DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF FPO, San Francisco, California, 96602 Copy 1 of 13 Copies 2/RTH/rhv 5750 03A7283 10 Feb 1968 (MARKED OUT) From: Commanding Officer To: Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF, c/o FPO, San Francisco, 96602 Subj: Command Chronology for the period 1-31 January 1968. Ref: (a) MCO 5750.2 (b) FMFPacO 5750.8 (c) DivO 5750.2b Encl: (1) First Tank Battalion Chronology 1. In accordance with the provisions of references (a), (b) and (c), enclosure (1) is submitted. 2. This letter is downgraded to unclassified upon removal of enclosure (1). (Signature) V. J. GENTILE CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF FPO, San Francisco, California, 96602 (MARKED OUT) COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 1 January 1968 to 31 January 1968 INDEX Part I - Organizational Data Part II - Narrative Summary Part III - Sequential Listing of Significant Events Part IV - Supporting Documents ENCLOSURE (1) (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) PART I ORGANIZATIONAL DATA 1. DESIGNATION COMMANDER Headquarters, LtCol V. J. GENTILE 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1-31 January 1968 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF SUBORDINATE UNITS H&S Company Maj L. A. GILDERSLEEVE 1-31 January 1968 Company A Capt C. R. CASEY 1-31 January `1968 Company B Capt R. E. ROEMER 1-31 January 1968 Company C Capt R. D. GUNSELMAN 1-31 January 1968 Company A, (Rein), 1stATB 1stLt V. C. DAVIS 1-31 January 1968 1. LOCATION Headquarters (AT 997723) H&S Company (AT 997723) Company A (AT 997723) Company B (AT 997723) Company C (AT 997723) Company A, (Rein), 1stATBn (YD 825165) 2. STAFF OFFICERS Battalion Executive Officer Maj P. G. RADTKE 1-31 January 1968 Battalion Adjutant 1stLt C. S. SCHURING 1-31 January 1968 Battalion S-2 Officer Capt R. C. MCPHERSON 1-31 January 1968 Battalion S-3 Officer Maj R. M. CROLL 1-23 January 1968 Maj D. R. DICKEY 24-31 January 1968 Battalion S-4 Officer Maj J. A. SCHUYLER 1-31 January 1968 Battalion S-5/Civic Attion Off Capt N. O. WHITTINGTON 1-31 January 1968 4. AVERAGE MONTHLY STRENGTH USMC USN OFF ENL OFF ENL 45 683 2 16 1 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED PART II - NARRATIVE SUMMARY PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION All companies are within the DaNang TAOR, with the exception of Company A (Rein), 1st Antitank Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion (Rein), which is located in the Phu Bai TAOR (Gia Le). The 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) retains administrative control of all companies. The 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) is currently in category C-1 with a chargeable strength of 45 Marine Officers, 683 Marine Enlistd, 2 Navy Officers and 16 Navy Enlisted. During the month of January the Battalion joined 1 Marine officer and 125 Marine enlisted. During the same period 5 Marine officers and 62 Marine enlisted were transferred. It is anticipated that the Battalion will lose a total of 44 personnel during the month of February due to normal rotation attrition. During January, 29 personnel in OF 03 were joined to man the 1st Tank Battalion's security platoon which supports the Southern Sector Defense Command. Consquently, several tank and support personnel, who were previously in this platoon, were released to letter companies relieving some of the Battalion's critical shortages. Five requests for extension were submitted during January. The total man-months gained through extensions are 27. Critical personnel shortags exist in MOS's 0130, 0202, 2025, 5702, 2151, 2841, and 3091. Increased enemy activity preceding and during he TET period at the end of January placed burdens upon may members of the command that were met with determination and true professionalism. To compensate for increased guard and 100 percent alert postures, changes were made in the plan of the day to allow maximum rest in the morning, and completion of essential work during the afternoon. The command has maintained exceptionally high moral during this trying period. The R&R program continues to be the major morale factor in the Batttalion. Motion pictures are the one facility that is enjoyed by more personnel than any other form of recreation. Battalion Post Exchange facilities are small and limited, but adequate. The personnel of this Battalion have access to numerous large and well stocked post exchanges and scheduled runs to there facilities are made available. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 2 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL During January the Battalion sustained 11 casualties, of which 5 required medical evacuation. During the same period there was 1 KIA and 1 DOW. On-the-job-training in the 01 field continues to be primary source of obtaining qualified personnel in the administrative field, however one afternoon per week has been set aside for formal 0141 schooling. A maximum number of Battalion clerks attend this course of instruction. The course is designed to further their knowledge of personnel administration. When it is noticed that a particular subject such as fitness reports. record of emergency date, or pertinent subjects seem to be causing difficulty, a class in that subject is immediately scheduled and covered in detail. There were no courts-martials in this Battalion during the month of January. There were 7 instances of punishment under article 15, UCMJ. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 3 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED INTELLIGENCE WEATHER. During January, the temperature ranged from a hight of 82 to a low of 64. Percipitation totaled 1.06" which was 3.14" below the 25 year average. Tank trafficability improved during January, however, tanks did not appreciably increase their operating territory. The prospect of increased areas of trafficability continues to improve. This is due to the very light rainfall experienced since the first few days of October. INTELLIGENCE AND ENEMY ACTIVITIES. Enemy anti-tank activities increased during January. There were 8 mine incidents, 6 involving tanks, 1 in- volving and Ontos and 1 involving a gas tanker. The size of the mines varied from the 100 pound mine hit by an Ontos, resulting in 1 KIA and 1 WIA, to the 30 pound mine detonated by C-35, resulting in light damage. For the first time in many months 5 tanks of this Battalion sustained 11 RPG hits. On 3 January, 2 Company "B" tanks, located on Hill 10, react- ing to an attack on