1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Historical Summary August 1971

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Historical Summaries - 1971

August 1971

1. During the month of August 1971, the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry continued
to provide security for the Tuy Hoa Army Installation. In addition to perimeter
guard, small nightly ambushes were employed. The secondary mission of the bat-
talion was to provide a reaction force to any firebase in Military Region II
that was i danger of being overrun, and to provide security in the event that
a military aircraft went down in Military Region II. One company remained at
An Khe opcon to Task Force 19, on a rotating basis, operating primarily from
Fire Support Bases Buffalo, Schuller, and Action. Company A remained perman-
ently billeted at Dong Ba Thin to provide security for that installation.

2. On 21 August Company A was deployed in the area of Bao Loc on a special
mission.

3. On 22 August the battalion was alerted for possible movement anywhere in
Military Region II. By 24 August the unit was ready to deploy. Two (2) task
forces had been organized in the event that the situation required simultaneous,
but independent reaction operations. Loading plans and manifestos were readied.
Weapons were test fired. Radios and telephones were checked out. SRAC (Second
Regional Assistance Command) sent an artillery laison team and FO's from Nha
Trang, Phan Rang and Pleiku. On Friday, 27 August 71 the battalion stood
down and returned to its normal activities.
The reason for this alert readiness was due to intelligence reports of a
large scale offensive planned against areas in Military Region II in connection
with the up-coming lower house elections in Vietnam.

4. On 23 August 1971 a Local National, a young boy, entered a minefield on the
perimeter of Tuy Hoa Army Installation, detonating a mine and blowing off his
left foot. He was finally extracted by a Dust Off.

5. 25 August 1971 - Battalion ambush reaction operation in Vung Ro Pass on
Highway QL1. Began 0930 hours, ended 1530 hours. Three (3) companies par-
ticipating - 1 airmobile assault to secure ambush site (Company C); Recon platoon
(Co E) to recover and escort damaged vehicles; 1 company stand by (Co B) as
battalion reserve. Operation conducted under enemy harassing fire along QL1.
Support by the 268th Combat Aviation Battalion.

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Historical Summary for the month of August 1971----------------

6. On 27 August an attempted fragging incident took place at 0230 hours in
the Company B area at Tuy Hoa. There was one injury, not serious. This was
one of several incidents on post that night, attributed to racial problems.

7. On 28 August 1971 the attachment of one rifle company to Task Force 19 at
An Khe was terminated.

8, During the month the battalion drug amnesty and rehabilitation program
began to move in conjunction with the post drug center. Two persons were
reported on the post program from the 1/22 during the week ending 28 Aug.

9. During the month guard augmentees from other units on post underwent train-
ing in day and night security. 340 augmentees were trained during the 3 1/2 week
period.

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