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2/503D Photo of the Month ~ June 2013, Issue 54 See all issues to date at the 503rd Heritage Battalion website: Contact: [email protected] http://corregidor.org/VN2-503/newsletter/issue_index.htm ~ 2/503d Photo of the Month ~ Sgt. Harry J. Johnson, A/2/503d, KIA 6/22/67, during The Battle of the Slopes. He was Airborne…All The Way. 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / June 2013 – Issue 54 Page 1 of 60 Honorary Colonel of the 503d Infantry Regiment, Ken Smith, and his Committee unanimously approved A Day of Distinction recommending LTC Carmichael for designation as a Austin, TX – Family Carmichael gathered in Distinguished Member of the 503d Infantry Regiment. Austin on Sunday, May 12, 2013, Mother’s Their recommendation required endorsement by the Day, at the home of Dave and Beth Commander of the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry (as Carmichael, son and daughter-in-law of Bob senior active duty commander of a 503d Infantry Flag and Exie. Bob, of course, is LTC Robert B. bearing unit), and the approval and signature of the Carmichael, our former 2/503d Battalion Executive Chief of Infantry. Ultimately, the Certificate Officer and Commander in ‘65/’66 -- Bob would later announcing, "By Order of the Secretary of the Army..." serve a second tour as Battalion Commander with the was produced. 25th Inf Div. This large family representing four Living in Texas and within range of Austin, was Tony generations came together to honor the many mothers Geishauser, Maj. (Ret), who served with the 173d in their family, which they did, but a surprise was in Cowboy’s assault helicopter unit, and who gladly and store for the unsuspecting Sky Soldier sitting in the easy generously accepted the invitation to personally chair, also known as RBC, dad and grandpa. present the award to Bob. On that Sunday morning Tony and his wife, Pam, drove to Dave and Beth’s home in Austin. Bob’s former RTO and now editor of our newsletter, along with his lady, Reggie, stopped by to witness the award ceremony. A 173d banner was hung on the mantle, then Bob’s son Dave placed near it a large poster photo of a young Major Carmichael and his trusty RTO taken a few years ago in the Mekong Delta; Dave then read the nomination to Bob, his family and guests. He quoted from Bob’s men how over many years his father and mother had provided special support to the regiment, including direct financial contributions to regimental activities, many times providing items of value to men of his unit, and along with their late son, paratrooper LTC Charles Carmichael, extending helpful hands to troopers still fighting the war, assisting them with obtaining needed care through the Veteran’s 2/503d’s LTC Robert B. Carmichael (then Major), at Bao Trai Administration. The nomination Dave read spoke of a airstrip on 2 January 1966, at beginning of Operation Marauder man whom, not only during combat, but following 20+ in the Mekong Delta. His would be one of two choppers hit that morning coming into a hot LZ. years of service to his country, remains committed to the troopers he commanded during the Vietnam War It seems some months ago men he commanded in and the regiment with which he served. Vietnam recommended Bob for the prestigious Distinguished Member of the 503rd Infantry Regiment Typical of LTC Carmichael, he remarked, “That would be Award, ordered by the Secretary of the Army; a unique nice if only half of it was true.” It’s all true, my Major. and special honor only 48 troopers of the regiment have Tony then shared with everyone present a received to date in recognition of their commitment to congratulatory letter from Col. Smith, and read the promoting the ongoing legacy of the 503rd Infantry citation; “By Order of the Secretary of the Army, LTC Regiment. Past recipients include some of our generals, Robert B. Carmichael, Abn, Inf (Ret), is granted and a former Secretary of the Army, battalion and company assigned the distinction of Distinguished Member of the commanders, our Medal of Honor recipients, and 503rd Infantry Regiment.” troopers from the ranks, as well as WWII veterans of the regiment. Not too unlike a lifetime achievement (continued….) award, it’s something every 503rd paratrooper who receives it, receives it with great honor. 