Reunion 2001

Extracts from the 2dBn 26th Marines Command Chronology
Company H
( UNDER CONSTRUCTION )

Explanatory Comments are highlighted in BLUE; our Casualty events are shown in RED.

12 Oct - 26 Oct	My research found gaps in our Command Chronology for the period 12-28 October. Specific pages are either misfiled, or missing. In a future visit, I will try and locate the missing pages, or fill in the detail by cross-referencing to other Unit Chronologies.
19 Oct	OPERATION BACON INITIAL SITREP -- 191200H Moved from PhuBai TAOR and assumed responsibility for BACON Op Area at 191114H. G/2/4 relived on position by H/2/26. G/2/4 returned to PhuBai vital area [YD885124]. Locations: 2/26 CP, Co. E and B/1/12 at [YD931059]. Co. H 2/26 at [YD983004].
27 Oct	MED EVACS 1 Sortie; 1 US KIA (PFC Stanley Cope), 1 US WIA (LCpl Jake Penfold)
28 Oct	E and H Co.'s conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in Operation BACON. There were no contacts during this reported period. -- 281200H Operation BACON secured. -- 281200H G Co. Chop OPCON 2/4; new OPCON 2/26 effective 281200H. Co.G earlier assigned to 2/4, now rejoins 2/26.
29 Oct	OPERATION PAWNEE III commenced at 290800H. Units commenced movement to assigned areas south of PHU LOC and established defensive positions and conduced local security. There were no significant incidents.
30 Oct	All units conducted local security and maintained defensive positions. There were no significant incidents.
01 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. Significant incidents are noted below: -- 011300H H Co. patrol observed 2 VC hiding in brush at [ZD046007]. Called fire mission, results unknown. -- 011315H H Co. patrol found 15 fighting holes, camouflaged with sticks and dirt. Holes were 2' x 4' x 3' with roofs. Keeping under observation. -- 011450H H Co. patrol observed 2 VC at [ZD046007]. Called fire mission. Two secondary explosions, no observed casualties.
02 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III.
03 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. Significant incidents are noted below: -- 031105H H Co. blocking force received 50 rounds S/A fire at [AU835043] resulting in one USMC WIA (LCpl M.V. Gonzalez). WIA was MEDEVAC. S/A fire returned by blocking force; neg results -- 031120H H Co. blocking force engaged 10 VC at [AU835043] resulting in 3 VC KIA (Conf). -- 031130H FAC spotted 10 VC at [AU827057]. Air strike called resulting in 2 VC KIA (Conf) and 5 VC KIA (Prob). -- 031215H One platoon H Co. received heavy S/A fire at [AU835043]. Called air strike resulting in 7 VC KIA (Prob). -- 031845H G Co. patrol received 100 to 200 S/A fire from unknown number of VC at [AU837041]. One USMC KIA (PFC James Healey) . Fire returned, VC departed in Northeasterly direction. Though reported as a Co. G event, I am sure this is where we lost PFC Healey. Golf Company was in close proximity, linking up with us, and spent the night within our inner perimeter. It was at the end of the day and 3dMarDiv sent our MEDEVAC chopper to the right coordinates, but on the wrong map sheet. Healy had already passed, and since we were still in contact, I decided not to risk the helicopter's crew on a night pickup. This was the only time we kept a casualty with us overnight. 'Smokey' and 'Puff the Magic Dragon' AirForce gunships flew cover for us that evening, and our choppers took Healey home at first light on the following morning.
04 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III.
05 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. Significant incidents are noted below. -- 050015H H Co. heard movement to their front at [AU837037], believed to be a platoon size VC force. Fire mission called with neg results. -- 051220H One Plt of H Co. took up blocking position southwest of PHU-HA. Company E swept through village with neg results. Found evidence that VC had been in village, but could not determine direction the VC took from village. -- 051323H H Co. observed 2 VC at [AU856013] running along trail. Pursued by fire with neg results.
06 Nov - 18 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. No mention of H Co.
19 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. Significant incidents are noted below: -- 192005H H Co.patrol spotted lights at [ZC068973] moving north. Fire mission called and lights went out.
20 Nov	No mention of H Co.
21 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. Significant incidents are noted below: -- 211805H H Co. heard firing at [ZD041018] and sent a squad to investigate. When the squad arrived at [ZD037026] they encountered a Lt. of the ARVN forces guarding the bridge. This Lt. informed them that he was informed that one or two Bns. of VC would attack the bridge tonight. This information was passed to S-2.
22 Nov - 23 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. No mention of H Co.
24 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. Significant incidents are noted below: -- 24xxxxH H Co. patrol found food, chicom grenades, books and personal papers at [AU825065]. sent to Bn. S-2 -- 241130H H Co. patrol found cave 6ft high, 6ft wide and 15ft deep. Searched cave and found food. Cave and food destroyed.
25 Nov	No mention of H Co.
