Operations/Training

79. Mission.  During the reporting period the 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines continued its assignment as the Special Landing Force, OPCON to CTG 79.5.  During this period missions assigned were as follows.

            March

4-6            Enroute to Subic Bay Philippine Islands.

6-15        Preparation for Special Operations.

16        Rehearsal Landing at Subic Bay Philippine Islands, for Special Operations in Republic of Viet Nam.

20-1 April

Operation Beacon Hill I in the Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province of the Republic of Viet Nam.

1. Summary of Operations/Activities.

The Battalion Landing Team spent the period embarked on board ships of the Amphibious Ready Group.  The BLT Headquarters was located on board the USS Iwo Jima until 6 March then moved to the SLF Base Camp where it remained until 15 March at which time it moved aboard the USS Princeton LPH-5.

On 6 March BLT 1/4 debarked from the ARG shipping and moved to the Special Landing Force Base Camp.

During the period 6 to 15 March and BLT began preparation for Special Operations in RVN.

On 15 March BLT 1/4 embarked aboard the new ARG shipping.

On 16 March, the BLT received the target area for Beacon Hill I and began preparation of Operation Order 3-67.  On 16 March ARG shipping sailed in the landing area with tentative D-day of 19 March and H-hour of 1800H.

D-day was delayed until 20 March due to weather at sea.  L-hours was further delayed until 1320H, due to fog in the LPH operating area.  The first wave of Company A was launched at 1301.  No contact was made in the LZ and the CP group landed at approx 1415H and moved inside the protective wire of Gio Linh Artillery complex.  Defensive positions were immediately begun.  Company C landed at Blue Beach at 1400 by LVT and began movement to Objective #1.  Company B landed in LZ Sparrow at approx 1430H and established night defensive positions.  Company D was landed in LZ Bluebird at approximately 1600H.  Company A and D established perimeters around the Battalion Command Post.

At 201735H CTG 79.5 Frag Order #1 was received directing the BLT to consolidate positions, establish night defensive positions and ambushes, and commencing at first light to seize Objective 1,2 and 3.  Be prepared on order to seize Objective 4 and 5.

At 201915H to 201015H Company A and Company D at coordinated YD 20874- sustained the first casualties of this operation when they received approximately 300 rounds of 82mm and 120mm mortar fire.  Counter Battery fire was fired by the 105mm Howitzer and 107mm Mortar Batteries.  Friendly casualties were 3 KIA’s and 17 WIA’s.

At 202220H Bn CP at coord YD 208745 received 50 rounds of 82mm, 120mm Mortars and 105mm Howitzer.  Counter Battery fire was returned by 81mm, 107mm mortars and 105’s.  One secondary explosion was observed.

At 202100H Company B coordinates YD 208745 received incoming mortar rounds and S/A fire from coordinates YD 182725.

At 211240H Company B on Objective 3 at coord YD 175722 found 3 VC 82mm rounds, 1 pack, 4 grenades, 3 rice packs which were tagged and sent to BLT S-2.

At 212420H CTG 79.5 intelligence reported 2 VC Battalions located in the area of coordinates YD 171726 and YD 170713, getting in position to oppose Marines on Objective 3.  A helicopter spotted 60 enemy spread out from coordinates YD 1471 to YD 1771 in trenches and holes and around the village at coordinates YD 138716.

At 212445H 3^rd Platoon Company B received S/A fire from estimated – NVA troops.  The platoon returned fire with S/A and 60mm mortar.  Air Strikes were called and dropped 10 tons of bombs, 10 rockets and 250 rounds.  There were 3 Fr/WIA’s sustained and 10 enemies KIA (conf), 15 enemy KIA (prob).

At 212000H 1^st Platoon Company B received 1200 S/A rounds.  Returned 1000 S/A, 7 M-79 round, 7 hand grenades, captured 1 ChiCom A/weapon and 250 rounds ammunition.  They sustained 3 Fr/WIA’s.  Enemy casualties were 6 NVA/KIA (conf) and 6 NVA/KIA (prob).

At —– 1^st Platoon Company B surprised a VC ambush at coord YD 1537-9.  Company B received 200 rounds S/A and returned 450 rounds S/A, resulting in 6 VC/KIA’s (conf), 5 VC/KIA (prob) and captured VC grenades and 3.5 rocket ammunition.

At 212—H Company B received 25 incoming 82mm mortar rounds, returning 60mm and 81mm mortar and S/A fire.  They sustained 2 Fr/WIA’s while causing 2 VC/KIA (conf) and 4 VC/KIA (prob).

