March 1966 First Tanks: Commanding Officer: Ltcol Albert W
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March 1966 First Tanks: Commanding Officer: LtCol Albert W. Snell Operations Officer: Maj J.G. Collier Logistics Officer: Maj R.E.B. Palmer Battalion Locations and Operations Summary: The Bn was prepping, staging, and loading on to USS Winston, USS Vernon County, USS Whetstone, and USS Cavalier at White Beach, Okinawa for transport to Chu Lai, South Vietnam. From 12 to 18 March, 1966, the Battalion staged supplies at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. From 18 to 20 March, 1966, staging was at White Beach on an around the clock operation. 21 March through 23 March, 1966, found the Battalion loading aboard 2 ships, USS CAVALIER (APA-37) and USS WHETSTONE. The rear echelon loaded aboard the USS WINSTON on 25 March, 1966, and sailed 26 March and the ISS VERNON COUNTY on 27 March and departed Okinawa, 28 March to rejoin the Battalion. During the latter part of the reporting period the Battalion landed and established the Battalion CO on Hill 43 vicinity (BT 571041) within the Chu Lai Enclave. While H&S Company established the new CP, unloading of the USS CAVALIER continued. Cargo and equipment sustained minimum damage and loss, estimated to be less than 1%. Immediately upon arriving ashore liaison was made with Companies A and B and action was taken to prepare to support these units and assume opcon as of 29 March and adcon as of 1 April 66. 2 Mar 66- End of Battalion Command Post and logistical Exercise. 11 Mar 66- BLT 3/4 was activated for operation, detaching Third Plt. (Rein), Co A, Third TkBn 19 Mar 66, Advance Party departed from Okinawa aboard USS COLONIAL (LSD-18) 21 Mar 66- First Tank Battalion (-) , began loading aboard USS CAVALIER (APA-37) 23 Mar 66- Advance Party arrived at Chu Lai Enclave. 23 Mar 66- First Tank Battalion (-), departed from Okinawa. 27 Mar 66- First Tank Battalion (-), arrived in RVN. 28 Mar 66- First Tank Battalion (-) CP was established vic. (BT 571041) 29 Mar 66- As of 1500 1st Tank Battalion regained opcon of Companies A and B Foundation Comment: March 2015 Comments: From our knothole it was about time the First Tank Battalion finally got it together and came to the war. Actual, at first we thought it would be over by the time we saw the REMF's from Camp Pendleton. "B" Company Capt Allan Lamb C.O. had his company on the ground in Chu Lai since August of 1965 (i.e., 6-7 months) providing airfield security, supporting the 7th Marines and had been involved in the largest amphibious assault since Korea - Operation Starlite - being awarded the Silver Star for bravery and credited with a basket full of enemy KIAs. Refer to the August '65 Third Tanks CC's to get an abbreviated report of "B" First Tanks’ work in Chu Lai. H&S C.O.: Capt H.J.L. Reid Location and Operations Summary: Same as BL&OS above. C.O. Company “A”: Capt J.D. Sparks Location and Operations Summary: D/S 1st Marines, Chu Lai. Tanks were credited with preventing the V.C. from over running the air field and causing damage to the air craft Company A (a) 1Mar-28Mar66, attached to Third Tank Battalion, 3rd MarDiv, in D/S, 1st Marines. 29Mar-31Mar66, Reverted to opcon of 1st Tank Bn, 1st MarDiv, and placed in D/S of 1st Marines. C.O. Company “B”: Capt E.E. Stith Location and Operations Summary: D/S 7th Marines, Chu Lai. Tanks supported infantry routine patrols and provided defensive positions security. Company B (a) 1Mar-28Mar66, attached to 3rd Tank Bn, 3rd MarDiv, in D/S, 7th Marines. 29Mar-31Mar66, Reverted to opcon of 1st Tank Bn, 1st MarDiv and placed in D/S of 7th Marines. C.O. Company “C”: Capt (UNK) Location and Operations Summary : Attached to 5th Marines. Tanks supported routine infantry patrolling, road security, and bolstered defensive positions. Company C (a) 1Mar-31Mar66, attached to 5th Marines. March 1967 First Tanks: Commanding Officer: LtCol R.M. Taylor Operations Officers: Capt’s F.U. Salas & C.E. Brabec Logistics Officer: Maj D.B. Crudup Battalion Locations and Operations Summary: Da Nang (AT 998722) The Battalion C.O. takes command of Sothern Sector, 1st MarDiv Rear. Battalion units participated in Operations Lafayette, Gulf, Yuba, and Desoto. Company “A” was OpCon to Task Force X-Ray. Flame Tanks provide on-call support to defoliate and burn out enemy tunnels and bunkers Foundation Comment: Col R.M. Taylor - nickname "Rough House" - was a legend among Tankers gained by his leadership in the Korean War. Then-Capt Salas is now a retired Marine Colonel and his son, Brian, is an active duty Marine. The battalion has moved up to Da Nang and is on its way to the fight along the DMZ. Each of the operations listed below will be covered in more detail in The Book. This is accomplished by going to the supported infantry