Subject: After Action Report #9, Three Company Operation 9-10 July 1965
Units Involved and Strengths.
Company A (rein)
Arty FO Team
81 FO Team
FAC Team
8 LVT’s, 1st Plt, B AmTracs
Company B, 3rd Plt (rein)
Arty FO Team
81 FO Team
S-2 Interpreter
Company B (-)(rein)
Arty FO Team
81 FO Team
FAC Team
1 Sqd, 1st Plt, B Engineers
Company D (rein)
Arty FO Team
81 FO Team
Interpreter
Place: Ky Hoa Island
Casualties: <![endif]>
3 USMC KIA
14 WIA
12 VC KIA <![endif]>
Narrative:
Following the early morning enemy attack of 090500H on the Junk Force Headquarters at (GC502128), Company A was alerted for possible action at 0630. At 090900H LVT’s became available and transported Company A to the west of Ky Hoa Island, landing at (BT 456137).
Company A attacked north from (BT 459137) and seized Binh An (2) (BT 464144) against no opposition. Search of hamlet and surrounding area resulted in the apprehension of 30 VCS and several hundred rounds of .30 caliber ammunition.
At 0700, 3rd Plt, Company B on an independent, previously assigned mission was ordered to secure its patrolling activities on Ky Xuan Island and concentrate on the northern end of the island (BT 485117) to block any small boat traffic fleeing Ky Hoa attempting to land on Ky Xuan Island. At approximately 1120H, nine (9) individuals were reported at (BT 4751-9), carrying a mortar base plate and tube. Artillery missions were called on these coordinates. Later sweep of the island disclosed 4 dead Vietnamese but no evidence of mortars.
After completing its search of Binh An (2), Company A continued the attack to the east. At (BT 471141) the company was fired on by an estimated 3 automatic weapons and 30-40 riflemen. Time was 114-H. Machine guns were firing from Hill 12 (BT 476149) and houses (BT479142). Artillery was called on both positions and the company advanced by fire and maneuver, three platoons on line, to the stream at (BT 474140). Two platoons laid down base of fire while 3rd Platoon on left commenced assault on Hill 12. At this time armed Huey aircraft came on station and operating under control of the Artillery FO with Company A, attacked enemy positions with M-60’s and rockets. Enemy fire ceased. Positions on Hill 12 and (BT 479142) were quickly secured and 6 bodies were found. A Popular Forces Company transported by LVT from Ly Tin District Headquarters, landed behind Company A at 1245. The two units quickly amalgamated and the combined force continued the attack. Artillery was called on Hill 16 to block and destroy any fleeing VC. Many blood trails were seen leading east and two more VC killed were found at (BT 493140). Approximately 40 males were picked up as VCS with all but 2 released after processing by District officials who accompanied the PF company. Movement east continued to (BT 495142), where at 1500 Company A was ordered to hold up and assume mission of blocking force. One squad was sent to check island at (BT 488135). 3rd Plt, Company B was carried by LVT’s to island at (BT 475124) and picked up 10 VCS and 4 dead males, killed by fire earlier.
At 091450H, Company B(-) landed from 4 LVT’s at (BT 517119) and commenced sweep north. No enemy contact was made as the company proceeded to the Junk Fleet Headquarters at (BT 502128), where bodies of 16 Vietnamese and 2 U.S. Navy advisors were found. At 091855H contact was made with Company A at (BT495139). From there Company B continued northeast and reached a point at (BT 512151) at 2020 where it established a perimeter defense for the night.
After Company B had passed its block, Company A and PFs moved to the base at (BT 499139) at 2000 and commenced return to MLR by LVT. Four LVT’s became stuck in mud in vicinity (BT 495130) and could not be freed until morning, hence all elements did not return until 100445H.
At first light of 10 July, Company B proceeded to and searched the northern tip of island (BT 510163) with no enemy contact.
Company D commenced landing by LVT’s at (BT 473137) at 100930H as Company B began to move south from positions at (BT 513154). At 1015 Company B found 3 caves in (BT 5115) and requested engineer support. Upon arrival by helicopter engineer squad destroyed 2 caves and one connecting tunnel.
The company apprehended 10 VCS in the days operation which consisted of establishing a block across isthmus at (BT 510147) and after contact with D Company, swept south to southern tip of Ky Hoa Island in the eastern half of the battalion zone. Company D upon completion of landing commenced sweep eastward across battlefield of previous day, cutting were fence at (BT 503142) at 101535H and forming on line conducted search and clear operation to (BT 517119) with no enemy contacts.
Company B embarked in LVT’s and returned at 101900H, Company D at 102015H. In response to orders, Company D left one reinforced platoon as security for the Junk Fleet Headquarters (BT 501126) to be relieved on 11 July by an ARVN force.
On 9 July at 090500H the Junk Fleet Headquarters on Ky Hoa Island was attacked and overrun by an estimated force of two VC companies. Company A was alerted and at 090900H was transported by LVT’s to the west of Ky Hoa Island. Company moved north Binh An Hamlet and east where they received heavy small arms and automatic fire from Hill 12 and Xuan My Hamlet. Artillery was called on both positions. Two platoons laid down base of fire while 3rd Plt on left commenced assault on Hill 12. One squad was heavily hit by incoming 81mm mortar and a second squad received machine gun fire while cutting barbed wire at base of Hill 12. Total of fourteen WIA’s and three KIA’s were sustained. Armed HU1E’s came on station and attacked enemy position with M-60 and rockets. Silencing enemy fire. Positions on Hill 12 and in hamlet were quickly secured and six VCK’s were found. Company continued the attack east finding two more VCK’s and formed blocking position while Company B(-) landed by LVT vicinity at 091450H and commenced sweep north. Bodies of sixteen Vietnamese and two Junk Fleet Advisors (USN) were found at junk headquarters. Company A proceeded to lift out by LVT’s after dark as Company B established defensive perimeter for the night.