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A PUBLICATION OF VOLUME 16, NUMBER 1 THE MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE ASSOCIATION SPRING 2007 TThhee NNaavvyy ooff ththee RReeppuubblilicc FFRROOMM TTHHEE GGAALLLLEEYY ALBERT MOORE, MRFA PRESIDENT ooff VVieietntnaamm Reunion 2007 Hospitality By Edward J. Marolda a separate military service in Reunion 2007 Rooms The Vietnam Navy (VNN) April 1965). Recognizing that Reunion 2007 will be held at If you want more info on came into existence, fought its the sea was a likely avenue of the Adams Mark by the Air- booking an individual hospi- battles, and faded into history in approach for Communists in- port, 2544 Executive Dr., Indi- tality room, contact Angela a short span of twenty years filtrating from North Vietnam anapolis, IN 46241, from Jordan, Convention Service (1955-1975). But, during that or moving along the South Viet- Thursday, August 30 until Manager at 317-381-6107 or e- time, the VNN, with the assis- namese littoral, in April 1960 check-out Sunday, Septem- mail ajordan@adamsmark. tance of American advisors, be- the navy established the para- ber 2. Members may make com. If Angela is unavailable, came one of the world’s largest military Coastal Force and in reservations starting Septem- you may contact Reggie navies with 42,000 men and July 1965 formally integrated it ber 6, 2006. Room rates will be Vaughn, Sales Manager 1-317- women and 672 amphibious into the navy. $79 per night. To make your 381-6127 or e-mail rvaughn@ ships and craft, 20 mine warfare The different missions of the own reservations, call the ho- adamsmark.com. vessels, 450 patrol craft, 56 ser- navy’s combat forces deter- tel at 317-248-2481. Be sure to vice craft, and 242 junks. mined how they were opera- mention you’re making your Adams Mark Free Shuttle The organizational changes tionally controlled. The units reservations under the Mo- Service to the Vietnam Navy during involved in open sea and bile Riverine Force Associa- The Adams Mark has free those two decades reflected the coastal patrol missions oper- tion. For more information on shuttle service to and from evolution in the service’s mis- ated first in five Sea Zones, the hotel, contact Angela the airport. To phone the sion and responsibilities. Ini- then in four Naval Zones (after Jordan, Convention Ser- hotel for shuttle service, tially, the Chief of the General October 1963), and finally four vice Manager at look for the bank of Staff of the Vietnamese Armed Coastal Zones (after April 317-381-6107 or phones in the Forces, an army officer, con- 1965). The coastal zones, from ajordan@ Room baggage area. trolled the Navy Staff and its reservations have the 1st in the north to the 4th in adamsmark.com. The Adams chief. With the encouragement been going faster than usual, the Gulf of Siam, corre- Take a virtual Mark also of American naval advisors, the sponded to the army’s I, II, III, so if you want to be sure you tour at www. have a room at the has shuttle general staff established the and IV Corps areas. Coastal adamsmark. Adams Mark and not a standby service billet of Chief of Naval Opera- hotel, we recommend you Force junks patrolled the off- com. Be sure to available to tions, which handled the ad- make your reservations shore waters from 28 bases click on the and from ministration, if not the opera- ASAP. along the coast. The regional Indianapolis the downtown tional control, of the naval ser- operations of the Coastal Force Adams Mark. area. We will vice. were directed from coastal sur- have shuttle sched- In the early years, the navy’s veillance centers set up in ules in the summer issue combat forces consisted of the Win a FREE Tour! Danang, Cam Ranh, Vung Tau, of River Currents. Sea Force (renamed Fleet Com- and An Thoi. See page 3! mand in January 1966), River The River Force, organized CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Force, and Marine Corps (made into river assault groups on the French model of Dinassaut (naval assault divisions), ini- tially served the army divi- II WWASAS THERETHERE LASTLAST NIGHTNIGHT sions closest to its Mekong By Robert Clark But this is what I said. “Yeah, I Delta naval bases at Saigon, “The High Ground” PO Box 457 think about it. I can’t quit think- would like My Tho, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Neillsville, WI 54456 ing about it. I never will. But, A couple of years ago some- and Long Xuyen. In the early I’ve also learned to live with it. one asked me if I still thought 1960s, the navy also formed the I’m comfortable with the memo- a photo about Vietnam. I nearly River Transport Escort Group ries. I’ve learned to stop trying laughed in their face. How do to protect the vital foodstuffs to forget and learned instead to for here you stop thinking about it? being convoyed to Saigon, and embrace it. It just does not scare Every day for the last twenty- the River Transport Group to me anymore.” four years, I wake up with it, Naval Support Base Cat Lo CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 A psychologist once told me turned over April 1971. and go to bed with it. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 2 River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 (JOSN) as a result of passing the advance- NAVY 20-mm GUNNER IN VIETNAM, 68-69 ment exams. In 1969, Admiral Zumwalt, Commander Naval Forces, Vietnam, “field by Capt. Robert J. Kermen, USN (Ret.) very fast. I shudder today when I think of Source: Adapted from a draft provided by CAPT promoted” all river sailors who were eligi- Kermen to the Naval War College dated 19 Dec. 2003. heating up leftovers at home using that ble. Thus, I became a Journalist Third Class Recollections of Captain Robert J. method. C-4 was plentiful. We always had manning a .20 mm. a case or two on hand for use by the Army Kermen, USNR, who served as an enlisted The ATC is quite interesting. It is a modi- troops we carried. Some crews tried to 20-mm gunner with the Mobile Riverine fied LCM-6 with added armor protection individualize the appearance of their Force, River Division 112, in the Mekong and a full weapons suite. The hull is pro- boats by adding everything from state Delta of Vietnam during 1968-1969. He was tected by an inch of armor plate, two feet of flags to Charles Shultz cartoons. Snoopy stationed aboard ATC-112-7 from Novem- Styrofoam, and a cage of rebar on the out- sitting on his doghouse was common. Say- ber 1968 to July 1969 when River Squadron side. The rebar was also called “trigger bar ings such as “Sat Cong” appeared as well. 11 was turned over to the South Vietnam- armor” that caused the incoming Rocket Our officers were pretty tolerant to a ese Navy. He served on the staff of Com- Propelled Grenades (RPGs) to detonate point; then the hammer would come mander Naval Forces, Vietnam, until No- before hitting the armor plate. This saved down and we would repaint the boat. I vember 1969. Captain Kermen is a U.S. his- many lives as most RPGs could penetrate once tried to calculate how many coats of tory teacher living near Mount Shasta, CA. one inch of plate. The weaponry was quite paint we put on our boat. Maintenance of The long journey to Vietnam began with interesting as well. The main armament our boats was a constant battle in that cli- 11 weeks of intensive training at Naval In- was one MK-19 grenade launcher and two mate and environment. Rocket hits into shore Operations Training Center .20 mm Honey-well, belt-fed machine the cases of C-rations we carried around (NIOTC), Vallejo, California, in August guns. These were mounted in three turrets our “superstructure” that were constantly 1968. Riverboat training was conducted at aft. The well deck had six .30 caliber ma- covering the sides of our boats with such Mare Island and in the Suisun Sloughs of chine guns. Small arms consisted of six M- delicacies as “beef with spice sauce,” “fruit the San Francisco delta. Included in the 11 16s, two 12 gauge shotguns, two M-79 gre- cocktail,” and canned ham and eggs (no weeks was a week of gunnery school at nade launchers, and a .38-caliber revolver. loss there!). Camp Roberts, California, and a week of Within 2 weeks of taking over the boat, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape We lived on the boat 24 hours a day. Our however, we changed out some of the (SERE) School at Warner Springs, CA. bunks were metal frames with canvas weapons. We replaced the six .30 caliber We trained in Vallejo as a crew but were stretched across them and an air mattress with four .50 caliber machine guns and broken up soon after our arrival in Viet- on top. Food consisted of Korean War era replaced the M-19 grenade launcher with nam. Four of the original seven were still C-rations and LRRPs, which were dehy- another .20-mm machine gun. This made together by the time we turned over the drated meals much like today's MREs. the boat much more formidable. In com- boats to the South Vietnamese in 1969. We This food was quite good once you devel- bat, the four .50s in the well deck were had four different boat captains, three dif- oped a taste for it. We carried 20-30 cases of manned by our enginemen and the Army ferent enginemen, and several boat cox- food at all times as well as several hundred troops we were transporting. swains in that period. Firm friendships gallons of drinking water. Malaria pills The .20 mm was a very formidable gun. It were established in all instances as we be- and salt tablets were also a necessary part is approximately 7 feet long and weighed came more like brothers than shipmates. of our diet. Rarely did we eat aboard the enough that two of us were needed to get it We arrived at Dong Tam by Caribou air- ships we were tied up to. In theory, we out of the mount for cleaning. These guns craft landing on a steel mat runway. After were supposed to berth, eat, and shower fired about 700 rounds