MACV Team 17 – Quang Ngai.
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 17 located in Quang Ngai.
MACV Teams
Military Assistance Command Teams Vietnam
MACV Team 17 – Quang Ngai.
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 17 located in Quang Ngai.
MACV Teams 
Served in Nghia Hanh District 1969. Phoenix/S2 then asst to Sr Advisor. Extended 1 year atv Province HW
I’m trying to find any info someone could give me about my father’s time in MACV he was SFC Calvin Burkhart. I have a record of him getting the Gallantry cross for action on 28 March 1969. and it said advisory team 17 so hopefully I can learn a little here.
Does anyone remember my dad, Clell Trentham? All I know is that he was with the 17th Advisory Team 1969-1970.
I read old posts and saw that perhaps there was an issue logging into my SmugMug account where I have my Dad’s (LTC Rex Perkins) pictures from Vietnam. Here is the link.
jurhee.smugmug.com/MACV-Vietnam-17
It should still be working.
Email me at sgsail@icloud.com if you can’t get to pics and I can send link via email.
Stephanie, thanks for the pictures. Is the person at the ceremony in civilian clothes next to your dad the Tm #17 senior advisor, Mr. Cushing? I forget his first name.
I don’t know who anyone is, hardly. If you know people and they want a picture, they can print one or I can send them one if they can’t print
Darrell, Cushing was the name of one of the ‘State Dept’ CIA/Phoenix guys. Can’t remember if he was the tall dark-haired guy, or the short balding one. But Cushing was definitely one of the names.
I was posted to Quang Ngai on Christmas Day 1968. I served as a PRU advisor with Major Bill Gavan, US Army, Sergeant Clyde Harmon, USMC, GSgt Ernie Burlam, USMC, and GSgt George Mayo, USMC. GSgt Mayo KIA and I was WIA MAY 1969. Major Gavan recently passed away. I haven’t heard about anyone else. I rotated from 10th SFG Bad Toelz Germany. CPT John Tiddark US Army.
I have just learned that Terry Shaughnessy passed away in Chokoloskee Florida in August of this year. There is a detailed obit on line that can be booked with his name and Chokoloskee, Florida.. It details his life as a hunting and fishing guide after 5 tours in Vietnam. Many of you knew Terry and a lot more knew of him. Terry was Mat Team leader in Ba To my last few months as DSA there. I left in March of 1971.
Tom Maddock
Tom, thanks for posting. if you google Terry Shaughnessy obit you will see my posting and several pics I put up. Terry and I became big buddies when he returned from VN and was assigned to Ft Polk. I am trying to put together info about Terry and his time in VC. you can call me. 405-714-0955. Richard Sallee
So sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. He was one of a kind. I knew him having been assigned to the neighboring district with MACV 69-71. I was in Ha Thanh (sometimes named Son Ha) and Terry was in Ba To. We were both in MACV Tm 17, and worked with the same Montagnard tribe..the Hre’. It was mentioned about terry being the only roundeye in Ba To during a very severe storm..Typhoon Joan in Oct or so of 1970. Yes..quite the blow! I’d question him being fluent in Vietnamese, rather he was fluent in Hre..a very different and distinct language. The tribes people took to him and he to them..and for good reason.Im available to answer further should you think i can illuminate anything. I retired from the Army in 1993 and live in No. Virginia.
Tom, I have been hoping to get in touch with you for a long time….hope you are well. Please contact me via email if possible. Paul Jones
Tom, on another note: I learned recently that George Primm died last year. I don’t know many details.
I knew a Terry Shaughnessy while seving with 29th civil affairs in Mo Duc south of Danang in 1971. He was a big guy with a moustache. Not sure if this was same guy. He wasn’t with this unit long but he was a great guy if this was the same person.
Yup, sounds like the same guy. Quite a character. And, with 5 tours in the ‘Nam, I’d say just a little bit crazy too!
Re: The Inimitable Terry Shauhnessy, RIP
I served as a 1Lt. on a MAT Team in MoDuc assigned to an outpost near a small hamlet, DucPho, east of Highway 1. The commander in the MoDuc District was Maj. William Witt. The team I joined in the late summer of 1970 was initially led by 1Lt Roy Cheatwood and the NCOs were Sgt.I.V. Jefferson,and Sgt. Peter Boyle. During my tour three different medics served on the team.
Now, to Terry Shaughnessy. We all knew Terry, the Man and the Legend, as he was frequently in Quang Ngai, usually bartering Montagnargd cross bows or captured AKs with various supply sergeants for items eg coolers full of steaks or assorted building materials.
In December 1970, I was in the field with a contingent of “Ruff-Puffs” on a multiple day op when someone from MoDuc HQ radioed to inform me that my name had been drawn out of a hat to represent MoDuc at the Bob Hope show in DaNang and that a chopper was on the way to pick me up. Just a short time later a chopper landed and I was on my way.
Once I arrived at DaNang airport, I hitched a ride to the “transit depot” where I was to stay overnight. Upon arrival, the first person I met was Terry. He suggested that we walk over to the “O” club. I was filthy and I wanted to take a shower so I made a futile attempt to demure. As someone had written, Terry was a large man, say about 6’4” and about 240lbs with a personality that was “larger than life” and it was impossible to say no to him. So off we went, I, in my filthy fatigues, a steel pot and my My16 at sling arms with “The Man” Terry Shaughnessy. I will never forget what happened next. Terry flung open the front door, revealing a bar at the other end of the room which was crowded, three deep with officers all dressed in starched khakis. And, as we walked toward the bar, mirabile dictu, the horde parted, leaving the center of the bar open to us. I felt as if I had sauntered into a Wild West saloon with John Wayne. Terry and I did some serious drinking and he then suggested that we go to meet up with his “friend.” His friend a “mama san” operated a “friendly” air b&b. I think Terry took off to have a few drinks. I didn’t partake of the wares, perhaps because it was too close to Christmas. I slept on the floor in a pair of boxers and the mama san kindly presented me my freshly washed and ironed fatigues in the morning.
On many occasions since, when I’ve stood at a crowded bar trying to get served, I always think of that night with Terry at the “O” club and the memory prompts a smile and occasional chuckles.
May the generous hearted, Terry Shaughnessy, rest in the peace of the Lord. Bob Mulligan
Bob, you and I might have bumped into each other in 1970/71. I was with MAT team I-62 in Tu Nghia district, just to the north of you. We built a hooch east of Quang Ngai city in Tu Binh hamlet along the Song Tra Khuc river. What an interesting story you tell of this fella, Terry S., I do not recall meeting him. I do recall a few times in Danang at the MACV O club, my final visit was in July 71, was heading home. A typhon blew in, we were stranded for a few days and the O club was a nice home away from home, recall the movie area, a large room, like a theatre with seating. I spend my todays in Estes Park, Colorado, writing a few books in my retirement years. Take care and thanks for the memory. DSMudd
Bob, loved your story about Terry. The description I should have used in my comment above was, Terry was ‘larger than life’. And your John Wayne comparison was spot on. Later in my military career (unplanned career), I worked for Gen Fritz Kroesen, USAREUR and CENTAG Commander. He had exactly the same kind of imposing presence. You could literally ‘feel’ him enter a room. But he did not have Terry’s effervescent personality, or apparent disregard for decorum. I doubt if anyone did. Terry was one of kind. He was definitely the guy you wanted next to you when the shitstorm started.
Paul:
I have looking for your email address. I hope you are well. I hunt ducks every year at Terry’s former hunting and fishing lodge in Cameron Parish , Louisiana.
Happy New Year.
Roy Cheatwood
Roy, I don’t often visit this site so I just noticed your post. I hope that you and Cindy are well, safe and happy. I’d be delighted to get back in touch with you if possible…my cell # is 262-470-6236. Margaret and I live in Whitewater, WI and are doing quite well, although I endured a heart attack 8 weeks ago and am recovering slowly but surely.
I talked with Tom Maddock about 6 months ago – he was our District Sr Advisor in Ba To. He’s doing well and living in Colorado.
Life’s been good to us!!! Best wishes to you.
Paul Jones
Bob:
I was pleased to find this site and see your post.
I hope you are well and enjoying life after the bench.
Terry lived in Louisiana for a long time and I accidentally was able to meet up him. I have hunted ducks and fished with him and former former step sons for a number of years.
Happy New Year.
Roy Cheatwood
Sorry to hear of Maj Bill Gavan passing. Great guy & very positive. While my memory loss causes me to have difficulty recalling people & events, I remember Maj Gavan. Upon my immediate arrival in Quang Ngai on a Saturday in August 1969, Maj Gavan & Maj Karavori (my spelling may be inaccurate), invited me to take a ride in a jeep with them to Tu Ngahia (spelling) to a birthday party for DSA civilian Ken. I was brand new in country & green not having any idea what to expect. Both along with Ken were fantastic guys for whom I often interacted & had a tremendous amount of respect.
Anyone know of the fight that involved MAJ Ben Crosby of Team 17 on 2/24/71?
It started up in one of the districts. An Aussie MAT officer was hit. The fight evolved. I was the province S2. and arrived with MAJ Crosby.
I recall LT John Cullen was present.
Curious as to the name of the fight and as to a copy of the after action report.
Jerry Frick
Robert J. Frick, then 1LT.
Thanks
jerry frick, I only know of the engagement you mentioned second hand as I was in the BaTo mountain district at the time. I was in Quang Ngai city a few days later and rode down with Bob Hensler to Chu Lai to visit the Australian adviser who was wounded. I rotated home in the next couple of weeks. Major crosby was the S-3 and then became DSA in one of the lowland districts. I have found Major Crosby’s own version of the encounter through random googling. I found it under “advisers targeted for destruction” history .net.
Tom Maddock
Thanks
Hello, my name is Jake Aspacher, I am looking for information or potential contacts with my grandfather. He was on a MACV Advisory team in 1966 or 1967. I believe he was an Intelligence Officer but he was definitely a Marine Corps Officer, I think a Lt. possibly a Capt. at the time. His name was Marvin Lippincott, he passed away in 2016 but I have some of his personal pocket notebooks and he mentioned Quang Ngai in it many times. His notebook has lots of notes, codes, radio callsigns, grid references, hill drawings, supply requests, other notes, and things. He has lots of names written in it as well as an ARVN unit command structure with names and ranks. I just want to find out more about what types of things he did and see if anyone who might have served with him might have some stories. If you have any information or want more information you can email me at jake.aspacher@gmail.com
Thank you!
Jake
Does anyone know or have heard of a W02 David Dermody? An Australian? I have him in my grandfathers notes. Or a Col Brierton, Col Weaver, Maj Smith G-5 of task force X-Ray, Capt. Hensley, Capt. Corley, Capt. King.
Jake, I have a Robert Hensler, MAT team, on my MACV Tm#17 listing, cannot locate an email at the moment. Take care. DSMudd Sent from Mail for Windows
Mr. Mudd,
Have you heard of Pineapple Forest? Do you know of any engagements happening there during March of 1967? Specifically the 24th of the March?
Jake, the Pineapple Forest was a little north of Quang Ngai, in the Tam Ky area and no, I do not know of the 1967 operation you are asking about. I was just starting my 2-year tour on the other side of the world, in Bamberg W. Germany in 1967. Take care. DSMudd
Thanks! I was just curious because I recently found some pictures in my grandads things, one of which was a picture dated March 24 1967 and said Air Strike in Pineapple Forest. I’m just trying to see if there’s anyone who was there around the time who might know my grandad.
Jake, If its helpful at all, the province of Quang Ngai was heavily covered by the USMC from their arrival in March 65 thru late 66 when they pretty much moved north leaving the province to Army combat unit. For the remainder of US combat involvement in RVN, the Marines were largely in the 2 northern provinces.
Out of respect for our Vietnamese counterparts please refrain from soliciting or using their full names
Tad, thanks for your reply, I had not heard before of the hand grenade incident near Chu Lai. So many stories yet be told of that past decade of American involvement in Vietnam.
Darrell, talked with you some yrs back. Just wondering if anyone I served with there rememberers.
Joe Gerber, Romo Canderlario, Moak, Richard Byrne, Dan Bruce, SGT. Munoz.
Brian, I do not recall any of the names you mentioned, sorry.
I recently learned that Joe Elkins passed away in Las Vegas after a long career in the beer business in Colorado and California. The day I arrived in Quang Ngai in May of 1970, I ran into Joe in the Kramer mess hall. I had known Joe since we were kids as our parents were close friends in Denver. He was a short-timer working in the S-3 office. The first part of his tour was with a MAT team, I believe it was MoDuc. Only saw him one more time till he went home. Did see him in Colorado a couple of times after I got home. I believe Darrel Mudd also knew Joe from the beer business.
Tom, so sorry to hear of the news about Joe Elkins. YES, I met Joe at Coors Brewery in 1971. We missed each other while in QN. He and I worked in the same department for awhile. He went into Sales and I stayed at the Brewery in Management, working with the BATF and State alcohol agencies. Interesting that here in Estes Park, we have a Elkins Distillery, I wonder if the folks up here are related?
I was at Quang Nai in from about May to Oct 1968. My tiny outpost was adjacent to the Viet Cong “interrogation center. “
Anyone at that outpost during that time?
Al Serrato
Does anyone remember the S-2 province QN advisor from July 71 into 1972?
I had it from COT Secord (I think) from NOV 70 to MAR 71 with SGT Ffreed and PFC Reilly. Then I went to 525th in Nha Trang.
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RJ, dumb me, I’m trying to recall the name of my replacement in July, 71. He was MI, a captain in rank, forgot his name.
Good morning Darrell:
I was on Team 37 from Jun 69 to Jun 70.
Do you remember a 1LT Luther Taylor form Alabama? I trained with him from basic training at Fort Dix to OCS at Fort Benning. Then he went to the MI school.
Milo
Milo, I do not recall LT Taylor, thanks for asking.
Darrell:
Thanks for you reply. I realize that we were so spread out over our provinces that we often did get to know the other advisors in our own province.
Milo
I left in Mar 71 as S2. No idea who followed.
Thanks Jerry:
I think Luther was in country from June of July 1969 until he left on a medical. Unclear to me when he was wounded.
And, you were there when the US downsizing was well underway. What was that like?
Milo
I got there in July 1970 and was assigned to Mo Duc where Major Witt was the DSA. I was with the 29th Civil Affairs Company out of Da Nang. I had less than a year left when I got there, being a draftee who had attended Vietnamese Language School at Defense Language Institute at Ft, Bliss, TX. Marines pulled out during my time there. I got a three week early out so got orders back to the world at the end of May. We flew from Cam Ranh Bay to Ft, Lewis via Japan. About 24 hours after getting to Ft. Lewis, I was officially separated from the Army.
Milo,
I served in NghiaHanh Dist in ’69 as S2 (Phoenix) and was replaced by ‘Luke’ Taylor. He was from Alabama and referred to himself jokingly as the Big Alabama F’er. I have a picture of him if interested
September 17, 2021
Hi John:
Would be great to see a picture of him. Luther or Luke was about 6’4″. So Big Alabama F’er would fit for him.
Before Vietnam he was posted to Hawaii.
My e-mail address is miloyoshi@aol.com.
Thanks,
Milo
As senior advisor of MAT -14 , I have a partial photo of you from 1969, if you want it it, John.
I served in Nghia Hanh in 1969 with a ‘Luke Taylor from Alabama. He called himself The Big Alabama F’er. I think I have a pic of him
to John D
If you still have that photo of Luke Taylor, please send it to miloyoshi@aol.com. As I recall, he lost part of his foot or leg from a land mine. Can you confirm?
Thanks,
Milo
John, I was the MAT Senior Advisor at Nhia Hahn from 12/68-12/69 and I don’t remember a Luke Taylor at Nhia Hahn during that time, but at near 80 my memory might be slipping. If you have a picture I’d sure like to jog my memory too.
Darrell, I’ve been reading the responses to your question and I’m going to be no help either. You would think that since I was the S1 for TM 17 for the entire ’71. All 12 months. That I would have instant recall for all personnel questions. Nope. Almost no recall. Of breakfast today! Ok, not that bad. I do have a kind of cloudy remembrance of the guy who replaced you. Even the name seems like it’s on the tip of my tongue. But it ain’t getting to my lips. The name Wagoner keeps pushing into my frontal lobe. Jon Wagoner.
Art, well, you make me feel not so bad, I am not the only one with a memory lapse, LOL. I can send you a picture of him from my email, dswmudd@gmail.com. Thanks for the reply. He gave me the one finger salute as he dropped me off at the
Quang Ngai airport, I was headed home mid July 1971.
I was there Nov 70 to Mar 71 when I left for 525th MI, USARV, first Nha Trang, then Dalat, then Gia Nghia. 1LT.
