DEPL YM T C M P E l ION

E P

R P B IC 0 VI AM

EM E 1970

U.S. NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION FIVE

FlEET POST OFFICE

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 96601

SJ :RJP: cmb 3000 Ser 137 10 February 1971

From: Corrmanding Officer, U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE

To: COll'l!lander, Construction Battalions, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Subj: Deployment Completion Report• submission of

Ref: (a)

Encl:

COMCBPACINST 5213.lE

Introduction Deployment Sunrnary Administrative Sun1nary Equipment SulTlllClry Tra1 ni ng Surrmary Conrnunications Sulllllary Labor Distribution Su111nary Construction Item Su11111ary Functional Component Report Progress and Perfonnance Chart General Construction Sunrnary Supply Sunrnary Embarkation and Material Support Lessons Learned

1. In accordance with reference (a), the Completion Report for the deployment of U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE to the Republic of Vietnam is hereby submitted as enclosures (1) through (14).

Q.,t,.__9-R.A. Schade, Jr.

Distribution List:

CNO (OPNAV 40.lF) COMCBPAC CINCPACFLT COMSERVPAC COMCBLANT CG FMF PAC DIR OF NAVAL HISTORY CG III MAF NAVFACENGCOM (CODE 06) NAVFACENGCOM (CODE 063) COMNAVFORV COMSERVLANT COM3NCB

2 2 1 l 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2

COM30NCR COM31NCR COM32NCR COM20NCR COM21NCR CBC PORHUE (CODE 17) CBC PORHUE (CODE 15) CO CBC PORHUE CO NAVSCOLCONST CO NAVSCOLCECOFF ALL NMCBs CO NCEl PORHUE COl+tANDANT USMC (CODE A)4E) FILE

2 2 2 2 2 1 l 2 l 1 1 1 1

1D

Early in January 1970, members of NMCB FIVE's predeployment party returned from a 5-day preview of the coming tour wfth a new awareness of the Navy's Accelerated Turnover Program and the 1mpact of this program upon the deploymen of Naval Construe ion Force in South Vietnam. The program for Accelerated Turnover of American Naval Assets in Vietnam to the Vietnamese. or ACTOV Program, was developed by COMHAVFORV in October 1968 n response to the President's call for "Vfetnamiut1on" 1n the defense of that country. The nav l assets were concentrated pr1nc1pally 1n the "Brown Water Navy" engaged 1n riverine opera­tions in the rivers, canals and tributaries of the Mekong Delta. The program included not only the turnover of river patrol and assault craft. but extensive training of RVN sailors 1n boat operations and maintenance. along with the construction of additional permanent support bases at strategic (although seemingly remote) sites throughout the Delta region.

Mobile construction battalions previously engaged primarily 1n providing construc­tion support for the U.S. Marines 1n the I-Corps were soon tasked with the construction of these ACTOV bases in addition to temporary Advance Tactical Support Bases (ATSB) 1n an accelerated, h1gh-pr1orfty naval construction program fn the Delta.

By January, NMCB ONE, headquartered in Danang, had sent over 200 SEABEEs into the Delta. When NMCB FIVE relieved NMCB ONE in March, one ACTOV base had been completed at An Tho1, construction was in progress at three ACTOV/ATSB sites at Nam Can. Ha Tien and Rach So1, and preparations were being made to move NMCB FlVE's SEABEEs onto new s1tes at K1en An and Long Phu. ._ __ _

To those who made the predeployment visit~ it was start1ngly clear that the batta11on would soon eni:>ark oh something more than a "traditional" deployment. The battalion would be engaged in construction throughout Vietnam. w1th over 65% of battalion personnel assigned to separate details and unable to take advantage of the comforts and convenience of the battalion base camp. Company conmanders and staff officers began asking new questions. Unusual demands were to be placed upon department heads to provide logistics support. operational control and administrative service for large numbers of men at remote sites. Limited availab111ty of transportation for personnel movements and delivery of construction material created additional problems. A new 1ook at battalion resources revealed that current allowances for tools, construction equipment, personnel and funds were not tailored to the needs of a battalion preparing to deploy troops to many different locations in a region where c0111T1unications are undeveloped and rapid move­ment among the sites is impossible. This unc011111on dispersal of troops, combined with many un1que conditions peculiar to an extensive detached-unit operation. painted an entirely new picture of the coming deployment.

