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known location, the Village of Bac Tang. Mission—Capture that VC Hamlet Chief and intelligence data. Execution-we would launch a Company sized, night time raid on the target before dawn of the next day. Capt. Tolleson proceeded to give us our time of departure from Company HQ which would be after dark—he prescribed ‘soft’ uniforms ( no helmets ) and light packs—all gear would be tied down—no rattles—nothing that shined or glistened—faces and hands would be camouflaged with the camo sticks we carried—communications would be arm and hand only —radios would be carried but not used until after the raid. First platoon ( my platoon) would be the point or ‘advance guard’—Capt. Tolleson provided us with other details including the communications and logistics ) ammo., meals, water, etc. This ‘raid’ patrol would mean that approx. 220 Marines would move quietly thru rugged, mountainous terrain avoiding trails or paths that passed near our target. We would move in column formation—small strips of tape were placed on the back collar of each Marine so that the men could keep within one pace of the man in front—the patrol would be moving under cover of darkness. Preparation for the raid/assault was based upon training we had engaged in while at Camp Pendleton during our ‘raid training’. I organized my point platoon into three groups—the raid unit ( a squad ) which would surround the target hut and capture the VC Hamlet Chief—I was part of that unit. The next unit was the security unit ( a squad ) that would set up a perimeter around the target hut while we initiated the raid. The third unit ( a squad ) was the intelligence squad—they would immediately search the inside of the hut for any intelligence available. My platoon rehearsed these maneuvers that afternoon
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