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The Battle for Khe Sanh

Chapter 25: APPENDIX E
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About This Book

A detailed military history recounts the prolonged siege of a forward plateau in northern South Vietnam, describing how U.S. Marines, supported by Army, Navy, Air Force, and South Vietnamese units, defended an airstrip and nearby positions against numerically superior opponents. It examines strategic reasoning for holding the position, the buildup of forces and logistics, and the interplay of artillery, close air support, and strategic bombing. The account highlights weather and resupply challenges, interservice coordination, and unit-level actions, reconstructing the combat operations, relief efforts, and operational decisions that resolved the siege.

TASK ORGANIZATION AT KHE SANH, 24 APRIL-13 MAY 1967

A.  3D MARINES (-) (REIN)

24APR-13MAY67

   

HEADQUARTERS COMPANY

24APR-13MAY67

   

2D BATTALION (REIN)

26APR-13MAY67

         

HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY(-)(REIN)
DET, HQBN, 3D MARDIV
DET, HQCO, 3D MAR
DET, B BTRY (REIN), 1ST BN, 12TH MAR
DET, 15TH DENTAL CO
2D CLEARING PLT (REIN), CO B, 3D MED BN
1ST PLT (-) (REIN), CO A, 3D ENGR BN
1ST PLT (REIN), CO C, 3D MT BN
1ST PLT (-) (REIN), CO C, 3D SP BN
DET, LSU, FLC

 
 
         

COMPANY E (REIN)
1ST SEC, 81MM MORTAR PLT
FAC TEAM
DET, MED PLT
DET, INTELLIGENCE SEC
DET, B BTRY (REIN), 1/12
1ST SQD, 1ST PLT (REIN), CO A, 3D ENGR BN
DET, 1ST PLT (REIN), CO C, 3D SP BN

 
 
         

COMPANY F (REIN)
DET, H&S CO
2D SEC, 81MM MORTAR PLT
FAC TEAM
DET, MED PLT
DET, INTELLIGENCE SEC
DET, B BTRY (REIN), 1/12
2D SQD, 1ST PLT (REIN), CO A, 3D ENGR BN
DET, 1ST PLT (REIN), CO C, 3D SP BN

 
 
         

COMPANY G (REIN)
DET, H&S CO
3D SEC, 81MM MORTAR PLT
DET, MED PLT
DET, INTELLIGENCE SEC
DET, B BTRY (REIN), 1/12

 
 
         

COMPANY H (REIN)
DET, H&S CO
4TH SEC, 81MM MORTAR PLT
FAC TEAM
DET, MED PLT
DET, INTELLIGENCE SEC
DET, B BTRY (REIN), 1/12
3D SQD, 1ST PLT (REIN), CO A, 3D ENGR BN
DET, 1ST PLT (REIN), CO C, 3D SP BN

 
         

COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

11-13MAY67

         

COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

11-13MAY67

         

COMPANY C, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

13 MAY 67 

         

COMPANY D, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

11-13MAY67

         

COMPANY E, 2D BATTALION, 9TH MARINES

12-13MAY67

         

3D PLT (REIN), CO B, 1ST AMTRAC BN

 
         

2D PLT (REIN), CO A, AT BN

 
         

3D PLT, CO B, 3D RECON BN

 
         

2D PLT (REIN), CO A, 3D TANK BN

 
         

106MM RR PLT

 
   

3D BATTALION (-) (REIN)
   COMMAND GROUP "A"

 

         

COMPANY K
FO TEAM, BTRY C, 1/12
DET, H&S CO
FO TEAM, 81MM MORTAR PLT
FAC TEAM (-)
DET, MED PLT

25-27APR67

         

COMPANY M
FO TEAM, BTRY C, 1/12
FO TEAM, 81MM MORTAR PLT
SCOUT/DOG TEAM
SCOUT TEAM, 3/3

27APR-1MAY67

         

COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, 9TH MARINES

25-27APR67

         

COMPANY K, 3D BATTALION, 9TH MARINES

25APR-13MAY67

         

COMPANY M, 3D BATTALION, 9TH MARINES

29APR-13MAY67

         

