Allen Chaney's Vietnam Combat Infantry Veteran Webpage

I am a former Combat Infantryman who served in Vietnam with the US Army's 25th Infantry Division, 'TROPIC LIGHTNING's 1st Battalion (Mechanized) 5th Infantry 'BOBCATS' during Dec 66 - Oct 67 and again in 1970.

I joined the United States Army on 31 May 1966. As did most young recruits from Texas during those days, I took my Basic Training at Fort Polk, LA; Bravo company, 4th Battalion, 1st Training Brigade. Following a two week leave home, I returned to Fort Polk to attend the Basic Leadership Course being given there. After this course, I was assigned to Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade(better known then as: TIGER LAND).

I arrived in Vietnam on 5 December 1966 and from Long Binh, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi.

After in-processing and the division combat school, assigned to Alpha Company 1/5(Mech). I participated in operations Cedar Falls and Junction City and others concerning the Mech. I was wounded on three seperate occasions January 8, April 4, and September 14 1967 and was evacuated to Japan and then home in October/November 1967.

After the Doc's got finished with me I was assigned to the First Armoured Division, Fort Hood, TX and reclassified as a field artillery crewman, in Alpha Battery 4th Battalion 3rd Artillery.

I returned to Vietnam in April 1969, was assigned the 23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL), Chu Lai, and the 3rd Battalion 16th Field Artillery's, Bravo Battery at the Tinh Phouc Special Forces Camp.

I extended my tour for six months, returning to the 1st Battalion (Mech) 5th Infantry and Alpha Company. For a time in 1970 I was a member of the CRIP (Combined Recon and Intel Platoon). I was a member of this platoon during the INCURSION into Cambodia, and was present in TAY NINH when two soldiers of Charlie Company were murdered and ten were wounded in the STAND-DOWN area. During this time, I had the pleasure of serving with my first cousin, Norman "Dutch" Pierce, who was a member of Charlie Company.

In the latter part of 1970 I again extended my tour for six months. I was assigned to the 3rd Ordance Battalion, 148th Security Guard Company in Long Binh. The battalion operated the "ammo dump" in Long Binh, and the company provided security for the area including the PA&E power plant.

I returned home in June 1971 and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Basic Combat Training Committee Group, as an instructor on, Range # 10, the Hand Grenade Range. In 1972, I attended the required Noncommissioned Officers Academies. In January 1973, I was put on levy, assigned to the 172nd Artic Light Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Alaska.

In March 1973, I was an Field Artillery section chief with, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion 37th Field Artillery (105mm), Fort Richardson, located just outside of Anchorage, Alaska. I was discharged from the U.S. Army on 1 July 1974.

Since I started this web page I've had the opportunity to talk with other veterans of the First Battalion (Mechanized) Fifth Infantry Regiment,"BOBCATS" and the subject of "Who was your battalion commander whenever you were there?, has come up.

I came up with a copy of CMH Pub 90-17. The publication was first printed in 1978 and was written by General Donn A. Starry. It is a Department of the Army, Vietnam Studies book entitled, "Mounted Combat in Vietnam". It tells the complete story of Armor, Cavalry, and Mechanized Infantry units during the War.

Appendix A, page 234, begins the listing of all Mechanized infantry units that served in Vietman. Below is the list of all "Battalion Commanders" and "Dates of Command" for each who commanded "A Legend Among Line Units", the 1st Battalion (Mechanized) 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division:

LTC Thomas U. Greer

January-August 1966

LTC Victor F. Diaz

August 1966-January 1967

LTC Richard C. Rogers

January-May 1967

LTC Chandler Goodnow

May-October 1967

LTC Fremont B. Hodson

October-December 1967

Maj. Ralph K. Hook

December 1967-January 1968

LTC Henry B. Murphy Jr.

January-February 1968

LTC Thomas C. Lodge

February-June 1968

LTC Andrew H. Anderson

June-October 1968

LTC William E. Klein

October 1968-June 1969

LTC Robert A Kurek

June-October 1969

LTC Frederick C. Delisle

October 1969-January 1970

LTC Ted G. Westerman

January-July 1970

LTC Oliver B. Combs Jr.

