The Mighty Ninth

Strive To Reach The Summit


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155mm_at_Duc_Pho.jpgEarly Days of Duc Pho - Spring, 1967A quickly laid spray of asphalt was laid down to control all the dust on the landing pad. A 155mm howitzer awaits transport to its destination.
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1stCav.jpg1st Cav was hereAt the right end of the red line is the famous 1st Cav Insignia. The 1st Cav held this Mang Yang Pass area for a long time prior to moving. The road leads to the mountain peak and stops.
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3rdBde.jpgBrigade HeadquartersLanding strip and tarmac at 3rd Bde HQ, 25th Inf Div, LZ Montezuma, Duc Pho, Spring, 1967.
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3rdBdeConst.jpgLZ Montezuma - under constructionThe 3rd Bde, 25th Inf Div build their HQ at LZ Montezuma in Duc Pho, very close to the South China Sea. Grunts later named this place "Fire Support Base Bronco".
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A-2-9_Guidon.jpgEsprit de CorpsTime out for a little esprit de corps....taking your picture with the battery guidon.
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AerialViewPaddies.jpgRice Paddies - Aerial ViewA helicopter view of the irrigation system for rice paddies near Duc Pho.
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Anchor2.JPGLZ AnchorIn a very serious tactical error, "A" Battery was sent to re-occupy LZ Anchor due to previous battle successes in the area. Our enemy wasn't that stupid. A 250-lb Air Force dud was buried in our sump area. Fortunately, it was buried very deeply to avoid detection. When it was set off at dusk, it caused a couple of concussions and eardrum injuries, but no fatalities. We were ordered to leave the next day. Had the bomb been closer to the surface, "A" Battery would have likely been wiped out.
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Andrews.jpgThe Final Days at Tam KySection Chief SSG Lake Andrews...one of the best and most respected leaders in the battery.

I was blessed with excellent Section Chiefs! God Bless them!
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Anti-personnel_Rd.jpgThe Beehive RoundA beehive round is loaded for firing. The tube is levelled and fuse set for immediate burst in case of a "human wave" attack on a firebase.
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Armed_CH-47.jpgChinook DemoArmed CH-47
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ARVN_camp.jpgThe ARVN / CIDG CompoundLocated on a hill mass on Hwy 19 in the vicinity of the infamous Mang Giang Pass, this was a radio relay station inhabited by civilians and their families. This compound was a source of constant aggravation.
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ARVN_Comp.JPGThe site of an important radio relay station manned by the ARVNs. It is directly in line with the ARVN compound on a higher peak.
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