OPERATION MAC ARTHUR

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Photo submitted by Wayne Raymond

OPERATION MACARTHUR

The following significant activities of the 1/22 Infantry were extracted from the 4th Inf Div ORLL dated 30 Apr 1968 for the period 1 Feb - 30 Apr 1968:

1 February. In Kontum City 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry remained in contact throughout the day resulting in 12 US WIA, 87 enemy KIA.

2 Feb. Heavy fighting continued throughout the day in Kontum City, resulting in three US KIA, 20 US WIA, 75 NVA KIA and eight NVA PW.

6 Feb. At AR802933 the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry made contact with a dug-in company size force, resulting in four US KIA, 17 US WIA, one US MIA, 11 NVA KIA.

7 Feb. Company B, 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry found one US body reported as MIA on 6 February.

11 Feb. At AR827952 Company B 1/22 Infantry received 25 rounds of 82mm mortar fire wounding three US.

23 Feb. At AR813944 Company D 1/22 Infantry killed one NVA. At AR802943 Company D 1/22 Infantry killed an NVA officer. At ZA184754 Company B 1/22 Infantry received SA fire from a bunker complex, resulting in one US KIA.

24 Feb. At AR816946 Company D 1/22 Infantry made contact with an estimated six snipers, one US KIA, one US WIA.

25 Feb. At AR815947 Company D 1/22 Infantry found seven NVA bodies, apparently killed in 24 February contact.

27 Feb. At AR826954 Company D 1/22 Infantry received heavy mortar, SA, and AW fire from a large enemy force, apparently defending an NVA ammunition storage area. Artillery and airstrikes were employed, and 23 secondary explosions were observed. Results of the contact were 24 US WIA.

28 Feb. At AR825954 Company D 1/22 Infantry received 10 rounds of mortar fire, four US WIA.

1 Mar. At AR828956 the Reconnaissance Platoon from the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry made light contact with an unknown size force resulting in one US WIA.

2 Mar. At AR832950 Company B 1/22 Infantry received mortar fire and automatic weapons fire. Fire was returned, with one NVA KIA. A later contact with the same enemy force resulted in one US WIA and six friendly indigenous WIA.

5 Mar. Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry found four NVA bodies at AR801930.

14 Mar. At ZA228685 and OH6A observation helicopter received automatic weapons fire and took four hits. The Aerial Rifle Platoon from Troop D, 7th Sq 17th Cav was inserted after airstrikes. Contact was made with an estimated 25 individuals. The aerial rifle platoons from Troops A and B were inserted and contact was established with an estimated reinforced enemy company. A reaction force from the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry moved in to reinforce and tanks from the 1/10 Cav were called in. The enemy withdrew under pressure. Two NVA were killed.

18 Mar. At ZA228682 Company B, 1/22 Infantry fired on one NVA, killing him.

23 Mar. At ZA180752 Company B, 1/22 Infantry found one NVA in a grave, killed by artillery. Two more NVA in graves were found at ZA176751 by Company C.

28 Mar. At ZA015718 the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1/22 Infantry and PLEI MRONG CSF found a battalion sized base area. While moving southeast from the base area, they observed more bunkers and detected movement. They pulled back and called in artillery. As they moved back into the area they made contact with an estimated enemy battalion. The units again pulled back, calling in airstrikes and artillery. The units again moved into the area receiving sporadic small arms fire. Results were four CSF WIA.

6 Apr. At ZA146963 Company C, 1/22 Infantry found two NVA bodies i graves.

7 Apr. At ZA208945 a 1/4 ton truck from 1/22 Infantry struck a mine, resulting in two US KIA, one US WIA.

20 Apr. At YA863907 a US mortar round impacted near Company A 1/22 Infantry's position, resulting in one US wounded.

22 Apr. In the vicinity of YA8686 a platoon from Company D, 1/22 Infantry made contact with eight NVA, resulting in one US KIA and two US WIA.

25 Apr. At YA944891 Company D, 1/22 Infantry killed two NVA snipers in trees and captured their AK-47's. An hour later the company received mortar fire and shortly thereafter made heavy contact with an estimated reinforced NVA company. The contact continued through the morning, and the company received two B-40 rocket attacks in the afternoon. Results of the contact were two US KIA, 29 US WIA, six NVA KIA.

