closed FSB CUllliAHEE at 1045 hours. The company conducted nair~enance of equipment end was given a stand down. Showers, clean clothes, Lce croam, and ropair tenms for ordnance and signal items were provided. ".emnj,ncler of the day ,,;as davoted to TI)2intenance and relaxat ion and pr0p-:lrn­t,ion for future operations.

( 0) Co E (-): Continued to provide security for FSB Cm;:IAHEE.

(f) RCN Plat: Returnod to Camp Evnns for repelling training.

All u..'1its moved into NDP 's at approximately 2045 hours vicinity cSB ClIHHAHEE,

(25) D DJ.y + 24 (3 June 1969):

(a) Co A; Continued to provide security for FSB CtiRRAHEE employing ~ultiplo RTF operations and LP's and AP's.

(b) Co B: Conduct€d airmobile combat assault '-i.c YC 347990, lot .i:ft dGpartod FSB CURRAHEE at 0808 hrs and completed insertion at 0'3.33 hours. ,2 'dUS cold . One man was inj ured IJith a possiblE) fractured leg. Medev_1c :alled and completed at 0105 hours. Operations continued and at (1)5 hours ':i.e YC 34693':1 found 2 bunkers J 1-10 'X15 'X10' and 1-4 'X5'X4' with 2' Qvemoc:d ;O-"OT. Dot h btmkers were destroyed. At 1050 hours, vic YC .345985 the company ' ~·.11c1 and ci estroyed 1 Chicom clay:nore mine tho'l t was hap,sing in u tree . :~)vom':>Dt cO:1T.inuoQ and at J~36 hOU7.'d, tho point element of Co B spot.ted 2-3

(26) D Day -I- 25 (f!+ Juno 1969):

(a) Co A: Continued security and construction of FSB CURRAI?~ and anployd mtitiple RID’ operations, LPIs and APk,

AVlXJ-C13 SUB.TEGT:

NVA ;:,j,,J unl3ngcJd them with s~ll arms fir~. Subsequent search of tho area r cvcnlod 1 NVA KIA, 1 AK-50 cnpturod And indi cations thr1t anothor body hod beon drug 11""::ly from the contact nroa. At 1145 hours, 'lie YC 345985 an Elrm Qnd another AK-50 WtlS found, Both wGapons were evncuated. At 1255 hour3, 1 INA with RIG wa s spotted moving wcst. ARA ond gtU1ships Il(;re OOlpl oyed with nogntive results , Continuing tho search, movoment was ngain spcttod .'It YC 345935 . Gunships wero ernployod. At 1427 hours the company c<1mo under <tt t ack with an unknown s iZ8 onemy forco firing soall arms and RFG 13 • St>211 '~rr.:$ f iro ;n-:" rotUl'nod lind artillor y callod in with negative results, Opor Qt ions continued throughout the day with J1flgative onemy contnct.

(c) Co C: Remained at FSB CURRAHEE providing security end cO);<5truction of FSB CURRAHEE,

(d) Co D: Conducted ~irmobilo combat as sault into an L1. vic ye Jj~7990. L2 "',,"8 cold. First l ift dOp3rted FSB CURRliHEE 0828 hour :> , cnd ins ertion ,JaS completed at 0900 hours. At 11.45 hours, vic YC 355974 Co D fOu''1d 3 spider holos recontly used with 2' of overhead cover. All were d(;:~troyed. Oporations continued and at 1555 hours, tho company found some printed mo.tedul and a published letter from Ho Chi Minh teiling JNA what a good job they wore doing. Publicat.ions were e"{8.cut).ted. The opera tion continuod 1,li th nega ti va 0nomy contact during tho day,

(0) Co E (-) : Continuod to provide socurity for F'SB CllRRAHEE,

(f) HCN Plat: Continued repolling training ut Camp Evans.

