AAR 1ST MARDIV IN SWA

File: 970725_dec96_decls34_0064.txt
Page: 0064
Total Pages: 130
Subject = AAR  1ST MARDIV IN SWA                                          

Parent Organization = MCCDC       

Unit = WDID        

Folder Title = AFTER ACTION REPORT 1ST MARINE DIVISION IN SOUTHWEST ASIA   WDID SWA 0073                       

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX600145




                                     UNCLASSIFIED




                                           TF GRIZZLY

             1.  Two days prior to the general ground offensive TF Grizzly had
             secured 20km of Kuwaity territory.     The 4th Marines, consisting of
             2/7 and 3/7, moved into Kuwait under the cover of darkness on the
             early morning hours of 22 Feb. (G-2).     The Task Force was not
             discovered until approx 16 hours later when 2/7 started taking
             sporadic and ineffective indirect fir'e.    3/7 would go undetected
             for another 24 hours.    Both units were wi,,.hin 3km of the enemy
             first obstacle belt, their mission to find a path through the
             obstacle belt and get behind the enemy, the night prior to G-day.
             After attempts were frustrated b@ friendly air to find a force on
             G-2, that only left G-1 to find a path which reconnaissance had
             failed to detect.   The whole effect fell on the shoulders of SSgt
             Charles Restifo form Co A, 3d CEB attached to 3/7.     His
             confidence and courage carried the day.     He had made twice
             attempts at probing the minef4.eld in broad daylight within the
             range of both direct and indirect fix?e weapons.    The evening of
             G-1 when time was critical, SSgt Buckley from STA of 3/7 moved
             across the minefield with such audacity that an enemy company
             defending the minefield surrendered - as they gathered up the
             EPWs' the@ were receiving enemy mortar fire trying to prevent the
             surrender, the POWs' assisted in marking the lane through the AT
             minefield. SSgt Restifo could not rest however, since EPW
             interrogation identified a unknown AP mine.lield approx.      see-leoe
             meters to the north of the first, but they did not have knowledge
             of a force.   SSgt Restifo with assistance of SSgt Buckly and
             security from a rifle company, K Co 3/7 moved to the second
             mine@lield and hand breached a lane for infantry to pass and then
             set up an explosive breach to allow vehicles to pass through.
             Ultimately, their lanes would support the passage of two infantry
             battalions, ove, mechanized artillery Battalion and the regimental
             headquarters.   Mission accomplished for TF Grizzly of securing the
             left flank of the division and rapidly uncovering artillery
             positions for the second Divisional breach.

             2. The story of the let tanks into Kuwait again brings up the
             point that there we-en't any massive armor formation. They were
             two M-60 tanks with mine plows and two LVTP-7 with M-KS4 (triple
             shot lave charges) moved into Kuwa:@t on G-2 by our infantry task
             force.  The Tank and tracks crewed by Marines form 3d Tank En and
             CEB respectively were a detachment assigned to TF Grizzly to
             assist in marking vehicle lanes available after an infantry
             infiltration mission.

             3. The recon team from D    Co, lst Recon Bn. headed by Sgt Gregory
             clearly demonstrated the resolve characterized Marines of all MOS.
             When TF Grizzly forwarded command post was ready to follow in
             trace of the infantry battalions movement through the mineficid,
             recon team was dispatched lead by Sgt. Gregory to assist in the
             rapid passage. While conducting recon of the route, the recon
             team was subjected to a shower of enemy rocket fire directed            13
             toward the minel@ield and took immediate action to assist injured
             Marines in the vicinity. Where they reported back - they had been
             unable to fand the vehicle lane for the passage. After the CP
             checked -to ensure-that a vehicle lane was complete - the recon
             'team was again dispatched into the same area that they receives
                                          CLASSIFIFN