8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91 12 APR 91

File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0024.txt
Page: 0024
Total Pages: 60

Subject: 8TH TANK BN  COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91  12 APR 91     

Unit: 8TH TANK BN 

Parent Organization: 2 MARDIV    

Box  ID: BX600007

Folder Title: COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991                                           

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:          5





                                           UNCLASSIFIED


                   be transported in the armored HUMMWV to a casualty collecting point where
                   the casualty would be transferred to the ambulance and taken to the BAB
                   .for care,
                      The ambulance would drop off the company's BAB stationed corpsman at
                   the casualty collecting point to provide care for other casualties brought
                   to the area prior to evacuation to the BAB, thereby freeing up the armored
                   extraction vehicle to go forward to collect additional casualties. Radio
                   contact with the BAB would allow preparation for treatment prior to
                   arrival of the casualty at the BAB. This plan was less than ideal, but
                   attempts to secure an armored ambulance (P-7 AAMPTRAC) were unsuccessful.
                   NBC casualties would be passed through a separate NBC decontamination site
                   before being admitted to the BAB. The system was exercised and found to be
                   effective and placed into action as the medevac plan for Bth Tank
                   Battalion.
                      However, evacuation to the rear from the BPS was expected to be
                   unlikely in the first part of the ground war. As a result, plans were
                   established for a holding area for casualties after treatment until they
                   could be evacuated. This also meant that it would probably become
                   necessary to provide a higher echelon of care at the BAB than is generally
                   provided, and preparations were made to do so, including, in some
                   instances, life-saying emergency surgical procedures.
                      Plans were developed for the special problems to be encountered while
                   crossing the breach lanes. Medical personnel and equipment were
s spread among the logistic train, forming  a
                   number of mobile aid stations in the back of vehicles, ensuring
                   availability of medical care. During this phase of combat operations, the
                   field and combat trains were combined and BAB likewise functioned as a
                   single unit in the operation.
                      By the morning of 24 February, the medical operative plan was in place
                   and fully functional. The Sth Marines provided medical intelligence that
                   predicted high rates of casualties for both our line companies and
                   logistical trains. The medical department was prepared for this.
                      In the middle of Red Lane 1, in MOPP 4 conditions and encountering
                   intermittent enemy artillery and mortar fire, a Marine of another unit
                   .suffered fragmentation wounds. HM2 BENTON of the BAB left his vehicle  and
                   appropriately and quickly provided stabilizing medical care when there
                   were no other functioning aid stations in the area.
                      The battalion had anticipated large numbers of EPW'S, many with medical
                   needs, but the vast numbers encountered in the first 2 days of the ground
                   war placed strains on the ability of the medical department to provide
                   care for them. Immediate care was provided to.over 300 EPW's in need of
                   medical attention, ranging from sprains to penetrating wounds in addition
                   to large numbers with chronic ailments.
                      On the evening of 24 February adjacent to the battalion position, a
                   U. S. Army vehicle struck a land mine. HN CLAYTON and HN MARTIN of the
                   medical department took part in the rescue of casualties from the
                   minefields and medical treatment and were nominated for the Bronze Star
r their heroic actions along with 3 Marines.
                      Three additional casualties occurred in the same area the following
                   morning when a USMC truck hit another mine. Treatment was rendered and
                   the casualties were appropriately evacuated.
                      On the 26 of February, while on a road march to contact, an AAV
                   accident injured 2 Marines. As a result of in depth planning, training
                   and combat loading, the BAB of our battalion was able to be set up on the
                   road in under 5 minutes and prompt care and transport of these injured


                                                    23
                                              UNCLASSIFIED

Document 60 f:/Week-34/BX600007/COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991/8th tank bn command chronology nov 90 to mar 91:01029709504317
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX600007
Unit = 8TH TANK BN
Parent Organization = 2 MARDIV
Folder Title = COMMAND CHRONOLOGY 8TH TANK BN 26 NOV - 31 MARCH 1991
Folder Seq # = 5
Subject = 8TH TANK BN COMMAND CHRONOLOGY NOV 90 TO MAR 91
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 02-JAN-1997