Briggs, Robert, SGT

Best Friends
My Platoon and my Squad and the others;
Sp/4 Berryman (company clerk)
Hq Plt 1973-6): SGT Harrelson, training NCO, Sp/4 Booze, Sp/4 Bradford,
Sp/4Jamerson, Sp/4Hampton, Sp/4 Mortimer (duce and half driver hq plt)
Pfc Jerry Setters Recovery Veh Driver
Sp/4 Mike Fouts (4/73 - mid 75?? in commo, motor pool, then to HHC Co with Red Eye)
Sp/4 Hoppie (combat medic) Sp/4 Foster SFC Glover (maint)
Sp/4 Brock (maint plt) Sp/4 J.Setters (recovery vehicle)
1st Plt: 1st LT. LaFever (plt ldr) Sgt. Darrington Sp/4 K.C.Woods
Sp/4 Burns Cpl Collins Sp/4 C.H.Weise
2nd Plt: SGT Robert M. Briggs ('73-76 & Squad Leader 1st Sq.)
PSG Thurston (74 -75) PSG Naputti (3rd then 2nd plt. 74 - ?)
SGT Sanchez (1st sqd. A team ldr)
CPL. Simmons (1st sqd., B team ldr) PFC. Freeman (M - 16)
PFC Russel (M-113 driver M - 16) Pvt Garza (M -16) Pvt Sosa (M - 16)
PFC McPherson (M -16) Pvt Ortiz (M -203) PFC M. Vitello "Vito",
2ND.LT. Dennis Lamond (Plt. Ldr)Then XO Sp/4 Bickford (M -203) PFC Reyes (M -60)
Pvt Mendez (M-60), PFC Lutz (M -203) SSG.J.L. Sanchez (72-74)
Sp/4 Walker (3rd sqd M -113 driver) SGT Pender (3rd sqd)
SGT Jerry Walker (2nd sqd) SGT Jess Turner (3rd sqd) PFC Simms, SP/4 Robert Hunter (Fox)
3rd Plt: 2 ND LT. Sorenson (plt ldr) SSG Carter SFC Powell
PFC Severe Pvt Brezinski PFC Blackwell
SSG Washington (3rd plt)


MEMBERS OF CO B 2/48 Some are listed above also.

CPT Walter Strothers
CPT Winters
CPT Michael E. Ludlow
1 LT Dennis Lamond - Key West, FL
2 Lt Sorenson
2 LT Parteet
2 LT Williams
2 LT LaFever
2 LT Johnson
1SG Lee
1SG John Downer (Daddy D) NJ
Sp/4 Steven G Truxell OH
PFC Mike Taylor OR
SP/4 Byron Van Brocklin WA (Deacesed)
SP/4 Erick Clapp MO
SP/4 James Earl
SP/4 Charles Heim Weiss NY from Isrial
PFC Garza NM
PFC Nick Sosa NM
CPL Carrol Collins
PV-2 Mike McWane
PSG Taylor
SSG George Washington
Sgt Sanchez
SSG Jeffery Lynn Sanchez
PSG Juan Naputti HI from Yap
PV2 Robert "Al" Duke MA
CPL James Dunbar WA
SP/4 Foster
PFC Jeff Clay CA
PFC Lester Freeman SC
PFC Randy Osborne TX
PFC Robert Allen Russell"Big Bird" TX
PFC Jerry Setters CA
SGT Dennis Mortimer NV
PFC Pierre R Severe NY
SGT Mike Fouts "Frisco Red" CA
SGT Dan Rickels
PFC Patrick O Foley WI
SP/4 Emo Daniels KY (Deacesed)
PV2 Rodney Bohannon KY
CPL Simmons "Um-Pa" OH
SP/4 Sullivan
PFC Ortiez
SGT Adams
PV2 William Gaddis TN
PV2 Swanger "Pig-Pen"
SP/4 Lutz
PSG Thurston
PFC McPherson
PFC Mike Vitello "Vito" NY
SP/4 Kevin Charles Woods "KC" CA
SP/4 Jerry Walker
SGT Walker "Blinkey"
SGT Jessie L Turner
SP/4 Chin Soo korea
SP/4 Hoppe
PFC Simms
PFC Reyes
SFC Glover
SGT Harrington
PFC Brezinski "Cool-Breeze"
PFC Jerry Setters CA
SP/4 Vincent Bickford "Bick" CO
PFC Mendez
Pfc Jamie Blackwell
SGT Darrington
SP/4 Michael Berryman
SP/4 Booze
PFC Brewer (Deserted)
SP/4 Bradford
SP/4 Jamerson
SP/4 Hampton
SGT Lyle Burns WI
SSG Powell
SGT Pender "Coke-Bottle"
SGT Brock
SSG Carter
SSG Barnett
PV2 Willy
SP/6 Hardgrove
PFC Chuck Hook
PFC Hill
PFC Simms "Chicken Wing"
SP/4 Odems
SP/4 Robert Hunter "Bro Fox"
SP/4 Bruce Thompson "BT" PR
SP/4 Tony Rice
SP/4 Cauthrin
SSG Cline
PFC Hicks
PFC Davidson
SSG Miller
SSG Hodges
SP/5 Mansfield
PFC Hudspeth
PFC Parquet
PVT Higgins
Pvt Smith
Pvt Widle
PFC Smiley

