History: 1968-69

Consecutive History and Stories

Part 1:

The history of the 228th S & S Co for the period July68-July69 has been compiled from various morning reports, after action reports, and personel recollections of the men who served during this time. (Note: While I served from Jul67-Jul68, I have attempted to develop a framework of activities at or around the base camp where the men of the 228th were involved. My desire is for someone in this period to step forward and share their own recollectio of this timeframe)……… …SP4 Vincent Webb POL Platoon – Fuel Tanker Driver.

During the period Jul68-Sep68, enemy activity around Tay Ninh increased at an alarming rate. Captured enemy documents indicated Tay Ninh City was to be overrun by the enemy. The 25th ID sent additional troops to Tay Ninh base camp and built or expanded numerous Fire support bases. The men of the 228th were tasked with providing the necessary Logistical support for these additional troops while maintaining current support levels for existing troops. The 228th continued to provide manpower to support convoy activities between Long Binh- Tay Ninh, Tay Ninh-Dau Tieng and other locations.

Note: My experience with enemy activity around a base camp or attacks on the base camp, required a substantial amount of time to initiate an “all clear signal” which would allow us to return to our living quarters from our bunkers. We used to complain that “Charlie” could take 4-6 men with a few mortars and rockets and keep a base camp of 2000 men awake for hours.

JULY 68

On 24, Jul 68 the 2-27th Infantry Bn of the 25th ID. was dispatched to  Tay Ninh to reinforce the existing 1st Brigade units in anticipation of upcoming attacks on Tay Ninh city and surrounding military installations.

AUG 68

On 18, Aug 68, @0115 the Tay Ninh base camp was attacked with 5 rounds of 82mm mortars and 19 rounds of 107mm rockets.

On 18, Aug 68 the Nui Ba Den radio relay facility on top of the mountain was attacked  as part of the long awaited offensive against Tay Ninh city and surrounding military installations. The enemy objective was to disrupt communication networks.

On 25, Aug 68 the Long Binh to Tay Ninh  logistical convoy was attacked along LTL-22 (XT349335) at the village of Ap Nhi. The 228th had vehicles in this convoy.

SEP 68

On 12, Sep 68 @ 0100 the Tay Ninh base camp was attacked with hostile rocket and mortar fire.

On 12, Sep 68 @1035 hours the northbound Cu Chi-Tay Ninh convoy came under enemy fire along LTL-22 (XT3163544), approximately 10 miles south of Tay Ninh.

On 12, Sep 68 @ 1545 hours the Dau Tieng-Tay Ninh logistical convoy was attacked by the enemy along LTL-26, approximately 8 km east of Tay Ninh. The convoy was split into three sections. One section moved through enemy fire and proceeded to Tay Ninh base camp. One section moved to FSB Rawlings and one section returned to Dau Tieng.

On 16, Sep 68 @1243 the enemy ambushed elements of the Dau Tieng-Tay Ninh logistical convoy at a point 8 km east of Tay Ninh.

On 25, Sep 68 @0255 the Katum Special Forces camp was attacked with 20 round of 122mm rockets, 150 round of 82mm mortars and over 100 round of RPG round. Portions of the camp was seized by the enemy until our troops were able to dispatch the enemy. This attack brought back memories for those of us who served at Katum during TF Merritt.

OCT 68

On 25, Oct 68 the 1st Air Cavalry Division moved to the III Corp Tactical Zone and established a HQ at Phuoc Vinh. The division had control and mission responsibility for Phouc Long, Binh Long, Tay Ninh and Binh Duong Provinces. The 3rd Brigade moved to the Quan Loi base camp, the 2nd Brigade moved to the Tay Ninh base camp, and the 1st Brigade moved to an unknown base camp between Tay Ninh and Quan Loi.  Note- The 25th ID  continued to have responsibility for the Cu Chi, Dau Tieng and Duc Hoa base camps, closer to Saigon.

