September and October - First Cavalry Division Association

1st Cavalry Division Association
302 N. Main
Copperas Cove, Texas 76522-1703
Change Service Requested
Non-Profit Organization
US. Postage PAID
West, TX
76691
Permit No. 39
VOLUME 57 NUMBER 5 Website: http://www.1cda.org
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
The President’s Corner
In the previous Saber, I informed you
of the Board of Governors decision to
include the Gold Star Breakfast as a
new event in our reunion schedule each
year. I believe that the breakfast will
be a significant yearly event and is an
excellent way to honor our friends and
fellow soldiers who did not come home.
I asked Julie Kink whose brother David
was killed in August, 1969 while serving as a scout pilot in the 1-9th Cavalry in
Vietnam to assist Dennis and his staff in organizing and publicizing this important
reunion event. She graciously agreed. Julie was a prime mover in initiating and
organizing the first Gold Star Breakfast at VHPA in 2004--An informal group of
five that has grown over the years. She has extensive experience in this event
since then and will be a big help to our Association staff. The breakfast is for
many an overwhelming emotional experience, both for Gold Star family members
and those of you who served with them. Julie can tell that story more eloquently
than I can, so I will quote from her message to give you a view from a Gold Star
family member view point.
Quote: “Your brother was our brother” These words, written to me more than
10 years ago by a helicopter veteran answering my quest for information about
my brother opened a whole new world for me. A Charlie Troop 1-9th Cav scout
pilot, David was killed in August, 1969 after just a month in Vietnam when he
was 19 and I was eight.
Back then Gold Star Families bore their pain alone. We weren’t told how David
crashed, who he was with, couldn’t call him in the hospital where he was dying
and didn’t know how to reach any of his comrades. We never knew the names
of the other two young men killed in the crash until years later. With help from
veterans’ organizations - after quarter century - I was finally able to learn about
my brother, meet his fellow pilots and crew members, hear about what they did
in Vietnam and discover that David was not forgotten.
There are many other Gold Star families like me. One of the most powerful
ways for them to connect with their past and their lost family member is to spend
time with those who walked in their shoes.
“Recognizing that Gold Star “CAV” families encompass many different wars
and eras, having such a breakfast during the 1st Cavalry Division Association
reunion would fill a void that now exists between family members and those who
served with them and also between families from the various wars. We who have
experienced a war death share a bond that stretches across the years. An organized
activity such as this provides a welcoming place to meet face to face and share our
common bond - as well as for veterans who served with our loved ones to share
their own stories with us - the stories we are so eager to hear.
In his last letter home my brother wrote, “You’re never alone on a mission.”
Through meeting his fellow veterans, I now know what those words mean. But
there are many Gold Star family members like me who have yet to learn that they
are now part of a large extended “Cav family.” Holding a Gold Star Breakfast
during the reunion would be one way to let them know they are welcome and that
the “Cav” does not forget it’s fallen and their families.” End quote.
As you can see organizing this breakfast will not be easy. We will have to
publicize it so that families who are not members of the Assn. will know that it is
available and they are welcome to attend. Once Gold Star families sign up we will,
in many cases, have to search for Cav Veterans who served with the lost relative.
I ask all of you to help with that effort. Together we can do it.
I advertise the 1st Cav every day. My cars have a 1st Cav tag on the front
bumper. It is amazing how many people see that tag and wave me down, or run
across a parking lot to ask, “What unit were you in. What year” I meet a lot of
Continued on pg. 2.
James W. Booth, PO Box 235, Tennille, GA 31089-0235 (478) 552-8464
INDEX
PAGE INDEX
PAGE INDEX
PAGE
1ST SIG 11 545TH MP 21 LTRS TO EDITOR 2
5TH CAV 5 ADMIRALTIES 13 LRRP/RANGER 20
7TH CAV 7 CALENDAR 2 NEW MEMBERS 3
8TH CAV 8 CHAPTER INDEX 15 OTHER REUNIONS 3
12TH CAV 6 CHAPTER NEWS 15 REUNION 24
15TH MED 17 CHANGE ADDRESS 2 SCHOLARSHIPS 22
20TH ARA 18 ENGINEERS 20 SILVER WINGS 16
27TH MNT 11 FREEMAN OBIT 9 SOUVENIR SHOP 20
30TH FA 10 GRANT POSTER 12 SUB RENEWAL 3
61ST FA 4 HONOR ROLL 24 TAPS 22
77TH FA 22 IA DRANG FUND 24 TROOPER SUPPORT 10
82ND FA 19 IT’S THE LAW 23 VETERANS DAY 9
99TH FA 14 LIFE MEMBERSHIP 3 WANTED 9
Horse Detachment by CPT Jay Bunte
SMA Preston and 1st Cavalry Division CSM
Malloy (center) take a morning ride in August.
Hello from the Horse Cavalry
Detachment. High temperatures
(and gas prices) did
not prevent us from training
and performing in July and
August. July proved to be a
busy month for performances
while our scheduled calmed
down enough in August so we
focus on training our younger
riders. In early July the HCD
kicked off the Belton PRCA
Rodeo at the Bell County Expo
Center. We performed our
mounted cavalry demonstration
and then were treated to a
good meal courteous of Bush’s
Chicken! As always, the HCD
performed at the annual Freedom Festival at Fort Hood for the 4th of July. After
the performance we enjoyed an evening of barbeque and fireworks at the barn.
Speaking of fireworks, for anyone who has not witnessed Fort Hood’s firework
show… you are missing out. That was the best fireworks display I have ever seen.
We also had the honor or participating in the Lampasas Spring Ho Parade in mid-
July. We were amazed by the reception we were given. People were standing up
out of the chairs and even wheelchairs to show their appreciation as we passed
by. Our hats are off to those who support us and the rest of the Soldiers of the 1st
Cavalry Division.
In August, some old friends of the HCD stopped by for a visit and early morning
ride. Sergeant Major of the Army Ken Preston, who was the CSM of the 3-8th
Cavalry and the 3rd Brigade when he was in the division, stopped by and rode
with a few lucky troopers from the HCD. Afterwards he ate breakfast with select
soldiers from 1CD in our Farrier Shop. This was my first time meeting him and
it was a privilege to hear him speak. Also in August, former 1st Cavalry Division
Commander LTG Joseph Peterson stopped by for a ride on his old HCD horse,
Biscuit. Again, my first time meeting him and it was a treat to see him have a
great time with Biscuit
We have many performances for September and October already lined up so be
sure to check out our website to see when we will be performing in your neck of
the woods. The website is . Hopefully the heat start to drop over the next weeks as it will make for
some great weather during our performances. We hope to see you around. First
Team!
DIVISION DOINGS
The 1st Cavalry Division continues to prepare to join the 4th Brigade Combat
Team in Iraq although there has been no official notification of the deployment of
the Division Headquarters or the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. The 3rd BCT will deploy
later this year and the 1st BCT and the 2nd BCT are scheduled to deploy in 2009.
Units are training and getting ready to deploy while the 4th BCT is conducting
operations and working with Iraqi forces along the Iraq/Iran border. Some stories
from the Division Public Affairs Office follow:
IA, U.S. Conduct Air Assault, Apprehend Criminals in Maysan by MAJ Chad
Carroll, 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office
CONTINGENCY OP-
ERATING BASE ADDER,
Iraq -
Iraqi Army Soldiers conducted
an air assault August
30 to apprehend four criminals
connected to attacks
against Iraqi and Coalition
Forces in the Dhi Qar and
Maysan provinces.
Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion,
38th Brigade, 10th Iraqi
Army Division conducted
Iraqi Army troops and A 2-7 CAV Soldiers stage for
an air assault mission in the Maysan Province.
the mission with assistance
from Soldiers assigned to
Company A, 2nd Battalion,
7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th
Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Long Knife Brigade in the southeastern
Iraqi province of Maysan.
Continued on pg. 2.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
ADDRESS
CHANGE
Don’t Keep it a SECRET, Let us Know About It.
To submit by e-mail, send to membership@1cda.org.
Clip and Mail to 1st Cavalry Division Association
302 N. Main, Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703
Last 4 #s of your SSN_____________ DOB_____________________
Tel: (_____) __________________
Rank and Name: ___________________________________________
New Address: ______________________________________________
City: ___________________________State: ____ Zip: ___________
Unit: (1)_______________________ and (2)_____________________
Date of Assign: (1)_________________ and (2)__________________
E-mail ____________________________________________________
I served with the 1st Cav Div. in (Circle one or more) Pre-WWII WWII
JAPAN KOREAN WAR KOREA ‘57-’65 FT BENNING
VIETNAM FT HOOD GULF BOSNIA AFGANISTAN IRAQ
I DO/DO NOT authorize release of my personal info to Assn. members.
I served with another military unit during a war time period YES NO
SABER
The newspaper of the 1st Cavalry Division Association
published during each even numbered month at
302 N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703.
Phone: (254) 547-6537
Deadline for publication is the 1st of each odd numbered month.
e-mail: firstcav@1cda.org
Home Page: http://www.1cda.org
EDITOR: Lorinda Davison
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Martha E. Fisher
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Dennis E. Webster
SNOWBIRDS
If you have two addresses during the year, we need to know them. Please give us
the dates and addresses for both households.
(Circle one) Winter Summer
Rank and Name: __________________________________________________
LAST 4#s SSN:_______________________ DOB _______________________
1: Address: _____________________________________________________
City: ___________________________State: _____ Zip: __________________
Dates: __________________________Tel: (_______) _____________________
2: Address: _______________________________________________________
City: ___________________________ State: _____ Zip: ________________
Dates: __________________________Tel: (_______) _____________________
Nov. 8-11
Calendar
2008
Veterans Day, Washington, DC
2009
Feb. 5-8 Florida Chapter Mid-Year -Altamonte Springs Clarion Hotel
Feb. 27-28 Board of Governors and Trustee Meetings, Fort Hood, Texas
June 3-7 62nd Annual Reunion, Fort Hood, Texas
President’s Corner
Continued from pg. 1.
good people that way. One 8th Cav Vietnam vet from 1967-68 and I were discussing
the Veterans Administration. He asked me, Do you have PTSD” I said,
“No.” He replied, “You got it, you just don’t know it.” Maybe.
Back to the 1st Cav tag. My wife loves to drive on Fort Gordon, Georgia with
the 1st Cav tag. She says, “It gets respect.” That probably comes from the time
an MP let her off with warning ticket for modest (she says) speeding. He saluted
and said, “First Team.” Good man.
God Bless the 1st Cavalry Division, God Bless the American Soldier and
God Bless America!
Division Doings
Continued from pg. 1.
The operation included more than 100 Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers, multiple
UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and several wheeled vehicles.
“The use of Coalition Forces’ helicopters was a great help in the
mission,” said 1LT Abu Hussein, an Iraqi platoon leader. “I look
forward to working with the Coalition Forces more in the future.”
The Iraqi Soldiers currently have custody of the four criminals.
“The fact that this complex air assault operation was planned and executed by
the Iraqi Army demonstrates their progress in recent weeks,” said CW3 John
DEMING, tactical air operations officer for 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division.
Deming coordinated with the Iraqi unit to ensure all necessary elements were in
place for the operation. Iraqi Soldiers also seized various small arms and munitions
at the scene.
Long Knives Build FOB Hunter by SPC Creighton Holub, 4th BCT PAO,
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HUNTER, Iraq –
The Long Knife Brigade is building its second forward
operating base in the first few months of its deployment to Iraq.
The two bases, FOB Garry Owen and FOB Hunter, are the two largest posts in
an otherwise vast desert that weapon and contraband smugglers have used to
transport lethal goods into Baghdad.
FOB Garry Owen, the first new Long Knife base, is adjacent to an Iraqi Army
compound; the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment’s FOB Hunter is being built
on an old Iraqi airfield with only bombed-out aircraft hangars supplying shade
for the Soldiers assigned to the Headhunter Squadron.
FOB Garry Owen is the logistical hub for FOB Hunter, as well as smaller bases
along the Iraq-Iran border.
“They bring supplies here, and then we load up our trucks and bring them to
FOB Hunter,” explained 1LT Robert DUANE, the leader of Troop D’s distribution
platoon. “We also provide security for civilian truckers so our troops can get
Continued on pg. 3.
ARTICLE SUBMISSION
Page 2
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Opinions expressed are the writers and not necessarily those of the Saber or
the 1st Cavalry Division Association.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To be considered for publication, letters should net exceed 300 words and
should be of general interest and in good taste. Letters express the writer’s
opionion, not that of the Saber or the 1st Cavalry Division Association.
Political endorsement, “thank you” notes and poetry cannot be used. Form
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We reserve the right to reject for publication any letter received. Unused
letters will not be acknowledged.
Dear Editor,
My father was Delbert RICE and he served in the mortar section of Company
D, 7th Cavalry Regiment from late March/early April 1951 until December of
1951. His cousin was there with the 2nd Infantry Division and was KIA on May
18, 1951.
I am in the process of doing research for a book on the Korean War. The basis
of the book will be using stories from those who served in the war. In February
of this year I published a book on World War II, using this same format.
If anyone in the 1st Cavalry Division Association would be interested in contributing
stories for this project, it would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Douglas RICE, 630 Great Country Estates Rd., Hawesville, KY 42348, (270)
927-6085 .
Dear Editor,
My name is Demeka Daniels. I currently attend the University of Mary Hardin
Baylor. I appreciate the 1st Cavalry Division Association for the financial
assistance with my education. I plan to use the scholarship for lab expenses
and books. I hope to touch someone’s life in a positive way just as the 1st Cav
Division Association has touched my life. Thank you for the scholarship, I am
very grateful.
Dear Editor,
My name is Janel Daniels and I am a senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
I am a double major in Cell Biology and Psychology with goals of
becoming a Pediatrician. I greatly appreciate the 1st Cavalry Division Association
Scholarship; This money will allow me pay for a lot of my class and lab
expenses. Thank you so much for the scholarship, I am so grateful and proud to
say I am a 2008 recipient.
Dear Editor,
Thank you very much for awarding me with a scholarship grant. The money
is being used to help me complete my goals in life which ultimately lead up to
becoming a veterinarian. Thank you for contributing to my dream
Sincerely, Stephanie Rabena, 511 Lobo Trl., Harker Heights., TX 76548
Dear Editor
I would like to thank you for the generous scholarship grant I received this
month. My wife and I truly appreciate this scholarship which helps me pay for
my tuition and other educational expenses. I am currently serving as a paramedic
intern through Southwestern Community College. The money you have provided
will help me to complete my program and become a paramedic serving San Diego
County. Thank you again for your generosity and well-wishes.
Sincerely, Martin Gonzalez, 3895 Colina Dorada Dr. #M-105, San Diego, CA
92124
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to receive such a generous grant.
I am in my third year at Western Kentucky University. My major is early childhood
education and I will be starting on the important classes this semester. I’m
so excited to be taking the classes I love. Your scholarship will go toward books
and supplies that seemingly get more and more expensive. It really makes a difference.
Again, I want to thank you all so, so much.
God Bless, Jennifer McCoy,
Dear Editor,
Thank you for helping me throughout my college career, it has helped me pay
for my expenses that I would not otherwise be able to pay for.
I am very grateful, not only to the association but also to the people and businesses
who also had made the donation.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely yours, Kenneth Berry
Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for the $500 scholarship. This money will help me and
my family out immensely in saying for my tuition.
Thank you. Kelly Chekanowsky
Continued on pg. 3.

Page 3
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1st CAVALRY DIVISION ASSOCIATION
302 N. Main
Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703
(254) 547-6537
NAME
POSITION IN CHAPTER
UNIT
DATES OF ASSIGNMENT
STREET ADDRESS
PHONE:
CITY, ST, ZIP (000) 000-0000
E-MAIL:
Enroll me as a Life Member....................................................................$10.00
Renew my subscription............................................................................$10.00
New or Renewal of Associate Membership............................................$15.00
Business Cards..........................................................................................$15.00
LAST 4 NUMBERS OF SSN ____________ DOB ________________________
Rank __________________
Name_____________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________
City _____________________________________________ State __________
Zip _____________________ Phone (________) ______________________
Dates Assigned _(1)_________________________ (2)____________________
I served with 1st Team in Unit (1)___________________________________and
(2)________________________________________________________________
E-mail ____________________________________________________________
I DO / DO NOT Authorize release of my personal information to Association
members.
I served with the 1st Cavalry Division in (Circle one or more)
Pre-WWII WWII Japan Korean War Korea ‘57-’65 Ft Benning Vietnam War
Ft Hood Gulf War Bosnia Afghanistan Iraq Ft Bliss
Have you served with any other military unit during a war time period YES NO
(CIRCLE)
Letters to the Editor
Continued from pg. 2.
Dear Editor,
Your scholarship grant has generously provided me the opportunity to attend
the college of my choice this upcoming fall. I am writing this in hopes of expressing
my most heartfelt gratitude, because without your assistance I would be
struggling to continue my education. Undoubtedly, I would not be able to full
my dream of bettering my life and that of my family. It is my sincere hop that
with a college education I will be able to build a better life for myself and those
nearest and dearest to my heart. With you financial support, I am on the road to
making my dream a reality. Thank you.
Sincerely, Danielle Yvonne LeFevre
Dear Editor,
My college education is very important to me. I truly appreciate the monetary
help I receive from the 1st Cavalry Division Association. It allows me to further
pursue my degree in Recreation Administration. This grant allows me to narrow
my focus and spend more time on my academics. As a result, I have been able to
achieve a higher level of college success. Your foundation has helped me greatly
and I thank you for your continued help in my college career.
Sincerely, Martha A. Rauch
Dear Editor,
I served in Vietnam in 1971 with C Co., 1-12th Cavalry, (1st Platoon). I am
looking for a medic and people that served with me. I need witnesses/verification
for a VA disability claim. I was treated in the Bush and not MEDEVACED.
Names are not all clear to me. The medic was from the South – Mississippi or
Tennessee. Looking for SP4 John DeROSE, SP4 Kenneth HEATH and SP4
Reuben ALVAREZ or any grunts to assist me with a VA claim. Please call me
at (480) 816-9673 anytime after 1pm Arizona time. I do not use an answering
machine, so please keep trying if you miss me.
Sincerely, SP4 David DEVON, 13227 N Mimosa Dr., Unit 121, Fountain
Hills, AZ 85268
OTHER REUNIONS
Bullwhip Squadron Association (1-9th CAV), 9-12 Oct., 2008. Quality Inn,
Dothan, AL. Visit for
additional details and forms. Contact Larry WRIGHT (334) 692-5140, Chuck
RIDENOUR (334) 301-1196, Joe BOWEN (770) 880-1100 or Al DEFLERON
(334) 692-5685.
Veterans of the First Team, 8-11 Nov., 2008. Washington, DC. Visit
for information.
New Members Listing
SSG ADAMS, JR., LELAND C. TX HHC 2-8C 0007
E-4 AGUILAR, ROBERTO TX D 1-7C 0505
MAJ ALESHIRE, CHRISTOPHER TX HHC 1CDH 0807
E-7 ALPAUGH, STEVE MI B 84ENG 6602
CPT AMUNDSON, PAULA R. TX HHC DSTB 0703
SPC ANTELO, DANIEL CA D 1-7C 0802
SSG BAILS, SHANE E. OR HHC 2-162INF 0403
Continued on pg. 6.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
Division Doings
Continued from pg. 2.
supplies.
This way, they’re not living from shipment to shipment.”
The Headhunter Soldiers at FOB Hunter are surviving in what a four-time
combat veteran, SGT. Martin BORGERS, called “pre-OIF I” conditions.
“When we moved out here this time, we had nothing,” said Borgers, one of Troop
D’s refuelers. “Some of the bunkers are from the Iraq-Iran war in the ‘80s.”
Free Internet Service Provided to Rough Rider Soldiers by CPT Kimberly
Jennings, 27th BSB, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. PAO
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq — CPT Victor EGBON,
had an idea, but he wasn’t sure how possible it would be.
“I just wanted a place for Soldiers to come and use the internet for free; I believe
we owe it to our Soldiers,” said Egbon, commander of Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Houston, Texas.
“Some of them would like to continue their education, and some just maintain
communications with loved ones back home.”
Egbon and 1SG Marcus MORRISON, the first sergeant for HHC, 27th BSB,
took the idea to Wallace DAVIS, regional director for SniperHill, the primary
internet provider for Contingency Operating Base Adder. The two were concerned
with the cost of their proposal.
“The meeting only lasted an hour,” said Morrison, from San Antonio, Texas. “He
(Wallace) told me everything he was going to do, and when I asked him how much
it was going to cost the battalion, his reply was, ‘Free-that is the least SniperHill
can do for our Soldiers,’” Morrison explained.
So the Rough Rider Internet Café was approved, and the only thing left to do
was find computers and build the tables and privacy barriers.
Egbon authorized the use of ten brand new computer laptops for the project,
and the HHC, 27th BSB operations and personal security detachment sections’
Soldiers provided the hard work and materials needed to complete the room.
“Working on the internet café was my way of giving back to my fellow Soldiers,”
said PFC Kenton MACOM, a native of Fredrick, Oklahoma, and one of
the HHC Soldiers responsible for painting the mural in the room.
“It pleases me to be part of the team that helped set up a place where Soldiers
can connect with their families.”
SPC Kristy SCOTT, an administrative clerk assigned to HHC and a native of
Augusta, Georgia, is currently enrolled in on-line classes working on her master’s
degree. “Having the Internet Café at the battalion headquarters will definitely be
a plus in completing my educational goals during this deployment,” explained
Scott.
SniperHill is an internet service provider in the Middle East that provides
dedicated bandwidth to each individual Soldier.
“We understand our customers and know they need competent support and
timely service,” said Davis. “Knowing our customers helps us deliver because
we’re there for them at important times.”
“The Internet Café will be a great morale booster for the Soldiers,” said SPC
Julian GRIFFIN, a native of Tempe, Florida. “I’d like to thank SniperHill for
their support,” he said.
1st Air Cav Receives New Heavy-lift Helos by SGT Nathan J. J. Hoskins, 1st
ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas – From the
outside the CH-47F Chinooks don’t
look much different from their predecessors
aside from the new paint
job, but making that observation
is like judging a book by its cover.
This new model is the latest chapter
in a long history dating all the
way back to the Vietnam War.
CPT Kevin Consedine listens to the preflight
brief given by CW2 Christopher
Henson (R)
Now these new, technologically
advanced, twin-rotor, heavylift
helicopters are in the able
hands of pilots and flight engineers
from Company B, 2nd Battalion,
227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry
Division, who are only the third unit in the Army to field them, said CPT
Kevin CONSEDINE, a Chinook pilot and the Commander of Co. B.
These aircraft are so new that they even have a showroom floor scent,
said SGT Emilio GREEN, a flight engineer for the Co. B “Black Cats.”
“The way I like to describe the F-model is like getting in a brand
new car. It’s clean, doesn’t have any dirt on it, got new tires, and
got a nice shine to it,” said Green, a Gaithersburg, Maryland native.
A flight engineer is much like a specialized mechanic for the Chinook who
not only takes care of a specific aircraft, but also trains up and coming crew
chiefs. The FE also is in charge of all passengers and cargo onboard the aircraft.
The F-model definitely has a cleaner look and smell, but there is more
to this aircraft than that, said SGT Chris SCHARFF, a flight engineer
“I think it’s a really nice airplane. It’s definitely got some improved capabilities
over the D-model,” he said.
The F-model has a plethora of new advancements that affects the way crew chiefs
and flight engineers do their job, said Scharff, from Brevard, North Carolina.
“You definitely have a better capability to be aware
of what’s going on around you with new radios, moving maps integrated
in the cockpit and the new maintenance panel,” he said.
The old radio system allowed the crew chiefs to communicate within their aircraft,
but not to other aircraft or the ground, but the new system allows for that
communication, said Scharff.
If something were to happen in combat where one pilot got hit,
the remaining pilot can concentrate on flying while a more senior
flight engineer can take some of the radio traffic for him, he said.
The new maintenance panel is a definite upgrade said Scharff.
The maintenance panel, located near the loading ramp in the rear of the Chinook, is
a board that gives critical information about different systems running the aircraft.
The old panel had unlit indicators that required the crew member to stand directly
Continued on pg. 5.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
61st FA News
Gordon Cress
6562 Windflower Dr.
Carlsbad, CA
92011-2508
(760) 918-0470
gordon@dlsea.net
Hi all, this article
should be
reaching you in
mid-October;
the kids have
all been back in
school for some
time now and things are more or less right with the world. I’ve completed 11
of my 12 scheduled chemo sessions, so that’s good news. The last time I saw
the Oncologist he said, “You’re just sailing right through this thing.” That’s not
exactly the way I would have characterized it, but I guess things could be a lot
worse.
On the other hand, my last session was scheduled for the exact dates of the
Chitose-Younguns September reunion in Colorado and that meant I missed it.
I’ll bet it was a rousing success as Dick Weakley promised it would be one to
remember. Looking forward to receiving his report on the attendees, activities,
etc. In mid-August Dick sent out an agenda that included a traditional Korean
dinner provided by the American Korean Society of Southern Colorado, a visit to
the Wounded Warriors at Fort Carson, dinner at the Flying W Ranch (including
country western entertainment) and then dinner the next night at the Air Force
Academy. Sounds terrific, Dick. Wish I could have made it.
Back in early July I got a phone call from John E. Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana.
We chatted a bit and then John sent me out a copy of their 1941 Christmas dinner
menu and photo of B Battery, 61st Field Artilley Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Now that’s an interesting piece of history and I’ve included a photo of the front
page here. The battery
photo with all the IDs
is too large for this column,
but possibly John
might have it at one of
the future reunions for
all to enjoy.
Grady Tucker has relocated
back to Florida
and his new address, etc.
is 15047 Highway 331
N, De Funiak Springs,
FL 32433. His phone
number is (850)-834-
2440 and his e-mail is
. Of course, you
all know where De
Funiak Springs is, don’t
you As a part of the
free services provided
here I looked it up on
the map and there it
is, right in the Florida
panhandle about 27
miles from the gulf, just
north of Interstate 10
and at the intersection
of highways 90, 153
and 331. That’s your
geography lesson for
the September/October
issue of Saber.
B Btry 1941 Christmas Menu
In reading the July/
August issue of the
Saber, I noted that
Speedy Speedman was the only member of the 61st FA Battalion to attend the
1st Cavalry Division Jacksonville reunion. That’s too bad, I was hoping that at
least a few members of our group would have made it. For those of you who
have never made it to the division reunion, I’d recommend it highly. There are
things to see and people to meet from almost everywhere.
Chet Dreyer writes, “Gordon, I am a member of the American Legion Post
450 in Milford, Ohio and am always looking for 61st FA Battalion members at
Camp Younghans in Japan 1953 to 1955. I played football and basketball for
the DivArty teams and also worked at the Service Club. My first sergeant was
Sergeant Stils. Does anyone remember him”
An e-mail from Dick Weakley (in early August)...”Just talked with Jack Stidham.
He had been in the hospital since July 14th. Due to lack of circulation in his left
leg, it became necessary to have it amputated from below the knee. He will be
getting a prosthesis soon. He seems in good spirits through I know it must be
ahard “pill to swallow”. If at all possible, he will make the September reunion.
He said to tell everyone hello for him. We need to keep him in our prayers.
Further information on Jack from his wife, Louise (through Dick W.) in
late August… “Hi Dick and Audrey, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to
write. Jack came home from the hospital August 11, after another 4-week stay.
However, the last two weeks of that were in Rehab. There’s a difference in him
like day and night, compared to the first time we came home. All the doctors and
nurses continually commented on his attitude and determination to get through
this ordeal. As I’m sure I’ve told you on the phone, they did amputate his left
leg above the knee. The artery that had originally been blocked had closed off
again and gangrene was setting in. We were highly upset about how high up
they amputated, but they proved with an arteriogram that circulation just wasn’t
good below the knee. We’ve since decided that it was probably a blessing in
disguise because his left knee was so bad he could hardly walk. He had a few
places on the incision that had to be debrided and that has slowed down the healing;
however, as soon as the doctors give him the go-ahead, he’ll start wearing
a “shrinker sock” for two weeks, then go for casting and fitting of a prosthesis.
After a couple of weeks of fitting sessions, he’ll probably have to spend another
two weeks in Rehab, learning to walk with the prosthesis and strengthening his
right leg - he hasn’t stood on it for 3 months. So we’re looking at another six
Page 4
weeks before he can get around without his chair. We bought a handicapped van
and he is going just about everywhere I go. His color is good and his appetite is
slowly returning. We have an appointment in Oklahoma City next week with the
kidney doctors. Throughout this entire episode, even though the original blood
clot had closed off the artery going to his transplanted kidney and even though
the doctors assured us they couldn’t save the kidney and in spite of an arteriogram
(which is usually damaging to kidneys) we have a Great Physician who did save
it. And for that we are forever thankful. You can live without a leg a lot easier
than you can live without a kidney, especially when you only have one. Hope
you all have a great reunion and we wish we could be there. Thanks also for the
cards and prayers. I’ll try to keep you posted as he progresses with his new leg.
Let us hear about the reunion. Love, Louise and Jack.”
From Ted Covington... ”I really enjoyed that e-mail listing of old stuff. What
is older than dirt Whatever is, that is what I am older than. I remember stuff
much more quaint than these. i.e. ice delivered to my home on a flat bed truck
covered with a tarp. The scored ice was chopped to size with an ice pick to fit the
order, 5, 10 or 15 lbs etc, and then put in the icebox. With the old phone system
my folks had to go through “central” to make a call (even local). My Mother
still called the long distance operator “central” when she was 90 years old. Oh
well, I got a million of ‘em. ‘Sta Bueno.”
Bill Stewart writes, “Pat and I went to Branson in July for a mid summer getaway.
The Lodge of the Ozarks where the 2009 reunion is booked has had some
remodeling done. But it’s basically the same place where the 2005 reunion was
held. Trying to get some new ideas and making plans for the 2009 reunion. I
think everybody will be surprised at the changes in Branson - especially “The
Landing.” Otherwise not doing much but dealing with the weather and storms,
which has brought down many trees on our property and mostly on my fences.
Looking forward to the reunion in 2009.”
Via e-mail from Peter O’Brien… ”Hi Gordon, First, glad to hear you’re over
the hump on chemo and can look forward to more ball playing. I just had a knee
replaced so my playing days are over, but happily look forward to pain-free walking.
Had lunch with Dick Mazzocca the other day and showed him the DivArty
baseball photo you published. That was a helluva good team, Gordon. As Don
Harvey mentioned, we were able to muster up a 1955 DivArty Red Raider Football
Team Reunion for mid-September at Crowne Plaza at Fort Magruder Hotel in
Williamsburg, Virginia. Hoping to get 15 teammates and wives together there.
