Operations/Training
Mission
During the period 1-30 September 1st Battalion 4th Marines participated in Operation Prairie. Missions assigned were as follows.
1-5 Sept Conduct reconnaissance in force in area north of highway 9 and west of Cam Lo to Thon Son Lam.
6-7 Sept (1) Defend Dong Ha Combat Base.
(2) Coordinate defensive effort of all U.S. Forces within Dong Ha perimeter.
(3) Provide one reinforced rifle company to be used as a reaction force.
8-30 Sept Conduct operations to prevent enemy movement into or through Thon Son Lam area (vicinity XD 9756).
Operations
From 1 to 5 September, the Battalion continued a reconnaissance in force, which had begun on 29 August. Throughout this period there was negative enemy contact.
On 5 September at 1000H, all companies returned to the Dong Ha Combat Base, and reassumed the mission of defense of the perimeter. The Battalion remained for 3 days, having one small enemy contact on the lines during this period.
On 8 September Companies A, B, and D plus H&S moved from Dong Ha to the Thon Son Lam (vicinity 9756). Upon arrival and relief of 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, the Battalion established a defensive perimeter, and prepared to execute the mission of preventing enemy movement through the area.
On 10 September at 1535H, the first of what was to be many mortar attacks was launched against the Battalion defensive perimeter. This attack consisted of 40-60 mortar rounds, both 81/82mm and 120mm, which appear to be directed primarily against the Howtar positions within the perimeter. Friendly casualties were light. With the assistance of an AO, mortar and artillery fire was returned at the located enemy position with ‘good coverage of target’. Later in the afternoon, at 1625H, Company D OP was bracketed by 4 rounds of 81/82mm mortar fire. 81mm fire was returned at the enemy position located earlier, and no further incoming was received.
A 120mm mortar dud was located inside the perimeter on 11 September it was recovered by EOD personnel and returned to the 4th Marines CP at Dong Ha. This was allegedly the first 120mm round recovered in Viet Nam.
On the 12th and 14th patrols from Company B and Company D encountered the first booby traps found in the operating area. These incidents resulted in four (4) WIA and one (1) KIA.
At 1200H on 15 September, Companies B and D departed the Battalion perimeter for a reconnaissance in Force to a ridgeline located 4,000 meters north. These companies made no contact through the rest of the day. However, at 1315H a patrol from Company A operating east of the Battalion, discovered VC in a steam filling canteen. The patrol fired at the VC, and fire was returned by an estimated 10-20 VC hidden in the brush. After a brief firefight, the patrol swept the area finding 7 VC KIA (confirmed).
The next day, 16 September, at 1125H, the lead elements of Company D received S/A automatic weapons fire from an unknown number of enemies at XD 961601, a position 1,000 meters south of their objective. This was the beginning of a fierce, hand-to-hand struggle, which would last for 48 hours. At 1425H, Company B in trace of Company D began to maneuver to consolidate a common position and to clear a landing zone in the thick jungle vegetation for evacuation of casualties. This task was accomplished prior to sundown, but helos were unable to land because of enemy S/A fire. Close in night defensive fires were plotted and fired continuously; a flare ship was utilized throughout the night.
At 0630H, on 17 September, the first attempt at helo evacuation failed when helos once again received heavy automatic weapons fire in the LZ. By 0715H, both companies were again receiving a heavy volume of S/A fire, and at 0750H they began receiving 81/82mm mortar fire. The companies were unable to move. Continuous air, artillery and mortar missions were completed throughout the day with excellent results; on several occasions, fires were called to within 100 meters of the lines. By 1200H a few helos had landed supplies and picked up Med-evacs. But at 1250H, a halo was disabled in the LZ by enemy S/A fire, but further helo activity into this area continued.
Meanwhile at 0920H, the Battalion CO’s OP, located on a hill 2,000 meters southeast of Companies B and D, received 10 rounds of 81/82mm mortar fire. Enemy position was spotted by AO, and 81mm fire was called in with good coverage of the target.
The Battalion CP received 2 rounds of incoming mortar fire at 1215H, and 6 rounds at 1630. Fire was returned by mortars at a suspected enemy mortar position, but results were unknown.
By nightfall on 17 September, Companies B and D were well established within their perimeter. Night defensive fires had been requested and fire plotted throughout the inside of the perimeter, and Marines of both companies were dug ‘in and under’ for maximum protection in the event these fires were called. Helos had been able to bring in sufficient supplies of ammo, water and chow; and to evacuate most casualties requiring evacuation. A flare ship was once again on station and was utilized throughout the night.
At 0630H on 18 September, lead elements of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines departed their overnight position surrounding 1st Battalion 4th Marines OP, and moved forward to attempt a link up with Companies B and D. By 1600H this maneuver had been successfully completed, and all units consolidated defensive positions for the night. Once again night defensive fires were utilized, as was the flare ship on station.
On the morning of 19 September, Companies B and D began their movement back to the Battalion perimeter. By 1630H, all personnel had returned. At 1700H the Battalion CP received 4 to 6 rounds of 81/82mm mortar fire. Fire was returned with artillery and mortars at a suspected enemy mortar position; results were unknown.
At the debriefing of key personnel from Companies B and D, at 1900H on the 19th, it was determined that enemy (NVA) casualties to date were 259 KIA (confirmed), 369 KIA (probable), 1VCC, and VCS.
At 0345H, on 21 September, the Battalion OP on ‘The Rock’ (XD 978558) was probed by an unknown number of VC firing automatic weapons and throwing grenades. Marines returned A/W fire and grenades with unknown results. Due to the extreme nature of the terrain, the area could not be swept.
From 1445H to 1600H that afternoon, the Battalion perimeter received approximately 30 rounds of 81/82mm mortar fire. Enemy mortar positions were located by Marines on ‘The Rock’, and an air strike was requested. TAC (A) controlling reported the enemy position was 95% destroyed.
At 1700H on 24 September the Battalion positions received 8 to 10 rounds of 57mm recoilless rifle fire. Tanks, mortars and 106’s returned fire at suspected positions with unknown results.
On the 25th at 0930 a helo carrying lead elements of the Battalion OP group to Hill 188 (XD 987593) to assist 3rd Battalion 4th Marines with direct fire support, received hits from 2 81/82mm mortar rounds impacting in LZ just prior to touchdown. No casualties were sustained, and the helo returned to the CP LZ without incident.
In the early evening, at 1835H, Battalion lines received approximately 50 rounds of 57mm RR fire. Tanks, mortars and 106’s returned fire at enemy positions, spotted by Marines on ‘The Rock’, resulting in one large secondary explosion.
On 28 September at 1600H, 1st Battalion assumed OpCon of Company G, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines. At 0700H the next morning, Company G departed the Battalion area to search for and recover 7 MIA’s west of the ‘Razorback’ (XD 9656 to XD 9558). The Company moved over the ‘Razorback’, and successfully recovered 6 MIA’s. Upon evacuation of the MIAs by helo, the company returned to the Battalion area after linking up with one platoon of Company B manning a blocking position. Both units were inside the lines by 2330H. Neither unit had enemy contact. However, Company B’s platoon suffered two (2) WIA’s from a booby-trapped ChiCom grenade while moving to the blocking position.
Company G departed the Battalion area at 1000H on 30 September; OpCon was chopped to 2nd Battalion 7th Marines. 1st Battalion 4th Marines began making preparations for a return to Dong Ha Combat Base scheduled for 1 October.
Training
Training conducted during the month of September consisted almost entirely of on-the-job training in those basic infantry subjects applicable to operations in the field.
One Marine attended the Basic Weapons Repair School.