We shipped out from Ft. Meade in August of 1966. We sailed out of San Diego and arrived in Vietnam in early September of 66. I was in G Troop 1st platoon. I was on the construction detail that built the tent frames in the 2nd Squadron area. We ended up in Chu Lai at the Navel air base and I rotated out in July of 67. The 11th ACR was the best unit in Vietnam.
Allons brother. I few scouts with the Air Cav Trp. I never scouted for a tank company, but I did see you guys in action (from a distance) and it was impressive. It was probably not a good day for the NVA vacationing in Cambodia. One of the things I wanted to do was see things from the ground level. After promising that I knew how to load and fire an M-60 I had a ride in an ACAV, manning the left side gun. It was tense, hell, it was scary, I couldn't see 10' in front of me. For obvious reasons I could not go out in an M-48 or a Sheriden. I was not with the 11th for very long, but the troopers that I met or saw in action, just did a hell of fine job, in that thankless forlorn war.
@@michaelschaefer3124 A lot of guys said that about flying, It was risky. I never want to see another green tracer. But hey, pilots usually could count on a hot shower, a hot meal, a cold beer and a nice OD cot. The only C rats I ate was a lunch courtesy of some ACAVS and a command track circled up in a clearing. Tropical chocolate, what a delight. I have a picture somewhere of those tracks and of the guys who lived in them. I know a fellow who was a scout for one of the squadrons. He walked in that jungle. He told me once how he reacted when his wife asked him if they had tents and sleeping bags. He described the wagon wheel, how at night they would lie in a circle, heads out and boots touching. How they drew reassurance from that contact. I know firsthand what a bullet or a near miss from an RPG can do to an OH-6 and I saw what a mine can do to an M-48. We all ran risks every day.
Dear Mike, My Dad was a combat engineer attached to the 11ACR at Camp Blackhorse . He served during the same time period as you. His unit was transferred to I Corp in January 68 and ended up in the A Shau Valley. He had nothing but great things to say about your unit.
Thank you for sharing your video my Dad was in the 11th calvary in 68 and 69 he has passed away now but I still think about him every day and the stuff he told me about you guys are all heros god bless take care
@@michaelschaefer3124 I certainly did he's Still alive to this day, I'm definitely Thankful that i got to hear his Stories on how it was over there, and sum he just don't want to talk about and I respect that. Maybe I'll get to see Him in a video on RU-vid I already have him in a news paper clipping
@@michaelschaefer3124 1 How many tanks were in a platoon 2 what tactics did you guys use to fight the VC/NVA. 3 What uniforms and gear did you wear and carry 4 how long did you guys stay in the field 5(last question) how was unit morale generally speaking
@@noface4176 1. I was with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The regiment had three line squadrons and each squadron had one tank company and three ACAV troops. Each tank company had 17 M48 tanks, five in each platoon and two headquarters tanks. 2. Our tactics were basically search and destroy which meant that we actively went out to look for the enemy, based on intelligence that was gathered by various methods. That being said, the most of our contacts, with the enemy war, being ambushed by them. Our motto was find the bastards and pile on. Once we made contact we could call in artillery and air support. 3. Jungle fatigues, jungle boots, tankers helmets, flack jacket and a steel pot. Carried a 45 auto. 4. I was in Vietnam for one year and spent about 10 months in the boonies. We basically lived on our tanks. 5. I was there from July 67 to July 68 and for the most part morale was pretty good but I know that as the war dragged on and the protesting against the war increased morale suffered.
Mike did you know a Captain Vickery I'm a UK vet and I collect uniforms and equipment from the Vietnam era and I have recently acquired a shirt that belonged to him
An excellent collection of photos of one of the 11th ACR's units in the field . You get a sense of the terrain , deployment and conditions these guys went through in Vietnam as tankers . I still have not had the question answered , why was the M - 60 tank not used in Vietnam . The M - 48 was a good tank , but the M - 60 is better and had been sent to Europe for a few years prior to Vietnam . The 11th Armored Cavalry was one of the most successful units in that conflict , and it is sad that commanders requests for more armor were denied by the Pentagon . " Find the bastards and pile on. "
@@michaelschaefer3124 Thanks Mike , a good answer that explained about this . I was a crewman on both tanks during my time with the California National Guard .
@@gordonlandreth9550 👍 Then you know that the M48 was easier to get up and down on I’d rather be picking up and loading that 90mm round in a firefight…
