BOOBYTRAP ON TU DUONG MOUNTAIN (HILL 146) 5 KM WEST-SOUTHWEST OF AN HOA AIR FIELD 19690416
UTM grid reference is AT825458
A Note from The Virtual Wall
Recon Team NAIL BRUSH was inserted onto Hill 146, some 5 kilometers west-southwest of An Hoa, on 02 Apr 1967 with orders to establish a long-term observation post to monitor NVA/VC infiltration from the mountains to the west.
Originally expected to extract on 13 May, NAIL BRUSH was extended.
The NAIL BRUSH post-patrol report contains the following entry for 16 April:

LT. KUPKA PATROL LEADER NAIL BRUSH, CO E 160530H AT 825458 7 MAN PATROL MOVING DOWNHILL TRIPPED CHI COM BOOBY TRAP. AFTER TRIPPING BOOBY TRAP NAIL BRUSH "B" CALLED TEAM FOR ASSISTANCE.
DETACHED PATROL OF 7 MEN FROM TEAM.
3 MEN MOVED DOWN TRAIL TO SET UP REAR SECURITY ABOUT TEN METERS IN FRONT OF CASUALITIES.
2ND BOOBYTRAP WAS TRIPPED WOUNDING THEM. MED EVAC BIRDS WERE CALLED.
LADY ACE 9-3 ARRIVED TOOK OUT MED-EVACS. MED EVAC'S WERE 2 USMC KIA, 7 USMC WIA.

The 1st Recon Bn SITREP for 16 April reports that one of the wounded died during or immediately after evacuation, changing the toll to 3 dead, 6 wounded.

The three Marines killed by the boobytraps were

2ndLt Anthony E. Kupka, Falmouth, MA, patrol leader;
LCpl Karl H. Culp, Fort Worth, TX;
LCpl Walter E. Gierman, Lake Worth, FL.

Gierman, Walter Edward, II (RT Nail Brush), LCpl