USARSUPTHAI ASSOCIATION

165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian)

 

The 165^th Transportation Company was constituted into the US Army as the 165^th Quartermaster Company and activated at Fort Ord, California, on 23 April 1942 and subsequently the 165^th Quartermaster Company was inactivated at Ford Ord, California on 8 July 1942.  

 

While on inactive status, the Company was designated the 165^th Quartermaster Truck Company on 10 December 1943 then re-designated as the 165^th Transportation Corps Truck Company on 1 August 1946. 

 

In 1952, the Army built its first LCU 1466s. 

 

The 165^th Transportation Corps Company was re-designated the 165^th Transportation Company on 11 June 1954. 

 

On 15 July 1954, the 165^th Transportation Company was activated at Fort Eustis, Virginia, as one of two heavy boat companies of the 159^th Transportation Battalion (Boat).  On 25 September 1956, it was inactivated at Fort Eustis, Virginia. 

 

The 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) was activated at Fort Story, Virginia, on 1 June 1966.

 

The 253^rd Transportation Company (Amphibious Maintenance Direct Support) was attached to the 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian).

 

 

In December 1966, the 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) and the 253^rd Transportation Company (Amphibious Maintenance Direct Support) rail loaded to Oakland, California, shipped out to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. 

 

165^th & 253^rd Company Areas @ Utapao

 

In April 1967, half of the 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) combined with personnel from  the 347^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) moved to Thailand and were attached to the 499^th Transportation Battalion (Terminal) at Sattahip. 

 

347^th LARC V #824 is loaded with bombs offshore Sattahip in fall 1967

 

The 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) set up company operations in tents on the beach near Utapao Royal Thai Naval Base where the unit conducted ship-to-shore lighterage in support of the US Air Force, at Sattahip, Thailand where ships usually anchored approximately one and a half miles off shore.  

 

LARC V carrying Bombs to Utapao 1968

 

In late 1967, US Army engineers built and positioned a Delong Pier for the ships to dock thereby reducing or completely eliminating the need for the 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) LARC Vs.

 

347^th LARC V joins 165^th LARC V @ Utapao

 

On 18 March 1968, personnel from  the 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) combined with personnel from  the 347^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) sailed from Thailand and arrived at Thon My Thuy, Vietnam on 2 Mar 1968 and joined the remainder of the unit assigned to the 159^th Transportation Battalion (Terminal) known as “Sunders Wonders” provided command and control for the LOTS operation at “Wunder Beach” and was the most significant LOTS operations ever conducted during the Vietnam War.

 

The beaches all along I Corps had too shallow a gradient for landing craft to drop ramp on dry shore.  Therefore, only amphibious vehicles from the 165^th Transportation Company (Amphibious Light) and Provisional BARC Companies could conduct the ship-to-shore lighterage. 

 

Immediately upon arrival in country Vietnam, the personnel of the unit were faced with precarious task of forging a base of operations on an isolated beach deep within hostile territory. Although subjected to constant enemy harassment, they worked on a twenty-four hour basis to establish a defensive perimeter and adequate living and working conditions in the remarkably short period of four days.  The LOTS operation supported the 1^st Cavalry Division during Operations PEGAUS and DELAWARE to break the siege of Khe Sanh and drive the NVA out of the A Shau Valley. 

 

Although the 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) and their fleet of 25 LARC Vs were subjected to constant attacks from enemy fire.

 

 

The LOTS operation at Wunder Beach, near Quang Tri, fortunately provided MACV with the additional tonnage needed to conduct its counter-offensive to relieve Khe Sanh and drive the NVA out of I Corps Zone. This was only possible due to the skill and efficiency with which men at Wunder Beach moved cargo from ship-to-shore and inland. A typhoon closed down the operation in September.  Thus, they far exceeded the expectations of MACV skeptics and delivered the means for victory. 

 

Realizing the importance of civic actions to the ultimate success of the war effort, the men of the company organized a vigorous assistance and transportation program to replenish vitally needed food supplies for the isolated island of Bai Lue. The 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) and 253^rd Transportation Company (Amphibious Maintenance Direct Support) were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation on 3 May 1969 for their work at Wunder Beach during the period 21 March 1968 to 26 September 1968.  

 

 

On 19 October 1968 an urgent call came in to assist B Company, 87^th Engineer Battalion in the evacuation of their campsite that became stranded by high waters.

 

The crews of two amphibious LARC V’s were dispatched south of Cam Ranh Bay on QL-1 highway and successfully completed their mission and were recognized by a Letter of Appreciation from the Battalion Commander of the 87^th Engineer Battalion.

 

Those recognized were SSG Nathaniel Issard, SP4 Raymond M. Cox, SP4 William Robertson, SP4 Murry Konves, PFC William F. Coffey, PFC Paul K. Combs, PFC Ronald Hall, and PVT Leendert Dan Brave.

 

 

The 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) was inactivated in Thailand on 1 November 1968. The company continued to operate until all personnel had become reassigned on 22 Jan 1969. 

 

Officially the 165^th Transportation Company (Light Amphibian) is credited with participating in the following campaigns during the Vietnam War:

 

            Vietnam

                         Defense

                         Counteroffensive

                         Counteroffensive, Phase II

                         Tet Counteroffensive

 

Awards

Meritorious Unit Commendation

Streamer Embroderied: VIETNAM 1968

 

(Documents and photos supplied by Les Bowers)

December 25, 2004 7:34 am