From the First Cavalry Division’s journal of 26 January 1967: “2d Bde, 101st Abn: Bde became opcon 1st Air Cav Division upon closure of Bde CP at LZ El Paso at 1200, and assumed control of 1-501 Abn. 1-501 assisted in security of LZ El Paso with three companies while its D Company air assaulted to [an area outside the perimeter] and conducted operations in that vicinity. 2-501 Abn closed LZ El Paso at 1810, opcon to 2d Bde, 101st Abn.”

The 1/501 took over its sector of the perimeter that evening, and the 2/501 went into its position the afternoon of the 27th. That day, A and B Companies of 1/501 conducted company-sized heliborne assaults and extractions in areas near LZ El Paso – seeking enemy contact in operations or six or seven hours duration. The 1/502, opcon to the Cav’s 1st Bde, was on “base security” at LZs Sharon and Betty, near Quang Tri to the north.

On 28 Jan, the First Cav decided to move the 1/501 and our brigade CP to LZ Jane, south of LZ Jane, relieving the 1/5 Cav Bn there. On 29 Jan we were ordered to make this move the next day, a day earlier than planned. (We were lucky, if we had moved as planned, Tet 1968 would have caught us at LZ El Paso.) The 2/501 would join us at LZ Jane but meanwhile it would move to the Cav’s new base at Camp Evans, to perform perimeter security.

The 1/501, A Btry 1/321, and Bde HHC with our signal and MP platoons left EZ El Paso by truck convoy in the early morning 30 January. They traveled through Hue and up Highway 1. SFC Timothy O’Connor of the 1/501 has written in his book, “Blood Brothers, ”There were numerous villages along the way… (It was Tet, the Chinese New Year) and the people… were having a good time. When we reached Hai Lang we turned left… and came to a large sized hill… LZ Jane. Each company was assigned a sector of the perimeter. I called the platoon together and told them that ‘Charlie is watching us so let’s dig our bunkers deep.’”

The massive NVA/Viet Cong countrywide offensive known as Tet 1968 began that night, attacking Saigon, 36 of the RVN’s 43 province capitals, 64 of its 242 district towns, and field positions throughout the countryside, including LZ Jane. From the brigade journal: “LZ Jane began re-ceiving mortar & RPG fire at approx 0405 (31 Jan)… At 0427, units reported enemy activity to their front, enemy tried to penetrate the 1/501 perimeter. By 0455, elements reported all quiet. 1-501 had 6 WIA. 14 NVA KIA and 3 NVA POW, 11 indiv wpns and 1 RPG-2 launcher captured. Negative further activity.” The 1/501 had been ready. There was more to come.

We were told that the 1/502, securing LZs Sharon and Betty, had not been attacked that night. It went immediately into action. On 1 February, A Co, with a D Co platoon and the recon platoon, was sweeping the area between the two LZs, In a four-hour fire fight, supported by the Cav’s gunships, it killed 35 and captured 2 NVA, captured an 82mm mortar, two .50 cal. and one light machine gun and many individual weapons. Four men had been killed, including A Co’s commander, Captain Holland, and first sergeant. The 1/502 continued with sweeps and ambushes..

The Tet Offensive caught the 2/501 with its move to Camp Evans only partially completed and with the rest of the battalion yet to move because of poor flying weather, intensive enemy anti-aircraft fire, and low C-47 availability. (to be continued)