In the dense, humid jungles of Vietnam’s Quang Tri province, on the morning of July 22, 1966, a harrowing ambush unfolded as a battalion of North Vietnamese soldiers caught a company of U.S. Marines off guard. Amidst the chaos, with comrades falling and enemy fire intensifying, Lance Cpl. Richard Pittman made a split-second decision that would echo through military history. Seizing an M60 machine gun, the 23-pound “Pig,” as it was affectionately known among troops for its voracious appetite for ammunition, Pittman charged into the fray.
The M60, a testament to the adaptability and innovation of American military firepower, became a lifeline for Pittman’s company as he single-handedly repelled the enemy assault, navigating the machine gun’s substantial weight and firepower with lethal efficiency. His actions, which would later earn him the Medal of Honor, underscored the pivotal role the M60 played in the hands of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War.
Designed as a crew-served weapon and capable of delivering various types of fire – including grazing, plunging, flanking, oblique, and enfilading – the M60 entered service as the U.S. Army’s general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) in 1957, following its official adoption. Its lineage can be traced back to the end of World War II, drawing inspiration from the formidable German MG42’s feed mechanism and the FG42 assault rifle’s operating mechanism.
Despite its 42-inch length and weight of just over 23 pounds, the M60 brought unparalleled portability to the battlefield, a trait particularly vital in the challenging terrain of Vietnam. It boasted a 50-round link belt of 7.62mm ammunition with a muzzle velocity of 2,800 feet per second, and an effective range of 1,200 yards when mounted on a bipod – a figure that increased with the addition of a tripod.
However, the weapon was not without its flaws. The absence of a gas regulator meant that the M60 could jam or, more unnervingly, “run away,” continuing to fire even after the trigger was released. It also bore a reputation for being heavy and unwieldy, particularly when trudging through the jungle. Moreover, the weapon’s awkward safety was criticized for its operation, which was the inverse of the M16 rifle’s.
Yet, the M60 machine gun was deployed in every conceivable role during the Vietnam conflict: mounted on trucks, jeeps, armored personnel carriers, and even aircraft, it carved out a legacy of versatility and strength. With a sustained rate of fire of 100 rounds per minute and recommendations for barrel changes every 10 minutes, the M60 could lay down a formidable curtain of fire to suppress and eliminate threats.
In the field, the weapon’s intricacies became known to its operators. The M60’s operator manual cautioned against prematurely exposing ammunition to the elements, warning of potential corrosion in damp climates, and advised against oiling or greasing the ammunition, as it could attract dust and increase chamber pressure.
Variants of the M60 emerged over time, such as the M60B, intended for helicopter usage, and the M60C, which was equipped with an electronic control system for cockpit firing. However, these were short-lived as improvements continued to be sought.
The M60, despite its drawbacks, remained in service long after the Vietnam War, testament to its durability and the esteem in which it was held by the soldiers who wielded it. It was a weapon of its time – a crucial tool in the hands of those tasked with the relentless demands of combat, and a symbol of the sacrifices and valor of servicemen like Lance Cpl. Richard Pittman. His bravery during that ambush in 1966, with the M60 machine gun as his steadfast companion, remains a powerful narrative of individual courage and the enduring legacy of military innovation.
Relevant articles:
– The M60 Machine Gun in the Vietnam War, Warfare History Network
– Why Troops Still Love The M60 ‘Pig’ After More Than 60 Years, coffeeordie.com
– THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE M60 MACHINE GUN AND ITS USE IN VIETNAM, Small Arms Review, Aug 2, 2022
– The M60 Machine Gun in the Vietnam War, Warfare History Network, Dec 19, 2021