¥-DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION

REP-ORT

CAMP HASKINS NORTH, · DA.NANG REPUBLIC OF .VIETNAM ·

AUGUST 1968-MARCH 1969

DEPLOYM~NT COMPLETION REPORT

U.S. NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION TWENTY-TWO FLEET POST OFFICE

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 09501

MCB22/S3/dk 5213 . Ser: 4.36 1 April 1969

From: Connnanding Officer, U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TWENrY-T\vo

To: Connnander, Naval Construction Battalions, U .s. Pacific Fleet

Subj: . NM::B TWENI'Y-TWO Deployment Completion . Report

Ref: (a) COM:BPACimT 5213 .. lE Ch 2:

Encl: (1) · Deployment Completion Report

1. Enclosure (1) summarizing the August 1968 to March 1969 deployment of NM:B TWENI'Y-TWO to .the Republic of Vietnam is submitted in accordance with reference {a).

Copy to:

CINCPACFLT 1 COMSERVPAC 1 CO:r£BLANI' 2 CG FMF PAC 1 nm OF NAVAL HISTORY l CG III MA.F 1 NA VFACENGCOM (CODE 06) . l NAVFACENGCOM (CODE 063) 1 COMNA VFORV 1 COMSERVIANI' 1 COM3NCB · 2 COM3NCB REP SAIGON 1 COM20NCR 2 COM21NCR 2

ROY 11 L11 DUNLAP

COM30NCR COM31NCR COM32~R CBCEN PORHUE (CODE 17) CBCEN PORHUE (CODE 15) CO, CBCEN PORHUE. CO, CBCEN DVILLE CO, NA VSCOLOCONST CO, NAVSCOLCECOFF ALL mvCffi CO, CBCEN GULFPORT . CO, NCEL PORHUE SEABEE HISTORIAN FILE

2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

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NMCB TWENTY-TWO DEPLOYMENT COMPLETION REPORT DAN ANG, REP UBLIC OF VIETNAM

AUGUST 1968-March 1969

Ref: (a) COMCBPAC OPORD 17-68

1. EMPLOYMENT STATUS.

From mid-August 1968 to early March 1969, 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 15 August 1968 to 13 November 1968, 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 19 August 1968, a 13-man detail departed for Hoi An, RVN. The size of the detail fluctuated from a high of one officer and 19 enlisted men to 8 men when it returned to Camp Haskins North on 3 January 1969 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:

(1) Hoi An Hospital Rehab (2) Provinci.al Maintenance Center (3) School for the Blind (4) ROK 2nd Marine Brigade-22 Security Towers (5) ROK 2nd Marine Brigade- A/C Units (6) ROK 2nd Marine Brigade- Well Repair

c. Camp Evans: From 20 August 1968 to 15 October 1968, a detail consisting of 20 equipment operators was employed at Camp Evans to augment NMCB-4's Alpha Company.

d. Vinh Dai Crusher: From 15 October 1968 to 3 March 1969, the battalion had a detail employed at the crusher s ite. The original detail consisted of one officer and 26 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 175 enlisted men tasked \Vith operating two 200-ton crushers, a quarry at Song Cam Lo River, and hauling 2W' CBR to Quang Tri for the LOC program in Northern I Corps. 2. UNIT MOVEMENTS.

The following major battalion movements were accom­plished:

a. RVN Advance P ar ty-1st Echelon: On 15 July 1968, five officers and 76 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN via aircraft.

b. RVN Advance P arty-2nd Echelon : On 28 July 1968, four officers and 48 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Missis­sippi for DaNang, RVN via aircraft.

c . RVN Main Body Deployment: From 11 to 15 August 1968, the NMCB-22 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: (1) On 29 August 1968, 32 enlisted men departed Gulfport,

Mississippi for DaNang, RVN. (2) During the period of 19-30 September 1968, 49 enlisted

men departed Gulfpor t, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN. (3) On 9 and 10 October 1968, 20 enlisted men departed

Gulfport, Mississipp.i for DaNang, RVN.

(4) On 29 October 1968, 25 enlisted men departed Gulf­port, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN.

(5) During the period of 23-28 November 1968, 3 enlisted men departed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN.

(6) During 16 to 20 December 1968, 10 enlisted men depart­ed Gulfport, Mississippi for DaNang, RVN.

e. CONUS Main Body Movement : From 5 March to 12 March 1969, the main body of NMCB-22, cons is ting of 20 officers and 644 enlisted men deployed back to Gulfport, Mis­sissippi from DaNa~g. RVN via aircraft.

3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS. 13 August 1968-Commander Roy "L" DUNLAP, CEC, USNR, Commanding Officer of NMCB-22 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.

25 August 1968- 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-22 while in RVN.

5 September 1968- 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.

20 September 1968- 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-22's job s ites.

2 October 1968-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 THIRTY­FIRST Naval Construction Regiment, conducted a Manage­ment Inspection visit to review the battalion's performance and operations.

