DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION REP-ORT

Transcription

1 - DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION REP-ORT CAMP HASKINS NORTH, DA.NANG REPUBLIC OF.VIETNAM AUGUST 968-MARCH 969

2 DEPLOYM~NT COMPLETION REPORT

3 U.S. NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION TWENTY-TWO FLEET POST OFFICE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 0950 MCB/S3/dk 53. Ser: 4.36 April 969 From: To: Connnanding Officer, U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWENrY-T\vo Connnander, Naval Construction Battalions, U.s. Pacific Fleet Subj:. NM::B TWENI'Y-TWO Deployment Completion. Report Ref: (a) COM:BPACimT 53.. le Ch : Encl: () Deployment Completion Report. Enclosure () summarizing the August 968 to March 969 deployment of NM:B TWENI'Y-TWO to.the Republic of Vietnam is submitted in accordance with reference {a). ROY L DUNLAP Copy to: CINCPACFLT COMSERVPAC CO:r BLANI' CG FMF PAC nm OF NAVAL HISTORY l CG III MA.F NA VFACENGCOM (CODE 06). l NAVFACENGCOM (CODE 063) COMNA VFORV COMSERVIANI' COM3NCB COM3NCB REP SAIGON COM0NCR COMNCR COM30NCR COM3NCR COM3~R CBCEN PORHUE (CODE 7) CBCEN PORHUE (CODE 5) CO, CBCEN PORHUE. CO, CBCEN DVILLE CO, NA VSCOLOCONST CO, NAVSCOLCECOFF ALL mvcffi CO, CBCEN GULFPORT. CO, NCEL PORHUE SEABEE HISTORIAN FILE 0

4 NMCB TWENTY-TWO DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION REPORT DAN ANG, REP UBLIC OF VIETNAM AUGUST 968-March 969 Ref: (a) COMCBPAC OPORD EMPLOYMENT STATUS. From mid-august 968 to early March 969, U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Batt<!lion TWEN'.fY-TWO was deployed to Camp Haskins North, DaNang, Republic of Vietnam as directed by reference (a). During this deployment the battalion in addition to its base camp had details employed.at the following locations: a. Nam Hoa Quar ry/cr usher : From 5 August 968 to 3 November 968, when the quarry was officially closed, one officer and an average of 67 enlisted men were detailed to the quarry/crusher operation at Nam Hoa, RVN. b. Hoi An: On 9 August 968, a 3-man detail departed for Hoi An, RVN. The size of the detail fluctuated from a high of one officer and 9 enlisted men to 8 men when it returned to Camp Haskins North on 3 January 969 except for a short period when the military situation dictated that the men be brought back to tbe base camp. While employed at Hoi An, this detail worked on the following projects: () Hoi An Hospital Rehab () Provinci.al Maintenance Center (3) School for the Blind (4) ROK nd Marine Brigade- Security Towers (5) ROK nd Marine Brigade- A/C Units (6) ROK nd Marine Brigade- Well Repair c. Camp Evans: From 0 August 968 to 5 October 968, a detail consisting of 0 equipment operators was employed at Camp Evans to augment NMCB-4's Alpha Company. d. Vinh Dai Crusher: From 5 October 968 to 3 March 969, the battalion had a detail employed at the crusher s ite. The original detail consisted of one officer and 6 enlisted men which was sent to Vinh Dai to build bunkers and establish secu 'rity. Since that time the detail was increased to two officers and 75 enlisted men tasked \Vith operating two 00-ton crushers, a quarry at Song Cam Lo River, and hauling W' CBR to Quang Tri for the LOC program in Northern I Corps.. UNIT MOVEMENTS. The following major battalion movements were accomplished: a. RVN Advance P arty-st Echelon: On 5 July 968, five officers and 76 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN via aircraft. b. RVN Advance Party-nd Echelon : On 8 July 968, four officers and 48 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN via aircraft. c. RVN Main Body Deployment: From to 5 August 968, the NMCB- Main Body consisting of fifteen officers and 443 enlisted men deployed from Gulfport, Mississippi to DaNang, RVN via aircraft. d. Delay Party Deployments to RVN: () On 9 August 968, 3 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN. () During the period of 9-30 September 968, 49 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN. (3) On 9 and 0 October 968, 0 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississipp.i for DaNang, RVN. (4) On 9 October 968, 5 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN. (5) During the period of 3-8 November 968, 3 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN. (6) During 6 to 0 December 968, 0 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN. e. CONUS Main Body Movement: From 5 March to March 969, the main body of NMCB-, cons is ting of 0 officers and 644 enlisted men deployed back to Gulfport, Mississippi from DaNa~g. RVN via aircraft. 3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS. 3 August 968-Commander Roy "L" DUNLAP, CEC, USNR, Commanding Officer of NMCB- officially assumed command of Camp Haskins North, DaNang, from Commander C. J. MATTHEWS, CEC, USN, Commanding Officer of NMCB-58. Dignitaries attending were Rear Admiral J. V. BARTLETT, CEC, USN, Commander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, Captain J. R. FISHER, CEC, USN, Commander THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment, Captain J. W. HILL, CEC, USN, recent Commander THIRTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment, and Capatain A. W. WALTON, Jr., CEC, USN, Commander THIRTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment. 5 August 968- A team consisting of CDR W. L. WILSON, CEC, USN, LCDR G. GILMORE, CEC, USN, and LT J. L. HENLEY, CEC, USN from COMCBPAC visited the battalion at Camp Haskins North, DaNang. A command presentation was given covering the mobilization of the battalion, problems associated with mount-out to RVN and summary work projects assigned to NMCB- while in RVN. 5 September 968- The Red Beach Area of which Camp Haskins North is a part was hit by a Tropical Storm Bess with winds of 35 knots and gusts up to 60 knots. Only minor damage occurred within the camp. 0 September 968- Rear Admiral A. C. HUSBAND, CEC, USN, Commander Naval Facilities Engineering Command and Captain J. R. FISHER, CEC, USN, Commander THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment visited NMCB-'s job sites. October 968-Captain C. G. MILLER, CEC, USN, Chief Staff Officer, COMCBPAC, Commander B. J. HACKENSON, CEC, USN, Logistics Officer, COMCBPAC and LCDR V. YOUNG, CEC, USN, Equipment Officer from the THIRTY FIRST Naval Construction Regiment, conducted a Management Inspection visit to review the battalion's performance and operations. 0 October 968- Honorablc Paul R. IGNATIUS, Secretary of the Navy, Lieutenant General R. E. CUSHMAN, Jr., Commander THlRD Marine Amphibious Force, Rear Admiral J. V. BARTLE'IT, CEC, USN, Commander.THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, Rear Admiral W. HARNISH, Director, Office of Program Appraisal, Washington D. C. and Captain J. R. FISH ER, CEC, USN, Commander THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment visited NMCB- at Camp Haskins North, RVN. While at the camp, the party observed a U.S. Army Skycrane

