A PUBLICATION OF VOLUME 22, NUMBER 4 THE MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE ASSOCIATION WINTER 2013 From the Galley doing well and okay and getting ready for some coldHope weather. this findsFor those each of and you everywho attended one of youthe board members and for me. It was a very enjoyable reunion,reunion andI want everyone to thank seemed you from to have the aofficers good time. and and it was nice meeting and seeing them. A couple Wetold had me somethey could new folkskick themselvesattend for their in the first rear time for not attending sooner. With being in a new hotel, there were a few mishaps but they were taken care of right away—the shuttle to and from the airport and the individual hospitality rooms. Frank Jones our new reunion coordinator is working with the hotel on making the shuttle service more conve- nient and the cost of the individual hospitality rooms more affordable. Frank will have more on this in his column in upcoming newsletters. When Veterans Day 2013 working with a new hotel, you will have a few prob- lems—all and all I think the hotel did an outstand- Washington, DC MORE VETERANS DAY PHOTOS ON PAGE 9 of the folks I spoke with wanted us to be sure and inguse jobthe Marriott for our firstfor our reunion 2015 there.reunion. The I think majority the room rates were excellent for a Marriott and the food in the hotel was above average for a hotel. The Lounge did a great job, even though they did not heed our warning that they would be overrun. But they also took care of this right away all we had to do is ask and the service was there and taken care of. Rooms were nice and clean, the patio with the
The dance room was well done; better than we waterfall,have had andbefore, our andflags the were DJ just was perfect. great. Museum Room was well done by Doc Pries and his assis- tants. Gunner Stanley and his products crew did a great job as always. Herb Franklin and Bob and Frank did an excellent job with the snacks and Reunion Notes: there were always fresh coffee and doughnuts. Museum Room Display Herb went out every morning to the local Dunkin’ by Bob ‘Doc” Pries 2nd/47th (Mech) Infantry Donuts and got them fresh; he bought so many The 2013 MRFA Reunion’s Museum Room was a big hit. Over the course of Wednesday to they were giving us a discount. Registration as Friday, many MRFA Members, guests, hotel staff, and others walked throughout the room admir- always is a little hectic but George and his ladies ing the huge collection of memorabilia the Association displayed. did a great job making sure any mistakes were A recent addition to the Association’s collection was a huge hit with all—the model of T-92-2 built and donated by Paul Kasper of the 15th Combat Engineers. Springer and her crew did an outstanding job with All who walked through the museum expressed amazement with the detail of this Tango Boat. The Association cannot adequately express its gratitude and thanks to Paul Kasper for donating taken care of. As always our Raffle Queen Mable in more funds in to help the association and she this wonderful Tango. Well done, Brother Kasper. Thank you! Another hit was the model weapons display. themakes raffles. it fun Mable in doing gives so. itI believe her best it’s tothe help big smile bring she always has for everyone. Thanks to Bruce I happened to overhear a few good war stories as members checked out the weapons! Graff for driving the MRFA Memorial and Museum The weapons were purchased and donated by a few members. The Helo on the ATC was trailer to the reunion. Bruce has done a great job donated by Tony Moonshine Spradling and Jim Hinkle. The Association thanks Bob “Doc” Pries, Bill Brennan, Bill Sinclair, Dave Lull, Doug Smith and Dwight Strickland for their work to make with the MRFA Memorial and Museum trailer. ★ Lots of folks went through the trailer, although the the Museum Room the success it was. Bravo Zulu! Well done, Brothers! CONTINUED on PAGE 4 MORE REUNION PHOTOS ON PAGES 2 & 3 2 • River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013
FoundingReunion Notes: MRFA Member Recognized at 2013 Reunion Frank Jones, MRFA Secretary/Reunion Coordinator At the 2013 reunion in year when he turned it over to me. I to the MRFA members. I, for one, Thanks also to the speakers and Indianapolis, we presented Albert didn’t realize how hard he worked am honored to call Albert a friend. Memorial Service participants. You “Cookie Man”Moore with I am looking forward to many made this reunion one to remem- a plaque honoring his 21 more years of his leadership. ber. I also want to thank the hotel years of service to the Inscribed on the plaque: staff at the Indianapolis Marriott MRFA. Albert was a found- In Appreciate of Your East for their outstanding service ing member of the MRFA Outstanding Dedication and hospitality. It was a fantastic and has been our President and Service to the Mobile reunion! Thanks again, Frank Jones since 1992. This Association River Force Association as See you at the Indianapolis would not be what it is a Founding Member, Plank Marriott East in Indianapolis in today without Albert’s hard Owner, and President since 2015. ★ work and his great ideas. 1992. “You are the man that The MRFA is a unique asso- keeps us afloat!” ciation with Army and Bravo Zulo! Raffle and Navy members. There are Officers, Board of Directors, Other Winners no other groups like ours. and Membership We now have 3,200 active McLaughlin won $475 each members and still growing, I personally want to in Wendellthe 50/25/25 Affield anddrawing. Cratis even with all the members thank all Board Members, Rose Antoon won the beau- we lose each year. Although Albert Moore and Gunner Stanley - tiful stitching of The Wall his health has been on a cant others that volunteered by Esther Lightwine. Ed downward swing, he has contin- to make sure everyone attending theirmembers, time to work wives, at and this signifiyear’s Gorczyk won the shadow ued his hard work and dedication had a great time. He also oversees reunion. Special thanks to Albert box. James Giles and Jeff to the MRFA. He has been in charge the River Current newsletter and and Georgie for their patience Campbell won the guns. of all the large reunions up to this all Veteran’s reports that he sends and training skills for the new guy. Ambush Survivors Reunited 45 Years Later: Memories from August 18, 1968 by Wendell Affield (To put this blog post in context, please read the past four decades. The second day of the of us remembered differently yet there were the August 18 post.) reunion Larry came up to me and said, “I found some memories held by all. David L. Cowley, Reunions can be poignant, frightening, illu- three guys who were in the well deck on August from “The Great State of Texas” brought up minating. This past week my wife, Patti, and 18.” It was an intense experience. what we all remembered most vividly. Blood I attended the 2013 Mobile Riverine Force Larry R. McCormick, Amarillo, Texas, looked splattered everywhere; blood trickling across Association Reunion held in Indianapolis. I was at me, frowned, and shook his head. “I thought the well deck. Heroism of already wounded saddened to see how age and Agent Orange you were dead these past45 years.” “Why would men, cradling smoldering crates as they strug- illnesses have ravaged our ranks. One of the you think that?” I said. “Because of all the blood gled across the slick deck to throw grenades founding members of the MRFA stoically told and ammo overboard before it exploded. me, “The doctors give me about 12 months.” and the boat kept running into things.” “Each I brought up the black army sergeant who But there were moments of disbelief, too. About drippingtime rockets down hit frommy armor your platingcox’n flat I kept above getting me, had come up to man our abandoned 0.50- a year ago, Larry Reid, Nashville, Tennessee, knocked down,” I told him. caliber machine gun. I told again how he had an army veteran who had been riding our boat He asked an unusual question then—one I’ve been severely maimed when a B-40 rocket when we were ambushed on August 18, 1968, never thought about. “How many times were burned through the armor and he took a direct discovered “Muddy Jungle Rivers” on Amazon you hit?” I have always considered the ambush hit. Cleve Chick, Elkridge, Maryland, recalled