27 Apr. At YA842884 Company C, 1/22 Infantry received one B-40 rocket round. At YA845893, the night location for Companies A and B, a patrol from Company A received SA and B-40 rocket fire 30 meters outside their perimeter. The two companies remained in their night location and continued to receive sporadic SA, rocket and mortar fire throughout the day. At 0940 hours Company C conducted an attack against an unknown size force in bunkers. Meeting heavy resistance, the company withdrew and called in artillery and airstrikes. At 1040 hours, the heavy enemy fire forced them to withdraw to the night location. Artillery and airstrikes continued to hit the enemy position and at 1615 hours Company C took the high ground and the bunker complex. At 1700 hours the enemy counterattacked with AW, B-40 rocket and 60mm mortar fire. At 1825 hours, the company withdrew, but continued to receive mortar fire. At 1920 hours artillery produced a large secondary explosion at YA835819 and the mortar fire ceased. Results of the contact were five US KIA, 52 WIA, two MIA, and nine known NVA KIA.

29 Apr. At YA844892 Company B, 1/22 Infantry received one B-40 rocket, resulting in three US WIA. The Commanding Officer of Company A, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, captured on 28 Apr, returned to the 1/22 Infantry FSB. He had made his escape when an artillery round wounded his two NVA captors at YA878875.

30 Apr. At the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry FSB an outgoing 105mm artillery round struck a radio antenna, resulting in an airburst which killed one US and wounded 12.

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OPERATION MAC ARTHUR

The following information was extracted from the 4th Inf Div ORLL, 31 July 1968, for Operation Mac Arthur, 1 May 1968-31 July 1968 and contains the significant events concerning the 1/22.

29 May. A squad from Company C, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry made contact with an estimated 10—20 NVA, resulting in one US KIA at YB928268.

31 May. At YB834214 Company B, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry found two NVA bodies.

3. Jun. During the first lift of Company A, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry a combat assault to YB791219, a UH—1H helicopter crashed for unknown reasons. The crew was extracted with one individual injured. At YB828206 a patrol from Company B, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry exchanged small arms fire with seven NVA. The patrol withdrew and artillery was employed. One US was wounded in the contact.

4 Jun. A truck from the 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry struck a mine wounding one US at YB866270.

8 Jun. The 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry relieved the 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry (Airborne) at DAK PEK.

10 Jun. The 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry began moving to reinforce the 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry at DAK PEK. A reinforced NVA company employing small arms, automatic weapons, hand grenades and flame throwers initiated a ground attack on Company B, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry, located at YB910677. The enemy breached the perimeter and occupied three bunkers. Company B remained in heavy contact until 0300H, with artillery and Spooky supporting. One US was killed, 22 US wounded, and four NVA KIA in the contact.

13 Jun. Company B, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry received a ground attack at YB909677. The perimeter was not penetrated. Twelve US were wounded in the contact, and 13 NVA were killed.

14 Jun. Company B, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry found two NVA KIA at YB90968l.

26 Jun. Company C, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry made contact with a two platoon size force at BR110336. Two US were slightly wounded. Company A, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry was used as a blocking force in the contact, killing one NVA at BR105326.

28 Jun. At BR104331 Company C, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry made contact with an unknown size force, Artillery, gunships, and airstrikes were employed. US casualties were two KIA and six WIA.

29 Jun. Company C, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry found four NVA bodies believed to be from 28 June contact at BR104331.

1 July. Company A, 1st. Battalion, 22d Infantry received sniper fire from three-four NVA at BR1O1332 resulting in three US KIA, and one US WIA. Artillery and gunships were employed in the contact leaving three NVA KIA.

2 July. Company B, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry killed one VMC at BR128336.

3 July. Company B, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry intercepted a NVA litter team carrying one patient at BR108338. The team fled, leaving behind the litter patient. The Reconnaissance Platoon from 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry received small arms fire from four—five individuals resulting in one US wounded at BR096257.

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OPERATION BINH TAY-MAC ARTHUR

The following information was extracted from the the 4^th Inf Div ORLL, dated 31 October, 1968, for Operation Binh Tay- Mac Arthur, from 1 August to 31 October 1968 and contains the significant events concerning the 1/22.

4 August. Seven HOI CHANHS rallied in vicinity of B Co, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry during cordon and search operation.

