Volume 7, Volume 4 A Memorial to the American Experience in May 2005 Vietnam “All Included—None Excluded”

Reunion 2005

Registrations Are Coming In!

The Reunion At Gettysburg, PA

Will Be One of The Best Ever.

September 2-4

MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 2

Thoughts of Our Sky Pilot Rev. Dr. James M. Warrington Chaplain, TSNA

There was once a man named Henry Anderson who was faced with the pro- gressive mental illness of his wife and he greatly feared that his two sons might be similarly afflicted. He wrote down in his last letter: I can neither face the aw- fulness of this fact nor endure the ex- perience. I curse god and die.” And then he shot himself. There was also a man named Charles Lamb, a famous English author of the early nineteenth century, who came home one day to discover that his sister, in a fit of insanity had killed their mother and seriously injured their fa- ther. Describing this incident in a letter to his friend, Samuel Taylor Coleridge he wrote: “Thank god, I am able to be calm and controlled so as to do the best that remains to be done.” No person is ready for life who does not have secrets of re- By Our Resident Artist ~ John Burke serve strength by which he can face the inevitable crises of life. The final argument for God, and prayer, and a life of faith is that we cannot live without spiritual supports, any more than we Founded 1995 can love without physical sustenance. The familiar hymn carries By a message that is more than sentimentality. “I need Thee, oh I President Emeritus Don Parker need Thee! Every hour I need Thee!” and The physical strength that a person needs in a long period of President Emeritus John Peele strain, or when fighting to overcome a wasting illness, is the re- sult of sound habits of diet, exercise and physical care carried Revetments is an official publication of out for years in advance. Similarly the strength needed in spiri- the Tan Son Nhut Association, Inc. tual crises cannot be summoned on a moment’s notice when 2413 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke, there has been no advance preparation. Virginia 24015. The Association is a In a sense, all of life is a preparation for crisis. The best non-profit fraternal organization preparation is one that begins in a religious home at the time of chartered under the appropriate statutes and law. birth, and is continued by habits of thought, prayer, worship, President, Wayne Salisbury, Pro Tem and study of holy scripture which enable a person to turn to God Vice President, Executive Director, Johnnie Jernigan, Pro Tem in trust and confidence at a moment’s notice. Secretary/Treasurer, Jerry Norville, Pro Tem David Koopman, Director-At-Large Dale Bryan, Director-At-Large Director of Communications, Charles Penley

TSNA Chaplain Service (Available for pastoral service: contact Public Affairs for information and appointment) Rev. Dr. James M. Warrington Rev. Dr. Billy T. Lowe

Revetments is published monthly at the Office of Public Affairs, 2413 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24015. Telephone: (540) 772-1025 Email: [email protected]. Pictures, stories, announcements and other material intended for Revetments should be forwarded to Public Affairs. * * * Tristan, 21, PFC, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, lost his leg in Membership Information a firefight in Fallujah on August 25, 2003. Two other soldiers in Annual Membership: $20.00 the APC also lost their legs. Wyatt has underwent 10 surgeries Five Year Membership: $80.00 because of massive infections as a result of his wounds. Life Membership: $180.00 (See page 7 “Wounded Warrior Project”) Contact the Public Affairs Office MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

Traveling With Hot LZ Memorial Wall designed by Jim PCS to their next assignment (mine was to th The Carlson's Leach. A helicopter pilot during the Viet- the 36 TFW at Bitburg AB in Germany) By Bill and Mary Ann Carlson nam War, he designed the Memorial Wall and others would be discharged from the in memory of the 2,188 helicopter pilots military at the Travis Aerial Port, into a While traveling north on 1-5 in California who died during the conflict. Each Memo- hostile, anti-military and unappreciative several years ago, we spotted a neat metal rial Day and Veterans Day additional American society. sculpture of a bellowing cow in a large names are placed on the wall during spe- However, my then 18 year old bride, pasture beside the freeway. We were sur- cial ceremonies. Attached to the Memorial Gayle, had flown out to Travis AFB from prised and intrigued to see the sculpture, Wall is a sculpture of two of these helicop- the cornfields of central Illinois. Pretty wondering how it had made its way to ters. gutsy for a very young lady, traveling on that rather unusual location. A large grove of Ponderosa Pines sur- her own the first time, back in 1972. A few days later an article appeared in rounds the Garden. The trees were do- That’s all I needed for a home coming. our local newspaper concerning the sculp- nated by the United States Forest Service And like the rest of my TSNA brothers, I ture and its creator, Dennis Smith. Dennis and planted—often during inclement just got on with my life, career and fam- is a Vietnam veteran who was once sta- weather conditions—by volunteers, in- ily. I left Vietnam in the rear view mirror tioned at Khe Sahn. In addition to the cow cluding service groups, school classes, for the past 33 years and focused on look- we admired, we learned that he and an- friends, and families of servicemen. Over ing out the windshield….to the future. 80,000 trees were planted in all, with the But now I’m damn glad that American hope that one would survive for each ser- society and attitudes have changed to- viceman lost in the Vietnam and Korean wards our present day combatants re- Wars—over 54,400. turning from Afghanistan and Iraq. To- We have found this to be a very mov- day’s service members deserve a big Wel- ing memorial, and have visited it several come Home now, and we deserved a big times now. It is located on Highway 97, Welcome Home…back in the day so long approximately thirteen miles northeast of ago. Weed, California. More information con- cerning the Garden can be obtained by Welcome Home to each of you! writing LMSG, P. O. Box 301, Weed, CA other Vietnam Veteran, Jim Leach, had 96094. There are also several interesting See ya in Gettysburg! also created a Living Memorial Sculpture websites available with information on Garden dedicated to all veterans. how it was created, its creators, and pic- tures of the sculptures. I found these sites A New Member using Google, and searching for Living Remembers Memorial Sculpture Garden. By James “Skip” Miller