and purchased it. Over the past 12 months, one action—not multiple injuries. I thought that he was a career man who had recently back for a time and told him, “Four, I suppose.” joined the platoon. Most of the men didn’t know reunion, he introduced himself. We compared We all visited then and recalled that hot him. “Thomas,” Cleve said. “His last name was we’venotes beenon how in touch.our lives On thehave first evolved day of over the Sunday afternoon and I thought again how each Thomas.” Larry gave me a list of 23 army men who were on ATC 112-11 who received a Purple Heart for wounds received on August 18. Two names are missing: Hector Lugo-Mojica, who was Killed in Action, and the black sergeant named Thomas. I wonder if Sergeant Thomas was the senior man onboard ATC 112-11 on August 18. I believe in the chaos of the day his act of heroism went unnoticed and unrecorded. I would very much like to identify the sergeant. If he did not survive his wounds, his family deserves to know of his actions. If he did survive and is still alive, I would very much like to meet him. I am humbled that “Muddy Jungle Rivers” was the catalyst that brought us together. Each of these men has a story of that afternoon and if Eight survivors from left to right: Larry Reid, Cleve Chick, David L. Cowley, they would like to write it, I will post it on this Larry R. McCormick, Wendell Affield blog. ★ River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013 • 3 Met for the First Time in 45 Years Hello Albert Below is a picture from the reunion at the MRFA Reunion in Indy in August 2013. The short guy by Ed Gorczyk ([email protected]) on the right is Ray Tarnecki. Ray went to Art Mann and I were both assigned to Alpha Boat 91-3. We typically manned the port and star- Nam with A Company, 3rd of the 60th and board 0.30-caliber machine guns on the stern of the boat. I was a Seaman; Art was an Engineman carried the 9th Division Colors from the ship to the shore at Vung Tau in 1966. On the left is Jerry Schuebel, B Company, 3rd there was little protection from B-40 and RPG shrapnel. The last time we had seen each other was of the 60th. Jerry was charged with taking 3rd Class. Alpha boats didn’t have the same level of armor as Monitors and Tango boats and firing the colors from Fort Lewis, Washington, amidway machine through gun from our tourthe open of duty stern in 1968. of an After Alpha a majorboat during ambush a firefighton May 8,was 1968, very in dangerous which most and of our boat crew was wounded while leading a column of boats through the infamous Crossroads, Art to Fort Riley, Kansas, to their present Mann was awarded another Purple Heart, his third in 6 months. Unlike our Army counterpart, the permanent location upon the 9th Division Navy had a policy of reassigning sailors who were unlucky enough to be wounded three times to a being deactivated. more friendly duty station. Art departed the Mekong Delta in June of 1968 and we lost touch with These are two of the great guys that one another. 45 years later Ed saw a name on the MRFA email list and wondered if it was his old make us all proud to have served in the lost buddy. After reconnecting on the Internet, we decided to meet in person at the 2013 reunion in Mobile Riverine Force. Indianapolis. With picture in hand, Ed hunted through the large banquet hall looking for someone Respectfully submitted, Charles Howe who resembled the snapshot. With a big grin and a hearty hug, the two Riverines were reunited, B Company, 3/60 (1967-68) still buddies after 45 years. ★
Jerry Schuebel & Ray Tarnecki Ed Gorczyk and Art Mann RivRon 9-A-91-3 Ed Gorczyk & Art Mann in Vietnam Indy Reunion 2013 Photos
Albert Moore presents certificate to Gloria Owings
Gunner presented flag Speaker Padre Johnson to Ty Dawley
Speaker Robert Bischoff
Gunner presented flag Speaker Mel Pender Rufus Campbell, to Barbara Davis Albert, Robin Bartell (Graphic Designer for River Currents), & Frank Jones bag piper 4 • River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013 GALLEY Ambush on Hai Muoi Canal, Vietnam 18 August 1968 CONTINUED FROM page 1 Posted by Wendell Affield weather was hot; it had a good turnout. At the 2015 reunion, mrfa.org/rpts/aug68/R181530Z. This past year, after I published the trailer will be in a different since that Sunday afternoon. This pdf. Muddy Jungle Rivers, I’ve been location close to the front of the eveningForty-five I sit yearsin my havemeadow passed and Killed In Action that Sunday after- humbled by the comments I’ve hotel instead of the back where noon 08/18/68 on ASPB-112-1 in received from the men who served it will be easier to enter and see Evening rays pierce gray clouds as Dinh Tuong: Stephen C. Brunton, on the boats. Thank you. on both sides. Had some say the reflectdry west on windthe years rattles I’ve reedbeen canary gifted. BM3, Ukiah, CA; Billy D. Roy, BM3, You might mention that this past trailer inside and out brought seed heads. In the distance, two Oklahoma City, OK; Edward R. year, the University of Minnesota, back many memories, and some bald eagles spiral on thermals, high Darville III, GMG3, Hialeah, FL; Bemidji, used the book in three said they got chills just looking above an Angus carcass decompos- classes—two history classes and at all the pictures, etc., Good job ing in the neighbor’s pasture. And and Lugo-Mojica Hector CPL Toa one class studying memory and Bruce. Bruce is also assisted by again I wonder why I am here when PatrickBaja, Puerto J. Griffin, Rico, RM3,E Co 4th Topeka, Bn 47th KS; writing. the Membership and Treasurer men a few feet away were maimed Inf. This autumn semester, University Chairman, Charlie Ardinger. or killed. It was just another monot- Mobile Riverine Force Association of Indiana, South Bend will be using Thanks to you as well Boats. onous operation. Travel up another web site provided the details for Muddy Jungle Rivers in a History of Memorial services by chap- narrow river, search for the elusive this post (http://www.mrfa.org/). the Vietnam War class. lains Richard MacCullagh and Viet Cong. We will remember all who I look forward to visiting with you Jim Johnson went over great Five men died–four sailors and have gone before us at the Mobile as usual and with the reading one army corporal. Eighty-two were Riverine Force Association Reunion, Muddy Jungle Rivers, Hawthorn Petal of the names of our departed seriously wounded. August 28-September 1, 2013. For nextPress, week. LLC, POWendell Box 652, Affield, Bemidji, Author: MN brothers and sisters since our For the full 18 August 1968 more information go to http:// 56619-0652, web: www.wendellaf- last reunion by James Johnson, ★ Operating Report go to http://www. www.mrfa.org/2013.Reunion.htm Dave Schoenian, Richard MacCullagh, and Diana Taylor. field.com. Dave Schoenian as always did a great job with the missing man ceremony. Rufus did an excel- lent job with the bag pipes. Don Blankenship did a great job announcing the speakers who all did an outstanding job; some of the best we have had. What can I say Gunner Stanley did his usual outstanding job
Above Left: Within the first 20 seconds of the ambush, Armor Troop Carrier little lady running all over the (ATC) 112-11 takes 3 rockets in the well deck, incapacitating a full platoon of withplace thetaking flag pictures presentations. and helping The army troops. • Middle photo: A black army sergeant manning this 50-caliber everyone was our one and only machine gun was severely maimed when a B-40 rocket burned through the Georgie Ardinger. I ‘m sure I have 1-inch armor. He was a true hero. I was medevac’d that day and have never been missed someone or something, able to learn his identity. I’ve heard conflicting stories–that he died, that he lived, if so please excuse me. All and and received the Silver Star. • At right: Two rockets struck the cox’n flat. The all you the members made the first tore the bar armor aside, the second burned through, spraying me and the radioman with shrapnel. Usually when this happened, the sailors inside reunion a great success and we were killed. appreciate all your support and assistances in doing so and all the volunteers a big Bravo Zulu Itchy Trigger Finger Sparks Cong Disaster from to you all. One person that was notice- The Evening News, Harrisburg, PA, December 5, 1967 ably missing and was asked guerrillas’ survivors in the swamps 65 miles south- about by many was Major west of Saigon. A UPI reporter reported from the General Blackie Bolduc. We Vietnamese troops to a 400-man Cong ambush in Delta that the infantrymen just back from the scene missed you General; we hope to A Viet Cong guerilla with an itchy trigger finger see you in 2015. Albert ★ firedthe Mekong prematurely Delta. When and the tipped battle off ended U.S. most and Southof the reported a charge through withering Viet Cong rocket guerillas were killed, a U.S. spokesman said today. and small arms by South Vietnamese was backed by .The Allied troops altered by what Brig, Gen William the 9th Infantry and the sailors of the Mobile Riverine B. Fulton called a “hell of a mistake” swarmed ashore Force. “It was like a small Iwo Jima” U.S. Marine from Armored Troop Carriers (Tango Boats) and (Advisor) Maj. Paul L. Carlson 30 of San Clemente, CA, shattered the Red Force in one of the great victories said of the Monday battle. Carlson was senior adviser of the Mekong Delta. The 11-hour battle was fought to the Vietnamese Marines who killed 154 of the The Officers and yesterday. Communist themselves. Board Members of The Americas put the Viet Cong dead at 235 The other Viet Cong were killed by troops of the MRFA wish you all a and said 15 guerillas were captured trying to hide the 9th Infantry Division and Sailors of the Navy’s Merry Christmas and a underwater by breathing through reed tubes. U.S. Riverine Assault Force. who put the troops ashore Happy New Year and a losses were put 13 killed and 128 wounded. South from the landing craft and stayed on to shell the VC thank you for your Vietnamese Marines lost 41 killed in one of their most hastily rected bunkers with deck guns. At one point support. heroic attacks. The Mekong Delta “We haven’t gotten this close since John Paul Jones” Another Mekong Delta battle was over, but the men thesaid SailorsCaptain were Robert firing S. Salzer from aboutof Falls 75 Church, feet away. VA, of the 9th Infantry Division still were hunting down Commander of the Riverine Forces. ★ River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013 • 5 From the Membership Seeking fun to be around. I appreci- thanking you for a most shared experiences that go Information ate all the understanding by memorable week and with back four decades. Oh how From Jeff Robinson everyone. the Mobile Riverine Force I wish I could remember all My dad was Herman The send-off that was convention. To see Don your names! David Robinson of A Co. given to me on Saturday & Lyn Blankenship, Bob Being born in the late- 4th/47th Infantry, 9th Inf night was something that Pries, and all the wonderful 70s, I cannot fully compre- Div KIA August 24, 1968, very many people never get people was a big plus. hend this time in America’s from LaGrange, GA. a chance to have happen Pray that Albert will feel history, but I have always My dad lost his life 7 to them. Obviously, I was a lot better in the coming been intrigued to know - brought to tears as I real- years. Look forward to more about Vietnam vets, day, so I never knew him ized that I was in the pres- seeing you at the next your experiences while Dennis McDougall daysor much after about my his first life. birth I am ence of the finest people that convention. serving, and since return- interested in hearing from grow closer together. Who this country has produced Thank you for your ing home. (My dad served anyone that knew him that would have ever thought . . . men and women. Know hospitality. It was much in Long Bihn in 1969-70, wouldn’t mind sharing that as a result of that that all of you will remain appreciated. I’ve enclosed but he has never really some memories they have awful mess in Vietnam, in my heart for the rest of a check #4872 of $100. talked about his time of him. we would be so close and my time. Please use it for the River there.) I am enjoying learn- Thank you. Jeff have so much love for one Love to all, Dennis Currents paper—next ing more about MRFA units Robinson, 2164 Forrest another. ------convention or whatever. through the River Currents Place NW, Atlanta, GA God has blessed us all Charlie, I want to thank River Currents a newsletter, and thanks to 30318, 404-805-4632, in many ways and having you and all of the MRFA much informative paper. It those of you I met in Indy jrobinson@actiontireco. Dennis at the reunion in for everything you did for helpsI find me the to know a wee bit that answered my ques- com Indy was one of them. me during my stay at the of what you men had to go tions and shared your ------Love you all, Jim reunion. through in Vietnam. time with me. You are an Brothers (and others), Johnson, 3/60th Infantry, I was deeply touched I will close forever grate- amazing group. Dennis McDougall was l967-68 by receiving the honorary ful to all you brave men and Thanks so much Charlie able to make the reunion. membership. My husband, women. and Georgie, and Albert for Was a bit tired, naturally, Jim, please send this out. George, really looked Janice Dahlke, inviting me to the reunion; but was GREAT to see him. My dear friends and their forward to attending the American Gold Star Still has a hard road ahead wonderful spouses: Now reunions—you all are a Mother check to help offset some while he awaits a stem cell that a week has passed fantastic bunch. ------enclosedof the costs please of findputting a transplant and afterwards I have had a chance to My family and I thank all To Albert, Georgie, and all this event together. It is as well. absorb all the emotions of you from the bottom of the members of the MRFA an experience I shall not His note below speaks I experienced during the our hearts. After returning from our forget. for itself. reunion. It was great that The family of George trip to the MRFA reunion Robin Bartell, Graphic If you didn’t make the I was not bombarded Owings in Indy, I am feeling so Designer for River reunion, it was great to with pity but, rather, with ------honored to have met so Currents newsletter see our brothers and support and encourage- Dear Albert & Association many of you there! It is 2011-2013, designs@ spouses—much laughter ment. Unfortunately, I had Where to begin this really amazing to see so springgrove.coop and only tears of joy. Each a tough week physically and - many people connecting, time we are together, we probably was not too much gize for taking so long and reconnecting from letter—Let me first apolo from California who had converted to in tow, leaning heavily on his escort returned “Shorty” Mormonism some 9 months earlier. A nicer to the ship. Eric came up on the bridge and we by Lyn Noe USS Benewah APB-35 guy you wouldn’t meet. He was not a bridge talked about his evening and assured me that ([email protected]) snob and would spend many hours visiting he had gotten Shorty back and he was now other sections all over the Benewah getting to song-snogging his way to dreamland. Lonnie Ray Parker, “Shorty,” was one of know and getting known by other divisions. About an hour and a half later, the emergen- He held true to his beliefs so he never smoked cy call went out—Man Overboard. Everyone name standing about 5 feet tall and built like or drank. He and Shorty became good friends. rush to their stations. Lights were scanned thosea wine guysbarrel. who You just always oozed knew life. when He Shorty fit his One day while battling those before was coming down your way, because his belly mentioned mosquitoes, Eric came to me and about an hour and a half, the search was given laugh usually preceded him. Everyone in told me he was escorting Shorty to the base for acrossup and theall hands river were to find called the to lost order man. to Aftertake Engineering loved this guy. He would cheer one of his tumblers as we were then anchored a head count on who could be missing. When you up when all hell had just broken loose. just off Vung Tau for a short R & R. He told all was done, Shorty, Lonnie Parker, was the Our day to day activities in 1969, had become me that Shorty had come to him stating that only one missing. A search of the ship was routine and to be honest boring. Besides he felt as though something bad was going done to see if he may have crawled off into battling the mosquitoes who would feast on to happen to him. I asked if he had any idea some corner to