We will send a report, with pictures, ASAP afterwards. Can’t make it to the 61st
Reunion in Colorado so will you please say hello for me to Kagamida, Tringali,
McSpadden, et al.” Sent your greetings on to Dick Weakley for transmittal to
the guys at the Colorado reunion.
An e-mail from Howard Inderdahl… “Hi Gordon, on page 72 of my book
Hills of Korea is a part of a letter to my folks as follows… Yonch’on, North
Korea--September 14, 1951. I am a little busy with my new job. It is easy but I
have 60 troopers to get settled into ground built homes before it gets cold. The
troopers are staying in dugouts this winter and we must build so they will have
something to stay in for the cold weather. But we will have them done in a short
while. All I do is keep everybody busy and give them orders on what they must
do. I told you that I would be home for Christmas, I should have told you most
of December. So look for me then. It is fall weather here and cooling off like
winter is setting in. I should be gone from here in 40 days and the days are going
fast now. That’s all for now.”
Dick Weakley sends along this information regarding medals and decorations
you may be entitled to… To get copy of records write to: National Personnel
Records Center (NPRC) Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd, Saint Louis
MO, 63132-5100. And any requests for medals aside from the KWSM must also
be sent to the NPRC. To get the information faster, try calling (800)-558-1404
or contact them online at . Not sure if they
are processing them anymore. But, you can give it a shot.
From Bill McSpadden via Dick Weakley… “As you may recall, Blair was evaluated
at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida this past February concerning her
heart condition. After a battery of tests, the cardiologist there recommended open
heart surgery for the repair of two leaking valves, a condition likely brought on
by her having had numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation in the past.
He gave us some time to think about the surgery and we did. In addition, she got
another couple of opinions from cardiologists elsewhere. All agreed that if she
were younger they would insist on the surgery, but for an older person it becomes
more problematic. It might work wonders, it might not. However, without the
surgery, they agreed that her heart would continue to enlarge and grow weaker
and the valve leakage would likely grow worse. Eventually, this would greatly
diminish her mobility and quality of life. Well, finally we’ve come to a decision,
but not without a lot of soul searching and researching. In that she’s feeling pretty
good at present, this has made the decision even more difficult. Nevertheless, she
has an appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on October 7th.
If all goes as planned, they will likely perform her open-heart surgery within a
matter of days thereafter. Normal hospitalization after such surgery is from 5 to 7
days. Thereafter, she will be released to return home. Our current planning is to
return to our place in Alexandria, Virginia for a week or so before heading down
to Florida. Once we had decided that she would have the surgery and where it
would be done, Blair mused, “Well, at this point in life, I had envisioned taking
long cruises to exotic places we had never been -- and they damned sure didn’t
include Rochester, Minnesota”. Leave it to our Blair. At any rate, rest assured
that you will be kept posted on any further developments. Meanwhile, keep us
in your thoughts and prayers. Love, BandB.” I’m sure we all wish the best for
the both of you.
This note via e-mail in late August from Fred “Pink” Martin… “Just a quick
report to inform you that I have had a mild heart attack and spent a week in the
Hospital. I will be off line while staying with a daughter. Will be back on line
as soon as able. Cheers for now. Pink/ Fred Martin.” We’re all glad to hear that
it was “just a mild one” Pink. Best wishes for a quick and full recovery from
everyone.
It must have been a quiet summer. Didn’t get all that much input from the group.
We really need your items to keep the column going. I can’t do it by myself, you
know! Hopefully we’ll have more to report in the next issue.
Take care, ‘Sta Bueno and keep those cards, letters, phone calls and e-mails
coming!

Page 5
5th CAV News
Paul Schwiegeraht
3088 N. Davis Dr.
Cornelius, OR 97113-8126
(503) 846-0550
swig6667@peoplepc.com
Greetings Black
Knights, “ The Last
Will Be First! “,
with that admonition
I will recall to
you the Battle of
Hill 534 of August
13-16th of 1966
that sets in the nerve center of many of our 5th Cav troopers memories. From
LTC Robert H. SIEGRIST and MAJ Wesley JONES to company commanders,
Don “Duke” SNIDER, B 2-5, George D. SHEA Jr., A 1-5, Nelson NEWCOMBE,
B 1-5, Donald R. SIMS, C 1-5, and Larry BROOKS D 1-5. To platoon leaders,
Lieutenants Max KUHNS, Aaron Scott BROWN, William SCHWARTZ and
William F. ENGLEHANDT, to platoon sergeants James A. GIBSON, Edward
WALSH. and Charles H. BUSH, down through the ranks of the fighting men
like troopers Walter T. HOFFMAN, Clarence J. WARD, Letchie BREEDEN,
Thomas TIEDMAN, Anthony R. CERASI, Joe HERNANDEZ and many more.
This battle has also been known as the 2nd Battle of the Ia Drang, taking place
in the triple canopy covered mountain peaks surrounding the Chu Pong Massif,
rather than the valley floor of the November, 1965 battles.
Although air mobility set the stage inserting the companies into initial positions
the air mobility advantage took a back seat to the jungle terrain and weather. The
troopers moved into the enemies strongholds and engaged them in an up close
and personal battle that raged around the central focus of the beleaguered B 2-5
troopers who suffered the loss of their CO William E. TAYLOR, 1SG Kenneth
HAWSEY and as many as nine total KIA’s and many serious WIA’s. Results according
to LTC SIEGRIST’s analysis stated that NVA plans for a major offensive
had been disrupted perhaps permanently.
This evaluation continued being the results of the 5th Cav where ever they
went in Vietnam such as Bong Song, Quang Ngai, An Lao, Khe Sanh, A Shau
and Cambodia.
Continuing in the 1966 time frame Ben MICHELS “Keeper of the 227th Assault
Helicopter Vets”, sent me a copy of The Cavalair. The First Team paper dated
Sept., 1966. Ha! Here I sit reading it on Sept. 1, 2008 forty-two years later!
Prominent on the front page is a report on the Hill 534 Battle, which headlines
Operation Paul Revere, II, turns up biggest prize of the war to date, the tunnel
complex for 600 VC. It states 178 NVA were killed in the fight for the complex
which included bunkers lined with bamboo and tree bark for NVA comfort including
mess halls. Also prominent was CPT Charles H. FRY’s C 2-5, whose six
man long range patrol led by SGT Dennis KINDSCHI, discovered themselves
amongst and NVA position up close and personal as he locked eyeballs with and
NVA soldier who he beat to the draw with a burst. He continued firing as more
NVA woke up to their intrusion and began firing from all directions. They had
stumbled into an enemy platoon setting up for the night. This coming together
gives you an idea of the density of the jungle. SGT. KINDSCHI, was forced
to the ground by the fire and had to play dead as his RTO John GARRETSON,
and grenadier Paul LOCHINIC, covered him and called for help. CPT FRY
and LT Jim WALKER with a reinforced squad raced up providing covering fire
allowing the patrol to escape. CPT FRY called in artillery, mortars and an air
strike. The next day C 2-5 found 150 bunkers, 12 enemy KIA, and two villages
of about 30 huts each.
Other action reported was B 2-5’s night ambush led by PSG Wallace K. REED
which netted nine NVA killed. The platoon size ambush of 21 men was set up
by REED in total darkness across a tributary of the Ho Chi Minh trail.
This brings me to Gary SPRENG, B 2-5 10/67 to 10/68,
and his ambush story. He related to Gary HUBLER and I
during our visit on 8/31/08. Gary was sergeant and squad
leader in 1st platoon. He located their position, selected
in complete darkness, against a river and covering a trail
which was expected to be used by NVA leaving a battle
area engaged by another company. He said they ended
up being surrounded and taking enemy fire including 122
MM rockets! They got orders to get out of there. How
about air extraction No Way! Too much fire and choppers
where all tied up with a bigger battle. This was dry
season and there were mechanized units in the area. It
was decided they could ride with them but Gary’s squad
Gary Spreng, B 2-5
1967-68 w/M-60
would have to get to the mech’s coordinates. In total
darkness, he lead his squad out to there arriving at the
mech’s units position. The darkness was so complete that
they couldn’t see the armor till a tanker leaning against
his tank lit a cigarette within 15 feet of them. This and other leadership qualities
earned him the nickname “Professor” by his squad.
These successful night ops also keep alive our “Black Knights” and “Night
Horsemen” mottos we have carried over the years. The two Gary’s and myself
had a very good visit. Between the three of us, we covered B 2-5 from June, 1966
to October, 1968., proving the old adage “The Long Green Line” goes on.
Now we have desert digital continuing the line as the 2-5 and the 1-5 prepares
for their next deployment early in 2009. Robert JOHNSON, reports along with
the board of governors of the Association, they will work with the rear detachment
to provide a program beneficial to all during our reunion at Fort Hood in
June, 2009. On the 1st Cav website, I see that the 2-5 is part of the 1st Brigade
and 1-5 is part of 2nd Brigade.
In the last issue, I told
about Bill SHEPARD
and Jim STANFORD
visiting Joe LOVE at his
assisted living home. I
had some good comment
from people wanting to
know more about Joe.
He has a private phone in
his room (904) 308-4833
Bill Shepard, Joe Love and Jim Stanford
at Saint Kathrines Tabor
Manor, 1750 Stockton
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
St., Jacksonville, FL 32204-4664. Jim was
a platoon leader with C and B companies of
2-5 1967-68. He sent a picture of Bill, Joe
and himself for our column.
Gary SPRENG says when the 5th Cav
choppered up to I Corps and Camp Evans,
they had a real problem keeping weapon
clean, no rags, no gun oil, no food. He said
COL LOVE swooped down in his CC chopper
and ordered every M-60 gunner to test
Bill Shepard and Duke Wheeler
fire his weapon, none got more than 6 rounds
before jamming from the wind blown sand. Instead of reaming the troops (as
was his wont) overnight we had supplies! Thank you Joe LOVE!
Bill is leading an effort to get Joe a Cav Stetson with all his award pins on it.
If you would like to help contact Bill phone (304) 991-4761, Bill also hooked
up with Duke WHEELER, who was 1-77 FO with B 2-5, 8/67 to 10/67 at the
Jacksonville reunion.
Mark CULVERHOUSE, B 2-5, 1968, e-mailed his web page which I visited
and enjoyed viewing pics and links to Battles of B 2-5 in 1998.
Jerry ROHR B 2-5 1968-69, is
looking for Kerry MATSON, RTO
with B 2-5 and from the Dalles,
Oregon. Reach Jerry at e-mail:
.
Ed WALSH, 3rd platoon sergeant,
B 2-5 1966-67, went on a long range
patrol and went off the map out of
his AO and we can’t raise him even
with a long whip on our PRC25’s on
a mountaintop. I do know he should
CA into Fort Dix, New Jersey in
September and stand down till November.
So look for him there.
Ray RAWLINGS, e-mailed me
a thank you for all the prayers, get
well cards and phone calls. After a
lengthy hospital stay, he is back home
with his wife, Joyce and their pets.
Ray thanks God and his friends for
the blessing.
Joe SHAMONSKY, called me on
7/11/08. He was 1st platoon medic,
B 2-5, 2/66 thru 2/67. Joe missed
Hill 534 battle because he had been
wounded a few days before. He remembers
SP4 Fred BROWN, 3rd platoon medic, a tall black guy, who was KIA
going to the aid of the wounded. Joe has copy of the July 16, 1966 Saturday
Evening Post which carried the article written by John MARTIN’s dad who accompanied
his son and B 2-5 thru their hump in the jungle. Joe’s son was a 1st
Cav Vet of Desert Storm. Joe resides in Pennsylvania, (570) 688-5299.
John HAGGERTY B 2-5, 12/68 to 5/69 wrote me a nice letter. He has been
a corrections officer for 23 years to retirement. He remembers LZ Ritam Terry,
Jess and Ike. He remembers B 2-5 friends David HORDERN, Mike ROAL,
Larry UNDERWOOD and SSG David CASSIDY, who was a very compelling
influence in keeping him from being killed. He remembers HORDERN being
KIA 3/9/69 when his platoon, during a night ambush, got cut up by a larger NVA
force. He would like to hear from others who can remember this action. John’s
address: 159 Halsted Rd., Elizabeth, NJ 07208-1141, (908) 352-0830, (908)
334-0374, e-mail: .
I got notice that Rich BLANCO, A 2-5, died 6/17/08. Tom BANDA flew into
Dallas for the funeral and will have more info for us.
In sending out B 2-5 reunion invitations we had some return because people
moved. We would like to be able to stay in touch so if your one of them, please
send us your new info.
A hearty “Welcome Back Into the Perimeter”, to new members who served with
the 5th and to those serving now. Joe ANKENBAUER , B 1-5, 2006, Charles
L. DAVIS, 1-5, 1972, Ron HALL D 2-5, 1967, Brandon NICHOLSON, E 2-5,
2006, Dennis PAVLUK, D 1-5, 1969. I hope to hear from each of you, send me
a story for this column or see you at a future reunion.
During the Siletz Pow Wow here in Oregon I met an 8 year old “Dog Soldier”,
Isaac “Shoulder Blade” Butler whose
mom Victoria is a U.S. Army Veteran
and helped her son with his dance regalia,
which is designed to honor veterans.
His U. S. Army Kepi was worn
by troopers, Indian Scouts and as war
trophies by some warriors. The display
of red, white and blue in his regalia is
evidence of his patriotism and in honor
of American Warriors. He’s a great
dancer and I look forward to seeing him
at future Pow Wows.
Swig with Isaac “Shoulder Blade”
Butler
Division Doings
Continued from pg. 3.
Paul Schwiegeraht and Gary Hubler
Loyalty&Courage, see you on the deer
hunting trail my Comrades.
in front of to be able to see them well. This was even more difficult at night,
said Scharff
Now, the panel is lit up with bright green indicators which can be seen throughout
the aircraft without having the crew member leave his weapon, he said.
Scharff also looks at taking on the new aircraft a little differently.
As a flight engineer, Scharff is responsible for his aircraft – he even gets to
name it when he gets his own. This brings on quite a bit of pride and responsi-
Continued on pg. 18.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
12th CAV News
Ken Howser, Jr.
PO Box 234
Walkersville, MD 21793-0234
(301) 898-7763,
AceHigh6India@ComCast.Net
www.12thCav.us/
Frank Greenleaf, Jerry Dulloff, Roger King, Jim Stokely
and Mathew Benjamin
DA 1594 Daily Staff Journal.
0001 - Journal Opened,
hog gravy and chitlins, let’s see
if this pig will fly. “Hey Sailor,
new in town” Thanks to staff
for awarding us the medal and
trophy for ‘most pictures by
a regiment’ last
issue. Kudos
also for labeling
individuals
in said pictures.
Jeffery Spratt
called to correct
the top image
column two as
(L-R) Benjamin,
King, SPRATT,
Greenleaf, Dulloff.
Gerry, no
double dipper, is only in the previous image. Space is limited so details on all
subjects may be obtained from me via the usual methods. Requests vis-à-vis specific
company’s pictures-updates are
available only by e-mail. Keep those
cards letters pictures and reminisces
coming in. The mailbag is bustin’ at
the seams – if I owe you a letter I’ll
get back to you.
0400 - A check of 2-12 Thunder
Horse in Iraq - “Another month gone
by and your Troopers are performing
spectacularly. We have had a
couple of bumps and bruises and
some ailments causing Troopers to
be evacuated from here for treatment.
We received replacements and are
expecting our next group to arrive
soon. Soon it will be October and only
12th Cavalry Tapestry throw for Christmas
100 degrees. Stay safe and, “Always
Ready”.” 2-12 Family Readiness
Group are offering fabulous 2-12
Battalion tapestry throw blankets
A Dream delayed Forty
Years - Carlos Ramos and
Thomas Jones
for $40.00 + shipping. The 2-12 FRG had an August town hall meeting and
families are offered classes dealing with deployment issues. A Company had a
July social and are selling A 2-12 logo t-shirts to generate funds. B Company
had an ice cream fund-raiser social and an end of summer BBQ. D Company had
a pie-in-the-face fund-raiser, yum! F Company had an August indoor cookout.
HHC had a pizza party planned.
0800 - 1-12 update postponed pending notification and response of concerned
entities. I’ve been walking through the stable and have deadlines all over my
shoes. Once Cav always 12th Cav and I have the stories to prove it...
1200 - I have had a very pleasant chat with an F Troop veteran of the Japan
Occupation, January 1947-48. Trooper Joseph J. Champagne, Jr., PO Box 0366,
Gold Bar, WA 98251-0366, (425) 223-6789, no e-mail, is a Veteran of Underage
Military Service enlisting at age 16 in 1946. He wishes to
contact the same, F Troopers and: Spivy, Angelo DeAngelo, and Richard Cram.
He served at Camp McGill and a seaplane base in Tachama () Japan. He remembers
standing for hours in ranks on the hot tarmac awaiting MacArthur and
his parades, while the troopers passed out from the heat. Like more cowbell, the
Saber needs more Japan train stories. A stick-out moment for Joe was missing
his stop and arriving at the end of the line where the engineer walked away, saying
there would be four hours till the next train. Not wishing to be AWOL, he
and his friends commandeered the train and started back, the engineer running
to join up. They ducked going through Yokohama, wondering what the MP’s
thought about an empty train going speeding past. Joe went on to enlist in both
the Marines, where he was a coach for a rifle team, and the Air Force in mobile
communications equipment. He left the services
in 1962 and truck driving in 1999. He currently
lives in the mountains and tries his hands at picking
bluegrass on a Martin flattop guitar.
1400 - “Troopers Carlos Ramos and Thomas
Jones, C 1-12 3rd platoon M-60 gunners meet for
a mini-reunion in Carlsbad, California, July 2008.
These two buddies met on the West Coast again,
decades after they humped their M-60s through I
and III Corps in Vietnam. Charlie Company called
them “the Showboats” and when the enemy was
contacted, the officers would call for the “showboats”
to come up to the area of contact and give
them hot lead. Carlos got through his war experience
by thinking of this very scene on the beach
at Carlsbad and was anxious to show Jones, from
the Jersey shore, his vision of the Pacific Ocean.
The two were reunited this year for the first time in 40 years. Trooper Ramos is a
contractor who still lives near this beach and Trooper Jones is a college professor
now living in the state of Washington.”- Thanks to Alan and Tweek VanDan.
1500 - Our final contact by lima lima was with Trooper Carl H. Lawrence, C 2-12
Cavalry Vietnam, May, 1966-December, 1967, 1359 Hassell Horton Rd, Hurdle
Mills, NC 27541-9362, (336) 599-7730, no e-mail. Trooper Carl is searching
for: SGT Parker, SGT Atkins, SGT Mooney, LT Patterson, LT Ringrose and COL
Edgar C. Doleman, Jr. The latter was an author of Tools of War in the Time-Life
Vietnam Series. Carl enlisted in 1959, served until 1979 and was a triple dipper
with the Cav. He served on the Korean DMZ with the 2-5th and 1-9th Cavalry. He
has vivid memories of working the border of Cambodia in 1966 around a Special
Forces camp west of An Khe, using slicks at treetop level to draw enemy fire. Here
Standing: Ken Howser, Bob Magruder, Russ Berry,
Sitting: David Maricle, Steven Aguilar and John
Berger
Page 6
in November-December,
1966 they
spied John Wayne
in SF uniform (you
just cannot miss
him) and his entourage,
standing
walking and talking
to SF troops
2-12 were defending.
He asked who
the other soldiers
were and was told,
“They’re nobody.”
Big John ambled
over despite protests
from his handlers
to talk to real
soldiers. He drank
coffee and talked
to them with tears
in his eyes until he left in his own good time. Trooper Carl wants to know if
anyone else remembers this incident Carl went on to teach 12 years of Army
Junior ROTC in High School and currently drives tour buses. He plans to see
y’all in Texas next year.
1700 - “Congratulations are extended to Trooper Joe and Jill DiMartino, C
1-12, and Trooper Pops
and Rose Wilkos, D 1-12,
both Vietnam, both couples
blessed with strapping grand-
Rededication of Samuel Easley, Jr. gravesite.
1st row - Regina Easley, Cynthia Woods and
Mary Jean Norman family members. Second
row - Alan VanDan, David Kipfinger and Jerry
Richards (who were all present at Samuel’s
death.)
sons in August. Trooper
Joe’s grandson is nicknamed
“Little Trooper,” and Trooper
Pop’s grandson is nicknamed
“Gummy Bear.” and they are
both going to be heart throbs.”
- Emeritus VanDans.
2100 - E-mailing sitrep
from Trooper Raymond D.
Banning, HHC 2-12 Vietnam,
1969-70. His second
tour was in the Cav; his first
tour was as an advisor in II
Corps. Address - 4310 W
Farm Road 54, Willard, MO
65781-8244, (417) 742-
2916, . “I was on 1st Brigade staff working for Joe
Kingston from January to June, then was sent down to 2-12. I served as the Battalion
Executive Officer replacing Bill O’Keefe, KIA when his helicopter was hit
by artillery round. I served under LTC Ivan Boone and LTC Hal Iverson.” Since
first light we have been exchanging e-mail conversations concerning activities
incidents and personalities, witness to the same history, as our tours with 2-12
overlapped. We share with each other two differing perspectives, that of officer
and enlisted. Quaint, ain’t it
2200 - This is a most important Presidential election, weigh your choice on who
and what is best for the nation, then vote early and often. We all hang together
or we swing separately.
Don’t sweat the small
stuff in the election or life
as you can’t change it, and
it will only kill your buzz.
I hope I see many of you
on 11-11 weekend at my
usual hangouts, Veterans
Day at the Wall - the Cav
in DC. I label the Wall to
be the Cadillac of Veterans
Day observations and
Visiting in the Reunion Room in Jacksonville
if able I am Johnny on that
spot. We are all too aware
of mission creep and it is
true for Veterans Day as well. Many communities not longer have Veterans Day
parades and activities, leaving it to Veterans service organizations instead, at
greatly reduced participation. The original concept was to honor those that had
died in WWI and those that had served in combat by “a day observed with parades
and public meetings and a brief suspension of business, with thanksgiving and
prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual
understanding between nations.” Now, any person who served under the colors
is a veteran and after one day serving in uniform is a veteran of the country’s
service, as we consider active duty to be veterans. Many confuse Armed Forces,
Memorial, and Veterans Day, blending and messing the message of each. Don’t
get me started on flag etiquette! If you wish to see it done correctly and honorably
come to DC and the Wall. Here you will know in your heart what it is, and
means in your being, to be a ‘veteran’.
2300 ½ - I will all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Annum, your January
and February holidays, as well as your faith and ethnic specific holidays to boot!
Boot to boot! Ride on cowboy.
2400 - If I got it wrong I am still sticking by my story! Write if you get work.
Journal Closed.
New members Listing
Continued from pg. 3.
SGT BARHORST, FREDERICK L. OH A 2-8C 6907
SFC BENNETT, PAUL MO C 313ASA 6506
E-5 BENNETT, WILLIAM G. WV 8ENG 6606
Continued on pg. 11.

Page 7
7th CAV News
Robert J. Anderson
2243 Ancient Dr.
Wyoming, MI 49519
(616) 534-9180
RJ.Anderson2243@comcast.net
Saber@US7thCavalry.com
Labor Day is now in our
rear view mirror and when
you start to read this edition
of news, Halloween and
Veterans Day are both fast
approaching.
Our last column ran out of
room and was already sent
www.US7thCavalry.com
to Texas when I received a report from the recently concluded 5-7 Cav reunion
also held in Jacksonville, Florida. Charlie Baker, Fast Flanker 3, reports: The
5th Battalion 7th Cavalry Association held Reunion IX from 29 June through
5 July, 2008, and by all accounts it was a rousing success. Starting with the St.
Johns River Dinner Cruise early in the week, and ending with the barbecue on
the final night, 390 veterans and loved ones from the Vietnam Era renewed and
strengthened friendships that started as far back as 1965 at Fort Carson. The
reunion was further enhanced by the presence of thirty young officers, soldiers
and wives who are currently serving in the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry at Fort
Stewart, Georgia.
The Banquet was held on the 4th of July. MG (Ret) Maury Edmonds, who has
assumed the mantle of leadership, presented traditional awards to members of
the battalion. Man of the Year for 2007 was Eddie Ratcliffe, who was recognized
for his tireless efforts toward the sponsorship of our young soldiers in Iraq. Red
Boulden was presented the Man of the Year award for 2008 for being a consistent
volunteer and participant in Association activities, especially our reunions. Don
Shipley, who has been the heart and soul of locating our veterans over the past
sixteen years, received the President’s Award. Don has added the development
of a wonderful and extensive collection of memorabilia to the list of his many
contributions. The Sacred Trust Award, a special one-time award, was presented
to Michael Sprayberry, the only living recipient of the Medal of Honor among
5-7th Cav’s four recipients.
Michael’s continuing efforts to find and retrieve the remains of his three men
killed on the night of 25 April ,1968, to include travel to Vietnam, are an inspiration
to us all. Assisting Michael in this effort is a Marine, Ed Garr, who has been
made an associate member of our association. Ed is perhaps the only Marine in
this association other than Kathryn Skipper, who had to marry Charles Skipper
to gain entry. Michael Sprayberry is determined in his work to gain closure for
the families of these three gallant warriors – Daniel M. Kelley, David L. Scott
and Hubia J. Guillory.
All three squadron commanders since the 5-7 was reactivated in 2004 attended
the banquet. Recently promoted COL Petery and LTC Cliff Wheeler, who took
the squadron to Iraq in 2007 and 2008, were the primary speakers. They spoke
not only about their squadron in Iraq, but also about the many supporting actions
of the association’s members who sponsored our troopers over there. These two
gentlemen were preceded by the always stirring words of LTG Jim Vaught, who
commanded the battalion at Hue, Khe Sanh and into the A Shau. The current
commander, LTC Kirk Dorr, and all the squadron men and their ladies, were
resplendent and inspiring in their Dress Blues and long gowns.
At the closing barbecue on the following day, the youngsters on active duty
melded in with the old-timers. Their children dominated the opening songs on
the dance floor, and two pair of first graders even did the two-step with us old
folks. Their parents are the future for the association, and 5-7th Cav is in good
hands - very good hands.
Perhaps the high point of the entire week was the Memorial Service held at
Southpoint Community Church, in which the 379 names of our Vietnam Battle
casualties’ were read, along with the names of our 12 men lost in Iraq. Maury
Edmonds led the service, and Chaplain Don Quick gave the invocation and homily.
They were joined on the dais by the readers from each company, including COL
Petery and LTC Wheeler. “Amazing Grace” by the bagpiper was wonderful, the
5-7th Cavalry Squadron Honors Squad nailed the three volleys, and Taps was
played beautifully by two members from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
Everyone held it together until Willie Mercer sang Mansions of the Lord, at
which time the tears began to flow. The 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry Association
continues to grow, and looks forward to a growing relationship with the current
squadron assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division.
Thank you for this moving report which continues to highlight and be an example
of what a great organization with dedicated volunteers can do.
Bob Anderson, B 1-7 in 1942-45 writes: many thanks for keeping the Regimental
News flowing. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your
column. Many of your comments bring floods of memories to my mind as I’m
sure they do to the other troopers reading this paper. I was happy to note that
Norm and Peggy Osterby had called you recently from Arizona. I, also, heard
from them and Norm had a lot of information about a number of our “B” Troop
7th Cavalry comrades that are still “hanging in there” after all of these years. If
my memory serves me correctly he said he has a list of about 17 former B Troopers
(of which I am one) who he has been in touch with in recent times. In your
column you related that Norm reported that he is the last of the B 1-7 Troopers
who fought across the Pacific. What I think he meant to say is that he is one
of the last survivors as there are still several of us around and many of us send
greetings to each other at the holidays.
Bob, most likely, I did get that part wrong as I was so excited to hear from
Norm. Thank you for the kind words.
Bill Richardson reports that he has recollections of the 7th Cavalry and some
photographs are posted on the new CBHMA web site at . The editors report, thank you once again for sharing your
wonderful memoirs of the “Seventh” and for supporting the CBHMA and its
publications. Your contribution clearly enhanced the quality of The Battlefield
Dispatch! To view these items please click “Bill Richardson.” This is a very
interesting site and worthy of a visit.
When I was at the battlefield last fall, I picked up a book called Men With Custer,
Biographies of the 7th Cavalry. This 400 page book lists all of the men that were
then assigned to the Regiment as of June, 1876 and is a valuable research tool.
Speaking of books: If you haven’t yet gotten your First Team Vietnam big black
book, you may want to contact the Gift Shop as their supplies are dwindling.
The copies of the Division in WWII and Korea are also in short supply. Turner
Books will no longer be holding extra copies in inventory and once the count
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
goes to zero, it could be very difficult to get a copy.
Eleven Phantom Raiders from A 1-7, 1969-70 journeyed to Pine City, Minnesota
for their 4th annual Mini-Cav. We stayed (again) at Fred “Shortround) Welch’s,
Welcharosa. - 20 beautiful and pristine acres in the northeast corner of the Land
of 10,000 Lakes. Making this years pilgrimage were: Jim Hackbarth; Ronnie
“Zeno” Ponder; Tommy “Elk Hunter” Milner; Gary “Ebola” Garrett; Randy “Drill
Sergeant” Sutton; Jerry “Woodcock” Wood; Dale Harbitz; Rick “The Gambler”
Carr; Doug “Sergeant Rock” Halls and yours truly. Wonderful meals were again
prepared by Donna “Ma” Welch and her ever present sidekick Mae. We sent
thousands of rounds downrange, told war stories and played Trivia beneath the
beautiful night skies in front of roaring fires while listening to music from the
sixties and early seventies. We had an early morning formation complete with
inspection and I’m here to tell you that “Dress Right Dress” has been lost to the
ravages of time. We competed for the top prize of a beautiful Warrior Knife with
games such as: horseshoes; 100 yard walk off; knife and hatchet throw; bayonet
toss and who could keep a straight face while being yelled at by Shortround. I
was doing pretty well I thought, by turning off my hearing aids and hearing the
others drop like flies until Shortround got in my face and started grunting like
a pig. Something akin to Deliverance came to mind and I cracked up laughing.
The winner of that competition was the aforementioned Drill Sergeant Sutton,
who never even broke a sweat, much less a smile. The overall winner of this
year’s competition was Sergeant Halls. Poor Gary Garrett earned the nickname
of Ebola because he somehow gave most of us the runs and barfs – thankfully
though not all at the same time. He swears that he brought it into Minnesota
from Wisconsin. All in all, even through the sickness a great time was had by
this group of warrior friends.
