Operations
2 August
Co. C patrol found 75-100 bunkers and 4,000 pounds of rice at XD 923483. Two of the bunkers were apparently for surgical purposes, bunkers being 20’x12’x6’ high. Found surgical supplies, weapons and ammo in bunkers. Destroyed 2,000 pounds of rice, destroyed 19 bunkers with demo and 15 by hand. Brought back 1 SKS and 2 RPG’s. Medical gear captured as follows: 9 bottles 250cc NPC, 9 bottles human plasma, 5 pounds salt, 1 pound Ephedrine, 2 bottles iodine, 1 bottle charcoal, 3 bottles APC, 3 bottles glucose, 6 bottles ether, 80 bottles serptemyein, 100 vials vitamin C, 80 vials penicillin, 10 vials chloroform, 2 bottles serumaldumin, 2 bottles sulphur, 2 bottles Novocain, 2 bottles ASP, 4 rolls tape, 120 rolls bandages, 40 grams morphine, 1 first aid kit, 1 breathing apparatus, 1 tooth brush kit and 30 1cc vials of nadranal.
At 1400H, Co. D chopped OPCON, 2/4.
3 August
At 0800H, Co. C found five graves at XD 923483 which were filled, 7 graves which were unfilled. One body had white gloves and two bodies were wearing belts with silver buckles. Brought gear back to S-2.
At 1530H, Co C patrol found 31 bunkers at XD 923480. Also found were 1 chainsaw, 6 Chinese burp guns, 115-110 pounds bags of rice. Helo-lifted gear out.
At 1545H, Co C patrol found 24 bunkers, 4 cooking areas, 3 heads, 2 food storage areas. Destroyed only 7 bunkers due to lack of time. Stored ammo, picked up next morning. Gear found included 500lbs of rice, 3 canteen covers, 4 entrenching tools, 1 smoking pipe, 5 pick heads, 1 helmet, 1 tennis shoe, 1 Ho Chi Minh sandal, 1 canteen, 1 US entrenching tool, 1 gas mask, 1 gas mask container, 1 gas mask hose, 3 anti-personnel mines, 30-60mm mortar rounds, 843 .50 cal rounds, 36-60mm primers, 18-82mm fuses and 58 AK-47 rounds.
5 August
At 1200H, Co B, 1/4 chopped to 2/4.
6 August
At 1300H, Co D, 1/4 chopped to 1/4.
7 August
At 1300H, Co A, C and D and Command Group departed Vandegrift Combat Base by helo for operations in accordance with 4th Marines order.
8 August
At 0940H, Co C, while clearing area for washing point at XD 901479, discovered 1 set of small foot prints which led from the stream upside of hill.
At 1115H, Co C found 2 rocket sites and 3 bunkers at XD 910477. Rocket positions were 10′ in diameter and 3′ deep with small amount of dirt in middle. Rocket sites and bunkers appeared to have been used recently. Also found 2 boxes of anti-aircraft rounds and 2 shovels. Destroyed bunkers and rocket sites. Brought rounds back to CP.
At 1540H, Co A, while firing arty mission in XD 895473 on confirmed bunker site, observed one secondary explosion.
9 August
At 0915H, Co A called air strike and arty missions at 894463 and observed secondary explosion. Co A searched area and found 10 bunkers on trail. Bunkers were reinforced with dirt and logs. Bunkers were 3’x3’x3′ and were not recently used. Destroyed bunkers.
10 August
At 0515H, Co A while firing prep fire at XD 68858643, observed 2 secondary explosions.
At 0915H, Co A found 3 bunkers at XD 893458. Bunkers were 4’x5’x10′ and reinforced with logs and dirt. Also found 2 mess halls, one was 8’x8’x6′. Mess hall could seat 12 and has 2 ovens in it. Other mess hall was 4’x5’x6′. Area had not been recently used. Destroyed bunkers and mess halls. Found 25′ of comm wire, 1 poncho, 2 canteens, 2 entrenching tools w/covers, 1 breathing device for US gas mask and 1 Chinese claymore. Returned gear to S-2.
