Outpost-4 |
Village of Long Binh Tan |
Bien Hoa Province, III Corps Tactical Zone |
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~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Vietnam History Project ~ |
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Time Line |
Most of the more specific details of some of the missions carried out by this unit are incorporated into the chronology of the more comprehensive daily Battalion Time Line from 1967 through September 1970 denoted by |
Long Binh Tan Village |
Long Binh Tan Village was located in the north western portion of the Tactical Area Of Responsibility (TAOR), bordered on the west by Tam Mang Village, on the north by Highway 317 and the southern perimeter of Long Binh Post. To the south by the Dong Nai River, and to the east by An Hoa Hung Village. |
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Motorized transportation to and from the village was readily accessible via a single lane dirt road connected to Highway 317 that passed directly through the village looping Southeast through An Hoa Hung Village and back out (north) to Highway 317 past Outpost-3. The economy consisted largely of rice farming and fishing and, as in An Hoa Hung, many of the residents worked on Long Binh Post or the city of Bien Hoa. The village did have several small cottage industries and a small brick manufacturing facility. The village Catholic populace and church also supported an orphanage. Of the four TAOR villages Long Binh Tan was the least sympathetic to the Viet Cong due primarily to their religion and the proximity to Long Binh Post. |
The majority of the village was Catholic. The vast majority arriving after fleeing North Vietnam in 1954 after the First Indochina war with France ended, and the Geneva Convention partitioned Vietnam. Many of the elderly residents were originally from the Hanoi area of North Vietnam and moved south after the French were defeated by the Viet Minh (forerunners of the Viet Cong). They were all fiercely proud of their religion and staunch anticommunist so VC activity in the village was very light and limited to the outlying river area in the south west. The village outpost was a remnant of the French Army era. |
The Outpost |
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The primary structure of the outpost was an old three story red brick French Watch Tower (nicknamed the Tree House) that was constructed during the first Indochina War. It was situated on the northeast corner of the compound at the entrance to the village from Highway 317. Water and supplies were trucked in and access to Long Binh Post was readily available when staffing permitted. There were no vehicles assigned to the outpost so any daytime transportation had to be coordinated through Battalion or the Civic Action program roving patrols. |
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There was a second smaller brick tower on the southern perimeter, and on the northwest and south west corners were round reinforced concrete pill box style bunkers. The main barracks building was made of cement block, wood framed, tin roof, with reinforced sandbag walls. A deep ditch or moat, approximately 15' in width and 10' deep surrounded the outpost, inside the barbed wire perimeter. |
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During the 1967 and early 1968 time period the outpost was staffed by A Company on a rotating shifts of twelve hours. After 26 June 1968 the outpost was staffed by three MPs with a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) or SP/4 in command. Since it was the least susceptible to enemy activity, the staffing received the lowest priority of all the B Company outpost's. |
There was no main village square in Long Binh Tan for social events, but in the evenings the villagers were invited into a field to the south of the outpost where they could watch television. The TV, contained in a large wooden box like cover on a platform attached to a pole in the field, was powered by a village operated generator. The villagers would gather in the late afternoon, weather permitting, and sit around watching the Vietnamese language television programs. |
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There were approximately fifteen to twenty Regular Force/Popular Force (RF/PF) militia assigned to the outpost. The MPs armament was similar to that of the other outpost's, as was the RF/PF armament. Both the PFs and MPs had their separate radio nets and they were also connected to a telephone land line permitting communication with Outpost's 1, 2, 3, and Battalion Tactical Operations Center on Long Binh Post. |
1967 |
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Because of its relatively secure location, the daily routine was primarily perimeter and building maintenance, civic action, and vehicle inspections that were aimed at preventing convoy black marketer's from heading for An Hoa Hung via the rear entrance from Highway 317. |
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There was also the added responsibility of periodic patrols to inspect the Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant (POL) pipeline that passed through the area west of the Outpost. Security at the POL pumping site located on the Dong Nai River was the responsibility of D Company, 87th Infantry, 95th MP Battalion. |
