Tankers in Vietnam. One of the few tank units in Vietnam the 2nd Battalion 34th Armor with M-48A3 tanks arrived in Vietnam on 12 Sept. 1966. Was in many Operations and supported many units while deployed and received the Presidential Unit Citation. These pictures were by me Ralph Arvizu during Operation Junction City in the Iron Triangle.

On 1 March 1967, "C" Company 2nd Battalion 34th Armor was attacked by the 272nd NVA Regiment and we annihilated them. Three weeks later on 21 March 1967 we completely destroyed them in the "Battle of Suoi Tre" where 647 dead NVA were left laying on the battlefield. My tank C-33 (Charlie 33) was destroyed by an NVA RPG-2 and we lost Tank Commander Sgt. Hill and Medic Byers who was tending to Sgt. Hill's wounds.
Our call sign was "Dreadnaught" and Charlie Company were called the "Fighting Aces" since we had an Ace of Spades painted on the turret of each tank.

"From this day to the ending of the world.
But we in it shall be remembered,----
we few, we happy few, we Band of Brothers.
For he today that sheds his BLOOD with me
Shall be my Brother."

TANKERS FOR EVER

Ralph Arvizu
C-33 Driver (The Only Driver)
Vietnam 1966-1967

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