Chronological Summary
1 July The operation planned to be conducted vicinity Hill 51 (BT 447065) was cancelled due to non availability of helicopters. Second platoon, Company B, with PF unit, continued extended combat patrol on Ky Xuan Island vicinity (BT 4810). Search was conducted for arms cache on peninsula centered (BT 506090) with negative results; however, ten VCS on local black list were apprehended as result of operation.
2 July Commencing at 020700H, Company A (rein) landed (BT 440072) and moved out along patrol route over Hill 51 (BT 447065) and into village at (BT 4405), where they were taken under fire by estimated 1-2 automatic weapons and at least 4 riflemen. As platoons maneuvered into position heavier small arms fire was received from (BT 440060) and (BT 437053). At 021430H, a return lift was commenced from LZ at (BT 438053), but heavy enemy small arms fire precluded completion of lift. Air strikes by CAS and armed HU-1E aircraft neutralized enemy activity. Total of eight USMC WIA’s wee sustained during firefights. Company B (rein) and battalion command group landed in LZ (BT 443057) at 021730H, and Company A was lifted out for return to MLR positions. Company B established night perimeter defense on Hill 51 (BT 447065). No enemy contact.
3 July Combat patrol continued on 3 July, with Company D (rein) lifting into LZ (BT 451051) at 030705H. Villages at (BT 4405) and (BT 4404) were searched, resulting in apprehension of approximately 50 women and children, who were subsequently released. Small groups of VC wee engaged in fore fights at (BT 430055) and (BT 435046) and artillery was called in on (BT 428055). Four USMC WIA’ resulted from booby traps vicinity (BT 435046). Return lift to MLR positions was completed by 031400H.
4 July Detailed reconnaissance of new MLR along water’s edge was continued. Progress of construction of defensive positions was discontinued due to lack of materials. Local night patrolling was conducted. The battalion CP was probed by three observed VC.
5 July Six local patrols, three with PF units attached, were conducted wit no enemy contact.
6 July Battalion (-) sweep and clear operation was conducted on peninsula centered (BT 445110). Commencing at 060700H, Company B (rein) landed in LZ (BT 439098) and Company D (rein) at (BT 445093). The two companies promptly formed on line east and west and commenced sweep north towards block formed by Company A (-)(rein) at (BT 457118). During the operation LVTs conducted a waterborne patrol around the peninsula. The two company sweep was completed by 061030H, resulting in 5 VCK and 68 VCS detained for further interrogation. At the same time 1st platoon, Company A, conducted combat patrol vicinity (BT 4309) and search of villages at (BT 434091) and (BT 426093). One Marine was wounded in brief firefight with 3 VC at (BT 428092).
7 July LVTs commenced waterborne night patrols along western coast of peninsula to reduce possibility of enemy infiltration by boats. First waterborne patrol had negative contact. Nine squad night patrols has no enemy contact.
8 July Second platoon (rein), Company C, relieved 1st platoon (rein) at combat outpost on Hill 69 (BT 468068). First platoon assumed the mission of battalion reserve/reaction platoon on rear MLR position at (BT 530083). Third platoon (rein), Company B established patrol base on Ky Xuan Island (centered BT 4209) and conducted three squad combat patrols, with negative contact.
9 July At 090500H, the Junk fleet Headquarters on Ky Hoa Island (BT 502128) was attacked and overrun by an estimated force of two VC companies. Company A was alerted and at 090900H was transported by LVTs to the west of Ky Hoa Island, landing at (BT 456137). Company moved north to Binh An (2) Hamlet and east to (BT 471141), where they received heavy small arms and automatic fire from Hill 12 (BT 476143) and Xuan My Hamlet (BT 479142). Artillery was called on both positions. Two platoons laid down base of fire while 3rd platoon 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 HU-1E’s came on station and attacked enemy positions 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 at (BT 493140), and formed blocking position at (BT 495142), while Company B (-) landed by LVT vicinity (BT 517119) at 091450H and commenced sweep north. Bodies of sixteen Vietnamese and two Junk fleet Advisors (USN) were found at junk headquarters (BT 502128). Company A proceeded to lift out by LVTs after dark as Company B established defensive perimeter for the night at (BT 512151.
