THE DEFENSE OF SAIGON

 On 8 June 1968, the 6^th Battalion 15^th Field Artillery was ordered to Saigon where the Battalion Operations Element (BOE) was directed to become the Fire Support Element for the newly activated Capital Military Assistance Command (CMAC). The mission of CMAC was to coordinate the defense of Saigon during Tet 1968. On 9 June the Battalion moved to Newport Bridge and Tan Son Nhut. Its principle mission was the defense of Saigon against rockets and mortars.

To accomplish this unusual mission, the Battalion placed personnel with optical instruments and prefabricated aladades on the tops of tall buildings and in towers throughout the city A counter rocket and mortar program consisting of known and suspected launch sites was quickly developed and disseminated to all clearing agencies. 

To decrease reaction times to an attack, the Battalion employed the technique of “quick reaction targets” which it had initiated at Lai Khe and Phouc Vihn. Aerial surveillance corridors were also established and all radars in the area were given pointing azimuths to insure optimum and maximum coverage of rocket areas around Saigon. Everything was “wired in” to the BOE.

 The Battalion’s planning was successful. During the period of 10 June through 25 July the target acquisition systems employed by the Battalion successfully identified enemy firing locations as soon as they began firing and the firing batteries either dispersed or destroyed them through the use of quick reaction fires.

Upon its release from CMAC to resume its more tradition Field Artillery mission in III Corps, the Battalion was commended for its outstanding performance of duty in the destruction of the enemy’s capability to harass and terrorize the people of the city of Saigon during Tet 1968 by MG John B. Hay, CG, CMAC.

Anonymous. Hellfire Herald, 6^th Bn, 15^th FA, RVN, 30 August, 1969

                          THE GUN CREW

 In the organization of the Army each of the Combat Arms have their own unique tight knit groups. The Armor has its Tank Crew, the Infantry has its Squad and the Field Artillery has its Gun Crew. But nowhere in the Field Artillery will you find a more closely-knit group than the gun crew.  

These men live and work together 24 hours a day. When a fire mission is called these men make one of the finest, most organized teams in the Army. They know their jobs and they realize that lives depend on their speed and accuracy. The deflection and quadrant elevation must be set correctly; the bubbles must be leveled; the fuzes must be set correctly; the number of powder bags must be correct. Everything must be correct if the round is to be accurate, on time and on target. Lives may depend on it! When the entire battery is firing, the rivalry and tension can be felt between each gun crew.

 Helmets lined up on a gun parapet tell the story of action seen; of  “short timers” and new arrivals, through the shade of color of the camouflage covers. While Fire Missions show the professionalism of the group, the time between fire missions shows how close they are as buddies. If a man needs money, his buddies see that he has it. They share their letters and their Care packages from home, their cigarettes and their beer. Men who live with each other know when its time to be quiet or time to cut up. Their friendship and professionalism is evident in the way they deal with each other, day and night, through good times and bad. They exchange addresses and phone numbers and promise to get together when they get back to the “world”. Some do, but unfortunately, most do not. But while they are together as members of a gun crew, they are one of the finest teams in the Army.

  Anonymous. Hellfire Herald, 6^th Bn, 15^th FA, RVN, 9 August, 1969