battalions' command chronologies and digging out what little may be reported there. More often than not, the Tankers and Ontos crewmen receive scant notice - let alone praise - for their work. Stay tuned for more on Operations Lafayette, Gulf, Yuba, and DeSoto. Capt Weigand, C.O. "C" Company was in a good fight and was the recipient of the Silver Star for his bravery during this period. Since there is no S-1 Annex to the CC, that fact is not known to the casual reader. Battalion Locations and Operations Summary: Danang – (AT 998722) The Battalion C.O. takes command of Sothern Sector, 1st Division Rear. Battalion units participated in Operations Lafayette, Gulf, Yuba, and Desoto. Company “A” was Opcon to Task Force X-Ray. Flame Tanks provide on-call support to defoliate and burn out enemy tunnels and bunkers I. OPERATIONS 1. Operation Lafayette. The 1st and 2nd Platoons of Company C participated in Operation Lafayette in support of the 1st Battalion 1st Marines during the period 26 February 1967 to 7 March 1967, in the 1st Marines sector of the Division TAOR. 2. Operation Gulf. The 2d Platoon of Company B participated in Operation Gulf in support of the 2d Battalion, 4th marines during the period 4-8 March 1967 in the 4th Marines sector of the Division TAOR. 3. Operation Yuba. The 3rd Platoon and 2d Section Flame tanks of Company B participated in Operation Yuba during the period 11-12 March 1967 in the 4th Marines sector of the Division TAOR. 4. Operation DeSoto. The 3rd Platoon, Company A is participating in Operation DeSoto in support of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. 5. Task Force X-Ray. Company A remains in Opcon of Task Force X- Ray for the period 1-31 March 1967. The 3rd Platoon commenced their present support-mission by an over-the-beach landing on 16 March 1967. The second platoon remains under the Chu Lai Airfield Defense Command in support of the defense of the Chu Lai Airfield Complex. The 2d platoon supports the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines during the period March 1967 in the Binn-Son and Ly-Tin provinces of the RVN. 6. Ground Based Defoliant Report. During the month of March flame tanks assigned to the gun companies fired a total of 4800 gallons of napalm mix. Majority of napalm shot was to eliminate cover and concealment that would be advantageous to the enemy. Remainder of napalm shot was for clearing areas of fire and into enemy caves and tunnels etc. The flame tank has proven its worth and capabilities if utilized in its primary role. Foundation Comment: The Command Chronology from which this abstract is taken is but 3 pages with no details beyond which is shown here. 7. Company B (Rein), 3rd Tank Bn. FMF. Assumed Opcon, Company B (Rein) 3rd Tank Battalion, as of 0100, 23 March 1967, administrative control remained with parent organization. 8. Southern Sector Division Rear Area. At 0800 on 21 March 1967 the Commanding Officer, 1st Tank Battalion, assumed command of the Southern Sector, Division Rear Area, relieving the Battalion Commander, 3rd Tank Battalion. As Commander, Southern Sector, Division Rear Area the following action were initiated or responded to: H&S C.O.: Capt J.C. Winther Location and Operations Summary: Danang – (AT 988722) Provided C.P. security. C.O. Company “A”: Capt J.H. Cowan Location and Operations Summary: Chu Lai – (AT 515040) Operation DeSoto in support of 3/7. Conducted road sweeps, blocking positions, bridge security. C.O. Company “B”: Capt L.E. Cherico Location and Operations Summary: Danang –(AT 945763) Operation Gulf support of G/2/4. Conducted convoy security, bridge security, road sweeps. C.O. Company “C”: Capt P.S. Weigand Location and Operations Summary: Danang –(AT 074658) Operation Lafayette support of 1/1. Operated south of Marble Mountain supporting infantry-size battalion and company size search and clear operations. March 1968 First Tanks: Commanding Officer: LtCol V.J. Gentile Operations Officer: Maj D.R. Dickey Logistics Officer: Maj J.A. Schuyler Location & Operations: Da Nang (AY 977723) During the month of March the 1st Tank Battalion participated in one major operation, Operation Ford. All units of Company A (-) (Rein) were in general support and the 1st and 2nd Platoons of Company A (Rein), 1st Antitank Battalion were in direct support. The operation was concluded on 20 March. The task organization for the 1st Tank Battalion (Rein) is as follows: Company A (-)(Rein): D/S Task Force X-Ray (Phu Bai) Company B (Rein): D/S 7th Marines (DaNang) Company B (Rein), 5th Tank Bn: D/S 27th Marines (DaNang) 3rd Platoon: G/S 1st Mar Div (DaNang) Company C (-)(Rein): G/S 1st Mar Div (DaNang) 1st Platoon: D/S 3rd Bn., 27th Mar (DaNang) 2nd Platoon: D/S 2nd Brigade ROKMC (Hoi An) Company A (Rein), 1st AT Bn: D/S Task Force X-Ray (Phu Bai) H&S C.O.: Maj L.A.