Between 19 July and 11 Sept., 1967, my unit, 2/2nd Infantry (Mech), took part in Operation Paul Bunyan, which was a jungle clearing operation. Phase I was conducted in the Ong Dong Jungle. Phase II was along Highway 13 (Thunder Road) between Phu Cuong and Ben Cat. 50 years ago today, on 25 July, '67, one of our tracks hit a massive mine. It was an "all hands on deck" situation for medics who were in the vicinity. Of the 8 soldiers on board the track, one died on the scene and the others were severely wounded. Two of those soldiers died after evacuation.

According to after-action reports, which tend to err on the conservative side, 4 US soldiers were killed and 50 wounded in action during the operation.