Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 9 INF DIV
3/34 ARTY 9 INF

For date 680821


9 INF DIV was a US Army unit
3/34 ARTY 9 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Dinh Tuong Province, IV Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Dong Tam
Description: 21Aug68 - Artillery Platforms Fly to War DONG TAM (Special) - Innovation is the rule rather than the exception in Mekong Delta warfare and the 9th Inf. Div.'s 3d Bn., 34th Arty, is proving this with use of portable artillery platforms. Made of a special aluminum alloy to reduce weight, the 12-foot square platforms are lifted by helicopter for placement as makeshift fire bases in shallow water or mud. Each has adjustable legs. The 105mm guns of A Btry. soon follow, providing on-the-spot fire support of Mobile Riverine Force operations. The 3d/34th also uses artillery barges which follow the MRF on most waterways during river mobile operations. Maj. Nick Badovinac, Div. Arty operations officer, of Pueblo, Colo., said the only problem is minor oscillation while transporting the platforms. "They actually try to fly themselves while going through the air." he said. Capt. James W. Dodd, of Bethlehem, Pa, 3d/34th commander, said his unit had done an outstanding job working with the platforms. "They are using them for the first time and you would think they had been doing it for months," Dodd said. "Combined with the barges, we probably have the greatest mobility and versatility in Vietnam. Photo Caption - A Chinook helicopter hovers over a Mekong Delta area to be used by the 9th Inf. Div. artillerymen. Slung beneath the helicopter is a platform used as a mobile fire base. Photo Caption - Below, gunners of A Btry., 3rd Bn., 34th Arty., fire their gun from the base.
Comments: MAJ Badovinac, Nick; DIV ARTY OPNS OFF; ; CPT Dodd, James W.; 3/34th Arty; ;

The source for this information was 6808PSS.AVN supplied by Les Hines


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023