Chronological Account of Significant Events

July

2                    At 022015H, coordination between participating units was effected for search and destroy operation by CAC-7 at 030530H June 1966 in the hamlet of Loi Nong YD 836196.

3                    At 030700H, PF’s spotted 3 VC at YD 830197.  The VC did not fire at Marines and PF’s but withdrew rapidly to the east along the canal in that area.  The PF’s fired about 5 rounds at the fleeing VC.  The CAC-7 unit searched and cleared the south side of the canal with negative contact.  The AO assigned notified the unit at 030815H that there was unusual movement at YD 850195.  When the unit reached this location, the lead PF’s pointed to 3 VC fleeing north at about YD 847197, 300 meters from the canal.  The squad leader fired 3 M-79 round at the fleeing VC.  The unit returned to Loi Nong where engineers joined them.  The engineers planted demolitions at YD 836196 to destroy a trench 1 yard wide, 15 yards long, 1 yard deep.  Numerous other trenches and foxholes were noted in the hamlet area; some were new.  None were filled in as had been reported 2 weeks earlier.  The normal civilian population was noted to be present.  VC propaganda leaflets were found throughout the hamlet.  At 030820H, AO reported fortifications at YD 843203 and YD 849198.

4                    At 041500H, artillery batteries displaced with Bravo Battery positioning at YD 931059 and Golf Battery moving into Bravo’s old position at YD 876141.  At 041945H, CAC-7 patrol at coordinates YD 817182 sighted 2 VC carrying carbines crossing railroad tracks about 250 meters away.  Marines fired 3 rounds at the VC and swept the area.  VC fled north.  At 042103H, CAC-9 reported 2 VC at YD 931087 moving down the railroad tracks towards their CP.  Marines fired on VC with 4 rounds of 7.62mm.  One VC went north, one went east.  Marines pursued by fire with 20 rounds S/A.

6          At 060530H, the battalion furnished 25 truck guards to regiment and at 060800H furnished 20 truck guards; all going to Operation Holt LSA. At 061410H, Company C relayed a report from CAC-7 that at 052300H, 10 VC came out to the hamlet in the vicinity of CAC-7 and assassinated NGUYEN THI NGA; ago 60, an old woman who had previously supplied information to PF’s about VC activity.  CAC-7 was informed of the murder and retrieved her body.  The woman’s family took the body home.  She was shot on a trail at YD 827176.  At 062135H one Vietnamese male at coordinated YD 897135 threw rocks at the center of MCB-7’s lines.

The area was illuminated and the man was last seen behind a rice paddy dike.  The Seabees fired 9 rounds of 7.62mm and threw one frag grenade.  A patrol out at first light swept the area with negative results.  At 062216H, CAC-7A patrol at YD 819185 observed 2 VC, believed to have been collecting taxes, approximately 150 meters northwest.  VC fired approximately 10 rounds automatic weapons fire, and the patrol fired 50 rounds S/A, 2 M-79 and 81mm Illumination.  The VC broke contact withdrawing to the south.  The area was swept with negative results.  At 062357H, MCB-7 defensive position at YD 898136 detected movement on its SID and observed 1 VC southeast at a distance of approximately 50 meters.   The defensive position illuminated the area, fired 2 rounds M-79, and threw one frag grenade; then swept the area with negative results.

7                    At 070555H, a Vietnamese male was reported to be throwing rocks at the MCB-7 lines.  One round M-79 was fired at the individual. A patrol swept the area with negative results.  At 071000H, 4^th Marines assumed FSCC responsibility for the Regimental TAOR.  At 072335H, the S-3 received 10 incoming S/A rounds.  Marines returned fire with 150 7.62mm rounds, 12 M-79 rds, and expended 8 white parachute flares, and 11 81mm illumination rounds.  Marines swept the area with negative results.

8                    At 082125H, VC opened fire on CAC-9 CP at YD 933086; 15 rounds semi-automatic were fired.  Marines fired 20 rounds in return.  The VC fled east.  Marines swept the area with negative results. At 082320H, MCB-7 observed one VC moving in brush at YD 897136.  MCB-7 observed one VC moving in brush at YD 897136.  MCB-7 fired 21 rounds 7.62mm, 3 M-26 frag grenades, 8 white star parachutes, 5 M-79 rds; VC fled in a southeast direction.  MCB-7 swept the area and discovered a large opening in the outer most concertinas.

9                    At 090205H, MCB-7 lines sighted one VC at their wire.  They fired 3 rounds M-14, 4-hand illumination.  The VC was not sighted again.

