Resources Around The Display Of D-66

Snapshot of D-66 History

Short Description of Armor in Vietnam

Maneuver Firepower Protection Leadership

Interactive Display Armor and Cavalry

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History Of D-66 From The Battlefield To The Museum

Battlefield Damage to D-66

From Company D 16 Armor History 1966 written by Captain Waters

From After Action Report, Operation Toledo, 28 August 1966

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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

In storage waiting for a diesel engine. Note patch in front covering RPG hit.

Retrograde work to be done to bring it to combat readiness

Gas engine awaiting diesel replacement

Left side intact

Ramp and rear door still functional

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

Items found under her seats and floorboard

A piece of shrapnel

Engineering the tilt for the display

Left side, the most visible

Her D66, 173rd markings are returned to their rightful place

Lots of support needed for an M113

D-66 in Her Permanent Home

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.

Before battlefield "scars and Vietnam's red mud" were applied

As was true in Vietnam, nothing was consistent from soldier to soldier or from track to track

Note the grenades and LAW on the gun shield

Attention is paid to every detail including weapons and clothing

50 caliber machine gun and shield

No doubt about her heritage

D/16 troopers gather around another wounded veteran of D/16, D-66