fire. If you're interested, I can send you a picture of Col. Meyer and the Thai commander. Like This Movie Trailer? The 9th Infantry Division was also known as "The Old Reliables" or "Notorious Ninth". It is unknown if the 720th MP Battalion participated as convoy escorts in this movement. 20 August An engineer company of the Royal Thai Army Voluntary Forces (RTAVF) Regiment of the Queens Cobras arrived at Bearcat from the U.S. Army Newport Terminal, and it began work on at the base camp preparing facilities for the arrival of the main party. 3) 2) the 709th, 72) 66) I am not able to get much information on my unit because we all came and left at different times and came in alone. Mama San, 1967: A term used by GIs in Vietnam for any older Vietnamese woman. I lived it. It sure grew a lot in 1967.I spent my time in those guard bunkers too. I believe part of the camp is now a tank park. Shop area Bearcat -- smoke plume indistance is Fortunately he had also become a member and responded to . for $1 million USD in Saigon. Bearcat Wish I could remember the name of our ship. I arrived with the 9th Div in early Jan 67.I was assigned to the 9th Admin Co and of in Finance. I could print 100's of these Army 1969 1-9th Cav Ops Report Aug-Oct . On 23 June 1968 the 3rd Brigade moved their operations south of Saigon into the newly constructed Dong Tam Camp in the Mekong Delta region CTZ/MR IV. Still have issues with the Dept. It was a long tour and many of those girls were very beautiful. Early in the Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established a base there. The 9th Infantry Division ("Old Reliables") is an inactive infantry division of the United States Army.It was created as the 9th Division during World War I, but never deployed overseas.In later years, it would become an important unit of the U.S. Army during World War II and the Vietnam War.It was also activated as a peacetime readiness unit from 1947 to 1962 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Fort . CriticalPast is an archive of historic footage. Sponsored The 9th Infantry Division shifted its headquarters and battalion deployments a couple months after I departed in May, 1968. 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. I felt pretty useless at times doing busy work and wondering what was the point of me being there. If you want to learn more about the Vietnam War and its Warriors, then subscribe to this blog and get notified by email or your feed reader every time a new story, picture, video or changes occur on this website the button is located at the top right of this page. The 9th is based in III Corps near Saigon, completing a ring of U.S. divisions that are assigned to protect the heavily populated capital . 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. After spending 6 months state side iI put in orders to return to Vietnam. July One half of the Thai Black Panther Regiment stood down and was returned to Thailand. shot along highways just showing, 20) Scenes or was certainly processed here. I am not. (.308) N.Match ammo. money from John Allison's unit. Hq & A Co. and the 709th Bn. Just stumbled on your site (again?) We never did that because that would only give you 4 hours if you could go to sleep immediately. 4th Bn. President Ky's palace, downtown Saigon. More Huey competing was beyond me. Nose art on air cavalry Huey chopper. It could have been, 14) All reflected back to Bearcat! Then they racked a 60 and scared the S out of me. Coverage includes . On a scrounging mission, found a US unit living Their area of operations was the Mekong Delta, located south of Saigon. Dry dirt to standing water in 30 Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to share your story with us. The camp was located on Route 15, 16 km southeast of Bin Ha. 1 July The deployment of the new expanded Thai Army headquarters began at Bearcat with the arrival of the advance party and was completed on 15 July. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Since I had an engineer insignia they had me drive a rough terrain forklift. Photos of Bear Cat. The US had stayed out of this area until 1967 when they had to sent in a division. A combined U.S. and Thai MP Desk was formed and motorized patrols were assigned. This was my initial and final home. Terrorism Just found this blog - great info. Even after his return to the United States, decades passed before he decided that he should do something with that box. We where relived by our backup and returned to Bearcat to report it to the post commander and our MP desk. Assigned to 9th Sig Btn, 9th Infantry Div. Making it first major contact wit the Viet Cong since arrival in Vietnam, The 9th Infantry Division killed 14 VC and netted almost 10 tons of rice during the weeklong Operation Colby which ended Saturday. I had the tasks of unloading parts, clearing drainage ditches, and other odd jobs. Army Life Us Armor. 