11 September 1965
From: Commanding Officer
To: Commanding Officer, 4th Marines (-)(rein)
Subj: Weekly Operations Summary
Ref: (a) 4th Marines (-)(rein) Msg of 221900H July 1965
Encl: (1) Significant Events Overlay
1. At 042055H, 3rd platoon, Company B had rocks thrown into their positions vicinity (BT 529083). Movement was heard to the front. Marines illuminated with negative results.
2. At 042020H, Ly Tin District Headquarters reported two VC companies at (BT 414115) and one VC company at (BT 404115) and requested artillery. Surveillance given following morning by Vietnamese informant was 10 VCK and several VCW.
3. At 052130H, movement was heard to front of positions at (BT 530082), and at 052215H one grenade was thrown by VC to front of positions. More rocks were thrown I same area later same night. No casualties sustained. Illumination revealed nothing.
4. At 052320H, Ly Tin reported VC company at (BT 408108) and requested artillery fire mission. Observer was in vicinity of PF outpost at Ong Bo Bridge (BT 430110). Surveillance given following day by PF agent was two VCK, six VCW.
5-12. Third platoon, Company C, conducted combat patrol 6-7 September 1965.
5. Platoon received sniper fire at 061700H from vicinity (BT 449071), checked area thoroughly with negative results. Several caves were found and blown in same area.
6. At 061755H, 3rd platoon, company C sustained one WIA at (BT 450070) when man detonated homemade type booby trap.
7. One male VCS with no ID card was apprehended vicinity (BT 451059) at 070730H.
8. At 070850H, two casualties (one KIA, one WIA) were sustained at (BT 451052) when Marine stepped on pressure type mine.
9. At 071025H, platoon heard what sounded like .45 caliber weapons fire at (BT 445053) and sent squad to investigate. At (BT 451059) squad encountered hand of VC, killing two, and found what appeared to be VC mine factory.
10. At 071200H, one WIA was sustained by grenade type booby trap vicinity (BT 450053).
11. An underground trench was located vicinity (BT 453068) at 071610H and blown by attached engineer team.
12. Two VCS were apprehended at (BT 464072) and sent to regimental collection point.
13-15. Second platoon, company D conducted combat patrol in western
portion of TAOR 7-8 September.
13. At 071115H, platoon received automatic weapons fire from vicinity (BT 425088). Artillery fire mission was called, and enemy fire ceased.
14. Platoon located an AP mine at (BT 432093) and disarmed it.
15. At 080715H, platoon found and disarmed on AP mine vicinity (BT 424077).
16. Second platoon, Company B suffered one WIA on Ky Hoa Island vicinity (BT 508124) from punji stake during early morning of 8 September.
17. At 081625H, 3rd platoon, Company A, on combat patrol on Ky Xuan Island, sighted two men near water’s edge vicinity (BT 478088). Two men ran from patrol and jumped into boats. Patrol fired upon boats as two men paddled away. Ly Tin District Headquarters was alerted to pick up boats as they crossed channel but failed to apprehend them.
18. At 081720H, an ARVN convoy was ambushed vicinity (BT 452087) from southern side of highway by VC force of unknown size. ARVN troops deployed and engaged VC in firefight. Convoy got underway again at 081750H, and ARVN convoy commander called air strike at 081825H on (BT 449084). At 081825H, Ly Tin reported that VC had thrown up a roadblock at (BT 441099) and had been stopping buses and detaining civilians. Three ARVN trucks were reported damaged. VNAF air strike was called on Hill 22 (BT 424091). VC dispersed.
19. At 082200H, squad patrol from 3rd platoon, Company A, on Ky Xuan Island, observed a small boat heading for shore vicinity (BT 490117). Patrol fired eight rounds across bow of boat. Boat turned back.
20. A small fishing boat was observed by Marines in Company C positions leaving shore vicinity (BT 511099) at 082135H. Vocal commands failed to return boat to shore, and warning shots were failed. Boat landed vicinity (BT 499098).
21. At 082305H, waterborne patrol reported receiving small arms fire from Ky Xuan Island vicinity (BT 499098). Third platoon, Company A, on Ky Xuan Island was ordered to patrol to that area. Blinking lights had been reported at 082230H in same vicinity by Company C lookout. Platoon proceeded to area and competed thorough search of shoreline with negative results.
22. At 090015H, night LVT patrol stopped one boat vicinity (BT 4911). Boat contained several .30 cal. And .45 cal. Cartridges. Male adult occupant was apprehended.
23. At 090545H, suspected movement was heard to front of battalion CP perimeter (BT 525092). Three rounds were fired with unobserved results.
24. At 082120H, rocks were thrown at MAG-36 positions vicinity (BT 526118). At 090041H one round incoming was reported. Personnel in 3rd platoon area (vicinity BT 529119) received periodic incoming fire until 090250H. MAG personnel returned with small arms fire and several grenades. Unobserved results.
25. At 090045H, LVTs were ordered to proceed to (BT 504104) to investigate two boats which personnel of Company C observed leaving shore. Two boats were stopped in that vicinity at 090120H and five local nationals were apprehended.
26. At 092315H, noises were heard outside battalion CP perimeter vicinity (BT 526091). Marines challenged twice, saw man get up and run, and fired one round with negative results. At 092355H, two men were sighted in same vicinity and also ran when challenged. Marines fired four rounds with unobserved results.
27. At 100240H, two persons were seen moving cross field vicinity (BT 528085), in front of Company B positions. Marines challenged, and persons took off running across field. Marines fired two rounds with unobserved results.
28. At 102320H, MAG-36 personnel heard suspected enemy movement to their front at (BT 533117). Marines illuminated, threw frag grenade, and fired .45’s and M-14’s with unobserved results.
29. Company B (-)(rein), on combat patrol in western portion of TAOR found a series of new tunnels at 110954H in hamlet at (BT 445054). Tunnels were blown by attached engineer unit.
G. T. Beauchamp
By direction