Operations
1 December
At 0825H, Battalion S-2 took coordination by intersection on a suspect enemy AAA site in Laos. Grid was XD 54495215. Observed fire and reported to Regiment.
At 0940H, BGen Garretson and Col Sexton arrived at FSB Argonne. They departed at 1015H.
2 Deember
At 0730H, 1st Plt, Co. A was helo-lifted to USS New Jersey for R&R.
At 1130H, while approaching Co. Kilo/3/4 position at Grid XD 765584 to land Engineers for Co. C and Co. D, a UH-34 helicopter was too low and had insufficient power to clear trees. Resulting crash injured crew members and passengers. Co. K personnel extracted injured from helicopter and med-evaced them. Conducted search of area for more personnel and supplies. Investigating team from 4th Marines arrived at approximately 1545H, salvaged reusable material and destroyed remains of helicopter. Co. K afterwards proceeded south toward new positions.
3 December
At 1050H, MajGen Davis, BGen Garretson and Columnist J. Alsop arrived at FSB Argonne. They departed at 1100H.
At 1130H, Co. Kilo/3/4 changed OPCON from 1/4 to 3/4. (Ref: CO 4th Marines 011111Z/Dec68 (S)
At 1145H, an FO from Co. B observed an AO receiving automatic fire. One NVA was observed in the vicinity. Called fire mission on NVA with good coverage of the target area. Results unknown.
At 2020H, Battalion S-2 on Fire Support Base Argonne observed possible AAA fire at a direction of 3600 mills. Time from flash to bang was 53 seconds. Attempted intersection. Observed and reported to Regiment.
4 December
At 1230H, Co. C found at Grid XD 772537, three living huts, 3’ by 5’, 100-82mm mortar rounds, 25 cans of fuses, 25 cans of increments and one cooking fire. Destroyed all gear in place.
At 1300H, Battalion S-2 observed AAA fire from Laos. Intersection was obtained placing it at Grid XD 62154728. Observed and reported to Regiment.
At 1400H, Battalion COC at FSB Argonne was closed and helo-lifted to FSB Alpine reopening there upon completion of helo-lift at 1420H.
At 1530H, 1st Plt, Co. A returned to FSB Alpine from USS New Jersey.
6 December
At 0900H, Co. D at grid XD 764566 found 4 bunkers approximately 1 month old and some fighting holes. Also found 2 old and rusty U.S. entrenching tools. Destroyed bunkers and E-tools and continued mission.
At 0915H, Co. D found at Grid XD 763565 1 Chi-com mine, 3 U.S. ponchos, 51 pounds of rice and 3 NVA entrenching tools. Destroyed gear and continued mission.
At 1430H, BGen Garretson and Col. Sexton and party arrived at FSB Alpine. They departed at 1500H.
7 December
At 1000H, leading elements of Co. C found at Grid XD 811575 a village which was believed to be an NVA Comm Center. Village was approximately 5-month-old, consisting of 1 living hut 8’ by 6’ with stove and approximately 30 sleeping areas. In village was found 1 roll of comm. Wire and 6 AK-47 magazines. Also 2 trails lead in a northeast direction and 1 trail lead south from village. Destroyed village and gear.
At 1400H, Co. C arrived at FSB Neville.
8 December
At 0835H, Co. D helo-lifted to TSL (Rockpile). Lift was completed at 0910H and at same DTG Co. D changed OPCON to 3/4. (Ref: CO 4th Mar 072040 Z/Dec 68) (S)
At 1345H, a Co. B patrol at Grid XD 668573 found burned NVA utilities, 1 magazine pouch and fresh footprints approximately one day old. Also found one dead NVA approximately 10 days old at Grid XD 668578.
At 1400H, Btry Golf/3/12 advance party arrived at FSB Neville.
9 December
At 1700H, a Co. B patrol at Grid XD 677580 found 10 sleeping huts approximately one month old. Also, fresh tracks of 3-4 NVA approximately 24 hours old with water buffalo tracks and manure.
10 December
At 0855H, Btry India (-)/3/12, Btry Whiskey (-)/3/12, Co. H&S (-) and Bravo Command Groups helo-lifted commenced.
At 0910H, Btry India (-)/3/12 and Co. B helo-lifts were completed. FSB Gurkha opened.
At 1230H, a Co. C patrol at Grid XD 822581 found a village consisting of 10 living huts found one table, 5 fireplaces, 2 Chi-com grenades. Also found one trail leading North connecting with three others at an intersection. This intersection was a tree with the numbers ‘16’ and ‘9’ underneath it and also an arrow inscribed on the tree pointing to the village. Village appeared to be a month old. Destroyed village by hand.
