The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Mobile Riverine Force - Task Force 117 - Jan. 12th, 2003

http://www.rivervet.com/mrfhisto.htm ^ | Jim Mesko

[SAMWolf]

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Riverine Operations
Mekong Delta

River Raider I, the search and destroy mission carried out in the Rung Sat during February and March of 1967, was the first joint operation by Army and Navy forces. The Vietnamese Navy had provided some of the craft for use in the campaign since the full American contingent of vessels had not yet arrived. Throughout the spring of 1967 the Mobile Riverine Force gradually built up its strength, and carried out small local operations. During April and May the Kemper County (LST-854), the Benewah (APB-35), and the Colleton (APB-36) arrived in-country and began supporting the riverine craft. In mid-May TF 117 joined the TF 116 (Game Warden) forces to carry out the largest riverine operation by US forces to date in the Rung Sat. This operation also marked the first time both Task Forces worked together in support of one nother.

Shortly after this joint operation was concluded, OPERATION HOPTAC XVIII was carried out in the area between the Rach Ba and Rach Tra Tan Rivers in IV Corps. Even larger than the Rung Sat operation, it resulted in the first heavy contact with the Viet Cong. After landing the infantry, the ATCs, supported by Monitors, blocked off the enemy's line of retreat, and despite fierce fighting the VC were unable to escape the net thrown around them. Pressed from all sides they broke and ran, losing over 100 men. Casualties among the infantry and sailors were light and damage to the various river craft was minor. The boats had proven they could stand up to rocket and recoilless rifle fire, even at extremely close range, and their ability to block the VC's escape had been the decisive factor in sealing the fate of the guerrilla force. Without them, the guerrillas would have been able to slip away to fight again.

Shortly after this operation was completed on 2 June, the MRF received a directive from MACV in Saigon, assigned the code name CORONADO to future riverine operations. Two days later CORONADO 1 began in Dinh Tuoug and Kien Hoa Provinces to secure the Cho Gao Canal. During the move up river to insert an infantry platoon ATC-112-3, acting as a minesweeper, had a mine detonate under its stern and had to be towed back to the new Army base at Dong Tam. This was the first successful mining of an MRF boat and highlighted the need for a specialized minesweeper. Unfortunately, while most of the remaining modified landing craft arrived during June, the ASPBs were not among them. The lack of these specially designed boats had some effects on operations but other craft were assigned the minesweeping duty until the ASPBs finally reached TF 117. Although without the ASPBs the Mobile Riverine Force was not up to authorized strength, the arrival of the last of the modified LCMs allowed the Navy to return borrowed riverine craft to the Vietnamese Navy without jeopardizing the force's ability to carry out its mission.

Throughout the summer and fall of 1967 the riverine force was constantly on the move. In late June Coronado OPERATION CONCORDIA trapped a VC unit of some 400 men near Ap Bac. Together with ARVN units the soldiers and sailors of the MRF killed over 250 of the enemy while losing 46 men. Again the riverine craft helped cut the enemy's line of retreat, and while heavy fire was taken, there were only fifteen sailors wounded during the battle. CONCORDIA II followed at the beginning of July and lasted until 24 July. During this campaign PBRs of TF 116 (Game Warden) assisted the MRF in blocking operations but their limited armor protection hindered their use in the close confines of the small canals where their primary protection, speed, could not be used effectively. At this time the MRF began operating H-23 and UH-1 helicopters off the ATC(H)s which increased the flexibility of the force's reconnaissance and medivac ability. The first of the converted helicopter barges arrived on 22 July and was pressed into service immediately to supplement the ATC(H)s.



From August through October TF 117 carried out a series of operations against the VC in the Rung Sat Special Zone to keep the main shipping channel open. These included CORONADO III (5-17 August), CORONADO VI (11-18 October), and CORONADO VIII (27-29 October). None of these resulted in significant contact with large VC units. Only scattered resistance was encountered but these operations prevented the VC from carrying out attacks on the shipping channel due to this constant probing by the riverine force.

In conjunction with these forays into the Rung Sat the MRF also carried out a number of other operations in the surrounding areas. CONONADO IV (19 August to 9 September) took place south and southwest of Saigon in Long An, Co Cong, and Kien Hoa Provinces. Elements of the 506th VC Battalion were encountered and thirty-four of the guerrillas were killed. Numerous supply and arms caches were also discovered but contact was light. Close on the heels of this came CORONADO V (September 12th to October 8th) in Dinh Tuong and Kien Hoa Provinces, southwest of the capital. Working with US and ARVN troops from the 7th Division, the MRF encountered the 263rd VC battalion and in a series of running battles the allied forces killed over 500 of the guerrillas. However, the 263rd fought hard and eighteen Riverine boats were hit by rockets, grenades, and recoilless rifle fire. Though none were sunk, this was the heaviest fire that the MRF had yet come under. This underlined the ability of the boats to take a great deal of punishment and also the need for additional armament to counter the growing number of heavy caliber weapons being employed by the communists.

During CORONADO V the first ASPBs arrived and received their baptism of fire. Toward the end of the operation the first attempt to use flamethrowers took place in Kien Hoa Province near Dong Tam with satisfactory results. An M-132 flamethrower armored personnel carrier (APC) was placed in an ATC and tested under high wind conditions. No problems were encountered and additional M-132 were requested until a suitably modified monitor could be substituted for the ATC/APC arrangement. To help protect Vietnamese civilians during the 1967 National Elections Coronado VII (20-24 October) was conducted. During the elections the MRF dispersed itself throughout the Can Guioc District, but very little contact resulted. Over eighty per cent of the registered voters turned out due to the tight security the riverine craft and personnel provided. The year ended on a more resounding note combat-wise, with Coronado IX (1 November to 21 January). This long operation was started in part, to counter VC attacks against patrolling PBRs in the Giao Pue District.



Working with Vietnamese Marines the MRF met the Viet Cong twice during 1967 in large scale actions. Near the town of Sa Dec in mid-November a VC unit was cornered and in pitched fighting 178 of the enemy were killed. On 4 December at the boundaries between Dinh Tuong and Kien Phong Provinces, the allied force ran into both the 267th and 302nd VC battalions. Vietnamese Marines, with the aid of an ATC/APC flamethrower, stormed ashore under withering fire while US units maneuvered to cut off the guerrilla's escape. In two days of fierce fighting over 260 VC were killed against fifty US and Vietnamese casualties. Over forty riverine craft were hit by a variety of communist weapons, but none were sunk, and the majority continued to take part in the operation. After this battle contact dropped off sharply and the remainder of the operation turned into a mopping up campaign. When CORONADO IX was finally terminated, over 600 Viet Cong lay dead, US and Vietnamese fatalities were 100.

