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"These actions reflect great
credit upon the individual soldier, the Special
Forces, and the United States Army, and are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service."
MOST OF THESE AWARDS WERE REPRODUCED
AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES BY THE LATE AL GLIEM (COL,
RET.)
Special Operations.Com
Project OMEGA (B-50) Operations
1966-68
This web page is intended to collect
and catalog information about specific B-50 operations
1966-1968, particularly cross-border operations under
Operation Daniel Boone. There is an unavoidable confusion
regarding B-50 (OMEGA) and B-56 (SIGMA) contributions
to Daniel Boone, but B-56 will be the subject of a
future expansion of this website. If you were involved
with these operations, we welcome your email comments.
Please sign your email and specify the unit you were
assigned to (B-50, 20th SOS, 195th
AHC, 20 TASS), your duty assignment (RT XYZ 1-0, gunship
crew chief, "Mike" FAC), who else was with
you (on your team, in your crew) and the time frame
of your assignment as well of the details of the specific
operation you are making a comment on.
In-Country Operations - 1966
660910-660920 (1-66)
661001-661030 CLINTON (2-66)
Date action;. 30 September 1966
WHITTING, SC0TT J SERGEANT Detachment A-503
Awarded: Soldier's Medal
RV GO 67/0433 - 30 January 1967
"Sergeant Whitting distinguished
himself by valorous actions on 30 September 1966 while
serving as company medic during a search and clear
operation near Dak To. Sergeant Whitting had crossed
a river on a two-rope bridge and stationed himself
to protect the crossing. The weapons platoon leader,
car-rying two heavy mortar shells in his pack, slipped
from the ropes and fell into the river. Without hesitation,
Sergeant Whitting dove in and swam to the struggling
man. Despite the heavy load which dragged them under
several times in the rapid current, he never released
his grip. Using a bend in the river to his advantage,
he pulled the exhausted soldier to the bank, carried
him fifteen meters up the slope, and treated him to
revive and calm him."
Date action: 3 October 1966
WARCZAK, DAVID J SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO 68/2726 - 6 June 1968
"Sergeant First Class Warczak
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions
on 3 October 1966 as team leader of a four-man Special
Forces recon-naissance patrol that had penetrated
deep into hostile territory. Having made contact with
two squads of Viet Cong, Sergeant Warczak and his
patrol were engaged in an intense firefight when his
assistant team leader was seriously wounded. Without
thought for his personal safety, he ran through devastating
hostile fire to the wounded man, dragged him into
a position of relative safety, and administered first
aid. When the extraction aircraft arrived overhead,
he realized that it would be unable to help the team
at its present location due to the impenetrable vegetation.
Sergeant Warczak lifted the wounded man and carried
him through the thick brush toward a clear landing
zone. Constantly subjected to intense hostile fire,
he moved over one hundred meters to the landing zone,
waited until his teammates had been extracted then
boarded the helicopter. His courage against a numerically
superior enemy force turned the tide in what could
have been a fatal situation."
Date action: 20 October 1966
PIERCY, NORMAN R MASTER SERGEANT
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO 67/5245 - 13 October 1967
"Master Sergeant Piercy (then
Sergeant First Class) distinguished himself by exceptionally
valorous actions on 20 October 1966 while serving
as team leader of a six man Special Forces reconnaissance
team on a combat mission deep in hostile territory.
While attempting to land, the infiltration aircraft
was brought under intense hostile ground fire. Sergeant
Piercy directed hart men to fire on the enemy positions
while the pilot maneuvered over the area, since the
savage barrage prevented landing. He immediately called
for gunships to cover the operation and again attempted
to land. The ship received another tremendous barrage
of fire, but landed under cover of friendly air strikes.
The landing zone was swept by withering fire, but
he led his non through the enemy lines surrounding
the area. By skillful maneuvering, he was able to
break contact with the pursuing insurgents and locate
the hostile battalion base camp suspected in the area.
He immediately directed air strikes on the camp and
remained in the area until the position was completely
destroyed. Returning to the landing zone, he once
again passed through enemy lines s surrounding the
area. As the helicopter came in, three insurgents
appeared in the opening to shoot down the craft. Sergeant
Piercy directed a heavy volume of fire on the enemy
and succeeded in silencing them. He led his men across
the bullet riddled opening to the waiting aircraft
and waited on the ground until all his men were aboard.
After taking off, he directed gunships on the hostile
positions until they were destroyed."
Date action: 27 October 1966
MYERS, DONALD L. SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO 67/5002 - 2 October 1967
"Sergeant First Class Myers
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions
on 27 October 1966 while serving as Special Forces
team leader of a reconnaissance team on a combat mission
deep in hostile territory. While moving through thick
jungle late in the afternoon, his patrol was suddenly
at-tacked by a numerically superior Viet Cong force.
Sergeant Myers exposed himself to the intense fire
to direct his men in repulsing the attack. Quickly
moving into a defensive perimeter, he tried to radio
friendly forces for support. Unable to make contact,
he called in air strikes within thirty meters of his
position and exposed himself to direct gunships on
the enemy positions. When the enemy started to pull
back, he called for exfiltration helicopters to evacuate
the team. Seeing that the helicopters could extract
only one man at a time, he stayed on the ground to
cover the operations. The insurgents launched a furious
assault on his position in an attempt to shoot down
the hovering aircraft, but he remained in the open
and drove off the attack at point blank range. Only
when he was sure that his men were safe did he allow
himself to be hoisted to safety."
