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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