DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) HEADQUARTERS 3d Antitank Battalion 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF c/o FPO San Francisco, California 96601 3/ORE/eh 3100 10 Feb66 From: Commanding Officer To: Commanding General, 3d MarDiv (Rein), FMF Subj: Command Chronology, January 1966, submission of Ref: (a) MCO 5750.2 (b) DivO 5750.1 Encl: (1) Journals (2) SITREP'S (3) Company Operational Summaries, Period of 1-31 January 1966. 1. In compliance with references (a) and (b) the Command Chronology and enclosures (1) through (4) are submitted. BRUCE A. HEFLIN (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 PART I 1. Reporting Unit - 3d Antitank Battalion (Rein) 2. Period covered - 1-31 Jan66 3. Date of submission - 10 Feb66 4. Commanding Officer - 1-31 Jan66 Lieutenant Colonel BRUCE A. HEFLIN 5. Command Post - Republic of South Vietnam (AT987711) Map SVN Series L701, Sheet No. 6659 III and 6658 IV. (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 1. Operational data, including attachments a. Designation/Location (1) 3d Antitank Bn. (Rein) (Command Group) (DaNang TAOR) (a) Headquarters and Service Co (-) (DaNang TAOR) (b) "A" Co (-) (Rein) (DaNang TAOR) 2nd Plt "A" Co 1st ATBn (Hue Phu Bai TAOR) (c) "B" Co (-) (Rein) (Chu Lai TAOR) (d) "C" Co (Rein) (DaNang TAOR) (e) "C" Co (Rein) 1st ATBn (Chu Lai TAOR) b. Period covered by report: 1-31 Jan66 c. Name/Rank of Commanding Officer and Staff, or principle subordinates including T/O billet assignment. BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Commanding Officer LtCol. B. H. HEFLIN Executive Officer Maj. O. R. EDMONDSON S-1/Adj 2ndLt. G. DOHSE S-2 Officer Capt. F. FIRING 1-10 Jan66 Maj. O. R. EDMONDSON 11-15 Jan66 Capt. R. F. LANPHIER 16-31 Jan66 S-3 Officer Capt F. FIRING 1-10 Jan66 Maj O. R. EDMONDSON 11-15 Jan66 Capt. F. FIRING 16-31 Jan66 S-3A Officer Unassigned Liaison Officer Unassigned S-4 Officer Capt. S. R. STEWART Supply Officer 1stLt. A. ANDAZOLA Motor Transport Officer 1stLt. D. L. TAYLOR Ordnance/Maintenance Officer 1stLt. B. M. MATHEWS Communications Officer MSgt. J. S. KRAJEWSKI Medical Officer CPO G. K. LAW Headquarters and Service Co (-) Commandant 1stLt. J. T. MATHEWS 1 (MARKED OUT) (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 Company "A" (-) (Rein) Commanding Officer Capt. K. E. SHARFF Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Plt Commander 2ndLt. P. F. MC ALEER 1st Plt Co "A", 1st ATBn 2ndLt. D. C. RUMSEY, III 2nd Plt Co "A", 1st ATBn 1stLt. D. J. NOONAN Company "B" (-) (Rein) Commanding Officer 1stLt. M. H. CHANG Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Plt Commander SSgt. S. E. STEWART 2nd Plt Commander 1stLt. W. J. MAHER JR Company "C" (Rein) Commanding Officer 1stLt. A. G. ANDERSON II 1-10 Jan66 Capt. F. FIRING 11-31 Jan66 Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Plt Commander SSgt. R. R. ABRAMOWICZ 2nd Plt Commander 1stLt. M. M. WOOD 3d Plt Commander Sgt. L. D. WERRE 1-5 Jan66 2ndLt. D. K. CASWELL 6-31 Jan66 3d Plt Commander, Co "B" 1stLt. J. J. MC COY Company "C" (Rein) 1st ATBn Commanding Officer Capt. W. F. SNYDER Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Plt Commander 1stLt. H. T. SCHMIT 2nd Plt Commander 1stLt. H. J. CONNOLLY 3d Plt Commander SSgt. E. DAVIS d. Average Monthly Strength during the period. (1) 3d Antitank Battalion (-) (Rein) Officers-21 Enlisted-463 (a) Headquarters and Service Company 9 145 (b) Company "A" 3 70 (c) Company "B" 2 67 (d) Company "C" 4 96 (e) Company "D" 3 85 2 (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 2. Sequential listing of significant events. a. Personal During the month there were two promotions to Staff Sergeant, one to Sergeant, eight to Corporal and one to Private First Class. One man was recommended for the Bronze Star, one man was recommended for a Navy Commendation Medal and eight men were awarded a meritorious mast. The Battalion sent 58 men on R&R. Two men were medically evacuated for non-battle reasons and three men were granted emergency leave to CONUS. There were two KIA, two WIA and four WIANE. There were eleven Article 15 punishments awarded, one Summary Court-martial and one General Court-martial is pending. During the month one