[SAMWolf]

Tet

With the success of the various CORONADO OPERATIONS in 1967, VC power in the Mekong Delta appeared to be on the wane. However, this appearance was deceiving for in reality the communists were preparing a nation wide offensive operation against US and Vietnamese positions. On 29 January 1968, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces unleashed their Tet offensive, carrying out attacks across the length and breadth of Vietnam. In the delta region, the VC hit the major towns of My Tho, Ben Tre, Cai Lay, Cai Be and Vinh Long on 31 January.

The MRF, in the midst of CORONADO X redirected its attention toward My Tho where the situation was critical. Two battalions of troops were landed in the town and slowly cleared the guerrillas out in bitter house to house fighting. Within three days the town was deemed secure enough for the troops to be reembarked and redeployed toward Cai Lay, to cut off retreating enemy troops. Unfortunately most of these guerrillas evaded the MRF and little contact was made. After this fruitless foray, the MRF was dispatched to Vinh Long to support hard pressed ARVN troops. Moving into positions south of the city, the Riverine Craft and infantry successfully blocked the VC's line of retreat and bitter fighting resulted as the guerrillas tried to break out of the area. However, the cordon was too tight and by 6 February the communist threat to Vinh Long was broken. These moves by the MRF over the short span of a week proved the ability of the riverine force to react rapidly and moved quickly over a large area. During this week the MRF inflicted over 600 enemy casualties in the fighting around My Tho and Vinh Long. Had it not been for TF 117, these important towns might have fallen to the enemy. But, with the ability to quickly move large numbers of troops from one hot spot to another the Riverine forces were able to effectively counter enemy attacks before they could gain momentum and achieve significant results. Perhaps the role of the MRF during Tet can best be summed up by General Westmoreland, the US commander in Vietnam, when he stated that "…the Mobile Riverine Force saved the Delta."

This shifting of assets resulted in each Group taking responsibility for a specific geographical section of the Mekong Delta in November. Group Alpha, with Riverine Assault Divisions 91, 92, 111, 112, and 151, operated in the eastern delta while Group Bravo, with RADs 131, 132 and 152, worked the western delta. Coinciding with this reorganization came renewed VC attacks against MRF support ships. On 1 November VC sappers placed mines on the hull of the Westchester County (LST-1167), the resulting explosions on the starboard side amid ship ruptured the berthing, fuel and storage compartments, killing 26 sailors. After beaching for temporary repairs at Dong Tam the Westchester County went to Yokosuka, Japan for repairs; returning to Vietnam in March of 1969. Two weeks later a salvage barge was sunk by a mine with the loss of two lives. These attacks set the pattern for much of the remaining enemy action encountered by the MRF, and rarely were large groups of guerrillas spotted and brought to combat. Losses during Coronado operations and Tet, plus a healthy respect for the firepower of the riverine forces, caused the VC to revert back to guerrilla warfare where they concentrated on small scale hit and run operations. Throughout the remainder of 1968, TF 117 concentrated on pacifying the delta region and supporting ARVN troops. In addition, as the need arose, forces were assigned to OPERATION SEALORDS in cooperation with Market time and Game Warden units.

Vietnamization

During 1968 much thought was given to turning over more of the Riverine was effort to the Vietnamese. The first step in this process came about in January of 1969 when the boats of RAD 91 were withdrawn from combat to ready them for turnover to the Vietnamese. This was done on 1 February 1969, and shortly thereafter RAD91 was officially dissolved. From these assets, along with eight ASPBs the Vietnamese Navy formed River Assault and Interdiction Divisions (RAIDs) 70 and 71. This set the pattern for remainder of 1969 as the Riverine force prepared to hand over more of its assets to Vietnamese control. Operations continued to be carried out by the Riverine force but as the year progressed more and more effort was concentrated on training Vietnamese personnel to handle and maintain the various boats.

But while the strength of the MRF was being reduced, there was still a war going on, and the soldiers and sailors of the Riverine units continued to carry on with day to day operations. During these missions, the greatest threat to boats came from mines and underwater swimmers. A number of boats were sunk by mines and on numerous occasions VC sappers tried to attach charges to ships at anchor. Fortunately, these swimmers were kept in check by constant patrols around the anchorages. On occasion the VC staged ambushes along the rivers or canals with rocket launchers, recoilless rifles, and automatic weapons. But while casualties were usually light, and damage to the boats minimal, the sailors had to be ever on the alert against these attacks. The guerrillas also made mortar and rocket attacks at night against anchorages but the boat's ability to move about helped to lessen the danger from this type of attack.

At the same time that the Riverine forces were turning over their assets to the Vietnamese, moves were afoot to redeploy the Riverine troops of the 9th Infantry back to the US. This was done gradually, starting in June, and resulted in a steady reduction in infantry assault units available for operations in the Delta. Their place was taken by ARVN units who worked with both their own Riverine forces and the remaining units of the MRF. This reduction in troop strength caused a drop in the tempo of operations and lessened the number of contacts with the VC. By the early fall of 1969 withdrawal of the 2nd Brigade was complete allowing the barracks ships, save one, to be withdrawn and returned stateside. Two more River Assault Divisions were turned over to the Vietnamese Navy, and the remaining units of TF 117 began working with a new unit, Task Force 194, which was given the job of conducting SEALORDS.

[SAMWolf]

MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE - TASK FORCE - 117
By 1966 US troops had been committed in large numbers to three of the four corps areas of Vietnam. Only in IV Corps, the Mekong Delta region, were there no large numbers of American troops. This was due to three major factors. First, though the delta was a major population and food center, the military situation was not as critical as in the other corps areas. Second, due to the density of the population, there was no available tracts of land where a large military installation could be constructed without dislocating large numbers of people. And finally, the numerous rivers, streams and canals which dissected the delta severely restricted ground movement; US planners were reluctant to commit US troops to such an environment until they found a way to overcome the mobility problem.

However, in 1966, there was a strong desire on the part of the US Army to insert troops in the Mekong Delta to counter growing communist strength. In March of 1966 a joint planning committee of Army and Navy personnel drew up tentative plans for the establishment of a Mekong Delta Mobile Afloat Force (MDMAF). This proposal was further detailed during the summer, and by September plans had reached the implementation stage. On 1 September, the first administrative unit of the new organization was commissioned at the Navy Amphibious Base in Coronado, California. Shortly after this, the unit received the designation Task Force 117 (TF-117), and was code named the Mobile Riverine Force. (MRF).

