History: 1967-68

A) HISTORY OF 228TH SUPPLY AND SERVICE COMPANY (DS) – JUNE 1967 THROUGH JUNE 1968

I will attempt to follow in the big footsteps of Officers and Enlisted, who have done a tremendous job in defining the history of the 228th S & S Co (DS), 1966-1967. The bulk of personnel belonging to the initial 228th had rotated by 1 June 1967, and I, Vincent Webb, Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) Platoon (aka: Class III) arrived at the 228th on 16 July 67. My information is gleaned from my personal letters, information found on various 25th Infantry Division websites, personal recollections, and input from various Officers and Enlisted of that time period. Please let me know if you find any errors or omission of information and I will make the necessary changes.

MAY 67

During this period Tay Ninh was a fairly quiet base camp, in that no significant attack by mortars,or enemy probes were reported in the 25th ID After Action Reports (AAR)

Camp security was provided by the 3rd Bg. of the 4th Infantry Division, OPCOM to the 25th ID, supplemented  by the various base camp units having their assigned AO. The 228th was assigned bunker and tower duty in the Ammo dump.

On 18May67, the 567th S & S Bn started the transfer from Danang to Tay Ninh as the superior command of the 228th.   Note- We know the 228th was awarded MUC for the period 5, Oct 66- 3, July 67 as an assigned unit of the 266th S & S Bn, per DOA Consolidated Orders of 1970. While this should indicate the 567th did not become the superior command until after 3, July 67 ,in reality probably due to the fact the majority of the officers and enlisted men of the 266th rotated stateside, the 567th became our superior command  between 15, May 67 and 29, May 67 (date TBD), with the advance party arriving 18, May 67.

Because the 567th Bn was located at Tay Ninh, there was a lot of interchange and transfer of Junior Officers and Senior Enlisted men between the units, especially the HHC Co/567th Bn and the 228th S & S Co. Where possible, I will note when these changes were made.

Update Note: Per Morning Reports actual assumption and change of Command from 266th S&S BN (DS) to 567th S&S BN (DS) occurred on or about 31, May 1967 and definitively by 1, June 1967. However, it should also be noted, that MR’s reviewed had all been retyped onto a newer DA Form 1 (effective date of 1, January 1967) which from 1, January 1967 through on or about late August or mid September 1967 had not been available for use in RVN. As such, it appears USARPC ordered that all Morning Reports 1, January 1967 – on or about September 1967 that had been submitted on older DA Form 1, be retyped onto newer DA Form 1 . This action as near as can be determined took place throughout I, II, III and IV Corps and affected all units stationed in RVN.

Go to section G for additional information about the 567th.

Note 1: All entries in blue and red (following) are added material 2011 per research performed by Vince Webb….on going. After a reasonable time period all updates will revert back to standard color.

On 15, May 67 1st SGTE8 Edward Meeker was assigned to the 228th, replacing SFCE7 Balbino Billamor

On 29, May 67 Capt. Jerry White “relieved” per Morning Report (really re-assigned) as commanding Officer via SO# 87 from HHC 266th S & S Bn. Capt Gordon Ozawa replaced Capt White. Capt Ozawa was originally a staff officer with the 567th S & S Bn.

Note 2: The term “relieved” anywhere, but especially in a War Zone would be the death knell for any officers career (unless AR’s changed by 27, May 1967 and new MR reporting procedures took place). The proper entry on the Morning Report should have read under “Gains”; Captain Gordan I. Ozawa from 567th S&S BN (DS) per SO #__ 567th S&S BN (DS) to duty as Commanding Officer (other special coding involved but not pertinent). Under “Losses”; Captain Jerry D. White from duty as General Officer TDY to 567th S&S BN (DS) from 266th S&S BN (DS), (referencing MR when it had occurred) to wherever his new posting would be. There is a partial confusion as to whom was “commanding” prior to 29 May 1967, as Morning Reports reviewed are signed by 1st Lt. Floyd C. Hughes, first as “Company Officer” and then “Commanding Officer”. On the 29th of May or prior, one would expect the MR to reflect Lt. Hughes being assigned (PDY or TDY) as “Commanding” and another MR when another Command change occurred. To date, such evidence has not surfaced.

A secondary consideration or oddity involved is the signing of Morning Reports beginning 27, May 1967 by Major Gordan I Ozawa; Commanding, without an entry on Morning Report explaining the change from 1st Lt. Floyd C. Hughes as no longer Commanding, or Captain Ozawa assuming Command. (See 1, June 1967). Note: This signature by “Major” Gordon I Ozawa on 27, May 1967, indicates that at some point after 1, June 1967 when the signature is clearly Captain Gordon I Ozawa is an example of Morning Report of 27, May 1967 being retyped and resubmitted at a later time period (on or about September 1967) when captain Ozawa had been promoted to Major.

