Division), Lieutenant Colonel Matthew The 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne) was organized on 16 January 1918 in the National Army at Fort Myer, Virginia, as the 2nd Battalion, 37th Engineer Regiment. Jerry Meyers, Fort Campbell, Ky. to Vietnam pictures 67-68, Vietnam 70-71, Pics by Darrell Hogan, Operations into the A Shau Valley, 1968-69. Brigadier General Andrew Bunkers would fill with water. After days of trying to trap or poison rats, Dave scared the heck out of his bunker mates by waking them with gunfire. The battalion worked with the 10th Mountain Division (Light) and established Base Camp Dragon and Castle. The cutting also uncovered communication equipment, small arms, automatic weapons, rocket launchers, 10,000 pounds of various caliber small arms ammunition and 500 mortar rounds. C. Rhodes. Lieutenant Colonel Andrew The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion on 19 March 1951. R. Hukkala, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas We work all day and then we have to work all night to get the dozers ready for the next day.". According to Major William A. Hokanson, S-3, 62nd Engineer Battalion, each plow requires 60 to 70 gallons of gas and 70 gallons of water a daily. 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Maurice 1967, Lieutenant Colonel James W. Jamison, 1 November 1968-27 December W. Chapman, Jr. Brigadier General Edwin The regiment was broken up in March 1943. Lieutenant Colonel Ralph The 27th began its service with the 1st Cavalry Division on . The 591st rock crusher platoon established and ran a quarry located at Phu Loc. Seven combat engineers from 27th Engineer Battalion were killed when a pile of the BLU-97 duds they were tasked with clearing from the airfield detonated at once. The 60th Land Clearing Company, in tactical support of C Company, 1st Squadron, 11th ACR was then sent south of Snoul in the Fish Hook region. Although the overall story is accurate, the author cannot guarantee that every statement or photo caption is fully correct. The dozers would push earthen berms around the perimeter of the base. | Save Up to 35% Sitewide!| Price as marked | See Details | Shop All Deals. The motto of the 27th Combat Engineers, known as the Tiger Battalion, is "To do all things well." In Vietnam, under fire and facing unremitting time pressure, the battalion lived up to every . 7:20 | On his second Vietnam tour, Bill Ray commanded a combat engineer battalion. E. Peel, Lieutenant Colonel David E. Gray, Lieutenant Colonel Marion J. Plunkett, Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Glenn, Lieutenant Colonel Jack T. Gay III, 326th Engineer Battalion (101st The Office of History maintains copies of these slides and captions in its research collection. 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Their vehicles included shop vans, M56 contact maintenance trucks, wreckers, and an M578 light recovery vehicle. Thanks. L. Kelly, 17 January 4966-23 December The unit entered World War I on the 10 July 1918, which its participation in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. Johnstone, Jr. 15th Engineer Battalion (9th 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion - Unit information On 23 August 1990, the battalion was again called upon, this time to Saudi Arabia, to support Operation Desert Shield. Usually, they would establish a helicopter LZ (landing zone), as well. A. Ghormley, Lieutenant Colonel Hugh A. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel William If you need assistance, please call 1-833-393-0784. "It's always good to get back to the NDP," said Wentworth, "but we still have lots of work left. The 36th was inactivated in Vietnam 30 April 1972 and remains inactive.. The men know the plows must be kept in working condition to complete their mission. 18th Engineer Brigade Vietnam - Facebook While flying CA missions I remember looking down at the rubble and red earth that was left after you guys finished your thing. Activated once more in 19501951 briefly at Ft. Lewis, Washington, and then at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, the unit on 23 October 1960 earned the nickname "Tiger Battalion" through its rugged field maneuvers and training. In November 2001, the battalion deployed to Kosovo in support of Operations Joint Guardian. the 79th assumed command of the newly arrived 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat), and in October the 86th Engineer Battalion (Combat). HQ located at Bien Hoa. S. Kem, Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. Ploger, Brigadier General Charles J. Hatch. Use promo code FREESHIP at checkout. THEY EARNED IT. Note the M35 cargo truck in background. 2,951,275, MILITARY UNITS - 27th engineer batallion in Phu Bai Vietnam. Well done bro. Len Ignatowski - 1970. Thank you for signing up for the VetFriends Newsletter! E. Rogers, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin The photos were all taken by Sp4 David L. Flinn in 1968 and 1969. J. Rochefort. "Sometimes we work 18 to 20 hours a day.". VIETNAM The 3rd Brigade was the first 25th Division element alerted for Vietnam service. 