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DP10a.JPGFDC TOCSpring, 1968. Next to our bunker was the FDC tactical operations center where we worked. In the distance, past the Bong Son village, is one of the Tiger Mountains which was festering with VC, unlike the NVA we had seen far to the north.
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DP11a.JPGHelo Loading Area - LZ EnglishNext to our bunker was this helicopter loading area. It was oiled to keep the dust down. Here a Chinook is picking up a load of ammo, going to one of the firing batteries. Man atop truck is giving signals to the pilot. Foreground: Bn Commander LTC Bobzien's hot water shower.
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DP12a.JPGOff dutyOff duty in the tent. Others on my shift were Glen Bruney and Ronnie Crowe (both leaning against sandbags). Jim Castelletti (clerk) in the foreground.
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DP13a.JPGLZ Mile HighSpring, 1968. "A" Battery had just moved into this hill, midway between Kontum and the Cambodian border. The hill had been cleared for their landing by a B-52 run. FDC conex at right. Hill was later heavily mortared. They shared this hill with the Inf Bn HQ.
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DP14a.JPGCambodia in the distanceSpring, 1968, LZ Mickey Mouse (possibly this is "A" Battery"). View southwest from LZ Mile High; Cambodia in distance. Black tubes in pile are 105mm ammo canisters (2 per box).
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DP15a.JPGKontum Bridge - LZ Mickey MouseSummer, 1968. Kontum Bridge, which is just south of town on road going south to Pleiku. We frequently swam below the bridge & it was a popular watering hole for Kontum residents and an occasional water buffalo. Area wasn't always safe: the NVA vowed to take the bridge & city for Ho Chi Minh's birthday. Also saw a Viet cop kill a VC suspect here.
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DP16a.JPGFDC TOC - LZ OasisSummer, 1968. Glen Bruney on duty here. This bunker was a complex of rooms made from CONEX containers. These were our main radios on command freq. Switchboard to DivArty at right. Command map at left showing battery circles (ranges). Plastic overlays used to plot targets & troop locations. Clipboard itemized arty fire missions.
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DP1a.JPGCam Ranh Bay - BarracksFall, 1967. After flying from Minneapolis to SF, I spent a few days in process in Oakland. Then flew to Anchorage and Yokota AFB (Japan) enroute to CRB. Spent a few days processing here before being assigned to the 4th ID in Pleiku. Picture taken enroute to R&R in Australia.
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DP2a.JPG2/9th Bn TOCDuc Pho, LZ Bronco, 1967. The 2/9th now under 3d Bde, 4th Inf Div. Went to "C" Battery (to gain experience) & then assigned here as an Arty Computer in the S-3 Section under Maj Stuart Wright & MSG Moats. Stayed here until end of 1967.
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DP3a.JPGAtop LZ ThunderDuc Pho, LZ Montezuma (aka Bronco), Fall, 1967. "B" Battery, 105mm howitzer. Bunkers around the gun were for ammunition and for the gun crew. The South China Sea can be seen in the rear.
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DP4a.JPGDecember, 1967Vietnamese farmers working the rice paddies.
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DP5a.JPGLZ Baldy - south of Hoi AnFebruary, 1968. SSG Ronnie Kackley (Little Rock, Ark) and me in front of the S-1 hootch.
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