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COVER- MCB 133· AREA OF OPERATIONS-- LANG CO TO THE DMZ.

U. S. NAVAL HOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION ONE THIRTY THREE

FPO NEW YORK 09501 MCB133 : 30:mho 5213 Ser 284 17 January 1970

From: Commanding Officer, u. S . Naval Mobile Construction Battal ion ONE THIRTY THREE

To: Commander Naval Construction Battalions, U. S . Pacific Fleet

Subj: Deployment Completion Report for Period June 1969 through Janu­a:ry 1970; submission of

Re_!: (a) COMCBPACINST 5213. lE of 18 HAY 1968 w/CH-4 · ( b) COMCBPAC OPORD 9-69

Encl: (1) Administrative Swnmary (2) Equipment Summary (3) Training, Security, Communications and Ordnance Summary (4) Logistics Summary (5) Labor Distribution Summa:ry (6) Construction Item Swnmary (7) Project and Performance Chart (8) General Construction Information (9) Lessons Learned and RecoIIJIJlendations (10) .Civic Action Summary (11) Construction Photographs

1 • . This report is submitted in accordance with reference (a) as required in t~e performance of reference (b). During the period June 1969 through January 1970, United States Naval Mobile Construction Batt alion ONE THIRTY­THREE was deployed at Camp Wilkinson, Gia Le~ Republic of Vietnam. The · Batt alion ' s primary mission was construction in support of the THIRTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment.

2. Unit Movements,

a, 21-24 May 1969: . MCB 133 Advance Party, 6 officers and 117 eniisted men moved on two MAC C-14l flights from Gulfport, Mississippi to the Re­public of Vietnam. Operation control changed to Commander THIRTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment.

b, 2-10 June 1969: Detail Romeo under. CWO J. A. BLAKE, CEO, USN, moved by vehicl e from Camp Wilkinson, Gia Le, to Camp DeShurley, Phu Loe, R,V, N,

c, 4- 12June1969: MOB 133 Main Body moved by MAC C-141 and DC-8: : (contract) ·aircraft from CBC, Gulfport, Mississippi to Danang, R.V. N., and from Danang to Gia Le, R. V.N. , by C-130 and convoy. Operational con­trol changed to COM32NCR.

1

d. 9-23 June 1969: SEABEE ·Teams 13303 and 13304 moved by MAC ·C-141 . from CBC, Gulfport, ~,fississippi to Guam, tfariana Islands; and ·by U. s .

Navy LST from Gua.2n to Ponape, East Caroline Islands and Truk, Central Caroline Islands respectively. ·

e. 7 July 1969: Detail ZULU under SWC K. W. LOWE, USN, cor.i.pleted mmrement by air to Saigon area. Operational control changed to Cm.1mander TEIRD Naval Construction Brigade Representative Saigon.

f. 10 August 1969: Fourteen men from Detail ZULU returned by air from Saigon area.

g. 14 September 1969: Detail HOHEO moved by vehicle from Ca'Tlp DeShur­ley to Camp wilkinson. Detail disestablished.

h. 15 September 1969: Ten men from Detail ZULU returned by air from th~ Saigon area. Detail disestablished.

i. 23 October 1969 : Well drilling team deployed by vehicle to :-1ai Loe, EVN.

j. 20 November 1969: Detail ZULU established and first men moved by vehicle from Ca11p Wilkinson to Ca"'lp Haines to effect repairs to Bridge 1-14.

k. 22 December 1969: Detail ZULU returned by vehicle from Camp Haines to Camp Wilkinson. Detail Disestablished.

1. 28 December 1969: MCB 13.3 Advance Party, .3 officers and 117 enlisted men returned to CBC, Gulfport, I"~ississippi, aboard one I\1AC contract flight. Operational control changed to COM20NCR.

· m. 14 January 19'i0: Well drilling team returned· by vehicle from Mai Loc, . RVN.

n . 15-26 January,1970: HCB 13.3 Main Body returned to CBC, Gulfport, : .. -tississippi, aboard three ;,IAC contract flights and one MAC C-141 cargo flight. Operational control changed to COM20NCR.