As originally envisioned the MRF would support an infantry brigade and an artillery battalion using a variety of modified landing craft, support ships, and specially designed assault boats. In essence this strike unit would be, a self contained amphibious assault force, complete with all support elements except aircraft. The ideal choice for the ground component would have been the Marines who were specialists in amphibious warfare, but unfortunately the Leathernecks were already heavily committed in I Corps. Instead, a brigade from the 9th Infantry Division was chosen as the infantry component of the Mobile Riverine Force.

The Naval component of TF-117 was made up of a wide variety of ships and boats. The first unit, River Assault Squadron 9 (RAS 9), consisted of four APB's, two LST's, twenty-six ATCs, five Monitors, two CCBs, one Refueler, and sixteen ASPBs.



The small craft were equally divided between River Assault Divisions 91 and 92 (RAD 91 and RAD 92) while the support ships formed River Support Squadron 7 (RSS 7). Eventually another six divisions would be added to TF 117. Except for the ASPB which was newly designed, All these Craft were basically standard navy vessels modified for use with the MRF.

The first elements of the Mobile Riverine Force reached Vietnam on 7 January 1967 when the USS Whitfield County (LST 1169) docked at Vung Tau. Training began immediately with the 2nd Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division. This unit, in preparation for the assignment to the Mobile Riverine Force, had gotten rid of their tanks, trucks, APCs and jeeps since there would obviously be little need for them in the Mekong Delta. In addition, some of their heavier artillery was also left behind since most of the necessary fire support would be supplied by the assault boats. Unfortunately, because the initial number of barracks ships could only handle two of the brigade's three infantry battalions and artillery batteries, the remaining units had to operate out of the newly constructed shore facility at Dong Tam until the rest of TF-117's ships were available.

The major problem initially faced by the MRF was the lack of having their own vessels to train on. For the first few months TF-117 used borrowed Vietnamese Navy landing craft and control boats until its own boats began arriving. During this time, the Viet Cong carried out a number of attacks against ships on the Long Tau River. On 15 February 1967 the VC sank one US minesweeper and damaged three others. As a result of these attacks, plans were made to carry out regular search and destroy missions in the Rung Sat zone which bordered the Long Tau, even though the Mobile Riverine Force lacked their own boats. Working with Vietnamese units operations were carried out through March which resulted in a substantial drop in the attacks by the communist guerrillas. However despite these efforts the Rung Sat continued to be used by the VC and throughout the war allied forces had to periodically sweep the area to deny the enemy free access to it.



Gradually the MRF built up its strength. However, the number of boats needed to fill out the Force's prescribed strength took time to produce and deploy to Vietnam. It was not until 1968 that the full complement of 180 river assault craft was reached, but fortunately, by the summer of 1967 there were enough boats on hand to carry out sustained search and destroy missions. These boats were rather unique vessels, and with one exception, were modified landing craft (LCM-6s).

The main craft of the River Assault Squadron were armored troop carriers (ATCs) which were capable of carrying a full infantry platoon. Armed with a 20mm cannon, two .50 caliber machine guns, and two Mark 18 grenade launchers, plus various hand held weapons, the ATCs not only landed troops, but also resupplied them and provided close-in fire support during operations. Since they were expected to get within close range of enemy forces these boats were well protected with both conventional and 'stand-off' armor. This 'stand-off' or bar armor was a series of metal rods a foot or so out from the ATCs hull and upper works and was designed to detonate RPG or recoilless rifle rounds before they hit the structural armor plate. 'Stand-off armor' proved to be very effective against both hand held and crew served weapons used by the VC, and significantly reduced casualties and damage when an ATC was hit by enemy fire.



The main fire support vessel of the MRF was the Monitor. They were somewhat similar to the ATC from the stern forward to the troop deck, however, here all similarity ended. In a small open pit forward of the superstructure, an 81 mm mortar, similar to those aboard the Swift boats and Coast Guard cutters, was mounted. Forward of this a spoon shaped bow replaced the flat unloading ramp of the ATC. On this new bow was mounted a 40mm cannon (with a co-axial 50 caliber machine gun) enclosed in a turret. The 40mm was the main gun of the riverine forces and it provided a high volume of fire during landing operations. In addition, at least two Mark 18 grenade launchers were carried along with the individual weapons of the crewmen. Heavily armored, the Monitors often closed to within a few feet of the shore to provide fire support for the troops on shore.

The only boat specially constructed for use by the riverine forces was the Assault Support Patrol Boat (ASPB). In addition to providing fire support the ASPB was also designed to serve as a minesweeper and was fitted with a mine countermeasure chain drag. Lighter and faster than the Monitor, the ASPB was not as heavily armed or armored. It carried a single 20mm cannon and twin .50 caliber machine guns in two turrets, one in the bow, and one atop the superstructure. An 81mm mortar was mounted in the stern and two or more Mark 18 grenade launchers were also carried. The ASPB had a unique exhaust system which emptied out underwater making it the quietest of the riverine boats. Combined, these features allowed the ASPB to be used in a wide variety of roles. Aside from leading the river flotillas it was also employed for ambushes, patrols, special operations, reconnaissance, and escort missions. Later in the war, single or twin .50 caliber machine guns were added in stern while the forward gun turret had rocket launchers mounted on their sides. Linked to the machine guns the rocket launchers could be trained by elevating or depressing the machine guns and traversing the turret.



The final component of the riverine forces were the artillery and helicopter barges developed by the Army. Initially, it was envisioned that artillery would be put ashore to provide the necessary fire support. Very quickly it was discovered that there were few tracts of solid land in the Mekong Delta which could support artillery. To alleviate this problem an Army officer had a barge fabricated from sections of pontoons which enabled two 105 mm howitzers to fire while anchored next to the shoreline. These barges could also be beached if the tide went out and the artillery could be resighted, allowing the gun crews to keep firing their howitzers after only a slight delay. Helicopters also faced the same problems since there were few areas for them to set down. The ATC(H) provided only a partial solution, and the problem persisted. Similar to the artillery barges, a helicopter barge was developed using sections of pontoons. Each of these helicopter barges could accommodate three Hueys and were equipped with a refueling system which carried 1,500 gallons of JP-4 aviation fuel. Since neither of these barges were self-propelled, LCM-8s were used to move them for resupply of fuel and ammunition. These barges provided a quick and inexpensive solution to the problems faced by both artillery batteries and helicopter crews. As a result the MRFA did not lack for artillery or helicopter support.

Click on the link to visit this excellent site.