I discovered the TSN Association web- Welcome Home site thru Dr. James Stewart, whom I cor- The Best Super Bowl Ad …yet!! respond with due to our affiliation with By Bob Laymon the 377th SP Association. I would very much like to join the TSN Association I may be an old fuddy duddy, but when also. There are ten sculptures, a Memorial I watched that video during the Super For the record: I arrived at TSN 1 Apr Wall, and a labyrinth in the Garden. Each Bowl game, of our military arriving at an 66 when the AP Sq was still the 6250th. I sculpture expresses a different aspect of airport, I welled-up and shed a tear or was stationed at TSN from 1 Apr 66 to 1 the life of a soldier, from enlistment to two. Apr 67. Initially housed in "hootches" by returning home from combat. My Welcome Home was on Monday, the main gate, later moved to the old One sad sculpture captures the grief of September 18, 1972. It was a defining French two story barracks by the orderly a family member receiving the flag from a moment in my young life, but almost a room/armory/base chapel area. loved one's coffin. Another honors mili- “non-event” for our fellow American citi- On Apr 10, 1966 I with several other tary nurses for their care of injured zens in the CONUS. Just another troops were out on the firing range for troops. “freedom bird” coming back from SEA. day and night fire training when the base Most poignant of all the exhibits is the Routine. came under attack. When I arrived at the sculpture of a Prisoner of War languish- When that white Continental Airlines range, I was an A1C (E-4), During the ing in a cage. Boeing 707-320, with the tail painted gold, attack, I and other E-4/E-5s became "slick A spontaneous memorial has sprung taxied onto the ALCC transient ramp at sleeves" because we rapidly discovered up at that site, with people leaving items Travis AFB, there was no reception. No that Silver/Blue stripes truly shine a long such as POW bracelets, dog tags, letters, base commander. No salute. No hand way in the dark. No issued BDU stripes at and American flags. The most joyous shakes. No “Thank You.” No “Welcome that time, but we found out later, you sculpture depicts the return of a soldier to Home.” Certainly no brass band. Just could buy those kind of stripes from the his family. Sculptures honoring the veter- Transient Alert and the Travis Pax Ser- "locals" on your dime. ans of World War II and the Korean War vices Rep: “Keep moving across the ramp I came to TSN originally to be a Cor- are also an integral part of the Garden. to Aerial Port in/out processing.” rections Supervisor, but found out that Adjacent to the parking lot stands The Some on that flight would continue on the Army was performing that duty. I was See Next Page MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 then assigned to the Customs section for area. He said that he didn't know the ex- Then one day not too long ago as I was approximately 3 months. tent of his injuries, just that a troop from reading guestbook comments on the I was then selected for special duty in the 8th had been caught in the middle of a TSNA website. I ran across someone’s the 50 foot tower which was designated by mortar attack. He told me that he would comment requesting assistance with mak- call sign Alpha 15 and located in the be checking and would keep me advised. ing contact with former 8th APS person- "bomb dump" near the 051 gate. I also The next day he came in and said that nel. . Noting that he was an Aerial Porter worked for a two week span in old French Dan had been hit pretty badly and was in assigned to the 8th APS, I just had to tower, call sign Alpha 9 which was located critical condition. Having one of our own write a few lines. After a couple of emails out in front of our "Checkpoint Charlie" Aerial Porters injured made the situation from him, it dawned on me that David machine gun bunker. This tower was used very personal with me. I asked Randy to Perelman and the Dan Pearl who damn due to some modifications being done on find out where Dan was located and could near bought the farm in a mortar attack Alpha 15. This being the adding of a he have visitors. Again Randy was off. at the helo pad at Tan Son Nhut, must be ZEON Searchlight and generator for it The following day Randy was back and one in the same. along with a sandbag bunker at the base said that Dan had been air evaced out to We were looking for Dan Pearl, not of the tower. Clark, then it changed that he was evaced David Perelman. The time frame is the Alpha 15 worked in concert with Echo to Japan, and still later, I heard he was air right one, and the Aerial Porter from the 12 which was the base water tower, my evaced to Travis. All this happened ammo area just kind of confirmed it for counterpart there was a A1C Charles within 45 