cc9

DECLASSIFIED

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

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

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.

2

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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.

3

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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