10 July Company D (rein) landed on Ky Hoa Island (BT 473138) at 100930H and commenced sweep eastward, finding three automatic weapons at (BT 478142). Company B found three caves at (BT 5115) and requested engineer support. Two companies joined in late afternoon at (BT 503142) and conducted search and clear to (BT 517119) with no enemy contacts. Total of 49 VCS were apprehended during the day. Companies returned by LVTs about 102000H, with exception of 1st platoon (rein), Company D, which remained as security force for Junk Fleet Headquarters (BT 502128).
11 July First platoon (rein), Company D, was relieved at junk headquarters in late afternoon by rifle company for 1st Battalion, 6th ARVN Regiment.
12 July Company C (-) moved to southern portion f Ky Xuan Island (BT 479089) at 120030H when it was reported that Ly Tin Headquarters might be overrun. Company commenced combat patrol at 120700H moving east and south of Hill 69, and received fire from VC squad vicinity (BT 458054), resulting in one Marine WIA. Company swept Ky Sanh (1) and picked up four (4) VCS and several hundred pounds of rice. Continued patrol to (BT 470079) and returned at 121700H by truck-Ontos convoy.
13 July 1st platoon, B Recon Company, was detached as the 3rd Recon Battalion was placed in general support. 1st platoon, Company B moved by LVTs to Ky Hoa Island on civil affairs mission. Platoon landed at (BT 482158) and gave out large quantities of rice and clothing.
14 July Just after midnight ARVN company at old junk headquarters (BT 502128) reported they were under attack by estimated 2 VC companies. USMC arty FO at the headquarters quickly called in artillery. Surveillance units sent out after first light found ten wounded civilian and no VC. Commencing at 141300H, Company A (-) moved by LVTs and landed vicinity (BT 498067), conducted combat patrol to assembly area (BT 468071) and established a defensive perimeter until 150200H. Platoons at rear MLR positions patrolled to forward MLR after dark.
15 July Platoons left forward MLR positions before first light for return to rear MLR. Company A (-) continued patrol at 150200H along assigned route to pickup point at (BT 4312) at 151000H. No enemy was encountered during entire patrol. Several rounds were expended by attached PF squad at 150615H (BT 4310) when they saw what they thought were VC, but were actually civilians. No one was injured.
16 July ARVN company at old junk headquarters (BT 502128) was carried by junks across narrows (BT 515115). Vietnamese junk division 15 now based at (BT 517117) has been reconstructed. 1st platoon, Company B, conducted squad patrols and ambushes on Ky Xuan Island, with negative results.
17 July Company B (rein) executed Operation FLUSH. Moving by LVTs to (BT 476082) at 170800H, Company D moved inland, linked up with 1st platoon, Company B and continued to dismount point at (BT 440089). Two men were injured on small hill (BT 433088) by Mark-7 hand grenade booby trap. Company took objective at (BT 426089) at 1050H, and between hours of 1100H and 1400H suffered twenty-two heat casualties. At 1600H company occupied objective at (BT 435078) and commenced preparation of defense for the night. Section of 81’s and Ontos platoon set in at (BT 440083). Local patrols and ambushes were conducted during hours of darkness.
18 July Company D (rein) continued Operation FLUSH moving out at 180500H towards objective at (BT 417084). At 180730H small arms fire was received vicinity (BT 422082), resulting in one (1) WIA. From Hill at (BT 417084) sweep continued to (BT 423093) and (BT 440083) at 181430H back to MLR positions. Two platoons continued to pick up by LVTs at (BT 440089) for transportation back to defensive position.
In response to intelligence reports that VC units had returned to Ky Hoa Island (BT 4814, 4914, etc), Company B was alerted to prepare for sweep of island. At 181600H two platoons and company headquarters landed by LVTs vicinity (BT 478138) and set in blocking position awaiting additional units the following morning.
