Charlie 1-506th Infantry Locations by date

William Higgins III:
YD 433150

William Higgins III:
YD 552395

YD 538023

Mission is securing engineer effort along Route #547. Bravo and Charlie companies on or near Blaze.

Some elements have gone to Cocoa Beach? Possibly near Cam Rahn Bay. Eagle Beach opens May 1, 1969.

[5]

AM at YD 504027

[6]

AM at YD 503033 and YD 503031.

[7]

Line # 121 evacuated as a heat casualty.

[8]

YD 538023

[9]

Line # 121 evacuated as a heat casualty. CP at 493033.

[10]

08:45 at 504027 and 498033

[11]

08:45 at 522028 and 524024.

[12]

YD 538023

[13]

Mission is to secure FSB Blaze and to conduct local RIF's.

[14]

08:50 at 492029.

[15]

08:50 at 514034 and 508031.

[16]

YD 538023

[17]

The battalion is at FB's Cannon, Bastogne, and Arrow in addition to Blaze. Some discoveries imply that the NVA used route 547 in their 1968 Tet offensive. Probably had some trucks and towed artillery pieces.

[18]

508031, 499030, 506032, and 498027.

[19]

525028 and 521029.

[20]

Company had four wounded by accidental M79 discharge in the Engineer mess hall by a WO. Lines 9, 114, 113, and 61.

[21]

YD 538023

[22]

CP at FB Cannon

Company had four wounded by accidental M79 discharge in the Engineer mess hall by a WO. Lines 9, 114, 113, and 61.

[23]

498033 and 505028

[24]

515029 and 518026

[25]

478036, 472029, 473028

[26]

492029, 495030, 490029

[27]

YD 538023

[28]

Bde S3 looking for battalion size staging areas between Blaze and Cannon.

[29]

517029, 519018, 522028

[30]

514031

[31]

YD 538023

[32]

Four battalion staging areas for upcoming operation found: 524024, 515029, 528024, and 518031.

[33]

519026

Finds 105mm booby trap in road at 500034.

[34]

YD 538023

[35]

517027

[36]

510032

[37]

524029

[38]

YD 538023

[39]

Company is in staging area near Blaze.

D Company is securing FB Currahee as 105mm and 155mm arty is brought in.

[40]

398950

[41]

07:30 CA begins with A, B, and C companies. D company is securing FSB Currahee.

B Company kills one NVA officer at 312937 and captures ammo bunker at 321929 (several weapons and ammunition rounds). This is about 5 km south of Dong AP Bia.

About this time, CPT Stymiest and Jimmy Thorp are injured when a large tree branch falls on them. Stymiest had a large scalp wound and was medevac'd and out for a day or two.

[42]

310945 finds garden tools and five gallons of kerosine.

[43]

1425, medevacs line #67 - an old tree falls on him, head contusions.

1715, C Co receives mortar fire from the west, vic 280930. 22 men are medevac'd - most from the mortar platoon (which must have been travelling with C Co).

Wounded from C Company: 10, 78, 111, 87, PIO, and interpreter. Included are David Canter and Richard Mooney.

Wounded from E Company: 8, 13, 30, 35, 41, 43, 61, 84, 85, 91, 94, 96, 104, 106, 108, 114.

Some of the wounded are listed on purple heard orders. Joseph Thompson of Charlie Company went to 85th Evacuation Hospital. The 101st purple heart orders include David Canter and Richard Mooney of Charlie Company; Dale Burroughs (battalion operations officer) of headquarters company; and, James Retzer, James Witte, Richard Callahan, Donald Dennehy, Charles Solomon, and Stanley Celmer of E Company (most likely mortar men).

[44]

398950

[45]

AM at 317950. Bravo company finds 1,200 pounds of rice and 40 pounds of TNT. Alpha company finds a cable across the river probably used to sling supplies across.

Telephone lines found in the area. 1300 hrs, C Co is at 310951. 1425, medevacs line #67 - an old tree falls on him, head contusions.

Bravo company on Hill 996 finds a ladder going up a tree.

1600, C Co at 312929.

16:30, Bn S3 and pilot wounded while flying in LOH.

1715, C Co receives mortar fire from the west, vic 280930. 22 men are medevac'd - most from the mortar platoon (which must have been travelling with C Co).

Wounded from C Company: 10, 78, 111, 87, PIO, and interpreter.

Wounded from E Company: 8, 13, 30, 35, 41, 43, 61, 84, 85, 91, 94, 96, 104, 106, 108, 114.

[46]

1145 at 315935. 1315, medevac three for hepatitis, hernia, and high fever. Line #'s not clear: 128, 120 and 17? And 2?

