Operations/Training
- Mission
- During the month of June 1966, 1st Battalion 4th Marines executed the following mission:
- Defend the Hue/Phu Bai vital area.
- Conduct operations and extensive patrol and ambush activity in assigned sector of TAOR to deny enemy passage through or buildup in that area.
- Coordinate defensive efforts of all units within the vital area perimeter.
- Be prepared to assume responsibility and command of the Hue/Phu Bai TAOR upon displacement of the 4th Marines Headquarters for operations outside the TAOR.
- Maintain the Combined Action Company to provide security for assigned village/areas with the TAOR.
- Maintain the Sparrow Hawk.
- Maintain Combat Outposts on Hills 180 (YD 855133) and 225 (YD 848087).
- Conduct a vigorous Civil Affairs program within assigned sector of TAOR and those areas assigned for operations.
- Operations.
During its stay to date at the Hue/Phu Bai Combat Base the battalion has been involved primarily in the manning of its portion of the vital area perimeter and two combat outposts. In conjunction with the manning of the line’s numerous daylight and nighttime patrols of fire team and squad size have been conducted. In addition, observation posts and listening posts have been employed. Besides these normal defensive type activities, the battalion has been involved in other tactical matters.
At 011850H, two tanks were assigned to CAC-7 for providing assistance to Lt/Col Khoa an officer loyal to the national government threatened by dissident elements. The tanks were dispatched and along with CAC-7 provided assistance to Colonel Khoa within the CAC-7 compound (YD 819178) with orders to fire only to protect U.S. property and lives. The tanks set in as a roadblock, which initially was manned day and night but eventually only at night. As the situation improved the units were secured from their assigned mission.
On 2 June command of the 3rd Platoon, Company K OpCon of Company D changed from Lt Hopgood to Sgt Hensarling. The platoon continued in its mission of providing security for Battery M, 3/12 in Company D’s operating area.
At 041345H, H&S Company employed two snipers from regiment in their lines in the hope of countering any VC sniper activity, however there was no contact.
An action typical of those encountered in the defensive area occurred at 052145H, when an estimated two VC fired twenty rounds of semi-automatic weapons fire and threw one grenade at the CP of CAC-7 (YD 819178). The Marines illuminated, returned fire, and diverted a patrol to sweep the area. As was often the case in this type of contact, the sweep produced negative results.
On 6 June movement on Highway #1 outside the vital area was restricted to an extent by the placing of altars in the roadway by Buddhist elements. Resupply of CAC units was affected by use of helicopters, and operations continued as adjusted to the situation. This condition persisted until 18 June with varying degrees of restriction.
Effective at 071215H, the battalion released OpCon of the 3rd Platoon, Company K, 3/4 who had been providing security for Battery M, 3/12 in the southeastern portion of the TAOR. Both units vacated the position and returned to their parent commands.
H&S Company occupying a portion of the vital area perimeter along with the rifle companies received its share of the month’s contacts. In one instance at 080305H three VC walked into an H&S Company ambush site and received approximately fifteen rounds of semi-automatic weapons fire. No fire was returned, and one VC WIA probable was reported. On this same day at 2000H the battalion assumed Regimental FSCC responsibility for the Hue/Phu Bai TAOR during the absence of the Regimental Headquarters Command Group from the area of Operation Florida.
An enemy kill was obtained at 090145H, when a patrol from CAC-7 spotted two VC moving along a brush line (YD 820176). The patrol opened fire expending approximately 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and eight M-79’s. During a sweep of the area at first light one VC body was recovered along with two magazines of ammunition, one ChiCom grenade, one anti-personnel mine, and cleaning gear. At 1200H, this day the helipad in the regimental headquarters area was closed. Helicopter operations for the remainder of the month initiated from the HMM-161 area at the Hue/Phu Bai Airfield. Action the night of 9 June and then again on 10 June centered along the Company B sector of the perimeter with several contacts being made and small arms rounds exchanged. In addition, an Ontos was employed on the line and its main battery fired. Despite the firepower put forth no VC casualties were discovered during after-action sweeps.
Action shifted back again to CAC-7 when at 112025H its patrol sighted four VC in a brush line (YD 826178) and fired on them. One VC was killed. The patrol recovered the body and one ChiCom automatic weapon. The next day at 121600H, 4th Marines assumed responsibility for the HUE/Phu Bai TAOR FSCC, the regiment having returned from Operation Florida.
On 13 June, Company D provided a platoon for one of the commitments commonly assigned to the battalion, an alert platoon on standby during movement of the Rough Rider resupply run from Da Nang to Phu Bai. Occasion did not arise for the platoon to be committed to action. That evening at 2055H, a Company B patrol received four to five rounds of small arms fire and one fragmentation grenade. The patrol returned fire at the suspected enemy position (YD 896154) and threw one fragmentation grenade. One VC was observed running across the rice paddy. The next day at first light a sweep of the area revealed a blood trail leading into a village (YD 896157) and to a straw mat covered with blood, evidence of one VC WIA.
