Operations – February 1968

 

Operations

1 February

At 1525H, C-2 Bridge received one 81mm mortar round at Co. C’s bathing point resulting in 15 WIA’s.  Returned Counter Mortar Fire at suspected enemy location (YD 122671).  Fin assembly revealed Lot #M71A1, 4-67-MA-1-17.

At 1650H, Four rounds of unknown caliber arty impacted 200 meters SE of C-2 perimeter from a NW direction.  Counter Mortar Radar located 2 positions to the W-NW at (YD 08246525) and (YD 09326592).  Fired Counter Battery Arty.  Reaction time 10 minutes.

At 2145H, Co. H LP heard movement and requested illum.  LP saw figure move back into brush near the stream at (YD 133667).  Fired 10 rounds 5.56, 6 rounds M-79 and 5 rounds 60mm mortar at fleeing enemy.  Checked area at first light with negative results.

2 February

At 0320H, Received 3 rounds of enemy arty impacting inside perimeter of C-2 at approximately (YD 135644).  Rounds came from a NW direction from approximately (YD 052684).  Called arty mission on suspected enemy arty location.

At 0210H, Elements of Co D/1/4, at Cam Lo District Headquarters, came under heavy ground and supporting weapons attack from an estimated force of two NVA Battalions.  Close in fighting raged until first light when the NVA began to break off contact.  Reaction units from C-2 (Co A) and C-3 were dispatched to the area to assist Co D in mopping up and wiping out remaining pockets of resistance.  Sporadic fighting continued into the early afternoon.  Battalion casualties from the action were 5 USMC/KIA, 13 USMC/WIA (medevac), 7 USMC/WIA (minor), 98 NVA/KIA, 29 NVA/captured.  Numerous enemy individuals and crew served weapons and other combat equipment was captured.

At 1255H, Received five incoming arty rounds of unknown cal.  Rounds impacted 150 meters E of perimeter.  Counter Battery Arty was fired on grid 052683 with a 5-minute reaction time.  Ten minutes later 2 TPQ’s were dropped on the same target.

At 1500H, received approximately 69 rounds enemy 152mm arty, 85mm arty and 120mm rockets with mixed PD and delayed fuses.  Rounds impacted E, center and SE in perimeter.  Fired Counter Btry Arty within a 10-minute reaction time at 5500 mills.

At 1700H, Chopped light section of Ontos Plt, Co. A, 3rd Tk Bn to 2/9.

3 February

At 1700H, AN/MPQ-10 radar at C-2 reported a flat trajectory weapon being fired from (YD 13716689) toward A-3.  81mm mortars were fired from C-2 Bridge at reported enemy location.  While firing, personnel at the bridge observed 2 NVA, one with rifle, running toward the east.  The 81’s shifted with good target coverage.  One NVA was observed falling at (YD 146665).  The second NVA ran into tree line with the 81mm rounds impacting near him.

At 1850H, 81mm personnel at C-2 Bridge spotted one enemy at (YD 134667).  Fired 20 rounds of 81mm rounds with good coverage that resulted in one secondary explosion.  Checked area at first light with negative results.

4 February

At 1130H, Co C OP at C-2 Bridge spotted one NVA at (YD 136675).  Called 81mm mission.  As NVA ran into tree line to the north, 15 rounds of 81mm impacted where NVA was last seen.  Coverage of target was excellent.

At 1200H, Co B OP at (YD 136663) received one rocket round about 200 meters to their south.  F Battery at C-2 position reported observing NVA rocket site at (YD 05856465).  F Battery returned 7 WP and 25 HE rounds at enemy position within 5 minutes.  Excellent coverage of area.

At 1320, C-2 position received 3 rounds of incoming arty of unknown cal. impacting in minefield to SE of perimeter.

