DECLASSIFIED

• • HEADQUARTERS

1st Antitank Battalion 1st 11arine Division (Rein), Ff!IF

FPO San Francisco, California 96602

From: Commanding Officer, 1st 1\ntitank Battalion To: Commanding General, 1st Harine Division (Rein), FEB'

Subj: COl1'mand Chronology

Ref: (a) Diva 5750.2

Encl: (1) Command Chronology

3:.AJE:bey 5750 5 Apr 1966

1. In accordance with reference (a), enclosure (1) is submitted.

DECLASSIFIED

.,'

DECLASSIFIED

...... .,.'

5750 5 Apr 1966

COloTI'·1AND CHRONOLOGY

I.. 1st Antitank Battalion, 1st r·iarine Division (Rein), FNF

2.

a. Location: Camp Hansen, Okinawa

b. Period Covered by Report: 1 - 31 l~ch 1966

c.. Name/Rank of Commanding Officer, Staff & Chief Subordinates

(1) LtCol V.I. NOORE Maj R. E. HARRIS

(2) Executive Staff

Is t Lt T. F. DEl'fPSEY 2nd Lt J. A. LANE Major A. J. EAGAN Major J. J. KEEFE

(3) Special staff

1st Lt K. HENDRICKSON 1st Lt D. B. SHIKER. 2nd Lt J. 11. KELLY CwO E. A. ANASZEHICZ

(4) Subordinate Corruucmders

Commanding Officer Executive Officer

S - 1 S - 2 S - 3 S - 4

Supply Officer Comm-Elect Officer Hotor Transport Officer Haintenance Officer '

Capt J. \1. SCHROEDER - Company Commander, ffiS Company Capt G. R. VAN HORN _ Company Commander, Company A Capt J. E. FELKER - Company Commander, Company B

Commander J S Narrative Summary of Significant Events

a. The 1st .Antitank Battalion moved from a tr2.ining status 2,t Camp Hansen, Okinawa to counterinsurgency operations in the Chu Lai Compat Base, Republic of Vietnam during the period covered by this report.

b. On 1 Narch 1966, the following task organizations 'toTere re-activated, and elements of the 1st Anti tank BattaLion 'TtTere attached to them as listed below:

(1) RLT - 5 Company B (-), 1st Antitank Battalion (Company Headquarters only)

(2) BLT - 2/5 2nd PIt (Rein), Company B, 1st Antitank Battalion UNCLASSIFIED

~ ~

c. The 3rd Platoon (Rein), Company B, 3rd Antitanl{ Battalion, 1tJhich had, ' i

been refurbished and trained by this Battalion on Okinawa for a hvo mont-h .... "··" 1 ENCLO.sURE (1) .. _

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

• 5750 5 Apr 1966

d. The Commanding Officer, 1st Antitank Battalion and tirJO members of this command received Letters of Commandation from the COJl1Jo,anding General, 1st Narine Division (Rein), for their work in the movement of fubarkation Unit Charlie from COliUS to Okinawa. Letters were received by LtCol W. MOORE, 1st Lt R.R. TnmERG and SSgt. RIE. LINEBERRY.

e. On IS }1arch this Battalion conducted a test of a .50 Cal. machine gun mounted on an Ontos in place of one of the l06mm Recoilles Rifles. The test was a prelimina~ trial of a plan to mount two .50 Cal. machine gun's on the Ontos for direct fire support in counterguerrilla operations.

f. LtCol Hl\LTER NOORE 'Has designated Commanding Officer of Embarkation Group Echo for de-ployment of the 1st Antitank Battalion (-), 1st Notor Transport Battalion (-) Rein, and Det, H&S Company (-), 3rd Amphibious 'fractor Battalion.,to RVN.

g. H&S Company, 1st Antitank Battalion embarked aboard the USS V'~nET3T(;NE (LSD-27) on 22 Narch. l1ajor J. J. KEEFE, 3-4, 1st Antitank Battalion, was Embarkation Team Conmlander.

h. H&S Company arrived in RVN on 27 Harch. A temporary CP ;.ras established with the 11th I1arines while a perm~ent CP for the organizations were being constructed farther fortorard in the TAOR.

io Company CJ 1st Antitank Battalion reverted to parent unit control upon this Battalion's arrival in RVN. This Battalion also assumed administrative and operational control of 1st and 2nd platoons, Compeny B, 3rd Antitank Battalion.

j. Company A (-), 1st Antitan.l{ Battalion deployed from Oldnawa on 31 1I1arch aboard the USS ii>Jll~STON (AKA-94). Capt G.R. VAN HORN, Commanding Officer, Company A, was Embarkation Team Commander.

