After Action Report
Period Covered 010001H August to 312400H August 1965
Commanding Officer Lt/Col R. J. Perrich
Executive Officer Major Romano
Company A (Rein) Capt. R. E. Theer
Company B (Rein) Capt. R. B. Alexander
Company C (Rein) Capt. L. A. Crouch
Company D (Rein) Capt. R. M. Sweeney
Company H&S (-) (Rein) Lt. K. R. Valley
Lt. M. L. Chang 1-20 July
1st Plt, Co. C, 3rd Tk Bn Lt. G. D. Rose
1st Plt, Co. B, 3rd AT Bn Lt. J. T. Mathews
( Lt. A. G. Anderson
1-13 August)
Mission Assigned:
Regimental Frag Order #10 of 18 July provided a six-fold mission for the battalion: (1) Occupy and defend along trace of the MLR in the right sector of regimental TAOR. (2) Maintain OPLR within sector. (3) Conduct and maintain surveillance of seaward approaches within sector to repel overt landings and prohibit infiltration. (4) Maintain outpost for defense of bride at (BT 498067) and continue a traffic control point to check entry of civilians and vehicles into regimental TAOR on Route #1. (5) Provide liaison personnel to effect positive coordination with District Chief, Ly Tin District and, (6) Be prepared to provide battalion (-) on order, for employment as reaction force to be heli-lifted or road transported anywhere in the division zone.
During the first half of the month, the battalion continued to concentrate its defense along a line running roughly north and south and bisecting the peninsula, from (BT 525115) to (BT 527103) to (BT 530080) to (BT 509059). Night patrolling consisted principally of defending this line and conducting squad patrols, on the average of one per platoon, to the waters edge and back. During the same time the battalion manned a forward MLR along the waters edge every fourth or fifth night. Platoons patrolled to the waters edge after dark and returned to the rear MLR before first light. Although the forward MLR provided superior observation and fields of fire, it was not defended continuously because of a complete lack of defensive materials. The use of two MLR’s combined with several security patrols every night was designed to confuse the enemy and keep infiltration on the peninsula to a minimum. Infantry patrols were augmented by night LVT waterborne patrols, conducted almost nightly to enforce curfew and restrict infiltration by boats, particularly in vicinity (BT 5008) and (BT 5109).
Regimental Frag Order #11 of 18 August further amplified the battalion’s mission in view of the fact that an enemy attack would be especially likely during the period 18-25 August, in commemoration of the release of Viet Nam from Japanese occupation. In response to the order to maintain an increased defensive posture during this period, the battalion conducted only limited offensive combat patrolling within the TAOR and concentrated on intensive night patrolling on the peninsula. During the period 191800H through 201500H and defended sector on the battalion’s left flank. Company B, 3rd Recon Battalion continued defense of same sector from 201500H through 221300H.
Following the period 18-25 August, the battalion continued intensive night squad patrolling along the waters edge. Each rifle company conducted an average of three squad night patrols to the forward MLR and along the waters edge continuously during the hours of darkness. Strong points or patrol bases were maintained along the former or rear MLR, while emphasis was placed upon the intensive patrolling along the waters edge to inhibit VC infiltration.
During the month the battalion maintained liaison with Regimental Headquarters by having an officer and communicator at the headquarters at all times. Numerous artillery and mortar fire mission were fired both within and beyond the battalion TAOR upon request of the District Chief, but a difficulty existed in that surveillance promised was rarely provided. District Headquarters has been utilized on several occasion to provide Popular Forces units for USMC operations involving handling of Vietnamese local nationals.
Aggressive combat patrolling in the western portion of the TAOR has continued as directed by regimental verbal order of 20 July, although diminished by two factors; (1) non availability of required helicopter support and (2) emphasis on the defense during period 18-25 July. Patrolling of Ky Xuan Island (centered BT 4807) and Ky Hoa Island (centered BT 5013) has continued, with apprehension of several VCC and VCS.
The battalion has continued the defense of two outposts. These are the platoon combat outpost on Hill 69 (OP #1), located at (BT 468068), and the platoon checkpoint/outpost at An Tan Bridge (OP#2), located at (BT 497066). Both are designed to withstand intense and sustained enemy attacks, although the defenses still suffer from lack of materials, principally concertina, long stakes and sandbags. Only 30% of the designed protective wire has been laid, and neither outpost yet possesses tactical wire, mines, or barriers. Both outposts have a sufficient number of positions bunkered and overheaded to provide protection to personnel during mortar and/or artillery bombardments.
