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.
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