THE OPERATIONAL HISTORY OF THE 68TH ASSAULT
HELICOPTER COMPANY 1967
2 Jan. A flight of ten slicks and four gunships supported the 4th infantry
Division near Dau Tieng.
3-5 Jan. The Top Tigers flew three days of combat
assault missions supporting the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Sixteen
extractions and ten combat assaults were flown in the Tay Ninh and Dau Tieng
area.
9 Jan. The 68th was one of the six companies who participated in eight
combat assaults airtifting elements of the 2/16 Infantry Battalion.
15 Jan. A
combat assault mission was made in support of the lst Infantry Division in
Operation Saratoga airlifting elements of the 2/l6th Infantry Battalion.
16
Jan. The 68th reinforced the 25th Aviation Battalion in supporting the 4/9th
Infantry Battalion. Airmobile assaults were conducted into four landing
zones.
17 Jan. Four combat assaults and extractions were flown in support of
the 199th Light Infantry Brigade near Nha Be.
20 Jan. The 68th reinforced the
1st Aviation Battalion supporting the 2nd Brigade in Operation Silver Spring by
airlifting the 2/18th Infantry in the area of Phu Loi.
23 Jan. The 68th made
eagle flights with the 4/9th Infantry into five different landing zones.
25
Jan. The 68th was the second flight element of three assault helicopter
companies conducting three extradions and two combat assaults in the area of Cu
Chi. The 68th conducted the re-supply missions for the 25th Infantry Division
after release from the 25th Aviation Battalion.
27 Jan. The Top Tigers
conducted two combat assaults in the area near Ben luc as a second flight
element controlled by the 25th Aviation Battalion. The Command and Control ship
and gunships departed Binh Chanh to recon and find targets for eagle
flights.
In the month of January,1967, the 68th Aviation Company flew a total
of 2613 hours. There were 9190 sorties transporting 11,501 passengers and 155.5
tons of cargo.
Maintenance, Keeping up its fine maintenance standard, the
391st achieved a 77.5% overall availability rate. Especially noteworthy was the
94.3% availability of the important UH-1C models.
4 Feb. The 68th flew two
combat assautts in support of the 25th Infantry Division in the area of Ben Luc.
The 68th was released to Bien Hoa for 30 minutes stand-by except for two command
and control ships and three re-suppiy missions for the 21/4th Infantry.
5
Feb. The Top Tigers supported the 173rd Airborne Brigade by participating in
eleven combat assautts and two extractions near Tan Uyen.
7 Feb. The 68th
supported the 1st Australian Task force by participating in four dummy troop
repositionings in the area of Nui Dat and two actual extractions in the area of
Bear Cat. Six combat assaults from Bear Cat were conducted in the aftenoon
operation along with 46 sorties of re-supply.
14 Feb. The 68th flew two
combat assaults while supporting the 9th Inf Division by airtifting the 605th
Regional Force.
15 Feb. The Tigers conducted twelve combat assaults and
extractions while supporting the 2/l2th Infantry Division in the area of Trai
Bi.
16 Feb. The 68th made three combat assaults, two troop repositionings,
and seven combat extractions in the vicinity of Vi Thanh as a second flight
element controlled by the l3th Aviation Battalion in support of the 21st ARVN
Division.
18 Feb. The 68th supported the Australian Task Force conducting
search and destroy operations in the vicinity of Dat Do.
19 Feb. The 68th
supported the 4/47th Inf Bn conducting search and destroy operations in the area
S.E. of Binh Son.
20 Feb. A combat assault and extraction in support of the
199th Lt Inf Bde was conducted in the vicinity of Can Giuoc.
In the month of
February,1967, the 68th Aviation Company flew 2477 sorties, transported 10,449
passengers, and carried 607 tons of cargo for a total of 2458 flying
hours.
Maintenance Despite the consistently high number of hours flown by the
Top Tigers, the 391st maintained its high standards with 73% of the UH-1D models
and 87.7% of the UH-1C models flyable for an overall 75% availability rate
10
Mar. The top Tigers conducted six combat assaults from Trai Bi to a landing zone
in the vicinity of XT 050863. Negative fire was reported and the operation went
smoothly.
15 Mar. In support of the 196th Lt Inf Bde, the 68th Aslt Hel Co
repositioned the 2/1 Inf to the vicinity of Tay Ninh. No problems arose during
the day and upon completion of the lifts, the flight was released for re-supply
missions.
