FSB Patton II 69-70 Counter-Mortar Radar

[01] M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers at FSB Patton II ready for a fire mission
[02] Main console for counter-mortar radar
[03] Counter-mortar radar antenna
[04] "Mortar Magnet" bunker at Patton II, built to survive a direct hit!
[05] Wash day at Cu Chi - Kendall Smith hangs up clothes
[06] Two unknown 2/14th soldiers walk perimeter road at FSB Patton II

[07] Top of page - SP4 Kendall Anthony Smith rests at FSB Patton II, a member of the counter-mortar radar unit installed there

SP4 Kendall Anthony "Smitty" Smith, 1st Battery, 8th Artillery, Counter-mortar Radar

I served with the 1st Battery, 8th Artillery, HHB, Counter Mortar Radar Unit out of Cu Chi, assigned to Fire Support Base Patton II where the 2/14th used to be on a regular basis. I was at FSB Patton II from May 1969 until Feb/Mar 1970. The unit operated the radar 24x7, scanning for Viet Cong mortars and Russian-made 122mm rockets in the area of operations around Patton II.

While manning the AN/MPQ-4 Console (picture 02), we had to be vigilant because lives were at risk and we knew the consequences of taking our eyes off the radar screen for even a moment. We worked four hour shifts, constantly watching the radar screen, looking for two blips through two frequencies, sent out by way of the Antenna (picture 03). We scanned the horizon based on hostile activity. The antenna would focus on 52 degree segments. If we were looking in the right direction when a round was fired and saw an incoming round, we marked the leading edge of each blip on the screen with a grease pencil, adjusted the rotary cross hairs on the console, makred each of them with a switch on the console, and by using area maps and coordinates the computer gave us, we then extrapolated back to the point of origin and called in a fire mission to the 3/13th Artillery ("The Clan") 155's that were on standby at FSB Patton II (picture 01). The technology back then was cathode ray tubes, I think the Unit was made by General Electric.

I was trained in Fort Sill, OK to be an Artilleryman, 105 Howitzers, but when I arrived at Cu Chi and reported to the Sergeant Major’s hooch, he asked me what I did in civilian life. I told him that I studied a little Electrical Engineering in College, and he immediately assigned me to the Cu Chi Radar Unit.

It was on-the-job training from the very first day. Our CO was a Warrant Officer named Savage, an Ex-Marine, on his second tour in Vietnam with the Army. He was resourceful and smart. He taught us well and kept us safe. We worked very hard, every single day. I think his Marine Corps training and previous tour helped us a lot.

The Radar Unit was very small, maybe 4-5 guys at any one time. We noticed that no one wanted to come near our bunkers and were puzzled by that. I learned years later the Grunts used to call us “Mortar Magnets”. Ha! Never gave it much thought but we did build some monster bunkers (picture 04) because the VC knew exactly where we were every minute of the day.

On a regular basis I would see the men of the 2/14th leaving the Firebase from the perimeter bunkers early in the morning and returning late in the day (picture 06). It gave me great comfort knowing they were outside the wire looking for VC and keeping us safe. I have often told Larry and Gary, two 2/14th medics, that the Grunts of the 2/14th were my Guardian Angels, the Golden Dragons of the 25^th Infantry Division. I have always felt I was a part of the 2/14th and am proud to have served at FSB Patton II with every one of you.

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