Regardless of MOS if you recognize or participated in any of the events listed on this Timeline page and would like to contribute any information, personal stories, documents, media articles, photographs, or, if you can provide information on any events not listed, please take a moment to contact the History Project Manager at the Email Link provided for you on this page. Your contributions are important to the recording of the Battalion history and always welcomed here.

Please take the time to report any broken links on this page to the Webmaster via the Email Link.

Send your photographs as .jpg via the Email Link of this page. Scan them as large as you can, one to an Email and include as much information as you can. Direct any questions via the Email Link.

CLICK ON INDIVIDUAL RIBBONS FOR CRITERIA

Return To 1967 Index

Last Updated 25 October 2017

Rosters

Email Link

At the start of the month Battalion HQ Detachment, its organic letter companies and the 615th MP Company were headquartered subordinate to the 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, III Corps Tactical Zone, Bien Hoa Provence, Long Binh Post,  South Vietnam.

18th MP Brigade

89th MP Group

720th MP Battalion

1st Logistics Command

0001 hours 12:01 AM Daily Log Opened By SP/4 George J. Swindasz, [HQ Detachment].

0025 hours, 12:25 AM CPL Schaeffer, Desk Sergeant, Long Binh Post notified this office at that a vehicle assigned to C Company was broken down on Highway-15 by Tan Hiep near the Palm Beach Photo Shop and needed assistance. C Company CQ SP/4 Kryn B. Van Elswyk notified.

0225 hours, 2:25 AM, MAJ Carl C. Keese, Battalion Executive Officer requested transportation to the Long Binh Post Dispensary due to an illness. CPT Robert Folster Battalion Duty Officer notified. MAJ Keese treated and released.

0525 hours, 5:25 AM SP/4 White, CQ of 89th MP Group, was notified of the POW and Guard count at the hospital.

0530 hours,  5:30 AM, SGT J. T. Cartee, B Company, NCOIC, notified this office that the Tay Ninh Convoy Escort departed Long Binh Post with 9 gun jeeps and 27 MPs.

0655 hours, 6:56 AM, CPL Schaffer, Desk Sergeant, LBP, notified to turn the lights out at the Main Gate.

0656 hours, SGT Hambrick, B Company NCOIC, SHOTGUN Escort notified this office at 6:56 AM, that the escort from the 90th Replacement Battalion to Bien Hoa Air Base was completed with one minor incident of convoy interference. SHOTGUN Report #123 was filed.

0700 hours, 7:00 AM, SSG Jackie R. Davis [615th MP Company] was relieved of duty as Staff Duty Noncommissioned Officer [SDNCO], was debriefed and replaced by SGT William H. Lamontagne.

0750 hours, 7:50 AM, 1LT Nicholas F. Adams, A Company, Officer In Charge of the 3rd Ordnance Battalion ambush detail returned to this office and gave a negative situation report for incidents at the ammunition supply depot during his tour of duty. MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, S3 notified.

0800 hours, 8:00 AM, LTC Anderson, Provost Marshall of Bien Hoa called and wanted to speak to the 615th MP Company in regards to a riot that occurred on the evening of 2 March 1967 in Bien Hoa, but not entered on the MP blotter. CPT John B. Doyle, Battalion Adjutant, and SGT Frank W. Burzinski, Operations Sergeant for 615th MP Company notified.

0945 hours, 9:45 AM SP/4 Allen L. Behrens, A Company, returned to this office and stated that they had escorted three POWs to the III Corps Cage at 0910 hours. There wasn’t any paperwork with the POWs. SP/4 Behrens stated that a Sergeant [name unknown] was asked for the paperwork and he said that it would be mailed to the cage. The Sergeant then left the POW with with SP/4 Behrens and left the area. This office called SSG Gilchrest, Operations, 2nd Field Forces [IIFF], PMO, and informed him of the incident. He said he informed personnel of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment [11th ACR], to have the paperwork ready. SSG Gilchrest is checking with the 11th ACR to find out what happened and who the Sergeant was who released the POWs to SP/4 Behrens. MSG Colvard, Operations, 89th MP Group notified.