NOV 68

DEC 68

Artillery resupply to both the Tay Ninh base camp and the various artillery fire support bases became very critical during the month. The base camp stocking objectives were increased during this timeframe. The men of the 228th supported all of this activity to replenish material.

On 17, Dec 68 the Dau Tieng-Tay Ninh logistical convoy was attacked in the Ben Cui rubber plantation. ( Grid XT 4348)

JAN 69

Ammo resupply continued at a high rate due to the increased stocking levels plus replinishment to all the fire support bases.

On 14, Jan 69,  major ambush of the Tay Ninh- Dau Tieng logistical convoy.

FEB 69

During the  period 08, Feb 69-04, Mar 69, the authorized strength fluctuated between 214 and 233 soldiers.

On 09, Feb 69 1LT  Richard Call Sr., the CO of the 228th was promoted from 1LT to Capt.

On 09, Feb 69 2LT Dennis Sakaca was assigned to the 228th. He was promoted to 1LT on 21Feb69

On 10, Feb 69 SSGE6 Leonard Miller was assigned to the 228th. PMOS 94F40

On 13-14, Feb 69, a group of 12 soldiers with Infantry MOS (11B series), arrived from the 90th Replacement Depot, after completing their stateside training. These men were assigned to the various platoons in the 228th including Class I, and Laundry Section. On or about 16Mar69, these men were reassigned to HHC 277th S & S Bn (superior command of the 228th ) into a Security Platoon. This action placed these men in charge of various bunkers in the Ammo Dump. The 228th soldiers rotated as subordinate filler-personnel, reporting for the night to the various security platoon bunker commanders. At any given time the 228th itself had 12-15 soldiers on guard duty each night.

On 25, Feb 69 SFCE7 Thurston Monroe was transferred from the 228th to the 758th S & S Co in Phu Loi.

The base camp continued to be harassed with incoming sniper, rocket and mortar fire, on at least 10 nights, during the month. 

MAR 69

The base camp continued to be harassed with incoming sniper, rocket and mortar fire, on at least 16 nights, during the month.

APR 69

The base camp continued to be harassed with incoming sniper, rocket and mortar fire, on at least 14 nights, during the month.

MAY 69

The base camp continued to be harassed with incoming sniper, rocket and mortar fire, on at least 11 nights, during the month.

JUN 69 – Dec 69

More to come at a later date…..hopefully by personnel who served in the 1968 – 1969 time period.

Submitted By:

SP4 Vince Webb (POL Platoon – Fuel Tanker Driver 228th)………..10 January 2011

Part 2:

There being a seeming lack of contact or use of Forum by personnel assigned and attached 1968 -1969 (excepting submission of photos for the time period) and previous research and writing by SP4 Vince Webb of POL Platoon to try and help out, the following is further research and data related to the 228th and its superior command structure(s) covering the time period. The material sources are gleaned from various Internet searches and declassified materials of 29th General Support Group dated 31, October 1968.

Note:

The use of 228th Forum is “free”, and fully protected by the user on both ends. Administration has taken extraordinary steps to prevent noxious, unwanted, frivolous postings to occur. All one needs to do is set up an account (no charge) and post a message which will be reviewed as legitimate (or not) before posting occurs. Responses are also protected, as all communication is performed via the Website, and no one has access to any one persons direct e-mail address, excepting Administration. Unwanted material or requests are denied access and “blocked” from posting.

The “Contact Us” section operates a little differently. In this section a person would be making direct contact with the listed persons and the e-mail address of sender is clearly shown and known by recipient. However, any noxious and unwarranted messages will be ignored and deleted without response by the receiver. Legitimate messages will be responded to and the person will be granted access to post. The first sign time abuse or other unwanted material somehow manages to be posted, it is guaranteed, that such material will be removed and the original granted access will forever-more be denied further access…

Overall, it is suggested that the “Forum” be used. In particular if one is looking for others who served within the same section or Platoon of a given time period. The Forum is not restricted to 228th S&S CO (DS) personnel only. Other associated unit personnel are invited to use the 228th Website to post messages, questions and/or other. This invitation applies to Superior Command structures and/or other sister units or associated units who served in conjunction with the 228th Supply and Service Company (DS)…..in particular, those personnel who have no Website and/or location of their own to go to. 