Unit s moved into and occupied NDpls at approximately 2045 hours. Nultiple LP 's and AP's were employed by all unit s . NDpI S located at: Co A - FSB ClilliWlEE, Co B - 3/;2982, Co C - FSB CURRAHEE, Co D - YC 357995. Co E (-) - FSB CURRAJlEE, HeN Plat - Camp Evans.

(26) D Day + 25 (4 June 1969) :

(a) Co A: Continued security and construction of FSB CURWU~EE and omployed multiple RIF operations, LP' s and AP's,

(b) Co B: At 0710 hours, Co Bls 1st and 4th platoons departed the NDP l ea vine 2nd platoon as a stay-behind force at the NDP. At U739 hours, 1 iNA (mt-eYed t he NDP. Sm;J.II arms fire Has omployed resulting in 1 NVA KIA and 1 AK-47 captured . At 083 5 hours, 1 NVA was seen moving into the ambush position. Small arms fire was employed and Co Bls 2nd platoon began receiving RFG rotUlds from an lUlknOWU size enemy force. Artillery was called in 011 the s us pected enemy location with unknown results. Co B suffered 6 MfA's from shrapnel. Hodevac completed at 1000 hours. Operations continued and at 1407 hours , I anti-ail'cr aft pOSition and 4 mortar pos itions , well camouflagod wOTe found. All positions '<ere destroyed . TI10 company continued to search

11- 2~ YN.CLASSIFIED CC' 17 UU~ I Ii L Ai

,4V!~~_G') UNCLASSIFIED 10 ,Juno 1.)Q'/ SllP,T;,CT : Comly,t OpO):;l [. :i. on:~ lift. or Action Report, Opornti on APACHi~ SHOH,

t ill'Oc,,·:;,Ol;t ti,,, (;:,:, a:-,d t'ounu lHJInOrOU$ rocently u::;ed tNi1rl. licgativ(; fm' t ::cl' oney,,;)' c.:;;:;;,:c"t; irmlo during tho r01l'llindor of the day.

(c) Co C: Continued to provide sccurity und constr,;ction of i.'S E ~;]l HAHEE •

(d) Co D" Bogan mov:Lns at mlO hours Clr:.d at lilO hours found an :;iD? pODition vic 1:'''; J()2 996 with 20 fox holes . All positions wero dest.ro:.'"(}d .. Nc C;;;,!))y contact was JnAdo tJo..roughout tho day.

(,) Co E (-): ContinuQJ s~curity of FSB CURRABEE.

(f) :cC~·{ Plat: Continued repelling trairci.ng at Camp Evans.

U::it.s movod into and occupied I{DPfs at approrimntely 2015 t:OUT3 .

~!,;lt:~plc ~p l;j a:c.cl APi~) W01'a employed !Jy all units. NDP's located !"t: Co ,\ - liS!3 C iJf1BAEZE , Co 13 - ye 344984, Co C - FSB CURRAHEE, Co D - YC 305'1')5. Co r; (-) - FSB CURRAHEE, RCi'! Plll.t - Camp Evana.

J) Day + :26 (5 June 1969):

I \ In I Co A : Continued seour1 ty and construeti on nIl" op0rations, L.Pls and Aprs.

of FSB CUP4~~HEE and

(Ii ) Co B: Boean cady movemont nnd at 0g10 hours, vic YC 353986 :folmd 2 Q'Ternigbt ,;looping pof;itions tha t ,,,er e used durin& the night. Searc..1-t OP(:1~;.'1ti.or.~::.; con-(j:.i.l':l.'tcd 2nd no cn()my contact H[-H-3 I7_~adc d1_U~j_Dg t he day rs opora tioY!.

(c) Co G: 3(:J'gan early prep-".4l'r?. tit..mz for l'TIov'oment by hi3J.icopters to Bea ch. Yovomc'ni:. '(":,g,m "t 0915 hour s Qnd was completed at 10:20 hours.

