32- Americal Combat Infantrymen and the CCB
In this episode of the Southern Chapter H21, Austin, Texas, of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we reflect on a reunion of Combat Infantrymen from the Vietnam War who served in the 23rd Infantry Division – Americal. This reunion was held in Bossier City, Louisiana, and hosted by the Americal Division Veterans Association.
During this event, we had the opportunity to witness a ceremony called the CORDON OF SWORDS. This is a ceremony where the detail honor guard extend their sabres, thus forming an arch, above the heads of those honored guests, who will pass underneath the series of arches of sabres or swords. This honor was given to the 8 attending World War II combat veterans of the Americal Division who served in the Pacific, especially Guadalcanal and New Caledonia (where the name “Americal” came from).
I had the chance to collaborate with other comrades-in-arms from the Vietnam War. And during the general meeting of the Association, I made a presentation of a copy of the audio narration of the book, Jungle Warriors, by Bobby Briscoe, to Michelle, the past nurse who served in Vietnam. It was in memory of 1st Lt. Sharon Ann Lane, the only female killed in Vietnam as a result of hostile action.
This led others later in the day to discuss the role of the CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge) and the newly authorized and issued CCB (Close Combat Badge):
You can find out more about the CCB at the web site given, above.
As I mention during this brief audio podcast, we will be trying to contact and have an interview with Major Davis, a combat veteran of the Korean War. Not only did he earn his CIB during the Korean Conflict, but he was also an airborne infantryman that served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team unit and made 2 combat jumps.
Also, a highlight of the Reunion was the display of two Huey UH helicopters (one a gunship and the other a UH-1D troop and supply carrier). These were brought and shown during the reunion, courtesy of Chuck Carlock and Ron Seabolt, who is the National Director of the 71st Assault Helicopter Company Association– the FirerBirds and the Rattlers.
And finally, we will be discussing the CCB a bit more in our future episodes of the CIB podcast series, so that our listeners will be aware of the fine differences and how these badges are being awarded today.
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