Period covered 010001H to 312359 October 1965
Staff Assignments
Commanding Officer Lt/Col R. J. Perrich
Executive Officer Major Romano
S-1 Lt. T. P. Burns
S-2 Lt. R. C. Cormier
S-3 Maj. G. T. Beauchamp
S-4 Lt. J. M. Myatt
AirO Lt. R. E. Dahart
ArtilleryO Lt. P. J. McCarthy
SupplyO Lt. C. G. Church
MTO Lt. T. P. Burns
CommO Capt. T. P. Donnelly
Surgeon Lt. A. R. Prizzi (USNR, MC)
Chaplain Lt. W. G. Moody (USNR, Ch,C)
Company A (Rein) Capt. R. E. Theer
Company B (Rein) Capt. R. B. Alexander
Company C (Rein) Lt. E. E. Cossaboon
Company D (Rein) Capt. R. M. Sweeney
Company H&S (-) (Rein) Lt. P. A. LoPresti
1st Plt, Co. C, 3rd Tk Bn Lt. G. D. Rose
1st Plt, Co. B, 3rd AT Bn Lt. J. T. Mathews
2nd Plt, Co. A, 1st AmTrac Bn Lt. W. T. Old III
Command Post Locations: Grid Coordinates (BT 525092)
Map: Viet Nam 1:50,000 AMS Series L701 Sheet 6757 III
Chronological Summary
Mission. During the month of October 1965, the mission of the 1st Battalion continued to be as assigned by the 4th Marines Operation Order 305-65 of 8 September 1965, namely:
Defend along the trace of the MLR within assigned TAOR. Maintain a COPL within assigned TAOR. Conduct and maintain surveillance of seaward approaches within sector to repel landings and preclude infiltration. Conduct aggressive operations and patrolling within TAOR. Be prepared to conduct operations unilaterally and/or bilaterally with RVNAF outside the 4th Marines TAOR. Provide tactical security for Battery A, 2nd LAAM Bn firing site on Ky Hoa Island. Provide liaison personnel to effect positive coordination with Province Chief, Tam Ky. To facilitate the accomplishment of the assigned missions a special organization for the pacification program was established on 1 October 1965. Officers were assigned responsibilities for Political Affairs and Psychological Warfare, Training of Military Forces (VN), Civil Affairs and Civic Action directly responsible to the Operations Officer Responsible to the Civil Affairs Officer were some six officers assigned additional duties for Health and Sanitation, Education, Agriculture and Fisheries, Business and Labor, youth and Women and Construction and Materials. This organization has functioned effectively and insured that all activities directed toward pacification were in coordination with tactical operations.
Operations. Throughout the month, both Company A and Company B not only manned the MLR within their assigned sectors and conducted numerous combat patrols, predominately squad size, during hours of darkness, but also with local VN Self Defense Corps, jointly manned checkpoints in each hamlet and conducted nightly patrols within the hamlets to enforce curfew. Company A further provided tactical security for the LST ramp and Company B provided a platoon on call as the Battalion Reserve. On 8 October, the 3rd Platoon of Company C was placed under Battalion control establishing a patrol base within the Battalion CP and assigned the mission of maintaining the left (south) portion of the MLR. Company C and Company D continued aggressive patrolling from their patrol bases on Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan Islands respectively in conjunction with an active pacification program. Nightly the 2nd Plat, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn conducted waterborne patrol to enforce curfew and daily conducted numerous troop lifts and logistics. H&S Company continued their defense of the Battalion Command Post and provided Marines to accompany the KY Hoa Popular Forces Platoon on patrols and ambushes to insure positive coordination and control at all times. On 29 October 1965, one section of the 106mm Recoilless Rifle Platoon was placed in direct support of MAG-36 to assist in anti-boat defense. The operational highlight of the month was ‘Operation Snaggle Tooth conducted on 24 October 1965. This search and clear operation of Ky Xuan Island (BT 4215) included some sixteen different USMC and South Vietnamese units including Popular Forces, Peoples Action Teams, Regional Forces, Junk and District Intelligence Agents.
Chronological Narrative of Significant Events.
October 1-2
Company C (-)(Rein) established a patrol base on Ky Hoa Island (BT 512125) on 2 October.
October 3
A squad patrol from Company D, on Ky Xuan Island, received fire, wounding one Marine. The enemy withdrew before fire could be returned.
October 4
Continuous day and night patrolling was continued throughout the TAOR. A squad night patrol on Ky Xuan Island was fired upon by an estimated ten VC. The enemy withdrew without any casualties being inflicted to either side.
October 5-6
On 7 October, five VCS were apprehended on Ky Xuan Island and were turned into the Chu Lai collection point.
October 8-9
On 9 October, two VCS were apprehended in Ky Hoa Village. The suspects were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.
October 10
Lt Gen Krulak toured the battalion laundry area which employs local workers. The Psychological Warfare Officer returned from Da Nang with supplies obtained through liaison with SATS and JOSPAO officials. There were the first such supplies the battalion had received. Requests through official channels had produced nothing.
October 11
Senator Brewster visited the battalion area and observed five Marines from their native state of Maryland. Two VCS were apprehended in Ky Hoa Village and turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.
October 12
Four VCS were apprehended on Ky Xuan Island. They were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.
October 13-14
Two VCS were apprehended on Ky Xuan Island on 14 October. The suspects were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.
October 15-16
When a patrol was attempting to apprehend a VCS on Ky Xuan Island on 16 October, the VCS threw one grenade, wounding one Vietnamese woman. The VCS escaped capture.
October 17-19
On 19 October, one VCS was apprehended on Ky Xuan Island. The suspect was turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.
October 20-22
On 19 October, a platoon (-) reconnaissance patrol, aboard LVTs, received small arms fire from Hoa Xuan Island. Pursuit was made but the enemy withdrew before any casualties could be inflicted, however, five VCS were apprehended.
October 23-24
A battalion (-) operation was conducted on Hoa Xuan Island on 24 October. Supporting units were: Recon Group Alpha, Company M/3/3, one company Regional Forces, two platoons Popular Forces, two platoons PAT’s, H Battery 3/12, one platoon each from E and F company 2/4. Results of the operation were four VC killed, one VC wounded, seventy-five VCS apprehended, 300 meters of caves destroyed, 21 punji mantraps destroyed, and seven mines and booby traps either disarmed or destroyed.
October 25
A joint USMC/PF ambush vicinity (BT 5108) apprehended two VCS. They were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.
October26-28
On 28 October at 0035H an ambush at (BT 518076) observed one VC and opened fire killing the VC and retrieving one Russian 40mm rocket launcher. At 0055H an ambush fired on two VC at (BT 518087) killing one VC and retrieving one French MG and four grenades.
October29-31
The battalion was placed on 100% alert upon notification by 4th Marines from 300917H to 300930H.