At 1330H, Co A found 40 bunkers at XD 893458. Bunkers were 6’x4’x51/2′ on north side of hill. Bunkers were reinforced with logs and dirt. Found apparent BAS bunker with blood-stained stretcher. Found apparent comm bunker with rotten battery (NVA type) and a bamboo antenna with wire wrapped around it. Found 4 mess hall ovens, 1 head, 1 NVA gas mask, 2 entrenching tools and 200 rounds .50 cal ammo.
At 2100H, Co A while firing arty mission at XD 885469, observed 5 secondary explosions that appeared to be demo or mortar rounds.
12 August
At 0715H, Co. D, after disarming friendly claymore and bringing it back to perimeter, an explosive device went off about 6-7 seconds after claymore was picked up. Incident resulted in 1 WIA routine med-evac.
At 0900H, Co. C found one 82mm pit with principal direction of 5400 mils. Pit located at XD 925485. Pit was 3’x5 ½’ with connecting ammo and living bunkers. Also found living bunkers 5’x3’x4’ constructed with logs and dirt. Found uncompleted bunkers approximately five days old. Destroyed bunkers by hand.
At 1130H, Co. C observed one NVA at XD 923483. Took NVA under fire, killing him. Captured gear included one AK-47, two NVA packs, one pair field glasses, two NVA hammocks, one officer belt, two ChiCom grenades, two ChiCom smoke, two NVA ponchos, one pair utilities, one pair sandals and one pair US crimpers.
16 August
At 0900H, Co. A commenced helo lift to Vandegrift CB.
At 1000H, Co. C commenced helo lift to Vandegrift CB.
19 August
At 2045H, recon outfit was being chased by 15-20 NVA contacted at XD 959542. Recon outfit contacted D/1/4 and requested 40mm support. When the outfit was in sight of OP BEN, approximately 500 meters away, the dusters opened up approximately 125 meters behind the friendlies. This pinned down the NVA so that the recon unit could get inside the perimeter. Called in arty mission and fired 60mm mortars and M-79 rounds. Two reinforced squads were alerted to help the recon unit if trouble developed. Negative casualties or results.
21 August
At 0305H, Co. B spotted five NVA at XD 986483 and received 15 rounds of incoming mortar at same time with 50-70 rounds S/A and A/W fire. Returned fire with S/A, 60mm and 81mm mortars, dusters and arty. Negative results or casualties.
22 August
At 0050H, Co C challenged unknown person inside perimeter in front of lines. Person did not answer. 2 rounds were fired over his head, still no answer. Fired 10 rounds M-16 at person, person was believed to have said ‘Chi-Hoi’. Threw M-26 grenade at person; person dropped, moaned and laid still. Search of area revealed 1 KIA VC/NVA female type.
At 1030H, Co’s E and H 2/9 chopped to 1/4.
At 2000H, Co E and H 2/9 chopped from 1/4 to 2/9.
23 August
At 0500H, Co D, 1/4 chopped OPCON to 2/9. At 1030H, 1/4 (-) helo-lifted to XD 898347 for operations. At 1300H, while searching vicinity of XD 889347, Co B found 10 82mm mortar rounds with fuses and 50 rounds on ammo belt for AK-47. Destroyed all ammo.
At 1620H, while checking area Co C found US and NVA gear in vicinity of XD 888352. Gear consisted of 1 set US bipods, Ser No. G-59336, 1/4 lb TNT and 1 assault pack for NVA machine gun.
24 August
At 0705H, Co C spotted 1 NVA carrying ChiCom grease gun in vicinity of XD 891351. Fired S/A and 60mm mortar mission. Results unknown.
At 1420H, Co C found trail leading to possible 82mm position. Position was cleared, was 8’x10′ and appeared to be 1 month old. In center of clearing, 82mm mortar had been set in 2 principal directions of fire, 130 degrees and 320 degrees. Also found was 1 fighting bunker 2’x2’x3′. Bunker appeared to be approx 3 months old with fresh tracks on trail approx 2 days old. Destroyed positions.
