DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WASHINGTON. D. C. 20380

IN REPLY REFER TO

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

THIRD RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION (REINFORCED) THIRD MARINE DIVISION (REINFORCED)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION;

For meritorious service in the Northern Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam from 1 August to 30 September 1968. Assigned the mission of maintaining reconnaissance surveillance within the Third Marine Division's area of responsibility, the Third Reconnaissance Battalion operating with eight-man teams, conducted numerous reconnaissance missions deep in Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army infested territory for periods of time which steadily increased until the average length of a reconnaissance patrol was 3.5 days. Although the battalion's mission was one of primarily clandestine intelligence gatherings, patrols frequently made contact with the enemy. Though lightly armed, the small eight-man reconnaissance patrols accounted for 165 confirmed enemy killed and 247 probable killed in 104 contacts with the enemy. The patrols accounted for many Viet Cong/North Vietnamese harboring and training sites destroyed; located several hundred pounds of rice, numerous weapons, large quantities of ammunition and many enemy documents. In addition to the tangible items, the mtangible effect of the reconnaissance surveillance in preventing the enemy from massing his forces for a large scale attack cannot be measured. The outstanding courage, professional abilities, and aggressive fighting spirit of the men of the Third Reconnaissance Battalion (Reinforced) reflected great credit upon the Marine Corps and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

All personnel attached to and serving with the Third Reconnaissance Battalion (Reinforced), consisting of the following units, are authorized to wear the MERITORIOUS UNICOMMENDATION Ribbon.

Headquarters and Service Company Company A

Company B Company C Company D Company E

Third Force Reconnaissance Company

Scout Dog Platoon, Force Logistic Command