sleep himself to sobriety, us day and night, there was little proof of war. just what, and Eric said, “No, he just had a bad but to no luck. Shorty’s ESP had been right feeling and wanted someone to watch out for on. Something bad did happen to him. No were off in the distance. him and that he would buy Eric all the soft one knows how it happened. If he had gone AllShorty, the helicopter when he wasn’t gunfights working and boathis tail raids off, drinks he wanted, if he would just make sure outside to take a leak or to throw-up doesn’t was often found on shore at the local base bar that he got back to the ship in one piece.” make sense as there was a head just off his toasting his way into deep non-sobriety. Many I had heard of people having intuitions berthing area. Shorty’s body surface about 3 a night, you could hear him come back onto days later and brought back to the ship and the pontoon platform laughing, singing, and time I had personally known anyone. Well, as packaged for his return home. trying his best to keep his legs under him. aboutplanned, fore-coming the two took doom, off but with this Shorty was the laugh first Now to some this story makes sense seeing On the bridge crew was signalman, Eric booming the way to shore with Eric on the how Shorty was pretty well plowed, but 2 Senior, SM3, a slender, blond-haired, ex-hippie lookout. About 3 hours later, Eric, with Shorty CONTINUED on page 8 6 • River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013 Army to Navy… and Back! by 2LT Gary P. Hale, C Co. 3/39 Inf, Vietnam 1969 ([email protected]) In about May/June 1969, we received word that parts of the 9th Division were going to be pulled out of Vietnam. We heard that one Brigade would be left behind so naturally we believed it would be us. Turned out we were wrong. I was the 2nd platoon leader in Company C, 3/39 Inf., 1st bde., and we were located at Delta Brings Back Close-Quarters Naval War FSB Moore, just east of Cai Lay with the MRF in the Mekong Delta (PAQ) on Highway 4. Our bde. had two by LTJG John Collins 1968 RivDiv-92 MRF-TF-117 other battalions located to the west of us, 2/39 Inf. and 4/39 and establish blockades to prevent the enemy from Inf. Our AO was basically west of single close-range battle with enemy forces during escaping by water. Collins regards a battle 4 as his Dong Tam out to about the Wagon anFew entire present career. day Yet NavalLTJG John Officers P. Collins participate Jr. of Silver in a most severe engagement. Three Navy men* were Wheel and from the river north Springs, MD, has already led his River Division of 25 killed and 36 wounded in that attack near the cross- up and into the Plain of Reeds. roads of the Ba Lai River and Giao Ho Canal about We had also been to the Muc Cong forces in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam in less 10 miles southeast of My Tho. We were proceeding Hoa area up on the Cambodian riverthan 4 assault months. boats through10 fire fights with Viet up the Ba Lai and were about to beach a battalion of Border for a short time. Lots of Collins reported to River Assault Division 92 last the Riverine Infantry 9th Inf. Div., when the boats of our missions were around My my division came under a heavy rocket attack from Phu Tay, Cam Son Special Zone, both banks of the river. In less than a minute, 10 of Snoopy’s Nose, the Rice Mill, and Novemberaction in March as chief (03/18/68 staff officer. David However, H. Wyrick, when theLT, my boats had been hit, including Monitor 92-1 which Ap Bac. We did the typical infan- RiverAlliance, Divisions OH, 1100, Commanding CO, M-92-1 [Dinh Officer Tuong]), was killed Collins in I was riding. try stuff on a daily basis: combat became the acting commander. “My boats immediately opened up on the enemy patrols, airmobile insertions, His boat division is part of the Army-Navy Mobile positions with all our weapons that included 40- and security operations, and night Riverine Force that conducts strike operations against 20-mm cannons, machine gun launched grenades, ambushes. We were usually out Viet Cong guerrillas along the vast network of rivers, for 3 days and then back to FSB streams, and canals that interlace the Delta. completed our mission of beaching and landing our Moore for security ops and to dry andembarked 50- and infantrymen 30-caliber who machine engaged gun our fire. attackers And we our feet. About once a month, we midnight January 31 when his boat division was from positions ashore. got back to Dong Tam for a stand transitingCollins the first treacherous firefight Rach occurred Ruong shortly Canal about before 5 down and a couple of days to rest miles northeast of the town of Sa Dec. “Suddenly we ordered his boats to regroup in a relatively safe area and recreate. were being attacked from both banks of the narrow to Whenevacuate the casualties. enemy fireThree had more dissipated, times that Collins day We knew about the Mobile he had to take his boats back into the ambush area Riverine Force but that was to beach additional troops and to evacuate the Army about it. We just knew that they canal with rockets, recoilless rifle an automatic wounded since action ashore was too intense for worked with the Navy and lived weaponscould not fire.”see because the 24-year-old of the darkness LTJG related. and because of medical evacuation helicopters to land. On two of the the “Life of Riley” on ships in the the“We dense immediately vegetation opened along firethe againstshore line. an enemy However, we river. LTJG John P. Collins went on to retire as a Navy weapons and these gave us a target to shoot. One of threeCaptain trips, (0-6) his and boats to commandagain came the under USS heavyJohn Hancock fire. announced to leave Vietnam, I we could see the flashes made when Charlie fired his and Commander Destroyer Squadron-14. LtJg Collins believeWhen it thewas firstthe 2nd units bde werethat go aground in the shallow and crooked stream in was awarded the Silver Star for his actions taken that mywhich first case concerns we may was all that be sometrapped of thein theboats enemy’s might day. After them, our 1st bde was wasscheduled to schedule to go tohome. depart There first. we were able to maneuver out of the ambush area.” was a lot of switching of troops frontOnly oneyard. Navy The man fight was lasted lost a in good the engagement;20 minutes before prob- between different units. I believe ably because of the rugged construction of the river if you had been there for about assault craft. 9+ months you were reassigned All but a few of the boats in the Mobile Riverine to the 2nd bde. Those soldiers Force are World War II LCM-6 landing craft that in-country for about 6 -9 months were assigned to 1st bde and combat in the Delta environs. All are heavily armed the newbies, less than 6 months, haveand equipped specially with reconfigured a protective shield for close-quartersof bar trigger were assigned to 3rd bde., which armor—a 14-inch layer of Styrofoam and a 1-inch USS John Hancock DD-981 was to stay in Vietnam. plate of compressed steel around the original boat After the Mobile Riverine guys hull. The craft are able to withstand all but the heavi- *04/04/68 Samuel C. Chavous Jr., BMC, Cross City, departed for Fort Lewis, WA, in est of enemy armament. FL, M-92-2 (Kien Hoa); 04/04/68 Douglas G. Morton, about July 1969, our bde. was to In a typical operation, these assault operations FN, Phoenix, AZ, M-91-3 (Kien Hoa); and 04/04/68 CONTINUED on page 9 carry Army infantrymen into a combat area, provide John D. Woodard, BM3, Clyde, NC, M-92-2 (Kien Hoa) fore and logistic support set up interdiction patrols, ★ River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013 • 7 VA Caregiver Support Program adds Diagnosis Care Sheets Subject: The VA Caregiver licensed professionals who answer partnership with you, the Veteran Telehealth program is designed Support Program with the addi- the support line can you care for and Centers’ staffs. to give you ready access to a care tion of two new Diagnosis Care * Tell you about the assistance Home-Based Primary Care coordinator by using technol- Sheets: Family Caregivers Guide to available from VA. Home-Based Primary Care ogy (e.g., telephone, computers) in Intimacy and to Parkinson’s * Help you access services. (HBPC) is a program designed to your home. The Home Telehealth The VA Caregiver Support * Connect you with the Caregiver deliver routine health care services program enhances and extends Program is pleased to announce the Support Coordinator at a VA to your home when the Veteran care management to you, the addition of two new Diagnosis Care Medical Center near you. you care for has medical issues Family Caregiver. The program Sheets to our website, www.care- * Just listen, if that’s what you that make it challenging for him or is typically offered to individuals giver.va.gov. Both Care Sheets are in need right now. her to travel. Home-Based Primary who live at a distance from a VA response to requests that we have If you’re just getting started with Care is staffed with medical profes- Medical Center. Home Telehealth VA, calling the Caregiver Support sionals who will come to your received from Family Caregivers of services can also include educa- home. Some of their services are tion and training or online and Veterans. The two new Care Sheets to learn more about the support primary care and nursing, manag- are titled the Family Caregiver’s telephone support groups. Please Linethat’s isavailable a great to first you. step to take ing medication, and helping plan contact your Caregiver Support Guide to Intimacy and the Family VA’s Caregiver Support Line and put together nutritious and Caregiver’s Guide to Parkinson’s. Coordinator to discuss which tele- 1-855-260-3274 toll-free tasty meals. Home-Based Primary health programs are available at Diagnosis Care Sheets include Monday through Friday 8:00 am Care can also include physical your VA. information about physical and - 11:00 pm ET rehabilitation, mental health care Respite Care mental symptoms, the impact of the Saturday 10:30 am - 6:00 pm ET for your Veteran, social work and As a Family Caregiver, it can be condition on the Family Caregiver Caregiver Support Coordinator referrals to VA and community - and caregiving tips. These and Your local Caregiver Support services. This program can help ed break from your daily routine other Diagnosis Care Sheets, such Coordinator is a licensed profes- ease the worry and stress of having hardand careto find responsibilities time for a much-need so that as the Family Caregiver’s Guide to sional who can support you by to bring a Veteran to and from a VA you have some time for yourself. Traumatic Brain Injury, the Family matching you with services for medical center for routine medical Respite is time for relaxing and Caregiver’s Guide to PTSD, and which you are eligible, and provid- appointments. renewing your own energy, and the Family Caregiver’s Guide to ing you with valuable information Skilled Home Care respite care can provide you with Multiple Sclerosis, can be found about resources that can help you The Skilled Home Care service the time to do that. If a Veteran here http://www.caregiver.va.gov/ stay smart, strong and organized as provides a medical professional requires a Caregiver, you are toolbox_sheets.asp. you care for the Veteran you love. who comes to your home to help eligible to receive up to 30 days of Caregiver Services Find your local Caregiver Support care for a homebound Veteran. respite care per year. The care can
who died, R.I.P. my friends, you will always be with wasus. To the the first rest to of be Alpha hit that guys day who and were all hitour and brothers made it that year like C. Meserino, J Vorn Dran, D. Nelson, ARMY TO NAVY… Jim Judo Callan, Wayne Schatzle, and many others, I AND BACK AGAIN say Life is good, Enjoy. ★ CONTINUED FROM page 6 depart from our Firebases, one at a time and Mobile Riverine Force Association move out onto the ships. The Vietnamese from the 7th ARVN Infantry Division moved Membership Application Form into our FSB Moore and we moved back to New Member Associate Member Renewal Sponsor Dong Tam. That is where we get to the meat of this story, Army to Navy. Donation CCB-18 Mobile Museum A several day process was started to orient Change of address below. us to the ways of the Navy. We started to have worked as the ship stayed intact while we classes, given by Navy personnel that tried to were aboard. teach us what we needed to know in order Slowly, after we had been aboard ship NEWSLETTER DELIVERY to live on the “USS Benewah (APB-35). The for a few days, we began making the tran- Postal Delivery Go Green with Email ranks were all different. I am not sure we sition from Army to Navy, at least in some ever got the rank structure down pat. They little ways. It was not long before we went tried their best to teach us that we were to back into the Army and started back out on Name ______sleep in racks, not bunks or cots. They talked patrols, but we did so by being transported Street ______about hulls, bulkheads, galleys, portholes, in Armored Troop Carriers (Tangos). We walkways, decks, and a hundred other terms made several missions onto the bank of City ______the Mekong River. What I remember most State ______Zip Code ______were to “mess” in the Captain’s Wardroom was thinking about “D-Day landings” but in that we were not familiar with. Our officers reality when the ramp went down and we Phone ______We were to be served by stewards on white charged off the end we immediately sunk to Cell ______uptablecloth in “Officers’ and with Country,” real silverware. wherever thatWe were was. our knees in the worst and thickest mud that not to eat until the Captain arrived, I believe. I had been in during my whole tour, and that E-mail ______There was to be no liquor or beer onboard is saying something. If there was an enemy ship. If we got beer, it was to be on a “barge” waiting for us, we were all dead. That is all hooked up to the side of the ship. This did I could think of at the time. There was no WW-II Korea Vietnam happen several times after combat missions. charging the beach. It was just try to get to Army Member They taught us how to board the ship and some semblance of dry ground before the shooting started. Lucky for us it never did. Unit (Division, Brigade, Battalion, Company, Platoon, Battery) the Day/Deck.” When we were picked back up and returned ______departThe theenlisted ship with men salutes were to crowded the “Officer into of to the big ship, the sailors would douche us Navy Member berths, but at least they had a dry place to down and our equipment off with big high Unit (Ship, Boat Hull Numbers, Navy Activity/Detachment, etc.) sleep. They ate in a crowded mess but they pressure hoses while on the barge. This was ______were happy to have hot meals and cold usually followed by a couple of beers. This drinks. All in all this was not a bad place to was a good way to end a mission. Dates Served in Unit (mm/yr - mm/yr) ______to ______I think we were onboard the USS Benewah least the men could get a good night’s sleep for about a week or two before we went MEMBERSHIP RATES DONATION ashore, were transported to the Dong Tam air spendand not time have when to pull not perimeter actually out duty fighting. in a dirty At bunker. I remember the nights being inter- pad, helicoptered to Tan Son Nut AFB and we 1 Year $20 3 Years $50 ______rupted by the sound of concussion grenades going off in the water around the ship. We To become a member, mail your check or money order were told it was to keep enemy frogmen flewHI. After out aof short Vietnam. tour ofOur duty battalion in the Navywent weby (payable To MRFA) to Charlie Ardinger, MRFA Membership Chairman, from setting charges on the hull. It must have Air Force C-141s back to Schofield Barracks,★ 1857 County Road, A14, Decorah, IA 52101-7448.
were finally back in the Army again. 10 • River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013 Ambush ONLY $ 00 Jumbo Patches Print 15FREE Beautiful limited SHIPPING! Enormous 9” diameter patches, a must have for your favorite edition print by jacket or shirt! Full color embroidery is bright and brilliant. artist Bill McGrath $150.00 PR001 Ambush Bumper Stickers ONLY $ 00 Show your colors with pride. These durable vinyl FREE JP001 MRFA JP001a MRF JP002 MRFA JP002a MRF 5 Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam bumper stickers will look great on your car or truck. SHIPPING! Brilliant, bright detail on a weather-resistant vinyl. Help spread the word out about a great organization and maybe find someone right next door! Six great styles to choose from.
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C001 MRFA C003 Thank You C005 Army C007 Army (2” diameter) Hooah
C002 Vn. Svc. Medal C004 Purple Heart C006 Navy Check out the web site too! B004 Member (mea- B005 9TH Inf Div B006 MRFA w/web site sures 3” x 4”) (measures 3” x 4”) (3” x 4”) Visit www.mrfa.org
Name______Item No./Description Size Qty. Amount $ Street______City______State_____ Zip______Phone______Cell______E-mail______Ordering is as easy as 1-2-3. 1. Indicate your choice of item number (be sure to include color and size, if applicable), with quantity, and total amount. Add amounts for grand total to enclose. NOTES: 2. Make your check or money order payable to the MRFA. The MRFA does not take credit cards. Total items ordered ______3. Mail Gear Order Form and check to Products Chairman, Chet Stanley Jr., 205 Carolina Ave., Easley, SC 29640-1409; 864-306-8400; [email protected]. Grand Total $ Visit www.mrfa.org to download our product catalog! River Currents, Volume 22, Number 4 • Winter 2013 • 11 TAPS Tribute to a Fallen One
In Memory Of Norman Emil You may contact MT 59808-1377; Member George This section is for members who wish to sponsor the MRFA by Dechenne passed Doug Brown, 42 409-386-0955, A. Kitchen passed placing a notice in memory of one of their fallen comrades. In some instances, the name of the sponsor will precede the name of the away October 13, [email protected]. away April 27, person who was KIA, or has passed on since Vietnam. It’s $25 for 2001. EN2 Norm MA 02050, 2010. George was four issues. served on the USS Carr781-837-3663, Rd., Marshfield, the CO for River Tom Bogner for Jim Stone Echo Co 2nd/39th (02/68-02/69) Benewah (APB- dhbrown1955@ Division 92 (04/67- MajGeneral Lucien Bolduc, Jr. USA (Ret) for Guy Tutwiler Bravo Charlie A 10 (04/69-04/70) for Terry Mason and Gil Reyna (Class NIOTC 35) from 09/66 to yahoo.com. 11/68). You may 2-69) 03/68. You may Member George A. contact his widow Brothers of the 2nd/47th Inf for all Army and Navy KIAs contact his brother Owings passed away Diane Kitchen, 8830 James “JC” Carroll (1097th Med Bt Co USA) for Donald L. (Stony) Stoneman Ron Dechenne, February 7, 2013. Plantation Dr., West 1097th Med Bt Co USA (died in-country) 12/16/68 1320 E 9th St, George served on Columbia, TX 77486- Orville Daley for Merrill Davis USS Askari ARL-30 (1952-1953) Weiser, ID 83672 the USS Fort Marion 7146, 979-345-4149. Ted Fetting for Eloy “Stevie” LeBlanc, Roy Phillips, and Fred Jansonius B Co. 2nd/60th and KIA 02/02/68 208-549-1604. LSD-22 (1965-68). Boyd Member Stanley Nan Fulton for LtGen Bill Fulton Cdr 2nd Bde Asst Div Cdr 9th Inf Div (1966-68) Shirley F. Blair, You may contact Member Charles Jones II passed away Tony Garvey for Wes Sade, Billy Olsen, and Staff Sgt James Williams C Co. wife of member Gloria Owings, Boyd Jr. passed away December 12, 2012. 4th/47th 9th Inf Norman Blair, passed 699 Oak Park Dr, from Leukemia after Stanley served in John W. Gerbing for Noel T. West A Co. 4th/47th KIA 06/19/67 away September Choctaw OK 73020- 7½ weeks, July 7, RivRon 15 on T-47 Regina Gooden for Sgt Lloyd Earl Valentine B Co. 3rd/47th KIA 09/05/68 12, 2012. You may 7556, 405-390-2319, 2013. Charles served (07/69-07/70). You James Henke, Tony Spradling, Dave Nelson, James Callan, and the Band of Brothers for Sgt Gerald Thurman and Spec James B. Johnson, and all our contact Norman [email protected]. in B Co. 3rd/47th may contact the Brothers lost on June 19, 1967, from A Co. 4th/47th 9th in AP BAC, Long An Blair, PO Box 293, Inf (01/67-01/68). family at PO Box Province West Chester, GA. You may contact his 2127, West Monroe, Joe Hilliard for Joe Benack from Florida and Donald Hartzell from Pennsylvania 31567, norman- widow Clara, 8500 LA 71294-2127. Colleen Huber for Shawn Huber D Co.3rd/47th Inf (10/68-01/69) [email protected]. Kingsbird Loop Apt Dave Justin for Tim Doty A Co 3rd/60th May our sister rest in 816, Fort Myers, John LeBorgne for Luis Mora KIA 02/02/67; Roy Littlehales, Gary Richards, Robert Vernes, Charles Lewis KIAs 02/16/67; Gerald Novak KIA 03/02/67; peace. FL 33967-5781, James Novotny, Oscar 1Lt Larry A. 417-883-8624. Willie B. Lloyd for Capt Walter J. Riedemann USN (Ret.) Gibby passed away Richard MacCullagh for John (Doc) Phillips, HMC, USN (Ret) RivRon 15 from cancer June 8, Richard MacCullagh for Chaplain Rene L. Petit, LT, CC, RC, RivRon 13 and 15 2012. Larry served Men of C Co. 4th/47th 1967 for our Brothers KIA 03/19/67 Benito Alaniz; with the 3rd/47th Ellingson MIA 04/09/67 Ronald P. Schworer; KIA 04/13/67 Charles “Duffy” Black; (1966-67). You may Paula Ann KIA 05/15/67 Donald M. Peterson; KIA 06/19/67 Robert J. Cara, Robert J. Ellingson, wife Jindra, Timothy A. Johnson, Forrest L. Ramos, Cameron A. Rice, David A. contact the family Bokusky Robin, Sheldon B. Schulman, Hubert J. Fink, Kenneth D. Frakes, William c/o 9614 Golden of member Lou Louis J. Bokusky M. Geier, John L. Winters; KIA 07/11/67 Marion “Butch” Eakins, Elmer F. Dr., Vancouver, WA Ellingson, passed passed away Kenney, Harold W. King, Philip A. Ferro, George E. Smith; KIA 07/29/67 Cecil 78665. away August September 11, 2013. B. Bridges; KIA 09/29/67 James M. Sunday; KIA 10/06/67 Gale A. Alldridge, 14, 2013. You Sibuma in Vietnam Louie served as a Danny D. Burkhead, Charles W. Davis; KIA 11/10/67 Charles W. Grizzle; and may contact Lou Seaman with River KIA 05/06/68 John T. Hoskins Ellingson, 13070 Adam Metts for Donald L. Bruckart T-111-2 KIA 03/31/69 Assault Squadron A R “Monti” Montillo for William “Bulldog” McLaughlin B Co 3rd/60th KIA 10th St NW, Watson, 15 River Assault 10/03/68 and Barry “Butch” Copp B Co 3rd/60th KIA 10/28/68 MN 56295-1135, Division 152 Albert Moore for Ralph Tresser CS3 USS Benewah APB-35 (1966-67) 952-941-0532, onboard T-152-6 Albert Moore for Tom Bityk CS3 IUWG-1 VC-Hill/Ha Tien (1969-70) [email protected]. from July 1968 to Albert and Sarah Moore for Capt Gerald Saucier CO USS Benewah APB-35 Member Rasmus July 1969. (09/66-02/68) W. “Sonny” VP Roy Moseman for Oscar Santiago C-2 4th/47th (10/67-10/68) Member James Roy Moseman and Dave Schoenian for Steve Carnine, Earnest Eatman Jr., Fred- Brown Rasmussen passed I. Peter passed die Lewis, Robert McManus, Ron Muehlberg, Ron Panzer, Don Peterson, Don Diane Brown, away June 18, 2013. Sibuma away August 16, Pragman, Dennis Price, Larry J. Purcell, Bobby Freeman, Harry Hass, Stan wife of member Doug Rasmus served in Member Alejo V. 2013. James served Holton, Edmond “Red” Tolar, and SSG James Brown, passed away RivRon 9 T-91-6 Sibuma passed away on the USS Askari Jasper Northcutt for SSGT Henry T. Aragon B-2 2nd/47th KIA 08/23/67, SGT December 20, 2012. (01/67-11/67). He June 13, 2013. Alejo ARL-30 (02/67- James E. Boorman B-2 2nd/47th KIA 08/27/67, SP4 James D. Bronakoski received the Navy B-2 2nd/47th KIA 04/27/67, SP4 Michael G. Hartnett B-2 2nd/47th KIA Diane and Doug were served with RivDiv 12/67). You may 04/27/67, SGT William D. Mize B-2 2nd/47th and 5th/60th KIA 10/28/67, instrumental when Commendation ASPB-6857 (05/69- contact his family CPL Harold K. Southwick B-2 2nd/47th Inf KIA 03/02/67 (first KIA in B Co. Medal for Bravery. 05/70). You may at 51057 155th St, 2nd/47th in Vietnam), and PFC Robert C. Voltz B-1 2nd/47th Inf (Mech) KIA started with print- You may contact contact his widow Austin, MN 55912- 03/11/67 (first KIA1st Platoon B Co. 2nd/47th in Vietnam) theing associationand sending first his widow Margie S. Rene, 9325 51st 6191, 507-437-1561, Chet “Gunner” Stanley for all the USN and USA KIAs of the MRF (1967-70) out our newsletter Rasmussen, 3600 Ave NE, Marysville, jamesipeter@yahoo. Ken Sundberg for Michael David Sheahan 5th/60th KIA 02/25/68, Robert L. American Way Conley 5th/60th KIA 02/01/68, and Glenn Dean Taylor 5th/60th KIA 02/01/68 “River Currents” for WA 98270-2336, com. Robert Sutton for LT James F. Rost Jr. Vin Te Canal Chau Duc KIA 11/69 a number of years. Apt 226, Missoula, 360-658-0839. Robert Thacker for SFC Earl T. Pelhan, Jr., 15th Eng, 9th Inf Div, KIA in Delta Lo Steven Totcoff for my brother CPL Dennis S. Totcoff B Co 3rd/47th 9th Inf Div KIA 5/2/68 USS Guide MSO-447 for Shipmate and Brother Harold Foster The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; USS Westchester County sailors and soldiers killed and wounded in the mining on November 1, 1968 it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave... Henry Velez for my fallen brothers, B Co. 2nd/39th Inf Ron and Judy Wallace for all those lost from 3rd/47th Inf –Patrick Henry Gary Williams for Dale Winkel C Co. 3rd/60th 9th Inf (01/68-01/69) CPT Steve Williams and MAJ Bob Bischoff in memory of 2LT David George Williams, Co A, 4/47th, KIA 9/21/67 David Wilson 2nd/60th KIA 08/05/69, Timothy Shelton 4th/39th KIA 06/25/69, Your membership expiration date is printed on your Steven Murrary 4th/39th KIA 05/26/69, Harvey Crabtree 2nd/4th Arty KIA 06/19/69, and Dennis Mattox 1st/501st 101st Abn KIA 08/23/69 River Currents just above your name and address. Mobile Riverine Force Association 1857 County Road A14 Decorah, IA 52101-7448 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
MRFA Sponsors Our expressed thanks to those who have become MRFA sponsors! It’s never too late to get onboardRiver as a sponsor, so we continue to seek and welcome those who wish to sponsor the MRFA! Sponsorship in the MRFA helps to defray the cost of producing Currents. Sponsorship lasts for a period of one year, with your name and information appearing in four is- sues. Send your $25 (payable to the MRFA) to Charlie Ardinger, 1857 County Road A14, Decorah IA 52101- 7448
VISIT WWW.MRFA.ORG
William B. Fullerton USS Benewah APB-35 (1970) Walter F. Lineberger III XO RivDiv 91 (1968-69) Steve Ryan M-112-2 (05/68-06/69) Nan Fulton Associate Member Steven Loomis Naval Advisory Group (VNNSY) (06/70- Billy Sanders RivRon 11 RAD 112 T-112-1 & CCB-112-1 Sponsors… Richard Gallagher USS Mercer APB-39 (1968-69) 06/71) (Vietnam 1967) Gamewardens of Vietnam Mid-Atlantic Chapter Richard Lorman T-152-6 (06/68-06/69) Norman Saunders B Co. 3rd/39th Inf (01/69-08/69) Tony Garvey C Co. 4th/47th 9th Infantry Div (1968) Corrado Lutz PCF-23 (03/68-03/69) Dave Schell RivRon 15 Tango 49 (07/69-07/70 LT H. M. “Murk” Alexander ComRivDiv 132 (6/68 6/69) John N. Gavin USS Satyr ARL-23 (1971) Frank O. Martinolich D. Co 3rd/47th 9th Inf Div (09/68-07/69) F. George Schuster LTJG USS Indra ARL-37 (1968-69) Jimmie J. Apel A Co. 4th/47th Inf and 6th/31st (1969-70) CSM Homer Garza First Sgt of C Btry 3rd/34 Arty (01/68- Cratis McLaughlin D. Co 3rd/47th 9th Inf Div (09/68-07/69) Col Sam L. Schutte USA (Ret.) B Co. 4th/47th Inf (VN) Charlie and Georginia Ardinger T-151-11 01/69) Sgt E-5 Ken McLean B Co. 4th/47th Inf 2nd Bde USS Colleton Bob Shawen Friend of the Ardingers Ed Arledge USS Indra ARL-37 (1967-70) John W. Gerbing A&E Co 4th/47th Inf (1966-68) (11/68-01/69) Jerry Shearer C Co. 3rd/60th 9th Inf (04/67-04/68) Dennis W. Armstrong GMGC (Ret) C-112-1 (02/68-02/69) Ronald Gillspie TF 115 USS Krishna (1965/66) Thomas L. “Mac” McLemore T-112-7 (12/66-12/67) Richard Simpson C Co. 3rd/47th Inf 9th Div (05/67-06/68) John Armstrong HHC 3rd/47th Inf (04/66-01/68) Regina Gooden Associate Member Adam Metts T-111-2 (08/68-10/69) Thomas Slater USS Hampshire County LST- 819 (1967-69) Dale Ashley USS Monmouth County LST-1032 (11/66-11/67) Gary Grahn A-111-7 (05/68-05/69) Nicholas P. Miller COS RAD 152 (7/68-6/69) Terry Sloat River Assault Squadron 11 (12/68-04/69) Christian Bachofer Jr. ComRivDiv 92 (07/68-06/69) Roger “Grossie” Grossinger D Co. 3rd/47th 9th Inf (1968-69) Capt Lawrence K. Monahan USNR (Ret.) YRBM-20 (1970- BrGen Douglas Smith USA (Ret.) Cdr 2nd/47th (Mech) Inf “Doc” Barber USS Harnett County LST-821 (1968) Frank Gubala A Co. 3rd/47th Inf (02/68-07/68) 71) Chet “Gunner” Stanley C-111-1 and M-111-3 (1966-68) William Befort B Co. 1st Plt 4th/47th (02/66-09/67) Tom Hagel B Co. 2nd/47th Mech Inf (01/68-02/69) A R “Monti” Montillo B Co. 3rd/60th Inf (04/68-09/68) Robert Sutton RivRon 9 M-92-2, Z-92-11, and R-92-1 Bob and Sara Bischoff Daniel B. Hall, Jr. Staff ComRivFlot One (12/68-07/69) Albert and Sarah Moore USS Benewah (APB-35) (11/68-05/69) Richard Bittle USS Nueces APB-40 (06/68-04/69) Robert Halloran USS Harnett County LST-821 (12/67-12/68) J. Russell and Alice Moore A-91-5 (11/68-06/69) John Swart T-132-1 (04/68-04/69) Tom Bityk IUWG-1-Vung Tau/Ha Tein (05/69-05/70) Roger Hamilton, Jr. USS Mark AKL-12 (08/68-08/69) Roy and Lynn Moseman 4th/47th Inf Bryan Swisher B Co. 3rd/47th Inf (12/68-06/69) Robert Blair USS Clarion River LSMR-409 (04/67-01/69) Joseph Harper USS White River LSMR-536 (12/66-12/68) Tom Muench Korea Era Vet SAC John Tatich Jr. A Co. 2nd/47th Inf (08/69-08/70) MajGen Blackie Bolduc USA (Ret.) Cdr 3rd/47th Inf Leo Haynes RivDiv 594 PBR-8120 (04/69-02/70) Co Van My TF-115.3.7 Cat Lo Jack Terry USS Colleton APB-36 (1966-68) William Brennan USS White River LSMR-536 (02/66-10/67) Charles Heindel C-91-1 (11/67-12/68) CWO James T. Natividad HHC 3rd/60th (1966-67) Thanks to 155 mm (Mech) Arty Brothers of the 2nd/47th (Mech) Inf RMC Jerry Howard USN (Ret) USS Askari ARL-30 (11/68- CSM Joseph M. Natividad B Co 3rd/60th (1967) Charles Thompson 9th Admin Co. (02/66-11/67) C. Vic Brumley USS White River LSMR-536 (05/66-07/67) 10/69) Naval Advisory Group Stephan Tibbetts USS Benewah APB-35 (08/69-09/70) MGen Walter Bryde, Jr. HQ 3rd/34th Arty (1968-69) GMGSN Bernard Howlett USS Carronade IFS-1 (12/65- Nha Trang (1967-68 and 1970-71) Harley Timmerman T-132-10 (06/68-06/69) Ralph Burnette 1st Plt A Co. 4th/47th (05/67-07/68) 08/67) MAJ Joseph D. Nichols III, CO Co. 3rd/60th 9th Inf Div Milton Turnage M-151-1 (07/68-06/69) Gerald Busic USS Garrett County LST-786 (06/68-05/69) James Hoyer 1097th TC (MB) (08/68-07/69) (12/66-11/67) LCDR Lewis Turner CO USS Nueces (06/68-06/69) John and Pamela Carlin in honor of Erol Tuzcu MajGen Ira A. Hunt Jr. HHQ 9th Inf Div Jasper Northcutt B Co. 2nd/47th Mech Inf (11/66-05/67) Erol Tuzco A Co. 3rd/60th Inf (1968-69) RADM William Carlson CO USS White River LSMR-536 Alan G. Hyde 9th Signal (1966-68) George R. O’Connell USS Terrell Cty LST-1157 USS Terrell Cty LST-1157 (10/65-03/68) RM2 Bill Isetts USS Askari (07/66-08/67) Charles Ostrov HHC 2nd/47th Mech Inf (01/68-12/68) Bob and Nancy VanDruff T-91-5 and T-92-4 Jim Carter RivRon 15 T-52 (12/69-12/70) David Jarczewski C Co. 4th/47th Inf 9th Div (05/66-05/68) Capt Jerry Pape USN (Ret) Staff COMRIVFLOT ONE (01/68- Ron Wallace B Co. 3rd Plat 3rd/47th Inf (05/66-08/67) LTg Robert Conaty XO RivDiv 131 (05/68-04/69) Bradley Jenkins HHSB 3rd/34th Arty & 2nd/47th Mech 12/68) Hank and Becky Washburn USS Colleton APB-36 (01/67- LTC Richard Crotty HHC 3rd Bde, 9th Inf (07/67-07/68) (09/68-10/69) Dwayne Parsons M-111-1 (Zippo 1) (11/67-11/68) 09/68) William Currier HSB 3rd/34th Arty (11/68-08/69) Bruce Jensen T-111-3 (1967-68) Robert Pawlicki T-111-11 (03/67-12/67) Gary Weisz A-91-4 (10/67-07/68) William Dabel C-1 3rd/39th (01/69-10/69) Gerald Johnston USS Nye County LST-1067 (01/66-01/67) Luis F. Peraza D Co. 3rd/60th Inf (11/68-08/69) David H. White USN (Ret) USS Satyr ARL-23 (08/69-08/70) Orville Daley USS Askari ARL-30 (1967-68) David Jones Z-111-7 (10/68-10/69) John “Ron” Perry T-132-11 (06/68-09/69) Edward Whitmarsh A Co. 2nd/60th Inf (03/68-03/69) Frank De La Oliva Harbor Clearance Unit One (09/68-06/71) Everett Jones CCB-151-4 and CCB-152-5 (04/69-04/70) Col Pete Petersen USA (Ret.) Cdr 3rd/60th Inf (11/68-08/69) Norm Wilkinson B Co. 4th/47th Inf (03/67-03/68) Robert Dockendorff NSA Dong Tam/YRBM-17 (03/67-04/68) Frank B. Jones RivRon 15 T-48 Richard Petsch (A proud sponsor of the newsletter) Robert P. Williams 1097th TC (MB) (01/68-01/69) Paul Eastham T-132-11 (05/69-07/69) Mackey Joyner USS Krishna ARL-38 (1946-49) Michael Howard Phillips D Co. 15th Combat Engineers Jeffrey L. Withers RivRon 11 A-112-8 and M-112-12 (06/68- Virgie Eblen Associate Member Jerry “Hollywood” Kawecki B Co. 3rd/47th 9th Inf (07/68- (08/68-06/69) 06/69) Leon Edmiston B Co. 3rd/60th 9th Inf (06/68-05/69) 11/68) BM1W. R. Posey Craft Master YTB -785 (1967-68 1970-71) William H. Ziebarth 9th Signal, 34 Arty (1966-68) Edith Ethridge Associate Member Harry & Judy Kawamura LCDR Leonard Previto CTF-117 (08/67-08/68) Richard Ziemba CS3 USS Whitfield County LST-1169 (02/65- Larry Gunner Ethridge USS Askari ARL-30 Dane Keller RivDiv 532 PBR 121 (05/69-05/70) Kevin Rafferty Honorary Member 12/66) Terrance Fetters HHQ 3rd/47th Inf (04/69-07/69) LTC Nick Laiacona USA (Ret.) C Co. 3rd/60th Inf (1968-69) Capt William Renton USS Askari ARL-30 (10/68-09/69) James Zieminski EN2 Boat Captain RivDiv 153 ASPB 6854 Ted Fetting B Co. 2nd/60th Inf (10/67-02/68) Bob Lennon USS White River LSMR-536 (1966-68) Donald and Marijo Robbins USS Benewah (APB-35) (04/69-04/70) Dennis Frank D Co. CMDR 3rd/60th Inf (07/68-07/69) Roger Lewis IUWG-1 Unit 2 (06/68-06/69) Matthew F. Rovner USS Colleton (09/66-12/67) Admiral Elmo Zumwalt ComNavForV