18 Mar Again working for the 196th Lt Inf Bde, the Top Tiger
repositioned 265 troops from Tay Ninh west to Prek Nok (XT274783).
19 Mar.
The Top Tigers lost four people this day. Killed in action were WO James P
Barton, Sp4 John N Sheffield. Sp4 Gilbert N Smith. and Sp4 Johnny L
Washbum.
23 Mar. The Mustang's while working with the Top Tigers in the
vicinity of Rach Kien destroyed 21 sampans, killed one V C. with a weapon, and
burned five buildings. The flight reported negative enemy fire.
30 Mar. While
working for the 3d Bde, 4th Inf Div, the Top Tigers, along with the 1l8th AHC
made several insertions in the vicinity of Suoi Da. A large mine was detonated
in the landing zone as the second element of the first lift was on short final.
As a result, four aircraft were downed. Two of the four. however, were able to
be flown out. When landing in the LZ the second and third time, two more mines
were detonated resulting in minor damage.
Summary. March was a relatively
slow month. The Top Tigers flew 2170 hrs completing 7422 sorties. They
repositioned 7.559 passengers, and carried 623 tons of cargo.
Maintenance:
The maintenance standard remained high with the 391st. They upheld an overall
75% availability with 71% of the UH-1D models and 80.6% with the UH-1 C
models.
6 Apr. While working for 1/27th Inf Bn in the vicinity of Cu Chi, the
Mustangs found two Vet Cong; running for the cover of woods. C&C decided to
land and unload the C&C party, load four infantry troops and make the
caplure, The Viet Cong were captured with no injuries.
11 Apr. The Top Tigers
were in support of the 3rd Bde, 5th Inf Div, made numerous extractions, and
encountered light enemy fire.
12 Apr. The 68th was part of a Battalion
operation in which the l3th Combat Aviation Battalion was also invotved.
13
Apr. As a result of the operation of the l2th, there were nine Vet Cong bodies
found. Also a large munitions catch consisting of 20 grenades,1 round of 105
ammo, 50 containers of plastic explosives, numerou5 documents, 3 weapons, and
six enemy prisoners.
24 Apr. The 68th was in support of the 2/14th Inf.
Bn,197th lnf. Bde. Upon landing in the landing zone the troop carriers took
fire. One aircraft s hit, but little damage was sustained.
27 Apr. While
working in the local Bien Hoa area the flight upon landing in a landing zone
received; heavy small arms fire. The fire was retumed by both troop carriers and
gunships.
During April our activities picked up again with 2535 hours flown,
9.220 sorties,13,834 passengers, and 222 tons of cargo.
Maintenance: The
availability remained high with the average availability at 75.45% the UH-ID up
to 78.9% as their availability steadily increased white the UH-1 C models went
down to 72%.
2-3 May The 68th was called out on rapid reaction to relieve the
116th Assautt Helicopter Company at Dong Tam. The "Top Tigers" made several
lifts without serious mishap and then remained over night at Dong Tam on ready
atert. The next day they ran resupply missions and extractions.
4 May. The
Top Tigers traveled to Bear Cat and Rach Kien. There they made four lifts and
the "Mustangs" killed one Viet Cong and sank one sampan.
9 May The 68th
supported the 5th Special Forces group at Hiep Hoa and at Tanh Linh the
"Mustangs" killed 3 Viet Cong, destroyed 13 strudures and sank one sampan.
12
May. Supporting the 9th Division, while working out of Tan An and Bear Cat, the
"Top Tigers" made 15 assaults destroying 14 Viet Cong structures.
14 May.
Retuming to support the 9th Division the 68th made two extractions while the
Mustangs killed one Viet Cong and destroyed nine structures and three
sampans.
15 May. Working with the 116th Assault Helicopter Company the 68th
lifted a Battalion of 9th Infantry troops and extracted them without any enemy
action.
With the most active month of the year the 'Top Tigers" flew 3318
hours completing 10868 sorties carrying 15,856 people and 219 tons of cargo. It
was a month of hard work for the 68th Assault Helicopter
Company.
Maintenance: The 391 st worked hard also and maintained our
availability at 74.59% The UH-1 D accounted for 72-74% avaitability while the
UH-1 C maintained 76.44%.