A relatively short period of time remained before the battalion would depart CONUS in late March. and a ·new "gearing up" process began for the monumental task that lay ahead. From a reappraisal of the existing construction sites and proposed projects both in Danang and 1n the Delta. the battalion organization was changed drastically. Personnel in the Group VIII rates were distributed among the newly formed construction details, and support personnel were assigned to units destined for remote sites. The Saigon-based operations office. maintaining operational control over all construction details f n the Delta, along with the Delta Support Concept developed by NMCB ONE, was carefully reviewed. ~MCB FIVE 1 s operations officer was detached on TAO orders to NMCB ONE, relieving the officer-in-charge of Detail ZULU in Saigon on 16 February. "Support details" were scheduled for Binh Thuy and Vung Tau to provide trans-shipment control points for overland, a1r and sea cargo. Requirements for additional resources were determined and requests for increases 1n certain support personnel were forwarded to EPCXJPAC. Funds were allotted for the acquisition of additional tools, and comfort and convenience items were purchased for d tails scheduled for remote locations

Recogn1z1ng the 1nabf11ty of distant details to utilize the normal residuum of manpower and skills of the centralized battalion base camp, additional training was provided in order to duplicate certain skills critical to operations at each site and also to develop the required special skills indicated in the deployment preview.

Department heads and staff officers began to develop systems and procedures to cope w th the new problems ~rising. Operations, logistics. material delivery, medical, dental,

Encl. l-1

and battalion administrative and personnel support all required new approaches to getting the job done.

From the anticipation of the new deployment conditions and new demands confronting the battalion, significant changes were occurring in the organization, procedures, resources and training of personnel. In response to these physical changes, a change in c011111and-level philosophy was crystallizing in the fonn of a new emphasis upon certain corrmand principles. Three of these principles, which in general terms are leadership, motivation and responsiveness, pl ayed a major role in the shaping of co11111and policy throughout the deployment.

1. The importance of strengthening leadership capability at two vital levels became evident while contemplating the cornnand responsibilities of extensive detached-unit operations~

a. The deployment of numerous detached units places many junior officers in conmand of troops at isolated sites. There they wi l l be charged wi th a 24-ho r day responsibility for the welfare and behavior of their men, unl i ke traditional deployments to large camps. The detail officer-in-charge wil l find himsel f involved in more decision making--from scheduling and engineering to the maximum utilization of personnel--than the company c011111ander at the base camp. The detai l OIC must develop sound working relationships with other c011111ands and represent his own conmand when VIPs visit his site. The making of an inexperienced but talented junior officer into a troop conmander capable of virtually independent duty can be a frustrating experience. Guidance and direction must be tempered with adequate freedom for the OIC to apply his 1deas and exercise his own leadership potential. Close monitoring of the new OIC's progress. however, i s vital.

b. It is co111110nly accepted that the work begins (or does not begin) at the crew­leader level, and that the success of that job hangs in the balance. In a detachment-sized un1t, the importance of good leadership at the crew level is more critical because his efforts represent a much larger percentage and have a much greater impact on the overall project. Strengthening of this leadership level requires meticulous selection from the petty officer ranks, elevation of status, and an increase 1n authority and responsibility for the crew leader.

Vested fn these two levels of leadership is the key to the success or failure of the overall battalion effort.

2. The second principle requiring emphasis is the concept of "motivation through conmunicat1on." Briefings by the conmanding officer, conducted at the detail level, were designed to convey to each man the meaning, as well as the substance, of the ACTOV program: the success of the program would bring the men of the U.S. Navy home from Vietnam Each member of the battalion, then, could take a personal interest in this particular mission, and to many the success of the mission became an individual c011111itment. Each man also learned of the overall goals of the battalion and the vast scope of the Delta construction program. He was able to see how his specific tasks--the work he was doing--fit into the overall picture. The value of this individual understanding of the battalion's mission as a motivating element would easily diminish in the isolation of a remote detail. Recog­nizing the need to constantly reinforce in the mind of each man the relationship of h1s work to the efforts of his friends at other sites 1n fonning the big picture, the cOITllland1ng officer included 1n all site visits a thorough briefing on the status of other projects and described how the big picture was changing as a result of new events.

3. The accelerating pace of the Delta construction operation and continual changes in tasking and priorities soon demonstrated the need for new emphasis on a relatively intangible concept: responsiveness. The inJned1ate response of the battalion in homeport to the new direction of the construction effort in Vietnam proved to be a fortuitous giant step toward a successful deployment. The atmosphere of rapid change in the Delta demands responsiveness at both the battalion and detail level. Steps toward "bufldfr g" respon­siveness into any unit are somewhat less intangible. 11 P an ahead '' although a worthy maxim, f s also a consu11111ate understatement among the bywords for developing responsiveness. Projection of existfng situations as far as possible into future. studying how new dev lo n 1ght ffe pl n nd ch dul b s d is i ond i n • th n examining the unit's present ability to cope with ensuing anges. fll d velop unit flexibility

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and responsiveness. The ability to develop clear options for daily. weekly and even long­range operations. is an ind1cation of the ability to respond to change. The development of an "alertness" to the indicators of fnc1p1ent new developments allows unit comnanders extra time to review these options. refine details. and respond with souna planning and i1ro1ediate action when new developments arise.

