SSG Ronald B. Bishop and the 3rd Brigade in Long An.

Between July 1 and October 31, 1969, the 3rd Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division carried out combat operations in Long An Province, RVN, as well as in the border areas of three neighboring provinces: Hau Nghia, Gia Dinh, and Dinh Thuong. The brigade was participating in Operation Toan Thang ("Complete Victory") Phase III, with a mission to aggressively seek out the enemy and disrupt their use of personnel and equipment. Throughout the entire 123-day period, the brigade was engaged in daily combat.

On the morning of September 17, Company A, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, conducted an airmobile operation in the Plain of Reeds, a 2,500-square-mile area spanning several provinces that served as a Viet Cong stronghold. Aircraft from B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, provided the troop lift. Upon landing, the American forces came under heavy fire from a large, well-entrenched Viet Cong force. Artillery support and three hunter-killer teams, each consisting of an AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter and an OH-6A "Loach" light observation helicopter from B/3-17 Cavalry, supported the contact. A second infantry company, B/5-60, was inserted into the area, and the battle continued until 1:15 PM.

During the fighting, one soldier from A/5-60, SSG Ronald B. Bishop, was killed while leading an assault on enemy positions. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his heroism. Another soldier was wounded. The enemy suffered eighteen casualties.