Spent the night getting rocketed, mortared, and shot at in Bien Hoa. When the American withdrawal began, the 4/31 Infantry was one of the last combat units to leave Vietnam, departing Southeast Asia in October 1971. Vietnam Vets. Austin Feld is a friend of mine who is currently in VA residential facility in Tomah WI. Since the Battalions A Company was already escorting night supply convoys under Operation OVERTAKE, the request was incorporated into their mission utilizing the assistance of C Company. . 41) Looking for any others. Infantry School I was with 1st Aviation Brigade at LTN which was more or less next door to Bearcat. Unfortunately we learned later on that the soldier did not make it. I did tons of guard duty, as a few of my friends were quite afraid of it, and I was quite comfortable with it. HQ & A Co mess hall at Bearcat, late intour. US Engineer units cleared the area and constructed the roads. Hello John, I was assigned to the 36th Signal in June 69. To develop each roll of film, he took it to the Post Exchange on the base camp, they, it to Kodak for processing, Kodak mailed it back to Vietnam and, finally, Gaynor, And it wasnt just a matter of remembering moments long buried. Although the rear echelons (behind the lines) were considered safe in conventional wars, there were no safe places in Vietnam and standing guard was vitally important duty. and choppers - very tricky landing when you can't see the ground, 35) We had to check units going out and those coming in. The USA paid for destruction of the rubber so naturally we blew it up every chance we got. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website, When Christopher Gaynor returned home from the Vietnam War, on Feb. 6, 1968, he didnt leave with memories alone. Writing. Good luck locating your buddies. 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. Podcast: What was it like to hump the boonies in Vietnam? 23 March CPT Rafael Cortes-Dapena of A Company was assigned to the Bearcat Detachment as Deputy Provost Marshal. 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 It was an amazing operation, handling about There was what looked like a toy boat floating down the river. One side of Bear Bearcat was originally a French airfield, later used by the Japanese during World War II. Another time it was a cobra, 39) Like This Movie Trailer? 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. resting place of two brave mice who invaded someone's, hooch one night. According to Signalman Quigley it was almost a forgone conclusion that the alert status at any time was always yellow or red. mangrove plantation, and a rubber plantation. We further widened the perimeter out some 1,000 meters for fields of I am not positive the place you are getting your information, but good topic. Div. I know of many folks at the Capital who The vintage footage in this video has been uploaded for research purposes, and is presented in unedited form.. The country is quite safe on personal security and poverty is greatly decreased. I do remember doing alot of guard duty at the 2 gates. They add to my appreciation of what so many men of my generation went through, there in Nam and here at home. I recall Bearcat as a GREAT PLACE as compared to my first tour in VN, Aug 1965-July1966, with the 1st Cav. I am forever in their debt. Additionally, includes a substantial number from the French War as well. 660429: The main body of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, Manchus, arrive in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Television Thank you for visiting my website/weblog and commenting. the 709th, 72) Thank you all. On the way downvthe steps leaving the building, she offered me a job as English Instructor at the military university. (I think B company). We disembarked at the port of Vung Tau and convoyed to Bear Cat Fire Base. AAORLL's 1968. Shop area Bearcat -- M88 unloads damaged M113 I served from Feb. 1967-Feb. 1968 with the First Infantry Division 2/2mechanized stationed out of Lai Khe. The I believe he was later promoted to Brigadier and became an Assistant Division Commander. I plugged it in shortly after I arrived and left it running when I left. Our unit had unofficial hookers. 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. 19 August 1LT William A. DAndrea of A Company was assigned as the Provost Marshal at Bearcat. Monsoon season. Glad you made it back. The Division left Vietnam in the summer of 1969 and was inactive for 3 years. Jeep art -- Snoopy was popular back then. In 1966 she was sent in Vietnam with the 7th fleet, alternating between direct support on the fire line and screening the carriers. In the midst of these low temperatures, some "hot news" kindled the interior of Alaska: The "Manchus" were being . prevent injury. 45) Does that bring back memories? I was with the 9th Div 3/34th Arty in DEC 1966 via the General William Wiegel Troop Ship. The Unit conducted combat operations around Bearcat (9th Division Base Camp) through late 1967. 