per minute but this checking in and receiving the routine lec- aboard the ships but they were pretty was rarely done. We mostly fired short tures, we walked down to the boat basin crowded with the 9th Infantry Division bursts to keep the barrel from overheating with sea bags in tow. To our surprise, we Infantry we were supporting. It was just and the rifling from disappearing. The gun spotted a brand new Armored Troop Car- easier to live on the boats. was fired electri- rier (ATC) getting our number painted on it cally but, in the by a scruffy looking “River Rat.” He ex- event of power plained that the original ATC-112-7 was loss, could be fired sunk by a mine recently killing all aboard. manually with a Pretty sobering thought for all of us. Phillips screw- The boat even had a head although it driver. The guns never worked. Instead, we used a bucket were modified with a toilet seat that we hung on the bar aircraft guns and armor when not in use. We also used the were fed by a belt bucket to wash our clothes after a suitable from a feed box mounted on the swiveling rinsing. base. The feed box held several hundred The uniforms of the Mobile Riverine Our boat crew consisted of two boat- rounds of 20-mm ammo. In a normal Force were really used only for special swain’s mates, one engineman, one gun- firefight, this ammo was expended and the events such as inspections and award pre- ner's mate, and three seamen. Boat cap- feed box had to be replenished several sentations. Utility greens were the stan- tains were usually First or Second Class times. The ammunition was sequenced in dard issue. Most of the time we were in dun- Petty Officers whereas the boat coxswains five round sets with two rounds of blue garee or O.D. shorts with jungle boots or were Third Class Goatswain's Mates. The high explosive, two of red incendiary, and tennis shoes. Going into combat, we gunner and engineman were Second and one black armor-piercing tracer. There was donned our flak jackets, flak pants, and Third Class Petty Officers. The three sea- a high incidence of jamming on the armor- helmets. Some sailors even wore bandanas men served as gunners. It was not un- piercing tracers. The cause was attributed to keep the sweat from running into their usual to have these billets filled by uncon- to the low capacity oiler that lubricated the eyes. The overall impression was that of a ventional ratings such as yeomen, signal- action. We overcame this obstacle by pour- pirate crew. All that was lacking was a pi- men, or even journalists. Many had vol- ing oil over the rounds in the feed box. The rate flag. We loved it! Cooking aboard the unteered for the boats and many made gun never jammed after that, although it boats was interesting as well. While heat rate as the result of tests or even field ad- definitely increased the smoke in the gun tablets were commonly used, some of us vancement. I was a seaman when I went to mount. used C-4 explosive, which burns hot and Vietnam but became a Journalist Striker CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 3 The MRFA and Vietnam-Indochina Tours Announce Grand Prize Free 10-day Ground Tour of Saigon and the Mekong Delta Cost: $2 a ticket, on sale in Indianapolis. Grand Prize drawing is Sept. 1 at the Delta to the DMZ Dance. You must be an MRFA member to participate. Winner must use ticket, it cannot be exchanged or given to someone else. You must be present to win. Operated by Vietnam-Indochina Tours, providing tours to Vietnam for 12 years. For fur- ther information contact: Vietnam-Indochina Tours, info@ indochinatours.com, tel: 360- 570-2096, Olympia, WA. Ground Tour Includes: ©Tours of: Saigon, Cu Chi, My Tho, Dong Tam, VC Island, Tan An, Ben Luc, Can Tho & Vung Tau ©10-nights three-star hotel accommodations ©All breakfasts NEW HOTEL POLICY Since we visited the Adams Mark last ©All airport transfers and private air-conditioned ground transportation year, the city or county has passed a no ©Private guide and private tours © smoking law in hotels, lounges, and res- All admissions taurants. For you that smoke, the hotel will ©All boat transportation © have smoking areas posted around the In lieu of the Mekong Delta tour, $1,000 towards the cost of a ground tour to I and II hotel. We’re sorry for this inconvenience, Corps can be substituted. but it’s a local law and something we have ©Saigon and IV tour can be customized. Contact Vietnam-Indochina Tours at [email protected] for details. no control over. It seems there aren’t many hotels in any state that allow smoking any- ©Valid for travel between: 1 Sept. and 30 Nov. 2007 or 1 March and 30 November 2008. more. ©Non-transferable, non-redeemable for cash.

branch of ser- Be sure to enclose your check or money order payable vice, Army or MRFA to MRFA with this form. Send to: Navy, at the end MRFA Reunion, 106 Belleview Dr. NE., Conover, NC 28613 REUNION REGISTRATION of play. Winners REGISTRATION INFO QTY. COST TOTAL PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: AUG. 22, 2007 to be announced MRFA MEMBER Registration Fee: at the reunion. Included with your registration, you 1 $35.00 $35.00 NAME: will also receive a complimentary The course is UNIT: registration for one (1) guest very reasonable (spouse, girlfriend, significant other, etc). in price to play. NAME(S) OF WIFE, FAMILY AND/OR GUEST(S): Additional Guest(s): Currently, 18 holes of golf, without a cart, is Additional guests include children $10.00 just $18.00. Food and drinks at the turn can and/or friends, etc. Note that this fee is applicable to each additional guest. be arranged, but that will depend on how many players sign up in advance and want STREET: Non-Member Registration Fee: If you served as part of the MRF the service. There is no registration fee and CITY: $50.00 (TF-115, 116 or 117, the 9th Inf. the tournament is open to all levels of play- STATE: ZIP: Division or any other Army or Navy supporting unit), but are not a member of the MRFA, ers. Since it is a public course, and we will PHONE: ( ) this fee applies to you. be somewhat limited in our time, it is advis- E-MAIL: GRAND TOTAL ENCLOSED able that players have some experience at playing, but all “Duffers” are welcome. QUESTIONS: CALL 828-464-7228 OR EMAIL: [email protected] Friday, August 31st will be a full day of NOTE: There will be a $25.00 charge for all returned checks. Cancellations prior to the reunion will be charged a $10.00 processing fee. events and should be fun for all of us. Who said, “Golf was just for old guys?” (McCann, 1978). Please let me know if you want to play Join us at the MRFA & 9th Infantry Division and if you would be interested in burgers and a beverage for lunch. plenty of time for other reunion planned Contacts for the event are: David G. Golf Tournament events. A shuttle service can be arranged, McCann (M-6); [email protected]; Friday morning, August 31, 2007 at the for a small fee, from the Adams Mark Ho- (406) 442-8168; Orville L. Daley (USS Winding River Golf Course, Indianapolis, tel, to and from the course. The shuttle can Askari); LECOWBOY@aol .com. Indiana is being set for the time and place hold up to 12 people at a time and the cur- Our Tee Times will depend on how for our first organized MRFA Bi-Annual rent price per shuttle is $50.00, divided 12 many members we have playing. We are Golf event. ways, that is a good deal. hoping for at least 50 players to show inter- All members and guests, are invited to Foursome Teams will be randomly est in the event so we can reserve time at join us for 18 holes of golf at Winding River drawn at the hotel, before the event, and the course. If less than 50 members show Golf Course, 8400 South Mann Rd. (High- you can sign up at registration. If at all pos- interest, we will still golf at Winding River way 31 South); phone (317) 856-7257. sible, the teams will be made up of two on Friday morning, August 31st. Currently, The event should take about 5 hours and players from each branch of the service. A our Tee Times will be between 0900 and have us back at the Adams Mark Hotel in point system will determine the winning 1000 hrs. 4 River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 From the Galley THE 39th REGIMENT OF THE 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The 39th Infantry Regiment was orga- triple A- Bar Nothing slogan …Anything, *Registration starts daily at 9:30 a.m. nized at Camp Syracuse, New York on 1 Anywhere, Anytime - Bar Nothing. The Thursday, August 30th and Friday, Au- June 1917 by transfer of veteran troops regiment took great pride in the AAA-O gust 31st. from the 30th Infantry Regiment. In De- slogan, displaying it on their helmets and *Large Hospitality Room with snacks cember, the 39th was assigned to the 4th vehicles, even in combat. When ques- and beverages 9:30 a.m. daily Infantry Division and in the spring of 1918, tioned about the soundness of the prac- *Product Sales in the Large Hospitality sailed for France as part of the American tice, Colonel Flint confidently declared, Room 9:30 a.m. daily Expeditionary Force in World War I. The “The enemy who sees our regiment in *Golf at Winding River Golf Course regiment fought with such valor and dis- combat, if they live through the battle, will Friday morning, August 31st tinction during this war that it earned its know to run the next time they see us com- *Pig Out Friday at 1700 August 31st famous nickname “Fighting Falcons”. ing.” Later in the war, the 39th landed at *Guest Speakers after Pig Out During the lull between wars, the regi- Utah Beach and fought through France. mental crest was designed and approved. The Fighting Falcons joined the 47th In- *Memorial Service at 9:00 a.m. Each of the devices in the fantry Regiment in capturing Roetgen, September 1st crest holds significant mean- the first German town to fall in World War *By MRFA Army & Navy Chaplains ing for the regiment. II. The 39th fought valiantly through the includes an Empty Chair Ceremony By • The shield is blue for Battle of the Bulge, helped secure the Dave Schoenian; flag presentations for infantry. Remagen bridgehead and roared across family members of departed members of the MRF and 9th Infantry Division. • The fleur-de-lis is Germany as the allied forces finished off from the coat of arms of the last of the German resistance. When *From the Delta to the DMZ Dance with Soissons, a town in the dust settled following VE day, the 39th DJ from 2000 until ?? - September 1st France recaptured by Regiment held campaign streamers from *Raffles Daily the 39th Reg. in 1918. some of the bloodiest and most hard *Guest Speakers will follow the “Pig fought battles of the war - Algeria, Tunisia, Out”. So far we have a commitment from • The two trees rep- Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, The resent the Groves of Cresnes, the site of the Vice Admiral Emmett H. Tidd (USN Ret.). Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central In May 1969, then Captain Tidd, reported regiment’s first military success in France Europe. It was cited twice by the Belgians during World War I. as Chief of Staff and Aide to then Vice for valorous actions and awarded the Bel- Admiral Zumwalt who was Commander • The boar’s head on the canton is taken gian Fourageré. It also received two from the crest of the 30th Infantry Regi- of the United States Naval Forces, Viet- French Croix de Guerre with Palm, the nam and Chief, Naval Advisory Group, ment and indicates the 39th was organized French Fourageré, and three Presidential with personnel from the 30th Inf. Reg. Military Assistant Command, Vietnam, Unit Citations. Lieutenant General George A. Crocker • The crest is a falcon’s head, for Mount After a series of inactivations and activa- (USA Ret.). LTG Crocker’s military career Faucon in Meuse-Argonne. tions spanning a 20-year period, the 2nd includes two combat tours in Vietnam, • The falcon holds, in its bill, an ivy leaf, Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment was first as a rifle platoon leader with 3d Pla- from the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 4th reactivated on 1 February 1966 as part of toon, “C” Company, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Division to which the regiment the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan- Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, (Mobile was assigned during World War I. sas. The 39th answered the call to duty Riverine Force/1967-68) and second tour, • The motto “D’une Vaillance Admira- once again in late 1966 when it deployed with the RVN 42d Ranger Battalion, Can ble” is a quotation from the French citation with the 9th Infantry Division for combat Tho. Read more about LTG Crocker and which awarded the Croix De Guerre with in the Republic of Vietnam. The regiment Admiral Tidd at 2007 reunion online at Gilt Star to the regiment for its distin- participated in operation Palm Tree, the www.mrfa.org. guished service in World War I. 1968 TET battle, and the battle of the Plain of Reeds. When the 2nd Battalion re- *Back by popular demand Emily During World War II the regiment fought turned to Hawaii and deactivated in Sep- Strange Red Cross volunteer stationed at as part of the 9th Infantry Division. The tember, 1969, its battle streamers now in- Dong Tam, 1968. Fighting Falcons of the 39th became the cluded Counteroffensive Phase II, Coun- *Please Note: Fishing Trip 07 has been first unit of United States combat troops to teroffensive Phase III, TET Counteroffen- cancelled due to lack of member response. set foot on foreign soil when they stormed sive, Counteroffensive Phase IV, Counter- the beaches of Algiers in November 1942. offensive Phase V, Counteroffensive Indianapolis Convention During fighting in Sicily, Italy, the regiment Phase VI, TET 69 Counteroffensive, and came under the command of the legendary Bureau Summer-Fall 1969. The battalion had also Colonel Harry A. “ For more info on the Indianapolis area, garnered three Republic of Vietnam “Paddy” Flint who gave the regiment its contact Paul Williams, Meeting and Sales Crosses of Gallantry with Palm, The Re- Manager of the Indianapolis Convention public of Vietnam Civil Action Medal, First and Visitor’s Bureau by calling 1-800-956- Class, two Valorous Unit Awards and its INDY, or by e-mailing pwilliams@ Join the CCB-18 Party! fourth Presidential Unit Citation. indianapolis.org, or visit www.indy.org. f you live in the San Diego area and For its part in World Wars I, II and the would like to assist in the restoration of Vietnam Conflict, the 39th Infantry Regi- CCB-18, try being an MRFA volunteer ment possesses 21 battle streamers. Its 22 August 1990. The battalion is justifiably onI the working party, Army or Navy! If you decorations include four Presidential Unit proud of its historic past and today contin- are interested, please contact Charles Citations, four French Croix de Guerre ues to uphold these same high standards of Campbell, 677 G St. SP#1, Chula Vista, CA (two with Palm and one with Gilt Star), excellence in Basic Combat Training as it 91910; phone 619-427-6835 or e-mail: and the Belgian Fourageré. Following reac- prepares young men and women for ser- [email protected]. You can also contact tivation and transfer to the Training and vice to their nation. Anything, Anywhere, Everett Jones at 1947 Gotham St., Chula Doctrine Command, the 2nd Battalion, Anytime. . . Bar Nothing! Vista, CA 91913, 619-421-3721 or by e-mail: 39th Infantry Regiment departed Fort Dix, The motto best translates “With a Mili- oneerj@ pacbel.net. New Jersey for Ft. Jackson, SC, arriving on tary Courage Worthy of Admiration”. River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 5 Navy of the Republic plagued the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 s e r v i c e a l l move army forces throughout the delta. In throughout April 1965, the Joint General Staff estab- its existence, lished the III and IV Riverine Areas to man- but especially age River Force operations. The navy was during the given sole responsibility for handling oper- 1960s. Career- ations in the Rung Sat “Special Zone,” a ism and politi- maze of rivers and swamps south of Saigon. cal activity on During the 1950s and 1960s, the United the part of States supplemented the modest force of many naval ships and craft turned over to the VNN by officers weak- the French with hundreds of naval vessels, ened the war including escorts (PCE), patrol rescue es- effort. The corts (PCER), motor gunboats (PGM), large coup d'etat support landing ships (LSSL), large infan- against Presi- try landing ships (LSIL), tank landing ships dent Diem in Mekong River and secured control of that (LST), medium landing ships (LSM), and November 1963 and the political troubles key waterway from Communist forces. minesweeping launches (MLMS). These of 1965-1966, in which the navy figured The combined flotilla stormed enemy-held vessels improved the ability of the oceango- prominently, damaged the morale of offi- Neak Luong, a strategic ferry crossing ing force to patrol the 1,200-mile coastline, cers and blue jackets alike and distracted point on the river. Then, the Vietnamese provide gunfire support for troops ashore, them from their military mission. contingent of river combatants pushed on and carry out amphibious landings and The training of sailors, many education- to Phnom Penh. open sea operations. ally unprepared in the technical skills es- In July 1970, the U.S. Navy ceased its of- The River Force received a fleet of smaller sential for the operation of complex ves- fensive missions on I Corps’s Cua Viet and vessels, including specially converted mech- sels, weapons, and equipment, was gener- Hue rivers and by the end of the year its anized landing craft (LCM) that served as ally inadequate. Low pay and austere liv- other major operations throughout South monitors, command boats, troop trans- ing conditions prompted many sailors to Vietnam. During that time, Commander ports, minesweeping boats, patrol vessels, desert the colors over the years and frus- U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam, transferred to and fuel barges. The United States also pro- trated recruitment. the VNN 293 river patrol boats and 224 vided the river sailors with 27 American- The material condition of the navy riverine assault craft. The Vietnam Navy built river patrol craft (RPC). Unfortunately, raised even more serious concerns. Hull grouped these fighting vessels into riverine these vessels proved to be too noisy, under and equipment deterioration in the World assault interdiction divisions (RAID), river armed, and easily slowed by river vegeta- War II era ships and craft was a serious interdiction divisions (RID), and river pa- tion. problem, as was the lack of sufficient spare trol groups (RPG). Armed with these combatants, the Viet- parts, supplies, and fuel. Compounding The same process worked with the off- nam Navy played an increasing role in the the problem was the inability of the ship shore patrol operation during 1970 and fight for South Vietnam. Along with Ameri- and boat repair facilities in South Vietnam 1971. As part of the U.S. Navy’s ACTOV can naval forces, the Fleet Command and to handle the workload generated by the program and the U.S. Coast Guard’s the Coastal Force seized or destroyed thou- high-intensity operations of 1967-1969. SCATTOR (Small Craft Assets, Training, sands of junks, sampans, and other craft and Turnover of Resources) program, the Because of these personnel and material ferrying enemy munitions and personnel United States transferred to the VNN com- problems, the Vietnam Navy rarely had 50 along the coast. The Coastal Force also car- plete control of the coastal and high seas percent of its ships and craft in operation ried out many amphibious raids, patrols