1000 hours, 10:00 AM CPT Lemon, S3 of 89th MP Group notified this office that MAJ Roppo and LTC Huskeson would be inspecting the 50th and 24th Evacuation Hospitals tomorrow morning 4 March 1967. They will be taking motion and still pictures by direction of General Turner. This will be to off-set the propaganda of the treatment of POWs. They requested an escort from the 720th to the hospitals to coordinate with the representatives at the hospitals. If the Battalion Commanding Officer isn’t available they want the S-3 [Operations Section] Officer. Notified Battalion CO, MAJ Kenneth Weinstein, Assistant S-3 CPT Leon C. Matassarin and SGT Glenn E. Imler, Operations for A Company.

1001 hours, 10:01 AM, SSG Gilchrist, II Field Forces Provost Marshals Office, notified this office that the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Xuan Loc has 3 POWs ready for pick up and delivery to III Corps POW Cage; two males and one female. Tran Van Tho, Nguyen Huu Su, Tran Thi Co. (female). Informed same that unless a helicopter is available we would not be able to make the pick up.

1007 hours, 10:07 AM, SSG Gilchrest called and said he would get conformation on the helicopter for the POW transport by 1600 hours (4:00 PM) this date. He needed two guards to be ready to leave at the helipad at 0800 hours (8:00 AM) on 4 March 1967, at IIFF.

1100 hours,  11:00 AM, SP/4 Bean, A Company, returned to this office and reported that he had released two POWs, Chan Van Phan and Nguyen Van Pham to the III Corps POW Cage. One armored jeep, one 3/4 ton truck, and five MP’s were utilized. Highway 15 to 1 A was used. Delivery at 1030 hours, (10:30 AM), no problems were encountered.

1105 hours,  11:05 AM, SGT Ramsey, S3 of the 68th Medical Group requested an escort at 1300 hours (1:00 PM) this date for medical patients at 93rd Evacuation Hospital A&D (Admissions and Discharges) to Tan San Nhut Air Base, 21st Casualty Staging Flights.

1106 hours, 11:06 AM, MAJ Stocks, S3, 68th Medical Group contacted by CPT Mattassarin of this office in reference to the MP escorts of medical busses. This will be a day to day mission in regards to time, location, and destination. Direct coordination will be with SGT Rampey, S-3 [Operations Section], 68th Medical Group on a daily basis. Only problems would be as in the past many trips ran over the noon period. The reason for the escorts is mainly for traffic control to expedite movement of serious medical cases. MAJ Stocks was informed of jurisdiction situation by MPs in Vietnam. Battalion CO notified.

1245 hours,  12:45 PM, SGT Louis R. Lozano, Jr. A Company, returned to this office and reported he had transported and released one POW to the III Corps Cage from Chu Chi, 25th Infantry Division. Nguyen Van Cu. One gun jeep and 3 MPs were utilized. Highways 1 to 1 A were used, no incidents encountered. Arrived POW Cage at 1215 hours (12:15 PM).

1308 hours,  At 1:08 PM, SSG Gilchrest, IIFF PMO, notified this office that the 1st Infantry Division at Di An has a female POW, Hoa Thi Tran ready for pick up and delivery to III Corps POW Cage. Informed same we would pick up 6 March 1967.

1330 hours, 1:30 PM, CPT Lemon, S3, 89th MP Group reported that MAJ Roppo and the photographers would be at the 18th Brigade S3 to go to the POW Hospitals.

1331 hours, 1:31 PM, MAJ Hill, Provost Marshal Long Binh Post, called in reference to a pass violation not being entered into the MP Desk Blotter at 2300 hours (11:00 PM), on 2 March 1967. CPT Matassarin, S3 and SGT Ronald M. Guilford, B Company, notified.

