7th Battalion, 
15th Field Artillery 
Vietnam History

INDEX


INTRODUCTION
This page is intended to provide the reader with some insight into the official history of the 7/15th Field Artillery in Vietnam.

On a separate Articles webpage you will find some old news stories from the TYPHOON, ARTILLERY REVIEW and UPTIGHT magazines.

Help record our history!
Please contact the webmaster if you
 have old documents or photos


 

ORDERS SENDING THE 7/15 FA TO VIETNAM

George Rapport submitted this copy of orders sending the 7th Battalion/15th FA to Vietnam from Ft. Bragg in 1967

(Page 1 of 2)

FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY TO: FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

  
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS AND FORT BRAGG
Fort Bragg, North Carolina  28307
  

AJBAG-AS

28 March 1967

  
Letter Orders 711

  
SUBJECT:  MOVEMENT-PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION OF ORGANIZATION/UNIT

TO:     SEE DISTRIBUTION

  
TC 014.   Fol PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION dir.  WP TDN.
7/15 FA 8 In How Sp - (TOE 6-445E)
588 MI Det CI - (TOE 30-500D)

  
Rel fr:   Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Third United States Army
Asg to: USARPAC upon embarkation.
  

Rdy dates:
7/15 FA 8 In How Sp
588 MI Det CI
  

EQUIPMENT
15 May 67
12 May 67
  

PERSONNEL
4 Jun 67
30 May 67
  

Auth str:
7/15 FA 8 In How Sp
588 MI Det CI

AGGREGATE
571
24

  
Equip:

  
Unit will move with auth TOE equip IAW Cat A (AR 220-10) less cloth and equip req for cold weather ops as directed by DA msg 721221 DTG 241827Z Jun 65.   Units will move w/basic prescribed loads except Class III will include only a 15-day supply of packaged lubes and greases IAW DA 767526 DTG 212113Z May 1966 (NOTAL).   MEE and other equip and sup to accompany troops WB as directed by CGUSCONARC.   Unit WB prep to live in field using MEE.  Prot masks w/corrective lenses WB issued prior to departure to pers who require them.  Personal clothing WB as prescribed in AR 700-8400-1 (Enl Pers) and required pur items TA 50-901, Zone 1 (Off & WO), as amended by DA 729355 DTG 231004Z and DA 730203 DTG 272257Z Aug 65.  MDC: ZC.   Org cloth and equip is prescribed in para 21, AR 220-10 (POM), & para 28, AR 735-35, Zone 1, TA 50-901, as modified by DA 72993 DTG 271414Z Aug 65 and required purchase items TA 50-901, Zone 1 (Off & WO).
  

  
Pers:

  
Roster WB atch by unit w/adv party designated (if applicable) but will not depart home station until receipt of final DA movement directive.  Prov of AR 220-10 (POM), AR 612-35 (POR), AR 610-210, and TUSA Reg 55-2 apply.  Present deployment criteria is as specified in DA Cir 614-8, dtd 3 Nov 65 as modified by DA 753160 DTG 031722Z Mar 66 (NOTAL), DA 754430 DTG 111749Z Mar 66 (NOTAL), DA 763677 DTG 061534Z May 66 (NOTAL), and DA 769473 DTG 141612Z Jun 66 (NOTAL).  Organization/unit commander will cause a physical verification of all orders assigning filler personnnel to his command to insure strict compliance with the provisions of DA Cir 614-8, dtd 3 Nov 65, as amended.  
   

REMOVE PROTECTIVE MARKINGS 31 Aug 67
   

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
  

   
(Page 2 of 2)

AJBAG-AS, LO 711 HQ XVIII Abn Corps & Ft Bragg, Ft Bragg, NC, 28 Mar 67 Cont
SUBJECT:  MOVEMENT-PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION OF ORGANIZATION/UNIT
  

Commander(s) will (amend DASO's IAW para 38a(9), AR 310-10, as necessary) (issue orders) (request amendment from losing command) to include restrictive clause contained in para 7, DA Cir 614-8, if appropriate.  Provisions of TUSA Cir 612-1 (FOUD), dtd 18 May 66, apply.
  

Files/Rec:

   

Prov of para 20g and 49, AR 220-10; para 67e, AR 345-210; para 37, AR 345-215; and Reg 345-3, this hq, apply. 

  
MR: IAW para 110f, AR 335-60
  

Shpmt No:
7/15 FA 8 In How Sp
588 MI Det CI

Mov (Proj) Code
IPJ
INQ

UIC
WA1MAA
WGS9AA

  
Auth:  DA Msg 805672, DTG 152151Z Mar 67, from ODCSOPS OD TO.
  