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Darrell,
As an MI CPT I was sent down to QN, TM 17, more or less as a “quasi” S-2/Phoenix/ assistant Ops Officer, (mostly night shift) in June ’72. Previous to that was assigned to TM-19 in Quang Tri. Positions were being eliminated due to the drawdown of U.S forces and I was there on an interim basis only because of the request by the PSA. Was there for only about two months before being reassigned to the Phoenix Coord. in Danang and left country in Sep. ’72. In the mythical “somewhere around this place” I may have a few photos and some names of fellow team members if you are interested. As I remember, it was a good team, very professional, but we were getting pretty “lean”, (only three active district teams remained). FYI, I remained on active duty as an MI officer and retired in 1988. E-mail: hiramu@mtaonline.net
John, thanks for your reply, sounds like you may have taken over the S2 staff when my replacement was reassigned. He would have left around June of 72. Dumb me, I cannot recall his name, for he replaced me in mid 71. I have pictures of him at a USO show in Kramer Compound, and his one-finger salute as he dropped me off at the QN airport, I was headed home.
Do you remember what District Teams remained?
I served on the Tra Bong Advisory Team from August 1970 Until Dec. 1970, and Binh Son District, MATI-13 from Dec.1970 until August 1971.
I am trying to find out what happen to these teams.
Bob, I’m wondering if I knew you, a 1LT. at Ft. Bliss VN Language school, I thought you might have been emphasizing “RA” in your future career. I wrote a book 2 years ago about our MAT team in Pleiku, called Pawns of Pleiku, on Amazon. Factual and unembellished, so far almost all 5-stars. Let me know if it was you. Thanks.
In reply to Bob’s MAT team comment. Bob, a perfect title, (Pawn) for we who were on MAT teams. It was a lonely job, five Covans and our 6th man, our Vietnamese Interpreter.
Sorry, Not the person that you remember.
My only language training was at the Advisory School in Dian in 1970.
I will look up your book.
Bob Sprague.
Bob, just checking in to see if you made it through COVID. I was trying to find the thread we started last year, but since there is no ‘search’ available, this seemed to be the best way to reach out. If it gets to you, let me know where you are and how you are doing. I’m in Annapolis, MD and have been since ending my 26 year Army career in 1994 at Ft Meade, as Deputy Cdr/Ops Off of the Defense Courier Service.
p.s. I continue to be amazed at what I DON’T remember.
Hoo Rah, Art Gill
vn1971@gmail.com
(410) 320-4025.
Sorry for the late response, We were on vacation. I and my family are doing fine.
I have been trying to fine out what happened to MATI-13 in Binh Son District. I departed in August of 1971, and have had no luck contacting
Team members over the years. I retired from the Army Reserves in 1994 as the Team Leader for Infantry Team One , 100th. Div. MTC.
I live in Florence, Ky. You were the Adjutant at my Awards Ceremony in June 1971.
I agree that over the years a lot of memories fade.
Bob Sprague
I worked Phoenix at Binh Son District from June 1971 until April/May 1972. If I recall, the MATI Team was pretty much housed in the bunker separated from our Team house. Believe the MAT team left in late 1971 as the 101st, 25th Divisions and forces in general started drawing down. No details, but a soldier on the MAT team shot himself in the foot in an attempt to get sent home – believe it worked but not in the way he hoped. One of the names I remember is that of our senior advisor – MAJ Charles Hodell. I was transferred to Danang in May 1972 for my last few months.
Barry,
Thanks for the information.
I left Binh Son in August 1971. When I left the District had 3 MAT Teams. I was Assistant Team Leader for MAT I-13.
I lived in the building behind the Day Room. Do you remember SFC Agisti , Heavy Weapon NCO and SFC Conard Medic (SF)?
I had a new Team Leader do not remember his name, but he started to have problems in coping with Vietnam.
Also the District had a CPT step on toe popper in our mine field in the Spring of 1971 and he was airlifted out.
I have a photo from Awards Ceremony at Quang Ngai City which shows NCO(s) from both the District Team and MAT Teams.
If you would like copy, please email me.
Bob Sprague
Bob, thanks. I definitely remember SFC Conrad, the SF Medic. He almost shot my head off when we were in our hooch and he was showing/selling a visiting engineer a CKC and it discharged just missing my head while I was laying on my bunk. But he was also my live saver since the last and only weapons I had any experience with were the M14 and the .38 revolver. I had no knowledge of the weapons we had, including my issued M16, and he very professionally showed me the ins and outs of various weapons we had at our disposal. MAJ Charles Hodell was the district senior advisor, his deputy was a CPT Kris (sic). CPT Emil Havach was the Pheonix/Phung Huang advisor and I worked for him until his departure. CPTs Kris and Havach left in early 1972 I believe. CPT Kris was replaced by a CPT from the 101st (name unrecalled) who wanted to get in some combat time since the 101st was retrograding and he had been assigned to clean outbound equipment in Danang. CPT Havach was not replaced as the drawdown was taking place. I also remember our radio operator, SGT Robert Young, who was on his 3d tour – hated the place but said he had no where to go. In April 1972, I received my Warrant and was sworn in by the Province Senior Advisor COL Rex Perkins. Shortly after that I was sent to Saigon and immediately reassigned to an MI unitt in Danang to complete my tour. I don’t have any pics, but will go through some negatives from that time and see if any might be of the team area. Wow, this is bringing back memories…..Barry
Rex Perkins would be my dad. He has passed away. He was a LTC back then. Made COL in Turkey in the late 70s.
Province Senior Advisor was Henry Cushing, a tall State Department Foreign Service Officer, when I was in Quang Ngai in August 1969 to August 1970. He was a great person and I enjoyed working with him. As Tra Bong senior advisor I interacted directly with Cushing and his deputy, a LTC Hippler, as I recall. I left Quang Ngai around 10 August 1970. Apparently LTC Perkins replaced LTC Hippler after I left. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the photos.
John, okay, now I remember, it was Henry Cushing. Thanks. I saw Henry on national news in the 1980s, talking of the Boat People exodus.There is an Internet article (hard to find) of his service in Afghanistan as Russia was being pushed out. The picture Stephanie has of this civilian is of a tall fellow with a mustache.
Henry Cushing did NOT have a mustache when I was there. I would have to see the photo to confirm that it was Cushing.
John, contact me at dswmudd@gmail.com. I’ll attach the photo that Stephanie had on her posting.
I have more slides I never scanned. I can do that if people are interested. It’s the least I can do!!!
I would enjoy seeing more photos. Thanks.
Bill
That would be great Stephanie! Thanks. Art Gill
My name is Jim Meyer. At the time in question, I was MAT Tm leader in Ha Thanh or Son Ha.. I recall both LYC Perkins and Mr Cushing well. I have a couple pictures of a May 71 awards ceremony at Kramer Compound. Cushing is in the Pictures. I also have a couple of LTC Perkins at a TM 17 picnic or outside casual event. I saw LTC Perkins infrequently but recall him as be a good officer and a fine fellow. I worked closely w Cushing for acouple days or so as our district troops and the adjacent ARVN/Border Rangers in our former SF camp (A-104) were part of a larger effort to wrok in an area on Tra Bong/Son Ha border w 52nd Inf out of LZ Stinson on finding a NVA/VC POW camp holding captured ARVN. I need an email for anyone interested and I’ll forward what I have.
Jim, please send me your images at dswmudd@gmail.com Thanks. DSMudd
If the link didn’t work to pictures, email me at sgsail@icloud.com and I’ll send link via email.
Hello, I was attached from the 1/14 arty 198th Lt Inf Bd to the team 17 Macv unit on Son Tinh Hill from 8/69 to 6/70 as a radio operator. Just wondering if anyone has any photos of the Son Tinh Camp located on top of the hill just north of the QN City bridge?
Thanks Tad Eversole Renton WA
Email address is teversole@q.com
Phone number is 425-255-3330
Hi Darrell
I did read your book a few years back (great book)
From July 69 to June 70 I was a radio operator attach from 1/14 Arty 198th Inf Americal Division to Adv Team 17 at Son Tinh.
Just wondering if you (or know anyone) who has any photos of the Son Tinh Camp on top a hill just north of QN City?
I have a Australian friend who is married to a Vietnamese School Teacher and they live in QN City. He is sort of an historian and is exploring some of the old American Army LZ’s in the area. He is trying to pin point the areas.
His wife teaches on Ly Son Island sometimes. I had an opportunity in April of 1970 to spend a day there for an in country R&R, it was a beautiful back then.
Anyway if you have any thing to share, I would appreciate it.
Hope all is well!
Tad Eversole.
Email address : teversole@q.com
Phone 425-255-3330 in Renton Washington
Tad, sorry, I do not have any old photos of the Son Tinh area. As we discussed earlier, the advisory compounds i recall, today, have all been leveled and many are now (party) facilities, many flying the blood red and big yellow star flag.
Hi Darrel,
I too was in Quang Ngai Province from late July 70 until I went back to the world in late May 71. I was with the 29th Civil Affairs Company and was attached to MACV. Most of my tour I spent in Mo Duc, but was in Son Tinh for a brief period too. I think the Deputy DSA while I was there was a Captain Regan. The Civil Affairs Lieutenant with whom I worked was named Karl (Carl?) whose last name escapes me. Lt. Karl was very hang loose, probably not career in the Army oriented.
Art Reardon
No problem Darrell, thanks for getting back to me.
A book you might find interesting to read is ‘Tragedy at Chu Lai’ by David Venditta on Amazon Books. It’s about a 1969 incident at LZ Bayonet, which was located about 30 miles north of QN City just past the Binh Son MACV location.
Tad, thanks for your reply. I do not recall the hand-grenade incident near Chu Lai, although, we made many scrounging trips there for food and supplies from Tu Binh Outpost.
Hi Darrell
The LZ Bayonet incident (July 1969) happened towards the end and my first tour.
It was a very unfortunate, true and sad situation where a new in country helicopter pilot was gravely wounded (along with many other) my a US M-26 grenade in a training session. The book is written by his younger cousin years later investigating his death.
I was at Bayonet when it took place on a very hot July morning.
Was that LT Bob Stein? I seem to recall that name….
Paul, he was a Cpt in the MI branch. I can send you a picture of him via email, dswmudd@gmail.com. Thanks.
Hi All,
I am looking for anyone who might have known my father, SFC John W. Davis from Los Angeles, California. He passes away almost 5 years ago, and I have very little information on his time in Vietnam and more than half of his 20 years in the Army was redacted when I requested his records. He served from 1964-1984. Before he passed, I asked him for a list of his units and he gave some information on his 7 tours in Vietnam, including that he was with MACV in Quang Ngai province and that he was with the Phoenix program with Political Rectification and Reaction Teams, and Special Weapons and Reactions.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am not sure if he is the same Davis I served with.? He was a Sergeant First Class. He came to my Team some time October 68 through my departure June 69. He was out senior NCO. He was not actually associated with the Phoenix Program, though there was a little overlap with his normal duties. If the same Davis, our duty station was Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai. If the same, he was an outstanding man, a natural leader. Regardless, I am so to hear of your loss.
If you can tell me more about him I might be able to be more sure. As I recall, he was: rather handsome, wore his hair in sort of a bitch or flatt-too style, about 5-11 or 6 foot tall, muscular, a possible tattoo on one of his forearms, about 36 to 40 years of age, we’ll spoken.. So many years ago. Get back to me.
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for replying, but I don’t think the Davis you described was my dad. My dad would have been younger, and possibly an E-5 or E-6 at the time. He was 6’ 2.5” tall, brown hair, maybe 185-200 lbs at the time. He was a big guy. He would have been in his early to mid 20’s. He volunteered for the Army after High School in 1964. He retired from the Army in 1984 as an E-7. As for tattoos, he had one of an eagle fighting a snake and a dragon on his bicept, cant remember which arm.
Ya, I don’t think we have a match. Persevere, however; I am sure you will succeed. Good hunting. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thom,
I have been thinking about you and your dad. Just to be sure (as there are too many coincidences), if you could send a photo or two of your dad (circa 30s – 50 years of age), I will be able to easily determine if we are referring to the same person. If you can, simply attach to an email addressed to “tmurchie2@gmail.com”.
Tom
Thanks Thomas. I will dig up a photo and send. He had a few different roles over his many tours, so it is possible you served with him in one.
I can clearly see his face in my mind’s eye. A clear photo should do the trick. 🤞
Thomas, i sent you two pics. One in Vietnam from around 1965, the other of him with my mom in 1970. Before MACV my dad was with :
1st infantry. Vanguards
A company 2nd battalion 18th infantry 1st brigade 1st inf division
Then he was with Americal 23rd Inf. After that he was with MACV, then Phoenix.
Tom,
This is Art Reardon. I just got off the phone with William Collier who was at Mo Duc 72-73 as DSA. He was the hero of the Battle of Mo Duc. He is now writing his memoirs. Are you the one who told me Sgt. Long had survived but had a hard life. If you have any info about Sgt. Long Bill Collier would like to know if he is still alive and okay. Bill said Sgt. Long was a great help during the Battle of Mo Duc.
Hi. My name is Art Reardon. I served in Mo Duc District in Quang Ngai Province from late July 1970 until late May 1971. My DSAs were Major Witt who was replaced by Major Gregg when Major Witt rotated back to the States. I was with the 29th Civil Affairs Company out of Da Nang.
Art, you were on the team during some of Roy Cheatwood’s tour as a MAT leader. I was S2 from Nov 70 to Mar 71, and then went to USARV.
Yes I was. I remember Roy. Major Gregg was a breath of fresh air. A few years back I contacted Roy via email.
Does anyone remember what became of Major Waite and his MACV Team 17 at Son Tinh hill just north of the Quang Ngai City Bridge 1969–1970?
Hi I served with team 17 . I was the supply officer. I made major their and the worked with the Vietnamese. I was their for the team build ups, the leaving of the 23rd Div . I was there when the Col got shot in the city, the fight at Duc Pho and more
I also served with Col Rex VN Perkins . We worked through Cords Hqs until it left. I was there with mr Cushing also . My phone number is 502 229 2859 if you ever want to talk. I was in Province Headquarters . The Supply Officer for the first four months.
Which Col? My dad, Col Perkins, was shot in the toe while walking around town. He was fine
Hello, my name is Pat Bulman. I served in Quang Ngai from Feb 1970.to April 71. I worked in Province HQ for Mr. Cushing and Col. Perkins. As a enlisted man I did not have much contact with Officers other than officially. I now speak to schools and other groups about my time there. I was with MACV Adv Team 17.
Pat,
Were you the clerk and did you room with a medic named Jack who was with the 29th Civil Affairs Company?
Art Reardon
Yes, that was me. Still see Jack on a regular basis.
When I got to Quang Ngai, I was in the compound for a few days getting acclimated and learning about the 29th Civil Affairs Company. On my first night there, Jack and I think probably you came to where I was bunking and invited me out for a drink at the EM Club. This would have been late July or early August if 1970. Thank you for welcoming me.
Side note. About two months before going home I had my promotion board and made E5, but I preferred the EM club so would put my E4 rank on my collar whenever I spent a night in Quang Ngai so I could go to the EM club.
I don’t know if Jack remembers me, but please give him my best and my thanks for making me feel welcome.
Art Reardon
You’re welcome. Long time ago now. My wife and I and another friend of mine and his wife are going to visit Vietnam this March. It will be 50 years to the day I first arrived.
Do you remember George Primm?
Reaching out for my father, Malcolm “Tom” O’bryan. Was with tm17/19 1971-72 in Quant Ngai. My father is now blind and I am trying to help him with some of his VN memories. Things he remembers:
1. Col. Perkins, has nothing but good things to say about him
2. Heath, medic, retired CSM
3. The Villas
4. Rudolph, medic
5.Tm2 SOG colocated?
6.Frank no last name Perkins’ civilian counterpart (CIA?)
7.MSG Guzman
8.tall redheaded Son Tay Raider e7
9.Capt. Gomez, KIA
10. Father also deployed into Cambodia around this time, Col. Matteix, Col. Ladd, Col.Bonner, SFC Galloway, worked at embassy.
Any reach out appreciated
Tom O’Bryan 18E SFC USA (ret) email: thomas.obryan@d11.org
I am Col Rex Perkins daughter. He passed away 3 years ago from lung cancer, after months in the hospital with septic shock.
I have TONS of slides. Ivan look through to see if I can read names on uniforms.
Dad loved his soldiers. Loved the military.
Hi Stephanie, Thank you for the response. Terribly sorry to hear about your father, I will pass along news to my dad. Do your keep any of the pics online where I can browse through? I live in Colorado, my dad is in Washington State, I just returned from a visit where he told me a bunch of stories from his days in VN. Thank you again, Tom and Dad.
Link…
jurhee.smugmug.com/MACV-Vietnam-17
I got them Stephanie, great pics! I wish Dad could see them. I looked through them quickly, didn’t see my Dad in any. I also looked for the photo my dad said he had and couldn’t find it, i’ll ask him to elaborate. Thanks again. Tom
Did you get the link? I may have forgotten to press send.
Stephanie, I did not receive link. My dad has a photo of your father, another guy & him in civvies. I have digitized everything my father had so I’ll look for it in the near future.
Art, I passed your name onto my father, he vaguely remembers you. He was the logistics advisor, (worked in the same bldg. as the spooks) I thought he worked as the S4, I was wrong.
He just turned 79 this past Friday.
My dad went by “Tom” instead of Malcolm.
His blindness is/was the result of some sort of exposure, probably in VN, that gave him occular TB, VA is taking pretty good care of him.
Tom
Please let me know if you can’t get pics and send email.
