1:83rd Self Propelled Field Artillery

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Branch

U.S. Army

Members

About 1:83rd Self Propelled Field Artillery

The 1st Battalion, 83rd Artillery (Self-Propelled), was a U.S. Army artillery unit activated in 1966 and deployed to Vietnam as part of the 54th Artillery Group. Equipped with the M108 105mm and later M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers, the battalion provided crucial fire support to American and allied forces throughout central and northern South Vietnam. The 1/83rd participated in numerous operations, including support for Task Force Oregon, the Americal Division, and Australian and New Zealand units. After distinguished service marked by high operational tempo and adaptability, the unit was redeployed and inactivated in 1971 as part of the U.S. drawdown from Vietnam.

Unit Members

Bradford Clemens

U.S. Army

1:83rd Self Propelled Field ArtilleryView Profile

Monico Tuano III

U.S. Army

1:83rd Self Propelled Field ArtilleryView Profile

Photos

Ie Shima Awards Ceremony

U.S. Air Force • 1979

About 1:83rd Self Propelled Field Artillery

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Vietnam Deployment: The 1st Battalion, 83rd Artillery (1/83rd) was deployed to Vietnam from October 1966 to August 1971, providing fire support for U.S. and allied forces. • Self-Propelled Artillery: The unit was equipped primarily with the M108 105mm self-propelled howitzer, a mobile artillery piece that allowed for rapid repositioning in combat. • Operation Lam Son 719: The 1/83rd supported Operation Lam Son 719 in 1971, an ARVN incursion into Laos intended to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail, by delivering heavy artillery fire from firebases near the border. • Multiple Locations: During its Vietnam service, 1/83rd operated from more than 30 different firebases and locations in I Corps, II Corps, and III Corps Tactical Zones. • Australian Allies: The 1/83rd frequently supported Australian and New Zealand forces in Phuoc Tuy Province, including at the famous Nui Dat base. • High Volume of Fire: At their peak, the battalion’s batteries fired tens of thousands of rounds per month, providing crucial support during major engagements like the Tet Offensive in 1968. • Casualties and Valor: The unit sustained casualties throughout its deployment and several members received high awards for bravery, including the Silver Star and Bronze Star. • Famous Personnel: Among its notable members was First Lieutenant James T. Davis, one of the early U.S. casualties in Vietnam, whose name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. • Unit Nickname: The 1/83rd was sometimes known as the “Red Dragons,” reflecting the traditional artillery branch insignia and esprit de corps. • Legacy and Reunions: After returning from Vietnam, former members established a strong veterans’ association, holding regular reunions and maintaining a comprehensive website to preserve the unit’s history and stories.