Best Moment
BAD TOLZ
PLATOON CONFIDENCE TRAINING USAREUR
CLASS 76-14
February 20-27th 1976
Company B 2/48th Infantry Regiment was cordially invited to send one Platoon to attend Winter Warfare Training in Bad Tolz FRG. This class was being given by the 10th Special Forces Group and we were to arrive before night fall on the 20th. We were to have with us complete Winter T&E, Weapons, Rucksacks, LBE, a good pair of Combat Boots and galoshes. Second Platoon was chosen to go we had two squads that were awarded Infantry Squad patches in Reforger at Howensfield in October of 75 my Squad being one of the two.

First call was at 0500 on the 20th followed by every one going to the mess hall for a hot breakfast. We would rember that last supper for the next week. Formation was at 0700 in full Equipment ready to go with Weapons drawn from the Armory M-16?s, M-203?s, and M-60?s. We were then loaded in to 5 tons and our duce and a half for our trip to the mountains of Bad Tolz .and off we went in a normal military fashion CONVOY. Again the Army was fulfilling our dream of seeing the World (from the back of a 5 ton). There is not much to see on the autobahn in winter through a 4 by 5 foot flap, just white and crazy German drivers. Damn It was cold what I would not give for the comforts of my M-113 and its heater at least I could put my poncho over the TC hatch and stay warm.

We arrived at the SF Camp it had a name but I can?t remember what it was. We unloaded and set up home in there Tent City, three large tents with wooden platforms and two diesel heaters in each close your eyes you can remember the smell but they kept you warm. The SF cadre then came in to check our equipment and tell us dinner was served C-rations I had Turkey loaf that night with crackers, Tabasco, peaches, peanut butter, and pound cake. Lights out by 2100 all 2 of them. I slept with my good friend that night my M-16 through the years we learned not to stray far from your friend, do any of you remember some one that did and could not find it? There was always someone.

First call was at 0500 the Army is famous for that exact time. We washed and shaved in our steel pots got dressed and proceed to breakfast is the class tent in rotation. Yummy Green Eggs scrambled, toast and Black Mud hot all served out of a marmite can. Now training can begin the first day was classes on survival in a hostile environment, map reading and issuing of more equipment, Snow Shoes. Lunch was great C-Rations. After lunch we were instructed on how to properly pack our equipment, Rucksack pack on the bottom sleeping bag on top every thing in water proof bags snow shoes strapped to the back with your E-Tool underneath. Those with out proper equipment were taken to the Kassern in Bad Tolz about 20 miles away to purchase the items that they needed (good boots) socks etc. Dinner time Hot Stew, Biscuits and Black Mud Hot. Lights out 2000 again both of them. Fire watch was set up 2 hour shifts.