Date action: 27 October 1966
SHRIVER, JERRY M STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO 67/4999 - 1 October 1967
"Staff Sergeant Shriver distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 October
1966 while serving as assistant team leader of a four
man Special Forces reconnaissance team on a combat
mission deep in hostile territory. While moving through
thick jungle terrain, his team was attacked by a numerically
superior Viet Cong force. Sergeant Shriver and his
men succeeded in repulsing the first attack and immediately
pulled back into a defensive perimeter. He then moved
out of the perimeter to reach the body of a dead insurgent
in an attempt to gain intelligence material. The Viet
Cong had removed all equipment from the body so he
moved back passing with-in ten meters of two insurgents.
He attempted to make radio contact with friendly forces
but was unable to in the thick terrain. The enemy
forces soon surrounded his team but he directed heavy
fire on them and repulsed their numerous probes. Finally
making contact, he called in air strikes on the Viet
Cong positions to cover evacuation operations. Because
of the terrain and heavy firing, the helicopters were
only able to hoist one man at a time. Sergeant Shriver
volunteered to remain on the ground to cover the operations
and directed deadly fire on the concentrated attacks
by the hostile soldiers. Ignoring the hail of bullets
striking around him, he fought furiously until all
his men were aboard."
661109-661204 BLACKHAWK I (3-66)
661212-670112 BLACKHAWK II (3-66)
In-Country Operations - 1967
670122-670212 STARK(1-67)
670303-670403 DAWES (2-67)
SGT HB Carpenter MIA-BNR (6)
Date action: 24 March 1967
KEPHART, TIMOTHY G STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO 67/6081 - 24 November 1967
"Staff Sergeant Kephart distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 March
1967 while serving as team leader of a six man Special
Forces reconnaissance team on a combat mission near
Dak To. While deployed near a trail to observe enemy
activity in the area, Sergeant Kephart detected two
North Vietnamese soldiers moving toward his position.
He calmly waited until they came within two meters
of his position and jumped onto the trail. With his
weapon aimed at the enemy soldiers, he ordered them
both to stop. They attempted to shoot him, and one
of his men, but he quickly killed one insurgent while
a comrade shot the other. Sergeant Kephart moved to
search the body for intelligence material but was
forced to take cover under a savage barrage from a
numerically superior hostile force advancing on his
position. He saw one of his men wounded by the intense
fire and completely ignored his own safety to move
to his aid. With bullets striking all around him,
he treated the casualty and carried him to safety.
He called for rescue aircraft and personally carried
the wounded man through a hail of automatic weapons
fire to a landing zone. His fearless leadership enabled
the team to escape the overwhelming enemy force in
the face of grave danger."
Date action: 24 March 1967
MARTIN, DONALD C SERGEANT
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO 67/6082 - 24 November 1967
"Sergeant Martin distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 March
1967 while serving as assistant team leader of a Special
Forces reconnaissance patrol on combat operations
deep in hostile territory. While deployed along a
trail to observe enemy activity in the area, Sergeant
Martin detected a hostile soldier aiming at his team
leader from behind. Completely ignoring his own safety,
he dove into the middle of the path and killed the
insurgent with an accurate burst as he hit the ground.
He quickly moved forward to search the body, but was
driven back by a withering barrage from a numerically
superior North Vietnamese force advancing on his position.
Realizing that any information would be lost if his
lines were overrun, he moved through a hail of bullets
to search for intelligence materials. He crawled among
the enemy dead and wounded collecting all valuable
intelligence materials. An enemy casualty next to
him received three bullets which were fired at him.
Despite bullets striking all around him, he ran back
to his perimeter and radioed for rescue helicopters
to make an immediate extraction. He fought furiously
against the advancing hostile force until the evacuation
aircraft moved in and carried his team to safety."
670415-0515 BUCKNER (3-67)
Date action: 22 April 1967
PATTERSON, RODERICK STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
(First Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/0775 - 21 May 1968
"Sergeant Patterson distinguished
himself by valorous actions on 22 April 1967 while
serving as the assistant patrol leader of a six man
Special Forces long rang reconnaissance patrol operating
deep in enemy held territory. By rushing across an
open area under intense hostile automatic weapons
fire, he reached a position from which he could place
suppressive fire on the enemy allowing his team leader
to escape from a position he was trapped in under
heavy fire. Again exposing himself to intense hostile
automatic weapons fire, Sergeant Patterson left a
position of safety along a riverbank to provide fire
to hold back the pursuing enemy force and allow the
team to cross a river."
Date action: 24 April 1967
LANGSTON, ROY S., JR. SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
5SF GO 68/0367 30 March 1968
"Sergeant Langston distinguished
himself by valorous actions on 24 April 1967 while
serving as the assistant patrol leader of a six man
reconnaissance team operating deep in hostile territory.
By completely disregarding his own safety and jumping
from a helicopter in flight to the aid of his team
leader who was inured on the ground, he saved the
team leader's life, On the ground Sergeant Langston
added first aid to the inured man and directed gun
ships to fire on the advancing enemy who was within
fifty meters of hip position. He then carried his
injured team leader to the exfiltration aircraft (the
third to attempt the extraction) and lifted him aboard."
Date action: 26 April 1967 to 2 May 1967
NUQUI, ROLAND STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster)
with "V" Device
RV GO 67/5153 - 9 October 1967
"Staff Sergeant Nuqui distinguished
himself by valorous actions during the period 26 April
to 2 May 1967 while serving as a member of a six man
Special Forces reconnaissance team on a reconnaissance
and surveillance mission in the Plei Trap Valley.
