Photography by James Salzano. It featured a reduced recoil, allowing an infantryman to more readily keep it on line with the target when firing multiple shots, and offered a simple range adjustment. *The U.S. Army recently expanded upon its Infantry Training in 2019 to introduce more combative courses, lifesaver courses, day and night land navigation, and different weapons qualifications. Clip 8m 41s. Since the shower and clothing issue often took place in the dead of winter and outdoors, it was an invigorating experience, but a not very frequent one. During some periods of intense combat more than a month could go by without clean clothes or a shower. The first six or seven months I walked point for our platoon and led many ambushes and green eye patrols. They didnt know it, but they were about 60 miles from the Rhine River, which lay to the North, and less than one hundred miles east of Stuttgart, Germany. II They saw burned-out tanks and other vehicles, bombed-out villages and towns, civilian refugees with all of their remaining belonging in carts or on their backs. A radio operator carried the normal load for a rifleman, as well as a radio which weighed nearly forty pounds. RIght there and the NVA we were usually up against knew this. The American army traveled to Europe by ship, and by a wide variety of ships including troop transports designed and built for the purpose, Liberty ships, converted freighters, and the great ocean liners of the Allies. He was killed in an ambush along with three others. Had multiple Ks and Ws. Bloody May 1968 Mini TET. a RTO got killed, it happened within 5 seconds but not that always ALL RTOs got killed. Marching through rain and mud, or in snow, soaked the feet, making them susceptible to blisters and trench foot. Vehicles of the US First Infantry division stalled on a Belgian road in late 1944. In a strange country scared shitless .I was a minesweeper.My first time out on a mission they put me on the drag line fifty yards from the road which was route 1, Then all hell broke lose Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer! This meant that rations in the field were often frozen, as was the water in the canteens carried by the men, adding another eight pounds to their load, but entirely useless. Where do we find this stuff? He encountered the open fields and farmlands of France, the dense woods of the Ardennes, the mountainous terrain in Italy, Les Voges, and Alsace, in all weather conditions. His entrenching tool could be used as a pick and a spade, but the often frozen ground encountered in late 1944 resisted his efforts stubbornly. I was shot down on my very first mission in July 1968. There is no guarantee that recruits going through 11X Infantry Enlistment Option will become MOS 11B. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War. The rifle companies of the 276th Infantry Division arrived in the French town of Brumath on the day after Christmas, 1944. Love this analysis. There is a demand to know how to operate in an NBC contaminated area as well as construct field expedient firing aids. You seen the enemy you shots him and vice versa. Whenever and wherever possible, infantrymen in France traded with the civilians for food such as eggs and vegetables. When Apache Snow began, I was an RTO, after Airborne, and before the CA on Dong Ap Bia, I became the AG for Roeski. Related Article Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) (1C2X1): Career Details. American troops disembarked in ports in England and Scotland, Iceland, and North Africa, and as the war went on, directly on the continent in Marseille and Toulon in the Mediterranean, and Cherbourg and other Channel ports. The infantry rotated troops to and out of the front, either as it receded while the Germans withdrew to new defensive positions or as replacement troops took over, giving the squads an opportunity to rest, shower, obtain fresh clothing and recover from combat. They were great patriots fighting for their families and their homeland. 1st Cav, 101st, etc. So I guess I defied the odds. Sleep was not a luxury but a necessity. I assisted Vessey and Capt Cartwright by helping prepare the Bee Hive Rounds (first time they were ever used), firing 4 rounds at proximity 0 range into a human wave attack on or weak side after 5 hours of relentless attacks on the opposite side of the perimeter Those 4 rounds killed @ 400 enemy soldiers, of the 881 total enemy losss John Vessey later became a 4 Star general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs appointed by Reagan 1983, and at retirement became Chair of the POW MIA Commission for 14 years, Passing away in August 2016 just 6 months before our 50th Reunion. Here are ten examples of what life was like for the combat infantryman of the Second World War. I was an O5C-20 in Vietnam. Also, it would mean the killed RTOs died within seconds of the fight (it doesnt distinguish between ambush or regular fight, eg. The M1 was a semi-automatic rifle, allowing its operator to fire an entire eight-round clip simply by squeezing the trigger for each shot, without having to operate the bolt manually to chamber the next round. The infantryman ate, slept, marched, fought, and died with his squad. Very Good , I was a radio operator up in I corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the walking . rice farmer who was still working with is ox like nothing ever This Battle changed his life and his future, had it not been for his actions, every man on this FSB Gold would have died. Over 600 Navy FMF Hospital Corpsmen were killed in Vietnam. Treatment of wounds