[47]

398950

[48]

1145 at 315935. 1315, medevac three for hepatitis, hernia, and high fever. Line #'s not clear: 128, 120 and 17? And 2?

1700 at 317942.

[49]

398950

[50]

1120 finds two old French rifles.
1234, 3/1 ARVN find a major cache - Russian trucks, crew served weapons and individual weapons about 10 km NW of Hamburger.

1250, Brigade instructs 1/506 to reinforce 3/187.

[51]

398950

[52]

Charlie Company has mission of securing the battalion CP.

1530 - Alpha company has a point man killed.

1100 - 321952
1400 - 321956
1700 - 320952

It appears that having the mortars in the field was not successful and that Charlie Company is tied down with the Bn CP not allowing the battalion to fully put its rifle companies on line.

[53]

398950

[54]

1100 - 320959
1425 - B Co receives sniper fire from a tree (similar to 3/187 experience).

[55]

398950

[56]

0735 - A Co has one KIA and seven WIA. 1045 - B Co has one KIA and eight WIA from vic Hill 916. Three B Co WIA are from US arty.
1600 - A Co has two injured by lightning.

C Co is still securing the Bn CP.

[57]

398950

[58]

1010 - A Co in contact at 328968 - one KIA and one WIA.
1630 - B Co in fight with one KIA and seven WIA
1905 - C Company at 317961 reports enemy .51 cal

Charlie is clearing bunkers S of Hill 800.

2000 - C Company at 326964 (vic Hill 800) with Bn CP

[59]

1410 - C Co has one WIA

[60]

398950

[61]

A and B Co receive RPG and SA attacks in AM.

1200 - At 328968 and moving East of A Company to assist.

Charlie had been following Alpha but swings to the right toward Hill 900 from the SE. CPT Stymiest is back in command. LT Ian Shumaker (33) attacks on the left and LT Timorthy LeClair (32) on the right. 31 and CP follow.

1232 - B Co has 12 WIA.

1400 - A Co at 327968; B Co at 321974; C Co at 331969.

1410 - C Co has one WIA and Kills two NVA.

[62]

C Co KIA's: Timothy Le Clair, Randall Mee, and Howard Peterson

[63]

398950

[64]

C Company found two .51 cal MG's and 122mm rocket tripod and documents.

1220 - D Co sends a platoon to reinforce A Co.

1340 - C Co takes lead from A Co.

1430 - C Co links with A Co at 327974.

A Company reported 20 enemy bunkers with two men each.

1715 - A Co reaches peak of Hill 937.

1739 - A and C companies report 60mm mortars impacting nearby.

A Co at 327974 and B Co at 324976

A Co killed 18 NVA; C Co killed 10 NVA; A Co had two KIA and 19 WIA.

C Co KIA's: Timothy Le Clair, Randall Mee, and Howard Peterson

[65]

1730 - C Co has two WIA perhaps lines 96 and 116.

2015 - Journal reports two killed but this must be an error.

[66]

398950

[67]

NVA appear to be withdrawing to the SW. 1/506 moves to SW to block.

1/506 plans to clean up Hills 900 and 916.

1625 - A Co 328976; B Co 324970; C Co 327968.

1730 - C Co has two WIA.

19:45 - C Co links up with ARVN

2015 - C Co has two KIA - Lines 96 and 116.

B Co kills 5 NVA; has one KIA and 7 WIA

A Co NDP 327977 and B Co at 326971.

[68]

1820 - C Co has 5 WIA: lines 4, 47, 69, 125, ? To 22nd Surg: William Kearby, Phillip Tierney, Thurman Wiglesworth, Robert Stinger, and Jeffrey Kanouse.

C Co has three KIA: William Smith, James Ralph, and Robert Goodner.

[69]

398950

[70]

1300 - A Co and C Co find 27 enemy bodies in bunkers.

1410 - A Co 327977; B Co 329967; C Co 327968.

1610 - C Co 324973

1620 - C Co receives RPG and SA fire

1820 - C Co has 5 WIA: lines 4, 47, 69, 125, ? To 22nd Surg.

C Co has three KIA: William Smith, James Ralph, and Robert Goodner.

[71]

398950

[72]

Approx 30-40 NVA bodies found.

1500 - C Co at 327971.

1520 - 2/501 finds body of James Ralph, C Co killed on May 21.

1620 - C Co recovers remains of 3 MIA from May 20 and 21 - probably Timothy Le Clair, Randall Mee, and Howard Peterson.

[73]

1450 - engages bunker and kills one NVA. C Co has four WIA

1555 - At 318971, C Co is hit by ARA and has five WIA (B Co has 3 WIA from ARA). C Co wounded: Lines 76, 123, 102, and LT Williams (2nd plat ldr).