5 June. The 68th had a busy day making eleven
combat assaults and three extractions for the 9th Divisions near Rach Kien. The
mustangs had one kill, destroyed eight Viet Cong structures, and damaged five as
well as destroying two sampans.
8 June. Retuming to support the 9th Divislon
the 'Top Tigers" made four combat assaufts and two extractions.
13 June. On
this day the 68th made twelve assaults near Rach Lien while the Mustangs killed
one Viet Cong.
21 June. Conducting Eagle Flights with the 9th Division the
"Top Tigers" made two assaults and two extractions.
23 June. Going to support
the 199th at Thu Duc the 68th made three assault5 and extractions as well as one
repositioning to finish up the months combat assaults.
During the month of
June the 68th concentrated on a direct support missions throughout the III Corps
area.
Maintenance: Maintenance continued to work hard and their availability
showed this 81.4or6 overall was the best average to that date largely due to the
85.3% for the UH-ID. The UH-1 C had a good average of 77.5% availability.
5
July On this date the 68th ran two combat assaults and two extractions with the
2nd Royal Australian Infantry out of Nui Dat, and then proceeded to Loc Ninh to
make two extractions. All operations ran smoothly.
8 July. Flying to Nha Be
and Thu Duc the "Top Tigers" made two combat assaults and eight extractions with
the 199th Infantry.
9 July. The 68th inserted 126 troops in two lifts to act
as a blocking force for the 9th Infantry Division near Tan Tru.
11 July
Flying tirst to Binh Chanh the "Top Tigers" made four assaults and two
extractions for the 199th Infantry Then they went to assist the 269th Combat
Aviation Battalion make two assaults near Tay Ninh.
12 July. Supporting the
25th Divis;on the 68th had nine aircrafl hit when they were called on a tactical
emergency to reinforce troops of the 227th Infantry. Fire waS received on each
one of the lifts. No casualties resulted.
15 July. Having a very busy day the
'Top Tigers" flew 16 assaufts and 14 extractions for the 199th Infantry at Nha
Be carrying 1363 Passengers.
17 July. Retuming to support the 199th the
Tigers went to Nha Be and the Mustangs got 4 kills and one sampan. Ceiling5
of.100 feet and visibility, in rain, of less than a quarter mile created
hazardous flying conditions
26-27 July. Flying eagle flights for the 25th
lnfantry Division, 6 assaults and 7 extractions were made. The weather became
very bad with the last extraction but it was carried out without incident.
28
July The 68th had four aircraft take hits during four combat assautts for the
9th Infantry Divisions at Dong Tam.
31 July. Naving a good day the "Mustangs"
got six kills near Rach Kien during eagle flights.
In July the 68th flew 2462
hours as the rainy season was in full swing. They completed 7422 sorties
carrying 7559 passengers and 623 tons of cargo.
Maintenance: The 391st
improved upon its outstanding record again in July. They reached a high of 82.7%
availability with both C & D models over 80%; UH-1D 81.5% end UH-1C
83.8%
9 Aug. The 68th supported the 9th Division in the Bear Cat area.
Several lifts were made wrth no enemy fire encountered. Extractions were
completed with no diffculty and the flight was released.
10 Aug. The 68th
supported the 2nd Brigade, 9th lnfantry Division by conducting six combat
assaults and three extractions in the Tan Tru area. No problems were
encountered, but restricted visibility hindered the operation.
12 Aug. The
Top Tigers conducted a series of Eagle flights in the Go Dau Ha area. There were
three assaults made into several small villages in the area. As a result two VC
were captured and taken to the Trang Bang compound. No other incidents were
encountered and the operation went smoothly.
16 Aug. While working for the
AI351 CIDG units in the Hiep Hoa area, a malfunction of the armament system of
one gunship caused two rockets to leave the pod at the same time. As a result
the rockets collided approximately 10 feet above the ground showering one
aircraft with shrapnel. However no major damage was encountered and no
injuries.
19 Aug. The Top Tigers made two lifts in the Ninh Than area for III
Corps. ClDG received negative enemy ire. Gunships and artillery were used to
prep the LZ's. The flight was on 1 hour stand by for the remainder of the
day.
28 Aug. While in support of the 9th lnfantry Division a series of eagle
flights were initiated. Upon landing in one LZ in the Rach Kien area two
aircraft were hit. Both aircraft sustained major damage but there were no
injuries.
