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  86^TH ENGINEERS

   Land Clearing Platoon

“LCP”

1967-1968

 

 

In the early spring of 1967, three Land Clearing Platoons were formed by the Army at Fort Lewis, WA.  Those three platoons were the 27^th, 35^th and 86^th Land Clearing Platoons.

 

The 86^th Land Clearing Platoon, “LCP”, was formed at Fort Lewis, WA, in April of 1967.  The members of the LCP was made up of one Second Lieutenant, one Master Sergeant and 62 privates.  The members were equipment operators, welder, truck drivers and mechanics and arrived from posts all over the US.  After being formed and briefed by Lt. Thomas Grubb, the men were allowed to go home on leave before leaving for Vietnam.

 

On June 7, 1967, the 86^th LCP arrived at McChord Air Force Base where they boarded a C-141 Starlifter for the flight to Vietnam.  The flight included stops in Alaska, Japan and the final destination of Bien Hoa Air Force Base at Long Bien, Vietnam.

 

After arriving at the Bien Hoa Air Base, the men were loaded onto trucks and transported to Bear Cat Army Base.  Bear Cat Army Base was the home of the 9^th Infantry Division and the 86^th Engineer Company.

 

The 86^th LCP was attached to the 86^th Engineer Company.  After arriving in Bear Cat, the 86^th LCP began getting their 30 dozers.  Three of the D-7 Caterpillar dozers had bull blades mounted on them and the other 27 had Rome Plows mounted on them.

 

The primary objective of the 86^th, 35^th and 27^th Land Clearing Platoons was to clear the jungle back from the road edge 300 meters in high ambush locations.  They were to also assist in helping cavalry and infantry bottle up and locate the Viet Cong in densely covered areas by cutting open areas to help cut down on escape routes.

 

The first operation that the 86^th LCP was assigned to was Operation Emporia I in Long Khank Province.  The operation began on July 21, 1967 and ended in August of 1967.  The 86^th LCP would later participate in Emporia II and III.  The 11^th Armored Calvary provided security for the operations.  In the first operation, the convoy taking the dozers to their destination was ambushed enroute and a fierce firefight ensued.  The 11^th Armored Calvary lost men and equipment, but the Viet Cong paid a heavy price.

 

During October of 1967 in Phuc Tuy and Bien Hoa Provinces, while participating in Operation Akron III, the 86^th LCP uncovered the largest arms cache and tunnel system that had been found up to then in Vietnam.  Thousands of weapons, ammunition, medical and dental supplies and four 85mm Howitzers were recovered.

 

The 86^th LCP went on to participate in Operations Santa Fe and Fargo during their year in country.

 

During their year in country from June 7, 1967 until June 8, 1968, the 86^th Land Clearing Platoon lost one member of the platoon.  Numerous members were wounded over the year.  Many dozers were damaged by mines and other military weapons.  The members of the unit received many Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and Commendation Medals during that year in Vietnam.