At 1325H, and for the next 7 minutes, 70 rounds of mixed arty and rockets hit in and around the perimeter.  Some of the rounds had VT fuses, resulting in air burst over the perimeter.  F Battery preliminary crater analysis indicated rounds were either 130 or 152mm rounds.  AO reported six active rocket positions at (YD 078690) and OP’s reported smoke coming from both (YD 032715) and (YD 067702).  Arty returned fire within 3 minutes at all three enemy coordinates with good coverage of area.

At 1405H, West tower at C-2 observed flashes and smoke at (YD 084635).   At the same time, 1/4  COC monitored that 2/9 was receiving incoming arty and rockets at Cam Lo.  West tower observed more flashes, this time at (YD 044633).   Arty mission was firing at first coordinate within 4 minutes of sighting.  Guns immediately shifted on second target.  A tank at Co B OP, south of C-2, spotted flashes and smoke coming from behind a ridge at (YD 089634).  Recon team to the west of C-2 also observed flashes.  The tanks fired for effect on third enemy location with recon adjusting.  Both arty and tanks had had excellent coverage on all three targets.

At 1700H, one section tanks at C-2 Bridge and one section at C-2 were chopped to 3rd Mar Div Reaction Force at C-3.

5 February

At 0745H, Co D road sweep at (YD 236616) came under heavy s/a, a/w, RPG and mortar fire.  A relief force was mounted out from 9th Marines with dusters and one tank.  A second relief force was mounted out from 3/4 rear elements.  At 0905H, 9th Marines relief force reached the road sweep.  At 1000H, the 9th Marines relief force moved up on the dusters and came under a/w, s/arms and mortar fire.  At 1100H, HU1E Gun ships were on station.  Both damaged dusters were recovered, but a 6×6 (USA) was destroyed and had to be left behind.  All casualties were med-evaced and all units commenced return to Dong Ha at 1215H.  Resulting casualties from the Co. D/1/4 action were 4 USMC/WIA.

At 1700H, an air-to-surface missile impacted approximately 7 meters from AN/MPQ-10 radar located at C-2 position.  One Marine was killed, and the radar and its generator were destroyed.  Fragments collected positively identified the missile as a U.S. MK2 MOD1 Shrike Ser 10001-1570140.  Investigation requested to ensure there is no reoccurrence of this type of incident.

At 2000H, In the vicinity of (YD 157584), point element of a Co D ambush received 15 rounds A/W fire while moving into position.  Returned fire with S/A, 60mm mortars and arty.  Sustained 1 USMC/KIA and 1 USMC/WIA.

6 February

At 0820H, C-2 Bridge received approximately 8 rounds of enemy arty from (YD 06697020) and approximately 12 rounds of 82mm mortars from a direction of 1800 mills.  All rounds fell 200-400 meters short of the perimeter.  Reaction time for counter arty battery on above grid was ten minutes.  Two minor secondary explosions were heard.  Counter Mortar Fire with a reaction time of 5 minutes was fired at suspected enemy mortar position.

At 1130H, Lt/Col Deptula departed for R&R.  Major Hopkins assumed Command.

7 February

At 1600H, Engineers clearing away brush on east side of Rt 561 found one dead NVA at (YD 137625).  NVA was fully dressed and appeared to have been dead for about two weeks.  Original color of clothes could not be determined due to decomposition of the body.  A rope was tied around his waist, indicating that he was possibly dragged away from the spot he was killed.  Body was buried by engineers.

8 February

At 1230H, Observation tower at C-2 spotted 4 NVA moving to SE at (YD 160663).  Called 81mm mission of 40 rounds HE.  Called in arty mission with good coverage of target.  No further movement was observed.

9 February

At 0824H, Co. D Road sweep at (YD168588) received S/A and 60mm mortar or RPG fire from vicinity (YD 165583).  The CO of Co. D with a Platoon (-), moved on the enemy flank and forced the NVA to break contact.  Resulting casualties were 1 NVA/KIA (confirmed) and one AK-47 captured.  Road sweep suffered one USMC/WIA (med-evaced).  Co. D Road sweep found two command detonated mines at (YD 172588), both were destroyed in place.

