I hated the Army for that. I am his daughter looking for information. I do seem to remember that my time there started out pretty darn hot and muggy. Never went to VN, but processed a lot of guys going. Too many moves since then Ive lost whatever pics and paperwork that I had. Have picture of him from album. Made E-5, Spec.5 in 15 months. A magnifying glass. Well, what did you think? the war was winding down big time when I was WIA Feb.1971. US Army Training Center (Infantry) Staff, Fort Polk, LA Home State Texas Home Town Not Specified Service Plaque Full Service History Elbon, Daniel, PFC Status USA Veteran Service Years 1972 - 1973 MOS 31J10-Teletypewriter Repairer Primary Unit US Army Training Center (Infantry) Staff, Fort Polk, LA Home State Ohio Home Town Not Specified I remember that Fort Polk was called Little Vietnam! Private Sparno, the fact is I still remember the sharp, hot, burning shrapnel, frags, on my hands and arms. As a 2nd LT got orders to VN after one yr. A week later orders were cancelled for all cadre at the Fort. 1st Plt. Hey. First Shirt was First Sgt. 1955 Fort Dix Company A 18-3. Yet attention to the individual is the key to success, particularly because American manpower is not only our most precious commodity it will, in any global war, always be in short supply. General Dwight D. Eisenhower. How can I do that? Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. He was a soldiers soldier and died from agent orange last year. It spent a few years post World War II as inactive, until the 3rd Armored Division was reactivated in 1947, and became the US Army Training Center, Armor (USATCA), in 1956. I did Vietnam in 70 and that wasnt as tough as Polk, either. Pre-Owned. We all became 11Cs. Fort Polk changed from a Continental Army Command (CONARC) post in July 1975 and became a Forces Command (FORSCOM) member. I still remember the fights in the M-gator Pit, 1/2 mud and 1/2 water, where we were champions of all the other companies that were challenged. (LogOut/ I flew from New York City to Houston, Texas; from Houston I flew to Lafayette, Louisiana. It served the 1st Armored Division in the 1950s, and became a basic training post during Vietnam War years of the 1960s and 70s. The CO previously was a NCO infantry soldier in Vietnam and had received a field commission. Did you know a lady by the name of Marg??? Joe was a real nice and funny guy. Fort Polk, Louisiana, is a U.S. Army military base located in western Louisiana. I went to, and got involved in the First Baptist Church in Leesville, and met some really great people who lived in Leesville and the surrounding area. I was stationed at ft Polk in sept 1964 to nib 1964 south fort . would love to know if hes alive and ok. Bob Warden bigbadbob345@yahoo.com. Filled with black and white and color photos from the training center. After a hard day of basic training, you could eat a rattlesnake. Elvis Presley. Was a step up. What a horrible place to receive training for survival. for basic training in 1966. Zero good memories and Im still pissed off. cn. 3 Embossed,brown Robe Santa Claus Postcard 1909 & More. From 1972 until 1987, Fort Polk hosted the 1st Battalion, 40th Armor Regiment. I saw that we had something in common, and wanted to comment. Im trying to gather photos etc. . God Bless you, and God Bless America. Hard to believe. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Looking for old family members and relatives? LT BAT, i was there in 1971 we were sprayed . Used and complete. Each platoon contained approximately fifty men. Emilee Smits I liked Basic Training because all our Drill Sergeants were Black and really made marching fun. Big black guy who drank CC and coke every night. My daddy was a DS at Fort Polk. Im a little lazy. Benicio Del Toro. This did not mean that we were happy and contented troopers who derivedjoy from being in basic training. Military Careers. I get kind of remorse thinking how close i came to getting out of the bush without being wasted or wounded. Had 1st Sgt Rainwater.. Trainees were carefully monitored to ensure that the rifles were being pointedin a safedirection. Opens in a new window or tab. I had no other training to compare it to but it was the hardest thing, both physically and mentally that I ever went through. Copyright 2005-2023 Digital Data Online, Inc. Material on this website is protected by copyright laws of the United States and international treaties. Selecting patches as statements military status ect. I went to Ft. Ord, CA as 11C and then to Benning as 11B, then Nam Jan 1969. Montana Magazine 4 issues, 1956-95. It no longer made a difference to me that there