State Vietnam Memorials

Fireteam A fireteam is a small military unit of infantry. It is the second smallest unit in the militaries that use it (smallest are support teams such as machine gun teams, mortar teams, sniper teams, or military working dog teams) and is the primary unit upon which infantry organization is. Fireteams generally consist of four or fewer soldiers and are usually grouped by two or three teams into a squad. Continue reading →

31 Phrases That Only People In The Military Will Understand

February 1, 2014February 15, 2014 Sniper Ghost Posts

Every region of the country has its own unique phrases, but they have nothing on the complex lexicon shared by people in the military.

Aside from the way uniformed folks seem to speak in acronyms — “I was on the FOB when the IDF hit, so I radioed the TOC” — there’s also a series of commonly used phrases which deserve some attention.

“15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior”

Military people are taught that they must show up to everything (especially an official formation) at least 15 minutes early.

The 15 minutes to 15 minutes arises as the order filters down through the ranks. The captain wants everyone to meet at 0600, so the master sergeant wants folks to arrive at 0545, and when it finally hits the corporal people are told to show up at midnight.

“A good piece of gear” (in reference to people)

Only in the service is it OK to refer to one of your coworkers or (worse yet and most frequently) a person working for you in a section you manage as “a good piece of gear.” Continue reading →

MOH Recipients Who Were Combat Medics

January 29, 2014January 19, 2014 Fred Childs Posts combat medics, Vietnam, Vietnam War

I have always and publically stated that the true heroes serving with Charlie Company were our medics. The infantryman is trained to take cover and return fire. The medic is trained to provide aid to the wounded and mostly there is no cover while they are providing aid. The medics of Charlie Company did no less than the Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipients who were combat medics.

The Medal of Honor is the Nation’s highest award for valor. Fifteen Army medics received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

Click here to read the citations given to the medics who were MOH Recipients to learn of their heroic actions.

We Call Them Heroes

January 26, 2014February 22, 2014 Fred Childs Posts, Videos

Contrary to the hero’s welcome received by other veterans, the majority of men returning from Vietnam were barely given a handshake of appreciation…much less parades and accolades. Their training did not prepare them to gracefully blend back into civilian life afterward, especially if some cruelly perceive you to be a ‘baby killer.’

Thanks to Charlie for the link – HooRah

Napalm Safety Information

January 23, 2014February 17, 2014 Sniper Ghost Posts napalm, Vietnam

“You smell that? Do you smell that? Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for twelve hours. When it was all over I walked up. We didn’t find one of ’em, not one stinkin’ dink body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like – victory.” – LTC William Kilgore, Apocalypse Now

Did you ever think you would get your very own can of Napalm for Christmas?

Napalm Safety Information

– do not drink or eat it

– do not burn people with it

– do not burn down trees and grass in your yard

– do not torture little woodland creatures with it

– do not remove it from its original container

– do not store outside of 0-100 degrees Fahrenheit

– do not exceed normal barometric pressures

– do not use it as fuel for your car

– do not shower with your napalm

– do not yell at it

– do not taunt it

– do not call it names

– do not sacrifice animals/people to your napalm

– do not sniff the fumes from it

– do not use it to block yourself from fires

– do not do anything besides stare at it

On April 4, 2001, in a low-key ceremony at Fallbrook Naval Weapons Station, the U.S. military sent their last two existing canisters of napalm to be burned as additives at coal and natural gas plants in Texas and Louisiana.

The New Spooky

January 20, 2014January 19, 2014 Sniper Ghost Posts Spooky

Click HERE for the New Spooky

Mifflin County Honors Roger Ziegler

January 17, 2014January 19, 2014 Fred Childs Posts Vietnam War KIA

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 791 dedicated the VV Memorial Circle in Burnham, PA on August 31, 2013 to honor the 17 men from Mifflin County who died in the Vietnam War. One of the 17 men honored was Roger Ziegler from Charlie Company (KIA 27 Apr 1968 at Chu Moor).

The 17 soldiers are: James Malcolm Bagshaw, Harold Elmer Burkett, Guy Wesley “Mick” Clinger Jr., Gregory Scott Coperhaver, John Howard Guthridge, William Clayton Hackett, Dennis Guy Harmon, Joseph Lester Hockenberry, William Hook Jr., Carl Alvin Jones, Russell Edward Kephart, Sidney George “Skip” Kreisher, William Frank Rocco, Leroy H. Romig, Robert Henry Royer, Ronald Ray Walls and Roger David Zeigler.