fort lewis, washington barracks
Michael Herr 68-69. Low crawling under barb wire at night with machine gun fire and explosives. This site provides logistical support to military service members. The massive parade field had also been developed. It was common for this to happen, except Fagan didn't do it for us. Fort Lewis, home of the 627th Air Base Group, in Washington, has been the home to thousands of veterans. I cracked a smile and the DS made me dig a hole and bury it. Woke up with snow on our heads a couple of times. Never knew his first name or where he was from. Fort Lewis, also known as Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), is located near Tacoma, Washington. We always had to have someone on fire watch to keep the coal furnace going. No guard duty anyway. Half my platoon were all California ( Im native) and the other all northeast areas mostly poor uneducated. Blue Summit Realty & Property Management. Last minute they sent to ft.Lewis in December.Very cold was in A-3-1 alpha gator north fort. I think I started in January, 1971. I started in June and graduated in August 1968. Welcome to Ft Lewis, at that time meningitis was rampid and we couldn't go any where. Ericka, not sure your dad and I were there together you did not have any dates. 564th Quartermaster Company 18th Street . It was raining the whole time there! I took my Basic Training at Fort Lewis Washington in August 1966. Interesting. May 1969 thru Late Sept./Early Oct.(??) Vail & SSG Weston, (Baxter, Williamson, Maddox, there went on to OCS with me).3-25-67 to 5-20-67; OC 69-67, 62nd Co., 3rd Plt., 2nd Sqd., Ft. Benning, GA, 6-7-1967-did not start till 6-26-67.Grad 2nd Lt, Dec. 12-1967. Branson The army bases roots proved advantageous during World War I and sowed even more fruit when World War II came. So much fun. We got a view of Mt. JBLM Main & North have abundant high-quality, close-in training areas, including 115 live fire ranges. Belated thanks for sharing your memory, Evan. Not sure where you were located at Fort Lewis, but most of the buildings in D Block in the North Fort area have been demolished. I enlisted to be a social worker and psychiatric helper which I was guaranteed by the US Army. Washington Dc The first range was constructed in 1942 on Umtanum Ridge, 13 miles (21km) northeast of the present cantonment area. 1949 MERCURY, at Main Gate of FORT LEWIS U.S. ARMY BASE, Washington. I was in E-1-1 from Sept 1969 to Dec. In another recommendation, DoD recommended to realign McChord AFB, WA, by relocating the installation management functions to Fort Lewis, WA, establishing Joint Base Lewis-McChord. JB Lewis-McChord, WA 984331672 United States. Fort Lewis Aug '66 - Oct '66 I was in Ft Lewis from March 1970 until May 1970 in B-3-2. Learned what a front leaning rest was right away. I remember the low crawl pit, standing in the rain and snow at 5 ama 20 mile night march with 85 lb packsthe silence on the bus on our way.the long flight to the Nam on a stretch 8.and finally an exit from the madness.to face the impossible task of putting your life back togetherI am not home yet. 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. Moore for my book. D52 all the way. There were a couple of guys in the barracks across from us who were taken out on stretchers, both dead from spinal meningitis. From May 1966 to June 1972, Fort Lewis trained . Well do I remember basic training and Drill Sgt McDoniel. Lewis on 2-18-1969' out of Oakland for Basic Training A-3-1 2nd Plt Had to scrub the place top to bottom. SFC Jones and his Platoon SGTS were Positively Motivated and determined to help each trainee to maximize everything taught, learned and applied for immediate and future application/use. Perform a full range of clinical laboratory tests in any one or a combination of the following sections of the laboratory: hematology, chemistry, cytology, histotechnology, urinalysis . I don't know much about his time there other than the Year he graduated. Fagan was an acting E-5 and a dick. Duane Phillips. Fort Lewis was a United States Army post from 1917 to 2010 located 9.1 miles (14.6 km) south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. I was probably in the rotation before you Oct-Dec. Then sun came out but still had to keep on rain gear all day. Foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 with printed notation on a machine readable immigrant visa His children (my cousins) and I cannot find the trunk that held his letters, photos and official paperwork, so I have only a rough idea of his service. 