The Patriot Files

(MORTARDUDE ) WW1 dogtag

MORTARDUDE — Wed, 26 Feb 2003 20:31:03 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: These are WW1 dogtags worn by my grandfather Lawrence Willoughby, who served with Co. A 129th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division in 1918.

( MORTARDUDE ) in TC ( Tr

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:51:08 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: This is where I spent most of my time when we were moving. I had a .50 cal machine-gun, M-79 grenade launcher, an old ARVN M-16 and, a much older ARVN .45 cal pistol, plus about 800 rounds of .50 cal ammo, 3 quarts of motor oil for the .50 and a spare barrel. Also two flak jackets, ( one to sit on ), and a steel pot helmet for the head. The only part of the M113 that was steel was the shield in front of the TC. It was thick, heavy metal. The rest was aluminum and couldn't stop an AK47 round.

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( MORTARDUDE) My great-gr

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:32:09 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Montage of items of my great-grandfather Robert Brown. The photo was taken in 1904. He lived from 1834-1922. He was a proud Confederate soldier and his grave stone was furnished by the UCV ( United Confederate Veterans ). Below the picture is a copy of his Parole form signed May 25, 1865. The records say : Robert Brown, private, Company F, 9th Tenn. Infantry, C.S.A., enlisted May 23, 1861 at Jackson TN., to serve 12 months and that he deserted at Tupelo Miss., on June 23, 1862. Our records also show that R. Brown, private, Co. A ( Neely's), 14th ( also called 13th ) Tenn. Cavalry, C.S.A., enlisted March 14, 1863 at Ripley, Miss. to serve 3 years. He is reported on roll dated May 13, 1864, last on file, as 5th sergeant present. No record of capture or parole has been found. Robert Brown, Co. B 9th Tenn. Inf. C.S.A., is shown on a report, not dated, of prisoners of war surrendered May 25, 1865, at La Grange Tenn., and paroled as having left his command at Atlanta, Ga. July 6, 1864. >>>>>>>>>>>> I have done a lot of research on this. Apparently about half his unit "deserted" after the first year ( when their original enlistment was up ) to join the Cavalry. His affidavits, which he submitted to try to get a pension, state he was wounded in the Battle of Atlanta, and it took him 3 months to get home. From the letters and affidavits it appears he fought as both infantry and cavalry in 1864. The affidavits are signed by the soldiers he served with.

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( MORTARDUDE) Confederate

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:15:49 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: We found these Confederate artillery re-enactors somewhere in Virginia on vacation a few years ago. Very authentic.

( MORTARDUDE) Getting rea

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:13:44 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: My friend, Dennis LeBlanc, and I getting ready to go on R&R in Australia. Aug 1970

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( MORTARDUDE) Removal of

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:11:43 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Removal of APC damaged by mine in the other photo by helicopter.

( MORTARDUDE) Removal of

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:11:20 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Removal of APC damaged by mine in the other photo by helicopter.

( MORTARDUDE) Peace sign

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:09:57 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Peace sign form SPC/4 Larry Nuckolls, about Oct 1970, Co. B 2/22(M) 25th Infantry Division.

( MORTARDUDE) effects of

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:08:27 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Effects of a mine on an M113 APC. This was probably a dud 105mm artillery round that they rigged up. At the time it apparently didn't occur to me that there could be other mines around...We didn't have mine sweepers. Stupid is as stupid does I guess...

( MORTARDUDE) May 1971 my

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:05:53 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: May 1971 after I was discharged from the Army. We are both in uniform from wars 53 years and a world apart...

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( MORTARDUDE) My grandfat

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 19:03:35 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Another photo of my grandfather, Lawrence Willoughby, in his uniform many, many years after the war was over...

1 comment

( MORTARDUDE) My grandfat

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:59:21 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: This is a newspaper article about my grandfather who served in WW1. It says : Toone, TN. Aug 10 ( 1963 ). Styles have changed since 1919 and so has the United States Army uniform. However, Lawrence Willoughby of Toone is still proud to wear his Army uniform of World War 1 vintage. Mr Willoughby wore a size 38 when he was in the Army and today at 75, he can still wear his uniform. Returning from the Army in 1919, Mr Willoughby carefully packed away his uniform. But through the years, he has occasionally put it on just for the fun of it. Mr Willoughby entered service on 6/6/1918, and six weeks later was sent to Germany as a member of the 33rd Infantry Division. He participated in the battle of the Argonne Forest and was on the Hindenberg line the morning a German soldier jumped up from the trenches and blew his horn, indicating their surrender. "I was less than two city blocks from him and I'll tell you that was the sweetest music.", Mr. Willoughby said. Mr Willoughby attended a meeting of Hardeman Co. TN. WW1 veterans in Bolivar two years ago. There were 52 present and he was the oldest. Mr. Willoughby is a retired farmer. His hobbies are gardening. and growing truck crops. >>> My note : he died in 1972 at age 84. I was named after him, and loved him dearly.

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( MORTARDUDE) Fire missio

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:46:24 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Fire mission 81MM mortars

( MORTARDUDE) Firebase

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:45:10 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: This photo was taken about March 1970. It shows a typical artillery firebase setup ( this was named FSB Hampton ). The photo was taken from the guard tower in the center. My 4th platoon mortar tracks are in the foreground.

( MORTARDUDE) FDC ( Fire

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:32:53 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: This is a photo of me taken in October 1970. I was in the FDC ( Fire Direction Control ) part of the 81MM mortar section for about 6 months. We are the ones who tell the mortars where to shoot. When we are in convoy or on an operation I was also the .50 gunner in the TC ( track commander's ) hatch.

1 comment

( MORTARDUDE) Father 43rd

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:30:14 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: This is a photo of my father, Edward Nuckolls, taken while he was with the 43rd Infantry Division in WW2. He was in the heavy weapons platoon and was a SGT. He operated the 60mm mortar as well as the machine-guns. He was on Guadalcanal, Rendova, and New Georgia and served from 1941-44.

1 comment

( MORTARDUDE) Cobra

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:27:45 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: This landed near us during an operation. Never did find out why. April 1970, near Cuchi.

3 comments

( MORTARDUDE) Chieu Hoi l

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:26:34 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: I picked up all of these Chieu Hoi ( surrender leaflets ) while in Vietnam and Cambodia. The one with the big arrow on the left was found in Cambodia. I have had them translated, but have misplaced it for now. Will post when found.

1 comment

( MORTARDUDE) Bob Hope C

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:24:03 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

( MORTARDUDE) April 1970

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:22:48 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Description: Just another day at work. April 1970. 2/22(M) 25th Infantry Division. I am on the third APC from the left behind the .50 cal MG.

Son ( Justin ) ( MORTARDU

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:21:01 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Son ( Jonathan( and wife

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:20:16 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

Larry & Diane ( MORTA

MORTARDUDE — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:18:31 -0800

by: MORTARDUDE

2 comments