At 1540H, helo-lift of Btry Whiskey (-)/3/12 to FSB Neville was completed. Helo-lift of Co. H&S (-) to FSB Alpine was completed. FSB Argonne closed.
At 1655H, helo-lift of Bravo Command Group to FSB Neville was completed.
12 December
At 1000H, a Co. C patrol at Grid XD 816579 found an NVA platoon size bivouac area approximately one month old. Also found two leanto’s, 8 fireplaces, one letter, one bottle of penicillin, one canister with small bamboo sticks, a knife with ‘B.A.M.’ carved in the handle and one plastic bag. Searched out area with negative results.
At 1020H, helo-lift of Btry T/1/11 (155mm) commenced.
At 1130H, Co. C patrol at Grid XD 817580 found a NVA Company size bivouac area approximately 2-3 weeks old. In area were 4 leanto’s, 12 AK magazines, assorted belts and buckles, 782 gear, assorted medicines, one letter and empty rice bags. Searched area with negative results.
At 1400H, helo-lift of Btry T was completed.
13 December
At 1130H, Col Sexton arrived at FSB Alpine. He departed at 1145H.
14 December
At 0900H, helo-lift of Btry Golf/3/12 from FSB Gurkha to FSB Fuller commenced.
At 1110H, helo-lift of Btry India (-)/3/12 from FSB Gurkha to Fuller commenced.
At 1205H, helo-lift of Btry India (-) completed. Helo-lift of Co. B from FSB Gurkha to VCB commenced.
At 1530H, helo-lift of Co. B to VCB completed. FSB Gurkha closed. Helo-lift of Btry G to FSB Neville completed. Helo-lift of Alpha Command Group, Co H&S (-) completed. CP at VCB opened.
At 1700H, helo-lift of Co. A FSB Alpine to VCB commenced and completed at 1735H.
At 1900H, 1/4 (-) dropped OPCON to Task Force Bravo. Co. C and Bravo Command Group dropped OPCON to 3/4. (Ref: CG 3rd MarDiv 141410Z/Dec68) (S)
15 December
At 1445H, Co. A and CP Group left VCB for Camp Carroll and arrived at 1550H.
At 1550H, Composite Company from Quang Tri chopped OPCON to 1/4 and designated Co. ‘Z’.
(Ref: CG 3rd MarDiv 150040Z/Dec68) (s)
At 1830H, Co. A, Co. Z and CP Group departed Camp Carroll for Cam Lo Village and arrived at 2100H. Cordon was as follows: Co. A from Grid XD 099576 to 099584, Co. Z from Grid XD 103567 to 099576, Co. B from Grid XD 103567 to 116572 with the CP located at Grid XD 095575.
16 December
At 0915H, Co. C (-), 3rd Tank Bn. Chopped OPCON to 1/4. (Ref: Task Force Bravo OpOrder 2-68 of 14 Dec68) (s)
At 1400H, Col Clark, CO of Task Force Bravo arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 1420H.
At 1500H, Co. D chopped OPCON from 3/4 to 1/4 (-). Departed by vehicle from TSL to 1/4 position. Composite Co. Z chopped from 1/4 to 3rd MarDiv. Co. D arrived at 1640H, and Co. Z departed for QTCB. (Ref: CG 3rd MarDiv 170140Z/dec68) (s)
17 December
At 1030H, Col. Clark, CO of Task Force Bravo arrived 1/4 position, he departed at 1045H.
At 1130H, helo-lift of Co. C (-) from FSB Neville commenced.
Bravo Command Group remained on Neville with the remaining platoon of Co. C. Lift completed at 1200H. (Ref: CG 3rd MarDiv 170516Z/Dec68) (s)
18 December
At 0845H, LtCol Chen, XO Task Force Bravo, arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 0920H.
At 1040H, Col Jobe arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 1055H.
At 1605H, Co. B had a truck traveling north received AK fire at Grid XD 119559. Three rounds hit the vehicle with no injuries. Two tanks with two fire teams each checked the area with negative results.
At 1610H, Co. A’s listening post spotted lights at Grid XD 103590. The lights were stationary, red in color, flashing two short and one long. Also observed one figure run into tree line, called tanks for high power lights, observed area with NOD’s and fired an 81mm mission with negative results.
At 2100H, Co. A spotted one man in black clothing at Grid XD 098577. When seen he jumped a fence and ran between two huts. Man did not have a weapon. Used high power lights to observe area with negative results.
19 December
At 0815H, Co. B spotted one NVA at Grid XD 105565 and called in an 81mm mission with negative results.
At 1400H, LtCol Delmonico, CO 2/3, arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 1430H.
