Chronological Account of Significant Events
September
1-5 1st Battalion continued to conduct a reconnaissance in force in area bounded by grid lines XD 98 (west), 63 (north), 56 (south), YD 10 (east). Returned to Dong Ha Combat Base at 051000H. Negative enemy contact throughout this period.
6 At 2110H, Company D patrol received 5-6 rounds S/A from vicinity YD 244597. Patrol returned 20 rds. 7.62mm. Enemy broke contact and withdrew in unknown direction.
8 At 1230H, Companies A, B, D and H&S established Battalion perimeter in Grid Square XD 9756. Battalion will conduct patrols, establish ambushes, and will prevent enemy movement into or through area of operations.
10 At 1535H, Battalion CP (XD 973566) received 40-60 rounds 81/82mm and 120mm mortar fire. Enemy mortar position located at XD 965593; artillery and 81mm mortar fire was returned. AO reported good coverage of target. At 1625H, Company D OP was bracketed by 4 rds. 81/82mm mortar fire, believed to be from mortars located at XD 965593. 81mm mortar returned fire; results unknown. At 1630H, Company D patrol received approximately 8 rounds S/A fire from XD 970573. Patrol returned fire; results unknown.
11 At 1000H, 1st Battalion 4th Marines assumed OpCon of the Howitzer Battery 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, located within Battalion perimeter. At 1230H, 120mm mortar dud was discovered near Battery position. EOD personnel recovered dud and returned it to 4th Marines CP.
12 At 1820H, a Company B patrol detonated a mine/booby trap at XD 962566. Two (2) USMC WIA’s were evacuated by helo. Patrol continued mission.
15 At 1200H, Companies B and D departed Battalion perimeter to conduct a reconnaissance in Force along ridgeline in Grid Square XD 9661, 9761, 9861, and 9961. At 1315H, Company A patrol discovered one VC filling canteen in stream at XD 994569. Patrol initiated firefight; swept area finding 7 VC KIA (confirmed).
16 At 1125H Company D received S/A AW rds. from unknown number of NVA at XD 961601. Marines returned fire. At 1410H Company B received S/A fire while clearing LZ for Med-evacs. LZ cleared at XD 960599. Companies B and D consolidated position and established a perimeter at XD 962605.
17 At 0630H, Med-evac helos, attempting to land in LZ at XD 961601, received S/A AW fire. Artillery missions and air strikes were called in; results unknown. At 0715H, Companies B and D began receiving S/A AW fire. At 0750H, they received 81mm/82mm mortar fire. Companies were unable to move. Continuous air and artillery missions were called. At 0920H, Battalion CO’s OP, at XD 978588, received 10 incoming 81/82mm mortar fire. AO in area spotted mortar position at XD 979611; 30 rds 81mm mortar fired as counter-mortar mission; enemy mortar fire ceased. AO reports good coverage of target area. At 1215H, Battalion CP received 2 rds. 81/82mm mortar rounds from unknown location. At 1230H, a resupply helo was disabled in LZ XD 960599 by enemy S/A AW fire, no casualties to the crew. At 1630H, Battalion CP received 6 81/82mm mortar rounds. Fire was returned with 81’s, 106’s and two (2) air strikes against suspected enemy position XD 956586 with unknown results.
18 At 1547H, lead elements of 2nd Battalion 7th Marines linked up with Companies B and D. Units will join in night defensive perimeter.
19 At approx 1630H, Companies B and D returned to Battalion perimeter. At 1700H, Battalion CP received 4-6 rounds 81/82mm mortar. Artillery and mortars returned fire at suspected enemy mortar position; results unknown. At 1900H debriefing of unit commanders, following cumulative enemy casualty figures were determined: 259 KIA (confirmed), 369 KIA (probable)1 VCC, and 1 VCS.
21 At 0345H, Battalion OP at XD 979559 received 3 incoming grenades and A/W fire from XD 978558. Grenades and A/W fire returned; results unknown. At 1530H, H&S Company patrol made contact with 3 VC at XD 965558, VC fired 15-20 rounds S/A; patrol returned 100-150 rounds S/A. VC broke contact. Patrol swept area with negative results. From 1445H to 1600H Battalion CP received approx. 32 rounds 81/82mm mortar fire. Enemy position was located at YD 954585. Air strike was requested and controlled by AO; position was 95% destroyed.
22 At 1830H, Company B lines sighted 2 VC at XD 967564. VC taken under fire by sniper; VC withdrew to cave. Cave taken under fire by 106’s; results unknown.
24 At 1705H, Battalion CP received 8-10 rds. of 57mm recoilless rifle fire. 106’s, tanks and mortars returned fire at suspected enemy location. Results unknown.
25 At 0930H, helo carrying lead elements of Battalion OP group received 2 rounds 81/82mm mortar fire while attempting to land. Helo was hit by fragments but returned to CP position. At 1835H, battalion perimeter received approx. 50 rds 57mm recoilless rifle fire. 106’s, tanks and mortars returned fire at suspected positions, resulting in one large secondary explosion.
28 At 1600H, 1st Battalion 4th Marines assumed OpCon of Company G, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines.
29 At 0700H, Company G departed Battalion perimeter to recover 7 MIA’s vicinity XD 952578. At 2330H, Company G returned to perimeter. 6 MIAs were recovered and evacuated from the patrol area by helo.
30 At 1000H, Company G departed Battalion perimeter to return to Dong Ha; chopped OpCon to 2nd Battalion 7th Marines.
This page last corrected 25 August 2011