Two Viet Cong were killed by "Warriors" of Alpha Co. 5th Bn, 12th Inf. during a late night-early morning skirmish with a 20 man enemy force in the western "pineapple" region 22 miles west of Saigon.

The Redcatchers were in the process of setting up night ambushes in terrain marked by tall grass, bushes and trees when the Viet Cong force suddenly came upon one of their positions. The Company Kit Carson Scout, realizing the ambush was not yet prepared, stepped forward and convinced the enemy he was part of a friendly ambush. The Viet Cong force continued on but ran into a second "Warrior" ambush position. Alerted by the first ambushers, the second group of ambushers opened fire on the enemy who fled to the southwest. A dawn sweep of the area revealed two enemy bodies.

Several hours later, a supporting gunship fire-fly, directed by ground radar, killed two more enemy 2 miles southwest of the original contact. Two AK-47 rifles with small arms ammunition, assorted medical supplies, web gear, and other personal items were recovered after the two contacts.

In other action 12 miles west-southwest of Saigon near Tan Buu Village, two aerial observers and their LOH pilot spotted a suspicious-looking sampan motoring up the Rach Cay Trom canal. They forced the sampan to the bank as a Viet Cong suspect fled. Recovered from the craft were 15 B-40 rocket rounds with boosters, 3 K-54 pistols, 3 boxes of small arms ammunition, 1 FM radio and assorted clothing and field equipment.

In light action today, a light fire team searching an area 7 miles southwest of Duc Hoa found the bodies of two Viet Cong killed earlier by 2nd Bn, 40th Arty during artillery bombardment. The artillery mission had been fired in support of sightings made by Delta Co. 4th Bn, 12th Inf. and the light fire team confirmed the two Viet Cong killed by artillery.

Operating 9 miles southwest of Saigon, "Old Guard" infantrymen of 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf held three detainees.

"Warriors" of Charlie Co 5th Bn, 12th Inf found a Viet Cong base camp 9 miles southwest of Saigon. The camp consisted of 12 bunkers and 7 spider holes. Several fish traps, assorted clothing, food and a 155mm artillery round were also found.

One detainee was held by "Cottonbalers" of 3rd Bn, 7th Inf 5 1/2 miles west of Saigon.

In light action today, "Cottonbalers" of Alpha Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Inf. detained three suspects 12 miles west southwest of Saigon. The suspects were spotted from the air running near the Ben Luc River.

In the late afternoon action, Redcatchers killed 10 Viet Cong and detained four suspects.

While flying over an area of heavy nipa palm 8 miles southwest of Saigon, elements of Bravo Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Inf. spotted four Viet Cong taking evasive action. The "Cottonbalers" landed and opened fire and during the resulting firefight, killed seven Viet Cong and held four suspects.

Several thousand meters to the north of Bravo Co, an "Old Guard" ambush patrol from Charlie Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf. saw three Viet Cong enter a structure. While observing the structure, the VC opened up on them with small arms fire. The "Old Guard" infantrymen returned fire, resulting in two Viet Cong killed.

An ambush patrol from 5th Bn, 12th Inf. sighted two Viet Cong and killed one during ensuing action in the Binh Chanh area 8 miles southwest of Saigon.

Redcatchers today accounted for six Viet Cong killed and a suspect detained in scattered actions south and west of Saigon.

While in ambush positions last night 2 miles southwest of Binh Chanh, elements of Alpha Co. 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf killed one of two Viet Cong spotted 150 meters away.

In action 14 miles south of Saigon, "Warriors" of Alpha Co, 4th Bn, 12th Inf. killed two Viet Cong and recovered and AK-47 rifle while elements of Charlie Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf. engaged a five man Viet Cong force in the Tan Nhut Triangle 8 miles southwest of Saigon, killing three and detaining one armed suspect. A "Silver Spur" hunter killed team, directed by the ground elements accounted for two of the enemy killed.

In action today "Warriors" of 5th Bn, 12th Inf. killed one enemy soldier by 90mm recoilless rifle fire 8 1/2 miles southwest of Saigon. Two more Viet Cong were killed by gunship in the same area.

Alpha Co. of the same battalion, operating 7 miles southwest of Saigon, found a cache containing 6 B-41 rocket rounds, 22 Chicom grenade booby traps and destroyed one bunker. About one mile away, Alpha Co also found 75 pound of TNT submerged in canal mud. Elsewhere, "Old Guard' infantrymen of 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf held one detainee 10 miles southwest of Saigon.

In scattered action today, 2nd Bn, 40th Arty was credited with two Viet Cong killed when they fire into an area 20 miles west of Saigon.

The pilot of a "Chinook" helicopter working in support of the 199th reported observing several rockets and makeshift launchers 19 miles west of Saigon. "Warriors" of 4th Bn, 12th Inf were inserted into the area and found four 107mm rockets and eight launchers.

In action today, Regional Forces working with the Brigade detained one suspect 11 miles west of Saigon.

Elsewhere, Echo Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf. found five RPG rounds and two Chicom grenades wrapped in an NVA poncho 7 miles southwest of Saigon.