Yea, the light armor was very problematic in that most heavy machine guns could penetrate the hull, and some Sheridan’s were wiped out by land mines.
I served from “73” to”76”. Never saw combat, but was told that if we were to, that we should write our letters home before we ship, because the chances of returning were slim to none.
However, I was a top gun as a gunner, and loved the thing. I never experienced any troubles with the firing system. As long as my gun was sighted properly and the operator set up the computer right it send the Shillelagh right to its target every time.
I was trained as a scout in AIT, then I was sent to be trained on the Sheridan for another 8 week course. I was stationed at Coleman Barracks in Sandhofen district of Mannheim, Germany for a year. I traveled around the country with my tank on a flatbed and gave classes on it at US military units all over Germany.
The two units I was assigned to during my tour of duty used the Sheridan instead of jeeps for the scouts. The tankers used the bigger M60s.
My last unit was at Ft Benning GA with the 97th Infantry Brigade.
Thanks for your service sir. peace time service is just as important as wartime service, because one never knows when the balloon will go up, and that war might just be more intense than the one currently going on.
After Nam, I was sent with a tank unit on the German Border opposite the Fulda Gap, where we were slated to halt any Warsaw Pact invasion in that sector. The strategy was to attrite the expected innumerable waves of Soviet armor, while steadily withdrawing to successive phase lines. They figured we would be combat ineffective or ANNIHILATED within 72 hours. We spent more time in the field than in barracks. It was combat without the shooting.
After Germany, I was assigned to the School Brigade at Ft. Knox as a tank gunnery instructor, instructing newly commissioned armor officer students from the US and foreign countries. Best job that I ever had. Once I was checked out on the course syllabus, if I didn’t have a class to teach I was off duty, except for COQ or other special duty. Some weeks I only worked three days a week. 3 days a week off was not uncommon.
The Army offered me a TEN THOUSAND dollar (1971 dollars) variable re-enlistment bonus to re-up. I almost did, but not trusting the Army, decided not to.
Figured that I could wind up in Alaska.