pursue them as it was getting late and we needed to get up the hill and dig in for the night. Also, it was a favorite tactic of the NVA to let a couple of their soldiers be seen, knowing we'd chase them, and draw us into an ambush they had set up, so we let them go.
When we set up for the night, my squad was set up in our fighting holes overlooking the Cam Lo River on the north side of the company perimeter. There were four people in my fighting hole, with one person on watch and the rest sleeping. When the shooting started, around 0100, I was asleep, wrapped up in my poncho. I woke up and immediately grabbed my M-16, helmet, magazines, frags, and flak jacket, then headed down to the hole as I was sleeping on the hill about ten feet above our fighting hole. It was a wet, cold, foggy, miserable night. We received small arms, machine gun, chicoms and RPG fire. The odd thing, I thought, was that for the entire night we were never on the receiving end of enemy artillery or mortar fire.
I soon realized that my military issue, glass-lens eyeglasses were cracked and broken. It must have happened when I grabbed my gear. So, under fire, I crawled back up to my pack and retrieved my extra pair of glasses. I figured we were in for a long night, and I didn’t want to be half blind to boot. It turned out to be a long, sleepless night, just one of many during my 13-month tour of duty.
We received artillery support and flares from a nearby firebase, probably The Rockpile (Payable) or Vandergrift FSB. Artillery support was very good and was called in all night, 'danger close' in many instances. The flares, on a dark, foggy night, are very eerie! The sound of the canisters spinning to the ground as the flares swung back and forth hanging from their parachutes caused the shadows to sway from side to side. This makes it appear that everything you look at is moving. This can be very confusing and it is an experience one never forgets. Since we were fogged in, we received no air support, nor could choppers get in to medevac the dead and wounded until the next morning.
At about 0200 there was a large explosion about thirty meters to my right. Sappers had thrown a satchel charge almost right on top of one of our fighting holes (I was later told that the Marines in the hole were smoking and that gave away their position). That was when our perimeter was breached. The NVA soldiers rushed in and took over one or two of our fighting holes. They started yelling, “Corpsman up!” Not knowing it was a trap, our corpsman, ran to help. They riddled him with AK-47 fire. A squad from third platoon was outside the perimeter on an ambush and was recalled. I believed they helped, along with other marines on the perimeter, to retake the holes from the NVA. The next morning, I helped load “Doc Scotty” on the medevac chopper. We had no body bags, so we loaded him and about fifteen other KIAs on to the CH-46 wrapped in ponchos. There were at least fifteen entrance wounds in Doc Scotty’s body. We also found five NVA bodies about twenty feet in front of our fighting hole. We had taken them out with a claymore.
At some point in the night a member of my fire team was wounded by a piece of shrapnel which hit him on the side of his face. He crawled up the CP to get it fixed up, and then he returned to the perimeter. However, he was put in a fighting hole about ten meters behind my hole, sort of a second line of defense. I still had his weapon and ammo, so I crawled up to his new hole to give it to him. On the way back, a piece of shrapnel from an RPG hit me in my leg. It wasn’t too bad, and I just pulled it out and returned to the fight. I never reported it as there were no Corpsmen left and everyone else was busy trying to stay alive. A few days later, the company was pulled out of the bush and sent to Quang Tri as Third Marines were being pulled out of Vietnam. By this time my leg had become infected. I was treated for the infection there, and eventually went back to 'the bush' as I stayed in country and finished my tour with India 3/7, 1st MarDiv.
1st Lt. James P. Rigoulot reported that the battle area was littered with pieces of enemy weapons and body parts. "One machine-gun-hole had 13 gooks stacked up in front of it," Rigoulot said. "That gun probably saved us from being overrun, they were right on us. The area was literally infested with them."