Officer, thirty-four enlisted and one Corpsmen were rotated to CONUS. Three Officers, twenty enlisted and two Corpsmen were joined as replacements. b. Administration All companies were on Company Administration during this period. Two companies employ the addressograph PAS system and three companies are still on the old system. c. Intelligence. During the reporting period information concerning the enemy and terrain was received from III MAF, 3d Marine Division, 9th Marines and Hoa Vang District Headquarters. On the 14th of January the Vietnamese interpreter went into the Village of YEN BAC (1) (AT985701) and he had not been seen or heard of since that time. On 30 Jan66 L/Cpl. VERDLE reported into the Battalion to assume the duties as the S-2 clerk, relieving the present S-2 clerk, Cpl. WAPOLE, of his present duties. d. Training Training within the Battalion was conducted on the company level. On 25 Jan66 Marines from H&S, "A" and "C" Co attended the 3d Engineer Bn's school on "Land Mine Warfare, VC Mines and Booby Traps and Demolition Training". H&S Co conducted lecture and demostration type training in addition to OJT. The various sections conducted classes in their particular fields, i.e. Motor Transport Plt. held classes on "Vehicle Abuse" and 'Motor Transport field expedients", the CommO conducted classes on "Radio Procedures", "Operation of the AN/PSR-1" etc. The M-72 LAAW was introduced into the H&S Co weapon inventory. Indoctrination school was held and a FIREX conducted, ninety LAAW's were fired at the Hoa Cam Training Center. The gun companies held fam. firing of the M-14, M-60, M1919A4, the .45 cal pistol and the M3A1 submachine gun. FIREX's were conducted on the plt. level using both the HEAT and HEP-T 106mm rounds, in conjunction with the .50 cal spotting rifle. Direct and Indirect firing techniques were use. Special classes on combat driving of the ONTOS, map reading and information programs on the Code of Conduct, Servicemen's Group Life Insurance (SGLI), and Conduct while on liberty in RVN were also conducted. 3 (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 e. Operations On 1 January 1966 the Battalion was deployed as follow: (1) 3d Antitank Bn (-) (Rein) is in general support of the 3d Marine Division. (a) H&S Co (-) (Bn CP) located DaNang TAOR (AST987711). (b) Company "A" (-) (Rein) in direct support of the 3d Marine Regiment. 1st Platoon Co "A" in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. 1st Platoon Co "A" 1st ATBn in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 3d Marines. 2nd Platoon Co "A" 1st ATBn attached to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. (c) Company "B" (-) (Rein) attached to the 4th Marine Regiment. 1st Platoon Co. "B" in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. 2nd Platoon Co. "B" in direct support of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. (d) Company "C" (Rein) in direct support of the 9th Marine Regiment. 1st Platoon Co. "C" in direct support of the 2nd Bn., 9th Marines. 2nd Platoon Co. "C" in direct support of the 1st Bn., 9th Marines. 3d Platoon Co. "C" in direct support of the 9th Marines. 3d Platoon Co. "B" in direct support of the 3d Bn., 3d Marines. (e) Company "C" (Rein 1st Antitank Bn. attached to the 7th Marines. 1st Platoon Co. "C" in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. 2nd Platoon Co. "C" in direct support of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. 3d Platoon Co, "C" in direct support of the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines. 4 (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 (2) DaNang Enclave (a) H&S Co (-) During the reporting period the rebuilding program on camp security was accelerated. Two bunkers were completely rebuilt and the communications bunker was completed. A Command Bunker was started and over 2/3 completed. A vigorous program of patrolling our assigned patrol area was conducted. In the month of January, two reinforced squad, ten squad, and 12 fire team sized patrols worked the area. Three fire team sized night ambushes were conducted in selected sites within our patrol area of reponsibiltiy. All patrols resulted in negative reports, except on 2 Jan66 when one Vietnamese female was detained