Personnel and Administration

1. Summary.  The Battalion spent the entire month operating from the Phu Bai enclave in defense of the vital area.  Twice during the month, the Battalion assumed the responsibility for the FSCC from Regiment. During the month the CAC program was increased by one additional village.  Toward the end of the month, there was a Change of Command Ceremony for the Battalion Commanding Officer.  Lieutenant Colonel Jack WESTERMAN replaced Lieutenant Colonel R. E. SULLIVAN as Commanding Officer.
2. Significant Events.

5 June            New Executive Officer, Major M.C. GAFFEN assumed duties.

8 June            Battalion assumed the responsibility of FSCC for the entire enclave.

24 June         The CAC Unit was enlarged by the addition of one more hamlet to the program.

25 June         Battalion assumed operational control of Company M, 3^rd Battalion 4^th Marines.

26 June         Battalion had a Change of Command Ceremony in which LtCol Jack Westerman replaced LtCol R. E. Sullivan.

1. Problem Areas/New Developments.
2.  The present problem area, which shows no promising relief at least not until after October, is the critical shortage of officers.  A total of nine officers rotated during June and were replaced by five new officers.
3. There were no new developments this month.
4. Personnel.
5.         Monthly strength (average chargeable)

(a)               USMC – Officers 22, Enlisted 889

(b)              USN – Officers 3, Enlisted 54

2. Losses.

(a)      USMC                      Officers          Enlisted

            Battle                            0                      2

            Non-battle                 0                    38

            Admin                          11                    64

            Total                             11                   104

(b)               USN

Battle                                0                        0

Non-battle                     0                        0

Admin                              0                        4

Total                                 0                        4

3.    Replacements

USMC                                   5                        66

USN                                      1                           6

4. Personnel weekly summaries.
5.   Monthly personnel report.
6.   Directives.
7. Discipline:  Courts-Martial, Non-Judicial Punishment
8. Discipline was good during the period, although there was a slight increase in minor offenses, as evidenced by the following statistics:

(a)               Courts-Martial

(1)   Pending, Summary 1, Special 1

(2)   Completed, Summary 0, Special 3

(b)   Non-Judicial Punishment

(1)   Battalion Commander 2

(2)   Company Commanders 30

1. Morale, PX, Postal Affairs, Liberty, R&R.

Morale is excellent; the battalion’s fighting spirit has remained high throughout the month.  The entire period was spent in the relative comfort of the Phu Bai Combat Base; hot ‘A’ and ‘B’ rations meals were served, showers were available three times daily, the clubs maintained a good supply of liquid refreshment, and movies were available to all hands not on watch.  PX facilities were available to all Marines in the enclave and provided adequate ‘health and comfort’ items.  Mail service has improved and is quite regular; liberty was not authorized to the command during the period.  R&R quotas have increased for the month, and at the present rate all members of the command should be able to take advantage of the opportunity.

1. Chaplains’ Activities.

1^st Battalion 4^th Marines was without a Chaplain for the first few days of the month.  On 4 June 1966 Chaplain Stephen E. Almasy was assigned; he undertook and continued Chaplain Moody’s fine program.  The initial period of this assignment was taken up with establishment of office space and coordinating activities with Regiment for needs of the service.  Each Sunday three to four services were conducted covering; besides 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines, 3^rd Battalion, 4^th Marines, 8^th RRU, and HMM 161. Each day services were conducted at Regimental Chapel, at 1700, also Memorial Services at CAC villages.  A visit was also made to a Vietnamese Orphanage, in which soap was distributed. Regular visitation personnel amounted to approximately seventy-five for the month of June.  Extension of activities outside scope of 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines is necessary for support with other units, as well as our dependence upon them for use of their Protestant Chaplain.

This page last updated 24 August 2011