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. Enter on West Entrance Rd. The group of fewer than a dozen personnel mobilized about 15,000 soldiers within three weeks at the start of the War in Afghanistan. Pilot Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Fort Lewis Tacoma Washington McChord Military Real Photo RPPC Ellis WWII at the best online prices at eBay! It is indeed a historic place. Fort Lewis Barracks. Our company was in I Corp Bravo Co 4th Btl 21st Infantry 11th light Infantry Brigade (Americal Division, which was actually the 23rd INF). I had a great tour in Europe. Our senior DS was named Vargas who rumor had it had been in the Olympics as a long distance runner. But then the DI got his revenge by having us do onerous calisthenics in the rain in middle of the night. He went to Vietnam in August of 71 and came home March of 72. We were quarantined due to spinal meningitis. DS HARPER 17 YRS LATER WERE I WAS EMPLOYED SURPRISED. Arizona guys, some Nebraskans, and a few from Chicago and Gary IN, good training, Mt Rainier was a pretty remarkable sight. Infantry Most of my company was from Texas. I was in C-5-2 Late 68 next door. Anybody there? thanks for the info Dale..I guess the days of a visitors pass is out also, Recently, four months ago I was traveling south from a Seattle with my 15 year old grandson and decided to pull off at Steilicomb exit and give him a tour of old North Fort Lewis. Dave Mueller He reminded me of Sammy Davis Jr. Another standard line: "It's all up do you" My reaction was that "if it had been up to me, I wouldn't be here" A lifetime ago but I still can remember. from May thru Sept. 1969. I wish I remembered my drill sergeant's name, a Staff-Sergeant who was promoted when we graduated. Anyone have a copy of Basic Training Graduation picture of A-3-2 in July 1969? Army helicopters were also used to insert search-and-rescue [SAR] teams into inaccessible areas on the east, north, and west sides of the mountain, lowering rangers to the ground by a cable device known as a "jungle penetrator". Fagan was our DI, a genuine pain in the ass. He later died in 2009 from emphysema, from god knows what. First basic trainees they had had Guys from all over. Graduation April 1969' and a whole bunch of us marched directly across the parade field to AIT all 11B's would like to find these guys I have photo's of basic and a few of AIT drop me a line. Enjoyed the constant heavy rain wearing wet weather gear, or a poncho. Decypher Joint Base Lewis-McChord Regular, Full time. I lost all my military records. Then it was off to Ft Ord. I remember we had DI Day who turned 18 while we were in training and also had SFC Smith. His saying was "What is the spirit of the bayonet" answer "to KILL". Will pay IF you can get me a copy. Do you remember what unit you were in? At some point in all of that, he was promoted to sergeant I don't remember his name. [2], The Joint Base Garrison operates the installation on behalf of the warfighting units, families and extended military community who depend on JBLM for support. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a joint military base into which Fort Lewis, Washington, was . I was in C-1-1 in Sept. 1966 (boot) and I think our DI was Sgt chicowski not sure of the spelling. Got my covid shots at the VA clinic here in the Villages,Fl. The whole platoon was made up of draftee's from Arizona except for 3 of us. Levied twice for VN. I was with 2/2 in 1981 thru 1983. To me, he was the best drill sergeant I could have trained under. . As soon as we transferred to the newer, 3-story buildings for BT, the IG inspection came there and it was cleaning time again. Was in boot camp Sept. 1971 ,,,, was in a-4-1 ,,,, who was the drill sergeant?????? A black guy named Pennington always called me Country, didnt start out too well but we became friends. Shortest DI in the Army I think, perhaps 54 tall. Left for Vietnam 12/8/69 stationed at LZ Dottie. April 69 to June 69 Basic Training E-1-1, Sgt. I assume it was sent out but I just flat don't recall and now I'm curious. (not it was a bad habit which I broke long ago but forced cessation the first day of basic wasn't the way to do it. Remember we would get rained on, get soaked then told to on rain gear. Basic training. Ambush Retirement and Weltschmerz. Grady Myers I hadn't thought about the AIT assignments being Vietnam bound or not until I just read your post. I did basic and 11B ft lewis. My picture was missed placed yrs ago so i dont have it to look at to recall those days. Still have my company photo somewhere. . In 1951, the Installation was enlarged to 261,451 acres (1,058.05km2) and construction of the current cantonment area began. Little did I ever think I would see that man again after basic training. Of all the Post Exchanges I have been to, the one in Fort Lewis is the best by far. A-2-1, Johnny Baugh drill instructor. Cold wet and frozen. I was in the hospital for a week but never got re-cycled. July 1968. No way I enjoyed the freedom of driving and having an ambulance plus an aid man if we had emergency runs. SW Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington 98438 1-253-3009200 1-253-3009200 Email hotel. Fort Lewis, WA Gate Locations; Fort Lewis, WA Base Directory; BAH Rates | Lodging | Units; Military Friendly Local Businesses. Then someone wrenched the bag from the sergeant and ran up the stairs and into the building while others provided interference. I was in the next group after you. Fort Sill, Ok. Right behind you. I remember the Soldier who died in the motor pool. Relatives & associates include . I think they had to send everyone home as the entire training battalion was sick. 253-967-7166. . Just long enough to be called a veteran. I was C-4-2 Charging Charlie as well. D11, California Mod squad. Will be Great! The sites are McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis, both located just south of Tacoma. Then later, when I came back to the states in 76, I was with 268th signal (at Ft Lewis) who just happened to be using the same building B-1-1 used to be. Two of my cousins went thru Ft Lewis Oct- Dec 68 a co. 2 bn 2 bde graduation march 1971 snappyten@yahoo.com, I was in a-4-1- 4th. Hill, Christian, and Adam Ashton, "Is Lewis-McChord A 'Troubled Base'? Spokesman-Review Forgot about Pinto being at Porkchop Hill. Sgt. We had an E 5 by the name of Houlihan. Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) Official Website. Late 69 Fort Lewis B-3-1 This was actually written on the envelope as his return address at Ft. Lewis during Basic. Are platoon got Just before World War II, the Army's need for a large training and maneuver area became apparent, and the Army negotiated with landowners to lease 160,000 acres (250sqmi; 650km2) for the Yakima Anti-Aircraft Artillery Range. 1969. Him and Horn..! There was one shower that worked and the 2 working toilets. 360-688-4073. I did basic at Ft Lewis, D-3-1 September 1970 to November 1970. I did my Basic Training there. Podcast Basic training at Ft. Lewis, Feb-April 1970. There were 3,560 housing units at an average density of 232.8 per square mile (89.9/km2). This is good information about fort Lewis. Our fatigues mostly went out to the quartermaster laundry and the rest was washed in the machines in the latrine. Kent Nagle, Vince Grimes, ? Nobody stopped me when ai drove in then.but I did not stop for the guard. Sent to Germany and discharged in April 71. Opened in 2008 we are the only privately owned boarding facility on a military post in the U.S. Hi Bob Cook, I was also @ Ft. Lewis Jan 2, 1970 thru March 1970 with C-3-2, we were neighbors. My dad was a DS in Fort Lewis at that time. I was in that BCT unit 3 years earlier, so I'm sure the command personnel had changed by the time you were there. Fort Lewis is situated in a key location along Interstate 5, allowing easy access to Sea-Tac airport and to the deep water ports of Tacoma and Seattle. [1], Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a major Army base, with much of the 2nd Infantry Division in residence, along with Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division; 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command; and 1st Special Forces Group. BCT 1-14-67 to 3-10-67; Ft. Lewis, WA, LPC 24-64-;3-12-67 to 3-24-67; AIT, C-3-2; 3rd Plt, 2nd Sqd. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Aerial View Fort Lewis Army Base Washington WA Continental 4X6 Postcard Rainier at the best online prices at eBay! The whole platoon was from Chicago. Current Address: 302 Kray Ike Court, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Mobile Phone: View Current Number Email: View Current Email View On Map. [12] As of the 2000 census, the CDP, which includes the most densely populated part of the base, had a total population of 19,089. Basic was hard and they kept you scared and on your toes all the time. We wore a white "magot tag" that showed we were trainees. Of the names you mentioned earlier, there a a guy upstairs named John Steele. . COMM phone number for Joint Base Lewis-McChord Housing Services Office (HSO) 253-967-3581. 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. Never knew his first name, would love to track him down and but him a beer or three if he is still around. Training Company E-3-1. Fort Lewis was merged with McChord Air Force Base on 1 February 2010 to form Joint Base LewisMcChord. did basic at Ft Lewis arrived Mar 28.1968 the entire platoon was from Arizona 1 PLT A Co 5BN 1 BDE..graduated May 1968..curious to know if the old barricks are still there..have no way of finding out or what barracks I was even in, I thank there wear 5K to start now there 2 hundred left. It had a mural of a severed VC head on a bayonet with slogan on it: To kill and have no mercy. Since its opening in 1944 as a temporary hospital for war wounded, Madigan has grown into a tertiary care . After AIT is did a tour in Vietnam Nam. I was there april 17 th 1969 to July. Steve Almond Like you I planned a visit to North Fort. Michael Simpson Fort Lewis Internment Camp, a former internment camp (1942-1943) at Fort Lewis, Washington. Several unique requirements were . Store Hours: Mon- Sun 0900-2130. President George W. Bush greets US troops 18 June at Fort Lewis Army Base in Washington. Canada Thistle grows thickly in some areas. But you know, he was really a decent guy (20 years later!). Thanks! He got sent out right from graduation and never received his book with all the photographs. Lorenzen, Clune , Reavley, Torres, Murakami and many others. We saw a guy in the next barracks, being carried out on a stretcher, dead. I was in c 3 2 April 68 to June. Clapboard, no insulation, no heating. Tim Woodward 11/2/2014. Had a very young Drill Instructor who did 2 tours in Vietnam. All these statistics were typical for military bases. Drill Sgt. McChord Field separated from Fort Lewis when the U.S. Air Force was created in 1947 and was subsequently renamed McChord Air Force Base. Ron, you might want to make an original post. Chuck. 