17 July 1967

From:       Commanding Officer

To:            Commanding Officer, 4^th marines

Subj:         Combat After Action Report (Operation Choctaw)

Ref:     (a)        Maps: Viet Nam, AMS Series L7014, 1:50,000 Sheets 6442 II, 6442 III

              (b)       4^th Marines MSG 110001Z June 1967

             (c)         3^rd Mar DivO 3100.1C

1. Operation Choctaw.  Search and Destroy.
2. Dates of Operation.  301600H May to 151900H July 1967
3. Location.  Phong Dien District, Thua Thien Province, Republic of South Viet Nam.
4. Task Organization.

            1^st Battalion 4^th Marines                                        Maj           R.C.           Bell

            Company A                                                                 Capt           C.A.           Stern

            Company B                                                                 1^st Lt           D.R.           Vandiver

            Company C                                                                 Capt            J.A.            Edwards

            Company D                                                                 Capt           A.D.           Crosby

            Company H&S                                                            Capt          D.K.           Rumsey

Direct Support Units

                                    Det, Sniper Platoon, Hq Co 4^th Marines

                                    Det, B, Co B, 3^rd Engr Bn

                                    Det B, Co A, 3^rd Shore Party Bn

5. Supporting Forces.
6. From 31 May to 15 June 1967 Battery G, 3^rd Battalion 12^th Marines was in direct support of 1^st Battalion 4^th marines.  Battery G responded quickly to fire requests from Companies A and B.  These fire missions were employed to destroy and/or neutralize harbor sites, bunkers, and other enemy positions.  All requests for supporting fire were controlled by the Battalion FSCC.
7. Air Support.  Air support during the subject period consisted only helo recon flights and resupply flights from the 4^th Marines CP Complex to units on Hill 51.
8. Intelligence.
9. Enemy incidents during Operation Choctaw consisted of small VC contacts of no more than 7 or 8 men.  The enemy employed booby traps, and snipers in their general program of harassment.  The enemy was armed with Chinese made weapons i.e., AK-47s, and MAT-49.
10. Terrain.

(1)               Critical Terrain Features.  The critical terrain feature was Hill 51 (YD 552284).

(2)               Cover and Concealment.  The area was predominantly open, rolling hills with heavy brush in some areas affording concealment.  Cover could be found along rice-paddy dikes and underground bunkers.

(3)               Avenues of Approach.  Route 1 and the 2 rivers (Song Bo and O Lun) running west to east were the main avenues of approach.  Trails and a small number of wooded areas also afforded approaches.

1. Weather.  The weather was hot with temperatures ranging from a high of 103 degrees to a low of 76 degrees.  Precipitation was light with intermittent showers in the afternoon and early evening hours.  Visibility was good; up to 7 miles on most days.
2. Mission.  The mission of the battalion was to relieve the 2^nd Battalion 4^th Marines conducting Operation Choctaw in the Phong Dien District, Quang Tri Province, RVN.  In addition, one company, reinforced was provided to relieve G/2/9 providing security for Company C, 11^th Engineer Battalion upgrading Route 547 at Nam Hoa (YD 755135).  This mission would be designated Operation Cumberland upon relief of G/2/9.  The Battalion would be prepared to move additional forces to the Nam Hoa area as needed.
3. Concept of Operation. Company B provided security for 4^th Marine CP complex and coordinated the defense with other tenant units.  Company A established a company patrol base on Hill 51 (YD 552284) and conducted aggressive patrols in the surrounding Co Bi Than Tan Valley.  Company D provided one platoon for defense of the Phong Dien District Headquarters and the remainder of the company as Sparrow Hawk alert and convoy security.  Company G stood by to move to Nam Hoa to begin Operation Cumberland.
4. Execution.  4^th Marines Frag Order 23-67 was issued directing the Battalion to relieve 2^nd Battalion 4^th Marines and continue Operation Choctaw.  The relief was affected by 1600H on 31 May.  The 3^rd Platoon Company D moved to Phong Dien District Headquarters at 1845H.  Company A on Hill 51 immediately began two platoon size patrols south of their position into the Co Bi Than Tan Valley with duration of 2-4 days.  Sniper teams attached to Company A were utilized as OPs in conjunction with their sniper activities.

031600H        Company C relieved G/2/9 at Nam Hoa and began Operation Cumberland.

032000H        Two children were killed by a booby-trapped hand grenade near the Phong Dien District Headquarters.  Corpsman from 3^rd Platoon Company D went to assist but the children were DOA.

040715H       One platoon each from Company A and B established blocking position vicinity YD 606278 for PF sweep from Rt #1 down Song Bo River.  The results of the sweep were 1 VC/KIA (C), one M-2 carbine and one M-79 captured by PF’s.

051330H        Sniper attached to Company A discovered booby trap vicinity YD 581271 while occupying OP.

051340H        Sniper Team observed 32 VC moving in groups of 2-3 carrying rifles, packs and some wearing helmets vicinity YD 58240. *  Artillery mission called resulting in 2 VC/KIA (c)

052400H        3^rd Platoon, Company D ambush encountered one VC while moving to ambush sight.  Ambush opened fire resulting in one VC/KIA (c) and one A/W captured.

060930H        Marine from Company A detonated a booby trapped 250 lb bomb while on patrol at YD 574274 resulting in one friendly KIA and 1 WIA.  The bomb was well buried and camouflaged.

061255H        3^rd Platoon, Company A found 300 lbs of rice spread out to dry at YD 578264.  Rice was destroyed, as no transportation was available for removal.

060950H        1^st Platoon, Company A patrols found base camp at YD 554255 consisting of 10 well-built bunkers.  Paths led from bunkers to west and south.  An ambush would return to the location after dark.

