DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS 3d Antitank Battalion (Rein) 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF c/o FPO, San Francisco, California, 96601 3/VAV/cew 3100 10 Nov 1965 From: Commanding Officer To: Commanding General, 3d Marine Divison (Rein), FMF (Attn: AsstC/S,G-3) Subj: Command Chronology, October 1965; submission of Ref: (a) MCO 5750.2 (b) DivO 5750.1 Encl: (1) Journals (2) SITREPS (3) Logistics Data 1. In compliance with reference (a) and (b) the Command Chronology and enclosures (1) through (3) are submitted. (Signature) BRUCE A. HEFLIN DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 PART I 1. Reporting Unit - 3d Antitank Battalion (-) (Rein) 2. Period Covered - 1-31 October 1965 3. Date of Submission - 10 November 1965 4. Commanding Officer - 1-31 October 1965 Lieutenant Colonel BRUCE A. HEFLIN 5. Command Post - Republic of South Vietnam, AT987711 - Map SVN Series L701, Sheet No. 6659 III and 6658 IV 2 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 PART II 1. Operational Data, including attachments a. Designation/Locations (1) Headquarters and Service Company (-) (Command Group) (Danang TAOR) (a) Company "A" (-) (Rein) (Danang TAOR) Third Platoon, Company "A" (Hue Phu Bai TAOR) (b) Company "B" (Rein) (Chu Lai TAOR) (c) Company "C" (Rein) (Danang TAOR) (d) Company "C" (-) (Rein) 1stATBn (Chu Lai TAOR) Second Platoon, Company "C", 1stATBn (Qui Hhon Headquarters Field Forces, Vietnam) b. Period covered by report: 1-31 October 1965 c. Name/Rank of Commanding Officer and Staff or principle subordinates, including T/O billet assignment. BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Commanding Officer LtCol Bruce A. HEFLIN Executive Officer Capt Orville R. EDMONDSON S-1/Adj WO-1 Gunther DOHSE S-2 Capt Vincent A. VERNAY S-3 Capt Vincent A. VERNAY S-3A Unassigned S-4 Capt Stanley R. STEWART Liaison Officer Unassigned Supply Officer 1stLt Avelino ANDAZOLA Motor Transport Officer 1stLt Daniel L. TAYLOR Ordnance/Maintenance 1stLt Brian M. MATHEWS Communications Officer MGySgt Robert J. DUNN Medical Officer Unassigned Headquarters and Service Company Commandant 1stLt C. J. ROONEY 1-16 October 1965 1stLt D. B. HOUSE 17-31 October 1965 Company "A" Commanding Officer Capt Karl E. SHARFF Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Platoon Commander 2ndLt P. R. MC ALEER 2nd Platoon Commander Sgt Wesley O. PHILLIPS 3d Platoon Commander 2ndLt R. H. JAROCH 1 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 Company "B" Commanding Officer 1stLt M. H. CHANG Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Platoon Commander 1stLt J. T. MATHEWS 2nd Platoon Commander 1stLt W. J. MAHER Jr. 3rd Platoon Commander 1stLt J. J. MC COY Company "C" Commanding Officer 1stLt A. G. ANDERSON II Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Platoon Commander 2ndLt R. D. L'HEUREUX Jr. 2nd Platoon Commander 2ndLt E. M. MILLER 3rd Platoon Commander 1stLt L. E. WAGONER Company "C", 1stATBn Commanding Officer 1stLt W. P. SNYDER Executive Officer Unassigned 1st Platoon Commander 1stLt H. J. CONNOLLY 2nd Platoon Commander 2ndLt H. T. SCHMIT 3rd Platoon Commander 2ndLt M. M. WOOD d. Average Monthly Strength during the period. (1) 3d Antitank Battalion (-) (Rein) Officers - 23 - Enlisted - 442 (a) Headquarters and Service Company 9 120 (b) Company "A" 3 82 (c) Company "B" 4 82 (d) Company "C" 3 76 (e) Company "C", 1st ATBn 4 82 2. Sequential listing of significant events. a. Personnel. During the month 56 men went on R&R, ten men were medically evacuated for non-battle reasons, one man was granted Humanitarian Leave to CONUS, five men went on emergency leave, six men were awarded Article 15 punishment, 20 men were transferred and 47 men were joined as replacements. b. Administration. All Companies were on Company Administration during this period. Service Record audits are nearly completed. c. Intelligence. Information is gained directly from Division Intelligence Section (Attn: Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2), concerning antimechanized capabilities of enemy forces, i.e. mines, AT weapons, road and bridge conditions. Local TAOR Intelligence is obtained from the 9th Marine Regiment (S-2). Intelligence items published by INTELLIGENCE 2 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 SUMMARY peculiar to the AT Battalion are further disseminated to the Ontos Companies located in the Danang TAOR. The organic intelligence section of the Battalion