[24][35] Medical supplies for the regiment had been lost during its movement from England to Normandy, but were replaced and captured German vehicles were pressed into service by the regiment's medical detachment. While he was beginning his shift as the night duty officer, Lawson Magruder would marvel at the wrecked helicopters brought back to base. The companies established Firebase Cudgel ( 10.4198N 105.991E) in swampy rice paddy at the intersection of the So Bay Canal and the Ong Tai Creek. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . He managed to finally get himself on a tank crew through sheer will and intelligence. 9th Infantry Division, 47th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion Mechanized, Jim Littig - Army, Mike Leonard - Air Force, LTG (Ret) John Le Moyne - Army, Tony Nadal - Army, Sammy Davis - Army, David Farthing - Navy, Tim Dunn - Marines, Roye Wilson - Army, Marvin Cole - Army, Tom Buchan - Army, LTG (Ret) Lawson W. Magruder III - Army, Mike Morris - Army, Dave Oliver - Air Force, Richard Jackson - Marines, Freddie Owens - Army, Bill Pearson - Army, Laurie Druyor - Navy, Tommy Clack - Army, Stuart Jamison - Army, Joe McDonald - Army, George Forrest - Army, LtGen Ron Christmas - Marines. On one of his first missions, he learned not to triage the wounded too quickly. A furious firefight followed, and he summoned his ace in the hole, the Air Force. [59] In 1991, the 9th Infantry Division was inactivated;[71] due to this the 3d Battalion was assigned to the 199th Infantry Brigade, but was later inactivated in January 1994 at Fort Polk. He was right. [64]:105108 In early July 1967, operations were conducted in the G Cng Province;[64]:110112 at the end of that month, the regiment moved to Can Guioc. [33] By 14 June, the entire regiment had landed, and the following day the 47th began combat operations, fighting alongside regiments of the 82nd Airborne Division, attacking along a path which was near, or included, Orglandes, Hautteville-Bocage, and Ste. Part 1 of 5. 9th Infantry Division In the 1994 film Forrest Gump, the eponymous main character was a member of the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, notably: 4th Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry. The machine gun fire that hit him as he still tried to help others didnt kill him. During the Cold War, the regiment saw multiple activations and inactivations, with service both in the Regular Army and the Army Reserve; it fought in Vietnam. What they needed was steel. 9th infantry division vietnam 1967 bearcat. The latter was to become the 9th Infantry Divisions Headquarters, where VIPs were received and the estate was used as a storage depot for food and arms. A dog named Hambone Jr. scurried alongside the soldiers and kept them company until the troops departed Alresford in May 1944 for disembarkation to Southampton and Portsmouth and eventually to the shores of Utah Beach in Normandy, France. Platoon leader Bill Pearson sent out a squad to set up a night ambush and when they made contact, it was with a much larger VC force. WebOn the morning of 15 November three companies of the 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, were lifted by helicopters into the southern part of the Kien Giang zone to secure a firebase. While in the hospital at Fort Knox, Richey told his parents to come by themselves to pick him up. [56][35] In December 1946, the regiment was deactivated in Germany. brigade operation Plain of Reeds Cambodia Viet Cong. Ultimately it was reactivated as a training regiment, and as of 1999, it has been assigned to Fort Benning and consists of two active battalions. They were under siege. Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans. (Caution: coarse language.). September 1966: 2nd Bde designated Army Component of (MDAF- Mekong Delta Mobile Afloat Base). [64]:75 By May of that same year it began to conduct combat operations near Ap Bac;[64]:77 that same month, the regiment's 4th Battalion completed operations in Rung Sat and began operations in the Mekong Delta. Ward a week later. The answer caused him to bite his tongue. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, the Military Heritage Museum- https://freedomisntfree.org/.). Soon after the Great War, the Division was demobilized in 1919 and re-designated a regular Army unit in 1923 and placed on the inactive list. Personal Narrative. The RPG that severed Joe McDonalds foot didnt kill him. 2023Ninth Infantry Division AssociationAll rights reserved, Powered byWPDesigned with the Customizr theme. [64]:59 From mid-February to late-March 1967, the regiment's 3d Battalion conducted combat training, with the USSWhitfield County(LST-1169) and the 9th River Assault Squadron, in the Rung Sat Special Zone. Donald Fenske passed away on October 9, 2019. Mr. Harness remembers seeing the convoy of cars enter the Grange, VIPs walk into the building and then close the large doors. [59] Also 1957, the regiment's 3d Battalion was inactivated and relieved from the 9th Infantry Division, and two years later allotted to the United States Army Reserves' 81st Infantry Division. Going into the Vietnam War, he understood and sympathized with the idea that the U.S. was looking to help the Vietnamese be better off. Reactivated in 1940, the regiment fought during World War II in North Africa, Sicily, and Western Europe, then was inactivated in 1946. 