Narrative
January
1 At 012204H, Marines in a defensive position on the CP perimeter (BT 520091) fired one burst of A/W at a man to the front of their position. The man had not halted when challenged and appeared to fall when fired at. Marines in the adjacent position observed a figure get up and move toward the south. The man was challenged again and did not halt. Seven to eight M-14 rounds were fired as the man disappeared into the brush. Four rounds of 81mm mortar illumination were fired and an eight-man patrol checked the area, finding nothing unusual.
2 At 020818H, the second platoon, Company D received S/A fire from (BT 435152) and (BT 435160) while located on Hill 10 (BT 438158). Artillery was called and a fire for affect was given. The area was thoroughly covered by fire; however, upon conducting a physical surveillance of the area nothing unusual was found. At 020855H, one Company B Marine WIA was sustained when S/A fire was received at (BT 437156). The enemy withdrew before contact could be regained. At 021032H, at (BT 438153) another Company B Marine WIA was sustained when he activated a 60mm mortar mine/booby trap. At 021100H, a Company D squad security patrol apprehended one VC at (BT 495102), armed with two grenades and carrying assorted documents. Company B searched Phu Vinh Hamlet (BT 4314) at 021330H. A total of eleven VCS were apprehended.
3 At 030800H, Company B’s ambush in the vicinity of (BT 462146) apprehended two (2) female VCS that had moved in a boat from (BT 461148) to (BT 462146). One of the women did not have an ID card. The PF platoon commander Mr. ICH informed the Marines that these women were the wives of VC. The two VCS were sent to the Chu Lai Collection Point. At 031350H, a Company D patrol apprehended two (2) VCS males with improper identification in the vicinity of (BT 482094). The two VCS were taken to the Village Chief for disposition. The Village Chief recognizes one of the VCS and released him. The other VCS was sent to the Chu Lai Collection Point because the Village Chief did not recognize him, and he did not have an ID card.
4 At 041222H, a Company B patrol discovered two booby traps in the vicinity of (BT 468140). The fragmentation grenades used in the booby traps were wired into punji pits. The booby traps were blown in place by the patrol.
5 At 050825H, in the vicinity (BT 415159), seven persons were observed to run from a building and fired S/A at a helicopter carrying the Battalion Commander and his staff on a reconnaissance flight of Hoa Xuan Island. The immediate evasive action taken by the pilot did not allow fire to be returned and the VC were not observed again.
The helicopter received one hit without serious damage, and no casualties were sustained.
6 At 2135H, the waterborne patrol hailed a native boat, which failed to stop. Approximately 20 rounds of automatic weapons fire were directed across the bow of the boat. The boat was searched, and credentials checked. The personnel were allowed to continue on their way.
7 At 070315H, Company B platoon patrol vicinity (BT 431142) received heavy small arms fire from Phu Vinh Hamlet (BT 433145), platoon returned fire killing one VC and wounding one. Wounded VC withdrew before platoon could reach him. At 070815H, Company B platoon apprehended one male VCS who appeared unusually interested in VCK vicinity (BT 433145). At 071035H, Company B platoon vicinity (BT 435155) received sporadic sniper fire from (BT 429158). B platoon returned fire with a M-60 machine gun at what appeared to be 3 VC. Artillery was called with three (3) rounds to adjust and a five-round fire for effect that landed twenty-five (25) yards from the group of VCs. Firing from the VC ceased until the platoon started moving toward their LVT pickup point, at which time two (2) more rounds were fired by the VC and the enemy then ceased firing completely when the platoon returned fire again by an M-60 machine gun. The platoon then moved to LVT pickup point. Company B platoon patrol apprehended six (6) VCS in Phu Vinh Hamlet during the morning of 7 January. VCS were of military age and were in the area from which earlier sniper rounds had been fired at platoon.
8 At 072150H, a Company B squad ambush at (BT 461145) sighted a boat vicinity (BT 456146) moving toward their location from Hoa Xuan Island. The ambush issued verbal warnings, but the boat did not stop. An M-60 machine gun and M-14 rifle fire was then directed at the boat. The boat returned to Hoa Xuan. The ambush could not physically apprehend the boat due to lack of water transportation. There were no apparent casualties aboard the boat.