due to lack of adequate indentification. She was subsequently released when identified at the Hoa Cam Training Center. On 21 Jan66 a special security patrol was employed when the Bn. Civic Action Team visited all homes within the Bn. area to give individual gifts for TET. On 29 Jan66 the Bn's. reaction platoon was committed in defense of the Marble Mountain complex. Key member of the Bn. reaction platoon attended the 3d Engineer Bn's. course "C" class on "Land Mine Warfare, VC Mine aan Booby Traps and Demoliton Training". A FIREX utilizing the M-72 LAAW was conducted by the reaction platoon at the Hoa Cam Training Center. On 7 Jan66 the Bn. was visited by Gen. W. M. GREENE, Jr., MajGen. L. W. WALT and party. On 20 Jan66 Mr. Charlton HESTON visited the Bn. CP area. On 7 and 21 Jan66 two Red Cross girls visited the Bn. Enlisted Men's club and conducted audience participation games. (b) Compan "A" (-) Rein) Continued in direct support of the 3d Marine Regiment. The 1st Plt in direct support of the 1st Bn. 1st Marines, maintained their defensive posture providing one ONTOS to Co "B" CP (AT921692) and one ONTOS to the Bn. CP for security. The heavy section maintained it's state of readiness as part of the reaction force. The 1st Plt Co "A" 1st AT Bn. in direct support of the 1st Bn. 3d Marines, with a light section positioned at Co "D" CP and the heavy section at the 1st Bn. 3d Marines CP. On 9 Jan66 a light section escorted an engineer road reconnaissance patrol west along highway #14 to (AT803846) with no major problems encountered. On the 29th and 30th of January a reconnaissance was conducted in the western areas of responsibiltiy to determine suitable firing positions for long range direct fire support. (c) Company "C" (Rein) continued in direct support of the 9th Marine Regiment. The 1st Plt remained in direct support of the 2nd Bn. 9th Marines. On 4 Jan66 one section was dispatched to reinforce a patrol receiving heavy small arms fire. A total of 250 .30 Cal machine gun rounds were fired resulting in one VC KIA (Possible). The platoon moved to hill 55 (AT971620) on 15 Jan66 where they emplaced and fired for registration. Escort was provided on 17 Jan66 for a sweep of Chau Son (3) (AT950606) and Chau Son (2) (AT945605). The platoon supported a sweep of Bo Mung (BT027649) directing 250 rounds of .30 Cal machine gun fire at suspected VC positions with unconfirmed results. On 29 Jan66 the platoon reinforced by the 3d platoon supported operation WAR BONNET II. 5 (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 The 2nd Plt remained in direct support of the 1st Bn. 9th Marines. The platoon participated in operation WAR BONNET from 2 to 4 January providing security for the armored column. The platoon also participated in company sized sweeps with negative results. The 3d Plt in direct support of the 9th Marines reinforced the 2nd platoon in operation WAR BONNET on 3 and 4 January. A section on 10 Jan66 provided security for a downed helicopter. On 18 Jan66 one section was attached to the 3d plt Co "B" and displaced to Ha Dong (AT988642). During the night small arms fire was received and returned. The section expended 1000 rounds of .30 cal machine gun fire and 400 .50 cal spotting rifle rounds. On 19 Jan66 the section displaced to hill 55 (AT971620) and set up defensive positions. On 31 Jan66 a section fired six rounds of 106mm to support a squad receiving small arms fire, with unconfirmed results. The 3d Plt Co "B" remained in direct support of the 3d Bn, 3d Marines. On 6 Jan66 the platoon's M-37 detonated a land mine resulting in one USMC KIA and two USMC WIA. The platoon supported a sweep of Phu Son (AT9464) and (AT9465). The platoon's M-37 detonated a land mine on 25 Jan66 resulting in three USMC WIA. (3) Chu Lai Enclave (a) Company "B" (-) (Rein) Attached to the 4th Marine Regiment until the 20th of January, when the 1st Marine Regiment assumed control. With the 2nd Bn. 4th Marines participating in Operation DOUBLE EAGLE the company realigned the platoon defensive positions to insure maximum coverage, by fire, of proable avenues of approach and key terrain features. The 1st Plt in direct support of the 1st Bn 4th Marines maintained defensive positions along theMLR. On 18 