TF Oregon

[39mto39g]

Thats one of the first operation names I can remember after arriving in VN. I would have to look it up to know for sure , but I believe it was a joint 101 and 25th operation, I got to Duc Pho at the end of June 67 so it was June or July of 67 . There was an engineer group also involved, They cleared the roads of mines. Damn red dirt roads. We were in some pretty good fights around that area.

Ron

[Robert Ryan]

Wayne Grey in March 1969, my first week in country on my second tour with C-1/22 inf in the Plei Trap Valley, real nasty place, 110 Kia in 10 days by all the 4th ID units involved. If I remember the 3/8 inf and the 1/35 inf were also involved in Wayne Grey.

[frisco-kid]

Ron, TF Oregon wasn't the name of the operation, it was the name of the unit that you were a part of. You got there just as I was leaving. I think James got there in MAY67 as a replacement in the 1/327. It was a nasty place, and I guess didn't get any better after I left and everybody moved closer to Chu Lai.



Duc Pho is in Quang Ngai Province which was the southern-most end of I Corps, a mostly Marine AO. With Marines being this far south, they were spread pretty thin. The 1st Cav was also in the area.

In early '67 most of the heavy fighting was taking place in III Corps around Saigon. The Army had most of their units there mounting 2 very successful operations back to back; Operations Cedar Falls and Junction City. To make up for the losses in III Corps, Charlie started to put more pressure on the ARVN and US forces in I Corps.

We were operating in II Corps as a reactionary force. I think the only full division in II Corps at the time was the 4th ID. At this time, we were still only 1 brigade. They bounced us all over the place from Kontum to Phan Thiet in NE III Corps. At times, all 3 rifle battalions would be in different AOs. From the end of JAN67 to the end of APR67, the 101st had conducted 4 operations in various parts of II Corps.

Not wanting to pull any divisions out of II and III Corps, losing their momentum, to contend with the pressure being put on in I Corps, MACV came up with Task Force Oregon instead. This would allow the Marines in Quang Ngai Province to move back north with the rest of the Marine units, and the 1st Cav to extend north, opening up Hwy. 1 all the way to Danang.

To make up TF Oregon, basically a division-sized unit, MACV brought together 3 seperate and independent brigades-the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, the 3rd brigade of the 25th ID, and us, the 1st brigade of the 101st Abn. Div.. We were all put under 1 command, commanded by MG Wm. Rosson. Later, and I don't know exactly when, the 3rd brigade of the 25th would become part of the 4th ID.

We started to arrive in the Duc Pho area the end of APR/first of MAY67. At the time, 2/327 had been back down around Tuy Hoa on the Coastal Plains. They were transported by boat [LSTs ?], and landed on the beach like a bunch of freakin' Marines. Our AO was going to be the rugged mountains to the west of Duc Pho.

The whole place was a bastion of VC, with most of the villes under their control. Most of the population, at minimum, sympathized with, if not joined them. A dangerous place. The mountains and valleys to the west were home to several VC units, most notably the 2nd VC Regiment. They knew the area like the back of their hands and were some tough SOBs, often bringing the fight to us. Also, the place was loaded with booby traps.

On 11MAY67 the 101st kicked off Operation Malheur I with 1/327 and 2/502 [me] doing a CA into the mountains. The 2/327 CA'd in the next day. We were to do Search and Destroy operations to locate and destroy the base camps that were in the mountains. We started taking casualties almost immediately, mostly to booby traps. We would have our first KIA 2 days after we got there. We stayed in the mountains for about a month.

When we came down, it was to kick off Operation Malheur II. We were to round up every civilian, dog, pig, water buffalo, and chicken in the Song Ve and the Crow's Foot Valleys. They were going to be moved to government villages in other parts of the country. The whole area was going to be a Free-Fire Zone. ANYBODY seen in the area after the move was to be considered enemy, and SHAME ON THEM. This was still going on when I rotated out the end of JUN67. Was glad to get the Hell out of there, and not just because I was going back to The World.

TF Oregon would stay in existence until the 199th LIB and the 11th Inf. got in-country later in the year to form the Americal Division. This area would become part of their AO, with their basecamp in Chu Lai.

[39mto39g]

Tom
I either had to look it up or wait for you. Thanks for the info.
I don't remember any 196 people , but then we didn't wear shoulder patches like the 101 did.
TF Oregon I thought was the name of the operation, I guess all I had to do was look at the name, TASK FORCE , Dauh!

