The Mighty Ninth

Strive To Reach The Summit


Lt_Thomas,_FO.jpg
Lt_Thomas,_FO.jpgThe FO Poster BoyDate: 18 Nov 66. Place: Kontum.

There you have it...the classic FO in battle dress, M-16, and sleeves rolled up.
B-BtrySign.jpg
B-BtrySign.jpgMorale BuilderThe sign of "B" Battery at LZ Illini says "Ready Sir". The "Dragon's Keeper" bit refers to their direct support of 1/14th Inf Regt.....the Golden Dragons, as they are known.
Promo.jpg
Promo.jpgGetting an "Atta Boy"Date: 21 Feb 67. 2/9th FA BnCo LtCol Bruce Holbrook congratulates Lt Ed Thomas and Lt Bill Farmer (later KIA) on their promotions to the grade of First Lieutenants. The 2nd Lts felt a sigh of relief.
Caribou2.jpg
Caribou2.jpgThe CaribouPlace: Litts Field. The Army's last foothold in fixed-wing aviation was the Caribou.
Aussies.jpg
Aussies.jpgDown Under?Don't know; Ed will have to tell us. The berets and tight-fitting uniforms not usually seen in the field.
Pleiku67.jpg
Pleiku67.jpgPleiku, February, 1967Note the dude in starched khakis at right compared to the tall dude with a survival knife on his belt. Makes you glad to be home.
Illini.jpg
Illini.jpgBravo Battery located at LZ IlliniNote the M2 Aiming Circle and the bore calibration board.
TrngSession.jpg
TrngSession.jpgTraining & DemoLooks like training in progress. Note the "stateside" fatigues with the white cloth name tags. Confirms that the timeframe is 1966.
SpiderHole.jpg
SpiderHole.jpgWazzit?It looks somewhat like a spider hole, but it is actually a "lean-to" with two air mattresses side by side. Better than sleeping on the ground.
TrngSession2.jpg
TrngSession2.jpgTraining & DemoTraining conducted inside the space of the 105mm trails
EET3a.jpg
EET3a.jpgLt Edwin E. Thomas, FO for both the 35th and the 14th RegtsWe Were Soldiers...and Young...and Fit...and Good Looking...and all that. A "modern-day" photo can be found at the end of this album.
Five_Artillerymen.jpg
Five_Artillerymen.jpgFIREPOWER!A very rare photo consisting of: Lt Bill Farmer (KIA), Lt Dave Whaley, Lt Doug Turner, Lt Ed Thomas, and Lt Chris Herrick.
96 files on 8 page(s) 1