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Summary - May 1966

To be written


May 3

Along with the most of the battalion, Charlie Company returned to An Khe.  (Source: Annual Historical Report, Calendar Year 1966, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, Operations in the Republic of Vietnam.)

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May 4

The division conducted a farewell ceremony for Major General Kinnard, then went back to work.  (Source: Annual Historical Report, Calendar Year 1966, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, Operations in the Republic of Vietnam.)

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May 5

Orders were cut awarding members of the company the Air Medal.  In the early days, troopers were required to keep a log to record their air activities.  Later in the war, this requirement was suspended, and the Air Medal was awarded after having served with the division in a line company for approximately three months.

Note:  Not all the men on this order are from C Company.  Also, some Charlie Company personnel on this order were on another set of orders in September 1966.

Caution - this is a very large file.

Documents_1st_Cav_Div_GO_1452_dtd_5_May_66_Air_Medal.jpg (232626 bytes)
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Courtesy Parnell Bethune

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May 9

Task Force Colt was the name given to on-going security operations in and around the Pleiku/Kontum area in the mountains west of An Khe. The battalion returned there, moving via Route 19 on trucks, and established a perimeter in the Bien No Lake area. From there, everyone was involved in highway security between Pleiku and An Khe. Some training was done in rappelling from Hueys, M-16 firing, and artillery adjustment. No contact was made with the enemy.  (Source: Annual Historical Report, Calendar Year 1966, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, Operations in the Republic of Vietnam.)

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May 30

Operation Paul Revere and Hooker I began. C 2/5 Cav moved to LZ Oasis (ZA 120277) and went under the operational control of the 3rd Brigade , 25th Infantry Division.  (Source: Annual Historical Report, Calendar Year 1966, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, Operations in the Republic of Vietnam.)

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May - Exact Date Unknown

SFC Antonio Torres-Perez, Platoon Sergeant of 2nd Platoon, taken in the 2/5 Cav area at An Khe.

Viewers might find it interesting to compare SFC Torres-Perez gear (known as TA-50) with gear worn four years later by Nick Gallo in 1970.

His weapon is the first model M-16 with an open flash hider (often used to break the wire around cases on C-Rations).  He is still wearing state-side fatigues (no cargo pockets on the trousers), though he does have jungle boots on.  His load-bearing equipment is the harness, web belt and butt-pack of that era.  His entrenching tool (small shovel) is attached to the belt.  He is carrying the then new plastic one quart canteen.)

Comanche_Torres_Perez_May_66_from_Irizarry.jpg (49114 bytes)
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Courtesy Edgar Irizarry

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May - Exact Date Unknown

SSG Edgar Irizarry was the Squad Leader of 1st Squad, 1st Platoon.  Shown here is the squad doing weapons maintenance at An Khe.

Anyone knowing the identity of the other troopers in the top photo, please notify the Webmaster.

Comanche_1st_Squad_1st_Platoon_May_66_from_Irizarry.jpg (71422 bytes)
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Comanche_Irizarry_May_66_from_Irizarry.jpg (78455 bytes)
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Both Courtesy Edgar Irizarry

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Updated September 10, 2006