of surface patrol operations. The American for blue-ocean, coastal, or river missions. shallow inlets and river mouths, and troop naval command transferred four Coast lifts. These operations played an important The VNN’s fortunes rose, albeit tempo- Guard cutters, each equipped with 5-inch part in the allied campaign to deny the en- rarily, with Washington’s decision to turn guns, radar escort picket ship Camp (DER emy easy access to the coastal regions. For the war effort over to the Vietnamese and 251), Garrett County (LST 786), and various instance, during Operation Irving in Octo- withdraw U.S. military forces from South- harbor control, mine craft, and logistic sup- ber 1966, ground forces and junk units in II east Asia. In early 1969, President Richard port vessels. In the midst of this activity, the Coastal Zone cooperated to kill 681 Viet M. Nixon formally adopted as U.S. policy American and Vietnamese naval forces Cong guerrillas. Even though Communist the so-called “Vietnamization” program. managed to sink or turn back all but one of forces sometimes overran the triangular- The naval part of that process, termed the eleven Communist ships that at- shaped fortifications of the Coastal Force, ACTOV (Accelerated Turnover to the Viet- tempted to infiltrate contraband into South they more often failed to overcome the de- namese), involved the phased transfer to Vietnam during 1971. By August 1972, the fenders. Vietnam of the U.S. Navy’s river and VNN took on responsibility for the entire In addition to off-shore patrol, Fleet Com- coastal combatant fleet. As entire units coastal patrol effort when it took posses- mand ships also patrolled the larger Me- came under Vietnam Navy command, sion of the last of 16 American coastal radar kong Delta rivers and protected merchant control of the various combat operations installations. ships moving between the sea and the Cam- passed to that naval service as well. Hence, In addition to ships and craft, the U.S. bodian capital of Phnom Penh. The VNN the VNN took on sole responsibility for Navy, under the ACTOVLOG (Accelerated paid a price for its success on the rivers, how- river assault operations when the joint Turnover to the Vietnamese, Logistics) pro- ever. In one period during 1966, enemy U.S. Army-Navy Mobile Riverine Force gram, transferred to the Vietnam Navy its river mines sank an LSSL and damaged an lowered its colors and transferred 64 many combat and logistic support bases. LSIL and a utility landing craft (LCU). Viet riverine assault craft in the summer of The first change of command occurred in Cong mines also sank several of the com- 1969. November 1969 at My Tho and the last in mand's minesweeping launches in the The Vietnam Navy performed well dur- April 1972 at the former centers of Ameri- Rung Sat during 1966 and 1967. ing the allied push into Cambodia in the can naval power in South Vietnam, the While the VNN sometimes crowned its spring of 1970. On 9 May, a combined Viet- bases at Nha Be, Binh Thuy, Cam Ranh Bay, operations with victory and its sailors often namese-American naval task force, under and Danang. fought bravely, serious deficiencies Vietnamese command, steamed up the CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 6 River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 20-mm Gunner boat captains. We loaded troops directly chow. There were usually six barges with one 105-mm howitzer on each. These mo- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 off the ships and usually landed them The process of loading and firing the .20 shortly after sunrise. Sometimes, these bile fire support bases ranged up and mm was pretty interesting too. The breech landings would shift based on the tides. down the rivers to provide artillery sup- block was retracted by means of a stirrup We had to be able to get in and out with port for the 9th Infantry Division. They that was pushed down by your foot. This plenty of water under the keel. After we provided their own security on the land essentially cocked the gun. The rounds had offloaded them, we would exit the side but we patrolled their rear with one were brought up by hand from the ammo canal and move around to retrieve them ATC. All night long, we would steam back box through a feed belt to the rotary loader. when they exited on another canal. In this and forth lobbing concussion grenades in A trap door on the top of the loader was way, we also served as a blocking force. the water to discourage swimmers. We had opened and the rounds pulled over “fin- Once the 9th Infantry Division embarked, a two-boat patrol and alternated this secu- gers” in the drum. A ratchet was used to we returned to the Mobile Riverine Base. rity duty every 4 hours. One of the major crank the rounds into the drum until three Getting to and from these insertion disadvantages of this duty was that having clips fell out of the loader. The gun was now points were the most dangerous times. the boat in long periods of contact with the ready to fire. The VC loved to hit us going in because river bank allowed rats to come aboard and As the gun is fired, shell casings are they knew we were carrying troops by out share our living quarters. They would hide ejected down through the bottom and clips draft. They could inflict the most casual- by day and run around at night. Some- are ejected out the right side of the rotary ties at this time because they could control times, they ran right across your chest loader. Needless to say, after a long the timing of the attack. Coming out with while you were sleeping. This provided firefight, you were standing on a pile of troops was not quite as bad because they another form of recreation. We would re- brass and clips and surrounded by smoke. had generally been pushed out of the ar- move the bullets from our .38 shells and Sometimes you were entangled in your eas by the infantry sweeps and helicopter push the case into a bar of soap thus pro- sound-powered phones as well. Add this to gun ships supporting the operations. Af- ducing a “soap bullet.” Great for short B-40 rockets and small arms fire hitting ter a while, these ambush points became range and they did not ricochet. Many rats your boat, things got pretty exciting! predictable and were given names by us-- “bit the bullet” this way. The day-to-day life on the ATC was com- Snoopy’s Nose, Rocket Alley, and Blood Every night, just prior to sunset, the posed of long periods of boredom punctu- Alley come to mind. Some of these places whole MRB, consisting of at least five ships, ated by short periods of terror. Our main were located fairly close to our shore base would shift anchor and re-anchor after mission was to carry troops into combat at Dong Tam. dark. This was done to prevent the VC and insert them for search-and-destroy When we were “off the line,” we either from targeting the ships easily. This opera- missions against the Viet Cong in the Me- hauled supplies for the Army, patrolled tion necessitated having all boats tied up to kong Delta. These troops were mostly 9th the MRB at night, or provided waterborne each ship getting underway and circling in Infantry Division but occasionally Viet- security for Army artillery barges. The a giant “racetrack” until the ships re- namese troops. These missions actually barges were towed by Army LCM-8s that anchored. We would then come in and tie began the night before with briefings to the also provided living quarters as well as hot up again. All of us knew how to drive the CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

the tree-line, forcing snipers to flee. The 2 men gave immediate chase, driving the Medal of Honor Recipient Leonard Keller enemy away from the friendly unit. When KELLER, LEONARD B. nade, killing its occupant. his ammunition was exhausted, Sgt. Keller Rank and organization: Ser- Then he and the other soldier returned to the platoon to assist in the evac- geant, U.S. Army, Company A, charged a second bunker, kill- uation of the wounded. The 2-man assault 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th ing its occupant. A third had driven an enemy platoon from a well Infantry Division. Place and bunker contained an auto- prepared position, accounted for numer- date: Ap Bac Zone, Republic of matic rifleman who had ous enemy dead, and prevented further Vietnam, 2 May 1967. Entered pinned down much of the friendly casualties. Sgt. Keller’s selfless service at Chicago, Ill. Born: 25 friendly platoon. Again, with heroism and indomitable fighting spirit February 1947, Rockford, Ill. utter disregard for the fire saved the lives of many of his comrades For conspicuous gallantry directed to them, the 2 men and inflicted serious damage on the en- and intrepidity in action at the charged, killing the enemy emy. His acts were in keeping with the risk of his life above and be- within. Continuing their at- highest traditions of the military service yond the call of duty. Sweep- tack, Sgt. Keller and his com- and reflect great credit upon himself and ing through an area where an rade assaulted 4 more bunk- the U.S. Army. enemy ambush had occurred earlier, Sgt. ers, killing the enemy within. During their Keller’s unit suddenly came under Intense furious assault, Sgt. Keller and his com- automatic weapons and small-arms fire rade had been Always remember to forget from a number of enemy bunkers and nu- almost contin- The things that made you sad merous snipers in nearby trees. Sgt. Keller uously exposed But never forget to remember quickly moved to a position where he could t o i n t e n s e The things that made you glad, fire at a bunker from which automatic fire sniper fire as Always remember to forget was received, killing 1 Viet Cong who at- the enemy des- tempted to escape. Leaping to the top of a p e r a t e l y The friends that proved untrue, dike, he and a comrade charged the enemy sought to stop But don’t forget