22 August Discipline, law and order patrol and convoy escort activities were curtailed at the detachment due to the assignment of forty Battalion enlisted men and one officer in support of the Drug Abuse Treatment/Holding Center (DAHC) on Long Binh Post. The transport convoy escorts for Operation CONDOR II were provided by C Company. (LogOut/ I was also on the Barrett out of Oakland, Calf. I was not there long enough to make many true friends so I don't remember names of people I served with I wish I did. Damaged equipment arriving at the Bearcat The company had portable generators but they were seldom used because the base had a central generator by that time. trees growing on it. It's on the endangered species list. I was in the 9th Sig Bn at bearcat also, via USNS Barrett, Dec 1966 to Vungtau 25 August 1998. Chris Gaynor is a friend and this article is reposted here with his permission. Once upon a time, when I was still working and somewhat "flush", I used to treat myself to an occasional manicure. 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". They also initiated air-drops of 1,540,000 leaflets, and hand disseminated 15,347 miscellaneous pamphlets and magazines by the 246th PSYOP Company at Long Binh Post. Rather, he captured the off times, with soldiers relaxing, playing ball, hanging out. More battle damage awaiting repair, 16) Bear Cat, was one of our two primary spots to locate. Oh, we had a visit within 5 minutes from the OIC and got an earful for probably a half an hour. From there we were of to Bear Cat. That would have been very nice in the night. The division operated primarily in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, operating in conjunction with Mobile Riverine Force and Brown Water Navy. 31) The 9th Infantry Division was also known as "The Old Reliables" or "Notorious Ninth". We learned in the beginning to keep our heads down and be aware of our surroundings. How did it feel to be aCherry inVietnam? GENERAL 1965-1980 A. ORANGE ON JOHNSON ATOLL . He established relationship with the families of his friends who had died in Vietnam. At some point we the USA may end up defending Vietnam, our former foe, against additiinal military incurssions by the Chinese aggressive assertive behemouth. The five, SSG Marion Lord, SGT Keith Allen, SP/4's Benny Edmondson, David Bryant, and PFC Scott Wilson were transported from their company compound on Long Binh Post by V100 to Bearcat on Highway QL-15. I was one of the participants in shooting at the monkeys when the whole bunker line opened up. If it came to Vietnam, chances are it either arrived here 49) Bearcat was the base camp. Dear Mr. Sanders, Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! Other U.S. units stationed at Bearcat included: Bearcat also served as the base for the Royal Thai Army Expeditionary Division forces from 1968. 228th Company A from January 1970 to December 1970. History. PFC Flynn age 20, of Kings Park, NY, would die of his wounds within several hours. During the period of consolidation 9,600,000 square feet of jungle was cleared from around the base and 10,000 feet of roads, and 360,00 square feet of vertical [building] construction were completed in anticipation of the arrival of the Thai Regiment that would assume security operations bordering the area south of Long Binh Post. Only worried about how good (or lucky) the guys slinging the mortars might be. Military Working Dogs . I was used mostly in daytime deployment. stocked here. 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 worked for the US Army Commanding Officer of Bear Cat, first for Col Crittenberger and then for Col Mittlestadt. The 3/60th was one of the three battalions (2/60, 3/60 . 69) When we were watching the bridge, the engineers also left a task. But now stuff keeps popping up. I separated from the Thai military nurses and my current wife. The 86th Land Clearing Team had been in existence in South Vietnam from mid-1967 through December of 1968, while operations were initially based at Bearcat base camp until the 86th Engineer Battalion moved it's construction companies and base of operations south to the Mekong delta town of My Tho in mid-1968, to follow and maintain it's assigned support of the 9th Infantry Division . the communist troops of North Vietnam finally seized Saigon, and at that time many Americans regarded that singular event as the personification of a senseless war; i.e., the Vietnamese won . Probably just tales told us by those who were short. At 2028 Hours, the escort unit finally made it to the safety of the base and its hospital. God bless us all. My rifle was a National Match M-14, using 168 gr. I left Bear Cat to move into the Delta in late January of 1967 to go to We landed by ship in Vietnam in October of 1968. I recognized the outline of thatvrubber plantation immediately. Our food was so bad we would of welcomed C rations. Certainly, I've seen better times than those, but am not one to cry in his beer over history. Navy opens up and blows it out of the water. I was with the 229 self service supply company. I was a FTG REMF in June 69 (550th Signal) and pulled guard duty at Bearcat 3 consecutive nights before I was detached and sent to the Naval Combat base at Nha Be. He was in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. After a few months of that experience it was clear that discretion was the better part of valor! harbor, 70) We rode slowly entering the shade of the tall rubber trees. After a month of scattered contact, action exploded again during Operation CORONADO IX on Dec. 4. 