This time, just 6months agoas we approached the checkpoint I noticed both guards were armed with M-16'schecking the ID of the driver in front of me.as he pulled out and the guards approached my car I just stepped on it and followed the car in front of me without stopping for the guards. Today it is one of the largest and most modern installations in the U.S. and is home to the I Corps, 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings, 7th Infantry Division, 1st Special Forces Group, 75th Ranger Regiment, 66th Theater Aviation Command, and Madigan Army Medical Center (just to name a few). (BCT) USATC INFANTRY. Volunteered for the draft and inducted 4 December 1968, not quite 17 and-a-half, from Alaska. No way I enjoyed the freedom of driving and having an ambulance plus an aid man if we had emergency runs. Hello, I think I started in January, 1971. DS names that come to mind are Vadrin pronounced Vadreen, Robles, Fir and Letey. It was cold suckasses were made platoon and squad leaders, I was there beginning July 1968 & my DI was Sergeant Smith, I remember very well but I was too young to know any better when I got drafted I was going to school working and had a brand new baby boy then I got my induction papers because I lost one hour at college, Marie do you live up in Placerville, CA are you or were you an Ultra runner at one time. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington 98433 United States +1 (253) 967-3728. It was a lifetime ago and that is rather underscored when I see the veterans our age around the VA hospital in Minneapolis when I go there. Belated thanks for sharing your memory, William. He took a commission in the army after his drill sergeant stint and as an officer, went on to work in Finance and retire from the army. Had a fella by that name when I went through basic in B32 with Sgt. As a kid I have really memories of our time there. Name Fort Lewis Address 2202 Pendleton Avenue Fort Lewis, Washington, 98433 Phone 253-964-3966. STILL trying to get a copy of my Basic Training graduation picture, A-3-2, JULY 1969. Returned to USAR, 305th Field Hospital, Gulfport, MS. Hi, It looks like you graduated with my dad at Fort Lewis. The drill sgt called us Ridge Runners and asked if people in Tn wore shoes. There were 12 of us from different areas of TN. In his graduation photo, it says D Co 2nd platoon. 564th Quartermaster Company 18th Street . In Sept of 68 I was transfered to the 296 guard company. [10], During World War II the Air Transport Command 4131st Army Air Force Base Unit used GAAF as the CONUS hub for the Alaskan West Coast Wing, ferrying supplies, equipment and aircraft to Eleventh Air Force at Elmendorf Field, near Anchorage. Cpl Bluitt was our Platoon DI. The D-2-1 sounds correct but Infantry was the 11B MOS which was the training which comes after basic training. Smith or Johnson, fuzzy on the name. Pilot Fort Sill, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Knox, and Fort Lee all have their own takes on the Big PX, but Fort Lewis just curb stomps them all and utterly destroys the competition. If you are a veteran who served at Fort Lewis, you may be entitled to money to pay for your medical bills due to your exposure to . Foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 with printed notation on a machine readable immigrant visa That was September 71. All those guys I became so close to have faded into my memory..I hope they all did well and someday far off we will meet again to stand in Formation and pay respect to all who have fallen before us. 3810. Also, do you remember the name of your CO? Snack bar and PX accross the street but was off limits . Ahh those memories of walking fire watch many nights. Steve Almond Joint Base Lewis Mcchord No doctor. Some 60,000 men, including the 13th and 91st Divisions, moved into the hastily constructed cantonment to train for World War I. The old obstacle course was still intact. Salute out to D.5.2 (Aug 1968 to Oct 1968) I now live in Laguna in south Orange county also California. Began BCT June 1969 in B-1-1 starring DI Robert P Fagan (RIP, Texas) I was at Ft Ord, Ft Sam Houston, and CINCPAC HI Still have pictures, a handful of the gray stones covering the base and an ashtray I stole from the back of the messhall. Tough SOB. August of 66 for me too in the old wooden barracks on North Fort Lewis, but I didn't see coal furnaces until AIT at Fort Gordon, GA, I was there July 1966 (A-2-1 Rah) And the basic training reopening was so new that we had a 'stand in' DI (Sgt.Dennison) who insisted everyone quit smoking. I did basic at Lewis from Nov 70 to Jan 71, Alpha One One, Drill Sergeant Delano. Barracks Project Name: Fort Lewis Barracks. Overview. It was an Air war by then we had the ROKs and the Thais and ARVNS doing the dirty work.got my jeep shot up twice but came home unscathed!!!!! When they implemented auction of the new cantonment, workmen subscribed $4,000 to build the main gate which is still standing. God only knows where they ended up but they had AIT of 11Bravo. We had some reserve drill sgts for their 2 weeks and they had a