At 1830H, Co. B CP #1 spotted a small explosion on outskirts of village which sounded like a M-26. A three-minute fire resulted in a hut. Citizens who had run away returned, reported to S-3, 1/4.
20 December
At 1215H, Col Clark, CO Task Force Bravo, arrived at the 1/4 position and departed 1218H.
At 1310H, A crater analysis of 81mm mortar that landed in village previous night was conducted by artillery liaison Officer, 2nd Lt M. Carter. Craters had been mutilated by indigenous personnel. No inner craters, fuse tunnels or splinter grooves were present making it impossible to analyze direction from which mortar rounds originated. When asked by interpreter local populace pointed in direction of 0500 mils (north) as direction mortars originated.
21 December
At 0800H, the breakup of cordon around Cam Lo Village commenced.
At 1000H, Co. C (-), 3rd Tank Bn chopped back to parent unit from 1/4 (-).
At 1000H, breakup of cordon complete. Co. A, C and D moving to assigned areas.
At 1100H, 3rd Plt, 1st Searchlight Btry chopped from 1/4 (-) to parent unit.
At 1220H, helo-lift of Co. B to Cua Viet commenced. Lift completed at 1245H, and Co. B chopped OPCON to 1st AmTrac Bn.
23 December
At 1050H, 1/4 (–) departs Cam Lo Village for Cua Viet.
At 1230H, Co. B chopped back to 1/4 (-) from 1st AmTrac Bn
At 1310H, 1/4 (-) arrives at Cua Viet.
24 December
At 0900H, Co. A (-) helo-lifted from Grid XD 342702 to FSB’s Russell and Mack.
At 0930H, 1/4 (-) departs Cua Viet for VCB.
At 1000H, Co. A (-) helo-lift to LZ Russell chopped OPCON to 3/4.
(Ref: CG 3rd MarDiv 260642Z/dec68) (s).
At 1315H, 1/4 (-) arrived at VCB.
28 December
At 0600H, Co. A chopped to 1/4.
At 1000H, Co. C helo-lift commenced, completed at 1100H.
At 1100H, Co. D lift commenced, at 1115H Command Group A lift commenced, lifts completed at 1150H.
At 1150H, Co. B lift commenced, completed at 1215H.
At 1515H, Co. B at Grid XD 879538 found a trail junction heading North, South, East and West. Nearby they found old bunker complex with recent signs of activity. Also found two 82mm rounds, two boxes .50 cal ammo and destroyed everything.
At 1515H, Co. C at Grid XD 842547 found trail heading in a Southwest direction leading to an estimated platoon size NVA bunker complex.
Found eight strong A-frame bunkers, 8’ by 4’, made of dirt and logs. Bunkers estimated to be less than one week old. Also found one piece of paper with writing resembling a formula and some frequencies. Also, four small buckets of rice, one destroyed NVA radio battery and a watering point were found. Bunkers were destroyed and Co. C continued to search out the area. At 1530H, Co. C at Grid XD 856 545 found three NVA ammo bunkers already destroyed, 6’ by 4’ made of dirt and logs approximately one year old. Also found eight 82mm rounds, 50 rounds 12.7mm ammo.
At 1540H, Co. H&S (-) at Grid 872535 found 300 rounds of 12.7mm ammo kept in old U.S. type ammo boxed. Ammo held at Co. H&S area.
At 2200H, Co. C reported LP had movement and heard shouting outside their lines.
29 December
At 0935H, BGen Garretson arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 1000H.
At 1130H, MajGen Davis arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 1145H.
At 1840H, Co. C at Grid XD 844558 found large NVA staging area and hospital made of logs and earth 10’ by 10’ by 6’. Also found mess hall of earth and logs 15’ by 10’ by 25’ with four stoves and living quarters in rear and one case of salt. Around the immediate area 15 fighting holes, 40 bunkers of logs and dirt 10’ by 8’ by 4’ and four living huts with bunkers underneath 4’ by 4’ by 6’. The following medical supplies were found: 100 battle dressings, 10 bottles of saline 250cc each, 100 injectable streptomycin 5cc ampoules each, 50 morphine sulphate ampoules 2cc each, 500 sulfonamides, 2000 pain relief tabs, 1000 anti-cathartic tabs, 100 methiolate bottles 250cc each, 10 bottles opium 5cc each, 25 bottles iodine crystals 100cc each, 10 I.V. tube, 1500 bottles quinine tabs with 3 tabs each bottle and 30 histamine hexifloride 2cc each ampoule. Also, in hospital found medical records and medical logs. Found one ammo bunker made of logs and dirt with 250-75mm RR rounds still in canisters, also 10-82mm rounds and 10 blocks NVA TNT, also found trails leading to the Northeast, East, West and North. One NVA grave was found with markings giving the name of the man, 27th Bn, 1 Sept 68. Area believed to be one year old and showed signs of use less than two month ago. Co. C continued to check area and trails are believed to lead to more complexes.