A Visit to Franklin, Tennessee as reported by Larry Gwin, A 2-7 1965-66 and
forwarded by Jim “Doc” Hackett. What a great trip! What a wonderful, informative,
and poignant three days. Auspiciously, Bud Alley, who had organized
the reunion, was the first guy I saw there. It was almost as if he were greeting
us as we arrived. Many familiar faces greeted us, and we made a number of
new friends after we got there. Dan Reed, the history teacher from Ohio who is
making a movie about Albany, was there with his family. I met Skip Chittendon
(CO of A 2-7 after Captain Davison and Chan Duryea (CO of C 2-7 during the
tail end of my tour), and Hank Dunn’s neighbor and counterpart as FO for A 2-7
in 1967-68 (I think). Great guys and good men all! I think more than 65 of us
2-7 vets were there, including our good friends the cannon-cockers, a smattering
of engineers, and others. I counted 14 Alpha Company guys, familiar faces all,
and Joel Sugdinis headlined the bunch. The 7th Cav Color Guard consisted of
three men from the 1-7 who’d carried the Colors from Fort Hood. Our battalion
was represented by CPT Brandt Germann and SFC Andreason. Wives and family
members added a bit of dignity and pulchritude to the group, and the beer and
liquor flowed. Nancy and I joined some of the hard core Hard Corps guys for
dinner, supported by John Eade and Enrique Pujals.
Friday was an amazingly powerful day. Bud had scheduled a panel and a
moderator for each of the major fights we’d been in during our tours: X-Ray,
Albany, Bong Son I (LZ 4), Bong Song II (Thanh Son 2/ Davey Crockett), and
Tuy Hoa. Anyone who attended those “seminars” would have gotten a first-hand,
unexpurgated, eye-witness account of each battle, and I was amazed at how many
serious firefights we were in and how horrendous our casualties were, but also how
we’d accomplished every mission, despite the odds. As Jim Lawrence put it, “we
kicked ass!” Still, the men who stood up and shared their stories of what they’d
seen and done, and what they’d remembered, really “fleshed out” the seminar
and the histories, and I learned a lot. This program continued all day, and by 4:45
(1645 hours), I was exhausted after re-fighting the battles of X-Ray, Albany, etc.
This was a truly amazing and informative experience. Thanks Bud.
Friday evening was one of the highlights of the weekend. The staff at the Carter
House had prepared a barbeque dinner and a program of entertainment for us
vets. Arriving there, we were greeted by members of the local Boy Scout Troop,
by 6 or 7 gentlemen from the 13th U.S. Colored Troops Color Guard dressed
in their blue “Yankee” uniforms, and by “Old Abe” Lincoln himself. As we
shook their hands, I was gratified by how gracious they were. “This is the best
reception we’ve received since we came home from the war!” I exclaimed. The
“formal” program consisted of the 13th US Colored Troops Color Guard posting
the Colors, greetings from David Fraley, a narration by Thomas Cartwright, the
Carter House’s former Director, as “Sam Watkins,” a Confederate, Bob Jones
(HQ 2-7 at Albany) reading his beautiful piece, “Reflections at The Wall,” and a
monologue by “Abe Lincoln,” including his Gettysburg Address.
Saturday, we arose to hear Jan Scruggs edify us on the proposed Wall Museum,
and then another final hour on the fights at Tuy Hoa and Khe Sanh (Operation
Pegasus). After lunch, David Fraley hosted a motorized tour of the Battlefield at
Franklin and his presentation was excellent, especially for those of us who had
studied the fight or had relatives wounded there. We who know the importance
of cover, concealment, and maneuver were appalled by the decision of John
Bell Hood, who commanded the Army of Tennessee, to send his troops across
2 miles of open terrain against entrenched Union troops supported by interlocking
fields of artillery fire. Unbelievable! Incomprehensible! Inexcusable! The
meat grinder Hood ordered his Army into resulted in its “death,” and by the time
the smoke cleared early the following morning, more than 6,000 Confederates
lay dead, dying, or wounded on the field. Hood had effectively destroyed his
20,000-man Army, and it never recovered from that fight. Though it fought the
Battle of Nashville two or three weeks later, it was finished. A horrendously sad
and tragic story.
Afterwards, we had a couple of hours to recover. Then it was time for the grand
finale, “An Evening of Honor for the Vietnam Vets.” Bud had “outdone” himself
on this one. The ladies went into the banquet hall while we lined up outside, and
then, as each veteran’s name was announced, he had to walk, limp, or stagger
down the aisle to the Colors on a stage, then gather and be memorialized in a“
group photo.” After an invocation, we enjoyed a fine dinner while a solo violinist,
moving from table to table, played “period music.” The after-dinner program
consisted of cavalry songs sung raucously by the world-renowned Garryowen
Chorus, a bit of reflection (thanks, Jan), the honoring of some of our brothers,
and a reading of “Fiddlers Green” by Jon Wallenius.
As we gathered this year, I noticed that the men who attend these affairs seem
Continued on pg. 23.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
8th CAV News
Michael W. McGhie
17495 Cold Springs Dr.
Reno, NV 89506-8821
(775) 972-4210
mmcghie@prodigy.net
http://www.angryskipper.org
Ed “Too Tall To Fly” Freeman (seated) greets
Larry Hempfling in Washington DC, 2004
I am sad to announce
the passing
of Medal of
Honor recipient,
MAJ (Ret) Ed
W. Freeman, aka
“Too Tall” in
Boise, Idaho on
20 August. While Ed was
our hero, his heroes were the
Boise State Broncos football
team. He loved Boise, He
loved flying, and he was a
great American hero. He
will be missed by all of us
who were fortunate enough
to have known him.
More Korean War MIAs
found: On 11 July the
D.O.D. announced it had
identified the remains of
SGT John H. White who
served in H Company, 2nd
Battalion, 8th CAV and was
reported missing on 2 November, 1950 near Unsan, North Korea. He was returned
to his family in Bryant, Alabama for burial on 12 July, 2008.
On 23 July the D.O.D. announced that MSG Cirildo Valencio of Carrizo Springs,
Texas had been identified and returned to his family for burial in Arlington National
Cemetery on 4 August. MSG Valencio was assigned to L Company, 3rd Battalion,
8th Cav and was reported missing on 1 November, 1950 near Unsan.
Last issue I reported that SFC W.T. Atkins of Decatur, Georgia, had been identified
and his remains returned home for burial. SFC Atkins and the 8th Cavalry were
positioned near Unsan, North Korea just north of an area know as the “Camel’s
Head” when it was overrun by Chinese Infantry forces. I received a phone call
from Ignacio Martinez of Rancho Cucamonga, California asking if I had more
information on SFC Atkins. He thinks it may be the same SFC Atkins he knew
in Korea at that time. If by chance anyone has a photo or more information about
SFC Atkins, please relay it to me for Ignacio. I hope Ignacio will be joining us
at the 2009 reunion at Fort Hood. He missed the Riverside reunion because he
didn’t know about it and it was only a few miles down the freeway from him.
Now that he’s receiving the Saber again I hope he keeps himself current and gets
to a reunion. It was great talking to you Ignacio.
Reunions: At about the same time you receive this issue of the Saber, D 2-8
Cav (aka Angry Skipper) will be having it’s annual Kentucky Kampout reunion
at Missing Hill Resort in New Concord, Kentucky. We finally convinced a few
other 2-8C Vietnam Vets to attend so we’ll have some new guys to pull KP. A
full report and photos in the next issue.
This years Veteran’s Day reunion in Washington DC, will be back at the Crystal
City Hilton. Joe Galloway will be on hand in the hospitality suite to sign his
and LTG Hal Moore’s new book We Are Soldiers Still. Dates for the reunion are
8-11 November.
The 8th Cavalry Regiment Association will be having their annual reunion June
3-7, 2009 at Fort Hood, Texas with the Division Association’s reunion. This is
unique, it does not happen very often but it’s really a great opportunity for you
to attend two reunions in one (or perhaps three). D 2-8C (Angry Skipper) has
also decided to move their annual reunion up to June and join up with the Division
and Regiment in 2009. Our 8th Cavalry Regiment just may have it’s largest
ever turn out for the Division Association Reunion. It would be nice if you were
there. You Korean War Veterans that have never been to a reunion are running
out of time. You’ve sat around for almost 60 years trying to forget the war and
you probably have figured out by now that will never happen. The only place
you will ever get that well deserved pat on the back is at a reunion and by an old
James “Top Gun” Dotson, Bill “Red” Marshall and Jim Rowell all 2-8 Cav
Vietnam Vets
friend. Do it next year in Killeen, Texas.
Vietnam Veterans are coming to reunions in bunches. The Internet has made it
easy for us to communicate with other Veterans and to find our “Nam” buddies.
Make 2009 the year that you commit to attending the reunion in June. Try to find
a “Nam” buddy or two to join up with you at the reunion. Every year several first
time attendees leave the reunion with these parting words; “I’ll see you next year
for sure.” Here are some pictures from the 2008 Division Reunion.
Those who did not serve during wars or conflicts (such as WWII, Korea,
Vietnam, Bosnia, Gulf and
Iraq/Afghanistan) still have
Veteran issues and health
care issues you need to deal
with. You also have the many
friends you made while in
the service who are still out
there hoping they will see
you again. Don’t be left out.
Colleen and Terry “Pete” Peterson (HHC 2-8C
Vietnam)
Find your buddies and get to
the reunions.
Peggie Miller, 8th Cavalry
Association Chaplain
Page 8
Phony Veterans: This is the most touchy subject I
have ever written about. The two times I mentioned
it both spun out numerous E-Mails and letters from
my readers. Most of these messages are from angry
veterans who know of one or more phony and are
frustrated that they cannot expose him. Believe me
I know that feeling. These phony SOBs will not
break down and apologize to you as long as there
is someone within earshot. Once you expose them,
they will only tell their stories when you are not
around. Often you’ll end up looking like the bad
guy so be real careful how you deal with these sick
individuals.
Some of the mail I got on this subject came from
Vets who ask me if I think they are “Whannabees”. They will explain what their
duties in the war were and then ask if I thought that qualified them as a whannabee.
Fred A. Crane of Jacksonville, Alabama wrote such a letter to me. Fred
served in the 8th Cavalry in Korea (1962-63) and later in Vietnam attached to a
SOG Special Forces unit. Fred’s problem is that he was a “Leg” (11B MOS) and
never went through SF training in the States. In Vietnam he was a leg attached
to a SOG unit but was not Special Forces Qualified. When he goes to reunions
for his unit he feels out of place because he was not a “Green Beret” like most
of them and he gets that left out feeling. He asks me if I think that makes him a
Whannabee. First off no person ever appointed me to make such judgments on
anyone. What I offer is my opinion only. In Fred’s case, as with so many of the
others I’ve read about, he has no reason not to be proud of his service and has
no reason to out of place at a Special Forces reunion. Now if Fred were to tell
me he wears a green beret and all of the Special Forces insignia on his uniform
or displays such materials in his home or office, then I’d have to tag him with a
“Whannabee” label. Fred was assigned duty with a Special Operations Group
unit in Vietnam but this would not give him the right to wear the uniform and
insignia of a Special Forces Soldier. You see you can be telling the truth about
your duties but lying about your accomplishments at the same time. I know Fred
was there, he sent me photos and I can tell they are authentic, and he deserves to
be treated as an equal at his unit reunions. His case is not alone. Just remember,
those in the military understand TDY deployment and attachment etc. When
the Army needs a body they get one, it doesn’t matter what the MOS is as long
as you can fill the void. If you are totally honest about what you did, you will
always be appreciated for it. Lie once and you’ll always be remembered for that
lie. There are rules and regulations when it comes to what you display on your
uniform. It’s not always fair because of the many who were in combat but did
not get a C.I.B. because they were not Infantry qualified or in Fred’s case, not
going through Special Forces training. That’s unfortunate but it’s the way things
are and wearing insignia you are not authorized to wear is wrong, no matter what
the circumstances are. I cannot answer the question as to weather or not any
of you are Whannabees. Only you can answer that question. Every time you
buy a medal you did not earn, wear an insignia you did not have orders for or
tell a story that never happened, you have lowered yourself into the ranks of the
“Whannabees”. An example most of us in the Cav can relate to is the Air Assault
Badge. Although we were in Air Assault units and most of us made 50 or so CAs
in Vietnam, only those who were in the 11th Air Assault were authorized to wear
the badge in association with the Vietnam War yet I see many guys from later
years wearing the winged helicopter pin They argue that they earned the right
to wear the badge but Army regulations say no. In Fred’s case, he falls into a
group of soldiers who had assignments that are hard to prove. Those who were
attached to some Special Operation Group missions were sworn to secrecy for 30
years. We all know there are a few of you guys who do exist and we know it can
be difficult for you to prove everything you did. All I can say is be honest, don’t
wear anything you don’t have orders or DD214/15 for and don’t tell war stories
you can’t back up. If you “Walked the Walk” you don’t need to prove anything
to anybody. Fred, you would always be welcome at an 8th Cav reunion. Your
service in Korea during the cold war era is also special and deserving of recognition.
I think that’s all any of us really want is recognition for our sacrifice, our
devotion to duty, our loyalty to our country,
our bravery and our losses.
Last week I got a new neighbor next
door and when he introduced himself he
mentioned he was a Vietnam Veteran. “Me
Too!” I exclaimed, “1968-69 with the 1st
Cav, who were you with” He lowered his
head as though he was embarrassed and said
Karl Sharples in his “Hill Billie” Stetson
- I thought he was a Yankee
Sorry, I can’t make
he was in the Air Force and went on to say
he was an ATC (Air Traffic Controller) in
Saigon. I told him if it meant anything to
him, I would have gladly traded places with
him but no one would be safe flying when I was on duty.
Everyone had a job to do and every job affected the ability
of the job next to it in the chain order. When I get to know
my neighbor better he will see things differently, not that
I did not appreciate the humility he expressed when I said
I was 1st Cav (assuming that I was a “Grunt”) as most do
when they see a Cav Patch.
I’ve heard every war story there is to tell (real or not so real)
and being there and doing that I’m never really impressed
by any war stories. I like the stories I hear from support
unit troopers like the one who told me he was “sort of a
political statements
psychiatrist” in Phuc Vinh. I said, what did you do “Well” he said “I patched
up bullet holes in Y’alls birds so you don’t know how many times you was hit.
So you see, psychologically, y’all thought you were safer than you really was.”
That’s the kind of war stories I like to hear now.
FORSCOM Soldier of the Year: I wish to congratulate SPC Alexander Elkassamani
of B 2-8 Cav for winning the competition at Fort Hood, Texas. 27-31
July, 2008. SPC Elkassamani will now compete in the Army level “Soldier of
the Year” competition in September. Good Luck Specialist and thank you for
Continued on pg. 18.

Page 9
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, ED W. FREEMAN
DIES
MAJ (R) Ed W. FREEMAN, 80, of Boise, Idaho, died on 20 August, 2008 from
complications due to Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Neely, Mississippi
on 20 November, 1927 and retired from the Army in 1967 with over 21 years of
service. He earned the Medal of Honor during the fighting in the Ia Drang Valley
in 1965 while serving with A Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion.
The Medal of Honor was awarded to him on 16 July, 2001 by President George
W. Bush. Known as “Too Tall” to many of his friends and those that read the
book, We Were Soldiers Once..and Young, he logged over 25,000 flight hours in
helicopters and fixed wing aircraft during his Army career and service with the
U.S. Department of Interior as the Director of Aircraft Services in the Northwest
area. MAJ Freeman was a veteran of three wars serving in the Navy in World
War II and earning a battlefield commission while serving with B Company, 36th
Engineers during the fighting on Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War.
Ed Freeman is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara, his sons Mike (Anita)
and Doug (Tina), four grandchildren, three great-grandsons, his sister Betty Waters
and brother Charles Freeman.
Ed Freeman, Barbara Freeman and President Bush
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION – ED W. FREEMAN
C A P T A I N E D W . F R E E M A N
UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army,
distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous
gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on
14 November 1965 while serving with Company
A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry
Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and
second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he
supported a heavily engaged American infantry
battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang
Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The unit was almost
out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest
casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated,
heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter
landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own
life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after
time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to the
besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle’s outcome by
providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their
survival, without which they would almost surely have gone down, with much
greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the
area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions,
providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded
soldiers -- some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights
were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of
the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding
off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman’s selfless acts of great valor,
extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call
of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of
his peers. Captain Freeman’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are
in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
VETERANS DAY 2008
A block of rooms has been secured at the Hilton Crystal City near Washington’s
Reagen National Airport for the period 8-11 November, 2008 to provide a home
base for Troopers that attend Veterans Day activities in Washington, DC. Call
(800) 445-8667 to reserve your room at the rate of $119 per night plus tax. Tell
them that you are with the 1st Cavalry Division to get the special rate. Parking
is $10 per day for our group. Make sure that you tell them that you are with the
1st Cavalry Division to get the special rate. You must reserve your room prior
to 13 October 2008 to get the special rate. Any rooms booked after 13 October
will be at the much higher regular rates for the hotel. If you stay elsewhere, you
will have to pay the regular rate to park in their garage.
The Association will host a Hospitality Room in the hotel beginning on Saturday
afternoon and running through Veterans Day to provide Toopers a place to
congregate and visit. We will not be setting up a Souvenir Shop this year.
The 1st Cavalry Division Honor Guard will be in DC to assist us in placing
wreaths at the World War II and Korean War Memorials. They will also partici-
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
FAREWELL TO AN AMERICAN HERO – By Joseph L. Galloway,
McClatchy Newspapers
For the better part of 60 years, two old Army pilots who loved each other argued
over many a meal and drink as to which of them was the second best pilot
in the world.
The two shared the cockpits of old Beaver prop planes and Huey helicopters;
they shared rooms in military hooches all over the world; they shared a love of
practical and impractical jokes and they shared an undying love of flying and
soldiers and the Army.
They also shared membership in a very small and revered fraternity of fewer
than 105 men who are entitled to wear around their necks the light blue ribbon
and gold pointed star that is the Medal of Honor, America’s highest decoration
for heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
Their story was told in a book my buddy Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and I wrote 15
years ago titled “We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young” and in the Mel Gibson
movie, “We Were Soldiers,” released in the spring of 2002. Too Tall and Old
Snake were ably portrayed in the movie.
Their argument over which of them is the Best Pilot in the Whole World sadly
came to an end this week when our friend and comrade-in-arms Maj. Ed (Too
Tall to Fly) Freeman slipped the surly bonds of earth and headed off to Fiddler’s
Green, where the souls of departed cavalrymen gather by dispensation of God
Himself.
Too Tall Ed was 80 years old when he died in a hospital in Boise, Idaho, after
long being ill with Parkinson’s disease. He turned down a full dress hero’s funeral
in Arlington National Cemetery in favor of a hometown service and burial in the
National Cemetery in Boise, close to the rivers he loved to fish and the mountains
he flew through in his second career flying for the U.S. Forest Service.
A few days before the end, his old buddy Lt. Col. Bruce (Ancient Serpent 6)
Crandall came to the hospital to say his goodbyes to Too Tall Ed, and to enjoy
one last round of arguing with Ed over that question of which of them was the
best pilot in the world.
In a fine display of the sort of gallows humor that’s always helped men who
know the horrors of war keep some of their sanity, Bruce told Ed that he intended
to settle the question once and for all by borrowing a helicopter, sling-loading
Ed’s coffin below it and then lowering it into the grave where Too Tall will rest
– something that only the Best Pilot in the World could do. Something that only
the best friend in the world could tell a dying man.
These two men received their Medals of Honor long after the deeds that earned
them in the furious battles of the Ia Drang Valley in November of 1965 at the
dawn of our long, bitter war in Vietnam. President George W. Bush presented Too
Tall Ed with his medal in 2001 and hung the medal around Old Snake Crandall’s
neck in 2007.
When their friends in the 1st Battalion, 7th U.S. Cavalry were surrounded
and fighting for their lives near the Cambodian border and needed ammunition
and water and helicopters to carry out the gravely wounded, Bruce and Ed flew
their Huey helicopters, again and again, into a small clearing swept by North
Vietnamese machine gun and rifle fire.
I rode into Landing Zone X-Ray sitting atop a case of hand grenades on one of
Bruce Crandall’s missions after dark on November 14, 1965, wondering if one of
those bullets might turn us all into a puff of greasy smoke. I rode out of X-Ray
after the battle ended on November 16, again on Bruce’s helicopter.
In later years, he and Ed and I would joke about the love-hate relationship
that I and the infantrymen had with the chopper pilots: Hated them for flying
us into Hell and dumping us off; loved them for coming back to get us when it
was time to leave.
Mostly we laughed ourselves silly as first Ed, then Bruce recounted tales of
one escapade after another; of moonlight requisition raids against the U.S. Air
Force for needed or merely desired goodies unavailable from the Army supply
chain; of the time Bruce was caught trying to sling-load a 10 kilowatt generator
off its pad on an airbase.
Now Too Tall Ed Freeman, a much larger than life-size hero at 6 feet 7 inches
tall and a much better friend than we deserved, is gone, and we are left with too
large a hole in our hearts and in our dwindling ranks.
Cleared for Takeoff, Ed!
WANTED
IF YOU SERVED WITH, KNOW, KNEW OR HAVE INFORMATION
ABOUT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, PLEASE COMMUNICATE
WITH THE CONTACT LISTED.
BLAIN, SFC Laurent R., E Co., 2-7th CAV, KIA 14 Oct., 1950. Contact his
son, David R. BLAIN, 39590 N Cambridge Blvd., Beach Park, IL 60083,
.
HERRON, E-7 (Reb) and STONE, E-5 Roy, B Trp., 1-9th CAV, 1969-70.
Contact Charles S. CLAYTON, 305 E. 16th St., Apt. 1, Hopkinsville, KY 42240,
.
KJOS, SP-4 John D., B Btry, 1-21st FA, 1970-71. Contact John D. KJOS, 1148
70th Ave., Milaca, MN 56353.
LOST 1st CAV DIVISION RING, at the Orlando Airport, yellow gold, 1968,
with inscription inside. Contact Orlando Airport Lost and Found, (407) 825-
2115 to identify and claim ring.
PARADIS, PFC Joseph, 8th CAV, Captured 2 Nov., 1950. Contact Paul BER-
NARD, .
TROOPERS of C Co., 1-12th CAV, 1971 Vietnam. Contact SP4 David DEVON,
(480) 816-9673 anytime after 1PM Arizona time, 13227 N Mimosa Dr., Unit 121,
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. No answering machine, please keep trying. Looking
for SP4 John DeROSE, SP4 Kenneth HEATH and SP4 Reuben ALVAREZ.
VIETNAM VETS who lived in Jefferson County Ohio at the time of their
enlistment. Contact Sandy DAY, Genealogy Librarian, Schiappa Library,
4141 Mall Dr., Steubenville, OH 43952, (740) 264-6166, .
Information is being compiled for a book that will be published. Deadline for
submissions is 31 Dec., 2008.
pate in the ceremony conducted at the Vietnam War Memorial at 1300 hours on
Veterans Day.
There will be gatherings of individuals and units and an opportunity to visit
with old comrades in arms and join in the festivities and ceremonies.
Visit for details. See you in DC!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
30th FA News
“HARD CHARGERS”
Daniel P. Gillotti
4204 Berkeley Dr.
Sheffield Village, OH 44054
(440) 934-1750
firstcav68@roadrunner.com
www.hardchargers.com
Hard Charger News:
I’ll open this article by
asking for your prayers
for Raleigh Baughman
who served with
C-6-16th FA/B-1-30th
FA 1967-68. Raleigh
has been diagnosed with Stage 4 inoperable lung cancer and will be undergoing
radiation and chemo-therapy and we pray for his recovery.
The 30th FA Regiment Association is raising funds to purchase a large Saint
Barbara Statue to be displayed in Vernor Auditorium at Fort Sill. Tentatively
the statue could be between 36” to 72” tall and we’re giving everyone an opportunity
to make tax deductible contributions. Please contact me if there are
any questions about this project.
The remainder of this article will be devoted as a Memorial Salute to COL (R)
Jack G. Callaway who passed away on 5-19-08. He commanded 1-30th FA in
Vietnam from July, 1969 to January, 1970, and was the only “Hard Charger 6”
to be wounded while in command. COL (R) Jack G. Callaway entered the US
Marine Corps in 1946 and served as a Scout-Sniper with the 6th Marine Regiment,
2nd Marine Division. After his discharge from the US Marines he joined
the Utah National Guard while attending the University of Utah in the ROTC
Program. He was discharged from the Utah National Guard as a Master Sergeant
on 6-15-51 and was commissioned as a 2LT in the Field Artillery. He deployed
to Korea with the 213th FA, 40th Infantry Division, and subsequently earned a
Silver Star as an Artillery Forward Observer. He completed his tour in Korea
and returned to CONUS and commanded Svc Btry, 320th ABN FA, 508th BBN
Regimental Combat Team, Fort Campbell, KY, and then served as Assistant
S-3, 101st Airborne DivArty, Fort Campbell, Assistant S-3, 92nd FA, Giessen,
Germany and 7th Army Artillery Section (Special Weapons Officer). This was
followed by an assignment as an Instructor at the Command and General Staff
College. In 1966, he then took command of 4-76th FA in Korea for 13 months
and was then reassigned to the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel Operations-Field
Artillery LTC’s Assignment Officer. On 7-24-69 command of the
Hard Charger Battalion passed from LTC (later MG) Wilson to LTC (later COL)
Jack G. Callaway. While in command COL Callaway was thoroughly tested to
include the battle of LZ Becky in which A-1-30th FA suffered 9 KIA’s on 11-12
August, 1969, and then during several battles on LZ Jamie in which A Btry lost
several Hard Chargers WIA and KIA. On 9-6-69 COL Callaway had just been
flown into LZ Jamie when he was caught in a mortar attack and was wounded
in his lower leg and ankle. Several Hard Chargers from A-1-30th FA were WIA
and PFC Fred Barrett and SGT Charles R. Moore were KIA as a result of the
mortar attacks at LZ Jamie on 9-6-69. COL Callaway relinquished command
of the Hard Charger Bn on 1-20-70 and assumed the duties as the XO of the 1st
Cav DivArty until completing his tour in Vietnam.
He was then assigned as an Action Officer, J-3,
Joint Chiefs of Staff and then as Nuclear Planning
Affairs Section Chief for the Secretary of
Defense. He then moved on to become a Senior
Strategic Research Fellow and Faculty Member
at the National War College. From there, he
moved to Bonn, Germany as an Army Attaché
to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1977-
80. COL Callaway retired in 1981 as the Chief
of Staff of Fort Sill. His awards and decorations
include the Sliver Star, Defense Superior Service
LTC Jack G. Callaway at
Camp Gorvad on 20 Jan.,
Medal, Legion of Merit w/3 OLCs, Bronze Star
w/OLC & “V” device, Purple Heart, Air Medal
w/ 5 OLCs & “V” device, Army Commendation
Medal w/3 OLCs, Republic of Vietnam Cross of
1970
Gallantry w/Silver Star, the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the
Federal Republic of Germany, numerous Campaign and Service Medals and 4
Unit Awards. His Qualification Badges included the Master Parachutist Badge,
Belgian Senior Parachutist Badge, and the German Senior Parachutist Badge.
Hard Charger Dick Murphy wrote the following note about Jack: “Colonel
(Ret) Jack G. Callaway, 1928-2008. Jack came to
Viet Nam in 1969 from an assignment at the Field
Artillery Branch at OPO. He had previously commanded
a battalion in Korea, and was not programmed
to go directly into command. However, during his
in-processing at (1st Cav) Division HQ, he so impressed
the CG and his staff that they asked that he
be put into command immediately, which he was. A
decade later, COL Callaway returned from a tour in
Bonn (at the Embassy, as I recall) with a year to go
until his retirement. Letty went home to Austin while
COL Jack G. Callaway
1928~2008 RIP
Jack was sent to Fort Sill as a “Special Assistant to
the Assistant Commandant” (BG Ed Dinges), where
he was to do “special projects” for a year. Well, after
about 1.5 special projects, the Fort Sill leadership
realized they had someone special and as it happened, the Chief of Staff job
came open suddenly (Don Eckelbarger got selected for BG, as I recall), and so
Jack spent his last year of service as the “Chief” at Fort Sill. While at Sill, and
well into his 50’s, Jack went to Benning and jumped with Kirt (his son) as he
graduated from Jump School.”
Another note about COL Callaway came from Bill Gregory who served as XO
then BC of A-1-30th FA before being severely wounded on LZ Jamie on 8-15-69.
Bill wrote “Transferring to Vietnam, a young LTC named Dwight Wilson, CO,
1st Bn, 30th Arty, recognized how raw I was in field artillery after more than a
year with nukes. He gave me an assignment as XO of A Btry, and that saved my
life by placing me with the best NCOs a young officer could ask for. During the
move off of LZ Dolly to rejoin the other A Btry guns on LZ Jamie, I met the new
Bn CO, Jack Callaway. He acted crusty and formal but asked to have a private
chat with me away from all! Then Callaway said something I will remember till
my last breath, “Lieutenant, I’ve got a sack full of field manuals here telling me
everything a book can about making an airmobile move of 155 cannons. But I
Page10
figure you and your men have experienced plenty the books can’t relate. I’d like
to remain here on Dolly for the next two days plus two days on Jamie watching
everything you and your men do. YOU will be in complete charge, and I’ll try
to stay out of the way, though I may have an occasional question. YOU run
things while I learn. Deal” The man was absolutely true to his word acting
like a sponge while allowing a very junior but semi-experienced 1LT to “run the
operation”. The chemistry was good for all. Less than a month later, the tragedy
of LZ Becky occurred when we suffered 9 KIA and had all but 3 others WIA.
Not only did we lose two very key NCOs (Sam Abrams and George Snyder),
but also BC CPT Don White. LTC Callaway got us some replacements for gun
crews as we consolidated all six guns back on Jamie, but he and DivArty were
very short CPTs --- he had no one to be BC. Surprise again! He asked me if I
“could hold things together for a week or two” till he could make some other
personnel moves. A 1LT with just under six months in the field taking on a full
battery which was under-strength and with undeniably battered morale! But Callaway
convinced me it was best for all, for sorely needed continuity, morale, and
on-the-ground needs assessment to rebuild the unit. Of course, I said yes. Just
days later, I was severely WIA during a sapper attack on Jamie and medevaced
never to return. After a long hospital stay, lots of medical treatments and evaluations,
I found myself “retired” at 25 years old!