COMPANY F, 2D BATTALION, 3D MARINES

1MAY-3MAY67

         

COMPANY C, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

5-13MAY67

         

COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

12-13MAY67

   

BASE DEFENSE/RESERVE

 

         

COMPANY B, 1ST BATTALION, 9TH MARINES

24-27APR67

         

COMPANY F, 2D BATTALION, 3D MARINES

27APR-1MAY67

         

COMPANY E, 2D BATTALION, 9TH MARINES

1-12MAY67

         

COMPANY C, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

4-5MAY67

 
         

1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES

12-13MAY67

   

SUPPORTING UNITS

 
         

DIRECT SUPPORT
BATTERY F (REIN), 2/12
BATTERY B, 1/12
BATTERY A, 1/12

 
24APR-13MAY67
27APR-11MAY67
13MAY

TASK ORGANIZATION AT KHE SANH, 20 JANUARY-1 APRIL 1968

A.  26TH MARINES

 
         

HEADQUARTERS COMPANY

20JAN-31MAR68

         

1ST BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

 
         

2D BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

3D BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

B.  ATTACHED AND SUPPORTING UNITS

 

(1)  U. S. MARINE CORPS

 
 
         

1ST BATTALION, 9TH MARINES (LESS CO "C")

22JAN-31MAR68

         

CO "C", 1ST BATTALION, 9TH MARINES

23JAN-31MAR68

         

1ST BATTALION, 13TH MARINES

20JAN-31MAR68

         

1ST PROV, 155MM HOWITZER BTRY

20JAN-31MAR68

 
         

DET, 1ST SEARCHLIGHT BTRY 12TH MARINES

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 3D ENGINEER BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

COMPANY "B", 3D RECON BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

3D PLATOON, COMPANY "D", 3D RECON
BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

1ST PLATOON, COMPANY "A", 5TH RECON
BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

COMPANY "A" (-) 3D ANTITANK
BATTALION (REDESIGNATED ANTITANK
COMPANY (-), 3D TANK BATTALION)

20JAN-31MAR68

         

COMPANY "A", 3D SHORE PARTY BATTALION

24JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, H&S COMPANY, 3D SHORE PARTY
BATTALION

24JAN-31MAR68

         

2D CLEARING PLATOON, COMPANY "C"
3D MED BATTALION

24JAN-31MAR68

         

OTTER PLATOON, H&S COMPANY
3D MOTOR TRANSPORT BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, COMPANY "B", 9TH MOTOR
TRANSPORT BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, COMPANY "A", 9TH MOTOR TRANSPORT
BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, SU#1, 1ST RADIO BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 3D DENTAL COMPANY

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, HEADQUARTERS
BATTALION, 3D MARINE
DIVISION (POSTAL, PHOTO, EXCHANGE,
ISO, AO'S, STAFF AUGMENT)

20JAN-31MAR68

         

COMBINED ACTION COMPANY "O"
3D COMBINED ACTION GROUP, III MAF

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, COMM CO, HEADQUARTERS BATTALION,
3D MARINE DIVISION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 5TH COMM BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 7TH COMM BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, FORCE LOGISTICS COMMAND

20JAN-31MAR68

         

SUB-TEAM #1, 17TH INTERROGATOR-TRANSLATOR
TEAM

20JAN-31MAR68

         

COMPANY "B", 3D TANK BATTALION, 3D
MARINE DIVISION

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET "01", HEADQUARTERS & MAINTENANCE
SQUADRON, MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP-16

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET "01", MARINE OBSERVATION SQUADRON,
MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP-16

15MAR-31MAR68

         

DET "2" MARINE AIR SUPPORT SQUADRON
3, MARINE AIR CONTROL GROUP-18

16JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, HEADQUARTERS & MAINTENANCE
SQUADRON-36, MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP-36

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, MARINE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL UNIT-62,
MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP-36

20JAN-31MAR68

(2)  U. S. NAVY

 
         

DET "B", CONSTRUCTION BATTALION,
MOBILE UNIT-301

20JAN-11FEB68

         

DET, MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION-10

20JAN-19FEB68

         

DET, MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION-53

20JAN-13FEB68

         

