History of the 7/8th

History of the 7th Battalion / 8th Artillery
(Red legs - Automatic Eighth)

Looks as if our rumors are true, I am inbound to the 25th UA in August to be the S3 at 7/8. MAJ Picht will be the XO. ASA we get there and find out about cermonies and the like, would like to exchange some info with you and the Veterans of the BN. Maybe we could make plans for a BBQ or something like that for the ceremony of bringing back the colors….

I will keep you informed. Just so you are aware, permanent email is gordon.gore@us.army.mil

"ON THE MINUTE!!"
MAJ G. Matthew Gore
XO, 6-37 FA
2ID DIVARTY
DSN 732-5564
Cell 011-9155-4587

15 - Nov 67 B Btry moved to Ben Luc, met C Btry on the Newport Bridge NE corner of Saigon

8 - Jan 68 Lt. Bradley, Sgt. Kirk and I went to Bien Hoa. I extended for 54 days and we picked up Ron Hartsock's E5 orders

14 - Jan 68 Gibby, LJ Horton and Bill Stevens all went to A Btry, but Gibby ended up at the 2/35 (155 S.P.) with Randy. After LJ left, Spence had the day shift and I took the night shift

I had basic at Ft Benning in GA in Feb '66. Went to Ft Sill for OCS Prep and was waiting for Officer Candidate School. Then I went to HQ Battery of the 7/8 as a holding unit awaiting OCS in the summer of '66. Later it was discovered that OCS had "lost my application" so I stayed with the 7/8.

In early fall of '66 they discovered that I could type and I was sent to Sgt Major (E9) Edward Phillip Brown. I became the battalion HQ clerk for Lt Col William S. Price. At Ft. Sill I was in the same office with Sgt Mgr Brown, next to the Adj. (can't remember name) and then Col Price's office. When the unit was alerted for Nam, Sgt Maj Brown was the first to volunteer and I was the second. We were the first to find out about it, even before Col Price.

I was fortunate to be on the advance party with Price, Brown, and about 25 others. We left long after the rest of the unit as they went by ship and we flew. We left Ft Sill and flew to Washington state and then to Alaska, on to Japan and then Nam.

The battalion HQ went to Camp Martin Cox for several months. Then the battalion HQ was moved to Bien Hoa AFB. Our new Adjutant was Major Salzman. He had one of those overgrown handlebar moustaches and soon, all of the top brass and noncoms had them.

While on R&R Sgt Major Brown was transferred to Corp headquarters. Some Lt Gen wanted him as Corp Sgt Major. When Brown returned, he was really pissed as he wanted to stay, "where the action was". He got on the phone right in front of me and got the general on the phone and actually cussed him out big time and said he wouldn't go. Well, he lost that fight and was transferred to Corp Sgt Major. I guess if a big time general wants you, there is no saying no!

My replacement arrived somewhere around Xmas of '67 so without a job, and my Sgt Major gone, I just volunteered for single day missions to sweep areas for VC and did guard duty. I was asked to reup, and said OK, as long as they guaranteed I would stay in Nam for the term. They could not guarantee, so I said send me home. I didn't want to put up with the bull crap in the states. I kept volunteering to go out on missions and was down to 10 days. I was called into Battery HQ and got my ass chewed out by the First Sgt and the Captain as we were not to go out on missions when under 30 days. I never kept track of my time, and didn't even know when I was to go home. I was the highest ranking Sp4 in HQ Battery as the Sgt Major said he would only give me Sp5 if I reupped.

We had the big Tet Offensive in February of '68, I think it lasted like 21 hours. A lot of mortars and machine guns. Shortly after the Tet my time was up and I left. We had to wait on the plane as mortars were hitting the runway and when we took off, the plane actually had to dodge holes in the runway. We stopped at Midway, Hawaii and then California. Shortly after I came home I received a letter saying the Col Price had been killed.

Shortly after the move to Bien Hoa AFB we were mortared one eve and we all went to a bunker. One of the young privates forgot his flak jacket and a lieutenant gave his to him and ran back to the hooch to get the kids. Just as he entered the door a mortar made a direct hit on him. He was blown to pieces.

About a week later a dog was carrying either his arm or leg bone. The Sgt Major shot the dog. He said he would not see a soldier desecrated by a dog eating his bones. Many of the privates and specs didn't like him shooting the dog. I remember them complaining. I remember one of the gun batteries was overrun and wiped out. I think it was C Battery. The Sgt Mgr and I took a Huey chopper ride to the fire base to take a look. They had the big guns level with the ground firing straight ahead in a last attempt to stop the NVA.

I have forgotten so much about that time. I really don't remember hardly any names other than those that I worked with every day. I just got one of my dog tags that was found in Nam in 2001. Robert McMahon from NH (I think) sent it to me just 3 days prior to Xmas 2004. A truly wonderful Xmas present.

