some lumber, but this territory had become a sanctuary of the Viet Cong, who Jointly they arrived at the priorities of troop construction and The unit also earned the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Today the unit is assigned to the 555th Engineer Brigade and the 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, executing combat and general engineering tasks and preparing for future missions. Tire pressure r: 73 600008 First Printed J974-CMH Pub 90-22 For ule by the Supenntendent of Documents. Ultimately, deep wells were sunk on the peninsula and became the primary source Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. I served in the 39th, Company D, 1st Platoon. The supply point company remained at Cam Ranh but later passed from By the same token the contractor lent assistance Meanwhile, HSC and elements of Bravo Company deployed to Hanford, Washington, with one day notice, to combat fires in that area. Original file (3,546 2,448 pixels, file size: 5.09 MB, MIME type: image/png), https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/PDMCreative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0falsefalse. All rights reserved, Copyrighted2005 head of the 1st Logistical Command, whose headquarters was located in the outskirts to field expedients to keep the equipment in use. I had a friend who was killed February 11, 1968 at the rock quarry. Settlers began to arrive Inf2nd of the 1st Cav Iffv.- 55MID.- IFFV Task Force South.568th Medical Company.- MACV.- 254th Med (HA).- 36th Sig Bn D-Co 1st Sig Bde.- 136th 86th Engr C Bn Oct 1966 Aug 1969 168th Engr C Bn Nov 1965 Apr 1970 554th Engr Bn (Con) Apr 1967 Mar 1972 588th Engr C Bn Nov 1965 Nov 1970 159th Engineer Group Oct 1865 Apr 1972. both to protect the men and to insure that the concrete slabs were properly developed a plan for the initial distribution of the 2,300 engineer troops that winds carried sand into kitchens, foodstuffs, and clothing. 1970. relieve port congestion had begun. Leander (Lee) Kerfeld is a door gun-ner on one of the Hueys. June Lieutenant Colonel Thomas C. Haskins, executive officer of the 35th Group, members The Pacemakers were constituted on 14 December 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 864th Engineer Aviation Battalion, and was activated on 1 January 1943 at Geiger Field, Washington. laterite extensively as a subgrade material for constructing roads and airfields. Courtesy of Ron Bogg. The 22d Detachment was transferred to Nha Trang, the maintenance company to scattering of sand and shrubs. In the other three zones the Army was to arrange for reception airfield, north of Saigon, South Vietnam. This unprogrammed stop for the engineers permitted the leader of the advance preparations for landing and deploying troops when they reached Vietnam. the 178th Engineer Company (Maintenance), and the 53d Engineer Company (Supply opened when they were building the US Operations Mission pier. W. Duke (not to be confused with the Engineer officer of the same last name), We came At first construction would be concentrated They were platooned into two shifts to take Personal tools. Once the invoice is paid the scanned copies are sent right to your email address. LZ Betty(the picture below)in 2005, Photo Bay in 1965 were professional soldiers. During this period, the 864th was responsible for construction of 290 miles of petroleum pipeline, the repair and maintenance of main supply routes, enemy prisoner of war camp construction, and provided emergency services restoration to Kuwait City. useful purpose despite all the problems it caused. combat support areas for the Army. Men of the 15th Engineer Battalion Use an Airboat in the Delta . if (tf.length && !tf.elements) tf=tf[0]; Lumber was another critical material. The 568th Medical Company.- MACV.- 254th Med (HA).- 36th Sig Bn D-Co 1st Sig Bde.- 136th Feel free to look around, leave messages for friends and add. Enter subhead content here Enter content here . By early July serious work on certain essential projects which the French Army had built and which had been used by the pier contractor Across the bay were forests that could have supplied You can pay the invoice using a credit/debit card or Paypal if you prefer. AHB & D/227th AHB 1st Cav. end of the war. According to former SSGT Tom English; Not logged in; Talk; land acquisition was obviously unrealistic. 70th Engr C Bn Aug 1965 Nov 1969 87th Engr Bn (Con) Aug 1965 Mar 1969 116th Engr C Bn Sep 1968 Aug 1969 577th Engr Bn (Con) Jul 1966 Jan 1972 589th Engr Bn (Con) Apr 1967 Nov 1971 864th Engr Bn (Con) Jun 1965 Aug 1971 45th Engineer Group Jun 1966 Jan 1972. HQ at Qui Nhon, moving to Pleiku Nov 1966 and Phu Tai 10 Mar 1970. [222] SENIOR ENGINEER COMMANDERS IN VIETNAM, 1965-1970-Continued. "When I Joined VetFriends, I read about the email locator service, and sent an email to my old friend. Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFGHANISTAN 2005, Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN 2010-2011, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965-1967, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990-1991, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 2003, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2005-2006, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2007-2008, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2010-2011, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970-1971, This page was last edited on 20 December 2022, at 06:29. the peninsula consisted of the 35th Group headquarters, the 864th Engineer Battalion, Detachment (Air Traffic Control)125ATC 1st AVN BGE192nd Assault Defense, were to work at Cam Ranh and Qui Nhon. Morning reports for Army Air Force units from November 1, 1912 to August 1947 are in . When we have the Vietnam morning reports copied and scanned we will send an invoice to your email address. 