Operations
1 October
At 1000H, 1/4 helo-lifted to Vandegrift Combat Base from XD 953659. At 1200H, helo-lift completed. 1/4 chopped to 4th Marines from 3rd Marines and assumed responsibility for defense of Vandegrift Combat Base.
4 October
At 1800H, Company B was relieved as reaction force of Vandegrift and moved to Ca Lu to provide security for the Ca Lu-OP Texas complex.
5 October
At 1500H, 1/4 relieved of responsibility of defense of Vandegrift Combat Base and the Ca Lu-OP Texas complex.
6 October
At 0945H, Co. D, Co. C, Co. A, Bn CP, 81mm plt (-), 106mm Section and Co. B helo-lifted to XD 849353 to conduct offensive operations. The lift was completed at 1250H.
7 October
At 0840H, Co. B found six bunkers and trench line complex vicinity XD 858342. Co. C found similar complex at XD 856342. Destroyed same by hand.
At 0935H, Co. A patrol found enemy base camp at XD 855355. Checked area and found 1 AK-44, one 81mm mount, 64-82mm rounds, 5 fuses for 82mm mortar ammunition, AT mines, 81mm mortar sights, 27-81mm rounds, 2 AK-47 magazines, 1 auto clave plate, and 2-82mm mortar mounts plus 1 mass grave site with 33 bodies (remains appeared to be 1-3 months old).
At 1250H, Co. A patrol found 1000 sniper rounds unknown caliber, 1000 AK-47 rounds, 11-122mm rocket, 15-60mm charges, 50-.50 cal rounds, 4 chi-com blasting caps and nine RPGs at XD 855352.
At 1840H, Co. A patrol uncovered 60 cases (80 rounds per cases), .50 caliber ammunition, 100 rounds 82mm ammunition and 25 AT mines at XD 862353.
8 October
At 0105H, A platoon from Co. B in a night defensive position at XD 851339, was attacked by an estimated squad size unit. Small arms, 81mm and 4.2 mortars, and an AC-47 was called in to destroy the enemy. Results unknown friendly casualties were 3 KIA and 2 WIA.
At 0710H, Co. B platoon size patrol swept above area and found one AK-47, 10 AK-47 magazines, 1 pack, 1 helmet, 2 RPG rounds, 1 NVA flak jacket, 1 human hand and numerous blood trails.
At 1000H, The Bn CP, 81mm plt (-) and the 106mm section were helo-lifted to XD 868353. Co. B and D were helo-lifted to XD 885362. The lift was completed at 1200H.
At 1050H, Co. A patrol discovered base camp at XD 862353. A grave site was uncovered, disclosing 7 bodies that had been buried for a period of 1-3 months.
At 1130H, 1 NVA body was found in fighting hole at XD 878362 by a patrol from Co. B. Body remains were approximately 3 weeks old.
At 1200H, Co. C patrol found messing area, bunker complex and grave site in vicinity XD 862346. Graves were dug up and two bodies were uncovered.
9 October
At 1230H, A patrol from Co. B found ten 60mm rounds, 4 chi-com grenades, 2 entrenching tools, 40 AK .50 caliber rounds, 2 rockets, 10 rice bowls, 3 cartridge belts, 4 AK magazine pouches, 13 living bunkers, cooking areas and 1 grave with 1 body, appeared buried approximately 1 month earlier in vicinity XD 878357.
At 1300H, A patrol from Co. B found bunker complex at XD 883354. The following ammunition and equipment were found, 210 AK-47 rounds, 2 cartons (200 rounds per carton), 7.62mm rounds, 1 AK bayonet, 1 NVA gas mask, 1 entrenching tool and 1 chi-com pouch.
At 1300H, Co. C platoon at XD 874359 found 1 AK-47, eight 60mm rounds, 69-82mm rounds, 26 RPG rounds, 100 AK rounds, 800-.50 caliber rounds, 400-.30 caliber rounds, 4 chi-com grenades, 1 gas mask, 13 filters and items of individual equipment plus 1 dog harness (non-U.S. make).
