1st 155mm Gun Btry (SP)
Battery VIETNAM History
From Feb66 to Feb69
(MMMYY denotes link – click to see that month’s Command chronology)
Feb66
7Feb66 departed 29 Palms w/1st FAG consisting of HqBtry, 1st Guns, and 3rd 8”
8Feb66 underway USS Ogden from Pier 6 San Diego
24Feb66 CO: 1st FAG ordered to drop 3rd 8” at Chu Lai, 1st Guns at Danang, and to deliver HqBtry to Okinowa
Mar66
3Mar66 USS Ogden arrived at Danang
Battery laid at AT988722
27Mar66 Battery moved to AT964712 (aerial view)
Apr66
CO: Capt H. H. Brooks III
2Apr66 1st Guns CHOP 4th Bn 12th Marines
Battery Location AT964712
May66
CO: Capt H. H. Brooks III → 18May66
Capt N. M. Larimer II 18May66 →
Battery Location AT964712
Jun66
Battery CHOP to 3rd Bn 12th Marines
CO: Capt N. M. Larimer II → 18Jun66
Capt W. H. Wantland 18Jun66 →
3Jun66 The Battery moved from the Danang area to the Phu Bai area. An advance party arrives by convoy.
6Jun66 The Guns arrived in Hue by LCU at 1000H, and the rest of the battery arrived by convoy at 1015H. The guns were laid at YD811160 (Gia Le)
9Jun66 Battery received 50 – 100 rounds of harassing small arms fire while putting up concertina wire.
14Jun66 Captain Larimer was conducting a survey of a possible new battery location when his vehicle hit a mine. He was severely wounded and MEDIVAC’ed to CONUS. Four enlisted men and one other officer were wounded in the incident.
Jul66
CO: Capt W. H. Wantland
Battery Location YD811160
Aug66
CO: Capt W. H. Wantland
Battery Location YD811160
Sep66
CO: Capt W. H. Wantland
6Sep66 Battery moved on to southern perimeter of Phu Bai enclave (YD8932712786) where it remained until November, 1968. See on Google Maps
Oct66
CO: Capt W. H. Wantland
Battery Location YD8932712786
Nov66
Battery Location YD8932712786
Dec66
CO: Maj E. D. Litzenberger
Battery Location YD8932712786
19Dec66 the Battery came under the operational and administrative control of 4/12
Jan67
CO: Maj E D Litzenberger
US Army 40mm M42 gun and crew located with battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
30Jan67 one platoon 8” at YD643279 (PK17)
(Note: There is some discrepancy regarding the location of the cannons at PK-17. The location is noted as YD643279 and YD648277 in various reports however the weapons were never physically moved.)
Feb67
CO: Maj E D Litzenberger
US Army 40mm M42 gun and crew located with battery
Battery adds 81mm mortar at battery center
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
one platoon 8” at YD643279 (PK17)
Mar67
CO: Maj E D Litzenberger
US Army 40mm M42 gun and crew located with battery
Three Purple Hearts and one Bronze Star with combat “V” awarded
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
one platoon 8” at YD643279 (PK17)
Apr67
CO: Maj E D Litzenberger
one platoon 8” at YD643279 (PK17) 1-21 Apr: YD4827 (Shawnee AO) 21-30 Apr
Battery mess hall completed and in full operation
6Apr67 – Battery attacked at PK17. 1 8” Howitzer was lost due to a direct hit. 1 USMC KIA (LCpl Ernest Lemans Guitierrez), 1 USN KIA (HN Michael D Hemmerick), and 8 USMC WIAs resulted from the attack.
