23D ARTILLERY GROUP
Vietnam War
Image
credit: Institute of Heraldry
Department of the Army
Distinctive Badge
Symbolism
The lion, suggested by the arms of Normandy, alludes to the unit's battle honors in
Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe during WW2. The
grouped javelin heads on target also allude to the unit's motto and symbolize the firing
of the 175mm self-propelled guns on 19 November 1965 in Vietnam, the first time ever fired
in combat. The red (scarlet) background alludes to the Meritorious Unit Commendation
(Vietnam) Award. The javelin heads, TWO at the top and THREE in base, further identify the
numerical designation of the organization.
Meritorious Unit
Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious
conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months during
the period of military operations against an armed enemy occurring on or after 1 January
1944.
23rd Artillery Group (Field Artillery)
"Steel On Target"
16 November 1965 - 28 January 1972
The following artillery
battalions served at one time or another under 23rd Artillery Group control:
5th Battalion, 2nd Artillery
1st Battalion, 27th Artillery
7th Battalion, 8th Artillery
6th Battalion, 27th Artillery
7th Battalion, 9th Artillery
2nd Battalion, 32nd Artillery
2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery
2nd Battalion, 35th Artillery
2nd Battalion, 12th Artillery
5th Battalion, 42nd Artillery
2nd Battalion, 13th Artillery
3rd Battalion, 197th Artillery
6th Battalion, 15th Artillery
6/15th Artillery
'DEADLY'
Four
175mm's at 1st Infantry's Saigon University staging area November 18,
1965, when the 2/32d 175mm's arrived in Vietnam. Photo: Bill Van Eck
C-2/32
"Can Do" of the
2/32d fires the first 175mm
round in Vietnam, November 19, 1965
at Bien Hoa AFB
Nui Ba Den mountain in background
Photo: Bill Van Eck
First 175mm projectile fired in
Vietnam.
Sgt Douglas' 2nd Section
November 19, 1965
Photo: Bill Van Eck
On 12 March 1967, "Proud
Americans" 2nd/32nd FA firing their 300,000 round. Gen. Crittenberger
did the Honors firing the round, and 'A' Battery gun "AMEN"
was the Gun of the Day.
Photo: Ralph Jones
Patch
worn by guys in S-2 Forward of the 23rd Artillery Group. The Arty
Group aerial observers were responsible for recon missions in III Corps,
and also on call to adjust artillery fire or airstrikes on targets
of opportunity. They worked with the L-19/0-1 Bird Dog pilots of
the 74th Recon Airplane Company based in Phu Loi
Text and Image Credit: Frank Ledford
INDEX OF PAGES
FIRST
FIELD FORCE VIETNAM ARTILLERY
SECOND
FIELD FORCE VIETNAM ARTILLERY
XXIV Corps Artillery
23rd Artillery Group
41st Artillery Group
52nd Artillery Group
54th Artillery Group
97th Artillery Group
108th Artillery Group
Complete
list of Vietnam Artillery Units