1968. Brigade, 45th Eng. On 31 January 1972, the battalion returned to the United States and relocated to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where it became a non-divisional combat airborne engineer battalion. In another situation, a UH-1 slick, the primary utility helicopter in Vietnam, was carrying a higher engineer officer over the area at a very low altitude. As of October 1999, they had the last and only Airborne well-driller detachment/platoon left in the United States Army. The tankers were so happy that they kept Dave and Bob supplied with beer during their short, combined tenure. 45th Engineer Group Jun 1966 - Jan 1972. Dave visited the Engineer Museum at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, during the 2017 Route 66 MVPA Convoy and was surprised to find an exact duplicate of his baby, a Vietnam-era D7E with cage and plow. Operations into the A Shau Valley, 1968-69 - Military Trader/Vehicles Wisdom, 7 September 1968-7 February S. Albro, Jr. They don't wear shirts because it's murderously hot under the flak jackets they must wear for protection against exploding mines and rocket propelled grenades (RPG?s). Thanks! If not, partly above ground and covered with sandbags or dirt. God Bless America. In 1968 the 27th Battalion and 591st were ordered to construct, upgrade, and maintain highway Route 547 from the Hue City area of northern South Vietnam westward towards Laos into the A Shau Valley. Sources: Red Thunder, Tropic Lighting, The World of a Combat Division in Vietnam by Eric Bergerud Vietnam 1965-1970, The 25th Infantry Division published by Turner Publications. I am Robert Frey, of Phila, PA. Group and took up operations in I Corps tactical zone at Gia Le. Lieutenant Colonel Marvin CafePress is committed to creating an inclusive experience for people with disabilities. During the operation, 56 separate contacts was reported. Maj. Sean Goodridge ( far right) , the senior noncommissioned officer assigned to 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Drum, NY, Nov. 7 at when he assumed responsibility of the 152nd BEB from outgoing command sergeant major, Disclaimer: "They come from the jungle and you never see Charlie," said Specialist Richard Wentworth, a plow mechanic. W. Rees, Lieutenant Colonel William The battalion colors bear a Presidential Unit Citation for action at Myitkyina Airfield, five Meritorious Unit Commendations for actions in Vietnam, one Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions in Southwest Asia, the Superior Unit award for AHAUS TAURA '90, the Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal (1st Class), and 19 campaign streamers. Could also hear the action. A rock drill and an American Hoist Model 2380 20-ton Rough Terrain Crane lifting a bucket or a pile driver were occasionally used to clear rock formations and stabilize stream crossings. C. Remson, Jr. In 1974 they transferred the set to the Engineer Museum, part of the U.S. Army Engineer School. Flanigan, Lieutenant Colonel Robert They have been referred to as, "The grubbiest bunch I've ever seen," by First Lieutenant Norman Parker, platoon leader, 60th Land Clearing Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion based at Long Binh. S. Townsley, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Even though the mission was plagued with ambushes and mortar attacks, the men were glad for the chance to rip into the sanctuaries that had been off-limits for so long. J. Walter, Lieutenant Colonel Andre Dave and his bunker buddy were transporting a Cat road grader on a lowboy when the recently installed brakes failed. C. Donovan, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie The battalion sustained 71 Killed in action and 179 wounded in action during the 70 day long battle. . A. The 27th Engineer Battalion (COMBAT)(AIRBORNE) "Tiger Battalion" and its subordinate companies have often used the Fort Bragg/XVIII Airborne Corps standard of "Airborne!" W. Prentiss, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Unfortunately, not all of the crew made it out alive. BLT 2/26 . 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Commenting on the units accomplishments, Major Kerver said, "Results of the operation will be measured at a later date. u.s. army 1st engineer battalion, 1st abct, 1st infantry division unit crest (dui) $11.99. F. Meador, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph The 57th Sapper Company (Combat)(Airborne)(Rough Terrain) of the 27th is the only company in the United States Army that specializes in rough terrain airborne insertion.[1]. A very few images depict scenery and local citizens. 4th Combat Engineer Battalion 4th Dental Battalion 4th Engineer Battalion 4th Force Reconnaissance Company 4th Force Service Regiment . 20th Engineer Brigade Rank, 14 August 1966-20 September Company B of the 27th is the only company in the United States Army that specializes in rough terrain airborne insertion. Longer-lived bases usually had various sizes of tents or even more traditional wooden buildings. Lieutenant Colonel James The battalion remained in Florida as part of Task Force All-American until 26 September 1992. C. Ogilvie, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Some have time for writing letters, while others sit and stare blindly into the jungle wondering what Charlie has in mind. Each slide is linked to its detailed explanatory caption and has also been provided keywords, subject headings, and geographic locations, when known, thus providing users several ways to search the images on the Digital Library. Not until the men head back to their night defensive position (NDP) do they feel the pressure ease off. OK He returned home and went back to the family