1350 hours, 1:50 PM, SSG Gilchrest, IIFF, PM, notified this office that the 199th Light Infantry Brigade at Nha Ba has three POWs, Ngo Van Giai, Cao Van Ngay, and Nguyen Van Hoang, ready for pick up and delivery to III Corps POW Cage. Informed same we would make pick up 6 March 1967.

1615 hours, 4:15 PM, SGT McKinney, C Company, NCOIC of the escort for the 68th Medical Group, returned to this office and reported that they escorted 1 bus with 15 patients from 93rd Evacuation Hospital, Long Binh Post, to Tan San Nhut Air Base without incident. Two gun jeeps and 6 MPs were utilized.

1616 hours, 4:16 PM, SSG Gilchrest of IIFF, PMO, called and reported that the 199th Light Infantry Brigade has a POW, Le Van Be, at the Thu Duc Advisory Section ready to be picked up and delivered to III Corps POW Cage. Informed him we would pick up on 6 March 1967.

1633 hours, 4:33 PM, SSG Gilchrest, IIFF, PMO, notified this office that the 199th Light Infantry Brigade at Nha Pa, has three POWs ready for pick up and delivery to III Corps POW Cage. Nguyen Van Meo, Nguyen Van Thau and Nguyen Van Na. Informed same we would pick up on 6 March 1967.

1650 hours, 4:50 PM, SSG Marion K. Lord, 615th MP Company relieved SGT Lafontagne and assumed the duties as Staff Duty Noncommissioned Officer.

1730 hours, 5:30 PM, 1LT Gordon L. Locke, A Company, OIC of the 3rd Ordinance Ammunition Supply Depot ambush detail departed for their post with 9 gun jeeps and 37 MPs.

1731 hours, 5:31 PM, SSG Marion K. Lord, SDNCO, inspected, briefed, and posted the the Interior Guard detail.

2015 hours, 8:15 PM, SGT J. T. Cartee, B Company, NCOIC, Tay Ninh Convoy Escort reported that they had returned to Long Binh Post and no incidents were encountered during the escort.

2105 hours,  9:05 PM, CPT Ronald K. Riggs, A Company, SDO (Staff Duty Officer) reported that SGT Vonnie A. Johnson of A Company, lost his 45 caliber pistol, SN#815153, in the river at the Cogido Barge Site while jumping from a barge to the pier. The holster caught onto a line dislodging the pistol from the holster.

2350 hours, CPT Ronald K. Riggs, A Company, SDO reported that he has inspected the interior guards and the Battalion area at 11:50 PM, all was secure.

2400 hours Daily Log Closed.

0001 hours, 12:01 AM, log opened by SP/4 George J. Swindasz, SFC Clarence L. Broome [HQ Detachment] listed on leave from S3 to Continental United States.

0530 hours,  5:30 AM, SP/5 Renninger, Staff Duty Noncommissioned Officer, 89th MP Group was notified that there were 43 POWs and 24 MP Guards.

   SP/4 Kenneth McClain, B Company, NCOIC of the Tay Ninh Convoy Escort notified this office they were departing Long Binh Post with a detail of 9 gun jeeps and 27 MPs.

0650 hours. 6:50 AM, SGT Miller, Long Binh Post, Staff Duty NCO rendered the following Serious Incident Report (SIR). 1LT Flagg, 3rd Ordnance Battalion reported that at 0545 hours (5:45 AM) a Sentry Dog was alerted in the Ammunition Supply Depot (ASD), The guard sighted two figures running outside the perimeter fence. The guard fired 25 rounds of M-14 ammunition. One figure seemed to stumble and both figures hit the ground. A check of the area met with negative results and negative injuries. CPT Riggs Battalion Duty Officer (DO), and SP/5 Renninger, SDNCO 89th MP Group notified.

0700 hours, 7:00 AM, PFC Daniel J. Banker, B Company, Post #2, Main Gate LBP, notified and turned lights out.

