August 2012 This website still works very well, and it is fun to read the comments posted by those who shared Ft. Lewis BCT around that time. Just wondering if this might have been you? Lucius Thomas. We were assingned to guard duty at the stockade. Army helicopters were also used to insert search-and-rescue [SAR] teams into inaccessible areas on the east, north, and west sides of the mountain, lowering rangers to the ground by a cable device known as a "jungle penetrator". I can still feel that time when I hear them (and only then). September 2012 . I took basic at Lewis in March-April of 1967 D-2-2 Spent one week at North Fort then we transferred to the "new" 3-story concrete barracks next to the airfield. It is one of the active Army's contingency corps. The per capita income for the base was $12,865. Contact me at tfmillerphoto@sbcglobal.net. The stone by the mess hall was painted over about the time we left. I now live in Laguna in south Orange county also California. HR Office (253) 964-2522. Great nephew asked me the other day if we had a washer and dryer in the barracks. If anyone remembers or was in Alpha Gators at that time, would appreciate a comment. The first range was constructed in 1942 on Umtanum Ridge, 13 miles (21km) northeast of the present cantonment area. I was there in B-1-1 June thru Labor Day 1969. Morgan Sports Cars I'm McGowan! While at Lewis I develop a respiratory infection that August and spent two days at Madigan. John..I also did BCT with B-1-1, but in June of 71. Camp Lewis passed from the hands of Pierce County and became the property of the federal government when the deed for 62,432 acres (253km2) was recorded in the county auditor's office in Tacoma. Smoked pot with his girlfriend in his room in the barracks, then would send squad leaders out to get money for a hotel room for her. Drill sergeant Thomas was my drill instructor. Fort Lewis was a very tough place at that time. I will always feel a connection to Fort Lewis. He told me stories of beautiful Washington and how different it was from Nashville. Pinto was our DI. I was in C-1-1 in Sept. 1966 (boot) and I think our DI was Sgt chicowski not sure of the spelling. Later, with WWII looming, the Army Air Corps took over a nearby airfield and renamed it McChord Air Field. ). I took my basic training at Fort Lewis starting in August of 1966. Had a good job and lived in Lakewood. I hadn't thought about the AIT assignments being Vietnam bound or not until I just read your post. John Trainor, great warrior, learned much from him, things I applied to life, to this day serves me well. It is a place where groups among different types of human defenses like the military, the Navy and the Air Force can come together as one big umbrella of a facility. [10], During World War II the Air Transport Command 4131st Army Air Force Base Unit used GAAF as the CONUS hub for the Alaskan West Coast Wing, ferrying supplies, equipment and aircraft to Eleventh Air Force at Elmendorf Field, near Anchorage. As a kid I have really memories of our time there. McChord Field separated from Fort Lewis when the U.S. Air Force was created in 1947 and was subsequently renamed McChord Air Force Base. That always bothered me but we had to sign a different roster because our state was charged with our meals. honor platoon every week expect one. If you are a veteran who served at Fort Lewis, you may be entitled to money to pay for your medical bills due to your exposure to . He was sent to E-1-1 while I was sent to D-1-1. Fort Lewis 1 : 24000. It was down hill from there. I even got a DI threaten me after pulling the trigger on the close or drill with theM-16. About a decade ago i drove through the post. (We can do!) . Everybody hated the guy, he drove us like cattle, but in looking back, all he was doing was preparing us to go to Vietnam and survive. Suddenly, in the dark, we were attacked by elements of the trainers who charged our positions. I was drafted. Was in May 69 to Sept 69 in A-3-2 Drill Sgt. Decypher is a leading integrator of professional, technology, and management solutions and services. Permanent resident card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form I-551) You know there are several ways of locating people especially if you have their original Home Town and at least a Service number better yet a SS number let me know if I can be of help We have found several hundred from my unit Big Bad Bravo, 4th Battalion 21st Inf 11th light infantry brigade. Dong Tam, May 1969 to MACV Tm 75, 7th ARVN Div Recon Co., flew home Thanksgiving Day 1969. Had BCT at Ft. Benning, E-11-3, Harmony Church, Drill Sgt. Delta Devils. I hope some of my platoon members read this and reach out. Office wanted someone with a degree so I stayed until offered a six month early out because of the RIF in 1972. Rainer was awesome. Ranier was beautiful and orange from the setting sun.We were all from California. Current Address: 302 Kray Ike Court, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Mobile Phone: View Current Number Email: View Current Email View On Map. Wallace. First thing, he took us to the PX and said we could buy anything we wanted. Had a DI from Germany and his accent stuck with me for years. THX The D-2-1 sounds correct but Infantry was the 11B MOS which was the training which comes after basic training. Left for Vietnam 12/8/69 stationed at LZ Dottie. 