FINAL MISSION OF SP4 JOHN W. LUTTRELL

On March 11, 1970, a 38-vehicle convoy from the 120th Transportation Company, 91st Combat Support Battalion, was traveling west on Highway LTL-8A in Kien Giang Province, RVN, enroute to Ha Tien from Binh Thuy when it was hit by two command-detonated mines. The blasts occurred when the group was approximately fourteen miles from their destination. Elements of 7th Battalion, 1st Cavalry, which were providing escort security on the journey, lost four personnel killed. They were SP4 John W. Luttrell, PFC Lester P. Saba, PFC Jose L. Santos-Lopez, and PFC Donnie S. Bartlett. Another five 1st Cavalry troopers were wounded. Two vehicles from the convoy suffered moderate damage. No known losses were inflicted on the enemy. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 1st Logistical Command, Period Ending April 1970]

Luttrell, John Walter, SP 4