1st Bn (rein), 4th Marines
Chu Lai, Viet Nam
190800H June 1965
Fm: CO, 1st Bn (rein), 4th Marines
To: 1st Bn, (rein), 4th Marines
Info: CO, 4th Marines
CO, 2nd Bn (rein), 4th Marines
CO, 3rd Bn (rein), 3rd Marines
CONFIDENTIAL
Frag Order #46 (191800H to 202400H)
Ref: (a) Map: Viet Nam 1:50,000 AMS L701 Sheet 6757 III
Time Zone: H
1. Situation.
A. Enemy Forces. (See current Isums).
B. Friendly Forces. One ARVN platoon remains in defense of Hill 69. Popular Forces setting night ambushes along coast line in front of FEBA.
2. Mission. No Change.
3. Execution.
A. Company A (rein). Conduct squad size combat patrol #4. TOD: 191830H; POD: 528112; Patrol Route: North to 528118, NE 527120, follow coastline counterclockwise 521118, SE to POR: 528112: TOR: 192200H. Conduct squad size combat patrol #5. TOD: 200400H; POD: 530108; Patrol /Route: 520107, 518104, 511104, 515108, 518107, 522111 and return; POR: 530108; TOR: 200800H. Continue improvement of defensive positions.
B. Company B (rein). Conduct squad size combat patrol #1. TOD: 200530H; POD: 523097; Patrol Route: North 523103, W 518103, N 515105, WSW 513102, S parallel to coast 514097, NE 518101, S 518098 and return; POR: 521097; TOR: 200900H. Squad size combat patrol #2. TOD: 200700H; POD: 528084; Patrol Route: S 529079, W 527079, NW 527081, NE to POR: 528084; TOR: 200800H. Squad size combat patrol #3. TOD: 200900H; POD: 525089; Patrol Route: Circle clockwise to 525086 and return; POR: 525089; TOR: 201100H. Continue to improve defensive positions.
C. Company C (rein). Continue to maintain and improve outpost #2 defensive positions. Maintain roadblock and checkpoint. Provide security for Chu Lai airfield in assigned defensive sector. Provide one platoon as fast reaction/counterattack force.
D. Company D (rein). Conduct squad size combat patrol #1. TOD: 192100H; POD: 517062; Patrol Route: SE 519062, NE 521063, E 523063, SE 524063, N in half circle counterclockwise 523069, SW 518065 and south to POR:517062; TOR: 192400H. Conduct squad size combat patrol #2. TOD: 200630H; POD: 52707-; Patrol Route: SE 515065, NNW 514068, W 513068, NW 511070, W 508071, SW 505070, SW 500066, SE 511065, NE 515067, N 505075, E 517074, NE 519076, E 522077, NE to POR: 526078; TOR: 201200H. Conduct squad size combat patrol #3. TOD: 201300H; POD: 523075; Patrol Route: General line 8 526059, SW 525057, W 524056, general line NW 520066, NE 521067, N to POR: 522076; TOR: 201630H.
E. H&S Company. Continue to dig and improve fighting positions within inner perimeter. Prepare plans and area for future displacement of Battalion Tactical CP.
F. Attached Units.
1. 1st Plat, Co B, 3d Recon Bn.
a. On order, establish OP on Hill 69 GC 468069 to determine movement patterns within range of observation.
b. On order, about 23 June, conduct reconnaissance of Ky Xuan Island from GC 512093 north and west to GC 482117. Determine sites suitable for landing craft. Provide own security on beach. Maintain positive communications on Battalion Tactical Net. Conduct night landing by rubber boat.
2. 1st Plat, Co B, 3d AT Bn. Direct support of Company A and Company B.
3. 1st Plat, Co C. 3d Tank Bn. Direct support of Company A and Company D. Conduct section training commencing 19 June and every odd numbered day thereafter, from 1200 to 1800 in GS 5105. Training to include driver application, gun drill and moving target acquisition. Insure positive communication on Battalion Tactical Net. Report TOD, Training conducted and TOR. Submit sit reps hourly.
G. Coordinating Instructions.
1. Rules 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 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 be illuminated.
3. If the person challenged makes an overt attempt to avoid an apprehension, opens fire or commits any other hostile action which thereby endangers the life of challenger the challenging may load and fire.
4. Magazines will not be inserted in weapons in a camp during daylight hours unless under attack.
2. Continue aggressive patrolling to determine ambush sites, insure security, enforce curfew, and preclude infiltration. Conduct at least on night patrol per company in a twenty-four (24) hour period. Do not set patterns.
3. Report in a timely, accurate, concise manner.
4. Format of patrol plan as follows:
a. Unit
b. Patrol number and date
c. Size
d. Purpose (e.g. recon, combat, ambush, etc.)
e. Time of departure (TOD)
f. Point of departure (POD)
g. Patrol route by grid coordinates. (Coordinate of change of direction and direction change).
h. Point of return. (POR)
i. Time of return. (TOR)
5. Select patrol routes most likely to uncover enemy routes/avenues of approach and concealed assembly areas.
6. Submit detailed after-patrol reports ASAP upon completion of patrol.
7. Submit patrol plans to cover period 230001H to 292400H not later than 211600H. Submit plans as they are completed, but not later than the aforementioned time.
4. Administration and Logistics. No change.
5. Command and Communications/Electronics. No change.
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT.
R. J. PERRICH
Lt/Col, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding