b company

The Communist Post Tet New Years Offensive

2 January PFC William John Hayes, age 20, of Rockaway Beach, NY. For reasons known only to God and himself, took his own life with his M16 rifle while in a barracks at the B Company compound on Long Binh Post. His ambush team squad leader, SGT Darrell Keckler, and others, attempted in vain to prevent the incident. SGT Keckler was seriously wounded in the attempt.

14 February The following B Company personnel were promoted, PVT Sidney Lucas to Private First Class (PFC), PFC’s Robert I. King, Kenneth J. Marraccini, William L. 'Moe' Mohollen, John J. Vandemark, Paul E. Brown, Robert J. “Auggy” Augspurger, Jr., William C. Young, George S. Watkins, Billy J. Stivers, to Specialist Fourth Class (SP/4).

23 February During the Post Tet Offensive attack along the southern perimeter of Long Binh Post, it became the first time in the history of the United States Armed Forces that Artillery, Armor, and Infantry units under command and control of the 720th MP Battalion, supported a military police battalion, fighting as infantry.

B Company was credited with breaking the tide of the NVA assault during the day long battle through the actions of its ambush and recon teams that met the enemy attack by the 274th Viet Cong (Main Force) Regiment, 5th NVA Division, outside the southern perimeter of the post within the TAOR. Of note were the actions surrounding the B Company Ambush and Recon Squad on Hill-15, The Finger of Land and the battle at the Rifle Range. During these engagements B Company sustained 7 men wounded in action. The enemy suffered over 100 killed and wounded..

WANTED: Interviews, information, stories, photographs from the B Company MP's that worked the day of the attack. Use the Email Link at the top of this page to contact the History Project Manager.

28 March Ambush and Recon Team #75, and #76 were on a night operation on Hill-15 in the southeastern sector of the TAOR. The point man for Team #75, SP/4 Robert Cressman tripped a Viet Cong fragmentation mine on the trail that runs down from the hill to the Buong River. SSG Richard Slaven died from his wounds the next day, Seriously wounded were, SP/4 Cressman, PFC Larry W. Holton, and PF CPL Lee Van Muon.

29 March CPT Harold D. "Hal" Lockhart received command of B Company from CPT Jimmie H. Rich.

Date Unknown An Alliogator was shot and killed in the TAOR. The animal was taken into a local village where it was skinned and the meat eaten. The skin was returned to the company area and displayed on the Day Room wall. For additional photographs CLICK HERE . If you can provide any information on this incident contact the History Project Manager via this Email Link.

Assistance Needed Rocket Launch Site Discovered

Sometime in early 1969 during the command of CPT (LTC Ret.) Harold D. "Hal" Lockhart, 29 March to 8 July 1969, the nickname of B Company "Bushwhackers" was adopted. Prior to that time the unofficial mascot of the company was the cartoon character 'Snoopy' who appeared on the company sign in jungle fatigues with a bush hat and M-16 rifle under the saying "Hang on B Company."

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June It was discovered that the was a large surplus of funds in the Day Room account so the excess money was put to use with a company party offering "free beer."

July Members of the Company were called out for a dental hygiene formation in the parade field behind the barracks.

D Company, 87th Infantry (Rifle Security), 95th MP Battalion, was preparing for standown and transfer to DaNang. Members of the company Mortar Team were transferred to control of B Company, 720th MP Battalion. The duty station (two mortar pits) and billets for the mortar team remained near Tanker Hill on Long Binh Post. Their primary mission was maintaining the Mortar Team for support on B Company Ambush Teams and providing supplemental manpower for Outpost and other operations in the Tactical Area Of Responsibility.

27 September 1LT Jeffery A. Gilbert is assigned to B Company as a Platoon Leader.

23 October 1LT Gerald T. Phipps was assigned to B Company as a Platoon Leader.

14 November 1LT Stephen D. Jeske is assigned as a Platoon Leader.

15 December CPT Bennet S. Jones passes command of B Company to CPT Dennis D. Fogarty.

24 December 1LT David J. Wenger, II was assigned as Platoon Leader.

WANTED: Photographs of and, information, on what platoon assignments the new officers had. Use the Email Link at the top of this page to contact the History Project Manager.