DECLASSIFIED
SECRET • • j.." ~ '<¢'Ot$;2 '1 COMMAND CHRONOLOGY
DECEMBER 1968 ( ~- t:;; [
SECRET
DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED •
28/dj 5750 .... .: -t. 0016t~
SECRET (Unclassified upon removal of enclosure (1»' FEB '(5,'1869
FIRST ENDORSEMENT on CG, III MAF 1tr3K/j1d 5750 Ser : 0010469 dated 20 Jan 1969
From: Cornrnanding Genera-I,-Fleet Marine Force, Pacific To: Comrriandant of the Marine Corps (Cc?de A03D)
Subj: Command Chronology (U)
1. The subject chronology has been reviewed for completeness and is forwarded herewith.
• 0_ We E. DEEDS (r ...... By direction
Copy to: CG, III MAF
SECRET
2
, f __~ I =0 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED
COMMANDiNG GENERAL III MARINE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE • MI.LITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND. VIETNAM FPO. SAN FRANCISCO 96602
IN flEP!.Y REFER TO,
111r om: Commanding Genersl To: Com:mandant of' the f,!arine Corps {Code A03D) Via: Cora..manding General, Fleet Marlti9 Force, Pacific
Subj : Command Chronology (U)
Her: (a) MOO P'750.L4. (b) ~1FPaeO 5750.8A
Enol: (1) III I1iAF Commw.'1d Chronology, Deoem.ber 1968 1. In accordance with references (al and (b), enclosure (l) is submitted herewith. ~c...~ MARION C. DALB! By direction ",
DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • •
liEADQUJ~tlTm8 III Marine AmphibioU3 Force Military Assistance Command, Vietnam San Franoisco, California 96602
COl·:ll'[email protected] 1 Deoember 1968 - 31 December 1968 1];.1])1«
Pi\RT I ORGANIZATIONAl. DATA P.A..1i.T II - NARRATIVE SUl·lltt!A..'ty P.PJ1.T III SEQUENTIAL LISTIllG OF - SIGNIFIOANT EVENTS
PART IV SUPPORTING DOCill4ENTS
ENCLOSURIll (I)
DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • •
FART I
ORGA!!I~1h+':1.Q1!~_.l?A~
Q;m'll~~'Q~ III Marine Amphibious Force Lieutenant General Robert E. CU3HlYLAN' Jr., U.S. lJIarina Corn IS IJttn67 - 31Dec68-
DEPVJ!._Q.°1~~~
I\ifajor General Ra.'thvon r;fcC. TOli[F:KIl1fS, 11. S. £'1a1"ine Corps 26May68 - 20Dec68 1"IaJor General Garl A. YOU]JGDAL.'ill, U. S. T'1arine Corps 21Dec68 -31Dec68
!U.B.qRp'IJi4~~_m~;h~~
XXIV C01"PS Lieutenant General Richard G. STIIHlELL, U. 8. Army 1Ju168 - 31Dec68 Third Iiarine Division Major General ll.aY-fl1ond G. DAVIS, U.S. l'1:arine Cor':ps 2alay68 - 31De065 lOlat Airborne Division Major General Melvin ZAIS, (.fi.J.rmobile) 11 .5. lA:!!my 19Aug68 - 31De068 First Marine Division Major General Carl A. EUN'GDALE, TJ. S. 1"1arine Corps 26Jun68 - 19De068 Major General Ormond R. SIMFSQn, U. S. Marine Corps 20Dec68 - 3lDec68 First Marine Jdrcraft Wing Major General Oharles J. QUILTEl1:., u, s. r'larine Corps 22Jun68 - 31Dec68
ENCLOSURE (1)
42'J__
DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • • Americal Division Major General Charles M. GET'TYS, u. S. Arm:r 23Msy68 - 31Dec68 Force Logistic Oommand Brigadier General James A. :£i".6:Bltu1Y, U. S. Marine Corps lDec68 - 31Deo68 Headquarters & Service Company Colonel William K. WHITE, III liiIarine Amphibious Foroe U. a.Marine Corps H.eadquarters Commandant 40et68 - 31De068
Sub Unit #1, First Radio Lieutenant Colonel Patriok J. Battalion FENNELL, U.S. !<1arine Corps 170ct68 - 31Dec68 29th Civil Affairs Company Lieutenant Oolonel Robert R. RAFFERTY, U. S • Army 28Nov68 - 31Dec68 7th Psychological Operations Major Miohael FORTIN'l, Battalion U.S. Army 25Nov68 - 3lDec68 2. LOCATION 1-31 Decemben 1968, East Danang, Qua.ng Ham Province, Republic of Vietnanl.
3. STAFF OFFIC~.§ Deputy Commanding General, Air Major Ganeral Charles J. QUILTER,U. S. I'farina Corps 22Jun68 - 3lDec68 Chief of' Staff Major General Earl E. ANnmSm~·, U. S. Marine Corps 21D6067 - 3lDec68 Deputy Chief of Staff Co~onel Michael MOSTELLER, U.S. :f-iarine Corps 5.Aug68 - 3lDec68 Deputy Chief ot Staff, Plans Brigadier General Warren K. BEmmTT, u, S. Army 5Sep68 - 3lDee68
3
DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • • Assistant Chief of stafr, G-l Colonel Maurioe ROSE, U. S. Marine Corps 12Ju168 - 3lDee68 Assistmt Ohief of' Staff, G-2 Colonel Ray N. JOENS, u. s. !tIarlne Corps 29Jul68 - 3lDeo68 Assistant Chief or Staff, G-3 Brigadier General Oarl W. HOFF'!-IAJ.'i, U. S. J.1arlne Corps l5Aug68 - 31Deo68 Deputy G-3 Colonel Marion C. DALBY, U.S. ~ifar1ne Oorps lOct68 - 31Dec68 Assistant Ohief of Starf, G-4 Colonel LawrenoeC. NORTOU, U.S. 14arine Corps 4Ju168 - 31Dee68 Assistant Chief of Staff, G-5 Colonel Howard A. WESTPHALL, U. S. Marine Corps lNov68 - 31De068 Assistant Chief of Staff, G-6 Colonel Bill E. HORN&~, U•.8. Marine Corps 7Sep68 - 3lDe068 Force Psyohologieal Operations Colonel Harold CHASE, Otficer U.8. Marine Corps 1Aug68 - 31Oe068 Force Supply Officer Colonel Alfred C. TAVES, U. S. Marine 001'28 22Ju168 - 31Dec68 Force Staff Judge Advooate Oolonel Paul W. SEABAUGH, U.S. l'4arina Co~s .5Aug68 - 31Deo68 Force Engineer Officer Colonel Kenne thR. BLlUID, U•...8.·.•.••• ., £.farina. G.orps 22May68 - 31De068 Force Adjutant Major James H. LYLES, U.S. Marine Corps 8Aug68 - 3lDec68
ENCLOSURE ( 1) SECRF~ ~- I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED T• • Assistant Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel J. Comptroller FORD, U. S. Marine Corps 2$Ju168 • 31Dec68 Force Inrormation Services Colonel Paul M. MORIARTY, Otf'icer U.$." MarLne Corps 29Ju168 • 3lDec68 Officer in Charge, COC Lieutenant Colonel James H. MA.a~, U. S. Marine Corps 2lJu168 - 31Dee68 Force Food Services Officer Lieutenant Colonel Leslie P. DAY, U. S • Ma.rine Corps 28Sep68 • 31Dec68 }:!"'!orce Chaplain Captain Robert W. RADCLIFFE, U.S. Navy 500t68 - 31De068
Captain J01Ul H. STOVER Jr., U.~. Navy 12May68 • 3IDec68 Force Dental Officer Captain William L. DAt1.NELL Jr., U.~•• Navy IJulb8 • 31Dec68 Force Motor Transport Officer Major Joseph N. EGGLESTON, U.S.J zscro b'Ul1.E (1) DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • Director, Transportation Control Lieutenant Colonel John F. Gentel~ GOULD, U. 8. l"farina Corps lFeb68 - 31Dea68 Porce Inspector Colonel James W. SHAWK, U.8. Max-ills COl~P s 163ep68 - 31Dec68 l USMC Liaison Officer, ¥mGV Colonel Carl E. SCffilIDl , U.S. :l'1arine Corps 22Sep68 - 3lDec68 USMC Liaison Officer, 7thl~F Colonel Oarl E. SCmUDT, U.8.!-larine Corps 22Sep68 - 31Dec68 US~J Liaison Officer, ROra~G Lieutenant Golonel Lewis J. ~~~~8 ~·3~De:~8ine Corps Staff Secretary Major Harold E. HAvnUN8, U.S.:fc1arin6 Corps 2Sep68 - 3lDec68 ENGLO SURE (1) ,,"" b DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • '1 1J" ~S~~~rl U::3·1---:~C UE;~;' [:3',>:'IC IJS:J \,./ ..: l~ 1 U3I: " 13 ..:il" o o i 0: f",! if', , III :2 1.C 1£. 1 9 13 2 ::~~i;3)':::·::;1.I ,1,3T 2.5 CC (1) 335 5 ";j O ~s ':.~ C;, rv (:JL:fJ t .,.i~";; 0 \.J o 1. 671 }.21 0 I,) ~....~ 29 th I·...:L. t,;(} (EI t t) '1...,' (t 11 (> 0: 0 0 I Go (s.up) 0 {) 1.5 (;': o O 57 (} l~958 5C51 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED '"i1'i .11l1 t PART II lilJUU.TlVE SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION. a. GENERAL. During December 1968, III Marine Amphibious Force Headquarters vas located in Ea.t DaD Republic or Vietnam. The a'Yerage persoDDel strensth 139,581, an increase of 1~859 OYer the previous month. . b. ACTIVITIKS. III MA.F continue. to be guided b7 COMUSMACV Letter or Instruction (LOI 3-66) dated 30 March 1966 in pursuit or it. objectives ror Dece.ber 1968. 2. OVERALL EVALU~O.. BIle.,. activit7 re.iDed at an unusual17 low levetliroughout the aonth o~ Deoember. III MAP units throughout the teTS experience4 O817.er7 light contact in the cours. or their operation. a. tbe e~'s major units continued to a.oid contact with al11ed rorc••• Ear17 in the month Harine and .&RVli units completed Operation Meade River, a Dineteen da7 operation wbleh had netted over a thousand enem7 KIA as vell a. 172 pri.oners. During the month of December, III HAP UDits conducted a total or tvelve major unit operations in the ICTZ. UNCLASSIFIED .CLOSURE (1) 8 ~~-~_..._----- DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED 'I.UUllWL .. • ... - -- lmCt*~~!'IIrI' PART III (S) SEQUENTIAL LISTING OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS. DBCBMBllJi 1968 1. SUMMARY OF OPrJiIOBS. (Th. following thr•• operationa had moderate to a gD ticant contact). a. QEeration MBADB RIVER. The 1st Marine Diviaion (lat Marines (-) (Rein} , cOlltliiu.a olear anel a.arch op.r.tiona in Quang Nam Province with signifioant cont.ot tor the p.riod 1-9 December 1968. At 010900H Ll3/$ waile on .....p r.ceived small arms and automatic w.aponafir. trom an lIDknown nuab.r of enemy in prepared positions. L/3/5 r.turn.d tire, called artillery and air strikes. Resulta ot contaot ••1'. 1 USMC KIA, 28 USMC WIA., .nd 7 IV.A. KIA. At 02l700H "/2/$ vb.1l. on a sweep rec.ived ...11 ar.. and B-40 rook.t fir• .trOll. an estimated 20 .nelllJ. P/2/5 returned ar. aDd ....upport.d by artillery. Reault. ot contact vel'. $ l1III: WIA Uld 7 BYA KIA. At 05l20qH 1/3/26 and X!3/26 ••••ult.d tor.iti.d poaitions a1"ter two days of intenaive .ir and· artillerl' pr.par.tion. Results 01" contacta w.re $8 WAltU. At 0708308 1./1/7 engaged an unknown nllllber 01" enGl. Ul/7 tir.d a_II arms and automatic w.apona and w.re aupport.d by artillery, 8lmm· mortars, and air atrikes. The .nellJ' 'broke contact and tIed. Results of contact were 8 USMC KIA, 17 USMC VIA, and 22 JlVA KIA. At 08l60oH B/2/S r.ceived h••vT _11 ar.- til'. trom an .nemy bunk.r compl.z. B/2/5 return.d tire _4 oalled air strikes. Results 01" contact w.r. $ lJ81(C KIA, 14 u&C wu., . 39 NVA KIA, and 1 PW/IVA. .&.t the a... till8 that 1l/2/S w.a in action, L/3/26 received heav7 _11 ar..·fire and .uto- matic weapons fire trom an eatiDat.d 2$IV.l. L/)/26 r.turn.d 1"ire and was supported by artillery. Pri.ndl7 caaualties were S USMC KI.&., 11 USMC wu., and 15 IVAltIA. Oper.tion MEADE RIVER terminated at 09l800B Deo••b.r 1968. b. Operation SCOTLUD II. !he)rd Marine Division (Task Force Hot.l) oontInu.d olear ad a.arca .per.tions in Quang Tri Provine.' vith mod.rate contaottor the p.riod 1-31 December 1968. At 11l715H P/2/4 .qai.d an .ati_ted· 30 NVA occupying a .ell fortified poaition. lfU .D8DQ' waa armed with l2.7mm aaohin. guns, auto.tic ••apona, and. mortars. F/2/4 returned 1"ire, supported b7 artill.r7 and air strikes, and maneuvered to attaok. Reaulta of oontact were ·12 USMC KIA, 30 USMC 1fI.l,and 7 riA ltII... .I.t 29l23C>a C/1/4 1"ound a BVA aeld hoapital oat.iiling 'Yarious medical supplies including ten Sec bottl.a ot oplua. IlICLASSIFIFJ' ERCLOSURE (1) 9 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED n" .... .' ·'.._it I -... ; -. I' ¥ !it Fl n 5 ,SECRET c. Operation TAYLOR-COMMON. The 1st Marine Division commenced clear and search operations in Quang Bam Province at 07000lH with moderate contact for the period 7-31 necember 1968. At 071348H C/l/5 found a cache cont8l. Ding 50-70 tons of rice and 2 million piasters. At 1111)OB 1st Recon Platoon directed air strikes onto 20 en.