Tom,
I think I remember your dad. If he is who I think he is, he was a good buddy of my Company Commander Captain William Rodier
Art Reardon
Good Morning Art. Spoke with my dad, he does not remember you. He thinks if Cpt. Rodier went by a nick name of “Roddy” or something like that and went to Eastern Kentucky University he remembers him. Tom
Now that I review your original comment, I believe I am thinking of another man named Tom who as I recall was not military. It was almost 50 years ago so memories may be a bit foggy.
Art Reardon
Aloha Tom,
I do NOT know if I fit into this conversation. However I served as Quang Ngai Province Admin and Logistical advisor and Tra Bong District Senior advisor from late July 1969 to August 4 or so, 1970.
I took over as Quang Ngai admin and logistical advisor from Dave Parent who currently lives in Minnesota. Sometime in January 1970, I became Tra Bong District Senior Advisor when Ed Larkin rotated back to the states.
I am received my undergraduate degree in 1965 and graduate degree in 1966 from Eastern Kentucky University. Perhaps there was someone else, however, I do NOT know of anyone else who served in Quang Ngai who graduated from Eastern Kentucky University.
Since my last name is Riggins, perhaps your dad was referring to me.
Best wishes,
John Riggins
91-210 Oaniani Place
Kapolei, HI 96707
808.341.0737
john@johnriggins.com
John,
I served in Quang Ngai from Sept 1970 until August 1971.
Assistant Senior Advisor in Tra Bong from Sept – Dec 1970, and Binh Son from Dec. 1970 – August 1971 on MATI-13.
I graduate from Eastern Kentucky University in 1969. I think that I remember you. Your picture is in the 1966 Eastern Kentucky State College’s
Milestone. I did not realize that anyone else from EKU had served in Quang Ngai.
Bob Sprague
LTC, USA, Retired
John, Thanks for the conversation with my dad, he really enjoyed it.
I went to Eastern Kentucky Univer after my tour with team 17. I applied for regular army and boot strap with Col Perkins help. I received my regular army commission and college degree from Eastern Univ and stayed army another 22 years
I served in Quang Ngai from Sept 1970 until August 1971.
Assistant Senior Advisor in Tra Bong from Sept.- Dec. 1970 and Bin Son from
Dec. 1970 – August 1971 on MATI-13. I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1969. I was replacement at Tra Bong after attack in August or Sept. of 1970. The Advisory Team moved from French Triangle Fort to new compound next to the airfield.
I later visited Tra Bong during operation to clear Tra Bong Road between QL 1 and Tra Bong in June 1971.
It had not changed very much.
Bob Sprague
LTC, USA, Retired
Aloha Bob, Initially I replaced Dave Parent, who currently lives in Minnesota, and served as the Quang Ngai Province Administrative/ Logistical Advisor from early August 1969 to late December 1969 when I replaced Ed Larkin as the Tra Bong District Senior Advisor until early August 1970 when I rotated to Fort Benning, GA for the infantry officer’s advance course. I never met my replacement. I only recall the names of Lt Bailey, SFC Ames & SFC Coulter. Interesting that you should go to Eastern Kentucky. I received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Easter in 1965 and 1966, respectively. I was commissioned a regular Army officer through Eastern’s ROTC program. I went to Benning for the basic course, airborne and ranger courses. I went back to Tra Bong and Quang Ngai on January 20, 2020. The economy was booming. There is a business park in the Quang Ngai. There were farms from Highway 1 into and beyond the Tra Bong district headquarters. The newer busy road now goes into the highlands. Cinnamon and lumber are the main exports from Tra Bong. I met with the former Tra Bong police chief who served from 1964 to 1974 and the communist police chief who served from 1974 until his recent retirement. While the old bunkers in front of the former headquarters are still there, the former triangle headquarters is in back of a new police headquarters building. The air strip is now a play ground and there are buildings on the river side of what use to be the the former air strip. The area has really changed. I had an interesting discussion with the former police chiefs that was the highlight of my Thailand Vietnam trip. The police chief stated the district chief allowed the guards to play cards which resulted in the over run of the compound. The district chief, Maj Troung was killed during the attack. Maj Troung’s wife and daughters are thought to be living in DaNang. Captain Sandy Sanchez, the artillery battery commander, retired as an 06 and is living in Orlando. I would love to hear your take on what happened and your experiences. Best wishes, John Riggins 808.341.0737 email: john@johnriggins.com
John and Bob, Dai Uy (Cpt) Frank Vavrin was the one American killed during the Tra Bong Sept 1970 attack. I met Frank as we were headed to Vietnam, received our assignments the same day at QN MACV Hq’s. Frank was assigned to Tra Bong, I was assigned to Tu Nghia. I write of Franks’ last days in my first book, “Cold War Burning,” I met his parents in 2006, they were living in Asheville, NC. Frank is buried at Arlington.
Thank You for the information about CPT Vavrin. I arrived in Sept of 1970 and the team was still recovering from the attack. The Team did not discuss the attack. MAJ Doak, District Senior Advisor, had the Team preparing to move from the French Triangle Fort to the new base next to the
air field.
Aloha Bob,
Besides Maj Dorak, do you recall any of the names of others who were serving at Tra Bong after the attack?
Best wishes,
John
John, I will research my records and let you know.
Bob
Bob, the attack happened Sept 8, 1970, and in my study of the event, Dick Ambrosius added first-hand information for my write-up. He was there during the attack and told me he was wounded, do not recall if he was returned to the district or sent home.
Darrell, Was Dick Ambrosius on the Advisory Team?
Bob, yes, as far as I know, he was part of the Tra Bong district MACV team.
I do not remember him.
I arrive two days after the attack.
Bob, he said he was wounded, so he would have left maybe with the medivac that took out Cpt Vavrin?
My name is Patrick Bulman. I was the admin specialist at the Quang Ngai HQ fro March 70 to May 71. I checked Cpt Vavrin in and got him situated. I remember it well. I was on an honor flight last year and found his name on the wall.
I was stationed at Mo Duc District Headquarters for most of my tour that lasted from late July 1970 until late May 1971. I had less than a year to go on my 2 year draft commitment when I got in country and got a three week early out. In doing some research, I came across the story of Major William Collier who was stationed at Mo Duc in September of 1972 when the compound was attacked by, according to one account, up to 1,000 NVA troops. Major Collier and 21 ARVNs were the sole survivors of the 54 hour battle. I am fairly certain MACV 17 was a memory receding in the rear view mirror by September of 1972. Are any of you familiar with this story?
Art Reardon
I was the Deputy District Senior Advisor (and Phoenix Chief) June 68 – June 69. I enjoy reading all the distant recollections of Team 17. Keep it coming. Regarding the NVA attack you refer to, it is well documented on the internet, including a fairly comprehensive video. Is easy too locate.
Best regards,
T, Murchie
Thank you, Tom. I believe a VFW chapter was mounting an effort to have the now retired Colonel awarded the Medal of Honor. I don’t know if that happened, although he was awarded a Silver Star.
I am aware of the proposed CMH. Though I could be wrong, I don’t believe anything has come of the proposal. Possibly it is still in the works. Pay close attention to the video. 😊
I’m beginning to be reinforced in my thoughts that I left RVN just in time (10 Dec, 1969). I flew UH-1’s and OH-6A’s for A/123rd AVN out of Chu Lai, Ky Ha heliport. I recognize all of the places you Gentlemen write about. Some places I flew were Mo Duc, Hau Duc, New Hau Duc, Tien Phouc and of course Tra Bong but not as far as Cam Duc. While I took fire at times, nothing was as hot as described here. I will say that don’t remember any night missions to those places.
Pelican, thanks to you guys who were there from 67 thru 69, life was much safer in 70-71, however, not so for Cpt Vavrin as noted. Frank had only been at Tra Bong for a couple of weeks before the attack, and he was on his 2nd tour. The most gutsy guys I saw were you chopper pilots, only ones I’d put up higher might be the Navy pilots who flew off and landed back on aircraft carriers. Thanks for making life safer for me in 70-71 in Quang Ngai.
DSMudd
August 2, 2021
Hello John:
While with Team 17, did you meet 1LT Luther Taylor an MI officer from Alabama? In early July 1069 he was assigned to Team 17 at Nghia Hanh.
Luther and I graduated from Benning together.
I was assigned to a MAT with Team 37 in southern II Corp.
Milo
Milo, I was MAT-14 Sr Advisor Nghia Hahn 1969, and 1Lt John Daub was MI District Advisor 1969.
Jay:
Thanks for your quick reply. Luther’s assignment was on the same set of orders that sent me to MACV. Guess his assignment changed some where along the line. Perhaps somebody else who was in the province will see this post and remember Luther.
Milo
Stephanie – You may want to include your email address so people can contact you directly. The MACVTEAMS website does not allow links to other websites.
Oh. Didn’t know.
Sgsail@icloud.com
Stephanie, just saw your entry as I was surfing this site. I was assigned to MACV Team 17, Binh Son District, from July 1971 to May 1072, While I didn’t know your father well, he signed/officiated the oath of office as I was appointed a Warrant Officer on 11 April 1972 – a day I will always remember. Sorry for your loss, but also know it is a loss to the Army and all who served with your father.
William, I was assigned to Binh Son District, MATI-13 as Assistant Team Leader from Nov 1970 – August 1971. Could you tell me about the District Team and MAT teams from August 1971 – May 1972. Your name sounds familiar to me. Who did work for at Binh Son?
Any information that you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I retired from the Army in Sep. 1994 as a LTC..
What was the name of the Binh Son senior advisor when you arrived at Binh Son?
John Riggins Former Quang Ngai S1 & S4 August 69-Jan 70 & Tra Bong Senior Jan- Aug 70.
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S10+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone Get Outlook for Android
________________________________
Major Matzer was District Senior Advisor when I arrived in Nov. 1970 and was replaced with Major Hodell.
I may not have his name spelled correctly.
Aloha,
Thank you. I don’t recall the name Matzer. Perhaps Matzer was only there for a couple of months. the Binh Son senior advisor that I remember was “prim and proper.” He was the district senior advisor during General Peer’s My Lai investigation in mid to fall of 1969.
John
Senior Advisor MAJ Charles Hodel was there during my time from Jul 71- May72.
I was in Quang Ngai as S2 NOV 70 to MAR 71, then to 525th MI Nha Trang, Dalat, Gia Nghia to AUG 71. I recall MAT LT’s Roy Cheatwood (now trial lawyer New Orleans) and John Cullen of Chicago. I think it was Binh Son that there was action 24 FEB 71. I was there with MAJ Ben Crosby, and Cullen was present. Were you in that?
Jerry Frick, Huntington Beach, CA
The VC attacked Midway Outpost. on FEB 24 & 25. The RFs lose 4 and killed 34 VC.
No Advisors were there during the attack. We recovered 4 AK47 and 2 RPG s.
I was at the District HQ and listened to the radio traffic.
The next day all captured weapons and equipment were brought to Binh Son.
I have photos of these items.
The Outpost was on the Tra Bong Road and River near Tra Bong District Border.
.
Thanks.
The 4/24/70 engagement I recall was one day, and advisors were involved. RVN M111support arrives in the afternoon. Obviously not Binh Son.
I was stationed at Mo Duc with Roy Cheatwood when I arrived in country. Our DSA was Maj. Witt. When Maj. Witt rotated home he was replaced by a Maj. Gregg I believe. I was with 29th Civil Affairs Co. out of DaNang. My in country dates were late July 70 til late May 71. I had less than a year to go on my draft obligation when I arrived in country and got about 3 week early out.
Art R
Sorry, I keep entering info into in the wrong places. I was an SSG CI Agent at the time and worked the Phoenix Program with CPT Hyman. Others I remember on the team were the MAJ Charles Hodel, Senior District Advisor, CPT Kritz (sic), Infantry Advisor, and SGT Robert Young, Team Radio Operator. Don’t recall names, but we also had an SFC medic and SFC infantry advisor also assigned to the team. In Apr 1971 COL Perkins at Province swore me in as a WO and I finished out my career retiring in 2000 as a CW5. If any more memories surface I’ll pass them along.
LTC Perkins was a wonderful officer. I am sad for your loss and send sincerest condolences. I served in Ba To District as a Mobile Advisory Team Leader and later was an S-3 officer in Quang Ngai City and gave briefings to your father and the other “brass” on a daily basis.
Hi Tom, I saw Stephanie’s comments to you. She has been so helpful in adding to the collective memory bank for those of us in country and with Team 17. Yes, her dad, Col Rex VN Perkins was truly a great leader and a great guy. I was the S1 at Team 17 from Jan – Dec 1971. I don’t specifically remember your dad Malcolm, but that could easily be my increasingly bad memory. And I see he was not with Team 17 the whole time so maybe I missed serving with him. I would stay in touch with Stephanie to see if she can find any pics with your dad and some of his compatriots during that time. She found some great ones with me in them with folks I had forgotten. Some of those had pics of Col Perkins. In fact,
Stephanie, since I know you are reading all these posts, if you come up with any more of Tm 17 during 1971, I’d love to see them. Wish we could post pics here, but apparently not. I tried the smugmug.com site today that you gave me previously, but it doesn’t seem to be an active link now.
Tom, sorry I haven’t been much help. Art Gill
The link should work. I just put pics up for friends.
jurhee.smugmug.com/
Aloha Art,
Who was the S1 before you?
Best wishes,
John Riggins
I might be wrong but wasn’t it Jon Wagoner? Can someone confirm or correct?
Art, I was at BaTo from May of 70 to March of 71. Jon Van Wagoner was S-1 for Team 17 when I arrived and probably until you replaced him. Jon did another tour in Vietnam and then taught in Salt Lake City schools for 40 years. He passed away in 2015 from leukemia attributed to Agent Orange.
Thanks Tom, but not the news I want to hear. Damn. We paid then, and many continue to pay even now. Yes, Jon was there for some overlap. Did not know he made another trip across the pond. Did he make it a career? Sounds like you stayed in touch with him?
Art,
I didn’t stay in touch with Jon. Awhile back his name was mentioned in a post and I googled him. Like so many times lately, the first thing I saw was an obituary. He left the service and was a school teacher for 40 years in Utah. He was a big help to me with the administrative things.
Tom Maddock
Mom thinks dad’s (LTC Perkins) civilian counterpart was Cushing.
His counterpart was H. B. Cushing. I worked in Quang Ngai HQ for both of them.
Stephanie, that is the relationship I remember also. Art
Hello. I’m looking for anyone that might have served with my father, Robert Lee Minchew from Houston, Tx. He was a medic with MAT 17 in Duc Pho. He was there in 1969 (possibly late ’68 as well). According to a stars and stripes article I found, he also served with medics named Albert Robles from Tucson, AZ and John Paynter from Denver, Co. I have a lot of photos of him there. I’ll try to post a link to the S & S article. Please post on here or email me bobbyminchew at gmail dot com if you knew him. Thank you.
Bobby, sorry I didn’t know your dad. Was he at Nghia Hahn or other area around Quang Ngai? If you don’t get any responses on Macvteams.org you can try to post your info and pix on my facebook page called MACV-Veterans.
Thanks Peter. The only area I’m for sure of is Duc Pho. He worked in various villages. Here’s the text of a Stars & Stripes article about him and the other medics. Maybe there will be some additional details that will help determine where he was exactly:
Advisors Esteemed By Village
Stars & Stripes Newspaper, 1969
DUC PHO (USA) —- “A medic’s job is never done”,” said Specialist 4 Robert Minchew, Houston, Tex. Echoing his statement were Sergeants First Class Albert M. Robles, Tucson, Ariz., and John A. Paynter of Denver, Colo. The three are all medics with Mobile Advisory Team 17 in the Duc Pho District of Quang Ngui Province.
Their work, in addition to its vital importance to the pacification program, has been responsible for saving many lives. During enemy penetrations into Duc Pho, the team treated 29 severely wounded men, women and children in one night. Specialist Minchew saved the life of one woman by amputating her seriously injured leg. At the same time, Robles was treating a severe head wound and Paynter was tending to a badly injured arm.
In addition to their emergency work, the team holds regular MEDCAPs handling the ills of the provincial people through routine examinations and occasional evacuations to Landing Zone Bronco of the more seriously ill patients. Immunizations and shots are given on a regularly scheduled basis. The three Americans are also advisors to the local civilian hospital and Popular Forces dispensary personnel.
They make frequent inspections of the facilities and try in every way to improve the sanitary standards. The medics also accompany the local Vietnamese units on combat operations, many times treating wounded under hostile fire, requesting medical evacuation by helicopter, or treating sick people in outlying areas.
Local Vietnamese soldiers and the majority of the 13,000 civilians living in Duc Pho can point out the three “bac si” (doctors) from among any large group of American troops. They are well known and respected by the people.
i was Senior Advisor of MAT 14 at Nhia Hanh in ’69 and our medic was James Douberly.
Should anyone be interested, I just unearthed a map of BaTo that I purchased on e bay. Says it was based on info from 1965. Vietnamese and English…it’s not as I remember my operation maps, but it’s been a long time. E mail me at cross0205@msn.com. Be well…
Sorry bad spelling, should be marry.
