5th marine regiment - 1st battalion - command …secoijd eiidcrselhnt on co lstbn 5thmar ltr ser...

5TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - COMMAND DIARY - JUNE1953

Korean War

Korean War Project Record: USMC-2132

CD: 21

United States Marine Corps History Division

Quantico, Virginia

Records: United States Marine Corps

Unit Name: 1st Marine Division

Records Group: RG 127

Depository: National Archives and Records Administration

Location: College Park, Maryland

Editor: Hal Barker

Korean War Project

P.O. Box 180190

Dallas, TX 75218-0190

http://www.koreanwar.org

http://www.koreanwar.org/

Korean War Project USMC-07802208DECLASSIFIED

• 500621!1!1£ !Iii OlltsUetJ

• 1/fpm A9 Ser: 00339 10 Jul 1953

FIRST ENDORSEMENT on CO 1stBn 5thMar 1tr ser 1233 dtd 4 Ju1 1953

From: To: Via:

Subj:

Commandin~ Officer, 5th Marines Cornnundant of the Marine Corps (l) Corrunar.dj.ng General, 1st Marine Divisi.on, FMF (2) Co~nding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

Command Diary for June 1953

l, Forwarded.

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001839 Ser:

,JUL l S ;~~3 snenlili'

SECOiJD EIIDCRSElHNT on CO lstBn 5thMar ltr ser 1233 of 4 July 1953

From: To: Via:

Commanding General, let Marine Division, FMF Commandant of the l~arine Corps Conrnanding General, Fleet Harine Force, Pacific

SubJ: Comme.nd Diary for June 19 53

2. '.L'he sec uri tv cla.Asificc<!.tion of thi"' endorAsment is recnoved ~~hen detached -from the b~sic dpcument: ·--- --

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Cooy to: CMC ( 1) HCS ( .3) FMF Pac (1)

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0805/165 Al2 Ser a 0 6 5 0 -- 5 3

JUL 2 5 '195:1

THIRD E:NDORSEMENT on CO lstBn 5thMar ltr ser 1233 of 4 <tul 1953

From: Coturnanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific To: Commandant of the Marine Corns

Subj: Command Diary for June 1953

1. For'l>rard ed.

2. This endorsement is do~>rngraded to unclassified upon detachrncmt from the basic document.

Copy to: CG lstMar·Div

fBWNtRAilED H 3 rm INIERVAU• ---- I

llf~USSIF;ED 111E~ 12 rtAIIS DO~ DIJ 5~31.10

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Z79...l~CL~ EDWARD A, WILCOX Ey direction

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COMMAND. DIIIRY

For

JUNE 1953

1st Battalion, 5th Marinos

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Headquarters ~

ORIGINAl a •lst

lst Marine c/o n•o,

Battalion, 5th Marines ..W Division, Fleet Marine Force San Francisco, California

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From: To: Via:

Subj!

Ret':

Commanding Officer Commandant of the Marine Corps (1) Commanding Officer, 5th Marine5 (2) Commanding General, lst Marine Division, FMF (3) Co.mma..nding General, Fleet Marina Force, Pacific

Command Diary for June 1953

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Para 11401, MCM FMFPac GO 21 (Rev) of 11 Mar 1952 lstMarDiv GO 90 of 13 Nov 1952 Maps: KOREA, 1:25,000 ANS L85l sheets 6627 IV ~J\·l;

3/adrn 00 Ser 1233 4 Jul 53

6627 IV SW

Throughout the entire month the lst Battalion, 5th Marines was in I Corps Reserve at Camp CASEY (CS 307984), Its primary mission as an element o! I Corps Reserve was to move on order to a.ny designated assembly- area, be prepared to counter-attack on order and seize objectives in its zone of action; a~d be prepared on order to organize, occupy, and defend the MLR in its zone of action, One of ita secondary missions was rear area defense against hostile ground and airborne operations, Another secondary mission was to be prepared to move immediately on order of ~ghth Army Headquarters to the city of SEOUL by motor convoy, for the purpose of augmenting the SEOUL City Command, protecting certain supply dw-nps and installations l'.'ithin the city, and guarding the fuel pipeline running through the city. In order to acco~;lish thie mission with ~xtmu~ speed and efficiency, the battalion remained in a six hour alert status throughout the month, and at one time for a period of two days, in a one and one half hour alert status, The battalion commander and certain staff officers made a reconnaissance and formulated plan~ for the employment of subordinate units. All personnel of the battalion received training in interior guard duty, and the handling ot civ~l disturbances.

