C Battery 5:16 Artillery Viet-Nam

• Unit Designation: C Battery, 5th Battalion, 16th Artillery (C/5/16) was part of the 16th Artillery Regiment, which traced its lineage back to World War I. • Vietnam War Service: The 5/16th Artillery served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1971, providing crucial fire support to infantry units, particularly in III and IV Corps Tactical Zones. • Artillery Piece: C Battery primarily operated the M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer, a highly mobile and powerful artillery system. • Nickname: Members of the 5/16th Artillery were often known as "The Rolling Thunder," reflecting both their firepower and mobility. • Fire Support Bases: C Battery was stationed at multiple fire support bases, including Bearcat, Dong Tam, and Tan Tru, supporting infantry operations in the Mekong Delta and surrounding regions. • Tet Offensive: During the 1968 Tet Offensive, C Battery played a critical role in defending several bases and providing emergency fire missions to repel enemy attacks. • Counter-Fire Missions: The unit frequently engaged in counter-battery fire against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong mortar and rocket positions, often under dangerous conditions. • Humanitarian Assistance: In addition to combat operations, C Battery personnel participated in civic action projects, such as building schools and assisting local villages. • Casualties and Sacrifice: Like many artillery units in Vietnam, C Battery suffered casualties from enemy action, including mortar attacks and ambushes during convoy movements. • Legacy: After returning from Vietnam, the service of C Battery, 5/16th Artillery, has been honored by veterans’ reunions and memorials, preserving the history and camaraderie of its members.