Exact Date Unknown - Vung Tau  The Battalion Drug Suppression Team (DST) became involved in the investigation of a large black market operation in Vung Tau in . Although the team was primarily focused on narcotics violations, the situation that existed in Vung Tau was too serious to ignore.

     Under the supervision of 1LT John D. Bradley Bradley, II, SGT Gerald M. Huffner (C Company) and SP/4 Charles Valrie (A Company) posed as corrupt soldiers who wanted to make a quick buck. They infiltrated the Vietnamese organization that specialized in the illegal acquisition of high-end rationed Post Exchange (PX) items, primarily stereo systems, tape decks and speakers. The illegal enterprise was being conducted at the Australian PX in Vung Tau, which was staffed by Vietnamese civilians including associates of the black marketers’.

     After befriending the leader of the organization, Huffner and Valrie were given cash by him to purchase specific items of stereo equipment. In return, they would receive a cash commission for their efforts. They were told that they didn’t need a ration card, and were instructed to give the sales clerk a predetermined hand signal.

     They made the purchases, and delivered the stereo equipment to the leader’s residence, where Huffner and Valrie were to receive their commission. The items were later sold on the open market by the organization at a much higher price. This process continued for more than a month, when Huffner and Valrie decided to tell the leader they no longer wanted cash payments for their work, but heroin instead. The leader agreed with one condition- he wanted them to obtain a pallet of beer and deliver it to his neighborhood for his local acquaintances.

     After clearing the substantial red tape through headquarters, the deal was authorized and the beer was trucked from Long Binh Post to Vung Tau, and delivered as agreed. The 144 cases were gone within five minutes of arrival. Huffner and Valrie received one kilo of heroin from the gang leader as payment for their work.

     As soon as the narcotic transaction was completed, Vietnamese National Police arrested the leaders of the organization. Because there were no U.S. troops involved in the criminal enterprise, the Vietnamese government took over prosecutorial control of the case. The heroin was secured and the members of the DST quickly departed Vung Tau.

Reflection  “I never found out what happened to the Vietnamese black marketers, but most likely they bought their way out of any potential problems. I did hear rumors about death threats against Huffner and Valrie from sources in Vung Tau. That is the reason we never returned.” 1LT (LTC Retired) John D. Bradley, II, HQ Detachment, DST Supervisor.

     The following Battalion officers and NCO’s were appointed-designated or certified as indicated: MAJ Jerry E. Jackson of the 22nd Provost Marshal Detachment was assigned as the detachments Primary Censorship Officer; SFC Robert L. Nicholas of the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog) was assigned on temporary duty to assist with the Annual General Inspection to Headquarters USARV Special Troops, Long Binh Post for a period of 5 days, effective 101071.

Saigon  Running unopposed after former General Duong Van Minh dropped out, Nguyen Van Thieu was reelected as President of South Vietnam.

     CPT Paul B. Hughes passed command of A Company to CPT Alex T. Deluca.

     The alert status of the Battalion Reaction Force begun on 22 September for the South Vietnamese Presidential elections was terminated without having to respond to any incidents.

      CPT (Chaplain) William S. Grouse of HQ Detachment, 1SG Dudley L. Godwin of C Company, 1SG William W. Warnick of the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog), 1SG Ronald R. Hockett of B Company, and SFC Robert L. Taylor of A Company were assigned to the Battalion Character Guidance Council.

     SP/4 Bruce E. Given was reassigned from HQ & HQ Detachment to B Company effective 12 October.

     By the second week of October, word was out of an impending IG inspection, and C Company crews managed to get thirteen of their V100 armored commando cars on-line allowing for more down time for the overworked crews. However, the morale of the experienced convoy escort crews once again began to wane when newly promoted sergeants without V100 experience or maintenance training were being assigned as the new NCO’s of the V100's.

     Between 0500 and 0740 hours all phases of the Battalion alert system were tested. Key reaction force personnel were deployed to their predesignated checkpoints throughout Long Binh Post.

Tan An Detachment  The Tan An Provost Marshal Office (PMO) situated 26 miles southeast of Saigon in Long An the southern most province in Military Region III, previously deactivated on 19 June, was reestablished based on a directive from Headquarters USARV that decreased the area of operation of the 716th Military Police Battalion. USARV didn’t like having the 716th performing duties outside of the Saigon Military District.

      Personnel and equipment required to establish the reactivation were taken from the existing resources of B Company headquartered in Vinh Long.

212th MP Company  The following personnel of the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog) were promoted from specialist 4th class to the rank of Sergeant E5: Terry M. Chaffins, Donald L. Hyatt, Elmer E. Trost and Michael J. Trost.

     The Battalion communications system, to include the telephone system periodically underwent a security inspection monitoring by the Army Security Agency (ASA). Unexpectedly, during this inspection which lasted through 6 November, the quality of the telephone communications at headquarters became severely hindered.

     The ASA technical process inadvertently allowed all staff sections and units on Long Binh Post to overhear telephonic communications that were initiated by one party. Other problems included frequent loss of connections once communications were established, inaudibility, dialing a local number and receiving a response from Cam Ranh Bay, and inability to get a clear dial tone for long distance calling. None of the problems had been experienced before ASA initiated the inspection monitoring.

Saigon  The Battalion assumed “gray” alert status for their Reaction Force in preparation for the inauguration ceremonies in Saigon for newly elected President Thieu. The ceremony went smoothly with no domestic or enemy disruptions, and the alert was terminated on 1 November.

     Just before the end of the month, C Company received three new 40mm grenade launcher systems with new turret shields for their V100’s. The guns could be fired automatically or manually, put out 250-300 rounds per minute, and had a maximum range of 2,200 meters. Because the crews assisted with the installation, the down-time for the three V100’s on which the system was mounted, was limited to only two days.

Phu Loi Detachment - 212th MP Company  The 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog) was short thirty dog handlers, and the personnel shortage was expected to get worse during the next 90-days.

     The 22 August promised kennel facility upgrades to be completed by 1 September by the Phu Loi base camp command had yet to be initiated for the thirty handlers and K9’s of the 212th Detachment previously deployed there.

     The lack of proper facilities endangered the health of the K9’s, so a Battalion command letter outlining the problems was forwarded through channels to 18th MP Brigade Headquarters requesting expeditious action.