[SAMWolf]

'What did you guys call them boats that had the elevated helipad installed on 'em? We called them 'Hell to land on' because we figured that somebody had gone out and measured the skids on a Huey, and gave us six inches on each side. It took both pilots, the crew chief, and the door gunner burning up the intercom to get us down on one of 'em without falling in the water.'

-- Bill Janes,
Huey pilot for the U.S. Army 191st Assault Helicopter Company

[SAMWolf]

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[SAMWolf]

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[SAMWolf]

[Victoria Delsoul]

Perhaps the role of the MRF during Tet can best be summed up by General Westmoreland, the US commander in Vietnam, when he stated that "…the Mobile Riverine Force saved the Delta."

Throughout the remainder of 1968, TF 117 concentrated on pacifying the delta region and supporting ARVN troops. In addition, as the need arose, forces were assigned to OPERATION SEALORDS in cooperation with Market time and Game Warden units.

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on January 12:
1483 Hendrik van Nassau-Dillenburg en Dietz Governor/Viceroy of Holland
1492 Andrea Alicati Italian author
1562 Charles Emanuel I the great, Duke of Savoy
1576 Peter Scriverius Dutch lawyer/historian
1580 Jean Baptiste van Helmont Belgian chemist, (found boiling point temperature)
1588 John Winthrop 1st Governor (Massachusetts Bay Colony)
1588 Jose Ribera [Lo Spagnoletto] Spanish painter
1599 Adrian van Utrecht Flemish painter
1638 Ernst R Tarhemberg Austrian field marshal (Turkish Wars)
1665 Pierre de Fermat French lawyer/mathematician
1674 Reinhard Keiser composer
1711 Gaetano Latilla composer
1715 Jacques Duphly composer
1729 Lazzaro Spallanzani Modena Italy, physiologist
1729 Edmund Burke British author (Philosophy & Inquiry)
1730 Johann Joachim Christoph Bode composer
1737 John Hancock patriot (1st to sign Declaration of Independence)
1737 Brizio Petrucci composer
1746 Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Switzerland, educator
1749 Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff Austrian earl/prince/diplomat
1751 Ferdinand I king of Sicily & Naples
1751 Jacob M R Lenz writer (Das Leidende Weib)
1780 Wilhelm M L de Wette German exegetist/theologist
1783 Erik Gustaf Geijer Swedish historian/poet (Natthimmelen)
1792 Robert Patterson Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1881
1804 Hippolyte Monpou composer
1807 Jan T Beelen Dutch/Belgian bible expert
1808 Paul "the Great" Taglioni Vienna, ballet choreographer
1810 Ferdinand II king of Sicily
1814 Jones Mitchell Withers Major General (Confederate Army), died in 1890
1819 Zealous Bates Tower Bvt Major General (Union Army), died in 1900
1821 Nikolai Afanisev composer
1825 Joseph Robert Davis Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1896
1826 Charles Cruft Bvt Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1883
1832 Richard Waterhouse Jr Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1876
1837 Adolf Jensen composer
1837 Carlos Troyer composer
1842 François Coppée French poet
1852 Joseph J C Joffre French field marshal (Indo-China, Marne)
1853 Gregorio Ricci-Curbastro Italian mathematician (tensor analysis)
1856 John Singer Sargent US, portrait painter (Wyndham Sisters)
1863 Vivekananda Calcutta, Hindu religious leader/reformer
1871 Paul Guthnick German astronomer
1875 Marika Stiernstedt Swedish author (Ulla Bella)
1876 Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari Venice Italy, composer
1876 Jack London writer/socialist (Call of the Wild)
1878 Ferenc Molnár Budapest Hungary, playwright (The Play's The Thing, A Pal Utrai Fiuk)
1882 Jakob Jud Swiss linguist/etymologist
1884 Louis Horst composer
1886 Dorothy Green Los Angeles CA, actress (Lavinia-Tammy)
1888 Claude Delvincourt composer
1890 Mordecai W Johnson educator
1893 Hermann Goering Reichsmarshall/propoganda minister (Nazi Germany)
1894 Billy Gilbert Louisville KY, actor (Paradise Alley, Safari, Rio)
1896 Rex Ingram Ireland, actor/director (Elmer Gantry, God's Little Acre)
1897 Hendrik J Valk painter/cartoonist/graphic artist
1898 Jose Forns y Cuadras composer
1899 Paul H Müller Swiss chemist (DDT-Nobel 1948)
1900 Vaino Hannikainen composer
1901 Kurt Jooss Wurttemburg, Germany, ballet choreographer
1902 Ibn Abdul-Aziz Saud Kuwait, king (Saudi Arabia)
1902 Ray Teal Grand Rapids MI, actor (Sheriff Roy Coffee-Bonanza)
1902 Simon H Spoor Dutch General/Intelligence Officer for General MacArthur
1903 Igor V Kurtshatov Russian nuclear physicist (1st Russian nuclear bomb)
1904 Mississippi Fred McDowell jazz artist
1906 Henny Youngman England, comedian (Take my wife please...)
1906 Tex Ritter Texas, country singer (5 Star Jubilee, The Wayward Wind)
1907 Sergei Korolev scientist
1908 Ben Seijes Dutch historian (WWII)
1908 José Limón Mexican/US dancer (I, Odysseus)
1909 Mauritz Hugo Sweden, actor (Atomic Blonde, Road Agent)
1910 Patsy Kelly Brooklyn NY, actress (Rosemary's Baby, North Ave Irregulars)
1910 Charles Martin cartoonist
1910 Luise Rainer Austria, actress (Escapade, Good Earth, Big City, Hostages)
1912 Peter Pooley broadcaster
1914 Edqard John Gurney politician
1915 Martin Agronsky journalist (1952 Peabody, 1961 DuPont-Columbia)
1915 Ernest Armstrong miner/politician
1915 Frank Annunzio (Representative-D-IL, 1965- )
1915 Joseph Roy George Ralston pilot
