Communications

Chronological Account of Significant Events

August

1 At 011100H, CAC-7A patrol of Company C, received 200 rounds of S/A fire, and 1 round of 60mm mortar fire, at coordinates YD 819199. The patrol pursued the VC by fire and maneuver. At 011315H, the patrol requested an artillery mission at YD 841196, suspected VC in trenches. Mortars were also fired at these coordinates during this period. At 011430H, patrol 7A moved in to sweep the impact area. The results were blood trails, and drag marks; no bodies were found.

2 At 022155H, MCB-7 received one incoming grenade near coordinates YD 899136. At 022204H, they received another incoming grenade at the same coordinates. VC were seen running from the lines and were fired upon. The area was searched the next morning with negative results.

3 At 030700H, Company A, of 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines provided security for a Rough Rider convoy to Da Nang. Company D provided one reinforced platoon as standby. An artillery FO and an air FAC team were provided. At 031810H, CAC-7 heard firing and sent two fire teams to investigate the area in vicinity of YD 823175. Results of this investigation were negative.

4 At 040650H, Company B provided one platoon (rein) on 30 minute alert for emergency convoy reinforcement.

6 At 060615H, Company B on a search and destroy operation, received S/A fire from an estimated 6-8 VC located at YD 829197. Company B returned S/A fire and the VC broke contact. The Company continued on the operation. At 061400H, Company B received A/W fire from an estimated 20 VC located at YD 853193. An artillery mission was called, expending 169 rounds HE. Two air strikes were executed on the VC position, detonating four secondary explosions. Company B swept the area finding four VC KIA’s confirmed. Company B sustained one WIA.

7 At 070215H, a patrol of Company C received 5 rounds incoming S/A fire, and immediately returned fire; requested illumination and searched area with negative results. New TAOR boundaries were effective 070800H. OpCon of Company K, 3^rd Battalion 4^th Marines was passed to 3/4 as of 070800H.

8 At 080805H, Hill 180 received 4-5 incoming rocks from the west side of hill. Marines saw a man running down a ravine on the west side of hill and returned fire results were unknown. At 081401H, CAC-7B patrol received 100 rounds S/A fire (2 automatic weapons) from tree lines at YD 836198. Marines returned fire, and called 81mm mortar fire. VC broke contact, heading east. Marines continued patrol.

9 At 090045H, MCB-7 reported detecting probes near their defensive wire, followed by rattling of cans. Observed 2 VC under moonlight. MCB-7 fired at VC with negative results. At 092300H, at YD 900137, 1 VC inside of wire at MCB-7 set off trip flare. Defensive positions fired with negative results.

10 At 102310H, 6 VC were sighted moving easterly through graveyard at (YD 822179). VC fired on Marine patrol with 5-6 rounds S/A fire. Marines returned fire and swept area; blood trails were discovered. 1 VC WIA probable suspected.

13 At 130715H, ARVN unit arrived at sweep position to commence a ‘County Fair’ Operation in Gia Le Village (GS YD 8217). At 131030H, the County Fair Med-Cap had treated 54 patients; Dental Cap had treated 19 patients and the CIT team processed 6 VCS. At 131630H, Operation County Fair was secured. At 131630H, 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines assumed OpCon of H/2/9. H/2/9 was given the mission of establishing a blocking force at YD 853194 to YD 869183 in support of an ARVN Operation.

16 At 160850H, 1/4 departed the Phu Bai Enclave enroute to Dong Ha by convoy. At 161302H, 1/4 arrived at Dong Ha Combat Base. At 161445H, Company A departed the Dong Ha area for Cam Lo and arrived at 161520H. At 1630H Company B assumed the defense of the TAOR of Dong Ha. At 161630H, Company A assumed responsibilities for the TAOR of Cam Lo. At 162137H, Company B received rocks thrown from their front and returned 2 frag grenades. At 162305H, the 3^rd Plt of Company B received 3 incoming rocks from their front; they returned 15 rounds of S/A fire. The LP at this vicinity heard movement and noises and threw (3) frag grenades. Results of all contacts were negative.

17 At 172255H, (1) incoming rock hit a Marine in Company B lines at YD 242592. Two grenades were returned.

18 At 180930H, one squad from Company D provided security for tank convoy to 2/4 CP and return. At 181435H, a Marine from Company A purchases a ‘Coke’ from a young Vietnamese female. The ‘Coke’ was found to contain glass slivers. At 180100H, Company B received 5 incoming rocks from YD 249599. The Marines returned 2 grenades.

19 At 190930H, 1/4 received an order from Regiment to provide 1 platoon for tank security. Tanks were displaced from YD 984564 and moved to Cam Lo. At 191320H, the second platoon of Company B requested a Med-Evac for Marine injured by water buffalo. At 191330H the Med-Evac was accomplished. Tank security platoon established at YD 345699 for the night. At 192300H, Company B observed movement at YD 249604 threw two frag grenades and received (6) six incoming S/A rounds, returned 50 S/A rounds, with negative results.