~ in the op.n accounting for 15 NVA KIA. At 13183lH 0/1/5 r.ceived ...11 arms fire f'rom an unknown number of .n.BlJ'. e/1/S r.turIWd fire killing 16 VC. Fri.nd1y los••• were 7 USJiIC XI.A., and 5 USMC VIA. At IS1720H 1/3/5 found 2S IVA Ja.A.. B.twe.n 191430H and 191645H artillery directed by 1st Recon patrols accounted for 20 VC KIA. There were no friendly casualties. d. The following nine operation. did not have any significant contact during the period indicated: OPERATION PROVINCE PERIOD HBNDDlSON HILL QUANG NAH 1-6 »••.mber 1968 N.A.POLBON-SALINE QUANG mI 1-9 »•••'O.r 1968 KERWOn QUANG TIll 1-31 meo.-b.r 1968 DAWSON RIVER QU.A.NG mI and 1-31 Deo.-b.r 1966 THUA DI. NBVADA EA.GLE THUA. THIlIN 1-31 Dec.-b.r 1968 VERNON L&.KB II QU.ABG NG.A.I 1-31 Deo.-b.r 1968 RlRDDI P.lLta QUANG NAM 2-31 D.o..ber 1968 MARSHAU. MOtnlTAIN QUANG 1'RI 10-31 Dec....r 1968 FAYETTE CANYON QU.ABG B.AM 15-31 D.c.~.r 1968 2. C.A.SU.A.LTIBS IBFLIOTED ON THE ENEMY. See page 24. DomsURB (1) 10 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED I. SECRET 3. FRIENDLY CASUAI,Tl&S SUSTAINED a. III MAF Casualties: (1) Battle !1A !!! ~ USMC USN USA USMC USN USA USMC USN USA USMC USN USA 165 12 42 1099 48 350 12 1 15 o 0 54 (2) Non-Battle DEATHS lNJ/lLL USMC USN USA USMC USN USA 27 0 13 125 0 143 b. Number of Courts-Martial tried: Summary 114 Special 113 General 13 c. Short tons of Mail sent and received by III MAr: Sent: 399 R.eceived: 1197 ENCl-OSURE ( I) 11 SECRET ------DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED (.:~( r:' (.'''''''~.. nr)tr-" £ \ If ti T" L ·t....,,"'O;Ij!~~M· .. • 4.- Personnel. a. Special Services Activities (1) !1'!9dom Hill RecrfJatJ.Qn OQmp1sq (a) LIBRARY' On 2S December }cIQB-1: commenced work on in stalling central air conditioning. It should be eompleted by:r the 5th of January 1969. (b) THEATERs The theater was operational 25 dq~ in December~ Totu. attendance was ~,733. (c) mlliliaIiJMt The GTmnasium vas operational 30 dqs (d) QYlWQR UQ:llJ:ffmst No change from last report. (:e) ;§Q;'LDfG omJJ.lt. The bowling center vas operat,.ionaJ. 24 dC'\V"s 111 December. Total attendance was approximately 3,260. 'fhe Pan Pacific aompsr~ gave the Bowling Genter a thorough check and fixed nDst of the ImElS. (f) OONSTRUar IOU OQl-4PLm'D' The Amph Theater stage was painted and the stage deck was sanded end refinished. (g) MAJOR OONfiSgfJIltl PIDOJIlifG. Work is due to .start soon on the roof over the Beer Garden.. Also, the Baseball Batting Cage wm be started in clenuary. Ssndbagging of erosion area on Freedom Hill has tamponI'U,. been halted beCauS8 there are no vehicles available to haW. ssndbags. 0,.): KAJOR WIVlIWl Evangelist BUlT Graham spoke at the .lmphi theater on the 2;3.rd o£ Deoember. There were approximately 11,000 present. On the 24th ot December Bob Hope presented his mmu&JJ. Christmas Show hare. There were e:pproximately 16,000 men present. The following day Archibishop Terence J. Oooke, MUitary Vicar of the Armed Fo~ces, and ArchbiShop of New York, sdd maS3 with approximatel,. 500 participating. (2) ~ Act1JrUlel (a) Of 6784 seats. &llocated to III MAF, 5854 were fUled for 86.3% utilization. or 8368 seats allocated to III MJlF (Inoluding lam Forces in I Corps), 7336 were rUled for 87.6% utilization. Total. allocations for Danang B&R Center consisted of 1.3,483 seats of which 12,158 were fUled for a utl1ization percentage of 90. Z. Enolosure C1} 1 t) JL•. i...... SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • (b) R&R P1'9grWOut-of-PClmta. The following are the December stat1s~1os tor III MAF and r Corps B&R, usage for each out-of' country siter SITi, III lftJI I gaRS 'l'OT~ BJIiGKOK 1288 891: 2179 HOlm KOnG 1023 680 1703 TAIPEI £$3 :114 1087/ TOKYO 410 175 585 ¥.JNm 208 97 305 SINGAPORE 170 1~j 311 SYISY 1305;: 994 2299 HAWAII 158't' 1160 Z/47 OKIN/IoWA 221i 14 235 KUALA LUMPUR 191; 85 Z/6 PENljNG ?lQ 165 TOTALs 7336 4822 1215&- (0) In-ypunt17 B&R (ChinA BeICfll.l,. QuGta,s allooated weft; utilized by 1,119 personnel. This does not include daily use~ DaUty usen tor the month or )Q)~iG..me1" to,taJ.Ed 6,100. (.3) IDWrl'in~ Q&le Ya::,dborough 17-20 Dee Hendehake Tour Bob Hope 24 Dec Variety Show' Jol'm.tv' Grant 21,-25 Dee Handshake'Tour" (4) ~. Ac;t;LTi;.tiea, (j§ statipu ilL I Q9GIl (a) ¥..essages sen'h 13, 1~6 (\b) Messages received 7,S011 (0) Phone patches sent 8,,1fl.3 (:<1) Phone patches received ZlO (El) Hospital c:alls 616 , .... 'it'~ o.....·r·.~.'C····'"n···.··.ii '-."~ .I tU\ r~ :';jg.) HI'!-e • ~ !~ DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • (a) 11,91,,1 prerecorded musical tapes were produced during this period. (b) 8,509 prerecorded musical tapes were sold dUl."ing this periodo (a) 80 films were pU'1:; into the circuit in I Corps area. (b) 180 films were repaired by this facility. (7) .e.1iAt.UJi.tm.UJ).1.~~~~LQ.Q.;r~ (a) 39,499 Stars & Stripes papers were distributed in the I Corps area on a dailY basis. ENCLCfHJRE (1) ,""'···,rr T '. ,1 f s R• t...... I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED I, SECRE~~ b. Foroe Chaplain. 1 Deoember. Foroe Chaplain visited Tan An Tin Lanh (Protest ant Evangelioal Churoh of Vietnam) in oompany with Mr. Tom STEBBINS and Rev. Le Cao Quay to survey need for assistance in out-patient olinio building projeot. Visited China Beach Orphanage. 4 December. I Corps Supervisory Chaplain's Conferenoe was held in Commanding General's briefing room. 22 Supervisory Chaplains were in attendance at the meeting at which religious programming and VIP visitations were discussed and Colonel Harold CHASE, USMC addressed the group on the implications of Psychologioal Operations. The Navy Chaplain Corps Anniversary was celebrated with a dinner at China Beach "0" Club. Eighty two Army, Air Force and Navy Chaplains attended. The Force Chaplain was the speaker. 5 Deoember. The Foroe Chaplain visited 1/5, 1st Marine Division to partioipate in a Memorial Service. ~ll December. Foroe Chaplain visited NAVFORV Chaplain and CV Chaplain in Saigon and attended the MACV Supervisory Chaplains Conferenoe at Bien Roa. 12 Deoember. As Program Sponsor, Foroe Chaplain planned III MAF EducatIonal Program scholarship award oeremony with Father Bernard HUONG, Chairman of the Soholarship Committee. Foroe Chaplain entertained delegation from the 5th ARVN Regiment to plan children's Christmas program. l~ December. Foroe Chaplain met with Danang area Supervisory C aplains to divide responsibilities relating to Christmas visits of the Navy Chief of Chaplains, Dr. Billy Graham and Archbishop Terence Cooke, Catholio Military Vioar for the Armed Forces. l~December. The Foroe Chaplain was visited by the Force ~plarn, FMFPac and disoussed ohaplain distribution and religious ooverage problems. Jewish Chanukah Servioes were held at III MAF Chapel by Chaplain, Captain, Morton SINGER, USA. 16 December. Force Chaplain visited Tin Lanh (Protestant Churoh) Orphanage and Catholio Orphanage in Hoi An to distribute Christmas gifts to orphans and to discuss a sohool building plan for the first mentioned orphanage. Force Chaplain visited CDR Chu Ke MYung, the ROK Marine Chaplain to discuss our support requirement of their consumable religious supplies. 17 December. Foroe Chaplain met with Area Supervisory Chaplains to finaiize plans relative to Christmas services scheduled at Freedom Rill Amphitheater incident to the visits of Dr. Billy ENCLOSURE ( I) 15 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED ,-- SECRE7~ Graham and Archbishop Terence Cooke. Visited Division Chaplain, 1st Marine Division. Chaplain, Captain, Morton SINGER, USA attached to XXIV Corps, but responsible for the entire Jewish program in I Corps, was killed in an Aircraft accident at Chu Lai. l~December. Force Chaplain attended Memorial Service for C plaIn SINGER at XXIV Corps Headquarters in Phu Bai. Force Chaplain entertained Lt. Pham Hong DOAH of National Police Headquarters and arranged for a supply of 130 gifts for their children's Christmas party. 20 December. Force Chaplain attended Hai Chau Tin Lanh School christmas party and delivered 3$0 gifts for same. Force Chaplain visited the Venerable Thick Nhu Buu, the Senior Buddhist Chaplain of I Corps and discussed a school enlargement project at the Tan Lap Buddhist School. 21 December. Force Chaplain delivered eleven boxes of chlldrens clothing to the Duytan Hospital. 22 December. As escort officer for the visit of the Navy ChIef or Chaplains, Force Chaplain met his visitor at Chu Lai. With the Chief of Chaplains, he participated in the dedication of the new chapel at MCB-74 and attended a conference of Chaplains from the Chu Lai area. Force Chaplain held Memorial Service for Chaplain SINGER at III MAP Chapel and then, as Program Sponsor, participated in the III MAF Educational Program Scholarship Award ceremony at the American/Vietnamese Cultural Center. g} December. As escort officer, Force Chaplain accompanied enter or Chaplains to NSA Danang where he paid a courtesy call on COMkSA Danang and met with NSA and MeB Chaplains. Force Chaplain picked up responsibility as escort officer for Dr. Billy Graham and company. The Billy Graham service was held at Freedom Hill with a large attendance. The Force Chaplains, other area chaplains and the III MAF Protestant chapel choir participated in the service. In the evening, the Force Chaplain hosted a dinner at the China Beach "0" Club for Dr. Billy Graham and party and the Navy Chief of Chaplains. Sixty nine area chaplains attended. Lieutenant General R. E. CUSHMAN, USMC, Dr. Graham, and the Chief of Chaplains addressed the group. 24 December. The Force Chaplain accompanied the Navy Chief 01 chaplains on his visit to meet with Phu Bai area Navy Chaplains and then to the 3rd Marine Division where he partici pated in a Division Chaplains Conference and the dedication of new chapels at the 3rd Medical Battalion and MeB-ll. Christmas Eve (Protestant) Candlelight services and a Midnight Mass were conducted in the III MAP Chapel. ENCLOSURE ( J) 16 SECRET I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRE I'~ 2 December. Protestant, Episcopal and Catholic Christmas serv ces masses were conducted in the III MlF Chapel. 26 December. Archbishop Terence Oooke, Archbishop of New York and Military Vicar for the Armed Forces was the guest ot III MAF and celebrated mass at the Freedom Hill Amphitheate~. Force Ohaplain attended a luncheon hosted by CG, 1st MAW tor the Archbishop. 27 December. Force Chaplain visited Force Logistic Command to dIscuss chaplain distribution problems and the forthcoming dedication service of the Hoa Khanh Children's Hospital. 