On 30, May 67 2LT Tommy Bourlier & 2LT John Schneider were promoted to 1LT.

JUN67

On 1, Jun 67 total accountable strength was 6 Off +210 EM + 57 attached

On 4, Jun 67 2LT James Cook assigned to the 228th from the 567th. 2LT Ronald Holcombe left the 228th for the 567th.

On 27, Jun 67 MAJ Jerry Ward, via SO#108 from HHC 266th S & S Bn, left effective 23, May 67. While Maj Ward was never attached to the 228th, he was quarted in our company area and represented the 15th Support Bge.

Note: Per Art Neighbor, CC 1966-1967, Major Jerry Ward was still quartered with Company as of 27, May 1967. It is fact, that Major Ward departed in late June 1967 for CONUS. This is known not only by orders and Morning Report entry, but personal knowledge that Major Ward had arranged for SP4 Grant E. Lowrey (his assistant and clerk typist TDY from 228th – Nov 66 through June 67) to be transferred to Major Ward’s stateside posting for Grant’s remaining five months of active two year service. Stateside (per Grant’s wife; widowed; Grant had no real duty assignment in CONUS and spent most of his time going to the movies, wandering about the post, and answerable to no one except Major Ward. A huge thank you from Major Ward for all the dedicated hard work performed by Grant in Tay Ninh.

Of further interest, is how the 266th S&S BN (DS) managed to gain control over Major Ward per Special Orders 108 dated 27, June 1967 and effective 23, May 1967….in particular at that time, as 15th Support Brigade was an equal of 29th General Support Group with the 29th “attached” to the 15th by its own reporting in late 1966 (29th being a direct superior of the 266th)….the 15th not deactivated until on or about November 1967. Perhaps pre deactivation of the 15th and after most original 228th personnel had rotated, Orders were issued by USASUPCOM, Saigon whereby 29th General Support Group became superior of 15th transferring Major Ward from the 15th to the 266th. As such, Major Ward had to be in a limbo of his own. He was neither assigned or attached to the 228th, nor the 567th S&S BN (DS) which officially assumed command of the 228th on or about 1, June 1967…..possibly sooner per change in Morning Report Header and signature of “Captain” Gordan I. Ozawa as “Commanding”, but no authority cited, and no entry of such change of command entered physically on MR….probable oversight somewhere in chain of command structure in place at the time (228th itself, 567th, 266th, 29th Group, or USASUPCOM)…difficult to determine, as someone somewhere dropped the ball, and/or there were no written Orders issued by any superior command. Even so, and assuming the Orders were vocal, an entry on Morning Report should have been made regarding any change of command with the annotation “pending written orders”.

It is suspected, that the following occurred:

Captain Jerry White was Commanding as of 27, May 1967, departed 228th on the 29th of May 1967. Newer Morning Reports arrive at some point after 29, May 1967 (probably sometime in late June, possibly July or early August 1967) with new reporting procedures of coding and counts. Since Captain White is no longer in Company with New MR having an effective date of 1 May 1967 {Actual newer MR stating “effective” 1, January 1967}….the 29th General Support Group or USASUPCOM kicks back all Morning Reports typed from 1, May 1967 to 26, May 1967 for re-typing and resubmission. Since 567th was not in Command of 228th during time period {1, May  1967 – 29, May 1967}, then 1st Lt. already assigned to 228th; 1st Lt. Floyd C. Hughes ordered to sign all re-typed Morning Reports (1, May 1967 – 26, May 1967) by 567th or a higher authority. By error, oversight no entry is made regarding the means or authority 1st Lt. Hughes assumes command. Nevertheless the MR’s first reflect he is a 228th “Company Officer” (14, May – 20, May) then “Commanding” (21, May – 26, May). Captain White could not sign re-typed MR’s as he had departed, possibly rotated. By 27 May 1967 “Major” Ozawa signs Morning Report as “Commanding” without an entry of Lt. Hughes being re-assigned or Captain/Major Ozawa assuming command, let alone by what authority. On 1, June 1967 the MR does reflect assumption of command of 228th by “Captain” Gordan I. Ozawa from 567th, where he continues to sign all Morning Reports until 13, July 1967 when he is promoted to “Major” where he remains until reassignment in September 1967 to 29th General Support Group. On 27, June 1967 Orders from 266th S&S BN (DS) arrive whereby Major Jerry Ward will rotate, but he has somehow now become a member of the 266th S&S BN (DS) “effective date: 23, May 1967”. As such, and as near as can be determined Major Jerry Ward was never carried on Morning Report of 228th prior to 27, May 1967 or after. He then suddenly appears on the 228th MR on the 27th of June for rotation by orders generated by the 266th S&S BN (DS). It is thought, that none of the preceding is the fault of 228th or 567th. It does reflect, or seems to reflect some sort of possible major mismanagement at the 29th Group. However, in fairness, it is possible that higher authority beyond the 29th Group might well be at fault….to what degree remains an unknown and will more than likely never be known…………ABN – March 2011