Abuse of any type will not be tolerated…………………..Administration

Part 3:

To add to data supplied by SP4 Vince Webb in Part I the following applies via data collected and declassified from 29th General Support Group as of 31, October 1968.

Organizational Structure:

The 29th General Support Group had arrived in 1966 from Fort Lee Virginia and was known as “29th Quartermaster Group”. On 20 July 1966 per COSTAR Directive it was reconstituted as “29th General Support Group” located and stationed in Long Binh, RVN. As of 31 October 1968 the Group had (6) six Battalions and (2) two LSA {Logistics Supply Area) Provisional units under their command. Specifically and in addition to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 29th, the following were subordinate units:

3rd Ordnance Battalion (Ammo) with (7) seven subordinate units

79th Maintenance Battalion (Direct Support) with (9) nine subordinate units

185th Maintenance Battalion (Direct Support) with (9) nine subordinate units

266th Supply and Service Battalion (Direct Support) with (6) six subordinate units

610th Maintenance Battalion (Direct Support) with (5) five subordinate units

277th Supply and Service Battalion (Direct Support) with (8) eight subordinate units

Saigon LSA (PROV) with (4) four subordinate units

Bearcat LSA (PROV) with (3) subordinate units

Note: Subordinate units are known but not listed in the interest of brevity. If enough interest generated via Contact or Forum, then consideration will be given to listing all such units, and/or a response will be provided directly to query regarding same.

At the time period alluded to {31 October 1968} the 228th Supply and Service Company (DS) was now a subordinate of the 277th S&S BN (DS) located in Long Binh….the TNLSA (PROV) {formerly 567th S&S BN (DS)} having been deactivated as of 30 August 1968 by orders generated by 506th Field Depot in conjunction with USASUPCOM, Saigon. As such, personnel assigned to TNLSA (PROV) were re-assigned and absorbed into other units throughout 29th General Support Command organizational structure, and existed no longer. The 228th Supply and Service Company remained stationed and assigned in Tay Ninh to continue operating its various supply points for continued direct support of the Base Camp and Field operations. Its new superior command; {277th Supply and Service Battalion (DS)} did not make the physical move to Tay Ninh until early January 1969.

Thus, the 228th S&S Co (DS), War Zone C, Tay Ninh Province of III Corps initial superior command had been the 266th S&S BN (DS) 20 July 1966 – 31 May 1967, followed by the 567th S&S BN (DS) 1 June 1967 – 30 October 1967 (approximate) which was re-designated TNLSA (PROV) until 30 August 1968. As noted, the 277th S&S BN (DS) stationed in Long Binh became the superior command 30 August 1968, physically arrived in Tay Ninh by early January 1969 and remained in Tay Ninh until mid July 1970 {approximate} when it was re-assigned to Di An {near Saigon} – (see 1970 History, where the 228th was for all intent and purposes reduced to a “shell” Company with the unit re-assigned and like a Phoenix arose and re-materialized in Can Tho of the Delta area, some 90 miles southeast of Saigon, under the command of the 91st Combined Service Battalion {formed in Vietnam 1969 – located in IV Corps}, another subordinate of the 29th General Support Group….see 1970-1971 History.

Part 4:

The 29th General Support Group and its assigned subordinate units consisted of the following personnel totals as of 31 October 1968:

Officers Authorized………………..287……Assigned……..228……(Regular Army, OCS, ROTC)

Warrant Officers Authorized…….121……Assigned……..103

Enlisted Authorized……………..7,653…..Assigned…..6,032……(Regular Army, Draftees)

Officer Strength 79% of that Authorized – Enlisted Strength 78% of that Authorized, 6% loss as of last reporting period.