29 December. Force Chaplain visited 1st Marine Division to discuss introduction ot Jewish services there to be conducted by laymen. 31 December. Force Chaplain said "goodbye" to 1968. ENOLOSURE (I) 17 SECRET J DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED ~. 'Sltt:ClRJEl SCC.ET 5. Intelligence a. General Enemy Situation. Enemy initiated activity was at an un precedented low level in all five provinces of the I Corps Tactical Zone during the month of December. Ene4Y local force and guerrilla units con tinued to maintain a limited degree of pressure on friendly tactical units by resorting to local harassments j however, no st; major enemy tactical units reramed withdrawn and out of contact. Although the enemy I s basic tactical posture remained unchanged during the month, one notewrthy exception was the relocation of the 1st VC Nain Force Regiment, 2nd NVA Division, from ~UANG TIN to southeastern ~U~\C NA}l Province. This movement represented an increased threat against vital areas and key installations in the eastern part of the latter province. Throughout the uonrh a broad base of low level intelligence reports were received relating to an enemy "\~inter-Spring" offensive. These reports indicated that the enemy intended to commence another major offensive by conducting large-scale ground and sapper attacks in conjunction with wide spread attacks by fire throughout I Corps Tactical ZOne. By end-December however, these attacks had failed to Juaterialize and IX ...~..,~~'~"" 'tU...c cne eneqr had postponed his so-called "Winter-Spring" offensive until late January or "TET" in mid-February. This failure may have been possibly a scribed to the en~ls desires exceeding his capabilities. It may also be explained by the continued aggressive nature of the wide-ranging cordon and search, sweep, and reconnaissance-in-force operations conducted by F~~~IS in all five provinces , Ground combat dropped to an extremely low level in QUANG TRI ?ro- vince during the norrth of December. Host major enemy tactical units refused. engagement, concentrating their efforts instead on reiaadnang withdrawn in areas safe from YIV}!AF maneuver and fire-power. One exception was an 11 December contact by elements of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Harines, with an en ellV unit subsequently identified by a PI{ as the K-3 Battalion, 27th NVA Regi.Dent. This engagement took place northeast of the ROCKPILE near the southern boundary of the DNZ in the no rmaL operating area of this enemy force. Elsewhere within the province however-, f'rLendl.y forccs encounccred little serious opposition on the ground, a s eneny e f'for t s were Limi.t.cd largely to scattered harassing att.cks by fire, m~it of ~lich were of low intensity and rainor in nature, and acd.it LonaL attempts to interdict the vit al CVA VIET Ri.ver-, The uos t significant a t cack by fire WuS a IS-round bar-r-age of 140mm rocket fire d.irecr.ed aga.i.nst Yandegr-Lf't Combat Base on 23 December which resulted in light friendly casualties. No incoming artillery fire was recorded in \iVAI" G TRI Province during the I.onth , and only one minor JIlOrtar attack was reported to have' emanated from within the m,2. That attack oc~urred on 19 December and marked the first such incident since 28 November. SECRET SIECCIR?IE1 ENCLOSURE ( I ) 18 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED , --_.•.._----_.,._- .._--_. Despite the 1 November halt ·If bombing in and north of the DhZ, enemy forces remained active there durJ~g December, engaging in a wide varie~ of activities. Aerial observers, observation posts and surveillance equip ment; reported an increased nunoer- of sightings within the D~fZ, particularly in the eastern portion. Photo interpretation indicated roads and trails north of and in the DHZ showed signs of heavy use. Unconfirmed low level agent reports indicated the infiltration of up to division size enemy units Lntc the DNZ as well as the coastal plains area. With respect to infil tration :in and through the DK::, significant intelligence Has obtained on 24 December when a PW captured six kilometers north of CA}i LO, identified his unit as the 5th Battalion, 31st Group. \~ile en~ offensive action was at a much reduced level, it appeared that he continued to place major emphasis on infiltration of personnel as well as equapnerrt and supplies into -. Intelligence information derived from a wide range of sources cur-ing the month indicated that the enemy's so-cal.Lod "\iinter-Spring tl o ff'ensi.ve would be targeted against several units, po s.it Lons .. and locations in ~UANG TRl Province. Probably the most; significant of thi.s information was in the form of documents taken from the body of an NVA lieutenant believed to have been a member of the K-IO .japper Battalion, who was killed near ~UANG TRl City on 15 December. The documents indicated that he had been conducting a reconnaissance of Camp RED DEVIL (Cp of the 1st Brigade, 5th }.iECH Div) and that attacks against that base, ~UANG TRI City and HAl LANG were all being planned. In addition to these documents, several agent reports in dicated that elements of the 7th FRONT, to include the K-IO Sapper Battal ion and possibly elements of the 1\-6 and K-8 Battalions, supp or-ced by the K-32nd Artillery Battalion, were to conduct attacks on ~UAKG TRI City and its environs. Operation NAPOLEON/.iJli.1:NE termi.nated in the northeastern portion of ~lUANG TIll j'rov.ince on 9 December. Total cumulat.ave enemy losses for this nine and one-nal f morrth opera.tion were 3,495 KIA, 106 PlY'S, two V(; HeI CHANH:>, 631 individual and 200 crew-served weapons captured. The anomalous situation which has existed. for the past several nontns in THUA THIEN Province continued throughout the month of December. ~iajo.. ene~ tactical units persisted in the avoidance of large-scale ground con frontations with friendly forces by remaining out of contact, and. as a re sult enemy activity w~s almost non-existent. What little activity there W :::iEC;lliT .~~ r1"'VTO) ~ PJT ~J.C::d~lfu~ 'l! ENCLOSURE ( l) 19 .. IIi DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED i .1 I: -- ---II ._.--.-._------ took place at PHONG DIEN on 4 December when the District Headquarters and an adjacent orphanage were subjected to a well planned and executed mortar and RPG attack. Several small attacks by fire during the month were directed against civilian populated areas. Despite the drastically reduced level of enello/ offensive action within the province, enemy forces were active throughout the month in the A SHAU Valley. In addition to numerous moving target indicators, visual reconn aissance and photo interpretation indicated moderate vehicular traffic on Route 922 and light to moderate vehicular traffic on Route 548. Of partic ular significance were the extensive road repair efforts on both of the aforeuentioned routes despite an extensive and continuing interdiction pro gram by friendly aar-cr-af't , The destruction of four trucks on Route 548 on 28 December ~lich produced multiple secondary explosions and fires tended to substantiate the enemr's use of this key valley a~ a major infiltration route for the novemerrt of supplies and equipment into both THUA THIEN and QUANG NAN Provinces. \d1ile the ruaj oruty of major- enemy tactical units subordinate to NRTTH remained withdrawn into the western highlands and/or eastern LAOS, there were tenuous indicators during the oonth that certain of these units may have redeployed toward the eastern part of the province. Documents captured on 12 December, nine kilometers southwest of PHONG DIEt-;, referred to the K-32nd Artillery Battalion, a unit normally associated with the 6th NV;. Regiment. Complementing these docun.ent s were add.itional documents taken from the bodies of three NVA soldiers killed in a 31 December- contact jus t west of Base Area 114 which revealed that the enemy unit in contact was an element of the 806th Battalion, 6th XVA Regiment. The s e various documents tended to substantiat:e several agent reports received during tile month indicating that this regi r.~nt was operating in the vicinity of Base Area 114. In addition there were several low level age..t; reports re t e rrung to a 1\-7 Battalion operating east of the 1\ SHAli Valley. There are AKA as so ci.at.aons whi.ch coui.d relate the K-7 with either the 29th or 90th KVA ;~egirllents. :>tatelllents elicited r'rom several 1';,' s and raL iers l..1\..iriIl.b: thC',t\.'llth spoke of pr-ep.ir-atLons for .in a t t ack 01. m~~. Lowevor , the disposition of en ciy forces ill and a rouno t.ne THC,l I'::IL:\ prov.i.uci at l;).P~ t.J dpp..trCJltl.y pre c.iudcd t hc conr.uct of YOlO t hc t , rc straigtlt fJJOlLtIl .~L.,i\l~ ;\.V .. r-ov.ir«.e cI0hi.lld ted the scene 111 1 co i-ps , :~HeI:~," uacci.ca.l units suuorcn.na te to l'~~(l)i"..: ., rcmaanec active through out w'lC eas te rn portion oi the provar.cc, pa r-ti.cu.Lu-Ly ttl(; so u theru ".L:\lL\'v 'Lu,:~, ccr.auc t ...ng spor-acic li~;.b.t att.acss l'y iLl: as well as several gro....nd atcacks , io s t of whi.cn wcre Sfia.i...L-scc'Ue. f,ld'C ccr.uanued t c L~ cxt.eusi.ve r cconaaxs sance s~gllt:in~;s 0 f cnerty t roo p L 20 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED '-1"0""' :~~".< ...:~ -' '-e- . , ''-' .. v ... \,.W,..l. The preponderance of brourll~ a-. t Lor, in cL:,~\\~ l\d.t. V) :'i,.;.ring tile first twc \leeks of the month was concent.rv.t.ed in. the ,':")~l\ i;)l\ area vf the scutner-n liU.,fl.\G T:\.OR, and vas incident t~ Opc rat.Lon L!.:ALE RIVEn, the highly successful cordon and search operation in .suppor-t of the AcceLerat.ed Pacification Car.. pai.gn, This 20-day operation iiJ.volving elements of the Lst 1".arine D:r.vision, "RVN Forces, and el.euents of th..: znc f{OEl C Brigade accounted for no re than l,200 enemy casualties, P\JI s and Vel and dealt a serious bLow to the local "~ infrastructure in eastern QF'NG ~OJ (p). The operation also succeeded in .mflicting heavy losses on one battalion of the 36th N'IA Hegiment and one probable bat.ta.Li.on of the 38th .te&iment. The latter part of the month saw elements of the 2nd NVA Division suffer substantial personnel losses as a result of aggress ive friendly operations FAYETTE CM\YON and TAYLOR CO}i}():,/LE LUI. In the former operation the 1st VC Nain Force Regiment, having reI rcat.ed cur-Ing December 1'1'0).1 \,LUANG TIN (P) to southern ~UANG NAh lcj, was he avkty engaged by elen.ents of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade wes t of "UE SO during the week of 15-21 December and suff ered r~re than 160 KlA1s. The following week, 356 KIA1s were assessed against che 21st NVA i{egiment Qy elemen <: s of the 1st ARVK ~langer Group while partic ipating in the LE LOI portion 0 l' the latter operation near AN dOA. "'Jll.ile there were. no large-scale enemy attacks in 'iliA.I.'W NAN Pr-ovi.nce , never theless, the month 0/ Decenber- produced an impressive array of intelhgence infornation indicating the eneny I s intentions to conduct such at-.:;ac,($, ?