Mov data: Pers and equip will move by surface or air, as directed by CINCSTRIKE.  Ea indiv tvl by air is auth 34 lbs excess baggage.  Equip shipped dir by sources of sup WB marked w/Proj Code and supplementary address code.  Tvl to tml WB coml, govt, and/or organic trans.
   
Fiscal data: 2172010 01-8911- 8912- 8913- 8914- 8915-8916- 8917- 8921- 8922- 8923- 8924- 8925- 8926- 8927- 8931- 8932- 8933- 8934- 8935- 8936- 8937- 8941- 8942- 8943- 8944- 8945- 8946- 8947- 8951- 8952- 8953- 8954- 8955- 8956- 8957- P1489 S99999
   
Sp Instr: Unit will coordinate with Post Trans for shipment of equip.  Adv and rear det auth as req.  Unit commanders will conduct OS orien as prescribed by para 14d, AR 360-81 and DA 734893 DTG 041355Z Oct 65.  Unit commanders are auth to grant POM leave.  Plague shots will be administered IAW AR 40-562.  Depn tvl and mov of HHG to OS sta is not auth.   Unit commanders will submit DD Form 1175 to FB Post Locator for ea indiv.  APO WB furnished at a later date by separate message from DA.  Dir comm between interested agencies auth w/info this hqs and Hqs, TUSA.  No passports or visas required.  Supply proj code will be used for supply requisitioning and ident of sup shipments.  Unit will app troop movement commander as directed in TUSA msg AJAGL-S-T 00977.

  
FOR THE COMMANDER:

   (signature)
RAYMOND H. SAPP
CPT, AGC
Asst AG
  

DISTRIBUTION:

14,375 -
700 -
5 -
2 -
5 -
1 -
5 -
9 -
5 -
5 -
1 -

7/15 FA Bn 8 In How Sp
588 MI Det CI
G3 Ops, XVIII Abn Corps
AG Records Management
PO, Ft Bragg, N.C.
Dir of Maint (TAERS)
Dir of Svcs
AG Orders
F&AO
SGS
G1

   
REMOVE PROTECTIVE MARKINGS
 31 Aug 67

   
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

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Overseas Movement letter 
   

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, 7TH BATTALION (8")(SP) 15TH ARTILLERY
Fort Bragg, North Carolina  28307
   

AJBCA-WA

24 May 1967

   
SUBJECT: Overseas Movement (U)

   

TO: Commanding Officer
        41st Artillery Group
        APO San Francisco  96238


   

1. (C) Reference your letter dated 16 May 1967, we are happy to know that we will be attached to the 41st Group.
   
2. (C) Our main body leaves Oakland 9 June, ETA Qui Nhon 1 July.
   
3. (U) We do not know when our Advanced Party will leave.  We will inform you as soon as we know. 
   
4. (U) Upon the advice of S4, 52d Group, we deleted tentage from the Advanced Party.  It is hoped that this will not prove embarrassing, since deployment plans have changed. 
   
5. (U) We are informed by the Transportation Officer that we can in no way control the destination of our Advanced Party aircraft.  This must be done from your end. 
   
6. (C) Where is Phu Cat? 

      
ROBERT B. HANKINS
LTC, Artillery
Commanding

   [back to index]


 

List of 7/15th Records at the
National Archives in Suitland, Maryland

Researched by: 15th webmaster

Students of history will be disappointed to find how incomplete the records are from the Vietnam War, at least as it relates to the 7/15th. Records are scattered around various archives, with two of the major ones being at the U.S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and the Washington National Records Center (WNRC) in Suitland, Maryland.


U.S. Army Military History Institute [website]
ATTN: Inquiries
22 Ashburn Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013-5008
Phone: 1-717-245-3225 or 1-717-245-3601
(They do not accept historical inquiries by phone)
FAX: 1-717-245-3711


Washington National Records Center [Suitland website]
4205 Suitland Road
Suitland, Maryland  20746-8001
Phone: 1-301-778-1600
FAX: 1-301-778-1521
Reference Requests Fax: 1-301-778-1501

Email: suitland.center@nara.gov

[NARA website]


Detailed list of the 7/15th records at Suitland, MD:

7/15th
   

RECORD GROUP 472
NND 873541

U.S. Army
Vietnam

Box 1

Organizational
 History

1917 - 1971

Box 2

Headquarters Daily
 Journal

19 Jun 67 -
 29 Feb 68

Box 3

Headquarters Daily
 Journal

1 Mar 68 -
 30 Sep 68

Box 4

Headquarters Daily
 Journal

1 Oct 68 -
 31 Dec 68

Box 5

Adjutant Command
 Reports

21 Feb 70 -
 3 Aug 71

Box 6

Adjutant
 Issuances

23 Sep 67 -
 5 Nov 71

Box 7

S-2 Intelligence
 Summaries

1 Nov 70 -
 5 Nov 71

Box 8

S-2 Intelligence
 Summaries

17 Jun 71 -
 6 Nov 71

Box 9

Counter-Intelligence
 Reports

16 Jan 69 -
 21 Feb 71

Box 10

S-3 Plans +
 Operations

1 Jan 70 -
 30 Jun 70

Box 11

S-3 Plans + Operations -
 Daily Journals

1 Jul 70 -
 31 Dec 70

Box 12

S-3 Plans + Operations -
 Daily Journals

1 Jan 71 -
 30 Jun 71

Box 13

S-3 Plans + Operations -
 Daily Journals

1 Jul 71 -
 2 Nov 71

Box 14

S-3 Lessons
 Learned

30 Dec 69 -
 5 May 71

Box 15

S-3 After Action
 Reports

28 Jan 70 -
 16 Mar 71

Box 16

S-3 Situation
 Reports

1 Jan 70 -
 31 Mar 71

Box 17

S-3 Situation
 Reports

1 Apr 71 -
 6 Nov 71

Box 18

S-3 Operations
 Planning File

2 Feb 70 -
 8 Jun 71

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S-3 Lessons  Learned
1 May 1971

Fire Support Base 6 (FSB 6)

Obtained by: 15th webmaster

Here we have a look at a page from "Lessons Learned" dated 1 May 1971 and formerly classified 'Confidential'.  These pages came from the National Archives (see Box 14 above) and they serve as a good example of just how detailed some of the information from the archives really is.  These reports were usually prepared by S3 (Intelligence) of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) 7/15th FA

1 May 1971
   
Activity remained stabilized throughout the area of operations with attacks by fire continuing in the Ben Het/Tan Canh area. The Pleiku area also became a prime target as Pleiku Air Base received an attack by fire in which 60mm mortar and B-40 fire was employed in conjunction with a sapper probe. Also, Camp Holloway received 5 x 122mm rocket rounds on 26 March which resulted in light damage to two aircraft. Elsewhere in the Pleiku area, enemy activity increased in the resettlement villages to the West of Pleiku. Plei Blang received a major assault on 21 March which resulted in 6 civilians and RF cadre killed while the enemy lost 16 personnel in the attack. Plei Yan received a ground assault by an estimated VC company which produced 3 friendly KIA. Two assaults by fire were directed at the RF groups in the area as the enemy attempted to disrupt the GVN resettlement program. 

The highpoint of the reporting period came at 0600 hours, 31 March at FSB 6. The enemy launched his assault with a coordinated program of B-40, recoiless rifle, and mortar fire from an estimated battalion sized force. As the ground attack intensified, the enemy engaged the friendly positions with grenades made from "Coke" cans which used powder fuzes. The high volume of grenades directed against friendly positions drove the defenders back and the enemy soon occupied the perimeter bunkers on the Northeast portion of the compound from which the enemy directed B-40, grenades, and flame throwers at the ARVN forces. It was suspected that the enemy was employing B-47 rockets in that air bursts were observed. Despite artillery and air support which was called In directly upon the postion by the US Integrated Observation System team leader, the enemy continued the assault throughout the day and at 1720 the fire base was evacuated.

The escape and evasion effort met scattered resistance from the time of its departure as snipers took their toll and a pursuit element constantly harassed the rear of the retreating forces. Air support by Cobra gunships finally succeeded in halting the pursuit, thus permitting the extraction and rescue of friendly elements. Despite heavy casualties from air and artillery strikes delivered against the base the enemy tenaciously held his ground throughout 1 and 2 April 1971. At one point during the attack the abandoned howitzers were turned and fired against friendly positions in Ben Het, Dak To II, Tan Canh, and other friendly positions along Highway 512. Battery A, 7/15 FA fired 38 x 8", and 25 x l75G High Explosive, fuze VT, rounds onto FSB 6 in counter battery fires. ARVN assault elements regained the firebase the following day after heavy air and artillery fire support was directed on the enemy held positions. The enemy managed another probing assault against the position, but this assault failed. Enemy artillery remained active throughout the period with rockets and mortars directed against friendly installations at FSB 5, Tan Canh, Ben Het, and Dak To II. Casualty figures are recorded as being US -3 KIA, 4 WIA and 2 MIA; ARVN -7 KIA, 54 WIA and 1 MIA. Equipment losses included four 105mm Howitzers destroyed and one IOS destroyed. Enemy losses were heavy. Over 500 KIA were recorded along with several prisoners and large amounts of munitions. Enemy elements participating in the assault on FSB 6 were the 66th NVA Regiment and the 40th NVA Artillery Battalion. The sharp upswing of enemy activity indicated that the spring offensive had begun and demonstrated the enemy's ability to attack any installation, sustain heavy losses and continue to be effective.