Construction accomplished during the deployment ranged from the resurfacing of Ql-1. from the top of Hai Van Pass through the city of Oanang. to the completion of three intennediate-level support bases for the ACTOV program and three advance tactical support bases in the Delta. At the close of the deployment. construction of three additional intermediate-level operational support and maintenance facilities was well underway. NMCB FIVE personnel also completed many related construction tasks in the 1-Corps and Delta reg1on. Battalion personnel were scattered over eight major construction sites, three support details. and numerous small detachments. In May. the battalion colors ceased to f1y at Camp Haskins North fn Danang and were raised over a new Construction Battalion Center at Bien Hoa. renovated from an abandoned Anny camp. ·The event marked the first t1me that a U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion had estab11shed headquarters in the Delta region.

Lessons learned from the deployment were concentrated 1n the complexities and new conditions of an extensive detached-unit operation. ln a broader sense. the deployment provided a preview of what may lie ahead for the Naval Construction Force. lt is not unreasonable to speculate that engagement in s1m1 lar "detached-unit operations" will be the wave of the future for the Naval Mobile Construction Batta11on entering a post-Vietnam military environment. Prevfous deployments found the cOlllTlanding officer visiting most major job sites by jeep within an afternoon. Last deployment, the same visits required many days. traveling by helicopter around the Mekong Delta. Future deployments may well find the battalion c011mander taking up to 3 weeks to visit all of his principal job sites, traveling by jet-liner around the Pacific.

Feature articles and programs 1n the news media are announcing that the United States Navy has entered a new "el"a of change." This may hold a special meaning for the Naval Construction Force as it responds to the new and unique challenges ahead. --

Encl. 1-3

A. LOYMEMT STATUS

In accordance 1th CO BP C OPORO -70, U.S. N v l bfl o struct1 n B talion FIVE was deployed to Camp Haskin (North), Red Beach, Danang, Republic of Vietnam from 22 March 1970 to 16 May 1970. COlllll nder THIRTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment ma1n­ta1ned operat1onal control of the battalion during this period. In accordance with COM32NCR messages of 010939Z APR 70 and 050632Z MAY 70, Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE then deployed to B1en Hoa, Republic of Vietnam from 16 May 1970 to 20 October 1970. Corrmander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade Representative, Saigon, assumed operational control during this period and maf ntaf ned operational control of the detached units in the Mekong Delta region vfa direct liaison with Mobile Construction Battalion F1VE's Detail ZULU in Saigon. The primary m1ss1on of the battalion was to provide construction support to U.S. Military and other Free World forces.

B. DETACHED UNIT SUt+\ARY

NO. MEN TYPE UNIT OFF/ENL LOCATION AUTHORITY MISSION

SEABEE Team 0515 1112 YAP, TTPI COMCBPAC ltr NZ: Perfonn construction COMCBPAC 3120 ser support for trust CB31A011 of 5 May 70 territory projects.

SEABEE Te m 0517 1/12 BEN TRE, RVN COMCBPAC ltr NZ: Perfonn construction XS486343 COMCBPAC 3120 ser support for USAID/

CB31A011 of 3 Mar 70 RVN projects.

Deta11 CHARLIE l/60 CHO ~I, RVN NMCB FIVE Perfonn construction WS450652 OPORD 14-70 on ACTOV and dependent

housing facilities.

Detail DEL TA 0/44 HA TIEN, RVN NMCB FIVE Perform construction VS446478 OPORO 5-70 on ACTOV and dependent

housing facilities.

Detai 1 FOXTROT 1/60 KIEN AN, RVN NMCB FIVE Perfonn construction WR125885 OPORD 9-70 on ACTOV facilities.

Detail GOLF 1/100 NAM CAN, RVN NMCB FIVE Perfonn construction VQ990675 OPORD 7-70 on ATSB, ACTOV and

dependent housing facilities.

Oeta1l HOTEL 1/50 LONG PHU RVN NMCB FIVE Perfonn construction XR246615 OPORD 10-70 on ACTOV and dependent

housing facilities

Oeta11 JULIET 1/13 VINH GIA, RVN NMCB FIVE Perfonn construction VW748600 OPORD 11-70 on ATSB facilities.

Oeta11 KILO 1/65 RACH SOI, RVN NMCB FIVE Perfonn construction WKl 50995 OPORO 8-70 on ACTOV facilities.

Detail LIMA 1/40 RSSZ, RVN NMCB FIVE Perfonn construction YS150521 OPORO 10-70 on B-mil e road

project.

n afl OCTOBER 1/25 TUVEN NHON, RVN NMCB FIVE Perform canal bank SX134724 OPORO 15-70 erosion control.

tail PAPA 1/13 BINH THUY, RVN NMCB FIVE Provide support as WS762160 OPORO 6-70 required for Delta

construction details.

l UEBEC 0/5 VUNG TAU, RVN NMCB FIVE Provide support as YS300470 OPORD 6-70 required for Delta

construction details .