9 At 082240H, a 10-man patrol from Company D at (BT 486116) received one incoming grenade and two rounds’ S/A’s fire. The grenade failed to immediately detonate and was picked up by a member of the patrol and thrown aside. At that time, it exploded. There were no casualties from the grenade or the small arms fire. The squad was subsequently formed into two elements, a search element and covering force, consisting of five men each. As a Marine, moving as a member of the search element started in the front of the covering force position and across an open area, he was mistaken for the enemy, taken under fire, and killed. The body was evacuated by helicopter o B-Med.
10 At 100500H, the waterborne patrol apprehended one Vietnamese boat at (BT 485120) which contained 5-10 pounds of rice. One man, one woman, and a child were embarked. They were on their way to Ky Xuan because they heard that there was an infirmary/sickbay there where this woman would be able to deliver her baby. The people are from Ky Xuan Village but live on the boat. This is a good example of the effect the MedCAP/Civil Affairs program has on the people once its reputation spreads. People like this are risking possible reprisal from the VC in order to seek out aid from the U.S./GVN force.
11-12 At 120145H, joint USMC/SDC post #2 located at (BT 518102) reported three small arms rounds going over their heads. Communications were established with a Company A, squad patrol in the area, and the area where the small arms rounds were thought to originate was investigated, however, nothing unusual was found.
13 At 130833H, a platoon of Company A, received sporadic small arms fire and three incoming 60mm mortar rounds, thought to originate from the vicinity of (BT 437157). The platoon was onboard LVT’s moving northwest up the Truong Giang River at (BT 443158) enroute to their landing point (BT 438110) to commence a one-day Search and Clear Operation. Small arms and artillery fire was not returned due to the inability of the platoon to observe the enemy. After the initial incident fire, the enemy ceased fire of their own volition and the remainder of the landing was unopposed. No further enemy contact was made throughout the operation. The platoon commenced retraction at 131216H and returned to the splash point (BT 517117) at 131225H.
14 At 132010H, the PAT squad operating on Ky Xuan Island (BT 4910) reported VC activity in a hamlet located (BT 485098), and they had subsequently fired small arms at a house in the hamlet. A squad from Company D and the village chief immediately checked the hamlet and the house in question. The search revealed a small group of Vietnamese that were extremely intoxicated as a result of pre-TET celebrating. The village chief dispersed the party, and no other unusual activity was found.
15 At 150715, a Company D platoon apprehended two VCS while debarking from helicopters during the Battalion (-) Operation (Operation QUICK STEP) On Hoa Xuan Island (BT 4215). The VCS were captured near the landing zone vicinity (BT 416158).
Neither VCS had an identification card; subsequently both were turned over to Chu Lai Collection Point. At 150735H, a Company D platoon during the operation discovered two dead Vietnamese in the helicopters landing zone located at (BT 410156). Both victims appeared to have been killed during the landing zone air prep. From 150705H to 151400H a total of eight VCS were apprehended by elements of the Battalion during the sweep and destroy operation. All VCS were turned over the Chu Lai Collection Point. No specific enemy contact was made on the Island, and no casualties were sustained. The Battalion returned to Ky Ha at 1515H.
16-17 At 170347H, the waterborne patrol located at (BT 515119) reported approximately 30 boats approaching the mouth of the inland waterway (BT 518118) from numerous positions along the shore. Verbal attempts to return the fishermen to shore went unheeded and the waterborne patrol subsequently fired three warning shots into the air. Upon hearing the shots, the boats immediately returned to their moorings, along the shoreline. At 170945H, a Company A squad patrol observed small boy with a homemade booby trap device in his possession in the vicinity of (BT 515105). When the booby trap was taken from the boy, he rans and the Marines were unable to apprehend him. The booby trap consisted of a hollow piece of bamboo with a 7.62 round and a nail plunger inside. When the bamboo is buried in the ground in a vertical position the round is fired when pressure is applied by stepping on the top of the device.