ThroughO'~t most of the month, all unite trai11ed i1'! platoon and company offensive and defensive tactics, both day and night. Most of the training during the last week of June consisted of the review of basic subjects and small unit tactics. Battalion eliminations of close order drill teams, rifle teams, and pistol teams, were held during the last halt of the month.

An average of 24 men each week were given Meritorious Special Duty in Japan, and an aYeraga of SO ~£r, 8aoh dar were given liberty in the eity of SEOUL.

On lS June 1953 the officers and starr non-commissioned officers of the battalion decided to sponsor a carnival to be held on 4 July 1953 for the purpose of raising funds for the Navy Relief Society. A central steering

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• 3/adm 00 Set- 1233 4 Jul 53

committee consisting of three officers elected by the officers; three staff non-commissioned officers elected by the staff non-commissioned officers; and a chairman elected by both groups began work immediately. The steering committee appointed necessary sub-committees and all committebS continued plans and preparations for the carnival throughout the remainder of the month,

On 29 Jtu1e 1953 the battalion participated in a regL~ntal review at which decorations and awards were presented to personnel of the regiment.

Throughout the month the battalion chaplain held religious services each Sunday, and Vesper services each evening, Battalion personnel were entertained by two USO shows, one Eighth Army Variety Show, ene Korean Variety Show; a variety show, and boxing smoker of local talent, Movies were shown in the battalion movie area each night.

During the latter part of the month air raids were frequent. Most of the raids occurred between 2100 and 0200 of following ·morning. No bombs were dropped and no damage was sustained,

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SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION

2, CHRONOLOGICAL NARRATIVE

l- 2 JUNE

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• 3/adm 00 Ser 12.33 4 Jul 53

On the 1st and 2nd of June all units of the battalion were engaged in day

and night training on the squad, platoon, and company level, Most of the training consisted of offensive and defensiV~' tactics, and included field fi:r-..

ing for the rifle platoons, On the 2nd of June pcrsonnul of the battalion were ent~rtaL~ed by an Eighth Army Talent Show consisting of an orchestra, comedy acts, with singing and dancing talent,

3-5JUNE

Training on the squad, platoon, and company level contL~ued. PereoP~el ot tho 29th rotation draft de;parted on the 5th of June, A Korean T!l.lent Show sponsored by th(! 3rd Battalion, 5th ~..arines. performed for this battalion on the evening of 5 June 1953. It consisted of co,nedy acts, music by a strin! ba.nd, and folk songs by Korwan entertainers,

6 JUNE

The battalion commanaer conducted personnel inspection of all units during the morning. Holid•y r~Jtine prevailed during th0 afternoon and most personnel were occupied with intra-battalion baseball, softball, and volleyball games, The battalion baseball team defeated tha 2nd Be.tt,<>lion, 5th Marines team at the regimental baseball diamond. A swimming pool which had b~en constructed by

placing a dam across a stream in tha battalion area was approved and opened,

7 JUNE

Holiday routine prevail<Jd throughout the day, Many of tho men attended various ehu!'eh services during thE morning and engaged in competitive athletics during the afttJrnoon. The battalion baseball team wns defeated by the regimental headquarters team.

a- 9 JUNE

Specialized unit training commenced, The battalion ~~chine Gun School and !'l.ortar School opened. Both schools consisted of al.l Machine Gun and Mortar personnel from the three rifle companies and the weapons company with instruction given and training supervised by tho Machine Gun and Mortnr officers and staff non-commissioned officers from tho three rifle companies and the weapons company. The rifle platoons continued training and roview in small unit tactics. On the afternoon of 9 June 1953 all elements of the battalion engaged

in a practice tactical motor movement. The staff non-commissioned officers --~--' ----~--~~ D"-'ILVV.&. "'V&IUj.fll;;;lU""'QU.e

10 JUNE

Specialized unit training continued. The Officers School commenced with a lecture E.;ntitlGd ucormnunicationsn given by the communications officer-. A