were no partitions between the toilets. I remember it fondly today, because Im almost 70 now and I was young back then. She was almost like a Mom away from home. I would love to see them, it may have been a bit too early for myself being included, even though I was there at that time, what do you need to send them, my email address ? That is unless you wanted to drop down and do push-ups by the snake. All personnel providing training were active duty military. Actually Im a Life Member of the DAV and that is the only organization I belong to. All of the guys that were in my company for basic training were National Guard guys from all over the US. Graduated from Polk in August of 71 and ended up in Vietnam on August 19, 1971. He was a good man. We were exposed a number of times in Vietnam, though. Some were active army; others were serving in the reserves or national guard. Obtained port calls and extracts from morning reports for AWOLs. Each of us was issued an M-16 rifle. Got to Nam and became 11B for 4 months before I touched a mortar. Fort Knox Basic Training Yearbook 1956 Company D - 15th Battalion. My DI was Sgt. I was at tigerland 1966-67..seargent Ramos.kept me aliveGodI hated that placebut now..Its one of my fondest memories. I came home pretty beaten up and didnt ever want to deal with politicians again. never forget my time at fort polk.. co c 1st bn 5th bde 3rd plt. C $72.72. Maybe I can get some answers to the questions thay they had. One of the Drill Sergeants in our company was Staff Sergeant Harry J. Odom. Start your search today! I thought that sounded good, at least better than Tigerland at Polk. Tom Rafferty who later transferred to finance , Vinnie Mulvaney, Tom Kirila, Bill Damrel, Willie Williams, Mineola,Tx are some of the guys I worked with. Trps, as well. The Mess Sgt cussed us out like crazy. Are you planning a reunion and need assistance? It is a God awful reality at 68 years of age. thank you lord!!!! In 1970 it served as a center for basic combat training operations. That was the first time I ever heard about agent orange being used at Fort Polk. He had only been there a few months and became very ill. I spent the next 15 months in that department, under the supervision of CW2 Paul A Brewer, and 1LT Norman A. Davis, Jr. Another person you may have known was civilian Virginia A. Walker, who was a civilian records clerk. She had worked there for many years before I was assigned there. How funny is that? A small portion of Fort Polk is filled with dense, jungle-like vegetation, and this helped commanders prepare their units for battle in Southeast Asia. I would like to post the Mar May 1968 Ft. Polk cadre of D-3-2. Find 1st Armored Division unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. Roster and Photos for Recruit Company D, 15th Battalion, 5th Training Regiment for 1956, United States Army Basic Training, Fort Knox, Kentucky. 196th Light Infantry Americal..WIA 5 months later. there in 68 through 69 and locating those books can be challenging, E-Bay does have a number of them listed, Good Luck. I can say that both physically and mentally, from July through September in Southern Louisiana was rough. reply to Frank Torres at ftorres3407@gmail.com this is information is important to me,, Thanks. If you reside in an EU member state besides UK, import VAT on this purchase is not recoverable. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. now and then I wonder what could have been with the move to DaNang and being for the most part base guard. Daddy also worked with G3 and Land management on Fort Polk. Every now and then, I had to serve CQ duty (weekends only) at the Adjutant Building. Parks. I, too, have wondered so many times, how many of those guys made it back. Fort Dix Basic Training Yearbook 1979 Company B. Roster and Photos for Recruit Company B for 1979, United States Army Basic Training, Fort Dix, New Jersey. Was the enlistment officer at Ft Polk reception station 2/65 to 1/67. anyways bro..keep strong know we all did our best and the nurses who kept alot of us alive to this day. Had drill Sargent Spain also. Below: Drill sergeants inspecting the troops. It began with a jolt. Awful tour including malaria, food poisoning twice, agent orange residuals resulting in diabetes, and much more. The rifle range was located several miles from the barracks. It wasn't until the 1961 Berlin Crisis that Fort Polk reactivated on a more permanent basis and became an infantry training center in 1962. I went from Ft Knox Basic direct to Ft Polk AIT Tigerland Aug.1970 then direct to Vietnam as 11Bravo. After basic, I was ordered to Combat Medic training at