Operations
5 November
At 1300H, C patrol at XD 931405 found one body. Body was completely decomposed and fully clothed with flak jacket. Patrol took the following items for classification: rims from glasses, lower part of jawbone with teeth, one Marine Corps gift pen, part of chain from dog tags and one cross, one stamp pad (Marine type) with initials and two letters of last name, and one wristwatch. Body was approximately 100 meters north-east of C-130 wreckage which had been there approximately five months.
At 1616H, India/3/4 was chopped OPCON to 1/4
At 1700H, Co. Alpha/1/4 was chopped OPCON to 3rd Battalion 4th Marines.
At 2107H, Co. Lima/3/4 was chopped back to 3/4
6 November
At 1505H, A Co. C patrol returned to C-130 wreckage at XD 931405 to pick up the remains found by another patrol on 5 November. Decomposed body was brought back in a WP bag. Patrol found dogtags of two personnel, one wallet with Geneva convention card and Marine Corps type ID card, one prescription label from medicine bottle with name, one map, two wrist watches, three rolls of film, one cigarette lighter, one empty body bag, one helmet with liner, two M-16 rifles, and one flamethrower with nozzle and hose. The following numbers were found on the tail section of the wreckage ‘AF/054’ in six-inch black letters followed by ‘590’ in twelve-inch white letters. Patrol brought back items found.
7 November
At 1800H, Co. A chopped OPCON from 3/4 to 2/4.
11 November
At 1815H, Co. D helo-lifted from Hill 691 (XD 926443) to FSB Alpine (XD 758528). Chopped OPCON to 2/4. Co. H helo-lifted from FSB Alpine to Hill 691. Chopped OPCON to 1/4 Lift completed at 1915H.
12 November
At 0915H, Co. B, H&S Co. (-) helo-lifted from FSB Cates to FSB Argonne. Co. C helo-lifted from FSB Shepherd (XD 935410) to FSB Argonne.
At 1130H, helo-lifted completed. Co. A chopped back to 1/4 Co. Golf/2/4 chopped OPCON to 1/4. Co. Hotel/2/4 chopped back to 2/4.
13 November
At 1232H, Co. D located at XD 755535 spotted one NVA at XD 767537. Called in artillery mission. Results unknown.
At 1400H, A helicopter while departing FSB Argonne received seven rounds automatic weapon fire believed to be .30 caliber from vicinity of XD 677574. Fired M-79, 60mm mission in area. Checked area and found signs of approximately 4 NVA.
At 1530H, Co. Golf/2/4 helo-lifted from XD 675579 to Vandegrift Combat Base. Co. A helo-lifted from XD 827483 to FSB Argonne.
At 1630H, Personnel working on LZ at FSB Argonne received small arms fire from XD 676569. Fired M-60, 60mm, 81mm and 106mm at enemy position. Checked out area and found trail freshly cut going in an easterly direction and two positions which had clear fields of fire to our LZ.
At 1630H, Co. and Co. G helo-lifted completed. Co. G chopped back to 2/4.
15 November
At 2000H, A Co. D ambush at XD 754534 had one member of the ambush dragged away by a carnivorous animal. Search was conducted under constant illumination for a period of some three hours with negative results.
At 0930H, Co. C patrol conducted a search for lost man. Found remains at XD 753536. Man had been attacked by carnivorous animal. Remains med-evaced.
At 1715H, spotted 4 NVA moving in a northerly direction. Called artillery mission. Results unknown.
At 2020H, Co. B while firing night defensive fire in XD 676624 heard definite metallic sounds when rounds impacted. 81 FO confirmed sounds and light after hits. Observed with illum. Fired arty WP for effect with unknown results.
At 2400H, Co. B heard sounds of metal against metal. Heard something that sounded like picks digging in ground. Fired arty and noise ceased. Results unknown.
16 November
At 0800H, LtCol Sargent relieved LtCol Galbraith of Command of 1/4.
At 1020H, MajGen Davis visited FSB Argonne. He departed 15 minutes later.
At 1205H, Co. A at XD 676618 found 8 caves, also 4 straw structures which have been deserted for approximately 10 days and were large enough for 8-10 people. Also found 3 sheets of steal matting which was similar to airplane matting used for covering of entrance and reinforcing walls. Found 1 pair NVA type trousers, 4 machetes plus medical supplies containing a destroyed bottle of opium. Area had a large garden containing squash, beans and sweet potatoes.
At 1525H, Co. A at XD 675622 found 3 natural caves within 15 meters of each other. Dimensions of caves are 4’x6’x8’ deep.
At 1830H, FSB Alpine received six rounds of 60mm, all outside of wire. Fired 60mm, 81mm and arty. Results unknown.
