81 Mortars were part of H&S Weapons platoon. If you need a lot of rounds dropped quickly, these we the guys to call. They had permanent emplacements in the rear and depending on the operation, would travel with the battalion. People generally didn't like it when they traveled with the Battalion, because they had heavy stuff to carry. The 0341's would carry their own tubes, base plate, bipods and aiming sticks, but everybody else would carry one or two rounds. Nobody liked extra weight. When you needed some rounds dropped, there was something reassuring about the sound of rounds leaving the tubes and nobody minded the weight then.
The 81's FOs (Forward Observers) were constantly on patrol with the rifle companies and we could identify with those guys. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta. Those guys were the best of the best!!1 - Cpl Ron "Little Lou" Meyers
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M. Byron Norrell, Jr. in an 81mm mortar gun pit. - photo from M. Byron Norrell, Jr. |
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What do you need? HE, Wooly Peter, flares. They had it. - photo from M. Byron Norrell, Jr. |
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Hill 10 taken from west tower around August 1970 - photo from John Dougherty |
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81's area, Hill 10 taken from west tower around August 1970 - photo from John Dougherty |
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John in a gun pit. - photo from John Dougherty |