Personnel – October 1966

 

Personnel/Administration

  1. Summary.

             The Battalion spent the entire month in Dong Ha.

  1. Significant Events.

            Company administration Rear moved to Dong Ha on 3 Oct 1966.

Company C was transferred to Subunit #4, Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division effective 14 Oct 1966.

  1. Problem Areas/New Developments.
  2. The continued shortage of Officers still exists with twelve required to bring the Battalion up to T/O.  There is an Enlisted shortage in the 01 field with ten needed to bring the Battalion up to T/O.  There is a shortage of Enlisted in the MOS 0369 with twenty needed to bring the Battalion up to T/O.  There is an Enlisted shortage in MOS 0351 with 53 needed to bring the Battalion up to T/O.
  3. The Battalion administration offices were in Ely huts the entire month.
  4. Personnel.
  5. Monthly Strength (average chargeable)

                                            USMC            USN

                                           Off/Enl      Off/Enl

                                             30/924      2/56

  1.             Battle                     0/10            0/0

            Non-Battle          0/23          0/3

            Admin                    4/314        0/0

            Total                       4/347        0/3

  1.             Joined                     11/550       0/3
  2.         Personnel Weekly Summary
  3. Monthly Personnel Report
  4. Discipline.  Courts Martial, Non-Judicial Punishments
  5. Discipline during the month of October was fair as evidenced by the following information:
  6. Courts-Martial

(1)         Awarded

             (a)               Summary – none

             (b)               Special – 3

(2)         Completed

             (a)               Summary – none

             (b)               Special – 2

  1. Non-Judicial Punishment

             (1)         Battalion Commander – none

             (2)         Company Commander – none

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

Morale is excellent.  The Battalion remained at the Dong Ha Combat Base for the entire month.  At Dong Ha, showers were available, hot ‘A’ and ‘B’ rations were served, and the clubs maintained a supply of liquid refreshment. PX facilities were available to all hands.  Liberty was not authorized during the month due to the tactical situation.  R&R was not utilized during the month due to pending rotation of the Battalion to Okinawa.  Postal facilities continue to be satisfactory with some delays due to flight cancellations during periods of heavy rains.

  1. Chaplain’s Activities.

The Chaplain, Lt. Stephen E. Almasy, conducted a total of 28 Masses in the month of October. The locations, dependent on where the troops were, ranged from Dong Ha to Cam Lo. On 4 Oct 1966, the Chaplain went to the US Repose visiting all 1/4 patients aboard.  Two Memorial Services were held, one for Company D, 1/4 and another for 3/4.  Civic action was continued with the Vietnamese Church in Dong Ha with donations of soap and clothing. The Chaplain assisted the doctor in caring for two critical cases affecting the staff of the school.  Instructions and counseling continued throughout the month with personnel of 1/4 and any others who were seeking assistance.