hard time keeping up with us. Recruited largely from the northwest, the 91st was considered "Washington's Own." There must have been list because the machines were in constant use but there was no quibbling about who was next. Duane Phillips and he reminded my of John Wayne in the Sands of Iwo Jima. We did most of the training in wet weather gear. Fort Lewis Map. Jones, Gietson, and Magee. B-5-2 was my organization. Leo, I got there in January '70. My other uniforms hang in a closet in my home. Recently returned from Seattle as my wife and me went to visit my son and his wife in Bremerton. The total area is 3.78% water. Timeline Attributes. I can scan and send a copy if someone doesn't have one. When they got back, Sgt. The howitzer team rains hell down on the enemy from a distance. I was in A-2-1 and the drill sergeant was John (Johnny) My cycle was the first to use the buildings in 25 years. DESCRIPTION. I was in D-4-1. Enjoyed the constant heavy rain wearing wet weather gear, or a poncho. Lots of memories. We stayed in these barracks for two weeks during "Induction". Tindel. My wife also claims see sa a Bigfoot as we drove thru the forest between Lake Crescent and Forks. So much fun. Force marches in rubber boots. My time in old fort 10/30/68 to sometime in late February 1969 was spent as i'm sure yours was only training , no fun stuff. Decypher is seeking Medical Technologist candidates to provide support to the Joint Base Fort Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, WA. but I was there FEB 18, 1969' thru Basic Training then stayed there (no leave) for AIT 11B Infantry training, then to Vietnam. I would love to talk with someone from that era. I took basic training at Ft. Lewis NOrth Fort March13 -May 15 1970. He passed away in 2009 and did not speak of the war much, I was also told not to ask by my father. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98431, United States. He went to Vietnam in August of 71 and came home March of 72. Our senior DS was named Vargas who rumor had it had been in the Olympics as a long distance runner. Vince Gerling. A-2-3 Jan - Mar 1969. Thanks , I was flown to Then assigned after zero week of testing, KP and other duties moved to Company A-3-1 to begin eight weeks of Basic Combat Training which included bed making, using a buffer, rolling and folding underwear etc. Fort Lewis barracks: History in the un-making. [2], In 1986, a further expansion was initiated, and in 1992, the Army acquired additional land to enlarge YTC to 327,000 acres (1,320km2). [2], With an Army joint base commander and an Air Force deputy joint base commander, the garrison supports the installation through directorates and agencies that provide a full range of city services and quality-of-life functions; everything from facilities maintenance, recreation and family programs to training support and emergency services.[2]. building. Vietnam Veterans Memorial About eight guys from ND and MN showed up there at the same time. Search public notices by typing keywords in the Search field below, or by checking one or more boxes beside the filters listed on the right side. We had a Sgt (a Black man) Decypher is a leading integrator of professional, technology, and management solutions and services. Zeeks and Sgt. If I were googling the area of the old barracks for basic training or the streets where would I look..I remember towards the end of our Basic Mar 68 we all marched down to the theater and got to see the move The Sand Pebbles, looks like I found my old barracks..6A 6036-01..found this # on my old army records, am I reading it right I would have been in A Block building 6036..A Co 5th BN 1st BDE May 1968. My best to all of the good Americans out there. 66th MP/93 Btn, Phu Tai/Binh Dinh 10/67-9/68, really dis-appointed..went to Ft Lewis wanting to get on post and visit the old north fort..website said valid ID and a passport would get you on..not the case after waiting for 1 1/2 hours got to the window and was asked if I had a sponsor..the only way you can get on post as a visitor. Early one more I woke unable to breathe so I began chain smoke the unfiltered cigarettes that were part of the c-rats. Pamela Sleezer, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Affairs on Feb. 23rd, 2023. The project of constructing an army airfield, which later became McChord Air Force Base, directly north of the Fort Lewis installation, received approval as a WPA project in January 1938, and $61,730 was allocated for construction. a co. 2 bn 2 bde graduation march 1971 snappyten@yahoo.com, I was in a-4-1- 4th. Played on the tennis circuit, played football and basketball and made friends with guys that are close to this day at 72 yrs old. Your grandfather was most likely engaged in saving a lot of American lives at the expense of the bad guys. But this left me with so many questions, I wish I could have been a bit older to speak to him about it. Took basic in North Fort Lewis D Block from the last of August to November 1966. I cracked a smile and the DS made me dig a hole and bury it. I never got used to it. World War II, 1939-1949. A-4-2 Basic Training Aug-Oct 1970. Used to have to get my shots then turn and catch him as he got his cause he'd faint. DSN: 357-1110. . This was the exact same place where our brave soldiers spend their time after fight fearlessly for our country. The Army Air Force closed its facilities in 1947.