Drill Instructor SSG White. We had an E 5 by the name of Houlihan. Fort Lewis, named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was one of the largest and most modern . Fort Lewis is a 135-square-mile U.S. Army post in Pierce County, Washington, located just south of Tacoma. Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) Directory Ours was DS Robles an E6 who had been to VN as 11B. I was at Fort Lewis Basic Training Feb 1969' and AIT until June 1969' got married here in Sacramento then on to Vietnam Americal Div 11th LIB Duc Pho I Corp you were a year earlier so i probably could not offer much for that year. August 1971 - December 1971 We got to hang out but had to be there for muster calls on the loud speakers. Basic training in 1971, A-2-2, 1st platoon, SGT Gogo was the Drill Sargent, small but fast. Randy, hope you get this. Doesn't surprise mewe were eating Beanie Wienies in C-rations we got in Nam that they quit making in 1949. Michael: No offense but it was not the 3rd platoon of B-1-1 in August of 1969 that had a kegger in the woods. Economy & Jobs in Fort Lewis, WA. I still have nightmares about him. I was a squad leader and five weeks into basic there was a meningitis outbreak. His saying was "What is the spirit of the bayonet" answer "to KILL". Our DI was awesome, but when he was gone for a few days, the DI from a neighboring platoon substituted for him. My picture was missed placed yrs ago so i dont have it to look at to recall those days. I took my basic training at Fort Lewis starting in August of 1966. Consisting of 87,000 acres of prairie land cut from the glacier-flattened Nisqually Plain, it is the premier military installation in the Northwest. Dale Dehnke, George Paige, Steve Shannon and Joe Esparza. D-4-2, Nov 1970 - Jan 1971. Thanks for the heads up. Troops were using them for city warefare training. I was also in A-3-2, from late July to Oct. 3, 69. Getting recruits ready for Viet Nam. When they got back, Sgt. I was E-1-1 just after you. I distinctly remember are welcome as we got of the bus from the train depot every expletive you can imagine came out of the DS mouth. Contact me if you want. [2], Gray Army Airfield (IATA: GRF, ICAO: KGRF), is a military airport located within Fort Lewis. Find a home that best fits your needs. Came down with pneumonia 2 weeks before graduation. It was home for 8 weeks of my life. Right behind you. I forgot over the years. Had your initial and last four of your ssa # on your clothes, My Dad is John Nix. Never forget the part of my life! I have a picture of a whole group - D4 - Delta Devils D-4-1 and dated graduation July 1967. Starting 1-20-71. I sauntered in and hid my loot on top of the ventilation ducting over the toilets. Spanaway 1 : 24000 . Not much of the BCT area left. Had a very young Drill Instructor who did 2 tours in Vietnam. Spokesman-Review March thru May 1970 A-5-1 Very wet and miserable weather. Oct 66 to Jan 67. Artillery training. We have questions to ask about my dad and am searching for people who he may have been close to him in his time in Vietnam. Fort Lewis 1 : 24000. Suspect that may have been a standard line for the Top. View map of Fort Lewis, and get driving directions from your location. The major organizations that make up the bulk of the Joint Base Garrison include: Additional staff offices that support the installation mission include the Joint Base Public Affairs Office, the Religious Support Office, the Resource Management Office, Equal Employment Opportunity Office, the Installation Safety Office, and the Plans, Analysis and Integration Office. My best to all of the good Americans out there. The temperatures during summer vary from the mid 40s at night to the mid 70s during the day, occasionally peaking over 90F (32C). Lewis on 2-18-1969' out of Oakland for Basic Training A-3-1 2nd Plt I escaped b/c I didnt want to be recycled. I lost mine. Washington; Search; Compare; Project; Community; Partners; News; Help; Old Maps Online. Left for Vietnam 12/8/69 stationed at LZ Dottie. Home on leave for 30 days and off to The 7th Inf Div in Korea where I spent the rest of my hitch. 