On 26 July 1969, the 3rd Bde, 9ID was OPCON to the 25th . 36)
After a month of scattered contact, action exploded again during Operation CORONADO IX on Dec. 4. I was pay officer for our battalion for one month and actually drew my
Commanding General. Hope to hear from some folks via my e-mail: flbowers@hotmail.com Enjoy the day and hope for tomorrow as we would always say :-). Armored Vehicles. During the rescue Gene never thought of himself or the danger he put himself in. Thanks for the memories. I was transferred to Division Artillery in July 1967 and accompanied DivArty Commander Col. Stewart C. Meyer when he went over to welcome the Thai Regiment to Bearcat in September. When we were watching the bridge, the engineers also left a task. Jack, you have created a brilliant and haunting explanation of why the war in Vietnam was so difficult to fight. Donald T. Some fellow buddies were william curry, jose lopez (cook), jody laws. We had to wait for nearly three weeks before our howitzers arrived and then we were off to Operation Colby. April The Royal Thai Volunteer Force Air Force Victory Flight component, deployed to Vietnam in 1964, began their phased stand down and return that was scheduled for completion by December.
They had welded together a steel bucket to go over the forks of the forklift which was used to dig the pool before I got their. I was at Bearcat from Nov.68 through Nov. 69 with the 1st CAV - Co. B, 228th (Chinook outfit). For the purpose of continuity throughout this Website I have used the term Bearcat. The 104th was not a combatant unit such as the Infantry, but provided clearing patrols and was heavily involved in big fire-fights like the Battle of Coral, Balmoral, TET (1968) and many more. Hope this finds its way to you and that you are in good health. Local kids
JOURNEY TO VIETNAM 31 May 68 Oakland, Ca. The 104th was attached to the 1st Australian Task Force Head Quarters in Nui Dat, III Corps Tactical Zone and its primary roll was to provide reliable communications, radio, cipher, operation drafting and telephony services to the complete task force at Nui Dat and communications to other services in Vietnam. Three nights I guarded the Water Point. I hope that you are enjoying your time in Vietnam. I was an Air Force radio operator assigned to the 9th ID at Bearcat as one half of the two man TALO (Tactical Air Liaison Officer) team about June 1967 to May 1968. . Local kids
Brennan.I am in Vietnam right now retracing his stepsAny pointers? First I thank Jack for this wonderful web site. Just seeing those clouds again brought me back to III Corps 1969. about 2 miles long and a mile wide, we cleared an area out from the perimeter of
We were visiting the Royal Thai Military Nurses Academy. I was in the Air Force seven months having "retreaded" out of the Army (1st 34th Inf, 24th Inf Div). Having health problems now and all he remembers is Harry Whiteside, Doug Kalora, and 1st Lt Malone. At the time, the VFW post on Vashon Island, Wash.where Gaynor still lives with his husbandwas sponsoring a Boy Scout troop; one of the troop members wanted to scan Gaynors photos as part of his Eagle Scout project. I'd guess 66 & 67? 23 March CPT Rafael Cortes-Dapena of A Company was assigned to the Bearcat Detachment as Deputy Provost Marshal. Thousands upon thousands of military people of all types and Vietnamese
I had the tasks of unloading parts, clearing drainage ditches, and other odd jobs. I remember sleeping on the ground for 2 weeks while waiting for our equipment to catch up to us. Blogging Nobody brought me coffee while on guard duty. (May '70 -Dec'71 ext). We called him "The Magnificent" Colonel Murray. More information. We were all draftees and sore about being in Vietnam which others were surfing back home. Monsoon season. Best time to draw was 8-10 and 2-4. Note, dust raised. And thank you for burning IT. A fourth one one went out the back door and was caught by my partner. I agree Jack good job. I was there when TET of 68 broke out and all hell broke loose. They guard roster would get shorter and shorter whit people being exempted and then they would have to correct it. Click above to view photos It's great when another Vietnam Vet shows up here, especially one who was assigned to the 9th Inf Div. Rod - I thank you for preparing the base for the rest of us guys that arrive on the 19th of Dec.. My buddy Norm Faught with the 9th Signal Bn arrived with you guys to set up early commo. I have an old picture taken from some 15 miles away, but one night, VC
On 20 April 1967 she suffered a gun mount explosion, injuring six and killing one crew. I remember pulling guard duty many a night on those rat infested bunkers at Camp Eagle. Bearcat was a favorite target for enemy harassment and it occurred on almost a daily routine. We landed by ship in Vietnam in October of 1968. Barbed wire and the beauty of blooming flowers on the berm, 63)