(d) Co D: Departed thG night NDP nt 0745 houre> and moved east con-G;1.n'Jing t he scarc)h and dest.roy mission. A.t 1100 hours, vic YC 368994, the CO)"1)"o,ny found Le hoochos 10 'XI0 tXI0' with 5 well-constructed bunkers 4'X5' l·li til 2 I oV(1rhead covor . Q'l() container of .51 C.a l H} ammo with 30 rounds w-:J S found in tho bunker. AJJ. bunkers \-Iere dostroyed and the ammunition \,I.:\S

evacmted. Hovemont continued and at 141.5 hours, vic YC 371986 a fighting tre!lch, 3 '-5' doep >lith overhead OOVClr was fou.'1.d. Slooping positions were c1bu.'1dnnt . Trench 1{O" o.pproximately 120 ' lone, and was destroyod. No onolT(Y C C>D.t~1 C"s v12.:"~ mn.do during the day t s opGrution.

(0) Co lC ~-.): Cont inuod security a!'lCl construction of FSB CUftHAHEE.

( ,,' J. ) T\.CH Plat: Continued repelling trair.ing nt G<.'"\mp Evnn:::.

WlX;-CB UNCLASSiF iLO 18 Juno l,){j:j SUBJECT: CombErt Operat.ion:) After fIction Report, Operntion APAalE SNO,:.

Units moved int.o Gnd occupied HDP's at approxim9.te1y 2000 hours and ;ls to.b l ishod multiple Lp ts find Art s . NDP's located at: Co A - FSB CL'RRJJ1EE, ::0 B - YC 367982 , Co C - Eagle BOIlch Rest Cont.er, Co D - YC 371987. Co E (-J - FSB CL'1,IiAHEZ, RCN Plut - Camp Evans.

(28) D Day +27 (6 June 1969):

(8) Co A: Bog~n early preparations for movement to Eagle Beach. leli coptor m;wement began at 1120 holU's and ,,1'38 completed at 1235 hours.

(b) Co B: Continued search operations and had negative eneuv ~ontact d~ip~ the day's operation.

(c) Co C: Returned to FSB CURRAHEE from Eagle Beach closing at ~.3 11 hour:; and a sstuned security for F3B CURRAEEE.

(el ) Co D; Continued operations in assigned AD and had negat ive :lP C:ij~/ con"';.~~: ct dt:ri ne the dayts operation.

(e) Co E (-): Continued security FSB CURRAHEE.

(f) RCN Plat: COl"Jpleted repellil1~ training at Camp Evans.

All units moved i.nto and occupied NDP's at approY.imately 2015 hours llla. omployed multip1e LPla and APls. NDP's located at: Co A - Eagle Beach, ;e J) - YC 389977, Co C - FSB CURRAHEE, Co D - YC 385983. Co E (-) - FSB ;URRAHEE, RCN Plat - Camp Evans.

(29) D Day + 28 (7 Juno 1969):

(a) Co A: Returnod to FSB CUR."Ul.HEE from E:J.g1e Beach and wore i!llJloo­Lately inserted into an LZ vic FSB GEORGIA, YD 410033. Insertion was ~omplet0d at 1117 hours.

(b) Co E: Began early movement for extraction and movement to Eagle 3ooch. At 031,.5 hours, YC 392977 the company found 4 bunkers, 8 IX8 'XL. 'with 3 I overhead cover. All bookers were destroyed. The company ".:::,:::,1 -roi at the pz: :It. 0915 hours vic YC 401976 and began extraction to Eagle BaadJ. Movement .. ;as cOlr.pleted at 1040 hours. .

(0) Co E (-): Continued security of F'SB CURRAHEE.

(f ) RCN Plat: Conductod move from Gamp Evans to FSB CURRAIlEE und 'tiS in,;erted into FSB GEORGIA at 1720 hours. L2 was cold.

