Morale
1971-03-02
The "500" — Bicycle Races at FSB Fontaine
FSB Fontaine, Long Khanh Province, RVN
Summary
Documents
Soldiers
Images
Summary
In the spring of 1971 the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry added a "Vietnam-style '500'" to its recreation program at FSB Fontaine. Skytroopers raced bicycles one lap around the inside of the firebase berm, the field broken into five classes by rank (E-4 and below, and on up) so the competition stayed even.
The full item is transcribed from the clipping as the document News in Brief: The "500" — FSB Fontaine.
A photograph from Howard McGrew's collection shows a bicycle leaning against the ammunition crates inside the firebase — quiet corroboration of the races, even though the veterans do not specifically recall them. See it on FSB Fontaine.
Also Present
2
MM
D Company, 2/8 Cav was at FSB Fontaine in early March 1971 (his 9 March 1971 letter). Probable presence; not named in the account.
HM
Range Platoon CP radio operator; his 1971 field calendar places D Company at FSB Fontaine that spring, and a photograph from his collection shows a bicycle on the firebase.
The FSB Fontaine "500" item highlighted in the CAVALAIR "News in brief" column, 2 March 1971.
A bicycle leaning against ammunition crates inside FSB Fontaine, in a photograph from Howard McGrew's collection — visual corroboration that bicycles were on the firebase.