As a 60 year old, combat wounded, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
disabled Vietnam veteran I offer this page in concern of the perception
of PTSD.
PTSD is a disability and should be treated as such, especially
when it comes to reasonable disability accommodations. Violations of
these rights should be considered a federal crime and should be
investigated and prosecuted properly. Currently there is a strong focus
on discrimination towards an individual’s race or sex and I feel that same focus should be put on veterans
with PTSD. Regardless what some believe; PTSD is real and should be
treated with a high sense of importance.
To me the issue is that there has never been a push to make sure
veterans with PTSD get the treatment and consideration they deserve.
With the advent of technology, veterans are able to access information
easier and thus are now becoming more vocal about their rights, as I am
doing now.
Every March in the federal calendar it is stated that:
“SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION.” Not
taking away anything from Sexual harassment and
discrimination, but if harassment is a form of
discrimination, why isn't PTSD harassment a form of
discrimination? Harassing anyone with PTSD should be a
Civil Rights discrimination crime and should be punished
as such by the federal government.
Just consider that to date, more than 100,000
military personnel have come back from
Afghanistan and Iraq since the conflicts began
and are now diagnosed with PTSD and yet there
are still those that refuse to acknowledge PTSD
even exists
On 1 February 1969, a 19
year-old John Kolsun helped dismantle shrines and the “roofed”
coverings over the individual graves in a Vietnamese
cemetery. The boards, tin and timbers were
needed to lay down in the mud to keep Armored
Personnel Carriers from bogging down in a
swamp during a search and destroy mission. To this
day, 60 year-old John Kolsun attributes the next
seven weeks of constant combat to destroying that
cemetery.
Following a fierce ambush on 22 March 1969; the
few combat ready troops remaining in B Company, 2nd
Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division were
pulled from the bush... split up (never to see one
another again) sent home, admitted to hospitals, assigned to
various non-combat Highway Guard or Base Camp duties.When 19 year-old John Kolsun
was released from the hospital and sent to assist in
repelling the attack by Russian Tanks at Ben Het ... he
was not the same. Within a few weeks the 19
year-old John Kolsun radioed his "handler", told him he
had lost the touch and wanted pulled out. Within
hours 19 year-old John Kolsun was in a chopper on the
first leg of his trip home.
60 year-old John Kolsun
regrets that 1969 radio transmission and is still trying
to find home.
COMBAT AFTER ACTION REPORT, VIETNAM
1969.
Dedicated to those who were there.
5
September 1997
In 1996 and 1997 I had a severe
relapse of PTSD and was positive
that I was responsible for some
horrible things that were a matter
of public record on official reports
for February and March of 1969. On
1 February 1969, I helped dismantle
the Shrines and the “roofed”
coverings over the individual graves
in a Vietnamese cemetery for the
wood. The wood was needed to lay
down in the mud to keep our Armored
Personnel Carriers from sinking
(bogging down) in a swampy area we
had to cross.
The
following day, 2 February
1969 the luck of B Company, 2nd
Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th
Infantry Division changed; to this
day I blame it on destroying that
cemetery. We got our butts kicked
day in and day out for the next 7
weeks. What follows is the birthday
present my son David gave me on 5
September 1997. It has also
been picked up by several Vietnam sites
that are on the web. Today if you
do a GOOGLE on "After Action Report"
you can find it all around the
world. I'm very proud of my son...
Davie you are my best friend!
The research for this After Action
Report included OPERATIONAL REPORTS,
DAILY STAFF JOURNALS and DUTY
OFFICER S LOGS at the Battalion,
Brigade
and Division levels located in the
National Archives and Records
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road,
College Park, MD 20740-6001. The
research was conducted by David
Kolsun and is dated 5 September 1997.
Sunday, 23 March 1969.
NEWS RELEASE.
M.A.C.V. COMMUNIQUE.
In II CORP yesterday afternoon, a
mechanized infantry convoy from an
element of the 2nd Brigade, US 4th
Infantry Division, was ambushed by
an
unknown size enemy force in an area
two miles northwest of Plei Mrong,
in Pleiku - Kontum Province. Convoy
security elements returned the
heavy enemy fire while US Army
helicopter gunships and artillery
supported the action. During the
action, a US Army UH-1 helicopter
was
hit by enemy ground fire and crashed
in the area wounding all five
persons aboard. The aircraft was
destroyed. US causalities were 10
killed and 18 wounded. Material
damage was light.???????????????
