Chronological Narrative of Significant Events

February

1 Company D conducted a company (-) sweep commencing at 010700H and —— at approximately x11500H. The first contact came at 1023H when the sweeping force at (BT 430084) received sporadic small arms fire from (BT 428088). No fire was returned. At 1033H, 2-4 rounds of S/A fire were received from the same coordinates; two M-79 and 4-5 small arms rounds were returned. Again, as 1045H, 6-7 S/A rounds were received. Return fire directed at (BT 424090) consisted of one 3.5 round, 20 rounds of S/A and 3 M-79 rounds. When fired upon again at 1050H from the same coordinates, the sweeping force returned one 3.5 round, four rounds of 60mm mortar fire and 4-5 rounds of small arms. At 1100H, one VC in the open, possibly a sentinel for a VC ambush was spotted at (BT 416091). The Company D FO contacted the 8” Battery which fired for effect at 1126H. Surveillance indicated one VC KIA (3 rounds landed on top of VC sentinels hiding place).

2 At 020915H, a Company A platoon patrol in the vicinity of (BT 445025) received approximately eight rounds of S/A’s fire from (BT 438024). Five to ten VC were observed running west from Thanh My Trung (1) Hamlet. S/A fire was returned by the patrol, but no casualties were observed. At 021115H, a Company D platoon patrol located at (BT 456080) received one S/A round from (BT 445082). The patrol returned 10 S/A rounds and advanced toward the origin of the firing where the patrol picked up one VCS. The VCS was turned over the Chu Lai Collection Point.

3 At 030330H, a fire team patrol from Company C activated a booby trap consisting of two M-26 hand grenades placed on each side of the trail with a trip wire connecting the two. When the wire was tripped only one of the grenades was activated which was a dud. The wire broke and the pin from the second grenade was not pulled. EOD team was dispatched and destroyed the grenades the next morning. At 031115H, a platoon from Company D vicinity (BT 444055) received S/A fire from vicinity (BT 445053). Fire was returned and VC broke contact and fled the area before the platoon could close and destroy. At 032130H, a Company D squad patrol apprehended one VCS at (BT 455075). The VCS was turned over to Chu Lai Collection Point the following morning.

4 At 041244H, a Company D platoon patrol located at (BT 453062) fired 20 S/A rounds at five VC located in the vicinity (BT 453062). The VC did not return fire but fled from the area before the platoon could close with them. There were no VC casualties observed.

5 At 050315H, Battalion Command Group located at (BT 441099) heard 3-4 shots, 400 meters west of their position. It was believed to have been some kind of signal or warning. There was no enemy contact, no friendly casualties. At 051245H, a Company D squad destroyed a booby-trapped hand grenade of an undetermined type at (BT 438103). There were no friendly casualties. During a Battalion (-) search and destroy operation on the peninsula at (BT 4411), between the hours of 050300H and 051500H, 5 VCS were apprehended and turned over to the Ly Tin District Headquarters for disposition. At 052055H, the waterborne patrol apprehended one male curfew violator vicinity (BT 512112). The man was turned into SDC Post #1 (BT 515115) for detention and disposition to the Village Chief in morning.

6 A joint Company A/PF platoon sized patrol moved from the Company A area at 060730H. PF’s were dropped off in an ambush site vicinity (BT 433042). PF’s took VC under fire at 061136H killing one and wounding two. One U.S. carbine captured. PF’s were taken under fire by A/W from vicinity (BT 424040), called for artillery fire and withdrew while it was being fired. No friendly casualties. No surveillance.

7 At 071222H, while Company D (-) was conducting a Search and Destroy Operation one Marine was slightly wounded by an unknown type booby trap vicinity (BT 438042). Marine was evacuated to B-Med.