   SSG Marion K. Lord, [615th MP Company] SDNCO was debriefed and relieved by S-3, SGT William H. Lamontagne who assumed SDNCO duties.

0715 hours,7:15 AM, SGT Rampey, 68th Medical Group Operations, called this office and reported that there would not be any Operation RIFLE medical escort needed by them this date. MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, Battalion Operations notified.

0740 hours,  7:40 AM, 1LT Gordon L. Locke, [A Company] Officer In Charge reported negative situation report on incidents during his tour of duty at the Ammunition Supply Depot.

0800 hours,  8:00 AM, SSG Gilchrest, Operations, II Field Forces, Provost Marshals Office notified this office that the 9th Infantry Division at Bearcat has a POW, Vo Van Dung, ready for pickup and delivery to the POW Cage. Advised we will pick up on 6 March 1967. MAJ Brokaw, Battalion S3, and SSG Glenn E. Imler, Operations, A Company notified.

0830 hours, 8:30 AM, CPT Ronald K. Riggs, Commanding Officer, A Company reported to this office that the 45 caliber pistol lost 3 March at the Cogido Docks by SGT Vonnie A. Johnson was recovered from the river.

1050 hours, 10:50 AM, LTC Anderson, Bien Hoa Provost Marshal, contacted this office and requested a statement from 1LT Gordon L. Locke, A Company, in reference to an incident that took place in Bien Hoa approximately three weeks ago, involving a Captain being apprehended in an off limits area. LTC Anderson stated the Commanding General of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, is very much interested in the incident. Notified 1LT Locke.

1130 hours, As per conversation from MAJ Kenneth Weinstein, Battalion Commanding Officer. Effective immediately, personnel on duty and/or who have in their possession hand irons [hand cuffs], will either carry them in a hand iron pouch or in their pockets, Notified, MAJ Francis L. Brokaw Battalion Operations, SSG Elmer, A Company, SGT Ronald M. Guilford, B Company, SP/4 Newell, C Company, SFC Frank W. Burzinski, 615th MP Company.

1250 hours, 12:50 PM this date, CPT Lemon, Communications Officer, 89th MP Group, notified this office that our Radio Teletype [RTT] may leave for Can Tho this evening or on the morning of 5 March 1967. Personnel, SGT Wonders, SP/4 Carl G. Brewer, and PFC Robert D. Bell, HQ Detachment, 720th MP Battalion. From Saigon to Vung Tau by boat. CPT John B. Doyle, Battalion Adjutant, and personnel notified.

    PFC Allan Craig Shroyer, age 20 of A Company died from an accidental gunshot wound that occurred this date while standing guard duty at the Cogido Docks.

Editors Note: The third page of this Daily Log, from 1250 hours to 1930 hours, log entrees 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 is missing. The National Archives did not have it on file. This time period covers the time of the incident resulting in the death of PFC Shroyer specifically log entrees 19, 20, and 21. They may have been transferred to CID custody during the follow up investigation of the shooting. The shooting witnessed by another MP was ruled as accidental.

PFC Shroyer

1930 hours, At 7:30 PM, SP/4 Enyon, 90th Replacement Battalion, requested an Operation SHOTGUN escort for 2015 hours (8:15 PM), from the 90th to Bien Hoa Air Base. SP/4 Hudson, B Company CQ notified.

2040 hours, 8:40 PM, CPT John B. Doyle SDO, made a check of the battalion area and guards, all secure.

2230 hours, 10:30 PM, SP/4 Randall W. Melton, [B Company], Sergeant of the Guard (SOG), reported that he took a civilian radio from PFC Billy E. Beasley, [B Company], who was on guard duty at Post #6. The radio was turned into SFC Charles C. Bigoness, SDNCO, A Company.

2330 hours, 11:30 PM, the guard at the construction area was relieved from his post because the work crew reported for duty.

2400 hours Daily Log Closed.

