The newspaper of the 1st Cavalry Division Association published during each even numbered month at
302 N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703.  Phone: (254) 547-6537
Deadline for publication is the 1st of each odd numbered month.
e-mail: firstcav@1cda.org
Home Page: http://www.1cda.org
EDITOR: Lorinda Davison
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Martha E. Fisher
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Dennis E. Webster

Subscriptions are available to all Life and Associate members of the 1st Cavalry Division Association and are provided to all new Life members of the Association during the first year of their membership.  Regular columns include, President's Corner, 1st SIG/13th SIG, 5th CAV, 7th CAV, 8th CAV, 9th CAV, 12th CAV, 15th MED, 20th ARA, 27th MNT/ORD, 30th FA, 61st FA, 77th FA, 82nd FA, 99th FA, 545th MP, LRRP/Rangers, Silver Wings, Division Doings, Horse Detachment, Historian, TAPS, WANTED, It's the Law, Letters to the Editor, New Member Listing, and information on Reunions.  Additional articles on subjects generally associated with the Division and its history are also included as space permits.  Subscriptions are $10 per year.

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The following articles have been extracted from current and past issues of SABER and are submitted here for your information and enjoyment.

In the previous Saber, I informed you of the Board of Governors decision to include the Gold Star Breakfast as a new event in our reunion schedule each year. I believe that the breakfast will be a significant yearly event and is an excellent way to honor our friends and fellow soldiers who did not come home. I asked Julie Kink whose brother David was killed in August, 1969 while serving as a scout pilot in the 1-9th Cavalry in Vietnam to assist Dennis and his staff in organizing and publicizing this important reunion event. She graciously agreed. Julie was a prime mover in initiating and organizing the first Gold Star Breakfast at VHPA in 2004--An informal group of five that has grown over the years. She has extensive experience in this event since then and will be a big help to our Association staff. The breakfast is for many an overwhelming emotional experience, both for Gold Star family members and those of you who served with them. Julie can tell that story more eloquently than I can, so I will quote from her message to give you a view from a Gold Star family member view point.

Quote: "Your brother was our brother" These words, written to me more than 10 years ago by a helicopter veteran answering my quest for information about my brother opened a whole new world for me. A Charlie Troop 1-9th Cav scout pilot, David was killed in August, 1969 after just a month in Vietnam when he was 19 and I was eight.

Back then Gold Star Families bore their pain alone. We weren’t told how David crashed, who he was with, couldn’t call him in the hospital where he was dying and didn’t know how to reach any of his comrades. We never knew the names of the other two young men killed in the crash until years later. With help from veterans’ organizations - after quarter century - I was finally able to learn about my brother, meet his fellow pilots and crew members, hear about what they did in Vietnam and discover that David was not forgotten.

There are many other Gold Star families like me. One of the most powerful ways for them to connect with their past and their lost family member is to spend time with those who walked in their shoes.

"Recognizing that Gold Star "CAV" families encompass many different wars and eras, having such a breakfast during the 1st Cavalry Division Association reunion would fill a void that now exists between family members and those who served with them and also between families from the various wars. We who have experienced a war death share a bond that stretches across the years. An organized activity such as this provides a welcoming place to meet face to face and share our common bond - as well as for veterans who served with our loved ones to share their own stories with us - the stories we are so eager to hear.

In his last letter home my brother wrote, "You’re never alone on a mission." Through meeting his fellow veterans, I now know what those words mean. But there are many Gold Star family members like me who have yet to learn that they are now part of a large extended "Cav family." Holding a Gold Star Breakfast during the reunion would be one way to let them know they are welcome and that the "Cav" does not forget it’s fallen and their families." End quote.

As you can see organizing this breakfast will not be easy. We will have to publicize it so that families who are not members of the Assn. will know that it is available and they are welcome to attend. Once Gold Star families sign up we will, in many cases, have to search for Cav Veterans who served with the lost relative. I ask all of you to help with that effort. Together we can do it.

I advertise the 1st Cav every day. My cars have a 1st Cav tag on the front bumper. It is amazing how many people see that tag and wave me down, or run across a parking lot to ask, "What unit were you in. What year"? I meet a lot of good people that way. One 8th Cav Vietnam vet from 1967-68 and I were discussing the Veterans Administration. He asked me, Do you have PTSD"? I said, "No." He replied, "You got it, you just don’t know it." Maybe.

Back to the 1st Cav tag. My wife loves to drive on Fort Gordon, Georgia with the 1st Cav tag. She says, "It gets respect." That probably comes from the time an MP let her off with warning ticket for modest (she says) speeding. He saluted and said, "First Team." Good man.

7th CAV News
by Robert J. Anderson
Published in the September/October 2008 issue of SABER

Labor Day is now in our rear view mirror and when you start to read this edition of news, Halloween and Veterans Day are both fast approaching.

Our last column ran out of room and was already sent to Texas when I received a report from the recently concluded 5-7 Cav reunion also held in Jacksonville, Florida. Charlie Baker, Fast Flanker 3, reports: The 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry Association held Reunion IX from 29 June through 5 July, 2008, and by all accounts it was a rousing success. Starting with the St. Johns River Dinner Cruise early in the week, and ending with the barbecue on the final night, 390 veterans and loved ones from the Vietnam Era renewed and strengthened friendships that started as far back as 1965 at Fort Carson. The reunion was further enhanced by the presence of thirty young officers, soldiers and wives who are currently serving in the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The Banquet was held on the 4th of July. MG (Ret) Maury Edmonds, who has assumed the mantle of leadership, presented traditional awards to members of the battalion. Man of the Year for 2007 was Eddie Ratcliffe, who was recognized for his tireless efforts toward the sponsorship of our young soldiers in Iraq. Red Boulden was presented the Man of the Year award for 2008 for being a consistent volunteer and participant in Association activities, especially our reunions. Don Shipley, who has been the heart and soul of locating our veterans over the past sixteen years, received the President’s Award. Don has added the development of a wonderful and extensive collection of memorabilia to the list of his many contributions. The Sacred Trust Award, a special one-time award, was presented to Michael Sprayberry, the only living recipient of the Medal of Honor among 5-7th Cav’s four recipients.

Michael’s continuing efforts to find and retrieve the remains of his three men killed on the night of 25 April ,1968, to include travel to Vietnam, are an inspiration to us all. Assisting Michael in this effort is a Marine, Ed Garr, who has been made an associate member of our association. Ed is perhaps the only Marine in this association other than Kathryn Skipper, who had to marry Charles Skipper to gain entry. Michael Sprayberry is determined in his work to gain closure for the families of these three gallant warriors – Daniel M. Kelley, David L. Scott and Hubia J. Guillory.

All three squadron commanders since the 5-7 was reactivated in 2004 attended the banquet. Recently promoted COL Petery and LTC Cliff Wheeler, who took the squadron to Iraq in 2007 and 2008, were the primary speakers. They spoke not only about their squadron in Iraq, but also about the many supporting actions of the association’s members who sponsored our troopers over there. These two gentlemen were preceded by the always stirring words of LTG Jim Vaught, who commanded the battalion at Hue, Khe Sanh and into the A Shau. The current commander, LTC Kirk Dorr, and all the squadron men and their ladies, were resplendent and inspiring in their Dress Blues and long gowns.

At the closing barbecue on the following day, the youngsters on active duty melded in with the old-timers. Their children dominated the opening songs on the dance floor, and two pair of first graders even did the two-step with us old folks. Their parents are the future for the association, and 5-7th Cav is in good hands - very good hands.

Perhaps the high point of the entire week was the Memorial Service held at Southpoint Community Church, in which the 379 names of our Vietnam Battle casualties’ were read, along with the names of our 12 men lost in Iraq. Maury Edmonds led the service, and Chaplain Don Quick gave the invocation and homily. They were joined on the dais by the readers from each company, including COL Petery and LTC Wheeler. "Amazing Grace" by the bagpiper was wonderful, the 5-7th Cavalry Squadron Honors Squad nailed the three volleys, and Taps was played beautifully by two members from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Everyone held it together until Willie Mercer sang Mansions of the Lord, at which time the tears began to flow. The 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry Association continues to grow, and looks forward to a growing relationship with the current squadron assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division.

Thank you for this moving report which continues to highlight and be an example of what a great organization with dedicated volunteers can do.

Bob Anderson, B 1-7 in 1942-45 writes: many thanks for keeping the Regimental News flowing. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your column. Many of your comments bring floods of memories to my mind as I’m sure they do to the other troopers reading this paper. I was happy to note that Norm and Peggy Osterby had called you recently from Arizona. I, also, heard from them and Norm had a lot of information about a number of our "B" Troop 7th Cavalry comrades that are still "hanging in there" after all of these years. If my memory serves me correctly he said he has a list of about 17 former B Troopers (of which I am one) who he has been in touch with in recent times. In your column you related that Norm reported that he is the last of the B 1-7 Troopers who fought across the Pacific. What I think he meant to say is that he is one of the last survivors as there are still several of us around and many of us send greetings to each other at the holidays.

Bob, most likely, I did get that part wrong as I was so excited to hear from Norm. Thank you for the kind words.

Bill Richardson reports that he has recollections of the 7th Cavalry and some photographs are posted on the new CBHMA web site at www.custerbattlefield.org/people.htm. The editors report, thank you once again for sharing your wonderful memoirs of the "Seventh" and for supporting the CBHMA and its publications. Your contribution clearly enhanced the quality of The Battlefield Dispatch! To view these items please click "Bill Richardson." This is a very interesting site and worthy of a visit.

When I was at the battlefield last fall, I picked up a book called Men With Custer, Biographies of the 7th Cavalry. This 400 page book lists all of the men that were then assigned to the Regiment as of June, 1876 and is a valuable research tool. Speaking of books: If you haven’t yet gotten your First Team Vietnam big black book, you may want to contact the Gift Shop as their supplies are dwindling. The copies of the Division in WWII and Korea are also in short supply. Turner Books will no longer be holding extra copies in inventory and once the count goes to zero, it could be very difficult to get a copy.

Eleven Phantom Raiders from A 1-7, 1969-70 journeyed to Pine City, Minnesota for their 4th annual Mini-Cav. We stayed (again) at Fred "Shortround) Welch’s, Welcharosa. - 20 beautiful and pristine acres in the northeast corner of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Making this years pilgrimage were: Jim Hackbarth; Ronnie "Zeno" Ponder; Tommy "Elk Hunter" Milner; Gary "Ebola" Garrett; Randy "Drill Sergeant" Sutton; Jerry "Woodcock" Wood; Dale Harbitz; Rick "The Gambler" Carr; Doug "Sergeant Rock" Halls and yours truly. Wonderful meals were again prepared by Donna "Ma" Welch and her ever present sidekick Mae. We sent thousands of rounds downrange, told war stories and played Trivia beneath the beautiful night skies in front of roaring fires while listening to music from the sixties and early seventies. We had an early morning formation complete with inspection and I’m here to tell you that "Dress Right Dress" has been lost to the ravages of time. We competed for the top prize of a beautiful Warrior Knife with games such as: horseshoes; 100 yard walk off; knife and hatchet throw; bayonet toss and who could keep a straight face while being yelled at by Shortround. I was doing pretty well I thought, by turning off my hearing aids and hearing the others drop like flies until Shortround got in my face and started grunting like a pig. Something akin to Deliverance came to mind and I cracked up laughing. The winner of that competition was the aforementioned Drill Sergeant Sutton, who never even broke a sweat, much less a smile. The overall winner of this year’s competition was Sergeant Halls. Poor Gary Garrett earned the nickname of Ebola because he somehow gave most of us the runs and barfs – thankfully though not all at the same time. He swears that he brought it into Minnesota from Wisconsin. All in all, even through the sickness a great time was had by this group of warrior friends.