3. Significant Events.

,_r:·--·8-J~~~-19.?9.r> CDR. F. H. LEWIS, JR.' CEC, U~N, Cor~anding Officer, MCB lJJ'rel:i.eved CDR Jack i·IOGER, CEC, USN, Commanding Officer, MCB 121 of the comniand of Camp Wilkinson. The MCB 133 .Advance Party was disestablished.

b. 14 June 1969: RAD::1 J. G. DILLON, CEC, USN, COHJNCB and CAPT A. W. WALTON, JR., CEC, USN COM32NCR, visited MCB 133 road construction crews working on QL-1.near Phu Gia Pass. CAPT WALTON toured MCB 133 jobs in the Phu Bai-Gia Le area.

c. 20 June 1969: R.ADM W. H. HEAHPJ~, CEC, USN, COl·lCBPAC, Ri~DM J. Ga DILLON, CEC, USN, COH3NCB, CAPT .. A.'. w. WALTON, CEO, USN, Cm·I32NCR and CDR T. J. DOYLE, CEC, USN, Staff C0!1iCBPAC, visited Ca"Tlp Wilkinson and toured MCB 133 jobs.

d. 26 June 1969: C.API' C. G • .MILLER, CEO, USN,' Chief of Staff and CDR B. J. HACKENSON, Logistics Officer, COHCBN.C_ visited Camp Wilkinson.

2

e . 18 July 1969: RADM J. G. DILLON, CEC, USN, COMJNCB visited Camp Wilkinson and was briefed on plans for repairing the Highway Bridge over the PerfUme River at Hue.

f . 21July1969: Began removing decking and approach ramps ·to Eiffel Span as part of replacement of middle span, Highway Bridge over the Perfume River at Hue.

g. 26 July 1969: At a ceremony opening QL-1 from Hue to Danang, four MCB 133 men were awarded the Vietnamese Technical Service Medal Second Class for their work on QL-1.

h. 7 August 1969: At a change of connnand ceremony al:x>ard Camp Wilkin­son, Captain A. W. WALTON, JR., CEC, USN was relieved as Commander, THIRTY­SECOND Naval Construction Regiment by Captain J. E. WASHBURN, CEC, USN.

. i . · 7- 8 August 1969: Commander W. L. WILSON, CEC, USN, CBPAC Operations Officer and LT R. M. ROHRBACK, CEC, USN, · CBPAC Administrative Officer aboard for Operations and Training, and Administrative !"1.anagement Inspec­tion Visit.

j. 11 August 1969: MPC Change Day.

k. 12 August 1969: Battalion party to celebrate recommissioning of MCB 133.

1. 15 August 1969: RADM J. G. DILLON, CEC, USN, C0Yt3NCB, visited Camp Wilkinson for a briefing on the Hue City Bridge.

m. 17 August 1969: BUCN R. D~ TILLERY, USN, B62 76 25; was killed by accidental discharge of a 20mm round while in the Mekong Delta with Detail ZULU.

n. 17-18 August 1969: Hurricane Camille with winds in excess of 175 mph hit CBC, Gulfport , tne home of MCB 133.

o. 18 August 1969: Captain R. E. ANDERSON, CHC, USN and CDR J. W. BERGER, CHC, USN, visited Camp Wilkinson.

p. 19 August 1969: Captain J . E. WASHBURN, CEC, USN, COMJ2NCR toured MCB 133 jobs wi.th the Comroanding Officer.

q. 21 August 1969: RADM J . G. · DILLON, CEC, USN, COMJNCB and CAPT J . E. WASHBURN, CEC, USN, COMJ2NCR, toured MCB 133 jobs with the Commanding Officer •

. r. 26-27 Augilst 1969: LCDR G. R. GILMORE, CEC, USN, MAJOR L. URBAN, USMC, CBPAC Staff and MAJOR B. TOWNSEND, USMC, CBLANT Staff aboard for Plans and Hilitary Readiness Inspect ion.

s. 1 September 1969: At a ceremony opening the Hue City Bridge, LTGEN HOANG XUAN LAM, Republic of Vietnam I Corps Commander and 1st Tactical Zone Corranander and LTGEN H. NICKERSON, JR. , CG III MAF, presented Vietnamese medals to seven MCB 133 men for their work on the Bridge .