The next day we had more classes escape and evasion and Russian Weapons hands on captured in Vietnam. Some of the AK-47?s were Chicom but for the metal they are the same. We learned how to des-assemble and assemble as fast as our own weapons something we would later train back at our Company in G-Town. Food that day was about the same instead of stew for dinner we had stroganoff. Lights out Fire watch posted.

Day Three First call cold bath hot shave Breakfast more class room training. Russian vehicle identification and air craft identification. For around three hours. Then the fun begins Repelling training, how to tie off, belay, and the two different ways to repel, backward and forward (Aussie) style. Back to camp review de-brief lights out. Fire watch set.

Day Four Class room or tent training E&E again! Little did we know that we would need it that night. Lunch and Dinner both C-Rations. We were told to be ready to go at 1900 hrs. Winter field uniform, Field jacket, and Jeep cap. We were loade4d in trucks and driven around the country side for about an hour under guard SF and MP?s all flaps down on the trucks. When they let us out they gave us a compass bearing told not to be captured and be back in camp before Day light. There would be SF and MP?s out looking for us they could be any where and everywhere. Ti was very cold very white and very quiet that night. Believe me the spooks were every where they weren?t at camp waiting for us they were out there. My team escaped from there patrols three times on our return to camp. Some of the others weren?t so lucky; my Bravo team with Sgt Sanchez was captured and tortured. Electrical phone wires and private parts packed in snow amongst other things. We made it back in time for a few hours? sleep.

Day Five the hike 1000 hrs full gear and weapons 20 miles up the mountain no hot meals 2 rest stops. Up hill all the way the pictures I sent were one of the rest stops. Dusk at the top of the mountain in the Alps its time to set up a proper camp for winter survival in sub zero tiemputures dug our tents down below snow level about 3 feet, placing pine boroughs on the ground then your poncho liner and then your sleeping bag. Now it was dinner time as in the pictures C-Rations Cold no fires no lights black out time.

Day six breakfast cold C-Rations pack up and the return trip 25 miles 5 more than coming up. Well its all down hill we found out that going down with full rucks is harder than going up. They did find one small hill that we could go up though. We arrived back at the Camp about 1600 hrs. Time to clean up for Dinner, What this time? Un believable steaks, mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls with a green salad. The best meal we had in a week. De-briefing after action report then lights out.

Day seven Breakfast turn in equipment and then Awards Ceremony I still have the Certificates of training on my wall and look at it every day. We were thought a great deal in one week the Special Forces are good at that and we took back and trained the rest of the Company with the tools that we were given. I lost seven pounds that week and felt great both in mind and body.

Robert M. Briggs Sergeant
2nd Platoon Company B 2/48th Infantry Regiment
1973-1976

Worst Moment
I think it was in 1974 Company B 2/48th Infantry regiment, Second Platoon was assigned to guard duty at the Miesau Army Depot close to the Border of France. We were instructed to have full Combat gear including flack jackets. This was the first time I ever saw a flack jacket except on the news AFRTS from Vietnam. It would be among several new things that I would see. We left Gelnhousen by train and traveled all night by mid morning we were there. We were transported to a small barracks near the rail head in the depot. There we made our selves at home and were given a briefing on our mission and that we would be there for one week. Our mission was to guard the rail head next to the storage facilities in the middle of the Depot; we would do continues two hour patrols during the hours of darkness. We were given code words to use to challenge any one that moved in our area, and were given orders to use deadly force if fired upon. This was a no BS detail and they meant it. A short time before there was a report that the Bader Minehoff Brigade had broken in and helped them selves to some stuff they shouldn?t have.

