Page 39 - Echo 127

Marine loaded their full magazine into their M-14—The Sgts. in the other amtrak were giving the same, pre arranged order. Unknown at this time was the enemy situation waiting for us—the troops had their orders—to exit the vehicle when the ramp went down after landing—to move forward past the waterline—take up a prone, firing position—fire only if being fired upon and stand by for the signal to move forward in a Company line. Echo Company would occupy the port side of the landing zone—followed by Golf Company and Hotel Company would follow ‘in trace and fill in the Starboard side of the landing zone. Foxtrot Company was in Reserve aboard ship and would follow once the beach head was secured. Immediately after 2/7 landed—3/7 re boarded the ships to remain off shore in reserve. 6@
We landed—the ramps came down and the troops hurried off the amtraks—no gunfire—what we saw were villagers from the area standing offshore watching this gigantic operation take place—spectators! No enemy fire. It was hot—the troops carried out their assignments and the company formed up. The smell of human feces was overwhelming—apparently the beach was the favorite ‘toilet area’ for the locals. This landing was not what we expected—we still maintained our security posture—having been briefed about guerrilla warfare and how civilians were used to mask the VC. We received one of what became many puzzling orders from ‘on high’ ——not to ‘chamber a round’ until fired upon! As all good Marines we followed those orders until we were in position and nightfall set in—then—like all good Marines we exercised good judgement and prepared
39