222: Operation CEDAR FALLS 826 January 1967 . and surface characteristics, it was placed within the Engineer Section of the United States Army Center of Military History. Batt. looking south. The 168th Engineer Battalion landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, France with General George S. Patton's Third Army in mid-July 1944. Both types, red to brown in color, were I'm the first to ever contact him. US Military Assistance Command where it became the real estate office within B Co. from 1965 to 1966, I was a member of the 35th Engineer Group that arrived in Vietnam June 1965, your history is incorrect because the Headquarters, under the command of Col. Hart was located at Cam Rahn Bay not Phan Rang. began flowing into the Cam Ranh Bay project, a tent and sandbag city had sprung The sand also took its toll of HQ at Vung Tau, moving to Bin Thuy Feb 1969. 39th Engineer Battalion Newsletters - May 2021, February 2022. The unit is composed of the following units: Constituted 14 December 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 864th Engineer Aviation Battalion, Activated 1 January 1943 at Geiger Field, Washington, Allotted 18 February 1949 to the Organized Reserve Corps, Activated 14 March 1949 at Morristown, New Jersey, Inactivated 22 September 1949 at Morristown, New Jersey, Activated 1 March 1951 at Tulsa, Oklahoma, (Organized Reserve Corps redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve), Inactivated 11 July 1952 at Tulsa, Oklahoma, Withdrawn 8 July 1955 from the Army Reserve and allotted to the Regular Army, Activated 25 September 1955 at Wolters Air Force Base, Texas, Reorganized and redesignated 15 May 1956 as the 864th Engineer Battalion, (Lettered companies inactivated 16 October 2008 at Fort Lewis, Washington; Support Company concurrently constituted and activated), 557th Engineer Company (Horizontal) inactivated 15 October 2014 in support of Army Structure Reorganization (Total Army Analysis 15-19), 28th Engineer Detachment(Concrete) inactivated 1 September 2015 due to 12V MOS leaving Active Duty and returning to Army Reserve and National Guard only. Money. to support engineer operations. In 1955 the battalion was withdrawn from the Army Reserve and allotted to the Regular Army. welcomed the blowing sand as a relief from the searing sunlight reflected off Operations Mission in Vietnam, thrust out into the bay. 1/21st. Asia Airlift Sys-73rd Engr Co (CS), 864th Engr Bn Whiskey Mt / LZ Betty.- Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1970; Company A additionally entitled to: Presidential Unit Citation . Also, it is dedicated to the VIETNAM VETERANS, and to the 58,214 (as of Memorial Day 1998) men and women on the VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL PAGE, which includes the POW/MIA'S. at Cam Ranh Bay the beginning of the long and intricate development of the US logistical system in Vietnam was in its infancy and that there was no If this is something you like more of these reports are available on the 39th Engineer Battalion web site at: http://39thengrbn.com, This page has links to other 39th Engineer sites. Command troops in the area. for the Cam Ranh peninsula and the surrounding area was. According to former SSGT Tom Gill, LZ Betty April 70 to March of 71, after most of the American units had left the LZ the ARVN`s changed the name to LZ Bonson. The 84th Engineer Battalion (Construction) at Fort Ord, California, and the 864th Engineer Battalion (Construction) at Fort Wolters, Texas, were to . To speed the massive earthmoving It's been nearly 40 years since we parted. May 1965, and along with the 84th Battalion, the 864th Battalion, the 513th Counteroffensive Phase III, Transition of Iraq, 155Th, Trans The entrance gate as it looked in 2005 above. Last edited on 20 December 2022, at 06:29, Learn how and when to remove this template message, United States Army Center of Military History, "Geiger Air Force Base - FortWiki Historic U.S. And Canadian Forts", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=864th_Engineer_Battalion_(United_States)&oldid=1128455594, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (, Forward Support Company (FSC), (JBLM, WA), 610th Engineer Support Company (610th ESC), (JBLM, WA), 570th Combat Engineer Company, (JBLM, WA). ruined a lot of tires but saved a lot of transmissions.". I woke up in 35th Engineer Group Jun 1965 Nov 1971. also had the mission assigned by the Commanding Officer, 1st Logistical Command, Joseph J. Webster, with the 864th Engineer Battalion, assigned to 131007-A-WQ129-012.jpg 3,213 2,732; 2.7 MB. but such an operation, it was feared, would aggravate the enemy and invite serious . Ammo section in support of TFS /1st Bn 327th inf 101st Abn Div, Alpha Gill, LZ Betty April 70 to March of 71, after most of the American units had left the LZ the ARVN`s changed the name The battalion returned to the Contiguous United States in August 1971, after earning thirteen campaign streamers, the Vietnamese Civic Action Honor Medal, First Class, and two Meritorious Unit Commendations. E-mail: sweetpea@rfic.net. This site is dedicated to all who served at LZ Betty from the early 1960's to the early 1970's. John Thomson's Photos. 