Though I Was not a team member, i was there in 1970. I was attached as an RTO from the Artillery off LZ411. We had 2 – 105’s adjacent to the compound and I was assigned to the radio room. Elements of 3/1 Inf Americal had a mission proximatey the mountain (Nui Bey?) After a short stint of a few weeks, I was assigned to a team member – Sgt Blivens, who kept me alive when we went to Kham Duc in 70. Landed on the high feature overlooking the air field.
At 18, I had no clue what MACV did and I am grateful to have spent time at the field house and what you men did. I am most gratefull to Sgt Blivens. This blog has filled in a lot of blanks. Thank you men of MACV
Hi Patrick, i am 1LT Ralph Potter. I was the senior advisor for 1-6 Battalion 6th Regt ARVN. I led that assault onto the old Special Forces OP above Kam Duc in 1970. Sgt Major Mick Roger AATTV was with me. 1-6 Advisors were based at LZ Bayonette. I just stumbled upon this blog and I would love to hear from any of my old mates. I was an advisor there from Jan-Dec 1970.
Ralph, I was part of Adv Team 17 from March 1970 to May 71. I was attached to the HQ in Quang Ngai. I worked for Mr. Cushing, the province Commander. I lived in the MACV compound in Quang Ngai.
Pat,
I’m guessing you have had to postpone your trip back to Vietnam with all this Covid 19 stuff. Please give my best to Jack if you talk to him.
Art Reardon
Yes we did, Cruise was cancelled. Hoping to make trek back to Vietnam in a year or so. Hope to see Jack this summer again. Hard to believe that it was 50 years ago that we landed in country. Stay safe.
Pat, 50 years!? Wow, it is hard to believe. Sometimes it feels like a 100 and sometimes like yesterday. This is easy to say since I made it out in one piece, but I wouldn’t trade it for any other year in my 26. But it’s for damn sure I would never have imagined saying those words in 1969 when I went on active duty. Art
I was stationed here approximately June 72-May 73.
Chuck. Were you the the doc for the team? We lived in the villa in town.
I lived in the villa also but worked in the bunker and traveled to mo duc and duc pho. I remember your name but being rather antique it’s hard to remember stuff. Do you remember the fire in mo duc
Chuck. I was the RTO in the bunker. You and I used to talk about corvettes and our favorite was 1967. When I got home in Aug 72 I bought a yellow 1967 with the black stripe.
You are the first person I have seen on here that I knew.
That’s right. I remember bits and pieces. Had some good times there. I remember you working the radio with evacs, incoming fire and support all at the same time. You knew what you were doing.
Where do you live now? I am in Southern California
I live in North carolina , retired but still busy. Miss a lot of the times in Vietnam but spent my last four years with the American embassy’s in Ankara Turkey and Ammon Jordan. Guess you are bout retired also.
I remember Cpt. Vavrin. I was in Quang Ngai HQ when he arrived and remember talking to him.
Pat, do you recall Cpt Vavrin visiting at MACV QN, around a week before the Tra Bong attack? I happened to be at Hqs, saw him for a moment, he was not happy.
Aloha Darrell, Besides Cpt Vavrin, do you remember any of the others who might have served in Tra Bong such as SFC Ames or SFC Coulter (medical advisor)?
Best wishes,
John Riggins
John, I did not know any of the advisors at Tra Bong, a Dick Ambrosius was with Frank during the Sept 1970 attack and I documented his remembrances.
John, et al, I have been reading the many replies on this Quang Ngai, (QN) site, thanks for all the comments. I arrived at QN mid 70 to mid 71. Thanks to all of you coming before, you made the province a much safer place and by 1971, we MAT teams and others were arming and training the local civilians, (PSDF) to protect themselves. Here we had the south armed to the teeth down to civilian groups, then America walked away. Made no sense to me when I saw what happened in 1975 when the north walked their way down to Saigon.
John Riggins, in my first book titled, “Cold War Burning,” I write of Cpt Frank N Vavrin, he and I arrived on the same flight in 70, received our assignments on the same day at MACV HQs. He was assigned to Tra Bong, I was assigned to Tu Nghia and folks, the bearded one, Ken Gove was the DSA there, not Mo Duc in August 70. We know what happened a few weeks later at Tra Bong. In my book research I located Frank’s parents in 2006, they were living in Ashville, NC We had a joyous reunion. Frank Sr. and Jean Vavrin were so happy to find someone who knew their son, Frank Jr. from so long ago. Frank Sr. was a retired US Army Chaplain, (airborne), was a veteran of Vietnam in the early 60’s. Frank Jr. was on his 2nd tour. I found a number of Frank’s old friends who contributed to a final chapter in my book. According to a Dick Ambrosius, he was with Frank during the attack and wrote that it was Frank who pulled him and others to safety. It was only when Frank was going out again to help injured people was he hit with an explosion that took his life.
I went back to Vietnam in 2009 on a book research trip, from Saigon to Hanoi. I traveled solo, no canned tours, spent three days in QN province, did not get up to the mountain districts. I have an 80 page blog I wrote daily on my 3-week tour, will send in Word format if anyone is interested.
Dai Uy Mudd over…….never out
Darrell, I’d love to read your blog. If downloadable, please send me the link. If you want to email it, send to vietnam1971@hotmail.com
Thanks, Art
Art, the blog has been taken down but I have my daily writings via Word, will send to your email address. Let me know your thoughts.
Aloha Darrell, I would love to read your blog. Would you send me a link to your blog and/or writings to john@johnriggins.com? Best wishes, John
John Mudd, who borrowed claymore from Mo Duc at Christmas of 68? Dai Ui Dave here….:-/
David Cross…………Riggins/Mudd, speaking personally, I was one good scrounger. Anything once belonging to the enemy was worth a bunch in the city. Americal Div. at Chu Lai was a short drive from Tu Binh.
We had Duc Pho Americal…they had too much food…we had alcohol to share. Worked well…ate a lot of Monfort steaks. MACV lived well, glad for the bunk.
If interested…
I just bought a book “My Vietnam” by Gene Kleese. Don’t know anything about it but I went to high school with his son and Kleese did two tours in Vietnam. Stories more than historical, they say.
missing ‘J’ in link. It’s Jurhee.
jurhee.smugmug.com/MACV-Vietnam-17
It’s too bad all the above info dos not go back to 63-64. I was the radio operator for Sr Advisor Maj Early and Maj Sullivan later with 50th vietnamese regiment. When I was there the regimental hqs was at son ha. We went on missions to Mo Duc, Duc Pho, Ba To and various other places. Hope someone is still out there from that period.
I was assigned to team 17? from august 63 to june 64, 25th infantry div. 50th regt. I was the radio operator for sr advisors, Maj Early
and Sullivan. SFC Ligon and Eason were battalion advisors.
moduc?
Suzanne, I was a MAT Ldr from Aug of 68 to Mar of 69, Quang Ngai Province was of significant interest to VC, NVA. It was uncle Ho’s starting point. My Mai was in my subsector…lost an most of an RF company there. In Dec of 68 major engagement with 2 main force battalions and in Jan, Feb and Mar there was a combined Army, Marine, SVN forces call Russell Beach designed to clear and resettle in Pinkville area.
About the peninsula they had to secure, when they landed by PT boat so when they left fire started and pinned them down on the beach. They had to radio the PT boat to come back to get them. The only one hurt was a sailor and he was critical…I think medevacced t o another country. I always wondered what happened it the sailor lived. That was late sept I want to say 69. Does any of this sound familar?
Never heard anything about PT boats being involved, but it is possible.
Didn’t think we had any PT boats in Nam. I know there were a lot of Riverine patrol boats there like the one in Apocalypse Now movie.
I served at Nghia Hanh in 1969 in the Phoenix program. Are you the the same J Wilkoff I called Jim and who got a piece of shrapnel in the back of your head? Email me if so. I have a pic of you relaxing on the couch.
Hi John, Yes that’s me. I have a pic of you also.
Hi John, I am looking for information on my father’s units in Vietnam. His name was John William Davis, and he was enlisted. In a few notes I took down before he passed away he said he was with MACV Quang Ngai province. I had also noted Political Rectification and Reaction Teams, and Special Weapons and Reactions – Phoenix program. Not sure if all that was one or different units over time. There were other units before this, he did 7 tours in Vietnam and did his full 20 before retiring.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
There was also something where a village was being attacked by VC and this was special because that village was trying to defend themselves. The macteam had a helicopter assault on the village and a few of the mac team took shrapnel but otherwise a success.
What is your source for Ho beginning in Quang Ngai? Thats interesting. Jay Wilkoff, Sr ADV, Nghia Hanh, 12/68-12/69
Jay, Ho was in the Province in 1949,the Province was considered to be the most firmly entrench province under Ho…NY Times Article.
Local lore had it that a ruin we could see from our team house roof was the birth place of Tran Van Minh…been 50 years…May have the name garbled. This was MoDuc..ca….1968. North and west of the compound, other side of Hwy 1. We were after Tet and local forces were decimated. As Phoenix/PRU guy we had a pretty good idea who was out there. Too bad the media chose other avenues to report.
My PRU and.I were part of this…I was new in country ad of Nobner and scared to death. Our job was to move forward with some National Police, 100 meters a day. Much more difficult than it sounds. It was an especially tough place, particularly after My Lao. We lost two policemen right off the bat. The up side is they flew me to a ship for a lunch….white linen..don’t remember what we ate.
Sorry for the misspelling….Dave
I just signed up for the MACV site and I guess that I am one of the OLD guys. I was there from 1962 – 1964 and was assigned to 3/50/25 ARVN. The team was called Advisor Team 7 back then. I was SP4 initially and was Small Arms Repair advisor. My Captain was CPT John W. Shannon Jr. SFC Howard Williams joined us later as Infantry Advisor. There were only two of us initially. I believe that we worked at Thuan Hoa out past the airfield and commuted daily. CPT Shannon later retired as COL and became Under Secretary of the Army under Pres Bush. He died last year unfortunately. I believe that I remember MAJ Early. CPT Kramer, whom compound was named after, was KIA during my time. I was later SGT and worked with CPT Ed Gunning as advisor to 46 Civil Guard BN (Bao An) and our job was to visit all districts but rarely stayed longer than a day. We were the only district advisors at the time and long before there were teams for each district. I could ramble all day but save for another time. I retired as CWO4 after 24 years and live in New Hampshire. Jim Devine
Wow Jim, ’62! Yup, you had to be one of the very first. Welcome and thanks for filling in some blanks for me, e.g., the genesis of Kramer Compound’s name. I think now I remember being told while I was there but had since forgotten. Art
James I was on Team 7 from Dec 62 – jun 63. I was radio op for 49th rgt at Van-Ly. I was Sp/4 at that time. Radio Op at 51st rgt was Jack Arnwine. I thought you were with 50th rgt. My name is Roger Kelley and I now live in Washington state. I remember quite a few individuals from that time . I’m new to this blog as of today and am not sure how things work. I was quite surprised to see your input as I don’t think that a lot of MAAG-Viet Nam types were still around.
Hope this gets to you.
Hello Roger Kelley. What a pleasant surprise. There really are some of us left. I am in NH and retired from Army after 24 years. I don’t remember you but then we are all getting older. My telephone 603-847-9636 love to talk . . Jim Devine
I arrived at Quang Ngai in July 1963 and assigned as a radio operator to the 50th ARVN regiment. Maj Early was the infantry advisor to LC Li Van Chu The 50th Hqs was at Son Ha or Ha Tahn. I remember Jack Arwine, RO for 51st Regt at Gia Vuc. We went to ISROC together.
Hey Phil, glad you saw my post. Jack and I were roomies when in the Quang Ngai compound. As noted I was RTO for the 49th regt at Van ly. Went on similar operations as you – if I remember correctly BA-To was a montagnard post. I did an operation with them in early 63 Cpt Are Sildam was advisor. S/A for the 49th was Maj Wieteki advisors were Cit Slyman, 1lt Auyong (badly wounded in summer 63; 1lt Joel Sugdinis later Cpt w/ 1st Cav at battle of Ia Drang – see book “we were soldiers once and young”. Two Special Forces were killed in May 63 – PFC Macyver (rto} and a ist LT that I can’t recall. Everyone refers to QG compound as Kramer – if I recall it was named after CPT Kramer and another officer. Anyway, lots of history there for those who came later. Seems to me it was the same in the late 60″s early seventies as when it was MAAG.
Roger Kelley
Roger, I am the late Col. (R) Wieteki’s son. We lost him in the summer of 11. In reading your post I saw a name that I remember. Auyong, and I found a picture of him in Dad’s photos. He is eating Thanksgiving dinner on a hood of a jeep. Wow, it much more meaningful now. Thank you. If you would like it, I would consider it a honor to get it to you. donwiet@gmail.com.
Don just saw your post. I have responded to your email.
Roger- my brother told me about this! dad mentioned an NCO Martinez a few times, and when I was on active duty in the 80s at Fort Hood, MG Mike Conrad, and MG Jack Woodmansee had stories about our Dad, COL Don Wieteki USA (RET). It is very special to both of us that you remember our Dad.
Kate Wieteki Moentmann
Hi Kate, Happy New Year. I am very pleased to hear from you. I have many good memories of your dad. I was nineteen years old when I served under his command. He always called me “young Kelley”. This was in 1963. If you want you can email me at kelleyrgr@google.com. Perhaps we can share phone numbers and I will tell you “the rest of the story”.
Sad report: MAT 1-58/TM -17..With a little surfing, I discovered that Ha Thanh/Son Ha medic Jul 70-Jul 71 MSG Kenneth Fugate …’Doc’..my MAT Team medic passed away and is buried in North Carolina. Damn, I wished I’d known. Doc was a super guy, hellva soldier and one special medic of my MAT team. 2 of my 5 guys were repeats..had a previous tour. Doc, my LT (Joe Kopcick) and me were first timers. The repeats, SFC Shaw and Carter, were helpful and guided this young/dumb 1LT in things to do and not do. Doc simply was willing..against many times our collective wisdom and better advice..to do whatever needed to be done to help people..relieve suffering. He was a true humanitarian…a soldier first, but a compassionate and fearless provider of help. I very well recall going with him,,just me and him..into the vill..maybe 3kms from our wire at 2200 to assist in the birth of a breech baby of one of the wives of our PF troop..coulda been a trap. When questioned, he told me he’d never done anything like this,,didn’t know what to do..but had to go..off we went. In a thatch hut, mud floor with no electricity..me holding the flashlight..he spent well over an hour trying to manipulate the fetus to deliver..what did I know.. he directed me, and we worked together.. the baby was still borne but the mother survived. I believe no-one could have done a better job under impossible circumstances.. He was a real strong point in any good recounting of what we-MACV- did well in Vietnam.. a tribute to us as an Army, as a people and as a what men are meant to do. I miss him, salute him and thank him for making me a better officer.
That is an amazing story. I wish I could have met both of you. It is examples like this that I want to make as lessons of life for myself but I am just a bit too selfish I suppose. Thank you,sir, for this story.
I’d love them. Sgsail@icloud.com
Lookin for information on former team members. Adv Tm 17 MAT I- 63 during the period September 1970 to 1 February 1971 I am Freddie C.Odomes and I was there during this period. The other members were SFC Woods, SFC Stokes, SSG Rodriguez, and a 1LT that I can not remember his name. SFC Stokes and I were wounded on the morning of the 1st and MEDEVACED. We were at LX Max in Mo Duc. email dooney88fo@att.net
Freddie Odomes, I was with MAT I-62 in Tu Nghia, just north of you. I recall a LT Joe Elkins was in Mo Duc around that time, maybe earlier. He and I started working at Coors Brewery in Golden the end of 1971. I seem to recall the incident you mentioned and I have a photo of 3 guys that were leaving Quang Ngai, for home in mid July, 71. Leave me an email address and I’ll attach the photo. I revisited Quang Ngai in 2009 on a book research trip, have lots of photos, from Saigon to Hanoi. Take care.
Dai Uy DSMudd
Thanks for the information. Congratulations on your books, quite a hit. I responded too you with an email.
macv moduc (mr long,wiliam collier)
I was in MoDuc 5/68-8/69”’ Long was an interpreter, lived in the Ville. Anyone know Wayne Frank? Mr. Dat ….PRU?
David Cross, remember “The Bearded One,” Ken Gove, DSA at Tu Nghia?
No, I sure don’t know of him. The only Phoenix person I ever met was a short ,fat guy who wore black pajamas and loved my beer. We’re you stranded in Mo Duc when your chopper pilot split for the Bob Hope show?
David, Ken Gove was the District Senior Advisor, DSA, at Tu Nghia, a civilian with the State Dept., and yes, he also wore black pajamas and a beard down almost to his waist.
I was in BaTo district from May 70-Mar 71. I remember Wayne Frank as a USAID agricultural adviser. He helped in a project where the Montagnards built a bridge over a fish pond which they used to relieve themselves. This provided food for the fish which made them larger. I tried to stay away from fish meals when in the district. Wayne later transferred to Danang and I stayed with him going to and from R & R. I also remember another USAID civilian named Dave Toryla who made visits to BaTo.