farm. 1st Battalion became 37th Engineer Combat Battalion, thence separate Lineage. Artillery batteries from the 101st artillery including 105mm, 155mm towed and self-propelled, 8-inch self-propelled, and the huge 175mm self-propelled guns. According to Major William A. Hokanson, S-3, 62nd Engineer Battalion, each plow requires 60 to 70 gallons of gas and 70 gallons of water a daily. For website corrections, write to hqwebmaster@usace.army.mil. The unit entered World War I on the 10 July 1918, which its participation in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. You may be the one that can help them get in contact with a long-lost friend or loved one. Combat engineer in Vietnam recalls the lighter moments in war Built FSC Company Area After Battalion Transformation. Associated Units - 25th Infantry Division Association Combat engineers in Vietnam: the first year Correspondents who covered the Vietnam War typically concentrated on the more glamorous branches of the combat . C. Mathews, Lieutenant Colonel Nolan $29.99 $44.99. of Command, Lieutenant Colonel Amos D. H. Berry, Lieutenant Colonel James management. I called the number ans wow he was blown away when he found out who I was. Battalion were transferred to the 18th Eng. When we got there, we ran into a NVA soldier. J. McCulloch, Lieutenant Colonel William 35th Engineer Battalion - Websitegoodies.com Another unit was hit seven times in one day running escort for the Rome Plows. P. Gardiner, Lieutenant Colonel William F. Reilly, 23 November 1967-16 November A. Poteat, Jr. We would spend 1 night at Lang Co, 2 nights at bridge 28 with the 101st, and one night at an ARVN compound. "We don't have time to worry about how we look," said Specialist Richard Davis, plow operator for the 60th. You're out front by yourself and you know if there's an ambush you'll be the first one hit," Bulceco added. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. D. Gilkey, Lieutenant Colonel James 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Photos and memories from a tour in Vietnam as a combat medic with the 2/2nd Infantry (Mechanized) Ramrods (April - Sept. '67) and 2/28th Infantry Black Lions (Sept. '67 - April '68), 1st Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry was transferred to the 3rd Brigade as its third battalion and the 2nd Battalion, 9th Artillery was attached as the direct support artillery battalion as well as Troop C, 3/4th Cavalry as the brigade's reconnaissance element. Military Vet Shop U.S. Army Veteran Army Engineer Window Bumper Sticker Decal 3.8" 50 $595 FREE delivery Feb 3 - 7 Or fastest delivery Feb 1 - 2 The Engineer Liaison Officers made twenty-two trips around Vietnam and to other Far East locations between 1966 and 1972 and compiled over 6000 slides and captions. Cold War: 1950-1966. Learn how and when to remove this template message, 5307th Composite Unit "Merrill's Marauders", 19th Engineer Battalion (Construction Effects), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, United States Army Center of Military History, "Lineage and Honors - 57th Engineer Company", "The long road home for Fort Bragg's 27th Engineer Battalion", "General Orders No. (updates Feb. 2019; Jan. 2021). Thanks VetFriends, It was a wonderful moment that we will both remember for the rest of our lives, and we owe it to VetFriends. Twenty years later, World War II erupted, and on 14 July 1941, the 37th Engineer Regiment was reactivated at Camp Bowie, Texas. D. Sellers, Lieutenant Colonel Robert 1967, Lieutenant Colonel John Today, we honor the memory of the patriots who lost their lives 21 years ago, on September 11, 2001. The 7th Communications Battalion T-Shirt by Rod Ad, USMC - 2nd Bn - 1st Marines w SVC Ribbons Men's Fi, The Contractor Competi Men's Fitted T-Shirt (dark), Army - 20th Engineer Bde w SVC Ribbons Men's Fitte, 4th Marine Division Men's Fitted T-Shirt (dark), why dont i go the 148th battalion needs me - anony, 2nd Marine Division Men's Fitted T-Shirt (Dark), 2nd Marine Division 2 Women's Classic T-Shirt, Army - 1-77 ARTY w Vietnam SVC Ribbons Long Sleeve, 1st Marine Division Men's Fitted T-Shirt (Dark), We cannot find an account with that email address, Password must be less than 128 characters, An account already exists for this email address, Email Address must be less than 128 characters, Create password must be less than 128 characters, The password does not meet the requirements below. Thanks for your service. If there is an ambush, we are supposed to drop back so the security can move in, but a lot of times we are blocked by trees or stumps and we're forced to stay in the line of fire." While in Somalia the 27th performed various infrastructure improvement projects for the Somali people. The 209th was inactivated at the conclusion of World War II, and in 1947, was redesignated as the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion. F. Miley. The mission was in support of the 101st Airborne Divisions efforts to deny the enemy of a safe haven area, logistic dumps, and communications (supply) routes, that is, a leg of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The guys watched in disbelief as the fire slowed down and stopped. posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its R. Redman, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Vietnam Overview - 5th Marine Division The battalion worked with the 10th Mountain Division (Light) and established Base