3

t . 9 September 1969: RADM J. G • . DILLON, CEC, USN, COM3NCB, visited Camp Wilkinson and MCB 133 road work along QL-1.

u. 9-10 September 1969: LT F. L. GOHRBAND, SC, USN, 31st NCR and LT A. P. MESTERHAZY, SC, USN, CBPAC Staff, aboard for Supply Management Inspection Visit.

v. 23-24 September 1969: LT A. GERMAN, CEC, USN, 31s t NCR aboard for Equipment Management Inspection Visit.

w. 1-31 October 1969: Heavy r a.ins caused considerable flooding and hindered construction work. The worst day was 5 October when the Gia Le­Phu Bai area recorded 21 inches of rain in a 24 hour period, eclipsing the former record for a 24 hour period anywhere in Vietnam (11 . 3 inches) . Total rainfal l for t he month i n the area was 75 . 06 inches , more than one and one half times the previous monthly re cor d for anywhere in Vietnam, 47. 6 inches .

x. 5 October 1969: The Battalion celebrated mid- deployment with a quiet party.

y . 8 October 1969 : RADM J. G. DILLON, CEC, USN , COMJNCB and CAPT J . E. WASHBURN, CEC, USN, COHJ2NCR, visited HCB 133 road work along QL-1 to evaluate damage caused by heavy rains .

z. 21 October 1969: RADM W. H. ENGER, CEC, JSN, COMNAVFACENGCOM, RADM J . G. DILLON, CEC, USN, COM3NCB, CAPT R. C. WILLIAMS , CEC, USN, NAVFACENGCOH and CAPT J . E~ WASHBURN, CEC, USN, COMJ2NCR visited Camp Wilkinson.

aa. 26-27 October 1969: CDR P. P. . GATES , CEC, USN, Chief Staff Off icer, OBLJJ~T, visited Camp Wilkinson .

bb. 28- 29 October 1969 : CAPT C. G. MILLER, CEC, USN, Chief of Staff, CBPkC and CDR B. J. HACKENSON, SC, USN, Logistics Officer , CBPAC aboard for management inspe'ction.

cc. 3 November 1969: CDR Joseph J. GAWARKIEWICZ, III, CEC, USN, r e­lieved CDR F. H. LEWIS, JR .• , CEC, USN as CO, !'-!CB 13 3.

dd. 20-24 November 1969: CDR D. P. JOHNSON~ CEC, USN, CO MCBlO, . and several of hi s officers visited Camp Wilkinson on a ,:,>redeployment visit .

ee . 29 November 1969: CDR Joseph J . GAWARKIEWICZ, III, CO M6B 133, CEC, USN d'rove to Danang, F.VN to brief HADM S. R. S.MITH, CEC, USN, COHCBPAC on HCB 133 and the Battalion ' s Third Deplo~ent to Vietnam.

ff . 15 December 1969: RiillM J . G. DILLON, CEC, USN, COHJNCB, CAPT J . E. WASHBURN, CEC, USN, COMJ2NCR visited Camp Wilkinson for a briefing on re­pairs to Bridge 1- 14.

gg. 15 December 1969: BGEN J. C. SMITH, Deputy for Logistics, lOlst Airborne Division, representing the Division Cowmanding General presented Army Commendation Medals to HCB 133 personnel for the Battalion ' s work in

4

support of the Division during the period SEP-DEC 1968. The 52 Arrrry Com­mendation '..fedals co!llbined with 6J individual awards previously received for the Battalion Is second Vietnam de;Jloyment is believed to establish a record for a single SEABEE deployrient to Vietnam. The awards were : Leg­ion of >Ierit-1, Bronze Star-2, Navy Cornmendation-10, Army Commendation-52, Navy Achievement-17, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry-21, Vietnamese Technical Hedal-10, Vietnamese Honor Medal-1, Vietnamese Medal of H0nor-l; Total in­di vidual awards- 115.

hh. 13- 14 December 1969: Cii.PT J. E. WASHBURN, CEC, · USN, C01•02NCR antl CDR R. w. Lamus, CEC, USN , Chief of Staff, 3NCB on board .

ii. 20 December 1969: RADM J . G. DILLON, CEC, USN, CO.M3NCB and CA.Pl' J . E. W.A.::,HBURN, CEC, USN, C01'132NCR, drove parts iif QL-1 assigned to MCB 133 for maintenance and upgrade .