The above ground POL pipe line was used to pump fuel products from the Dong Nai River barges anchored at the off loading site, north into Long Binh Post to the tank farm. Since the pumping operations took place during the daytime hours the pipe line was normally empty during the hours of darkness. It could be easily repaired because it was above ground, so the Viet Cong (VC) didn't consider it a viable target. |
 WANTED: Photographs of the pipe line and POL site, please use the Email Link at the top of this page. |
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A Company was assigned the responsibility for maintenance and staffing at the outpost. The MPs were assigned duty there in 12 hours shifts and none actually lived at the outpost. |
12 December, 1000 Hours PFC Ronald J. Pedrick, A Company, fell through the roof of the main building at Outpost #4 while working on the installation of wiring. He landed on his feet then fell over resulting in bruising and scratches to his right arm. CPT Steven Vass, Jr., Battalion Operations [S-3] was notified, and PFC Pedrick treated and released to off duty status for the day. A Company advised they will repair the building roof. |
25 December On Christmas Day members of A Company threw a party for the children of the orphanage in Long Binh Tan and provided security for church services for the predominantly Catholic village. |
Miscellaneous Photographs |
A Company, SP/4 Bob "Twiggie" Henslee, on duty in the watchtower. |
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A Company Ambush Team, PFC Rutherford, SP/4 Durden and unidentified MP at Outpost #4. |
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A Company, SGT Pete Dedijer and SP/4 Chuck Edwards at Outpost #4. |
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A Company, PFC Rutherford, SP/4's Durden, Edwards, Sundt, and one unidentified MP at Long Binh Tan. |
1968 |
Outpost-4 Transferred To Operational Control Of B Company |
22 June PFC Thomas T. Watson of B Company was transferred from duties at Outpost-2 in Long Hung to Outpost-4 to initiate the transfer of responsibility of operations for the outpost from A to B Company, scheduled officially for 26 June. He was tasked with inspecting the facility and making recommendations to Platoon Sergeant SFC Richard DeHart on what materials would be needed to upgrade the defenses and living quarters for full time staffing. A Company would continue to provide staffing until the 26 June change over. |
24 June PFC Watson was contacted by B Company and informed he was to assume the status of Enlisted Man In Charge (EMIC) of the outpost and there would be four B Company MPs assigned to assist once the transition was completed. A promotion to E4 with the rank of acting corporal soon followed. |
I’m For The Rice, Dried Squid, And Peanuts The Journal of CPL Thomas T. Watson, B Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, March 1968 to March 1969. |
26 June B Company assumed responsibility for total operational control of the 720th MP Battalion Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR), under Operation STABILIZE. Battalion TOC warned of possible enemy activity to disrupt the transfer of TAOR operations, however, everything went smoothly and no incidents were reported. |
The four MPs promised never materialized, and only two new MPs were provided as staffing by B Company. PFC Joseph F. Bella (New York) and PVT Walker (Detroit) were sent out to staff the outpost with PFC Watson. Both Walker and Bella had been previously assigned to Tay Ninh Convoy escort duties before the transition. Walker had less than 60 days left in his tour, Bella had just started his tour in April. Even with the long days of work details to improve the facility followed by night shifts on radio watch, both said they liked the idea of getting out from under the watchful eyes and daily grind of life in the company area. |
PFC Joseph Bella
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PVT Walker
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The process of repairing and upgrading the living quarters, bunkers, and improving the overall physical security of the compound progressed from this point. The main billet roof was repaired and the walls painted. All the trash and brush was removed from the grounds and perimeter. The barbed wire gates and perimeter were repaired and upgraded, new sandbags were added to the building foundations, bunkers and the main watch tower. |
BEFORE 1967
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AFTER 1968
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28 June The B Company MPs new quarters were located in the three story brick watch tower at the main gate of the outpost compound. Due to a serious rat infestation that was discovered, the first phase of cleaning and construction was started there. Since there had yet to be any deliveries of construction materials the wooden planking used as walkways in the outpost perimeter ditches were used for new flooring in the tower. The Rats In The Tower CPL Thomas T. Watson, B Company. |
