Credit where credit belongs
Primarily the log came from www.2ndbattalion94thartillery.com
site.
Only the log information pertinent to "A Battery" was
collected.
Battalion Commander
17 June 1968, Lieutenant Colonel
Alan A. Bristor
30 Nov 1968, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas E. Courant
14 July 1969, Lieutenant Colonel William H. Krueger
13 Jan 1970, Lieutenant Colonel Hale
3 Feb 1970, Major Ferguson
1 March 1970, Major James Laslie, Jr.
A Battery Commander
Captain William Langer
A Battery First Sergeant
During this time period the 2/94th took part in Summer-Fall 1969
During the summer and fall of
1969, conduct of operations was increasingly turned over to
the Vietnamese; US troops withdrew in greater numbers amid
reaffirmations of support for the Republic of South Vietnam
government. President Nixon announced the reduction of the
U.S. military presence in South Vietnam, which would be
demonstrated initially by the withdrawal of 25,000 troops by
31 August 1969.
American troop strength had peaked at 543,400 in April 1969
but dropped to 505,500 by mid-October. More scattered than
before, enemy attacks were concentrated on South Vietnamese
positions. U.S. combat deaths were down in the early fall as
American units switched to small unit actions. The trend was
not constant however, because U.S. troops deaths, which had
fallen well below l00 a week in the fall, rose above 100
later in the year. (End of description)
During the summer and fall of 1969, the Battalion position
received rocket and mortar rounds once or twice a
week. Only a few rounds were received each time, and
damage was negative or minor, with no casualties.
In July, the Battery re-sandbagged all bunkers and gun berms
in the area due to deterioration from the elements.
The perimeter guard bunkers were also completely
re-constructed to give more effective coverage as well as
protection. A Satisfactory rating was received on the
AGI in late July. The Corps Firing Battery Inspection
soon followed and was successfully passed in early
August. The Battery re-surfaced all the gun pads in
preparation for this monsoon season. The Corps CMMI
Team inspected in early Sep and a satisfactory rating was
obtained. The perimeter was re-enforced with more
emphasis placed on channalizing any hostile personnel.
Signed by Commanding, Capt, FA Gordon F. Kelley
On 17 June 1969, A Battery participated in a TOT on a
suspected enemy battalion with 50 enemies KIA.
On 22 June 1969 at 0400 hours, LZ Nancy received four rounds
of incoming – no damage or injuries in Battery area.
On 23 June 1969 at 0015 hours, A Battery received incoming –
no rounds landed in Battery area.
On 8 July 1969, A Battery participated in a TOT on a
suspected enemy battalion with 60 enemies KIA.
On July 8 1969 at 0900 hours, A Battery began their move
from Camp Evans to LZ Sally. At 0945 hours, A Battery closed
at LZ Sally. At 0958 hours, A Battery laid safe and ready to
fire.
Notes and discussion from 1 May 1969 to 31 July 1969,
11th Battalion Operational Report
Mission assignment: General support to XXIV
Corps, reinforcing fire of the 12th Marine Regiment
(Batteries B and C); Reinforcing 101st Division
Artillery with an 8-inch battery (Battery A); and a quick
fire channel to the 101st Division Artillery (Battery
C).
During the reporting period the Battalion fired 8,903
missions with 25,218 8-inch projectiles expended.
On 31 October 1969, Gun #4 of A Battery fired the
battalion’s 300,000th round in support of the free
world forces in Vietnam. Present for the ceremony
were Lieutenant General Melvin Zais, Commanding
General XXIV Corps, Brigadier General Allan G. Pixton,
Commanding General XXIV Corps Artillery; Colonel R.C.
Cartwright, Commanding Officer 108th Artillery Group;
and Colonel Moore, Commanding Officer 101st Division
Artillery.
Notes and discussion from 1 August 1969 to 31 October
1969, 12th Battalion Operational Report
Mission assignment: General support to XXIV
Corps, reinforcing fire of the 12th Marine Regiment
(Batteries B and C); Reinforcing 101st Division
Artillery with an 8-inch battery (Battery A); and a quick
fire channel to the 101st Division Artillery (Battery
C).
During the reporting period the Battalion fired 5,768
missions expending 27,655 8-inch rounds.
During the period there was a significant increase in the
number of missions fired for the 1st ARVN Regiment,
1st ARVN Division.
The Battalion experienced no significant personnel shortages
during the period.
During the periods of rain or high moisture content frequent
premature detonations of the 8-inch round have occurred
using PD M557 fuze with both charge 5&7 White
Bag. Recommend that the fuze PD M557 be constructed to
withstand firing in heavy rainfall. An equipment
improvement report was submitted on 1 November 1969.