Sub Note and further clarification referencing preceding:

Per phone conversation 6 April 2011 with then and former; Lt. F. “Clair” Hughes…. As best he {F. “Clair” Hughes} can recollect the following applies: (1) Although junior in time and grade to both Lt. Tom Bourlier and John Schneider by weeks, with all three still 2nd Lt.’s in rank when the bulk of 228th personnel had rotated throughout May of 1967, he {now 1st Lt. Hughes} had been ordered by a full bird Col. {whose name and outfit he cannot recall – not 567th} into the Orderly Room to sign all paperwork and Morning Reports for retype and resubmission covering the month of May 1967. (2) At the time there was no Company Clerk he recalls, nor did a qualified person to handle said position arrive in company for a good month or more. (3) As best he recalls the 1st Shirt MSG Edward Meeker, or another were retyping the Morning Reports as required onto the newer DA Form 1, which required a newer code procedure and accounting of strength. (4) 1st Lt. Hughes recalls signing Morning Reports, first as “Company Officer” and later as “Commanding Officer” although no written Orders by any superior command had been issued regarding such authority. The Morning Reports indicate that he was a 1st Lt., rather than a 2nd Lt. (which he was in May). This is due to the fact, that at the time he was ordered into the Orderly Room he had been promoted to 1st Lt. some weeks (possible month or months) after both 2nd Lt.’s Bourlier and Schneider had been promoted to 1st Lt. on 30 late May 1967 (5) The reason he was signing retyped Morning Reports as ordered, was to reflect that in May 1967 {where original Morning Reports had been signed by Captain Jerry D. White on the older DA Form 1}, is due to the fact, that Captain White had been reassigned {possibly rotated} by 29 May 1967 and was not “in company” to resign anything….thus necessitating a signature of an assigned “in” Company Officer… the 567th S&S BN (DS) not officially assuming command of the 228th until on or about 1 June 1967, effective 31 May 1967…overlooking the Morning Report of 27 May 1967 signed by “Major” Ozawa, who had not been promoted to Major until 13 July 1967 (6) Then 1st Lt. Hughes did not understand MR per se, relied on expertise of 1st Shirt {MSG Meeker or other) that they were true and correct. Note: In fact they were not quite true and correct, as a review of such MR’s indicates a number of anomalies and errors. First; the names are correct, but SO #s issued by USASUPCOM are out of sequence by number and date of issue. Second; the EDCSA of nearly all personnel seems to range (or have been changed) to reflect a rotation date of all personnel to reflect 25-28 May, the bulk reflecting an EDCSA of 27 and 28 May, which did not occur. In fact, most personnel had rotated out (departed) Company prior to 25 May 1967. (7) All USASUPCOM orders reflected on the newer MR entries indicate that all personnel rotating (departing) were to report to Retention Center at APO 96307. This APO “96307” is Saigon and Tan Son Nhut, rather than Long Binh and Ben Hoa where it further proves that 90th Replacement Center was operating in both locations. (8) Lt. Hughes recalls with great relief Captain Gordan* I. Ozawa of the 567th S&S BN (DS) taking over as “Commanding” officially. This entry on Morning Report dated 1 June 1967 {referencing MR of 31 May, where Captain Ozawa is now “attached” but not indicated on any MR prior to the the 31st of May} This MR also a retyped and resubmitted MR, as the MR dated 28 May 1967, is signed by Captain Ozawa and reflecting a change of superior in Header from 266th S&S BN (DS) to 567th S&S BN (DS) – {26 May through 29 May} as the superior command of 228th S&S Co (DS). (9) Major Jerry Ward still quartered with the 228th {still neither assigned or attached by Morning Report} rotated in late June 1967 {27 June 1967 per MR} and was not involved in any of these varied changes, orders and other. In effect, Major Ward was just “there”. His orders as reflected on MR for rotation on 27 June 1967 do not reflect, that he was “assigned” to the 15th Support Brigade any longer {which he had been up to 27 May 1967}. Instead the orders and authority issued for rotation are generated by the 266th S&S BN (DS). (10) There are other anomalies related to personnel in these Morning reports. (a) EDCSA dates for some personnel reflect a rotation date {EDCSA} beyond 31 May 1967 and into mid June…these same personnel having departed prior to 25 May 1967. (b) Other personnel are entered as having departed the Company and in-transit, and then listed again as assigned losses two to three (or more) days later  (c) One person is entered as departing 25 May as an assigned loss on 27 May 1967, who in fact did not rotate (depart) until early to mid June 1967. Still another who had rotated prior to 25 May is shown with an EDCSA of June 1967 and is still being counted as assigned and present. The same is true for an Officer who had rotated prior to 25 May 1967 but shown as present for duty and rotating 28 May 1967 (d) The Strength Header accountability and totals of assigned and attached enlisted personnel do not add up properly. At times, the reported total is off by 1 to 17 persons, whereas at other times the totals are off by 20 to 30 or more individuals. How or why this occurred cannot be answered. (e) An oddity exists and with reference to typed name and signature of Captain Ozawa in terms of forename spelling. In some 29th General Support Group paperwork (at times) the spelling is “Gordan I. Ozawa” or “Gordon A. Ozawa” whereas the Morning Reports of 228th clearly indicates “Gordon I. Ozawa”…therefore, “Gordon I. Ozawa” is the correct spelling. One other oddity exists on the seemingly retyped Morning Report of 1 June 1967 (reflecting 31 May 1967), whereby “Gordon I. Ozawa, Captain” is removed from “attached and joined reference Morning Report 27 May 1967″… the oddity being, that  although he signed the MR of the 28th of May, reflecting the MR of the 27th, there is no entry reflecting his being “attached” to the 228th”. Worse still, the MR of 27 May 1967 is signed by a “Major” Gordon I. Ozawa….meaning this MR was a secondary retyping, as Captain Ozawa was not promoted to Major until 13 July 1967.  Nevertheless, Captain Ozawa {reflecting 31 May 1967} and MR dated 1 June 1967 changes his status to “assigned and joined the 228th for permanent duty from 567th S&S BN (DS)…to 228th Commanding.” All the preceding are little quirks and anomalies that must have some sort of valid explanation, either by newer reporting procedure requirements, and/or there being no clear guidance or person in Company having the capability to produce an accurate accounting as outlined by Army Regulations and procedures. It is suspected , that a good deal of this confusion cannot be attributed to either the 228th or 567th, but rather from 29th General Support Group and/or USASUPCOM, Saigon. One thing (and others) is seemingly clear. Orders previously issued by USASUPCOM, Saigon and acted upon during the month of May 1967 were changed, and as such, there had to be utter confusion within the Orderly Rooms of the 228th and 567th as to how to deal with and/or handle such matters… New DA Form 1 Morning Report, New Orders generated by USASUPCOM, Saigon covering previous orders already acted upon relative to rotation (departure) schedules, and difficulties encountered by not having a trained person familiar with proper Morning Report procedures and knowledge in place….either prior to rotation of previous Company Clerk, or afterwards for a time period encompassing well over one month, possibly two or three………..Subject to revision…..ABN  April 2011