The acquisition of the walkways for flooring resulted in a confrontation with the local PF Platoon Sergeant who demanded to be personally compensated for the wood (previously provided by the U.S. military) from the walkways. Needless to say, he wasn't very happy with the answer he received. |
The MP and PF relations were strained during the following weeks because of the refusal to pay off the PF Platoon Sergeant for the lumber. They became even worse when the PF Sergeant decided to turn up the dispute a notch by ordering his men not to participate further in any of the construction and sand bagging to upgrade the outpost defensive and living conditions. In addition, one of the Sergeants confidants was constantly taking slap flares from the tower and using them for his personal amusement. Since there was a shortage of them at the outpost and B Company Supply Sergeant, SSG Edward Sanchez, complained about the number being drawn from supply, it presented an additional problem. The PF Sergeant was asked to put a stop to it and ignored the request. |
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Most of the local PF's, except for several of the Sergeant's close confidants, expressed their personal dislike of their sergeant and his actions but were unable to do anything for fear of retribution. To counter the PF Sergeants move to slow the upgrade of the outpost, PFC Watson requested and received the enthusiastic assistance of some of the young women in the village to assist the MPs with filling of the sand bags while the embarrassed PF's watched. The women knew what was going on and teased the PF's adding to their embarrassment. |
3 July PFC Watson was promoted to SP/4, assigned the rank of Acting Corporal, and designated as NCOIC. 4 July Being short handed on personnel the MP's couldn't leave the outpost and go into the company for the celebration and barbecue. Several of the friendly PF's brought in a case of Vietnamese beer and some food to help them celebrate the 4th of July at the outpost, the PF Platoon Sergeant wasn't among them. |
16 July The tensions came to a head when the PF again took several slap flares from the tower. When asked by CPL Watson to return them the PF and several of his friends ignored the request, took them apart and lit them for their personal amusement. Knowing they had the backing of their Platoon Sergeant they dared CPL Watson to take action. SFC DeHart, who had been receiving routine briefings on the problem was immediately informed of the line that had just been drawn in the sand by the PF Sergeant and his confidants. Fearing it would grow into a mutinous situation, without expanding on his response, SFC DeHart just said he would take immediate action to end it. |
17 July The threatened mutiny with the PF platoon came to an abrupt ending with the arrival in the morning of SFC DeHart and a Lieutenant from the ARVN, PF Headquarters, Bien Hoa. The Confrontation CPL Thomas T. Watson, B Company. |
20 July 0500 Hours At 5:00 AM a civilian truck trying to get a jump on the curfew became lost and ended up in the TAOR free fire zone before daylight. Not familiar with the roadway the truck almost ran through the Outpost-4 gate at Long Binh Tan Village. The driver had his two young children in the back as passengers. A fathers foolishness almost resulted in a tragedy. CPL Thomas T. Watson, B Company. |
23 July PFC Bella was reassigned to a newly formed ambush and recon squad leaving only CPL Watson and PTV Walker on duty at the outpost. |
24 July Two new men were assigned to the outpost staff, both with Infantry MOS, one a SP/4 (unidentified) the other a PVT Bridges. During the next week PVT Bridges, who had a serious drinking and discipline problem, would form a relationship with a few of the militant PF's. They would use his drinking and bad attitude to create additional problems for the other MPs. |
2 August PVT Bridges left the outpost after dark without permission with his two PF friends. His partner was sent out with several other PF's to retrieve him, they returned a short time later and reported that PVT Bridges was drunk, armed with a 45 cal pistol and refused to return. CPL Watson went out into the village and talked PVT Bridges into returning to the outpost without further incident. Several hours later, the two PF's returned to the outpost and attempted to leave again with PVT Bridges. Since word of the incident had spread throughout the outpost there was now a crowd of PF's watching to see what the outcome would be. When confronted, PVT Bridges threatened CPL Watson and refused an order to retire for the evening. He was immediately subdued and placed under guard until arrangements could be made for a transfer to Long Binh Post in the morning. |
3 August At first light PVT Bridges and a preliminary statement of charges were turned over to an MP Patrol who transported him from the outpost to B Company. 4 August CPL Watson was summoned to B Company to sign the formal statement of charges in regards to the incident with PVT Bridges on 2 August. At that time CPL Watson was also informed by SFC DeHart that after almost five months of outpost duty he was being reassigned to ambush duties. 6 August CPL Watson was reassigned from duties as NCOIC of Outpost #4 to NCOIC of Ambush Team #76 and moved onto Long Binh Post. It is unknown who his replacement at the outpost was. |