minutes. me. No wonder we couldn't find out any Starr. We were members of the "select I went upstairs and talked to a Major info, Randy and I had the wrong name. six". The six were the 2 full time assigned to see if he had updated information. He After 33 years, it was a heart warming "cops", the two relief assigned "cops" and knew even less than I did, which wasn’t and joyous experience to find that indeed the two "in training" "cops." unexpected as he had been in country a he had survived, put his life back to- You were "hand selected" and I do total of three days and was still in process- gether, and was doing well in Las Vegas. I know two of the requirements were eye- ing and attending briefings.. would like to think that he was on that sight at 20/10 and ability to read and un- About 10:00 the next morning I got a record setting air evac out of Tan Son derstand specialized maps and overlays. call from the MAC Airlift Command Post Nhut. Who knows, maybe the cargo por- We also had received one week special that the C-141 mission inbound at 11:30 tion was cancelled just for him. I would map reading training from the US Army would be a quick turn for an urgent Air like to think so. so we could call into Counter Mortar Ra- Evac outbound. I told my load planner to I want to extend my personal thanks dar and give them proper grids/azimuth cancel the planned load and went over to and gratitude to the Association for being directions for firing locations. We were ramp and talked with Randy. The Airlift the catalyst that resolved my long unan- also in constant communications with the Command Post had requested the Port's swered questions and establish a friend- Base Joint Command Post and our 377th assistance in converting from cargo con- ship that in reality began at a most unfor- CSC personnel. A-15 and E-12 did a lot of figuration to Air Evac configuration for gettable place, Tan Son Nhut AB. triangelizations to come up with proper 20 litter patients. firing points as needed. Although we were Randy had his crew and half of the La Casa Grande? "cops", we actually were doing "forward warehouse cargo processing troops stand- By Craig Campen Artillery Observer" functions for the ing by when the aircraft pulled on the three aforementioned sections. spot. 10 pallets of cargo was off the air- I was curious if anyone has come I was on duty in Alpha 15 when the craft in less than 5 minutes and the recon- across any photos of the club-run, Mexi- base was again attacked and was consid- figuration began in earnest. Comfort pal- can restaurant, La Casa Grande , on TSN. ered instrumental in helping other "cops" let on and hooked up, rollers turned, aft I believe it was on the main road, left side, from being killed or captured and getting facing seats installed, litter stanchions a ways down after entering the main gate. assistance to them as fast as possible. set-up, medical equipment loaded and From the main gate, I recall my hootch Chuck and I were both put in for the enroute maintenance performed. was in an area taking a left turn after the Bronze Star and AF Commendation Not much needed to be said as every- restaurant and back near the double pe- Award for our actions AND WERE one knew their job, med crews, med tech, rimeter fence. There was also a mosquito SHOWN THEM IN THE MAILING maintenance, life support, and of course flick near the hootch. I can’t remember PACKAGES THE WEEK PRIOR TO the Aerial Porters. Then 20 litter patients the number of that area. OUR ROTATING TO CONUS, BUT I and 17 ambulatory patients were loaded I have enjoyed David Koopman’s web NEVER SAW THEM AFTER THAT. and the aircraft blocked out exactly one site and writings also. hour after blocking in. The entire opera- Thanks for your work in the TSNA. It’s A Small World tion was a "work of art." The entire op- By Benny Goodman eration was immensely impressive. Maxi- (Editor’s note: I was at TSN late 1966 to mum effort, minimum talk. It even im- late 1967. I don’t recall a Mexican restau- I vividly remember a day in November pressed the Aerial Port Group Com- rant anywhere on base. It must have been 1971 when Sgt. Randy White, Ramp, Day mander and 7th Air Force Commander. after my time. The area you are referring Shift, came into Load Planning and told By the time all the dust had settled, we to must have been the 1200 area, the larg- me that one of our troops had been caught still could not get any information as to est hootch area on base.) in a mortar attack at the helo pad. I ask the condition or whereabouts of Dan him who and was he seriously injured. Pearl. Through out the years I often won- Randy said that it was a guy named Dan dered about Dan Pearl. Did he survive? Pearl who worked in the ammo loading What was his condition? MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 5

