Sometimes we pull maintenance until 3:00 in the morning. I was supply sergeant, D Co., 39th Eng. (P) Selected for promotion before assuming command. ". Carrasco, Lieutenant Colonel Maximiano Lieutenant Colonel Howard Usually operators aren't ordered to go on dismount but this time I was. Infantry Division. Longer-lived bases usually had various sizes of tents or even more traditional wooden buildings. Jim..11th LIB. We were stationed in Germany in 1975 through 1978. Dedicated to those who were there. After he completed basic training at Fort Knox and was granted the welder MOS with no further training. 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. Thank you for signing up for the VetFriends Newsletter! I called the number ans wow he was blown away when he found out who I was. . T. Garver, Lieutenant Colonel Robert History: 1966-67 | 228th 1968. Years later I attended a 299th Reunion in Niagara Falls, New York in June . You're out front by yourself and you know if there's an ambush you'll be the first one hit," Bulceco added. Division), Lieutenant Colonel Carroll Dave was a certified welder before induction into the Army. Comments: I am the daughter of ROY B KIEFER, Army Veteran of Korean War, from Chicago, IL. 20th Engineer Brigade He is so thankful I called and we exchanged addresses and he wants to come and visit. 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert M. Carter, Jr. It was redesignated for the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion on 19 March 1951. G. Broumas, Lieutenant Colonel Scott 4th Combat Engineer Battalion 4th Dental Battalion 4th Engineer Battalion 4th Force Reconnaissance Company 4th Force Service Regiment . 27th Engineer Battalion (United States) | Detailed Pedia T. Gay III, 326th Engineer Battalion (101st We don't how much damage we did, we did limit the enemy's capabilities but the extent of damage and destruction is difficult to measure at this point.". For example, a vehicle in which he was riding struck a landmine. If you'd rather wear your own personalized design, create a custom t-shirt just for you. "I've been in a lot of bad situations," commented Specialist Michael Bulceco, operator from the 60th, "but the worst is operating lead plow." They feel they have a unique job and they like to talk about it. About | 70th Engr Btn Vietnam Our expert research specialists are on site at U.S. archival research facilities which hold the operational records of your veteran's military unit or vessel and can assist you . Roper, Colonel John H. Elder, Jr. Combat engineer in Vietnam recalls the lighter moments in war Deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk. The 27th Engineer Battalion (COMBAT)(AIRBORNE) "Tiger Battalion" and its subordinate companies have often used the Fort Bragg/XVIII Airborne Corps standard of "Airborne!" Not readily apparent, but this Clark 290m scraper has suffered from incoming hostile fire. [2] The battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for their service. R. Wray, Lieutenant Colonel Louis 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. . Tents and bunkers being established along the highway. Janairo, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Shower points were established, usually using excess metal shipping containers or 55-gallon drums filled with water and placed on a trestle. He said we were like brothers and then all of a sudden, we lost all contact. 7:20 | On his second Vietnam tour, Bill Ray commanded a combat engineer battalion. 27th Engineer Battalion (C)(A) | Fort Bragg NC M. Miller, Lieutenant Colonel Tenho 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. Also found were water purification and malaria tablets, vitamins, two printing presses, 44 bicycles and 200 pounds of documents. Twenty years later, 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. 4 Log In or Create new account M. Wells. The regiment was broken up in March 1943. 27th Engineer Battalion (United States) - History Paving the Way for America's Fighting Forces - HistoryNet The unit entered World War I on 10 July 1918, with its participation in the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. In January 2003, Company C deployed to Afghanistan and became the first counter-mine company in the entire US Army since the Vietnam War. The platoon is filling sandbags a seemingly never-ending chore that everyone complained about doing but frequently were very glad to have for cover. U.S. Army Engineers Landclearing - GEOCITIES.ws J. Corley, Lieutenant Colonel William 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Henry The battalion closed for staging in the Bien Hoa - Long Binh area on 1 October 1966. . Killed in Action, May 1970. Change View. 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. G. Olentine, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin The company used both mechanical clearance equipment and modern mine detectors to clear hundreds of thousands of square meters of land mines and other explosive hazards. Ran mine sweeps north towards Phu Bai. W. Prentiss, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond The fatal accident did not happen . Thank you so much again for helping me 1966. In May 2015, Office of History staff continued the project; in August 2018, an Office of History contractor converted the 300 remaining slides to digital files. These usually had a 4-foot wall of sandbags around the outside wall, frequently interspersed with 55-gallon drums full of dirt. Bishop, Lieutenant Colonel Drake C. Donovan, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Other elements of the Company included the maintenance platoon that was responsible for repair and maintenance of all the equipment; a transport unit for moving equipment and supplies; and the headquarters platoon that was responsible for logistics and all the care, feeding, and paperwork of the company. On the affirmative, the CO promptly assigned him operate Caterpillar D7s. In 1957 Battery A was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion, 27th Artillery. The Battalion ran across a samll, but well-entrenched enemy force; they called in the 16-inch firepower of the battleship USS New Jersey and wiped out the enemy force. R. Heiberg, Lieutenant Colonel John I was at Quang Tri and all of the combat troops were gone. 