Delta Troop's Service in Vietnam
Commanders of Delta Troop in Vietnam
| Nov 1967-August 1968 |
Major William H. Lozano |
| Before and After May 1968 |
Captain Mengell |
| Before and After Oct 1968 |
Captain Joe Seery |
| Before February 1969 |
Captain Stanley N. Gehler |
| February 1969-August 1969 |
Captain William C. White |
| August 1969-February 1970 |
Captain William R. Condos |
| February 1970-August 1970 |
Captain Ralph S. Bryner |
| August 1970-February 1971 |
Captain Swift |
| February 1971-August 1971 |
Captain Charles M. Baily |
| August 1971-February 1972 |
Captain Cox |
| February 1972-April 1972 |
Captain Joseph L. Pike |
The following table is our best effort to locate Delta Troop in Vietnam each month between November 1967 and April 1972. We also identify the units with which Delta Troop worked each month. The last column shows actions taken by II Field Force, Vietnam with respect to its LRP, LRRP, and Ranger companies.
By examining the last two columns, you can see how changes in II Field Force ranger assignments generally coincided with changes in Delta Troop's assignments, reflecting Delta Troop's role in II Field Force, Vietnam reconnaissance.
The sources for the data are listed at the bottom of the table.
The Delta Troop Chronology
| Month |
Year |
D Troop Location |
Unit Delta Troop Worked With |
II Field Force Actions |
| |
|
|
|
|
| October |
1967 |
Troop Ship Walker |
(Source 1) |
Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN) activated for II Field Force, Vietnam (IIFFV). (Source 8, p. 218) |
| November |
1967 |
Di An |
TF Madden (Source 2) |
Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN) placed under 3/17th. (Source 8, p. 219) |
| December 1-5 |
1967 |
FSB Hanover |
OPCON to 199th LIB-Operation Buena Vista (Source 2) |
|
| December |
1967 |
Soui Da |
OPCON to 25th ID-Operation Yellowstone (Source 2) |
Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN) paired with A-3/17th for IIFFV air/ground recon. (Source 8, p. 219) |
| January |
1968 |
Tay Ninh, FSB Burke |
OPCON to 1/5th (Mech), 25th ID (Source 2) |
|
| February |
1968 |
Prek Klok, Tay Ninh |
OPCON to 2/34th Armor, 25th ID (Source 2) |
|
| March |
1968 |
Trang Bang |
OPCON to 4/23rd (Mech), 25th ID from 3/7-3/19/68. Afterward, OPCON to 3/17th, II Field Force, Vietnam (IIFFV). Road security between Trang Bang & Go Dau Ha (Source 2) |
|
| April |
1968 |
Trang Bang |
OPCON to 3/17th, IIFFV. Road security between Trang Bang & Go Dau Ha (Source 2) |
|
| May |
1968 |
Trang Bang |
OPCON to 3/17th, IIFFV. Road security between Trang Bang & Go Dau Ha (Source 2) |
|
| June |
1968 |
Phuoc Vinh |
OPCON to Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN) (Source 2) |
|
| July |
1968 |
Bien Hoa, FSB Fort Tiger, Long Binh |
OPCON to Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN) (Source 2) |
Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN), D Troop, 3/17th, and the 36th ARVN Ranger Battalion form "field force recon regiment" to screen Long Binh-Bien Hoa. (Source 8, p. 221) |
| August |
1968 |
Cu Chi |
OPCON to Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN) (Source 2) |
New II FFV CO, MG Kerwin augments "field force recon regiment" with SF and Co. D and Troop E, 11th ACR. F-51st and D-3/17th move to Cu Chi to work "Pineapple". (Source 8, p. 221) |
| September |
1968 |
Bien Hoa/Cu Chi |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN), recon for BHTAC (Source 2) |
(Source 8, p. 222) |
| October |
1968 |
Cu Chi |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN), recon for BHTAC |
(Source 12) |
| November |
1968 |
Unverified, probably Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN), recon for BHTAC |
F-51st shifts to recon of War Zone D. D-3/17th reaction from Bien Hoa. (Source 8, p.222) |
| December |
1968 |
Unverified, probably Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN), recon for BHTAC |
Co. F (LRP),51st Inf (ABN) stands down. Kerwin creates provisional II FFV LRP Co. (Source 8, p.223) |
| January |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for provisional IIFFV LRP Co., recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. (Source 11) |
