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.

Monday, March 09, 2009

A farm boy from Illinois tries cross-country skiing


Our individual soldier training started shortly after Willow Freeze. B Company was scheduled to ski to Davis Range. First Sergeant Caldwell felt sorry for us newbies, so he allowed us to be trucked to the range on one of the company's three-quarter ton truck. We were so thankful! Bear in mind the First rule of Infantry Transportation...We non-skiers had to ski home! Slide one step forward, slide one back, fall on you butt (or face), get up and try again. It was one of the most miserable couple of miles I ever traveled. Thank God that Specialist J.D. Gilmore was there to help pick me up!

5 Comments:

At 3:56 AM, Blogger Swamp Fitts said...

When were you there? I noticed the Mickey Mouse boots, and the M1 so you must have bee there sometime in the 60's. I was there from 1960 to 1963 assigned to the 514th Med. Gp. (Dispensary)

 
At 11:49 AM, Blogger Otis said...

I was there from 1959-1963. My email is otisandbess@yahoo.com. I would like to hear from anyone

 
At 11:49 AM, Blogger Otis said...

I was there from 1959-1963. My email is otisandbess@yahoo.com. I would like to hear from anyone

 
At 12:14 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I was there from 59-63 as a child. I learned to ski on the bunny slope as it was just 2 blocks from our quarters. My father was a Lt. In B company and also A company. Email is milted1953@gmail.com

 
At 6:09 PM, Blogger garyg said...

4/4/2022. Hopefully someone is still around to read this comment. My reason for writing is to see if I can get into contact with anyone who may have served in one of the Infantry battalions of the 172d while I was up there. I'm trying to gather evidence for a VA Disability claim based on exposure to Agent Orange. C-123 and C-130 aircraft were used to ship and spray Agent Orange prior to 1971. Those same planes where then used by the Air Force and Air National Guard to transport soldiers for troop movements around AK. I had made at least 10 trips, to Wainwright, Nome, Sitka, and some small Eskimo village on the Bering Sea. If anyone had the same experiences as me, please contact me.

I too am from Illinois, Sourdough. Chicago suburb of Melrose Park. I served in Combat Support Company, 4/23d, from 1971 to 1974. I enjoyed reading and relating to your stories as an Infantryman in the Land of the Norther Lights.

My first actual job in the Army was in Seward, AK. I arrived in Mar. 71. When I reported to the Post Headquarters as a brand new Shavetail, I was told there were no slots open for me. And there wouldn't be any for at least two weeks. I asked what I was supposed to do in the meantime, and the XO said "Just go see
Alaska. I told the XO I had used up all of my Leave and Travel Time getting to AK. The XO said not to worry about it, just repot back to him in 2 weeks. I got set up in my BOQ and just went to 'see' Alaska. When I reported back I was given my first assignment. The Military had a Fishing Camp in Seward. It was manned at that time by the 172d Inf. Bde. I was assigned as the Boat Platoon Leader to the Fishing Camp. I said to the XO, "Sir, I'm an Airborne,
Ranger Infantry Officer, I'm not in the Navy, I don't know anything about boats". He said that's OK, the 1st Lieutenant you're replacing can teach you what you need to know. I was in charge of operating the fishing camp with its, about, 20 fishing boats. They were 35Ft. Cabin Cruisers with twin inboard diesel marine engines, and one very large yacht for the 06s and above. I could write a book about just the 4 or 5 months I served there. All about my adventures boating on Resurrection Bay, the lack of enough men (especially trained Marine Diesel Mechanics, equipment, dining facilities, and the long hours due to 20 hours of daylight in the Summer.

Hope to hear back from someone.

 

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