Seeing a ,group of Viet Cong working in a field shortly
after infiltration, Sergeant Nuqui and three others
kept watch on them while the other members crept to
a nearby house and captured four prisoners, He quickly
called for helicopters to carry the prisoners to camp
for interrogation. A short time later his patrol was
detected and had to be exfiltrated. Returning to the
area the next day, his team again made contact with
numerous Viet Cong patrols. While evading the pursuing
insurgents, the patrol detected a large hostile force
moving nearby. Moving to within ten meters of to trails
Sergeant Nuqui counted over a battalion moving through
the jungle. Quickly radioing his base, he called in
numerous air strikes on the battalion completely disorganizing
the insurgents. Moving rapidly toward a landing zone,
he led his men past scattered elements of the enemy
force. The landing zone came under heavy attack as
the helicopter flew in, but he again called in air
strikes and directed a heavy volume of rifle fire
on the insurgents to cover the operation."
670617-24 FTX CALKIN
670708-0903 MARCH I (4-67)
670919-1030 MARCH II (4-67)
Daniel Boone Operations - 1967
|
MONTH
|
TEAMS LAUNCHED
|
TEAMS ENTERING CAMBODIA
|
|
JUL
|
7
|
4
|
|
AUG
|
7
|
2
|
|
SEP
|
11
|
8
|
|
OCT
|
12
|
9
|
|
NOV
|
19
|
15
|
|
DEC
|
49
|
25
|
|
TOTALS
|
99
|
63
|
In May?, 1967. 1LT Delbert T Rasmussen, with SSG
Timothy G Kephart, SFC Kenneth J. "KJ" Carpenter,
SSG Roland Nuqui, SFC Jerry M Shriver, SSG William
T "Bill" Tibbit, SFC Ben D. Snowden, SGT
Ronnie L. Allen and others to went to FOB #2 and formed
8 teams for Daniel Boone Operations.
Date action: 2 May 1967
SHRIVER, JERRY M SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
(Third Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/0327 - 26 March 1968
5SF GO 68/0401 - 3 April 1968 (amended)
"Sergeant Shriver distinguished
himself by valorous actions on 2 May 1967 while serving
as the patrol leader of a long range patrol operating
deep in hostile territory. When the team became completely
surrounded by a North Vietnamese Company, Sergeant
Shriver voluntarily exposed himself to the enemy,
drawing the majority of the hostile fire from his
team members and thus allowing them to escape through
a weak point in the enemy lines. The exceptionally
valorous action of Sergeant Shriver were responsible
for saving the lives of five of his fellow soldiers."
Date action: 2 May 1967
SCHNESE, CALVIN G SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO 68/1993 - 2 May 1968
"Sergeant First Class Schnese
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions
on 2 May 1967 as assistant patrol leader of a six-man
Special Forces long range reconnaissance team operating
in enemy territory. His team had halted near the construction
site of a large enemy camp when it was discovered
and surrounded by a large Viet Cong force. While the
patrol leader called for air support, Sergeant Schnese
crawled to within a few meters of the encircling enemy
lines, located a weak point and returned to the team's
location. The tactical aircraft arrived overhead and
began firing rockets at Viet Cong positions. Braving
intense small arms fire, Sergeant Schnese led his
fellow soldiers through the lightly defended point
he had discovered to relative safety outside the enemy
lines while the team leader remained behind to adjust
the airstrikes. Sergeant Schnese then courageously
exposed himself to the insurgents and placed fierce
fire on them to draw their attention and fire away
from his trapped comrade, enabling him to escape."
Date action: 6 May 1967
MYERS, DONALD L SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
5SF GO 68/0906 - 3 June 1968
"Sergeant Myers distinguished
himself by valorous actions on 6 May 1967 while serving
as the patrol leader of a six man Special Forces long
range reconnaissance patrol operating deep in enemy-bald
territory. Realizing that he could not move from his
place of concealment without being detected by the
North Vietnamese company that had moved into the area,
Sergeant Myers gallantly took them under fire with
such a savage burst that fifteen of the enemy were
killed or severely wounded instantly. The ferocity
of the attack forced the enemy to retreat into their
own punji stakes. Thinking only of the casualties
he could produce, Sergeant Myers stepped from his
concealed position into the open and unleashed a murderous
volley of fire on the enemy, inflicting many more
casualties on them and further disorganizing them."
670615 Extraction
SFC BD Snowden KIA
Date action: 15 July 1967
STEVENS, LOWELL W SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Silver Star
RV GO RV/1992 - 2 May 1968
"Sergeant First Class Stevens
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions
on 15 July 1967 as Special Forces team leader of a
six-man patrol on a reconnaissance mission in enemy
territory. The patrol had just completed a helicopter
infiltration when it was subjected to intense automatic
weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army company
in well fortified positions on three sides of the
landing zone. Forming his troops in a hasty perimeter,
Sergeant Stevens directed helicopter gunship strafing
runs against the entrenched enemy. A rescue helicopter
attempted to extract the surrounded patrol from the
landing zone but was riddled by a savage hostile fusillade
and forced to depart. Sergeant Stevens then led his
comrades to a relatively secure position, adjusted
napalm and bomb strikes of friendly fighter aircraft
on the North Vietnamese, and guided his team aboard
a second evacuation helicopter. As the ship ascended,
it was hit by a hail of enemy bullets and forced to
crash land. Braving relentless hostile fire, Sergeant
Stevens led his team and the helicopter crew members
from the wreckage into the nearby jungle and directed
tactical aircraft in a devastating air attack which
finally silenced the North Vietnamese. His fearless
leadership saved the lives of his fellow soldiers
and resulted in forty-three enemy killed."
