Operations
1 April
At 1400H, Company D received two rounds 82mm incoming at Grid XD 674573 from vicinity of Grid XD 657575.
At 1818H, Alpha Command Group received five rounds incoming at Grid XD 674573 from vicinity of Grid XD 658577.
At 1835H, Alpha Command Group received thirteen rounds incoming at Grid XD 675573 from Vicinity of Grid XD 658577.
At 1900H, The Alpha Command Group received ten rounds incoming at Grid XD 675573 from vicinity of Grid XD 663571.
2 April
At 1115H, Company A Platoon size patrol made contact with NVA in bunker; fired small arms; one NVA KIA confirmed.
At 1330H, The Alpha Command Group received thirty rounds 82mm incoming from vicinity of Grid XD 663579.
At 1630H, Company B/1 OP at Grid XD 772598 spotted three NVA in open at Grid XD 773596. Two squads searched area with negative results.
3 April
At 0200H, Company D squad ambush at Grid XD 673572 heard movement and saw one figure crawling which triggered ambush. Called in 60mm mortar mission. Results unknown.
At 1220H, The Alpha Command Group received four rounds 82mm mortar incoming at Grid XD 674573 from Grid XD 656574 while helicopter was lifting external load from lower LZ.
At 1830H, Company B at Grid XD 779611 found twelve bunkers four feet by six feet by four feet. One Kitchen area one latrine, one 60mm mortar pit, food cans, one empty vitamin bottle, one Marine helmet, one M-16 destroyed, one marijuana stick. A well-used trail north to south. This site is approximately three days old.
4 April
At 0910H, Alpha Command Group reported that at Grid XD 274573 received three rounds 82mm incoming while conducting troop lift.
5 April
No entry.
6 April
At 1215H, Company D at 1030H at Grid XD 773604 found fifteen bunkers five feet by five feet, ten fighting holes and two trails running east and west and north and south. Position two to three months old.
At 1900H, Company B/1 at Grid XD 769610 found twelve bunkers six feet by ten feet by four feet, believed to be two to three weeks old. Also, numerous trails running north to south.
7 April
At 1130H, Company C at Grid XD 739607 patrol found heavily used trail running in southwest to northeast direction. Trail is two feet wide to three feet wide in some places. Trail was well cleaned and has been recently traveled by small groups. Patrol found fresh cut marks on trees and bushes. Trail has steps cut in logs for good footing. It is believed trail has been used to move heavy equipment. Patrol searched out area with negative results.
At 1530H, Company A at Grid XD 772573 found thirteen NVA caves. Each cave was capable of housing two men, at Grid XD 772567 they found a 60mm mortar bipod, two 60mm mortar rounds. At Grid CD 772573, Company A found twelve caves with ten pounds of rice and twelve 82mm rounds, mortar rounds were old and rusted and Company A had no C-4, so left in place. Brought 60mm bipod with them.
At 2100H, Company D at Grid XD 691611 while firing Night Defensive Fire, observed secondary explosion at Grid XD 680615. Called for another fire for effect.
8 April
At 1400H, Company D at Grid XD 703608 found one civilian type two story house practically completed. Rooms were ten feet by twenty feet and eighteen to twenty feet high. One fireplace, two D size batteries, one pick, one hoe, all gear very old. House and surroundings consisting of two to two and lone half acres of cleared land was enclosed by a fence. Discovered trails running southeast and southwest.
9 April
At 0815H, Company A relieved Company B on Fire Support Base Greene.
10 April
At 1730H, Company C at Grid XD 718623 lead elements found eight ‘A’ frame bunkers and living huts at Grid XD 719619. Huts were ten feet by ten feet and four feet deep. Bunkers were built connecting to huts. Complex was partially destroyed by natural causes and was approximately four months old. Also found at same position a piece of paper ten inches by ten inches tied to a tree on trail. Paper had Vietnamese writing on one complete side. Also found NVA way station at Grid XD 724615. No bunkers were found, sleeping quarters were made under boulders and rocks. Position is thought to be eight or nine months old. Also found numerous trails throughout area.
11 April
At 0940H, A member of Company C at Grid XD 724623 while on patrol activated an NVA booby trap. Booby trap consisted of a hole eight inches by six inches by six inches deep, covered by branches dirt and leaves. There was also a wire led to a Chi Com. When man stepped in hole, wire snapped and detonated booby trap. Results were two emergency medevacs.
At 1150H, Company B found five bunkers two to three months old with fresh chow cans and two chopsticks. Two trails running in north to south direction with recent activity. Destroyed bunkers.
At 1700H, Company Lima/3/9 chopped OPCON to 1st Bn 4th Marines.
At 1330H, Company B at Grid XE 731641 found trail complex with steps and handrails leading to hut and bunker complex. Three huts and three bunkers all were rotted and collapsed.
12 April
At 0930H, Company B at Grid XD 747636 found eight bunkers three to four months old several items NVA 782 gear.