Kontum Province:
Kontum Province has experienced an
extensive increase in enemy activity
with emphasis shifting from Viet
Cong to NVA units. US forces
received
heavy attacks.
General:
During the period, the 2d Battalion
(Mechanized), 8th Infantry, 4th
Infantry Division participated in
Operation HINES.
Mission:
Secure Fire Support Base PATT,
ZA097834. Blow mines in place
unless it
appears to be a new type. Conduct
reconnaissance in force operations
within assigned area of operations;
route, bridge, and convoy security;
search and clear operations;
ambushes; short range patrol
operations;
cordon and search missions; and
civic actions.
Execution:
B Company 2-8, conduct move from
Landing Zone PATT, to FIRE SUPPORT
BASE
BOBBIE. Escort Arty 3-6 with two
platoons. Secure Arty 5-16 at FIRE
SUPPORT BASE PATT with two
platoons. Short Range Patrol West
and
Southwest of FIRE SUPPORT BASE PATT,
along DAK BLA River. Conduct
reconnaissance in force, short range
patrols, LANDING ZONE BOBBIE.
Conduct MEDCAP.
Task Organization:
HHC, A, B, C, D Companies 2-8
Infantry; A & B Companies 1-8
Infantry
and 3-6 Arty. 1-69 Armor and 2-1
Cavalry. Infantry, 1-35. Engineer
support, 4th Engineer Battalion and
the 299th Engineer Battalion.
Artillery, 5-6, 4-42.
Transportation, 1-8 Transportation,
2-8
Transportation. Aviation, 4th
Aviation. Special, PLEI MRONG
Civilian
Strike Force element.
Call Signs:
ATLAS, PAPPA, ATLAS XRAY, YANKEE
FIVE ZERO, NIPPER, BUGLE,
SKILL, WHISKEY ZERO SIX, ZERO SIX
ALPHA, ZERO SIX BRAVO, BLACKJACK
FOUR
HUNDRED, XRAY EIGHT, HEADHUNTER
THREE SEVEN, WILDER, GAMBLER, COMMON
BASE, BIKINI SIX NINE, SIDER FORWARD
AIR CONTROL, HORNET FOUR FOUR,
GLADIATOR ONE ZERO ZERO,
2-8 Infantry Commanders and
Principle Staff:
Battalion CO LTC William S deCamp
Battalion XO MAJ Robert N
Bloomstrand
Battalion S1 1LT Jordan B Gaudry
Battalion S2 CPT Edward W Strabol,
MSG Earl K Andrews, CPT James F Schwartz
Battalion S3 MAJ Stanley W
Russell
Battalion S4 CPT Robert L Schmitt
Battalion S5 1LT Allen J Spillum
HHC 1LT Rodney D Miller, CPT
James E Bilderbeck
A Co CPT Donald Gonneville,
CPT Edward W Strabel
B Co CPT Angelo A Severino
C Co CPT Elwoood R Tauscher
D Co CPT James F Schwartz
Weather:
Early morning fog burning off 8:30 -
9:30 am (08:30 to 09:30 hours).
Transition from dry season to
monsoon with light rain showers,
variable
winds to 10 knots, thunderstorms,
and cloudiness during mid to late
afternoon hours. Temperatures
ranged from 98 degrees to 64
degrees.
Terrain:
Mountainous to open plains.
Logistics:
Hot A rations averaged two meals a
day. Wood construction materials
in critical supply. The following
small arms rounds were expended:
301,220 5.56mm 663,000
7.62mm 215,000 .50 caliber
Monday, 17 March.
7:45 am. 0745 hours.
ZA059976, 1-69 in contact, 2 Armored
Personnel Carriers hit by B-40
rockets - 5 wounded in action and 1
Armored Personnel Carrier destroyed.
Artillery and gunships supported
contact. In support of the contact,
additional 2 Armored Personnel
Carriers 7-17 Cavalry and 2/8 hit
mines,
6 WOUNDED IN ACTION and 1 ARMORED
PERSONNEL CARRIER destroyed.
9:17 am. 0917 hours.
ZA069923, 2 tanks from 1-69 hit
mines (believed command detonated)
while
escorting convoy to LANDING ZONE
Bass.
Tuesday, 18 March.