DET, MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION-5

20JAN-24JAN68

(3) U. S, ARMY

 
         

DET. A-101, 5TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 44TH ARTILLERY

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 65TH ARTILLERY

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 238TH COUNTER-MORTAR RADAR
UNIT, 108TH FIELD ARTILLERY GROUP

22JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 1ST PLATOON (SMOKE), 25TH
CHEMICAL COMPANY

9FEB-31MAR68

         

544TH SIGNAL DET, 37TH SIGNAL
BATTALION

20JAN-31MAR68

(4)  U. S. AIR FORCE

 
         

DET, (OPERATING LOCATION AJ), 15TH
AERIAL PORT SQUADRON

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 366TH TRANSPORT SQUADRON, 366TH
COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET, 903D AERO MED EVAC SQDN

20JAN-31MAR68

         

DET "A", 834TH AIR DIVISION

20JAN-31MAR68

ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH VIETNAM

 
         

37TH ARVN RANGER BATTALION

27JAN-1APR68


APPENDIX E

COMMAND AND STAFF LIST 3D MARINES, 24 APR-13 MAY 1967 (Period covered during "The Hill Fights")
3D MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

Col John P. Lanigan
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Executive Officer

LtCol Jack Westerman
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-1

WO Charles M. Christensen
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-2

Capt Adolfo Sgambelluri
(24Apr67-7May67)
Capt James D. McGowan
(8May67-13May67)

 

S-3

Maj Floyd A. Karker
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-4

Maj Howard L. Long
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Communications Officer

Capt Curtis G. Arnold
(24Apr67-1May67)
Capt George W. Brooks
(2May67-13May67)

2D BATTALION, 3D MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

LtCol Earl R. DeLong
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Executive Officer

Maj Wendell O. Beard
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-1

2dLt Billy L. Heaton
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-2

Capt Robert N. Bogard
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-3

Capt Douglas W. Lemon
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-4

Capt Robert R. Green
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Headquarters and Service Company

 
Capt Stuart R. Vaughan
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "E"

 
Capt Alfred E. Lyon
(24Apr67-3May67)
1stLt John F. Adinolfi
(4May67-12May67)
Capt Alfred E. Lyon
(13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "F"

 
Capt Martin Sorensen
(24Apr67-9May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "G"

 
Capt James P. Sheehan
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "H"

 
Capt Raymond C. Madonna
(24Apr67-13May67)

3D BATTALION, 3D MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

LtCol Gary Wilder
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Executive Officer

Maj Rudolph S. Sutter
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-1

2dLt John C. Ralph
(24Apr67-11May67)

 

S-2

2dLt Evander R. McIver III
(24Apr67-11 May67)
2dLt Michael T. Montgomery
(12May67-13May67)

 

S-3

Capt Thomas A. Stumpf
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

S-4

SSgt William T. Pope
(24Apr67-30Apr67)
1stLt John H. Admire
(1May67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Headquarters and Service Company

 
Capt Robert W. Poolaw
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "I"

 
Capt Christian L. Harkness
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "K"

 
Capt Bayliss L. Spivey, Jr.
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "L"

 
Capt John W. Ripley
(24Apr67-13May67)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "M"

 
Capt William R. Griggs
(24Apr67-13May67)


APPENDIX F

COMMAND AND STAFF LIST 26TH MARINES, 20 JAN-1 APR 1968
(Period covered in Presidential Unit Citation)
26TH MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

Col David E. Lownds
(12Aug67-1Apr68)

 

Executive Officer

LtCol Louis A. Rann
(28Sep67-1Apr68)

 

S-1

1stLt Robert J. Mariz
(29Jan68-29Jan68)(KIA)
Capt Arnold R. Nelson
(30Jan68-8Feb68)
Capt Anthony V. Latorre, Jr.
(9Feb68-1Apr68)

 

S-2

Capt Harper L. Bohr, Jr.
(1Aug67-7Feb68)
Maj Jerry E. Hudson
(8Feb68-17Mar68)
Capt Thorvald P. E. Holm
(18Mar68-1Apr68)

 

S-3

Maj Wayne M. Wills
(1Aug67-22Jan68)
LtCol Edward J. A. Castagna
(23Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-4

