3 July 1965
From: Commanding Officer
To: Commanding Officer, 4th Marines (rein) (Attn: S-3)
Subj: Weekly Operations Summary (260800H to 031200H
Ref: (a) Div(Fwd)0 3100.1
1. Operations.
a. General Summary of Weeks Activities. On 26 June, Co A (-)(rein) finished its combat patrolling on Ky Xuan Island and returned by AmTrac to the company position. Co B(-) and Co D (-) conducted a sweep of Hill 22, then established blocking forces for a PF sweep of a village east of the Hill. On the 28th, 3rd Plat, Co C, and Recon Plat conducted a combat patrol in the vicinity of Hill 51. First Plat, Co C in a blocking position killed two VC. 1st Plat, Co B was committed because of heavy fire and a sweep was held on a village after an air strike was called in. Co A assumed the mission of Regimental Reserve for 31 hours on 290500H. The morning of 30 June, 2nd Plat (rein), Co B conducted a 30 hour combat patrol on Ky Xuan Island. AmTracs recommend the waters adjacent to the island. Eight VCS were apprehended on Ky Xuan as a result of a joint sweep with Popular Forces. On 2 July, Co D conducted a sweep of Long Binh which netted 11 VCS. Also on 2 July, Co A had a combat patrol in the Hill 51 area. They sustained 7 WIA and 2 heat casualties. While lifting out a minority of the company came under heavy fire from all sides. Co B sent into join them and firing stopped. Co B remained over night on Hill 51 and Co A completed lifting out. Company D and Company C placed in an alert status. Company B’s FEBA positions were manned by support personnel.
b. Summary of Activities, Narrative.
(1) Company A (rein).
(a) On 26 June the company’s defensive positions remained the same with Co A continuing to be the northern most company along the FEBA (See Operations Overlay Report). The Co (-)(rein) continued to patrol Ky Xuan Island the combat patrol having started on the morning of the 25th of June. The ambush established the night of the 25th on the Island secured at first light with negative contact. The Co (-)(rein) returned in the early afternoon. One patrol departed at 2230 and returned 270200H with no contact.
(b) On 27 June there was no patrolling in the morning.
(c) On 28 June, Co A continued improving defensive positions in assigned sector. Conducted an ambush and a night patrol; both squad size, with no contact.
(d) On 29 June, Co A remained in defensive positions. Because of assumption of duties as Regimental Reserve at 0500 scheduled patrols were postponed. Company on immediate stand by status.
(e) On 30 June at 1200, the company was relieved as Regimental Reserve. One night patrol was conducted and returned 302355 with no contact.
(f) One 1 July, Co A (-)(rein)’s operation against Hill 51 was cancelled due to withdrawal of helicopter support. (Priority commitment at DaNang). One squad night security patrol had no contact.
(g) On 2 July, Co A (-)(rein) helo lifted to vicinity of Hill 51 and patrolled from Hill 51 south and east. Heavy fire was received (7 WIA, prognosis: good) and two heat casualties). Upon lifting out in the afternoon reminants of the Company came under fire from an estimated company of VC. This resulted in the commitment of the Company B (rein) to the area. The remainder of Co A lifted out upon being relieved by Co B (rein).
(h) Up to 031200, Co A remained in their defensive positions.
(2) Company B (rein).
(a) Co B (-) helo lifted at 260645 into LZ vicinity of Hill 22 (425091) and seized the hill with Co D (-) in support. Received several rounds of sniper fire but met with no resistance. Later after search of Hill 22 a blocking force was established for a PF sweep of a village (428093) east of the hill. Helo lifted back to assigned positions in the afternoon.
(b) On 27 June two patrols were conducted with one postponed. No enemy contact.
(c) On 28 June at 0805 the company was alerted. The 1st Plat was lifted at 0845 to assist Company C (-)(rein) operation. The 1st Plat landed at 451051 and moved to 445056. With Recon Plat and supported by 3rd Plat, Co C, 1st Plat searched village (445054). In the late afternoon the units were lifted back to their areas. 2nd Plat, Co B was taken off alert.
(d) On 29 June improvements of defensive positions continued. One morning patrol made no contact.
(e) On 30 June no morning patrols conducted. 2nd Plat (rein) departed at 0620 aboard AmTracs and after picking up PF platoon at the Junk fleet dock they landed on Ky Xuan Island for a combat patrol. Three VCS turned into Regiment. Three night ambushes established with no contact.
