EVERETTE F. COPPOCK III

CSM, US ARMY, RETIRED

TRANSPORTATION CORPS REGIMENT, 1977-2007

515TH TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, PETROLEUM OIL AND LUBRICANTS, TURLEY BARRACKS, MANNHEIM AND AT SMITH BARRACKS, BAUMHOLDER, , AC

515TH TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

Lineage and Honors Information as of MAY 22, 2002

515th Transportation Company Lineage

Constituted 15 April 1944 in the Army of the as the 3825th Quartermaster Truck Company

Activated 7 June 1944 in Italy

Converted and re-designated 1 August 1946 as the 3825th Transportation Corps Truck Company

Re-designated 20 March 1947 as the 515th Transportation Corps Truck Company

Re-designated 20 July 1947 as the 515th Transportation Truck Company

Allotted 1 February 1953 to the Regular Army

Reorganized and re-designated 1 April 1954 as the 515th Transportation Company

Inactivated 20 March 1972 in Vietnam

Activated 16 October 1982 in Germany

515th Transportation Company Honors

CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT

World War II – EAME: Rome-Arno

North Apennines

Po Valley

Korean War:

CCF Intervention

First UN Counteroffensive

CCF Spring Offensive

UN Summer-Fall Offensive

Second Korean Winter

Korea, Summer-Fall 1952

Third Korean Winter

Korea, Summer 1953

Vietnam:

Defense; Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase II

Counteroffensive, Phase III

Tet Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase IV

Counteroffensive, Phase V

Counteroffensive, Phase VI

Tet 69/Counteroffensive

Summer-Fall 1969

Winter-Spring 1970

Sanctuary Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase VII

Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia

Liberation and Defense of Kuwait

Cease-Fire

DECORATIONS

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for KOREA 1950-1951

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for KOREA 1952

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965-1966

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA

Army Superior Unit Award for 1995-1996

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971

In 1952 the 515th Transportation Company was assigned to the 69th Transportation Truck Battalion in Korea at Kwandai-ri area of 10th Corps.

On December 11, 1966 at 0800 hours to 515 Transportation Platoon (Heavy Truck) departed the home station at Fort George Meade Maryland as the initial step in its deployment to Okinawa. The unit sailed for Okinawa from Oakland Army Terminal, California on December 12, 1966 departing at 1500 hours aboard the United States Navy Ship Upshure arriving at Naha, Okinawa on December 27, 1966 at 1200 hours. Upon arrival on Okinawa the unit was greeted by the commanding officer of the 506th Transportation Battalion. Affective December 27, 1966 the 515th Transportation Company was attached to the 506th Transportation Battalion. In the first nine months the unit recorded 182, 089 Tons of cargo and 328,885 miles operating M123 a 10-Ton Tractor.

In June 1966 the 515 Transportation Company reported to Vietnam. Initially assigned to the Cam Rahn Bay Support Command and given the responsibility for onward movement of supplies and equipment from the port of Cam Rahn Bay to various locations inland. The following Transportation Companies were assigned to the Battalion: 360th Transportation Company (POL), 515th Transportation Company, 523rd Transportation Company, 572nd Transportation Company, 585th Transportation Company, 666th Transportation Company, 805th Transportation Company, and 863rd Transportation Company. To increase ton-miles, the 39th Transportation Battalion began to use "dollie trailers." The 39th Battalion had a Trailer Transfer Point just below Khe Sanh and drivers would drop the 12-ton S&P's there. The 5-ton continued with its load into Khe Sanh. A 5-ton tractor pulled the trailer into Khe Sanh. On November 28, 1966 the truck units were reassigned to the 28th General Support Group at Thuy Hoa. In 1969 the company was reassigned to Gia Le Combat Base hauling general cargo as a medium 5-Ton cargo truck company. Gia Le Combat Base received a rocket attacks on the nights of February 1, 2, and 25, 1969 with negative damage or casualties. On February 10, the 3rd Platoon, 515th TRAN CO which was TDY to Cam Ranh Bay was transferred to the US Army Support command, Da Nang less personnel and equipment. At the time the company had three hardened gun trucks.

In the Summer 1970 the company was relocated at Phu Bai. Then failed its Command Maintenance Inspection (CMI) and Inspector General (IG) Inspection. 1SG, Akasaki, from Hawaii was two turn the company around and passed both their next CMI and IG in January and February. After the first month, the men learned that the 1SG had a great sense of humor and was a down to earth kind of leader. All he wanted them to do was perform their duties. The 515th picked up Bob Hope at Phu Bai and drove him to Camp Eagle for his USO Christmas Show. The 515th received front row seats. The company then relocates to Vandergrift on January 31, 1971. The company would pickup cargo from Camp eagle and deliver it to Vandergrift. It only had one-gun truck and was loaned one M113. On February 1 the company began line haul operations between Quang Tri Combat Support Base, FSA 1 at CSB Vandergrift and then to FSB 2 at Khe Sanh where the Trailer Transfer Point (TTP) was located with the 506th Transportation Detachment supporting 1st Brigade, 5th Mechanized Infantry Division.

