1st Tank Battalion FMF, 1st MarDiv, February 1969

     "During the month of February, elements of the lst Tank Battalion continued to support the infantry regiments of the lst Marine Division and the 2nd Brigade, Republic of Korea Marine Corps throughout the Southern I Corps by providing road sweep and convoy security, counter rocket and mortar fire, perimeter defense and providing valuable fire support for search and clear and search and destroy operations.

Official Marine Corps Photo

     With the commencement of the enemy TET offensive, in the early morning hours of 23, February 1969, the tanks and Ontos of the lst Tank Battalion proved their combat readiness to aid in the thwarting of any enemy threat wherever it might appear.
     On numerous occasions tanks and Ontos provided that margin of fire superiority which in turn destroyed the enemy's hopes of sustaining a major offensive drive. Company A (-) (Rein) remained in support of the 26th Marines with the company command post co-located with that of the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines CP. During the month, Company A's tank assets were called upon to bolster the armor support for the 3rd Battalion, lst Marinas and the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. For many of these tank crewmen this was their first major confrontation with the enemy since the battle for Hue City in 1965. The manner in which they performed during the enemy offensive in the latter part of February was in keeping with the highest traditions of the 1st Tank Battalion.
     While the majority of Company A's tank assets were involved in providing support to other units within the lst Marine Division Area of Responsibility, the tanks and Ontos of BLT 1/26 (OPCON to Company A, 1st Tank Battalion as of 28l900H Jan 1969) assumed the responsibility of providing security for Nam O Bridge, counter-rocket and mortar fire from Hill 190, and perimeter defense for! the lst Battalion, 26th Marines Command Post.

     Company B (Rein) continued to provide direct support for the 5th Marines and 7th Marines with two platoons in support of the 5th Marines and two platoons in support of the 7th Marines. Within the An Hoa Basin, and the 5th Marines Area of Responsibility,, the 2nd and 4th Platoons continued to provide perimeter defense for both the Regimental CP at An Hoa and the lst Battalion, 5th Marines CP at Phu Loc (6). For the most part, tanks continued to play the major role in assuring that the daily convoys to and from An Hoa were secure from the threat of enemy ambush. Besides road sweep and convey security, tanks provided valuable fire support for combined tank-infantry operations on the Goi Noi Island as well as the Chau Songs. Throughout the month the lst Platoon of Company B remained one of the most active platoons within the 1st Tank Battalion. Providing tank support to the lst Battalion, 7th Marines and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines on Operation Linn River, lst Platoon tanks distinguished themselves on numerous occasions.

     In the same vicinity as Operation Linn River, the lst Platoon supported Companies A and D of the lst Battalion, 7th Marines on an unnamed search and destroy operation. This operation was credited with disrupting the planned attack of two NVA battalions on the Cam Le and Cau Do Bridges. During this action from 18-20 February tanks encountered numerous RPGs but in the final analysis provided the mobility, fire power and shock effect which halted the enemy's infiltration north. The 3rd Platoon of Company B, supported by a light tank section from Company A, continued to support the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines from Hills 10 and 41."