A web site that shares the emotional and spiritual experiences of the Vietnam War through poetry, stories, and photos by combat veterans.

Hosted by Vietnam Veteran Bill McDonald

  HOME PAGE   The Tomahawks   The Robin Hoods   Women's Nam Experiences   Photos   More Photos

Spiritual War Stories   War Stories   War  Poetry   Vietnam Poets   Tribute Pages   Newsletters   Veteran Website Links

Women's Nam Links   Helicopter Company Links   Military Links   Support Network   PX   Art Gallery   Books   FAQ's

POW/MIA   The Sharon Ann Lane Foundation   Veteran Charities Links   Veteran Bulletin Board   Huey Film Project

Return trips back to Nam   WAR Data   Education/Trips   Guestbook   Website Awards  Reunions

American Authors Association

Military Writers Society of America

Bill McDonald's Personal Pages 

Leatherneck Publishing

BEST OF THE BEST

41^st Field Artillery Brigade

1^ST BATTALION 27^TH FIELD ARTILLERY

THE GRIDSMASHERS

By Steven J. Newton

One of the things that make this job worthwhile is getting e-mails from our soldiers in the field.  Not long ago, I received just such e-mail from Sgt. Mark Gullic.  Mark has been deployed from his home base in Germany, to the Iraq/Kuwait theater since the 10^th of March 2003, with the 1^st Battalion, 27^th Field Artillery.  What’s great for me about this article is that I know Mark and his is a member in good standing at the American Legion Post #639 in Springfield, Missouri.  (Mark, buddy, you’re a long way from home!) 

The US Army Field artillery traces it roots back to the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, which were the only regular troops retained in service by the new United States following the Revolutionary War. 

Today, artillery support is critical in modern warfare and strategically placed firing units are a vital complement to any advancing army.  Today’s army uses a variety of mobile artillery vehicles to accomplish its mission.  One is the K55 SPH, which is a weapon system with the armored protection and mobility to survive on the modern battlefield.  The other is the Multiple Launch Rocket System. 

 Since the battlefield is constantly changing, the artillery units must be able to disengage and relocate upon command and resume its attack.  The firepower of our modern systems, and their mobility, fit this battlefield premise.  Logistical support is also paramount to this mobility by providing timely resupply and intelligence to our artillery personnel.
 

  
The men and women of the 1^st Battalion 27^th Field Artillery
are part of the 41^st Field Artillery Brigade . 

The motto, Conjuncti Stamus, means United We Stand.  The shield is red for artillery and the bend fracted represents the break in the history of the organization between its origin in World War I and its reconstitution in 1923. 

                                                                 Col. Charles C. Otterstedt

                                                                  Co. 41^st Field Artillery 

 During the major combat portion of the war, the mission of the 1-27^th was to provide deep strike support for the 101^st Airborne Air Assault, the 11^th Attack Helicopter Regiment and the 1^st Marine Expeditionary Force. 

After the fall of Baghdad their mission changed to stability and support operations.  Their current mission is to collect and haul captured enemy ammunition and captured equipment to various consolidated ammunition holding areas. 

These “Gridsmashers” are the backbone of the infantry.  I am extremely proud to honor them with this month’s Best of the Best.  Get home safe and God Bless.

                               STRIKE DEEP AND GET IT DONE!

Sources:

1-27^th Homepage
Sgt. Mark Gullic
Global Security
41^st Field Artillery Home Page

A special thanks to Reverend and Author Bill McDonald for providing the web space for these tributes to our modern soldiers. 
Also thanks to Tim Moriarty, who seems to know everything there is to know about the military and its history. 

© Best of the Best Steven J. Newton 2003

BACK TO UNIT TRIBUTE PAGE