Xom Cat
A-312

CMH Publication Error:

" I was there on "opening day." This was a month or two after I arrived in Oct 65."
B. J. Hobar
COL, USA (Ret)

______________________________

"I have just visited your web page out of curiosity. Be advised that your information that Team A312 at Xom Cat "Opened Oct 66" is wrong.

I joined Team B31 as its intel sgt in Sept 65 at Phuoc Vinh. We relocated to Xuan Loc in Dec 65. When plans were made for A312 to make the assault into Xom Cat, I arranged to get the intel sgt slot with the A team. I took part in the helicopter assault in Feb 66, helped build the camp and airfield, got wounded in July 66, and returned home when my year was up--all before your "Opened Oct 66" date.

My friendly advice is to supercheck your information before you publish it worldwide."

Fred Bost
SgtMaj, Ret"

______________________________

"Hi Pat:

Here is the poop I promised about the opening of Xom Cat by Team A312.  The Xom Cat camp opened in mid-February, 1966; I believe the actual date was February 15.  On that same date, due to the troop movement, the A312 Cao Bien camp was closed.  The helicopter air assault formed at the Phuoc Vinh airfield.  Team A312, its LLDB team, and its strikers, were backed by a Mike Force platoon.  Captain Henry Kenny commanded A312.  He rotated a few months after Xom Cat opened, replaced by Captain John D. Elliott.  The executive officer throughout was 2LT Benny E. Stafford (made 1LT while at the camp).  Heavy equipment for building the airfield was brought in as sling loads under Chinook helicopters.  Civilian Chinese construction operators manned the equipment.  Initially first supplies came via parachute airdrops and helicopters.  As the airfield expanded supplies came via Beavers, Otters, and Caribou aircraft.  Once the airfield was completed, the equipment and operators were sent back to Saigon via C-130 aircraft.  There was no land-route tie to any friendly forces and throughout my stay there (thru August 1966) supplies and visitors came exclusively by air, despite the fact that Xom Cat was located at the junction of two rivers, the Song Be and Song Dong Nai.

I hope that helps.
Best,
Fred"

Fred Bost
SgtMaj, Ret

* CMH Publication 90-23. Department of the Army. Washington, D.C. 1989 (First Printed, 1973); Appendix C

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