The 14th reunion of Vietnam Transportation veterans will take place Aug. 9-13 at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The reunion is open to anyone who served as a part of or with any Army transportation unit anywhere during the years of the Vietnam Conflict, or anyone else who would like to attend
Gun trucks were a field expedient innovation of the 8th Transportation Group which provided convoy and supply support from Qui Nhon over steep mountain passes to Pleiku, supplying the 4th Infantry Division. There were also gun trucks built by engineer units who repaired the roads along this supply route. Other Transportation Corps gun trucks provided convoy security in the southern part of Vietnam. The armored and heavily armed cargo trucks, generally 5-tons or 2-1/2 tons with .30 and .50 caliber machineguns and later mini-guns, were placed at the beginning and end of convoys, and in a large convoy, every 10th cargo truck, to provide protection and return fire when ambushed. The Transportation Corps has two Medal of Honor recipients who were killed in action while serving on guntrucks.
Four reproduction gun trucks of Vietnam will be possibly present at Columbus, including the Ace of Spades from Tennessee, The Untouchable from Illinois, Proud American from Georgia and Brutus from Michigan. This is a first Gathering for Brutus who was in the ambush where Spec 4 Larry Dahl was killed, later receiving the Medal of Honor. All vehicles are privately owned and operated. All their weaponry is reproduction (non-firing).
Veteran attendees will be headquartered at the Best Western Plus Arbour Inn at 6710 Ringgold Road, Chattanooga. The public is welcome to stop by the Best Western Plus Arbour Inn anytime Wednesday through Fridays.
For more information, contact Kathy Blackstone, kblackstone5272@yahoo.com, cell 936-239-3006, or Barbara Bower, bbower1@cox.net, cell 757-814-3007.