Encl. 2-1

DETACHED UNIT SUMMARY, continued

NO. MEN TYPE UNIT OFF/ENL LOCATION AUTHORITY

Detail TANGO

Detail X-RAY 0/20

Detail YANKEE 3/190

Detail ZULU 3/50

c. UNIT MOVEMENTS

CHU LAI, RVN BT547063

PHUOC XUYEN, RVN NMCB FIVE WS850775 OPORD 12-70

DANANG, RVN NMCB FIVE AT162790 OPORD 13-70

SAIGON, RVN NMCB FIVE SX823969 OPORD 6-70

MISSION

Perfonn upgrade and repair on QL-1 South.

Perfonn construction on ATSB facilities.

Perfonn horizontal construction for 32NCR.

Provide operational and administrative support for Delta construction details.

a. 26 February 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE's advance party departed CONUS by air for Camp Haskins (North), Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

b. 28 February 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Delta details advance party personnel began moving on site at Details KILO, FOXTROT, HOTEL, GOLF, LIMA, PAPA, QUEBEC, ZULU and DELTA.

c. 16 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FlVE main body fl ghts one and two departed CONUS by air for Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

d. 20 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Delta details personnel began moving on site at Details KILO, FOXTROT, HOTEL, GOLF, LIMA, PAPA, QUEBEC, ZULU and DELTA.

e. 21 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE mai body flights three and four departed CONUS by air for Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

f. 24 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE main body flights five and six departed CONUS by air for Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

g. 26 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE main body flights seven and eight departed CONUS by air for Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

h. 10 May 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail JULIET moved on sf te at Vinh Gia. Republic of Vietnam.

i. 16 May 1970 U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE's battalion flag was transferred from Camp Haskins (North), Danang, to Ven Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Personnel remaining at Camp Haskins (North) became Detail YANKEE.

j. 14 June 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FlVE Detail X~RAY moved on site at Phuoc Xuyen, Republic of Vietnam.

k. 20 June 1970. Sixty U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE-THIRTY-THREE personnel reported TAO to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE from Gulfport. Mississippi.

l. 21 June 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail LIMA completed the Rung Sat Special Zone road project and moved off site v1a Mike Boat.

m. 3 July 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail CHARLIE advance party moved on site at Cho Mo1 Republic of Vietna1 .

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UNIT MOVEMENTS, continued

n. 20 July 1970. U.S. Naval Mobfle Construction Battalion FIVE Detail KlLO completed construction at Rach Soi, Republic of Vietnam and moved to Detail CHARLIE at Cho Mo1, Republic of Vietnam.

o. 20 July 1970. U.S. Naval Hob11e Construction Battalion FIVE's main body personnel departed Oanang via LST for Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam.

p. 23 July 1970. Ninety U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE-THIRTY-THREE personnel reported TAD to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE from Gulfport, Mississippi.

q. 6 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail TANGO departed Camp Haskins (N~rth) for Camp Walls, Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam.

r. 11 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail JULIET completed construction at Vinh G1a. Republic of Vietnam and moved off site.

s. 24 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail OCTOBER moved on site to conmence construction at Tuyen Nhon, Republic of Vietnam.

t. 19 September 1970. U.S. Naval Mobfle Construction Battalion FIVE Deta11 TANGO completed construction and returned to Camp Hask1ns {North). Danang. Republic of Vietnam.

u. 28 Se~tember 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE advance party departed t e Republic of Vietnam for the Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme. California.

v. 1 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail YANKEE transferred from Camp Haskins North to Camp Haskins South, Oanang, Republic of Vietnam. Detafl YANKEE was relieved at Camp Haskins North by elements of the THIRD Mar1ne Amphibious Force.

w. 8 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail DELTA completed dependent housing construction at Ha Tien, Republic of Vietnam and moved off site.

x. 20-25 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE main body departed from Oanang and Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam for the Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme. Calfforn1a.

y. 25 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail FOXTROT completed construction at Kfen ·An and moved off site.

z. 10 November 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE delayed party arrived at the Constl"Uctfon Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California from the Republic of Vietnam.

o. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

a. 26 Februar.y 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE's advance p rty arrived at C mp Haskins (North), Oanang, Republic of Vietnam to begin camp turn-over from U.S. Naval Mob11e Construction Battalion ONE.

b. 28 February 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construct1on Battalion FIVE Delta details adv nc par~ personnel began arr1v1ng at Oetafls KILO, FOXTROT, HOTEL, GOLF, LIMA, PAPA, Q EBEC. ZULU and DELTA to c011111ence turn-over from U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 0 .

c. 18 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construct1on Battalion FIVE main body fl1ghts ar rriv1ng at Camp Haskins (North), Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

d. 20 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mob11 Construction Battalion FIVE Delta details ~ s nnel b(?9an moving on site at Details KILO, FOXTROT HOTEL, GOLF, LIMA, PAPA, QUEBEC, ' LU nd DELTA.

