DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 3d Antitank Battalion 3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF FPO Sn Francisco 96602 3/ERL/alw 5750 Ser: 022-66 CONFIDENTIAL 9 May 1966 From: Commanding Officer To: Commanding General, 3d MarDiv (Rein), FMF Subj: Command Chronology, April 1966, submission of Ref: (a) MCO 5750.2 (b) DivO 5750.1 Encl: (1) Command Chronology (2) Staff Journals (S-1 & S-2) (3) SITREPS #235-241 (4) Company Operational Summaries, Period of 1-30 Apr 1966. H&S, A, B & C 1. In compliance with reference (a) and (b) enclosures (1) through (4) are submitted. (Signature) BRUCE A. HEFLIN CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3/ERL/alw 9 May 1966 PART I 1. Reporting Unit - 3d Antitank Battalion (Rein) 2. Period covered - 1-30 April 1966 3. Date of Submission - 9 May 1966 4. Commanding Officer - 1-30 Apr 1966 Lieutenant Colonel BRUCE A. HEFLIN, USMC 5. Command Post - Republic of South Vietnam (AT987711) Map AMS Series L701, Sheet No. 6659 III ENCLOSURE (1) 1 CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3/ERL/alw 9 May 1966 PART II 1. Operational Data, including attachments: a. Designation/Location (a) Headquarters and Service Co. (-) (DANANG TAOR) (b) "A" Co. (-) (Rein) (DANANG TAOR) (c) "B" Co. (-) (Rein) (HUE-PHU BAI TAOR) (d) "C" Co. (-) (Rein) (DANANG TAOR) b. Period covered by report: 1-30 April 1966 c. Name/Rank of Commanding Officer and Staff, and principle sub- ordinates, including T/O billet assignment. BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Commanding Officer................................................................LtCol B. A. HEFLIN Executive Officer.....................................................................Maj E. H. GRAHAM S-1/Adj......................................................................................2ndLt G. DOHSE S-2.............................................................................................Maj E. R. LARSON S-3.............................................................................................Maj E. R. LARSON S-3A..........................................................................................Unassigned Liaison Officer.........................................................................Unassigned S-4.............................................................................................Capt K. E. SHARFF Supply Officer..........................................................................2ndLt R. U. BOKELMAN Motor Transport Officer.........................................................1stLt H. R. MARWICZ 1-12 April 1stLt D. L. TAYLOR 13-30 April Ordinance/Maintenance Officer.............................................1stLt B. M. MATHEWS Communication Officer............................................................2ndLt M. C. SCHROEDER Medical Officer........................................................................HMC G. K. LAW, USN Headquarters and Service Co. (-) Commandant............................................................................1stLt J. T. MATHEWS Company "A" (-) (Rein) Commanding Officer................................................................Capt S. R. STEWART Executive Officer.....................................................................Unassigned 1st Plt Commander...................................................................2ndLt P. F. MC ALEER 1-15 April SSgt F. G. MISEMER 16-30 April ENCLOSURE (1) 2 CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3/ERL/alw 9 May 1966 2nd Plt Commander.................................................................1stLt M. P. KINGSTON 1st Plt, Co "A", 1st AT Bn Commander................................2ndLt R. W. BERNARD Company "B" (-) (Rein) Commanding Officer................................................................Capt R. F. LANPHIER Executive Officer.....................................................................Unassigned 1-23 April Capt D. H. SATCHER 24-30 April 2nd Plt, Co "A", 1st AT Bn Commander...............................1stLt D. J. NOONAN 3d Plt, Co "A", 3d AT Bn Commander..................................SSgt J. A. RODRIGUEZ 1-9 April 2ndLt M. H. PONDER 10-30 April 3rd Plt, Co "B", 3d AT Bn Commander................................2ndLt T. J. MEEHAN 24-30 April 24 April: Chop from Company "C", 3d AT Bn d. Average monthly strength during the period: Officers Enlisted (1) 3d Antitank Battalion 22 436 (a) Headquarters and Service Company 10 165 (b) Company "A" 3 90 (c) Company "B" 5 96 (d) Company "C" 4 85 2. Sequential listing of significant events. a. Personnel. During the month