Operation Starlite Revisited

SEQ#

DATE

TIME

BLT 3/3

COORD

Action(s)

CC PG #

WIA

KIA

1.000

08/17/65

1000H

Mike

BT 650034

Company M which landed by LVT across a beach to the North in the

65-08-091

1.001

LVT Amtrac(s)

vicinity of X BT 650034 D-1 at 1710000H and commenced overland

65-08-102

1.002

F/O 81mm

by foot. The remainder of the BLT embarked aboard amphibious

1.003

F/O "C" 1/12

shipping and sailed for the objective area during the afternoon and

1.003

3d Eng.

night of 17 August 1965. Note: Estimate of 4 or 5 LVT's utilized.

65-08-084

1.004

Notation:

Note: Individual attached Units described on CC page 070.

65-08-070

1.005

Notation:

It is assumed that the Attached Units assigned to a Company

1.006

remained with that Company. Only the primary Company will be

1.007

plotted on the map once originally plotted... to save space.

1.100

08/17/65

1100H

Mike

BT 650034

Msg: M Co on the beach

65-08-136

1.101

Other:INCIDENTS, MESSAGES,ORDERS pgs.(Radio Logs)

1.200

08/17/65

1127H

Mike

BT 645025

Msg: M Co now searching village of TUYET DIEM #2

65-08-136

1.201

Other:INCIDENTS, MESSAGES,ORDERS pgs.(Radio Logs)

1.300

08/17/65

1430H

Mike

BT 657998

Found (1) M-1 and (1) grenade w/out pin in "C" ration can at

65-08-102

1.301

BS657998, it was destroyed.

1.302

VC SNIPER

BS 663007

Receiving two (2) sniper rnds from approx. BS663007at 171430H.

65-08-102

1.303

08/17/65

1438H

Mike

BT 657998

Msg: pres loc 657988 records 2 sniper rds entire

65-08-136

1.304

area appears deserted M-1 Booby Trap

1.305

Other:INCIDENTS, MESSAGES,ORDERS pages.

1.306

(Radio Logs) Log indictaed 677988

1.400

08/17/65

1505H

Mike

BT 652005

One (1) man was slightly wounded by Booby Trap. Unable to I.D.

65-08-102

1U/I

1.401

VC Booby Trap

BT 652005

At BT 652005 at 171505H.

65-08-102

1.402

Notation:

Other: NO WOUNDED Documented for 8/17/65.

1.500

08/17/65

1856H

Mike

BT 667995

M Co spent night at BT 667995 where we received two (2) sniper

65-08-102

1.501

VC SNIPER

BT 675007

rounds which came from the NE from a long range. APPROX. Coord.

65-08-102

1.502

08/17/65

1856H

Mike

BT 667995

Msg: M - Night pos at 666996 will move at 0100H

65-08-136

1.503

Other:INCIDENTS, MESSAGES,ORDERS pages.

1.504

(Radio Logs) Log indictaed 666996 not 667995

2.000

08/18/65

0420H

Mike

BT 683971

Established blocking force.

65-08-091

2.001

Moved out at 180100H and proceeded to BT683971 arriving at 0420H.

65-08-102

2.002

The area was secured and the Company proceeded to dig in.

2.003

08/18/65

0930H

HELO UH34D(s)

Note: (6) Howtar's from Whiskey Battery delivered to Mike Company.

65-08-102

2.004

08/18/65

0930H

Howtar107mm

Delivery of Howtar(s) started to arrive at 0930H.

65-08-102

2.005

08/18/65

0930H

Howtar107mm

Confirmed (6) Howtar's delivered via crewman pictured in photo.

65-08-102

3.000

08/18/65

0730H

India

BS 718922

Remaing BLT landed across southern portion Beach Green.

65-08-095

3.001

08/18/65

0700H

Kilo

Other:India on left (Beach Green One) - Kilo on right (Beach Green

65-08-098

3.002

08/18/65

0700H

Lima

BS 718924

Two) in LVT's. Lima in reserve landed in LCU8's and LCM8's.

65-08-100

3.003

08/18/65

0630h

BLT 3/3 BN CP

Note: 3/3 Bn Command Group landed with I/K/L 3/3.

65-08-070

3.004

08/18/65

0630h

NOTES:

India:F/O 81mm - F/O "C" 1/12 - 3d Eng. - FAC Team. Kilo:F/O 81mm

3.005

08/18/65

0630h

Attached Unit

F/O "C" 1/12 - 3d Eng. - NGF Tm 3/12. Lima:F/O 81mm - F/O "C" 1/12.