Company D moved out early on the morning of 15 June and conducted a company size operation in the hamlet of Loi Nong (YD 837197) on the northern boundary of the TAOR. Intelligence reports had indicated VC activity in that area. The company trucked to the area, debarked, and crossed a rice paddy to the hamlet where a slow and deliberate search was conducted. The company made no contact and returned to its CP area that same day.
Personnel of Company D were again involved when at 181057H; Sparrow Hawk was alerted for drill purposes to test its responsiveness. Thirteen minutes later the unit arrived at the HMM-161 helipad and upon being inspected was found to be well prepared for any appropriate mission.
From mid-month on the AN/TPS-21 radar was employed on the line in Company A’s area. It proved helpful in tracking friendly patrols as they moved forward of the lines and on several occasions picked up sighting, which were later, lost.
On 191100H, Sparrow Hawk was launched to assist a reconnaissance unit that had come under heavy fire. The Sparrow Hawk lifted off the HMM-161 helo pad under OpCon of Recon Group B but was not inserted due to thick jungle canopy. Extraction of the recon unit was made by hoist lift and later pickup from a cleared area. Sparrow Hawk returned to the Company B area at 191325H.
At mid-month a counterattack plan was developed for the battalion and on 192150H a drill was conducted. Without being previously alerted, units responded and traveling from different points within the vital area were in position within thirty-eight minutes. A total of seventy-two infantrymen, five corpsman, and two Ontos participated.
Effective 200700H, the battalion lost a small portion (Grid squares YD 7817, 7917) of its TAOR in the northwest to 2/1 for use as an impact area. The change was not large enough to affect the CAC unit in the area.
Acting as a follow up to contact by CAC-7 with VC the night before in Loi Nong Hamlet (YD 837197), Company D was sent into the area again on 23 June 1966. Crossing the line of departure at 0800H the company advanced, moved into the hamlet, and swept east and west. The search and destroy operation produced no VC; and the company was back in its company area by 1345H.
Two days later at 241800H the battalion once again assumed FSCC responsibility for the Hue/Phu Bai TAOR. This commitment was still in effect as the month ended. Also, in effect as the month ended was the attachment of Company M, 3/4 to the battalion initially effective 250800H. Company M was given the mission of providing security for Battery I, 3/12 in the southeast portion of the TAOR and for a new CAC unit being established at the Truoi Bridge (YD 966064). Responsibility for the Truoi operating area was assigned to the battalion effective 252000H. This added a significantly large operating area to the TAOR in the southeast. The new CAC unit, designated CAC-11, was established within the newly assigned area on 25 June. Another CAC unit planned for Loc Dien in the operating area was not activated due to the nonavailability of PF’s.
On 26 June command of the battalion changed from Lt/Col R. E. Sullivan to Lt/Col Jack Westerman. An appropriate change of command ceremony was held.
Sparrow Hawk was alerted for the second time during the month for other than drill purposes at 290905H. After an air recon by the Battalion Executive Officer, it was committed to the Song Nong River area (YD 901062) to sweep that area in which an air strike had been conducted. A reinforced platoon from Company D with a headquarters group followed in trace, helilifted in. OpCon of the Sparrow Hawk was assumed by Company D’s CO. Both units swept the area with negative VC contact. Sparrow Hawk was retracted and returned to its company area at 1530H. The next day, 30 June, Battery I displaced from its position in the vicinity of Company M (YD 932059) and moved north to support regimental operations. Company M continued operations in its area.
As the month drew to a close another counterattack drill was conducted on 302030H. Company A responded with thirty-four troops, Company D with thirty-five troops; three tanks and three Ontos also participated. OpCon of the assembled units was assumed by Company B CO whose area had supposedly been penetrated. The drill secured as 302130H.
A patrol from CAC-7 encountered 2 VC along its route (YD 833172). While being searched the first VC contacted reached for a grenade in his shirt and was immediately shot and killed. The second VC opened fire and was killed by return fire.
Other activity engaged into a considerable extent by the rifle company members during the month was the providing of security of Vietnamese grave digging details, for medical evacuations, and for truck convoys. In addition, tank/infantry operations of platoon size were conducted on two occasions.
During the month the battalion supported Operation Dodge taking place north of the TAOR by conducting intensified patrol activity in the northern portion of the TAOR.
The month ended with the battalion continuing in its assigned mission.
- Training.
Training consisted primarily of on-the-job type instruction within the rifle companies and H&S Company. Those classes that were held were mostly on the platoon level and dependent upon the availability of personnel from their assigned commitments. Classes dealt with general military subjects applicable.
Classes for CAC personnel were attended by PFs in addition to the Marines. Advantage was taken of the proximity of the ARVN Dong Da training Center and the availability of its ranges for firing on Sundays. Weapons fired by members of the battalion included the M-14 rifle, the .45 caliber pistol, the 60mm and 81mm mortars, the M-60 machine gun, and the 3.5 rocket launcher.
Instruction conducted by staff section representatives consisted of instruction on radio procedures, FO procedures, and information reporting procedures.
Eighteen personnel attended a two-day course of instruction on the regimental level dealing with mine warfare and booby traps. One officer attended a two-week course of instruction at division level on a man packed personnel detector.
Orientation and indoctrination briefings were conducted for all hands joining battalion.
This page last updated 24 August 2011