Operations
2 July
At 2300H, Co. D LP observed 4 NVA carrying 3 weapons. LP utilized Starlight Scope for observation. Fired M-16, 60 rounds of 60mm mortar and 40 rounds of 81mm mortar on enemy. Fired arty, 60mm and 81mm mortars on both sides of river.
5 July
At 0440H, Co. B at LZ Mike, received seven rounds friendly 105mm arty, 75-200 meters outside perimeter. At 0416H, this unit gave negative clearance on following H&I’s: 948419, 943418 and 946416. requested corrective action be taken.
At 1710H, while adjusting mission, Co. B took one round of 81mm mortar. Round was faulty short round. Called for check fire. One WIA evac (eventually DOW).
6 July
All 1/4 units located at LZ Stud.
11 July
At 1010H, 1/4 began helo lift to LZ PEKING in accordance with 1/4 Operation Plan 6-68. Lift completed approximately 1100H. At 1045H, a helo was shot down by .50 cal fire. Four M-16’s, one M-60, one M-79 were destroyed. Also lost two .50 cal that belonged to helo. Other helos returned before an arty mission was fired with good target coverage. Negative 1/4 casualties.
At 1615H, Co. C, while on sweep of Shanghai area, observed 5 NVA dashing into tree line at 952462. Two of them had weapons and the other did not. Co. C found 15 bunkers which extended all around Shanghai area. Snipers took NVA under fire. Also called in arty on NVA and bunkers with good target coverage. Results unknown.
At 1645H, Supply helos dropping in LZ Peking received a/w fire from 937479. Called arty mission with negative results.
At 1800H, At LZ Peking, found approximately 150 rounds of 12.5 ammo can with white star on side and three anti-aircraft weapons positions. Gear forwarded to 4th Marines S-2.
At 2100H, Co. D LP at 940477, received approximately ten rounds of 82mm mortar. LP was withdrawn. Fired 81mm mortar mission on enemy position at 945485. One USMC KIA and USMC WIA evac.
12 July
At 0900H, Co. A found possible rocket site at 946473. Discovered two rows of holes, approximately 25 holes each. Each hole was approximately 1’x2’x6’. Two stakes were on right hand side of holes, lined up on 100-degree azimuth. Pulled up stakes and burned them. Filled in holes.
At 0930H, Co. C at 949479, received AK-47 sniper fire from 947478. Fired 81mm mortar mission and M-79 with good target coverage. One USMC WIA evac.
At 1200H, Co. B found five graves at 935475. All bodies were badly deteriorated. Appeared to have been wearing green utilities. Searched surrounding area and returned to perimeter. Bodies were later rechecked by S-2 and determined to be very recent. Five NVA KIA.
At 1530H, Co. C found one mortar pit and 16 bunkers at 952478. Bunkers were ‘A’ framed and were oriented to SW. Also found ladder which may have been an CP. Destroyed bunkers.
At 1700H, Co. A at 952474, found 100 bunkers 4’x5’. These were constructed with logs 4” to 5” in diameter. Found 15 bunkers 12’x3’. Logs used for these bunkers were 6” to 8” in diameter. Bunkers were not recently used. Destroyed bunkers.
At 1935H, Co. A Platoon at 954473 found 17 bunkers, five 82mm mortar rounds, six fuses, eight cans (700 rounds) of .50 cal ammo without links, 16 increments with silk cover Czech label, two packs of probable increments with Czech label, fuses and shells with shotgun igniter. Blew bunkers and returned captured gear to S-2.
13 July
At 1315H, Co. C observed two NVA in open at 93484. Also found three bunkers in good condition although apparently old. Bunkers were at 945483. Fired 81mm mortar mission on enemy with unknown results.
At 1420H, Co. B moved out from 935475, headed NW then turned slightly south on heavily used trail running NW. Proceeded to guide on trail for 40 meters. Point element was hit by command detonated mine. Pulled back 50 meters, set up 360 degree and sent element back up to pick up KIA and WIA. When approaching area, element received s/a, chicom grenades, .50 cal fire and one more command detonated mine. Sent additional personnel into area to look for MIA. Called in arty and 81mm missions. Returned to 942476 for med-evac. Received 16 rounds 82mm mortar and .50 cal fire while evacuating casualties. One KIA BNR, one MIA, 8 WIA evac.
At 1845H, 1/4 received one round 105mm Howitzer which landed outside perimeter at 953476 and came from 1500 mils. Conducted investigation of incident. Two USMC WIA.
At 1850H, Co. C while moving to 948481, found NVA 60mm mortar ammo boxes that were empty. Also found one NVA claymore. Searched area and destroyed gear.