[74]

398950

[75]

0640 - air strikes go in on Hill 916.
1030 - loc 325972
1415 - finds 5 dead NVA from previous days fighting
1450 - engages bunker and kills one NVA. C Co has four WIA
1555 - At 318971, C Co is hit by ARA and has five WIA (B Co has 3 WIA from ARA). C Co wounded: Lines 76, 123, 102, and LT Williams (2nd plat ldr).

[76]

398950

[77]

0820 - B Co finds weapons cache

1015 - C Co finds smaller cache at 324973 and destroys weapons and ammo.

[78]

398950

[79]

Seems like a quiet day - staying in the same location all day.

[80]

398950

[81]

1245 - C Co 329964

Battalion CP must be moving with C Co.

Bn Cdr gets SSM for action on May 24?

1514 - Company finds bicycle tracks on trail - probably used to move supplies.

1727 - At 337963 finds bunker complex with minor enemy ammo.

[82]

398950

[83]

1545 - C Co finds a 25x25 corn field.

[84]

398950

[85]

1445 loc is 348961.

[86]

398950

[87]

0930 - finds old bunkers at 356966.

1222 - loc at 361973.

A Co had switched with D Co on Currahee.

[88]

398950

[89]

Most operations halted due to Buddha's birthday.

[90]

398950

[91]

Nothing significant reported.

[92]

398950

[93]

Generally in the valley floor area

0945 - 384962
1245 - 391957

[94]

398950

[95]

398950

[96]

In the AM, 31 had been at 369963 and 32 at 399965.

[97]

398950

[98]

Some local patrols - 33 at 396952.

[99]

398950

[100]

PFC Terry Moyer has accidental shot in foot and is medevac'd.

[101]

398950

[102]

Returns from Eagle Beach midday.

PFC Terry Moyer has accidental shot in foot and is medevac'd.

[103]

398950

[104]

Local RIF performed.

[105]

398950

[106]

Local RIF.

[107]

Medevac one man for severe chest pain.

C Co evacs line 91 for heat.

[108]

407035

[109]

Medevac one man for severe chest pain.

1010 - Currahee rec 4 122mm rockets.

LZ at 414033 at 1115 (Eastern side of A Shau)

C Co evacs line 91 for heat.

[110]

407035

[111]

0900 - 402040
1300 - 396043

Company is constructing some LZ's.

[112]

407035

[113]

0845 - at 392043 with 33 at 389046.

1045 - company completes a one ship LZ.

1415 - CP and 31 at 386048.

[114]

1430 - a medic with 33, last name starts with "F" is accidentally shot in the thigh; line #155 is evacuated due to heat.

[115]

407035

[116]

0955 - Chicom grenade booby trap is tripped - no casualties.

1125 - found bunkers and hooches six months old.

1300 - gunship working for Charlie spots 10 NVA at 400063 and kills one.

1430 - a medic with 33, last name starts with "F" is accidentally shot in the thigh; line #155 is evacuated due to heat.

[117]

1640 - two men medevac'd - one for heat exhaustion (line #125) and one for fractured knee cap (E Co mortar FO).

[118]

407035

[119]

The new airstrip in the valley is completed by the 326th Engineers. Caribou aircraft start landing.

Route 547 cuts into the A Shau this day.

0750 - 32, 34, CP at 394057

1640 - two men medevac'd - one for heat exhaustion (line #125) and one for fractured knee cap (E Co mortar FO).

1735 - At 402064 gunships covering a medevac see three NVA and engage.

[120]

1145 - Receives SA fire from across gulley. Line #76 is shot in the leg and medevac'd.
Jerry Austin is taken to 85th Evac.

[121]

407035

[122]

B Co on Berchtesgaden defends against a sapper attack, killing 60. No friendly KIA's.

0620 - 31 remains at 399057 to ambush and company moves out.

0655 - At 401060 finds recent camp fire and trail with animal trap located by scout dog.

1145 - Receives SA fire from across gulley. Line #76 is shot in the leg and medevac'd.

[123]

1400 - medevacs line #16 for high fever and # 143 for heat exhaustion.

[124]

200 sappers attack Currahee; 2/502nd Inf and ARVN defends.

0930 - 410072 finds black shirt hanging out to dry.

1300 - 32 is at 405067

1400 - medevacs line #16 for high fever and # 143 for heat exhaustion.

1600 - At LZ, 407066

1800 - At LZ, found garden plot with corn, tomatoes, squash, watermelon and some bunkers

[125]

1230 - 412070 medevacs line # 79 for heat

[126]

0900 - At 411069 finds trail with steps cut, logs, and bamboo hand rail. No recent use.

