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HEADQUARTERS
3d Antitank Battalion
3d Marine Division  (Rein)  FMF
c/o FPO San Francisco, California 96601
                                                                                                                                                 3/VAV/jrb
                                                                                                                                                 3100
                                                                                                                                                 10 Oct65



From:          Commanding Officer
To:              Commanding General,  3d Marine Division, FMF
                      (Attn.  Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3)

Subj:            Command Chronology,  September 1965;  submission of

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

Encl:            (1)  Journals
                       (2)  Sitreps

1.  In accordance with references  (a)  and  (b)  the Command Chronology and
enclosure  (1)  and  (2)  are submitted.


                                                                                                    (Signature)
                                                                                                    BRUCE A. HEFLIN



























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PART I


1.          Reporting Unit   3d Antitank Battalion (-)

2.          Period Covered   1 September - 30 September 1965.

3.          Date of Submission   10 October 1965

4.          Commanding Officer   1 September - 30 September 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.

































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PART II


1.     Organizational 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)  1st AT Bn.                         (Chu Lai TAOR)
                              Second Platoon, Co. "C", 1st AT Bn.                        (Qui Nhon Headquarters
                                                                                                                                            Field Forces, Vietnam

b.     Period covered by report:  1 Sep - 30 Sep65

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

                    BATTALION HEADQUARTERS

                    Commanding Officer                                                   Lt.Col. Bruce A. HEFLIN
                    Executive Officer                                                        Capt. Orville R. EDMONDSON
                    S-1/Adj                                                                                 WO-1 Gunther DOHSE
                    S-2                                                                                          Capt. V. A. VERNAY
                    S-3                                                                                          Capt. V. 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 Officer                                                        1stLt. Brian H. MATHEWS
                    Communications Officer                                          MGySgt. Robert J. DUNN
                    Medical Officer                                                             Unassigned

                    Headquarter and Service Company

                    Commandant                                                                 1stLt. Christopher J. ROONEY

                    Company "A"

                    Commanding Officer                                                  Capt. Karl E. SHARF
                    Executive Officer                                                       Unassigned
                    1st Platoon Commander                                          2ndLt. P. F. McALEER
                    2nd Platoon Commander                                         1stLt. D. B. HOUSE
                    3d Platoon Commander                                           2ndLt. R. H. JAROCH

                    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.
                    3d Platoon Commander                                           1stLt.  J. J. McCOY

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                    Company "C"

                    Commanding Officer                                              1stLt. Andrew G. ANDERSON II
                    Executive Officer                                                      Unassigned
                    1st Platoon Commander                                         SSgt. W. G. GOUTHRO
                    2nd Platoon Commander                                        2ndLt. E. M. MILLER
                    3d Platoon Commander                                          Sgt. L. D. WERRE

                    Company "C",  1st AT Bn.

                    Commanding Officer                                              1stLt. William F. SNYDER
                    Executive Officer                                                      Unassigned
                    1st Platoon Commander                                         1stLt. H. J. CONNOLLY
                    2nd Platoon Commander                                        2ndLt. H. T. SCHMIT
                    3d Platoon Commander                                          2ndLt. M. M. WOOD

d.   Average Monthly Strength during the Period

          (1)    3d Antitank Battalion  (Rein)         452

                    (a)  Headquarters and Service
                              Company                                             120
                    (b)  Company "A"                                        81
                    (c)  Company "B"                                        86
                    (d)  Company "C"                                        80
                    (e)  Company "C", 1st AT Bn.            85

2.    Sequential listing of significant events

          a.  Personnel  During this month 16 men were promoted, two men reenlist-
ed, one man died as a result of a plane crash, 16 went on R & R, five men
were WIA, one man was convicted by a Summary Court Martial, one man was con-
victed by a Special Court Martial, five men received Article 15 punishment
and one man was sent ot Okinawa awaiting determination of his sole surviving
son status.

          b.  Administration  All Companies were on Company administration during
this period.   Service Record Book audits were commenced.

          c.  Intelligence  Information is gained directly from Division Intell-
igence section  (Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2)  concerning Antimechanized
capabilities of enemy forces, i.e. mines,  AT weapons, road and bridge con-
ditions.   Local TAOR Intelligence is obtained from the 9th Marine Regiment
(S-2).   Intelligence items published by INTELLIGENCE 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 capble of limited intelligence processing.

          d.  Training  Emphasis on increased 50 caliber machinegun and or Anti-
Aircraft posture, conducted classes on the 50 caliber machinegun, i.e. in-
troduction, description, mechanical training, technique of fire, Antiaircraft
gunnery marksmanship training, organizational maintenance.   Company "A" es-
tablished an Ontos firing range near hill 41,  AT934663, for test firing and
zeroing.   All sections conducted on the job training during the month,
emphasis on driver training and Ontos vehicle maintenance.

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Newly arrived troops were given a briefing on where they were located,
why they were here and what they can expect during their tour.   Safety
regulations and rules of engagement were also covered.

          e.  Operations  On One September the Battalion was deployed as
follows:

                    (1)   3d Antitank Battalion  (-)  (Rein) in general support of the
                              Third Marine Division.