0120 hours, At 1:20 AM, SGT Farley, Staff Duty NCO at the 24th Evacuation Hospital called and asked for volunteers with "O" type blood. Notified: Company A CQ; SP/4 Hudson, B Company; SP/4 Falchak, C Company; and CQ at 615th MP Company.

0130 hours, Notified at 1:30 AM, that the following volunteers were responding to the 24th Evacuation Hospital to give “O” type blood, SP/4 Bean A Company, PFC Gerald F. Albano, PFC Singleton, SP/4 Lickley, B Company, PFC Daniel V. Sarinana, PFC John J. Snider, III, PFC Joseph DeLuna, C Company.

0210 hours, 2:10 AM, SP/5 Eynon, 90th Replacement Battalion, requested an Operation SHOTGUN escort of troops from their location to the Bien Hoa Air Base at 0400 hours (4:00 AM), this date. SP/4 Hudson, CQ, B Company notified.

0530 hours, 5:30 AM, SGT J. T. Cartee [B Company] notified this office that the Tay Ninh Convoy Escort departed with 9 gun jeeps and 27 MP's.

0600 hours, 6:00 AM, SSG O’Rourke, SDNCO, 89th MP Group was notified of the POW and Hospital Guard count, 45 POW’s and 27 MP Guards.

0700 hours, PFC James A. Lamb [B Company] at Post #2, Main Gate notified and turned lights out at 7:00 AM.

0730 hours, 7:30 AM, 1LT Gordon L. Locke [A Company], OIC of the Ammunition Storage Depot guard detail, reported that there were no incidents during his tour of duty.

    SFC Clarence W. Bryant, A Company, relieved SFC Charles C. Bigoness, A Company, as SDNCO.

0810 hours, At 8:10 AM, MAJ Sanders, Saigon Port Provost Marshal, called this office requesting information about the Crown Report [A casualty report forwarded from source to higher command] on PFC Shroyer (Casualty 3 March). MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, Battalion S-3 notified.

0815 hours, 8:15 AM, SGT Rampey, Operations, 68th Medical Group reported that there would be no Operation RIFLE escort needed for today. Notified SGT William H. Lamontagne, Battalion Operations.

0825 hours, Civic Action 8:25 AM, the Civic Action Group, CPT Leon C. Matassarin [HQ Detachment], as OIC departed the Battalion area.

0850 hours, At 8:50 AM, MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, Battalion S3, notified this office that MAJ Kenneth Weinstein, Battalion CO wants all Company Commanders in his office at 1100 hours (11:00 AM) this date for a meeting. 1LT Gordon L. Locke, A Company, SP/4 Gerald E. Reddaway, B Company CQ, SP/4 John Felchak, Jr., C Company, CQ, notified.

0935 hours, SGT Guilford, IIFF PMO, notified this office at 9:35 AM, that the missing paperwork in reference to log entree 3 Mar 67, 0945 hours, will be brought to the Battalion S-3 office.

1325 hours, At 1:25 PM, MAJ Hill, Long Binh Post Provost Marshal reported that at 2100 hours, (9:00 PM), 4 Mar 67, that he notified CPL Joseph V. Berger, B Company, Desk Sergeant, Long Binh PMO of small arms firing near the rubber plantation on Highway QL-15. MAJ Hill instructed CPL Berger to notify the Bien Hoa MP station and this Battalion. There was nothing put in the Long Binh Post MP blotter in regards to the report.

1350 hours, At 1:50 PM, CPT Krahe, 89th MP Group, notified this office that an officer being assigned to the Battalion was at the 89th Group Operations office and requested an escort at that location. CPT John B. Doyle, Battalion Adjutant and 2LT Leahy dispatched to the escort.

1645 hours, SP/5 Eynon, 90th Replacement Battalion, notified this office at 4:45 PM, that they needed an Operation SHOTGUN escort from the 90th to Bien Hoa Air Base at 1915 hours, (7:15 PM), to 2230 hours (10:30 PM), this date. SP/4 Gerald E. Reddaway, B Company CQ notified.