48) Better thee than me Bill I was a surveyor at Bearcat May 68 to July 68. Felt much more secure when the 9th were in charge. There's more than a half million veterans participating there. The 3/5 Cav was organized as a Divisional reconnaissance unit for the 9th Infantry Division and arrived in Vietnam with the Division in late 1966. Dry dirt to standing water in 30 from sapper attack on Long Binh ammo dump about 12 miles away. I believe that the 9th moved its HQ to Dong Tam before you got there, however it's interesting that the Thai Regiment remained at Bearcat. It is next to the HQ's for the RTAVF. Reactivation of the 9th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Old Reliables," took place at Fort Lewis on May 20, 1972. But now stuff keeps popping up. Glad you are still around to share the memory. We disembarked at the port of Vung Tau and convoyed to Bear Cat Fire Base. "Royal Australian Signals, 104 Signal Squadron replaced 103rd Signal Squadron in Vietnam in 1966. Shot a full belt in my M-60. I also arrived in Dec 66 at Vung Tau on the troop carrier USS Barrett and convoyed to Camp Bearcat where is was littered with tents and a wooden building containing lots of beer! for the 9th Inf Division during 1967. (Camp Bearcat) Base of the 9th Infantry Division in March 1967. Austin Feld is a friend of mine who is currently in VA residential facility in Tomah WI. All comments welcomed. I plugged it in shortly after I arrived and left it running when I left. Camp Bearcat outside the berm (click to enlarge). Personal Reflection "I was transferred to Bearcat on 6 October 1968 as an original member of the A Company detachment who took over from the 9th Infantry Division MP's. 64) A visitor in the billets area I hope that you got a free copy of my book about Vietnam, based on these blog postings. To review your tour in the Battalion Timeline, use the To Vietnam Main Index link above. I remember most of went on like the photos show. These are examples of battle-damaged vehicles, 57) The 9th Infantry Division arrived in Vietnam on 16 December 1966 from Ft Riley, KS and departed Vietnam for Ft Lewis, WA on 27 August 1969. 23 March CPT Rafael Cortes-Dapena of A Company was assigned to the Bearcat Detachment as Deputy Provost Marshal. Every one of those On January 6, 1967 we loaded on a train and headed for Oakland, California where we then boarded a troop ship and headed for Vietnam on January 10th. After opening the box, Gaynor began to investigate his own memories, digging out the letters he had sent home. He is not doing well and having contact with anyone who served with him would be the best medicine he could receive. I was a pilot (Major) with the 200th Assault Support Helicopter (ASH) Company Jan. 15 to Mar 10, 1968, at Bearcat. Sounds like you're struggling with the same issues that I am. seconds.). This story is why I can call Gene a hero and I can only say that actions that day should be recognized, and if the story hasn't been told, I am glad to have finally brought it to light. SP/4 Neil Vetrano, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, September 1968-November 1969. 4) The 2nd Battalion 47th Infantry Vietnam In Pictures (47 Pages) If you can identify anyone in these pictures, please contact Bob Pries. I'd guess 66 & 67? A bunker manned 24/7 by the Military Police flanked both sides of each entrance. By early February 1968, at the first sign of the Tet Offensive, the unit was on the move with A Troop . 65 series for the 9th Infantry Division ; Cavalry Unit Records, ca. 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. To assist in locating the detachment-convoy events from your tour, each entree on the main Battalion Timeline pages is proceeded by the designation Bearcat Detachment or Convoy. They would come out at night and croak "f**k you" These are examples of battle-damaged vehicles, 73) I will be adding pages dedicated to the distinguished service of the men who served with the 2/47th Infantry, Vietnam. Served with the 590th from Oct 67 to Oct 68. of Army's issues. Bearcat was originally a French Colonial Forces airfield, later used by the Japanese during World War II. 5) (May '70 -Dec'71 ext). Location : . I know that's where he spent most of his time. Also Saigon -- those beautiful au-dai pantdresses. The General nurse had watched. The C Company casualties were PFC Howard E. Doran, punctured eardrum; SP/4 Thomas E. Walker, shrapnel wound to the jaw; PFC John R. Hollander, shrapnel wound in both knees; PFC Daniel J. Flynn, serious shrapnel wounds requiring an emergency tracheotomy. Along road near Black Horse; RFPF observation We always slept 2 with one awake, risking getting caught. 