66th MP/93 Btn, Phu Tai/Binh Dinh 10/67-9/68, really dis-appointed..went to Ft Lewis wanting to get on post and visit the old north fort..website said valid ID and a passport would get you on..not the case after waiting for 1 1/2 hours got to the window and was asked if I had a sponsor..the only way you can get on post as a visitor. We at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Exchange are thrilled to welcome you to any of our facilities. I took my basic training at Fort Lewis in August of 1966 and was then sent to Fort Ord for AIT. Also, do you remember the name of your CO? I started in June and graduated in August 1968. Saw clear skies a little more often then, but still a miserable place to learn how to become a Grunt. But I've been lucky all my life! November 2012 Fort Lewis (Washington) | Military Wiki | Fandom He was a veteran of the battle of Pork Chop Hill in Korea. World War II, 1939-1949 | Lewis Army Museum The post supports over 120,000 military retirees and more than 29,000 family members living both on and off post. I was a Bear Cat for a short time-Working with the Royal Thai Army on some special missions- This would have been late in 1968-I also did some "work" with the Aussies at Nui-Dat too. I was there in B-1-1 June thru Labor Day 1969. Still a pretty post. I am assuming he trained here? Fulmer was my DI C-3-2 2 nd platoon Oct - Dec 71 Ericka, not sure your dad and I were there together you did not have any dates. Fort Lewis began as Camp Lewis in 1917 when the citizens of Pierce County voted by an eight to one margin to bond themselves for $2,000,000 (equivalent to $42,301,299 in 2021) to buy 68,721 acres (107.377sqmi; 278.10km2) of land. This was the exact same place where our brave soldiers spend their time after fight fearlessly for our country. Sometime in the early 1960s Interstate 5 was built through the fort separating the northwest corner of the fort, and creating "Northfort". For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 212.5 males. We has a few guys very out of shape who had a Drill Sargent at the table as they ate yelling in their face they didn't deserve to eat. We cruised the old Town and eventually made our way to Forks. Medical Laboratory Technician - Joint Base Lewis-McChord - Decypher Was in basic training around the same time. Vietnam Archive Germany 1-1-68 to 3-68, A co., 1/13th Inf, Mech, Plt ldr, Co. XO; Jungle School, Panama CZ March-Apl, 1969; HHCo, 9th Div. I had a great tour in Europe. These . 109 of us were processed through Houston AFFEES, flown to Seattle-Tac then on to Ft Lewis. January 2018 Closed. Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) Official Website. Canada Thistle grows thickly in some areas. Browse 330 fort lewis washington stock photos and images available, or search for charles de gaulle airport or fort benning to find more great stock photos and pictures. The drill sgt called us Ridge Runners and asked if people in Tn wore shoes. I never bitched though. When we complained, he said with a grin he never said we could keep it. Free shipping for many products! Mokie, Ive been trying to find you for 30 years. Fort Lewis, Washington. Army decided that they would let me stay in Hawaii at the reserve center, so I didn't get back to Ft Lewis to join back up with the company. I still have the D-3-2 photo somewhere. I seem to recall his name, but after 50 years I'm not much sure of anything. Most of the guys in the unit were NG's or ER's, with a few US's--draftees who didn't hesitate to remind the RA's that they would be out a year ahead of them. He took a commission in the army after his drill sergeant stint and as an officer, went on to work in Finance and retire from the army. Proud to have serve. When I was in Vietnam, we were on a hill for a few months. Sprained ankle 1st day of basic spending a week at Madigan. Steve, yes I knew a Jerry, I believe he was squad Leader? Wasn't bad enough that he almost died, but he was recycled too. April 2015 Came home and served 6 years and discharged Jan 1976. Sherman Alexie D 1 1. Office wanted someone with a degree so I stayed until offered a six month early out because of the RIF in 1972. 5128, Pendleton Ave, Lewis Main. A l l is mighty Fine! ). I went across the base for AIT. Anyone have a copy of Basic Training Graduation picture of A-3-2 in July 1969? About every 5 weeks would be assigned to guard duty at motor pool or headquarters. David H. Hackworth described his service commanding a training battalion at the Fort during the Vietnam War in his memoir "About Face". 