A Visit to Franklin, Tennessee as reported by Larry Gwin, A 2-7 1965-66 and forwarded by Jim "Doc" Hackett. What a great trip! What a wonderful, informative, and poignant three days. Auspiciously, Bud Alley, who had organized the reunion, was the first guy I saw there. It was almost as if he were greeting us as we arrived. Many familiar faces greeted us, and we made a number of new friends after we got there. Dan Reed, the history teacher from Ohio who is making a movie about Albany, was there with his family. I met Skip Chittendon (CO of A 2-7 after Captain Davison and Chan Duryea (CO of C 2-7 during the tail end of my tour), and Hank Dunn’s neighbor and counterpart as FO for A 2-7 in 1967-68 (I think). Great guys and good men all! I think more than 65 of us 2-7 vets were there, including our good friends the cannon-cockers, a smattering of engineers, and others. I counted 14 Alpha Company guys, familiar faces all, and Joel Sugdinis headlined the bunch. The 7th Cav Color Guard consisted of three men from the 1-7 who’d carried the Colors from Fort Hood. Our battalion was represented by CPT Brandt Germann and SFC Andreason. Wives and family members added a bit of dignity and pulchritude to the group, and the beer and liquor flowed. Nancy and I joined some of the hard core Hard Corps guys for dinner, supported by John Eade and Enrique Pujals.

Friday was an amazingly powerful day. Bud had scheduled a panel and a moderator for each of the major fights we’d been in during our tours: X-Ray, Albany, Bong Son I (LZ 4), Bong Song II (Thanh Son 2/ Davey Crockett), and Tuy Hoa. Anyone who attended those "seminars" would have gotten a first-hand, unexpurgated, eye-witness account of each battle, and I was amazed at how many serious firefights we were in and how horrendous our casualties were, but also how we’d accomplished every mission, despite the odds. As Jim Lawrence put it, "we kicked ass!" Still, the men who stood up and shared their stories of what they’d seen and done, and what they’d remembered, really "fleshed out" the seminar and the histories, and I learned a lot. This program continued all day, and by 4:45 (1645 hours), I was exhausted after re-fighting the battles of X-Ray, Albany, etc. This was a truly amazing and informative experience. Thanks Bud.

Friday evening was one of the highlights of the weekend. The staff at the Carter House had prepared a barbeque dinner and a program of entertainment for us vets. Arriving there, we were greeted by members of the local Boy Scout Troop, by 6 or 7 gentlemen from the 13th U.S. Colored Troops Color Guard dressed in their blue "Yankee" uniforms, and by "Old Abe" Lincoln himself. As we shook their hands, I was gratified by how gracious they were. "This is the best reception we’ve received since we came home from the war!" I exclaimed. The "formal" program consisted of the 13th US Colored Troops Color Guard posting the Colors, greetings from David Fraley, a narration by Thomas Cartwright, the Carter House’s former Director, as "Sam Watkins," a Confederate, Bob Jones (HQ 2-7 at Albany) reading his beautiful piece, "Reflections at The Wall," and a monologue by "Abe Lincoln," including his Gettysburg Address.

Saturday, we arose to hear Jan Scruggs edify us on the proposed Wall Museum, and then another final hour on the fights at Tuy Hoa and Khe Sanh (Operation Pegasus). After lunch, David Fraley hosted a motorized tour of the Battlefield at Franklin and his presentation was excellent, especially for those of us who had studied the fight or had relatives wounded there. We who know the importance of cover, concealment, and maneuver were appalled by the decision of John Bell Hood, who commanded the Army of Tennessee, to send his troops across 2 miles of open terrain against entrenched Union troops supported by interlocking fields of artillery fire. Unbelievable! Incomprehensible! Inexcusable! The meat grinder Hood ordered his Army into resulted in its "death," and by the time the smoke cleared early the following morning, more than 6,000 Confederates lay dead, dying, or wounded on the field. Hood had effectively destroyed his 20,000-man Army, and it never recovered from that fight. Though it fought the Battle of Nashville two or three weeks later, it was finished. A horrendously sad and tragic story.

Afterwards, we had a couple of hours to recover. Then it was time for the grand finale, "An Evening of Honor for the Vietnam Vets." Bud had "outdone" himself on this one. The ladies went into the banquet hall while we lined up outside, and then, as each veteran’s name was announced, he had to walk, limp, or stagger down the aisle to the Colors on a stage, then gather and be memorialized in a" group photo." After an invocation, we enjoyed a fine dinner while a solo violinist, moving from table to table, played "period music." The after-dinner program consisted of cavalry songs sung raucously by the world-renowned Garryowen Chorus, a bit of reflection (thanks, Jan), the honoring of some of our brothers, and a reading of "Fiddlers Green" by Jon Wallenius.

As we gathered this year, I noticed that the men who attend these affairs seem 

that’s because were just feeling playful, or getting old, but I really think it’s because we’ve been getting better and better, healing over the years, and we are more relaxed and happy in the brotherhood we’ve formed. For me and many I spoke to, this was the best Cav reunion we’ve attended, certainly the friendliest, perhaps the most intimate (in a good way) as we expressed ourselves more freely to our brothers. "Those who have fought together in battle, who have shared their blood together, are brothers, for life." (Hal Moore)

On Sunday morning, several of us who had a special connection with Franklin gathered at the Confederate Cemetery there and laid flowers at the icon marking the more than 400 men from Mississippi who’d fallen at the battle. (There are 1400 graves at the site.) As we gathered around the icon, a large red-tailed hawk flew right over our heads and landed on the top of the tree right next to us. The Carter House guys commented that they had been to the cemetery more than 400 times, and never seen a hawk overhead. I thought fleetingly that we were being visited by the spirits of our forebears who had fallen on that hallowed field. I felt honored and calmed by its presence. After the flowers had been laid and we’d said our peace, the hawk followed us as we moved to the Tennessee section of the cemetery, settling in the branches of the next closest tree. (Now, tell me that’s not telling us something!) Tom recited two beautiful letters, verbatim from memory, written by Confederate soldiers who had perished at the battle-- a most poignant and fitting way to say farewell. Those of us present said our goodbyes and went our separate ways, but it was a most-fitting end to a most meaningful reunion. Thanks, again, Bud. Thanks, also, David. And thanks to the historians and staff of The Carter House, the members of the 13th US Colored Troops Color Guard, and to all my brother veterans of The Ghost Battalion who contributed to the success of this reunion. God Bless and Garryowen!

Great report Larry – thank you. The long anticipated sequel (if you will) to the book We Were Soldiers Once… and Young by General Moore and Joe Galloway hit the bookshelves on August 19th and is fittingly titled We Are Soldiers Still. This remembrance covers the return to the battlefields at X-Ray and Albany as well as a visit to Dien Bien Phu and other topics. The foreword is penned by none other than Norman Schwarzkopf, who knows something about war himself. From Stormin Norman "Though their eyes and half a dozen journeys back to Vietnam since the war, we see the evolution of that country and people as they find piece after a thousand years of war." "And we see a surprising concern and tenderness for each other among men who once had done their best to kill each other." "If those men, veterans of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, can become friends and pray together for all who died on that ground on both sides, then the war really is over and we can all be at peace."

From a wall mural in a Hanoi museum stretching across one long wall was a time line of over 1,000 years of invasions from peoples outside of Vietnam. The Chinese section of that timeline was about 50 feet, the French and their 150 years of colonial occupation was about 12 inches and the Vietnam (American) War was depicted in about 2 inches and seemed to put everything into perspective. From General AN in one of their meetings, "I thought it was your battalion (1-7) at Albany and that we had finished you off, today I have learned more details about this battle than I ever knew." "I think this battle on 17 November was the most important battle of the whole campaign. Your soldiers were surprised when we attacked them but they fought valiantly and heroically." These quotes are taken from the Foreword and Chapters 1 and 2 (of 12), Back to Our Battlefields and Conversations with the Enemy. My profound thanks to Joe Galloway for his permission to quote from their book and I’ll have more in later columns.

I have spoken with several veterans who have made the journey back to Vietnam and they to have reported that the Vietnamese have gotten on with their lives and if you take the time line depicted in that mural you can see that it was really just a blip on their radar screen. These veteran friends also report that there is no undercurrent of animosity toward them and they welcome our visits. Some day, I too hope to make that journey back, to possibly recover what was lost and to put that experience in a safe place in my mind. I would like to hear other reports from 7th Cav veterans who have returned to places like the Philippines and Korea, as well as Vietnam. This is our history and it is very important to record those thoughts and feelings.

"In 1966 while on patrol in Vietnam an enemy grenade exploded sending shrapnel into his chest and collarbone." "Now, after a 42-year battle that would do a soldier proud, he finally is getting his deserved Purple Heart." Max Earnheart, who lives in Mandarin, Florida still isn’t sure how he got lost in the Army’s system despite at least some documentation showing he was eligible for the award. His plight began on May 28, 1966, when as part of the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, he and about 10 fellow soldiers were on patrol in Vietnam’s central highlands near An Khe. After the explosion, he was taken to the base hospital at An Khe and stayed put for about 12 weeks. It was then the cracks started widening and the Purple Heart, awarded to those wounded or killed while serving, started to slip away. "They [the Army] must have forgotten everything,’’ he said of the beginnings of his administrative nightmare." I even missed a month’s pay. ‘’During his hospital stay, Earnheart got a visit from former boxing champ Archie Moore and an Army chaplain. He wasn’t worried about the Purple Heart; he was worried about the pay and asked both to try to do something about it." I was a poor little private and didn’t have any money to speak of,’’ he said. He still hasn’t seen the money. After his release from the hospital, Earnheart finished his two-year tour of duty back in the United States, before being discharged in 1967. Over time, Earnheart says he "pretty much had put any hope of receiving the Purple Heart out of my mind,’’ and he wound up in St. Petersburg working for a bank. In 1991, after moving to Jacksonville he decided to fight the fight. "I looked at Purple Hearts online and thought about buying one - and you can buy one for about $25 - but I wanted to earn it the proper way.’’ He enlisted the help of U.S. Rep. Tillie Fowler, R-FL., and her office was able to open the door to that process." In December of that year, Earnheart went to the Veterans Administration in St. Johns County to file a claim for compensation for hearing loss from the war. At the VA he unwittingly found an ally in the county’s assistant veteran’s service officer, Heather Andrews. After hearing of his situation, Andrews, herself a Vietnam-era veteran, was more than happy to try to rectify the mistake. Her job was made a bit easier because Fowler’s office had done a solid job documenting what it could. Included with his findings was a piece of paper on which a clerk from his hospital stay had written "frags in chest.’’ Finally, on February 27 of this year, Max received a letter from the Army’s Review Board Agency in St. Louis informing him that after a review, his records were being corrected to reflect what he had coming. In addition to the Purple Heart, Earnheart also was awarded a Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars and a Sharpshooter Badge with automatic rifle and rifle bars. And the $96, it’s probably not going to happen. Max EARNHEART served in our 7th Cav.

Hope all are well and I’ll have more stuff for the November Saber that space didn’t allow me this time. Garryowen from Michigan.

DA 1594 Daily Staff Journal. 0001 - Journal Opened, hog gravy and chitlins, let’s see if this pig will fly. "Hey Sailor, new in town?" Thanks to staff for awarding us the medal and trophy for ‘most pictures by a regiment’ last issue. Kudos also for labeling individuals in said pictures. Jeffery Spratt called to correct the top image column two as (L-R) Benjamin, King, Spratt, Greenleaf, Dulloff. Gerry, no double dipper, is only in the previous image. Space is limited so details on all subjects may be obtained from me via the usual methods. Requests vis-à-vis specific company’s pictures-updates are available only by e-mail. Keep those cards letters pictures and reminisces coming in. The mailbag is bustin’ at the seams – if I owe you a letter I’ll get back to you.  Photo mentioned above

0400 - A check of 2-12 Thunder Horse in Iraq - "Another month gone by and your Troopers are performing spectacularly. We have had a couple of bumps and bruises and some ailments causing Troopers to be evacuated from here for treatment. We received replacements and are expecting our next group to arrive soon. Soon it will be October and only 100 degrees. Stay safe and, "Always Ready"." 2-12 Family Readiness Group are offering fabulous 2-12 Battalion tapestry throw blankets for $40.00 + shipping. The 2-12 FRG had an August town hall meeting and families are offered classes dealing with deployment issues. A Company had a July social and are selling A 2-12 logo t-shirts to generate funds. B Company had an ice cream fund-raiser social and an end of summer BBQ. D Company had a pie-in-the-face fund-raiser, yum! F Company had an August indoor cookout. HHC had a pizza party planned. Photo of 2-12 Tapestry

0800 - 1-12 update postponed pending notification and response of concerned entities. I’ve been walking through the stable and have deadlines all over my shoes. Once Cav always 12th Cav and I have the stories to prove it...

