TO COC FROM COMMO SUBJ GO NOI ISLAND 1968
FOLLOWING FROM COMMAND CHRONOLOGY RECORDS: 3RD BN/ 27TH MARINES/MAY, 1968:
10. Concept of Operation. The initial concept of the operation was to helo-lift two rifle companies and a Command Group in to the southern portion of the area of operations to relieve the pressure on a battalion already committed. Companies K and L together with the 81MM mortar platoon, Security Troops, and Forward Command Group elements were lifted into the vicinity of AN TAM (1) (AT 961516). Battery D, 2nd Bn, 13th Marines was located at Liberty Bridge, and provided fire support from that location. An Engineer Team remained attached to the command group and was utilized on as required basis by the companies. The HST personnel were later centralized under the Battalion Command Group.The Tank Platoon, which was attached on 26 May 1968, was for the most part used as direct support of the two lead companies with a heavy section to one and a light to the other.
11. 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 reconnaissance of the island and landed near the mobile Command Post of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines for a briefing with the Battalion Commander. On 13 May 1968, Company I was alerted and flown out to the area of operation and placed under OPCON of the 7th Marines. On 16 May 1968, the remainder of the battalion was alerted, except for Company M, to be prepared to move by truck convoy to Liberty Bridge, and to move on foot to the area of operations. The LSA was to be located at the 27th Marines Landing Zone, number 410. 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 1000 and the convoy arroved 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 another delay was experienced when a coordination problem arose in the air preparation of the landing zone. Once this problem was overcome the troop helicopters landed 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.
TO COC FROM COMMO SUBJ GO NOI ISLAND 1968