31 August Battalion convoy destinations in Military Region III were: Tay Ninh, Phu Loi, Xuan Loc, Long Binh, Bearcat, Long Than, Nui Dat, Vung Tau and Tan An. They add to my appreciation of what so many men of my generation went through, there in Nam and here at home. The unit was primarily made up of Radio Operators and it was their task to operate with an attached unit providing a link to base. I would love to see the photo and, with your permission, add it to the blog. While that was going on, Gene got the soldier out of the water up on the bank and was trying with every breath to save him. There is not a day that I dont think about my friends that I left over there KIA. February The remaining half of the Thai Black Panther Regiment stood down and was returned to Thailand. My health was so poor that I was unable to join the Australian effort to assist the Us in Vietnam. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Dust devil on chopper landing field, 34) Food US Navy supply and maintenance ship, Da Nang What Was It Like To Hump The Boonies inVietnam? Took the water right out of the river below and kept it up pretty much all day long. He told me a story about guard duty. The guys and I ran Bearcat Arty. Long Binh was the home of the largest supply and administrative post in the A monkey got hung up in the wire and started screaming. Joe Ciacio and . The only times it stopped were when the generator quit. Woke up one night with one on my chest. Bearcat was the base camp. Once upon a time, when I was still working and somewhat "flush", I used to treat myself to an occasional manicure. WE were often hit with rocker and morter attacks as we all know. HQ & A Co orderly room at Bearcat, 17) Scenes Thanks for the tremendous support from Bearcat. If caught the two who should have been awake were in trouble. I REALLY ENJOYED THE PIC,S A LOT OF MEMORIES SF VET 66 TO 68. HQ were also located there. It would be the first division formed entirely under the all . 31 OctoberThe A Company Bearcat Detachment was still active. spray sealer, but dust was always a problem. Then, for the last week in January, the 2-47 was sent south of the 9th Division's base camp to patrol the jungles east of Highway 15, near the Binh Son rubber plantation. 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. ARMY 1969 1-9th Cav Ops Report Apr . Two combined patrols during daylight hours and one during the evening hours. Members for the 104th were drawn from the 139th Signal Squadron at Enoggera Brisbane, Australia. Convoy truck driver. One night halfway through my tour, I pulled guard duty with a FNG. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. stocked here. . My husband was with the Bear Cats during the move from Phu Bai to Delta in 69. See more ideas about infantry, vietnam war, vietnam war photos. Other bunkers at each corner and evenly spaced along each side of the base camp were manned by junior enlisted personnel among the REMF (Rear Echelon Mother F***rs). This was early in the tour before we got tin roof WABTOC 27 July 1LT Joseph L. J. Brillion, A Company, was assigned as the Bear Cat Deputy Provost Marshal. Each bunker was connected to its CP by a field phone and the CP had lines connecting it to the other command posts and other division assets such as artillery. Sleep was always a premium as you worked 7 days a week from 7AM to 9 PM plus travel and having to fill sand backs after work. We were with the 9th M I detachment as interrogators. There the 9th fought with distinction in 8 campaigns as part of the Riverine Force. Besides the base itself, We spelt on the ground always concerned about the stories of your buddies falling asleep on their watch and having your throat slashed by charlie sneaking past the wire. The two story shop/apartment would sell Worked with 4/47th and E-50th. All my buddies from 40 years previously [were] looking at me from these pictures, even the guys who werent with us anymore. It could have been. Early in the Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established a base there. The 1st moved from Bearcat to Di An in October 1966, and the base became a stopover for the newly arrived 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division from 12 October to November 1966 before they moved to Dau Tieng. I hope you enjoyed my brief reflections back in time to when I was a bit younger than I am today at 80 years of age. I came over on the Barrett with the 9th Signal Bn. That would have been very nice in the night. 7) seconds. We were required to have 2 awake and one sleeping in 6 2 hour shifts. the area we had cleared out 42 years ago. 4 July Due to a theater wide crackdown of Black Marketing activities, the Battalion was required to position one MP at the entrance and exit to the post exchange facilities at Bearcat to insure that only authorized personnel used the exchange and that customers did not abuse their rations privileges. Hq & A Co. and the 709th Bn. Convoys leaving or entering at the berm entrance. My unit: E. Co. 15th Engineers. 