THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON

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

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

for service as set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For meritorious service in action against Communist (Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army) forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the post-Tet offensive from 23 to 27 February 1969. The men of the Third Battalion, 7th Marines engaged the highly trained, well equipped elements of the 141st North Vietnamese Regiment, 184th Vietnamese Communist Company, and the 368B Artillery Regiment and defeated them at every turn. The aggressive and spirited Marine units were ready and willing to engage and fight the enemy on his own terms, Militantly seeking out the opposition by vigorous saturating patrols, the men of the Third Battalion denied every attempted movement by their foe. It became apparent that the enemy forces had been demoralized, stripped of their effectiveness, and beaten by the Marines on 25 February 1969, when the Acting Commander of the 141st North Vietnamese Regiment was captured. During this fierce post-Tet battle the Third Battalion assaulted the enemy, engaged him to hand-to-hand combat, and destroyed any hope the North Vietnamese forces has of launching an attack against the city of Danang. During the five days of fighting, the Third Battalion accounted for heavy losses of enemy personnel and weapons. The Third Battalion effectively shattered the 141st Regiment, and in the process dealt a serious blow to the entire Communist effort. The fighting spirit, unflagging aggressiveness, and countless acts of heroism demonstrated by the officers and men of the fighting Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Signed/JOHN H. CHAFEE
Secretary of the Navy