We raced volkswagens on our time off and we'd go to the range and shoot all day. The dirt pans, front-end loader, and graders would join the dozers in leveling and shaping the terrain and digging in fighting positions, trenches, bunkers, artillery and mortar positions, ammo storage points, vehicle parking and maintenance/repair areas, and drainage features. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion on 19 March 1951. Between October 2014 and March 2015, members of theUSACE Veterans Curation Programdigitized approximately half of the slides and worked with caption lists to create a finding aid for the collection. F. Fraser, 20 September 1967-28 February Not readily apparent, but this Clark 290m scraper has suffered from incoming hostile fire. 35th Engineer Group Jun 1965 - Nov 1971. to Cam Ranh Bay. 39th Engineer Battalion (combat) 26 November 1966 to 10 May 1967 Company . This article was published in a magazine titled "The Hurricane" dated September 1970 Vol 35, a publication of II Field Force Vietnam, written by: SP-4 Dave Massey. R. Ploger, Brigadier General Charles Cuban engineers blew craters in Grenada's airport runways. Roper, Colonel John H. Elder, Jr. RARE Vietnam Era 27th Combat Engineer Airborne Battalion Paratrooper Jump Badge - Veteran Owned Premier Relics All artifact orders $199+ ship FREE. 1967, Lieutenant Colonel James S. Townsley, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Realizing this, it was then decided to send land clearing units into the Fish Hook area. Disclaimer: Wisdom, 7 September 1968-7 February The brigade had expanded E. Cox, 4th Engineer Battalion (4th IN VIETNAM, 1965-1970-Continued, Assumption or W. Lombard, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Temperatures inside the cabs reach 130 degrees: red ants, which nest in the trees, sometimes make working almost impossible because of their painful bite; dust clings to their sweaty, unshaven faces and snipers make sudden death a constant companion. of combat and construction battalions assigned. Hard-working equipment in harsh conditions, dust, mud, and high humidity needs a lot of maintenance. Every low spot would become a pond, malaria-carrying mosquitoes would thrive, and fungus would grow on your feet (and other dark places on your body). M. Kiernan, Lieutenant Colonel Thorwald Make a bold statement with our 27Th Combat Engineer Battalion Vietnam T-Shirts, or choose from our wide variety of expressive graphic tees for any season, interest or occasion . Unfortunately, many of the engineers and others serving alongside are still suffering from the effects. Occasionally, observation platforms or towers would be constructed. A pair of ARVN (Army, Republic of Vietnam) dump trucks. We work all day and then we have to work all night to get the dozers ready for the next day.". 27th Engineer Battalion (C)(A) | Fort Bragg NC 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Army operations report, Lessons Learned, is presented for the 27th Engineer Battalion Combat in South Vietnam for period 1 Jan 68-30 Apr 68. These usually had a 4-foot wall of sandbags around the outside wall, frequently interspersed with 55-gallon drums full of dirt. When they can get away with it, they don't wear boots or socks. Killed in Action, May 1970. Then, Don watched as Dave pulled motor stables maintenance on his D7. Over those years, an OCE (Office of the Chief of Engineers) Liaison Officer routinely traveled to various locations in Southeast Asia to visit army officers and engineer troops and to gather information on the many activities and projects undertaken by army engineers in the region. It was redesignated for the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion on 19 March 1951. Lieutenant Colonel Donald Typically, bunkers were completely underground. On 18 September, 1950 the 20th Engineer Combat Battalion was reactivated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina under the command of LTC Howard W. Penney. In 1966 the 1/27th Arty was activated as a 155mm self-propelled howitzer battalion at Fort Sill. R. Fulton, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Lieutenant Colonel Coleman Lineage and Honors Information as of 8 September 2016, CHARLES R. BOWERY, JR.Chief of Military History, Constituted 16 January 1918 in the National Army at Fort Myer, Virginia, as the 2d Battalion, 37th Engineer Regiment, Demobilized in March 1919 at Camp Upton, New York, Reconstituted 1 October 1933 in the Regular Army as the 2d Battalion, 37th Engineers, Activated 14 July 1941 at Camp Bowie, Texas, Redesignated 1 August 1942 as the 2d Battalion, 37th Engineer Combat Regiment, Reorganized and redesignated 15 March 1943 as the 209th Engineer Combat Battalion, Inactivated 27 November 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Redesignated 29 April 1947 as the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion, Activated 18 September 1950 at Fort Lewis, Washington, Inactivated 26 October 1950 at Fort Lewis, Washington, Activated 1 March 1951 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Redesignated 8 June 1953 as the 27th Engineer Battalion, (Lettered companies inactivated 17 October 2008 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Support Company concurrently constituted and activated), Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered MYITKYINA, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966-1967, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1969, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970-1971, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990-1991, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2004, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2006-2007, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2009-2010, Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 1990, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1970. H. West, Lieutenant Colonel Richard 1966, Lieutenant Colonel George The India-Burma Campaign concluded on 28 January 1943, Redesignated 29 April 1947 as the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion, Redesignated 8 June 1953 as the 27th Engineer Battalion. Although the overall story is accurate, the author cannot guarantee that every statement or photo caption is fully correct. L. Spruill, Lieutenant Colonel Paul You may be the one that can help them get in contact with a long-lost friend or loved one. From my "perch",weather satellite read out at Tan Son Nhut,I observed the clouds in Cambodia. L. Sutton, Lieutenant Colonel Donald Engineers . L. Burns, Lieutenant Colonel Wilson The teams receive rations and security from the tactical units they support. L. Ackerson, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph The soldiers, both from Charlie Comapny, 27th Engineer Battalion, are preparing the site for Brown and Root workers to come in and set up containers to be used as office space for the city municipality. They know their mission is important and the consequences of a second rate job are costly. W. Ray, Lieutenant Colonel Robert They may be deployed in any number from a single plow to the entire company, depending on the size and priority of the operation. [1] The 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division comprising: mounts. By removing the dense cover, they were denying its use to the Communist. During the conflict in Vietnam, U.S. Army Engineers played a significant role in support of U.S. and allied forces, both in construction and in combat. "We don't have time to worry about how we look," said Specialist Richard Davis, plow operator for the 60th. (P) Selected for promotion before assuming command. "You can't see where you're going and you have to rely on the light observation helicopter for direction. Brigadier General Curtis Office of History, Mar. The 588th and 168th served with recognized distinction while in Vietnam." C. Hunter, Jr. The history of the 27th Engineer Battalion (COMBAT) (AIRBORNE) began on 16 January 1918 at Fort Meyer, VA, as the second battalion of the 37th Engineer Regiment. E. Gray, Lieutenant Colonel Marion 428 were here. An official website of the United States government, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website, About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website, Vietnam So Many Years Later: Remembering Army Engineer Activities in Southeast Asia, 1966-1972, Deactivated Nuclear Power Plant Program (DNPPP), Regional Environmental and Energy Offices REEOs, Industry Information Re: COVID-19 Support, Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity, G-1 Reserve Component Augmentation, Office of Human Resources Directorate, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Cold War: 1950-1966. C. Donovan, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie When we got there, we ran into a NVA soldier. "On May 29, the 199th made contact again while investigating several caches east of Myron. The cutting also uncovered communication equipment, small arms, automatic weapons, rocket launchers, 10,000 pounds of various caliber small arms ammunition and 500 mortar rounds. A. Debelius, Lieutenant Colonel James They got to spend a few evenings together on the bunker line watching the perimeter. Some have time for writing letters, while others sit and stare blindly into the jungle wondering what Charlie has in mind. The battalion deployed again in August 1992 to Dade County, Florida, for hurricane Andrew relief. Dave and Don soon parted as the road moved forward and the battery leapfrogged out. Every Vietnam veteran had more than enough on the job training filling sandbags. - At least 3 of the following: uppercase, L. Lammie, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph The 36th was inactivated in Vietnam 30 April 1972 and remains inactive.. V. McGuinness, Jr. 9 December 1966-7 September History [ edit] The base was established in mid-1965 and was located approximately 35 km north of Bin Ha in Phc Thnh Province. Rush III. The 20th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was equipped to perform forward area construction, obstacle preparation, demolition work and fighting as infantry. Got my fish and parrots and hooks and beaks mixed up. But after several hours of relaxation, it's back to work. 27th Engineer Battalion Dickies 8 oz. The first address you sent me is my buddy. I am Robert Frey, of Phila, PA. Division). operated as a command organization in South Vietnam), Lieutenant Colonel William E. Read, 7 October 1966-29 September After the men return to the NDP, they can look forward to hot chow, mail and cold beer. A. A. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel William We talked on the phone several times in the last few years, and finally we were able to meet in El Paso, TX for a short visit. Well-worn Caterpillar D7 undergoing maintenance near Firebase Blaze in 1968. Rock crusher site with D7 dozer and heavy rock truck. When a bunker was left completely above ground, the engineers would completely surround it (including the roof) with multiple layers of sandbags. Redesignated 1 August 1942 as the 2d Battalion, 37th Engineer Combat Regiment. On 23 August 1990, the battalion was again called upon, this time to Saudi Arabia, to support Operation Desert Shield. VIETNAM The 3rd Brigade was the first 25th Division element alerted for Vietnam service. C. Costanzo, Lieutenant Colonel Al S. C. Mathews, Lieutenant Colonel Nolan COMBAT AFTER ACTION REPORT, VIETNAM 1969. Division), Lieutenant Colonel William Sheard, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Lieutenant Colonel Ernest The lineage of the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) springs from the 2D Battalion, redesignated as the 209th Engineer Combat Battalion. [3], Among other things, the Construction Platoon of HHC 27th ENG (C)(A) has built the following: Rank, 14 August 1966-20 September M. Roper, Jr. I just want to thank you for starting this thread. The 36th Engineer Battalion was activated 1 July 1966 at Fort Irwin, California and deployed to Vietnam in 1967. They were among the first to arrive in Cambodia, and with five plows they completed a company-size task. Dillard 1, Brigadier General Robert D. Patterson, 15 February 1967-16 October They found a bunker complex but couldn't get in because of heavy enemy contact, so the Rome plows were requested. One of these soldiers, Al Gore, would later become Vice President of the United States. Edelstein, Lieutenant Colonel John ". Military Catalog, Sales, Discounts & more. The photos were all taken by Sp4 David L. Flinn in 1968 and 1969. G. Broumas, Lieutenant Colonel Scott G. Rockwell, Jr. Material was packaged in waterproofed paper and boxes and frequently then placed in plastic bags, then nailed in wood boxes and loaded into steel shipping containers called CONEXs. Twenty years later, World War II erupted, and on 14 July 1941, the 37th Engineer Regiment was reactivated at Camp Bowie, Texas. All of the maintenance on the 591st Engineers equipment was done under field conditions, that is, in the dust, mud, and high humidity. The mission was in support of the 101st Airborne Divisions efforts to deny the enemy of a safe haven area, logistic dumps, and communications (supply) routes, that is, a leg of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. of Command, Lieutenant Colonel Amos The research for this After Action Report included OPERATIONAL REPORTS, DAILY STAFF JOURNALS and DUTY OFFICER S LOGS at the Battalion, Brigade and Division levels located in the National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. Jim..11th LIB. B. The Battalion ran across a samll, but well-entrenched enemy force; they called in the 16-inch firepower of the battleship USS New Jersey and wiped out the enemy force. 27th Replacement Draft 28th Marine Regiment 28th Replacement Draft 30th Interrogator-Translator Team 30th Replacement Draft 1. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Use promo code FREESHIP at checkout. The history of the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) began on 16 January 1918 at Fort Myer, Virginia, as the 2D Battalion, 37th Engineer Regiment. After the termination of hostilities, the unit was demobilized. On the 24 February 1991, the battalion, attached to the French 6th Light Armored Division, became the lead engineer battalion for XVIII Airborne Corps in its push up the western allied flank during Operation Desert Storm. Unfortunately, not all of the crew made it out alive. Lieutenant Parker was proud of his men as he explained their mission during May. The coat of arms was redesignated and amended to add a crest for the 27th Engineer Battalion on 23 November 1973. W. Prentiss, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond I thought I was a goner, but his weapon misfired and he ran off. Deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk. The 209th was inactivated at the conclusion of World War II, and in 1947, was redesignated as the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion. On 21 July 1966, the battalion entered the Vietnam War, serving honorably and effectively in 13 campaigns, received five Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal (1st Class), with 19 campaign streamers for actions in Vietnam. In 1968 the 27th Battalion and 591st were ordered to construct, upgrade, and maintain highway Route 547 from the Hue City area of northern South Vietnam westward towards Laos into the A Shau Valley. A challenge for all drivers, many heavily traveled roads by heavy trucks were entirely too narrow by many of todays standards! Enlarge This series primarily consists of command chronologies of U.S. Marine Corps units that served during the time of the Vietnam Conflict, and includes the records of those units that served in Vietnam as well as domestically and throughout the world. The fatal accident did not happen . If you'd rather wear your own personalized design, create a custom t-shirt just for you. Please remember to check our Guestbook occasionally. Elements of these Rome Plow units moved into Cambodia May 3, two days after the first American troops crossed the border.