10               At 100045H, Marines at a Company D LP heard a grenade hit ground near their position.  Both Marines jumped into a hole before the grenade exploded.  The area was swept at dawn with negative results. At 100100H, Company D lines detected movement approximately 35 meters to their front at YD 903145.

The lines threw 2 hand illumination grenades and observed with negative results.  At 100115H, MCB-7 lines detected movement to their front at coord.  YD 899134.  They threw lone illumination, 1 WP, and one frag grenade.  At 102215H, three VC probed the area outside CAC-7.  The VC fired ten rounds and threw one grenade, which wounded one PF.  CAC-7 returned fire and swept the area with negative results.  At 2215H, CAC-3 was probed by approximately 15-20 VC; the VC fired 20 rounds S/A.  Marines and PF’s returned fire.  The VC fled west.  The area was searched with the Marines finding 20 expended cartridges at YD 912119.

11               At 110020H, CAC-7B patrol heard 2 VC in a thicket; one chambered a round.  The Marines fired into the thicket, and the 2 VC fled. The area was swept with negative results.  At 110145H a Company M patrol made contact with 4 VC at ambush site at YD 946051. 2 VC KIA were confirmed.  The VC were wearing shorts; one had on a green military shirt.  The patrol recovered one ChiCom frag grenade, one box of 9mm rounds, one cartridge belt, knife sheath, one lantern, and three bags of rice.

12               At 121045H, Battalion S-3 notified Company B of a radio relay van from regiment operating on Hill 180 until further notice.  At 122200H, MCB-7 observed movement about 100 meters to its front (YD 902142) under illumination.  One round of 7.62mm was fired. The area was swept with negative results.  At 122330H, CAC-3 reported one VC about 25 meters northeast of their CP (YD 911118) threw rocks and one grenade.  Marines and PF’s fired 20 rounds 7.62mm and carbine ammunition.  They swept the area with negative results.

13               At 131100H, the battalion assumed responsibility for Regimental FSCC until further notice.  At 131645H, CAC-8A patrol observed 20 VC in a tree line at YD 823198.  The VC fired 250 rounds S/A at the Marines.  The VC were seen wearing black shirts and black shorts.  The Marines returned fire with 500 rounds 7.62mm and 16 M-79 rounds.  At 132220H, the rear element of CAC-7A patrol spotted 4-5 VC following the patrol.  The patrol received approx. 30 rounds S/A fire.  The Marines pursued by fire and made a sweep of the immediate area with negative results.  The VC were last seen heading toward the local market place.

14               At 140035H, CAC-7B observed 2 VC at coordinates YD 820177.  The patrol fired at the VC, and the area was swept with negative results. The VC fled in different directions, one north and one east.  At 140600H, Battery B displaced from YD 930062.  Company M continued to provide security on the position.  At 141530H, Company D provided security for a visit to CAC-9 by SECNAV.  At 142150H, a CAC-7 LP fired 50 rounds at VC 30 to 40 meters from their position.  The VC fled to the southwest.  One VC WIA probable was reported at 150103H at LP.  The LP fired at the VC; the VC fled west.  CAC-7 swept the area with negative results.

16        At 160615H, Company D provided one rifle company (-)(rein) as security for a Rough Rider convoy to Dong Ha.  The Company was augmented a FAC team, extra communication gear and a FO team.  The company remained over night at Dong Ha and returned the next day.

17        At 171000H, one round was fired at Company  A lines directly from their front.  Two people were seen moving toward the mountains. A patrol was sent to check the area; negative results.  At 172045H, an H&S Company patrol was approaching their ambush site (YD879130) when approximately 20 VC opened fire with small arms and 1 automatic weapon.  The firing came from YD 881128.  The patrol returned fire. The VC then moved westerly and fired small arms rounds from two automatic weapons. The VC also threw 2 hand grenades at the patrol.  Illumination was fired.  One probable VC KIA was reported. The area was swept with negative results. At 172130H, H&S lines at YD 879130 received 1 incoming frag grenade.  They requested 81mm illumination.  Marines saw 3 VC across a river to their front YD 884124.  H&S did not return fire due to LP's in the area.  The patrol swept the area with negative results.

18        At 180340H, CAC-11 made contact with a small VC unit.  Two VC KIA, 1 USMC KIA; and one PF WIA with serious wounds in stomach and groin, resulted.  At 181000H, Company A was instructed to maintain constant daylight observation and surveillance over Song Phu from coordinates YD 880127 to YD 891119.  At 180930H, an H&S Company patrol, while sweeping the area of the previous night's action, observed 1 Vietnamese male in vicinity YD 878133.  The person started running when he saw the patrol.  The patrol dispatched one member to apprehend the person.  The man was collecting brass and had no ID cards.  He was sent to the CIT collection compound.  Company A furnished security from 181600H to 181700H for a visit to CAC-9 by the Vice CNO.  At 182155H, MCB-7 received 3 incoming S/A rounds at coordinates YD 899137 and YD 903139.

