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Unit Citations
Tet 1968 Phu Tho Race Track
TET OFFENSIVE 1968 UNIT CITATION
RECOMMENDATION FOR PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
1. In accordance with paragraph 201, AR 672 - 5 - 1, it is
recommended that the Presidential Unit Citation be awarded to the 5th.
Battalion (Mechanized), 60th. Infantry for extraordinary heroism in
actions against insurgent forces in the Republic of Vietnam from the
period 1 February to 26 February 1968.
2. At 301030 January 1968, the 5th Bn (M), 60th Inf was informed
that the TET truce was terminated. During the night of 29
January, intelligence reports were received indicating that the
insurgents would violate the truce, however, few anticipated the
massive aggression that the Viet Cong were soon to initiate. At
311130 January 1968, the 5th Bn (M), 60th Inf, was placed under the
operational control of the Capital Military District and proceeded to
Binh Chanh, 10 kilometers south of Saigon. Throughout the night
of 31 January and the morning of February, recurring contact was
maintained with an unknown size enemy element. At 010642
February 1968,
Company B and
Company C departed Binh Chanh and the Mekong Delta enroute to the
streets of Saigon and Cholon. The mechanized infantrymen arrived
at the Phu Tho Race Track two hours later with the mission of
embattling the insurgent forces in the stricken Capital City.
From the race track,
Company B was assigned a sector to reconnoiter in force to the
northwest on the west side of Highway 235 and commenced movement at
011500 February 1968. At 1600,
Company B began
their combined mounted and dismounted reconnaissance in force to the
northwest of the Phu Tho Race Track. The dismounted elements
searched the area, while the Armored Personnel Carriers simultaneously
moved to give them supporting fires if they were called upon.
Upon arriving at the corner of XS 799538, the commander hesitated,
noticing the number of civilians departing the area. Questioning
revealed nothing further; however, each mechanized infantryman sensed
the imminence. As the lead platoon turned the corner
Company B was destined to be the first unit in the 9th Inf Div to
fight in the streets of Saigon - Cholon. As the forward platoon
advanced one third of the length of the street, an immense barrage of
rocket fire came from the buildings on the southeast and from the
northwest. In the initial murderous burst of rocket fire, the
second Armored Personnel Carrier in the column was hit and immediately
burst into flames. Upon receiving the insurgent's formidable
fire, the mechanized infantrymen instantly returned a massive volume
of fire with 50 Cal machine-guns to both sides of the street.
Simultaneously, troops dismounted the APC's and aggressively returned
effective fire against the insurgents. The command track, with
the captain James H. Scarboro commanding, went forward through the
intense fire to aid those wounded on the burning track. As the
APC advanced forward an enemy rocket found its mark and struck the
left side of the command track. Captain Scarboro received
multiple shrapnel wounds, and communications were lost. Almost
instantly, a large number of second platoon commanded by 1LT Bruce
Mills, immediately moved against the enemy and aggressively denied him
the tactical advantage. Later more than 20 Viet Cong bodies were
found at this point of heavy contact. As the vast firepower
continued to flow from the 50 Cal machine-guns, the fire from the
buildings and rooftops subsided. At this point the Company
Executive Officer, 1LT Robert E. Whitworth, assumed command and
ordered an assault upon the cemetery to the west from where the most
intensive fire was coming. As the company began to advance, the
enemy opened up with a series of rocket and automatic weapons fire
that was impassable. At this time
Company C was informed of the situation and began to move towards
the cemetery. As
Company C rolled from the northeast they deployed and put out
savage fire onto the insurgents northeast flank. The mounted
infantrymen with superior 50 Cal firepower forced the enemy to cease
the heavy volume of rockets and
Company B advanced aggressively on the enemy positions. The
results of the fierce engagement were 128 insurgents killed (BC) and a
massive amount of vital intelligence documents captured.
3. The 5th Bn (M), 60th Inf displayed extraordinary professional
competence in this critical battle for control of the Capital City of
the Republic of Vietnam. The advent of intense street fighting
in Saigon demanded individual valor as well as cohesive teamwork.