16 September 2335 Hours At 11:35 PM personnel saw movement at Grid Coordinates YT 034036, and fired approximately ten rounds from their M-16 with negative results. |
Exact date unknown CPL Andres Berzino was assigned as the Noncommissioned Officer In Charge at Outpost #4. Many people say that sports can be an international language, and CPL Andres Berzino, an MP of B Company, 720th MP Battalion, isn’t one to disagree. CPL Berzino, who played semiprofessional soccer in his home town of Queens, New York, now plays center forward for the Long Binh Tan village soccer team. His teammates are the Vietnamese civilians and Popular Forces [PF] soldiers he works with daily as head of the combined MP/PF outpost in the village, located in the Battalion Tactical Area Of Responsibility southwest of Long Binh Post. "Playing soccer brings us together," he commented. "I’ve really become friends with these people." "It’s really important to be friendly with the PF's because many of them have lived and worked in this village all their lives and can provide us valuable information about the enemy," he said. Berzino said he was "discovered" after he began playing volleyball with the PF's. "The volleyball games eventually led to a soccer game. After that game they asked me to play on their village team." Now, every afternoon, Berzino and his teammates practice in the sandy soccer field behind the MPs outpost. On weekends he exchanges his green tropical uniform for the blue and white uniform of the Long Binh Tan soccer team, which plays home games in Bien Hoa and away games in Saigon. "The other teams don’t really mind. In fact, they get a kick out of seeing a GI play," he commented. "They play the game by the European rules which are a little different that US rules, I adjusted easily enough. " Article "Joins VN Soccer Team", publication, author unknown, 1968. |
3 October, 1745 hours At 5:45 PM The Popular Forces, observed one Vietnamese male near the perimeter of the outpost. The male was detained and transported to the Battalion S-2, [Intelligence and Security Section] for interrogation by the 702nd Military Intelligence Unit. Interrogation revealed that the male, Nguyen Van Loi, was an innocent civilian. |
Staff Photographs |
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CPL Watson 1968 |
PFC Bella 1968 |
PFC Walker 1968 |
PFC "JR" 1968 |
CPL Berzino 1968 |
PFC Aurillo 1968 |
Miscellaneous Photographs |
Ambush Team members with recovered recoilless rifle round. |
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| SGT Hall & SFC Wasiak in village. | |
| Young village girl. | |
| Viet Cong family funeral procession. | |
| B Company Ambush Squad on patrol. | |
| B Company, SP/4 Daniel Dobbs at Long Binh Tan. | |
| B Company, SP/4 Daniel Dobbs at Long Binh Tan. |
1969 |
After Post Tet 1969 The Vietnamization of the Outpost Begins |
23 February, 0200 hours The 274th North Vietnamese Army Main Force (NVA) Regiment of the 5 NVA Division attacked the southern perimeter of Long Binh Post. The thrust came right through the eastern sector of the Tactical Area of Responsibility avoiding the more populated western sector where the four B Company outpost were located. The attack which started with a major rocket and mortar barrage was a total route of the enemy forces due to the disruption of their troop movements by four B Company Ambush teams, and those enemy troops that did make it through were held at the wire by perimeter security, B Company and Battalion Reaction Forces, and supporting elements of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) and 199th Light Infantry Brigade who assisted in the mop up operations. As a direct result of the attack another program to strengthen the outpost perimeter and protective structures was immediately initiated. |
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After the 23 February Post Tet attack the security priority shifts from the villages and outpost to the unpopulated eastern sector of the TAOR. By the end of the summer most of the MPs on outpost duty are reassigned to other assignments and the local Popular Forces units take responsibility at the outpost's. |
2 August All outpost missions in the Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR) were terminated. The Village Outpost staffed from late 1967, OP #1 An Xuan, OP #2 Long Hung, OP #3 An Hoa Hung and OP #4 Long Binh Tan, were turned over to the control of the local Popular Forces units. All B Company personnel withdrawn from the facilities were committed to increased reconnaissance and ambush missions within the TAOR. |
Miscellaneous Photographs |
Northeast view of the compound. |
1970 |
Operation STABILIZE Comes To An End |
25 July A result of the Intensified Vietnamization Program, Operation STABILIZE came to an end when all B Company missions in the Tactical Area of Responsibility were turned over to the Army of The Republic of South Vietnam (ARVN) and the 25th Infantry Division, now located at Bearcat. |
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Miscellaneous Photographs |
SP/4 Aldrich and Can Sat, Vien on motorized patrol outside Outpost-4. |
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