Locations of tillit s ~,ere: Go A - NDP, YD 4220.36, Co B - ElgIe Beach, Co C - ~'SB CURRAHEE, Co D - Fagle Beach . Gc E (-) _ FSB GtmRAHE.S, RCN Plat -?3B GEORGIA.

i "- I •. . , )! .G7 !.. D Cb.l,+ I b i

UNCLASSIFIED 15 June J.'j 0'1 AVffi-CI1 SUBJECT: Comb'l.-c Opcrotiom; After Action Report, Operation APACHE SNOW.

(30) D !jay + 29 (8 Juno 1969):

Opor ation "APACHE SNOldl' officially termimted for the lat of the CURRAHEES at 082400 hours. The day's activities consistod of Co A continuing operations northeast of FSB EAGLES NEST; Co B assuming responsibility for FSB BERCtITk.'5GADEN and FSB EAGLES NEST; Co C and D being inserted into FSB GEORGIA f or operations northeast of FSB EAGLES NEST; and Co E (-) remained as security for FSB C~1EE pending relocation of 1-506 Abn Inf Tactical Opcrn0ions Cent er to EAGJ~ NEST on 9 June 1969.

J2 , Results :

a . The ~ission given tho 1st of the 506th was successfully accomplished by destroying NVA/VC forces, base camps, and caches and denying him the use of the Cl r C,>;1 of o'pera t ions a.s a resupply loca.tion and staging area for r Gpla coment pers onnel.

b. Enemy losses :

(1) KIll: 159

(2 ) KBAA : UNK

(3) KBA: UNK

(4) CAPrURED: 1

c . Friendl:>" losses :

(1) KHA • 22 ~

(2) 1I1l1A : 1.36

(3) MHA: 1

d , Body to weapons ratio: 2:1

0 . memy t o fri endly killod ratio: 7:1

1.3. ;' dminist ration: Current ArMINO us ed.

14. Logistics: Current ArMINO us ed.

15. G:1et'.ical: N!A .

16. Ci viI Affairs: N/fi:.

11- ?-2 UNCLASSIFIED

C'-E) 1< pi, F.. L t J T \k I

AV rXi - C!-i Sl.![ .. Jl'XJ1' ;

l?, J U]1 fJ 1 '-J til GO:J:bflt Cpnr,'ltionl1 l;ft, or ActIon llepoct, Oporation APACi!E SSOt:.

J..8. Com.municat ionJ: N/A.

19. mf,inoer: '1\10 eneineer personnel were a ttached to each coz:;pany during Opor:,+' ion APACHE SN OH. Engineers were prirnUr:ily UBed i:1 demolition role:; in d(,stroying cache:::, bunkers, etc.

20 . Artillery: N/A.

21 . ~;!---ec.ial Equipmo!J.t and Techniques : N/A.

'-'2 ')3 1'.- _I.:. • Cw..trender IS ana lysis Ilnd recolTlllwndations:

A. (1) Observ:1tion. Units capturing enemy perDonnel are not permitted sufficient tir.:;o to interrogate these personnel in order to obtain immediate tdctical :\. r!.formation.

(2 ) Dis cussion. On 21 :t-ily 1969 an NVA soldier was captured by 3 COffijXmy 1-506 who indicated a villingness to assist US forces. At the tiuo of::apture he [.ad 11 shrapnel wound in the right leg and -was treated by medics trom B Compmy which helped to increase his villingness to cooper­ate. T'ne Bsttalicn was informed to i:mn~dia:tely evacue.ta the indi'l;idual to higher headquarters. Approximatoly six hours later the EBttaliOll VclS

informod that the pa~ revealed that an enemy reCon platoon was located ocly ]00 meteJ.'s west of Co C 1-506 who had encounterod anomy in that location t.he previous ovening.

(3) Recommendation. That lmits be pormitted to retain POW's for a ilUfficient period of time to obtain information of an imediate tact.iool value

D. (1) Obsorvation. Slow react ion time and inaccuracy of CS employment by Ui'I-l aircrai't.

(2) Discussion. It took excessivo time to get ll. CS ship on station and t.hen (,,5 was dropped so high that it was inaccurate and was greatly effocted by wind.

