277th Supply and Service Battalion (Direct Support)
148th Graves Registration
Deep Water Pier
Camp Horn, Da Nang
1966 - 1973
Constituted 23 July 1942 in the
Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 277th
Quartermaster Service Battalion and activated 31 August 1942 at Hampton Roads
Port of Embarkation, Virginia.
Reorganized and re-designated
20 September 1943 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 277th
Quartermaster Battalion.
Inactivated 15 July 1946 in the
Philippine Islands.
Vietnam
The 277th
Supply and Service Battalion (Direct Support), was reactivated and re-designed
during the Vietnam conflict. The unit arrived in the Republic of Vietnam July
20, 1966 and was attached to the 506th Army Depot at Long Binh also
known as (LBJ) for Long Binh jail and to many other for Lyndon Baines Johnson
to where it would be for the next two years. Early in 1969, the 277th
would move to Tay Ninh together with the 29th General Support Group.
It then would move again in August 1970 to Di An and then to the 80th
General Support Group at Chu Lai.
Due to an
agreement that had been worked out with the staff of the III Marine Amphibious
Force (III MAF) and XXIV corps that was located at Phu bai that on 9 March 1970
as to the date to exchange roles, while the III MAF was under the operational
control of Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) and a change of head
quarters locations was needed. The III MAF agreed to turn over its headquarters
complex at Camp Horn, besides the reassignment of the control of various units.
In November of 1971, the 277th Supply and Service Battalion moved to
Da Nang to where it would become a long-range support battalion after the
agreement had been established and take over Camp Horn and the operations of
Deep Water Pier.
Camp Horn, Da nang, Republic of South
Vietnam
(Band Barracks turns out to be the 3rd on left from Main Gate)
Camp Horn's Main Gate
Photo courtesy of Burl Bolton
Camp Horn Barracks Front Area
Photo courtesy of Burl Bolton
Camp Horn Barracks with "Rocket
Proof"
Photo courtesy of Burl Bolton
The German Hospital Ship at moorage on the
Song Han
River across from Camp Horn. They had GREAT intelligence. seemed
they always left dock just before the rockets came.
Photo courtesy of Curtis T. King
Camp Horn's LZ and helipad adjacent the
Song Han River
Photo courtesy of JB (Howard) Barnett
As the US
withdrawal began in Northern provinces of Vietnam in early 1972, it became
necessary to inactivate the Da Nang mortuary. This was accomplished in February
1972 with operational responsibility and personnel being transferred to the Tan
Son Nhut facility.
The 148th
Graves Registration would be attached to the 277th and assume the
responsibilities and establish a collect point for collection and evacuation of
human remains in support of the 95th Evacuation hospital to which
one civilian embalmer, John W. Spencer was assigned to the collection point.
Most noted was
the ¾ ton Cracker Box ambulance used for pick-up and delivery of human
remains that had a small sign in the front window that said Graves Registration
“Do Not Delay”.
In all, the 277th
received 12 battle streamers from the Vietnam era. The 277th Supply
and Service Battalion (Direct Support) returned to the United States in the
spring of 1973 and was inactivated at Oakland, California March 14, 1973.
The 277th
Quartermaster Battalion was reactivated March 13, 1987, when the 15th
Battalion, 4th Combat Service Support training Brigade, Fort
Jackson, was re-designed. The mission was training newly appointed
Quartermaster soldiers. The unit was later inactivated at Fort Jackson, South
Carolina June 15, 1993.
277th
Aviation Support Battalion
The 277th
Quartermaster Battalion was reactivated, and
re-designed as the 277th Aviation Support Battalion at Fort
Drum, New York June 22, 2005.
The 277th
ASB is ready to rapidly deploy worldwide to provide Combat Service Support to
sustain the combat power of the 10th Multi-Functional Aviation
Brigade.
DECORATIONS
Meritorious Unit
Commendation for the year 1969
Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969 (HHC 277th S&S Bn cited for period 15
Feb-15 Aug 1969; DAGO 39, 1970)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968
During the 277th
Supply and Service Battalion tour in Vietnam(1966-1973) the 277th
was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer
embroider VIETNAM, 1967-1968 (HHC 277th S&S Bn cited for period 19 Apr
1967-31 Aug 1968; DAGO 48, 1971)
CAMPAIGN
PARTICIPATION CREDIT
World
War II
Rhineland
Central Europe
Vietnam
Counteroffensive, Phase II
Counteroffensive, Phase Ill
Tet Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase IV
Counteroffensive, Phase V
Counteroffensive, Phase VI
Tet 69 Counteroffensive
Summer-fall 1969
Winter-spring 1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive
Counteroffensive, Phase VII
Consolidation I
Consolidation II
Cease Fire
DISTINCTIVE
UNIT INSIGNIA
(Unit Crest)
Authorized: Originally
approved for the 277th Quartermaster Battalion, 20 October, 1942. Insignia
rescinded by The Institute of Heraldry 29 September 1976. Reinstated 9
October 1986.
Description: A silver
color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in height overall consisting of a
shield blazoned: Per chevron buff and azure, in base a torch pale wise
argent flammant proper. Attached is a blue scroll enclosing the shield a
top and bottom, doubled silver, inscribed "SERVICE FOR" at top and
"FREEDOM AND LIBERTY" at bottom, all in silver letters.
Symbolism: In the buff of
the Quartermaster Corps the chevron-like division is representative of the
wedge driven into enemy territory; the blazing torch being the symbol of
freedom is representative of service for freedom and liberty and is suggestive
of zeal and fire with those objectives in view.
NOTE:
A 21 June 1967 letter from the Institute of Heraldry indicated tentative
approval of a second Distinctive Unit Insignia for the 277th. It appears that
this insignia was rescinded when the battalion was reactivated in 1987.
Description:
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches in width overall consisting
of a scarlet fleur-de-lis behind two gold keys crossed in saltire, bows up,
surmounted by a gold Vietnamese non la (sun hat) all above a black scroll
bearing the inscription "Supply Service Unlimited" in gold letters.
Symbolism:
The keys allude to supply and to the organization's former Quartermaster
designation. The two keys further allude to the two battle honors the
organization received in World War II for service in the Rhineland and Central
Europe, and the Vietnam sun hat to their present service in Vietnam.
COAT
OF ARMS
(Displayed on Battalion Flag)
Approved: Originally approved
for the 277th Quartermaster Battalion, 20 October, 1942. Insignia rescinded by
The Institute of Heraldry 29 September 1976. Reinstated 9 October 1986.
SHIELD: Per chevron buff and
azure, in base a torch pale wise argent flammant proper.
CREST: None
MOTTO: Service for Freedom and Liberty
Acknowledgement to the Third Marine Division
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