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• SEC~ SECURITY INFORMATION

• Jiadm 00 Scr 1233 4 Jul 53

regimental board of investigation convened to inquire into the allegations that food and clothing were insufficient within the battalion. Four officers and 31 enlisted men w~re joined from the 2nd replacement battalion.

ll JUNE

Specialized unit tr-aLting conti"~ed. All personnel !r~T. the 2nd replacement draft attended a Lecture entitled 11The,atre Oriontation" and one entitled "Mt11t~ Security", staff non-commissioned officers school continued with a lecture on "Communications" by the battalion communications officer,

12 JUNE

~p~c~aliz~d unit training continued throu~~out the mornL~g as schedul8d, but was suspended for 24 hours, and replaced with training in handling domestic diaburba~ces for ~11 personn0l. Officers school continued with a second lecture on 11 Cornmunications11 by the batt.:;lion conununications officer,

13 JUNE

A~~ battalion areas and facilities w0re inspected by the battalion co~Ander. A drainage improvement program to provide sufficient drainage for the battalion area duriP~ the fortheozr.i.r1g rainy season wEts ir1stituted. Twenty-two rounds or S2mm mortar shells were uncovered while dig~ing a drainage ditch at CS 304984. All the rounds appeared to be well preserved by the application of a heavy coat of lubricating grease, All rounds were forwarded through ordnPJicc channels, The battalion baseball team lost a game to the 3rd Batt~lion, 5th Marines b~aeball team.

Holiday routine prevailed throughout th~ day, Many of the men attended church services during the morning and were occupi"d by org'lnized athletics and swinrning during the afternoon, The battalion baaeball team lost a game to the 2nd Batt,\lion, 5th ~~rines baseball team.

15 JUNE

The battalion participated in a division chan~e of command ceremony with Major General R, M~ PATE relieving Major General E, A. POLLOCK. Compani0s continued training with night attack and defense problems scheduled. Reviews and examinations were conducted in the IJI'lChine gun school and tho mortar school.

Companies continued training with night attack and defense problems scheduled, The staff non-commissioned officers echool continued with a lecture on "Coll1llllnications" by th<J battalion co!DiliUilic,c.tions officer,

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SEC~'"T SECURITY INFOOHi.TION

17 JUNE

• 3/adni 00 S.;;r 1233 4 Jul 53

Compani~s continued training with night attack and cterense problema scheduled. The ot'ficers school continued with a lecture on "Communications"

by the battalion communications otfieer.

18 JI.JNE

Companic;s continued training with night attack and defense problems scheduled. The battalion drill competition was h~ld during the afternoon• Each company entered one platoon, one squad, and one individual, each having

preViously boen selected as the best in the compar,_y, The 3rd. platoon, 11 C" Company won first place, rnd tho 3rd platoon "B" Company won socond place in plAtoon competiti~~. In the dr:!.ll competition bt:itween squads the lst squad, 3rd platoon, "811 Compnny won first place and the lst squad 3rd platoon, "C" Company won second place. In the individual competition Private First Class Abner N. COMA, "C" Company was first while Sergeant Thomas A. COF1'IN ;;9;; Company was second, During tho evening the first battalion sponsored a boxing smoker a.t, the rogi~nta.l theo.ter and invited all pe:rc;oru"'lel of the regiment.

The moker consisted of ll boxing events and 4 Korean wrest~ ~t.l!, Major MUrrar c. P~E joined the tk~ttalion as s-J~

19 JUNE

Training during the day consisted of company in the offEln :e and defense

at night; helicopter indoctrination~ and tank-infantry coordination. ~~ring

the evening battalion personnel were entertained at the regimental theater by a USC Show "Lat! TiJr£ 11 , The show consisted of a..T'l orch~etrn., dance team, singer, and juggler. The start non-commissioned officers school continued with a lt~cture on "Use of SUPPOrting arms" • given by the '1/eapons Comp'l.ny commander, - - - ~

20 JUNE

The battalion eomr"uander held. pe:reo11.nel inspection on the eompo.ny pnrn.de grounds during the morning, Most. personnel were eng~.ged in organized athletics and swimming during the afternoon, Regimental drill competition was held on the regimental parade field. The 3rd platoon, 11C" Company won second place. The officers school continued with a lecture on "Use of eupporting arms" given by the Weapons Company commander,

