Operations/Training
Mission
During the period 1-31 October 1st Battalion 4th Marines participated in Operation Prairie, Missions assigned were as follows:
1-31 Oct (1) Defense of the Dong Ha Combat Base
(2) Coordinate defensive efforts of all Forces within the Dong Ha Perimeter.
1-6 Oct maintain one (rein) platoon as Rapid Reaction Force on 10-minute alert and remainder of the Company on one hour alert.
6-10 Oct provide one rifle company as security for the Artillery Battery at Con Thien, Grid Square (YD 1170).
10-31 Oct provide one rifle company as security for the Naval Supply Activity at the mouth of the Cua Viet River, (YD 346698).
19-31 Oct provide one rifle platoon (rein) as security for bridge located near Cam Lo (YD 344698).
24-31 Oct maintain one platoon (rein) as a reaction force on a 15-minute stand-by.
28-30 Oct provide one rifle company (rein) as security for a grounded vessel at Grid Square YD 5452.
Summary of Operations/Activities
On 1 October 1966 this Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines at the Thon Son Lam area in Grid Square XD 9756.
All Companies of the Battalion returned by motor convoy to the Combat Base at Dong Ha and assumed the mission of perimeter defense.
Task Force Delta designated this Battalion, the Combat Base Defense Coordinator. Several days were spent in improving positions and coordinating the other units manning sectors of the lines.
At 061820H October one reinforced platoon from Company D, Task Force Delta departed by Helo from Dong Ha Combat Base to Con Thien, Grid Square YD 1170 to provide security of an artillery position located there. The remainder of Company D followed at 071320H and were placed under OpCon of the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines. With the assignment of Company D to the artillery position, Task Force Delta assigned the reaction company requirement to the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines at 071455Z October. At 061820H, Company A was notified to have one platoon (rein) on standby as the Battalion Reserve. At 101400H, October 1966 Company D returned to Dong Ha from Con Thien.
At 100915H, a platoon (rein) from Company A under Operational Control of Task Force Delta took up defensive positions at the mouth of the Cua Viet River, coordinates YD 346698. This platoon was to provide security for a Navy Support Activity, which was being established at the river mouth. The remainder of Company A joined the platoon at 102130H.
At 110730H October 1966 a (rein) platoon from Company B provided security for the 1st platoon A Company, 3rd Tank Battalion from Dong Ha to Con Thien to join the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines. The unit returned at 111708H October 1966 after being ordered back by Task Force Delta because of an ambush sighted by an AO.
Again, at 120720H October a (rein) platoon from Company B escorted the 1st platoon A Tanks to Con Thien. The tanks were ambushed at YD 136667 at 121130H October 1966 by an unknown number of enemies. Five VC KIA were confirmed with the capture of enemy weapons and ammunition. The Company B platoon returned to the Dong Ha Base at 121900H October 1966 by Helo lift.
At 151538H a reinforced squad with an Arty FO was sent from Company D to provide security at a bridge near Cam Lo (YD 148604). This squad was relieved by a unit from the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines and returned to Dong Ha Combat Base at 161630H. Again, a platoon (rein) from Company D was assigned as security for the Cam Lo Bridge relieving the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines unit at 191100H.
At 221135H October 1966 storm warnings were issued by the 3rd MarDiv G-3 of approaching rains and strong winds. Company A (-) at the mouth of the Cua Viet River was evacuated back to the Dong Ha Base arriving at 221815H. Two squads of Company A remained in position. At 221635H, the platoon from Company D, which was guarding the bridge at Cam Lo was evacuated to the ARVN compound at Cam Lo because of raising water. The platoon again returned to the Bridge at 250720H.
At 240700H a Sparrow Hawk platoon from Company A was helo lifted to grid square YD 1169 to provide security for a downed helo. The Sparrow Hawk returned at 241453H.
At 240800H the 1st Battalion 4th Marines reverted to OpCon 4th Marines.
Company A started returning to the south of the Cue Viet River at 241530H arriving at YD 346698 at 241725H.
A platoon from Company B providing security for a civilian survey party received 5 rounds of enemy S/A fire at 251350H from coordinates YD 253552. S/A fire and grenades were returned. The VC fled leaving a sub-machine gun, several items of 782 gear and 2 packages of documents. The security detail for the surveyors the following day also received sniper fire. Arrangements were made with MAG-16 to have a gunship standing by in case of further sniping at the survey parties.
At about 281830H October 1966 the Battalion Commander made an aerial recon in Grid Square YD 5452 of a grounded Vietnamese Cargo Ship. The aerial recon received fire and it was decided to commit a reinforced company for the protection of the vessel. The reaction force was composed of 2 platoons (rein) from Company D, 1 platoon (rein) from Company B, 2 81mm mortars and crews, 2 106mm RR and crews, 4 .50 cal. Machine guns and crews, along with artillery, FAC, and NGF teams for a total of 231 Marines. The reaction force was helo lifted from Dong Ha Base to grid square YD 5452, the first lift arriving about 282045H and the last of the unit arriving about 282330H.
Defensive positions were dug in and consolidated during the night of 28 October and the morning of 29 October. The vessel was boarded early in the morning of 29 October 1966, papers were examined, and the vessel searched. All was found to be in good order. The ship had been hauling fertilizer for the USAID. The ship’s captain and crew were all Vietnamese civilians.
The provisional company returned to Dong Ha Combat Base by helo at 301106H October 1966 after being relieved by a unit from the 2nd ARVN Regiment.
At 1400H on the 31st of October 3rd Battalion 7th Marines relieved 1st Battalion 4th Marines of all assigned missions.
The month of October closed with the preparations and planning for the movement of 1st Battalion 4th Marines to the Phu Bai area on 2 November
Training.
Training consisted primarily of Orientation of newly joined personnel in such subjects as customs and culture of the Vietnamese and the rules of engagement. Some of the local patrolling was done with the aim of training newly joined personnel as well as security. Classes and training with crew served weapons was stressed as much as possible, and field firing was accomplished on a limited basis. A flamethrower section was organized and received training, which included one afternoon of firing. There were some classes on the general subjects particularly aimed as newly appointed junior NCOs in such subjects as Map Reading and the five-paragraph order.
The Communications platoon conducted training mainly consisting of maintenance and normal operation of the Comm equipment. A limited amount of training was held on the MRC-83 and PRC-47.
Motor transportation conducted drivers training resulting in the licensing of 34 drivers.