In 1994-95 Dan Gillotti, Top Vernor and I spearheaded the formation of the
30th Field Artillery Regiment Association. One of many early gratifying searches
for old Hard Chargers landed Jack Callaway, COL, US Army (Ret). We were
personally reunited at the first Cleveland reunion that Dan and Theresa Gillotti
graciously hosted in 1995 to get the organizational ball rolling. There was overflowing
emotion, tears, unending hugs of joy and relief shared by all to be back
in the company of good soldiers who had experienced so much together. Jack
Callaway broke down several times during that first reunion.
From that point forward he and I became close friends, emailing and calling
one another nearly daily. We visited each other’s homes. Our wives became
good friends. I learned much personal information including about his very
tough upbringing in a rough home. Carole and I observed a total devotion and
commitment to a very good wife. We swapped many tales of experiences in the
intervening years between Vietnam and our Cleveland reunion. All that was good,
but it doesn’t relate the benefits Jack Callaway’s quiet mentoring did for me as
an “old man” of 55, then 60, now nearing 65. There are times in everyone’s life
that the strong hand on the shoulder of a father, big brother, or close friend is essential.
I think it’s fair to say I learned more from him about being “a character
guy” in the following dozen years than from anyone except my dad. Everyone
faces challenges in their marriage, with the kids, in managing their career. “How
you face up to those tough tests, defines you, your character, your legacy,” he
once told me. “You can call it courage, toughness, character, or whatever. It’s
basically the same. But in the end, DO THE RIGHT THING!” How many times
afterward I reflected on those words when family or business challenges had to
be faced! The personal guidance Jack Callaway provided me is not what I want
Hard Chargers to reflect upon. We have lost a wonderful human being, a gentleman,
a good husband, and terrific leader. But what is more important to all is
those lessons he taught. Regardless of your age, intellect, station in life, career,
family situation, or whatever circumstances you find yourself in --- do your very
best, strive to make good choices even when the going gets rough, and always DO
THE RIGHT THING. Doing anything less would be unworthy of the honored
title of “HARD CHARGER”. Rest in Peace, Colonel Jack Callaway.”
I would like to thank Dick Murphy and Bill Gregory for their remembrances
of COL (R) Jack G. Callaway. The 1-30th FA was blessed with many fine Bn
COs and Jack Callaway was right up at the top of the list. COL Callaway also
served as the Honorary Colonel of the 30th FA Regiment from 1995-98, and
consistently served as our Ambassador to the 30th FA Regiment. He attended
many St. Barbara celebrations at Fort Sill until his health began to fail him. We
proudly salute him by saying “Hard Charger ~ Sir!
This is Hard Charger 9G, End of Mission ` Out!
TROOPER SUPPORT PROGRAM
The 4th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) of the 1st Cavalry Division deployed to
Iraq during June 2008 with the 3rd BCT to follow before year’s end. The 1st and
the 2nd BCT’s have been alerted for deployment to Iraq during the early months
of 2009. Based on these facts the 1st Cavalry Division Association has restarted
its ‘Trooper Support Program’ with specific procedures, guidance, and postal
details available on the Association’s web page at .
Unit Points of Contact (POC’s) and overseas mailing addresses for the 4th BCT
are printed below and available from the Association via e-mail or phone. For
security reasons the names of our POC’s and their addresses will not be displayed
on our web site. All mail must be addressed to an individual. You can not send
mail to Any Soldier or to a position like Commander. All units in the 4th BCT
have the same APO number APO AE 09331 with the exception of 5-82 FA which
is located at APO AE 09391.
1-9 CAV – CPT Gerald Mantanona, HHT 1-9 CAV, 4BCT, 1CD, APO AE
09331
2-7 CAV – CPT Matthew Fontaine, HHC 2-7 CAV, 4BCT, 1CD, APO AE
09331
2-12 CAV – CPT Robin Worch, HHC 2-12 CAV, 4BCT, 1CD, APO AE
09331
5-82 FA – SSG Dwan Miller, HHB 5-82 FA, 4BCT, 1CD, APO AE 09391
27 BSB – CPT Kimberly Jennings, HHC 27 BSB, 4BCT, 1CD, APO AE
09331
4 STB – SFC Dion Williams, HHC 4 STB, 4BCT, 1CD, APO AE 09331
4 BCT – MAJ Boyce Edwards, HHC 4th BCT, 1CD, APO AE 09331
Use the following format on your letters and packages:
Rank and Name
Unit
APO AE Number
Please prepare and organize your efforts to support this very worthwhile cause.
Those wishing to provide support that may have questions should contact the 1st
Cavalry Division Association National Headquarters by mail, phone or e-mail or
the Association’s Program Coordinator, Bob Tagge at .

Page 11
27th ORD/MNT/MSB/BSB News
Ed Jones
38 Sedgwick Rd
Oswego, IL 60543
(630) 554-9245
ecjones19@aol.com
John Ramsden
11210 Shadowmere Mews
Columbia, MD 21044
jlram80@aol.com
This is being written over the Labor Day Weekend and hopefully all are enjoying
this last break of summer. We have lots of information from LTC Mark Simerly
and the 27th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in Iraq, so most of this column
will deal with that, along with pictures that Mark has graciously sent.
Before I get to that, I want to mention that we are tentatively planning some
type of gathering in Washington, DC over the Veteran’s Day Weekend. The 1st
CAV Association has reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel,
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia. A special rate of $119 per
night plus tax has been set up. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 445-
8667 and telling them you are with the 1st CAV Association. A hospitality suite
will be setup at the Hotel, but no souvenir shop, so it will be a little more low key
than in the past. You should have received an e-mail before you read this with
details, as the cutoff date for hotel reservations is October 13. We are working
with folks from the 2-7th CAV and tentatively we are looking at a gathering at
the Sports Bar in Arlington, Virginia near the Hilton, where we had activities two
years ago. As I said, we will be sending an e-mail with the details if and when
we can firm things up.
Now all the news from the 27th BSB in Iraq. In the last column there were
words about a picture of 27th
troopers loading ammo at the
firing range in Kuwait, just
prior to their move into Iraq.
Due to space limitations the
words made it into the column
but not the picture. So picture
number one is the missing
picture from the last column.
New news from Mark Simerly
is as follows:
“Greetings from Iraq where
the Rough Riders have surpassed
the 90 day mark and
are doing great. In the past
month the battalion provided
outstanding logistical support to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Longknives) in
the 1st CAV area of operations, which has been expanded to the Iran – Iraq border
in Maysan Province. (Editors note: the 27th is primarily operating in areas South
of Bagdad but has troopers as far North as Balad, 40 miles north of Bagdad, to
as far South as Arifjan in Kuwait.) Thus far the Rough Riders have completed
over 40 combat logistics patrols delivering supplies across Southern Iraq, totaling
more than 67,000 miles
driven. (Editors note: Picture
number two shows Chaplain
Miles Bankston of the 27th
BSB leading 27th troopers
in prayer just prior to their
departing on one of these
convoys.) We completed
more than 525 maintenance
jobs, have treated more than
450 medical patients and our
troopers at Combat Operating
Base (COB) ADDER are providing
24 - 7 force protection
to the entire base.”
“In August we also exceeded our annual retention goal and are currently leading
the Brigade as the top reenlistment producer. (Editors note: Picture number
three shows the reenlistment ceremony for SSG Cabanos and others in front of an
ancient temple called the Zigurrat at COB Adder.) On 2 August we conducted a
ceremony to uncase the battalion colors (See picture number four of LTC Simerly
and CSM Lockmay doing the honors.) and to award the 1st CAV Division combat
patches to our Troopers. I cannot tell you how proud I was to see all the 1st CAV
patches on the right arm of all of the Rough Riders.” (Editors note: I think the
criterion is three months in the combat zone to qualify to wear the combat patch
on the right shoulder.)
“The Rough Riders are keeping their skills sharp by continuing to train on critical
combat tasks. We conducted our first weapons qualifications here in Iraq and
have been conducting combat life saver medical training this month. We also
started a recertification program for our gun truck crews to keep their convoy
security skills honed. We continue to build partnerships with the Iraqi Army
and Security forces, and are expanding our training and mentorship efforts with
them. We recently hosted the leaders of the 10th Iraqi Army Motor Transport
Regiment on a tour of our headquarters and facilities so that they could see how
we conduct our missions. Professionalizing the Iraq Army is one of our most
important and rewarding missions.”
“We have troopers serving in many locations throughout Iraq. Some are in the
austere conditions of combat outposts alongside other Longknife troops, while
others are serving as logistics liaison teams on large bases like Balad and Arifjan.
The living conditions in these locations vary widely from mature operating bases
to expeditionary patrol bases with minimal creature comforts. We have had
extremely hot weather in the last few weeks of August , with the temperature
near 120 degrees for over seven or eight consecutive days. We have plenty of
cool bottled water and ice available, and constantly ensure all of our troopers are
staying hydrated, but the heat does present some challenges.” (Editors note: If
you look at all the equipment troopers have on in picture number two, you can
understand why the hot weather could be challenging!)
“On 20 September we celebrate the battalion’s 87th birthday. We are extremely
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
proud of our Rough
Rider and 1st CAV
legacy and our
troopers draw inspiration
from the
achievements and
sacrifices of all of
the fellow Rough
Riders who went
before us. The
days are going by
fast as we all do
our best to support
the Longknife Brigade.
You should
all know that the Rough Riders are remarkably focused on performing their
wartime tasks in a disciplined, professional manner, and that, as a result, we are
able to conduct our missions safely and efficiently.” Many thanks Mark to you
and all the troopers of the 27th BSB. You are truly an inspiration to all of us
alumni of the 27th that have been fortunate enough to have served in the 27th
over the last 87 years.
I will finish this column with a
humorous story from Cliff Baker
of the 27th Ordnance Company,
Korean War. “In 1947 I was stationed
in Yokohama with Eighth
Army Motor Pool. Headquarters
troops and a bunch of service
units were stationed right in the
center of the city. It was of the
few places where one could be
on the streets in a fatigue uniform.
Those of us in the motor
pool came and went at our own
discretion, so we roamed all over
town at all hours of the day. Bed
check was at midnight. We were
constantly in search of any kind
of beverage, especially beer. Someone found a small bar on the second floor of
a large building. They opened a little before noon every day and had available
180 of the quart bottles of that good Japanese beer. The deal was you could only
buy one bottle at a time. As soon as you were able to consume that and return
the empty bottle you could buy another one. A large crowd of grunts was always
there waiting and you had to down that first bottle pretty fast to get that second.
We were trying to figure a way to get more of that beer. We found some large
beer steins that would hold a quart so we were set. We would buy the first beer,
dump it in the stein and rush back for the second. Then if you could down the
second you could get a third. After that you could relax with two quarts while
everyone griped about how unfair this was. As with all good things, this did not
last very long but we sure enjoyed it for a while.” The moral of this story is never
under estimate the ingenuity of the American Soldier. Thanks Cliff!
Hope to see lots of you at the 1st CAV Veteran’s Day weekend in November.
Need pictures and stories!
1st SIGNAL and 13th SIGNAL NEWS
W. D. “Stretch”
Hungerford
15 Desert Candle Cir.
LeHigh Acres, FL 33936
(239) 369-7871
E-mail:
Greetings Signal Troopers ~ I don’t have much news for all of you but wanted
to get something to keep the space in the Saber for all of us that have provided
the ability to communicate to the 1st Cavalry Division over the years.
I am still having a hard time figuring
out how the division can get by without
the 13th Signal Battalion. I guess it’s the
Signal Troopers of the First Team that keep
things going.
I have included a photo of Bill Ahrenberg
and me at the reunion in Jacksonville, Florida.
We were two of the seven Signal Troopers
that came to the reunion. The photo was
taken of us while Bill was working (helping
with registration) and I was visiting. I was
the only Trooper from the old 1st Signal ath
the reunion and the others were all from the 13th Signal.
I know that there are still lots of Signal Troopers in the division and hope that
they will contact me and let us all know what it is like to be a Signal Trooper in
today’s Army.
New Members Listing
Continued from pg. 6.
E-4 BLACK, HENRY W. NC A 227AVN 6507
CPT (RET) BROADNAX, JR., ROBERT WA HHB 1-21FA 7109
2LT BUTTS, BEAU TX 1-5C 0809
SSG CAMPBELL, THOMAS A. HI D 1-5C 6507
1SG CARTER, GERALD TX A 2STB 0807
CPL CHATMAN, ALLEN T. MD 8C 5211
2LT COIC, ANGEL M. TX FSC 1-8C 0807
SP-4 COOPER, JAMES OR D 2-8C 69
E-4 COYLE, II, CHARLES J. CO HHC 1-9C 7105
CPT CRAWFORD-MANCINI, JESSE FL HHB 4-5ADA 0605
Continued on pg. 16.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
Foundation of the the 1st Cavalry Division Association Scholarship Program
2008 Scholarship Recipients
Active Division Grant Recipients
Mrs. Jenny M. Bell, spouse of SPC
Joshua S. Bell, HHC DSTB – 2nd Grant
– Univ. of Mary Hardin Baylor.
Mrs. Christina A. Bunyard, spouse
of SSG Charles F. Bunyard, Jr., A 6-9
Cav - 1st Grant – CTC.
Ms. Janel
C. and Ms.
D a m e k a
N. Daniels,
daughters of
CSM James
P. Daniels, 4-
9 Cav – 3rd
Grant respectively - Univ. of Mary
Hardin Baylor respectively.
Mrs. Nina M. Mora, spouse of SSG
Adolfo Mora, DSTB – 2nd Grant
– CTC.
Stephanie Rebena,
daughter of COL William
S. Rabena, HHC DSTB
– 1st Grant - Texas A &
M - Corpus Christi.
Mrs. Jessica M. Reyes, spouse of E-4
Armando R. Reyes, HHC DSTB – 1st
Grant – CTC.
Mrs. Brandi Waruch, spouse of SGT
Ashley Waruch, HHC DSTB – 2nd
Grant – Univ. of Mary Hardin Baylor
Mrs. Cynthia A. Wood,
spouse of SPC Joshua L.
Wood, HHC 1BSTB – 1st
Grant – CTC.
Children and Grandchildren of the
Veterans of the IaDrang Campaign
John M. Beck, grandson
of John Robert Beck,
HHC 3rd BDE -
2.25 Grant - Auburn
University
Shannon Nicole Bird, granddaughter
of SGM (Ret) Henry DeMeritte, HHB
DIVARTY; A BTRY 1-77FA - 1st
Grant - Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University
Larissa Mae Blyth,
granddaughter of Frank
John Knowski, A Co 1-
5 Cav - 2.5 Grant - Aims
Community College
Lindsay Marie Bosse, granddaughter
of Albert B. Bosse, 1-7 Cav - 1st Grant
- University of Cincinnati
Natalie Michelle Bradley, daughter
of MSG (Ret) William David Bradley,
A and D Co. 229 AVN - .13 Grant -
Napa Valley College
James W. Brigham,
grandson of 1LT
James S. Brigham,
Jr., 1-7th Cav
7/65 - 8/66 - .5
Grant - Tennessee
T e c h n o l o g i c a l
University
Addison Kent Collins, Kayleigh
Marie Maynard and Samantha Mae
Collins, grandson and granddaughters
respectively of Keith Owen Maynard,
B Co 229 AVN ‘65 - 1st Grant, 1.5
Grant and 5 Grant respectively -
West Virginia University, Radford
University and Eastern Mennonite
University respectively
Jenilee (Storey) Copeland, granddaughter
of Charles William Storey,
KIA HHC 2-7 Cav - 1.38 Grant -
Western Oklahoma State College
Jessica Marie Crandall and Rebekah
Elizabeth Crandall, granddaughter
of LTC (Ret) Bruce Perry Crandall,
A Co. 229 AVN; B and HHC 1-9 Cav
- .5 Grant and 1st Grant respectively
- Pennsylvania State University
respectively
Teresa Kai Dash, daughter
of Walter A. Niemeyer,
100% Disabled A Co. 1-7
Cav - 2.5 Grant - University
of South Carolina Upstate
Randolph Dustin Davis, grandson
of Randolph J. Ewan, 11th AVN - 1st
Grant - Oklahoma Panhandle State
University
Summer Nichole Desper, daughter
of SFC (Ret) Leon Thomas Desper,
HHB 1-21 FA - .75 Grant - Holmes
Community College
Mario Vincent DiMattia, grandson
of Robert L. Barker, C Btry 1-21FA
- 2.5 Grant - University of Louisiana
- Lafayette
Allison Elizabeth Doyal, granddaughter
of Matthew A. Pepe, Jr., 228 AVN - 1st
Grant - Jacksonville State University
Patrick B. Dillon,
Sterling L. Dillon
Zachary M. Dillon,
Christopher E.
Morgan and Laura
K. Morgan, grandsons
Zachary M.
Dillon
and granddaughter
respectively of CPT
Gregory Patrick Dillon,
S-3 1-7 Cav - 2nd Grant,
.5 Grant, 3rd Grant, 2.08 Grant and 1.5
Grant respectively - Brigham Young
University, Virginia Commonwealth
University and Pikes Peak Community
College respectively
Morgan Danielle Fogg, grandaughter
of Robert Lee Barker, C Btry. 1-21 FA
- 2nd Grant - Texas A&M University
Martin David Gonzalez, son of Jose
Carlos Gonzalez, B Co. 2-7 Cav - 1.34
Grant - Southwestern College
Brittney Nicole Green, granddaughter
of Ronnie Thomas Mathis, K I A
A Co. 1-5 Cav - 3.5 Grant - University
of Evansville
Alissa Marie Hance
and Sara Lyn Hance,
Sara Hance
granddaughters of
Frankin Eugene Hance,
Sr., C Co. 2-7 Cav - 1st
Grant and 4th Grant
respectively - Pensacola
Christian College respectively
Kayla Nicole Hoffman, granddaughter
of Charles Edgar DeSha , HHC 2-8 Cav
- .5 Grant - Montana State University
Bozeman
Jonathan Robert Howard and
Malory Kristin Howard respectively,
grandsons of John Robert Howard,
2-7 Cav - .5 Grant and 4th Grant
respectively - Pennsylvania State
University and College of Charleston
respectively
Amanda Renee Humphrey, Sean
Michael Humphrey,
Vernon Floyd
Humphrey and
Vernon Floyd
Humphrey, Jr.
r e s p e c t i v e l y
g r a n d d a u g h t e r ,
Vernon Floyd grandson, son and
Humphrey grand son of Floyd
Vernon Humphrey, C
Co. 2-7 Cav - 1.5 Grant, 2.5 Grant, .5
Grant and 1.5 Grant respectively
- Georgia Military College, University
of Louisiana at Lafayette. Columbus
State University and Georgia Military
College respectively
Jessica Sarah Renae Jakes, daughter
of Jimmie Jakes, B 1-7 Cav - 1st Grant
- Fort Valley State University
Crystal Ellen Kidd, daughter of Gary
R. Kidd, C Co. 1-7 Cav - 2.79 Grant
- College of the Desert
Stephanie Nicole King,
granddaughter of Felix
deLoach King, Jr., B Co 2-
8 Cav - 1st Grant - Illinois
State University
Sarah Anne Knopf, daughter
of Roger Andrew Knopf, 2-
7 Cav - 4th Grant - Western
Michigan University
Brian Taylor Koon, grandson of John
Allen Uselton, B Co. 2-7 Cav - 1.13
Grant - Columbus State University
Caitlyn Glyn Laughlin and Stefanie
Michelle Laughlin respectively,
granddaughters of Glenn Eugene
McCammon, KIA 1965 LZ Albany
- .5 Grant and 1.34 Grant respectly -
Columbus State Community College
and Franklin University respectively
Madison Edward
Mailhot, grandson
of PSG (Ret) Lee E.
Howard, C Co 2-7 Cav
- 4th Grant - Columbus
State University
Jared Paul Matteucci, son of E-5
Paul Edward Matteucci, B Co. 1-7 Cav
11/65 - 12/66 - .5 Grant - Keystone
College
Jennifer Ann McCoy,
granddaughter of George
Thomas Parkinson, C
Co. 2-7 Cav - 1.5 Grant
- Westerm Kentucky
University
Lori Francoise (Bradley)
McDunn, daughter of
William David Bradley,
A Co. 229 AVN - 1st
Grant - Oklahoma State
University
Elizabeth J. Meadows, granddaughter
of SGM Bobby E. Meadows, A Co. 1-
8 Cav - 1st Grant - Arizona
State University
Allison F. Mills and
Shannan Marie Parrish
r e s p e c t i v e l y ,
A l l i s o n
F r a n c e s
Mills
granddaughters of
Glenwood Newton Parrish,
11th AVN - 3.5 Grant and
1.92 Grant respectively
- University of Central
Florida and NVCC
Manassas respectively
Amanda Rae Parish, daughter of
Willard Franklin Parish, C Co 1-7
Cav - 2.75 Grant - Northeastern State
University
Alison Elizabeth
Rudel, granddaughter
of Thomas C. Metsker,
1-7 Cav - 1.5 Grant
- George Mason
University
Drew Michael Sanders, grandson of
Charles Lloyd Sanders, B Co. 1-7 Cav
- 2nd Grant - Keiser University
Kathleen Christine Schaefer,
granddaughter of Anthony Eugene
Pendola, KIA 6 Nov 1965 C Co. 2- 8
Cav - .46 Grant - Illinois Central
College
Brandon Nathaniel Stephens,
grandson of Alex S. Jekel, Jr., A Co.
229 AVN - .42 Grant - South Puget
Sound Community College
Eric William Thompson, Jr.,
grandson Harold G. Moore, Jr., 2-7 Cav
- .5 Grant - Texas A & M University
Jacob Bryce Vannoy, grandson of
Hale Vannoy, A Co. 2-7 Cav - 1.5
Grant - Johnson & Wales University
Robert S.
Waters
Megan Katherine
Waters and Robert S.
Waters respectively,
grandaughter and grandson
of D o n a l d
Richard Davis, A Btry.
1-21 FA - 1st Grant and
3rd Grant respectively -
Texas A & M University
and Oklahoma State University
respectively
Janice Oca White, daughter of Thomas
Page 12
Allen White, C Co 2-7 Cav - 1st Grant
- Yale University Pierson
College
Jessica Lee Whiteside,
granddaughter of Jerry
Eugene Whiteside, 1-
21FA - 2.5 Grant -
Georgia College and State University
Children of Killed or totally Disabled
1st Cav. Div. Troopers
Veronica Bell, daughter
of Stanley Edward
Bell, 100% Disabled
A Co 2-7 Cav - 4th
Grant - Wayne County
Community College
District
Kenneth Roy Berry, II,
son of Kenneth Roy Berry.
100% Disabled 2-8 Cav
- 1st Grant - Gogebic
Community College
Evelyn Janet Beshiri-Smith, daughter
of Vasil Beshiri, 100% Disabled HHC
5-7 Cav - 3.29 Grant - Aiken Technical
College
Kelly Christine Chekanowsky,
daughter of
William R. Chekanowsky,
100% Disabled HHC 1-
12 Cav. - 2.5 Grant - North
Carolina State University
Catherine Anne deBerardinis,
Elizabeth Chansom de-
Berardinis and Jennifer Jellounee
deBerardinis, daughters of Vincent
Friel deBerardinis, 100% Disabled A
Co. 2-12 Cav - 1.5 Grant, 1st Grant and
.5 Grant respectively, - West Chester
University, Columbia University and
Temple University respectively
Justin Lee deHerrera, son of PFC Leon
A. deHerrera, 100% Disabled WIA 1st
BDE - 2.5 Grant - UCLA
Robyn Marie Drake, daughter of Mark
A. Drake, A Co. 15th MED - .5 Grant
- Front Range Community College
Cody Michael Guinan
and Phoebe Guinan,
son and daughter
respectively of Michael
Thomas Guinan,
Phoebe Guinan
100% Disabled A
Co. 2-12 Cav - 4th
Grant and .5 Grant
respectively - Southeast Missouri State
University and Mineral Area College
respectively
Amanda Erin Hackett, daughter of
Lawrence Joseph Hackett, Jr., 100%
Disabled D Co. 2-8 CAV - 2nd Grant
- St. John Fisher College
Elizabeth Nell Hall and Thomas Orion
Hall, daughter and son respectively
of John Edward Hall, 100% Disabled
HHC 3rd BDE - 2.5 Grant and 2nd
Grant respectively - Pitzer College and
University of Tennessee respectively
Cassandra Marie Hansen, daughter
of Terry F. Hansen, 100% Disabled C
Co. 1-12 Cav - 3rd Grant - University
of Wisconsin
Jessica Michelle Jones, daughter of
CW2 Charles S. Jones, KIA E Co.
1-7 Cav - .5 Grant - Austin Peay State
University
Danielle Yvonne LeFevre,
daughter of SGT Randall
Phillips LeFevre, 100%
disabled E/HHC 2-5 Cav
1972 - .5 Grant - University
of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Buffy Jo Miller and Patrick Michael
Miller respectively, daughter and son
of Danny Joe Miller, 100% Disabled
C Co. 1-8 Cav. - 1.24 Grant and 2.5
Grant respectively - Tarrant County
College and University of Oklahoma
respectively
Continued on pg. 13.

Page 13 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
Aaron Okken
Scholarship Grant
Continued from pg. 12.
Meredith Ann (Hooper) Miller-
Napier,
daughter of Bernie Navern Hooper,
D Co. 229 AVN; E Btry. 82 FA - 88
Grant - Cochise College
Clayton E. Michael Mixsooke, son
of Reuben Moses Mixsooke, 100%
Disabled C Co 1-8 Cav - 1.5 Grant
- University of Alaska Anchorage
Kristen Michelle Moore, daughter
of E-4 Gerald Patrick Moore, 100%
Disabled A Co. 1-8 Cav 1967 - .5
Grant - Towson University
Sheeva Grace Morgan, daughter
of Sidney Donald Morgan, 100%
Disabled C 2-8 Cav - 1st Grant -
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Jonathan Frederick
Moynihan, son
of SP-4 Michael
Peter Moynihan,
Jr., 100% Disabled
WIA HHC 1st
CAV - 2.5 Grant -
Bloomsburg Univ. of Pennsylvania
Aaron Michael Okken and Cassie
Joyce Okken, son and daughter
respectively of Albert
Wayne Okken,
100% Disabled H
Co 75th INF - 3rd
Grant and 1st Grant
respectively - University
of Colorado
and CSU - Pueblo
respectively
Jamie Marie Pestana, daughter of
SP-4 William Manuel Pestana, 100%
disabled 8 Cav 1969-1970 - .5 Grant
- Suffolk University
Joseph William Piehl,
son of Gerald
Leon Piehl, 100%
Disabled A Co.
1-5 Cav - 3rd Grant
- South Dakota State
University
Ginelle Melissa Puraty, daughter of
Michael Puraty, 100% Disabled A
Co. 2-5 Cav. - 1.79 Grant - Academy
of Court Reporting
Martha Anne Rauch,
daughter of Blair D.
Rauch, 100% Disabled
1-30ARA and 155MM
Howteers - 2nd Grant
- Eastern Illinois University
Autumn Rose Smaydy,
daughter of Michael James Smaydy,
100% Disabled D Co. 2-12 Cav. - 1.5
Grant - Arizona State University
Molly Ann Smith,
daughter of Fred Daniel
Smith, 100% Disabled
D Co. 1-5 Cav -
4th Grant - Edgewood
College
Martin Reed Sullivan, son of John
Lynn Sullivan, 100% Disabled D
Trp. 1-5 Cav. - 2.5 Grant - San Jose
State University
Courtney Blake Wilson, son of E-4
David William Wilson, D Co. 2-8
Cav 11/65 - 1st Grant - University
of Florida
THANK YOU
The Foundation of the 1st Cavalry
Division Association appreciates itsmany
supporters whose generous
donations ensure that we can provide
scholarship grants and prepare to support
in the future..
Donations to the Foundation are
tax-deductible and are placed into an
investment portfolio to help raise the
funds to keep up with normal inflation
and the ever increasing costs of
college tuitions and fees.
Send donations to Foundation of
the 1st Cavalry Division Assn., 302
N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX
76522-1703.
THE ADMIRALTIES - The Battle of Los Negros Beachead continued from the May/June SABER
Excerpted from Center of Military History Publication 100-3
During the afternoon the reconnaissance force organized its defenses, which presented many difficulties. A good fox hole
required back-breaking efforts, for the soil was heavy with coral. Since there was no barbed wire to put around the beachhead,
men and weapons had to be spaced closely and every man available used for the perimeter defense. The 40 field artillery
officers and men were assigned sectors for close-in defense, because their two pack howitzers could not cover the critical
space in front of the defense line from such a shallow depth as the perimeter allowed. They took over these sectors after the
howitzers had blasted away for awhile at the Japanese known to be in the skidway area. For heavy weapons support, the
twelve .50-caliber machine guns of the antiaircraft unit were moved into positions along the front line. Colonel Lobit took
over an abandoned Japanese dugout with a triple-layer log roof and a dry, hard floor while General Chase set up the task
force command post near a revetment toward the center of the triangular perimeter. Signalmen strung the perimeter with wire
to make the necessary hook-ups for officers in the chain of command, and removed the radio sets for communication with
Sixth Army Headquarters from an advanced position to a more sheltered bomb crater. Outposts were stationed beyond the
strip on the far edges of the dispersal area. At 1920 the Bush was called on for interdiction fire on the eastern tip of Manus,
and at 1948 was ordered to fire a few rounds on the northern coastal strip outside the harbor.
The measures taken for night defense proved to be well justified. As documents captured later disclosed, the enemy was
preparing to put up much more fight than had yet been indicated. The Japanese commander had issued the following orders
to an infantry battalion defending the Hyane Harbor sector:
Tonight the battalion under Captain Baba will annihilate the enemy who have landed. This is not a delaying action. Be
resolute to sacrifice your life for the Emperor and commit suicide in case capture is imminent. We must carry out our mission
with the present strength and annihilate the enemy on the spot. I am highly indignant about the enemy’s arrogant attitude.
Remember to kill or capture all ranking enemy officers for our intelligence purposes ...
About dusk enemy riflemen hiding in the woods began to exchange fire with the outposts, which were soon called in. The
enemy, however, apparently assumed that he would find our main forces close to the outpost line. An attack was started just
after dark, but by the time the Japanese reached the line where the cavalrymen were dug in, the movement was no longer
coordinated. Small groups of the enemy did, however, make aggressive moves against the 2d Squadron’s position.
