1^st Bn (rein), 4^th Marines

Chu Lai, Viet Nam

041200H June 1965

Frag Order #37 (070001 – 082400H June 65)

Ref:     (a) 4^th Mar (-) (rein) Frag Order #6

1.            Situation.

A.                Enemy.  See current ISUMS’s.

B.                Friendly.  No change.

2.            Mission.  Expend, occupy and control TAOR #1, as modified in Annex A (Operation Overlay), conducting aggressive operations to locate and destroy VC units and supplies, and maintaining observation and surveillance of villages.

3.            Execution.

A.                Concept.  Control expanded TAOR #1 by:

1.                  Conducting aggressive. Night and day, combat patrols, ambushes, and search and clear operations of villages to locate and destroy Viet Cong Units and supplies.

2.                  Enforcing civilian curfew.

3.                  Conducting observation and surveillance of villages.

B.                Annex B (Operation Overlay).

C.                Company A (rein).

1.                  At  070530H conduct platoon combat patrol to vicinity checkpoints 92, 75, 82, 92, and 104.

2.                  At 070800H conduct platoon combat patrol, see Annex A (Operation Overlay).

D.                Company B (rein).

1.                  At 071000H helo lift two platoons from LZ Robin to LZ Falcon relieving Company C (-) in place.

2.                  Provide one platoon for CP defense.

E.                Company C (rein).

1.                  Upon relief by Company B (-) (rein) commencing 071000H helo lift from LZ Falcon and assume defense of assigned sector of CP defense.

2.                  Provide 20 man working party to BSA 7-9 June.  (S-1 for details).

3.                  Provide working party daily to assist in CP defense improvement.  (Hqtrs Cmdt for details).

4.                  Provide one liaison officer for Bien Son District Headquarters 7 and 8 June.

F.                 Company D (rein).

1.                  Continue platoon combat patrol.  Upon completion resupply on 6 June establish ambush vicinity 512979 to be in position about 062100H and remain until 070600H.  Upon completion, patrol to vicinity checkpoint 115 see Annex A (operation overlay) for helo lift to LZ Mynah at 071100H.

2.                  Establish platoon ambush vicinity checkpoint 1-1 at 072130H, secure no later than 080500H.

G.                H&S Company.

1.                  Consolidate and improve CP defenses.

2.                  81mm Mortar Platoon.  No change.

H.                1^st Plat (rein), Co B, 3d Recon Bn.  Conduct recon and surveillance missions as assigned.

I.                    1^st Plat, Co B, 3d AT Bn.

1.                  Be prepared for convoy escort/patrols as assigned.

2.                  Provide security for engineers constructing road towards Hill 213.

J.                  1^st Plat, Co C, 3d TK Bn. 

1.                  Assist in CP defense.

2.                  Be prepared for direct fire support of combat patrols as assigned.

K.                Det, Coll Plat, Co A, 3d Med Bn.  No change

L.                 Det, Comm Plat, Hq Co, 4^th Marines.  No change.

M.               Coordinating Instructions.

1.                  Liaison officer briefing at 1430 daily in S-3 tent.

2.                  Sit reports will be submitted at least hourly for all patrols, ambushes and search and clear operations.

3.                  Significant night activity will be reported no later than 0645 daily.

4.                  Submit local patrol plans at least 24 hours in advance.

5.                  Detailed after action reports will be submitted to this headquarters within 10 hours of any action in which USMC or USN personnel are wounded, killed or captured.

6.                  Rule of engagement.

a.            Rounds will not be inserted in the chamber of individual weapons unless an encounter with the enemy is obvious, and in the judgment of the senior Marine present, this measure must be taken to preserve the lives of USMC personnel.

b.            During the hours of darkness the sequence of engagement will be:

1.         Challenge

2.            If there is no response to the challenge or the response is incorrect, the area will illuminated.

3.            If the person challenged makes an overt attempt to avoid apprehension, open fire, or commits any other hostile act and thereby endangers the life of the challenger, the challenger may load and fire.

c.            Loaded magazines will not be inserted in weapons in a camp area during daylight unless under attack.

d.            Employment of CAS and artillery will be under the positive control of an ALO/FAC or FO.  Tanks will not fire unless the target has been clearly identified and confirmed.  Use of all supporting arms will be cleared through Regimental FSCC.

7.                  Total number of troops for helo lifts will be submitted no later than 1700 on the day prior to a scheduled lift.

4.            Administration and Logistics.  No change.

5.            Command and Communications/Electronics.

            A.            See operation Order 202-65

B.        Visual Signals/Pyrotechnics.  Annex B (visual

signals/pyrotechnics) (To be issued).

C.                CP Location.  No change.

ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT.

R. J. Perrich

Lt/Col, U.S. Marine Corps

Commanding

Annexes:

a.            Operation Overlay

b.         Visual Signals/Pyrotechnics (To be issued)

Distribution:  Special

OFFICIAL:     

G. T. Beauchamp

Major, U.S. Marine Corps

S-3