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Summary - May 1967

As summer approached, the 2/5 Cavalry continued its participation in Operation Pershing in Eastern Binh Dinh Province. The Communists' organization and command structure in the province had been disrupted during the preceding three months and the enemy was attempting to infiltrate troops into the coastal plains in an effort to regain strength and control over the many hamlets and villages. Since the civilian population of the mountain valleys had been evacuated and resettled, the lowland rice-growing areas near the coast became even more important to the VC and NVA soldiers; they had no other easy source of food supplies.

C Company's usual daily operations during May consisted of surrounding and searching villages in The Crescent, the flatlands in the vicinity of Dam Tra O (lake). This was a rich agricultural area of rice paddies, with the large fresh-water lake and the nearby sea providing substantial additional resources. Infiltrators entered the area both from the western mountains and by sea. The Viet Cong attempted to blend into the legitimate populace of the many hamlets while the NVA troops generally seemed to stay in the two mountain groups; the Cay Giep to the north of The Crescent and the Nui Mieu to the south.

The cordon and search missions could be tedious and slow. The practice was to surround a hamlet early in the morning and then physically search the ground and the houses while Vietnamese police or ARVNs questioned the inhabitants, with particular attention being paid to military-aged males. Often nothing significant was found but every so often a violent firefight would suddenly flare up. The usual method of approach was by helicopter but on one occasion, May 9, 1967, C Company made an amphibious assault on the village of Lo Dieu in a combined forces operation with the US Navy. The unpredictable appearance of the cavalry troopers at scattered villages contributed to area security and helped keep the enemy off-balance and unable to establish political control over the population.  (Source: Ken Burington)

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May 9 - 10    

C  2/5th Cav made another first by making a night amphibious landing.   Using landing vessels of the 1098th Boat Company, 1st Logistics Command, Qui Nhon,  the mission was to board the boats at night and move by water to a village complex along the coast of the South China Sea.  An amphibious landing was necessary because  arms of the Cay Giep mountains came down to the sea, making it difficult to approach overland. C 2/5 Cav was  given the mission to make a night landing, then cordon and sweep the village of Lo Dieu (BR 970950, Map 6837-4).  The company met the landing craft late in the evening on the beach southeast of Dam Tra O Lake.  At 0300 hours on the morning of the 10th, the craft landed the men in total silence and darkness. One boat landing north of Lo Dieu and one south.  An east-west blocking position was established north of the village, with the other half of the company moving from the south through the village, making light contact.   Unfortunately, the cordon had been placed north of the river outside of the village, leaving an escape route for the NVA.  After the cordon was repositioned, intermittent fire continued.  At first light, C 2/5 Cav swept Lo Dieu,  capturing 12 NVA, with 5 NVA KIA.  (Contributed by  Donald G. Jensen.  Please read Don's personal story of this action in the Stories section)
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The beach and a hootch in the Village of Lo Dieu	Click on Photos to See Larger Version Courtesy Don Jensen

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May 16

SP4 Freddie Robinson was KIA by an enemy booby trap while on a night ambush.  SP4 Larry Evans was wounded in the same explosion.  Anyone with further in formation on this action, please notify the Webmaster.  (Source:  Larry Evans)

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May 27

C 2/5 Cav's amphibious landings were one of the front page stories in this issue of Blackhorse Hoofbeats.  Be sure to read it as it contains some interesting information. Be aware the full story may take awhile to download.
Click on Photo to See Larger Version Courtesy Don Jensen

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May 30

Memorial Day - - that day every year when we remember buddies who died in combat.  This special memorial bulletin, issued by the 2nd Brigade, honored those from the 1/5th, 2/5th, and 2/12th Cav who were KIA from May 1966 to May 1967.

Click on Photo to See Entire Bulletin - Caution - Very Large File Courtesy Ed Walsh

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May - Exact Date Unknown 

This is a typical village in the Bong Son Plains.  The houses (known as a hootch to most grunts) were built right next to the rice paddies.  In this case, the rice plants have been recently planted and will grow into mature plants in a few months.  Note the troopers of Charlie Company taking a break, with the ever-present kids with them.	Click on Photo to See Larger Version Courtesy Ray Long
1st Platoon machine gunner Norman Ford trudging down a trail used by villagers to get to their fields.  Behind him is assistant gunner Leonard Dixon.  Note they are far apart - distance reduces casualties when the shooting starts.	Click on Photo to See Larger Version Courtesy Tony Vicinanza
Another of 1st Platoon's machine gun crews.  From left to right: Anthony Drames, Anthony "Tony Vic" Vicinanza, and Anistacio Hudley.	Click on Photo to See Larger Version Courtesy Tony Vicinanza

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May - Exact Date Unknown

Dave Mason flew Hooks for the 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company from LZ English.  Even though his was not a Cav unit, they flew support for us.  Dave sent this picture of LZ English from the air.

Click on Photo to See Larger Version Courtesy Dave Mason

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May - Exact Date Unknown

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Updated September 13, 2006