With the Battalion dispersed over an 81-km front the concept
of centralized maintenance operations is
impractical. Recommend the formation of
Maintenance Readiness Teams capable of moving to battery
locations.
End of notes and discussion, 12th Battalion Operational
Report
During this time period the 2/94th took part in
Winter-Spring
(11-01-69 to 04-30-70)
An increase in enemy-initiated attacks, at the highest level
since 4-5 September, signaled the start of the first phase
of the Communist winter campaign. This was highlighted by
intensified harassment incidents, and attacks throughout the
Republic of Vietnam. In November-December these were
heaviest in Corps Tactical Zones III and IV (around Saigon),
primarily directed against Vietnamese military installations
in order to disrupt the pacification program. The most
significant enemy activity occurred in November with heavy
attacks upon By Prang and Duc Lap in CTZ II (Central
Vietnam).
By February 1970, the focus of enemy activity
began to shift to CTZ I and II. Attacks increased
steadily, reaching a peak in April 1970. Hostile forces
staged their heaviest attacks in the Central Highlands near
Civilian Irregular Defense Group camps at Dak Seang, Dak
Pek, and Ben Het in I CTZ. The enemy also conducted numerous
attacks by fire and several sapper attacks against U.S. fire
support bases. This high level of enemy activity began in I
CTZ in April and continued through May.
During the period 1 November 1969 through 30 April 1970,
U.S. and allied forces concentrated on aggressive operations
to find and destroy enemy main and local forces, the
penetration of base camps and installations and, the seizure
of enemy supplies and materiel. These operations sought to
deny the enemy the initiative and to inflict heavy losses in
men and materiel. Further progress was made in
Vietnamization through improving the Republic of Vietnam
Armed Forces. As a result of these advances, three brigades
of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division and several major USMC
units were withdrawn from Vietnam during this period.
The enemy made several efforts to take the offensive at Dak
Seang, which was attacked on 1 April 1970 and remained under
siege throughout the month, and at Quang Duc in the By
Prong-Duc Lap area, which ended on 28 December. Only
Vietnamese forces were engaged in both of these operations,
the Quang Duc campaign involving some 12,000 ARVN troops.
South Vietnamese forces again took the offensive on 14 April
in a bold 3-day operation in the Angel's Wing area along the
Cambodian border. The Vietnamese Army completed this mission
in an aggressive professional manner without US
support—further evidence of their growing
proficiency. (End of Description)
On 21 December 1969 on or about 0030 hours, Camp Evans went
on Red Alert as 50 enemy soldiers were spotted outside the
wire. ARA was employed, results Negative.
On 21 January 1970 at 0715 hours, A Battery displaced 3 guns
from LZ Sally, coordinates YD39473835, west of LZ Nancy for
an artillery raid. At 1220 hours, A Battery
closed.
Note by chronicler: Assumed to be FSB Negg. See
below. (End of note)
On 25 January 1970 at 0950 hours, A Battery departs FSB
Negg. At 1100 hours, A Battery closed FSB
Sharon. Assume the mission of reinforcing the fires of
the 1st Brigade 5th Mech.
Notes and discussion from 1 November 1969 to 31 January
1970, 13th Battalion Operational Report
Mission assignment: General support to XXIV
Corps, Reinforcing 101st Division Artillery
(Batteries A and B); and a quick fire channel to the
101st Division Artillery (Battery C). Battery C
also reinforced the fire of 5/4 with the 5th Mech.
On 12 February at 1355 hours, A Battery departed LZ Anne for
an artillery raid. The raid consisted of two M107's
each from A and C Battery. Command and control was
provided by A Battery. Resupply was by air only.
On 16 February at 1355 hours, A Battery departed LZ
Anne. At 1505 hours, Gun B3, M107, hit land mine
at Grid YD326425 and declared combat
loss. Track, road wheel, and spade
cylinders blown off. One man medevac'd to
18th Surgical, injuries slight. At 1645
hours, an M42A1 Duster, pulling ammo trailer, detonated mine
vicinity Grid YD326445. Two men WIA. Note
by chronicler: These two men must have been with
the Duster, as the battalion only reports one WIA and one
one 1/2 ton trailer destroyed. (End of
note) At 1715 hours, mine sweep team found a
mine, type unknown, destroyed in place. At 1725
hours, Battalion CO request ARA along route of March for A
Battery. At 2115 hours, the last vehicle closed
LZ Sharon.
On 30 March 1970 at 0900 hours, A Battery (composite unit)
departed FSB Sharon for FSB Barbara. At 1032
hours, A Battery arrived LZ Nancy. At 1123
hours, A Battery departed LZ Nancy. At 1730
hours, A Battery closed FSB Barbara, A Battery to
replace B Battery 1st Bn 39th Artillery.