The mechanized infantrymen exceeded these demands by their combined
exprit de corps, individual and collective heroism, and skill against
the insurgents by the 5th Bn (M), 60th Inf was a decisive factor in
the expulsion of the Viet Cong from Saigon. The achievement of
the battalion stands as a living tribute to the counterinsurgency
efforts in the Republic of Vietnam and is in keeping with the highest
traditions of the American fighting man. The dedication to duty
and the myriad acts of gallantry are symbolic of the 5th Bn (M), 60th
Inf and reflect great distinction upon the officers and men, the unit
and the United States Army.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDIATION FOR AWARD OF PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION,
5TH BN (M), 60TH INF. 9TH INF DIV, US ARMY
MISSION: The 5th Bn (M), 60th Inf established a base in the
vicinity of the Phu Tho Race Track and conducted reconnaissance in
force mission to clear the area of insurgents.
CONCEPT OF OPERATION: The overall concept of the operation was the
initial entry in Saigon and the establishment of a combat base in
close proximity to the Phu Tho Race Track, an area of known insurgent
concentration. From the race track base, two companies were
directed to execute reconnaissance in force missions, sweeping to the
northwest on both sides of Highway 235.
EXECUTION: In the morning of 1 February 1968,
Company B and
Company C departed Binh Chanh and proceeded to the Phu Tho Race
Track in the Vietnamese Capital City. After establishing the
combat base at the Race Track, by mid afternoon
Company B commended a reconnaissance in force to the northwest on
the west side of Highway 235. Simultaneously,
Company C began to reconnoiter on the east side of the Highway.
At 1630 hours, as
Company B rounded the corner at XS 799903 and proceeded down the
street, a VC/NVA battalion statistically positioned in the dwellings
on the southeast and in heavy fortifications in the cemetery to the
northwest, opened up with a murderous volume of rocket and automatic
weapons fire.
Company B reacted instinctively and decisively engaged the
numerically superior enemy. The strategic enemy locations to the
southeast on top and emplaced in the buildings were silenced as the
Armored Personnel Carriers burst forth with suppressive 50 Cal fire
and the dismounted mechanized infantrymen fought from house to house.
The enemy's attempt to flank from the north was decisively repulsed.
The insurgents reinforced their fortifications in the cemetery and
directed a heavy volume of rocket fire on the mechanized Company.
Unable to rapidly maneuver into the Viet Cong stronghold due to the
volume of rocket fire,
Company B requested their sister company -
Company C - to advance from the northeast onto the enemy's flank.
Company C rolled down the streets of Saigon and deployed, placing
murderous fire on the insurgents flank, currently,
Company B advanced in an aggressive frontal assault of the Viet
Congs cemetery stronghold.
As a result of the fighting reaction of the mechanized infantrymen,
128 Viet Cong were killed, numerous valuable intelligence documents
and assorted small arms and munitions were destroyed and captured.
Friendly casualties were light, resulting in only three mechanized
infantrymen being killed .
Return
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE VALOROUS
UNIT AWARD
FOR
EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM
IS AWARDED TO
THE
1ST
CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE)
AND ITS
ASSIGNED AND ATTACHED UNITS
INCLUDING
1ST
BATTALION, 12TH CAVALRY (1OLC)
INCLUDING
5TH BATTALION, 60TH INFANTRY, 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION
The 1st
CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE) and its assigned and attached units distinguished
themselves through extraordinary heroism in action against North Vietnamese Army
and Viet Cong forces in Cambodia and Northern Military Region 3, Republic of
Vietnam, during the period 1 May 1970 to 29 June 1970. Assigned the task of
seizing base areas and cache depots and interdicting lines of communications
occupied by the Central Office South Vietnam Command located in the Fish Hook
area of Cambodia, the officers and men of the division brilliantly launched a
coordinated armor, mechanized infantry, air cavalry and airmobile infantry
assault deep into enemy territory. Demonstrating rare courage, versatility and
aggressive determination, unit personnel engaged the enemy in fierce bunker to
bunker fighting to drive him from previously untouched sanctuaries. Through
their unmatched professionalism and dauntless actions the members of the 1ST
CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE) and its assigned and attached units effectively
neutralized hostile base areas, supply depots and interdicted infiltration
routes while inflicting massive casualties upon the enemy at every encounter. As
a result of their valiant actions and poise under fire, division personnel
contributed immeasurably to the Free World military effort in the Republic of
Vietnam. The extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty displayed by the members
of the 1st CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE) and its assigned and attached
units are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and
reflect distinct credit upon themselves, their unit, and the Armed Forces of the
United States.
General Orders Number 2264-252
Headquarters, United States Army
Vietnam
29 June 1971
Confirmed by:
General Orders No. 43
Headquarters, Department of the Army
29 November 1972
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