Wanted: Information, personal stories, photographs, names of all MP's assigned to the mission. Please use the Email Link on the December Timeline page to contact the History Project Manager. |
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Vietnam History Project ~
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Ammunition Barge recovery on the Dong Nai River 6-11 December, 1967 |
| Wanted: Information, personal stories, photographs, names of all MP's assigned to the mission. Please use the Email Link on the December Timeline page to contact the History Project Manager. |
The B Company ambush squad returned to the site of the 4 December ammunition barge ambush to conduct a sweep of the area for further enemy activity and weapons. PF Muon (scout-Interpreter) and PFC Jeffrey B. Watt discovered one of the Viet Cong Russian made RPG tubes in shallow water along a creek tributary near the enemy ambush position where the Viet Cong body was found the day of the ambush. |
B Company provided a ground site security detail augmented by members of the 615th MP Company, while C Company provided water security. They occupied the river bank setting up their base of operation at the old abandoned French Fort Watchtower on the east bank of the Dong Nai River. The partially sunken barge was located approximately 200 yards from the river bank where the watchtower was located. |
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The Company and 615th MPs were were assigned to provide site security during the ammunition and barge recovery, as well as night ambush in the surrounding area. They were transported to the site from the River Patrol Unit boat dock under the Dong Nai River Bridge in the early evening and landed under the cover of darkness. |
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The following morning members of an Army-Navy Expended Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team arrived by boat transport provided by the 188th MP Company, Cat Lai Detachment., The EOD Team was assigned to inspect the barge for booby traps and to check on the volatility of the ammunition cargo. |
Once they completed their inspection a team of divers, floating crane barge, Army Tug Boats and an empty cargo barge were brought to the scene to begin the ammunition recovery operation. Military traffic on the river was not obstructed during the recovery. |
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The MPs under command of B Company Commander CPT Ronald J. Perry, set up their radios and shelters at the watchtower, their base of operation. The ammunition salvage operations continued for the next four days. |
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The MPs split their forces to provide 24 hours physical ground security for the immediate area, and night ambush and day recon in the surrounding area. Battalion River Patrol Unit boats, were joined by Army of the Republic of South Vietnam (ARVN) gun boats to provide around the clock security on the river. |
The operation concluded on or about the 11th of December (exact date unknown) without incident. The now empty barge was left in the river for later recovery (date unknown), All MP ground elements were transported from the river bank by way of a Navy Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) and taken to the Cogido Barge and Dock Site. |
Miscellaneous Photographs |
Navy LCM arriving at the site. |
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