[10]. At the start of the Korean War, the Army decided to expand Yakima Training Center. I needed a copy of my DD-214 not long ago. My DI was Sergeant Certiza. Perhaps your dad is in it? Who thought he was going to run us into the ground the first day but when 7 of us stayed with him stride for stride he got miffed. It is a place where groups among different types of human defenses like the military, the Navy and the Air Force can come together as one big umbrella of a facility. Home > United States > Fort Lewis, WA > Government Services > 8th Brigade Army ROTC . I was in the First All Volunteer RA Basic Training Company AT Fort Lewis, WA (10 Sept 1971). Proud to have serve. Apollo 8 I do remember the cold rain and snow. Fort Lewis began as Camp Lewis in 1917 when the citizens of Pierce County voted by an eight to one margin to bond themselves for $2,000,000 (equivalent to $42,301,299 in 2021) to buy 68,721 acres (107.377sqmi; 278.10km2) of land. talked to the navy recruiter and he got me in the navy, but I had to go through boot camp again. I might suppose battalion and regiment, but Im not sure that makes sense. Hit Vietnam 70-71. He was an Airborne Ranger, black belt in Karate, and looked like a black Arnold Schwarzenegger. Many were gone. Anyone have a copy of Basic Training Graduation picture of A-3-2 in July 1969? ha ha, As I recall we had a OD Green drawstring bag hung on the end of the bunk. We had to carry our foot lockers over our heads in the middle of the night cause someone couldn't keep his gear neat and uniform . Google Earth road view shows them standing, but the aerial view shows they are gone. He was always telling us someone would hit us between "your snot-box and your cox-sucker" if we kept messing up. I came in October 30th 1968 right after you C-5-2, didn't really see or know anyone but my company due to meningitis not allowed out of company area. I'm in a little town in Eastern Oregon, Milton-Freewater. . I have a group photo, 3rd Plt, E-2-1, 13th Cycle, Graduated Feb 1969. I went to Vietnam, they assign me to the 18th combat engineer battalion, and I was attached to the 5th special forces along in Cambodian border in South Vietnam. Helicopters began assisting with high altitude (above 10,000 feet) SAR operations in the 1980s. 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Drill Sergeant Prince was the only one I remember. Sergeant Hungerford was D.I while Sergeant Blood was PT manWe probably had some of your leftovers? I was with Linstead when we came back and saw your work.I was a holdover.finally assigned to the Army Security Agency trained at Fort Ord and eventually they sent me to NAM as everyone was coming home. Clapboard, no insulation, no heating. Hi, I am writing from Chile, where I actually live. Phil Klippel was the CO. Grew up hunting in Brown bear country and fished commercially and was made a squad leader in D-4-1, Drill Sergeant Dye, black man from Florida, E-6 from 1st Air Cav. Hours Open until 11:59 PM more Phone (253) 968-1110 (253 . Wasn't bad enough that he almost died, but he was recycled too. We got to go home over Christmas and I was down with pneumonia the whole time. 1968 C-1-1 Sargent Potter, E-5 and Sargent Davis E-6. Suddenly, in the dark, we were attacked by elements of the trainers who charged our positions. It was cold, wet and miserable. The army bases roots proved advantageous during World War I and sowed even more fruit when World War II came. 1st Air Cavalry On-Base Housing at Joint Base Lewis McChord. The Drill sargent was a puertorican. Realistic training to help us survive later on. When I was in Vietnam, we were on a hill for a few months. A-3-1 4 May 70 - 2 July 70 Practiced every evening with the other 4 Companies that made up the Battalion for Graduation Parade. All in All it was a good time and i got alot of great memories and the VA is still taken care of me. Ford Thunderbird Vicksburg, as well as photographs . Other partners who work closely with the Joint Base Garrison include the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, the Mission, and Installation Contracting Command, and Joint Personal Property Shipping Office. January 2018 Drill Sargent Mouton we called ourselves Mouton's Raiders. B Company Visitors with this ID must still go to the Visitor Center to get a base pass. Visit Our Website. July 2012 LOL!! Sgt. Sergeant Hungerford was the DI while Sergeant Blood was the PT Sgt. Then someone wrenched the bag from the sergeant and ran up the stairs and into the building while others provided interference. Basic training for Louis October to December 60 9AIT training January to March 1970 drill instructor Sergeant chaser cannot remember if Sartain Chauser was basic or a IT, I believe basic I remember private Zimmerman private Bob well anybody else.