At 1115H, Company C at Grid XD 725625 a patrol was searching out area an estimated NVA squad size unit ambushed the point elements. NVA opened up with automatic weapons and Chi Com grenades. Patrol returned fire on NVA with negative results. Two friendly KIA and one friendly WIA.
At 1730H, Company B at Grid XD 737641 found three bunkers three feet by three feet by six feet, one cooking area four months old, one latrine all rotted out, four months old.
At 2100H, Company C night listening post at Grid XD 718623 observed three NVA moving north about twenty meters to their right flank. Listening post threw three M-26 grenade and came in.
13 April
At 1000H, Company B at Grid XD 728643 found 17 old destroyed huts, five months old and one animal pit.
At 1155H, Company B at Grid XD 722643 found eight Montegnard huts four feet by twelve feet on facing of cave complex three months old.
At 1600H, Company C at Grid XD 726637 lead element spotted two NVA. Fired and killed one NVA. Captured one AK-47, four Chi Com grenades, one poncho, one red wallet with FP and written documents.
At 1958H, Company C at Grid XD 719623 at conclusion of ambush setting in, they received AK-47 fire and Chi Coms from Grid XD 720622 from an estimated five to ten NVA. Returned fire and returned to perimeter. Called artillery and fired 81mm mortars. Had two friendly WIA.
14 April
At 1130H, Company C at Grid XD 710621 observed four NVA fifty meters away. NVA moved closer and apparently observed patrol. Patrol fired on NVA wounding one NVA. Fire fight lasted about three minutes. One fire team set up security while other two went in pursuit of NVA. Air and artillery were called. Patrol found caves on the hill and carefully searched area with negative results. Caves were six feet by ten feet.
One probable NVA KIA in this action. Captured one AK-47 with folding stock, one arm cartridge belt, one canteen, two canteen pouches soaked with blood, one grenade pouch with three M-26, one first aid pouch with chow and cloths, one army K-bar, one flashlight, one key chain with assorted items, one American cigarette lighter, one pouch of American pipe tobacco and NVA whistle.
15 April
At 1505H, Company B at Grid XD 758646 found a cave with living quarters for three people approximately two weeks old. Also found Montegnard cornfield enclosed by fence.
At 1515H, Company Lima/3/9 at Grid XD 743546 found seven bunkers approximately four feet by six feet by three feet believed to have been used on 14 April, several U.S. c-ration cans freshly used probably one day old. Also, one bamboo hut, destroyed about one day.
At 1650H, Company Lima/3/9 at Grid XD 741544 found one dead NVA very old wearing green utilities with canteens and belt. NVA had been killed by artillery.
16 April
At 1030H, Company B at Grid XD 744646 found underground cavern complex with numerous passageways of varying sized. Estimated sufficiently large to billet a Company size or larger unit. Also, remains of fire one month old and footprints of five people.
17 April
At 1500H, Company B at Grid XD 765650 found six huts and one five pound bag of cornmeal, one five pound bag dried roots, 25 pounds salt, several pounds of seasoning, one basket hot peppers, one leather pack, NVA cleaning gear, misc pottery, one machete, numerous baskets, two chisels, two pieces of Montegnard clothing, four NVA e-tools, one U.S. e-tool, two AK pouches, NVA medical gear (sulphur drugs, one bottle vitamins, ampoules of unknown substance, tourniquets, gauze, ointments, one empty Novocain ampoule, one NVA canteen and two NVA diaries.
All medical gear, diaries, pack kept. Remaining items destroyed.
At 0840H, Company C at Grid XD 716618 discovered 14 large bunkers, 101 – 82mm mortar rounds, 25 fuses, seven primers, three kitchens, one mess hall, one elephant skeleton and skin, buck out short, one thatched jut all eight to ten months old. Ammo destroyed.
At 1005H, Company D at Grid XD 699624 lead elements observed one NVA moving through old night position. Rear elements sat up hasty ambush and fired. One NVA was hit and rolled down side of hill. Ordered one squad up hill and one squad up stream bed. Squad found NVA body and searched, finding one AK-47 well lubricated, one pair of NVA boots good condition.
Also found utilities, trousers and jacket in good condition, two AK-47 magazines, 60 rounds AK-47 ammo, one cartridge belt, one first aid packet, one pound rice and assorted papers. Dead NVA measured about five feet four inches and weighed 120 pounds with fresh haircut. Holding papers and gear for pickup.
At 1100H, Company C at Grid XD 711611 found thirteen thatched huts, one SKS-44, seven entrenching tools, twenty M-16 magazines, three trip flares, 400 – 20 cal. machine gun rounds, 500 – M-16 rounds, two Chi Com grenades, one personnel mine without fuse, 1/4 mile comm wire, two helmets, two saws, twelve piglets, eight bunkers for living and cooking, one 82mm mortar round, three fuses, two pineapple type grenades, assorted medical pills (paregoric and quinine), assorted tools (saw and hammer), four bundles pungi stakes, fifty assorted woven baskets. Activity within past ten days. NVA drove out Montenards. All bunkers and huts destroyed, pigs killed, M-16 magazines and e-tools retrieved, other gear destroyed.
