June 10

1965:  Medal of Honor Recipient, Marvin G. Shields

Rank and organization: Construction Mechanic Third Class, U.S. Navy, Seabee Team 1104. Place and date: Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, 10 June 1965. Entered service at: Seattle, Wash. Born: 30 December 1939, Port Townsend, Wash.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment employing machineguns, heavy weapons and small arms, Shields continued to resupply his fellow Americans who needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for a period of approximately 3 hours, at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close range with flame-throwers, hand grenades and small-arms fire. Wounded a second time during this attack, Shields nevertheless assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety, and then resumed firing at the enemy for 4 more hours. When the commander asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt to knock out an enemy machinegun emplacement which was endangering the lives of all personnel in the compound because of the accuracy of its fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered for this extremely hazardous mission. Proceeding toward their objective with a 3.5-inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy machinegun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of their fellow servicemen in the compound. Shields was mortally wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position. His heroic initiative and great personal valor in the face of intense enemy fire sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

1967:  Operation Kawela commenced

The 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division conducted a search and destroy operation in the Iron Triangle, Binh Duong Province. Dates: Jun 10 – 25. This operation was begun by the 25th Infantry Division as a follow-up to Operation Manhattan, to exploit intelligence reports of VC activity along the upper Saigon River and in the Tri Tam District. It employed the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry to search and destroy VC forces and installations in an AO thought to house elements of Military Region (MR) IV, and that contained supply routes that continued to the Filhol Plantation immediately north of the Division base camp at Cu Chi, and to the Ho Bo Woods beyond them. During the operation contact was limited to sporadic sniper activity from local guerrillas. Although contact was negligible, extensive amounts of enemy munitions and equipment were seized.

Results of Operation Kawela were: 38 VC KIA, VC killed by Air-strikes 2, Enemy equipment captured : 58 rds of SA ammo, 2 RPG-2 launchers, 22 lbs of medical supplies, 12 lbs of documents, 42 rds of SA ammo, 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 bags of CS-1, 9 tape recordings, 7 RPG-2 rds, 9.2 tons of rice, 1 ChiCom carbine, 1 cannon barrel, 1 82mm mortar w/base plate, 2 grenades, 1 dairy. Equipment destroyed: 9 sampans, 6 AT mines, 305 bunkers, 82 military structures, 12 bicycles, 29 tons of rice, 1,257 rds of SA ammo, 3 claymores, 55 AP mines, 1 500 lb bomb, 23 CBU's, 66 trenches, 29 tunnels, 54 grenades, 14 sampans, 1 500 lb bomb, 3 ¼ lbs of explosives, 3 booby traps, 1 RPG-2 rd, 6 CBU's detonators. 

1967:  US Jets cause heavy damage

A three carrier USN strikeforce hit the Hanoi TPP and Van Dien SAM storage depot and vehicle repair facility on 10 June. Heavy damage was reported at the storage depot and three direct hits on the generator hall were reported at the TPP.  The USAF struck Kep, Bac Le Rail Road yards.

1967:  3rd Bde, 9th Inf Div, AC-47 and Helicopter gunships route enemy

During Operation Enterprise 17 kilometers SE of Tan An, between 1915H and 2140H a 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division platoon engaged an enemy Company. The platoon was reinforced with their Company, and were supported with helicopter gunships, artillery and an AC-47. The enemy fled towrda the river pursued by the Helicopter gunships and the AC-47. The air support destroyed 20 sampans and killed 42 Enemy.

1967:  Helicopter Gunships battle enemy at B-57 crash site.

US Army helicopter gunships killed 76 enemy. 11 kilometers SW of Cam Rahn Bay, The helicopter gunships engaged the enemy in battle to secure a B-57 crash site. The wreckage was secured but the crew of the crashed B-57 were KIA.

1968:  Enemy resistance collapsing in Saigon area.

Activity in the Gia Dinh area diminished rapidly following a contact approximately three kilometers east ot Tan Son Nhut Air Base, where friendly forces killed 72 enemy in a day long battle. Elements of the Dong Nai Regiment were identified in this action. In the southwestern section of the city, enemy resistance collapsed on 10 June with the surrender of 31 enemy, 30 of whom were from a Main Force Battalion. The remnants of both Battalions in and near Cholon subsequently withdrew to the southwest.

1968:  26th Marine Rgt engages enemy 19 miles SW of Da Nang

During Operation Mameluke Thrust in Quang Nam Province an element of the 26th Marine Regiment attacked an unknown size enemy force 19 miles SW of Da Nang. Small arms and automatic weapons fire was exchanged, Artillery supported the Marines. At an unknown time the enemy withdrew the results of the engagement were 16 Enemy KIA, 2 Detainees, 8 individual weapons and 4 140mm rocket launchers were captured. Friendly casualties were 3 WIA.