He’s Coming Home! when he is in the company of women, par- whites! But none of them had ever seen Submitted by Alfonzo Celaya ticularly young and beautiful specimens. the weapon prior to that day and had not The few American girls he may have seen been given any ammo. Oh yes, we were a since arriving overseas are either 88 years happy little group . ISSUED IN SOLEMN WARNING, THIS old or married to personnel who outrank The Navy got a very rapid, important DAY OF ______19______him, therefore, his first reaction upon weapons training, given one clip each and meeting an attractive “Round Eye”, may told them: DO NOT SHOOT US – WE FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND RELA- be to stare. Wives and Sweethearts are ARE THE GOOD GUYS! TIVES OF:______advised to take advantage of this momen- About 9 a.m. RVN President Ky drove tary shock and move the young lady out by standing up in a jeep to “review the Very soon the above will once again be in of his reach. troops.” The papers I have in my foot your midst. De-Americanized, De- Keep in mind that beneath this tanned locker say he did it under fire which was Moralized and de-hydrated, ready once and rugged exterior there beats a heart of BULL! After that I noticed a couple of more to take his place as a human being pure gold. Treasure this, for it is the only people on top of a high building and asked with freedoms and justice for all. Once thing of value he has left. Treat him with the MP’s if we were supposed to have any more to engage in life, Liberty and the kindness, tolerance and an occasional fifth people on guard there pointing them out. somewhat delayed pursuit of happiness. of good whiskey and you will be able to The MP’s got on their radio, then hauled In making your joyous preparations to rehabilitate this shallow shell of the man butt toward the building. welcome him back into respectable soci- you once knew. Maybe 10-20 minutes after that there ety, you must make allowances for the Send no more letters to APO 96307 was a large explosion, but not near what I crude environment in which has suffered after______days, for he is leaving had seen. We were all wondering what for the past twelve months. In a word, he the tropics in _____ days and heading for was up when the MP’s came back. We may be somewhat ASIATIC, suffering the land of the Big BX. were talking with them when the Navy from stages of VIET-NAMGITIS, or to OIC came up and asked what was going much BA-Muoi-BA beer. Future mailing address______on. The MP Sergeant said, “Well there is Therefore, show no alarm if he prefers now a current opening for a Lt. Cmdr. to squat rather than sit on a chair, pad FILL THE ICEBOX! and Corpsman as they had been blown around in thong sandals and towel, slyly up. I never did hear if they lived or died. offers to sell cigarettes to the Postman and Shortly after that, we did get some picks at his food suspiciously as if you The Saigon Parade shelling from across the river but all of it were trying to poison him. Don’t be sur- By James “Skip” Miller went over us and into JFK square by the prised if he answers all questions with “I Catholic Cathedral and some government hate this place!” or “Number One! Be buildings. Many locals were hit there, but Here is a little more on the parade in I don’t believe any allied troops. tolerant when he tries to buy everything Saigon in November 1966. The parade at less than one half the asking price, ac- Right after that people came by and was being conducted to commemorate the said we were starting, but the original cuses the grocery clerk of being a thief, 3rd anniversary of the overthrow of the doesn’t enter a place that doesn’t have a route of 7 ½ miles was now 1 ½ miles. We Diem regime. almost flew the route and at the end our STEEL MESH SCREEN over the doors As I mentioned we (377 th SPS) were and windows and last but not least runs Lt. yelled, “Disperse and get on the there to be the rear guard in case some- trucks.” We really boogied out of Saigon. for cover every time someone slams a thing happened. We all complained about door. I told people later I hoped whoever the entire idea of the parade and got no thought of the parade thought the possible Any of the following sights should be where. I informed my Congressman avoided since they can produce an ad- deaths of the Commander, Corpsman, about such an idiotic idea and he said to and the locals were worth it. vance stage of shock: People dancing, write him. Television and round eyed women! In a So that parade goes down infamously I wrote Rep. Floyd Hicks D-WA, who in history. relatively short time his professional like did check with the Pentagon who in- profanity will decrease enough to permit formed him, “The odds were in our favor him to associate with mixed groups and and the parade would go on.” The powers soon he will be speaking English as well as that were in charge did agree to supply an he ever did. He may also complain of armored vehicle for our support, and also sleeping in a house and will probably re- told us there were going to be Marines fuse to go to bed without a mosquito net. with us. Make no flattering remarks about the We showed up 50 strong, full combat EXOTIC ORIENT, or South East Asia. load and equipment, at the river front. Void mention of the benefits of overseas We were driven there early in the morn- duty, seasonal weather and above all ask ing in a Deuce and ½’s. After arriving we before mentioning food delicacies of the finally got our armored vehicle, a 716 th Orient such as “Fried Lice (Rice). The MP Jeep (3 rd MPS). The jeep had ¼ inch mere reference of these particular sub- plate all around and a machine gun. I jects may trigger off an awesome display don’t remember if it was an M-60 or a 50 of violence. cal. For the first few months (until he is The Marines finally showed up – A house broken) be especially watchful BAND!, followed by a Navy unit in Saigon MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 6

