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 [MARKED OUT] 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 [MARKED OUT] 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) [MARKED OUT] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 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) [MARKED OUT] [1] DECLASSIFIED |
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) [MARKED OUT] [2] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 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. ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [3] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 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) ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [4] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 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) [MARKED OUT] [5] DECLASSIFIED |
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