Operations
1 March
No Entry
2 March
No Entry
3 March
At 1000H, Company A chopped back to the 1st Bn 4th Marines. At 1655H, Alpha Command Group helilifted to Grid XD 973615. Command Group established CP at Grid 973615. At 1800H, 1st Bn 4th Marines assumes OPCON of Companies Lima/3/4 and India/3/4, and Company C/1/4 chopped back to the 1st Bn 4th Marines.
4 March
At 1740H, Company A at Grid XD 976597 leading element found trail, two mortars pits five foot in diameter, three fighting holes, empty fuse can of unknown size. Checked area and continued assigned search and clear mission.
At 1840H, Company I, 3rd Bn 4th Marines at Grid XD 965626 found ten ‘A’ frame bunkers six feet by four feet by four feet one week to one month old, one mortar pit with extended ammo bunker four feet by four feet, ‘A’ frame construction, one week old, four empty fuse cans for 82mm mortar (each will hold six fuses), two empty increment cans, ten pounds of rice in sandbag. One ‘A’ frame bunker contained one pot pipe, one burlap bag six feet by twenty-eight feet in good condition, one green scarf used by 396th NVA Division, also ripped up letter found in increment can. Remaining bunkers were checked out with negative results.
At 2210H, Company L, 3rd Bn 4th Marines at Grid XD 960624 received six rounds of 60mm mortars, 100 meters in front of lines. Returned fire with 81mm mortar mission. Negative results.
5 March
At 0553H, Alpha Command Group at Grid XD 973615 received fifteen incoming rounds of 82mm mortars landing 50 meters outside of lines. Returned with Counter Mortar Fire resulting in one secondary explosion and fire.
At 1215H, Company I 3rd Bn 4th Marines at Grid XE 954627 received several rounds enemy 82mm mortar fire resulting on one friendly KIA and three friendly WIA. Security patrol returned to Company position. Called in Artillery mission.
At 1430H, Company I, 3rd Bn 4th Marines at Grid XD 964627 received 82mm mortar fire resulting in one friendly KIA and one friendly WIA. Called in fixed wing which received small arms fire from enemy position.
At 1710H, Company C, 1st Bn 4th Marines commenced the assault of Hill 484 after extensive fixed wing (napalm and HE bombs) and artillery preparation. Twenty meters from the objective Company C received a heavy volume of accurate fire from two enemy bunkers. Base of fire from Alpha Command Group and 2nd Platoon Company C at Grid XD 970618 pinned enemy down to enable grenadier to maneuver to position to destroy bunker. Once on the objective Company C had to continue the attack to destroy a series of fortified positions.
At this time a helicopter resupplying Company I was hit in the zone by 82mm mortar fire. The aircraft managed to become airborne, but the resultant fire necessitated an emergency landing on Hill 484. Upon crash landing the aft section of the helicopter burned. Fire crew members were rescued. All were WIA and subsequently medevaced. Company C completed consolidation of the objective at 1655H, with one Platoon from Company L, 3rd Bn 4th Marines reinforcing Company C. Eight friendly WIA, sixteen confirmed NVA. Captured items included ten AK-47’s, one RPG-7 launcher, eight hundred AK-47 rounds, one RPD machinegun Chicom type 56, eight PH-mines, seventy Chicom grenades, eight RPG-7 rounds.
At 1735H, Company C, 1st Bn 4th Marines while improving defensive positions on Hill 484 received two RPG rounds from vicinity of Grid XE 960617. Artillery mission was called. Two friendly KIA resulted from enemy fire.
At 1752H, Company L, 3rd Bn 4th Marines at Grid XD 964627 observed one NVA as he came upon friendly daytime OP. OP killed one NVA and captured one AK-47.
6 March
At 0930H, Company L, 3rd Bn 4th Marines at Grid XD 960624 an engineer while disarming a DH-10 mine detonated it. Requested medevac for two friendly KIA and two WIA’s.