Have Things Really Changed? The Legacy of the Vietnam War that seemed to characterize the protracted A Friendly Flashback By Ira Cooperman history of the Vietnam War. And the re- By Lynn Patton counting of that war has absorbed many It seems impossible to me that it has of us who are its veterans, who can never Having been bumped from my original been thirty years since the Vietnam War forget. flight to Tan Son Nhut, I arrived in coun- ended with the fall of Saigon and the ces- The toll war - any war - takes is incal- try at Bien Hoa. I will always remember sation of hostilities on April 30, 1975. culable. It is for the poets to attempt to that bus ride down Highway 1 to Saigon. In a larger sense, the war has not yet explain what meaning there might be in It was then it first hit me, I can't catch a ended for the families of the 58,000 the horror of these deaths. Vietnam was a Greyhound and go home from here! But Americans who died in Southeast Asia particularly difficult war, for many - like the good troop, I settled in fast to the between 1960 - 1975. Or for the 300,000 Asians and Americans alike - never ac- routine at the 377th Security Police who still carry serious wounds from the cepted the necessity for it. Squadron counting the days. war. Or for the families of the 1,500 Writing of a much earlier Twentieth I had only been there a couple of American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Century conflict, Archibald MacLeish, in months, which was March 1971, when I marines whose remains are in some for- his poem The Young Dead Soldiers, speaks got the notice to stop by the Red Cross eign fields - the missing in action. Or for for the vanquished of every war: office on base. I learned that my Grandfa- the families of the hundreds of thousands ther had died and that my parents re- of Vietnamese soldiers who died and The young dead soldiers do not speak. quested that I call home. Call Home, the whose final resting places are also un- Nevertheless, thought hadn't occurred to me that I known. they are heard in the still houses: could do such a thing. So the Red Cross There is hallowed ground that former who has not heard them? gave me a slip to take to the USO in enemies alike share in the modem-day They have a silence that speaks for them downtown Saigon. Apparently, it would nations of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. at night and when the clock counts. allow me to have priority on making the 1 know, for like you and millions of other They say: telephone call since it involved a family servicemen and women, I was there - We were young. We have died. Remember emergency. And it was good to talk with stationed first at Tan Son Nhut (attached us. my Mom and Dad, even though it was to the USAF's former 2nd Air Division in They say: under such sad circumstances. 1965 and then to the 7th Air Force Indica- We have done what we could but until it is I used the telephone service at the USO tions Center where I was a briefing officer finished it is not done. one more time a few months later. This in 1966), then later at 7th/13th Air Force They say: time it was to call my girlfriend on her at Udorn, Thailand, with occasional tem- We have given our lives but until it is fin- birthday. This was a birthday present porary duty visits to Vientiane. Laos. ished no one can know what our lives from my parents for my 21st birthday. Was it "destiny" or just pure luck that gave. Needless to say, it was something that I returned home instead of my partner, They say: couldn't be done very often due to the Vincent A. Chiarello? For on a hot July Our deaths are not ours: expense. I later found out that my first day in 1966, the combination USAF-CAS they are yours; they will mean what you collect call in March cost approximately intelligence mission for which we both make of them. $1.00 per minute. volunteered - but had room only for one They say: Then I discovered the Mars Station on us - ended in tragedy. Whether our lives and our deaths base. I think it was really M.A.R.S. It was Like me, Vince was a young college were for peace and a new hope just down the road from the 1300 area graduate and was a native New Yorker. or for nothing we cannot say; where I lived. I remember the few times I Like me, he was an Air Force first lieuten- it is you who must say this. used that service. They would radio state- ant and was counting down his 365 days They say: side to a Ham Radio operator, who would of duty in Southeast Asia until he would We leave you our deaths. then make a collect call to the number you be rotated home. But unlike me, he was Give them their meaning. wanted. Each party would have to say aboard "Dogpatch 2," an unarmed C-47 We were young, they say. "over" with everything they said, so the that was shot out of the sky near the bor- We have died. Remember us. radio operator would know when to der of Laos and North Vietnam on July throw the switch. It was a very awkward 29, 1966, resulting in the deaths of all I will never forget - on this anni- system, but at least it gave you a little aboard. versary or any day - the many men and taste of home. For twenty-two long years, he was one women proudly known as “Vietnam I don't know if that memory was of the American airmen whom the Penta- Vets,” who served with distinction during brought to mind because it is once again gon continued to list as "missing in ac- difficult times - those who were fortunate the month of March, and I was reading tion." Finally, in June 1988, his remains to come home and those who didn't. the latest issue of Revetments, Or the fact were recovered, positively identified, and Bless them all. that I just mailed calling cards to the flown home for burial. In the words on his young soldier my wife and I just tombstone, Vince was "safely home at "adopted," now stationed in Iraq. I think last." in this case, the latter. I know the value of For his family, some measure of clo- a little taste of home. sure had finally been achieved. But for me As I said then, I will say now....God Vince's death remains a constant re- Bless our Troops . minder - a metaphor - for the insanity