In the end there were 64 NVA KIA, 13 USMC KIA, 3 USN KIA, 23 USMC WIA and 1 USN WIA. Captured were 2 RPDs, 1 RPG2, 1 RPG7, 10 AK 47s, 1 RPG7 sight, 1 unexploded satchel charge, 76 Chicom grenades, and 124 filled AK47 magazines. (This info is from the 3/3 command chronology)
By Bob Durand L/3/3 1969
I was a Lance Corporal serving in third platoon, Lima 3/3, Third Marine Division, at the time. Before we set in for the night, we went on a patrol, down near the river below hill 154. Hill 154 was an anonymous hill in the Razorback Valley, about six clicks south of the DMZ and four and a half clicks NNW of The Rockpile. While on that patrol, our point element spotted a couple of NVA running into the jungle, but it was decided not to
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3rd Marine Regiment Command Chronology
JOURNAL SUMMARY
0910H In the area of XD956627 elements of Co. I fired 81mm mortars on a suspected enemy position and observed 3 secondary explosions.
0030-0145 In the area of XD965616 elements of Co I heard 28-30 rounds impact near FSB Mack.
1000H In the area of XD942673 an AO observed new bunkers. Called artillery on the area which resulted in 13 bunkers and 2 50cal pits destroyed, and 1 NVA KIA.
1400H In the area of SC946601 elements of Co M observed 1 NVA stringing wire on a trail. He was killed by the company. The wire led to 2 Claymore mines 100m from Co M's perimeter. Results were 1 NVA KIA, 2 Chicom grenades, 1 NVA canteen, 1 grenade pouch, 1 belt, 1 medical kit, 6 Chicom Claymores, 12 blasting caps, 1 letter, 1 newspaper captured.
1650H In the area of XD963624 elements of Co I observed 1 NVA and called 81mm mortars and artillery with unknown results.
1900H In the area of XD 942616 elements of Co M observed 14 60mm rounds impact 400m from their position. Mortar and artillery fire was return with unknown results.
0530-0800H In the area of XD961617 elements of Co I heard move-ment around their position. At 0630 1 NVA thought to be point for a larger unit was spotted and taken under fire. Artillery and 3 flights of fixed wing was called in on the area. Results were 3 NVA POW, 2 AK47's, 1 RPG, 100 AK-47 rounds, 3 RPG rounds, 39 Chicoms, 4 AK-47 magazines, 5 canteens, 4 belts, 1 knife, 2 knife sheaths, 3 gas masks, 5 battle dressings, and documents and letters. POW's were medivaced.
1030H In the area of XC946602 elements of Co M found a Claymore mine tied in a tree with wire leading down a trail to 7 fighting holes. Area was searched resulting in 1 claymore, 2 packs, 1 Chicom, 2 gas masks, 2 bowls, 2 sets of utilities, 1 first aid pack, 2 helmets and documents.
1440H In the area of XD978637 elements of Co I observed 4 rounds 60mm mortar impact 500m from their position. Artillery and 1 flight of fixed wing was called in on the suspected enemy position. AO observed 2 secondary explosions caused by the artillery.
1600H In the area of XD967637 elements of Co I observed 2 rounds of 60mm mortar impact 800m from their position. Artillery and 2 flights of fixed wing was called in on the suspected enemy position. AO observed 2 secondary explosions caused by the artillery.
1700H In the area of XD978637 and XD955635 an AO directed 2 flights of fixed wing and 2 artillery missions. The results were3 fighting holes destroyed, 12 bunkers destroyed, 4 secondary explosions.
1900H In the area of XD969*** elements of Co I received 45 rounds of 82mm mortar from at least 2 mortars. Artillery was call in and AO adjusted.
0730H In the area of SC982612 elements of Co I found 3 RPG launcher carrying cases and destroyed them.
0725H In the area of XD982547 Elliot Combat Base received one 122mm rocket. Crater analysis was taken. AO directed artillery mission.
1845H In the area of XD974616 elements of Co I saw 2 NVA moving south. Artillery mission called in with unknown results.
1410H In the area of XD968618 elements of Co I found 1 60mm mortar round (US) tied to a tree with detonating cord. Cord led to a clump of leaves about 25 down the trail. Engineers blew round in place.
1720H In the area of XD974615 elements of Co I observed 2 NVA. Mortars and artillery were called in with unknown results. AO observed.
1730H In the area of XD973597 elements of Co K found an M16 rifle #552413. Rifle was sent to the rear.