The 7th Battalion, 8th Artillery was formed at Fort Sill Oklahoma in the spring of 1967. It was fitted with 8 inch M110 self-propelled howitzers, and M107 175 mm self-propelled guns. On June 9th 1967 the unit departed from Oakland California abroad the USNS Nelson Walker for deployment to Viet Nam. It arrived at Vung Tau June 29, 1967.

It was sent to Bear Cat with the 54th Artillery Group. On October 14, 1967, it was transferred to the 23ed Artillery Group Second Field Forces Viet Nam and Headquartered in Bien Hoa. The unit was redeployed to US Army Viet Nam in May of 1971. The unit was deactivated July 27, 1971 B Battery was the first 8 inch 175 unit to be airlifted in the history of the U.S. Army The nickname "Automatic Eighth" comes from the Korean War when prisoners asked to see the new Automatic Artillery guns. There were none, the unit was just that good so the name stuck. Do you have more historical facts about the unit. Please let me know.

The Nelson Walker left Oakland on 9 June 67. Our time in Vietnam started on that date. Landed at Vaung Tau on 29 June 67 aboard LCM's

The following were members of my Headquarters Btry Survey Section. As the battalion survey party consisted of 3 survey parties, and as Vietnam was already well survived and the TO&E didn't have adequate staff for a 24 hour/day FDC, volunteers were selected from the section to out to the line battery FDC's, leaving enough behind for one battalion survey party
Sgt. Long
Sgt. Ski
Sgt Larry Landes, Kansas
Ronald Harstock - The only one that I have been able to locate and visit in Decatur, IL. Bill Stevens, Thorndale, PA
Robert Gibbons, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Randoph Korous, Des Plaines, IL

I can send more names when I find my military papers folder. The July 68 "Hurricane", a publication of the II Field Force has an article on the 7/8th. Incidentally, the 7th/8th Arty was part of the 54th Arty Group when I left in late July 68. Later, it joined the 23rd. The 6th/27th took over our position at Song Be

When the North Korean People's Army opened a new offensive on June 25, 1950, they encountered an artillery unit like none they had ever seen. The unit was dug in and prepared to support the 27th Infantry (Wolfhounds) when contact was made.

Some 30 days later the fire direction center of the 8th Field Artillery heard the magic words they were waiting for-"Fire mission!" Quickly computations were made, fire orders were given and "on the way" echoed throughout the firing battery. An urgent plea for "all available" quickly came back to the gunners from the infantrymen as the North Koreans continued their forward push.

Firing in rapid succession for hours, ignoring blistered hands and exhausted bodies, the gunners repelled and destroyed wave after wave of three different North Korean divisions.

Shortly thereafter, when a group of Korean prisoners of war was taken to the rear, they stopped suddenly and refused to go any further, Their verbal barrage left their guards thoroughly confused. When an interpreter was called, the POW's again stated their verbal charge. Quickly a wide smile spread across the interpreter's face. He explained that the prisoners would go no further until they could see the "automatic artillery" which had been firing so incessantly at them. The artillerymen had worked so rapidly that the guns sounded like an automatic weapon. Thus, the 8th Field Artillery had earned its distinctive title of the "Automatic Eighth."

Today the 7th Battalion, 8th Artillery is carrying its title of "Automatic Eighth" to new successes in the Republic of Vietnam. Since its arrival in Vietnam on June 29, 1967 from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the battalion has Safety and accurately fired more than 100,000 rounds of heavy artillery in rapid response to more than 65,000 fire missions.

The battalion is a part of the 54th Artillery Group under direct control of II Field Force Vietnam Artillery. It is armed with the Army's most accurate artillery piece, the 8-inch howitzer, and the field artillery piece with the greatest firing range, the 175mm gun. The 8-inch howitzer is pin-point accurate at distances up to 12 miles (19 km) and the 175mm gun can fire at ranges of more than 22 miles (35 km).

The "Automatic Eighth" is composed of a headquarters and headquarters battery, three firing batteries and a service battery. Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Todd S, Marsh, the unit presently mans firing batteries in Bien Hoa, Ben Luc and Xuan Loc.

Bravo Battery brought distinction to the battalion in September, 1967, by being the first, and thus far the only, heavy artillery battery to be airlifted in Vietnam. The guns, equipment and men were airlifted by C-123 and C-130 cargo planes from Bien Hoa to Song Be in northern Phuoc Long province. The battery remained there for more than a month and delivered about 5,000 rounds in support of U.S. and ARVN ground operations. Between fire missions the men built personnel and ammo bunkers, cleared the area, established a perimeter and constructed sturdy firing pads. When the battery was ordered back to Bien Hoa it was necessary to leave the guns behind because of the problems involved in lifting the weapons, which weigh more than 50,000 pounds. Personnel from the 6th Battalion, 27th Artillery, took over the positions and the 7th of the 8th took over the 6th of the 27th weapons. The three firing batteries also have been taking part in a new firing concept in Vietnam, the artillery raid. To accomplish the artillery raid, two or more guns are removed from the firing location in the base camp and placed outside the defensive perimeter.