14 July
At 0445H, Co. D received one incoming chicom grenade at o430H. Returned one M-26 grenade and observed one figure near lines. Threw another M-26 grenade with negative results.
At 1245H, while attempting to retrieve their KIA lost on 13 July and MIA, Co. B received approximately 25 rounds of 82mm mortar from 938483. Fired arty and 81mm missions on above enemy position as well as suspected enemy FO positions. Co. B withdrew in order to med-evac casualties. Ten WIA evac, 4 WIA non-evac and one NBC evac. Co. B, CO Lt Delino among evacs.
At 1900H, Co. A at 936475 while on patrol to recover Co. B KIA and MIA by means of alternate route, ran into four command detonated mines. The mines were off to the south side of trail when they exploded. Fired arty and 81mm mortar mission. Co A returned to LZ Peking in order to evac casualties. Four KIA, 6 WIA evac. Co. A CO Capt H. O. Banks among KIA.
15 July
At 0800H, Co. C patrol found one 60mm mortar position at 930483. Position was facing SE. At 953482 found three destroyed bunkers and two trench lines facing east and west. Checked area thoroughly with negative further findings.
At 0910H, Troop lift of 1/4 to LZ Stud commenced. Lift was completed at 1230H.
19 July
At 0530H, Point man on Co. C patrol, which was still inside perimeter at 001482, tripped booby trap. Trap was a M-26 grenade inside apricot can with trip wire leading from it. Pin on M-26 was pinched straight. Investigation was initiated. SIR followed. One USMC emergency med-evac WIA.
23 July
At 1115H, Co. C LP on Signal Hill observed three NVA at 951476. Fired arty firecracker mission of 16 rounds with good target coverage. Also fired arty mission using HE. Results unknown.
At 1802H, Co. C FO on Signal Hill observed 6-10 NVA in open at 935466. Fired arty mission on enemy of three battery, three fires for effect and one battery 2 zone and shift. Excellent target coverage. Results unknown.
25 July
At 0930H, Alfa Command Group departed for field.
At 1130H, Bravo Command Group departed for field.
At 1340H, Co. B observed 4-6 NVA received AK-47 fire, RPG, 60mm and 82mm mortar rounds. Returned small arms, auto weapons and 60mm mortar. Also fired arty mission. Two USMC WIA and two USMC KIA.
Between 1500H and 1530H Co. B observed 4-5 NVA and received small arms fire. Co. B returned s/a fire, ran air strikes and fired arty mission. Five USMC KIA.
At 2350H, while seating 81mm base plate, booby trapped anti-tank mine exploded, resulting in damage to 2 tubes. One USMC KIA, 4 USMC WIA.
26 July
At 1005H, Co. C observed one bunker at 937465. Bunker was 4’x6’ and was constructed of sticks, logs and grass and faces west. Searched bunker and found freshly eaten fruit appearing to be one day old. Marked position and returned later and destroyed.
At 1145H, Co. D found one bunker of type for use of a mortar, sighted at 210 degrees in a circle about 2’ deep. Trees in area provide negative observation from air. Searched area ******************* coverage.
At 1545H, Ground FAC controlled air strike from Obj #2 at 937480 which resulted in two small secondary explosions. Called for 8” arty mission in same area and additional air strikes.
At 2220H, Squad patrol found tunnel at 943467 with entrance 3-4’ wide. While attempting to check tunnel, security heard definite movement and sounds in vicinity of 943467. Fired small arms in area and received approximately six rounds in return. First squad pulled back and called in 60mm and 81mm mortar missions on enemy position. Reinforced patrol with two squads and returned to tunnel. Put CS in tunnel, approximately 12’ deep and opened into room 4’ wide and 10’ long. Negative findings in tunnel. Appeared recently used. Blew tunnel.
27 July
At 1017H, Mortar pits previously found by Co. D appeared to be booby trapped with two possible mortar fuse cans buried in ground with possible 82mm fuse rigged for either trip or pressure detonation, also found additional metal container. Threw M-26 grenade with a secondary explosion occurring. Destroyed remaining mortar pits and turned metal container over to S-2.
At 1400H, found one NVA bunker constructed of logs 4” and 6” in diameter. Bunker was approximately 3’x4’x5’ and oriented toward west. Also found an FO position which was approximately 20’ high and oriented to northeast. Also found one anti-tank mine in trail with pressure type detonator. Destroyed bunker, mine and FO position.
28 July
Co. B Patrol found MIA and KIA BNR from action on 14 July buried in bomb crater at 939474. No weapons in area. Brought bodies back for evacuation. Changed MIA to KIA status.