8 At 080956H, a Company A squad sized USMC/PF patrol vicinity (BT 451053) observed an undetermined number of VC vicinity (BT 445046). The squad leader stated the VC (identified by the PF’s) was running away from them when observed. There were rice paddies with civilians between the USMC/PF patrol and the VC. The presence of civilians and the distance from the USMC/PF patrol to the VC precluded taking the VC under fire or physical pursuit. At 082330H, a three-man Company B outpost vicinity (BT 517118) received four rounds incoming small arms fire from vicinity (BT 514119), one Marine WIA. The Marine that was hit returned fire with two rounds. The WIA was evacuated to B-Med. A squad from Company B was dispatched to sweep the area from vicinity (BT 508112 to BT 513125) in a northerly direction. At 090045H, patrol heard one round fired from vicinity (BT 511126). Sweep of area produced negative contact.

9 At 090927H, a squad-sized patrol from Company A vicinity (BT 441043) found what appeared to be a mine field. One mine was found and destroyed in place. It was a glass bottle with TNT inside and a pressure fuse. Two craters were found in the same area. The craters were four feet deep and three feet in diameters. In same vicinity found bamboo gate across trail that may have been booby-trapped to trigger one of the mines. Gate was destroyed with Bangalore torpedo. Mined area was marked on south side with a rock lying over a piece of paper with a vine curled on one end to form an arrow pointing north on the trail. No further contact.

10 At 101310H, squad patrol from Company A received three rounds small arms fire from vicinity (BT 424042). Three-armed VC were observed and taken under fire. VC ran towards vicinity of (BT 423043), patrol deployed and gave chase, however, VC broke contact and fled the area.

11 At 111220H, a platoon sized patrol from Company D, discovered and destroyed in place a M-16 ‘Bouncing Betty’ type mine, vicinity (BT 41808x). No friendly casualties.

12 At 121200H, a patrol from Company D vicinity (BT 430075) received two rounds small arms fire from vicinity (BT 428085). Marine patrol returned fire. Area was checked; AP mine was discovered vicinity (BT 422078). While attempting to destroy mine, it went off prematurely slightly wounding one man. Another Marine stepped on a mine in the same vicinity, which did not go off. However, the man wrenched his knee in taking cover. Helicopters received sporadic S/A fire from the same area while landing to pick up the evacuees. They were unable to locate the origin of fire. At 121445H, a patrol from Company D vicinity (BT 423087) received six rounds small arms fire vicinity, (BT 425090). Fire was returned by the patrol, results unknown.

13 At 130230H, Company A vicinity (BT 497067) reported A/A fire vicinity (BT 493070). No further activity reported from that area.

14 At 140110H, Ly Tin District Headquarters reported RF/PF units operating near the Ong Bo Bridge vicinity (BT 430109) began receiving a heavy volume of small arms fire from all sides. District requested support from the units of 1st Battalion 4th Marines on Hill 69 vicinity (BT 468068). 3rd Platoon from Company D was pulled out of the lines and replaced by a composite platoon of rear echelon, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines members formed to handle just such a situation. At the same time, the Regimental Reserve Platoon was requested to occupy additional portions of the Hill 69 defense complex to allow the rest of Company D to withdraw and reinforce the 3rd Platoon. Company D left Hill 69 complex at 140245H, in the meantime remaining elements of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines rear echelon took over the rest of Company D’s positions. Company D (-) commenced foot march to objective area to reinforce their 3rd Platoon, some 200 meters south of the objective area. At 140342H, 3rd Platoon, Company D came under heavy automatic fire, and possibly 60mm mortar or rifle grenade attack from vicinity (BT 443098) to (BT 440099). Fire was returned aggressively. There was a cease fire due to Marine fire falling among RF/PF friendly units.

At 140435H, the entire Company D linked up and established a perimeter defense, vicinity (BT 441099). No further enemy contacts. Confirmed casualties as follows, 1 RF/PF KIA, 5 RF/PF WIA, 1 USMC WIA and 1 USMC non-battle casualty.

15 At 151045H, a platoon sized patrol from Company A vicinity, (BT 449051) received two rounds small arms fire from vicinity, (BT 447051). Marines returned fire and searched area with negative results. No friendly casualties.

16-17 At 170718H, a platoon from Company D engaged 10 VC vicinity (BT 477076). VC escaped, broke contact and fled into hills. One Marine WIA from faulty 3.5 ammo back blast (BT 434086) was evacuated. One (1) MASS-36 rifle captured vicinity (BT 447076) and one cave 20 feet long vicinity (BT 447077) destroyed. At 172235H, a Company C security post #5 vicinity (BT 532072), observed two men, which fired approximately twenty small arms rounds and threw three grenades at the post. The post returned fire, and patrol checked out the area with negative results.

