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Sgt Mike Fishbaugh (Fish)
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Marine Cpl Donald Murphy (Murph).
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Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign (1967-68)/Operation Liberty II
From Month/Year
October / 1967
To Month/Year
October / 1967
Description 20Oct67 to 23Oct67 LIBERTY II
Province: Tinh Quang Tri, Quan Hai Lang sector. Units: 4th Marine (HQ), BLT-1/3. Object: BLT moved by truck to a new blocking position west of Route 1 and the railroad between Hai Lang and Phong Dien. This operation was intended to prevent the Communist from disrupting the South Vietnamese National Assembly elections. BLT activity during the next 3 days involved squad and fire team patrols and encounters with the enemy.
BLT 1/3 was trucked to Camp EVANS to await the next assignment. One of the major logistical considerations during this period was to get the Marines of 1/3 an extra poncho and liner, winter had come to Vietnam.
BLT-1/3 sustained No Kia's and only 3-Wia's, while inflicting 1-VC Kia(confirmed), 1-VC Kia(probable), and capturing 10-VCS/POW's during operation.
20Oct67 Co. B- Night Ambush, contact with unknown number of VC with light MG or BAR, Fire fight, 1-Wia. 20Oct67 Co. C- Booby Trapped Grenade, 1-Wia. 23Oct67 Co. D- Booby Trapped Chicom Grenade, 1-Wia. 26Oct67 to 04Nov67 GRANITE Province: Tinh Thua Thien- Hai Lang forest again. Units: 4th Mar(HQ), BLT-1/3, 1/4, ARVN Object: A dawn helicopter assault into the Hai Lang forest started the operation for BLT 1/3.
The operation was a two battalion sweep into communist Base 114. 1/4 and BLT were under the operational control of the 4th Marines. The enemy consistently harassed the BLT, staying within a few hundred meters, and making night probes with a consistency not normally experienced.
A friendly fire air strike wounded two marines, a "short" 60mm mortar round wounded another, and an artillery round wounded yet another. The operation appeared jinxed. The Base Camp 114, was never located. The BLT returned to Camp Evans.** Cost: SLF-**17 communist KIA. 3 Marines KIA and 17 WIA. 652 arty missions called, 59 F4 sorties.
BLT-1/3 sustained 3-Kia's and 24-Wia's while inflicting 17-NVA /VC Kia's(confirmed) and 28-NVA/VC Kia's(probable) on the enemy during this operation. 27Oct67 BLT-1/3 Recon- Patrol received SAF, 1-Wia. 28Oct67 Co. D- Platoon Ambushed with AWF, 1-Kia and 6-Wia's.