<.i.:tt:ic ularly against DA1\iANG Ci"Cy. Probably the most significant of tne l.:nfori:w.tion regarding an attack on DA.\ANG W Southern I Corps witnesse< little change in the general enea.v S~ t ....a t i.on aur'Lng the i.onth of December. :he one nozewor-thy excepti.on was .;.. \C:iJ.: :(;..i'::~·;'''''' .;:;f the Lst; VC ~cl:m ;.'orce Hegimi . it; frou. ",LJ,C',i'lN tu 0n trie o tner I'iallC., H'·cal : orce ':" •..: ._.; ...e rri:...... W.~-C':' '{Ie;',:; "..:. .:....ve ,. _" t: .ste rn Lowl.and areas or' both ,.:.~ovir..ces,7 conouccir.g s ever a.; .u.L·,01 ...',- .... ctacks and scatcered ""C~hcks .- ~'~.:'\; a$we:"'~ ~;:, ~ng."6.l.nE, iii ·1~..c;:C,:·Ol'l.:. Harassmen:(;/~rH:~u.U. i ,:..;r"our.i.d ec-.:~)"d..:: .:~~'''--(.~ \. ;h'C ~ ~)~c· ...... ;!:~ ~"" ::'~':L."C\.ol.C·~ ,~)e ~:~,\,~l::· .:"u. ' . ~'~)~i~;~~,,(" c..11G ·..:::l€ ~...... h ... 0cul ~"'crcc ~ .. ,~ i:-cal..i.CUl Wl~-1 __ C:l :-e ~, .. t~~~ .....11 ,-~·4 l~;'s.e~.:; j\,>.·,':.. t 21 ___...------.-_E_N_C_l.OSURE (J ) I ,I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED 11 ;,l-·r,"\ ....;, ..... V~\1.~.l. Th roughour; the rron ch 0:;: uecemcer a i,J..l1.l,ltir.g b..:;\:..y 0:: ;•.lY:ei~.:..,,;(;!.c,:; ....,:;.\):.:' mat.Lon poi.nt.ed toward an ir,tfending att.ack upon ~uiu\(~ ;"G.ri.I City ".Jy eleIlt.:m-cs 0:' the 3rd NVA Division, supported by up co four ham and Local, Force Battalions. Agents reporting during the norrth intinated that; these attacks were .innd.nent, However, by the end of December it became apparent ·chat t he enemy had failed in his intentions to initiate this offensive. In this respect, Operation VERNON LAKE was credited with keeping the eneho/ I s forces off balance and pre empting large-scale attacks on QUANG NGAI City. b. Snemy :\.ction ::>tati.:;tics. Facts pertaining to eneny activities in Allied operating areas, including combat bases, for the Ll>nth of December are as follows: Enenw Initiated Activity III E:\F :;IDG .\RVN R0i'.HC Attack 1 2 27 0 Ambush 1 7 I.'~ 0 Assault By Fire 10 1 8 I,) Harassing Fire 384 14 166 63 },ine/Booby Traps 192 2 44 18 AA Fire 796 0 18 0 Total At:ts of Terrorism for ICT: 99 c. EneJay Order of Battle <. Confirn.ed) • EneLlY forces operating in ICT: on 31 December 1968. (1) ~UA!~G Tin: Confirmed units in '-lUANG TRI include only those considered to be operating south of the DhZ. hajor units are: the 7th Front Headquarters; the 812tP NVA Regiment and the K8 and K14 Infantry, the 10th Sapper and the K32 Artillery Battalions subordinate to the 7th Front; and the 2nd and 3rd 13attalions of the 27th Independent NVA l1egi.nent. Additionally, four independent coupanies are loca.ted within the province. The total con firmed strength in ~UANG TRI is 3,400. ~2) TilDA ThIEN: ;\egimental Headquarters, K4B ana. 1\4': \ittd.l.i.uns vf the 4th IWA llebiment; the Regin,ental Headquarters, 1\4 and 1\10 ,.. 44fwlt,:)' ,:..1,,0. t.ne ~hi Thua 1 and Chi Thua 2 »apper Battalions of the 5th NVA :~et:.;:Llient.; anc seven independent couparu.es are located wi.thin rhe ;Jrovin.,;e. The total conf.irmeo strength for nLUA THlliN is 2,325. (3) ,,\.).0;(; NAt;: Enell'}'" forces in ~L·U'G NA.'.( are compri.sec of: t.z.e l<'l~ont 4 Headquarters; the 2nd NVA Davasi.on Headquar-cer-s II 22 ENCLOSURE (,il) ) -----r---- DECLASSIFIED I II DECLASSIFIED • (4) ~UANG TDJ: The 31st ;"'""VA Regiment of the 2nd NVA Division; four independent battalions and three independent companies are located in the province. The total confirmed strength in 'iUA..~G TIN is 1,820.. (5) ~UANG NGAI: The Hilitary Region-5 Headquar-ter-s; the 3rd .t\VA Division Headquarters and support units; the 2nd }I.F and 22nd NVA Regiments of the 3rd NVA Division; : Reg-imel1tafHeadquarters.. the l20th VC Infantry, 40bth VC Gapper and the l07tn KVA Artillery Battalions of the 40lst NVA Sapper Regizent , three independent battalions and ten independent companies are located in the province. The total confirmed strength in 0.UANG NCAI is 7,360. d. Gounterintellig-=n,;.c. (1) Counterintellig:nce 1-'ionth1y Overview. Although the number of reported VC counterintelligence-related incidents decreased slightly during Decemoer-, the general pattern of activity and high intensity level remained lD±ia.uged..- Low-level intelligence collection activities using women and children continue to be noted. The Viet Cong~expended considerable energy in efforts to extend their political control over the countryside and am prove weir .image Doth in SVN and on the international political scene. VC propaganda efforts to extend their population control were frequently rein forced by widespread terrorist activity. Several documents and prisoners describe the present period as the second phase of a three phase plan in which the political groundwork is being laid for an all-out offensive to be launched at an unknown future date. The purpose of the offensive reportedly is to influence the Paris peace talks. In sumaary, VC counterintelligence related activity was prinRrily comprised of intelligence and reconnaissance preparations for any future offensive actions a.ld widespread propaganda, sub version and terror designed to discredit the GVN and improve the position and prestige of the NLFSVN, both at home and in Paris. (2) Pr9.paganda and Subver-s.ion, Viet Cong propaganda activity re L.ained. at a high level during the month with f'requent propaganda meetings conducted by local cadre in VC controlled areas and by armed un~ts in con- ces t ed areas. Leaflets in both English and Vietnarr~se wer-e f'ouad in ;:.;ar:.y <.0vernment controlled areas. Agent reports f~equently seated tE.it tt.lC reis0~'i :'or 'the continuing propaganda drive WdS to prepare the popul.acion for a coa ~~tion government. A prevalent ~~~ continuejl to be tile claim ~at North Vietnam was winning great victories at th e Paris peace talks. (3j folitical Activi·~. Reported politica::. activity declmeo sh.ghtly. It is probable that t he Viet Gong have cstab.La.snec People ·.'-.:;.~,~r a ti.on Conffi.Uttees in those ar-eas where such activities are possible drl~; ar-e 11VW" concentrar..ng--effort:> on ext-enning the influence of these ':.:>t.lhl:lsi~cc. connu.ttees , .scatcer-ec r41CL'ts\.,'ere r-cce i.vea-ef v..: atten.pts to exploit ouddru.s t organazatn.ons , .tn absence of i.ention of che Al.Li.ance of Nat i.oaa], ENCLOSURE ( I ) 23 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED DeL~cratic Peace Forces possibly reflects an elffort to eliminate this organi zation as a potential rival for the KLF.:>VN in the coneext of the present peace talks. \4) Terrorism. Terrorist activity generally reruained at the high level of Novembe r , Continued emphasis was giv-en to har-assment; of refugee camps and assassi.natri.ons of government officials. Reports indicate that per sonnel assigned to the pacification program have been targeted for increased terrorist activity•. (5) .:>abptage. .:>abotctge remained at a low level with the pact.er-n of a.ctivities -unchangea: River traffic on the C\;;\ VIET River, bridges and cul verts on LOC I S ren.a.ined a target for interdiction. (6) Espionaae. Reported espionage activity increased slightly during the rorrth with activi~ prh.la.I'ilytJ~:i.ll&-reQ()~1:_ed_:i.11th~__~\\IQ._Ji2I"_thern provinces of I Corps. A relatively large number of reports were n~-ceive-d of low level espionage and reconnaissance activitY in the E'L'E Cit'J area. e. Enenw Losses. Enemy losses during the month of December were as follows: III ~W' ARVN ~ 91P.Q -TOT.:u. KIA 2848 1806 283 110 ,:,047 Detainees 1935 G8G 3 98 2716 P\v/NVA 50 0 0 1 51 PiJ/VC liS 890 -1 10 101C Recurnecs/Nva 9 0 0 0 9 Reuurneca/Vc 24 56, 0 0 8~ Civil Defendant 234 ..L 0 0 235 Innocent Civilian 1116 0 0 0 1116 - Lncii,v "eapons 804 59T______.lUS- 22 ____ -- :1:5;3.1. __ .... Cj.> h'eapons 54 69 6 ..l 130 24 ENCLOSURE ( I ) DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED • KIT CARSON SCOOTS PROGRAM. 9 December 1968. The G-2, III Marine AmphibioulS Force, assumed staff supervision for the Kit Carson Scout Program in accordance with III MAF order 3410.5B, Subject: "Standing Operating Procedures for Kit Carson Scouts program. 1I The program had been under the supervision of the Force PSYOPS officer since October 1966. 31 December 1968. The status of Kit Carson Scouts was as follows: EMPLOYING UNIT HIRED IN TRAINING ~ WIA 1st MARDIT 102 0 0 1 3rd MARDIV 106 9 0 0 101st ABN DIl (AM) 153 10 0 2 Americal DIV 115 3 1 2 1-31 December 1968. Major acccmplishments during this period were as follows: 1ST MARDIV 3RD HARDIV 10lST ABN DIV (AM) A. VC KIA 39 2 10 B. VC CAPrURED 6 .3 7 c. VCS CAPTURED 14 0 0 D. RETURNEES .3 0 1 E. WEAPONS RECOVERED 12 .3 18 F. MINES/BOOBY TEArs 39 0 39 G. GRENADES FOOND 65 25 6 H. CACHES DISCOVERED 38 10 8 I. CAVES/TUNNELS DISCOVERED 34 0 7 J. PATROLS 775 350 1073 K. CLASSES CONDUCTED/ . ASSISTED 320 0 0 L. PSYOPS BROADCAST CONDUCTED 41 10 0 NOTE: America1 Division did not collect data on major accanplishments due to a misunderstanding of new reporting procedures. 15 December 1968. A scout employed by 1st Battalion, 26th Marines was kid napped from his home by eight armed enemy. On 22 December 1968 he escaped from. his captors. He returned to the control of the Marines on 28 December 1968. 