8:40 am. 0840 hours.
>From FIRE SUPPORT BASE PATT, start
2-8 MEDCAP.
8:50 am. 0850 hours.
Start 2-8 resupply convoy from FIRE
SUPPORT BASE PATT to LANDING ZONE
MARYLOU.
10:00 am. 1000 hours.
2-8 go to PLEI MRONG give security
to ARTY downed gun along road.
4:20 pm. 1620 hours.
Resupply 2-8 convoy returns to FIRE
SUPPORT BASE PATT.
7:18 pm. 1918 hours.
>From S3; erect standoff fences, dig
in and put up concertina before
sleep.
11:10 pm. 2310 hours.
2-8 receives a frag., some sort of
explosion. One wounded needs
DUSTOFF
(medical evacuation).
11:30 pm. 2330 hours.
WARNING ORDER for 2-8. At 0700 on
19 March, relocate to LANDING ZONE
BOBBIE (ZA061738), move by way of
villages toward Plei Mrong. Take as
much wire and sandbags as you can
carry and time permits. Move with
Headquarters and one Line Platoon.
Leave Weapons Platoon to ash and
trash LANDING ZONE PATT. Scout
Platoon have two Armored Personnel
Carriers report to LANDING ZONE
MARYLOU to pick up trucks.
Wednesday, 19 March.
6:55 am. 0655 hours.
Short Range Patrol from 2-8 arrives
LANDING ZONE PATT.
8:15 am. 0815 hours.
2-8 HQ, Line Platoon and D Battery
5-16 Artillery leave for LANDING
ZONE
BOBBY.
8:20 am. 0820 hours.
Scouts of 2-8 leave for LANDING ZONE
MARYLOU.
8:45 am. 0845 hours.
Scouts to stop at PLEI MRONG turnoff
for REDLEG (Artillery) trucks.
9:45 am. 0945 hours.
A REDLEG (Artillery) 548 is down
and 2-8 is towing it.
10:30 am. 1030 hours.
>From S3, the LITTLE PEOPLE are
operating in area, 2-8 has no radio
contact with them.
12:40 pm. 1240 hours.
2-8 having trouble crossing at
ZA099766.
2:20 pm. 1420 hours.
Atry (Artillery) observer in LOH
bird receives ground fire at
ZA089690.
3:10 pm. 1510 hours.
2-8 crosses at ZA099766.
4:12 pm. 1612 hours.
2-8 takes B-40 rocket from 500
meters off Highway 14 at ZA198727.
One
wounded.
4:25 pm. 1625 hours.
DUSTOFF (medical evacuation) called
for two wounded.
4:34 pm. 1634 hours.
2-8 1000 meters south of LANDING
ZONE BOBBIE (in wrong FIRE SUPPORT
BASE).
5:25 pm. 1725 hours.
2-8 arrives correct location at
LANDING ZONE BOBBIE.
5:55 pm. 1755 hours.
2-8 leaves to fix crossing at
ZA099766.
Thursday, 20
March.
8:15 am. 0815 hours. At ZA176737,
ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER from 2-8
received 1 B-40 round; 1 WOUNDED IN
ACTION and slight damage to ARMORED
PERSONNEL CARRIER. Provide escort
morning convoy from LANDING ZONE
MARYLOU to Polie Krong daily.
MAXIMUM RESUPPLY ACTIVITIES TO BEGIN
21
MARCH FROM POLIE KLING.
8:20 am. 0820 hours.
2-8 track (Armored Personnel
Carrier) hit with B-40/one wounded,
called
for DUSTOFF (medical evacuation)/at
ZA176737/enemy fled to South. 2-8
reacting.
9:15 am. 0915 hours.
2-8 received small arms fire at
ZA075700. No damage or causalities.
10:00 am. 1000 hours.
ARVN s (Little People) in contact
(firefight) at ZA075760. 2-8 in
blocking position.
10:20 am. 1020 hours.
ZA098766, a resupply 2-8 convoy made
contact with an estimated platoon
size force. Small arms, automatic
weapons, artillery were employed.
Two US were wounded and one 2-1/2
ton truck was damaged by B-40
rocket.
11:15 am. 1115 hours.
ARVN s (Little People) in contact at
ZA078704. 2-8 to block on North
side of river at ZA075720.
12:30 pm. 1230 hours.