Thanks, Wayne remained a friend long after VN. He was a playwright, I have a poem he wrote about an incident in country and a play called The Bridge at Mo Duc. I’m assuming be has passed, no communication for a couple of years and he was in Greece and very ill last time we spoke. He called himself many things, but I would never know his true title. He had balls for a civilian, even went wrong my PRU and me a time or two.
Dave,
Think you got your dates a little off there, Dave. I arrived Mo Duc June of 68 and departed June 69. You, my replacement, arrived Feb – April (can’t recall exactly) 69. Yes? James S. Tarply, the Senior Advisor and my boss, mirrored my time with Team 17 – Mo Duc. Major Tarply passed away several years ago. Trung si Long survived the war. I have been in touch with him and his daughter within the past 12 years. I often think of that particular 12 months, my fellow team members and our many Vietnamese counterparts and friends.
I remember Trung Si Long. How can I contact him?
Art Reardon
Art,
It is very difficult (to impossible) to contact him. He and his family are safe; but, even after all of these years, he keeps a very low profile (as I am sure you can understand). How I pulled it off was a very long and convoluted precess. In all, it took about three months to pull off. I doubt it is possible to replicate, not to mention the concern for his safety. I did get a nice letter & photos from him (via courier). He was well. He is in his latter 70s, by now. Funny, at the time I was 21 years of age. Based on his boyish good looks, I thought we were about the same age. In fact, he has me by a good margin.😊
Sorry I can’t be of further assistance. If you search Mo Duc on the internet there is a photo of him with the then Senior Advisor, circa 72/73. From what I could tell from the photo, it seems what remained of the good guys had abandoned the District HQs in favor of the advantages of FB Dragon’s higher elevation. If you can’t locate same, let me know; I will locate a link for you.
Tom
Thank you for the info, Tom.
Art
Art,
My email is: tmurchie2@gmail.com – send me yours and I will respond with a cell phone number with which you can contact me direct. I can then share with Long’s details.
Tom
Tom, my email is artr49er@gmail.com
Art
My name is Al Serrato. I was at Quang Ngai from appx June 1968 to October 1968.
Our compound was adjacent to a barbed wire area called the Viet Cong suspect Interrogation Center.
Does that description seem familiar to anybody?
Al, I was at team 2 from August ’68 to August ’69. I was an infantry advisor with 2-4 battalion so didn’t get back to Kramer Compound very often. I never heard of the VC interrogation center, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t exist, I just wasn’t aware of it.
Al,
If you are referring to the Provincial Interrogation Center (PIC,) then I was very familiar with the facility. You and I appear to have had overlapping assignments to Advisory Team 2 in the same overall timeframe – I had been setting up the then-new Phoenix program in Binh Son since September ’67, then came down from Binh Son District HQ to oversee a major physical rebuild of a portion of the PIC in March 1968. I left from there to return home just before Christmas. Bob Ramsdell (retired Army Intel) was actually the Phoenix go-to guy for immediate action – I learned a bunch from him. Together, we worked the Phoenix side of the prisoner issue. It was a point of honor that we were able to extract information from PIC “guests” without ever laying a hand on them. Strange doins’ for a Navy Intel LT, but that’s the way some things worked out.
Al Serrato, I was the S2 QN advisor a few years later, mid 71. We were across the street from Province HQ’s, next to the Catholic Church. My VN counterpart had a caged area where we kept prisoners while they were being interrogated. We were in back of the S3 shop. I revisited QN in 2009, researching my first book project. The Church had been repaired, looked to be used, the province bldgs., were yet being used as well as the bldg. where the S2 and S3 shops were located. All bldgs., had flying the blood red with big yellow star flag,
Tom,
Do you know how I can contact Trung Si Long. I remember him. As I recall his home was right on Hwy 1 right where we turned to get in to Mo Duc District compound.
Art Reardon
My brother flew 21st RAC Bird Dogs out of Quang Ngai July-September 1968. He was billeted in what he refers to as the “Citadel” – about 4km from the airfield. I’d be grateful to see any exterior shots of the Citadel.
Jim – I have a few images of “the Citadel” from when I was there in ’67 – ’68. Send me your e-mail and I’ll get them on the way.
Tom — I’m trying to identify a FSB my brother occasionally visited somewhere NW of Quang Ngai. I’d attach the photos here if I knew how to do it.
Just now saw your comment some three and 1/2 half years after you posted it. If you are still around and interested, I am William Collier.
Was anyone on the team 17 page stationed at Nghia Hahn in mid ’68 to ‘mid 69? I was one of the Team 2 ARVN 2nd Div battalion advisors during that time and spent a couple spells protecting Nghia Hahn. I have some pix I’ve digitized of some of the guys stationed there that I would like to share. The only name I remember is Marty Feeny, a 1LT.
BTW, I started a facebook page called MACV-Veterans and have posted a bunch of pix there. Check it out. Thanks.
Pete, I think a LT John Daub was there during that time. I have his email address, let me know.
Thanks Darrel, John and I have established comms.
I arrived at Nghia Hanh near the end of 68 and was there about 11 months serving as Phoenix coordinator then ADSA. Maj Loberg was DSA when I arrived and then CPT Gibson. I believe I remember you and may have a pic. (send a photo of you have one).
Just sent you a bunch of pix of the Nghia Hahn area. Hope they bring back some good memories.
Hi, John. I was 1LT Jay Wilkoff, MAT 14 Sr Team Advisor at the same time as you were there, as MI if I remember correctly. I remember when the DSA Maj bumped his head UNDER the table during a rocket attack, and gave himself a PH. I have several photos of the team house, compound and men.
Jay, Back in ’68-69 I was 1LT Pete Jerszynski with ARVN 2-4 battalion. We were in Nghia Hahn several times to beef up your security, if memory serves. My ARVN battalion was also there for a short time when an Americal Div artillery unit was in the area. You probably remember 1LT Marty Feeney. I’m trying to locate him as I have some pix of him I’d like to get to him.
By the way, I started a Facebook page entitled MACV-Veterans and have posted a bunch of pix there. Check it out.
Pete
I just entered several pics of MAT-14 members and District HQ on your MACV-Veterans FB page.
John,
I was down South at Mo Duc; however, I knew Major Loberg and his hound dog, and seemingly constant companion, Buford. Major L. was a friend of my boss, Major Tarpley. Fond memories of Major Loberg…
Tom
Tom,
I was stationed in Mo Duc from late July of 1970 until late May 1971 (I got a three week early out). My DSAs were Major Al Witt who was replaced by a Major Gregg when Major Witt rotated home. I was with the 29th Civil Affairs Company.
Art Reardon
Art,
Here the web sight I mentioned (along). It is a decent video. “Col Collier and The Battle for Mo Duc”
YouTube
Easy to find,
Tom
I too was in Mo Duc from July 70 until May 71. Vietnamese District Chief would clean our rifles for beer and/or Salem cigarettes. Main interpreter for our DSAs was Sgt. Long.
Art Reardon
Art,
I was there (Mo Duc) 6/68 – 6/69. I assume the place got no friendlier with my departure. I was the Deputy Senior Advisor and Phoenix chief. Some names you may recall: Sgt Long (interpreter), Sgt Chow (in charge of our only 81mm motor tube; but, he/they were most proficient), Cpt Hu (spelling?), District Chief, Co Von & Co Huang, DIOCC employees – so many names escape me, though the faces remain. I slept in the main team house, immediately adjacent to the dry goods room. Had an anti-mortar barrier build around and over my bunk. Maybe you were fortunate enough to have made that very space your nightly “safe place”.? The anti flood barriers, toilets and showers, and the array of rooftop fighting positions were all done during my tenure. I frequently adjusted artillery from the observation tower. I hated scaling the interior latters at Odark30 and near zero illumination conditions.
Does any of this bring back memories?
Best,
Tom
Tom,
I too slept in the team house. As I recall, I bunked in a bedroom down the hall from the toilets, first room on the left. When monsoons came, we sandbagged the flood barriers and pumped the water from the house for a couple of days. Within a month, we had another deluge but this time just moved everything up and headed for the roof. The water in the house was almost waist deep and our DSA Major Witt had us go down into the house to make sure no sensitive documents were floating around. Finding none, we retired to the bar and had some beer. Major Witt found us and said something like, “well I know where I can find my team.” One of our NCOs replied that we were just making sure there was no contamination. I think we were on the roof at least two days and nights until the waters receded.
Art,
Good story. It happened twice a year (the flooding, that is). It seems a lot changed after mid 69. By Team House I refer to the original very old French (I believe) construction. It had a pitched terra-cotta roof (could not be walked on). There was a kitchen, two bedrooms (one for the DSA), a dry goods room, a radio room and a large meeting room. The latter is where we kept our supply of weapons, ammo and the like. The showers, sinks and toilet structure was located in between this structure and the one you describe. The latter building was only four or so years of age. It was constructed by Army Engineers. We later poured the fighting positions on the roof of this structure. It’s exact location was the very Northeast corner of the compound perimeter. We spend lots of nights on that roof. There was a fourth building in between the Team House (French) and the immediate North perimeter. It was but a concrete shell, as it was taken out by an enemy fire (a 75mm recoilless rifle July of 68). Originally, this building was the storehouse for medical supplies. Mo Duc – I can’t believe I miss it at times. 😊😊
Tom
Interesting comments on Mo Duc district. Iâm going to try and copy/paste a couple of images, one of LZ Snoopy, how it now looks as of 2009, and one of Tu Nghia district flood, fall of 1970. Here goes. I took this image along QL#1, LZ Snoopy, on a 2009 book research project I was on from Saigon to Hanoi. The 2nd image is an old 1970 flood we had at Tu Nghia district. You can see in the boat what was important to salvage. What a mess to clean up the compound.
Well, letâs see if I can insert dialogue plus images. DSMudd
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
When I arrived in May 1971 the toilets were all overflowing in the facilities structure. A long Sat. With a lot of “volunteers” brought us back to spec.
Gia Nghia was mostly quiet in my 3 mos there.
Sorry – Team 32. Prior was Team 17.
Art: I was a 1Lt. on a Mat team located in Duc Phung from 9/70 to 6/22/71. I remember you from my few overnights in District HQ and of course, I remember LtC Witt and later Major Gregg and the “main man” at the District compound, Sgt. Young.
When I first joined the team, 1Lt Roy Cheatwood from Florida was the team leader. After he left, I became the team leader until a Captain Shestock arrived about March ‘71. Sgt. I.V. Jefferson was a stalwart SFC, and Peter Boyle, Sgt. E-5 from San Fran was a great team member. We had three medics during my tour, first Sgt. Dance, then Sgt. Villarreal and lastly Sgt. Pharr, from Georgia. I believe Pharr had been in Nam continuously for several years.
We sat out the monsoon of 71 at Duc Phung. I remember it being quite cold.
Our little compound was partially overrun on April 1, 1971. Cpt.. Shestock was wounded and evacuated, along with several wounded RFs and PFs.
A Lt. Bobby Knusik (sp?), pronounced Ka-new -sik also lived at district HQ. He was involved in the Phoenix program with Sgt.Myslinski. I mention Bobby because he went out on an operation with the Viet Cpt. in command of the complement of regional forces and popular forces at Duc Phung. During the op about a half dozen VC were taken prisoner. The Captain wanted to eliminate the prisoners, arguing that if he turned them in he would be fighting them again in a few weeks. Bobby, the sole American on this operation, told the Captain that if was bent on killing the prisoners he’d have to kill him too. The VC prisoners were brought back alive.
I relate that story of Bobby’s heroic action to rebut the popular, but erroneous image of the infantry soldier, brought about in part by the cowardly acts of Lt Calley.
So Art, this is a rather long reply to your post. Perhaps you remember me, I’m a tall fellow from Boston.
Bob Mulligan
Good Afternoon, Would anyone know these fellows, as I recall, the ones in the picture were with MACV, Duc Pho, maybe Mo Duc district, we were all ready to head home, July 1971. DSMudd
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Bob I certainly do remember you and the officers and nco personnel you mentioned. I have actually been in contact with Roy Cheatwood and years ago, maybe 50 or so years ago, had a visit with Pete Boyle. Those were some very good men and I liked all of them. I remember when your OP was attacked and overrun. As I recall Pete Boyle was set to extend but once that happened he found out his papers had not been processed he pulled his papers having decided that incident was probably a warning to him. I often wonder what became of all those guys. Those of us who still around are all in our 70s or 80s. A bit of a reminiscence about Lt. K. During monsoon season, he and I ended up in the back of a two and a half ton truck, probably driven by Sammy, and delivered food, bread mostly as I recall, to somewhere that had been cut off by flooding. That evening, Lt. K told me he had overheard Maj Witt saying to Capt. Randall something like, “Bill, that was pretty brave of you going out to distribute food through the floodwaters. I think you deserve a medal”. Capt. Randall responded something like, “That was Lt. Kanyusick and Reardon, sir, not me”, to which Maj. Witt responded, “Oh”. I am still waiting for that medal, but since LTC Witt died years ago and since he held my military prowess in low regard, I am pretty certain that if I do get a medal it will be very, very, VERY posthumously. I cannot speak to the Major’s opinion about Lt. K’s military bearing.
Once when looking up Mo Duc I came across the story of Col Collier who was there as DSA in 1972 and who commanded a fierce battle for the Mo Duc compound. If you look up Battle of Mo Duc on You Tube, you will be able to learn about him and his heroism. He reached out to me through this site and some time back, maybe a year or more ago, we talked on the phone.
Quick update on me: I got home in late May of ‘71 and started grad school in the Fall. I started teaching in 1972 and it was at that school I met my wife whom I married in 1975. We had two children and had a wonderful marriage until Dianne died in February 2021. I have two grandsons, aged 7 and almost 9. I’ve had a good life and remain in good health and look forward to what my life has in store for me.
Art Reardon
Art and Bob, thanks for the memory and update.
I transferred in from Tam Ky to the S2 slot in NOV 70, and left MAR 71 for USARV 525tb MI, then to Nha Trang, Dalat and Gia Nghia.
Do you remember MAJ Ben Crosby? I was with him FEB 24, 71 in a district fight. I don’t recall the name. An Aussie officer was evac’d.. John Cullen was involved. I’m interested in the name of the engagement.
I remember Roy Cheatwood who went on to be a big name lawyer in New Orleans. A couple of QC tried to shake us down at a bridge one day in Da Nang and ended up looking at Roy’s pass, a .45.
Best.
Hi Jerry,
I am afraid Maj Crosby does not ring a bell with me, but, truth be told, a lot of the names and places from my tour in Vietnam don’t ring bells with me. Having said that, I do like reconnecting and remembering my time in Vietnam. I don’t know about you, but when I got home I just tried putting Vietnam in the rear view mirror and moving on with my life, a strategy that did not work out very well. I am sure I had a case of survivor’s guilt and it really took me 40 years to embrace my status as a Vietnam veteran.
Art
Understood.
The Army and VN changed me for the better and I appreciate that.
My departure at 9.5 months was sudden and unexpected. My parents had been killed. I went home on emergency leave and then an early out. With a lot of surprise family issues to handle.
Hard to script life.
Jerry
Hey Art, from one Art to another … You expressed my sentiments almost exactly. I’ve never had a great memory for details in my past, but really enjoy being part of this blog and having some of those synapses refreshed. Thanks for all the posts. Art Gill Quang Ngai, TM 17, Kramer Klub (hey, just made that up. Lame)
I was MAT-14 SR Advisor from 12/68-12-69.
I remember when y’all were surrounded all night by a large VC and Main Force unit. I helped call in air and artillery for you. You were down to 6 rounds of ammo and were rolling grenades at the enemy, when they withdrew. There was an M-113 that I remember coming by our compound with Aussie advisor on it. I just can’t remember the date.
If memory serves, I had Spooky or Puff the Magic Dragon gunships circling all night dropping flares and firing almost on top of our positions. Did a lot of that from behind or under an M-113 APC. Pucker factor was high.
I acted as relay for you. I also called in the time on target artillery that decimated their relief forces coming thru the mountain pass. Fun night!
Fun night indeed. We lost a lot of troopers that night and I think several ARVN officers. I vaguely recall that our battalion commander wanted to counterattack in the morning but couldn’t organize an effective force due to casualties.
Thanks for your help that night.
About when was that?
I want to say this action was early ’69 around Tet holiday. I seem to recall someone saying that intel thought VC/NVA had a goal of splitting South Vietnam in the Quang Ngai area, but I can’t swear to that. I’ll look thru my army doc’s to see if there is any specific mention of the action.
we were hit also. A 122 hit outside our bunker and took me out when it came thru the firing port. My team medic found me on the bunker floor when they didn’t see me up top. My hearing was shot for a while and I had a hard time on the radio. Medic patched me up so I could continue fighting.
Glad you recovered. Those rockets were nasty.
Jay, I was looking thru my army documents and came across the Vietnamese Cross of gallantry w/Silver star I received from ARVN and it gave the dates of the action we were talking about. So all this action around Nghia hahn (North and West, I believe) occurred between 2/24/69 and 3/10/69. Hope this helps to jog the memory. Again, thanks for your assistance that night and glad that rocket blast at your site didn’t cause any severe damage to your person.
Pete jerszynski
I remember it as you being West and South of our camp. I could hear (barely) the gunfire and see the tracers from ground battle and air support.
