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HEADQUARTERS
3d Antitank Battalion
3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF
FPO San Francisco 96602
                                                                                                                                                      3
                                                                                                                                                      5750
                                                                                                                                                      Ser:  041-66
                                                                                                                                                      10 June 1966
CONFIDENTIAL

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

Subject:                    Command Chronology, May 1966; submission of

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.          

                                                                      (Signature)
                                                                      BRUCE A. HEFLIN                                                  

DECLASSIFIED

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CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                                    10 June 1966


PART I

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

2.          Period covered  - 1 - 31 May 1966

3.          Date of submission  - 10 June 1966

4.          Commanding Officer  - 1 - 31 May 1966
                                                             Lieutenant Colonel BRUCE A. HEFLIN, USMC

5.          Command Post  - Republic of South Vietnam (AT987711) Map AMS
                                                    Series L701, Sheet No. 6659 III.


                                                                      


















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PART II

1.          Operational Data, including attachments:

              a.          Designation/Location

                              (1)  Headquarters and Service Co.  (-)          (DANANG TAOR)
                              (2)  "A" Co. (-) (Rein)                                           (DANANG TAOR)
                              (3)  "B" Co. (-) (Rein)                                           (PHU BAI TAOR)
                              (4) "C" Co.  (Rein)                                                (DANANG TAOR)
   
              b.          Period covered by report: 1  31 May 1966

              c.          Name/Rank of Commanding Officer and Staff, and principle
subordinates, 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 D. L. TAYLOR
Ordinance/Maintenance Officer                                              SSgt C. P. MC DONALD
Communications Officer                                                                2ndLt M. C. SCHROFDER
Medical Officer                                                                                  HMC G. K. LAW, USN

Headquarters and Service Co. (-)

Commandant                                                                                          1stLt B. H. MATHEWS

Company "A" (-)  (Rein)

Commanding Officer                                                                        Capt S. R. STEWART
Executive Officer                                                                             Unassigned
1st Plt Commander                                                                           SSgt C. E. WEBB
2nd Plt Commander                                                                          1stLt M. P. KINGSTON
1st Plt, Co. "A", 1st ATBn Commander                               2ndLt R.W. BERNARD


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Company "B" (-)  (Rein)

Commanding Officer                                                                                           Capt D. C. SATCHER
Executive Officer                                                                                                Unassigned
2nd Plt, Co "A", 1st ATBn Commander                                                  1stLt D. J. NOONAN
3d Plt, Co "A", 3d ATBn Commander                                                     2ndLt M. H. PONDER
3d Plt, Co "B", 3d ATBn Commander                                                     2ndLt T. J. MEEHAN

Company "C" (Rein)

Commander Officer                                                                                            Capt F. FIRING
Executive Officer                                                                                                1stLt M. M. WOOD
1st Plt Commander                                                                                              SSgt R. R. ABRAMOWICZ
2nd Plt Commander                                                                                             2ndLt A. W. HOOF
3rd Plt Commander                                                                                              2ndLt D. K. CASWELL

                    d.   Average monthly strength during the period:

                                                                                                              Officers          Enlisted          USN Enl
                              (1)  3d Antitank Battalion                              20                      413                    13
                                        (a)  H&S Company                                   9                      165                      7
                                        (b)  Company "A"                                    3                        84                      2
                                        (c)  Company "B"                                    4                        87                      2
                                        (d)  Company "C"                                    4                        77                      2

2.   Sequential listing of significant events.

          a.   Personnel and Administration.   During the month there
was one promotion to Staff Sergeant, four to Corporal, 13 to
Lance Corporal and six to Private First Class.  The Battalion sent
39 men on R&R.   There were three enlisted men medically evacuated
for non-battle reasons.  One man was granted humanitarian leave
to CONUS.  There were three men KIA and nine men were WIA.  In
addition three men were wounded accidental injury.  Four Article
15 punishments were awarded; one by the Bn Cmdr, and one by
the Cmdr. of H&S Co, and two by the Cmdr. of Company "A".  Two
Officers and 41 Enlisted men were rotated to CONUS.  Twenty-
one Enlisted men were joined as replacements.  One Officer was
awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, with combat 'V".  All
Companies were on Company Administration during this period, and
employed the Addressograph PAS system.