 

Part 5:

During the reporting period the Number of Troops Supported by Class I (Food related items) were as follows:

III Corps:

Saigon, TSN, Cholon…………….23,300

Long Binh………………………….41,495

Di An………………………………….9,500

Phu Loi……………………………….5,181

Cu Chi………………………………14,000

Phuoc Vinh………………………….1,800

Lai Khe……………………………….6,500

Quan Loi……………………………..5,000

Tay Ninh…………………….……..7,710

Summary: 29th Group = 97,026 (72%) + Divisional 37,500 (28%). Total Troops Supported Class I = 134,526 Class I items for Quarter totaled 8.8 million rations an increase of .2 million from previous reporting Quarter.

 

Part 6:

During the reporting period Class II, IV, and VII were in locations and line items as follows:

Long Giao……………………….3,255 line items

Bearcat………………………….5,534 line items

Saigon, TSN, Cholon……………426 line items

Long Binh………………………4,041 line items

Phouc Vinh……………………….115 line items

Tay Ninh………………………3,150 line items

 

ASL Summary: Class II, IV & VII = 12,516 Line items.

 

Repair Parts: 61, 797 located as follows:

Long Giao………………………1,400 Repair Parts

Bearcat………………………….3,674

Long Binh………………………18,367 and 17,086 two locations

Phu Loi…………………………..9,376

Cu Chi……………………………5,049

Tay Ninh……………………….2.860

 

Part 7:

Extract:  POL {PETROLEUM, OIL, LUBRICANTS} OPERATIONS:

“Class III (POL) during the reporting period for the Group operated (6) six Class III supply points with a total bulk capacity of approximately 1,157,000 gallons. Divisional elements operated an additional (7) seven Class III supply points with an approximate capacity of 943,000 gallons. All (13) thirteen Class III supply activities were resupplied primarily by the 64th Quartermaster {Petroleum} Battalion. The Bearcat Logistical Support Activity (LSA) and Phu Loi Supply points were resupplied with organic transportation. Some commercial transportation (under direction of HQ USASUPCOM, Saigon), was also used to resupply locations in the immediate Saigon area.”

“Issue of Class III for Quarter totaled 4.8 million gallons. This represents a .4 million gallon decrease below last quarters issue.”

 

Storage Capacity and Locations:

Long Giao………………………….190,000 gallons

Bearcat……………………………..113,000 gallons

Xuan Loc………………………………5,000 gallons

Saigon, TSN, Cholon……………..10,000 gallons

Long Binh…………………………..63,000 gallons

Di An……………………………….145,000 gallons

Phu Loi…………………………….220,000 gallons

Phuoc Vinh……………………….180,000 gallons

Quan Loi…………………………..172,000 gallons

Cu Chi………………………………291,000 gallons

Lai Khe……………………………..170,000 gallons

Dau Tieng………………………….122,000 gallons

Tay Ninh………………………….457,000 gallons

“29th Group = 1,225,000 gallons – Divisional = 945,000 gallons – Total = 2.170,000 gallons”

 

Part 8:

Extract:

Graves Registration {Mortuary Affairs Collection Points} III Corps

” Five (5) of the graves registration collecting points in the III Corps Tactical Zone (CTZ) are operated by the 29th General Support Group. The remaining seven (7) are operated by divisional elements. Remains processed through Group graves registration points during the quarter totaled 516. Of this total 411 were US Military, 45 Free World Military Assistance Forces, 60 Vietnamese Civilian. This total is a 23% increase over the previous quarter and reflects the increased level of enemy contact in the III Corps CTZ.”

Note: The report does not list the particular collection points. Tay Ninh and the 228th had been one of the collection points since October 1966.

More to follow………

Submitted By:

SP4 A.B.Neighbor {Company Clerk 228th, 1966-1967)…………15 March 2011 –