18 At 172220H, one incoming grenade was received at Company A defensive bunker located at (BT 517117). The bunker is part of the defensive positions in support of the LST ramp. Thirty rounds of S/A fire were directed at a figure seen fleeing in a northeasterly direction. A squad immediately searched the area but could not locate the individual. There were no casualties. At 1728H, inside Company B’s perimeter wire, (BT 511125) a trip flare was set off which revealed an individual. This person immediately fled the area. Four rounds of S/A were returned, and the area carefully searched; however, contact was not regained. A Company D sentry, at 180210H, vicinity (BT 486103), fired two rounds of S/A at a suspected enemy movement after issuing verbal warnings to halt, and illuminating the area. Nothing significant evolved as a result of this contact.
At 180403H, a Company D squad size patrol apprehended ten curfew violators in the vicinity of (BT 482112). Nine of the violators had identification and were accordingly turned over to the Village Chief. The one without identification was sent to Chu Lai Collection Point as a VCS.
19-20-21 At 201930H, receipt of intelligence information from Ly Tin District Headquarters indicated that two squads of VC guerrillas would be visiting Ky Xuan Island (BT 4810) during the night to obtain food. They would then move the food by boat from the general area of (BT 4708) to (BT 4608). Two squads from Company A were alerted and slept in two LVT’s at the splash point (BT 517117), and the boat patrol was ordered to concentrate its surveillance from (BT 477110) to (BT 493077) to (BT 499084). Company D set four squad ambushes in the southwestern area of Ky Xuan (BT 4809) along likely avenues of approach into the area. No VC were encountered during the night.
22-23 At 222130H, Company A command post reported hearing four rounds of small arms fire in the vicinity of (BT 527110). All units in that area were immediately contacted but neither the origin of the fire nor its specific location could be determined.
24 Battalion SitRep #263 paragraph 1.b, reported that possibly two VC were wounded as a result of sniper fire. After a debrief of the scout/sniper team, a more complete and accurate account was obtained. One VC, armed with a rifle was sighted in the vicinity of (BT 436157) at 24073H by the team located in the vicinity of (BT 444160).
A total of four rounds were fired at the VC, two of which were observed hits. The insurgent failed to move after the second hit. A second VC moved to the same location as the initial sighting. He was immediately taken under sniper fire, hit, and observed lying motionless on the ground. Both enemy personnel were listed as confirmed WIA’s and possible KIA’s. The sniper team then displaced to the vicinity (BT 450156). Upon arriving and establishing their positions, they observed three more-armed VC moving in the vicinity of (BT 450150). At 240817H, the VC were immediately taken under fire and one man was observed slumping to the ground. He attempted to get up, presenting a full body shot, the sniper team fired again and observed figure fall.
Moments later the remaining two VC were observed carrying a limp figure away. However, they were unable to be taken under fire. No further sightings were reported for the duration of the day. Final tabulations were three VC confirmed wounded, with all three possible KIA’s. Confirmation of kills was impossible due to distance involved (900 meters) and the Truong Giang River (BT 4415 between the snipers and enemy.
25 At 242125H, the waterborne patrol apprehended one VCS at (BT 476100). The VN male did not possess an ID Card and was turned over to SDC Post #1 located at (BT 515115). He was held there until daylight; at which time he was turned over to the Village Chief for disposition. At 251115H, the Company B squad outpost at Kahoolawe, (BT 461145), received one incoming S/A round from (BT 457135). A fire team was immediately sent to check the area of origin but was unable to locate any enemy forces.
26 The Battalion OP forty and two companies (rein) commenced tactical responsibility of 2/4 area.
27 At 270210H, A Company D squad ambush at (BT 459072) received four incoming sniper rounds from (BT 461078). No rounds were returned due to the distance and uncertainty as to the exact location of origin of the sniper. At 270220H, a Company B reinforced squad outpost at (BT458143) was attacked by approximately 20 to 30 VC. The VC initiated the attack with 4-5, 60mm mortar rounds and A/W (suspected .50 cal MG) fire from (BT 457147), immediately followed by approximately five grenades thrown into the squad CP position killing the squad leader and a radio man immediately. The VC then threw grenades and fired S/As at the machine gun and 3.5 rocket launcher positions. After the initial grenade and S/A attack, the remaining two fire teams regrouped and set up a hasty defense at (BT 458142) and returned fire. The attack came from a southerly direction and was the opposite direction from which the outpost was oriented. A significant point is that the VC knew exactly where the squad CP and machine gun were located. An additional point, the raiding party covered an area of more than 200 meters that was well covered with trip flares, no flares were tripped.