26 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. Significant incidents are noted below: -- 261205H H Co.'s sweep of pennsula that started 3 days ago completed with no further contact. Units returning to defensive positions by foot march. -- 261230H H Co. One Marine (PFC Ronald David Miles) was shot by accidental discharge (7.62). Shot through chest leaving through back of neck. Man died within one minute. Deceased Marine will be evacuated via ambulance. PFC Miles joined H Co. and was brought to our basecamp, West of PHU LOC, while most of us were deployed at 'Turkey Ridge'. Except for the Company(Rear), we never had a chance to see or meet PFC Miles. A tragic accident in which the 3dMarDiv Investigation found Miles, himself, responsible.
27 Nov - 30 Nov	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III. No mention of H Co. contacts.
01 Dec - 02 Dec	One platoon from Company E and one platoon from Company H plus the FAC and FO provided security for Rough Rider from DA NANG to DONG HA. All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III
03 Dec	One platoon from Company E and one platoon from Company H plus the FAC and FO provided security for Rough Rider from DA NANG to DONG HA. All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 031410H H Co. received heavy SAF and 12 rounds of recoilless rifle fire. SAF, 81mm mortar and 106 recoiless rifle fire returned. Enemy retreated upon receiving fire. Company H received 7 WIA.
04 Dec	One platoon from Company E and one platoon from Company H plus the FAC and FO provided security for Rough Rider from DA NANG to DONG HA. All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 041415H H Co. apprehended two VCS for suspicious action at [ZD058023]. VCS's were taken to District Headquarters. -- 042100H H Co. saw lights at [ZD058018]. Artillery mission called, good target coverage. Illumination called in and figures were observed and taken under fire with SA and 106 recoiless rifle fire. Area will be checked at first light.
05 Dec	One platoon from Company E and one platoon from Company H plus the FAC and FO provided security for Rough Rider from DA NANG to DONG HA. All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 050045H H Co. ambush engaged 3 VC with SAF at [ZD060020]. VC fled north of highway #1 and toward PHU LOC.
06 Dec	One platoon from Company E and one platoon from Company H plus the FAC and FO provided security for Rough Rider from DA NANG to DONG HA. All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III
07 Dec	One platoon from Company E and one platoon from Company H plus the FAC and FO provided security for Rough Rider from DA NANG to DONG HA. All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 050045H H Co. observed two bursts of SAF from [ZD054018]. Fired two rounds of 106mm recoilless rifle. Sending a patrol to check area.
08 Dec	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 081055H H Co. apprehended one VCS. VCS taken to District Headquarters. VCS was captured at [ZD077014] with no ID card.
09 Dec	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 090815H H Co. found approx. 1,500 lbs of rice at [ZC096996] in house. Rice was turned over to District Chief. -- 090830H H Co. found 16 punji pits at [ZC093989] and picked up two VCS in area. Pits destroyed and VCS's were taken to District Headquarters.
10 Dec	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 100300H District Headquarters reported that bridge at [ZD099066] was damaged. -- 101300H 2/26 Headquarters assumed OPCON F/2/26 (Rein) and chopped F/2/26 (Rein) to First Bn. Fourth Marines.
11 Dec	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 111010H H Co. found asst'd small arm rounds in house at [ZD087999]. The names of the two women living in house were taken and ID cards checked. All small arm rounds taken to company H CP and destroyed. -- 111145H H Co. squad patrol apprehended two male Vietnamese (20-25 yr). Turned over to district headquarters who said that they were deserters.
12 Dec	All units maintained defensive positions and conducted search and destroy operations and night ambushes in PAWNEE III -- 132030H H Co. reported four explosions at approx. [ZD075006]. Will investigate at first light.
13 Dec	All units maintained positions and maintained local security. -- 131900H At [ZD824011] a TPQ-10 strike hit a village resulting in five civilian KIA and two WIA. WIAs MEDEVACED.
14 Dec - 18 Dec	All units maintained positions and conducted local security.
19 Dec	All units maintained positions and conducted local security. -- 191900H H Co. received 30-40 rounds of SAF from [ZD158021]. Fire returned and area checked with negative results.
20 Dec	All units maintained positions and conducted local security.
21 Dec	All units maintained positions and conducted local security. -- 211415H Train detonated mine at [ZD181009]. Four cars were derailed and one was burning.
22 Dec	All units maintained positions and conducted local security. -- 220900H Railroad was checked and was found blown in three places 200 to 600 meters from [ZD186009]. -- 221000H Two mines were found in trail at [ZD107017]. Mines blown in place.
23 Dec	All units maintained positions and conducted local security.
24 Dec	-- 241200H 2/26 Assumed OPCON of Company E 2/26 and dropped Company G to OPCON 2/9. -- 241200H OPERATION PAWNEE III TERMINATED. -- 241430H Alfa Command Group and Company E and Company H enroute to OPERATION CHINOOK AREA. -- 241630H Alfa Command Group and Company E arrived Operation CHINOOK. All units maintained defensive positions and conducted local security. -- 242130H H Co. ARRIVED OPERATION CHINOOK.

