C Btry 6BN:33FA 1st Firing Plt.

• Vietnam War Service: C Battery, 6th Battalion, 33rd Field Artillery (C Btry 6BN/33FA) was an integral part of the 1st Infantry Division's artillery support during the Vietnam War, providing crucial fire support for ground operations. • Nickname "The Big Red One": While the 1st Infantry Division itself is famously called "The Big Red One," C Battery carried the legacy and pride of this storied division throughout its deployments. • 1st Firing Platoon's Role: The 1st Firing Platoon of C Battery was often on the front lines of artillery support, responsible for rapid and accurate fire missions in some of the most intense combat zones in Vietnam. • 105mm and 155mm Howitzers: The unit was equipped with both 105mm and 155mm towed howitzers, allowing for flexible fire support in both direct and indirect roles. • Operation Cedar Falls: C Battery played a vital role in Operation Cedar Falls in 1967, one of the largest American offensives of the Vietnam War, targeting Viet Cong strongholds in the Iron Triangle. • Firebase Defense: Members of C Battery, including the 1st Firing Platoon, took part in defending remote firebases, sometimes engaging in firefights and direct combat during enemy assaults. • Innovative Fire Missions: The unit became known for creative artillery tactics, such as “time on target” barrages, where multiple guns coordinated to have all shells hit the target area simultaneously. • Distinguished Unit Citations: The 6th Battalion, 33rd Field Artillery earned several unit citations for their exemplary performance and gallantry under fire during their Vietnam service. • Heroic Stories: Oral histories from veterans recall times when the 1st Firing Platoon provided last-minute fire missions that saved surrounded infantry units from being overrun. • Legacy and Reunions: Veterans of C Btry 6BN/33FA 1st Firing Plt. continue to hold reunions and maintain strong bonds, keeping the stories and camaraderie of their service alive for new generations.