18-19 At 190720H, the Battalion CP group vicinity (BT 396145) called in observed fire mission on detected enemy movement vicinity (BT 384130) eight rounds were fired landing on target. No VC casualties observed. At 190830H, a patrol from Company M vicinity (BT 415110) received S/A fire from vicinity (BT 408098). Fire was returned but due to existing mission of Company M physical pursuit was impossible. No VC casualties observed, no friendly casualties. At 190913H, Company M on a search and destroy mission vicinity (BT 414103) received one round S/A fire from vicinity (BT 414100). No VC observed. No friendly casualties. At 190915H, a patrol from Company D on a search and destroy mission vicinity, (BT 390124) observed four VC vicinity (BT 383124). Four Cal. 50 rounds and four 106mm RR rounds were fired at the VC. The VC were observed fleeing north and south. The area was swept by the patrol. No VC casualties observed, no friendly casualties. At 190915H, Company M on a search and destroy mission vicinity (BT 415110) received S/A fire from vicinity (BT 414105). Marines returned fire and searched area. No VC observed. No friendly casualties. At 190930H, Company M vicinity (BT 423102) received ten rounds 60mm mortar from unknown locations. No friendly casualties. At 192112H, the Regimental Reserve platoon under OpCon of 1/4, vicinity, (BT 523108) received 5 rounds S/A into their position from vicinity (BT 522106) and (BT 523108). Area illuminated and 20 rounds S/A fire returned. Received 5-8 rounds S/A fire form vicinity (BT 523108). Returned fire with 40 rounds S/A fire. Illumination called for and patrol sent to check wire. Negative results.

At 191230H, an ambush patrol from Company D vicinity (BT 388152) observed 5 VC in rice paddies 300 meters to their front, vicinity (BT 385152). Illumination requested but was unable to reach company’s area. Company took VC under fire with S/A. Area was searched by a patrol with negative results. At 192311H, a platoon from Company M vicinity (BT 417116) received 20 rounds of S/A fired at VC. VC dispersed. Area searched with negative results. No further contact.

20 At 200315H, the Regimental Reserve platoon under OpCon of 1/4 vicinity (BT 523108) received 16 rounds S/A into their position, from vicinity (BT 522106). Area was illuminated and S/A fire was returned. Area searched at first light with negative results. No friendly casualties.

21 At 211115H, G/3/11 on Hill 69 fired 36 rounds of 105mm at 20 VC in the open, vicinity (BT 405102). No surveillance immediately available due to lack of friendly units in the area and no aircraft available in enclave for AO mission. At 212045h, Ly Tin local officials reported artillery fire killed 3 VC and wounded 7.

22 At 220925H, a platoon-sized patrol from Company A vicinity (BT 446057) received seventy rounds S/A automatic weapons fire from (BT 446055). Patrol also reported explosive type firing into their position. Marines returned 220 rounds S/A fire. VC broke contact and fled area. Patrol sent to search the area with negative results. No friendly casualties. At 222000H, Company D, at the Ong Bo Bridge area sighted 1 VC crossing rice paddy (BT 428103). A member of the sniper team shot the VC in the leg and body. A second VC came to the aid of the first, at which time D-G fired on him with M-60 fire. He was also believed killed.

23 At 230705H, a platoon form Company B vicinity (BT 4421×2) as part of a Battalion (-) search and destroy operation on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315) received A/W fire from vicinity (BT 433144). Company B assaulted position and VC broke contact and fled area. At 230735H, a platoon from Company B moving through Phu Vinh Hamlet vicinity (BT 439150) and received S/A fire. One Marine WIA and was med-evaced. At 230810H, a patrol from Company B while securing Hill 10 vicinity (BT 438157) and one Marine KIA and one WIA from what was believed to have been a booby trapped 155mm round. The KIA and WIA were evacuated by helicopter at 230900H.