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 29 JUL TO 4 AUG 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS,
OPERATIONS SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF
FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. ONLY TWO RECONNAISSANCE
TEAM (RT) MISSIONS WERE CONDUCTED DURING THIS REPORTING
PERIOD (WITH ONE OF THESE TEAMS REMAINING IN VICINITY
OF TARGET AREA), WHILE SCHEDULED LAUNCHING OF THREE
TEAMS WAS POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. (NAMES OF MISSIONS
WERE: RT LEVEL, RT PICK, AND RT SQUARE.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 12 TO 18 AUG 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, OPERATIONS
SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. THREE RECONNAISSANCE TEAM
(RT) MISSIONS WERE CONDUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD (WITH
ONLY ONE RT ENTERING CAMBODIA), WHILE ONE RT WAS EXTRACTED
UNDER FIRE DURING REPORTING PERIOD. (NAMES OF MISSIONS
WERE: RT SQUARE, RT LEVEL, AND RT HAMMER.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 19 TO 25 AUG 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, OPERATIONS
SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. ONLY ONE RECONNAISSANCE
TEAM (RT) MISSION (WHICH DID NOT ENTER CAMBODIA) WAS
CONDUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD, SINCE LAUNCH OF ANOTHER
RT WAS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY BECAUSE OF REPORTED
INTERNATIONAL CONTROL COMMISSION VISIT NEAR TARGET
IN SE SAN AREA OF CAMBODIA. (NAMES OF MISSIONS WERE:
RT PLANE AND RT LEVEL.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 26 AUG TO 1 SEP 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS,
OPERATIONS SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF
FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. ONLY TWO RECONNAISSANCE
TEAM (RT) MISSIONS (RT SAW AND RT HAMMER) WERE CONDUCTED
DURING THIS PERIOD, SINCE ONE RT UNIT DID NOT ENTER
CAMBODIA, WHILE OTHER RT LANDED IN SOUTH VIETNAM AND
REMAINED IN TARGET AREA, AND LAUNCHES OF THREE RT
UNITS WERE DELAYED BY WEATHER. (ONE RT MISSION WAS
INITIALLY DELAYED AND LATER POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.)
OPN DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT FOR
2 SEP TO 8 SEP 67 (MISSING).
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 9 TO 15 SEP 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, OPERATIONS
SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. ONLY TWO RECONNAISSANCE
TEAM (RT) MISSIONS WERE CONDUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD,
SINCE TWO RT UNITS WERE EXTRACTED PRIOR TO REACHING
OBJECTIVE AND PRIOR TO ENTERING CAMBODIA DUE TO ILLNESS/INJURY
OF RT MEMBERS, WHILE ONE RT WAS DELAYED BECAUSE OF
WEATHER AND ONE RT WAS LAUNCHED BUT NOT EXTRACTED
DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD. (NAMES OF MISSIONS
WERE: RT BRACE, RT PLANE, AND RT NAIL.)
Date action: 14 September 1967
MARTIN, DONALD C SERGEANT
Awarded: Purple Heart
5SF GO 68/0846 - 28 May 1968
Date action: 6 October 1967
MARTIN, DONALD C SERGEANT
Awarded: Silver Star (First Oak Leaf Cluster)
RV GO 67/6212 - 2 December 1967
"Sergeant
Martin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous
actions on 6 October 1967 while serving as assistant
team leader of a six-man Special Forces reconnaissance
team on a combat mission deep in hostile territory.
Shortly after infiltration, his team detected three
enemy soldiers moving toward them Sergeant Martin
quickly deployed his men in an attempt to capture
one of the insurgents,, but two other hostile soldiers
discovered their location and moved in for an ambush.
Completely ignoring his own safety, he stood up and
exchanged fire with the advancing enemy,, killing
both insurgents with accurate bursts,. Although wounded
in this action, he refused aid to direct the defense
of his team when a large North Vietnamese force suddenly
attacked. After calling for air strikes on the enemy
positions, he braved a savage bombardment to crawl
toward fallen hostile soldiers in an attempt to gather
intelligence materials The insurgents concentrated
their fire on him, but he refused to take rover until
he had collected as much equipment and as many documents
as possible With bullets striking all around him,
he carried the materials back to his team's position
and prepared his men for extraction. The enemy closed
in as the helicopters arrived, but he skillfully led
his team in evasive tactics and attained a successful
evacuation.