25 August
At 1200H, Co C received S/A and A/W fire while attempting to check out objective grid XD 883358. Pulled back squad and called air strike, arty mission, 60mm mortar, S/A and M-79 fire. 1 USMC KIA and 4 WIA. 2 NVA KIA.
At 1420H, at XD 883345, Co B found 2 RPG rounds, literature, 2 82mm rounds, various articles of clothing, 1 SKS rifle and ambush holes. Destroyed holes and returned gear to S-2.
At 1730H, Co C after breaking contact went to check out area at XD 883358 found 5 fighting holes on a trail leading in a 3800 mils direction into the low ground. Found 1 bunker with roof blown off and one more trail.
26 August
At 0700H, Co. C spotted one NVA in open at XD 882352 moving from tree line in tall grass. Fired 60mm and 81mm mortar missions. Sent patrol to checkout area with negative findings.
At 0930H, Co. C spotted five NVA in open at XD 882352. Fired 60mm and 81mm mortar missions with negative results.
At 1200H, Co. A found one NVA body at XD 881362 with multiple shrapnel wounds on head and body. Also found two ChiCom grenades, 30 AK-47 rounds linked and expended and .50 cal ammo. Buried body and destroyed ammo.
At 1300H, Co. D was helo-lifted to Hill 715 (XD 942476).
At 1630H, Co. C heard tubing and rounds impacted at 400 meters to front. These were followed by two RPG’s and two RR rounds from grids 887346, 878348, 888357, 875353, 878356 and 880355. Observed small group of 3-5 NVA and fired counter mortar 60mm, 106 RR beehive rounds, 105mm and 155mm arty, Huey gunships and fixed wing strikes. Also engaged in small arms. Action resulted in four USMC and 9 NVA KIA.
At 1830H, Co. A helo-lifted to Vandegrift CB.
At 1930H, Co. C helo-lifted to Vandegrift CB.
29 August
At 0028H, spotted 4 white lights size of flashlight type. Lights were stationary at XD 993416 on Hill 400. Called 81mm mortar mission, lights went out.
At 1015H, Co. C patrol found 10 unfinished bunkers and 15 finished ones constructed with logs and dirt with dimensions of 4’x3’x5’. Appeared to not have been used recently. Destroyed bunkers.
At 1200H, Co. I/3/9 chopped OPCON to 1/4
At 1330H, Co. B and Bravo Cmd Grp helo-lifted to XD 847476.
At 1600H, Co. B and Cmd Grp upon being helo-lifted into XD 854473, received approximately 50 rounds a/w fire from XD 853460. Helos returned fire, requested AO to check area. Fired 60mm mortar mission on probable enemy positions. AO directed fixed wing on grid XD 853460, resulting in 1 small secondary explosion. AO also reported three NVA KBA.
At 2000H, Co. B using starlight, spotted 3-2-man teams of NVA at XD 857477. Two teams were moving in a NS direction, the 3rd team was moving east to west. Fired M-16 on each team and observed one NVA from each team fall.
At 1530H, Co D patrol found 20 bunkers at XD 933472. Bunkers were living and fighting type, enforced with 1′ logs and dirt. Bunkers were about 4′ deep and could fit about 3 NVA each. Bunkers appeared to be approx 2 months old. Also found were 3 ChiCom grenades, claymores. Destroyed all bunkers and gear.
31 August
At 1430H, Co D patrol found base camp at XD 937468 which included 54 bunkers with A frame tops, 4′-6′ deep and 2′-10′ space inside. 20 hooches with thatched roofs and 4 mess halls were also found. Last occupation was approx 4 months ago. Searched area and destroyed AK-47 rounds, 60mm rounds and fuses, ChiCom claymores, 3 ChiCom grenades, 3 RPG’s, 4500 Chinese and Russian rounds (7.62) 1 magazine, 3 medicine vessels, diary and letter dated June ’68, possible Opium and hospital drugs and 6-60mm mortar rounds with fuses.
This page last corrected 30 August 2011