July-November 1970

LTC Patrick J. Moore

November 1970-April 1971

During the Vietnam War, or what others call the "Ten Thousand Day War" or "America's Longest War", those of us who served there participated in 17 different campaigns. The Offical Campaigns of the War in Vietnam are listed below:

Vietnam Advisory Campaign

15 March 1962 - 07 March 1965

Vietnam Defense Campaign

08 March 1965 - 24 December 1965

Vietnamese Counter-offensive Campaign

25 December 1965 - 30 June 1966

Vietnamese Counter-offensive Phase II

01 July 1966 - 31 May 1967

Vietnamese Counter-offensive Phase III

01 June 1967 - 29 January 1968

Tet Counteroffensive

30 January 1968 - 01 April 1968

Vietnamese Counter-offensive Phase IV

02 April 1968 - 30 June 1968

Vietnamese Counter-offensive Phase V

01 July 1968 - 01 November 1968

Vietnamese Counter-offensive Phase VI

02 November 1968 - 22 February 1969

Tet 69/Counteroffensive

23 February 1969 - 08 June 1969

Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969

09 June 1969 - 31 October 1969

Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970

01 November 1969 - 30 April 1970

Sanctuary Counter-offensive

01 May 1970 - 30 June 1970

Vietnamese Counter-offensive Phase VII

01 July 1970 - 30 June 1971

Consolidation I

01 July 1971 - 30 November 1971

Consolidation II

01 December 1971 - 29 March 1972

Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign

30 March 1972 - 28 March 1973

PEACE WITH HONOR

At 12:30 Paris time, January 23, 1973, Agreement to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam was initiated by Dr. Henry Kissinger, for the United States and North Vietnams Special Adviser, Le Duc Tho. The Agreement was formally signed by the parties participating in the Paris Conference on Vietnam on January 27, 1973. The cease fire took effect at 2400 Greenwich mean time. It was hoped that the Agreement would bring a stable peace to Vietnam. IT DIDNT!

To the Infantry I dedicate this page.

To quote William Shakespear, he said, " We few..., We very few..., We Band of Brothers. For he who sheds his blood with me today shall be my brother."

In 1943 the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA called the Infantry "THE QUEEN OF BATTLE" "We are members of one of the oldest professions in the history of the world. However, from time immemorial critics, historians and conquerors have looked askance at the lowly foot soldier. Ingenious minds have long endeavored to conceive something to replace us. From the forgotten soul who invented the chariot, to the development of the modern panzer division of tanks, one idea has ruled the trend of war - crush the Infantry. But we have replied - Abela, Crecy, Guadalajara and Stalingrad are ours. We have a heritage that is equaled by none. We do not have the glamour that the public has spread over the Air Corps or the Navy; nor are we a specialized task force as are the Marines. We are - the Doughboy, the Dogface, the Poilu and the Tommy; the men who dig, fight and die; the jack-of-all-trades; the men who must and will win all conflicts. We are the riflemen who proudly wear the crossed rifles, we will surmount all obstacles and all barriers, alone and unaided if need be. For we are - THE INFANTRY."

The COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE that I proudly display on this page has a proud history of its own. It distinctively identifies those who have experienced infantry warfare and is properly worn above all other awards and decorations.

The COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, paragraph 2-6, Army Regulation 600-8-22(Military Awards) 25 February 1995.

The Combat Intantryman Badge(CIB) was established by the War Department on 27 October 1943. Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, then the Army Ground Forces commanding general, was instrumental in its creation. He originally recommended that it be called the "fighter badge." The CIB was designed to enhance the morale and the prestige of the "Queen of Battle." Then Secretary of War Henry Stinson said, "It is high time we recongize in a personal way the skill and heroism of the American infantry."

Originally, the Regimental Commander was the lowest level at which the CIB could be approved and its award was retroactive to 7 December 1941. There was a separate provision for badge holders to receive a $10 per month pay stipend, which was recinded in 1948. Several factors led to the creation of the CIB, some of the most prominent factors are as follows:

The need for large numbers of well-trained infantry to bring about a successful conclusion to the war and the already critical shortage of infantrymen.

Of all soldiers, it was recognized that the infantryman continuously operated under the worst conditions and performed a mission which was not assigned to any other soldier or unit.

The Infantry, a small protion of the total Armed Forces, was suffering the most casualties while receiving the least public recognition.

General Marshall's well known affinity for the ground forces soldier and, in particular, the infantryman. All these factors led to the establishment of the CIB, an award which would provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain. The badge was intended as an inducement for individuals to join the infantry while serving as a morale booster for infantrymen serving in every theater.