While in Gia Ray, northeast of Saigon, Bravo Battery learned of several enemy locations and fortifications just beyond its firing range. So one morning, two of its guns were moved outside of the unit perimeter, bringing the targets within firing range. From the new raid site it fired on and destroyed the enemy positions. Once the mission was completed, the raiding guns returned to the base camp for further missions. From these base camps throughout south and central South Vietnam, the battalion has fired more than 15 million pounds of high explosive ammunition in supporting every major unit in the III Corps Tactical Zone.

The 8th Field Artillery was formed at Fort Bliss, Texas, on July 7th, 1916, in response to constant harassment against several small Texas towns by one of Mexico's most notorious bandits, Pancho Villa. At the time, most of America's existing regular army was deployed along the Texas border, but had had little success in stopping Villa's costly raids. Faced with continued threats against its own borders and a growing threat in Europe, the United States moved to increase its armed forces by creating the new artillery unit.

For its combat effectiveness, the 7th of the 8th has received two Distinguished Unit Citations, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations and 14 Campaign Streamers.

I joined the battalion in early Feb 67 and was assigned to command Service Btry for the training period and then
become S-4/Svc Bty BC for the move and duty in RVN.  As best I recall our
commanders and staff were -  LTC Price, Bn Cdr, Major Bernard Campbell, XO,
Sgt Major Raymond Brown, S-1 Cpt Ken Johnson,  S-2 (am drawing a blank),  S3
was Major Bob Salzman, Asst S-3 was Cpt Glenn Hanna, S-4 was Cpt Rich
Henniken, Commo Officer was Cpt Dale Wilson, Motor Officer was 1LT Carol
Proby, HQ Btry CO, Cpt Quint Holten, A Btry CO, Cpt Al Ackerman, B Try CO,
Cpt Gordon Walker, C Btry CO, Cpt Al Haid, Svc Bty, myself.  2LT Dick
Bloodgood was the bn ammo officer; CW3 Robert Chevalier was the bn property
book officer.l  CW2 Chet Nichols was the metro warrant.  The first sergeants
were King in HHB, I don't recall A Btry's (Bonner?), Bravo Btry was named
Walker, I believe, same as the BC, Charlie's 1sgt was Graves and Svc btry was
Floyd J. Kelnhofer.  I don't recall where all the lieutenants were - Faber, I
think was C btry, Fantelli was B Btry, Bradley, Goertmiller, Bohatch and
Verbach were  in the other firing batteries.  Also, our maintenance warrant
was Chief Walters, but he did not stay with us long.  The bn maintenance NCO
was Foster and the Bn supply sgt was SFC Gregory.  After a month or so
incountry, changes were made with Cpt Dale Wilson taking over A Btry, Cpt
Glen Hanna assuming command of B Btry and in early Oct I assumed command of C
Btry.  Cpt Holten was reassigned to the 9th Div and I do not recall his
replacement.  Cpt Ken Johnson replaced me at Service Btry.  1LT Bill McCarthy
was killed the night before I assumed command of Charlie btry.  LTC Price had
attended a barbeque with the members of C Btry at Xuan Loc on Sunday before
he was killed on Thursday night.  We had a good time visiting with him,
especially those of us who had joined the battalion at Sill and had gone
through the pre-deployment training.  At the time of this death he was the
assistant Division advisor to the 18th ARVN Div which was headquarted there
at Xuan Loc.  There was an American 0-1 platoon stationed there at the Xuan
Loc airfield and one of the regiments was being attacked at a town just north
of Xuan Loc.  We, Charlie Btry, was firing a mission for them, when Colonel
Price went up in one of the 0-1's to try to maintain commo with them.  The
story goes his plane was hit by a single round which hit him between a flack
jacket he was sitting on and a flack jacket he was wearing.  One of the
advisors at the 18th Div TOC, called me with the news, as did the 0-1 unit
commander.  When I told the NCO's, we were all in tears since he had been a
really good commander and it was just like him to be out looking after the
troops.  LTC Todd Marsh had replaced LTC Price in December and our new XO was
Major Frank Avent.  Both were fine leaders and we continued to have good
successes.  There was a lot of ground covered in that first year and many
good men served in the battalion.  Wish I could remember all of them so I
could thank them for their service.  The Automatic Eighth was among the best
of the FA units over there - and I say that not just because I was there, but
I heard stories about other units who were there throughout my career, and I
shall always be thankful to have served with them.  Guess that's all for now
perhaps I'll remember more later.  Thanks again for your good work -

I found some new info. About the picture on page four that Francis Ford added a little info. I found that it was two 105's from the 2/40th , D battery. They were at Ben Luc from May 2 to May 6th and they were there to fire illumination for the 199th. At least that is what the daily log says. I am not sure about the 155 sp on that page, it may have been there at the same time or later, I'll try to find out.

Daily Staff Journal
April 29th, 1969

7th Battalion 8th Artillery Awarded the
'Meritorious Unit Citation'
(Click on Image for larger view.)

If you have any further information or details regarding the 7/8th Arty, please contact Gary Harrington so we can make note of it here.