At 220940H information was received from 3^rd Marine Division of 7 confirmed mortar positions at YD 168753.  C and G Batteries fired a mission.  Company D reported seeing and hearing 6 secondary explosions from results of the artillery mission.

At 221025H Company B received 15 rounds 82mm mortar fire, called an artillery mission on the suspected enemy positions.  They sustained 10 Fr/WIA’s from the incoming fire.

At 221214H Company D received 35 to 40 82mm mortar rounds from coordinate YD 173717.  Company D called an air strike.  One secondary explosion was noted.  7 Fr/WIA’s were caused by this attack.

At 221315H Company B at coordinated YD 157719 received 15 to 20 82mm mortar rounds and spotted two enemy platoons north of the road.  Company B gave pursuit, made contact with the enemy.  The enemy threw a large number of grenades and fired A/W and S/A fire.  Company B withdrew from contact, called in 81mm mortar and artillery fire.  They sustained 5 Fr/KIA’s and 14 Fr/WIA’s.  Enemy casualties were 46 NVA/KIA (conf) and 6 NVA/KIA (prob).

At 221600H Company C  at YD 174721 located 9 M-1A1 ChiCom anti-tank mines and one can of 82mm mortar increments.

From 221600H to 222000H Company B lead elements received incoming S/A and 57mm recoilless rifle rounds.  Leading elements of one fire team were pinned down on the opposite side of hill from rest of the unit.  The enemy was too close for CAS and was trying to out flank the leading elements.  By fire and maneuver and artillery fire, after several tries, the leading element was retracked from the hill.  They received 2000 rounds of S/A, 3 grenades, 20 57mm RR, 30 82mm mortar, and 13 60mm mortar rounds incoming.

They returned fire with 1500 S/A, 15 M-79, 6 LAAWS, 9 grenades and 105mm artillery fire.  The Company consolidated and setup a perimeter for the night.  They had sustained 8 Fr/WIA’s.  Enemy casualties were 18 NVA/KIA (conf) and 10 NVA/KIA (prob).

At 230300H Company B at YD 153715 received 30 82mm mortar rounds resulting in 15 Fr/WIA’s.

At 230900H Company C on the move received 82mm mortar and intensive S/A fire.  Artillery fired 24 rounds in their support.  The result of this action was one Fr/KIA and 5 Fr/WIA’s, 5 NVA/KIA (conf), and 10 NVA/KIA (prob).  One carbine was captured.

From 230900H to 231145H Company B at YD 152714 received 400 S/A rounds.  Artillery was requested and the enemy engaged with S/A.  Enemy casualties were 9 NAV/KIA (conf) and 5 NVA/KIA (prob).

At 231225H Company C at YD 155719 made contact with an unknown size enemy force resulting in 1 Fr/KIA and 5 Fr/WIA’s, 7 NVA/KIA (conf) and 5 NVA/KIA (prob).  Company C captured 1 pack, personnel gear, 1 gas mask, 2 packs of linked ammo, 2 rocket rounds, corpsman gear, 1 spare barrel and 2 ChiCom machine guns.

At 232335H Company C moving out to Objective 4 made contact with 40 NVA.   They captured 1 ChiCom carbine, 1 ChiCom rifle, 1 2.7 rocket pack with 3 rounds ammo, 1 2.7 rocket, 3 NVA ‘E’ tools, 1 box of (6) rocket heads, 5 packs, 2 cooking pots, and one 60mm mortar set which was turned over to BLT S-2.

At 231730H Company C in route to Objective 5 killed one VC and captured 3 ChiCom grenades.

At 231730H Company A providing security for 2 downed helicopters received 82mm mortar and S/A fire.  They returned .50 cal and 60mm mortar fire and called in artillery.  Results were 13 Fr/WIA’s, 6 med-evac.  Enemy loses were 10 NVA/KIA (prob).

From 231945H to 232115H Company D received 30 to 40 82mm mortar rounds north and west of their perimeter.  They returned S/A fire, hand grenades, artillery fire.  A landing zone was cleared for med-evac helicopters.  The 1^st and 2^nd helicopters into the zone received no fire, but the 3^rd received a heavy volume and did not get into the zone.  The helicopters spotted two .50 cal gun positions 2 yards north of the landing zone and called in an artillery mission.  Twenty-one Fr/WIA’s were incurred, ten were evacuated.  Enemy casualties unknown.

At 240700H Company C received 82mm mortar fire from YD 135619, YD 134720, and YD 135921.  An estimated NVA Company assaulted their position.  Casualties were 6 Fr/KIA’s, 17 Fr/WIA’s, 38 NVA/KIA (conf), and 63 NVA/KIA (prob).  Equipment captured included ChiCom grenades, two 2.7-inch rocket rounds, 15 full packs containing misc, papers and letters and helmets, 9 Chi Com carbines and 6 AK-47’s.

