Lam Son 719--Living & Transporting

[minigunner64th]

Hey Driver, you posted pics of the tire repair. My first job when I got to the 64th in July, 69 was changing flats at night for the 3rd platoon. First thing I was told was take care of the guntrucks first. The 3rd Plt had the Highland Animals and Mighty Minny. In case of an alert at night, I was to drive one of them to the co. area. Imagine, in country 2 weeks and already driving a guntruck, even if it was only a quarter mile! Learned to love them real quick.
Richard Cornell

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Hey Driver, you posted pics of the tire repair. My first job when I got to the 64th in July, 69 was changing flats at night for the 3rd platoon. First thing I was told was take care of the guntrucks first. The 3rd Plt had the Highland Animals and Mighty Minny. In case of an alert at night, I was to drive one of them to the co. area. Imagine, in country 2 weeks and already driving a guntruck, even if it was only a quarter mile! Learned to love them real quick.
Richard Cornell

Hey richard, Welcome to the SS site!!!!! You never told me at PF that you worked the tire shop................I got a 64th tractor up here that needs 2 tires changed, want to help??????Jeff in vt

 

[minigunner64th]

Hey Jeff, that tire shop deal wasn't one of my favorite memories. At least we had locals repair the flats, all we had to do was swap them on the trucks. I got my tail chewed out by Gary Best (KIA) the driver of the Minny at the time because I didn't know I had two guntrucks to tend to, and left her with a flat overnight. They came in with two flats the next night.
If those two tires you need replaced are mounted up and ready to go, I'll be glad to help. Be there as quick as I can make it. May be a while though. If I don't make it in time, go ahead without me.

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Hey Jeff, that tire shop deal wasn't one of my favorite memories. At least we had locals repair the flats, all we had to do was swap them on the trucks. I got my tail chewed out by Gary Best (KIA) the driver of the Minny at the time because I didn't know I had two guntrucks to tend to, and left her with a flat overnight. They came in with two flats the next night.
If those two tires you need replaced are mounted up and ready to go, I'll be glad to help. Be there as quick as I can make it. May be a while though. If I don't make it in time, go ahead without me.

yea they are all mounted up and ready to go. I dont bust my butt breaking tires down. I have a peneumatic bead breaker for aircraft tires. I can bust a tire down in 5 min!! hehe.

 

[Uglyranger]

Saying "thanks" just does not seem enough for the amount of time and effort that went into this thread by Driver523. It's just the best I can do, brother, and that comes from the heart....thanks. LT 523rd TC 70-71

 

[Driver523]

Thanks Ug and Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and PMs, I kinda hate to be at an end of this theres just so much to it---I won't say I wish I had been there cause I'm not into self abuse but I do wish I knew more about it so I could let those that wern't know what it was like for these guys, I left the 523rd two weeks early because of their move north and have always kinda felt like I shouldn't have, I think its a bit of survivors guilt but thats just the way it was, I knew when I left they were moving but had no idea what they were gonna go through, I'll continue to try and learn more about Lam Son 719 our Operation Dewey Canyon and I'll post as I get things, but right now I have to get back to work on the Gathering, some of these guys you have read about will be there along with some of those armored Steel Soliders they rode---I'll be around and really guys---THANK YOU-------------------------------------------Driver

 

[papabear]

Driver/Larry...I want to thank you for filling in some gaps. Especially concerning Proud American. We are all over...er...30ish and may be having some memory slipups...even the guys that crewed her. The Columbus Crew is in the process of rebuilding the Proud on a period correct M54 platform and will use some of your story to tell hers. LT Fuller, and Calvin have vowed to help us.
As the LT--"Uglyranger" said...thank you is not enough...just all we have.
Written in the dust on the door of the destroyed Proud American were the words:
IT DON'T MEAN NOTHING.
I'm here to tell you brother..it means alot and will not be forgotten.
Thank you for what you have done here. It means something!! Forever!
The other Larry

 

[Driver523]

Thanks Larry, You guys are keeping the history alive and we Thank you for that and everything else you all do, If there's anything I can help with on this end please don't hesitate to let me know--measurements, paint, tranny---I got all the info here somewhere from Sammy--------Like Ted posted above I was invited over to meet with him and see his collection of MVs and "stuff"---man it was neat to wander around looking at everything, some of the gang was there and got to meet them also, great bunch of guys--it won't be my last trip to Teds---maybe I can even get some "wrenchin in?--ya think?----------Thanks For the invite and great time-----Driver

 

[Red523rd]

Driver,
Words can't express the THANKS you deserve for this,,
So I DITO,,,LT & PAPABEAR..
ALL I CAN ADD IS,,
"JOB WELL DONE FRIEND"!!


"RED"
NCIOC Satans LiL Angel
DESTROYED 2/20/71
XD 980-517
During LAMSON 719
523rd Trans. Co.
Vietnam

 

[nk14zp]

What he said.I thank all who have served !!!

 

[papabear]

BUMP!!! This time of year...The Gathering...the story needs to be read...again.

I ask you all to read as much as you can...it will open your eyes...so let it be

 

[papabear]

Bump again...and I promise it's the last time til next year. If you don't wanna read the whole thread...which you should...please at least read page six.

Then you will understand why the tribute truck Proud American HAD to be built!!!

 

[EMD567]

What a read. I wonder how many of the MV's we buy have seen action? I was checking the pictures, looking for M814's, but all I saw was Deuces and regular bed 5 tons

 

[Red523rd]

Now for this action,
July 23rd 2012 at Ft Lee ,
The 523rd TC will be inducted into the TC Hall of Fame,
The ceremoney will have a few of us there to accept the award,
This is the first Vietnam Unit Inducted,
What an Honor,
"RED"

 

[papabear]

Now for this action,
July 23rd 2012 at Ft Lee ,
The 523rd TC will be inducted into the TC Hall of Fame,
The ceremoney will have a few of us there to accept the award,
This is the first Vietnam Unit Inducted,
What an Honor,
"RED"

Red, I was tinkering with the idea of taking Proud American up there to display for the ceremony and finding a place to leave her til the Gathering.
That's not gonna work out for about 10 reasons though.

CAMO plans on a "work day" out at the LT's AO this Saturday to help his wife keep things up to snuff. We do that once a month to help her and the youngest son with the "heavy lifting" stuff that LT used to take care of.

I hope you and the other guys can hang out and stay for the Gathering!

Congratulations 523rd TC folks!! It's been a long time coming for this honor and you guys sure deserve it!

 

[Red523rd]

Thanks Larry for helping Karen,
May y'all be blessed for the rest of y'all life for the consideration,
If I was close,,,,I would be doing the same.....
"RED"

 

[papabear]

Thanks Larry for helping Karen,
May y'all be blessed for the rest of y'all life for the consideration,
If I was close,,,,I would be doing the same.....
"RED"

We have already been blessed Red...we had some years with the "LT" that can't be taken away.
Thru him, we met and became friends with you and many other Guntruckers and he supervised the build of Proud American tribute truck.

 

[GypsyBandit_mangus]

The Move---The 57th trans was already in the area Da Nang, Phu Bi area--and the 572nd (Gypsy Bandits) was on their way up north from Long Binh, they had no gun trucks so they barrowed Highland Animals from the 541st and Set Me Free a APC truck from the 563rd, its been writtin by Rich that they got their name from the MPs finding nine jeeps they weren't supposed to have after their move----------Driver

I will second that.. I was There.. they only Found 9 vehicles? Ha haa ah.

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Welcome to steel soldiers don!!! You should post pics of your M37.

 

[Red523rd]

42 yrs ago,,,,
Time to bump this to top,
"RED"