OPERATION MACARTHUR, THE BATTLES AT DAK TO - Corregidor

The 2-503d Infantry continued its base security,
search and destroy operations and mission as the
Division Reaction Force for the 4 th Infantry Division. At
0955 hours, 2-503d Infantry received word that it was on
6 hour alert as the 4 th Infantry Division Reaction Force.
The 2-503d Infantry was further given a warning order
concerning an air mobile assault on 10 November.
The 4-503d Infantry continued its operations
preparing Companies “A”, “C” and “D” for extraction to
FSB 12. Company “D” initiated search and destroy
operations around Hill 823 this morning, discovering an
NVA base camp and a large amount of NVA equipment
and several NVA bodies. Extraction of “D” Company
from Hill 823 was begun at 1540 hours but was delayed
due to incoming mortar and small arms fire. Movement
to FSB 13 was completed by 1830 hours.
Concept of the Operation and Execution:
At 1710 hours, 8 November while “C” Company and
C-1-503d Inf remained in position, “B” Company
extracted from Hill 823 into FSB 13. Earlier at 1300
hours, “B” Company located 3 NVA bodies outside the
perimeter bringing the total enemy body count to 89
NVA KIA (BC)
John Michael Kapeluck, C/1/503, KIA 11/8/67
Under fire at Dak To. (Web photo)
D+15 (9 November 1967)
23 rd Mobile Strike Force Company released from
OPCON to the 4-503d Infantry.
The 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) continued
Operation MACARTHUR. The 1 st Battalion, 503d
Inf, at 1200 hours, was helilifted from fSB 12 to FSB
15, closing at 1624 hours. Upon closure, the 1-503d
Infantry assumed responsibility for AO CONDOR. At
0750 hours, C-1-503d Infantry found an NVA body at
YB 853187. Body was assumed to be KIA by artillery
fired the night before. At 1220 hours, C-3-319 th
Artillery was helilifted from FSB 13 to FSB 15 closing
at 1440 hours.
The 2-503d Infantry continued its assigned mission.
“A” and “B” Companies conducted a road clearing
mission. At 1725 hours, the DAK TO airstrip received 6
mortar rounds. At1840 hours, “C” Company was
inserted into an LZ in an attempt to knock out the mortar
position. They had negative results. B-52 strikes were
scheduled in support of the air assault which still
remained in the planning stages having been postponed
until the 11 th .
The 4-503d Infantry continued operations with all
elements of “A”, “C” and “D” Companies being
extracted from a LZ at YB 844192 by 1223 hours.
Small arms fire was received in the area on several
occasions with negative results. Company “D” assumed
a road clearing mission from FSB 13 to FSB 12. The
23d Mobile Strike Force Company was released
from OPCON of 4-503d Infantry to the 4 th Infantry
Division at 1000 hours. E-17 Cavalry continued as the
Brigade Reaction Force at FSB EAGLE.
Mobile Strike Force elements from
PLEIKU continued patrolling activities in
AO’s CONDOR and FALCON without
contact.
D+16 (10 November 1967)
The 2-503d Infantry returned to the
OPCON of the 173d Airborne Brigade
(Separate).
The 1-503d Infantry continued search
and destroy operations in AO CONDOR.
At 1330 hours, “A” Company found 6
NVA bodies in a base camp. The NVA
had been dead 24 hours from 81mm mortar
fire.
The 2-503d Infantry was replaced in
their AO by elements of the 1-8 th Infantry,
4 th Infantry Division. The 2-503d Infantry
consolidated, received their operations
order and prepared for an air assault and
subsequent search and destroy operations on 11
November 1967.
(continued….)
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / November 2012 – Issue 47
Page 20 of 125