Company lost five men due to PAVN artillery north of Cam Lo. On the 16th and 17th, Đông Hà Combat Base reported over 17" rain in one 24-hour period around Con Thien. 25 September was the largest single day for PAVN artillery. The hill and surrounding areas was hit with nearly 1500(130mm & 152mm)rounds. The battalion took several killed. 2/4 was involved in three major battles during this period. Phu Oc (21 September), Washout Bridge or "Bastard's Bridge" (14 October) and Hill 48 (25-7 October). The battalion commanding officer LtCol James W Hammond was wounded and the battalion executive officer was killed. The PAVN was stopped in their attempt to overrun the American outpost. 2/4 started this operation with 952 Marines. Six weeks later they left Leatherneck Square with about 300 men still fit for duty. Total casualties for Operation Kingfisher were 340 Marines killed, over 3,000 Marines wounded. PAVN losses were over 1,100 killed and five POW's. During this period of bloody fighting Sergeant Paul H. Foster (CP) and Lance Corporal Jedh Colby Barker (Fox Co.) were awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously) for their actions during these battles. There were also nine Navy Cross awarded at this time. In September General Westmoreland (Commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam) declared that the fighting on the DMZ around Con Thien was the heaviest in conventional firepower in the history of warfare. With the help of 71 B-52 sorties, offshore Naval gunfire and the support of all the fire bases in Northern I Corps, the Marines held their ground. On 28 October Lt. General Cushman (head of all Marines in Vietnam) sent a message to the Battalion that read (last line) "2/4 has met and beaten the best the enemy had to offer. Well done". The 1968 Tet Offensive resulted in an increase in fighting along the DMZ. A bitter clash started 30 April and ran through 3 May between 2/4 and the PAVN 320th Division (8,000 to 10,000 soldiers) that broke out northeast of Đông Hà. To protect the base and also the 3rd Marine Division headquarters, 2/4 reinforced by B/1/3 was moved forward to seize the fortified village and area around Dai Do. The three day Battle of Dai Do was costly for both sides. The PAVN lost nearly 1,500 killed, while 2/4 suffered 81 dead and 397 wounded. The battalion commanding officer LtCol. William Weise received the Navy