to remember bunkers, dangerously exposing them- their attack. Those that have stuck by you, selves to the enemy fire. Armed with a light The ferocity of Always remember to forget machine gun, Sgt. Keller and his comrade their assault began a systematic assault on the enemy had carried the The troubles that have passed away, bunkers. While Sgt. Keller neutralized the s o l d i e r s b e- But never forget to remember fire from the first bunker with his machine yond the line of The blessings that come each day gun, the other soldier threw in a hand gre- bunkers into Author Unknown River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 7 I Was There allow yourself to be vulnerable again. Two guys a long way from home and My wife knows two people who can get CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 scared shitless. “I know man.” And at that that NOT being affected by the experience into the soft spots inside me. My daugh- moment he did. over there would be abnormal. When he ters. I know it probably bothers her that God I loved those guys. I hurt every time told me that, it was like he’d just given me a they can do this. It’s not that I don’t love one of them died. We all did. Despite our pardon. It was as if he said, “Go ahead and my wife, I do. She’s put up with a lot from posturing. Despite our desire to stay dis- feel something about the place, Bob. It ain’t me. She’ll tell you that when she signed on connected, we couldn’t help ourselves. I going nowhere. You’re gonna wear it for for better or worse she had no idea there know why Tim O’Brien writes his stories. I the rest of your life. Might as well get to was going to be so much of the latter. But know what gives Bruce Weigle the words know it.” with my daughters, it’s different. to create poems so honest I cry at their hor- A lot of my “brothers” haven’t been so My girls are mine. They’ll always be my rible beauty. It’s love. Love for those guys lucky. For them the memories are too pain- kids. Not marriage, not distance, not even we shared the experience with. ful, their sense of loss too great. My sister death can change that. They are some- We did our jobs like good soldiers, and told me of a friend she has whose husband thing on this earth that can never be taken we tried our best not to become as hard as was in Nam. She asks this guy when he was away from me. I belong to them. Nothing our surroundings. We touched each other there. Here’s what he said, “Just last night.” can change that. and said, “I know.” Like a mother holding a It took my sister a while to figure out what I can have an ex-wife; but my girls can child in the middle of a nightmare, “It’s he was talking about. JUST LAST NIGHT. never have an ex-father. There’s the differ- going to be all right.” We tried not to lose Yeah I was in Nam. ence. touch with our humanity. We tried to walk When? JUST LAST NIGHT. And on my I can still see the faces, though they all that line. To be the good boys our parents way to work this morning. Over my lunch seem to have the same eyes. When I think had raised and not to give into that un- hour. Yeah, I was there. My sister says I’m of us I always see a line of “dirty grunts” named thing we knew was inside us all. not the same brother that went to Vietnam. sitting on a paddy dike. We’re caught in My wife says I won’t let people get close to You want to know what frightening is? the first gray silver between darkness and It’s a nineteen-year-old-boy who’s had a me, not even her. They are probably both light. That first moment when we know right. sip of that power over life and death that we’ve survived another night, and the war gives you. It’s a boy who, despite all Ask a vet about making friends in Nam. It business of staying alive for one more day was risky. Why? Because we were in the the things he’s been taught, knows that he is about to begin. There was so much hope likes it. It’s a nineteen-year-old who’s just business of death, and death was with us all in that brief space of time. It’s what we the time. It wasn’t the death of, “If I die be- lost a friend, and is angry and scared and, used to pray for. “One more day, God. One determined that, “Some asshole is gonna fore I wake.” This was the real thing. The more day.” kind where boys scream for their mothers. pay.” To this day, the thought of that boy The kind that lingers in your mind and be- And I can hear our conversations as if can wake me from a sound sleep and leave comes more real each time you cheat it. You they’d only just been spoken. I still hear me staring at the ceiling. don’t want to make a lot of friends when the way we sounded, the hard cynical As I write this, I have a picture in front of the possibility of dying is that real, that jokes, our morbid senses of humor. We me. It’s of two young men. On their laps close. When you do, friends become a liabil- were scared to death of dying, and trying are tablets. One is smoking a cigarette. ity. our best not to show it. Both stare without expression at the cam- A guy named Bob Flannigan was my I recall the smells, too. Like the way cord- era. They’re writing letters. Staying in friend. Bob Flannigan is dead. I put him in a ite hangs on the air after a fire-fight. Or the touch with places they would rather be. body bag one sunny day, April 29, 1969. pungent odor of rice paddy mud. So dif- Places and people they hope to see again. We'd been talking, only a few minutes be- ferent from the black dirt of Iowa. The mud The picture shares space in a frame with fore he was shot, about what we were going of Nam smells ancient, somehow. Like it’s one of my wife. She doesn’t mind. She to do when we got back in the world. Now, always been there. And I’ll never forget the knows she’s been included in special com- this was a guy who had come in-country way blood smells, sticky and drying on my pany. She knows I’ll always love those the same time as myself. A guy who was hands. I spent a long night that way once. guys who shared that part of my life, a part loveable and generous. He had blue eyes That memory isn’t going anywhere. she never can. And she understands how I and sandy blond hair. When he talked, it I remember how the night jungle ap- feel about the ones I know are out there yet. was with a soft drawl. Flannigan was a hick pears almost dreamlike as the pilot of a The ones who still answer the question, and he knew it. That was part of his charm. Cessna buzzes overhead, dropping para- “When were you in Vietnam?” with “Hey, He didn’t care. Man, I loved this guy like chute flares until morning. That artificial man. I was there just last night.” the brother I never had. But, I screwed up. I sun would flicker and make shadows run got too close to him. Maybe I didn’t know through the jungle. It any better. But I broke one of the unwritten was worse than not rules of war. being able to see what DON’T GET CLOSE TO PEOPLE WHO was out there some- ARE GOING TO DIE! times. I remember once Sometimes you can’t help it. looking at the man next You hear vets use the term “buddy” to me as a flare floated when they refer to a guy they spent the war overhead. The shad- with. “Me and this buddy of mine...” ows around his eyes “Friend” sounds too intimate, doesn’t it? were so deep that it “Friend” calls up images of being close. If looked like his eyes he’s a friend, then you are going to be hurt if were gone. I reached he dies, and war hurts enough without add- over and touched him ing to the pain. Get close; get hurt. It’s as on the arm; without simple as that. looking at me he In war you learn to keep people at that touched my hand. “I distance my wife talks about. You become know man. I know.” so good at it, that twenty years after the war, That’s what he said. It you still do it without thinking. You won’t was a human moment. 20-mm8 River Currents, GunnerVolume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 boat so this exercise was fun. You had to Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipients “walk” the boat in against the river current and avoid hitting anyone fore or aft. In the 9th Infantry Division * P = Posthumous person who distinguishes himself or her- dark. We really got quite competitive at self conspicuously by gallantry and intre- this. Periodically, we were tasked with MRB Sammy L. Davis, 2nd/4th Arty. pidity at the risk of his life or her life above security that consisted of circling one of the Edward A. DeVore, Jr., B Co., 4th/39th *P and beyond the call of duty while engaged ships all night, dropping concussion gre- in an action against an enemy of the United nades periodically to take care of swim- James W. Fous, Co. E, 4th/47th *P Don J. Jenkins, 2nd/39th States; while engaged in military opera- mers. tions involving conflict with an opposing During my tour on the rivers, our boat Leonard B. Keller, 3rd/60th foreign force; or while serving with participated in many and varied assign- Thomas James Kinsman, B Co., 3rd/60th friendly foreign forces engaged in an ments. Most of our time was spent in the George C. Lang, 4th/47th armed conflict against an opposing armed Delta, but we did go up to the “Parrot’s force in which the United States is not a Beak” on Operation “Giant Slingshot” as a David P. Nash, 2nd/39th * P belligerent party. The deed performed support boat for the PBRs. We were sta- Clarence Eugene Sasser, 3rd/60th must have been one of personal bravery or tioned at Tra Cu and Go Dau Ha. This was Raymond R. Wright, 3rd/60th self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly the only place we saw blue, clear water. distinguish the individual above his com- I have never regretted this experience as I About the Medal of Honor rades and must have involved risk of life. feel I have become a better person for it. The Medal of Honor was established by Incontestable proof of the performance of This experience was the turning point in Joint Resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 the service will be exacted and each recom- my life. The term “Don’t sweat the small (amended by acts 9 July 1918 and 25 July mendation for the award of this decoration stuff” has a different meaning since Viet- 1963). The Medal of Honor is awarded by will be considered on the standard of ex- nam. the President in the name of Congress to a traordinary merit.

