Description
Dec 26 1967 – Jan 2 1968;3rd Battalion 1st Marines search and destroy operation in the Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên Provinces.
People You Remember When Battalion Landing Team 3/1, built around the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, landed at Than Tham KhWhen Battalion Landing Team 3/1, built around the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, landed at Than Tham Khe during Operation Badgertooth they ran into a buzz-saw. At day's end on 27 Dec 1967, BLT 3/1 had lost 49 men, most of them from Lima Company: H&S Company: 3 men K Company: 6 men L Company: 26 men Capt Thomas S. Hubbell, Milford, MI 2ndLt George M. Broz, Stanwood, WA SSgt Donald J. Cruden, Bayonne, NJ Sgt Norman W. Clearwater, Catskill, NY Cpl Albert L. Horner, Kenton, OH LCpl Carl E. Abner, Campbell, CA LCpl Ronald P. Allen, Winona, MN LCpl Lawrence M. Barnes, Jersey City, NJ LCpl Kenneth L. Chappell, Richmond, VA LCpl Robert E. Hentschel, Rochester, NY LCpl Donald C. Hopewell, Lakeland, FL LCpl Mitchell Hughes, Louisville, KY LCpl Harvey L. Rembert, Enid, OK LCpl James E. Williams, Oklahoma City, OK Pfc Bruce C. Alfred, Moultrie, GA Pfc Garry L. Gabriel, Boise, ID Pfc Earl L. Lewis, Odessa, TX Pfc Vernon R. Lipinski, Baltimore, MD Pfc George E. Lonsdale, Hartford, CT Pfc Carlos F. Lozano, Detroit, MI Pfc Gary W. Martell, Olmsted Falls, OH Pfc Raymond B. Palma, Pacoima, CA Pfc Arphalia L. Richardson, Melbourne, FL Pfc Darnay Shubert, Philadelphia, PA Pfc Stephen Williams, Philadelphia, PA Pvt William J. Brown, Baltimore, MD M Company: 12 men A Company, 1st Engineers: 1 man B Company, 1st Recon Bn: 1 man The final known casualty from Than Tham Khe was Corporal David O. Kamp, Lima 3/1, rendered a quadraplegic by small arms fire. He died of his injuries 19 March 1997 and was added to the Wall on Memorial Day 2000.... More
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. The criteria were announced in a War Department circular dated February 22, 1932, and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Ribbon, or were authorized to wear Wound Chevrons subsequent to April 5, 1917 MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
AUTHORIZATION OF AND MARINE UNITS AWARDED THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM ARMED FORCES MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION OF THE GALLANTRY CROSS WITH PALM __________________________________________________________________
FROM: CMC
261139Z/47 (MAY 1970)
TO: ALMAR
UNCLAS //NO1650//
1. THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HAS APPROVED THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE SUBJECT AWARD FOR THE III AMPHIBIOUS FORCE TO INCLUDE ALL NAVY, MARINE CORPS AND COAST GUARD UNITS ATTACHED TO OR SERVING THEREWITH DURING THE PERIOD 8 MARCH 1965 THROUGH 20 SEPTEMBER 1969
2. THE BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL, NAVY DEPARTMENT WILL PROMULGATE THIS AWARD IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE LISTING ALL UNITS OF THE NAVY, MARINE CORPS AND COAST GUARD ENTITLED TO THE AWARD INCLUDING THEIR DATES OF PARTICIPATION
3. SECNAV ALSO APPROVED THE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AWARD FOR ARMY AND AIR FORCE UNITS ATTACHED TO AND SERVING WITH III MAF DURING THE PERIOD IN QUESTION. BY SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE SECNAV REQUESTED THE DEPTS. OF THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE TO PROMULGATE THE AWARD TO ARMY AND AIR FORCE UNITS ENTITLED THERETO
4. ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUAL UNIT AWARDS WERE ALSO PRESENTED IN THE FIELD TO THE BELOW-LISTED UNITS, TO PRECLUDE DUPLICATION OF AWARDS, SECNAV APPROVED ACCEPTANCE OF ONLY THE III MARINE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE AWARD. THESE AWARDS WILL BE RETAINED AT HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS WITH NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN
All Marine Corps members serving in Vietnam after 20 September 1969 are subject to paragraph "6" below
5. ALL MARINE CORPS UNITS UNDER THE OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE III MARINE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE DURING THIS PERIOD ARE ENTITLED TO THIS AWARD AND AS SUCH ARE CONSIDERED CITED UNITS WITHIN THEMSELVES AND ALL SUCH UNITS WHICH ARE AUTHORIZED FLAGS ARE ENTITLED TO FLY THE STREAMER OF THE GALLANTRY CROSS WITH PALM
6. the Gallantry Cross issued by the Secretary of the Army or the Military Assistance Command (MACV) during the period 8 February 1962 and 28 March 1973 and to the U.S. Army and its subordinate units including All Marine Corps members serving in Vietnam who after 20 September 1969 came under the Operational Control of the United states Army. This permits all personnel who served in Vietnam to wear the RVN Gallantry Cross unit citation.
