Operations/Training

Section IV

1. Mission.

During the month of November 1965, the mission of the 1^st Battalion continued to be as assigned by the 4^th Marines Operation Order 305-65 of 8 September 1965, namely

1. Defend along the trace of the MLR within assigned TAOR.
2. Maintain a COPL within assigned TAOR.
3. Conduct and maintain surveillance of seaward approaches within sector to repel landings and preclude infiltration.
4. Conduct aggressive operations and patrolling within TAOR.
5. Be prepared to conduct operations unilaterally and/or bilaterally with RVNAF outside the 4^th Marines TAOR.
6. Provide tactical security for Batter A, 2^nd LAAM Bn firing site on Ky Hoa Island.
7. Provide liaison personnel to affect positive coordination with Province Chief, Tam Ky.

To facilitate the accomplishment of the assigned missions the Commanding Officer, 1^st Bn 4^th Marines was designated as Peninsula Defense Coordinator of Ky Ha Peninsula by the CO, 4^th Marines.  The coordination of defenses includes all units presently located on Ky Ha Peninsula, particularly in the vicinity of the MAG-36 heli-pad as well as the defense along the MLR equipped by this battalion.  Defensive positions and sectors of responsibilities have been assigned to the tenant units and supporting arms have been coordinated with artillery concentrations being surveyed.  A Peninsula Defense Coordination net has been established to facilitate communications.  A fifty meter wire swath is being cleared along the MLR with triple roll concertina wire being laid along the enemy side.  Lighting is being installed along the swath and will continue as materials become available.

1. Operations.
2. During the month of November, Companies A and B manned MLR positions and conducted combat patrol forward of the MLR.  The patrol activity was increased during the hours of darkness with many coordinated Marine/PF patrols conducted as well as coordinated Marine/Self Defense Corps checkpoints being manned in the Hamlets to ensure compliance with curfew.  Company A also provided tactical security for the LST ramp.
3. Companies C and D conducted aggressive patrolling on Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan Islands respectively in conjunction with an active pacification program.  Both companies conducted coordinated Marine/PF patrols.  On Ky Hoa Island, Company C manned checkpoints jointly with the Self Defense Corps in the Hamlets to enforce curfew.
4. H&S Company continued their defense of the Battalion Command Post and provided Marines nightly for security on the waterborne patrol and to accompany the PF platoon in Ky Ha Village on their nightly ambushes to ensure positive coordination.
5. The 2^nd Plt, Co A, 1^st AmTrac Bn conducted nightly waterborne patrols to enforce curfew.  The LVTs also provided logistical support of the patrol bases located on Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan Islands.
6. The Seismic Intrusion Devices that were received during the month have been effectively used by all companies.  The SID’s have been employed on ambushes and patrol base perimeters as well as along the MLR.
7. Chronological Narrative of Significant Events.

     1 November – At 1100H, a coordinated USMC/PF patrol at (BT 478105) attempted to apprehend two women and one man who were in a boat.

     2 November – At 0930H, one VCS was apprehended at (BT 487104) and turned into Chu Lai Collection Point.  At 1600H, two VC were sighted in the water at (BT 461145).  Warning shots were fired and when the VC continued, fire was directed at the VC.  One VC escaped and the other was wounded and captured.

     3 November – At 2155H, one VCS was observed running vicinity (BT 508092).  The man was apprehended and turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.

     4 November – At 1330H, one VCS was pointed out by PF at (BT 507092) and he was apprehended.  At 1415H vicinity (BT 495081) a VCS was apprehended after he was reported to a spy by a local agent.  Both VCS were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.  One platoon was attached to 3^rd Bn 3^rd Marines as Regimental Reserve.

     5 November – At 1700H two women without I.D. cards were apprehended at (BT 519089).  They were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.

     6-9 November – At 090830H one VCS, reportedly UA from ARVN, was apprehended at (BT 483103).  At 091130H one VCS without I.D. card was apprehended at (BT 483103).  Both were sent to the Chu Lai Collection Point.  At 091900H, one PF deserter was apprehended at the USCM/SDC post at (BT 519097) and sent to the Chu Lai Collection Point.

     10 November – The Village Chief of Ky Xuan Village turned over one man to the Marines on Ky Xuan Island (BT 487104).  The man was reportedly a VC supply agent.  He was turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point

     11 November – At 2330H one man without an I.D. card was apprehended at (BT 483107) and turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.

     12-13 November – The platoon attached to 3^rd Bn 3^rd Marines as Regimental Reserve was relieved.  Received 20 Seismic Intrusion Devices and began training personnel in the use of the equipment immediately.  Companies C and D employed their SIDs on their patrol base perimeters and on ambushes.

14-15 November – At 0555H one VCS was apprehended at (BT 521095) and turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.  The coordinated USMC/SDC post at (BT 519091) apprehended one male with two I.D. cards at 0915H.  At 0945H, another male was apprehended with two I.D. cards.  The post at (BT 519089) apprehended one male with no I.D. card at 1115H.  All three VCS were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.  3^rd Marine Division Sniper training team commenced training of six Marines in sniper marksmanship.