Provisional II FFV LRP Co. stands down on 23 Jan 1969, replaced by Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf. in II FFV recon regiment. (Source 8, p.225) |
| February |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. (Source 11) |
|
| March |
1969 |
Unverified, probably Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. |
|
| April |
1969 |
Unverified, probably Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. |
New II FFV CO LG Ewell continues IIFFV recon regiment to screen southern War Zone D and eastern Bien Hoa Province. (Source 8, p.228) |
| May |
1969 |
Unverified, probably Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. |
|
| June |
1969 |
Unverified, probably Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. |
|
| July |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. (Source 3) |
|
| August |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. (Source 3) |
|
| September |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. (Source 3) |
LRRP mission readjusted to provide close-in patrolling for BHTAC. (Source 8, p.230) |
| October |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. (Source 3) |
LRRP mission readjusted to provide close-in patrolling for BHTAC. (Source 8, p.230) |
| November |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to BHTAC, IIFFV. Reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf, IIFFV, recon for BHTAC, security for Bien Hoa. One week at Nhon Trach. (Source 3) |
Co. D (Ranger), 151st Inf. stands down. Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf replaces it. (Source 8, p. 230) |
| December |
1969 |
Bien Hoa |
OPCON to 3/17TH ACS,IIFFV. One platoon at Bien Hoa as reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf (also OPCON to 3/17th ACS, IIFFV). (Source 3) |
Dec. 1, 1969, Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf placed OPCON to 3/17th. Dec 2 fight mentioned, but not D Troop. (Source 8, p. 231; Source 4) |
| January |
1970 |
Di An |
OPCON to 3/17TH ACS,IIFFV. One platoon at Bien Hoa as reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf (also OPCON to 3/17th ACS, IIFFV). (Source 4) |
Early January fight of D-75th with 274th Regiment, 5th VC Div. mentioned, but not D Troop. (Source 8, p. 231; Source 4) |
| February |
1970 |
Di An |
OPCON to 3/17TH ACS,IIFFV. One platoon at Bien Hoa as reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf (also OPCON to 3/17th ACS, IIFFV). Widow's Village during Tet. (Source 4) |
Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf released from 3/17th OPCON, placed OPCON to 199th LIB. (Source 8, p. 231) |
| March |
1970 |
Di An |
OPCON to 3/17TH, one platoon at Bien Hoa as reaction for Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf, mid-month all platoons together at DiAn for the first time in 6 months. (Source 4) |
Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf OPCON to II FFV, sweep Nhon Trach, train ARVN recon. No mention of D-3/17th rescue of LRRP's at Nhon Trach on March 22, in which 3 D Troopers won the Silver Star. (Source 8, p. 231; Source 4) |
| April |
1970 |
Nhon Trach |
OPCON to 3/17TH, IIFFV. Two platoons to Nhon Trach, OPCON to 2/47 (Mech), 9th ID. (Source 4) |
Co. D (Ranger), 75th Inf stand down 4 April. New II FFV CO LG Davidson does not replace II FFV Rangers or LRRPs. (Source 8, p. 231) |
| May |
1970 |
FSB Rob |
OPCON to 3/17th ACS, IIFFV. Road security with 5/2nd Artillery (Duster), IIFFV during Cambodian invasion. (Source 4) |
Cambodian invasion road security provide by two II FFV units - 5/2 Arty dusters & D-3/17th gun jeeps. (Source 4) |
| June |
1970 |
FSB Rob |
OPCON to 3/17th ACS, IIFFV. Road security with 5/2nd Artillery (Duster), IIFFV during Cambodian invasion. (Source 4) |
At conclusion of invasion, CO 12th CAG gives the congratulations of LG Davidson, CO, II FFV to D Troop at FSB Rob for job well done. (Source 4) |
| July |
1970 |
Nhon Trach |
OPCON to 3/17th ACS, IIFFV.
(Source 5) |
Bien Hoa recon is apparently finished with the advent of LG Davidson as CO II FFV. |
| August |
1970 |
Unknown |
OPCON to 9th Infantry Division.