          b.     Battalion Command Post Avtivity

                    (1)    On 6 May MajGen W. B. KYLE, CG, 3d Marine
Division reviewed a Battalion formation and awarded the Navy
Commendation Medal with Combat "V" to Captain R. F. LANPHIER,
USMC, formerly Commanding Officer, Company "A", 3d ATBn.  The
Commanding General also delivered a promotion warrant to SSgt
G. H. ROBERTS, USMC.  Afer the awards presentation General
KYLE officially dedicated the new Battalion Mess Hall and was the
honored guest for the evening meal.
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                    (2)   Other important visitors to the Battalion
Command Post during the month included:

8 May

Congressman R. P. GRIFFIN, R-MICHIGAN
Congressman J. R. MONAGAN, D-CONNECTICUT
LtGen V. H. KRULAK, USMC, CG, FMFPAC
MajGen W. B. KYLE, USMC, CG, 3d Marine Division
BrigGen L. E. ENGLISH, USMC, ADC, 3rd Marine Division
Col E. H. SIMMONS, USMC, Commanding Officer, 9th Marines

13 May

The Honorable T. G. MORRIS, Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Manpower
Congressman H.  H. CALLAWAY, R-GEORGIA
Congressman D. RUMSFELD, R-ILLINOIS
Mr. R. A. BARTIMO, Assistant Federal Counselor for Manpower
LtGen J. V. EDMONDSON, USAF, Director for Administrative Services
of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense.
LtGen L. W. WALT, USMC, CG, III MAF
BrigGen D. H. MC GOVERN, USA, J-1, MACV
BrigGen L. E. ENGLISH, USMC, ADC, 3d Marine Division

18 May

Col H. A. HAYES, Jr., USMC, Commanding Officer, 3d Marines.

30 May

Col C. BOYD, USMC, III MAF Inspector
Col J. L. MAHON, USMC, G-1, III MAF

                    (3)    Two Red Cross ladies visited the Battalion C.P.
on four occasions during the month to conduct audience
participation games in the Enlisted Men's Club.

                    (4)    On 25 May an Armed Forces Combat Motion Picture
Team composed of Marine Corps personnel arrived in the C.P.
for a four day assignment to photograph the Civi Action programs
in YEN BAC Hamlet (AT985708).

                    (5)    On 30 May the 3d ATBn provided one rifle platoon
with Platoon Commander to participate in a III MAF Memorial Day
ceremony at the FLSG Parade Ground.

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                              (6)    Continued progress was made in the improvement
of the physical facilities of the 3d ATBn Command Post.  Ad-
ditional strong-back troop living spaces were constructed and
overhead fans were installed in the Battalion Mess Hall and
Staff NCO Club.  Trenching throughout the C.P. was initiated
in preparation for the rainy season.

                              (7)    Improvements were made to the Battalion C.P.
defensive perimeter during the month, with rebuilding of
two of the seven automatic weaons bunkers, laying of additonal
protective wire, and construction of additional sandbagged
protective personnel shelters.

          c.   Intelligence  Information concerning the enemy and
terrain was received from MACV, III MAF, 3d Marine Division,
9th Marines and HOA VANG District Headquarters.  Aerial photo
coverage of the Battalion patrol area of responsibility
was provided by VMCJ-1.   During the reporting period four Viet
Cong Suspects were apprehended in the vicinity of YEN BAC Hamlet
(AT985701)  and evacuated to higher headquarters for interrogation.
Of this total, three were subsequently released, and one VCS is
still being held for further interrogation.   In addition, three
suspects apprehended during the latter part of April 1966 were
cleared and released during the reporting period.

          d.   Training.    Operational committments and a lengthy period
of alert (15-25 May) which required major elements of the
Battalion to be on 15 min. and two hour standby, curtailed
training during the month of May.  On-the-job training in all
occupational fields, and field familirization firing of all
organic weapons characterized the training which was accomplished.
All ONTOS Companies conducted field firing of the 106mm recoil-
less rifles, .50 caliber spotting rifles, and .30 caliber
machineguns at least once during the month.  Headquarters and
Service Company conducted familirization firing of the M-60
machinegun, M-14 rifle, and .45 caliber pistol at the HOA CAM
Regional Forces Training Center (AT970713).  Technical training
was conducted by contact teams of the Battalion Communication/
Electronics and Ordance Maintenance Sections at all gun companies,
stressing organizational maintenance.  The Battalion Motor
Transportation Section conducted weekly vehicle operation and
maintenance schools for all wheeled vehicle drivers of companies
in the DANANG TAOR.  A previously scheduled waterproofing
course for communications equipment, and wheeled and tracked
vehicles was cancelled because of operational commitments.
Formal schools attended included 25 Marines at the 3d Engineer
Battalion two day course on "VC Mines, Booby Traps and U. S. Mines",
two men to the 3d FSR Basic Intantry Weapons Repair course on
Okinawa, and one man to the Basic Ammunition Technican course,
also conducted by 3d FSR on Okinawa.  The Operations Chief
attended a Psychological Warfare seminar at Headquarters, 3d
Marine Division.