Camp Dragon and Castle. Shrapnel was landing everywhere in the ops building and around it. ARMY UNIT CRESTS - Uniforms-4u.com Components of the battalion participated in operation "Bright Star 82" deploying to the port city of Berbera, Somalia, located on the central north coast of Somalia on the Gulf of Aden. On occasions we made "Thunder runs" on highway 13 to clear the road. L. Lammie, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph All of these units required heavy resupply efforts, the beans-and-bullets necessary for the mission. Capt. He had no further contact with his military comrades. $139.99 $105.99. But the plow operators of a land clearing company are experts and take pride in their job. Redesignated for the 27th Engineer Battalion on 9 February 1972. Check your Inbox for exclusive savings and the latest scoop. find my friend. Mason. "We started in the areas we knew would be hot and then planned to work south near the border, but we ran into so much stuff, and the weather bogged down our tracks to the point where our progress was very slow," Major Kerver said. I was at Quang Tri and all of the combat troops were gone. Again S-3 requested the plows and we went in and secured the area." Fortunately he had also become a member and responded to my email. I really hope some other people can find this service and get in touch with people like I did. The large unit was still housed in tents, which raised some eyebrows, and was tasked with building a national road including many bridges. Regardless, Dave got more than just a little time on the welder and twisting wrenches to make repairs. Occasionally, observation platforms or towers would be constructed. Caterpillar D7 dozers led the way, clearing and initially shaping the ground for the roads, bases and revetments. These liaison officers wrote reports, took photographs, and captioned the images. The 209th disembarked at Bombay, India on 23 October 1943, and immediately set to work on the Ledo Road. An official website of the United States government, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website, About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website, Vietnam So Many Years Later: Remembering Army Engineer Activities in Southeast Asia, 1966-1972, Deactivated Nuclear Power Plant Program (DNPPP), Regional Environmental and Energy Offices REEOs, Industry Information Re: COVID-19 Support, Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity, G-1 Reserve Component Augmentation, Office of Human Resources Directorate, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. He said we were like brothers and then all of a sudden, we lost all contact. CORPS OF ENGINEERS UNITS - CBI History Ringsak's Vietnam memories endure and so does the road he helped to build L. McNeill, Lieutenant Colonel Elbert W. Shulz, Lieutenant Colonel Norman R. Heiberg, Lieutenant Colonel John Operation Cedar Falls, the first in a series of U.S. offensives in 1967, was about to violate this sanctuary. J. Waldrop, Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. O'Donnell, Brigadier General Kenneth According to Major Kerver, the initial plan was for the two units to start several miles inside Cambodia and cut, in a Y pattern, toward the border, but due to the weather and the numerous amounts of supplies uncovered. Like most Vietnam veterans, Dave had arrived in Vietnam by himself as a replacement into his Company. We raced volkswagens on our time off and we'd go to the range and shoot all day. Security could also pull back into these areas at night. Unit arrived in India on 12 October 1943, where it immediately participated in the India-Burma Campaign. 27thEngineer Battalion Constituted 16 January 1918 in the National Army at Fort Myer, Virginia, as the 2d Battalion, 37th Engineer Regiment Demobilized in March 1919 at Camp Upton, New York. B. Smith. D. Snoke, Lieutenant Colonel Allen Brigadier General Curtis Janairo, Lieutenant Colonel Paul On 17 October 2008 all lettered companies of the 27th were inactivated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 27th Engineer Battalion (United States) - History On 21 July 1966, the battalion entered the Vietnam War, serving honorably and effectively in 13 campaigns, received five Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal (1st Class), with 19 campaign streamers for actions in Vietnam. I'm the first to ever contact him. The motor pool/maintenance guys and their equipment closely followed the dirt movers. 27TH ENGINEER BATALLION IN PHU BAI VIETNAM Air Force Units Army Units Coast Guard Units Marine Corps Units Navy Units Become a VetFriends Member Site Map Search Veterans & Personnel Photos, Humor, Stories & More Military Records & Resources Reunions, Parades, & Events Online Catalog About VetFriends My Profile MetLife Veteran Insurance Discounts The radio-man hit the dirt just as the soldier was aiming. H. Phillips, 31 January 1968-25 February Every Vietnam veteran had more than enough on the job training filling sandbags. Division History - 25th Infantry Division Association T. Garver, Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Brandes, Lieutenant Colonel James According to Major Thomas J. Kerver, assistant G-3, Plans, II Field Force, there was only speculation as to what the results of the operation would be, but in his own words, "We didn't know what to expect, but we knew it would be something big." A. Teague, Lieutenant Colonel Richard