DECLASSIFIED 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 3 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. 1 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3 10 June66 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 ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 2 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3 10 June 1966 CONFIDENTIAL 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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 3 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3 10 June 1966 (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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 4 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3 10 June 1966 CONFIDENTIAL (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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 5 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3 10 June 1966 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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 6 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3 10 June 1966 CONFIDENTIAL (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) CONFIDENTIAL 7 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3 10 June 1966 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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 8 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3 10 June 1966 CONFIDENTIAL 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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 9 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3 10 June 1966 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) CONFIDENTIAL 10 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3 10 June 1966 CONFIDENTIAL 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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 11 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3 10 June 1966 (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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 12 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3 10 June 1966 CONFIDENTIAL 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. ENCLOSURE CONFIDENTIAL 13 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL 3 10 June 1966 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. ENCLOSURE CONFIDENTIAL 14 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3 10 June 1966 CONFIDENTIAL 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. ENCLOSURE (1) CONFIDENTIAL 15 DECLASSIFIED |
THIS IS THE END OF THE MAY 1966 COMMAND CHRONOLOGY FOR 3rd ANTI-TANK BATTALION. CLICK THE BANNER ABOVE TO RETURN TO THE INDEX CLICK THE BANNER BELOW TO RETURN TO TO THE MAIN PAGE. |
