As our successful encirclement operation at Xe La Dong ended, the 2d Brigade was working with the 1st ARVN Division to extend the brigade’s area of operations southward into Phu Tu district, where we would operate in heavily enemy-infested villages along a shoreline.

Leaving the 1/502 and 2/501 to continue north of Hue, the brigade operation order set up two task forces, each with infantry, some vehicle mobility, and extra firepower:

TF 1/501 Inf 1/501 Inf (-B&C Cos) A/2/17 Cav Aerial Rifle Plat, 2/17 Cav Tank Platoon from 2/34 Armor	TF 2/17 Cav 2/17 Cav (-A Troop) B/1/501 Inf C/1/501 Inf 3 Marine platoons (Ontos, Tank, Amtrac)

We would be cooperating with RVN Task Force 7, commanded by the Sector Commander (the Province Chief of Thua Thien). Its composition:

With the commanders of task forces 2/17 and 7 co-located at Phu Tu district headquarters, the operation began at first light 1 June. Supported by artillery and US naval gunfire, TF 2/17 attacked southeastward along the coast and TF 7 about 3 kilometers inland. At the same time combat assaults under brigade control placed C/1/501 (in the zone of TF 2/17) and the Black Panther Co (in the zone of TF 7) into blocking positions well southeast of the line of departure.

As TF 2/17’s B/1/501 engaged the enemy to its front, its B/2/17 maneuvered around the right to engage. Brigade helilifted B/2/501 to join the fight between B/1/501 and B/2/17. A/2/17, returned to 2/17 Cav, moved to B/2/17’s right to link up with C/1/501 on its right. While a proper cordon had not been placed, with illumination and with RVN patrol boats offshore the enemy did not try to escape.

Meanwhile, as reported in the brigade journal for June 1: “TF 7 (ARVN) conducted operations to the SW of 2/17 elements. The Black Panther Co made a combat assault and occupied blocking positions. 3-3 ARVN Inf and 3-7 ARVN Cav attacked SE and made contact with an estimated 100 VC. Enemy assessment: 10 VC KIA, 2 VC POW.”

On June 2, TF 2/17 Cav, with all elements of the encirclement now under its opcon, maintained pressure on the enemy and completed an airtight encirclement. That night the enemy sought vainly to break out overland and RVN Navy boats on patrol captured 5 NVA prisoners with weapons. On June 3, as psyops appeals to surrender were broadcast, TF 2/17 troops began to sweep into the village. After another encirclement night the battles of TF 2/17 and TF 7 were over.

Results:
US 5 KIA 36 WIA
ARVN 2 KIA 5 WIA

Enemy assessment: NVA/VC KIA NVA/VC POW	by US 128 66	by ARVN 157 19	Total 235 77

This action was the end of heavy fighting in my time as brigade commander.