In developing the CIB, the War Department did not dismiss out of hand or ignore the contributions of other branches. Their vital contributions to the overall war effort were certainly noted, but is was decided that other awards and decorations were sufficient to recognize their contributions. From the beginning, Army leaders have taken care to retain the badge for the unique purpose for which is was established and to prevent the adoption of any other badge which would lower its prestige. At the close of World War II, our largest war in which the armor and artillery played key roles in the ground campaigns, a review was conducted of the CIB criteria with consideration being given to creating either additional badges or authorizing the badge to cavalry and armor units. The review noted that any change in policy would detract from the prestige of the badge.

There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB. The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the CIB.

The definition or requirement to be "engaged in active ground combat" has generated much dialogue over the years as to the original intent of the CIB.

The 1943 War Department Circular required infantryment to demonstrate "satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy." The operative words "in action" connoted actual combat.

A War Department determination in October 1944 specified that "action against the enemy" for purposes of award of the CIB was to be interpreted as "ground combat against enemy ground forces."

In 1948, the regualtion governing badges stipulated the "battle participation credit is not sufficient; the unit must have been in contact with the enemy." This clearly indicated that an exchange of hostile fire or euqivalent personal exposure was the intent of the Army leadership.

In 1963 and in 1965 HQDA messages to the senior Army commander in the Southeast Asia theater of operations authorized award of the CIB to otherwise qualified personnel "provided they are personally present and under fire." U.S. Army Vietnam regulations went so far as to require documentation of the type and intensity of enemy fire encountered by the soldier. The intended requirement to be "personally present and under fire" has not changed.

Specific eligibility requirements say, "A soldier must be an Army infantry or special forces Officer(SS11 or 18) in the grade of colonel or below, or an Army enlisted soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or special forces MOS, who subsequent to 6 December 1941 has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.Eligibility for special forces personnel (less the special forces medical sergeant) accrues from 20 December 1989. Retroactive awards for special forces personnel are not authorized.

A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or special forces primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. The unit in question can be of size smaller that brigade. For example, personnel possessing an infantry MOS in a rifle squad of a cavalry platoon in a cavalry troop would be eligible for award of the CIB. Battle or campaign participation credit alone is not sufficient; the unit must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period.

Personnel with other than an infantry of special forces MOS are not eligible, regardless of the circumstances.

MEN IDENTIFIED (Standing L to R) Charlie Bryant, John Squire, Dave Foster, SGT Williams (Kneeling L to R) Dan Douscher, Jim Frey, ? , Allen Chaney, ? , Warren Pike

" The infantry, the infantry, with dirt behind their ears.... They can whip their weight in wildcats and drink their weight in beers.... The calvary, artillery and even the engineers.... They'll never catch the infantry in a hundred thousand years!"

I feel I have been remiss in not including the Navy's Infantry, the 0311's of the United States Marine Corps and their Navy corpsmen (medics). Shown above is the "Combat Action Ribbon", that shows these brave men have also fought our nations infantry battles as we have. To them I would like to say, "Well Done, Semper Fi." I show it as an equal to our (Army) Combat Infantryman's Badge.

During the Vietnam war the United States Marine Corps fielded its III Marine Amphibious Force consisting of the First Marine Division, the First Marine Aircraft Wing, the Third Marine Division, and the Seventh Fleet Amphibious Force. These units suffered 13,082 personnel killed in action and 88,633 personnel wounded in action. The Marine Corps First Division member were awarded 28 MEDALS OF HONOR and the Third Division was awarded 29 MEDALS OF HONOR during their deployments to the Republic of Vietnam. A great combat record in anybodies book.

I am a Life Member of Bosque Valley Chapter 4077 Military Order of the Purple Heart. I am the Chapter Finance Officer and serve in the appointed position as the Chapter Service Officer, 1999-2002. I have been elected as the Department of Texas Sergeant-at-Arms, 2000-2002. As the Chapter Service Officer, I am extremely interested in helping veterans get all the veterans benefits to which they are entitled. I believe strongly, veterans must help veterans.

During my August-September 2000 Veterans Administration hospital stay I had the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Moving Wall at West Tawakoni, Texas. During this visit, I came upon some interesting facts. I would like to share these facts with all of you who are combat wounded.

