The Fog of War!!!

Map Link (Large Map)

From 3rd Tk. Bn. CC, March 1969.

What the Platoon Leader Peter Rich remembers.  Story.

My recollection- B-35 hit the first mine at YD 135-725 on our way back to Rt. 1 and Gio Linh, We buttoned it up and B-32, B-33, B-35 headed east toward Rt.1. 

B-33 hit a mine at YD 156-723. 

B-43 was stationed on Rt. #1 monitoring our situation. When B-33 hit the mine, we had no infantry support from the ARVN on the op and I asked B-43 to come to our assistance. At this time, we had two damaged tanks and no infantry support.

B-43 hit a mine at YD 153-727 and was ambushed at that location. I sent B-32 to B-43’s location. B-32 did not hit a mine. B-33 and B-35 arrived at YD 153-727 at night fall and all four Bravo Company vehicles spent the night buttoned up, with orders to shoot at anything that moves.

At dawn a Marine infantry platoon reached us. We Medivac’d the dead and wounded and repaired B-43’s track and returned to Rt.1. The three tanks went north to Gia Linh and B-43 returned to B Company Headquarters on Rt. 9.

Harold Riensche's Navy Cross Citation.

YD 135-725 = Cpl. JOHN M. FOSTER & LCpl. ROBERT M. WALKLEY, TANK RETRIEVER HIT MINE, CREW ATTACKED 3 KM NE OF CON THIEN, 3/24/1969, B Co.

YD 187-741 = On 23 Mar. 3rd Plt. in contact. (Light Section.)
YD 196-739 = B33 hits mine.??
YD 153-727 = B35 hits mine.
YD 156-723 = B32 hits mine.
YD 135-725 = B43 hits mine also given as coordinates for KIA of Cpl. Foster & LCpl. Walkley.