(3) Recommondation. That more frequent use be made of CS drops and that CS pilots continually 3tay abreast of friondly locations and s itU9.t.ions.

c. (1) Observ-ation. Hhen attacking enemy bunker complexes man;r cbest wounds are constantly inflicted by small arms and fragmenta from RFG's, clnyQores and ?renadcs.

UNCLASSlh

~ .:' - ,I ..... • r .. '..! L)

::; ~ ; l\! ECT : Com\)nt Opo rntion:J Artor Action Roport, Oporatioll A11\{;1:J:; ;;;:-rJ~'i .

UNCLASSIFiED (;"!) DL'; C:' ::: :;ion . Comp:m,Y C of tho Ibttalion lTl.ldo UD O of flak

jackets whilo attackil; ,; Cl bunkor conplcx and c.13o for pro t" ction of socondary g il ArtDlory i'1'a~nentf] t,hllt woro fir ing a destruction mir.;"ivu on the co~plox . Tho o~~.ioct. ivo w~::; cOl'lplot ely dG!Jtroyed tl tho B" fire and no enemy fi r o wus oncountQrod. !lo casualties were suffoi;' (;!(.l from s E: condary frn[,"Jl1onts.

(3) Rocommendation. That troopscncotmtoring bunkor complexfJ3 ~:tni ;:o fbk jackots and that 8 11 Artillery te used for destruction missions 0:"1 'o:.u:kc1' complcxDr3 prior to the assault. Theso typo fires can be culled :~n within 300 meters of friendly troop::; whon troop.:; take covor and utilize fl .J.k Jackots .

D. (1) Obsorvation. VGrY few adoquate L2's wore il'railable withi!1 t ho Cl::CCEl of op~)rl1tJon.

(2) Discussion. A rifle co mpa ny must remain wit'rln a one [-,our iistcmce from an 1Z f or iJImlodiate extract ion for contongency plans, modova c 's , r esupply, reinforcements, etc.

(:3) ROCQllUnondation. That aU rifle companies cut a mlnil1li\4ll of one tz dnl ly. Th i s can be accomplished by the platoon providing security for tho co:;;pa tlJ' C: P 1~hilG t ho rom:1ining platoons ere conduding search ar;.d destroy or r econnais sance in f orce operations.

E. (1) ObsoJ:'"1raticn. Employing stay- behind forc03 upon dep;:lrturo from night defens ivo po::;itions .

(2) Discussion. On 4 Jur.e 1969. Co B 1st En, 506th Abn Inf dcp;;.rtrJd tho NDP leaving the 2nd platoon <!s a stay-bohind force. (See par 11 b. (26)). Thh! action r os:l lt.od in Co B springing a sucossful ambush whon tvo NVA ontored tho NDP area within 30 minuteD ni'tor B Comftlny IS

dop.::\rtuX8.

(3) Roc ormnendat ion. That an lUli t s omploy ID9.x:i.mUlll stay-behind for cos • Thi;..; t,yiX' opul'ation will norlllully 'y"lld moro ono~r contact Ilhd ft1l'tho:::' , will confus 0 the anomy' so thnt his pl,:1ns must be changed.

F. (1) Obser vation. Units requiring r esuppl y of water were 1d tr:es sing a loss of -,roter: through use of plastic 5 ga llon contuil'16rs that He r0 cra c ked When dropped·from resupply ships,

(2) Discussion. Units of the 1st Bn, Sc6th Abn Inf required rO::Plpply at a highcr .mte th:ln norma l. Throughout, water containers wore in short. sU~lply . 155 powde r bag conta iners were used to resupply a ll units u/.Jater and pl'ovod very effective for kick-out missions. The y are ,""tor tight a nd ztlU'dy enotlgh to ponetr,~to tho jungle canopy whon dropped from hoiGhts of 100 - 150 foet .

/1- !S2 1]6;£110 a Et'_trfI..L.

UNCLASs ! r:T~ n