At 2230H, Ontos personnel at C-2 Bridge spotted 2 enemy to the west of perimeter.  Fired 60mm illum and observed enemy taking cover.  Fired ten rounds 60mm HE with good target coverage.  Checked area at first light with negative results.

11 February

Brig/Gen Hoffman arrived at C-2 to present individual awards to Battalion personnel.  He departed an hour later.

At 1540H, C-2 received 26 rounds of estimated 85mm, 130mm and 152mm arty from (YD 075705).  At 1546H, received 24 additional rounds.  All rounds came from a direction of 5500 mills and impacted inside and outside southeastern portion of perimeter.  Returned Counter Battery Fire with reaction time of 14 minutes.  Results of incoming were 1 USMC/KIA and 6 USMC/WIA.

At 1600H, C-2 received 7 rounds of 82mm mortars from (YD 098640) from a direction of 4700 mills.  Rounds came in about 3 minutes apart.  All rounds impacted outside the perimeter to the west.  Returned Counter Mortar fire with 64 rounds of 81mm HE.  Good coverage on suspected position with unknown results.

At 1739H, C-2 received 11 rounds of estimated 100mm arty from (YD 078639) at 4700 mills.  All rounds landed 500 meters SE of perimeter.  Fired Counter Battery Fire with 70 rounds of 105mm arty.

12 February

At 1550H, C-2 received 7 rounds of light caliber arty from a direction of 5000 mills.  All rounds impacted W, SW and NE of perimeter.  Fired Counter Battery Fire of 150 rounds 105mm arty with reaction time of 8 minutes.

13 February

At 1000H, Co. C and D commenced exchange of missions and locations with one platoon Co. C chopping to 9th Marines.

At 1600H, Co. B patrol found minefield wire out.  Patrol also found one set of NVA slippers and one set of barefoot tracks leading into minefield at (YD 130647).

15 February

At 1200H, Lt/Col E. A. Deptula returned from R&R.

At 1215H, Co. B platoon patrol at (YD 102648) received approximately 30 rounds S/A from (YD 102644, 100644 and 100643).  AO on station spotted approximately 15 NVA in 8 fighting holes at third coordinate.  Returned S/A fire, called 81mm and arty mission.  Followed up with fixed wing strike.  Good coverage of target area.  Action resulted in 3 enemy KIA confirmed and one friendly WIA (gunshot wound in shoulder).

At 1600H, Co. D completed movement of troops back to C-2 Bridge.  Remaining elements of Co. C departed position and chopped to 9th Marines.

At 2245H, Co. C ambush observed 5 VC at (YD 157549).  Fired S/A.  Enemy returned fire and fled south.  Called fire mission of 18 rounds on (YD 161570).  Checked area and found 2 VC KIA confirmed, 1 AK-47, 1 carbine and 2 packs.  Friendly casualties were 2 USMC/WIA (minor).

16 February

At 1500H, Co. A, while conducting platoon patrol, found a downed O1E aircraft at (YD 092668).  While searching wreckage, a damaged starlight scope was found.  There was no indication of any recent enemy activity in the area.  Starlight scope was brought back to area and is being returned through supply channels.