3. Detailed Description of Significant Events.

a. Testing of .50 Caliber Machine Gun Hounted on Ontos.

Operational repoJ'ts from Marine forces in the Republic of Vietnam have indicated the desirability of a light tracked vehicle for use in air'ect fire support of infantry. The Ontos has !lroven its ability to negotiate terrain 1-Thich ~s not accessible to tanks or wl1eeled vehicles, h01-TeVer its main armament is designed for antitank use. The backblast, relatively low ammunition capacity, and burst characteristics of the 106mm recoilless rifles have inhibited its effectiveness as a counterguerrilla lveapon.

It was theorized that the replacement of two ofti~ six 106mm rifles on the Ontos with .50 Caliber coaxially mounted machine guns would increase its flexibility as a.fire support weapon, and permit rapid ambush and counter ambush fire in situa,ftions where the smaller ca.liber round wou\icu.SSlrIED be more appropriate, or where the firing of the l06mm lveapon >vould be ........,.. t -- ... precluded due to friendly troops or equipment in the backblast area. . ('. .

2 ENCLOSURE (1)

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

• 5750 5 Apr 1966

The theory was tested on 15 l1arch 1966 at the Camp Hansen, Okinawa firing range. Using a locally fabricated mount, one caliber .50 c8~iber machine gun was fired in place of the number LI rifle on the Ontos. (See pictures 1, 2 and 3) As with the 106mm recoilless rifle, the weapon 'Was charged manually from outside the vehicle. It was fed from a 200 round ready box. Target acquisition, aiming and firing were acco~plished from within the vehicle, using the On-tios fire control system.

The test showed that the emplacement of .50 caliber machine guns can be done without modification to the Ontos, that room is available for belts of up to 600 rounds per machine gun, and that 1"l"e11 aimed .50 caliber fire can be delivered in this manner.

On 28 Harch 1966, this battalion requested sufficientH85 machine guns to arm thirty (30) Ontos as described above.

AP.r:;E1ilJICES A (List of References) B (Documentation)

3

DECLASSIFIED

ENCLOS GRE (1)

DECLASSIFIED

• 5750 5 Apr 1966

Appendis A (List of References)

1. .50 Cal. I1achine Gun Haunted on Ontos, picture of

2. 106nnn RR turret modified for .50 Cal. NG, picture of

3. l06mm R.'l1. turret modified for .50 Cal. 11G, picture of

4 Enclosure (1)

$ECREJ~

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

SECRET 5750 5 Apr 1966

Appendix B (Documentation)

Aclt..led .. C ,d/ /4/9/ -6N,c/C/y<-".-.... ~~d ... /Yk-a. -oJ7,/7lf~ ~ C C; I~ AT ,:3,.): 0/"",<, .,)<4-T,~-r>-4..-'~tf;d7dd_ II> ,./'2«", __ / ItJ~ ~'tt1/?'l~A~; ..ro_ Slrr~ &k

5 Enclosure (1)

SECREt

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

• From: To:

Subj:

Ref::

DECLASSIFIED

OOMPANY B 1st Antitank Battalion

(ADOON') 5th Marine Regiment

• 91;J! warine Amphibious Brigade FMF

FPC San hanoisco, California 96602

Commanding Offioer Oommanding Offioer, 5th Marines

Command Ohronology

(a) RLT-5 msg 132250Z Mq 66

JALjjwk 5750 27 May 1966

1. In accordanoe with referenoe (a.) the following report is submitted.

2. Organiza.tional Date.

a. Designation and Looa.tion

(11) Company B (-)(Rein),1st Antitank :Ba.ttalion Cbmpany B (-)

Compq- Headquarters (-) Detacbment, HIs ComP~t 1st .Antitank Battalion

Detachment, Comm Plat Detachment, Medioal Sect Detachment, Mess Sect, Supply Plat

(2) 1 Karch - 21 May 1966, Camp Hansen, Okinawa 22' May - 27 May 1966. USS RENVILLE (APA-227)

b. Period Covered: 1 March 1966 through '21 May 1966.

c. Oommanding Officer: Captain J. E. FELKER

d. Average Monthly Strength: 2 Officere/45 Enlisted

3. Commanders Nara.tive Summary. During tilis reporting period:, emphasis has: been placed on supply and maintenance readiness, as well as the FAM Firin8 cf individual weapons, training in counterperrilla warfare, Jungle lB.ne Firing, and Land Mine Warfare/Demoli tiona/Booby Trap training.

4~ Chronology of Events

Date -ENCLOSURE (7)

--~~ -~-- --- - ------ --~.