At 240845H Company D at coordinates YD 162730 was searching for the area in front of their lines and discovered 4 NVA dressed in green uniforms moving a 7.62 machine gun on wheels into position.  Two NVA were confirm kills and 1 NVA/KIA (prob).  The Russian machine gun on wheels and 100 rounds of ammo (7.62) was captured.

At 241300H Company B made contact with unknown size of NVA force at YD 170707 and received 200 S/A and returned 650 S/A and 12 M-79 rounds.  Enemy broke contact after a 15-minute firefight.  Artillery fired 45 rounds with good coverage.  Company B captured 3 carbines, 18 60mm rounds, 3 cartridge belts, 6 bags of rice, 3 canteens, 3 pr VC sneakers, 12 ChiCom grenades and 2 VC ‘E’ tools. Enemy casualties were 10 NVA/KIA (conf) and 20 NVA/KIA (prob).

At 241300H EOD found one 105mm round with Chinese markings at Bn CP.  This projectile was forwarded to Division Fwd G-2.

At 241050H Company B spotted 6 to 8 enemy at YD 168729 moving north and called an artillery mission of 6 rounds, three VC/KIA (prob).

At 241700H at coordinates YD 160720 a Company D scouting party found 3 graves with 4 NVA bodies, killed by artillery fire.

At 241800H Company B spotted 10 NVA moving in trench line at coordinates YD 164731 and called an air strike.  Investigation found 4 NVA/KIA (conf) and evidence of 6 NVA/KIA (prob)

At 250505H Company C received 100 rounds of incoming mortar fire and sustained 3 Fr/WIA’s.

Company D at 250830H located at YD 152734 reported an evaluation of their night defensive fires.  One surprise-firing device was found in front of their lines and was destroyed.  The result of the night engagement was 4 NVA/KIA (conf), 4 VC/KIA (prob), 8 NVA/KIA (prob).  Enemy equipment included packs, canteens and a mortar base plate were returned to Bn S-2.

At 252040H Company C reported moving through Objective 5.

At 251415H Company D reported lead elements receiving heavy automatic weapons fire from the left and right front.  Company D called in artillery and air strikes on the objective located at YD 251430.

Recon Platoon reported searching coordinates YD 196737 and finding trench lines and fortified positions.

At 251545H Company D engaged an estimated NVA Battalion in trench lines and prepared positions extending from YD 147731 to YD 145737.  Air strikes were called.

At 251945H Company A located at YD 152715 received approximately 15 rounds of 60mm in their perimeter.  Company A returned heavy mortar and small arms fire.  The result of this action was 6 Fr/WIA’s, one NVA/KIA (conf) and three NVA/KIA (prob).

Company C at 251900H located at YD 725710 detonated a surprise-firing device causing 4 Fr/WIA’s.

Company A at 251915H located near YD 715152 received incoming 60mm and sporadic small arms.  They returned a heavy volume of mortar and small arms fire.  Casualties were 5 Fr/WIA’s, 5 NVA/KIA (conf) and 12 NVA/KIA (prob).

At 25153-H Company D reported mortars and small arms at 4 suspected enemy positions.  Company D confirmed 6 NVA/KIA’s with 8 NVA/KIA (prob).

During the early morning hours of 26 March 1967 all companies were in their assigned positions preparing to conduct search and destroy operations.

At 261044H, Company A discovered 3 NVA/KIA (conf) at YD 153716, results of artillery fire.

Battalion Landing Team 1/4 came under Operational Control of the 3^rd Marine Division at 260900H.

At 261415H Company C reported receiving sniper fire from YD 124735, while the FAC team landed by helicopter.  Small arms and mortar fire was returned.  The result of this encounter was 2 NVA/KIA (conf) and 3 NVA/KIA (prob).

Recon platoon departed BLT 1/4 CP at 261425H to search for a downed aircraft in the Vicinity of YD 153716.

Company D reported moving out at 161420H to search Objective 2.  Recon platoon located parts of the downed aircraft in the vicinity of YD 157718.  At 2617000 located at coord YD 141732 Company D reported that on Objective 4 enemy fortifications were completely destroyed.  Company D found numerous NVA 782 gear.

Company C reported at 262310H that while conducting assigned search and destroy missions, it received 82mm mortar and heavy volume of small arms fire from the vicinity of YD 117721.  Helicopters were requested to take out med-evacs.  The result of this engagement was 6 Fr/KIA’s, 7 NVA/KIA (conf) and 10 NVA/KIA (prob), 28 Fr/WIA’s.

