 On 16 October New Jersey took up station in support of the U.S. 3rd Marine Division . Using both the 16 in and 5 in guns New Jersey engaged and destroyed 13 structures and an artillery site , in the process halting an enemy platoon moving through the DMZ . New Jersey continued to lend firepower support on the 17th until departing to lend her gunfire to the First Field Force . Foul weather prevented spotter aircraft from flying until 20 October ; however , New Jersey quickly made up for lost time on the gun line by destroying a Viet Cong command post and nine bunkers in support of the 173rd Airborne Brigade , who were operating about 50 miles ( 80 km ) north of Nha Trang . The next day New Jersey maneuvered into the waters of the Baie de Van Fong to fire at Viet Cong command posts , but poor visibility of the target area prevented any damage estimates . 
