January 2011 The Currahee! The Newsletter of the 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association (Airmobile — Air Assault) We Stand Together – then, now, and always Hill 996, A Shau Valley, July 10, 1969 1st Lt. Leonard “Len“ Griffin 2/319th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division Forward Observer to D Company, 1/506th, Vietnam 1969 On July 11, 1969, on a nondescript mountain top vived Hill 996 told our medic Rick “Doc” Daniels, ʺNo numbered 996 near Hamburger Hill in the A Shau Valley one will ever know what happened here.ʺ Seventeen of Vietnam, the 1/506th Infantry and other units engaged a days later Sgt Denton died in a mortar attack. I swore, if I larger NVA force. The day before, the forward observer could, I would take up Sgt. Denton’s challenge and tell for D 1/506th was injured jumping out of a helicopter on the story. When I decided to face my demons of Viet‐ the air assault. I was called and told to replace him and nam, I had to face Hill 996. Thanks to enormous support that is how I got involved with the men of the 506th and of those who were there with me, I made it. th Hill 996. By the end of the day on the 11 , 20 Americans I felt the men who didn’t walk off the Hill should had been killed and 26 wounded. Eight Silver Stars were be remembered and honored to some degree. Living awarded to the men and one Medal of Honor to SPC. near Toccoa, Georgia, the Mecca of the 101st Airborne Gordon Roberts who survived the war. SPC Gordon is Division’s 506th Infantry, I decided to climb Currahee now COL. Gordon Roberts and was recently deployed to Mountain and make a statement in their memory. Kuwait for his second tour. Through e‐mails and Facebook I announced what I was Hill 996 was never made public mainly because going to do. Twelve men and women joined me on Cur‐ of the adverse attention of the earlier publicized fight on rahee Mountain and we placed a small cross next to the Hamburger Hill. Sgt. Gregory John D. Denton who sur‐ benchmark. As each name was read, a dog tag bearing (Continued on Page 3) 2010 Currahee Reunion—After-Action Report Gene Overton — Board of Directors and Membership Chair C Co, 1/506 ‐ Vietnam 1967‐68 The 6th Reunion and General Mem‐ World War II ‐ 1942 / 1945 1 bership Meeting of the 506th Airborne Camp Breckinridge, KY ‐ 1948 / 1953 1 Infantry Regiment Association 1st Airborne Battle Group ‐ 1956 / 1964 7 (Airmobile ‐ Air Assault) was held at ABN Infantry‐FT Campbell, KY ‐ 1964 / 1967 1 the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Airborne / Airmobile ‐ Vietnam ‐ 1967 / 1971 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from 1st Battalion 31 Wednesday July 28th through Satur‐ 2nd Battalion 43 day July 31,2010. 3rd Battalion 8 This was a very successful reunion Vietnam Total 82 COL Thomas Vail — the largest ever held by the Associa‐ Guest Speaker (Continued on Page 10) Inside this issue: Searching for Heroes 6 Important Dates 14 KIA Memorial update 23 President’s Column 2 Scholarships Offered 7 Treasurer’s Report 14 Vets come to aid of their 4th BCT CO Column 2 Charitable Funds Overview 8 Membership & QM forms 16 old units 24 Boyd Chosen as DMOR 3 Last Roll Call 9 Membership Report 21 Writer’s Block 25 Currahees in Korea 4 Board of Directors minutes 12 Contributions 22 Sad Duty 5 Membership meeting minutes 12 New Dues Structure 23 Message from the President . and the Currahee Commander Donald E. Thies, Association President COL Sean Jenkins, Commanding Officer th B Company, 2/506 – Vietnam 1970‐71 4th Brigade Combat Team (Currahee), 101st ABN (AASLT) As we usher in the 2011 New Year, let us give thanks To our Veterans, 506th Association and remember all those who have given so much and brothers, Task Force Currahee Sol‐ sacrificed so much for all of us. The 506th Airborne In‐ diers, Family and Friends, fantry Regiment Association officers, Board of Directors I am proud and honored to lead and a host of volunteers continued our close support these brave men and women into though out the entire year. our fourth month of combat opera‐ Many events marked 2010. The men and women of tions here in the Paktika province, the 4th Brigade Combat Team are deployed to Afghani‐ Afghanistan. Their commitment to stan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their the mission at hand, the people of families during this difficult time. To the soldiers and COL Sean Jenkins this province and to our brothers families of those injured or who have given their life de‐ and sisters in arms have done our unit fending our freedom: your son or daughter will never be justice. As we move forward daily, we never forget