From: Company B, 1st Bn 4th Marines (-)(rein)

To: S-2, 1st Bn 4th Marines (-)(rein)

Subj: Report of operation of Company B zone of responsibility 12 Sept 1965.

Concept. Land Company B at BT 414157 sweeping East to 460148, with Company D on left flank and attachment w/Engineers, NGF, FAC and Arty.

Operation. Company B was landed at BT 414157 and swept east with two (2) platoons on line and one (1) back. At BT 421156, cleared area about 100×200 meters of helo punji stakes; stacked up and destroyed by Engineers. Picked up 34 VN, turned them over to S-2, who questioned them and released all but 7 suspects. Found rice and bags at BT 430159, approx 100 lbs. Found canvas and rubber boats and a flag in colors of purple, red, yellow, white and blue at BT 419159 (turned in to S-2). Area from BT 446150 to BT 457147, most houses appeared to be only temporary, with only a roof. Houses appeared to be being moved and people were living under roof and in bomb shelters.

Conclusion. That from questioning of VCS, the VC had been there 2 days before.

Recommendation. That we maintain a Company reaction force, and that when we received a report of VC, that we act immediately regardless of the time. As a result the VC would not have time to move again before we engage them. With the landing of MAG-36 here at Chu Lai, we should have helos readily available for this reaction force or as an alternate means use LVT’s.