19 August. At 0640H in vicinity ZU213947 a platoon from B Co, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry made contact with an unknown size enemy force. Small arms fire was exchanged; contact was broken at 0705H. A sweep of the area revealed 5 rucksacks and numerous blood trails.

20 August. A patrol from B Co, lst Battalion, 22d Infantry found one flame thrower, vicinity of ZV102518, in contact area of 19 Aug.

24 August. The Recon platoon of the 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry made contact with an estimated 5 individuals armed with AK-47s at 1035H in the vicinity of ZV258050. Small arms fire was exchanged resulting in 1 U5 WIA and unknown enemy casualties.

26 August. A patrol from C Co, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry found 1 NVA KIA and 1 AK-47 in contact area of 25 Aug.

27 August. At 1055H in vicinity of’ AQ751078 the Recon Platoon of 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry observed 3 elephants with packs and 3 NVA with AK-47s. Artillery was employed and a sweep conducted with negative findings.

28 August. At 0115H in vicinity of ZU23275, D Co, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry received a mortar and ground attack from an unknown size enemy force. Contact broke at 0330H resulting in 5 US KIA, 17 US WIA, and 2 NVA KIA.

10 September. C Co, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry at 1315H observed 6 individuals in the vicinity ZV197O18. The individuals were taken under fire and a sweep conducted revealing 1 AK-47 and a blood trail.

23 September.At 1028H in the vicinity of YU836685, Co A, 1st Battalion, 22d Infantry while conducting a combat assault received mortar and small arms fire in the vicinity of the LZ. Three aircraft on the last lift received ground fire and one crashed. While B Co, 1-22 was being assaulted into the same area the first lift received ground fire and one aircraft crashed. The contact broke at 1800H with 1 US KIA, 19 US WIA and 10 NVA KIA..

OCTOBER 1968

There were no significant events concerning the 1/22 for this operation during October.

The following information concerning the 1/22 was extracted from the 4^th ID ORLL for 1 November 1968-31 January 1969 and was provided by Jim Anderson, 2/35.

21 Nov 68 At 1400H, a SRP from Co B, 1^st Battalion 22d Infantry, operating near ZA014271, pursued and captured an individual who had detected their positions. The man, though armed, had dropped his weapon and attempted to flee.

27 Nov At 1345H, the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1^st battalion 22d Infantry, operating near ZA022234, flushed three VMC from the brush and took them under fire, killing one.

29 Nov At 1712h, a platoon of Co. C, 1/22^nd Infantry, operating near ZA043221, came under automatic weapons fire. One US soldier was killed. The platoon returned fire and swept the area, capturing ten packs but finding no enemy.

10 Dec At 1304H, the 1^st and 2d platoons, Company A, 1/22^nd Infantry, operating near AR923741, exchanged small arms fire with three or four enemy. One US soldier was wounded. At 1320H, the Platoons again made contact, wounding and capturing one NVA who died before he could be evacuated. At 1350H, near AR929728, the same two platoons made contact with an enemy force of unknown size. Gunships expended in the area. A sweep revealed nine NVA KIA. At 1610H, as A/1-22 was closing to a pickup zone, three NVA fired on the company and fled, leaving one US KIA.

4 Jan 69 At 1100H, the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1/22^nd Infantry, operating near YB948176, made contact with ten to fifteen individuals employing small arms, automatic weapons, and a white phosphorous grenade. The platoon returned fire and received artillery support. Contact broke at 1125H, leaving one US soldier dead and four wounded. Enemy casualties could not be determined. The 3d Platoon, B/1-22, conducted a combat assault to reinforce the Reconnaissance Platoon. Gunships and airstrikes hit suspected enemy locations. A tracker team attempted to follow blood trails, but without success.

12 Jan At 1015H, the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1/22^nd Infantry found one NVA body hidden under brush at YB949167. They estimated that the NVA had been killed in Recon 1-22’s contact of 4 January.

20 Jan At 0945h, LRP 36, operating near AS835118, observed two individuals wearing green fatigues, camouflaged hats and carrying weapons. The team detonated a claymore mine, killing one NVA. The team retrieved his AK-47. Gunships expended on suspected enemy locations to the south of the contact area. At 1300H, a platoon from Co C, 1/22^nd Infantry reinforced the LRP and made contact with 10 NVA. Small arms fire was exchanged, artillery and gunships hit the area, and the enemy fled with unknown casualties.

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