1:83rd Self Propelled Field Artillery

• 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.