1916 A P(ieter) W Botha Orange Free State, President of South Africa
1917 Walter Hendl West New York NJ, conductor
1920 James Farmer Marshall TX, civil rights leader
1921 John Henry Davis Jr Smithtown NY, light-super-heavyweight (Olympics-gold-1948, 52)
1921 Leo Smit Philadelphia PA, pianist/composer
1924 Jan Willem Radecker sculptor/son of John Radecker
1925 Bill Burrud Hollywood CA, host (Safari to Adventure, Animal World)
1925 Laurentiu Profeta composer
1925 Ralph Legall cricket wicket-keeper (West Indies vs India 1954)
1926 Morton Feldman New York City NY, composer
1926 Ray Price country singer (For The Good Times)
1927 Leopold Ahsen writer
1927 Salvatore Martirano composer
1928 Lew Gallo Mt Kisko, actor (12 O'Clock High)
1929 Colin Berry Haycraft publisher
1930 Glenn Yarborough singer (Limeliters-Honey & Wine, Jubilee)
1930 Jennifer P Johnston Irish author (Fool's Sanctuary)
1932 Alain Teister Dutch sculptor/writer
1933 Michael Aspel British talk show host
1934 Burdette Haldorson US, basketball player (Olympics-gold-1956, 60)
1935 "The Amazing" Kreskin Montclair NJ, mentalist/telepath
1935 Ron Harper Turtle Creek PA, actor (Wendy & Me, Planet of the Apes)
1937 Liliana Cavani Bologna Italy, director (Berlin Affair)
1937 Marie Dubois Paris France, actress (Wise Guys, Jules & Jim)
1939 Helmut Eisendle writer
1939 Jacobus M "Jacques" Hamelink Dutch writer/poet (Cold Unrest)
1939 William Lee Golden Brewton AL, country singer (Oak Ridge Boys)
1940 Dick Motz cricketer (1st New Zealander to take 100 Test wickets)
1941 Long John Baldry England, blues vocalist (Don't try to Lay No Boogie)
1941 Jaime B Fuster (Representative-D-PR, 1985-92)
1942 Vladimir Sergeyevich Kozelsky cosmonaut (Soyuz 24 backup)
1943 Ray Manzarek rock pianist (Doors-Light my Fire, People are Strange)
1943 Henri J "Adriaan" Adriaansen mime/director (Stinging Nettle King)
1944 Joe Frazier Beaufort SC, heavyweight champion boxer (Olympics-gold-1964)/champ (1968-73)
1944 Vlastimil Hort Czechoslovakian/German chess player
1945 Maggie Bell Glasgow Scotland, rocker
1946 Cynthia Robinson rock trumpeteer (Sly & Family Stone-Everyday People)
1946 George Duke San Rafael CA, rocker
1947 Tom Dempsey NFL record-holder (longest field goal, 63 yards)
1948 Anthony Andrews London England, actor (Under the Volcano)
1949 James W Dietz rower
1949 Wayne Wang director (Chan is Missing, Slamdance)
1950 Bob McEwen (Representative-R-OH, 1981- )
1950 Marilyn R Smith microbiologist
1951 Kirstie Alley Wichita KS, actress (Star Trek II, Cheers-Rebecca)
1951 Larry Hoppens rocker (Orleans-Still the One, Dance With Me)
1951 Rush Hudson Limbaugh III Cape Girardeau MO, conservative radio & television host
1951 Bill Madlock 4X NL batting champ (Chicago Cubs)
1951 Chris Bell Memphis TN, rock guitarist (Big Star)
1951 Drew Pearson former NFL all-pro receiver
1952 Ricky Van Shelton Danville VA, country musician (Somebody Lied, From a Jack to a King, Rockin' Years)
1954 Howard Stern Roosevelt NY, "Radio's Bad Boy" (WKRK, WYSP, WJFK)
1955 Patty Hayes LPGA golfer
1959 Per Gessle Halmstad Sweden, singer (Roxette-Must Have Been Love)
1960 Dominique Wilkins NBA forward (Atlanta Hawks)
1960 Rob Derksen Australian baseball head coach (Olympics-1996)
1961 Andrea Carnevale soccer player (Napoli)
1962 Richie Richardson cricketer (elegant West Indian batsman 1983-95)
1964 Lynnae Marie Thurik Vancouver WA, Miss Washington-America (1990)
1964 Laura Gildemeister Argentina, tennis star
1965 Mark Moore rocker (S'Express-Winter Course)
1965 Henry Thomas defensive tackle (Detroit Lions, New England Patriots)
1965 John Francis model
1966 Craig Parry Sunshine VIC, Australasia golfer
1966 Linda Ferrando Italy, tennis star
1967 Farrah Forke Texas, actress (Dweebs, Mr Rhodes, Disclosure, Heat)
1967 Marco Boogers Dutch soccer player (RKC, Sparta, West Ham United)
1967 Mike Simms Whittier CA, outfielder (Houston Astros)
1967 Ulf Dahlen Ostersund Sweden, NHL forward (Team Sweden, San Jose)
1967 Vendela [Kirsebom] Stockholm Sweden, model (Sports Illustrated 1993)
1968 Heather Mills Aldershot England, model/writer (Out on a Limb)
1968 Vince Buck NFL safety (New Orleans Saints)
1969 Cam Russell Halifax, NHL defenseman (Chicago Blackhawks)
1970 Jenny Griffith Burbank CA, WPVA volleyballer (National-13th-1995)
1970 Nigel Wilson Canadian/US baseball outfielder (Florida Marlins)
1970 Takahiro Ikenoue WLAF defensive linebacker (Rhein Fire)
1971 Tommy Puett actor/TV host (Life Goes On, America's Top 10)
1971 Andy Fox Sacramento CA, infielder (New York Yankees)
1971 Oscar Sturgis NFL defensive end (Dallas Cowboys)
1971 Scott Burrell NBA guard/forward (Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets)
1971 Shane Dronett NFL defensive end (Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos)
1972 Dominique Ross NFL running back (Dallas Cowboys)
1973 Greg Morton Milwaukee WI, actor (Scarecrow & Mrs King)
1974 Melanie Jayne Chisholm "Sporty Spice", Widnes, vocalist (Spice Girls)
1975 Chase Hampton Oklahoma City OK, rocker (Party-Rodeo, That's Why)
1975 Jocelyn Thibault Montréal Québec Canada, NHL goalie (Montréal Canadiens)
1977 Sara Walsh South Bend IN, fencer-foil (Olympics-96)
1979 Jenny Schmidgall ice hockey forward (USA, Olympics-98)
1987 Andrew Lawrence Philadelphia PA, actor (Andy Roman-Brotherly Love)
1987 Naya Rivera actress (Cindy-Fresh Prince of Bel Air)
1996 Sarah Morales Mexico, Siamese twin (survived)
1996 Sarahi Morales Mexico, Siamese twin (died on Jan 27, 1996)