3.006

08/18/65

0630h

To Company's:

BLT 3/3: H&S(-) - NGF Tm 3/12 - Art. Lia Tm 1/12 - 3d Eng.

3.007

See # 1.004/5

See notation in paragraphs 1.004 and 1.005 - Applies.

3.008

08/18/65

0630h

LVT Amtrac(s)

LCM (s) + LCU(s) NOTE: Each "Wave" is plotted on the Map.

65-08-070

3.009

NOTE:

Information obtained from the CC pages C65-08-081/082/083/084.

4.000

08/18/65

0630+h

India

BS 717922

A large charge of explosives set off in front of "I" Co, with no effect. The

65-08-091

4.001

company pushed on through the sub-hamlet of An Cuong (1).

4.002

08/18/65

0630+h

Kilo

BS 715924

Kilo moved thru N. edge of An Cuong (1) and secured Hill 22.

65-08-091

4.003

Then moved to BS 708928.

4.004

08/18/65

0630+h

Kilo

BS 715924

Kilo Co. 1st 2nd &3rd Plt. Set up in night defensive positions. After

65-08-098

4.005

08/18/65

0630+h

NGF Tm 3/12

setting in Naval gunfire was called in on enemy troops concentrations

65-08-098

4.006

located at BS714947 to BS718945. Arty also called in but never on trgt.

4.007

08/18/65

0630+h

VC F ( ? )

BS 714947

BS 714947- BS 718945 plotted on map. (Area of artillary fire.)

65-08-098

4.008

VC F ( ? )

BS718945

Note: Number of enemy troops not mentioned. Plotted on map.

5.000

08/18/65

0630+h

Lima

BS 715924

Lima (2nd wave) rec'd heavy s/a fire the from r/flank. (2) Marines WIA

65-08-091

2

5.001

Other:Co's I and K continued movement westward.

6.000

08/18/65

0630+h

Kilo

BS 708928

Kilo to NE to vic. 708928

65-08-091

6.001

Other:Kilo Toward Phase Line APPLE to BS711939

6.002

08/18/65

0630+h

BLT 3/3 BN CP

BS 711939

India Co. 3/3 rejoined "K" Co. 3/3 at approx BS 711939 and the 3/3

65-08-096

6.003

Kilo

BN Headquarters Group at the Bn CP. India Co. was ordered to

6.004

India

board Amtracs and Ontos and return to BS 720928.

6.005

LVT Amtrac(s)

Note: No mention of how many LVT's and Ontos were used to take

6.006

Ontos BCo.3rd

India & Kilo to BS720928.

6.007

08/18/65

0630+h

BLT 3/3 Supply

BS 720928

BLT 3/3 Supply point was set up by the Battalion Executive Officer.

65-08-096

7.000

08/18/65

0630+h

India

BS 702922

Company "I" executed flanking movement to the northeast. Air strike

65-08-091

7.001

0730+h

to right flank. (2) superficial WIA's from fragments sustained.

65-08-095

2

7.002

Other:India taken under heavy s/a fire from left flank in the 2/4 zone

7.003

of action at BS 703923. Company was directed to attack the

7.004

source of fire - An Cuong (2) BS 701928 reinforced by

7.005

tanks and commenced attack across the stream.

8.000

08/18/65

1115h

India

BS 701928

India - During the action C/O Co. I was KIA by enemy frag.

65-08-091

6

1

8.001

Grenade. (3) members of his party were WIA. Also rec'd.

65-08-092

8.002

60mm mortar fire and (3) more WIA.

8.003

6 WIA 1 KIA noted. India Co. returned to the 3/3 zone of action.

8.004

08/18/65

1115h

VMO-2 UH-1E

BS 700928

Disabled UH-1E landed near Company I positions and ten (10)

65-08-096

8.005

Tank ID? (#3 )

Marines with three tanks were left behind to guard aircraft. This was

8.006

India (10men)

Gen. Victor H. "Brute" Krulak's Huey. Gas tank hit by VC fire.

8.007

08/18/65

1115+h

Kilo

BS 714938

At this time Company "K" receiving heavy volume of automatic fire in

65-08-092

8.008

the vacinity of BS 714938 and went into the attack to overcome the

8.009

resistance.