At 1845H, 2nd Platoon, Co. B, Sparrow Hawk was dispatched to (YD 165668) to aid downed UH1E gunship.  Gunship was downed by enemy fire while attempting to extract recon insert.  Platoon received S/A, A/W and grenades from 3 sides while attempting to reach helicopter.  Some A/W fire came from vicinity of gunship.  Platoon withdrew to position 150 meters SE of downed helicopter.  Called for flare ship coverage for entire night.  Called 81mm and arty defensive fires for platoon.  Platoon received 1 friendly KIA and 4 WIA.  The next day at 0830H, the 2nd platoon at (YD 166667), retrieved body of radio operator KIA.  The rest of Co. B departed C-2 position on way to downed gunship position.  At 0908H, the 2nd Platoon reached the gunship position at (YD 167665).  They found one man (crew member) still alive and 4 KIA’s.  Searched immediate area for two MIA’s.  AO on station observed one NVA KIA from previous day’s contact.  An LZ, at (YD 166667), was secured and med-evac choppers picked up 5 WIA’s (4 from 2nd Platoon Co. B and 1 from gunship) and 5 KIA’s (1 from 2nd Platoon Co. B and 4 from gunship).  Search was continued for 2 MIAs from gunship.  The 2nd Platoon, Co. B search party found another KIA from gunship at (YD 167665).  Received S/A, A/W, ChiCom grenades and 60mm mortars.  2nd Platoon, Co. B returned S/A, A/W and called arty and 81mm mission on enemy position.  Enemy broke contact.  Contact resulted in one USMC/WIA and unknown enemy casualties.  Co. B found last man from downed gunship alive at (YD 163666).  An emergency med-evac was requested and completed.  At 1540H, Co. B burned wrecked gunship and commenced return to C-2.

18 February

At 0930H, Co. B arrived at C-2.

19 February

At 0800H, 1/4 received message from 9th Marines directing 1/4 Command Group and two companies to cordon and search the hamlet of Then Nghia Hi (YD 144583), where the Hq of the 27th Ind NVA Bn was believed to be located.  At 1000H, the Command Group, Co. A, and two tanks departed C-2.  At 1030H, Co M/3/4 chopped OPCON to 1/4 to participate in the operation.  With Co. A on the south and Co. M on the north, the cordon of the village was completed at 1200H.  A Regional Force Platoon then commenced to assemble all civilians of Then Nghia Hi outside the hamlet.  One Platoon of Co M, National Police and scout dog teams then undertook a house-to-house search which was completed with negative results.  At 1430H, Co. M chopped back to 3/4 from 1/4.  At 1600H, all elements of 1/4 returned to C-2 from the operation.

At 1505H, C-2 received approximately 8 rounds of estimated 85mm arty.  Rounds believed to have come from (YD 074658).  At 1510H, C-2 received approximately 25 rounds 82mm mortar from (YD 108634).  All rounds impacted outside the perimeter.  Counter Arty and Mortar Fire was fired at enemy coordinates with reaction time of 4 minutes.

20 February

At 1105H, the south tower at C-2 Bridge spotted 4 NVA moving into tree line at (YD 103660).  NVA were dressed dark clothing.  No weapons were observed due to the distance.  Called arty mission on last observed enemy position with good target coverage.

21 February

At 0920H, Co. B (-) patrol found fresh enemy footprints made within the past 24 hours.  Number of footprints indicated company size unit.  Movement was on trail heading toward SW.  Information was passed on to 9th Marines S-2.

At 1515H, Brig/Gen Hoffman, USMC and Brig/Gen Flanigan, USA, arrived at C-2.  They departed an hour later.

22 February

At 0315H, C-2 position received 3 rounds of estimated 105mm arty.  One round impacted inside perimeter resulting in two minor WIA’s and the other two rounds impacted outside perimeter.  Called for check fires in area.  Crater analysis made later that morning indicated that the rounds came from a 2000 mill azimuth.  105mm fuse remnants recovered revealed following info: IS-505-20; 6-67 Fuse PD M557 .05 sec.

At 1518H, C-2 position received three incoming rounds of estimated 152mm arty from 5600 mills.  All rounds impacted outside perimeter.  Fired Counter Battery Arty at (YD 065727) with east tower adjusting fire.  Counter Arty Battery returned fire within five minutes.

At 1530H, C-2 received 3 rounds estimated 100mm arty.  At 1535H, received 6 more rounds of same and at 1549H received an additional 4 rounds of same.  Rounds impacted inside and outside of perimeter to SW.  Tower observed active enemy arty position at (YD 065714).  Fired counter arty battery on position with reaction time of five minutes.