The 37th Transportation Battalion issued four Silver Stars, 20 Bronze Stars with V Device, 37 Bronze Stars, 10 Army Commendation Medals with V device, 108 Army Commendation Medals and 37 Purple Hearts during a two and half month period. REF A: QSL.com

Arguably the most violent combat action of the war that the 39th Transportation Battalion saw was during the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) incursion of Laos during Operation Lam Son 719 in 1971. To disrupt the flow of enemy personnel and supplies into South Vietnam, a ground attack was launched across the Laotian border on 8 February 1971. For this operation the 39th Transportation Battalion was attached to the 8th Transportation Group with its headquarters at Quang Tri. The 585th Transportation Company moved to Tan My Ramp and set up the Forward Supply Area Vandergrift with the 515th Transportation Company and the Battalion Headquarters. In May 1971 near the Laotian Border the 515th Transportation Company, was ambushed 25 times over a two and half month period, killing twelve men, injuring 35 men and damaging 40 vehicles. REF B: Globelsecurity.org

A Vietnam 515th Transportation Company U-Tube recording is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPuDiED9t88

In April 1982 an advance party of twenty Soldiers arrive Sheridan Barracks at Augsburg to set- up bulleting, office, and maintenance facilities. In September 1982, the 515th Transportation Company, arrives at Sheridan Barracks, Augsburg and was assigned with the 4th Transportation Battalion, VII Corps - Jayhawks. The unit operated Jeeps, 60 5-Ton Trackers, 5,000-gallon POL tankers and had 175 Soldier assigned. They set-up a driver’s academy for the education and licensing phases of in-processing including hands-on training on unit assigned equipment. Ninety-seven Soldier were housed in the barracks while the married Soldiers were issued government quarters, seven maintenance bays were converted to admin offices, supply, arms NBC and break rooms.

On December 20, 1995 the 515th Transportation Company deploys in support of Operation Joint Endeavor IFOR, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The company was deployed until December 20, 1996.

Article: NATO was responsible to the United Nations (UN) for carrying out the Dayton Peace Accords. The Dayton Peace Accords were started on 22 November 1995 by the presidents of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia, on behalf of Serbia and the Bosnian Serb Republic. The actual signing happened in Paris on 14 December 1995. The peace accords contained a General Framework Agreement and eleven supporting annexes with maps. The accords had three major goals: ending of hostilities, authorization of military and civilian program going into effect, and the establishment of a central Bosnian government while excluding individuals that serve sentences or under indictment by the International War Crimes Tribunals from taking part in the running of the government. IFOR's specific role was to implement the military Annexes of The General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. IFOR relieved the UN peacekeeping force UNPROFOR, which had originally arrived in 1992, and the transfer of authority was discussed in Security Council Resolution 1031. Almost 60,000 NATO soldiers in addition to forces from non-NATO nations were deployed to Bosnia. Operation Decisive Endeavor (SACEUR OPLAN 40105), beginning 6 December 1995, was a subcomponent of Joint Endeavor. The Dayton Agreement resulted from a long series of events. Notably, the failures of EU-led peace plans, the August 1995 Croat Operation Storm and expelling 200.000 Serb civilians, the Bosnian Serb war crimes, in particular the Srebrenica massacre, and the seizure of UNPROFOR peace-keepers as human shields against NATO's Operation Deliberate Force. Admiral Leighton W. Smith, Jr. (Commander in Chief Allied Forces Southern [CINCSOUTH]) acted as the Joint Force Commander for the operation (also known as Commander IFOR (COMIFOR)). He commanded the operation from HQs in Zagreb and later from March 1996 from the Residency in Sarajevo. LTG, Michael Walker, Commander Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) acted as the Land Component Commander for the Operation, commanding from HQ ARRC (Forward) based initially in Kiseljak and from late January 1996 from HQ ARRC (Main) Ilidža. This was NATO's first ever out-of-area land deployment. The Land Component's part of the operation was known as Operation Firm Endeavour. At its height, IFOR involved troops from 32 countries and numbered some 54,000 soldiers in- country (BiH) and around 80,000 involved soldiers in total (with support and reserve troops stationed in Croatia, Hungary, Germany, and Italy and also on ships in the Adriatic Sea). In the initial phases of the operation, much of the initial composition of IFOR consisted of units which had been part of UNPROFOR but remained in place and simply replaced their United Nations insignia with IFOR insignia. REF C: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implementation_Force