Jay, now that you mention west and south I think I’m mixing up two different actions in my mind that were probably during the same time frame. I’m pretty sure we were involved in two separate situations where we found ourselves surrounded or up against a significantly superior force. In both actions it was an all night affair, if memory serves. The morning after the action that you recall, if i remember correctly, was when I received a new senior adviser to the team, a marine captain named Carlisle. I was acting senior adviser when Major Bender was rotated to a staff advisory position. I think Carlisle was only with me about a month or two, but couldn’t swear to it. What’s sad is that most of us didn’t keep a log or journal of our time there so our memories start to fade or jumble together.
Very true.I have pictures of team members that rotated in and out but only remember names of 2.
Did you know Lt. Moody with MACV at Quang Ngai during ’68 -69? I know they had to secure a peninsula once a month…on Sept 23 or 25th they were pinned down by VC. Another was a helicopter assault to a village trying to defend themselves against VC. HE & his medic were wounded. He died 10 years ago.
I remember the incident, but I was farther out West. It was quite a battle, even the relief helicopters had a hard time getting in or providing support fire.
Thank you for any information. It had to be scary for any MACV team. I really didn’t know until today after reading these posts that the territory was so heavily infiltrated with VC. The whole war was so political and realizing how terribly hard our troops fought to come back alive was incomprehensible to most stateside. Lt. Moody had a tough time reentering humanity. For those of you who returned and could, I am so thankful. Life…enjoy it.
We faced local VC, Main Force Battalions (trained troops) and of course, North Vietnamese regular army forces with the equivalent of a local militia.
No, sorry, I didn’t know a LT Moody.
I remember BOTH on station.
I posted several pics from Nghia Hanh compound, 12/68-12/69, on the MACV-Veterans page. I have more. Now, I remember you.
Good Saturday morning y’all. I am happy to have found this site and have read many of your stories.
I have been searching for anyone that may have served with my Uncle, PFC Patrick Nelms from Missouri. He was a medical corpsman with ADV TEAM 17, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, MACV in Quang Ngai from 8/25/68 to 11/04/68 when he was KIA. I am his namesake and just want to know a little more about what he was like. If anyone served with him I would greatly appreciate any info or stories you might like to share with me. Thank you.
Sorry for your loss. Like all Medics, I’m sure he was a great guy.
Patrick,
I served with your Uncle from his first day with our Mo Duc based Team to his final day. Indeed, a few years ago I visited the VN War Memorial (DC) to visit his place (along with another Team member who was KIA at the same time) on the Wall. I took a photo of same. I will be happy to send to you. I believed I also have a few photos of Patrick. He was an excellent guy. For details, you can reach me at: tmurchie2@gmail.com
Best,
Tom
My first mission was an ASAP Med-Evac on the Batangan Peninsula about the evening of the third week of December, 1968, plus or minus. I was a W-1 flying co-pilot on a A/123rd “Pelican” UH-1. We were inbound, I was flying (my first in-country mission) and I kept seeing a yellow flicker out of my left eye. I concentrated on it and the Hydraulic warning light began to flicker more and more; then became solid yellow. By then I had notified the Aircraft Commander (AC). He directed me to the Quang Ngai MACV compound, and started making emergency calls. By the time I got to the MACV compound, the hydraulic pressure gauge read zero.
Now what happens when the hydraulic lines empty is that the main rotor blade freezes and flying is done. Figuring the distance from the center of the Batangan Peninsula and the MACV compound would be 10 to 15 minutes I guess. I’m writing this so you can guess we landed and Ky Ha sent a bird to pick us up. I’m also writing so you know why that idiot landed in the middle of your compound at night with no lights.
This is how I remember it. That was many moons ago and adrenaline was high. Pardon any spelling errors. I’m old like you.
Cheers,
Mike McCormick
West Bend, Wisconsin US
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Life Member
Mike..Great story & glad it all came out well, and now its 50 yrs later and you’re still able to recount! Good stuff! I’ve mentioned the great support from the 123rd we enjoyed for my year in the area.. was up int the hills at the old SF Camp A-104/Ha Thanh or Son Ha..we’d ride with the Pelicans frequently and used the Warlords more than once when the times got tense……… I’m in No-then Virginia and as I’ve said to others who assisted us MACV-types (we were always very grateful)………ya ever get on my map sheet, let me know…smoke will go out and I’ll buy whatever you drink all night long! Thanks again!
Mike, my name is Pat Bulman. I was stationed in Quang Ngai 1970-71. I am from Horicon, Wi.
Pat, Fred Camacho I was a MAT Leader based at Son Tinh Sub-Sector 68/69, I live in Wis Rapids.
Thank you Peter!
email: cempub01 at charter dot net
Thanks Mike. I’ll send those chopper pix out shortly. You’ll have to let me know if it’s actually your chopper.
Pete
Pete,
That UH-1 was not ours. It could be a Minuteman bird, not sure. My UH-1 would have appeared to be undamaged until you opened the engine compartment, and there was no damage on landing that I recall. It has been so long; perhaps the incident was in January of 1969.
I landed at the QN soccer field frequently after I transitioned into the OH-6, (late Summer ’69) so I know that location was not it either. That mission was carrying PAX to/from Trabong.
Thanks also to the folks who responded. One of my Hooch mates at Ky Ha heliport in Chu Lai lives in Wisconsin Rapids. Ed Hagar/Hager.
I think he was a parole officer about 10 years ago.
Mike, hard to believe there was more then one crashed Huey at Quang Ngai. Oh well, enjoy the pix anyway. I have some pix of Blackcats landing at Nghia Hahn if you’re interested.
Pete
I’d like to see those photos.
Jay, I’m out of town till end of next week. I’ll send you those pix when I get home. You may have to remind me, but I’ll try to remember.
Pete
Pat Bulman: I’m on Silver Lake at West Bend, WI. We live about 20 mi apart.
Pat, this is Freddie Odomes. I was at Mo Duc MAT I-63. Sep 70 to 1 Feb 71, medevac that day.
moduc
I was in No Duc til August of 69. Who did you know?
Mike, I may have pictures of your crashed Huey at the compound. I can’t imagine there were too many of those crash landings there. Send me your e-mail address and I’ll forward them to you. I was in Quang Ngai from July ’68 to July ’69, so there’s a good chance my pix are your chopper. I’ve also posted a bunch of pix on facebook: MACV_Veterans page.
Hail, as a former Chrew Chief I know exactly what your talking about.
I live in Newfield, NY,
Brian Caster
RVN 69-70
Lived in a hooch there 6/69 – 6/70 Adv Team 2
Batangan peninsula was where the 48th zapper battalion operated from – one of the most elite
enemy forces in country that inflcted many casualties on us.
My name is John Tiddark, CPT US Special Forces. Quang Ngai PRU Advisor. December 1968 – May 1969. Team members Major Bill Gavan, GSGT Ernie Burlem, SSG Clyde Harmon. New member GSGT George Mayo assigned around March. We lived in the Embassy House near soccer field. Clyde and I were wounded on mission on Batangan Penisula May 22, 1968. GSGT was KIA. I’m wondering if you knew CAP team member called medivac. Our radio was knocked out in the blast.
I arrived in Quang Ngai Nov 1970 from Tam Ky and left Mar 1971 for 525th MI in Nha Trang, later at Dalat and Gia Nghia. At QN I? was the ass’t S2. The boss was a CPT Secor (I think). We had a Sgt. Freed “(savvy fellow), a Clerk named Riley who left us to be a RTO for a MAT team. I led the team after Cpt. Secor went home. From the trail above, it sounds like Darrell Mudd took over the job after I left. I went out with Ben Crosby, then a MAJ, 2/24/71 when a MAT team engaged. An Aussie MAT leader was evac’d. John Cullen of Chicago was with us. I recall a MAT team leader, Roy Cheatwood. An odd duty was bag man for settlements when Army vehicles injured VN nationals. The QC (RVN cops, “white mice”) would hold the driver and barter for payment. Jerry Frick, then a 1LT Robert Frick.
Does anyone else remember the visiting Major or LTC who traveled with a goose, only to have it cooked in Dec1970?
Best to all.
Jerry, so, you were the S-2 officer just leaving when I showed up for my last couple of months of duty. I came off a Tu Nghia MAT team, with a 1542 MOS, S-2 work was a bit different but very interesting. I worked with the Phoenix guys and the local CIA unit, daily briefings were tough. Talk about some mean SOB Vietnamese cadre the CIA had working with them. I have pictures of the S-2 staff, 3 sergeants. also pictures of our S-2 counterpart Dai Uy and the mean-ass Vietnamese interrogator. My replacement came in July, 71, he was MI, but I forgot his name. Hope he checks in on this website someday. Also have a photo of him. Email me at dswmudd@gmail.com. I’ll attach the photos.
Thanks. Was SGT. Freed still there? Good guy.
Col Rex Perkins is gone. 😥 His daughter, me, is watching the Vietnam ken burns documentary and trying to learn more about VN and my dad. If anyone remembers him, please post.
My name is Jim Meyer. Rather than go very far into who I am (I’ve post here a number of times)..I wanted to convey that I spent my year as a 1LT/then CPT MAT Team leader in furthest west district (Son Ha) of the Quang Ngai province while your father was the senior US assigned to the MACV Tm 17. If I might speak for the officers and senior NCOs serving with your father at the time, we universally admired and respected him. He was genuinely concerned about each of us (I still have the letter he signed/sent to my wife here in Virginia shortly after my arrival informing her who he was and that I was taken care of..that meant alot to her) Again, my time w TM 17 was a mixed bag and I wish I had not made the trip, but if I had to go..I wanted my commander to be (then) LTC Perkins..a fine officer and a real gentleman. I’m sorry for his passing but I certainly well recall him and always will.
Thank you so much. Hearing things about him makes me very happy. I am lucky – he lived to be 86. If you can scan the letter for me, should you still have it, that would be awesome.
I used to live in Richmond and just returned from visiting. I see you live in VA and am curious where.
Thanks for prompt reply. We live in Fairfax just outside the Beltway. yes, I do have the letter immediately available (scanned PDF) …use my provided e-mail and I’ll attach it in my reply. thanks again. jim
What do you mean use your provided email?
aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I see. in order to post a reply on this site, one must each time provide an email…i do that..and you do too to reply to my note.. apparently those aren’t seen in reading the response.. so my email is memjfm1@hotmail.com.. hit me and i’ll send the letter scanned and a good photo of your dad.. jim
Let me know how to find your email. I’m happy to give mine… sgsail@icloud.com
Stephanie, I have a recording, (I think) of your dad’s voice over the MACV push. It was in 71, I believe, and was in regards to an operation in Nghia Hahn district. He sounded so in control of the situation, calling in support. I have a photo of him when the I Corp MACV civilian CO came down visiting us and the local Navy junk base on the Song Tra Khuc River.
Darrell
dswmudd@gmaiul.com.
Oh my. Is it something you can send? I miss him so much. I had no idea how much he “loved his troops”, as mom just said.
I’m going to go through more slides and see if I can find some more good ones. Trying to send link to my dad’s pics but not working now.
Can you email a recording by any chance?
Stephanie, the recording is on a cassette tape, will see if I can locate it first, then copy it on a CD might be the best way. I’m sure the recording is of your dad, Col Perkins, plus some cool sounding Chopper pilots and one or two guys on the ground. There were injured friendlies plus an enemy unit that was getting chewed up quickly. I happened to be monitoring the MACV Province command push early 1971 at my MAT RF/PF outpost east of Quang Ngai city and had my trusty recorder nearby. Let me see what I can accomplish.
Darrell Mudd
Darrell, when you mentioned the Song Tra Khuc river, brought back memories. My ARVN 2-4 Battalion pulled tra khuc river bridge protection duty a couple of times while I was with them (mid ’68 to mid ’69). What was nice about the duty was the fact that it was static position (at least for the command element). I have pix of the bridge if interested. If memory serves, there was a section of the old bridge next to the new one out in the middle of the river. Wasn’t that bridge the highway 1 bridge?
Pete J
Pete, the old bridge is still there, a new one has been built to the east, sort of a bypass for Quang Ngai City today. In 2009, I stayed at the My Tra Hotel, located on the north banks of the STK river, next to the old bridge. I have some old/new images, if interested, contact me at my email, dswmudd@gmail.com. Interesting comments on this site about Nghia Hahn district, for in 70-71, the area was still getting some activity from Charlie. Thanks to all who were there from the early to late 60’s, you made QN a much safer place when I arrived in 1970.
Going through dad’s slides. When were you there? I have hundreds of slides ftom 56 (Korea) to 78. Most from Viet Nam.
Stephanie, this is Art Gill; I was at TM 17 all of ’71 and served under your Dad as a wet behind the ears LT/CPT. RVN Perkins was the leader we all hope to have under those circumstances. Did you ever get those slides done? I’d love to see them also as they probably have others in the pics that might bring back some memories. Thanks, and all the best, Art
Here’s my email in case you have a link to the pics. vietnam1971 ‘at’ hotmail dot com
Stephanie
My name is Tom Maddock. I was a District Senior Adviser in BaTo District, Team 17, Quang Ngai from May 1970 until March 1971. As I recall, your dad was not there when I arrived but came soon after. He was my commanding officer for most of my tour. I can only agree with Jim Meyer and others about your dad,s leadership and concern for his people. BaTo was one of ten districts. One senior adviser was civilian and the rest were majors except for myself and one other captain. I was the only one who was not career military. BaTo was an isolated mountain district. Between the district team and the Mobile Advisory Team we had from 6-10 personnel. He made at least monthly visits to our camp which could only be reached by helicopter or small plane. He knew all of our team members and talked individually to each of them. His recurring question was “what do you need”. The army was lucky to have him as a leader. I have a couple of personal stories about your father that I will send you to your e-mail
Did you get my email?
Aloha Tom,
Going through my old military records, I discovered a DF Form dated 11 Jul 70 with the names of district senior advisors:
Maj William A Witt District MD (I recall Ken Gove, a foreign service officer, being the Mo Duc senior advisor); Maj Clarence J Matzeder District BS; Maj Grimble J Waite; Maj William F. Ward District DP; Cpt Rubin J (John) Riggins District TB (Tra Bong); Maj Thomas J Maddock District BT and *Cpt John W. Sullivan District SH (as I recall, Sullivan was the Special Forces and had a dual role).
The DF was signed off by Jon B Van Wagoner, 2LT AGC, Administrative Officer for the Senior Military Advisor. There was NO mention of the name of the senior military advisor.
This may help refresh some memories and find some of the people we served with in Quang Ngai.
I served in Quang Ngai Headquarters as Province Admin/Logistical Advisor from August 1969 to around February 1970 when I was assigned as Tra Bong District Senior Advisor to replace Cpt Ed Larkin. Around mid August 1970 I was reassigned to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA.
Foreign Service Officer Henry Cushing was the Province Senior Advisor and LTC Hippler was the Deputy Senior Advisor during my tour in Quang Ngai. LTC Hippler’s wife was in Hawaii and he periodically made trips to Hawaii.
I later resigned my commission and went into the real estate business in Hawaii in January 1977.
Best wishes,
John Riggins
Honolulu
808.674.1111
email: John@JohnRiggins.com
My name is Pat Bulman. I worked in the Quang Ngai provincee hq fro Mar 70 to May 71. HBl Cushing was boss.
Pat, Whatever happened to Mr. Cushing?
John Riggins
Pat,
When did Col Richard Hippler leave Quang Ngai?
John Riggins
Pat,
What does HBI stand for?
John
I googled Col Hippler where I found his picture as part of an obituary. Col Richard A Hippler was the Quang Ngai province senior military advisor (Deputy Province Senior Advisor) when I arrived in Quang Ngai in August 1969. As I recall, he was still in the position when I departed August 1970. According to the article, Col Hippler died of natural death in November 2012 in Virginia outside Washington, D.C. I do NOT recall a COL Perkins who a number of people have mentioned. Henry Cushing, a foreign service officer, was the Quang Ngai Senior Advisor. His CORDS superior was William Colby who I met at Henry Cushing’s residence on one of my trips from Tra Bong to Quang Ngai. I don’t recall much about the meeting, however, I suspect the meeting was to discuss the economics of Tra Bong which was rich in cinnamon, teak and granite. Tra Bong was considered to be more of the richest areas in the world for cinnamon. In June or July 1970 we opened the road between Quang Ngai and Tra Bong to a Province convoy to re-supply Tra Bong and to haul out cinnamon which was designed to help the Tra Bong economy. William Colby later replaced Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker who I had met at Vung Tau a few days after my arrival in Viet Nam. As part of our in-country arrival orientation, several advisors visited Vung Tau which as I recall was where the national RD Cadre training center was located. Years later William Colby became director of the CIA. Later he mysteriously drown while fishing in his boat on the Potomac River.
Did you know Captain Lonsdale team 2 ?
