4th Platoon, Alpha Company, 326th Engineer Battalion (Airborne)
“To provide engineering support for the newly arrived 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th
Infantry, a fourth engineer platoon was organized from currently assigned personnel and
equipment by the Alpha Company, 326th Engineer Battalion (Airborne) to provide direct
support to the Currahee Battalion. The 4th Engineer Platoon was activated on
September 30, 1967.
A fourth line platoon was organized and trained in August to provide combat engineer
support for the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry in November 1967. The platoon
trained in demolition techniques, mine clearing methods and helicopter LZ construction.
The platoon operated in September and October in support of 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry
and the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, both of which were OPCON to the 1st Brigade at the
time.
Major Benjamin R. Schlzpak assumed the duties as Brigade Engineer on August 14,
1967. Cpt. Michael Ward is the CO of Alpha Company, 326th Engineer Battalion
(Airborne), he assumed command of Alpha Company, 326th Engineer Battalion.” –
Operational Report – Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne
Division
Alpha Company, 326th Engineer Battalion (Airborne), continued to place one combat
engineer platoon in direct support of the organic maneuver battalions and the remainder
of the company in general support of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. The
platoon in support of maneuver battalions placed one landing zone clearing and
demolition team with each rifle company and kept an emergency team at the battalion
tactical command post. Normal missions included demolition of tunnels and bunkers,
mine clearing, helicopter landing zone construction, explosive ordnance disposal and
bunker construction. The company (-) performed the mission of road and drainage
construction, minor structure construction, civic action construction, mine clearing,
explosive ordnance disposal, helicopter revetment construction, area clearing for unit
locations and water supply. The company amassed the following statistics, by operation,
during the reporting period.
During the reporting period the primary engineer mission was direct combat support
to Infantry maneuver battalions in the field. This support included, but was not limited
to, landing zone clearance, tunnel and bunker destruction, detection and neutralization of
US dude and enemy land mines and booby traps, construction of TAC CP’s and fighting
as infantry. In addition to combat activity in the area of operations, engineer effort
accounted for construction of the Battalion Base Camp forward. This work included
building an extensive road net, laying culverts, installing triple concertina protective
fens=ce, construction of tent floors and tent frames and general ground prepartion for
tent sites. Other engineer effort for the period was solicited by the civil affairs. This unit
expended many hours providing sweep teams on call for clearing roads. In the area of
civil affairs, this unit constructed drainage systems for the hamlets and villages, etc.
A fourth line platoon was organized and trained in August to provide combat engineer
support for the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry in November 1967. The platoon
trained in demolition techniques, mine clearing methods and helicopter LZ construction.
The platoon operated in September and October in support of 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry
and 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, both of which were OPCON to the brigade at the time.
Those 326th Combat Engineer Battalion members who were killed in action while
serving alongside the Currahees of the 3-506th were:
SP4 Alan Lee Blair – January 2, 1968
PFC Hans Kletinger – January 2, 1968