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          e.    Operations   The 3d Antitank Battalion continued to
provide general support to the 3d Marine Divison in the DANANG
and PHU BAI TAOR's.  On 1 May 1966 dispositions and support
roles of units of the Battalion were as follows:

                    (1)    3d Antitank Bn in general support of the 3d Marine
Division.

                              (a)          H&S Co (-)  (Bn CP) located DANANG TAOR.
                    
                              (b)          Company "A" (-)  (Rein)  in direct support of
                                             3d Marine Regiment. (DANANG).

                                             1st Platoon Co "A" in direct support of the
                                             3d Marine Regiment.

                                             2nd Platoon Co "A" in direct support of the
                                             2nd Battalion, 3d Marines.

                                             1st Platoon Co "A", 1st ATBn in direct support
                                             of the 1st Battalion, 3d Marines.

                              (c)           Company "B"  (-)  (Rein)  in direct support of the
                                             4th Marine Regiment.   (PHU BAI).

                                             2nd Platoon Co "A", 1st ATBn. in direct  support
                                             of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines.

                                             3d Platoon Co "A", 3d ATBn in direct support of
                                             the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines.

                                             3d Platoon Co "B", 3d ATBn in direct support
                                             of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines.

                              (d)          Company "C" (Rein) in direct support of the
                                             9th Marine Regiment (DANANG).

                                             1st Platoon Co "C" in direct support of the
                                             2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.

                                             2nd Platoon Co "C" in direct support of the
                                             3d Battalion, 9th Marines.

                                             3d Platoon Co "C" in direct support of the
                                             1st Battalion, 9th Marines.


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                    (2)     DANANG TAOR

                                 (a)   H&S Company (-).  Normal administrative and
logistical support of the ONTOS Companies was provided during
the month.  In addition the Battalion sector of the 9th
Marines Rear Security Area was covered by a vigorous program
of night time patrols.   Members of the H&S Company reaction
platoon conducted 38 night patrols, 11 night ambushes, and
five daylight patrols, all working out of the Battalion's Patrol
Base in YEN BAC Hamlet (AT986705).  On 12 May four Vietnamese
Popular Forces soldiers were assigned to the Battalion under
permissive orders.  These PF's were utilized for reinforcement
of the Patrol Base in YEN BAC Hamlet, and assisted in the
Civic Action program.  One fire team (reinforced) of the
reaction platoon furnished security for an Engineer well-
digging site at (AT990699)  on seven occasions during the month.
One rifle squad of the reaction platoon was placed under OPCON
of the 2nd Bn., 9th Marines for C.P. defense from 7 - 11 May.
On 15 May the entire reaction platoon was placed on standby
alert for possible employment during the political crisis and
resultant civil unrest in the City of DANANG.   This standby
status was secured on 25 May, without the reaction platoon
having been called out.

                                 (b)    Company "A" (-)  (Rein)   Continued in direct
support of the 3d Marine Regiment.   The 1st Plt.  started the
month in reserve with one ONTOS section at the Company C.P.,
their mission being direct support of the 3d Marines.   The
other ONTOS section was in support of "D" 1/3 at LE MY (AT699820).
On 6 May the ONTOS secion at LE MY was assigned the mission
of locating a patrol from "D" 1/3 that had lost radio com-
munications with their Company C.P.  The patrol was located
approximately six miles up Route #14, and the ONTOS escorted
the patro back to their C.P.  On 15 May the reserved ONTOS
section was placed on standby at the 3d AT Battalion Command
Post for possible deployment as a part of Task Group ROMEO.
On 19 May the ONTOS section located with "D" 1/3 at LE MY
(AT699820)  received incoming small arms fire from an estimated
20 VC.  The ONTOS section was immediately dispatched with a
squad of infantry up Route #14.  The ONTOS fired 1500 rounds
of cal. 30 machinegun ammunition at the fleeing VC.   Results
were 4-VC KIA  (BC), one of which was directly credited to the
ONTOS section.   The section returned to "D" 1/3 C.P. area at
LE MY.   The ONTOS section at the 3d AT Battalion C.P. was re-
lieved of standby on 25 May, and returned to the Company C.P.
2nd Plt.  continued in direct support of the 2nd Bn., 3d
Marines, with one ONTOS section in support of "G" 2/3, the
other ONTOS section in support of "H" 2/3.   On 3 May the
section with "G" 2/3 supported them in a sweep within the
2/3 TAOR.   Sixteen 106mm recoilless rifle HEP-T rounds were
fired at suspected VC positions with unknown results.