DECLASSIFIED

j

DECLASSIFIED

• 1 March 1966 Attached to Regimental Landing Team 5 w,ith adminis­

trative oantrol resting in 5th Marines. strength upaD ja1n1rlg was 2 USMC Offioers, 45 USMC Enlisted, and 1 USN Enlisted. Task arganizat1aD inoluded the 2d PlatoaD.

1 - 24 March 1966 24 Ple.toan canducted intensive training to include 106mmRR:. FIREl, field exercises:, Jungle Laue firing, Caunterguerrille. Warfare Sehaal, FAM Firing af indi­vidual weapons and arew served machine gans, Land Mine W&rfare/Demalitians/BaabT Trap Schaal, and combat driving with the M-50A1 mos.

25 Ma.roh 1966 ~, PlatoaD attached to BLT 2/5.

27 March 1966

28 Karcb - 25 April 1966

26 April 1966

22 Hay 1966

2; May 1966

2; - 26 May 1966

27 May 1966

3d Plat.oaD rejained from BLT 3/5.

;d PlatoaD canciucted same intensive training as that which 2d PIa toaD undel.'Wen t.

3d Platoon attached to Bur }/5.

Dnbarked aboard the USB RENVILLE (APA-227).

Underway far Chu Lai, Republic af Vietnam.

Conducted Bhipboard training program.

Arrived. at Chu Lai. Detached from Regimental Land­iDB' Team Five and reassisned to parent Battalian effective 0530H. Debarked with 1,USMO Offioer, 2} USMC Enlisted, and 1 USN Enlisted.

EN'CLOSUBE (7)

2

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED

• CO~ll?lJIlY II-Cit:

1st Antitank Battalion C-) }d N"arine Division (Rein), FlYlF

no San Francisco, California 96602

Commending Officer

WFS/jvp 3000 11 Mar 1966

From:_ To: Commandi~ Officer, 3d AntitankJ3a.ttalion (Bein), 3d I'1a.rine

Division lItein) , FHF (Attn: 6-3)

Subj: Operations Summary; report of

Ref:- (a) EnO 3100.2.

1. In accordance ,'lith reference (a), the following report is submitted for the period 2400R 28 Feb 1966 - 2400H 10 ~ 1966;;

Company "Cit', 1st Antitank Battalion ( ... ), 3d!mDiv(Rein), FI~ Captain tif. F. S1TYDER. Commanding

No. Off No. En1 No. Na~ GridCoor

CoHq Captain W .. F .. SIIT.DER 1 28 2" :Br560048

lstPlt IstLt H. T. SCHMIT 1 21 0 :Br584016

2ndPi t Is tLt H. J: CONNOLLY 1 21 0 :B1'509028

3rdPl t SSgt E. DAVIS 0 21 0 :Br560048

2. Operations

a., The first platoon in support of 1/7 has been manning posi tiollS_: on the I1LR. The light seotion was in sUflIlort of D-l/7 at (re605995) and the heavy .section was in support of 0-1/7 at (B3588981). On 7 FJal' 1966, at 1430, the light section departed the Chu Lai enclave. ltts mission was to escort a twenty-five (25) truck convoy south on highw83' # 1 to (BS6,9750). The convoy arrived at their destination and picked up the troops from 2/7 which had just completed Oper~_tion "utah"-. The convoy returned to the Chu Lai enclave at 1915 on 7 ~br 1966.

b. The second platoon in support of 2/7 has been manning posi tiona on the MLR. Alight section mans os' - (BT495036) and another

light section mans posi tb ij\l~h~r;~~)~f~~\E.\ffi 4, ':' i,[ " : , __

\

DECLASSIFIED

./

DECLASSIFIED

':lES/jvp lllvJar66

The fifth ontos remains in t.'Ie platoon CP at (BT509028 )., Two men are used on a. walking security post around the platoon C.P.

0., The third platoon in support of 3/7 has been manning positions on the I~R. A light seotion is located at (BS549996) in support of 'M-'3/1. Another light section is located. at (Br52fij002) in support of 1-3/1. The fifth ontos is at the Company C1> deadlined for lack of track. On 7 M.arch 1966, a light section escorted a twenty-five truclc convoy south on Highl'/a.Y #1 to (BS637784) and ];licked up troops from 2/4 that had completed Operation "Utah":., The convoy left the Chu Lei enclave at 1430 and returned at 1800 the same d~. Since the return of the convoy the 3rd platoon has only one Ontos at (J3S549996).

d. Company Headquarters oontinues to man two (2) l"' ... 60 ¥J.G posi tiona at (BT560048) in OOnfunction with the 7th Harines ]each Security Plan.

e. Statistics.

(1) 1 convoy escort mission consisting of four Ontos and fifty trucks.