our forgotten .They will live in our hearts and minds forever. mission here, our Families at home and those brave men The colors were cased on July 27th and I had the ex‐ and women who have come before us. Every forward treme honor of being asked by CSM Tim Coop to handle operating base and combat outpost I visit illustrates to me the issuing of our Currahee battle flags to the 36 units the true dedication and professionalism of the Currahees. making up the 4th BCT. With help from many veterans Their commitment, passion and heroism demonstrated from the 506th Association and 101st Airborne Division with the highest standards in every mission and in every Association, we accomplished our mission. Thank you to patrol, are a personal inspiration. everyone who helped that day! Because of their actions and efforts, the people of Pak‐ We also had another Distinguished Member of the tika province and the local Afghan government have Regiment (DMOR) recognition ceremony on the 27th in made extraordinary progress. Their compassion for the the afternoon. A group of very deserving veterans, sol‐ people has created bonds that continue to grow every diers and individuals were dually recognized. Congratu‐ day. The partnered development projects in this area lations to everyone. have already begun to improve the way of life for the Af‐ Later on that week we held our 2010 reunion in Har‐ ghan people while also bolstering the economic facet of risburg, PA. Everything went according to plan and eve‐ the province. ryone had a good experience. A color guard from the 4th Currahees have begun construction on multiple brigade 506th Infantry Air assault performed flawlessly. women’s health clinics. We have also established a mid‐ Our guest speaker COL Thomas Vail (former Currahee 6) wife training program, developed a public library, and gave an excellent speech to all. worked with the local population to create employment, We also received a large private donation for the educate farmers and construct better roads. Currahees “Currahee KIA Memorial” honoring those who had sacri‐ are currently assessing the local schools in the Paktika ficed all in WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We province. When completed we will aid, as a joint effort, in will finally have the names inscribed for all eras. Thank addressing the educational needs to ensure the local chil‐ you so very much to that anonymous donor. dren will be provided every educational opportunity. I received an email from Lee Bowden in England. Many of our civilian teammates from DoD, USDA and Their annual “Prop Blast Dinner” at the Crown Pub that USAID have begun great projects for this province and was Easy Company’s CP in WWII took place. A link to with the Currahees aid, they will be able to complete their site has been established on our website but in case bridges, roads, buildings and agricultural projects. you cannot find it try entering the website, Shoulder‐to‐shoulder with the Afghan National www.faaa.me.uk/FAAA/2015th/20anniversary/dinner.htm. Army Soldiers, Currahees conduct combined patrols, mis‐ Talk about history of the 506th and some 60 plus years sions and operations in order to legitimize the Govern‐ Continued on p. 27 Continued on p. 27 REMINDER to current and new members: January is the time to pay your dues and renew your membership. Don’t miss out on any of the news and services offered by the 506th Association. There are a variety of membership options available to you...check out the forms on pages 16 and 17. 2 A Shau Valley (Continued from Page 1) “Currahee Congressman” Allen Boyd Chosen as DMOR that person’s name was placed on the cross. Veterans of Chris Garrett, Secretary Hill 996 who could not attend had prayers and messages B/E Co. 2/506—Vietnam 1970‐71 read for them. After rendering On September 30, 2010 Bob Seitz (Honorary COL of the final salute, a repre‐ the regiment), Ben Peters, and Chris Garrett met at the sentative from the Toc‐ Longworth Bldg in Washington DC where Allen Boyd, coa Museum asked for Congressman from FL, has an office. We were there to the cross and dog tags present Allen Boyd with the Distinguished member of the so it could be placed in Regiment award. MGEN James McConville, Army Chief the Currahee Military of Legislative Liaison and former Deputy Commander of Museum. Today it re‐ the 101st, joined us and we dined in the Congressional sides there as a perma‐ dining hall before the DMOR Presentation. nent salute to those who Congressman Boyd was a 1LT in 1970‐1971 with B Co died that day on Hill 2/506 and led an infantry platoon during the Lam Son 719 Len Griffin with the cross at the 996.