                              (a)   H&S Co.  (-)  (Command Group)  located DaNang TAOR AT987711

                              (b)   Company "A"  (-)  (Rein) in direct support of the 3d
                                        Marine Regiment.
                                        1st Platoon Co. "A" in support of the 1st Battalion
                                        1st Marines.
                                        2nd Platoon Co. "A" in 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.
                                        3d 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 (-).
                                        3d platoon Co. "C" in direct support of the
                                        9th Marines (-).

                              (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.
                                        3d platoon Co. "C" in direct support of the 3d Battalion,
                                        7th Marines.

(2)  Background.   During this reporting period there was a noted
increase in Ontos activity especially in the 9th Marines TAOR.  The
Ontos was used as an evacuation vehicle for wounded Marines, taking
them from the front line positions to an evacuation point  (usually a
helo pad).   All companies normally employed their Ontos in the same
fashion with emphasis on the particular situation they were in.


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The Ontos supported the infantry on patrols, reconnaissance missions,
search and clear operations, as night time perimeter security/ re-
action forces.   Because of the particular characteristics of the
Ontos  (narrow, light weight, low silhouette, speed and rapid engage-
ment or targets)  it proved to be an extremely effective direct fire
support weapon for the front line infantry man.
          On 14 Sep65 an Ontos hit a mine and overturned while in support
of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.   The type of mine was never de-
termined.   The vehicle was subsequently destroyed on the battle
field by EOD personnel.   On 15 Sep65 a second Ontos was hit by a mine
in the same general area as the above, again type undetermined.   The
vehicle was evacuated to FSLG, damage was extensive.

(3)   DaNang Enclave.   H&S Company (-)  AST987711 improved defensive po-
sitions and started construction of camp contonment.   The company
conducted a search and clear operation in the village of Yen Bac
AT989701 on 9 September and again on 21 September.   On 25 September H&S
Company in conjunction with H&S Company 1st Am Trac Battalion conducted
an amphibious river reconnaissance of the Song Cau Do river.   On 28
September members of H&S Company supported by a blocking force from
3d Tank Battalion, two LVTP-5's from 1st Am Trac Battalion and 13 RF/PF
Vietnamese from Hoa Cam Training Center conducted a search and clear
operation through the villages of Cam Hoa and Yen Bac.  Eight VCS were
turned over to the Security Officer at Hoa Cam Training Center, 7 were
released, one VCS was detained for further questioning.   It is significant
to note that cooperation between US Marines, US Army Advisors and
Vietnamese were excellent, each agreeing that continued work along
these lines was necessary.

          Company "A" (-)  (Rein).  1st platoon conducted road reconnaissance
South of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines C.P. and supported the 1st Marines
move South to hill 41 AT934663 and hill 22 at AT953667.  The 1st platoon
also provided Battalion C.P. and perimeter security during the reporting
period.   The second platoon remained in a static position with one light
section supporting Company "E" 2nd Batttalion, 3d Marines at Le My and a
heavy section at the Battalion C.P. as night perimeter security/reaction force.
The light section at Le My supported operation Harvest Moon  (rice harvest
protection at Le My).  The 3d platoon remained attached to the 3d Battalion,
4th Marines at Hue Phu Bai they were assigned night perimeter security,
and expended 89 major rounds H&I fire on 12 September in GS8708.

          Company "C"  (Rein).  1st platoon in direct support of the 1st Battalion,
9th Marines operated in the Tra Khe complex  (2000 meters South West of
Marble Mountain)  while in support of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines
operation.  They expended 1400 rounds of 30 caliber machinegun ammunition
and 225 rounds of sub machinegun ammunition.   On 9 September the
1st platoon supported the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in a search and
clear operation South of Marble Mountain with negative results.   The
platoon was assigned an additional mission of night perimeter security.
On 23 September they supported a sweep and clear operation in the
vicinity of Man Quan  BT045685 with negative results.   The 2nd platoon
supported  the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.   They acted as a covering force
for resupply columns and participated in Ontos/infantry patrols.   They
provided night time perimeter security/reaction force.

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                    The 3d platoon, near the end of the month relieved the 2nd platoon
                    then in support of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.   The platoon set
                    up defensive position with Company "E" in the Qua Giang complex
                    GS BT0266.

          f.     Communications and Electronics.   During the month of September main-
tainded normal communications, which consisted of Division Tactical Net #2 and
a twice a day radio check with companies "A" and "C".   Wire communications
consisted of Internal Command Post telephones and one external trunk to Division,
9th Marines, 3d Tank Battalion and 1st Am Trac Battalion.   Furnished radio comm-
unications for local security patrols.   Due to extreme dust alternating with
excessive percipitation, preventive maintenance is the largest problem area.
Continuous application is a major requirement.

          g.    Logisitics.   During the month of September the logistical support given
this battalion by Division showed improvement from the previous month.   First
of all the receipt of strong backing from Engineer Battalion gave us  a start
on our permenant contonment program.   Of the strong backing received approximately
30% was completed during the month of September.   A small quantity of jungle