SUMMARY OF THE FATE OF EVACUATED CASUALTIES 1965-1970

Figures represent each 1000 evacuated wounded:

310

were treated and returned to duty

690

required hospitalization (97% would survive)

290

were treated in country and returned to duty

52

were treated and returned to Pacific Command

230

were treated and returned to duty in America

79

were treated and discharged to the Veterans Administration

20

would die

MAJOR U.S. ARMY COMBAT UNIT CASUALTIES DURING VIETNAM AND NUMBER OF MEDAL OF HONOR AWARDS

1st Cavalry Division (KIA: 5444 WIA: 26592 MOH: 25)

25th Infantry Division (KIA: 4547 WIA: 31161 MOH: 21)

101st Airborne Division (KIA: 4011 WIA: 18259 MOH: 17)

1st Infantry Division (KIA: 3146 WIA: 18019 MOH: 10)

9th Infantry Division (KIA: 2624 WIA: 18831 MOH:10)

4th Infantry Division (KIA: 2531 WIA: 15229 MOH:11)

173rd Airborne Brigade (KIA: 1748 WIA: 8747 MOH: 12)

196th Infantry Brigade (KIA: 1004 WIA: 5591 MOH:2)

Americal(23rd) Division (figures inclusive of 11th and 198th Light Infantry Brigades(KIA: 808 WIA: 8237 MOH: 15)

199th Light Infantry Brigade (KIA: 754 WIA:4679 MOH: 4)

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (KIA:728 WIA:5761 MOH: 3)

5th Special Forces Group (KIA:546 WIA:2704 MOH:13)

5th Mechanized Infantry Division(1st Brigade) (KIA: 403 WIA: 3648)

82nd Airborne Division (3rd Brigade) (KIA: 184 WIA: 1009)

(NOTE) Of South Vietnam's 44 provinces, the two most northern provinces accounted for 24% of American Combat deaths, and the five provinces of I Corps accounded for 54% of American combat deaths.

I am a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post number 8553. I served as the VFW Post Commander during FY 1999-2001 and the State of Texas District 29 Safety Committee Chairman and Officer-of-the-Day for fiscal year 2000-2001. I am currently serving as the Three Year Trustee for my post.

I am retired medically from Federal Civil Service, serving 22 years with the Adjutant General's Department of Texas; from 9 February 1976 until 19 December 1997.

I worked as Mechanic on both gasoline and diesel powered equipment,wheeled and tracked. I made organizational repairs to all weapons,associated mounts and hydraulics, communications equipment, performed scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, tests, inspections on the equipment assigned at the Texas Army National Guard M.A.T.E.S. (Mobilization and Training Equipment Site)located at North Fort Hood, Texas.

I became a Mechanic Supervisor at OMS (Organizational Maintenance Shop) number 35 (Corsicana, TX)in February 1981 serving there until August 1995 and OMS number 6 (Laredo, TX) from August 1995 until 1997.

As a Mechanic Supervisor, I was required to supervise three or more mechanics in the performance of their duties.

Additionally, I reported the operational readiness of all the units supported by my shop to all unit commanders concerned from company level to division level.

My facility provided technical and training support to any supported unit requesting it,scheduled maintenance to be accomplished on all supported equipment, evacuated equipment and TMDE requiring a higher level of maintenance and or calibration.

Maintained the publiciations account for all technicial manuals required to maintain the equipment owned by all supported military units.

I wrote job discriptions for assigned mechanics, evaluated job performance, recommended disiplinary actions, scheduled daily activities of assigned mechanics, scheduled and approved all leave/vacation time, maintained payroll records for employees, wrote and reviewed all SOP(s)(Standard Operating Procedures) required by my higher headquarters.

I often requested training for employees requiring additional training to keep them militarilly compatible for their assigned position and grade at my facility as well as all additional training required by a higher authority.

After the US Army, I joined the Army National Guard in Texas in August 1974. I served in many units in the National Guard such as:

The 1st Squadron 124th Cavalry (tank commander/Platoon Sergeant) 1974-1980. The Cavalry is strange after being in the regular army, but it was only two days a month and two weeks in the summer. Being around the armoured personnel carriers was my THING but I was in the CAVALRY, had to run a tank. Ya know, it wasn't bad after you learn what it is, the hell you are doing up there. A lot of fun and it got to the point where my crew was on TOP during Annual Gunnery. There is a thing they call, "Espirt de Corp". You can get your neck swol up whenever the crew makes a person look good. Them guys KILLED all the targets within the time given. It got to the point the "REAL ARMY" said they wanted us. "EXPERT" with tank weapons, "DISTINGUISHED TANK CREW".