1807H In the area of XD975623 elements of Co I observed 2 NVA walking east on trail. Artillery was called in with unknown results.
No significant events.
0833H In the area of XD963628 AO observed 2 new bunkers. Fresh trail and tunnel was observed. Negative action was taken due to present restrictions.
1820H In the area of XD945621 elements of Co I observed 6 NVA in utilities. Negative action was taken due to present restrictions.
1915H In the area of XD978558 elements of radio relay team observed one NVA headed northeast. Team threw grenades and fired M79 HE rounds. Result was 1 NVA canteen.
0735H In the area of XD950621 elements of Co I were ambushed by an NVA squad using command detonated booby traps and small arms. Co I returned fire with small arms, M60, 60mm mortar, and M79 and withdrew. AO ran * flights of fixed wing. Artillery and 81mm mortars were fired on * NVA in bunkers. Results were 1 USMC KIA, 7 NVA KIA, 1AKM, 20 Chicoms, 24 blocks TNT, 11 RPG rounds, 8 blasting caps, 360KS* rounds, 3 RPG boosters, 100 machinegun rounds, 7 AK47 magazines, 1 machinegun magazine, 3 gas masks, 2 helmets, 100 yards of electric wire, 4 first aid boxes, 1 mortar level, 8 packs, 200 yards rope, 2 canteens, 1 set demolition trip device, food including 21 protein bars, and documents and letters.
1620H In the area of XD946624 elements of Co I received 4 rounds of sniper fire. An AO checked the area with negative results.
0908H In the area of SC968616 elements of Co I observed 1 NVA and took him under fire with 60mm mortars. An AO ran a flight of fixed wing and called in artillery with unknown results.
0815 In the area of XD993601 elements of Co I observed footprints of 5 men heading west on a trail. Swept area with negative results.
1810H In the area of XD993601 elements of Co K made contact with 4-5 NVA, who retreated northwest. Artillery and fixed wing were called in with unknown results.
1830H In the area of XD949621 elements of Co K received 50 60mm mortar rounds over a period of 2 hours. Artillery and C47 gunship were called in with unknown results. There were 1 Marine KIA and 5 WIA.
1830H In the area of XD954621 elements of Co K received 10 82mm mortar rounds from what appeared to be 2 positions. Artillery and 81mm mortar fire was returned with unknown results. There were 1 USMC KIA and 4 WIA.
1200H In the area of XD952594 elements of Co M found 22 82mm mortar rounds laced in shallow holes. The rounds were destroyed in place.
1350H In the area of XD942605 elements of Co L found protein bar wrappers approximately 1-2 days old. Also sighted 1 NVA moving north and fired on him with unknown results.
1905H In the area of XD944310 elements of Co L stopped as a scout do alerted. AM60 was brought up and the NVA opened fire with small arms, Chicoms, and RPG's. The point withdrew and began to receive 82mm mortar. Artillery, 81mm mortars, and C47 gunship was called in on the enemy position. Results of the contact were 1NVA KIA, 2 USMC KIA, and 19 USMC WIA. Captured were 100 AK47 rounds, 5 RPG rounds, 12 Chicom grenades, 1 Chicom Claymore, 10 packs, 6 E tools, 40lb rice, 6 gasmasks, 2 helmets, 60 blasting caps, and 2 RPD drums.
0715H In the area of XD945617 elements of Co L were fired on by 2 NVA with AK47's. The NVA then ran into a draw. An AO ran fixed wing on the are with unknown results.
0735H In the area of XD008565 elements of Co I road sweep team found 8 Chicom Claymores, 2 packs, 1 NVA poncho, and 1 NVA flag. All gear was retrieved by elements of another unit.
1312H In the area of XD945623 elements of Co K observed 5 NVA in the open. An AO ran fixed wing on the enemy with unknown results.
1545 In the area of XD953[679?] elements of Co K received 6 rounds of 82mm mortar. An AO ran fixed wing on the enemy position with unknown results.
1600H In the area of XD934618, XD944617, and XD949634 and AO ran 7 flights of fixed wing killing 1 NVA, 1 A/W pit destroyed, 2 sustained fires, 2 secondary explosions, and 3 bunkers damaged.
