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| The 501 Land Clearing Company of The U. S. Army Engineer Land Clearing Operations ~ Vietnam formerly the 86th LCT, 20th Eng. Brigade, 34th Group |
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| A Note From A member of the "ROME PLOWS" |
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| 1st Squad, cleaning belly pans. |
| SGT Orvel Swope in truck, SSG Paul Spitdowski walking. |
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| Welcome to Bearcat... |
| Motor Pool at Bearcat, L/R: Terry Brown R.L. Taluchak |
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| Typical view from the Lead Plow.. |
| 501st in Convoy to the cut, near Xian. |
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| Terry Brown cutting Bamboo, near Bien Hoa. |
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| As a somewhat early member of the 86th LCT, I recall the gritty men who served beside me, often not knowing what day of the week it was, and not always able to maintain perfect hygiene, but always able to maintain the Rome Plows and associated equipment and keep the operation moving full tilt. We withstood extreme weather conditions and high temperatures, creatures from the jungle, and, oh yes, the enemy, who liked to harass us with small arms fire, mines \and RPGs by day, and throw rockets in on us by night. We cleared heavy jungle and toppled large trees along major roadways with a special cutting edge blade, to curb the enemy's easy ambush capabilities within III and IV corps |
| areas of South, Vietnam. In early 1969 the 86th joined as part of the 62nd Engineer Battalion, and became the 501st Engineer Co. (Land Clearing), known as the "Rome Plows". As a Rome Plow operator, and later, a squad leader, I witnessed first hand, the superbly diligent efforts constantly displayed by the members of the 86th/501st LCT. SP-5 Terry T. Brown ~ LC 26 (86th) & LC 83 (501st) ~ 1968-69 Click on Photo to View Larger Version |
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