Groups of 7 to 15 Japanese kept edging in, flinging grenades at the weapons that fired. The only way the Japanese could
be seen was by the light of grenade explosions or when the attackers got close enough so that a cavalryman crouched in a
fox hole could see them silhouetted against the sky. Many of the Japanese were killed by machine-gun and rifle fire, but
some got through and succeeded in cutting all telephone lines. Although infiltrations occurred on all edges of the perimeter,
the attack was heaviest near the shore on the southern side. Here some Japanese reached the shore in the rear of the main
defense line by swimming in from the sea with life preservers. The vegetation bordering the beach provided protection for
these infiltrators. One group found an opening in the left flank of Troop E, holding the south sector, next to the field artillery
unit that held along the shore. The enemy penetrated Troop E’s defense line, entirely isolating the 3d Platoon. Without communication
with its troop, the unit had to fight it out alone against very heavy attacks.
Nevertheless, communications were not greatly missed, since the only way to hold this small jungle area at night against
an infiltrating enemy was for each man to stay in his fox hole and fire at anything that moved. Alertness was the best defense;
on one occasion an officer sleeping in a hammock above his fox hole was killed by a stealthy Japanese using a sword.
Grenades were the chief close-in weapons of the enemy, and mortar fire continued to harass our troops throughout the night.
The necessary tactic of firing at all movement made it extremely dangerous to venture from cover in the darkness and few
men took the chance. Most of the wounded had to lie in their fox holes until daylight; some of them bled to death. Those
who reached the operating rooms found them in former enemy dugouts where work was done on Japanese mess tables by
the aid of electric lantern and flashlight.
Even the task force headquarters was not safe from Japanese attacks within the perimeter. Fifteen feet away from General
Chase a strange incident occurred. In the words of his adjutant:
Two Japanese soldiers entered the CP area, apparently looking for something. They observed the CP surroundings for a
moment or two and then stepped back to an opening in the CP perimeter. They then took hand grenades from their belts and
began to speak in low monotone, apparently to form a plan of attack on the CP. Major Julio Chiaramonte, S-2 of the task
force, observed the movements of the Japs but did not fire immediately because he was not positive at first that they were
Japs. Upon hearing the chattering of the two Japs, Major Chiaramonte opened fire with his tommy gun. He killed one Jap
and wounded the other.
By daylight the majority of the enemy survivors had disappeared back into the jungle. However, those who had infiltrated
and reoccupied some of their former pillboxes and fortifications in the perimeter had to be cleared out by the tired cavalrymen.
The Japanese inside our lines were well hidden, but they often gave their positions away by sniping. A Yank correspondent
describes the difficulties of rooting the enemy from the perimeter:
At about 0730 the divisional wire chief, a captain, passed a pillbox and a Jap shot at him, hitting him in the groin and chest.
Lying in the mud 6 feet from the tip of the V-shaped dugout, the captain pointed to the pillbox.
Pfc. Allan M. Holliday of Miami, Florida, and Cpl. James E. Stumfoll of Pittsburg, Kansas, who were coming up the track
when the captain was shot, ducked behind the palms and began firing at the pillbox.
When four Japs ran out of the other entrance, they were cut down by a squad on that side. Holliday and Stumfoll crept
up, tossed grenades into the opening near them. The Japs threw back two of the grenades but the others exploded inside the
hole.
There was no noise after that inside, so Holliday and Stumfoll and a handful of other cavalrymen circled to the other entrance
and started to pull the palm fronds away from the hole.
A Jap was sitting up inside, drawing a bead with a rifle. About 20 carbines and tommy guns practically sawed him in half.
He folded over like a man in prayer.
The GI’s heard more noises inside the pillbox but didn’t bother to find out who was causing it; they just blew the roof in
with TNT and grenades, and the battle for this particular pillbox was over.
Meanwhile the wounded wire chief had been pulled out of reach of the Japs by the ranking Medical Corps officer in the
force, a colonel, who himself was slightly wounded by a grenade. A Signal Corps photographer, who tried to get movies of
the action, was shot through the stomach.
Toward the end of the morning the Japanese dead within the perimeter were counted 66 against 7 Americans killed and 15
wounded. Seven critically wounded were evacuated to the Bush.
Reinforcements were still one day off. It was therefore imperative to know how much enemy activity the 2d Squadron
could expect that night. Reconnaissance patrols were sent west and northward in the direction of the skidway. They were
stopped after going only 400 yards and, as the pressure against the patrols increased throughout the day, it was apparent that
the enemy was still present in force on all sides of the perimeter. At 1530 all patrols were recalled.
The perimeter was further contracted and tightened during the afternoon. Ammunition was called for, to be dropped from
planes if the weather permitted. The planes arrived, but some of the air drops fell beyond the perimeter. Strangely enough,
the officers and men who moved out to retrieve the ammunition were not fired upon, although the planes that came low,
strafing beyond the perimeter, received enemy fire. One drop that fell well within the enemy’s territory was set afire by strafing
from the planes.
Naval guns and artillery were busy softening up positions that had been revealed in documents captured during the previous
day’s search of the bivouac area. Hyane Harbor and the southern coast of Los Negros were shown to be organized for defense
with machine guns, mortars, and a few field pieces. The enemy had scattered ammunition and food supply dumps which also
became targets. The 99th Field Artillery’s howitzer sections were moved into positions in the front lines during the morning
and fired 50 rounds on some of the targets that had been located. The two destroyers were given the maps that showed
enemy gun positions and ordered to carry out area bombardment. The targets were first the area just north of the skidway,
then Papitalai, then Porlaka and the skidway, fired at alternately. In the afternoon the targets were the road back of the Hyane
Beach to the north, and concentration areas and fortifications back of the eastern tip of Manus as well as the tip itself.
The dispersal area west of the air strip was the chief target of an air bombardment by our planes which began at 1600.
Heavy ack ack opened up against the planes at 1715 from the southern end of the air strip, so the Bush and Stockton closed
to 1,000 yards and raked that area with everything they had. Both vessels made two passes southward and two northward.
The air bombardment had unexpectedly good results, for while the bombs were falling in the dispersal area west of the air
strip, about 100 Japanese ran pell-mell across the strip in the direction of the defense perimeter. A majority of these were
Continued on pg. 14

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
99th FA News
Jim Miller
819 West Howard St.
Winona, MN 55987-2642
(507) 454-4224
jimarmiller@charter.net
Jim Miller and John Batt
So far it doesn’t
seem as though I have
to start out with a
notice of one of our
buddies passing away;
let’s hope it stays that
way.
I just returned from a trip
“Back East” as we say here
in the upper Midwest. I
visited my daughter in Alexandria,
Virginia and my son
in Maryland. I was able on
this trip to get together with
my old buddy from Japan
and Korea: John Batt. Batt
and I slept next to each other
(in separate bunks, of course)
in the Headquarters Building
in Camp Bender, Ota, Japan
and went to Korea together. I
hadn’t seen him for 57 years.
The first thing he said was,
“You’ve changed.” No kidding! We both have changed quite a bit over those
57 years. We were only able to chat for about three hours, but we covered a lot
of territory ending, as most seniors do, with our health problems. I’ve included
a picture of us and those of you who might remember us can see that we have
indeed changed. We are still looking for some of them guys who were members
of the 99th wire section then (1949-51) like Womack and Hayes so if anyone
knows of their whereabouts, let me know.
After visiting the DC area, my daughter drove us back west to Canton, Ohio
where I attended my 60th high school class reunion. As a friend of mine said, “I
don’t like going to class reunions: there are only old people there.” One of my
friends drove me around my old stomping grounds. The last house I lived in was
gone, replaced by I-77, which is kind of weird because that’s the second house
that I lived in that was covered over by a concrete highway. Is someone trying
to tell me something Then the long drive home to Minnesota. It was a good
thing my daughter drove; it would have taken me about three days, she made it
in one. It was a tiring trip by rail and car, but we got to see a number of people
we haven’t seen for awhile.
Correction: In the last issue of the Saber, I made a mistake in Barry Tutin’s
e-mail address; it should be ... Sorry Barry.
But on that note I received and e-mail from Lloyd E. Stahl who stated that he
served in Headquartes Battery of the 99th at Camp Youngans and knew a Dave
Bittner so maybe we are making some contacts with the early and mid 1950’s
troopers now. If you’d like to contact Lloyd, his e-mail address is . Lloyd spent about 6 months with the 1st Cav Division Rifle Team at Camp
Metsushima.
I had a nice phone conversation with Orval Kolden who had served with the
7th Cav and was with 1st Cav Division Forward G-2 in Korea. He saw that I had
been writing about Unsan and said that he remembered that Gen. Hobart Gay,
who was then division commander, was really upset that 8th Army commander
Gen. Walton Walker left the 8th Cav RCT, including the 99th FA Battalion and
part of the 70th Tank Battalion, hanging out alone at Unsan after the ROK troops
on both flanks had been routed by the large Chinese Army force. I had stated that
one of the books I had read mentioned that Gen. Gay tried to get Gen. Walker to
pull the 8th Cav RCT back, but was rebuffed by Gen. Walker. Orval Kolden told
me that Gen. Gay used some very strong language in his telephone conversation
that day with Gen. Walker which was unusual for him. Mr. Kolden also told me
that he served with Col. Holmes, former 99th FA Battalion CO at Camp Drake,
Japan where he served as Special Services Officer. He also told of being at 5th
Army Hqs, Fort Sheridan and running in to Gen. Gay in an elevator. He said
that Gen. Gay recognized him had a nice conversation. Orval retired from the
Army. Anyone wanting to get in touch with Orval Kolden, his phone number
is (847) 234-0143.
Another of several interesting phone calls that I received recently was from
William Lafferty who served with 1st Cav, 583rd FA at Camp Drake in 1956-57.
He said that his unit came from Fort Bragg to Japan during operation Gyroscope.
(I was “gyroscoped” in the winter of 1955 with the Big Red One from Germany
to Fort Riley, KS.) William and I had so many “small world” factors that it was
kind of scary. He taught and coached for 30 years in Dixon and Sterling, IL (my
wife’s home area) at about the same time I was coaching and teaching in Wisconsin
and Minnesota. His Gyroscope ship was the USS Breckenridge, the same ship
I went to Japan on in 1949. He was part of the 1st Cav Divison Artillery track
team in 1957 and still has the DivArty Red Raider banner with crossed cannons.
William Lafferty, 1016 N Tement Ave, Dixon, IL 61021, (815) 288-5227.
Jim Warren called. He was in the Hq DivArty wire section in Japan and Korea.
Page 14
Jim played on the 1949 DivArty football team with us. Jim says that he’s a four
year survivor of a cancer that normally keeps people from living too long. He
also said that the doctor who treated him at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota
(Jim lives in Rochester and his daughter lives in the next block from me) asked
him if he was a World War II veteran. When Jim told him that he was a Korean
War veteran, the doctor, who was from Brazil, shook his hand and said, “Thank
you for fighting the Chinese.” Jim said that was the first time anyone had thanked
him for 57 years and it was someone from a foreign country. The “Forgotten
War” syndrome, eh Jim Guess what Jim, a former field wireman, actually was
assigned to a job of teaching wireman skills to troops at Fort Knox getting ready
to go to Korea. Jim is one of the few guys I know who actually was assigned to
a duty in his MOS after he left Korea. He also said that he and another Korean
vet were training to present the colors at the Kentucky Derby but was given a
chance to get out early from his Truman Year extension. He got out!
Al Passmore e-mailed me about the Toya Maru accident. He states that he
missed being on the ill fated ferry by five minutes. He tried to go with the
advance party to arrange housing for his family which was coming to Japan to
join him. Al was mad he missed the deadline to go on the ferry until he found
out about the sinking. Also he told of brothers assigned to the ferry who were
split up after someone remembered the Sullivan brothers of World War II. The
five brothers went down with the same ship. One went on the LST that had to
be beached and the other brother was lost. Al said he talked to Frank Godken,
the only survivor out of thirty-six 99th troops in the advance party, a few years
ago and he was well at that time. Al Passmore also feels that there should be
some memorial set up for those who were lost in this disaster. Al Passmore:
.
Don White and Richard (RJ) Clark were the only 99th Troopers at this year’s
reunion at Jacksonville, Florida.
Don wrote me a nice letter and
sent me a photo of him and RJ
which I am including in this
column.
Don later called and asked if
I would like to read a book he
had found; well, you know me,
I’m always up to read a good
book. The Circuit-Riding Combat
Chaplain is the title and it
Don White and Richard Clark
is the story of LT Frank Griepp
who served as Chaplain in the
7th Cav Regiment. He joined the 7th Cav on November 5, 1950 and spent about
a year with them. His narrative certainly brings back a lot of memories. One
of his first sights is seeing several 8th Cav/99th Troopers who had walked out
of Unsan come in to the 7th Cav positions. He mentions a couple of men who I
remembered, and I’m sure many of you do too, the 7th Cav CO, COL Wm (Wild
Bill) Harris for whom he has a great deal of admiration. I certainly remember
COL Harris roaring around in his Jeep with the saddle on the hood usually on
or close to the front lines. The Chaplain also mentioned CPL Suey Lee being
wounded. Many of you will remember Suey Lee writing a Korean War column
in this paper. It is an interesting book. LT Griepp doesn’t sugar coat the story.
He tells it like it was including the lack of winter clothing and seemingly foolish
orders from above. Thanks Don.
If you remember in the last issue of the Saber, I told of a plan to meet RJ Clark
in Plover, Wisconsin for the anniversary of Richard Bell’s KIA date. I was unable
to make that because of my afore mentioned trip. RJ did make it, but found that
the Bell family had a memorial service in Germantown, a town not too far from
Milwaukee quite a way from Plover. RJ was able to leave Plover early in the
morning and make it to Germantown and meet with the Bell family. One interesting
fact out of that meeting was Rich Bell’s sister told RJ that Bell’s brother was
also in the Hqs Btry 99th FA in Japan. I’m glad that RJ Clark was able to get in
touch with the Bell family and you can expect some follow up on that visit. RJ
also sent me a photo of a company of WACs marching in the “Throw-up” parade
in Tokyo which I will run in an upcoming issue. RJ also told me of talking to
several interesting Troopers at the reunion. He mentioned that Ralph Lewiston
of Milton, Wisconsin passed away in March.
The surviving Headquarters Battery wiremen from Korea a planning a get together
again if we can pull it off. Late October is the tentative date; La Crosse,
Wisconsin is the probable place. Irvin Evenson and Harry (Rich) Van Giesen
are trying to get this going.
Thanks again to all of you who wrote, called or e-mailed. I always appreciate
every contact. Sometimes I can’t use everything in one issue, but it’s all stored
in my head (not a very safe place) for future reference. Right now my family
and I are dealing with some medical problems. Hopefully they won’t be serious,
but right now they are time and energy consuming.
Remember; we’re all in this together and say a prayer for all our young people
serving our country and for those comrades who have passed on before us.
CSMO
Admiralties
Continued from pg. 13.
killed on the strip, but some reached the areas near the perimeter to the south.
This rush was very definitely not an attack but a mass effort to get away from
the bombs.
A few enemy aircraft appeared but failed to put up a successful defense. Eight
enemy fighters were destroyed in air combat over Momote, including one shot
down by an Allied combat transport dropping supplies, and four other enemy
fighters were probably destroyed. One enemy element of 8 fighters and another
consisting of 7 to 10 fighters intercepted twelve B-25’s shortly after noon approximately
30 miles south of Momote. A B-25 was lost and one enemy fighter
destroyed.
The afternoon was free from enemy activity except for a patrol which was
discovered inside the perimeter at about 1600. The patrol’s mission was evidently
to kill or capture the American commanding officer. It was led by Captain Baba,
the commander of the battalion which made the major attack on the preceding
night. Although operating in broad daylight, the patrol came close to succeeding.
The Americans were confident that the morning’s mop-up had taken care of
all the enemy within the perimeter. Secondary growth was thick in the area and
the Japanese were unnoticed until they were within 35 yards of the task force
command post. Once the group was sighted, a considerable amount of fire was
placed on it. The Japanese lay concealed in the undergrowth and a single sniper
pecked away with his rifle in the direction of the CP. Not knowing the size of
the party, Major Chiaramonte set out with four men “to get the sniper.” The task
force commander and his executive officer directed the movement of the group
either right or left according to movements in the underbrush, and the soldiers
and Major Chiaramonte opened up whenever they detected any movements. As
Major Chiaramonte and his party finally entered the area on which they had been
firing, they heard a click followed by grenade explosions. Three of the Japanese
had committed suicide. Another rolled over on his back and used his sword to
commit hara-kiri. Fifteen dead officers and sergeants were counted, including
Captain Baba.
Although another attack had not been expected before dark, the enemy made
Continued on pg. 22

Page 15
ALL THE WAY BRIGADE
Pres: Garry Bowles
1664 Anderson Rd.
Holton, KS 66436-8006
E-mail: gbowl9@aol.com
Website: www.allthewaybrigade.com
Call or e-mail for meeting info.
CAJUN CAVALRY CHAPTER
Pres: Perry Tillman
1330 S. Vista Ave.
Gonzales, LA 70137
E-mail: diane-perry@worldnet.att.net
CENTRAL SAVANNAH
RIVER AREA CHAPTER
Pres: John Rangel, Jr.
2665 Teakwood Dr.
Hephzibah, GA 30815
(706) 771-1173
Website: gandata.com/First_Cav.htm
Meets on 2nd Sat of mo., 1400 at Ryans
Steak House on Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta,
GA (Mar., June, Sept. and Dec.)
COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE CHAP-
TER
Pres: Anthony J. Hartley
3117 SW Doyle Place Apt. 1724
Aloha, OR 97006
(503) 756-3630
E-mail:anthonyhartley749@msn.com
Meets 1830 3rd Wed of ea. mo.at DAV
Bingo Hall, 8725 NE Sandy Blvd., No
Dec. Meeting
CONNECTICUT CHAPTER
Pres: Keith Moyer
48 Boretz Rd.
Colchester, CT 06415-1009
(860) 537-1716
E-mail: kpmoyerco@hotmail.com
Vice-Pres: Dennis DeLaire
55 Salmon Brook Dr.
Glastonbury, CT 06033-2141
(203) 659-4169
http://www.conncav.com
Meeting info in newsletter and on web
page.
COWBOY STATE CHAPTER
Pres: L. Pete Quinnell
11 Lone Cedar Dr.
Gillette, WY 82716
(307) 682-5354
E-mail: pbquin@vcn.com
POC: George Cook
1400 O’Shannon
Gillette, WY 82716
Meets in July and on the Sat. closest to
Sept. 23 .
CROSSED SABERS CHAPTER
Pres: Jerry Eller
808 S. 2nd St.
Killeen, TX 76541-7703
FIRST CHAPTER
Pres: Robert H. Wolfe
4756 Haracourt Dr.
El Paso, TX 79924-3047
(915) 755-7944
FIRST COAST TROOP
Pres: Mark Adams
495 Romano St.
St. Augustine, FL 32086
(904) 824-7839
Meets monthly on the 3rd Thurs. at 7pm
at VFW Post 2391, 6184 US 1 S., South
City
CHAPTER NEWS
FLORIDA CHAPTER
Pres: Woodrow N. Hines, Sr.
2465 Bronco Dr.
St. Cloud, FL 34771-7955
(407) 957-6917
E-Mail: wnhinessr@juno.com
POC: Ken Baker
1509 Tate Street
Cocoa, FL 32922-6532
(904) 429-7832
E-mail: BakeVet@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/b1stcav/flachhap.html
Meets quarterly around the state.
LAKELAND AREA TROOP A
Pres: Walter C. Smith
5090 Ironwood Trail
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 644-7207
E-mail: tarbucket67@yahoo.com
POC: Verlin Buck Rogers
(863) 858-3559
E-mail: vrogers8@tampabay.rr.com
Meets at 1100 on the 1st Sat. of mo. at
L.J.’s Diner & Lounge, 1395 E Main
St., Bartow, FL (corner of Main & Hwy
17 South)
SPACE COAST TROOP B
Pres: Bill Franklin
473 Kimberly Drive
Melbourne, FL 32940
(321) 255-0868
E-mail: swfwwf@aol.com
POC: Ken Baker
1509 Tate St.
Cocoa, FL 32922
(321) 632-4928
E-mail: BakeVet@aol.com
Website: http://members.aol.com/Vet-
Council/TroopB.html
Meets qtrly. at area restaurants
FLORIDA TROOP C
Pres: Woodrow N. Hines, Sr.
POC:Thomas Horas
1007 Catalpa Ln.
Orlando, FL 32806-1742
(407) 894-5213
E-mail: thoras@aol.com
Meets last Tues. at noon of ea. mo.
at VFW Post 2093, 4444 Edgewater
Dr., Orlando, No meeting in July or
August
FLORIDA TROOP E “BLACK
HATS”
Pres: W. E. “Stretch” Hungerford
15 Desert Candle Circle
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
(239) 369-7871
E-mail: wdhung@earthlink.net
Website: http://www.seahog.org/cav/
index.html
Meets 4th Sat. ea. mo. from Aug. - May
1:00pm. at Buddy Freddies at the corner
of Old 41 and Bayshore, N. Ft. Myers
FLYING HORSEMAN CHAPTER
( UpstateNew York Area)
Pres: Thomas R. Randall
3374 Lower Maple Ave. #65
Elmira, NY 14901-9516
(607) 259-9881
Vice-Pres: Charles T. Sullivan
148 Decker Road
Lowman, NY 14861-8900
E-mail: firstcavhorse@aol.com
Meets 1st Sunday each month at the Elmira
Am. Legion Post #443.
CHAPTER INDEX
FOLLOW ME CHAPTER
Pres: James R. Lee
3 Marriott Court
Columbus, GA 31907
(706) 568-3732
E-mail: ljam93@bellsouth.net
Meets 1900 4thTues. ea. mo. Veterans
Ctr., 1000 Victory Dr., Columbus, GA.
No meeting in December
FORT KNOX CHAPTER
Pres.: Robert L. Magruder
8012 Boadfern Dr.
Louisville, KY 40291-2304
(502) 239-1522
E-mail: bobmagruder@bellsouth.net
POC: Larry A. Whelan
2103 Winston Avenue
Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 485-1270
E-mail: whelanl@bellsouth.net
http://www.1cda.org/fort _ knox.html
Meets 3rd Sat. of mo. at 1300 at the
Barker Masonic Lodge, 701 Main St.,
West Point, KY.
JUMPING MUSTANG CHAPTER
1-8 Cav
Pres: Robert G. Lynch
1160 Industrial Rd #18
San Carlos, CA 94070
POC: James C. Knafel
5510E - 500 South
Columbia City, IN 46725
(260) 244-3864
E-mail: jjknafel@myvine.com
Website: www.JumpingMustangs.com
KETTLE MORAINE CHAPTER
Pres: Vince Pickard
308 Highland Drive
Grafton, WI 53024
(262) 387-0560
E-mail: drsig357@aol.com
Vice-Pres.: Gordon Weidner
1219 Cleveland Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 637-3835
Meets quarterly at the Bunker,29224 Evergreen
Dr.,in Waterford, WI.
GERALD F. KINSMAN CHAPTER
Pres: Owen Levine
77 Clubhouse Dr.
Leominister, MA 01453
(978) 534-6284
E-mail: sonny01453@comcast.net
Vice-Pres: Robert S. Mable
41 N. Royalston Rd.
Winchendon, MA 01475
(978) 297-3031
FLORIDA CHAPTER
The Florida Chapter culminated over four years of work to make the 61st Annual
Reunion of the 1st Cavalry Division Association happen.
Over fifty members of the Florida Chapter participated in the reunion from
its initial conception to the finish. Woodrow N Hines, Sr. and Frank and Mary
Alverson were honored at the banquet on Saturday evening.
At the meeting of the Chapter on August 16, 2008 at VFW Post 4228 in Titusville,
Certificates of Appreciation from the Association Headquarters were given out
to those members in that area who were volunteers during the reunion and in the
planning phases. The next group from the Central Florida and Gulf Coast area
will be given out at the meeting in Bartow being hosted by “A” Troop. The next
Florida Chapter Meeting is scheduled for Saturday November 1st, and hosted by
“A” Troop at L & J’s Diner & Lounge at the corner of Hwy 17 S & Main Street
(Business Rte 60) in Bartow at 1100 hours.
Our Sympathy goes out to the family of Regina “Jean” Zallen, who passed
away on August 29. Jean was supportive of the Ia Drang Band of Brothers and
helped in their reunions in Florida. Robert D. Johnson, Secretary
NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY CHAPTER
The Chapter’s fall meeting will be held in Ridgefield Park on Saturday November
1, at 1100 hours. We are honored to have as our two guest speakers:
Bob CUCE – A member of E Battery, 41st Arty, 4/60th Bn First Field Forces,
Air Defense ARTY. His unit Provided Road security, convoy escort and Perimeter
defense. The battery was located in An Khe which later moved to Tuy Hoa.
Area of operation was An Khe, FSB Oasis, Dong Ba Thin and a small Fire base
south west of Cam Rahn Bay. Operating convoys as far south as An Loc and as
far north as Dong Ha, West to Oasis and East all up and down HWY 1 while at
the various Fire Bases. We mostly ran convoys in the Highlands, the An Khe
and Mang Yang passes Left Vietnam Oct 71.
Dave CATHCART – A combat Vietnam Vet from 173rd Airborne, and a team
leader from the Vets Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.
JAMES J. MASON WEST MICHIGAN
CHAPTER
Pres.: Doug Kamphuis
86 Birchwood Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-5074
POC: Bob Anderson
2243 Ancient Dr.
Wyoming, MI 49519
(616) 534-9180
E-mail: rj.anderson2243@comcast.net
Meets Sept.-June on 3rd Thurs. of mo.
at 7pm, at the Grand Valley Armory in
Wyoming, MI .
LOS ANGELES/ORANGE COUNTY
Pres: John Guillory
780 Mandevilla Way
Corona, CA 92879
(951) 278-3740
E-mail: fisheye1@sbcglobal.net
Vice Pres: John Burgner
228 South Hacienda St.
Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 535-0737
E-mail: jburgner@sbcglobal.net
Meets 0900 on 3rd Sat. of mo. at Brea Veterans
Club, 735 S. Brea Blvd., Brea, CA
LRRP/RANGER of the 1st Cav. Div.
during the Vietnam War.
Pres.: Keith Phillips
18288 Acre Ln.
Kemp, TX 75143
(903) 498-4194
E-mail: darby7172@embarqmail.com
Website: www.tomah.com/lrrp_ranger/
Full chapter meeting during Reunions
NATIONAL CAPITOL AREA
Pres: Lou Hoffman
Sec: Scott Torgerson
15349 Maywood Dr.
Montclair, VA 22025
E-mail: ncr1stcavdivassn@yahoo.com
Breakfast meetings are held at 0900 on
the 3rd Sat. of each month, except Nov.
and Dec.at the American Legion, Post
#290, in Stafford, VA.
NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY CHAPTER
Pres: Bob Arbasetti
60 River Rd. #E103
Bogota, NJ 07603
(201) 883-0343
E-mail: rsetti1@optonline.net
Vice Pres.: Joe Panzardi
Meets at Elk Lodge at Cedar and Spruce,
Ridgefield Park, NJ.
NEW YORK TROOP
Troop Commander: Joe Panzardi
89-59 217th St.
Queens Village, NY 11427
(718) 776-9749
e-mail: doorgunner@nyc.rr.com
Meets at Ft. Totten, Queens, NY in the
spring and fall.
NORTH CAROLINA - TARHEEL
CHAPTER
Pres: Allen O. Norris
8160 Waterford Dr.
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 483-8778
E-mail: anorris@infionline.net
Contact for Membership: Don Gibson
803 McDonald Church Road
Rockingham, NC 28379
(910) 895-0747
e-mail: dtbjgibson@yahoo.com
Meets 2nd Sat of March, June, Sept. and
Dec.
NORTHWEST CHAPTER
Pres.: Thomas C. Regan
123 SW 301st St.
Federal Way, WA 98023-3562
(253) 941-2209
E-mail: tomgb@aol.com
Meets 1200 1st Sat of even months in
the Sam Allen Room at the Tacoma Elks
Club,1965 S. Union, Tacoma, WA
Changes or additions to this listing should contact Martha,
at (254) 547-6537 or e-mail at
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER
Pres: Joseph A. Morales, III
3645 Plantation Grove
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
(719) 599-0661
E-mail: jamorales3@earthlink.net
Website: www.geocities.com/pentagon/
base/1499
Meets 9am 2nd Sat. of mo.at Mimi’s
Cafe, 3005 N. New Center Pt., Colorado
Springs
SAN BERNARDINO CHAPTER
Pres: Robert E. Keith
3105 Glenview Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92407
(909) 522-7465
SHERIDAN’S CAVALRY CHAPTER
(Greater Chicago Area)
Pres.: John Schwan
27 Watergate Dr.
S. Barrington IL 60010-7123
(847) 381-6868
E-mail: john@schwanusa.com
Vice-Pres: Don Smolinski
435 Fordham Pl.
Roselle, IL 60172
(630) 894-2606
E-mail: dsmolin266@comcast.net
Website: sheridansfirstcav.com
Meets quarterly
SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO
CHAPTER
Pres: Clifford Boxley
24 Paseo St.
Lamar, CO 81052
(719) 336-7385
E-mail: crboxley@hotmail.com
Vice Pres.: Gregorio Trujillo
PO Box 215
Las Animas, CO 81054
(719) 456-0028
Website: www.firstcavalry.net
Meets 1st Sat. of ea. mo. at 10am in the
Conference Room at the Bent County
Sheriff’s Office in Las Animas.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER
Pres: Ray McCarville
(626) 358-3790
Meets 1st Sat. of mo. at the Monrovian
Rest. at 0730.
WALTER H. WESTMAN NORTH-
LAND CHAPTER
Pres: David L. LaPlante
POC: James D. Wright
12781 Able St. NE
Blaine, MN 55434
(763) 757-7140
E-mail: wrightjd2@comcast.net
POC: John Koffski
1701 99th Ave. NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763) 755-3281
E-mail: jhkoffski@msn.com
Meets quarterly at different locations. Call
or write for information.
FORMING CHAPTERS
AUSTIN AREA, TEXAS
Contact: Jason P. Davies
110 Millook Haven
Hutto, TX 78634-5519
(512) 576-3215
E-mail: JPD1844@yahoo.com
We will also try to have someone available from the New Jersey Army National
Guard Family Assistance Group. New shirts (Gray) will be available and we
will have details on the Battleship New Jersey trip.