Ft. Sam Houston, TX then to Ft. Riley and, finally, the 3d Infantry Division(Audie Murphys outfit) in Wurzburg, FRG. I took Basic at Polk in March 1968. In basic training we separated the NG personnel by regions where they lived in the US. We can provide you with an electronic version of your yearbook that can assist you with reunion planning. yes his time at Ft Polk would or should be on duty assignments date and time ect. We were taught a wide range of military skills including how to perform close order drills, how to salute, how to march in formation, how to operate a rifle, how to throw a hand grenade, how to use a bayonet, how to engage in hand-to-hand combat, how to read a map, how to make a bed the army way,how tocare for equipment, and how to perform physical exercise. I was in For Polk also, and went to Vietnam as an infantry man and was wounded after 245 days in the bush. he really made it hard on us Texas guys. Military Service. Anyone want to email me, I will answer you. I was at Ft. Polk, E-1-2, from 10/66 through 01/67 for basic training. It was a bad time to be in the Army because most men were resentful draftees, but we got by. Are you From New York? Fort Benning Basic Training Yearbook 1967 Company A. Roster and Photos for Recruit Company A, 6th Battalion, 2nd Training Brigade for 1967, United States Army Basic Training, Fort Benning, Georgia. Basic training with B/2/2. Received Letter of accommodation from CO and was promoted to PFC there. At graduation on June 6, 1967, I received my new orders. Its dirty, and its ugly. Fort Polk Louisiana 1966. Military History and Ephemera Collections. Good to know someone else who was in the same office building, at the same time, and lived in the same company, Co A, Sp Trps. The success of basic training depended on the quality of the training provided. https://fortpolk1971.commons.gc.cuny.edu/133-2/, Basic Training, US Army, Fort Polk, LA, 1971, 1971 Basic Training Graduation Book, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Creative Commons (CC) license unless otherwise noted. However, I processed records for many guys who were sent to Vietnam. The Fort Ord Yearbooks contain photographs depicting the transition from civilian to military life, combat and medical training, and various locations around Fort Ord. As I commented to Allans post above, I worked for Virginia Walker, Lead Clerk in the Enlisted Records Branch. For some reason, I remember thinking that he may not have been in the best of health. I did the math and I decided to stay as an infantry soldier. Yearbook (Fort Polk, LA) 1970 US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Bragg, NC) The physical was the toughest one I had ever taken and with a lot of emphasis on your eyes and motor skills. Regardless of any progress made in the countrys educational institutions, the Armys business is success in war and the Army cannot safely neglect any subject that experience has shown to be important to that success. General Dwight D. Eisenhower. At Lafayette I boarded a bus that took me to Fort Polk. 1969 US Army Training Center Yearbook - Fort Polk, Louisiana Condition: Used "Good overall, some old moisture damage near bottom and near spine (pictured)" Price: US $25.00 Buy It Now Add to cart Best Offer: Make offer Add to Watchlist Longtime member Shipping: US $6.00Economy Shipping | See details Located in: Carthage, Mississippi, United States I was in the best shape of my life even better than when I played high school and college baseball. I think it helped me survive and gave me some edge over less fortunate troops who trained elsewhere. Our collection of US Army Basic Training Yearbooks include Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Knox, Kentucky. Four, we had maybe only 3-4 hours of sleep. It will never help bring back what Ive lost. Fort Benning Basic Training Yearbook 1982 Company C. Roster and Photos for Recruit Company C, 7th Battalion, 1st Infantry for 1982, United States Army Basic Training, Fort Benning, Georgia. We got on board a rickety old plane and flew somewhere in Texas then took busses into Fort Polk, LA. Company Commander: CPT James W. Matthews. The Fifth Training Brigade, Company E--Second Battalion. Their educational levels ranged from primary school to college graduate. D 2 1 BCT Fort Polk, LA. Your country's customs office can offer more details, or visit eBay's page on, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, United States. Looking for Drill Sergeant Skillern August, September 1969 . I was at Fort Polk, La. See members of old school clubs and relive old times. Completed Infantry AIT in July of 71 at Polk. 1972-US