20 At 202049H, Company A patrol returned with 1 VCS who was turned over to ARVN unit at their position (Cam Lo). At 202141H, Company B heard noises in wire and threw 2 frag grenades with negative results.

21 At 210830H, Company B provided one squad for security for wire laying team to Cam Lo. At 201315H, Company B apprehended 3 VCS and turned them in to CIT. At 212234H, Company B received 4 incoming rocks and returned 4 frag grenades, with negative results.

22 At 221014H, Company A patrol received sniper fire from YD 124582. Patrol apprehended 1 VCS that had a carbine round in his pocket. At 221100H, 1^st and 3^rd Platoons of Company B, 3^rd Engineers placed in Direct Support of 1/4.

23 At 230632H, Company A and Company C, 3^rd Tank Bn departed for a recon in force to the northeast of Cam Lo. The Recon force was designated as Task Force Alpha. At 230650H, a (4) four-man sniper unit and a radio relay team was dispatched by helicopter to Con Thien Outpost, YD 116201. At 230840H, four (4) Howtars were air lifted to Con Thien Outpost. At 231305H, Task Force Alpha was hit by Anti-Tank weapons and machine gun fire at YD 131727. Tanks returned 90mm fire and .50 caliber fire, destroying AT weapons and an estimated 9 VC KIA (probable); 1 USMC KIA. At 231330H, Task Force Alpha received mortar fire at YD 135722; 10 USMC WIA’s were med-evaced from this position. At 231410H, the sniper team located at YD 116701 fired on 2 VC entering house at YD 131707. 1 VC KIA (confirmed). At 231430H, a tank of Task Force Alpha hit a mine. No casualties. At 231600H, Task Force Alpha was hit by mortar fire at YD 122658. 3 USMC KIA were med-evaced from that position. At 231848H, Company A furnished security for 3 tanks that were left behind from Tank Force Alpha: the Tanks were located at YD 110608. One of the tanks was disabled, 2 are operable.

24 At 240745H, the three tanks remaining at YD 110608 resumed moving towards their CP. At 241825H, friendly tank hit an AT mine at YD 134664, while proceeding back to Cam Lo. The tank was badly damaged. At 242117H, one platoon from Delta Company arrived at the tank position for security. At 250335H, Company D heard noises at defensive wire and threw 3 frag grenades, with negative results.

25 At 251325H, the second platoon of Delta Company was reinforced by a Company of ARVN tanks. At 251555H, USMC Tank towing the disabled tank hit an AT mine. At 251812H, the USMC tanks that had been damaged by AT mines arrived at the tank CP at Cam Lo. At 252015H, the 2^nd platoon of Delta Company returned to their CP after furnishing security for tanks. At 252135H, Company A patrol received 2 incoming grenades at YD 113575. The patrol returned 4 frag grenades and 2 hand illuminations with negative results.

26 At 260347H, Company A reported that they were receiving S/A and mortar fire. Company A reported that their lines had been penetrated by the VC. At 250347H, Company A requested a flare ship to provide illumination. At 260347, Company A reported that they were receiving heavy S/A fire and mortar fire every 5-6 seconds. At 260352H Alpha Company was notified illumination aircraft were on the way. At 260352H, Company A reported that friendly lines were overran and requested another Company to reinforce them. At 260435H, Company B reported that they were on 100% alert. At 260445H, Delta Company, patrols were ordered back to their lines. At 260435H, Company A reported that mortar fire had ceased but they were still receiving S/A fire. At 260440H, Company A requested emergency resupply of ammunition and reported that they were receiving S/A fire from the road.

At 260610H, Company D reported that the Company was at helo pad ready to lift. At 260615H, Company A reported their casualties as 1 KIA, and 20 WIA.

At 260625H, Company A reported they were all secure and requested med-evac to pick up casualties. At 260747H, Company A reported they have 2 Vietnamese civilians wounded and requested med-evac. At 260830H, Company A reported (3) USMC KIA, (13) USMC WIA, (30) VC KIA, (1) VCC, 1 VCS, and 40 enemy weapons found. At 260900H, Company D commenced helo lift to sweep the area south of Company A. At 261606 Company A reported VC KIA confirmed at 73. At 261607H, Company D returned from sweeping the battle area. At 261824H, Company A reported ready for night defense.

At 262209H, Company A reported signal lights to their front and fired 2 M-79 rounds.

27 At 271530H, Company A reported finding 2 more VC KIA. At 272335H, Company A reported S/A fire from they’re front, and requested a flare ship to stand by. At 272343, Company A reported 1 VC KIA, bringing a total count of 76 VC KIA confirmed.

29 At 290930H, all companies departed Dong Ha/Cam Lo area for a reconnaissance in force to be conducted in area bounded by grid lines XD 98 (west) 63 (north) 56 (south) and YD 10 (east).

This page last updated 19 August 2011