At 1235H, A patrol from Company India/3/4 at Grid 968623 found twenty-two bunkers newly constructed six feet by four feet by three feet, ‘A’ frame type built of logs, engineer stakes, and ammo crates. Also found ten Chicom grenades, ten AK-47 magazines fully loaded, four cans 30 cal. Ammo, twenty eight 12 gauge shotgun shells, two pounds TNT, one NVA claymore, three M-16 magazines fully loaded, one F-1 fragmentation grenade, fifteen hundred AK-47 rounds, one 60mm mortar fuse, two RPG-7 rounds, numerous NVA propaganda sheets, four NVA e-tools, one NVA shovel, five NVA canteens, one pair Ho Chi sandals, two packages condensed Soy, four packages dehydrated leaves, two sweat shirts, three NVA cartridge belts, three large cooking pots, five small cooking pots, assorted medical supplies and sixty pounds of rice.
At 1235H, Company A at Grid XD 973615 observed two NVA running across bomb crater at Grid XD 968606. Fired 60mm, 81mm and artillery missions with negative results.
At 1805H, Company Lime/3/4, Alpha Command Group, Company C and Company at Grids XD 974615, XD 971616, XD 967617 received a total of fourteen 82mm mortar rounds from Grid XD 947631. Returned mortar and artillery fire with negative results.
7 March
At 1000H, Companies India, Lima and Mike 3rd Bn 4th Marines, Charlie, Alpha and Bravo/1, 1st Bn 4th Marines, chopped OPCON to 3rd Bn 4th Marines.
At 1600H, Alpha Command Group lift to Vandegrift Combat Base completed.
At 1615H, Company C (-) chopped OPCON from 3rd Bn 4th Marines to 1st Bn 4th Marines.
8 March
At 1125H, Company C(-) lift commenced from Grid XD 997461 to Vandegrift Combat Base.
At 1535H, OPCON of 1st Platoon Company B chopped from 3rd Bn 4th Marines to 1st Bn 4th Marines.
At 1545H, OPCON of 2nd Platoon Company C chopped from 3rd Bn 4th Marines to 1st Bn 4th Marines, Company C (-) chopped from 3rd Bn 4th Marines to 1st Bn 4th Marines at 1215H.
9 March
No entry
10 March
At 1440H, The Alpha Command Group landed at Fire Support Base Alpine.
At 1745H, The Purple Martin AO was chopped to the 1st Bn 4th Marines at the same time the 1st Bn 4th Marines assumed OPCON of Company Lima/2/4. Message DTG 101720H, 4th Marines to 1st Bn 4th Marines refers.
At 1750H, Company D patrol at Grid XD 773540 found four fighting holes, three mortar pits, one 82mm round, four 82mm mortar fuses and twenty detonating caps NVA type. Destroyed all items.
11 March
At 0800H, Company C/1/4 relieved Company D of defense mission of Fire Support Base Alpine. Company D searches and clears to the northeast to locate and destroy enemy mortar positions.
At 1300H, Company C(-) at Grid XD 735532 observed two NVA in open at Grid XD 735538 and fired 60mm and 81m mortar missions. Results unknown.
At 1905H, Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Alpine, observed two NVA in open at Grid XD 755525. Fired 60mm mortar mission and direct fire with 105’s. Will check area in A.M.
At 1924H, Company B at Grid XD 735534 while firing night defensive fire with WP rounds at Grid XD 720529, observed twenty NVA get up and run when round exploded. Mission immediately switched to HE rounds, observed one secondary explosion. Darkness prevented further observation.
12 March
At 1815H, Company A chopped OPCON from 3rd Bn 4th Marines to 1st Bn 4th Marines. Message 121610H refers.
13 March
At 2103H, A listening post from Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Alpine observed eight NVA walking outside of the wire. This was confirmed by use of a NOD. Fired a 60mm and 81mm mortar mission. Results unknown, will check area in A.M. While mission was being fired one tiger ran from impact area and was observed with NOD.
14 March
At 0910H, Company D patrol at Grid XD 775566 found six fighting holes also suitable as combination sleeping holes, three feet by five feet by four feet, also four sleeping areas with a capacity for four men each, four to five days old. Searched area with negative results.
At 1430H, Company A assumes Sparrow Hawk/Bald Eagle and chopped OPCON to Task Force Hotel.
At 1600H, Alpha Command Group sighted five NVA adjacent the stream at Grid XD 754536 and fired 60mm and 81mm mission. Area to be checked out.
15 March
At 1821H, Effective 151700H 1st Bn 4th Marines assumes OPCON of Second Platoon, Company B from Task Force Hotel.
16 March
At 1605H, Second Platoon, Company B arrived at Fire Support Base Alpine from Vandegrift Combat Base.
17 March
No entry.
18 March
No entry.
19 March
At 1024H, Major General Davis and Brigadier General Garretson arrive at Fire Support Base Alpine.
At 1500H, Company A arrived Fire Support Base Alpine.
20 March
At 1030H, Helilift of Company D from Fire Support Base Alpine to Fire Support Base Argonne commenced. Initial elements of Company D received heavy small arms fire from an undetermined size NVA unit upon landing. Air strikes by fixed wing dropped napalm and HE bombs on suspected enemy positions. Huey gun ships and OV-10’s on station also delivered ordinance on suspected enemy positions.
At 1045H, Alpha Command Group landed at Fire Support Base Argonne and received heavy sniper fire. One helicopter taking part in the Argonne assault made an emergency landing approximately 3000 meters west of Fire support Base Alpine. There were no casualties and the aircraft was recovered.
At 1340H, Fire Support Base Argonne secured. Remaining resistance on finger to southeast eliminated by small force over running bunker containing five NVA with two RPG-2, one machinegun type fifty six 7.62mm and two AK-47 rifles.
At 1515H, An aerial observer spotted NVA in area of LZ Bea and Bill and later reported two NVA confirmed KIA.
At 1520H, Aerial observer called air strikes using napalm and HE bombs in LZ’s and caves in cliffs along the valley north of Fire Support Base Argonne.
At 1830H, A Company D patrol searching area of sniper fire delivered on incoming helicopter, encountered small arms fire from a bunker complex. Withdrew after heavy fire fight because of darkness. Friendly casualties were two KIA, and four WIA medevaced. Enemy casualties were unknown. Fired 81mm mortar missions and called fixed wing air support on station, but air could not be used because of close proximity of friendly and enemy positions.
21 March
At 0800H, The 1st Bn 4th Marines assumes OPCON of Company M/3/3, when they were lifted to Fire Support Base Alpine to relieve Company C.
At 210820H March, The first round of an enemy 82mm mortar attack instantly killed Lt/Col Sargent the Battalion Commanding Officer and 2nd Lt Wilson, the Battalion S-2 Officer. The same round wounded many other Command Group personnel. Major Pierpan assumed Command of the Alpha Command Group and directed operations at Fire Support Base Argonne. Major Green, the Battalion Executive Officer monitored the situation with follow up elements on Fire Support Base Alpine. Lt/Col Willcox assumed Command upon his arrival at Fire Support Base Alpine about 211400H March. Accurate enemy 82mm mortar and sniper fire hampered helicopter operation at Fire Support Base Argonne. Counter mortar fire against suspected enemy positions continued throughout the day and into the night.
At 0945H, The Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Argonne, while medevac helicopter was in lower LZ extracting medevacs, received ten rounds 82mm mortars from Grid XD 650575. While helicopter was in zone, six emergency medevacs were gotten aboard before helicopter had to leave. Counter mortar fire was going on during helicopter approach. Results were three Friendly KIA’s and eleven WIA’s.
At 1245H, Displaced CP group from southwest finger to east finger of Fire Support Base Argonne.
At 1540H, All medevacs taken out except one routine and five permanent routines. Four Engineers boarded helicopter without authority and deprived rest of medevacs from getting out.
At 2230H, The Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Argonne ran flights of fixed wing in Grid Squares 6657 and 6658 resulting in two secondaries.
22 March
At 0130H, The Alpha Command Group ran Spooky around all likely 82mm mortar positions. Had one secondary explosion at Grid XD 665562.
At 0630H, Relieved flare ship on station after he provided continuous illumination from 2000H hours until relieved.
At 0630H, The Bravo Command Group at Fire Support Base Alpine received forty five 82mm mortar rounds from Grid XD 7356. Fired 60mm mortar and artillery fire against this position and requested an AO who controlled two fixed wing missions. Five Friendly WIA’s resulted from the enemy fire.
