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Maintenance was huge but it seems not many were taking photos of it, tires were the big deal, here's what I could dig up on maintenance its not much but it does show some of the conditions these guys worked in-------Driver

Entertainment in the badlands was everything from the old swimming hole, goofing off in front of the camera, to playing with guns and explosives--(always my favorite )--here's as good as it got---in the badlands--------------Driver

Here's a photo of the gun crew on Black Widow----Left is Leon (later to be NCOIC) center is Slick Willie (NCOIC) and on the right is Chester (later NCOIC of Satans Lil Angel---"Red")------------------Driver

These photos are from Capt Vs album as are the ones above---Like I said before, the men and officers of the 523rd got along real good, not only was Capt V on Proud American when it was destroyed but he was later wounded in May 71 while running the roads in his jeep------These photos are the area...

No Gary I sure don't--Please do--- Here are some photos od Hi Van pass, Covoys took alot of sniper fire in this area before they even got out to the badlands, as you can see it wouldn't take much to hide out and take shots at who ever passed-------Driver

I apologise for being slow to post--just been busy and couldn't get in here---I'll hopefully be doing better------ The 57th transportation company was attached to the 63rd Maintenance Battalion and before Operation Dewey Canyon II it was the northern most truck company, they hauled fuel to...

The ARVINs were getting whooped and bad, the retreat turned into a route, the NVA took full advantage of this and stepped up their pace, Rich Killblane states that the perimeter at Khe Sanh was penetrated destroying two choppers and damaging four, that along with 22 casualties, the NVA knew they...

Primarily most were transportation folk, but some did have infantry training, when picking a gunner it helped if he knew the 50 already, but most were trans guys-----Driver

Jason--It just depended on what the crews wanted to carry--except--when I was there in 70 one of the mucky mucks in charge of something decided there was too many gun trucks, evidently this clown didn't do convoys--anyway to combat this move someone else came up with the idea of maintenance...

Here's a few scenes from Paul Baders album, Paul was with the 57th, thats him on the 50 in the jeep----again--the dust and dirt--a life style--------enjoy----------------Driver

In order to give some of the Transportation units a little more protection they were given APCs, like Capt. Lavin and the Cracker Box the 523rd and the 57th also recieved these APCs, I'm not sure just what the 523rd did with the few they got and I don't have any information on them using them...

Found one more of Nancy--notice that little armor piece up front---its down in this shot---------------------------------------------Driver

K---How about a Quad stoy?---The Eve Of Destruction was built by Steve C, and shortly there after there was a E-6 that kept bugging Steve to let him go with them on convoy, finally Steve says ok--but listen--your an E-6 and I'm an E-5--but on this truck I'm in command and if you give me any crap...

Jason--Send me a email subject Nancy that way I'll know I have your email--I can't remember if I still have it or not--I'll then send you the measurments you'll need---Ron Smith that has the Black Widow replica just seen your post here and wanted me to let you know he will have the Black Widow...

The 523rd wasn't alone in getting hit hard, its only my shortcomings that keeps the ambush stories centered toward the 523rd and as I can get ahold of some other friends I will include their stories here, but the 57th Trans is another unit that was hit hard--after loosing the Protector and...

Like I said in the above post the men and Officers of the 523rd got along good, the officers were a huge benefit especially under these conditions, The day after Prouds ambush Lt. Fuller left for R&R, He went home to Denver Colorado to see his wife, Denver happened to be where Robert Thorne was...

On the 12th of March a convoy from Khe Sanh returned to Vandergrift, the convoy commander (a Lt.) reported to LTC Ellis (Mr. tons and miles) that they had received fire and in his opinion it would not be safe to run another convoy in that area, ignoring this report--"warning"--Big Al ran the...

Calvin Bennett and Robert Thorne began rebuilding their truck, the Angels gun box was put on another truck and the work began, with the help of the 523rd welder the were a few slight changes, with those complete they began gathering the ammo and weapons that they would need, Thorne would remain...

Chester was in the hospital in Japan and with Frazier KIA Capt. V told Robert Thorne and Calvin Bennett that with the severity of the ambush and loss of their crew he would understand if they didn't go back on a gun truck, but if they wanted to they could rebuild a truck, Thorne and Bennett...

After this Captain Voightritter took Frazier's bloody flak jacket and helmet to battalion and told them "Night convoys have got to stop" you see LTC Alvin C "Big Al" Ellis commander of the 39th Transportation Battalion cared for nothing more then tons and miles, he would risk his soldiers lives...