JJ• 21 December 1969: CDR Joseph J. GAWt.RKIEWICZ, III, CEC, USN, CO, MCB 133 drove to Danang t o meet CAPI' C. F. KRICKENBERGEH., CEC, .USN, COMCBLANT.

kk. 22 Deceillber 1969: CA.PI' C. F. KRICKENBERGER, CEC, USN, COMCBLANT, · on board Camp Wilkinson. At an awards ceremony the Commodore presented six

MOB 133 personnel with individual awards .

11. 23 December 1969: MAJ. GEN N. Q. TRUONG, CG 1st .A.LVN DIV, RADM J. G. DILLON, COHJNCB, COL THAN, ARVN, Thua Thien Province Chief, CAPT C. G. KRICK­ENBERGER, CEC, USN, COMCBLJ..NT and CAPT J. E. WASHBURN , CEC, USN, COH32NCR, JB.rticipated in a ceremony opening Bridge 1- 14 at Phong Dien, 8 days ahead of schedule . Eighteen MCB 133 SEABEES received awa.r ds from the Government of Vietnam.

mni . 24 December 1969 : Christmas Eve .

nn. 25 December 1969: Christmas Day. Bob Hope Christmas Show took place in Camp Eagle . ·' In the afternoon, DELTA Company defeated CH.AF.LIE Com­pany 19 ·to 6 in the Gia Le Bowl, thereby winning the ;-fCB 133 flag football championship.

oo . 29 December 1969: Led by LCDR L. C. STRUTllERS, CEC, USN, Opera­tions Officer, MCB lO's Advance Party arrived at Ca.."Tlp Wilkinson, Gia Le, Republic of Vietnam. ·

pp. JO December 1969: Battalion Equipment Evaluation Program began.

qq. 1 January 1970: New Years Day.

rr. 2 January 1970: CAPT J. E. WASHBURN, CEC, USN, CO!..JJ2NCR toured MCB 133 road work along QL-1 , and reviewed progress of job turnover be­tween HCB 133 and MCB 10.

ss . 3 January 1970: RADM J. G. DIL:.ON, CEC, USN , COH3UCB toured MCB 133 road work along QL-1.

tt. 6 January 1970: CDR J. J . filAWJ..RKIEWICZ, III, CEC, USN, CO MCB 133, and party visited Chu Lai.

uu. 7 January 1970: RADM J , G. DILLON, CEC, USN, COMJNCB toured MCB 133 NLO yard and job sites at Nam Hoa and Phu Bai.

vv. 9 Janua.ry 1970: Battalion Equ-ipment Evaluation. Program ended.

ww. 15 January 1970: The first main body flight of MCB 10 arrived at Gia Le.

- 1i·~c -- , - ------.. xx. ( 17 Ja'nuary 1970: .CbR J. J . GAW.AP.KIEWICZ, III, CEC, USN, CO ;-1CB 133

was relia'&d of the ·comma'nd of Camp Wilkinson by CDR D. P. JOHNSON, CEc,· USN, CO ~'1CB 10. - .. .

4. Ma.ior Problems . Late personnel, administrative

Distribution: COMCBPAC (3) COMCBLANT (2) CINCP ACFLT ( 1) CINCLANTFLT (1) COMSERVLANT (1) COMSERVPAC (1) CG FMF PAC (1) DIR OF ·NAVAL .HISTORY (1) SEABEE HISTORIAN (1) CG III MAF (1) NAVFACENGCOM (Code 06) (1) NAVFACENGC0~1 (Code 006) (1) COMNAVFORV (l) · COMJNCB (3) C01'{30NCR ( 2) COMJlNCR (2) COMJ2NCR (2) COM2DNCR (2) COM21NCR (2)

-'t·

CBCEN PORHUE (Code 17) (1) CBCEN PORHUE (Code 15) (1) CO CBCEN PORHUE (2) CO CBC GULFPORT (1) CO N1WSCOLCONST DAVISVILLE (1) CO N.1WSCOLCOtJST PORHUE (l·) CO NAVSCOL CEC OFF (1) CO CBC DAVISVILLE (1) ALL NMCB 1s (1) CO NCEL PORHUE (1) OICC SAIGON (1) COMMARCORHQ (Code A09E) ( 1 ) .

6

11. Awards and ?romot ions Summary.

a. Promotions.

To LT 1 To LTJG 5 To ENS 1.

Total 7

b. Advancements.

