Richard Denzil Gill Jr

On July 21, 1966, Companies A and B and the Recon Platoon of 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, departed Cu Chi Base Camp for a search and destroy operation in the western end of the Filhol Rubber Plantation in Binh Duong Province, RVN. Several preselected objective areas were searched. At 1600 hours Company B became engaged in a fire fight. During the course of the fight, one of the M113A armored personnel carriers (APC) moved to attack from the right flank when a command-detonated mine was exploded. There were several cases of TNT and C4 explosives inside the carrier. When the mine detonated, it set off the explosives. The only thing left of the APC was the floorboard and the driver's steering sticks. There were seven Bobcats in the APC at the time of the explosion. Most of their body parts were located and recovered from around the area. Some were not found. By 1700 hours Company A had closed with Company B and the units moved out of the area at 1800 hours heading for their base camp. It was noted in a medical evaluation report that there was difficulty identifying the remains of the seven men, who were mutilated when their track exploded. It suggested a careful search for remains should be made if tactically possible. After further searching, the positive identification of all remains was achieved. The seven lost Bobcats included SP4 David L. Berry, PFC James X. Gilch, SP4 Richard D. Gill Jr., PFC Samuel G. Harris, SP4 Leo E. Hinterlong, SSGT Wilberto C. Sanchez, and SP4 Larry Van Clief.