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. Unfortunately for the attackers, one of our defenders butt-stroked his rifle into the head of one of our Officers who was charging us, and knocked him out. May 2014 I am amazed that you remembered me, Troy. 3rd Battalion I just wanted to walk the company parade grounds and my barracks, visit the spirit of the closest friendships Ive ever had and the ghosts of my lost brothers Dale, ran across this.. JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. -- Fort Lewis Map. We could run forever and not feel the pain. Soldiers demonstrating artillery techniques in front of chapel and barracks, Fort Lewis, 1941. February 2018 Rainier in the sun the day we drew gear (Nov 7 or 8) then it rained or snowed every day after. I am proud to have trained under him and will never forget what he did for us. I cannot find a class picture and need assistance, If anyone has a photo or know where I can find one, I would appreciate it. Hernandez, other DS was Fagan. Overall a great experience but have to admit - it did have it's moments. He told me stories of beautiful Washington and how different it was from Nashville. lauriecolegrove23@gmail.com I was also in A-3-2, from late July to Oct. 3, 69. If i remember right i think everybody had to get some kind of shot. The Army splits the rank into either corporal / sergeant or specialist. 3.5 Cybo Score. 8th Brigade Army ROTC . Jerry Rogers. I too was in A-3-2 in that Oct to Dec 1971 cycle. Nov 1970 - Jan 1971, A-1-1, DI SSGT Delano. Shepard a really tall, black guy? Vicksburg, as well as photographs . John..I also did BCT with B-1-1, but in June of 71. The outside portion was 13 red and white stripes, and when you swung both doors open, there was a field of blue, with 50 stars. Sergeant Hungerford was D.I while Sergeant Blood was PT manWe probably had some of your leftovers? What was Howitzer gunners life like in the war? I know he told me he was behind the big gun with big shells so I am assuming some form of Howitzer. Library Tom Williams I was not a serious collector of army stuff but have some items and pictures to remind me. Read on to find out more about this amazing Washington Army base. In 90 days, Stone had supervised the construction of a "city" of 757 buildings and 422 other structures, all lighted and heated for 60,000 men. I seem to recall his name, but after 50 years I'm not much sure of anything. Had a great meal in the downtown area at a fine restaurant. On 12 October 1999, General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff of the Army, announced I Corps would lead the acceleration of Army transformation, training and the initial creation of the first two Stryker Brigade Combat Teams at Fort Lewis. Fort Lewis' terrain is primarily a mixture of dense conifer woods and open Puget prairie-garry oak woodlands. Native American I suppose that my Vietnam Nam yellow and green service sticker on the back bumper of my 96 Lincoln sufficed as my pass. Only 3 of the WW II type buildings were left of the ones where I had basic (E-4-1) /AIT (B-2-3) in 71. People were running everywhere. Ken Rodgers Hometown Property Management. Sold by 23510xmk | Ends on 2023-03-08 12:57:36 . Fort Lewis EFMP - Family . Weather Underground provides local & long-range weather forecasts, weatherreports, maps & tropical weather conditions for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord area. Neill Public Library Salute out to D.5.2 (Aug 1968 to Oct 1968) Echo - 1 - 1, June to August 1971. He was right behind me when we got shots. He was a Drill Sgt. He probably got an Article 15 for being so dumb. building. November 2017 He's in the Navy as was my dad Bill and my father inlaw Jack O'brien. It would be sumpn to see or at least communicate with some of the guys. I might suppose battalion and regiment, but Im not sure that makes sense. Most of those barracks were built for WW II and are still standing today. Doug, I was there at the same time you were. Correction. Of course, the economy of Fort Lewis revolves around Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington's largest employer with over 52,000 Department of Defense and active-duty military members. They are given coordinates. Still a pretty post. D-3-2 August 1967. Didn't make it to Viet Nam. Was he a squad leader? I hated all of it but my memory is such that it is, surprisingly, still clear. For example as troops from Fort Lewis preparing to fight Communist forces in Southeast Asia, some troops from the same base were ready to oppose their government's policies by joining the antiwar movement. Starting 1-20-71. Was in May 69 to Sept 69 in A-3-2 Drill Sgt. I believe he was already suffering from PTSD because of his short fuse. I miss the team work we had going on then. There were once 5,000 of these buildings. March 2015 Drill Sergeant was S/sgt Jackson. I was in D 1 1 at that time. I would graduate 2 July70 as E2 based on performance and testing or so I guess. First units to go through basic since korean war. I do have a group photo if your interested I don't mind emailing it to you? Hey Russell, I was in at the same time. U.S. Government issued, authenticated Federal PIV credentials, I recently took a tour with my grandson. Later twice I was levied for VN but both times the levies were rescinded and I never received orders Good duty which I enjoyed and got to help Nursing Service assigned to the Dispensaries and put more of my training to use.