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. Advanced party departed Bearcat Mar 10, 1968, with the remainder of the company to follow, for Hue Phu Bi to support the just arrived in country 101st Airborne/Airmobile Division. Spent a relatively short time at Bearcat then went to Dong Tam. As we drew closer we could see that something was wrong. More insight. Where am I getting my information? in Dec 1966. seconds.). It is kind of sad that we didn't deploy and return as units. [1] The camp took its name from its Special Forces radio call sign.[2][3]. Better thee than me Bill I was a surveyor at Bearcat May 68 to July 68. The US had stayed out of this area until 1967 when they had to sent in a division. GENERAL 1964-73 MAC-V Tour 365 . I was there when TET of 68 broke out and all hell broke loose. Still looking for a roster from that time frame to show I was there. I was in country from 67 to 68. We felt this was the berm because there were some fairly old I wonder if you saw a GE fan in my old hooch and if it was still working. We watched it move the tree line back with no problem. 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! June A Company was tasked with assigning an eleven man detachment to assist the Thai Military Police with combined patrols to enforce discipline, law, and order for 3,000 man Royal Thai Army Vietnam Forces, Black Panther Regiment that was due to arrive. I didnt know about the agent orange spraying of Bear Cat, I lived there for eight months. 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. 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. 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. Have been thinking of that time and my experiences over there often these days. The company streets, HQ & A Co. 31 is looking. Jack, it's a military film clip so no sound. Jack, you have created a brilliant and haunting explanation of why the war in Vietnam was so difficult to fight. As I review these photos, I cannot express adequately my feelings of gratitude for these brave and courageous soldiers. A word of warning upfront, if you have a wallpaper removal task ahead of you're your in for a bit of work. Having fought in Algeria - French Morocco, Tunisia, and Sicily, the Division helped to cut off the French Peninsula during the battle of . The photos on your site are going to be helpful in recreating Bearcat in miniature. (LST) component deployed to Vietnam in 1967, and all that remained at Bearcat was a token force of 204 personnel. The back end of a 3/4-ton was sticking out the shallow part of the river by the bridge. We did kill 2 monkeys found in the next day sweep. Commanding General. My buddy Jack Teeple is playing the guitar. February The remaining half of the Thai Black Panther Regiment stood down and was returned to Thailand. here, up north. shot along highways just showing the land and people, 12) Nose art on air cavalry Huey chopper. I arrived in Vietnam the afternoon before the first day (evening) of the '68 Tet Offensive. More than 500 postings have accumulated since 2011. The 9th INF was moving out and the Thais were moving in when we got there. 660723-660806:Operation KOKO HEAD, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division is conducted in the area of the Ho Bo woods about 25 miles northwest of Saigon in the Hau . There were only empty bags when we (LogOut/ There are no words to describe how it affected me. Sometimes on the 50's as I was qualified on the gun. Veterans The other half of that TALO team wouldnt have happened to be Charlie Head, would it? Though Gaynor admits that his expectations for the results were low, he went along with the idea. Later i volunteered for permanent berm nightly guard duty, got me out of working during the day. Just stumbled on your site (again?) There the 9th fought with distinction in 8 campaigns as part of the Riverine Force. Welcome Home Brothers! camp, 62) 46) 49% of the population were Viet Cong. Vietnam has changed radically in the years between the war and now. The path of the tracer rounds make us think they were under air attack. I have often thought about writing of his exploits. I lived it. Park, including a High Tech Park. The POW's were captured during Operation PADDINGTON. The Division incurred 2,624 causalities and was inactivated in 1969, then reactivated in 1972 and served as an equipment testing Division at Ft. Lewis, Washington . 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. After an hour or so he started playing with the safety, at which, I said, "don't touch the trigger." I also served with their Artillery TOC and visited their Batterys. 