221000H October 1967

Operation Order 15-67 (Operation Granite)

Ref:     (a)        Maps: Viet Nam, 1:50,000 AMS L7014, Sheets 6441 I and 6442 II.

              (b)       4^th Mar OpOrder 50-67

             (c)        1^st Ban 4^th Mar COI

Time Zone:            H

Task Organization:

            1^st Bn (-)(rein) 4^th Mar                                         LtCol            Deptula

                        1^st Team, Co A 3^rd SP Bn

                        H&S Co (-)                                                      Capt            Brown

                        Co A (rein)                                                      Capt           Thompson

                                    Det, 3^rd Bn 12^th Mar

                                    Det, HQ Co, 4^th Mar (Bolt Sniper Team)

                                    Det, H&S Co

                                                Sec, 81mm Mortars w/FO

                                                Det, Comm Plt

                                                Det, Med Plt.

                                                FAC Team

                        Co B (rein)                                                      Capt             Ross

                                    Det, 3^rd Bn 12^th Mar

                                    Det, H&S Co

                                                Det, Comm Plt

                                                Det, Med Plt

                                                Det, 81mm Mortar Plt (FO Team)

                                                FAC Team

                        Co C (rein)                                                   Capt            Edwards

                                    Det, 3rd Bn 12^th Mar

                                    Det, HQ Co, 4^th Mar (Starlight Sniper Team)

                                    Det, H&S Co

                                                Det, Comm Plt

                                                Det, Med Plt

                                                Det, 81mm Mortar Plt. (FO Team)

                                                FAC Team

                        Co D (rein)                                                   Capt            Sperry

                                    Det, 3^rd Bn 12^th Mar

                                    Det, HQ Co, 4^th Mar (Starlight Sniper Team)

                                    Det, H&S Co

                                                Det, Comm Plt

                                                Det, Med Plt

                                                Det, 81mm Mortar Plt (FO Team)

                                                FAC Team

1. Situation
2. Enemy forces.

(1)            Current INTSUMS and PERTINTREPS.

(2)            Intelligence Estimate (PASEP).

1. Friendly forces.

(1)        4^th Marines continues operations in assigned TAOR to destroy VC/NVA main and guerrilla forces.

(2)       1^st Bn 3^rd Marines conducts similar operations in adjacent area.

(3)       1^st Infantry Division (ARVN) elements will participate in similar operations in adjacent area.

(4)       3^rd Bn (-)(rein) 12^th Mar DS 4^th Mar; on D-day will displaced one 105mm Battery and one 155mm Battery and establish Forward Artillery Position (YD 501289).

(5)       1^st Marine Aircraft Wing provide fixed wing and helicopter support.

(6)       3^rd Reconnaissance Battalion in GS 3^rd MarDiv with priority of effort to 4^th Marines during Operation Granite.

(7)        2^nd Plt (-)(rein) Btry D, 1^st Bn 44^th Arty (USA) M-55’s, DS 4^th Mar.

(8)        Co B (-), 3^rd AT Bn, DS 1^st Bn (-), 4^th Mar.

(9)        Plt, Co C, 3^rd TK Bn, DS 1^st Bn (-), 4^th Mar.

(10)      Plt, Co B, 3^rd Engr Bn, DS 1^st Bn (-), 4^th Mar

1. Attachments and Detachments.  See Task Organization.
2. Mission.  1^st Battalion 4^th Marines commencing H-hour, D-day will conduct search and destroy operations in the VC/NVA Base Area 114, vicinity Hill 674 (YD 5121) and will provide security for the Forward Artillery Position (vicinity YD 501289).
3. Execution
4. Concept of Operations.  On D-2, 1^st Bn 4^th Marines moves one Company by foot to vicinity of YD 519240 to secure assembly area, conduct search and destroy operations and carry out extensive reconnaissance patrols.  On D-1, on order, move one Company with Tanks and Ontos to vicinity YD 501289 as security for Forward Artillery Position.  On D-1, 2 Companies and Command Group move by foot under cover of darkness to assembly area.  At first light on D-day conduct search and destroy operations along Axis of Advance White with one Company toward Battalion Objective 1 and with two Companies along Axis of Advance Blue toward Battalion Objectives 2 and 3.  On order conduct search and destroy operations with two Companies toward Regimental Objective A.  On order conduct search and destroy operations with one Company along Axis of Advance Green toward Regimental Objective C and with two Companies along Axis of Advance Red toward Battalion Objective 4.  Be prepared to continue attack on order.  See Annex A (Operation Overlay).
5.          H&S Company