This month we bid farewell to long time chapter member Joe MIRABELLA,
who will be moving to Florida. Joe served in Vietnam from October, 1966 to
October, 1967 with B Company, 229th Aviation. A member of Silver Wings and
a decorated pilot with the Distinguished Flying Cross,
Joe has been an important contributor to the success of the chapter. In many
ways Joe was the public voice of the chapter. He will be remembered for his
role in reading poetry at the Rick Rescorla ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in Holmdel, New Jersey along with the reading the chapter version
of the Long Roll Muster at our 20th anniversary and the chapter prayer at Fort
Indiantown Gap. Joe will be missed. Bob Arbasetti, President
NORTH CAROLINA TARHEEL CHAPTER
The quarterly meeting of the Chapter was held on 13 September, 2008 at Hill’s
Lexington Barbecue in Winston-Salem. There were 18 members and guests present
for the meeting that was hosted and conducted by Regional Vice President
Richard SPEAS. Bill Richardson reminded all about upcoming reunions at Fort
Hood in 2009 and Bloomington, Minnesota in 2010. The Chapter voted to bid
to host the 2012 reunion in North Carolina.
The next quarterly meeting will be held in Asheboro, North Carolina on 13
December, 2008 at a place to be determined. Allen Norris, President
SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO CHAPTER
The Chapter participated in the 75th Early Settlers Day Parade in LaJunta,
Colorado on September 13, 2008. We were the only veterans group to take part
in the parade. We provided a horse mounted color guard made up of the youth
group that is affiliated with the chapter, The Jouney Home Kids, from Walsenburg,
Colorado. They did an outstanding job of carrying our National and Division
Colors and we want to especially thank Amber KINDLE for carrying our National
Flag. There were over 80 parade entries.
School supplies were also donated to the Journey Home learning center. Clifford
Boxley, President

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
Page 16
Ed Freeman with sidekick Bruce
Crandall.
Hank Llewellyn
58 Mapleleaf Lane
Pottstown, PA 19464
(610) 970-9092
SilverWingsoftheCav
@comcast.net
Hello once again fellow Skytroopers.
It is with sadness that I write of
the passing of friend and Medal of
Honor Recipient MAJ (Ret) Ed W.
FREEMAN. For those of you who
are unaware, MAJ Freeman passed
away on August 20, 2008 after a
battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He
had a distinguished military record
with the Navy and U.S. Army. And
what I liked most about this man, he
always said what he thought, like it
or not! As a fellow alumni, of Alpha
Company, 229th AHB, I had the
honor and privilege to be invited and
attend the White House ceremony as President Bush clasped the Congressional
Medal of Honor around Ed’s neck that warm summer day in July of 2001. His
record of service speaks for itself, from Pork Chop Hill in Korea to the Ia Drang
Valley of Vietnam, to herding wild horses with a helo for the Department of the
Interior, he was one hell of a warrior, soldier, aviator, man. But whenever I think
of “Too Tall”, I shall always recall that hot day in July when Ed, standing tall
with his wife Barbara at his side, family, friends and fellow warriors assembled,
finally receive his long overdue recognition. We all celebrated and shared in his
achievements‘, pride and life. And I will forever be grateful for that opportunity.
My condolences to Barbara and family. He will be missed by many. A special
recognition article can be found elsewhere in the SABER.
I received the following
note and photo from Buz
SISK, , C/229th AHB, 1st Air
Cav.. July, 1966 – July, 1967.
Buz attended the funeral service
for Ed Freeman. I thank
Buz for sharing his thoughts
with me and the Silver Wings
Bruce Crandall with Buz SISK at Ed
Freeman’s funeral service.
group. “Hank, on August
23rd, 2008, we said a sad
farewell to a good friend and
a soldier’s soldier, Ed Freeman.
It was also a day that
his family, friends and those
who did not have the privilege
of knowing Ed personally,
could be proud and honored to have attended his services. Even though Ed and
I served in the 229th AHB, 1st Cav. in Vietnam, I never got to meet him until
long after most of us had left the military. My first meeting was in the form
of a helicopter check ride. Ed was working for the Office of Aircraft Services
and I was a contract pilot getting ready for the upcoming fire season. Anyone
that knew Ed also knew that “Too Tall,” was an appropriate name for Ed. His
towering height was also a little intimidating! Ed could sense my nervousness
about the check ride and he proceeded to chat about everything and anything
but flying. By the time we did the actual check-ride and I have to say, that he
ran me through the grinder on everything, I was at ease and confident about my
ability to prove my piloting skills to him. Over the years, I became good friends
with Ed, as most people did that came into contact with him. Ed’s final resting
ground will be the Idaho Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho, the first veteran
cemetery in Idaho and one that Ed helped to dedicate in July of 2004. Ed Freeman
could have been interred at Arlington with full military honors. Instead, he
chose to be interred in his adopted state of Idaho. Ed’s full military funeral at
the Idaho Veterans Cemetery was attended by honor guards of the U.S. Army,
the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. A final salute was
the missing man formation performed by four Apache helicopters of the Idaho
Army National Guard. Ed Freeman’s last name sums up what Ed lived his life
New Members Listing
Continued from pg.11.
MAJ CREAMER, SHAWN MD 4BDE 0807
SFC CROWELL, D. L. IA E 2-5C 70
PFC DAWDY, WILLIAM C. TX D 1-7C 0808
2LT DISBROW, ZACH TX 2-8C 0807
SSG DONOHOE, TAYLOR H. TX B 1-7C 0512
SPC DORBEN, BRIAN J. PA D 13SIG 0311
SPC EMBLEN, DANIEL R. TX B 1-7C 0511
SGT ERICKSEN, JASEN TX B 229FSB 06
PFC FINEL, JOHN J. E. TX D 1-7C 0704
E-4 FLEMING, JAMES OR A 2-20ARA 65
E-4 FOWLER, V. DWAYNE AK B 1-77FA 6507
SPC FUENTES, JIMMY TX B 1-7C 0601
SPC GALLO, JEREMY A. TX D 1-7C 0601
LTC GIBNEY, CRISTINE DC HHC 1CDH 0406
SGT GONZALES, JR., SAMMY TX D1-7C 0608
E-4 GOODLOE, CHARLES OH HHC 1-7C 0606
CPT GRISWOLD, III, CHARLES G. VA E1-5C
0603
2LT HANSEN, JONATHAN R. TX A 1-12C 0809
COL HARRIS, BRIAN C . GA 621TSC 0710
SPC HAWKINS, LAKEISHA TX D 1-7C 06
MAJ HEPP, FERDINAND IL C 1-5C 6608
2LT HERSHEY, HOWARD NY 4BDE 0809
SSG HICKS, JASON A. TX 2-7C 0806
PFC JACKSON, ROBERT LEE MD 1CDH 53
PFC JEWELL, MICHAELENA TX HHC 3-227AVN
08
SPC JOHNSON, ELIAS TX B 1-7C 0512
SP-4 JOHNSON, GEOFFREY M. IA A2-7C 7002
1SG JONES, JOHN A. CO A 2-19FA 7003
SGM KELLY, EUGUENE TX HHC 2-12C 0207
SSG KEPHART, JAMES M. PA B 458ENG 0402
SP-4 KNUDSON, HOWARD J. NY C 1-7C 6901
SGT KUHN, LESTER J. FL D 15TC 6708
1SG (R) KUHNS, WILLIAM W. WA 1CDH 0404
CPL LARSON, THEODORE S. PA HHC 8C
5107
SPC LASATER, ADAM J. TX B 1BSTB 0603
LTC LAYTON, CHRISTOPHER E. TX 1CDH
0807
SPC LEISURE, JERRY L. GA HHC 1-7C 0509
SGT LONGORIA, ISAAC TX D 1-7C 0603
SGT LUSK, PETER E. TX HHC 1-7C 0509
SP-4 LUTZ, DOUGLAS A. NC B 1-7C 67
E-3 LYSTER, MATTHEW AZ HHC 1-7C 0704
for. His dedication and unselfishness for his country, family and belief in freedom,
what ever the cost, confirms what most of us already knew about him. Ed
will be missed, but never forgotten.”
Okay, let’s crank up and get the mail sortie off the ground. In the last issue
you may remember Dave WEAVER contacted Silver Wings via the association
looking for someone that may have know his father, Randolph T. Weaver or have
some first hand information about the unit, D CO 227 AHB 1ST Air Cav (Guns)
during his father’s tour dates. Well we were successful as Robert DAUMILLER,
, responded, “I did know SFC WEAVER during my
tour. He was our Platoon Sergeant. I will give his son a call”. Thanks Robert
for taking the time to respond.
Another positive response came in from Terry STEPHENITCH from Dixon,
Illinois. . “Hi, I noticed that Al WALKER and Pete DE-
LEYSER are looking for anyone who served with the 610th in An Khe, RVN.
I was with the 610th from December, 1966 thru June, 1968.” Terry contacted
both Al and Pete via e-mail. Thanks for the reply!
T h i s r e q u e s t f o r i n f o r m a t i o n i s f r o m D a n Z I M -
M E R S C H I E D , < d z i m m e r s c h i e d @ c o x . n e t > .
“I was wondering back in April of 2005 I got an e-mail from the First Team
member Dennis WEBSTER who had give me some information on trying to find
my buddies from HHC 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion “Stacked Deck” who I
served with from1970-1972 in Bein Hoa. I was able to call one Stephen HEBERT
and talk to him and he said that he had seen in the 1st Cav paper the name of A.
R. SPEIGHT I have a picture of him but would like more information on how
to contact him and others: SFC Garyl GILLIAM, SGT B.L.HARRIS, SGT W.
WHARLEY, Sp4 JOHNSON, Sp5 SIMPSON, Sp5 DRISDOM, Sp4 LEGAWIEC,
Sp4 KELSER, Sp4 CHERRY, Sp4 THOMAS, Sp4 CROWER and FUVK, our
CO was CPT Bryan T. TIPPIE and the first sergeant was Carlvie SIMON JR.
Thanks for listening and hope to get some leads as I’ve been searching a long
time....”Welcome Home Brothers”. Sp5 Dan ZIMMERSCHIED, 229th Avn Bn
(AH) 1st Cav Div (AM) 3RD Bde Spe., “Stacked Deck”,
This shared note and photo is from A. J.
JOHNSON. “Hope all had a good time at
the reunion. Anyway, I was putting some
old pictures on CD’s and found this one. It
was one taken of captured weapons at LZ
Columbus November 19, 1965 and was
thinking someone might find it interesting.
Columbus was a few clicks from X-Ray and
Albany, the firefight there was one of the
last during the Ia Drang campaign. I don’t
remember what unit’s were involved. I am
the man with the sleeping bag under his arm.
I don’t know the others. I was a crewmember
on a Chinook that was forced down the day
Captured weapons at LZ
before in the LZ. The interesting story about
this Chinook is it was downed again on the
Bong Son plain and later went down one
Columbus Nov 19, 1965
final time in 1968 in the A Shau it was destroyed that time, it was shot up a total
of five times that I know of. It also had a rat that lived aboard for four months.
Ha Ha. No kidding. A J Johnson, US Army Retired, , B Co, 228th, 1965-66.”
Next. Martin BECKMAN (Ellobo18), , writes in
response to John L. KELLER’s, , UH-1D, AC & IP,
WO-1, 1st Flt Plt, A/227th, April, 1966-67, Colorado Springs, Colorado request
for information in the last issue. John has been assisting others who served in the
early days of the Company; 1965-1966, early 1967 to provide as complete a list
as possible for our great Crew Chiefs and Door Gunners. Martin states, “I was
a pilot in D Company 227th, 1969-70. Flight class 69-19. I have been reading
your article in the Saber and would try to help with AC numbers and names. I
don’t see a web address to get there. In the August, 2008 Saber, one writes about
86 crew members and history section, and Chickenman. I was at Lai Khe with El
Ellobo’s and Chickenman. I can help but what site or sites on the web” Martin,
here’s Howard BURBANK’s (webmaster) address, ,
for the site. I’m sure he would appreciate any help. Martin, as a note, I normally
remove web addresses from my article when posted on the Silver Wings of the
Cav webpage, , unless I have permission to display. Thanks for the reply and interest.
Well, with that, I will bring this Wings sortie to an end. A lot shorter then normal
as I’ve just returned from vacation and I’m past the deadline. I hope everyone
had a great summer and Labor Day. I’m looking forward to seeing you this Vet’s
Day in DC. Until then. Clear Right!
SP-4 MANION, WILLIAM L. TX 62INF 7106
CPL MARTIN, MARK A. TX B 1-7C 0804
PFC MAZARD, FAN FAN TX D 1-7C 0612
PFC MAZZOCCA, RICHARD MA A 82FA 5406
COL McCLELLAND, KYLE M. TX 1CDH 0807
LTC McNEELY, HUGH R. TX HHC 2BDE 0808
E-4 MEY, ALEXUS MONIQUE C. TX B 1BSTB
0608
MAJ MOODY, PAUL M. TX A DSTB 0806
2LT MOORES, RANDALL B. TX E 1-5C 0807
E-2 MULLIGAN, NICHOLAS ME B 1-7C 0804
SPC MWAYUNGU, OMARI B. TX D 1-7C 0709
SPC NIEMAN, LLOYD C. AK HHC 1-7C 0605
SGT NJENGA, ANDREW N. TX HHC 3BDE
0607
PFC OKNER, RICHARD CO C 2-8C 6505
E-2 OQUENDO, CHRISTOPHER TX D 1-7C
0806
SFC PASCO, KARL E. TX HHC 1-8C 0003
MAJ PONDER, JEFFREY R. TX 1CDH 0807
CPL PUTNAM, JR., WILLIAM R. MD 5BDE
0403
Continued on pg. 20.

Page 17
15th MED/15th BSB
Mike Bodnar
13010 N. Lakeforest Dr.
Sun City, AZ 85351-3250
(623) 972-4395
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.
com
Forum: http://groups.msn.
com/15thMEDASSOCIATION
Website: http://
15thmedassociation.org
C l y d e M O O R E
from Kingsville, Texas,
comments: “HSC, 15th
MED Battalion, 1st Cav
Division, February 1967
to February, 1968. Tech
Inspector, Maintenance
Supervisor. Great Website.
Just found it.”
Webmaster/Past President
2003-2006 15th MED Association Murray GIBBS, MEDEVAC 1967-68
informs, “President John CRESPI’s grandbaby
is in ICU.
“The 2009 Reunion has been finalized. Information on the Reunion: April 2nd
to April 5th, 2009, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. View the Reunion Website:
for details.
“Historical Documents: During the month of May, Historians COL William
DOWNEY and Paul TROOP went to Washington, DC, to retrieve what was
believed to be over eight hundred documents. The count I was told was nine
hundred twenty documents. I recently got the documents and I am in the process
of posting them on our main Website. I have done 1965; January and February,
1966. I had to take a good look at the documents and I thank Paul TROOP for
separating them into categories. Currently these are the categories I am using:
HHC, HSC, TOE or any necessary category to classify them; A Co., B Co., and
C Co.; S1, S3 and S4.
“I made the documents accessible only thru the Forums. I feel as other officers
feel that they should not be viewed by the public. There may be sensitive
information that is only for viewing of those who were in the 15th MED Battalion.
Therefore, anyone who wants to view the documents must be registered on the
Forums. When you register you will have the Visitor level. I will look at whoever
registers, and upon recognition of their e-mail I will raise their permission level to
15th MED member. Once you are re-raised to that level you will be able to see
the board called: 15th MED Members Only. All others cannot see that board, thus
those with honorary, 15th MED member’s wives, visiting veterans, and researchers,
cannot see the board. I explained the method of viewing the documents on
the Website: .
“Please follow that method and if you have any questions feel free to e-mail
me with your concerns. If you are using an e-mail other than the one on record
please e-mail me regarding that.
“President John CRESPI has okayed another trip for Historian Paul TROOP
to go to Washington, DC. Paul will retrieve more documents that are available
there. This trip will not happen for a good month, so meanwhile, I should have
most of the current documents posted on the Website. Based on what I have I
will report out to President John CRESPI and Historian Paul TROOP so repeated
documents are not retrieved again.”
MEDEVAC door gunner Jim BELAIR e-mailed that
member John ROZZELL has passed away.
Jim CALIBRO had surgery 8/27/2008. It went very well and the doctors removed
sixteen inches of his colon. He should be in the hospital for seven more
SuperKing, tail number 571, in maintenance. Photo from ‘70
CE Larry MOSS.
days. His
wife said that
Jim is starting
to be himself
(acting like he
usually does).
Jim and Holly
thank all those
who e-mailed
and phoned
him. It made
him really feel
good that there
are so many
out there cari
n g a b o u t
him. Jim
CALIBRO’s
e-mail address: ; Phone: (209) 549-8919.
Dennis E. SELF of Muskogee, OK, says he was,
“XO, Co C, 15th MED Bn., May, 1969- August, 1969.”
Robert WUESTENBERG from Johnstown, Colorado,
signed the Guestbook: “Thanks for the lifts. MEDEVACed three times. Last one,
26 March, 1968. They thought I was a goner on that one. You done good!”
Lawrence “Larry” BIRD of Colonial Beach, Virginia,
reminds us he was, “A Medic who flew with MEDEVAC most of 1971, more or
less at the same time as Harry HALLIE (sp), Chuck LAWHORN (RIP), Larry
LUND, Andy KRAMER, Rich DUBREY (sp), and the others...
Jim BRODIE signs, “Air Amb. Plt. TI 1965/66. John
BUBELA TI; Carl RAY Maint NCO; Larry INMAN Maint. Officer.”
Curtis FORD from Gadsden, Alabama, wrote, “Door gunner 1969. Wounded
December, 1969. MEDEVACed to Japan, and on to the States. I flew with ZEPP,
‘Double Duce,’ and with Okie. Memory not as good as it use to be. Great site,
glad I found it.”
1969-70 C 2-7 and MEDEVAC Medic Bill WALSH
e-mailed, “Mike, can’t believe you can’t remember two of our stalwart steeds...
Super King (which I believe was BRADY and CAMPBELL) and Cherry Buster
(which I believe ‘Goody’ {gunner Ricky GOODSON} and I had our last month)
with Okie in Song Be.”
This must have been in response to the last column mentioning the book about
helicopter nicknames and the request for any and all. As I replied to Bill, I was
probably the first Medic to crew CE Danny SMITH’s new SuperKing, which
he said he suped up-thus the name. Knowing him, he probably did. It was a
reliable monster.
I did tell Bill that Cherry Buster was after I had left, I never heard of it. Bill
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
mentions CE Mike VINYARD in relation, which sounds like something Mike
would name one.
Mike VINYARD was a great crew chief whom I flew with quite a bit, who
had a good of humor. On one pickup we landed by a unit in contact and took
their wounded. We had to low level for awhile out of there because it was a hot
area; obviously.
Just the way the wind was blowing through the helicopter at that time caused
the blood that the poor grunt-I was working on-was lying in, to splatter back.
Mike with his M-60 in his hell hole, got sprayed. He got completely covered in
blood, but kept doing his job scanning the horizon.
After we returned he just laughed it off with no complaints. We had no complaints
if we arrived in better condition than those we were bringing in.
Crews Brave Enemy Fire to Save Soldiers by SFC Thomas MILLS, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service CAMP STRIKER, Iraq, Jan. 22, 2008
- “Medical evacuation crews from Task Force Marne faced down enemy gunfire
to deliver five injured soldiers in Iraq to safety Jan. 18.
“A Black Hawk helicopter sits in a field as seen through the windshield of a
second Black Hawk on a Jan. 18, 2008, mission to rescue soldiers injured in an
attack. The crews from the 3rd Infantry Division’s Company C, 2nd Battalion,
3rd Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, were called in when a patrol
of Stryker vehicles from the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team
was attacked.
“The Black Hawk helicopters flew to the site, only to find that the easiest
place to land -- the road the Stryker vehicles were on -- had not been cleared of
possible improvised explosive devices. The MEDEVAC crews were unable to
contact the ground forces or an Apache team from 12th Combat Aviation Brigade
in the area.
“After circling the area scouting for a place to land, the crews landed in a
field adjacent to the road, Army Capt. Samuel FRICKS, operations officer for
Company C, said. FRICKS, from Morrow, GA, was a pilot in the second of the
two MEDEVAC aircraft.
“’After landing, my Medic, SSS (Robert) CONGDON, departed the aircraft
and linked up with ... SSG (Aughe) McQUOWN,’” FRICKS said. The two
Army Medics went to the site of the attack and soon returned to the helicopters
with three injured soldiers.
“As they returned to the Stryker for the remaining two injured soldiers, CON-
GDON said, they began taking fire.
“’I just grabbed the patient and grabbed McQUOWN, and we went into the
Stryker,” said CONGDON, a native of Las Vegas.
“’Bullets struck the Stryker and around them as they went for the cover of
the armored vehicle. CONGDON reset the Stryker’ radio to the MEDEVAC
frequency, then took off his flight helmet and put on a Stryker crew member’s
helmet so he could talk to the air crew.
“When the call came over the radio that his Medics were taking fire, FRICKS
said, he was not sure what to think. He did not know where the fire was coming
from, but he figured that since the helicopters were down below the level of the
road in the field, he was not in too much danger.
“’The only thing we knew was that Staff Sergeant CONGDON was taking
fire,’ FRICKS said.
“As they waited for the
two Medics to come back
with the remaining patients,
a third Medic, Sgt.
Donald DEDMON, from
Foreman, AR, in training
as a flight Medic, ran back
and forth between the two
aircraft to treat the injured
soldiers already onboard.
“DEDMON was midway
through his training
to be certified to operate
as a lone Medic on a
MEDEVAC crew chief in his hell hole.
MEDEVAC mission when
he found himself suddenly
responsible for patients on
two different aircraft.
“’I was keying on the patients,’ DEDMON said. ‘Afterward, it kind of came
into perspective.’
“FRICKS had been linked up via radio to the circling Apaches, and he relayed
CONGDON’s directions to bring in 30 mm machine cannon fire to suppress the
enemy shooter. Back at the Stryker, CONGDON and McQUOWN were attempting
to get back to the aircraft with their patients.
“’We lowered the ramp (of the Stryker) to get out and be able to get to the
aircraft, and (the sniper) started shooting,’ CONGDON said.
“McQUOWN, a native of Florida, picked up one patient while CONGDON
and an infantry soldier helped the other patient and they broke for it.
“’They ran out of litters, and the guy was shooting at us,’ CONGDON said.
‘The longer we wait on the ground, the worse it is on the patient, so at some point
we had to just leave and get the patients to the hospital.’
“The Medics loaded the remaining two patients on the MEDEVAC birds. After
a quick count of heads to make sure no one was left behind, they departed while
the Apaches continued to lay down suppressing fire.
“’The five patients we hauled all survived,’ FRICKS said.
“He said watching the two Medics struggling to bring their patients to safety
was almost like something you’d see in a Hollywood production. ‘I just thought
it was awesome,’ he said.
“Company C is part of Multinational Division Center and is based out of
Baghdad International Airport, with aircraft at several locations in and around
the Iraqi capital.”
(Army SFC Thomas MILLS serves in public affairs with the 3rd Infantry
Division’s 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.)
Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the world; over and
out.
First Team! Garryowen! SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
20th and 79th Artillery Regiment News
Russ Warriner
10845 SE 178th St.
Summerfield, FL 34491
(352) 307-9310
arace@aerial-rocket-artillery.org
http://www.aerial-rocket-artillery.org
Hello fellow Straphangers. Boy does time fly when one is busy. It is hard to
believe that another issue is due for the Saber column. Here it is September and
this has to be in by September 1st so let’s see what I can put together for you.
In July, my wife and I were busy putting together plans for a little August R&R
and in the process through in plans for a little ARA business. Here is what happened
with those plans.
---- Blue Max C 3-3 ----
As the date came into site for us to pull pitch for the north on our R&R, we
received information that Blue Max C 3-3 stationed at Hunter Army Air Field,
Savannah, GA was about to go through some changes. The first change was that
the unit would be reflagged and no longer be called 3-3 but would be 1-10.
This news was exciting news or maybe for some it was not so exciting but they
wanted to share it with us. I wanted to see the unit before they left and thought
it was good for everyone to know so I contacted as many people as I could by e-
mail to let them know of the pending visit I was planning. Jesse HOBBY along
with his wife Gloria decided to join my wife and me for the visit.
My wife and I pulled out of Florida for our R&R in the morning of the 5th
of August and made our first stop at Hunter Army Air Field just before noon. I
placed a call to First Sergeant Shannon CARITHERS who was waiting for my
call that I had arrived.
After a great meal at the army mess hall which brought back so memories for me
I was off to the unit to meet some of the pilots and enlisted in Blue Max C 3-3.
---- WHAT DOES THE CHANGE MEAN -----
The reflagging of 3-3 which is the 3rd ID and based at Hunter-Stewart and being
renamed 1-10 which is the 10th Mountain Division and based at Fort Drum,
NY means the unit will be moved to Fort Drum but this will not take place until
it has gone back into combat again.
This means the unit will be in the snowy cold winters of the north and if anyone
has ever been under the cold rotor blades of a helicopter in snow and cold
Blue Max with Russ and Jesse
weather they know what I am talking about. When the rotor blade is whipping
up wind and the thermometer is in the teens already there is no place to stand
where it is warm except near the exhaust. I do not blame the guys for having
second thoughts about things.
We were told that when the unit deploys again for the mission, which will happen
before you even read this column that Blue Max C 1-10 will be separated
from the rest of 1-10 on a special support mission. Because one company was
to be selected for a special duty and because C Company had the best flying
and maintenance record they were selected instead of A or B Company for this
special assignment.
The Blue Max can be very proud of their record. There are awards placed in a
room to honor Blue Max and ARA way back to Vietnam. The room has honors
for gunner, best unit in Battalion and much more. They even have a bottle of
Blue Max beer on it.
After the meeting I had with some of the guys, I headed back to my room on
post. My wife and I went out to see the area and get supper. Seeing the area
where I had been stationed was a treat but seeing the area where I had lived in a
run down condition left a bad taste in my mouth.
On the 6th of August, Jesse HOBBY and his wife, Gloria, arrived. After Jesse
got settled in, he and I went back to the unit while Jesses’ wife and my wife did a
little scouting on their own. Then in the evening the four of us went to eat some
BBQ at a place called “Sticky Fingers” with some of the Blue Max guys. These
great guys picked up the tab for the meal for all four of us and everyone had a
great time. Enclosed are a couple of photos of that gathering.
Page 18
On the morning of the 7th,
the unit had a practice change
of command and flagging of
the unit from 3-3 to 1-10
which Jesse, his wife and I
attended. My wife stayed
at the hotel and rested plus
packed to pull pitch for the
north. I got to meet the out
going commander as well
as the new commander as
well as the battalion sergeant
major and others which was
a real treat.
It was sad for me to have to say good-by to the guys, but 10:30 I had to do it
and pulled out for the north.
Jesse and his wife stayed for another day and said the change of command
went well.
---- AFTER ACTION REPORT ----
After leaving the area, a thought went through my mind and I made plans to
return to the unit on September 24th, 25th and 26th and
give the unit the “Blue Max” medal given to me by MG
George W. PUTNAM in April, 1997. The medal dated
“1866” and I decided that placing the medal with the unit
was the best spot for it.
By the time you are reading this 1-10 and our Blue Max
unit with all their aircraft will be in Iraq again. Why do we
know this Because we were told that the week of September
14th through the 20th the aircraft will be flown to the
loading dock for shipment across. Also by the middle of
October the guys from the unit will be shipped out.
We know where they will be stationed but for the security
of the guys we can not disclose that information. If anyone wishes to write to
the guys, we will have a point of contact.
---- SAD NEWS ----
I received word after this column was submitted but asked the folks at the National
Headquarters in Copperas Cove to include this information. Ernest (Rick)
Rickenbacker passed away September 13, 2008. Contact me when you can by
phone (352) 307-9310 if you have any questions and in the mean time I will see
what else I have on Fast Eddie. He was a great guys to be around and we will
all miss him. He last lived at 17 Spencer Road, Greenbrier, AR 72058
Until next issue, “Clear Left, Sir!”
8th CAV News
Continued from pg. 8
representing the 8th Cavalry Regiment and 1st Cavalry Division so honorably.
8th Cavalry Regiment Association: I want to remind you of the 8th Cav
alry Regiment Association web site is . “Whitey” Reese
is the gifted webmaster who makes this site fun
and easy to explore and full of interesting material. It is your direct link to the
Association and features registration/membership forms that can be printed right
from the web site. Visit the Quartermaster Store to purchase hard to find 8th
Cavalry items. You can also contact the officers and trustees of the association
through this web site link. If you have not already done so, I urge you to join the
8th Cavalry Association and become a part of the reunions. Bosnian, Gulf and
Iraqi Veterans need to get involved for your own sake. Every day there are news
stories related to PTSD as well as chemical exposure and other serious service
related issues. By joining the association and attending the reunions, you are
putting yourself in the best possible position to get help with military and Veteran
issues. The Regiment Association is growing. The Internet has helped get
Veterans back in touch and you really need to be a part of this growth. Besides
the informative assets of attending reunions, you get to meet some interesting
and inspiring former Cavalry Troopers. The association has “top notch” Officers
and Trustees and an excellent Trooper Support Program. You really need to be a
part of this, you’re missing out on all the fun. I’m not selling anything here. I’m
giving you information that will change your life. If your life is already great,
reunions will make it better still and if your life is in the dumps, reunions can
help you regain your self esteem and get you back to some normalcy in your life.
I’ve heard the saying “The man with the most toys wins!” referring to what you
own when you die. The truth is the man with the most friends wins.
Division Doings.
Continued from pg. 5
bility, he said.
“I am the first person that’s going to have a meaningful impact on the life of
this airframe. Everything I do right will show. If I were to do anything wrong
– everything that I do wrong will be inherited by everyone else,” said Scharff.
“It’s almost like an empowerment. You are charged with the responsibility of
making sure that this airplane gets off on a good foot. That has a real big impact
on me,” he said.
Although there are many differences that help the crew members do their job
better, they agree with the pilots when they say most of the changes happened
in the cockpit.
“The main differences are in the cockpit and obviously in the frame. It’s got
a lot of new features that are mainly for the pilots, but anything that makes the
pilots flight easier makes our job a little easier too,” said Green.
Consedine said that, aside from the noticeable new paint job on the outside,
most of the changes happened on the inside – specifically in the cockpit.
“In the D-model’s cockpit you had all these old analogue gauges where the
needles would bounce around and made it very (difficult) to determine what was
actually going on with the aircraft,” said the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native.
Now the Chinooks have a Common Architectural Aviation System, which is an
upgraded cockpit layout that will be common throughout Chinooks and UH-60
Black Hawks, he said.
“We’ve gone from those bouncy little analogue gauges, which were question-
Continued on pg. 19.

Page 19
82nd FA News
“Can and Will”
Dan Gillotti
4204 Berkeley Drive
Sheffield Village, OH 44054
(440) 934-1750
firstcav68@roadrunner.com
“CPT Mat Hopper, CO, B-1-82nd FA, SFC John Escamilla,
and LTC Eric Schwegler (Dragon 6).”