At 1913H, The Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Argonne received fifteen 82 mm rounds from Grid XD 663595. Returned fire with 81mm mortar, 105’s and 155 mission.
23 March
At 0945H, The Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Argonne had an inbound helicopter receive ten to fifteen rounds of automatic weapons fire simultaneously the Alpha Command Group received five rounds of 82mm mortar fire. Fire was returned with 60mm and 81mm mortars, 105’s and 155’s.
Two Friendly WIA minor resulted from this attack.
At 1120H, Company D at Grid XD 682579 observed a sniper at Grid XD 674575 and moved to apprehend with negative results.
At 1415H, Company D at Grid XD 676579 found five graves with three markers. They proceeded to check out area and were taken under fire by seven NVA. Company pulled back and fired 60mm, 81mm, 105’s, 106’s and had two air strikes. Received three Friendly KIA and four Friendly WIA’s. Inflicted three confirmed NVA KIA’s and four probables.
At 1445H, Company C at Grid XD 675567 recovered one air drop chute, dropped the evening of 21 March which contained medical supplies and thirty cases of 60mm mortar rounds. Recovered all items.
At 1720H, Company C at Grid XD 677567 moved to retrieve one Friendly KIA after air strikes were run. While moving they were fired upon by enemy snipers. The snipers were located in bunkers.
Company C commenced search and clear, resulting in six enemy bunkers destroyed. KIA was retrieved and Company C pulled back and called in Air strikes. Results were three Friendly WIA minor and five enemy KIA confirmed.
24 March
At 0630H, Company M/3/3, at Fire Support Base Alpine received approximately fifty rounds of automatic weapons fire from Grid XD 740539. Fired 81mm mortars and air strike and conducted sweep in area with patrol.
At 0815H, Company C at Grid XD 677577 searched seven bunkers in the area of contact made on 23 March. They reported that the five NVA bodies that were left at that position the day prior were no longer there. The bodies were dragged away and they also found a large pool of blood in one bunker.
At 0900H, Company M at Grid XD 740540 had a patrol sweeping area and made contact with unknown size enemy force and bunkers. Returned fire and assaulted enemy position. Results were one Friendly KIA, three enemy KIA also captured two AK-47 rifles, six Chicom grenades, twenty rounds 82mm mortars and three NVA helmets.
At 1135H, The Alpha Command Group had a resupply helicopter come into landing zone and received twelve incoming 82mm mortar rounds. The counter mortar plan was fired and air was called.
25 March
At 0930H, Company A at Grid XD 669572 received sniper fire from Grids XD 669573 and 668573. The enemy broke contact and went in a north direction. One NVA was seen in a black and gray uniform and other NVA was in a green uniform with web gear. Company A returned small arms and called air and artillery strikes. Three bunkers were destroyed by air one enemy KIA and three probables by air and one Friendly KIA resulted.
At 1355H, The Alpha Command Group had a resupply helicopter come into their zone and received nine incoming 82mm rounds. Company A was in the area and started to check out tubing and received small arms fire from the area of the tubing.
At 1310H, coming A at Grid XD 667574 while moving ran into a multiple bunker complex at above grid. Estimate two reinforced squads to a platoon of enemy and assaulted bunkers. Also called in air and artillery. Received one Friendly KIA and four WIA with seven confirmed enemy KIA and one probable. Captured four AK-47 rifles, one machinegun, twelve Chicoms, one Chicom claymore and seven green uniforms with web gear.
At 1530H, while calling in artillery Company A had one short 155 round. Killing three Friendly and wounding eight. SIR report submitted.
26 March
No entry.
27 March
At 0830H, The Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Argonne while receiving an external resupply had three rounds incoming 82mm mortar fire. Called in an AO and fired artillery.
At 1020H, The Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Argonne had a helicopter come to LZ and received eight rounds 82mm mortar incoming.
Fired the counter mortar plan.
At 1000H, At Grid XD 680591 a patrol from Company C observed a road at Grid XD 680606. The road is approximately five meters wide and appeared to extend five hundred meters in a southeast to northeast direction with no covering canopy.
