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HEADQUARTERS
3d Antitank Battalion
3d Marine Division,  (Rein) FMF
FPO, San Francisco 96602

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                                                                                                                                                                Ser:  0266-66
                                                                                                                                                                10 Nov 1966

CONFIDENTIAL

From:             Commanding Officer
To:                    Commanding General, 3d Marine Division  (Rein), FMF  (Attn:  SC-3)

Subj:               Command Chronology, October 1966;  submission of  (U)

Ref:                (a)   MCO 5750.2
                          (b)   DivO 5750.1

Encl:               (1)   Command Chronology
                          (2)   Staff Journals
                          (3)   SITREPS

1.          In compliance with the references, enclosures  (1) through  (3) are
submitted.


                                                                                                    C. R. STIFFLER
















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PART II

1.          Reporting unit - 3d Antitank Battalion, 3d Marine Division , FMF

2.          Period covered - 1 - 31 October 1966

3.          Date of submission - 10 Nov 1966

4.          Commanding Officer - Maj. Charles R. STIFFLER, USMC

5.          Command Post - Republic of South Vietnam  (AT987711)  Map AMS Series
                                                    L 701, Sheet No. 6659 III.

















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PART II

1.          Operational Data, including attachments:

             a.   Designation/Location

                    (1)    Headquarters and Service Company                               (DANANG TAOR)
                    (2)    Company "A"                                                                                (PHU BAI TAOR)
                    (3)    Company "B"                                                                                (PHU BAI TAOR)
                    (4)    Company "C"                                                                                (DANANG TAOR)
                    (5)    Company "A"  (-)  (Rein) 1st ATBn (OPCON
                               3d ATBn)   CHOP OPCON 24 Oct66

             b.   Period covered by report: 1 -31 October 1966

             c.   Name/Rank of Commanding Officer and Staff, and principle subordinates,
including T/O billet assignment.

BATTALION HEADQUARTERS

Commanding Officer.......................................................................LtCol D. E. NEWTON
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 22 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            Maj C. R. STIFFLER
                                                                                                                                            (23 - 31 Oct)
Executive Officer............................................................................Capt. D. C. SATCHER
S-1/Adj.............................................................................................2ndLt F. A. GUILE
S-2....................................................................................................WO C. C. HARRIS
S-3....................................................................................................WO C. C. HARRIS
                                                                                                                                            (1 -7 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            1stLt J. C. DEBILIO
                                                                                                                                            (8 - 31 Oct)
S-3A.................................................................................................Unassigned
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 7 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            WO C. C. HARRIS
                                                                                                                                            (8 - 31 Oct)
Liaison Officer................................................................................Unassigned
S-4...................................................................................................Capt. D. C. SATCHER
Supply Officer.................................................................................2ndLt R. U. BOKELMAN
Motor Transport Officer................................................................2ndLt R. H. SOKOLOWSKI
Ordnance Maintenance Officer.....................................................2ndLt C. P. WAGER
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 19 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            WO L. C. SCHOLPP
                                                                                                                                            (20 - 31 Oct)
Communications Officer.................................................................1stLt J. L. WEIS
Medical Officer...............................................................................HM-1 A. D. McDOLE, USN




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Headquarters and Service Company

Commanding Officer.......................................................................1stLt D. K CASWELL
Executive Officer............................................................................Unassigned
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 19 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            2ndLt C. P. WAGER
                                                                                                                                            (20 - 31 Oct)

Company "A"

Commanding Officer.......................................................................Capt. A. A. COMPTON
Executive Officer............................................................................Unassigned
1st Plt Commander..........................................................................2ndLt W. M. HAYES
2nd Plt Commander.........................................................................2ndLt E. B. O'NEIL
3d Plt Commander...........................................................................2ndLt R. L. GIBSON

Company "B"

Commanding Officer.......................................................................Capt. S. L. CAMBY
Executive Officer............................................................................1stLt R. F. PINION
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 7 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            Unassigned
                                                                                                                                            (8 - 31 Oct)
1st Plt Commander.........................................................................2ndLt J. B. BROCK
2nd Plt Commander........................................................................2ndLt J. G. RICHARDSON
3d Plt Commander..........................................................................2ndLt M. L. BAILEY

Company "C" (-)          (Redesignated as Co "C" after 24 Oct66)