To E-7 J To E-6 5 To E-5 JO To E-4 41 To E-J 87 To E-2 2

Total 168

c. Major Uni t ed States Awards Received for Deplo~onent.

(1 ) Purple Heart.

E02 D. N. MCLEOD E02 F. H. IKERD, III E02 J. G. QUILL EOJ B. w. GALLAGHER EOJ c. D. CUSHEHBERRY

(2 Bronze Star .

LCDR D. E. BOTTORFF

(3) Navy Commendation Medal.

GYSGT R. L. LUNSFORD

(4) Combat Action Ribbon.

GMG2 M. T. BROPHY CS2 J. M. MANUZ EOJ B. A. STOREY CMJ R. E. JUSTICE, III

E03 C. H. CUSHING EOJ W. {. ROMBILUS, JR. EOJ B. A. STOREY CMJ R, E, JUSTICE, III EOCN B. A. HOFFMAN

d. Maj or United States Awards Pending.

Bronze Star Navy Commendation Navy Achi evement Combat Action Ribbon

26

1 4

16 119

r.

e. Vietnamese Awards Received f or Deployment.

(1 ) Vietnamese Te chnical Ser vice Honor Me dal (First Class)

CDR F. H. LEWIS , J? • CDR J. J. GAWARKIEWI CZ, III LCDR G. W. CALLENDER, JR . (1st and 2nd Awards) LT T. A. D.AHES LT N. H. LO G, JR . LTJG L. R. OWE , JR. ENS J. A. BLAKE , JR. (1st and 2nd Awards)

(2 ) Viet name se Technical Service Honor Medal (Second Class)

SWCS. A. s. · GOMEZ EOCS J . B. HCKil STRY EOG C. D. WALDEN SWC J. L. COOK SWl K. L. GRIFFOR SWl S. A. AD.Al1S (1st and 2nd Awards ) EOl J. N. HARDING EOl G. D. JOHNSTON 'EOl T. H. FOWLER SW2 V. N. ALDRICH E02 J. C. GROSSBAUER E02 T. D. MCFARLAND E02 !-1 . C. WHITELEY EA2 H. B. HAMRICK EA.2 J. L. DALBY BU2 D. G. CORDES E02 F. H. IKERD, III E02 R. G. CUNDIFF EAJ W. J. BENNETT CA O. >1. MARTIN

(3) Vie tnamese Civic Action Medal Fi rs t Class

CDR F. H. LEWIS, JR. LT T. A. DA11ES · ENS J. A. BLAKE, JR. SWCS A. S. GOMEZ SWl S. A. ADAMS

f. Vietnamese Awards Pending.

Vie tnamese Cross of Gallantry 4 Vi etnamese Technical Service Honor Medal 11 Vietna~ese Civic Action Medal First Class 17

27

g.

h.

i.

"Sea bee of the Month" Awards.

June PNJ D. c. i·f.ARTIN, USN July BU2 F. R. NEAL, USN August RM2 H. L. JOSEPH, USN September CN2 S. A. SHIELDS, USN October DKJ H. E. METZ, USN and BU2 B. W. CH.ASE, USN November UTJ D. w. MCGRANAHAN, USN December BUJ S. H. PENTZEL, USN

"Cock of the Wali" Awards.

June July August September October November December

Delta Company (LTJG G. H. dORF.IS, CEC, USNR) Bravo Company (LT C. V. CECIL, CEC, USNR ) Charlie Company (LT T. A. DA.HES, CEC, USN ) Headquarters Company (LTJG D. C. BEACH, US NR) Alfa Company (LT N. H. LONG, JR., CEC, USN) Delta Comapny (LTJG G. M. MORRIS, CEC, USN) (Battalion as a whole): Alfa Company (LT N. H. LONG , JR., CEC, USN) Bravo Company (LT C. V. CECIL, CEC, USNR ) Charlie Company (ENS C. (NMN ) JONES, I II, CEC, Delta Company (LTJG P. A. KOPAC, CEC, USNR ) Headquarters Company (LT T. A. DAMES, CEC, :JSN)

Commendatory Letters and Messar;e s f rom Officers of Flag Renk.

See attached letters and messages.