18 April
At 1100H, Company C found approximately five acres of corn at Grid XD 709615. Also found tapped water spring with metal piping on small sink, one small grave, and one Montenard grave. Water system destroyed, grave left intact.
At 1430H, Company B at Grid XD 755650 found 300 pounds of assorted grain (rough), one corpsman’s basic unit with misc. drugs of unknown type, diaries believed to have belonged to corpsmen, misc. Montenard cooking utensils, one model 98 Mauser, one French 7.5mm rifle model 1936. Items were found in one cavern complex with entrance six feet by three feet, depth unknown. Retained all medical gear and diary for delivery to S-2. Rifles retained by finders; grain retained for pickup.
19 April
At 1450H, Company Lima/3/9 at Grid XD772552 observed three people herding three water buffalo at Grid XD 777557 moving in northeast direction through tall elephant grass. Fixed wing and gunships were called with negative results.
At 1500H, Company C at Grid XD 689622 found a cave four feet by four feet by six feet containing two cycles, two hoes, two melons, and some corn cobs. Company C at Grid XD 689619 found fences and ladder. Company C at Grid XD 685619 found two caves and one thatched hut. One cave contained one hoe, one NVA tennis shoe, one rice bag and two beds. Company C at Grid XD 681618 saw old grass noose about 50 feet from the cliff base and several broken tools.
20 April
At 1300H, Company C at Grid XD 690623 found a cave complex and six grass huts, six caves 100 feet deep with ten feet by eight feet opening. Also, a ladder to the center of the hut complex. There were smaller man-made tunnels connecting the larger caves. The smaller caves were not connected. Also found pack goods, rusted AK-47 magazines, helmets, officers ID card, three-month-old NVA newspaper, and 100 pounds of rice.
21 April
At 0930H, Company C at Grid XD 699621 found one NVA body eight days old badly decomposed, one NVA radio with #63-661356-251.A on the name plate, radio head set with a wire antenna, battery D-63, pack and cartridge belt, poncho, sleeping bag, one Chi Com, 5 days rations, one pith helmet and sulphur powder.
At 1350H, Company Lima/3/9 at Grid XD 729552 found three grass huts five feet off the ground, two complete, one just frame, two months old. Also found one pair trousers, two shirts, one belt, fish netting and baskets.
22 April
At 1655H, Company Lima/3/9 at Grid XD 742546 uncovered 14 NVA 60mm rounds two months old. No fuses or increments were found.
23 April
At 1230H, Company B at Grid XD 729648 sighted one NVA with pack. Fired 60mm and artillery but unable to confirm kill. Flushed one black leopard 400 meters from base of hill. Leopard was approximately 300 pounds and six feet long.
24 April
At 0940H, Company Lima/3/9 at Grid 738534 found one 82mm mortar pit one month old, inside pit found six empty increment cans, eight empty 82mm war head cans, one trail two feet wide north to south direction. On trail found five bunkers and one observation tower.
25 April
At 1000H, Company Lima/3/9 at Grid XD 721531 while on patrol came upon one tunnel ten to twelve feet deep. Point man fell in and had to be medevaced. Tactical smoke placed in tunnel to check it. Squad sent two men to check it out and came under gases from smoke and were asphyxiated.
26 April
At 1130H, Company B at 0930H at Grid XD 718643 found four AK-47 rifles, one RPG-7 burned and destroyed by fire. Found Belgium medical supplies personal effects and 782 gear belonging to C-5711, R. D. Jr. Medicine destroyed.
At 1530H, Fire Support Base Alpine closed. Company Lima/3/9 dropped OPCON to parent regiment.
27 April
No entry.
28 April
At 0340H, the Commanding Officer of Company D at Vandegrift Combat Base heard a shot apparently coming from the 1st Bn 4th Marines transient area. Bravo-6 and Bravo-26 were awakened and proceeded immediately to the transient area. Enroute, they heard a second shot. On arrival, they noted that T-4338 was attempting to commit suicide. T-4338 had an M-1 against lower right jaw. During the attempt to disarm him the rifle discharged killing T-4338. SIR report submitted. Company B assumed Sparrow Hawk/Bald Eagle.
At 1200H, Company C lift to Vandegrift Combat Base commenced.
At 1315H, Company C lift to Vandegrift Combat Base commenced.
At 1330H, Company D lift commenced.
At 1420H, Company B lift for Cua Viet
At 1420H, Company C lift for Cua Viet
At 1455H, Company D lift completed
At 1830H, Companies C and D arrived at Cua Viet.
29 April
At 1000H, 1st Bn 4th Marines assumed TAOR of the Cua Viet R&R, C-4, Oceanview, and My Loc.
30 April
At 1800H, Company B relieved of Sparrow Hawk/Bald Eagle.
Casualties Inflicted on the Enemy
NVA/KIA 4
NVA/POW 0
VC/KIA 0
VC/POW 0
Friendly Casualties Sustained
KIA 1
WIA 19
DOW 0
Non-Hostile 1
NBC 90
MIA 0
DAI 0
This page last corrected 4 September 2011