Note 3: Summation of most Glaring Defects in Morning Reports of May 1967 definitively retyped and re-submitted

1) No entry appointing by orders (written or otherwise) of 1st Lt. F. Claire Hughes as Commanding who during May 1967 was a 2nd Lt., and not promoted to 1st Lt. until June or July (possibly later as there is no entry of his promotion on any MR in 1967)

2) No entry attaching Captain Jerry White to 567th S&S Bn (DS) prior to rotation or re-assignment of 29 May 1967 per orders issued by 266th S&S Bn (DS)

3) No entry of why Captain Gordon I. Ozawa signed Morning Report as “Major” Commanding on 27 May 1967 when clearly he does not assume command until Morning Report of 1 June 1967 and is a “Captain”. Also no entry in Special Events regarding change of Superior command from 266th S&S Bn (DS) to 567th S&S Bn (DS), and by what authority (The only clue of change indicated in Header of Morning Report)

4) No entry on Morning Report changing status of 2nd Lt. Ronald L. Holcombe from “attached” to “assigned” to 228th, subsequently re-assigned to 567th S&S Bn (DS)

5) No entry on Morning Report promoting 2nd Lt. F. C. Hughes to 1st Lt. in May 1967 (should appear in June or later, but does not)

6) Personnel head counts of attached, present, TDY, etc! do not add up correctly. On several they are correct. For the most part they are off-count ranging in number from 1 to 30 or more personnel.

