DECLASSIFIED
1st Reconnaissance Bn.
Da Nang, RVN
010800H Aug 68
OPERATION MAMELUKE THRUST
Operation Order: 564-68
Patrol: Flaky Snow E-4-3
Debriefer: Lt. J.J. Barta
Maps: Vietnam 1:50,000; AMS L7014;
Sheet 6640 IV, 6540I
PATROL REPORT
1. SIZE, COMPOSITION AND EQUIPMENT:
A. COMPOSITION: 15 ENL, 1 USN
B. SPECIAL ATTACHMENTS: NONE
C. COMM AND OBSERVATION EQUIPMENT: 2 PRC-25, 1 7X50, 1 BC SCOPE, 1 STAR-LITE SCOPE
D. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: 2 M79, 1 M60
2. MISSION: CONDUCT RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS WITHIN YOUR ASSIGNED HAVEN TO DETECT POSSIBLE VC TROOP MOVEMENT OR ARMS INFILTRATION IN THE QUAN DUC DUC VALLEY. BE PREPARED TO CALL AND ADJUST ARTY/AIR ON TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION MAMELUKE THRUST.
3. TIME OF DEPARTURE AND RETURN: 301500H/010600H
4. ROUTE: N/A
5. SYNOPSIS: THIS PATROL COVERED A PERIOD OF 39 HOURS WITH 1 CONTACT WITH AN ESTIMATED VC COMPANY, RESULTING IN 7 VC KIA CONF., 5 USMC KIA, AND 11 USMC WIA MED-EVAC. A REACTION FORCE RELIEVED THIS PATROL AND SECURED THE PATROL'S POSITION UNTIL ANOTHER PATROL WAS INSERTED.
6. OBSERVATION OF ENEMY AND TERRAIN:
A. ENEMY:
010405H AT 797528 AN ESTIMATED COMPANY OF VC/NVA ASSAULTED THE PATROL'S POSITION FROM THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE PERIMETER WITH GRENADES, RPG ROCKETS, BANGALORE TORPEDOES, SATCHEL CHARGES, AND SMALL ARMS. THE VC/NVA SWEPT THROUGH THE PATROL'S POSITION AND THEN WITHDREW TO THE NORTH. THE PATROL CONFIRMED 7 VC KIA AND SUFFERED 5 USMC KIA AND 11 USMC WIA. DUE TO LOSS OF COMM, NO FM WAS CALLED. AT FIRST LIGHT, A 29 MAN REACTION FORCE WAS INSERTED, THE REACTION FORCE RECEIVED SPORADIC SNIPER FIRE IN THE ZONE AND 3 USMC WERE WIA FROM AN EXPLOSION OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN. THE PATROL AND THE REACTION FORCE WIA'S WERE MED-EVACED. THE REACTION FORCE POLICED UP THE POSITION AND DESTROYED DUD ORDINANCE IN THE AREA. 2 AKM ASSAULT RIFLES WERE CAPTURED ALONG WITH ASSORTED WEB GEAR AND AN NVA FLAG WHICH WAS FLYING OVER THE POSITION. AT 011600H ANOTHER PATROL WAS INSERTED AND THE REACTION FORCE WAS EXTRACTED.
D. TERRAIN: N/A
7. OTHER INFORMATION: INSERT AND EXTRACT LZ VIC, AT797528
8. RESULTS OF ENCOUNTERS WITH THE ENEMY: 7 VC KIA CONF., 5 USMC KIA, 11 USMC WIA
9. CONDITION OF PATROL: 5 USMC KIA, 11 USMC WIA EVAC
10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: EXTENSIVE FORTIFICATION IS NEEDED AT THIS POSITION.
11. EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPPORTING ARMS: N/A
12. COMMENTS OF DEBRIEFER: NONE
13. PATROL MEMBERS:
CPL. KEISTER / 2180551
LCPL LUERA / 2346589
LCPL. IRBY / 2369119
PFC. MOORE / 2417588
PFC. MILES / 2404374
LCPL DERENICK / 2245148
LCPL. KING / 2354566
CPL. BERTIN /2288217
PFC. WHITACH/ 2411884
SGT. HICKS / 2302511
HM3 PLOETZ / B401751
LCPL. GRAY/ 2375218
PFC. SMITH / 2404911
SGT. POPPA / 2215726 (verified at aad.archives.gov)
CPL. PARKER / 2337321
DECLASSIFIED