2-6th FA Personal Diaries

Personal Diaries

This page is dedicated to the memories and stories of the 2d Battalion, 6th Field Artillery and its veterans. If you have content to contribute to this page, please contact the webmaster.

I spent quite a good portion of my tour with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Artillery as the Battalion Commander’s driver. The first commander I drove for was Lieutenant Colonel Louis J. Rothwell. I really enjoyed serving with him, driving him on maneuvers and trainings, and chauffeuring him to various parties and events around the Division. We often went to Division Artillery Headquarters in Hanau to meet with the DIVARTY Commander who at that time was Colonel John Vessey. I could always tell that LTC Rothwell both respected and admired Colonel Vessey. One day LTC Rothwell told me: “Colonel Vessey is one of the best military minds and commander I have ever come across. He is really going to go far!” Of course, LTC Rothwell was right and Colonel Vessey later in his career became a full four-star general and was named as the tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Ronald Reagan. I often wish I knew how LTC Rothwell’s career advanced; I don’t think he reached as lofty a rank and position, but I’m sure he did well. Daryl W. Gordon, December 1967 to June 1970, the Cold War era.

Update On LTC Louis J. Rothwell: I was contacted by email by a gentleman in Cheyenne, Wyoming who advised me that Colonel Rothwell had passed away in Cheyenne on May 9, 2010. He had completed a 31 year career and had last served as Senior Advisor to the Wyoming National Guard in Cheyenne.

   
LTC Louis J. Rothwell and his 2-6 Artillery unit flag.
 

In 1960 all three battalions (6 Arty, 33rd Armor, 48 Infantry) won the 3AD battalion of the year award for their branch.

I visit Gelnhausen a couple of times a year.  The kaserne is being completely transformed.  The old building that housed HQ+HQ Btry and B Btry is now Gelnhausen police headquarters. The Special Service+PX area is now a publishing company.  The fire department has moved to the old ordnance company area.   The road by the theater and chapel (both razed) is now Colin Powell street!  All the buildings are being renovated, currently the newer 48th barracks, and all the fences are diapppearing as the area is integrated into the town.  What remains are the lower housing area (now fenced and guarded) and the school, both of which still house members of the 1/1 Cavalry headquartered in Buedingen (the old 12th Cav squadron facilities there are too small).

Gelnhausen has not changed much over the years, but has become more prosperous.  It also continually grows up the hill behind the city.  The Obermarkt has been redone and is very attractive and all but a couple of houses in the Untermarkt have had their half-timbered exteriors  exposed.  The city has incorporated two outlying villages, but also the small towns of Hailer and Meerholz across the valley.  The city now actively promotes tourism with a lot of volunteer activities, such as special theme tours.  There is a lot of local pride. David G. Newton, 1958-1961, the Cold War era.

I drove the M109-155mm Howitzer for my section(Charlie 13)in Gelnhausen, it was an awesome experience. For those interested, we carried live rounds, powder charges, and fuses and we were equipped with 1-50 cal. machine gun plus our personal weapons.We had a six man crew although it was more likely 4 or 5 men. It’s too bad race relations were so foul at that time as it made life miserable for everyone, it was pathetic how certain groups conducted themselves.I’m hoping a photographer im my section, for the life of me I can not recall his name would contact me as I did not appriciate his talents at the time.

In 73′ was TDY in Garmish (Ski patrol)and broke my leg. 2 lieutenants drove me down off that mountain and I would like to thank them for helping me with the pain relief, contact me. Johnny Cannon, C Battery, 1971-1974.