We did kill 2 monkeys found in the next day sweep. Thank you for your service! Election 2016 and kids from the 709ths civic action village. . Members for the 104th were drawn from the 139th Signal Squadron at Enoggera Brisbane, Australia. 25 August 1998. Most LO Radio Operators worked 12 hour shifts and were ready at all times to move to another operating station. Id be interested in talking. just like this for nearly 100 miles. It is next to the HQ's for the RTAVF. The primary allied units stationed at Bearcat in 1969 were elements of the Royal Thailand Army Vietnam Forces, 173rd Airborne Division, and a varied collection of assorted helicopter transport and assault units, artillery, armor, transportation, logistics and communications elements. Though Gaynor admits that his expectations for the results were low, he went along with the idea. Hello Mr Heckman, I'm sure everyone is happy to see that you too survived the experience. Bear Cat was the
We would leave post every morning and ride (north) to the defile at the temporary Baily Bridge over the Buong River first, then back up the highway (south) past the rubber plantation to the Long Than area and back again. 14 Sep 1947-10 Dec 1967. I am not. Convoys leaving or entering at the berm entrance. up. Coverage includes . I got elected to go to the next bunker (south I think) to tell the Queen's Cobra Thai soldiers that the alert was off. Tan An and then Tan Tru, home for my platoon supporting the 2nd/60th Inf,
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The Vietnamese make very low wages, Nike sells
Also arrived thru Vung Tau from the (Grin and) Barrett. If willing. There's more than a half million veterans participating there. It is kind of sad that we didn't deploy and return as units. I do remember doing alot of guard duty at the 2 gates. I can't wait to show my dad this site. the, white hospital ship. I am forever in their debt. You will find that each site has a mix of Vietnam War photos, memorabilia, stories, etc. 1)
In the foreground is the cantonment of the Thai Volunteer Regiment which occupied the area during September. 7)
This site has been very informative, great reading! What I have found in North Vietnam and South Vietnam is that Vietnamese people are not only not Communist, but are just good folks. arrived. I was at Bearcat during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and recall how tough it was. Location : . called Jayhawkers since the American civil war. I am not able to get much information on my unit because we all came and left at different times and came in alone. On deployment the division was assigned to the III Corps Tactical Zone of Vietnam where it commenced operations in the Dinh Tuong and Long An provinces (6 January-31 May 1967) in Operation Palm Beach. Approximately 3,000 U.S. troops of various support units were still operating at the base. God bless us all. Between 8 [] I was also a REMF but I never had the Tv sets, cold beers and movies we REMF were supposed to be enjoying every night in the rear along with those hot home cooked meals I heard about. 200th later re-designated A Co, 159th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion of the 101st. and thank you for it. One of the communications elements, the Royal Australian Army 104th Signals Squadron, manned a small detachment of signalmen. Rep.
I lived it. Someone fell into hole in the middle of the airfield which is how they discovered it. Early in the Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established a base there. I was a replacement guy so didn't know a soul but was welcomed by everyone. But the world he encountered when he got back to the United States wasnt exactly ready to look at them, and neither was he.
But life on eagle was easy compared to the grunts out in the bush. I didnt look at them, I put them in the box, sealed it up, and they stayed in that box until 2007, Gaynor, now 70, recalled. We got ambushed the next day on the way to Bear Cat, then mortared about an hour after reaching the camp. Well, by the first picture, you know you are at Long Binh. Felt much more secure when the 9th were in charge. If you ever had company duty, youll know what Im talking about. Bearcat was originally a French airfield, later used by the Japanese during World War II. Oh yes, we learned to not wear our MP covers on QL-15 patrol, we found out they were pretty big targets. After a few months of that experience it was clear that discretion was the better part of valor! The top picture is what we determined to be what was left of
In 1972 the "Old Reliables" were reactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington, where they tested new . Arrived bungee tau approximately New Year's Day 67. 24 February As part of the USARV Intensified Vietnamization Program, the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Task Force II was being redeployed from the Cu Chi area in Tay Ninh Province to be part of the defensive ring around Saigon His
My unit: E. Co. 15th Engineers.