360-688-4073. It was common for this to happen, except Fagan didn't do it for us. Camp Lewis evolved into Ft. Lewis in 1927. Never knew his first name, would love to track him down and but him a beer or three if he is still around. His identical twin, Danny, was doing basic/AIT at Ft. Ord the same time we were. Was there like 7/30/70 till I graduated basic and went to my permanent unit. The army bases roots proved advantageous during World War I and sowed even more fruit when World War II came. Microphone Last time I checked Google Maps the Company area was still standing. Gone all gone..replaced by new brick 3 story dormsonly thing left are the paved roads.only memories nowafter all we were told they were condemned in 1936. I hated all of it but my memory is such that it is, surprisingly, still clear. God Bless all of our former and current military brethren. charleswallace0903@yahoo.com. . I was there in July 1968, 2nd place in Pt ((Newell from Tucson, AZ was 1st) & my DI was Sergeant Smith; what I can remember, I remember distinctly anybody that messed up we all have to pay dearly hacking people larger than a 5 foot 6 man was a chore in itself and I paid the price hoping that maybe somebody will remember some of the guys that were there when I was there I could use a little help, Leo I was there Feb 69 for both Basic and AIT you mention a 5'6" man was that Drill Sgt BEAN he was a tough little guy and I was one the sqad leaders, one of the guys did something stupid and SGT Bean made me have the whole squad take our foot lockers out side, drag them underneight the Barracks (that were on stilts) and actually bury them yes bury them under the ground under the floor of the barracks, once complete we had to then dig them up it was a very long event for shore. Rainer was awesome. I can still feel that time when I hear them (and only then). Jim and Dale, I was there Nov 1970 - Jan 1971 too, E-2-1. A good time was had by all. As work on the camp was pushing forward, the War Department named it "Camp Lewis" after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. DS HARPER 17 YRS LATER WERE I WAS EMPLOYED SURPRISED. The racial makeup of the base was 60.4% White, 20.3% African American, 1.4% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 1.8% Pacific Islander, 6.2% from other races, and 6.4% from two or more races. He was hard but fair. Not a Bad Training Cycle. Hometown Property Management. Michael: No reply on your post so I'll do it another way. Unit was E-2-1. Sergeant Blood was PT. I'm McGowan! Fort Sill, Ok. No way I enjoyed the freedom of driving and having an ambulance plus an aid man if we had emergency runs. Grady Myers He ended up going into Bomb Disposal warfare. Only DI I recall was Malone! Drill Sgt Dennison / Captain J.E. Trainor was God sent for me learned lessons that carried me through life up to today. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington 98433 United States +1 (253) 967-3728. Helicopter Units can be deployed from McChord Field, and individuals and small groups can also use nearby Sea-Tac Airport. My boots are out there too. Hours Open until 11:59 PM more Phone (253) 968-1110 (253 . Drill Sergeant Bell. I was B32, 29 July to September 3rd under Sgt. Most of us seemed older--20 or older. Fort Lewis | U.S. Geological Survey First meal was a bowl of beans at about 2am when I got there. Names I remember, David Smith from Lewiston, Idaho and I remember getting my ass kicked by another trainie from Tx. Like you I planned a visit to North Fort. Mesothelioma lawyers alledge it is one of approximately 412 asbestos exposure sites in Washington . The difference between the two grades is that sergeant is considered a non-commissioned officer (NCO) while the specialist is not. Looking for ANYONE who may remember him or the name. Tough SOB. The age distribution was 32.1% under the age of 18, 28.0% from 18 to 24, 37.5% from 25 to 44, 2.0% from 45 to 64, and 0.4% who were 65 years of age or older. [8] It previously controlled and provided host unit support to mobilizing, deploying and demobilizing reserve component units from all the U.S. military services. In his graduation photo, it says D Co 2nd platoon. I was in B-5-2 Jan 70 Carl Imlay was DS and DS DeGeorge was senior DS, how was there 1970 looking for my buddy when I was there my drill sergeant was Fasano we went to the horse race track together and we even hit Pike Street downtown Seattle if you know what I mean. Fort Lewis was a United States Army post from 1917 to 2010 located 9.1 miles (14.6km) south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. Just long enough to be called a veteran. took basic at Ft Lewis Jan 66 to Mar. Was in D.1.1 April 17 1969 drill srg Lamb, E-5-2, SSGT RICHARD E. BURTON, AUG 1969 BEST OF THE BEST. Told company commander about it after graduation. The whole platoon was from Chicago. Anyone remember him. He told me stories of beautiful Washington and how different it was from Nashville. Navy boot camp was a joke compared to Army boot camp, so I pretty much skated through boot camp, Lost touch with guys from my company, still have some old pics of us in boots camp with a couple of us kneeling by our company moto "IMUA" which means moving on, don't stop, give it all you got. This is good information about fort Lewis. [2] The entire camp was ready for occupancy a month ahead of schedule. The