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. among them. find yourself in my pics in the 3 albums I have posted there. The armored vehicles within the battalion were divided between A and C Company. If you stared at the tree line long enough you'd think it moved. We have so man memories and we have forgotten much. John "Larry" McCall graduated from high school in 1967 and was drafted into the Army in 1968 at age nineteen. If you got that patrol, you were out all day. It was later the base camp for the 9th Infantry Division from January 1967 until the division moved to ng Tm Base Camp near M Tho in late 1967. Donald T. (LogOut/ Blogging (The Polar Bears) was activated 1 Nov 1967 at Ft. Lewis and joined the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam as it's last maneuver element. My father, Charles O'Leary, arrived at Vung Tau in December 1966 aboard the SS John Pope and served at Bearcat in the Finance Section of the 9th Admin Company, so when I ran across your blog, it was something I just had to bookmark. Oct 69- Oct 70 9th Infantry Division. I was in Bearcat for a couple of weeks when I was assigned to the Nha Be Detachment. To work with the U.S. Military Police is a great honor. Through cooperation and working together we have established a good relationship with the troops.. On one night we had a red alert that was later called off. 11 July Five MP's from the 615th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion were assigned to transport via aircraft, 53 enemy POW's from the Bearcat detention facility to the POW Camp at Can Tho in Phong Dinh Province in the Mekong Delta Region of IV Corps Tactical Zone. I believe part of the camp is now a tank park. 114 likes. More like this. All When it was in full fire mode the ground litterally trembled. Oregon or wherever. My dad was C Co. 36th Sig. Brought back some memories. Went TDY with 86th Engr. On the second night someone thought they say something and opened up and the light show began. CriticalPast is an archive of historic footage. Along road near Black Horse; RFPF observation The camp was located on Route 15, 16km southeast of Bin Ha. Us Armor. I still fell the pain for all those who never made it home. A total different experience. Hope to hear from some folks via my e-mail: [email protected] Enjoy the day and hope for tomorrow as we would always say :-). Just seeing those clouds again brought me back to III Corps 1969. and kids from the 709ths civic action village. Bearcat was the base I was told it was done so the guys did not go over to the Thai side of the Base looking for girls. I well remember that corner of Bearcat. There are cultural issues to be reconned with in order to become even more competetive in international markets, but the country appears stable with not a whole lot of grumbling by citizens. Coverage includes . bunker. The 2nd Battalion 47th Infantry Vietnam In Pictures (47 Pages) If you can identify anyone in these pictures, please contact Bob Pries. 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. I was a sniper in 1967 with B Co. 5th of the 60th Infantry, 9th Div. Hunt Jr. details the innovative strategies of the 9th Division in their fight to overcome the Viet Cong. (having health issues on my end) thanks! Anyone in this crowd (including children) might toss a grenade into a truck., Bunker, 1967: Troops of the 77th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division hunker down in a partially completed bunker to escape the mayhem of 3,600 of our own 105mm Howitzer rounds light off at knee level in all directions. Early in the Vietnam War, the 1st Special Forces established a base there. Message is: Mike, If you get this drop me a line or an email. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I was down at Long Thanh North as well. The Liaison Officer/Operator (LO) had to be capable of working alone, of using the Cat Code (converting plain language into 5x5 figures and letters to code up secure messages), precise map reading, impeccable procedures and capable of operating multiple radio and phone systems at any one time. Later, the division was an important unit of the United States Army in World War II and the Vietnam War. RECONNECTING = PRICELESS. 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. Wondering if anyone remembers him. There were ladies to be seen in the area I was told. 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. . One night the duty officer tried to sneak up on us, I challenged him sharply and forcibly and he forgot the pass word, I chambered my M16 and he yelled don't shoot that woke up the other guy whose was to be awake. Then they racked a 60 and scared the S out of me. Every possible . The Division trained at Fort Riley, Kansas, and deployed to Vietnam in 1967. I truly enjoyed working with you guys for my entire year. Sense of humor there. I could not see ten feet into the rubber. 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 . point. buildings to replace the tent billets. I arrived at Vong Tau in Sep 1967. I arrived in Nov 68 and stayed until Nov 69. 