The Mighty Ninth

Strive To Reach The Summit


Most viewed - Dennis L Dauphin
LZ-OD.jpg
LZ-OD.jpgOrigins of LZ OD231 viewsLZ Olive Drab is under construction. Became home to the 1/35th Inf Bn HQ and "A" Battery, 2/9th. Here is a rare opportunity to fire Charge 1 and see a smoke round land.

Location: We are looking due north. Turning around, we would see LZ Montezuma, later re-named LZ Bronco, and the South China See. We came here to relieve the Marines who were sent further north. Our other two batteries were located nearby at LZ Liz and LZ Mary Lou. We eventually departed LZ OD for Tam Ky in early October.
Rainbow.jpg
Rainbow.jpgRainbow at Highway 19231 viewsAngular photo shows a rainbow passing directly over the Infantry company A-2-35 commanded by Capt Charlie Murray.
February, 1967.
CRB-Barracks.jpg
CRB-Barracks.jpgHow the other half lives....230 viewsHolding barracks at Cam Ranh Bay for departing personnel. Compared to the field, these accomodations were utter luxury.
ReelTapeRcdr.JPG
ReelTapeRcdr.JPGTape Diary230 viewsLt Dauphin shows off his 3" reel-to-reel GE tape recorder used to correspond with family in the States. Operated on four "D" Cells (BA-30s) and still works even today. To my everlasting regret, it arrived the morning after the long firefight to take command of the Duc Pho area. Lt Don Keith and I were on the radio with fire missions for 48 hours continuous.
TamKy.jpg
TamKy.jpgThe Final Days: October, 1967 RSOP from LZ OD to Tam Ky227 viewsThe monsoon lifts; BnCo Bobzien (hands on hips) checks on troops. White t-shirt: SSG Frank Venegas, Chief of Smoke (deceased); Capt Mike Casp (KIA) in front-left. Soldier in the rear is likely Lt Malcolm Spencer, who became the new "A"Battery Executive Officer (XO). The vital FDC CONEX unit was not totally covered in sandbags when the monsoon hit. If you note carefully, the mud is totally mush.
Stamper.jpg
Stamper.jpg"A" Battery Field Mess Hall227 viewsGiven the great ingenuity of the battery's cannoneers, a stateside-quality mess hall was built on LZ OD with Sgt Dan Stamper as "Chef in Charge". Over his shoulder is the 3rd Bde HQ at LZ Montezuma next to the South China Sea at Duc Pho. The sign says: "Ma Stamper's Greasy Spoon".
SoChinaSea.jpg
SoChinaSea.jpgAftermath of the July, 1967 ammo dump fire227 viewsAfter the great fireworks display at the ammo dump fire on the beach at the South China See, this is what the beach looked like. Probably cost the taxpayers back home a couple of million. {See the "War Stories" tab for more information}
LZ-OD-lake_filled.jpg
LZ-OD-lake_filled.jpgLZ OD224 viewsThe lake is filled once again. Made a very nice swimming and bathing hole. Note fortified howitzer positions.
The_Dump_Fire.JPG
The_Dump_Fire.JPG222 views
Regis.JPG
Regis.JPGDaily Task220 viewsEach battery was required to register every day.
ThePass.jpg
ThePass.jpg"The Pass"219 viewsGoing thru the Mang Yang Pass on Highway 19. Looks like the road was designed for ambushes.
WaterTank.jpg
WaterTank.jpg"Mang Yang" (Mang Giang) Pass219 viewsAn abandoned water tank on top of a hill overlooking the infamous Mang Yang pass. An excellent observation point.
191 files on 16 page(s) 8