Below documents and reports are from 3rd Battalion's engagement with the enemy in mid-May of 1968//note: the files are currently being "unscanned" from the original PDF files and edited.
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3rd Battalion Record//5 June 1968//
During the last half of May the battalion took part in Operation ALLEN BROOK while the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, assumed responsibility for this battalion's T.A.O.R. The enemy force encountered during Operation ALLEN BROOK was estimated to be three separate NVA battalions. The enemy was well equipped, well entrenched, and prepared to defend his positions. A detailed account of the battalion's action during Operation Allen Brook is contained in the Operations After Action Report.
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-Execution. This battalion was alerted to the pending operation on 8 May 1968 and was given the general area of operation. Visual reconnaissance flights were arranged and on 11 May 1968, the Commanding officer, S-3, Air and Artillery Liaison Officers, flew to the area, made a visual reconnaisance of the island and 1anded near the mobile Command Post of the 2nd Batt1ion, 7th Marines for a briefing with the Battalion Commander. On 13 May 1968, Company I was a1erted and flown out to the area of operation and placed unider OPCON of the 7th Marines. On 16 May 1968, the remainder of the battalion was alerted and except for Company M, to be prepared to move by truck company convoy to Liberty Bridge, and to move on foot to the area of operations. Tho LSA was to be located at the 27th Marines Landing Zone,number 410.
17 May 1968
On 17 May, at approximately 0830 the truck convoy arrived at the 3/27 CP and troops and equipment were loaded. During the course of the movement toward Liberty Bridge, the convoy was ordered to report to Landing Zone 410 and the battalion was alerted to be prepared to lift by helicopter into the area of operation. This order was received approximately l000 and the convoy arrived at Landing Zone 410 at about 1045. There was some delay in the arrival of the helicopters, however, at about 1300 the first elements of Company K were airborne.
Still anothor delay was experienced when a coordination problem arose in the air prepartion of the landing zone. Once this problem was overcome the troop helicopters landed in the zone in the vicinity of AT 961512 at approximately 1500, on 17 May 1968. After the initial delay the lift went smoothly and all elements were in the zone by approximately 1730.The LZ was hit by sporadic mortar fire during the course of discharging troops resulting in 4 WIA. The helicopter landing of this battalion relieved the pressure on Company I which had been in heavy contact during most of the day and had suffered relatively heavy casualties. Company I was still OPCON to 3/7 at this time, and the plan was to link up the battalion with Company I prior to darkness.
As the battalion moved forward it was subjected to occasional mortar and small arms harassing fire. Company K moved into the tree line in the vicinity of AT 962522 and came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. Company L moved to the east of Company K and met little resistance. Air and artillery missions were called in support of Company K, and at about 1930,two platoons of Company K were successful in linking with Company I. Company L was located to the East in the vicinity of AT967523 and the Command Group, with one platoon of Company K, were located in the vicinity of AT 963518. These positions were maintained throughout the night. At 1910H OPCON of Company I passed to the 27th Marines and remained until the end of the operation. Casualties sustained on the 17th of May were as follows: Company I- 50 WIA and 15 KIA, Company K- 14 WIA and 6 KIA, Company L- 4 minor WIA's. Enemy casualties could not be accurately assessed at this time due to darkness.
