Events of the Month – January 1968

 

Sequential Listing of Significant Events

  1. Combat Missions Assigned.
  2. Operation Kentucky (1-31 January 1968)

(1)               Defend Forward Operating Base C-2 and C-2 Bridge.

(2)               Continue construction and improvement of C-2 and C-2 Bridge positions in accordance with approved Diemaker Plans.

(3)               Protect LOC (Rt 561) within AO, denying enemy opportunity to interdict LOC by mines or ambushes.

(4)               Conduct anti-infiltration operations within assigned AO.

(5)               Provide Sparrow Hawk Reaction Force.

(6)               Provide Rough Rider Reaction Force.

  1. Operations.

            January

2          At 0830H, Road sweep, progressing towards 1/4 AOR, discovered three separate box type mines at YD 133625, YD 132626 and YD 133628.  Each mine was rigged with a pressure type firing device, and one had what appeared to be a 40mm round placed under it.  NVA placing mines apparently came through draw to west of road.  Road was double swept, and mines were destroyed in place.

            At 2030H, Mobile search light unit spotted 7 NVA moving east in brush along MSR about 1500 meters south of this position.  Fired 20 rounds 81mm with good coverage of area.

4          Co C received 3 rounds 82mm mortar west of perimeter at YD 125675 from approximately 5600 mills. Returned fire with 40 rounds 81mm mortar and 1 WP and 6 HE rounds of arty on suspected enemy location at coordination YD 115685.  Results unknown.

            C-2 West Tower at YD 133646 observed one NVA through NOD at YD 117653.  Called in 81mm mission.  Rounds impacted on target.  Observed NVA being thrown into the air by concussion.  Area was checked by Co A patrol at first light with negative results.

            At 2345H, C-2 East Tower observed light at YD 147651.  60mm illum revealed 2 NVA moving east.  One was carrying a —– like object, another carried weapon.  Called 81mm mission of 20 rounds with good coverage of target area.

7          At 0810H, two unidentified pieces of ordinance impacted approximately 100 meters inside the wire in the eastern portion of C-2.  Collected fragments and examined craters. Evidence points to ordinance being U.S. type of radar suppression missile.  Requested assistance in identification from 9th Marines.  The two rounds resulted in 4 friendly NBC one of whom was evacuated.

            At 1430H, MajGen Metzger, ADC 3rd MarDiv; RADM Kinney, ComCruDesFlet and party arrived at C-2 and departed one hour later.

12        At 1030H, Co C Platoon patrol found 6 fighting holes overlooking trail at YD 120667.  One of the six was filled with dirt.  The remains of an NVA shoe, some rope and a green skivvy’s shirt were strewn around the area.  While digging out the hole, a skeleton was uncovered.  Holes appeared to be 2 to 3 months old.  No footprints or evidence of recent activity noted.  Destroyed remaining holes and continued mission.  H&I fires plotted for this area.

13        At 0145H, Co’s C and D at C-2 Bridge received 8 rounds of unknown light caliber artillery from approximately 5300 mills.  Rounds fell short of the perimeter at YD 128673.  Within two minutes, 81’s was returning 20 rounds HE at suspected enemy target.

            At 1300H, E Battery conducted crater analysis.  Rounds proved to be 81mm HE medium, Lot #LS-139-57.  Rounds came from a direction of 5820 mills.  Angle of fall was 1300 mills.

15        Co C Platoon size combat patrol found 2 ‘U’ shaped trenches approximately 60’x1½’ x3’ at YD 115578.  One of the trenches contained 4 NVA bodies.  Bodies appeared to have been stripped of everything except their tennis shoes.  Arty was apparent cause of death as 4 craters were found approximately 5 meters from them.  Checked out surrounding area with negative results.  Continued assigned mission.

            MajGen Thompkins, CG 3rd MarDiv, Col Smith, CO 9th Mar and party arrived at C-2 and departed one hour later.

17        Co C Squad security for bulldozer spotted 2 NVA in heavy brush approximately 50 meters east of perimeter at YD 132668.  Security squad fired 100 rounds S/A and 4 rounds M-79.  While checking out area, squad spotted another NVA moving in an easterly direction.  Fired 30 rounds S/A at enemy as he fled into brush.  Search of area produced negative results.

18        At 1700H, MajGen Murray arrived at C-2 and departed 15 minutes later.

21        At 0300H, LP spotted movement on edge of perimeter at YD 141643.  Used Starlight Scope and Night Observation Device, which verified movement of 2 men.  Fired approximately 50 rounds from 50 cal. machine gun.  No further movement was observed

At 0500H, received request from HQ Btry, 2/12 to adjust fires on suspected rocket site at YD 0865.  C-2 Bridge adjusted 3 FFE’s on above coordinate, resulting in two large and one small secondary explosion.

