29 November 1965
Patrol Record (D Co, 1/4)
On 29 Nov 65 at 2230H our patrol 1st Platoon, 2nd squad, which consisted of one patrol leader, two automatic riflemen, 3 riflemen, one radio man and one corpsman. (Three riflemen had selectors, and they were used as automatic riflemen). Left our perimeter, and the direction of march was at 12 o’clock moving in a south-western direction. On Sweony Blvd. We arrived at checkpoint one at 2300H.
We proceeded on to checkpoint 2, time of arrival was 2330. Arrived at checkpoint 3 at 2400. Because of flooded areas we had to detour our patrol route. So we set out ambush between checkpoints three and five. Grid coordinates 497090. Ambush was set at 300030. With negative results. It was broke at 0100H. We proceeded on to checkpoint five. Just upon leaving our ambush sight, approx 100 meters north-east, the point stopped the patrol, and passed word back that there was movement in the rice-paddy. As if someone was running through the water. I told the patrol to lie in the prone position and they were told not to fire. I sent the point on ahead to check out the area. The reason I passed word not to fire was due to the fact there were civilian houses in the general direction where the noise was coming from. Patrol proceeded on patrol route, when we encountered enemy contact. We took immediate action.
The VC jumped up in front of our point and started firing, our point returned fire, and killed the VC instantly. The VC fell on the left side of the dike into the water. The 2nd VC was in the prone position, and he opened up with his BAR. He was immediately subdued, by one of the point men. But was not dead. At that time the VC threw a grenade, which bounced off the dike and landed in the water, with no casualties in our patrol. At that same time, after the grenade went off we received sniper fire from our right flank. We immediately crawled to the left side of the dike. When one of the automatic riflemen came in contact with the 3rd VC. He disposed of the VC with a 20 round burst. The VC was floating face down in the water. I called in for illumination and within one minute we received illumination over our zone of action. We were asked by the Company if we wanted a reactionary squad to help us. I declined the offer because the VC had stopped firing. I had the patrol set down a base of fire in the general direction of the VC. It was noted later that blood was found in that vicinity.
I told the point to check out the VC that was still breathing very hard. But first we threw two frag grenades in the general direction of him. After the grenades went off, the points moved slowly toward the VC. They opened up with 2 four round burst into the body. They checked the area and the body for booby traps and there were none so our point picked up the VC’s BAR and one magazine and returned to the main body. I radioed back to the Company to stop the illumination. This way the darkness of the night would cover our withdrawal. We proceeded back up Sweoney Blvd. With not further enemy contact. We entered our lines at 0215H. We sustained no casualties. The same day at 0600, the platoon leader went out to check the area. He found one body on the path. He was then taken back to our perimeter. The platoon leader also found one grenade and one magazine of foreign origin. The two bodies in the water were not found. No other weapons were found. I estimate approx 15 VC in general area. (Sweoney Rd BT 489102) (ambushed at BT 498092) VC wore black shorts, black shirts and cartridge belts.
Cpl Francis DeMortigey, D 1/4