Ambush on the Finger of Land
18 November 1967, Saturday

A 615th MP Company ambush team suffered two wounded during an exchange of hand grenades between their patrol and a Viet Cong force of unknown size while in a night ambush position in an area just south of the Finger of Land in the 720th MP Battalion Tactical Area of Responsibility.

The patrol was delivered to their AO by boat while it was still daylight and set up into a defensive position. One hour after dark they moved to another position and set up an ambush site in a wagon wheel configuration on a trail south of the Finger of Land, between it and the Buong River.

At 2300 hours [11:00 PM] several members of the team heard noises and whispers just outside their perimeter. In an attempt to probe their position the VC tossed several grenades in their direction that fell far short. Not wanting to give away their positions by firing their weapons members of the ambush team responded with several hand grenades in the direction of where they through the VC were located in the hope that they would open fire and reveal themselves. Neither exchange produced the desired results.

The VC again threw a grenade towards the area of the MP patrol. This time it landed in the center of the position and pieces of the shrapnel wounded SP/4 Lynn Jorgensen, and another (unidentified) MP in the legs. The wounds were not serious but having suffered two wounded and still not knowing the size or exact location of the VC, the squad broke contact and withdrew from their position.

They proceeded to a dirt road near the perimeter of Long Binh Post and linked up with a 720th reaction team send to assist them. The MPs from the 720th rushed both wounded to the 24th Evacuation Hospital on Long Binh Post where the men were treated and later released back to their company.

It was unknown if any of the VC were wounded in the exchange of grenades. Members of the 615th MP Company that participated in this ambush were, Sp/4 Lynn Jorgensen, and others yet to be identified.

If you can identify any of the other MP's involved in this incident please notify the History Project Manager via the email link on the time line page.