28Apr67 Battery received incoming mortars – battery replied with 50 Cal MG and Army 40mm AA gun netting 7 VC KIA
May67
CO: Maj E D Litzenberger → 2May67
Capt M. M. “Harry” Baig 2May67 →
(look here and here for interesting information about “Harry” Baig at Khe Sahn)
US Army 40mm M42 gun and crew located with battery
Battery lost the use of the 81mm mortar
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
9May67 one platoon of 155s at (YD829153) to support Operation Cumberland
14May67 one platoon of M109s from L/4/12 came under OpCon of 155mm Gun Btry
Jun67
CO: Capt M. M. “Harry” Baig
Two US Army 40mm M42 guns and crews located with battery
one platoon of M109s from L/4/12 under OpCon of battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
one platoon of 155s at (YD829153) to support Operation Cumberland
Extensive floodlighting erected on battery perimeter for night defense
25Jun67 platoon of M109s from L/4/12 released from OpCon of battery
29Jun67 platoon of 155s moved to (YD716106) to support Operation Cumberland
Jul67
CO: Capt M. M. “Harry” Baig
Two US Army 40mm M42 guns and crews located with battery
one platoon of M109s from L/4/12 under OpCon of battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
12Jul67 platoon at YD716106 receives 50 – 70 82mm mortar round attack receiving 1 WIA
17Jul67 platoon of 155s at (YD716106) returns to Phu Bai
31Jul67 1st platoon placed under OpCon of 1st FAG
Aug67
CO: Capt M. M. “Harry” Baig
Two US Army 40mm M42 guns and crews located with battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
One platoon at YD620095 to support Operation Cumberland
5Aug67 platoon released from 1st FAG and returns to BC
Sep67
CO: Capt M. M. “Harry” Baig → 16Sep67
Maj N. J. Beckman 16Sep67 →
One US Army 40mm M42 gun and crew located with battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
9Sep67 one Gun platoon moved to Gia Le (YD829151) in support of Operation Cumberland
Oct67
CO: Maj N. J. Beckman
One US Army 40mm M42 gun and crew located with battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
One platoon at Gia Le (YD829153) until 28Oct67
Nov67
CO: Maj N. J. Beckman
One US Army 40mm M42 gun and crew located with battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
Battery issued M-16A1 rifles
Dec67
CO: Maj N. J. Beckman
Two US Army 40mm M42 guns and crews located with battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
Jan68
CO: Maj N. J. Beckman
Two US Army 40mm M42 guns and crews located with battery
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
15Jan68 Battery OpCon to 1st FAG, 1st MarDiv
16Jan68 2nd Plt 3rd 8” How Btry OpCon to 1st Guns
28Jan68 Battery received 60-80 rounds 82mm Mortar – 10 WIA
29Jan68 2 Guns (no personnel) transferred to 5th 155mm Gun Btry (SP) at Camp Evans (YD53453153) in support of 1st AirCav
Feb68
CO: Maj N. J. Beckman
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
4Feb68 54 rounds of 105mm friendly fire received by battery from “B” Battery, 321st Artillery, 101st Airborne. 3 WIAs resulted
The battery fired 5 missions and provided an FO team in support of the Battle of Hue
Mar68
CO: Maj N. J. Beckman
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
13Mar68 Gun #2 exploded killing 6 and wounding 1. The wounded Marine died later in the month.
The names of the casualties are:
PFC James Louis Buchy
PFC Vernon R Stead
CPL. John Michael Noonan
PFC Guy E Ray
PFC Francis J Dowd
PFC Edward L Glover
PFC Douglas Edward Dishman
See a tribute to Francis Dowd here that was created by Ariana Eshraghi, a student at Westlake High School in the Eanes Independent School District in Austin, Texas.
Apr68
CO: Maj N. J. Beckman
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
8Apr68 two guns moved to western sector of Phu Bai perimeter (YD87361265) to improve fire coverage
May68
CO: Maj B. A. Mutch Jr.
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
One platoon located at YD87361265
16 – 20May68 2nd Platoon 3rd 8” Btry (SP) located at BC
26May68 one platoon from B/1/11 located at BC
28May68 platoon moves from YD87361265 to YD929071
Jun68
CO: Maj B. A. Mutch Jr.
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
One platoon located at YD929071
15Jun68 105mm platoon moves to 3rd 8” location
28Jun68 105mm platoon returns from 3rd 8” location
Jul68
CO: Maj B. A. Mutch Jr.
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
One platoon located at YD929071
1Jul68 platoon from B/1/11 leaves
5Jul68 platoon from E/2/11 joins battery
18Jul68 platoon from E/2/11 leaves
25Jul68 platoon from F/2/11 joins battery
26Jul68 platoon from F/2/11 leaves
Aug68
CO: Maj B. A. Mutch Jr.
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
One platoon located at YD92530708
Sep68
CO: Maj B. A. Mutch Jr.
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
One platoon located at YD92530708
Barrels containing Napalm located in perimeter wire to improve defenses
3Sep68 platoon returns from YD92530708 to BC
4Sep68 MPQ-10 (Counter Mortar Radar) from 1st FAG lactated at Phu Bai BC
Oct68
CO: Maj B. A. Mutch Jr.