Ron

[exlrrp]

tom is right, got there in Early MAy. When I say I was in Duc Pho, I mean we went in and out of there for stand down--probaby didn't spend more than 7 or 8 days there over May, June, july. The we started shifting north, to Quang Ngai, chu Lai, Tam Ky. We also did our stand downs on firebases.mostly sitting on bunkers--these were considered to be days off for us. I could not name one of these firebases now to save my life
As most of you know, I was in the 1st 327, along with our erstwhile chum, pighumper. This platoon picture was taken at Duc Pho during a stand down: http://www.hackworth.com/photo0022.html Pighumper is the tallest white guy in the back row. Pig and I go way back, We assaulted out first tree line together, at night, too. What a light show THAT was!. Malheur I was my first operation, I believe. I came right in on the end of that, right after Mother's day Hill, was a first replacement for that. The platoon I was put in had just been wiped out, which, you can bet, was not a real confidence builder for me. It also means, that , with few old guys, I was OJT with whatever I had and I was dam glad for all that time I trained in Panama. I started walking point on patrol my first day.
Ive written about how Malheur II was--basically as Tom describes, moving a whole valley of people out of their homes, then destroying their homes and crops. "winning hearts and minds" never meant the same to me after that.
Then I found out much later that our battalion recon team, the Tigers, had been going along behind killing people who hadn't wanted to leave their homes. Like My Lai,(which was about 10 miles away, also TF Oregon) I denied this happened untill confronted by too much evidence.
Well, this wasn't what I joined the paratroopers for and later had a big impact on my decision to join the lrrps. Combine that with a strong desire for a decent meal and a hot shower, neither of whichj I ever got in the 101st in 6 months, and it was a simple matter of "Where do I sign?" I figured it couldn't be much worse than the 101st and I was right
The 101st, and my batt in particular had some really bad leaders. Remember : "A company will be the blocking force while B and C sweep the valley"--tell me the VC couldn't figure THAT one out! We never got packages or hot meals in the field, only get a fraction of the sundry packs we were supposed to get. One time, my platoon leader sent back the "hot chow" they sent out and we ate C's instead, it was that bad. Later, when I went back to Phan Rang to get my stuff to transfer to the lrrps, they told me that it had all been looted, everybody's stuff had been looted. Didn't even ask my name. Poor leadership, and nothing but.

[39mto39g]

I remember some 101 guys and some LRRPs and some engineer group, I went looking for units involved in TF oregon and found there were a bunch I didn't no about or see.

TASK FORCE OREGON ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
AS OF 31 JULY 1967

TASK FORCE OREGON TROOPS

HHC, Task Force Oregon (Prov)

14th Avn Bn

71st Aslt Heptr Co

161st Aslt Heptr Co

174th Aslt Heptr Co

176th Aslt Heptr Co

178th Aslt Heptr Co

39th Engr Bn (Cbt)

509th Sig Bn, HHD (-)

Co C, 459th Sig Bn (Cmd Op)

Co A, 36th Sig Bn (Spt Op)

Plt (+), 167th Radio Relay Co.

258th AG Pers Svcs Co

148th MP Plt

3d Mil Hist Det

Task Force Military Intelligence Detachment (Prov)

Task Force Radio Research Co (Prov)



TASK FORCE OREGON ARTILLERY (PROV)

HHB, Task Force Artillery (Prov)

2d Bn, 11th Arty (155 T)

3d Bn, 16th Arty (155 T)

3d Bn, 189th Arty (8"/175 SP)

Plt, Btry C, 29th Arty (Searchlight)


TASK FORCE OREGON SUPPORT COMMAND (PROV)

HHC (-), 15th Spt Bde (GS)

HHC (-), 94th Sup & Svc Co

163d Trans Co (Lt Trk)

3d Plt, 10th Trans Co (Med Trk)

Co C, 25th Med Bn

Hq and Main Spt Co, 188th Maint Bn

335th Trans Co (DS) Acft Maint)


3D BRIGADE, 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION


HHC, 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div

1st Bn, 35th Inf

2d Bn, 35th Inf

Trp C, 3d Sqdn, 4th Cav

Co C, 2d Gn, 34th Arm

2d Bn, 9th Arty (105 T)

Co D, 65th Engr Bn (Cbt)

3d Spt Bn (Prov)

Co B, 25th Med Bn

Co C, 725th Maint Bn

Det, 25th S & T Bn

40th Inf Plt, Scout Dog

Det, 25th Admin Co

Tm C, 41st CA Co

Det, 374th Radio Research Co

Tm, 25th MI Det

Co B (-), 125th Sig Bn

Plt, 25th MP Co


196TH LIGHT INFANTRY BRIGADE

HHC, 196th Lt Inf Bde

2d Bn, 1st Inf

3d Bn, 21st Inf

4th Bn, 31st Inf

1st Bn, 14th Inf, 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div

2nd Sqdn, 11th Armd Cav Regt

Trp F, 17th Cav

3d Bn, 82d Arty (105 T)

8th Cbt Svc Spt Bn

8th CA Plt, 2d CA Co

10th PI Det

27th Cml Det (CBR)

569th MI Det

408th Radio Research Det

175th Engr Co (Cbt)

156th Sig Plt (Fwd Area)

48th Inf Plt, Scout Dog

544th MP Plt

28th Mil Hist Det

4th Plt (-), Co B, 3d AMTRAC Bn (USMC)


1ST BRIGADE, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

HHC, 1st Bde, 101st Abn Div

1st Bn, 327th Inf (Abn)

2d Bn, 327th Inf (Abn)

2d Bn, 502d Inf (Abn)

Trp A, 17th Cav

2d Bn, 320th Arty (105 T)

Co A, 326th Engr Bn (Cbt) (Abn)

Co A (Fwd Spt), 801st Cbt Spt Bn

501st Cbt Spt Co


Ron

[39mto39g]

Some Lrrps with us around Duc Pho July 67
Ron

[Bill Farnie]

Wow small world. Looking at the list of units of TFO I saw Co C, 2d, (G should be a B)Gn, 34th Arm. They supported the units of the 101st after the deactivation of TFO. Here's a picture of C/2/34 taken at FSB Jeanie which was just east of Camp Evans on the beach. They were the first armor into the A Shau Valley since the French, in spite of what the 5th Cav has to say about that. Have a good cyber friend who was with them.

