Intelligence
During the month of February, the 1st Bn 4th Marines participated in the defense of Vandegrift Combat Base/Vandegrift Combat Installation and other stationary defensive installations in northwestern I Corps RBC, including FSB Neville, FSB Russell, FSB Cates, Hill 950, Hill 691, Elliott Combat Base, Khe Gio Bridge and FSB Fuller.
A. Enemy. Contact with the enemy during the month was generally light, although there was a marked increase in enemy activity.
On 5 February, a patrol of Co. A made contact with an estimated enemy squad size ambush Grid XD 826574. The patrol spotted the enemy first, gained fire superiority and killed two NVA. On 8 February, Co. D also had contact with an unknown size enemy unit grid XD 832580 two NVA were killed. As a result of this contact a follow up patrol in the same vicinity made contact with four NVA and killed two. On 15 February, Co. D while reconnoitering an area Grid XD 988562 employed a reconnaissance by fire and received automatic weapons fire in return. Upon investigation of the area numerous fresh trails were found leading in all directions.
During February there were two enemy initiated ambushes on Route #9, Grid YD 049567. One of the ambushes was initiated against the daily convoy from Dong Ha to VCB on 13 February and the other against two jeeps enroute to VCB on 21 February. Plastic command detonated mines were employed to stop the vehicles, mortars and small arms were then employed against the personnel in the killing zone.
Throughout the AO the enemy attempted to register mortars and rockets on a number of fixed installations as evidenced by 6 rounds of 122mm rockets launched at Elliott Combat Base and a number of 60mm and 82mm mortars fired at FSB Neville and FSB Russell.
On 12 February an agent report rated C-3, reported an estimated enemy unit of 1000 men were moving east at Grid XD 820639.
The NVA captured was an NVA medical corpsman who walked in the rear security of a patrol base at Grid YD 001454 on 3 February.
The POW had no military training and stated his unit was on an infiltration route located in Laos. Apparently, he had deserted and was enroute to NVN when captured.
The daily road sweeps found a number of plastic mines of Chinese manufacture and ½ pound blocks of TNT.
There were numerous sightings of two- and three-man enemy units near fixed installations throughout the AO. These units were believed to be enemy reconnaissance forward observer teams.
Total: KIA – 4
Captured – 1
B. Weather. The first part of the month produced hot and humid weather with temperatures ranging from 100 degrees to a low of 70 degrees with early morning ground fog. The last part of the month produced generally cool days with cooler nights, the temperature ranging between 75 degrees and 60 degrees with a frequent light drizzle and heavy ground fog lasting until mid-morning. The wind was variable at 5 to 15 knots.
C. Terrain. The AO has numerous hills with crests ranging from 300 to 700 meters, numerous valleys and small feeder streams. Dense underbrush with savannah grass ranges from 4 to 15 feet high.
D. Enemy equipment captured or destroyed.
1. Small arms ammo
a. AK-47 ammo – 80 rounds
2. Mortars, RR and Rocket ammo
a. none
3. Weapons
a. AK-47 magazines – 3
4. Mines, demolition, explosives
a. AT mines – 4
b. AP mines – 1
c. ½ pound block TNT – 39
d. Chi-com claymores – 7
e. Chi-com grenades – 7
5. Medical Supplies
a. Hyperchlorid – 1 bottle
b. Mercurochrome – 5cc
c. Hypodermic needle – 1
d. 22-gauge needles – 3
e. 20-gauge needle – 1
f. Vitamin B-12 – 12 vials
g. Vitamin B-1 – 1 bottle
h. Marijuana – 12 oz.
i. Opium – 4 oz.
E. Psychological Warfare. All psychological warfare operations were conducted by higher echelon.
F. Civil Affairs. There were three Med-Cap programs conducted during February in the village of Lang Kat and Phu Thanh with treatment given to 100 villagers. Three villagers were med-evaced to C Med. Toys provided by the 4th Marines were distributed to the children.
This page last corrected 4 September 2011