1st Cavalry Division Association 302 N. Main Non-Profit Organization Copperas Cove, Texas 76522-1703 US. Postage PAID West, TX Change Service Requested 76691 Permit No. 39

Publishedsaber By and For the Veterans of the Famous 1st Cavalry Division VOLUME 65 NUMBER 2 Website: http://www.1cda.org MARCH/APRIL 2016 The President’s Corner Horse Detachment by CPT Jeremy A. Woodard James R. Stokely As I write this column in early With winter slowly letting go and spring around 19333 Summerlin Rd., Unit 146 March, we are well into 2016 the corner change is in the air. The change is even Fort Myers, FL 33908-5207 and everyone’s attention should more real to the Horse Cavalry Detachment who said be thinking about our annual “goodbye” to CPT Elizabeth R. Rascon after two and reunion in June in Las Vegas. half years of dedication to the Detachment. We would It’s never too early to make your plans! At this time, interest is already high. like to wish her and her husband CPT Edwin Jimenez Hotel reservations are brisk, and reunion reservations are higher than usual at good luck as they both attend the Captains Career this time of the year. I’m sure the location has a lot to do with it. If you have Course and embark on a new adventure. never been to Las Vegas before, there are a lot of things to draw you there. It I would like to take this opportunity to introduce is a world unto its own! In any case, it is important register ahead now as there myself; I am CPT Jeremy A. Woodard from may be limits to certain functions such as the regimental luncheons. Those with Nacogdoches Texas (photo right). I am married to the larger numbers will have preference to room size. Walk-ins at the reunion my amazing wife of almost 16 years Kristen Woodard with no reservations may be disappointed to find a function they wish to attend is and have five awesome children. We are glad to already full. I personally guarantee a good time by all! Remember, these reunions be back in Texas after so many years away. It is a are all about fellowship, and you definitely will find that. In my opinion, that’s great honor to be able to command the Horse Cavalry what it’s all about. All the details are found in the Saber and on the web page Detachment and a special honor to carry on a family . Again, register now! Hope to see old friends and to make legacy. My late cousin Trooper Benny Woodard many new ones. served in the Horse Platoon from 1974-1976. The stories of his service have On a new subject, the last weekend in February the Board of Governors met to been an inspiration; and every day at the detachment is an opportunity to carry do the work of the Association. There were two major issues. One was finding on his legacy and his dedication to the Cavalry tradition. Another change that the a replacement for Dennis Webster who would like to retire as Executive Director. Detachment participated in was the 1st Cavalry Division change of command. Two candidates were interviewed at this point; however no final decision has We were able to honor and give our thanks to MG Bills for all he did for the First been made. Dennis has agreed to stay on until a replacement is found. Thank you Team and our Detachment, he will be missed. We were also honored to welcome Dennis! The other issue was mentioned in a previous column that is the desire back MG Thompson. We enjoyed the time spent with him when he came out to get younger troopers not only to join, but to become active in the Association. for his first visit as the Commanding General. We also enjoyed the stories of his What I mean by that is to become members of the Board and officers in the many years here at the Great Place and his fond memories of the Horse Cavalry Association and to attend reunions and participate in chapter activities when Detachment. available. We are in a period of transition, similar to what I experienced in 1999 So far this year the Detachment has participated in the annual Western Heritage at my first reunion when most in attendance were WWII and Korea War Veterans. Parade in San Antonio, presented the Nation’s Colors on Military Appreciation It only took me 30 years after I joined the Association in 1969 in Vietnam to Night at the Belton Rodeo, and the American Rodeo in Dallas Texas. The HCD become involved. At that time I wish I knew what I had been missing. As they also rode in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade and visited Houston say, since then its been history. In my opinion, the passing of time is a key factor. area schools giving Yesterday and Today presentations. We look forward to Now, after 25 years, Gulf War Veterans are at that same point, and will respond several of the upcoming events at Baylor University, the Diamondback Jubilee like the Vietnam Veterans did. I am confident they will. Your Association will in Lometa, Texas, the Blue Bonnet Festival in Burnet, Texas, and the Military make an all out effort to encourage Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan Veterans Fiesta at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Troopers are continuing to perform Yesterday to replace us “old” Vietnam Vets. No offense intended! The use of social media and Today Presentations at local middle and High schools, and also conducting will be a primary source. Let us know if you have reached that point in your life several Barn Tours for local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. As always we to become more involved. In other words, are you ready to “Live the Legend” will stay busy conducting performances, and providing historical information again in a non-combat role. In any case, I am confident about our future. After to groups around the area. We enjoy being involved with the local community all, would you expect less from the best unit in the US Army! parades and rodeos and look forward to our upcoming events. Until next time, First Team! Jim We conduct our demonstrations at the detachment every Thursday at 1000 hundred hours depending on weather and mission requirements. We use this THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR time to train new mounts and troopers and invite the public to come out and enjoy Dennis E. Webster The February meet- the show. Feel free to call ahead to check our schedule at (254) 287-2229. You 302 N. Main St. ings of the Board of can also find us on Facebook at 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry. It is truly an Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703 Governors and the honor to represent America’s First Team and I look forward to the year ahead. (254) 547-6537 Trustees of the Foun- [email protected] DIVISION DOINGS dation and Museum Black Jack Returns to Fort Hood by SGT Garett Hernandez, 1st Cavalry Foundation are history and all of them will meet again during our reunion in Las Division Public Affairs Vegas in June. The Board approved the Charter for the California Central Coast FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers, Families and friends Chapter with its area of operations in the Pebble Beach, California. There were of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, “Black Jack,” a couple of areas of discussion but most was on ways to increase membership, 1st Cavalry Division stood anxiously on Cooper Field primarily on the younger generations of Veterans of the Gulf War, Bosnia, and as their Troopers returned March 1 from a nine-month the Division’s time at Fort Hood, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The com- training rotation in South Korea. mittee that was formed will begin working on several fronts and we hope that The buses stopped on Battalion Avenue and we will grow in numbers. We want each of you to be a “recruiter” and get those unloaded their troops in front of 1st Cavalry Division that live around your or that served with you to join the Association and become Headquarters, as a thunderous applause erupted from participants in reunions and chapter activities. the stands and several excited onlookers began jumping Continued on pg. 8 in excitement. INDEX PAGE INDEX PAGE INDEX PAGE The unit left Fort Hood in June of last year. This 5TH CAV 5 99TH FA 14 LIFE MEMBERSHIP 3 was a first of its kind rotation for an armored brigade 7TH CAV 7 CALENDAR 2 LRRP/RANGER 15 combat team. 8TH CAV 8 CAV CREDIT CARD 14 LTRS TO EDITOR 2 After the inactivation of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 9TH CAV 9 CHAPTER INDEX 15 NEW MEMBERS 2 2nd Infantry Division, the Army moved to rotate brigades 12TH CAV 6 CHAPTER NEWS 3 OTHER REUNIONS 21 to South Korea instead of rotating individual Soldiers 15TH MED 17 CHANGE ADDRESS 2 REUNION 12/13 into a standing brigade. 20TH ARA 18 COMBAT BADGES 20 SILVER WINGS 16 COL Sean Bernabe (left) “The Troopers of this brigade dutifully stood in 21ST FA 21 ELECTION NOTICE 14 SOUVENIR SHOP 18 the gap between freedom and tyranny the last nine 27TH MNT 11 ENGINEERS 20 SUB RENEWAL 3 and CSM James Scullion 30TH FA 10 HONOR ROLL 24 TAPS 2 unfurl the colors after months,” said MG J.T. Thomson, commanding general, 61ST FA 4 HQ AND SPEC TRPS 22 TAPS-ACTIVE DUTY 2 all Black Jack Troopers 1st Cavalry Division. “To their north was the fourth 82ND FA 19 JOB NOTIFICATION 3 WANTED 7 officially return to Fort largest military in the world, a threat, and to their south Hood on March 1 Continued on pg. 4 MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 2 Don’t Keep it a SECRET, Let us Know About It. To submit by e-mail, send to [email protected]. SABER Clip and Mail to 1st Cavalry Division Association The newspaper of the 1st Cavalry Division Association 302 N. Main, Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703 published during each even numbered month at Last 4 #’s of your SSN______DOB______302 N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703. Tel: (______) ______Phone: (254) 547-6537 Rank and Name:______Deadline for publication is the 1st of each odd numbered month. New Address: ______e-mail: [email protected] City: ______State: ______Zip: ______Home Page: http://www.1cda.org Unit: (1)______and (2)______EDITOR: Dara Wydler Date of Assign: (1)______and (2)______ASSISTANT EDITOR: Karleen Maloney E-Mail:______I served with the 1st Cav. Div. in (Circle one or more) Pre-WWII WWII EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Dennis E. Webster

ADDRESS JAPAN KOREAN WAR KOREA ‘57-’65 FT BENNING VIETNAM

CHANGE FT HOOD GULF BOSNIA AFGHANISTAN IRAQ FT BLISS ARTICLE SUBMISSION I DO/DO NOT authorize release of my personal info to Assn. members. Manuscripts should be originals or clear copies, either typed or printed in I served with another military unit during a war time period? YES NO near-letter quality printer mode. Word processor submissions are accepted via e-mail. Attach a self-adhesive label with photo information to the back of photos and cut lines for each photo. Include name and address if the photo SNOWBIRDS is to be returned. Do not send panoramic photos wider than 8.5 in. If you have two addresses during the year, we need to know them. Please give us Articles should be received at National Headquarters no later than the 1st the dates and addresses for both households. of every odd month. Any article received after the 1st of the month will be (Circle one) Winter Summer put in on a space available basis. Rank and Name: ______Opinions expressed are the writers and not necessarily those of the Saber LAST 4#s SSN:______DOB ______or the 1st Cavalry Division Association. 1: Address: ______City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______Dates: ______Tel: (______) ______LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To be considered for publication, letters should net exceed 300 words and 2: Address: ______should be of general interest and in good taste. Letters express the writer’s City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______opinion, not that of the Saber or the 1st Cavalry Division Association. Dates: ______Tel: (______) ______Political endorsement, “thank you” notes and poetry cannot be used. Form letters or third-party letters are not acceptable. Letters which contain libelous Calendar of 1st Cavalry Division Association or obviously untrue statements will be automatically rejected. All letters must be signed with addresses and telephone numbers included. 2016 Names will be used with the letters but addresses and phone numbers may February 26-27 Meeting of the Board of Governors, Killeen, TX be omitted. Letters also may be edited for length or clarification. We reserve the right to reject for publication any letter received. Unused June 8-12 69th Annual Reunion, Las Vegas, NV letters will not be acknowledged. Letters to the Editor November 10-13 Veterans Day and Veterans Day Dinner, Washington, DC Dear Editor, I have started my eighth semester at Louisiana State University Agricultural and Mechanical College in pursuit of TAPS a degree in Industrial Engineering. I cannot express enough We have been notified of the death of the following: gratitude to this foundation for supporting me through the ACOSTA, SGM (Ret) Efren “Tony”, 11th AVN, 1968-69, 11th PATH, 1969. years. Higher education can be financially difficult with 11 February 2016. the amount of books, online access codes, and other school ALLEN, PFC Roy E., E Co., 2-7th CAV, 1951. 18 July 2015. materials needed. With the help from the foundation, the CALDWELL, CW4 (Ret) Harold E. “Hal”, B Co., 2-20th ARA, 1968-69 and burden was eased and made the beginning of a new semester 1970-71. 22 February 2016. easier to financially tackle. CAMPBELL, GEN (Ret) Charles C., HHC, 1CD, 1995-96. 8 February 2016. It has been an honor to be a recipient of the 1st Cavalry Division Association CARISTA, PSG (Ret) Louis R., Sr., 15ADM, 1962-63; H Co., 75th INF, 1970- – Ia Drang Scholarship. The sacrifices that our veterans made to ensure the 71. 20 January 2016. freedoms of the American people are difficult to imagine. My grandfather, COLE, SP5 Doyne I., Jr., 2-12th CAV, 1967-68. 18 February 2016. Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Barker, is one of those veterans. This scholarship CRANE, MSG Fredeick A., D Co., 1-8th CAV, 1962-63. 20 February 2016. reminds me of the great sacrifices that he and other veterans made. I believe CRAWLEY, SP-4 Thomas W., B Co., 2-5th CAV, 1967. 19 January 2016. pursuing higher education allows you to leave a bigger impact in this world DANIELS, 1SG (Ret) Thomas R., HHT, 3-5th CAV, 1968; HHC, 1-12th CAV, and I would like to thank you again for supporting me through my college 1981-84; C Co., 1st FSB, 1984-88. 14 January 2016. career. Thank you veterans and current service members for your service to our FORCE, CPT Taylor A., D Co., 2-12th CAV, 2010-12; A Btry., 5-82nd FA, country. 2012-14. 8 March 2016. God bless, John Hogg GALLAGHER, SGT Joseph P. “Paddy”, 11th PATH, 1968-69. 14 January 2016. Dear Foundation 1st Cavalry Division Association (Ia Drang), GRIMES, CPL Clayton R., C Co., 8th ENG, 1950-51. 4 July 2015. It is with much gratitude that I write this note for the 8 semesters of scholar- HEIDE, SP4 Gerald W., B Trp., 1-9th CAV, 1966-67. 16 November 2015. ship grant money which was awarded me. It was in the name of my grandfather HUCKABAY, SGT Jerry F. C Co., 1-7th CAV, 1967-68. 24 February 2016. CPT “Doc” Robert Carrara. This scholarship helped me to offset the cost of my LAWYER, PFC James W., 25th ISD, 1966; HHC, 1st BDE, 1966-67. 16 tuition at Loyola University Chicago. Now that graduation is upon me, I am February 2016. deeply thankful for this aid. I am also aware of the men & women in the armed MANHEIMER, SP4 Jimmy, A Co., 1-12th CAV, 1967-68. 11 March 2016. forces who sacrificed so much. They along with my grandfather are true heroes McCULLEN, SSG R.E., H Trp., 12th CAV, 1942-45. 5 February 2016. to me. McDOUGLE, SGT (Ret) Michael E., D Co., 2-5th CAV, 1967. 7 December God Bless, Rebecca Small 2015. McKAY, PFC Gary, A Btry., 1-30th FA, 1965-66. 30 August 2015. SP-4 BROWN ERIC EDWARD PA C 2- 82FA 0211 NORFLEET, SFC (Ret) Larry C., A Co., 2-12th CAV, 1970-71. 8 February SGT BROWN STEPHANIE TX C 215BSB 0709 2016. SP-4 BURLEY RANDALL E NY A 1- 9C 6904 PRYER, 1SG (Ret) Robert S., 1-21st FA, 1969-70. 9 February 2016. CPT CANTY MICHAEL TX HHT 6- 9C 1511 RECLA, MAJ Benjamin, D Co., 2-227th AVN, 2006-12. 28 February 2016. SP-4 CISTONE JOSEPH AZ A 2- 8C 7001 SANDERS, SFC (Ret) Charles L., D Co., 2nd BG, 12th CAV, 1958-59; B Co., SGT COURTNEY DANIEL AZ B 2- 12C 6907 1-7th CAV, 1965-66. 8 February 2016. SFC CROCKETT THOMAS TX A 3- 8C 0506 STOREY, SGT Dennis C., B Co., 1-7th CAV, 1970-71. 1 January 2016. MR DANIELS THOMAS EDW OK 133 1- L ASSOC TARTER, SP5 Michael D., A Co., 227th AVN, 1968-69. 8 March 2016. E-4 DE LORENZO PETER CT HHC 1- 5C 7004 THOMPSON, GEN (Ret) Richard H., HQ, 7th CAV, 1956. 21 February SGT DIAZ RAUL N NV HHB 1- 77FA 6704 2016. SP-4 DIEMER WAYMON IL HHQ 2- 5C 7009 WAYMAN, MAJ Troy D., HHC, 4th BCT, 2007-09. 16 January 2016. SP-4 DODSON JAMES HENRY CO HHC 15ADM 6507 WILLIAMS, SP4 Donald R., C Co., 2-7th CAV, 1968. 1 March 2016. SSG DUBEE BRYCE VA HHC 1CDH 1307 ZINSMAN, SP5 Karl W., HHC, 3rd BDE, 1968-69. 20 September 2015. E-8 DUDEK TED E. TX HHC 3- 8C 0807 SSG DURATE RAYMOND H NV C 1- 8 4601 We honor the passing of our friends and comrades in arms. SFC ERVINE KEVIN D TX HHC 2BSTB 1210 TRP ESPARZA ALBERTO CA A 2- 82FA 05 NEW MEMBERS MRS FIEFER CORRINE TN 132 1- L ASSOC TRP ACOSTA JUAN TX A 2- 82FA 05 SP-4 FIEFER JAMES TN B 2- 8C 7106 SSG ALEXANDER ROBERT N. OK H 75INF 7009 SPC FLAHERTY THOMAS CA C 2- 5C RVN MR. BAKER WALTER J. AZ 1319 1- ASSOC TRP GALLO JUAN CO A 2- 82FA 05 CPT BARRY EDWARD J NJ A 227AVN 7106 SGT GALVAN RICHARD TX A 1- 12C 6706 SP-5 BARTRAM BRUCE J. MO HHC 11AVN 6906 SFC GARCIA DAVID J TX HHC 2- 5C 0301 SGT BELL KENNETH CA E 2- 8C 7101 SGT GARDONIO DAVID S. NV B 3- 8C 9012 TRP BENN MATT NH A 2- 82FA 05 SGT GAUDET JULES LA B 1- 77BA 6707 SPC BEVAN SEAN MS C 2- 8C 8706 CW2 GAY ROCKY TX D 3- 32ARM 9007 SFC BOWEN PAUL M. KY B 1- 30FA 6812 Continued on pg. 3 Page 3 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 CHAPTER NEWS LIFE APPLICATION/SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL BUSINESS STYLE CARDS FLORIDA CHAPTER are available at 200 for $15.00. No hassle with having to carry legal size sheets of Thing have been slow the last few months but with the help of the “Think Tank” paper (Life Membership Applications) or sub forms. Orders will be sent to printers for printing when 3-4 are accumulated. Please be patient with us. Sample below. that was held in Texas things should start looking up for all of the Chapters. (Actual size 3” x 2”) A couple of items, Woody Hines stepped down as President and I, Joe Craig, was voted in to fill his shoes. I hope that I can do as good a job as he has over 1st CAVALRY DIVISION ASSOCIATION the years. My contact information will be in the Chapter listing. I have been 302 N. Main St. working with the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) to place a plaque, in Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703 memory of Robert D. Johnson who was the Association President 2004-2006 (254) 547-6537 and a very active member of our Chapter, at the base of a Huey they have at [email protected] their War Memorial in Tampa (on Hwy 301 S. off I-4). I’ll post pictures when NAME it is mounted. POSITION IN CHAPTER I’ve been doing a Veterans Corner, meet and greet (shaking hands, drinking UNIT tea, and swapping a lie or two) for Veterans at state, car shows, barbecue cook DATES OF ASSIGNMENT offs, and music festivals. Gill and Woody participated in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade with their STREET ADDRESS PHONE: Korean War Chapter in Winter Park. They had a great time getting a free meal CITY, ST, ZIP (000) 000-0000 at an Irish Pub (or two). Fun Day. E-MAIL: (000) 000-0000 Cell The Chapter will be set up a tent at the Florida Vietnam and All Veterans Annual Reunion in Melbourne from 21-24 April and have our April meeting Enroll me as a Life Member...... $10.00 there on the 23rd at 1300 hours (1:00 pm). Please join us in Melbourne. Joe Craig, President Renew my subscription...... $10.00 JAMES J. MASON WEST MICHIGAN CHAPTER The Chapter again had an excellent turnout for Bingo on 31 January at the New or Renewal of Associate Membership...... $15.00 Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. There are a couple of former Cav Troopers that reside at the Home and all enjoy our visits. Chapter member Rex Greenawalt D-Trooper...... $25.00 did the calling and he has been volunteering there for a very long time. His interaction with the residents is exceptional. Our next scheduled Bingo games Business Cards ...... $15.00 are scheduled for 29 May and 31 July. $10 covers your subscription to SABER for one year. $25 makes you a D-Troop member plus a one year subscription. Our Chapter meeting was held at a local restaurant on 18 February. We were $50 makes you a D-Troop member plus a one year subscription and you receive forced to move because the NCO Club at the Armory, our usual meeting place, a suitable poster or print. is undergoing testing for lead. Roger Knopf, USAF (Ret) brought some photos $100 makes you a D-Troop member plus a one year subscription and you receive from 1965. Roger was the AF ground FO during the battle at LZ Albany with a First Team print. the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry. Member Alan Toms, who like Roger, went over $500 makes you a Silver Brigade member plus a 10 year subscription. to Vietnam by ship and Roger had a mini reunion in the restaurant. Our next 2 $1,000 makes you a Gold Brigade member plus a 20 year subscription. meetings are on 21 April and16 June. We would love to see some new Troopers All D-Troopers receive certificates suitable for framing. join the Chapter and would welcome you to just stop in, if only to say hi. Contact Brigade members receive handsome 1st Cavalry wall plaque. Bob Anderson at 616.682.5446 or e-mail him at for more information. Bob Anderson, Secretary dedicate gifts. D-Troop milestones can be achieved cumulatively. We will keep NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY CHAPTER track of your contributions.. The New York-New Jersey Chapter will have its Associate Membership - for those with no service with the 1st Cav. Div. spring meeting on April 9, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the $15 one year Associate membership plus a one year subscription. Elks Lodge in Ridgefield Park New Jersey. The $150 Life Associate plus a five year subscription and you receive a framed Lodge is located at 19 Cedar St. certificate. At this meeting we will hold a DD-214 review and discussion. We will look at the DD-214 and LAST 4 NUMBERS OF SSN ______DOB ______the information that it contains and what might Rank ______be missing. As an example, many DD 214’s have Name______Address______awards that may be missing because they were City ______State ______awarded after you left the service or weren’t added Zip ______Phone (______) ______when you out processed from the military. We Dates Assigned _(1)______(2)______will also go over what the separation (SPN) codes I served with 1st Team in Unit (1)______and mean, how to search for your military records (both (2)______personal and unit), and how to find where we were in Vietnam. Bringing in your DD-214 is optional. E-mail ______A group photo will be taken; please wear clothing and head gear appropriate to your unit or branch of I Authorize release of information to: No one___ Other Members only___ service for the photo. Keep up with NY-NJ Chapter Other Members and USAA Only___. events by getting on Facebook. Bob Arbasetti, I served with the 1st Cavalry Division in (Circle one or more) President Bob Arbasetti and Korean Pre-WWII WWII Japan Korean War Korea ‘57-’65 Fort Benning WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON NATIONAL War Vet William Smith Vietnam War Fort Hood Gulf War Bosnia Afghanistan Iraq Fort Bliss CAPITOL CHAPTER Have you served with any other military unit during a war time period? YES NO The Chapter had quite a few members that were able to attend the burial of MAJ (Ret) William A. Richardson at Arlington National Cemetery on 9 March. We will all miss Bill but will keep his memory alive since our chapter is named POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT in his honor. Executive Director of the 1st Cavalry Division Association Just want to give you notice of upcoming meetings. We look forward to seeing you at these meetings and events. Hope you can make some of them—if not all. The current Executive Director, CSM (Ret) Dennis Webster is retiring. We meet at the American Legion, Post 176 in Springfield, Virginia. Breakfast The Association wishes to fill the position by April 2016. starts at 0800 and meeting about 0915. Plan is to be done by 1030 hours. Anyone interested in filling this position should submit a hardcopy Our speaker at 19 March meeting will be Alec Wahlman, a research staff resume to: member at the Institute for Defense Analyses who is currently seconded to 1st Cavalry Division Association the National Guard Bureau as a Research Advisor in the Program and Budgets ATTN: Executive Director Selection Committee Division (J82). Our speaker for the 16 April meeting will be Dr. Bob Watts who 302 N Main St. will return and provide us another interesting lesson on the impact of WWI on Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703 the world today. We are planning an Barbecue for May and 11 June will be the Requirements for Applicants: 10th Annual Katz’s Deli event at Walter Reed. Gene Russell, President • Must have served with the 1st Cavalry Division and must be a Life Member of the 1st Cavalry Division Association. New Members • Must be able to provide proof of service with the 1st Cavalry Continued from pg. 2 Division. CPT GELINAS JOSEPH L III GA 1BCT 1601 • Must have an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. SFC HARRINGTON KELLY TX 2BCT 1301 • Must work at the Association office located in Copperas Cove, SP-4 HODGE RYAN TX E 1- 7C 9010 Texas. CSM JACKSON MAURICE TX HHC 1CDH 1511 • The job description may be reviewed on the 1st Cavalry Division SFC JONES ERIC C. SD HHC 1- 12C 0011 website at or may be CW2 JUSTICE RONALD E. JR NC HHC 2- 120IN 8003 obtained via email. SGT LEUCH JOSEPH S. OH A 2- 7C 6807 SSG LIVELY THOMAS B IL B 2- 7C 8612 SPC RAPP RICHARD KY C 2- 20ARA 6610 SP-5 MAKIN JERRY W. KY HHC 1CDH 6501 TRP REYES EMMANUELLE TX A 2- 82FA 05 MEDRANO DANIEL TX A 2- 82FA 05 SGT RICHARDSON LEO M. TX C 1- 5C 0805 CPT MELBARDIS ALEX NY HHC 1CDH 7506 SGT RYAN KEVIN P. TX A 115BSB 0907 SSG MILLER WILLIAM J. AZ C 1- 12C 6702 SP-4 SELL RUSSELL C ND D 1- 8C 9006 CSM (RET) MILLS DAVID D. MS B 1BG 8C 6205 WO1 SMYTH FRED C WA HHC 1CDH 6906 SPC OLLILA PAUL B. AZ HHC 2- 8C 8901 SSG STRICKLAND JOHN W. NC C 1- 9C 6901 E-5 PARRISH ROBERT LEON FL HQ 1BG 5906 E-5 TEDERICK DAVID A. VA A 27MSB 9009 SGT PROVART SEAN CA 1- 32ARM 8901 Continued on pg. 9 MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 4 61st FA News Hi all, hope this issue will be in Branson the 1st Monday in May this year. We will be at the Camden Gordon Cress of Saber finds you in House, phone 800-335-2555, you might mention the 61st as I am setting it up 6562 Windflower Dr. Carlsbad, CA 92011-2508 good health. We’re as a possible get together. Nothing planned, just ad-lib. Sure would be nice to (760) 918-0470 well into 2016, have see some of you again. For those not taking the Saber, I may mail out a few [email protected] survived Super Bowl notes and email others. Let’s get together. Bill.” 50, remembered our spouse on Valentine’s Day and survived several extremely Bill also mailed me a package with severe winter storms (in spite of global warming). Memorial Day is approaching more than a dozen 61st FA Battalion, 1st and it provides the opportunity to honor and remember those who served and Cav hats. See the photo. They’re nice some who gave all for our nation and freedom. Do hope that all of you who can quality and were supplied to us by the late will take part in some kind of remembrance. Bob Kirby. Bob was very generous with Received this Happy New Year greeting from Richard and Audrey Weakley… his support of the 61st alumni and donated “Audrey and I want to thank you all for the lovely cards and prayers in the hats, tote bags, etc. If anyone would like past year. We have both had a number of health problems in the past and now one of the hats, just give me a call or drop pray for a better 2016. We can recover. Our son Reggie is still taking cancer me a line. I’d appreciate it if you’d send treatments and needs our prayers. God bless you all.” Thanks for the note, along a few dollars just to cover the cost Dick. Best wishes for all of you. of the packaging, postage, etc. Shortly after the first of the year we received a very nice note from Ted From Rich Weakley in late January… Cadwallader. Ted was one of the Santo Tomas Interment Camp “guests” who “Gordon, health updates on a few of our 1st Cav 61st FA Bn Hat were liberated in February, 1945. Ted noted that “Pete Wygle was a close comrades. Art Davis is dealing with friend until his untimely death several years ago. Pete was a very special person cancer. Glen Nolen is still in rehab for seizures. Bill and Blair McSpadden and quite sharp. He retired as a full colonel, U.S. Army Reserve. I miss his are dealing with various health issues. Bob Bove is taking treatments for bone friendship and his intelligence.” Appreciate your taking the time to correspond, cancer. We need to keep these Ted. friends in our prayers.” Thanks Also got this from Bill and Pat Stewart… “Gordon, Pat and I made a trip to for keeping us up to date, Rich. Branson after Thanksgiving. We stayed three days and saw three good shows. Thanks to Peter O’Brien for this Pat got lot of Christmas shopping done. The Camden House (where we hosted photo of a few of the survivors the last reunion) is still a very good place to stay and we especially enjoyed the from the Toya Maru disaster way blackberry and peach cobbler at night after the shows. The way it stands now, back in September, 1954. Peter we intend to return to Branson the first Monday in May, and anyone who would has been in contact with a couple like to join us will be welcome. This past May, Percy Mohr was the only one to of the survivors and has done a show up, but three of us had a very good visit. Maybe this May, some more old lot of work and research into the buddies will be able to come, even though we realize most of them are in their event so long ago. I had arrived at middle to late eighties. We hope everyone is doing fine and would love to hear Toya Maru Survivors Camp Younghans just about two from any of you at any time. We hoped everyone had a Merry Christmas and months after the Toya Maru went down. we wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. Bill.” Nice to hear from you My wife and I are planning on celebrating her birthday up in Yosemite National Bill. Here’s hoping you get better attendance this year, but I do understand how Park this year. It’s only about 350 miles from here and we’ll be spending a few the advancing years at times make it harder and harder to travel. days in the Tenaya Lodge in the little city of Fish Camp, CA. Ought to be fun. Later, in mid-February, we also received this from Bill…”I sure hope everyone We spent a week there several years ago and had a great time. is surviving all the bad weather we have had. We had a dusting of snow, about Take care, ‘Sta Bueno and keep those cards, letters, phone calls and e-mails 2” and it got down to zero a couple of nights with windy conditions, but so far coming. the big storms have missed us. For anyone that might be interested, Pat & I Division Doings aircraft system. Pilots will be able to see the feed and even control the Shadow Continued from pg. 1 from the Echo model. the second largest metropolitan area with over 25 million friends of America.” “The power of the aircraft can be demonstrated in terms of where it can go,” All members of 2nd ABCT are now back from their rotation and the brigade Kooser said, “Instead of having to go around a mountain, the Echo model can uncased its colors, symbolizing its return to the “Great Place.” now fly over it in some instances. The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Iron Horse”, 1st Cavalry Division The 7-17th maintainers welcome the new challenges that come along with rotated to South Korea last month to replace its sister unit, and will remain there the new model and are excited about the opportunities this aircraft brings to the for nine months. battalion. “It’s probably the greatest training experience I’ve had since I’ve been in the “I don’t see division giving us these new aircrafts just to play with,” Pincombe Army,” said MAJ Christian Durum, executive officer, 2nd ABCT. “…This is said, “The purpose of the training is to keep them mission capable, so we can get something were you can get to a higher level of training you could ever get, in the job done whenever we’re needed.” my opinion, back in the U.S.” First Team Remembers Desert Storm by SGT Garett Hernandez, 1st Cavalry Air Cav Preps for New Apache Model by SPC DeMarco Wills, 1st ACB Division Public Affairs PAO, 1st Cav. Div. FORT HOOD, Texas FORT HOOD, – Troopers, veterans and Texas – AH-64 alumni from across the Apache maintainers First Team gathered at received training on the 1st Cavalry Division the AH-64 Apache Museum here February Echo model at Hood 18 to remember the 25th Army Airfield here Anniversary of Operations recently. Desert Shield/Desert Storm To provide hands- and to honor those Troopers on training, two Echo who paid the ultimate price AH-64 Apache Echo model test models were to defend freedom. brought to the hangar of the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Air “Desert Storm and Desert Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in early February. Shield were significant Maintainers will complete a two-week course detailing the service procedures events for our nation, our for the Echo model. Students still in AIT will receive two weeks of the same Army, Fort Hood, and training before completion. in particular the First “The training helps with familiarization of the new model,” said maintenance Team,” said MG (Ret.) platoon supervisor SSG Jayson Kooser, Troop D, 7-17th Cav. George Harmeyer, former “Having us perform tasks like removing internal engine cells, working on the commander of 1st Brigade transmission and pulling blades gives Soldiers that hands on experience,” said Combat Team “Ironhorse,” SGT Michael Pincombe of Troop C, 7-17th. “It gives you a different look at the 1st Cavalry Division. changes between the Delta and Echo models.” During Desert Storm, Those who have had the opportunity to work on the test model, describe the America’s First Team added aircraft as more mechanically friendly. many new “firsts” to its list: MG (Ret) George Harmeyer speaks at the ceremony “There is a lot less wiring on the Echo model,” said Kooser, “Streamlining first to defend the Saudi on 18 Feb. He commanded 2nd Brigade during the some of the components has taken away a lot of the weight which adds more border, to fire copperhead Gulf War. power to the airframe.” artillery rounds in combat, The Echo model can fly higher and faster. The cruise speed of the aircraft has to conduct multiple launch rocket system raids, and first to take part in mobile been increased along with the climb rate and payload capacity. armored warfare in Iraq. “It is like going from a bus to a Ferrari,” said Pincombe Conflict started when Saddam Hussein ordered his forces to invade Kuwait Capable of flying 25 knots faster than the Delta, the improved avionics systems August 2, 1990. By August 8, Iraq had seized Kuwait, and in response the first will ease the way for future improvements. U.S. aircraft arrived in Saudi Arabia. During the same month, the First Team The Echo model is a complete rebuild of the AH-64D model. It includes an was ordered to deploy to Saudi Arabia. improved drive system, composite main rotor blades, a more powerful 701D GE Then President George W. H. Bush marked, “This will not stand, this engine, is fully digitized, and has level-4 manned-unmanned teaming, which aggression against Kuwait.” allows pilots to control unmanned aerial systems. “It’s a big reminder about what happened 25 years ago,” said George The aircraft will be able to be integrated with the RQ-7B Shadow unmanned Continued on pg. 5 Page 5 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 5th CAV News The 5th Cavalry is looking for a scribe to write the 5th Cavalry The 5th Cavalry also netted the first award for valor awarded to a 1st Cavalry News in SABER. Our scribe of the last several years, Allan Foster, Division Trooper. Six hours after the initial assault wave hit Momote Beach, has stepped down and we need someone to take over gathering General MacArthur went ashore from his flagship, the U.S.S. Phoenix, and with information and writing a column every two months. MG Chase inspected the perimeter established by our troopers. The commander- We want to thank Allan for the great job that he has done in-chief made an on-the-spot award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieu- writing the 5th Cavalry News. Allan took over after the death tenant Marvin J. Henshaw of Haskell, Texas (“G” Troop), the first American to of Jim Stanford and wrote his first column for us in July/August 2012 issue of land on Los Negros in the operation. Two SABER. He put a great effort into writing a column that included some history, weeks later Lieutenant Henshaw lost his life some information about old friends, passing the news on the passing of 5th CAV when a boat he was in swamped and sank Troopers, and informing us of other interesting items that deal with us as Veterans off the coast of Los Negros. He was a good of the 5th Cavalry Regiment. swimmer himself and survivors reported What does it take to write for SABER? A computer and an internet connec- that when last seen he was attempting to tion are the first things so you can get input from 5th Cavalry Veterans and the tow several non-swimmers ashore. internet, to put into the column, compose the article, and then send it via email Several days later on 4 March a Trooper to the Association who does an edit and puts it in the paper. You don’t have to of G Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment was the have a degree in journalism or any experience but you do have to have a love for first Trooper to earn the Medal of Honor the 5th Cavalry and the 1st Cavalry Division to want to tell the story. while serving with the 1st Cavalry Division. This issue our 5th Cav News is being written by Dennis Webster, the Executive In the early morning hours SGT Troy A. Director of the 1st Cavalry Division Association. This isn’t his first time writing McGill, with a squad of 8 men, occupied for us. He filled in for one issue back when Jim Stanford died unexpectedly and a revetment which bore the brunt of a fu- before Allan took over. rious attack by approximately 200 drink The 5th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Association will be gathering with the 1st crazed enemy troops. Although covered Cavalry Division Association at the reunion in June in Las Vegas, Nevada and by crossfire from machineguns on the right we hope to have a large turnout of 5th Cavalry Troopers in attendance. It should and left flank he could receive no support be noted that we had the largest group of Gulf War Veterans at the last reunion in from the remainder of our troops stationed Killeen and we certainly hope that most of them will join us in Las Vegas. at his rear. All members of the squad were While the 5th Cavalry Regiment wasn’t one of the first units assigned to the killed or wounded except SGT McGill and 1st Cavalry Division in 1921, it was another man, whom he ordered to return to assigned on 18 December 1922 and SGT Troy A. McGill - Medal of the next revetment. Courageously resolved replaced the 10th Cavalry Regiment. Honor Posthumous to hold his position at all cost, he fired his We do however, have the distinction weapon until it ceased to function. Then, of being the first unit of the 1st Cav- with the enemy only 5 yards away, he charged from his foxhole in the face of alry Division to face combat during certain death and clubbed the enemy with his rifle in hand to hand combat until World War II which marked the 1st he was killed. At dawn 105 enemy dead were found around his position. SGT Cavalry Division’s first combat action McGill’s intrepid stand was an inspiration to his comrades and a decisive factor in its history. Of course, the Cavalry in the defeat of a fanatical enemy. SGT McGill is buried in Knoxville National Regiments had seen combat in other Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee. wars but never while assigned to the As you can see, the 5th Cavalry has played an important role in the history of 1st Cavalry Division. our nation and our division for many years. There have been numerous valorous On 29 February 1944, Task Force actions by Troopers of the 5th Cavalry Regiment throughout all of the wars that Brewer, which was mainly the 2nd we have fought in. There are also numerous stories that need to be told and we Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment led hope that you will help to tell these stories. the Division in landing on the South The 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry just returned from 9 months in Korea along shore of Hyane Harbor on the island with the rest of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. They were replaced by the 1st of Los Negros. The squadron, led by Brigade Combat Team and that unit also includes the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry LTC William Lobit began the assault Regiment. The 2-5 Cav will be in Korea for the next 9 months and then they will at 0800 hours and by 0950 the airfield return to Fort Hood and prepare for any future missions. We want to get all of at Momote was taken and a foothold our active duty Troopers to join the 5th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Association and on the island was secured by noon. the 1st Cavalry Division Association. We as Veterans know that it is important While the first wave went ashore to maintain the relationships we had with each other while serving and the best LT Marvin J. Henshaw receives DSC from without taking fire the following way to do that is in these organizations. GEN Douglas MacArthur, 29 Feb. 1945. waves of Troopers took fire during Until the next issue, Loyalty and Courage. the landing. Division Doings Airborne Corps, as they responded to an Iraqi attack on a Saudi border outpost, Continued from pg. 4 January 22. McPowell Sr., former artilleryman and platoon sergeant with 1st Battalion, 82nd One month later, Troop G, 2nd Squadron, 3d ACR led the regiment across the Field Artillery. berms into Iraq. By the end of the war, the regiment push more than 300 km The museum is also the site were 12 trees were planted to honor those Troopers into Iraq. killed in action during Desert Storm. “We proved to the world that we were the best trained, best equipped, best On January 17, 1991, a U.S. Air Force led campaign, along with artillery led, and toughest Army in the world,” said Harmeyer. bombardments, hit the Iraqi air defense and communication systems as allied ground forces moved to new positions. Cav BCT Assumes New Design, Transition Nearly Complete by SSG Leah The air strikes marked the end of Operation Desert Shield and the start of R. Kilpatrick, 3rd ABCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div. Operation Desert Storm. FORT HOOD, Texas – Armies have to be adaptable. They have to be capable The ground war during Desert Storm started February 24 and lasted 100 of changing themselves in response to the evolution of warfare, and the U.S. hours. Two days later, U.S. led ground offenses moved to encircle the Iraqi Army has been in a state of change since 2003 when it began to move toward a army in Kuwait. modular design. On February 26, GEN Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of the directed, said In keeping with that evolution, armored brigade combat teams have been re- “Send in the First Team. Destroy the Republican Guard. Let’s go home.” designed in large part because of personnel changes the Army is experiencing, After Schwarzkopf’s statement, it took only 24 hours for the division to move and the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team “Greywolf,” 1st Cavalry Division, more than 300 km into enemy territory, only pausing to refuel and clear enemy is the first unit on Fort Hood to assume the new design. obstacles. “As we reshape the Army, primarily some of what’s driving this is force Before the division had a chance to destroy the Iraqi army’s Republican Guard structure,” said COL Matthew Van Wagenen, commander of the 3rd ABCT. “We’re Division, a cease fire was called February 28. at 490,000 personnel, and we’re heading toward 450,000. So the Army’s had to “The 1st Cavalry Division was pressed into action weeks before that time, look at the design of all the formations, but ABCTs were the first one.” achieving conditions for success in the 100 hour ground war,” said MG J.T. The new model requires adjustments to units and equipment. Thomson, commanding general, 1st Cavalry Division. “The brigade will lose two infantry companies, but we also gain some capacity On February 19, Operation Knight Strike started as 2nd Armored Brigade inside of the formation,” Van Wagenen said. Combat Team “Black Jack,” along with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry was deactivated in December, and Assault), crossed the Saudi Arabia boarder and delved 10 km into Iraq. Company A, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry is scheduled to deactivate in March. Once there, Black Jack confirmed and destroyed enemy positions. During Along with shedding the two infantry companies, the brigade’s reconnaissance this action, the brigade suffered the first three American Soldiers killed during squadron – 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry – expanded to a larger-sized element and Operation Desert Storm. gained a tank company in the form of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry’s Company “Once we arrived to Saudi Arabia, we concentrated on nuclear, biological and D. chemical operations,” said CSM Edger Fuentes, currently the senior enlisted The majority of the Soldiers from the units that either moved or deactivated advisor for the 2-82nd Field Artillery, 3rd ABCT. “Interestingly enough, we will be transferred to units across the installation. started firing way before the ground war started. Once the ground attack started, “Anytime you have Soldiers assigned to a unit that have got to move out, we were firing and moving the entire time.” because of force structure it’s not necessarily something we like to do, but it’s a The First Team was the only combat unit from Fort Hood to participate in necessity, as really all the ABCTs begin to downsize,” Van Wagenen said. Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The 3d Cavalry Regiment, then known On its face, it appears that the Army is merely shifting its assets from the right as 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, took part under control of the XVIII Airborne hand to the left hand, but in actuality, the expectation is that the Soldiers moving Corps and was then based at Fort Bliss, Texas. to other units are going to fill vacant slots, slots that would have been filled by In September 1990, the regiment deployed to Saudi Arabia to take defensive Soldiers moving here from other installations. positions. Troop I, 3d ACR engaged in the first ground combat by the XVIII Continued on pg. 8 MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 6 12th CAV News Ken Howser, Jr. 0001 Hey Sailor, New leader and tank commander, and wrote about his experiences while in Baghdad. PO Box 234 In Town? So am I! Imag- An article in ‘The Long Knife’, 11 October 2007, Thunder Horse News, page 28, Walkersville, MD 21793-0234 ine that; you, me - us. references him and his work. (301) 898-7763 How are you today, my Mike worked at the State Farm claims office. He is survived by his wife of 8 [email protected] www.12thCav.US friend? Everyone is in- years, Heather; and sons, Russell and Kevin, among others. . We hold all of our honored dead in the highest regard. Their service in or not they are aware the Regiment will not be forgotten. and remain my true friends no matter what they may think of me. Or even 1149 GEN Robert Shoemaker celebrated his 92nd birthday with students and know me. I may sound like I am running for office (I am) but that isn’t the faculty of Shoemaker High School in Killeen 18 February. Also in attendance at point. Besides, I am still slogging the hinter, the precincts, the caucuses for the birthday celebration were Soldiers from the school’s Adopt-A-School program reasonable folks like myself to support me in overturning this fowl presidential partner unit, the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade electoral system. What a great opportunity to install a right thinking cognitive Combat Team – a unit that Shoemaker commanded in 1965. A common theme personality to guide us through the next 4 years! What has it been, 4-5 of the for the day was his drive to continue to help anyone he could by volunteering and lesser lights have dropped out because I worked them over? The race goes mentoring, inspiring others to do their best to help also. He developed multiple not to the fast or the first my friends, but to the working and the persevering. scholarships for the students at the high school and regularly attends their sport- 0149 Lets play catch up! Trooper William Daly A 1/12 Cavalry telexed “Who ing events and graduations. (Little known fact mentioned was that there have was B 1/12 CO in March, 1970? Where is he now?” The back-story, “Easter been 227 four-star generals who have served in the Army. Bonus points for the week 1970 Alpha Company was inserted to replace us (Bravo Company) at Bu number of five-stars.) . Gia Map. The following day A Co. was ambushed, took 4 line 1’s and at least 1349 1-12 Cav- 20 wounded. They were not able to extract their dead as they withdrew from alry: After return- contact. The following day they went back into the bunker complex and retrieved ing from a nine their dead.” (One assumes B assisted them at that time and William was a fan month rotational of the Bravo CO. He wanted to connect and buy him a beer.) “B 1/12 CO in deployment to the March 1970 was CPT Peter Matte Valtz. He was deceased 17 June 1997 and is Republic of Korea, buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Plot: 68, 0, 2960. Thanks to Troopers the Soldiers of the Ralph Bugamelli, Edd McNeave, and Dennis Rydgren for responding to this 1/12 “Chargers”, request. Trooper William Ihnat, D 1/12 CatTrack 2-6 India cablegramed, “Last 3rd ABCT have issue mentioned the death of SSG Sherman Fuller, A 1/12. I was present on 17 had quite a busy December 1966 and witnessed Fuller’s bravery during combat with entrenched year. Along with NVA. This combat became known as the Battle of 506 Valley and it involved the expected incom- all companies of 1/12 CAV. For his heroic actions he was awarded the DSC ing and outgoing (one of four awarded to members of the battalion during this action.) Ironically, personnel turnover, Trooper Terry Combs passed away on the 49th anniversary of this much forgotten the last 12 months battle that resulted in over 30 KIA. The majority of these KIA were members for them has been of D 1/12.” I regret not having previously been informed. Troopers need to get full of situational on over to Facebook.Com and view the pictures the 1/12 and 2/12 Battalions training exercises, post to their respective pages. You will never see them unless you do and keep gunneries and a stint 1/12 at NTC our replacements in the fore of your minds. Google the 1st CAV Division 2016 at the Exportable June reunion and our 12th CAV Association along with them, also the 12th CAV Combat Training Capability exercise in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, where the Branson reunion, usually in September. Trooper unit partnered with the 155th ABCT of the MNG. Now, the Charger Soldiers are Tom Kjos, D 1/12 Cavalry, has been researching the Battle of Tam Quan (Bong at it again as they serve as a subordinate unit of the Brigade’s sister unit, the 3rd Son, 6-20 December 1967). 1/12 was involved 9 December, with major contact Cavalry Regiment, during a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, 15 December. Tom has started writing but as this is a draft he still invites your California. Since their arrival at NTC 26 January, the Soldiers have kept busy memories, photos, anything. Here’s the opening of Chapter 1, continuing on his inprocessing and conducting maintenance in preparation for their time in ‘The blog at . Box.’ During the reception, staging, onward movement and integration phase of 0349 SSG Sherman G. Fuller, A 1/12 Cavalry, 72, of Bel training, MAJ Aaron Morrison, the Chargers operations officer, has been oversee- Air, Maryland, passed away on 18 January, 2015 at Up- ing inspections, mission planning, vehicle staging, conducting gear installation, per Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD. Trooper and coordinating for ranges and ammunition. “These routine tasks are integral Fuller was a sergeant and squad leader during the Vietnam to mission success at NTC and in real-world combat, since a version of RSOI is War. His Distinguished Service Cross citation reads in part, allocated in deployment schedules,” said Morrison. “NTC should be treated as “In an attempt to eliminate a prime machine gun position, an educational experience to develop better organizations.” With the extensive Sergeant Fuller advanced with a recoilless rifle team to training and a solid plan, Charger Soldiers expressed they’ll come away from this provide covering fire while the weapon was being sighted. experience successful and more knowledgeable. . Before the crew would reach a favorable position, the North 1549 2-12 Cavalry: One Fort Hood unit recognized at a 21 January 2016 cer- Vietnamese delivered accurate, withering fire into the area, emony for their participation in donating blood throughout 2015 was the 2nd wounding two men and killing two. Sergeant Fuller realizing the critical condi- Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. In order to maintain the necessary supply quota tion of his comrades fearlessly rushed along the battle line to obtain help. After of blood units, more than 200 donors are needed each week at Fort Hood. “This organizing a rescue team and directing them to the two Soldiers, he went to the is really a big integral part for blood supply, both here and also for other locations assistance of a wounded medical aidman. Undaunted by the increasing firefight within the Army, activity and devastating air strikes in close proximity; he began administering but also for the first aid to the man. A North Vietnamese machine gunner then began raking the war fighters. We area with voluminous fire. In a selfless display of dedicated courage, Sergeant have a very, very Fuller covered his wounded comrade with his own body and was hit. Despite important role his painful wound, he continued to engage the enemy until he was forced to be and it all starts evacuated.” His 30 year Civil Service career included time at Aberdeen Prov- with our donors” ing Ground, the Churchville Tank Test Course, and Bainbridge Naval Training < K D H N e w s . Center. Along with the DSC and his other awards is the Purple Heart. Mr. Fuller Com>. The 1st is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barbara; son, Sherman Kevin; and daughter, ABCT “Iron- Kristy, among others. < McComasFuneralHome.Com: BaltimoreSun.Com; horse,” (covering Trooper Ihnat>. the 2/12) cased 0749 SFC Larry C. Norfleet, A 2/12 Cavalry, 67, their colors for Chesapeake, Virginia, passed away on 8 February the Korean Pen- 2016. He served in the Army for 2 years and in 2-12 Cavalry 2016 Sampling Korean Cuisine insula in a cer- the Army Reserves for 36 years. He worked as a emony Thursday, machinist at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for over 40 28 January on Cooper Field. Ironhorse Brigade was the first combat team to be years retiring in 2011. His hobbies included hunting regionally aligned with Europe in 2014, and will continue their work by being the and marksmanship. Larry is survived by his wife second to be aligned with the Republic of Korea. The more than 4,100 Troopers of 40 years, Margaret; daughter, Sheryl; and son, began arriving in Korea 1 February. Planning for the Ironhorse Brigade’s Korea Margaret and Larry Kevin, among others. Trooper Norfleet served in rotation began before the Brigade left for its October National Training Center Norfleet Vietnam from January 1970 to January 1971 during rotation last year, starting with identifying manning requirements for the rotation. the Cambodian Incursion. He attended last year’s Even without sending any tactical vehicles or armor, the Brigade still sent more first Ace High reunion and was looking forward to attending this year’s Branson than 50 containers of equipment to Korea. . reunion. Among his other awards are the Bronze Star with ‘V’, 1st Oak Leaf 1749 Does anyone else from A 1/12 remember this? “I am James Leva. I was Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with ‘V’, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster. with A Company, 1/12 (ABN) in March 30, 1966. We were in the Bong Son AO . on operations for about 3 weeks when our company commander, CPT Drake, 0949 1LT Jonathan Michael ‘Mike’ Gilotti, A 2/12 Cavalry, told us were going to the turkey farm (Pleiku) to pull perimeter duty for a break. 33, Hoover, Alabama passed away 5 January 2016. Mike was So off we went to Pleiku. We got there on helicopters about 1200 hours on 30 shot as he exited his home at 4:55 AM to go to his morning March. Everyone remembers that place because every time a chopper landed, workout, and died at the scene. It is suspected he encountered you would get covered with red dust. At about 1400 hours CPT Drake got a call someone in his driveway or car and a single shot was fired. that we were to move out to help a platoon from 1/9 that was pinned down. Off Fifteen law enforcement agencies helped in the investigation we went. As we hit the LZ, we drew heavy fire. We lost 15 of our company as and at this date two males, 16 and 17, have been charged KIA and another 40% of the company were wounded. As we made our sweep with the murder. Two other males are also in custody but our XO, 1LT Larry Britten, was shot and so was CPT Drake. 2LT Dan Kapica not yet charged. LT Gilotti was an Iraq war veteran, platoon Continued on pg. 11 Page 7 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 7th CAV News Robert J. Anderson The Ides of On our first attempt into that Special Forces landing strip on the next C-123 we 9030 Conservancy Dr. NE March are almost took a .50 caliber round through the fuselage luckily hitting no hydraulics on the Ada, MI 49301-8822 upon us as I start aircraft. The pilot feeling the impact and pulling the aircraft up and to the right (616) 682-5446 the 3rd column of immediately. A time I am sure we all wish we had diapers on. Landing on the [email protected] this New Year. second attempt and it seemed like a long wait until finding out the C-123 crash [email protected] First up will be killed 42 from our 3rd platoon and some of the mortar platoon and 4 from the www.US7thCavalry.Com a short report on crew of the C-123. Not knowing at that time our next battle and losses would my visit to the National Archives on January 11-13. Quite a bit has changed happen at the Graveyard (LZ 4) on January 28th. The greatest gift though is since my last visit there in 2006 with Bob Arbasetti. Because of sensitive that of still enjoying that special camaraderie with all of you. Thanks Doc, information security you can no longer access Individual Awards Files without again another 50 year milestone, today January 28th in the Bong Son Plains. a FOIA request. Same goes for Impact Awards files. I believe you can get your Gerry (Legs) Skelly, Skip Fesmire’s RTO, and “C” Company were dropped into personal file but I didn’t think to ask that question. Copying charges are now .25 a hornets nest and needed help. There were only 78 of us from “A” Company per page for 8 by 11, which was the standard size for most Vietnam orders. The left, after 42 were killed in the C-123 crash 3 days earlier that made our way staff is now much more user friendly too which is very helpful when trying to toward LZ 4. Crossing that rice paddy that I recall was so large I could not see find documents. They also have 4 daily pull times which is way better than the from end to end. It also seemed as wide as the length of a football field. I was first time I went there with Phil Zook in 1989. You can also now photograph or told to hang back and cover our 1st platoon from enemy fire while they crossed. use a hand held scanner to process your own copies. Doing this might even pay Ross then yelled for me to come across and they would cover me even though for your device. I used Tiny Scanner on my IPad and scanned 250 pages during they were taking enemy fire. Hugging the side of the paddy dike with my M-16 this trip. Thanks also to Rob Weeks from the 5th Battalion who gave me more laying on top, it took me 3 attempts to make it across. The enemy rounds were additional and time saving tips. Additionally, anyone looking for information hitting the dike in front of and behind me. I would lay silent in the rice paddy regarding unit awards can access the following link provided they have a DOD until the fire stopped and then get up and start running again through the rice Logon (DOD self-service logon) or CAC card: . were being hit the hardest. Fighting our way into the trench at the Graveyard After this visit I journeyed to Warrenton, Virginia for the Life Celebration for I was looking for Ross. Later I was told he was killed during our fight to the Bill Richardson on the 15th. There were many Stetsons in attendance along trench. I was hit early that day and laid in the trench with the other wounded. with Bob Arbasetti and Dennis Webster, who served as an Honorary Pallbearer. Now it was your turn ‘Doc’ to take care of the wounded while NVA and VC kept The service was well done and richly deserved for this fine man and exceptional pounding both “A and C” Companies which were separated by the Graveyard. leader of both the First Team and 7th Cav Associations. On 9 March Bill will The mounded graves served as cover as the NVA and VC were in the tree line. be laid to rest at the Holy Shrine for America’s Warriors – Arlington National I recall later that day a Huey was hovering over the paddy to our left to kick out Cemetery. I hope to have a picture of the Caisson for the next column. ammo and was hit and came down on its skids. Still later I heard all six Huey’s As a result of my last column a few questions have arisen from the reference trying to bring in help were hit and could not get in. All day and all night, the to Phil Zook’s review of DD-214’s at our December PTSD claim filing seminar rain, the enemy fire and the fear of being overrun in the trench kept the wounded in Kentucky. Even though it was a cursory review, Phil did notice that several alert and ready for what good we could do. Our pain began to take a second DD-214’s were missing awards. Most likely your DD-214 is missing something place to our fear of being overrun. The next afternoon brought the Napalm and as well, perhaps: unit awards; Campaign Stars on your Vietnam Service Ribbon; we could feel the heat on our face. Then the 12th Cav coming across the rice an Air Medal or two and the Bronze Arrowhead Device signifying air assault paddy to get us out with Hal Moore, I finally felt maybe we would survive. missions. My own DD-214 is missing all of the unit awards, 1 Campaign Star Loaded those wounded on the medevacs as well as our dead and they were and the Bronze Arrowhead. The primary reason for missing items is that several taken back to aid stations and then hospitals while the fight continued. Then units awards were authorized after most of us left the Army. Bob Arbasetti in to the 85th Evac, 8th Field Hospital where I was first operated on and then air fact was the one who alerted me to the Bronze Arrowhead Device. evac’d to Clark to Kadena and then Japan where I was reunited with guys from There are many publications that govern these additional awards and awards in our company. Finally many years later with my golf partners ‘Doc’ Hackett and general: Army Regulation 600-8-22; DA General Orders – Army Administrative Gerry Skelly, two of my heroes, I would ask “Doc’, where was my morphine Publications, lists DA General Orders by year from 1947 – 2011. DA Pamphlet while lying in the trench?’ Doc’s’ comeback being,” every time I heard one of 672-3 page 11 and 12 covers the 7th Cavalry specifically while other pages you guys yell, I gave myself another shot.” I still have the original February 11, speak to every other unit that served in Vietnam. General Orders 42 (1972) and 1966 Life Magazine saved by my Mom depicting The Battle at the Graveyard 43 (1974) and 54 (1974) cover some of the Unit Awards. You can find what you at LZ4. Tommy Cole on the front with Harrison Pell and Steve Young’s melted are authored to wear by Googling these documents. down M-60 machine gun barrel in the background. Doc your pretty face sticks Another question that has arisen is ‘what is this mysterious code that appears out on page 22 and 24b. on our DD-214?’ This is called a Spin Code or SPN and stands for Separation Jim Brigham told me (editor) about that doomed flight as well. He too was Program Number and is found in Box 11c on your DD-214. There are literally on that C-123 and was pulled off because one of his guys couldn’t get a Mule hundreds of these codes, most of which are harmless but unfortunately some started. Those pulled off watched helplessly as that aircraft crashed in the pass can and may have caused unknown damage to your post military attempt at at An Khe and were left wondering why they were spared. finding employment. Here are just a few examples of nefarious codes: 241 Glen Allen, Jr has written about his experiences in A 2/7 from 1965-1966 – Unsuitability; 245 – Disloyal; 262 – Bed Wetting and 264 – Character. in his book, Storm in the Jungle. Like many, Glen went over on the U.S.S. Employers have used these codes to deny employment although they didn’t Patch and he tells of the back breaking job of clearing the area around the Golf specify that as the reason. Look up your own SPN Code to satisfy any curiosity Course. He came down with a serious case of malaria and missed the heartache that you may have. of Albany but fought in the Graveyard. His book is another in the long line of Rolando Salazar alerted me to an article that appeared in the April-June memoirs from the gallant warriors of the 2nd Battalion. Glen can be reached at 2104 Infantry Magazine about LZ Albany. This article by CPT Dallas Henry for information about ordering. appeared in the Professional Section of that issue. Multiple references were I was again reminded that the Coffelt Data Base contains a wealth of information used and cited in this article: We Were Soldiers Once…And Young by General on our honored Vietnam dead. This is a user friendly, searchable treasure trove Moore and Joe Galloway and Larry Gwin’s excellent Baptism. Although not of information. It contains: Personal Data; Military Data; Casualty Data and as in depth as Baptism and We Were Soldiers it does make use of elements location as well as the location on The Wall. It also contains the DA Form of patrolling that were overlooked and raises another question as to why the 2496 which notified the Correspondence Branch of the Army Chief of Staff in 2nd Battalion continued on to LZ Albany instead of going to LZ Columbus. the Pentagon as well as the last known address of the next of kin. One that I Worth the few minutes that it will take you to search it out and read. This reviewed also had the Form 20 listing various assignments, schools and orders article also led me to another that was cited – The Fog of War: The Vietnamese that the Trooper had received. Sometimes the death certificate is listed too. View of the La Drang Battle by Merle Pribbenow in the January 2001 issue of This DA Form was usually processed within 4 days of the soldier’s death. The Military Review. This article references the NVA side of both battles and tells web address is: . All of these pages can be printed of the multiple mistakes that the NVA made including serious command and as well. But I caution you that it can be very difficult reading especially so the control issues. They completely underestimated the response times for US units death certificates, as it’s possible the actual cause might not jive with what the because of our helicopter assets. This too is an excellent article to search out Army told the families. and read – especially so for the veterans of those two battles. Like many of you I have viewed, posted and effected changes to the Virtual Karl Haartz reports that the 5th Battalion Association is well on their way Vietnam Wall. A few days ago Ron Migut sent out a link that had been sorted in the planning for their 13th reunion. They had a working session during the for the 7th Cavalry. It is a sobering reminder that the 1/7, 2/7 and 5/7 had week of 25 January in Colorado Springs with the hotel. More information will 1,408 Sky Troopers fall in battle during the almost 7 full years of Cav combat. be provided at a later date. They also had a California Mini Reunion – Saturday, Because of space limitations I’ll save the full analysis for the next column but February 27, 2016 – Aboard the Charter Yacht Mauretania. He also reports that in the meantime here is the link Thanks Ron for this great find. formation of the 7th Cavalry Regiment and Warpaint Squadron achievements On my recent trip to Erlanger, Kentucky as reported in the last Saber I visited over the past year was also held in February. Lastly he reports that the Crossed the gravesite of my OCS Classmate – Michael Eugene Dewan. Mike served Sabers Gift Shop has the best pricing for a real Cavalry Stetson by almost half. with distinction in the 4th Infantry Division and we went through Basic, AIT The prices of most hat sites that he checked were real scary, between $200 and and OCS together. After Vietnam we were both stationed at Fort Knox and $300. If you’re going to get a Stetson you should do it soon and Crossed Sabers roomed together there as well. After Vietnam he went on to receive his PhD in benefits the 1st Cavalry Division Association. Education and continued in that field until coming down with cancer as a result Doc Hackett recalls an especially difficult day from January of 1966. On of exposure to the scourge of Agent Orange. I had been searching for his final the 25th of that month (January) another sad day for Alpha Company of the resting place for over 20 years and consider this another mission accomplished. 2/7 occurred when we lost the 3rd platoon and one squad of the mortar platoon Deaths like my good friend Mike sadly are not listed as Battle Casualties. in the plane crash shortly after takeoff headed for the Bong Son I Operation. Maybe we need a Memorial in DC to that affect as well. Something to ponder Most of these guys were survivors of the hell of LZ Albany. To this day, I can as I’m sure most of you know someone who died from what the Air Force called remember that the pilots could not keep the right engine running smoothly on ‘Ranch Hand’ missions. the silver plane, so they put the 1st and 2nd platoon on another plane. When we Mark your calendar for the upcoming First Team reunion to be held in the landed at the Special Forces landing strip, we were called into formation and told ‘City That Never Sleeps’ aka Las Vegas. Spring must be coming as I’m starting that the 2nd plane had crashed on takeoff. We were all shocked beyond belief. to see robins flitting around the tundra that we call Michigan. GarryOwen and Joel Sugdinis, Braveboy 6, also responded to Doc’s email with the following: First Team! Thank you so much for remembering. Considering the loss of life at Albany and then at the pass after takeoff from An Khe, Alpha Company did indeed WANTED suffer greatly and today is truly a sad day. But, those same Alpha Company If you served with, know, knew, or have any information about any of the survivors continue to make me proud as they remain today, as they were then following, plase communicate with the contact listed. - a family. GARRY OWEN to all. I love you guys! Jack Wagner writes as well YOUNG, SGT Dusty, HHT, 3-8th CAV in the 1960’s in Germany. Contact about that experience and LZ4. Doc remembering today 50 years ago like it was yesterday. Being pulled off that doomed C-123 with you and the others. David Newton, . MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 8 8th CAV News Thomas J. De Young Hi again, it Tom sent this note to me today: It looks like I will complete the draft of the 3439 Brooklyn Ave has been a rather entire first chapter over the next week or two. Since I published that “stub,” I’ve Port Charlotte, FL 33952- chilly winter this taken the story forward through the deployment of the 1/9th platoons and am now 7211 to the point of the air assault of the first element of B 1/8th, its 1st platoon which (616) 719-0223 year here on the [email protected] Gulf Coast and a was the QRF (on the pad) that day. I’m still hoping to “fill in some holes” as I www.8Cavalry.Org little wetter than go along;’ for instance, other than LT> Boettcher, who was KIA on the 6th with normal. A few Bravo, I don’t have the name of another platoon leader; I’d particularly like to tornados in the area added to the unusual pattern this year. Today’s (February ID the platoon leader of 1st Platoon, which was first on the ground. 29th) sunny 70+ degrees reminds me of why I chose to be down here in Florida C o n t a c t To m a t rather that at my summer home in Grand Rapids where it will be just 23 degrees with any helpful frigid temperatures. information. I’ve mentioned a few times that Tom Kjos has been writing a well researched You may continue read- and documented history of a battle in which many of you who participated know ing Tom’s description as well. With Tom’s permission, what follows is an excerpt from a draft of his first the fighting unfolds in chapter published on his blog (Tom plans on publishing this as a book once it the Second Battle of Tam is completed). Quan at his blog Myers, Florida. mostly rain, over eight inches during the month soaking the American, Korean, First Team Florida Style: I and Vietnamese Soldiers to whom, like Soldiers everywhere, it’s just ‘the way it made the trip to Fort Meyers last Saturday for the monthly gathering of our local is,’ not often requiring comment or complaint. 1st Cav group at Biggy’s restaurant. We enjoyed a larger than average atten- “Bong Son is a town that sits astride Song Gia Long (River Gia Long) near its dance, good food, good conversation, and a good time. One of the group, “The mouth on the South China Sea where it is crossed by QL1, National Highway 1, Colonel,” had commanded 2/12th Cav during his long career; of note was what which runs from the Mekong Delta to – at one time and now again – Hanoi in his wife told me. When he was a child, he saw the Japanese planes fly overhead the north. The plain that stretches back from the beaches in this area is called the as they attacked Pearl Harbor; his father was in the military back then and they Bong Son Plain, or just Bong Son. For the Americans, the river has also taken were stationed there. What a thing to have seen! on that name so that to soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division whose 1st Brigade is Our Active Duty responsible for this area in 1967 as its second year in Vietnam draws to a close; Members: I didn’t ‘Bong Son’ is a plain, a river, and a town. Bong Son is most of all a place the receive a report enemy has controlled for decades, coming from his bases in the thickly forested from our active ridges, deep river valleys, and mountains into which this plain rises to the west. duty battalions for This is the ‘rice bowl’ for the North Vietnamese Army’s 3rd ‘Sao Vang’ (Gold this issue. I know Star) Division, and with allied local force Viet Cong units, the enemy is deter- that their many mined that it remain in his control. deployments take Beyond, adjoining the border with Laos lie the Central Highlands to which them all over the the Cavalry was first committed in 1965 and fought the already famous battles globe assigned a in the Ia Drang Valley before turning the mountains of Kontum Province around variety of difficult the city of Pleiku over to the 4th Infantry Division the following year. The Cav missions. These had built its Division base at An Khe about halfway between Laos and the sea, “The Colonel” at the head of the table; his wife in the CAV fine troopers serve so was able to easily deploy its highly mobile Brigades across the breadth of the shirt. proudly and with country and the length of the II Corps Tactical Zone stretching from Binh Dinh a firm resolve to Province in the north to the city of Phan Thiet in the south and as history later represent the Nation with Honor and Courage. Salute them when you encounter established, much further than that. The Division wasn’t responsible for all them. that, but the world’s first airmobile division could relatively quickly be sent off Reunion News: The 2016 reunion in Las Vegas is fast approaching. The 8th in a new direction and to a new mission. So, in 1966, the Cav faced east, back Cavalry Association will be attending the 1st Cavalry Division Association’s toward the coast, penetrating the An Lao, Sui Ca, and Kim Son valleys that were reunion this year. It should be a great venue with much to see and do for family the bases of the NVA’s 3rd “Sao Vang’ Division, then conducting cordon and members not attending reunion events. Information for this 69th Reunion is on search operations, raids, and search and destroy sweeps, on the coastal plain to pages 12-13 and at . I hope to see you there. deny its use as the enemy’s ‘rice bowl.’ Throughout 1966 and 1967, the NVA’s Our President, Tommy Harris, has been hard at work preparing for our 2017 22nd Regiment, which along with the 18th NVA and 2nd Viet Cong Main Force 8th Cavalry Regiment Association’s reunion at Fort Benning, Georgia. The last Regiment, made up the 3rd Division, was a principal adversary of the American reunion we held there was very successful so we are looking forward to another Division and its Korean and Vietnamese allies. In January, 1966, the Cav’s 3rd large turnout. Tommy has signed the contract with the Doubletree Motel near the Brigade fought a major battle with the 22nd at Cu Nghi, a few miles northwest Columbus airport. Room rate is $95+tax including a full breakfast. Free parking of Bong Son. The 22nd attacked and overran LZ Bird in the Kim Son Valley at is provided for cars and RV’s. Tommy is still open to input on day trips, etc. so Christmas of the same year, and in July of 1967, the 22nd and the Cav’s 1st Bri- feel free to contact him with your suggestions at our web site, . If you meet someone who served in the 8th Cav and he is not yet a member of Vietnam’s (ARVN) 22nd Division. of the Association, extend an invitation to join! So it was no surprise, then, that the early morning of December 6, 1967 was In Memoriam: We received this note: “I regret to inform that my father (MSG shrouded in fog, and that the Cav’s 1st Brigade was out looking for the 22nd Frederick Albert Crane, USA, Retired) passed away February 20, 2016. He so Regiment of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN). Morning fog occasionally enjoyed being a part of your group as I came many times with him to the reunions obscured the plain and the low ridges that rose to the west of it. Bong Son’s (Fort Hood and Fort Benning) and had a wonderful time. /s/ Angela M Crane, checkerboard of rice paddies are mostly flooded in December, bounded by dikes Loving Daughter.” MSG Crane’s funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m., April 22 at rising 1-3 feet above the paddy floor. Sometimes, particularly near villages and the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Alabama. You may send where paddies had for some time lain fallow, these dikes would be topped by thick your condolences to Angela via her email: . hedge-like foliage, and always there were the islands among the paddies where Corrections: I misspelled Ray Bluhm’s name in the last issue. A thousand villages dotted the otherwise flat expanse of the plain, recalling the bocage of pardons, Ray! Normandy. And like the bocage, this maze-like terrain lent itself to fortification I hope this column finds you all well and at peace. For now, HONOR AND by a defender and was hellishly difficult and confusing for attacking infantry.” COURAGE! Division Doings new configuration into the National Training Center later this year. Continued from pg. 5 “I think the significance of it is we will be one of the first ABCTs to show up at “But those Soldiers aren’t coming here, so eventually we’ll reach that equilibrium NTC under the new configuration, under the new triangle redesign, and really at where all the Soldiers that would have come, but didn’t because they were replaced that point in time test that structure,” Van Wagenen said. “What does it look like internally, will equal out with the all the people we have here, so that’s where it in a combined arms maneuver-wide area security role? What are the differences actually evens out,” said CPT Kellen Petersen, brigade planner and native of Sweet comparatively to the old structure? I think what you’re going to find is it’s just as Home, Oregon. “We are striving to maintain capabilities across the formation capable, although we have two less companies, there’s an enhanced reconnaissance while still meeting the Army’s need of decreasing the force.” structure that I think will offset some of the losses in force structure.” Through natural attrition, any overages in personnel strengths will balance While the Soldiers of the brigade conduct the business of transferring equipment out. and cutting orders for Soldiers going elsewhere, they are carrying much of the A lot of decisions have been made regarding how to assume this new design, but weight of this transformation. The unit says Greywolf is leading the pack in being the first gave Greywolf Brigade a unique opportunity to pave the way. terms of modernization. “The brigade is fully modernized, and we’ll be the first brigade to be so, well “There’s definitely a heightened workload, but it’s important that Triangular ahead of the rest of the Army,” Van Wagenen said. “Some of the decisions we’ve Design gets done and that we get our formations set as fast as we can,” Van made here in structure have informed the rest of the Army on what to do.” Wagenen said. “It’s a lot of work on our maintainers and our sustainers, as the But the real test of this structural change will come when the brigade takes this Army redistributes, and I think Greywolf has led the Army in this.” Director’s Chair will run out of money in the near future. Our normal Foundation program which Continued from pg. 1 primarily supports the children of those killed in war and the children of our The Foundation Trustees focus much of their efforts in managing the Ia Drang totally and permanently disabled is doing well and just needs to keep earning Scholarship Fund as it draws down. They want to ensure that all students that money for the future. start receiving scholarship grants can complete their four years of school before The Museum Foundation wants to have a briefing on the progress of the the fund runs out of money. The Ia Drang Fund was never intended to run forever Mounted Warfare Museum at the reunion. The Mounted Warfare Foundation and due to the large number of students and the drop in donations that account Continued on pg. 14 Page 9 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 9th CAV News Michael W. Bond Greeting from beautiful who performed the “Posting” and the “Retirement” 3014 Northridge Rd. Smith Mountain Lake, the of the Colors at the Wall and at the Honor Ceremony. Hardy, VA 24101 Jewel of the Blue Ridge We also gave them a Certificate of Recognition for a [email protected] where we’re enjoying job well done and named them “Little Brothers” of (540) 815-5004 some spring like weather Charlie Troop 1/9 Cavalry. with temperatures in the Our reunion concluded with the re-enactment of the Change of Command at Doughboy Stadium upper 60’s. Alas, it won’t last long as 40’s and the possibility of snow return hosted by Joe Bowen. It included a Huey Fly over later this week! which was appreciated by all in attendance. First up is a reminder of the A Troop Reunion, 3-6 April, 2016, Marriott Our reunion was blessed with two Buffalo Soldiers, Downtown, Chattanooga, TN. Contact Howard “Doc” Ketzner, 314-308-7570, Grady Helms and Eddie Richardson attending all < [email protected]>. phases as our guests. Michael, I am sorry to say that this is late but I was wondering if you could 50th Anniversary Souvenir The reunion ended with an informal dinner post it anyway. On June 30, July 1st and 2nd of 2015 Charlie Troop conducted Coin at the Inn and then conversation and laughter. a Special 50th Anniversary Reunion in Columbus, Georgia. This reunion was Everybody made it home safely so the Reunion is considered a total success. designed to Honor those Troopers who went to Vietnam in 1965. At first, it was We are now planning the next only going to be for C Troop. As time went on, Troopers form HHT, A, B and D Charlie Troop reunion for 29 Troops asked if they could come. Of course we invited every one of them and September-1 October 2016 if they went to Vietnam as part of the first wave or if anyone joined any of the in Branson Missouri. More Troops by December 31, 1965 they were honored as well. We conducted the information on that later. reunion at the Holiday Inn North where the staff bent over backwards to ensure Pat Bieneman, Born in Strife everything went perfect. They even closed down their dining room on 30 June Brothers for Life, I recently received an obituary from Mike Cassiday for Jack Kilcrease who served with Bravo Troop. Buffalo Soldiers: Eddie Richardson and Grady “Our Nation and the State Helms of Mississippi has lost another True American Hero, US Army LTC (Ret) Jack Larry Kilcrease passed away at his residence on September 6, 2015. LTC Kilcrease entered the US Army in 1956 and rose to the rank of SSG, his gallantry in action in Vietnam resulted in a direct battlefield commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He retired after 32 years of service. During his military career, he served in all leadership positions at the company and battalion levels including platoon sergeant, platoon leader, company commander of infantry units, and executive officer of an air cavalry troop, the Bullwhip Squadron, all during combat in Vietnam. His most enjoyable assignment was during his four tours as an instructor for the Ranger Training Command at Fort Benning, Georgia. Included in his many awards and decorations are, the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2nd OLC), Air Medal for Bravery (12th award), POW Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Pathfinder Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Presidential Unit Citation and two awards of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Charlie Troop Reunion LTC Kilcrease flew more than 1,200 combat hours and more than 3,700 total flying hours. Jennifer Duncan come and entertain us with singing and music. The Silver Star is the 3rd highest award for gallantry in battle. It follows On the 1 July, we had the Patriot Guard escort us from the hotel to the National the Medal of Honor (sometimes referred to erroneously as the “Congressional” Infantry Museum where they then lined the “Walk of Honor” and saluted every Medal of Honor), and the Distinguished Service Cross. The following is taken one of our troops. We had a paver block ceremony. We purchased two paver from his Silver Star citation, awarded for Lt. (then Staff Sergeant) Kilcrease’s blocks for all of C Troop and then one for “Our Fallen Brothers”. Gene Smith a actions on Nov. 1, 1965: “LT Kilcrease distinguished himself while serving as ‘65 Trooper, purchased two blocks for two of the men he served with that were squad leader of the first squad of the Aero Rifle Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, killed in action. Several others purchased block for us. Our blocks are at the 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Divion, in the Ia Drang Valley Vietnam. At center of the Vietnam 0800 hours LT Kilcrease’s squad along with the rest of the platoon was given the Wall that has been mission of reconnoitering a suspected enemy position. With only 18 men in the placed there. entire platoon they were landed approximately 1100 meters from the suspected We then held our Wall area, and with LT Kilcrease’s squad in the lead, surprise a large enemy force Ceremony. We had the guarding a hospital and collecting point. Boy Scouts from Troop “Demonstrating extraordinary valor and exposing himself frequently to enemy 128 Smith’s Station, fire, LT Kilcrease and his small force killed 31 NVA soldiers and captured 26, Alabama post the Colors all without receiving a single casualty. In addition the platoon captured five under the direction of enemy officers and over $1 million worth of medical supplies. Later in the SFC Cordero who just day, at about 1530 hours, over 100 NVA soldiers mounted a counterattack on had happened to have LT Kilcrease’s position. As most of the platoon was engaged in evacuating the served in C Troop at captured prisoners and supplies, LT Kilcrease met the attack with his squad Fort Hood. We had of five men and six others from the platoon, stopping the attack successfully, Boy Scout Troop 128 Smith’s Station, AL a wreath carried by although three of the 11 were killed. During this violent counterattack, LT three of our “Gold Star Kilcrease and three other men held their position against overwhelming odds so Family” members. After the benediction, Billie Williams (C Trp Commander in that the others could safely withdraw. 1965), Walt Titchenell and Don Coshey (also members of the ‘65 Troop) placed “At that time, one of the men with LT Kilcrease was hit by enemy fire and the wreath in its final resting place. Billie Williams gave the opening remarks with complete disregard for his own safety, LT Kilcrease attempted to rescue and then the names of “Our Fallen Brothers” were read by several ladies from C this man. Moving directly into the enemy attack, he shot and killed six NVA and Troop. We read the names of those KIA from all of the Troops that were killed reached the side of the wounded American. At that moment, the NVA rushed his in 1965 and 1966. The ladies reading the names were: Gwynn Smith, wife of position, critically wounding LT Kilcrease and killing the wounded American. CPT Cecil Smith 69-70, Peggy Carpenter, wife of SGT Crae Carpenter 68-69, Although he was in critical condition and losing blood badly, he stopped the Brenda Merritt, wife of SGT Phil Merritt 68, Rose Cairns, wife of SP4 Ernie NVA assault by killing four of them at very close range and though under intense Cairns 66-67, Mary Alice Titchenell, wife of SP4 Walt (Titch) Titchenell 65-66, fire crawled back to the defensive perimeter and was later evacuated. and Gail Guthrie, wife of 1LT Pete Guthrie 68-69. “LT Kilcrease’s leadership and unflinching devotion to duty were exemplary, After the reading of the names, Billie Williams presented each of our “Gold and his sustained valor in combat reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and Star Family” members with a plaque depicting the “Field Cross”. We had the 21 the U.S.” Gun Salute and Taps. The seven man volley team came for Fort Benning thanks That’s wraps up this 9th CAV column for this edition. Just a reminder that to SGT Gordon Jones, 66-67. Taps was played live thanks to Tiffany Hoffmann Apache Troop will hold its annual gathering this year in Myrtle Beach, October from the National Infantry Museum. She also purchased a set of Vietnam jungle 7-10. Contact Mike Bond 540-815-5004, , for details. fatigues, a boonie cap and supplied a pair of jungle boots. Until next time remember We Can and We Will, We Could and We Did. Upon completion of Taps, each trooper was presented a yellow/gold rose with a black ribbon tied on it to place at the base of the panel where their “Fallen Brother’s” name appeared. The ribbons were tied and handed to out by Jolie New Members and Delanie Brazier, granddaughters of Gordon Jones. Continued from pg. 3 That afternoon back at the Holiday Inn North, we conducted our 50th SP-5 TEMME GEORGE A JR WA HHC 1BDE 6706 Anniversary Reunion ceremony. Each Trooper was called up by the rank they SP-4 TREGLIA PETER A. FL D 5- 7C 6707 held when they “went” to Vietnam. We had a total of four HHT troopers, one SP-5 VANCE JAMES IL B 15TC 6607 Alpha trooper plus Elizabeth and Johnnie Dresel, daughter and grandson of Larry SP-4 VOIGT COLIN AR HHB 1- 21FA 6806 Wright, two Bravo, 20 Charlie and three Delta troopers honored that afternoon. SPC VONDRA LARRY J. NE 2- 12C 6802 They were presented with a Certificate of Recognition. The Certificate was MS WARREN BETTY J NY 1360 1- ASSOC read by Gary Sinise via video, and a 50th Anniversary Souvenir Coin made for SP-5 WEINRICH CHARLES T MO E 82FA 6807 the occasion. The coins were made prior to the other troops request to attend TRP WILLIAMS-COX DALLAS OK A 2- 82FA 05 as was the video by Gary Sinise. The certificates for C Troop, were signed by LTG Charles Bagnal, the certificates for the other troops were signed by SGT WILLINGHAN ANTHONY AL 1- 82FA 0111 LTC Billie Williams as LTG Bagnal was too sick by that time. The certificates PFC YOUNGS DAVID FL A 1- 7C 5306 were presented the afternoon after LTG Bagnal passed away. The men were E-5 ZAWACKI ROBERT CT C 1- 12C 6702 also presented with a DVD of them and their time in Vietnam. Prior to the Thanks for joining the 1st Cavalry Division Association. We greatly troopers receiving their certificates, we took the time to honor the Boy Scouts appreciate your support. MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 10 30th FA News “HARD CHARGERS” Hard Charger 23 March 1970. Daniel P. Gillotti News: It is 27 During the month of April 1970, contact with the enemy was sporadic. The 4204 Berkeley Dr. lovely degrees Firing Batteries of the 1-30th FA continued to provide general support and Sheffield Village, OH 44054 and it’s starting to reinforce the fires of the 1st Cavalry Division [Airmobile]. A Btry’s 3-gun (440) 934-1750 snow again here on Platoon countered heavily against enemy forces who were attempting to overrun [email protected] the shores of Lake FSB Illingworth at 0220 hours on 1 April 1970. The enemy force was estimated www.HardChargers.Com Erie in Northern at two NVA companies reinforced by sappers and heavy weapons. The enemy Ohio. It’s just another typical winter day in the life of your old scribe. Last night achieved a direct hit on the 8” ammo supply of A Btry, 2nd Bn, 32nd Artillery, was fun-filled and action packed as I was “tased” as part of a 16-week training causing many of the rounds to explode, and knock everyone flat on their backs, program as an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. both friendly and enemy alike, while killing and wounding indiscriminately. We are scheduled to graduate on 28 April with a pinning ceremony by our Sheriff The combined US elements at FSB Illingworth inflicted 88 enemy KIAs while Phil Stammitti. My family thinks I’m crazy to go through this training at old suffering 24 US KIA and 54 US WIA. Although the intense attack resulted in a age of 73. There may be snow on the rooftop but there is still fire in the furnace! large number of casualties, A Btry suffered 16 US WIA and had light equipment It’s called giving back to my community. Most of you veterans will understand damage. Then on 20 April 1970, B Btry (Minus) was hit by eight 122mm NVA this philosophy I’m sure. rockets and C Btry (Rear) at Quan Loi was hit by approximately ten 82mm NVA Hard Charger 2016 Reunion at Ft Sill, OK 7-10 June 2016: The plans for mortar rounds. On 24 April 1970, PFC Albert C. Powell of C Btry was KIA. our 23rd Annual Reunion are moving ahead for 7-10 June 2016. Check out On 1 May 1970, the Incursion into Cambodia commenced with the 1st Cavalry our website at: as our January Newsletter with the Division [Airmobile]’s Reunion Reservation Form is included. Wednesday, 8 June will include our Operation Kentucky General Membership meeting including reelection proceedings, followed by our Cougar. B Btry became Memorial Service. We’ll then hold our 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the first unit of the the Vietnam War and pinning ceremony as part of our nation’s remembrance of 1-30th FA to occupy that war. This will be followed by a catered barbeque luncheon. On Thursday, Cambodian soil at Fire 9 June we will be traveling to Duncan, Oklahoma, to visit the Chisholm Trail Support Base (FSB) Heritage Museum followed by a great lunch. We are working with the active Neal on 12 May 1970. duty leadership of the 1-30th FA for a possible live fire exercise with some of The second was C its howitzers. At 6 PM we’ll be attending a pool party hosted by COL (R) Ted Btry, who occupied Janosko and his lovely wife Marilyn’s house. Ted commanded the 30th FA FSB Ready on 15 May Regiment from 1998-2000. Ted then served as the Honorary Colonel of the 1970. Then on 23 May 30th FA Regiment for 3 years. On Friday morning, 10 June, we’ll be attending 1970, a 3-gun Platoon the Change of Command ceremony of the outgoing Commander, LTC Jeremy E. from A Btry was CPL Charles Mullens Cambodia 1970 Jelly who will pass the colors to the incoming Commander, LTC Michael Eagan. airlifted from Bu Gia We are working on an event for Friday afternoon [TBD]. Friday evening, 10 Map to FSB Speer. On 28 May 1970, C Btry at FSB Ready inside Cambodia June, will be our Annual Banquet, Awards Ceremony, and ever popular fund held off two separate ground attacks. C Btry was hit by several 120mm mortar raising auction. Please bring something for our fund raising auction along with rounds and suffered seven US WIAs while repelling the attackers, including lots of cash. CPL Charles D. Mullens. Once again several Hard Chargers moved forward Hard Charger Condolences: I’m saddened to announce the loss of the following to help repel the attackers. For example, SP4 Dennis A. Bozich courageously Hard Chargers: PFC Gary McKay, A-1-30th FA 1965-66, and COL (R) Wesley exposed himself to enemy fire, moved toward the perimeter, and engaged the Geary, Chaplain of the 30th FA Regiment Association, 2010-2016. May these enemy with accurate and effective small arms fire. His efforts contributed fine Hard Chargers rest in peace. directly toward stopping the enemy’s attack. For his brave efforts, SP4 Bozich Hard Charger History: was awarded an Army Commendation Medal w/”V” Device. On 3 January 1970, The 3-gun Platoon of A Btry at FSB Speer was airlifted out of Cambodia on the 1-30th FA fired its 20 June 1970. Following this move, command of the 1-30th FA passed from 1,000,000th round since LTC Guffey to LTC (later COL) Robert J. Greene on 24 June 1970. Action entering the combat continued in Cambodia when C Btry was preparing to leave FSB Bronco on zone in 1965, which is 29 June 1970. C Btry was hit with a mortar attack resulting in the wounding equivalent to the damage of 1LT Klinger, whom they subsequently medevaced out. By the end of June inflicted by 2,750 B-52 1970, both B and C Batteries were withdrawn from Cambodia, and the 1-30th Bomber sorties. Also, FA had fired more than 30,000 rounds in support of the Cambodian operation. on 3 January 1970, Upon their return, B Btry deployed to FSB Barry in South Vietnam and C Btry Camp Gorvad came to FSB Gonder, also in South Vietnam. During May and June 1970, the Firing under heavy rocket Batteries displaced 29 times and expended 67,000 rounds in South Vietnam and attack. With enemy Cambodia. Additionally, the Firing Batteries made 11 tactical moves during rockets falling, a Crater this same time period. The Townes trophy, named for 1LT Morton Townes, was 1,000,000 Fired January 1970 Analysis Team from presented to A Btry on 1 July 1970 for the highest Btry Score on the quarterly HHB consisting of SSG Gunners Tests. Dale, SSG Miller, SP5 Pagels, SP5 Conto, and lead by SSG Thompson, moved A Btry moved to Rang Rang on 11 July 1970, along with B Btry, 2nd Bn, 19th forward to perform their crater analysis. While performing this task, all four of Artillery to establish FSB Gary Owen. On 27 July 1970, MG Putnam, CG of the team members were wounded. For his distinguishing actions on 3 January the 1st Cavalry Division [Airmobile], presented the 1-30th FA with a second 1970, SSG Thompson was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device by Oak Leaf Cluster to the Meritorious Unit Commendation at a ceremony held MG Elvy B. Roberts, CG, 1 Air Cav Division. Then on 20 January 1970, at the 1-30th FA Headquarters. Once more tragedy was to strike the 1-30th LTC (later COL) Howard R. Guffey assumed command of the 1-30th FA, from FA. At approximately 1500 hours on 28 July 1970, CPT Frank M. Pascarella, LTC Callaway. LTC Callaway was transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division Btry Commander of C Btry, was killed at FSB Andy. CPT Pascarella had [Airmobile] DIVARTY. {Note: LTC Callaway retired as a Colonel in 1981. accidentally walked into the spinning tail rotor blades of the 1-30th FA’s LOH- His decorations included the Silver Star; Legion of Merit w/OLC; Bronze Star 6A helicopter. The 1-30th FA fired more than 12,000 rounds for the month of Medal w/”V” Device and 2 July 1970, and executed 19 Firing Btry displacements. On 2 August 1970, SSG OLCs; Defense Superior Jackson, the NCOIC of the 1-30th FA’s Aid Station, saw rounds impacting into Service Medal; Purple the area immediately adjacent to the HHB Motor Pool. This was the Troop Heart; Army Commendation Billets area for E Btry, 82nd Artillery. SSG Jackson grabbed his medical kit and Medal w/3 OLCs; Air started rounding up his medics while the rounds continued to pummel the area. Medal w/”V” Device and 5 Accompanied by fellow medics SP4 Joe Thibodeaux, SP4 David Majsterek, and OLCs; Vietnamese Cross of SP4 William (John) Gill, he raced toward the barbed wire separating the two Gallantry w/Silver Star; and compounds. Fighting their way through the wire, the four medics were the first to the German Grand Service reach the wounded and dying men of E Btry, 82nd Artillery. “People were lying Medal. He served as the around all over the place. Some were wounded and some were already dead” Honorary Colonel of the 30th said SSG Jackson. “We began treating them and continued for about two hours. FA Regiment from 1995 to For SP4 Gill, this was his first experience with combat casualties. SSG Jackson 1998. Hard Charger-Sir!} said, “Usually the first time On 2 February 1970, A Btry airlifted a 3-gun Platoon from FSB Jamie to out they freeze, but Gill Camp Gorvad. On 8 February 1970, A Btry airlifted a three-gun Platoon from went right on into it without FSB Ike to FSB Sandra. Then on 25 February 1970, MAJ Chapman and WO1 hesitation.” Although the McLoy, while flying to Camp Gorvad, sustained back injuries as a result of four Medics were verbally the Command Helicopter crashing. Then on 2 March 1970, LTC Guffey, CSM reprimanded for forgetting Radke, and WO1 Lee were involved in a helicopter accident when the Command their Flak Jackets, they were Helicopter suffered a mechanical failure. WO1 Lee was credited with saving all recommended for the the lives of his passengers. The action resumed when A Btry moved a 3-gun Army Commendation Medal Platoon from FSB Ann to FSB Flasher on 10 March 1970. Then on 13 March with “V” device. 1970, A Btry moved the 3-gun Platoon from FSB Flasher to FSB Drum. Next, On 14 September 1970, A Btry moved the 3-gun Platoon at FSB Drum back to FSB Ann. On 17 March the compound used for the 1970, a General Order for the award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation battalion headquarters at (MUC) (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) was received for the 1-30th FA. This MUC Pascarella Compound 1970 Camp Gorvad was named was for the period 26 October 1968 to 11 June 1969, and included action in “Pascarella Compound” in honor of CPT Frank M. Pascarella. A brass plaque Operations Liberty Canyon, Jeb Stuart, and Toan Thang II. Following this, A Continued on pg. 11 Btry then moved a 3-gun Platoon from FSB Thien Hgon to FSB Illingworth on Page 11 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 27th ORD/MNT/MSB/BSB News Ed Jones Hello again to my 27th created an opportunity for me to link up with my friend Gary Maddox (‘68-’70) 38 Sedgwick Rd family. Spring is near, who drove down from St. Augustine for a day. I also contacted Harry “Pete” Oswego, IL 60543-8907 baseball is in the air. Shakes who lives in Winter Park. We got together for lunch and had a good (630) 554-9245 What could be better! time together. Pete recently turned 93. He was assigned to the 27th Ordnance [email protected] I want to start by ad- Company in Camp Drake, Japan in 1945. He was involved with deploying the dressing last month’s 27th Ordnance Company to Korea at the start of the Korean War, Pete retired article. I had submitted what I had intended to be an article and then submitted as a CSM in 1967 after his tour in Vietnam, but, unfortunately, not with the 27th the article that was published with the intent to only use the photos. I wasn’t clear Maintenance Battalion. of my intent and the second submission was used instead, however, well received Chris Miller, Chuck Larsen, Randy Carrico and I, all of enlisted men from based on the comments made. But credit is due to others. John Ramsden (XO, Headquarters, 1968-69, met ‘68-’69) compiled data from multiple sources and wrote The History of the 27th for a very enjoyable lunch Maintenance Battalion in Vietnam. Ray Puffer contributed to details from late and gab-fest recently. Chris 1970 until April 1971, when the 27th and the CAV returned to CONUS and that and Chuck from Peoria, Illi- information was extracted from John’s publication. nois, Randy from St. Louis, The complete history is available and if you have an interest in it let me Missouri and I, Oswego, know. Illinois met centrally in Lin- I have old information that was intended for Jan/Feb to pass on. The 1st CAV coln, Illinois Chris was the Veteran’s Day/Ia Drang Reunion brought together a huge gathering. Thank you battalion courier for much to the William A. Richardson National Capitol Chapter and Dennis Webster for all of his time and worked out of their time and efforts that made this a special time for so many. We had several of the S-1 section. Chuck people from the 27th who attended throughout the weeklong event. Joining me was B Detachment clerk, was Ron and Bert Stokes, Jack Robak, Peter Durno with his daughter Lori and L to R: Chris, Chuck, Ed, and Randy also working out of the S-1 fiancé “Russ”, John Ramsden, and Fred and Bonnie Vath. All contributed to section. Randy worked in a great time. A few days before the event I received a call from Rolly Koreski S-4 and I was in S-2/3. We all met in Phu Bai and then made the move into III (XO, ‘67-’68). Rolly has been a regular attendee to the DC event but had some Corps and set up operations in Bien Hoa. The picture, from left to right: Chris, pressing needs to attend to and wasn’t able to attend this year. He is doing well Chuck, Ed and Randy. A good time was had by all. and he wanted me to extend his best wishes to all. A reminder to those who have not yet completed plans for the Las Vegas A special thank you to my grandson Matthew and his Naperville Chargers reunion in June, do so very soon, this is promising to be a large event. All the Pop Warner football team and their advancement to the National Pop Warner information you need is in this issue of Saber on pages 12 and 13. Good health Championships held at the Disney World/Wide World of Sports Resort. This and safe travels to all. 30th FA Continued from pg. 10 more than 7,000 rounds and completed 13 displacements. Then during the inscribed “Pascarella Compound in Honor of CPT Pascarella” was mounted month of November 1970, the 1-30th FA fired more than 9,000 rounds. On 15 outside the battalion headquarters of the 1-30th FA at Camp Gorvad, South December 1970, command of the 1-30th FA was passed to LTC (later COL) Vietnam. {Note: This same plaque was brought back from Vietnam by COL Robert T. Basha from LTC Robert Greene. {Note: Sadly, after surviving the (R) Bob Pierce in 1971. This plaque along with a photo of CPT Pascarella was war in Vietnam, COL Robert T. Basha was to die in 1978 in a helicopter crash dedicated at a ceremony held in the 30th FA Regimental Room in Snow Hall in Germany.} MG Putnam presented LTC Greene with the Legion of Merit on 14 June 1996, by members of the 30th Field Artillery Association. Also during the change of command ceremony. On several occasions toward the attending the ceremony was BG William Bilo, the former Btry Commander of end of 1970, the 1-30th FA had merged Platoons of 155mm Howitzers with the Service Btry in 1970-1971; BG William Lennox, the Assistant Commandant elements of the 1-30th FA, 21st Artillery and the 2nd Bn, 19th Artillery to form of the FA School; COL (later BG) William Heilman, the 30th FA Regimental Composite 105mm/155mm Batteries. During the month of December 1970, Commander; LTC Bruce T. Palmatier, the outgoing Battalion Commander of 8,000 rounds of 155mm and 4,000 rounds of 105mm ammo were shot. 1-30th FA, 30th FA; his replacement LTC Thomas W. Weafer; and also LTC We hope to see all of you at Fort Sill in June 2016 for our 23rd Annual Reunion. Douglas Beley, the Battalion Commander of the 3rd Bn, 30th FA.} This is Hard Charger 9Golf, End of Mission-Out! Dan Gillotti During the month of October 1970, the Firing Batteries of the 1-30th FA shot 12th CAV News in our lives. We looked Continued from pg. 6 grim. It was not easy took over and we formed a perimeter. LT Kapica said he needed volunteers to living out there in the go out and try to find our XO, who was about 1,000 meters out. SGT Tainatango jungle for fifteen days at (Sgt T), Alain (M16), Allarie (M79 from Canada), myself (RTO) and SSG John a time and doing the job Sinkovits (Sink) all volunteered. We started to move out, with Sink bringing up of an Infantry Soldier. the rear. When we were about 100 meters out we noticed that Sink wasn’t with Behind us is the hooch us. We thought he had chickened out but we were wrong. As we were moving we had just finished out, Sink noticed a wounded comrade, went back, picked him up, and took him building. It is made back to the CP. He did this about 4 more times. Good going Sink! As we were from two ponchos, moving out, we thought were getting support machine gun fire from a helicopter a bamboo frame and about 800 to 1000 feet up, except they were shooting at us, thinking we were shoelaces. During the the enemy. So Sgt T tried to call him off but the pilot could not understand him dry season, we simply because T had a Guamanian accent. So, I said “Sergeant, give me the handset, placed our air mattress the pilot can’t understand you!” He gave me the handset and I got it stopped. As Mike Davis, Richard Udden, Tony Katz, Randy LeBlanc on the jungle floor to we made our way about 800 more meters I saw our XO, face down with 4 or 5 A 2-12 Cavalry 1970 Vietnam sleep. The rainy season more bodies all around, blood everywhere. As I knelt down on my right knee and had begun however so reached over with my right hand to see if I could feel a pulse I heard automatic we constructed shelter from the rain for sleeping at night. There was nothing gun fire from my right side. At the same, I heard our 79 man shoot and the round worse than getting out from under that hooch at night and pulling guard in a landed in front of me about one hundred yards and went “thunk!” I saw the bush soaking rain. The plastic bag in my hand kept my wallet dry. Mike was a career explode. An NVA Soldier had camouflaged himself to look like a bush and was Soldier so he shaved every day. The rest of us were sporting a beard or mustache right in front of me. I saw his blood spraying all around and then I saw a tracer as a way to rebel. Most of us wore a Saint Christopher medal to gain whatever round coming toward me that hit my leg in the hip area. It went through my leg protection it could provide us out there. I had looked at this particular picture and and hit my purple smoke grenade, setting it off. Purple smoke came billowing many others I brought back from Vietnam over the years without really looking out. I had 2 hand grenades around the smoke grenades, so I was afraid I was at and thinking about them until recently. Then it struck me how they tended to going to blow up. Cursing to myself, I threw down my M16, jumped up and ran capture the day-to-day job we performed out there. Sure, we were in firefights, around in circles trying to unhook my web gear. At that time, I did not know that but they were rare events when compared to those every-day moments we had Ralph Newell and Gus Wally were nearby. Ralph told me he witnessed this when captured on film. I saw in those pictures what the job of an Infantry Soldier in we had a reunion in the early 2000s in North Carolina and that when he saw me, Vietnam was really like. It was not the blood, guts and glory of a typical war though he was wounded and hurting, he laughed when he saw me and said to movie. Rather it was surviving the ‘eight-days-a-week’ grind of the job until we himself, “this guy is either on drugs or crazy.” He said I “looked like an Indian could go home again. It was getting through each day with your sanity intact. doing a war dance”. But it gave them cover and they got under some brush, so It was not about seeking glory. At least that was true for me and every other the enemy couldn’t see them. Suddenly, the smoke stopped for some reason. I ordinary Infantry Soldier. There is another thing about that picture that can be looked at my watch and it was 1735 hours, just turning to dusk. I picked up my readily seen and even felt. We were brothers. In fact, the company I served web gear with my PRC25 and was looking for my M16. I had picked up about with, A Company (Ace High), 2/12 CAV was like one big family and all of us 3 or 4 M16’s when Allarie said, “Leva what are you doing?” I told him I was were brothers. The veterans taught the new guys (FNGs) how to survive. We looking for my M16 and he said “get any one you see and let’s get the hell out had each other’s back in firefights. Complaining to your brothers about this and of here.” I was in shock, so I said OK and picked up another M16 and going that was a way to relieve stress. We all had a one year tour to complete and just to where they were, I got Sgt T’s and Alain’s M16s, and Allarie’s M79. They knowing that we were all in it together, somehow made it go by faster. Before carried Sgt T and I carried the weapons. I shuffled along as best I could with a you knew it, the tour was over and one at a time, we disappeared back to the real wounded leg back to the CP. To this day I do not know how we made it 1,000 world. For me anyways, I never became part of a brotherhood like that again. meters back without getting shot. We were the last men to come in that night. About two years ago, I dug out those pictures again as well as Vietnam letters my They estimated there were over 1,000 NVA Soldiers and VC in the area. Thanks Mom had saved, and began to write a book about the stories buried there called, for that purple smoke flair!” “21 Months, 24 Days”. While I was working on the book, the daughter of one 2149 Brotherhood: “We all have snapshots from when we served. Rarely though of my brothers was digging out the names and addresses of anyone she could do we take the time to look at them closely to find the story there. This picture of find that served in Vietnam with Ace High in 1970. She completed her search me, Mike, Tony, and Randy was taken in April 1970 in the Vietnam jungle north- and organized a reunion about the same time that I finished the book. My wife east of Saigon, close to the Cambodian border. Like all pictures, it was a moment Continued on pg. 18 MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 12 69th Annual Reunion of the 1st Cavalry Division Association - Las Vegas Nevada 8-12 June 2016 Reunions are a time for all of us to gather together Saturday night. If you are attending the banquet, you must get your tickets and renew old friendships and make new ones and we marked with a table number at the Banquet seating table prior to Saturday noon. want each of you to be a part of this great event. The If you want to sit with specific people, we recommend that you all go to the Troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division Association will Banquet seating table together with your tickets available. Don’t wait until the be meeting in the Las Vegas, Nevada area to celebrate last minute or we may not be able to accommodate your needs. our 69th Annual Reunion from 8-12 June 2016. Plan Cavalry casual attire is appropriate for all reunion events. We are always to join us for a fun time meeting old friends and questioned about attire for the banquet. Wear what you feel comfortable making new ones. We have numerous events being wearing; a coat and tie, your uniform (if it still fits), casual clothing with open planned and there will be opportunities for you to go collar or jeans. We want you to attend and aren’t overly concerned with what off on your own and see the surrounding area. The you wear, as long as it isn’t indecent! Nevada Chapter is hosting this reunion and they are The Association provides a Reunion Room in the Palace Station during the setting up an excellent program, so make plans now reunion for you to gather together and enjoy yourself. Drinks in the Reunion to join us for our reunion and help turn the Las Vegas Room are free but we ask that you generously donate to help us pay for this Strip into CAV Country! room. There will be no gambling allowed in the Reunion Room but take your LODGING own chances in the Casino! The hotel hosting our reunion is the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. Although TRANSPORTATION an off-strip property, accommodations are comfortable and spacious, with a We encourage you to coordinate your travel arrangements early especially if complimentary daily shuttle service for the ‘Strip’. The Palace Station will you are using public transportation. serve as our Reunion Headquarters for the 69th Annual Reunion and all of our Air Travel – McCarran International Airport is located at 5757 Wayne Newton regularly scheduled events will occur here. You must make your reservations Boulevard in Las Vegas, just a short 20 minute drive (via I-15) to the hotel. As prior to May 9, 2016 to receive the guaranteed rate. To reserve a room call one previously stated the hotel does offer a complimentary shuttle service to and of the numbers listed below or reserve your room on-line using the On-Line from the airport. Reservation link provided by the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. THE BEST PART OF THE REUNION Palace Station Hotel & Casino As always, the best part of the reunion is the people that attend and we hope 2411 W. Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89102 that you will be among that group. The 1st Cavalry Division Association Toll Free: 800-634-3101 Local: 702-367-2411 reunion brings in Troopers from every era of the First Team’s history. Troopers On-line reservation: and click that rode horses, fought in the Pacific with MacArthur, occupied Japan, fought on the link to “Reserve a Room at the Palace Station”. in Korea, or stood watch on the DMZ will spend time with the Sky Troopers of We have rooms blocked in the Economy Courtyard and in the Luxury Tower Vietnam, the Troopers from Operation Desert Storm, Fort Hood, Bosnia, and and the hotel offers different rates and the rate changes on Friday and Saturday. the latest combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The equipment and terrain The Economy Courtyard is only two stories but has no elevators so if you are might be different, but the common bond of serving with America’s First Team unable to climb stairs book your room in the Luxury Tower. Please be advised binds us together. You may meet some old friends and if you don’t then you that all rates quoted are per room, per night, single or double occupancy. There will have the opportunity to make some new ones. Saddle up and join us in Las is a $15.00 charge required per room for triple occupancy and $30.00 per room Vegas! for quad occupancy. A $12.99 Hotel Service’s Fee will be added per room, per CROSSED SABERS SOUVENIR SHOP OPEN AT REUNION night. The room rates and Hotel Service Fee are subject to Clark County room The Crossed Sabers Chapter Souvenir Shop will be open for business starting tax, currently at 12%. Please note: Room tax is subject to change at any time Wednesday June 8th from 1300 to 1800. Thursday and Friday the Souvenir without prior notice. The room rates by room type are listed below: Shop will be open from 0900 to 1800, with a one hour lunch break from 1200 WED THU FRI SAT SUN to 1300. On Saturday the shop will be open from 0900 to 1200 and 1300 to 06/08 06/09 06/10 06/11 06/12 1600. Economy Courtyard $35 $35 $79 $79 $35 Our wonderful Souvenir Shop staff and volunteers will have t-shirts, Luxury Tower $49 $49 $95 $95 $49 sweatshirts, jackets, caps, Stetsons, pins, patches, jewelry, ornaments, blankets, Petite Suite $69 $69 $115 $115 $69 stationery, pencils, stickers, lighters, golf balls, backpacks, coins, and many The 1,011 luxury rooms and suites are complemented with meeting and event more items for sale. Pre-order your Reunion t-shirts by using the form below. spaces, a fully equipped exercise facility, swimming pool (w/hot tub), tennis You must pre-order your reunion t-shirt prior to 1 March 2016. The shirt is a courts, a business center, beauty station, gift shop, and several dining options. 90/10 Black T-shirt with a pocket with logo on the front and full-color imprint Each room offers plush bedding, flat screen TV, hair dryer/ironing board, sitting on the back.. T-shirts are available in Adult sizes Small through 3XL. Size area, in-room safe and free Wi-Fi. Located inside the hotel, guests will find small through XL are $17.95 and 2XL and larger are $19.95 each. You can pick the Charcoal Room, an American steakhouse, offering savory eats like oysters, the t-shirt up at the reunion or it will be shipped to you. The Souvenir Shop will lobster chowder, bone-in NY steak, rib eye, top sirloin and porterhouse steaks. not ship the shirts until after 1 May 2016. The Cabo Mexican restaurant serves up authentic south of the border flavors, Supporting the Souvenir Shop supports your 1st Cavalry Division Association, while the Oyster Bar, an 18-seat live action kitchen, provides freshly shucked so make sure to go get yourself some shiny new 1st CAV merchandise. oysters and various seafood pastas. For quick meals, the Palace Station boasts OTHER EVENTS IN LAS VEGAS the Grand Café, an all-you-can-eat Feast buffet, Little Tony’s pizzeria, the Food Las Vegas offers many other sites and attractions and we hope that you will Express Chinese Restaurant, four fast food eateries, and a 24-hour room service. take time to visit the Strip and all of the wonderful attractions in the city. You The Palace Station casino floor has 45 game tables (black jack, Texas Hold’Em, may wish to take time to see a show on one of our evenings or simply tour the craps, roulette, baccarat, etc.), a 9-table non-smoking poker room, over 1600 many other famous casinos and hotels or stay in the Palace Station. We have not slot machines, as well as a 307-seat bingo hall, 20-seat keno lounge, and a 230- scheduled any special tours and have intentionally kept the evenings, except for seat race and sports book area which features over 44 large television screens Saturday night, open for you to enjoy each other and the local area. providing viewing options for the sport crazed guest. Join us and help turn Las Vegas into CAV Country! REUNION EVENT OVERVIEW The Nevada Chapter welcomes each of you to Las Vegas for the 69th Annual Las Vegas….much more than a destination. Reunion of the 1st Cavalry Division Association. By now many of you have already started making plans to attend the upcoming As usual, this reunion will include a Welcoming Mixer on Thursday; Gold Star reunion in Las Vegas. Registrations flow into the office daily and the Palace Family Breakfast, Ladies Tea, and War Era Lunches on Friday; Purple Heart Station hotel will eventually be decked out in black and gold and referred to as Breakfast, Unit Lunches, and our Annual Association Banquet on Saturday; ‘CAV COUNTRY’ for the duration of our reunion. and Group Breakfasts and Memorial Service on Sunday. There will not be Although most of you will be spending time catching up with old friends (and a Sweetheart Dance this year to allow you more time to see Las Vegas in the making new ones), here is a short list of some unusual attractions Las Vegas has evening. We will have meetings of the Chapter Presidents and the Foundation to offer to complete your trip and provide long lasting memories. and Museum Foundation Trustees on Thursday, and the Board of Governors Caesars Palace features animatronic, 9-foot-tall Roman statues that suddenly meets on Friday. Our General Membership meeting is conducted on Saturday come to life. Located at the Festival Fountain the free mini-play features special morning and we will hold elections for officers of the Association and conduct lighting effects, heat, sound waves, and smoke. The seven minute show takes other business as necessary. A listing of nominated candidates will be on our place every hour on the hour starting at 11am. The Bellagio Fountains are bulletin board. an 8.5-acre lake in the middle of the desert with 1,214 exploding sprinklers The Gold Star Family Member Breakfast is becoming a major event during shooting water 460 feet into the air, perfectly choreographed to Frank Sinatra or our reunions and we want everyone that is in contact with the families of our Gene Kelly. Anyone up for a little “Dancing in the Rain” with their sweetheart? fallen Troopers to invite them to attend. There is never a registration fee for our This spectacular starts at 3pm and runs until midnight. Gold Star families and the Association will pay for their breakfast at this event. The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino boasts the Shark Reef aquarium. Home This is the third year for our Purple Heart breakfast which provides us an to more than 2,000 animals including saw fish, giant rays, endangered green sea opportunity to honor those that have been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds turtles, piranha, jelly fish, and rare golden crocodiles. The main tank holds over received in combat. Many of our Veterans and our active duty Troopers have 1.3 million gallons of water making it among the largest in North America. this award and we hope this gives them a chance to share their experiences. Downtown Las Vegas is home to the Neon Museum which consists of nearly You do not have to be a recipient of the Purple Heart to attend; this is open to 150 pieces that depict changes and trends in sign design from the 1930s to all attendees. present day. Looking to take a step back in time, visit the El Cortez Hotel and The Reunion Banquet will mark the end of the term for our current President, Casino the longest continuously running hotel in Las Vegas. You will find that James R. Stokely, and see the gavel passed to Scott B. Smith who will serve Siegel’s 1941 restaurant and The Parlour Bar & Lounge capture the atmosphere as our President for the next two years. The Commanding General of the First of an ‘old’ Vegas. And it’s one of the few places left that has coin-operated Team is planning on delivering a “State of the Division Address”. We will gaming machines. have Troopers currently serving with the Division in attendance along with our Last but not least, grab some friends and head for Freemont Street. Nicknamed Division Honor Guard. Glitter Gulch, this pedestrian mall and attraction in Downtown Las Vegas is If you have not been able to attend one of our Memorial Services and hear the home to Viva Vision, a lighted canopy that contains over 12 million LED lamps. “Long Roll Muster”, please plan on attending this one. This is a very special Light and sound shows are presented nightly beginning at dusk. Did I mention way to honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. it’s free! Checkout the website for more information and fun things to do for Seating for all events is open with the exception of the Reunion Banquet on free on Freemont Street: http://vegasexperience.com/calendar/. Page 13 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 69th Annual 1st Cavalry Division Association Reunion WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 FRIDAY, JUNE 10 - CONTINUED 1300-1800 Registration Desk Open 1300-1800 Souvenir Shop Open 1300-1800 Souvenir Shop Open 1500-1700 Board of Governors Meeting 1300-2400 Reunion Room Open SATURDAY, JUNE 11 THURSDAY, JUNE 9 0700-0830 Purple Heart Breakfast 0900-1800 Registration Desk Open 0900-1030 General Membership Meeting (Elections) 0900-1200 Souvenir Shop Open 0900-1200 Registration Desk Open 0900-2400 Reunion Room Open 0900-1200 Souvenir Shop Open 1300-1800 Souvenir Shop Open 0900-2400 Reunion Room Open 1030-1130 Chapter President’s Meeting 1000-1130 Ladies Tea 1300-1400 Museum Foundation Meeting 1230-1430 Unit Luncheons 1430-1530 Foundation trustees Meeting 1300-1700 Souvenir Shop Open 1700-1900 Welcoming Mixer (Hors d’oeuvres/Open Bar) 1500-1600 Veterans Benefits Briefing 1800-1900 Cocktails (Cash Bar) FRIDAY, JUNE 10 1900-2230 Association Banquet 0730-0900 Gold Star Family Breakfast 0900-1800 Registration Desk Open SUNDAY, JUNE 12 0900-1200 Souvenir Shop Open 0700-0830 Group Breakfast Buffet 0900-2400 Reunion Room Open 0700-0830 LRRP/Ranger Breakfast Buffet 1200-1400 War Era Luncheons 0900-1000 Memorial Service (Long Roll Muster) 1st CAVALRY DIVISION ASSOCIATION 69th REUNION - 2016 REGISTRATION FORM Mail to: 1st Cavalry Division Association - Reunion 302 N. Main Street, Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703 I will attend the 1st Cavalry Division Association 69th Annual Reunion at the FUNCTION NO. OF COST TOTAL Palace Station Hotel & Casino, las Vegas, NV on June 8-12, 2016. Cancellations TICKETS AMOUNT must be received by 5:00pm Monday, May 30, 2016 in our office (254-547-6537) for a refund. Seating at all functions is limited. Hotel cancellations must be Registration Fee (Member Only) $20.00 $______done personally with the hotel. Postmarked After May 2, 2016 $40.00 $______Active Duty (Must have Active Duty ID Card) $10.00 $______Register early. YOU MUST BE AN ASSOCIATION MEMBER TO REGISTER. THURSDAY, JUNE 9 PLEASE PROVIDE ALL THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. Welcoming Mixer _____ $35.00 ea. $______

Are you a member of the 1st Cavalry Division Association? Yes ___ No ___ FRIDAY, JUNE 10 Gold Star Breakfast _____ $23.00 ea. $______Please Print Clearly or place a return address label. Don’t forget Nickname. War Era Luncheons Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans _____ $30.00 ea. $______NAME______WWII/Korean War Veterans _____ $30.00 ea. $______Vietnam War Veterans _____ $30.00 ea. $______STREET______Gulf War Veterans _____ $30.00 ea. $______

CITY, STATE & ZIP______SATURDAY, JUNE 11 Purple Heart Breakfast $23.00 ea. $ NICKNAME ______Ladies Tea $18.00 ea. $ Unit Luncheons ____ $28.00 ea. $______GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMBER ______I wish to attend lunch with: (Circle one) 5th Cav 7th Cav 8th Cav 9th Cav 12th Cav Artillery Telephone # (______)______Engineers HQ & Special Troops LRRP/Ranger Silver Wings

Preferred Unit(s) order (1)______Association Banquet Adult _____ $50.00 ea. $______(2) ______Child (12 years and under) _____ $25.00 ea. $______

Date(s) Served in 1st Cav (1)______to______I wish to sit at the Banquet with: (Circle one) 5th Cav 7th Cav 8th Cav 9th Cav 12th Cav Artillery (2) ______to ______Engineers HQ & Special Troops LRRP/Ranger Silver Wings

______Banquet table seating is assigned during the reunion. You must take your banquet tickets to the Banquet Seating Table to get your table number assigned. I served at/during (Circle one or more): WWII Japan (Anytime) Korean War NO ONE will be admitted in without a table number on their ticket. To assist Korea 1957-65 Fort Benning Vietnam War Fort Hood Gulf War us in organizing the seating, please circle the unit that you wish to sit with at the Bosnia Iraq War Afghanistan Fort Bliss Other ______Banquet. Please get your table number assigned prior to noon Saturday. I will be accompanied by my spouse or other (Full Name and Nickname)___ SUNDAY, JUNE 12 ______Group Breakfast _____ $25.00 ea. $______and the following persons, please specify relationship. (Family members LRRP/Ranger Breakfast _____ $25.00 ea. $______only.) Name Nickname Age (Children) Add a little extra to help cover expenses? $______Please renew my SABER Subscription ($10 per year) $______New Life Membership ($10) $ RANK ______Last four of SSN ______DOB ______Is this your first 1st Cav Division Association Reunion? ___Yes ___ No Grand Total $______My E-mail is: ______(Don’t forget the Registration Fee) I am staying at: Palace Station Hotel & Casino____ Home ___ Local ___ RV ______Credit Card VISA or Master Card Only ____ Check ____ Cash Other ______EXP Date ______Please specify where you are staying, as it will help us to find you in the event Card Number - Print clearly of an emergency. Thank you! Registration fee required for Association members only (Widows and ______Gold Star Family members pay no Fee) - no fee for family members accompanying Print Name on Card Association member. Registration includes: Name Tags (required for admission to Reunion Room and other activities), Official Reunion Program, Reunion Pin ______Date ______and information package. Signature - Credit Card Payment Only MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 14 99th FA News Jim Miller Unfortunately I have fill a number 10 can about ¾’s full of gasoline, 819 West Howard St. to start another column put it in the stove and light it. The fumes from Winona, MN 55987- with the report of a 99th the gas would burn off the top of the can making 2642 FA Trooper’s passing. the stove red hot. On one occasion a new 2nd (507) 454-4224 Glenn (Jake) Stotts, Lieutenant visited and commented on the nice [email protected] Headquarters Battery fire saying, “You aren’t burning gasoline in there Japan/Korea, 84, passed away January 6, 2016. He was survived by three chil- are you?” Someone shouted, “No sir. That’s a dren. Presto Log.” The Lieutenant left satisfied that Jake’s story is a little more complicated we weren’t breaking one of the major rules from than the obituary details. He was a wireman above: “No burning of gasoline to keep warm.” Winter in Korea assigned to an FO party with the 8th Cavalry Ever afterward when things got really bad with at Unsan on that fateful night, November 1, mortars raining down on our position, someone would shout, “No sir; that’s a 1950. He was captured and spent 33 months Presto Log.” And we’d breakout in laughter. in a Chinese prison camp. Rich Higginbotham Although I was just a Staff Sergeant in charge of a wire team, I could see, or was working the switchboard that night and rather, feel a change when General Ridgeway took over. Things seemed to be- was the last man to have contact with the FO come more organized and our lines stiffened up and the Chinese onslaught south outpost. After the Chinese forces overran our slowed, finally stopped, and we began to slowly turn things around. I have to position and the survivors started trickling in, admit that I disobeyed one of General Ridgeway’s first commands. He gave the Stotts was missing and we assumed he was order that all combat troops would wear grenades hooked to the breast pockets Killed in Action. In 2002 when some of us Glenn Stotts or that area of our uniforms. Hey, we were wiremen! If the wire coming off a started getting together on computers, we reel on the back of our ¾ ton Dodge got wrapped around the grenade and pulled found Jake who had been captured and was very much alive. it off, we’d be in a lot of trouble. I did keep an open case of grenades in the front Jake’s notice of passing was too late to be in the last column but there was a of the truck in case we needed them, or, more likely, some snoopy high ranking notice in TAPS on page 2. officer showed up at Spirit Forward, my place of business. Also in the TAPS column The Chinese army we faced now was a much better force than the North Koreans was the notice of Loyde P. had been. Contrary to what the folks in Tokyo thought, they were not a bunch Gardner, A Btry, 99th FA of peasants armed with sharp sticks who volunteered to help the North Koreans. Battalion, and World War II No, they were part of the well trained, experienced Communist Chinese Army veteran who died January 5, which had defeated both the Japanese and the Chinese Government Army under 2016. For these and all the Chaing Kai Shek. We had seen what a fighting force they were at Unsan and they Veterans who have passed, certainly didn’t let up. Instead of sharp sticks they had artillery, that unlike the thank you for your service to N.K.’s was accurate, tanks, and truck mounted rockets along with a seemingly our country, the 1st Cavalry unending supply of burp gun equipped humans. Division, and the 99th FA Bat- Winter wound down and I realized that I hadn’t frozen to death. I did, like many talion. I encourage anyone who of my comrades, suffer frostbite on some toes and fingers that would bother me knows of a 1st Cav Veteran’s for the rest of my days, especially living up here in Frostbite Falls. I think that passing, please let me know. the Army’s failure to provide adequate winter clothing to the troops in the first It doesn’t matter what unit he winter of the Korean War was inexcusable if not criminal. served in, we Saber columnists Every day we read news reports of U.S. troops being killed or wounded in their share information. role of “advisor” somewhere in the world. Let us keep them in mind and in our I recently attended the wake prayers along with our comrades and buddies who are leaving us at a fast pace. Charles Green, B Btry, 99th FA (pictured with of an older veteran and had the As I’ve mentioned before, I will give up writing this column with the next is- Marion Burdette) passed away on 19 Oct 2015. chance to talk to another. It sue of the Saber. When I took over the column, I said I would write as long as seems as though the friends we I physically could; well…. In a few days I will turn 86 years old. I’m in pretty used to see at coffee shops and bars we now see at clinics and funeral homes. I good shape, but I have some problems that make writing a column difficult. Also, guess it’s called “Getting old!” with our unit being deactivated in 1957, we don’t have many members left. So if I’ve been getting calls and notes from veterans who tell me they appreciate you would like to continue the column, please let me or the Saber staff know. my columns about the Korean War. It’s been nicknamed the “Forgotten War,” And remember, we’re all in this together; CSMO. Jim Miller and that seems to be a pretty accurate description. In my former life, I taught Editor’s Note: We certainly hope that someone will step up and continue to American History to high school freshmen. Our textbook had a full chapter on write the 99th FA News. Despite the fact that the unit has not been active for the War with Mexico with about 1,500 U.S. casualties and a couple of paragraphs many years the Troopers of the 99th FA have been active in the Association and on the Korean War with 54,000 (35,000 combat) U.S. deaths. I continue to be in supporting the writers of this column. Jim Miller has done a great job keep- mystified by the ignoring of the Korean War by historians. Maybe it was because ing people informed about other members and adding pieeces of history of the people were “tired” of war after World War II, so we just didn’t talk about it, and unit. it has continued on. I don’t know, but I’ve tried to keep reminding people about it; that’s my job. I think we veterans of Korea have every right to be proud of OFFICIAL NOTICE our service. The late winter of 1950 and early spring of 1951 were more of the same only ELECTION OF OFFICERS – REUNION 2016 the bitter cold added to our misery. We troops were using any method to keep The By Laws of the Association provide that the Officers and members of the Board of Governors shall be elected by the General Membership at the General from freezing. The battalion had set up a “warming” tent at Spirit Rear and we Membership meeting conducted during the Annual Reunion. Further, that the would take turns spending a few night time hours in the relative warmth of this President may appoint a Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for of- tent with a small stove in it. I remember one humorous incident that occurred fice and that other nominations may be made by Life members from the floor at during the depth of winter. Although we had a tent and a stove, no fuel was pro- the General Membership meeting. The Resolutions of the Trust Agreement of vided so we used our creativity to fire up the stove. A common method was to the Foundation of the 1st Cavalry Division Association and the By Laws of the Museum Foundation require the election to the Board of Trustees for positions Director’s Chair coming vacant each year shall occur at the Annual Reunion. Candidates for all Continued from pg. 8 offices must be Life members of the Association. is the best chance we have for getting a new museum built at Fort Hood and if The President has appointed a nominating committee to recommend Life mem- or when that happens our Division Museum would close but the history of the bers of the Association for election or re-election to fill the terms of office for the Division would be told in the Mounted Warfare Museum. Maybe not in the detail following positions that become vacant as of 11 June 2016: we would like but the story would live on. Our Division Museum is located in 1st Vice President Continued on pg. 17 2nd Vice President 3rd Vice President 1st Cavalry Division Association Ten Places on the Board of Governors USAA Rewards™ World MasterCard® Executive Trustee and One Trustee of the Foundation Two Trustees of the Museum Foundation Any Life member of the Association, including an incumbent, who wishes to be considered by the nominating committee for one of these positions should forward a letter to the Chairman, 2016 Nominating Committee, 302 N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703, requesting consideration for nomination to the specific office. The Nominating Committee must receive all requests no later than 2 May 2016 to assure sufficient time for processing and full consideration. Requests must be accompanied by appropriate documentation that includes proof of service with the 1st Cavalry Division (e.g., a DD214 or equivalent) and a biographical sketch. The biographical sketch needs to outline the applicant’s full name and • Show your support for the 1st Cavalry Division Association each time you use your 1st provide ranks, dates of service and units assigned to in the 1st Cavalry Division. Cavalry Division Association USAA Rewards credit card. Additionally, it needs to provide the dates and positions for any offices held at • USAA Bank will make a contribution to the 1st Cavalry Division Association for every National or Chapter level in the Association and similar information for any other credit card account opened and each time you make an eligible purchase with the card. veteran’s organization the applicant belongs to. Any instances of special support • This card benefits the Association, its scholarship program and the 1st Cavalry Division for Association programs should also be included if applicable. Museum Foundation. The election will be held during the General Membership meeting at the 69th • This card offers you great service, competitive interest rates and rewards points that you can redeem for your choice of gift cards, merchandise, travel discounts and other rewards.* Annual Reunion of the Association on Saturday 11 June 2016 in Las Vegas, • There is no annual fee for this card. Nevada. Nominations from the floor will be accepted. A Life member making • Choose from two card designs created exclusively for the 1st Cavalry Division such nomination will be expected to provide the information outlined above on Association. the nominee and in addition provide assurance that the nominee is either present For more information about USAA you may call 877-917-1232 or visit www.usaa. at the General Membership meeting or has agreed to accept nomination to the com/1cdacc. specified office. Page 15 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 CHAPTER INDEX ALMOST HEAVEN WEST VIRGINIA JUMPING MUSTANG CHAPTER FLORIDA CHAPTER WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER CHAPTER Pres: Arthur (Joe) Craig 1-8 Cav NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION POC: William D. Carpenter Pres: Maurice Waters Pres: Robert Stauffacher 295 W Interlachen St CHAPTER 18355 Drennan Rd. 713 Diamond St. Lake Alfred, FL 33850 18543 Rancho Vista Dr. Pres: Gene Russell Fairmont, WV 26554-3713 Ramona, CA 92065-6011 Colorado Springs, CO 80928-9308 (863) 268-8063 7923 Jansen Dr. (719) 683-2837 (304) 366-0022 VP: Gill Harris (760) 789-5136 Springfield, VA 22152-2413 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] POC: Paul Lemieux (585) 704-2758 (703) 220-5322 PO Box 6548 Facebook: Florida Chapter 1st Cavalry POC: James C. Knafel E-mail: [email protected] CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST 5510E - 500 South Woodland Park, CO 80866-6548 Division Association Website: 1cda.org/national_capitol.htm (719) 687-1169 CHAPTER Contact for meeting info... Columbia City, IN 46725-7621 Meets 3d Sat. of the month Jan.-Apr and Pres: Barney B. Jones (260) 244-3864 E-mail: [email protected] Sep.-Oct. 0900 at the American Legion Post Meets 9am 2nd Sat. of mo.at at Retired PO Box 444 FLORIDA TROOP E “BLACK HAT” E-mail: [email protected] 176, 6520 Amherst Ave., Springfield, VA. Pebble Beach, CA 93953 Website: www.JumpingMustangs.com Enlisted Assn. Chapter 1, 834 Emory Cir., Pres: Juan Kellog Breakfast available prior to start of mtg. Jun Colorado Springs, CO. (831) 917-5952 607 SE47th St., Apt. 7 meeting is at WRAMC and Nov. meeting E-mail: [email protected] Cape Coral, FL 33904-5506 KETTLE MORAINE CHAPTER at the Assn. Vets Day gathering. Pres: Gordon Weidner SHERIDAN’S CAVALRY CHAPTER E-mail: [email protected] (Greater Chicago Area) CENTRAL SAVANNAH Contact: Johnnie Robertson 1219 Cleveland Ave. NEVADA CHAPTER RIVER AREA CHAPTER Racine, WI 53405-2929 VP: Joe LaPorte (239) 600-1273 Pres: John Lyles 2900 Maple Ave. #12E Pres: John Rangel, Jr. Website: www.seahog.org/cav/index. (262) 637-3835 POC: Milton S. Clark, III POC: Gary Quinn POC: Robert Richter Downers Grove, IL 60515-4119 html 7789 Buckwood Ct. (630) 846-9960 395 Harlem Grovetown Rd. Meets 4th Sat. ea. mo. from Sept.-May W204 N11945 Goldendale Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89149-6661 Harlem, GA 30814-4525 Germantown, WI 53022-2321 E-mail: [email protected] 1:00pm at Biggys Place, 3701 Fowler St., (702) 522-7313 POC: Terry Hodus (706) 513-5858 Fort Myers, FL 33901 (262) 628-8056 Meets the first Saturday of the month Meets on 2nd Sat. of mo., 1400 at Ryans Meetings held at 3 month intervals with 3718 W 114th Place at 10am at American Legion Post 8, Chicago, IL 60655-3414 Steak House on Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta, FOLLOW ME CHAPTER a banquet dinner in Dec. when elections downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Call for GA (Mar., June, Sept. and Dec.) are held. (773) 445-1213 Pres: Robert Dodson directions. E-mail: [email protected] Meets 1900 4thTues. ea. mo. Veterans Website: www.sheridansfirstcav.com COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE Ctr., 1000 Victory Dr., Columbus, GA. LAST FRONTIER CHAPTER NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY CHAPTER CHAPTER Pres.: William H. Martin Meets at the American Legion Post #1084, No meeting in December. Pres: Bob Arbasetti 322 E. Maple Ave., Roselle, IL 61072. Pres: Terry Low 8050 Pioneer Dr #1304 973A Thornbury Ln. 16560 S Harding Rd. Anchorage, AK 99504 2016 Meeting Date - Apr 16, Mar 13, Oct FORT KNOX AREA CHAPTER Manchester, NJ 08759-5296 15, Dec 3 Oregon City, OR 97045-9679 Pres.: Thomas Ken O’Barr (907) 274-6479 (732) 657-4284 (503) 210-5558 12210 Valley Dr. [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Contact for meeting info. SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO Goshen, KY 40026-9501 Facebook: New York New Jersey Cav- CHAPTER Website: www.Hood2Hood1stCav.webs. (502) 228-8032 alry com LOS ANGELES/ORANGE COUNTY Pres: Gregorio Trujillo E-mail: [email protected] Meets at Elk Lodge at Cedar and Spruce, PO Box 215 Meets 1830 3rd Wed of ea. mos. at the Vil- POC: Larry A. Whelan CHAPTER Ridgefield Park, NJ. lage Inn, 1621 NE 10th Ave., Portland, OR Pres: John Guillory Las Animas, CO 81054-0215 2103 Winston Ave. (719) 456-0028 97232. No meeting in Dec. Louisville, KY 40205-2535 780 Mandevilla Way NORTH CAROLINA - TARHEEL Corona, CA 92879-8251 POC: John Campos (502) 485-1270 CHAPTER 1308 Lewis Ave. CONNECTICUT CHAPTER E-mail: [email protected] (951) 278-3740 Pres: Roy Wood Pres: Keith Moyer E-mail: [email protected] La Junta, CO 81050-3024 Website: www.1cda.org/fort_knox.html 4407 Talavera Dr. (719) 384-0379 48 Boretz Rd. Meets 3rd Sat. of mo. at 1100 at the Vice Pres: John Burgner High Point, NC 27265-9660 Colchester, CT 06415-1009 228 South Hacienda St. E-mail: [email protected] Barker Masonic Lodge, 705 Main St., (336) 707-1402 Website: www.firstcavalry.net (860) 537-1716 West Point, KY. Anaheim, CA 92804-2569 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] (714) 535-0737 Meets 1st Sat. of each month at 10am at the Contact for Membership: Don Gibson Holiday Inn Express in LaJunta, CO. Website: www.ConnCav.com GERALD F. KINSMAN CHAPTER E-mail: [email protected] 803 McDonald Church Road Meeting info in newsletter and on web Meets 0900 on 3rd Sat. of mo. at American Pres: Owen Levine Rockingham, NC 28379-8529 WALTER H. WESTMAN page. 77 Clubhouse Dr. Legion Post 132, 143 S Lemon St., Orange (910) 417-9104 CA 92866 NORTHLAND CHAPTER Leominister, MA 01453-5170 e-mail: [email protected] Pres: Donald A. Delsing CROSSED SABERS CHAPTER (978) 534-6284 Meets 2nd Sat of Mar., Jun, Sept. & Dec. Pres: Jerry Eller LRRP/RANGER of the 1st Cav Division 3697 Gresham Ave. N. E-mail: [email protected] Oakdale, MN 55128-3212 808 S. 2nd St. Meets yearly. during the Vietnam War. NORTHWEST CHAPTER Killeen, TX 76541-7703 Pres.: John LeBrun (651) 770-5422 Pres.: William Koepp E-mail: [email protected] JAMES J. MASON WEST MICHIGAN 932 3rd St. 4633 Timothy St. SE FIRST CHAPTER Blaine, WA 98230 POC: James D. Wright CHAPTER Lacey, WA 98503-5764 12781 Able St. NE Pres: Robert H. Wolfe Pres.: Ron Kloet (360) 393-6645 (360) 259-4815 4756 Haracourt Dr. E-mail: [email protected] Blaine, MN 55434-3261 POC: Bob Anderson POC: Roberto Maanao (763) 757-7140 El Paso, TX 79924-3047 9030 Conservancy Dr. NE Website: www.lrrprangers.com 3036 Marquette Dr. SE (915) 755-7944 Full chapter meeting during Reunions E-mail: [email protected] Ada, MI 49301-8822 Lacey, WA 98503-6255 Meets quarterly at different locations. Call (616) 682-5446 (360) 491-9118 or write for information. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: jjmwmc1cd.com Meets 1200 1st Sat. of even months, Meets on 3rd Thurs. of Feb., Apr., Jun., contact William Koepp or Roberto Aug., Oct., and Dec., at 7pm, at the Grand Maanao for meeting location. Valley Armory in Wyoming, MI . LRRP/Ranger News Ken White Hello from the nation’s capital. The formation of the detachment 3834 Inverness Road It’s hard to believe that it’s been 50 also included two initial teams, Fairfax, VA 22033 years since the US Army formed Teams One and Two. Team One (703) 352-1468 long range reconnaissance patrol consisted of SSG Ron Christopher [email protected] (LRRP) units for duty in the Vietnam (Beverly Hills, FL), Team Leader; War, including the LRRP Detachment, 1st Cavalry Division, later re-designated SGT John Simones (Middleboro, H Company, 75th Infantry (Ranger). Early in the war, GEN William C. Westmo- MA), Assistant Team Leader; Doug reland and his military commanders at MACV saw the value in the intelligence Fletcher (Severn, MD), scout; Art that small reconnaissance units provided. Guerrero (Golden, CO), scout; At that time, the collecting of intelligence was done by US Special Forces- and, Geoff Koper (Barstable, MA), trained South Vietnamese Special Forces (SVNSF) and CIDG teams, which usually medic. Team Two consisted of SSG consisted of Montagnards and Nungs. They were trained in the techniques of Pat “OB” O’Brien (Pace, FL), Team Leader; Jim Ross (Apopka, FL); 1SG Fred Kelly, CO CPT Jim James, and long range reconnaissance patrolling as part of Operation Leaping Lena, which XO LT Ron Hall. started in 1964. Later that same year, however, the operation was terminated Gary Biddle (Independence, KY); and Project Delta, Detachment B-52 of the US 5th Special Forces Group, took Richard Lopez (San Francisco, over the mission of gathering intelligence. Apparently, the concept of having CA); Bob Block (Winona, MN); and John Suggs (Calhoun, GA), medic. SSG SVNSF and CIDG groups with no US Special Forces troops on the teams proved Jim Burton (Phenix, AL) was the original team leader of Team Two but he suf- to be unacceptable due to the bad operational procedures adopted by the South fered a broken leg on a mission and was forced to sit out the action for several Vietnamese Soldiers. months. The concept of long range reconnaissance patrols in the US Army dates back Also, the formation of the detachment included the following ‘new’ guys: Tom to 1956 when the 11th Airborne Division in Augsburg, Germany used them to Calkins (Novato, CA), Bill Carpenter (Fairmont, WV), Bill Duncan (Roanoke, patrol near the Czechoslovakian and East German borders, then members of the VA), David Ives (Council Bluffs, IA) KIA, Leonard Lyles (Roanoke, VA), and Communist Warsaw Pact states. In the event that war broke out, the teams were Dick Spina (Colchester, VT). to be inserted behind enemy lines to provide surveillance and to select targets of Bill Carpenter remembers: “Before Team 2 was formed, SSG Burton went on a opportunity. The LRRP concept was well known throughout the Army, though mission with Team One. On the insertion, they came out of the chopper about 10 concentrated in Germany. feet higher up than they thought they were - the elephant grass was taller than it After the 11th Airborne Division returned to the US in 1958 and was deac- appeared from the air. Burton hit the ground a little hard and broke his leg. The tivated, the Army authorized two Airborne LRRP companies for the Army in medic on the team, Geoff Koper, checked it out and knew that it was broken, so Germany, at Wildflecken and Nellingen Barracks. The companies developed he called for an extraction.” the first LRRP Table of Organization and Equipment and in doing so increased Bill also remembers: “Team One pulled its first mission early in January 1967. their company strength to 208 men, team size from 4 to 5, and added an organic Team Two’s first mission was early February with OB as TL. When I got there in transport component. early April, I remember an NCO on crutches with a cast on his leg. That would The experiences of these two companies formed the basis of the LRRP units have been SSG Burton.” that GEN Westmoreland authorized for the US Army in South Vietnam, 50 years On a different note, the following email was received from LTC Jim Wright: ago this year. Interestingly, neither of these two companies was sent to South “Can’t remember who asked me for this link? Jack Downing and I were defi- Vietnam for duty because they retained their status as LRRP units for the US nitely impressed. In Jack’s words - “it was a religious experience.” Soldierstone Army in Germany. would be a worthy pilgrimage for any SE Asia or Vietnam grunt or Ranger. It The LRRP Detachment for the 1st Cav was formed in mid-to-late 1966. It was was unfortunate that LTC Beckley did not live long enough to actually visit or authorized a strength of 120 men, and CPT James D. James, Woolwich, ME, a see this remarkable tribute. No one has been able to adequately explain what Special Forces-trained officer, was selected as the company commander. Cap- inspired him to undertake this tribute - guilt, pride, remorse, sorrow, other?” tain James had previously commanded the Airborne Recon Platoon, 1st Combat “Jack has previously proposed we establish an NDP at or near the sight! I also Aviation Company (Provisional), headquartered in Verona, Italy. believe Andy Anderson and Kelly are planning a pilgrimage to Soldierstone but In addition to CPT James, the original members of the detachment included would recommend the effort to anyone and especially those who served in S.E. LT Ron Hall, XO; SFC Fred Kelly, 1st SGT; SSG Tom Campbell; SGT Thomason; Asia. LTC Beckley was right - it was not just about Vietnam. I lost several SGT Rudy Torres; and SSG Ron Jordan. Continued on pg. 18 MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 16

Hank Llewellyn 58 Mapleleaf Lane Make us proud”. I was excited. We flew for a while over mountains and then Pottstown, PA 19464-1543 started down. The crew chief told me to get out on the skids. What! We were (484) 948-9451 going into a very small opening with some trees cut down and lying in the tall [email protected] grass. The crew chief yelled jump, and I did. I did a good PLF and ran for the tree line. But no one was here! All I had was a small pack with a poncho, poncho Greetings once again fellow Sky Troopers. It took long enough liner, extra pair of socks, one canteen of water, M-16 with 100 rounds of ammo, but spring has finally arrived. I seem to have acquired a case of cabin fever and two grenades, state side fatigues and boots, and a big bowie knife that I brought I’m actually looking forward to some out of doors cleanup work around the house from home. The time is about an hour after sunrise. I thought that they would and my first road trip. be back in a few minutes, but no. The trick was to get into a position that I could Let’s pull pitch and launch this issue of Silver Wings. I’ll forgo the usual be seen from the air but not from the ground. I thought that I could see such a mail sortie as I have some thoughts from 1LT Bruce K. Thatcher to share. We’ll place about 50 yards out into the clearing. It took me more than an hour to get catch up with the mail in the May/June column. But first, news of a former Sky there low crawling backwards and straightening every blade of grass as I went. Trooper who has gone onto Fiddler’s Green. As I got quiet in the jungle the jungle got load with the sounds of all sorts of I was saddened to learn from Caren Song of Hilo, Hawaii of the passing of wildlife and birds. Noon came and went. Mid-afternoon the jungle went quiet her friend and fellow Sky Trooper, Karl Zinsman, “Snoopy Flight”, HHC, 3rd and the loudest noise was the deafening sound of my heart pounding. It was late BDE, Camp Evans, RVN 66-68. I haven’t had any commo with Karl in quite a afternoon when the jungle got loud again. I could hear a new sound. It might while. I remember a personal story Karl shared with me around five years ago be a small airplane but it was a long way away. The jungle started to go silent during a conversation comparing notes concerning our individual contact with again when I saw a small, fixed wing, gray single engine plane flying back and MG Tolson. Karl humorously reflected that day, “When we went into Khe Sanh forth but still getting closer. I couldn’t stand up and wave the enemy was close. in April of 1968. My aircraft, UH-1D #16162, landed at a fire base and picked up I heard a voice, which I believe to be that of the Holy Spirit, call out my name! news reporters from ABC-NBC-CBS. We flew them into Khe Sanh then came “Bruce, make a snow angel in the elephant grass”. “Yes Sir I will do that”. And back to the base camp. While we were shutting down, General Tolson’s aircraft I did. I rolled over onto my back and balanced my M-16 on my chest and started landed. He climbed out and while our main rotor blades were still turning he making snow angels in the grass. The little gray plane, an Air Force FAC, in a wanted us to crank up. You know for yourself that the blades have to come to Bird Dog, flew right over me and kept on going, then just before he went out a complete stop before they start again. He said his aircraft was hot as the VC of sight he wig wagged his wings. Twenty minutes later I was in a helicopter had it marked. Of course, you can see it was a shiny gloss-OD and white top headed to “C” company. Over the next eight to nine months that I was a FO, with a big 1st CAV patch on the battery hood cover. As we landed in Khe Sanh Air Force FAC’s in their little Bird Dogs became some of my best friends and he exited the aircraft and told us, “I don’t need you guys anymore, I’ll call my one of which saved my life. aircraft in.” We flew back to the sh**hole LZ where his aircraft was parked and A1E Skyraider - I got my baptism of fire in the same place that I spent the day had to land at a distance because they didn’t want us to get any dirt, dust or grime before. Only this time I was the hunter not the hunted. This was the first of many on it. Can you believe that?” fire missions that I would call in under fire. Then came another first while working Since I mentioned we were comparing notes, my contact with the 1st Air CAV’s with an Air Force FAC calling in an air strike. The FAC in his Bird Dog came up commanding general was at the 85th Evac Hospital in Qui Nhon. He was ac- on station and asked if he could be of some assistance. I had never used Air Force companied by actor Henry Fonda, that afternoon. Yes, Jane’s father. But that’s assists before and did not know what I was doing. I explained to the FAC that a memoir for another time. artillery was landing on the enemy on the short leg of an L shaped ambush. The A slow-hand Silver Wings salute to this veteran trooper. My condolences to company had been down in the valley and started up the hill when we found the the family and friends. ambush. His aircraft would have to fly parallel with the rifle company or down C l i n t o n P o l e y , the hill, then up the next hill. He then told me that a flight of two A1E Skyraid- ers was ready to roll. I gave the FAC splash; last rounds are on the ground. The 7th CAV-LZ X-Ray, RVN, FAC rolled down and shot a smoke rocket on target, a few seconds after that the proudly sent in a photo of Skyraiders swooped in and dropped napalm. They flew at tree top height down his 30-inch scale model Huey the hill then back the next hill. They came back and strafed and dropped some that he recently procured. more bombs, back again and strafed, back again dropped more bombs and again Even has a snake coiled in to shoot some rockets and one last strafing run. They left. What was a ferocious the form of a “6” painted on small arms exchange was now quiet. From my viewpoint, the Skyraider was a the door (photo). Looking far better ground support aircraft then the F-4 Phantom. good, Clint! C-47 Night Gunship - About a month later I had two more firsts as a FO. We Okay. Let’s move on. John went on a night air assault. I remember jumping off of the skids and landing in V. Rob is a member of the 1st made it out of the rice paddy and then came under intense enemy fire. I had Cavalry Division Association been adjusting a 105 howitzer battery for a while when I could hear a DC-3/ and looks forward to reading C-47 coming our way. “Top Kick 38 this is Spooky 21 over”. I knew that he each edition of our yellow rag, Clinton Poley’s 30 inch Huey has three Gatling guns that would put a round in every square foot of a football SABER. John was a helicopter pilot assigned to Charlie Company, 229th AHB field in just a few minutes. I did not want any of our guys in that football field! in Vietnam from June 1968 to June 1969. He was a flight leader and a Yellow I flashed SOS on my green lens flashlight up to him. He confirmed SOS so I One. His tour started out in the LZ Sharon AO and then transitioned to Tay Nihn. directed him to shoot 200 meters north of me. Then, a red wall of flames roared John captured his time with the CAV in a recently released book simply titled, down to the ground. A not too bright NVA soldier shot some green tracers up North Flag published by History4All, Inc. at Snoopy. “Kick 38, Spooky 21, I believe we now have a good target”. Less I found his book of special interest to me as John writes in detail of the move than a minute later another wall of fire roared down from the old bird. Then, south from the Camp Evans AO to III Corps, which happened shortly after my silence. I had other occasions to use the old fire breathing bird and every one DEROS from I Corps and Evans. It depicts life and “work” in the Tay Nihn area. ended in silence. I learned it was somewhat different to what I experienced in I and II Corps. I stayed out on the hill with the infantry for about nine months. To my knowl- John said he actually wrote the book for his nephews so they could read about edge very few FO’s stayed out in the bush for more than six months because his experiences as a helicopter pilot in the CAV and better understand it. The they didn’t like it, got killed, or were wounded my then. The day that I left the book’s 496 pages contain fast pace chapters, vignettes of daily life with the CAV company commander gave me his company’s guidon with my name embroidered and the stress of a combat zone. Written in such a manner and without profan- on it, in front of his company. ity, and a splash of humor, it’s a fine learning vessel for our youth. I’ll have no H-13 Sioux - I became the battalion aerial observer or AO the next day. No reservations handing off this signed copy to my grandson. more going out on ambush every other night, sleeping under a poncho, and eating It’s very evident that John is extremely proud of his service with the 1st CAV C rations. I’m going flying! I had two basic jobs. Register the artillery batteries in Vietnam as well as the men he learned from and fought with. I think you will and find the enemy. At daybreak I meet a young warrant officer who was the be too and find North Flag a well written, interesting and welcome addition to pilot of a H13 Sioux helicopter. He showed me his aircraft then brought out an your library. Airguide car compass on a suction cup and stuck it to the canopy. Then we went For more information or to order, go to: be straight down. The next thing I knew we were going back up at a high rate As I mentioned earlier, 1Lt Bruce Thatcher, 1/77th FA attached to 2/12 CAV, of speed only to have him do a sharp hammerhead turn back down. “What did 1st CAV Div, Vietnam 1966-67, sent in a few paragraphs that I would like to you think of that sir?” “That was great,” I said. OK let’s have breakfast. He share. He titled his memories: “Gasoline Not Jet Fuel” told me the last two guys puked all over themselves and would not go up with Fifty years ago Bruce arrived in Vietnam as an airborne, artillery, green, 2nd him. We were operating out of LZ English and Uplift. Each day we would be lieutenant one year out of OCS. During his tour he would earn the Bronze Star given an area to go looking for the enemy. I would start the day in the H-13 and with V device and the Distinguished Flying Cross. after breakfast switch to a Bird Dog for the better part of the day and go back to When most of us think of military aircraft in Vietnam the first one most think the H-13 in the evening. The H-13 had a big advantage over its successor. We of is the Huey, followed up by the Chinook, C-130 and the F-4. They all burned could be stealth by putting the engine in idle which would disengage the rotor jet fuel. Bruce’s memories go to more mundane aircraft. And they burned and we would auto-gyrate (auto-rotation) down the side of the mountains mak- gasoline. ing very little noise then turn the engine on just before we hit the rice paddies. O-1 Bird Dog - Many of the new artillery 2nd lieutenants would start their This was very productive. We found a lot of NVA doing this. Can’t do that in tours as Forward Observers attached to rifle companies. I was assigned to 1/77th a jet powered helicopter. FA attached to 2/12 CAV, 1st CAV Div 1966-1967. The most significant day of Bird Dog Again - I was saved by a FAC looking for me in a Bird Dog. Now I my life happened in the later part of August, somewhere near or in the Ia Drang was sitting in the back seat of a Bird Dog looking for the enemy. We managed Valley. I was with C Battery. The battery commander informed me that he had to stay pretty busy taking care of business. On June 28, 1967 we found what just lost a FO attached to C Company 2/12 CAV and I was going to replace him. appeared to be an NVA squad East of Bong Song. We started a 105mm-howitzer The time was at daybreak. A command and control Huey came and picked me battery and then there were more NVA. We called in a second howitzer battery. up and took me to the infantry battalion commander. He told me that I would It was a 155 battery so it has more punch to it. I also called for “fuse delay” be replacing the FO at C Company and that his helicopter would take me there. so it penetrated the sandy soil before exploding. This exposed the NVA tunnel “Not to worry, the map, compass, SOI-SSI and radio would be waiting for me. Continued on pg. 17 Page 17 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 15th MED/15th FSB/15th BSB Mike Bodnar New 15th MED back were hit and that his AC was hit. He took the controls and departed the 13010 N. Lakeforest Dr. area for a nearby fire support base (FSB). Upon landing at the FSB, Ferguson Sun City, AZ 85351-3250 Association Webmaster (623) 972-4395 Ron Huether sent over: jumped out and noticed the fuel lines were hit and told them to shut the aircraft [email protected] “’Almost Getting Killed down. www.15thMedBnAssociation.org by Charlie,’ “Another MEDEVAC (WO1 Gregg Simpson) then took over and attempted The 15th Medical to complete the mission. His aircraft was also damaged before he could get Battalion had, as one of its mascots, a monkey named Charlie (the any wounded out. An aircraft from the 45th MED Company had been called nickname given to our enemy the Viet Cong). The story goes that his handler as backup for WO1 Simpson’s aircraft. That aircraft was flown by 1LT Tom was the battalion veterinarian during the 1968-69 time frame. My recollection Lacy. was that one of the flight Medics from the MEDEVAC platoon was his handler “By the time Lacy got to the wounded the snipers had departed and he was around the 1970-71 timeframe. The Medic’s name escapes me and all I remember able to hoist the wounded without is that we all called him ‘Monkey Man.’ any problems. More than half of “When the 1st Cavalry Division was preparing to stand-down, the headquarters the members of that platoon were for the 15th Medical Battalion moved from Phouc Vinh to Bien Hoa. It was killed by the snipers and almost around March 1971, while I was at Bien Hoa standing around with a few everyone left was a casualty.” crewmembers, that I remember Charlie coming out of one of the hootches From the guys without the guns, dragging a .38 caliber hand gun, which he must have stolen from a MEDEVAC the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame lists: member’s survival vest. “LTC Ronald (HUEY) Huether “In a flash we all disappeared behind sandbags and aircraft revetments - spent all but one assignment no one wanted to have their obituary state they were killed in Vietnam by a in AMEDD aviation positions monkey…even if it could be reported accurately that the Soldier would have working to mentor junior aviators. been killed by ‘Charlie.’ He is a Master Aviator with 5,500 “A chorus of shouts pleaded, ‘Monkey Man get that .38 away from Charlie.’ hours flight time, qualified in: To which Monkey Man answered, ‘Screw you sir!’ or some other more colorful UH-1, OH-58, T-42, U-21, C-12, refusal of an enlisted man to an officer. and numerous civilian aircraft “But Monkey Man came to our rescue by using some quick thinking. When and holds an Airline Transport Charlie would drink from a soda can, he would sit on the ground and hold the Pilot’s rating. After flight school top of the can with one hand and using one foot would tip the bottom of the can ‘70-’71 MEDEVAC pilot Ron Huether, with he went to Vietnam earning the up so the liquid would flow into his month. So Monkey Man’s solution to this the ride home. Silver Star, multiple Distinguished deadly situation was to throw a pop can out in front of Charlie. Sure enough Flying Crosses, numerous Air Charlie put the gun down and picked up the soda can - and a half dozen of us all Medals, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Committed to the Kelly legacy, he dove for the .38 at the same time.” performed hundreds of missions under enemy fire and is credited with saving Knowing that hundreds in Cambodia and Vietnam. On 8 February 1971, he responded to an MEDEVAC and urgent call from a platoon under enemy fire with half the unit already killed or 15th MED had more wounded. Positioning his aircraft above the platoon he attempted hoisting the important things most severely wounded but was hit in the helmet by an enemy bullet. Regaining to remember from aircraft control he made an emergency landing of the disabled aircraft. He Vietnam than stories was the first medical aviator qualified with AN/AVS-6 NVGs and developed about a monkey; I equipment requirements for the UH-60 air ambulance. Ron ‘Huey’ Huether was asked Ron if he had inducted into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame on 13 April 2013.” any harrowing stories Trevor Cliburn writes, “I am the son of a vet that was from his time flying in same battalion, 15th MED Battalion, ‘68-’69 in Phuoc Vinh. He is trying to MEDEVAC. He sent contact anyone he served with. His name is Robert (Groovy) Coggins. This is the following: “’Snipers his phone number, (615) 614-5898. Or e-mail at this address. Thank you.” In Box Canyon’ Terry McCarl wants to remind: “Assuming that 8 February 1971 you are seeing this in the 15th MED column of the March-April 2016 issue of Ron Huether (Baby SABER around the 1st of April, it is still not too late to make plans to attend the Huey) - AC (Aircraft 15th MED Bn. Assn. Reunion in Olympia, Washington, April 11-16, 2016. The Commander), John deadline for reserving rooms at the Red Lion at the reunion rate of $94 plus tax Goldsmith (Goldie) was March 20. However, you probably can still reserve a room there (call 800- - Pilot, Jim Ferguson Installing hoist on MEDEVAC. Photo from MEDEVAC 733-5466 and ask for Military Discount) or somewhere close. Contact Larry (Fergy) - Crew Chief, pilot Larry Hatch. Hatch, , or (360) 491-6486 and he can probably Dan Brady - Medic, help you find somewhere to stay. and gunner Dave Cooper (Coop) were working from FSB Mace in the 1st CAV “All the information on the reunion is on the new Website . If you don’t have Internet access, call Larry Hatch for canyon by a number of snipers. They scrambled with two AH-1 attack aircraft information. Registration at the Reunion can be done, but please contact Larry for the fifteen minute flight to a box canyon near the town of Ham Tan. As they ASAP and let him know that you are coming so that meal counts, etc. can be as arrived on the scene they were told to orbit to the southeast because the unit was accurate as possible.” still under fire and the area was insecure. About this time an OH-6 pilot was Terry adds: “Check out the new 15th MED Website! The new 15th Medical trying to ‘burn out’ the snipers by dropping white phosphorus grenades on the Battalion Association Website has been available since 10-29-15! If you have sniper’s location. Unfortunately the grenades bounced off the jungle canopy and not checked it out yet, just go to , and see the landed on the pinned down US troops. great job that new Webmaster, Ron ‘Huey’ Huether has been doing! “There were numerous US troops with white phosphorus burning through “Pretty much every day, there is something new to see. The Website is a their skin and as they stood up and screamed, the snipers would pick them off. work in progress, and it will be some time before all pertinent information is Though they were ordered not to go in, ‘Baby Huey’ asked the crew what they transferred from the old Website, which will thought. All wanted to try a rescue using the rescue hoist. They told the gun birds remain accessible for historical and other information until such information is they were going in and the Cobras set up their protective orbits. MEDEVAC transferred to the new Website. flew in, hovered above the triple canopy and lowered the jungle penetrator. “The new Website has all the information that you need about the April 11- Being in a box canyon, with high ground on three sides of them, they presented 16, 2016 Reunion in Olympia, Washington, including registration forms. You as easy targets for the snipers. can help develop the Website by e-mailing photos that you have to ‘Huey.’ “The first thing to be shot out was the rotating beacon, and then bullets came Instructions are on the top of the ‘Photos’ page. through each Red Cross. Ferguson and Cooper were shooting their M-60’s as “There are war stories in the Website. If you have some that you would like fast as they could but to no avail. A bullet came up through the boot of the door to share, e-mail them to Huey. Instructions are on the top of the ‘War Stories’ gunner (Cooper), bounced off the chicken plate of the Medic (Brady), hit the page. Also, please review the Guestbook entries and make an entry yourself. transmission and ricocheted forward, striking Huether in the back of the helmet. Take a few minutes and check the Website out. There is a lot of information on When the bullet entered his helmet (he was flying) it threw him forward on the it!” controls. At the same time, Cooper and Brady were shouting into the intercom Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the world; over and that they were hit. The pilot, Goldsmith, thought that two crewmembers in the out. FIRST TEAM! Garryowen! Silver Wings News and in the fuselage right where we sat. We couldn’t understand why we didn’t Continued from pg. 16 get hit! Only by the grace of God did we survive. system and probably some buried NVA. A FAC came on station with some of So you see now how the, Skyraider, C-47 night gunship, Sioux H 13 and finally his F-4s. We made a smoke rocket run to show the target. Then an infantry the OIE Bird Dog has had a large impact on my life and they all run on Gasoline company was inserted. Army ARA gun ship helicopters came on station so we Not Jet Fuel. Bruce, thanks for sharing. made another rocket run. Another artillery battery was relocated so that they With that, I’ll bring this Wings sortie to an end. If you feel you have something could support us. We were now directing artillery from three different batteries. interesting or informative to share with your fellow Sky Troopers please contact Another infantry company was inserted to flank the enemy. It is critical that we me. Until next time, “Clear right!” Hank didn’t have any of our people on the “gun target line”. That is how “friendly Director’s Chair fire” accidents happen. We ran out of rockets but I carried as a matter of habit Continued from pg. 14 four smoke grenades and four fragmentation grenades. It looked like WWI with buildings that were supposed to be torn down long ago and the Army will not me hanging out the window dropping smoke grenades for markers for the FAC’s use money to build museums when it needs to man, equip, and train an Army to and ARA. We ran out of grenades so it’s down to hanging out of the window defend the nation. shooting my grease gun only this time the FAC would be right on our tail. At the The search for my replacement is ongoing and I will be here until the Board end of the day the NVA had a very bad one! We didn’t lose anyone. hires a new Executive Director and we get him or her trained and able to go it Our little Bird Dog limped back to base. There were bullet holes in the floor Continued on pg. 21 MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 18 20th and 79th Artillery Regiment News Bruce Wilder 9724 Rosariod Dr. of service. He served two tours with the 2/20 ARA (Aerial Rocket Artillery) Parrish, FL 34219-9200 Cobras Blue Max during the Vietnam War. His awards included the National (423) 245-6116 Defense Service Metal, Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Metal with 1 [email protected] Silver Star and 1 Bronze Star, and the Air Medal. www.araassociation.com After his retirement he owned Hal’s Plumbing Manhattan, from 1997-2003. Greetings to the members of the first combat aerial rocket artillery battalions! Hal was a member of the VFW Post #1786, Pearce-Keller Post # 17 American I am still writing for you and will continue as long as the Lord is willing! Legion all of Manhattan, Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA) Association, and the Many are digging out from the brutal winter experienced all over. I assume Vietnam Army Helicopter Pilot Association. Survivors include his wife, Virginia, most of us had higher heating bills this winter. While uncomfortable in many two daughters, Cindy Kay Bradstreet, of Manhattan; Wendy L. (Perry) Henault, ways, the beautiful undisturbed pristine snow covered most of the mountains of Tecumseh, Kansas; two sisters, Patricia Patterson, of Rogers, Arkansas; June of east Tennessee as it once did during my childhood. The views were break- (Robert) Hartman, of Rogers Arkansas; a brother, James C. (K.T.) Caldwell, taking! By the time you read this it will be spring time and the crocus and tulips of Florida; five grandchildren, Jessica Bradstreet and Kevin Kelsey, Jeremie will be showing their many colors. And the beat goes on! (Derek) Kay Stanley, Christopher J. (Bridget) Bradstreet, Brendan Henault, It has been rather quiet in the ARA offices. I hope it is because most of us are Trace Henault; four Great grandchildren: Tyler Stanley, Alex Bradstreet, planning for our 2016 Annual Reunion in Colorado Springs. I call your attention Azydelia Bradstreet, and Veronica Stanley. He was preceded in death by his to our 2016 Reunion scheduled for September 7-11, 2016, at the Embassy Suites parents: a brother, Ronald J. Caldwell and a sister, Bonnie Sue Betnar. Hotel, 7290 Commerce Center Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Our hosts A memorial service was held at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation, are Larry and Regina Mobley, with the Board of Directors assisting. Room rates on Friday, February 26th, with Rev. Paul Allen officiating. Burial followed at are $117.00 per night, plus 9.63% tax. Rates are good for two days pre/post the Kansas Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Fort Riley 7-11 September 2016. Reservations may be made by calling 800-362-2779 or Honor Guard. The family request donations be made to Angels Care Home 719-599-9100. When making reservations use code “ARAA” to ensure you Health, 311 Fort Riley Blvd, Manhattan, KS 66502, Via Christi Hospital Cancer receive the $117.00 rate. Thirty-five (35) rooms have been set aside for our Center, or the Good Shepherd Hospice House, 3801 Vanesta Dr, Manhattan, reunion. You are encouraged to make your reservations early as more rooms KS. For more information, or to send an e-mail condolence to the family, visit can be set aside as needed. The hotel has requested that all reservations be made the funeral home web site at or phone at 785-537- by 6 August 2016. Embassy Suites provides a complimentary cooked to order 2110. breakfast each morning, plus free drinks during the evening reception each day. I did not serve with Hal in Vietnam, but had the good fortune to meet him For those who are flying, flights can be made into Colorado Springs Airport at our reunion in 1968 in Ozark, Alabama, and established a good relationship (COS). with him and his lovely wife, Ginny. Hal always expressed his joy in being We bid farewell to another member. I received a call this week from Ms. Wendy able to attend even though it was difficult at times. Hal, you were courageous Henault, daughter of CW4 (Ret) Harold Edwin “Hal” Caldwell, member of B in serving your country and, likewise, courageous in your consistency to attend Battery, 2/20th for two tours, 1968-69 and 1970-71, to inform the Association our annual reunions. I know that Colorado Springs was on your agenda for that Hal had died on February 22, 2016 in the Good Shepherd Hospice in 2016 and we will miss seeing your smiling face and the outstanding support of Manhattan, Kansas. Hal was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on January 20, Ginny. May God bless you my friend and keep you in his grace! It is never 1940, the son of the late Mildred Lucille (Matthews) and Ras Harold Caldwell. easy to say goodbye to a friend, but we have the same hope that Hal has already On July 27, 1962 in Big Springs, Texas Hal was united in marriage to Virginia experienced. Remember that we are approaching the twilight years of our own Lee Carpenter. lives and we need to reach out to those old comrades-in-arms and urge them to Hal attended and graduated from Manhattan Vo-Tech and Emery-Riddle be among us for camaraderie and fellowship. Let us not falter in publicizing University in Fort Rucker, Alabama. He joined and served in the U.S. Marines this reunion! from 1958-62. Hal retired from the U.S Army as a helicopter pilot after 24 years “Armed Falcon 28 Delta, breaking right!” LRRP/Ranger News Continued from pg. 15 can. Whether the Army integrates units or not, that doesn’t change the fact that friends in other neighboring countries prior to our major involvement in Vietnam these ladies are hard and are the absolute best America has to offer. They liter- and Soldierstone is a great attempt to honor their service and indeed sacrifice. LTC ally have no quite in them.” Beckley obviously had LRRP or Ranger roots! The following URL will take you “So, as the proud saying goes, Rangers Lead the Way. And ladies, you just to the Soldierstone website: . did. Sincerely, Nick Palmisciano.” Soldierstone is not exactly on the beaten path so I recommend you use GPS or The following was received from Ron Christopher (1966-67), Beverly Hills, brush up on your map reading skills if you attempt to visit Soldierstone. Best Florida: “I am in the last phase of editing for my project, the history of our regards. Rangers Lead The Way! Jim” LRRP/Rangers. The title is: Lurps at War. I am wondering if anybody else has For those of you who might have missed the LRRP/Ranger article in the Janu- anything they want to add. All I would need is their input along with the date or ary-February issue of the SABER, Soldierstone is a war memorial located in the approximate date so I can put it in the proper sequence.” Rocky Mountains on top of Sergeants Mesa, just off the Continental Divide Na- “If you would, please let others know and they can send what they want to me tional Scenic Trail, in Colorado, at grid coordinates 37 17 31.08 N 106 22 16.22 at . I hope to have this thing published by the end W. It is dedicated to the Soldiers of those countries that collaborated with the of March. At the present time I want all proceeds/sales to go to the LRRP unit United States in the war against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. but we will take care of that after I send the book off for publication. Presently The following was received from Nick Palmisciano, West Point graduate and I am right at 500 pages and the print is size 14 font (easier to read). Thanks Ranger School Cadre: “Two women have endured over 120 days of abject misery much, Ron.” to pass the most elite leadership course in the military. Two members of the long The following was received from Jim Regan (1968-69), Lexington, Kentucky. gray line are now Ranger Qualified. “Good morning. We can slow down. I talked with Mike Mitchell, the fellow who “And I’m proud of them beyond comprehension, but more than that, I’m blown had been looking after Lou Carista (Tyler, Texas) (1970-71), who passed away away. I’m blown away because I know how hard that course is. I know how on January 21, 2016. Lou will be cremated, disposition of remains is ‘up in the much it takes out of you. I know how many times you feel like you might not air’ right now. I asked about any service, funeral, etc., nothing scheduled. I’ll make it, and you have to make the decision to just keep putting one foot in front get back with Mike and give him a couple of tips like, contact the VA and find of the other. I know how many times I wanted to quit. a cemetery nearby, get an appropriate marker for burial site, and keep us posted “And I also know that these two ladies are not men. They don’t have my frame. on any plans/progress. Mike’s information is as follows: Athens, Texas, 75752, They don’t have my muscle mass. They don’t have my testosterone level, which telephone 903-675-8206. Perhaps one of our guys can contact Mike and assist means they hurt more than I did, which means they had to dig deeper than I did. with the details. Jim.” And they made it anyway. And they suffered for four months to do it. Finally, the 69th Annual 1st Cavalry Division Association reunion is rapidly “And that means they’re tougher than I am. And that’s exactly who I want approaching, so be sure to register with the Association and make your reservation leading our Soldiers. Now, I don’t know what all of this means for the infantry, at the hotel. The phone number of the reservation desk at the Palace Station or by extension, the SOF community. I am well aware that these are different Hotel and Casino is 800-634-3101. It should be a great time, and remember, things than passing a course. The Army will figure it out in time. what happens in Vegas is reported here! “But what I do know is that we want leaders who push themselves beyond RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! their limits. We want leaders who want to excel and develop every way they 12th CAV News Continued from pg. 11 and I went to the reunion in Chandler, Oklahoma in June 2015 with a copy of the Crossed Sabers Chapter Souvenir Shop book for each of my brothers. Read the November/December 2015 issue of the P.O. Box 5774 Saber on Page 6 for a description of the reunion. Reconnecting with guys I had Fort Hood, TX 76544-0774 not seen in forty-five years was very special. You should make it a point to dig Phone: 254-532-2075 out those old pictures and track down the brothers you find there. It just may be FAX: 254-532-6490 the most important thing you have done since leaving the 1st Cavalry Division E-mail: [email protected] behind so many years ago.” SGT Richard Udden, January - December 1970, 290 To view our on-line catalog visit: Ridge Road, Marshfield, MA 02050; 617-281-0889. The Crossed Sabers Chapter Souvenir Shop is a non-profit organization. Net 21Months24Days.Com> Thanks Troopers for your submissions! income is distributed to the Association for application to the Scholarship Program 2359 Journal closed: Buddy Check! Make the call, break the silence. and other ongoing programs as needed, to the Soldier Travel Fund which allows Call, Text, Email your Trooper friends to check on their welfare and of- active duty soldiers of the Division to attend away Reunions as guests of the As- fer encouragement. Take nothing in your lives for granted - if your buddies sociation, to the 1st Cavalry Division Museum, and to fund other activities for don’t come to you, reach out to them. And don’t forget to call your Best the Troopers and families of the 1st Cavalry Division Association. The manager, Bud – Me! “Journalism largely consists of saying ‘Lord Jones is Dead’ to Michelle Pinhero, accepts telephone orders with payment by MASTERCARD, people who never knew that Lord Jones was alive.” ~ G. K. Chesterton. VISA or DISCOVER credit cards or you can order on-line using credit cards. Semper Paratus! Write if you get work! Printed catalogs are available for $3.00 from the Association, 302 N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703. Make your check out to 1st Cavalry Make plans to attend the 69th Annual Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada Division Association. from 8-12 June 2016. Page 19 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 82nd FA News “Can and Will” It is Saber time again. Oh there for you when you came home from Vietnam because you were a hero and Bill Thomason how the time is flying. Here you deserved better. Inside of you there is a pain that will never completely go 101 Lakeview Dr. in South Carolina in the past away…and you know what? It’s inside of us, too; because when we let you Lexington, SC 29073-9366 4 or so months we survived down, we hurt ourselves, too. We all know it…and we suffer guilt and we don’t (803) 542-7278 [email protected] historically devastating know what to do…so we cheer for our troops and write letters to “any soldier” and we hang out the yellow ribbons and fly the flag and we love America. We floods, a mild winter up until now and all of a sudden winter has finally marched love you too, even if it doesn’t feel like it to you. I know in my heart that, in the middle of February and with some damaging temperatures. It can be when we cheer wildly for our troops, part of the reason is trying to make up for very uncomfortable. There is not a lot of news but have some information Vietnam. And while it may work for us, it does nothing for you. We failed you. to pass on later in the article. I am doing okay with You didn’t fail us, but we failed you and we lost our only chance to be grateful to my chemotherapy and found that the side effects of you at the time when you needed and deserved it. We have disgraced ourselves chemo are far more debilitating than the cancer itself. and brought shame to our country. We did it and we need your forgiveness. The pain from my original signs and complaints Please say you will forgive us and please take your rightful place as heroes of was tolerable but the chemotherapy and medications our country. We have learned a terribly painful lesson at your expense and we that accompany it, are horrible. I realize that the don’t know how to fix it.” chemotherapy will insure me that I will be cured From the heart, Julie Weaver, 237 Gatewood Circle E., Burleson, Texas 76028- of the Lymphoma that I have been fighting. Lots 7917, . of e-mails from Woodpeckers and I want to thank Condolences: Yeah, another month and no known losses. Just love it when I everyone for your concerns and the prayers that keep do not have to report the loss of one of our Woodpeckers. me going. Anyone that has been or being treated for Other News: Received the following note from Ray Parker on 30 January. cancer can fully understand. Below is a photo taken Just a good indication that the war was decades ago, yet it still lingers in the shortly after my second infusion. Please note, I was back of our minds every day and we still remember. not bald headed when this all started. Also below is “Ramblings of an Old Man”: Hi fellow Woodpeckers - This is a big day to new Echo Btry (Avn) T-Shirt designed for Reunion remember for those of us who made the move to Camp Evans in 1968. Yes, wear. 48 years ago we were going into Camp Evans from Fire Support Base El Paso Keeping the Dream Alive: Back some months ago, we ran a story about (Camp Eagle) as Mr. Charles and VC friends were moving into Hue City. And as Warrant Officer Gordon Eatley called “Keeping the Dream fate will have it, this is my second son’s birthday (‘74). I got to fly some but this Alive”. Gordon was a young, WO-1, wet behind the ears time I had to convoy up Hwy-1. And again, “Mr. Fate” got me “volunteered” pilot in Vietnam. He served in Echo Btry (Aviation), 82nd and I think he was a major. Had to go back to FSB El Paso to help drive up a Arty. His primary duty was flying OH-13 helicopters in jeep and trailer loaded w/parts. We (I still can’t remember who the driver was) Vietnam. Gordon left Vietnam in January 1968. He stayed overnight and left the next morning. The main bridge was blown so we did not give up his military experiences but remained in left via the rail road bridge in a Marine convoy. Thank God we didn’t take off the reserves and literally volunteered for further service on our own! We got there in the late afternoon and everyone was digging holes. during the Iraqi War. Below are pictures of Gordon during The brigade was much larger then; Camp Evans was constricted and we had no his Vietnam perimeter defense and were taking mortars at times. We had no fuel, very little experiences as a food, and just the ammo we brought with us. Those are the memories of life as pilot and one on a Woodpecker back in those days. Some of you guys were there and others had his assignment it worse in other places and times. Love ya all...especially “those air crews”. as a CW4 in WO Gordon Eatley, Vietnam Ray Parker, Echo Btry., Avionics Technician, Waxahachie, Texas Iraq. Hats off Update on Don Holmes’ wife Alice: Received an e-mail from Donald Holmes. to Gordon. His wife Alice suffered a very serious fall back in 2015 and resulted in lots of An Open Letter to Anyone Who ongoing problems. She is doing much better but still has a long way to go and Served in Vietnam: Back a year or so hopefully will recover fully. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your ago I received an e-mail and attached family. Thanks for update Don. to it was a letter that was sent by a Comment from Carl Buick, From Northwest Territory of Washington State: lady that during the actual Vietnam Hope you are doing better. The video you sent was great. I don’t usually CW4 Gordon Eatley, Iraq War was a very inept and uninformed forward emails, but I did this one. I read your last Saber column, it brought back individual that later managed to get memories. Especially the Chinook ride from Bien Hoa to Camp Gorvad. My the right information and changed her entire attitude about the Vietnam War. I impression was that we flew low, and that freaked me out, expecting ground fire remember well the attitude that most of us endured during and after the Vietnam at any moment. I was taught in Infantry school that the Chinook could carry 33 War and can appreciate the attitude change that came years later. It is a pleasure combat loaded soldiers. I counted 50 of us with all of our worldly possessions. to wear my cap that portrays my military history and the fact that I served in And, if you know about density altitude, in that climate we had so much less lift the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Here is the capabilities, needing so more power to keep form dragging the wheels in the trees. letter. Boy was I glad to make it to Phuoc Vinh! Also, as for our winter…the long term “Dear Hero, I was in my twenties during the Vietnam era. I was a single forecast said that because of mother and, I’m sad to say, I was probably one of the most self-centered people El Nino, we would have a on the planet. To be perfectly honest…I didn’t care one way or the other about warmer and drier winter. the war. All I cared about was me—how I looked, what I wore, and where I Well, we’ve had snow on the was going. I worked and I played. I was never politically involved in anything, ground since mid-December. but I allowed my opinions to be formed by the media. It happened without my Whatever, this will be the ever being aware. I listened to the protest songs and I watched the six o’clock best snow pack in years up news and I listened to all the people who were talking. After a while, I began in the mountains. The snow to repeat their words and, if you were to ask me, I’d have told you I was against pack is our water reservoir the war. It was very popular. Everyone was doing it, and we never saw what for summer irrigation. Last it was doing to our men. All we were shown was what they were doing to the year there was no snow pack people of Vietnam. whatsoever, hence the crazy My brother joined the Navy and then he was sent to Vietnam. When he came amount of wildfires we had home, I repeated the words to him. It surprised me at how angry he became. all summer. This year should I hurt him very deeply and there were years of separation—not only of miles, be much better (maybe) but but also of character. I didn’t understand. In fact, I didn’t understand anything Bill Thomason reading book, written by Michael there is no accounting for until one day I opened my newspaper and saw the anguished face of a Vietnam Lazarus. Mother Nature here in the veteran. The picture was taken at the opening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial rugged West. in Washington, D.C. His countenance revealed the terrible burden of his soul. Michael Lazarus, Woodpecker Pilot and Writer: Michael Lazarus, Woodpecker As I looked at his picture and his tears, I finally understood a tiny portion of writer is still going through his chemotherapy for cancer. He is holding his own what you had given for us and what we had done to you. I understood that I had and hopefully Michael will be using his down time to write a new book. I know been manipulated, but I also knew that I had failed to think for myself. It was from experience that it is sometimes very difficult to get one’s mind wrapped like waking up out of a nightmare, except that the nightmare was real. I didn’t up into writing but let us hope that Michael can get over this dreaded time in his know what to do. life. Hang in there “Old Soldier” and thoughts and prayers for you. One day about three years ago, I went to a member of the church I attended Info from Patrick McIntyre: The following is information I received regarding at that time, because he had served in Vietnam. I asked him if he had been a book written by a Vietnam Veteran. He was not Aviation but a grunt. This in Vietnam, and he got a look on his face and said, “Yes.” Then, I took his information is a tribute to everyone who served in Vietnam and a lesson learned hand, looked him square in the face, and said, “Thank you for going.” His jaw for anyone that reads his book. CPT Michael McDonald-Low was an Infantry dropped, he got an amazed look on his face, and then he said, “No one has ever officer and assigned to Co D, 1 Bn, 20th Inf, 11th Inf Bde. He wrote a book said that to me.” He hugged me and I could see that he was about to get tears that encompasses the experiences of all personnel who served and what can in his eyes. result. The name of his book is Unaccounted. Patrick McIntyre, Echo Btry It gave me an idea, because there is much more that needs to be said. How do Woodpecker, sent the following after acquiring the book. Here are Patrick’s we put into words…all the regret of so many years? I don’t know, but when I remarks: Hey guys, I have alerted some of you guys about a book by CPT have an opportunity, I take…so here goes. Have you been to Vietnam? If so, I Michael McDonald-Low called Unaccounted. If you get the book, send a have something I want to say to you—thank you for going! Thank you from the review to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble depending on where you acquired bottom of my heart. Please forgive me for my insensitivity. I don’t know how the book it would be helpful to Mike’s cause. Here is what I wrote to Barnes & I could have been so blind, but I was. When I woke up, you were wounded and Noble: You might need to get your “Big Boy Pants” on to read this riveting true the damage was done, and I don’t know how to fix it. I will never stop regretting story. I spent my tour in Vietnam in the air and found the time spent there to be my actions, and I will never let it happen again. hell. Unaccounted gives you a totally different viewpoint of a place worse than Please understand that I am speaking for the general public also. We know hell; this book is about what it was like to be on the ground, and in the jungle we blew it and we don’t know how to make it up to you. We wish we had been Continued on pg. 21 MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 20 ENGINEER News Dave Paddock, Larry Greidanus, Jack Garmong, Mark Dockter, Mike Miller, Bob Jesse Crimm Close, Ronald Gilliland, Phillip Blevins, Jim Aiello, Joe Delgado, Terry McCall, 4445 Silverwood Ln. David Christen, David Williams, Daniel Giollotti, John McGuire, Don Litz, Jim Jacksonville, FL 32207-6241 Vanecek, Duke Snyder, Paul Chumbley, Gary Pinney, Robert Pool, Coby Short, (904) 737-6172 [email protected] Melvin Blackford, Danny Booth. And that takes us from 2008 through 2015. Did I overlook you? If so, call me and chew me out. You will get noted one He Must Be A Lawyer: Way down there in Plantersville Mississippi they way or another. don’t have many TV sets so the folks mostly sit and read yesterday’s paper CSM Salazar: In honor as many times as you send memories. Your request when it arrives. And with not much else to do they read the fine print. So, for stories/anecdotes concerning CSM Salazar’s time in the battalion was rather when the January/February 2016 Saber arrived, Danny Booth took to reading thoughtful. I hope you get a few. He was the CSM during almost my entire tour it in detail just like a lawyer. Way down at the bottom of the Engineer News with the Skybeavers in Vietnam (3 September 1969 to 3 July 1970). He went Danny noticed a contest offered with a prize. But in order to figure it out out with me on the C&C almost every day; our ‘basic load’ was varying types and collect his winnings, Danny had to scrap around and find the November/ of ammo, cases of hydraulic fluid, mail, special request items, and hitch-hikers December 2015 Saber to make a comparison. Luckily the previous issue of (both ways). On each LZ, I headed first for the CP of the occupying battalion and Saber had not yet been used as kindling for the cooking stove. Well, Danny then our own squad leaders and equipment operators; Henry would start with the scratched his head and thought about it for a while then the answer lit up equipment operators and then chat up every NCO he could find—infantry, artil- like one of those light bulbs he had heard about. He hitched a ride over to lery and engineer---trying to find out what we engineers could do better or more the Itawamba County library, got on one of those fancy taxpayer bought of in order to support the activities of the units on that fire base. At the Brigade- computers and sent the correct answer to this writer. Now Danny’s prize level FB (e.g. Buttons, Loc Ninh, Tay Ninh), mindful of protocol, I’d head first wasn’t a lot of cash like they have over there in Tunica with the casinos but it for the Brigade CP, then go over to the engineer company hootch; Henry would was a lot of recognition in the March/April 2016 Saber. As it turns out, Danny go first to visit each of the engineer platoons and then meet me at the engineer was in the 8th Engineers, C Company, from ‘66 to ‘67. Heck, he was already company CP. Every once in a while, I’d spent the night on an LZ while Henry in country when the ship carrying the rest of the Division arrived. You could would go back to Division HQ and attend (with our Assistant Division Engineer, say he was pre-airmobile. Now in a way that’s sort of the story of us engineers Major Paul Kavanaugh) the evening briefings for the CG in order to pick up on in particular and our Association in general. And now this writer is going to planned operations so that we could start preparing to support them. He was a preach at you a bit. The Department of Defense and Army have reconfigured dedicated, dutiful, good-hearted, energetic CSM...whose first concern was the the Engineer assets in the Division. “Our” former 8th Engineer Battalion is troops. RIP. (submitted by Scott Smith, MG Ret) now the unit that supports the 2nd Brigade and just returned from Korea. The 91st Engineers support the 1st Brigade and just deployed to Korea. The 3rd PFC MELVIN L. BROWN Engineer Battalionn supports the 3rd Brigade. The times have changed. Rank and organization: Private First Class, The 8th Eng crest is still displayed on the Engineer News page but it is now U.S. Army, Company D, 8th Engineer Combat joined by the 91st crest. And that is what Danny saw and what the rest of you Battalion readers must see. We are also adding the 3rd Eng crest. Find new members! Place and date: Near Kasan, Korea, 4 Sep- And one more thing remains. The contest is not over. Looks like even Danny tember 1950 missed the second half offering. Go back and figure it out for yourselves and Entered service at: Erie, Pennsylvania submit answers. Birth: 22 February 1931, Mahaffey, Pennsyl- Your Board Meeting: At the end of February your Board of Directors met in vania Killeen. There were a number of matters to consider and act upon, some routine G.O. No.: 11, 16 February 1951 others requiring thoughtful debate. Remember, it’s your Association and if you Citation: respond or initiate items, I assure you those items get considered and discussed. PFC Brown, Company D distinguished him- But you have to pick up the phone or send a note. Now, moving on after the self by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity little lecture, here is what’s going on. The 2016 budget was approved. Your above and beyond the call of duty in action Association is in stable financial condition both in terms of cash flow and long against the enemy. While his platoon was se- term asset management. The latter was examined during the meeting with an eye curing Hill 755 (the Walled City), the enemy, towards maximizing returns on investments. In other words, dump losers in the using heavy automatic weapons and small portfolio and reward long term winners by shifting investment strategies. You arms, counterattacked. Taking a position on a also have foundations that augment the CAV Museum and separate scholarship 50-foot-high wall funds. If you were involved in the Ia Drang engagement for example, you, your he delivered heavy children and even your grandchildren are eligible, upon proper documentation, rifle fire on the en- for educational scholarships. But don’t wait to claim. The fund will eventually emy. His ammunition was soon expended and although deplete itself as intended. Most importantly, your Board approved and funded a wounded, he remained at his post and threw his few long-term recruitment into membership campaign. The plans and details will be grenades into the attackers causing many casualties. implemented through a committee naturally enough and your duty era or point When his supply of grenades was exhausted his com- of entry is best directed through the Association office. This committee needs rades from nearby foxholes tossed others to him and your written and verbal input. But the best input is for you to ask people you he left his position, braving a hail of fire, to retrieve know who are eligible for membership to join. If you are on Active Duty, say and throw them at the enemy. The attackers continued in any of the Engineer battalions think of your Association as a route to career to assault his position and PFC Brown weaponless, development. Yes, I know you have fitness reports, NCOERS and the like, but drew his entrenching tool from his pack and calmly if no one really knows you other than on paper, you can enhance your career by waited until they 1 by 1 peered over the wall, delivering each a crushing blow upon being a member of the Association. Trust me, you may not like the sound of it, the head. Knocking 10 or 12 enemy from the wall, his daring action so inspired but one of the truths in life is that it’s who you know that helps a career along the his platoon that they repelled the attack and held their position. PFC Brown’s way. And the best place to be known as a person outside of the company area extraordinary heroism, gallantry, and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon is to join and participate in the Crossed Sabers Chapter at Fort Hood. Wake up himself and was in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service. Troopers. It’s your paycheck. Active Duty Area: If you have read this far, that’s pretty good. Your patience Honor Roll: This column in now into its seventh year of publication. Listed is commendable. Beginning with this issue, you will have an Active Duty Area now in chronological order are those who have participated by word, letter, deed, to browse through for gossip and even an occasional fact. The first item is a or voice in the production of the Engineer News. You are: Steve Richey, Louie rehash of an above paragraph. Your Association exists for you. Now lift your Warren, Daniel Garrity, William Grogan, Malcom Kelly, Howard Buchannan, headgear and scratch what hair you have and ask for what purpose does this As- Chuck Lanham, Robert Carroll, John Newell, Gary Diers, David Christen, Scott sociation exist? Well, other than being a career enhancer as noted above, your Smith, Anthony Lockhard, Richard Hunter, Gary Ullom, Richard Esquivel, Juan membership puts you in contact with those who have walked the same pathways Cintron, Danny Booth, William Aranz, Tom Haden, Lynn Titus, Leo Miller, Danny in life. Yep, that counts. We white hairs might even be able to offer some really York, Roy Wood, Robert McMahon, Bill Tew, William Bennett, Joe Salvucci, good advice and counseling if requested. Requested means face to face and face John Ramsden, Earl Dickinson, Bob Drenth, Jack Morrison, Bob Tagge, Joseph to face results when you join the Crossed Sabers Chapter at Fort Hood/Killeen Orient, Don Manville, James Kendrick, David Ciosek, Harry Belknap, Gordon Chapter or come to a Reunion. Married with kids? Yep, we got that too. How Hughes, Al Capuano, Emil Ash, Lorenzo Chavez, Joe Cross, Jim Bowers, Bob to manage your mandatory retirement withholding from your paycheck? Ask us Denton, David Williams, Mike Brothers, Claude Parker, Richard Estes, Tom Kjos, guys and we do it for free. Want cash rebates on your credit card usage? Guess Chuck Larson, Tom Kjos, Fred Betterridge, Victor Mitchell, Mike Schwering, Joe what? We got that too. Now, a word of caution. If you do not make written or Wagel, Robert Cook, Bob Fenton, Charlie Love, Ben York, John Newell, Sammy verbal contributions to your section of your news, then you will have to endure Sparger, Robert Smitley, Bill Bercaw, Frank Sealey, Francis Walter, Ted Cadwal- my rants. Suck it up. And with that, goodbye till May/June. lader, Phil Kastner, Bill Hillery, Roy Wood, Tony Villanueva, Rick VanDurzen, COMBAT BADGES (AR 600-8-22) The following is taken from Section II, Paragraph 8-6, 8-7, and 8-5 of Army “fighter badge.” The Regulation 600-8-22 dated 25 June 2015 that covers Military Awards. CIB was designed to COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE enhance morale and For award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) a Soldier must meet the the prestige of the following three requirements: “Queen of Battle.” (1) Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties. Then Secretary of (2) Assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in ac- War Henry Stinson tive ground combat. said, “It is high time Combat Infantryman Badge (3) Actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone we recognize in a is not sufficient for award of the CIB. personal way the skill and heroism of the American infantry.” The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) was established by the War Department (1) Originally, the Regimental Commander was the lowest level at which on 27 October 1943. LTG Lesley J. McNair, then the Army Ground Forces CG, the CIB could be approved and its award was retroactive to 7 December 1941. was instrumental in its creation. He originally recommended that it be called the Continued on pg. 23 Page 21 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 21st FA News John Parker had some knee surgery done and is currently – You have to prosecute violently, with great vigor and force to break the will under the weather and unable to write this issue of SABER so of the enemy.’ the Executive Director of the 1st Cavalry Division Association “On February 13, against enemy artillery positions, the Soldiers experienced is stepping in to fill in some space for this 21st FA News column their baptism by fire. The Iraqis possessed a huge reservoir of artillery, boasting until John is back up and running strong. field pieces capable of ranges far greater than U.S. howitzers could manage. John did want to remind everyone in the 1/21 FA about the 1st Virtually all could deliver chemical rounds. This made the destruction of Cavalry Division Reunion in June. He has his reservation made and will be Hussein’s artillery a high priority, while reinforcing the deception. there and would like very much to have a good turnout for the 21st FA at the “Captain Hamilton Hite waited for the go-ahead in his battery command post, reunion. wondering if this was going to be “it.” Hite, commander of Alpha Battery, A photo of A Battery, Gun 21st FA, had led his team through several false starts in the days following the Section 5 from March 1970 division’s creep north into the Wadi. To Hite, however, this time looked real. is included in this article “He was right. Just before dusk, he moved out in this Humvee, his ten tracked and I hope it stokes some launchers in tow. Traveling approximately 20 kilometers they arrived at the good memories of the men final global positioning system initialization point, a gently sloping stretch of that each of you may have desert on the left shoulder of the Wadi. A deepening rose sky greeted each served with during your launcher as it pulled up to a fire direction sergeant to confirm its location and time in the 21st FA. check its on-board positioning system. The dry air was electric – this mission The 1/21st FA wasn’t had already gone farther than any of the previous attempts. a part of the 1st Cavalry “The word was ‘go.’ Hite moved out in the gathering dark to the firing Division until 1963 when it position, a wide flat area from which he could watch each launcher move into was assigned to the Division its pre-selected position and pivot left to face the last glow in the west. On ten in Korea. Of course, the launchers, ten box-like rocket pods, each containing 12 rockets tilted up and slowly swiveled right in unison, until all aimed north. battalion was with the First A Btry, Gun Section 5 Team in Vietnam and for “The night sky burned blue as each launcher disgorged fire and steel. Rockets many years after Vietnam. The 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery was inactivated exploded from the pods in a thunderous “whoosh,” tracing a laser path skyward on 12 June 2014 at Fort Hood, Texas. The battalion has gone through 20 changes every three seconds. The battery emptied its pods in under a minute. Each rocket during its history, including activations, in-activations, re-designations, and carried 644 bomblets, each capable of peppering 100 square meters. Seconds reorganizations. We can only hope that the Army sees the error of its ways and later, they exploded over eight Iraqi artillery units and an infantry company just once again activates our great battalion and assigns it back to the 1st Cavalry settling into their evening routine. Division. “Instantly, Hite ordered his battery out, a precaution against counter-battery John included several photos of the 21st FA from Operation Desert Storm in fire. Engines screaming, the launchers pulled out of position, pods barely the last issue and I want to continue in that vein. The following is excerpted stowed. In single file, the battery sped to a rally point several kilometers back, from America’s First Team in the Gulf by Jeffrey E. Phillips and Robyn M. and out of immediate danger. A supporting rocket battery from VII Corps was Gregory. ready to attack any enemy artillery which might fire back, using target locations “As the time for combat drew near, Division Artillery Commander Colonel supplied by Alpha Battery, 333rd FA, with DIVARTY’s target acquisition radar. James M. Gass had gathered his Soldiers in Alpha Battery, 21st Field Artillery, But this time there was no return fire. As Hite’s battery passed by, the supporting and his battery of Multiple Launched Rocket Systems (MLRS), to talk to them rockets loosed a volley on additional targets, providing his crews the spectacular about war. Gass, a combat veteran, brought these Soldiers to the desert and view they had missed from within their shuttered cabs. trained them, in the process earning their complete trust. Now he offered them “Evidence of Hite’s success, secondary explosions erupted in the target area his counsel and insight. long into the night. The war’s first MLRS raid was history.” “‘Now, if you’ll let me pretend that I’m the coach and you’re the team, and No matter when you served with the 1/21st FA, send your stories to John we’re getting ready to play the Super Bowl – I’m talking about mental readiness Parker for inclusion in the next edition of the 21st FA News. 82nd FA News Continued from pg. 19 books. Doesn’t that far exceed the pain, nausea, constipation, IV’s, diarrhea, with a rifle in your hand. The author’s descriptions of combat and the men of headaches, sore throats, bladder burning, oh you get the picture. Cancer is not a his platoon were unexpectedly gritty, chilling, and realistic. I also liked that the Sunday walk in the park. Treatments are harsh, continuous, and unforgettable. author used multiple viewpoints and times to tell the story. The writing by MIA I just wanted to thank everyone for your communications and prayers. A word 1165 gave the story and eerie, haunting feel. I couldn’t put it down. I flew into to the wise, we are all in an age where things begin to go wrong. Get your some of the LZ’s mentioned in this book including Ross, Leslie, and LZ Center, problems checked out, thoroughly. Get it corrected. That may result in your in particular. His descriptions were accurate. These were not rear echelon areas, getting second opinions. Had I not pursued or demanded further diagnosis and they were the front lines. PTSD is an ugly thing to have to deal with day by continued to put up with my problems, I may not have survived. Now I am on day, and especially night by night. This book gives a blow by blow account of the road to complete recovery. So far everything is looking very good. Also, how and why lifelong nightmares persist for combat vets. I can only imagine most of you are under the care of MEDICARE/TRICARE, and or your private what McDonald Low had to go through to bring this book to fruition. His insurance. Be careful about your trust in the VA. There is lots of turbulence in journey back to Vietnam in 2012, to find 1165, was impressive. His views and the VA system. Some of the VA systems are excellent, some are very iffy. All of thoughts about the socialist government of Vietnam I thought were revealing. my cancer problems were uncovered at Moncrief Army Hospital, Fort Jackson It should be mandatory that all VA Mental Health Specialists to read this book. and treated by civilian Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, SC area. Unaccounted would give them a much better understanding of what the warriors I am not telling anyone to abandon the VA, but be careful. Your life and health on the ground in Vietnam and other wars had to go through. VA Health Care may well depend upon you making smart decisions. Also, any illnesses you Professionals, who do not read this book, should find another job. This book encounter in our ripe old age can well be the result of a weakening immune might be a hard read for some of you Vietnam Vets, but I guarantee it is worth system. Residual effects of Agent Orange that you encountered in Vietnam can the read. It is most excellent! start coming forward as your immune system is not strong enough to prevent CSM Thurman Cousins: I have not been able to talk to CSM Cousins lately. them. Just as the Lymphoma that I encountered here recently was probably the I have called but no response. Hope I can find out something from him shortly. result of residual Agent Orange presence in my body. Do not hesitate to contact He has been undergoing some pretty serious medical problems based on my last the VA of illnesses as they may be on the “presumptive list”. That means if you conversation with him. come down with an illness that is on the list and you served one day in Vietnam, One Last Note: Just think of the side effects of chemotherapy. No trips to the you are probably eligible for VA Compensation. You will not know unless you barber shop, watching TV all day, lounging in old comfy chair, almost constant check it out. So “Thanks for your Service” and “Welcome Home Brothers”. service by wife and kids. Oh, and finally getting the time to read Mike Lazarus Thanks to everyone. Keep yourself healthy. OTHER REUNIONS GA. Contact the Society at , (215) 654-1969, or visit A Trp., 1-9th CAV, 3-6 April 2016. Marriott Downtown, Chattanooga, TN. . Contact Howard “Doc” Ketzner, 314-308-7570, . Guns-A-Go-Go (Armed Chinook) 50th Anniversary, 23-26 June 2016. 15th MED Association, 11-18 April 2016. Red Lion Inn, Olympia, WA. Holiday Inn Research Park, Huntsville, AL..Contact Ralph “Doc” Holloway, Information at or contact Larry Hatch, , 210-824-7428. or call 360-491-6486. 5-7th Cavalry Association, 7-14 August 2016. Hotel Elegante, Colorado A Co. and D Co., 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 27-30 April 2016. Omni Springs, CO. Info at . Hotel, Atlanta, GA. Information online at: . 1-8th Cavalry “Jumping Mustangs”, 24-28 August 2016. Holiday Inn, 11th Pathfinder Company, 3-6 May 2016. Quality Inn, Phenix City, AL (Fort Pigeon Forge, TN. Info at . Benning). Contact Rob Wolaver, 765-490-9094, . Aerial Rocket Artillery Association, 7-11 September 2016. Embassy Suites D Co. 2-8th Cavalry, “Angry Skipper”, 1965-1972, 18-21 May 2016. Red Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO. Information at . Lion Hotel, Renton, WA. Info at or contact 77th FA Regiment (All battalions, all eras), 14-18 September 2016. Robin Woo, . Amelia Hotel, Fernandina Beach, FL. Contact John Moran, 937-361-1333, 30th FA “Hard Chargers:, 7-10 June 2016. Comfort Suites, Lawton, OK . (Fort Sill). Info at . C Trp., 1-9th CAV, 29 September-1 October 2016. Stone Castle Hotel, Branson, Society of the 1st Infantry Division, 8-12 June 2016. Hilton Atlanta, Atlanta, MO. Contact Patrick Bieneman, , 859-771-6342. Director’s Chair in Arlington, Virginia. This event is much smaller than our reunions and you will Continued from pg. 17 have time to visit the sites in DC. If you have never been to DC, you should plan alone. Barring my death or serious illness, neither planned or desired, I will be on going just to see the memorials, museums, and the buildings that house our here until the guidon can be passed to the next generation. government. Between now and Veterans Day get out and vote for the folks that Information on Veterans Day activities in Washington, DC and our Veterans serve in public office, many of whom work in Washington, DC. Day Dinner are on our web page and will be published in the next issue of Saber. Plan now to be in Vegas and please get your registration forms mailed in to Make reservations and plans to join us at the Crowne Plaza National Airport Hotel the Association early! First Team! MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 22 HQ and Special Troops News Ron Killingsworth Sue and I just was such a mess when they arrived after several years of each unit installing 10329 Caddo Lake Rd returned from new wire and cable without tearing out the old stuff. They had CONNEXs full Mooringsport, LA 71060- Killeen, Texas, where of old wire and cable when it was all done – I know that someone has pictures 9057 I attended the board of all of that stuff. As part of the Division staff, I stayed till the morning of the (318) 996-9969 meetings of the Transfer of Authority (TOA) with 10th Mountain Division. They were a good [email protected] Museum Foundation, unit to conduct a TOA with, but they were happy to see the First Team departing the Scholarship Foundations and the board meeting for the 1st Cav Division – I think they were taking down our Garry Owen Road signs as we drove over to Association. If you do not know who your board members are, go to the the airfield to catch a C-130 to Ft Hood – which is a very long flight with many association’s web site and download a copy of the association leaders. Our stops along the way. educational foundations continue to be in good shape and we are still awarding The 13th Sig Battalion was crazy busy then with about 1/3 deployed to Bosnia scholarships. The Ia Drang fund is rapidly decreasing in funds. It was never along with the Battalion HQ and the remainder of the battalion supporting intended to last forever. It funds scholarships for dependents of those troopers training at Fort Hood. LTC Bob Ferrell (now LTG and the Army CIO/G6) took who actually fought in this battle. It is now funding grandchildren of those command from LTC Al Lynn (now LTG and the Director for DISA) – and CSM troopers. There are currently 88 students being funded. The fund will probably Roderick Johnson was our CSM along with several stellar SGMs including run out in about 2019. SGM Miguel Laboy, SGM Charles Gilmore, and SGM Douglas Millhouse who Our association remains strong and financially sound. Efforts are underway later deployed with the 1st Cav G6 shop to OIF and passed away in 2010 just to recruit new life members from among the Bosnia, Desert Storm, Iraq and two years after he retired. SGM Millhouse was my SGM while I was the Afghanistan veterans, as well as those who served in peacetime with the Division. Division G6 during my last year with the Cav and he was just a stellar Soldier If you know a veteran from recent wars, sign them up! The Vietnam vets remain – a quiet professional who tended to keep his sense of humor to himself, but the majority within the association and we are getting older and passing away when he laughed it filled the room. I also cannot fail to mention the amazing in great numbers. It is time to turn the leadership of the association over to Warrant Officers who made our network hum bringing command and control younger members. capabilities to the Division – some of the names that I remember are: Chief Don We went to Fort Hood on Saturday, February 27th, and helped welcome home Frank, Chief Virginia Warrell, Chief Brown, Chief Rick Pina, Chief Armond some 325 members of the 2nd Bde who were returning from a nine month Rouillard, Chief Tammy Surratt, Chief Sherri Gayden, Chief Eugene Gardner, deployment to Korea. These “peacekeepers” were glad to be home and were Chief John Garrigues, and COMSEC guru Chief Godfrey Mark are the names greeted by many veterans and their families. What a privilege to “meet and that I remember – I am sure that I missed someone and I apologize but my brain greet” these fine troopers returning home. is failing me. Some months I have little input from readers of this column. This month I “About Bosnia – it was a great opportunity for me to meet the Division staff almost have more than I have space to print. First I heard from Dan Russell. and leadership and I was Also known as “Two Bits” and other nick names while in Nam, served in several always fortunate that I units in Vietnam and wound up in the 545th MP’s. Dan said, ““Enjoying your got to go over for the last article each issue. I just wanted to mention that Jim Barrett of the 1st Cav’s three months. When we 545th MP Company is taking reservations for our upcoming reunion April 24th returned in August the thru April 30th in Daytona Beach, Florida. We would appreciate it if you could other summers inbounds make that announcement in next month’s issue if not too late as I just heard were all ‘new’ but I was about it. Lots activities planned. Contact Jim Barrett at considered one of the or call 417-840-0324.” old timers. MG Kevin Dan continued, “I actually got to Vietnam in December of ‘65 with Burns was our Division STRATCOM (at Phu Lam outside of Saigon) then in September ‘66 I extended Commander in Bosnia for six months for an early out (which I didn’t get) and got 1049ed to the Cav. and I always thought that HHC of the 1st Cav grabbed me and had me drive a supply truck until December he was the perfect leader Officers of the ADSO Office taken after their return when I went home on my 30 day leave. Upon my return I was told to report to for that mission. He from Bosnia CPT Blaylock of the 545th MP Company. Seems they had been looking for me worked so well with the Brits, other NATO partners and even the Russians who for three months. HHC apparently kidnapped me for their own use and being had a sector. I don’t think we could have asked for better relationships and it young and dumb (dumb=extending to go to the Cav?) at the time I did what I was largely because of how he treated those partner nation leaders. I was able was told. After Vietnam, in August of ‘67, my last assignment was to Seneca to dig up a picture from the fall after we returned from Bosnia – it’s the officers Army Depot in Seneca, New York. Now being a southern boy I didn’t want to from the ADSO office – from left to right – Chief Don Frank, CPT Kevin depart the Army on January 4th of ‘68 in the winter in New York so my local Knapp, myself, CPT Jim Turinetti (now COL and a DISA Field Commander congressman had me assigned to 3rd Army HQ at Fort McPherson in Atlanta. at CENTCOM) and Chief Virginia Warrell. Jim’s daughter Sophia is sitting Another fine mess I got myself into having to actually shine my boots and wear on his lap. This was taken at one of the clubs at Fort Hood during a Hail and a clean uniform every day. More Generals and high ranking officers there than Farewell – I cannot remember where we were, but someone may recognize the enlisted personnel. New York and Nam didn’t look so bad after all. At the time, furniture. other than CPT Lawhead who also was assigned to Fort Mac and Spc4 Don “Also included is a picture Batey also of the 545th, I was the only Nam Vet in our Company and one of the from one of our training few on post. So spit shine and picking cigarette butts up was not what I was exercises at Fort Hood. It is hoping to be doing my last few months in the Army. After the Army, Don and I really difficult to make out became police officers. I was in Jacksonville, Florida and Don in Atlanta. Don the faces, but CSM Johnson is was murdered by a bank robber while on duty within a year or so. I now reside standing on the far right – next in the Atlanta area. No regrets as I’m part of the finest group of brothers anyone to the 1st Cav Division 13th can have. Regards, Dan.” Signal Battalion sign that we Thanks for writing Dan. If any of you out there served in the 545th MP feel always took to the field. Not free to write items for this column as the 545th MPs no longer have a column very camouflaged, but a great writer in the Saber. If you attend the reunion, you will wind up in the Hq and reminder every day that we Special Troops for the unit lunches and also sitting with the same people at the Members of 13th Signal Battalion train at Fort were part of the best Division in banquet. We are a great bunch of people from many units and welcome you to Hood the Army. MG McKiernan and our group. CSM Sparks where the Division I also heard from one of our “younger” troopers. “Younger” being relative command team while we retrained the Division Staff on our war fighting METL when compared to my age. Rosey Carter, US Army (Ret), sent me a great article after Bosnia. They were a great command team and I am sure that everyone who about her service with the Cav. She served with the Cav in several capacities served in the Division during that period will agree that we were trained and and served in Bosnia. Rosey said, “I first want to say thanks to Ron for keeping ready. I still carry CSM Spark’s Division Coin on my keychain as a reminder up the 1st Cav HQ and Special Troops News section of the Saber. It’s a wieldy of what right looks like in our Army and that taking care of Soldiers is our most group and we don’t always think of ourselves as one entity. I served in the important job and we do that through training. 1st Cav Division from June of 1999 until July of 2003 and it was one of the “One last thought referencing Dennis Webster’s note in the Jan/Feb issue. greatest tours of duty of my career. I served as the Assistant Division Signal I agree that disbanding the Mavericks was not the Army’s best decision. I Officer (ADSO), 13th Sig Battalion XO, Division SGS, and Division G6. I think they were trying to find the spaces to create our Brigade Combat Team departed in July 2003 right before we got deployment orders to OIF for 2004. (BCT) force structure. But, losing the Signal, ADA, and MI Battalions did not We did participate in the Victory Scrimmage exercise the winter before OIF increase the capability of our Divisions. This is especially true in our Signal I when the Division was on deployment orders with the mission to conduct a units were we lost the Battalion Commander and the Battalion Staff who had huge left hook and attack Baghdad between the western lakes. Needless to say, years of experience with the network. There is hope on the horizon as the there was tremendous disappointment when the northern route through Turkey Army is conducting a proof of concept this year intended as a step on the path was denied and the 4th ID took our place coming through Kuwait. I think that to re-establishing our Division Signal Battalions. There is a lot of work and USFOR-Korea and 8th Army were happy that we stayed at Fort Hood in case many decisions ahead, but perhaps the 13th Signal Battalion will be back in the North Korea took advantage of the global crisis, but it was a disappointing time Division formations before too long! First Team, Rosey Carter at Fort Hood as we watched some of our newest and most technically advanced Thanks Rosey, always great to hear from readers. I actually have more input equipment transferred over to 3rd ACR and 4th ID. At the time it was hard to for the column but spaces dictates that it be kept for the next column. imagine that we would still be rotating forces into Iraq this many years later. The reunion in Vegas is fast approaching. Many of you have reserved rooms “I came into the Division the summer of the Bosnia rotation and immediately but have not yet registered with the Association. Get those registrations in to the flew to Bosnia hand carrying my Stetson. I was located at Eagle Base as the Association office! Sue and I will be driving from NW Louisiana to Vegas and Assistant Division Signal Officer (ADSO) working with a phenomenal group hope to see all of you there. Until then, don’t forget to vote! Our nation faces a of Soldiers who by that time all knew their mission. I replaced MAJ John major turning point. The cemeteries are full of brave military veterans who died Morrison (now MG and Commander of NETCOM) who headed back to Fort to give us the right to vote. Don’t waste the privilege by staying home. Instead Hood for some leave before taking over as the Battalion S3 and heading to NTC of the usual 33%, wouldn’t it be great to have 100% voter turnout? Keep on with one of the brigades. I remember LT Mel Walker and her cable platoon keeping on and watch your back. May God bless you, your family, troopers of from B Company had the mission to replace all of the cable at Eagle Base. It the 1st Cav past and present, and the greatest nation on earth, the USofA! Page 23 saber MARCH/APRIL 2016 Combat Badges ambulance and medical clearing companies, mobile Army surgical hospitals, Continued from pg. 20 combat support hospitals, field hospitals, and aeromedical evacuation units are There was a separate provision for badge holders to receive a $10 per month pay not eligible for the CMB. stipend, which was rescinded in 1948. Several factors led to the creation of the (6) The sole criterion that qualifies medical personnel for award of the CMB CIB, some of the most prominent factors are as follows: is to be assigned or attached to an infantry, combat arms, or combat aviation unit (a) The need for large numbers of well-trained infantry to bring about a suc- engaged in active ground combat. cessful conclusion to the war and the already critical shortage of infantrymen. (7) Medical personnel, other than those medics organic to infantry units, may (b) Of all soldiers, it was recognized that the infantryman continuously operated qualify only if they serve as medical personnel accompanying infantry, combat under the worst conditions and performed a mission which was not assigned to arms, or combat aviation units during combat operations. Conceivably, this could any other soldier or unit. occur if a unit lost all its medics and, as a temporary or permanent measure, medi- (c) The infantry, a small portion of the total Armed Forces, was suffering the cal personnel were attached to an infantry, combat arms, or combat aviation unit most casualties while receiving the least public recognition. but remained assigned to a hospital or other noninfantry unit. (d) General Marshall’s well known affinity for the ground forces soldier and, COMBAT ACTION BADGE in particular, the infantryman. a. On 2 May 2005, the CSA approved All these factors led to the establishment of the CIB, an award which would the creation of the CAB to provide provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only special recognition to Soldiers who soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize personally engaged, or are engaged and hold terrain. The badge was intended as an inducement for individuals to by, the enemy. join the infantry while serving as a morale booster for infantrymen serving in b. The requirements for award of the every theater. CAB are branch and MOS immaterial. (2) In developing the CIB, the War Department did not dismiss out of hand or Assignment to a combat arms unit or a ignore the contributions of other branches. Their vital contributions to the overall Combat Action Badge unit organized to conduct close or offen- war effort were certainly noted, but it was decided that other awards and decora- sive combat operations, or performing tions were sufficient to recognize their contributions. From the beginning, Army offensive combat operations, is not required to qualify for the CAB. However, leaders have taken care to retain the badge for the unique purpose for which it was it is not intended to award the CAB to all Soldiers who serve in a combat zone established and to prevent the adoption of any other badge which would lower or imminent danger area. its prestige. At the close of World War II, our largest war in which the armor and c. Specific eligibility requirements include: artillery played key roles in the ground campaigns, a review was conducted of the (1) May be awarded to any Soldier. CIB criteria with consideration being given to creating either additional badges (2) Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire or authorizing the badge to cavalry and armor units. The review noted that any pay or imminent danger pay is authorized. change in policy would detract from the prestige of the badge. (3) Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged (3) The definition of requirement to be “engaged in active ground combat” has by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed generated much dialogue over the years as to the original intent of the CIB. The rules of engagement. 1943 War Department Circular required infantrymen to demonstrate “satisfactory (4) Soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would qualify the performance of duty in action against the enemy.” The operative words “in ac- Soldier for the CIB and/or CMB. For example, an infantryman (MOS 11B) as- tion” connoted actual combat. A War Department determination in October 1944 signed to Corps staff is eligible for award of the CAB. However, an infantryman specified that “action against the enemy” for purposes of award of the CIB was assigned to an infantry battalion is not eligible for award of the CAB. to be interpreted as “ground combat against enemy ground forces.” d. In addition to Army Soldiers, the CAB may also be awarded to Servicemem- (4) In 1948, the regulation governing badges stipulated that “battle participation bers of other U.S. Armed Forces and foreign military personnel assigned to a credit is not sufficient; the unit must have been in contact with the enemy.” This U.S. Army unit, provided they meet the above criteria (for example, KATUSA clearly indicated that an exchange of hostile fire or equivalent personal exposure in the 2d Infantry Division). was the intent of the Army leadership. e. Award of the CAB is authorized for the following operations (award for (5) In 1963 and 1965, HQDA messages to the SAC in the Southeast Asia theater qualifying service in any previous conflict is not authorized): of operations authorized award of the CIB to otherwise qualified personnel “pro- (1) Afghanistan (OEF, 18 September 2001 to 31 December 2014; OFS, 1 Janu- vided they are personally present and under fire.” U.S. Army Vietnam regulations ary 2015 to a date to be determined). went so far as to require documentation of the type and intensity of enemy fire (2) Iraq (OIF, 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010; OND,1 September 2010 to encountered by the Soldier. The intended requirement to be “personally present 31 December 2011). and under fire” has not changed. (3) OIR, 15 June 2014 to a date to be determined. COMBAT MEDICS BADGE f. Subsequent award of the CAB is not authorized for the same qualifying Originally established as the Medical period, as outlined above. The CMB may be awarded as follows: Badge, the CMB was created by the War (1) Current awards. These may be awarded by HRC, ADB and any commander Department on 1 March 1945. It could in the rank of COL/O–6 and above when delegated wartime award approval au- be awarded to officers, warrant officers, thority by the SECARMY (or his or her designee). When this authority has not and enlisted Soldier of the AMEDD been delegated, recommendations will be submitted through command channels assigned or attached to the medical de- to HRC, ADB for processing. tachment of infantry regiments, infantry (2) Retroactive award of the Combat Action Badge. Retroactive award of the BNs, and elements thereof designated CAB is authorized for time periods specified above for fully qualified individuals. as infantry in tables of organization or The awards may be awarded by Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Com- TOEs. Its evolution stemmed from a mand, Awards and Decorations Branch (AHRC–PDP–A), 1600 Spearhead Division Combat Medic Badge requirement to recognize medical aid- Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122–5408. Applications for retroactive award to active men who shared the same hazards and duty Soldiers and RC Soldiers will be forwarded through command channels to hardships of ground combat on a daily basis with the infantry Soldier. Though the first general officer (for endorsement) to HRC for processing. Retirees and established almost a year and a half after the CIB, it could be awarded retroactive veterans should address their applications to National Personnel Records Center to 7 December 1941to fully qualified personnel. (NPRC), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138–1002. All ARNG requests, once (1) Similar to the CIB, the regimental commander was the lowest level at which endorsed, will be submitted to the Director, (ARNG–HRH–A), 111 S. George the CMB could be approved, and it also initially carried with it a separate provi- Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22204–1373 prior to being submitted to HRC. Such sion for enlisted badge holders to receive a $10 per month pay stipend. awards will not be made except where evidence of injustice is presented. (2) The CMB was created as a “companion” badge to the CIB with criteria g. Retroactive awards of the CAB are not authorized prior to 18 September for its award intended to parallel that of the CIB. It was designed to provide 2001. For service on or after 18 September 2001, applications (with supporting recognition to the field medic who accompanies the infantryman into battle and documentation) for retroactive awards of the CAB will be forwarded through the shares experiences unique to the infantry in combat. There was never any inten- first general officer in the chain of command to Commander, U.S. Army Human tion to award the CMB to all medical personnel who serve in a combat zone or Resources Command, Awards and Decorations Branch (AHRC–PDP–A), 1600 imminent danger area, that is, a division-level medical company supporting a Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122–5408. maneuver brigade. h. The CAB is categorized as a Group 1 badge (see AR 670–1 for specific (3) As with the CIB, the infantry unit to which the medical personnel are as- wear instructions). signed or attached must engage the enemy in active ground combat. Since in- i. Soldier may be awarded the CIB, CMB, and CAB for the same qualifying ception, DA’s intent regarding this requirement has been that medical personnel period, provided the criteria for each badge are met. However, subsequent awards must be personally present and under fire in order to be eligible for the award of of the same badge within the same qualifying period are not authorized. the badge. So stringent was this requirement during the Vietnam era that recom- j. Second and subsequent awards of the CAB are as follows: mending officials were required to document the place (in six digit coordinates), (1) Only one CAB may be awarded during a qualifying period. time, type, and intensity of fire to which the proposed recipient was exposed. (2) Second and subsequent award of the CAB will be indicated by superimpos- This fact naturally precludes the awarding of the badge to those medical person- ing one and two stars respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the nel who accompany infantry units into a potential engagement area but do not points of the oak wreath. come under enemy fire. k. Authority to award the CAB is also delegated to regional medical center (4) Over the years, there has been some confusion concerning the phrase “in commanders receiving casualties directly from the wartime theater. The CAB direct support of an infantry unit.” The CMB is intended for, and awarded to, will be announced in POs. Award of the CAB is not automatic and will not be those medical personnel who accompany the infantryman into combat. The Army awarded solely based on award of the Purple Heart. has never approved of deviations from this purpose and its restrictive criteria. Editor’s Note: The war in Iraq and Afghanistan often had units working as During the World War II era, medical support for infantry units in combat was Infantry despite that fact that the unit was designated as a Field Artillery or Armor provided by the medical detachments and companies of battalions and regiments. unit. Soldiers assigned to these units and other types of units were conducting These medical personnel and units were termed direct support. This concept missions that were normally considered Infantry missions. Additionally, the lasted until Vietnam. non-linear battlefield often made support units that in more traditional wars were (5) Today, medical personnel are assigned as organic personnel to infantry, behind the main lines actually in the thick of the fight. Rather than change the combat arms, and combat aviation companies and are regarded as participants criteria for the CIB the Army finally decided on the CAB to recognize the service as opposed to being categorized as those providing direct medical support. For in direct combat of Soldiers from any branch or type of unit. example, medical personnel serving in division-level medical companies, ground MARCH/APRIL 2016 saber Page 24 HONOR ROLL Acknowledgement of generous donations from the following troopers:

UP TO $25 SGT MARSH, Loren D. MAJ GRAY, William C. SP-5 AAKJAR, Raymond P. Sr. 1LT McCARL, Terry A. LTC HALE, Henry S. SFC AHO, Herman A. SGT McCARTY, John M. SGT HAMPTON, Dan R. MG (RET) ALLEN, William F. CW2 McCAW, Stanley C. In Honor and Memory of CPL Paddy Gallagher, 11th SP-5 BARBER, Michael W. MSG McCOY, Burl G. Pathfinder Company, Vietnam 1965-1967 SGT BABINSKI, David A. SP-5 Mc CURDY, Jonathan D. SGT HAMUS, Michal M. SSG BACA, William S. SGT MELCHER, Douglas L. SP-5 HAYS, James R. SGT BENTZ, Glen A. COL (RET) MILLER, Kipp O. MAJ HOLLAND, Robert G. SP-4 BARTOLOMEO, Patrick SGT MILLER, Richard Gene SP-4 HOLMES, Mason SGT BEHSELICH, Dennis P. SSG MODOLO, Richard J. SGT HONZO, Joseph E. SSG BENNETT, Paul D. SP-4 MORGAN, Robert J. SGT JOHNSON, Richard M. E-4 BOYER, Richard W. E-5 MORTON, Burnis E. SPC (RET) LETKIEWICZ, Paul SP-5 BRAUN, James M. SP-4 MROS, Stephen R. SGT LOMBARDO, Edward C. SGT BREEN, James F. SGT MUELLER, John E. PFC MEYER, Charles SP-4 BROWN, Gerald E. E-5 NORDSTORM, Gary L. COL (RET) McKAY, Donald M. PFC BRUSTOWICZ, Richard R. COL (RET) NOWOWIEJSKI, Dean, PhD SGT McMICHAEL, Marvin D. CPT BUONACCORSI, Paul P. E-5 O’BRIEN, Patrick SP-5 MIRAGE, Paul L. SP-4 BURKHARDT, John B. SGT OCHOA, Blas In Memory Of LTC (RET) and Mrs. Donald A. Or- 1LT CAMPISE, Jasper A. LTC(RET) OGLE, Glenn A. sini SGT CARLSTEDT, Warren W. SP-4 OLLIS, Robert E. SP-4 MORGAN, Robert J. SGT CHANEY, Harold D. SP-5 OUELLETTE, Gilbert L. SP-4 MOYNIHAN, Michael P. CPT CHEWNING, Eric COL (RET) POLONITZA, Edmund H. SP-4 MROS, Stephen R. MAJ CHOW, Louis W. SP-4 PYFFEROEN, Michael J. E-4 NEWBERG, Ronald R. CPL CONRAD, George H. CPT QUALLEY, Gary F. CSM (RET) NILES, Guy R. CPT COPLEY, James C. XPL RAHORST, William F. LTC (RET) NOTT, Michale B. SGT CANNON, James E. CPT RAINS, Jackie R. COL (RET) NOWOWIEJSKI, Dean A.,PhD SP-5 CHAPOTON, Louis J. SPC RAMOS, Adrian MAJ ORTIZ, Jose R. SFC CLARK, Charles W. CPL RICE, Berkley M. CPT OVERMOHLE, William P. SP-5 CLEMENTS, Robert M. SP-5 REICHERT, William SP-4 POPE, Jerry L. SGT COUSINEAU, Joseph R. CPT ROB, John V. MAJ (RET) REID, Ralph C. SFC (RET) CORBIN, Don R. SP-4 ROBERTSON, Jesse H. SGT REYNOLDS, Robert L. SGT CUMMINS, John P. SGT ROSCOE, Frederick G. MAJ RICHARDSON, Charles E. SSG DANAK, Marion R. SGT RODRIGUEZ, Jose N. MAJ ROBERTSON, John W. E-5 DAY, Randy C. CPT SALLING, Robret L. SP-4 SCHAADT, Ronald E. MAJ (RET) DEMAILO, Alfed S. SP-5 SCHROEDER, Albert 1LT SMITH, Patrick A. 1LT DOWNING, Jack D. 1LT SEPULVADO, Richard M. CW4 SOMMERS, Jerry C. SP-4 DUNFORD, Michael J. PVT SHEEHANS, Daniel MG (RET) SPENCE, Clyde SP-5 DUNGAN, Stephen D. CPT SHOUTHALL, James, Jr. SFC (RET) WAGNER, Donald E. SGT EDEN, Raymond A. MAJ SIMMONS, Donald R. SP-5 WRIGHT, Charlie Vaughn SGT EDMOND, Robert SGT SNODDY, Harold M. SGT EICHLER, Robert E. 1lt Stafford, Ernest M. $51 - $100 SGT ERCOLANO, Emil A. CPT STAHL, Frank B. SGT BLUMBERG, Terry R. SGM (RET) FERGUSON, John H. CW3 STANSBURY, Harry J. COL (RET) BOOTH, James W SP-4 FEHRENBACHER, James R. SGT STOFKO, Gerald Honoring D Troop, 1 Squadron, 9th Cavalry, SGT CW3 FINCH, Robert J. SP-4 STRANDE, James L. Donald Skidgell, Medal of Honor, 14 September 1969 SGT FINK, Earl B. CW3 STOOK, Walter P. Posthumous CPL FROST, Cullen D. SGT STUDSTILL, David J. COL (RET) BOOTH, James W. MAJ (RET) FUNK, Jack MSG SWAIN, Martell, Jr. Honoring the LRRP’s “H” Co. 75th Rangers SGT GAERTNER, Harold J. SGT SZIDON, Marvin H. SGT GAILFOIL, John R. SGT GARCIA, Lino L. SP-4 TAKACS, Frank G. 5-E GLEASON, Paul D. MAJ GAUTIER, Robert W. MSG (RET) TEMPLIN, Cleo F. SGT HOOVER, Thomas J. SP-5 GOOD, Benjamin F. PFC THORNTON, Buddy In Honor of B Company, 1-7th Cavalry 1968 MSG (RET) GRADY, John C. SGT THRASH, Larry L. SFC (RET) HOSKING, Richard L. SP-4 GRADY, Partick J. LTC (RET) TILLY, Phillip R. MSG INDERDAHL, Howard K. CW4 (RET) BROMME, Lance S. CPL TRAHAN, Kimberly S. BG (RET) JUNOT, and Mrs. Arthur J. SGT GUERTIN, Armande E. LTG (RET) TREFRY, Richard G. In Memory of MAJ (RET) William A. “Bill” Rich- CPL GUILLEN, Jose E. E-4 TURLEY Johnney E. ardson CPT HALL, Sansi M. and Brian PFC TUTTLE, David L. LTC (RET) McCARRON, William L. SFC (RET) HAMILTON, Daniel R. SGT VanBEEST, Larry D. SSG ORLANDO, Pete PFC HAMILTON, Johnnie G. CPT VIGUE, Ronald L. PSG PALMER, Leslie L. SSG HAMPTON, Leandrew SP-4 WAGEL, Joseph E. COL (RET) PUTNAM, Lawrence H. SFC HARTY, Donald J. SP-4 WAGNER, Bruce K. SGT REED, Dave A. CSM (RET) HELMS, Felix L. SGT WILLMON, Gary M. CSM (RET) WEBSTER, Dennis E. SP-4 HEIMBACH, Wallace H. 1SG WILLIAMS, Lee In Memory of Sue Booth, a Great Cavalry Lady SGT HEISEY, Peter M. CPT WILSON, Laurance A. CSM (RET) HOETKER, John A. SFC WILSON, Raymond D. $101 - $500 SGT HOLMES, Lyman F. LTC (RET) WORLEY, Joe R. LTC (RET) BARKER, Robert L. SGT HOOD, David W. SFC YETMAN, Stuart B. SGT CARTER, John G MAJ (RET) HOWARD, David D. MR. JONES, Ralph SP-5 HUBER, Jerry $26 - $50 In Honor of: Baiting Op. 03/26/70, F.S.B. Jay 03/29/70 SP-5 HURST, William A. MAJ (RET) ARMER, Raymond B. and F.S.B. Illingworth 04/01/70, 42 K.I.A. 137 W.I.A. SGT JACOBSEN, Alan T. SGTBARNARD, Leonard W. and 179 Purple Hearts COL (RET) JAMES, James D. LTC (RET) CONNORS, Francis X. K. SGT GAMBRELL, Robert M., Jr. SP-4 JONES, Robert R. SP-4 DECKER, James R. SGT HENRY, AL SFC KELLER, Charles C. COL (RET) DeVRIES, Paul T. In Memory of SP-5 Oscar “Doc” Gutierrez, C Co. SP-5 KETZNER, Howard, J. SGT DISCH, Dennis F. 1-7th Cav 3/11/68 SP-4 KUNDTSON, Howard D. SSG FEATHER, Melvin L. MG (RET) NARDOTTI, Michael J. Jr. LTC (RET) KUYPERS, Thomas O. SP-4 STEWART, Carl A. SGT LA PORTE, James R. II PFC LABAK, Robert L. $501 - $1,000 LTC (RET) LEMASTER, Robert E. The First Team Family Cares! COL (RET) BOOTH, James W SGT LARENSEN, John E. In Memory of Sue Jackson Booth, Loving Wife and BG (RET) LOMAX, Rhoss C. Your donations to the Mother, Life Companion, Patriot, who Loved the 1st SFC LAWSON, William C. Foundation and Museum Foundation are tax-deductible. Cavalry Division, and was Considered a Cavalry COL (RET) LUPO, Anthony T. We are also grateful for your support of Trooper Herself SFC (RET) MALBROUE, Eddie P. the Association through donations to our D SP-4 MARROQUIN, Jaime Troop program. $1,001 AND UP COL (RET) MARTIN, James R. 61st FA BATTALION - William E. Stewart SP-5 MARTIN, Marshall W. SP-4 MARTIN, Thomas J.