there were 15 promotions to Corporal, 3 to Lance Corporal, and 8 to Private First Class. The Battalion sent 49 men on R&R. One Officer and three enlisted were medically evacuated for non-battle reasons. One man was granted emer- ENCLOSURE (1) 3 CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3/ERL/alw 9 May 1966 gency leave to CONUS. There were two WIA casualties. One man was killed and two wounded (non-battle) when they were caught in the back blast from an accidential firing of an ONTOS. There were five Article 15 punishments awarded and one summary court-martial. During the month two officers, 40 enlisted and one Corpsman were rotated to CONUS. Three officer, 64 enlisted, and four Corpsman were joined as replacements. b. Administration. All companies were on Company Administration during this period, and employed the Addressograph PAS system. c. Intelligence. Information concerning the enemy and terrain was received from III MAF, 3d Marine Division, 9th Marines, and HOA VANG District Headquarters. During the reporting period five Viet Cong Suspects were apprehended in the vicinity of YEN BAC hamlet (AT985701) and evacuated to higher headquarters for interrogation. Of this total, two were subsequently released, and three VCS are still being held for further interrogation. d. Training. Training for the month of April was highlighted by familiarization firing of T/O weapons by all companies. Utilizing the contact team method of instruction, the Battalion Ordnance Maintenance Section sent teams to the gun companies for preventive maintenance and technical training on the ONTOS. Plans are being completed for the Battalion Ordnance Maintenance and Communications Sections to send contact teams on a regularly scheduled basis to work with the individual ONTOS platoons on an instructional and application basis, the prime objective being improved 1st echelon maintenance on the ONTOS and organic ordnance. The communications contact team will visit on the same schedule, with emphasis on 1st echelon maintenance of the communi- cations equipment of the ONTOS. It is planned to further expand this program into the areas of Motor Transport, Maintenance, and Supply. Antitank company training followed the same pattern as in the past, with on-the-job training being the primary method of instruction. Occasional special subjects were covered to meet the ever changing situation in Vietnam, such as briefings on intelligence, currrent policies, prisoner handling, and "Religions of Vietnam". The Battalion Motor Transport Section conducted school for all drivers in the DANANG enclave on preventative maintenance and operation of the wheeled vehicles organic to the battalion. Periods of instruction were held on Vietnamese traffic signs and regulations. Formal classes on maintenance and func- tioning of the M-60 machine gun were held for the Battalion security element. Two Marines attended a one-week Generator Operator courses at 3d Engineer Battalion, and received operator's licenses. Eleven enlisted men and one officer of the Battalion Reaction Platoon attended the 3d Engineer Battalion's school on VC mines and booby traps. A three day program of accelerated training on riot control forma- ENCLOSURE (1) 4 CONFIDENTIAL DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3/ERL/alw 9 May 1966 tions and employment of riot control agents was conducted during the month. This training, along with additional Protective Mark drill was in preparation for possible commitment of one ONTOS platoon and a Pro- visional Rifle Platoon as part of a Mechanized Task Force for the pro- tection and evacuation of U. S. nationals from the City of DANANG. The Operations Chief attended a Riot Control Agent seminar at Head- quarters, 3d Marine Division. Operations. On 1 April 1966 the Battalion was deployed as follows: (1) 3d Antitank Bn in general support of the 3d Marine Division. (a) H&S Co (-) (Bn CP) located DANANG Enclave. (b) Company "A" (-) (Rein) in direct support of the 3d Marine Regiment. (DANANG) 1st Platoon. Co "A" in direct support of the 3d Marine Regiment. (DANANG) 2nd Platoon. Co "A" in direct support of the 2nd Batta- lion, 3d Marines. (DANANG) 1st Platoon. Co "A", 2st AT Bn in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 3d Marines. (DANANG) (c) Company "B" (-) (Rein) in direct support of the 4th Marine Regiment. (HUE-PHU BAI) 2nd Platoon, Co "A", 1st AT Bn in direct support of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. (HUE-PHU BAI) 3d Platoon, Co "A", 3d AT Bn in direct support of the 4th Marines. (HUE-PHU BAI) (d) Company "C" (Rein) in direct support of the 9th Marine |