24 At 241030H, an AO observed a VC squad in the open vicinity (BT 385102). G Btry 3/11 located on Hill 69 vicinity (BT 468068) fired one mission. Results as observed by the AO 2 VC KIA with the remainder of VC fleeing into a tunnel vicinity (BT 385101). AO requested converged sheaf with delayed fuse to open tunnel. Physical surveillance of area was not made by Marine units due to ——- it was out of our TAOR. At 241945H, Company CP personnel from Company D traveling north in a vehicle along Route #1 vicinity (BT 441090), received S/A fire and one incoming hand grenade from vicinity (BT 441099). Fire was returned by Marines and VC broke contact. No friendly casualties and vehicle proceeded north to platoon security position at Ong Bo Bridge (BT 430109) with no further incidents. At 242138H, a platoon from Company D in security positions vicinity Ong Bo Bridge (BT 435105), received 2 incoming 81mm mortar rounds on north and west side of their positions from an unknown location. No Marine casualties. One PF WIA was medevaced.

25 At 251121H, a platoon-sized patrol from Company D vicinity (BT 432099) received 4 rounds S/A fire from Hill 22 vicinity (BT 425091). Eight rounds S/A fire returned. One VC possible WIA. Artillery mission was requested with 12 rounds 105mm fired for effect. Patrol moved to search area and received A/W fire from vicinity (BT 433096). Marines returned 25 rounds S/A fire, continued with mission.

26 At 260245H, a platoon from Company A located at Ky Phu (2) vicinity (BT 478051) received heavy S/A’s fire, grenades and 60mm mortars from an estimated company of VC. Mortar illumination was immediately requested and received from the 81mm mortar section on Hill 69 vicinity (BT 463071). The Regimental Reserve Platoon at 260300H from Company C was alert for deployment to reinforce Company A vicinity (BT 476049). By 260310H, the platoon from Company A received approximately 100-150 rounds of S/A fire, 4-10 rounds of 60mm mortar fire and an undetermined number of hand grenades, sustaining three USMC WIA’s and one PF KIA. By 260345H, the platoon reported they had four wounded Marines and a possibility of 10 VC KIA in the wire to the front of their position. At 260357H, the platoon reported an increase in the volume of fire from the VC. The VC had laid down a base of fire from the NW and SE of the Marine positions, vicinity (BT 476049) with the main attack coming from the SW. During the lull the Marines and PF’s consolidated their positions, redistributed their ammunition and prepared for the next VC attack. At 260400H, the Regimental Reserve Platoon from Company C arrived by motor convoy at Company A CP, located at the An Tan Bridge vicinity (BT 497068), and moved in a tactical column to reinforce the Marine unit under attack at Ky Phu (2) vicinity (BT 476049). At 260405H, a flare ship arrived on station and provided continuous illumination until 260650H. At 260405H, platoon reported that between flares VC increased firing during that period of time when the area was not illuminated. During this time it was believed the VC took the opportunity to remove the dead and wounded. At 260454H, the platoon still reported receiving sporadic S/A fire. At 260505H, the Regimental Reserve Platoon arrived at the Company A’s platoon position. At 260507H, the Company A platoon reported one Marine KIA. At 260515H, the platoon reported 1 Marine WIA’s were not serious and could wait for first light to be evacuated. Company A reported the VC had initially penetrated the wire but had been repulsed by the Marine and PF forces in vicious, close in fighting. At 060610H, two platoons from Company I were dispatched by motor convoy from their positions on Ky Ha Peninsula to An Tan Bridge vicinity (BT 497067) then by tactical foot march to Ky Phu (2) vicinity (BT 478051). At 260800H, Company M with a platoon form Company C conducted a company size S/D operation from Company A’s position vicinity (BT 478051) to search the valleys leading into the mountains (BT 4204, BT 4203, BT 4102, BT 4103, BT 4104, BT 4105, BT 4205) for any VC KIA or VC WIA that may have been carried away. An additional 11 VC KIA’s were discovered during this search. As of 261400H, the casualty count ran as follows: Marine: KIA-1, WIA-5, PF: KIA-4, WIA-4, VC: KIA-23, WIA-1 (taken initially to B-Med). The Marines received a total of 25-30 rounds of 60mm mortar, approximately 100 grenades, 9-10 57mm recoilless rifle rounds, and an undetermined amount of S/A fire into their position. Material captured included 49 grenades, ChiCom and homemade, 1 .45 caliber pistol and two magazines, 1 Czech AR and 4 magazines, 3 Czech SMG and 12 magazines, 1 U.S. carbine and 4 magazines, and 1 Thompson SMG, and 4 magazines. Also recovered were 12 cartridge belts and pouches, 3 rice bags, 3 blocks of TNT (½ lb. Blocks) assorted medical supplies, quantities of S/A ammunition and a number of documents. It was estimated by the local PF platoon commander that an additional 30 VC were killed and 20 wounded due to the appearances of the areas around the Marine/PF positions and from where the VC launched their attack. These areas were covered with pools of blood, torn clothing, and equipment. There were also many heel marks made by bodies dragged from the scene of the battle.

