Just after dark, the field telephone landline connecting OP-1 and OP-2 went dead. Given the frequency of the breaks in the system it wasn’t an unusual occurrence. TOC had previously called the OP’s and reported VC movement was expected in the area so security was already at 100 percent. The staff went about their nighttime routine with heightened attention focused along the perimeters as the first hours of darkness passed uneventfully.

   Three loud successive explosions suddenly broke the silence to the south, and OP-1 in An Xuan was on the radio reporting they were under mortar attack. Several minutes later they reported that the incoming rounds landed short of the OP in the northeastern end of the village resulting in several dead and wounded, including children. The OP NCO expressed his concern that the enemy rounds may have been bait to lure them out of their defensive positions to aid the villagers, and then launch a ground attack.

   TOC left it to him assess the situation, and he quickly made the decision to aid the villagers. The joint team entered the village and evacuated the wounded to the safety of the OP perimeter where they performed first aid, and maintained security until the casualties were flown out by Medevac. The final casualty count was four dead, eight wounded, and all were villagers.

   The following day it was determined the three explosions first thought to be mortar rounds were identified as 122mm Katyusha rockets fired from the west across the Dong Nai River in the 1st Infantry Division AO. Weeks later the B Company NCO from OP-1 was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Valor for his actions that night.

   WANTED: The name of the Outpost-1 NCO and any other MP staff members. Use the Email link on the March Time Line page to contact the History Project Manager.