28

USNR )

12. filJ

a. OT'! 12 J '1 B 133 immedia~ addition f oundati 11'-.G 36 a nal Groui Quarry Road ere Co and re CH-4 7 Han sion. Al to work

b. During th. hall altei Group werE QL- 1 and t Gia, Clayn the rester duri ng the of the tern

c. w Bridge r es· August, 50 Airborne Dj to the prin were comple borne Divi s Most of Det of their AT ditches con t he Bowling

d. In completed ai several mor1 Camp Eagle. parki ng aprc Commanding G rnunications more Pass an wi dening cul its wor k i n dise.stabl isht

ffi)

12 Historical Surnma.ry,

a. The ma.in body of MCB 133 completed its movement to Camp Wilkinson 00 12 June 1969. Movement and relief of MCB 121 personnel at Phu Loe b:r J-t:;B 1J3 Detail ROMEO was completed two days prior to the 12th, MCB 133 immediately took over jobs that had not been completed by MCB l2l and in addition, began repairs to the MAG 36 apron along the fueling pits, and foundation work for CH-47 Hangar #5, MAG 36 Suppl1 and Operations Building, J.J;..G 36 aircraft washrack, revetments for the Control Center, I Corps Sig­nal Group, mess halJ. extension and asphalt testing laborator1 at Phu Loe uarry and the site work for 257th Regional Force Company at Phu Vang.

F.oad crews from Detail ROHEO worked along fl,-1 from Phu Gia Pass to Lang Co and rocked mile 17 to mile 21 in June. Construction cre'Ws compJe ted CH-47 Hangar #1 and the General Staff Officers Head, lOlst Airborne Divi-

lon, Als.o during June, the Detail ZULU advance party departed for Saigon o work on ATSB 1 s at classified locations.

b. The main body of Detail ZULU moved by aircraft to Saigon in July. During this month, the ·1AG 36 aircraft washraok, the Camp BeShurley mess hall alterations, CH-47 Hangar #3 and the revetments for I Corps Signal 1;roup were all completed. Detail RO.MEO continued widening shoulders along •L-1 and began a concerted effort to improve the drainage s:rstems in Phu

Gia, Claymore and Cau Doi Passes, Late in Jul:r, MCB 133 was tasked with the restoration of Hue Bridge, the mid span of which had been destroyed during the Tet Offensive, 1968. On July 211 work was begun on the removal of the temporary Eiffel span across the destroyed section.

c. Working t wenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, the Hue Bridge restorat ion was compl et ed by the 1 September deadline. Also during August, 50 heads and showers were completed for vari ous units of the lOlst Airborne Division and 12 burn-out l atrines for XXIV Corps, Modifi cati ons to the primary di stribution system at the 8th Radio Research Field Station were completed as was a new office for the Commanding General, lOlst Air­borne Division, and Group Suppl y and .Admini strati ve building, HAG .36. Most of Detail ZULU returned t o Camp Wilkinson fol lowing the completion of their ATSB work. Work on concrete curbs and asphal t l ined drainage ditches continued in Cl aymore Pass as did the wi dening of shoulders in the Bowling Al ley.

d. .In September, he Hocus Pocus complex in Phu Bai was successfully completed as was CH-47 Hangar #2. The battalion built 22 SEA huts end several mortar bunkers and a standard pre-engineered metal building at Camp Eagle. In Phu Bai, the l ast of the 32 concrete slabs for the MAG J6 parking apron was loured and repairs were completed t o the X'X'IV Corp$ Comruanding General's Helo Pad. Also a fence was built for the 7th Com-unications Logistics Support Unit. Drainage work was completed in Clay­m~re Pass and work began in Phu Gia Pass. Major emphas i s was placed on ~idening culvert-headwall systems along QL-1. Detail ZULlJ finished all its work in the Mekong Delta and was disestablished. Detidl OMEO was disestablished with the closing of Camp DeShurley.

