Operation "Shitstain"

Operation "Shitstain," named by Colonel Harkinson, was a failed attempt to allow the Pathfinders to push into Hue, to assist the local marines and ARVN rangers. The operation was enacted by Colonel Harkinson, and the troops' ground leader would be 2LT Elijah Gould. There were 4 total assaults that took place in this, and only 1 could be deemed a narrow victory. This operation is heavily criticized now, ultimately being seen as a "bad move."

10 Pathfinders were dead, a total of 15 pathfinders were present, and 3 WIA by the end of the operation.

1st Assault-"Day 1"

A small team of pathfinders were sent along with a regiment of 1st Marines to assault the bridge halting the marine's advance. When shots began firing, the 1st Marines had been demolished. The team of pathfinders began a daring mission to move across the river, however it failed when one soldier went KIA, and another WIA. The pathfinders fell back shortly after.

2nd Assault-"Night 3"

A small team of pathfinders were sent to sneak to the bridge in an attempt to blow it up. The stealth part of the mission quickly fell apart when 3 men were shot in killed during the entrance. The remaining soldiers ran around and did their best to win a firefight that was going downhill. Throughout the confusion, C4 detonated which succesfully collapsed the bridge, as well as the squad's 2IC. The man was quickly medevacced and morale was raised with the pathfinders.

3rd Assault-"Day 8"

A large team of pathfinders, the rest of the soldiers no longer KIA or Wounded, were sent into the city with 30 ARVN rangers as support, in an attempt to finally find victory in the assault. Hopes were lost as the ARVN were massacred, and pathfinders dropped after mere minutes. 2 pathfinders escaped the madness, 1 wounded and 1 fine. The FOB nearby fell, and the entire district of Hue they lost so much soldiers on was lost as well. The pathfinders hopes of ever winning the operation seemed to have been lost in this assault.

4th Assault-"Day 15"

The remaining pathfinders in local distance were set out to explore the ruins, and attempt to reclaim any territories for marines set to arrive in 2 days. The men walked along, and encountered traps along the way, killing 1 soldier. The men continued along, quickly finding contact. Many of the men were wounded at this point in the fighting. In a confusing and desperate measure, as 1 casualty was taken, and the remaining soldiers fell into the local hotel. The soldiers fought for their lives in the hotel, being utterly crushed. 2LT Elijah Gould is said to be the only survivor left on "Day 15"

Aftermath

The total failure of this operation was a large black spot in the pathfinders' mission in Vietnam. Despite being a highly decorated unit, this whole Operation would cast a shadow that was shown throughout many other operations they began to partake in. The pathfinder's known history of assaults with major losses could be directly pointed to this operation and Colonel Harkinson as a whole for an origin point.

Surviving members: 2LT Elijah Gould, 1st SGT Tommy Anchor, SGT Antonio ??, PFC William Lansick, PFC "Scorpio"