Headquarters is capable of limited intelligence processing. d. Training. During the reporting period , numerous classes were conducted throughout the Battalion by H&S Company and the seperate Gun Companies. A contact team from LFTU, FMFPac, conducted Wheeled Vehicle Fording and Water Proofing classes for the members of the Battalion Motor Transport Section (note SITREP number 101). Familiarization firing and safety regulations of weapons for newly joined personnel was held. The majority of training was "on the job training" and principally devoted to: Preventive Maintenance, Driver's Training, Communications Procedures, 106mm Recoilless Rifles and .50 Caliber Spotting Rifles. Special classes and instructions were given on Interior Guard, "Why we are in Vietnam", Servicemens Group Life Insurance, Viet Cong Tactics, Field Sanitation, Mine Warfare and use of Range Cards. Small arms and vehicle inspections were also held. One firex of the ONTOS vehicles was conducted and 89 rounds of 106mm, 550 rounds of .50 caliber spotting and 2500 rounds of .30 caliber ammunition were expended. e. Operations. On 1 October the battalion was deployed as follows: (1) 3d Antitank Battalion (-) (Rein) is in general support of the 3d Marine Division. (a) H&SCo (-) (Command Group). located Danang TAOR AT 987711 (b) Company "A" (-) (Rein) in direct support of the 3d Marine Regiment (-) 1st Platoon, Co "A" in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. 2nd Platoon , Co "A" in direct support of the 2nd Battalion, 3d Marines. 3d Platoon, Co "A" attached to the 3d Battalion, 4th Marines. (c) Company "B" (Rein) attached to the 4th Marine Regiment 1st Platoon, Co"B" in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines 2nd Platoon, Co"B" in direct support of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines 3rd Platoon, Co"B" in direct support of the 3d Battalion, 3d Marines (d) Company "C" (Rein) in direct support of the 9th Marine Regiment (-) 1st Platoon, Co"C" in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. 2nd Platoon, Co"C" in direct support of the 9th Marines(-) 3rd Platoon, Co"C" in direct support of the 3d Battalion, 9th Marines. 3 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 (e) Company "C" (-) (Rein) 1st Antitank Battalion attached to the 7th Marine Regiment (-) 1st Platoon, Co"C" in direct support of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines 2nd Platoon, Co"C" attached to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines 3rd Platoon, Co"C" in direct support of the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines (2) Danang Enclave (a) H&S Company (-). During the reporting perod, a major portion of the camp contonment project was completed. The maintenance section received and repaired seven ONTOS vehicles. The company provided a blocking force for an ARVN sweep of the village of Phong Bac AT993705. (Note SITREP DTG 011800H/021899H Oct65). The company also conducted one reconnaissance/civil affairs patrol (Note SITREP DTG 021800H/031800H Oct65). The company reaction squad was dispatched once to investigate the possible infiltration of Viet Cong into the local village of YEN BAC AT985708 (Note SITREP number 112). The Battalion was visited by the Honorable Daniel B. BREWSTER, Senator from the State of Maryland; he was accompanied by Brigadier General HENDERSON. A briefing and tour of the Battalion Command Post area was conducted by the personnel of H&S Company. (b) Company "A" (-)_ (Rein) supported two infantry Company operations, one infantry platoon operation, one infantry platoon ONTOS/ Tank patrol and one infantry squad/ONTOS patrol. On 300210H Oct65, an ONTOS vehicle from the First Platoon was hit by a VC 57mm recoilless rifle when it was supporting Company "A", 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. The VC assault on the infantry company, with the ONTOS vehicle manning their MLR, caused the first seriously damaged ONTOS as a result of enemy gunfire in the Vietnam operation. (Note SITREP number 111).The ONTOS were used extensively as a night perimeter security/mobile reaction force. Two H&I fire missions were conducted during the month, expending 12-106mm HEAT rounds; 181-106mm HEP-T rounds; 338-.50 caliber spotting rounds and 1000-.30 caliber rounds (machine gun). For details see enclosure (1) SITREP DTG 021800H/031800H Oct65 and SITREP numbers 92, 97, 015, and 112 with attached weekly summary. (c) Company "C" (Rein) supported three two-company size search and clear operations; five company size search and clear operations; one Marine/ARVN search and clear operation, and three operations as a blocking force or part of a blocking force. Security for two reconnaissance patrols was also provided. The ONTOS were used extensively as a night perimeter securi- ty/mobile reaction force. No major caliber rounds were expended due to opera- tions during the reporting period. For details see enclosure (1) SITREP DTG 011800H/021800H Oct65 and SITREP numbers 92, 97, 105 and 112 attached weekly summary. 