Encl. 2-3

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, continued

e. 22 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Corrmand1ng Officer COR R.A. SCHADE. JR. relieved U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE Conmanding Officer. COR C.V.W. POPOWICH.

f. 26 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE completed re-deployment to the Republic of Vietnam with the arrival of the last two main body flights to Danang. Republic of Vietnam.

g. 26 March 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE SEABEE Team 0516 was disestablished.

h. 13 April 1970. While hauling rock on Route QL-1. 15 miles south of Oanang, EOCN Warren ZOOK sustained schrapnel wounds in the bead and left shoulder when a nearby vehicle struck a Viet Cong mine. EOCN ZOOK subsequently was awarded the Purple Heart.

i. 16 Aoril 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail HOTEL at Long Phu. Republic of Vietnam received small anns f i re and grenades from an unknown enemy force. There were no personnel casualties.

j. 21 ARril 1970. Admiral J.J. HYLAND, Conmander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Vice Admiral E .. ZUMWALT, Co11111ander U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, and C0111Tiodore CHON, CNO, VNN visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail DELTA at Ha ien, Republic of Vietnam.

k. 6 Ma~ 1970. CDR W.L. WILSON, CEC, USN, Operations Officer, and LT R.H. ROHRBACH, CEC, USN, Actmin strative Officer, representing COMCBPAC, conducted a management inspection at Camp Haskins (North), Danang, Republic of Vietnam.

1. 7 Ma~ 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail FOXTROT at Kien An. Republ c of Vietnam received four rounds of 105 11111 homemade rockets. Two dud rounds landed ins1de the camp and two rounds exploded outside the camp perimeter. A squad of Viet Cong moved to within 150 meters of the camp perimeter and subjected the camp to small anns fire until contact was broken. There were no personnel casualties.

m. 11May1970. V1ce Admiral E.R. ZUMWALT, COfllllander U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, Vice Admiral J.H. KING. JR., Prospective C0111Tiander U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail DELTA at Ha Tien, Republic of Vietnam.

n. 12 May 1970. Vice Admiral E.R. ZUMWALT, Colllllander U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, Vice Admiral J.H. KING, JR •• Prospective Corrmander U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can. Republic of Vietnam.

o. 15 May 1970. COR W.L. WILSON, CEC, USN, Operations Officer, and LT R.H. ROHRBACH, CEC, USN. Administrative Officer, representing COMCBPAC, conducted a management inspection at U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail ZULU, Saigon Republic of Vietnam

p. 16 May 1970 Captain J.E. WASHBURN. Comnander THIRTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment Captain W.E. MARQUARDT. Commander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade Representative, Saigon, and CDR R.A. SCHADE, JR., Comnanding Officer U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE, visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

q. 16 May 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE's flag was trans­ferred from Camp Haskins (North}, Oanang to Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Ceremonies at Bien Hoa were attended by Rear Admiral A.R. MARSCHALL, Commander THIRD Naval Construction Regiment, Captain W.E. MARQUARDT, Commander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade Representative Saigon. Colonel C.C. BIVENS, Bien Hoa Anny Post Commander, and CDR R.A. SCHADE. JR •• COllllland1ng Officer. U S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE.

r. 22 May 1970. U.S. Naval Mob11e Constructfon Battalion FIVE Detail LIMA, located in the Rung Sat Special Zone near Can Gio, Republic of Vietnam, had a command etonated cl~re min xplode approximately 500 f et f1om the roa er~ • egat1 e

personnel casualties resulted.

Encl. 2-4

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SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, cont1nu d

s. 24 Ma~ 1970. V1ce Admiral J.H. KING, JR •• C011111ander Naval Forces Vietnam and part.Y v1s1ted u .. Naval Mobile Construction Battal1on FIVE Oeta11 GOLF at Nam Can.

t. 26 Ma~ 1970. C ore CHON, Chief Naval Operations, Vietnamese Navy, and part.v visited 0 .. Naval obile Construction Battalion FIVE Oeta11 DELTA at Ha Tien, Republic of Vietnam.

u. 8 June 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Batta11on FIVE Detail FOXTROT, located at Kien An, Republic of Vietnam, received three rounds of 105 11111 homemade rockets. Two rounds exploded outside the camp perimeter and one dud round landed inside the camp perfmeter. Negative personnel casualties resulted.

v. 9 June 1970. EOCN GIOIA, USN, Bl4 56 73. while operating a pneumatic-tired roller fn the Hai Van Pass. Danang, Republic of Vietnam, was killed when the roller cc1d ntally rolled off the cl1ff. EOC GIOIA was a member of the U.S. Naval Mobile

