LANDING ZONE GRANT
11 March 1969
A Bty, 1/30th FA, was a 155mm howitzer unit, established at LZ Grant near the Cambodian border. The long-range 155s could and did wreak havoc on enemy positions well inside Cambodia. A/1/30 FA shared LZ Grant with HQ 2nd Bn, 12th Cav; a 105mm howitzer battery; and an infantry company for security. LZ Grant and especially the 155mm guns were targeted for destruction by the North Vietnamese, who attacked on the base 23 February. Unsuccessful in their first attempt, the NVA regrouped and launched a second effort battalion-sized assault on 08 March. That attack was defeated as well, with both the 155's and the 105's firing into the attackers over open sights.
On 11 March, the North Vietnamese Army attacked again, this time with the 95th NVA Regiment, and succeeded in damaging several of the 155s with mortar and RPG fire. The attack again failed, but A Battery had 5 men killed in action and 26 wounded.
The five men killed were
- SP4 Roger E. Denny, Battery medic; Silver Star
- SGT John R. Jackson; Silver Star
- PFC Whitney T. Ferguson; Bronze Star
- PFC Michael Gruenwald; Bronze Star
- PFC Tommy Robinson; Bronze Star
Four of the men died while serving their guns in defense of the base and their comrades. The fifth, medic Roger Denny, was killed while rendering aid to a wounded soldier.
A Battery, 1/30th FA, was awarded a Valorous Unit Award for their heroic and tenacious actions during the period 7-11 March 1969.
The photo is courtesy of
Don Shacklette
Secretary
30th FA Regiment Association
hrdchrgr43@aol.com
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