Southern Cross information
for 196 BDE 23 INF
4/31 INF 23 INF
3/82 ART 23 INF

For date 700619


196 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
4/31 INF 23 INF was a US Army unit
3/82 ART 23 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, LZ SIBERIA
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Siberia; home of Charlie Battery, 3rd Bn, 82nd Arty" Story by 1LT Steven Gailer Photos by SP4 A.C. Barnett DIV ARTY IO. LZ SIBERIA - On a hilltop overlooking the Song Tran River, this Division firebase is aptly named. LZ Siberia is the home of Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Artillery. It may not have comforts like hot and cold running water, television or swimming pools; but the cannoneers make the most of what they have and call Siberia home. The artillerymen must rely on helicopters to bring them everything they need from mail to projectiles for their howitzers. An aviator bringing in supplies can always be sure that a group of smiling faces will greet his chopper, all more than willing to lend a helping hand to unload whatever treasures might be aboard. The mission of Charlie Battery is to provide direct support for the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade. With muscles straining and cold sweat rolling down their backs, the artillerymen pump out the rounds twenty-four hours a day. These seemingly tireless young cannoneers have made their battery one of the most active direct support units in Vietnam. The enemy is not happy that artillery is perched atop this hill. On several occasions, they have launched concerted attacks against the outpost. Charlie Battery cannoneers have proven equal to all challenges. Manning well fortified bunker positions along with the infantrymen, firing self-illumination, and lowering their howitzer tubes for direct fire, the artillerymen have developed defenses that assure than many of the enemy will never go on another attack. For the men stationed on LZ Siberia, a year is a very full 365 days. When the tour finally ends, they can look back and know that the discomforts they have endured have caused immeasurable damage to the enemy in what he likes to refer as "his territory". Photo Captions: 1) 'Old Glory' waves defiance from the hilltop (Note: "C Btry 3rd Bn 82nd Arty - LZ Siberia" text and crest adorns a sign in front of command bunker. 2) Much needed supplies are delivered by Chinooks (Note: Boxcar of the 178th ASHC slings a load of artillery rounds in) 3) FADAC puts them where they count. (Note: shirtless soldier operates the FADAC) 4) Constant vigil is maintained by artillerymen (Note: Soldier in steel helmet and O.D. t-shirt stands guard in a bunker made from culvert sections. He has an M-60 machinegun at the ready, an M-16, plenty of flares and grenades.) 5) Artillerymen put another in Charlie's hip pocket. (Note: Shirtless soldiers wearing Steel helmets are manning a 105mm howitzer. 6) Cannoneers readying another round for Charlie. (Note: 105mm howitzer ejects brass as soldier is starting to insert the next round).

The source for this information was 7006_322_scr supplied by Les Hines 12/17/2000


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Last updated 12/24/2000

Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023