3rd Battalion We had a Sgt (a Black man) For example as troops from Fort Lewis preparing to fight Communist forces in Southeast Asia, some troops from the same base were ready to oppose their government's policies by joining the antiwar movement. May 2016 I was a squad leader down stairs and ended up in a Sheridan tank. We normally weren't allowed to buy anything but essentials at the PX, but this DI was so friendly. We graduated basic in a snow storm in fatigues. Very grateful. His saying was "What is the spirit of the bayonet" answer "to KILL". From 1942 to 1943, forty-two Japanese, German and Italian Americans were held at Fort Lewis as part of the government's "enemy alien" internment program during World War II. Fort Lewis 1 : 24000. Went out once a week. The facility houses minimum and medium security prisoners from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.[3]. My son will have to get us on base as he has a military ID. The weather was cold and rainy with no let up. Does anybody have anymore info for me? Bravo 3-1 Drill Sgt White. I got to Lewis on Oct. 10th '66 made it until three days before graduation and ended up with double pneumonia and the first made me go to sick call both cheeks got a shot of pen and I was really worried I would get 'sent back. With the departure of the 4th Infantry Division (United States) for Vietnam in 1966, Fort Lewis once again became a personnel transfer and training center. It was bad during that time. Forcade. Force marches in rubber boots. Tindel. The field is now used by Army helicopters. did basic at Ft Lewis arrived Mar 28.1968 the entire platoon was from Arizona 1 PLT A Co 5BN 1 BDE..graduated May 1968..curious to know if the old barricks are still there..have no way of finding out or what barracks I was even in, I thank there wear 5K to start now there 2 hundred left. I was there Jan 1968 right after the meningitis epidemic. Prince (and what a lovely guy he was! I've learned from the comments that most of the barracks have been demolished over the years. I was there from June 1968 until Dec 1969. By May 1938, the 3d Infantry Division and Fort Lewis boasted 5,000 men in garrison. Lt. Klippel was our CO. We were confined to the company area, except for training, due to meningitis concerns. Fort Lewis proper contains 86,000 acres (134sqmi; 350km2); the Yakima Training Center covers 324,000 acres (506sqmi; 1,310km2). I wish I had a photo of Sgt. Getting recruits ready for Viet Nam. Yelm, WA 98597 Mobile Phone: View Current Number Email: View Current Email . It was the A12 version, green with a black fiberglass hood and a 440 6 pack. We only got out for training. Directory. There were a bunch of us NG from TX, MT, and WI. [1], Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a major Army base, with much of the 2nd Infantry Division in residence, along with Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division; 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command; and 1st Special Forces Group. I would give second place to Fort Sam . Hawk I was on 2nd floor. WWII era temp. The outside portion was 13 red and white stripes, and when you swung both doors open, there was a field of blue, with 50 stars. My dad passed away in 1989 and I've found this old picture but don't know much about his time at Ft. Lewis other than my mom's brief recollection. First time levy rescinded, 2nd time to short less than 6 month left of 2 year draftee status. But then the DI got his revenge by having us do onerous calisthenics in the rain in middle of the night. we had two Sgt. Meteorology training. Had a fella by that name when I went through basic in B32 with Sgt. Drill sergeant Lamb??? 360-688-4073. I was in the 2nd Platoon. Mostly Southern California. Lot of rain. Fort Lewis' terrain is primarily a mixture of dense conifer woods and open Puget prairie-garry oak woodlands. Spec 5 Snydal (final rank), Did you happen to know Sergeant drill sergeant faisano Trying to find platoon photos. Many were gone. On July 28, 1970 and arrived at Ft. Lewis a day or two later. D Block was demolished in 2019. 1969 Basic B-1-1 and then AIT on the other side of the parade field. Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Totally corrupt and physically abuse DI Rod Walters. The unit began as the 2122st Garrison Support Unit (Army Reserve), overseeing the mobilization of about 27,000 Soldiers. June/69-Aug/69. There were once 5,000 of these buildings. Got my covid shots at the VA clinic here in the Villages,Fl. She was watching a soldier with a stupid grin dump an entire bottle of bleach into the washing machine. Fort Lewis's geographic location provides rapid access to the deep water ports of Tacoma, Olympia and Seattle for deploying equipment. CLOSE. Perhaps your dad is in it? Drill Sgt Connor was my DI. The forest is massive and I'm a believer. 