Jan66 the platoon conducted a direct fire H&I mission on an island at GS (BT5214) expending 90 rounds of 106mm. The 2nd Plt in direct support of the 2nd Bn 4th Marines maintained defensive positions along the MLR. On 2 Jan66 the platoon provided escort for Co "G" and "E" and a light section provided escort for Co "G" on 11 Jan66 expending 83 rounds of 106mm. On 16 Jan66 a heavy section supported Co "G" at (BT513059) in an attach of VC. On the 26th of Jan66 the platoon came under the control of the 1st Bn 4th Marines. (b) Company "C" (Rein) 1st ATBn. remained attached to the 7th Marine Regiment. The 1st Plt in direct support of the 1st Bn 7th Marines continued to man defensive positions along the MLR. ONTOS/ Infantry patrols were conducted almost daily behind the MLR. The 2nd Plt in direct support of the 2nd Bn 7th Marines continued to man defensive positions along the MLR. On 15 Jan66 the heavy section escorted a convoy to (BS562894) southwest of BINH SON, where they assumed a defensive posture until the 18th of Jan66 when they escorted the convoy's return to Chu Lai. The 3d Plt in direct support of the 3d Bn 7th Marines continued to man defensive positions along the MLR. On 24 Jan66 a light section escorted a convoy from Chu Lai to the military compound at QUANG NGAI and returned the same day. 6 (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/ORE/eh 10 Feb66 (4) Hue Phu Bai TAOR (a) 2nd Platoon Co. "A" 1st ATBn. in direct support of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines participated in three operations. On the 4th of January a heavy section assisted in a reinforced company size sweep. Two rounds of 106mm HEP-T were directed at sniper fire coming from two huts. Targets destroyed, VC casualties unknown. A heavy section participated in operation LONG KNIFE with the mission of p providing covering fire. A total of two rounds of 106mm HEP-T were expended. On the 24th of January a heavy section again participated in a sweep operation firing 11 rounds of 106mm. f. Communications and Electronics During the month of January the Communications platoon provided the normal C.P. Communications functions in the operation of telephone, radio, and msg center services. To improve the telephone system and the appearance of the C.P., all new wire lines were installed replacing the origina lines to conform with the improvements made in the camp in the previous months. The construction of the Communications Bunker was completed on 13 January and the Battalion Radio Central and Switchboard were relocated in this bunker and became operational on 17 January. The wire section installed four Seismometers in Yen Bac sub hamlet #5 adjacent to our perimeter to enhance security of the C.P. g. Logistics During the month of January it became evident that a serious problem was developing due to lack of track sections. All requistions were updated and an additional requistion was forwarded for 300 sections. Permission was granted by the Division Comptrollers office for the high cost requistion. Permission received from CMC to relocate temperature and pressure warning light on the Ontos due to combat hazard to crew during hours of darkness. Dispatched contact team to Hue Phu Bai to perform quarterly PM's. During January there were14 Ontos deadlined and 13 returned to service. An additional mount-out Ontos was drawn from FLSG to bring our mount- out pool to the authorized level of three. In the Motor Transport Field, the Battalion lost two M-37's due to mines. Both vehicles were coded "X" and replacements were received the following day. There were 53 Work Orders opened and 53 Work Orders completed. A total of 821 vehicles were dispatched with 10,287 total mileage. In the Supply field, there were 472 requisitions submitted and 329 requisitions filled. Major items of equipment received during the month were two stock-room trailers and one fire-fighting trailer; these were a special division allowance. Two M-37 trucks were received to replace, on a direct exchange basis, the two which sustained mine damage. One Ontos was received to replace the one damaged during the previous month. Received Criti-Pak of 23 items during January. 