At 2200H, Co. C ambush vicinity (YD 177605) was sprung on NVA debarking from boat that had crossed Song Cam Lo.  At the same time, ambush observed approximately 4 enemy firing from across the river, vicinity (YD 170606), and returned fire with a LAAW on target.  Ambush suffered 1 USMC/KIA, 1 USMC/WIA.  Ambush relocated 500 meters south of original position.  The following day, a 3/4 patrol checked area of Co. C contact and found a pack which was wrapped in poncho floating in the river.  In the same area, an AK-47 was found in the mud of the riverbank.  Across the river, seven packs and medical equipment was seen staged.  Gear was not recovered because of possible ambush.  At (YD 170604) an NVA body was found.  Indications were that the man had been dead for about two days.  NVA wore green uniform with rubber boots.  Both Vietnamese interpreters with 3/4 unit believed the NVA to be a 1st Lt.  A muddy M-16 was found near the body.  Five AK-47’s was also found in the adjacent area as well as one 7.62 ChiCom type pistol.

23 February

At 1030H, Co. C departed CAP-3 for Gio Linh.  At 1200H, Co. C chopped OPCON from 9th Marines to 12th Marines and assumed defense of Gio Linh.

24 February

At 1045H, Recon elements of Co. D killer team moving SE on trail heard NVA talking and sounds of digging and chopping at (YD 164670).  Upon hearing movement toward them, recon elements withdrew to bomb crater at (YD 162670) with remainder of team.  A hasty ambush was established.  The ambush was sprung by killer team leader when two NVA broke through foliage 10 meters from center of ambush.  Noise indicated approximately 15 NVA were passing by killer team ambush.  Left flank of ambush killed two NVA, the center killed two NVA and large pools of blood and drag narks in foliage near center of ambush indicated minimum of two additional NVA killed.  Team reported hearing many cries and moans in undergrowth in killing zone.  As team withdrew, arty was impacting with good target coverage.  Equipment recovered was forwarded to 9th Marines S-2.  Equipment included 4 maps, several ChiComs and a 9mm pistol.

At 1700H, C-2 received 2 rounds of enemy 82mm mortars from N-NW direction.  Crater analysis revealed incoming mortar rounds to be 81mm 6-67, Fuse M7A1, Lot MA-1-25.

At 1120H, Co. D squad OP and 2 tanks vicinity (YD 133684) received 5-8 rounds light caliber arty from the NW at 5700 mills.  AO on station searched area.  Called arty mission on suspected enemy positions.

From 1318H through 1332H, C-2 received 6 rounds estimated 100mm arty from 6400mills and 5600 mills.  Rounds impacted in minefield to east and southwest.  Called in Counter Arty on suspected enemy positions.

At 1415H, Brig Gen Hoffman arrived at C-2 to present individual awards.  He departed an hour later.

At 1645H, the officers and SNCO’s of 1/4 observed, with appropriate ceremony, the birthday of the Battalion Command, Lt/Col E. A. Deptula.

26 February

At 0755H, Enemy arty and rocket attack on Dong Ha resulted in 4 WIA and 1 NBC to 1/4 personnel in the Battalion rear area.

At 0855H, received 2 rounds of incoming 130mm arty from 5600 mills.  Rounds impacted near Co. B lines, resulting in 2 WIA.  Returned fire with Counter Battery Arty of 30 rounds on suspected enemy positions.

At 1200H, Co. C chopped OPCON from 12th Marines to 3/3.

27 February

At 0950H, West tower at C-2 spotted 2 NVA in open entering bomb crater at (YD 095634).  Called arty mission and requested AO.  AO received 50 cal fire from enemy position at (YD 089633).  AO called in air strike on .50 cal position.