After the ARVN forces regained FSB 6 they began operations to push the enemy from the area. Most of the engagements during the early part of operation were with relatively small units, but these small groups proved to be determined and well trained fighters. Sweep operations continued to uncover hundreds of enemy bodies from ground, artillery, and air strikes. On 3 April 1971 Hoi Chanhs attempted to gain sanctuary with ARVN forces and were fired upon by the NVA as they made their escape, critically injuring all three. These individuals indicated that they were from the K7 and K9 battalions of the 66th NVA Regiment. They further reported that the K7 battalion had been completely destroyed and that the K9 battalion had been 75 percent destroyed. All three men died from the wounds they received In their escape from their NVA units. In spite of the heavy losses, the enemy continued offensive action as they launched 13 assaults by fire against the allied positions in Tan Canh, Dak To II, and Ben Het.

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logosign.gif (27776 bytes)

TACTICAL  DISPLACEMENTS
     1 Nov 70 - 30 Apr 71

BATTERY

DISPLACEMENTS

MISSION

INCLUSIVE DATES

B/7/15 FA LZ TWO BITS
TO LZ OASIS
GSR 1/92 FA 13 NOV 70
A/7/15 FA (-) LZ BLACKHAWK TO LZ PIERCE GSR 1/92 FA 15 NOV 70
HHB/SVC/
7/15 FA
CAMP FIDEL
TO ARTY HILL
GSR 52D GP 8-10 NOV 70
A/7/15 FA (-) LZ PIERCE TO
LZ BLACKHAWK
GSR 52D GP 21 NOV 70
C/7/15 FA FSB PENN TO FSB LOGAN GSR 5/16 FA 28 DEC 70
C/7/15 FA (-) FSB LOGAN TO FSB PENN GSR 5/16 FA 28 DEC 70
A/7/15 LZ BLACKHAWK TO FSB 9 GSR 1/92 FA 20 JAN 71
A/7/15 FA (-) FSB 9 TO LZ BLACKHAWK GSR 1/92 FA 20 JAN 71
B/7/15 LZ OASIS TO DUC CO GSR 1/92 FA 25 JAN 71
B/7/15 FA (-) DUC CO TO
LZ OASIS
GSR 1/92 FA 25 JAN 71
A/7/15 FA LZ BLACKHAWK TO LETRUNG GSR 1/92 FA 25 JAN 71
A/7/15 FA LETRUNG TO
LZ BLACKHAWK
GSR 1/92 FA 25 JAN 71
C/7/15 FA FSB PENN TO
LZ SCHUELLER
GSR 5/16 FA 3-4 FEB 71
A/7/15 FA LZ BLACKHAWK TO LZ OASIS GSR 1/92 FA 9 FEB 71
B/7/15 FA LZ OASIS TO
DUC CO
GSR 1/92 FA 10 FEB 71
B/7/15 FA DUC CO TO
LZ OASIS
GSR 1/92 FA 10 FEB 71
B/7/15 FA DUC CO TO
LZ OASIS
GSR 1/92 FA 10 FEB 71
A/7/15 FA FWD LZ BLACKHAWK
TO KONTUM
GSR 1/92 FA 11 FEB 71
A/7/15 FA (-) LZ OASIS TO
LZ BLACKHAWK
GSR 1/92 FA 11 FEB 71
A/7/15 FA FWD KONTUM TO
POLEI KLENG
GSR 22D ARVN ARTY 13 FEB 71
A/7/15 FA FWD POLEI KLENG TO BEN HET GSR 22D ARVN ARTY 26 FEB 71
A/7/15 FA FWD BEN HET TO
TAN CANH
GSR 22D ARVN ARTY 6 MAR 71
A/7/15 FA (-) LZ BLACKHAWK TO WEIGT DAVIS GSR 1/92 FA 18 MAR 71
A/7/15 FA (-) WEIGT DAVIS TO ATHENA GSR 22D ARVN ARTY 31 MAR 71

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175mm guns on lowboys

Summer 1971
"Have guns will travel"