(f) On 1 July at first light ambushes secured and two units patrolled north to link up with third unit. PF activity on peninsula resulted in a sweep being conducted on SE tip of island. The 2nd Plat, Co B provided the blocking force which ended in the apprehension of eight Black List VCS. Combat patrol secured, returning in the early afternoon. Two sqd patrols out with negative contact.
(g) On 2 July work on FEBA was discontinued pending displacement. One patrol was out with no contact. In the middle of the afternoon Co B (-)(rein) alerted to stand by for lift out to help Co A who was receiving heavy fire. Co B lifted out and upon relieving Co A sat up a defensive perimeter on Hill 51 to remain overnight.
(h) On 3 July at 0635, Co B moved two units off Hill 51. At 0752, Co B elements located at GC 433058, 445054 and 445064. Co B moved to search village 445055 and then sweep village 435055, received fire from 432057 (one automatic weapon). Two Marines injured by trip wire booby trap in village 442046 at 0950. Co B encountered small arms fire (two or three rifles, one automatic weapon) at 429059 at 1010.
(3) Company C (rein).
(a) On 26/27 June positions remain the same with 1st Plat outposting Hill 69 (468068) and 2nd Plat maintaining a roadblock/checkpoint at the bridge at An Tan (498066). One squad still defending north end of the air field with 3rd Plat (-) and CP at 532084.
(b) On 28 June, 3rd Plat, Co C (rein) helo lifted to 451051 at 0705 to commence combat patrol. Caves and tunnel complexes 450050 destroyed by Engineers. The 1st Plat moved from Hill 69 moved into blocking positions at 461061. Slight opposition was encountered resulting in two VC killed. The 3rd Plat received small arms fire and moved to 448052 to support a sweep of village by 1st Plat, Co B and Recon Plat. The platoon returned later in the afternoon.
(c) On 29 June situation was the same as for 26/27 June.
(d) On 30 June, 3rd Plat moved out to assume 2nd Plat mission at Bridge (498067) and 2nd Plat became the fast reaction force at 532084.
(e) On 1 July defensive construction halted because of pending move.
(f) On 2 July situation did not change.
(g) On 3 July, Co C stood by in ready status.
(4) Company D (rein).
(a) On 26 June, Co D positions remained the same (See Operation Overlay). Co D (-) helo lifted to vicinity of Hill 22 (425091) where they supported Co B (-) who took the hill. Sniper fire was received. Later a blocking force was provided for a PF sweep of village. The Co (-) returned by helo to their positions in the afternoon.
(b) ---- patrols out in the afternoon with no contact.
(c) On 28 June continued to improve defensive works. Three squad patrols out. One patrol apprehended three women, and one man and two children at 522058.
(d) On 29 June two squad size patrols out with negative contact.
(e) On 30 June three squad patrols out with no contact.
(f) On 1 July three squad patrols out with negative contact.
(g) On 2 July, Co D (-)(rein) conducted a search and clear of Long Binh (506070) with no shots fired. Eleven VCS (5 on PF Black List) were turned over to the Regiment. Medical team was also along to treat civilians.
(h) On 3 July, Co D lifted into 449049 lift complete at 0727. At 0752, Co C located at 445045. PF Plat which initially worked with Co B joined Co D for a combat patrol sweep of Ky Long (2). One WIA received at 1015. Co D sweeping Ky Long (2) with Engineers and PF Plat at 1130.
(5) 1st Plat, Co B, 3rd Recon Bn.
(a) On 28 June the platoon lifted to vicinity Hill 51 to conduct combat patrol. One WIA received. Patrol was cancelled and Recon combined with 1st Plat, Co D and 3rd Plat, Co C for village sweep. Lifted back to Bn CP to continue CP defense that evening.
(b) On 2 July a recon of area vicinity 476083 was conducted.
(6) 1st Plat, Co C, 3rd Tnk Bn. Continued in direct support of the Battalion with blocking positions established 2 July for Co D’s search and clear of Long Binh (505071).
(7) 1st Plat, Co B, 3rd AT Bn. Continued in direct support of the Battalion.
(8) 1st Plat (-), Co A AmTracs. Continued to support the Battalion logistically. Co A (-) furnished transportation on 26 June. On 30 June supported 2nd Plat, Co B (rein) combat patrol on Ky Xuan Island (489100) and also conducted recon of waters north, south and west of the inland.
c. Statistics.
(1) Operations by Day/Unit.
(a) Conclusion of Combat Patrol Ky Xuan Island. The ambush (480090-485090) was secured at first light. Co A (-)(rein) then continued patrolling the island. No contact was made and no shots were fired. In the early afternoon the AmTracs picked up Co A (-)(rein) at 478101 for return to their positions.
