Reunion

[deltamedic]

Just to let any of you guys/gals that served in the Mekong Delta with 9th Inf Div and its support units as well as Navy personnel with Tango boats, PBR's, monitors, troop ships etc in support of 9th Inf also joined as MRFA (Mobile Riverine Force); we are having a reunion in late August '03 at Ft Mitchell, Ky...need info let me know or ck out www.mrfa.com

Doc

[SuperScout]

Thanks for the notice about the upcoming reunion with the 9th and the MRFA. I went to the shindig up at Ft. Mitchell in 1999, and had a ball! There is another reunion, for the 47th Infantry Regiment (the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th battalions were assigned to the 9th Infantry Division during Vietnam), at Ft. Benning, GA, in early April. Some of the platoon bays at the 2-47th Infantry Battalion, a training unit for recruits, will be named and dedicated to some of the warriors from both WWII, and from the Vietnam war. Have a great time with the "Brown Water Navy" guys!

[9th Inf. Doc.]

Thanks for the Info.,Doc.!I've found it impossible to get free for the Reg. reunion so that gives me something else to shoot for.

SuperScout-

As you may be aware the 2/47th was awarded the Valorus Unit Award largely as a result of an action that took place on 5 May '70 in Cambodia. Would you have any idea where a copy of that citation could be found?

[deltamedic]

9th Inf Doc:

Possibly can locate on the mrfa.org site, if not suggest you make contact with Albert Moore who is mrfa president and ask him about & most likely he'll know or can put you in touch with some
one that does. Usually theu keep sucj info pretty current on the web site however. For Albert e-mail him at: mrfa@charter.net
We also have a couple of sites dedicated to the 9th Inf if you need them will be happy to supply with same. Hope you can make Aug in Ft Mitchell also. By the way, am lkg for a room mate to share motel expenses if you're interested let me know.

Doc

[SuperScout]

I wouild second the info from DeltaMedic. You might also check out another site, www.angelfire.com/tx3/247infantry, and learn more about the 2-47th Infantry (Mech). We were also awarded a Valorous Unit Citation for actions during Tet; there is movement afoot even as we speak to submit the paperwork to get this upgraded to a Presidential Unit citation, as we more than met the criteria. In my platoon alone, there were 3 Distinguished Service Crosses, 6 Silver Stars, and 22 Bronze Star Medals with "V" device for actions that day of days.

[9th Inf. Doc.]

SS-

If I remember correctly,I was assigned to the 2-47th at about the time you were leaving-Apr.'70-and we may have brushed shoulders heading opposite directions.There was still much talk about Tet..From that and from what I have since read about your platoon on that day I feel that an upgrade in both the unit and individual awards would definately be in order.What you guys accomplished was awesome.The action on 5 May was purely defensive in nature and I in no way feel that it was in the same class with what y'all accomplished.Doesn't require much valor to want to stay alive.The Cambodia award was made at about the time the unit was being broken up (as you were,I think "brought home" is the official term.The flag went to Hawaii,the people were reassigned to other units.) and I knew that the unit had recieved some kind of award but had no clue as to what the award was until about a year ago when I ran into a copy of the book Into Cambodia.Might have been a nice thing to know since I ended up spending about another 15yrs. active or active reserve.This is why I'm presently looking for a copy of the citation.

Doc., shareing motel expenses is a great idea and I am honored that you would suggest same but I just spent the last 6-8mo. trying-and failing-to get free for the Regimental reunion.This is a great disappointment to me and I don't know that my situation will be any better in Aug.In short,I intend to set my sights on getting to the Div. reunion but my pospects for actually getting there are pretty slim.Wouldn't want you to count on me and then have to back out.If I begin to see a little daylight later on I'll get back with you and see if your arrangements are nailed down at that point.

Hal

[deltamedic]

Ok Hal, do keep a ck with me on the reunion, I've posted an ad in the MRFA newsletter also for roomie but that may/may not pan out...did 2 yrs ago as some of the guys want and/or need to save some $$ for these things any way they so I always offer as its a help to me also plus having a roomie to yak at while there.

If you contact Al Moore at the MRFA site I gave you we do have a history book that was done on the 9th as well as the MRFA just a couple yrs ago that gives the history, awards, stories of these 2 units. As I mentioned Al can get you info on the unit awards; pretty sure. When I was there we did get the Presidential Unit Award, US Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with palm
which I wore along with my CMB, Army Commendation Medal (4 oak leaf clusters-5 awards), Good Conduct Medal 2 awards, Nat'l Defense Medal, US Service Vietnam Medal (8 battle stars) and Vietnam Campaign Svc with 60 date device.

I tell you someone else that can look up your service dates and see if you're entitled to any unknown other awards/medals:

Milibooks of America
10410 Donoho Place
St Louis, MO 63131-2700

314 991-4217

They make super great military shawdow boxes with all your awards, unit patches etc. Prices vary depending on how much stuff you have put in them.

Doc