Please check the web site for your correct email address. Drop the office an email if it is not. Thank you. MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 7

Camp Alpha later, we can put it all in perspective. By Jim Dugan, Life Member What all of us did in Vietnam, whether infantry, truck drivers, clerks, cooks, or whatever, mattered. After MACV ended in-country R&R, We all made a difference in some way. It they decided to let personnel travel to wasn't just infantry troops who were selected sites throughout Southeast Asia. snubbed when we came home, it was all They assigned that mission to USARV of us who served in that war. We all have who, in turn further assigned the mission earned the right to call ourselves by the to the 90th Replacement Battalion. If I greatest description I know: Vietnam remember correctly, the 90th decided Veteran. that Tan Son Nhut would be better for R&R processing than Bien Hoa. To carry out this new mission, the 90th formed the 178th Replacement Company at Camp Alpha, Tan Son Nhut. Thus, Camp Al- pha was the R&R Processing Center in

III Corps. The 22nd Replacement Bn. handled the same job for the northern Wounded Warrior Project Mission sector of Vietnam out of Cam Rahn Bay.

In the year I was there, we processed The Wounded Warrior Project was thousands of military, and civilian, per- The USARV patch founded on the principle that veterans sonnel from Camp Alpha. We provided (U.S. ARMY, VIETNAM) are our nation's greatest citizens. The orientation, baggage handling, and trans- Project seeks to assist those men and portation to and from the commercial women of our armed forces who have flights, which at that time were Pan-Am, ~The New Experience~ been severely injured during the conflicts and World Airways. We would handle in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot spots anywhere from 7 to 8 flights a day, not to Adobe Reader around the world. Many of the injuries mention any flights returning to Vietnam. are traumatic amputations, gunshot We worked a long, hard day from some- It wasn’t easy, but we’ve succeeded in wounds, burns and blast injuries that will times 5AM to 8PM a day, 365 days a obtaining the vast majority of members retire these brave warriors from military year, 7 days a week, and loved it! We email addresses. The “Special Edition” service. These wounded soldiers will re- were not combat troops, and took a lot of was emailed to 242 members. Hard cop- turn to civilian life minus one or more ribbing from Infantry-types because of ies were photo copied and mailed to 88 limbs, or with serious wounds or disfigur- it, but without us at Camp Alpha, they members. This was a savings of $ 89.54 ing scars, and will face greater challenges were going nowhere. in postage alone. today obtaining assistance and finding I read somewhere in the past year, I ask every member that does not have opportunities that would enable them to that Camp Alpha was the last place the an email listed with the office to please provide for themselves and their families. U.S. flag was lowered in 1973, signifying send an email to: [email protected]. the end of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Check the web site (www.tsna.org), and if The Wounded Warrior Project was After we left, the Vietnamese looted the your name is not in blue under the col- founded to give a voice to this new gen- place. umn “Email Address”, then more than eration of veterans facing unique issues About four years ago, Bob Need wrote likely we do not have your email regis- and problems. The Project fills the vital and told me, that a historian from the tered on the office membership listing. need for a coordinated, united effort to U.S. Army Center for Military History We need to email as many editions of enable wounded veterans to aid and assist was trying to contact former members of Revetments as possible. Your cooperation each other and to readjust to civilian life. the 90th to give some input on a historical is vital. paper he was doing on the R&R program Some members could not download The Wounded Warrior Project is a pro- in Vietnam. I contacted him and provided the PDF files. Some said all they could gram of United Spinal Association , which a written interview. The result was a 35 see was the front page logo and the pic- is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations to page paper on the history of R&R from tures. I am not certain what the problem the Project are tax deductible Vietnam. Tan Son Nhut is mentioned is. By all means go to the Adobe web site prominently in that paper. In his opinion, and download the latest version of Adobe Please go to their web site: the R&R program out of Camp Alpha, Reader, version 7.0. One member was www.woundedwarriorsproject.org Tan Son Nhut, was probably the greatest able to download the Special Edition after success story of the war. I'm proud to downloading 7.0. have been a part of it. A special THANK YOU for your coop- That's why I think more veterans of eration. I know many of you probably the 178th Replacement belong with wanted to scream at me for the “test” the TSNA, and why I'm as proud to wear emails I sent, but in order to ensure the Association patch as I am the USARV things were operating properly it was patch. When we're young, we don't give something that had to be done. it much thought. But now, 35 to 40 years Wayne Salisbury Never received an email from the TSNA Office? Could be that we don’t have your email address. MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 8