30 December
At 0830H, Co. D at Grid XD 873524 found one AK-47 magazine in a warm campfire, checked out area with negative results.
At 0940H, Co. C at Grid XD 845561 patrol found two NVA bunkers of logs and leaves 20’ by 10’. Bunkers believed to be 4-5 months old. Patrol found the following gear stacked inside a bunker, 300-82mm rounds, 10 cases .50 cal ammo, 3 cases 82mm mortar fuses and 30-60mm mortar rounds, patrol carried gear back to Co. C position.
At 0945H, Co. D at grid XD 871524 found two RPG rounds used medical supplies small tubes and bandages holding the RPG rounds.
At 1130H, Col Sexton arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 1159H.
At 1158H, Co. C found more gear in same area at 300945H, count on gear 5-122mm rockets, 2-122 rocket war heads, 500-82mm rounds, 100 RPG rounds, 42 cans .50 cal ammo, 25 cases 60mm ammo with fuses, 30 cans 82mm fuses, 120 rounds 81mm mortars, 14 boxes 7.62mm ammo, patrol is continuing search of area for more caches, working party taking gear to Company CP.
At 1310H, Co. D at Grid 865527 found two entrenching tools, six gas masks, eight masks’ canisters, three batteries, one NVA mine, one detonator, 50 AK rounds, one AK magazine, two goggles, five RPG rounds, one shot shell 82mm, one U.S. claymore mine, 133 assorted medical supplies, two helmets, two pouches, NVA earphones, two NVA AP mines, one can of cleaning fluid, classroom 15’x10’x4’. All equipment held at position.
At 1420H, Col Sexton arrived at the 1/4 position and departed at 1430H.
At 1435H, Lt. Gen Stilwell arrived at the 1/4 position with Maj Gen Troung and departed at 1450H.
At 1630H, Co. C at Grid XD 844367 found one enemy grave with markings 8 Sept 68. Also found fresh footprints in the area, searched out area with negative results.
31 December
At 1245H, Co. C at Grid XD 844556 found three bunkers near riverbed. Bunkers were under rocks, 6’x8’x10’ following gear was found net cover with various papers and a diary, various bottles of pills scattered in the bunker, four anti-tank mines, 150 electric fuses and numerous booby traps and demos, TNT, 3 gallons of rice, 50 utility shirts, six pair trousers, two NVA packs, five pair fairly new U.S. jungle boots, six AK magazine pouches, six cooking utensils, one steel pot. Patrol continued to search out the area for gear and returned the gear to the Company CP.
At 1340H, Col Sexton and Col Goggin arrived at the 1/4 position, they departed at 1400H.
At 1425H, Co. C at Grid XD 845558 patrol found 21 bunkers, approximately three-month-old, bunkers made of logs and dirt 6’x5’x3’, the following gear was found. One 122mm fuse, 20 AK rounds, 2-82mm mortar rounds, five RPG fuses, various medical gear and 2-20 pounds sacks of rice.
At 1800H Co. B at 887550 found 20 huts well-constructed also at Grid 887549 were 40 huts of bamboo with a water bamboo pipeline, found 11-82mm rounds, one AK 50 assault drum.
Casualties Inflicted on the Enemy
NVA/KIA 4
NVA/POW 0
VC/KIA 0
VC/POW 0
Friendly Casualties Sustained
KIA 0
WIA 0
Non hostile deaths 2
DOW 0
NBC 102
MIA 0
New Techniques Employed
- Techniques. The tactical advantage of using illumination to verify positions and connect physically with other units on Cordon operations.
- Comment. 1st Battalion 4th Marines (-) had the success with this technique when it participated as a Cordon force in the isolation of Cam Lo Refugee Village in conjunction with elements of 2nd ARVN Regiment on the night of 15-16 December. In order to affect the maximum surprise on the village, widely separate assembly areas, approach routes and release points were used.
As a result of inclement weather and poor natural illumination a major problem could have developed for all units in connecting physically with each other. However, on call illumination from a C-130 was provided for just such an event. Beginning at approximately 2130H, the C-130 dropped continuous illumination enabling all elements of the multi-Battalion allied cordon force to identify and effect physical connection with each other in a period of approximately two hours from all release points.
(Ref: Task Force Bravo OpOrder 2-68 (s); S-3 1st Bn 4th Mar briefing notes (s).
This page last corrected 31 August 2011