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / June 2013 – Issue 54 Page 2 of 60 On behalf of the Army Secretary, Col. Ken Smith and his In his usual self-deprecating way, Bob briefly spoke to committee, the active duty commander of the 1/503d, his family and thanked everyone for being part of the and the paratroopers of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, surprise ceremony. Bob’s soul mate, Exie, was also and Tony then presented the award to Bob. rightfully recognized for her dedicated work on Okinawa during the war when she provided care and assistance to wives and families of our wounded and widows and their children of our fallen -- a most difficult duty and one none of us in combat would have cared to perform. Upon conclusion of the ceremony, Bob received a congratulatory phone call from Les Brownlee, and they were happy to chat and reminisce about the times together when they were young and paratroopers. Cowboy Tony presents award to the distinguished LTC Carmichael. Many of our men who served with Bob received word of the then pending award and sent in their own notes of congratulations to him, including our former battalion commander Col. George Dexter, and Bravo Company CO and former Hon. Acting Secretary of the Army, Col. Les Brownlee, among others. Copies of L-R: Les & Bob from days of yore. these notes were provided to family members who read them to Bob, and a bound copy of the notes was given Special thanks go to Dave and Beth Carmichael for to him. hosting the day’s activities, and Tony and Pam Geishauser who did a splendid job with the presentation and representing the regiment, plus all the family members who participated in honoring our former commander. As an onlooker it appeared to me all of Bob’s family shared in pride of and henceforth might gaze somewhat differently upon that old Sky Soldier sitting in the easy chair, the one they know as RBC, dad and grandpa. Congratulations to LTC Robert B. Carmichael, and All The Way, Sir! Lew “Smitty” Smith RBC’s old RTO Bob, seated, with his bride Exie to his right, surrounded by 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / June 2013 – Issue 54 four generations of Family Carmichael. Page 3 of 60 ~ Cisco & Pancho ~ Whodat? Then & Now This strac looking, jump ready trooper is The photo in the background was taken at Bao Tria airstrip, RVN in the Mekong Delta on 2 January 1966 at Barry ‘slo’ Salant of the beginning of Operation Marauder and depicts (then) Delta Company, 2/503d. ATW ‘slo’! Major Robert Carmichael, (LTC Ret), 2/503 battalion - - - - - - executive officer, and his RTO, Private Lew Smith. In the foreground are Bob & Smitty on 12 May 2013, 47 years Received a message and attachment below from later at Bob’s son Dave’s home in Austin, TX. They N/Company Ranger David "Varmint" Walker (1970-71). haven’t aged a bit. Ed He asked me to forward it to you. [Photo by Alyssa (Carmichael) Tjaden, Bob’s granddaughter] Robert ‘twin’ Henriksen, N75 Rangers ~ Amusing Postscript By His RTO ~ Following the presentation of the Distinguished rd Member of the 503 Infantry Regiment citation to Bob (see report on preceding pages), he and Les Brownlee were speaking to one another by phone in a nearby bedroom when Bob’s wife, Exie, fetched me; Bob, sitting on the edge of a bed, wanted me to say hello to the former Army Secretary and our Bravo Company CO. Thinking their conversation over, Bob handed me the phone but I heard Les continue to speak to him, so I placed the phone back against Bob’s ear. Instead of taking the phone from my hand he and Les continued to converse with me standing there holding the phone against his ear for the longest time. Exie whispered, “RTO, huh?” Me, “Yup. 47 years later and I’m still 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / June 2013 – Issue 54 carrying his damn phone.” Page 4 of 60 No lights are allowed in the combat tent and the night, rain, cold chow . faceless voices mumble on from behind glowing cigarettes. It is humid, muddy and dreary. It is the and it’s a time to gripe. third month of war for these people. It is night. It is raining. It is 6,000 miles from “I saw a guy in Saigon last week in jungle home. It is three or four days without hot chow. fatigues.” It is also a time for a soldier to complain about the “So?” whole miserable thing. And it is a time to listen. “So he was a hospital clerk.” “Boy,” one fellow says, “I smell like a dog.” “And?” “What’d ya say?” another asked. “How come a clerk can get jungle fatigues but the “I said I ain’t had a shower in three weeks.” First Cavalry who is in the jungle has got to wear “That’s nothing.” regulars?” “Oh?” “First Division ain’t even got jungle books yet.” “I haven’t even brushed my teeth in that long.” “Those guys in Saigon . they’re Viet Congs.” “Aw, quit yer moanin’.” “The guy was a hospital clerk, I tell ya.” “All I said was I smelled like a dog.” “Jeeze.” “You don’t have to advertise.” “He even had the damned things starched.” “Yeah, we all got noses, kid.” The men have been pulled from the farm, the gas Next to his rifle and his mess kit, the wail of woe is station and the business office.
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