Operations officially named and approved by US Army Vietnam are shown in large print across the top of the time line. Operations named by 1st BDE 5th DIV, and in one case The Army of South Vietnam, are shown in smaller letters along the bottom.
Mission statements for selected operations, reproduced from official documents, are as follows:
OPERATION RICH - (Official After Operation Summary) Between 23 and 26 October 1968, the 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry and B Company, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor conducted a sweep into the demilitarized zone itself. The infantry was initially pinned down by heavy mortar and machine gun fire. The tanks were committed in a cavalry-like charge on the flank of the battle and routed the North Vietnamese out of their positions into the open, immediately inflicting very heavy casualties from the combined fire power of the two units. During the actions in four days, 303 enemy bodies were counted, 258 individual and 16 crew-served weapons were captured. Since the enemy always attempted to recover all weapons, this latter fact is most significant and indicated that the enemy was so routed as to be unable to retain the weapons
IROQUOIS GROVE - The 1st Inf Bde, 5th Inf Div (Mech), in cooperation and coordination with ARVN/GVN forces, conduct reconnaissance in force, search and clear, rice denial and land clearing operations; saturation patrols and ambushes in assigned area of operations.
FULTON SQUARE - The mission of the 1st Inf Bde, 5th Inf Div (Mech) is to further the pacification program by conducting reconnaissance in force and search and clear operations to capture or destroy enemy forces, by combining cordon and search operations to eliminate the enemy infrastructure, by extending reconnaissance and surveillance operations to provide information of enemy activities and by conducting other offensive and defensive operations to deny the enemy the use of secure base areas and to provide security to the populated areas of Quang Tri Province.
OPORD 11 - TF 1-61 relieves TF 1-11 on or about 1 November 1969, assumes responsibility for AO Orange, conducts search and clear, reconnaissance in force and security operations in AO Orange; secures fixed installations at A4 and C2; conducts daily minesweeps from A4 to QL#9; establishes and conducts operations in coordination/conjunction with GVN forces operating adjacent to AO Orange; establishes and maintains direct communications with Cam Lo District.
GREENE RIVER - The mission of the 1st Inf Bde, 5th Inf Div (Mech) is to further the pacification program by conducting operations with the 1st ARVN Div Fwd; conduct reconnaissance in force; search and clear, and rocket suppression operations to interdict, destroy and/or capture enemy forces; to eliminate the enemy infrastructure by extending reconnaissance and surveillance activities, conduct offensive and defensive operations to deny the enemy use of secure base areas, and to provide security tot he populated areas of Quang Tri Province.
YORK MARKET - 1st Inf Bde, 5th Inf Div (Mech) conducts combined operations with regional forces (RF) to destroy enemy forces in the Hai Lang AO and train regional forces for independent operations in the piedmont area.
DAKOTA CLINT - 1st Inf Bde, 5th Inf Div (Mech) conducts combined operations with regional forces (RF) to destroy enemy forces in Mai Loc AO and train regional forces for independent operations in the Huong Hoa District.