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18 May 1968
On the morning of 18 May 1968, at 0830 Company L moved from it's night position to link up with Company I and Company K. The Command Group with the platoon of Company K also began to move toward the rendevous point. At approximately 0940 the Command Group with one platoon of Company K joined Companies I and K in the vicinity of AT 959526. While consolidating and attempting to expand the perimeter, friendly units came under small arms fire from LE BAC (2). Company K was moved to the North and Company L, approaching from the East was diverted North to assist in the action. Initially it was thought the enemy force to be nothing more than one or two snipers, however, it soon became clear that a major enemy force was involved. The volume of fire became exceedingly heavy. Lead elements of Companies K and L were pinned down and could not be extracted. As the battle continued, heat began to take its toll, and heat casualties soon exceeded the number of battle casualties.Flak jackets, which had been worn by all hands, were discarded. Water became a critical item. Company M, which had been alerted previously to replace Company I, began arriving at 1500. Both Companies K and L and the Forward Command Grouphad been in contact continually since 0940. Air and artillery missions were called in support of the troops in contact, but since friendly units were in such close proximity to the enemy it was not possible to bring supporting arms to bear on all enemy positions. Company M, upon arrival, was commited to the action in support of Company K, which had suffered a considerable number of battle and heat casualties. Company I was withdrawn from the area of operations utilizing turn about helicopters that transported Company M. Company K was replaced by Company M and withdrawn to a defensive position approximately 250 meters to the rear. The battle raged throughout the day until finally at nightfall, friendly units were able to break contact, retrieve all wounded, most of their dead and withdraw to an area from which air and artillery could be fully brought to bear on the enemy positions. All units withdrew to the defensive position established earlier by Company K. Two rifle companies from 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines also joined the battalion at this position at about 1900. The battalion set in at this location (vic AT 959524) for the night. Friendly casualties for this day was placed at 15 KIA, 78 WIA, and 6 MIA, with 20 enemy KIA. Casualty figures were not confirmed at this time due to the tactical situation.
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19 May 1968
On 19 May 1968, at 0630, patrols were sent out to the battle area to finish picking up equipmet which had not been retrieved the night before. At the same time units within the Battalion Comman Post began a detailed search of that area. This was the same area through which the battalion had previously passed when attempting to link up with India Company. At 0800 three dead NVA were discovered together with a machine gun tripod, ammunition, 1 AK-50 machine gun barrel and other items. At 1030 two Chicom radios were found and one dead NVA. Three hundred pounds of rice and 200 pounds of corn were discovered and destroyed at 1035. Several more NVA dead were discovered together with quantities of equipment including a heavy machine gun, AK-47 rifles, SKS rifles, grenades, ammunition, and field telephone. A prisoner was found at 1215 who claimed to be a cook for the NVA but claimed he was not a NVA himself. All captured equipment and the prisoner was evacuated to 27th Marines Regimental Headquarters. As this search was being conducted, air and artillery missions were being fired into the tree line of the previous day's action prior to sending Company L back into the area to search it thoroughly, and at about 1400, Company L departed the Battalion CP. In the meantime, more enemy equipment, bodies and documents were discovered in the Battalion CP's location.
Upon arriving in the battle area, Company L discovered a number of dead NVA, a few weapons and five friendly KIA. By the end of the day the cumulative casualties were as follows: Friendly 40 KIA, 139 WIA; enemy 66 (NVA) KIA, 1 (VC) detainee. The battalion spent the night of 19-20 May in the same location. area.
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20 May 1968
On the morning of the 20th at 0800 Company I and K of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, departed 3/27 Battalion CP to rejoin their parent battalion. At 0800, 3/27 moved to the East with Companies L and K in the lead, and with the Command Group and Company M in trace. While enroute, CVompany K received sporadic sniper fire. Upon reaching coordinates AT 970522 the battalion formed a perimeter with the three companies and set up night defensive positions. There had been no significant contacts and casualties both enemy and friendly remained unchanged. At 2230 several NVA were surprised by a Kilo Company listening post. One became disoriented and ran into the Battalion CP. As he crossed in front of a Company L defensive position, he was wounded by small arms fire and captured. He was treated, interrogated, and medevaced the following morning.
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21 May 1968
At 211150 the battalion began moving to the north toward objective ECHO, the village complex of PHU DONG (2). At approximately 1355 at coordinates AT 974532, the battalion's lead elements began receiving small arms and sniper fire. Artillery and air strikes were called on the enemy positions, a number of heat casualties were evacuated, and both air and artillery missions continued. The battalion pulled back and prepared night defensive positions in the vicinity of AT 972537. At 212235 Company L in defensive positions received 5 to 6 rounds of 60MM mortar fire while at about the same time Company M received small arms fire and 6 rounds of 81MM mortars. Small arms fire was returned and artillery missions were called on suspected enemy mortar positions.