Con truct1on Battalion FIVE paving crew. Memorial services were held at Camp Haskins (North) on 11 June 1970.

w. 10 June 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE 1 s paving crew at camp Haskins (North) completed 12.55 miles of paving on QL-1 over Hai Van Pass north of Oanang, Republ1c of Vietnam.

x. 11 June 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail FOXTROT, located at K1en An, Republic of Vietnam rece1ved small anns fire from a squad of Viet Cong. Negative personnel casualties resulted.

y. 14 June 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail X-RAY relieved U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVEN Detail X-RAY BRAVO at Phuoc XL1,Yen, Republic of Vietnam.

z. 21 June 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail LIMA moved off site at the completed RSSZ Road construction proje~t. The approximately 8 miles of road connects the villages of Can Gio, Long Thanh and Dong Hoa. The road included approximately 3 miles of soil cement treated surface, 5 miles of asphalt treated surface, four bridges, several culverts, and a large quantity of bank stabilization work

aa. 22 June 1970. A 60-man U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE-THIRTY­THREE construction force reported TAD to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE to construct dependent housing at Thu Due, Republic of Vietnam.

bb. 23 June 1970. The Honorable John H. CHAFEE, Secretary of the Navy. Vice Admiral J.H. KING, JR., Conmander Naval Forces, Vietnam, Dr. Robert A. FROSCH, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (R&D), and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can.

cc. 26 June 1970. Rear Adm1ra1 S.R. SMITH. Corrmander Naval Construction Battalions. Pacific, Rear Admiral A.R. MARSCHALL, Corrmander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam.

dd. 2 July 1970. Rear Admiral H.S. MATTHEWS, Deputy Comnander Naval Forces, V1 tnam, nd party v1sited Detail GOLF at Nam Can. Republic of Vietnam.

e. 7 Jyly 1970. Vice Adm1ral J.H. KING, JR., Conmander Naval Forces, Vietnam rd party visited Oeta11 GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

ff. 15 July 1970. Vice Admiral J.H. KING, JR .• C011111ander Naval Forces, Vietnam n P rty vis1ted Detail DELTA at Ha Tien and Detail GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

gg. 15 July 1970. Conmodore CHON, CNO, Vietnamese Navy, and party visited Detail OE T at a T1 n, Republic of Vietnam.

h . 15 July 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail KILO l t d ACTOV construction at Rach So1. Republic of Vietnam and moved off site. Con­

truc o included a 1n1strative fac111t1es, troop housing, maintenance facilities, L or e a ss hall and water and electrical distribution systems.

Encl. 2-5

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, continued

11. 20 July 1970. The movement by sea of 106 men and equipment from Danang to 81en Hoa, Republic of Vietnam corrrnenced with the departure of the USS Wexford County (LST 1168).

jj. 23 July 1970. Ninety U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE-THIRTY­THREE personnel reported TAD to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE for con­struction of dependent housing at Thu Due, Republic of Vietnam.

kk. 24 July 1970. A three-man U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE work force in the Rung Sat Special Zone completed rehab of the U.S. Advisors Quarters at Can Gio, Republic of Vietnam.

11. 24 July 1970. The movement by sea of 106 men and equipment to their new base camp at Bien Hoa was completed.

lllll. 4 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail YANKEE completed paving work on the Danang main supply route. Although some of the paving work took place under heavy traffic conditions without the benefit of detours, the work was of high quality and was completed over one month ahead of schedule.

nn. 6 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail TANGO corrmenced upgrade and repair of 9 miles of QL-1 between Tu My and Tam Icy, Republic of Vietnam.

oo. 7 August 1970. Rear Admiral H.S. MATTHEWS, Deputy Colllllander Naval Forces, Vietnam. and party vi sited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

pp. 8 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR's pre-deployment party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE to begin preparations for relieving U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE in October.

qq. 11 August 1970. A 40·man complement from U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail YANKEE participated in a change of carroand ceremony for Captain J.E. WASBURN, CEC, USN, as he was relieved by Captain K.P. SEARS, CEC, USN, as ColTl!lander THIRTY-SECOND Naval Construction Regiment.

rr. 11 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail JULIET completed ATSB construction at Vinh Gia. Republic of Vietnam and moved off s1te. Although Detail JULIET was the most remote and difficult to supply of all U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Delta details. the men maintained outstanding morale and an all-out construction effort.

ss. 13 August 1970. Rear Admiral R.E. ADAMSON, Co11111ander Naval Support Activity, Saigon, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail DELTA at Ha Tien, Republic of Vietnam.

tt. 15 August 1970. Rear Admiral R.E. ADAMSON, Conmander Naval Support Activity, Saigon, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail X-RAY at Phuoc Xuyen, Republic of Vietnam.

uu. 16 Au9ust 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR pre­deployment party eparted The Republic of Vietnam for Gulfport, Mississ1pp1.

