| From 1 May through 31 July, 1967 the entire unit was engaged in General Support of the four Engineer Battalions of the 79th Engineer Group. Between 5 June and 1 July two complete sections plus four trucks of the third section from the 2nd Platoon and 48 personnel were attached to the 554th Engineer Battalion, Cu Chi. These personnel worked a two-shift 20-hour day. During the day they worked on the causeway for the Phu Cuong Bridge, while at night, they hauled laterite for construction projects on post. During the period of their attachment, the sections traveled 40,385 miles and hauled 26,760 yards of bulk materials. On the 1st of July the Platoons were rotated. The second Platoon returned to Long Binh while the 1st Platoon took their place. During the period 1 July through 31 July two complete sections of the 1st Platoon were with the 554th Eng. Battalion, while the other section was attached to the 65th Engineer Battalion (combat). On 19 July an additional section from the second Platoon was attached to the 65th Eng. Battalion (C). At this time 16 vehicles were with the 554th Eng. Battalion, which, during this period, traveled 36,548 miles while hauling 14,319 equivalent yards of bulk materials. The two sections attached to the 65th Eng. Battalion (C) during this period traveled 10,466 miles while hauling 16,859 equivalent yards of bulk material. At the same time, the unit constructed the other 6 Adams huts for a total of eight huts in the company area that were utilized as troop billets. Two additional tropical buildings were constructed which were used as a combined orderly/supply room. A maintenance building, which included a tool room and dispatch office, was also constructed. Once again the 104th continued to be very busy with hauling and company area construction. The unit was well on its way to being established in Vietnam. On 5 August 1967 the command structure of the 79th Engineer Group was significantly altered by the arrival and assumption of command by the 20th Engineer Brigade. From this date on our units official designation was 20th Engineer Brigade, 79th Engineer Group, 104th Engineer Company (Dump Truck). The 20th Engineer Brigade with its Motto:Building Combat Power, has quite a history. The 20th Engineer Brigade extends back to the American Civil War though the unit designations have changed many times since. It was originally constituted on 3 August 1861 (under a different title), and its ancestors fought in campaigns in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the Mexican Expedition, and World Wars, I & II. The 20th Engineer Brigade was activated for the Vietnam War at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 1 May 1967. The unit departed Pope AFB 1 Aug 67 for Vietnam and arrived at Bien Hoa AFB. The unit then assumed command of the 159th, 79th, and 34th Engineers Groups. During the latter part of 1967 the 104th remained at its authorized strength, and continued running the 48 5-ton dump trucks using a driver + a shotgun. On about 27 December 1967 the company experienced a large loss of personnel due to rotation. However, this reduction in personnel was counteracted as new replacements were assigned to the 104th. This is when yours truly came on board. During November, December, 1967 and January 1968 both Platoons were TDY on Operation Yellowstone. On 1 November through 13 November 1967 three of the six dump truck sections were attached to the 65th Eng. Battalion at Cu Chi. Their mission was to haul laterite for upgrading the TL-10 road between Loc Thanh and Bao Trai. Two sections operated from a base camp at Trang Bang and one squad operated out of Cu Chi. During this period the trucks drove 9364 miles and hauled 3945 yards of laterite. During 2 November through 8 November 1967, 1st Platoon was hauling for the 168th Eng. Battalion. On 10 November, 1st Platoon began hauling for the 554th Eng. Battalion in Cu Chi and continued until 15 November 1967. On 28 November 1967, both Platoons moved to the 588th Eng. Battalion in Tay Ninh in preparation for Operation Yellowstone. The 1st Platoon was attached to D Company, 588th Eng. Battalion, at Katum for the purpose of repairing the runway and upgrading. The 2nd Platoon was attached to B Company, 588th Eng. Battalion, at French Fort, near Tay Ninh, also for the purpose of upgrading. The 46 dump trucks of the 104th that were involved in Operation Yellowstone drove 23,348 miles and hauled 28,650 yards of rock and laterite. During this time period 1LT Jay D. Stone and SSG Billy Gibson designed and supervised the construction of a portable grease rack built from CBU containers. The rack was designed primarily for the Forty-eight 5 ton dump trucks although smaller vehicles could be accommodated. The perimeter guard bunkers were reconstructed as well as the alert bunkers were re-sandbagged. A new POL storage area was constructed as well as a new welding shop location. On 12 May 1968 the 104th was awarded the COMMANDER'S UNIT COMMENDATION The award read as follows: Date of action: 8 December 1967 to 18 February 1968 Reason: The 104th Engineer Company (Dump Truck) distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in connection with military operations against hostile forces from 8 December 1967 to 18 February 1968. The 104th Engineer Company (Dump Truck) was attached to the 588th Engineer Battalion during Operation Yellowstone, which was conducted in the Viet Cong infested War Zone C. With a mission of supporting the line companies of the battalion with dump trucks, the company located one platoon at French Fort with company B and one platoon at Katum with companies C and D. Although beleaguered with damaged equipment and mounting casualties the unit was ready, responsive, resourceful and reliable in meeting all of its assigned tasks. The morale of the personnel remained high and the personnel had unfailing confidence in themselves and their leaders. The outstanding contribution of this unit reflects considerable credit upon the 20th Engineer Brigade, and the United States Army, Vietnam. The award was signed by Curtis Chapman, Brigadier General, USA, Commanding During Operation Yellowstone the 79th Group suffered 175 WIA and 5 KIA. The 79th Engineer Group awarded 230 decorations to personnel with the Group for participation in Operation Yellowstone. Included were 2 Silver Stars, 23 Bronze Stars with V device, and 37 Army Commendation Medals with V device. NOTE; The total mileage driven since the unit arrived in country on 17 January 1967 was 1,150,362 miles and total yardage was 281,470 yards of construction materials. 104th Engineer Co. (DT) Operations During 1968 In January and February the 104th was still supporting the 588th in Operation Yellowstone. 1st Platoon at Katum upgrading route 4 to Prek Klok and route 246 to Bo Tuc. The 2nd Platoon was still at French Fort upgrading TL-4 north to Prek Klok. The 2nd Platoon returned to Long Binh on 18 February 1968. The 1st Platoon returned to Long Binh on 21 February 1968. Four Dump Trucks were lost during Operation Yellowstone. One truck was destroyed in an ambush, one by detonation of a mine, and two were lost because of cracked frames. The company during this time period was at 170% of its authorized strength. This over strength was justified by a requirement from headquarters to operate on a twenty-four hour basis. The morale of the company remained high even though the men were working long and difficult hours. Another big event in 1968 was the VC Tet Offensive that began on 31 January 1968. All units of the 79th Group came under fire during this offensive. The 104th had both platoons in the field involved with Operation Yellowstone. Both units were hunkered down and received mortar and rocket attacks. I personally was at French Fort and remember we were cut off for 11 days. We basically shut down for that period of time and protected our perimeter, pulled guard, and had quite a few minutes. The VC were very active the whole month of February. It was a crazy time. The 79th Engineer Group had 14 KIA, 205 WIA and one MIA. |