                                                                                                                        ENCLOSURE (1)

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On 7 May one section supported "H" 2/3 on a sweep of KHVONG
MY (1) (AT926684),  with the ONTOS section acting as a blocking
force.   Although there were no major rounds expended, one
VC and sever VCS were captured.   The remaining portion of the
reporting period was devoted mainly to maintaining defensive
positions with the TAOR.   The 2st Plt. Co "A" 1st ATBn.
started the reporting period in direct support of the 1st Bn,
3d Marines, with one ONTOS section located on hill @358
(AT931885) with a platoon from "C" 1/3 and one section at the
platoon C.P., which later provided C.P. security for "K" 4/12.
Nightly H&I fire missions were fired by the ONTOS section
on hill #358, and on 17 May during a VC probe one ONTOS
crewman sustained minor wounds from a hand grenade.   On
21 May during the civil unrest in DANANG one ONTOS was
utilized on an armored road block at the junction of Highways
#1 and  #1A  (AT974769).   The Company Commander was on the
scene throughout most of the period, which terminated on
25 May.   On 28 May the Company Commander of "C" 1/3 called
on the ONTOS section for a direct fire mission, as small
arms fire was being received from (AT899875).   The location
was pin pointed by infantry tracer fire for the Section
Leader.   The ONTOS section fired twelve 106mm HEP-T recoil-
less rifle rounds at the target point, and the VC fire
ceased.   On 29 May an infantry patrol from "C" 1/3 went to the
target area.   They found substantial evidence of direct hits
with the 106mm rounds.  Many pieces of bloody clothing,
bloody trails, pools of blood and pieces of human flesh were
noted.    A weapon believed to be a 57mm recoilless rifle or
large automatic weapon was found.    The weapon was destroyed
to the extent positive indentification was not possible.   The
platoon continued nightly H&I fire missions during the remainder
of the month.

                                   (c)          Company "C" (Rein)    continued in direct
support of the 9th Marine Regiment.   The 1st Plt.  was in direct
support of the 2nd Bn., 9th Marines.   The platoon commenced
the reporting period with one ONTOS section in support of "H"
2/9 (BT015633)  and the other ONTOS section in support of "E"
2/9 (AT992644).    One ONTOS remained at the Company C.P.   On
5 May the section with "H" 2/9 supported an overnight operation
in the vicinity of (BT033635).   No contact was reported.   On
9 May the same section supported a Company "H" patrol to
(BT011631)  where it set up in defensive positions for the
night.   NO contact was reported, and it returned to the Company
"H" C.P. the following day.   On 15 May the platoon, reinforced
by one ONTOS from the 3d platoon, displaced to the PHONG LE
BAC Bridge (AT998707 - AT999705)  to act as elements of a blocking
force, with "A" 1/1.   On 16 May one section was displaced from
the bridge site to (BT017658)  where it set up another road
block.

