Sunday, December 6, 2015

Operation Allen Brook--May, 1968


Operation Allen Brook--Status Report

..




U. S. Marines, Warplanes Hit
North Vietnamese Force Hard

By EDWIN Q. WHITE Associated Press Writer SAIGON (AP) - U.S. Ma- rines and warplanes hammered Friday at an elite North Viet- namese force fighting with its back to a river 18 miles south of Da Nang, Leatherneck head- quarters in the North. It was the second straight day of furious fighting there and field reports said casualties numbered 130 enemy and 25 Ma- rine dead. This put the toll for two days at 261 North Viet- namese and 51 Marines killed. “Allen Brook” The battle is part of a mission named Operation Allen Brook launched May 4 aimed at crush- ing strong North Vietnamese forces threatening Da Nang and I-Ioi An, provincial capital to the south. The strength of the North Vietnamese was shown Sunday when about 5,000 oi them over- ran the fortified outpost oi Kham Duc, about a dozen miles southwest of the present battle. I Associated Press correspond- ent John T. Wheeler reported from Da Nang that the Marines had identified the enemy south of Da Nang as elements of the 308th North Vietnamese Divi- sion, crack outfit that took part in the final assault on Dien Bien Phu in the closing stage of the French war in Indochina. The North Vietnamese were fighting from bunkers in a vil- lage complex with their backs to an arm of the Thu Bon River. Despite the heavy pounding, they were still blazing away with rockets, machine guns and small arms as night fell. To get into position to attack, the Marines were forced to pick their way through a thick mine field laid down on the ap- proaches to the village complex. While the Marine action was the heaviest reported across the country, it was disclosed by the U.S. command that the month- long allied drive into the A Shau Valley had been ended. The valley about 55 miles west of Da Nang, stretches for 25 miles along the border of Laos southwest of the old capi- tal of Hue. It has been the ene- See MARINES on Page 2




(OCR DECODED--UNEDITED)--
 

Continued From Page One
my's largest storage site
South Vietnam.

Allied troops entered the val-
ley April 19 for the first time in
more than two years in an oper-
ation described as a reconnais-
sance in force.

Lt. Gen. William B. Rosson.
provisional corps commander,
Qannounced that the major por-

AQ-......_-
l
A drawing from the valley several
‘days ago. The operation was
said to have terminated official-
ly Friday. but other details
were withheld on grounds of se-
curity.

Rosson told newsmen at his
t headquarters in Phu Bai that he
credits the enemy “with being
able to restore his lines ( in the
. valley). with cost, within a mat-
ter of weeks.”

“We don’t know fully the ex:
i tent of the stockpiles in the val-
;ley.” he added. “Vastly greater   Vietnamese
’ amounts are still there.”~
The command
troops killed 726 North Viet-
namese in the fighting in and
around A Shau during the oper-
ation. U.S. losses were placed at
139 killed and 662 wounded.

New Action Flares
Although the heaviest fighting
reported Friday centered in the
northernmost 1st Corps area,

night just north of Saigon.
South Vietnamese troops--air-
borne and rangers-clashed

or four miles north of the capi-
tal. No details were available
immediately.

  Marines, Warplanes Hit 
North Vietnamese Force

in;
t’ f ll’ dt b "th-- , ,
um 0 8 le mops egan M btioned. however, that it was pos-

gmock plane set up as a decoy
.for American bombers.

. l
i going on in Paris between Hanoi é
sand Washington, enemy forces‘
are expected to keep the pres-
sure on the South Vietnamese?‘
icapital for psychological and
.propaganda purposes.

In the air war over North
Vietnam. U.S. Navy pilots re-
ported they destroyed a MlG17;
on the ground 145 miles north of ’

the demilitarized zone near
Vinh Thursday. F

Some informed sources cau-
sible the MIG could have been a
l
U.S. pilots flew 108 strike mis-
sions Thursday over North Viet-

%They reported destroying or
nam‘s southern panhandle.
damaging 10 bridges. 20 rocket
sites. 12 trucks. 22 supply boats.
two missile sites and 25 railroad
cars.

Hanoi radio claimed an un-
 
said U.S. ‘
‘T?
manned U.S. reconnaissance;
plane was shot down over the:
capital Friday!