1968:  Westmoreland gives farewell press conference in Saigon

At a Saigon news conference on the day he is to turn over command of U.S. forces in Vietnam to Gen. Creighton Abrams, Gen. William Westmoreland offers his assessment of past and current trends in the war. In defense of his attrition policy, Westmoreland declared that it would ultimately make continued fighting "intolerable to the enemy." He also explained that, because it was impossible to "cut a surface line of communication with other than ground operations," Washington's ban on ground attacks to interdict communist infiltration through Laos precluded the achievement of military victory. Westmoreland denied, however, that the military situation was stalemated. Westmoreland's approach to the war had all but been discredited by the communist Tet Offensive, which was launched in January 30, 1968. In the wake of the widespread Viet Cong and North Vietnamese attacks, there was a review of U.S. policy by the Johnson administration. When it was decided to de-escalate the war, halt the bombing of North Vietnam, and go to the negotiating table, Westmoreland was reassigned to become the Army Chief of Staff, a post he held until his retirement from the service in 1972.

1968:  Operation Muscatine terminated

Operation Muscatine, initiated on 19 December 1967, was terminated today. Its mission was to search and clear the coastal plain between Chu Lail and Quang Tri City. Operations were conducted by elmements ot 11th Light Infantry Brigade, AMERICAL Division. Total results: Enemy 1,129 KIA, 1122 Enemy Detained, 338 individual weapons and 5 crew-served weapons were captured. US Casualties were 142 KIA and 501 WIA.

1968:  Operation Truong Cong Dinh/CT/21/PD/41 terminated

The 21st ARVN Infantry Division conducted a search and destroy operation in Phong Dinh Province. Dates: 9-10 June. Results of the operation are. Enemy: 107 KIA, 11 individual weapons captured. Friendly Casuakties: 41 KIA, 104 WIA.

1969:  11th Light Infantry Brigade engage enemy 4 miles NW of Duc Pho

During Operation Iron Mountain in Quang Ngai Province at 0210H an element of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade, AMERICAL Division, in night defensive positions 4 miles NW of Duc Pho (95 miles SSE of Da Nang) received a round of mortar fire, followed by a stand-off attack of small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The troopers defended with unit weapons and directed artillery fire onto the enemy. In a sweep made later, 14 dead enemy soldiers were found, and one suspect was detained. Also, one crew-served and three individual weapons were captured. U.S. casualties were 1 killed and 8 wounded.

1969:  196th Lt Inf Bde engage enemy force 13 miles west of Tam Ky

During Operation Frederick Hills in Quang Tin Province at 1615H Infantrymen of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, AMERICAL Division, engaged an enemy force 13miles west of Tam Ky (35 miles SSE of Da Nang). The enemy, defending with small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire, disengaged in a short while. One enemy soldier was killed, and 3 U.S. were wounded. In a search of the area, the bodies of 10 enemy soldiers who had been apparently killed by an air strike the previous day were found.

1969:  12 Enemy indirect fire harassing attacks against US overnight

HQ MACV - During the night, 25 significant enemy indirect fire harassing attacks were reported throughout the country, of which 12 were against U.S. forces or installations. Overall casualties and damage were light. There were 20 indirect fire attacks which were considered insignificant, causing no casualties or damage.

1969:  Twenty-five river assault craft turned over to the Vietnamese

Twenty-five river assault craft of River Assault Division 92 are turned over to the Vietnamese Navy during ceremonies held aboard APL-30. River Assault Squadron 9 and River Assault Division 92 are decomissioned.

1969:  Nixon announces the redeployment of a division

President Nixon announces the redeployment of a division-equivalent of 25, 000 US troops from RVN. Redeployment is to start within 30 days and is to be completed by 31 August.

1969:  4th Inf Div convoy ambushed 15 kilometers north of Pleiku

A 4th Infantry Division convoy travelling on Highway 14 is ambushed 15 kilometers north of Pleiku. Results of the engagement Enemy: 42 KIA, and 4 individual weapons captured; Friendly casualties: 1 KIA, 1 WIA.

1970:  Gunships and Tac Air kill 31 communists in Cambodia

On 10 Jun during Operation Binh Tay III, a US observation helicopter received small arms fire from an estimated 60-80 enemy personnel northeast of Senmonorom. Gunships and tactical air returned the fire, killing 31 Communists. No US casualties were reported.

1970:  Enemy shoots down a CH-47

West of Ben Cat, a CH-47 helicopter from the 242nd AHC while on a logistical cargo carrier mission, was fired upon with RPG, automatic weapons, and small-arms as it was hovering over an LZ. The enemy rounds severed a fuel line and the CH-47 crashed, killing two friendly troops and wounding 18. The enemy unit, Identified as part of the 101st NVA Regt, escaped without casualties.

1970:  1st Cav uncover munitions cache in Cambodia

An element of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) discovers a 21-ton enemy munitions cache in the Fishhook area of Cambodia 14 kilometers south-west of O Rang. Among the munitions were 128,000 rounds of .51 cal ammunition, 4,512 rounds of 14. 5mm ammunition, and 1, 500 37mm rounds.

1970:  1/48 ARVN Regt engage enemy company

At 0800H 10 Jun, the 1/48 ARVN Regt engaged an estimated enemy company, initially with small-arms fire, The 48th ARVN Intelligence and Recon Company, was inserted and used as a blocking force. The contact, supported by TACAIR and one light fire team, resulted in 10 enemy KIA and 16 ARVN WIA.