23d Infantry in Alaska

I have had the honor to have served in the 1st, 2d, and 4th of the 23d Infantry as part of the 2d Infantry Division, USARAL (US Army Alaska), and the 172d Brigade (SEP). I have seen all and parts of the published histories and noticed that none of the "cold war" service has been written. There is virtually nothing between the Korean War and Vietnam. The 23d is now serving valiently in the Mid-East. I think these soldiers need to know the history of those dark days between the wars.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Organization of the 1st Battle Group...

The Sergeant showed us the intracacies of the Ahkio, (a 300 pound capacity sled full of tent. stove, fuel, and pioneer tools), between drawing field equipment and other in-processing activities. He made us put up and take down the 10-man tent and stove till we could do it in the dark in 5 minutes flat...He said this was important when it was 40 below. He wasn't kidding!

These were the days of the "Pentomic" Army Organization. It was supposed to be 5-part replacement for the WW II "Triangular" organization. Actually, the Battle Group was just about one and one-half the size of a WW II battalion
. Unlike the WW II battalion, the Battle Group Stood alone, and reported directly to the Division or other higher headquarters. The 23d Infantry in Alaska, for example, reported directly to USARAL (US Army Alaska). USARAL had the 23d and the 9th Infantry (Ft Wainwright) as its only two subordinate Infantry units.

The 1st BG consisted of 5 companies, Alpha thru Echo companies. There was a Headquarters and Headquarters Company. This later split into HHC and a Combat Support Company.

To Make it even more fun, the Battle Group had D Company of the 40th Armor, the 536th Transportation Company (M-59 Armored Personnel Carriers) assigned. The Transportation company was used much like an armored truck company. This didn't work, so the transportation company was broken up, and it's drivers and APCs assigned to C, D, and E companies.
Ultimately, A and B Companies were considered Airmobile (H-21 Flying Bananas), C,D & E Companies went "Mechanized", with Foxtrot being Airborne. Foxtrot was supported by the Air National Guard's C119 Flying Boxcars.
The 1st Battalion of the 37th Field Artillery (Teddy's Redlegs) was the organic fire support. Late in 1961, or early 1962, an Airborne Company was formed (Foxtrot Company) to add an Airborne capability for the BG Commander.
Colonel Wright, Commanding, must have had orgasms while planning our units deployment.

2 Comments:

At 8:00 AM, Blogger don b said...

I was in D co. 40th armor feb 1960 to may 1962. I belong to an Alaska military vetereans group which we have a reunion once a year. all vets are welcome. we are in Indianapolis In. Sept.12 to the 16th. more info. 727-289-6668
Don B

 
At 10:32 AM, Blogger billy g said...

I was in f company arb 1961 but can not find anything about it

 

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