Personnel/Administration

1. Summary.  The Battalion spent all but two days this month in the field west of Cam Lo Participating in Operations Prairie.  Besides the rear administration at Phu Bai, there was also an administration set up at the Dong Ha Combat Base.
2. Significant Events.

6 September          The Battalion returned to Dong Ha from the field subsequent to a reconnaissance in force in the area west of Cam Lo.

8 September          The Battalion moved to the field from Dong Ha to conduct a reconnaissance in force in the area west of Cam Lo.

1. Problem Areas/New Developments
2. The continued shortage of Officers still exists with seventeen 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.  With the formation of the 106 Recoilless Rifle platoon there is a shortage in MOS 0351 with 64 needed to bring up to T/O.
3. On 27 September the rear administration at Phu Bai moved to the Dong Ha Combat Base.  The Battalion administration officers were moved into Ely huts at this time.
4. Personnel
5. Monthly strength (average chargeable)
6. USMC – Officers 28, Enlisted 842
7. USN – Officers 2, Enlisted 45
8. Losses

                                                  USMC             USN

                                                Off/Enl            Off/Enl

                        Battle                1/55                  0/3

                        Non-Battle    0/10                  0/0

                        Admin              1/115                 0/17

                        Total                 2/180                0/20

3. Joined                                       1/119                 0/9
4. Discipline: Courts-Martial, Non-Judicial Punishments
5. Discipline during the month of September was outstanding as evidenced by the following information:
6. Courts-Martial

Pending

(1)   Summary – none.

(2)   Special – one.

   Completed

(3)   Summary –none.

(4)   Special – none.

1. Non-Judicial Punishment

(1)   Battalion Commander – none.

(2)   Company Commanders – none

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

Morale is good.  The Battalion’s deployment in the field for Operation Prairie and the highly successful contacts with the enemy has helped the morale a great deal.  At Dong Ha Combat Base showers were available, hot ‘A’ ad ‘B’ rations were served, and the clubs maintained as supply of liquid refreshment. While in the field, sundry packs for the essential health and comfort items were distributed to all.  Due to operational commitments, R&R was not available for the month.  Postal services continue to be satisfactory.

1. Chaplain’s Activities

    Church services were held every Sunday at the Dong Ha Combat Base and also in the field.  Father Stephen Almasy conducted the services both here and in the field.

The schedule for the church services at Dong Ha Combat Base is as follows:

            Catholic                                                                     Protestant

     0630 – MCB 7 CP                                                  0630 – MCB 7 CP

     0900 – Air Force (Mess Hall)                         0900 – 1/4 CP

    1000 – 4^th Marines (Briefing Tent)               1000 – Air Force (mess hall)

    1400 – 1/4 CP                                                           1100 – 4^th Marines (briefing tent)

                                                                                           1400 – 3/12 CP

This page last corrects 20 August 2011