The company is awarded the Army Superior Unit Award for 1995-1996. In 2003 the company was assigned to the 485th Corps Support Battalion (CSB) initially at Camp Dogwood then on to Camp Cooke at Taji, Iraq. Under the direction and guidance of CSM, Everette Coppock III, the berm building and construction of a 1.2-million-gallon petroleum “Tank Farm” supported by the company in its line haul operations. CSM Coppock also had constructed a 1.2-million-gallon Reverse Osmoses Water Purification Unit for the “Water Farm”, renovated 54 warehouse, barracks and western standard latrines for 3,300 Soldiers, electrical power grid, six motor parks with maintenance facilities valued at $7.8 million. The company was operating from Camp Cooke to Kuwait Petroleum Depot and back within 24 hours. Company Commander, CPT, Charlie Fischer and First Sergeant, 1SG, George Quinones JR were instrumental in the timely operation of POL support for the 485th CSB, 16th Corps Support Group and 3rd Corps Support command.

The mighty 515TH TRANSPORTATION COMPANY AT CAMP COOKE, TAJI, IRAQ 2003

In 2006 the unit deploys to OIF and returns to Germany 15 months later October 15, 2007. The 515th Transportation Company completed a 15-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom October 15, 2007. While there, the unit hauled fuel all over Baghdad to support Iraqi and coalition forces and provided convoy security. Since returning from the deployment, the unit has been through a thorough 45-day reset and reintegration process. On July 15, 2007, the 181st Transportation Battalion inactivated at Turley Barracks after 64 years of service. The 11th Transportation Company, at Turley and some equipment at Spinelli Barracks was then reassigned to the 18th Corps Support Battalion, the 41st Transportation Company (PLS), was located Rose Barracks, Vilseck was reassigned to the 18th Corps Support Battalion, the 51st Transportation Company (PLS), was located at Turley Barracks was reassigned to the 28th Transportation Battalion, Coleman Barracks, Sandhofen, the 377th Transportation Company (HET) was at Grafenwoehr Training Area with orderly room at Turley and some equipment at Spinelli Barracks was reassigned to the 18th Corps Support Battalion, 7th Corps Support Group, Grafenwoehr and the 515th Transportation Company (POL) operating out of Turley and equipment at Spinelli Barracks was reassigned to the 28th Transportation Battalion, Coleman Barracks, Sandhofen, Germany.

On June 21, 2008 at Camp Taji, Iraq the fuel farm consisted of 1.2-Million-gallon petroleum bladders the yard was known as the “Bag Farm.” The 515th Transportation Company, 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade. The 515th has moved over 16 million gallons of fuel on Camp Taji alone. The company is serving a 15-month tour of duty.

On June 4, 2010, the 28th Transportation Battalion inactivates. The 515th Transportation Company (POL) is reassigned to the 391st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), located at Warner Barracks, , 16th Sustainment Support Brigade, located at Smith Barracks, Baumholder, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Panzer Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany.

In 2011 the 515th Transportation Company deploys to Afghanistan.

TARIN KOWT, AFGHANISTAN 08.17.2012 Story by SPC, Nevada Jack Smith 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

TARIN KOT, Afghanistan – There is a quote often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte that goes, “An Army marches on its stomach.” In our more modern times soldiers travel in mine resistant armored personnel carriers and UH-60 Black Hawks, but the saying still has merit. Without proper supplies it is impossible to field an Army. That’s what makes soldiers like the members of the 515th Transportation Company Forward Logistic Element so important, by playing a critical role in maintaining the resources of soldiers operating in the Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan.

A Forward Logistical Element (FLE) is a logistical concept for the modern modular Army and allows companies the ability to dedicate a platoon sized element to contribute logistical assets to organizations that lack supply or transportation resources. “Transportation resupply missions are the backbone of all military activity. Few requirements rank higher in wartime than the need to maintain reliable supply lines and our transporters take pride in facilitating this necessity,” said 1st. Lt. Nathaniel Dumas, the officer in charge of 515th Transportation Company FLE stationed at Multi-National Base Tarin Kot (MNBTK). The 515th soldiers here are instrumental in providing fast logistical and maintenance support within the Uruzgan province through a variety of operations.

Conducting resupply convoy operations with Australian counterparts, maintaining forklift equipment for the MNBTK flight line, and providing transportation assets for the MNBTK Ammo Supply Point are just a few of the roles of the FLE soldiers. “We also conduct Australian Container Express (Conex) movements within the MNBTK battlespace and coordinate upload/download operations of weekly supplies arriving from KAF convoys,” Dumas said.