1200 - I have had a very pleasant chat with an F Troop veteran of the Japan Occupation, January 1947-48. Trooper Joseph J. Champagne, Jr., PO Box 0366, Gold Bar, WA 98251-0366, (425) 223-6789, no e-mail, is a Veteran of Underage Military Service www.oldvums.org enlisting at age 16 in 1946. He wishes to contact the same, F Troopers and: Spivy, Angelo DeAngelo, and Richard Cram. He served at Camp McGill and a seaplane base in Tachama (?) Japan. He remembers standing for hours in ranks on the hot tarmac awaiting MacArthur and his parades, while the troopers passed out from the heat. Like more cowbell, the Saber needs more Japan train stories. A stick-out moment for Joe was missing his stop and arriving at the end of the line where the engineer walked away, saying there would be four hours till the next train. Not wishing to be AWOL, he and his friends commandeered the train and started back, the engineer running to join up. They ducked going through Yokohama, wondering what the MP’s thought about an empty train going speeding past. Joe went on to enlist in both the Marines, where he was a coach for a rifle team, and the Air Force in mobile communications equipment. He left the services in 1962 and truck driving in 1999. He currently lives in the mountains and tries his hands at picking bluegrass on a Martin flattop guitar.

1400 - "Troopers Carlos Ramos and Thomas Jones, C 1-12 3rd platoon M-60 gunners meet for a mini-reunion in Carlsbad, California, July 2008. These two buddies met on the West Coast again, decades after they humped their M-60s through I and III Corps in Vietnam. Charlie Company called them "the Showboats" and when the enemy was contacted, the officers would call for the "showboats" to come up to the area of contact and give them hot lead. Carlos got through his war experience by thinking of this very scene on the beach at Carlsbad and was anxious to show Jones, from the Jersey shore, his vision of the Pacific Ocean. The two were reunited this year for the first time in 40 years. Trooper Ramos is a contractor who still lives near this beach and Trooper Jones is a college professor now living in the state of Washington."- Thanks to Alan and Tweek VanDan. Photo of Carlos Ramos and Thomas Jones

1500 - Our final contact by lima lima was with Trooper Carl H. Lawrence, C 2-12 Cavalry Vietnam, May, 1966-December, 1967, 1359 Hassell Horton Rd, Hurdle Mills, NC 27541-9362, (336) 599-7730, no e-mail. Trooper Carl is searching for: SGT Parker, SGT Atkins, SGT Mooney, LT Patterson, LT Ringrose and COL Edgar C. Doleman, Jr. The latter was an author of Tools of War in the Time-Life Vietnam Series. Carl enlisted in 1959, served until 1979 and was a triple dipper with the Cav. He served on the Korean DMZ with the 2-5th and 1-9th Cavalry. He has vivid memories of working the border of Cambodia in 1966 around a Special Forces camp west of An Khe, using slicks at treetop level to draw enemy fire. Here in November-December, 1966 they spied John Wayne in SF uniform (you just cannot miss him) and his entourage, standing walking and talking to SF troops 2-12 were defending. He asked who the other soldiers were and was told, "They’re nobody." Big John ambled over despite protests from his handlers to talk to real soldiers. He drank coffee and talked to them with tears in his eyes until he left in his own good time. Trooper Carl wants to know if anyone else remembers this incident? Carl went on to teach 12 years of Army Junior ROTC in High School and currently drives tour buses. He plans to see y’all in Texas next year.

1700 - "Congratulations are extended to Trooper Joe and Jill DiMartino, C 1-12, and Trooper Pops and Rose Wilkos, D 1-12, both Vietnam, both couples blessed with strapping grandsons in August. Trooper Joe’s grandson is nicknamed "Little Trooper," and Trooper Pop’s grandson is nicknamed "Gummy Bear." and they are both going to be heart throbs." - Emeritus VanDans.

2100 - E-mailing sitrep from Trooper Raymond D. Banning, HHC 2-12 Vietnam, 1969-70. His second tour was in the Cav; his first tour was as an advisor in II Corps. Address - 4310 W Farm Road 54, Willard, MO 65781-8244, (417) 742-2916, RBann19575@aol.com. "I was on 1st Brigade staff working for Joe Kingston from January to June, then was sent down to 2-12. I served as the Battalion Executive Officer replacing Bill O’Keefe, KIA when his helicopter was hit by artillery round. I served under LTC Ivan Boone and LTC Hal Iverson." Since first light we have been exchanging e-mail conversations concerning activities incidents and personalities, witness to the same history, as our tours with 2-12 overlapped. We share with each other two differing perspectives, that of officer and enlisted. Quaint, ain’t it?

2200 - This is a most important Presidential election, weigh your choice on who and what is best for the nation, then vote early and often. We all hang together or we swing separately. Don’t sweat the small stuff in the election or life as you can’t change it, and it will only kill your buzz. I hope I see many of you on 11-11 weekend at my usual hangouts, Veterans Day at the Wall - the Cav in DC. I label the Wall to be the Cadillac of Veterans Day observations and if able I am Johnny on that spot. We are all too aware of mission creep and it is true for Veterans Day as well. Many communities not longer have Veterans Day parades and activities, leaving it to Veterans service organizations instead, at greatly reduced participation. The original concept was to honor those that had died in WWI and those that had served in combat by "a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business, with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations." Now, any person who served under the colors is a veteran and after one day serving in uniform is a veteran of the country’s service, as we consider active duty to be veterans. Many confuse Armed Forces, Memorial, and Veterans Day, blending and messing the message of each. Don’t get me started on flag etiquette! If you wish to see it done correctly and honorably come to DC and the Wall. Here you will know in your heart what it is, and means in your being, to be a ‘veteran’.

2300 ½ - I will all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Annum, your January and February holidays, as well as your faith and ethnic specific holidays to boot! Boot to boot! Ride on cowboy.

2400 - If I got it wrong I am still sticking by my story! Write if you get work. Journal Closed.

Well, having decided to attend the recent, wonderfully-executed, 61st Annual 1st Cavalry Division Association Reunion in Jacksonville, I found myself being mildly hazed by Dennis Webster, Executive Director of our Association (and an old friend of engineers), about the fact that we engineers had apparently decided that our comings, goings and doings don’t merit enough interest for us to continue to have a column in the SABER.

Dennis also told me that only eight engineers had signed up for the Saturday "Engineers Luncheon"---whereas dozens of troopers had signed on for the luncheons for the various cavalry battalions, the artillery, the Silver Wings and so on. His numbers proved to be a little off as only three (3!) of us showed for the luncheon. The group included active duty Sergeant Tony Santos anthonyrobert.santos@us.army.mil  of the 20th Engineer Battalion and CW3 (retired) Jesse Crimm thecrimms@gmail.com of Jacksonville who served in HHC and C Company of the 8th Engineers in 1969 and 1970.

Among the other engineers who signed in for the Reunion were John Stevens of Wheelersburg, Ohio (8th Engineers in 1949-52), Richard Johnson of Oldsmar, Florida (8th Engineers in 1967-68), Stretch Hungerford of Lehigh Acres, Florida (1950-51 and 1965-66), Tom Horas (8th Engineers in 1949-51: t.horas@aol.com, active duty Sergeant George Figueroa (8th Engineers: george.a.figueroa@us.army.mil  and Walter Closson (70th Engineers: walterclosson1@msn.com .

All in all, attendance at the Reunion showed a real contrast between engineers-on-the-battlefield and engineers-in-retirement. In any event, I’ve decided to attack the keyboard myself (and yes, Howard Buchanan, I can still recall your advice about "volunteering") for this edition…and Jesse Crimm has generously offered to pick up the burden of serving as "scribe" after this issue. I hope that all engineers and "friends of engineers" who read this message will send along news of the doings of themselves, family and friends to Jesse at the e-mail address shown above thecrimms@gmail.com! If you don’t do e-mail his mailing address is 4445 Silverwood Ln., Jacksonville, FL 32207-6241. Let’s get the column going again!

For those of you who don’t know me, a brief introduction is probably in order. I commanded the 8th Engineer Skybeavers from September, 1969 until early July, 1970 (just after we returned from Cambodia). I followed LTC Andre Broumas who was KIA in August, 1969 and I was succeeded by LTC Homer Johnstone. My memories are fading but I recall that the companies were led at various times by Captain’s LaFond, Hayes, Reth, Estes and Betteridge (among others) and 1SG’s Reeve, Benz and Rolwes (among others). The Water Point Section was honcho’ed by Sergeant Dressel. Also memorable to me were MAJ Bob Harris, CPT Jed Brown, CPT Hank Gordon, CPT Norm Lorsung, LT Jeff Gaber, LT Thurston McDaniel, LT Jack Garmong and Platoon Sergeant’s Roberts, Mrozek, Mitchell, Buchanan, Wade and Bausman. And, I apologize to all of you whose service was so dedicated, but whose names escape me.

We were fortunate to serve in the Division at a time when it was particularly well led. Just to prompt a few memories, the CG when I left the Skybeavers on 5 July, 1970 was the immortal George Casey who was killed the very next day and who had succeeded Elvy Roberts. The ADC who provided adult supervision to the Skybeavers was Colonel (P) Bob Shoemaker. Other colonels in command included Shy Meyer, Bob Kingston, Joe Kingston, Carter Clarke, Leo Soucek, Morry Brady, Ken Mertel and Tom Nicholson. There were other superstar officers throughout the division at that time, as well: My old friend (from airborne days in Mainz, Germany) Myron Diduryk, Pete Booth, Maury Edmonds, Jack Galvin (who, like Generals Meyer, Shoemaker and Kingston, rose to hold four-star rank), Bill Glisson, Bob Drudik, Norm Archibald, Mac Sanders, Tom Fitzgerald, Dwight "Tex" Wilson, Quinn Becker, Frank Toner, Clark Burnett, Ed Trobaugh and many more…including my West Point classmates Jim Anderson (1-5 Cav), Al Carr (2-5 Cav), Woody DeLeuil (5-12 Cav) and Everett "Moose" Yon (1-7 Cav). Small wonder the division’s nickname was "The First Team!"

Follow engineers (from all eras), let’s support Jesse Crimm. Send him your thoughts and recollections. I’ve heard repeatedly from friends and classmates who served with the Cav how much they admired your skills and dedication and how grateful they were for the support you provided. I know that they, as well as the troopers with whom you served, would love to know how things are with you. Bring it on, please.

Stay strong, Skybeaver 6

Shoot low Rangers, they’re ridden Shetlands!

As the world turns LRRP/RANGER Reunion 2008 came to a conclusion with no arrests or bail money having been spent. This year we were in Jacksonville, Florida. Most stayed at the Hyatt on the River. (Forrest had to rent a Dingy to get across the river). The rooms were great with a number of restaurants and watering holes near the hotel. Some took a Dinner Cruise on the River while others, such as myself, David Russell, Bennie Gentry and John Trumbull plus our wives, terrorized the Florida Highways on our motorcycles (actually three motorcycles and a Honda) to Daytona and back. We also spent a day in St. Augustine the oldest city in the U.S. Since Bennie had been there as a young boy he gave us a guided tour.

This was an election year. The following are our new officers: Keith (Standing Two Hairs) Phillips-President; Douglas (No Show) Parkinson-Vice President; John (ain’t he cute in his nylons) LeBrun-Secretary; Bob (BBQ Float your Boat) Carr-Treasurer (IRS has already implemented an investigation) and "Doc" (I’m in love) Gilchrest-Sergeant-At-Arms. The Trustees are Michael (Capt.) Gooding, Bennie Gentry and Ken White.

The following members were in attendance and signed the rooster: Samuel Dixion (1971), John LeBurn (1969-72), Doc Gilchrest (1967-68), Bob Raab (1968-69), Forrest Decker (1967-68), Ronald Wood (1971-72), Larry Curtis (1967-68), David Russell (1967-68), Scott Hancock (1967-68), Gene Sprague (1969-70), John "Jake" Geiger (1969), Gary T. Lorenz (1970-71), David Klimek (1970-71), Bennie Gentry (1967-68), Mike Ryan (1970-71), Wayne Okken (1970-71), Randy Kimes (1967-68), Howard Lee Coble (1967-68), John A. Trumbull (1967-68), Ken White (1967-68), Bill Carpenter (1967), Dave Shows (1967-68), Doug Matze (1970), Roger Simmons (1970-72), Lou Bruchey (1970-71), Tom Campbell (1967-68), Howard Shute (1969-71), Bill Hand (1967-68), Tom Ford (1967-68), Ronald Christopher (1966-67), Chuck Donahoo (1970) and Samuel Surgeon. That makes 33 total plus most brought their wives, children and grand children. We had five first timers.