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Deaths which occurred on January 12:
0689 Benedict Biscop English saint, dies
1049 Abu Sa'id ibn Aboa al-Chair Persian mystic, dies at 81
1167 Aelred of Hexham/Rievaulx English abbot/saint, dies at about 56
1390 Peter van Herenthals Dutch theologist/church historian, dies at 67
1517 Vasco Núñez de Balboa Spanish conquistador/admiral, beheaded at 41
1519 Maximilian I of Hapsburg German kaiser, dies
1537 Lorenzo di Credi Italian painter, dies
1665 Pierre de Fermat French lawyer/mathematician (principle of F), dies at 63
1674 Giacomo Carissimi Italian bandmaster/composer (Jephta), dies at 68
1759 Anne of Hannover English princess, dies at 49
1765 Johann Melchior Molter composer, dies at 68
1807 Adriaan Kluit Dutch historian, dies at 71
1807 Joan Lucaz Dutch scholar/journalist/patriot, dies at 60
1829 Friedrich von Schlegel German cultural philosopher/poet, dies at 56
1829 Michael Gottard Fischer composer, dies at 55
1833 Marie-Antoine Carème author (Pattissier Royal Parisien), dies at 48
1839 Joseph A Koch Austrian painter/cartoonist/etcher/illustrator, dies at 70
1851 Johan Herman Koekkoek painter, dies at 72
1856 L'udovít Stúr Slovaaks author/linguistic (Das Slawentum), dies at 40
1860 Martinus J Niewindt bishop on Curaçao (christened slaves), dies at 63
1861 Václav Hanka Czech author/translator/forger, dies at 69
1867 Victor Cousin French philosopher/minister of Education, dies at 74
1880 Ida Gräfin von Hahn-Hahn author (Aus der Gesellschaft), dies at 74
1925 Oskar Brefeld German botanist, dies at 85
1928 Ruth Snyder 1st woman to die in electric chair
1929 Dietrich Schäfer German historian (Mein Leben), dies at 83
1933 Vaclav Suk composer, dies at 71
1940 Erich R Jaensch German psychologist (eidetiek), dies at 56
1942 George Francis cricketer (West Indies Test fast-bowler, 23 wickets in 10), dies
1943 Jan R T Campert Dutch resistance fighter/poet (18 Dead), dies at 40
1947 Jonas Cohn German/English philosopher (Wertwissenschaft), dies at 77
1950 Koos van de Griend composer, dies at 44
1953 Simeon Roncal composer, dies at 82
1956 John Raedecker Dutch sculptor (WWII Monument Amsterdam), dies at 70
1956 Norman Kerry actor (Air Eagles, Phantom of Opera), dies at 61
1958 Arthur Shepherd composer, dies at 77
1960 Nevil Shute [Norway] English/Australian author (Town like Alice), dies at 60
1962 Ernie Kovacs comedian (Ernie Kovacs Show), killed in auto crash at 42
1962 Richard de Guide composer, dies at 52
1964 C R Browne cricket leg-spinner (West Indies in 4 Tests, 6 wickets), dies
1965 Porcupine in Washington DC zoo, dies at 27; oldest known rodent
1965 Lorraine Hansberry US playwright, dies in New York City NY at 34
1970 Blanche Stuart Scott US pilot, dies at 84
1972 Padraic Colum Irish poet/writer/founder (Irish Review), dies at 90
1975 Caryn Campbell Bundy victim, disappears from Snowmass CO
1976 Agatha Christie mystery writer (10 Little Indians), dies at 85
1977 Henri-Georges Clouzot director (Diabolique, Truth), dies at 69
1978 Nancy Spungen stabbed to death by boyfriend Sid Vicious
1980 Hans Ebeling cricketer (Victory stalwart, bowled for Australia 1934), dies
1981 Beulah Bondi Chicago IL, actress (It's a Wonderful Life), dies at 89
1981 Isobel Elsom actress (Unseen, Jane Eyre, Illegal), dies at 87
1986 Marcel Arland French author (L'ordre, Lumière du Soir), dies at 86
1990 Laurence J Peter author (Peter Principle), dies from a stroke at 70
1990 Paul Amadeus Pisk composer, dies at 96
1991 Keye Luke actor (Charlie Chan's No 1 Son), dies after a stroke at 86
1991 Vasco Pratolini Italy, writer (Ragazze di San Frediano), dies at 77
1992 Harry van Doorn Dutch MP (KVP/KRO-chairman/PPR/CRM), dies at 76
1992 Walt Morey US children's book writer (Gentle Ben), dies at 84
1993 Carles Mira Spanish director (Que Nos Quiten Lo Bailao), dies at 45
1994 Bob Horen dies of cancer at 67
1994 Samuel Bronston Romanian/US producer (El Cid), dies at 85
1995 Francis Lopez songwriter, dies at 77
1995 George Price cartoonist (New Yorker), dies at 93
1995 Marion Herbst German/Dutch jewelry designer, dies at 50
1996 Edmund Happold engineer, dies at 65
1996 John Howard Purnell scientist, dies at 70
1996 Peggy Braithwaite lighthouse-keeper, dies at 76
1997 Charles Huggins surgeon/medical researcher, dies at 95
1997 Jean Writer-Edern Hallier dies at 60
1997 Jill Summers actress (Agatha Coronation Street), dies at 86

