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4. PERSONNEL INJURIES

The hazards of our work were brought home to all, in the harshest manner, the

loss of friends and co-workers. Below is a listing of personnel killed or injured during

1967s first six months.

On 2 February, SP6 Rupert b. Davis and SP6 Raymond Tomczak of the 184th

Ordnance Battalion (Ammo) were injured, while walking on a street in Qui Nhon, by a

grenade thrown by a VC sympathizer. Both men suffered severe injuries and were

evacuated to Japan. SP6 Davis was ultimately transferred to the States while SP6

Tomczak returned to duty.

On 7 February 1967, while engaged in the clearing of the Long Binh Ammunition

Depot, MSG Ellis, 170th

Ord Det and SP6 Callen, 133d Ord Det were slightly injured in a

mishap involving the fuze from an M72 LAW. The fuze had been sandbagged in a

vehicle and was transported to the EOD holding Area. When the top sandbag was

removed, the fuze functioned and the detonator exploded. Both men received superficialinjuries that were treated locally with no loss of duty time.

15 February 1967 saw the second death of an Army EOD man in Vietnam. The

functioning of an M16A1 anti-personnel mine in the Pleiku area caused the death of SFC

Charles L. Robbins of the 85th

Ord Det. SP5 Lynch, also of the 85th

was seriously injured

requiring his medical evacuation to the U.S. SGT Robbins received the posthumous

promotion to Master Sergeant, E8.

The next accident took place at Tay Ninh involving SP6 Toby Bradberry of the

44th

Ordnance Detachment. He had responded with MSG Henderson to a request from a

helicopter to pick up a malfunctioned XM47 system. Upon arrival at the scene it was

discovered that the dispenser was recovered from a forward area where it had been laying

for sometime. Due to the situation it was decided to remove the munitions to the EOD

holding area for later destruction. In removing the dispenser from the vehicle, several

mines fell to the ground. In trying to steady the ordnance to prevent any further

movement, SP6 Bradberry nudged one of the mines, causing it to function. He lost one

toe and suffered several broken bones in his foot. He was medically evacuated to Japan

and later to the United States.

On15 March the Viet Cong unleashed a concentrated attack on the Cu Chi camp

of the 25th

Division. In that attack Captain Shank, commanding Officer of the 44th

Ord

Det received a severe shoulder wound caused by a fragment from a 75mm recoilless

round which impacted in the units area. After a short stay in the hospital he was

medically evacuated to the U.S.

SP6 Seevers and SP6 Beard, both of the 44th

Ord Det were preparing to destroy a

cache of captured ammunition and ordnance in the vicinity of Tay Ninh, on the 14th

of

(5)

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Purple Heart 5

Total 52

Recommendations for awards must be passed upon by an Awards Board at each

level of command. The stringent requirements set forth by these boards is indicative of

the merit of actions of EOD personnel. The total is more impressive when it is realizedthat on the 30th

of June there were only 110 Army EOD personnel assigned within the

command. The recognition given to EOD personnel, both officers and enlisted man, has

displayed the entire EOD program in the most favorable manner, and has greatly

enhanced the prestige of EOD personnel the world over.

(7)

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3. PERSONNEL INJURIES

The loss or injury of our fellow EOD workers is always a harsh reminder of our

work. Below is a listing of personnel killed or injured during the last six months of 1967.

1. 1 July 1967 saw the third death of an Army EOD man in Vietnam. SP6 LeonG. Nelson of the 3d Ordnance Battalion (Ammo), EOD Section, was killed while

involved in the clean-up of the ASP disaster at Duc Pho. It is believed that an M406

round, which SP6 Nelson had placed near a 105mm HEP round, functioned and caused a

low order detonation of the HEP round, killing him instantly.

2. The next accident took place at LZ English during another clean-up operation.

On 5 July 1967, SP5 Charles E. Aldrich of the 184th

Ordnance Battalion (Ammo), EOD

Section, injured his right hand while handling the superquick element of a PD fuze. SP5

Aldrich was evacuated to Japan but has since returned to duty.

3. On 4 September 1967, SP5 Raymond N, Herbert of the 533d OrdnanceDetachment (EDC) was injured in the process of inerting a captured enemy French

STRIM Rifle Grenade. While removing the detonator assemble (assembly) from the fuze

body, the detonator exploded. SP5 Herbert lost the tips of both thumbs and index finger

of his left hand. He also received superficial lacerations on his chest and face. After an

approximate stay of 30 days in a local hospital, he returned to full duty.

4. SP6 Paul B. McKinley and SP5 Dean Moore, both of the EOD Section, 191st

Ordnance Battalion (Ammo), while enroute to an incident on 22 November 1967, were

killed instantly when a controlled mine was detonated under their jeep. They were 5

miles north of Phan Thiet on Highway 8 and had just passed over a bridge onto a narrow

stretch of gravel road when the explosion occurred. Inspection revealed that the mine

consisted of a 105mm projectile. The road being traveled was insecure, however, it was a

heavily traveled route. It is not felt that the attack was directed against EOD personnel

but rather anyone on the road at that time. Both SP6 McKinley and SP5 Moore have

been posthumously awarded the Silver Star, for their activities in Vietnam.

5. The last injury of the year occurred during clean-up operation of the Special

Forces Camp at Bu Dop on 4 Dec 67. SP6 John C. Scott of the 42d Ordnance

Detachment (EOD) suffered several slight fragment wounds on his face and legs when an

enemy mortar round landed near him.

In addition there were the usual number of slight injuries which usually occurred

during disaster clean-up operations. A number of EOD personnel contracted slight cases

of malaria as well as various other maladies. In spite of death, injury and disease, there

still exists the can do attitude that has always been so prevalent among EOD personnel.

(9)

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