Page 74 - Echo 127

Chapter 13
Night Time Raid to Capture a Viet Cong Hamlet Chief
Aug. 30—approximately 1200 hrs.11@—Capt. Tolleson called the Company officers together at the Company HQ Command tent—he had the map of the region laid out before him on a field table. The Skipper proceeded to tell us that we would execute a Company sized raid on a distant Hamlet later that night. He drew a rough map of the Hamlet we were to raid—he placed the gate and several huts immediately inside the ‘gate’ of the Hamlet and drew an X on the hut that was supposed to house the VC Hamlet Chief. He pointed out the location of the Hamlet on the map—giving us the exact coordinates. Our intelligence was a ‘friendly’ villager who despised the VC—an informant. The informant was deemed to be credible by our interpreters. We had to strike quickly because this VC commander apparently moved often. Capt. Tolleson proceeded to issue our Orders—Situation—VC Hamlet chief and possible valuable intelligence were in a known location, the Village of Bac Tang. Mission—Capture that VC Hamlet Chief and intelligence data. Execution-we would launch a Company sized, night time raid on the target before dawn of the next day. Capt. Tolleson proceeded to give us our time of departure from Company HQ which would be after dark—he prescribed ‘soft’ uniforms ( no helmets ) and light packs—all gear would be tied down—no rattles—nothing that shined or glistened—faces and hands would be camouflaged with the camo sticks we carried—communications would be arm
74