A Co. 70^th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Army)

 

From Calendar Entries By:  John Craven (JC)

 

January 12, 1969

JC Departed Fort Lewis, WA.  McCord Air Force Base

 

January 14, 1969

JC Landed at Cam Ranh Bay, RVN.  Arrived at 22^nd Replacement Station

 

January 17, 1969

TC 311.  UP of para 7-2, AR 600-200 and DA Msg 77467 from ROSTER

Dated 21 July 1966, fol indiv APT to Perm Gr indic:

 

TO BE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, E-3 (Orders provided by Mike Paas)

 

ANDRADE, ARTHUR (RA)

ANDREWS, MICHAEL S. (US)

BELL, WALTER S. (US)

BUTLER, PAUL W. (US)

CONCANNON, CHARLES V. (US)

DINSMORE, WILLIAM B. (US)

MCCORKLE, TIMOTHY S. (RA)

MYERS, MICHAEL L. (US)

NORMAND, ODON P. (US)

PAAS, ROBERT M. (RA)

Signed by:  Daniel Waldo Jr.

                     CPT, CE

                     Commanding 

                                   

January 18, 1969

JC Arrived at 35^th Engineer Group (Construction), South Cam Ranh Bay

 

January 20, 1969

JC Arrived at 70^th Engineer Bn HQ, Ban Me Thuot

 

January 29, 1969

JC Arrived at A Co., 70^th Engineer Bn, Khanh Duong (Camp Reil-Davis).  Assigned to 2^nd Plt., 2^nd Sq. and met PSGT Eddie L. Smith and squad leader SGT Walter L. Poirier who is due to rotate soon ; from Cheboygan, MI.

 

February 1, 1969

TC 311.  UP of para 7-2, AR 600-200 and DA Msg 77467 from DSCPER dated

21 July, 1966, fol indiv APT to Perm Gr indic:

 

TO BE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E-3

 

BURKE, JAMES R. (US)

CRAVEN, JOHN E., II (US)

CROSS, STEPHEN R. (US)

FRITZ, JAMES A. (US)

HAJDUK, GERALD L. (US)

HOLLIS, ALLEN V. (US)

KOULOS, KURT T. (RA)

 

February 1, 1969 (cont’d)

TC 371. Fol orders REVOKED

SMO: Para 1 UO this Company dtd 12 Dec 68

Pert to: THOMPSON, EDDIE D. (US)  PVT E2 this organization

Signed by:  Daniel Waldo Jr.

                     CPT, CE

                     Commanding

 

 

February 19, 1969

CPT Levins replaces CPT Daniel Waldo Jr.

 

February 22, 1969

1^st convoy to B Co. about 30 miles W on QL-21.

1^st “Red Alert” on Outpost outside perimeter.

 

February 23, 1969

Called out for “Scivies” formation (for hygiene inspection?)  Not sure, but have photo for proof.  Not a pretty sight!

 

February 24, 1969

Repaired blown bridge on QL-21 west of compound.  The first bridge west of camp is Bridge 25.  This repair was probably Bridge 27 or 28.  We worked 17 hours straight.  Very tired.  Almost lost the 5 Ton over the edge.

 

February 27, 1969

JC was given extra duty.  Out of uniform.  Definitely a “rookie” mistake.

 

February 28, 1969

Started construction of our 2^nd Plt., 2^nd Sq. living-fighting bunker.  Lots of construction is going on inside the compound.  We are beginning the move from tent living to bunker dwelling.

 

March 10, 1969

We moved into our new bunker.  It feels good to have some protection (sandbags) overhead. 

 

March 11, 1969

We conducted an overnight ambush patrol southwest of the compound toward the mountain range.  Nil action.  We ran across a Montagnard during the process and startled him big time.  I bet he had to change his loin cloth soon after.

 

March 12, 1969

We took over construction of the HQ bunker.  What a mess.   I could see 2^nd Sq. was going to be heavily involved with vertical construction.  PSGT Smith said he really liked our speed and quality of work.

 

March 13,1969

We had our first day of rain since the new bunker was built.  We had a few minor leaks, of course.   I tried to convince PSGT Smith our work “did” have flaws.  He wasn’t biting.

 

March 16, 1969

We conducted an all-day patrol with MACV security.  I assisted on the 50 cal.  Other than questioning some locals out in the fields and driving through several large brush fires, we had no positive contact.

 

March 19, 1969

Sp4 James Kehoe, A Co., won Battalion, Group & Brigade Soldier of the Month award.  Congratulations!!!

 

 

March 21, 1969

We finished construction of the HQ bunker.  The guys were very pleased.

 

March 22, 1969

We started construction of the Motorpool  building.  This is a bigger job, requiring a cement pad to accommodate vehicle parking.

 

 

March 23, 1969

We all participated in “zero your weapons” day.

