ATTACK ON 3/12 BATTERY POSITION, 2 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF CAM LO 19660826
UTM grid reference is YD113575

The VC assaulted the Battery position 2k S-SW of Cam Lo killing nine and wounding at least 16. Six KIA were from 3/12 and three from Alpha 1/4 who had security duty. SGT John Joy won the Navy Cross that day and I have included his citation here to better understand how PFC Scarbrough and the others lost their lives.

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant John William Joys (MCSN: 1624442), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the defense of a forward tank and artillery position at Cam Lo in Vietnam on 26 August 1966. Employing satchel charges, hand grenades and a heavy concentration of automatic weapons, the enemy launched a fanatic assault against the Marine perimeter, penetrating the First Platoon's lines. Staff Sergeant Joys, the platoon sergeant, was wounded by mortar fire during the initial phase of the attack. In spite of his painful wound, he proceeded to organize and coordinate the defenses in his sector, spotting targets, directing fires, and constantly exposing himself while moving up and down the lines through the area where enemy fire was the heaviest. He made repeated trips carrying desperately needed ammunition to the men on the line, stopping briefly to spot and shift targets while encouraging adamant determination of his men to stop the penetration. At one time, while moving across the open area between holes, a Viet Cong satchel charge exploded beside Staff Sergeant Joys, lifting him completely off the ground and slamming him down again. Bruised and battered, but undaunted, he picked himself up, retrieved his load and continued without hesitation. Constantly alert to the action within his perimeter, he saw a Corpsman hit while in an open area. Without thought of his personal safety, Staff Sergeant Joys raced through a rain of intensive enemy fire to bring the wounded man to shelter. Noting that the momentum of the enemy's assault was endangering the safety of tanks in his area, he immediately organized part of his platoon to counterattack the enemy from the flank. While leading the assault, Staff Sergeant Joys was wounded for the second time. Although seriously injured and in intense pain, he courageously pressed the attack, and continued to move from man to man, uttering encouragement, helping the wounded, and directing fire until he himself fell mortally wounded by an enemy hand grenade. As a result of his dynamic leadership and stirring personal example, the enemy was contained, and the perimeter restored. Staff Sergeant Joys' professional ability and unfaltering courage reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

Action Date: 26-Aug-66

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Sergeant

Company: Company A

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 4th Marines

Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMF

Scarbrough, Arthur Benjamin, PFC