Major Tran Ve

Vung Tau was an ideal holiday destination in the South of Vietnam, a place where marines longed to repose after months of operations - it was also where the 4th Marine Battalion had its base camp. On this particular instance, after having passed two weeks of R & R there, we received urgent orders to prepare to go. It was likely to be something “special”, since the Battalion Staff were strangely occupied. Following a briefing attended by the Company Commanders, I knew it would be an incursion into Cambodia. This was the first “special” operation - it was abroad. Everyone was amazed.

At that time I was the 4th Company's Commander; I was anxious for I had been told by the Battalion Commander that during this operation I was to maintain strict discipline and perfect behavior in my company. I was responsible for the comportment of my marines. Later that night, in the LMC sailing from Hong Ngu along the Mekong River to Cambodia, I reminded the platoon leaders once more of the need for strict control of the soldiers' behavior.

The 4th Marine Battalion landed east of the Neak Luong ferry. The 4th Company was ordered to occupy the market and the post where the NVA had been. I ordered the 1st platoon to invade the aforementioned market. Never had I deployed my troops so neatly and quickly; we were accustomed to performing operations in jungles where we encountered so many more obstacles - now that we were in a city, the open spaces allowed the marines to move about rapidly and the fire support was unhindered. After only a single volley of fire, my subordinates reported that the target was now occupied, and three NVA - toothpick thin, had been captured. The rest of them had run away. I ordered the 2nd platoon to move forwards. I was happy to see that meanwhile the 1st platoon was escorting a number of Cambodian civilians back. I duly reported our progress back to the Battalion Commander.

A marine tapped my hand.

“Captain, take a sip to warm your stomach.”

I turned and asked what it was.

“It's authentic Black and White whiskey.”

“I hope you didn't steal it.”

“Oh no!” he exclaimed. “I wouldn't do that. I rescued an old man who had hidden under his bed for two days. He thanked me and then gave me this bottle, assuring me that it was authentic.”

“That's alright then. The amphibious landing this morning was in very cold water after all.”

Afterwards I ordered the platoons to invade the entire market area. They seized a number of weapons and liberated the civilians which the NVA had captured. The Cambodian civilians had had no experience of war. At the sight of the NVA they had fled, but had not brought with them any essentials. It was pitiful to see how many of them had nothing but their bare hands. The marines distributed their C rations to try to alleviate the civilians' hunger.

Transferring control of the market to the Battalion, I deployed my troops to attack the Post. The NVA's fighting efforts here was miserable to say the least. Doubtless it was the first time that they had encountered the fierce “Sea Tigers”. After a few volleys of fire, the NVA fled. The marines raced forwards, firing, and the 4th Company invaded the post after half an hour. Documents and other papers littered the battlefield. I left to report back to the Battalion, leaving my troops to count the weapons seized, as well as partially burnt Cambodian bank notes.

I rearranged the position of my platoons. Then I strolled around, and was happy to see my marines sitting amongst the Cambodian civilians, sharing food and drink. The Battalion praised the victory of the 4th Company. It also communicated to us the thanks expressed by the Chief of the Neak Luong Province to the Marines of the ARVN.