 

March 24, 1969

PSGT Elbert Witt and his group were ambushed.  Search conducted.  Nil

 

March 26, 1969

Eddy Ray Casey, 2^nd Plt., 3^rd Sq. received a “Dear John” letter from his wife.  He ended his life this evening in the 3^rd Sq. bunker.

Vince Acosta landed in country.  He would eventually fill Casey’s open position.

 

March 28, 1969

We received a half day off to prepare for the big cement pour for the Motorpool pad tonight. 

We received a report from the Medivac earlier this morning.  The boy from the 610^th who was crushed was DOA.

 

March 29, 1969

We finished the Motorpool cement pour at 1:30am. I pulled the screed; mighty tired.  Everyone worked very well together and put huge amounts of energy into this project.  PSGT Smith congratulated us on a fine job.

 

April 4, 1969

Good Friday

 

April 5, 1969

Holy Saturday.  Repaired Bridge 27 by-pass.  It had washed out from rains.

 

April 6, 1969

Easter Sunday.  MACV Chaplain conducted services at Camp Reil-Davis.

 

April 21, 1969

Captain Leavins left after 62 days.  Captain John J. Rice takes command.

 

April 22, 1969

Larry Amore’s 21^st birthday.  He is from Lapeer, MI.

 

Lady, our camp mascot had 6 pups under Kenneth Holmgren’s bunk.  Names were Cruit (short for Recruit) 2^nd Sq., Dumdum (no explanation needed) 3^rd Sq. and PSgt Smith has Butch.  He feeds it mess hall scraps.  It getting big!  The other three names I cannot remember.

 

April 26, 1969

Erected EM Club all but the roof in 4 hours.  Done at night.

 

 

May 8, 1969

Lady ate rat poison…as bad as the first time.  We thought she would die.

 

 

 

 

May 9, 1969

Started Bailey Bridge construction at Bridge 34.  Old bridge blown, single bailey had been built next to it and we built double bailey near single which allowed heavier vehicles.

 

TC 310.  UP para 7-13 and 7-15 AR 600-200 fol indiv APT/PROMOTED to TEMP GR indic.

Promoted to Spec 4, E-4; signed by (Bn) CPT David S. Payne & CW2 Gene M. Higgs

BRIONEZ, MANUAL M.  (US)

BAGLEY, ROBBY A.  (US)

CRAVEN, JOHN E., II  (US)

FLORES, BASILIO  (US)

HENSON, JAMES L.  (RA)

ELEA, EDWARD R.  (US)

Signed by:  David S. Payne & CW2 Gene M. Higgs

                CPT, CE

    Commanding

May 10, 1969

Finished bailey bridge at 3:30am after 19 straight hours of work.  Mighty tired.  ARVN provided security.

 

May 18, 1969

Glasses broke pouring Mess Hall pad.  No more guard duty until new glasses are ready.

 

May 20, 1969

William Hanks, A Co., won Battalion, Group & Brigade Soldier of the Month award.

 

May 22, 1969

Went along with ration run convoy to Nha Trang for eye exam and new glasses.

 

June 3, 1969

Began studying for Soldier of the Month Board.

 

June 10, 1969

Received new glasses and resumed guard duty.

 

June 13, 1969

JC won Soldier of the Month for Battalion.  Tied twice with D Co. man.  SgtMaj Specia asked the final questions.

 

June 15, 1969

Worked 18 hours on Bridge 31 bypass.  Supposed to be our day off for accident-free month.

Eddie Thompson’s truck went down the embankment in the “Cao Deo” ???? Pass.

 

June 16, 1969

Off until noon today due to 18 hours work yesterday.

Multiple B-40 attacks on the way to Bridge 31.  Occurred about 3:00pm.

We had a convoy from our base camp to Bridge 31 of two 5 ton dump trucks (one loaded with dirt and one empty) and a jeep carrying our 2^nd Platoon leader, Lt. Murray.  Between bridges 30 and 31 the highway has a long incline that slows loaded vehicles down.  I was riding in the back of the 5 ton loaded with dirt.  There were about 6 of us riding on top of the dirt pile. It was at this point where we experienced B-40 rockets.  The first rocket was off target and missed our truck behind us.  The second rocket was right on target and went straight over the middle of the bed of our truck about 3-4 feet above our heads.  The person to my right (Vince Acosta) and myself began firing at the enemy trail of smoke left by the firing of the rockets.  After the first rocket, the other 5 ton and the jeep took off and left us behind because they were much lighter and could speed away and evade the enemy much better than our slow, loaded truck.  We were feeling quite abandoned since we were left to fend for ourselves with the slower vehicle.

 

June 19, 1969

Left for 70^th Bn at Ban Me Thuot to prepare for 35^th Group Soldier of the Month Board.