My first reunion was in 1999 and what I experienced in those brief five days has put the reunion as a priority in my life. Those who have made a reunion, owe it to yourselves to reach out to every brother of our unit who honorably served and help them experience the bond of the LRRP/RANGERS, irrespective of what year the popping blades of a Huey became apart of their unconscious behavior.

God Bless all our fallen LRRP/RANGERS. Keep Your Powder Dry.

"Blue Max Six, this is Concrete Eight "Fire Mission, over"

Ok, let’s pull pitch on this fire mission.

By the time you are reading this column the reunion at Fort Rucker will be over. Sorry you missed a great reunion. I say this because I know it will be the best ARA reunion ever! As I write this column, our numbers are at 69 Alumni plus spouses and family bringing the total to over 100 signed up for the BBQ and the dinner. The phone has not stopped ringing and the e-mails have continued to come in telling we still have many more people thinking about attending.

The people who have signed up range from those who served in the ARA when it was the 377th 11th Air Assault through the end of when the last ARA unit existed plus some who never served in the ARA signed up; with A Btry 1965-66 and B Btry 1968-69 fighting for the lead position in numbers. Our two active duty units; Blue Max B 3-101 is across the waters doing what the Blue Max does best, taking care of business, so they will not attend this year and Blue Max C 3-3 is busy but they plan to have some alumni in attendance at the reunion. We will give you an after action report in the next issue. We will continue to show our support for all our troops and we pray for their safe return.

LTG Gus CIANCIOLO will be our guest speaker and many of those who served while he was in the ARA will be attending to see him again. What a feeling that will be, seeing so many back together after so many years.

If future reunions are anything like this year’s reunion, we will have to make room by moving the reunion to another location. COL Bruce WILDER, the "Air Mission Commander" has been doing a great job and we hope who ever is in charge of the next reunion will do as well as he has. Thank you sir, you have made this crew chief very proud.

The following was sent to us by Sergeant Major Mike VINING (USA Retired). Someone from HHB 2-20 flew on this mission. If you know anything about this day that went so wrong please let us know ASAP.

A "People Sniffer" Operation That Went Terribly Wrong, by SGM Mike R. VINING (Ret).

(Friday), February 13, 1971 started out as a typical day for the First Team. But that was about to change; a field experiment was to be conducted. The 1st Cavalry Division had been conducting "people sniffer" missions, which involved searching out the enemy by deploying a riot control agent, such as tear gas, causing enemy soldiers to reveal themselves from their concealed positions. Once exposed, gunships could then engage the enemy.

Leading the experiment that day was CPT Frederick Phillip "Fred" SMITH; the assistant Division Chemical officer assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Support was provided by Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery (aerial rocket) and a UH-1H (68-16360) Huey helicopter. Soldiers from the 184th Chemical Platoon (Direct Support) also assisted. The team flew over Binh Thuy Providence, Republic of South Vietnam.

The experiment involved the use of an Air Force E158 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) cluster bomb, which was considered to be the best CS delivery system during the Vietnam War. The bomb consisted of many D-cell-battery-size canisters of CS held in place by a 3-foot-long, 1-foot-wide plastic unit. A timing fuse was to detonate a bursting/igniting charge that, in turn, was to send the smaller munitions over a 50-meter area, spraying CS as they went.

Somehow, in the process of deploying the munitions, the arming wires were loosened and the E158s began detonating inside the helicopter. CPT SMITH’s clothing caught fire, and he was badly burned. Although blinded by the fire and resulting smoke, CPT SMITH was able to push all of the cluster munitions out of the helicopter. However, in the confusion, CPT SMITH went out with the munitions and fell 1,500 feet to his death. Others onboard the helicopter also received burns; some required extensive hospitalization. CPT SMITH’s quick thinking and actions saved the helicopter and the lives of seven people. His body was not recovered until three days later.

CPT SMITH’s heroism is recalled in a book entitled Hunter-Killer Squadron: Aero-Weapons, Aero-Scouts, Aero-Rifles, Vietnam 1965–1972.1 Chapter 26, entitled Chemicals and People Sniffers, was written by CPT Bob PARKER, commanding officer of the 184th Chemical Platoon.

In a personal letter to me, CPT PARKER stated, "The sad part was that [CPT SMITH] and I had discussed the dangers in how we carried the E158’s and he hoped to prove that it would be safe to deploy them en mass, which as it turned out it didn’t work. I was on another bird returning from Long Binh when we saw the fire break out in another bird off to our right. Our bird immediately rallied to their bird and landed next to it. There was another bird that was with them and it took the Sergeant Major and some of the others on board in for treatment for their burns. Luckily the injuries were not life threatening and one of my troops ended up in Japan for a month or so for a large burn. He was the one who told us about what had happened as it went up in front of him (sic)"

CPT SMITH had been married prior to his deployment. While serving in Vietnam, he had a son who, unfortunately, he never had a chance to meet.

CPT SMITH’s decorations and awards include a Silver Star, a Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, an Army Commendation Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Parachutist Badge, and a Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.

CPT SMITH was born on March 6, 1946; his hometown was Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He arrived in Vietnam on March 23, 1970. At the time of his death, CPT SMITH was stationed at Phuoc Vinh, Republic of South Vietnam. He served as the chemical officer and as the assistant S-3 for 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. I am searching for any witnesses to this tragic event. Please contact me at (719) 873-1065 or <mvining@amigo.net> if you have any information.

SGM Mike R. VINING (Ret) is a 30-year veteran. From February 26, 1970 through 29 January, 1971, he was assigned to the 99th Ordnance Detachment, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Phuoc Vinh, The Republic of South Vietnam.

Thank you for such an informative letter Mike. If anyone remembers anything about this mission, such as who was on it and who was injured, please let us know.

According to the aircraft records obtained from the VHPA we note that the crew aboard this aircraft was aircraft commander O5 TOEPEL AE, pilot O3 BURNETTE LR, crew chief SP4 MOTGAN TM and gunner PFC WALLACE W.

Enclose is a photo of CPT SMITH (taken during basic training) and the CS Gas dispenser used the day CPT SMITH was killed.

Until next issue, "Clear Left, Sir!"

Reunions: I want to start this issue’s column by reminding you of several reunions coming up in the next month or two. If you are reading this article and you have never been to a reunion let me explain why you should change your attitude about reunions. For one thing it could save your life. I know that sounds a little drastic but let’s say you’ve never been checked into the VA medical system and you never knew about the cancer growing in your body caused by chemicals and/or the parasites you were exposed to in the service. That’s right, it could be a reunion that you learn enough about your health issues to act on them and get the help and benefits you earned. It may take just one blood test to determine you have something you don’t want. It could mean the difference by being detected early and not. If you are already covered medically and that is not a reason for you now, it could be after you retire or if you lose your job related insurance. When you attend a reunion you are going to be around a lot of Vets who are getting their VA benefits and are always willing to explain what you have to do to get your benefits. If the health issues and benefits don’t interest you, then think about those friends you made in the service. They haven’t changed and neither have you. Oh, well physically we may have changed a little bit (I think the biggest selling shirt at the reunions is an XLarge) but voice and personality stay the same. You won’t regret going.

Here is what’s coming up.

8th Cavalry Association: May 15-18 at the Branson Towers Hotel, Branson, Missouri. The deadline for this reunion is April 2nd so by the time you read this it may be to late to get registered however if you would still like to go call DeeTours to Branson at (800) 800-1882 and ask for Curtis or Denise. You may still be able to get in on some or all of the events or there may be a cancellation that you can fill. This is an election year so it’s very important for you association members to get there.

D 2-8 Cav (Angry Skipper): May 15-18 at the Country Inn & Suites in Columbus, Georgia (Fort Benning). There is no deadline for this reunion however they will go with the head count as of April 15th. When I started writing this article there were only 20 rooms left of the 58 they have in the main hotel but if we sell out you will get the same rate at the hotel down the street which is taking our overflow. For reservations call the Country Inn & Suites at (706) 256-6390 and tell them you are with the Angry Skipper group. Although the reunion is primarily D 2-8 Vietnam Veterans, all 2-8 Cav Vets are welcome to join us. Photo of Karl Derums, former D 2-8 XO in 1968-69 who will be one of this year’s reunion hosts.

1st Cavalry Division Association: All of the information for the Division reunion is in this issue. This years reunion is in Jacksonville, Florida June 18-22. This is the big one. A fantastic mix of 1st Cav Vets from WWII to Iraqi War and present day Veterans. I’m hoping we have a good turnout of Iraq Vets from the 8th Cav Regiment. You are almost certain to run into someone you served with but regardless, you will be with a fun bunch of people. The Division always has interesting tours, great banquets and draws hundreds of former troopers and their families too.

If there are any other 8th Cavalry units having reunions, I will always be happy to publish the information in the Saber if I receive it before my deadline.

I received another letter from Steve BOSMA who informs me that the 10th I.D., 8th Cavalry Regiment will be having a 55th anniversary reunion in Branson, Missouri, September 5-7, 2008 and that those interested can contact him at, 7109 Via Portada, San Jose, CA 95135, (408) 270-1319. He said that his photo in the November-December issue sparked interest in the reunion. The reunion includes those who served in the Fort Riley Basic training Companies, HHC 1-85th Infantry Regiment and Item Company, 87th Infantry Regiment December, 1953 to January, 1954. George Company, 86th Infantry Regiment February to April, 1954 and the 8th Cavalry Regiment, May, 1954 to November, 1956, Camp Crawford and Camp Whttington, Japan. Good luck guys, have a great reunion. By the way Steve, call me when you get to Reno and I’ll meet you for that "drinkie-poo".

Trooper Support Program: I received an e-mail from 8th Cavalry Association President Karl SHARPLES informing me that as of now the TSP has been ended. The association sent hundreds of phone cards to our 8th Cav troopers in Iraq during the past 18 months. The phone cards for the 6th Squadron, 8th Cav, 3rd Infantry Division. were sent out this week. 350 cards with 42000 minutes total will give each Trooper 58 minutes of calling time. Thanks to everyone, association members and non-members, who sent in donations to this worthy cause and to the officers and directors of the 8th Cavalry Association for the fine job they did.

It was at the Division reunion in Louisville, Kentucky in 2006 that I really got to know a lot of the Korean Veterans who served in the 8th Cavalry. In Vietnam, we often heard stories about the 8th Cav in Korea in a very negative way. The facts are quite different from the rumors we heard in Vietnam. As usual the high command does not accept responsibility for badly assuming the Chinese would not intervene in the war. The 8th Cavalry suffered the consequences of that miscalculation. In several of the issues over the last two years I’ve reported remains of 8th Cav Troopers found in North Korea and returned to families here in the states for burial. Most of these 8th Cav troopers were killed near Unsan, North Korea between November, 1950 and January, 1951. To honor those who served in the 8th Cav during this period I decided to do a short two part story of what happened at Unsan and in the POW camps. Sandwiched between the immensity of World War II and the controversial mass media coverage of the Vietnam War, many Korean War Veterans have felt unappreciated and forgotten. Some media still refer to it as the Korean Conflict. It was in reality the first war between the Communists and the free world.