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The section remained until the 17th, at which time it returned
to the PHONG LE BAC Bridge location.   One ONTOS section
established a road block at (BT042621),  and on 18 May one
section from the PHONG LE BAC Bridge location displaced to a
position south of the CAM LE BAC Bridge at (BT017705).    On
19 May the road block at (BT042621) was secured, and the
section of ONTOS displaced to (BT017626)  to provide security
for an infantry platoon at that location.   On 20 May this
section displaced to a location with Company "H" at (BT015633).
The section at the PHONG LE BAC Bridge was use to physically
delay a "Struggle Force" convoy headed for DANANG, until
permission was received from higher authority to let them pass.
No rounds were fired by the ONTOS.   On 21 May the sectionwith
"H" 2/9 displaced to the "ANDERSON TRAIL" located at (BT027639).
On 21 May this ONTOS section moved from the "ANDERSON TRAIL"
to the THAN QUIT Bridge (BT042621)  where it reinforced an
infantry platoon and tank.   At 1700 that afternoon an estimated
12 VC delivered small arms and 57mm recoilless rifle fire at
the position, and the ONTOS fired two rounds of 106mm HEP-T
recoilless rifle fire in return.   There was no determined
results and the VC broke contact.    On 22 May the section
displaced from the bridge to the junction of "ANDERSON TRAIL"
and Highway #1 (BT033644).    On 24 May the remaining section
at the PHONG LE BAC Bridge displaced and reverted to a direct
support role of "E" 2/9  (AT992644).   The section at  (BT033644)
displaced and reverted to a direct support role of "H" 2.9 C.P.
(BT015627).     On 27 May the ONTOS section with "H" 2/9 supported
a patrol from "G" 2/9 in the vicinity of (AT9963 & BT0063).
No contact was reported.   The 2nd Plt. was in support of the
3d Bn., 9th Marines.   The month started with one ONTOS section
in support of "K" 3/9 (BT098657), and the other ONTOS section
at the 3/9 C.P.  (BT074657).   On 5 May the latter section
supported elements of the 2nd Bn., 4th Marines  (OPCON 3/9)  on
a sweep from NGAN TRUNG (3)  (BT063643)  to  QUANG LOC DONG
(BT067616).    No contact was reported.   On 12 and 13 May one
ONTOS section provided escort security for a Civil Affairs
detail to TU CAU  (1)  (BT038663).    No contact was reported.   On
23 May the ONTOS section at the 3/9 C.P. supported "H" 2/4
(OPCON 3/9)  in a search and destroy mission in the vicinity of
(BT0669).   No contact was reported.   On 24 May the platoon
provided a security patrol on the road from a bridge at  (BT072707)
to the 3/9 C.P.    On 26 May one ONTOS section supported a "K"
3/9 sweep of (BT113625),  (BT120634)  and  (BT097634).   At (BT101640)
one ONTOS fired a single 106mm HEP-T round at a house in which
an armed VC was observed entering.   At the termination of the
sweep (approximately 1345) as the units were returning to the
"H" 3/9 C.P., one ONTOS detonated an unknown type mine at
(BT096658).    The explosion resulted in one KIA and five WIA,
and the ONTOS was destroyed.   Shortly after the mining
incident the area received small arms fire.   An Ontos returned
.30 cal machinegun fire and the VC broke contact.

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On 29-31 May the platoon provided security for engineer road
clearing operations.   The 3d Plt.  was in support of the 1st
Bn., 9th Marines.   The platoon commenced the month with one
ONTOS on Hill #55  (AT971620),  one ONTOS section at AN TRACH (1)
(AT969664) and one ONTOS section on Hill 22  (AT954667).   On
6 May the section located at AN TRACH (1) was assigned a
mission with 1/9 Reaction Comany ("C" 1/9).  In support of the
company at (AT969647) the section fired fourteen 106mm HEP-T
rounds, twenty-six .50 cal spotting rounds and 700 rounds of
.30 cal machinegun ammunition at a group of VC.    No confirmed
results were obtained.    On 16 May one ONTOS was displaced from
Hill 55 and was assigned as part of the road block at (BT017685)
(OPCON of the 1st Plt of this company).   On 17 May the ONTOS
remaining on Hill 22 fired five .50 cal spotting rounds and two
106mm HEP-T rounds in support of a "C" 1/9 platoon that was
under VC long range small arms fire.   No determined results
were noted.    On 20 May the ONTOS section located at AN TRACH (1)
displaced to Hill #55.   On this same date the platoon C.P.
displaced from (AT967665) to Hill #55.   On 25 May the ONTOS
section on Hill #55 supported a "C" 1/9 sweep.   The ONOTS
crewmen killed one VC  (BC)  with small arms fire at  (AT956664).
On 31 May the ONTOS section on Hill # 22 supported a sweep of
BO BAN (1)  (AT957686),  with no contact.

                    (3)     PHU BAI TAOR

                                (a)    Company "B"  (-)  (Rein)  continued in direct
support of the 4th Marine Regiment.   The 3d Plt. Co "B" 3d ATBn
commenced the month in direct support of the 1st Bn., 1st Marines.
During Operation CHEROKEE (5-7 May)  the platoon on ONTOS was used
to reinforce the assault companies.   On the morning of 5 May one
ONTOS detonated a large mine at (YD515263).   The vehicle
was destroyed, and one USMC KIA and two USMC WIA were
sustained from the resulting explosion.   That afternoon the
platoon was placed under OPCON of the 4th Marines and assigned
to the regimental rear area security.   After the operation they
were again placed in direct support of 1/1.   During Operation
WAYNE the platoon remained in defensive positions within
the 1/1 defensive area.   During the period of 11-20 May the
platoon supported one sweep with the elements of 1/1, with no
contact reported.   The platoon maintained defensive positions
nightly on the 1/1 MLR.   On 24 May the 1st Bn., 1st Marines
displaced to the DANANG TAOR, the platoon displaced to
the Company "B" C.P.,  and reverted to direct support of the
4th Marine Regiment.   The 3d Plt Co "A" 3d ATBn  continued
in direct support of the 1st Bn., 4th Marines.   On 5 May the
platoon was used to support the assault companies on OPERATION
CHEROKEE.    When 1/4 continued to move north east
during the operation the platoon remained in direct support.

