B/1/8 and D/1/8 refer to the units I served in during my two tours in Vietnam.  I was a second lieutenant leading the 1st Platoon of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division initially, then promoted to Company XO, and later took command of Bravo Company during Task Force Alpha, when Captain DeRoos was wounded.  Then I spent several months Commanding Headquarters Company in base camp, where I enlisted for my second tour of duty.  Upon return from 30 days leave in the world, I assumed Command of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.  The last month of my tour was spent in the Battalion Tactical Operations Center, initially as S-3 Air.

The site below gave an overview of the strengths and composition of the different size units discussed throughout this website:

http://www.gruntonline.com/TheWar/us_army_forces.htm#TABLE%20OF%20ORGANISATION

I can't link to the site any longer, but this is most of the information that was posted there.

US Army Rifle Company TOE 7-18G ... (Table of Organization and Equipment)

COMPOSITION OF COMPANY

• 1 - Company HQ
• 3 - Rifle Platoon (each 1 - Rifle Platoon HQ, 3 - Rifle Squads, 1 - Weapons Squad)
• 1 - Weapon Platoon (1 - Weapons Platoon HQ, 1 - Mortar Section, 1 - Antitank Section)

ARMY INFANTRY COMPANY

Company HQ

• 1 - Captain, Company Commander, Pistol .45 cal
• 1 - Lieutenant, Executive Officer, Rifle
• 1 - E-8 First Sergeant, Rifle
• 1 - E-6 Supply Sergeant, Rifle
• 1 - E-5 Communications Chief, Rifle
• 1 - E-4 Armorer, Driver, Rifle
• 1 - E-4 Clerk, Pistol .45 cal, M-79
• 1 - E-4 Equipment Clerk, Rifle
• 1 - E-4 Field radio Mechanic, Rifle
• 2 - E-3 radio Operator, Driver, Rifle
• 2 - E-3 Wireman, Rifle
• 2 - 1/4 ton (4x4) Utility Truck with 1/4 ton Cargo Trailer
• 1 - 1-1/2 ton Cargo Trailer
• 1 - 2-1/2 ton (6x6) Truck
• 3 - AN/PRC-25
• 2 - AN/VRC-47 (mounted in 1/4 ton Utility Truck)
• 2 - AN/GRA-39 (mounted in 1/4 ton Utility Truck)

RIFLE PLATOON
(3 per Company)

Rifle Platoon HQ

• 1 - Lieutenant, Rifle

• 1 - E-7 Platoon Sergeant, Rifle

• 1 - E-3 Radio Operator, Rifle

• 2 - AN/PRC-6

• 1 - AN/PRC-25

Rifle Squad (3 per Platoon)

• 1 - E-6 Squad Leader, Rifle

• 2 - E-5 Team Leader, Rifle

• 2 - E-4  Auto Rifleman, Rifle with Bipod

• 2 - E-4 Grenadier, Pistol .45 cal, M-79

• 3 - E-3 Rifleman, Rifle

• AN/PRC-6

Weapons Squad

• 1 - E-6 Squad Leader, Rifle

• 2 - E-4 Machine Gunner,  M-60, Pistol .45 cal

• 2 - E-4 Gunner, 90mm Recoilless Rifle, Pistol .45 cal

• 2 - E-3 Ammo Bearer, Rifle

• 2 - E-3 Assistant Machine Gunner, Pistol .45 cal

• 2 - E-3 Assistant Gunner, Pistol .45 cal

• AN/PRC-6

The E-6 SSG in the weapons squad is usually the most senior SSG in the platoon. Note that the TO&E for the Weapons Squad includes a 90-mm Recoilless Rifle (2 man team) but it was common practice for the 90mm Recoilless Rifle to be left at base camp or the NDP (troops could still carry the LAW as an anti-tank weapon) and replaced by a third M-60 MG or alternatively the 90mm RR team would hump extra ammo for the 60's (as above).
 

WEAPONS PLATOON
 

Platoon HQ

• 1 - Lieutenant, Rifle

• 1 - E-7 Platoon Sergeant, Rifle

• 1 - E-3 Radio Operator, Driver, Rifle

• 1 - 1/4 ton Utility Truck with 1/4 ton cargo Trailer
• AN/GRC-125

Generally the Weapons Platoon stayed at the night defensive position or firebase and gave support from that location.

MORTAR SECTION

Mortar Section HQ

• 1 - E-6 Section Leader, Rifle

• 3 - E-5 Forward Observer, Rifle

• 1 - E-5 Fire Direction Computer, Rifle

• 1 - E-5 Fire Direction Computer, Driver, Pistol .45 cal, M-79

• 3 - E-3 Radio Operator, Rifle

• 1 - 3/4 ton Cargo Truck with 3/4 ton Cargo Trailer

• 4 - AN/PRC-25

81mm Mortar Squad - 3

• 1 - E-5 Squad Leader, Rifle

• 1 - E-4 Gunner, Pistol .45 cal

• 1 - E-3 Ammo Bearer, Rifle

• 1 - E-3 Ammo Bearer, Driver, Pistol .45 cal, M-79

• 1 - E-3 Assistant Gunner, Pistol .45 cal

• 1 - 81mm Mortar

• 1 - 3/4 ton Cargo Truck with 3/4 ton Cargo Trailer

ANTITANK SECTION

Section HQ

• 1 - E-6 Section Leader, Rifle

Antitank Squad - 2

• 1 - E-5 Squad Leader, Rifle
• 1 - E-4 Gunner, Pistol .45 cal
• 1 - E-3 Ammo Bearer, Driver, Rifle
• 1 - E-3 Assistant Gunner, Pistol .45 cal
• 1 - 106mm Recoilless Rifle
• 1 - 1/4 ton Utility Truck (RR Carrier)
• AN/GRC-125

MEDICS: Nine additional E-5s (Company Aidman) with Rifle, not shown on the Battalion Medical Platoon TOE are attached to the Infantry battalion normally one per rifle platoon for field and combat operations. Likely that 1 - E-5 (Senior medical Aidman) was attached to Company HQ as the Company Senior Medic.

Forward Observers: Battalion heavy mortar (4.2") team consisting of 1 - E-5 (FO) with rifle, 1 - E-3 (RTO) with rifle and AN/PRC-25 attached to each line company.

Homer R. Steedly Jr.    (Email:  )       More stories coming soon...Check back often.    Copyrighted ...  10/31/2007.         Site Map