Navy of the Republic killing many of the enemy and suffering Reproduced with permission from: Tucker, Spencer heavy losses of their own. But, their valor C., ed. Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Social, and Military History. Santa Barbara, CA By 1973, the Vietnam Navy possessed the and sacrifice was not rewarded with vic- ABC-CLIO, 1998. material resources to carry on the fight tory in the Vietnam War. alone. The 42,000-man naval service mar- shaled a force of over 1,400 ships and craft to meet the enemy on the rivers and canals Note from LT Hai Tran, South Vietnamese Navy of South Vietnam and in the South China In 1975 the South Vietnamese Navy was involuntarily discharged from the world’s naval community. The Sea. The relatively young, dramatically Officers and men never enjoyed a happy and victorious ending. They suffered loss and humiliation. In April expanded, and still developing Vietnam 1975 their small fleet arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines without identity. The US Navy painted over the Vietnam- Navy had great potential, but it needed ese Navy (VNN) ships hull numbers. The fatherland’s flag was forced to be lowered from the masts. And by all time to mature. accounts the South Vietnamese Navy ceased to exit. The Vietnam Navy never got that time. On January 19, 1974, this proud Navy fought against the huge Chinese Navy in Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands) Disenchanted with the American venture archipelagos without any help or support from the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Sailors who abandoned ships scattered in Southeast Asia, during 1973 and 1974 the to the sea. The U.S. Navy offered no assistance. U.S. Naval Historians have never mentioned a word about this United States drastically cut financial sup- sea battle. port for the Vietnamese armed forces. The The ill-equipped former DER Foster (VNN HQ 4), with torpedo tubes without torpedoes, long range radar that Vietnam Navy was compelled to reduce its had been stripped off after changing hand from the US Navy, was all but useless. Former U.S. Coast Guard overall operations by 50 percent and its WHEC craft, with slow 5'' guns, could not get the upper-hand on the high speed Chinese gunboats. The after- river combat and patrol activities by 70 per- math was VNN PCE (HQ 10) was sunk. Two Chinese gunboats were sunk and some were damaged. The cent. To conserve scarce ammunition and Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands) were lost. fuel, Saigon laid up over 600 river and har- After 1973 the U.S. sharply reduced its support. The VNN had to use its ammunition sparingly. A victory at bor craft and 22 ships. The enemy did not Tuyen Nhon changed the Viet Cong's movements towards Saigon. The Viet Cong commander offered millions target the waterways during this period, of dong for Lt. Commander Le Anh Tuan’s head. but the respite was short lived. On April 1975 Task Force 99 blocked a Viet Cong attack on Saigon from Tay Ninh and alerted a surveillance In little more than a month during the post for the VNN fleet to evacuate via the Long Tao waterway to safety. spring of 1975, Communist ground forces seized all of northern and central South Viet- On April 30, 1975, after Duong Van Minh called Republic of Vietnamese Armed forces to surrender, Lt. Com- nam, bypassing any VNN concentrations. mander Le Anh Tuan committed suicide when his river flotilla was ambushed by Russian made T-54 tanks. Many boats were abandoned in Vung Tau and in South Vietnams waterways. Officers and enlisted sailors felt The Vietnam Navy’s ships and sailors soon betrayed by their comrades and allies. The only way they could save their miserable lives was to draw close to joined the hurried exodus of troops and their families. Sadly, Commander Ha Ngoc Luong killed his wife, children and then committed suicide at the civilians from the I and II Corps areas. With Nha Trang Naval Academy. the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975, many of After April 30, 1975 some LST crewmen, with AK47s held behind their backs, trained Viet Cong sailors to run the VNN’s ships and craft put to sea and those types of ships. They did so while watching dirty pigs and chickens feeding on the former proud ships gathered off Son Island southwest of Vung decks. Tau. The flotilla of 26 Vietnam Navy and other vessels, with 30,000 sailors, their fami- Officers were separated from their families. They had to do duty in forced labor Re-education Camps for years. lies, and other civilians onboard, joined the They tried to escape Vietnam by all possible ways. With their experiences as sea going sailors, many were successful. Some succeeded in reaching free countries and began rebuilding their lives. U.S. Seventh Fleet when it embarked the last of the refugees fleeing South Vietnam The Viet Cong Navy updated the former DER Foster (HQ 4) and began using her as a training ship. They armed and headed for the Philippines. WHECs with missiles. Today they are still using some former VNN LST for cargo ships. Their fleet has dozens Thus ended the Vietnam Navy’s short, if of gas turbine Petya gun boats with torpedo launchers. The Ukraine is planning on selling them some 2,000 ton Gepard frigates and Molniya missle boats equipped with Moskit supersonic anti-ship missiles under dramatic history. The VNN’s sailors often Ukrainian license. Vietnamese shipyards will build these type of ships for Viet Cong Navy. fought with bravery and determination, River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 9 These Few Good Men Veterans Day 2007, Washington, D.C. By Michael Norman he MRFA and 9th Infantry Division and refer to our group name “MRFA”. Res- I now know why men who have been to will be placing wreaths at the Vietnam ervations may also be made on-line @ war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or Veterans Memorial in Washington, www.arlingtoncourthouse.gardeninn. look at old pictures, not to laugh or weep. D.C.T on Veterans Day, Sunday, November com be sure to enter the on-line reserva- Comrades gather because they long to be 11, 2007. We will be gathering at the steps tion code “MRFA”. Reservations under with the men who once acted their best, of the Lincoln Memorial at 8:30 A.M. on these group codes must be made before the men who suffered and sacrificed who were the 11th, and proceed to the Wall at 9:00 cut off date of October 17, 2007, so make stripped raw, right down to their humanity. A.M. your reservations soon. I did not pick these men. They were de- Additionally, on Saturday, November A Hospitality Room will be available on livered by fate. But I know them in a way I 10th, at 1:00 P.M., the MRFA and 9th Infan- November 9th and 10th. know no other men. I have never given any- try Division will be placing a wreath at the The Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/ one such trust. They were willing to guard Navy Memorial. The U.S. Navy Memorial Courthouse Plaza is located at 1333 North something more precious than my life. & Naval Heritage Center is located at 701 Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201. They would have carried my reputation, Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, We look forward to seeing you in D.C. the memory of me. It was part of the bar- D.C. We will have an Honor Guard, a bu- Come join us as we honor our fallen Broth- gain we all made, the reason we were so gler and a number of speakers, both the ers on Veterans Day 2007. willing to die for one another. Army and Navy. I cannot say where we are headed. Ours We have blocked 40 rooms at the Hilton are not perfect friendships: those are the Garden Inn Arlington / Courthouse Plaza Hotel Parking: province of legend and myth. A few of my in Arlington, Virginia for November 8th - comrades drift far from me now, sending 12th. Room rates are $119.00 (plus tax) per Self Parking: $10.00 - Fee effective 1/1/07 back only occasional word. I know that one night. For reservations call 1-703-528-4444 (6’ clearance) day even these could fall to silence. Some of In/Out Privileges: Available the men will stay close, a couple, perhaps, Secured: Available • Covered: Available always at hand. A memory I Will Never Forget: For more information you may contact As long as I have memory. I will think of November 11, 2006, I walked with them all, every day. I am sure that when I Board Member Bob (Doc) Pries at 9702 leave this world, my last thought will be of true American heroes to the Friar Tuck Drive, West Chester, OH 45069. my family and my comrades…. Such good Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Phone: (513) 755-1223 or email: rpries@ cinci.rr.com. men. - KATHRYN R. GOUDELOCK