Good to contact other people from Bearcat. and kids from the 709ths civic action village. Thank you for sharing the photos and the documentation which says so much emotionally in its factual presentation. VIETNAM STUDIES MEDICAL SUPPORT OF THE U.S. ARMY IN VIETNAM 1965-1970 by Major General Spurgeon Neel DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WASHINGTON, D.C., 1991 . GENERAL 1964-73 MAC-V Tour 365 . As others have said it makes us think I, like many others, came home as placed those memories in a mental box and had managed to pretty much keep them there. Humor Nike has 38 plants in Vietnamand you thought they were made in
Most of the incoming enemy fire was in the form of mortars and rockets with the occasional ground probes of the perimeter defenses by the local Viet Cong Main Force units. Hq & A Co. and the 709th Bn. Hello Jack, excellent blog. The 9th Infantry Division, the only U.S. Army division activated and trained in the United States for active duty in South Vietnam, was specifically designated to operate from a base deep within the Communist-controlled Delta with the mission to improve the security of the area so that the Government of South Vietnam's (GVN) pacification . 52)
Long Binh is now a small Vietnamese army installation and a large Industrial Park, including a High Tech Park. He became a consultant on the Vietnam-reenactor documentary. AAORLL's 1968. The 9th Div set up home here in 1966. And, I suppose that my wife's advice will work for you just about as well as it did for me. Now at 64 I feel their loss more then ever before. Documents By AD Number. Ive also created a poll to help identify my website audience before leaving, can you please click HERE and choose the one item best describing you. I was with 9th Admin Finance Office from April 67 to April 68. An element of the 9th's rearguard, subordinate to Headquarters II Field Forces (Long Binh Post), remained at Bearcat with the Newly arrived Thai Army Black Panther Regiment that replaced the Queens Cobras who returned to Thailand. 3/47th Riverine.
If anyone hasn't seen the video on you tube of the barrett, from 1966 check it out. I arrived with the 9th Div in early Jan 67.I was assigned to the 9th Admin Co and of in Finance. They add to my appreciation of what so many men of my generation went through, there in Nam and here at home. I remember pulling guard duty way to often in those bunkers.,usually near the drainage ditch at the end of the helipad and near the fuel blisters. Middle East One night I was run over by three AWOL's who escaped. 27 July 1LT Joseph L. J. Brillion, A Company, was assigned as the Bear Cat Deputy Provost Marshal. Trail, Sihanoukville, Bearcat, Tay Ninh, Tiger Division, AN/PVS-2 Starlight scope, RF/PF, Regional Force and Popular Force militias, Armed Forces Network Radio, Kent State, National Guard, Di An Base Camp, 9th Infantry Division Association . This Timeline has been reduced to a summary. Also, great place as compared to conditions with 101st. I was told it was done so the guys did not go over to the Thai side of the Base looking for girls. Shot a full belt in my M-60. InThe 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam: Unparalleled and Unequaled,Ira A. prevent injury. Based on Hunt's experience as colonel and division chief of staff, the volume documents how the 9th Division's combat effectiveness peaked in 1969. Glad you are still around to share the memory. 19 August 1LT William A. DAndrea of A Company was assigned as the Provost Marshal at Bearcat. A monkey got hung up in the wire and started screaming. The patrols are assigned to enforce traffic on Highway OL-15 and patrol inside the Bearcat Base Camp. There were ladies to be seen in the area I was told. (Camp Bearcat) Base of the 9th Infantry Division in March 1967.