50 of us spent 10 days at the reception station at Ft. Ord. His name is Robert(Bob) Dodge. Looking for ANYONE who may remember him or the name. i have rarely looked back on it as sometimes it bothered me .. A-3-1 @ Ft Lewis 4 May 70 through 2 July 70 Draftee then went to Ft Sam Houston Texas for Medic Training. Would love to buy him a beer or three. Phil I wish you had put together my previous comments and saved yourself a trip.not ONE barracks left.close your eyes and listen"I wanna be an airborne ranger" it's as close as you will get. And undig it at night. January 2018 Victor Villanueva We got a view of Mt. The VA takes care of my health needs and it seems strange that all those old guys around there (Minneapolis) are the same vibrant young soldiers during the Vietnam war. I was there april 17 th 1969 to July. My bunk mate came down with Meningitis, but survived. Sprained ankle 1st day of basic spending a week at Madigan. It was awful. Came home and served 6 years and discharged Jan 1976. Would sleep on top of bunk in the WW -2 -Korea heavy wool pants and shirt. My D.I was Sgt. Richard Nixon Quote Enjoyed the beautiful PNW and beautiful girls. Good, hard training. Fort Lewis was merged with McChord Air Force Base on 1 February 2010 to form Joint Base LewisMcChord. Evan, you are so spot on about how our days were spent . I recall my grandmother telling me my grandfather was complaining of hearing loss and pain so she inspected it and dug mug and gun powder from deep in his ear months after him returning. Fort Lewis Armed Forces Community Service, Fort Lewis Information and Referral Services, A 56-Year Promise Broken: War Widow Finds Stranger Buried in Her Cemetery Plot, Army Base Still Searching for Machine Gun That Went Missing Days Ago, Soldier Dead, 2 Injured in Joint Base Lewis-McChord Vehicle Incident, 10 Things Most Veterans Don't Know About VA Home Loans, 7 Things to Consider Before Moving into Military Housing, Commissary 101: How to Shop at the Commissary. Fort Lewis, named after Meriwether Lewis of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition, is one of the largest and most modern military reservations in the United States. Does anybody remember the DI's name? Vietnam Veterans Memorial I had occasion to rn into him at a conference in Southern Utah in the 90's. Wilber (Wilber's Willing Warriors). Most of us seemed older--20 or older. Jerry Rogers. I needed a copy of my DD-214 not long ago. We eat VC for breakfast painted on side of barracks. 1971 B-2-2. i was a cook there me and shelby davidson were friens he was a di, can you show the pictures of your platoon in b-5-1, Glenn Davis, were u ever married to one of the Schroeder girls' here in Nor-Cal If you were you were my brother in law old pal I was in the old Barracks from Feb 69' to June 69' for Basic and AIT, i was with B-4-2 nov 20 til feb 4 1967 to 1968, I remember Drill Sargent Tanksly April-May 1968. My unit was B Co 5th Bn 2nd Tng Bgde. Retirement and Weltschmerz. Boocoo Dinky Dow Dan, I started AIT when your VOLAR basic trainiing started. I was in Ft Lewis in 1971, can't remember the months I was there, have to look it up, I was in Company C-3-1 all Hawaii company. On 12 October 1999, General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff of the Army, announced I Corps would lead the acceleration of Army transformation, training and the initial creation of the first two Stryker Brigade Combat Teams at Fort Lewis. Doesn't surprise mewe were eating Beanie Wienies in C-rations we got in Nam that they quit making in 1949. Had a friend in E-1-1. Hope you are all well and healthy. I visited theLew 20 years later for fun and wow all the memories. Fort Lewis was originally established in 1917 with the passage of a Pierce County bond measure to purchase 70,000 acres (280km2) of land to donate to the federal government for permanent use as a military installation. People without a Washington State Enhanced Drivers License or ID must provide one of the following forms of ID to get a base pass: I was D-5-2 also Gary Ludwig June 1968-- grad. Teddy Fisher U.S. Government issued, authenticated Federal PIV credentials, I recently took a tour with my grandson. Right behind you. With the conclusion of the war, activities at Lewis ground to a standstill. I lost all my military records. I can scan and send a copy if someone doesn't have one. Thanks for sharing your story, Lon. Thoughts, comments? Graves and Forcade (or Kincade?) Rained all the way up and back as we drove thru the Olympic forest. He also had a cool toughed up mustang. We had guys come from basic at other posts to our AIT (B-2-3) company and because of Drill Sgt.
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