Company A, 1st Bn, 4th Marines

Situation Report on activities involving 1st Platoon on 11 Dec 65 between the hours of 2030H and 2200H:

Size: Estimated eight to twelve enemy, with small arms. This was ascertained from actual count by personnel online. Enemy was working in two-man teams across the center – right of our front-line positions. Illumination lite up area sufficiently for spotting the enemy while he was probing the barbed wire. Muzzle flashes were seen at various points opposite our front-line positions from 50 to 150 meters away.

Activity:

At approximately 2030, 11 Dec, a Marine in the center of our front lines spotted movement on the path in front of the barbed wire across from his bunker. The Marine yelled halt but the person or persons did not halt or answer but appeared to be trying to hide. The Marine then threw a grenade at the movement. Approximately 3 to 5 minutes later, 2 grenades were thrown from the enemy side of the wire and landed to the left front of the Marines positions. Approximately 5 minutes later, another Marine spotted two men at the barbed wire across from his center line position. They appeared to be cutting the wire (this was substantiated this morning when the wire was checked and found that it was cut). The Marine opened fire on the two men and in turn he received several incoming small arms rounds (possible carbine). We estimate he received 8 – 10 rounds of incoming. One round struck the Marines helmet as it lay on the ground beside him at the beginning of the action. The Marine’s bunker was checked this morning and approximately 6 rounds were found to have entered the sandbags.

Almost at the same time as this was occurring, machine guns covering the center left of our sector were taken under enemy fire. An A/W was being used and expended 10 to 15 rounds in one burst. The rounds were hitting high, above L/Cpl FU—S position (machine gunner) and were zipping through the trees. Two people were spotted on our extreme left flank in front of our other machine gun position. Cpl HOLMES spotted two men under illumination from 81’s, crawling up the beach toward our lines. Cpl HOLMES opened fire on the 2 persons, and they slipped into the bush and were not spotted again. For the next 15 minutes our entire front lines were taken under fire from fixed positions. Approx 50 to 150 meters in front of our lines they were spread over a 300-meter front. 8 out of 11 trip flares were tripped on our lines, barbed wire was cut in one area, and we received an estimated 80 to 100 incoming rounds.

Location: LST Sand Ramp perimeter. Enemy activity originated at coord (BT 524121.

Unit: Undetermined.

Equip: Carbines (8-10) (one automatic), 30 cal. Machine Gun (1)

This page last corrected 18 September 2011