1715 hours, 5:15 PM, SGT Keith D. Allen, 615th MP Company, Bien Hoa MP Desk, notified this office and requested an Operation SHOTGUN escort from the 90th Replacement Battalion to Tan Son Nhut Air Base and return. Notified SGT Frederick C. Schroeder, B Company.

1925 hours, At 7:25 PM, SGT J. T. Cartee, B Company, NCOIC, Tay Ninh Convoy Escort, returned to this office and reported an Armored Personnel Carrier hit a land mine in the vicinity of Check Point #8 (11th Armored Cavalry check point, north of Cu Chi. This is for general information and had nothing to do with our convoy escort.

1930 hours, At 7:30 PM, MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, SDO, inspected the interior guards and the Battalion area, all secure.

2015 hours, COL Guidera, Commanding Officer, 18th MP Brigade, called by phone for Battalion CO, MAJ Kenneth Weinstein. SDO MAJ Francis L. Brokaw notified.

2048 hours, Notified at 8:48 PM that some of the lights were out at the Cogido Ammunition Barge site and the engineers were working on them.

2400 hours, Daily Log Closed.

   The Xuan Loc (Operation OVERSEER) convoy escort operation mission to provide route and convoy security from Long Binh Post to Xuan Loc was changed from a daily operation to a contingency operation.

0325 hours, At 3:25 AM, MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, Battalion Staff Duty Officer (SDO), inspected the interior guards and the Battalion area, all secure.

0530 hours, At 5:30 AM, SP/4 Glenn, CQ of 89th MP Group was notified of the POW and MP Guard count at the hospital, 45 POWs and 24 MP Guards.

Tay Ninh Convoy SGT David E. Metzgar, [B Company], NCOIC of the Tay Ninh Escort, departed the Battalion area with 9 gun jeeps and 27 MPs.

0700 hours, At 7:00 AM, SFC Clarence W. Bryant A Company, Battalion SDO was relieved of duties by SGT William H. Lamontagne, Battalion Operations.

   PFC Charles T. Lee [B Company], Long Binh Post Main Gate, was notified and turned off the lights.

 0755 hours, Enemy Activity at ASD 1LT Nicholas F. Adams, A Company, OIC, Battalion Guard Detail, at the 3rd Ordnance Ammunition Supply Depot, reported at 7:55 AM, that movement was observed near position #22 during their tour of duty in the evening hours of 5 March 67.

   One flare was fired with negative results. No enemy contact was made. MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, Battalion Operations, MSG Colvard, Operations 89th MP Group were notified. 89th MP Group advised that we no longer have to make reports to them.

0815 hours, At 8:15 AM, SGT Rinica, Operations Office, 18th MP Brigade, called and requested a projector and projectionist at the Brigade Operations Office at 1000 hours (10:00 AM), this date. SP/4 Smith, Operations, notified.

0820 hours, At 8:20 AM, this date SGT Frederick C. Schroeder, B Company, NCOIC of Operation SHOTGUN, reported to this office that the escort requested 5 March 1967 at 1715 hours (5:15 PM), had been completed with 2 gun jeeps and 6 MPs without incident.

0930 hours, At 9:30 AM, SGT Jack E. Roberts, A Company, returned to this office and stated that he had escorted POW Le Van Be from Thu Duc Advisory Section to III Corps POW Cage, as per request submitted 3 March 1967. They utilized one gun jeep and two MPs. Highway 1A to Highway 1 was used. The POW was delivered at 0900 hours (9:00 AM).

0945 hours, At 9:45 AM, SSG Gilchrist, Operations, II Field Forces, Provost Marshals Office, notified this office that the 25th Infantry Division at Chu Chi has two POWs, Ben Van Trinh and Hoa Van Tran ready for pickup. He also stated that the 1st Infantry Division at Di An has a POW, Le Van Son, to be picked up and escorted to III Corps POW Cage. MAJ Francis L. Brokaw, Battalion Operations, and SSG Glenn E. Imler, A Company notified.