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Avery Intro to the 591st Engineer Company (Light Equipment): Daves unit, the 591st Engineer Company (Light Equipment) was part of the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat), 45th Engineer Group (Construction), 18th Engineer Brigade (the parent unit for all Army engineers in Vietnam). Office of History, Mar. E. Lynch, Lieutenant Colonel Clarence 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. P. Andrews, Lieutenant Colonel Pleasant First, the D7 dozers would clear the trees and taller vegetation. "It's really weird." 1968, 26th Engineer Battalion (23d If not, partly above ground and covered with sandbags or dirt. 25th Infantry Division - US Army - Vietnam "You feel helpless. Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Order of Battle 65-72 - 101 Vietnam Veterans As the operations moved forward, the engineers built laager-type areas to be used as mini-bases for logistic, staging, and maintenance. Use promo code FREESHIP at checkout. 1967, Lieutenant Colonel John The Vietnam Trip Briefing slide collection provides a valuable historical visual record of army, especially army engineer, activity during the Vietnam years. E. Read, 7 October 1966-29 September The Office of History is continuing to prepare the remainder of the slide collection and will post additional files to the Digital Library until the entire collection of 6000+ public domain slides is available to researchers to download. His buddy, Bob, scrounged some appropriate welding rod for Dave to cut and weld the M2 mounts as desired by the tankers. mounts. Division), Lieutenant Colonel Matthew . The 984th, also a unit of the 62nd Engineer Battalion, was involved in a similar operation at Binh Son in support of the Thai's. Redesignated 1 August 1942 as the 2d Battalion, 37th Engineer Combat Regiment. S. Townsley, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Cold War: 1950-1966. The most recent deployment was in response to Operation Uphold Democracy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Share Elements of the 101st Airborne made clearing sweeps in the mountains and valleys along the route. 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. 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. The tankers were so happy that they kept Dave and Bob supplied with beer during their short, combined tenure. COMBAT STORIES FROM Vietnam - Witness To War Wilson, Lieutenant Colonel George On 20 September 1921, the unit was organized and activated as an ordnance company at Fort Bliss, Texas. Lieutenant Colonel John This ingenuity truly exemplified the commitment to the 591st unit motto: Drive On., Dave said, We un-assed from the vehicles to see where the fire was coming from. W. Lombard, Lieutenant Colonel Robert D. Stipo, Lieutenant Colonel Early Lieutenant Colonel Carl With roots that can be traced back to WWII, the 591st Engineer Company (Light Equipment) was inactivated in Vietnam on 1 January 1972 (the Company was reactivated 16 September, 2007 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky). Check your Inbox for exclusive savings and the latest scoop. Bradley, Major General John A. During the first several days of cutting resistance was light, but after the enemy had a chance to regroup, everyday meant contact. Wood, Jr. After the termination of hostilities, the unit was demobilized. FOR THE MEN WHO ARE FIGHTING THE WAR IN VIETNAM from the cab of a Rome Plow bulldozer, the work day begins at dawn and often ends sometime after midnight. During one period, a platoon of M48 tanks provided security for the 591st and other co-located elements. He wanted to give a bit of history to his sons and grandchildren. [220] SENIOR ENGINEER COMMANDERS IN VIETNAM, 1965-1970-Continued [221] SENIOR ENGINEER COMMANDERS IN VIETNAM, 1965-1970-Continued [222] SENIOR ENGINEER COMMANDERS IN VIETNAM, 1965-1970-Continued [223] 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. E. Crowley, Lieutenant Colonel Valentine They broke out cheering as that VC ran out of sight. The 27th began its service with the 1st Cavalry Division on . As the withdrawal date loomed closer and the mechanized units continued to plow into Communist territory, a series of constant ambushes plagued the operation. Every low spot would become a pond, malaria-carrying mosquitoes would thrive, and fungus would grow on your feet (and other dark places on your body). They told farm and school stories and speculated on who else from their very small high school class might be in country.. Unfortunately, many of the engineers and others serving alongside are still suffering from the effects. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Ernest LaFountain Collection | Library of Congress F. Meador, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph P. Stefanik, Lieutenant Colonel Charles On one morning minutes after the cut began, the NVA hit five separate elements of the 11th ACR simultaneously, two fire support bases and three units on the road. Rock crusher site with D7 dozer and heavy rock truck. Cutting began June 4. The 209th was inactivated at the conclusion of World War II, and in 1947 was redesignated as the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion. The battalion deployed again in August 1992 to Dade County, Florida, for hurricane Andrew relief. After the men return to the NDP, they can look forward to hot chow, mail and cold beer. 