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On this day...
1493 Last day for all Jews to leave Sicily
1552 Dutch west coast hit by heavy storm, 100s killed
1583 Holland begins use of Gregorian calendar (yesterday was 1/1/1583)
1598 Pope Clement VIII seizes duchy of Ferrara on death of Alfonso
1684 French king Louis XIV marries Madame Maintenon
1701 Parts of the Netherlands (Frisia & Groningen) adopt the Gregorian calendar (others 1 year later)
1723 Handel's opera "Ottone" premieres, London
1755 Tsarina Elisabeth establishes 1st Russian University
1773 1st US public museum established (Charleston SC)
1777 Mission Santa Clara de Asis founded in California
1806 French evacuate Vienna
1807 Gunpowder-ship explodes in Leiden Netherlands, 150 die
1809 British take Cayenne (French Guiana) from the French (until 1814)
1812 1st cargo arrives in New Orleans by steam, from Natchez
1816 France decrees Bonaparte family excluded from the country forever
1820 Royal Astronomical Society founded in England
1836 Battle of Wetumka FL
1836 HMS Beagle/Charles Darwin reach Sydney Australia
1839 Anthracite coal 1st used to smelt iron, Mauch Chunk PA
1842 Franciscan nuns begin missionary work on Netherlands Antilles
1861 FL state troops demand surrender of Fort Pickens
1863 President Davis delivers his "State of the Confederacy" address
1865 Union fleet bombs Fort Fisher NC
1867 Leo Tolstoy's "Smert Ioonna Groznogo" premieres in St Petersburg
1879 British Zulu War begins Lieutenant-General Chelmsford invades Zululand
1896 1st X-ray photo in US (Dr Henry Smith, Davidson NC)
1900 Freeland Colony founded in US
1903 Rhodes Opera House burns in Boyertown PA, killing 170
1903 Harry Houdini performs at Rembrandt theater, Amsterdam
1904 Southwest-Africa uprising under Samuel Maherero against German garison
1906 Football rules committee legalizes the forward pass
1906 1st time Dow Jones closes above 100 (100.26)
1907 Britain grants responsible government to former colony of Transvaal
1912 -47ºF (-44ºC), Washta IA (state record)
1915 House of Representatives rejects proposal to give women the right to vote
1916 Britain proclaims Gilbert & Ellice Island colony in the Pacific
1918 Montréal Canadien Joe Malone scores 5 goals beating Ottawa 9-4
1920 Annual drafting of baseball players from minor leagues to be done in inverse order of the final standings, agreed to
1921 Kenesaw Mountain Landis becomes 1st commissioner of baseball
1924 History of Science Society organized at Boston
1925 John Howard Lawson's "Processional" premieres in New York City NY
1928 Philip Barry & Elmer Rice's "Cock Robin" premieres in New York City NY
1929 Seatrain (RR cars on ships) service begins, New Orleans-Havana
1930 NHL's Boston Bruins win then-record 14th consecutive game
1932 France's Laval government falls
1932 Hattie W Caraway elected 1st woman senator (D-AR)
1932 Philip Barry's "Animal Kingdom" premieres in New York City NY
1933 Uprising of Guardia Civil in Spain, 25 dies
1933 US Congress recognize independence Philippines
1937 Plow for laying submarine cable patented
1942 National War Labor Board created
1942 British troops reconquer Sollum
1942 Dutch troops on Tarakan surrender
1943 Frankfurters replaced by Victory Sausages (mix of meat & soy meal)
1944 Churchill & de Gaulle begin a 2-day wartime conference in Marrakesh
1944 Failed resistance raid on distribution office of Borgerstraat Amsterdam
1945 German forces in Belgium retreat in Battle of the Bulge
1945 US Task Force 38 destroys 41 Japanese ships in Battle of South China Sea
1946 NFL champs Cleveland Rams given permission to move to Los Angeles
1946 "Polonaise" closes at Alvin Theater New York City NY after 113 performances
1946 Edouardo de Filippo's "Questi Fantasmi!", premieres in Rome
1948 Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi begins his final fast
1948 US Supreme Court decision (Sipuel vs Oklahoma State Board of Regents)
1948 1st Supermarket in UK opens
1949 "Arthur Godfrey & His Friends" premieres on CBS TV
1949 Dutch court affirms death sentence against SS chief Hanns Rauter
1950 Swedish tanker rams British submarine Truculent in Thames, 64 die
1950 USSR re-introduces death penalty for treason, espionage & sabotage
1951 Ezzard Charles TKOs Lee Oma in 10 for heavyweight boxing title
1952 University of Tennessee admits its 1st black student
1952 NFL Pro Bowl National Conference beats American Conference 30-13
1953 9 "Jewish" physicians arrested for "terrorist activities" in Moscow
1954 Austria's worst avalanche-kills 200; 9hours later 2nd one-kills 115
1954 Queen Elizabeth II opens New Zealand parliament
1957 Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) founded
1958 NCAA adds 2 point conversion to football scoring
1958 Mickey Wright wins LPGA Sea Island Golf Open
1958 NFL Pro Bowl West beats East 26-7
1958 Syracuse National Dolph Schayes sets NBA record at 11,770 points
1959 KOED TV channel 11 in Tulsa OK (PBS) begins broadcasting
1960 Syracuse National Dolph Schayes is 1st NBA'er to score 15,000 points
1960 Sobers & Worrell complete 399 stand for 4th wicket vs England
1961 "Show Girl" opens at Eugene O'Neill Theater New York City NY for 100 performances
1961 UN genocide pact goes into effect
1963 "Go Away Little Girl" by Steve Lawrence peaks at #1
1963 Spin bowler Bobby Simpson takes 5-57 for Australia vs England
1964 NFL Pro Bowl West beats East 31-17
1964 Revolution overthrows Sultan of Zanzibar, 1 month after independence
1965 "Hullabaloo" premieres on NBC-TV
1965 At 10 58 am PST burn up a nuclear rocket in Nevada
1966 "Batman" with Adam West & Burt Ward premieres on ABC TV
1966 LBJ says US should stay in S Vietnam until communist aggression ends
1966 Red Auerbach wins his 1,000th game as coach of NBA Boston Celtics
1966 12 day New York City NY transit strike ends
1967 Louisville KY, draft board refuses exemption for boxer Muhammad Ali
1968 Beatles Film Production Ltd changes name to Apple Film Production Ltd
1968 Nighttime version of "Hollywood Squares" premieres on NBC TV
1969 "Golden Rainbow" closes at Shubert Theater New York City NY after 355 performances
1969 Super Bowl III New York Jets beat Baltimore Colts, 16-7 in Miami; Super Bowl MVP Joe Namath, New York Jets, Quarterback
1970 Biafran War ends, Biafra surrenders to Nigeria
1970 Boeing 747 makes its maiden voyage
1971 Fed grand jury indicts Reverand Philip Berrigan & 5 others, including a nun & 2 priests, on charges of plotting to kidnap Henry Kissinger
1971 "All in the Family" premieres on CBS featuring 1st toilet flush on TV
1971 "Soon" opens at Ritz Theater New York City NY for 3 performances
1971 Congressional Black Caucus organizes
1972 Tigers sign a lease to build a $126M domed stadium (doesn't happen)
1974 "Joker" by Steve Miller Band peaks at #1
1974 Libya & Tunisia announces they are merging as "Islamic Arab Republic"
1975 Chrysler Corp offers 1st car rebates
1975 Super Bowl IX Pittsburgh Steelers beat Minnesota Vikings, 16-6 in New Orleans; Super Bowl MVP Franco Harris, Pittsburgh, Running Back
1976 UN Security Council votes 11-1 to seat Palestine Liberation Organization
1977 "Ipi Tombi" opens at Harkness Theater New York City NY for 39 performances
1977 Anti-French demonstrations takes place in Israel after Paris released Abu Daoud, responsible 1972 Munich massacre of Israeli athletes
1979 Los Angeles's Hillside Strangler, Kenneth Bianchi, arrested in Bellingham
1979 Record blizzard struck midwest killing over 100
1979 6th American Music Award Barry Manilow, Linda Ronstadt win
1980 Mike Bratz (Phoenix) begins NBA free throw streak of 57 games
1981 -35ºF (-37ºC), Chester, Massachusetts (state record)
1981 "Dynasty", a prime time soap opera inspired by Dallas, starring Joan Collins, premieres on ABC-TV
1983 NCAA creates the football Kickoff Classic to begin in August
1983 Brooks Robinson & Juan Marichal elected to Hall of Fame
1985 Miami Dolphins win AFC football championship
1986 24th space shuttle (61-C) mission-Columbia 7-launched
1986 Chicago Blackhawk Denis Savard scores at 4 seconds of 3rd period
1987 Britain's Prince Edward resigns from his Royal Marines training
1988 Willie Stargell (Pittsburgh Pirate), elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
1989 6 claim to survive in rubble, 35 days after Armenian quake (hoax)
1989 Idi Amin expelled from Zaire
1990 Civil Rights activist Reverand Al Sharpton is stabbed in Bensonhurst Brooklyn
1990 Romania bans Communist party (1st Warsaw Pact member to do so)
1991 Largest crowd to watch Atlantic Coast Womens Basketball game (11,520)
1991 US Congress gives George Bush authority to wage war against Iraq
1991 Melvin Stewart swims world record 200 meter butterfly (1 55.69)
1992 13th ACE Cable Awards HBO wins 27 awards
1992 Algeria's General elections canceled after strong gains by Islamic Salvation Front in the 1st round
1992 Last building in Gateway area in Cleveland is demolished
1992 US male Figure Skating championship won by Christopher Bowman
1993 Doctors announce Pittsburgh Penguin Mario Limeux has Hodgkin's disease
1993 MTV hostess Martha Quinn marries longtime boyfriend Jordan Tarlow
1994 Malcolm X's daughter arrested for plotting Louis Farrakhan's murder
1994 Steve Carlton (Phillies) elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
1995 Major earthquake kills 5,092 in Kobe Japan
1995 Murder trial against OJ Simpson, begins in Los Angeles
1995 Pope John Paul II begins visit to Southeast Asia
1996 Russian troops arrived in Bosnia (joint operation with US)
1997 17th United Negro College Fund raises
1997 Annika Sorenstam wins LPGA Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions
1997 HAL becomes operational (2001: A Space Odyssey); this date was given as January 12, 1992 on screen, but 1997 is the date used in both the novel and screenplay
1997 Ice skater Oksana Baiul injured slightly whiled driving intoxicated
1997 Space Shuttle STS 81 (Atlantis 18), launches into space
1997 Tiger Woods wins Mercedes Championships

