Upon its arrival in Thailand, "C" Company, augmented with one construction platoon from D Company, was given the job of constructing Camp Essayons (Project V-1). The camp was designed to house the Battalion with complete support facilities. Construction was based upon normal theater of operation construction.
On 5 July 1965, the advance section of "C" Company, augmented with approximately 250 local national laborers, began construction of what was then called Camp Cobra but was soon changed to Camp Essayons.
By 5 December 1965, the camp was completed and ready for opening day ceremonies. 105 buildings, 4.18 kilometers of road inside camp and a 1.6 kilometer haul road outside of camp were constructed. Also, approximately 42,473 square meters of land had been cleared.
On 4 December 1965, "C" Company began construction Camp Sungwien at Kilometer 81, south of Camp Essayons. Camp Sungwien would be the home base for "C" Company until its move to camp Samae San in 1968. By 23 December 1965, enough facilities had been completed to house the company.
On 7 December 1965, "C" Company received its mission, to construct 20 kilometers of military road through the jungles and mountains from Kilometer 80 to Kilometer 100.
"C" Company had to widen some 20 kilometers of road, build four earthern passes and reinforce seven existing bridges with M4T6 bridging in order to get its heavy equipment from Camp Essayons to Camp Sungwien. This project was accomplished within two weeks.
On 29 December 1965, "C" Company began its prime mission on the construction of the 20 kilometers of road between Kilometer 80 and Kilometer 100.
Updated: 18 April 2005
