Personnel – April 1968

 

Personnel and Administration

  1. General.  During the reporting period, the administrative section was located at Dong Ha.  At the close of the reporting period each rifle company was averaging 16 men below manning level and 16 men in a non-effective status.  This Battalion is presently 5 Officers below M/L in the 0302 MOS and still has a critical shortage in the 0402 MOS
  2. Personnel Losses and Gains.

            Losses                          Off/Enl                            Off/Enl

            Battle                               1/6                                    0/2

            Non-Battle                    0/0                                   0/0

            Administrative             4/67                                 1/1

                Total                             5/73                                 1/3

                Gains                            3/64                                 1/2

  1. Awards
  2. The following awards were presented during the month:

                        Bronze Star            3

                        Purple Hearts       36

                        Gold Star inlien of 2nd Purple Heart Medal            2

                        Gold Star inlien of 2nd Bronze Star Medal             1

  1. The following type awards were processed recommending approval:

                        Silver Star Medal        1

                        Legion of Merit            1

                        Navy Achievement Medal            1

                        Purple Heart Medal                    23

  1. Discipline.   The number of disciplinary cases acted upon or pending action are as follows:

                        Court Martials

                                    Special Court Completed            6

                                    Special Court Pending                 0

                                    General Court Pending                2

                        Non-Judicial Punishment

                                    Battalion Commander                12

                                    Company Commander               18

  1. Morale.    Morale continued to be high.  Out-of-country R&R quotas utilize for the month were Hawaii-19, Bangkok-14, Hong Kong, Sidney-8, Tokyo-7, Okinawa-4, Kuala Lumbur-3, Singapore-3, Penang-2, —–3.  The China Beach R&R Center was reopened during the month of April and the Battalion utilized 24 quotas for same.  Hot meals were served whenever the tactical situation permitted.  The mail was delivered every day to all forward positions and a representative from the Division Post Office was available for the sale of postal money orders at the forward positions.  During the month 6 Lance Corporals were promoted to Corporal and 36 Privates First Class were promoted to Lance Corporal.  The service records for the Privates were corrected twice during the month for promotions to Private First Class.  One Corporal was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant by the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division.  One previously submitted to recommendation for a hardship discharge was returned approved.
  2. Savings Bonds.    This Battalion remained in second place within the Division on savings Bonds participation with a percentage of 93.8%
  3. Extension of Overseas Tour.    Four personnel voluntarily extended their overseas tour for a period of six months.
  4. Personnel Accounting.    The personnel accounting error percentage for the month of March was received during the month and indicated a new all-time LOW with an error percentage of only 0.1% for the Battalion.
  5. Religion.    Catholic Mass and Protestant Divine Services were provided for the Battalion at A-4 for the month of April 1968 by holding these services in alternate bunkers in the camp.  On 4 April, Chaplain Kevin Anderson from 3/4 conducted Protestant Divine Services for 1/4 at A-4, Yankee Station and C-2 Bridge.  Chaplain Robert Fenning, Third Marine Division Chaplain, conducted Easter Services for 1/4 at A-4, Yankee Station and C-2 Bridge.  Three men from the Battalion attended the celebration of the Jewish High Holidays held at China Beach R&R Center, DaNang from 3 April to 21 April.  Catholic Mass was provided for 3/4, 3/3, and 1/9 by the Battalion Chaplain while these Battalions occupied C-2, C-2 Bridge and A-3.  Memorial services were held at C-2 for members of 3/3 killed in action, and at A-4 for members of Delta Company of 1/4 killed in action
  6. Education.    During the month of April there were 159 General Education Development Test administered.

This page last corrected 30 August 2011