DECLASSIFIED



HEADQUARTERS
1st Tank Battalion  (Rein)
1st Marine Division  (Rein),  FMF
FPO, San Francisco, California, 96602
                                                                                                                                            Copy_1_of_20_Copies

                                                                                                                                            5750
                                                                                                                                            8 August 1968

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From:    Commanding Officer
To:           Commanding General, 1st Marine Division  (Rein),  FMF

Subj:      Command Chronlogy for the period 1-31 July 1968

Ref:       (a)   MCO 5750.2
                    (b)   FMFPac 5750.8
                    (c)   DivO 5750.2b

Encl:       (1)  First Tank Battalion Command Chronology

1.   In accordance with the provisions of references  (a), (b),  and  (c)
enclosure  (1)  is submitted.

2.   This letter is downgraded to unclassified up removal of enclosure  (1).


                                                                                          [Signature]
                                                                                          H. W. HITE














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DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED


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

[MARKED OUT]


COMMAND CHRONOLOGY

1 July 1968 to 31 July 1968

INDEX

                                        Part I - Organizational Data

                                        Part II - Narrative Summary

                                        Part III - Sequential Listing of Significant Events

                                        Part IV - Supporting Documents
















                                                                                                                                  ENCLOSURE  (1)

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PART I

ORGANIZATIONAL DATA

1.     DESIGNATION                                                    COMMANDER
          Headquarters                                                            LtCol. H. W. HITE
          1st Tank Battalion  (Rein)                                1-31 July 1968
          1st Marine Div  (Rein), FMF

SUBORDINATE UNITS

H&S Company                                                                 Captain G. P. BRODEUR 1-31Jul68
Company A  (-)  (Rein)                                                  Captain C. R. CASEY 1-31Jul68
Company B  (Rein)                                                       Captain G. J. MURDOCK 1- 31Jul68
Company C  (Rein)                                                       Captain R. T. HOPKINS 1-31Jul68
Company A  (Rein), 1st AT Bn                               1stLt R. M. SEARCH 1-20Jul68
Company B  (Rein), 5th Tk Bn                               1stLt M. L. GILMAN 21-31Jul68

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 AT Bn                                              (YD 813165)
Company B, 5th Tk Bn                                              (BT 072644)

3.   Staff Officers

Battalion Executive Officer                                        Maj D. R. DICKEY 1-31Jul68
Battalion Adjutant                                                            1stLt C. S. SCHURING 1-31Jul68
Battalion S-2 Officer                                                     Capt. R. D. GUNSELMAN 1-31Jul68
Battalion S-3 Officer                                                     Capt. R. D. GUNSELMAN 1-8Jul68
                                                                                                    Maj J. T. GARCIA 9-31Jul68
Battalion S-4 Officer                                                     Maj J. A. SCHUYLER 1-3Jul68
                                                                                                    Capt D. G. HENDERSON 4-10Jul68
                                                                                                    Maj D. R. SPARKS 11-31Jul68
Battalion S-5/Civic Action Officer                        1stLt R. C. HOLLITZ 1-31Jul68

4.   Average Monthly Strength

          USMC                              USN

OFF               ENL     OFF             ENL

48                     886            1                      16

                                                                                                                                  ENCLOSURE  (1)

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[1]

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DECLASSIFIED


CONFIDENTIAL

PART II - NARRATIVE SUMMARY

PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION

1.    The total strength of the First Tank Battalion as of 31 July 1968 was:

                    MARINE                                                                                NAVY

OFF                                        ENL                                        OFF                                 ENL

48                                            886                                             1                                        16

2.    The Battalion anticipates the following losses during August:

                    MARINE                                                                                NAVY

OFF                                        ENL                                        OFF                                 ENL

  5                                              49                                            1                                        0

3.    Record of Extension for Tank Battalion thru 31 July 1968:

          Three Months                                        Six Months                    Total Man-Months 1968

                       4                                                                15                                                    462

5.    Anticipated 0141 losses during August:   0

6.    Battalion Legal Report for July:

          a.    Special Courts-Martial - 0

          b.    Summary Courts-Martial - 2

          c.     Informal Investigations - 8

          d.    Accidential Deaths - 1

7.     Other losses:

          a.   Hardship Discharges - 0

SUMMARY

The Battalion encountered no major discrepancies in personnel administra-
tion areas while continuing to support two and one-third additional com-
panies without augmenting personnel.   During July the Battalion S-1 Office
processed eight emergency leave cases, and five special leaves.

                                                                                                                        ENCLOSURE  (1)
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CONFIDENTIAL

INTELLIGENCE

WEATHER:   July high mean temperatue ws 97 degrees, the low 78 degrees.
This was above the 25 year mean of 96 degrees and 77 degrees respect-
ively.   Rainfall totaled 2.86 inches, caompared to the 25 year average
of 2.8 inches.

INTELLIGENCE:   An analysis of enemy movement for the past month reveals
the enemy increased his activity by harrassing and conducting reconn-
aissance of friendly units but continued to avoid large contacts.   It
is believed the enemy is building up for an offensive in the near
furture.   Sightings indicate enemy movement primarily toward the DaNang
area.