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 16 TO 22 SEP 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, OPERATIONS
SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. ONLY ONE RECONNAISSANCE
TEAM (RT) MISSION WAS CONDUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD,
SINCE FIVE PROPOSED MISSIONS WERE DELAYED DUE TO WEATHER,
WHILE ONE RT MISSION UNIT WAS LAUNCHED BUT NOT EXTRACTED
DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD. (NAMES OF MISSIONS
WERE: RT NAIL AND RT LEVEL.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 23 TO 29 SEP 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, OPERATIONS
SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. FIVE RECONNAISSANCE TEAM
(RT) MISSIONS CONDUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD INCLUDED
FOUR RT MISSION UNITS THAT ENTERED CAMBODIA, AS WELL
AS TWO RT UNITS THAT REMAINED IN VICINITY OF TARGET
AREA AND ONE RT UNIT WHICH HAD BEEN LAUNCHED BUT NOT
EXTRACTED DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD. (NAMES
OF MISSIONS WERE: RT LEVEL, RT MALLET, RT PICK, RT
MITER, RT BENCH, AND RT BRACE.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 30 SEP TO 6 OCT 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS,
OPERATIONS SUMMARY, STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF
FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. RECONNAISSANCE
TEAM (RT) MISSIONS CONDUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD INCLUDED
ONE RT MISSION UNIT THAT ENTERED CAMBODIA, AS WELL
AS TWO RT MISSION UNITS WHICH HAD BEEN LAUNCHED BUT
NOT EXTRACTED DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD. (NAMES
OF MISSIONS WERE: RT BENCH, RT BRACE, RT NAIL, AND
RT AWL.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 7 TO 13 OCT 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, STATISTICAL
SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION.
RECONNAISSANCE TEAM (RT) MISSIONS CONDUCTED DURING
THIS PERIOD INCLUDED ONE RT MISSION UNIT THAT ENTERED
CAMBODIA, AS WELL AS TWO RT MISSION UNITS WHICH HAD
BEEN LAUNCHED BUT NOT EXTRACTED DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING
PERIOD.
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 14 TO 20 OCT 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, STATISTICAL
SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION.
RECONNAISSANCE TEAM (RT) MISSIONS CONDUCTED DURING
THIS PERIOD INCLUDED TWO RT MISSION UNITS THAT ENTERED
CAMBODIA, AS WELL AS ONE RT WHICH HAD BEEN LAUNCHED
BUT NOT EXTRACTED DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD.
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 21 TO 27 OCT 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, STATISTICAL
SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION.
RECONNAISSANCE TEAM (RT) MISSIONS CONDUCTED DURING
THIS PERIOD INCLUDED THREE RT MISSION UNITS THAT ENTERED
CAMBODIA, AS WELL AS ONE RT WHICH WAS EXTRACTED PRIOR
TO ENTERING CAMBODIA DUE TO INJURY OF TWO TEAM MEMBERS
AND TWO TEAMS THAT HAD BEEN LAUNCHED BUT NOT EXTRACTED
DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD.
Date action: 21 October 1967
WHITTAKER, HAROLD C STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Purple Heart
5SF GO 68/0277 - 19 March 1968
Date action: 23 October 1967
SHRIVER, JERRY M. SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
(Second Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/0011 - 12 February 1968
"Sergeant First Class Shriver
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions
on the afternoon of 23 October 1967 while leading
a reconnaissance patrol deep within enemy controlled
territory. Shortly after receiving a resupply, Sergeant
First Class Shriver was spotted by a small enemy element.
He attempted to trick them into approaching, trying
to capture a prisoner. Unfortunately another enemy
soldier came from another direction and recognized
the reconnaissance team for what it was, and not friendly
guerrillas, Sounding the alarm, he opened fire and
the others followed suit. Ordering his team members
to throw hand grenades so as not to completely disclose
their position, Sergeant First Class Shriver and his
team attempted to break contact with the now platoon
size enemy element. Boxed in on three sides, the team
suddenly found itself backed up against a large lake,
making further movement impossible. At that moment
Sergeant First Class Shriver contacted the FAC and
told him of their now desperate situation informing
him that he was in contact with an estimated enemy
platoon, with the enemy yelling that the rest of the
company would join them soon. The FAC committed two
USAF gunships for support, and Sergeant First Class
Shriver coolly directed their rocket and mini-gun
fire into the enemy ranks, now only thirty meters
away and forming for an on-line assault. In the midst
of the furious engagement Sergeant First Class Shriver
calmly adjusted the supporting fire to within twenty
meters of his position until the enemy began falling
back."
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 28 OCT TO 3 NOV 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS,
STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE
INFORMATION. RECONNAISSANCE TEAM (RT) MISSIONS CONDUCTED
DURING THIS PERIOD INCLUDED TWO RT MISSION UNITS THAT
ENTERED CAMBODIA (RT SQUARE AND RT SAW), AS WELL AS
TWO RT UNITS (RT LEVEL AND RT NAIL) THAT HAD BEEN
LAUNCHED BUT NOT EXTRACTED DURING PREVIOUS REPORTING
PERIOD.
B-50 and B-56 OPCON to MACVSOG
effective 11/01/67
OPN DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT FOR
4 TO 11 NOV 67 MISSING.
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 11 TO 17 NOV 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, STATISTICAL
SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION.
FIVE RECONNAISSANCE TEAM (RT) MISSIONS WERE CONDUCTED
DURING THIS PERIOD, INCLUDING: RT LEVEL, RT PICK,
RT MALLET, RT AWL, AND RT HAMMER.
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 18 TO 24 NOV 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, STATISTICAL
SUMMARY, AND STATUS OF FORCES. (EIGHT RECONNAISSANCE
TEAM MISSIONS WERE CONDUCTED DURING PERIOD BETWEEN
18 AND 24 NOV 67; AND ONE OF THESE RECONNAISSANCE
TEAMS REMAINED IN TARGET AREA AT END OF THIS REPORTING
PERIOD.)