17 November
At 0835H, Co. B at XD 673618 found one cave of natural formation. Dimensions were two meters high, 10 meters wide and 30 meters long. Found one 60mm tube complete, two 60mm mortar sights, twelve 60mm mortar rounds with fuses, 2500 mixed rounds, .50 caliber and below and one French MG. Also found one map case with documents, one pay roster, one first aid kit, one E-tool, one pair NVA type trousers and one sweat suit. Also found 100 pounds rice, one black pig alive, two brown chickens alive and domestic kitten. Documents sent to Task Force Hotel. Weapons kept; all other gear destroyed.
At 0900H, Co. B at XD 666615 found one cave of natural formation. Inside was found one M-1 rifle of US issue, 500 rounds of mixed ammo, two Chi-com grenades, 50 rounds .50 caliber ammo, 15 pounds rice, cooking utensils and miscellaneous 782 gear. Weapons kept; all other gear destroyed.
At 1140H, Co. B at XD 663616 found one cave of natural formation. Inside was found two straw mats, 200 AK-47 rounds, 25 small bags of spices, 25 pounds of tobacco not refined, 50 pounds of rice (rough type), 10 pounds of wheat, cooking utensils, two cross bows, farm gear and miscellaneous 782 gear. Also found documents. Retained documents, all other gear destroyed.
At 1145H, Co. B at XD 663616 found one .45 caliber pistol, one M-1 rifle, one M-14 rifle, one M-16 rifle, two .03 Springfield of US manufacture, one 303 Enfield, five submachine guns and 20 Czech rifles of unknown classification. Also found 200 pounds TNT, one pop-up signal flare, three CS and DM grenades (beer can type) one yellow smoke grenade, two film canisters XD168 experimental type US made, and four claymore mines. Destroyed everything except weapons and film canisters. All weapons were rusty and needed 2-4 hours cleaning before firing.
At 1330H, Co. B at XD 673617 found one cave of natural formation. Cave contained 4000 pounds of rice and other grains. Rice helo-lifted to 4th Marines.
At 1530H, Co. C at XD 678583 found 10 living bunkers ‘A’ frame type. Dimensions were 6’x9’x5’ and were reinforced with logs 2-6” in diameter and 10-15” of dirt covering. Bunkers had openings at both ends with steps. Bunkers were 6 months old or older. Also found elephant tracks in area. Destroyed only two bunkers because of lack of time.
At 1815H, Co. D at FSB Argonne received 12 rounds of 60mm from XD 783528. Fired 81mm. Results unknown.
At 1815H, Co. A at XD 664623 found a garden with squash and beans with area cleared for living facilities. Area has been cleared within the last two weeks. Checked area results negative.
18 November
At 1500H, Co. A at XD 663637 sighted three NVA at above grid. Enemy fired automatic weapons. Fired M-16, M-79 and 60mm in return. Lead element conducted search for NVA and found a small hut and a large pool of blood. Also found two pith helmets, one bush cover, one US machete and rice and sugar beets. No weapons were found.
20 November
At 1430H Co. A at XD 683637 received 10 rounds mixed AK-47 and .45 caliber fire from above grid. Returned fire and called AO. AO called in arty mission. Results unknown.
At 1815H, Co. D at FSB Alpine received 20 rounds 60mm and 82mm mortars mixed from XD 777550 and XD 777535. Fired 81mm mission. Results unknown.
At 2130H, Co. C spotted three lights coming toward them down a hill at XD 698628.
At 2300H, Co. C spotted one light to their south. After 10 minutes the light went out.
21 November
At 1100H, Co. B at XD 691621 found 34 cases of Russian half pound blocks of TNT, 50 pounds per case, 2 cases of Chinese half pound blocks of C-4 and 1 case Chinese 81mm rounds. Found under overhead. Blew everything in place.
At 1300H, Co. B at XD 688620 found 5 huts and 1 cave. Inside was 2500 pounds of rice, 75 pounds of corn, 75 pounds of tobacco, one rifle, one sword, one spear, two crossbows and 16 knives. Destroyed everything except the grain.
At 1400H, Co. B at XD 685620 found a cave with 24 bundles of NVA clothing, black and blue in color, two bundles of unit ones, first aid kits, 7 cases of medical supplies, 250 rounds 30/06 mixed tracers and ball, 75 rounds 7.62mm ball. Destroyed ammo, remaining gear helo-lifted to 4th Marines.
At 2300H, Co. Kilo/3/4 lifted into FSB Alpine. Chopped OPCON to 1/4.
22 November
At 0820H, Co. A at XD 717613 received automatic weapon fire, from approximately 6-7 NVA. Returned fire with M-79 and called for AO. Results two USMC WIA and two NVA KIA (confirmed).
23 November
At 1130H, BGen Garretson arrived at FSB Argonne. He departed at 1145H.