Commanding Officer.......................................................................Capt. S. T. FLYNN
Executive Officer............................................................................Unassigned
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 7 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            1stLt R. F. PINION
                                                                                                                                            (8 - 31 Oct)
1st Plt Commander.........................................................................OPCON Co "A" (-) (Rein)
                                                                                                                                            1st ATBn (OPCON 3d ATBn)
                                                                                                                                            (This OPCON CHOPPED 24
                                                                                                                                            Oct66)
2nd Plt Commander........................................................................2ndLt E. H. SAUER
3d Plt Commander..........................................................................1stLt J. C. DEBILIO
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 7 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            SSgt T. M. BURKE
                                                                                                                                            (8 - 31 Oct)

Company "A" (-), 1st ATBn (OPCON 3d ATBn)  (This OPCON CHOPPED 24 Oct)

Commanding Officer......................................................................Capt. D. M. HUTSON


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Executive Director.........................................................................Capt. G. J. FORBES
                                                                                                                                            (1 - 11 Oct)
                                                                                                                                            1stLt F. S. ROE
                                                                                                                                            (12 - 31 Oct)
1st Plt Commander.........................................................................2ndLt B. H. BAILEY
3d Plt Commander..........................................................................2ndLt C. W. SOOTER
1st Plt Co "C" (-). 3d ATBn...........................................................2ndLt F. E. RIVERA
                                                                                                                                            (After 24 Oct this
                                                                                                                                            Plt redesignated as
                                                                                                                                            1st Plt Co "C" 3d ATBn)

             d.          Average monthly strenght during the period:

                                                                                                    Officers          Enlisted          USN-Enl
3d  Antitank Battalion                                                       23                    286                      07
(a)   H&S Company                                                              11                     91                       04
(b)   Company "A"                                                               04                     72                       01
(c)   Company "B"                                                               04                     52                       01
(d)   Company "C"                                                               04                     72                       01
(e)   Company "A", 1st ATBn
          (ADCON 1st MarDiv)

2.          Sequential Listing of Significant Events.

          a.          Personnel & Administration.   During the month one Major was appointed
to LtCol, on 1stLt appointed to Captain, and two 2ndLt's were appointed to
1stLt.   One Sgt was promoted to Staff Sergeant, one Corporal was promoted
to Sergeant, 18 LCpl's were promoted to Corporal, 58 Privates First Class
were promoted to LCpl, and one Private was promoted to Private First Class.
Out of the above list one Lance Corporal made Corporal under the Meritorious
Combat promotion and one Private First Class made Lance Corporal under the
Meritorious Combat Promotion system.   The Battalion sent 31 men on R&R.
There was one Article 15 punishment awarded by the Company Commander.   There
were two Special Court Martials and one General Court Martial and one man
was confined to the III MAF Brig serving sentence on a General Court Mar-
tial.   One PFC and one Staff Sergeant were sent to sick (bay?), at "A" Company,
3d Medical Battalion.   This Battalion sent one 2ndLt to Embarkation School
in Camp Hansen, Okinawa.    Two Lance Corporals extended for a period of 3
months.   Two Good Conduct Medals were awarded.    Two Officers and 71 enlisted
Marines were dropped during this period.   Four officers and 45 enlisted
Marines were joined as replacements this period.

          b.          Battalion Command Post Activities.
                      
                       (1)   The Battalion Commander established an alternate Command Post.

                       (2)   Major C. R. STIFFLER relieved LtCol D. E. NEWTON as Battalion
Commander.

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          c.          Intelligence.   Information concerning the enemy and terrain was
received from USMACV, III MAF, 1st and 3d Marine Division, HOA VANG
district headquarters, HOA CAM Regional Forces Training Center and 3d
Tank Bn INTSUMS.

          d.          Training.   Battalion level training was accomplished using the
contact team method.  Formal Schooling was held at the Company level on
such subjects as Map Reading, Troop indoctrination, Code of Conduct and
NBC.   The various familiarization firing activites conducted in October
included the 106MM recoilless rifle, Cal 30 machinegun, M-60 machinegun,
M-14 rifle, Cal 45 pistol, Cal 50 spotter rifle and the M-26 fragmentation
grenade.    The Gun Companies, where the greater percent are armed with Cal
45 pistols, used "field firing" for familiarization due to operational
committments.

3.          Company Activities.
            
             (a)    H&S Company.    During the month of October the company continued
the normal functions of providing administrative and logistical support
for the ONTOS companies.   The reaction force continued to conduct ambushes
and patrols within the Battalion's Patrol area of responsibility.    Work
on the improvement of the CP defensive perimeter continued.

