The GYPSY BANDITS Arrive in Vietnam from Jim Donelan
572nd Transportation Co, Long Binh, Viet Nam, 1967-68
The GYPSY BANDITS move north to Quang Tri from Bill Hampton
You Guys are Nuts from Robert Woods
|
|
| 6th Transportation Battalion | 7th Transportation Battalion |
| Motor Transport | Motor Transport |
| 66-72 | 66-72 |
| Information from Stantons Order of Battle book and other sources and generally applies to the period of maximum troop deployment in 1968 | |||
| Can't Find Your Company? Check the Crossreference Table | Unit citations awarded by the U.S. cover specific time periods which may be found in DA Pamphlet 672-3. Many units were awarded multiple citations. | ||
| Transportation Companies | Type | Time | Typical Location |
| 6th Battalion Companies | |||
| 86th Trans | Medium Truck | 66-72  |
Long Binh |
| 87th Trans | Light Truck | 66-69 |
Long Binh |
| 151st Trans | Light Truck | 66-69 |
Long Binh |
| 163rd Trans | Light Truck | 65-67 |
Chu Lai |
| 261st Trans "Whistlers" | Light Truck | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 319th Trans | Light Truck | 68-69 |
Long Binh |
| 321st Trans | Medium Truck | 67-72 |
Long Binh |
| 352nd Trans | Light Truck | 68-69 |
Long Binh |
| 7th Battalion Companies | |||
| 10th Trans | Medium Truck | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 62nd Trans | Medium Truck | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 233rd Trans | Heavy Truck | 69-72 | Long Binh |
| 379th Trans | Medium Reefer Truck | 68-72 |
Long Binh |
| 446th Trans | Medium Truck | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 534th Trans | Medium Truck | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 538th Trans | Medium Petroleum Truck | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 572nd Trans "Gypsy Bandits" | Medium Truck | 66-73 |
Long Binh |
| Other Saigon Area Motor Units | |||
| 9th Trans | Airborn Car | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 47th Trans | Medium Petroleum Truck | 66-72 |
Long Binh |
| 543rd Trans | Light Truck | 66-70 |
Long Binh |
| 552nd Trans | Car | 66-72 | Long Binh |
| 556th Trans | Medium Petroleum Truck | 65-70 |
Long Binh |
| 805th Trans | Light Truck | 66-72 | Vung Tau |
Quan Loi, Vietnam, January 1969.
An Army Reserve Historical Painting
The 319th Transportation Company returns fire when one of their trucks is disabled during a Viet Cong ambush.
This Army Reserve unit from Augusta, Ga., is transporting ammunition and rations to the First Infantry Division near the Cambodian border. Between September1968 and July1969, the 319th was ambushed seven times while hauling supplies more than 1.1 million miles. They suffered one casualty and received a meritorious unit citation and numerous individual awards. More than 100,000 individual members of the Army Reserve served on active duty each year from 1967 to 1971, many in southeast Asia. In addition, 42 Army Reserve units were mobilized in 1968, with 35 going to Vietnam.
Joe Blackwell Photo
The following section is based upon material taken from Vietnam Studies Logistical Support Department of the Army, 1972
Truck Transportation
During the deployment of tactical units in mid-1965 most highway transport units were located at or near the major port areas. They provided port and beach clearance and local and line haul in II and III Corps. These services were initially provided by three truck companies at Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay and a combination of medium truck companies (two cargo and one Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants) at Qui Nhon. These capabilities were increased through 1966 by the addition of more truck companies and command and control elements.
As force levels climbed, the requirements for highway transportation units also increased. These requirements were met by three means: 1. the arrival of a Transportation Motor Transport Group Headquarters in Saigon plus the arrival of additional military truck units; 2. the use of commercial trucking contractors; and 3. the arrival of the 1st Transportation Company (GOER) in II Corps.
Joe Blackwell Photo
The highway tonnages moved by a combination of military and commercial motor transport during the period December 1967-December 1968 was approximately ten million tons; and by the same means during the period January-July 1969, approximately five million tons were carried. As the buildup continued it became apparent that the conventional military truck was not designed to handle palletized and containerized loads efficiently. The fixed sides of the cargo bodies on the 2 1/2-ton and 5-ton cargo trucks did not permit forklifts to reach the full length of the cargo compartment, therefore the push and pull method was used in loading and unloading operations causing damage to the truck bodies.
Photo from Larry Phillips 446th Trans Company who is 3rd from left front row.
In the summer of 1966 large scale combat operations in the Central Highlands put a severe strain on the motor transport units providing line haul support in the Pleiku area. Convoy commanders were required to continually operate over an insecure highway system. Convoy security support was provided by U.S. and Vietnamese units when priorities permitted; often the desired degree of support was not available. It was also desirable to have armored personnel carriers integrated into the convoy, but they were not always available. For this reason truck units employed the "hardened vehicle" concept . Within the 8th Transportation Group during the 1967-1968 time frame, the equivalent of one light truck company's capability was lost by converting their cargo vehicles to "hardened vehicles" to provide the necessary security.
Congressional Medal of Honor