Maj Aubrey L. Lumpkin
(17Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Communications Officer

Maj John A. Shepherd
(16Nov67-1Apr68)

1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

LtCol James B. Wilkinson
(5Jul67-29Feb68)
LtCol Frederick J. McEwan
(1Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Executive Officer

Maj Charles E. Davis III
(23Dec67-31Jan68)
Maj Howard J. McCarty
(1Feb68-1Apr68)

 

S-1

1stLt Stephen A. Fitzgerald
(13Dec67-31Jan68)
1stLt William J. Ferral
(1Feb68-1Apr68)

 

S-2

1stLt Anthony E. Sibley
(6Dec67-13Feb68)
1stLt Ernest E. Spencer
(14Feb68-1Apr68)

 

S-3

Maj Bruce A. Greene
(23Dec67-29Jan68)
Maj Charles E. Davis III
(30Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-4

Capt Robert C. Onslow
(6Nov67-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Headquarters and Service Company

 
1stLt Robert A. Brown
(20Dec67-16Feb68)
1stLt Paul G. Lojkovic
(17 Feb68-20Mar68)
Capt Lajon R. Hutton
(21Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "A"

 
Capt Ray G. Snyder
(15Dec67-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "B"

 
Capt Kenneth W. Pipes
(20Dec67-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "C"

 
Capt David L. Ernst
(15Jan68-15Feb68
2dLt Paul W. Bush
(16Feb68-2Mar68)
Capt Walter J. Egger
(3Mar68-22Mar68)
Capt Lawrence E. Seaman, Jr.
(23Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "D"

 
1stLt Ernest E. Spencer
(1Aug67-13Feb68)
Capt Edward J. Hughes, Jr.
(14Feb68-1Apr68)

2D BATTALION, 26TH MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

LtCol Francis J. Heath, Jr.
(Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Executive Officer

Maj Royce L. Bond
(Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-1

1stLt Richard J. Gustafson
(16Jan-1Apr68)

 

S-2

1stLt Edwin R. Matthews
(Jan68-11Feb68)
SSgt Horace E. Roland
(12Feb68-9Mar68)
1stLt John C. Wainio
(10Mar68-1Apr68)

 

S-3

Maj Gerald F. Kurth
(Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-4

Capt Erwin J. Martikke, Jr.
(Jan68-18Mar68)
Capt Earle G. Breeding, Jr.
(19Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Headquarters and Service Company

 
Capt Stanley M. Hartman
(Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "E"

 
Capt Earle G. Breeding Jr.
(Jan68-8Mar68)
1stLt Joseph R. Meeks
(9Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "F"

 
Capt Charles F. Divelbiss
(Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "G"

 
Capt Lee R. Overstreet
(Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "H"

 
Capt Charles O. Broughton
(Jan68-1Apr68)

3D BATTALION, 26TH MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

LtCol Harry L. Alderman
(21Aug67-14Mar68)
LtCol John C. Studt
(15Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Executive Officer

Maj Joseph M. Loughran, Jr.
(9Sep67-1Apr68)

 

S-1

1stLt Edward J. Paurazas Jr.
(21Dec67-1Apr68)

 

S-2

2dLt Jay G. Marks, Jr.
(14Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-3

Maj Matthew P. Caulfield
(24Nov67-1Apr68)

 

S-4

1stLt Jack A. Brage
(16Nov67-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Headquarters and Service Company

 
Capt Alfred Lardizabal, Jr.
(29Nov67-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "I"

 
Capt William H. Dabney
(24Nov67-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "K"

 
Capt Norman J. Jasper, Jr.
(23Nov67-22Jan68)
1stLt Jerry Saulsbury
(23Jan68-27Jan68)
Capt Paul L. Snead
(28Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "L"

 
Capt Richard D. Camp, Jr.
(30Jun67-29Jan68)
Capt William F. Hurley
(30Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "M"

 
Capt John J. Gilece, Jr.
(29Nov67-31Jan68)
1stLt John T. Esslinger
(1Feb68-23Mar68)
Capt Walter R. Jenkins
(24Mar68-1Apr68)

1ST BATTALION, 9TH MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

LtCol John F. Mitchell
(1Jan68-31Mar68)
LtCol John J. H. Cahill
(1Apr68)

