DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1st Marine Division, (Rein), FMF FPO, San Francisco, California, 96602 Copy___of___Copies 2/RTH/rhv 5750 8 May 1968 [MARKED OUT] From: Commanding Officer To: Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF, Subj: Command Chronology for the period 1-30 April 1968 Ref: (a) MCO 5750.2 (b) FMFPacO 5750.8 (c) DivO 5750.2b Encl: (1) First Tank Battalion Command Chronology 1. In accordance with provisions of reference (a), (b) and (c) enclosure (1) is submitted. 2. This letter is downgraded to unclassified upon removal of enclosure (1). [Signature] H. W. HITTE [MARKED OUT] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF FPO, San Francisco, California, 96602 [MARKED OUT] COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 1 April 1968 to 30 April 1968 INDEX Part I - Organizational Data Part II - Narrative Summary Part III - Sequential Listings of Sequential 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) 1-8 April 1968 1st MarDiv (Rein), FMF LtCol H. W. HITE 9-39 April 1968 SUBORDINATE UNITS H&S Company Maj L. C. GILDERSLEEVE 1-30 Apr 1968 Company A (-) (Rein) Capt C. R. CASEY 1-30 Apr 1968 Company B (Rein) Capt G. J. MURDOCK 1-30 Apr 1968 Company C (-) (Rein) Capt R. D. GUNSELMAN 1-4 Apr 1968 Capt G. P. BRODEUR 5-30 Apr 1968 Company A (Rein), 1st ATBn 1stLt. V. C. DAVIS 1-21 Apr 1968 1stLt. G. J. TAYLOR 22-30 Apr 1968 Company B (Rein), 5th TkBn Capt D. MORRIS 1-19 Apr 1968 1stLt. R. M. JOHNSTONE 20-30 Apr 1968 2. LOCATION Headquarters (AT 997723) H&S Company (AT 997723) Company A (YD 815165) Company B (AT 962621) Company C (BT 072644) Company A, 1stATBn (YD 815165) Company B, 5thTkBn (AT 997723) 3. STAFF OFFICERS Battalion Executive Officer Maj P. G. RADTKE 1-30 Apr 1968 Battalion Adjutant 1stLt C. S. SCHURING 1-30 Apr 1968 Battalion S-2 Officer Capt R. T. HOPKINS 1-30 Apr 1968 Battalion S-3 Officer Maj D. R. DICKEY 1-30 Apr 1968 Battalion S-4 Officer Maj J. A. SCHUYLER 1-30 Apr 1968 Battalion S-5/Civic Affairs Officer Capt N. O. WHITTINGTON 1-23 Apr 1968 1stLt. R. C. HOLLITZ 24-30 Apr 1968 4. AVERAGE MONTHLY STRENGTH USMC USN OFF ENL OFF ENL 47 950 1 17 ENCLOSURE (1) 1 [MARKED OUT] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] PART II - NARRATIVE SUMMARY PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE The total strength of 1st Tank Battalion is 47 Marine Officers, one Naval Officer, 950 Marine enlisted, and 17 Naval enlisted. The battalion joined five Marine Officers and 102 Marine enlisted. The battalion anticipates the loss of no Marine Officers and 48 Marine enlisted during the month of May 1968. Seventeen requests for extensions of overseas tour were forwarded during April. These extensions bring the total man-months gained through extensions during 1968 to 264. The major incentive for extensions of overseas tour was the special 30-day leave program. During the month of April this battalion had no major administration problems. The joining of three 1041 Sergeants during the month stablized the battalion's administratve staff. The S-1 continues to support two and one-third additional companies, without augementation of administrative personnel. During the month great emphasis has been placed on the reduction of late entries and late unit diaries by a system of checks at battalion, this system has proven itself by reducing the unit diary error rate to .1 percent (only one error reported for all companies). The battalion's morale during this period was excellent although all personnel were required to work long hour in varied jobs. A total of 14 casualties were sustained during April, three med-evac, and 11 non-med-evac. There were 2 non-hostile casualties. There were eight punishments under Article 15. ENCLOSURE (1) 2 [MARKED OUT] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] INTELLIGENCE WEATHER: April high mean temperature wa 87 degrees the low 71 degrees. This wa within the 25 year mean of 86 degrees and 73 degrees respectively. Rainfall totaled 1.27 inches again around the 25 year average of 1.30 inches. INTELLIGENCE: An analysis of the enemy during April indicates, as in March, he avoided major contact with US forces in the 1st Marine Division TAOR. Those actions that were initiated consisted of limited ground action, attacks by fire, acts of terrorism and interdiction of LOC. The continuing progress of the enemy's East to West road network remains of interest due to the possible introduction of tracked vehicles into the I Corps Tactical Zone. In the DaNang TAOR enemy activity consisted mostly of harassment of patrols and outposts while replenishing units and gathering rice. Towards th end of the month low level agent reports. indicating continued preparation for a future offensive, increased. Accompaning the agent reports was an increase in interdiction of friendly LOC in the Southern DaNang TAOR. Increased reports of unconventiona warfare terrorists groups in the DaNang area has made it paramount to increase individual discipline and area security to avoid an increase in incidents that would compromise the US image in the eyes of the Vietnamese people. In the Task Force X-Ray TAOR enemy initiated activity increased slightly during the reporting period as did friendly activity. Allied forces continued to make significant contact thoughout April. Of interest is the significant increase in incidents of enemy bodies left on the battlefield, indicating deterioration in discipline among enemy forces. The First Tank Battalion experienced 4 mine incidents as compared with 13 during this period in 1967. There was one RPG incident during April. In the Southern Sector AOR, low level agents reports toward the end of April paralleled the increased reports throughout the DaNang area. Targets of future enemy activity mentioned were Cau Do and Tuy Loan Bridges, Hill 34 Complex and Hoa Cam Training Center. It is expected that the period of 1 May to 20 May will mark an increased in enemy initiated activity thoughout the 1st Marine Division TAOR. ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [3] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] TRAINING AND OPERATIONS During the month of April the 1st Tank Battalion participated in one major operation and one special project. One platoon, Company A (-) (Rein), and one platoon of Ontos, Company A (-) (Rein), (Antitanks) supported the 5th Marines in Operaton Baxter Garden during the period 22 April to 26 April. This operation was conducted in the area of (YD 8822 to YD 9714). Project Woodpecker was a land clearing project which was carried out south of DaNang by 1st Division Marines. Company B participated in the project by providing a tank equipped with a blade for heavy clearing work. The clearing was completed to deny hostile forces ambush and rocket sites. Company A (-) (Rein) is located in the Phu Bai/Gia Le area in direct support of Task Force X-Ray. The majority of tank-infantry operations were conducted East of Highway One (1). Additional support of the Phu Bai Defense Command have been conducted with a heavy section of M48A3 gun tanks. Company B (Rein) provided support for several company size operations during the month of April. The terrain in 7th Marines AOR has become increasingly trafficable for tracked vehicles and it is anticipated that tank-infantry operations will increase during the dry season. Security for road sweeps and command posts was also provided during the month. Company C (-) (Rein) remains in direct support of 3rd Battalion 27th Marines and the 2nd ROK Brigade in the Hoi An area. The 3rd Platoon remains attached to Company B, 1st Tank Battalion and is located at An Hoa. Company A (Rein), 1st Antitank Battalion, remains in direct support of Task Force X-Ray with headquarters at Gia Le. The Company provided a platoon in support of Operation Baxter Garden during April. They also provided vehciles in support of smaller operations conducted by 1/27 and 5th Marines. A platoon is also provided for the support of the Phu Bai Defense Command. Company B (Rein), 5th Tank Battalion, is in general support of the 1st Marine Division with two platoons supporting the 27th Marines. The 3rd Platoon provides security for the Song Cau Do and Song Tuy Loan Bridges in the Southern Sector Defense Command and is an element of the Division Reserve. The task organization for the 1st Tank Battalion(Rein) is as follows: Company A (-) (Rein): D/S Task Force X-Ray (Phu Bai) ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [4] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] Company B (Rein): D/S 7th Marines (DaNang) Company B (Rein), 5th Tank Bn: G/S 1st Mar Div (DaNang) Two platoons: D/S 27th Marines (DaNang) Company C (-) (Rein): G/S 1st Mar Div (DaNang) 1st Platoon: D/S 2nd Brigade ROKMC (Hoi An) 2nd Platoon: D/S 3rd Bn, 27th Marines (DaNang) Company A (Rein), 1st AT Bn: D/S Task Force X-Ray (Phu Bai) During the month of April the M67A2 flame tanks expended approximately 40,000 gallons of diesel fuel and napalm on assigned missions in the 1st Marine Division AOR. The 1st Tank Battalion conducted 60 patrols and ambushes in the Battalion Area of Responsibility and responded with two special activities of platoon size in the SSDC AOR. Total ammunition expended during April by the 1st Tank Battalion follows: 106mm HE WP APERS-T CAN .30 Cal .50 Cal HE APERS-T Direct 257 18 17 15 9,100 6,100 29 4 Indirect 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 257 18 17 15 9,100 6,100 29 4 The results of action involving the 1st Tank Battalion during April follows: VC/NVA KIA - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 VCC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 VCS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 TANK OPERATIONS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 SSKC OPERATIONS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 USMC WIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 MED-EVAC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 NON-EVAC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11 WEAPONS CAPTURED: None ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [5] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] Training for the 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) was centered on Weapons Safety, M67A2 crewman training, General Military Subjects and special classes taught by 1st Division Mobile Training Team instructors. Subjects covered in the semi-monthly Battalion Officers and Staff NCO's School were Helicopterborne Operations and the M-16 Rifle. Southern Sector Dedense Command The Commandin Officer, 1st Tank Battalion through the 1st Tank Battalion COC, continues to initiate and control defensive activities within the Southern Sector, 1st Marine Division Rear. During the month 720 activities were conducted by SSDC tenant units including three special activities varying from platoon (-) to platoon (Rein) in size. On 8 April the SSDC COC received an intelligence report that VC were Cam Hoa village at (AT976702). Two platoons from Hoa Cam Training Center conducted a search of the area resulting in 4 VCS which were turned over to DaNang Special Sector Headquarters. A Kit Carson scout reported to the S-2, 27th Marines that he knew of a VC female living in Phong Bac village near the Song Cau Do Bridge. A fire team from the bridge was dispatched and apprehended the girl who was taken to 27th Marines for interrogation. From 090800H to 121145H a SSDC platoon plus two squads of Regional Forces from Hoa Cam Training Center conducted a four day sweep and clear operation from NS98 gridline west to 94 grid line and south from the EW71 grid line to the bank of the Tuy Loan River. The R. F. were used during the day to contact villagers and attempt to extract information on VC activity in the area. At night, squad ambushes were established, concentrating on the northern bank of the Tuy Loan River. Two medcaps were conducted in Cm Hoa (1) and Cam Hoa (2). There was negative enemy contact during the operation. At 120400H, two VC terrorists entered a Hamlet (AT947708), killing six civilians and wounding four children. An RF Force swept the area with negative contact. |