using sulfa drugs and powder and the growing use of penicillin to prevent and treat infections were on his side. The job training for 11B requires 14 weeks of One Station Unit Training (OSUT) which is a combination of time spent in the classroom and in the field. I kept the radio because I understood the power of having the first communication with the support mechanisms of the military. My 31-months in-country was in three Direct Support US Army aviation units, 15TC BN, First Cav, 335TH, Americal and 17TH Cav 101ST ABD65-71In the last battle I was directly involved, LAM SON 719, into Laos, cost army aviation units over 600-helicopters shot down or battle damagedthe NVA were waiting for our SECRET mission in early 71I was glad to go home at battles end, in March 71 , almost unscathed, I was TDY for my absurd third tourTo the point, many ARVN Rangers, airborne and their other best died in Lam Son 719US Army Infantry were forbidden entry to Laos in 71.. the ARVN were massacredand many US Army pilots and crew mambers were KIA & WIAeven MIA. Back in 1965, I was a door gunner on Medevac recovery operations. Soldier,this is a wardont forget that, and anytime we are in a fight we will be toughest SOBs in the fight!! I always felt that Infantry units were in more danger because of ambush issues and no permanent defensive structures. Both my tours were in the Delta (IV Corps) where the only ground troops were regular ARVNs and RUFF/PUFFS. American infantry from the 28th Infantry division march on the Champs Elysees in Paris. The infantrymen of World War 2 slogged across Europe from the spring of 1944 through the early spring of 1945. The US Army Combat Lifesaver Course is an official medical training course conducted by the US Army. However, it was the discretion of the individual crewmen if they wanted to carry personal weapons or not. Many of the skills you learn while in the U.S. Army are universal to just about every type of job. In the case of a night attack, the men could not exit the bags quickly, and most infantrymen quit sleeping in them, preferring to stay on top of the bag and cover themselves with their overcoat or blanket. 9 (September 1944) The American Soldier (1949), vol. Two points: 1) at least in Army units, Medevacs (dust offs) flew unarmed aircraft. Certainly got my attention. The rifle automatically ejected an exhausted clip, emitting an audible and distinctive ping. Related Article: Marine Machine Gunner (MOS 0331): Job Description And Summary. Very interesting I carried theM 60 for 5 months that gun would cut down anything. Welcome Home Brothers ! The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter. BS but ia a way you are correct. Some unfortunately also came home with physical scars. All of the next day, we could see SMOKE from the fire caused by the explosions of the AMMO at, the AMMO DUMP. Soldiers must meet a very heavy strength requirement and physical profile requirement of 111221. We observed the rules of the Geneva Convention while the bad guys had no interest in doing so. ARMY COMBAT ENGINEERS | What Life in the Army is really like. His clothing alone weighed more than twenty pounds. I sure feel for all you guys that went outside the wire. Bathing and shaving were unheard of luxuries at the front, and when units did receive an opportunity to shower it was often through the use of a lister bag shower. US Army. In France, the bars were as hard as the frozen soil. As a Huey door gunner, when we left the ground on a mission, I always thought that this mission would be my last! Ambulances are not supposed to be armed (either) though in training, medics are told they and their vehicles will be a prime target. See my calculation below in the comments bogus indeed. Before you get started, it is important to determine right off the bat if you want to become a U.S. Army Infantryman 11B or Indirect Fire Infantryman 11C. Prayers for all. Color Vision discrimination for MOS 11B is red/green. All the comments and replies are of absolute truth, I was only 18 when I got to Nam ,Im a country boy from NC so here I am 10 Answers Out of thousands of men that invaded that town in southern Afghanistan, we have lost 19. National Archives. I was a grunt with c co. 4/31 196th it inf bade. Soldiers that are assigned to Bradley or Stryker units also must learn how to drive and perform maintenance on their assigned vehicles. means: 1 gets killed the 1st second, another one after 9 seconds avg. US Army. I applaud the courage and difficult and all so dangerous job of Roger Herforth when he served as an RTO for the Hawk Recon Platoon of the 101st airborne division in Vietnam.. The loading and unloading of supplies at the front was performed by infantry units, as was the moving it forward to the men engaged at the front lines. I never saw any correlation as to what MOS a soldier was and their survival rate. That was the reason for two dog tags. Belton Cooper, a soldier who supported an armored unit, recalled that the high number of tanker casualties forced the Army to hastily retrain infantry replacements as tankers. The PaYS program is a recruitment option that guarantees a job interview with military-friendly employers following retirement. This is excellent! I carried the proc 26 radio after I was asked by my field 1st ( E 7 ) if I would for my platoon . We were very, lucky. With these loads, they trudged through mud or snow during the winter of 1944-45, the coldest and snowiest in Europe in over fifty years. The lowest rated category on Indeed for Army Infantryman is work-life balance which makes sense as having a family