Operation Orders – July 1969

231200H Jul 69

Operation Order 2-69

Ref:

(a)       Map: Thon Doc Kink, 1:50,000, Sheet 6342 II

(b)       4th Marines’ COI, effective 150600 Jun 69

Task Organization:  Annex A (Task Organization)

  1. Situation
  2. Enemy forces

(1)               Annex B (Intelligence)

(2)               Current INSUMS

  1. Friendly Forces

(1)               4th Marine Regiment continues Operation ‘Georgia Tar’ to the west.

(2)               2nd ARVN Division continues operations in AO to the south of the Ba Long River, including occupation of FSB Henderson.

(3)               CIDC units continue operations in Mai Loc AO to the north.

(4)               1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), US Army continues operation ‘William’s Glade’ to the east.

(5)               Close Air Support.  Annex C (Air Support)

(6)               F Battery, 2/12 in D/S of 4th Marines.  Battery in place at Ca Lu.

  1. Attachments and Detachments.  (See Task Organization)
  2. Mission.  Commencing 250700 July 1st Battalion (-) 4th Marines conducts 5–7-day Search and Clear operation along ridgeline north of Ba Long Valley.
  3. Execution.
  4. Concept of Operation.  The Battalion will conduct a search and clear operation along the ridgeline north of the Ba Long River Valley.  Two Companies will land by helicopter at FSB Henderson and sweep northwest.  Another Company will establish a blocking position at the northwestern end of the valley.  Air support will be available on request.  Fire Support will be provided by a 105mm Battery located at Ca Lu and two sections of 81mm mortars located at FSB Henderson.
  5. Co A (rein)

(1)               Commencing 230800H, relieve H/2/9 at Ca Lu and provide security for F Btry, 2/12, presently in position.

(2)               Establish blocking positions on north and south side of Ba Long River on 25 July.  Maintain blocking positions until arrival of Co D, approximately D+6.

  1. Co C (rein)

(1)               Commencing 250600 move Company to northeast end of VCB helicopter strip.

(2)               At L-Hour land at FSB Henderson.  Move to vicinity of 109434 and establish Company Patrol Base.

(3)               Conduct extensive patrolling, searching and ambushing in Grid Squares 1042, 1043, 1142 and 1143.

(4)               Be prepared to conduct sweep of the ridgeline to the northwest on order.

  1. Co D (-) (rein)

(1)               Commencing 250600 move to northeast end of VCB helicopter strip.

(2)               Following helilift of Company C, land at FSB Henderson.  Move to vicinity of 088430 and establish a Company Patrol Base.

(3)               Conduct extensive patrolling, searching and ambushing in Grid Squares 0842, 0843, 0942 and 0943.

(4)               Be prepared to conduct sweep of the ridgeline to the northwest on order.

  1. 81mm Mortar Plat (-)

(1)               General Support.

(2)               Position two sections at FSB Henderson on D-1.

(3)               Be prepared to commence fire missions by 250600, with priority of fires initially to Company C.

  1. Coordinating Instructions

(1)               Annex C (Air Support)

(2)               Annex D (Operation Overlay)

(3)               D-Day, 25 Jul; L-Hour, 0700

(4)               No ‘Prep Fires’ of LZ.  (FSB Henderson occupied)

(5)               Companies authorized to coordinate via Bn Tac Net.

(6)               Companies submit hourly situation reports between 2200 and 0600 (inclusive) daily

(7)               Spot reports will be submitted as they occur.  Serious incidents will be reported by spot report immediately, followed by SIRs as soon as practicable.

(8)               Colored reports on casualties (battle and non-battle) will be submitted in accordance with Battalion code.

(9)               River crossing point vicinity of YD 094418.  Ropes will be required.

  1. Administration and Logistics
  2. Supply and resupply.  Units commence operation with prescribed load (i.e., 1 DOA; 2 days MCI; salt tablets, halizone tablets, and insect repellent).  Submit requests for resupply by 1100 one day prior to delivery day.  Submit emergency resupply requests anytime.  Resupply of Companies C and D will be by helicopter, Company A by truck.
  3. Casualties.  Exercise preventative medicine measures to reduce number of heat casualties.  Utilize maximum anti-malaria procedures.  Requests for MEDEVAC will be submitted to Battalion Command Post.  Designate ‘routine’, ‘priority’ or ‘emergency’.
  4. Command and Communications/Electronics
  5. Radio procedures.

(1)               Reference (b).

(2)               Authentication and numerical codes – KAC QUAL 511.

(3)               Radio-relay and /or re-transmission facilities will be established at FSB Henderson as required.

  1. Visual signals.

(1)               White smoke marks enemy positions.

(2)               Yellow smoke marks friendly positions.

(3)               Red smoke marks unsecure areas.

(4)               Green smoke marks secured areas.

  1. Thrust lines (effective 250700).

(1)               States – intersection of grid lines at 1041

(2)               Names – intersection of grid lines at 0646

(3)               Care – intersection of grid lines at 0243

  1. Command post.  Battalion CP will be at COC, VCB.

Acknowledge Receipt (verbally)

                                                                                                            BY COMMAND OF LT.COL.  WILLCOX

This page last corrected 5 September 2011

C.W. Cobb, Jr.

                                                                                                            Major, US Marine Corps

Operations Officer