(1)        On order, D-2, move two sections 81mm mortars to Hill 674 by helicopter to provide GS to Battalion in zone of action.

(2)        On order, D-2, provide one section 81mm mortars to 3^rd Bn 26^th Marines to augment Camp Evans defense.

(3)        On order, D-1, attach one section 81mm mortars to Company A to augment defense of Forward Artillery Position.

(4)       On order, D-1, provide one squad (-)(rein) for security of CP Group.

1. Company A

(1)       On order, D-day, with Tanks and Ontos in direct support, provide security for the movement of artillery to the Forward Artillery Position (YD 501289) and subsequently provide security for the Forward Artillery Position composed of two 105mm Batteries and one 155mm Battery.

1. Company B

(1)        On order, D-2, move by foot to vicinity assembly area and conduct search and destroy operation while reconnoitering avenues of approach to the Base Camp 114 Area.

(2)        On order, D-1, under the cover of darkness, provides guides at road junction YD 505287 to lead companies into predestinated assembly areas.

(3)        By 260600H secure high ground at YD 519245, YD 514246 and YD 506247.

(4)        On order, D-day, revert to Battalion reserve and follow in trace Company D along Axis of Advance Blue.

(5)        On order, D-day, conduct search and destroy operations toward Battalion Objective 3.

(6)        On order, D+1, conduct search and destroy operations thru assigned Zone of Action toward assigned portion of Regimental Objective A.

(7)        On order, conduct search and destroy operations along Axis of Advance Red toward Battalion Objective A.

(8)        Be prepared to continue the search and destroy operation on order.

1. Company C

(1)        On order, D-1, assume rear guard in order of march and move by foot to vicinity YD 505287, rendezvous with Company B guides and proceed to assembly area vicinity YD 515255.

(2)        On order, D-day, conduct search and destroy operations along Axis of Advance White toward Battalion Objective 1.

(3)        On order, D+1, conduct search and destroy operations thru assigned Zone of Action toward assigned portion of Regimental Objective A.

(4)        On order, assume the role of Battalion reserve and follow in trace of Company B to Battalion Objective 4.  Be prepared to assume the mission of Company B.

(5)        Be prepared to continue the search and destroy operation on order.

1. Company D

(1)                On order, D-1, assume point in order of march and move by foot to vicinity YD 505287, rendezvous with Company C guides and proceed to assembly area vicinity YD 523253.

(2)               On order, D-day, conduct search and destroy operations along Axis of Advance Blue toward Battalion Objective 2.

(3)               On order, D+1, assume the role of Battalion reserve.  Be prepared to assume the mission of Company B or C.

(4)               On order, conduct search and destroy operations along Axis of Advance Green toward Regimental Objective C.

(5)               Be prepared to continue the search and destroy operation on order.

1. Coordinating Instructions.

(1)               Unclassified Code Name: Granite

(2)               D-day: 26 October 1967

(3)               H-hour: 0630H

(4)               1^st Bn (-) 4^th Marines depart Camp Evans 252000H Oct 67.

(5)               RCA utilization authorized.

(6)               Maximum use of supporting arms preparation fires, with emphasis on observed fire and preparation fires in valleys and along streams.