Happy Halloween to all you
‘ol Trick or Treaters.
We’ve received some interesting
e-mails that I would like
to share with you as they span
the time from the 1930’s until
the present time.
The first was from Carolyn
Crothers. “Hello I am trying
to find out
any information
about a
person named
Oral P. Bell
that served
with Battery
E 82nd Field
Artillery out
of Fort Bliss,
Texas. This
was around
1938. My response
to her
is as follows:
“ C a r o l y n ,
Please see the
attached menu
for Battery E,
82nd FA from
Christmas 1939. The third name down on the list of Privates First Class is PFC
Oral P. Bell. If you look on the far right column of the menu names under Privates
you’ll find the name of John E. Smith. I’ve been in contact with John and
his contact information is listed below. He may remember Oral P. Bell as his
memory is still pretty sharp. If you have any pictures of Oral P. Bell please scan
them and send them. Thanks and I hope this little tidbit of info helps you. Oral
P. Bell served in Btry E, 82nd FA in the 1938-39 time period ay least according
to the menus in my collection.
Next, I received
an e-mail
from Paul Rider
who served in
Btry A, 82nd FA
from June 1942
until the Occupation
of Japan
after the war.
Paul wrote: “Hi
Dan, First off I
want to inform
any who might
remember SSG
Ervin “Luke”
Corl of Wheatland,
Wyoming,
who was with
“Dragons from 1-82nd FA fire M2 .50 cal MGs from
Humvees”
the 1st Cav,
Btry A, 82nd
FA from 1942
thru 1945 passed away this last June. He was a great guy and did a super job in
the 4th Gun Section. He could really handle a horse and was a great gunner. He
was 86 when he died. I’m Paul Rider and was in the 1st Cav, Btry A, 82 FA, from
June, 1942 thru all campaigns beginning in Australia, our staging area, thru New
Guinea, Admiralty Islands, Leyte, Luzon and on the Flying Column with General
Chase to Manila to free the Internees that were being kept at SantoTomas and
finished our mopping up operations in Luzon then on to Yokohama, Japan. In fact
as we entered the Harbor at Yokohama we passed the USS Missouri where we
could see General MacArthur and the Japan delegations signing the cease fire. I
had joined Btry A, 82nd FA at Fort Bliss when it was strictly all horse. The only
motorized equipment in the Battery was a 2 ½ ton truck. Our guns were 75mm
Howitzers and I arrived there from having taken my Basic Training at Fort Sill,
which was also all horse drawn equipment. That wasn’t the most pleasant time in
my life but sure made you realize how tough things can become. Great training!
I arrived in June and the 1st Cav went to Louisiana for maneuvers in July, what
Division Doings.
Continued from pg. 18.
able in their reliability, to five multi-functional displays ... It’s pretty much like
having five LCD televisions in your aircraft telling you exactly what’s going on
at any given time,” said Consedine.
These multi-functional displays give the pilots the ability to track their position
and plot their course on interactive maps – making that wrinkled old paper map
nearly extinct, he said.
“It’s coming to the point where gone are the days where we had to sit with our
maps and measure the distances and do time-distance headings. The aircraft will
do it all for us,” said Consedine.
In fact, it is so advanced that a pilot can plug in a destination and the time
they want to be there by and it computes all the routes and airspeeds to get them
there on time. This is particularly important on air assaults where timing is at
the utmost importance, he said.
These advancements will help the Black Cats work more effectively while
deployed to dusty landscapes like Iraq, said Consedine.
One of these advancements that will help them while deployed to Iraq is the
HSDH, or the Horizontal Situation Display (Hover), he said.
When pilots land in a dusty environment, say in the middle of the desert, they
experience something they call brown-out. This is where their rotors kick up
so much dust that they can’t see the ground; this is even more difficult at night
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
a treat. I had never ridden a horse before I got there. You learn how to take care
of a horse and the equipment and if there is any time left you can take care of
your own needs. As you can gather from my remarks I never did become a great
admirer of that part of my training but it sure toughened you up for the task ahead.
When I first arrived at Fort Bliss I was assigned to Btry A in the Signal Section
and after a couple of months the CO, CPT James P. Henry, found out I could type
he put me in as Battery Clerk, what a break. A lot less horse and I remained in
there till the first of 1943 then was transferred to Supply Corporal. Shortly after
going overseas the Supply Sergeant moved on and I was then assigned as Supply
Sergeant. Then in Luzon I went to Battalion Headquarters as MSG then from
there home. Starting early in 1943 the Division started to convert to a Motorized
Unit. We slowly began to get rid of the horses and replace them with Jeeps, wow,
becoming motorized. We even got a second 2 ½ ton truck for Supply. After the
Admiralty Campaign we were converted over to 105mm Howitzers pulled by
Weapons Carriers. Those we kept and used up through the rest of our time in the
Pacific. I had enough points to return home shortly after we arrived in Japan. I
was there from the 3rd of September till the 25th and then was rotated home and
by the 19th of October I was mustered out. I used to attend the reunions but as
time has gone on a
lot of the buddies
you had are gone
or not able to make
the trips anymore.
My last one was in
Louisville, Kentucky
and what is
even stranger was
that the first one I
ever attended was
in Louisville. I’ve
just returned from a
trip to Norway and
had one of most
touching experiences
when while
we were on this
trip I ran into a gal
“Dragons from 1-82nd FA fire M2 .50 cal MGs from
Humvees”
who, at the time
was 7 years old
when the Flying
Column arrived at Santo Tomas and freed her and her mother and dad and 3000
other internees. Paul W. Rider, 5209 Rosebury Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46835,
.
Additionally, I received a great e-mail from Joe Kuhn who wrote, “Hi Dan:
My name is Joe Kuhn, I served with the First Cav in Brty E 82nd Arty Aviation
from September, 1969 to April, 1971 in Vietnam. I joined as a Life member of
the 1st Cav Association while in Vietnam. My unit did not own one piece of
artillery, just aircraft. I have received the Saber since I joined the 1st Cav and I
have only seen one small note about the 82nd. Is my unit one of those forgotten
units and is not documented in the history books of the 1st Cav Joseph F. Kuhn,
III (SGM Ret. NJANG), .
Joe has promised to send me some pictures he took in Vietnam and I’ll be
submitting them for publication in future articles. Also, I’ve been in contact with
2LT Jim Morrison who is the XO of B-1-82nd FA. 2LT Morrison is interested in
documenting the history of the 1-82nd FA and I’ll help him all I can. He wrote the
following article that describes some of the training being conducted by our Active
Duty 1-82nd FA Troopers: Dragons on the Range by 2LT James Morrison
XO, Bravo Battery, 1-82FA. “During the week of June 22, 2008, the men
and women of 1-82nd FA prepared for their next deployment by completing
their most important soldiering task, qualifying on their weapons. From M-4
carbines to the M-2 .50 Caliber machine gun, the ranges were hot with the fire
of the Dragons. “These ranges are fundamental to the war-fighting skills of the
Dragons as the focus of the Army switches from MOS- focused soldiers to the
mentality that everyone is an infantryman first,” 1LT Abel Vasquez, Platoon
Leader of 2nd Platoon, B Battery states as he watches a group of Soldiers fire
the M-2. The Dragons can be tasked with two primary missions as Fire Support
for the Ironhorse Brigade and/or as a Maneuver Element patrolling the streets of
Iraq. Whatever the mission, the Dragons will continue to live up to their motto,
“Can and Will.”
I thank everyone who wrote in and sent us pictures as they are greatly appreciated.
Okay, this message is to the 82nd FA Troopers from WW II and the Korean
War, I need your pictures and your stories please. Also, you young studs from
E-82nd FA, I need your pictures and your stories also. Can and Will ~ Sir!
wearing night vision goggles.
“(HSDH) is basically a hover reference and it will tell us exactly where the
aircraft is drifting and what we need to do as pilots to correct it. So, essentially,
we don’t need any ground reference at all to land the aircraft under (zero visibility),”
said Consedine.
The new systems in the F-model almost add up to autopilot, but not quite yet,
said the Black Cat commander.
A l o n g w i t h t h e i n t e r n a l s y s t e m s , t h e r e a r e s o m e
c h a n g e s t o t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e a i r c r a f t , h e s a i d .
“In the D-model there were a lot of independently riveted parts and pieces, whereas
now we have a lot of solid sheets of aluminum which stiffen the aircraft greatly
and allow for a smoother ride,” said Consedine.
It also has a new system that allows for the aft pylon – the structure at the rear of
the aircraft that the rear rotor sits on – to be taken down more quickly, he said.
The lengthy process of taking this aft pylon off so that it can be strategically
moved by fixed wing aircraft has been shortened significantly.
When Co. B was returning from Iraq, it took them an entire week to break down
five aircraft. Now it would only take two days to do the same, he said.
Along with all this change comes learning the new systems. Experienced Chinook
pilots are having some difficulty adjusting to the F-model, said Consedine.
“We’ve run into a situation where a lot of the younger guys that don’t have a
Continued on pg. 20.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
ENGINEER NEWS
Jesse Crimm
4445 Silverwood Ln.
Jacksonville, FL 32207-62241
(904) 737-6172
This article will be the first
is a series contributed by Jesse
Crimm, 8th Engineer Battalion,
1969-70 and is dedicated
to SGT Tony Ramos who
attended the 61st Reunion in
Jacksonville, Florida and to all of the noncommissioned officers who will be
involved in the next deployment of the 1st Cav to Iraq.
Among the many concerns that enlisted personnel carry in their minds is the
nagging question “What happens to me if I get wounded” Regardless of how the
concern is presented, either by casual implication or by direct question, NCO’s
must be alert to hear and respond to the trigger words, “me” and “wounded” for
underneath those words resides anxiety and anxiety diminishes performance.
In Vietnam, this same inquiry might well have been met in my time by a
shrug or non committal answer such as, “Worry about that when the time comes
or We’ll get you out of here or Get back to work we have a job to do.” While
Medevac was, in that time, known to be available, prompt, even fearless in its
evacuations, NCO’s typically did not consider the question in its context, fear
expressed by the questioner.
Today’s soldier is different. He or she is a volunteer, educated, drug free,
and deserving of a full answer. NCO’s should directly and truthfully respond.
Truthfulness in response serves the purposes of team building, rumor control,
and establishes the authority of the NCO chain of command to deal with real or
perceived threats to the well being of the enlisted soldier.
The first response is “Yes there is a possibility that you may be wounded in the
line of duty.” Immediately, these or similar words should be spoken: “Should you
be injured, I promise you that I will act IAW the Soldier’s Creed. I will never
leave you alone. I will personally stand by and attend to you. There is a Long
White Line of skilled and totally dedicated medics and physicians that will care
for you beginning right where we are and continuing uninterrupted all the way
back to America if needed.” These words you can speak in full truth.
Now my 1st Cav comrades, I offer you a personal observation regarding the
continuous, unbroken chain of medical care now deployed down to the street
level. You may be familiar with the Uniformed Services University of Medical
Science (USUS). In effect, USUS is the medical college for the Department of
Defense training the next generation of military doctors for all branches. My
son is presently a fourth year medical student at USUS. Perhaps with some
regret he chose the Navy/Marines as his branch but his story holds true for the
Army as well. From day one at USUS, future physicians, regardless of their final
specialty, are trained in combat medicine. During their training rotations, these
future physicians will typically be assigned to Walter Reed Army Hospital. As
such, these future physicians and the present staff of Walter Reed receive the
airlift of wounded soldiers directly from Iraq. It is a fact that a soldier in your
squad or platoon may be wounded one day and regain consciousness the next day
in America having been locally medivaced, stabilized, transported across oceans,
and repaired in the process. The Long White Line of medical care extends from
the alleys of Bagdad to the avenues of Washington D.C., U.S.A.
Your soldiers will be treated and will survive. That is the truthful assurance
you can give them.
Division Doings
Continued from pg. 19.
lot of previous experience in D-models are actually picking up these skills and
putting them into practice sooner than guys who have 800, 1000, 2000 hours (in
the D-model),” he said.
Consedine has a theory as to why this phenomenon is occurring.
“(The younger pilots) are coming from a generation where game system controllers
have 16 different buttons and they’re used to that sort of software,” he
said. “It’s really turning into a video game, and it’s all a matter of who knows
what buttons to push and who can push them faster.”
Still, all the pilots are picking it up fast enough to already have seven F-model
crews up and running – which is quite a feat, said Consedine.
The F-model has opened a new chapter in the history of both the Chinook airframe
and the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. And this new chapter is being written by the
Black Cat pilots and crewmembers eager to write more and more. Consedine not
only believes this, but believes that they are flying the best aircraft – period.
“I find it impossible to believe that there’s a better flying aircraft anywhere in
the military. It is a sensational aircraft to fly.”
He may be a little biased.
New Members Listing
Continued from pg.11.
SSG (R) PUTNAM, SR., WILLIAM R. OR C 227AVN 6907
SGT RAINWATER, DAVID W. AR C 2-8C 6803
SPC REED, JESSE NC D 1-7C 0611
SGT REED, WILLIAM W. WA HHC 2-5C 6607
E-4 REYES, ARMANDO R. TX HSC DSTB 0609
CSM RIPLEY, MERVYN M. TX HHC 1-7C 0803
SGT ROEBER, GEORGE TX B 2-19FA 6807
SPC ROGERS, ADAM P. TX B 1-7C 0511
PFC ROSE, BENJAMIN TX D 1-7C 0606
PFC SARAVIA, MISTIE D. TX HHC 1BSTB 0710
E-4 SCHICCHI, DEREK P. TX D 1-7C 0801
E-2 SCHMIDT, MATTHEW R. TX D 1-7C 0804
MAJ SCHRICK, JEFFREY C. TX HHT 4-9C 0807
SP-3 SEWELL, CLIFFORD C. GA HHB 82FA 5501
MS. STEWART, DEONNA S. TX 13SIG 97
CW-2 STEWART, WAYNE M. FL C 228AVN 6507
SSG SZATNY, JR., REGINALD T. TX B 1BSTB 0605
SGT TAYLOR, JOSHUA TX D 1-7C 0708
SFC THOMAS, GREGORY A. PA C 2-8C 7804
1SG THOMAS, WILLIE L. TX B 1-7C 07
LTC USREY, JOE A. TX 1CDH 0808
PFC VAUGHANM RICHARD L. FL D 1-7C 08
SPC VINES, MARK J. TX B 1-7C 0711
E-3 WALDEN, SCOTT AL B 1-7C 08
Keith N. Phillips
18288 Acre Lane
Kemp, Texas
(903) 498-4194
darby7172@embarqmail.com
Page 20
Fellow LRRP/Rangers:
You may have read in the newspaper that the remains of two men that were
Missing in Action (MIA) from the Vietnam War, CWO Bobby L. McKain of
Garden City, Kansas and WO Arthur F. Chaney of Vienna, Virginia, were recently
identified by Defense Department investigators and returned to their families.
According to the Pentagon, McKain and Chaney were helicopter gunship pilots
from A Troop, 1-9th Cav and were killed on May 3, 1968 when their helicopter
was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded in midair west of Khe Sanh near the
border with Laos. They were providing an armed escort for a reconnaissance
team operating in Quang Tri Province.
I did a little research to see if this incident might have involved a team from
our unit. I was able to determine from the 1st Cav After-Action Report, dated 3
May, 1968, at the National Archives, that A Troop 1-9th Cavalry was operating
out of LZ Sharon in Quang Tri Province at the time, and that the helicopter was
shot down in extreme eastern Laos just west-southwest of the A Shau Valley in
South Vietnam where the 1st Cav was operating. There were numerous LRRP
teams from E Company 52nd Infantry operating in the A Shau at the same time.
None of these teams, however, was apparently operating in the area where the
helicopter got shot down. Instead, they were operating in the northern and eastern
areas of the A Shau Valley. I was also able to learn from several websites that
there were Special Forces recon teams operating in extreme eastern Laos at the
time. One of them, RT Alabama, was operating in the same area west-southwest
of the A Shau where the helicopter got shot down. It was trying to locate the
headquarters of an NVA division that just got pushed out of the A Shau by the
1st Cav. The story of this team is equally tragic, and as it turns out, one of its
members, PFC Paul C. King, was killed there and his remains have never been
recovered. King was from my hometown, Waltham, Massachusetts. He had just
turned 19 years old when he was killed.
Shortly after being inserted on the afternoon of May 3rd, RT Alabama, which
consisted of three Americans and 6 Nung tribesmen, was engaged by an enemy
force of unknown size and forced to execute an escape-and-evade in an attempt
to break contact with the enemy and maneuver to an area for possible extraction.
When this failed, the team took-up a defensive position in a bomb crater where
they immediately came under attack from encircling enemy forces. Airstrikes
were called in and attempts were made to rescue the team, but all of these attempts
failed due to intense enemy fire. An F4 Phantom jet was shot down while
saturating the surrounding area with bombs. Miraculously, its crew was later rescued.
The crew of a SVNAF-219th Special Operations Squadron H34 helicopter,
however, was not so lucky when their helicopter was hit and exploded, killing all
of them. Their remains have also never been recovered. The team remained in
the bomb crater throughout the night, fighting-off several enemy assaults. Just
before dawn, the enemy intensified its efforts to overrun the team, and during the
ensuing action, King was shot in the head and killed. The six Nung tribesmen
were also killed, as was assistant team leader, SP5 Kenneth Cryan. Team leader,
SSG John Allen, was somehow able to fight his way through the attacking enemy
soldiers and get away from the area and was eventually rescued.
The area west-southwest of the A Shau Valley in extreme eastern Laos remained
consistently hostile throughout the war, and it was never really possible for
American troops to reenter it for the purpose of recovering the bodies of missing
Americans. Hopefully, Defense Department investigators will be able to continue
with their efforts to recover and identify remains from so long ago.
The Association records only the last four of your Social Security
number and your date of birth. We realize that members do not
wish to give out their SSN and we have deleted them from the
Association’s database to protect you.
We are always updating the database with unit, date of assignments,
address and phone number changes. Please give us the
last four number of your SSN and date of birth.
We, the Association, appreciate your cooperation.
SPC WAYMENT, BURK F. TX D 1-7C 0603
SFC WHITE, NEIL J. TX B 1BSTB 0508
SSG WILLIAMS, SR., KELVIN L. TX HHC 1-7C 0608
SGT WILSON, ERROL WI 3-18FA 6702
SP-4 YANEY, REGAL CRAIG IN HHC 2-7C 6611
LTC ZUMWALT, MARIA TX 1BSTB 0804
Crossed Sabers Chapter Souvenir Shop
P.O. Box 5774
Ft. Hood, TX 76544
Phone: 254-532-2075
FAX: 254-532-6490
Visit to view on-line catalog
The Crossed Sabers Souvenir Shop is a non-profit organization. Net income
is distributed to the Association for application to the Scholarship Program and
other ongoing programs as needed, to the Soldier Travel Fund which allows
active duty soldiers of the Division to attend away Reunions as guests of the
Association, to the 1st Cavalry Division Museum and to fund other activities for
the Troopers and families of the 1st Cavalry Division Association. The manager,
Rebecca Nethercutt, accepts telephone orders with payment by MASTERCARD,
VISA or DISCOVER credit cards or you can order on-line using credit cards.
Printed catalogs are available for $3.00 from the Association, 302 N. Main St.,
Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703. Make your check out to 1st Cav. Div. Assn.
Thank you for supporting the Souvenir Shop and the Troopers of the 1st
Cavalry Division Association.

Page 21 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008
545th MP COMPANY
Sam Reinert
626 ½ South 9th St.
Richmond, IN 47374
(765) 962-4627 ph and FAX
samreinert1@545thmpcoassn.org
www.545thmpassn.org
Yes – it’s official! On August 12, 2008 at 1400 hrs on Pershing Field at Fort
Richardson, Alaska, the 545th MP Company was reactivated and yours truly had
the great honor of attending and participating in this ceremony at the invitation
of the Arctic MP Battalion Commander, LTC Howard Hunt and the new
commander of the 545th MP Company, CPT Brian Sullivan. As 1SG Lavander
Wilkerson, CPT Sullivan, LTC Howard Hunt and the Provost Marshal General,
BG Rod Johnson trooped the line and inspected this great MP Company, the
garrison band played Garry Owen and as you looked around the parade field and
the reviewing stands there was an abundance of Cavalry Stetsons being worn by
many 545th MP Company veterans who were present. If a person didn’t know
better, they would have thought they were at Fort Hood!
The Provost Marshal
General who had been a
commander of the 545th
MP Company when he
was a young Captain
at Fort Hood wore his
Stetson with 545th MP
Crossed Pistol brass and
he brought with him
his Provost Command
Sergeant Major, CSM
Trooping the Line here
Freddie Brock who also
wore his Stetson as he
too had once served in the
545th MP Company as a very junior NCO.
I had the opportunity of having lunch with the PMG and his staff along with
the Arctic MP BN Commander and his staff and most of the Cadre of the 545th
MP Company. Many of the senior NCOs in this newly reformed company
are old 545th veterans from the 1st Cavalry Division and members of our unit
association and quite a number of
them keep their Stetsons handy
for functions such as this. One
of these NCOs is MSG Connie
Dementer who served with the
545th in Bosnia and who is
the new Company Operations
Sergeant. MSG Dementer was
nice enough to give me a tour
around the company area and
make sure I got where I had to go
for the ceremony. MSG Dementer
also had her Stetson handy as you
can see in this photo with CSM
Brock.
Once the guidon was uncased,
SGM Brock and MSG Dementer
there were 545th MPs waiting behind the reviewing stand dressed in period MP
uniforms – all with Cav MP Brassards and each one held the streamers for the
period of time in the units history that these streamers were awarded. When
called forward, these MPs carried the streamers forward for placement on the
guidon by BG Johnson, LTC Hunt and CPT Sullivan as it was being held by
1SG Wilkerson. Since I commanded the unit in Vietnam, I had the honor of
presenting the streamers for that time frame to the PMG.
Once the streamers were all attached to the guidon, and the unit turned over
to the new Commander, the Provost Marshal General gave a great presentation
to the assembled MPs of the
545th MP Company and
here below is an exact copy
of that presentation:
Good afternoon everyone.
On behalf of the Chief Of
Staff of the Army and all of
our Army’s senior leaders,
I would like to welcome
distinguished guests and
fellow MP’s to this historic
event. What a wonderful day
to be here at Fort Richardson
and away from the Pentagon
and Washington, DC. Today,
our Army and our Corps is
Streamers
being tested as it seldom has been before. As we serve our nation in the global
war on terror. Right now, our Army has over 137,000 soldiers deployed to the
Central Command AOR in support of operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom, including over 8,000 members of the regiment. In total, we
as a nation have 243,000 soldiers deployed or stationed overseas in 80 countries;
to include 13,320 military police and your own 164th MP Company.
Deployment of this many troops is a significant challenge for the MP Corps
and as the senior Military Police officer, I would like to share with you some
of the “big-picture” actions we have taken to try to ease the burden of repeated
deployments upon our soldiers and, just as importantly, their families.
Right now, the Army is going through its largest reorganization since World
War II as we move from a division-based to a brigade-focused force, as part of
this process, we will relocate almost 1/3 of our force and grow by over 74,000
Soldiers. The Army leadership fully recognizes the importance of Military
Police to the Global War on Terrorism and have answered our calls for “more
MPs” so we can better execute our mission and manage deployment tempo for
our units.
Included in the Army’s growth is an increase in the size of the Military Police
Corps. By 2013, the number of MP soldiers will have increased to 62,500,
including almost 20,000 new soldiers in the active Army – an overall increase
of over 44% from 2003 numbers.
The number of MP Units will also obviously increase. By FY 13, there will be
52 new active component flags in the MP Corps, including 12 new MP battalions
and 21 new MP companies. On the RC side, we are looking at 91 new flags,
including 17 new MP battalions and 71 new MP companies, with over 5,600
additional RC MP Soldiers.
Increasing the number of soldiers and the number of units is only two parts
of the equation – we also need to make sure that they are stationed properly.
We are working to station new MP units, and units returning from Germany
and Korea, at the “right” installations to ensure we maximize the number of
MP companies the Army can deploy at any given time. End state is to have
an MP Combat Support Battalion, L&O Detachment and four MP Companies
“clustered” at selected installations and that is exactly what we are doing here in
Alaska. Some of our installations will grow so much that you may not recognize
them a few years down the road. For example, the population of Fort Bliss will
grow from 13K to over 35K; Fort Lewis will grow from 22K to 31K; Fort Bragg
will grow from 46K to 56K and as most of you are well aware, our number of
soldiers in Alaska will almost double. We need these increases to execute the
Army’s number one mission today - fighting and winning the Global War on
Terror.
The Army’s recognition of the importance of Military Police has brought us
here today for this ceremony – to celebrate the
return of one of the Corps’ most distinguished
units – the 545th Military Police Company.
The unit’s motto “First Team’s Finest” is well
deserved. One of the commanders of the 1st
Cavalry Division in World War II, MG William
Chase, gave the 545th the nickname after they
were the first troops to enter Manila and Tokyo.
And this is the title that the 545th has worn
proudly and demonstrated since that time.
The 545th’s colors were cased on 15 October,
2005 at Fort Hood and it was a sad day. I am
CSM Brock and the PMG
BG Johnson
delighted to be here today with you to reactivate
this great unit. You heard earlier about some of
the distinguished history of this unit – I would
like to add a few other interesting pieces of the
545th’s history.
After their triumphant entry into Tokyo at the head of GEN MacArthur’s
Army, the 545th was called from occupation duty to fight in the Korean War in
1950 and again distinguished themselves. They were one the first units to the
battle, and a 545th MP – PFC Matshiro Goto – was the first casualty taken by
the division. A monument to his great sacrifice has stood proudly at the 1st Cav
Museum at Fort Hood for years and is now being moved to the MP Memorial
Grove at Fort Leonard Wood. After eighteen months of continuous combat, the
545th redeployed from Korea and was inactivated in 1957.
The Army reactivated the 545th in 1963 in Korea and sent it to Vietnam in
1965, where it served with distinction until 1971. The unit won numerous
commendations for its performance in Southeast Asia, including the highest
MP honor of being the first recipient of the BG Jeremiah P. Holland Award in
1970.
After redeploying form Vietnam in 1971, the 545th settled at Fort Hood, where
it remained until its deactivation. One of the more notable achievements of the
545th during the 1980’s was that it survived the command of a young, brash,
confused but strikingly handsome MP officer, CPT Rod Johnson, from 1984 to
1986. Well, maybe not striking!
The 545th was called to war once again when it deployed with the “First
Team” in support of Desert Storm to perform security missions and fight with
the Division.
Elements of the 545th again answered the call of duty in November, 2001 when
they were deployed to conduct detainee operations at Bagram, Afghanistan.
In 2004, the 545th deployed to Baghdad, Iraq and performed missions in
support of 1st Cav, including convoy support operations; training, teaching, and
coaching the Iraqi Police; providing personnel security to division leaders and
security at the Division Confinement Facility.
It is important to note that several of today’s MP Corps leaders also served in
the 545th, including: COL Richard Swengros, now PM at MNC-I; then Company
Commander, COL Jeffrey Harris, now Commander, 202d CID Group; then
Company Commander, COL Dennis Thompson, now, PM, Forces Command;
then Platoon Leader, CSM Freddie Brock, now Provost Sergeant Major, then
Squad Leader.
I would also like to acknowledge a fellow former CO – CPT Sam Reinert, who
commanded the 545th in Vietnam from 1969-1970. Sam’s dedication continues
because he leads the 545th MP Association and runs it like a well oiled machine.
Sam continues to be the “heart and soul” of the 545th, with a comprehensive
website: and an historical archive that quite frankly puts the collection at the
MP Museum to shame. I still wonder how he gets his information! Sam sent
me an e-mail confirming the 545th was back in the inventory two days prior to
the final decision being made public. Hmmm…How did that happen Sam,
thank you for being here today to mark this occasion and for all that you do for
our Corps.
Soldiers of the 545th…..I have no doubt that you will continue to honor and
uphold the proud traditions of the 545th. You looked and sounded great on the
run this morning and you are standing tall and looking great right now. CPT
Sullivan, I look to you and your NCO’S to keep the “First Team’s Finest” spirit
alive.
I am extraordinarily thankful for having soldiers and leaders such as you in
the regiment. I thank you for allowing me to be here today to mark this occasion
with you and on behalf of the entire regiment, I wish you the best of success in
the future.
God bless our soldiers that are deployed, God bless you and your families, and
God bless the
United States
of America.
Thank you.
U p o n
completion
of his
presentation,
the PMG just
stood back
and smiled
from ear to
ear as he
observed his
Cake cutting
PMG Johnson beloved 545th MP Company one last time on the
parade field before they were dismissed.
After the ceremony, there was a reception with a very large cake and of course
Cavalry Punch. During this reception a lot of 545th MP Company Association
Base Ball Caps and Stetsons were seen in the area. There were 545th Desert
Continued on pg. 22.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
77th FA News
Robert W. Tagge
2113 Oak Ridge Dr..
Round Rock, TX 78681-7248
(512) 255-7247
rwtagge@gmail.com
Charles C. KELLER, Jr.
dropped a note saying that he
would be headed to Japan for
vacation in a few months. He
will be visiting Hachinohe, Japan
(by Misawa) where the 77th Field
Artillery Battalion (1954) was stationed. It will be interesting to see what is left
of that installation (Camp Haugan). He did visit than Camp Crawford (Sapporo)
several years ago (2002). That installation is now an installation for the JSDF
(Japanese Self Defense Forces). There was still some resemblance of the 1st
Cavalry Division when the 1st CAV was stationed there in 1952 when he joined
Service Battery, 77th FA Battalion.
About the same time I heard from Charles I also got some photos and a map
of Camp Haugan, Hachinohe from Don HARVEY with the map showing the
location of the units stationed at this location – the 7th Cav and the 77th FA I
believe along with family quarters, PX, commissary, motor pool and all the other
activities one would expect to find on a military base. I sent Charles a copy
for his use during his visit as well as to Steve DRAPER, Director, 1st Cavalry
Division Museum for his files as these are historical documents that trace the
1st Cav’s movements while stationed in Japan. Charles can be reached at 1225
- 140th St East, Tacoma, WA 98445-2626, phone: (253)-536-7867, e-mail at
. Charles will send along an update when he returns from
his trip which I will post here. Charles served with Svc Btry, 77th FA, from
August, 1952 thru July, 1956.