CAP-B3 at Hieu Duc, were caught in a well coordinated ambush shortly after they passed the Hill 10 perimeter wire. Both vehic- les sustained RPG hits resulting in 1 KIA, 6 WIA (med-evac), and 1 WIA (non-evac). Analysis of the coordinated attacl on Hill 10 and Hieu Duc strongly suggest that the Hieu Duc attack was a diversion to draw the tanks off Hill 10 into the ambush. On the 30th, C-51 sustained an RPG hit resulting in 3 WIA (med-evac) and 1 WIA (non-evac). Of major importance to te Battalion was the indentification of the 31st NVA Regiment in the "Charlie Ridge" Area of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines AOR. A Chieu Hoi from the 31st Regiment stated that his unit had infiltrated into South Vietnam on the 15th of December and arrived in Quang Nam Province around 15 January. Along with the introduction of the 31st, information was received indicating that elements of the 2nd NVA Division had moved into the Division AOR. Events during the last two days of the month confirmed the fact that increasing numbers of VC/NVA were actively operating south of the Battalion's CP. Intelligence reports indicated that guerilla activity was increasing in the Southern Sector. These reports were substantiated with the attack on the Hill 34 Complex by a squad of local force VC which resulted in 1 bunker and several build- ings destroyed, with 5 VC KIA, 2 USMC KIA and 2 USMC WIA. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 4 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL OPERATIONS AND TRAINING During the month of January the 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) participated in one major operation. On 5 January nine tanks from Company C and one tank from battalion headquarters participated in Operation Horseshoe in the vicinity of (BT1164), resulting in no enemy contact. Company a (Rein)'s, mission continues as security for the two priority bridges in the Southern Sector Defense Command AOR; the Song Cau Do Bridge and the Song Tuy Loan Bridge. Company A, also has continues to supply two tanks for the security of hte Ha Dong Bridge at (AT990641). Due to the increased enemy activity in the DaNang area at the end of the month, Company A supplies two tanks for the security of the Cam Le Bridge at (BT015716). This commitment is expected to last until the threat of enemy attack on this bridge has been reduced. Company B (Rein)'s mission continues to be direct support of the 7th Marines, primarily as security for road sweeps and reaction forces. Company C (-) (Rein), is now in direct support of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, in the Marble Mountain area. Also, they are supplying a platoon in direct support of the 2nd ROK Brigade in the Hoi An area. The 3rd Platoon, to Company B, is in direct support of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines at An Hoa. Company A, 1st Antitank Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion (Rein), was attached to the 1st Marines in the Quang Tri area until 22 January. From there they moved to Camp Evans. The company is now located at Gia Le, Thua Thren, in the Phu Bai TAOR. The 3rd Platoon (Rein), Company A (-), is attached to the 5th Marines in the Phu Loc area. They are operating principally as security for road sweeps. The locations of the companies ant their supported units are as follows: Company A (Rein), G/S 1st MarDiv (DaNang) Company B (Rein), D/S 7th Marines (DaNang, Dai Loc, An Hoa) Company C (-) (Rein); D/S 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines, 3rd Bn, 5th Marines ROKMC (DaNang, Hoi An) Company A (-), 1st Antitank Bn, 1st Tank Bn: 1-30Jan68, attached 1st Marines (Quang Tri, Camp Evans) 31Jan68, D/S Task Force X-Ray (X-Ray AOR) 3rd Platoon (Rein), Company A (-): Attached 5th Marines (Phu Loc) 31Jan68, D/S Task Force X-Ray (X-Ray AOR) During the month of January, the 1st Tank Battalion's M67A2 flame tanks expended approximatedly 40,000 gallons of diesel fuel and napalm on assigned missions. The 1st Tank Battalion conducted 62 patrols and ambushes in the ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 5 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED battalion area of responsibility and responded with several special activities from squad to company size in the SSDC and 1st Marine Division TAOR. The results of actions in which the 1st Tank Battalion participated during January were: VC KIA (c)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _38 VC Captured_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _26 VCS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 USMC KIA_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 USMC WIA_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 11 Antitank activities increased during January. There were seven mine incidents involving tanks and one involving an Ontos. The tanks received from no damage to heavy damage from mines averaging 50 pounds in size. The Ontos which completely destroyed by a 100 pound mine resulting in one USMC WIA (med-evac) and one USMC KIA. There were several RPG rocket incidents during the month. Three tanks sustained from light to heavy damage and resulting casualties were 1 KIA, 6 WIA (med-evac) and 1 WIA (non-evac). There were no recoilless rifle incidents during the month. Training for the 1st Tank Battalion was centered on technical MOS training, weapons safety and NBC training. A class was held for all companies on marijuana by a battalion team consisting of the assistant S-3 and the battalion medical officer. This team traveled to all company CP's and most outlying platoon locations to deliver the class. The Battalion officer and staff school continues each Friday. Subjects presented during January included Code of Conduct and Logistics. A briefing by the S-2/3 summarizing the friendly and enemy activities throughout the 1st Division TAOR continues on a weekly basis. The Tuesday morning meeting for all battalion officers has been continued. This meeting allows all section heads to summarize their week's activities and inform the other sections of their plans and problems. On 27 January the Battalion Commander held an inspection of Company C. He was accompanied by the S-3 and S-4 who inspected those portions pertaining to operations, training, and logisitics. The compnay was found to be satisfactory with minor discrepancies. As these descrepancies are corrected they will be reported to the Battalion Commander. The total ammunition fired during January by 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) is a follows: ENCLOSURE (1) |