The U.S. and Republic of Korea Armies had fought a seesaw battle with the North Korean Peoples Army until GEN MacARTHUR’s plan to land the Marines and the 7th ID and elements of the ROK Army at Inchon and cut off the enemies supply routes. This enabled the 8th Army to break through the perimeter at Pusan near the southern tip of Korea. After that the allies headed north across the 38th parallel and the war seemed all but over. U.S. and ROK forces had pushed the NKPA all the way up the peninsula to Unsan and were in the process of hunting down scattered NKPA units that were fighting as guerrilla forces after being split up by the American offensive. Seoul was declared liberated on 29 September, 1950, things looked good for the allied forces. GEN MacARTHUR discounted the risk of Chinese intervention thinking to himself that they had passed the time in which their involvement would have changed the war. The Chinese had repeatedly warned the U.S. about crossing the 38th parallel but it had been two months and they had not attacked. MacARTHUR assumed wrong and this left the Regiment closest to the Chinese the most vulnerable and outnumbered. Such was the 8th Cavalry Regiment at dusk on 1 November, 1950 near Unsan, North Korea. It was the first time the U.S. Troopers had seen a mass human wave assault, one after another, of thousands of Chinese Infantrymen blowing bugles and throwing hand grenades and firing their "Burp" guns as they charged at the 8th Cavalry and nearby ROK units overrunning many of their positions. When the ROK 15th Regiment collapsed on the 8th Cav right flank, the troopers of the 1st and 2nd Battalion’s of the 8th Cav had to abandon their artillery and fall back into the city of Unsan. The Chinese used this opportunity to seal off their escape route. The Chinese hit again the next day, this time concentrating on the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cav positions. More human wave assaults broke up remaining defensive positions and after an unsuccessful relief attempt by the 5th and 7th Cavalry Regiments, the troopers of the 8th Cavalry were ordered to get out of the trap any way they could. They broke up in smaller groups to try to escape. Many of our 8th Cavalry troopers were killed or captured in this short but fierce battle. Outnumbered and cut-off very few men of the 8th Cavalry made it back to tell their stories. (To be Continued)

In the May-June issue I will write about life in the Chinese POW camps. I’m hoping some of you Korean War POWS will help me out by sending me your stories. I’m told the best book to read about the war is The Coldest Winter so I intend to pick up a copy and read it before the next issue as well. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from some of you. 8th Cav Korean Vets, I salute you all.

I do not do book reviews however two former 1st Cav troopers have sent me a copy of their books to read and comment on. I just finished reading a book by former trooper Joe SANCHEZ (Mo Dhania, co-author) Latin Blue which is a fiction based on Joe’s time with the NYPD. If you like police stories, you’ll like this book. 8th Cav Vietnam Veteran David NICHOLSON sent me a copy of his new book, Tales from the Nam. I’m just getting started on David’s book. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do in the next 8 weeks.

Have a great Easter Holiday! Honor and Courage!

Hard Charger News: In my last Saber article I said I would devote this article to 1SG (R) Thomas Jefferson Vernor. To his family he called was "TJ" and to his friends, who knew, respected and loved him, he was and will forever be remembered as "TOP." In my opinion we lost a damn good soldier, a real national treasure and a wonderful and generous friend.

Top’s family members who attended his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery on 1 August, 2007 included Alma-Jean Cagle, James Cagle, Julius Vernor, Tim Vernor, David Vernor, Josh Vernor, Steve and Christy Bardwell, Skye Morris, Carrie and Christopher Ellison. Hard Chargers who attended the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery included: Pat Little, Chuck Causey, Jack Shoalmire, Dick Sparks, Wendell Greenlee, Jack Kloke, Jack Callaway, Jack Garven, Bill Gregory, Larry Faust, Tom Rothrauff, Saverio Grimaldi, Ron Carter, Rusty Carroll, Mike Tthomas Rich and Alice Jones, Skip and Hella Wilfong, Ray and Elaine Zugel, Richard and Sharon Braly, Dan and Theresa Gillotti, Mike and Christine Ray, Bob and Donna Jeaudoin, and John and Susan Hoetker. Also attending from the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) was Ken Swords (National MOPH Sergeant at Arms), Ransom Jordan (National MOPH Sergeant at Arms Emeritus), Jay Phillips (former National MOPH Adjutant), Cy Kammeier (National MOPH Editor in Chief), and members of the Maryland Department of MOPH. 

Photo  (Top Vernor at WWII Memorial Dedication in 2004)

Let’s look at Top’s life. Top was born in Dumas, Arkansas on 3 May, 1926 and enlisted in the US Navy on 11 November, 1941 at the age of 15 years, 6 months and 8 days old. After his initial training, he was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and sailed out of San Diego to join the Pacific Fleet. He was integrated into Torpedo Squadron VT-3 and flew onboard a Torpedo Bomber (TBD) (Devastator) as a Gunner. At the Battle of the Coral Sea, Top’s plane was hit and the pilot ditched it into the sea. The Pilot, the Radio-Operator/Bombardier and Top were picked up and returned to the USS Yorktown. Then during the Battle of Midway the TBD Top was flying in was hit and the Pilot, the Radio-Operator/Bombardier and Top were wounded on 5 June, 1942. Top’s plane was badly damaged but the Pilot was able to crash it on the deck of the USS Yorktown. Top’s plane was the only TBD to make it back to the USS Yorktown. Top was 16 years, 1 month and 2 days old when he earned his first Purple Heart. The Japanese then attacked the USS Yorktown which then had to be abandoned because of the severe damaged and subsequent explosions.

Later Top was retrained as an Underwater Demolitions Expert and he was assigned to Under Water Team-11 (UDT-11). In March,1945, UDT-11 was dropped off of the coast of Okinawa to clear the beach for the subsequent successful US amphibious landing. In follow-up action on Okinawa Top earned his second Purple Heart when he was wounded by Jap rifle fire on 27 July, 1945. Later UDT-11 was sent to Tseingen, China to prepare it for the amphibious landing of the US Marines. Top was discharged from the US Navy on 9 December, 1945.

With no work available in Arkansas for someone trained to blow things up, Top enlisted in the US Army on 15 March, 1946. Eventually Top served in Korea as a Mortarman with Company M, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division where he earned his first Silver Star Medal for leading an effort to keep his unit from being overrun. After a total of 25 months in Korea, Top was eventually assigned to occupation duty in Germany. He followed this tour with an assignment to Iceland for a year, then back to Germany for 3 years, then a tour in Korea.

Top began his first tour in Vietnam on 13 July, 1967 with the 2nd Bn., 17th FA as a Chief of Firing Btry and as a 1SG. Top returned to the states in July 1968 and returned right back to the 1st Cavalry Division in October 1968 when he was assigned as the 1SG of A Btry, 1st Bn., 30th FA. During the three major battles of LZ Grant (23 February, 8 and 11 March,1969) A Btry, 1st Bn, 30th FA suffered 9 KIA’s and 34 WIA’s. For his brave actions during the 11 March attack, Top was awarded his second Silver Star Medal while leading the effort to keep the NVA from penetrating the perimeter and exposing himself to enemy fire to identify and direct friendly fire on NVA troops massing for a second attempt. During these three attacks on LZ Grant A-1-30th FA lost 9 KIA’s and 34 WIA’s. From March thru July 1969 Top served through several other attacks, but the worst was yet to come.

On 9 August, 1969, a 3-gun Platoon totaling 46 men from A-1-30th FA including: CPT Donald White (BC); 1LT Paul Stuhr (FDO); and 1SG Thomas J. Vernor, were airlifted from LZ JAMIE to LZ BECKY, located 9 kilometers from the Cambodian border. Also at LZ BECKY was A-2-19th FA and a Company of Infantrymen from the 2-8th Cav. At approximately 0300 hours on 11 August, the northwestern corner of LZ BECKY came under a heavy mortar and rocket attack which was followed by a ground attack by an estimated two NVA Companies. At this point, 1SG Vernor encountered three enemy soldiers who had penetrated the perimeter. The enemy managed to hurl two grenades at him, but he managed to hurl one back, killing two of the enemy. One of the NVA sappers had a satchel charge strapped to his back, and when the grenade that 1SG Vernor threw back at him exploded, it set off the satchel charge which blew the two NVA into several pieces. The second grenade exploded about that same time and painfully wounded 1SG Vernor. Later, he remembers the medics picking more than 20 pieces of grenade fragments out of his body and flack jacket. Although they repelled this initial attack, A Battery suffered 7 WIA’s including 1SG Vernor who declined to be medevaced in order to stay with his Btry. Intelligence reports received by LTC Callaway later that afternoon indicated the presence of a three Battalion-sized enemy force massing near LZ BECKY. At approximately 0300 hours on 12 August, A Btry was hit again with an intense barrage of mortar and RPG fire directed at all three gun sections. CPT White attempted to aid and protect the wounded crewmembers of the #1 gun and help put the gun back into action. When he moved from the #1 Gun to the #3 Gun, CPT White was mortally wounded. 1LT Stuhr was wounded right after CPT White was killed. Also attempting to keep their guns firing were SSG Samuel Abrams Jr. of the #3 Gun, and his best friend SSG George E. Snyder on #2 Gun. Despite their courageous efforts, both of these brave Hard Charger NCOs were killed while keeping their guns firing and rallying their troops. CPT White, SSG Abrams, and SSG Snyder were Posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for their valorous actions. While the action continued around the #1 and #3 Guns, 1SG Vernor worked his way toward the #2 Gun Section to help keep it in action. 1SG Vernor was wounded a second time while he continued to organize and lead the defense of the Btry. After the attack was finally repelled after several hours, 1SG Vernor was the ranking man still on his feet, and he had been wounded twice in two days. In this second attack A Btry had suffered 9 KIA’s and 19 WIA’s. Those killed included: CPT Donald H. White; SSG Samuel Abrams; SSG George E. Snyder; SP5 Jeremiah M. Hayes; CPL Richard J. Zisko; SP4 Bobby L. Bevard; PFC Gregg A. Barker; PFC Gary L. Hoskins and PFC William T. Smith. Although A Btry suffered a total of 9 KIA’s and 26 WIA’s on 11 and 12 August, and had all three guns put out of action, they had bravely punished their attackers by inflicting 54 enemy KIA. 1SG Thomas J. Vernor was decorated for his valorous actions and wounds on both 11 and 12 August, 1969 when he received his third Silver Star Medal and his third and fourth Purple Hearts. Soon after this battle Top was transferred to SVC-1-30th FA to serve as their 1SG.

Photo (Top Vernor, A Battery, 1-30th FA, October 1968-October 1969)

In early ’70, Top transferred to the 1st Bn, 77th FA and served with them until returning to CONUS in November, 1970. Top returned to Vietnam for his final tour in April, ’71 and was instrumental in closing out the 5th Bn, 4th FA, 1st Bde, 5th ID, the 1st Bn, 82nd FA, and other units in the 196th Inf Bde. After a total of 4 tours totaling 47 months in Vietnam, Top returned to CONUS in March 1972 and retired at Ft Hood, TX effective 1 September, 1972 with a total of 31 years Active Military Service.

1SG Thomas J. Vernor’s awards and decorations included: Silver Star with 2 OLC’s; Soldiers Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Medal; Bronze Star Medal with "V" and 6 OLC’s; Purple Heart with 3 OLC’s; Air Medal with 4 OLC’s; ARCOM with "V" and 2 OLC’s; Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award); Navy Good Conduct Medal; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star; WW-II, Korean War, Vietnam War Service and Campaign Medals with a total of 23 Campaign Stars. His unit awards include the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Army Presidential Unit Citation (3 awards); Valorous Unit Award (3 awards); Meritorious Unit Commendation (2 awards); Korean Presidential Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (3 awards); Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal (2 awards).

But Top was far from ready to be put out to pasture. His sense of adventure quickly steered him to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where he served for 19 years. 1SG Thomas J. Vernor served as the Honorary Sergeant Major of the 30th FA Regiment from 1995 to 1998. In 1996, he was awarded the Military Order of St Barbara. In June ’06, Top was appointed as the first Distinguished Member of the 30th FA Regiment by COL Kevin Batule. In his final years Top was very active with the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) at both the State (Mississippi) and the National level where he served as the National Sergeant Arms and the National at Arms Emeritus. He was also active with the VFW in the State of Mississippi as well as with the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. He also remained very active with the 17th FA, 30th FA, and 77th FA Associations and the 1st Cavalry Division Association.

Photo (Top Veronr Honorary Sergeant Major 30th Field Artillery)

Top was a national historical treasure, a true friend, a Hard Charger till the end and he will be sorely missed.

Sadly I must also report the death of another Hard Charger. MAJ (R) Robert Doering, age 63, died of a heart attack on 14 August, 2007 in Angola, NY. Bob was assigned to SVC-1-30th FA in October ’67 as the Bn Motor Officer. He was wounded during an NVA rocket attack at Camp Evans on 17 Mar 1968 and transferred to HHB as Asst S-3/FDO. As one of my FDO’s in Bn FDC we worked very closely with Bob and we got along very well. On 5 May, 1968, we were hit by an NVA 122mm rocket that wounded 14 Hard Chargers in HHB. Bob was hit inside our Bn FDC TOC in the right thigh as he was standing right next to me. He spent 5 weeks in the hospital and was then transferred to the 1st Cav DIVARTY S-3 shop to complete his tour. Theresa and I attended his funeral in Angola, NY on 20 August, 2007 and he had a very respectful military funeral.