while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is far from easy. Foxholes were dug by individuals, with each man responsible for his own hole, or in the case of weapons teams, dug together for joint occupancy. I loved it. Infantrymen are renowned for being great at handling high-stress situations and are often natural-born leaders. As of July 2019, the Army had 19,820 11B Infantryman on active duty. Loaded 0%. During mobilization in the military, it is not uncommon to have skills associated with landmine warfare, anti-armor techniques, urban terrain, squad tactical training, as well as the operation of M203 grenade launchers. We killed a lot of the enemy but we took few serious casualties. we were getting it with machine gun and mortars. The incredibly important role in the U.S. Army is responsible for defending the country through real-life combat. Aboard ship, the troops, most of whom had never been on a ship before, endured crowded conditions, jammed mess halls with waiting lines of up to an hour, seasickness, and boredom. They served in squads, led by a junior officer and experienced sergeants, slogged through and slept in mud and snow, maintaining contact with the enemy, taking and holding ground. Me, a vehicle mechanic with Btry E, 41st Arty Quads 1970. Regardless, several civilian jobs are comparable such as: Soldiers should consider enrolling in the Army PaYS program following retirement. Their experience as front-line combat infantry was invaluable in training new recruits in what they could expect when it became their turn at the front. See you in the next life!!!!! All infantrymen were issued gas masks, but by the time they reached the front-most had discarded them as being unnecessary since there had been no indication that the Germans were planning on using poisonous gas, as they had in the First World War. Interesting reading. The infantrymans first encounter with the French or Italians usually took place near these camps. located on the South End of, the Post. Love you Wortman!!!! Found NVA bunker complex. Related Article Army Combat Engineer (MOS 12B): Career Details. Great reading. Ernest, Im glad that your first tour with the VN airborne was rewarding. It was an honor indeed to serve with some of the finest soldiers I have ever met. Welcome home brothers and sisters. In combat they treated the wounded in the field, wearing helmets which were clearly marked with a Red Cross. I was with HHC and 1st Platoon C Company in 70-71. We flew north, then made a stop, in Cam Rahn Bay. Transportation was provided, and troops were not allowed to wear unit insignia outside the camp, nor discuss their unit or the camp with civilians. Great information. A typical Patrol Boat River (PBR) was about 31 feet long and had twin 50s forward an M 60 midships and a 50 aft. We were like sitting Ducks. Les Scates U.S. Army (Ret.) Assigned to HHC 1/77 Armor, 1st, BDE 5th Inf. RIP KOOKIE forever young, Thank god you are still alive, I am age 77. In some instances, American troops received a type of chocolate which had been made for use in the tropical climate of the South Pacific, and which due to a typical Army error in administration ended up in Europe. I was an RTO for 9-1/2 months for Hawk Recon 2/327 101AB from dec, 1969 to sept 70. I for one commend you for your courage and thank you for your service to your country. I agree with all of the comments, however I would add Tunnel Rats to the group I was one and saw many of my friends die in those tunnels I was very fortunate or very lucky and was never a lead but was at the tail end. There are a few other skills that are not mandatory yet go a long way in proving what makes an excellent U.S. Army Infantryman 11B: Related Article Marine Corps Tow Gunner (MOS 0352): Career Details. I was also told that the Radio did put a target on my back. Your email address will not be published. After heavy fighting across France and the Low Countries, it was believed by the Allied High Command that the Germans lacked the ability or the will to launch an assault in the Ardennes, and the troops were there to rest through Christmas. As I made it back to the road I remember seeing the US Army. It was more or less next man up . I always was told that the life expectancy of a LT was 14 seconds in INITIAL combat versus 9 seconds for an RTO. They were also in a circular formation. Its just (bad) luck, fate, randomness theres no right or wrong, no justice or fairness, no reasoning. OSUT training takes place at Fort Benning in Georgia. happened. Infantry OSUT is 22 weeks. Commanders like him were few and far between many were afraid of their own shadow and were only there to get their ticket punched. Dap, Hope this helps. Basic training and advanced job training are combined into a single course. Theres 58,276. I was told my life expectancy was about 45 secs during a fire fight because of the weapons and demo I carried. Related Article 5 Best Combat Jobs In The US Navy. EIB - A day in the life of an infantryman - United States Army Thanks for posting! I know this is a standard cliche, but it is so true, All gave some. He also carried a weapon. What was the average life expectancy for soldiers during World War 2? The Bronze Star was awarded to ALL that were awarded the CIB in WWII because the Infantry accounted for over 70% of the casualties in WWLL BUT NOT 70% )F ALL THE INFANTRY !!! Mail though censored was read and written. An interesting essay, even more interesting are the comments. The trailer for Fury claims that the average life expectancy of an If a battle ensued, a triumphant army would lose 5% of its men but a defeated army would usually lose around 15% of its force. I also was 2/327 B company. All Rights Reserved. You were a Great RTO. The article was interesting. 