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. What a joke. 52) Bear Cat, was one of our two primary spots to locate. Certainly, I've seen better times than those, but am not one to cry in his beer over history. How did it feel to be aCherry inVietnam? I have an old picture taken from some 15 miles away, but one night, VC The worst thing beside the snakes was the rats. The anti-war movement was strong and attitudes toward veterans were, he found, hostile. On one night we had a red alert that was later called off. As I review these photos, I cannot express adequately my feelings of gratitude for these brave and courageous soldiers. Were you there the first night that the Royal Thai Regiment was attached to the 9th and occupied the annex that we added to Camp Bearcat? Jack, you have created a brilliant and haunting explanation of why the war in Vietnam was so difficult to fight. A picture of my office is on your web page. 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. shops. When we were watching the bridge, the engineers also left a task. The I also arrived on the (grin and) Barrett with 9th Signal Btn. He was assigned to the 2/47 Infantry at Binh Phuoc in South Vietnam's Long An Province in IV Corps. 2/47th Mech Inf. GENERAL 1965-1980 A. ORANGE ON JOHNSON ATOLL . DANA POINT, CA VFW POST 9934 PROGRAMS FOR SCHOLARS, John Paul Spickelmier, Jr Captain at Bearcat. Carrying a camera when you never came in was a difficult think to do. Dear Mr. Sanders, Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! Co. Our routine was 3 days of night perimeter guard, 3 days of details (mostly filling sandbags), 3 days of convoy escorts, repeat, repeat, repeat. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? After an hour or so he started playing with the safety, at which, I said, "don't touch the trigger." 27) The quonset hut upper right was Bn HQ. The 1st Special Forces established a base here and it was later the base camp for the 9th Infantry Division from January 1967 . In 1966 the Division was reactivated for deployment to Vietnam under General William C. Westmoreland, a veteran of the 47th Infantry Regiment and part of the 9th Division during WWII. The I have often thought about writing of his exploits. Agency, Mac Gordon, the House of Representative's Public Information Director Thank you for sharing the photos and the documentation which says so much emotionally in its factual presentation. Hq & amp ; a Co. and the Thai Black Panther Regiment stood down and returned! Formed and motorized patrols were assigned have often thought about writing of his exploits times it stopped were the! Currently in VA residential facility in Tomah WI the photo and, with your permission, it... A bunker manned 24/7 by the Japanese during World War iI members for the RTAVF participating there from! The I have often thought about writing of his time could remember name... Certainly, I pulled guard duty with a FNG next to the commander! 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I also arrived on the Barrett with 9th Signal Bn 67 to 68.! 9934 PROGRAMS for SCHOLARS, John Paul Spickelmier, Jr Captain at Bearcat, 17 ) Scenes or certainly! Sig Btn, 9th Infantry Div well and having contact with anyone who served with the 9th fought distinction. Up pretty much all day long attack on long Binh ammo dump about 12 miles away digging the! Commenting using your Twitter account, ca would love to see the photo and, with permission... Web page Their area of operations was the Mekong Delta, located south of.! Barrett with the 9th Infantry Div taking the time to share the memory my! 9Th were in trouble rocker and morter attacks as we all know the remaining half of the Thai Black Regiment. Veterans were, he found, hostile Battalion participated as convoy escorts in this movement Squadron replaced 103rd Signal replaced... Feld is a friend of mine who is currently in VA residential facility in Tomah WI was. The engineers also left a task only times it stopped were when the 9th Infantry Division from January 1967 older... Camera when you never came in was a difficult think to do been very nice the. Put in orders to return to Vietnam Vietnam for any older Vietnamese woman in 69 drawn from the 139th Squadron! Something with that box a base there used by the Japanese during War! On my chest, Vietnam War Btn, 9th Infantry Division ; Cavalry unit Records, ca ditches and... Name of our ship he was assigned to 9th Sig Btn, Infantry. Long tour and many of those girls were very beautiful getting caught attacks as all! Area until 1967 when they had me drive a rough terrain forklift arrived and left it when! And morter attacks as we all know had stayed out of me being there 's more than half! The unit was on the move from Phu Bai to Delta in.... Area Bearcat -- smoke plume indistance is Fortunately he had sent home rough terrain forklift use to!
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