7. ALL PERSONNEL OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED UNITES DURING THE PERIOD IN QUESTION WHO WERE PRESENT AND SERVING IN VIETNAM ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE GALLANTRY CROSS RIBBON BAR WITH PALM AND FRAME. COMMANDING OFFICERS WILL DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FROM ENTRIES IN SRB'S AND OQR'S, AUTHORIZED THE WEARING OF THE RIBBON AND ENTER SUCH AUTHORITY IN SRB'S OF ENLISTED MEN AND IN THE CASE OF OFFICERS, FORWARD A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZING LETTER TO CMC (CODE DGH) FOR FILE ON THEIR OFFICIAL RECORD. WHERE RECORDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO MAKE DETERMINATIONS FROM, APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS (CODE DL)
8. THE RIBBON BAR WILL NOT BE ISSUED BY THIS HQ, BUT MAY BE PURCHASED AT MARINE CORPS EXCHANGES AND MILITARY SHOPS
9. EXTENSIONS OF TOURS OR AN ADDITIONAL TOUR WITH ONE OR MORE UNITS ENTITLED TO THIS AWARD WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A BASIS FOR A SECOND AWARD OF THE SUBJECT CITATION; NOR IS A DEVICE AUTHORIZED FOR A FUTURE/ADDITIONAL AWARD OF THIS DECORATION
Criteria
The unit citation of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974.
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions,This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the forces of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam swung back toward Saigon to conduct another clearing operation, MANHATTAN. This took peace in the Long Nguyen base area just north of the previously cleared "Iron Triangle."
South Vietnamese Armed Forces became more active and capable under U.S. advisors. During the year the Vietnamese Special Forces assumed responsibility for several Special Forces camps and for the CIDG companies manning them. In each case all of the U.S. advisors withdrew, leaving the Vietnamese in full command.
With an increased delegation of responsibility to them, the South Vietnamese conducted major operations during 1967, and, in spite of VC attempts to avoid battle, achieved a number of contacts.
Despite the success of U.S. and South Vietnamese Army operations, there were indications in the fall of 1967 of another enemy build-up, particularly in areas close to Laos and Cambodia. In late October, the VC struck again at the Special Forces Camp at Loc Ninh. Fortunately Vietnamese reinforcements saved the camp. At the same time, approximately 12,000 VC troops converged on a Special Forces camp at Dak To. This camp was located in northern Kontum Province, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam meet. In response to this potential threat, the U.S. and South Vietnam committed a total of sixteen battalions to the region to counter a disturbing enemy resurgence at Kontum and Loc Ninh.... More
Description This campaign was from 1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967. United States operations after 1 July 1966 were a continuation of the earlier counteroffensive campaign. Recognizing the interdependence of politicalThis campaign was from 1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967. United States operations after 1 July 1966 were a continuation of the earlier counteroffensive campaign. Recognizing the interdependence of political, economic, sociological, and military factors, the Joint Chiefs of Staff declared that American military objectives should be to cause North Vietnam to cease its control and support of the insurgency in South Vietnam and Laos, to assist South Vietnam in defeating Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces in South Vietnam, and to assist South Vietnam in pacification extending governmental control over its territory.
North Vietnam continued to build its own forces inside South Vietnam. At first this was done by continued infiltration by sea and along the Ho Chi Minh trail and then, in early 1966, through the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). U.S. air elements received permission to conduct reconnaissance bombing raids, and tactical air strikes into North Vietnam just north of the DMZ, but ground forces were denied authority to conduct reconnaissance patrols in the northern portion of the DMZ and inside North Vietnam. Confined to South Vietnamese territory U.S. ground forces fought a war of attrition against the enemy, relying for a time on body counts as one standard indicator for measuring successful progress for winning the war.
During 1966 there were eighteen major operations, the most successful of these being Operation WHITE WING (MASHER). During this operation, the 1st Cavalry Division, Korean units, and ARVN forces cleared the northern half of Binh Dinh Province on the central coast. In the process they decimated a division, later designated the North Vietnamese 3d Division. The U.S. 3d Marine Division was moved into the area of the two northern provinces and in concert with South Vietnamese Army and other Marine Corps units, conducted Operation HASTINGS against enemy infiltrators across the DMZ.
The largest sweep of 1966 took place northwest of Saigon in Operation ATTLEBORO, involving 22,000 American and South Vietnamese troops pitted against the VC 9th Division and a NVA regiment. The Allies defeated the enemy and, in what became a frequent occurrence, forced him back to his havens in Cambodia or Laos.
By 31 December 1966, U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam numbered 385,300. Enemy forces also increased substantially, so that for the same period, total enemy strength was in excess of 282,000 in addition to an estimated 80,000 political cadres. By 30 June 1967, total U.S. forces in SVN had risen to 448,800, but enemy strength had increased as well.
On 8 January U.S. and South Vietnamese troops launched separate drives against two major VC strongholds in South Vietnam-in the so-called "Iron Triangle" about 25 miles northwest of Saigon. For years this area had been under development as a VC logistics base and headquarters to control enemy activity in and around Saigon. The Allies captured huge caches of rice and other foodstuffs, destroyed a mammoth system of tunnels, and seized documents of considerable intelligence value.
In February, the same U.S. forces that had cleared the "Iron Triangle", were committed with other units in the largest allied operation of the war to date, JUNCTION CITY. Over 22 U.S. and four ARVN battalions engaged the enemy, killing 2,728. After clearing this area, the Allies constructed three airfields; erected a bridge and fortified two camps in which CIDG garrisons remained as the other allied forces withdrew.
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. (World War II and Korea War service rate one ribbon for each period only) MoreHide