HEADQUARTERS
1ST BATTALION, 7TH CAVALRY
1ST CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE)
APO San Francisco, California 96490
9 December 1965

SUBJECT: After Action Report, IA DRANG Valley Operation 1st Battalion,
7th Cavalry 14-16 November 1965
Commanding Officer
3d Brigade
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
APO US Forces 96490

I. GENERAL:
During this operation, I was the Commanding Officer of the 1st
Battalion, 7th Cavalry. On 23 November 1965, I was promoted and turned
over the battalion to my successor.

II. BACKGROUND:

A. On 10 November the battalion moved from the base camp at
An Khe, coordinates BR476476, by CV--2 to a forward airstrip and assembly area south of Pleiku, coordinates ZA198340. From there, all companies were shuttled the same day by UH-1D into a search and destroy operation in an area to the east of Plei Me, vicinity coordinates ZA2007 to ZA7606.

We conducted saturation patrolling through the 12th with light contact
by only Company A. We also conducted a civic action program supplying
medical aid and USOM food to Montagnard village, population 200,
coordinates ZA237073. On the 12th, the Assistant Division Commander-A,
during a visit to the battalion, indicated to the Brigade Commander
that he had no objection to the latter sending a battalion into the
IA DRANG Valley. This we took as an alert and began a map study. On
13 November, the battalion was moved on brigade orders to a new area of
operations south and southwest of Plei Me. Once again saturation
patrolling was conducted out of company bases throughout the day with
no contact. Company B was airlifted after 1500 hours into the Brigade
CP area as security, and for an immediate reaction force under Brigade
control. It closed into position by 1800 hours.

B. At approximately 1700 hours, the Brigade Commander and
I visited the Company A CP south of Plei Me. During the visit, the
Brigade Commander gave me orders to execute an assault by helicopter
into the IA DRANG Valley, north of CHU PONG Mountain early the next
morning with a mission of conducting search and destroy operations
through the 15th. The area of operations was pointed out on the map
and he informed me that we would be supported from LZ FALCON, coordinates ZA023032, by two batteries of 105mm howitzer artillery - one of which would be moved by air from PLEI ME early on the 14th prior to our assault.

C. I returned to my CP near Plei Me; formulated a tentative
plan; issued instructions to my staff; procured further details from
3d Brigade Headquarters and the supporting helicopter unit; and issued
a warning order to my unit commanders, staff, and supporting elements.
By 2200 hours, 13 November, all preparations had been accomplished which were possible without an actual air reconnaissance. Arrangements included an early morning airlift of Company B back to PLEI ME; directions to the commanders of A and C Companies to concentrate their elements at first light in the la