27 At 271300H, a squad sized patrol form Company A apprehended a wounded VC vicinity (BT 467053). The VC was moving west toward the mountains but was unable to travel further because of his wounds. The local PF Platoon Commander states there were 8-10 VC in the area vicinity (BT 4704) the night of 26 February 1966 looking for a VC who had been wounded during the attack on Ky Phu (2) the morning of 26 February 1966. He was taken to Battalion CP Hill 69 (BT 468068).

Amplification Report of the Ky Phu Action

During the attack on Ky Phu (2) on 26 February and the subsequent investigation of the area in which the action took place the following observations were noted:

1. There was evidence many of the VC were treated for wounds and returned to the fight. Many had fresh bandages and field dressings on their wounds. For the number of estimated wounded they sustained, the VC apparently had a large force with medical units outside the wire to render medical assistance and evacuation. There seemed to be a concentrated effort by the VC to extract their dead and wounded. Dead bodies were found with leather harnesses strapped across their chests, under their arms and up the back of their necks, used to pull them off the scene of the battle. Two dead VC were found, they had been pulling the other with one of the harnesses when he was killed. Many of the seriously wounded VC kept fighting until they were killed. One VC that had his arm blown off in front of the wire had a tourniquet and packed mud on the stump and jet crossed the wire and continued to throw grenades until he was killed. A possibility exists that the VC were doped for the attack.

2. The dead VC appeared well fed, muscular, in good health and larger than the Vietnamese normally seen in this area. Many of the dead were about 5’8” and 165-180 lbs.

3. The VC crawled under the wire to get inside the perimeter. There were scratches on their bodies and pieces of cloth on the wire. All dead VC were barefooted.

4. Once the VC were in the CP area, they seemed to be more interested in obtaining weapons and equipment than killing PF’s or Marines. One Marine Sergeant reported seeing three VC come out of his tent with his pistol, some 782 gear and clothing, and were trying to escape through the wire when they were killed.

5. During the sweep made by Company I on the afternoon of the 26th of February villagers in Thanh My Trung (1) (BT 445023) and Thanh My Trung (2) (BT 455039) reported VC had passed through that morning with many dead and wounded. Villagers were unable to give exact numbers but stated there were many dead and wounded and they had buried their dead in the vicinity (BT 465037). This area was searched thoroughly but Company I was unable to find any graves. The villagers were reluctant to give any accurate information, as this area is VC controlled.

28 At 0825H, a platoon sized patrol from Company D vicinity, (BT 397xxx) sustained one Marine WIA from a ChiCom hand grenade type mine. Marine evacuated on a routine med-evac. At 281035H, a platoon sized patrol from Company D vicinity, (BT 396145) found six ChiCom grenade type mines and a 60mm mortar. Engineers attached to the patrol destroyed one ChiCom grenade, disarmed five others and the 60mm mortar round. The ordnance was brought back to the Battalion CP. The patrol reported the area is heavily mined. At 281140H, a patrol from Company D vicinity, (BT 401151) sustained two (2) Marine WIA’s from a mine. Both Marines were evacuated on a routine med-evac.

 

This page last updated 22 August 2011