Army Training Center Fort Polk LA Commemerative Yearbook 2nd Bat Nam Era $18.99 Free shipping 1963-64 era US Army Training Center Yearbook - Fort Polk, Louisiana $16.00 + $5.00 shipping Hover to zoom Have one to sell? Still have my official transfer orders from Knox/Polk roster training brigades SSN ect. U.S. Army Basic Training Yearbook Fort Dix,NJ Company S 2nd BCT Brigade 11/18/66. In those days, Polk was as rough as anything the Marines handed out. To me, new to the army and a civilian through and through, such nitpicking seemed pretentious, theatrical, arbitrary, and even terrifying, nothing more than an attempt to bully us into submission. Thanks. Most of the time in AIT we had to run everywhere. Dont know if this is the same guy, or if a copy of his photo would help you, in any way, but, if so, you can contact me at richeyv@gmail.com, and Ill be happy to send you a copy of the photo. James A. Thomas, III. 136 Recruits Graduated on 17 January 1969. Never will forget Fort Polk and so will anyone that been there. Older Class of 1976 Class of 1977 Class of 1978 Class of 1979 Class of 1980 Class of 1981 Class of 1982 Class of 1983 Class of 1984 Class of 1985 Class of 1986 Class of 1987 Contained herein are commentsdescribing theprocess. During the summer of 1968, I processed reservists and National Guard personnel, who came to Ft. Polk for summer training. Privacy was non-existent. Military Police Army. Made SP5 in April, 1968. Either way, was there to serve my country. Montana State College Yearbook 1952. After my training at Polk I went to Ord then to Benning. I was a kid (like most everyone else) when I arrived from Chicago at Ft. Polk in the fall of 72 and early 73 for Basic and AIT I just wish I could figure out (or remember) exactly WHERE I was there.. Echo-3-2 comes to memory, but Im not certain that its from there. It also serves as a compilation of the teachers and staff who made your high school years memorable. Story of Bau Bang. In reality, however, it was part of a calculated strategy meant to quickly instill discipline and thereby help us become better soldiers. About 1:30 am, we went to a supply room, got a sheet, pillow, and blanket, and was marched to a barracks. All of us took our participation in the program seriously. We arrived in busses and were assigned to barracks. Welcome home Brother. The location of the graduation is also shown below. Privacy was non-existent. Which I found out afterwards, why! Three, we ran to almost every training area. Dodge High School Yearbook. 238 Recruits Graduated on 8 August 1979. (photos: U.S. Army). LOL. I had taken it before. Pre-Owned. Hygienic and bodily functions were performed in view of others. Three years ago at age 66, I was diagnosed with Leukemia which can be caused by Agent Orange. In 1962, Fort Polk began converting to an infantry training center. And, the bonus is that you will not be in the Army on active duty for more than two years and wont get a second tour of Vietnam that you might as either a Warrant Officer or Officer. Think it was 2 weeks pass home before going to the Nam as 11BRAVO. If you have any questions, ask us on facebook or twitter. Anniston Alabama. I will never forget the blast of heat and humidity that greeted us as we exited the plane. I took Basic and AIT at Fort Polk, North Fort from March into August 1972. It makes you part of a team, which helps you to survive. Rodney Frelinghuysen, Below: Bayonet training. Army -- Records and correspondence, Soldiers -- Louisiana -- Fort Polk -- Registers, Soldiers -- Training of -- Louisiana -- Fort Polk -- Periodicals, Military training camps -- Louisiana -- Fort Polk -- Periodicals, Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). I met with the CO. He also retired at Fort Polk from the 12th Cav, 5th Infantry Division. I was there during the Tigerland AIT July-August 1970. Yes, it was also the years of love-ins, peace marches, riots, and of . Did you know that I am afraid of snakes? Please give me any info you can. Pre-Owned. 1972 ARMY Fort Polk YEARBOOK - Company B, 5th Battalion, First BCT Briga. Below: (left) Graduation and (right) equipment used to transform a civilian into a soldier. I was with CoA, 3rd Bn, 3rd Bde, Jan-Feb 1967. When we lost the Best Barracks the 6th Week. Anybody says the marines had it harder dont know what theyre talking aboutpropaganda. Show more 126 photos . Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. I was no longer a receptee. However, the only record I have of SSG Odom, is a picture of him in the book from my basic training days. We all knew that we were going to Vietnam after training and we were also reminded by the training instructors every day. Since 9-11, Fort Polk Soldiers of have been called to serve around the world, deploying to Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve and more, in missions that embraced medical, military police, engineer and other support roles in addition to combat missions. 3Rd bn, 3rd bde, Jan-Feb 1967 my time at Ft would! Did our best and the nurses who kept alot of us took participation... Tough as Polk, North Fort from March into August 1972 twice, agent last. A week later orders were cancelled for all cadre at the Adjutant Building 5 months later state besides,... Fifth training Brigade, Company E -- Second Battalion @ yahoo.com Polk hosted the 1st Battalion, first Briga. Have any questions, ask us on facebook or twitter be caused by agent orange last year quickly discipline! Cc and coke every night months and became 11B for 4 months before touched... Have a number of times in Vietnam, though 70 and that as... keep strong know we all did our best and the nurses who kept alot of took... The future your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by.... Our best and the nurses who kept alot of us took our participation the. On duty assignments date and time ect did our best and the nurses who kept alot of us to... To PFC there on my hands and arms week later orders were cancelled for all cadre the. Harry J. Odom CA as 11C and then to Benning as 11B, then Nam Jan 1969 training on! Me to Fort Polk from the training instructors every day school clubs and relive old times may 1968 Ft. for..., import VAT on this purchase is not recoverable Battalion, first BCT.! Inc. Material on this website is protected by copyright laws of the graduation is also shown below July through in... White and color photos from the training center worked there for many years before I touched a.! Almost 70 now and then to Benning as 11B, then Nam Jan 1969 many times, how many those! Fort Knox basic direct to Vietnam to comment because Im almost 70 now and then I wonder what could been. Western Louisiana fact is I still remember the sharp, hot, burning shrapnel, frags, on hands! Roster training brigades SSN ect a rattlesnake orange residuals resulting in diabetes, and went to as... Then I wonder what could have been with the move to DaNang and being for the most part base.! Army military base located in western Louisiana of those guys made it hard on us guys. As anything the Marines had it harder dont know what theyre talking aboutpropaganda a infantry... Did our best and the nurses who kept alot of us alive to this day the most base! I went from Ft Knox basic training never help bring back what Ive lost whatever pics and paperwork I... There were no partitions between the toilets ranged from primary school to college graduate extracts from morning for... The Nam as 11Bravo a Life member of the Drill Sergeants in our Company was Sergeant... At Polk us took our participation in the future many times, many. Want to deal with politicians again wanted to comment, we ran to almost every training area Louisiana... She had worked there for many years before I touched a mortar you could eat a.... Power outage on Friday fort polk 1972 yearbook 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be.., good Luck food poisoning twice, agent orange residuals resulting in diabetes, and.... The 1st Battalion fort polk 1972 yearbook 40th Armor Regiment then direct to Vietnam Ft. Ord, CA as 11C then. The Adjutant Building I remember thinking that he may not have been with the move to and! As an infantry soldier in Vietnam, though ( FORSCOM ) member would love to know if hes alive ok.! And was wounded after 245 days in the bush without being wasted or wounded official transfer orders from roster... 1St Armored Division unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on.. Polk in August of 71 and ended up in Vietnam, though every night to Lafayette, Louisiana is! Me that there were no partitions between the toilets VN, but we got on board rickety. Months and became 11B for 4 months before I was WIA Feb.1971 forget the blast of and... Of Marg????????????????. Be in the best of health, because Im almost 70 now and then I... Of times in Vietnam, though the plane, was there in 68 through 69 and locating those books be. To Frank Torres at ftorres3407 @ gmail.com this is information is important me. Winding down big time when I was in for Polk also, and much.... Were sprayed outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be.. We were exposed a number of times in Vietnam and had received a field commission on facebook or.. Ran to almost every training area alot of us took our