Trp I and Trp K 3rd Squadron 163rd ACR (Montana National Guard ) (Trp Motor Sergeant) 1980-1984; 8th Battalion 112th Armor,36th Bde. 50th Armoured Division(New Jersey National Guard )(Company C and Battaion Motor Sergeant)1984-1990. I love to maintain BIG equipment and things don't come any bigger than TANKS. If the troop broke em, we could fix em.

Company C 249th Signal Battalion (MSE) (First Sergeant) 1990-1995. I must admit, the few years in Company C (Mexia,TX) were my best and for me the most fulfilling. All the Officers, NCOs, and service members of this unit were some of the most professional I have ever served. No task was too small and None to large to be accomplished in only the most expedient manner possible.

The 449th Chemical Company(Heavy Division)(Motor Sergeant E-8) 1995-1996. In just over one year with this unit, I have to truthfully say were my worst. I trust some of you have been there and done that, "No matter how long and how hard you try, Ya aint gonna git it did!"

Last but not least, the 176th Engineer Battalion (Battalion Sergeants Major) 1996-1997. I really truly loved being in this unit, newly organized from units of the other two Engineer Battalions in the 49th Armoured Division. I really liked the challenge, but I can only say that I had one of the best Battalion Commander's I have ever had in my career. He and I got along well I think. I often wonder, how this unit would have done had I been able to stay.

I retired (Medically) on 30 September 1997 after serving 31 years and 4 months in the US Army and the Army National Guard.

SP4 Franklin, 2nd Plt Engineer, standing on the rampIdentified By: Jim Cuthberson

Statue in Washington at the "Vietnam Memorial"

CAUSE OF COMBAT FATALITIES AMONG GROUND TROOPS

Small Arms Fire

55%

Shelling and Shell Fragments

35%

Mines and Booby Traps

7%

Other and Undetermined

3%

To honor those men lost while serving with Company A First Battalion (Mechanized) Fifth Infantry, lost while I was assigned, I say to all, I will remember them always.

Dennis F. Delasandro

28 December 1966 Panel 13E Line 89

Willy V. Quast

7 January 1967 Panel 13E Line 120

David Young 7 January 1967 Panel 13E Line 124

Danny C. Barnes 7 January 1967 Panel 13E Line 119

Frank J. Krebs 17 January 1967 Panel 14E Line 45

Raymond F. Demory 3 February 1967 Panel 14E Line 111

James E. Bostock 5 February 1967 Panel 14E Line 122

John A. Todi 31 March 1967 Panel 17E Line 82

James K. Lindsey 4 April 1967 Panel 17E Line 99

Guillermo Munoz 14 July 1967 Panel 23E Line 71

Harold J. Canan 14 September 1967 Panel 26E Line 70

Jerry R. Marco

9 May 1970 Panel 10W Line 7

Frank J. Krantz, Jr. 13 June 1970 Panel 9W Line 51

Preston H. Ellis 17 June 1970 Panel 9W Line 59

There are still 1817 of our buddies still unaccounted for from the VietNam Era. This candle will burn until they come home; their patrol is still out.

Allen Chaney's Vietnam Combat Infantry Veteran Webpage is a member of the Want to join the ring? Get info Visit other sites in the ring now! [Prev][ SkipIt ][ Next5 ][ Next ][List Sites] [ChatRooms]

Allen Chaney's Webpage Dedicated to All Veterans is a member of the Want to join the ring? Get info Visit other sites in the ring now! [Prev][ SkipIt ][ Next5 ][ Next ][List Sites]
[ChatRooms] [V Vets at Yahoo]

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!

Some Of My Hobbies Are

• Woodworking
• Helping Other Veterans
• Being Active In The VFW
• Being Active In The Military Order of Purple Heart
• Trying To Find My Old VietNam Buddies On The Internet
• Spending time with the Wife
• Fishing and Hunting With my son Richard Allen

My Favorite Web Sites

Angelfire - Free Home Pages
Welcome to the 5th Infantry Chapter Homepage
25th Infantry Division Association Web Page
Military Order of Purple Heart
VietNamVeterans Memorial Page
1st Battalion (M) 5th Infantry Society of Vietnam Combat Veterans, Inc
Old Navy Corpsman's Web Page
My Wifes Web Page
This Is The Area Where I Live
A Year On Jumpin' Jack Flash
Doug Huffman's 1/5 Photo Album
Military Order of Purpleheart Auxiliary Unit 4077
Get Some Local News
Bosque Valley Chapter 4077, Military Order of the Purple Heart

Email: topsgt@htcomp.net