4 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 (3) Chu Lai Enclave (a) Company "B", (Rein) supported one platoon size combat patrol and conducted numerous motorized escort and blocking mission. On 290530H Oct65, an ONTOS vehicle from the second platoon hit a mine at BT44350961. Major damage to the vehicle was sustained. (Note SITREP number ??? as of 291800H Oct 65, with photographs). The ONTOS were used defensively as a night perimeter security/mobile reaction force. No major caliber rounds were expended due to operations. For details see enlosure (1) SITREP numbers 92, 97, 105 and 112 with attached weekly summary. (b) Company "C", 1st Antitank Battalion (-) (Rein) 1st platoon Company "C" supported two daily mechanized patrols behind the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines MLR. The company also provided escort for truck convoys and covered an infantry platoon search and clear operation. The ONTOS were use extensively as a night perimeter security/mobile reaction force. No major caliber rounds were expended due to operations. For details see enclosure (1) SITREP DTG 011800H/021800H Oct65 and SITREP numbers 92, 97, and 112 with attached weekly summary. (4) Hue Phu Bai Enclave (a) Third Platoon, Company "A". During the month of October, the platoon was attached to the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines. Their primary role was that of bolstering the Battalion's Defensive position by manning the MLR during the hours of darkness. For details see "3d Platoon" in Company "A" weekly operational summaries. f. Communications and Electronics. During the month of October maintained continuous radio communications on Division Tactical Net #2. Telephone communications as maintained within the Battalion Command Post and adjoining units. A master log and general file of all message traffic was maintained. Maintenance support up to and including second echelon for communications equipment within the Battalion Headquarters and Companies "A" and "C" was provided. In addition to this,communicatons for recon- naissance patrols and combat patrols was provided. In addition to regular communication duties, the Communications Platoon has installed and maintained camp power and electrification with the C. P. An active part in the construction of defensive positions and camp conton- ment was taken by the Communication Platoon. Several members of the Communications Platoon have taken an active role in the Battalion's "People to People Program", one member acting as an interpreter on many occassions. g. Logistics. During the month of October, the following significant events took place in the logisitic support field. The permanent contonment program is nearing completion with over 70% of the camp already strongbacked. During this month, the Ordnance/Maintenance Section deadline eight vehicles, See enclosure (3). Two ONTOS vehicles were returned to service and work is being performed by third echelon personnel on three other ONTOS vehicles. 5 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 Work is in progress on one vehicle in the shop and three vehicles are await- ing second echelon repair parts. Due to a lack of organizational spare parts, no quarterly P.M.'s were performed on ONTOS vehicles during the month. During the month, a contact team from the Battalion inspected the tur???? system of the 2nd Platoon, Company "C". A contact team from this Battalion delivered some repair parts to 2nd Platoon, Company "C", 1st ATBn, located at QUI NHON. During the month, the Ordnance/Maintenance Section was visited by the FMPPac Technical Assistance Team. This team performed a technical inspection on all ordnance items in the Battalion. At the conclusion of their inspection, all major discrepancies were discussed and recommendations received. The Battalion S-1 Section audited all directives belonging to the Ordnance/Maintenance Section during October. On the 