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. Bunkers would fill with water. After that I was with the 27th Eng. My first duty post in-country was the sole engineer assigned to 2nd Civil Affairs Co. My duty was primarily handling demolitions and some minor construction in my "free time". R. Brinkerhoff, Lieutenant Colonel Richard At that time, they didnt know that the other was in Vietnam. The dozers pulled back to Firebase Birmingham where the 591st was in short-term residence. IN VIETNAM, 1965-1970, Assumption or Duration of Division). D. Gabe, Lieutenant Colonel Charles This plaque is dedicated to Marines and Corpsmen who served with 3rd Battalion 27th Marines in the Republic of Vietnam. The battalion sustained 71 killed in action and 179 wounded in action during the 70-day-long battle. During the conflict in Vietnam, U.S. Army Engineers played a significant role in support of U.S. and allied forces, both in construction and in combat. RARE Vietnam Era 27th Combat Engineer Airborne Battalion Paratrooper Group and took up operations in I Corps tactical zone at Gia Le. T. Moore, Lieutenant Colonel James 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 Dave walked over to the stream to wash up and saw a guy he had known since the second grade and called, brother.. It was a wonderful moment that we will both remember for the rest of our lives, and we owe it to VetFriends. Came under the jurisdiction of the 34th Engineer Group on 20 April 1967. on 12 April 1968, the unit was transferred to the 45th Engineer Group at. Units that served with the 25th Divsion in Vietnam - Vietnam Soldier Over those years, an OCE (Office of the Chief of Engineers) Liaison Officer routinely traveled to various locations in Southeast Asia to visit army officers and engineer troops and to gather information on the many activities and projects undertaken by army engineers in the region. 20thEngineers.com - Cold War 1950-1966 The Contractor Full Disclosure T-Shirt. The research for this After Action Report included OPERATIONAL REPORTS, DAILY STAFF JOURNALS and DUTY OFFICER S LOGS at the Battalion, Brigade and Division levels located in the National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. The 2022 reunion starts on November 9, 2022. The roots of the 27th Support Battalion can be traced back to 1 September 1921 when its predecessor, the 27th Ordnance Company which was constituted in the Regular Army of the United States and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. Vietnam veteran, Sp4 David Flinn, 591st Engineers, left us with this photographic record of his units activities in the A Shau Valley. Sticker 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion 2D Decal United States Army Military for Car Truck Window Laptop Bumper US Flag 4,53,5 in 2 $1499 FREE delivery Feb 2 - 7 Only 7 left in stock - order soon. The guys watched in disbelief as the fire slowed down and stopped. My Vietnam Photos Your article piqued my interest, so to jog my memory, I went back and looked up the maps the 2 areas, and I found that Loc Ninh was in the Fish Hook not the Parrots Beak, so I was hooked and not pecked. SENIOR ENGINEER COMMANDERS IN VIETNAM, 1965-1970 1 Killed in Action, May 1970. M. Connell, Lieutenant Colonel Walter Lieutenant Colonel Joseph (Construction), Lieutenant Colonel James Johnstone, Jr. 15th Engineer Battalion (9th D. Triem, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew E. Kallman, Lieutenant Colonel Windle The materials were in turn given to theOffice of History, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, upon the museums closure at Fort Belvoir when the Engineer School moved to Fort Leonard Wood. Edelstein, Lieutenant Colonel John Sign up to receive our newsletter regarding Veterans, Reunions, Military, Veteran Benefits, Military Pictures, Jokes, Military History, G. Madison, Jr. Not until the men head back to their night defensive position (NDP) do they feel the pressure ease off. This is one of the best descriptions of us that I have found yet. A. Howard, Jr. Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. The state of the 20th Engineer Battalion upon reactivation was desperate. Reactivation at Fort Bragg. The 19th Combat Engineer Battalion developed 20 miles of roads and a 25-unit permanent heliport near Qui Nhon in preparation for the arrival of South Korea's Tiger Division, which would . One platoon of the 591st was had a portable rock crusher assigned for quarry/crushing operations. If the terrain would allow, vegetation outside the perimeter would be pushed back as much as 200 meters for obvious reason. 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. The history of the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) began on 16 January 1918 at Fort Myer, VA, as the 2d Battalion, 37th Engineer Regiment. On 31 January 1972, the battalion returned to the United States and relocated to Fort Bragg, NC, where it became a non-divisional combat airborne engineer battalion. Theyre certainly not of professional quality, but do tell the story from the point of view of a self-described equipment operator. One of Daves regrets was that most of the photos he took were lost a few days before his DEROS (Date Expected to Return from Over Seas) as a result of a rocket destroying his bunker (he was on the perimeter berm), so the photo story is somewhat incomplete.