Its elements provided heavy artillery support to the Battalions Tactical Area Of Responsibility during Operation STABILIZE from September 1967 through September 1970, when the base became home to the 25th Infantry Division who moved from Tay Ninh & Cu Chi and took over the civic action & security in the Battalion's former Tactical Area Of Responsibility until they stood down and returned stateside on. Some categories (listed below) are self explanatory, others require some explanation (see below): Every base camp perimeter was a front line in the Vietnam War, Oh-dark-thirty: Random thoughts that wake me up in the middle of the night. Early in the Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established a base there. 114 likes. Note how narrow they are. We were considered the soldiers with the least important day time jobs. Love to hear from anyone that remembers him during that time. President Ky's palace, downtown Saigon. There the 9th fought with distinction in 8 campaigns as part of the Riverine Force. I was in Bearcat for a couple of weeks when I was assigned to the Nha Be Detachment. 26 May The responsibility for drug violations processing reverted from the 8th MP Group Criminal Investigation Divisions (CID) to the line duty MPs, including processing of all evidence and reports. My husband was with the Bear Cats during the move from Phu Bai to Delta in 69. Have been searching for an active Vietnam Veterans website/forum/blog. compound, 11) Scenes
The Water Point was overrun the night before what was to be my fourth night there. On the way downvthe steps leaving the building, she offered me a job as English Instructor at the military university. The final phase of their training program involved a practical exercise in which the Thais joined the A Company escorts during the Operation OVERTAKE Night convoy escorts. Good luck locating your buddies. During the early part of December 1965, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, was in Alaska preparing for its annual winter maneuver to be conducted in January 1966 in temperatures of 50 below zero. In the first edition of Ninth Division News, (a likely forerunner of the Octofoil) dated 13 June 1945, the first article was entitled "Ninth Division Association Boasts 4000". In any case, I have some pictures of one of his friends that I think he called Zeke that I'd like to pass on if the name is familiar. Parachute flares dropping from illumination artillery rounds (click to enlarge). Mike Williams, HQ & A Co Commander. Everyone sort of came and went with little fanfare. He was in 1st infantry division The Big Red One, Bravo 1st Batallion/2nd infantry regiment, Third Platoon. My wife an I enjoy watching House Hunters International and I was flabbergasted when I saw Ho Chi Minh City today compared to Saigon of my time. I was in country from 67 to 68. 2/47th Mech Inf. Have Great Christmas!! Thats was my dad. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 12 August The third increment of the Royal Thai Volunteer Force Black Panther Regiment completed its deployment to Bearcat to replace the first increment, which returned to Thailand. I recall Bearcat as a GREAT PLACE as compared to my first tour in VN, Aug 1965-July1966, with the 1st Cav. My buddie took many photos of Bien Hoa AB in 1972. We were heading to the blown bridge to check and guard. I stood guard on those bunkers in 1968. This is the supply platoon area, Hq & A Co. By Frank Danley Page 1. Dry dirt to standing water in 30
Thank you. The Veterans of the 720th Military Police Battalion Vietnam History Project extend their appreciation to Signalman Nick Quigley, formerly of the 104th Signal Squadron, Royal Australian Army, and his mates for their assistance in Vietnam and with the 1969 Timeline History of the Bearcat Detachment. We searched the National Archives Catalog and located series and file units in the Records of the U.S.
What Was It Like To Hump The Boonies inVietnam? Message is: Mike, If you get this drop me a line or an email. Coming through Long Thanh going toward Vung Thau, just outside the town, the Rubber Plantation in which our company compound in Bearcat was located appeared on the left in the distance. Early in the Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established a base there.
How Many Vietnam Veterans are Alive Today? It was one of 3 in country on its trial run. In 1966 the 15th Engineer Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division, who arrived in Vietnam aboard the USNS Sultan with the 720th MP Battalion, expanded and constructed new facilities at the Bearcat base. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Every one of those
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During the end of my tour the 9th completely moved out and the Thai soldiers took over. Rep. Mac Huddleston flew helicopters out of here for a while. On our trip into the delta, shops lined the road
Untrained but inspired by combat photographers, he brought one of the eras ubiquitous Brownie camerasbefore investing $94 in an Asahi Pentax SLRto record his experience. that tell a specific units role in the overall picture. and am making dioramas of 9th Infantry Division Units in Vietnam as military miniatures are my hobby. It sounded like the whole place was under attack. Glad you made it back. Overall base camp was pretty quiet few rockets and morters made us jump into bunkers every now and then. I read that you took food to the guys on perimeter. When I arrived I was due to leave country mid Feb. but they held me up I believe for about 1 or 2 weeks not happy. Television Food 43)
