10 July 1965
From: Commanding Officer
To: Commanding Officer, 4th Marines (rein) (Attn: S-3)
Subj: Weekly Operations Summary (-31200H to 101200H)
Ref: (a) Div(Fwd)0 3100.1
1. Operations.
a. General Summary of Weeks Activities. Co B and Co D returned from Bn (-)(rein) operation vicinity (BT 4405). See After Action Report No. 7 on 3 July (1400-1600). At 051915H, 1st Platoon, Co A, detachment ‘A’ AmTracs, and section B Engineers moved to (BT 478100) on Ky Xuan Island. On 6 July a Battalion (-) (rein) with Popular Forces was conducted on the entire peninsula vicinity (BT 4511). On 9 July because of an attack on the Junk Fleet (BT 5013) at 090540H, a Battalion (-) operation is presently being conducted which commenced at 090910H. During the week, there were 57 squad foot patrols. One squad patrol from 1st Platoon ‘A’ on Ky Xuan Island (BT 482097) received three sniper rounds. One combat platoon size patrol conducted and two waterborne patrols. No patrols had enemy contact.
b. Summary of Activities, Narrative.
(1) Company A (rein). There were two squad patrols the night of 3 July, and two, the night of 4 July. On 5 July, Co. A (-) on the MLR conducted three squad patrols. One of 1st Platoons patrols was sniped at but failed to make contact. On 6 July, Co A (rein) participated in the Battalion (-) operation (BT 4511) with Co A (-)(rein) in blocking positions and 1st platoon operating as a separate back element vicinity (BT 4309). On the night of 6, 7, 8 July three squad patrols were conducted. On 9 July, Co. A (-) participated in the operation to sweep the island (BT 4814) of by Ky Hoa.
(2) Company B (rein). There were two squad patrols on 3, 4 July with three squad patrols out on 5, 6, 7 and 8 July. One squad accompanied a PF ambush on the night of 5 July. No patrols had any enemy contact. On 6 July, Co. B (rein) participated in a sweep of Battalion (-)(rein) size vicinity of (BT 4511). Co B was Regimental Reserve for 24 hours on 050001H. On the afternoon of 8 July, 3rd platoon established a patrol base on Ky Xuan Island (BT 4910) and conducted squad patrols. At 091500H, Co. B (-)(rein) landed (BT 517119) and started sweeping. 3rd platoon on Ky Xuan Island established a blocking position at (BT 467117). Later 3rd platoon cleared the island at (BT 475124) and then returned to their Company MLR position at 091830H. Co B (-)(rein) remained on Ky Hoa overnight at (BT 512151) and is presently continuing their search and clear mission.
(3) Company C (rein). Nine indigenous people picked up at (BT 532024) on 5 July. Bridge outpost (BT 498067) received two rounds incoming from NW at 050151H. No rounds expended. On 8 July, 2nd platoon relieved 1st platoon on Hill 69 (BT 468068). On 8, 9 July one squad provided security for waterborne patrol. 1st platoon conducted daylight combat patrol on 9 July. At 090130H, roadblock outpost (BT 498067) received small arms fire from (BT 495066). Fire discipline maintained. At 090600H, 1st platoon combat patrol departed. It had no enemy contact.
(4) Company D (rein). On 3 July, Co D (-)(rein) returned from a Battalion (-) operation vicinity (BT 4405) at approximately 031500H. Three squad patrols conducted on the following nights 5, 6, 7, 8 July; with two squad night patrols on 3, 4, 9 July. No patrol had enemy contacts. The Company participated in a Battalion (-)(rein) operation on 6 July as sweep force.
(5) 1st Platoon, B Recon. Conducted patrol on 6 July as part of the Battalion (-) (rein) operation. Established security for Am Tracs at (BT 518117) on the night of the ninth. Maintained an observation post on Hill 69 the past week.
(6) 1st Platoon, Co C, 3rd Tk Bn. Participated in Battalion (-)(rein) operation on 9 July by observing and providing for the capability of direct fire in the area of operations if needed.
(7) 1st Platoon, Co B, 3rd AT Bn. Provided direct support for 1st Platoon, Co A on 6 July during the tunnel destruction operation vicinity of (BT 435095)
c. Statistics.
(1) Operations by Day/Unit.
(a) 3 July, Co B (rein), Co D (rein), and Bn Cmd Group. The operation that started on 2 July concluded on the third. The Co D sweep that was going on at 031200H concluded at 1330H. Four WIA were received from booby traps during the sweep. Thirty women and children were screened and released. Several holes and tunnels were blown and approximately 50% of the huts (BT 435045) were burned by the PF platoon. Elements of Cos. B and D commenced movement back toward LZ (BT 449049) at 031400H, covering each other while maintaining contest of the high ground. Lift was in the following order: Co B, PF platoons, Co D, and was completed by 031515H. (See After Action Report No. 7 for complete details).