29 Aug. The 68th Assault Helicopter Company was in support of the
9th Infantry Division in the vicinity of Bear Cat. No enemy fire was reported
and no incidents were encounter despite low visibility and bad weather. Still
increasing its load the 68th flew 2681 hours. They made 9,648 sorties carrying
16,201 passengers and 140 tons of Maintenance: Availability dropped sharply in
August to 75.5% The UH-1D 74.8% availability and the UH-1C a 76.2%.
2 Sept.
The 68th Aslt Hel Co was in support of the 9th lnf. Div. on a combat assault
mission in the Rach Kien area. A series of eagle flights caused the separation
of the two lifts and the operation was conducted in two flights of five. Upon
landing in one LZ, two of the aircraft were hit with heavy automatic weapon fire
and sustained major damage; however there were no injuries to pilots or
crew.
7 Sept. Again the 68th was in support of the 9th Div. and made a series
of eagle flights in the Rach Kien, Tan Tru and the Ben Luc area. However there
was no enemy contact, and the flight returned to Bien Hoa after transporting 652
passengers wtth no incidents.
17 Sept. The 68th was in support of the 331 and
332 CIDG companies in the Cau Song Be area, and made two insertions into
unsecured LZ's. The flight did not receive any enemy fire and was released to
Bien Hoa after standing-by at Cau Song Be.
18 Sept.1200 troops of the Bth.
ARVN marines were moved from their base camp to several field s'rtes in the Tan
Uyen area. This movement was completed within 1 1/2 hrs with no diffculties and
the flight was released. Upon arrival to Bien Hoa, the company was again called
out to support the 1st Inf. Div. Two dummy lifts and one actval lift were
completed. No enemy fire was reported and the flight retumed with no
incidents.
19 Sep The 68th Aslt Hel Co was part of a Battalion operation in
support of the 5th ARVN Div. in the Bear Cat area. The operation went smoothly
with no enemy fire reported. Gunships and artillery were used in the prestrikes
of the landing zone. Due to bad weather, limited tac air support was used.
Summary. The 68th Aslt Hel Co during the month of September demonstrated the
safety record it established. During this month the Top Tigers participated in
numerous CA and DCS mission in the III Corps. The Top Tigers
contributed
greatly to the combat effectiveness of many individual units
within the III Corps area.
2 Oct. The 68th Aslt Hel Co was in support of the
199th lnf. Bde. in the Nha Be area. They relocated 863 troops although low
visibility and rain made flying very hazardous. One UH-1C gunship was hit by
enemy fire, but there were no casualties.
4 Oct. The Mustangs went to the aid
of the lst Australian Task Force killing 1 Viet Cong and destroying two
structures.
5 Oct. Serving the 9th Division in Operation Coronado the "Top
Tigers" made 6 lifts and found the Viet Cong. The Mustangs killed 9 themselves.
Two UH-1C and one UH-ID took rounds.
6 Oct. The 68th continued with the 9th
Division; 5 Viet Cong were killed. The flight ran into heavy fire and had two
aircraft hit by enemy fire. Four medical evacuations lifts were made under heavy
fire and adverse conditions.
7 Oct. Operation Coronado continued and the Viet
Cong were receiving a bitter defeat. Three more medical evacuations were made
under adverse conditions. The 68th helped greatly to make this battle one of the
most successful in the Delta region.
11-13 Oct. The "Top Tiger" sent out
five ships on a combat assautt to support the 199th Bri ade to search out the
Viet Cong in sight of Saigon.
15 Oct. The 68 was sent to support our ARVN
allies in a search and destroy mission near Nha Be.
16-17 Oct. Again
supporting the 199th Brigade" the Top Tigers searched out the Viet Cong. On, the
l7th they were located and the Mustangs killed two personnel and destroyed four
of their strudures.
20 Oct. The Mustangs had a very good day as the 68th
supported the 199th Brigade. Twelve Viet Cong were confirmed killed and one was
captured.
23 Oct. The 68th began direct support of the 25th ARVN Division
with a very good day. Eight Viet Cong were killed one taken prisoner and two
weapons captured. 23,000 piasters were taken from a tax collector.
24 Oct.
The Top Tigers were flying Combat Assauits every day now with the 25th ARVNs.
Sixteen enemy were killed as the 68th hit heavy action. The Mustangs were hit by
enemy fire and was shot down.
25 Oct Working at Bau Trai the 68th again found
the Viet Cong and kill one. Four ship were hit by enemy fire. WO1 Anderson was
wounded but retumed to duty.