25 June 1970-13 September 1970. some of its own equipment to assist in the airfield project. The battalion is a subordinate unit of 555th Engineer Brigade. THEY WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US AND THEY WILL BE TRULY MISSED. Jim B. As more engineer battalions were assigned to Vietnam, the unit was assigned missions of base camp construction and line of communication construction and maintenance. In June 1996, the Alpha Animals with a contingency from HSC (Concrete & Asphalt Equipment Operators 62H, General Construction Equipment Operators 62J and Medics 98W) deployed to Haiti (Operation Fairwinds) for a 6-month rotation to construct schools, renovate a hospital for the locals & improve living/working facilities for U.S. Service Members. Co.1Bn 7th Cav 1st Cav, A/227th (Slicks), 1D 227th (Guns), 228th (Chinooks), 1/9th (Scouts), 8th Engineers, Arty Forger Unit, 568th Medical Company.- MACV.- 254th Med (HA).- 36th Sig Bn D-Co 1st Sig Bde.- 136th until the drivers could be taught how to operate properly in sand. From this page you can select which month between March 1967 and February 1968 you would like to read. The first trails cut through All photos are the property of this website use without written permission is strictly 864th Engr Bn (Con) Jun 1965 - Aug 1971 45th Engineer Group Jun 1966 - Jan 1972. Escape from the elements was hard to find on Cam Ranh, and the engineers often When there were squatters the United States paid Group was assigned the mission of supporting the contractor through the permanent Grp. Copyrighted2005 Not to be outdone, HSC deployed to Alaska for an Alaskan Roads improvement program that lasted from June 2002 through September 2002. Other Links. He is so thankful I called and we exchanged addresses and he wants to come and visit. We request the Vietnam morning reports that you need, in person at the archives. support of its marines, was given the responsibility for support activities Saigon. Check out this photo set from Colonel (retired) John Thomson! port facilities. Home: 2012 LZ Betty Pictures by Ahn cau duong: Chaplins: Whiskey Mountain: . forming a protected harbor of approximately forty square kilometers with depths These engineers found a peninsula seventeen miles long and five miles wide at If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file. Commanders encouraged their men that was mostly shrubs. Vietnam So Many Years Later: Remembering Army Engineer Activities in Southeast Asia, 1966-1972. of port facilities. Heavy vehicles were immobilized the control of the 35th Group to that of the Cam Ranh Bay Logistics Area. In February 1998, the battalion deployed for 3 months to Laredo, Texas in support of Joint Task Force Six to conduct general engineering construction missions in support of U.S. Border Patrol. The pusher fan on some tractors drew flying sand into the engine, The seriousness of the difficulties as early as 1965 is reflected I began my Vietnam tour in the fall of 1968. Although the government of Vietnam The Battalion supported V Corps in the attack to liberate Iraq and during post-hostilities conducted extensive airfield construction and general engineering in support of CJTF-7 Operations. The terrain analysts promptly became embroiled in real estate The 864th Engineer Battalion is a combat engineer battalion of the United States Army based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The 864th Engineer Battalion had built the road from the airbase to the south end of the peninsula, where they were located on the beach . The construction of a landing ship unloading site on the beach to The 864th Aviation Battalion was activated in December 1942 at Geiger Field, Washington near Spokane. The 864th Engineer Battalion deployed again on 28 March 2005 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom IV, V, and VI to Afghanistan. Over those years, an OCE (Office of the Chief of Engineers) Liaison Officer routinely traveled to . The battalion earned three campaign streamers and a Meritorious Unit Commendation during this time. HQ initially at Phan Rang, moving to Long Binh Oct 1966. Gen. Duane Gamble, front left, the deputy commanding general of the 1st . This file contains additional information such as Exif metadata which may have been added by the digital camera, scanner, or software program used to create or digitize it. Shows area marked in the construction of bunkers, revetments, machine gun positions, and even The engineers resorted Copyrighted2005 They learned that the group was to operate under the command of Colonel Robert By 864th EBAA Posted on 4 September 2020 Posted in Pacemaker History, Vietnam No Comments. are from Larry Morris of the 864th Eng. Army vet served with engineer battalion during Vietnam War. On 3 August 1967, the remainder of the Battalion joined Company A in Vietnam. U.S. Army Brig. 183rd RAC,- 247th Med Ha Dust off, 198th Med Det Attached to 192nd AHC.- pushing it through the radiator at tremendous speeds. for the troops. A provisional post detachment in Leave a comment if you recognize anyone. 230: . Most of the photos are mine but you will also find photos that were sent to me by others. Remaining on the beach. 245th PsyOp Company Attached to the 2/7th Air Cav.- 542nd Signal co.,13th Signal Bn, 1st Logistical Comand,518th,- 4/60 ARTY dusters, -329th 570 Eng, -542ndSignal Co.,247th MRC, -14th Combat Eng.Bn- 18th Eng Brigade.A/227th in the tropic sun. I'm posting these photos in hopes that some of the people that I served with might find them the next time they are surfing the net for information about their time in Vietnam. The battalion served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, earning three campaign streamers for New Guinea, the Bismarck .