0955 hours, At 9:55 AM, SP/4 Talbot, A Company, returned to this office and reported that as per request, 4 March 1967, he had escorted POW, Vo Van Dung from Bear Cat to the III Corps POW Cage without incident. Route used, Highway 15 to 1A to Highway 1. One gun jeep and 3 MPs utilized, prisoner delivered at 0930 hours (9:30 AM).

1025 hours, At 9:55 AM, SSG Glenn E. Imler, A Company, returned to this office and reported that as per request, 3 March 1967, he had escorted POW, Hoa Thi Tran (female) from DI An to the III Corps POW Cage without incident. Route used Highway 1A to 1. One gun jeep and 3 MPs utilized, prisoner delivered at 1000 hours (10:00 AM).

1305 hours, At 1:05 PM, LT Moore, 50th Medical Hospital notified this office that they have a POW, Le Van Cu, ready to be released back to the capturing unit or the POW Cage.

1320 hours, At 1:20 PM, SGT Johnson, A Company, returned to this office and reported as per request on 3 March 67, he had escorted 6 POWs, Ngo Van Giai, Cao Van Ngay, Nguyen Van Hoang, Nguyen Van Meo, Nguyen Van Thau, and Nguyen Van Na, from Nha Ba to III Corps POW Cage without incident. Two gun jeeps, one 3/4 ton truck, and 8 MPs were utilized, prisoners were delivered at 1230 hours, (12:30 PM).

1540 hours, At 3:40 PM, SSG Gilchrist, Operations, IIFF, PMO, notified this office that the 199th Light Infantry Brigade will pick up POW Le Van Cu from the 50th medical Hospital and take him back to their unit.

1555 hours, At 3:55 PM, SGT McKinney, C Company, returned to this office and stated that the Operation RIFLE escort requested at 0755 hours (7:55 AM) this date from the 93rd Evacuation Hospital to Tan Son Nhut Air Base was completed without incident. One gun jeep and 3 MPs were utilized.

1635 hours, At 4:35 PM, MAJ Gaffney, S4 Logistics, 89th MP Group, called this office and requested that LTC Kenneth Weinstein, Battalion CO, bring all the data that he has on Operation ADAMS (Advanced Design Aluminum Military Shelter) HUTS, the aluminum buildings being constructed to replace the canvas tents.

   In early 1966 it was determined that there was a need for buildings for Allied forces in Vietnam. Specifications for some prefab structures were outdated and the buildings could not be provided expeditiously. Efforts were initiated to develop specifications and procure needed standardized pre-engineered buildings.

   One type of prefabricated building used widely in the Long Binh area was the advanced design aluminum military shelter or ADAMS, an Australian development which were of all-aluminum construction and featured louvered sections in walls and windows for maximum ventilation. While ADAMS huts were easily erected on concrete slabs, they required the drilling of many holes on site to fasten the components together.

2000 hours, At 8:00 PM, SGT David E. Metzgar, B Company, NCOIC, Tay Ninh Convoy escort, returned to the Battalion area and reported the escort was completed without incident.

2100 hours, At 9:00 PM, CPT John B. Doyle, Battalion SDO, inspected the guard post and reported the Battalion area was all secure.

2400 hours Daily Log Closed.

     MG W. D. Rossen, Chief of Staff, MACV conducted an inspection of the repairs and security upgrades and adjustments made at the 3rd. Ordnance Ammunition Supply Depot since the 4 February Viet Cong attack of the installation. Upon completion of the inspection, MG Rossen briefed GEN William C. Westmoreland, Commanding General, MACV; the briefing was laudatory of the installations and security components efforts and progress in making the requested changes.

