608th Transportation Company (DS) Dong Ba Thin
HISTORY
608TH
The 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support) was activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina pursuant to Third United States Army General Order Number 233 dated 2 August 1965 and was scheduled for deployment to Vietnam on 1 July 1966. In late June 1966, the planned deployment of the unit was delayed for one year. The period from activation until late June 1966 was devoted to organization of the unit, training of newly assigned personnel, and preparation of the unit for overseas deployment. In October 1966 the company was attached to the 53rd General Support Group and assumed the mission of maintenance support for all non-divisional aircraft in the Fort Bragg area, a mission it was to perform until 1 April 1967. During the. period 1 April 1967 through 30 June 1967, the unit was again brought up to authorized strength and conducted necessary preparation and training for overseas movement.
The unit began its move to Vietnam from Charleston, South Carolina. when the cargo ship "Lakewood Victory" sailed on 17 June 1967 with the unit's equipment and four (4) enlisted men. These men arrived in Vietnam on 21 July 1967. the cargo' ship "Rappahannock" sailed from Oakland, California with the unit's aircraft repair parts and two (2) enlisted men, arriving in Vietnam on 19 July 1967. The company's main body of more. than two-hundred officers and men sail· ed from Tacoma, Washington on 30 June 1967 aboard the USNS "Geiger" and arrived at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam on 23 July 1967. The last members of the unit departed Fort Bragg, North Carolina by jet aircraft on 16 July 1967 and arrived at Saigon, Vietnam, on 19 July 1967.
On arrival in Vietnam the unit was attached to the 34th General Support Group and further assigned to the 14th Transportation Battalion (AM&S) (GS).
The company was stationed at Dong Ba Thin, Vietnam and was mission operational on 15 August 1967, only 23 days after arrival in Vietnam .
The 608th provides direct and back-up direct support aircraft maintenance and aircraft technical supply support to U.S. Army units at Cam Ranh Bay, Dong Ba Thin, Nha Trang, Ninh Hoa, Ban Me Thout, and Phu Hiep. Additional direct maintenance and supply support is provided to Republic of Korea 100th logistical Command and the 11th Aviation Company (R.O.K.A.). Aircraft Recovery Support is provided to more than 275 aircraft of various types in a geographical area stretching from Phan Thiet to Phu Heip along the east coast of Vietnam and extending westward to the Cambodian border.
The 608th Transportation Company had a short but proud history of combat service support in the Republic of Vietnam. As she grew in age, so did she grow in stature.
Donated by SP5 Daniel S. Sippel 9/65 to 3/68
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