Weekly Ops – 4 Sept 1965

 

4 September 1965

 

From: Commanding Officer

To:            Commanding Officer, 4th Marines (-)(rein)

Subj:            Weekly Operations Summary

Ref:     (a) 4th Marines (-)(rein) Msg of 221900H July 1965

Encl:    (1) Significant Events Overlay

  1. At 281920H, Ly Tin District Headquarters requested fore missions on VC platoons at (BT 435096) and (BT 438105).  Surveillance given following morning by district intelligence officer reported two VC killed and 8-1- VC wounded.
  2. At 292150H, two persons were spotted crouching near barbed wire in front of 1/4 CP (BT 526090).  Marines illuminated and fired four rounds with unobserved results.
  3. Second platoon, Company A conducted combat patrol from position on Hill 69 (BT 468068) to vicinity (BT 4407) commencing 300900H in response to intelligence reports from Ly Tin District Headquarters that VC were digging caves.  At 301200H patrol received fire from vicinity (BT 446076).  Fire was returned, and platoon searched area and Khuong Tho (1) Hamlet, with negative results.
  4. During afternoon on 30 August, 3rd platoon, company D, on Ky Hoa Island, received report from village Chief of Ky Hoa, of 125 VC vicinity (BT 4316).  Artillery was directed against VC.  No surveillance was given.
  5. Second platoon, Company D, conducted combat patrol in western portion of TAOR, departing defensive positions at 310710H by trucks and dismounting (BT 443097).  Platoon received sniper fire from (BT 436091) and again from (BT 427087).  In each case the enemy withdrew from contact when fire was returned and elements were sent in pursuit.
  6. At 311010H, four WIA’s and two KIA’s were sustained by 2nd platoon, company D when an M-49 type AP mine was detonated at (BT 428084).  Platoon was ordered to return to Highway #1 for pickup by trucks, while zone artillery fire was directed against vicinity (BT 4108-4208).  One secondary explosion was observed.
  7. At 011725H, Company A (-)(rein), on combat patrol west of TAOR apprehended three male VCS at (BT 406086).
  8. At 012255H, one man was sighted by Company B at (BT 522096).  Marines challenged and man hit the deck.  Warning shot was fired and man ran toward village.  Element dispatched to apprehend man sighted him again and fired two rounds, with unobserved results.

9-12.       Company A (-)(rein) conducting combat patrol in western portion of TAOR during morning of 2 September.

  1. At 020925H, squad patrol apprehended on male VCS with no ID card at (BT 407073).
  2. At 020955H, same patrol received sniper fire from vicinity (BT 401081).  At patrol deployed, enemy withdrew from contact.
  3. Sniper fire was again received from (BT 397087) at 021040H.  Squad investigated with negative results.
  4. At 021105H, another squad patrol received fire from five individuals vicinity (BT 415083).  Squad pursued and apprehended four VCS at (BT 413085) with no weapons.  Fifth individual escaped.
  5. At 020300H, 1st platoon, Company B reported they had been receiving periodic sniper fire from vicinity (BT 517119).  Squad patrol in that area could not capture individual.  More firing was reported at 020540H, but again sniper could not be located.
  6. At 021420H, a Vietnamese civilian was shot by 3rd platoon, Company D, when attempting to resist apprehension at (BT 518120).  The man was taken to B-Med for treatment.
  7. At 022100H, 2nd platoon, Company D heard noises in front of their position at (BT 528079).  Illumination grenade was thrown and two VC were sighted near defensive wire.  VC dropped to the ground and fired approximately 15 rounds carbine fire toward former machine gun position.  81mm mortar illumination was utilized, and Marines returned fire on two VC fleeing west across paddy.  Area was checked out with unobserved results.
  8. First platoon, Company B, on two-company search and destroy operation, found and destroyed a small cache of rice, approximately 50 lbs., vicinity (BT 419033) at 030835H.
  9. At 031105H, same platoon received small arms fire from vicinity (BT 428048).  Fire was returned and platoon moved towards area of firing.  Point encountered 3-5 VC at (BT 427047).  VC threw two grenades, and platoon returned small arms fire, coordinated with 6-7 rounds 60mm mortar fire.  One Marine was slightly wounded (non-evac) by VC grenade.
  10. At 031330H, squad patrol from 3rd platoon, Company A, checking out stream bed at (BT 423055), encountered two VC, killing one.  Other VC escaped.  Patrol continued to (BT 422052) and found one more VCK with shrapnel wounds, presumably killed by Company B’s mortar attack (031105H).
  11. At 031515H, two men were injured when element of Company A tripped M-26 grenade booby trap at (BT 435056).  Bobby trap was activated by chest high vine.
  12. Second platoon, Company B, in brush at (BT 440056), observed eight armed VC entering Ky Long (1) (BT 436053) at 031750H.  FO called artillery fire mission on hamlet, and two VC were subsequently seen leaving hamlet.  Platoon took VC under fire, killing one and wounding one.  One French rifle was captured.
  13. At 040330H, Ly Tin District Headquarters reported a VC platoon at (BT 455078) and (BT 458073).  Platoon was reported to disperse when 81mm mortar illumination was fired.  No further target was observed by Ly Tin.
  14. At 040735H, Ly Tin District Headquarters reported estimated VC squad or more vicinity (BT 460080) and (BT 467079).  Hill 69 fired observed 81mm mortar mission, causing VC to disperse.
  15. At 040830H, 2nd platoon, Company B received sniper fire from (BT 450053).  Area was investigated with negative results.
  16. At 040900H, same platoon observed eight VC vicinity (BT 446064) and took them under fire at long range.  Contact was broken at 040910H with no casualties on either side.

  1. T. Beauchamp

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