John Riggins, Thanks for bringing back some memories. Major Witt and I arrived in country together and went through the orientation in Saigon and were both assigned to Quang Ngai. He had had a least one prior tour and was able to share his experience and also help me find my way from Saigon to Danang to Quang Ngai, He was assigned as dsa at MoDuc and I went to BaTo replacing a Cpt Roger Upton. We probably met at a monthly province meeting before you left. As I remember, you were replaced by a Cpt. Jorgensen. You are probably aware of the attack on the Tra Bong base camp in Sept of 1970 where Jorgensen was wounded and his MAT team leader, Cpt Frank Vavrin (and OCS classmate of mine ) was killed. The order you quoted was the first time I have seen Major before my name. Too bad the mistake was not on a payroll form. I left the army when I returned home in March of 1970 and left as a captain. The AG, Lt von Wagoner was a big help to me in getting personnel and other forms done correctly as my prior experience as a tank platoon leader and company commander always had a 1st sgt and company clerk to take care of those things. After your post I googled him and learned that he died of Leukemia related to Agent Orange in 2015. After leaving the army he taught school for 40 years. He lived in Salt Lake and was devout member of the Mormon Church, something I never was aware of. I didn’t meet LTC Hippler. I seem to remember a Major Malloy who was probably an interim between Hippler and LTC Perkins.
I am retired from Colorado State government and reside in Littleton CO.
Tom Maddock
papatomm500@gmail.com
Tom, thanks for your detailed response to John. It triggered one more memory for me. I had forgotten the guy I replaced but when you listed von Wagoner and then spoke of his LDS connection another synapse clicked. So sorry to hear of his passing, particularly related to Agent Orange.
It appears the DF was in error about your rank. The DF authorized special pay for district senior advisors. I do recall Major Malloy. As I recall during my tenure he was the district senior advisor for the district (was it Bin Son) where My Lai occurred. While my recollection may not be accurate, I vaguely recall him moving to Province Headquarters during my tenure in Tra Bong, however it was NOT as the senior province military advisor. There was always a major who served directly under the military member who was province senior advisor or deputy senior province senior advisor to handle details involving military advisors. A Major Kerivori (spelling) was the major who served with Col Hippler when I arrived. There was also a US Army Major Gavin who headed up or worked with the CIA. Among the functions included PRU operations. They worked out of a white building in Quang Ngai. The first day I arrived in Quang Ngai, majors Kerivori and Gavin asked me to go to a “party” with them at Mo Duc where foreign service office Ken Grove or Ken Gove, was district senior advisor. Kerivori drove from Quang Ngai to Mo Duc. You can ONLY begin to image my immediate response, however, I figured they knew the terrain and situation. Therefore I went along for the ride and party. We left Mo Duc well before dark, otherwise I am sure the road was NOT safe after dark.
I was deputy advisor in Ba To for a couple of months before going home, August -September. 69. I recall an SF team whose boss was Ralph. Right Ralph has stayed with me for 50 years.
Any of you guys know Marty Feeny? I think Marty was from New Jersey, if memory serves. He was assigned to Nghia Hahn district south of Quang Ngai in second half of ’68. i have a couple pictures of him from when my 2-4 battalion (Team 2 – 2nd ARVN) was stationed at Nghia Hahn for a short period of time.
My name is Jim Meyer..I was the MAT-I-58 leader in Ha Thanh/Son Ha from early June 70 thru late June 71. I live outside Washington D.C having retired a while back after 14 yrs as a fed employee..that after 26 yrs in the Army-retired from the Army in 1993. I returnned late last month from a grand 2 plus week tour with the acclaimed San Antonio based Vietnam Battlefield Tour bunch..8 of us ‘old dogs’ went with a couple vets who do this sort of tour a couple times a year. The 2 weeks concentrated on southern I Corps..our old AO. Flew into to Chu Lai after a couple days in HaNoi. I’d made arrangements to go up to Son Ha/Ha Thanh via the old road -QL 24B- (NEVER open when we were there!)…I tried to find the former MAT-I-4 hooch of Bob Hensler and that band of merry men..(spent many a good night there). And of course, see what’s standing of the Kramer Compound (gate and some of buildings remain, but swamped by urban growth)..Quang Ngai sin’t the same little dusty burg..QL1 is nicely paved and the highway handles all traffic from Saigon to Hanoi..bust 24×7!! I was anxious to see with old eyes what I saw with my young eyes way back then. My finding were many: the development is astounding! While much has remained the same, the relative progress and population density in what used to be fairly sparse stretches is quite a contrast. The biggest ‘shock’ is the absence of the Hre people..the Montagnards.. of Ha Thanh and I’m told the same in neighboring districts..Tra Bong and Ba To..GONE! Told they all headed way West into Kontum and beyond. The old SF camp (A-104) where our MAT lived is ALL GONE!..as is the iconic 1300 ft PSP runway where the Caribous used to come and go and was our lifeline to the outside world..SOMEBODY STOLE THE RUNWAY! The little villages of Ha Thanh and Son Ha are entirely Viet..largely relocated from coastal area, but thriving business, shops and many..many kids everywhere! Danang is a booming metropolis of well over a million with a resort strip almost like Florida with high rise hotels, condos and all the trappings of a tourist mecca. The 2 week was definitively skewed toward the USMC guys..5 of them, one of me USA..but that was great. Got to really see ‘out West’ ..Khe Sanh, Razorback, Rockpile, Hill 55 and other locales buried deep in the lore and legend of the Marines in Vietnam. Grand tour, good folks all..very welcoming, and still an enchanting country..especially not having to worry about what we all lived with so long ago!
Reply
Wow Jim, thank-you so much for this great VN QN update. Yeah, obviously 45+ years changes a lot of things. I’ve been asked by lots of folks over the years if I ever think about going back (my wife asks me on a regular basis), and my answer has been consistently been, “not really”. But after reading your great ‘Trip Report’, I may rethink that position. A little sad to think Kramer is pretty much gone, but heck, why on earth would it be there. You mentioned Chu Lai; I presume that is completely gone also? And, what got me a little misty the most was your info about our ‘Yard’ friends. They, more than anyone got a raw deal. I hope some of them found a life somewhere that is worth living.
Thanks again for the great report. Art Gill QN ’71.
Aloha Jim, Thank you for the update. How can the Vietnam Battlefield Tour Bunch be contacted? John Riggins
Hi Jim great to hear about your trip to Ha Thanh, I am not sure if you are aware, but I have been running a website on the history of Ha Thanh SF A-camp, I know of the MAT Team based there, but we have no information on it. Have a look at the webpage on the A-104 page and also on the MAT team pages
Lived at Kramer 6/69-6/70
I served with MACV Quang Ngai from around August 1969 to August 1970. Upon arriving in Quang Ngai I was asked by majors Kervorki (sp) and Gavin to attend a party at Tu Nghia where I met Ken Grove and others. I replaced Captain Dave Parent as provience admin and logistical adviser. My roommate was Aussie Captain John Nelson who was an ARVN advisor. After about 5 or 6 months, I replaced Captain Ed Larkin, Tra Bong District Senior Adviser. As I recall, LTC Hippler was the deputy senior provience advisor and Henry Cushing was the senior provience advisor. After serving in Vietnam, I had assignments at Fort Benning, GA, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI and 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hi. I resigned my commission and went into the real estate business in Honolulu where I continue to be in business today. Would love to refresh my memory of people I served with at provience headquarters and Tra Bong district. John Riggins, former US Army Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer. John@johnriggins.com
My name is Jim Meyer..I was the MAT-I-58 leader in Ha Thanh/Son Ha from early June 70 thru late June 71. I live outside Washington D.C having retired a while back after 14 yrs as a fed employee..that after 26 yrs in the Army-retired from the Army in 1993. Besides wishing all a happy new year, I want to pass I’ve just made final payment for a 9-23 April return to Quang Ngai with the acclaimed San Antonio based Vietnam Battlefield Tour bunch..currently 8 of us ‘old dogs’ going with a couple vets who do this sort of tour a couple times a year. The 2 weeks concentrates on southern I Corps..our old AO, and I’ve made initial arrangements to go up to Son Ha/Ha Thanh..I certainly plan on trying to find the former MAT-I-4 hooch of Bob Hensler and that band of merry men..spent many a good night there. And of course, see what’s standing of the Kramer Compound. I’m anxious to see with old eyes what I saw with my young eyes way back then. Any thoughts or suggestions here are appreciated and I’ll check a couple times before heading over. Thanks.
To Major Lawrence J Gloudeman. I believe you and I served together on radio watch@ SOIC in Quang Ngai with TM 17.You loved to listen to CCR s Suzy Q .I wondered what happened to you,I see you made Major.It would be nice to talk one on one ,but I don’t know how to do that on this site.we’llsee if we can figure it out.
Hey Ed,the operation went fine – now I can walk like a human again.I had both Knees replaced,then they removed bunions off both feet and had to break and reset my toes. fun time All went well and when I healed up I moved to Salisbury ,NC and retired.If you are ever in the neighbor hood……We’ll have to figure out a way to communicate one on one.bye for now.
Dear Cass, you drew my short-timer calendar when we both were working in SOIC with Cpt Pfeiffer and Ben Crosby. I hope you are well and happy and look forward to hearing about you, where you are, etc…..I’m living in Wisconsin with my wife, Margaret and retired from the University of Wisconsin System 14 years ago. All best to you. Email: oriole1961@gmail.com
There was a post on here
Cass, How you doing? Have you heard from any of the other soic crew? Bob Sims wrote after I first came home that he was thinking of reupping and applying for ocs. After Duc Pho he was a little messed up.Just hope things worker out for him. Last I heard,you had a foot problem. Hope things turned out OK. ED
Just found this site. I was District Senior Advisor in BaTo district from May 70 to Mar 71. We were isolated and didn’t have a lot of outside contact. Saw from familiar names on the website. Colonel Perkins was my immediate superior and a great officer. Terry Shaughnessy was my MAT team leader for a period of time. Talked to him a couple of years ago. He is still a fishing guide in the Everglades. When in Quang Ngaio, always stayed at Mat I-4 house with first Carl Baxley and later Bob Hensler and their teams. Bob and I left Quang Ngai at the same time. I knew John Sullivan from DSA meetings. I left the army after Vietnam and went to work for the state of Colorado and retired in 2000.
Many memories of Quang Ngaio and team 17.
Perkins is my dad. He passed away 6/30/16
Happy New Year to all former Team 17 folks and their families. I live outside Washington D.C having retired a while back after 14 yrs as a fed employee..that after 26 yrs in the Army-retired from the Army in 1993. Besides wishing all a happy new year, I want to pass I’ve just made final payment for a 9-23 April return to Quang Ngai with the acclaimed San Antonio based Vietnam Battlefield Tour bunch..currently 8 of us ‘old dogs’ going with a couple vets who do this sort of tour a couple times a year. The 2 weeks concentrates on southern I Corps..our old AO, and I’ve made initial arrangements to go up to Son Ha/Ha Thanh.. I’m anxious to see with old eyes what I saw with my young eyes way back then.
Happy 2017 to all!!. Art Gill, we live in NE Wisconsin (just SW of about 22 miless SW
of Green Bay,. Wisconsin). During the months of Feb & Mar, we travel to Florida. I’ll continue this communication on email.
Larry, my wife Barbara and I live in Annapolis MD (yeah, living dangerously in Navy country). We also have relatives in FL; in the Port St Lucie area and get down there frequently.
Trying to contact Fred Camacho at Son Tinh 68 – 69 Send any info to jmmyrmsy@yahoo.com
Jim, from Aug 68 to Mar 69 I had MAT I-14, my medical NCO was a SSG Brown, he was still on the team when I DEROS\’d in Mar of 69…the Sub-Sector Advisor sent me a letter in late Mar or Apr of 69 telling me my entire team was in a serious fire fight the day I departed all were wounded, that\’s the last information I ever recieved.
I have been watching your conversation and you started bring back memories for me. I was with team 17 from Aug71 to July 72. I was a RTO at headquarters S3. When I first arrived we lived at the compound and the duty station was in a building across from Headquarters. The handball court was right outside of where I bunked. Bill Simms was the club manager while I was there. I think it was around November that the they shut down Chu Lui and the compound. We moved into two villas, one for the officers and the other for the enlisted. Rex Perkins was there when I arrived and McGowin when I left.
S3 and the Radio were moved from the city back into the compound that was under Vietnamese control. We worked in the bunker on half of it and the RF PF had the other half.
i lived in the compound as well. Played handball in that old court often. I remember when Chu Lai closed, those were scary times. Food changed as the same time. Phone service, what there was of it disappeared too. I worked downtown in the MACV HQ, for Mr. Cushing and others. Still in contact with my bunk mate. .
Both Sims & Sullivan sound familiar but that might just be me confusing them with other Sims & Sullivan’s I’ve known. Although Bill Sims sounds like someone who was there at the same time I was.
We’re getting a lot of great comments on this site. I for one, would love to see any pics that folks took who were assigned to TM17. I have very few. Since we can’t post them here apparently, does anyone have any ideas on that. Pics with some identifying comments or I’m pretty sure the collective group might be able to fill in some blanks of faces and places.
Art Gill, how does one email another on this site? I’d like to share e-mails, mobile numbers and/or addresses?
Also, a question for all TM17 members, does anyone remember SGT (was Promoted to: SSG) William (Bill) Sims. He was “short”, I believe he was an easterner: maybe from NJ, PH, NY. He was assigned with TM17 twice and the first being maybe 1968, or 1969 and I believe he was awarded a Silver Star and maybe a Purple heart. He served with a SSG or SFC and I do not know his last name. They both served a second tour with TM17 during the time frame Oct1970 – Jan1972. SGT Bill Sims worked in S3 Operations as did this SSG or SFC. Know that I think about this SSG or SFC’s name, it might have been Sullivan?
I bedlieve I have Potos of some TM17 members and would like to share. I do I share these photos
Was Maj Crosby an Assistant to LTC Rex Perkins?
Time Frame: Oct1970-Jan1972), there was a Captain (and promoted to a MAJ), an MI officer, that worked in the building (Intelligence and Informations Gathering) adjacent to the Operations building. Does anyone now his name and any info on him.
little to add except that the mentioned Major Crosby was Major-still- Ben G Crosby who like Major Riley Mcveay had had a previous tour..Crosby was with the 4th ID/35 Inf..awarded the Silver Star in 68 as Bn S-3. Don’t know what his role was with TM 17.. I do note that he died within the last 2 wks according to West Point alumni site..he was USMA class of 58.
Larry, I forgot to address your question. Not sure if we put our emails they will be posted. Maybe the site prohibits. Anyway, mine is: vietnam1971 at hotmail com (trick the system). My wife and I live in Annapolis MD (Yup, Navy town. We like living dangerously.)
I was the S2 advisor from April 71 to mid July 71. I came off MAT I-62, Tu Nghia district for the last few months of my one year tour. I was a 1542 Infantry MOS, not MI. Darrell Mudd is my name, I was a Dai Uy…Cpt at the time. I currently live in Estes Park, CO, and I write.
Larry, other than passing our email addresses to one another separately, there doesn’t seem to be a way. Also it would be nice if we could post some pics here, but that doesn’t seem to be an option either. Ah well, sin loi. (Did I remember that right?)
LG, do you remember the Kramer Compound Commander, Maj. Bechtel? Maj. Guy Sims team 2, Col. Stephen A Day Team 2 Senior Advisor? We were there 70-71. I was the Senior NCO Artillery Advisor until Maj Sims was Medevac in spring of 71 as we almost crashed in one of the Teams two Hueys at the Tropo Pad. Maj Sims slipped a disc in this back and sent home. LtCol Buu Hap 2nd Div. Arty Commander kept me and I filled Maj Sims billet as a GySgt until I went home the end of June 71.. MACV wanted all Marine Enlisted Advisors out of MR1 by 30 June. I have visited with Col Hap in Sterling, VA. He was captured in 75 and spent 13 years in re-educational camp in Hanoi. If you knew him you would know why they were wasting their time trying to convert him. They kicked him out of Vietnam an he and his family ended up here. We talked 11 hours before I left to catch my plane back to St. Louis. My email address is wjbmarine@att.net.
Larry, where do you currently live? It would be great to be able to get together for a beer or two if you don’t live in Sydney Aus! Although … my wife keeps saying she wants to go to Australia. But let me know. We travel quite a bit so maybe we can link up. Art
My name is Pat Bulman, I worked at the MACV HQ in Quang Ngai. Perkins, Crosby, Mr. Cushing all worked in the same area. Sgt Guzman was my boss. I was in country from March 1970 to April 1971. I am planning a trip back possibly this summer. I have seen several new pictures of Quang Ngai posted by Darrel Mudd. I am looking forward to the trip.
LTC Perkins is cremated and is at West Point. Missing him. Also hearing great things about him.
It appears you and I were there during the same period. I was at Mo Duc
Know Captain Lonsdale ?
Art iI was there from April 71 to April 1972 iI worked in the mail room and supply Menbers of team 2 are postiing photos on flicker
James, I’m not sure how I missed your comment, but are those pics still there and if so, how do I access them? Art
Art I don’t remenber how I found them I think I found the link on team 2
James..don’t know, but will send e-mail to this address..hit reply..w pics attached later in month. away from computer w pics now (in Hawaii thru mid-Feb)..will get back upon rtn to No-then Virginia (basecamp).. jim
Art Gill, or anyone of Team 17 remember Cpt Charles “Mocy” Mochow. He was out of the hills of TN; his address was something like Fertility Ridge, Byrdstown, Pleasentview, TN. A great guy fun to listen to. Also, a friend of CPT Terry O’Shaunnessey. He was with Team 17 during the period late 1970 – Early 1972. He was with Maj Crosby for awhile during that time frame. He was also in Operations S3. I have been trying to track him down for the past 20-25 years.
