Enemy Force
VC forces in the Chu Lai area are capable of attacking the 7th Marine positions in strengths varying from individual
infiltrations to seven battalions. Each effort could be supported by recoilless rifles, 60 MM mortars, 81 MM mortars,
and 105 howitzers.
The strength and identities of Viet Cong forces on both sides of the Song Tra Bong river have been previously identified.
The force is considered to be one Guerrilla Company consisting of four squads, one at Tan Hy, one operating between My
Hue and Vinh An, and one squad operating in the vicinity of Tuyat Diam. The forth squad operates in the general area of the
Tryang Tuyat Peninsula as a reinforcement and back up force whenever needed.
1 January: Page 68. Attention to Orders
Delta Co. Will provide security to DONG BINH (1), BINH AN NOI (1), (3), and (4), NUOC MAN BS 575971. And conduct active
civil affairs programs in the above villages.
1 January: Page 45.
Delta Co. Attachments assigned to Delta Co. From (1) Battery “G“, 3rd BN. 11th Marines. (2) Company “C” 1st Engineer. BN.
(3) Company “B” 1st Tank BN. (4) Company “H&S” 1st BN. 7th Marines. (5) Company “A” 1st Amtrak BN. (6) United States
Navy Corpsman (9 Corpsman assigned).
1 January: Page 95. Late Entry
Delta Co. On December 31st 1965. Delta Co. Delivered 2 VCS's to the BN. HQ. Both VCS's were apprehended at BS 631909.
Both VCS were identified as VC by the BINH SON intelligence agents. 08:00 Hrs.
1 January: Page 97.
Delta Co. Apprehended 1 VCS in vicinity of BS 614916. VCS wearing green wool uniform. The VCS attempted to hide upon
observing the patrol, will be forwarded with uniform on first transportation. 13:30 Hrs.
1 January: Page 97.
Delta Co. Apprehended 1 VCS in vicinity of BS 626923. Located in a house with 1 crossbow, 3 steel rods, 1 cartridge belt,
1 pair of boots & 39 rounds of carbine ammo with magazine. 14:00 Hrs.
1 January: Page 97.
Delta Co. Combat patrol observed 2 men at BS 618915. 1 man had a weapon, patrol fired warning shots and both men ran, 1
VCS was apprehended and forwarded to BN. HQ. 14:30 Hrs.
1 January: Page 97.
Delta Co. Patrol located 2 tunnels at BS 619914. Patrol also found approximately 3 pounds of medical supplies in the vicinity
of the tunnels, tunnels not destroyed as they appeared to be family tunnels. 14:30 Hrs.
1 January: Page 97.
Delta Co. Outpost reported at 19:45 Hrs. Located at BS 605920. That they received 40 rounds of automatic weapons fire & 10
rounds of semi-automatic carbine fire, from an unknown number of VC located in the vicinity of BS 605915, BS 608917 and BS 610920.
The outpost returned fire of 300 rounds of 7.62, 4 106 rounds and threw 10 grenades. Searches of the area showed Neg. Results. 19:45 Hrs.
1 January: Page 97.
Delta Co. Outpost reported observing a man approaching their position from the vicinity of BS 557017. Lines challenged and threw a
grenade. Outpost observed man running away. 21:05 Hrs.
4 January: Page 107.
Delta Co. 28 man combat patrol led by S/Sgt. Fairchild. Left the lines at 09:00 Hrs. As the patrol approached check point three at
approximately 11:45 Hrs. The Artillery forward observer, observed a group of about 50 civilians running from the rice fields at BS 589946.
When the patrol went through the area we found nothing unusual happening & no VC in area. Farmers (mostly old men and children) were
starting the harvest of cane. Patrol returned at 12:30 Hrs.
4 January: Page 50.
Delta Co. Marines observed unusual activity forward of the company position. A squad was dispatched and found several civilians
pulling on the wire to the company's SID's. As the Marines approached, civilians began running away from the patrol. Warning shots
fired in an attempt to halt the fleeing civilians. When they refused to stop. The Marines fired, wounding 2 of them. At this time the remainder
of the fleeing civilians surrendered. Total of 13 were captured. 17:15 Hrs.
5 January: Page 108.
Delta Co. Reported that 1 of the company's SID's picked up movement in the vicinity of BT 561015. Fired illumination and observed two
to three people. Company line fired 10 7.62 rounds and 10 M-79/Law rounds in the area. Patrol sent out and only found footprints. 20:00 Hrs.
7 January: Page 50.
Delta Co. Platoon captured 1 VCS hiding behind a rock at BS 592943. The VCS was wearing a khaki uniform and had in his possession an
altered ID card. 10:25 Hrs.
7 January: Page 115.
Delta Co. Reported that 1 SID had picked up movement of two to three VC in area of BT 561014. Illumination fired, observed three VC
dressed in black & moving toward the lines, 10 rounds of M-79 and 30 rounds of 7.62 were fired in there direction with unknown results,
check of the area at 06:30 was conducted with Neg. Results. 11:15 Hrs.