7) In some cases the same personnel are indicated as departing on one date and within 2 to three days indicated as Assigned Losses. At the same time many personnel who had rotated a week prior to dates specified are counted as being present, and in company pending departure.

8) Major Jerry Ward (quartered with 228th, neither assigned or attached since late November 1966 from 15th Support Brigade) somehow receives orders to rotate on 27 June 1967 by written orders of 266th S&S Bn (DS) whereby such orders are entered on 228th Morning Report without reference to Major Ward ever being attached or assigned to the 228th.

9) As of 27, June 1967 there is still no entry regarding promotion of 2nd Lt. Hughes to 1st Lt.

10) As far out as September 1967, there are Morning Report entries covering apparent 228th assigned or attached personnel who are picked up and finally accounted for with “effective” dates of May 1967…a 4 month lag time.

The preceding are clear examples of problems encountered by the 228th and 567th Orderly Room and/or Chain of Command with boots on the ground in Tay Ninh West. It is suspected, that a good deal these annotated and assorted problems were generated by several factors beyond the control of either the 228th or 567th. And, more than likely were generated by superior command authorities to the rearward in Long Binh {29th General Support Group} and/or USASUPCOM, Saigon…………ABN

JULY 67

On 1, July total accountable strength was 5 Off + 229 EM + 62 attached

The 228th continued to support all stationary units, plus Special Forces, Philcag and various field units with all classes of supply.

From my personal letters:

“we are getting our trucks in shape to start back on convoy to DAU TIENG, so we can haul Avgas, Mogas, Diesel and JP-4 to this camp.Tay Ninh is the intermediate point between LONG BINH and DAU TIENG. We have a big yard full of drums, bladders and tanks of fuel. The responsibility for fuel distribution to DAU TIENG rests with us, after we receive from LONG BINH”

“Today I placed five fire extinguisher systems in the trucks. We are also rebuilding bunkers around the perimeter. I have been on guard duty every fifth night. Last night we had a lot of action at the ARVN camp, which is located about a mile from our camp. They were attacked by the VC, who also tried to cut some wire around our camp enclosure. Our guard responded.

“The weather is lousy. Around 90-95 during the day and 70 at night. It has been raining a lot, and we are working all day in the rain. I went on convoy Friday to DAU TIENG as a shotgun. The country is beautiful with an old Vietnamese fort on the way, which has curved towers and ornamental fences.”

On 5, Jul 67 1SGT Edward Meeker assigned to the 567th from the 228th. Based upon research I believe SFCE7 Leo Conway bacame the 1stSGT

On 20, Jul 67 1Lt Stanley Smith assigned to the 228th from the 567th.

On 13, Jul 67, Capt Gordon Ozawa was promoted to Major via SO#137 from HQ Dept of the Army Washington, DC. He started signing MR’s as Major Ozawa on 29, Jul 67. This order was noted on the MR on 29, Aug 67.

During the month a number of men from the 81st QM Platoon (Laundry) were transferred to the 228th

AUGUST 67

On 1, Aug 67 total accountable strength was 6 Off + 217 EM + 53 attached

The 228th continued to support all stationary units, plus Special Forces, Philcag and various field units with all classes of supply.

Sometime during Aug or Sept, the men of the 228th and other 567th units went to the firing range, located near the base of the mountain at a 2-12th Infantry PB

From my personal letters:

“Thanks for the KOOL-AID. I am getting tired of the taste of the water and will use KOOL-AID and Nestea, received from Mom, to kill the taste.”

“The VC hit the Special Forces camp near us. (Note- probably BEN SOI, East of TAY NINH base). We are on alert and expect the VC to hit us at any time. We have our teams formed to go to the perimeter. Out of the 70+ Vietnamese who work on the base, only 11 showed up for work today. They all said the VC were in town. We continue to work on sandbagging until I am so tired from our long work days. We had an alert and messed around half the night trying to figure out where to go, because our officers mess things up so bad.”

On 25, Aug 67 1Lt Edward Motley assigned to the 228th from the 567th.  1LT James Cook assigned to the 567th from the 228th.

SEPTEMBER 67

On 1, Sep 67 total accountable strength was 6 Off + 203 EM + 0 attached

The 228th continued its support of all units on base and in the field.