There was no confirmation in
Saigon.

new action flared before mid-'7
with enemy forces of unknown H
tsize in two engagements three 1

With preliminary peace talks It
1
I





Friday, November 27, 2015

27TH MARINES--OCR CAPTURE--

PART II NARRATIVE SUMMARY During the month of January, 1968 the Regiment had two change of command ceremonies. On 5 January, 1968 Lieutenant Colonel T. J. STEVENS was relieved by Lieutenant Colonel T. J. WOODHAM, Jr. as the Commanding :::fiver of the 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines. On 22 January, 1968 a regi-Licnta2 change of oommand oeremony was held when Colonel G. J. CASMCNA uos relieved by Colonel A. G. SCHWENK as the Regimental Commander, 27th Marines(_)'„ Activities during the month of January centered primarily around the preparation and execution of battalion size airlift training exercises. Extensive training at all levels of the Command continued on annual marks-manship, acquiring battlesight zero's, swimming, physical readiness as well as required general military subjects training and especially that oriented towards operations in Vietnam. The 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines conducted a full scale BIT Airlift Ekerciae (Operation RANCHER CORRAL) during the period of 24-30 January 1968. Additionally, a company from the 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines acted the aggressor force for the exercise, and the Regimental Staffestab-:1.shed a Tactical Exercise Control headquarters for the operation. Of 11.;:c significance was the utilization of the previously conceived Staging 1 Loading Support Group (December, 1967) which proved to be of great in relief of the administrative and logistical burdens of the .-:,fining unit, by organizations not participating in the operation, thereby 'llowing the training battalion to achieve maximum benefit from the .0aaduled training. The basic concept and administrative details of this -roovation was previously submitted during the month of December to the -.;.Y.:manding General, 5th Marine Division. he lessons learned and the exercise of all facets during the month of 7u-u7ryiderived from the planning, preparation and execution of Operation •lCRER CORRAL is considered to have improved the combat readiness of the ;Gland considerably. Airing the first half of February, 1968, prior to the receipt of the •srving Order and subsequent deployment of the Regiment to the Republic -.2 Vietnam', the Regiment continued to concentrate in training in accordance .:74..th current directives from higher headquarters. On 13 February, the 27th Marines were ordered to deploy to the Republic Vietnam, by air and surface, and came under Operational and Administra-i.ive control of the let Marine Division (Rein).


Saturday, October 31, 2015

Battle of Cam Lo--(02/02/68)--Meritorious Unit Citation

TO LT27 FROM RECON SUBJ 2ND LT MO STICK CONTINUED--

1.    In accordance with the provisions of references (a) and (b), it is recommended that the following units be awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation with Bronze letter "V" for especially meritorious combat performance in connection with an extremely heavy enemy attack on their isolated position at Cam Lo District Headquarters on 2 February 1968.
        a.    First Squad, us First Platoon, "D" Company, First Battalion, Fourth Marines
        b.    Third Squad, First Platoon, "D" Company, First Battalion, Fourth Marines
        c.    First Squad, Third Platoon, "E" Company, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines
2.    The above mentioned units were under the command of Second Lieutenant Michael O STICK, 0102306/0302/9940 USMC during the attack.  At approximately 0215 on the morning of 2 February 1968, the above mentioned composite platoon came under extremely heavy enemy attack by 82mm mortars followed by a ground attack by an estimated two North Vietnamese companies.  The initial mortar attack consisted of 100-150 rounds, there was lots of explosions going off - like the movies, all you could smell was gun power rounds which fell within the Combined Action Company perimeter and resulted in the death of one Army officer and the wounding of two ARVN and two Marine personnel.  During the ground attack which continued for fully four hours, on the above mentioned composite platoon, the physical defenses of the perimeter were almost completely destroyed by Bangalore torpedoes and RPG fire.  The bunkers near the blown wire were attacked with RPG's, heavy machine gun and small arms fire.  At no time was the enemy allowed to set foot within the perimeter.  The Marines in these squads fought literally to the last round of ammunition, then resupplied by carrying ammunition from abandoned Popular Forces positions under intense small arms fire.  Approximately 80% of the Marines in the composite platoon became casualties during the battle.  The furious intensity of this action and the courage, determination and devotion to duty of those Marines is graphically demonstrated by the fact that every helmet and every 'flack' jacket was either torn or dented by fragmentation or bullets.  A total of 144 enemy bodies were counted when the sun rose and the enemy broke contact and attempt to flee the area.  This action denied the enemy a major political/psychological objective in their present winter/spring offensive.
3.    The courage and aggressiveness displayed by all members of the composite platoon was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.  Special recognition of the distinguished and valorous achievement of the units involved in this action appears to warrant the award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
4.    This award is for direct participation in combat operations and the Combat Distinguishing Device is recommended.