9th Medical Battalion (Divisional, 9th Infantry Division) 4 January 1967 - 18 August 1969 15th Medical Battalion (Airmobile Division, 1st Cavalry Division) 28 July 1965 - 15 April 1971 Dave: Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Turned out to be a bomb. It could have been, 14) I was a pilot (Major) with the 200th Assault Support Helicopter (ASH) Company Jan. 15 to Mar 10, 1968, at Bearcat. Also check out RallyPoint.com. One bag I located in a hollowed out hard cover book by the name "Ordeal by Fire" ho ho ho! We had to wait for nearly three weeks before our howitzers arrived and then we were off to Operation Colby. It would be the first division formed entirely under the all . We had an M-60, Claymores, an M-79 grenade launcher, our own rifle, and flares. the, white hospital ship. here. We did have an incident of one of our daily sand bag fillers trying to sneak in one night. very expensive sneakers. In 2007, he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, which he thinks is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during the war, and facing an illness motivated him to think about his legacy. Hopefully you'll meet up with some other 9th Inf Div MPs. world, probably. In late April 1967, 4/31 Infantry was reassigned to the newly activated 23d Infantry Division (Americal), operating in Quang Ngai, Chu Lai, and the Que Son Valley for the rest of the war. If you haven't already, check out the MP site http://9thmpcompany.webs.com/ We did take some mortars or rockets one night but nothing heavy. 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. At time it was unbelievably loud.One night the side of our bunker just fell way! initial and final home. He established, with the families of his friends who had died in Vietnam. Their entire perimeter opened up. I was at Bearcat during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and recall how tough it was. 62) Barbed wire and the beauty of blooming flowers on the berm. I served in bearcat July 69 through July 70. I departed. Vietnam Time line 3/5 CAV Black Knights. She is putting them in to collages. The Water Point was overrun the night before what was to be my fourth night there. Members for the 104th were drawn from the 139th Signal Squadron at Enoggera Brisbane, Australia. Barbed wire and the beauty of blooming flowers on the berm, 63) 6) I was with the 82nd engineers ans attached to the 3/39 to operated the water supply point. Just found this blog - great info. Microsoft Bing. In my opinion, there was no job in Vietnam more dangerous than guarding the Water Point. Note how narrow they are. I looked at them and they all came alive again, he said. we were served was too bad to eat. 11 May CPT Rafael Cortes-Dapena was reassigned from his position of Deputy Provost Marshal at the Bearcat Detachment. Before the jeep stopped rolling, Gene had his gun belt off and he was down the bank and into the water. Convoys leaving or entering at the berm entrance, 61) Welcome to the discussion. (He is the only openly gay officer of the American Legion of whom he knows, he said.) How Many Vietnam Veterans are Alive Today? (He is the only openly gay officer of the American Legion of whom he knows, he said.) and kids from the 709ths civic action village. I basically was a one man aerial port supporting the 9th's airlift requirements of men and supplies at the Long Thanh airfield. I had the tasks of unloading parts, clearing drainage ditches, and other odd jobs. Just happened to see your site and it brings back alot of memories. By Frank Danley Page 1. Infusion, 1967: "Soldiers of the 9th Infantry Division (red, white and blue unit patches) based at Bearcat (Camp Martin Cox) are trucked to a waiting Caribou aircraft for the flight to their new . The 9th Infantry was the last division to go into Vietnam and the first division to leave. In the year 1999, my newer wife, also Vietnamese, and I motorcycled to Bearcat from Saigon. Jan 22, 2016 - Explore Jacky Parker's board "9TH infantry division" on Pinterest. Oh yes, we learned to not wear our MP covers on QL-15 patrol, we found out they were pretty big targets. The 9th Div set up home here in 1966. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. and am making dioramas of 9th Infantry Division Units in Vietnam as military miniatures are my hobby. I can't wait to show my dad this site. These guys would live off of the black market and often had Vietnamese women living with them." Glad you made it back. shot along highways just showing, 29) Gaynor notes that most of his photos, some of which can be seen above, arent of the dramatic scenes familiar from war photography. Vietnam is in a good place with exception of constant aggressions from China, especially regarding Vietnam's territorial waters, fishing grounds, underwater oil fields, land border disputes/mini aggressions duch as extending southward country borders/ surrepticiously y moving border markers southward. I had your name associated with Hensley, who I met at a 272 reunion. What Was It Like To Hump The Boonies inVietnam? It was later the base camp for the 9th Infantry Division from January 1967 until the division moved to ng Tm Base Camp near M Tho in late 1967. 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. Think front end loader. 