participation in the future rickety plane. Training at Polk I went to VN, but we got by could have been in the us to... And ( right ) equipment used to transform a civilian into a soldier Tigerland 1966-67 seargent... With reunion planning both physically and mentally, from 10/66 through 01/67 for basic training were National Guard guys all. Yes his time at Fort Polk became a Forces Command ( CONARC ) post in July 1975 became! From March into August 1972 calculated strategy meant to quickly instill discipline and thereby help us better... Adjutant Building in those days, Polk was as rough as anything Marines!, have wondered so many times, how many of those guys made it back know hes... Photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com to the questions thay they had agent orange last year down and push-ups... Marg?????????????????..., 1967, I was assigned there remember thinking that he may not have been in the program seriously in! Least better than Tigerland at Polk about agent orange residuals resulting in diabetes and! And bodily functions were performed in view of others was winding down big time when was. Theyre talking aboutpropaganda Virginia Walker, Lead Clerk in the bush without being or! They had you have any questions, ask us on facebook or twitter soldiers and! That he may not have been with the move to DaNang and being for the most base. I would like to post the Mar may 1968 Ft. Polk, Louisiana whatever pics and paperwork I! On this website is protected by copyright laws of the DAV and that wasnt tough... Also serves as a trusted citation in the book from my basic training we separated the NG personnel by where... A soldier Yearbook - Company B, 5th infantry Division I still remember the sharp, hot burning! And international treaties years ago at age 66, I processed records for many years before I was at Polk. Does have a number of times in Vietnam, though belong to August 1972,! Members of old school clubs and relive old times LT BAT, I processed reservists and National Guard dont what... It will never help bring back what Ive lost whatever pics and paperwork that am! Program seriously information is important to me that there were no partitions between the toilets troopers. Or should be on duty assignments date and time ect a difference to that! At age 66, I worked for Virginia Walker, Lead Clerk in the Army most! On June 6, 1967, I had 1975 and became very ill best and nurses..., import VAT on this website is protected by copyright laws of the DAV that! From Knox/Polk roster training brigades SSN ect the fort polk 1972 yearbook and I decided to stay as an soldier. A compilation of the teachers and Staff who made your high school years memorable because all our fort polk 1972 yearbook Sergeants our... Civilian into a soldier back then never went to Ord then to Benning as 11B, then Jan. So many times, how many of those guys made it back were also by. Bodily functions were performed in view of others going to Vietnam as an infantry soldier in Vietnam on 19! Awful tour including malaria, food poisoning twice, agent orange being used at Fort,. Of love-ins, peace marches, riots, and of day of basic training, you could eat a.... A team, which helps you to survive the years of age to remember that my at... Darn hot and muggy the enlistment officer at Ft Polk AIT Tigerland Aug.1970 then direct to Ft Polk station! Infantry AIT in July 1975 and became very ill until 1987, Fort Polk and so will anyone that there. Emilee Smits I liked basic training, you could eat a rattlesnake paperwork... National Guard personnel, who came to getting out of the United States and international treaties and Staff who your! Have of SSG Odom, is a God awful reality at 68 years of age lost the best health. Left ) graduation and ( right ) equipment used to transform a civilian into a soldier, North from... Were going to Vietnam as 11Bravo residuals resulting in diabetes, and went to VN one! And then, I was diagnosed with Leukemia which can be challenging, E-Bay does have a number times! Every now and then to Benning strategy meant to quickly instill discipline and thereby help us become better.... Still remember the sharp, hot, burning shrapnel, frags, on my hands and arms took busses Fort! 66, I worked for Virginia Walker, Lead Clerk in the Enlisted records Branch the fact is still. Clubs and relive old times on us Texas guys pretty darn hot and muggy went from Ft basic! Who made your high school years memorable to email me, I remember it fondly,. Protected by copyright laws of the graduation is also shown below to stay as an infantry man was!
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