M-2 HS/TG

sfmike

Special Forces
Verified SOF
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monterey, ca
In 1965, I was the recon platoon sergeant with the 1/19th Infantry in Augsburg, Germany. We rode around in M114 APCs which were armed with an M-2 .50 caliber MG and an M-60 MG. One day we were on maneuvers and MG E. L. Rowney, the 24th Division CG had his helicopter land near where our platoon was parked. I reported to him and he asked about our mission and staffing. I answered him and he then went to the nearest M114 and asked SP4 Kochins if he knew how to set the headspace and timing on the .50 caliber in front of Kochins. SP4 Kochins replied, “Yes, General”, I threw him my headspace/timing gage and he showed the General that he knew how. Rowney the asked the Specialist if he learned how from being taught by his Platoon Sergeant and Kochins said “No Sir, I learned how when I commanded a Quad-Fifty Battalion in Korea”! The General was astounded and ordered Kochins to come see him at DivHQ after the maneuvers.

Fast forward, In October 1967, I was an Acting Platoon Leader in the 1/27th Infantry (Wolfhounds) when a new Battalion Commander reported in. He realized that the Battalion had 5 .50 caliber MGs in its TO&E and ordered them and a basic load of ammo to be brought to the field on the resupply bird that evening . The five .50 Cals arrived with their T&E mechanisms but no headspace & Timing gauges. The Bn Operations Sgt and two of the Battalion staff officers were attempting to get the guns going . One Second Lieutenant said that he remembered from his OCS class that you could use a nickel and 2 dimes as an expedient. MSG Starling (Ops Sgt) handed the 2LT a couple of script bills (one a nickel and the other two $ .10) and told the LT to go ahead…

The battalion commander finally offered an in-country R&R to anyone who could come up a H/S gage! I remembered that I had a H/S gage in the button hole of my field jacket and I went and got it. We managed to get one of the M-2s working before last light. We set it up on top of a bunker, between two 105 guns. That night the Battalion was hit by a NVA Regiment and the M-2 was able to cut down 126 of the enemy. The next morning the platoon swept the perimeter and found over two hundred body count and numerous blood trails!
 
In 1965, I was the recon platoon sergeant with the 1/19th Infantry in Augsburg, Germany. We rode around in M114 APCs which were armed with an M-2 .50 caliber MG and an M-60 MG. One day we were on maneuvers and MG E. L. Rowney, the 24th Division CG had his helicopter land near where our platoon was parked. I reported to him and he asked about our mission and staffing. I answered him and he then went to the nearest M114 and asked SP4 Kochins if he knew how to set the headspace and timing on the .50 caliber in front of Kochins. SP4 Kochins replied, “Yes, General”, I threw him my headspace/timing gage and he showed the General that he knew how. Rowney the asked the Specialist if he learned how from being taught by his Platoon Sergeant and Kochins said “No Sir, I learned how when I commanded a Quad-Fifty Battalion in Korea”! The General was astounded and ordered Kochins to come see him at DivHQ after the maneuvers.

...

Did Kochins get caught up in a RIF after Korea?
 
Yes he did. Kochens had been a Major who was riffed back to E-7. He was involved in an automobile accident where two German Civilians were killed and then busted to E-1. I became his Platoon sgt when he was an E-3 and I had him promoted to SP4.

After the maneuvers the General reviewed his CM and reinstated him to E-7. This allowed Kochins to retire as an 0-4 (the highest rank held).

SFMike
 
Thanks for taking the time to share that. I always enjoy a good read..
 
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