29

e. In October, a record breakirig 75 inches of rs.in played havoc w:i. th the battalion's construction schedule. QL-l was flooded in many areas, and occasional shoulder damage, landslides and Wfishouts kept road crews busy, particularl:r in the passes. In those areas where the improved drain­age system was installed however, there was onl y one failure which dis­rupted traffic, and at no time was QL-1 closed to traffic except for ~ two hour period when Claymore Pa s was blocked by a landslide. At Camp Eagle, the battalion completed two jobs -- the last of 70 SEA huts f or various lOlst Airborne Divis i on units and repairs to D/2/17 Cavalry helocopter hardstand. In Phu Bai, the huge Liftmaster helocopter pad was repaired and in Gia Le, a new el ectrical distribution system for J9th Transportation Battalion wr.s completed. :.fCB 8 was provi ded ass i stance in closing their asphalt plant in Hue .

f. The weather trend begun in October continued into November wi th almost continuous light rain. From the 26th of October through the 25th of November, rain was r ecorded on 21 separate days. Despite a ~ultitude of weather associated problems, four jobs were completed. The last of t hree 50 foot observation towers was erected for Phu Bai Base Defense ; a rock surfaced hardstand was placed and compacted for the J2nd Medical Supply Battalion in Phu Bai ; a perimeter chain l ink fence·was L1stalled for NSA DetaolL~ent, Phu Bai; and 6 SEA huts and a pre-engineered st eel building were relocated to Camp Wilkinson for use by MCB 1, Detail WHISKEY.

g. Light and moderate rain continued almost daily during Decem]:>er. Despite the weather, good ?rogress was made on culvert and headwall ex­tensions along QL-1, and all concrete placement was completed. Punch list item.s on all CH-47 and UH-1 hangars were completed as we.s a shower for the 504th Military ?olice Battalion in Phu Bai. The last of 500 concrete cable markers were cast for the 63rd Signal Battalion. All work on the west side of the Hue Ferry Ramp was completed. Work on the east side was completed except for setting the security tower and preparing the base and paving the access road. Both these items were prohibited by the high water table. A bunker, r&dar tower and generator shed for close air support units at Fire Support Base Birmingham were also com­pleted. Fourteen heads were constructed for units of the lOlst Airborne Division at Landing Zone Sally. On 23 December, eight days ahead of schedule, after a month of intensive effort including ni]ht pile driving operations, Bridge l-14 was opened to traffic.

h. Although the weather continued to be poor in JE11uary, a number of jobs were completed during the last month of the deployment. Repairs to the OV-10 Revetl'lents, 62nd Aviation Company Road, 6/JJrd Artillery Road, security lighting for An Lo and Nam Hoa bridges, two Operations Ha.intenance Buildings for the 7th Air Force, and the 257th Regional Forces Company Cantonment at Phu Vang were all closed out The addition to the TOO at XXIV Corps was completed, but the job order was not closed olt because of work remaining in the existing TOO. Also concrete support was orovided to the 27th Engineer Battalion for repairs to the Pachyderm helicopter pad and tor work on the dial telephone exchange at Camp Eagle. Drainage dit­ches were cut along the ?arallel taxiway at Phu Bai, A concentrated ef­fort was made patching pot holes and feathering bridge approaches along QL-1 and repairs were made to bridges 1-29 and 1-53. Several projects were begun so that crews from . CB 10 -would be able to be eanployed as soon as they arrived. Slabs were C)ffipleted for the RFC Cantonment at Phong

30

a.in-

two ;le, !

i a.tion ir

~h

>th .ide f ; al .ed :1 nsKEY

er. ex­~h )war )

l vork east ing .ted for ~om­

rborne :Jf riving

xnber of Lirs to r Road, 1intenall npanY TOO at cause of ·ovided to ;er pad 1age dit-1ted ef-s along ojects d as soon , Phong

Di n· preliminr.ry work begun on reoairing the Radar Approach Control Site h Bai, and bracing installation continued on Secondary Bridge 2 and kn Lo Bridge.

31

1,3. Battle Action Summary;. For approximately three months, from 26 May t o 23 August, MCB lJJ personnel vere harassed by a series of sniper, mor­tar and rocket attacks. After the initial hot welcome back for the Bat­talion 1 s third deployment to Vietnam, enemy action fell off to an insig­nificant level . The reduction i n enemy initiated incidents .fi'om late August until the end of the deployment was at tributed to the general over­all reduction i n acti vity in the Northern I Corps.

