DECLASSIFIED




HEADQUARTERS
1st Tank Battalion,  (Rein)
1st Marine Division,  (Rein),  FMF
FPO, San Francisco, California, 96602

                    CONFIDENTIAL




COMMAND CHRONOLOGY

1 February 1968 to 29 February 1968

INDEX

                                                  Part I - Organizational Data

                                                  Part II - Narrative Summary
                              
                                                  Part III - Sequential Listing of Significant Events

                                                  Part IV - Supporting Documents





















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PART I

ORGANIZATIONAL DATA

1.    DESIGNATION                                                                                 COMMANDER

          Headquarters,                                                                                LtCol V. J. GENTILE
          1st Tank Battalion  (Rein)                                                     1-29 February 1968
          1st MarDiv  (Rein), FMF

SUBORDINATE UNITS

H&S Company                                                                   Maj L. A. GILDERSLEEVE 1-19 Feb 1968
Company A  (Rein)                                                            Capt C. R. CASEY 1-19 Feb 1968
Company B  (Rein)                                                            Capt R. E. ROEMER 1-19 Feb 1968
Company C   (-)  (Rein)                                                   Capt R. D. GUNSELMAN 1-29 Feb 1968
Company A  (Rein), 1st AT Bn                                  1stLt V. C. DAVIS 1-29 Feb 1968

2.          LOCATION

HEADQUARTERS                                                            (AT 997723)
H&S Company                                                                      (AT 997723)
Company A                                                                            (AT 997723)
Company B                                                                            (AT 962621)
Company C                                                                            (BT 072644)
Company A, 1st AT Bn                                                    (YD 815165)

3.          STAFF OFFICERS

Battalion Executive Officer                                        Maj P. G. RADTKE 1-29 Feb 1968
Battalion Adjutant                                                            1stLt C. S. SCHURING 1-29 Feb 1968
Battalion S-2 Officer                                                     Capt R. G. MCPHERSON 1-8 Feb 1968
                                                                                                    Capt R. T. HOPKINS 9-29 Feb 1968
Battalion S-3 Officer                                                     Maj D. R. DICKEY 1-19 Feb 1968
Battalion S-4 Officer                                                     Maj J. A. SCHUYLER 1-29 Feb 1968
Battalion S-5/Civic Action Officer                        Capt N. C. WHITTINGTON 1-29 Feb 1968

4.          AVERAGE MONTHLY STRENGTH

                    USMC                                                            USN
OFF                                 ENL                    OFF                                ENL
43                                     707                        2                                        16








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PART II - NARRATIVE SUMMARY

PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION

                              The total strength of 1st Tank Battalion  (Rein)  is 43 Marine
                    officers, two Naval officers, 633 Marine enlisted, and 16 Naval
                    enlisted.   The battalion joined one Marine officer and 133 Marine
                    enlisted during February 1968.   Loses were five Marine officers
                    and 83 Marine enlisted.

                              The battalion anticipates the loss of two Marine officers and 48
                    Marine enlisted during the month of March.

                              Five requests for extensions of overseas tour were forwarded
                    during February.    These extensions bring the total man-months gained
                    through extensions during 1968 to 59.   The major incentive for   exten-
                    sions of overseas tour is the special 30-day leave program.

                              During February, the marked increase in enemy activitiy made it
                    necesssary for the battalion to further support the Southern Sector
                    Defense Command in the form of two provisional platoons and a pro-
                    visional company Headquarters.   The need for personnel for this force
                    required calling on support personnel  (administration, tank main-
                    tenance, motor transport, and supply)  to fill these infantry bill-
                    ets.   During this same period it was also necessary to place all
                    remaining available personnel on nightly guard for defense of the
                    contonment, reducing not only the number of personnel available to
                    work but also reducing normal working day to approximately four hours.
                    The support of the tank companies became a prime requirement, with all
                    but priority work being put on a "necessary work only" basis.   This
                    put the administration section of the battalion behind in its daily
                    duties.   Much of this work was made up by working nights whenever          
                    the tactical situation allowed the reduction of the nightly defensive
                    posture.   The battalion administrative chain also suffered the loss
                    of two company administrative chiefs as well as some clerks without
                    replacements.   To support the tank companies, two battalion clerks
                    were transferred to companies and personnel with typing ability were
                    placed in the battalion office.   An extensive training program was
                    initiated with a group enrollment in an MCI Course  (Correspondance
                    Practices), supervised by the Battalion Administrative Chief.

