After Action Report 

Subject:  After Action Report #13, Company (_) Combat Patrol 23-24 July 1965

Units Involved:

Company B(-)(rein)

1^st and 2^nd Platoons (rein)

Company Headquarters

FAC, Arty FO and 81 FO Teams

S-2 Interpreter

3^rd Bn 12^th Marines (rein)

FMAW

Company C, 3^rd MT Bn

1^st Plt, Company B, 3^rd AT Bn

1^st Plt, Company B, 3^rd Engineer Bn

Casualties:

1 USMC WIA

Enemy – 5 VC KIA

               1 VC WIA

Narrative:

At 231530H Company B (-)(rein) heli-lifted into LZ (BT 445045) and commenced combat patrol.  A large group of approximately 100 to 150 persons were seen vicinity (BT 440054).  Majority were women and fled towards hamlet at (BT 445054), while 40-50 men, of whom five or six were armed, headed for Ky Long (1) (BT 436054).  Artillery fire mission was called on (BT 437055).  1^st Plt subsequently moved into hamlet at this location and conducted thorough search finding nothing.

2^nd Plt moved out to the southwest, encountering punji pits and minefield at (BT 437042).  One Marine sustained minor injury from punji stake.  Path was cleared through minefield and platoon was taken under fire in same location from both flanks by moderate small arms and automatic weapons fire.  More small arms fire was received by 2^nd Plt at (BT 439039) and by 1^st Plt at (BT440050).  In each case enemy rapidly withdrew from contact.  At 231745H two VC were seen at (BT438038) and were quickly taken under fire by point.  One was killed, one escaped through brush.

Two platoons continued search and clear of area in and surrounding hamlets at (BT 4304) and (BT 4305), apprehending two VCS about 231930H at (BT438046) and (BT 439055).  More sniper fire was received at (BT 430054) and (BT 440042).

Company (-) moved to high ground at (BT 435054) and set in perimeter until after dark.  Two squad (rein) ambushes were established at (BT 422065) and (BT 431059) and were secured at 240200H with negative enemy contact.  At this time 2^nd Plt continued northwest along trail (BT 424063) to (BT 412072) and set in ambush positions at (BT 410075) and (BT 414075).  At 240100H, 1^st Plt moved from harbor site (BT 438055) east and north along trails to position at (Bt 425077).

At 240640H, 2^nd Plt executed ambush as patrol of seven VC were observed at (BT 411073).  Three VC were killed, three stopped along trail leading north and one escaped west.  Two weapons, an M-1 carbine and a MASS-36 rifle, were picked up from VCK’s.

At 240745H, 1^st Plt, in position at (BT 423077), fired at four VC fleeing along trail at (BT 421079), wounding two, one critically.  One wounded VC leaving blood trail, and two others escaped into brush.  One M-1 carbine, two grenades, and several uniform items were picked up as result of encounter.  VC in critical condition died at 240930H.  At the same time 2^nd Plt observed four VC along trail at (BT 413072) and eight more moving north at (BT 403074), and called artillery in those areas.  Results were unknown.  Platoon then moved out, formed on line, and swept from (BT 410072) to (BT 413074), checking area for blood trails.  Negative results.  At 240800H patrol was continued by 2^nd Plt to Hill 10 (BT 417083).  Flank security element spotted fifteen armed VC moving north at (BT 403075).  Artillery was called along trail leading north from that location.  Results were unknown.

At 240930H, 2^nd Plt swept over Hill 10 (BT 417083), with negative contact and continued northeast along trail.  1^st Plt moved out on parallel axis, and two platoons continued to point at (BT 451088) for pickup by trucks with Ontos convoy at 241200H.  Return to MLR positions was completed by 241300H.