After Action Report
Subject: After Action Report #13, Company (_) Combat Patrol 23-24 July 1965
Units Involved:
Company B(-)(rein)
1st and 2nd Platoons (rein)
Company Headquarters
FAC, Arty FO and 81 FO Teams
S-2 Interpreter
3rd Bn 12th Marines (rein)
FMAW
Company C, 3rd MT Bn
1st Plt, Company B, 3rd AT Bn
1st Plt, Company B, 3rd Engineer Bn
Casualties:
1 USMC WIA
Enemy – 5 VC KIA
1 VC WIA
Narrative:
At 231530H Company B (-)(rein) heli-lifted into LZ (BT 445045) and commenced combat patrol. A large group of approximately 100 to 150 persons were seen vicinity (BT 440054). Majority were women and fled towards hamlet at (BT 445054), while 40-50 men, of whom five or six were armed, headed for Ky Long (1) (BT 436054). Artillery fire mission was called on (BT 437055). 1st Plt subsequently moved into hamlet at this location and conducted through search finding nothing.
2nd Plt moved out to the southwest, encountering punji pits and minefield at (BT 437042). One Marine sustained minor injury from punji stake. Path was cleared through minefield and platoon was taken under fire in same location from both flanks by moderate small arms and automatic weapons fire. More small arms fire was received by 2nd Plt at (BT 439039) and by 1st Plt at (BT440050). In each case enemy rapidly withdrew from contact. At 231745H two VC were seen at (BT438038) and were quickly taken under fire by point. One was killed, one escaped through brush.
Two platoons continued search and clear of are in and surrounding hamlets at (BT 4304) and (BT 4305), apprehending two VCS about 231930H at (BT438046) and (BT 439055). More sniper fire was received at (BT 430054) and (BT 440042).
Company (-) moved to high ground at (BT 435054) and set in perimeter until after dark. Two squad (rein) ambushes were established at (BT 422065) and (BT 431059) and were secured at 240200H with negative enemy contact. At this time 2nd Plt continued northwest along trail (BT 424063) to (BT 412072) and set in ambush positions at (BT 410075) and (BT 414075). At 240100H, 1st Plt moved from harbor site (Bt 438055) east and north along trails to position at (Bt 425077).
At 240640H, 2nd Plt executed ambush as patrol of seven VC were observed at (BT 411073). Three VC were killed, three stopped along trail leading north and one escaped west. Two weapons, an M-1 carbine and a MASS-36 rifle, were picked up from VCK’s.
At 240745H, 1st Plt, in position at (BT 423077), fired at four VC fleeing along trail at (BT 421079), wounding two, one critically. One wounded VC leaving blood trail, and two others escaped into brush. One M-1 carbine, two grenades, and several uniform items were picked up as result of encounter. VC in critical condition died at 240930H. At the same time 2nd Plt observed four VC along trail at (BT 413072) and eight more moving north at (BT 403074), and called artillery in those areas. Results were unknown. Platoon then moved out, formed on line, and swept from (BT 410072) to (BT 413074), checking area for blood trails. Negative results. At 240800H patrol was continued by 2nd Plt to Hill 10 (BT 417083). Flank security element spotted fifteen armed VC moving north at (BT 403075). Artillery was called along trail leading north from that location. Results were unknown.
At 240930H, 2nd Plt swept over Hill 10 (BT 417083), with negative contact and continued northeast along trail. 1st Plt moved out on parallel axis, and two platoons continued to point at (BT 451088) for pickup by trucks with Ontos convoy at 241200H. Return to MLR positions was completed by 241300H.