The weapons and equipment lost by the squad outpost were two .45 caliber pistols, one M-79 grenade launcher, and 17 rounds of ammo, one M-14 rifle, one 3.5 rocket launcher, and one PRC/6 radio. There were five friendlies killed in action. The squad outpost observed approximately six to ten VC being carried away in a southerly direction toward (BT 460135). At 270900H, a Company A squad patrol located at (BT 443056) received one sniper round from an undetermined origin. The enemy was not observed, and no fire was returned. At 270915H, the patrol discovered one booby-trapped grenade at (BT 445057). The booby trap was disarmed with no casualties. Numerous propaganda signs were observed in the area of (BT 455055). One sign translated to read ‘We will try again to defeat American Imperialism’.
28 At 272100H, a Company B platoon outpost located at (BT 476143) fired an 81mm mortar H&I mission at suspected enemy movement at (BT 472147). The area was observed at dawn and there were no enemy casualties observed. At 280935H, a Company D (-) combat patrol located at (BT 452109) received two sniper rounds from the vicinity of (BT 440110). The distance to the origin of firing was too great to return fire and the sniper was unobserved. The patrol continued on its patrol route toward the sniper but there was no enemy located in that area. At 281015H, the Company D (-) combat patrol located at (BT 439093), received S/A’s and automatic weapons fire from approximately 15 VC located in the vicinity of (BT 428094). S/A’s fire, one M-79 and two 3.5-inch rocket launcher rounds were immediately returned. Two of the VC were seen falling down but when the area was investigated by the patrol there were no wounded or dead VC in the area. At 281050H, the Company D (-) combat patrol apprehended one VCS in the vicinity of (BT 425090). The VCS was a 14-year-old male who was seen in the area from which the patrol had received sniper fire at 281015H. The boy was turned over the Ly Tin District Headquarters. At 281530H, Company B while conducting H&I fires on Hoa Xuan Island with 81mm mortar had one short round. Short round fell into Hamlet of Binh An (2) at (BT 464143) killing 2 Vietnamese civilians and wounding three.
29 At 282200H, the waterborne patrol apprehended two curfew violators in the vicinity of (BT 460119). Both curfew violators were turned over to the Chu Lai Collection Point.
30 At 292227H, a Company A squad (rein) ambush located at (BT 441029) received two incoming 60mm mortar rounds that landed 100 meters east of their position. The squad could not determine the origin of the mortars and moved their ambush position 500 meters east. From 300317H to 300330H, the CMR located at 1st Bn, 11th Marines position reported 60mm mortar rounds being fired from (BT 4838505210). The area was taken under fire by 107mm platoon with two rounds being fired into that area. At 300343H, CMR again reported 60mm mortar fire at (BT 481056). Again, the 107mm platoon fired into the area with four rounds. There was no surveillance on effect on target and the firing ceased both times when the 107mm platoon fired. At 301120H, a Company A platoon patrol located at (BT 439046) received two incoming sniper rounds from the vicinity of (BT 443033). At the same time as the sniper rounds were received the platoon discovered four AP mines. The patrol destroyed the land mines. Return fire on the sniper’s position was not undertaken due to the extreme distance.
31 At 302145H, a Company M fire team patrol in the vicinity of (BT 521105) observed two VN. The patrol challenged three times and then received two rounds of S/A fire. S/A fire was immediately returned. The fire team advanced to check the area. There were no enemy casualties found. At 302305H, a Company A defensive position located at (BT 468067) received one incoming grenade. An M-26 grenade was thrown at the suspected origin of the incoming grenade and one VC was observed crawling away at 302320H. The VC was pursued by fire and then physically pursued but fled before he could be apprehended. One Marine WIA was sustained but did not need evacuation. At 310240H, a Company B, LP in the vicinity of (BT 515122) observed two VN on a trail leading into their LP. The men were challenged. The area was then illuminated and the VN ran into some bushes along the trail. The LP fired eight rounds at the fleeing VN but could not observe whether the VN were wounded or not.
This page last updated 24 August 2011