7 (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED (MARKED OUT) 3/0RE/eh 10 Feb66 h. Civic Action The Battalion Civic Action Team was very active throughout the month of January. The team medically treated 273 adults and 597 childre, in which 1,147 treatments were administered. Of the total treatments on was dental in nature. Over half the treatments fell into the "Upper Respiratory Infection" and "Diseases of the Skin" category. During the month 80,988 Piasters were contributed to the Vietnamese economy in payment for laundry service rendered. The hamlet of Yen Bac (AT985708) received approximately 20,832 pounds of garbage from the Battalion Mess Hall for their pigs. During the week of 1 January the Battalion Civic Action team visited the hamlet of Yen Bac once. Medical assistance was given and several sign's were posted along the Battalion defense perimeter stating 'Military Area. Be careful not to approach the fence. If you don't obey, you will be shot!". During the week of 2-8 January the Battalion made three visits to the hamlet of Yen Bac and two visits to the An Hai Primary School (BT048769). Medical assistance was rendered on each visit. A C.P. tent in which to hold sick call at the hamlet of Yen Bac was erected in a location more suitable for the villagers and the Battalion. During the week of 9-15 January the hamlet of Yen Bac was visited five times. The An Hai Primary School was visited once. A population census of the hamlet of Yen Bac revealed that the hamlet consists of 52 families, totalling 267 inhabitants. Sanitation and hygiene lectures were givenon four different occasions to the farmers of Yen Bac hamlet. During the week of 16-22 January the hamlet of Yen Bac was visited six times Medical assistance was administered on each occasion. A member of the Battalion Civic Action team sharpened tools and implements for the farmers of Yen Bac. The Battalion Commander accepted an invitation from the hamlet chief of Yen Bac to be the first visitor at his home on the first morning of TET. Three hundred pounds of toys and gifts, along with 137 envelopes, each containing a 5 Piaster note were given to the children. Members of the Battalion Civic Action team accompanied the men of the hamlet of Yen Bac on traditional TET fishing party. During the week of 23-29 January the hamlet of Yen Bac was visited five times and medical assistance administered on each occasion. A two and one-half ton truck load of scrap lumber from camp cantonment was given to the hamlet for their use. Construction was started on a head near te Battalion Aid Station at Yen Bac. During the week of 30-31 January the hamlet of Yen Bac was visited once. Medical assistance was given. Fourteen house number signs were made for Yen Bac hamlet 5 and placed on the homes to aid friendly patrols in identifying the farmers and avoiding unnecessary arrest. 8 (MARKED OUT) DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED SECTION XII COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 1-31 January 1966 CoB, 3dATBn (Rein) 1. Administration a. No administrative problems were encountered during the reporting period. All Records of Emergency Data and Serviceman's Group Life Insurance documents were reviewed and brought up to date. 2. Tactical a. The only tactical problem encountered involved Ontos track sections. Track sections are critical items and have been on requisition since July, 1965. They are reportedly aboard shipping to Vietnam and should arrive here in the near future. Track sections breaking during convoy escort missions render the Ontos ineffective as primary security and additional time and resources are required to repair or replace broken track sections to enable the Ontos to carry out its mission. 3. Supply a. During the reporting period there were no Priority 02 or Priority 05 requisitions submitted. At the commencement of the reporting period there were 10 Priority 02 and 92 Priority 05 requisitions outstanding. Of these, 3 Priority 02 and 27 Priority 05 requisitions were received. Requisitions outstanding as of 1 February 1966 Month Submitted # of Priority 02 # of Priority 05 May 1965 0 9 Jun 1965 6 7 Jul 1965 1 36 Aug 1965 0 6 Sep 1965 0 6 Oct 1965 0 0 Dec 1965 0 1 Total 7 65 DECLASSIFIED |
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