16-17 November – At 2400H Marines attempted to question a man at (BT 486101) who reportedly has two VC sons.  When he refused to cooperate, the Marines apprehended him and he was turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.

  18 November – At 1430H, a patrol sighted four VC in two boats at (BT 470142).  The Marines fired at the boats and the VC returned the fire.  Two VC left the boats and fled into the trees.  The patrol pursued the escaping VC, assuming the other two VC to be dead.  At (BT 457144) the patrol received heavy fire from approximately ten carbines and returned fire.  The patrol being short of ammunition, proceeded along the return route and received carbine fire from (BT 455142).  When the patrol searched the area and found nothing it regrouped and proceeded to (BT 459144) where it received fire from one AR and approximately ten carbines.  As four VC attempted to escape by boat the Marines fired on them.  Two VC fell in the water and one fell in the boat with the three being assumed dead.  The hut where the AR fire was coming from was destroyed by M-79 rounds.  (One VCK unconfirmed.)  Two UH-1E’s arrived and strafed the area where the VC were.  Due to the depth of the water the stream could not be forded, consequently the six VCK were all unconfirmed.  Company A was transferred to 2^nd Bn 7^th Marines, relieving Company E.  Company E replaced Company A in 1^st Bn 4^th Marines.

19 November – A company (-)(rein) operation on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 5215) was conducted.  Throughout the day sporadic harassing fire was received.  The fire was returned and the area checked but in every case the VC departed before any could be apprehended.  One VCS was apprehended and turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.  A 300 pound rice cache was found.

20-23 November – At 231010H a boy was observed to be watching an artillery FO team at (BT 479103) fire in a registration.  When questioned he reportedly lied about his age.  At 231315H, a man without a I.D. card was apprehended at (BT 482104).  Both individuals were turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.  CO, 1^st Bn 4^th Marines was designated as Defense Commander of Ky Ha Peninsula by CO, 4^th Marines.  Major R.M. Sweeney was designated as assistant Defense Commander.

24-26 November – At 1840H one male, age 17, was killed at (BT 525094) while trying to go through an ambush.  Verbal warnings and warning shots failed to halt the man.

27 November – At 0810H one VN was apprehended at (BT 518083).  The man had ten dollars in American currency and 2880 piastars in his possession.  He was turned into the Chu Lai Collection Point.

28-29 November – At 0130H a squad patrol at (BT 492047) heard approximately fifteen people walking in the rice paddy.  The people opened fire on the patrol and fire was returned, silencing the enemy fire.  The patrol swiftly moved to the area previously occupied by the VC finding one BAR with magazine and three dead VC.  At first light a patrol was sent to the area and found five BAR magazines with pouches and belt, one SMG magazine, one Chinese fragmentation grenade, one raincoat and hammock.  Two snipers were employed at 0250H vicinity (BT 472141), however at 0800H their position was compromised by a Vietnamese cowboy and the team withdrew from the area.

30 November – At 0646H one platoon was sent to island (BT 4712) to investigate reports of A/W firing in that area.  During the sweep, a total of 45 VCS were detained for questioning.  The VCS were interrogated by ITT and were all released.

1. Training.
2. Training continued to be daily on the job type within the rifle companies,  H&S Company and direct support units.  Detailed orientation and indoctrination briefings were conducted for all hands joining the battalion.
3. 60 Marines attended the two day Regimental Mine Warfare School.
4. Rifle company training emphasized those General Military Subjects directly applicable to the present mission and disposition.
5. In addition to daily on the job training, H&S Company conducted semi-formal training in communications (Operations procedures, security), vehicle safety, drivers maintenance, first aid, weapons safety, medical techniques, fire fighting, sanitation, warehouse and armory procedures, baking, meat preparation, gun drill and other subjects to current operations of the battalion.

5. Seismic Intrusion Detector (SID) and Sniper Schools were conducted by Division Sniper Officer and Regiment respectively.  A total of 107 Marines were trained in the employment of the SID and five snipers were qualified and issued weapons.

6. Training for the local Popular Forces and Self Defense Corps (Home Guard) was conducted during this period.  Coordination was established with unit leaders and District Headquarters.  In Ky Ha Village the marksmanship program was concluded.  All PF squads have been qualified with the M-1 carbine which is their primary weapon.  With each successive squad trained techniques were improved to meet training goals.  An interpreter was available for some periods of instruction and in such classes as sighting and aiming, and proper ‘hold’ factor he was indispensable.  Success of the program was indicated by the following example:  One of the PF who has had several years of proper Vietnamese training never scored hits on a target until trained by this unit.  On PF record day he scored 50% ‘kill’ shots on a VC target silhouette.  Plans are being formulated for further instruction in scouting and patrolling and ambushes for both the PF and SDC.