Transportation soldiers provide a critical service to fellow service members, that can sometimes go overlooked. “Soldiers don’t always know what they have and can take it for granted,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Toyco, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the FLE here. “Most people don’t think about how things get here and there are a lot of operations people don’t realize are going on until they don’t have something they need.” By now it’s a well-established fact that Afghanistan is a dangerous place. Traveling can become a life or death situation and moving supplies presents its own risks.

“People don’t think what’s at stake and the dangers involved for the soldiers who delivered something as simple as a container of water,” said Toyco, originally from Abilene Texas.

The 515th soldiers stationed at MNBTK have accomplished many great things during the course of their deployment. “Just within the past two months of our operation within the TK community our FLE has moved over 300 Container Expresses (Conex), conducted over 30 transportation convoy missions throughout Uruzgan District, and moved the ammo supply point,” Dumas said. The intangible rewards of assisting fellow soldiers aren’t lost on the members of the FLE here. “I Love my job is all I can say,” said Toyco. “I love being here and being able to support so many people and make a big impact on soldiers’ lives.”

REF D: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/94084/515th-transportation-company-soldiers-bring

The mighty 515th Transportation Company, Afghanistan 2012 Soldiers with the 515th Transportation Company Forward Logistics Element convoy with members of 3rd Royal Australian Regiment to Multi-National Base Tarin Kot after a resupply mission to Patrol Base Mirwais, Aug. 17, 2012.

The 515th Transportation Company on mission toward Uruzgan, Afghanistan 2012

On October 13, 2012 the 515th Transportation Company, 391st Corps Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade returned to Coleman Barracks, Sandhofen, Germany.

Article: The 2016 American Petroleum Institute

1SG, Michael Kendrick, 515th Transportation Company First Sergeant.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The 2016 American Petroleum Institute presented the 515th Transportation Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion with the Best Tactical Petroleum Unit award, April 11th.

The API recognized 515th TC as the Best Tactical Petroleum Unit in the Army for its continued mission support in Europe from Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31, 2016. During 2016, Soldiers from the 515th TC drove more than a million miles across 10 countries, supported seven multinational training exercises, and issued more than 2 million gallons of fuel. Anaconda 16 was the largest exercise 515th TC supported. The company sustained operations for more than 31,000 Soldiers from 24 countries across the European Theater, while simultaneously executing a Company-level field training exercise.

"The Soldiers in the 515th have shown through hard work and dedication to the mission in Europe that they are the best in the business when it comes to fuel and transportation operations," said Capt. David Deibler, 515th Transportation Company Commander. "Every day I am amazed at what they do and their importance to supporting a Strong Europe."

The Company developed multiple convoy support centers in Germany and Poland to resupply convoys with fuel, provide maintenance support, and provide route synchronization over a distance of 1,000 miles as units moved to and from home stations in Germany and Italy. During Anaconda 16, the unit executed 225 missions, drove 133,680 miles, and hauled more than 1.2 million gallons of fuel.

"This community fuels professionals…and that breeds a sense of community," said Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin, Energy Commander, Defense Logistics Agency.

The company command team accepted the award on behalf of the Soldiers of the 515th Transportation Company during the Defense Energy Support Center's annual Worldwide Energy Conference.

"This is one of the greatest achievements a unit can attain in our field," said 1st Sgt. Michael Kendrick, 515th Transportation Company First Sergeant. "We are often forgotten until units run out of fuel. We are lucky to have such a talented group of Soldiers, NCOs, and officers." Each year the American Petroleum Institute and the Army Petroleum Center conducts the Army API Awards Ceremony. The Army API Awards Program recognizes excellence in petroleum management and fuel handling within the and the Department of Defense based on four critical mission categories: Army installation fixed bulk/retail petroleum operations, individual achievements and contributions of a fixed fuel facility's operations and maintenance support, Army tactical petroleum operations, and individual achievements and contributions of tactical petroleum personnel.

REF E: Article by 2nd Lt. Jon-Duey T. Grissom, 16th Sustainment Brigade on April 26, 2017

515th Transportation Company near Baumholder, Germany 2020

Railhead operations at Parsberg, State of , Germany 2020, photographs by US DoD

ORGINIAL SIGNED ON MAY 22, 2020

Everette F. Coppock III Command Sergeant Major, US Army, Retired Transportation Corps Regiment, 1977-2007 International Country Code 001 plus 719.210.0492 COPPOCK since 1479 AD, Cheshire, England 600 + Coppock’s have a combined 2033 years of military service for the USA, UK, Australia and Canada

REFERENCES:

REF A: QSL.com

REF B: Globelsecurity.org REF C: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implementation_Force

REF D: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/94084/515th-transportation-company-soldiers-bring

REF E: Article by 2nd Lt. Jon-Duey T. Grissom, 16th Sustainment Brigade on April 26, 2017