Personnel/Administration

1. Summary. The Battalion spent the first half of the month operating from the Phu Bai Enclave in defense of the Vital Area.  On 13 August the Battalion held a county Fair Operation in Gia Lo, North of the Vital Area.  On the 16^th of August, the Battalion moved up to Dong Ha for Operation Prairie, leaving an administrative rear in the Phu Bai Combat Base.
2. Significant Events.

13 August      The Battalion conducted a County Fair Operation North of the Phu Bai Combat Base in the village of Gia Lo.

16 August      The Battalion moved to Dong Ha, to participate in Operation Prairie with 2^nd Battalion 4^th Marines.

16 August      Operational Control of Company C was relinquished to 2^nd Battalion 9^th Marines who relieved 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines of the responsibility of the defense of the Vital Area.

23 August       In conjunction with Operation Prairie the Battalion Command Group with Company A (rein) conducted a combined Tank/infantry reconnaissance in force of the area north of Dong Ha to Con Thien.

30 August       The Battalion moved to the field to conduct a reconnaissance in force in the area west of Cam Lo.

1. Problem Areas/New Developments.
2. The continued shortage of Officers still exists.  The problem is not as critical as it has been in the past; however, sixteen are yet needed to bring us up to T/O.
3. After the Battalion left for Operation Prairie, the Administrative Rear moved into tropical huts in the proposed Battalion area in the Phu Bai Enclave.
4. Personnel.
5. Monthly strength (average chargeable)
6. USMC – Officers 30, Enlisted 909
7.  USN – Officers 2, Enlisted 51
8. Losses USMC            USN

                                    Off/Enl            Off/Enl

            Battle               1/34                0/1

            Non-battle    0/10                0/0

            Admin              4/71                2/0

            Total                 1/115              2/1

3. Joined 1/81               1/13
4. Personnel Weekly Summary.
5.   Monthly Personnel Report
6.   Directives
7. Discipline: Courts-Marital, Non-Judicial Punishments
8. Discipline was outstanding throughout the period, as evidenced by the following information:
9. Courts-Martial

(1)         Pending:

(a)               Summary             none

(b)               Special                  none

(2)         Completed:

(a)               Summary             none

(b)               Special                  none

1. Non-Judicial Punishment

(1)         Battalion Commander            2

(2)         Company Commander           2

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

Morale is excellent.  The Battalion’s deployment in the field for Operation Prairie, and the highly successful contacts with the enemy have helped to keep the morale at its present high state. The first part of the month was spent in the relative comfort of the Phu Bai Combat Base; hot A and B rations were served, showers were available three times daily, the clubs maintained a good supply of liquid refreshment, and movies were available to all hands.  While in the vicinity of the Dong Ha Combat Base, the same facilities were available to all while in both the Phu Bai and Dong Ha Combat Bases. While in the field, ample sundry items were distributed to all.  R&R quotas were again high this month and were available to the Battalion up to the 27^th when, because of field operations, they were cancelled.

1. Chaplains Activities.

With the arrival of 1^st Battalion 4^th Marines at the Dong Ha area, the activities of Chaplain Stephen Almasy were oriented to the needs of the area.  Although the Battalion left the area, it was the wish of the Command that the Chaplain remain back for duty with the BAS.  During this time services were provided for the surrounding area’s troops; usually the schedule for Sunday ran as follows:

                                                0900 – Air Force

                                                1000 – 4th Marine Cantonment

                                                1100 – MAG 16

                                                1400 – Cam Lo Area

This page last updated 19 August 2011