Deployment Of 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery in August 15, 1966 through August 13, 1967 Viet Nam during my tour of duty.

{Please be patience the three pictures below load slowly.}

PFC Hugh C. Rowland. 
RA19-825-649

hugh@vets-helping-vets.com

 I was in Viet Nam from August 15, 1966 through August 13, 1967, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery.
If you were in any of these areas during this time, please use the e-mail link above to contact me. Thanks, Hugh C. Rowland

Viet Nam 1966

  On September 19th, two 175mm guns from Battery C departed Cu Chi for Tay Ninh to assume a new mission in support of the 196th, Light Infantry Brigade. On October 5th, the 25th, Division Artillery attached an 8 inch platoon to Battery C (forward) to supply more heavy artillery support for the 196th, Infantry. C Battery’s remaining two 175mm guns departed Cu Chi on November 15th, for Tay Ninh where they joined the forward element and moved to Soui Da to support Operation Attleboro. The Battery returned to Tay Ninh on November 20th, still within range to support the operation and fire defensive concentrations for the Special Forces Camps at Soui Da and Trai Bi.

  On December 2nd, Battery A, still located at Xuan Loc, received several fire missions from the 11th, Armored Cavalry Regiment to fire on a large Viet Cong force which was boxed in near Gia Ray. The accurate fire missions of Battery A contributed to a total body count of 99 VC KIA.

  Battery A returned to Cu Chi on December 24th, after being relieved of its mission at Xuan Loc by Battery C, 1st, Battalion, 83rd, Artillery Division.

  Since the Battalion’s arrival in Viet Nam, Battery positions have been separated by as much as 80 air miles. As of December 31st, 1966, Headquarters, Service and A Batteries were located at Cu Chi, Battery B at Lai Khe, and Battery C at Tay Ninh. The 2nd Battalion has been employed as true Corps Artillery in support of the 1st, Infantry Division, the 25th, US Infantry Division, the 25th, ARVN Division, the 10th, ARVN Division, the 173rd, Airborne Brigade and the 11th, Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Viet Nam 1967

  During period January 8th, through 17th, 1967, Battery B. occupied firing position at coordinates XT 723353 and XT 659310, the latter position in the middle of the "Iron Triangle" in support of Operation Cedar Falls. The battery missions was reinforcing 1st, Infantry Division for this operation, battery was made of four 8 inch Howitzer batteries.

  During period January 13th, through the 15th, 1967, 8 inch platoon, Battery A, occupied firing position at coordinates XS 770936 in support of Capitol Military District to destroy fortified installations.

  During period of January 17th, through the 25th, 1967, Battery B located at Lai Ki base camp continued support of Operations Cedar Falls in GSR 3rd, Battalion, 319th, Artillery. On January 17th, the Battery reverted back to composite (8-inch/175mm/weapons.)

  On January 24th, the 8-inch Howitzer platoon from Battery C deployed to XT 299568 to support two operations on Nui Ba Dinh. All missions were direct fire to destroy bunkers and tunnels. On February 11th, 1967, Battery A departed Cu Chi base camp to participate in Operation Godsden in Tay Ninh Province to a position at Trai Bi coordinate XT 125568. During Operation Godsden, Battery A fired a total of 1,085 rounds 8 inch. During February 1967, all batteries and Battalion Headquarters participated in Operation Junction City.

  On February 20th, 1967, Battery B moved from Lai Khe base camp to a new base camp at Suai Da.

  On February 20th, 1967, Battalion Headquarters consisting of S2 & S3 Section, 1 Survey Team, Communications Section, and Maintenance Section departed Cu Chi and deployed as a forward command post to Trai Bi XT 125568. At that time command post assumed tactical control of Batteries B and C with a mission of general support of II Field Force Viet Nam.

  On March 15th, command post forward march was ordered back to Cu Chi.

  On April 9th, 1967, Battalion was directed to deploy a forward command post to Tay Ninh base camp with the following responsibility: (a) Control of all US artillery firing out of Tay Ninh Base Camp. (b) Artillery defense of Tay Ninh base camp to include the H & I and counter mortar program. (c) Operation of artillery air warning station.

  On April 14th, Headquarters and Service Batteries were directed to deploy to Tay Ninh base camp as a permanent location. The move was completed by April 30th, 1967.

  On April 21st, Battery A converted to an 8 inch battery, departed Cu Chi for Sui Da XT 457268 for participation in Operation Manhattan with mission of reinforcing 25th, Infantry Division and remain there until May 8th, 1967 when it returned to Cu Chi.

  During the period April 27th, 1967 through June 1st, 1967, Battery C deployed from Tay Ninh to Trai Bi for support of Operation Diamondhead and return to Tay Ninh base camp June 1st, 1967.

  During period June 6th, through July 1st, Battery B at Sui Da and Battery C at Tay Ninh supported a Special Forces Sigma operation in eastern War Zone III.

  On May 23rd, 1967 Battery B fired the 100,000th, round of the 2nd, Bn, 32nd, Artillery Group in the Republic of Viet Nam. The lanyard was pulled by Col. Koch, commanding officer of the 23rd, Artillery Group.

  On July 14th, 1967, this Headquarters became the only artillery air warning control station for Tay Ninh Province. This includes broadcasting air data from all permanent and temporary firing positions in Tay Ninh Province and routing aircraft into clear traffic patterns.

PFC Hugh C. Rowland

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press; It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech; It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate; It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given the right to a fair trial; It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag. The cost of war is measured in blood, sweat and tears, as is the price for freedom. -- Author -- Father D.E. O'Brien -->

The link below will take you to a picture page of 2-32 Field Artillery, the pictures are from Viet Nam and Iraq plus. 

2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery 1966 - 1967 and 2006 - 2008

2-32 Field Artillery 2 BCT, 1st ID Camp Liberty, Iraq Hello Proud Americans,

As you may know, our unit is in Iraq now helping with security. The attached newsletter {Click the PDF link below} describes their mission and some of the challenges they face. I was informed yesterday that LTC Gadson, the commander of the 2/32, was severely injured by an IED. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Please Pray for their safe return when there mission is over. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

 I will be updating this newsletter from time to time as I receive new information from Chuck Healey who was with the 2/32, in Viet Nam 1965 to 1966.

Chuck Healey
Proud American

  "Click the links below to read the newsletters."

FRG 2 MAY 07.pdf / FRG 16 MAY 07.pdf / FRG 21 DEC 07.pdf

LTC Gregory D. Gadson
CDR, 2-32 FA
BAGHDAD

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.