|
|
 |
|
AN UNLIKELY HERO
|
|
|
|
Two CONEX containers welded together Fortified with sandbags Ready to Operate
There were many heroes in Vietnam, but we think of them in terms of "human" heroes. Well, this one was made of metal. In fact, you might say it was nothing but a large box. And...you would be correct. But...oh, yes...it saved many lives nonetheless.
According to Lt Gary Dean Springer, it was the brainchild of "A" Battery Fire Direction Officer Lt Kermit DeVaughn (deceased). You took two (2) CONEX containers, cut off one side of each, and weld them together.
What's a CONEX container? Well, deciphering military jargon in case is pretty easy. The "CON" part stands for "container" and the "EX" part stands for "export". Putting the two together means it is a "container for export". As the name implies, it is very sturdy. It is made of heavy sheets of metal in a corrugated design to withstand the bumps and slams it may endure from dock to ship and ship to dock. Let the longshoremen give it their best shot...no harm will come to the contents.
Lt DeVaughn's idea entailed using two containers, not just one. That would give you, in essence, the space of a compact mobile trailer. Then, paint the interior with a bright shade of white paint to reflect the interior lighting. Cut a few portholes that would provide both venting and viewing of the outside activities. Weld in some shelving for a PRC-25 radio, weld in a couple of waist-high drafting tables to serve as the base for the firing chart and the "check" chart, and shelves to store records and supplies. Lastly, provide some seating for the personnel working in the FDC.
So...what was it's predecessor? Would you believe...a tent? A tent subject to be blown away every time a Chinook or SkyCrane came in with a load of ammo or a water trailer? A tent subject to leaking in a monster monsoon? A tent that provided little to no protection against enemy action? Of course, another alternative is to dig a bunker or reinforce many stacks of sandbags to create above-ground protection that must withstand caving or falling down. But the real detraction of either method is that your FDC is NOT ready to operate. It is not ready to calculate range, deflection, charge, or quadrant elevation. To put it another way, your "guns" are sitting outside with the cannoneers and the ammunition standing by...and they cannot provide the vital indirect fire support that is their primary mission. The action inside a Fire Direction Center includes using pin-plots to determine map position, to use range deflection fans to determine distance and angles, to use charts to determine powder charge, to do mathematical calculations to determine quadrant elevation. In short, to calculate the firing data given to the guns prior to firing. Think the accuracy of where the high-explosive rounds land might suffer a little if you are standing outside doing this using a field table in a windy rainstorm?
Last, but not least, the CONEX containers were already fabricated with "lifting hooks". Just call the helos and have them pick it up.
No one would accuse Lt DeVaughn of charm and good humor; he was difficult to work with. But, anyone ever assigned to the exacting duties of working inside an FDC owes him a debt of thanks. His concept of a strong and mobile FDC trailer allowed the near-immediate capability of computing firing data for the guns after landing in a new position. It was a fantastic idea. It was a life-saving idea. Just ask the guys downrange.
Footnote: from Lt Gary Dean
Springer's diary:
The idea behind this container was Lt Kermit DeVaughn's. He came up with
the idea, mentioned it to Capt Keith Carlton, who went to Bn CO Holbrook about
it and it was approved. This all occurred when I was still XO of
"A" battery. At any rate, it was built and used for awhile and
then the battery was to move. I remember standing there watching them hook
it up to a Chinook. Cargo straps were connected to each of the four
corners of the container. When it was ready, the Chinook lifted off but
after getting the container about 50 feet or so off the ground, one of the
straps broke way at a corner. The container shifted of course and was
dangling precariously so the Chinook just cut it loose. It came down with
quite a crash and startled the crap out of us. Holbrook was not a happy
camper about this either. I wasn't aware any more of them were made and
used but it was an excellent idea.
Lt Dennis Dauphin
Lt Gary Dean Springer