In the accomplishment of its mission, the battalion has sought to enhance its image with local villagers and at the same time gain their confidence and co-operation by means of an increased civic action program. A battalion Civic Action Out-Patient Clinic has been established to provide badly needed medical assistance on a regular basis to residents of Ky Hoa Village. Several conferences have been held with the village chief of Ky Hoa to determine additional means of possible assistance. Several other types of supplies, such as clothing, books, and athletic equipment, have been provided to the villagers. The villagers have responded by cutting stakes for use in building a fence in front of real property authorized for military use and by moving graves from site of proposed heli-pad vicinity (BT 526116).
Operation Participation and Results:
July 1-2
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 3908, 4008, 4108
Units – Co B, Det, 1st Plt, Co B, 3rd AT Bn, Det, Co C, 3rd MT Bn, Det, Co A, 1st
AmTrac Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 2 VCW
July 3-4
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4408, 4507, 4609
Units – Co B, Det, 1st Plt, Co B, 3rd AT Bn, Det, Co C, 3rd MT Bn, Det, Co A, 1st
AmTrac Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 5
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island (centered BT 4809)
Units – 2nd Plt, Co B, Det, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 5
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Peninsula (centered BT 4410)
Units – 1st Plt, Co D, Det, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 1 VCS
July 6
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Hoa Island (centered BT 5013)
Units – 2nd Plt, Co A, Det, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 6
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island and Island at (centered BT 4712)
Units – 1st Plt, Co B, Det, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 4 VCC
6 VCS
July 7-8
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4112, 4011, 3911, 3909, 4108, 4408
Units – Co D, Det, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn, FMAW
Casualties – USMC 1 WIA
Enemy 1 VCK
3 VCW
July 8-10
Combat patrol, search and destroy –
Place – vicinity BT 4108, 4106, 4305, 4204, 4405, 4406
Units – Co B, Co C, Bn Command Group, FMAW
Casualties – USMC 12 WIA
USN 1 WIA
Enemy 7 VCK
3 VCW
July 10
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4906, 4806, 4706
Units – 2nd Plt, Co C
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 11
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island
Units – 2nd Plt, Co D
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 11
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island
Units – 2nd Plt, Co A
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 12
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island
Units – 1st Plt, Co C
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 12
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Peninsula centered BT 4410
Units – 2nd Plt, Co B
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 3 VCC
4 VCS
July 13-14
Sweep and clear –
Place – vicinity BT 4209, 4309, 4308, 4108
Units – Co A, Co B, Co C, Bn Command Group, Det, 1st Plt, Co B, 3rd AT Bn,
FMAW
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 15
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4310, 4209, 4108
Units – 1st Plt, Co B, Det, Co C, 3rd MT Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 15
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4507, 4407, 4606
Units – 3rd Plt, Co C
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 1 VCS
July 16-17
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Hoa Island
Units – 1st Plt, Co C, Det, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 17-18
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 3908, 4007, 4108, 4308, 4508
Units – Co D, Det, Co C, 3rd MT Bn, FMAW
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 18-20
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island
Units – 3rd Plt, Co B
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 2 VCS
July 18-20
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Hoa Island
Units – 3rd Plt, Co A
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 20-21
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island
Units – 2nd Plt, Co A
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 1 VCC
3 VCS
July 24
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island
Units – 2nd Plt, Co B
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 2 VCC
1 VCS
July 24-25
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4707, 5405, 4407, 4308
Units – 3rd Plt, Co A
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 25-26
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BR 4308, 4209, 4407, 4707
Units – 3rd Plt, Co C
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 3 VCS
July 27-28
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4208, 4107, 4307, 4405, 4606
Units – 1st Plt, Co D
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 29
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Xuan Island
Units – 3rd Plt, Co C
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 30
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4606, 5407, 4407
Units – 2nd Plt, Co A
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 30-31
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity Ky Hoa Island
Units – 3rd Plt, Co B
Casualties – USMC 0
Enemy 0
July 31
Combat patrol –
Place – vicinity BT 4409, 4309, 4208
Units – 2nd Plt, Co D
Casualties – USMC 2 KIA
4 WIA
Enemy 0