Company D, 16thArmor173d Airborne Brigade Copy I
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The History and

Restoration of D-66

D-66 was the command track used by Captain John K. Waters, Company Commander of D/16 from October 1966 to May 1967. It is on display at the National Infantry Museum in Ft Benning, Georgia.

Larger Image of D-66

Resources Around The Display Of D-66

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Snapshot of D-66 History
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Short Description of Armor in Vietnam
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Maneuver Firepower Protection Leadership
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Interactive Display Armor and Cavalry

History Of D-66 From The Battlefield To The Museum

Battlefield Damage to D-66
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From Company D 16 Armor History 1966 written by Captain Waters
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From After Action Report, Operation Toledo, 28 August 1966

D-66 Chronology

  • An M113 APC, D-66, was battle damaged beyond repair on 28 August 1966 during Operation Toledo. A replacement APC was delivered.
  • Research indicates the new M113 was assigned to Captain John Waters of D Company, 16th Armor, 173rd Airborne and bore serial number 12FB33 and unit designation D-66.
  • It was battle damaged by a rocket propelled grenade and repaired. 
  • Sent back to the US for repair and replacement of gas engine for diesel.
  • Replacement of engine did not take place.
  • In 1971 it was in Aniston Army Depot awaiting disposition.
  • Moved at some point to Ft. Knox where it wore 11th ACR marking for years.
  • Personnel at the Armor Restoration Facility at Ft. Benning acquire the “11th Cav M113”  for display in the National Infantry Museum, Cavalry wing. It was discovered to be the battle damaged M113 from D/16th in Vietnam, serial number 12FB33.
  • D/16's M113 APC was restored as 173AB  D-66 and put on display.
D-66 After Vietnam
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In storage waiting for a diesel engine. Note patch in front covering RPG hit.
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Retrograde work to be done to bring it to combat readiness
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Gas engine awaiting diesel replacement
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Left side intact
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Ramp and rear door still functional
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Restored for display only at 11th Armored Cavalry post. Her D/16 history had been erased - or so it was thought
Historical D-66 Documents
Acquisition of D-66
Restoring D-66
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Items found under her seats and floorboard
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A piece of shrapnel
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Engineering the tilt for the display
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Left side, the most visible
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Her D66, 173rd markings are returned to their rightful place
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Lots of support needed for an M113
D-66 in Her Permanent Home
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D-66 at rest in her new permanent home. A tribute to the paratroopers of D/16 and armor men and cavalry troopers as well.
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Before battlefield "scars and Vietnam's red mud" were applied
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As was true in Vietnam, nothing was consistent from soldier to soldier or from track to track
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Note the grenades and LAW on the gun shield
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Attention is paid to every detail including weapons and clothing
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50 caliber machine gun and shield
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No doubt about her heritage
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D/16 troopers gather around another wounded veteran of D/16, D-66
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