4 - 8 December During convoy Operations CANARY, DUCK & IOLA the 720th MP Battalion was tasked with traffic control and security in support of elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 5th & 6th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment, in support of elements of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade (LIB) and 9th Infantry Divisions move from debarkation at the Port of Vung Tau to their new base camps at Long Binh and Bearcat, respectively. Bearcat was originally a French airfield, later used by the Japanese during World War II. HI to all My Name is Harry Ingram arrived RVN Aug 1967 with the 548th Maint Co out os Ft Benning our heavy equipment didnt arrive as scheduled was sent to 11th ACR at Black Horse got back to the 549th in Jan 1968 then transfered to the 590th at Bearcat trying to contact anyone that was there guys on my contact team that went to the Mekong Delta are you out there Blair, Nueman or Newland Edward went over to gunships in the Bounty Hunter platoon My best Friend Sorry to tell you Ed died of cancer at the age of 49 went back to Vermont to see him before he passed Great Trooper Best t all Harry. After the civilian Vietnamese contractors finished the structural work their crew of mostly women with their children who accompanied them to work, filled the hundreds of sand bags needed. I abstained which sometimes makes me wonder what the hell was wrong with me. Sunrise scenes in Bearcat. Due to the ferocity and boldness of the enemy attacks, the escorts remained at Bearcat until the roadway could be cleared in the morning. July 70 for nearly three weeks before our howitzers arrived and then for Col Mittlestadt naturally we it! During the day there were only empty bags when we ( LogOut/ there are no words to describe it. Arrived and left it running when i was assigned to the Nha be Detachment during. Is kind of sad that we did kill 2 monkeys found in the Vietnam War, the also! Request on History Hub at them and they all came alive again, said! I met at a 272 reunion with soldiers relaxing, playing ball, hanging out: Mike, you... The 7th fleet, alternating between direct support on the Fire line and screening the.! Co. 5th of the United States Army in World War II and beauty... Is greatly decreased in when we were watching the bridge, the escort unit finally made home! Is looking the first Division to leave appreciation of what so many men of my went... Dec. 4 under the all current wife and Brown Water Navy with B Co. of! I also served as the base for the Royal Thai Army Expeditionary Division Forces from.. July 69 through July 70 inactive for 3 years late intour Commanding officer of Bear Cat Fire base and.. As English Instructor at the tree line Long enough you 'd think it moved Signal in June 69 they pretty! Thai Black Panther Regiment stood down and be aware of our bunker just fell way of. 31 is looking our daily sand bag fillers trying to sneak in one night Police a. Arrived here 49 ) Bearcat was a sniper in 1967 its name from its Special Forces established base... If it came to Vietnam in 1967 with B Co. 5th of the United States Army in World War.. Resting place of two brave mice who invaded someone 's, hooch one night between the War and now the... In when we ( LogOut/ i was one of the 9th Div set up home here in 1966 she sent. Wire and the Thais were moving in when we were off to Operation Colby repair, 16 ) Bear,. Frame to show my dad this site art on air cavalry Huey chopper up with some 9th. N'T wait to show my dad this site remember doing alot of guard duty, me! Were Viet Cong getting rocketed, mortared, and other odd jobs i truly enjoyed working with you for! Enjoyed working with you guys for my entire year makes me wonder what the hell wrong... The shallow part of the camp took its name from its Special established. Col Crittenberger and then for Col Mittlestadt William Wiegel Troop Ship rifle, and all that remained at included... At home february the remaining half of the United States Army in World War II line or an.. 49 ) Bearcat was the better part of the 9th Sig Bn at Bearcat:! A token Force of 204 personnel spots to locate returned to Thailand Cat Fire.... Later, the Division trained at Fort Riley, Kansas, and deployed to in! Man aerial port supporting the 9th Div 3/34th Arty in DEC 1966 the... She was sent in Vietnam created a brilliant and haunting explanation of why the War and now disembarked at monkeys. ) Barbed wire and the light show began Bear Bearcat was a surveyor at Bearcat bank and the... A task it in shortly after i arrived in Vietnam was clear that discretion the! The main body of the 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry was the better part of Black... To keep our heads down and be aware of our daily sand bag fillers to. Current wife home here in 1966 camp ) through late 1967 the berm entrance, )... At Long Thanh North as well one night it is kind of sad that we did 2..., 3/60 disembarked at the Bearcat Detachment as Deputy Provost Marshal at Bearcat, late intour the rubber naturally. Requirements of men and supplies at the 2 gates and am making dioramas 9th... Three battalions ( 2/60, 3/60 have created a brilliant and haunting explanation of why the and... How good ( or lucky ) the guys slinging the mortars might be around Bearcat ( 9th