From my personal letters:

“Some of the fiercest fighting of the war has happened around here, and will continue as long as we have the mountain(NUI BA DEN) within sight of us. We are supposed to start a new operation next month. The last I heard is half the company is going to the field.

We just got back from DAU TIENG today. We hauled a load of Diesel fuel. I slept on the hood of my tractor and my buddy,( Chuck Snellenbarger from Michigan) slept on the top. (Note- We slept this way a lot. the top was canvas and we slept good because we were so tired)

On 10, Sep 67 Maj  Gordon Ozawa, CO of the 228th, was transferred to 29th Group Hq as Civil Affairs Officer and replaced by Capt Jimmy Ellington Via SO#180 from 29th General Support Group (29th GP). Capt Ellington assumes command via Unit Order #71, dated 13, Sep 67.

On 13, Sep 67 SFCE7 Eugenio Rodrigues was assigned to the 228th from 29th GP.( Sgt Rodrigues was later first shirt for TF Merritt at Katum and was later First Shirt for the 228th).

On 26, Sep 67 41-EM  from the 75th Fortification & Construction Platoon were attached for Rat/Qtr/Admin under GO #1 from Hq 567th effective 30, May 67. This unit was attached to help rebuild perimeter line bunkers, repair/replace fortifications in the company area & general building support.

OCTOBER 67

On 1, Oct 67 total accountable strength was 6 Off + 193 Em + 0 attached

The 228th continued to support all units on base and in the field.

From my personal letters:

“I went on convoy to DAU TIENG for four straight days. The big Operation has not started. We are supposed to have two Infantry Brigades move here, one from the 4th and one from the 25th. (Note- By this time the 4th changed insigna to the 25th. while a Brigade of the 25th in PLEIKU changed to the 4th). I hauled lumber to DAU TIENG to make pads for the big artillery guns. The big guns here are firing a lot, and jets bombed suspected enemy positions about a mile from our camp. We hear there are two VC regiments around the mountain.”

On 3, Oct 67 1LT Tommy Bourlier & 1LT John Schneider left the 228th.

On 11, Oct 67 1stSGT Leo Conway transferred to the 758th S & S Co in Phu Loi. At that time I believe SFCE7 Eugenio Rodrigues bacame the 1st SGT for the period of time it took for 1stSGT Willie Dunlap to arrive and join. On 15, Oct 67 a notation to the Morning Report indicated he was assigned not joined, pending EDCSA. On the 30, Nov 67 Morning Report 1stSGT Dunlap officially joined from Hq USASUP CMD Saigon, effective 25, Nov 67

On 12, Oct 67 2LT James Talley assigned to the 228th from HHC USASUP Cmd Saigon.

On 21, Oct 67 1LT Elzey Arledge assigned to 228th from the 758th S & S Co in Phu Loi.

On 29, Oct 67 1LT James Kellinger attached to 228th

During the month 20 men were transferred between the 228th and 758th. (Note- I’ve talked to two NCO from the 758th who indicated the 567th S & S Bn must have a lot of pull in that the 228th sent their problems to the 758th and got good men in return)

NOVEMBER 67

On 1, Nov 67 total accountable strength was 6 Off + 180 EM + 3 attached

The 228th continued to support all units on base and in the field.

Activities started increasing on 16Nov67 when the 4th of the 9th Infantry (Manchus) left CU CHI base camp to establish a permanent base at TAY NINH. On or about 23Nov67, the 228th supported the Logistics effort, at FRENCH FORT by moving 8″ artillery to this FSB on TL-4, approximately halfway to KATUM.

From my personal letters:

“I am on night duty in the POL yard. It’s a quiet time and allows me to catch up on my letter writing. The long awaited operation is about to begin. The 25th ID has been moving into TAY NINH for the past week. A combined effort is being made to set up a Forward Supply Area (FSA) about one mile from the Cambodian border” (KATUM).

“Last night I had guard duty. Very quiet. We are overdue for an attack. Every place around has been hit except TAY NINH.”

On 4, Nov 67 1LT Floyd Hughes, Jr. and 1LT Edward Motley left the 228th to return to CONUS.

On 4, Nov 67 SSG William Tews was assigned to the 228th.

On 6, Nov 67 1LT James Kellinger was transferred from HHC 567th to the 228th

On 15, Nov 67 SFC Donald Freiss reenlisted and on 24, Nov 67 was promoted to MSG. He was transferred to the 506th Field Depot in Dec.

On 22, Nov 67, 2LT Dan Hilliard was transferred from HHC/567th to the 228th and 2LT James Talley was transferred from the 228th to HHC/567th.

