Operations/Training
- Mission. During the period 1-16 December 1966 the 1st Battalion 4th Marines continued to assume the responsibility of the Hue/Phu Bai TAOR until relieved on 13 December 1966 by the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines. Missions assigned as follows.
- Coordinate and control the Phu Bai Vital Area defense.
- Conduct offensive operations within the TAOR.
- Provide Sparrow Hawk on 5-minute alert.
- Provide one rifle company as Rough Rider Reserve.
- Maintain COPs within the TAOR and conduct extensive patrolling.
- Assume operational control of the Combined Action Company.
- 2 December – Activate as BLT 1/4 and assume command of BLT attachments.
- 13 December – Prepare for and conduct BLT 1/4 embarkation.
Summary of Activities
December 1-16
- Summary of Activities. 1st Battalion 4th Marines (rein) continued assigned mission at Phu Bai Combat Base RVN, Company B at Gia Le security position coordinates YD 811156, Company C at Truoi security area coordinates YD 931059, Company A and F/2/26 manning defense positions at the Combat Base and Company D providing Rough Rider reserve and Sparrow Hawk stand-by.
At 012015H a Company B patrol received 8-10 small arms rounds and 3 incoming grenades. Small arms fire and grenades were returned. The patrol withdrew and called in artillery fire. Search of the area at first light revealed 1 VC KIA confirmed. MCB-7 perimeter position was harassed by an estimated five VC during the night. Small arms received and returned. No friendly casualties, VC casualties unknown.
On 2 December 1966 1st Battalion 4th Marines assumed OpCon of attachments designated for BLT 1/4.
At 021030H Company C was relieved by Company A at Truoi area position and assumed the defense of the Company A perimeter position.
A schoolhouse near CAC-6 – 9 was mined and the blast killed one Biet Kiet and wounded seven. Evacuation by Marine Helicopter was coordinated by this Headquarters. (032145H).
One platoon from Company D provided security for an engineer recon of a bridge at coordinated YD 401399 at 040800H.
Two hand grenades were thrown at MCB-7 perimeter position at 060020H. No friendly casualties, M-79 fire returned, VC casualties unknown. At 061345H a squad from Company D provided security for extraction of a recon team in GS YD 8212, negative contact. Cpl Cochran, H&S Company 1/4, received a gunshot wound in right foot and was evacuated to A-Med at 062134H.
At 2045H on 7 December a CAC-8 ambush at coordinates YD 945070 made contact with an estimated 60 VC. Small arms fire was exchanged, no friendly casualties, two VC KIA confirmed and evidence of other VC KIA apparent.
F/2/26 perimeter position received nine rounds of small arms fire at 072210H. Fifty rounds small arms fire returned. No friendly casualties, VC casualties unknown. A follow up report was received on 8 December, which indicated that the CAC-8 ambush of 7 December may have caused an additional four VC KIA. This was not confirmed.
At 091145H a CAC-6 patrol made contact with a VC ambush. Small arms fire exchanged, no friendly casualties. VC casualties unknown.
On 10 December Company A forward position coordinate YD 931059 apprehended four ARVN personnel who were released VC prisoners. They were turned over to ITT. Company E/2/26 began, the relief of Company F/2/26. At 102105H the Company D perimeter received small arms fire, no casualties.
Between 2240H and 2400H on 10 December the Provisional Artillery Battalion and MCB-7 observed some movement forward of their perimeter position. Small arms were fired with negative results.
At 110420H a satchel charge caused one Marine WIA at CAC-2. The Marine was evacuated by helicopter.
At 110800H Company E/2/26 relieved Company F/2/26 and became OpCon of 1st Battalion 4th Marines. MCB-62 relieved MCB-7 of defensive perimeter position.
The Sparrow Hawk, a platoon (-) from Company C, was committed in an effort to cut off VC sighted by a recon team at coordinates YD 895998 at 111310H. No contact was made, and the Sparrow Hawk was extracted at 111655H. Company E/2/26 provided one platoon for security of bridge repairs near An Lo on 11 December.
Company A (rein) moved from Truoi security position to provide security for bridges at CAC-3, 4, 8, 10. All platoons were in position by 111800H.
At 120115H Company D perimeter position received one hand grenade, no casualties. At 120250 CAC-3 position coordinated YD 912118 was attacked by unknown number of VC. Four incoming 60mm mortar rounds were received, one Marine WIA not requiring evacuation. VC casualties unknown.
A squad from Company B provided security for a survey team at various sites in the TAOR on 12 December 1966.
Between 122025H and 130020H VC activity, movement and noises noticed near MCB-62, Company D and FLSU perimeter positions. Five rounds were received. No friendly casualties. Small arms fire was returned with unknown results.
On the morning of 13 December, Companies of 2nd Battalion 9th Marines began the relief of the Company A bridge security positions and Company C perimeter positions. After relief of these companies, at 131800H, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines relieved 1st Battalion 4th Marines of all missions Assigned in the defense of the Phu Bai TAOR. 2/9 assumed OpCon of Company E/2/26, CAC Company, Company D 1/4, and Company C/1/4 Sparrow Hawk.
At 142120H Company C Sparrow Hawk was relieved by 2/9 and the Company C squad reverted back to their parent Company.
At 151500H the BLT 1/4 advance party boarded the USS Lenawee.
Elements of the BLT moved from Phu Bai to embarkation points at Hue Ramp and CO Co Beach on 15 December and began loading as ships arrived.
The USS Lenawee, APA 195, completed loading at 161317H and got under way for OKINAWA with 52 Officers and 1276 Enlisted of BLT 1/4 embarked. BLT 1/4 reported OpCon to TF 79 and for Command to Ninth MAB.
The USS Comstock, LSD 19, completed loading at 171200H December and departed for OKINAWA with 40 Officers and 139 Enlisted of BLT 1/4 embarked. The USS Washburn, AK 108, finished loading the remaining elements of BLT 1/4 and departed for OKINAWA at 172300H.
- Training. During the period 1-13 December 1966 heavy rain and operational commitments limited training on the unit level within the rifle companies. H&S Company continued training on the Section level but adverse weather conditions limited the use of the Dong Da range for live fire.
- Training Problems Encountered. Adverse weather conditions and heavy tactical commitments limited the use of training facilities during this period.
This page last updated 20 August 2011