4.

PERSONNEL INJURIES The hazards of our work were brought home to all, in the harshest manner, the loss of friends and co-workers. Below is a listing of personnel killed or injured during 1967s first six months. On 2 February, SP6 Rupert b. Davis and SP6 Raymond Tomczak of the 184 th Ordnance Battalion (Ammo) were injured, while walking on a street in Qui Nhon, by a grenade thrown by a VC sympathizer. Both men suffered severe injuries and were evacuated to Japan. SP6 Davis was ultimately transferred to the States while SP6 Tomczak returned to duty. On 7 February 1967, while engaged in the clearing of the Long Binh Ammunition Depot, MSG Ellis, 170 th Ord Det and SP6 Callen, 133d Ord Det were slightly injured in a mishap involving the fuze from an M72 LAW. The fuze had been sandbagged in a vehicle and was transported to the EOD holding Area. When the top sandbag was removed, the fuze functioned and the detonator exploded. Both men received superficial injuries that were treated locally with no loss of duty time. 15 February 1967 saw the second death of an Army EOD man in Vietnam. The functioning of an M16A1 anti-personnel mine in the Pleiku area caused the death of SFC Charles L. Robbins of the 85 th Ord Det. SP5 Lynch, also of the 85 th was seriously injured requiring his medical evacuation to the U.S. SGT Robbins received the posthumous promotion to Master Sergeant, E8. The next accident took place at Tay Ninh involving SP6 Toby Bradberry of the 44 Ordnance Detachment. He had responded with MSG Henderson to a request from a helicopter to pick up a malfunctioned XM47 system. Upon arrival at the scene it was discovered that the dispenser was recovered from a forward area where it had been laying for sometime. Due to the situation it was decided to remove the munitions to the EOD holding area for later destruction. In removing the dispenser from the vehicle, several mines fell to the ground. In trying to steady the ordnance to prevent any further movement, SP6 Bradberry nudged one of the mines, causing it to function. He lost one toe and suffered several broken bones in his foot. He was medically evacuated to Japan and later to the United States.
th

On15 March the Viet Cong unleashed a concentrated attack on the Cu Chi camp of the 25th Division. In that attack Captain Shank, commanding Officer of the 44 th Ord Det received a severe shoulder wound caused by a fragment from a 75mm recoilless round which impacted in the units area. After a short stay in the hospital he was medically evacuated to the U.S. SP6 Seevers and SP6 Beard, both of the 44 th Ord Det were preparing to destroy a cache of captured ammunition and ordnance in the vicinity of Tay Ninh, on the 14 th of (5)

April. While assembling the items to be destroyed the handle of a smoke grenade flew off when it was removed from a box. SP6 grabbed the grenade and attempted to throw it out of the hole. It functioned and blew a portion of one finger off and caused deep lacerations of the right hand and minor lacerations to his abdominal area. Upon investigation it was found that the fuze for an HE grenade had been substituted for the normal fuze and the grenade placed in the box of captured munitions in such a manner as to function when the other grenades were removed. Specialist Beard was hospitalized for approximately 3 weeks and then returned to duty. On 29 April, SP6 Ames from the EOD Section, 3d Ord Bn suffered a severe laceration to his right thumb while working on an M158 Bomb Fuze. The injury resulted in his being evacuated to Japan. He has since returned to full duty. An EOD team from the 3d Ordnance Battalion consisting of SSG Zarins and SP5 Powell were dispatched to an incident scene by helicopter on 12 May. While enroute the chopper came under intensive enemy fire. SSG Zarins was struck in the leg and the bullet traveled up his leg lodging in his liver. Noting the seriousness of the wound, the pilot flew SSG Zarins to the hospital where he underwent immediate surgery. He was then evacuated to the United States. The last injury for the period, on 24 June, involved SP6 Terry Johnson of the 170 Ordnance Detachment. Engaged in the removal of damaged 155mm WP projectiles, while assisting in the clearing of LZ English, oxidized WP was chipped off a round causing propellant, that was scattered throughout the area, to flash. SP6 Johnson received 1st and 2d degree burns of the face, shoulder, and arms. He was evacuated to Japan for approximately 30 days and has since returned to duty.
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There have been a number of EOD personnel that have been afflicted with ills that are peculiar to this theater. Being required to work in temperatures up to 135 degrees and in swampy rice paddies has created cases of dysentery, malaria, dengue fever and other maladies. Insects and snakes have caused discomforts to almost every EOD man in the command. However, it is indicative of the high morale and sense of unity of all EOD personnel, that death, injury or disease have not stopped them from getting any job done. 5. AWARDS It is appropriate at this time to make mention of the recognition attained by EOD personnel in the command. From the 1 st of January to the 30 th of June 1967 the following awards were presented: Bronze Star with V Device.10 Bronze Star. 8 Army Commendation Medal with V Device..21 Army Commendation Medal.. 8 (6)

