Charlie 2

Charlie 2


M109 Howitzer with 5 ton truck loaded with powder at C-2	We fired thousands of rounds of 155mm. On call, an Ordnance team would visit us to do a bore scope and pull-over test on our gun tubes. This would test for broken lands and erosion of of the gun tube. Based on the results we would order a new gun tube and schedule a time to change the tube.

SSG Johnson, Chief of Section, Gun #3 A Tennessee Country Cousin We often fired over 1,000 rounds per day. As a result, we wore out a lot of gun tubes and changed them out!	We called each gun out of action for an hour each day for maintenance. One gun was called out each day for a longer period for more extensive maintenance followed by an exercise drive around the C-2 perimeter and sometimes an opportunity to practice direct fire of the main gun and for each crew member to load and fire the 50 caliber machine gun.

SGT Kretzer, Track Mechanic Maintenance was an essential part of every day for all of us. Our mechanics were always busy. Crew maintenance was essential. Does anyone remember the name of our generator mechanic at C-2? He did an outstanding job!	Brakes and flats were an everyday challenge.

Lot's of flats to fix. Looks like some goofing off going on here!	PFC Roach, "The Malboro Man", at Quang Tri Air Field airing up a leaky tire.

PFC Major washing the XO' s jeep at Cam Lo River.	Are you sure PFC Major is stuck at Cam Lo? SP4 Chizar on the VTR

Charlie Battery hosting the USO Show in the Amplitheater	Other units would send their soldiers to see the USO shows staged at C-5/4 FA

SSG Z with USO show girl	AXO Bob Dudley laughingly supervises the soldier pinning the tail on the donkey held by a Donut Dolly at C-2.

First Class Accomodations at C-2	In gun 4 hooch, C-2, AO Orange, Quang Tri Province, RVN Steven R. Barrow (seated at left), Unknown (standing at left),Gary Haverman (standing), Me (seated), and Tom Findlay (seated). Photo contributed by Charles D. Major

Wilson Pickett & Mellow Yellow We had several dogs that adopted us. All were eventually deaf from the guns firing. We never were able to train them to cover their ears when the warning, "Stand BY" was given.	Note the immersion heater for hot water showers. Artillerymen have always been able to figure out how to live better in the field by using the dunnage from the expended ammunition. A hot shower was greatly appreciated and every section seemed to have one. The water buffalo would be driven around to fill them up each day.

Our thanks to SFC Beaudry, SP6 Duffy, SP4 Walker, PFC Harrell, PFC Pittman, and PFC Troutner	The battery cooks did a great job of preparing turkey feasts on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now, if only the 175 mm guns across the road will remain silent while we eat.
SP4 Johnny F. Walker	Before 1SG's order to trim his mustache! PFC Barton had been TDY to Quang Tri for several weeks.

Below: C-2, Looking North from the Command Bunker. From left to right, XO Post,

Burn Barrels, Community Latrine and the USO Stage.