5 Helicopter lift a 50-foot tower constructed for ROK Marines at Hoi An. The Skycrane Helicopter was from the 478th Aviation Company under the command o{ Major D. B. SUL LTV AN, who was also present. 3 October 968- BUCN R. F. COUTU, while working in the st Marines, nd Company area, south of DaNang, RVN, was injured when his shovel set off a boobytrap. Fortunately, the s hovel deflected part of the blast a nd COUTU received only lacerations of the face and neck. He was taken to NSA Hospital, and on 9 October 968 returned to work. 8 October 968-BUCN D. J. NOBLE passed away due to asphyxiation from aspiration. A memorial mass was said by the Roman Catholic Chaplain in NMCB-'s Chapel. October 968- All MPC was converted to the new MPC series. - November 968-Commander W. L. WILSON, CEC, USN, LT 'J. L. HENLEY, CEC, USN, and CUCM W. E. VARNER, USN, of COMCBP AC.conducted a Management Inspection Visit of NMCB- Administration and Operations Departments. The inspection team gave the battalion an adjective grade of Excellent. November 968-The Officers of NMCB- gave a farewell party for LCDR A. H. CARPENTER, CEC, USNR, Executive Officer of NMCB- and the officers of the U. S. Army 5th Transportation Corps. Attending were Rear Admiral J. V. BARTLETT, CEC, USN, Commander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, Captain J. R. FISHER, CEC, USN, Commander THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel A. SCHLIM, U.S. Army, Commanding Officer 59th Aviation Battalion. 4 November 968- Commander Max H. POST, CEC, USNR, became Executive Officer of NMCB- and LT Glenn C. HOUSE, CEC, USNR, assumed the duties as Operations Officer of the battalion. 6November968- The Purple Heart Medal was presented to BUCN R. F. COUTU by Rear Admiral J. B. OSBORN, CEC, USN, for wounds received in support of the armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam on 3 October November 968-The completion of the remodeling and reroofing of the NMCB- EM Club was celebrated with a Grand Opening Ceremony. Attending were Rear Admiral J. V. BAR TLETT, CEC, USN, Commander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, Captain J. R. FISHER, CEC, USN, Commander THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment and Battalion Commanders from NMCB-, NMCB-3, and NMCB-. 9 November 968-Rear Admiral W. M. HEAMAN, CEC, USN, Commander Naval Construction Battalions, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Rear Admiral J. V. BARTLETT, CEC, USN, THIRD Naval Construction ijrigade, Captain H.P. CURREN, CEC, USN, fro Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington D. C. and Captain J. R. FISHER, CEC, USN, Commander THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment attended a luncheon with officers of NMCB- and then toured major job sites including FLC, III MAF Transient Facility and TRI-ATCO Area at DaNang Air Base.. Decembe~ 968- NMCB- celebrated mid-deployment with a holid.ay routine. Approximately thirty-five (35) Vietnamese orphans were guests'' at the noon meal. There was a parade of floats representing each Company and Department. Guests for the parade included approximately ninety (90J Vietnamese civilians from Hoa Phu and Chon Tam Hamlets. 5 December 968-The quarry at the Song Cam Lo river (part of the Vinh Dai crusher operation) came. u_n9er a mortar and small arms attack. Wounded in the attack was E0 J. A. SAVAGE Jr. and CNF. L. DRESSEL Jr. December 968-Commander Roy "L" DUNLAP, CEC, USNR, Commanding Officer NMCB- presented the Purple Heart to E0 J. A. SAVAGE Jr. and CNF. W. DRESSELJr., for wounds received in support of the Armed Forces 9f the Republic of Vietnam on 5 December January 969- NMCB- placed cubic yards of concrete. All concrete bei.ng produced by NMCB- batch plant. This was an increase of 43 cubic yards over the previous record. 4 January 969-The men at Vinh Dai.Crusher established a new record for a twelve-hour period by producing,89 tons of crushed rock. 7 January 969-Captain D. G.!SELIN, CEC, USN, Commander Mobile Construction Battalions, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, visited NMCB-. His schedule included a briefing, luncheon and visit to NMCB-'s construction projects. February 969~ 0ffic i al confirmation was received on the promotions of 5 Lieutenants to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. They were LCDR. G. C. HOUSE, CEC, USNR, LCDR R. G. MADDOX, CEC, USNR, LCDR W. J. SCHELL, CEC,, USNR, LCDR G. F. SEARS, CEC, USNR, and LCDR G. SMITH, CEC, USNR. 0 February 969-Commander D. E. BECHER, MSC, USN, Staff Medical service Officer, COMSERPAC and Commander C.H. SWIFT, CHC, USN, Staff.Chaplain COMCBPAC conducted a Management Inspection visit of NMCB- Medical and Chaplain Departments, respectively. 3 February 969- The st echelon of NMCB-53 Advance Par-' ty consist ing of five officers and 78 enlisted men arrived at Camp Haskins North. 0 February 969-The nd echelon of NMCB-53 Ad vance Party consisting of four officers and 34 enljsted men arrived at Camp Haskins North. 5 March 969- Commander Roy "L" DUNI,AP, CEC,.USNR, Commanding Officer o( NMCB- officially turned over command of Camp Haskins North, DaNang to Commander R. K. MILLER, CEC, USN, Commanding Officer of NMCB MAJOR PROBLEMS. a. Shortage of personnel: While the battalion had.an as. signed strength of 74 enlisted personnel when it deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, only 563 of the enlisted men were deployable. Of these 6 men who were unable to depfoy with the battalion, 39 men finally did deploy to Vietnam with, the

