240800H December 1965

Operation Order 227-65 (Operation TRIDENT)

Ref:     (a)     Maps:  Viet Nam 1:50,000 AMS L701 Series Sheets 6757 III, 6757 IV

(b)     Operation Order 222-65

Time Zone:            H

 

Task Organization:            Annex A (Task Organization).

1. Situation.
2. Enemy forces.

(1)               Annex B (Intelligence).

(2)               Annex C (Enemy Situation Overlay).

(3)               Current ISUM’S and SIR’S.

1. Friendly forces.

(1)               4^th Marines continues defense of its TAOR within the Chu Lai Enclave.

(2)               Battalion Artillery Group moves overland by truck convoy to Forward Firing Position vicinity (BT 442092); provides artillery support as requested and retracts upon completion of operations.

(3)               FMAW provides helicopters for medical evacuation and CAS on call.

(4)               Co A, 1^st AmTrac Battalion provides five LVTP-5, and one LVT-1E, if available, for assault transportation for Company A to the objective area; provides two (2) LVT’s in a ready posture at the splash point for resupply as necessary; provides four (4) LVT’s as patrol craft during the operation along the Song Cho River from (BT 408150) – BT 436165); and nine LVTP-5 for retraction at R-hour from vicinity (BT 438165).

(5)               Company B, 3^rd Anti-Tank Battalion, provides a heavy section of Ontos as convoy escort to Artillery Support Battery while displacing to, occupying, and displacing from the Forward Firing Area, vicinity (BT 442092); provides a light section of Ontos as convoy escort for the motorized march of Company C to and from vicinity (BT 419123).

(6)               Company B, 3^rd Engineer Battalion provides one Engineer Demolition Squad to each rifle company; provides one Engineer Mine Detection Team to accompany the Artillery Support Battery to clear mines, if any, from the Forward Firing Area (BT 442092).

1. Attachment and Detachment.  Annex A (Task Organization).
2. Mission.  1^st Battalion (-)(rein), 4^th Marines (-)(rein) lands at H-hour on D-day with three rifle companies (-)(rein) on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315), and conducts clearing operations in order to Destroy/Apprehend all VC/VCS, confiscate all VC supplies, and destroy VC installations and defenses located thereon.
3. Execution.
4. Concept of operation.  At H-hour on D-day three rifle companies (-)(rein) land as follows: one company moves overland and crosses to the objective island at (BT 460146) and (BT 456140); one company moves overland via truck, crosses the Song Cho River via local boats and lands at (BT 420123); one company moves to and lands via LVT at vicinity of (BT 438165); Companies conduct clearing operations, and thorough, detailed search of terrain for tunnels, caves, caches and weapons within assigned zones of action and along designated axis/axes of advance to their limit of advance.  Upon completion of the operation, and on order, retract via LVT from vicinity (BT 438165), and return to FEBA and/or patrol base positions.
5. Company A (-)(rein).

(1)               March from Company Area to splash point (BT 523123).

(2)               Embark aboard LVT’s and proceed to vicinity (BT 438165), land and conduct clearing operations in designated area along axis of advance to vicinity (BT 406155).

(3)               Conduct Med CAP operations during the clearing operation.

(4)               On order move tactically to retraction site vicinity (BT 438165).

(5)               Retract on order via LVT to splash point (BT 523123).

1. Company B (-)(rein).

(1)               Move overland under cover of darkness from patrol base Kahuku (BT476144) to vicinity of (BT 460146) and (BT 456140) on objective island.

(2)               At H-hour commence clearing operations in designated area along axis of advance to the limit of advance.

(3)               Be prepared, on order, to continue the clearing operation beyond the limit of advance.

(4)               Conduct Med CAP operations during the clearing operation.

(5)               On order conduct tactical withdrawal along the northern axis of advance to patrol base (BT 476144).

(6)               Be prepared to leave one Reinforced Platoon behind on the island as a Reconnaissance/Patrol/Ambush Force for a period of twenty-four to thirty-six hours after retraction of the Main Force.

1. Company C (-)(rein).

(1)               Move by motor vehicle from Company Area to vicinity of (BT 419123).

(2)               At H-hour, cross the Song Cho River in local boats to objective island landing at (BT 420123).

(3)               Conduct clearing operations in designated area along axis of advance to the limit of advance.

(4)               Be prepared, on order, to continue the Clearing Operation beyond the limit of advance.

(5)               Conduct Med CAP operations during the clearing operation.

(6)               On order move tactically to retraction point vicinity (BT 438165).

(7)               Retract on order via LVT’s to splash point (BT 523123).

1. Det. 81mm Mortar Platoon (-).

(1)               Provide one section of 81mm mortars to move with Company A.

(2)               Establish firing positions on the Island vicinity (BT 436161).

1. Det. Flame Section.  Provide ten (10) Marines for security of VC/VCS Collection Point to be established vicinity (BT 425158).
2. Det. 106mm RR Platoon.

(1)               Provide 16 Marines as security for waterborne (LVT) patrol along the Song Cho River.

(2)               Provide 13 Marines as security for the Direct Support Battery while displacing to, occupying and displacing from the Forward Firing Area, vicinity (BT 442092).

1. Battalion Reserve.

(1)               Company B (rein).

(a)               Continue operations on Ky Xuan Island.

(b)               Maintain one rifle platoon (rein) with one machine gun squad and one rocket squad on thirty minute alert as a striking force for movement anywhere within the objective area by helicopter or LVT.

1. Coordinating instructions.

(1)               D-day:  26 December 1965

(2)               H-hour:  0730 (tentative)

(3)               Annex D (Operation Overlay).

(4)               Rules of engagements – No change – reference (b).

(5)               Fire support coordination – Reference (b).

(6)               Reports – Reference (b) and Regimental Order 3120.3

(7)               Prevent unnecessary destruction of public/private property.

(8)               All religious, cultural, medical and public installations are restricted from damage by any weapon or supporting arms.

(9)               Use of CN/CS, if/when authorized, shall be under direct control of the Commanding Officer.

(10)          Treat all captives humanely.

(11)          Psychological operations.

(a)   Companies distribute psychological leaflets in sectors.

(b)   MedCAP administration along the axis of advance as application.

(12)          Attachments effective 260400H.

(13)          R-hour: 261600H.

(14)          Order for retraction:  Company B, Company A, Command Group, Company C.

(15)          Company Sit Reps every thirty minutes after H-hour.  Spot reports of enemy activity as encountered.

(16)          Intelligence sections provide three (3) scouts to each rifle company, and four (4) intelligence personnel as coordinators of the collection point.

(17)          The unclassified code name for this operation is TRIDENT.

4. Administration and Logistics.
5. Administrative Order 222-65.
6. Carry one MCI and two full canteens of water.
7. Basic allowance of ammunition for each weapon.
8. Resupply, if required, by helo or LVT.
9. Resupply items prestaged at Battalion CP ready for rapid displacement to helicopter pad ‘Firefly’ or splash point.
10. Collection Point vicinity (BT 425158).
11. Medical detachment H&S Company assign one Doctor and two Corpsman to travel with the Battalion Command Group.
12. Command and Communications/Electronics.
13. Reference (b).
14. Battalion Command Group initially aboard LVT moving with Company A.
15. Communications Officer provide one AN/PRC-25 to Companies B and C, and two (2) to the Command Group.
16. Activate TAC Nets at 0500H, D-day.

This page last corrected 18 September 2011