                              The battalion's morale during this period was very high, although
                    all personnel were required to work long hours in many varied jobs.

                              A total of 67 casualties were sustained during February,  18
                    KIA's, 33 med-evac, and 16 non-med-evac.   There were also two
                    non-hostile casualties.

                              No special courts-martial were held during February.   There were
                    five instances of punishment under Article 15, UCMJ, in the battalion.


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INTELLIGENCE

                    WEATHER:   The high mean temperature for February was 76 degrees, the
                    low was 66 degrees.   This is well below the 25 year mean of 81 degrees
                    and 70 degrees respectively.   Rainfall this month was negligible,
                    however, tanks did not appreciably increase their operating area in
                    the DaNang AO.

                    INTELLIGENCE:   Enemy activity, high during the first of February
                    decreased significantly towards the end of the month in the Da Nang
                    area.   In the Task Force X-Ray AOR enemy contact continued heavy
                    through the month, especially in the Hue City area.   With the decrease
                    in contact in the Da Nang area there was an accompanying decrease in
                    highly reliable intelligence.

                              Mine incidents numbered four  (average 50 lbs.)  a sharp decrease
                    from the nine encountered in February 1967.   However, there were 44
                    RPG incidents involving 19 vehicles  (17 tanks and 2 Ontos)  reflecting
                    the change in enemy posture from an unconventional to conventional role.

                              During the TET offensive elements of major NVA units were
                    identified in the Da Nang Ao.   The 31 NVA Regiment in the Charlie
                    Ridge, Happy Valley area to the west and the 2 NVA Division to the
                    south in the Goi Noi Island area.   Coontinuing evidence of an enemy
                    buildup was provided by the capture of documents indicating the
                    possibility of hte 29th Regiment, 325C NVA Division west of Hue.
                    Prisoners captured during Operation Hue City claim to be from such
                    deverse units as the 7th Battalion, 90th Regiment, 324B NVA Division;
                    the 416th Battalion NVA Regiment, and the 32nd Battalion which allegedly
                    infiltrated in September 1967 with the mission of suppporting and
                    coordinating with guerrilla units in Thua Thien Province.   Information
                    from many sources reveal that the NVA combined individuals and small
                    units from wide spread units to create the impression that the enemy
                    was heavily reinforced during the TET Offensive.

                              During the month, 1st Tank Battalion alone and in coordination
                    with other units was responsible for the capture of much enemy
                    equipment.   Among these were a 75mm recoilless rifle,  4 cases of 75mm
                    ammo, and four AK 47's.

                              One significant event in the Southern Sector Defense Command's
                    intelligence gathering efforts was the capture of  3 VC by a combine
                    force of the local Revoltionary Development Tean and  7th Communications
                    Battalion Marines in a tunnel in Cam Hoa.   Interrogation of these
                    prisoners revealed information on VC ntentions and objectives in
                    the Southern Sector's AOR.


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OPERATIONS AND TRAINING

                              During the month of February the 1st Tank Battalion participated
                    in one major operation,  Operation Hue City.   On 3 February,  the 2nd
                    Battalion 5th Marines, and the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, started
                    operations in the Hue City area in an attempt to recapture the city.
                    On 13 February these units were reinforced by he 1st Battalion,
                    5th Marines, and the 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Tanks.   Elements
                    of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, and 1st Battalion, 1st Marines,
                    were initially supported by a platoon of tanks frm the 3rd Tank
                    Battalion;  however, on 17 February, this unit was replaced by 2nd
                    Platoon  (Rein),  Company A,  1st Tank Battalion.

