Personnel/Administration

Section II

A. Summary. The Battalion spent the entire month within the Chu Lai enclave, did not displace the Command Post, and conducted no major operations which involved the entire battalion. The Personnel Section was involved in administrative duties, casualty reporting, and handling the Viet Cong suspects.

Significant Events.
3rd Mar DivBul 1300 dated 12 November 1965 directed the reassignment of Rifle Companies and elements of H&S Company from this battalion, on 19 November and 10 December 1965. The first of these reassignments occurred as directed, and necessary preparations are being made for the second. The transfer was accomplished by issuance of individual orders to each officer and man (total transferred: 239); this necessitated fitness reports on all officers and NCO’s, transfer marks, and long unit diary entries, on all hands. DivBul 1300 of 12Nov65 precluded redesignation of units which would have greatly simplified the reassignment. Lessons learned include making closer liaison with other organizations involved and minimizing paperwork by redesignating units rather than by transferring individuals. Recommendation that the above lessons be implemented is strongly urged.
One temporary appointment to Major was received during the period. In addition, 12 promotions to Lance Corporal, and nine to Corporal, were affected during the month. Minimum composite scores (cutting scores) for promotion to Sergeant were received; such promotions will be effective 1 December. 20 Corporals will be promoted.
The 190th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps was celebrated by all hands, in a most fitting and appropriate manner. The reading of General John A. LeJeune’s message followed by cake cutting ceremonies were held at all Company Command Posts as well as the Battalion CP. Afterwards, free beer, cigars and cigarettes and a steak dinner for all hands.
Problem Areas/New Developments.
Shortages of necessary supplies continue to preclude implementation of the address-o-graph system into this organization’s Personnel Administration. Also, persons trained in administration and particularly in the address-o-graph system are decreasing in number, due to rotation, or reassignment. Such persons are not being replaced by equally trained men. Non-availability of admin supplies continues to be a problem.
A major problem area is the continued non-availability of equipment repair. All sections are operating on one typewriter per section: these are not in perfect condition. All machines are worn, lack necessary repair parts, and cannot be properly maintained.
All units continue to be widely dispersed, and almost completely reliant on wire lines or radio for communication. There have been instances during the period when communication with island units has been virtually non-existent and points up a possible problem area of greatest concern. Routine communications are often hard to attain and hampers proper and timely administration procedures.
Shortages in personnel remain critical; the majority of the replacements received are NCO’s. Current shortages are in the Private – Private First-Class categories. While persons rotating is mostly NCOs, and they are replaced by incoming NCOs, the shortages in the lower ranks remain.
A new development of interest is the in-country R&R system, to Saigon; such R&R is for a period of four days. Together with the current out-of-country R&R systems, which now include MACV quotas to Taipei, Taiwan, the R&R available includes trips to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taipei, Saigon, and Okinawa.
Personnel
Monthly Strength (average)
Officers USMC 35 Enlisted 975

USN 3 57

Casualties
Battle 2

Non-battle 3

Rotation during month
1 USMC officer 34 USMC enlisted

Replacements
2 USMC Officers

79 USMC Enlisted

3 USN Enlisted

Personnel Daily Summaries
Periodic Personnel Reports
Discipline, Courts-Martial, Non-Judicial Punishment.
Good discipline is maintained within the command, with a minimum of judicial proceedings, and non-judicial punishments. This is evidenced by the following statistics for the period:
a. Courts-Martial

Pending – Summary – 0 Special – 0

Completed – Summary – 3 Special – 4

b. Non-Judicial Punishment

Battalion Commander – 7

Company Commander – 11

Morale, PX, Postal Affairs, Liberty, R&R.
The morale of this organization must be rated as high; this level has been maintained throughout the entire period. Many things have influenced the morale; of benefit were:
a. Small unit contacts with the Viet Cong.

b. Increase in strong-back tents.

c. Construction and dedication of the Battalion Recreation Hall, Chapel, enlisted and Staff NCO Clubs.

d. Celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday, and Thanksgiving.

e. Availability of beer and soda during most of the period.

f. Availability of ‘A’ rations.

g. Receipt of 2,000 Christmas cards from individuals back in the United States.

h. Increase in R&R quotas. Adverse factors include:

i. Wet weather during the latter part of the month.

j. Damage to tentage in billeting areas due to high winds.

k. Lack of large-scale operations against the VC, as well as deep patrolling into possible VC areas.

PX facilities are adequate. Shortage in many necessities exist (e.g., razor blades, laundry soap, shoelaces), yet such luxuries as portable TV sets, tape recorders, and pearl jewelry are often available.
Mail is delivered by government aircraft; during adverse weather such delivery is impossible, and mail is delayed. Letter mail during the latter part of the month was slow, probably for this reason only. Parcels increase every day, with the Christmas season upcoming; this requires more space and hence a longer period of time for delivery. Postal facilities have been very adequate, considering the above. Money orders are available through a mobile postal unit, following each payday.
Liberty is not authorized to this battalion in Viet Nam. R&R quotas increased over the previous month, with the introduction of ‘in-country’ R&R to Saigon. Quotas received for December show even greater increases and are fully appreciated; such quotas include R&R to Taipei, Taiwan.
Chaplain’s activities and totals.
Sunday Divine Services – Protestant
a. number of services 10

b. total attendance 297

c. average attendance 29.7

Weekday Divine Services – Protestant
a. number of services 10

b. total attendance 483

c. average attendance 48.3

Field Visitation
a. total number 780

Professional Counseling
a. number of cases 36

b. units involved 8

Administration of Sacraments
a. Holy communion 411

Narrative Description of Chaplain’s Activities
a. Religious Coverage. Religious coverage for 1/4 Chaplain is changing. 2/4 is to shortly be assigned another Protestant Chaplain, and Regiment will join a Catholic Chaplain. This will mean 2/4 coverage by the 1/4 Chaplain for Protestant Services will discontinued.

Significant Events
a. Among significant events in the month of November were the dedication of the 1/4 Memorial Chapel. The Chapel is unique in that it is of native materials and was constructed by funds donated by the Battalion in memory of their fallen friends.

b. The Chaplain was pleased to participate in the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday. Each Company CP enjoyed an impressive and traditional ceremony in which the Chaplain said the Invocation.

c. Of unusual interest this month, several Roman Catholic Vietnamese requested that they be allowed to attend Mass at our new Chapel. This they did on two Sundays. The following week, Chaplain Jerry Taylor (RC) said Mass in Xuan Trung Hamlet. Attendance average: 12. This will be continued on a twice a month basis.