At 1345H, Co B squad size combat patrol spotted one NVA wearing green utilities and carrying AK-47 at YD 140663 moving in easterly direction.  Fired 6 rounds S/A and 4 M-79.  Search of area revealed traces of blood.

22               At 1205H, C-2 East Tower observed 6 NVA moving along edge of the tree line.  All were carrying weapons (2 AK-47’s and 4 rifles of unknown caliber).  Called in 80 rounds 81mm HE and followed up with arty mission of 12 rounds HE and 24 rounds VT.  Good target coverage.

At 1300H, Co C Platoon size combat patrol was moving through very thick brush when Marines’ M-16 caught on a vine resulting in one round being accidentally discharged.  Bullet struck another Marine walking in front of him in the hand.  Casualty treated by Corpsmen.  Med-evac was called in and completed at 1355H.

23               While traveling south on the MSR and about 800 meters from the south gate of C-2 an M-109 jeep and trailer carrying 3 Marines, was ambushed by approximately 4 NVA just off the east side of the road.  The M-109 was hit on the left front by an RPG.  The vehicle overturned and burned resulting in 2 KIA and 1 WIA.  A vehicle from 1st 8” How Btry, at C-3, came by a short time later.  When the two men in the vehicle stopped to investigate and pick up the WIA, they received approximately 30 rounds S/A fire from an estimated 6 NVA, 180 meters east of the road.  The second vehicle departed for C-2 with WIA.  A 1/4-Platoon Reaction Force with a section of tanks in support left C-2 for the scene.  During the sweep of the area 500 meters to the west, the platoon observed three enemy moving east on the east side of the road.  The Platoon took the fleeing NVA under fire with S/A, 90mm tanks and a twin 40mm duster from C-3.  The Platoon swept the area with negative results but found RPG fragments.  A second detail with a bulldozer was dispatched to the ambush site to retrieve the destroyed vehicle and pick up the KIA’s.

25        At 1630H, Alerted Co B and 1 section of tanks to be prepared to provide assistance to 2/9 Reaction Force at YD 132626.  Two trucks from 2/1 traveling north on MSR were ambushed at that position by approximately 6 NVA firing AK-47’s and rifle grenades.

27               C-2 received 5 rounds of arty from YD 075697.  Rounds believed to be 105mm.  Incident resulted in one friendly WIA med-evac.  Called arty mission of 32 rounds WP and HE on suspected enemy locations.  Reaction time of 10 minutes.  Med-evac completed at 1405H.

28               Co A OP at YD 132633 observed 4 NVA with slung rifles walking along tree line heading south approximately 200 meters SE of C-2 Bridge.  2/9-road sweep observed the 4 NVA at the same time and took them under fire.  NVA disappeared into the tree line.  Two squads from H 2/4, at C-2 Bridge, were sent to sweep area where NVA were last seen but found nothing.

30        C-2 East Tower received 4 rounds sniper fire from a southeasterly direction resulting in one WIA (minor).  Returned 20 rounds 81mm HE at suspected enemy location at YD 140641.

31                At 1030H, 2/1 Road Sweep at YD 128678 received approximately 12 rounds S/A from tree line on west side of road.  Sweep returned S/A and continued to move to Con Thien (A-4).  Co C (1/4) fired 81mm mission.  Co C Squad Patrol swept area with negative results.

  1. Training
  2. During January, a revised Battalion Training SOP was published giving new impetus to the training program with special emphasis on Battalion level training.  In addition to the normal Company level instruction, training in the following subjects was conducted at Battalion level:

(1)               Marksmanship.  Each squad received a two-hour lecture and three hours of application in field firing techniques at the C-2 firing range.  Reaction to ambushes and controlled, accurate fire was stressed.

(2)               M-16, care and cleaning.  A one-hour lecture was presented on the proper method of cleaning the M-16 rifle.

(3)               Map and compass reading.  Each squad received four hours of training in map and compass reading.  The greater portion of this training was devoted to practical application.

(4)               Helicopter and evacuation procedures.  A one-hour class was given to squad leaders and above to familiarize them with helicopter med-evac request procedures.

(5)               FO procedures.  A three-hour class was given to each Marine on the procedure for calling fire missions and adjusting fires.  Whenever possible, the classes observed actual tactical fire support missions.