ADS IN RIVER CURRENTS A Civil War Heritage MRFA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Due to the overwhelming demand from members and outside vendors, we will no Charlie Ardinger (Mobile Riverine Force) 1857 County Rd. A-14 • Decorah, IA 52101 longer place advertisements in River Cur- n the fall of 1862, General Ulysses Grant rents with the exception of MRFA and 9th packed 32,000 weary Union soldiers o New Member o Renewal o Donation Inf Div products sold by the MRFA. onto river boats and began the siege of o Sponsor o CHANGE OF ADDRESS - Note Below! theI vital Confederate city of Vicksburg, Ms. Using the Mississippi Delta Water- NAME: ______ways to position Navy gunboats and to STREET: ______MRFA/9TH INF. WEBSITE transport men and equipment, the supe- rior Northern forces penetrated the river CITY:______www.mrfa.org strongholds. STATE: ______ZIP: ______General Grant’s forces teaming with Mike Harris is our web master. He Rear Admiral David Porter’s Mobile PHONE: ( ) ______does a great job with the web site. Riverine Force (MRF) carried the North’s There’s information on the VA, KIA, offensive deep into Dixie. Fleets of armor- E-MAIL:______about anything you want on the 9th, protected boats provided fire support and Dates Served in Unit (mm/yr - mm/yr) MRF, and other in-country units, ferried troops as the Union assaulted the ______patches, books, and tour info. Mike has series of fortifications along the Missis- o WWII o Korea o Vietnam it somewhere on the site. You may sippi River. o Army Member: Unit (Division, Brigade, Battalion, contact Mike Harris if you want a book, Thundering volleys from naval gun- Company, Platoon):______pictures, etc., posted there. Mike boats and mortar vessels played a decisive o Navy Member: Ship, Boat Hull Nos. or NavDet: _____ makes the final decision on what will role in the North’s successful winter and o Associate Member be posted. Contact him by e-mail spring campaigns of 1862 and 1863. After mekong152 @charter.net. Mike served the defeat of the Confederates in the battle Membership Rates: on Tango-152-1 (68-69). of Port Gibson on April 30, the fortress of o 1 Yr. $15.00 o 3 Years $40.00 Vicksburg fell on July 4. o Donation: $ ______River assaults also played dominant oTo become a member, mail your check or money roles as key Union victories claimed order (payable to MRFA) to: PLEASE NOTE: Belmont, Fort Henry, and Shiloh. Riverine Charlie Ardinger • MRFA Membership Chairman YOUR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRATION DATE warfare virtually split the Confederacy in 1857 County Rd. A14, Decorah, IA 52101-7448 two. The Riverine Force was born. It’s our Please Note: This form may be used for New Member- is printed on the front of your issue history and our birth as a Mobile Riverine ships, Renewals and Changes of Address. Be sure to of River Currents. Force fighting unit. check the appropriate box. 10 River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 TAPS Those gone but not forgotten In Memory Of Lawrence Ferguson passed away Octo- in A/CO 2nd/47th (Mech) Infantry (1968- ber 1, 2006. Lawrence served in RivRon 9 T- 69) and C/CO/5th/60th (1969-70). his section is for the members who 92-5 from 10/67 to 12/68. You may contact Top is one reason a lot of us made it wish to sponsor the MRFA by plac- his wife at 12015 Clear Creek Ct, Silverdale, home. We all have a lot of gratitude and ing a notice in memory of one their Washington 98383-9615, 360-692-4331 or respect for him, for all he did for us in Viet- fallenT comrades. In some cases the [email protected]. nam. That appreciation for him often re- name of the sponsor will precede the BM1 Pat G. Stauber (USN Ret.) passed flected by us in visiting with him at the name of the person who was KIA, or has away on April 27, 2006 in Lonoke, reunions 30 some years later. passed on since Vietnam. It’s $25 for 4 Arkansas. While in Vietnam Thanks Top for always being there for us issues. he served with River Assault when we needed help you always had the right “wise answer”. You are a first class Lloyd W. Austin for Arthur M. Day KIA 5/8/69 D Co Squadron 15 as Boat Cap- 4th/47 Inf tain of A-151-2 from Sep- Soldiers Hero and every time I think of the proud time we soldiers served together, Jack Benedick for C Co 4th/47th 66-68, C Co 3rd/60th tember 1968 to September 69, and E Co 3rd/60th Inf KIA 4/7/68 1969. BM1 Stauber received your strong character and integrity will Ellen Bergman for Henry Bergman C Co 3rd/34th and the Bronze Star w/V for her- always be remembered as one of Honor.” 3rd/60th Inf (09/68-05/69) oism and two Purple Heart Ja Wan Thompson 2nd/47th. Bill Brennan for Tom Swanick GMG3 USS White River Medals. He retired from the John “Top” Secor served as 1st Sgt in LSMR-536 U.S. Navy in 1974. You may con- Charlie Rangers, 5th/60th Infantry after Brothers of the 2nd/47th Inf for all Army and Navy KIAs tact the family at Charlene Stauber, 111 his duty with the Panthers. As company Frank T. Buck, FN USN for son, ENFN Frank H. Buck T- Summer-wood Drive, Searcy, AR 72143, commander I could not have had a more 92-10 KIA 12/28/67 501-268-5405 or daughter Charlotte Glad- professional right hand man and friend. It James J. Byrnes for members of the Junk Force, Dung den, 586 Jones Circle, Anna, Texas 75409, was my honor to soldier with Top Secor. Island phone 972-924-8217 or cgladden@ The world is in morning today; a Soldier Gene Cooper for Steve Brichford FT2-68/69 and Jerry jcpenney.com. has passed away. May he rest in peace. R oleofs 67-68 US S White River LSMR-536 Terry Stull 5th/60th Robert E. Tak passed away April 1st, Ted Fetting B Co 2nd/60th Inf. 10/67-2/68 for all from B I knew this man he was a fine Soldier 1975, from complications due to pneumo- Co. 2nd/60th and KIA 2/2/68 Fred Jansonivs (ND), and leader of men. Elroy “Stevie” Le Blanc (CA), and Roy Phillips (IL) nia. Robert served in RivRon 9 we believe Bill Reynolds C/CO/4th/47th John W. Gerbing for Noel T. West A/CO/4th/47th KIA on ASPB-91-4 in 1968. You may contact the You may contact the family of “TOP” 6/19/67 family in care of his son at Anthony Tak, Secor at: C/O daughter Jill Curtis 18 West- Regina Gooden for Sgt Lloyd Earl Valentine 1103 N. 3rd St., Johnstown, CO 80534, minster Dr. Lumberton, NJ 08048; or email B/CO/3rd/47th (9/5/68) [email protected]. [email protected]. Fred Gottwald for Sgt. Walter J. Garstkiewicz C Co John R. “TOP” Secor The MRFA Board of Directors and Staff 3rd/60th and C Co 6th/31st KIA 01/09/70 1stSgt U.S. Army (Ret.). would like to extend their most sincere Gerald Johnston USS Nye Cty for James “Willie” passed away on the 5th of sympathies to all the families of the Willeford Nye Cty LST-1067 11/28/66, friend, and February 2007. Top served sailor 19-year-old (RIP Buddy) fallen. in C/CO/4th/47th (1967-68) James Long Sr. ComRivFlot-One Staff 11/67-11/68 for Carol Ann, beloved wife David Lynn for Howard Burns (QM2), Robert Bouchet (SM2), and Herman Miller (GM3) 08/11/68 IUWG-1- OLD RELIABLE Delta canals were so narrow that they couldn’t turn 3 They were called “Old Reliable” and they garnered lots of around Adam Metts for Donald L. Bruckart KIA 03/31/69 T- fame. So they slugged it out with Charlie as they raced for safer 111-2 Those familiar with their story know they lived up to the ground. James A. Morse for Mark W. Weachter CTO-3 In his strongholds in the delta, Charlie thought he was th th name. VP Roy Moseman for Oscar Santiago C-2 4 /47 From the forests of the Ardennes to the land of Charlie’s secure birth But he failed to comprehend the things that soldiers will 10/67-10/68 “Old Reliable” set the standard; to a man they proved their endure. Jasper Northcutt for SSGT Henry T. Aragon B-2 worth. Waist deep in delta mud as they struggled through the 2nd/47th KIA 08/23/67, SGT James E. Boorman B-2 Riverine Infantry was a concept that was tested once mire 2nd/47th KIA 08/27/67, SP4 James D. Bronakoski before “Old Reliable” kept on pushing, laying down a deadly fire. B-2 2nd/47th KIA 04/27/67, SP4 Michael G. Hartnett With a group of Union soldiers fighting in the Civil War. There were many fearsome battles for the men of this B-2 2nd/47th KIA 04/27/67, and SGT William D. But the 2nd Brigade went for perfection in the war in Viet- brigade Mize B-2 2nd/47th 5th/60th KIA 10/28/67 nam And accolades were common for the roles the soldiers John Philp for LTC William B. Cronin KIA 04/27/67 Co played. By invading Charlie’s hideouts from its home base in Dong 2nd/47th and for Colonel Arthur D. Moreland USA Tam. Dinh Thuong, Long An, Song Rach Gai, where so many Those who sit and count their blessings in this land of liberty brave men fell (Ret.) 2nd/47th 4/67-12/67 Aren’t aware of hardships suffered in the quest to keep it Strange sounding names from long ago with stories yet to USS Guide MSO-447 for Shipmate and Brother Harold free. tell. Foster From the rivers of the delta to the jungles filled with death The soldiers of “Old Reliable,” who played the stakes so Tom Sanborn 4th/47thInf. for Spec4 David Thorton Fighting hand-to-hand with Charlie, “Old Reliable” passed high KIA 10/68 on Toi Son (VC) and 1st Lt James L. Tarte the test. Rousted Charlie from the delta, by water, land and sky KIA 8/24/68 near Kai Lay The “Brown Water Navy” and “Old Reliable” formed a solid The records of their bravery are now etched in history Robert Thacker for Earl T. Pelhan, Jr. SSG KIA 15th plan For the 2nd of the 9th was known as Riverine Infantry. Combat Engineers So as you sit and count your blessings in this land of That would bring the war to Charlie and drive him from the Steven Totcoff for brother CPL Dennis S. Totcoff B/CO land Liberty The Navy had the boats that would take them to the places Think of all the brave, young soldiers who have died to 3rd/47th KIA 5/2/68 Where the soldiers went ashore and destroyed the VC keep it free. Robert Vargas for Gene Dirita 2nd/60th Inf KIA bases. And rest assured, if ever needed, “Old Reliable” will heed 12/10/67 Riding Tangos up the rivers proved at times a deadly chore. the call. Gary Williams for Dale Winkel C Co 3rd/60th Inf Taking mortar rounds and rockets from the bushes on the To fight your wars and shoot your guns and defend you (01/68-01/69) shore. one and all. River Currents, Volume 16, Number 1 • Spring 2007 11 SAVE 20% ON MRFA AND MRFA Catalog Products 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION T-SHIRTS

