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

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COMMAND CHRONOLOGY

1 June 1968 to 30 June 1968

INDEX

                                        Part I - Organizational Data

                                        Part II - Narrative Summary

                                        Part III - Sequential Listings of Significant Events

                                        Part IV - Supporting Documents















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PART I

ORGANIZATIONAL DATA

1.     DESIGNATION                                              COMMANDER
          Headquarters                                                      LtCol. H. W. HITE
          1st Tank Battalion  (Rein)                          1-30 June 1968
          1st MarDiv  (Rein),  FMF

SUBORDINATE UNITS

H&S Company                                                            Maj L. A. GILDERSLEEVE 1-13Jun68
                                                                                             Capt G. P. BRODEUR 14-30Jun68
Company A (-)                                                             Capt C. R. CASEY 1-30Jun68
Company B (Rein)                                                    Capt G. J  MURDOCK 1- 30Jun68
Company C (Rein)                                                    Capt G. P. BRODEUR 1-30Jun68
                                                                                             Capt R. T. HOPKINS 14-30Jun68
Company A (Rein), 1stATBn                              1stLt G. B. SEARCH 1-30Jun68
Company B, 5th TkBn                                           1stLt R. M. JOHNSTONE 1-30Jun68

2.     Location

Headquarters                                                               (AT 997723)
H&S Company                                                             (AT 997723)
Company A                                                                   (YD 815165)
Company B                                                                      (AT 962621)
Company C                                                                      (AT 997723)
Company A, 1st ATBn                                            (YD 813165)
Company B, 5th TkBn                                            (BT 072644)

3.     Staff Officers

Battalion Executive Officer                                 Maj D. R. DICKEY 1-30Jun68
Battalion Adjutant                                                     1stLt C. S. SCHURING 1-30Jun68
Battalion S-2 Officer                                              Capt R. T. HOPKINS 1-13Jun68
                                                                                           Capt R. D. GUNSELMAN 14-30 Jun68
Battalion S-3 Officer                                              Capt R. D. GUNSELMAN 1-30Jun68
Battalion S-4 Officer                                              Maj J. A. SCHUYLER 1-30Jun68
Battalion S-5/Civic Action Officer                    1stLt R. C. HOLLITZ  1-30Jun68

4.    Average Monthly Strength

               USMC                                              USN
OFF                              ENL          OFF                              ENL

45                                  914              1                                  14




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PART II - NARRATIVE SUMMARY

PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION

1.   The total strength of the First Tank Battalion as of 30 June 1968 was:

          MARINE                                                                                NAVY

OFF                    ENL                                                            OFF                    ENL

  45                     951                                                                1                           15

2.   The Battalion anticipates the following losses during July:

          MARINE                                                                                NAVY

OFF                    ENL                                                            OFF                    ENL
 
  4                          56                                                               0                          1

3.   Record of Extension for Tank Battalion thru 30 June 1968:

          Three Months                    Six Months                    Total Man-Months 1968

                    1                                                  9                                                  360

4.   Total 0141's on board:    23

5.   Anticipated 0141 losses during July:   3

6.   Battalion Legal Report for June:

          a.    Special Courts-martial - 1

          b.    Summary Courts-martial - 1

          c.    Informal Investigations - 10

          d.   Accidential Deaths - 1

7.   Other losses:

          a.   Hardship Discharges - 2

SUMMARY

The Battalion encountered no major discrepancies in personnel admin-
istration areas while continuing to support two and one-third additional
companies without augmenting personnel.   During June the Battalion S-1
Office processed three emergency leave cases, and eleven special leaves.

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INTELLIGENCE

WEATHER:   June mean high temperature was 92 degrees, low was 77.
The 25 year average for June is 91 and 77 degrees.   Rainfall totaled
2.62 inches which is slightly below the 25 year average of 2.80.

INTELLIGENCE:   Enemy activity was relatively light in all operating
areas.   There were numerous reports of buildups in preparation
for a large scale assault but Operations Allen Brook and Mameluke
Thrust kept the enemy threat away from the DaNang vital area.
Enemy reconnaissance teams were active in the Southern Sector
and were spotted from time to time by friendly patrols.   On
several occasions, brief skirmishes were fought with one to four
enemy.

          Tanks of the 1st Tank Battalion detonated 13 mines and had
5 tanks hit by RPG's.   There were numerous instances of tanks
receiving small arms fire.   This was normally long range fire
and primarily harassed rather than damaged the vehicles.
















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TRAINING AND OPERATIONS

          During the month of June the 1st Tank Battalion participated in
four major operations:

Operation Nevada Eagle

          Tanks of Company A and Ontos of Company A (ATs) operated in support
of the 101st Airborne on this operation which took place northwest
of Hue.   This operation was successful and resulted in 25 NVA kills
for the vehicles of 1st Tank Battalion.

Operation Houston

          This operation has been underway for some time southwest of Hue.
Tanks of Company A and Ontos of Company A (ATs) have been in support
of 1/5 on this operation which has taken place along Route 1 south
from Phu Bai.   The vehicles have been used in several capacities,
sweep forces, reaction units, security - throughout the operation,
and they continue to support the infantry in this way.

Operation Allenbrook

          This operation has been in progress for some time.   Support has
varied from a company  (-) to a heavy section of tanks throughout the
month.   These tanks have been furnished by Company B, Company B, 5th
Tank Battalion, and Company C.   The tanks have been vulnerable to
mines since they have been channelized to roads with the advent of the
spring rains.

Operation Mameluke Thrust

          This operation presently has a platoon  (Rein)  in support of it.
These tanks are being supplied by Company B and Company B, 5th Tank
Battalion and are being used as C.P. defense and road sweep security.
These tanks also have hit several mines due to being restricted to the
roads because of wet terrain.