2l ""JNE

Hol:!.day routine prevailed throughout the day. Most personnel attended church services during the morning and engaged in organized athletics during the afternoon •. Major Charles E. MC PARTLIN joined the battalion as axElcutive

oft'icer. The battalion was placed in a li hour alert status at 1;00,

The schedulud training was suspended due to the 1! hour alert status of

the battalion, All units conducted a review of basio-subjects and small unit

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:LCI:t..'l' SECU.;ITY INFOIU!ATION • 3/a<hn

00 ;Jer 1233 4 Jul 53

tactics il• the CP area. The battaJ.ion st.aff and co,uw.u.nica.tion per-sor~nel participated ir; a regmental reduced dista:;ce CPX in the vicinity of CS .312987. An ;investigation with Najor George \'{, CALLEN M senior r,,ember was ordered to convene at 0900, 23 June 1953; for the purpose of inquiring inte the il.autficient amount of food in the ~1ess hall and the allee;ed inefficiency of the ~es sergeant, which occurred between 17 and 20 Juno 1953,

All unite conducted reView of basic subjeeta a..'fJ.d s..nt_-'311 U..ll.it tactics~ The battalion was taken off the ll hour standby at 0930 this date and returned to the 6 hour standby status,

24 JUNE

All unite continued the review of basic subjects and small unit tacticso Battall.o..l'l ritl.e competition was held durin: the day with the rifle team repreeenting 2nd platoon, nan Company winning first place. .Also the battalion pistol competition was completed during the afternoon with the team representing the Machine Gun platoon, 11A11 ComPa.ny winning first place, BattaUon etatf and communications personnel participated in a regimental CPX in the vicinity of CS (315975).

All units continued the review of baste subjects, small unit and tank infantry tactics. The staff non~commissioned officers school continued with a lecture entitled 11 The Tactical Air Obsorver" given by Lieutenant H, J, Hi.RDiJID'i'.

26 •. .".JNE

The review of basic subjects. small unit. and tank infantry tactics continuJd, Late in the evening the battalion sponsored a Variety Show for all regimental personnel at the regimental theater, The show consisted of comedy acts, vocals, and music by personnel of this battalion, The officers school continued with a lecture entitled 11The Tactical Air Observer" ~?:iven by Lieutonw&t H. J. PJ.uttDl1..1.~DT.

27 JUNE

The battalion commander inspected the battalion area and facilities during the morning, Personnel engaged in nrganized athletics and recreation during the afternoon, Private First Class Charles E. SCHOONOVER 1357520/0Jll US2-1C was ·ra.tally wounded, presumably by an accidental discharge, An investigation with Major Murray O, ROE as senior member was ordered to convene immediately to detcrrni..rH.~ the cause of hie death.

28 JUNE

Holiday routine prevailed throughout the day, Personnel attended various church services during the m~orning and ungaged in organized athletics and

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• SECRE'T SECURITY INFORMATION

recreation during the afternoon.

29 JUNE

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All units conducted training in company and p~a~oon tactlcs throughout the. morning. During the afternoon the battalion participated in a regimental rav~uw at which d~corations ~~d awar~s were presonted. The battalion rifle team from the 2nd platoon, "B" Company won the regimcntl\l rifle competition, The battalion nisto1 temn from tho Machine Gun nlatoon. "A" Company w:m the -- - - ----- .. ------ -------- - -- - --- .. , - -regi~ntal pistol compoti~ion.

30 JUNE

All units continued training 1n cumpe~ny &Jd platoon tactics. Battalion staff and collllllll1ications personnel pnrticipatcd in a battalion CPX.

Aprcndices: ! Directives rec~ived II Directives issued III Overlays IV R(lport s and S1l.llllll1lrio s V Photographic suppl~nt (NGgative} Y~ CoiiiiiiOnts and X"'w=CO~nda.tions (N~e;ativG)

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• SECRET: SECURITY INFORMATION

• 3iadm 00 Ser- 1233 4 Jul 53

Appendix I to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines Command Diary for June 1953•

1. Directives received

a, Operation Plans and Orders

None

b, Orders and MemorandUllls

RegtMemo 23 RegtMemo 24 RegtMe1110 26 P..egtMemo 29 RegtTrngMemo 14-53 RegtTrngMemo 15·53

c, Messages

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1, CO 5thMar disp 0912001 2. GO 5thMtlr disp 091700! 3. CO 5thMar disp 1008451 4, CO 5thMar disp 1013451 5, CO 5thMar disp 1016451 6, CO 5thMar disp 1308041 7, CO 5'PhMar disp 1410251 8, CO 5thMar disp 1410401 9. CO 5trJ!~r disp 151252!