corporal will go to the NCO training school while the specialist might not. Lol. All in All it was a good time and i got alot of great memories and the VA is still taken care of me. I can scan and send a copy if someone doesn't have one. We provide our services globally to Federal, Commercial, Local and State clients. Was in boot camp Sept. 1971 ,,,, was in a-4-1 ,,,, who was the drill sergeant?????? Jim Long, Senior Drill Sgt. Fort Sill, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Knox, and Fort Lee all have their own takes on the Big PX, but Fort Lewis just curb stomps them all and utterly destroys the competition. Well do I remember basic training and Drill Sgt McDoniel. What a team..! This base incorporates Fort Lewis, McChord Field, and Camp Murray. Also Sgt Massa, who based on his demeanor, might have been one of McNamara's morons. . My grandfather was drafted into the Army from Nashville, TN sometime in 1967. [5] Italian prisoners of war, organized into units, were trained as quartermaster units at Fort Lewis, since after Italy surrendered to the Allies and declared war on Germany, they were not strictly held to the work requirements that prohibited prisoners of war from working on items directly headed for the war or in the war effort.[6]. On 1 June 2006, the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division cased its colors and became the 2d Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade Combat Team with its home station in Germany. William I may have been there at the same time I was in the 1st platoon 2nd squad leader our drill instructor said was American Indian he was a tuff SOB and a silver star recipient I wish I remembered his name. We had the meningitis restrictions also back in 1966 too. Went to AIT FT. Bliss Texas it was as hot as Lewis was cold. Depression Joint Base Lewis McChord is a premier installation in the Pacific Northwest. Duane Phillips. John Trainor July 30, 1970 to September 3rd or so. Low crawling under barb wire at night with machine gun fire and explosives. Graves and Forcade were the D.I.'s. I was in the First All Volunteer RA Basic Training Company AT Fort Lewis, WA (10 Sept 1971). I had a E5 DI and a Puerto Rican E7. John Trainor who was two time Viet-Nam true warrior. B-5-2 April-May 1968. Would like to get a copy. Please contact me at tfmillerphoto@sbcglobal.net. It is a bond that brings us together. Good luck to all the a-3 -1 alpha gators! Fort Lewis - Wikipedia Old memories, good now in retrospect. I was in 2nd Platoon D-5-2. Fort Lewis, WA **Now Joint Base Lewis-McChord [JBLM] - Army Bases Was that John Zimmerman. 4th Platoon, Drill Sgt. Had to keep the clip in a holder on your belt under your coat. Email me I think we might have gone through basic in the same barraks, I was at Ft.Lewis March 13 1970 to May 1970 in B 3 2. I knew no one except my company and platoon mostly. Fort Lewis Barracks - au-eng.com Lol. Beady eyed Zeeks made me laugh so hard I had to do push ups. Visit Our Website. When we recently visited the Seattle area I felt a pull to return to Ft. Lewis and see the old barracks and surrounding area. I couldn't believe they were sending guys home during an outbreak like that. The howitzer team rains hell down on the enemy from a distance. I was a Reservist from NY State. Names that I remember: Anthony DeJoy, Ayala, Zupanzic, Verzemnics, Cronin, Rupp, Washington, Ormsby. Our DI was Sgt Johnson. So many memories. We had two native Americans in my platoon and he is one of them. Project Location: JBLM, WA. All these statistics were typical for military bases. Native American BCT 1-14-67 to 3-10-67; Ft. Lewis, WA, LPC 24-64-;3-12-67 to 3-24-67; AIT, C-3-2; 3rd Plt, 2nd Sqd. Also Danny Solley from Atlanta, TX. Was at N. Fort Lewis from April 17 to July in D -1-1 all from California. Patriots Prepared every man a Tiger. I tried to access the rear gate to Ft Lewis summer of 2012. God bless! Remember we would get rained on, get soaked then told to on rain gear. Jane Cherney Paul Ridley I was in the first BCT cycle to use D Block in North Fort Lewis since WWII. Subordinate units assigned to Fort Lewis are: JBLM has more than 25,000 soldiers and civilian workers. I was in the 2nd Platoon. .mw-parser-output .us-census-pop{border-spacing:1px;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;background-color:#f8f9fa;padding:0.3em;font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop caption{background-color:lavender;padding-right:0.2em;padding-left:0.2em;font-size:110%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-bottom:none}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop th[scope=col]{border-bottom:1px solid