SOURCE--

http://1stbn4thmarines.net/delta-company/camlo/tet1.htm



Battle of Cam Lo (02/02/68)--After Action Report Filed by 2nd Lt MO Stick

TO LT27 FROM RECON SUBJ--LT STICK'S ACCT OF ATTACK--




"At approximately 020215H, CAC Hq. vicinity YD 129579 started receiving incoming 82mm mortars (initial volley of about 100-150 rounds).  This was followed by a ground attack utilizing RPG's, RR, and small arms.  The initial RPG rounds penetrated the main CAC, COC area killing the sub-sector advisor (Major Payne), two ARVN personnel, wounding two other USMC personnel, and destroying all radios except one.  Capt R. L. McMaken USA assumed command of the compound and adjusted artillery to box the position in.  The 1/40th then provided immediate support.  A call then by Capt McMaken at approximately 0220 notified Quang Tri that they were under heavy ground attack and that a Spooky was needed.  The attack seemed to come from three directions - mainly from the south, west and northeast.  The Spooky arrived in the general vicinity in good time but could not get orientated to the position until about 0430H.  In the interim period artillery illumination was adjusted from Cam Lo (4.2") and Dong Ha (155mm), there were approximately three rows of wire around the compound and in two areas there were enemy personnel who make it into the third row of wire, but were cut down before they could penetrate burn that surrounded the compound.  25 NVA bodies were counted at the in front of my bunker to the right northwest corner and approximately 15 bodies at the northeast corner.  Also of interest was the fact that the NVA had dug prone positions about one foot in depth at the northeast salient, the two quad .50's present at the compound were hit by RPG's or RR within 20 minutes of the first incoming. we found pools of blood and that's about all we found of the men manning the quad 50's  Enemy contact was furious until approximately 020615H at which time the contact was limited to scattered small arms fire.  Due to the tre---iourous fighting at the compound and the extreme accuracy of the friendly artillery the enemy was forced to withdraw.  A reaction force composed of two platoons and two dusters from 2/9 was dispatched to aid the CAC Hqtrs and arrived at approx 020630H.  The reaction force then swept to the north of the CAC Hqtrs position, but south of the Song Cam Lo River.  This succeeded in actually trapping some of the enemy as they were making their escape across the river.  Captain McKight in charge of 2/9 reaction force claimed that 8 confirmed and 2 prisoners from this separate action.  A reaction force from Don Ha consisting of 3 tanks, two Dusters, two Quad 50's and approx 100 troops left Dong Ha at 020600H and arrived in the CAC Hqtrs at approx 0730H.  Upon moving in the compound it was learned that a bulk of the enemy forces withdrew to the southeast and northwest, the reaction force from Dong Ha was quickly organized and swept around the perimeter to the south and north of the perimeter.  The quick aggressive, follow-up action accounted for the collection of the large number of POW's and prevented the enemy from reacting in the immediate vicinity.  A list of the cumulative losses as of 021500H included the following: 2 USMC KIA, 1 USA KIA, 81 NVA (conf), 22 Detainees, 42 IWC, 13 CSWC, 18 USMC WIA (Medevac)"--






SOURCE:--AFTER ACTION


2nd Lt MO Stick--Battle of Cam Lo--Feb 02, 1968--

TO LT27 FROM RECON SUBJ--LT STICK GALLANTRY DURING NVA ATTACK--

FOLLOWING ACCT EXCERPT SPELLS LT STICK'S NAME WRONG--

"Dusk fell early thanks to overcast skies on February 1, and an assortment of U.S. Marines and soldiers and Vietnamese PF troops found themselves spending the night together inside the Cam Lo headquarters compound.  The Marine force consisted of the under strength platoon of Company D, 1/4, led by 2nd Lt. Michael O. Steck and Staff Sgt. Donald K. Sellers, and the headquarters element of the Combined Action Company (CAC), commanded by Captain Peter Haines.  Making their home for the night in the compound's motor pool area was a mine sweep team from the 11th Engineers, consisting of some Marine combat engineers and their infantry security, along with two quad 50's (trucks mounted with four .50-caliber machine guns each", in this case using 2.5-ton Army trucks.  In addition, an under strength squad from Company E, 2/9, had wondered into the compound at dusk, also seeking a safe haven for the night..."


