Carl and Gary,
I don't know why I entered 7th Battalion, 8th Artillery in the search engine. 
Wow! 
Was I surprised when your web site was listed. Much like Vietnam, words can't convey my appreciation and gratitude for your web site.

I have often wondered how the 7/8th Artillery fared in Vietnam or what happened to my friends with whom I served. Unfortunately, I did not serve with the 7/8th in Vietnam. 
I was assigned to the 7/8th at Fort Sill in July 1966, upon completion of AIT, while awaiting orders to relocate to Robinson Barracks and OCS. However, that opportunity never materialized. I was part of a "select" group of several hundred who were assembled in the old wooden main post theater and told their records for selection to attend Artillery OCS were lost. Our options were whether or not to reapply. Many chose not to reapply because they had been waiting for several months and OCS would extend their total time in the Army. However, as I remember, most opted to reapply, which meant starting the application process from the beginning.

When my orders for OCS arrived, I was assigned to attend Signal OCS at Ft. Gordon. I suppose the Fort Gordon assignment was because I had enlisted for training in electronics and scheduled to attend schooling at Fort Bliss until my initial selection for Artillery OCS. So, I departed Fort Sill for Fort Gordon in the latter part of October. In fact, all personnel were frozen and preparations begun for deployment a day or so after I received my orders. Then Major O'Mera (Artillery) was instrumental in re-establishing the Signal OCS program. I believe he was also the Signal OCS battalion commander.
We participated in many firing demonstrations-luckily we didn't require the spit and polish of the grandstand area. We performed "hip shoots" at the East range demonstration area. We also had some M101s to fire support for OCS. I do remember we were extremely proud of the ability to put steel on the target and our speed of shooting the first registration round during a "hip shoot".

The battalion was significantly under strength at that time. I don't think any Battery could assemble more than two complete gun sections and Battalion had a consolidated FDC. I was a 13E but functioned as an assistant gunner or battery recorder because the consolidated FDC section was full.

I don't remember what Battery I was assigned. I don't recall seeing the BC more that a few times. I often saw the Battery Exec (LT Nesbit or something similar), SFC Padia was the First Sergeant, and I remember a couple of other names.

I have always been partial to the Artillery and felt shorted I was never allowed to adequately use my FDC and gun training. Would have loved to have visited the 7/8th while in country but I was in I Corps 69-70.