Scope and Contents

Books about LRRPs, photographs, original poems and writings, printed material, a chronology of Vietnam events, a brief biography of Welsh, and Patrolling newsletters all chronicle experiences of LRRPs in Vietnam.

Biographical / Historical

Joseph John Welsh, Jr. enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 and retired in 1996 with the rank of First Sergeant. Welsh served in the following units during his time in the Army: Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) in Mainz, Germany, 1966; 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in the Republic of Vietnam, 1967-1968; Company E (Long Range Patrol), 20th Infantry (Airborne) in the Republic of Vietnam, 1968; Headquarters, 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1968-1969; Company C, 1st Battalion, 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1976-1978 at Camp Pedricktown, New Jersey; XVIII Airborne Corps, Recondo School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1984-1985; Company B, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1987-1988; Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Okinawa, 1988-1990; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Special Operations Command, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1993-1994; Company B, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1994-1995; Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1995-1996.

After joining the United States Army, Welsh signed up for Airborne training in 1966. His class was sent to West Germany where he spent seven months training with the 509th Airborne. He believed that this training well prepared him for service in Vietnam. Welsh's combat experience during the Vietnam War included small unit patrols, perimeter security, and convoy security with the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division from February 1967 to February 1968. From March to September 1968, Welsh participated in long range reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and special type missions with Company E (Long Range Patrol), 20th Infantry (Airborne). These missions were usually conducted in four to six man teams, but the company also had the ability to operate as a platoon size force. Welsh was discharged from the Army in March 1969, but re-enlisted in for reserve duty 1976 and served with the 11th Special Forces Reserves as a medic until 1978. He returned to active duty in 1979 and spent two years as a Drill Sergeant. Welsh then spent the remainder of his Army career involved with Special Operations. Welsh also participated in the Persian Gulf War as a member of the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion from February to April 1991. There he located Iraqi positions and ammo caches.

Welsh was awarded the following medals and honors during his Army career: Combat Infantry Badge; Master Parachutist Wings; Pathfinder Badge; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Vietnam Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Medal Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars; Kuwait Liberation Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal (K); Royal Thai Army Airborne Wings; and the Philippines Parachutist Badge.

After retiring from the Army in 1996, Welsh went to work for a community college in the Fort Bragg area teaching Emergency Medical Training and a Combat Livesaver course. Welsh soon became ill, however and is now 100% disabled. Despite this, he is still a member of the Sam Houston Post 76 VFW, American Legion Post 579, DAV Chapter 17, 75th Ranger Regiment Association, Special Operations Team Texas, Heart of Illinois POW/MIA Association, the Alamo Airborne Silver Wings Association, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, and former member of the Viet Nam Vets Motorcycle Club. He is also the historian for Company E (LRP), 20th Infantry and Company C (RGR), 75th Infantry Association.