2-8 in blocking position at
ZA069710. Split 2-8 to move in
blocking
position at ZA084706.
2:10 pm. 1410 hours.
2-8 receives small arms fire and
B-40 rocket at ZA086728.
3:15 pm. 1515 hours.
Radio transmission from S3. 2-8 be
prepared to move to vicinity PLEI
MRONG/will be in operational control
of 1-35 as mobile reaction force.
Will be expected to provide
immediate reaction to contacts
(firefights)
of 1-35 mounted and dismounted at
night
4:00 pm. 1600 hours.
2-8 go to Highway 14 and meet
engineer dozer. Escort dozer back
to
LANDING ZONE BOBBIE. RECONNAISSANCE
BY FIRE.
7:43 pm. 1943 hours.
2-8 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER
escorting bulldozer hits mine at
ZA090685.
Two wounded and DUSTOFF (medical
evacuation) required.
8:45 pm. 2045 hours.
Commanding General 4th Infantry
Division directs one platoon from
2-8
move to village ZA234825.
11:05 pm. 2305 hours.
2-8 in village at ZA090685 and
coordinating.
11:50 pm. 2350 hours.
2-8 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER that
hit mine and bulldozer arrive
LANDING
ZONE BOBBIE.
Friday, 21 March.
11:20 am. 1120 hours.
2-8 resupply convoy from LANDING
ZONE BOBBIE is in contact at
ZA098766.
Enemy small arms and eight B-40
rockets from several directions
(South,
Southeast, and Southwest). 1145
enemy broke contact to south. US
wounded hit by shrapnel. Arty 2
1/2 ton truck hit right front. Must
be towed.
12:25 pm. 1225 hours.
2-8 leaves LANDING ZONE MARYLOU for
PLEI MRONG with second engineer
bulldozer.
12:30 pm. 1230 hours.
2-8 warned by COMMON BASE that enemy
from yesterdays contact is believed
to have moved to ZA096724.
12:05 am. Midnight plus 5 minutes.
INFORMATION from X8 (CIA CIVILIAN
INTEL AGENT), time of report 2325
hours on 21 March. Unknown size
VIET
CONG force, entered DA RODE,
YB000227. X8 wants M60 fire North
to
South along 997 line, TACTICAL AIR
COMMAND command post approves for
FORTIFY ELM.
4:20 am. 0420 hours.
Sergeant Andrews reports fire in
village approximately 1000 meter
Northwest his location.
5:05 am. 0505 hours.
>From Brigade, 2-8 to provide
security for Artillery convoy to
LANDING ZONE BOBBIE.
8:50 am. 0850 hours.
Short range patrol of 2-8 returns to
LANDING ZONE BOBBIE.
9:00 am. 0900.
Radio transmission from Captain
Highsmith to Staff Sergeant Kerr; at
ZA201902 a 2-8 convoy from LANDING
ZONE MARY LOU to Polie Kleng
received
5 rounds small arms fire from north
- negative causalities or damage.
Convoy continuing.
9:15 am. 0915 hours.
From S3 Air, Send REDLEG
(Artillery) convoy out this
afternoon after 2-8 forces are back
in your area. Send convoy South to
PLEI MRONG cut off. Little People
notified but insure you give us
start/proceed time so we can insure
coordination. Commanding Officer
desires 2-8 Reconnaissance In Force
around crossings East of LANDING
ZONE BOBBIE and the one at
ZA100767. Coordinate with REDLEGS
(Artillery) at location to see if
time and route is OK.
9:50 am. 0950 hours.
>From S3 Air. Improve crossing at
ZA100767. 2-8 will be taking a
REDLEG (Artillery) 15 truck convoy
to PLIE MRONG this afternoon.
10:20 am. 1020 hours.
2-8 and REDLEGS at crossing
ZA081735.
11:10 am. 1110 hours.
Radio transmission from CAPTAIN Long
to STAFF SERGEANT Kerr; at
YA822902, 2-8 find 25-30 well
camouflaged bunkers with three feet
overhead cover formed in perimeter.
There were three 10 foot mortar
pits with adjoining ammo bunkers
with four to six feet overhead cover
and eight huts in the area. Bunkers
and huts were destroyed.
11:30 am. 1130 hours.
2-8 and REDLEGES at ZA127813.
12:10 pm. 1210 hours.
2-8 and REDLEGS at ZA127814.