19 July Commencing 190730H, Company A an platoon of Company B landed by LVT at (BT 477137) and linked up with two platoons of Company B for sweep of island eastward with Company A on right and Company B on left. Sweep continued to point at (BT 500140). One platoon of Company B swept north to (BT 515159) while Company A and Company B (-) swept south to (BT 517119). Total of 62 local nationals were detained for interrogation. At 191440H a VCS was spotted leaving shore near (BT 505150) in boat. Warning shots were fired and unheeded. Boat was then taken under fire. VSC jumped from boat and did not appear above surface again. Unit returned by LVTs at 1630H.
20 July Reinforced platoon from Company C was heli-lifted into LZ (BT 423070) at 201257H following ten minute arty prep, and combat patrolled in a south easterly direction. Followed route along trail (BT 426063, 432065-440070) and proceeded back to pick up by trucks with Ontos escort on Highway 1 at 1830H. No enemy contact. Routine night patrolling from rear MLR.
21 July Company D (-) executed Operation MUDBANK commencing 210925H, while 2nd platoon (rein), company D, landed by helicopter at 210945H in LZ (BT 426082) and conducted combat patrol. 2nd platoon received small arms fire while patrolling to the wet of Hill 22 (BT 423091) from across the river (BT 420093) at 211250H. Company D (-) apprehended one VCS vicinity (BT 454067) at 211235H, while searching out cave system in same location. Received twelve rounds sniper fire from (BT 454064) at 211215H. Fire was immediately returned. No casualties on either side.
22 July Reinforced platoon from Company A was trucked at 221430H to dismount point (BT 458084) to conduct combat patrol vicinity (BT 4306-4407). At 221800H three VC were spotted setting in punji sakes a (BT 429077) VC escaped as point took them under fire. Platoon harbored vicinity (BT 430074) and established squad ambushes at (BT 434078) and (BT 436074). No further enemy contact.
23 July Platoon of Company A patrolled from harbor site to LVT pickup at (BT 464089) at 230745H for return to MLR. At 231530H pickup Company B (-) (rein) heli-lifted into LZ (BT 445045) and commenced combat patrol. Approximately fifty armed VC were spotted fleeing hamlet of Ky Long (2) (BT 438047) towards Ky Long (1) (BT 437055). Artillery fire missions were called vicinity (BT 434053). One fleeing VC was killed at 231745H at (BT 438038). Several elaborate caves and tunnels were discovered vicinity (BT438043) and wee subsequently blown by on call engineer unit. One VCS was apprehended vicinity (BT 438046). Upon completion of search of both Ky Long hamlets, Company B (-) moved to harbor site at (BT 437036) at 232130H and set ambushes at (BT 431059) and (BT 422065).
24 July Ambushes were secured at 240200H and company (-) moved to positions at (BT 414073) and (BT 425077). At 240640H platoon at (BT 414075) ambushed seven VC, killing three. Two weapons, an M-1 carbine and a MASS-36 rifle, wee picked up from VCKs. At 260745H, platoon at (BT 425077) 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 two hours later. Platoons continued movement north and eats. Groups of four, eight, and fifteen VC were spotted in (BT 4007) and (BT 4107). Artillery fire missions were called on these. Company (-) continued to Highway 1 for pickup at (BT 451088) by trucks with Ontos convoy. Return to MLR positions was completed by 241300H.
25 July Coordinated operation conducted with two battalions (-) of 6th ARVN Regiment. USMC units participating were Company A (rein); Company B (rein); Company D (rein); Battalion Command Group (including FAC Team, ITT, and CI Team); Detachment from Company C; Howtar platoon; LVT platoon; H Battery, 3/12; Detachment form 8 inch howitzer platoon, 3/12; 1st platoon, B Engineers; FMAW; and one LCM-8 from LCM-1. First elements of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines commenced landing in target area at 250735H by helicopter. Command group followed into LZ (BT 422185) at 250745H. One company landed in LVTs at 250625H with howtars and set up block at (BT 464150). Last company landed by LCM-8, 260850H at (BT 434183). Search and destroy operation progressed from northwest to southeast toward block, and was conducted simultaneously and in coordination with 6th ARVN Regiment’s search and destroy operation on adjacent island centered (Bt 4215). A total of forty-one local nationals were detained by Marines during the operation. Upon screening and interrogation by ITT and CI personnel, twelve were determined to be VCC and twenty VCS. Remaining nine were released. Last elements of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines departed area approximately 251630H. Last element arrived MLR position 252130H, in an LVT which had suffered a mechanical difficulty.
