Personnel – December 1968

 

Personnel and Administration

  1. Personnel losses and gains.
  2. Losses                                        USMC                                               USN

                                              Off            Enl                                    Off       Enl

  1. Battle                                    0              4                                          0          0
  2. Non-battle                         0            31                                          0          0
  3. Administrative                 6          108                                         1           7
  4. Total                                     6           143                                         1           7
  5. Gains                                   13           108                                         1          8
  6. Awards.  During the reporting period 4 Bronze Stars, 1 Navy Comm, 33 Purple Hearts and 29 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry were presented.  The following awards were processed recommending approval:
  7. Silver Stat – 1
  8. Legion of Merit – 1
  9. Bronze Star – 8
  10. Navy Commendation – 10
  11. Navy Achievement – 37
  12. Purple Heart – 1
  13. VCG – 5
  14. Discipline.  The number of disciplinary cases acted upon or pending action are as follows:
  15. Courts-Martial/ Admin Discharges/ Investigations
  16. Article 32 – pending – 0
  17. Special Court – pending – 10
  18. Special Court – completed – 0
  19. Summary Court – pending – 2
  20. Summary Court – completed – 0
  21. Admin Discharge – 1
  22. Non-Judicial Punishments
  23. Battalion Commander – 7
  24. Company Commanders – 5
  25. Morale
  26. The Battalion utilized 24 quotas for in-country R&R.  Out-of-country R&R quotas for the month were:  Bangkok – 17, Hawaii – 20, Hong Kong – 15, K.L. – 4, Manila – 2, Penang – 3, Singapore – 2, Okinawa – 4, Sydney – 13, Taipei – 9, Tokyo – 6.
  27. During the month 41 Lance Corporals were promoted to Corporal, 98 Privates First Class were promoted to Lance Corporal, 2 Privates were promoted to Private First Class.  Two Sergeants were meritoriously Promoted to Staff Sergeant, six Corporals were Meritoriously promoted to Sergeant during the month of the reporting period.
  28. From 23 December to 26 December the Battalion was at Cua Viet rehabilitation center.  Set up at the Cua Viet river estuary, its mission is to provide three days R&R for Infantry Battalions on a rotational basis.  Initially new utility uniforms were issued with hot showers and meals following.  Nightly double feature movies were shown, while on Christmas Day the Battalion was presented two floor shows.  All personnel were able to swim or lie around thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Free beer and soft drinks were available at all times.  It was a welcome break for the personnel of this Battalion, especially so over Christmas.
  29. Religious Services.  Spiritual coverage was provided for the Battalion by the Battalion Chaplain during the month of December in the field at Vandegrift and at the rear area in Quang Tri.  Twenty-seven Protestant services were conducted for the Battalion by its Chaplain with a total attendance of 933 and 230 receiving communion.  Six protestant services were given by the Battalion Chaplain to other units with 163 attending.  Two Marines were given last rites and memorial services conducted by the Battalion Chaplain.  Five Catholic Masses were given by the chaplain (Chaplain Hubble) 4th Marines for a total attendance of 376.  The Battalion rear was covered by Chaplain at Quang Tri.  Chaplain Turner attended the 3rd Marine Division retreat on 3 December at Quang Tri.

This page was last corrected 31 August 2011