Date action: 21 November 1967
LANGSTON, ROY S JR SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster)
with "V" Device
5SF GO 68/0983 - 10 June 1968
Sergeant Langston distinguished himself
as the leader of a reconnaissance team operating deep
behind enemy lines when they made contact with an
unknown size enemy force. Sergeant Langston immediately
took the initiative and opened fire on the enemy,
killing three enemy soldiers. After he had skill-fully
led his men out of the enemy trap, he discovered that
the enemy unit was in pursuit and immediately called
for air support. He established a defensive perimeter
and began going from man to man offering encouragement.
When air support arrived Sergeant Langston., with
complete disregard for his own safety, stood up and
exposed himself to intense hostile fire as he directed
the aircraft to their targets. Continuing to expose
himself to the enemy fire, he began cutting a landing
zone out of the thick underbrush, and then resumed
the directing of the airstrikes until the extraction
helicopters arrived.
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 25 NOV TO 1 DEC 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS,
STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE
INFORMATION. (EIGHT RECONNAISSANCE TEAM MISSIONS WERE
CONDUCTED DURING PERIOD BETWEEN 25 NOV AND 1 DEC 67;
AND TWO OF THESE RECONNAISSANCE TEAMS REMAINED IN
TARGET AREA AT END OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 2 TO 8 DEC 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, STATISTICAL
SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION.
(TWELVE RECONNAISSANCE TEAM MISSIONS WERE CONDUCTED
DURING PERIOD BETWEEN 2 AND 8 DEC 67; AND TWO RECONNAISSANCE
TEAMS REMAINED IN TARGET AREA AT END OF REPORTING
PERIOD.)
Date action: 2 December 1967
MORRIS, EARL J SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Purple Heart
5SF GO 70/0898 - 18 May 1968
Date action: 3 December 1967
MATTHEWS, JOHNNY S STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" device
5SF GO 68/1863 - 17 October 1968
Sergeant Matthews distinguished himself
by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 December 1967
while serving as the team leader of a six man long
range reconnaissance patrol operating deep in enemy
held territory. When his small team made contact with
what later proved to be a North Vietnamese Company,
he immediately moved up to the enemy lines to appraise
the situation. The enemy placed heavy fire on him
from several locations wounding him, but Sergeant
Matthews killed three enemy in the exchange. Returning
to his team, he led them safely through the lines
of the enemy company which had surrounded the team.
The enemy was quick to discover their loss and encountered
the team again on the extraction landing zone. Exposing
himself again to hostile fire, Sergeant Matthews stood
up on the landing zone to signal the incoming exfiltration
helicopters, then turned to hold off the nearest enemy
with his personal weapon until the gunships began
firing. Remaining on the ground to hold off any enemy
that slipped through the gunship's strafing, Sergeant
Matthews jumped on the helicopter only as it was setting
up to take off. His calm swift reactions in the face
of the enemy saved his team from a potentially disastrous
situation.
Date action: 3 December 1967
GAMBLE, LAWRENCE G STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
(First Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/1569 - 9 September 1968
"Sergeant Gamble distinguished
himself on 3 December 1967, while serving as the assistant
patrol leader of a six man long range reconnaissance
team. Re came under intense fire as a North Vietnamese
Army company contacted and attempted to encircle the
team. After charging the enemy and opening a small
gap in their encirclement through which the team escaped,
he remained-behind his team throughout their move
to an extraction site, relaying information on the
enemy's position to the supporting gunships overhead.
Exposing himself again on the exfiltration landing
zone, he continued to direct the supporting gunships
against the enemy.
Date action: 5 December 1967
HOPPE, DAVID B SERGEANT
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
5SF GO 68/0754 - 17 May 1968
"Sergeant Hoppe distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 December
1967 while serving as the assistant patrol leader
and radio operator of a Special Forces Long Range
Reconnaissance Patrol. When completely surrounded
by a vastly superior north Vietnamese regular force
and disregarding the heavy automatic weapons fire
directed at him, Sergeant Hoppe crawled out to the
perimeter, located the machinegun positions and the
area of heaviest concentration of automatic weapons
fire, and destroyed them with a skillfully guided
air strike. During the battle Sergeant Hoppe exposed
himself to hostile fire to locate the enemy positions
and to signal the exact locations to the forward air
controller. Through his outstanding courage, the mission
was credited with an estimated 25 North Vietnamese
kills.
Date action: 7 December 1967
SILVA, CORTNEY M SERGEANT FIRST CLASS E7
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with "V"
Device (First Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/1664 - 23 September 1968
"Sergeant Silva distinguished
himself by exceptionally valorous on 7 December 1967
while serving as leader of a long range reconnaissance
patrol. Shortly after the team was infiltrated into
its operational area, the point element was pinned
down by an enemy patrol and was soon in a precarious
position. Sergeant Silva, realizing the gravity of
the situation and disregarding the immense danger
of his own life, ran forward and attacked the enemy,
killing the two closest hostile soldiers. He then
laid down an accurate base of fire which allowed the
point element to withdraw. He then rejoined the team
and they immediately came under fire from an estimated
enemy platoon located on their flank. The team was
then in a cross fire and Sergeant Silva, again fearlessly
exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, established
a perimeter. He continued to expose himself to the
enemy, bringing accurate fire on them, until helicopter
gunships support arrived. At that time he quickly
moved to an even more exposed position in order to
direct their suppressive fire and then took up the
rear guard position in order to cover the team's withdrawal.