28 December 1968. A scout employed by 1st Battalion, 26th Marines was re commended for the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Gold Star) for heroic action in the conduct of an ambush of an estimated twenty NVA soldiers. The scout accounted for fifteen confirmed kills. Although wounded during the action, he continued the fight throughout the engagement. ENCLOSURE (1) 25 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRET·· 31 December 1968. Americal Division. Requests for Draft Deferments for all scouts employed have been prepared for submission to the Ministry of Defense, GiN. ENC:I.QSURE (1) 25 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED r-: 6. LOGISTICS a. General. (1) The month of December was characterized by reduced demands on the overall logistic system in ICTZ. The two factor. chiefly responsible for this were the displacement of the 1st Air Cavalry Division from ICTZ during November and the general shift in operational emphasis from northern ICTZ to the south-Central portion of the Zone. (2) The departure of the 1st Air Cavalry (Operation LIBERTY CANYON) permi1:Jted a marked reduction in the Northbound shipping backlog and in general eased the pressure on the logistical system. (3) The shift in operational emphasis from BIeTZ to the vicinity of the Danang TAOH typified by MEADE RIVER, a multi-battalion operation which required substantial logistic support. More than balancing the load by this operation were the factors of Short LOC and unexpectad~ good weather. (4) The unseasonal weather permitted unexpected gains in airfields and LOC improvement, including the establishment of the full-scale LSA at An Roa. (5) The above factors, combined with a trend of reduced enemy interdiction of LOC's are covered in greater detail in paragraph c. (Embarkation) and d. (Engineer), below. b. Dental. (1) Periodic visits to III MAP dental facilities and medical/dental facilities throughout ICTZ were made by the Force Dental Officer during December. (2) On 14 December the 18th Dental Professional and Administrative Conference was held in conjunction with a meet ing of the I Corps Dental Society. (3) The Force Dental Officer continues to hold MEDCAP for the local populace at III MAF Dental Facility. (4) Dental Civic Action (MEDCAP II) was conducted by III MAF Dental Companies during the month of December as follows: (a) Patients Treated: 2,191 (b) Dental Procedures: 1,111 27 Enclosure (1) SECRET______- __ -----J DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRE~ c. Bmbarkation. (1) Narrative Summary. There was sporadic opening and closing of several airfields during the month. This was due to airfield repairs which caused no adverse effect on operational commitments. An Hoa was closed during the period 3-1 December for resurfacing of the runway. Airlift operations commenced on 8 December for movement of troops and cargo to An Hoa in support of Operation Taylor Common. TWo airfields were opened to C1A aircraft (Minh Long and Ha thonh). The persormel and tormage for the month were lower in comparison to last month by 12,228 PAX and 1,574 SIT. The month of December showed a marked decline in cargo backload for ICTZ ports. This was due to the movement of the lstAirCavDiv from I Corps to III Corps, good weather and full utilization of shipping assets. Enemy activity had no effect on shipping during the reporting period. During this period there were 17 resupply, 53 retrograde and 11 unit move convoys. (a) Air Operations Summary: USAF USMC (FIXED WING) TOTAL ~ CARGO (SIT>. m (CARGO( S/Tt ~ CARGO(S/T) 60,676 23,398.9 38,825 10,138.0 99,501 33,536.9 Special Missions Flown During December: :rm RE9.UBST NO. ill! TOTAL CARGO(S/T>' PAX CE 26 C130 1,311.7 4,128 CE 1 C7A 215 (b) Surface Summary Operations: 63 Deep draft vessels debarked/embarked at Danang 40 MSTS LSTts debarked/embarked at Danang 28 USN LSTta debarked/embarked at Danang 361 LCU/YFUts debarked/embarked at Danang 64 Barges debarked/embarked at Danang MONTHLY PORT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY (S/T) !Q!!! OFFLOAD DAILY AVG THROUGHPUT DAILY AVG Danang 226347 1301 345145 11134 Dong Ha 40018 1291 48937 1579 Phu Bai 35097 1132 39681 1280 Chu Lai ~~10 Total ~ 10~ 4~~~§~ 1 03 28 Enclosure (~ECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED 'S ECRE T-- (c) Highway Operations Summary RESUPPLY MISSIONS (SiT). Danang to An Hoa 4779 ARVN Convoys North 450 Others Total ~~g~ (2) CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING OF EVENTS. IDee - CK to move Lox Trailer from Chu Lai to Cam Rhan Bq. CE to move 1,498,195 Ibs AM2 and M81 matting from Danang to An Hoa. 2Dec - Movement of matting to An Hoa completed. CK to move Lox Trailer from Cam Rhan Bay to Chu Lai. Dong Ha closed for repairs. 3Dec - Dong Ha airfield opened. An Hoa closed for runway repairs. 4.Dec - CE for movement of cannon assembly from Danang to Dong Ha. 5Dec - US Tourist departed for Okinawa with 108 SiT retrograde cargo. 6Dec - Mayfield Victory departed for Japan with 27 SiT retrograde cargo. CE to take J-65 engine from Danang to Chu Lai and to move 350 PAX from Danang to Due Phc, 7Dec - USS Cohoes receovered LCM 6 No. 18 which sank near Tan My on 18 Nov. CK to move primer percussion from Danang to Dong Ra. 8Dec - An Hoa airfield opened. CE to move 166 PAX from An Hoa to Danang and to move GCA set from Chu Lai to An Hoa. 9Dec - Dong Ha airfield closed till 1600 for repairs. OK to move antenna from Danang to Chu Lai, 150 PAX from Dong Ha to An Hoa and advance party for Operation TAYLOR COMMON. SS Los Angeles departed to CONUS with 372 SiT retrograde cargo. 10Dec - OK to move 150 PAX from Dong Ha to An Hoa. Transglobe departed to CONUS with 234 SiT retrograde cargo. Enclosure (1) 29 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRET llDec - Committed for a daily shattle of 200,000 Ibs of ammo from Danang to An Hoa via 0123. CE to move awi tchboard from Danang to Dong Ha. 12Dec - OK to move 147 PAX and cargo for Operation TAYLOR COMMON. 13Dec - CE to move 1100 PAX and cargo from Quang Tri to An Hoa and 1.5.5 PAX and cargo from Dong Ha to An Hoa. 14Dec - OK to move 1100 PAX and cargo from Quang Tri to An Hoa and 70 PAX and cargo from »ong Ha to An Hoa. CK to move generator and electrical equipment from Danang to An Hoa. Dredge Sandcasterdamaged when dredging in the mouth of Portume River at approx 14093.5H by explosion thought to be caused by a dud mortar round. l.5Dec - ClI to move 21.5 PAX from Danang to Baldy. 16Dec - Seatrain Carolina departed for Okinawa with 134 SiT retrograde oargo. 18Deo - American Corsair departed for CONUS with 371 SiT retrograde cargo. 19Dec - Requirement tor daily ammo shuttle from Ohu Lai to Minh Long via C7A aircraft, delayed due to status of Minh Long -airfield. 20Dec - CK to move radar gear from Danang to Phu Bai. 21Deo - LCM-a Bo. 8.57 hit mine causing light damage at Dang Ha/Cua Viet. 22Dec - Quang Tri line mined near Camp Bvans in several places. Repairs will take approx 2 days. Tan My YOG 76 went aground port side ot channel. Rescue attempts unsuccessful due to heavy seas. ARS on scene and will make rescue attempts at first light. CE to move JP-4 from Danang to An Roa. 23J)ec - YOG 76 rescue attempts uns.cceseful due to 8-10 foot surf in channel. No indication ot bottom damage to YOG,or that YOG is in danger of breaking up. ARS standing by to assist when weather abates. Tan MY RMKIBRJ Tug Far.mer capsized and sank in channel 22094.5H. 30 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED I. -- SECRET No personnel casualties. Channel considered blocked until 'lug Farmer located/salvaged. Port of !an My closed. 24Dec - CE to move cannon assembly from Danang to Dong Ha. Minh Long airfield opened. YOG freed from Tan MY channel at 241030H and towed to Danang by Reclaimer. 25Dec - CE to move JP-4 from Danang to An Hoa. Ammo shuttle committment to Minh long started. Quang Tri line repaired (see 22Dec entry). Port of Tan MY opened. Tug Farmer not located as of this date. 26Dec - Camp Evans airfield closed for repair until approximately 6Jan69. Quang Tri airfield closed until 21Dec for repair. Gretna Victory departed for Barstow with 345 SIT retrograde cargo. Tug Farmer located and is not blocking channel. 27Dec - Quang Tri opened. OK to move JP-4 from Danang to An Boa, Transglobe departed for Okinawa with 532 SIT retrograde cargo. 28Dec - Grove City Victory departed for Subic/Hawaii with 59 SIT retrograde cargo. 31Dec - An Hoa airfield closed by 834th Air Division. Ha Thanh opened to C1A aircraft. d. Engineer. (1) Road and Bridge Resume. Incidents of enemy harass ment and interdictions on primary lines of communication declined slightly from the previous month. Five (5) bridges and five (5) culverts were damaged or destroyed. New construction during the month produced twelve (12) new bridges and thirty-nine (39) new culverts while repairs continued on sixteen (16) bridges. 150 feet of tactical bridging was installed. Asphalt paving of QL-l between Chu Lai and Tam Ky by the 9th Engineer battalion, with Seabee equipment, commenced during the month, with 5.1 KIDs of two-lane highway paved. (2) Vietnamese National Railroad. Restoration of the Danang -Hue segment of the railroad has continued rapidly and is nearing completion. A 150 foot bridge northwest of Lang Co was completed on 24 December and repairs to a 160 foot bridge east of Phu Loc were completed on 31 December. Only twelve (12) kilometers of track remain to be restored, and the entire 103 31 inclosure (1 EeRE T -- 8 I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED kilometers between Danang and Hue should be completed well ahead of the previously estimated 1 February completion date. (3) An Boa Airfield/Combat Base. The 3500 foot run way and turnarounds were completely resurfaced with AM-2 Aluminum Matting, the runway was widened from 60 feet tQ 72 feet, and the taxiways and parking aprons were resurfaced with MBAI Steel Matting. The runway was closed for these repairs on 3 December, and was reopened again on B December. A 140 foot by 400 foot Logistic Support Area was completed for operations on 10 December, and aceelerated efforts continued through this month in accomplishing the construction of new ammo storage areas, new refueling facilities, and many other cantonment facilities to support increased combat operations in this area. e. Food Services. (1) on S December, Force Order PlOllO.S (III MAP Menu Service) was approved for pUblication and will become effective on 1 February 1969. (2) The monthly meeting of the III MAP Food Service Planning Board was held at Camp Horn on 9 December. (3) on 10 December FLC assumed control of the £rrq Class I dump at Quang Tri. The Marine Corps now provides all Class I Support in the Quang Tri - Deng Ha complex. (4) The III MAP Subsistance Operational Analysis Report for the month of Nov••ber was submitted to HQMC on 19Dec. Data highlights follow: Value of "A" and "B" Rations Issued Value of MCI', issued Average Daily Fed "A" and "B" Rations Average Daily Fed MCI' s Daily Average Cost to Feed "A" and "B" Daily Average Cost to Feed "A", "B" & MCI's Pounds of Bread Manufactured . Pounds of Bread received from Arrq Gallons of Milk Purchased (Foremost) Gallons of Ice Cream Purchased (Foremost) Gallons of Ice Cream Manufactured Pounds of Ice Purchased (Commercial) Nu.ber of Rations Sold Cash Collected for Meals Sold Total expenditures for Class I Supplies for Nov U.S. and ROK forces Bnclosure (1) 32 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRE~~ f. Motor !ransport (1) Statistics for the month of December for the five motor transports are as follows: Hileage: 354,161 Tonnage: 49,334 Passengers: 95,506 (2) On 1 and 2 December the FMFPac MT Supervisor's Course was conducted for members of FLC. This seryice was performed for the 1st Marine Division from 4 to 24 December. (3) On 3 December Major J.N. EGGLESTON departed III HA.F at the completion of his tour of duty. evo PAGB assumed duties as Force Motor Transport Officer until the arrival of LtCol K.D. BARIBS on 23 December. (4) On 6 December instruction on the Hl23A1C Truck Tractor was completed, and the team departed for Okinawa on the following day. (5) On 31 Dec.Jaber the Multifuel Instruction Team arrived from Okinawa under the charge of Captain J. BROWN. g. Ordnance (1) The direct exchange of chrome chambered rifles to III MAF units and initial issue of Ml6Al rifles to 1stMAW, 1st FSR, and 7th Bulk Fuel continues. The status of the program is , as follows: (a) Maneuver Units. 