0830H In the area of XD950621 elements of Co K were ambushed by a reinforced NVA platoon. The enemy used 30cal machinegun, AK47's, Chicoms, RPG's, and Claymore mines hung in trees. Forty-five minutes after contact, the unit began to receive 60mm mortar rounds for a period of 4 hours, totaling 50 rounds. The unit pulled back and called in artillery, 81mm mortars, gunships, and fixed wing. Results of the contact were 8NVA KIA, 4 USMC KIA, and 36 USMC WIA.
0845 In the area of XD964598 elements of Co L observed 1 NVA moving northeast. Artillery and mortars were used on the NVA with unknown results.
1000H In the are of XD956633 an AO ran 5 flights of fixed wing resulting in 11 bunkers destroyed, 1 50cal pit destroyed, and 1 NVA KBA.
1730H In the area of XD974615 elements of Co M received 12 82mm mortar rounds just outside their perimeter. An AO was called and ran artillery on the area with unknown results.
0030H In the area of XD951597 elements of Co L were subject to a heavy ground attack. The NVA initiated fire using RPG and Chicoms. At 0205H the perimeter was breached by the NVA. The perimeter was reestablished but the unit continued to receive heavy volumes of small arms fire, Chicoms, RPG's and machinegun fire from the northeast. Under the fire the enemy crawled to within 10 feet of the perimeter but were repulsed. Results of the contact were 23 NVA KIA, 13 USMC KIA, 3 USN KIA, 23 USMC WIA, and 1 USN WIA. Captured were 2 RPD's, 1 RPG3, 1 RPG7, 10 AK47's, 1 RPG7 sight, 1 satchel charge, and 16 Chicom grenades.
0850H In the area of XD 944618 elements of Co I, 3/4 landed at LZ Cardinal and moved south to set up a blocking force. At 1320H the point made contact with an unknown size enemy force resulting in 5 Marines KIA and 17 WIA. The unit then pulled back to XD944613. Medevac helicopters were called in and at 1409H the unit began to receive more enemy fire resulting in 2 Marine KIA and 8 WAI. An AO was called and it directed artillery and gunships with unknown results. The weather hindered the AO's vision.
1350H In the area of XD****** elements of Co M made point contact with a small enemy force. The enemy was fired upon and the area swept with negative results.
1410H In the area of XD953526 elements of Co L searched area of ground attack on 170030H and found 41 NVA KIA, 60 Chicom grenades, and 124 filled AK47 magazines. The ordnance was destroyed.
1600H In the area of XD944611 elements of Co I, 3/4 searched area of 170850H contact and found 7 NVA KIA, 1 60mm mortar, 1 AK47, 193 Chicom grenades, 5 Chicom Claymores, 17 AK47 magazines, 18 helmets, 23 packs, 20 gasmasks, 1 Chicom gas grenade, and 3 RPD drums. The gear was destroyed.
0430H In the area of XD955593 elements of Co L received a heavy volume of Chicoms from an estimated platoon of NVA. A 0610H Co L received Chicoms and RPG's from the enemy that were very close to perimeter. At 0750 Co M, 2/3, pursued an enemy squad downstream and reported heavy blood trails. At 0752 Co L again received RPG's and also 60mm mortar rounds. Results were 1 USMC KIA, 8 USMC WIA and 3 NVA KIA.
0900H In the area of XD968617 elements of Co K observed 20 NVA carrying 2 oblong objects which appeared to be recoilless rifles. Artillery was called in with unknown results.
1130H In the area of XD956598 elements of Co M found the following gear scattered around the hilltop: 1 M16 rifle, 1 satchel charge, 75 Chicoms, 5 NVA gas masks, 20 AK47 magazines, 1 NVA radio antenna, medical gear, and 10 RPG rounds with increments and fuses.
0945H - 1115H In the area of XD997614 elements of Co K observed 10 rounds of 60mm mortar which landed approximately 150 meters from their perimeter. Artillery was called in on the suspected enemy position with unknown results.
Operation Idaho Canyon terminated.