78th Annual Reunion He knew what he had to do and his actions brought him consideration for the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. After the Tet Offensive, he remembers having to deal with a lot of the bureaucracy that came with the ongoing war. Winchester, UK, famous for its beautiful Cathedral, and Alresford, in Southern England, both home for the men of the 9th Infantry Division in 1943 1944. He describes the tactics he used to fight the enemy and recalls one memorable fight in which his men and an NVA unit charged at each other in darkness. Alpha, Bravo & Charlie CompanyKIA Pages Updated - input byAl Brown & Frank LewanovichDavid L. Thornton moved They visited the various U.S. camp sites along with General Bradley, Commanding Officer of the 9th Infantry Division. Army. When he located the besieged squad, the battle became intense and they were in danger of being wiped out. redesignated as the 9th Infantry Division]), Activated 10 August 1940 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Activated 15 July 1947 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Reorganized and redesignated 1 April 1957 as Headquarters and There are 2 soldiers of the 9th Infantry Division Vietnam that have been identified and recovered. Latest Update: May 25, 2013 2 nd Battalion (Mechanized) 47 th Infantry Regiment 9 th Infantry Division (Vietnam) M113A1 by George E. Bieda, 9092 Washington Ave, Studio 7, Silverdale WA 98383, 800-595-0042 or 360-613-5787 Windjammer-Arts.Com Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans. For its actions in repelling the attack the regiment earned another Distinguished Unit Citation. Recently, the Association changed from a 501(C) 19 veterans group to a 501(C) 3 not-for-profit group. Not long after because of the rotational WebThe 94th Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War I, and of the Organized Reserve Corps in 1921 until 1942.. WebThe 94th Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War I, and of the Organized Reserve Corps in 1921 until 1942. Richey was scared to death of messing up, and what would have been a harmless mistake turned into a painful one. Every soldier in a spider hole was armed with a rifle and a RPG launcher. Everyone breathing in a uniform was hurriedly mobilized by the 82nd Airborne as they scrambled to reply to Gen. Westmoreland's demand for more troops. The motorized infantry division was to be equipped with enhanced technology to give it deployability and fire power and Menu. The answer caused him to bite his tongue. for VIETNAM 1969-1970. The place made quite an impression on him. John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/xxxx), Photographs (PH03-PH14), Ralph Williams photographer, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. [57] This process continued until August 1988 when the 2d Battalion was inactivated again. [33] While stationed around Alresford, the regiment adopted a dog as a mascot, but it died when struck by a vehicle in May 1944. Location of Service: Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Tan Son Nhut Air Base and Bien Hoa, Vietnam. . Army Training and Doctrine Command and activated at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, World War I: * Aisne-Marne; So he gave them another dog named Spider, and he soon also became a great favorite and went everywhere with the 47th Infantry Regiment men. The 2nd Battalion 47th Infantry Vietnam In Pictures (47 Pages) If you can identify anyone in these pictures, please contact Bob Pries. Can I cut the mustard? [23] At the time of the regiment was commanded by Colonel Edwin Randle. July 28 to July 31, 2023 Later in his Army career, it was time for a masters degree and Jim Littig chose an unusual major. WebAlpha Company 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry(Mechanized). Thus was born the "Mike Spike." [64]:81 On 19 May 1967, the 2d Brigade's headquarters came under attack on the banks of the M Tho River, and the regiment's 3d Battalion was heavily engaged in thwarting the attack. John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/xxxx), Audio recording (SR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. [57] From the regiment's transfer to Training and Doctrine Command, until February 1999, the regiment was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood; beginning in March 1999 the regiment has been stationed at Fort Benning. [64]:67,70, Beginning in April 1967, the regiment's 3d Battalion deployed to the Mekong Delta proper. He would be awarded the Silver Star for this action. [64]:5967,70 In April and May 1967, the regiment's 4th Battalion conducted operations in the Rung Sat Special Zone. Keywords : Mike Morris describes the hour long battle with an NVA unit that made an unusual frontal assault. Hq and Hq CO, 9th Inf Div Dec 1966 Aug 1969 Hq and Hq CO, 1st Bde, 9th Inf Div Jan 1967 Aug 1969 Hq and Hq CO, 2nd Bde, 9th Inf Div Jan 1967 Jul 1969 When he had to miss a much anticipated Navy lunch aboard ship, he was disappointed, but it turned out that he was lucky. The Marines who came to pick him up were dirty and dusty and haggard looking. With the rest of the platoon, he set out to find them and bring them back. [43] The liberation of Chteau-Thierry occurred on 27 August, while the 9th Infantry Division was following the wake of the movement of the 3d Armored Division. 9th infantry division vietnam 1967 bearcat. They were assigned to a task force of Combat Command B of the 9th Armored Division, consisting in part of the 47th Infantry When daylight came, it was a grim scene, with hundreds of enemy dead. Copyright 2023 Witness To War. else if (navigator.appName == "Netscape") May 1966: 2nd Bde receives fill of troops. Constituted in 1917 at Camp Syracuse, New York, the regiment fought in the Great War, and was later inactivated in 1921. The situation was dire for the men on the ground so the answer was affirmative. John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/xxxx), Video recording (MV01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. 5 U.S. soldiers lost their lives in a Long An Province rice paddy July 11, Web9th infantry division vietnam roster. - Jennifer Cockerill. The Division fought in eight campaigns in the European Theater from North Africa to the Elbe River in eastern Germany which included an amphibious landing in Sicily. The purpose of sailing to England meant only one thing a springboard to the invasion of the Continent. The first night, as he settled in with a cold beer, the radio crackled with pleas for help from a nearby special forces camp. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. Richey could not agree more. [46] This was followed by fighting in the Hrtgen Forest;[47] during the battle the regiment captured Frenzerburg Castle. It was the most intense action he saw during the war. WebSubscribe to 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division Footer menu. [8][59] In July 1963, the 1st Battalion was reactivated as a part of the 171st Infantry Brigade. WebBack to Search Results Veterans History Project Service Summary: War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Branch of Service: Army Unit of Service: 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division Location of Service: Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Vietnam Highest Rank: E-5 View full service history I will be adding pages [24] The division was garrisoned around Winchester and during this time a number of personnel married local women. It was the most intense action he saw during the war. This area of the site allows you to view brief histories of units and regiments which hailed from Massachusetts during the Civil War. He would be awarded the Silver Star for this action. Save the Date [52], By early April, the 9th Infantry Division was assigned to III Corps, and was part of the effort against the Ruhr Pocket;[53] once again the Panzer Lehr Division attacked the 9th Infantry Division. Guards were posted outside and the meeting continued for 2-3 hours. As Marine Captain Ron Christmas fought to regain the city of Hue, he found the enemy adept at concealment and surprise. The RPG that severed Joe McDonalds foot didnt kill him. Czarnecki, J., David Addison, Santa Cruz Public Libraries & Gill, C. W. (1968) Charles William Gill Collection. He and his medical platoon performed missions treating civilians in their villages and he relates a chilling story of a child used by the enemy to attack one of these operations. Updated: 11/24/18 [45] The regiment penetrated the Siegfried Line near Schevenhtte on 16 September. WebBrice Barnes | Vietnam | 9th Infantry Division, 47th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion Mechanized | 5:46 Brice Barnes remembers some of the most important things he gained Therefore, permission must be obtained before using the interview or other materials in exhibition or publication. (Interview conducted at, and with the assistance of, the Military Heritage Museum- https://freedomisntfree.org/.). Please contact VHP for assistance if you need to contact a veteran for permission to use their materials in exhibition or publication, or if you have received permission from the veteran and need access to high-resolution copies of VHP collection materials. He had applied to Pathfinder school and was waiting for a slot when he got a lesson in how things get done in the Army. He saw the enemy soldier stand and fire the RPG that changed his life forever. According to New Alresford resident Glenn Gilbertson, Hambone Jr. is remembered as a brown and white, scruffy little terrier. While Richey's company was in reserve, another infantry unit got ambushed. John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/xxxx), Correspondence (MS01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Constituted in 1917 at Camp Syracuse, New York, the regiment fought in the Great War, and was 5:42 | After his first deployment, Brice Barnes was stationed in Thailand and then retired as a civilian in the Army National Guard. [64]:150151[d] From mid-February and into early March, the regiment took part in Operation Coronado XI. A furious firefight followed, and he summoned his ace in the hole, the Air Force. [73] On 4 March 2019, 3d Battalion was re-activated in the 198th Infantry Brigade for infantry one station unit training. [24] During March the regiment experienced multiple changes in command, at the beginning of the month Colonel Smythe departed the regiment, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Herman A. Schmidt to act as the regiment's commanding officer, only to be succeeded by Colonel Peter O. My thanks goes out to everyone involved in the original article, thank you! When daylight came, it was a grim scene, with hundreds of enemy dead. [64]:171, Following the regiment's deployment to Vietnam, its battalions were progressively inactivated. During Desert Storm, his unit was mobilized to provide support for training for that conflict. The situation was dire for the men on the ground so the answer was affirmative. from assignment to the 4th Infantry Division, Redesignated 1 February 1966 as the 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry; All Rights Reserved. The 9th Infantry Division ("Old Reliables") was created as the 9th Division during World War I, but never deployed overseas. Czarnecki, Jeanne - Santa Cruz Public Libraries - Foreman, Leonard. Charlie would disappear into his holes and only come out once the Marines of Mike company had left. [42] On 11 July, wounded men and medical officers of the regiment's third battalion, were captured by German forces; one of the medical officers would later be killed by friendly fire and buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, while the other was liberated at Chteau-Thierry while taking care of wounded prisoners of war. However, before being allowed to leave camp and fraternize with the local people they had to attend classes. In 1966 the Division was reactivated for deployment to Vietnam under General William C. Westmoreland, a veteran of the 47th Infantry Regiment and part of the 9th Division during WWII. The Marines who came to pick him up were dirty and dusty and haggard looking. [25], Still in North Africa, along with the rest of the 9th Division, the regiment fought in the Battle of El Guettar, which resulted in a significant number of casualties;[26] for actions during the battle, the regiment's commander, received the Distinguished Service Cross (he would later go on to be promoted to be the assistant division commander of the 77th Division).