10 October 1968- 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. FISH­ER, CEC, USN, Commander THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment visited NMCB-22 at Camp Haskins North, RVN. While at the camp, the party observed a U.S. Army Skycrane

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. SUL­LTV AN, who was also present.

13 October 1968- BUCN R. F. COUTU, while working in the 1st Marines, 2nd 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 29 October 1968 returned to work.

18 October 1968-BUCN·D. J. NOBLE passed away due to as­phyxiation from aspiration. A memorial mass was said by the Roman Catholic Chaplain in NMCB-22's Chapel.

21 October 1968- All MPC was converted to the new MPC se­ries.

1-2 November 1968-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-22 Administration and Operations Depart­ments. The inspection team gave the battalion an adjective grade of Excellent.

2 November 1968-The Officers of NMCB-22 gave a farewell party for LCDR A. H. CARPENTER, CEC, USNR, Executive Officer of NMCB-22 and the officers of the U. S. Army 15th 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 159th Avia­tion Battalion.

4 November 1968- Commander Max H. POST, CEC, USNR, became Executive Officer of NMCB-22 and LT Glenn C. HOUSE, CEC, USNR, assumed the duties as Operations Officer of the battalion.

6November1968- 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 13 October 1968.

16 November 1968-The completion of the remodeling and re­roofing of the NMCB-22 EM Club was celebrated with a Grand Opening Ceremony. 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 and Battalion Commanders from NMCB-1, NMCB-3, and NMCB-12.

29 November 1968-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 ijr igade, Captain H.P. CURREN, CEC, USN, fro111 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-22 and then toured major job sites including FLC, III MAF Transient Facility and TRI-ATCO Area at DaNang Air Base ..

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1 Decembe~ 1968- NMCB-22 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 1968-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 E02 J . A. SAVAGE Jr. and CNF. L. DRESSEL Jr.

22 December 1968-Commander Roy "L" DUNLAP, CEC, USNR, Commanding Officer NMCB-22 presented the Purple Heart to E02 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 1968.

3 January 1969- NMCB-22 placed 845.5 ·cubic yards of con­crete. All concrete bei.ng produced by NMCB-22 batch plant. This was an increase of 423 cubic yards over the previous re­cord.

14 January 1969-The men at Vinh Dai .Crusher established a new record for a twelve-hour period by producing 2,829 tons of crushed rock.

17 January 1969-Captain D. G. !SELIN, CEC, USN, Com­mander Mobile Construction Battalions, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, visited NMCB-22. His schedule included a briefing, luncheon and visit to NMCB-22's construction projects.

1 February 1969~0ffici 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.

10 February 1969-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-22 Medical and Chaplain Departments, respectively.

13 February 1969- The 1st echelon of NMCB-53 ·Advance Par-' ty consis t ing of five officers and 78 enlisted men arrived at Camp Haskins North.

20 February 1969-The 2nd echelon of NMCB-53 Ad vance Party consisting of four officers and 34 enljsted men arrived at Camp Haskins North.

5 March 1969- Commander Roy "L" DUNI,AP, CEC, .USNR, Commanding Officer o( NMCB-22 officially turned over com­mand of Camp Haskins North, DaNang to Commander R. K. MILLER, CEC, USN, Commanding Officer of NMCB-53.

4. MAJOR PROBLEMS . a. Shor tage of personnel: While the battalion had .an as.­

signed strength of 724 enlisted personnel when it deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, only 563 of the enlisted men were deployable. Of these 161 men who were unable to depfoy with the battalion, 139 men finally did deploy to Vietnam with, the

last group arriving on 22 December 1968. It should be further noted that 128 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

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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:

( 1) Proper utilization of personnel. (2) 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.

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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 moveab le wall across a center s tage. The com­plete cl uh \\·as rem odeled and a center s tage was bui lt in s uch a "·a.v that e\·e ryo 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 ever y Monday night \\'i th cash and hard-to­get items suc h 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 furnish ed thl' lifeguards dur ing the open hours.

g. Special Services prov id ed musirnl im•truments a nd uni­form ~ for the Batta li on's Dance Band. ln addition it fur­nis hed the fund:; to huy each man in th e hattnlion a Cruise Book , Vietna mese Ca mpaign Medal and a Battali on Wall P laq ue. 11. PROMOTIONS I. Promoted to: 0-.)

0-4 fj

0-2 I 2. Atha nccd to: E-8 IJ

E-7 1 E-6 " .)

E-5 25 E-'1 21 E-3 134

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12. AWARDS & UNIT RECOGNITION . a. AW ARDS PRESENTED:

CDR. Roy "L" DUNLAP Legion of Merit

BUC>I Rona ld F. COUTU Purple Heart

CN Frederick W. DRESSEL .. Jr. Purple Heart

E02 James A. SA \I ACK Jr. Purple Heart

RECOMMENDED:

Navy Co mmendat ion Medal

Navy Achievement Meda l~

\ ietnamese ervice A ward

MACV Certificate~ of Achievement

CO's Letters of Commendation

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