22 January 1966

Operation Plan 004-65 (Operation SPREAD EAGLE)

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

              (b)      1^st Battalion Operation Order 222-65

Time Zone:     H

Task Organization:

1^st Battalion (-), 4^th Marines                                      LtCol   Sullivan

            Command Group A

            Det, H&S Co

                        Det, Med Plat

                        Det, Comm Plat

                        Det, 81mm Plat

Company A (rein)                                                                  Lt.        Clancy

            Company A

            Det, H&S Co

                        Det, Med Plat

                        Det, Comm Plat

            Interpreter

Company D (rein)                                                                 Capt. Lo Presti

            Company D

            Det, H&S Co

                        Det, Med Plat

                        Det, Comm Plat

                        Bn Scout/sniper Team

            Interpreter

Platoon (rein), Company C                                                   Lt.        Henderson

            2^nd Plat

            Det, H&S Co

                        Bn Scout/Sniper Team

                        Det, Med Plat

                        Det, Comm Plat

            Det, H Btry, 3/12

            Interpreter

1. Situation.
2. Enemy forces.

(1)   Annex A (Enemy Contacts Overlay).

(2)   Current ISUM’s and SIR’s.

(a)               VC activity within the 2^nd Battalion TAOR has consisted primarily of S/A harassing fire and VC contacts with units up to squad size.  A total of 51 contacts have been reported since 1 January 1966.  Mining/booby trap incidents were reported as follows:

BT 441043 @ 071020H

BT 445056 @ 081040H

BT 440044 @ 081255H

BT 433038 @ 091345H

BT 443055 @ 101200H

BT 441055 @ 101100H

BT 441043 @ 101405H

VC units up to Company size strength with MG, 81mm mortar and/or 60mm mortar capabilities have been reported in the tactical zone during the past 20 days.

On 14 January 1966, a National Police Source reported that the VC have laid mines at approximately (BT 440030), (BT 433039), (BT 440022), (BT 442055), (BT 441049) and (BT 450053).  These mines are laid in groups of 20 to 50 mines per group.  These groups of mines are laid over a wide area to take advantage of the way Marines spread out on an operation.  (CIT Eval: C/3).

1. Friendly forces.

(1)   1^st Marines continues defense of its TAOR within the Chu Lai Enclave.

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

(3)   FMAW continues air support as requested.

(4)   MAG-36 provides necessary personnel to augment the patrol requirements of Company A within that Company’s sector of the Battalion’s TAOR, (BT 525130 to BT 502105 to BT 514098 to BT 530100 to 525130).

(5)   FLSU #1 provides necessary personnel to augment the defensive positions vacated by Company A on the ‘Swath’ (BT 527107 to 530100), and the Sand Ramp, (BT 522122).

1. Attachments and detachments.  Attachments effective on order.
2. Assumptions.

(1)   That this Battalion will occupy and augment the 2^nd Battalions TAOR during their deployment outside of the Chu Lai TAOR.

(2)   That designated rear area units will be directed to occupy and augment certain sectors of this Battalion’s present defensive positions.

2. Mission.  1^st Battalion (-) (rein), 4^th Marines displaces with a Command Group, two rifle companies and one additional rifle platoon to augment the positions and responsibilities of the 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines for a period of about three weeks.
3. Execution.
4. Concept of operation.  Through realignment of existing units, and assumption of Battalion defensive positions by rear area units, the 1^st Battalion, with a Command Group, two rifle companies and one additional rifle platoon displaces to the An Tan Bridge (BT 498067) Hill 69 (BT 468068), and Hill 76 (BT 451039) areas of 2^nd Battalion’s TAOR to augment their positions and responsibilities during their deployment, for a period of about three weeks.
5. Displacing elements.

(1)   Company A (rein).

(a)               On order, move by truck convoy to the vicinity of the An Tan Bridge (BT 498067) and relieve the unit presently occupying the defensive positions around the bridge.

(b)               Maintain the roadblock/checkpoint at the An Tan Bridge.

(c)               Assume security responsibilities of the area east of the Bridge and between 1^st Battalion, 4^th Marines/2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines TAOR boundary to the north and the 1^st Marines/7^th Marines boundary to the south by aggressive patrol/ambush actions.

(d)               Be prepared on order to conduct offensive operations and patrolling action west of the An Tan Bridge.

(2)   Company D (rein).

(a)               On order, move by truck convoy to the vicinity of Hill 69 (BT 468068) and relieve the unit presently occupying the positions around the hill complex.

(b)               Provide security for the hill complex and CP security for the Command Group.

(c)               Be prepared to conduct offensive operations and patrolling action west of the hill complex and throughout the 2^nd Battalion’s TAOR.

(3)   Platoon (rein), Company C.

(a)               On order move by helicopter to Hill 76 (BT 452039) and relieve the unit presently occupying the defensive positions around the hill complex.

(b)               Maintain the hill complex as a Regimental Combat Outpost.

(c)               Be prepared to conduct offensive operation and patrolling action throughout the 2^nd Battalion’s TAOR.

(4)   Battalion reserve.

(a)               Company C (-) (rein).

(1)               Be prepared to reinforce any of the units listed above.

(2)               Be prepared to act as a strike force anywhere within the 1^st/2^nd Battalion’s TAOR.

(3)               Maintain the reserve platoon in Company A’s vacated CP area.

(4)               If the Battalion reserve element is committed, be prepared to reconstitute the reserve with the remaining rifle platoon.

1. Rear area realignment.

(1)   Company B (rein).

(a)               Continue assigned missions on Ky Hoa Island (BT 490140) with two rifle platoons and a company headquarters.

(b)               Occupy the vacated CP of Company D with one rifle platoon (rein).

(c)               Conduct normal saturation patrol/ambush operations throughout the Island of Ky Xuan (BT 485100).

(2)   H&S Company (-).

(a)               Continue normal operations.

(b)               Assume defensive responsibilities of the vacated CP defensive positions of Company C.

(3)   Battalion Reserve.

(a)               Company C (-) (rein).

(1)               Continue assigned missions on the Ky Ha Peninsula (BT 52510) with one rifle platoon and a company headquarters.

(2)               Relocate one rifle platoon to the vacated CP of Company A and maintain a one-hour strike force posture as the Battalion Reserve Platoon.

1. Coordinating instructions.
2. This Plan effective for planning upon receipt and execution on order.
3. Rules of engagement no change.  Reference (b).
4. The unclassified name for this Operational move is SPREAD EAGLE.
5. Administration and Logistics.
6.          Administrative Order 222-65.
7. Body armor (upper) to be taken by all hands.
8. Personnel carry a minimum of one (1) MCI and two full canteens of water.
9. Basic allowance of ammunition carried by all hands.
10. Personal articles and clothing as required for the duration of the operation.
11. Resupply by helicopter or truck as applicable.
12. Command and Communications/Electronics.
13. Annex h to reference (b).
14. Normal company communications equipment will be carried.
15. Company C’s platoon carry a minimum of one AN/PRC-10.
16. Command Group Alpha consists of 5 officers and 22 enlisted as follows:

(1)   Hq Section – Commanding Officer, Sergeant Major, Driver (runner).

(2)   S-2 Section – S-2 Chief, S-2 clerk (1).

(3)   S-3 Section – S-3 Officer, S-3 clerk (2).

(4)   S-4 Section – S-4 Chief, supply man (2).

(5)   FSCC Section – Arty LnO, radio operator (2).

(6)   Air Section – Air Chief, radio operator (1).

(7)   Comm Section – CommO, radio chief, radio operator (7).

(8)   Medical Section – Bn Surgeon, Corpsmen (2