29th of this month an ONTOS vehicle from Company "B" struck a mine at CHU LAI. Limited Technical Inspection (LTI) was performed the same day and a condition code "X" was assigned the ONTOS vehicle. A mount out vehicle was then made ready for shipment to CHU LAI as a replacement. On the morning of the 30th, an ONTOS vehicle from Company "A" was damaged by Viet Cong 57mm recoilless rifle fire. This ONTOS vehicle was retrieved by the Ordnance/Maintenance Section and towed to FLSG. In cooperation with FLSG some parts will be salvaged and used to remove other ONTOS from a deadline status. This vehicle has been replaced by a mount out ONTOS vehicle. An LTI has not been performed to date. During the month of October, Supply submitted 848 requisitions. The number of these that were filled was less than 1%. Of these, 34 were priority 05, of which one was completed (See enclosure (3)). An M101 trailer and a M422A-1 Mity Mite were the major end items received. An M-37 P.C. was coded beyond economical repair and has been reordered. A rebuilt MRC-36 radio vehicle is at FLSG to be picked up. Motor Transport will not accept this vehicle until an LTI has been performed by the Motor Transport Main- tenance Section (the radio set, seat cushions, horn cap, and rod were missing). During the month of October, 59 work orders were opened, of these 32 were completed and 27 incompleted (these are awaiting parts). Of the 59 work orders, four were annual P. M.'s and 23 were quarterly P. M.'s. As of this date, all wheeled vehicles are up to date for P. M. The total number of dispatched runs from this C. P. area was 693. h. Civic Actions. During the month of October, the Battalion medical team treated a total of 1297 Vietnamese and in addition to this, 83 Viet- namese were dentally treated. The ration of children to adult patients was about nine to one, this being primarily due to our holding twice weekly sick call at an Elementary School. Sick call visits were held at the Village of YEN BAC AT985708, at the Elementary School known as "THAN PHO NANG, TRANG PIEU Hoc An-Hai" BT048769 and at the village of CAM HOA (2) AT976701. On 1 October, in conjunction with our sick call in YEN BAC, fifty dolls were given out to the village children. They were initially shy and just a little frightened of the huge dolls, but soon took to them like any other child will to a doll. It was the first time that most of the village children had even seen dolls. On 4 October, it was noted that some of the patients at sick call in the village of YEN BAC were strangers from outlying villages and hamlets. On 5 October, during one of our regularly scheduled sick call visits, a small baby was brought back to the Battalion Sick Bay because of a 6 DECLASSIFIED |
DECLASSIFIED 3/VAV/cew 10 Nov 1965 boil on it's neck (golf ball size), where it was lanced by HM-2 TRUEL. It was determined that the infant was from an outlying village. On 17 October, clothing, candy and soap were given to the Villagers of CAM HOA (2). Sick call was held. Due to waist deep water leading to the village, and the fact that the Marines had to hold the items over their heads, turn out for sick call that day was light. On 21 October, during one of our regularly scheduled sick calls at the Hoc An-Hai school, a shoe box full of pencils, or varying lengths, was given to the Headmaster for distribution to the children. In addition to this, 140 bars of bath soap were given to the children. On 29 October, Major General WALT dedicated a new playgroud and bathing area in the village of YEN BAC. This area was built by the marines of this Battalion during the month. One shower was stall and four bath tubs were made by Sergeant H. ????. In addition to this, a merry-go-round was built by the Sergeant. On this day, a culmination fo 30 days continual work, the General dedicated the play ground and bathing area. The village Chief, Mr. TRAN HAU, accepted the completed playground and bathing area and then Mr. HAU thanked him on behalf of the village populace. The completed play- ground is equipped with two see-saws, two swings and a merry go round. The villagers helped on the project by building an enclosure for the bathing area. With the new playground, the YEN BAC villagers' health progressing, the school children responding to the program and a planned weekly trip to CAM HOA (2), the month ended for the Battalion with a feeling of accomplishment. 7 DECLASSIFIED |
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