Artillery (Page 3): Part of our training in Infantry Officer’s Basic course included learning how to call in and direct artillery fire. We also got some of that in boot camp and even...

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

JohnSwanda wrote:

I was originally signed up for infantry OCS, but in basic training they asked if any of the infantry OCS guys would like to change to artillery OCS, and since I was from Oklahoma City I jumped on it to stay in Oklahoma. I was glad also because there's a lot more math in artillery than infantry, and I was always good at math.

Part of our training in Infantry Officer’s Basic course included learning how to call in and direct artillery fire. We also got some of that in boot camp and even in flight school, which came in handy one time when I was flying back from dropping something off at a fire support base northwest of Saigon. I was at pretty high altitude when I suddenly started receiving some small arms fire and, I believe, some 50 cal. fire, based on the green tracers. I pinpointed the location on the ground and then contacted the FSB I’d just left and asked if they wanted some target practice. They jumped on that and I directed fire. The first shot was short, I adjusted it and the second shot was on the mark, and the ground fire quit. I thanked the guys in the fire support base and went on my way to my base. Nothing like a couple 105 rounds coming down on you to persuade you to take cover and knock off the nonsense!

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

I grew up in Lawton, kind of miss the sounds of the guns. We lived on Sheridan 1/2 mile south of gate 4. Graduated hs in1968 left for college an never regretted it. Downtown was crazy, if you knew how to dress and act like a gi you could go into bars for a beer at 17 or 18 (legal was 21 at that time. In 75 or 76 a tornado tore up that area and it was replaced with a mall. The town was pretty good for army pretty lousy for civilians like me. Family ended up there when my grandfather (dad’s dad) retired. He said he started his carrier kicking mules across France in ww1. I don’t know about now, but in 68, Lawton was where the thermometer was inserted to take the world’s temperature.

Bill

PH CIB

Fire Mission ! The most Deadly Weapon on the Battlefield, the Radio ! As an Ex Combat Paratrooper Grunt Outside the Wire on the Ground Living out of a Rucksack, I dearly Love the 11 Charlie Cannon Cockers and the Flyboy Cowboys flying the Jets and Choppers....Saved a lot of Bacon in Nam....

byjoe Loc: Stillwater, OK

My brother moved to Lawton in the 50’s. Worked for the Lawton Constitution newspaper. My parents used to go down for a visit and one of the highlights was to go out by Fort Sill and watch night time artillery training. Thanks for bringing that memory to my mind.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

byjoe wrote:

My brother moved to Lawton in the 50’s. Worked for the Lawton Constitution newspaper. My parents used to go down for a visit and one of the highlights was to go out by Fort Sill and watch night time artillery training. Thanks for bringing that memory to my mind.

One of the great things at Ft. Sill was annual firepower demonstrations for the public. The night one was impressive, but the biggest one was the post-wide time on target shoot. They lined up every working gun on the post around the range and coordinated them to all hit the same target at the same time. Talk about all hell breaking loose.

Derryg

I attended and graduated from Infantry OCS, class 6-66. Kept cannon cockers and jet jockey's gainfully employed for 30 months during Vietnam sabbaticals.
Good Ol days or just Old days.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

JohnSwanda wrote:

One of the great things at Ft. Sill was annual firepower demonstrations for the public. The night one was impressive, but the biggest one was the post-wide time on target shoot. They lined up every working gun on the post around the range and coordinated them to all hit the same target at the same time. Talk about all hell breaking loose.

At our Basic Field Artillery Officers' Graduation in 1961, there was a time-on-target shoot. In those days it even include an Honest John missile. When the dust settled, two deer popped out of the dust and ran away. There is a need for Infantry after all (LOL).

lbrande

pendennis wrote:

“Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise b... (show quote)

My PMS was Engineer and he had served in Vietnam. Now retired living in VA, I was the oddball and went Cavalry.

LEGALDR Loc: Southern California

I arrived at Fort Sill in the summer of '62. Reported to the unit headquarters and was referred to supply to draw equipment. It had to be at least 100 degrees out and my khakis were soaked. The supply sergeant issued wool fatigues and other winter gear. I told him that he was (&^&%&&*%$$*((). He told me, "buddy, in a couple of months you're gonna give me a hug!!" In November, I gave him a bottle of something to keep him warm.

Dannj

I attended the Officer Basic Course with 20 other Marines and we were clearly outnumbered by our Army classmates. Upon arrival we were told in no uncertain terms by the Marine Liaison Officer that we were expected to excel and that there would be no discipline issues. The instruction by the combined Army/Marine Corps staff was outstanding and there was, of course, some competition between the two branches. We were very proud that upon completion of the Course, 8 of the top 10 spots were taken by Marines...I was not one of them🥴

Dannj

LEGALDR wrote:

I arrived at Fort Sill in the summer of '62. Reported to the unit headquarters and was referred to supply to draw equipment. It had to be at least 100 degrees out and my khakis were soaked. The supply sergeant issued wool fatigues and other winter gear. I told him that he was (&^&%&&*%$$*((). He told me, "buddy, in a couple of months you're gonna give me a hug!!" In November, I gave him a bottle of something to keep him warm.

You were lucky he took care of you. Oklahoma in the Winter is f’n cold!

Derryg

Yes, Infantry would do the mopping up after a TOT. Impressive to watch however not 100% effective that's why we had "The Queen of Battle."

Dannj

JohnSwanda wrote:

One of the great things at Ft. Sill was annual firepower demonstrations for the public. The night one was impressive, but the biggest one was the post-wide time on target shoot. They lined up every working gun on the post around the range and coordinated them to all hit the same target at the same time. Talk about all hell breaking loose.

I think the event was referred to as a “Mad Moment”.

Derryg

"Mad Minute?"

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Derryg wrote:

Yes, Infantry would do the mopping up after a TOT. Impressive to watch however not 100% effective that's why we had "The Queen of Battle."

Which illustrates why Artillery is the "King of Battle." Who else places their balls where the Queen wants them?