(7)               Absolute maximum dispersion of personnel at all times.  Maintain no more than visual/audible contact between individuals when moving in canopy or close terrain where possibility of ambush greatly increased.  Flank security mandatory whenever possible.  Recon by artillery/mortar fire along flanks of routes of advance in particularly heavy canopy to provide moving envelope in which troops can advance and from which they can attack.  Night positions employ maximum LP’s, minimum illumination.

(8)           Submit positions reports hourly when moving.

(9)           Submit spot reports on occurrence IAW standard format.

(10)         Whenever practicable utilize riot control agents to effect capture where enemy personnel are trapped in caves or tunnels.

(11)          Adhere strictly to the rules of engagement.

(12)         Report by fastest means available all enemy contacts.

(13)         Caution friendly forces on mines and booby traps.

(14)         Do not destroy captured food or medicine.  Report their locations and await instructions.

(15)         Report POW’s and detainees to Bn CP and await instructions.

(16)         Be prepared to submit a terrain sketch upon completion of operation.

(17)         Thrust Points:            Quebec         YD 5327

                                                           Romeo         YD 4925

                                                           Sierra           YD 5423

                                                           Tango           YD 5826

                                                           Uniform       YD 4622

                                                           Victor           YD 5218

                                                           Whiskey       YD 5821

(18)          Operation terminates on order this Headquarters.

4. Administration and Logistics.  In accordance with reference (b) and the following.
5.          Supply

(1)                Class I, III and V will be provided by the LSA.  Class II will be provided by organic accounts.

(2)               All critical Class II shortages will be reported to the Battalion S-4.

(3)               Sundry Packs will be issued one per hundred-men/per day commencing D+2.

1. Prescribed Loads.  As prescribed by the company commander to include:

(1)               Minimum two days Class V and I.  Ensure that adequate quantities of salt and halazone tablets are carried by all hands.

(2)               One (1) 60 ft rope per rifle squad.

(3)               One (1) CS grenade per fire team.

(4)               One (1) block C-4 per individual.

(5)               One (1) rubber air mattress per fire team.

(6)               One (1) gas mask per fire team.

(7)               All available machetes.

1. Uniform and Equipment.  As prescribed by the Company Commander to include flak jackets and helmets.
2. Resupply.

(1)                Resupply will be by helicopter and will commence on D+1.  Resupply will continue as requested.

(2)               1^st Team, Company A, 3^rd Shore Party Battalion will relay all resupply requests over the HST log net to the LSA.

(3)               All resupply requests will be submitted to the Battalion S-4 by 0830H the morning of the day proceeding resupply.

(4)               Due to the nature of the terrain, it is necessary for requesting units to give a full description of the LZ and surrounding terrain, including the height of canopy.

(5)               Company Commanders should note suitable LZ’s as they are discovered. In the event no suitable LZ’s are available an emergency LZ clearing team can be made available, equipped with power saws and demolitions.

(6)               Company A will submit all resupply requests through the 3^rd Battalion 12^th Marines at the Forward Artillery Position.

1. Hospitalization and Evacuation.  Primary means of evacuation will be by helicopter.

            (1)        Helo evacuation in accordance with standard procedure.

            (2)       BAS will be established in the vicinity of the Battalion CP.  BAS will handle all casualties in the event the helo Med Evac is not possible.

             (3)      Heat casualties will be evacuated to the Regimental Aid Station.

             (4)      All other casualties will be hospitalized at Company A, 3^rd Medical Battalion, Phu Bai.

              (5)     Regimental Aid station is prepared to treat critical staff where expeditious handling to rearward medical facilities is considered not essential.  Hemorrhaging casualties or head wounds will not be evacuated to the Regimental Aid station.

               (6)    Each company will carry at least five stretchers.

                (7)    Wounded prisoners and casualties will be brought to the Regimental CP for interrogation.  After initial treatment civilians will be evacuated to the Hue Hospital.

5. Command and Communications/Electronics
6.             CP and OP groups initially with Company D.
7.             Report all CP locations when established.
8.             See Annex B (Communications/Electronics).

This page last corrected 29 August 2011