At 1550H, C-2 tower spotted approximately 20 NVA at (YD 064645) moving NE.  Called arty mission.  AO observed enemy bunkers in area where NVA were last seen.  Fixed wing was called.

28 February

At 0830H, Debrief of Co. A killer team revealed contact was initiated when killer team point, moving from north to tip of N** Ho Khe (YD 101643), spotted an NVA machine gunner in fighting hole.  Point shot machine gunner through head with M-16 rifle.  Other NVA returned fire on point.  M-79 man fired beehive round from 30 meters away, killing second NVA.  Remainder of killer team moved into position and fired with MG and S/A.  At least 4 more NVA fled to SW, leaving the RPG/MG in position.  4 burst of machine gun fire caught one of the fleeing NVA in the back, killing him.  Another NVA was hit with an M-79 round in the back and knocked down but was observe getting back up and continuing to flee.  Search of the immediate area resulted in the discovery of a 60mm mortar hidden under brush, an RPG-2 launcher and a bunker complex.  Equipment found and forwarded to 9th Marines S-2 included a Chinese first aid kit, an NVA ID card and 2 RPG rounds.  Eleven 60mm mortar rounds, six 82mm mortar rounds and one RPG round were destroyed.  Killer team was directed to return to perimeter.  Arty fires and TPQ called on bunker complex.

Casualties Inflicted on the Enemy

NVA/KIA (confirmed)        119

NVA/POW                                30

Friendly Casualties Sustained

KIA                                          10

WIA                                         70

Non-Hostile Deaths                 0

DOW                                         0

NBC                                          9

MIA                                            0

New Technique Employed

  1. Technique #1.  Employment of E-8 Gas Launcher.
  2. The E-8 Gas Launcher was incorporated into the Battalion fire plan for the first time this month.  It is a potent addition to the weapons employed in the defense of C-2 and C-2 Bridge.  Each man-packed launcher contains 64, 35mm projectiles and produces a 40×150 meter gas cloud.  The launchers can be prepositioned to cover likely avenues of approach and may be fired from remote positions either manually or electrically.  In either case, they may be fired as single units (one launcher) or as multi-units.  Other characteristics which tend to make the launcher an ideal defensive Weapon are its simplicity and weather resistance.
  3. Technique #2.  Tactical use of ‘Killer Teams’.
  4. Another new technique used by the Battalion this month was the task organized ‘Killer Teams’.  Working for two and three days at a time, extensively using OP’s and ambushes, these teams searched out the NVA and killed them with small arms and supporting arms fire.  During the last week of February, these fifteen men teams led by an officer or SNCO and consisting of an FO, FAC, MG team, Sniper team, Corpsman and selected volunteer riflemen accounted for 9 confirmed NVA/KIA’s.  The team sustained no casualties to themselves.

Equipment

The following is a report of major items of equipment readiness.

  1. Major end items previously evacuated to higher echelon that have not been returned.
  2. Motor Trans
  3. 12 Mighty Mights – M-422Al
  4. Communications
  5. 7 radio sets – AN/PRC-25
  6. 1 radio set – AN/PRC-47
  7. 2 radio sets – AN/TPS-21
  8. 1 radio set – AN/MRC-87
  9. Battle losses not replaced
  10. Communications
  11. 14 radio sets – AN/PRC-25
  12. Enemy equipment found or destroyed
  13. 3 – 82mm mortars complete
  14. 1 – 60mm mortars tube
  15. 1 – 50 cal. machine gun
  16. 1 – RPD
  17. 2 – AK-47
  18. 1 – RPG launcher
  19. 17 – 60mm mortar rounds
  20. 10 – 82mm mortar rounds
  21. 20 – Chicom grenades
  22. 3 – RPG rounds
  23. 67 – other individual and crew served weapons, other NVA equipment and documents, were captured on 2 February during the battle at Cam Lo District Headquarters.

This page last corrected 31 August 2011