 

 

 

 

June 23, 1969

JC Won 35^th Group Soldier of the Month award at South Cam Ranh Bay.  Flew to Pleiku for Brigade Soldier of the Month Board.

 

June 25, 1969

JC came in second for Brigade Soldier of the Month.  After several ties, the board turned to MOS questions.  Unfortunately (for me) the winner was trained in 12B MOS while I was trained in 11B.  “Xin Loi”!

 

July 6, 1969

Mobile Dental Clinic arrived at camp to provide exams and dental care for everyone.

 

July 8, 1969

Building Wingwall forms at Bridge 29.  Lady was killed by a Vietnamese truck driver.  She left 6 healthy pups behind (Dumdum is questionable).

 

July 10, 1969

Upstream (North) wingwall poured at Bridge 29.

 

July 17, 1969

Several B-40’s at Bridge 29, positive contact, negative search.

 

July 19, 1969

TC 316. UP of para 7-10, AR 600-200, apt to TEMP ACT NCO GR SERGEANT E-5 is TERM:

LORANGER, PAUL L., JR.  SP4 this organization

 

TC 316.  UP of para 7-10, AR 600-200, fol indiv APT to TEMP ACT NCO GR indic:

 

TO BE ACTING SERGEANT E-5

CRAVEN, JOHN E., II

HASTY, RICHARD H.

DINSMORE, WILLIAM M.

Signed by:  John J. Rice

                     CPT, CE

                     Commanding        

 

July 22, 1969

Downstream (South) wingwall poured at Bridge 29.

 

July 26, 1969

Bridge 29 completed and backfilled with heavy equipment.

 

July 30, 1969

First of many nights of COR.

 

August 5, 1969

CPT DAVE CORBETT replaces CPT JOHN J. RICE.

2Lt. DAVID MCCONVILLE replaces Lt. MURRAY as 2^nd Plt. Leader.

 

August 13, 1969

Built bunker on the TOC for day observation capability.

 

August 27, 1969

JC was signed to be the EM bartender.

 

 

August 29, 1969

Court Martial of McNeil.  JC was a prosecuting witness.

 

August 30, 1969

Started 7 day R&R to Bangkok, Thailand

 

September 11, 1969

B-40 Alley alive again.  This was the area between Bridge 29 and 30 where the road began the steep incline.  It was perfect for Charlie because our vehicles, especially loaded, were slower there due to the incline.

 

TC 310.  UP para 7-13 and 7-15 AR 600-200 fol indiv APT/PROMOTED to TEMP GR Indic.

 

TO BE SPECIALIST FOUR E4 (Orders provided by Vince Acosta)

 

FELDT, DWAYNE A.

BLAYLOCK, JOHN T. JR.

ACOSTA, VINCENT D.

GRENDAHL, DALE R.

CRAFT, GREGORY D.

ERVIN, JAMES C. JR.

DAVIS, RICHARD E.

BLANTON, DENNIS E.

HOLLAND, DAVID J.

LANE, HAL H.

COLES, EUGENE O.

MCCORKLE, TIMOTHY S.

GREENLEIF, JACKIE L.

BARNES, DAVID D.

GROW, HUGH D. JR.

JAEHRLING, JOHN K.

SCHMITT, PETER D.

LACHANCE, GORDON F.

GREEN, ALVA P.

KOULOS, KURT T.

 

Signed by:  D. J. CRANSTON                                            STUART G. MCLAUGHLIN

                     CW2, USA                                                       1LT, CE

                     Asst Adjutant                                                 Adjutant

 

September 12, 1969

Charlie continues to harass with B-40’s and small arms fire.

 

September 13, 1969

Made necessary preparations and conducted explosive demolition of what was left of Bridge 31.  Charlie had blown it sometime earlier.

 

September 20, 1969

B-40 & small arms fire held up the 3/4ton and 5ton just West of Bridge 31.  They were heading from Ban Me Thuot East to Khanh Duong.

We had a convoy consisting of a ¾ ton truck carrying our 2^nd Platoon leader, SSgt. Eddie L. Smith.  There were about 4 others in the back of the vehicle and a couple of 5 ton dump trucks following.  The convoy was heading west from our base camp at Khanh Duong along QL21 toward Ban Me Thout .  Along the route and approaching Bridge 31 this small convoy was ambushed with B-40 rockets shortly thereafter followed by small arms fire.  There was another, much larger convoy heading east on QL21 that was stopped at Bridge 31 because of the ambush.  There was a helicopter gunship accompanying this convoy and it came to the site of the ambush to help us escape and evade.  When the area was cleared, the ¾ ton and 5 ton trucks continued to Bridge 31 to assist in the work detail that was in progress.  At that time the larger convoy was cleared to proceed east along QL21 toward the coast.