Battery in Phu Bai (Battery Location YD8932712786)
Nov68
CO: Maj B. A. Mutch Jr. – 8Nov68
Capt M. H. Long 9Nov68 – 13Nov68
Maj R. E. Leva 14Nov68 –
Battery Location YD8932712786 (Phu Bai) – 19Nov68
AT96606216 (hill 55) 20Nov68 –
AT87595744 (hill 65) 20Nov68 –
Battery’s mission changes from reinforcing XXIV Corps Artillery, US Army, to general support of 1st MarDiv coincidental with its move from Phu Bai to south of Danang
Dec68
CO: Maj R. E. Leva
Battery Location AT96606216 (hill 55)
AT87595744 (hill 65)
Jan69
CO: Maj R. E. Leva
Battery Location AT96606216 (hill 55)
AT87595744 (hill 65)
01Jan69 Hill 65 position received mortar fire. Ron Watkins, TW Kish, and and Dave Weller return fire with the .50 Cal. and silenced the mortar.
Battery sharing location with Counter Mortar Radar from 1st FAG
Preparing for delivery of 175mm Guns (M107) – training at “B” Btry, 8th Bn, 4th Arty Corps US Army at Chu Lai
Feb69
CO: Maj R. E. Leva
Battery Location AT96606216 (hill 55)
AT87595744 (hill 65)
28Feb69 Battery receives 175mm Guns – official designation changes to 1st 175mm Gun Btry (SP)
23Feb69 CP, co-located with a company from the 7th Marines and Kilo 4/11 (M109’s), recieves mortar, B-40 and small arms fire. Kilo battery returns direct fire against attackers.
1st 175mm Gun Btry (SP)
Battery VIETNAM History
From mar69 to OCT70
Mar69
CO: Maj R. E. Leva
Battery Location AT96606216 (hill 55) 1-8 Mar
AT87595744 (hill 65) 1-2 Mar “A” Plt
AT98557194 (hill 34) 8-31 Mar CP
AT86624707 (An Hoa) 5-31 Mar “A” Plt
5Mar69 Battery became operational with 175 Guns at 1200H .
Platoon A participates in Operation Taylor Common as part of Task Force Yankee (7Dec68 – 8Mar69) earning a Navy Unit Commendation. See here for more info.
“A” Plt recieved ~20 82mm mortar rounds resulting in 1 WIA and 3 WIANE
CO: Maj R. E. Leva
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-30 Apr CP
AT86624707 (An Hoa) 1-12 Apr “A” Plt
AT96606216 (hill 55) 12-30 Apr “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
27Apr69 ASP-1 (Ammo Dump) explodes causing FDC control to be turned over to “A” Plt and for several Guns and personnel to be moved.
CO: Maj R. E. Leva
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-31 May CP 3 Guns
AT96606216 (hill 55) 1-31 May “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
Security bunker expanded into FDC bunker.
CO: Maj R. E. Leva
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-30 Jun CP 3 Guns
AT96606216 (hill 55) 1-30 Jun “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
CO: Maj R. E. Leva 1-12 July 1969
Capt. F. H. Douglas 13-31 July 1969
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-30 Jun CP 3 Guns
AT96606216 (hill 55) 1-30 Jun “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
19Jul69 FDC bunker completed
23Jul69 Lt. Ward shoots unidentified person in perimeter wire. No body recovered at day break.
CO: Capt. F. H. Douglas
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-31 Aug CP 3 Guns
AT96606216 (hill 55) 1-28 Aug “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 28-31 Aug “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
Battery firing in support of Operation Pipestone Canyon
CO: Capt. F. H. Douglas
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-30 Sep CP 3 Guns
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 1-30 Sep “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
5Sep69 ~12 NVA/VC attempted to probe the CP position resulting in an estimated 5 enemy casualties. at first light a squad-sized patrol swept the area and captured a wounded VC MSgt who disclosed their mission was to destroy the 175mm Guns and as much of the CP as possible. No friendly casualties resulted from this action.
CO: Capt. F. H. Douglas
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-31 Oct CP 3 Guns
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 1-31 Oct “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
CO: Maj. F. H. Douglas
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-30 Nov CP 3 Guns
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 1-30 Nov “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
CO: Maj. F. H. Douglas
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-30 Nov CP 5 Guns
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 1-30 Nov “Alpha detachment” 4 Guns
4Dec69 4 three guns from 3rd 175mm Gun Battery CHOP’d to 1st 175 Guns
31Dec69 Premature burst in Gun 1 causes tube to be severed and large fragments thrown up to 700 meters. No injuries to personnel reported.