100% equipped with chrome chambered rifles. RIfles on hand total approximately 28,782 (Reported in November Chronology). (b) Combat Support and Combat Service Support Units. 96% equipped with chrome chambered rifles. Chrome chambered and standard chambered rifles on hand total approximately 25,825 and 1,121 respectively. Standard chambered rifles are in the process of being exchanged at the present time. (c) Initial Issue. Total remaining initial issue requirements for III MAF are as follows: 1st MAW 3,963 1st FSR 3,885 7th Bulk Fuel Total 8,~g~ Enclosure (I) 33 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED , !I \ \ SECRE~ (2) As of 30 November 1968, there was a total of 3,321 short tons of suspended ammunition in the ASP'. on which disposition instructions from CMC had not been received. During the period 1 December to 31 December, an additional ~06.9 short tons of ammunition was suspended, bringing the total number of short tons in the ASP's to 6121.9. During the month of December, disposition instructions from CHC were received on 112.9 short tons of suspended ammunition, thus reducing the quantity to 6615 short tons. (3) 21 Ml01 l15mm Guns are currently being held at FLC pending spare parts distribution and deprocessing. Firing tables for the Ml01's have been mailed direct to the batteries affected and a provisional ISSA is being formalized by CMC and the Department of the Army for technical assistance in deprocessing and initial deployment. h. Supply (1) Currently, approximately 93~ of the in-country requirements for lightweight rainsuits have been satisfied. The quantity to be delivered to the Third Force Service Regiment for Contingency Reserve, replenishment and available for issue (in preparation for the 1969-1970 Monsoon Season) exceeds 56,000. (2) Increased emphasis has been placed on the recovery of lightweight utilities in order to reduce requirements for new procurement. Force Bulletin 4400 of 21Dec68 was published directing command attention to this matter. Additionally, the Third Force Service Regiment will provide a monthly report to this Headquarters reflecting total monthly recoveries. (3) The rehabilitation of unserviceable but reparable lightweight utilities was studied during the month. The Pur chasing and Contracting Officer, III Marine Amphibious Force~ has invited price quotations and is obtaining work samples prior to determining the practicability of a rehabilitation program. (4) In an effort to determine the impact of various stockage criteria, major commands have been requested to provide statistical data to this office. Data will be analyzed and the results and a recommendation will be forwarded to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. (5) Planning for the 1969-1970 Monsoon, inclUding analysis of past and projected requirements, has been completed. Notable is the reduction of line items to be force fed to using units. This reduction was determined to be essential because the force feeding of quantities based on requirements submitted almost 8 months in advance of need generated excesses at the using unit level. Additionally, the requisitioning of required items will eliminate unnecessary management programs. DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED 1:1 (6) A conference concerning the transfer of res ponsibility for , processing personal effects and baggage in the Phu Bai area was held on 23 Deceab.r 1968. As a result, effective 15 January 1969, the 26th General Support Group, U. S. Army will assume these duties. (Force Logistic Support Group-Alpha, currently responaible, is being deactivated). The Force Assiatant Supply Officer represented the III Marine Amphibious Force and directed the conference. Representatives from the following commands were present: Force Logistic Command, Force Logistic Support Group-Alpha, 26th General Support Group, XXIV Corps, USA Support COJBand (Danang) and the Naval Support Activity (Danang). i. Medical (1) ~e total average patient load for the two Medical Battalions and 1st Hospital Company was 362 with a total of 1448 admitted and 301 patients evacuated out of country. 514 pints of whole blood were expended to use. (2) Information relative to III HlP in-patient treat- ment facilities is as follows: ~ UNIT AUTH BEDS ACT pnS AVG CENSUS %000 Quang Tri 3d Med Bn (-) 240 140 74 53 3d HarDiv CSB Vander- O-Co (-) 10 grirt 3d MedBn Dong Ha D-Co 15 15 6 40 3d MedBn Danang 1st MedlSl 240 180 111 62 1st HarDiv Danang 1st HospCo 100 100 70 70 1st MarDiv (3) The USS Sanctuary (AH-17) wa. LogSup III MA.F the entire month of December. The USS Repose (AH-16) was LogSup III MAP from 1 December 1968 until 26 December 1968. Departed for Subic Bay for Up-Keep, 27 December 1968 and will return LogSup III MAP on 7 January 1969. Both ships were on station at the below listed locations as the tactical situation required. (a) Quang Tri - Dong Ha operating area (b) Northern Station - approximately equidistant from Phu Bai and Wunder Beach (c) Danang Harbor Enolosure (1) 35 ______SECRET -----.-J DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED (4) III MAP Medical Department strength as of 3lDec68 is as follows: 2100 2300 HM's Allow/OH A:q.OW/OH Allow/OH 1st MarDiv 90 75 17 14 1137 1224 3rd MarDiv 74 68 14· 13 1075 984 1st MAW 34 34 2 3 234 194 FLC/lstFSR 13 8 7 4 166 149 III MAP Hq 2 2 Totals 2'!3 1'8'8 d J1 2~ 2~ (5) Figures shown under III MAP Headquarters include 126 Hospital Corpsman assigned for the Combined Action Program. as f'ollows: CAG #1 CAG #2 CAG #3 CAG 14- (Chu Lai) (Danang) (Phu Bai) (Quang Tri) 26 49 35 16 (6) There was no dispersal of' insecticides accomplished during the month of' December 1968. (7) Col H. R. UNGER, MC USAF, Chief of' Professional Services, Of'f'ice of' the Command Surgeon, MACV and Maj L. O. PRATT, .C USAF, Nursing Advisor, visited facilities ICTZ period 7-11 December 1968. (8) Cdr H. E. DANIEL, MBC USN arrived 29 December 1968 and relieved Cdr W'. B. MC DUFFIE, MBC USN a. Administrative Assistant to the Force Surgeon on 1 Janu~ 1969. SECRET 36 Enclosure (1) DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED I. , . , SECRtl 7. o-ptroller a. SigDi.ficant Events for Deceaber 6th Piaster Expenditure Control CoD8ittee meeting coDciucted. Discus8ed Piaster Expenditure and AIl Budget execution. 7th LtGol. FORD to TAD, saigon to disc1188 establishment of credit unions with congressional subcommittee. 9th LtCol. FORD from. TAD, saigon. r.::.t'lCLOSURE ( I) 37 SECRET I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED ill! SECREl 8. Oiv1l Atrairs. a. Objectiv.,. Th. basic objectives .r the III Muine .&aphibi.us Porce Oivil .l1'rair. prep.. r_iD. the ..... b. Oivio Action. (1) JIilitary cine action project. continue en the increa.e during December with a noted improveaent or active participation b7 the populace. Ol.ser .oordination ot civic aetlan project. at all l.yols betw.en PII1P and GVB ottieial. i. one.r the decidingtactora contributing to the oyerall aueceas ot the prGgram.. (2) Bap.cial17 note"ozttlv this Dlonth 1s the eTidonced c~ado.hip betwoon us/FWKAF Foree. and the local populao. that va. bro~gat rort~ due to tho Ohriat mas holida7 .elebratiGDs i. vhioh numerous glfts vero distributed 'b7 FWM.U'. M"7 hamlets and dllagea placed a ne. (TB'f liko) importance .. tho Ohri.taa••olobrationa. A large number ot .ocia1 gatherings vero .old b7 the poople or the hamlets and vlllagea in honor or PWHAP in reapectiYe areas. !ho a-atiaeat expressed was one of unity ot cau.e. closo rriendship and gratitudo. !his go04 relationship betwoen PNMAP and the local populace has continued to produce valuable intelligenoe intor.aa tion to militarr units throughQut I Corps. (3) Although REDCAP-. continue to be one or the ..st ettective civic actioa project•••eTeral aew innovations haTe been introdaced during this poriod• • oteworthy has b.en the introduction of 15 .eehanical oultiYators in !hua Thien Preyinco. which causod wide spread intoreat and utilization by rice rar.aors or the area. (4) 1I0ted during this month has been the in crea.ed intere.t b7 tho people in .olt-taprov...nt and tho improyed coordination betw.on the popula.. and GVR orticial•• ENCL.OSURE ( I) 38 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED , , SECRE7 9. PSYCHOLCGICAL WARFARE OPERATIONS a. Chieu Hoi Program. 281 enemy personnel rallied du.ring the reporting period. b. Statatics. g~ Total leaflets distributed by air: 280,664,918 Total hand distributed. 4,162,425 (3) Total number hou.rs US grd/waterborne loudspeaker broadcasts 2,963.05/30115 (4) Total number aerial loudspeaker broadcasts 511.00 (5) Total posters produced. 29,131 (6) Total movies shown. 125 (1) Total cultural drama performances. 