1970 Time Line ~ Ambush & Recon
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association ~ Vietnam History Project ~
This Page Last Updated    22 August 2010
If you recognize any of the events listed on this Time Line page and would like to contribute Information, personal stories, documents, media articles or photographs pertaining to them, please take a moment to contact the History Project Manager at the Email Link provided above.
18th Bde.
720th
A Terrible Tragedy On The River
 
31 January A tragic accident resulted in the death of three members of a B Company Ambush Squad.  SP/4 David A. Johnson, PFC David L. Hemke  and  PFC Robert L. McArthur were members of one of two B Company Ambush Teams being transported that night in three Boston Whaler Skimmer’s on the Dong Nai River.
Johnson
Hemke
McArthur
 

        It was getting dark as the three boats entered into the Dong Nai and began their turn southward. SGT Ralph TakenAlive, a squad leader in the third boat, said he saw the middle boat become swamped by the wake of the boat ahead and dip into the water. The three MPs drowned in the darkness, pulled down by their weapons and equipment in the fast moving water. Their bodies were recovered several days later.

        An order was issued for life vests to be used in all future river transports.

 
If you were a member of the Ambush Platoon or River Patrol Unit involved in the incident or the recovery operation, or you can provide any photographs of Johnson, Hemke and McArthur for their Honor Roll pages, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.
 

March Members of the Ambush Platoon transported and supported by the River Patrol Unit, were guided by a Hoi Chanh (amnesty program) to a  Viet Cong Base Camp in the back river of the TAOR.

        The MP ambush patrol searched the lean-to shelter and immediate area surrounding it. They recovered weapons, ammunition and food. The shelter and food was destroyed in place before they were forced to leave due to the outgoing tide. The successful operation was the result of increased psychological operations in the TAOR during which numerous propaganda pamphlets were dropped by helicopter offering amnesty and rewards to the hidden VC if they surrender to allied forces.
 
        Ambush Team members participating were: SSG Clarence Lauchter, SP/4's Michael Ambrose, Autry, Doug Bishoff, Stephen J. Cullinane, Jerry L. Perry, Thompson, Gregory or Tommy?, Patrick L. Wohletz, and others yet to be identified. River Patrol members present were: SP/4 Robert E. Cagle, SP/4 Jared L. Kelley, and others yet to be identified.
 
If you were a member of the Ambush Platoon or River Patrol Unit involved in the mission, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.
 
April Ambush, River Patrol, and Civic Action Patrols continued while Operation STABILIZE started to wind down and the plans for the future redesignation of B Company and the 188th MP Company began to materialize.
 
Late March-Early April We were being transported to our entry point on one of the back river tributaries of the Song Be [Bong] River, our squad came under heavy small arms fire from the jungle on the opposite side of the river.  Our pilot was able to quickly steer into a small inlet that was sufficiently in from the river to somehow allow our squad to jump into the shallow shore and scramble into the thick jungle vegetation to gain concealment and return fire.  SSGT Clarence Lotter (sp?) radioed in for artillery support to the VC position; however, a Navy river patrol boat, on the same frequency, seemingly appeared out of nowhere and delivered heavy 50 cal. and M60 machine gun fire to the VC position.  Between our combined firepower, the enemy dissipated without our squad sustaining any causalities. SP/4 Michael J. Ambrose, “Ambi,” B Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, Long Binh Post, Vietnam, March-September 1970.
 
If you were a member of the Ambush Platoon or River Patrol Unit involved in the mission, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.
 
May While our squad was en route to our night ambush position, where we had occasion to cross a shallow river from an open field into the jungle.  Our point man led us across a narrow plank and several of our squad walked across without consequence.  On that day, it was my turn to carry the large field radio on my back, in addition to my rifle, extra ammo clips, and two crossed bandoleers of M60 ammo.  As I walked across the plank, I lost my balance and fell approximately 7 feet into the shallow water; and, considering all the weight that I was carrying, immediately became stuck in the mud, thigh deep.  Just moments later, as some of my squad was figuring out how to dislodge me, the enemy began to fire from the cover of jungle vegetation.  I was very afraid, since I was stuck in the mud and could not move.  Our squad returned fire and the firefight quickly abated. SP/4 Michael J. Ambrose, “Ambi,” B Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, Long Binh Post, Vietnam, March-September 1970.
If you were a member of the Ambush Platoon or River Patrol Unit involved in the mission, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.
 
Mid-June While returning from a week of ambush and recon, we were crossing an open field en route to our pick up point on the river.  When most of the squad was in the clearing, we came under sniper fire.    Fortunately, there was a trough along our left flank where we were able to obtain cover and return fire. SP/4 Michael J. Ambrose, “Ambi,” B Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, Long Binh Post, Vietnam, March-September 1970.
 
If you were a member of the Ambush Platoon or River Patrol Unit involved in the mission, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.
 
With the progression of Vietnamization - Operation STABILIZE comes to an end
 
 
25 July Operation STABILIZE comes to an end. As a result of the Vietnamization program B Company ceased all infantry counterinsurgency operations in the 720th MP Battalion TAOR.
 
        The security for the southern perimeter of Long Binh Post was now the responsibility of the 25th Infantry Division, the Army of The Republic of South Vietnam (ARVN), Vietnamese National Police and Village Government Officials. In retrospect, the overall pacification goals of Operation STABILIZE was deemed a success.
25th ID
 
        During the following months the battalions resources would be taxed bringing what had been a strictly infantry company up to a full TO&E military police company, to include retraining, personnel and equipment.
 
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