OPERATION "BEACON HILL I" Part 1

Description

Note: Taken from USS PRINCETON (LPH-5), March 20th, marines of the Seventh Fleet Special Landing Force landed today just south of the DMZ for a search and destroy sweep throughout Northern Quang Tri Province; commanding the landing force was Marine COL HARRY D. WORTMAN; Companies of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, moved to shore early this afternoon by helicopters; an assault craft from the amphibious ready group; ships anchored off shore; those airlifted from the amphibious assault ships by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 363 sat down six miles inland about a mile and a half from the DMZ; Intelligence reports indicated that elements of one North Vietnamese Army Division and unconifirmed number of Viet Cong have recently been operating in the area: gunfire support ships, rocket ships are moving along the coast to assist the marines in the gunfire support. 1) CU Two marine officers in fatigues, conferring about the operation on deck of the USS PRINCETON (LPH-5) on flight deck area. 2) CU The two marine officers and naval officers chatting on deck over the operation named "BEACON HILL." 3) CU Marines, ships officers on deck as seen on PAN to the L. 4) CU Marines leaving the island structure, passing by loaded down with gear out of the scene to the R loading aboard helicopters; marines continue to run by loaded down with all sorts of gear for the operation. 5) CU CAPTAIN TAXEWELL SHEPARD, USN, Commanding Officer of USS PRINCETON (LPH-5) speaking with some officers on the flight deck; PAN to R with CAPT moving over to COL WORTMAN, Commanding the Landing Force. 6) CU COL WORTMAN and CAPT SHEPARD talking next to the island (SV). 7) MLS The UH-34D helicopters lifting off with marines aboard from the flight deck in the far BG: yellow shirt stands in the FG, for the vertical assault by the marines around the DMZ (OX). 8) LS The flight deck area of the USS PRINCETON (LPH-5), showing helicopters warming up in the L and R far BG; UH-34D's begin lifting off in the R BG, with marines for the vertical assault; second helicopter lifts off in the far BG; jeeps and equipment seen parked on the road to the L BG. 9) LA MS Helicopter in flight after take off; yellow shirt standing in the FG looking on. 10) CU A green beacon light flashing up alongside the island. 11) MS Looking out over the marine gear on deck, which wil be flown ashore. 12) LA MCU PAN UH-46A helicopter, flying over the flight deck off to the L. 13) LS Front view of yellow shirt; his arms outspread, yellow shirt walks by in FG (very shaky scene). 14) CU Rear view of yellow shirt; a LSE bringing in a UH-34D helicopter; helicopter settles down on deck for gentle landing. 15) MLS The large group of flight deck personnel on the flight deck; helicopters are returning to the R far BG, some men move in to chock up the a/c; gas crew moves in with gas noses; wind is whipping the pants of the men on deck, more helicopters landing in the far BG. 16) CU One of the ABC news photographers with his movie camera taking pictures of the flight deck and moves out of the scene to the R. 17) CU Red beacon light twirling in its mount alongside the island. 18) CU Rear view of an LSE with a UH-1B helicopter in BG, rotors engaged. 19) MCU A blue shirt crouching down next to a UH-1B helicopter on deck, man in the waist hatch is standing by his M60 machine gun. 20) MS A yellow shirt on deck, hands crossed; sky and open sea in BG. 21) MCU Yellow shirt backing away giving take-off signal; UH-1B seen flying off in mid BG, second UH-1B comes in scene from R, flies off to the L. 22) CU Tractor towing a UH-34D marine helicopter slowly over the deck, man follows along with a chock to chock up the a/c. 23) CU Front view of blue shirt, walking alongside the helicopter being towed down the deck as helicopters are being loaded aboard LPH-5. 24) CU Tractor towing a UH-34D helicopter; helicopter comes to a stop, the blue shirt chocks up the wheels of the helicopter and pulls the chock out again, helicopter begins moving forward again. 25) CU Blue shirt standing next to one of the helicopters, man leaves the scene to the R. 26) MS A man in fatigues and life jacket, R hand raised, small fire bottle in his L hand on the flight deck, man walks forward out of the scene. 27) CU 3/4 front view of a UH-34D showing exhaust pipes on the port side of the helicopter.

Collection

General Records of the Department of the Navy

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Activities