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        During the hot afternoon of Thursday, 6 June 1968, SFC Frank Alloysius "Pappy" Condon, age 47, of Augusta, Georgia, and SP/4 Lewis Randolph Lovell, Jr., age 21, of Martinsville, Virginia, both of C Company, were conducting a motorized jeep patrol outside the southern border of Long Binh Post and the Battalion Tactical Area Of Responsibility on Highway 317.

        SP/4 Lovell the driver, proceeded east along Highway 317 to the vicinity of Long Binh Post Gate-11, and turned right onto Highway QL15 (south) where he left the paved roadway and traveled west out along a dirt trail in an area referred to as "The Finger of Land ." located in the Battalion Tactical Area of Responsibility.

        The trail, approximately 400 yards long, ran east and west parallel to the southern perimeter of the post and is approximately 300 yards south of the perimeter. The area was unpopulated and classified as a"free fire zone."

        Approximately half way down the trail the jeep ran over a large pressure detonated Viet Cong land mine, believed to have been made from a 105 howitzer round.

        Both men died instantly from the powerful explosion.  Their remains and those of the jeep were recovered by a C Company Reaction Force rushed to the area.

        In June 1968 Major General Karl W. Gustafson, The Provost Marshal General, presented to Mrs. Cristel D. Condon of Augusta, Georgia, a Purple Heart Medal awarded posthumously to her husband. The presentation was made during ceremonies at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Accompanying Mrs. Condon was her son, Army PVT Frank P. Condon. Photograph Courtesy of the MP Journal, July 1969