(6)               Chemical warfare countermeasures.  Instruction was given to each Marine on the types and effects of the chemical agents the enemy has been known to use.  Drills were held to acquaint Marines with the proper procedure for clearing and maintaining the protective mask.

  1. The troop indoctrination program for replacement personnel was formalized with the publication of an SOP for replacement training.  The Battalion’s program covers all subjects required by DivO 1510.3B.  In addition, FAM firing of T/O weapons is included.  The Commanding Officer, each Executive and Special Staff Section head, and each Company Commander has a prepared briefing for presentation to replacement personnel.  Until each replacement receives the required indoctrination training, he is not permitted to accompany his assigned unit on combat operations.
  2. Casualties Inflicted on the Enemy

                        NV/KIA (Conf)             5

  1. Friendly Casualties sustained

                        KIA                              1

                        WIA                             5

                        Non-Hostile Deaths   0

                        DOW                           0

                        NBC                          98

                        MIA                              5*

  1. New Techniques Employed
  2. Technique #1: Mounting .50 caliber machinegun in Observation Towers.

Comment:  The Battalion mounted .50 caliber machineguns on platforms in the towers at C-2.  This gives the FO’s, in the towers, the capability of directing immediate, accurate automatic weapons fire on enemy sighting out to a range of 2000 meters.  The fires of the .50 caliber machinegun effectively fill the period between the sighting and the time that a mortar or artillery mission begins to fall on the target area.

  1. Equipment.  The following is a report of major items of equipment readiness.
  2. Major and items previously evacuated to higher echelon that have not been returned.

(1)               Motor Transport

Mighty Mites M-422A1                         11

(2)               Communications

Radio sets AN/PRC-25                            9

Radio Sets AN/PRC-47                           2

Radio control groups AN/GRA-39    2

Radar Sets AN/TPS-21                           2

  1.          Battle losses not replaced

(1)               Communications

Radio Sets AN/PRC-25                         14

  1. Logistics.  During the reporting period, the Battalion Supply remained at Dong Ha.  Supply support was received from FLSU at Dong Ha with an averaged of 37,000 pounds of supplies being transported daily via truck convoy to the Battalion’s LSA at C-2.  Fifteen days of Class I and Class V were maintained at C-2.  Other classes of supplies were ordered as required.  ‘A’ rations were drawn from the ration dump at Dong Ha and transported to C-2 where hot meals were prepared daily for breakfast and dinner at a central galley.  The food was placed in vacuum cans at the galley and transported to individual Company mess halls.  Use of Company mess halls ensured that there was no unnecessary congestion of personnel.  MCIs were distributed for the third daily meal.

Throughout the month, the 9th Motor Transport Battalion provided 4 trucks on a TAD basis.  These trucks were utilized for the daily resupply runs between Dong Ha and C-2, water resupply runs between C-2 and the C-3 Bridge water point, and various other ‘household’ runs.  Organic motor transport was utilized for shuttling supplies within the Battalion positions.  Organic motor transport capability, however, was hindered with the shortage in M-422Al trucks (Two dead lined to 3rd echelon maintenance, 7 evacuated to 3rd FSR and two Code X’s).

  1. Civil Affairs

            There were no civil affairs activities conducted during this reporting period.

  1. Psychological Warfare

The Battalion employed a loudspeaker/tape recorder system on the perimeter for a two-day period.  The tapes used were designed for the TET season, appealing to the NVA/VC to return to their families.  Another loudspeaker/tape recorder system has been requested.

During this reporting period, one leaflet drop was made in the western TAOR.  The majority of leaflets were Chieu Hoi passes.  A second leaflet drop has been requested.

  1. Personnel and Administration.  During the reporting period the administrative section was located at Dong Ha.  At the close of the reporting period each rifle company was averaging 1 man above manning level and 15 men in a non-effective status.  The Battalion is presently 1 Officer over M/L in the 0302 MOS and has a critical shortage in the 0402 MOS.

Personnel losses and gains during the reporting period:

                                                           USMC                                    USN

                                                         Off/Enl                                 Off/Enl

            Battle                             0/4 (1 KIA, 3 MIA)               0/1 (MIA)

            Non-Battle                  0/0                                            0/0

            Admin                           2/64                                          0/4

                                    Total      2/68                                          0/5

                        Gains                 5/97                                           0/1

            The following awards were presented during the reporting period:

                        Bronze Star Medal                                1

                        Navy Commendation Medal             1

                        Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry        7

                        Purple Heart Medals                            6

The number of disciplinary cases acted upon or pending action is as follows:

                        Courts-Martial

                                    Completed – None

                                    Pending – None

                        Non-Judicial Punishment

                                    Battalion Commander – 3

                                    Company Commander – 6

Morale continues to be high.  During the month, the Battalion received and utilized the following quotas for out-of-Country R&R:  Hawaii-20, Bankok-15, Hong Kong-11, Taipei-11, Sydney-9, Tokyo-6, Okinawa-4, Manila-3, Penang-3, Singapore-3, and Kuala Lumpur-2.  Twenty Marines went to China Beach Da Nang for the In-Country R&R program.  Another major factor contributing to the high morale is the excellent quality of food being served.  Hot meals for breakfast and dinner are being served daily to the Marines at both the C-2 and C-2 Bridge sites.  PX facilities are adequate and postal services continue to be satisfactory.

Religious services were held in the C-2 position with solemn regularity and the attendance at these services was commendable. It is considered that Roman Catholic and Protestant coverage was complete.  Jewish personnel were afforded the opportunity for religious services in Dong Ha.

  1. Intelligence
  2.          Enemy

(1)               The enemy avoided making large-scale contacts with units in the AOR during the reporting period.  Enemy activity consisted mainly of nighttime, probes and small-scale ambushes along Route #561.  It is known that large NVA units exist in the western AOR, but these units did not attempt to make contact with the Battalion’s patrols.  NVA elements in the area are believed to have recently come from the north and are well equipped with weapons, ammunition and equipment.

(2)               C-2/C-2 Bridge received very little incoming during the period.  At various times, mortars were reported, but none impacted within the perimeter.  The C-2 position received 5 rounds of artillery fire on 27 January.

(3)               Many enemy foxholes, bunkers and trench lines have been found throughout the area.  Much of the area appeared to be recently used due to the equipment and ammunition found.  Five enemy bodies were found in destroyed bunkers in the area.

  1. Terrain

(1)               Terrain in the operating area consists of low rolling hills covered with waist high brush.  Thick canopy is scattered throughout the AOR and often impedes movement.  The northwestern portion of the AOR contains uncultivated rice paddies.  That section is open with scattered hedgerows.  Along Route #561, numerous gullies exist that could offer the enemy concealment in approaching the road.

(2)               Key terrain in the AOR consists of several hills that afford excellent observation of C-2/C-2 Bridge.  On the east, Hills 29 and 42; on the west, Hills 94, 48 and 50 offers clear field of fire, positions and of movement throughout the AOR.

  1. Weather

(1)               Weather during January was excellent with little rain and temperatures ranging in the mid-70.  Visibility was generally excellent and during the full moon phase night observation was good.

d         Enemy Equipment Destroyed or Captured

                        Bunkers                                       22

                        Fighting Holes                          9

                        Anti-Tank Mines                      2

                        RPG rounds                                  9

                        60mm Rounds                            9

                        82 Rounds                                     10

                        ChiCom Grenades                       4

                        Clips AK-47 Ammunition      20

                        Misc 782 Gear

  1. Medical and Dental
  2. Then total number of visits to the Battalion Aid Stations during the month of January was 542.
  3.          Prevalent medical entities encountered were:

                        Gonorrhea                               9            Tinauitus                                       11

                        Diarrhea                                  17            Dermatological Conditions   163

                        Malaria                                     2            Cellulites                                        23

                        Upper Respiratory Inf       28            Fever of Unknown Origin        4

                        Tonsillitis                                11            Insects Bites                                  2

                        Conjunctivitis                        20

  1. All suspected and confirmed cases of VD were given a Serological Test for Syphilis in accordance with NAVMED 22-18 and the results entered in the individual’s Health Record.

Of those referred to Medical Battalions, the following were consults:

                                    Dental             18                    Orthopedic     2

                                    Medical         13                    Blood work    17

                                    Urological      2

Patient in need of further care were referred from the Medical Battalions to the following medical facilities:

                                    NSA, Da Nang                              3

22nd Casualty Staging Facility    9

                                    USS Repose (AH-16)                1

  1. Weekly Malaria prophylaxis was continued through the use of Chlorequine Primaquine Tablets.
  2. Sanitation inspections were held weekly in the Battalion area in accordance with DivO P6000.4D.  At the present, sanitary facilities are considered adequate.
  3. Three Battalion Aid Stations are presently being maintained.  A Forward Battalion Aid Station consisting of a Battalion Surgeon and fifteen Hospital Corpsmen in located at C-2, a Supplementary Battalion Aid Station consisting of five Hospital Corpsmen is located at the C-2 Bridge position, and a Rear Battalion Aid Station consisting of seven Hospital Corpsmen is located at Dong Ha.  All injuries and maladies encountered were treated by the line Company Corpsmen, and if needed, sent to one of the Battalion Aid Stations for further treatment and evacuation.  No serious delays were encountered in resupply or med-evac during this period.
  4. Air Support
  5.          Fixed Wing

(1)               No fixed wing aircraft were controlled by the 1st Battalion 4th Marines.  One air strike was run in the AOR at YD 121656.  It was AO controlled with a BDA of 1 Bunker destroyed and 1 KIA.