                                                                                                              ENCLOSURE (1)

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At the completion of Operation CHEROKEE the platoon remained
at the 1/4 C.P., located at (YD569245)  where it manned
defensive positions.   On 27 May 1/4 displaced from the forward
area (YD569245)  to  (YD894143).   The platoon displaced also
and remains in direct support of 1/4.    The 2d Plt Co "A"
1st ATBn  was in direct support of the 2nd Bn., 1st Marines,
with the mission of manning defensive positions on the 2/1
perimeter.   The ONTOS were used extensively for night
time protection along the MLR.    On 27 May the 2nd Bn., 1st
Marines displaced to relieve the 1st Bn., 4th Marines, and
at this time the platoon reverted to direct support of the 4th
Marine Regiment.

          f.          Communications and Electronics  In addition to the
normal Command Post communication functions the (unreadable)
following events took place during the month of May:  Two
AN/PRC-25 radio set were turned in to the Field Support Activity
in connection with  3d Marine Division internal reallocation of
AN/PRC-25 and AN/GRC-125 radio sets.   Two AN/GRC-125's were
also reallocated; one went to 3d Recon Bn and the other went
to Headquarters, 4th Marines.   From 3-12 May, the wire
section installed overhead fans in the Battalion messhall,
and the Staff NCO/Officers Club.   On 6 May, an AN TIQ-2
public address system was borrowed from 3rd Tank Battalion to
provide a sound system for a Battalion Awards and Promotion
Ceremony.    On 12 May, a Division net was activated to provide
communications form LtGen KRULAK, CG, FMFPAC,  during his
visit to YEN BAC Hamlet.    During the period 19-31 May, the
Battalion Command Net was activated to insure communications
with the letter companies during the crisis in DANANG.

          g.          Logistics.   Repair part for ONTOS continues to be
a problem area.   Information received indicates 300 sections of
track will be shipped via air to this command in the near
future.   No CritiPak  was received this month.   Considerable
Class IV fortification material was received in preparation
of expanding the Battalion Command Post and to support gun
companies.

                    (1)          Ordinance/Maintenance.   A total of 11 ONTOS were
deadlined during the month and 10 were returned to service.
Quarterly maintenance services were performed on three ONTOS.
Three contact teams were dispatched to provide services for
units of this command.   There were 13 work orders accepted and
seven were completed.   Two ONTOS were destroyed due to hostile
action and replaced with Mount-Out vehicles.

                    (2)          Motor Transport.   During the month 32 work orders
were received and 40 were completed.   Seventeen quarterly
services were completed.   A total of 1,467 vehicle dispatches
were made covering 17,718 miles.    One M-37 truck was destroyed
by a mine and replaced with a vehicle from Maintenance Float.
One m0422, one lubrication unit and one high pressure cleaning
unit were surveyed as excess.
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                    (3)          Supply.    In May the following material was coded
"X" and surveyed:  one ONTOS, one pair of binoculars, three
pistols cal .45, one machine gun cal .30 and one submachine-
gun M3A1.    Requistions were submitted as follows:  One
priority two, 13 priority five, 126 priority twelve and 240
priority seventeens;  for a total of 370 requisitions.
Requisitions filled during the month were nine priority two,
16 priority five, 126 priority twelve and 130 priority seventeen
for a total of 281.