At 1100H, Company C at Grid XD 683584 found a bunker complex consisting of ‘A’ frame, square and ‘L’ type bunkers. This complex was approximately six months old. No ordinance or equipment was found in this area. Destroyed five of the ‘A’ frame, three of the square shape and one of the ‘L’ shape bunkers. The remaining bunkers were unusable due to natural deterioration.
At 1727H, The Alpha Command Group at Fire Support Base Argonne had a helicopter on the landing zone received eight rounds of 82mm incoming.
Fired 81mm mortars, gun ships and called artillery. The four Friendly WIA’s included Lt/Col Willcox and Major Green who both received minor wounds not requiring definitive medical treatment.
At 1630H, Company A at grids XD 663577 and XD 662577 discovered two booby trapped 60mm mortar rounds and a .50 cal. Position at XD 662577 with fifty spent rounds and adjoining deep tunnel. The 60mm booby traps were destroyed and an ambush was set near the .50 cal. position.
At 1710H, Company A at Grid XD 664577 heard mortar firing originating in the vicinity of Grid XD 659578. Fired 60mm mortar and artillery and also called in air strikes on this location.
28 March
At 0220H, Company A at Grid XD 665577 had listening posts and lines probed by an estimated squad. Returned small arms fire and threw M-26 grenades, called in a flare ship and fired 81mm mortars and artillery also called for an aerial support plane, Spooky. Two Friendly KIA’s, eight WIA’s, one enemy KIA and three enemy probables resulted. Captured one Chicom machinegun and one AK-47 rifle.
At 1330H, A patrol from Company A at Grid XD 662577 and XD 660576 found four hundred thirteen rounds and two bunkers, a piece of bipod from a .50 cal. machinegun and a sight for a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun, and two hundred rounds of .50 cal. linked ammo at XD 660576. Destroyed bunkers and returned part of .50 cal bipod and 12.7mm gun sight to the Company A CP.
At 1500H, At Grid XD 657575 a patrol from Company A found an NVA 82mm rounds, sixty one fuses, one hundred eighty five increments, and sixty seven primers. The patrol destroyed the thirty nine fused and forty dud 82mm mortar rounds and brought the remaining items to the Company A CP.
29 March
At 1235H, Company B at Grid XD 763598 found one bunker three feet by three feet by three feet under a rock ledge, a sleeping area for one to two people and another rest area for five to six people. A trail running east to west, eighteen inches wide was followed for one hundred meters. Drops of blood on a bed, one can of food with Vietnamese writing, one long range ration and one pack of Vietnamese cigarettes were discovered along this trail. The activity appeared to be three to five days old. Destroyed the bunker and all equipment.
At 1450H, Company B at Grid XD 774594 found one bunker ten feet by three feet by nine feet, capable of sleeping four persons, also found two cooking areas, two papers with Vietnamese writing and one small bottle and pipe.
At 1705H, Company A at Grid XD 666574 found ten enemy company size position, nine NVA bodies, forty to fifty bunkers, one Chicom claymore mine, five canteens, four AK-47 rifles, sixteen hundred AK-47 rounds, two ponchos, thirty-three Chicom grenades, sixteen AK-47 magazines, fifteen charges for RPG, three cleaning gear bottles and fifty pounds of rice. Returned all gear to Company A position.
At 2345H, Four rounds of 81mm H&I fire landed near Company A ambush wounding seven persons. A check fire was called and a medevac helicopter was requested. An investigation was directed by the Battalion Commanding Officer.
30 March
At 1230H, Company B at Grid XD 751588 found one empty rice can, one metal container, one tin can, one pair torn trousers and two hooches with bunkers. At Grid XD 751585 Company B found four bunkers three feet by four feet by five feet, five bunkers five feet by eight feet by four feet, one partially destroyed hooch five feet by five feet, two animal pens four feet by four feet, one table three feet by two feet and one latrine in excess of six months old.
31 March
No entry.
Casualties Inflicted on the Enemy
NVA/KIA 47
NVA/POW 0
VC/KIA 0
VC/POW 0
Friendly Casualties Sustained
KIA 32
WIA 360
DOW 1
Non-Hostile Deaths 0
NBC 50
MIA 0
DAI 2
This page last corrected 6 September 2011