21 February 1966

 

Operation Order 006-66

Ref:     (a)            Maps:  Viet Nam 1:50,000 AMS Series L701, Sheets 6757 III 675 IV.

             (b)            1^st Bn, 4^th Marines OpO 222-65

Time Zone:            Hotel

Task Organization:            Annex A (Task Organization)

1. Situation.
2. Enemy forces.  See Current ISUM’S and SIR’S.
3. Friendly forces.

(1)               1^st Marines continue defense of their TAOR within the Chu Lai Enclave.

(2)               Battalion Artillery Group provides artillery support as requested.

(3)               FMAW provides CAS and helicopter support as requested.

(4)               Co A, 1^st AmTrac Battalion provides LVT support as requested.

(5)               Co A, 3^rd Engineer Battalion provides demolition and mine clearing teams as requested.

1. Attachments and detachments.  Annex A (Task Organization).
2. Mission. 1^st Battalion, 4th Marines (-)(rein) lands at H-hour on D-day with three rifle companies (-)(rein) on Hoa Xuan Island vicinity (BT 4315) and conducts search and destroy operations to destroy/apprehend all VC supplies, destroy VC installations and defenses located thereon.
3. Execution.
4. Concept of operation.  At H-hour on D-day one company (-) (rein) will move from Ky Hoa Island under cover of darkness and land on the southern finger of the island vicinity (BT 456142) sweeping to the northeast.  Upon retraction will conduct a sweep of the northern finger boarding LVTs vicinity (BT 457152).  One company (-) (rein) under cover of darkness will move by truck to the Ky Chanh Market Place vicinity (BT 421121) and board VACs and cross the Song Cho River to Hoa Xuan Island sweeping to the north retracting by LVTs vicinity (BT 441159).  One company (-) (rein) will move from Ky Ha Peninsula to Ky Hoa Island then up the northern portion of the Cigar Crossing overland to the Truong Giang.  The LVTs will cross the Truong Giang to Hoa Xuan Island landing vicinity (BT 440160) sweeping the northwestern portion of the island retracting by LVTs vicinity (BT 440160).
5. Company B (-)(rein).

(1)               Moves by foot from position on Ky Hoa Island at H-hour on D-day landing on the southern finger of Hoa Xuan Island vicinity (BT 456142) sweeping the villages of Binh An (1) and Phu Vinh.

(2)               One platoon will stay in Phu Vinh and establish defensive positions to protect the flanks of Company D sweeping to the north.

(3)               One platoon will establish defensive positions on Hill 10.

(4)               On order Company will conduct a tactical retraction to the southeast on the northern finger of Hoa Xuan boarding LVTs vicinity (BT 457152) and proceed to their positions on Ky Hoa Island.

(5)               At D-day minus one, a squad will conduct a search and destroy operation in the village of Binh An (2) to clear the area of mines and booby traps.

(6)               At D-day minus one, will insert a sniper team in the cigar, north of Hoa Xuan, to take under fire any enemy moving out of the objective area.

1. Company D (-) (rein).

(1)               Move from their positions on Hill 69 by truck to arrive at H-hour plus three at Ky Chanh Market Place vicinity (BT 421121) crossing to Hoa Xuan Island by VACs at H-hour plus three, sweeping to the north through the villages of Dong Thanh (1) and (2).

(2)               Upon completion of the search of the villages will retract by LVTs vicinity (BT 441159) and return to Khuong Long (3) vicinity (BT 475081) conducting a foot march back to the positions on Hill 69.

1. Company I (-)(rein).

(1)               Will move by LVTs from Ky Ha Peninsula to Ky Hoa Island then up the northern portion of the Cigar crossing overland to the Truong Giang.  The LVTs will cross the Truong Giang to Hoa Xuan Island at H-hour plus four vicinity (BT 440160) sweeping the northwestern portion of Hoa Xuan retracting by LVTs vicinity (BT 440160) to their positions on Ky Ha Peninsula.

1. Platoon, Company C.

(1)               On D-day minus one, platoon will occupy positions on Hill 12 vacated by Company B.

1. Regimental Clutch Platoon.

(1)               On D-day minus one, platoon will occupy position vicinity (BT 510127) vacated by Company B.

1. Coordinating Instructions.

(1)               D-day 23 Feb 1966.

(2)               H-hour 0400H.

(3)               Annex B (Operation Overlay).

(4)               Rules of Engagement:  See reference (b).

(5)               Submit SitReps every 4 hours commencing at H-hour.

(6)               Prevent unnecessary destruction of public and private property.

(7)               All religious, cultural, medical, and public installations are restricted within reason from damage by any weapons.

(8)               Use of Riot Control agents is authorized.

(9)               Company Commanders will take a positive muster before retracting from Hoa Xuan.

(10)          Retraction of I and D Companies will commence at 231500H.

(11)          The unclassified code name for this operation is OLD HAT.

4. Administration and Logistics.
5. Administrative Order 222-65.
6. Logistics.

(1)               Uniform and equipment: utilities, helmet (green side), normal arms and web equipment; body armor (upper).

(2)               All personnel carry two full canteens of water, two meals, combat individual (MCI) and a basic allowance of ammunition.

(3)               Collection Point vicinity to be designated.

(4)               Casualties requiring evacuation by helo: Request to include type (Emergency, Priority, Routine), LZ marking and if medical team is required.  Report casualties in accordance with prescribed format.

(5)               S-1/S-4 have representatives at Company B, 3^rd Medical Battalion in event of evacuation.  Emergency resupply as required.

5. Command and Communications/Electronics.
6. Reference (b).
7. Battalion Command Group initially moving with Company I.
8. Communications Officer provides radio communications to ensure accomplishment of mission.
9. Communications officer provide radio relay and wire installations as required.
10. All radio nets activated 0330H D-day.
11. Communication equipment failures will be returned to Battalion CP repair or replacement

This page last updated 21 August 2011