 

October 2, 1969

Lt. Dennis McConville leads 2^nd Plt., 2^nd and 3^rd squads in dismantling bunkers on C Co. 864^th Engr. (Construction) compound in the Cao Deo Pass?????.  That evening we conducted a show of firepower.  Lt McConville was wounded by a 50 caliber round cooking off in the chamber.  Headspace and timing needed to be checked more frequently.  With leg wounds he was treated by a MACV medic and some good whiskey since we had no other pain-killer available.  The medivac chopper was under fire and asked if the wounds were life threatening.   Lt McConville indicated to the chopper pilot that his wounds were not life threatening so they decided not to risk coming in then and agreed to come back the next morning.  We all endured an uneasy night.

 

October 3, 1969

Lt. McConville was medivac’d out to 8^th Field Hospital in Nha Trang.

 

October 4, 1969

Gail Eberts (my steady girlfriend) 22^nd birthday.  We were married August 27, 1971 and are still married as of April 19, 2007. 

George C. Davenport Jr.’s 21^st birthday.

 

George C. Davenport Jr., Wayne Robert Elkins and William F. McLaughlin were killed when a bunker they were dismantling at C Co., 864^th compound collapsed on them.  Three men were also injured in this accident:  ? Gordon, Walter Bell and David Holland.

 

October 14, 1969

A 70^th Engineer Bn officer visited us at a bridge site to announce that the 70^th was to be redeployed to the USA on November 29, 1969 and to be deactivated shortly after.  A Co.  began the process of wrapping up road and bridge projects in order to leave camp Reil-Davis at Khanh Duong and head back to Ban Me Thuot to the 70^th Bn Headquarters’ Camp Jerome by the end of October.  We are scheduled to depart RVN on November 29, 1969.  Everyone whose normal return from Vietnam falls between November 29, 1969 and March 29, 1970 is slated to return with the unit.  Those who did not make the cutoff date are destined for reassignment in Vietnam.  Many will be assigned to the special Task Force 21 at the B Co. compound (Camp Swampy) located on the North side of QL-21 about 30 miles East of Ban Me Thuot and 30 miles West of Khanh Duong and shared with the Vermont National Guard Unit. 

 

November 1, 1969

Moved to 70^th Bn Camp Jerome and began miscellaneous rafter building projects.

70^th Bn issues last “Express” newsletter announcing the 70^th is going home.

 

November 9, 1969

TC 310.  UP para 7-13 & 7-15 AR 600-200 fol indiv APT/PROMOTED to TEMP GR. Indic.

 

TO BE SERGEANT E-5

 

CRAVEN, JOHN E., II

DINSMORE, WILLIAM M.

 

TO BE SPECIALIST E-5

 

 

FLORES, BASILIO

BAGLEY, ROBBY A.

SPRIGGS, HYATT F.

LEWIS, WILLIE E.

LOCKETT, WILLIE E.

Signed by:  Brent C. Wright & D. J. Cranston

                     CPT, CE                CW2, USA

                     Adjutant                 Asst. Adjutant

               

November 10, 1969

B Co. members joined us at 70^th Bn Camp Jerome.

 

November 22, 1969

Special Orders: signed by CPT Brent Wright & CW2 D. J. Cranston

Desjardin, Dale J. Spec 5.  report to 593 ENGR Co (Constr)  Fort Sill, OK 7

Home of Record 600 S. 19^th St. Escanaba, MI

Rambo, Gary D. PVT E-2 report to 605^th CS Co Lt Equip Mnt, Granite AD, IL 62040  Home of record 3346 Columbus Ave. Jackonsville, FL

                Craven, John E., II SGT report to 501^st AG Repl Co, Ft Hood, TX 76544

                Home of record 5870 Elmwood Dr. SMT Monroe, MI

 

November 26, 1969

Left Ban Me Thuot for Cam Ranh Bay via C-130.  From Bn camp to the airfield we had a convoy consisting of every fourth truck being a gunship and we were accompanied by chopper gunship escorts to the airfield.

 

November 27, 1969

Thanksgiving Day in Cam Ranh Bay.

 

November 29, 1969

CID removed Loranger, Paul L. from aircraft.

Departed Cam Ranh Bay via Air Force C141 Hercules aircraft for Ft. Lewis, WA.

 

November 30, 1969

Arrived at Ft. Lewis, WA and had a steak dinner.

 

December 1, 1969

The colors of the 70^th were retired at Fort Lewis, WA.  Brigadier General Thomas M. Tarpley, deputy commanding general, Fort Lewis Training Center presided at the ceremony and closed by reading a poem written by Major Phillip J. Galanti, Jr., former 70^th operations officer.  The 70^th’s 4 years of service in Vietnam were epitomized in the stanza:

 

Rest in peace, proud 70^th, you have done well;

   The soldiers that filled you have seen their hell

And pressed on and on till your work was done

   Your battle has ended and you have won.