We also want your prayers for Stan Rabesa (A-1-30th FA 1969-70). Stan suffered a mild heart attack in late July and his recovery is progressing well. If his wife can keep him away from the Portuguese chourico and linguica he should live for many more years. Stay well ‘ol friend.

This is Hard Charger 9G, end of mission ~ Out!

Let’s start at the beginning.  I’ve had some questions about the origin of the 99th FA Battalion.  Here is the official word on the time line of the battalion. It was constituted October 1, ‘33 in the Regular Army as the 99th Field Artillery (Pack).  The 1st Battalion was activated June 1, ’40 at Ft. Hoyle, Edgewood Arsenal, MD.  The 2nd Battalion was activated June 1, ’40 at Ft. Lewis, Washington.  Headquarters and Headquarters Battery was activated July 31, ’40 at Ft. Hoyle.

It was reorganized and re-designated December, 16, ’40 as the 99th Field Artillery Battalion and at that time the 2nd Battalion became the 98th Field Artillery Battalion.  Later, in ’43, the 98th FA Battalion became the 6th Ranger Battalion.

The 99th FA Battalion was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division March 2, ’43.  The 99th was deactivated October 15, ’57 in Japan during the big U.S. Army reorganization.  That’s straight from the mule’s mouth.

During ’41 and ’42 the 99th trained as a pack 75mm howitzer unit at Ft. Bragg, NC and Camp Hale, CO.  The battalion sailed with the 1st Cav Division to the South Pacific in ’43 with the mules being replaced by jeeps and later ¾ ton trucks.

I received an e-mail from Ellen JACOT who writes that her husband, SSG JACOT was sent from Ft. Riley, Kansas in June of ’40 along with 1st Sgt Dale YOUNG and CPT WEHLE to be cadre for C Btry 99th FA Bn.

Along with that, I have also been contacted by Ward CARR whose brother Al has been in touch with Ray PANGLE who joined the 99th in Oct., ’41.  Ray e-mailed to tell me that he joined the Army Jan. 25, ’41 and was sent to Edgewood Arsenal, MD where he had a short basic training in civilian clothes.  He was then assigned to B Btry, 99th FA where he served until Oct,. ’45.  Ray says he was told that the unit at Edgewood was "Motorized" but he said he never saw a motor on a mule the whole time he was there.  He remembers 1SG John FRENCH and Darwin PALMER. Ray adds that he certainly knew where he was when Pearl Harbor was bombed.  He was at Ft. Hoyle on "Stable Police."  Those of you who dealt with mules know what he means.  I think it’s great to hear from these folks who were involved in the early days of our unit.

I talked to Morris TWEETEN on the phone the other day. Morris lives in Spring Valley, a town about 50 miles away in SE Minnesota.  (I ran into Morris one day at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center a few years ago.)  Morris called to ask if I knew about a LT CLARK who was in the 99th in WW II and who he had heard was KIA in Korea.  I checked the Korean War 99th FA Bn casualty list and didn’t find his name.  Anyone knows about LT CLARK, please let me know.  Morris was in C Btry and was telling me that when the 99th left Luzon, and went to Japan in ’45, he operated as a driver in the Military Government with an interpreter in Tokyo and was stationed at Camp Drake which became 1st Cav Hqs. during the occupation.  Someday Morris and I are going to have to split the difference in miles and get together in Rushford.

The last time I talked to R. J. CLARK, he was wondering where Div Arty kept their "Air Force."  That is the L-19 small plane that they used for observation.  I guess I don’t know; somewhere around Camp Drew, Div Arty Hqs.  I would guess.  Anyone know?

I am a believer in the "Small World" theory.  So many times in my life I’ve run into people who knew so and so that I went to school with or something.  So it was not surprising when I read the 545 MP Bn column of the Saber and spotted a photo from ’51 of three 1st Cav Troopers sitting around a table with some Asahi.  I am always amazed that all of us looked alike and so young.  As I read the caption under the photo, I noticed the name Bart WEAVER, of Winona, Minesota.  Well, I looked in the phone book and sure enough there was Bart.  He’s still here so we had a nice phone conversation and I took him a copy of the Saber.

A short up-date on some "Sick Call" news.  I talked to Rich HIGGINBOTHUM and he told me that his wife Billie was to undergo her final back surgery and they were hopeful that it would be a success.  Glenn Jake STOTTS was scheduled to have some serious surgery in May, but it was postponed until August so we have time to say a few prayers for him.  Or call (219) 844-1048 and see how it’s going.  Irvin EVANSON had one of his kidneys removed because of cancer.  He said that went OK but he was in the hospital six days with pneumonia.  Please keep me informed of anyone who is ill.  Oh, yes, I know at our age we spend half of our time in the clinic and the other have trying to figure out which pill to take when.  If it gets a little worse let us know.

I had an interesting experience June 1st when I was part of the local VFW Color Guard at the Dakota Homecoming ceremony.  Once again I heard the ceremonial speaker recognize a 1st Cav Vietnam veteran from the Ho Chunk Nation (Winnebago) Honor Guard.  So as we left the Ceremonial Grounds I found him and talked to him for a few minutes and, of course, urged him to join the 1st Cav Association.

I had a nice conversation with Darwin PALMER the other day. (Darwin’s one of the founding members of the 99th FA Bn Assn.)  He said that he also was involved with the interpreters in Japan although he only stayed a month there after VJ Day.  Darwin was recently honored with the titles of Outstanding Alumni and Distinguished Fellow from his alma mater Penn State.  He also told me that he had been informed that the C Btry reunion will be in Branson, MO this coming September by Bird EPLING.

I read the book GHOST SOLDIERS, by Hampton SIDES that R J CLARK recommended which I mentioned in the last issue of the Saber.  This is the story of the 6th Ranger Bn. (originally the 98th FA Bn.) and their rescue of the prisoners at the Japanese prison camp at Cabanatuan City in the Philippines.  The book was well written and a fascinating story with the story mixed between the life of the prisoners in the camp and the preparation and operation of the rescuers.  I would warn anyone who has trouble dredging up old combat memories to be careful.  There are some pretty graphic scenes in the book.  While I was reading the book, I happened upon an article in the St. Paul paper about a man who had written a book of essays about former prisoners of war from WW II.  The author had been a Marine at Wake Island and was a Japanese prisoner from ’41 to ’45 so he certainly knew his material.  At the end of the review, the newspaper reporter noted that she would send free copies to any veteran for the cost of shipping.  So I sent for one.  She sent me an extra copy because I told her about my buddy Glenn Jake STOTTS, who was captured at Unson and held by the Chinese for 33 months.  At the same time I was reading the essays, I received and e-mail from Ed CARTY, former writer of this column, which told of his recollection of a strange series of events.

He heard the song, "You Are My Sunshine," in a commercial and it brought back memories from 63 years in Leyte.  It seems HQ Btry came in contact with a band of young Philippine fighters led by a 15 year old whose parents had been beheaded by a Japanese officer.  Each morning the band would leave the Hq position and find Japanese soldiers who they beheaded and brought the heads of Japanese soldiers they had caught in the jungle.  They would bring the heads back hanging on bamboo poles marching back singing "You Are My Sunshine."

The book, GHOST SOLDIERS tells that the 6th Rangers counted on two Philippine civilian groups to help hold off the large Japanese force around the prison camp which led to the success of the daring rescue.  I guess my "small world syndrome" works in the printed word also.

By the time you read this we will have passed Memorial Day, Flag Day, the 57th Anniversary of the Korean War, and the Fourth of July so you’ve had plenty of time to reminisce about times, good and bad, in the service.  The State of Minnesota just unveiled the WW II monument.  I guess better late than never, eh?  A few days later the last member of the Marines, Charles Lindberg, a Minnesotan, who raised the Flag (the first time) on Iwo Jima died.  Maybe he was waiting until they finally put up the monument?

Speaking of monuments, the photos this time are of Korean War Memorials.  Two are small town, one mine and the other from Rich VanGIESEN and one from the Capitol Mall in Washington.  I like the small town ones better I guess.  The one in Washington is really impressive with those huge figures, but it’s not very realistic.  Those of us who were there in the beginning know you couldn’t find that many guys all fully equipped at the same time.  I’m sorry I’m in two of the photos; I’m always in the way when people are taking pictures.

Remember to say a prayer for all the young men and women who are serving in our Armed Forces, remember your old buddies on these National Holidays, and most of all remember we are all in this together.

Hello once again fellow Skytroopers! Please note an email change from: SilverWingsoftheCav@msn.com to: SilverWingsoftheCav@comcast.net .

This e-message is from Glen CLOVER, glenclover@yahoo.com.  Hank, Thanks very much for sending the previous issues of Silver Wings, I enjoyed reading them and catching up on the Cav news.  I was indeed in the Cav, attached to the 11th Combat Aviation Group at Phuoc Vinh as a 93H20 Air Traffic Controller from 12/69 - 12/70.  I had the honor to participate in the Cambodian Invasion (May, ‘70) as a crewmember in COL Ken MERTEL’s command ship, beginning with the first day of the operation, and for the following week.  My other noteworthy achievement was the creation and operation of the Headquarters Company 16mm movie theater, created by cutting a hole in the side of one hootch and displaying the film on the white-painted side of the adjacent hootch.  I think I showed 2 movies a night for the last 6 months I was there.  Several of my fellow ATC team are still in contact with each other, and I’ve attempted to track down others over the intervening years.  Your salute to Ken MERTEL was much appreciated.  He and I had been in contact via email for the past 4 years or so, and he was always pleased to hear from any of his Skytroopers and remained the consummate patriot and warrior to the end.  Thanks again for the Silver Wings material.  Glen (St. Paul, MN).

SSG Ric WETHERBEE, D 5-7, ’67-’68, TVRIC@aol.com, wrote to say.  "Hi guys, saw your columns in SABER.  I am fairly new subscriber.  Guess the belated CMH award got me thinking about this again.  Specific details appear on my web site: www.ricwetherbee.com, under 10/23/67 story.  Has always been a burden that I never identified or thanked any of the flight crews involved.  We ground-pounders owed them our lives many times over.  Is there a way to identify these guys?  Perhaps a byline to my site? J ust would like to give credit where it was deserved.  Thanks again, Ric [Garryowen]" Ric also adds, "I sent the earlier e-mail before I read the rest of the SABER column.  Skip Mc and my guys must have flown together.  I was part of 5-7th Cav who were first Army troops into I Corp, Hue. Remember English, Evans, 122s, loosing all the birds, etc.  Real strangeness is that I DEROS’d out of Hue.  Left by sitting down in the door of a Huey that was momentarily hovering in our company perimeter.  Had no idea where it was going, but figured it was the only thing heading’ home.  Would have been about Feb 10-11ish.  That’s another story.  Rest of my unit was in those flights into Khe Sahn and A Shau.  I was on my TV truck in DC, (working for ABC) during Vets Day.  Tried to hook up with association members, but work kept me from attending any of the ceremonies.  Charles and Kathryn SKIPPER were among those at the Wall and Marine memorial when you were.  He was 5-7 Cav and she was Marines, (talk about a mixed marriage).

The following request came in from Larry AGOSTA, (973) 752-6662.  Perhaps someone out there can point him in the right direction, someone that has had a similar problem.  Larry states, "I wrote a couple of times about two years ago about finding info about my old units and the personnel that I served with.  Since then I’ve written letters to the Military archives and another organization in Washington that I cannot remember, but the bottom line is I got no where.  So here I am back to you to see if maybe we could start over again.  It all starts on Oct. 3, ‘69 where I arrived and was placed with the 15th Admin Co. in Bien Hoa where I spent a little less than 90 days before being traded to a Helicopter unit to fill in as their Courier since the one they had had Derosed out.  Now as far as I could make out from some info you sent me back then I assumed it was the 229th.  I spent the rest of my tour with them.  Now, this is the fun part.  All I would like know is why can’t I get a copy of t he 15th Admin personnel roster and Morning reports?  The morning Reports might tell me when and with whom I was traded to.  It’s bad enough I never received new orders placing me there.  So on my DD214, it only lists the 15th Admin.  Then I would like to confirm with you that it was the 229th out of Bien Hoa.  The other problem is which Company was I with?  See I would be very proud to know that I did in fact serve most of my time with the famous 229th."

The following announcement has caused a lot of e-mail, 95% very strongly against the action.  What do you think?  Thanks to Bruce SILVEY for bringing it to my/our attention.

