Hoopaugh, Lonnie Elwood, EN2

As part of Operation KEEL HAUL, on the evening of 11 February, three ambushes were set up along the Vam Co Dong River, utilizing two PBR’s  at each location. A roving patrol of two PBR’s was established on the river, remaining in the area of operations. The roving patrol, PBR’s 40 and 123, were proceeding north on the river to rendezvous with tango boats, also part of the operation, when they came under heavy rocket and automatic weapons fire from the west bank of the river about 9 Miles northwest of Luc Hoa (XS 468 038). The enemy ambush area was estimated to 400 meters long and contained four B-40 rocket positions and 10-12 automatic weapons positions. The lead boat, PM 123, received one B-40 rocket hit on the forecastle centerline cleat. PBR 40, the cover boat, received two B-40 rounds in the stern sheet area. The cover boat ran aground on the east bank of the river at full speed ending up 25-30 meters inland of the beach. Initial U.S. casualties were one wounded on the lead boat; one killed, one missing, and two wounded, one of them critically  on the cover boat. The critically wounded sailor subsequently died of wounds and the sailor listed as missing was later found dead. PBR's from one of the ambush sites raced to the scene. With the arrival of the tango boats, 60 troops from C Company, 2/27th Infantry were inserted for perimeter security for salvage operations. Two alfa boats and two tango boats were needed  to pull the PM off the beach. After successfully freeing the boat it was towed to Tra Cu. While searching for the missing-in-action sailor,  a small enemy arms cache was discovered. Enemy casualties for this encounter are unknown.
The three that died on Feb 11, 1969 on PBR-40
SN John A Belford
EN2 Lonnie E. Hoopaugh
SN Larry J Luckett