After arriving at the landing zone, he remained in
the rear guard position until all of his men were
aboard the helicopter. As a result of his actions,
the team escaped without a casualty and the enemy
suffered two KIA's and an estimated ten KBA.
Date action: 7 December 1967
CARLILE, CHARLES C SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with "V"
Device
5SF GO 68/1663 - 22 September 1968
5SF GO 68/1664 - 23 September 1968 (Amended)
Sergeant Carlile distinguished himself
by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 December 1967
while serving, so an assistant reconnaissance team
leader. The point element of. the team had made contact
with a small Viet Cong patrol and was pinned down.
After notifying headquarters of this situation, Sergeant
Carlile established a defensive perimeter. When the
point element began to withdraw, he courageously exposing
himself to the heavy enemy fire in order to cover
their escape. When the point element reached the perimeter,
the team attempted to break contact, but almost immediately
came under fire from an estimated platoon size unit.
They were caught in a murderous cross fire until helicopter
gunship support arrived. At this .time, Sergeant Carlisle
displayed superior courage under fire as he exposed
himself to the enemy in order to accurately guide
the helicopters to their target and mark the friendly
position. After the hostile fire subsided, he led
the team to the extraction landing zone and then moved
to an exposed position in order to guide the helicopters
in. He remained in this open position disregarding
the danger to his life until all of the team had been
accounted for and were safely aboard.
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 9 TO 15 DEC 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS, STATISTICAL
SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES, AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION.
(SIX RECONNAISSANCE TEAM MISSIONS WERE CONDUCTED DURING
PERIOD BETWEEN 9 AND 15 DEC 67.)
Date action: 9 December 1967
STEVENS, LOWELL W SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
(First Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/0236 - 13 March 1968
"Sergeant First Class Stevens
distinguished himself by valorous actions on 9 December
1967 while leading a six man reconnaissance team deep
in enemy held territory. One the team's fourth day
in their area of operations, after reporting valuable
information, they suddenly came face to face with
an enemy platoon. Sergeant First Class Stevens immediately
opened fire, enabling the outnumbered team to break
contact. He further disorganized the enemy with grenades,
then withdrew himself to lead his team to an extraction
site. With the enemy closing in on the team he directed
the gunships to fire into the approaching enemy, remained
on the ground until his team had been safely extracted,
and came out on the last ship. Sergeant First Class
Stevens' unhesitating reactions, coolness under fire,
and strong leadership enabled his team to accomplish
their mission without casualties, while killing many
of the enemy."
Date action: 9 December 1967
WORDEN, RICHARD M STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal With "V"
Device (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/0317 - 25 March 1968
5SF GO 68/0985 - 11 June 1968 (Amended)
"Staff Sergeant Worden distinguished
himself by valorous actions on 9 December 1967 while
serving as the assistant team leader of a reconnaissance
team deep in enemy held territory. On the team's fourth
day in their area of operations, after reporting valuable
information, they suddenly came face-to-face with
an enemy platoon. Staff Sergeant Worden immediately
rushed forward to a position where he could bring
effective fire on the enemy. He then organized the
team's withdrawal, remaining in a position closest
to the enemy to cover the teams movement. As the team
moved to the extraction site, Staff Sergeant Worden
continued to cover their rear while effectively operating
the radio to inform higher headquarters of the situation
and to relay directions to the supporting gunships.
Even as the enemy troops were closing in on the teams
exfiltration site, Staff Sergeant Worden remained
in position to cover the team until the operation
was complete."
Date action: 15 December 1967
KELLY, DANIEL P SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
(Second Oak Leaf Cluster)
5SF GO 68/1455 - 19 August 1968
"Sergeant Kelly distinguished
himself on 15 December 1967 while serving as the patrol
leader of a long range reconnaissance patrol on a
classified mission in the Republic of Vietnam. Caught
and pinned down attempting to out-maneuver an enemy
encirclement, Sergeant Kelly calmly directed his team
members to defensive positions constantly exposing
himself to hostile fire while moving from position
to position reassuring his men. After encouraging
each individual, he again exposed himself on several
occasions to enemy automatic weapons fire as he held
back the enemy on the perimeter with hand grenades
until air support could arrive. Sergeant Kelly's exceptional
courage in the face of a vastly numerically superior
enemy force maintained the team integrity, prevented
an enemy assault on his tenuous position until air
support could arrive, and enabled the team to escape
without loss of life."
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 16 TO 22 DEC 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS (WITH
SPOT REPORT), STATISTICAL SUMMARY, STATUS OF FORCES,
AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION. THERE WERE THIRTEEN
RECONNAISSANCE TEAM (RT) MISSIONS CONDUCTED DURING
THIS REPORTING PERIOD, INCLUDING TWO RT UNITS THAT
REMAINED IN TARGET AREA, AS WELL AS ONE RT WHICH WAS
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED WITH INCOMPLETE INFORMATION. (NAMES
OF MISSIONS WERE: RT SCREWDRIVER, RT SQUARE, RT SAW,
RT PAIL, RT WEDGE, RT NAIL, RT CHISEL, RT BUCKET,
RT FILE, RT AWL, RT RASP, AND RT LEVEL.)
OPERATION DANIEL BOONE WEEKLY REPORT
FOR 23 TO 29 DEC 67. INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTS (WITH
SPOT REPORTS), STATISTICAL SUMMARY, AND STATUS OF
FORCES. THERE WERE EIGHT RECONNAISSANCE TEAM (RT)
MISSIONS CONDUCTED DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD, AS
WELL AS TWO RT MISSIONS THAT WERE NOT COMPLETED AT
CLOSE OF PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD AND THREE OTHER
RT MISSIONS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED WITH INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.