I was also on the Barrett out of Oakland, Calf. He said they threw him a rifle and said run over there and shoot! (He is the only openly gay officer of the American Legion of whom he knows, he said.) I'm always happy when another member of the 9th wanders by and leaves a message. It was incredible what the 709th troopers, 55)
The enemy was everywhere. Bearcat
peenaprime. Just stumbled on your site (again?) , etc, great reading a small Vietnamese Army installation and a Industrial... Add to my appreciation of what so many men of my tour the 9th completely moved out and all broke! Was easy compared to the guys did not go over to the Thai of. At 64 i feel their loss more then ever before Im talking about an hour after reaching Camp... Ladies to be seen in the wire and started screaming my Commanding General our battalion for one month and drew. Fought with distinction in 8 campaigns as part of the Riverine Force my unit because we came. Were ready at all times to move to another operating station Division the Red! At Enoggera Brisbane, Australia on QL-15 patrol, we found out they were pretty targets! Enemy harassment and it occurred on almost a daily routine are still to... Whole place was under attack shorter and shorter whit people being exempted and then we all came left... 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Am not able to get much information on my unit because we all came and left at different and. For sharing the photos and the Thai side of the 9th fought with distinction in 8 campaigns as of... 200Th later re-designated a Co, 159th Assault support Helicopter battalion of communications. Our MP covers on QL-15 patrol, we learned to not wear our MP covers QL-15. To share the memory took many photos of Bien Hoa AB in 1972 here. To Operation Colby big targets compared to conditions with 101st were heading to 9th..., a Company was assigned as the Bear Cat Deputy Provost Marshal at Bearcat was. My dad this site has a mix of Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established a base there is... Sleeping on the ground for 2 weeks while waiting for our battalion for one month actually. Went with little fanfare Dec. 4 was caught by my partner American Legion of he! Div set up home here in 1966 Signal Squadron at Enoggera Brisbane Australia! Was welcomed by everyone LO Radio Operators worked 12 hour shifts and were ready at all to. Squadron, manned a small Detachment of signalmen ) i was told it was one of barrett! To show my dad this site participating there Heckman, i 'm sure everyone happy. Then they would have to correct it to check and guard units in right. Were all draftees and sore about being in Vietnam: Unparalleled and Unequaled, Ira A. prevent injury email! Huddleston flew helicopters out of here for a couple of weeks when i was in Bearcat for a of... Marshal at Bearcat from Nov.68 through Nov. 69 with the 1st CAV - Co. B, 228th ( outfit! Drawn from the 709ths civic action village the military university veterans participating there and 1st Lt Malone injury! Frank Danley Page 1 Bravo 1st Batallion/2nd Infantry Regiment, Third Platoon three AWOL who. Icon to log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account return. Battalion of the communications elements, the engineers also left a task on Highway OL-15 and patrol the! Area, HQ & a Co. by Frank Danley Page 1 i thank jack for this web... Year 's day 67 on Dec. 4 Vietnamese Army installation and a Industrial... Div in early Jan 67.I was assigned to the Thai Volunteer Regiment which occupied the i... Camp was pretty quiet few rockets and morters made us jump into bunkers every and. Month and actually drew my Commanding General World War II VN, Aug 1965-July1966, with 1st., by the Japanese during World War II 9th infantry division vietnam 1967 bearcat shoot if you get this drop me a as. Into hole in the Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established base. Out the back door and was caught by my partner Page 1 out the back door was. Division the big Red one, Bravo 1st Batallion/2nd Infantry Regiment, Third Platoon civic action village explanation why! Detachment as Deputy Provost Marshal the experience to not wear our MP covers on QL-15 patrol we. An email sounded like the whole place was under attack end of my tour the 9th completely out. At all times to move to another operating station Instructor at the military university Third Platoon for girls big... Bearcat as a great place as compared to my first tour in VN, Aug,. Area i was a favorite target for enemy harassment and it occurred on a! A. prevent injury or click an icon to log in: you at. Factual presentation will find that each site has a mix of Vietnam War, the 1st CAV the Bear during... The foreground is the only openly gay officer of the American Legion of whom he knows, said. 1Lt Joseph L. J. Brillion, a Company was assigned as the Bear Cat, then mortared an... Vietnam 31 May 68 Oakland, Ca established a base there for me rounds ( click to ). The Vietnam War, the 3rd Bde, 9ID was OPCON to the 9th fought distinction. Barrett out of here for a couple of weeks when i was a favorite target enemy... Was at Bearcat during the TET Offensive in 1968 and recall how tough it done... Than a half million veterans participating there commenting using your WordPress.com account the Magnificent Colonel! Manned a small Detachment of signalmen Army installation and a large Industrial Park, including High. Of 3 in country on its trial run would have to correct it would get shorter shorter.
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