Photo: 15th webmaster


Major items turned in during the period
      1 Nov 70 - 30 Apr 71

NOMENCLATURE

NUMBER

COST
Aiming Circle, M2 1 $583.00
Bayonet, M7 64 $347.52
Binocular, 7X50 1 $175.00
Carrier, cargo M548 1 $32,022.00
Control, Radio Sct, AN/GRA-7 2 $2,049.00
Gen Set, 10 KW, PU-619/U 1 $6,613.00
Howitzer, 8" M110 1 $128,072.00
Pistol, Cal. 45 1 $57.00
Recovery Vehicle, M578 1 $90,328.00
Rifle, 5.56mm M16 28 $3,388.00
Trailer, Cargo 1-1/2 T M105A2 3 $2,484.00
Trailer, Tank Water 1-1/2T M149 1 $2,019.00
Truck, Cargo 3/4T M37B1 2 $8,472.00
Truck, Cargo 2-1/2T M35A2 3 $25,536.00
Truck, Cargo 5T M54A2 5 $72,900.00
Truck, Utility M15A1 1 $3,196.00

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Operational Report-Lessons Learned,
Headquarters, 7th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery
for Period Ending 30 April 1971
RCS:CSFOR-GS(R-3).

ROUNDS FIRED BY THE 7/15TH ARTILLERY

MONTH

BTRY A

BTRY B

BTRY C

BN TOTAL

Nov 70

419/151/0

235/229/0

379/374/0

1033/754/0/130/126

Dec 70

201/171/6

162/126/0

138/216/0

501/513/6/93/64

Jan 71

288/209/2

481/244/0

252/284/0

1021/737/2/238/116

Feb 71

960/125/0

251/149/0

243/489/0

1454/763/0/337/99

Mar 71

4055/271/0

589/184/0

217/272/0

4861/727/0/805/88

Apr 71

2719/2148/22

1352/419/0

2120/1834/7

6191/4400/29/724/461

LEGEND:  175mm RDS / 8" RDS / FC / 175mm MSNS / 8" MSNS

    

   
From a 10 October 1971 Situation Report (SITREP)

   
"The battalion will fire its 350,000
round in RVN tomorrow"
   

   

C Battery, 7th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery
Gun #1 - 1971
(these projos weighed over 200 lbs each)
humpJoes.jpg (29371 bytes)

 November 1970 thru April 1971 
The 7/15th fired 7,894 of these 8"
projos in this 6-month period,
and 15,061 175mm projos.

Total rounds fired by the three
firing batteries of the 7/15th
in this 6-month period:

 22,955 

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Medical cases treated for this period
(1 Nov 70 - 30 Apr 71) were as follows:

Malaria: 10 Injuries (IRHA): 10
Minor injuries: 511 Misc. Illnesses: 593
Hospitalized injuries: 13 FUO: 5
Neuropsychiatric Cases: 6 Infectious Hepatitis: 2
Veneral Disease: 119 Immunizations: 735
Dermatological Disorders: 215 Man Days Lost on Quarters: 28
Diarrheas: 228 Man Days Lost in Hospital: 348
URI: 242 Total cases treated: 2341

   
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ORDERS RETURNING THE 7/15th COLORS FROM VIETNAM FOR INACTIVATION CEREMONY

James Moore, Jr. submitted the following set of orders from 17 November 1971 when the 7/15th deactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington

AVGG-FAD-CO Transfer of Property
PBO
7/15th FA
APO SF 96318
Commanding Officer
7th Bn 15th FA
APO SF 96318
17 November 1971
1. In accordance with USARMYF MR2 Msg 160920Z Sep 71 following items are being returned to Fort Lewis, Washington for the inactivation ceremony.
8345-656-1444, Flag, National US, Rayon w/fringe  1ea.
8345-245-3651, Flag, Organizational fixed type Rayon  1 ea.
8345-234-8744, Guidon, Blank Rayon Wool Bunt  2 ea.
8345-250-0919, Sling Flagstaff, Web Textile, OD Army shade #7  2 ea.
2. The following persons are escorting the colors to Ft. Lewis:
1LT Lawrence P. Grersa (SS#'s omitted)
1LT James M. Moore
SSG Candido Colon
SSG Bobby Squires
Sgt Charles B. Goodman
SP4 Harry Cole
SP4 Francis H. Fewel
   
FOR THE COMMANDER:
JAMES M. MOORE JR.
1LT, FA
Adjutant
  

   
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7/15th VIETNAM HISTORY

Arty Stories

Awards

Campaigns

History

Scroll of Honor

Nam Stories

Time Line

News Stories

USNS Walker

Photos

cannon_div_rt_clr.gif (6204 bytes)