26 July Local night combat patrolling was conducted, including waterborne patrol and squad combat patrol on Ky Xuan Island. No enemy contact. Company C rotated 3rd platoon to outpost on Hill 69 (BT 468068) and 2nd platoon to position on MLR (BT 530083).
27 July company A (-) (rein) commenced two day extended combat patrol in western portion of TAOR, landing by helicopter vicinity (BT 452049) at 270740H. Platoons proceeded along parallel axis from landing zone and in rapid succession encountered three booby traps, resulting in five Marine WIA’s. One booby trap was believed to be either a grenade attached to a trip vine chest high or a bouncing type mine. Other two traps were grenades of foreign manufacture tied to trip wines and were concealed in hedgerows. Patrol had very limited contact with enemy, receiving a few sniper rounds at (BT 445045). Company (-) harbored vicinity (BT 437068) and set ambushes at (BT 425063) and (BT 452063). No enemy contact.
28 July Four night squad patrols in vicinity of LMR positions had no enemy contact. At approximately 280115H squad patrol from Company D was fired upon by PF unit outside An Tan Hamlet at (BT 503067). Fire was not returned. No one injured. Company A (-)(rein) secured ambushes at 080400H, continued north and northwest from harbor site (BT 437068), with platoons moving on parallel patrol routes. Sniper fire was received vicinity (BT 425081) at 280700H. Estimated two riflemen quickly withdrew from contact when fire was returned. One VCS was spotted at 281130H, was pocked up at (BT 462079). Patrol continued to LVT pickup point (BT 461090) without further incident.
29 July Company D (-) (rein) at 290735H landed by LVTs, one platoon at (BT 438127) and one at (BT 456102), to commence two day extended combat patrol. Two platoons joined at 290910H vicinity (BT 446107) and moved together to daylight harbor site at (BT 434078). One man suffered puncture wound from punji stake vicinity (BT 446107). Platoon sized ambushes were established t (BT 422093) and (BT 417080). No enemy contact. Incident occurred in local hamlet vicinity (BT 520089) at about 291600H, when two local Vietnamese civilians, a woman and a young boy, were assaulted by Marines. Civilians suffered multiple knife wounds, but were reported in good condition.
30 July Company D (-) (rein) continued combat patrol, securing platoon ambushed and moving together along route east and southeast along route (BT 428076-438077-448076). Company (-) checked village at (BT 452076), finding only women. Patrol continued back to (BT 447076), and arrived at LVT pickup point (BT 458093) at 031021H. No enemy contact.
31 July Local night patrols had no enemy contact. Squad patrol returning to Company D MLR positions noted six local nationals following them, apprehended them vicinity (BT 520074) at 310600H, and sent them to regimental collection point. None had proper identification. Company B (-) (rein) landed by LVTs at 311450H vicinity (BT 454102) and commenced three day extended combat patrol. At (BT 427086), two 60mm mortar booby traps were found and disarmed. Two VC were spotted and taken under fire at 311730H vicinity (BT 424078). VC escaped to the southeast. Patrol continued to harbor site at (BT 419075) and set out night ambushes. At MLR positions clandestine enemy activity was noted in Company A’s sector. An M-26 grenade booby trap was found strung across trail at (BT 525105), a trail used the night before by that company’s night patrols. Company A also reported that two of their trip flares vicinity (BT 525103) had been removed and five more had been rendered inoperative by insertion of bamboo pegs. Tem meters of defensive wire had been out away in the same vicinity. Company D reported that squad patrol at (BT 508066) had received sniper fire at 312145H. Fire was returned. No casualties were sustained.