FSB Barbara was falling apart due to the two weeks of steady
rain. Bunkers were sliding off the hill and caving in
and the constant vibration from the firings was collapsing
bunkers. The road to Barbara was not secure and full
of mines. One M110, a bulldozer, and one 5-ton truck
have been lost, along with 3 WIA's, attempting to
pass the road.
On 31 March 1970, the Battalion Met Section moved from Camp
Evans to Dong Ha to support the firing batteries moving
north.
On 3 April 1970 at 1155 hours, report of a vehicle in supply
convoy to FSB Barbara carrying ammo; hit
mine. Called in by Thunder Chief. Two
men evacuated, not serious. CP #5, Grid 380379 –
doesn’t say if it was one of ours in the convoy or who it
may have been. At 1330 hours, the convoy closed
FSB Barbara. At 1615, convoy departed FSB
Barbara. At? hours convoy closed at
Nancy. All vehicles accounted for at 1945 hours.
On 8 April 1970 at 0800 hours, FSB Barbara; visibility was
25 meters the ceiling was zero!
On 10 April 1970 at 1100 hours, M88 returning from FSB
Barbara, at Grid 380 and 379 hit unknown size and type
mine. One road wheel and track blown
off. No injuries.
On 18 April 1970, a visual Met Station was established at
FSB Barbara to provide met data to the firing batteries at
FSB Barbra and FSB Anne. Three personnel are assigned
this function.
On 20 April 1970 at 1115 hours, convoy departed LZ
Nancy. Convoy went in to Barbara, left there
between 1600 to 1635 hours. They closed at LZ
Nancy at 1830 hours. At 2010 hours, message
from A Battery, gun slid off into ditch. Two
dozers could not pull it out. A Battery CO
setting up NDP at that position now. Note by
chronicler: Night Defensive Position. (End of
note)
On 21 April 1970 at 1840 hours, M110 will be pulled back to
Barbara by bulldozer.
On 24 April 1970 at 1105 hours, M88 hit mine vicinity CP 7,
no injuries, blew track and road wheel, left side.
On 29 April 1970 at 0130 hours, the breechblock of a 175mm
gun in A Battery blew off the back during a fire mission at
FSB Barbara, killing two and wounding three
others. The wounded were
evacuated. The battery fought for six hours to
put out the flames and move powder and projectiles, which
were in close proximity of the burning gun. Those
A Battery members killed were SP4 Willie Austin Jr. from
Mount Vernon, Alabama and Sergeant Paul Kosanke from Eldora,
Indiana. Powder lot was suspended.
US Army #12A57868, Tube #6283, Breech 4522, Inspection
#8767855. Powder lot
#BAJ66383-68. Projectile lot #?
Account from Specialist David Radle of A Battery regarding
the gun incident above: The gun was not working
properly and everyone knew it. The men were told to use
it ONLY in an emergency.
However, someone thought there was enemy around and so they
were told to shoot the fire mission using that gun, knowing
it wasn't working properly. Willie Austin told me
to go to the bunker, as I was "short", so Willie took my
position of firing the gun. The breechblock blew
killing the two men. Injured were Gloudeman; who
killed himself two years ago, and a man named "Bill" was
blinded; cannot remember his last name. They were
good soldiers and I miss them both.
I have had difficult moments over the years because of
Willie having taken my place on the gun and then having it
backfire on him.
I tried so hard to get someone in the government to
understand what had happened--that it never should have been
fired. However they denied anything was ever
wrong with the gun. They denied a lot though and this
is only one incident.
May they both Rest in Peace. (End of account)
Notes and discussion from 1 February 1970 to 30 April 1970,
14th Battalion Operational Report
Mission assignment remained the same as last operational
report:
Mission assignment: General support to XXIV
Corps, Reinforcing 101st Division Artillery
(Batteries A and B); and a quick fire channel to the
101st Division Artillery (Battery C). Battery C
also reinforced the fire of 5/4 with the 5th Mech.
Rounds expended: 8-inch 19,033 175mm 11,956
KIA none
WIA 6 (Unknown at this time)
Non-battle Injury 17 (Unknown at this time)
Non-battle Death 2 - Those A Battery members
killed, when the breechblock failed, were Specialist Willie
Austin Jr. from Mount Vernon, Alabama and Sergeant Paul
Kosanke from Eldora, Indiana.
There is a requirement that each Autofrettaged 175mm tube be
evaluated at 700 and 100 EFC rounds during its life.
In some conditions the personnel and equipment are not
readily available for this task and the gun cannot be
fired. It is therefore recommended that Battalion
Maintenance personnel be authorized for this task.
End of notes and discussion, 14th Battalion Operational
Report
Next Campaign is 10th Campaign, Sanctuary
Counteroffensive