Mission – February 1966

 

Operations/Training

A         Mission.  During the period of this chronology the missions of the 1st Battalion 4th Marines continued to be as assigned by the 1st Marine Regiment Operation Order -08-65 dated 20 December 1965; namely:

  1. Occupy and defend in assigned zone of the 1st Marine sector
  2. Maintain combat bases on Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan.
  3. Conduct aggressive operations and patrolling within assigned zone.
  4. Be prepared to conduct operations outside the TAOR unilaterally or bilaterally with RVNAF.
  5. Conduct and maintain surveillance of seaward approaches within sector to repel landing and prohibit infiltration.
  6. Construct and maintain field fortifications required for protection of the vital area of Ky Ha Peninsula
  7. Conduct a vigorous Civil Affairs Program within assigned zone.
  8. Provide liaison personnel to the Chief, Quang Tin Province, Tam Ky.

During the month of February this Battalion continued to assume additional responsibilities outlined in the mission of the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines by physically occupying and defending strategic positions within the TAOR.  A forward command post was activated by the Battalion in 2nd Battalion 4th Marines area along with two rifle companies.  All assigned missions were executed with vigor.  Aggressive saturation patrolling and ambush establishment precluded any large-scale enemy build up intent upon attacking the vital logistic support area, airfield and helo landing pads in the rear.

  1. Operations. During the month of February, the Battalion maintained two rifle companies along the MLR on the Ky Ha Peninsula, a rifle company (-) on the Island of Ky Hoa, a reinforced platoon on the Island of Ky Xuan, a company (-) in the vicinity of the An Tan Bridge, vicinity (BT 496067) a reinforced platoon at Ky Phu (2) vicinity (BT 478051), a company positioned on Hill 69 vicinity (BT 467068) and a reinforced platoon at Ong Bo Bridge vicinity (BT 429110).  On the peninsula Companies C and M/3/7, which was replaced by I/3/7 on 21 February, both OPCON to 1/4, conducted vigorous saturation patrolling and ambushes forward and rear of the MLR.  Several of these were coordinated USMC/Popular Forces.  In addition, USMC/Self Defense Corps checkpoints were manned in various hamlets to ensure compliance with established curfew regulations.  Company M and later Company I provided security for the LST Ramp vicinity (BT 522121) located on the northeast tip of the Peninsula in addition to occupying their portion of the MLR.  Companies conducted aggressive patrolling on the islands of Ky Xuan (BT 4810) and Ky Hoa (BT 5014).  The patrol activities were in conjunction with an active Pacification/rural reconstruction program.  Self Defense Corps checkpoints were maintained on Ky Hoa Island to ensure compliance with established curfew regulations.

            Company D conducted vigorous patrols and ambushes along Route #1, out into the Ky Sanh Valley vicinity (BT 4506) and defended the Ong Bo Bridge (BT 429110).  Company A conducted aggressive patrols and ambushes from the An Tan Bridge (BT 496067), from vicinity (BT 509068) and from Ky Phu (2) (BT 478051).

            H&S Company continued to defend the Battalion Command Post.  In addition, the company provided personnel as security for the waterborne patrol and to accompany the nightly Popular Forces ambush within the Ky Ha Village.  The 2nd Plat Company A, 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion conducted nightly waterborne patrols throughout various inland waterways within the Battalion TAOR.  The patrols primary mission was to ensure compliance with the existing curfew regulations.  In the above-mentioned mission, the LVTs provided logistic support to the patrol bases located on the Islands of Ky Hoa and Ky Xuan Tactical support in the form of amphibious landings was provided during the scheduled operations on Ky Khuong Peninsula (BT 4411) on 5 February and Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315) on 23 February.  Offensive operation for the Battalion consisted of three Battalion (-) operations and several company and reinforced platoon sized operations.  On 5 February 1966 Operation DEAD END, a Battalion (-) operation was executed on Ky Khuong Peninsula vicinity (BT 4411).  Company M moved via LVT through the junkyard waterways and established a blocking position along the northern shore (BT 440120 to 459120) of the Peninsula; the remaining company moved along National Route #1 and established a blocking position along the highway from (BT 434105 to 435114 to 4531-7) and from (BT 450089 to 457094).  Coastal Defense Fleet 15 provided a motorized junk blocking patrol along the eastern portion of the peninsula from (BT 454124 to 455095).  Two PF platoons were attached to Company D to assist in the search and clear mission.  Initially one company swept from the LD, in the North/Northeast direction to linkup with the blocking force on the northern shore. Upon link up, the company initially in the blocking position, moved to Northwestern sector of the peninsula, while the sweeping company consolidated its forces and prepared reswept on a parallel axis in the Southeastern sector of the peninsula.  During the sweep operation, a thorough detailed search of terrain, for tunnels, caves, caches, and weapons were conducted.  During the operation male VCS were turned into District Headquarters at the request of the District Chief.  One mine, type unknown, was blown in place.  Between 18 and 20 February, Company D and Company M conducted a Battalion (-) operation from Ong Bo Bridge (BT 429109) North to Hill 54 (BT 396145) and kept the road open for the initial convoy and resupply to Operation DOUBLE EAGLE, Phase Two.

            The efforts of the Battalion kept the road open and secure during the entire time they operated in that area.  On 23 February 1966.  Operation OLD HAT, a Battalion (-) operation was executed on Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4315).  Company B landed vicinity (BT 456142) and swept through the villages of Linh An (1) (BT 445143) and Phu Vinh (BT 435146).  Company D cross landed on Hoa Xuan vicinity (BT 427121) and swept North through the villages of Dong Thanh (1) vicinity (BT 423128) and Dong Thanh (2) vicinity (BT 424137).  Company I, landed on Hoa Xuan Island vicinity (BT 440160), and swept the Northwest portion of the Island.  Company B received S/A and A/W fire sustaining 1 Marine WIA.  The VC broke contact before the Marines could assault their position. Company B sustained two more casualties’ vicinity (BT 439158) from booby-trapped 155mm artillery round.  One Marines KIA and one Marine WIA.  All companies found punji pits, many mined with grenades inside.  A number of grenades and artillery shell type mines were also discovered.  Company D also found a 200-meter trench line vicinity (BT 421132).

            At the end of the sweep, Company B sustained one Marine WIA from unknown type mine.  5 VCS were captured and turned over to the Chu Lai Collection Point.

            On 26 February a platoon sized outpost from Company A at Ky Phu (2) vicinity (BT 478051) was attacked during the early morning hours of 26 February by an estimated two companies of VC supported by A/W, 60mm mortars and 57mm recoilless Rifles.  A suicide squad penetrated the defensive wire but was repulsed by vicious close in fighting from the Marines and PF’s.  Marines sustained 1 KIA, and 5 WIA.  Confirmed body count of VC, 23 KIA, and 1 WIA with an estimate of 20 KIA and 20 WIA carried off from the scene of the battle.  Intelligence reports state the A-19 company was involved in the attack.  Weapons captured from the VC included 1-.45 caliber pistol, one Thompson SMG, 3 Czech AR, 1 U.S. Carbine, 1 U.S. 1919A4 .30 caliber LMG.  Along with clothing and quantities of S/A ammunition were also recovered.