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1966 ~ It all began as Operation OVERSEER

15 November "Operation OVERSEER" was initiated as a 720th MP Battalion mission to provide daily route and supply convoy security for the 40 mile round trip from Long Binh Post to the city of Xuan Loc, and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment "Blackhorse" base camp, just south of Xuan Loc in what was formerly known as Long Gaio.

In later months and years Operation OVERSEER would be referred to by several names, Long Gaio, Xuan Loc, and Blackhorse Convoy.

The convoy would depart the Long Binh Post staging area head northeast along Highway QL-1 (about 40 miles) through the city of Xuan Loc, located in Long Khanh Province.

11th ACR

After passing through Xuan Loc, Highway QL-1 turned south west at a fork in the road where the Highway-1 sign pointed to Dalat. The road to the right LTL-2, was a two lane dirt road (for about 5 miles) through a Michelin rubber plantation to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment headquarters and base camp (Long Gaio) named Blackhorse.

All three of the 720th MP Battalion organic companies to include the 615th MP Company, participated either jointly or individually at one time or another in escorting the convoy. The 615th MP Company conducted the convoy escorts for most of 1967 into early 1968 until it was detached from the 720th and reassigned to the 95th MP Battalion.

The average number of supply vehicles was from twenty to thirty. They included the fuel tankers, flat beds, tractor trailers, reefers (refrigerated trucks), and ambulances that carried plasma and other medical supplies. The standard MP escort vehicle at that time was the gun jeep armed with one M-60 machine gun. Later when Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and V100Armored Commando Cars were assigned to the Battalion, they supplemented the escorts. Helicopter gunships, and Forward Air Controler’s (19th Tactical Air Support Squadron), were also utilized to scout and provide operational control for air cover and artillery assistance when they were available, and weather conditions permitted.

1967 ~ From a daily run to contingency status

The convoy was run during the evening hours to avoid the heavy traffic congestion on Highway QL-1 during the daylight hours.

A Not So Typical Xuan Loc Convoy Run In 1967 SGT James F. Ruffer 615th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, November 1967 to August 1968.

6 March The convoy escort operation mission to provide route and convoy security from Long Binh Post to Xuan Loc was changed from a daily operation to a contingency operation.

16 November, 2200 hours At 20:00 PM, a 5 ton tractor trailer in the Xuan Loc Convoy detonated a land mine at Grid Coordinates [map location] YT 438025, that blew off the right rear dual tires of the truck and turned it over. SP/5 Warren L. Berg, 519th Engineer Company, operator was not injured, SP/4 David D. Tichelarr, 185th Maintenance Battalion, passenger, received a small cut under his right eye. The truck blocked the roadway and the convoy was being delayed. The traffic could not be routed around the truck for fear of hitting other enemy land mines. Information provided by LT Gaglione, 615th MP Company, Escort OIC.

30 November, 2015 hours [8:15 PM], PFC Allen J. Harrell [615th MP Company], while loading his M-60 Machine gun in preparation to depart, accidentally fired one round. The accidental discharge occurred while the escorts were still in the company area. SP/4 Benny Edmondson was the IC of the jeep. No injuries or damage reported. CPT Steven Vass, Jr., MAJ Fred J.Villella, and SGT Hefflinger, 89th MP Group notified.

13 December, 1410 hours At 2:10 PM, SSG Lawrence B. Ewers, B Company, notified this office that at 0805 hours [8:05 AM], this date, SP/4 Donald E. Brewer, B Company was the operator of jeep, USA#363090, Bumper Marking B-37, with SP/4 Richard E. Caldwell, also of B Company, both with the Xuan Loc Detachment, when they were involved in an accident. They were traveling on Highway-1, 1/4 mile west of Check Point #1, where he had been pacing a 5 ton truck. SP/4 Brewer stopped and made a U-turn and proceeded East when their vehicle was struck in the rear by a motorcycle operated by Bui Van An, Vietnamese civilian.

Injuries: Bui Van An received a laceration of the upper lip, bruises and abrasions of the face; Neither MP was injured. He was treated and released at the Ty Y Te Hospital in Xuan Loc. Damages to motorcycle, dented front fender, approximately $5.00. US property damage, none. CPT Steven Vass, Jr. Battalion Operations notified. Serious Incident Report [SIR] completed and forwarded to the 89th MP Group and 18th MP Brigade.

23 December, 2304 hours At 11:04 AM, the convoy escorts found a dirt and brush road block in the vicinity of Grid Coordinates [map location] YT433101. There was Vietnamese writing on the roadway and Viet Cong flags in trees on the side of the roadway. The obstruction was removed by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment personnel.

1968 ~ From a night to a day run

A Typical Xuan Loc Convoy Run In 1968 SGT Gary A. Sundt, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, October 1967 to October 1968.

1 February The 720th MP Battalion changed the Xuan Loc Convoy mission from a night to a day operation because of increased enemy activity in the area. This change provided much more safety for the convoy vehicles and MP escorts.

Reflections SGT Gary A. Sundt, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, October 1967 to October 1968.

8 April C Company took their turn in the rotation of convoy escort duties with a commitment of two APC's, four gun jeeps and a total of eighteen MPs. The escort ran five days a week. C Company ended its turn at the rotation on 26 June 1968.

25 May LTC Zane V. Kortum, 720th MP Battalion Commanding Officer, notified Battalion Operations that effective 28 May 1968, Xuan Loc Convoy escorts would utilize five gun jeeps and are no longer required to use APC's. COL Francis E. "Frank" Payne (former Battalion Commander), Commanding Officer of the 89th MP Group, approved the change in commitment.

August A Company provided sixteen MPs and five gun jeeps in support of the Xuan Loc Convoy.

10 September, 0850 hours At 8:50AM elements from the Xuan Loc Convoy notified Battalion Operations Center of a traffic accident at Grid Coordinates [map location] YT094125. The accident involved an unknown engineer vehicle and an unknown type Vietnamese civilian vehicle. They reported one Vietnamese National dead, one seriously injured. The 615th MP Company was notified and dispatched units to the scene. SGT Mentor of the Long Binh Post Provost Marshal Office was also notified.

1969 ~ Operation OVERSEER comes to an end

24 October The 720th MP Battalion discipline, law and order detachment and convoy commitment at the Black Horse Base Camp of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment were terminated upon turnover of the base to the 18th Infantry Division of the Army Of The Republic Of Vietnam (ARVN). All the personnel resources and equipment were returned to other duties.

1970 ~ The Detachment is once again operational

March The Xuan Loc Detachment would again be opened and staffed by C Company at the "Husky Compound" east of the town.