The End of The Line: Corporal with the 94 th Pursuit Squadron or apparent that experienced pilots were at a MSgt George Holmes be discharged. "I was getting married," premium. Many "Sergeant Pilots," such as stated Holmes, "I needed more than a Cor- MSgt Holmes, were given temporary com- poral's pay." Once again, Holmes left the missions as officers in the new Army Air military for civilian life, taking a job with Force (1941-1947). George was commis- the nearby San Antonio Air Depot. In sioned as a Captain. In the early years of 1924, George joined the Army Air Service the war, he served as a flight engineer, Reserves. In 1928, technological advances maintenance officer and test pilot at Luke that were being made in aviation prompted Field, Arizona; Randolph Field, Texas; George to re-enlist with the Army Air Roslyn Field, New Mexico; and Kelly Field, Corps (1926-1941). Holmes' second stint Texas. By 1945 he was a Major and the with the Army's "air arm" would last just commanding officer of over 1,800 men of 13 months as he left in 1929 to take a job the 301 st Air Depot Group. By the summer flying in Central and South America for of 1945, he was a Lieutenant Colonel and Pan American Airlines. When George re- sta-tioned at the allied air base at Biak, enlisted for the third time, in 1931, this New Guinea. There, as a member of the 4 th MSgt George Holmes, left, talks with time as a Sergeant in the Army Air Corps, Air Service Group, George flew B-25s on Warrant Officer Chet Colby, middle, it began his longest period of contin-uous numerous combat missions to help bring and MSgt Tom Rafferty, right, at service—fifteen years. about an end to both the Japanese "war Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, on May From 1931-1933, Sgt George Holmes machine" and WWII. served as a test pilot for the engineering In 1946 George left the service again. 3, 1948. section at Randolph Field, Texas. In 1934, However, six months later he re-enlisted when the United States' commercial mail for the fourth time, this time as a MSgt, in When Master Sergeant George H. contracts were canceled by President Roo- the Army Air Force. Initially, he was sta- Holmes retired in 1957, he did so as the last sevelt, the Army Air Corps was called upon tioned at Kelly Field and given the job of enlisted pilot of the United States Air to deliver the mail. George did his part, flying B-l 7s with Munitions Board mem- Force. Holmes was the final aviator of the flying Fokker C-14s out of Chicago. bers as passengers. "You should have seen 3,007 enlisted pilots who had served in the Holmes' mail delivery had him flying to the looks from the brass when they saw a United States Air Force and its predecessor Nebraska, Missouri and Ohio. Even though Sergeant was in command of the plane organizations between 1912 and 1957. Dur- he was flying long missions with no crew to with a Major serving as my co-pilot," said ing their 45 years of service, "Sergeant Pi- help him, George was making just $126 a Holmes. When the Army Air Force became lots," like Holmes, distinguished them- month plus $5 a day for each day he trans- the United States Air Force in 1947, MSgt selves by serving in peace time as well as ported the mail. Within three months the Holmes was one of only two enlisted pilots during World War I and World War II. airmail problem was solved and commer- to trade in their old uniform for the soon to George Holmes' service as an enlisted cial airlines began delivering the mail be blue uniform of the new USAF. Master pilot spanned four decades and began just again. This allowed Holmes to return to his Sergeant Tom Rafferty was the other. after the end of World War I. Holmes, who test pilot duties at Randolph Field. During Unfortunately, George Holmes didn't had served in the aviation section of the this time, George also helped instruct some have his fellow "Sergeant Pilot" around Navy in WW I, departed the Navy in 1918, of the student pilots with their primary with him for long. In 1949, near the ill after the war ended. George's post-war training. fated Donner Pass on the California- career began with a job as an auto me- Holmes was well known at Randolph, Nevada border, a C-47 piloted by MSgt chanic in Syracuse, New York. not only for his flying ability, but also for Rafferty crashed. Tom Rafferty was killed It only took a few months back in civil- his fun and adventurous nature. It was in the crash; thus becoming the 155 th and ian life for Holmes to realize that flying during these years at Randolph Field that last enlisted pilot to die while serving in the was in his blood. He considered re- SMSgt (Ret.) Robert H. Ritchey got to Air Force or one of its previous organiza- enlistment in the Navy in 1919 until he know George Holmes. "He radiated friend- tions. George Holmes now stood alone. learned he would be stationed on a de- liness and he always had a smile," recalled The year 1949 not only brought the be- stroyer. Knowing this, he decided instead Ritchey. Ritchey went on to say, ginning of MSgt Holmes' legacy as the last to enlist in the Army, asking for duty in the “One time in 1937 or 1938 they were USAF enlisted pilot, but a new assignment Army Air Service (1918-1926). His wish desperate for four-engine pilots to test fly a as well. Starting in 1949 and con-tinuing was granted, and he was assigned to Hazel- B-17 that had previously made an emer- for the next 2 ½ years, George would call hurst Field, New York. By the summer of gency landing. Pilot records were searched Brazil his home. His job was to pilot planes 1920, he found himself at Kelly Field, and no four-engine pilots were found. carrying members of the Joint U.S. Brazil Texas. In August, the Army Air Service George told them he had experience with Military Commission on their inspection asked for volunteers for pilot training. four-engine planes. After he took the B-17 trips. When he returned to the states in George pounced on this opportunity. for a test flight, George, with a twinkle in 1952, Holmes was assigned to the Military At March Field, California, Holmes re- his eye, told us, "Now I've finally got some Air Transport Service and stationed in ceived his primary flight training on a Cur- four-engine experience." Great Falls, Montana. March of 1954 tiss JN-6H Jenny biplane. In August of By January of 1940, George had risen to brought about George's last duty station 1921, after finishing his advanced training the rank of Technical Sergeant. By March with the Air Force when he was assigned to at Kelly Field, 23 year old Corporal George of the following year, he was a Master Ser- the Mobile Air Materiel Area Headquar- H. Holmes earned his pilot's wings. George geant. When the U.S. entered World War ters at Brookley Air Force Base, Alabama. had a tough decision to make—remain a II on December 7, 1941, it soon became In 1957 at Brookley, after 38 years, 4 MAY 2005 TAN SON NHUT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER PAGE 9 enlistments, and 9,057 hours of logged flying time, MSgt George H. Holmes retired at the age of 59. This marked the end of an era. There have been no enlisted pilots in the United States Air Force since. MSgt Holmes retired in Tampa, Florida, where he was able to enjoy another activity he had always had a passion for—fishing. As George would sit in his boat upon the water, he would catch glimpses of Air Force planes taking off from nearby MacDill Air Force Base. This would often cause him to reflect about his experiences in the Air Force. "I had some close shaves," remarked Holmes. "One time in a crash, I sustained a broken back and was in the hos- pital for six months." George had also flown with some of the most fa- mous airmen of all-time. These included both Colo- How many of you purchased a small reel to reel tape recorder to nel Eddie Rickenbacker, the WWI "ace," and Gen- tape messages to loved ones back home, and then anxiously eral Jimmy Doolittle of WW II Air Force fame. waited for it to be returned with a message from home? Holmes could also tell tales of having flown the fa- mous WW I Army General, John "Black Jack" Per- Photo by Daniel McKegney shing. "That isn't well known," remarked SMSgt Ritchey. "George had more clout than a lot of people reckoned." Ritchey remembers George Holmes more for the Make your plans now to attend the Gettysburg Reunion man he was than for his accomplishments. "He was 2-4 September 2005 imperturbable in situations which could upset any of us," stated Ritchey. "He enjoyed being an enlisted man. He declined commissions many times. He used to say, "I don't care about a commission. If I have a house, clothes, beer in the refrigerator and good friends, then that's all I need." When MSgt George H. Holmes passed away at the age of 66 on February 11, 1965, in Tampa, Flor- ida, he did so having left his permanent mark on enlisted Air Force history.