Purple Heart 5 Total 52 Recommendations for awards must be passed upon by an Awards Board at each level of command. The stringent requirements set forth by these boards is indicative of the merit of actions of EOD personnel. The total is more impressive when it is realized that on the 30th of June there were only 110 Army EOD personnel assigned within the command. The recognition given to EOD personnel, both officers and enlisted man, has displayed the entire EOD program in the most favorable manner, and has greatly enhanced the prestige of EOD personnel the world over. (7)

3. PERSONNEL INJURIES The loss or injury of our fellow EOD workers is always a harsh reminder of our work. Below is a listing of personnel killed or injured during the last six months of 1967. 1. 1 July 1967 saw the third death of an Army EOD man in Vietnam. SP6 Leon G. Nelson of the 3d Ordnance Battalion (Ammo), EOD Section, was killed while involved in the clean-up of the ASP disaster at Duc Pho. It is believed that an M406 round, which SP6 Nelson had placed near a 105mm HEP round, functioned and caused a low order detonation of the HEP round, killing him instantly. 2. The next accident took place at LZ English during another clean-up operation. On 5 July 1967, SP5 Charles E. Aldrich of the 184 th Ordnance Battalion (Ammo), EOD Section, injured his right hand while handling the superquick element of a PD fuze. SP5 Aldrich was evacuated to Japan but has since returned to duty. 3. On 4 September 1967, SP5 Raymond N, Herbert of the 533d Ordnance Detachment (EDC) was injured in the process of inerting a captured enemy French STRIM Rifle Grenade. While removing the detonator assemble (assembly) from the fuze body, the detonator exploded. SP5 Herbert lost the tips of both thumbs and index finger of his left hand. He also received superficial lacerations on his chest and face. After an approximate stay of 30 days in a local hospital, he returned to full duty. 4. SP6 Paul B. McKinley and SP5 Dean Moore, both of the EOD Section, 191 st Ordnance Battalion (Ammo), while enroute to an incident on 22 November 1967, were killed instantly when a controlled mine was detonated under their jeep. They were 5 miles north of Phan Thiet on Highway 8 and had just passed over a bridge onto a narrow stretch of gravel road when the explosion occurred. Inspection revealed that the mine consisted of a 105mm projectile. The road being traveled was insecure, however, it was a heavily traveled route. It is not felt that the attack was directed against EOD personnel but rather anyone on the road at that time. Both SP6 McKinley and SP5 Moore have been posthumously awarded the Silver Star, for their activities in Vietnam. 5. The last injury of the year occurred during clean-up operation of the Special Forces Camp at Bu Dop on 4 Dec 67. SP6 John C. Scott of the 42d Ordnance Detachment (EOD) suffered several slight fragment wounds on his face and legs when an enemy mortar round landed near him. In addition there were the usual number of slight injuries which usually occurred during disaster clean-up operations. A number of EOD personnel contracted slight cases of malaria as well as various other maladies. In spite of death, injury and disease, there still exists the can do attitude that has always been so prevalent among EOD personnel. (9)

4. AWARDS It is appropriate at this time to make mention of the recognition attained by EOD personnel in this command. From the 1 st of January to 31st of December 1967, the following awards were presented and/or approved for subsequent presentation: SILVER STAR (Posthumously).. 2 BRONZE STAR WITH V DEVICE16 BRONZE STAR.. 15 ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL WITH V DEVICE. 23 ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL. 5 PURPLE HEART. 7 TOTAL. 68 In addition to these personal awards, the 170 th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) and the 533dd Ordnance Detachment (EDC) have been awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for their work in this theater. (10)