6 last group arriving on December 968. It should be further noted that 8 of the men were productive labor type personnel. b. Shortage of material: During the early part of the deployment there was a critical shortage of some building materials due to the higher construction priorities held by the projects in the northern part of l Corps. This created some morale problems since the men felt unduly handicapped in completing their construction tasks. It is felt the material problems had a greater effect on a Reserve Battalion like ours since most of the senior petty officers had just left civilian life where material was readily available. 5. FACTORS OF SUCCESS a. Immediately after arroival at Gulfport there was an atmosphere of enthusiasm and activity in making ready for our forth coming deployment. This put morale at an all time high because the men, not knowing exactly when, knew the Navy had called them to fill a need as was shown when within 60 days of being recalled the battalion's Advance Party was delpoying to Vietnam, to be followed by the Main Body in :30 days. b. Further, it is felt that the battalion's success in Vietnam lies in t.hs four factors listed below: ( ) Proper utilization of personnel. () Requiring the squad leaders to be responsible for the men in their squad. In other words, they are the boss as far as the men are concerned. (:3) A continual program to keep all of the men informed. (4) An outstanding performance of our first class petty officers and CN's. 3

7 e. The men had one of t he finest EM Clubs in Vietnam. The Acey Duce~ Club \\"a5 one end of the building and the EM Clu b \\'a,<; at the other end. Both clubs we re under the same roof, hut separated b~- a moveable wall across a center s tage. The complete cl uh \\ as remodeled and a center s tage was bui lt in s uch a " a.v that e\ eryo ne in t he club had a good view of the ho\l's. There a, eraged ;J l SO s hows a month. The dub was abo used for Bingo games every Monday night \\'i th cash and hard-toget items such as watches, cameras and radios as prizes. f. Thl'rC \\'as a beautiful s" imm ing area in f'ront of the EM 'lub. Special Services furnished thl' lifeguards during the open hours. g. Special Services provid ed musirnl im truments a nd unifo rm ~ for the Battali on's Dance Band. ln addition it furnis hed the fund:; to huy each man in the hattnlion a Cruise Book, Vietna mese Campaign Medal and a Battali on Wall Plaque.. PROMOTIONS I. Promoted to: 0-.) 0-4 fj 0- I. Athanccd to: E-8 IJ E-7 E-6.) " E-5 5 E-' E AWARDS & UNIT RECOGNITION. a. AW ARDS PRESENTED: CDR. Roy "L" DUNLAP Legion of Merit RECOMMENDED: Navy Co mmendation Medal Navy Achievement M eda l ~ \ ietnamese ervice A ward BUC>I Rona ld F. COUTU Purple Heart CN Frederick W. DRESSEL.. Jr. Purple Heart E0 James A. SA \I ACK Jr. Purple Heart MACV Certificate~ of Ac hievement CO's Letters of Commendation B-7