[A.B]

Frisco-Kid, Sir!

You wrote (Quote):
"Later, and I don't know exactly when, the 3rd brigade of the 25th would become part of the 4th ID."
(End quote).

The "swap of brigades" (3rd Bde's of each Div) between 4th Inf Div and 25th Inf Div....

___________________________
___________________________


25th ID

Based in Hawaii, the division?s 3rd Brigade was sent to Vietnam (II CTZ) in Dec 1965. The remainder of the division shipped to Vietnam later that year, and included two battalions transferred from US Army, Alaska. The bulk of the 25th Infantry Division was located in III CTZ. In Aug 1967 its 3rd Brigade was transferred to 4th Infantry Division, while that division?s 3rd Brigade (located in III CTZ) came to 25th Infantry Division. Division headquarters was at Chu Chi throughout its Vietnam service. In Dec 1970 the bulk of the division was withdrawn to Hawaii. 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division was left as a separate unit until Apr 1971.

ARRIVALS and DEPARTURES by BRIGADE


3rd Brigade, 25th Inf Div Dec 1965 ? Aug 1967 transferred to 4th Inf Div

1st Bn/14th Inf Jan 1966 ? Aug 1967
1st Bn/35th Inf Jan 1966 ? Aug 1967
2nd Bn/35th Inf Jan 1966 ? Aug 1967
2nd Bn/9th Art (105mm How) DS 3rd Bde Dec 1965 ? Aug 1967



3rd Brigade, 25th Inf Div Aug 1967? Dec 1970 transferred from 4th Inf Div

2nd Bn/12th Inf Aug 1967 ? Jan 1970
2nd Bn(M)/22nd Inf Aug 1967 ? Dec 1970
3rd Bn/22nd Inf Aug 1967 ? Jan 1970
2nd Bn/14th Inf Feb 1970 ? Dec 1970
1st Bn/27th Inf Feb 1970 ? Nov 1970
2nd Bn/77th Art (105mm How) DS 3rd Bde Aug 1967 ? Dec 1970

___________________________


4th ID

The 4th Infantry Division came to Vietnam in Aug to Oct 1966, primarily to the II CTZ. However, one brigade (3rd) was sent to III CTZ. In Aug 1967, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division was transferred to 25th Infantry Division. At the same time, the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (serving in II CTZ) was transferred to 4th Infantry Division. Division headquarters was at Pleiku Sep 1966 ? Feb 1968, Dak To Mar 1968, Pleiku again Apr 1968 ? Feb 1970, An Khe and Pleiku Mar 1970, and An Khe Apr ? Dec 1970. 3rd Brigade was withdrawn Apr 1970 and the remainder of the division in Dec 19701.

ARRIVALS and DEPARTURES by BRIGADE


3rd Brigade, 4th Inf Div Oct 1966 ? Aug 1967 transferred to 25th Inf Div

2nd Bn/12th Inf Oct 1966 ? Aug 1967
2nd Bn(M)/22nd Inf Oct 1966 ? Aug 1967
3rd Bn/22nd Inf Oct 1966 ? Aug 1967
2nd Bn/77h Art (105mm How) DS 3rd Bde Oct 1966 ? Aug 1967



3rd Brigade, 4th Inf Div Aug 1967 ? Apr 1970 transferred from 25th Inf Div

1st Bn/14th Inf Aug 1967 ? Jan 1970
1st Bn/35th Inf Aug 1967 ? Jan 1970
2nd Bn/35th Inf Aug 1967 ? Jan 1970
1st Bn(M)/50th Inf Mar 1968 ? Apr 1968 (attached)
2nd Bn(M)/8th Inf Feb 1970 ? Apr 1970
3rd Bn/12th Inf Feb 1970 ? Apr 1970
2nd Bn/9th Art (105mm How) DS 3rd Bde Aug 1967 ? Apr 1970

___________________________
___________________________

Source of above info:
http://www.gruntonline.com/Order%20o..._army_oob1.htm


Just wanted to share, as you wrote you did not know when this "swap" took place. Take Good Care!

Sincerely
A.B

[A.B]

Task Force Oregon.....

By a "directed search" in google (extended presentation) for Task Force Oregon within "USARMY Center of Military History", please see:

http://www.google.com/search?q=+site...n&lr=&filter=0

Sincerely
A.B