Cameron Rogers from 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, plots points on a map during the fire . An interesting comment I had. However, Infantrymen may be eligible for bonuses, including an enlistment incentive of up to $41,000. 1st Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry. 101st Airborne Division. Be glad you served with a soldiers soldier like LTC Herbert. Now, there are additional weapon qualifications including handling M4 rifles, M240 machine guns, and M249 squad automatic weapons. As a result, Army Infantrymen 11B are trained to conduct mobilization in a variety of settings on land. During mobilization in the military, it is not uncommon to have skills associated with landmine warfare, anti-armor techniques, urban terrain, squad tactical training, as well as the operation of M203 grenade launchers. American infantry from the 28th Infantry division march on the Champs Elysees in Paris. Some gave all. Forget the statistics, we all had a job to do, we went where we were told. Also, it would mean the killed RTOs died within seconds of the fight (it doesnt distinguish between ambush or regular fight, eg. As an Army Infantryman, you will likely see time in combat. There were two different groups that flew aeromedical evacuations. An American infantryman inspects the body of a dead German in July 1944, near St. For his actions, he was awarded the Congressional Medal if Honor. John Doever Before you get started, it is important to determine right off the bat if you want to become a U.S. Army Infantryman 11B or Indirect Fire Infantryman 11C. The rifle was accessorized to become a grenade launcher, firing the Mk 7 grenade with the addition of a modified sight. NFS. They saw burned-out tanks and other vehicles, bombed-out villages and towns, civilian refugees with all of their remaining belonging in carts or on their backs. We were all in our Bunkers, and at the ready with our weapons. Thank You General Vessey for the almost 53 years I have lived since that day. 2 tour Nam Vet, Free Sample first six chapters of Cherries both Written and Audiobook, Author interview War & Life: Discussions with a Veteran. Amen I was a machine gunner for 7 months 503rd infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right on the head. I think what is missing is the fact that the life expectancy of those firing at us was much shorter than those that they were firing at. In addition to handling and processing POWs, an Army Infantryman might also need to evaluate terrain and select weapon emplacement. Ambushed on October 4th,1967. Now, the wisdom of this soldier tough but humanly compassionate warrior ethos can be assessed through the 2d Bn recordNO complaints about mistreatment of prisonerswhile achieving the most combat SUCCESSES IN THE BRIGADE. Members of the squad carried other equipment besides their personal load, as assigned by their sergeant. by Jeffrey J. Clarke, Center for Military History, February 26, 1992, Citizen Soldiers, by Stephen Ambrose, 1998, Ardennes-Alsace, by Roger Cirillo, Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, 2003, online, American Battle Casualties and Non-Battle Deaths in World War II, by the Combined Arms Research Library, Department of the Army, June 25, 1953. Army Infantrymen (11B) are the main land combat force, and known as Eleven Bravo.. The young Americans soon learned the essential words in French to address their immediate concerns, such as mademoiselle, vin, biere, and other useful phrases and terms. I couldnt disagree. Mech. Both my tours were in the Delta (IV Corps) where the only ground troops were regular ARVNs and RUFF/PUFFS. Even when out of combat their comforts were few. Those who were killed in combat were identified by their dog tags, and buried by special details for the most part, although it was not uncommon for infantrymen to bury the dead of their units while on patrol, marking the location with a dog tag. The ration packs also included tablets for the purification of water they encountered in the field from streams, ponds, and even wells, since it was unknown if the Germans had taken any steps to contaminate wells as they withdrew. [1] However, this claim is as much an indictment of US Army personnel practices and miscalculations as it is an indicator of tank crew losses. said to me. They were marched or trucked to holding areas, where they encamped in accordance with their division procedures to await the arrival of their heavy equipment and logistics facilities. Others were encampments such as Camp Myles Standish, outside of Boston, Massachusetts. a RTO got killed, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always ALL RTOs got killed. I DISAGREETHE ENEMY WOULD SHOOT THE GUY NEXT TO THE RTO-KNOWING HE WAS THE COMMANDER. Of all the gear he carried, other than his weapons and ammunition, none was more important to him than clean socks. My good friend who was a RTO was killed. We ambushed and got ambushed, firebase got attacked who carried what or did what had no bearing. To an, open area. We were discussing the different units and dangers of each. Additionally, you must complete a Combat (CO) ASVAB score of 87. On Sun, Mar 8, 2020 at 4:00 PM CherriesWriter Vietnam War website wrote: > pdoggbiker posted: A friend recently sent me the link to an article > claiming that the life expectancy of a radio operator in the Vietnam War > was only 5 seconds. When men were transferred out of their unit to join another division they were placed under the command of a different squad leader. That same day, I along with 3/4 others was transported to Long Bhin Post. I was shot down on my very first mission in July 1968. Wortman, another RTO never made it back to The World. Again it fell to the squad leaders to decide when enough hazing had been conducted by the veterans of combat on the new arrivals. I carried the PRC-25 Radio most of that time. If there was anything to this life expectancy of a few minutes then myself and many of my friends that are still alive today would be a long time dead. The Army provided waterproof boots and galoshes, which made the feet sweat on marches and could cause the same problems. Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. They run into the fire to help the wounded and many get wounded or killed. Welcome home!! Every mission, I had the same thought. Depending on the season in which they arrived, the camps could be pleasant or miserable; for example, Mediterranean fall sunshine or the bitter Mistral winds of winter. Once they were on the continent in 1944, other than the initial days of the Battle of the Bulge, there were few withdrawals in the face of the enemy. Like all military branches, the Army pays soldiers according to rank and time in service. In the case of a night attack, the men could not exit the bags quickly, and most infantrymen quit sleeping in them, preferring to stay on top of the bag and cover themselves with their overcoat or blanket. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Rest and recovery could be at the level of any of the units of command, or as little as the squad level. I was a medic on one for two yrs and the only weapon I was issue was a six-shot .38. The Americans put about twenty men in each car when they moved by train, since with their full loads of equipment they could not fit in anymore, but conditions were still crowded. When elements of the 276th Infantry Division were moved from their consolidation camp to the front it took a journey of four days, in freezing conditions, with many unplanned stops due to conditions on the railroad and at the front. These included cold beer, which was provided by American brewers, mandated by war regulations. See you in the next life!!!!! They were glad to see me as it had been a while for replacements with the unit. More severely wounded were sent, by ambulance or by rail, to forward surgical posts. Infantrymen must protect the country against any threat by land. life expectancy of an infantry soldier in vietnam The troops found that in southern France the French were friendly and welcoming, crowding around the train when it stopped in villages and towns, trading wine and bread for chocolate and cigarettes. It featured a reduced recoil, allowing an infantryman to more readily keep it on line with the target when firing multiple shots, and offered a simple range adjustment. My shit got weak and a sniper popped three rounds in my young ass. Such protracted exposure to the elements boded ill for his life expectancy. I do remember when I got short I thought about it a lot more. Impressed with this secrecy and their implied importance, many of the soldiers discovered that civilians in Boston knew of the camp, its purpose, and the fact that the soldiers being temporarily held there were on their way to Europe. I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. The trailer for Fury claims that the average life expectancy of an While at the front he faced not only a determined enemy, but ice, snow, rain, mud, bitter cold and stifling heat. American parachute infantry advance in the Huertgen Forest in February, 1945. Other severely wounded men and those recovering from surgery were sent, if necessary, to hospitals operated by the Army, the International Red Cross, or the medical services of the nation in which they were located. It was one of my most memorable tours in the Navy I later went to a carrier and was bored silly because I had about 1% of the responsibilities I had as an O-2. I was an RTO for 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, 1969 to sept 70. Both served in A 2/18 1st Infantry Division For some reason, the written word of this article was somehow deleted and lost. As they approached and entered the Alsace region this welcome became less enthusiastic. Through it all, he carried all of the gear he needed to survive in the field, protect himself from the elements, and defend himself from the enemy. I got shot on a mission with 45 days left. He encountered the open fields and farmlands of France, the dense woods of the Ardennes, the mountainous terrain in Italy, Les Voges, and Alsace, in all weather conditions. Four platoons in a rifle company. The 11X recruiting program is designed to pipeline Army Basic Training to the Army Infantry training program. One result of combat is dealing with prisoners of war, with Army Infantrymen being the first means to process POWs. A lister bag was a large canvas bag with a shower head attached to the bottom. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War. When you think of the U.S. Army, probably the first job you think of within the branch is an Army Infantryman MOS 11B. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_losses_of In that time 4 us kia and 4 wounded. So was the need to stay nourished, and despite the idea of eating unappetizing rations cold, due to the necessity of avoiding using cooking fires, it was better than nothing. Men in the field soon learned to carry as many extras as they could, frequently stuffing them under their shirts and in empty pockets. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thank you for both articles: (1)Going up river to port and (2) the flight from Italy back to Nam. The U.S. Army features the same base pay regardless of job within the military. US Army. As I made it back to the road I remember seeing the There is also training provided on advanced land navigation (day and night) as well as opportunities for leadership positions that are extremely beneficial both in the Army, and with future civilian opportunities. Then we all, loaded on C-147 cargo planes. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. never happened,we lost two sweep team members and some Infantry OSUT is 22 weeks. They endured the monotonous rations, lack of hygiene, bombardment by the enemy, accidental bombardment by their own artillery, constant tension, and the constant loss of friends because they were there to protect themselves and their fellow squad members, finish the job and go home. I look over to well I wonder how long your going to last lieutenant? It is an important role of MOS 11B and just one of their many responsibilities. Second Lieutenant was the most junior commissioned rank in the Army and experienced squad leaders often had to make up for their commanders lack of experience in the field, and with the Army overall. It means, IF (!) Army Giving Robotic Combat Vehicles More Firepower I did worry about the strength of my flax vest. Your email address will not be published. They were a great bunch. Related Article Marine Corps Infantry Assault (MOS 0351): Career Details. It began just as, it was getting dark. They accomplished the task with little knowledge of the tactical situation which drove them to take and abandon positions, engage and disengage the enemy, sleep in the open in driving rain, sleet, snow, or the hot humid summer of 1944. I knew some of this, but certainly not all. I would carry when on ambush. Great reading. But I made it back in one piece. The liners had been gutted and great rows of tiered bunks filled their hulls. Thats what I figured but didnt know for sure. What was the average life expectancy for soldiers during World War 2? Cluster F, SNAFU and FUBAR fer sur. We observed the rules of the Geneva Convention while the bad guys had no interest in doing so. When Apache Snow began, I was an RTO, after Airborne, and before the CA on Dong Ap Bia, I became the AG for Roeski. Life of the Civil War Soldier in the Army - American Battlefield Trust One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. Access to the field kitchens provided the men not engaged in combat with hot meals, though complaining about the food in all situations was a time-honored tradition, as in all armies. Some were constantly exposed to combat, some not so often. All Rights Reserved. Im laying behind a rice paddie dike.I put my whole body as far down in the muck while the bullets were over my head. At age 55, World War 2 Veterans Men of the 47th Infantry Regiment pass through Remagen on their way to the Ludendorf Bridge, March 1945. And yes, please God, bless America. When marching in heavy snow or mud the terrain pulled at their boots, which was both doubly fatiguing and created friction between skin and boots, leading to blisters which needed to be attended to as quickly as possible to prevent infection. If it was your day to get hit or die, it happened. In some instances, American troops received a type of chocolate which had been made for use in the tropical climate of the South Pacific, and which due to a typical Army error in administration ended up in Europe. EACH OF US CARRIES OUR OWN MEMORIES AND THEY RUN THE GAMUT. Regardless, several civilian jobs are comparable such as: Soldiers should consider enrolling in the Army PaYS program following retirement. In Fury, starring Brad Pitt and Shia leBeouf, we follow the story of five American soldiers, a crew serving in one tank in Germany, 1945. The job title is the epitome of the U.S. Army as you are the primary means of attack and defense on land for the military. Some were necessary as a part of simply releasing the tension built up through combat and seeing friends wounded or killed, but it was up to the sergeants to establish what went too far. During training, you will spend close to a week on vehicle platform training. Different strokes for different folks in war fer sure. We killed a lot of the enemy but we took few serious casualties. The system made the success of American infantry operations almost wholly dependent on the ability of the squad leaders to direct their men in the field. Vehicles of the US First Infantry division stalled on a Belgian road in late 1944. I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. I spent my year in Vietnam with the 1/22nd infantry part of the 4th division. Life of the Civil War Soldier in Camp | American Battlefield Trust Bloody May 1968 Mini TET. We were like sitting Ducks. An infantrymans link to the desires of the officers of the division was through his squad leader. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. Thank God I made it. Home, workplace, tomb - the reality of the World War II tank The fact is that most machine gunners, RTOs, junior officers and other extremely dangerous jobs survived the war. In previous American wars volunteer units were often composed of men from the same communities, but not in World War II, when a typical squad included members from all over the United States. The one number that is really important is 56,220 and we all know what that number represents. I packed my own radio and got a Thank you from his Mom. Vietnam War Facts, Stats and Myths - US Wings You just do the best job you can and if you got hit, so be it! 11 c mos , meaning I was also cross trained for mortars . I think convoy truck drivers had one of the most dangerous job. Hats off to them. We were very, lucky. The theory is the longer you serve in the U.S. Army the more you will make. If a battle ensued, a triumphant army would lose 5% of its men but a defeated army would usually lose around 15% of its force. I was a 2nd Lt. Infantry platoon Leader. both tours. Certainly got my attention. You were a Great RTO. Helicopters, F4 fighters. Altogether his burden was over eighty pounds. I was lucky too but VN never left me. Color Vision discrimination for MOS 11B is red/green.