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File: 970107_aug96_decls2_0038.txt
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
By this time, the company had been broken into its tactical and
logistical components. Communications and Staff Officers became the A & B
Command groups. The remainder of H&S formed into Combat and Field Trains
for logistics purposes. Actually, every possible configuration for Combat
Service Support was implemented at one time or another.
Task organization was an ever-changing situation, therefore the support
picture changed with it. A major factor was the creation of a Division
level breach force. This force was centered around our Headquarters
Tanks and AYLB's with operational control at 2d Combat Engineers
Battalion. This organization required maintenance slices from H&S Company
as well as slices to Alpha and Charlie tank companies, who were attached
to Infantry Battalions.
Aside from the daily routine of resupply of fuel, water, food and ammo,
H&S personnel logged countless hours on radio watches, and performed
miracles in the maintenance areas. Whether it was tanks, trucks, radios
or weapons, our technicians, mechanics and armorers turned in superb
efforts in keeping the Battalion's equipment running. An extra special
effort was turned in by the Tank Maintenance platoon. They inherited the
responsibility of maintenance support for every M-60 tank in 2d Marine
Division zone 6nd they performed admirably.
The ground offensive began on Sunday 24 February 1991 at 0600. H&S
Company followed in trace of the maneuver elements through the minefields
rder. Consolidation took place by
mid-day on the north side of the @,nd belt of mines. At this juncture, we
were nearly overrun by surrenderees. 497 EPW's passed through our hands
that day - all without incident.
That same evening, an errant Army vehicle strayed back into the edge of
the 2nd minefield, which was on our immediate left. The following
personnel were submitted for Silver Stars for personally walking into the
minefield in order to aid the injured soldiers:
(1) HM3 Mark CLAYTON
(2) HM3 Eric MARTIN
(3) LCpl Robert WALKER
(4) Sgt Robert WALLACE
(5) Sgt Bryant YOUNG
Monday the 25th of February was day two of the ground offensive. The
Command Group followed in trace of lst Battalion, 6th Marines. On order,
the Logistics Train displaced to its assigned positions. Upon reaching
our final position for the day, we encountered another flood of EPW'S.
243 were seized and searched. Due to the amount of territory gained that
day, we were forced to hold the EPW's overnight. By this time, our
Marines had developed an extremely systematic method of EPW handling.
Tuesday the f-6th of February saw the Logistics Train deliver its EPW's
to a collection point and proceed further north to link up with the rest
of the Battalion. The overall pace of the attack was swift and the
opposition was minimal. The Battalion (-) still was following in trace
of Ist Battalion, Gth Marines, with the Logistics Train trailing
37
UNCLASSIFIED
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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