FULL ACCT:--  CAM LO FIGHT

2nd Lt Michael O. Stick--Silver Star

Michael O. Stick

Home of record: Harrisburg Pennsylvania

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

See more recipients of this award

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Michael O. Stick (MCSN: 0-102306), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours on 2 February 1968, the Cam Lo District Headquarters came under heavy artillery, mortar and recoilless rifle fire followed by a well coordinated ground attack by a numerically superior enemy force. In the initial moments of the fire fight, Second Lieutenant Stick immediately rushed to the forward portion of the defensive perimeter to evaluate the tactical situation and direct his men. Realizing the urgency of the situation, he radioed a request for illumination and artillery fire which he skillfully adjusted upon the advancing enemy. As the attackers launched a fierce ground assault, Second Lieutenant Stick, accompanied by a radioman and a grenadier, fearlessly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he climbed to the top of a forty-foot observation tower in order to more effectively observe the enemy's movements and direct his men in the defense of the compound. Although suffering from a fragmentation wound in his hip, he resolutely remained in his precarious position and continued to direct artillery fire and shout instructions to the personnel along the defensive perimeter. His superb leadership and selfless actions throughout the five-hour battle inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in repulsing the attackers, accounting for 144 enemy confirmed killed, 100 probable killed, the capture of thirty-eight soldiers and the confiscation of numerous weapons and items of equipment. By his determined fighting spirit, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Stick upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: February 2, 1968

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Company: Company D

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 4th Marines

Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF






Monday, October 5, 2015

27TH TAOR--1968--

http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/U.S.%20Marines%20in%20Vietnam%20High%20Mobility%20and%20Standown%201969%20%20PCN%2019000310300_3.pdf

CAPT AG SCHWENK, KOREAN WAR, 1952--

"H" Company Commander--


NYE GOBLE RODES JR, LT COL, XO, 27TH RLT, VIETNAM, 1968--

Nye Goble RODES, Jr.


  • Born: 19 Oct 1922, Logan, Logan Co., WV 6
  • Marriage: Lois FINNEY on 25 Sep 1949 in Oceanside, San Diego Co., CA 275
  • Died: 18 Oct 2001, Oceanside, San Diego Co., CA at age 78 6
  General Notes:
The Charleston Gazette, 14 June 1951

Navy Gives Army Medal to Logan Marine Officer

ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 13 - (AP) - A West Virginia Marine who served in Korea has received the Bronze Star, awarded by the Army and presented by the Navy.

The naval academy announced today 1st Lt. Nye G. Rodes of Logan, W. Va., was decorated for aggressiveness and bravery as provost marshal of the First Provisional Marine Brigade in Korea last Summer.

The medal was awarded under an Army citation by Lt. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway, now supreme Allied commander in the Far East. Vice Adm. Harry W. Hill, academy superintendant, pinned it on the Marine lieutenant yesterday.

Rodes, son of Mrs. Maye P. Rodes of 407-1/2 Stratton St., Logan, W.Va., is on duty with the academy executive department. He was graduated from Annapolis in 1946.

Nye married Lois FINNEY on 25 Sep 1949 in Oceanside, San Diego Co., CA.275 (Lois FINNEY was born on 27 Feb 1922 in Los Angeles Co., CA 284,1349 and died on 14 Mar 1972 in San Diego Co., CA 1349.)

  Marriage Notes:
The Charleston Gazette, 6 November 1949

Lt. Nye Goble Rodes Marries Naval Nurse

Announcement has been made of the Sept. 25 marriage of Ensign Lois Finney, USNNC, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Finney of Arcadia, Cal. to Lt. Nye Goble Rodes, Jr., USMC, son of Mrs. N. G. Rodes of Logan. Chaplain R. M. Schwyhart officiated in the Ranch House Chapel at Camp Pendleton,
Oceanside, Cal. and a reception was held in the Santa Margarita Naval Officers Club.

