182300H November 1965
Operation Order 225-65
Ref: (a) Map: Viet Nam 1:50,000 AMS L701 Sheets 6757 III, 6757 IV
(b) Operation Order 222-65
( c) Admin Order 222-65
Time Zone: H
1. Situation.
a. Enemy Forces. Elements of the A-19 Company Local Force unit have been reported in the Ky Chanh (BT 4315) area as of 13 November 1965. Weapons capability: 60mm mortar, 30 cal. Light MG, SMG and individual weapons of various types. A number of guerrilla personnel have been reported through interrogation reports of captives of 1/4 sweep on 24 October 1965. The most recent activity occurred during afternoon of 18 November when an estimated fifteen VC fired on and engaged two squads of Marine troops vicinity (BT 4514). Reports of weapons not confirmed at present. Village chief of Ky Hoa reports that all friendly elements have departed the west of grid line 47 and that no VN people loyal to the GVN are residing in the suspect area.
b. Friendly Forces.
(1) 4th Marines continues defense of Chu Lai airfield.
(2) Artillery. 3rd Bn, 12th Marines provide fire support as required.
(3) Air. FMAW provides helicopters for medical evacuation as necessary and requested CAS on call.
(4) 7th ITT. Provides one interrogator-translator.
2. Mission. 1st Bn (-)(rein), 4th Marines lands on peninsula centered vicinity (BT 4514) conducts combat patrol to seek, destroy, apprehend and confiscate all VC, VCS, supplies, installations, and defenses.
3. Execution.
a. Concept of Operation. At H-Hour on D-Day one reinforced rifle company (-) lands at the designated landing point and conducts a combat patrol on the peninsula from the landing point to the SE end of the peninsula. LVTs upon disembarking Marines patrols Truong Giang River to prevent VC escape via that route. One rifle squad occupies blocking position on western end of Ky Hoa Island and provides security for one section of 81mm mortars. Upon completion of combat patrol all units return to base camp areas.
b. Company B (-)(rein).
Attached: Engineer mine detector and demolition teams.
81 FO Team
FAC Team
VN Interpreter
(1) Land by LVTs vicinity (BT 442158) conduct combat patrol to end of peninsula (BT 461147).
(2) Return to base camp by LVT on order. Retraction point vicinity (BT 461147).
c. Company C (-)(rein).
(1) Continue operations on Ky Hoa Island in accordance with reference (a).
(2) On D-Day establish one squad blocking position by 190700H vicinity (BT 475144) and provide security for one section of 81mm mortars.
(3) 1st Platoon, Company C. Reserve/strike force. 15 minutes alert for movement by helo/LVT.
d. H&S Company.
(1) 81mm Mortar Platoon (-).
(a) Establish one section in firing position by 190700H vicinity (BT 477144).
(2) Provide 10 Marines for operation of VC/VCS collection point.
e. 3rd Platoon, Co A, 1st AmTrac Bn.
(1) After disembarking troops, patrol Truong Giang River from landing point to SE end of and around peninsula to (BT 446149).
f. Coordinating Instructions.
(1) Annex B (Operation Overlay).
(2) D-Day: 19 November 1965.
(3) H-Hour: 0745
(4) Rules of Engagement: No change.
(5) Psychological operations: Two leaflets will be distributed by the reserve elements, 500 describing the lonely life of a VC soldier and how his death goes unnoticed and 60 leaflets describing the heavy losses the VC suffered during a battle at Chu Lai.
(6) Civil Affairs: One corpsman will move with the prisoner collection team and Administer MEDCAP to the local people and prisoners as necessary.
(7) Fire support in accordance with reference (b).
(8) Reports in accordance with reference (b).
(9) Check in on ‘Battalion TAC Net at 190600H.
(10) Prevent unnecessary destruction of property by all appropriate means.
(11) All religious, cultural, medical and public installations are restricted from damage by any weapons or supporting arms.
(12) Blocking units apprehend persons leaving the peninsula if possible. If not possible to apprehend, fire warning shots across the bow of boats or in front of people to warn them to turn back. If warning is disregarded, fire to hit the target.
(13) Treat captives humanely.
4. Administration and Logistics.
a. See reference ( c).
b. Mobile collection point follow in trace behind Company B.
c. Preplanned resupply on call.
5. Command and Communications/Electronics. Reference (b).
a. Report CP location when established and hourly thereafter.