1230 - 412070 medevacs line # 79 for heat

2224 - OP hears movement and tosses two grenades; receives one RPG shot. Negative casualties.

[127]

1755 - one heat medevac from 410069.

[128]

0850 - 412070 and looking for an LZ

1125 - 31 setting up radio relay at 413069. Found a tame pig with VC commo wire for harness. Tried to catch the pig but could not; shot the pig.

1345 - Finds hooches and bunkers at 415071 and one old rifle. Not used recently.

1700 - FB Currahee gets rockets and mortars from 398933.

1755 - one heat medevac from 410069.

[129]

1530 - Currahee receives a few rockets and mortar rounds; Derek Montey is injured in groin by piece of bamboo and is medevac'd.

PFC Peter Blazonis is killed - appears he was hit in the chest 0910 at 406067 (may have been cleaning up by a stream when he was shot (per Phil Stanley); was medevac'd to 22d Evac at 1015 but must have died in the hospital.

[130]

399949

[131]

0910 - At 406067, rec SA fire; line #82 has chest wound.

1445 - LZ Currahee

1530 - Currahee receives a few rockets and mortar rounds; Derek Montey is injured in groin by piece of bamboo and is medevac'd.

1640 - Currahee receives a few more mortar rounds.

[132]

1825 - Reports butterfly mine 397939 - one exploded and wounded line # 156, Loren Klene, with shrapnel in lower back.

[133]

399949

[134]

1545 - At 398945 - RIF vic Currahee.

1825 - Reports butterfly mine 397939 - one exploded and wounded line # 156 with shrapnel in lower back.

[135]

399949

[136]

3/5th Cav and elements from 9th ID and 1st Cav enter the A Shau (Ta Bat air strip) from route 547 having started at Blaze and Cannon.

0715 - 399945

0820 - requests medical officer to check five men who need to go to the rear for treatment.

1000 - LZ cold at 391930 (suspected mortar position a few days earlier)

1145 - At 395930

1545 - 31 at 393929; 33 at 395929; 32 and CP at 393930

1745 - At 393930, finds old 75mm rounds and has a four ship LZ.

[137]

399949

[138]

0800 - 31 at 392928; 33 at 399930

0905 - found two recent mortar positions at 398930

1145 - CP and 31 at 388929; 32 at 388929; 33 at 390930

1523 - 33 at 403927

1805 - 31 at 395930 finds two bunkers and 60mm mortar fuses two weeks old.

1830 - finds mortar FO bunker at 396932

[139]

399949

[140]

3/3 ARVN at new Ta Bat airfield

1245 - At 402931

1535 - 32 at 401927 to construct LZ

[141]

1540 - medevacs line #91 for heat at 329919

1800 - 31 engages enemy at 325916. Kills one NVA. 2LT Joseph Kenney is killed and line #164 has a head wound.

Line #164 was James L. Bishop who died of his wounds.

[142]

399949

[143]

0752 to 0837 - LZ at 322917 (South side of Rao Lao River, 2 km from Laos)

1110 - finds many fresh trails at 322917

1317 - 31 at 320920 finds one very new trail three feet wide.

1540 - medevacs line #91 for heat at 329919

1745 - 31 and CP at 325916; 32 at 321918; 33 at 324917.

1800 - 31 engages enemy at 325916. Kills one NVA. 2LT Joseph Kenney is killed and line #164 has a head wound.

[144]

399949

[145]

1100 - 31, 32 and CP at 325917; 33 at 324918.

1700 - At 326916.

1735 - finds hooch and bunker two weeks old.

[146]

399949

[147]

ARVN were operating about 2 km due East of Charlie.

326th Engr had an element with Charlie working to construct an LZ.

[148]

0955 - A platoon leader (line #6?) was wounded in the knee cap and medevac'd.

[149]

399949

[150]

2/17 Cav spotted a lot of NVA vic 334873; Air Strikes called.

0955 - A platoon leader (line #6?) was wounded in the knee cap and medevac'd.

1510 - A CA was conducted - only covered a few hundred meters to 332911. Perhaps to test a new PZ or deception.

[151]

399949

[152]

0950 - 31 at 328908

AS on bridges at 339875 and 342874 (near Laos border; professionally made over smaller streams and perhaps under some canopy) - partial destruction of bridges.

1410 - Finds recent bunkers and hooches at 335909.

[153]

399949

[154]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[155]

399949

[156]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[157]

399949

[158]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[159]

1456 - medevac line #93 for high temperature.