I was a SP/4 at the time and the Squad?s machine gunner I was glad that they issued me an M-16 for this mission. The only M-60?s were in the guard towers with the Tower Rats (MP?s) After the briefing we were issued six 30 round mag?s and proceeded to load them with ball ammo, this was the first time any of us had seen 30 round mag?s all we had before was 15 round mag?s the squad leaders were issued two smoke grenades each. We all new that it was no game now. We settled in for the first night of patrols and had dinner C-Rations Beanie weenies tonight and fruit cake that is the most disgusting thing they ever put in a can(fruit cake). We started patrols nothing event full that night just getting used to the area, if we left our area we could be fired upon by the MP?s. The next morning we found out that we would get one hot meal a day provided by a military unit at the depot, which would be dinner. So it was spaghetti and meat balls for breakfast cold thank someone for the peanut butter and crackers. For lunch we got the new issue of C-rations Tuna that was another first and chicken loaf another new one, and to our surprise no cigarettes, darn I would miss that little 5 pack.

On the third night we had a scare we were about half way down the rail head when all hell broke loose the tower guards locked and loaded there M-60?s and the tower lights all went on. We took cover by the tracks and locked and loaded our M-16?s. Not knowing what was happening a funny feeling goes through you when you know that you could be in a fire fight. We heard them welling orders from the tower for some one to assume the prone position on the ground or they would be fired upon. We could see movement between the towers through the trees. The person followed the commands, turns out it was an Officer doing a tower check, lucky man he could have been shot. If the MP?s would have fired we would have also they had us spooked. I think that there were a few people that had wet fatigues that night.

The rest of the week was uneventful just the boredom of walking up and down the rail head every night for two hours at a time But after that third night I did not need any more excitement
SGT Briggs
2nd Platoon Company B 2/48th Infantry Regiment


Drawing of Miesau Army Dump

Chain of Command
First Sergeant Lee, Plt Sergeant then First Sergeant John Downer, CPT Walter T Strothers, CPT Hareld Winters, CPT Michael E Ludlow, 1st Lt Dennis Lamond Plt Leader then XO, 2nd Lt Perteete, Plt Sergeant John Downer, Plt Sergent Thurston, Plt Sergeant Naputti, Staff Jeff Linn Sanchez, Staff George Washington

Other Memories
The Rescue of the Battalion XO 2/48th Infantry Regiment
1975 Company B was chosen to do an Air Mobil Attack on a German Special Forces Camp to effect the rescue of our Battalion XO. We were notified that we would be inserted by Huey?s near a hostile camp to affect the rescue of the Battalion XO who had been captured by the enemy. We would be allowed a light combat load, Steel pots, LBE, Field jackets with liners, 1 blanket, 1 Poncho, and butt packs. We were issued three days C-Rations and 300 rounds of blanks for M-16?s and 800 rounds for M-60?s. And cammo paint sticks, the best way to apply them is to heat them with a lighter other wise they tear your face up.

We were transported to the air field in Gelnhousen and then loaded on Huey?s It was my first time in a Helicopter so I was nervous, the 101 and 1st Cav vets from Nam were right at home. We then took off and headed for the LZ flying Nap of the earth we flew around the country for about a half hour. They told us that when we got to the LZ that the Huey?s would touch down and then we could get off. We approached the LZ and there was smoke every where, it was a hot LZ and some one forgot to tell the pilots that they were suppose to land. We got out about 3 feet from the ground my M-60 lead the way it hit first with me following, could not get my feet under me for the first 50 feet. We proceeded to our attack point and had two men over the fence when we realized that they had moved the attack point about 100 yards to the right. So we laid down covering fire and got our men back over the fence and proceeded to the RP. That was the fun part now we were Infantry and the two day walk back to Gelnhousen began. This was some time in September or October and it was getting cold at night. No hot food just cold C-rations.

The next day they dropped us water from the air 5 gallon jerry cans do not survive from 50 feet up. So we had to rely on what we had. SSG Washington got frost bite that night and had to be medic vac back. The temputires got below freezing. We made it back to G-town the second day did our after action reports and were debriefed. It was just some more of the great training we received.
SGT Briggs
2nd Platoon Company B 2/48th Infantry Regiment