13 July 1965

From:         Commanding Officer

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

Subj:           After Action Report #10; Company (-) Combat Patrol 12 July 1965

Ref:     (a)            Map: Viet Nam 1:50,000 Sheet 6757 III

(b)                  3^rd MarDiv OpO 521-65

Encl:    (1)            Operation Overlay

1.         Units Involved and Strengths.

A.                Company C (-)(rein), 1^st Bn, 4^th Marines (rein).

(1)               81 FO Team.

(2)               S-2 Interpreter.

(3)               PF Squad attached.

B.              4 LVT’s from 1^st Plat, B AmTracs, in direct support.

C.             Heavy Section from 1^st Plat, B Anti-Tank Co, in direct support.

2.         Time.

A.                Departed 120030H.

B.                Commenced patrol route 120715H.

C.                Returned 121700H.

3.         Place.  Vicinity BT 4706, 4605, 4505, 4506, 4507.

4.         Casualties.

A.                Friendly.  One (1) USMC WIA.

B.                Enemy.  None confirmed.

5.         Nature of Action.  Company Island combat patrol.

6.         Narrative.  During the evening of 11 July, intelligence reports indicated that the Ly Tin District Headquarters would be overrun.  One Platoon and Company Headquarters of Company C were dispatched by LVT’s to the southern tip of Ky Xuan Island (BT 479089) at 120030H, to be in a position to assist the Headquarters at Ly Tin.

At 120700H, Company C (-) commence its combat patrol, crossing the inlet (BT 4708) by LVT’s and moving across the highway (BT 470079) by foot to the base of Hill 69, where the 2^nd Platoon joined.  Heavy section of Ontos set up on Hill 69 to provide direct fire support.  Continuing eastward and southward, the Company had no contact until they reached the stream at (BT 459051), which was spanned by a narrow bridge.  As the Point Platoon commenced crossing, they were taken under fire from the right (BT 457053) and left (BT 456050) flanks by an estimated VC squad.  Fire was mixed M-1 and M-2 carbine.  One man was hit in the foot as he crossed the bridge.  The Company gained fire superiority and moved one Platoon to the high ground at (BT 450055), as the other Platoon, with PF Squad, swept Ky Sanh (1) Hamlet at 121100H.  A large cache of rice approximately 1,000 lbs. was discovered and brought back to the Regiment by helicopter.  Four VCS were apprehended.

The Company continued on its assigned patrol route to (BT 470079) with no further enemy contact. Three caves were discovered at (BT 453069).  Pick up was accomplished at the highway by truck – Ontos convoy at 121700H for return to MLR positions.

7.         Lessons Learned.

A.           Obstacles.  Streams in this area pose a real obstacle to foot patrols.  Approximately 5 feet deep and 10 feet across, they can be quickly crossed, only by using the small native bridges, which are often covered by enemy fire.  On this patrol the rice paddies, which are now all wet from the rain of the past few days, also make movement difficult and increased the advantage of the defender.

B.           The length of the assigned patrol route prevented the Company from making a complete and detailed search and clear of either hamlet.  Combat patrol routes, which include villages should be short enough and to include provisions for a thorough search and clear of the village if any apposition is encountered there from.

This page last corrected 19 September 2011