19        At 190040H, the H&S Company bunker received one incoming small arm round from outside their lines.  No fire was returned.  Two Pom-pom illuninations revealed as target.

20        At 200205H, H&S lines heard movement to their front.  They threw one hand illumination grenade and fired approximately 5 small arms rds.  The area was swept at first light with negative results.  At 201000H the battalion assumed OpCon of Company K, 3/4 Marines in accordance with 4th Marines Frag Order 73-66. Company K positioned in the Truoi Bridge area.  OpCon of Company M returned to 3/4 at this time.

21        At 212210H, MCB-7 lines at YD 896135 heard noises at the wire, threw one hand grenade, and turned on flood lights.  They swept the area with negative results.

22        At 221015H, a report was received from Company C that the Thuy Chanh Village Chief stated approximately 120 VC were located at vicinity YD 823214.  They were to attack CAC-8 compound and the village headquarters at 231000H.  At 221030, an AO aircraft was requested from 4th Marines with space for the battalion executive officer.  Mission was to observe area of artillery mission being fired just north of the TAOR on two VC companies.  At 221040H, the Bn Exec put Company D on a 1 hour stand-by, and directed Command Group Bravo be formed and stand by.  At 221100H, Company D was put on 30-minute standby.  At 221115H, Company C sent CAC-3 patrol to YD 927138 to observe the southern boundary of Song Dai Giang for VC crossing.  At 221130H, Company A was prepared to provide 2 squads (rein) to D Company's perimeter.  Company B was prepared to provide one squad (rein) to Company D's perimeter.  At 221155H, Company D and Bravo Command Groups secured from alert status.  At 221337H, a CAC-3 patrol found one 60 year old woman at YD 935140 with shrapnel in her back.  She said that she was treated at YD 935140 by VC and that there were 100 VC in that area at that time.  Evacuation by ambulance was requested for the wounded Vietnamese woman by the Battalion Executive Officer.  At 221915H, Company C was notified to reinforce CAC-8 with 4 machine guns and crews.  Reinforcing Marines came from H&S, and were to remain at CAC-8 through 23 July to assist in the event of an anticipated attack.  Plans were made for additional reinforcements by helo if found to be needed.  At 222225H, MCB-7 detected movement at their wire, illuminated with pom-poms, and fired 4 rounds of 7.62mm.  The area was swept with negative results.

23        At 231655H, a sniper fired at two A/C in the vicinity of Phu Bai airport.  One Marine on an incoming C-130 was killed; one ARVN was wounded on an outgoing Air  American A/C.  Exact location of the sniper was unknown; both A/C were traveling from East to West.  At 231755H, the sniper was determined to have been firing from Grid Square YD 9716.  AO’s observed no activity in this area. At 231945H, one company, Company D was placed on 2 hour alert in accordance with Division orders.  At 232220H, a report was received that Marble Mountain Air Facility was mortared by VC.  All units were alerted to be especially alert.  At 232145H, companies were ordered to put 75% of their personnel on the lines.  Of the remaining 25% in the rear 50% were to be awake.  At 232340H, a CAC-4 patrol heard movement in a tree line to their front.  They fired 10 rounds 7.62mm, lost radio contact, and returned to their CP.  At 232355H, a CAC-5 patrol sighted an unknown number of VC at YD 920114.  They fired 100 rounds .30 caliber and 1 M-79 round.  One VC had been seen to fall and be dragged away.  Three sets of VC footprints were found.

24        At 240750H, a helicopter with mechanical failure set down at YD 975090.  1st Battalion provided a squad (rein) for security until the helicopter could be repaired.  At 240900H, two squads from Kilo Company and one fire team from CAC-11 made contact with VC at YD 965074 while enroute to the helicopter.  At 240915H, Sparrow Hawk was ordered to the HMM-161 airstrip.  At 240934H, security elements had arrived at the helo.  At 240940H, Sparrow Hawk secured to normal ready status.  At 240945H, Company K squads formed a 360-degree perimeter around the downed helicopter.  No further enemy contact resulted.  At 241415H, a US Army PFC stated a Vietnamese male dressed in a PF uniform told him VC were moving mortars and 'cannon' into an area three kilometers south of the perimeter on Highway #1.  At 241500H, Company A was assigned to sweep grid squares 8912, 8911, and 9011 prior to sundown.  Company D was to sweep grid squares 9112, 9113, and 9013 prior to sundown.  Purpose of the sweeps was to check the area for mortars and 'cannon' reported at 241415H.  At 241800H, the downed helo was lifted out.  At 241745H, an armed helo assisting in the evacuation of the downed helo received 15-20 rounds S/A automatic fire from vicinity of YD 968097.  The helo returned fire with eight rockets.  CAC-11 discovered an elderly VN male badly wounded; requested Med Evac, but the man died.  The Med Evac was secured.