(NAMES OF MISSIONS WERE: RT CHISEL, RT NAIL, RT BUCKET,
RT RASP, RT LEVEL, RT MITTER, RT SHOVEL, RT PICK,
RT PLANE, RT HAMMER, RT TROWEL, AND RT DRILL.)
Daniel Boone Operations - 1968
|
MISSIONS
|
DB
|
IN-COUNTRY
|
|
|
RT
|
287(232 penetrations)
|
278
|
|
|
Platoon
|
0
|
140
|
|
|
Company
|
0
|
21
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
287
|
439
|
|
US:
|
KIA
|
3 (2)
|
14 (9)
|
|
|
WIA
|
11 (46-51)
|
24
|
|
|
MIA
|
2 (1)
|
1
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
16
|
39
|
|
VN:
|
KIA
|
8
|
64
|
|
|
WIA
|
32
|
178
|
|
|
MIA
|
5
|
0
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
45
|
242
|
|
TOTAL CASUALTIES
|
61
|
281
|
|
HELICOPTER LOSSES
|
3
|
4
|
Most ’68 in-country ops were
B-56, most cross-border ops were B-50 except about
3 each.
Date action: 10 January 1965
BOLEN, JAMES E STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
5SF GO 68/0388 - 2 April 1968
"Sergeant Bolen distinguished
himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military
operations in Vietnam on 10 January 1968. Sergeant
Bolen was serving as the team leader of a six man
reconnaissance team on a mission deep inside hostile
territory. When the team's point man was taken under
fire, Sergeant Bolen, without hesitation, stepped
into the line of fire and killed both enemy soldiers.
Exhibiting dauntless courage, Sergeant Bolen remained
in this exposed position, and killed three more of
the enemy as they attempted to assault the outnumbered
team. Then, with automatic weapons fire striking all
around him; he moved from man to man preparing his
team to carry out their actions to break contact As
the team broke contact and moved to the extraction
site, Sergeant Bolen took control of the supporting
aircraft and inflicted additional casualties on the
pursuing enemy."
Date action: 10 January 1968
ROUSH; JAMES E SPECIALIST FIVE
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with "V"
Device
5SF GO 68/0392 - 2 April 1968
"Specialist Five Roush distinguished
himself by valorous actions on 10 January 1968 while
serving as assistant team leader of a six man reconnaissance
team committed deep in hostile territory. When the
team's point element confronted a large force of enemy
soldiers Specialist Five Roush immediately set up
a heavy covering fire, at the same time contacting
a forward air control ship and requesting air support.
Specialist Five Roush, without regard for his own
safety, repeatedly exposed himself to the intense
hostile fire in order to better cover the team as
they broke contact and moved towards the extraction
site. At the site, he deployed the team into a hasty
defensive perimeter. The team was able to successfully
break contact, inflicting casualties of eight confirmed
dead without suffering any friendly casualties."
Date action: 19-22 January 1968
KLAIBER, WILLIAM C STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with "V"
Device
5SF GO 68/0312 - 23 March 1968
"Sergeant Klaiber distinguished
himself by valorous action in connection with military
operations against a hostile force during the period
19 January 1968 to 22 January 1968. Sergeant Klaiber
was the team leader of a six man reconnaissance team
which had been infiltrated deep into hostile territory
to verify the location of a large enemy unit. He located
this unit, estimated to be three companies, and then
remained close to their bivouac site for three nights
in order to get as much information as possible. Frequently
during this time he had to avoid enemy sentries and
patrols that were continually moving through the area.
At one time Sergeant Klaiber climbed a tree in full
view of the insurgent's camp to obtain photographs
of the enemy positions. Only after circling the camp
and probing the length of their perimeter, thus gaining
invaluable information, did Sergeant Klaiber leave
the enemy infested base camp and continue his move
through the hostile area."
Date action: 19-22 January 1969
WHITE, LARRY M STAFF SERGEANT
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with "V"
Device
5SF GO 68/0309 - 23 March 1968
5SF GO 68/0401 - 3 April 1968 (Amended)
5SF GO 68/0563 - 17 April 1968 (Amended)
Sergeant White distinguished himself
by valorous actions during the period 19 January 1968
to 22 January 1968. Sergeant White vas the assistant
team leader of a six man reconnaissance team which
had infiltrated deep into hos-tile territory to verify
the location of the large enemy unit. His team located
the enemy, estimated to be three companies, and then
remained close by the enemy bivouac site for three
nights and two days in order to obtain as much information
as possible. Frequently during this time Sergeant
White led elements of the team right up to the forward
positions of the enemy camp without being detected.
On 22 January 1968 Sergeant White led the indigenous
members of the team into positions within a fete meters
of the enemy fortifications, in order to provide early
warning and protection to the team leader who was
taking pictures from a tree overlooking the camp.
After the reconnaissance team had circled the camp
and started their move to the extraction site, Sergeant
White remained behind to ensure the team would not
be detected and followed The team was able to successfully
complete a very difficult reconnaissance mission and
return without any friendly casualties.
FOB5 680129
SFC Charles E White MIA
TDY from 1st SFGA
Date action: 31 January 1968
HOPPE, DAVID B SERGEANT
Awarded: Purple Heart
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