9.000

08/18/65

1225H

LVT Amtrac(s)

BS 698932

At this time five (5) LVT's full of supplies (rations, water) were

65-08-092

9.001

under small arms,mortar, recoilless rifle fire as they were trying to

9.002

reach the battalion postion.

9.003

08/18/65

1305H

India

BS 720928

At 1305h "I" Co was dispatched to assist the LVT's. #76

65-08-096

9.004

Tank ID# A34

One (1) Tank in lead, followed by five (5) Amtracs and five (5) Ontos.

65-08-096

9.005

LVT Amtrac(s)

As we got to the top of the ridge line at BS703927 the lead Tank was

9.006

Ontos BCo.3rd

hit by a 57mm RR and stopped. Several 81mm mortar rounds dropp-

9.007

ed in on our position. Attended the wounded and called for helo evac.

9.008

Result of mortar fire on the Amtracs resulted in five (5) KIA and

17

5

9.009

seventeen (17) WIA. Tank ID# via Col. Ray Stewart posting.

10.000

08/18/65

1400H

India

BS 703927

Company "I" taken under heavey fire wch. inflicted several casualties.

65-08-092

?

10.001

1500H

Golf 2/4

BS 683971

Co "G" 2/4 arrived at 1500H and set in to the West of the Company M.

65-08-102

10.002

1500+H

"B" 3d Eng

BS 718928

Very large cave network found. Later blown by Engineers.

65-08-100

10.003

Lima

BS 718928

Lima received one (1) WIA wounded slightly left upper arm. Not evac.

65-08-100

1

10.004

VC F (20 )

BS 720939

Lima reports in excess of 20 VC seen moving on Hill45

65-08-100

10.005

1500+H

ONTOS "B" Co.

BS 718934

Ontos Plt. arrived between Phase Line Apple and Banana and the hill

65-08-100

10.006

was raked with good accuracy. No further fire encountered. 718934

65-08-100

10.007

Lima

BS 724937

Lima Co. 2nd & 3rd Plt. atop Hill 45. 724937

65-08-100

11.000

08/18/65

1525H

Kilo

BS 713942

Continued their attack to the north and company "K" became

65-08-092

11.001

Lima

engaged in a fire fight which resulted in several friendly casualties,

?

11.002

BLT 3/3 BN CP

however Companies "K" and "L" assaulted the hill and established

11.003

a perimeter of defense at about 1550H. BLT 3/3 CP established

11.004

08/18/65

1525H+

VMO-2 UH-1E

BS 700928

Crew of downed UH-1 Gunship repaired the gas leaks and dropped

65-08-096

11.005

the rocket pods to be blown by security personnel. Pods blown.

11.006

Company "I" recovered the 10 Marines at the downed UH-1E.

65-08-096

12.000

08/18/65

1550+H

Hotel 2/4

BS 703923

A platoon of Company H 2d Battalion 4th Marines that was pinned

65-08-092

12.001

down by emeny fire and was continuing to advance to reach the

12.002

LVT's but was suffering rather heavy casualties which impeded

?

12.003

their progress somewhat.

13.000

08/18/65

1600H

India

BS 701931

Two squads of India 3/3 and 1 Plt H 2/4 joined by 3 tanks advanced

65-08-096

15

2

13.001

Hotel 2/4

North to 701931 where they engageg a large force of VC.

13.002

Tank ID? (3 )

After suffering several casualties they withdrew to 702927.

13.003

VC F (? )

Fifteen (15) WIA & two (2) KIA. Unknown number of VC forces.

14.000

08/18/65

1600H

L 3/7

BS 708927

Company "L" 3rd Bn. 7th Marines landed vicinity and were assigned

65-08-092

14.001

VTR M-51

to OPCON of BLT 3/3.Reinforced with a light section of tanks and a

14.002

tank

tank retriever from Company "B" 1st Tank Battalion were assigned

14.003

tank

the mission of effecting juncture with Company "I" 3d Bn 3d Marines

14.004

tank

vicinity BS 700930.

15.000

08/18/65

1730H

L 3/7

BS 702929

Company "L" 3d Bn. 7th Maines with 2 platoons abreast followed by

65-08-092

15.001

tank

the tanks. As they approached the preassigned juncture point they

15.002

tank

came under extremely heavy small arms and mortar fire from the

15.003

tank

west. The Company continued its attempt to cross the open rice

15.004

paddy in the area but was unable to do so because of the intense

15.005

enemy fire.