Here it is: "Soldiers who operate unmanned aerial vehicles now are eligible for award of the Aviation Badge, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. The policy change will be included in an upcoming revision of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards). Under the new policy, approved last March, unmanned aerial vehicle system warrant officers and enlisted operators may be awarded the DFC or Air Medal "if they are physically located on the aircraft (system) during the cited period, and all criteria for the decorations have been met." In addition, Aviation Badges, which previously were called Aircraft Crewmember Badges will be awarded upon successful completion of advanced individual training in a designated career field or military occupational specialty, upon successful completion of the tactical unmanned aerial vehicles training. You can even earn The Master Aviation Badge is upon successful completion of 17 years of non-flight (joy stick time) experience in a principal duty assignment for designated specialties.

Here is a sampling of the e-mail:

1. Silly me---I had always thought that a person actually had to be in harm’s way and risk death or injury to qualify for any medals other than the Good Conduct medal, the theater service ribbons or unit citations. Boy, was I wrong! Those Air Medals we all got---they just lost about 99% of their currency. A DFC for playing a freakin video game? Come on! Carpal tunnel syndrome is the worst injury those guys face! Sure it takes skill to fly those things, but lots of things take skill--typing fast and accurately takes skill. This whole thing is going in the wrong direction.

I always thought it was kind of cheesy for a unit commander to get a DFC or Silver Star for orbiting above an engagement at 2000’, when the people down in the sh!# were taking real hits and showing real courage flying in and out of some hot LZ or dirt strip. But this really cheapens the entire medal structure. What’s next?--company clerk getting a Purple Heart for a paper cut? MOH for carrying the guidon during morning PT? Sorry for the rant, but some of this stuff just grabs me wrong.

2. Looks like a ton of them will be issued. I suggest that we take all our decorations from heretofore places of honor, package them up and send them to the Army and suggest they all be placed in a barrel. When a new recruit or officer joins up, they can be blindfolded, and allowed to reach into the barrel and whatever ribbon or medal they fish out be added automatically to their permanent record. Just imagine how the lucky guy who finds a Medal of Honor or Silver Star will feel when he or she shows up for their first formation -- and won’t their drill instructor be envious? Bah! Humbug!

3. Maybe if the control site is being overrun?

4. This is a ridiculous, unbelievable way to cheapen awards and decorations. Have we seen it all yet?

5. Senior and Master aviator badges loose some of their prestige under this. If they want to recognize UAV operators (I won’t call them pilots) and give them awards related to aviation they need to develop new ones. If they can get an AM or DFC from an arm chair then neither are worth any thing and no one should confuse an armchair warrior with some one whose ass is actually in flight and doing the mission. How stupid and disrespectful to real pilots and crews.

6. The days of "The Right Stuff" are gone forever. Where do I send my aviation medals?

7. Yeah, this new aviation badge is worn just above the X-Box Olympics ribbon and the Game Boy Medal.

8. This bit of information brought to the surface again a major festering sore of mine that just will not heal. Unfortunately, this time I am venting my frustration - sorry it had to be to you, but thanks for the opportunity.

…It wasn’t long ago that the Army began distributing the distinguished Special Forces style beret to every soldier; and now the prestige of the aviation badges and medals will be like getting bells and whistles in a Cracker Jack Box. Deserving individuals should be rewarded for their accomplishments; however, not at the expense of historical and proven recognitions within well defined branches and missions. Should the Medical Corpsman receive an aviation badge because he/she "rode" in an aircraft that transported a wounded soldier to safety and medical services that were life saving? Not in my opinion; however, the appropriate recognition should reflect how well the corpsman performed the duties that saved the life of the soldier - a performance that deserves a medal, not an aviation badge. The aircraft crew would also be recognized, if the performance of its duty were above and beyond normal expectations. The CIB, EIB, Parachute Badges, Aviation Badges (including crew), Medical Badges, Missile Badges, Green Beret, etc., in my opinion, rightfully recognize the accomplishments of the appropriate wearer based on training, experience and performance. Military badges and awards are huge morale boosters that identify the wearer as having accomplished something special in his/her chosen field or special assignment. My opinion again, a non-infantry soldier does not earn a CIB because of his/her performance of non-infantry MOS duties while present in a combat zone or a fire fight for a given period of time. When I see a soldier’s badges and medals they represent and reflect very meaningful accomplishments. Soon I’ll have to sift through my mind when I see soldiers wearing badges and medals that don’t appear to reflect their branch of service. Don’t get me wrong because I know there are soldiers who transfer services, transfer branches, or once served as an EM/NCO, etc., and these soldiers are not included in my assault on the current policies that dilute the Army’s recognition system. I’d like to have earned a CIB in RVN, but as an Infantry Officer/Aviator I was in the Aviation Bn and I had to be happy with my EIB and aviation recognition. I didn’t expect or want the rules to change so that I would receive a CIB because of pick-up and drop-off infantry soldiers in DZs that were sometimes hot. The Army should make every effort to ensure that badges and medals are truly earned and deserved. Thanks for inadvertently providing a vehicle for me to express my thoughts. CGC

9. And last but not least. "Sounds like a bunch of crap to me."

Now for a different view from Cliff LETTS, UAS Flt Ops Site Manager, General Dynamics Information Technologies, UAS Training Bn, 1AB, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-7002.

"Ok, so all this started out with "So what happened to the ‘personal’ and the ‘being there’ part of all this? Quickly followed by a ton of whining and sniveling on how all this makes our awards and efforts worthless. I’ll try to be brief but let me reply like this: Like you, I’ve been there - done that. I’m dual rated and like many of you I did two tours in Vietnam, one fixed wing and one rotary wing and like many of you I got some awards and recognition. So NO, your awards are not cheapened at all. You did your best, likely didn’t get near the recognition that you deserved and your awards stand on their own - be proud of them.

As for me, no big hero here, but I have more right to comment on this topic than any of you. Why? Because I’m still serving the Army, admittedly as a contractor, and what I do every day is teach soldiers how to operate and maintain Unmanned Aircraft Systems. I should also note that before I could teach soldiers I was required to become a qualified operator. That’s right I went through the UAV course and four years ago, at the ripe old age of 63, picked up my most recent airframe qualification. If you are going to talk the talk you best be able to walk the walk. You might take note that when the Army Aviation took over responsibility for the UAS field from the MI Branch they took on a course that was pretty much following Army Aviation’s way of conducting business and they found that we had a reasonable good grip on how business should be done. Of course the fact that we made a point of hiring former military pilots (mostly Army) had a strong influence on that. We weren’t perfect but still damn good. Rucker has tightened things up but that’s what they are supposed to do.

One of the things they did was change the name UAV to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Gentleman, these are flying machines that require the same knowledge of flight physics and regulations to operate and are subject to the same forces of nature as manned aircraft. Our soldiers go through aviation ground school, spend many hours on system (read aircraft) simulators and finally fly actual flights with their assigned system. Oh yea, the same soldier who fly’s the system must also master the intricacies of operating the system’s payloads, no mean feat in it’s self.

As for the "personal" and "being there", a number of the soldiers who graduated in the same class that I did have been to the box and are now back, working along side my contractor instructors bringing their hard earned combat experience to the table. Yes, I said combat. These are not the Air Force types flying their missions from the safety of Nellis AFB. Our soldiers deploy to the fight. Our Army systems currently require line of sight to the aircraft and that many times, puts our soldiers on the road without much in the way of force protection to set up launch and recovery sites along side the road or in a field in the middle of no where. My classmates often were out there, jumping their equipment 50K at a time for weeks at a time. Depending on the season, they are hot/cold, always dirty, sick of MRE’s and sleeping curled up in the back of a HWMMV. Even those operating from the relative safety of a COB like my Grandson currently at COB SPEICHER remain at risk. Just like in our day, mortars and rockets are a common place thing and supply, fuel, and parts runs still occur - you just gotta love those IED’s.

Bottom line - these are aviation soldiers, most with GT scores that would get them into flight school. They train hard, take the aviation systems assigned to them and go to war. Ask any ground commander over there if he wants to give up his Shadow Platoon - not a chance. So here are these two "kids" (remember we were kids in our day) in a non-bulletproof shelter, with their Shadow on station giving the Commander eyes on his troops in contact, someone is lobbing mortars in the compound and the crew won’t break contact because it’s their brothers down there in a fire fight. Hell yes they deserve an Air Medal or whatever other award the regulations say is appropriate." Cliff.

With that, I’ll bring this Wings flight to an end. Our 60th Annual reunion is just about a month away as you read this. Looks like a great time is in store for those attending. Plans are also in place for the November Veteran’s Day gathering in DC. Reserve you room early.

Until next time, "Clear right!" Hank

Loyalty & Courage all 5th Cav Veterans.

Richard DARLING, 1st Plt. B 2-5 ’67-’68, called to tell me Bill DOGGETT unexpectedly passed away the Saturday before Christmas.  Rich and Bill and the other members of his squad had gotten together several times for reunions.  Bill was the kind of guy who kept his buddies spirits up, quick with a smile and fun words.  Bill was WIA June 19, ’67 along with Len TEPOEL and they were together in the hospital before returning to the states.  Rich says he and Bill’s 1st Plt. friends, Earl CALLAN, Jack DOHERTY, L.C. KILLIAN, Wayne WILCOX, and Jim WHITAKER, attended the funeral.  Military honors were provided by the American Legion.  On the way to the cemetery many citizens saluted as they passed. Bill was well loved by his friends and family and he will be missed.  Photo of Wayne Wilcox and Bill Doggett 1967  Photo of Wilcox, Whitaker, Doherty, Callan, Doggett 2006

George BOYETTE, 2nd Platoon, B 2-5, reports Wallace "Wally" MILES, passed away Feb. 11th from lung cancer.  He was 59 years old.  Wally’s first Nam tour was with B 2-5 7/66-7/67, he was a squad leader and Platoon Sergeant.  He did two more Nam tours, one as advisor to ARVN’s.  After retiring from Army he ran his own painting contractor business.  He became very dedicated to helping his fellow Vets in recovering. He worked hard to start a home for the homeless Veteran.  He got support from Senator Strom THURMOND in the form of a grant for the home.  Eighteen Veterans at a time cycle through the home.  So Wally had helped many Veterans. Rest in Peace Brothers.

Harvey ROTHMAN has updated the roster for B 2-5 ’66-’67 era.  Harv and his wife Sheryl, are still working hard at their picture frame business.  They live in their deluxe motor home at Thousand Trails Preserve in Orlando, FL.  They can’t make the Riverside reunion but are looking forward to ’08 reunion in Jacksonville.  Harv is hoping to hear from his 1st Plt. buddies LT Joe BUTLER and Jack DOHERTY.  Email is shervey98@aol.com.  Contact Harv for your update for a copy of the updated roster.

Ed WALSH, 3rd Platoon Sergeant B 2-5 ’66-’67 had made two missions with the Patriot Guards.  He is planning to be at Gathering of Eagles at the Wall March 17th.  He will report back to us on how this trip to DC goes.  For more info check the web sight at www.patriotguard.org and www.gatheringofeagles.org.  Ed is attending our Fallen Warriors funerals with The Patriot Guard Riders.  His first was on March 10, ‘70 and he will be at SPC Luis RODRIQUEZ-CONTRERA ,HHC 2-5, funeral March 14, ‘07 in Allentown, PA.  This is tough duty.  I congratulate Ed on a strong and noble effort.  Check out the Guards web site for how you can help in your area.

Ed says Bob WENNER, B 2-5 ’66-’67, is still racing horses.  During his travels to racetracks he ran into 1st Cav Vet, who named on of his horses "An Khe Pass".  We are looking for more info on this 1st Cav Vet, he drove a wrecker with 1st S&T Bn., we believe.  We hope to hear back from this Nam Vet and his special horse.

Richard MILLER 4th Platoon, D 1-5 ’66-’67, was glad to read about his C.O. CPT BUCKNER and mortar platoon leader Joe O’LEARY in past Saber.  Richard was 81mm gunner when instructed to resupply platoons in the fight up the rocky mountain in Bong Song in Mar. 13th ’67.  His squad leader SGT Brett YOUNG was WIA.  While bringing him down for Medevac Richard was hit and CPT BUCKNER was also WIA that day. Richard also remembers a LTC MAPP being there.  Richard was seventeen days from his DEROS when WIA. You can reach Richard at this email onecav66@msn.com.

