Narrative Summary
On 5 May 1975, Operational Control of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines was passed to 31 MAU and the Battalion was located at the Upper MAU Camp, Subic Bay, R.P. At that time the Battalion was also waiting for the remainder of its attachments to arrive from Okinawa. The Battalion continued a vigorous training program to enable itself to maintain an extremely high readiness status in the event of possible involvement in contingency operations in S. Viet Nam. In light of events in Southeast Asia, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines maintained a 96 hour standby posture.
At the beginning of the reporting period the concentration of Battalion effort was directed toward individual and small unit tactical skills. The particular areas that were emphasized in this training were; jungle survival, patrolling, land navigation in a jungle environment and Squad and Platoon tactics. The continuing RVN Evacuation Operation utilized Subic Bay as one of the main processing areas for Vietnamese refugees. 1st Battalion, 4th Marines played a large role in the orderly processing of thousands of refugees through Grande Island, by providing manpower for movement of equipment, setting up of over 150 tents and assisting in the overall control of evacuees. In addition to participation in the overall processing procedures the off-loading of barges and shipping was also marshaled by Marines of 1/4.
Training was altered to support the refugee operations, however, two Companies, during this period completed the Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST School) at Subi Point. By the end of the month of May, all four Rifle Companies had completed JEST Training and the Kubasaki High School afloat package was implemented. Water survival training and live fire exercises with 81mm Mortar Platoon and 106 RR Platoon was also conducted.
A Battalion Commander's inspection of all personnel and individual equipment at this time gave a good indication of the Battalion's high readiness level.
Directed by G-3 III MAF, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines and all available attachments began embarking on ARG Alpha shipping on 6 May 1975. The embarkation was substantially completed 24 hours later when termination of such operations was directed. Off-loading of units and equipment took place on 7 May 1975.
The SS MAYAGUEZ was secured and National Colors raised at 150822.
During preparations for towing, the Boarding Force was divided to provide a forty man assault team to assist ashore on call. This Force reboarded the USS HOLT leaving 19 personnel who assisted with getting the SS MAYAGUEZ under way until the original crew returned and took over. At 151930, the Boarding Force debarked the SS MAYAGUEZ aboard sea going tugs, rejoined the 40 man force, and subsequently returned to Cubic where it was greeted by the Commanding General of the Third Marine Division, the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, Fourth Marines and by a 1/4 Honor Guard.
On 15 May, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, now considered a BLT, was embarked aboard ARG Alpha shipping in anticipation of operations in Cambodia. Ship Board Training Schedules were implemented aboard the USS OKINAWA, USS DULUTH, USS MOUNT VERNON and USS BARBOUR COUNTY while awaiting ships movement. Vigorous physical training program continued throughout this standby period.
On 20 May with the return of the USS MAYAGUEZ Boarding Party, BLT 1/4 was given a stand down from its alert posture.
On 22 May, BLT 1/4 was disembarked from ARG Alpha shipping and re-established at the MAU Camp except for Company B which remained onboard the USS DULUTH. Immediately upon arrival in the MAU Camp heavy emphasis was placed upon the Kubasaki High School Education Program involving approximately 400 Marines from the BLT. Considerable emphasis was also placed on accountability and maintenance of equipment during this period since the BLT had been involved in numerous embarkation and embarkation evolutions since departing Okinawa late in March. Human relations and Kubasaki training were also conducted.
Extensive night training in conjunction with Company level offensive and defensive tactics and patrolling exercises was conducted, on 26 May, by Company A in the Subic Training Area. Companies B and C, 81mm Mortar Platoon and 106 Recoilless Rifle Platoon conducted extensive, coordinated live fire exercises in the Zambales Training Area. On 23 May, a TAC Party conducted live fire training at Wild Horse Creek, Zambales Training Area, controlling five flights of A-4F's. These training exercises plus a pistol requalification detail continued up through 30 May 1975.
On 31 May, BLT 1/4 with all attachments, continued its established physical training program with the normal Saturday morning three mile run. The physical fitness program, which is a BLT wide project has been extremely successful in building individual and unit Confidence, Espirit and Morale.
This page last corrected 11 September 2011