TRIP-WIRED WEAPON (NO TITLE PROVIDED) FROM THE SOUTHERN CROSS FOR DECEMBER 26, 1969.

Electronic copy of article provided by Leslie Hines

FSB 4-11 — A tripped wire often means danger to the infantrymen. On this particular afternoon it meant a war trophy for a soldier of C Co. 3-1st Inf. 11th Inf. Bde.

The squad of division soldiers was walking along a trail in dense terrain 27 miles northwest of Duc Pho when the wire was tripped. A shot rang out and the infantrymen hit the dirt. After an investigation of the site, an AK-44 was discovered tied by wire to a tree. The single round in the weapon was aimed a foot off the ground. SP4 Dan Smith (Jamestown, N.D.) tagged it and now has the souvenir.

When asked why the weapon was aimed so low, MSG Huey Fautheree (Hampton, Va.) commented, "The weapon was probably set up as some kind of game trap. From the height of the weapon it is hard to say that the bullet was intended for a soldier."

(11th IO)

The original copy of this document was a personal purchase from the Carlisle Barracks Military History Institute by Steve Ratcliffe (B/123rd Avn Bn & 174th AHC).