Along with the Camp Haugan map Don HARVEY sent along he included
a number of photos taken there during the winter months. I never made it to
northern Japan so seeing the deep snow made me wish we had some of that here
in Central Texas these past few months as we have had almost 50 days of 100
degree temperatures and some cooling air would be appreciated. I have attached
a few of the photos to remind those of you that served at Camp Haugan what
it was like in case you may have forgotten – not likely! Don can be reached at
William D. HARVEY, 606 Windmere Road, Newport News, VA 23602-6124,
phone (757) 877-2350 or via e-mail at .
October always brings back memories of the beginning of the Pleiku Campaign
which ran from 23 October to 26 November, 1965. As many of you know this
campaign included operations at both LZ X-ray and LZ Albany involving primarily
the 1-7 Cav (X-ray) and 2-7 Cav (Albany). X-ray was made famous by
LTG (Ret) Hal MOORE and Joe GALLOWAY in their book “We Were Soldiers
Once… and Young” and the movie on this book staring Mel Gibson. These two
gentlemen now have a new book out entitled “We Are Soldiers Still” which revisits
their relationships with ten American veterans of the battle as well as LTG
545th MP News
Continued from pg. 21.
Storm veterans, and OIF II veterans and some had come from as far as Florida.
I am sure that this one and only Cavalry MP Company will continue to earn
awards and accolades and continue to distinguish itself as it has done in the past
and hopefully, some day rejoin the 1st Cavalry Division where up until now
it has called home. In the meantime it will continue to maintain the cavalry
traditions that it has adhered to since the days of the Horse Cavalry at Fort Bliss,
TX and serve faithfully in the Arctic MP Battalion.
In the next issue we will continue with our history of the 545th in Korea.
Until then First Team’s Finest and Strike First.
Admiralties
Continued from pg. 14.
a coordinated effort against the perimeter at 1700. However, its intensity was
undoubtedly lessened by the loss of the battalion commander and his staff, and
its effect reduced by the further tightening of the perimeter. The daylight was
helpful in spotting targets and the Japanese were kept beyond the perimeter until
nightfall. At 2000 the main attack ceased, but individuals and small groups continued
to infiltrate throughout the night, including about 50 Japanese who crossed
the harbor entrance by wading and by use of inflated life belts, and attacked our
position at the base of the peninsula. It was a big night for the field artillery: not
only did they fire 300 rounds of 75-mm at the approaching enemy but they killed
47 of the Japanese by small-arms fire within the artillery positions. The total of
enemy killed within our positions for the first two nights was determined on the
morning of 2 March to be 147, including those who had infiltrated during the
second night and had been mopped up between dawn and 0900. Jamandilai Point
was cleared by 1045 to prepare for the reinforcements scheduled to arrive during
the morning and the defense of the area was turned over to the 168th and 211th
Coast Artillery Batteries.
Continued in future issues of Saber.
TAPS
WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DEATH OF:
LAST NAME, RANK, First Name, Unit, Date. Date of Death.
ADEN, TRP Floyd J., HHT, 1CD, 1941-45. 3 Nov., 2007.
ALLMANDINGER, SPC Aaron, C Trp./HHT, 1-7th CAV, 2006-08. 11 Sep.,
2008.
BAXTER, SFC (R) James W., 1-9th CAV, Korea DMZ/D Trp., 1-9th CAV, 1965.
6 Sep., 2008.
CORL, SGT Ervin L., A Btry., 82nd FA, 1942-45. 20 June, 2008.
DWYER, MAJ (R) Michael, C Co., 227th AVN, 1970-71. 6 Sep., 2007.
EDWARDS, SGT Robert D., A Co., 1-7th CAV, 1951-52. 18 Jan., 2008.
ERNST, CPT (R) Louis F., HHT, 7th CAV, 1942-45. 4 Apr., 2008.
FLETCHER, 1LT Robert B., D Co./HHC, 2-8th CAV, 2007-08. 8 Sep., 2008.
FREEMAN, MAJ (R) Ed W., A Co., 229th AVN, 1965-66. 20 Aug., 2008.
GRUBER, SGT Eugene J., HHC, 2-5th CAV, 1949-51. 24 May, 2008.
HUNTER, CSM (R) Walter C., A Co./HHC, 13th SIG, 1968-69. 2 July, 2008.
JOHNSTON, T-3 Chester W., HHT, 1CD, 1944-45. 25 June, 2008.
LASLEY, SGT Ernest N., A Btry., 1-21st FA, 1970-71. 15 Aug., 2008.
RODRIGUEZ, SGT Joshua N., D Co., 2-7th CAV, 2006-08. 14 Aug., 2008.
SIMS, SSG Marshall, HHT, 1CD, 1945-46. 18 Mar., 2008.
WILDER, SFC (R) Carl, C Trp., 7th CAV, 1943-45. 25 Apr., 2008.
WHITE, TSG Edison C., 82nd FA, 1943-45. 5 July, 2008.
Page 22
Nguyen Hu An, who commanded the North Vietnamese Army troops on the other
side, and two of his old company commanders. Information is available on the
book’s web site at .
I am fortunate to have a copy of the Pleiku Campaign After Action Report
prepared by then CPT J. D. COLEMAN who served as the Division Historian
at this time. Field Artillery played a very decisive role in this campaign and I
quote from the report as follows: “The importance of the artillery in this campaign
cannot be over-emphasized. The ability to place artillery fire power in massive
support of Infantry actions by the use of airmobile techniques clearly provided
one of the keys to victory at PLEI ME.” Similar comments on this were recently
made during the Vietnam Luncheon by our Infantry brothers at the Jacksonville,
FL (2008) reunion. Go Redlegs!
GIFT POLICY FOR USA: The U.S. Army has put up a web site to facilitate
donations from the public to help soldiers and their families at . While the Army states very clearly that they are not soliciting contributions
they are providing lots of information on how to make donations in
four areas of concern: - Soldiers and Families (MWR); Wounded Warriors; Army
Installations; and How to Contribute. Also please remember the Association’s
“Trooper Support Program” for the deployed troopers of the 1st Cav Division.
The 4th Brigade Combat Team is currently deployed with two brigades to follow
before year’s end and the rest of the division early next year. Information on the
“Trooper Support Program” is posted on the Association’s web page at or contact me as I served as the program coordinator
for this activity. Let’s not forget our troops serving in a combat zone!
The 77th Artillery Association will be holding a reunion from 10-14 September,
2008 in Colorado Springs, CO. The dates were not finalized in time to make
the last publication and too late for this issue also. I plan on attending and will
report on what went on in the next column. The 2-77 FA, 4th Infantry Division
will host this reunion and those veterans attending will be part of this unit’s
Organization Day activities. Sorry for not getting this information out earlier
but the dates were set by the 2-77 FA and are tied to their field training as they
too are preparing to deploy. It is my understanding that the 2-77 FA is a towed
105-155 howitzer battalion and part of their training is learning how to sling load
their weapons. Shades of our Airmobile days in Vietnam.
That’s about it from it for this issue. Thanks to those that send me information,
photos and stories of their time with the 77th FA as this article is about you and
your time with the Battalion. Also remember to vote come this November and if
not registered please do so in your community. We all wore the uniform to allow
our fellow citizens the right to cast their vote for the candidates of their choice
and we veterans should also honor that responsibility. Concrete 46 – out.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Foundation of the 1st Cavalry Division Association offers scholarships
to eligible applicants who are attending accredited educational institutions.
Currently, scholarship grants of up to $1,000 are offered annually and pay up
to a total of $4,000 for four years of schooling. This amount will go up beginning
in January, 2009 to $1,200 per year and a total of $4,800 for four years
of schooling.
The scholarship program was initiated by the Association in 1967 during the
Vietnam War in response to requests from the Sergeants Major of the Division
who committed their support to perpetuation of the program. A trust agreement
was signed 16 August, 1968 establishing the Foundation. Since that time, no
child has been turned away for lack of funds. Between the generous donations
of Association members, active duty Troopers and a good investment program
the 1st Cavalry Division Association has taken care of its own.
Children of 1st Cavalry Division troopers who were killed in action or are
totally and permanently disabled due to wounds or diseases contracted while
serving with the division are eligible to receive scholarships. Children of 1st
Cavalry Division Association members who die while serving with the 1st Cavalry
Division in peacetime are also eligible. Additionally, active duty soldiers,
spouses and children of soldiers who currently serve in the Division and are
members of the 1st Cavalry Division Association are also eligible.
Donations to the Foundation are gratefully accepted and are invested and
managed by the Foundation Trustees to support this program.
The first scholarship grant was awarded in 1973 and since that time the
Foundation has provided:
• Over $622,000 to 437 children of Troopers that were killed in action or
totally and permanently disabled
• Over $173,000 to 221 active duty Troopers and their family members
• Over $149,000 to 105 descendents of the Ia Drang battles
Undergraduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 semester
hours to receive a full grant. Students enrolled in a Masters Degree program
must maintain a semester total of 5 hours and those enrolled in Doctorate Degree
programs must maintain 3 hours for a full grant. A course of instruction
deemed by the trustees to be of a frivolous nature and not normally leading to
a career or job opportunity generally disqualifies an applicant from receiving a
scholarship grant.
Payments are made to the college or to the college and the student. The
trustees make exceptions to this rule on an individual basis. Payment is made
annually in two installments, normally corresponding with the traditional semester
breaks, although the trustees may consider other payment schedules when
appropriate. Payment of subsequent installments will be based on evidence of
satisfactory completion of the preceding scholastic period and continuation of
the educational program. No payments for schooling already completed are
made retroactively.
Applications for active duty soldiers, spouses and their children are due to the
Foundation between 1 April and 1 July of each year. Applications are available
from the Crossed Sabers Souvenir Shop in the 1st Cavalry Division Museum, at
the 1st Cavalry Division Association Headquarters, and on-line at . All other eligible applicants can submit their
applications at any time and they will be processed in time for the applicant’s
next semester of college.
To obtain an application, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Foundation
of the 1st Cav Division Association, 302 N. Main St., Copperas Cove, TX
76522-1703 or from . For information
call (254) 547-6537 or send an e-mail message to .

Page 23 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
7th Cav News
Continued from pg. 7.
more and more relaxed at them. There’s more laughter and less pain. Perhaps
that’s because were just feeling playful, or getting old, but I really think it’s
because we’ve been getting better and better, healing over the years, and we are
more relaxed and happy in the brotherhood we’ve formed. For me and many I
spoke to, this was the best Cav reunion we’ve attended, certainly the friendliest,
perhaps the most intimate (in a good way) as we expressed ourselves more freely
to our brothers. “Those who have fought together in battle, who have shared their
blood together, are brothers, for life.” (Hal Moore)
On Sunday morning, several of us who had a special connection with Franklin
gathered at the Confederate Cemetery there and laid flowers at the icon marking
the more than 400 men from Mississippi who’d fallen at the battle. (There are
1400 graves at the site.) As we gathered around the icon, a large red-tailed hawk
flew right over our heads and landed on the top of the tree right next to us. The
Carter House guys commented that they had been to the cemetery more than 400
times, and never seen a hawk overhead. I thought fleetingly that we were being
visited by the spirits of our forebears who had fallen on that hallowed field. I
felt honored and calmed by its presence. After the flowers had been laid and
we’d said our peace, the hawk followed us as we moved to the Tennessee section
of the cemetery, settling in the branches of the next closest tree. (Now, tell me
that’s not telling us something!) Tom recited two beautiful letters, verbatim from
memory, written by Confederate soldiers who had perished at the battle-- a most
poignant and fitting way to say farewell. Those of us present said our goodbyes
and went our separate ways, but it was a most-fitting end to a most meaningful
reunion. Thanks, again, Bud. Thanks, also, David. And thanks to the historians
and staff of The Carter House, the members of the 13th US Colored Troops Color
Guard, and to all my brother veterans of The Ghost Battalion who contributed to
the success of this reunion. God Bless and Garryowen!
Great report Larry – thank you. The long anticipated sequel (if you will) to the
book We Were Soldiers Once… and Young by General Moore and Joe Galloway
hit the bookshelves on August 19th and is fittingly titled We Are Soldiers Still.
This remembrance covers the return to the battlefields at X-Ray and Albany as
well as a visit to Dien Bien Phu and other topics. The foreword is penned by
none other than Norman Schwarzkopf, who knows something about war himself.
From Stormin Norman “Though their eyes and half a dozen journeys back to
Vietnam since the war, we see the evolution of that country and people as they
find piece after a thousand years of war.” “And we see a surprising concern and
tenderness for each other among men who once had done their best to kill each
other.” “If those men, veterans of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, can
become friends and pray together for all who died on that ground on both sides,
then the war really is over and we can all be at peace.”
From a wall mural in a Hanoi museum stretching across one long wall was a
time line of over 1,000 years of invasions from peoples outside of Vietnam. The
Chinese section of that timeline was about 50 feet, the French and their 150 years
of colonial occupation was about 12 inches and the Vietnam (American) War was
depicted in about 2 inches and seemed to put everything into perspective. From
General AN in one of their meetings, “I thought it was your battalion (1-7) at
Albany and that we had finished you off, today I have learned more details about
this battle than I ever knew.” “I think this battle on 17 November was the most
important battle of the whole campaign. Your soldiers were surprised when we
attacked them but they fought valiantly and heroically.” These quotes are taken
from the Foreword and Chapters 1 and 2 (of 12), Back to Our Battlefields and
IT’S THE LAW
“ACCREDITATION OF LAWYERS AND
by Richard Cohen, Esq. AGENTS”
©2008 Richard Cohen The rules have changed. Effective June
Attorney at Law
23, 2008 only lawyers, representatives and
235 High Street, Room 513 agents who are accredited are permitted to
P.O. Box 771
represent veterans and their families in getting
Morgantown, WV 26507-0771 VA benefits.
(304)-413-0838
Accreditation requires the filing of an application
with the VA’s General Counsel and
vetlaw @wvajustice.com
http://www.wvajustice.com taking training in VA law within the first year.
Non lawyers must also pass a test.
Veterans might now have a claim which falls into one of three categories with
three different rules concerning entitlement to hire a lawyer:
(1) Veterans who have “old law” claims, those in which the Notice of Disagreement
(“NOD”) was filed before June 20, 2007, are prohibited from hiring a lawyer
for a fee until they receive a decision from the Board of Veterans Appeals. Thus
they may be forced to wait 4 years from date of filing the claim until they are
permitted to hire a lawyer.
(2) Some veterans will have “new-old law” claims, those in which:
A) the NOD was filed on or after June 20, 2007 and
B)where they hired a lawyer for a fee who filed the power
of attorney form and the retainer agreement before June 23, 2008.
These veterans can continue to have their claim handled by the lawyer and can
pay the lawyer a fee as long as the lawyer has filed for accreditation whether or
not the lawyer’s application for accreditation has been approved.
(3) Many veterans of the GWT/OIF/OEF will have “new law” claims, those
in which
A) the NOD was not filed until June 23, 2008 or thereafter or
B) in which the NOD was filed before June 23, 2008 but after June 20, 2007
but where the lawyer did not submit the power of attorney form and the retainer
agreement prior to June 23, 2008.
In these new law cases the lawyer must first receive approval of the application
for accreditation before the lawyer is allowed to represent the veteran and the
veteran is prohibited from paying a fee on a new law case until the accreditation
has been approved.
These regulations are very complicated. To train lawyers, agents and representatives,
the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc is providing
a presentation on the accreditation regulations on September 27, 2008 in San
Francisco.
Information is at www.vetadvocates.com and the seminar brochure is at http://
www.vetadvocates.com/docs/SmnrBrochureFall08.04.pdf
Conversations with the Enemy. My profound thanks to Joe Galloway for his
permission to quote from their book and I’ll have more in later columns.
I have spoken with several veterans who have made the journey back to Vietnam
and they to have reported that the Vietnamese have gotten on with their lives
and if you take the time line depicted in that mural you can see that it was really
just a blip on their radar screen. These veteran friends also report that there is
no undercurrent of animosity toward them and they welcome our visits. Some
day, I too hope to make that journey back, to possibly recover what was lost and
to put that experience in a safe place in my mind. I would like to hear other
reports from 7th Cav veterans who have returned to places like the Philippines
and Korea, as well as Vietnam. This is our history and it is very important to
record those thoughts and feelings.
“In 1966 while on patrol in Vietnam an enemy grenade exploded sending shrapnel
into his chest and collarbone.” “Now, after a 42-year battle that would do a soldier
proud, he finally is getting his deserved Purple Heart.” Max Earnheart, who lives
in Mandarin, Florida still isn’t sure how he got lost in the Army’s system despite
at least some documentation showing he was eligible for the award. His plight
began on May 28, 1966, when as part of the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, he
and about 10 fellow soldiers were on patrol in Vietnam’s central highlands near
An Khe. After the explosion, he was taken to the base hospital at An Khe and
stayed put for about 12 weeks. It was then the cracks started widening and the
Purple Heart, awarded to those wounded or killed while serving, started to slip
away. “They [the Army] must have forgotten everything,’’ he said of the beginnings
of his administrative nightmare.” I even missed a month’s pay. ‘’During
his hospital stay, Earnheart got a visit from former boxing champ Archie Moore
and an Army chaplain. He wasn’t worried about the Purple Heart; he was worried
about the pay and asked both to try to do something about it.” I was a poor little
private and didn’t have any money to speak of,’’ he said. He still hasn’t seen the
money. After his release from the hospital, Earnheart finished his two-year tour
of duty back in the United States, before being discharged in 1967. Over time,
Earnheart says he “pretty much had put any hope of receiving the Purple Heart
out of my mind,’’ and he wound up in St. Petersburg working for a bank. In 1991,
after moving to Jacksonville he decided to fight the fight. “I looked at Purple
Hearts online and thought about buying one - and you can buy one for about
$25 - but I wanted to earn it the proper way.’’ He enlisted the help of U.S. Rep.
Tillie Fowler, R-FL., and her office was able to open the door to that process.”
In December of that year, Earnheart went to the Veterans Administration in St.
Johns County to file a claim for compensation for hearing loss from the war. At
the VA he unwittingly found an ally in the county’s assistant veteran’s service
officer, Heather Andrews. After hearing of his situation, Andrews, herself a
Vietnam-era veteran, was more than happy to try to rectify the mistake. Her job
was made a bit easier because Fowler’s office had done a solid job documenting
what it could. Included with his findings was a piece of paper on which a clerk
from his hospital stay had written “frags in chest.’’ Finally, on February 27 of this
year, Max received a letter from the Army’s Review Board Agency in St. Louis
informing him that after a review, his records were being corrected to reflect what
he had coming. In addition to the Purple Heart, Earnheart also was awarded a
Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars and a Sharpshooter Badge with
automatic rifle and rifle bars. And the $96, it’s probably not going to happen.
Max EARNHEART served in our 7th Cav.
Hope all are well and I’ll have more stuff for the November Saber that space
didn’t allow me this time. Garryowen from Michigan.
“FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT LAWSUIT AGAINST THE VA”
Two veterans organizations, Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans for
Truth filed a lawsuit in July 2007 against the VA because of “problems, deficiencies,
delays and inadequacies” which veterans face in dealing with the VA. More
specifically the organizations alleged that the manner in which the VA provides
mental health care and the procedures for obtaining veterans disability benefits
violate statutory and constitutional rights.
In June the Court issued a decision denying the relief requested by the organizations
and stating that the remedy lies with Congress, the VA, the Veterans
Court and the Federal Circuit.
This decision which will be appealed may prove to be helpful to veterans because
of the findings of fact which highlight the problems which veterans face.
You can locate the decision at the following link:
.
“EQUITABLE TOLLING”
Two recent decisions deal with equitable tolling where the veteran’s PTSD
symptoms may have prevented him from filing an appeal either in the Regional
Office (“RO”) or for an appeal to the Court on time.
In the case decided in the Federal Circuit, in August, the Court determined it
was not necessary to decide the tolling issue because the appeal could be resolved
by dealing with finality of Regional Office (RO) decisions.
In AG v. Peake 2007-7217, the veteran had claimed that the Veterans Court
was wrong in denying him the benefit of equitable tolling. Specifically he argued
that because of his PTSD he his failure to timely appeal the RO’s 1983 decision
denying his claim for a nervous condition should have been excused.
Rather than decide the equitable tolling issue the Federal Circuit remanded
the appeal back to the Veterans Court deciding that because the RO failed to
inform the veteran about his right to appeal the disputed question of whether he
had earlier filed an appeal , the 1983 denial never became final. As a result the
1983 proceedings were determined to be ongoing because they had not been
concluded.
In the other case, this time involving a request for relief for failure a notice of
appeal to the Veterans Court within 120 days from the BVA decision, the decision
was against the veteran.
In Henderson v. Peake, No. 05-0090, the Veterans Court, in a split decision,
decided that even though the veteran submitted a letter from his psychiatrist describing
the effect of his disability, he was not entitled to the benefit of equitable
tolling because filing a notice of appeal in the CAVC is a jurisdictional requirement
which cannot be equitably tolled. One Judge on that three Judge panel disagreed
concluding that equitable tolling is applicable.
Obviously, the Henderson case will now be appealed to the Federal Circuit.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2008
UP TO $25
CPT BARNES, Jerry R.
TSG BEANES, Raul F.
SP-4 BERUBE, Donald J.
SGT BINGHAM, Francis E.
SGT BITTER, James C.
LTC BONETTI, Joseph F.
MRS. BOURDON, Elvis
SP-5 BROWN, David P.
SPC CANTRELL, Jr., Clifford
1SG (RET) CLARK, Val D.
SGT COLASURDO, Jr., Michael
SSG COLE, Peter C.
SFC (RET) CORBIN, Don R.
SGT CRAWFORD, David M.
LTC (RET) CRAWFORD, George S.
SGT DiMARTINO, Joseph
E-4 DOUGHERTY, Charles
SP-5 DUARTE, Dennis J.
CW2 (RET) EASON, III, Emory Allen
PFC ESTEPP, William H.
CPL FELDMAN, Donald
PFC GALELLA, Anthony
SPC GILBERT, Michael A.
SSG HEEREN, Paul D.
CW3 (RET) HICKS, Thomas J.
SGT HIPP, Mark E.
PFC HOLLISTER, Norman R.
SGT HOZEY, James C.
SFC (RET) JOHNSON, Kenneth D.
E-4 KARABINOS, Andrew S.
E-5 KELLEY, Peter G.
SGT KLEIN, Jerold A.
SP-4 KOHL, Robert Gary
E-4 KOPAC, Joseph J.
SFC (REG) KUHN, Steve E.
PFC LAWTON, James T.
MSG (RET) LUSK, Randall L.
COL (RET) MARKS, Jimmy C.
CPT (RET) MARTIN, Roy D.
SGT MARTYN, Ronald K.
SP-4 MAUZY, Don A.
E-5 (RET) MULLINGS, J. Mike
SP-5 MYERS, Michael L.
MAJ NEWCOMBE, Nelson O.
SGT NEWMAN, Jessie L.
HONOR ROLL
Acknowledgement of generous
donations from the following troopers:
LTC (RET) NOTT, Michael B.
CPL PAGILLO, Robert A.
SW4 PARDUE, Charles H.
SPC PARISH, Willard F.
In Memory of Ed “Too Tall” FREEMAN.
CPL PANZI, Norman
SSG (RET) PAULSON, Duane R.
E-3 PEACOCK, William T.
E-4 PILLING, Vernon C.
SFC POTTER, James H.
SP-4 PROCTOR, Gene E.
SGT RAMBO, William D.
SGT RANDOL, Richard L.
LTC RAY, John L.
SGT RICHARDS, Jerry R.
SGT RINEER, Paul C.
SP-5 RIORDAN, Brian L.
CW2 RUSS, Brian J.
SSG SCOON, David E.
CPT SHACKELFORD, Jr., Raymond L.
SSG SHIELDS, Tony
E-4 SMITH, George P.
MSG (RET) SMITH, Jerry D.
CPT SOUTHALL, Jarrell D.
CPL SPYCH, Jr., William J.
SP-4 STAGI, John M.
SP-3 STEINGRABER, Roland
SGT STERBENZ, Paul D.
SSG TAYLOR, Allen Junior
SGT TOMANELLI, Cosmo R.
SGT TROMBLEY, Jerry S.
LTC (RET) VLADIMER, Seymour L.
CSM (RET) WEBSTER, Dennis E.
SGT WEGNER, William F.
SP-4 WESSELHOFT, Rudolph J.
MAJ (RET) WESTMORELAND, James A.
CSM (RET) WHEAT, Walter E.
LTC (RET) WHITE, Dennis M.
MSG WHITE, Greg
SGT YEVONISHON, John S.
The First Team Family Cares!
Your Donations to the Foundation and the
Museum Foundation are Tax-Deductible
IA DRANG SCHOLARSHIP FUND OVERVIEW
The Ia Drang Scholarship Fund was founded in 1994 by LTG (R) Harold G.
MOORE and Joseph L. GALLOWAY from earnings on their book We Were
Soldiers Once--And Young. They continue to support the program by donating
speaking fees and other donations. Many Association members and other individuals
make regular donations specifically for the Ia Drang Scholarship Fund.
In early 1994 the Board of Governors of the 1st Cavalry Division Association
agreed to expand the activities of the Foundation of the 1st Cavalry Division
Association to include the Ia Drang Scholarship Program. They included a
new eligibility sub-paragraph in its instructions to the Trustees. It reads, “to
provide financial assistance in the form of scholarship grants toward the pursuit
of an advanced education for descendants of soldiers who served in designated
qualifying units which were involved in the battles of the Ia Drang valley
during the period 3 through 19 November, 1965. The source of funding for
these scholarship grants is to be derived solely from contributions specifically
designated for this element of the trust program by the donor and not in
competition with other elements of the program”. The fund began awarding
scholarship grants in 1997 and has issued 105 eligible students $149,000 since
it’s beginning.
Children (including legally adopted) and grandchildren of Ia Drang valley
battlefield combat veterans of designated qualifying units (ground and air) which
were involved in the battles of the Ia Drang valley during the period 3 through
19 November, 1965 are eligible. Children and grandchildren of men who were
assigned to a unit that fought in the Ia Drang battles but were themselves at An
Khe base camp, at Pleiku/Camp Holloway, at Catecka, in a hospital, etc. and not
in the Ia Drang battles are not eligible.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine whether his/her father/
grandfather served in battle in at least one of the qualifying units in at least one
of the specific battle locations and provide proof thereof. Proof must include at
least a birth certificate or legal adoption certificate showing father or grandfather’s
chain of relationship to the applicant, a copy of the Ia Drang Battle survivor’s
DD Form 214 and/or positive evidence of the battle participant’s assignment
to a qualifying unit during a specified battle. Such evidence may include
citations for awards earned in the battles, signed statements from battlefield
leaders, extracts of official personnel records, copies of morning reports, copies
of articles about the specific battles naming sponsor, extracts from books which
name sponsor as a battle participant and/or copies of letters to family/friends
about the specific battles. Additionally, male applicants must provide proof that
they have registered for Selective Service.
The Foundation offers Ia Drang scholarships to eligible applicants who are
attending accredited educational institutions. Currently, scholarship grants of
up to $1,000 are offered annually and pay up to a total of $4,000 for four years
$26 - $50
Anonymous Donation
LTC APPLEWHITE, Larry
SGT BULVID, Richard
MR. CAMPBELL, Robert
CPT CHRISTIE, Stuart
BG (RET) DePUE, John F.
SP-4 FLEESON, Gary E.
SP-4 HARRIS, III, Lucious M.
1SG MORRISON, Austin D.
E-4 ROEDER, Harlan L.
SP-4 SNYDER, John A.
SGT WALSH, Michael F.
Page 24
$51 - $100
SGM (RET) DEMERITTE, Henry
SGM (RET) GARRETT, James G.
In Memory of 9/11
COL (RET) GOMEZ, Jr., Viviano
COL (RET) HERREN
In Memory of SGM (RET) Robert F. MOHR, B Co.
1-7 Cav, Ia Drang 14-17 Nov., 1965.
Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter
In Honor and Memory of Jim WILLENBURG, B Battery,
3-18th Field Artillery
SGT HENRY, Alfred C.
MR. PAYNE, James
In Memory of MAJ (RET) Ed “Too Tall to Fly”
FREEMAN.
CPL VORNKAHL, William F.
CSM (RET) and Mrs. Dennis E. WEBSTER
In Memory of MAJ (RET) Ed W. FREEMAN.
$101 - $500
Anonymous Donation
SGT DEMING, Michael
In Memory of “Too Tall” MAJ (RET) Ed FREEMAN,
Thank you, First Team!
SGT DEMING, Michael
In Memory of SP-4 James WILLENBURG, B Btry.
3-18 FA, 1965.
Fort Knox Chapter
MAJ RAMSKUGLER, Chad M.
SGT WATSON, Robert W.
$501 - $1,000
MR. BRUMBACK, Wesley W.
E-4 POLCHOW, Herbert
of schooling. This amount goes up to $1,200 per year beginning in January
2009. Undergraduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 semester
hours to receive a full grant. Students enrolled in a Masters Degree program
must maintain a semester total of 5 hours and those enrolled in Doctorate Degree
programs must maintain 3 hours for a full grant. Applicants who are enrolled in
a course of instruction deemed by the trustees to be of a frivolous nature and not
normally leading to a career or job opportunity generally disqualify an applicant
from receiving a grant.
Payments are made to the college and the student. The trustees make exceptions
to this rule on an individual basis. Payment is made annually in two installments,
normally corresponding with the traditional semester breaks, although the
trustees may consider other payment schedules when appropriate. Payment of
subsequent installments will be based on evidence of satisfactory completion
of the preceding scholastic period and continuation of the educational program.
No payments for schooling already completed will be made retroactively.
Those interested in obtaining an application must send a self-addressed stamped
envelope to the Foundation of the 1st Cavalry Division Association at 302 N. Main
St., Copperas Cove, TX 76522-1703 or may obtain an application at .
62nd ANNUAL REUNION
Mark your calendars and block the time now to attend the 1st Cavalry Division
Association’s 62nd Annual Reunion in Killeen/Fort Hood, Texas from 3-7
June, 2009.
Complete information on hotels, events and a registration form will be available
in the November/December SABER and will also be on the Association’s
web page at .
We expect a large turnout despite the deployment of the 1st Cavalry Division
to Iraq. The regular events, Welcome Mixer, War Era Lunches, Unit Lunhes,
Sweetheart Dance, Annual Banquet and Memorial Service will be done along
with an event for the ladies and our new Gold Star Family Breakfast.
Join us in Cav Country!
RETURN ADDRESS LABELS
1st Cav Div Assn. return address labels are now available from Douglas TIMM,
1000 Main Rd., Richmond, VT 05477-8804,