10, CO 5thMar disp 1513351 11. CO !)thMar disp 1608001 12, CO 5thMar disp 1615351 13. CO 5thMar disp 1811051 14, CO 5thMar disp 1815501 15. CO 5thMar disp 1910151 16. CO 5tt~iar disp 191030! 17, CO 5thMar disp 2008051 18. co Stn~~r disp 201204! 19, CO 5thMar disp 2008301 20, CO 5thMar disp 2113301 21. CO 5thMar disp 2114301 22, CO 5thMar disp 2214551 23. CO 5thMar disp 236B30I 24, CO 5thMar disp 2313301 25 .. CO 5tl"'JI~r disp 2.41550! 26, CO 5thK~r disp 2515501 27. CO 5thMar disp 2516571 28, CO 5thHar disp 2615191 29, CO 5thMar disp 2709001 30, CO 5thMar disp 2709291 30, CO 5thMar di3p 2711051 31. CO 5tl"JI~r disp 27lllOI 32, CO 5thMar disp 2714001

Traffic control, 11B11 Med Compound Shower point operation Review and presentation of decorations Effective regimental directives Suppression of civil disturbances Heavy weapons competition

Regt Ex, motor troop movement Seoul liberty, prohibition of High angle firin~ conduct of Mar RCT LEX Three, cancellation of 2nd Rep1 Bn pors, joining of 30th Rotation Draft, eligibility for Rail trMsport1 authority ior Tentage, physical inventory of Seoul liberty, res~~ti~~ of Flyproof screening, a1110unt required COI item 3o-2. compromise of Emb data,- subRdssion of High angle firing, conduct of Elimination firing, completion or Traffic route 33, restriction of High a.ngl e fir-ing, conctu. ct o t High angle firing, conduct of Seoul libert, authorization ot High angle firing, conduct of Personn01 roster, possible requirement of Regimental CPX Regt rifle and pistol matches 30th rotation dr~•it, transportation for High angle firing, conduct of Unit Diaryo, distribution of 30th rotation draft, records of Hirll angle firing, conduct of Replenianmont scabbard, bayonet M7 3oth rotation draft, classes for Malaria control centers Critique for CPX commander! Message tor& procodur-e Authority of promotions OHFJ!NfiL

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SECURITY INFORMATION Ser 1233 4 Jul 53

Appendix I to lst Battalion, 5th 1-L:-.rines Command Diary for June 19531 ContI d.

SECRET

34. CO 5thMar disp 2910001 35. CO 5thl-L~r disp 3008301

36. CO 5thMar disp 3017001

Authority for movfiluent of tents and head~·

Screening Nquhoment for hoads, galley• a..nd !::l/.-ssh.r~.1 ls Assignment of rifle and pistol ma'ah porsonnul

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Ser 12.3.3 4 Jul 5.3

Appendix II to 1st Battalion, 5th Marinos Command Diary for June 1953.

1. Directives issued

a. Operation plans and orders

Opn Plan 9-53 Helicopter ~1£antr3· exercise

b~ Orders al'ld r:r.nnorandu.m.s

None

c. Messages

None

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Appendix III to lst Battalion, 5th Marin<.s Com;mnd Dinry for June 195).

a, Battalion situation during P-riod.

lo Overlay of battnlion situ,~tion from 1 June to 30 June 1953.

Map: KORE;., 1:25,000 Shcut 6527 IV NW,

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3/adnt 00 Ser 1233 4 Jul 53

Appendix IV to let Battalion, 5th Marines Corr~nd Diary for June 1953, 1. Medical Summary

a, The battalion medical section during the month treated the following;

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Number of Patie~t~

497 342 56

188 4

56

Treatment

General Medicine Surgical Dressings Dermatology Eye-ear-nose and throat Neuropsychiatric Voneral Disease

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5th marine regiment - 1st battalion - command …secoijd eiidcrselhnt on co lstbn 5thmar ltr ser...

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