At 1130H, Found .50 cal and mortar position at 937477. .50 cal had direct line of sight to top of Hill 715. Found empty .50 cal ammo boxes and shell casings. Both the .50 cal and mortar positions had sustained direct hits by arty. Destroyed the positions.
29 July
At 0810, Co. D observed two NVA at 936473. NVA were wearing bush covers, dark uniforms, both were carrying weapons and traveling in SE direction. Fired 60mm mission on enemy with good target coverage.
At ****H, Co C found possible mortar pits or machine gun pits and bunker at 928477. Pit was 5’ in diameter with dirt parapet 2’ to 3’ high. Bunker was reinforced with dirt and logs 3” and 4” in diameter. Bunker was oriented NW with 2’x2’ openings. Approximately nine days old. Destroyed bunker.
At 1103H, Co. C found enemy comm. wire. Appeared to be running to 1/4 Obj ‘C’ along base of a ridge and approximately every 100 meters was tied around a tree as a possible relay station. Cut wire and brought samples to S-2.
At 1200H, Co. B at 951475 found 150 82mm mortar rounds and 60 60mm mortar rounds. Blew rounds. Staged 1000 pounds of rice and miscellaneous gear at 1/4 position for evac. Blew 8 bunkers, one CS TNT, 46 chicom grenades and 20 Chinese claymores.
30 July
At 0750H, Co. A found 4 anti-personnel mines inside bunker at 936477. Also found three other bunkers. Mines were not set. Bunkers were L-shaped, 4’ deep and 4’ wide and reinforced with dirt and bamboo and three layers of logs from 4’6” in diameter. Engineers utilized mines to blow bunkers.
At 0945H, Co. C at 937483 found enemy trail 3-4’ wide and well cleared. Trail ran in NW to SE direction, was old and heavily used in past. No recent use apparent.
At 0947H, Co. C at 932474, found water point in a valley around a stream. Water point had thatched roof with a dug-out water pit under shelter. Pit was round with bamboo top, cut in sections and tied together. NVA helmet liner was used to catch the water. Negative action taken.
At 0952H, Co. C while in process of destroying one bunker 933473 discovered earlier in day, found one roll of film approximately 20’ long and exposed. Returned film to S-2.
At 1315H, Co. B discovered arms cache at 931475. Dug up cache and discovered 42 rounds of RPG – 6 with fuses and 36 without, 100 rounds .50 cal ammo, 79 rounds 82mm with fuses and increments, 11 rounds 75mm RR, 2 CS TNT and five 20-pound mines. Attempted to lift cache out.
At 1400H, Co. D discovered Bn size operation base at 920472. Found 29 living bunkers, 12 mess areas, three heads (flush type) and estimated 2000 pounds of rice, 25 pounds salt, one .50 cal barrel, 200 rounds .50 cal ammo, one AK-47 magazine, one M-60-barrel, operating rods and cleaning gear. Also, two helmets with markings of crossed swords, with numbers 53 or 54. Also found one anti-aircraft sighting device, one letter type document and mess gear. Blew and burned bunkers and helo lifted rice and captured gear out.
At 1530H, Co. C patrol found three bunkers 4’x3’x3’ reinforced with logs. Bunkers were oriented to SW and west. One bunker appeared to be .50 cal position and was oriented toward east. Found 550 rounds .50 cal ammo, also found well used trail 4’ wide and headed west. Direction found OP in tree 40-45’ high with good observation to the east. Destroyed bunker and OP. Brought back .50 cal ammo.
31 July
At 1015H, Bravo Command Group and Co. D returned to LZ Stud.
At 0900H, Co. B found arms cache at 931475. Cache included 12 carbines, 86 82mm rounds with fuses, eight 60mm rounds, six RPG rounds, three with fuses, three anti-tank mines, twenty-two 75mm RR rounds, two hundred .50 cal rounds, three boxes AK-47 rounds and one case TNT. Brought gear to 1/4 position for evac.
At 1300H, Co. A found bunker complex of 28 bunkers. Five bunkers were 10’x5’x4’ deep, 23 were 6’x5’x4’ deep. Bunkers were reinforced with four layers of logs. Also found OP in tree appear ***** high. Also found 25 graves. Dug up graves and found 25 bodies. Destroyed bunker and OP tower.
Casualties inflicted on the enemy
NVA/KIA (confirmed) – 35
NVA/POW – 0
Friendly Casualties sustained
KIA – 12
WIA – 44
Non-Hostile Deaths – 1
DOW – 3
NBC – 121
MIA – 0
This page last corrected 31 August 2011