12:45 pm. 1245 hours.
2-8 and REDLEG convoy have crossed
crossing at ZA127814.
2:15 pm. 1415 hours.
ZA029887, 2-8 found 15-20 bunkers
and made contact. Lost
communications
with the Wilder Element, believe one
man hurt, in contact.
Communications regained with, two US
WOUNDED IN ACTION with gun shot.
Dust off required.
2:30 pm. 1430 hours.
2-8 and REDLEG / resupply convoy
report contact (ambush) at ZA082713.
2:35 pm. 1435 hours.
2-8 taking small arms fire and B-40
rockets, at ZA073704 by very large size
enemy force.
2:40 pm. 1440 hours.
Radio transmission from MASTER
SERGEANT Maurstead to SERGEANT FIRST
CLASS Peterson; at ZA082713, 2-8
while escorting a resupply convoy
received a large volume of B-40
rocket fire and automatic weapons
from
the west side of the road. Two
Armored Personnel Carriers were
struck
and began burning.
2:45 pm. 1445 hours.
81mm mortars and Arty being worked
up and gunships called for.
3:00 pm. 1500 hours.
Enemy moved to WEST, near Blue Line.
(river)
3:05 pm. 1505 hours.
Two COBRA helicopters making first
pass and reported on target.
3:20 pm. 1520 hours.
Still receiving fire and call for
DUSTOFF (MEDICAL EVACUATION) made.
3:25 pm. 1525 hours.
Cobras out of Ammo. 81mm mortars
and Artillery going in.
3:40 pm. 1540 hours.
DUSTOFF (medical evacuation),
BLACKJACK 400, hit by B-40 rocket,
down
and burning. More GUNSHIPS called
for.
3:45 pm. 1545 hours.
2-8 to sweep area, to work behind
gunships.
3:46 pm. 1546 hours.
4th Aviation BLACKJACK helicopter
attempting a DUSTOFF (medical
evacuation) was hit by B-40 rocket
and destroyed. 52nd CAB Slick
landed
to pick up wounded and was hit and
exploded when it lifted off. May
have been hit by a round cooking off
in the burning Armored Personnel
Carriers as no one heard a B-40
fired at that moment. Four WOUNDED
IN
ACTION from 52CAB. Gunships and
artillery supported.
3:47 pm. 1547 hours.
Radio transmission from 2-8,
BLACKJACK 400 hit by B-40, down and
burning, crew still inside slick,
eight critical wounded, unknown
killed. Two Armored Personnel
Carriers and one truck also hit.
Request
more GUNS. B-40 rockets still
coming in, unknown amount.
3:32 pm. 1552 hours.
Radio transmission from 2-8, two
more guns on station. B-40 s still
coming
in, trying to sweep around contact.
Four guns 81mm emptied. Believe
sweep is pinned down.
3:55 pm. 1555 hours.
Armored Personnel Carriers to pick
up dismounted elements in area.
4:00 pm. 1600 hours.
2-8 received sniper fire at
ZA027877. Commanding Office and
Platoon
Leader were Dusted OFF. Both
received leg wounds from small arms
fire.
4:10 pm. 1610 hours.
>From Major Russel, have
reinforcements move to LANDING ZONE
NICOLE for
possible HOT COMBAT ASSAULT.
4:23 pm. 1623 hours.
Radio transmission from 2-8, GAMBLER
guns expended from air, leaving
area.
4:25 pm. 1625 hours.
Reinforcements ready to go for hot
combat assault.
4:36 pm. 1636 hours.
PLEIKU DUSTOFF (MEDICAL EVACUATION)
standing by for COLD Landing Zone.
Three birds standing by for
reinforcement HOT COMBAT ASSAULT.
4:45 pm. 1645 hours.
LANDING ZONE is almost secure,
request DUSTOFFS now. DUSTOFF
(MEDICAL
EVACUATION) LANDING ZONE at
ZA085704.
4:50 pm. 1650 hours.
2-8 can have NAPALM and 20mm air
guns in 30 to 40 minutes
4:57 pm. 1657 hours.
Estimated time of arrival of DUSTOFF
(MEDICAL EVACUATION), 15 minutes.
5:02 pm. 1702 hours.
HEADHUNTER working to West of
contact site.
5:15 pm. 1715 hours.
LIFT BIRDS holding at LANDING ZONE
MARYLOU to COMBAT ASSAULT
reinforcements.