          Company A  (-)  (Rein) is located in the Phu Bai/Gia Le area where
they are in direct support of Task Force X-Ray.   The company has
provided support for two major operations throughout the month.   These
operations have been successful and the tanks have been well utilized.
Tanks are also provided for defense of the Phu Bai Command.

          The tanks of Company B  (Rein) have been engaged in operation n
the 7th Marines AOR.   Two major operations are in progress in this
area:  Operation Allenbrook and Operation Mameluke Thrust.   The tanks
are used as convoy security and reaction forces.   They also support
the infantry by fire when possible since the wet paddies have limited
most off-road movement.

          The 2d Platoon, Company B was detached from 1st Battalion on

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15 June and went afloat with BLT 2/7 on that date.   On 18 June, Company
B joined the 1st Platoon, Company A which had been acting as Division
Reserve.

          Company C  (Rein)  is in general support of the 1st Marine Division.
The Company C C.P. is now located in  the 1st Tank Battalion cantonment.
The company also has responsibility for the security of both major
bridges in the SSDC AOR.

          Company B, 5th Tank Battalion  (Rein) has been providing tanks
for road sweep, C. P. security and Operation AllenBrook.   One platoon
is in support of the 2nd ROK Brigade in the Hoi An area.

          Company A, 1st Antitank's  (Rein), remains in direct support
of Task Force X-Ray with headquarters at Gia Le.   The company has
one platoon in direct support of the Phu Bai Defense Command.   One
platoon is in support of 1/5 on Operation Houston.

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

          Company A  (-)  (Rein):  D/S Task Force X-Ray  (Phu Bai)

          Company B  (Rein):  D/S 7th Marines  (DaNang)

          Company B, 5th Tank Battalion  (Rein):  D/S  27th Marines  (DaNang)
                    One platoon:  D/S 2nd Brigade ROKMC  (Hoi An)

          Company C (Rein):   G/S 1st Mar Div  (DaNang)

          Company A, 1st AT's  (Rein):  D/S Task Force X-Ray  (Phu Bai)

          During the month of June the M67A2 flame tanks expended approx-
imately 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel and napalm in support of
various units throughout the 1st Marine Division AOR.

          The 1st Tank Battalion conducted 60 patrols and ambushes in the
Battalion Area of Responsibility.   No significant contacts were made
by these patrols.

          Total ammunition expended during June by the 1st Tank Battalion
follows:

                                               90mm                                        Small Arms                   106mm      
                              HE   WP   APERS-T   CAN     .30 CAL  .50 CAL      HE   APERS-T
DIRECT           349     15          45                    52          33,450          2,925          90             8
INDIRECT       0       0         0                 0                 0               0         0           0       
TOTALS          349      15          45                    52          33,450          2,925          90             8

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          The results of action involving the 1st Tank Battalion during
June follows:
                              VC/NVA KIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 58

                              VCC  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    0

                              VCS  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    0

                              USMC KIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    0

                                        TANK OPERATIONS   - - - - -    0

                                        SSDC  OPERATIONS   - - - - -    0

                              USMC WIA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  22

                                        MED-EVAC  - - - - - - - - - - - - -  12

                                        NON-EVAC  - - - - - - - - - - - - -  10

                              WEAPONS CAPTURED:   one  (1)  RPG-2,  one  (1)  Chinese rifle,
                                                                                            AK-47's,  five  (5)  SKS Carbines

          Training for the 1st Tank Battalion  (Rein)  was centered on Technical
MOS training and weapon Safety was also stressed.   A battalion team
conducted classes for all companies on marijuana during June.   A
division team conducted a lecture and application period on ambush
techniques for the raction platoons in the SSDC.   Subjects covered on
the weekly Battalion Officers and Staff NCO's School were Informal
Investigations, Special Courts Martial and Duties of the President and
Court Member of the Court Martial.

Southern Sector Defense Command

          The CO, 1st Tank Battalion through the 1st Tank Battalion COC,
continues to  initiate and control defensive activities within the
Southern Sector.   During the month, 701 activities were conducted by
SSDC tenant units including four special activities of squad size
and platoon size.

          A land clearing project in the SSDC was commenced during the latter
part of June in the area of  (AT9970).   This consisted of firing l[???]
charges form an LVT E-1 and also detonating several Fuel-Air Explosive
devices which clears brush and collapses tunnels.

          At 042400H, an estimated four enemy fired upon the perimeter
bunkers of 7th Communications Battalion at  (AT991712).   The bunkers
returned fire forcing the enemy to withdraw and a reaction force was
dispatched to maintain contact.   The enemy, however, was able to
evade the reaction force and they suffered unknown casualties.   There
were no friendly casualties.


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          At 160130H, a 7th Communications Battalion ambush opened fire on
several VC who came ut of a cave.   The VC returned fire and threw
a grenade, then withdrew to the east leaving one  (1)  VC KIA.   A
reaction force was dispatched but no more contact was made.   Friendly
casualties were two  (2)  USMC KIA  and one  (1)  USMC WIA  (med-evac).
Equipment which was found with the enemy was one  (1)  AK-47 with
ammunition, and a cartridge belt with magazines and grenades.

          At 170125H, a fire team size patrol from the 7th Communications
Battalion fired on an enemy force at  (AT987708).   The enemy fled
leaving one  (1) VC who was wounded.    A reaction squad maneuvered
into a flanking action with negative results.   Results were on
detainee with no friendly casualties.

          At 250215H, a Marine from 7th Communications Battalion entered a
friendly minefield at  (AT993734) detonating a mine resulting in his