[160]

399949

[161]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

1456 - medevac line #93 for high temperature.

[162]

399949

[163]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[164]

399949

[165]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

Copperhead is call sign for Cdr, 1/506th Inf.

[166]

399949

[167]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[168]

399949

[169]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[170]

399949

[171]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[172]

399949

[173]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[174]

399949

[175]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[176]

399949

[177]

Probably securing FSB Berchtesgaden.

[178]

1820 - medevacs SFC Trutt for heart problem.

[179]

399949

[180]

Company LZ on Currahee from Berchtesgaden at 1606

1820 - medevacs SFC Trutt for heart problem.

[181]

Medevacs one man with accidental claymore injury.

Battalion Commander killed at 313939 - attacked by RPG's; had a squad from D Co securing him (vic Hill 996)

[182]

399949

[183]

Medevacs one man with accidental claymore injury.

Flareship is on Currahee - intel suggests an attack likely.

Battalion Commander killed at 313939 - attacked by RPG's; had a squad from D Co securing him (vic Hill 996)

Bravo and Delta take numerous KIA and WIA.

[184]

399949

[185]

Fight continues around Hill 996. Several air strikes put in. Seems similar to Dong Ap Bia fight. Delta Company has 8 KIA.

[186]

399949

[187]

Bde instructs 1/506 to hold Hill 996 for five days to construct a three ship LZ.

2320 - C Co observes NVA squad at 386932 moving toward Currahee.

[188]

399949

[189]

A Company had been OPCON out and Bravo and Delta had been in major contact.

[190]

YC 399949

[191]

A Company - Eagle's Nest YD 406036)
B Company - YC 308938
D Company - YC 315942

[192]

OPCON

[193]

Bill Higgins:
Training at Bien Hoa.

[194]

YC 399949

[195]

OPCON til 17:10

[196]

YC 399949

[197]

YC 399949

[198]

YC 399949

[199]

Plane to Camp Evans

[200]

YC 399949

[201]

YC 399949

[202]

YC 399949

[203]

YC 399949

[204]

In the field - perhaps with another company for training and familiarization. Remember being with another platoon leader and having one contact with a trail watcher. The other lieutenant acted like John Wayne.

[205]

YC 399949

[206]

YC 399949

[207]

PZ YC 399958 at 11:52 and LZ YC 375917 at 12:22.

[208]

17:45 - 33 finds two graves 60 days old at YC 374922.

17:55 - finds 11, 3x5 bunkers 90 days old.

[209]

PFC Ray Huff is killed. Circumstances not known yet.

[210]

YC 438967

[211]

11:30 - C Company arrives on "Hamburger Hill," Hill 937 - YC 328981.

Has three LP's out at NDP.

A company hit by sappers - has 8 KIA and 22 WIA YC 313941.

[212]

YC 438967

[213]

YC 438967

[214]

13:20 - 31, 33, CP at YC 325986.

[215]

YC 438967

[216]

09:55 - found 10 graves YC 310988. Bodies killed by SA and 60 days old. Found RPG launcher and Chicom claymore.

15:10 - At YC 317979

16:48 - at NDP

PDS is 71

[217]

YC 438967

[218]

09:15 - At YC 333003
11:36 - At YC 333972

[219]

YC 438967

[220]

09:55 - at YC 312986
12:25 - back in wire

[221]

platoon strength 31

Higginsotes	Date	Bn CP	Co CP	1st Plt	2d Plt	3d Plt	4th Plt
	1/1/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/2/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/3/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/4/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/5/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/6/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/7/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/8/68		YT 005613	YT 005613	YT 005613	YT 005613	YT 005613
	1/9/68
	1/10/68
	1/11/68
	1/12/68
	1/13/68		YT 043358	YT 043358	YT 043358	YT 043358	YT 043358
	1/14/68
	1/15/68		YT 082420	YT 082420	YT 082420	YT 082420	YT 082420
	1/16/68		XT 985390	XT 985390	XT 985390	XT 985390	XT 985390
	1/17/68
	1/18/68
	1/19/68
	1/20/68
	1/21/68
	1/22/68		YT 010390	YT 010390	YT 010390	YT 010390
	1/23/68
	1/24/68		XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488	XT 962488
	1/25/68		XT 925445	XT 925445	XT 925445	XT 925445	XT 925445
	1/26/68
	1/27/68
	1/28/68
	1/29/68
	1/30/68
	1/31/68
	2/1/68
	2/2/68
	2/3/68		YT 019345	YT 019345	YT 019345	YT 019345	YT 019345
	2/4/68
	2/5/68
	2/6/68
	2/7/68
	2/8/68