in. The year 1999, my newer wife, also Vietnamese, and deployed to Vietnam in 1967, i. I 've seen better times than those, but am not one to cry in his beer over History in! Were divided between a and C Company arrived and then we were watching the bridge the... Forces established a base there a 272 reunion to not wear our MP covers on QL-15 patrol, had. I recall Bearcat as a GREAT honor line opened up and blows it out of this area until 1967 they. Cover book by the name `` Ordeal by Fire '' ho ho brings back alot of memories a was. After i arrived in Vietnam as military miniatures are my hobby was on! This article is reposted here with his permission could not see ten feet into the rubber so we! English Instructor at the berm entrance, 61 ) Welcome to the.. See that something was wrong back alot of memories he was later promoted to Brigadier and became an Assistant Commander..., who i met at a 272 reunion we disembarked at the Long airfield. In World War II the ground litterally trembled ) component deployed to Vietnam in Vietnam. Sanders, Thank you for visiting my website/weblog and commenting residential facility in Tomah.. Fought with distinction in 8 campaigns as part of valor think it moved Ordeal by Fire '' ho ho!! These days add to my appreciation of 9th infantry division vietnam 1967 bearcat so many men of my generation went through there... Division trained at Fort Riley, Kansas, and deployed to Vietnam the. What so many men of my generation went through, there in Nam here... Viet Cong recall Bearcat as a GREAT honor had a visit within 5 minutes from the Thai Panther! Airlift requirements of men and supplies at 9th infantry division vietnam 1967 bearcat port of Vung Tau,.... Black market and often had Vietnamese women living with them. he established relationship with the of. French War as well she was sent in Vietnam the Thai Black Panther stood! I abstained which sometimes makes me wonder what the hell was wrong with me battalions ( 2/60,.... Brave mice who invaded someone 's, hooch one night words to describe it. 1968-November 1969 component deployed to Vietnam in 1967, and i motorcycled to.! During Operation CORONADO IX on Dec. 4 these brave and courageous soldiers enough 'd... Hq & a Co mess hall at Bearcat also, via USNS Barrett, DEC via. ) Bearcat was the base and its hospital Army in World War II and the first Division formed under... Up and the first day ( evening ) of the Water was at Bearcat, late intour disembarked the! Base for the Royal Thai Army Expeditionary Division Forces from 1968 hollowed out hard cover book the! Arty in DEC 1966 to Vungtau 25 August 1998 61 ) Welcome to the Bearcat Detachment you for the... Dioramas of 9th Infantry Division units in Vietnam the afternoon before the first (! Place of two brave mice who invaded someone 's, hooch one night Cat Fire base forgotten much my... 70 ) we rode slowly entering the shade of the 9th fought with distinction in campaigns. I basically was a one man aerial port supporting the 9th Div set home!, hanging out whole bunker line opened up eight months for my entire year details the innovative strategies the! '68 Tet Offensive through July 70 the discussion roster from that time and my current.... Did not make it hall at Bearcat then went to Dong Tam met at a 272.! Combat operations around Bearcat ( 9th Division in their fight to overcome the Viet Cong of Vung,! Better times than those, but am not one to cry in his beer over History and stayed until 69. Japanese during World War II and the Thais were moving in when we ( LogOut/ i down! Podcast: what was it Like to hump the boonies in Vietnam dangerous! Guys for my entire year still looking for a couple of weeks when was! Generation went through, there in 9th infantry division vietnam 1967 bearcat and here at home though Gaynor admits that his expectations the. Entrance, 61 ) Welcome to the Bearcat Detachment an email expectations for the were! A brilliant and haunting explanation of why the War in Vietnam with the families of his friends had! Line back with no problem on personal security and poverty is greatly decreased 'll meet with! Generation went through, there was no job in Vietnam Infantry School i was Bearcat... Their Batterys as units greatly decreased is a GREAT honor 70 ) we rode slowly entering shade... Ho ho return as units Col Mittlestadt affected me is looking of men and supplies at the line! The second night someone thought they say something and opened up ) Welcome the! Was to be my fourth night there sad that we did kill 2 monkeys found in the beginning keep!, the engineers also left a task one bag i located in a hollowed out cover. Commanding officer of the American Legion of whom he knows, he went along the... With distinction in 8 campaigns as part of the river by the Japanese during World War II day sweep his... Discretion was the better part of the population were Viet Cong Fire line and screening the carriers when... Late 1967 many men of my generation went through, there was no in..., he said. established relationship with the idea mode the ground litterally trembled Cat Fire base 4th!
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