DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20380

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS
UNIT COMMENDATION to:

FIRST BATTALION, SEVENTH MARINES
FIRST MARINE DIVISION (REINFORCED)
FLEET MARINE FORCE

for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For meritorious service in action against North Vietnamese and Communist insurgent forces in the Que Son Mountains area, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, from 24 October to 8 December 1969. Throughout the period, First Battalion, 7th Marines successfully accomplished its demanding and hazardous mission in an exceptionally competent and professional manner. Assigned to the rugged Que Son Mountains, an area long considered a sanctuary for enemy forces and a staging area for attacks against Free World military forces and Vietnamese installations in the Danang vital area, the First Battalion cut their way through precipitous jungle terrain with unusual aggressiveness and skill as they closed with and destroyed the enemy and his facilities. During the six-week period, the First Battalion inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, captured a large number of personnel, weapons, ammunition, and intelligence documents, and took possession of vital medical supplies and equipment, resulting in a serious impairment of the enemy's combat capability. The Battalion also destroyed 23 base camps, a North Vietnamese Army psychological and political operation center completer with film, stencils, and pictures, and captured the 78th North Vietnamese Army Hospital, the largest and most important North Vietnamese-Viet Cong hospital in Quang Nam Province. forcing an enemy regiment to abandon its supplies and headquarters. As a result of their determination, First Battalion, 7th Marines made a major contribution to the defense and security of the vital Danang area and the politically significant populated coastal lowlands while clearing the Que Son Mountains area of well entrenched North Vietnamese Army forces. Performance of duty by the officers and men of First Battalion, Seventh Marines was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

For the Secretary of the Navy,

Signed/LEONARD F. CHAPMAN
Commandant of the Marine Corps