5:18 pm. 1718 hours.
Will not use LIFT BIRDS today.
5:20 pm. 1720 hours.
Artillery going in on West side of
redball (road).
5:25 pm. 1725 hours.
Contact broken. No Little People
within 3 kilometers.
5:30 pm. 1730 hours.
As of now, 17 WOUNDED IN ACTION
pulled out, 7 WOUNDED IN ACTION
remain
on ground.
5:31 pm. 1731 hours.
SIDER Forward Air Command notified
no friendlies within 3 kilometers.
5:37 pm. 1736 hours.
AIR STRIKE called for ZA071702.
5:39 pm. 1739 hours.
FORWARD AIR CONTROL informed 1-35 is
in nearest locations at ZA034708,
ZA034694 and ZA103693.
5:40 pm. 1740 hours.
>From 2-8, twenty-one WOUNDED IN
ACTION dusted off. Still estimate 8
KILLED IN ACTION; birds on the way
to pick up KILLED IN ACTION. Four
boxes (Armored Personnel Carriers)
hit instead of two. Two are burning
with ammo cooking off.
5:42 pm. 1742 hours.
>From Command Sergeant Major,
Reference 2-8 contact: Friendly
seven
killed, twenty-one wounded. Four
Armored Personnel Carriers hit, one
slick destroyed. Relief ready to
move Northeast, relief requires one
hour to close (arrive) once they get
started. All KILLED IN ACTION
being evacuated. Relief ready to go
in when birds expend ammo and are
out. HH and CIDE on station and
ready to go in, have friendly
locations,
looking for targets.
5:47 pm. 1747 hours.
BIRDS extended until we are through
with them.
5:51 pm. 1751 hours.
CAPTAIN LAUDERDALE returning to
KONTUM to take LOCAL SECURITY FORCE
(Little People) to LANDING ZONE
BOBBIE for reinforcements.
5:52 pm. 1752 hours. LTC deCamp
now in HORNET 44. CAPTAIN
Lauderdale
in GLADIATOR 100.
5:54 pm. 1754 hours. One SLICK
lifted (leaving) with KILLED IN
ACTION.
Another SLICK waiting for other
KILLED IN ACTION to be brought to
LANDING ZONE.
6:00 pm. 1800 hours.
CAPTAIN Lauderdale at KONTUM. LOCAL
SECURITY FORCE (Little People) are
not there for pick up.
6:07 pm. 1807 hours.
YANKEE 50 says his people are ready
for lift tomorrow at 0730.
6:10 pm. 1810 hours.
Air Strike diverted to another
mission.
6:34 pm. 1834 hours.
>From 2-8, 1-35 released to return
to LANDING ZONE BOBBIE.
6:42 pm. 1842 hours.
>From Battalion Commanding Officer:
2-8 told to get moving NOW and
RECONNAISSANCE BY FIRE.
6:45 pm. 1845 hours.
>From Brigade Commanding Officer to
Battalion Commanding Officer: Guns
are gone, GET PEOPLE MOVING!
6:50 pm. 1850 hours.
>From Brigade Commanding Officer to
Battalion Commanding Officer: When
you find out details, see him.
6:54 pm. 1854 hours.
>From Brigade Commanding Officer to
Battalion Commanding Officer: Use
road only if pressed for time.
6:56 pm. 1856 hours.
Mortars are working up data for
illumination (flares), if needed.
7:04 pm. 1904 hours.
2-8 convoy, lead element is just 500
meters out of LANDING ZONE BOBBIE.
7:15 pm. 1915 hours.
2-8 convoy arrives LANDING ZONE
BOBBIE.
7:16 pm. 1916 hours.
QUESTIONS From Commanding Officer
2nd Brigade:
1) Why were 2-8 tracks on road?
2) Why was there a lack of
aggressiveness?
3) Why was BLACKJACK 400 called
into a HOT landing zone?
11:00 pm. 2300 hours.
>From 2-8, at Yard Camp ZA2337828,
reports that location received small
arms fire and one B-40 rocket.
11:55 pm. 2355 hours.
>From 2-8. LANDING ZONE NICOLE
received incoming, small arms and
B-40
from the South. Possible grenades.