(2) None

(3) None

(4) I~ONE

(5) Dione

(6) l\fone

3.· Training.

a. Classes were conducted on bore sighting of the 106, oonvoy pro­cedures, ammunition safety precautions, Ontos Tactics, map reading, and corom prooedures. Fam. firing was conducted with the .45 Cal. pistol and. the .45 Cal.SI"fG. Inspections were held on personal weapons, the Ontos, and personnel.

b. The condition of the track continues to limit our operatit~ capabilities.

LJ·t~ \i. F. SNYDJ- . -

Copy tOt CO, 7thlliar (Attnt 3-}) CO, lstErEn (-) (Attn: S- '3)

2 ENCLOSURE (3)

DECLASSIFIED

& Trw From:

I %

DECLASSIFIED

• COMP*I.lliY "oth

1st Antitank Battalion (_) 3d ma.rine Diyision (Rein), FEr

FPO San Francisco 96602:

Commanding Officer

• \iFSlfnm 3000 19 March 1966

To: Commanding Officer, 3d Antitank Battalion (Rein), 3d ~IDxine Di yision (Rein), Fl':lF (Attn:· S;'" 3 )

Subj: Operations SUl!lID.8Xy; report of

Reft (a):anO 3100.2

1. In accordance \V'i th reference (a), the follOiving report is submitted for the period 2400H 10 I'!fa:rch 1966 - 2400H 20 IIIarch 1966:

'WEEKLY OPERATIONS SUMl1li..HY

Company "C", ls.tNl':an (-), 3dJ!'mDiY (Rein), Flv!F Oapt., 'i;1~,F. SNYDER Commanding

flO. Off No • .En! No. Nav,l GridCoor

CoHq Capt .. , W"F. SNYDER 1 31 2 BT547016 lstP1t lstLt R.T. SCHr~T 1 19 0 m584016 2ndPl t lstLt H.J. CONNOLLY 1 19 0 BT509028 3rdP1t SSgt E. DAVIS 0 20 0 :00:547016

2,. OPerations.

a. The first platoon in support of 1/7 has been manning positions on the r'1LR. The light section was in support of B-1/7 at (:m605995) and the heavy section was in support of G-l/7 at (BS588981). On 17 r.farch, from 0500-1600~ a light section supported 3/1 on Operation "vlest VirginiaH in the area of (BS5489). Three companies conducted a search and clear operation in the area while the ontos was on-call for direct fire missions.· Two comp&~ies formed a blocking force north of the Song Tra Bong RiYer. A third company vias escorted by the ontos section to (BS555894). The troops dismo~~ted from the trucks and swept north, crossing the riYer by LOR's. }To contact.

b.. The second, platoon in support of 2/7 has been manning positions on the r.~R. A light section mans positions at (BT495036) and another light section mans positions at (13T504030). The fifth ontos remains in the platoon OP at (BT509028).

DECLASSIFIED

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DECLASSIFIED

• tfFS/fnm 191m 1966

c. The third platoon in support of 3/7 'has been manning one position with one antos at (BS549996) •. During the period 11-14 }nrch a light section was in support of 3/7 _ihile conducting Operation "C&Htt

in the area of (BS593934). The ob~~ct}~~ of the operation was to provide security for the 150D-200'OJ\wBi'ie they harvested the sugar cane in the area. The mission of the ontos section was two-fold; (1) to provide direct fire support for the Battalion as part of a reaction force (2) to provid.e security and. a show of force for the Vietnamese laborers.. On 16 l'iarch the platoon displaced its' CF from (BT560048) to (BT547016). .

do Company Headquarters displaced its' CF from (BT560048) to (m54 7016). The move commenced on the morning of 16 x/larch and was com­pleted on the afternoon of 19 ~hrch. During this period persorL~el provided beach security and security at the new OF site.

e. ' Statistics.

(1) Two ontos tone :M- 37 & one I~ 35 provided support on Operation C&II. T'tTO antos, & one I~ 37 provided support on Operation "\'fest Virginia. It

12) NONE

3j NOliJ"E 4 NONE

(5 lirONE (6) NOHE

3- Training.

a. Inspections were condutted in the following areas: OEN, l061/f1:·~ Recoilless Rifle, .50 Cal. spotting rifle, .,0 Cal. NG, .45 Cal. pistol, .45 Cal. Sub-J.VlG, and 1(:..14. Drills were conducted on the proper 1I1earing of . the gas mask.

b. The condition of the track continues to limit the co~aniest operating capabilities.

, .

COIlY to: CO, 7thNar· (A ttn:- S .. }) CO, lstATBn (~ttn: S-3)

·lJ '1-, S .;vv~ PM 1J. F. S};;;~/~ ,

2

.-.-. 1, i-f\ICLOSURE (.5)

.. ., DECLASSIFIED

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