DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF FPO, San Francisco, California 96602 Copy_1 of 10 Copies 3/RAH/mjd 5750 0301-68 [???] 4 Sept 1968 [MARKED OUT] From: Commanding Officer To: Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF Subj: Command Chronlogy for the period 1-31 August 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 upon removal of enclosure (1). [Signature] M. C. ASHLEY, JR. [MARKED OUT] [MARKED OUT] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF FPO, San Francisco, California 96602 COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 1 August 1968 to 31 August 1968 INDEX Part I - Organizational Data Part II - Narrative Summary Part III - Sequentional Listing of Significant Events Part IV - Supporting Documents ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] ORGANIZATIONAL DATA 1. DESIGNATION COMMANDER Headquarters LtCol. H. W. HITE 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) 1-27 August 1968 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF LtCol. M. C. ASHLEY JR. 28-31 August 1968 SUBORDINATE UNITS H&S Company Captain G. P. BRODEUR 1-18Aug68 Captain B. R. MONTGOMERY 19-31Aug68 Company A (-) (Rein) Captain G. R. CASEY 1-31Aug68 Company B (Rein) Captain D. G. HENDERSON 1-31Aug68 Company C (Rein) Captain R. T. HOPKINS 1-31Aug68 Company A, 1st AT Bn 1stLt G. B. SEARCH 1-31Aug68 ATTACHED UNITS Company B, 5th TkBn 1stLt M. L. GILMAN 1-28Aug68 Company B, 1st Plt, 5th AT Bn SSgt J. B. FEJARAN 1-28Aug68 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 TkBn (BT 072644) 3. Staff Officers Battalion Executive Officer Maj. D. R. DICKEY 1-31Aug68 Battalion Adjutant 1stLt C. S. SCHURING 1-31Aug68 Battalion S-2 Officer Capt. R. D. GUNSELMAN 1-11Aug68 1stLt W. D. DARBY JR. 12-31Aug68 Battalion S-3 Officer Maj. J. T. GARCIA 1-31Aug68 Battalion S-4 Officer Maj. D. R. SPARKS 1-31Aug68 Battalion S-5 Officer/Civic Action Officer 1stLt HOLLITZ 1-31Aug68 4. Average Monthly Strength USMC USN OFF ENL OFF ENL 44 855 1 16 ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [1] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATION 1. Detachment of Company "B", 5th Tank Battalion resulted in a decrease in 1st Tank Battalion strength by: Marine OFF ENL 4 103 2. Detachment of 1st Platoon, Co "B", 5th Antitank Battalion resulted in a decrease in 1st Tank Battalion strength by: Marine OFF ENL 0 11 3. The total strength of the First Tank Battalion as of 31 August 1968: Marine Navy OFF ENL OFF ENL 40 740 1 14 4. The Battalion anticipates the following losses during September: Marine Navy OFF ENL OFF ENL 5 52 0 1 5. Record of Extension for the month of August 1968: Number of Number of Three Months Six Months Total Man-Months 1968 0 7 504 6. Total 0141's on board: 19 7. Anticipated 0141 losses during September: 0 8. Battalion Legal Report for August: a. Special Court Martial - 2 b. Summary Court Martial - 1 c. Informal Investigations - 1 d. Accidental Deaths - 1 9. Other losses: a. Humanitarian Transfer - 1 ENCLOSURE (1) [2] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] 10. Awards a. Recommended - 5 Personal Awards b. Presented - 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars 11. The following R&R quotas were allocated this Battalion: a. In Country (1) China Beach - 23 b. Out of Country (1) Hawaii - 15 (2) Australia - 7 (3) Kuala Lumpur - 2 (4) Singapore - 2 (5) Pennang - 3 (6) Okinawa - 3 (7) Manila - 1 (8) Tokyo - 5 (9) Taipei - 0 (10) Hong Kong - 9 (11) Bangkok - 14 SUMMARY The Battalion encountered no major discrepancies in personnel adminis- tration area while continuing to support two and one-third additional companies without augmentation personnel. During August, S-1 Officer pro- cessed five emergency leaves and six special leaves. ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [3] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED [MARKED OUT] INTELLIGENCE 1. Weather. August high mean temperature was 94 degrees, the low 80 degrees. This was above the 25 year mean of 93 degrees and 76 degrees, respectively. The rainfall total was 3.88 inches, below the 25 year average of 4.7 inches. During the month of September, temperature is expected to drop and a sharp increase in rainfall is likely. 