(b) 6 July, Co A (rein), Co B (rein), Co D (rein), and Bn Cmd Group. Commencing at 051915H, 1st plat (rein), Co A, departed their positions on Hill 51 (BT 529110) and moved by LVT’s around to Ky Xuan Island, landing at (BT 479107) at 2015. Two squad sized patrols were conducted to hamlets at (BT 483117), (BT 483104), and (BT 487095). At (BT 482098) one patrol heard approximately 15 shots fired in vicinity of (BT 479098) but could not locate muzzle blasts. Incident occurred at 052345H.
At 060430H, 1st plat, Co A, departed their patrol base at (BT 479106), moved south along Ky Xuan Island, and crossed over to Route #1 at (BT 477086), moved up Route #1 and secured landing zones at (BT 445093) and (BT 439098) for the helo landing of Companies B and D.
Commencing at 060700H, Co B landed in LZ at (BT 439098) and Co D at (BT 445093). The two companies promptly formed on line with two platoons up, tying at (BT 443096). Two Popular Forces platoons preceded the two rifle companies in the sweep north across the peninsula, accomplishing the actual handling of local nationals. Co A (-) disembarked at 060705H from 7 LVT’s at (BT 459117) and set up a blocking position vicinity (BT 457118). Five LVT’s became bogged down in the mud and the remaining two commenced a waterborne patrol around the perimeter of peninsula.
At 060800H, 6 individuals were encountered running from the PF platoons towards prepared positions at (BT 459118). Co A (-) took them under fire, killing 2 and capturing 4. Four weapons were subsequently found at (BT 459118).
The two company sweep was completed at 061030H, resulting in pickup of over 100 civilians, of whom 56 were detained as VCS and evacuated to the Regimental collection point. During the sweep one VC body was discovered vicinity (BT 444106) and two at (BT 454110).
Upon completion of the sweep Co A assembled at (BT 460110) and commenced sweep on line WNW to northwest portion of peninsula capturing 4 VCS, while Cos B and D searched back to sand dunes at (BT 439109) and (BT 443105). At approximately 061500H, Co A swept back in an easterly direction to establish LZ at (BT 451115), while Cos B and D swept north again to be helo lifted out after 061600H. Co A then moved out for assembly area at (BT 459116) and embarked aboard LVT’s at 061915H for return to defensive positions.
Earlier in the morning at 060900H, 1st Plat, Co A with 3 LVT’s, engineers, Popular Forces, and heavy section of Ontos, conducted search of village at (BT 434091). Total of 13 women and children were picked up and released, and 3 tunnels were blown. Six armed personnel were spotted in houses at (BT 438094) but escaped pursuit by squad from 1st plat. Search of village at (BT 426093) was then conducted. One Marine was wounded in brief fight with 3 VC at (BT 428092). Fifteen women and children were picked up in village and subsequently released. Three well constructed bunkers were blown by engineers. Units withdrew at 1600 to LVT’s at (BT 429089) for return to company positions.
(c) 9 July, Co A (rein) and Co B (rein). At approximately 090500H a large Viet Cong force attacked and overran the Junk Fleet at (BT 501129). At 090910H, Co A (-)(rein) left by AmTrac and landed at (BT 455135) at 090910H and commenced a sweep north to (BT 462146). The sweep then turned east and the company on line at (BT GL 472) ran into heavy small arms/automatic weapons fire and 81mm mortar fire. Heavy casualties were sustained. The company continued the sweep to (BT GL 495) and formed blocking positions. A squad was sent back to sweep the island (BT 488134). 3rd platoon, Co B who had a patrol base on Ky Xuan Island at (BT 496099) was ordered to a blocking position at (BT 485116). Between 1500-1600H the platoon was lifted by LVT’s to (BT 475125) and conducted a search and clear. At 1900 they were back at their MLR positions. Co B (-)(rein) at 1450H landed at (BT 515118) and commenced sweep and clear of the island east of Co A blocking position. At 092030H, Co B established night defensive perimeter at (BT 512151). Co A departed from their blocking positions (BT GL 495) at 092030H for return by LVT’s to MLR positions. Because of AmTrac getting struck Co A reached their MLR positions at 100400H. Co B continued search and clear of Ky Hoa Island on 10 July with no contact at 101200H. Co D at 100830H departed aboard AmTracs for (BT 472138) to conduct search and clear of Ky Hoa. Landed at 090937H. At 1100, Co D reported 2 automatic weapons (1 grease gun and 1 Sub-machine) found at (BT 478143) in a burnt building. Both Co B and Co D continuing search and clear at 101200H.
(2) Patrols By Size.
(3) Casualties.
(a) Friendly 17 WIA, 3 KIA.
(b) Enemy 18 VC(K), 0 VC(W).
(4) Weapons Captured.
(a) 2 Carbine 6 July BT 460116
(b) 1 MASS-49 6 July BT 460116
(c) 2 Grease Guns 10 July BT 476141
(d) 1 Submachine Gun 10 July BT 476141
(5) Weapons Lost. None.
2. Training.
a. General Statement of Training Accomplished. Company D test fired automatic weapons and section Ontos fired 106s.
b. Training Problems Encountered. None.