          h.          Civic Action.   During the month of May significant
progress was made in all phases of the 3d Antitank Battalion
civic action program.   The Battalion expanded it's area of
responsibility to include the seven sub-hamlets of CAM HOA
hamlet  (AT970704),  in addition to the five sub-hamlets of
YEN BAC hamlet  (AT985708).   The medical team now conducts
sick call six days a week, from 0800 to 1400 in YEN BAC, and
a 1230 sick call every Monday in CAM HOA,  the latter at the
request of the CAM HOA hamlet chief.   The YEN BAC sick call
for the month showed 282 adults and 343 children assisted,
with five dental treatments.   Medical assistancea was rendered
to 72 adults adn 153 children during the sick call in CAM
HOA,  with five dental treatments also being administered.
Approximately half of the medical treatments were in the
"disease of the skin" and "upper respiratory infection" categories.
During the month 109,620 Piasters were contributed to the
Vietnamese economy through payment for laundry services, and
for ice for the Battalin mess hall and clubs.   The hamlet of
YEN BAC received approimately 1,240 pounds of garbage and
liquid waste from the Battalion mess hall for animal feed.
As YEN BAC and CAM HOA are inhabited principally by farmers,
the agricultural phase of the civic action program was stressed
during the month of May.   During the week 1 through 4 May
attendance at the YEN BAC hamlet school hit an all-time high
of 61 students, with an average of about 50 per day in attendance.
The Battalion started a free "school lunch program" for the
children, using leftover mess hall food, such as soup and
sandwiches.    By supplementing this program with vitamin pills
it is hoped to build up the youngsters resistance to sickness
and disease.   Plans were drawn up to enlarge the now over-
crowded school room.   The Battalion Maintenance Section
assiste the farmers of the hamlet by sharpening tools and
farm implements.   In the latter part of the week the Battalion
Commander and the Civic Action Officer escorted Mr. Earl
YOUNG, USAID representative to IIIMAF, and Captain G. E.
YARDOROUGH,  Division G-5 Section to YEN BAC hamlet.

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Future projects that would benefit he hamlet were discussed
and Mr. YOUNG pledged assistance in providing fingerlings
for the fish project, obtaining additional pigs, providing a
hand water pump for experimental purposes, and furnishing a
windmill water pump, for irrigation of the rice paddies.
During the week 4 through 11 May the first of many important
visitors for the month toured YEN BAC.   LtGen WALT and BrigGen
PLATT made a brief tour on 8 May, escorted by the Battalion
Civic Action Officer.     At this time 27 sewing kits were
distributed to the people of the hamlet.   The next day the Civic
Action Officer, accompanied by Dr. CLYBURNE of USAID, purchased
two American pigs in the City of DANANG for the hamlet of
YEN BAC.   The pigs will be interbred with the local swine in
hopes of producing a superior hog.   The pigs were placed in
the model pig pen completed in the hamlet last month by the
farmers and Marines.    A pig feedig trough at the pig pen
was also completed by farmers and member of the civic action
team.   The well reconstruction program is progressing rapidly.
Prior to the arrival of Marine civic action to YEN BAC there
was only one good well in operation for drinking water, and
several others good only for washing clothes.    Now there are
four drinking wells, with an additional two under construction.
During the week of 12 through 18 May there were more visits by
dignitaries to observe the civic action program.    LtGen KRULAK
and his party visited the hamleet on 12 May, as did Congressmen
GRIFFIN AND MONAGAN.   During the visit of the latter party
fifty set of shorts and shirts donated by the Fifth Reformed
Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan were presented to people
of the hamlet by one or the members of the medical team.   13 May
saw two parties of VIP's visit YEN BAC;  the Honorable Mr.
MORRIS, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and his
party overlapping a visit by the Congressional party of
Congressmen CALLAWAY and RUMSFELD.   Four Vietnamese Popular
Forces soldiers reported to the Battalion during this period
to supplement the hamlet security guard, and to assit in the
civic action program.   Sewing kits again were given to the
tailor shop of YEN BAC and to the families of the newly arrived
Popular Forces soldiers.   Colonel H. A. HAYES Jr. USMC,
Commanding Officer of the 3d Marine Regiment, accompanied by his
Regimental Civic Action Officer, paid a visit to the hamlet
to see the program in action and exchange ideas.   At the end
if this week the Okinawan sweet potato was introduced into
YEN BAC in an attempt to improve the yield of the local crop.
It is hoped that the increased yield will stimulate the hog
industry and make the community independent of the garbage now
provided by the Battalion messhall.   This program was
previously recommended by USAID representatives.   The civic
action officer held a meeting with the hamlet chief of CAM
HOA to discuss the distribution of sewing kits, which will
permit close contact with the people for a population census.