25      At 251500H reinforcing units were detached from CAC-8.  At 251835H, a mule going south on Highway #1 received sniper fire from the rice paddies at YD 825178.  They continued on their way without being hit.  At 251850H, Company C sent a patrol to the vicinity of YD 825182 to investigate the report of sniper firing at vehicles on Highway #1.  There were negative results.

26      At 260700H, Company D furnished one platoon (rein) for convoy security.  At 260720H, Company K provided security for engineer unit going to ZD 039025 for purpose of assisting a convoy around a bridge by-pass.  At 260908H, CAC-11 patrol found a vacated VC ambush site at YD 975074.  At 261000H, CAC-11 spotted 8 VC in a tree line at YD 972075.  They fired on the VC and swept the area with negative results. At 262210H, CAC-8 patrol spotted one VC 150 meters NW of their CP.  No incoming rounds were received.  Marines expended 25-30 S/A rounds and swept the area with negative results.  At 262340H at YD 911117, 3 VC tried to probe the CAC-3 compound.  One Marine and two PF’s tried to flank the VC and engage them.  They expended 7 M-79 rounds, 200 .45 caliber rounds and received 5 rounds S/A fire as the VC fled in a southwest direction.  The area was swept with negative results.

27      At 270730H, Company B provided one rifle platoon (rein) on stand-by to be used to reinforce convoy security in the event of an emergency.  At 270935H, Company D provided one rifle platoon (rein) as security for a convoy from Phu Bai to Da Nang.  The unit returned to Phu Bai at 271920H by fixed wing aircraft.  At 271720H, reliable intelligence was received that one VC Company in the vicinity AD 030106 was to cross the river YD 960087 and proceed to YD 949070.  One company of ‘VC was reported located at YD 978022 and 2 squads reported YD 976074.  At 271837H, Company K was ordered to establish an ambush in grid squares YD 9709 with all available personnel.  At 271855H, B Company sent a platoon to assist Company K in the defense of their CP and the Truoi Bridge to be under OpCon of Company K until the next day.  At 272047H, CAC-11 searched the area YD 9797 for a reported 2 squads of VC; negative results; returned to CP.  At 272145H, CAC-2 reported hearing 3 S/A rounds at YD 911138.  At 272145H, CAC-2 patrol had sighted one VC on a trail.  They fired 3 S/A rounds.  The VC fled into a nearby hamlet.  The patrol swept the area with negative results.  At 272245H, Company K was in their ambush position.  At 270515H, the Company B unit on the Truoi Bridge received one incoming grenade.  Two Marines received minor injuries.  Marines returned 3 grenades and swept the area with negative results.

28      At 280710H, Company K returned to their CP from their night ambush positions; negative contact.  At 280720H, the Company B platoon sent to the Truoi Bridge returned to the Company B area.

29      At 292025H, a Company K ambush position received one incoming sniper round.  They returned 3 60mm mortar rounds; mission unobserved.  The area was swept with negative results.  At 292145H, a CAC-7 LP fired at VC moving into probing position.  The LP threw 1 grenade and fired 4 7.62mm rounds with negative results.  At 292345H, a Company A patrol made contact with 2 VC at YD 844082.  The patrol expended 20 rounds 7.62mm and 1 40mm M-79 grenade and reported 2 VC moved westerly to the vicinity YD 838082.  The patrol physically pursued approximately 500 meters until underbrush became too thick.  The patrol reported the 2 VC were carrying small arms.

30      At 301300H, an ARVN jeep received sniper fire from ZD 010030.  A patrol from Company K accompanied the driver back to the area for a sweep; negative results.  At 301430H, VC threw two grenades into a bar at YD 819178 resulting in one dead civilian and one wounded civilian, one-wounded Marine, one Air force man, and a damaged USAF vehicle.  At 302145H while the vehicle was being towed to the Vital Area, the recovery vehicle received several small arms rounds. The driver continued into the Vital Area.

31      From 310700H to 311800H Companies C and D provided patrols and OP’s along the northern boundary of the TAOR in conjunction with an ARVN regimental sweep to the north.  At 311800H as CAC-7 returned from its blocking positions they received approximately 200 rounds of small arms fire from VC at YD 830197.  The patrol returned small arms and 81mm mortar.  The VC withdrew north out of the TAOR.

This page last updated 24 August 2011