Operation Orders #1 – December 1966

13 Dec 1966

Operation Order 009-66

Ref      (a)               Maps:  1:50,000, AMS Series L, 701, Sheets 6461 IV, 6560 III, and 6560 IV.

             (b)              CG 3rd MarDiv MSG 121225Z Nov 66.

             (c)               3rd MarDivO P02000.2E (COI)

Time Zone:            Hotel

Task Organization:            Annex A

  1. Situation
  2. Enemy Forces.  See current INTSUMS.
  3. Friendly Forces.

(1)            Second Battalion, Ninth Marines effects in place relief of First Battalion, Fourth Marines positions commencing on D Day.

(2)            3rd MT Bn provides transportation for troop movement as required.

(3)            MP Company provides convoy escort and traffic control as required.

(4)            D Battery, 44th Artillery provides convoy escort.

  1. Attachments and Detachments.  Annex A (Task Organization)
  2. Mission.  Coordinate in place relief of BLT 1/4 by 2/9.  Move by assigned transportation from Phu Bai, to designated staging areas and prepare to embark aboard assigned shipping for movement to Okinawa.
  3. Execution.
  4. Concept of operation.
  5.  Headquarters and Service Company (rein)

(1)               Coordinate relief of staff sections and other elements within the Battalion CP.

(2)               Upon relief assume OPCON of 81mm mortar platoon and other attached personnel to the company, less clerks who work in staff sections, and units embarking from Dong Ha.

(3)               Be prepared to provide personnel to be used as guards on assigned gear and convoy security.

(4)               On order, by platoon and/or section, move to assigned staging areas for transportation to loading ramp.

(5)               On order, embark aboard assigned shipping.

  1. Company A (rein)

(1)        Coordinate relief in place by designated Company (rein) from 2/9.

(2)       On order, move to assigned staging area for transportation to loading ramp.

(3)        On order, provide one platoon for security of supplies and equipment staged in the Hue ramp staging area.

(4)        Be prepared to provide personnel to be used as detailed by the Battalion embarkation Officer.

(5)        On order, embark aboard assigned shipping.

  1. Company B (rein)

(1)        Coordinate relief in place by designated Company (rein) from 2/9.

(2)       On order, move to assigned staging area for transportation to loading ramp.

(3)       Be prepared to provide personnel to be used as detailed by the Embarkation Officer.

(4)       Or order, embark aboard assigned shipping.

  1. Company C (rein)

(1)       Coordinate relief in place by designated Company (rein) from 2/9.

(2)       On order, move to assigned staging area for transportation to loading ramp.

(3)       Be prepared to provide one platoon as Ships Platoon working party.

(4)       On order, embark aboard assigned shipping.

  1. Company D (rein)

(1)       During transition period and on order maintain one platoon on 15 minute alert with remainder of the company on one hour alert as Battalion reserve.

(2)       Coordinate relief in place by designated Company (rein) from 2/9.

(3)        Provide security as needed for supplies and equipment staged at Phu Bai.

(4)        On order, embark aboard a signed shipping.

  1. Battery B

(1)       Coordinate relief in place by designated battery from 2/12.

(2)      On order, move to assigned staging area for transportation to loading ramp.

(3)      On order, embark aboard assigned shipping.

  1. Mortar Battery

(1)        On order, move to assigned staging area for transportation to loading ramp.

(2)        On order, embark aboard assigned shipping.

  1. Coordinating Instructions

(1)        Relief of 1st Battalion 4th Marines is expected to take three days.

(2)        D Day, 13 December 1966

(3)               Assumption of responsibility and control of Fire Support Coordination passes to CO 2/9, at time and date mutually agreed upon by Commanding Officer 1st Battalion 4th Marines and Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion 9th Marines.

(4)               Each staff section and company CO will prepare briefing and file of pertinent data for relieving Section Heads and Commanders to include, but not restricted to the following;

(a)               Enemy situation, to include file of Spot reports for month of November.

(b)               Brief summary of any major activity of contact in past month (November).

(c)               Briefing on planned activity in assigned areas.

(d)               Overlays of all semi-fixed positions to include: Defensive fire plans and fire direction charts for individual fighting positions and crew served weapons.

(e)               Patrol and ambush overlays for month of November (day and night).

(f)                All communication facilities available both internal and external.

(g)               Role and mission of tracked vehicles.

(h)               Role and mission of helicopters as pertains to Med-evac and resupply.  Locations and selection of HLZs.

(i)                 Role and mission of CAC.

(5)               This plan is effective for planning on receipt and for execution on order.

  1. Administration and Logistics
  2. Operation Order 001-66 (Administrative Plan) to accompany Operation Order 009-66
  3. Uniform for embarkation will be as follows:

(1)               Utilities (no jungle type).

(2)               Helmet with cover (green side out).

(3)               Field marching pack.

(4)               Normal arms and equipment.

(5)               Cartridge belt with two canteens and jungle kit.

  1. Required in –kind-issue, two sets of utilities per man and 1 pair combat boots will be issued to individuals prior to embarkation.
  2. Ammunition and Pyrotechnics.

(1)               Ammunition for all weapons, less mortars, and 3.5 rockets, will be the basic allowance of ammunition.  Mortar ammunition and all pyrotechnics will be turned over to the relieving unit.  Battalion S-4 will have containers at staging areas and aboard LCU’s for collection of basic allowance of ammunition prior to embarkation.  Personnel will deposit all ammunition in containers prior to boarding ship.  No ammunition will be embarked in the hands of troops.  Magazines will not be inserted during the movement to shipping by LCU.

  1. Troops and LVTs will be embarked during daylight hours only.  All other logistical loading will proceed on a 24-hour basis.
  2. Embarkation Points and Staging Areas.

(1)               LVTs:  Cua Viet River – coordinates YD 345698.

(2)               Tanks:  Cua Viet River – coordinates YD 345698.

(3)               Palletized cargo:  Hue Loading ramp – coordinates YD 773224.

(4)               Troop staging and embarkation area:  Hue Loading Ramp – coordinates YD 773224.

(5)               Vehicle staging and embarkation area:  Co Co Beach Ramp coordinates YD 827316.

  1. Sea bags will be hand carried aboard ship for storage in troop compartments.
  2. Command and Communication/Electronics
  3. Command Post

(1)               BLT 1/4 prior to relief of the lines at coordinates YD 886134, subsequent to be announced.

  1. Communication/Electronics.

(1)               Phu Bai

(a)               Coordinate installation and removal of wire equipment with 2/9

(2)               Movement to Embarkation point.

(a)               Radio

(1)               Radio call signs and frequencies in accordance with reference (c).

(2)              Internal Battalion radio communications in accordance with BnO 4000.1 (Comm SOP)

(a)               Schedule of Operation:  Day of Embarkation: Continuous until unit is completely embarked.

(3)               Embarkation Control Communication.  See Bn Embark order.

(a)               Wire: None

(b)               Message Center: Normal operations.

(1)         Provide personnel to move with advance party to establish message center aboard ship.

(c)               Cryptographic: Effective edition of KAC-QT.