black}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop td:nth-child(2){text-align:right;padding-left:0.5em;padding-right:0}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop td.us-census-pop-estimate{padding-left:0}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop td:nth-child(3){padding-left:0}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop td:nth-child(4){padding-left:0.5em;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop-footnote{border-top:1px solid black;font-size:85%;text-align:center}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop-right{float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 1em 1em}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop-left{float:left;clear:left;margin:0 1em 1em 0}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop-center{float:none;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.mw-parser-output .us-census-pop-none{float:none;margin:0 1em 1em 0}}. Davila's Tigers. Hill, Christian, and Adam Ashton, "Is Lewis-McChord A 'Troubled Base'? As a civilian again, I drove through Fort Lewis a couple of times and looked over the old BCT area. It was a lifetime ago and that is rather underscored when I see the veterans our age around the VA hospital in Minneapolis when I go there. I was at Ft.Lewis March 13 1970 to May 1970 in B 3 2. Some of the guys I worked with were Phil Knapp, John Krietgens, Jim Conney, Mark Nolan. December 2013 I found A-2-2, 4th platoon, but not 1st platoon. Did Lewis basic have a mock-up Vietnamese village in 68 like Fort Jackson did? Of course, the economy of Fort Lewis revolves around Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington's largest employer with over 52,000 Department of Defense and active-duty military members. Vicksburg, as well as photographs . Prody, Doug (Peterson??) He listened, then said Didnt they tell on the first day never to give money to anyone? Canned answer; hed been there before. I was there, Nov 70 A-1-1, DI Delano. I have a letter from an AIT trainee at Fort Lewis the day he received his orders to RVN; that same day his Record of Assignments shows him changing AIT companies. Barracks Tests Find High Levels of Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in Drinking Water Some 60,000 men, including the 13th and 91st Divisions, moved into the hastily constructed cantonment to train for World War I. PS How in the hell do you remember the class number laugh I have snap shots from then and a bit of recall but to many things inbetween. Veterans E-1-2 basic training. . The field is named in honor of Captain Lawrence C. Gray, who died during a free balloon flight at the field on 4 November 1927. Clay Miller in Renton, WA - Address & Phone Number | Whitepages I have our graduation picture should anyone want a copy. June 2013 If any guys from Alpha One One Jan 71 see this send me an email at slorazorsedge@aol.com. Basic: B-1-1 11/9/66 - 2/67. Drill Sergeant Kihiki We had to carry our foot lockers over our heads in the middle of the night cause someone couldn't keep his gear neat and uniform . March 2013 Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Fort Lewis WA Parade Grounds Military Mt Rainier Unused Real Photo Postcard E30 at the best online prices at eBay! We normally weren't allowed to buy anything but essentials at the PX, but this DI was so friendly. 50 of us spent 10 days at the reception station at Ft. Ord. I remember Capt James and the tailored fatigues. Bush Hat Another standard line: "It's all up do you" My reaction was that "if it had been up to me, I wouldn't be here" A lifetime ago but I still can remember. It means his rank was E4. Howitzers are used for shooting far away targets. My D.I told me to pick four guys besides myself for a 3 day pass home. I didnt pre plan the visit, perhaps I guy could do that and get a advance background check. Fort Lewis was merged with McChord Air Force Base on 1 February 2010 to form Joint Base LewisMcChord. The median age was 22 years. Maree Mchugh [1], Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a major Army base, with much of the 2nd Infantry Division in residence, along with Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division; 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command; and 1st Special Forces Group. B-5-2, Anyone went to basic nov 1969 B-5-2-5th platoon, Was there nov 67/ mar 68. I think I was in B-1-1 but remember Long (think he was a big guy and a shake and bake). I was 3rd sqd leader. All I remember was it was wet most of the time and we couldn't leave the company area when not training and the air was full of coal smoke that was used to heat those old wooden barracks. I was there. Then it was