8 January: Page 119.
Delta Co. Observed muzzle flashes from the right and left flank of Delta Co's lines, at the same time of muzzle flashes the Co. received
approximately 150 rounds of small arms fire from an unknown number of VC. From BT 558016. Returned 40 rounds of 7.62 1 M-79 & 30 .50
cal. with unknown results, SID's had picked up movement prior to receiving fire, search conducted of area with Neg. results. 21:30 Hrs.
9 January: Page 121.
Delta Co. Delivered 3 VCS. To BN. HQ. For trespassing in the area of BT 550021. 16:30 Hrs.
10 January: Page 123.
Delta Co. At 20:20 Hrs. At the base of OP # 10, a trip flare was activated at BS 564996. revealing 1 VC running south in the vicinity of
BS 563996. The OP fired 4 7.62 rounds at the VC with Neg. Results. 20:20 Hrs.
11 January: Page 25. Information Movement
Delta Co. Information gained from Vietnamese Nationals: The hamlet Chief of HAI NINH and VINH AN stated that a VC company was
operating within this area & in the vicinity of BT 620015.
12 January: Page 27. Information of VC Movement.
Delta Co. 5 to 10 VC is operating in the area of BT 658035. The VC forces the villagers to build fences and to provide lookouts. The
VC depart by boat and provide food and weapons to other VC in the areas from 17:00 Hrs. to 19:00 Hrs.
13 January: Page 129.
Delta Co. At 22:00 Hrs. Delta Co. Reported hearing moaning in the vicinity of BT 565011. Approximately 300 meters to their front,
illumination fired to make visual contact. When illumination burned out the lines received approximately 50 rounds of carbine fire
& approximately 15 rounds of .30 cal. rounds. Returned 75 rounds of 7.62 rounds with unknown results. 22:00 Hrs.
13 January: Page 129.
Delta Co. Outpost reported observing 2 VCS. Approximately ten feet in front the concertina wire in the vicinity of BS 551996. Outpost
fired 25 rounds of 7.62 and 2 M-79 rounds. Results of action taken unknown. Search of area conducted with Neg. Findings. 22:30 Hrs.
15 January: Page 132.
Delta Co. Apprehended 1 Vietnamese civilian at BT 555013 Per orders of General Platte for having a MPC in his possession. 10:00 Hrs.
16 January: Page 222. Information
Delta Co. Placed on a 5 hour alert for Operation ARC LITE.
19 January: Page 172.
Delta Co. Combat patrol received 50 rounds of automatic and semi automatic fire from 6 weapons, platoon returned fire with 300
rounds of 7.62 and 4 106 RR rounds and 10 M-79 rounds, search of area revealed blood trails indicating dead or wounded VC's. 19:45 Hrs.
20 January: Page 145.
Delta Co. Company command post approached by a group of civilians reporting that 3 VC were now located at the village of BINH
YEN NOI (4), a reinforced squad went to check out this report and returned with Neg. Contact. The patrol reported that a Mr. Phu
stated, the VC were in fact gone to the village of TRI BIN (4), he further stated that many VC were now returning home to celebrate Tet. 18:00 Hrs.
22 January: Page 149.
Delta Co. The company executive officer while listing to a privately owned Radio on band # 1 at 120 mc. Heard Vietnamese music interposed
with propaganda, stating that the Americans were being badly beaten in Vietnam. The announcer stated the program was sponsored by
American Imperialists, concluding the program with praise for Peiping Polly. 21:05 Hrs.
22 January: Page 48.
Delta Co. Combat/Recon patrol Plt. size left area at 12:30 Hrs. Returned with Neg. contact at 16:00 Hrs.
22 January: Page 48. Late Entry
Delta Co. Security patrol Plt. size left at 16:00 Hrs 21 January. Returned with Neg. contact at 16:00 Hrs. 22 January.
23 January: Page 44. Information
Delta Co. 1st Lt. D.M. Jordan assigned as acting Company Commander of Delta Company.
23 January: Page 50.
Delta Co. Plt size patrol left at 09:30 Hrs. Returned with Neg. contact at 13:30 Hrs.
24 January: Page 52.
Delta Co. Combat/Recon patrol Plt. size left at 12:30 Hrs. Returned with Neg. contact at 15:30 Hrs.
25 January: Page 54.
Delta Co. Combat/Recon patrol Plt. size left area at 09:00 Hrs. Returned with Neg. contact at 13:00 Hrs.
25 January: Page 155. Information to all units.
Delta Co. 1. The AO reported that he observed anti aircraft positions in the vicinity of BS 698974 with connecting trenches. 14:59 Hrs.
2. At BS 9559997 it was reported that two strands of communications wire had been cut in two places. At each of the two cuts approximately
100 yards of wire had been removed. 19:45 Hrs.
26 January: Page 56.
Delta Co. Recon patrol, squad size left area at 10:00 Hrs. Returned with normal observations at 11:30 Hrs.
31 January: Page 66.
Delta Co. Plt size combat patrol left area at 09:00 Hrs. Returned with Neg. contact at 12:30 Hrs.
End of Report
January Journal closed