Following is a copy of the Command Chronology's 'NARRATIVE SUMMARY' for December 1966:

NARRATIVE SUMMARY

    Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines participated in two major operations during the month of December.  Operation Pawnee III, continuing since 29 October, remained in effect until 24 December 1966, when the Battalion came under operational control of the Fourth Marine Regiment to participate in Operation Chinook.

    Both operations were of a search and destroy nature. However, operation Pawnee III had the additional mission of providing security for the LOC's (Lines Of Communication --roads, bridges, etc.) within the area of operation. This additional mission became of primary importance during December when it became obvious that local Popular and Regional Forces were inadequate for providing security for the many road and rail bridges throughout the area.  As a result, the Battalion forces were deployed as security to widely separated bridges.  This restricted the offensive capability for the remainder of Operation Pawnee III.

    The Battalion operated throughout the month of December with only three rifle companies.  Nevertheless, extensive patrolling was accomplished throughout the area of operation.

    Since undertaking Operation Chinook, the Battalion has been operating in an offensive capacity in conjunction with the Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines under the control of the Fourth Marines.  Company and platoon sized units have conducted heavy patrolling and set numerous ambushes. Operations of larger than company level have been severly limited by inclement weather.

    Weather proved to be the most decisive factor affecting the Battalion during the month of December. Monsoonal rains flooded lowlands, thereby hindering patrol activity and channelized movement.  Air support was severly restricted; fixed wing close air support was impossible and helicopter support, both resupply and medevac, could many times operate on only an emergency basis. The health and comfort of the Marines operating in the field was a constant problem.  Immersion foot and similar incapacitators produced many more Marine casualties than did enemy fire.  Finally, the persistant adverse weather conditions made itself felt at the tactical planning level.  Troop movements by air, rapid overland deployment, and logistical reinforcement by helicopter could rarely be counted on.

    Morale and the combat efficiency of the Battalion's Marines remain high.  Equipment has shown considerable wear, largely as a result of weather.  Replenishment of many combat-essential items of equipment has been less than satisfactory.