(b) Hill 22 Operation. On 260615, Co D (-) commenced helo lift to LZ Bobwhite (433086) and upon landing moved on and seized Objective R (432089) securing it at 0731. Sniper fire was received. Co B (-) helo lifted into LZ Sandpiper (428085) and were there by 0700. Supported by Co D (-), Co B (-) seized Hill 22 (425091) which was not defended. The Hill was searched but nothing was found. Blocking forces were then established while PF platoons sweep the village (489092). A maze of tunnels found in the village. The companies lifted back to their positions that afternoon. The results were intelligence information and several VCS turned into Regiment.
(c) Hill 51 Operation. The 3rd Plat (rein), Co C and 1st Plat, B Recon, helo lifted into LZ Grouse (451051) at 280705 to commence combat patrol. 1st Plat, Co C also moved into a blocking position (461061) from Hill 69. Both areas received sniper fire. Two VC were killed by 1st Plat, Co C. Caves and tunnels destroyed at 450050 by Engineer squad. Recon Plat which had moved out along their patrol route over Hill 51 received a WIA. 3rd Plat came under heavy sniper fire and called for 1st Plat, Co B to reinforce them. Recon also came under Co C OpCon. Together Recon and 1st Plat, Co B, after an air strike on the village (445055) made a sweep. Found the village laced with tunnel complexes. Upon completion of sweep patrolled towards Hill 69 moving through the village (450050). A total of 22 VCS turned into Regiment. The units returned by helicopters in the afternoon.
(d) Ky Xuan Island Operation. 2nd Plat (rein), Co B departed at 300620 aboard AmTracs. After picking up the PF squad at the junk Fleet docks at 0722 they departed for Ky Xuan. A sweep force went ashore on the northern tip of the island (486118) while a blocking force went ashore at 480110 and established their positions along the GL 11. A thorough search of the northern portion turned up 2 VCS (f). About noon the sweep/search complete they patrolled around the island. No shots were fired. The AmTracs set the patrol at 499098 and departed around 1645 with the PF Plat (-) and the VCS. After returning the PF and VCS they remained overnight at 503105. 2nd Plat set three night ambushes (480099, 488102, 485119). No contact. During the night three VC tried to slip off the island and were apprehended by the PF ambush at 516095. One VC promised to lead them to a weapons cache on the island. They coordinated with us and the Battalion S-2 and PF squad and interpreter used an AmTrac and traveled to the island 505091. Co B (-) sent down a blocking force and a total of eight more VC (all on PF Black List) were rounded up. Operation secured the early afternoon with the return by AmTracs.
(e) Hill 51 Operation. Co A (-)(rein) lifted into LZ Beetle (449073) at 020645. Moved to Hill 51 (446064) with negative contact. Small arms fire received from vicinity 435059 (2 automatic weapons and 2 or 3 rifles). Patrolled into village (445055) with negative contact. Saw blood trail leading west towards Ky Long (1) (437055) and received rifle fire. Air strike called along grid line 44, because of heavy fire from village. Firing caused 7 WIA. In mid afternoon Co A (-) started moving towards LZ (448051), no fire being received, they lifted out. After the majority of the company had been lifted out the remainder was again hit from all sides by an estimated VC company. Company B was sent into help and relieve Co A who resumed their lift in . Co B set up night defensive positions on Hill 51 and remained overnight.
(f) Long Binh Sweep. Co B (-)(rein) moved out at 020330 to search and clear Long Binh (506070). 1st and 3rd Platoons were in blocking positions at 0610 and at 0700 screening of villagers commenced. Eleven VCS were apprehended (five were on the PF Black List). The sweep was completed at 0931 but Co B remained until the medical team was ready to depart. Returned to their positions at 1530. No shots were fired.
2. Patrols by Size. None had enemy contact.
3. Casualties.
a. Friendly 15 WIA 0 KIA
b. Enemy 2 Killed
4. Weapons Captured. None
5. Weapons Lost. None.
2. Training.
a. General Statement of Training Accomplished.
(1) OJT of basic combat skills continued through practical application.
(2) Companies A and D conducted firing of automatic rifles and MGs.
(3) Tank Plat continued to conduct driver training with two night firings of flame tanks. Scheduled firex cancelled.
(4) Ontos Plat conducted formation driving, selection of firing positions, driver training, crow drill, and moving target acquisition.
c. Training Problems Encountered.
(1) Lack of area for live fire caused cancellation of tank firex.