Ben MICHELS,of 227th ASHB. sent me copies of Sept. 1 ,’66 Cavalair which gave accounts of CPT Charles FRY’s, C 2-5, combat involving their long range patrol led by SGT Dennis KINDSCHI with squad members John GARRETSON and Paul LOCHINIC.  Following a fresh trail they soon entered a NVA bunker complex and were pinned down by enemy fire which wounded SGT KINDSHI. CPT FRY and LT Jim WALKER with a reinforced squad came to their relief.  CPT FRY called in supporting fires.  The next days search discovered 150 bunkers , 12 enemy KIA, and 2 villages of 30 huts each. I appreciate Ben sharing this history with us.

Andrew "Pizza" MAZZA, D 2-5 ’70, emailed that he is life member and been reading the Saber since returning from Nam.  He keeps in touch with his buddy Tim PADGET and they would like to hear from others they served with.  Andrew is Veteran of the Cambodian Incursion.  He remembers waiting for the Hueys to pick them up.  His Plt. was to be on first lift and they hadn’t been told where to go.  They were dropped and waited for the next lift but on one came.  They tried the radio, but heard nothing.  When they did get through they found out they were in Cambodia. They were alone and set up their perimeter.  It wasn’t till the following day that rest of D 2-5 joined them.  That day was the longest and scariest in his life.  Contact Andrew at amazza@zoominternet.net, address 4891 Westchester Dr. Apt 6, Austintown, OH 44515, (330) 793-8629.

Henry DEMERRITT, 1-77 ’65-’66, called.  He served with A Btry. and HHQ 2-5.  He shares strong connection with the Grunts he served with as other Red Legs , Bill SHEPARD and Joe PURDY.  He would like to hear more from them and share info and memories.  He remembers FO LT KRAMER and Recon Sgt. Chuck IVEY attached to C 2-5. Hope to hear more from Henry about his time with the 5th Cav.  Contact phone (703) 494-5507.

David GARCIA, received pictures of Charles LANDA from his son Brad.  Charles served during WWII with 5th Cav medical detachment during the Luzon Campaign and the Japanese occupation. I am including one of the two in this column.  Those of you who recognize Charles or knew him e-mail me for copies.  Photo Charles Landa  

John C. BALDWIN, D Co. 5th Cav at Camp Drake, Japan ’47 wrote that he was proud to serve with the First Team.  He also served with F Co. 60th Inf. Reg. Camp Blanding, FL.  He would like to hear from those who served during those times.  His address is 20 North Chestnut, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

SGT Jim BITTER, was with K Co., 5th Cav ’51.  He remembers Thanksgiving feast of 11-22-51.  He was squad leader of 3rd Plt. machinegun squad.  Bumping heads with Chinese after battle for Old Baldy in Oct.  It was cold with dusting of snow as their squads took turns going down hill to the mess line.  The cooks and bakers did a great job filling their mess kits.  They were grateful to those cooks and bakers some of whom had grabbed M-1’s and helped in the final assault on Baldy.  Jims contact info phone (352) 628-1563, 4330 S. Conwell Point, Homosassa, FL 34448-3918, jbitter@tampabay.rr.com.

In a past column, I mentioned Chaplain Claude NEWBY’s book It Took Heroes, about his time with the 1st Cav.  I have completed reading it and highly recommend it.  It is bone chilling on the mark account of being a Grunt.  From keeping warm in a wet poncho liner to attacks from the "Mad Blooper", and nights on ambush and LP’s.  He will be attending the Riverside reunion.  He is one of our Chaplain’s for the 5th Cav. Association.  For a copy of his book contact him at cdnewby@earthlink.net or bring your copy to the reunion to have him sign it.

The 5th Cav Association will have a meeting at 1100hrs. July 11, in conjunction with the 1st Cav reunion at Riverside Marriot Hotel.  All officers and members are asked to check in Tues. July 10th in preparation for the luncheon meeting.  There will be reservation forms and info in the next "Voices of the Black Knights" newsletter.  Be sure and attend as we will be choosing location and date for the next ’08 reunion.  5th Cav President David GARCIA has a slide projector and screen available to bring to the Riverside reunion.  Let us know if you will be bringing slides so we can take advantage of this.  B 2-5 reunion for 2007 will be held in Cinncinatti , 9/12 to 9/16 at the Drury Hotel.  This is Vietnam era ’69-’70 with guys from ’67-’68 also attending.  For more info contact Joe LUSTER email cincystop@yahoo.com phone 513-615-7548.  I hope you are making plans to attend the 1st Cav reunion in Riverside.  Debbie and I are driving down from Oregon with our travel trailer stopping at some of our Thousand Trails campgrounds along the way.  We will be staying at TT Wilderness Lakes, just south of the Riverside.  It looks like we will have a good attendance from the Columbia Willamette Chapter.

Frank BAYER, A 2-5 ’70, recently retired from driving with Portland Metro Trans. and he will be driving his ’07 red Corvette to Riverside.  We plan on dragging the gut along Mission Blvd!  His buddy Pat BOUDREAU is flying in and will join us in rowdy behavior!  Len and Merry TEPOEL, B 2-5 ’67, are planning to attend.  They will be driving their RV stopping in Colorado Springs to visit their son.  They have been enjoying their winter in Corpus Christi, TX area.

I continue looking for a new 5th Cav columnist.  My travel plans for this year will interfere with my writing.  It could be a temporary fill in position as I could return to doing column after our travels.  Call , write or email me with questions you may have.  It is a great way to serve 1st Cav Veterans.

Loyalty & Courage, Loyal Prince 46 India Out, Swig 

The 1st Battalion is about to be history again. The casing of the colors will happen at Ft. Sill on Mar. 6, ‘07 on the Polo Field.  The Inactivation Ceremony, as it is called, will bring a close to the current history of the battalion.  LTC Carl TROUT, CSM SHELTON and the troops will be reassigned to other duty stations and some will leave the Army.  The various memorabilia will be stored and preserved so when the battalion is reactivated, we can again be one of the famous artillery battalions in the Army.  The 1-77th has a history of activations and deactivations going back to 11 June, 1917.  First named Troops A and B of the 19th Cav. their first duty was along the Mexican border against the Mexican bandits.  It was named the 1-77th on 11 Nov., 1917 as Btry A, 77th FA, then duty in WW I with the 4th Infantry Div.  Over the years several other periods of change occurred with deactivations and the like.  In ‘57, it was again reactivated as the 1-77th in ‘57 at Ft. Hood.  The 77th was sent to Vietnam in ‘65 with the 1st Cavalry Division.  The other 77th Battalions served in Vietnam also.  The 2-77th and 6-77th troops did their duty well.  The 1-77th became an MLRS unit at Ft. Sill in June, ‘96.  They have supported our 77th Reunions over the years with remarkable service!  We will miss their colors and the great troopers.  We had a good ride and I hope the colors again come out of their cases.

We met in Jan., ‘07 for the St. Barbara’s Day celebration and in conjunction with this the 77th Artillery Assn. Reunion.  We had the pleasure of having members of the 2nd and 6th Bn 77th join the festivities.  F Troop 6-77th ARA was attached to the 1st Cav. Div. for a few months in VN before being deactivated there.  It was good to meet up with other 77th troops.  They have an interesting story to tell also.  There were lots of laughs and tales to tell.  They are a good bunch of troops who are already planning for the next 77th Reunion.  With the 77th history back to WW I as part of the 4th ID, we may meet again at Ft. Carson, CO.  The 2-77th will be assigned to the 4th ID.  This is dependent on the Army’s current reorganization plans.  A possible reunion date was mentioned about Sept., ‘08.  This remains to be determined and we will keep all members posted.  If all goes well the plan would be to meet from Sunday through a Thursday.  We had the distinct pleasure to honor Bonnie BALBO.  She attended to discover some of the feelings of men who served in VN.  Her former husband was killed in VN.  She is a lovely and gracious lady who made this reunion that much more remarkable.

Another interesting happening was the meeting of the grandson, Gabriel GARCIA, C Btry., whose grandfather fought with Poncho Villa in the Mexican Wars with a guest from the 18th FA whose uncle fought against Villa.  Now there is a remarkable piece of history and unknown to all until the 77th Saturday banquet.

John AVERA and his very enjoyable wife, Charity, came up from Alabama to join us for the first time.  John retired from the Army and was also one of the "Early Birds" as I call those of the Cav who trained together and went to VN together.  Bob TAGGE was his usual fount of information and knowledge which has been so helpful in keeping the Cav Association and 77th informed.  Roger GRAY, C Btry ‘67-‘69, works on the post and his office provided much support for the doings.  Fortunately his office is in the same building as the hospitality room.  Doc and Joan BOSMA did the usual outstanding pre-event set up and organization.  The stay in the Ft. Sill Army Lodging facility right on post was a delight as the rooms were affordable, clean neat and convenient.  Much like a motel only right on post.  The Saturday evening dinner was well done.  LTC Carl TROUT, CSM SHELTON and other 77th officers and their wives were so supportive of us and really are a credit to the US Army.  We owe them so much for their service and support.

The Iraq after action briefing presented by the 77th was very interesting.  Some 286 men went to Iraq to provide heavy equipment and road security from Kuwait to 51 supply areas all around Baghdad and related areas.  Driving the Heavy Equipment Transporters, called HETS, over 18.6 million miles on not so well made roads was a remarkable feat.  Along with the 77th were third world civilian contractors who drove the "White HET" to denote them as civilian contractors.  The White HETS were smaller transport rigs but which at times carried an M-1 Abrams tank.  The tank was wider then the trailer and caused many problems in the loading and off loading.  One photo shows the tank partially off the trailer. But good old GI ingenuity solved this problem and many others they encountered during the year.  The GI HET is a huge rubber tired monster.  Along with the unit were the 8 wheel drive recovery units that could haul heavy supplies but were used for recovery of stalled or damaged equipment.  They also hauled artillery or tanks for other units stationed in Iraq. To provide road security the M-114 gun truck was used.  This unit weighed in at 16,000 pounds.  It had a back seat observer, spotlights on the gun and large mirrors to provide vision.  The old and venerable Quad 50’s and other weapon combinations gave them some real firepower.  Technology has certainly come a long ways from VN days.  The Tracking Satellite Radio was of particular interest.  It could provide instant navigation and communications for the convoys.  I would have loved to have even a basic handheld GPS and I know the Infantry would have the same feelings.  Another interesting fact mentioned was the split battalion with part of the unit stationed in Kuwait and the rest doing the driving.  When I took over A Battery in 1968 we were split between two LZ’s.  CSM SHELTON headed up the log base rear Transportation Company.

Enemy weapons they dealt with are common and uncommon to us older guys.  Small arms fire and indirect fire are known to us all. The IEDs and formed explosive charges are new variations of old weaponry.  I noted on the First Cav WEB page how many of our casualties are the result of the IED.

The St. Barbara’s Day was a fun and moving time for all involved.  This was my first St. Barbara’s Day doings and I was much impressed by the color, pomp and ceremony surrounding the event.  The men were in their dress blues and the ladies all decked out in their fine evening wear were impressive.  Even a few Marines in dress blues were present.  The most fun time for me was the recognition given by those present Soldiers to the 77th Artillery Association.  All 500 plus guests rose in a standing ovation to recognize the Vietnam Vets.  The really great time was the initiation and presentation of the new members into the Order of St. Barbara.  Unbeknown to Mike MAYNARD his name had been submitted and accepted for the honor.  When his name was called he thought there was another Maynard present.  I told him to join the line up as I was sure it was his name.  After the presentation ceremony he was about as moved as I have ever seen him.  He was such a rock of stability and calmness in VN that I thought he never got shook.  I have clear memory of him calmly walking around during counter battery fire missions giving reassurance to the troops like the incoming rocket and artillery fire was of no reason to worry.  He deserves every accolade that has come his way.  The food was good too.

It was good to meet up once again with Ben SCOTT, the way out in the wilderness radio relay man!  His story of being a small 3 man detachment stationed all alone on a hilltop is to me a bit unnerving.  I don’t think I would feel so secure being stuck there with only the NVA and animals keeping you on guard.  Or as in their, case an American unit coming up to them and not knowing Ben’s group was already on top of the hill. Ben is still on a mission of find one of his friends.  We wish you well in your mission Ben. Roy GOBER came down from Midwest City to again join with us.  This time he left the tornados behind.  Several years ago we were driving in Lawton when the sirens lasted away.  I was lookin