2: role (MOS?). three, he believes he is doing what his country wants him to dojust like you So you better damn well treat him with the compassion you want for you!! 1: physical position (in the field / column) Quickly learned to control rate of fire. Additionally, you will learn to handle a large volume of weapons, military vehicles, as well as Prisoners of War (POWs). The rule of thumb was , any new guys would get the radio and keep it until another new guy came in. According to General George S. Patton, the M1 was, the greatest battle implement ever devised. The .30 caliber M1 was designed to be easily disassembled for cleaning in the field. National Archives. NFS. AnswerIt depended on the position they had. Five RTOs. Helicopters, F4 fighters. I will always think/say, we had absolutely no reason for being in that place. Michael Doolittle..I was with 1/8 inf, 1st Brigade, and that day, March 22nd was also our darkest day. How Awful Life Was For A Napoleonic Soldier. Of the American combat troops which served on the continent of Europe during the Second World War about 15% were frontline infantry. year old Marine thinking this is my last day on earth. Since U.S. Army Infantrymen are the primary land defense for the branch of the military they regularly participate in shooting drills. As mentioned, who kept track of that in the first place? There must have been a real mathematician to come up with those calculations. The young Americans soon learned the essential words in French to address their immediate concerns, such as mademoiselle, vin, biere, and other useful phrases and terms. Anyway I was wondering about the RTOs in a grunt platoon, was that their MOS or were they 11B that carried a PRC ? Infantrymen frequently found that their unit was transferred to the command of another division, a means of reinforcing units which had been engaged with the Germans and weakened as a result, or which needed additional men for a counteroffensive. Some very close calls but I am alive at age 74. Even when out of combat their comforts were few. What was the average life expectancy for soldiers during - Answers The BAR man carried a weapon which weighed over 20 pounds loaded, and he carried another 20 pounds in ammunition. For example, infantry units directed to disrupt German lines in Les Vosges in January 1945 had no idea they were preventing the reinforcement of troops involved in the Battle of the Bulge. Very memorable comments. For example, life expectancy of male and female Veterans with household incomes less than $20,000, at age 25, are estimated to be 3.9 and 2.2 less life-years than those of $50,000+ income, respectively. then youd carry an extra 200 rounds of M60 ammo for the machine gunner , plus drag grenades , one smoke grenade plus etc. When you assist in reconnaissance operations you can expect to employ, fire, and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, locate and neutralize mines, operate, mount/dismount, zero, and engage targets using night vision sight. A regiment contained an artillery company, an anti-tank company, and three battalions of infantry. To an, open area. of what was usually 5 or 6 going in and many times the leads would find traps, punji pits or the VC waiting. I met a Marine a few years ago who was stationed North of Da Nang. We walked the mountains and rice patties all thru Tu Thien Province. my left and saw this rice paddie farmer and his ox and I was trying to motion him to get down he just looks at me and starts Pararescue U.S. Air Force pararescuemen and a simulated 'survivor' watch as an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter comes in for a landing. US Army. Out of the 3,000,000 men and women in our armed forces and reserves, we have lost 4,500 in this 9 year war. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, Marine Machine Gunner (MOS 0331): Job Description And Summary, strength requirement and physical profile, Correctable vision must be 20/20 in one eye, Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) (1C2X1): Career Details, Marine Corps Infantry Assault (MOS 0351): Career Details, Army Combat Engineer (MOS 12B): Career Details, Marine Corps Tow Gunner (MOS 0352): Career Details, Marine Corps Scout Sniper (MOS 0317): Career Details, https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/combat/infantryman-11b.html, https://www.indeed.com/cmp/U.S.-Army/reviews?fjobtitle=Infantryman, Gas Turbine Systems Technician (GSM and GSE): Career Details, Good Conduct Medal & Ribbon Explained For All 5 Branches, Sea Service Ribbon: All 5 Military Branches Explained, Overseas Service Ribbon Explained For All 6 Military Branches. Our 5th night there, the AMMO area started burning / blowing up. BUT WE MUST ALSO BE COGNIZANT OF OUR REQUIREMENT TO BE COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS. Because the BAR had such a high rate of fire both the BAR man and another member of the squad carried extra ammunition for the weapon. Access to the field kitchens provided the men not engaged in combat with hot meals, though complaining about the food in all situations was a time-honored tradition, as in all armies. A system for the treatment and evacuation of wounded was developed in the Mediterranean theater before the Americans landed in France, and by the end of 1944, it worked smoothly and efficiently, applying the knowledge gained by experience.
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