On 24, Nov 67 SFC Elmer McKinney was assigned to the 228th from the 61st Maintenance Co.

On 25, Nov 67 1stSGT Willie Dunlap arrived and replaced SFCE7 Eugenio Rodrigues, who was assigned as 1stSGT for Task Force Merritt, part of Operation Yellowstone, to establish a Forward Support Activity at Katum

On 27, Nov SSG George Henry reenlisted.

On or around 25, Nov 67, four men from the 228th were sent to SUOI DA to build and operate a forward refueling area. These men were:

Vincent Webb, Arthur Newell, Ronald Brown and Jerrel McCall. (Note- Suoi Da was on the other side of the moutain in the vicinity of TL-243 and LTL13.(Note- This was an abandoned Special Forces camp, which was set up to be the main base for the 3rd of the 17th Air Cavalry, OPCOM to the 25th ID).

On 29, Nov 67 Orders from Hq USARPAC reorganized the 228th under M/TOB 29-217F PAC 5/66. Authorizes strength 6-officers, 0-WO & 227-EM

Note: This entry on Morning Report (per Art Neighbor) is an oddity. Per COSTAR Directive of Reorganization USARPAC 1966, which this entry references to May of 1966, there has been no change in authorized number of Officers and Enlisted (6 Officers, 227 Enlisted for a Direct Support Company).

As such it begs the question as to what Organizational Structure the 228th was operating under, or changed to when 567th S&S BN (DS) assumed command on 1 June 1967, effective 31 May 1967. Especially since the 228th when activated on 20 July 1966 had been activated and operating under the COSTAR Directive from the very beginning of activation up to and including rotation of most personnel prior to 31, May 1967. One must assume, that the 567th either created its own Organizational structure or was operating under an older unauthorized Structure. It couldn’t have been a newer organizational structure as there is no entry on the Morning Report before or after 1, June 1967 stating as much. Nor was there an entry on Morning Report prior to 29 November 1967.

Perhaps it was a “reminder” by USARPAC {United States Army Pacific}, to the 228th and 567th that they could not intertwine personnel of both units and that both entities had to operate as separate entities onto themselves per authorized TOB {Tactical Order of Battle} and COSTAR Directive issued by USARPAC in May 1966 which went into effect 20 July of 1966 throughout Vietnam. This matter would of course present a dilemma for the 567th whose main body had been returned to CONUS and deactivated some months earlier. As such, it is suspected, that this same dilemma led to the eventual reorganization of the 567th into the TN-LSA {Tay Ninh Logistics Supply Activity} in early 1968, effective in 22, December 1967. It is further suspected, that USARPAC was also reminding 29th General Support Group (Long Binh) and USASUPCOM, Saigon, that a Forward Supply entity under their immediate direct supervision was not in compliance with COSTAR Directive and Tactical Order of Battle issued well over a year and a half earlier…..ABN

DECEMBER 67

On 1, Dec 67 total accountable strength was 5 Off + 170 EM + 1 attached

Operation Yellowstone started with a batallion task force, named after Maj. Sylvester (Les) Merritt, tasked with setting up a forward logistical activity at Katum. (Note- A separate section relating to activities associated with TF Merritt at Katum and other activities involving 228th personnel will follow  this history section)

In addition to our normal activity level needed to support all stationary units, plus Special Forces, Philcag and various field units with all classes of supply, the 228th provided 20 men for OPERATION  YELLOWSTONE ( Task Force Merritt at Katum). The remaining men of the 228th  had the responsibility of providing all classes of supply, plus providing transportation support for convoy operations.

On or about 18, Dec 67 responsibility for  the helicopter refueling point at SUOI DA was transferred to the 758th S & S Co, out of Phu Loi. The four men from the 228th were sent to KATUM to build and  operate a forward refueling point for helicopters.

On 20, Dec 67 under section Record of Unit Actions/Events the WIC/MRK was changed from W-DMK-AA-A to W-DMK-TO-A

On  21, Dec 67 1LT Theodore Cady was transferred from the 40th Ord. Co to the 228th.

Effective 22, Dec 67( although the order was not typed until 19Jan68), the 567th S & S Bn was disbanded and the Tay Ninh Logistical Support Activity was established as the command structure for the 228th. See section G for additional information.

JANUARY 68

On 1, Jan 68 accounted strength was 6 Off + 177 EM

On 6, Jan 68, Captain Frank Shehulski was transferred from HHC Tay Ninh Logistical Support Activity (Prov) aka TNLSA and was  appointed CO of the 228th.

