14 January 1966

Operation Plan 003-66 (Operation QUICK STEP)

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

Time Zone:     H

Task Organization.

1^st Battalion (-) (rein)                                                 LtCol   Sullivan

            H&S Co (-)

Company A (-) (rein)                                                   Lt.        Clancy

            Company A (-) (rein)

            Det, H Btry, 3/12

            Interpreter

Company D (-) (rein)                                                    Capt.   Lo Presti

            Company D (-)

            Plat (rein), Company A

            Det, H Btry, 3/12

            Interpreter

Battalion Reserve                                                            Capt    Alexander

            Plat (rein), Company B

            Det, H Btry, 3/12

1. Situation.
2. Enemy Forces.  Current Intelligence indicates a Guerrilla Company armed with a minimum of one 60mm mortar located on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315).
3. Friendly Forces.

(1)               4^th Marines continue its assigned mission.

(2)               Battalion Artillery Group provides long-range artillery support.

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

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

(5)               Co B, 3^rd Engineer Battalion provides demolition teams as requested.

1. Attachments and Detachments.  All attachments effective L minus 3 hours on D-day.
2. Assumptions.  That requested aircraft support will be made available.
3. Mission.  1^st Bn (-) (rein) lands at L-hour and H-hour on D-day and conducts search and destroy operations to locate and destroy/capture the VC, and his supporting arms.
4. Execution.
5. Concept of operation.  The 1^st Battalion (-) (rein) lands two companies (-) (rein) at L-hour in landing zones MERCURY and MARS and conducts search and clear operations along designated axis of advance to seek out and destroy the VC, his arms and equipment.  One platoon (rein) lands by LVT over ORANGE Beach and establishes blocking positions.
6. Company A (-) (rein).

(1)               At L-hour on D-day land in LZ MARS and establish a blocking position around the LZ.

(2)               On order move through the Dong Thanh (2) and Phu Vinh Hamlet complex conducting search and destroy operations to PL MOON.

(3)               Upon reaching PL MOON, and on order continue search and destroy operations along the southwest tip of the island to the limit of advance, PL STAR.

(4)               Prepare to retract on order by LVT from checkpoint ROMEO.

1. Company D (-) (rein).

(1)               At L-hour on D-day land in LZ MERCURY and establish a blocking position around the LZ.

(2)               On order move through the Hoa Xuan (1) Hamlet complex conducting search and destroy operations to PL MOON.

(3)               Upon link up with the Company B platoon, assume OpCon that unit

(4)               Upon reaching PL MOON, and on order, continue the search operation along the southeast tip of the island to PL SUN.

(5)               On order continue along axis of advance to the limit of advance PL STAR.

(6)               Prepare to retract on order by LVT, from checkpoint ROMEO.

1. Platoon, Company B (rein).

(1)               At H-hour on D-day land by LVT on beach ORANGE (BT 440160).

(2)               Proceed to vicinity Hill 10 (BT 436157) and establish blocking positions from (BT 436161) to (BT 437155).

(3)               Upon link up with Company D at PL MOON become OpCon to that company.

1. Battalion Reserve.

(1)               Company B (-).  Designate one platoon as the Battalion Reserve during the operation; maintain a readiness posture of ½ hour on Hill 12 (OP 52) (BT 477144).

1. Coordinating Instructions.

(1)               D-day:  To be announced.

(2)               H-hour:  0700H.

(3)               L-hour:  0700H.

(4)               Annex A (Operation Overlay).

(5)               Rules of engagement.  No change.

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

(7)               Treat captives humanely.

(8)               Companies will distribute PsyWar leaflets along the axis of advance.

(9)               MedCAP treatment as applicable.

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

(1)               Body armor (upper) worn by all hands.

(2)               All personnel carry one MCI and two canteens of water.

(3)               All personnel carry one unit of fire.

(4)               All VC/VCS moved with companies.

(5)               Med Evac requests indicate urgency: Emergency, priority or routine, plus LZ location, LZ marking and whether or not a doctor is required on the scene.  Additionally, insure LZ is secure within capabilities.

5. Command and Communications/Electronics.
6. Operation Order 222-65.
7. Communications Officer provide AN/PRC-25’s if available.
8. SitReps every hour after H/L-hour.
9. The Battalion Command Group moves in trace of Company D.
10. Maximum air panels will be carried by each unit.