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22 May 1968
On 22 May at 0835 the battalion moved out to sweep from its night positions North to AN QUYEN (1). Prepatory fires were fired at coordinates AT 972644. Sniper fire wounded two Marines, neither seriously, and the battalion continued to advance. Another prep fire mission was called at 1200 on coordinates AT 970553 to clear a tree line. The Command Group and lead companies continued to move forward halting on occasion to prep danger areas with air and artillery. Sporadic sniper fire was received by lead elements but there was no major contact made. At 1452 the lead companies and the Command Group reached coordinates AT 972553 and prepared to set in night defensive positions. Company K had been left back approximately 800 meters with several heat and a few battle casualties, together with some supplies and equipment that had not been picked up previously. Company K rejoined the remainder of the battalion after the equipment was flown out. At about 1630, a six man scout team from the S-2 Section departed the battalion perimeter on a reconnaissance patrol to the village of AN QUYEN (1). They observed a young Vietnamese male, who, when he saw the Narines, ran away into the tall elephant grass adjacent to the village. The patrol pursued this individual and in the process of searching in the grass for him discovered seven fresh camp fires and recent occupancy of about 35 people. The patrol returned to the battalion's position and the area around AN QUYEN (1) was fired on periodically throughout the night by artillery.
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23 May 1968
On 23 May at 0800, Companies K and M commenced an offensive sweep North from the battalion's night defensive positions to the SONG THU BON River. Several air strikes and artillery missions were called by both companies but neither company made contact with the enemy and both returned to the battalion's position by late afternoon. The battalion remained in position for the night.
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24 May 1968
At 240700 the battalion moved from its night position towards LE BAC (1). Companies K and L comprised the lead elements with the Command Group and Company M following in trace. At 1130, after crossing a dry river bed, the lead units began to receive sporadic small arms fire from a tree line to their front. Company K continued to move forward until 1230 when they encountered heavy resistance from prepared positions in LE BAC (1). Company K remained in heavy contact while Company L received only light sniper fire. Company M was ordered to assist Company K in extricating their wounded and dead as well as those pinned down by heavy enemy fire. Company M moved through the CP Group with two platoons, leaving one back for CP security. The two companies linked up at about 1400 and Company M in conjunction with Company K attempted to withdraw North to allow supporting arms to neutralize the enemy positions. By 1630 all friendly units were clear of the area and air and artillery fire was called in on LE BAC (1). During the course of the contact both close air support and artillery fire was employed. Once disengaged, Companies M, K and L pulled back North toward the Battalion CP and reconnaissance elements were dispatched to the vicinity of PHU TAY (2) to locate a suitable CP site. At about 1700 all units commenced moving to the night time positions in the vicinity of 954545. Perimeter defenses were established and re-supply was completed. During the night about 100 to 150 rounds of small arms fire and 4 to 6 rounds of 60MM mortar fire were received in the battalion's position resulting in two minor USMC WIA's. A few hours later approximately 20 rounds of mortar fire fell outside the battalion's perimeter as though the enemy was attempting to locate the battalion's position and was confused as to itys location in as much as the battalion had not returned any fires in response to their earlier harrassing fire.
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25 May 1968
Beginning at 0712 on the 25th, artillery prepatory fires were called on LE BAC (1). These were followed by air missions at 0845. Again at 1000 more artillery prep fires were called in on the target area and at 1002 Company L was ordered to move out toward objective NOVEMBER (LE BAC (1)). As Company L moved toward the objective another air strike was made and at 1045, Companies M and K with the Command Group again reached the dry stream bed just North of the objective, while Company L moved through the objective approximately 150 meters to the front. At 1205 Company L took one casualty due to small arms fire but avoided heavy contact by withdrawing and calling another sir strike on the objective. At 1220 the Battalion CP Group received mortar and small arms fire from its rear. Mortars and helicopter fire were brought to bear on the enemy positions while at the same time, the Command Group and all companies commenced moving West, toward the SONG THU BON River. A Battalion Command Post was established at AT 942538 and the rifle companies began preparing defensive positions. At 1330 Company I, together with a platoon of tanks, joined the battalion and were integrated into the battalion defensive positions. Re-supply was completed by 1615 and further air and artillery prepatory fires were brought to bear on LE BAC (1). At 1800 on the 25th, the cumulative friendly casualty count was 51 KIA, 204 WIA, 9 WIANE, and 9 MIA, while enemy casualties numbered 114 KIA and 9 detainees. Night positions were manned and at 2120 an ambush from Company M killed two NVA. Artillery and air continued to be called on LE BAC (1) throughout the night.