(Source 13) |
|
| September |
1970 |
Unknown |
|
|
| October |
1970 |
Unknown |
|
|
| November |
1970 |
In the field near Xuan Loc |
OPCON to 1/9th Cav, 1st Cav Division. Working with the 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR. (Source 6) |
3/17th OPCON'ed to the 1st Cav, and further OPCON'ed to the 1/9th, creating the 9th (Air) Cavalry Brigade (Provisional). (Source 9) |
| December |
1970 |
FSB Mace |
OPCON to 1/9th Air Cav, 1st Cavalry Division. Road Security. (Source 6) |
|
| January |
1971 |
FSB Mace |
OPCON to 1/9th Air Cav, 1st Cavalry Division. Road Security. (Source 6) |
|
| February |
1971 |
Nhon Trach |
OPCON to 1/9th Air Cav, 1st Cavalry Division. (Source 6) |
|
| March |
1971 |
North of Tay Ninh |
OPCON to 1/9th Cav, 1st Cav Division, working with 1/5th (Mech), 25th ID on road security for 1971 Cambodian invasion. (Source 6) |
|
| April |
1971 |
North of Tay Ninh |
OPCON to 1/9th Air Cav, 1st Cavalry Division, working with 1/5th (Mech), 25th ID. 3rd platoon flying LRRP and reaction force prior to 1971 Cambodian invasion. (Source 6) |
1/9th turned over to 1st Aviation Brigade as 1st Cav withdraws. II FFV ceases to exist. (Source 10, pp. 67, 129) |
| May |
1971 |
FB's Judy, Evelyn, Nance near FSB Mace |
OPCON to 3rd Brigade, 1st Cav Division (Separate). (Source 6) |
|
| June |
1971 |
FB's Judy, Evelyn, Nance near FSB Mace |
OPCON to 3rd Brigade, 1st Cav Division (Separate). (Source 6) |
|
| July |
1971 |
FB's Judy, Evelyn, Nance near FSB Mace |
OPCON to 3rd Brigade, 1st Cav Division (Separate). (Source 6) |
|
| August |
1971 |
Lai Khe |
OPCON to 3/17th, Lai Khe base security, training Royal Thai LRRP's. (Source 6) |
|
| September |
1971 |
Lai Khe |
OPCON to 3/17th, Lai Khe base security. (Source 6) |
|
| October |
1971 |
Lai Khe |
OPCON to 3/17th, Lai Khe base security. (Source 6) |
|
| November |
1971 |
Lai Khe |
OPCON to 3/17th, Lai Khe base security. (Source 6) |
President Nixon orders U.S. offensive combat operations to cease. (Source 6) |
| December |
1971 |
Bear Cat |
Base Security (Source 14) |
|
| January |
1972 |
Bear Cat |
Base Security (Source 14) |
|
| February |
1972 |
Lai Khe/Phu Loi |
Base Security. (Source 7) |
|
| March 7th |
1972 |
Phu Loi |
Troop activity limited to perimeter security. (Source 7) |
|
| March 15th |
1972 |
Phu Loi |
Troop relieved of all operational responsibility. (Source 7) |
|
| April 1st |
1972 |
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii |
Troop assigned to the 25th ID. (Source 7) |
|
| Sources: |
| 1. The Walker Documents |
| 2, The 1968 Delta Troop Letter |
| 3. The 1969 Home Page |
| 4. The 1970 Home Page |
| 5. Bill DeMusey Home Page |
| 6. The 1970-71 Home Page |
| 7. The 1972 Home Page |
| 8. Stanton, Shelby Rangers at War - LRRP's in Vietnam, New York, NY, 1992. |
| 9. Dispatches-1971 |
| 10. Stanton, Shelby, Vietnam Order of Battle, Washington, D.C., 1981. |
| 11. II Field Force, Vietnam G-3 duty officer's log for Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, January-February, 1969. Reported at the Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry web site: http://www.geocities.com/151ranger/contacts.html, quoted at Source 1 on our 1969 home page. |
| 12. Black, Charles, "'Lurps' Have Pride in Rugged Duties" in Columbus Enquirer, October 11, 1968. |
| 13. Sterling Withers' Note |
| 14. Lieutenant Otto Fox, D Troop, 3 Jul 2006 |
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