 

Executive Officer

Maj Joseph A. Donnelly
(1Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-1

1stLt Peter A. Woog
(1Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-2

1stLt Robert J. Arboleda
(1Jan68-1Apr68)

 

S-3

Maj Edward M. Ringley
(1Jan68-16Feb68)
Capt Charles B. Hartzell
(17Feb68-10Mar68)
Maj Ted R. Henderson
(11Mar68-1Apr68)

 

S-4

1stLt John M. Georgi
(1Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Headquarters and Service Company

 
1stLt Michael J. Walker
(9Jan68-13Feb68)
Capt John W. Cargile
(14Feb68-31Mar68)
Capt Edward R. Miller, Jr.
(1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "A"

 
Capt Henry J. M. Radcliffe
(1Jan68-31Mar68)
Capt. Henry D. Banks
(1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "B"

 
Capt Robert T. Bruner
(1Jan68-26Jan68)
1stLt Arthur N. Mangham, Jr.
(27Jan68-2Feb68)
Capt John R. Williams, Jr.
(3Feb68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "C"

 
Capt John W. Cargile
(9Jan68-13Feb68)
Capt Ralph H. Flagler
(14Feb68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "D"

 
Capt Don F. Schafer
(1Jan68-31Mar68)
Capt John W. Cargile
(1Apr68)

1ST BATTALION, 13TH MARINES
 

Commanding Officer

LtCol John A. Hennelly
(10Dec67-1Apr68)

 

Executive Officer

Maj Ronald W. Campbell
(13Jul67-1Apr68)

 

S-1

2dLt Daniel W. Kelly
(19Nov67-1Apr68)

 

S-2

1stLt Walter K. Jones
(21Dec67-4Mar68)
1stLt Leslie M. Palm
(5Mar68-1Apr68)

 

S-3

Capt Lawrence R. Salmon
(13Jul67-8Mar68)
Maj Gerald R. Houchin
(9Mar68-1Apr68)

 

S-4

1stLt Harold P. Klunk
(1Dec67-20Feb68)
Capt Tommy J. Hicks
(21Feb68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Headquarters Battery

 
1stLt Ralph W. Dunn, Jr.
(2Aug67-20Feb68)
1stLt Walter K. Jones
(21Feb68-15Mar68)
Capt Jerome P. Rogers
(16Mar68-21Mar68)
1stLt Jacob W. Hughes, Jr.
(22Mar68-lApr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Battery "A"

 
Capt Dennis L. Pardee
(Aug67-29Feb68)
Capt Victor B. Snider
(1Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Battery "B"

 
1stLt George G. Wood
(21Jan68-29Feb68)
Capt James C. Uecker
(1Mar68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Battery "C"

 
Capt William J. O'Connor
(28Nov67-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Mortar Battery

 
Capt Michael T. Pierson
(5Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
1st Provisional 155
Howitzer Battery, 3/12

 
Capt Joseph Taylor
(5Jan68-29Feb68)
Capt Stephen J. Hayes
(1Mar68-1Apr68)

ATTACHED UNITS
 

Commanding Officer
Company "A", 3d AT Battalion

 
Capt James O. Lea
(20Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "B", 3d Tank Battalion

 
Capt Daniel W. Kent
(       -24Jan68)
Capt Claude W. Reinke
(25Jan68-1Apr68)

 

Commanding Officer
Company "A", 3d Shore Party
Battalion

 
1stLt Robert L. Singleton
(28Jan68-4Mar68)
Maj Howard W. Wahlfeld
(5Mar68-1Apr68)


APPENDIX G

The device reproduced on the back cover is the oldest military insignia in continuous use in the United States. It first appeared, as shown here, on Marine Corps buttons adopted in 1804. With the stars changed to five points, this device has continued on Marine buttons to the present day.

Transcriber's Notes:-

The original spelling, hyphenation, and punctuation has been retained, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.

Footnotes marked thus [12] have been moved to the end of the chapter in which they occur.

Footnotes marked thus (12) can be seen in Appendix A, as in the original document.

Footnote markers (44), (45), (136) and (154) were omitted in the original document. The location of these markers is the transcriber's approximation.