                              The 3rd Platoon, Company A, operated from 13-24 February in the
                    area if  (YD7623).   From 24-27 February, the 3rd Platoon, Company A,
                    operated in the area of  (YD7720).   From 17-24 February,  the 2nd
                    Platoon,  Company A, operated in the area of  (YD7821)  and from 24-29
                    February, in the area of  (YD7824).

                              The fighting in Hue was consistent and heavy for the period
                    13-24 February.   On 24 February, the Citadel was secured.   During
                    this period of contact, Company A tanks suffered 34 RPG hits and
                    stuck two mines.

                              The 1st Platoon, Company A  (Rein), continues to provide security
                    for the Song Cau Do and Song Tuy Loan Bridges in the Southern Sector
                    Defense Command AOR.   These Company A tanks and two squads from the
                    Southern Sector Defense Command are located at each of the bridges.

                              Company B  (Rein) continues to provide support for the 7th Marines.
                    The operations were primarily involved with tank/infantry sweeps,
                    reaction forces for infantry and CAP units, security for road sweeps,
                    and security for command posts.

                              Company   (-)  (Rein)  was in direct support of 2nd Battalion, 3rd
                    Marines, from 1-29 February and then in direct support of 3rd Battalion
                    27th Marines when they assumed the responsibility for the area of 2nd
                    Battalion, 3rd Marines on 2 March.   One platoon is in direct support
                    of the 2nd ROK Bridgade in the Hoi An area.   The 3rd platoon remains
                    attached to Company B, 1st Tank Battalion.

                              Company A  (Rein), 1st Antitank Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion
                    (Rein), remains in direct support of Task Force X-Ray.    The Antitank
                    Company participated in Operation Hue City with the Company Headquarters
                    remaining at Gia Le.






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                              The task organization for the 1st Tank Battalion  (Rein) is
                    as follows:

                              Company A  (Rein):  G/S 1st Mar Div  (Da Nang)
                                        2nd Platoon:   D/S Task Force X-Ray  (Phu Bai)
                                        3rd Platoon  (Rein):  D/S Task Force X-Ray  (Phu Bai)
                              Company B  (Rein):  D/S 7th Mar  (Da Nang)
                              Company C  (-)  (Rein):  G/S 1st Mar Div  (Da Nang)
                                        1st Platoon:  D/S of 3rd Bn. 27th Mar.  (Da Nang)
                                        2nd Platoon:  D/S of ROK 2nd Bridgade  (Hoi An)
                              Company "A"  (Rein), 1st Antitank Bn, 1st Tank Bn.  (Rein):  D/S X-Ray (Phu Bai)

                              On 23 February the 1st Platoon  (-), Company B, 5th Antitank
                    Battalion was attached to the 1st Tank Battalion  (Rein) and immediately
                    began orientation and training.   It is anticipated that this unit
                    will be further attached to the Antitank Company when deployed.

                              During the month of February, the 1st Tank Battalion's M67A2
                    flame tanks expended approximately 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel and
                    napalm on assigned missions.   Many of the flame comitments have
                    been for tenant units in the Southern Sector Defense Command.   This
                    included burning brush on perimeters to improve fields of fire, and
                    clearing brush in order that a minefield in the Camp Monahan area
                    could be removed.

                              The 1st Tank Battalion conducted 58 patrols and ambushed in the
                    battalion area of responsibility and responded with many special
                    activities from platoon to company size in the SSDC TAOR.

                              Total ammunition expended during February by the 1st Tank
                    Battalion  (Rein) follows:


                                                         90mm                        Small Arms                     106mm        

                                          HE    WP   APERS-T      .30 cal    .50 cal          H. E.    APERS-T                     
                    DIRECT       957     33    45     17          34,600    12,650          627           1
                    INDIRECT     0        0      0       0               0             0                  0            0                             
                    TOTALS       957     33    45    17           34,600    12,650          627           1

                              The results of action involving the 1st Tank Battalion  (Rein)
                    during February follows:

                                                                      VC/NVA KIA _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _124
                                                                      VCC _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _    2
                                                                      VCS  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   1
                                                    &nb