Communication's...

His weapon operates on batteries and he doesn't have to fire a shot to wipe out an enemy position. Sometimes you say he's "gettin over" and other times you wouldn't take his job for another R&R.
    Courage, intelligence and a cool head are all essential and he can make or break a Platoon Leader or Company Commander. When you are hit, he calls for Dust-off and if you are pinned down he can bring the wrath of gunships and artillery to the rescue. Chow, clothing and those little extras like writing paper, soap and cigarettes are at his beckoned call.

    He is a radio-telephone-operator (RTO) and frequently your only contact with other elements.  

"I choose an RTO based on his intelligence and ability to express himself," said Captain James M. Grimshaw, Delta Company Commander, 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry. He also must be mentally alert, level-headed and familar with radio procedure."
    Captain Grimshaw paused and puffed on his cigar. Then he added,"An RTO has got to have a good supply of confidence and be capable of making decisions on his own. There may be a time when he has to take over a Platoon or even a Company ."
    Lieutenant Larry T. Leray of Tibodaux, La, Platoon Leader with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion agreed wholeheartedly. "I want my RTO to be able to act without being told," said Leray. "I've had some terrific RTO's who often knew what I was thinking even before I did."

Extra Load...

    In addition to the responsibilities, an RTO has an extra heavy load to carry. A 25-pound radio, extra batteries, sleeping gear and as much as six days rations can sometimes be quite a hassle, especially when trying to maintain the same pace as his CO or Platoon Leader.
    "It's really rough when you're in the mud or thick brush," declared Pfc Terry L. Evans of Tampa, Fla, an RTO with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion. "In the bush, the wait-a-minute vines grab your aerial and the mud just seems to keep pulling down."
    Recalling his last ten months with Delta Company as the Company Commander's RTO, Sgt Edward P. Fruchtenicht of Portola, Ca said, "Sometimes I think I was chosen as an RTO because I was the biggest guy in the Company and they figured the extra weight wouldn't bother me.
    "But I wouldn't have traded it for any other job," added the husky Californian with a smile. "As an RTO you feel like an integral part of the Company and nothing happens out there that you don't know about."
    The duties of the RTO will vary slightly even within Companies, but what he is expected to know and carry is the same. Some merely answer calls and pass the horn to the Platoon Leader or Forward Observer. Others are expected to make some of the minor decisions that a Commander would have to make.

The Hardest detail...

 Hideing his Swingin   antennas!

What are you reaching for Sky Soldier?

A new Career?

A lost friend?

A vision of home?

A cold beer?

The enemy?

   "One thing I found out real quick when I became an RTO," said Pfc Waters of Malta, Montana, "was that your aerial makes a pretty good target for the VC. I caught two rounds right through the radio my first week in the field. An RTO's position in a column couldn't be more conspicuous if he wore white fatigues."
    However, despite the hazards, hassles and added responsibilities of the job, most RTO's in the 173d Airborne Brigade seem to take a special pride in their jobs.
    "I've humped the radio for more than nine months," said Sp4 Paul R. Lash with the Recon Squad of B Company, 2nd Battalion, "and I wouldn't want any other job over here. The extra weight and responsibilities are compensated for by always knowing what is going on and being able to personally help the troops. And besides, it is not all that dangerous. "
    The job of the RTO remains the most complicated of all combat assignments and although Commanders know what they look for in an RTO it is difficult to define all the virtues that make-up a good one. He is a prime target for the enemy and often is responsible for life and death, success or failure, victory or defeat.
    Perhaps one of his most difficult battles is with man's basic instinct, that of self-preservation, for when the hot lead starts flying he must reach for his radio, not for his rifle.

Have a Top Secrect Clearance!

Hazardous Job...

Artillery...

Gunships...

A Lost Platoon..

Resupply ships....

Dust off ships...

Command and Control Ship...

The Radio Transmitting Operator

goes on—

74^th Rangers  `69

                   The Department of the Army officially authorized the formation of the 74th Infantry Detachment (LRP) on 20 December 1967 and all personnel of the LRRP platoon were absorbed in to the 74th Infantry Detachment (LRP). The 173rd Airborne Brigade had moved to Dak To in the II Corps area of Vietnam. The 74th Infantry Detachment (LRP) was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the Dak To battles in November 1967, however this was in error as the 74th Infantry Detachment (LRP) did not exist at the time. The award should have been presented to The 173rd Airborne Brigade (LRRP) (Provisional).

       The 74th Infantry (LRP) continued to perform missions as directed by the 173rd commander through out the II Corp region of Vietnam and eventually established a base camp at An Khe. Team leaders and potential team leaders were now able to attend the Recondo school conducted by the Special Forces at Nha Trang on a rotating basis while continuing to be the :

"Eyes and Ears of the Commander".

          Staff Sergeant Laszlo Rabel, 74th Infantry Detachment (LRP) was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 12 November 1968. He was the only LRP member to be awarded the medal during the Vietnam war. Much credit needs to be given to the personnel of the LRRP platoon and the 74th Infantry Detachment (LRP) for establishing the doctrine that would become SOP for Company N (Ranger), 75th Infantry which absorbed the personnel of the 74th Infantry Detachment (LRP) on 1 February 1969.

drgRAFIx~

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