            (b)     Company "A" continued in direct support of the 3d Marine Division.
On 100800H this Company started displacement from DANANG to DONG HA.   The
First Platoon continued in support of the 2nd Bn, 3d Marines.    The heavy
section was located on Hill 65 in support of F/2/3.    The light section was
located in support of G/2/3.    On 8 Oct the light section accompanied a
Company size sweep west of Hill 65 with no enemy contact.    The Plt expended
13 major rounds (106MM Recoilless Rifle HEP-T) on H&I fire missions with
unknown results.    On 111300H the 1st Plt embarked aboard an LCU at DANANG
and arrived at DONG HA at 1211300H.    On 16 Oct they were assigned the mission
of supporting K, L, and M/3/4 in defense of Camp J. J. CARROL.   The Second
Platoon continued in direct support of D/1/3 at positions near LE MY.    On
4 Oct this Plt fired 12 major rounds at 12 VCS with unknown results.    On 6
Oct the 173d Airborne assumed responsibility for the 1/3 TAOR.    This Plt
fired a total of 579 major rounds on H&I fire missions in support of 1/3.
On 111300H the 2nd Plt embarked aboard an LCU at DANANG and arrived at DONG
HA on 121300H.    On 17 Oct the light section moved to (YD026561) in support
of I/3/4.    The heavy section remained at Camp CARROL in support of H&S 3/4.
This Plt fired a total of 187 major rounds on H&I fire missions in support
of 3/4.    The Third Platoon continued in support of 2/26.    The light section
was located on Hill 20  (AT255691) in support of G/2/26 on Hills 22 and 41
with a single ONTOS on each hill.    The 3d ONTOS from the heavy section
remained at the Plt CP in support of H/2/26.    On 7 Oct the light section
accompanied a Company size sweep with no enemy contact.    This platoon fired
a total of 106 major rounds on H&I fire missions in support of 2/26.    On
101300H the 3d Plt embarked aboard an LCU at DANANG and arrived at DONG HA
on 111300H.   From 12 to 15 Oct this platoon supported 3/4 in defense of Camp
J. J. CARROL.


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On 16 Oct the 3d Plt moved to the ROCK PILE (XD977567)  in support of 2/9.
On 24 Oct 3/4 relieved 2/9 and  the 3d Plt continued in support of K/3/4
and M/3/4.    On 22 Oct the 3d Plt fired 12 major rounds at a squal of NVA
with unknown results.    This Plt fired 1,137 major rounds on H&I fire missions
in support of 2/9 and 3/4.

  (c) Company "B" continued in direct support of the 3d Marine Division with
the Co CP at HUE PHU BAI.    The First Platoon began this period in direct
support of 2/4.   It was employed as security for mine sweeps and security
for a medical infirmary at JA LAY.    One section remained in defensive pos-
itions along Route 14.    On 7 Oct one VC grenade was thrown into this pos-
ition.    There were no USMC casualties.    One major round was fired at VC
with undetermined results.    On 8 Oct this platoon returned to HUE PHU BAI
and occupied defensive positions in support of 2/4.   The Second Platoon
continued in direct support of the Fourth Marine Regiment.    The light
section remained in direct support of 2/9 at the ROCK PILE (XD979568).
On 13 Oct the light section prticipated in a Company size sweep with no
enemy contact.    On 20 Oct the light section was relieved by the 3d Plt Co
"A" 3d ATBn.    On 21 Oct the light section joined the heavy section in
defense of DONG HA Air Strip in support of 2/4 with no further enemy contact.
The Third Platoon continued to support the Co CP at PHU BAI.    On 8 Oct the
platoon relieved the 1st Plt and assumed support of 2/4.    The heavy section
provided security for the JA LAY medical Facilities in the morning and
occupied defensive positions at the Co CP at night.    This section fired 350
Cal 30 MG rounds at VC snipers with negative results.   On 8 Oct the light
section maintained defensive positions at the artillery position on Route
14 and remained there through the reporting period.