off to Ft Ord. Any one out there assigned to Ft Lewis during that time? I remember Sgt. I was there as well end of January through April B-5-1 or B-5-2 can't remember in quarantine as well are platoon leader Lee died. It was always miserable with rain, snow a little sun at times and we were all sick from our vaccines. A-2-1, Johnny Baugh drill instructor. Decypher is seeking Medical Laboratory Technician candidates to provide support to the Joint Base Fort Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, WA. I have kept up with what he taught us, physically, mentally and otherwise, and these traits are still functional to this day and have allowed me to remain physically fit. E-3-1 basic training Fort Lewis, Washington 11jul66 north Fort. Our DI was dubbed Double Time Philipswe stacked rocks on all of our breaks during training.we left 10 ft piles of rocks all over a north Fort. They now fall under the authority of the Army and are referred to as Joint Base Lewis-McChord. . The C-5 mock up by the ranges is still there. Basic Training, Ft Lewis WA,September 18, 1970 to November 70. Ford Thunderbird D52 all the way. GO Army. I hope some of my platoon members read this and reach out. Profile Summary: Joseph currently lives at 14813 99th Avenue Se, Yelm, WA 98597. Was committed to training us well. D-4-1 the fog is lifting. Pots and Pans..! Thanks. He was always telling us someone would hit us between "your snot-box and your cox-sucker" if we kept messing up. The first recruits moved into their new barracks on 5 September 1917, exactly two months after the post building plan had been handed to the contractors. Did my Basic at North Fort, July to September71, B 3 2. Worked in post Head Quarters, Directorate of Plans and Training November 70 to March 72. Great nephew asked me the other day if we had a washer and dryer in the barracks. . I think we were all borderline pneumonia cases. Atkins and Sgt. It is a place where groups among different types of human defenses like the military, the Navy and the Air Force can come together as one big umbrella of a facility. In 1987 the North Fort was just the same as in 1971you could almost hear the cadence of marching troops ghostly down the streets. I was in E-1-1 from Sept 1969 to Dec. RESPONSIBILITIES. Of the names you mentioned earlier, there a a guy upstairs named John Steele. Will gladly pay for a copy. Any one out there? Duane Phillips and he reminded my of John Wayne in the Sands of Iwo Jima. There were 36 of us housed in these barracks and i can say openly that there had been no form of renovation since the 60's. One wool blanket. In his only appearance, he allowed that we "looked like a bunch of blind dogs in a meat factory". Rain, occasional sun. I was B-3-2 under Sgt. I also recall a LT Gill who was a piece of work but who isn't at that age. Rachel Rasmussen (age 44) from Wenatchee, WA - (253) 838-2324. I wish I had waited for his laundry to finish to see the results. Joe Tschida Pleiku to Ane Khe to long Than and the Delta to camp BearCat and 1969 to 71 A228TH AVN BATALLION 1st CAV Crew Chief Chinooks. Then assigned after zero week of testing, KP and other duties moved to Company A-3-1 to begin eight weeks of Basic Combat Training which included bed making, using a buffer, rolling and folding underwear etc. The 14th and the 296th were right next to each other. I was stationed there in 68 we had to stand guard overBaby alligators and a funeral for one there was two groups one was from California the other was from Washington and I think my drill sergeants name was dear or deerI cant remember the spelling. I remember that at each meal they would yell NG's to the front of the line. Fort Lewis was merged with McChord Air Force Base on 1 February 2010 to form Joint Base Lewis-McChord . 253-967-1110. Cemetery marker for Donald Michaelson of the U.S. Army Air Forces is decorated with a flag at Vaughn Bay Cemetery May 27, 2007 in Vaughn, Washington.. One latter training march, we went about 20 miles and then set up guard perimeters and lay down in fighting positions we dug in the mud, which slowly filled with water, while vainly trying to keep warm. We had a couple guys who should have never been in the military could barely tie their boots. June/69-Aug/69. I may be considered a reactionary but I'll take 1950s thru the 1970s as a great time to be young. There was a tombstone shaped marker by the corner of our barracks that said "Let no man's soul say unto me, Had I been properly trained". Fort Lewis Army Base Asbestos Exposure in Fort Lewis, Washington Over the years I started to think that I was exaggerating to myself that it rained, or snowed just about every day that I was there.