061835h        1^st Platoon, Company A patrols spotted 5 VC with weapons on road vicinity YD 579247.  The point opened fire on VC and an artillery mission called.  Checked area and found 1 VC/KIA (c), 1 AK-47 and many bloodstains.

081625H        Patrol from Company B heard explosion on road vicinity YD 600310.  Investigated and discovered that convoy had struck a mine in road and later a 250 lb bomb had been command detonated approximately 25 meters off the road.  Results were 3 friendly KIA, 12 WIA and damage to several vehicles.

091300H        Patrol from 3^rd Platoon Company A spotted 4 VC in a clearing vicinity YD 552254 near 200 lb pile of rice.  Patrol opened fire killing 3 VC and wounding one.  Wounded VC got away.  Rice was destroyed in place.

101100H        Company B began relief of Company A on Hill 51.  Company A units returned to 4^th Marines CP Complex and assumed mission of perimeter defense.

101520H        Patrol from 3^rd Platoon, Company A spotted 3 VC moving along river at YD 589256.  Patrol opened fire killing 2 VC.  Checked area and found one 60mm tube, blasting caps, one block TNT, 1 M-26 grenade and a pack.

101600H        2 Platoons from Company B and one platoon from Company A moved to vicinity YD 595306 to establish ambush along Rt #1 where several mining incidents had taken place.

111300H        1^st Platoon, Company B found one 82mm mortar round rigged as pressure type booby trap at YD 595308.  Booby trap was destroyed in place.

130900H        3^rd Platoon, Company B found anti-personnel mine with pressure release firing device on side of road at YD 570313.  Mine was blown in place.

131100H        Two Platoons from Company B and two tanks moved to vicinity YD 605291 to burn heavy cane area suspected as VC harbor site.  Cane was very green and burned very slowly.  All units secured and returned to Route #1 by 1500H.

141110H        2^nd Platoon, Company B patrols found approximately 450 lbs of rice bagged in sandbags.  Help requested to pick rice up and delivered to Phong Dien District Headquarters.

151100H        A sniper team returning to Hill 51 stepped on a mine at YD 555295 of unknown type resulting in one friendly WIA med-evac.

On 12 June the Battalion assumed OPCON of C/1/3 and placed the 2^nd Platoon at Phong Dien District Headquarters as relief for a platoon from 2/4 who was placed there temporarily.  The remainder of the Company moved to the vicinity of Hill 51 on 14 June.  On 15 June C/1/3 (-) moved into the Co Bi Than Tan Valley to conduct search and destroy operations and pre-position themselves near the Song Bo River by 16 June for a combined USMC/ARVN sweep down the river to the vicinity of Route #1.

At approximately 151100H the Battalion received the mission of sending Company A and the Alpha Command Group to the Cumberland area.  1/3 began relieving units of Company B on Hill 51.  The A Command Group and Company A departed for the Cumberland Area (Nam Hoa) at 1500H.

Company B chopped OPCON to 1/3 and 1/3 assumed the Battalions mission at 1930H.  Company B remained OPCON to 1/3 until 191200H at which time it returned to control of 1/4 and moved to Operation Cumberland area immediately.

10. Results.
11. Friendly Losses.

(1)        The following is a recapitulation of friendly casualties incurred by the 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines (rein) during Operations Choctaw covering the period 30 May 1967 to 15 June 1967.

                                                            USMC              USN

                                                            Off/Enl            Off/Enl

                                    KIA                     0/1                  0/0

                                    WIA                    0/7                  0/0

                                    MIA                    0/0                  0/0

                                    DOW                 0/0                  0/0

11. Administrative Matters.  The administrative concept during this period was that units located at Choctaw (Camp Evans) would request resupply through the Battalion S-4.  The reports would be forwarded to and filled by the LSA at Camp Evans.  Class II and IV items of resupply had to be approved by S-4, 4^th Marines prior to issue.
12. Supply Techniques, Combat Loads, Ammunition and Weapons.

(1)               Company A, on Hill 51, was resupplied every third day by helicopter.  Company B assigned perimeter security, was resupplied by organic transportation.

(2)               All units at Choctaw maintained a basic allowance of Class V.

(3)               Companies continued to hold indoctrination classes and FAM firing with the M-16 rifle.

1. Maintenance.  Third and fourth echelon maintenance was performed by FLSG-A at Phu Bai.
2. Treatment of Casualties and Evacuations and Hospitalization.

First echelon medical care was performed in the field by hospital corpsman attached to the companies.  Following field treatment those patients requiring further care were evacuated via helicopter to Company A, 3^rd Medical Battalion in Phu Bai.

There was one Marine killed and seven wounded in action from hostile fire, mines and booby traps.

There were 303 patients seen at sick call.  Three patients from Shore Party were treated at Battalion Aid Station during this period.

Significant medical entities encountered were limited to:

Diarrhea, acute          7      Dermatitis                      18

Fungal infections     14      Hemorrhoids                  2

Cellulites                      9       Perforated ear drums   3

FUO                                 1

Consults were sent as follows:

Dental                   28          Urology             2

EENT                     4           Neurological     3

Consults were sent to the following facilities:

Company A, 3^rd Medical Battalion    20

Naval Support Activity, Da Nang         4

USS Sanctuary (AH-17)                            3

1. Transportation.  Transportation was provided by a detachment of 3^rd Motor Transport Battalion located at Choctaw.  One truck was provided daily for housekeeping runs.  The remaining transportation was organic.  No transportation problems were encountered during this period.
2. Special Equipment and Technique.  None
3. Commanders Analysis.  There were no significant problems encountered during this operation.
4. Recommendations.  None

This page last corrected 27 August 2011