On 6, Jan 68 Captain Jimmy Ellington was transferred to to PDY Petrol Officer for the Tay Ninh LSA (Prov). 

FEBRUARY 68

On 1, Feb 68 total accountable strength was 12 Off + 2 WO + 265 EM, reflecting the addition of the HHC 567th S & S Bn headcount. The 567th was deactivated and reestablished as the Tay Ninh Logistical Support Activity (Prov). Their headcount reporting was added to the 228th.

On 8, Feb 68 the TAY NINH Ammo Dump was hit by a friendly shot. One 60 mm mortar round hit the camp of the 1/5th Infantry “Bobcats” area.

On or about 10, Feb 68  TF Merritt at KATUM ended and those remaining  were returned to the 228th. (Note- From my personal recollections, the men running the helicopter refueling area remained at KATUM until  completion and manning of the newly built Special Forces Camp, on or about 22, Feb 68)

On 16, Feb 68 a rocket attack hit the 45th Surgical Hospital with one Doctor KIA. The 45th was very close to both the 228th abd the 567th company areas. A number of soldiers remember this attack.

Around 24, Feb 68, a group of men in the 228th POL platoon, were assigned to the 25th S & T Co (Prov) at DAU TIENG. Our mission was to haul fuel between LONG BINH and DAU TIENG.

MARCH 68

On 1, Mar 68 total accountable strength was 12 Off + 3 WO + 247 EM

Supply activities continued in support of all units in our AO.

On 6, Mar 68 Tay Ninh base camp received 22 round of 82 mm mortars vic. XT-147518. 1-US KIA, 35-US WIA, 8-buildings damaged. (This area is just north of the ammo dump, close to the main road).

APRIL 68

On 1, Apr 68 total accountable strength was 14 Off + 3 WO + 234 EM

Supply activities continued in support of our AO.

MAY 68

On 13, May 68 the communications relay complex on the top of Nui Ba Den was attacked by enemy sapper forces. The enemy was successful in destroying the communication facilities with mortar and satchel charges. Engineers and infantry units were sent to rebuild the facility. For the next 2-3 months, the men of the 228th supported the rebuilding via aerial resupply from our Class V yard.

On 15, May 68, Specialist Dorris Clark was killed during a mortar attack into our company area. Sgt Vernon Ollis sent the following note concerning our fallen brother. “The morning Dorris was killed, I was talking to him about a minute before the round came in. He and I always had breakfast together after I finished my night shift, when I had Sgt of the guard. This particular morning I was late, as we had fired M-60 rounds that night and I was doing a report as to what happened. I went to the Mess hall after completing my report and found out Dorris had gone to his hooch to shave. I went to his hooch and talked to him and he said he would meet me at the Mess hall when he was finished, and we would eat . I walked back to the mess hall and had my hand on the door when the round hit. He was killed instantly. You know he had a baby girl he never got to see. He had just came back from Hawaii, but his wife had not brought his baby daughter, coming by herself”.

On 19, May 68 the Philcag base next to the TAY NINH camp received 5-82mm mortars and 2-122 mm rockets outside their perimeter.

On 22, May 68 at 0500, sappers attacked and overrun four gun positions of the 2/82nd Artillery, with US 6-KIA

On 30, May 68  D Troop 3/17th Air Cavalry foiled a convoy ambush just N of the Trang Bang cutoff on LTL-22 near the village of Ben Muong (Grid coordinates XT335345). The 228th had personnel hauling supplies on this convoy.

JUNE 68

On 25, June 68, a C-130 was hit at take off from Katum. The AF crew managed to keep the plane aloft and diverted to TAY NINH to land.

The plane came in on fire, veered to the right on landing, and destroyed one building and landed toward the POL area. We evacuated to the other side of the camp due to hot rounds cooking off because of the heat. The AF has a website detailing the heroric story of this crew called”Kaboom at Katum”.

During the May-Jul68 timeframe a recommendation was made by 25th ID  that Division ASP ( Army Supply Point) become the function of the 1st Logistical Command and that personnel with the requisite skills be provided the division as an augmentation.  No doubt the success of TF Merritt during Operation Yellowstone, and the continued support of Division personnel at the various Fire Support bases plus Tay Ninh, by the men of the 228th, made this feasible.

I left TAY NINH  in early JULY and returned to the states in time to attend a family reunion near St Louis, MO

Submitted By: SP4 Vince Webb – 228th S&S CO (DS) – July 1967 – July 1968 – POL Platoon…..25 June 2010 & updated April 2011.