vv. 19 August 1970. Captain E.H. MARSH. Deputy Conrnander Construction Battalions, Pacific, visited the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE base camp at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam and U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion F1VE Detail ZULU at Saigon, Pepublic of Vietnam.

ww. 20 August 1970. Vice Admiral J.H. KING, JR., Conmander Naval Forces. Vietnam, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail HOTEL at Long Phu, Republic of Vietnam.

xx. 20 August 1970. Captain E.H. MARSH. Deputy Co111nande Constru tion Battalions, Pac1fic. visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detafl CHARLIE at Cho Moi,

Encl. 2-6

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SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, continued

Detail X-RAY at Phuoc Xuyen Detail FOXTROT at Kien An, and SEABEE Team 0517 at Ben Tre Republic of Vietnam.

yy. 24 August 1970. Vice Admiral J.H. KING. JR., COll'lllander Naval Forces, Vietnam, and party visited U.S. Naval Mob; le Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can. Republic of Vietnam.

zz. 24 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail OCTOBER's advance party moved on sfte at Tuyen Nhon, Republic of Vietnam to corrmence construction of 600 LF of sheet pile bulkhead.

aaa. 25 August 1970. Rear Admiral A.R. MARSCHALL, C011111ander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail CHARLIE at Cho Moi, Republic of Vietnam.

bbb. 27 August 1970. Rear Admiral H.S. MATTHEWS, Deputy C011111ander Naval Forces, Vietnam, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

ccc. 28 August 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail X-RAY completed ATSB construction at Phuoc Xizyen, Republic of Vietnam and moved off site.

ddd. 31 August 1970. LT General WEYARD, Prospective Deputy Conmander USMACV, Major General MCGOWN, C011111and1ng General DMAC, Rear Admiral H.S MATTHEWS, Deputy Coimiander Naval Forces, Vietnam, Major General TROUNG, Co!llllandfng General Main Reg. IV Corp, Captain THEU, C011111ander Task Force 214, Colonel TIEF, Senior Marine Advisor, and party v1s1ted U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can Republic of Vietnam.

eee. 7 September 1970. Vice Aciniral J.H. KING, JR., COlmlander Naval Forces, Vietnam, and party v1s1ted U.S. Naval Mobile Construct1on Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

fff. 11 September 1970. Rear Admiral R.E. ADAMSON, Conmander Naval Support Activity, Saigon, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at ~am Can, Republic of Vietnam.

ggg. 15 September 1970. Rear Adm1ral R.E. ADAMSON, C011111ander Naval Support Act1v1ty, Saigon, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail CHARLIE at Cho Mo1, Republic of Vietnam.

hhh. 16 September 1970. Rear Admiral A.R. MARSCHALL, Corrmander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail CHARLIE at Cho Mo1, Republic of Vietnam.

iii. 19 Se tember 970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail TANGO, Camp Wa s, Chu La1 Republic of Vietnam completed upgrade and repair of QL-1 South between Tu My and Tam~ and returned to Detail YANKEE at Camp Haskins (North), Oanang, Re pub He of Vietnam.

jjj, 20-22 September 1970. Captain A.L. DOMINY. CHC, USN, Staff Chaplain, C BPAC.and CDR D.E. BECKER, MSC, Staff Medical Service Officer, COMSERVPAC, conducted a nagement 1nspect1on visit. Their trip included stops at U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Ba talfon FIVE Detail FOXTROT at K1en An, Detail CHARLIE at Cho Moi, Detail HOTEL at Long hu and the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE base camp at Bien Hoa, p lie of Vietnam.

kk • 28 September 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE advance P r Y rrlved at the Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California.

111. 28 Septent>er 1970. U.S. Nav 1 Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR dvanc party arrived at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam from Gulfport, Mississippi.

· 1 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail YANKEE d from Camp Haskins North to Camp Haskins South, Oanang, Republic of Vietnam.

• E was relieved by elements of the THIRD Marine Amphibious Force.

Encl, 2-7

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, continued

nnn. 2 October 1970. Admiral J.J. HYLAND, USN, Canmander-ln-Chief Pacific Fleet, Vice Admiral J.H. KING, JR., USN, COl!lllander Naval Farces, Vietnam, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

aoa. 4 October 1970. Master Chief OLSEN, Senior Enlisted Advisor, COMCBPAC, visited U.S. Naval MObile Construction Battalion FIVE.

ppp. 7 October 1970. Rear Admiral A.R. MARSCHALL, C011111ander THIRD Naval Construction Brigade, and party visited U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail GOLF at Nam Can, Republic of Vietnam.

qqq. 8 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail DELTA completed dependent housing construction at Ha Tien, Republic of Vietnam and moved off site.

rrr. 13 October 1970. Conmander J.D. KIRKPATRICK, C0111Tianding Officer, U. S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR, arrived at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam.