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better soon and look forward to seeing thoughts and prayers at this time. Bobby Get Well Wishes him at the reunion. You may contact Jim at served on Monitor 111-3 (01/68-01/69). You 3137 Braeburn Pl., Highlands Ranch, CO may contact Elisabeth at 303 N Vancouver We wish good health and fast 80126, phone: 303-683-9224 or jimgrms@ Ave, Russellville, AR 2801-2747, 479-968- recovery for each of our brothers yahoo.com. 6659 or [email protected]. and their families. Bobby Rider has been in bad health for Have a get well wish to post? Send Jim Grooms (ENC Ret) has been having awhile now but seems to be getting worse. an email to [email protected] health problems. We hope Jim starts feeling Please keep Bobby and Elisabeth in your Paul Eastham T-132-11 (05/69-07/69) Frank B. Jones RivRon-15 T-48 LTC Nathan Plotkin US Army (Ret) HQ 2nd Bde Virgie Eblen (Associate Proud Member) of MRFA LT. David Justin A Co 3rd/60th Inf (7/66-10/67) William Posey BM1 Craftmaster YTB-785 (1967-68) SSGT Peter H. Eckhardt 6th/39th Inf (2/69-2/70) Alex Kaufbusch A Co 3rd/60th Inf Rudolph Pries Jr. M-111-1 (12/67-12/68) Leon B. Edmiston B Co 3rd/60th Inf (1968-69) Harold Kau-Aki D Co. 3rd/60th Inf (9/68-7/69) BMCM George S. Queen USN (Ret) USS Benewah (1967) Scott Edwards C Co/3rd/47th Inf (5/68-5/69) Kent Keasler USS Krishna ARL-36 (1966/67) Grey (Doc) Rather HMCM (DV/PF) USN (Ret) RivDivs 112 SPONSORS Richard Ehrler E Co 50th ABN (04/68-01/69) CPT Milton Keene A Co 3rd/60th Inf and 132 (1969-70) SPONSORS GMCM Kenneth S. Ray USS Vernon Cty. LST-1161 (6/65- Admiral Elmo Zumwalt ComNavForV Captain James D. Eldridge, Jr. CSO/CO RivDiv 91 (12/67- General William A Knowlton ADC 9th Inf Div (1/68-6/68) Marshall Adams D Co. 4th/47th Inf 08/68) Dane K. Keller RivDiv-532-PBR-121 (5/69-5/70) 9/69) LT. H. M. “Murk” Alexander ComRivDiv-132 (6/68 6/69) Christopher Emerson A-112-4 (4/68-4/69) Maurice Kock RivDiv-531 PBR-101 Paul A. Ray M-151-5 (6/69-7/70) George Amador USS Krishna ARL-38 Edith Ethridge Associate Member Dennis Kotila T-131-2 CDR David Richardson USN (Ret) USS Hampton Cty David Anderson HQ 4th/47th Inf (6/67-2/68) Larry Gunner Ethridge USS Askari ARL-30 Walter F. Lineberger III XO RivDiv-91 (1968-69) Edward Riddle T-91-9 (5/68-4/69) Charlie & Georginia Ardinger T-151-11 Cdr Kirk Ferguson USN. Ret ComStabRon-20 (11/69-11/70) Ken Locke USS White River LSMR-536 Captain Walter J. Riedemann USN (Ret) USS Tom Green Cty 1st Sgt John J. Armstrong HQ 3rd/47th Inf (4/66-1/68) Terrance Fetters HHQ 3rd/47th Inf (4/69-7/69) James Long Sr. ComRivFlot-One Staff (11/67-11/68) LST-1159 (68-70) Christian Bachofer Jr. ComRivDiv-92. (7/68-6/69) Dean Fritz & Carol Campbell BMCM Ray Longaker RivDiv 131T-14 (1969-70) Donald & Marijo Robbins USS Benewah APB-35 Colonel Dennis A. Bassett A Co 3rd/60th Inf (8/68-7/69) Ed L. Freeman Cdr 9thMP Co. (4/68-2/69) Richard Lorman T-152-6 (6/68-6/69) Larry Rose CRIP 9th Inf Div Jack Benedick C Co. 4th/47th Inf Ray Funderburk (PIO) 9thInfDiv (6/67-7/68) Kelly Loudon NAG-MAT-55 Jay Rosenberger LCM-6 #26 River Sweeper Dan S. Bien E Co. 5th/60th Inf Gamewardens of Vietnam Mid-Atlantic Chapter Jim Lukaszewski APL-30 (1968-69) Joseph K. Rosner RivRon-15 M-6 Robert B. Blair USS Clarion River LSMR-409 (04/67-01/69) Toney Garvey C Co. 4th/47th Inf Ken Lund C Co. 4th/39th Inf (01/69) Bonni Rosner Associate Member Capt Peveril Blundell USN Ret, ComRivRon-13 (1968-69) Lee D. Gavet A Co. 4th/47th Inf Corrado R. Lutz PCF-23 (3/68-3/69) Donald Salmi Associate Member Maj/Gen Blackie Bolduc U.S. Army Ret. Cdr 3rd/47th Inf John W. Gerbing A and E Cos 4th/47th (1966-68) Chaplain Richard MacCullagh Captain USN (Ret) Norman Saunders B Co 3rd/39th Inf (1/69-8/69) Thomas Brady B Co 3rd/47th Inf (11/67-01/69) Regina Gooden Associate Member ComRivFlot-One John Schleicher IUWG-1 Anthony Brand, Jr. MSB-Det Alpha (1966-67) Edward J. Graft A Co. 2nd/47th Mech Inf Gary Manninger A-92 (5/68-1969) Harry David Schoenian C Co 47th/47th Inf (7/68-7/69) Jerry (Doc) Schuebel B Co. 3rd/60th Inf Tom Bityk IUWG-1-Vung Tau/Ha Tein (05/69-05/70) James (Jim) Grooms NSA Danang (1966-68) Bob Marburger C Co 2nd/60th Inf (11/68-11/69) th th Ed Brennan E/CO/3rd/60th (12/68-12/69) Frank Gubala A Co. 3rd/47th Inf David P. Marion TF-115 (Army Advisor) Col Sam L. Schutte USA (Ret) B Co 4 /47 Inf (VN) Brothers of the 2nd/47th (Mech) Inf Charles Gurley CWO3 USN (Ret) USS White River LSMR-536 Larry (Chief) Marshall TF-116 Nha Be/TF-115 Duc Pho Mark Seymour YW-118 NSA Danang (1/70-9/70) David W. Brown A-91-7 RivRon-9 Staff (1/68-1/69) Daniel Guy IUWG-Unit 2 (11/66-1/68) (1971-72) Lawrence J. Shallue HHC 2nd/47th Mech Inf (04/66-12/67) CPT Kenneth Brown A Co. 3rd/47th Inf Michael Haecke NavSupDet Nha Be (8/67-8/69) Patrick N. Marshall USS Jerome Cty LST-848 (10/67-1/70) Jerry J. Shearer C Co 2ndPlt 3rd/60th Inf Maj/Gen Walt Bryde Jr. 3rd/34th (FA) CDR Daniel B. Hall USNR (Ret) RivFlotOne (12/68-7/69) Frank O. Martinolich A Co 3rd/60th Inf (3/68-3/69) Donald Shelton USS White River LSMR-536 Robert W. Caldwell Jr. USS Nye Cty (2/66-2/67) 1st/Sgt Paul T. Hall U.S. Army (Ret) USS Kemper Cty (02/67- David Marion US Army (MACV) Adv Teams 88 &TF-115 William & Jocelyn Shreffler B Btry 7th/9th II Field Forces Vic Campbell USS Benewah APB-35 06/67) (1968-69) (1967-68) David W. Cargill HHC 9th Inf Div CCSS Oliver G. Halle Cos Div 11 PCF-70 Phil McLaughlin Landing Ship Squadron 3 (08/67-09/69) Richard M. Simpson C Co 3rd/47th Inf (5/67-5/68) RADM W. Carlson U.S. Navy Ret. CO USS White River LSMR- Roger Hamilton USS Mark AKL-12 Big Jim Meehan IUWG-1 Nha Trang William (Bill) Sinclair XO USS White River LSMR-536 (4/65- 536 (A most enthusiastic sponsor) David Hammond C Co 3rd/47th Inf (1967-68) Jim Meeuwenberg IUWG-1-2 Cam Rahn Bay 2/68) George Carlstrom Jr. 3rd/34th Arty (1967-68) Hazel Hanks Associate Member Terry Metzen C Co 3rd/60th Inf (12/66-11/67) Tom Slater USS Hampshire Cty LST-819 Darrell Cartmill M-131-2 (6/69-2/71) Wilbert Hannah USS White River LSMR-536 Alan Metzer LCUs NSA Danang Br/Gen Douglas Smith U.S. Army Ret. Cdr 2nd/47th Mech Inf Craig (Doc) Champion E and D Cos 3rd/47th Inf (3/68-11/68) SFC Michael D. Hanmer RivRon-13 / RivDiv-153 (07/69- Adam Metts T-111-2 (8/69-10/69) Chet “Gunner” Stanley C-111-1 (1966-68) Rick Chapman Zippo-111 (7/68-1969) 02/71) Walter Wally Meyers USS Benewah APB-35 Alan Strickland A Co. 2nd/47th Mech Inf Donn E. Christiansen 3rd/60th Inf Fred Hanseroth USS Hunterdon Cty LST-838 Bruce McIver T-131-7 RAID-72 (3/69-3/70) Allen Strohmeier 5th/60th (11/67-11/69) CDR Charles Clark Jr. CO USS Monmouth Cty LST-1032 Mike Harris IUWG-1-3 Qui Nhon/Cam Rahn Bay Cdr David Miller USN (Ret.) CO RivDiv-112 (11/67-12-68) Terry Stull A Co. 3rd/47th Inf (2/66-3/67) William A. Harman T-132-2 Nichols Miller COS RAS Div 152 (7/68-6/69) John P. Sturgil USS Colleton APB-36 Randall G. Cook USS Monmouth Cty LST-1032 (1970) John Harrison C Co. 3rd/47th Inf James Morse CTFs-116/117 (11/70-10/71) William Tamboer T-151-9 John & Pamela Carlin in honor of Erol Tuzcu Richard Hause WW-11/Korea Associate Albert & Sara Moore USS Benewah APB-35 Vice Admiral Emitt Tidd USN Ret. ComNavForV COS Sam Crawford USS Satyr (01/69-9/70) Kent Hawley YRBM-20 (10/60-10/70) J. Russell & Alice Moore RivRon-9 Erol Tuzco A Co. 3rd/60th Inf (1968-69) LTC Richard E. Crotty US Army (Ret) HQ 3rd/Bde 9th Inf Div Leo H. Haynes USN (Ret) PBR-8120 RivDiv 594 (4/69-2/70) Lt/Jg Joe Moore USS Colleton APB-36 (1967-68) USS Terrell Cty LST-1157 Vern Curtis HSAS Saigon/Chu Lai Michael Hays C Co. 3rd/34th Inf (05/68-09/68) Charles & Cynthia Moran (BMC) Ret. RivDiv-91-595 David Tyler RivDiv-132 M-6 / T-24 (1969-70) William J. Currier HSB 3rd/34th Arty (11/68-12/69) Charles Heindel C-91-1 (11/67-11/68) Frank Moran B Co. 4th/47th Inf USS Guide MSO-447 William Dabel C/CP 3rd/60th Inf Joe Hilliard T-44-48 (1969-70) Roy & Lynn Moseman 4th/47th Inf Benjamen D. Utley C Co. 3 Plt 3rd/60th Inf Orville Daley USS Askari ARL-30 Denver Hipp RivRon-15 Staff (3/68-9/69) Co Van My TF-115.3.7 Cat Lo Peter W. Van der Naillen USS Clarion River (1968-69) Ralph Dean USS Nueces APB-40 (1968-69) John Holland 4th/39th Inf Richard (Doc) Nelson RivRon-15 Staff Bob & Nancy VanDruff T-91-5 and T-92-4 CDR David Desiderio USCG Pontchartrain WHEC-70 (6/69- Henry K. Holcombe USS Sphinx (10/67-7/69) Robert C. Nichols B Co2nd Plt 3rd/60th 9th Inf Div (10/68- Ricky & Darrell Vice T-131-7 (1968-69) 1/71) Maj/Gen Ira A. Hunt, Jr. HHQ 9th Inf Div 8/69) Jack Watson C Co 3rd/60th Inf (12/68-9/69) QMC Frank De La Oliva USN (Ret) HCU-1 (9/68-6/71) Alan G. Hyde 9th Signal (1966-68) Jasper Northcutt B Co 2nd/47th Mech Inf (11/66-5/67) A.J. “Jim” Webster IUWG-1 Unit-2 (2/69-7/70) Captain Robert Dockendorf USNR (Ret) USS Askari ARL- Alexander Janisieski USS Krishna ARL-38 (3/71-11/71) LTC Jim L. Noyes U S Army (Ret.) 3rd/34th Arty Gary T. Weisz A-91-4 (10/67-7/68) 30/YRBM-17 David Jarezewski M/Sgt USA (Ret) C Co 4th/47th Inf George R. O'Connell USS Terrell Cty LST-1157 Charles Westcott, RivDiv 111, 112, and 131 Dan Dodd PHC (Ret) ComRivFlot-One Brad Jenkins 3rd/34th Arty2nd/47th (Mech) Inf (1966-68) Ronald K. Olney, RivRon 13 T-132-1 Tom White C Co. 4th/47th Inf Msg/Ret Jesse T. Dooley HHC 2nd/Bde Inf. 9th Inf Div (1968- Ron Jett T-92-8 (1/67-1/68) Joseph G. Opatovsky PCF-103 (9/67-4/69) Everett Wiedersberg Monitor-112-1 (2/68-1/69) 69) Col Henry L.S. Jezek 2nd/47th Inf. (1/68-7/69) John C. Oxley E Co 3rd/47th Inf Stephen G. Wieting USS Benewah APB-35 (11/66-2/68) Roger B. Drucker C Co. 9th Signal Duane Johnson 15th Combat Engineers Terry R. Peters USS White River LSMR-536 (11/67-10/69) George Wilfong USA (RET) A Co. 4th/39th Inf Ken Dudek for Erol Tuzcu 3rd/60th Inf Gerald Johnston USS Nye County LST-1067 (01/66-01/67) Col Pete Peterson US Army (Ret) Cdr 3rd/60th Inf Bob Witmer USS Krishna ARL-38

Bruce Dunlap USS Mark AKL-12 (07/70-07/71) David Jones Z-111-7 (10/68-10/69) Luis F. Peraza D Co 3rd/60th (11/68-8/69) Hugh Young 9th MID (11/68-10/69)

Robert B. Durrett T-112-7 (1/67-12/67) Everett Jones BMCS Ret, RivRon-15 (04/69-04/70) John Perry T-132-11 (6/68 6/69) Robert Zimmer XO USS Mercer APB-39 (1968-69)

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