     HQ, 3rd Ordnance Battalion, HQ 1st Logistical Command [Long Binh Post] provided operational control, while 212th MP Company [95th MP Battalion] provided interior perimeter security with sentry dog handler teams, and watchtower staffing was provided by D Company, 52nd Infantry [95th MP Battalion], with exterior security outside the perimeter provided by a platoon of ambush teams of Charlie Company.

 In a letter from GEN Westmoreland to the Deputy Commanding General of MACV in regards to the 10 March inspection of the 3rd Ordnance Ammunition Supply Depot, he praised the progress achieved at the depot to date, and requested his remarks be forwarded to the subordinate commands involved.

     On the evening in question just before dark CPL Richard W. Burch, 557th MP Company (Guard) [95th MP Battalion] noticed that many of the prisoners were milling around in their compound yards and it appeared to him that something was in the air.

     All the MP guards were extra vigilant due to the ongoing tension in the facility. Each prisoner compound had six MPs assigned to it during the shift.

     CPL Burch was working the gate at his compound when a white prisoner walked up to him and warned him to get out because there was going to be a rush for the gate. He warned his other partners just before the prisoners charged the gate. They managed to clear all the MP's safely from the compounds before the prisoners could get to them.

     The prisoners were armed with make shift weapons consisting of bunk adaptors and tooth brushes with razor blades fastened onto them along with any other items they could wield as clubs. The prisoners from the three compounds joined forces at the main gate to the administrative compound that was now being defended by the 557th MP guards. The guards started throwing tear gas canisters into the yards to disperse the prisoners and break up their assault.

     The 720th MP Battalion was located just across the road from the stockade and their reaction force was summoned to quell the riot. The prisoner assault on the administrative compound gate became disorganized due to the tear gas defense allowing time for the Battalion Reaction Force (including elements of the 615th MP Company) to form a skirmish line and force the prisoners back at bayonet point before any further damage could be done.

     The heavy volume of tear gas was blown by the wind into the compound of the 24th Evacuation Hospital so the Reaction Force was ordered not to use any additional canisters.

     When the MPs entered the compounds they took into custody the leaders of the riot who were removed from the area to a separate closed confinement area.

     Due to the quick reaction by the 557th MP guards and the 720th MP Battalion Reaction Force, further damage to the facility was prevented and deaths and injuries were kept to a minimum.

     One prisoner died and a second was hospitalized from an overdose of Malaria pills during a suicide attempt. Another prisoner was hospitalized from a minor bayonet puncture wound from the Battalion skirmish line, one (the leader of the riot) was shot in the chest, circumstances unknown, one other was seriously cut on the leg by another prisoner, and others suffered only minor injuries and irritation from the tear gas. There were no reports of any critical MP injuries.

     The riot lasted only a period of approximately 4-5 hours before full order was restored to the stockade. Members of the battalion would be assigned for temporary duty at the facility to assist the 557th for several months afterwards.

     Edited from an interview of CPL Richard W. Burch, 557th MP Company, USARV, Long Binh Post, Vietnam, October 1966 to November 1967, and LTC Kenneth Weinstein, Commanding Officer, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, 15 January 1967-1 July 1967.

     MG C. W. Eifler Commanding, HQ, 1st Logistical Command, forwarded GEN Westmoreland’s commendatory remarks about the progress with the upgrades at the 3rd Ordnance Ammunition Supply Depot [10 March inspection] to HQ, 18th MP Brigade, along with his complementary comments to the brigades subordinate units that were involved, ie. 95th MP Battalion: D Company, 52nd Infantry, 720th MP Battalion: Charlie Company and 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog).

     MG Eifler stated that, “Your immediate response to the requirements of this command [USARV] proved that the combat Military Policeman is always prepared to provide timely and effective assistance under any circumstances. Especially noteworthy was the efficient and highly professional performance of duty by members of the 720th MP Battalion, Company D, 52nd Infantry [95th MP Battalion], and the 212th MP Company (SD).

     I wish to express my appreciation and congratulations to appropriate members of your command for a job well done.”