ANDERSON, RICHARD WILBUR
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd Battalion
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 56934363
RANK: SPECIALIST 4 GRADE: E4
INFANTRY
AGE: 21
HOME: KALAMA WA
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1947 07 12
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: Protestant
NOT MARRIED
BALL, ROSCOE WILLET JR
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 67009526
RANK: SPECIALIST 4 GRADE: E4
INFANTRY
AGE: 19
HOME: CHARLESTON WV
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1949 11 29
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: ROMAN CATHOLIC
NOT MARRIED
BLAKE, ARMIN JOCHAIM
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 17379020
RANK: SERGEANT FIRST CLASS GRADE: E7
INFANTRY
AGE: 34
HOME: DENVER CO
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1934 09 19
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: ROMAN CATHOLIC
NOT MARRIED
BRANDBORG, JOHN RALPH
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE
NUMBER: 56505726
RANK: SPECIALIST 4 GRADE: E4
INFANTRY
AGE: 23
HOME: CLARISSA MN
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1945 09 27
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: PROTESTANT
NOT MARRIED
ENZ, HARVEY GORDON
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 56504753
RANK: SPECIALIST 4 GRADE: E4
INFANTRY
AGE: 21
HOME: ST PETER MN
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTHDATE: 1948 03 12
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: LUTHERAN
NOT MARRIED
HERMSEN, MICHAEL EDWARD
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 56459275
RANK: SPECIALIST 4 GRADE: E4
INFANTRY
AGE: 22
HOME: DE PERE WI
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1946 12 12
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: ROMAN CATHOLIC
MARRIED
MC KECHNIE, JAMES ALLEN
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 51600439
RANK: SPECIALIST 4 GRADE: E4
INFANTRY
AGE: 21
HOME: WEST FARMINGTON ME
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1947 04 16
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: PROTESTANT
NOT MARRIED
PETERS, LAUVI PAUL PHILIP
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 18865629
RANK: PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GRADE: E3
INFANTRY
AGE: 19
HOME: GARDEN GROVE CA
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1949 04 07
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: LUTHERAN
MARRIED
REYES, ANGEL
4th INFANTRY DIVISION, 2nd BATTALION
and 8th INFANTRY (MECHANIZED)
SERVICE NUMBER: 67052618
RANK: SPECIALIST 4 GRADE: E4
MOS: 63C20
AGE: 24
HOME: PHILADELPHIA PA
DIED: KONTUM PROVINCE SOUTH VIETNAM
ON 22 MARCH 1969
BIRTH DATE: 1945 02 25
CAUCASIAN
RELIGION: ROMAN CATHOLIC
NOT MARRIED
Official Documentation may be available for your unit, unit of a friend,
or the unit of a loved one. DO NOT PAY A WEB SITE FOR THIS TYPE OF
INFORMATION. It is free. We recommend a personal visit to the Archives.
However, if a visit is not possible, the following is SUGGESTED as a
possible procedure for YOU to receive information similar to that
above. Although not a requirement, we recommend your search is limited
to a six day period. Davey and I do ask that you provide a copy of YOUR
After Action Report to the Web Page on which this is being carried.
Good luck and above all, God Bless. David John Kolsun and John David
Kolsun.
**************************************
STEP ONE
National Archives
Attention: Textual Reference (Vietnam)
8601 Adepphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001 Date _______
Date _______
Gentlemen,
Please verify the following records are available for research.
Unit, ________________________________________
Brigade, _____________________________________
Division, _____________________________________
Date of Action, _______________________________
OPERATIONAL REPORTS, Battalion
OPERATIONAL REPORTS, Brigade
OPERATIONAL REPORTS, Division
DAILY STAFF JOURNALS, Battalion
DAILY STAFF JOURNALS, Brigade
DAILY STAFF JOURNALS, Division
DUTY OFFICER S LOGS, Battalion
DUTY OFFICER S LOGS, Brigade
DUTY OFFICER S LOGS, Division
MACV Records
Sincerely,
name _______________
address ____________
_____________
_____________
************************************
STEP TWO
Your Congressman or Congresswoman
Address
Date
Dear Congressman / Congresswoman,
I have been informed by the National Archives the following records are
available for my research.
______________
______________
______________
______________
I can not arrange a trip to the National Archives. I am requesting that
your Washington DC office assign a member of their staff to visit the
Archives, copy the records, and send the copies to the address below.
I understand that I am responsible for the cost of copies.
Thank you
your name
