Proudly Serving in the Artillery – Larry L. | The Vietnam War

It was early September, 1968 and I just packed my car with my belongings. I was going to leave the next day to begin my second year of grad school at Seton Hall University. My mom said, “Go out and get the mail. Your Dad will be home shortly.” When I opened the mailbox, there was a thick letter for me from the Selective Service. I didn’t have to open it as I knew what it was. It was my draft notice. I was to report for induction into the U.S. Army.

Thus began the experience that would change my life forever. I was not opposed to the was nor was I overly in favor of it, but felt a real sense of duty to serve my country. My Dad asked me, “So what are you going to do – buck it?” I said, “No, I’m going to be the best.” And so it began at Fort Jackson, SC. There were a number of college graduates in my basic training company. And many of us were made squad leaders. Throughout the basic training cycle I tried to do the best I could at everything we did. I was selected Outstanding Trainee for my company and was quite proud of that accomplishment.

When we received orders for Advanced Individual Training (AIT), I could swear the way the Army did it was if you had some college education, you were sent to artillery school, and if not, you were sent to the infantry. So my next stop was Fort Sill, OK to learn how to fire a howitzer. At this point in my training, I started to feel that it was inevitable that I would be going to Vietnam. I continued to learn everything I could. At the completion of AIT, I received orders confirming my feelings. From my training battery at Fort Sill, about 150 out of 200 received orders for Vietnam. This was the peak of the draft, and at this point I became one of the 535,000 troops in March of 1969.

I was assigned to a 105mm howitzer unit when I arrived in Vietnam – C Btry, 5th Bn, 27th Arty. This unit was part of the First Field Force and operated in southern II Corps. I developed a genuine liking for this howitzer that some guys referred to as a “pop gun.” I worked my way up to Section Chief after spending time as an ammo humper and gunner. The guys I served with on the gun became my closest buddies and we became our own “band of brothers.”

When I watch programs, movies, documentaries, etc. about Vietnam, they rarely spend time talking about the artillery, so I’ve included an audio clip of a 105mm howitzer fire mission so people can hear the fire commands and the actual shooting. This fire mission happened at Firebase Mike Norton (Tuy Phong) in support of a platoon (dismounted) from C Troop of the Second Squad of the First Armour Cavalry. I have also included a short audio clip of a transmission of Armed Forces Radio Vietnam (AFVN). This should bring back some memories from those who have served there. In preparation of this story, I listened to this tape, which I hadn’t for years, and it brought me back. I was right there like it was yesterday. This is true for many vets. We will never forget. The other significance of this audio tape is that I borrowed the tape recorder from another guy in my unit. He was killed after I returned home in April, 1970. I think about Archie when I play this tape and the wife and child he left behind.

Serving in the Army and in Vietnam made me a better, stronger, and more confident person. I am proud and honored to have served my country under difficult conditions in a controversial was. I still carry the memories of this experience, but am blessed to not have the severe mental and physical scars that many veterans do. And for that I am grateful and thank the good Lord. And yes, I would do it again.

Here is some audio from C Btry, 5th Bn, 27th Arty. We were near Tuy Phong (II Corps) when these audio clips were made.

The sound of a Huey helicopter