The Mighty Ninth

Strive To Reach The Summit


Last additions - Dennis L Dauphin
Pleiku_Sign.jpg
Pleiku_Sign.jpgWelcome to PleikuWell, not really. After my one-week excursion thru Camp Alpha and Saigon, it was time to get down to business. I caught a 0400hrs flight out of Tan Son Nhut into Pleiku in mid-Nov 1967. That's where the "real stuff" began. It was the HQ of the 2/9th FA Bn at the time. After checking in and getting my assignment, some of the "regulars" wanted to show me the town of Pleiku. You can tell from the sign alone this was my first mistake. It was a shithole of the worst degree. I never went back there, EVER!Nov 07, 2020
Spencer___Casp.JPG
Spencer___Casp.JPGLt Malcolm Spencer and Capt Mike CaspSince I was heading home on my DEROS, Lt Malcolm Spencer was called out of the field, where he had been pulling FO duty, to replace me as the XO of "A" Battery. Behind him is the Battery Commander, Captain Mike Casp, who was killed two weeks after this photo was taken. He was on a reconnaissance mission when the chopper was shot down.Oct 18, 2020
Huey___155mm.jpg
Huey___155mm.jpgEarly Days of Duc Pho - Spring, 1967A Huey drops off supplies that go with the 155mm howitzer. Don't think that the Huey can pick up the 155; it can't.Oct 16, 2020
Holbrook_-_Casp.jpg
Holbrook_-_Casp.jpgThe "Boss" goes to the fieldLtCol Bruce Holbrook. 2/9th BnCo, chats with "A" Battery Commander Captain Mike Casp (KIA in Nov, 1967) after landing at LZ OD. His C&C chopper can bee seen behind them.Oct 16, 2020
155mm_at_Duc_Pho.jpg
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.Oct 16, 2020
LZ_English.jpg
LZ_English.jpgLZ English at Bong SonThe 1st Cav moved on to another mission and we take their firebase. The red tubes made a nice parapet wall, but I don't know where the red came from.Oct 16, 2020
Tam_Ky_1.JPG
Tam_Ky_1.JPGTam Ky - Final LZThe mountainous, and very uneven terrain of Tam Ky, was my last stop before DEROS. It was the WORST LZ I have ever been on! There was not enough flat, level ground to place six howitzers in the standard star formation. Judging from the slushy ground and unkempt look of this position, this photo was taken after a very severe monsoon hit us.Sep 08, 2020
I_m_Home.jpg
I_m_Home.jpgReturned home from NamWell, I made it back home. I went over in a khaki uniform and still wearing it at Camp Chaffee, AR for the National Guard's ATT. I was the Safety Officer, assigned to protect the good people of Ft Smith from losing any cattle or their City Hall. They had reason for concern, too.

So....here's my story in pictures.
Oct 21, 2019
FO_on_Duty_-_Hwy_19.JPG
FO_on_Duty_-_Hwy_19.JPGHighway 19 - Guarding the road with A-2-35Photo taken in January, 1967. Remember it well. Wasn't long after this photo was taken, the VC started lobbing mortars at our perimeter. The rounds were landing between A-2-35 and a nearby village. They knew it would be difficult for us to return the fire. But we did. An Infantry mortar hit a rotted tree trunk, setting it on fire. That gave us the target zone and we returned fire. No casualties, but we found plenty of blood near the impact zone.

But, let's go back to the beginning.
Sep 08, 2019
FDC_Boys.JPG
FDC_Boys.JPGThe Two DennisHome safe from Vietnam, Dennis Munden and I will never forget our 24-hr shift sharing in the A/2/9 FDC atop LZ OD. We computed so many fire missions, especially after landing in Duc Pho to relieve the US Marines who were sent further north. It was a time of great stress and concentration, putting the artillery where it was needed. Photo taken at Dauphin's home in Ocean Springs, MS.Mar 03, 2017
DLD_-_LZ_OD.JPG
DLD_-_LZ_OD.JPGLanding Zone (LZ) Olive Drab"At home" on LZ OD (Landing Zone Olive Drab). Note bunker in rear. Provided both security and a relief from the high temps. Used 105 cannisters mark the paths around the LZ.Oct 22, 2016
LZ_OD_Mess_Kitchen.JPG
LZ_OD_Mess_Kitchen.JPGChow TimePFC Alvin Hite, Cook and SFC Frank Venegas, Chief of Smoke, enjoy a "hot meal" from the mermite cans at LZ OD, firebase for 1/35th and "A" Battery.

SFC Venegas eventually became the Command Sergeant Major of III Corps Artillery located at Ft. Sill, Ok where he resided until his death.
Jul 13, 2016
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