SSS. 16 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR' S advance party completed the BEEP of equipment assigned to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE.

ttt. 19 October 1970. Rear Admiral A.R. MARSCHALL. Ca11111ander. THIRD Naval Construc­tion Brigade. and party visited the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE base camp at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam.

uuu. 20 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-FOUR relieved U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE at Bien Hoa. Republic of Vietnam, and at all construction detail sites except Detail OCTOBER at Tuyen Nhon and Detail FOXTROT at Kien An. Republic of Vietnam.

vvv. 25 October 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE Detail FOXTROT completed ACTOV construction at Kien An, Republic of Vietnam and moved off site.

www. 10 November 1970. U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE delayed party arrived at the Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme. California from the Repub1ic of Vf etnam.

4. Si te OICs /AOICs gave safety talks once weekly. Addi tional safety lectures were scheduled as fonna l bat talion t ra ining at each si te.

5. wo stand- up safety lectures of 5-minutes duration were given to each work crew per week.

6. Dai ly POD notes cove red all aspects of safety.

7. At Detai l ZULU (Saigon) where most over-the- road haul ing originated, a CPO gave a safe driving lecture to those i nvol ved prior to the start of each day's hauling.

The following statistics summarize the battalion' s safety record for this deployment:

Number of Lost Time Accidents Number of Motor Vehi cle Accidents Dol l ar Damage of Motor Vehicle Accidents Number of St and-Up Safety Meetings

M. PERSONAL AWARDS

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

HEYSER, J . F., CE3, USN

Bronze Star Medal

SCHADE, R.A., COR, CEC , USN* CAMDEN, E.B., LCDR, CEC, USN* PEARSON, R.J., LT, CEC , USN WALTER, H.W., LT , CEC, USN MCGRAW, J.S., LTJG , CEC, USNR*

Navy Co11111endati on Medal

ROBIE, R. L. , LCDR, SC, USN* VALENTI, A. C., LT, CEC, USN HOLE , D.J., LTJG, CEC, USN HUGUELET, T.L., LTJG , CEC , USNR BARWICK, C.P., BUCES, USN NOWAKOWSKI, R.M., BUCS, USN* BOYETT, D.S., CMC, USN LABOY, R.J., CEC, USN MEYERS, C.D., UTC, USN SHANKS, R. H., EOC, USN BAKER, D.M., UTl, USN CONLEY, T. L., BUl, USN JONES, J.W., CE2, USN MURPHY, L.H., CM2, USN PADRICK, R.O., LTJG, CEC, USNR COCHRAN, D.P., UTC, USN MCELHATTEN, R.N., EA3, USN

Navy Achievement Medal

BANDY, G .. , LTJG, SC, USNR STILLER, G.E., W02, CEC, USN CURLEY, J.w., sues, usN r.«JFFAT, R. J ., CECS, USN ACKERSON, T.J., CMC, USN BISHOP, J. D., CMC, USN BRANCH, M.M . , EOl, USN BREWSTER, T.E., EOl, USN GRADY, E.V., SWl, USN

* Denotes gold star awarded i n li eu of second award .

Encl. 3-8

15 22 $24, 310 467

Navy Ach ievement Medal, continued

HARRIS, S.A . I EOl . USN HARRI SON, N.E. I CEl I USN HAWLEY , W. E., UTl, USN JACKSON, J. L .• UTl I USN MEADOWS, J.H ., CSl , USN MILLER , C.E . I CSl. USN NIELSON, R.K. I EOl I USN PEDERSON, W.J ., PCl I USN PEITZMAN, G. W., CMl, USN VELASCO, A.M., SDl , USN BAILEY, D. B., BU2 , USN BOUSKA, L.W., EA2 , USN DUFFY, C.J., BU2, USN GIOMPALO , J. A. I YN2, USN HAGEMEYER, R.R., CM2, USN HARPER, M.W., BU2, USN LI NDQUIST, J .E., CM2 , USN MCGREGOR, P.T., CM2, US WESTENDORF, F. E. , EA2, USN DALGARNO, G.E., UT3, USN EUPHRAT I E.N .• YN3, USN FUGATE , C. (NMN ) , CM3 , USN GREENFIELD, C.H., E03, USN

IEBSCH, R.R., PN3, USN MANSELL, M.W., UT3, USN MERKLEY, L. V., SW3, USN OSTERBUR, L.D ., PN3, USN PROCTOR, V. L., CM3, USN SPAETH, K.R., CM3, USN DAVIS, R.K., SN, USN PALMIERI, C. C., EOCN, USN PARKER, F.E., YNSN, USNR

NAV FORV Certificate of Achievement

KRULL. D.A . I BU2, USN LANG, P.J ., BU2 , USN MALONE, R.B. , EA2, USN PROPP, N. A., BU2, USN GALV IN, R.P., AN , USN