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Tanzania : Zanzibar Revolution Day
Switzerland : Meitlisunntig Festival-Woman in Villmergen War (1712) - - - - - ( Sunday )

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Religious Observances
Anglican : Commemoration of St Aelred
Roman Catholic : Feast of St Victorian
Anglican, Roman Catholic : Feast of the Baptism of Jesus Christ

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Religious History
1777 The Mission Santa Clara de Asis was established. It was one of nine missions founded by Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junipero Serra, between 1769-1784.
1779 Pioneer American Methodist bishop Francis Asbury recorded in his journal: 'If the Lord is pleased to work, who or what can hinder?'
1825 Birth of Brooke Foss Westcott, British N.T. scholar. In 1881, he and F. J. A. Hort co-edited a famous critical text of the Greek New Testament -- one which is still used today.
1839 Scottish clergyman Robert Murray McCheyne wrote in a letter: 'It is not the tempest, nor the earthquake, nor the fire, but the still small voice of the Spirit that carries on the glorious work of saving souls.'
1893 Representatives of 21 mission boards met in NY City to discuss common concerns. Soon becoming an annual event, by 1911 the convention was known as the Foreign Missions Conference. In 1950 it became a constituting member of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, serving as its Division of Foreign Missions.

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Thought for the day :
" Too much of a good thing is wonderful. "

[facedown]

[facedown]

Fishing was always good with concussion grenades.

[Fiddlstix]

Good Morning Everybody.

You Know The Drill
Click the Pics J

Coffee & Donuts J

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning Sam, all!

[Fiddlstix]

You were asking for biscuits and gravy
How's this? J

Click the Pic J

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Victoria. First one in the Foxhole this morning. Do you ever sleep?

[SAMWolf]

1906 Football rules committee legalizes the forward pass

Forever changing the game. Thank goodness.

[SAMWolf]

Hi Facedown. Thanks for the pictures.

[SAMWolf]

LOL! Excellent Fiddlstix, you can cook my breakfast any time. Good morning too you.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Feather.

[SAMWolf]

9th Infantry Division

On 1 February 1966, the division was re-raised at Fort Riley, KS. And sent to III Corps Tactical Zone of Vietnam. The division swept through Dinh Tuong Province 6 January-31 May 1967 in Operation PALM BEACH, spending February and March with South Vietnamese forces combating the enemy in Long An Province. Meanwhile one of it’s brigades was selected to fulfill the concept of a Mobile Riverine Force created in 1967 And integrated with a Navy

Task Force 117 at each level of it’s brigade’s command. For the first time since the Civil War, when Union Army forces operated on the Mississippi, Cumberland and other rivers, the U.S. Army was utilizing an amphibious force operating entirely afloat. The force was a complete package, independent of fixed support embarked or in tow. The troops lived on barracks ships docked at the mobile riverine anchorage. On tactical operations Navy armored troop carrier boats, preceded by minesweeping craft and escorted by armored boats (monitors) transported the soldiers along the vast waterways in the Delta. The first element of the Mobile Riverine Force (2nd Brigade) arrived in Vietnam in January 1967 and after shakedown training in the Rung Sat swamps moved into a base near My Tho, which was named Dong Tam— a base on a 600-acre island created among inundated rice paddies by dredging earth from the bottom of the Mekong River.

The MRF often operated with other specialized units such as Navy Seal teams, South Vietnamese Marines, units of the ARVN 7th Division and River Assault Groups on reconnaissance blocking and pursuit operations.

In 1968 the 9th Infantry Division engaged in bitter fighting in the Siagon area, General Westmoreland stated after TET that the 9th Infantry Division and The Mobile Riverine Force saved the Delta. And in 1969 operated throughout the IV Corps Tactical Zone. Two brigades were deployed to Hawaii as part of the U.S. withdrawal. The 3rd Brigade stayed in Vietnam (and also fought in Cambodia) until October 1970. Elements of the 9th Infantry Division served 1,440 days in Vietnam.

[facedown]

Thanks for the pictures.

Here's a cool one.

Click on picture for a bunch more.