  1. Med-evacs

Routine (average of 60 minutes each)            4

Priority (average of 48 minutes each)             8

Emergency (average of 25 minutes each)      4

  1.           Air Observers

(1)        On 20 occasions, AO’s performed visual reconnaissance in the AOR calling and controlling artillery on targets sighted.

  1. Troop Lifts

(1)        The Battalion controlled an incoming Battalion size troop lift of 2/4 personnel for 3 hours before the 2/4 HST took over.  The Battalion also controlled one outgoing troop lift of 45 men, one trailer, 2 81’s and a number of .50 caliber machineguns from 3/12.  The outgoing troop lift took 1½ hours and a portion of the lift was run at night.

  1. Resupply

(1)       Resupply by air was unnecessary due to availability of truck resupply.

  1. TPQ’s

Requested      44

Run                  18

  1. C&C

(1)               C&C helicopters were used once during the month for a visual reconnaissance of the 1/4 AOR.  In addition, the Battalion Commander and the S-3 conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the 1/4 AOR in a Marine 01-G.

  1. Due to the Battalion’s relatively stationary position, air was not extensively used.  No air resupply was necessary and fixed wing were not employed.  The Battalion made extensive use of air observers, however, for reconnaissance of the AOR and bunker complexes on which AO’s controlled arty and mortars.
  2. Fire Support
  3. Throughout the month of January, the FO teams of 1st Battalion 4th Marines manned two FO towers at C-2 and two at C-2 Bridge.  Three men from each of the line companies were trained in FO procedures to assist in standing ‘tower watch’.
  4. Adefensive fire support plan for C-2 and C-2 Bridge was developed by FSCC.  It consisted of a number of separate plans, including counter mortar, counter rocket and counter artillery plans; night defensive fire plans for artillery and 81mm mortars and a fire support plan for the counterattack plan.
  5. A number of fires were brought to bear on intelligence targets and Counter Battery/Counter Mortar Targets.  The following missions were fired in support of the Battalion during the reporting period:

                        H&I’s                                              504

                        Observed Fires                            151

                        Unobserved                                  7

                        Counter Battery/Mortar          18

                        Illumination                                 3

  1. Communications.
  2. During this reporting period, wire communications were extensively utilized and continually improved.  Three pairs of armored cables were buried between C-2 and C-3.  However, a problem arose in that moisture seeping into the cable caused excessive cross talk between two wire pairs in the same cable.  This problem was eliminated by limiting usage to one wire pair in each cable.
  3. The Battalion had approximately eleven days of down time on the radio relay between C-2 and Dong Ha.  Due to lack of back-up receiver/transmitter units, the equipment had to be sent to FLSG-B for repair.
  4. The Battalion initiated a Frost-Call system, which gives the capability of immediately contacting a specific subscriber or holding a conference with a number of subscribers to coordinate defensive activities during incoming or a ground attack.
  5. During the month, the Battalion continued efforts to repair the KY-8’s.  Utilization of different X-mode cables, frequencies and radios was attempted with negative results.  The units were checked by 9th Marines KY-8 technicians who were unable to determine the trouble.
  6. A weekly inspection of all communications equipment was made to ensure serviceability, operation and preventive maintenance.
  7.           Message totals for the month were:

                                                                  Classified     Unclassified

                                    Incoming                    463                 43

                                    Outgoing                          7                 32

                                    Circuit                               0                    0

                        Major end items evacuated to higher echelon and returned:

                                    Radio Vehicle AN/MRC-7                           1

                                    Radio Vehicle AN/MRC-83                         1

                                    Radio Control Groups AN/GRA-39         4

                                    Radio Sets AN/PRC-25                                5

                                    Radar Set AN/PPS-5                                     1

                                    Radar Set AN/PPS-6                                    1

                        Major items repaired locally:

                                    Radio Sets AN/PRC-25                         11

                                    Handset H-189                                          1

                                    Handsets H-138                                      15

                                    Telephone TA-312                                    1

                                    Telephone TA-1                                        2

                                    Telephone EE-8                                       11

                                    Operators pack PT-990                          1

This page last corrected 31 August 2011