June 24,1968

The Recondo Bde continued Operation Toan Thang in Long An
province with 3 Infantry Battalions 2-39 , 2-60 , 6-31 , 2 mech
Battalions 5-60 and 2-47 and one Air Cav troop A 3/17th. The 5-60
conducted AML RIF ( that means Air mobile Recon in Force), normal
security and AP operations vic Binh Phouc.

At 240855H ( that means the24th day of the month at 0855 AM) Vic XS695700 a LOH from D troop 3/5 Cav was shot down. Co C 5-60 was inserted AML to secure the A/C at 240930H VIC XS694699. Co's A and B were inserted AML Vic XS688702 between the hours of 241045H and 241120H. Co C made contact with an estimated 2 VC Platoons just off the LZ at 241000H and sustained 5 US
WHA. The contact continued until 241245H.

The VC Platoons were fighting from fortified bunkers. Contact was still in progress as of 241305H and the ground troops had been unable to reach the LOH due to the contact.

At 241305H vic XS698698 Co B sustained one US WHA.

At 241301H vic XS694695 Co C sustained 4 KHA and 7 WHA. At 241835H vic XS695680 Co A reached the downed LOH and the 2 crew men were KHA. The results of Co B's contacts at 241000H vic XS694699 resulted in 5 VC BC. Co A's contact at XS698698 at 241140H resulted in 2 VC BC.

During a sweep of the contact area Co C made light contact at 24830H at
XS673735. The company sustained 1 US WHA (dusted off). The contact was
supported by A 3/17th Cav and D troop 3/5 Cav.

Don Armstrong
604th Trans / 52 CAB, Pleiku, Apr / July 68
D Troop 3/5 Cav, Bearcat / Dong Tam, July 68 May 69