28 Oct The 68th continued its daily support of
the 25th ARVN's with combat assaults.
29 Oct Again the Top Tigers found
action as 14 Viet Cong were killed by the Mustangs near Bao Trai.
30 - 31
Oct The Top Tigers finished off the month of October with two more CA's with the
25th ARVN's. The Tigers are being pushed hard with their constant commitment but
never slacked their drive. They completed all missions assigned in a outstanding
manner.
Summary. With 2683 hours flown the Top Tigers again stepped up their
activities. They made 8,970 sorties and carried 14,002 passengers with 137 tons
of cargo.
Maintenance= With few UH-1C models to work with Maintenance could
only get 58% availability rate for its UH-1C models. This brought the overall
average down to a low of 64.5%. The UH-1D availability was also low at 71
%.
4 Nov. The 68th Assault Helicopter Company was in support of the 25th ARVN
Division in the Duc Hoa area. Upon landing in one location, the lead ship in the
right file was caught in an explosion and crashed. The aircraft burned but as a
result of quick thinking, of the different crews no injuries were sustain to the
crew of the aircraft.
5-6 Nov. The flight was also in support of the 2Sth
Division several ship received ground fire upon landing in the landing zone.
Also the Mustangs were credited with 4 Viet Cong kills.
8 Nov. An aircraft
was lost in the pick up zone. Major damage was sustained, however the operation
continued smoothly and the Mustangs were credited with two kills.
10 Nov. The
68th was released early due to bad weather. (300 ft. ceiling and 1/2 mile
visibility.)
19 Nov. The 68th Assault Helicopter Company while working for
the 5th Division uncovered the remains of Aloft 11 which crashed the day
before.
27 Nov. Some difficulty was encountered when targets were spotted
outside the A.O. and clearance could not be obtained to fire or bring in
artillery. The Mustangs were credited with two confirmed kills.
Summary: The
68th continued the combat assault mission for more than 25 days straight. They
never lost the professional attitude needed for safe flight. Despite the
unfortunate incidents where helicopters were lost the Tigers continued to do the
outstanding job that can be expected of them at any time.
1 Dec. The Mustangs
were credited with 5 kills in the operational area, also setting off a secondary
explosion.
3 Dec. Following take off from the landing zone one of the Tigers
struck a tree, which caused the helicopter to crash land. The crew escaped with
no injuries, however one ARVN troop jumped from the ship and was killed by the
rotor blade.
6 Dec. The Top Tigers operating in the vicinity of Tan An
recovered numerous enemy grenades and supplies.
17 Dec. While operating for
the 5th ARVN Division the 68th sustained several hits in the gunships. SP4
Scanlen and Gonzalez were both wounded in action. Also seven detainees were
captured by ground troops.
20 Dec. The proposed landing zone had to be
canceled due to heavy ground fire and RPG-2 rocket fire. An altemate was
selected but ground troops refused to go into the original area. All of the
extractions were canceled.
27 Oec. The Top Tigers assisted in the capture of
numerous weapons including one 60mm mortar with ammo, 5 rounds of 105 ammo, and
a claymore mine. Top Tigers lead and Mustang 6 took several hits in the landing
zone.
30 Dec. While working for the 25th ARVN Division the Mustangs were
credited with killing 4 Viet Cong. Also the ground troops reported killing four
Viet Cong and captured weapons and documents.
The flying time dropped to
2194 hours as the Top Tigers were low on pilots They made 6,606 sorties carrying
12,688 passengers and 60 tons of cargo.
Maintenance sprang back to a 72.95%
availability. The UH-1D models many with over 2000 hours of flying. carried a
70.8% availability and UH-1C a 75.1 %.
During the calendar year of 1967, the
68th Assault Helicopter Company flew a total of 31.022 hours, conducted 103,180
sorties, and carried over 150,000 passengeis, most of which occurred during
combat assault missions. In the
process of doing so, the men of the 68th
earned an impressive total of 2 Silver Stars. 4 Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry.
1 Legion of Merit, 43 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 25 Bronze Stars, 49 Air
Medals for Valor, 49 Commendation Medals, 5 Good Conduct Medals and 25 Purple
Hearts. Thus, the 68th Assault Helicopter Company, "Top Tigers", have responded
meritoriously to the requirements for assistance in the counter-insurgency
environment of the Republic of South Viet Nam.