15.006

NOTE: There is no coordinates given for L 3/7's attempt to cross the

15.007

open rice paddy and have plotted #15 ? as the most likely location.

15.008

Probable coordinates: BS 702929

16.000

08/18/65

1730+H

L 3/7

BS 698926

As darkness fell patrols were dispatched to the N and the W to locate

65-08-092

16.001

(1) LVT

Company I , the tanks, and the LVT's. The patrol to the N was un-

16.002

Tank ID? (1 )

successful; the patrol to the West returned and reported locating one

16.003

burning tank and one disabled LVT.

16.004

Note: The (5) LVT's were known to be at BS 698932 but L 3/7 patrol

16.005

located (1) burning tank and a disabled LVT at BS 698926.

16.006

BLT 3/3 BN CP

BS 713942

A decision was made to execute a night movement of Company "L"

16.007

3rd Bn, 7th Marines to the BLT 3/3 perimeter.

17.000

08/18/65

1730+H

Tank ID? (2 )

BS 698932

At the same time two tanks formerly in support of Company "H" 2d Bn

65-08-092

17.001

4th Marines moved to the resupply LVT's to increase the defensive

17.002

capability in that area.

17.003

08/18/65

1930H

India

BS 698927

(2) Platoons of "I" 3/3 advanced west to 698927 and engaged VC

65-08-096

17.004

BS 700930

forces at 700930 resulting in one (1) KIA and one (1) WIA. VC 6 KIA.

65-08-097

1

17.005

VC broke contact and a helicopter evac was conducted for 2 casualies.

17.006

08/18/65

1930+H

India

BS 704927

Unable to locate Supply train and ordered to return to 704927 where "I"

65-08-097

17.007

Hotel 2/4

Co 2nd Plt and a Plt from "H" 2d Bn 4th Marines were located.

17.008

08/18/65

2300H

Tank ID? (2 )

BS 698932

Note: Coordinates not mentioned in CC's but the (5) resupply LVT's

65-08-092

17.009

rptd. as located at BS 698932. See # 9.0 (2) Tanks arr. Appr.2300h

18.000

08/19/65

0130H

BLT 3/7 Bn CP

BS 713942

Company "L" 3d Bn. 7th Maines arrived Bn. Perimeter at 190130H.

65-08-092

18.001

BLT 3/3 BN CP

Note: Bn CP established at BS 713942. See # 11.005

18.002

0145H

India

BS 700930

Note: Company "I" remained in village in contact with the VC until

65-08-097

18.003

0145+H

VC F (6 )

BS 704927

190145H when it began it's return to the Battalion secondary

18.004

0345H

India

BS 704927

Command Post arriving at 190500H. (Probable Coordinates)

18.005

08/19/65

0500H

India

BS 713942

Return back hampered by illumination. (6) VC killed vincinity 704927.

65-08-097

18.006

Hotel 2/4

Gathered 2nd Plt "I" Co. an Plt of H 2/4 and back to Regimental CP.

18.007

08/19/65

0630+H

Mike

BS 700975

(1) Plt Mike Co. 3/3 sent out to establish an outpost at BS 700975. 2/4

65-08-102

18.008

0630+H

F-4 Phantom(s)

BS 700975

called in airstrike thinking they were VC. F4 phantom(s) dropped (3)

65-08-102

18.009

250Lb Bomb(s)

BS 700975

250lb. Bombs. Falling within 100 meters from Plt. No one was hurt.

19.000

08/19/65

0130H

L 3/7

BS 713942

Company "L" 3d Bn 7th Marines upon arrival at BLT 3/3 area was

65-08-102

19.001

intergrated into the defensive perimeter for the night.

19.002

08/19/65

0700H

BLT 3/3 BN CP

BS 715958

BLT 3/3 was assigned the mission of continuing the attack to the sea

65-08-093

19.003

08/19/65

0700H

Kilo

BS 715958

in zone. The Bn. Jumped off to the north with Co. "K" 3/3 on the left.

65-08-093

19.004

The zone of action was prepared with naval gunfire and artillery

19.005

prior to the commencement of the attack.

19.006

The Bn. Moved toward the beach against sporadic resistance.

19.007

NOTE: BS 715958 Is not mentioned but is most likely coordinates.