During the late evening and early morning of 26 and 27 March 1967 a ring of fire was created around Company C.  No other action reported.

Company C reported at 271018H the finding of 25 NVA/KIA (conf), 15 NVA/KIA (prob), and numerous enemy equipment, including 3 AK-47’s, after sweeping the surrounding area.

At 271206H Company A reported moving to new location at YD 175715.

Company D, continuing the search of the fortifications and trench lines on Objective 4 and discovered 7 more NVA/KIA (conf).

Company A at 171910H reported that their patrol, searching the area near YD 149781 found graves containing 33 NVA.

During the late evening and early morning of 27 and 28 March, night activities were initiated, and H&I fires conducted.  No contact was made with the enemy.

At 280850H a patrol of Company D at coordinates YD 141723 heard noise and activity in front of their position.  The patrol called in artillery and 81mm mortar fire on suspected area resulting in 8 NVA/KIA (conf)

At 280945H the Recon platoon located 5 NVA at YD 191757 and called in artillery fire with good coverage.

Company D at 280900H located at YD 141733 discovered large quantities of enemy equipment, including a message book.  All items were forwarded to Division Fwd G-2.

Company C at 281145H reported being on the move to Objective 3.

Lt Col T.J. Willis assumed command of the BLT at 281245H.

Company A at 281500H located near YD 156722 captured one VCS.

Company D reported that while blowing two friendly bombs at YD 141733 one Marine was hit by shrapnel and consequently DOW at 271900.

Company D reported reaching objective 2 at 281715.

At 290010H the Battalion received a warning order from 3^rd Mar Reg’t to be prepared to conduct search and destroy operations in the vicinity of YD 225660.

Company D at 291500H located and destroyed extensive trench and mortar positions at YD 180732.

Company D located a minefield at 291820H at YD 193731.

Company C at 300335H received enemy mortar fire from coordinates YD 175722.

Company D assisted Company C in a fire mission with good results.

Company A reported reaching Objective Red at 300415H.

The ARVN Company with the Recon liaison team attached reported encountering a VC ambush at YD 253753.  The ARVN unit sustained 33 WIA’s.  Enemy casualties were unknown.

At approx 302400H a warning order was received from 3^rd Marine Regiment to standby for commitment into an area south of Con Thien.  The Battalion was placed on a 2-hour alert for movement by helicopter after first light.  At approximately 310700H the Battalion was placed on a one-hour alert to move into blocking positions along road running east and west, south of Con Thien from YD 119689 to YD 093686.  Helicopters would be utilized to lift the Battalion inside the perimeter of Con Thien.

Company A was lifted from YD 267746 and the initial wave landed at Con Thien at 310112.  Company A was followed by Company C from YD 188720.  The BLT Command Group arrived by 311200H and Company D by 311215H.

At approx 311315H the Battalion began moving to designated blocking positions with Company A leading.  By 311530H units were in position with Company A from YD 093686 to YD 105687 and Company C from YD 105687 to YD 118637.  Company D established a perimeter in the vicinity of YD 117695 and the Battalion Command Group with H&S security at YD 117692.  3/4, 3/9, 3/3 units were attacking north between grid lines YD 09 and YD 12.  The CP was established at Grid line YD 68.  The night of 31 March passed without incident.

At 010200H April 1967 BLT 1/4 dissolved as the SLF and Beacon Hill 1 was terminated.

At 010920H an order from the 3^rd Marines was received to conduct search and destroy operations westward to DMZ and include GS YD 0868, YD 0869, and YD 0870.  The Battalion CO requested permission to extend operations into GS YD 0768 and was given permission to do so.  Company D moved from their position through Company C and Company A and conducted search and destroy operations in GS YD 0869, YD 0870.  81mm mortar sections from Company A and Company D was consolidated at the Company C position in general support of the Battalion.  Company A moved into GS YD 0868 and YD 0768 and continued search and destroy operations.  Company D made no contact and returned to their original positions via Con Thien.

The night of 1 April passed without enemy contact.  At 012200H the Battalion received a 3^rd Marines warning order to change OPCON to 3^rd Marine Division (FWD) effective 020800H and be prepared to be helicopter lifted to Dong Ha to assume the mission as Base Defense Battalion.  The helicopter lift was delayed by fog until 1030H.  The last elements of the Battalion reached Dong Ha at 1600H.

1. Training.

Company C conducted 1/2-day platoon tactics on 13 March in training area #5 while at Subic Bay SLF Camp.  Company D conducted 1/2-day FAM firing at Green Beach in Subic Bay on 14 March.  No other training was conducted during March due to non-availability of training areas and or tactical commitments.

This page last corrected 28 August 2011