Army Reporter information
for 355 HHC
1/92 ARTY
For date 680203
355 HHC was a US Army unit
1/92 ARTY was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Kontum Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "With I Field Force Vietnam Airlift Gives Arty More Punch" dated 3 Feb 1968.
Among the hardships created by mud, the lot of the artilleryman is far worse than the cavalry or infantryman's. Heavy and bulky in size, the big guns of the artillery battery once only slowed down the columns of men and material. During the monsoon rains which perennially saturate the Central Highlands of Vietnam, mud changes roads into viscous waterways. A 4000-yard displacement of a battery can take up to 16 hours with trucks and howitzers oozing their way through the mud. For the officers and men of the 1/92d Arty however, moving over muddy terrain has become almost second nature. During last year's monsoon season, the battalion's three firing batteries moved over 40 times throughout the Pleiku-Kontum Provinces area of the Highlands. One of the few towed 155mm howitzer battalions in Vietnam, the 1/92d Arty, is capable of setting up a fire base in jungles inaccessible to the heavier self propelled guns. Each firing battery can be airlifted by the gigantic Skycrane helicopter (most likely the 355th HHC) bring the war into the enemy's own territory. Since its arrival from FT Bragg, NC, the battalion has been supporting units of the 4th Inf Div, the 173rd Abn Bde, the 1st Cav Div, the 5th SF Grp, and the ARVN. Due to the diversified locations of their fire bases, the firing batteries operate on an individual basis, monitored by a tactical operations center.
Photo Caption - SETTING FUSES - Private First Class Edward Carrature sets the fuses on 155mm projectiles before a fire mission.
Photo Caption - AIRLIFT - A giant Skycrane airlifts a 155mm howitzer to a new position. Airmobility is a key asset in this ever changing war of position and quick deployment.
Photo Caption - SILHOUETTED GUNNER - Blocking the sunlight, a gunner of a 155mm howitzer checks the traverse of the tube with the gun's pentaprism.
Photo Caption - HILLTOP SITE - Airlifted onto a jungle hilltop, a 155mm howitzer blasts away at the enemy.
The source for this information was 6802AR.AVN supplied by Les Hines
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
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Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023