          Seven tanks and one M54 Truck were disabled by mines during the
month, compared to 10 incidents during the same period of 1967 and 13
duirng last month.   There was on RPG incident reported during the month.

          In the Southern Sector AOR, numerous sightings indicated an increaesd
reconnaissance effort by the enemy.   Most sightings and/or contacts
were around the Cau Do and Tuy Loan Bridges, Hill 34 Complex, Hoa Cam
Training Center and the O.P.'s.

          A Kit Carson Scout working for Southern Sector Defense Command
recovered four individual weapons, small arms ammunitions, various
articles of clothing and documents which held information about various
units in the sector,   Document were turned into G-2, 1st Marine Div-
ision, the weapons were taken by local PF's.














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CONFIDENTIAL

OPERATIONS AND TRAINING

          During the month of July the 1st Tank Battalion participated in three
major operations:   Operation Mameluke Thrust, Operation Allen Brook, and
operation Houston.   Company B  (Rein) had two tanks in support of 7th
Marines on Mameluke Thrust.   On Operation Allen Brook, Company B  (Rein),
5th Tank Battalion, supported the 27th Marines with three tanks.   Company
A  (-)  (Rein), 1st Tank Battalion, and Company A  (Rein) 1st Anti-tank
Battalion, each had a platoon in support of the 5th Marines on Operation
Houston.   The Operations continue with the same balance of tank support
although the 5th Marines now control Opeation Mameluke Thrust and Oper-
ration Allen Brook and the 26th Marines now control Operation Houston.

          Company A  (-)  (Rein) is located in the Phu Bai/Gia Le area where
they are in direct support of Task Force X-Ray.   Company A has one
platoon in support of Operation Houston and one in support of the Phu
Bai Defense Command.

          Company B  (Rein) is co-located with the 7th Marines on Hill 55 and
had four platoons in support of the 7th Marines until 26 July when the
company had to split its assets in order to  provide tank support to the
5th Marines.   Company B now has two platoons in direct support to the
5th Marines and two platoons in direct support of the 7th Marines.
Company B participated in numerous small unit operations and had two
tanks in support of Operation Mameluke Thrust.

          Company C (Rein) remains at the 1st Tank Battalion CP in general
support of the Division as the Division Reserve.   Company C also provides
tanks for the security of the Song Cau Do and Song Tuy Loan Bridges and
provides tanks to the various OP's within the Southern Sector Defense
Command which have observation and fields of fire ito the rocket belt.
These tanks provide valuable direct counter-rocket fire to the south of
the Song Cau Do.

          Company B, 5th Tank Battalion, support the 27th Marines on numerous
small unit operations and with three tanks is supporting 2/7 on Operation
Allen Brook.

          Company A  (Rein), 1st Anti-tank Battalion, has its headquarters at
the Gia Le Combat Base and remains in direct support of Task Force X-Ray.
Company A has one platoon in support of Operation Houston, one platoon is
used as a reaction force for the Phu Bai Defense Command,  and two platoons
remain at the Gia Le Combat Base as a reaction force.

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):   2 platoons D/S 5th Marines  (DaNang)
                                                            2 platoons D/S 7th Marines  (DaNang)


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          Company C  (Rein):   G/S 1st Marine Division  (DaNang)

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

          Company A, 1st Anti-tank Battalion:   D/S Task Force X-RAY  (Phu Bai)

          During this month of July the M67A2 flame tanks expended approximately
12,000 gallons of diesel fuel and napalm in support of their many  comm-
itments within the 1st Marine Division AOR.

          The 1st Tank Battalion conducted 62 patrols and ambushes in the
Battalion Area of Responsibility and responded to enemy activity with
five special activities ranging in size from squadto company.

          Total ammunition expended during July by the 1st Tank Battalion is
as follows:

                                           90mm                             Small Arms                         106mm       
                              HE    WP  APERS-T          .30 Cal      .50 Cal               HE   APERS-T  
DIRECT      174      21        18                    7,830              2,660                    6             3
INDIRECT     0       0           0                      0                  0               0           0         
TOTALS      174      21        18               7,830           2,660               6           3

          The results of action involving the 1st Tank Battalion during July are:

          VC/NVA KIA
                    TANK OPERATIONS........................8
                    SSDC  OPERATIONS........................4

          VCC
                    TANK  OPERATIONS...................... 0
                    SSDC   OPERATIONS.......................1

          VCS
                    TANK OPERATIONS....................... 0
                    SSDC  OPERATIONS........................3

          USMC KIA
                    TANK OPERATIONS........................2
                    SSDC  OPERATIONS........................1

          USMC WIA
                    TANK OPERATONS........................19
                              MED-EVAC................................12
                              NON-EVAC..................................7
                    SSDC OPERATIONS..........................3
                              MED-EVAC..................................3
                              NON-EVAC...................................0

                                                                                                                                  ENCLOSURE  (1)

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DECLASSIFIED
DECLA