At 1440H, Co. C patrol found NVA equipment and ammunition at XD 877346. Items found were 50 NVA gas masks, wire cutters, 4 AK-47 magazines plus 600 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 1 can .50 caliber ammunition, 57-82mm rounds, 2 RPG rounds and 148 chi-com grenades.
At 1715H, Co. D in the vicinity of XD 862373 spotted as estimated 4 to 6 NVA moving up the hillside. 81mm mortar and artillery missions were fired. Excellent coverage resulted with unknown results.
10 October
At 1040H, Co. C made contact with estimated 10 NVA in vicinity of XD 871345. 81mm mortars, 106mm recoilless rifle, artillery and fixed wing air strikes were called in. Action resulted in 7 NVA KIA. USMC casualties were 1 WIA (minor injuries).
11 October
At 0950H, Co. C platoon patrol detected movement and received sniper fire from vicinity of XD 867344. Patrol returned small arms, 60mm, 81mm and 4.2 mortar, 106 recoilless rifle and artillery missions. Results were 6 NVA KIA.
12 October
At 1300H, Co. B enroute to new position, sighted approximately 10 NVA moving through dense grass in the vicinity of XD 875347. Mortar and artillery missions were called in. Good target coverage was received. Results unknown.
At 1515H, Co. D patrol found bunker complex vicinity of XD 898353. Search of area uncovered 1 SKS rifle, 1 AK-44, 100 AK rounds, 13-60mm mortar rounds, 8 RPG’s, 18 magazines for a AK and 18 fuses for 82mm rounds.
16 October
At 1330H, Lift of 1/4 units to the various Fire Support Bases commenced. Co. D was lifted to Camp Carroll, Co. B to FSB Cates, Co. C to FSB Shepherd, the Bn CP to Vandegrift, and Co. A to FSB Quantico at 1715H.
At 1930H, Co. D was chopped to 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines.
At 1930H, Co.’s A, B and C were chopped OPCON to 2nd Battalion 9th Marines.
17 October
At 1430H, the Battalion Command Group plus 81mm plt (-), helo lifted to FSB Cates at 171500H. New CP opened at FSB Cates at 171505H.
At 1530H, Co.’s A, B and C of 1/4 and 1st Plt, Co. F/2/9 chopped OPCON to 1st Battalion 4th Marines.
23 October
At 1315H, 1st Plt, Co. D was helo-lifted to Hill 950 (XD 841457) replacing 1st Plt, Co. F/2/9. The latter returned to Vandegrift.
At 1350H, Co. D (-) was helo-lifted from Vandegrift to Hill 681 (XD 927442). Lift was completed at 1430H.
At 1415H, Co. D chopped back to 1st Battalion 4th Marines and 1st Plt, Co. F/2/9, chopped back to 2nd Battalion 9th Marines.
25 October
At 1600H, Co. A was helo-lifted to FSB Gurkha. Lift was completed at 1650H.
At 1700H, Co. A was chopped OPCON to 3rd Battalion 4th Marines.
28 October
At 1815H, Three Co. D personnel were injured from an accidental detonation of an M-26 grenade in their perimeter. All three personnel were evacuated. Investigation pending.
30 October
At 1315H, Co. A patrol spotted 2 NVA vicinity of XD 806471. Fired small arms, 60mm and 81mm mortar mission. Good target coverage results unknown.
At 1500H, Co. A patrol found 1 dead NVA at XD 824497. Body estimated to have been dead approximately 2 days.
At 1915H, 1st Plt, Co. A patrol sighted 1 NVA moving in vicinity of grid XD 798477. Artillery and 81mm mortar missions were fired plus UH-1E Gunships worked over the area. Results were unknown.
This page last corrected 2 September 2011