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26 May 1968
On the 26th at 0720, Companies L and M together with tanks commenced moving toward LE BAC (1) from West to East. Both air and artillery continued to fire on the objective, At 0940 Company L found 7 dead NVA and 22 freshly dug graves, which were opened and found to contain NVA dead. Company L received six rounds of mortar fire, wounding six men. The battalion's mortars returned fire on the suspected enemy positions and an artillery mission was called. At 1325 Company M made contact with an unknown size enemy force, receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire as well as RPG rounds directed at the supporting tanks. Company M returned fire, called air strikes on the enemy positions and directed tank fire, all of which resulted in suppressing the enemy. 5 NVA were killed and one captured. At 1520 a torrential downpour halted further contact and under cover of this rain, the enemy broke contact and withdrew toward LE BAC (2), which is located to the East of the objective area. An air mission was requested and artillery was fired into this area. By the end of the days operations, friendly casualties totaled 56 KIA, 226 WIA, 9 MIA and 9 WIANE, while known enemy losses were 167 KIA and 5 detainees. Defensive positions were established in LE BAC (1) and the battalion prepared to spend the night. During the night of 26-27 May, three hand grenades were thrown into Company K's positions wounding one man slightly. The Command Post received approximately 20 rounds 81MM mortar fire. Artillery was called on suspected mortar positions.
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27 May 1968
Orders from the 27th Marine Regiment had been received indicating thyat one company from the 1st Battalion would be helilifted into the area and two companies from this battalion would be lifted out. This exchange began at 0938 and was essentially completed at 1435. Company C, of 1/27 had been brought in, and Companies K and M had been retracted. In the meantime, Companies I and L continued to search LE BAC (1) and at 1005, Company L captured another NVA> Howevere, he was severely wounded and died prior to evacuation. A number of weapons, ammunition, documents, rockets and rocket launchers were discovered and were evacuated to 27th Regimental Headquarters. As of 271200 total friendly casualties were 61 KIA, 228 WIA, 1 MIA, 9 WIANE, while known enemy casualties numbered 173 KIA and 6 detained. At 1228 Company L discovered 5 dead NVA, together with large quantities of rice and peanuts. At 1400, Company I discovered 12 fresh graves. These were opened and found to contain recently killed NVA. At 1505, a helicopter CH-34, made a forced landing at grid coordinates AT 952541 and one platoon from Company C was dispatched to provide security. At 1600, the Command Group and two rifle companies commenced moving to a new location AT 959529 and arrived at 1625. Immediately, preparations for night defensive positions were begun, helicopter re-supply was completed, and the platoon from Company C was returned after the downed helicopter was retrieved.
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28 May 1968
Orders were received indicating that the First Battalion would relieve the Third Battalion on the 28th and that the two forces were to effect a link-up in the vicinity of Liberty Bridge. As a result, the battalion moved from its night position at 0805 on the morning of the 28th with Company I and Company C forward with tanks and the Command Group and Company L following in trace. At 0915 in the vicinity of AT 950532, Company I made contact with and enemy force entrenched in atree line. Air strikes were called on the enemy positions and one tank was hit with an RPG round wounding three men. Contact remained heavy until approximately 1140 when Company I was able to break contact and withdraw to safe distance so that air and artillery could be fired into enemy positions. After re-organizing Company I, the battalion moved along the dry stream bed toward SONG THU BON River and the southwest to Liberty Bridge effecting link-up with lead elements of the 1st Battalion at approximately 1335. Just prior to link-up, the Command Group received two 60MM mortar rounds resulting in two WIA's, who were placed on tanks. The column reached Liberty Bridge at about 1400.
