1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Historical Summary July 1971

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Historical Summaries - 1971

July 1971

1. During the month of July 1971, the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry continued
to provide security for the tuy Hoa Army Installation. In addition to per-
imeter guard, small nightly ambushes were employed. The secondary mission of
the Battalion was to provide a reaction force to any firebase in Military
Region II that was in 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, operating primarily from Fire
Support Bases Buffalo, Schuller, and Action. The companies rotated to An Khe
periodically from Tuy Hoa. Company A remained permanently billeted at Dong Ba Thin.

2. On 6 July, one person from Company B was killed and another wounded by
friendly fire while on ambush near An Khe. The incident took place at ap-
proximately 0330 hours 4 kilometers north of An Khe. The person apparently
left the night ambush site for unknown reasons. Upon his return he startled
the patrol leader who opened fire causing one fatality. (See Zappers News,
Vol 2, No. 1 for report on memorial service.)

3. During the early part of the month, a fragging incident took place near
the orderly room of Company A in Dong Ba Thin resulting in 6 minor injuries.
No explanation was discovered.

4. On 24 July 1971, the battalion gained a new commander, LTC Richard R.
Fickett. (see biography and Zappers News Vol 2 No 1, in History File for
1971.)

5. During the month the battalion gained 16 new officers as several DEROSed.
This included three new company commanders and a Deputy Commander.

6. On 28 July 1971 one man from Company E was killed while on guard duty in
a tower on the Tuy Hoa bunkerline. An M-79 round exploded while the man was
handling it. (see Zappers News Vol 2, No. 1).

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