2. Mine and RPG Incidents. During the month of August, 1st Tank Battalion experienced 3 mine incidents, compared to 17 during the same period in 1967 and 8 incidents last month. There were also 6 RPG incidents during this month. 3. Summary and Analysis. During the month of August, enemy initiated activities have increased within the Southern Sector and surrounding areas, as have friendly activities. Intelligence reports from agents have been received with information paralleling those other units. The indicate enemy sightings in immediate surrounding area of, and within the Southern Sector Defense Command. It is expected that the enemy will continue intermittent rocket and mortar attacks, may attempt limited sapper attacks against isolated positions, and continue in his preparation for the continuation of the 3rd Offensive. During the month of August, units from the Southern Sector reported i sighting and 19 contacts, and captured 19 suspects. All suspects were turned over to Hoa Vang Headquarters, DaNang Special Sector or Hoa Cam Training Center for further interrogation. ENCLOSURE (1) [MARKED OUT] [4] DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED OPERATIONS AND TRAINING [MARKED OUT] 1. Operations The units of the 1st Tank Battalion remain widely dispersed throughout the Area of Responsibility of the 1st Marine Division in support of the infantry regiments of the Division. The tanks and ontos of the 1st Tank Battalion participated in three major operations during the month of August and supported numrous small unit activities as well as providing security for road convoys, defending bridges, and reinforcing perimeter defenses. Tanks of the Battalion were also utilized in a direct fire counter-rocket role within the Southern Sector Defense Command, and tanks and Ontos of the Battalion provided firepower and mobility to reaction forces within the 1st Marine Division Company A (-) (Rein) was chopped as of 161200H August 1968 from TF X-RAY to the 1st Tank Battalion and placed in support of the 26th Marines. The CP of Company A remains at the Gia Le Combat Base and the combat activities of that company are essentially the same as when they were part of TF X-RAY. Company A has one platoon (-) in support of Operation Houston and has the other platoon in support of the Phu Bai Defense Command as a reaction force. Company B (Rein) continues to support both the 5th Marines and the 7th Marines with two platoons in direct support of each regiment. Besides having tanks in support of the many small unit operations conducted by these tow regiments, Company B supplied tanks for the security of road convoys and for the reinforcement of perimeter defenses. Company B provided tanks in support of Operation Mameluke Thrust and has two platoons in support of Operation Sussex Bay. Company B has its CP located with the 7th Marines on Hill 55. The tanks of Company C (Rein) remain in general support of the 1st Marine Division and constitute the Division's tank reserve. Company C also provides tank for bridge security and counter-rocket missions within the Southern Sector Defense Command. The CP of this company is co-located with that of the 1st Tank Battalion. Company C is presently preparing to displace its CP in order to support the 1st Marine Regiment. Company B (Rein), 5th Tank Battalion, was in direct support of the 27th Marines until 281200H when the company once again became organic to RLT 27. During the month of August Company B, 5th Tank Battalion, supported the 27th Marines by providing tanks for perimeter defenses. This company also supported 2/7 on Operation Allen Brook by placing three tanks in direct support of that battalion and support the ROKMC with a platoon in direct support of the 2nd Brigade, ROKMC. Company B, 5th Tank Battalion, is presently awaiting displacement to CONUS as part of RLT-27. Company A, 1st Anti-Tank Battalion, was chopped along with Company A, 1st Tank Battalion, from TF X-RAY to 1st Tank Battalion as of 161200H and then placed in direct support of the 26th Marines. The change of the support relationship of Company A, AT's, did not alter its combat activities. The company still has one platoon in support of Operation Houston and still provides one platoon to the Phu Bai Defense Command as a reaction force. |