In the fall of 1966 9th Infantry Division formed the Long
Range Reconnaissance Patrol. Capt. James Tedrick, Lt. Wisnslow Stetson,
and Lt.Edwin Garrison were chosen to lead the 40 volunteer
soldiers. In January 1967, after much training in Jungle Warfare, the LRRP Platoon
was shipped to Vietnam. The Bear Cat-Long Thanh area east of Saigon was where
the unit initially concentrated. The new base, Dong Tam, was being
constructed off the My Tho river in the Mekong Delta. The base was about five
miles west of My Tho in Dinh Tuong Province. Our men soon found they had more
to fight then the Viet Cong. Torrential rains and year round water exposed
patrollers to high rates of skin disease. Recon troops often suffered extensive
inflammatory lesions and rampant skin infections. By the fourth month of
tropical service, nearly three-fourths of all Infantrymen had recognizable
infections. By January 1968 LRP's began joint operations with
the Navy Seal teams. These highly selective patrols,known as Seal-Echo, gained
the LRP's training and experience in the Delta environment. On 1
February 1969, the department of the Army reorganized the 75th Infantry. E Co.
(Ranger),75th Infantry was then activated from E Co. 50th Infantry. The Ranger unit
continued to run missions in the Delta until all of 9th Division was returned to
the U.S. E Co. was stationed with the 3rd Brigade at Tan An toward the end
of her tour of duty. The Officers and men of E Co. distinguished themselves
through many valorous actions during these years. I am proud to say I served
with some of the finest in E Co.. It's a Love-Hate relationship, I hated being
there, I loved being there. And, unless you have dodged incoming, ate a bowl
of rice in someones hooch, or humped across a rice paddy, you probably would not understand.
Jim T.
LRP/RANGER
CO'S CAPT. James Tedrick
1967 LT.Augestine Lawrence
(interim CO in 1967) CAPT. Clancey Matsuda
July 67 to February 68 CAPT. Dale Dickey
Feb68 to May69 Capt. Connors May
69 to Sept 69 CAPT. Albert
Zapanta Sept 69 to March 70 CAPT. Gerald Johnson
March 70 to Aug 70 Lt. Gulick (interim
CO. - Unit Disbanded 70) Team 11-Spring of 1969- Sometimes you ate what you could find.
RANGERS
68&69
Five rangers leap from a chopper's side To run for the high grass where they might hide. With Camouflage suits and painted faces All five rangers would take their places. In a single line they moved for cover And prayed thier positions would not be discovered. But, alas, they were spotted by an innocent" civilian Who would run and tell "Charlie" of the Ranger's insertion. As the team leader gave
the command With the snap of a finger and the wave of a hand
To move to the jungle and try to evade,The oncoming enemy would not be delayed. It was late afternoon when the VietCong were seen
Searching and probing, looking raw and mean. Wearing straw hats and black p.j.'s Carrying carbines andA.K.'s. At the side of the trail, the rangers made ready. To engage the V.C. they'd have to be steady. Over the radio they whispered, "Have the gunships fly fast" For the enemy were many and the Rangers may not last. They could hear the voices chanting, with a sing song sing. Oh, how it did make their ears ring. Forgive us, O Lord, for what we must do. To survive, O Lord, we believe in you. With the sound
of gunfire came flashes of light Meaning the contact had started and they must fight. The V.C. advanced with guns at the ready But the Ranger's fight was both hard and steady. For every one downed, Two more stood his ground. Then the gunships came in with a whine And broke the Vietcong line. The brave group of Rangers then retreated. As the slick came in all five
were seated. The Five men stood strong that day And they thanked the Lord they new how to pray. Off to the base camp for a well earned rest.Then off again for another brave test. JT DEC,1969
Myers-ODay-Bellwood-Hendrixson-DeLeon-Team11-Nov68
JT Oct68-No,can't walk on water!/ What boots LT? I'm from Arkansas.JT
& Zap June 69
Christmas1968-ODay-Deleon-Bellwood-Jesse's Dad sent the tree!
No LT., It didn't hurt!/ Remember how Bob liked to impress the girls?
BILL CHEEK,JOE EACHUS & STEW KOONTS at CHIP CAPPS Change of Command
ceremony 3/2000