Three days after the ar r i val of the Advance Party at Camp Wilkinson, at 14.35 on 26 May, an MCB 133 jeep traveling sou.th on QL-1 received two mor­tar rounds which impacted 6o m, from t he road (ZD 060020). That night Condition Red was set i n Camp Wilkinson from 2130 t o 2200 as a resul t of a rocket attack. ~t 1630 on 4 June, a rocket passed over an i··!CB 133 jeep traveli ng north on QL-1 (AU 817008) . From 0020 to 0.320 on 10 June, Con­dition Red was set at Camp Wilkinson whi le Ca.mp Eagle sustained two ground probes and appr oxi.111ately 40 RPG rou.'1ds . Later that day an Army j eep burned near an MCB 133 road crew working 'n Phu Gia Pass. The Army at­tributed the cause of the fire to a delayed acti on incendiary devi ce placed or thro\.lll into the jeep. Two Army personnel were badly burned, but t here were no MCB l JJ casualties. Five days later at 1540, a r oad crew r eceived one rocket and 10 sniper rounds (AT 865995). At 1400 on 17 June, another road crew took one sniper r ound (YD 788250). On 19 June from 0210 to 0615, Camp DeShurley took an estimated 75 rollilds of mortar fire. Ei ght ilCB · 133 personnel from Detail r:oMEO were wounded. That night from 2245 to 2J35, Condit ion Red was set at Camp Wi lkinson due to a mortar attack. Nine days l ater at 1205, an MCB 133 road crew took one sniper round l lan.

·east of Hue (YD 738250). At 1340 on 1 July, a road crew in Claymore Pass (ZD 019113) received a blast of aQtomatic rifle fire. They returned fire in t he direction of the enemy (ZD 015115) with negative results. The foll owing day at 1045, the road crew working east of Hue took l5 to 17 rounds of small arms f ire (ZD 788251). On 4 Jul y from 0705 to 07J5, Con­dition Red was set at Camp Wilkinson while 5 Viet Cong were prevented from setting up a mortar in a tree line approximately 1000 meters from the Ca1D.p Eagle perimeter. During the morning of 9 July, a road crew i.rork­ing in Claymore Pass received small arms fire. From 2227 to 2Jl6 on 11 July, Condition f ed was set at Camp Wilkinson while Camp Eagle sUstained a rocket attack. Nine days later, Camp DeShurley went to Condition Red (2120 to 2400) due to small arms fire on the perimeter. That s8.l1le night, fire sup­port bases along QL-1 between Lang Co and Cau Doi were hit by mortar and rocket attacks and at Claymore Pass, t he perimeter of FSB Tomahawk was penetrated by a sapper at tack. The foll owing night from 2115 to 2335, Condition Red was set at Ca.mp Wilkinson due to the Gia Le gate receiving small arms fire. At approximately 0530 an 24 July, FSB Davis Hill sus­tained a ground attack. Two :-!CB 133 personnel working at the base were wounded. At 1540 on 15 August, an MP jeep near an MCB 133 road. crew in Claymore Pass was hit by 5 to 7 rounds from an automatic weapon. The jeep returned fire and conducted a sweep of the area while covered by the road crew (ZD 118020). The next night Condition Red wes set at Camp Willd.rison from 1936 to 2046 due to a rocket attack. Two days later another rocket attack ca.Used Condition f:.ed to be set from 0140 to 0200. On 23 August, Condition Ued was set at Camp Wilkinson from 1935 ta 2006 due to a rocket attack ..

32

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lY one incident occurred in September. On the night of the 14th at 2131, an .1cs 133 ..,aapons carrier received and returned small arms fire (YD 855142).

om 2J28 on 6 October to 0030 on the 7th, Gia. Le Combat Base was in Con­dition F.ed due to a rocket attack. On the 11th at 1430, a sniper pinned dow an '-ICB 133 tractor trailer end j eep on QL-1, 15 km. northeast of Danang (AT 9293). On 29 November, an MCB 133 tractor trail.er bit a mine on a houlder of QL-1 north of bridge 1-14. A mine on the other shoulder had

been detonated earlier i n the day and traffic was being diverted around the first crater. The right r ear wheel of the tractor was blown off; there were no Seabee casualties. Condition Red was set at Ca.mp Wilkinson from 1743 to 1805 and again from 2136 to 2250 on 3 DEG due to rocket att~oks at camp Eagle. At 0045 and again at 0140 on 6 January, 2 to 3 enemy were seen near the perimeter wire at Camp Eagl e. The enemy were engaged with nega­tive results. A sweep of the area the following morning resuJ.ted in one ·allier from the K4B Battalion, 84th Brigade, 5th NVA Regiment.

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