Article from Airmen Memorial Museum Library

The response we are getting from members to attend the reunion is fantastic! Get Tan Son Nhut your Registration Form in Base Theate r Photo by Al Celaya today!!!!

(Purchase the $12.95 Pictorial CD and see more) Gettysburg Reunion Tentative Schedule of Events

Friday, September 2nd, 3 PM

Hotel Check-in at the front desk and Registration in the TSNA Hospitality Suite. The Hospitality Suite will be open until midnight for the greeting of friends and making new ones. Heavy snacks and beverages will be available.

Saturday, September 3rd

Breakfast Buffet 7:30 to 8:30 Tours of the Battlefield and Eisenhower Home will be done in two groups. The first group will be picked up at the hotel at 8:45. The second group at 9:15.

Hospitality Suite opens at 3:00 PM. Beverages and snacks until 5:30 PM.

Dinner Banquet and Program beginning at 6:00 PM. (Informal Dress Wear)

Hospitality Suite opens after Program and closes when Bill Carlson thinks everyone should go to bed.

Sunday, September 4th

Breakfast Buffet 8:00 until 9:00

Membership Meeting and Award Presentations at 9:00 AM

Farewells at 11:00

Tan Son Nhut Association Public Affairs Office 2413 Brambleton Ave. Roanoke, VA 24015