Personnel/Administration
A. Summary. During the period 280800H to 312400H March 1966 the Battalion was involved in several changes in status. Though the Command Post remained at Chu Lai, Companies A and B, plus Command Group A, were deployed near the Phu Bai enclave. Company C was chopped from the control of the Battalion and assigned under the Op Con of the 3rd Marines, on 31 March. Plans were made to displace Company B to Phu Bai to rejoin the Battalion’s forward elements already there; plans were also made to displace an Admin Center forward to the Phu Bai enclave, to assist in the administrative flow of work involved in maintaining these forward elements. The Personnel Section remained at Chu Lai during this period, and was involved in normal administration, casualty reporting, and preparation for future displacement.
B. Significant Events.
28 March – Ad Con of 1st Battalion 4th Marines shifted from 1st Marines to 4th Marines.
29 March – OpCon 1st Battalion 4th Marines shifted from 1st Marines 3rd Marine Division to 1st Marines 1st Marine Division.
MajGen Fields, assumed command of 1st Marine Division at Chu Lai, in a formal ceremony.
31 March – Company C displaced to Da Nang by fixed-wing aircraft. OpCon shifted to 3rd Marines.
C. Problems Areas/New Development. Covered in Command Chronology submitted for month of March 1966.
D. Personnel Matters. Facts and figures stated in Command Chronology submitted for month of March 1966.
E. Discipline, Courts-Martial, Non-Judicial Punishment. Facts and figures stated in Command Chronology submitted for month of March 1966.
F. Morale, PX, Postal Affairs, Liberty, R&R. Morale was good only because of the battalions’ increased ability to have contact with the enemy. PX services were not available, due to the displacement of 4th Marines CP immediately prior to this period. Postal services were inadequate because of the displacement involved and the non-availability of transportation means to affect a more rapid delivery. Liberty remained unauthorized for the Battalion. R&R quotas were cancelled for the command, due to the changing situation.
G. Chaplain’s Activities. The chaplain continued his practice of counseling and providing religious services to the men of the Battalion. Facts and figures are stated in the Command Chronology submitted for the month of March 1966.
This page last corrected 24 August 2011