Navy Unit Commendation

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION
to the
BATTALION LANDING TEAM
THIRD BATTALION, FIRST MARINES
for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious service in the northern I Corps Area, Republic of Vietnam from 23 January to 16 April 1968. Acting on the knowledge that elements of the 803d North Vietnamese Army Regiment had been successfully interdicting traffic along the Cua Viet River, thereby threatening the vital supply link between the sea and Dong Ha combat base, the Battalion Landing Team was assigned the mission of engaging and destroying this enemy force and of keeping the river open to friendly traffic. On the evening of 23 January 1968, operations against the enemy commenced with a combined heliborne and amphibious landing. For the next eleven days the Battalion Landing Team was heavily engaged with the formidable enemy on the north bank of the river. Five major attacks were conducted against the North Vietnamese Army forces which were firmly entrenched in intricate, mutually supporting, heavily fortified positions. Maintaining continuous contact with the enemy day and night, the Battalion Landing Team systematically reduced the fortified position to rubble, seized the villages, and inflicted grievous losses upon him when he was forced to retreat. The enemy forces on the northern bank of the Cua Viet routed, the Marines crossed to the southern side, and on 16 February commenced a search and clear operation which yielded stores of enemy supplies and equipment in a series of engagements which also netted a high toll of enemy dead. Crossing back to the north bank on 1 March, the Battalion Landing Teas assaulted the village of Mai Xa Thi (West) and was met with extremely heavy resistance. Forced to attack across a creek in the most difficult of terrain, the Marines fought, faced with blistering enemy fire, to secure a beachhead on the opposite side. The vital life-line of communication, the Cua Viet River, was once again secured enabling supplies to reach the beleaguered forces on the Demilitarized Zone as far west as Khe Sanh. On 5 March the Battalion Landing Team was diverted from the Cua Viet area and moved by helicopter to Camp Carroll with the mission of providing security for the Camp and the two key bridges along Route 9. Through aggressive patrolling and detailed sweeps, the enemy was denied freedom of movement in the area and Route 9 was kept open for the vital supply convoys moving from Dong Ha to the "Rockpile", Ca Lu, and Khe Sanh. Continuously in contact with enemy forces during the entire period, the Battalion Landing Team participated in Operations BADGER CATCH, SALINE, NAPOLEAN SALINE and CHARLTON. By their effective teamwork, aggressive fighting spirit and individual acts of heroism and daring, the men of the Battalion Landing Team and supporting Marine aviation units achieved significant results. Their courage, professional skill and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

All personnel attached to and serving with the following units of Battalion Landing Team, Third Battalion, First Marines during the period 23 January to 16 April 1968 or and part thereof are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

Headquarters and Service Company

Compaines I, K, L and M

Battery C (-) (Rein), 1^st Battalion, 11^th Marines

Mortar Battery, 2d Battalion, 11^th Marines

3d Platoon (Rein), Company C, 1^st Tank Battalion

4^th Platoon, Company B, 1^st Amphibious Tractor Battalion

           (27Jan – 5Mar68) (Operation SALINE/NAPOLEON-SALINE)

Detachment, 1^st Platoon, Company A, 1^st Amphibious Tractor Battalion

           (14-18Feb68) (Operation SALINE)

Detachment, 1^st Armored Amphibious Company, 1^st Amphibious Tractor Battalion

           (31Jan68) (Operation SALINE)

           (29Feb – 1Mar68) (Operation NAPOLEON-SALINE)

Detachment, 1^st Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 1^st Amphibious Tractor Battalion

           (29Feb – 1Mar68) (Operation NAPOLEON-SALINE)

Detachment, 4th Platoon, Company B, 1^st Amphibious Tractor Battalion

          (14-18Feb68) (25-26Feb68) (Operation SALINE)

4^th Platoon (Rein), Company B, 3d Amphibious Tractor Battalion

3d Platoon, Company C, 5^th Anti Tank Battalion

1^st Platoon, Company A, 5^th Tank Battalion

                (27Jan – 5Mar68) (Operation SALINE/NAPOLEON-SALINE)

1^st Platoon, (Rein), Company D, 1^st Reconnaissance Battalion

1^st Platoon, (Rein), Company A, 1^st Motor Transport Battalion

2d Platoon (Rein), Company C, 1^st Medical Battalion

3d Platoon (-) (Rein), Company A, 1^st Engineer Battalion

Detachment, Postal, Disbursing, Radio Relay, Headquarters Battalion, 1^st Marine Division

Detachment, Company A, 1^st Shore Party Battalion

Detachment, Dental Company, 9^th Marine Amphibious Brigade

Detachment, Logistics Support Unit, Force Logistics Command

Detachment, (Naval Gunfire Liaison Team) Headquarters Battery, 11^th Marines

SLF Bravo (Attached Command Group 79.5)

Marine  Medium Helicopter Squadron-165

U.S NAVY SUPPORTING UNIT

Detachment, NSAD, Cua Viet