94 c. Campaign Support, number of leanets/air broadcasts. Lfts (air Dropped), Broadcast lirs (Air) (1 ) Chieu Hoi 2t9,851,938 265.55 (2) Anti VC/NIlA 22,866 ,890 92.25 (3~ Support GVN 19,252,650 92.40 (4 Rewards 18,681,500 66.00 d. Tactical PSYOP in support of Major Operations: OPERATION LFrS DROPPED AIR BOOST HRS (1 ~ Nevade Eagle 15,601,650 59:03 (2 Vernon Lake II 10,192,000 40125 Hardin Falls 130,000 None (4(3j F~ette Canyo.n 3,116,900 6.55 (5 Scotland 5,986,200 29:50 (6) Dawson River 6,548,000 18:00 (1) Kentucky 6,896,600 14,00 Napoleon/Saline 5,592,800 16, 30 ~;~ Marshall Mountain 4,615,000 13145 Lancaster 161,000 150 ((11l°l Meade River 120 ('12 T~lor Common 620,000 2155 e. Kit Carson Scout Activities. Cognizance over the Kit Carson Scout Program has been transferred from PSYOPS to the G-2 Section. Accordingly, the xes input to the Psychological Operations Command Chronology is deleted for the month of December. f. Narrative Summary. (1 ) General. ENCLOSURE (, ) 39 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECAET~ (a) The III MAF monthly PSYOP Conference convened on 20 December at the III MAF Headquarters, with representatives of III 1'1AF PSYOP, COlmS/ PSYOP, CORDS/Chieu Hoi, 7th PSYOP Battalion, and major US, ARYN and ROKHC tactical units in attendance. The agenda included discussion of security for the Q.uang Ngai Chieu Hoi center; sumnation of PSYOP support for the Nguyen Trai Campaign; and reviews of the status of the Accelerated Pacifi cation Campaign, the Chieu Hoi inducement rewards campaign, and the Chieu Hoi Center Visitation program. (b) Third Marine Division instituted operational employment of leaf let loaded artillery rounds. After overcoming initial fusing and Picking problems, the Third Marine Division is now successfully utilizing these zounds for PSYOP targeted against otherwise inaccessible enemy units in Northern areas. (c) During the month of December, the Third l~rine Division emplaced 40 transistorized "mini-radios" in bunkers and along trails in the DFiZ. These inexpensive radios, capable of air dissemination as well as hand emplacement, are intended for discovery and use by NVA troops. It is anticipated that these radios, capable of receiving Radio HUE, will be a practical means of delivering non-Communist versions of news develop ments, particularly news of the Paris TallaI, to the NVA soldier. (2) Chieu Hoi Campaign. (a) A total of 287 Hoi Chanhs rallied in ICTZ during December, bring ing the yearly total for the III MAF/I Corps 1968 Chieu Hoi Campaign to 3,118 Hoi ChaDhs. This surpasses the 1967 ICTZ total of 2,539 Hoi Chanhs. (b) During December, a new program was initiated to arrange tours of Chieu Hoi Centers for civilians from contested areas. In Quang Tri Province, a tour was arranged for 100 families, ma.o-r of whom were known to have rel atives in the Viet Cong. The visitors talked to ralliers in the center and listened to speeches explaining the Chieu Hoi Program. The visitors provided the names of more than 100 re.latives in the Viet Cong, and individual letters are to be written to these Viet Cong encouraging them to llB.lly. Similar tours were condu.cted on two occasions at the Danang Chilitu Hoi Center. In Danang, the tours included visits to the Lam Son Armed Propaganda Company compound. (3) Anti NVA Campaign. (a) During the month of December, NVA tactical activity remained at a relatively low level, with the result that PSYOP exploitation of NVA unit vulnerabilities placed less emphasis on eneII\Y casu.alties and greater emphasis 01'1 such continuing vulnerabilities as food shortages, hardships, and lack of medical supplies. ENCLOSURE ( J) 40 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRE~ (4) Anti VC Campaign. (a) PSYOP activity targeted against the Viet Cong emphasized the "Denounce the Viet Cong Infrastructure" (DVCI) Campaign. PSYOP sUpport of the DVCI Campaign continued to saturate new areas with propaganda as additional hamlets were Wlcovered in the progress of the Accelerated lkc ification Campaign. (b) Americal Division integrated it's PSYOP efforts in support of the DVCI Campaign with efforts to counter local VC elections, supplementing "most-wanted VCI" rewards leaflets with appeals to boycott false elections. (5) Support GVN Campaign. (a) PSYOP activity conducted in support of the Government of South Vietnam was concerned primarily with auppoz-t of the Accelerated Pacification campaign. The emphasis of this support was placed on "face-to-face" PSYOP, including the use of APT's and PRU's, the utilization of HE team loudspeakers for speeches by local officials, and hand distribution of newspapers and handbills informing civilians of developments in the Paris negotiations. (b) In order to increase and improve dissemination of news among the rural populace, III MAF PSYOP and I Corps POLWAR have begun joint pro duction of the bi-weekly newspaper, ~ Tien. This small, "r:>ut highly re garded, newspaper is a collection of relevant news articles culled from Saigon newspapers flown daily to Danang; Initial circulation was 30,000 copies of each bi-weekly edition; 7th PSYOP Battalion has now increased production to 50,000 copies per ed.ition in order to meet the increasing demand; (6) Civilian Rewards Campaign. The III MAF/I Corps Civilian Rewards program yielded 966 instances of rewards paywents to Vietnamese civilians for information leading to the recovery of weapons and explosives. This brings the yearly total for 1968 to 8,828 rewards incidents, which is a quantum increase over the 1967 total of 1,083. ENCL.OSURE ( I) 41 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRE:r 10. COMMUNICATIm~ a. Message volume through the III MAF Communication Center November December Increase Decrease Incoming 38,400 35,997 2,403 Outgoing 20,046 20,882 836 Total 58,446 56,879 1,567 b. Combat Operations Center Communication Center traffic November December Increase Incoming 6,4,4 811 Outgoing 10,247 852 Total 16,701 1663 c. Headquarters, III MAF message traffic originated November 3,870 December 4,080 Increase 210 d. The average daily subscriber initiated call rate through the III MAF AN/TTC-28 was 9200 calls. This figure does not include an estimated average of 2000 operator processed trunk calls for which no accurate count is available due to capability of equipment. j. Battlefield Surveillance Radar School operational and administrative control passed from III ¥~ to 1st MarDiv on 1, December 1968. (1) During the reporting period, the III MAF operated school graduated , student operators and conducted a special, one-week class for , student operators. (2) While operated by III MAF, the school trained a total of 381 personnel and calibrated 269 Radar Sets, ANlPPS-6. f. Colonel MATTHEWS, Assistant Commander, 1st Signal Brigade, visited Colonel HORriER, G-6 on 2 December 1968. g. LtCol DAVIS visited CEO, 3dMarDiv on 3 December 1968. h. LtCo1 DAVIS visited 1st Log Comd on 4 December 1968. i. LtCol DAVIS and Major CONNELL visited the Crypto Repair Facility project under construction at NSA DaNang (Sea Anchor) on , December 1968. ENClOSURE (1) 42 SECRET I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED r SECRE1 j. Ltcol DAVIS made a liaison visit to N-5, NSA DaNang on 7 December. k. Major CONNELL made a liaison visit to ForLogComd (CCP) on 7 December. 1. Colonel BURNS, Dir, Ops, 1st Signal Bde, Colonel RICHARDSON, C-E, USARV, Colonel CRAWFORD, Ch, CommSysMgmtAgency, 1st Signal Bde, and Colonel MODISETT, MACV J-6 visited with G-6 representatives to discuss message relay delays in ICTZ on 9 December. m. LtCo1 DAVIS visited Maintenance Bn, ForLogComd. and 1st MAW CEO on 10 December. n. III MAF/Area Coordinator ICTZ Cable Coordinating Committee met at III MAF on 10 December. o, LtCo1 DAVIS visited 5th Comm Bn and CEO, 1stMarDiv on 11 December. p. LtCo1 DAVIS made staff visits to 1st Log Comd(Maint) and 5th Comm Bn on 12 December. . q. Colonel TABOR, Dep ACofS, 0-3, USARV, met with III MAF 0-6 representatives to discuss Advisor/CORDS communications in ICTZ on 12 December. r. Major CONNELL, Asst Maint Officer, III MAF G-6.. transferred to CONUS on emergency 1eaveIPCS on 14 December. s. LtCo1 DAVIS made a staff visit to CEO, 1s~~rDiv on 16 December. t.Lt KROUSLIS, ICTZ Telephone Maintenance Officer.. was killed in an aircraft accident near Chu Lai on 17 December. u, Colonel HORNER briefed BGen DOOLEY, prospective Chief of Staff.. III MAF, on 17 December. v; LtCo1 DAVIS made a staff visit to ForLogComd on 19 December. w. AUTOSEV'OCOM Terminals at III MAF Hq became fully operational on 27 December. x, BGen RIENZI, Dep CG, 1st Signal Bde, visited Colonel HORNER on 28 December. y. lstLt SHULGAI attended a MACV J-3 briefing to discuss communication requirements for POW Release Teams on 30 December. z. LtCo1 DAVIS made a liaison visit to 5th Comm Bn on 31 December. ENCIOSURE (1) 43 SECRET 1 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED I. 11 11. COM!AT DFOBMATlON RtTR1i'...AU a. BACKGROUND. nu-ing December, 1968, the CIB provided esoorts to aco0lllP8I17 neW81Ul1 on 333 newgather1ng 8Bsismnents oovering I COrp! TactioelZone groand and air operations, oivio action, and the CAP pro grsa. The Press Center provided aooCllllllodations for 151 newsmen during the DIOIlth. b. !PT9R T1WJ§fQRT. fhe T8b1..l·ee1 at,NS': aioe"'heing inspected thor o~ to det.ftdne whether they will be repaired or surveyed. Vehicles on hand are as tollows I mI !RIM # STAWS M-31 312260 Working 5-10 250871 Worldng M-151 358467 Werking M-151 35,697 Working Ford-100 5OOJ&014 Deadline NSA ~dge-200 500%0'1 Deadline NSA DatsW1 5OOx1~ Working 5-151 94-69171 Deadline BSA K-151 94-69487 Deadline Bat . c. PIl>WGRAPHY. 1!le following are the produotion fiSUres for all Photographio 'Seotiema in I Co1'p81 tmI'l'S NEGATIVES PRINTS ~) ClB ',670 18,773 4,800 1stMarDiv 2,5~4 10,529 3,700 'rdMarDiv 6,548 1,:n8 6,240 1stMAW 4,226 10,461 1,400 FLO 3,727 10,456 I Ce-ps 648 1.213 •0 TOTAL 21,383 58,170 16,140 (1 ) Uttige ficture C&Il8.~11tx. The In MAP Photo Unit i8 close te achi8'ring its 1oftA'-time so&iO haTing a sound-motion picture ~ap ab111V. Two Arr.ltlex 1611a aot101l picture cameras and two t inoh Nagra tape :recerdel'B were received b7 the unit ncctl1'. Marines ourrently serring in the In MAP Photo tJnit will be uaed tor the motion picture teall, The nl MAF MotiM Picture Te_ will be 8IDP107ed 88 ...isned by the COIIIIIandant of the Marine Corpe and the eo-.din.« General of the III Marine Amphibious Foroe. !'be IIOtion pioture too.. Pl'Oc1aoed by the team will be used in ~ '11m Reperts, new t11. .-leM" that DivInto distributes to teleri..1.cm statim. throughout the Ur11W states, foota«e tor h1stor:l.oal purposes, and other such purpo... as Z'equ1red. 44 DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED 'SECRET Sinoe the eqUipment u:nved in Y-1etD. in a .....d condition (on 28 November), "trialtw,le'll h,~ve 'beeil"- t. I and the unp:reoea sed fUm has been sent to Headq,aarter Harine Co1'P8. ,.0 repOrt baa been received as yet OIl the tual1tT of th1s~r1al footaBe. Events oovered in the II trial runs" includeI Deaotivation of 'Camp Carroll Dedioation of the Pres10.i School at Bam 0 Village CAPDireotoz' (Col Danewits) vil'1'ting CAP units Honors for MGen ~de1'8on The nI M.AF Motion Pio~1"e '1'eam 'lUI greatly inoreue the Mar.l.ne Ce:ps' mot1onp1c'ture capabi11ty in Vietnam. Planned usage for the tea includes. Two Special Reports for CMC (THE SQUAD LKADER aDd THE AIR 0:8 SERVO) CMC's Tisit to Vietnam eMCts Pross Cenference at CIB (2) Televisioil New Fia Clim. The following news clipe have been r.,.eived at CIB. Marine CH-5~ Aerobatio8 - 3i minutes Boa Ehanh Children' IS Haspital - ,.. minutes l1ar1ne Rough Bider (SOF) - )i minutes (~) Q)I; Special Film R!J)ort. CJIJ (Code AO~P) has sent out its late.t CMC Special 'ilia RepOn. It rans for 1~ m1aute. and is entitled llBef'upes." It dea18 with how the Marine Carpi handle. the ref'UBge pro blem in I Corps. All reli'- ~oies are mentioned. , , , (4) photoRra,C &lowledp Re~. CMC, (Code AO~P) has requested an input to 1C0'f4E:2 PI'ograa tor ExpIOitin« Prot,G8sicaal Bbowledge Ga1ned from Mar1ne Corps lIxperience in South Vietnam). This 1nPlt will deal with Photographio lbowledge. All Marine Corps Photo Lab. in I Co:rps have been vieited by the Force Photo Officer and hi. Photo Chief to sather infomat1al for this input and to discuss' tighter coordination of the photographic effort in I CorPs• . d. RADIO!mWISION. III MIl' Info1l1ation~ ,S.rno. Otfioe. pro duced and forvarded to Fleet ... 