scout dog unit

The Post Tet Offensive, Long Binh Post attacked through the TAOR

23 February, 0200 hours At 2:00 AM the first enemy 122 mm rockets soared across the north end of the TAOR and landed on Long Binh Post. The 274th Viet Cong [VC] Regiment of the 5th NVA Division moved towards the southern perimeter of Long Binh Post. The post and the 720th MP Battalion were informed of the planned attack the afternoon of the 22nd. Three B Company ambush squads were positioned along the eastern end of the TAOR on the "Finger of Land," and a reinforced squad of 12 MP's, [Ambush Team #76] including two Scout Dog Unit handlers from the 212th MP Company, were positioned on Hill-15 along the Buong River. Their assignment was to act as a listening and forward observervation post.

The squad on Hill-15 under constant sniper fire throughout the night and next morning, directed massive artillery, helicopter, and C130 gunship fire on the enemy rocket site and troops troops as they crossed the river and formed for the main assault on the post perimeter.

The Battle For Hill-15

With the retreating enemy forces putting pressure on the MP's on Hill #15, a company from the 199th Light Infantry Brigade landed troops from a landing craft at the base of the hill to assist the squad and to provide a much needed ammunition resupply. The MP's joined with the infantry company and started a sweep north from the hill towards the Rach Ben River.

199th

Two B Company MP's, CPL Thomas T. Watson and SP/4 Bruce D. Bohm, and the Scout Dog Heidi, who were suffering from dehydration and heat prostration, had to be removed by Dust-Off from the sweep when they reached the first stream. The MP's and infantry engaged and killed several more NVA and captured one prisoner before they were finally removed from the field.

A total of 131 enemy bodies were recovered from the battle field along the southern perimeter of the post. B Company casualties were limited to seven wounded from the ambush platoon. The few NVA that did penetrate the post perimeter were killed or captured by members of the 720th MP Battalion Post Reaction Force.

HEIDI

All the members of B Company Ambush Squad #76 were later decorated for valor including both members of the 212th MP Company Scout Dog Unit attached to the squad that day. SP/4's Mel R. Steinhour, Jr. and David G. Monsour of the Scout Dog Unit were each awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V for valor.

April With the events of 23 February still fresh in their minds ambush strategy in the TAOR changed. Since the main NVA assault on Long Binh Post came out of the jungle along the unpopulated eastern end of the TAOR, two new static bases of operation were established and manned on a rotating basis by the ambush squads and their Scout Dog Unit handlers.

The first was built on Hill-15 along the Buong River. Shortly after its completion a second was built on the western end of the Finger of Land. They were used as bases of operation for the increased ambush and reconnaissance patrols conducted in that sector. The patrol assignments varied in duration from three to five days or more.

The members of the Scout Dog Unit that were assigned to the B Company Ambush Squads were also instrumental in providing the sweat and muscle used in the construction of both outposts. The ambush squads and scout dog handlers and their K9's lived and worked at both outpost during their construction.