277FA Ft Lewis, Washington

2/77FA Ft. Lewis,Washington '65 - '66

Except for Basic Cadre, Most of the troops arriving here took their training (Army Speak for School) From Basic Combat Training, clear through AIT - at this fort. Below, the barracks, and the troops and gear lined up, are where it started for the Vietnam 2/77FA. Ft. Lewis, Wasington. Training as part of the 4th Infantry Division, with which the first group of our Viet Nam Veterans...(We lovingly call them - "Boat People")...shipped over on the Walker. I forget whether Walker was a USS, or a USMSTS, like the Gordon, which shipped a Sister unit, 6/77FA over in May 1967. More on them later. They have their own pages, as you will se by the links, as they show up. There are a lot of interesting photos, courtesy of Ed Radz, and Carl Besson in the album, click the thumbnail to get the bigger one. Hit the back button on your browser toolbar to go back to the Album page

Group of Soldiers in Yakima	Carl Besson in Yakima	Carl Again, changing socks in the field	Carl on break in the field	Phil Costantino. Make it tight, Phil!
Carl posing in the field	Carl posing in the field	Carl protecting the perimeter	Last 3 day pass before Port Call. This one is Seattle from the space needle	Same pass, same Seattle, but the shore this time
More Seattle Shoreline	Left to Right: Raphael, Radznowski, Clyde Silva, and Gilbert	Left to Right: Hanson and Letellier at a park in Vancouver, B.C.?	Left to Right: Carl Besson and Hanson same park?	Troops and Gear Waitin on buses
Carl while waiting	Motor Pool Soldier from Haiiwaii Nickname: Pineapple. Waitin on the buses tothe port