At 1215H, Co. B at XD 728618 found a bunker complex containing one NVA body approximately half day old. Also found one M-16 rifle in excellent condition, 75 Chi-Com grenades, 70 82mm mortar rounds, 50 anti-personnel mines, 25,000 rounds .50 caliber ammo, 25 cans of 7.62mm ball (100 rounds per can), 50 60mm, 25 pounds medical supplies and 40 mixed rocket rounds. Bunker complex seems to be a supply and medical center. 400 meters north of this complex is an unsearched bunker complex with what looks like fresh signs of recent use. Blew gear, destroyed bunkers.
At 1250H, Co. Kilo/3/4 received small arms fire from two NVA from XD 776535.
At 1330H, UH1E gunship at XD 777560 spotted 5 water buffalo and destroyed them.
At 1500H, BGen Garretson arrived at FSB Argonne. He departed at 1540H.
24 November
At 1030H, Co. Kilo/3/4 at XD 770569 found one NVA claymore already tripped. Claymore appeared to be a dud. Blew in place.
At 1210H, Co. B at XD 735633 found a bunker complex while moving in a northerly direction. Approximately 40 meters in front of point squad 10 NVA opened up on them with semi-automatic fire. Returned fire with small arms and M-79. Results 1 US KIA, 3 US WIA.
At 1500H, MajGen Davis, Col. Sexton and Maj McKenna arrived at FSB Argonne. They departed at 1600H.
25 November
At 1040H, Co. Kilo/3/4 at XD 771513 found 10 harbor sites, containing 63 60mm rounds, 6 pounds of medical gear, one pair wire cutters, assorted propaganda and letters, one wooden stove, eating utensils, two bags of rice, five BA-30 batteries, remains of one PRC-25 battery and miscellaneous 782 gear. Destroyed arms and gear.
At 1350H, BGen Garretson arrived FSB Argonne. He departed at 1410H.
At 1430H, Co. Kilo/3/4 at XD 760577 found a bunker complex containing 15-20 bunkers of which 7-10 were completed A-frame types. Also found 14 82mm rounds, 24 82mm fuses, 30 primers, one grave with one NVA body less than a day old, two cooking pans, seven large rice bowls empty and extensively used trails leading to the north. Destroyed arms and bunkers.
At 1510H, BGen Garretson arrived at FSB Argonne. He departed at 1540H.
26 November
At 0855H, Co. Kilo/3/4 at XD 770584 found a dry stream bed. Area was marked by cuts in trees. Search of area uncovered eight 60mm rounds, one NVA pack and one old grave. Ammo destroyed.
At 0935H, BGen Garretson and Col. Sexton arrived at FSB Argonne. They departed at 0945H.
At 1120H, Co. C at FSB Argonne commenced flip-flop by helo-lift with Co. B at XD 705619. Helo-lift completed at 1153H.
At 1345H, Co. D at FSB Alpine commenced flip-flop with Co. A at XD 705619. Helo-lift completed at 1610H.
27 November
At 1000H, BGen Garretson and Col. Sexton arrived at FSB Argonne. They departed at 1010H.
28 November
At 0635H, A Co. B LP at FSB Argonne was hit by Chi-Com grenades. LP pulled in and the lines were hit by approximately 200 rounds of AK-47 fire and 5 Chi-Com grenades. Returned fire with small arms, 60mm, 81mm and arty. Results: 6 US WIA, 1 NVA KIA (confirmed), one AK-47 and two magazines captured.
At 0926H, FSB Argonne received 6 rounds 60mm from westerly direction, bursting 50 meters southwest of perimeter. Returned fire with 81mm and 105mm. Called for AO and close air strikes. Results: 7 US WIA.
At 1330H, LtGen Stillwell and BGen Garretson visited FSB Argonne. They departed at 1400H.
At 1300H, Co. D at XD 725637 found a bunker complex which contained an assortment of gear including a leather surgical case less instruments, assorted clothing, two gas masks, maps and assorted documents, 75 fuses for 82mm rounds. Bunker complex consisted of 11 huts with interconnecting underground bunker system. Destroyed bunkers and gear.
29 November
At 2400H, Battery T/1/11 (155mm) while firing mission from FSB Alpine had an in-pit explosion. Explosion was caused by the detonation of a dud enemy mortar round lodged in gun pit parapet wall. Casualties to gun crew consisted of one emergency and four priorities. It was further concluded the detonation caused sympathetic detonation of friendly hand grenades.
30 November
At 0945H, MajGen Davis, Col Sexton and Col Goodins arrived at FSB Argonne. They departed at 1005H.
At 1115H, BGen Garretson arrived at FGB Argonne. He departed at 1125H.
Casualties inflicted on the enemy
NVA/KIA (confirmed) – 6
NVA/POW – 0
Friendly casualties sustained
KIA – 1
WIA – 23
Non-hostile deaths – 2
DOW – 0
NBC – 83
MIA – 0
This page last corrected 2 September 2011