Jan70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-30 Nov CP 5 Guns
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 1-30 Nov “Alpha detachment” 4 Guns
26Jan70 one of 3rd Gun’s 175’s detached from 1st Guns and moved to hill 65.
Feb70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34)
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment)
NOTE: The records for this month are lost but it appears that by the end of the month there were 9 guns at hill 34, 6 guns from 1st Guns and 3 guns from 3rd Guns. All the guns were under the operational control of 1st Guns Battery.
Mar70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) 1-31 Mar
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 5-31 Mar “Alpha detachment” 3 Guns
5Mar70 3 guns from 3rd Gun Battery returned to operational control of 3rd Guns and moved to An Hoa.
5Mar70 3 guns displaced to the Northern Artillery Cantonment.
Apr70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) Battery CP 3 guns 1-30 Apr
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 3 guns 1-30 Apr
May70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) Battery CP 3 guns 1-31 May
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 3 guns 1-31 May
Jun70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) Battery CP 3 guns 1-30 Jun
AT92048008 (Northern Artillery Cantonment) 3 guns 1-30 Jun
Jul70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) Battery CP 3 guns 1-14 Jul
AT92048008 (NAC) ALPHA Position 3 guns 1-31 Jul
AT87595745 (hill 65) BRAVO Position 3 guns 15-31 Jul
16Jul70 Battery firing in support of Operation Pickens Forest.
Aug70
CO: Capt. C. W. Meier 1-14 Aug
Capt. R. P. Kempf 15-28 Aug
Capt. R. R. Craig 29-31 Aug
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) Battery CP 1-31 Aug
AT92048008 (NAC) ALPHA Pos 3 guns 1-31Aug
AT87595745 (hill 65) BRAVO Pos 3 guns 1-31Aug
8Aug70 CP recieved one 122mm Rocket with no injuries or damage sustained.
24Aug70 Operation Pickens Forest ends.
25Aug70 Battery begins support of Operation 5th Mobile Strike Force.
Sep70
CO: Capt. R. R. Craig
Battery Location AT98557194 (hill 34) Battery CP 1-30 Sep
AT92048008 (NAC) ALPHA Position 3 guns 1-19 Sep
AT87595745 (hill 65) BRAVO Position 3 guns 1-16 Sep
AT86384718 (An Hoa) BRAVO Position 3 guns 17-21 Sep
20Sep70 the guns at the NAC displaced to hill 34.
17Sep70 3 Guns at hill 65 moved to AT865471 (An Hoa) to support Operation Catawba Falls until 21Sep70.
21Sep70 1st Guns are all located Hill 34 (AT955715) and stands down in preparation for embarkation to CONUS.
CO: Capt. R. R. Craig
Battery Location AT98557194 (Hill 34) 1-11Oct
Deepwater Pier, Danang, RVN 12Oct
10Oct70 Hqtr Battery 4th Bn, 11th Marines, “M” Battery 4th Bn 11th Marines, and the 1st 175mm Gun Battery (SP) deployed to 29 Palms, California. (Reference here).
11Oct70 – 31Dec70
CO: Capt. R. R. Craig 12Oct70 – 24Nov70
Capt. G. E. Hodge 25Nov70 – 31Dec70
Battery Location: Aboard USS Juneau (LPD 10) 12Oct70 – 30Oct70
Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, CA 31Oct70 – 31Dec70
12Oct70 Battery embarked aboard USS Juneau (LPD 10) and sailed for CONUS at approximately 0200 on 13Oct70. 30Oct70 USS Juneau docked at Long Beach, CA.
Operations participated in (partial list):
Bacon
Bighorn
Cannon
Catawba Falls
Chinook I
Chinook II
Cumberland
Deckhouse
Donahue I
Durham Peak
Hastings
Houston
Lam Son 134
Liberty
Macon
Meade River
Nightsticker I
Oklahoma Hills
Orange
Pawnee I
Pawnee II
Pawnee III
Pickens Forest
Pipestone Canyon
Prairie
Primness I
Rush
Shawnee
Taylor Common
Unit Citations:
1Mar66 – 15Sep67 PUC 3rd MarDiv
16Jan – 31Oct68 PUC 1st MarDiv
20Nov-9Dec68 PUC 1st Mar
Dec68 – Mar69 NUC Task Force Yankee (Plt A)
Map References Series L7014 Sheet 6541 IV Hue, Sheet 6641 III DaNang, 6640 IV Dai Loc