20.000

08/19/65

0700+H

Kilo

BS 726952

Company "L" 3d Bn 3d Marines on the right. See# 21 as well.

65-08-101

20.001

Lima

Kilo/Lima 3/3 & L 3/7 sweeping to the sea. 1st &3rd Plt L 3/3 across

20.002

L 3/7

sand dunes. 2nd Plt. L 3/3 joined. "L" 3/3 received mortar fire. A round

20.003

landed in 2nd Plt (1) KIA (11) WIA as well as (2) WIA Corpsmen.

13

1

20.004

08/19/65

0700+H

VC

BS 712957

As the force reached Phase Line CHERRY Company "L" 3d Bn 3d

65-08-093

20.005

Marines, Company "K" 3d Bn 3d Marines and the Battalion Command

20.006

group came under intense s/a and mortar fire from BS712957.

20.007

The battalion moved quickly to the dune line just inboard of the beach

20.008

and returned fire. Note: See #19. Artillery and air strikes were called

20.009

in on the VC positions and the fire ceased. (BS712957).

21.000

08/19/65

1710H

L 3/7

BS 713943

After intensive preparation of the zone of action by air, artillery, and

65-08-093

21.001

Lima

naval gunfire, BLT 3/3 continued the attack to the south with Company

21.002

Kilo

"L" 3d Bn 7th Marines on the left, Company "L" 3d Bn 3d Marines in

21.003

BLT 3/3 BN CP

the center and Company "K" 3d Bn 3d Marines on the right. On arrival

21.004

at phase Line Banana the BLT estab. defensive perimeter. Co. "K" 3d

21.005

1855H

Bn 3d Marines and Co. "L" 3d Bn 3d Marines closed at approx. 1855H

21.006

Co. "L" 3rd Bn 7th Marines delayed due to heat casualties. A Plt. from

21.007

"L" 3/3 was attached to the Company and the entire unit arrived in to

21.008

2140H

the BLT area at 2140H. A defensive posture was maintained during the

21.009

night with heavy H & I fires being provided by artillery and naval gunfire.

22.000

08/20/65

0600+H

Kilo

BS 718922

The following morning patrols were sent out from each company to

65-08-093

22.001

Lima

locate any by-passed VC pockets of resistence. All returned reporting

22.002

BLT 3/3 BN CP

no contact.

22.003

1050H

At approx. 1050H Co. "K" 3d Bn 3d Marines, Co. "L" 3d Bn. 3d Marines

22.004

and the Executive officers group commenced movement southward

22.005

1240H

toward Beach GREEN arriving without incident at 1240H.

22.006

Note: BS 718922 not mentioned but is Beach GREEN. See #3

22.007

L 3/7

TheCommanding Officer Group. Company "L" 3d Bn 7th Marines and

22.008

ONTOS "B" Co.

the 3d Plat. Company "B", 3d AT Bn. remained to receive BLT 1/7 and

22.009

guide them into position.

23.001

08/20/65

1330H

BLT 1/7

BS 718922

BLT 1/7 commenced landing at approximately 1330H and the

65-08-093

23.002

1440H

Kilo

Commanding Officers Group of BLT 3/3 commenced movement to

23.003

1550+H

Lima

Beach GREEN at 1440H arriving at 1550H.

23.004

08/20/65

1500H

Kilo

BS 727924

Company "K" to Beach Green. Commenced back loading.

65-08-098

23.005

Note: BS 718922 not mentioned but is Beach GREEN. See #22

24.000

08/20/65

1330+H

BLT 3/3 BN CP

BS 718922

RETRACTION FOLLOWED SHORTLY AND THE BLT SET SAIL FOR

65-08-093

24.001

Kilo

CHU LAI ABOARD LST1161.

24.002

Lima

Note: BS 718922 not mentioned but is Beach GREEN. See #23

25.001

08/20/65

1835H

Mike

BS 673974

No further action took place on the 20th and Mike Co. 3/3 started re-

65-08-102

25.002

traction by HELO at 1835H and the last unit arrived back in the BN

25.003

area at 1925H. REMARKS: Forcing troops to keep spread out pays off.

25.004

Only one man was wounded by the tripped booby trap.

25.005

Helo extrations probable coordinates at BS 673974 (Capt. Morris).

26.000

08/20/65

1700H

India

BS 718922

We stayed at the Regiment CP the 19th of August and retracted

26.001

around 1700 20 August 1965.