101Ifl~...,._1;U,Dearly 12,000 taped intel"V'iews with Marines clur1n« 1968. !l'h1s wae nearly double the number tor 1967. The tigures below represent the Badio/rrv teatlU'88 and PBTIfC interviews submitted by In kAF dUring the month or Deoember 1968. Ibclosure (1) 45 SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED II SECRET TAPED STOmS SUD iOTAL PH)IX1CTION FBTNC MITTEI' 'JtI ers FOR DISTlIBJTION TAPES CIB 9 1.,1~ o 1stMarDiv 29 NIA 130 3:rdMarDLv 15 lilA 311 1s1lMAW o .I.A 250 FLO ..Q. NIA m 'mTAL 53 1.120 991 (1) One BMio/TV announoer was used in oonjQD.ction with the OIB Photo (~o-Sotmd) ooverap ot the olosin.g of Camp Carroll and award ce1"8llllXl1es a~· III MAl Headquarters. e. OPPtfiOlTAilS9Ors. D1e Opuaticme/Bscort Urd.t has put cmt a ,1ear'....d wraJP-up of ltO'tb1.ties in I Co1'pll during 1968. It has been distributed. to all Marine Corpa Distriot Beadquartel'l, all post and station lSOs, .aclqU&rte1'B Marine Corps, J'Mr.Pao, and to oivilian new media. !boh ot the 1ntomatioo, plus pbotograpiJa and additional chronological materiel will be used·1n a KACV Intormation Oftiee book let, "1968. 11 Year or Progress." (1) ~1pn Hog.y. Durin.g December, Major Joel A. Martin, the OperatiCllsC>1l'iOer,was a mElilber of the Operation BollI' statt whioh coord1nated the Bob Hope show 111 I Corps. Be serYed as Prese Otficer £01" the oommittee. His duties oc:ma1sted of a.r:rang1ng for both oi-n.lian and military press coverage of the eT8Dts, &c1vising on. reetr1ctiona place4 on ooverage, setting up a press tent at the Freedom Bill per t01'lll8DO~, a.r:rang1ng tor friencJa and relatives ot the oast to be brouaht to D8 Nang to ..et with the oast and to be interviewed b7 the press, and determining the distribution of limited nlDbersot pres. puses '\0 the m1_li tar.r ISO personnel in I Corps. . (~) . CIS §pecial Film Report. During December, CBS filmed a large part ot a document817 on military jQSi1.e in III MAP' units. It is to be SboWl1A the U. S. sometille in. late FebSalaX7 01" ear17 March. (3) lfotable News Items. Notable items in. the news in the 't-. S. inoluded a sto17 b.Y Peter Braeat1'Up ot the Washington Post on the general aituatic:m 1ft III MAr, and CBS interrievs wi tb Generals OUS!IDaD and Dane. (4) Notable Newsman. Notable news media repreeEll1tative at the Press Center chuiJ1g December numbered 151 and the,1 were .48800rted on 333 newsgathering missions throushout I Corps. Among them were Iren Gale, Don Baker, R. ~8e11ba1,U,D, end Pre.k Mariano, .A:8C1 Toll ReynolQ, L&r'17 pomero,1, Tony Sargent, 57 VOlen, Don Webster, and Dick Threlkeld, CBSJ Bob Jones, Bob Goralski, and Jim Bennett, DCJ Dick P,1le, Tob,1 1'71e, John Lengel, George Esper, Yvon Oomu,D. V. Phouc, and Henri Huet, APf.: John Walsh, Dave LSIlb, Bert Oltuley, Nat Gibson, Kent Potter, Ba.n:7 N1fWbarI'Y, Bq 46 lDolosurre (1) ~ ..'- SECRET DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED I. SECRE1 WU1dD8on, and S• .ii.katuska, UP:; ::'n Golden, REUTEBS,. Bob Wil(1au and Hu8h Greenws¥, TIME-LIFE; G...b:!:1e::" C,np-sa, PA-JUS MATCH; Zal1n Grant and Susan lIar.rigan, BlG\rI REIUBl.IC J B. ij. ~resf N.Y. TIMES; Peter Braestru.p, W~HI1fG1ON FOST; Be lfpss MD.~iPCLIS TRIBUNE; J. Poise and P. Fradk1n, L.A. TIMBS; B:lb Tumer, nm:uN~OLIS JEWS, Back Lanier, LONG lBACH, CALIF. IB1JKP.tilU_1' PBlSS-TELlGIWI, AnA Bl7_t, ferr,y Btlnolds, and D. Hirst, O~ WBULY, Sutm Ten4&. and H11'08hi Ohta, rono BIIlAD CASTING SYSTJ!I(, Hemq- Schoute, AVRO BIn, Jl)LLAlfD; Anil Haren Dra. D1ULY PlW.'AP, llli.W DBLBI, J. C. Malet and Be JC. .api, VIS).qEWSl Uwe Si.an, SPRINGD NlIrIS SIIVIOI, c.ido "s81, LIIUJl>PEA MAGAZmEJ Bdvud Opton, PAOMCA PO'OlIDATIOBJ Jom Steinbeok, Jr., I'BB..AIroB. (5) Be1!!ll!p!1 Caaual$1e,. Dn'ee nft8JDen "ere. VIA (wac) in December. They were Piefte I• .,t, UPI-'m, on 1 Deo witib e. BUIlsbot wound to the lower r1&ht leg. He WB8 evacuated to SaiIDn on 6 Dec.; Barr,y Newbar:t7. UPI, suftem &bralllel wounds to the shoillders and back on 5 Deo. ~th men were WO\1Dcle4 4Ilr.lnB Operation Heade liver. !he thiN newsman was S. Yasuda ot JBC who sutfered mino* ahraPlel wounds on the right aide OIl ~ Dec., wbUe oovering Operat1oD Le toi (ARVN portion of OperatiOl'1 __lor ~). s; PRES§ ~. ])u1ng 1968, pres. releases procluoed 'b7 III MAP Informational s;aoea Oftice. n_bered. 5,'26, 8D.~1Ilnr8&8 of near17 450 a month and 594 IIOre th8n "ere prodUce( 1A 1967. a aU-t1Jle III MAP' record was establ18hed c1Iu".lng Deoeaber, 1968, when the ex! Pfte. Un!t prooessed, tor d1aseadnatiClll to ciT1l18D and milltaz7 neve me41a, 676 news releases f1'Clll III KA.P \mi1ia. lJb1a npres_ted the pate.t number ot til.. rel.... proc.ased 111 8IJ3 ODe IIQIlth in the hi.toJ:7 ot the OIB../ SUpporting'" 676 news rei were 426 pbotosrapha with oaptions. A breakdo1lll ot the O"f'8~all rel total tor Dec_bar is as followI mt mW4L 1stMarDiv 148 'rdMarDiv 145 1stMAW 1" OIB 126 FLC 10' SL1 21 'IOTAL ~ (8~ FHme Bel!!'_. DIlring 1968, 110,500 it.. "ere act to FH'1'NC. ~s oompare. with 94,000 tor 1967. DurJ.nc »eo_ber, 1968, 11,'10 items were to~ n.•• were as tollowl l!b.closure (1.) 47 ~ SECRET -,- ---- DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRET 1stMarDiv 5,984 }rdMa1"Div 2,102 1stMA.W 1,522 FLO 1,502 0tB 2QQ iOTAL 11,}10 (2) 8M nGp Awar4s. Dle III MAP newspaper, SEA TIGER, won the following awarda dIlrlng 1~8. Silyer Anchor Award as the Sea Berrioe NeV8~per of the Year for "Outs_ding AohieT_en'te" !ftI1s wu awarded b)" the Amed F01'08S Wnters Le8l\le, Wub1n«toD, D.C., vitil some 500 nevepapers °OlllPeting. Chief of NM'yInfomation (CBINFO) Ment Award, Firat Quarter of 1968, for "BEemplaz:r .Aohiev_ent." . OBINFO M~rit Award, Third Quarter .r 1968, for best five-column newspaper :Ln the NaV)" and Har.l.ne Corps. ~. COMBAl' Am'. The Combat Art Unit continues to forward its produotions to Headquarters Marine Co:rps, where it is utUi.ad in art exhibits end Pllb1ioations th1'ouBbout the U. s. or speoial noteworthiness &rea The recently published book, "Vietaam Combat Art," consisting entirely of the works of Marine and oivilian artist who have spent a tour in Vietnam unde:r the auspioes of the Marine Corps Combat Art program. !lhe Commandant of the Marine Corps' Cllr1stmu Card which featured a sketch 'b7 Corporal Henr,y C. Casselli. o;>rporal Casselli has rotated to the U.~. and will be 011 the staff of Leathemeok Magazine. fl.> Personnel. Oorporal Oasselli rotated to CONUS on" Dec 68. LOpl Rlobard L. Yaco is with the Third Marlne Di.vision. Staff Sergeant R. J. JordaD of Operations/macort Section as.WIled additional duties u oaretaker of the Combat Art Uh1t untu 28 Deo 68 when SSgt J. A. Fairfax, a 1461 (Illustrator) reported aboard. SSgt Fairfax is 88s181'1ed to the Combat Art P1'OgrmIl ona "trial basis." A dete1'lD1nation will be made at a later date as to his stdiabiliV for the program. colenel John. H. Rogers, USMOR, Assistant Head, Combat Art Branoh, DivWo, is expected to arriTe in the near fQtur~. He w11l remain about seven weeks and will funotion. as a oombat artist as well 88 88sisting ad iDspeoting the on-board Combat ArtiSt&. A oivilian artist, M2'. Jean Auger, will arriTe abou.t 10 J8l'1 69 for a noma! tour ot du.t7 UDder the auspices of the Combat Art pros:ram. IhcloSurB (1) -+ 48 SECRET I DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED , I 'SECRE1 he PRESS gpma UNIT. 1he Press Center Unit (restaurant, betel and bar) finished the year with net eamings of 119,486.04, a 12.2 peroent net profit. !!he monies will be used for the Bluipllent cd l:IIqm)vement Beserveand the Opere.ting SUrplus as a "bridge" fer the time when the newaJll8n population (and subsequently businees) declines. (1) Notable IIlprov8D1ElI1ts. ~e following improvements have been made to the utilities, bu.ildings and grounds of the Press ~terl a) A new water tower has been cons't1'Ucted. b) Two new water tanks have been installed.. !c) Old and le~ roofing has been replaced as part of an extensive re-roof'ing progrem. dl The compotmd has been surfaced with asphalt and gravel. e DIem 50 of the hotel complex has been remodeled.. ~ f .lll hotel rooms are now air canditioned. (g) ~ underground drainage system has been installed in the back compound to eliminate a atanding water problem. (2) Future Projects. The following projects to improve the Preu CeJ;lter are planned or are ari.t~.__1 (a) Installation of a more secure ertoreroom for high. ~st and pilferable items. (b) Oompletion of a repainting pro.gram for all roans. (c) Installa.tion of an 1ncre8Sedc"ltt~~+'tMkt~·. meet the high water 'YOlume end pres~ requirement. of the Phe~graphic Unit. (d) Cemplet10n of' protective shelter (bunker) building program. Enclosure (1) 49 SECRET -~ DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED SECRET ~-~ Ue068 .... G. BlU.Y JIIJt ~!top~ (a) IJa4i_a lB••68 B. G. nam. bJllop. (D) J(U71m4 tD.••'~ J. .lL8OP IIrJ Yash~gt_ !'os~ 4-~.o68 J. G. VDILOOK III BG_ilJSA ?roapeotiy. Dep AC/S 1-). QOV S-6De068 G. II. UlaIOUS IIG_; Ml1i'&P7 Representatiye or !'aris !'oaoo C8Dr. 6De068 o. v. ABR.aIS GeJUs'&' amroSlllov " 6Doo&8 L. J. BIIDER Editor, J:1!'a'1 Magasino 7-8».068 J. B. WILLUKS BG~J~C OG, .9th~. 9Deo68 G. P. BDB Dp,GS-1S Sol••o .l4y., S1IA:PB 91>0.6.8 'P. G. DISDSCIf DP;... XlOV Scianoe .ldv. orr. .' 11Doo68 J. D. LlVlliU Dll', DOPG .,.' ~ . ." 14De.68 w. L. SBBDlB 20»0068 J(rJK~701' San Dio••, aalir. 211)0068 Y.lJI(JlJSI aCHI.lVPORV 22~2SDe068 J. W. ur,Ii!' (aBC) ehr or Chaplain. 2:3~2?Do.68 B. GRllI. bangolist ~-2SDec'8 J. S. lIoCAlI 01l0!'.lO 24»0068 B. lion Xr; lIatortainor 26»0068 If. J. aOOD Arohbishop D. D. EN~Lv\:>uRE ( J ) 50 SECRET --~-----r----- _... -~._- -~--- DECLASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED :-- ~- SECRET PART IV REFEBENCES (A) Third Marine Division Command Chronology. December 1968. (B) First Marine Division Command ChronologY', December 1968. (C) First Marine Aircraft Wing CODmand Chrone1og,-, December 1968. (D) Force Logistics Command Command Chrono101Y, December 1968. SUPPORTDTG DOCUMENTS (1) December 1968 Bditiona, III :MAF Hewspap..., "SEA TIGliR." ~~, t?~a,~ l.I.es~. DtCLOStJBE (1) S1 SECRET DECLASSIFIED