January 1970 dawned with the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry continuing Operation Randolph Glen in the Coastal Plains in and around Phong Dien District - "The Street Without Joy". Operation Randolph Glen commenced on December 7, 1969 and followed Operation Republic Square. The Rakkasans continued to support pacification efforts, provide security for the region and assist in training local forces. According to the "Combat After Action Report: Operation Randolph Glen", Headquarters, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, dated March 7, 1970, the mission of Operation Randolph Glen was to "Conduct offensive operations emphasizing reconnaisance and ambush in order to deny the enemy access to the populated areas and support the GVN (government) accelerated pacification program while upgrading local GVN forces through training and combined operations" (Page 3). The report states that execution proceeded as follows: “The 3/187th Inf initiated Operation Randolph Glen without interruption of tactical and training operations in progress at the termination of Operation Republic Square. Execution of the battalion’s dedicated mission during the period covered by this report comprised two general phases. During the first phase (070001 Dec 69 – 232400 Jan 70) the battalion conducted unilateral and combined training and tactical operations. Combined training and operations involved co-locating a US Company with an RF Company for approximately a three-week period to conduct an 84 hour program of formal instruction. Daily combined operations were employed extensively in order that US soldiers could demonstrate, by example, those teaching points stressed during training. Brigade Action Teams, formed by the battalion resources during Republic Square, trained with PF platoons and provided civic action assistance to local hamlets usually for periods of one month at each location. During the second phase (240001 Jan – 142400 Feb 70) execution of the battalion’s training mission was modified by the deployment of both US and RF Companies to provide increased protection for the population and key GVN installations during TET. Combined operations continued without interruption during the entire reporting period”, page 4. On January 8, 1970, the 3/187th underwent a change of command. LTC Herbert Schandler took command of the Battalion from LTC William Steinberg. In January of 1970 four Rakkasans lost their lives: Robert G Warren (Delta Company), Thomas E Littlepage (Charlie Company), Raymond Platero (Delta Company) and Larry S Rutherford (Delta Company). Additionally, on January 26, 1970, John J Kos, B Company, 326th Engineers was killed while working with the 3/187th. On January 27, 1970 a 2/319th Artillery Liaison Officer - CPT Herren - was killed due to small arms fire hitting a C&C helicopter flying in support of battalion operations.