THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Operation Fargo (December 21, 1967 - January 21, 1968) was an 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment reconnaissance-in-force operation in Binh Long and Tay Ninh Provinces, RVN. The mission was to engage the Viet Cong’s 271st, 272nd, and 273rd Regiments, open National Route QL-13 for the first time from An Loc to Loc Ninh to military traffic, and prevent infiltration from Cambodia. The only major contact of the operation occurred on January 6th when 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry was ambushed by the 2nd Battalion, 88th North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Regiment in dense jungle near Khum Tavek on the Cambodian border, nineteen kilometers (11.4 miles) northwest of An Loc City in Binh Long Province. At 8:08 AM, an advance element of the enemy force attacked prematurely, leading troopers from H Company to believe they had contact with only an NVA squad. A captured soldier revealed his superiors had told him the ambush would be directed against a truck convoy. Undoubtedly surprised by the unexpected heavy return fire which the 2nd Squadron tanks delivered, the NVA retreated from their bunkers along the entire length of their ambush position. H Company pursued, but its maneuverability was severely restricted by thick vegetation. Heavy ground contact continued until 10:30 AM when H Company pulled back to allow close air support and artillery fires to be brought to bear upon the enemy's positions. Seven airstrikes were made, employing napalm, high explosive, and 20mm cannon fire. Helicopter gunships also assaulted enemy locations. E Troop was moved into the area, and after dismounting, participated in a combined tank-infantry sweep with H Company. This succeeded in routing remaining enemy elements. The ensuing pursuit, however, failed to regain contact with the NVA, and air strikes and artillery were called on suspected enemy withdrawal routes. A subsequent search of the battle area revealed that forty enemy had been killed (body count). In addition, three AK-47’s, one RPG-7, and eight RPG-7 rounds were captured. Twenty enemy bunkers were discovered and destroyed at the ambush site. U.S. losses were three killed and six wounded. The lost personnel included PFC Troy C. Battles, PFC John Martin Jr., and CPL Jerry W. Wickam. Wickam displayed extraordinary bravery and initiative during the fighting and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and 11thcavnam.com]

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

Private First Class Troy Cleveland Battles, Served with Company H, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, United States Army Vietnam.