          (d)    Company "C" continued in direct support of the 9th Marines.   The
First Platoon continued OPCON of the 1st Antitank Bn until Oct 24 when the
Platoon returned to Parent Organizational Control.    O 28 Oct the First
Plt moved one section to (AT914597) in support of G/2/3 and one section to
(AT878576) in support of F/2/3.   This Plt expended 10 major rounds on H&I
fire missions with unknown results.   The Second Platoon continued in support
of the 3d Bn 9th Marines.    The light section in support of L/3/9 provided
security for mine sweeps of Highway 14 for the entire period with no enemy
contact.    The heavy section in support of H&S/3/9 was deployed in defensive
positions along the AN HOA Airstrip for the entire reporting period with no
enemy contact.    The Third Platoon continued in support of 1/26.   The light
section was located at (AT968575) in support of A/1/26.   The heavy section
(minus) was located at the ferry crossing at (AT925535) in support of B/1/26.
One ONTOS remained at the Co CP (AT967617) as an element of a reacion force.
On 4 Oct the heavy section observed 12 VC crossing the river in boats.   Ten
major rounds were expended resulting in 2 VC KIA confirmed.    On 14 Oct the
light section received sniper fire and returned 2 major rounds with unde-
termined results.    On 17 Oct the light section in support o A/1/26 expended
6 major rounds at a VC tunnel complex with undetermined results.    On the
24th of Oct the heavy section (minus) moved to Hill 37 to support F/2/3
(AT878576)  and the light section moved to (AT914597) to support G/2/3.

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The light section in support of G/2/3 fired 29 major rounds on H&I fire
missions.   On 30 Oct the 3d Plt returned to the Company CP.

           (e)          Company "A" (-) 1st ATBn (OPCON 3d ATBn) did not participate
in any major operations but continued to support hte 1st  Marine Regiment on
squad and platoon size patrols and provided a mechanized reaction force for
units of the 1st Marines.   The 1st Platoon in direct support of K/3/1 on 7
Oct expended five major rounds at VC positions with undetermined results.
On the 13th, 14th and 16th of Oct the Plt expended eight major rounds, 780
Cal 30 machnegun and 50 spotting rifle rounds at VC snipers with unknown
results.    On the 17th of Oct 2 major rounds were fired at VC snipers with
results of three VN civilians wounded.    During this period the Plt fired 34
major rounds on H&I fire missions.    The Third Platoon in support of 1/1 took
part in a blocking force and a sweeping operation with no VC contact.    The
First Platoon Co "C" 3d ATBn  (OPCON Co "A" (-) 1st ATBn) in direct support
of 2/1 expended 10 major, 110 spotter, and 800 Cal 30 machinegun rounds
with unknown results.    There was no further contact.     On 24 Oct OPCON was
dropped to Co "C" 3d ATBn.     Company "A"  (-) 1st ATBn  OPCON was dropped on
232400H Oct66.

           (f)          Communication and Electronics.   In additon to the normal Command
Post Communications functions, the following events took place:   On 1 Oct
new "shackle sheets" were issued to the gun Companies and new anchors were
installed for antenna's in preparation for the Monsoons.    On 21 Oct the
section established two metallic land lines to "Isherwood" and "Isherwood
Switch".     The section also established reliable voice/radio communications
to DONG HA, using MRC-110's & 109's, with PRC-47's and MRC-38's as "back
up".    On 24 Oct the primary Elect/Tech shop was moved to PHU BAI.   On 26
Oct new frequencies were obtained for Co's "A" and "C".    The Communications
section continued in support of the Gun Companies.

           (g)          Logistics.

                              (1)   One ONTOS M50A1 was coded X due to mine damage.

                              (2)   The average fill rate for all priorities of requisitions for
                                        the month was 86%.

                              (3)  The Motor transport section dispatched a total of 1,293 trips
                                        for a total of 14,672 miles.

                              (4)  The Maintenance section sent nine contact teams to the gun
                                        Companies.   The most important was the checking and instruc-
                                        tion on worn firing pins, sears and cocking cams for the 106MM
                                        recoilless rifle.

           (h)          Civic Action.

                              (1)   Medical Assistance.   The Medical Contact Team dispensed a
total of 42 treatments to the inhabitants of YEN BAC  (AT985708)  and CAM

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HOA  (AT970704).    Upper respiratory infections and disease of the skin
accounted for 95% of the treatments dispensed.

                              (2)          Community Development.   Approximately 20 gallon of paint was
furnished to YEN BAC and CAM HOA for use in painting school door, desks,
and chairs.   6000 board feet of lumber was furnished CAM HOA sub hamlets #8
and #9 for use in repairing their shcool and strengthening its structure.

                              (3)          Commodity Distribution.    One hundred and forty two plastic
rain coats were furnished the school children of YEN BAC and CAM HOA.   The
raincoats were purchased from funds donated by a womens organization from
GOLDSBORO, N. C.    Other commodities furnished included 10 lbs of soap and a
large barrel of clothing.
























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