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The week of 19 through 25 May started off with the medical team
spraying the shopping center of YEN BAC hamlet with DDT to
combat flies and mosquitos.   The Motor Transport Section and
Vietnamese farmers began working on an old Ford Model "A"
engine for irrigation purposes.   Men of the battalion used
their ingenuity to clean, weld, brace and substitute broken,
missing and worn out parts.   On 23 May the engine came to
life with the typical Model "A" sputter for the first time,
to the delight of all the people.   Work was continued on the
pump portion of the engine.   The Maintenance Section constructed
a tower for a windmill pump, obtained through Division Civic
Action and replacement parts for the windmill pump were
manufactured.   During the week Mr. HONG, the QUANG NAM Province
USAID representative, Assistant to the Province Education
Chief, and Aspirant (unreadable) XUAN QUANG, Rural Construction Cadre to
HOA VANG District paid a visit to the hamlet of YEN BAC,
escorted by the Civic Action Officer.   Problems discussed
were the school program and location of a new school site.   A
new merchant shop has been built in sub-hamlet 3 of  YEN BAC,
bolstering the number of stores to four,  including a tailor
shop and a barber shop.    The new store is catering strictly
to Vietnamese.    The villagers again completed a self-help
project with material supplied through civic action channels.
They completed a well renovation in sub-hamlet 1.   A large
concrete apron was poured around the well to avoid seepage and
to provide a place to wash clothes.   This week also saw the
purchase of three more pigs for the hamlet.   130 school books
for the YEN BAC school house were obtained from the
QUANG NAM District Representative of USAID.    Four elders
belonging to the hamlet committee of YEN BAC were taken on a
tour of a pig farm located at a Catholic Monastery at China
Beach by members of the civic action team.   They were given
instructions on how to improve the pig stock.    They were also
taken to a tree farm to learn how to plant a fast growing
pulpwood for fire wood, of which there is a shortage in the
village.    During the last part of the week, on request of the
hamlet committee of CAM HOA,  the civic action team paid a
visit to verify the previous week's census.   As the census
was being taken sewing kits, laundry and face soup and
packages of vegtables were given to each family.    The gathering
was called for at the noon hour, when people are not working
in the fields.    The people were extremely friendly.   The
sequence of events in CAM HOA this day was recorded on
sound and filmed by the Armed Forces Combat Motion Picture
Team working out of the Press Center in DANANG.   During the
week 26 through 31 May   the civic action team, assisted by
the villagers of YEN BAC, began a repair project on the
playground equipment.    This playground, which was built by
Marines of the 3d ATBn shortly after arriving in Vietnam, is
showing signs of wear and tear.

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The hamlet committee of YEN BAC detailed two villagers to
build much needed school desks for the overcrowded school room,
the lumber being donated by the Battalion.    On 26 May an M50A1
ONTOS was driven to the market center of YEN BAC.   The arrival
of the ONTOS was timed to coincide with a school recess and
rest period for the farmers and it turned out to be a miniature
"Armed Forces Day".   It was a great success and caused many
favorable comments from the elders.   Events of this day were
again filmed by the Armed Forces Combat Photographic Team.
In the middle of the week Mr. Bill COOK, a USAID Representative
working our to HOI AN, visited YEN BAC to cooridinate visits
of Government of Vietnam agricultural and animal husbandry
teams.   Plans call for these teams to instruct local farmer.
Two hand water pumps were received through 3d Marine Division
civic action channels.    Both pumps were incomplete and sub-
stitute parts had to be fashioned.    The Maintenance Section
put one pump in operation immediately.   The hand pump will
eliminate the introduction of foreign matter which was
previously introduced by dip buckets, dirty ropes and wires.
On the 27th the elders of YEN BAC, after receiving the report
of the hamlet committee's tour of the pig farm, were taken on
a tour to see for themselves.   They were taken to a pig
farm, coconut grove and rabbit farm.   The elders were given
instructions and were very appreciative.   Later in the week
the civic action team again visited CAM HOA and presented
the school house with a new volley ball for the athletic
program being conducted.    The hamlet chief requested the help
of the team in filling out claims resulting from homes
burned by illumination flares, apparently fired by Marine units.
200 pound of Bulgar wheat were distributed to sub-hamlets
4 and 5 of CAM HOA.    The sanitation stardards of the people in
this hamlet are very low in comparison to YEN BAC.    Most
of the medical treatments were for skin infections which could
have been prevented by frequent washing.   One hundred bars
of soap were given out at this time.    The Motor Transport
Section closed out the month by continuing work on the Model
"A" engine for the irrigation pump which is near completion.








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THIS IS THE END OF THE MAY 1966 COMMAND CHRONOLOGY
FOR 3rd ANTI-TANK BATTALION.
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