FSB Moore was established during 1968 to replaced two smaller fire support bases in the area. The main gate was on the west perimeter and was accessible from Route QL-4 over a secondary road that ran along the west perimeter. The red and white striped poles are artillery aiming stakes.

Does anybody want to RE-UP? A couple of the guys demonstrate the silent, non-lifer, field response to the question. Although it was uncommon to see tracks at FSB Moore it was normal to see members of the 9th ID band waiting for a chopper pick up.

FSB Moore was built in an open field surrounded by civilian hootches, roads, and tree-lines. All fields of fire were clear but limited on some perimeters to short distances in front of the berm. When squads (photo right) returned from patrols, those same clear fields of fire worked to their disadvantage. They had to cross in the open and post their own security flankers.

FSB Moore was on the north side of Route QL-4 between My Tho and Cai Lay. The Division acknowledged this stretch of highway as the most dangerous section of road in the 9^th Infantry Division's area of operation. The 6/31 Infantry was the final maneuver battalion to join the 9th Infantry Division (April 1968). They occupied FSB Moore until JUL 23, 1969 at which time FSB Moore was turned over to the ARVN and the 6/31 was reassigned to 3^rd Brigade .

Sometimes waiting for a helicopter dragged into the twilight of late afternoon. The band carried a variety of weapons but no radio. If we got into trouble there was no hope of calling for help. We were on our own!

During the dry season FSB Moore was a harsh bowl of harden clay-like mud that cracked in the heat and during the rainy season a quagmire. Living conditions were rustic. Troops made make-shift showers by elevating 55-gallon drums filled with water. Because of the close proximity of tree-lines, cyclone fencing was stretched in front of bunkers to provide some defense against RPGs (rocket propelled grenades).

A battery of six, towed, M-101A1, 105mm howitzers from the 2/4 Audacia Artillery provided indirect fire support to troops operating out of FSB Moore, as well as any other friendly troops operating within the 11,000-meter range of their guns. Although the M-101A1 had a limited degree of traverse, gun pits were designed for 360 degrees of fire. The weapon had to be manually repositioned. The 3/34 We Support Mobile Riverine Artillery used the improved M-102, towed, 105mm howitzer that was lighter, had a 360 degree traverse, and could effectively fire 11,500 meters.

The helicopter pads were inside the perimeter by the main gate. The nearest Huey Slick, Jayhawk 33, is a bird from Company A, 9^th Any Time-Any Where Aviation Battalion. The ACAVs (armored cavalry assault vehicle) belong to 3rd Brigade's 2/47 Panther Mechanized Infantry. In the right view a platoon of Panthers has driven south from Long An Province in III CTZ to assist the 6/31 Infantry in a local operation.

The bus to Saigon is going to be late today. An enemy mortar round exploded on the road in front of the bus and the driver took evasive action careening into the side of a Lambretta scooter bus whose driver also just happened to be taking evasive action in the same direction.

The facilities on FSB Moore were mostly housed in bunkers. Although there were a few tents and an occasional open wood structure with corrugated metal roof, the base had a this is where the action is appearance that was not compromised by any vestiges of civilized comfort - or baseball cap occupation Army mentality - typical of some of the other installations in the Division's AO and glorified at Dong Tam.

The mess hall was one of the few corrugated metal and wood structures on FSB Moore. Hot meals were initially prepared at nearby Dong Tam and delivered to FSB Moore in marmite cans. During 1968 a field kitchen was established. On April 13, 1969, a small contingent from the Division band jazzed it up in the mess hall.

The same day of the jazz concert a Korean USO group put on a show at FSB Moore atop a flat bed trailer. The bandmaster had given us permission to stay for the show. It must have been RE-UP day at FSB Moore what with all of the festivities at camp. On July 23, 1969, the band performed for the last time at FSB Moore. The base was turned over to the 7^th ARVN Division and our flag was lowered for the final time. FSB Moore was the last 9^th Infantry Division installation to be turned over to the South Vietnamese Army who, by this time, had assumed full responsibility for ground combat operations and security in IV CTZ.