Operation Bold Mariner

Operation Bold Mariner
Part of Vietnam War

Marines of the 26th Marines wait for the word to ‘move out’ after coming ashore to begin Operation Bold Mariner
Date12 January - 7 February 1969
LocationBatangan Peninsula, Quảng Ngãi Province, South Vietnam
15°13′08″N 108°54′47″E / 15.219°N 108.913°E / 15.219; 108.913
Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
 United States Viet Cong
Strength
BLT 2/26 Marines
BLT 3/26 Marines		 38th VC Main Force Regiment
48th VC Local Force Battalion
P-31st Local Force Company
C-95th Sapper Company
Casualties and losses
56+ captured

Operation Bold Mariner was a US Marine Corps operation that took place on the Batangan Peninsula southeast of Chu Lai, lasting from 12 January to 7 February 1969.

Prelude

The peninsula was believed to be supporting elements of the 38th VC Main Force Regiment, the 48th VC Local Force Battalion, P-31st Local Force Company and C-95th Sapper Company all of which posed a threat to Quảng Ngãi and allied forces in the area. The operation was planned to be the Marine Corps' largest amphibious assault since the Korean War with BLT 2/26 Marines and BLT 3/26 assaulting the north of the peninsula by helicopter and landing craft while the Americal Division’s Task Force Cooksey, composed of elements of the 46th Infantry Regiment and 1st Cavalry Regiment and the ARVN 2nd Division launching Operation Russell Beach to seal off the southern boundary.[1]

Operation

On 12 January the Marines conducted a feint against Mộ Đức District approximately 20 km south of the operation area.[1]:300–1

At 07:00 on 13 January the Marines landed on the peninsula meeting negligible resistance. Once ashore the Marines linked up with Task Force Cooksey and then pushed east forcing the Vietcong towards the sea. While encounters with the Vietcong were minimal, the Marines encountered extensive networks of mines, booby-traps and fortifications. On 19 January 2/26 Marines captured 56 Vietnamese of military age, under interrogation they were found to be members of the C-95th Sapper Company. The Marines evacuated numerous civilians for screening, eventually totaling some 11,900 people.[1]:301

On 24 January 2/26 Marines returned to their amphibious assault ships.[1]:301

Following the conclusion of the assault phase, Operation Russell Beach continued with Marine combined action teams, the 46th Infantry Regiment and the ARVN 6th Regiment operating to cleanse the peninsula of VC/NVA.[1]:303

Aftermath

The operation concluded on 7 February.[1]:303 During the operation the population was largely removed from the peninsula during the assault phase and a clear and search operation was followed by the construction of new roads and hamlets. The population was allowed to return in April 1969 together with South Vietnamese government institutions[1]:125

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Smith, Charles (1988). U.S. Marines in Vietnam High Mobility and Standdown 1969. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 300.
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