The cloud cover has increased over the past week. Soon the hot dry days will be replaced by long rainy days of the monsoon season. By the end of the month our flight time will be cut short by bad weather.

Another operation is about to begin this morning. C/3/8 has spent the night at YA 826906. This area has been pounded during the past month by B-52s. The company was unable to dig in last night. Their night location is where many enemy soldiers had been buried. They would move this morning towards units of the 1/22nd which had established blocking positions near YA 806825.

We will resupply the firebases but will also monitor the radios in case we are needed. The morning passes slowly as an uneasy feeling surrounds the valley. Just before noon our feelings become reality.

A platoon from D/1/22 has discovered a bunker complex with enemy soldiers. They withdraw and call for artillery and air strikes. The area is pounded for almost an hour. The platoon moved back into the area. They are ambushed by soldiers in a second bunker complex. A second platoon moves to reinforce and they are flanked by another enemy force. Before long the entire company is in contact. Cobra gunship from the 4th Avn Bn. and Croc gunships from the 119th provide support. Later Cider aircraft brings the Air Force on station.

A running battle continues late into the afternoon. Delta is able to secure a landing zone and we are brought in to evacuate the wounded. C/3/8 has arrived to help secure the perimeter. D/1/22 has suffered 1 KIA, 5 MIA (killed) and 17 wounded. We evacuate the wounded to LZ Mary Lou. During the turn around from Mary Lou the brass has decided to pull all of the troops out of this area and pound it with artillery.

We complete the two company lift as darkness closes in on the valley. The fear of attack runs high as we pull the last of the troops out and head for LZ Cider. During the night artillery from Cider, Brace, and D-Handle will work the area.

All of the units which remain in the valley are under strength. Units of the 1/8th have already departed for An Khe. The 1/35th are back in Dak To and are conducting operations in that area. The remaining units of 2nd Brigade continue operations to the north around LZ Mile High and Hill 994. How much longer we will operate in the valley is anybody's guess. Hopefully this will be be the last bloodly nose that we will suffer during this operation.