On 20 Mar 1968, the 2nd Bn, 501st Abn Inf led by Lt Col Joseph C Wilson, Honolulu, Hawaii, was inserted into the
Rao Nai Valley, southeast of the A Shau and began a sweep to the Laotian border. They encountered light resistance
along the way from small delaying elements of squad or platoon size. The bad weather
delays coupled with American activity on the edges of the valley had apparently telegraphed
the approach of the Screaming Eagles, and the enemy units withdrew into Laos before they could be overtaken.
Delta Company, 2nd of the 501st, came upon a way-station, hospital complex and drove off what apparently
was a caretaker platoon. That night, after the company established its night position in the complex, the enemy
platoon returned with satchel charges, RPG fire and small arms. The attack was repelled, three sappers dying inside
the perimeter. A few days later, the Drive On troppers, following a high-speed trail, found caches that contained
120,000 AK-47 rounds, and dozens of rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar rounds. They continued to be harrassed
by booby traps and snipers and cache security guards.
As the days went on it became obvious that the entire area
of the extreme southern A Shau had been abandoned by the NVA, who left the bulk of their equipment and munitions behind in
their hasty retreat. The Yellow Brick Road was interdicted and destroyed by the 2nd Brigade, leaving enemy plans for
future offensives against Hue and Da Nang extremely hampered, if not impossible.
A total of 178 enemy were killed by May 8 when Striker terminated. Tons of munitions and equipment were destroyed or
captured including maybe 600 SKS rifles. The historically valuable supply and infiltration route of the communist forces was denied to them, leaving
no alternate route, so hindering their operations for some time to come.