| The next operational support mission was to haul crushed rock for the 554th Eng. Battalion Saigon Bypass project. The 2nd Platoon began hauling crushed rock to Cu Chi on 23 Feb 1968. The 1st Platoon began hauling crushed rock to Cu Chi on 26 Feb 1968. During this time period side boards were installed on all vehicles to increase their load to maximum capacity and eliminate spillage. The alert bunkers on the perimeter were resandbagged as it was discovered they were insufficient to withstand the Tet Offensive. I currently do not have additional information for the latter part of 1968 other than my own memory. I believe that both platoons transferred to Cu Chi towards the middle of 1968 and I know we stayed there for the balance of the year. Does anyone have any historical data from say June through December 1968? The same goes for the beginning of 1969. I only have written data from August of 1969 forward. Can anyone add anything for the first 6 months of 1969? 104th Engineer Company (DT) Operations during Late 1969 On September 22, 1969 there was a change of command ceremony that was conducted by COL A. L. Wright of the 79th Engineer Group. CPT Bruce E. Brockway assumed command. The 104th Eng. Co. was stationed at Long Binh in Camp Frenzell Jones. The average company strength at this time was 104 enlisted men, 1 Warrant Officer, and 3 commissioned Officers. Here is an interesting note, one Special Court-Martial was set up and 10 men were administered punishment under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice. Does anyone know what happened here? Does CPT Bruce Brockway remember? During this time period the 104th continued to serve its primary mission of the operation of dump trucks for movement of bulk materials in support of the 79th Engineer Group (Const.). Between 6-8 August 1969 the issue of 28 GMC 20 ton dump trucks to the company significantly increased the hauling capability of the unit. In September, the company was organized into a 5-ton tactical dump truck platoon with 25 5-ton dump trucks and a 20 ton dump truck platoon. Operators for the 20 ton dump trucks were trained by civilian instructors for 20 ton dump trucks and for the 6 CY Transit Mixers. I think this was the first significant change for the unit concerning the equipment that was used. Up until now all the dump trucks were 5-toners. Now, there were a total of 25 5 â €“tons and 28 20-tons. There were still two Platoons. During this time the 104th accumulated 359,019 miles, hauled 31,844 cubic yards of rock, 10,223 cubic yards of sand and 4,102 tons of asphalt. It continued to be a busy time. It was also noted that special training was conducted for all personnel on the operation, care and cleaning of the M16A1 rifle and familiarization firing was conducted 19 October 1969. I guess this was when the unit started using the M16. In 1968 we used the M14. Towards the end of 1969 there were two more Courts Martial and 19 men were administered punishment under Article 15, UCMJ. What was going on here?? The 104th continued to fulfill its primary mission of operating dump trucks for movement of bulk materials in support of the 79th Engineer Group (Const.). The trucks drove 463,058 miles, hauled 30,374 CY of rock, 30,716 CY of sand, and 9,626 tons of asphalt. The unit also received seven new 5-ton Dump Trucks. One of the problems that were discussed was that the asphalt hauled over great distances loses heat and arrives too cold on site for laydown. A suitable cover needed to be placed over the asphalt to retain the heat. Salvageable canvas was procured and used to cover the asphalt. This idea was successful. 104th Engineer Company (DT) Operation During 1970 The unit was still stationed at Long Binh Post in Camp Frenzell Jones. CPT Brockway remained in Command. There were no Courts Martial at this time but there were 22 men punished under Article 15, UCMJ. The unit continued to fulfill its primary mission of operating dump trucks for the movement of bulk materials in support of the 79th Group. The unit drove 703,908 miles, hauled 56,799 CY of rock, 3,591 CY of sand, and 30,460 tons of asphaltic concrete. During the month of March 1970, the Vietnamese Drivers Program was initiated. A total of 31 drivers and 2 leaders were hired as well as a secretary and an ARVN interpreter. The program worked well with minor personnel difficulties, the most severe of which is the absentee rate due to illness. The unit received 13 new five ton dump trucks. The unit strength was upped to 51 five ton dumps and 28 twenty- ton dump trucks. It was also noted that in March the 104th supported the St. Joseph School in Bien Hoa Village by hauling local borrow material. The material was used to fill a low marshy area that was then turned in to a children’s playground. May and June were tough months for the men of the 104th who participated in the Cambodian Operation, Toan Thang 43. Two tactical five ton dump truck platoons were committed to the operation. Many units of the 20th Engineer Brigade participated. It began on 1 May 1970 and ended on 30 June 1970. The initial thrust into Cambodia was made by the 1st Air Cav. on 1 may 1970. The requirement for massive Engineer support was realized and the 79th Engineer Group was called upon to provide combat support to this operation. Forward airfields and supple points and main supply routes were to be developed and improved as required. Bridging materials were stockpiled at predetermined location and relocated as needed. Engineer support was given for the destruction of captured enemy materials and base camp areas. Enemy areas of sanctuary, routes of approach and ambush sites were denied through the use of jungle clearing techniques. Once the Cambodian operation was in full swing, the majority of the Group’s assets were committed to the support of the operation. On 16 June 1970 23 trucks from the 104th and 7 dump trucks from the 79th Eng. Co. (BP) arrived at FSB Colorado with rock for the bridge sites. Due to the crowded conditions within the FSB it was necessary to park vehicles in partially exposed positions. During the night heavy rains developed and at approximately 0330 hours the FSB was attacked with RPG and small arms fire. 13 Engineer personnel were wounded and a large number of vehicles received minor shrapnel damage. One truck, ¼ ton, one ¾ ton and one bridge truck received considerable damage. The bridge, a 110 foot triple-single Bailey was completed on 16 June 1970. On the morning of 17 June elements traveling to the bridge sites were taken under fire and forced to remain within the fire support base for the remainder of the day. Mortar and rocket attacks and land mines caused the majority of casualties. The majority of the casualties occurred during the period of 16 through 19 June in the Fishhook area of Cambodia. On 16 June an attack on FSB Colorado resulted in 13 Engineer personnel being wounded. On18 June a work party enroute from FSB Colorado to a bridge work site was ambushed, resulting in 8 WIA. The hardest single blow dealt to any element occurred on the night of 19 June 1970 when the 984th Eng. Co. (LC) was attacked in their NDP and had 3 personnel killed and 18 wounded. The remaining casualties were suffered in sporadic enemy actions or mine detonation incidents throughout the campaign period. There was a total of 6 five ton dump trucks lost during the campaign. |