The couple's attendants were Mrs. Ernest Drury, Miss Lenora Rodes, sister of the bridegroom, and Lt. C. R. Stephenson.

Lt. and Mrs. Rodes, who are stationed at Camp Pendleton, are living at 506 South Strand, Oceanside. She attended Long Beach City College and was graduated from the Knapp College of Nursing in Santa
Barbara.

An alumnus of Logan High School, Lt. Rodes was graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1947, studied at the Marine Officers' Training School and was stationed in China for two years.


 http://www.meadowbluff.com/greenbrier/2/35087.html





 http://www.usna.edu/Cemetery/PDF%20Files/Section%2011/6-E%20Rodes%20N.%20G.pdf



1st Lt Nye G Rodes--The Pusan Perimeter, Korea--1950

Nye G "Dusty" Rodes was the executive officer under Col Adolf Schwenk when the 27th Marines (RLT) deployed to Vietnam in February of 1968:

Here is more background information on the XO from:

http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Publications/Publication%20PDFs/Montross_U.S.%20Marine%20Operations%20in%20Korea%20Vol%20l.pdf


1st Lt Rodes was the Detachment Commander for the military police unit attached to the Pusan Perimeter landing force, the Fifth Marine Brigade:




BTW: The face in the photo above is unforgettable and I don't think I have ever had the honor to have been under the command of a meaner Marine...Dusty Rodes was flat out mean and turned up as the Camp Pendleton Correctional Facility (brig) commander in 1970.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Lt. Col. NG "Dusty" Rodes--

The XO of the 27th Marines

(Incidentally, in 1959, while I was stationed at Marine Barracks, Clarksville Base, Tenn., Litzenberg, then Inspector General of the Marine Corps, paid us an official visit. Our colonel made it a special occasion, with a Mess Night--Dress Blues, fancy menu, brandy, cigars and toasts-- the works. After dinner General Litzenberg, in an expansive mood, asked someone to sing a "good old song", and 1st Lt Raymond obliged with a Plebe Summer version of "The Armored Cruiser Squadron". The general was delighted, and capped it with a couple of mildy racy verses of his own. PS: The well-remembered 1stLt N. G. "Dusty"Rodes also made the march to Hungnam, as once reported by Salty Sam.)


 http://www.54net.org/2009_11_01_archive.html


Saturday, February 21, 2015

THE ROAD TO DUONG SON (2)--1965//PART 2


TO COMMO FROM JC SUBJ ROAD CONST BLACKBOX MSR


FOLLOWUP FROM 3RD ENG BN ROADWORK; OCT 1965






..(c.) 3/9 MSR (SONG CAU DO Bridge (AT998703) to YEN NE # 1 (AT988663). During the last week of September permission was received to develop the existing railroad bed for use as the 3/9 MSR to replace a lower adjacent road which was subject to flooding.




Work continued throughout October in lifting and stacking the rails and crossties near the SONG CAU DO River in accordance with agreements with RR officials.
  On 9 October, an M-6 bridge was erected at (AT999699) by 1st Bridge Co, 7th Engr Bn. The abutments and approaches were prepared and two spans of the old bridge were dropped by personnel of the 3rd Plt, Co "C", 3rd Engr Bn. By 12 October, 3 additional bridges on the railroad bed were reinforced and widened between the M6 bridge site and DUONG SON # 2 (AT991677). By 12 October, the MSR was open to Class 60 traffic to YEN NE #1 (AT988687).
On 13 October, personnel of the 3rd Plt, Co "C" moved their base of operations from DUONG SON # 1 (AT995687) to YEN NE # 1in preparation for improving the lateral route from YEN NE # 1 to the dam on the SONG YEN River at (AT960659). The heavy rains starting on 14 October made any work on the lateral route impractical since the road was completely flooded. (On 20 October it was noted that the deck of a small bridge at (AT971661) was under 4 feet of water.


TO COMMO FROM JC SUBJ ROAD CONST BLACKBOX MSR