Lawrence, yup, that was me. It looks like you have a much better memory than I. I was on Tm 17 Jan – Dec ’71. Wound up staying in for 26 years. Go figure. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would happen. Just kept getting great assignments and had nothing better to do at the time. Well, and the Army culture kinda grew on me. And looking back on those 26 years, I still tell people my best and most rewarding tour was Quang Ngai. And I like the club I became a member of by default. Wouldn’t change a minute of it. Anyone who wasn’t there looks at me like i have two heads. And maybe we all do. One head in the ‘real’ world, and one head in Quang Ngai.
Your email stirred some dormant synapses. I do remember Charles “Mocy” Mochow, and I think I have a picture of him. Also Terry O’Shaunnessey, if he was the one who stayed mainly in the mountains? And was he the former pro football guy. Or am I getting him mixed up with someone else? Red hair? Someone else posted and mentioned SFC Guzman. That got a bell ringing too. Do you remember the name of our Team 1SG. Big tall guy and I think he is in the pic i have with Mochow. Too bad this site doesn’t let us include pics. Keep in mind, with my memory I probably have all of this jumbled.
Awhile back, I researched Rex VN Perkins, and Riley McVeay, and Cushing (Phoenix?). I believe Col Perkins passed on, Riley McVeay might be hiding out in Arkansas, and Cushing who knows, maybe still over there. 🙂
Keep the thoughts flowing Brother! Art
Rex died 6/30/16. Cremated and interred at West Point. I’m his daughter.
Good reading Mocy update although sad to hear of Col Rex Perkins passing in June this year. He was a good soldier and took time to help me..although I do recall an ass chew or 2 also. After my first district senior advisor, CPT John Sullivan (a fine fellow!) deros-ed (is that a word?) Major Riley J McVeay (went by Jim to peers and seniors..not to me..always sir) came out to ride herd on the MACV effort in Son Ha..the western distrcit in Quang Ngai. I had comms with McVeay probably 8 yrs ago in Ocean Springs, Mississippi…on line research provides an interesting preface to McVeay’s arrival at Tm 17.. he’d had a previous tour resulting in award of Silver Star. He and our district chief, Major Thieu, had great rapport.
Jim, you don’t possibly have that link about McVeay do you? I’d love to read about his history. And yes, I also remember RVN Perkins having a hard ass persona, but my impression was that it was mostly for show to keep us wet behind the ears Newbees in line. And keep us alive. Had a lot of respect for him, and Riley, and everyone else that I can remember. And for those I can’t remember.
Probably the same guy. His favorite expressions was “horseshit and gunsmoke”.
Gentlemen, I hope you don’t mind my interruption. My late father was an Australian serving with AATTV late 69-70 also assigned to ARVN 2 in Quang-Ngai. He used to speak of working with the Americans, I assume that would be a MACV Team, and I was wondering if any of you remember him? He was a Captain at the time, John P Nelson. 6 foot tall with horn rimmed glasses.
Aloha Gerard, I am sincerely sorry to hear that your dad passed. Captain John Nelson and I were room mates during the first 5-6 months of my MACV tour which was approximately from August 1969 to January-February 1970. John advised ARVN commanders while I was the admin and logistical adviser to the Quang Ngai Headquarters. We did NOT see each other very often because he spent most of his time in the field while I was in the headquarters. Around January-February 1970 I became Tra Bong District Senior Adviser. I don’t recall seeing your dad after I went to the mountain district of Tra Bong. Your dad was an incredible guy with a great sense of humor. Knowing your dad and having conversations with him was one of the highlights of my tour in Vietnam. I have often wondered what he did after Vietnam, where he lived and how he was doing.
After being transferred from Vietnam, I had assignments at Fort Benning, Ga, Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and Schofield Barracks, Hi. I resigned my commission and went into the real estate business in Hawaii where I currently reside.
Best wishes,
John Riggins, former Airborne Ranger US Army Infantry Officer
Aloha Gerard, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. I had the privilege to be your dad’s roommate at MACV Headquarters in Quang Ngai Provience for about 6 months between August 1969 and January-February 1970. I was a provience admin – logistical adviser while your dad was an ARVN unit adviser. He spent most of his time in the field while I was in the headquarters. Your dad had an wonderful sense of humor and a highlight of my time in Vietnam was the inaction I had with your dad. I have often wondered where your dad lived and what he did after Vietnam. Sincerely, John Riggins (john@johnriggins.com)
Gerard, I didn’t know your dad, but I did serve with an Aussie Warrant Officer named Max Poole from late ’68 to mid ’69. If you have access to Aussie AATTV info could you research Max for me? I have some pix of him I would love to share. Thanks.
Pete Jerszynski (1lt – US Army MACV)
I was a medic from about 9/68 through 9/69. Memory is not great but I remember some fellow medics: Bob Shea who enjoyed trot racing, Jackson and James Pitts who became a jockey. McVeigh (marine) and SSG Brown are names I recall. I remember playing pot limit poker with several guys.
I Knew Mike McVeigh. sane one
Jeff, was SSG Brown on a MAT, in 68 I had MAT I-14 at Son Tinh…was this same NCO ?
Hi Fred, Hope to hear from you
I am trying to find somw information about my uncle, He was on Advisory team 17 and 21, From what I can tell of his records he was in country of and on from 65 to 71. I have photo’s showing he was also a ARVN Ranger adviser, he had a yellow patch with a black tiger head on it, no other markings,,,,His name is Joe Milliken, Sargent. I would appreciate is anyone knew him to contact me, thank you,,,
Was it common for an O2A pilot based out of Quang Ngai to fly into and operate out of Tuy Hoa? I see on the map it’s about 140 miles distance between the two bases..Thanks for any info you can share about Jake FAC operations out of Quang Ngai in 1970.
Pat
Pat, There is a Yahoo Group for Jakes from the Quang Ngai and Tam Ky areas.
Sign in to Yahoo and search for it.
It’s a very active group with a lot of information exchanged.
jkw
Jim,
Thanks for the reply, and appreciate the direction. Will see what the group has to offer, as we are getting emails from a girl in SJO,CA. who is searching for her father and seems legit. I know my uncle Jack’s brother would like to know if this is a possible blood relative. My first impression was that this is something that should not be given much attention, but when she sent photos I changed my mind. My Uncle John E. Duffy has been gone for 46 years.
Pat, we had an Air Force LtCol FAC who flew an O2 out of Quang Ngai MACV Team 2 and he was the type who would do anything he wanted to do. He wanted to take me for a ride and I said okay. He said I will make you sicker than a pregnant lady with morning sickness. I said like hell you will, I’m not going.
Jack Bock 1stSgt USMC (ret)
Jack,
Thanks for the humor! I can only imagine what life must have been like over there. Thank you for your service to the country and I hope you are keeping well!
Pat Duffy
My friend, Jack Craig, and I bartender a couple of times at their private homes in Quang Ngai. One of the civilians was a man, last name (Frank) who was an agriculture consultant for the Province. My boss was a SFC named “Guzman”.
I was deputy advisor in Ba To for a couple of months before going home, August -September. 69. I recall an SF team whose boss was Ralph. Right Ralph has stayed with me for 50 years.
Was Frank a black haired man? Wore glasses?
Yes, civilian gs. I was low on totum pole, talked to him only when he needed something.
Yeah, I don’t remember that I ever had a conversation with him either. There was another guy, I think Cushing’s boss, a shorter older guy, partially bald? Can’t remember his name though. Not that it really matters! Other than a memory exercise. Those guys in COORDS lived in their own little world as I recall.
Well, Cushing was the Senior QN advisor in 71, he was the head province boss, Col Perkins was the head military advisor. Here is a photo of the head guy of I Corp, he came down with 6 guns packed, quite a sight. Um, I might not be able to post a photo.
Thanks for the pic’s of Quang Ngai
Art Gill, were you the S1 Admin Officer for MACV Team 17 during the period October, 1970 – January 1972.
I was in Captain in S3 Operations and in PSYOPS. I believe you and I went on RR to Hong Kong maybe during period
October 1971 – January 1972 (do not know the exact dates). Also, there was a Maj Quinlan and also a Maj
Crosby, in Niagh Han hamlet. Please let me know if you are the same “Art Gill” that I knew and would like to
continue to know
Larry, strangest thing. Just now as I was replying to a couple of other postings and saw your name again, a picture of you came to mind and I’ll be darned, I think i actually remember what you looked like. For me, that type of recollection is saying a lot. If we figure out how to post pics, maybe I’ll be able to find out if my synapse connected. Reaching back 45 years … lots of cobwebs.
Bob, my memory was never very good, and aging hasn’t helped it any. I was at TM17 all of ’71 and one District Team was Mo Duc (I think, or am I completely FUBAR?!)
Art Gill
p.s. Darrell Mudd will know — he knows everything.
Art, as for (knowing everything), you must have me confused with someone with a memory….LOL!! I’m still trying to recall the name of the S2 Dai Uy who took over for me in July of 1971.
Someone took over for you? I thought you were indispensable. LOL
Not quite a reply, but who recalls the stretch of QL 1 called “Sniper’s Gap”? It ran just north of Mo Duc to the next village whose name I can’t recall. My first DSA, Major Witt, probably did not win any popularity contests with some of the Army truck convoys that wanted to speed through that section of highway flanked on both sides by rice paddies. I was driving him once in his jeep and he signaled and shouted to the lead truck trying to pass us to slow down to 35 mph. I think one time I may have been shot at while in the gap but did not stick around to verify. I was riding shotgun with a couple of Lts, Kanyusick and Mullins as I recall. Lt. Mullins was headed to Quang Ngai to catch a ride to Da Nang so he could go on R & R. We saw some water spouts as rounds impacted in the rice paddy and Lt. K stepped on the gas and got us the hell out of there. Somehow, we neglected to let Major Witt know. 😜
Some of you may want to check this site out. Thanks to Col Perkins’ daughter Stephanie, there are some pics from Kramer Compound at Smug Mug. Thanks again Stephanie and please let us know if you find any more. Hope this link works here: urhee.smugmug.com/MACV-Vietnam-17/More-Viet-Nam-Photos/i-mMZvTRM/A
If not, email me at vietnam1971(at)hotmail.com and I’ll send to you.
The pics show Cushing (I think he’s the bearded guy and I still can’t remember the name of the other shorter bald guy in pics. Anyone?
I’ve got hundreds more. Just need to get them scanned.
More slides loaded. A few may be Korea!
jurhee.smugmug.com/MACV-Vietnam-17
Wow, thank-you Stephanie!
Art Gill “Measure Twice, Cut Once”
________________________________
Wow, thank-you Stephanie for all the new photos. Yes, I think a few are from Korea, but most are Quang Ngai related, and they do bring back a lot of memories. I see familiar faces which I can’t connect to names yet, but I’m sure others will. The tall 1SG in the ceremony pics where your Dad is getting another medal, I remember that he was a soldier’s soldier but can’t place his name. Maybe someone else will fill in that blank for me. Anyone remember our 1SG’s name or kept in touch after VN?
I think you can write comments. Please feel free, anyone.
There’s a j before urhee. It’s my middle name, Jurhee. I was named after a relative that my mom and dad visited in New York when my dad was at West Point. Maybe that’s why some have said they haven’t been about to connect. I’ll make my new project scanning the rest of the slides
Although well away from the lights of Quang Ngai city and the populated lowlands (I was in Son Ha or Ha Thanh district..up in the hills about 30 miles due wast of QN city), I well recall Mr Cushing as the province senior advisor. I briefed him twice on our efforts during the course of the year there. He was attentive but not particularly inquisitive. One of the briefing was a quick timeline of our efforts to finds a POW camp for RVN soldiers held by NVA/VC well west of Tra Bong (north of us..but still QN province) and a possible sighting of 2 US deserters in western QN..known as ‘Salt and Pepper’ (one black..the story held a run-a-way Marine and a white SP4 from the Americal who’d ditty-maued to the other side).. Interesting search on them if you have the time or inclination. As far as we military we concerned at the time, it was LTC Rex Perkins who drove the bus. He was a good officer by my count. Oh, of course I remember CPT Art Gill well…and yes, the CORDS wienies lived in a different world.
My PRU team swore they were Cuban..Salt and Pepper were on the Americal base while I was on MoDuc and later captured an officer on QL1 then turned him loose.Who knows?
My PRU swore Salt and Pepper were Cuban. MoDuc….68-69
I was with Team 17 at Tu Nghia from Nov. ’68 to Nov. ’69 on my first tour. My first job was the Phoenix advisor and then the District Senior advisor until the end of my tour. I remember Ken Gove and Major Hoa very well. Ken and I kept in touch for a while but lost track of each other. I also remember Ed Dillery. I returned for my 2nd tour in Oct. ’70 and left for good in Jun ’71. I was on another assignment from Oct. ’70 until Apr. ’71 and then returned to Team 17 at the Province level until I left. Since 45 years have passed I don’t remember names but if anyone is out there that remembers me please let me know.
Paul, I guess we overlapped a couple of months. I was at QN TM17 all of ’71. Like you, I’m not much good any more with names. Nice to know some of us are still around and kicking however. Art Gill
I worked in the H Q in Quang Ngai for Advisory Team 17. Mr. Cushing as the Province Cmdr. I was there for. March 70 to May 71.
Patrick, Cushing was there when I was in QN I think. Wasn’t he the civilian with COORDS? Tall guy, dark hair, goatee? Trying to keep those synapses firing. 🙂 Art Gill
WEISMAN DONALD EUGENE
MACV Adv team 17
12B4H
WHEATON
MONTGOMERY
19710428
First and foremost….Welcome Home to all of you. Thank you for your service. You answered your country’s call as surely as the World War warriors, patriots of every armed conflict in our nation’s history. Welcome Home, Soldier. Looking for any information about the brother-in-law I never met, SGT Donald Eugene Weisman. His birthdate, April 4, 1948. He was killed on April 28, 1971. He was from Wheaton, MD, outside of Washington, DC. His nieces and nephew and I are looking for anyone who knew Don. We’ve been unable to find a photograph or platoon picture of him. His photo is especially needed for the Maryland Vietnam War Casualty Memorial, one of only eight for whom there is no photograph to add to the commemoration detail. Don was finishing his third tour of duty in Vietnam when his vehicle ran over a land mine. As you probably know, over 90% of the Army files were lost in the Archives file in 1973. There was no photograph in the archives file. We depend now on personal pictures someone may have. Don’s name is etched on the majestic Wall. The Wall’s creation was steeped in controversy from its inception. Like the war was. Like the men and women whose names are etched in black granite, like the creator herself, Maya Lin, they are bound together in honor, strength, and persistence that they lived, they eventually won. No one who stands before that Wall fails to think of all of you, too. Every hour of every day, visitors think of you too. The Ultimate Sacrifice is not the only sacrifice, we will never forget all of you for your service to our country. Believe it.
Hi. My name is Peter Heilemann. I was Don’s roommate at Kramer Compound. He, I believe, was working as a Rural Development Advisor at the time. He wore the black uniform. My recollection was that he had a lot of armament. He kept some of it against the outer wall of our room and some in a locker. He had the lower bunk and I the upper, closer to the ceiling fan, but exposed to incoming through the screen, his portion was protected by concrete. He occupied the room before I arrived at Kramer out of Da Nang in December of 1971. I wish to say that he was talkative, but he was not. He died with two others, I believe, in a Jeep while traveling down a dirt road. The news came to me at the Phoenix office. I have no photos of him.
Thanks, Peter, just now seeing your post. Have recently gotten the mortuary file for
SGT Weisman, these forms were never before released. A simple index card had typewritten: MACV TM #17, COMMUNITY ADV RURAL DEVELOPMENT. It says Quang Ngai, has his date of death, a brief explanation of his fatal injury. Across the top of the card is THE KUONG, has a few numbers which probably is the file identifier. Oh, and his photograph ‘appeared’, would you believe it was downloaded to me on his very birthday, on April 4th (with a spiritual wink)…..have been seeking a picture for years. Jim, on this page, provided some detail and some other few shreds of information were shared….like, he had been with his dog when he died. Bittersweet to hear of it, wish the family had known, they are all gone now.
Bright blessings to Peter. Thank you for your service, and thank you most sincerely for your post.
Starfaced5@gmail.com
I was fortunate enough to have a hooch at Kramer by myself about 10’x10′ I’d say with a
bunker right out front one row from the mess hall and basketball slab in back 69-70
Betsy,
I found reference to the vehicle/mine accident on the 1-20 Infantry website .
It states, “At 1230hrs (28 Apr 1971) MACV Mo Duc at BS739663, requested Urgent Dust Off for 3 US and 2 Vietnamese personnel. They got a call stating that a vehicle had hit a mine Quebec 82 and 59 were picked up by Dust Off and went to the scene of incident Major Gregg said that Vietnamese personnel said it was a command detonated, also it was a large plastic explosive. Crater was 6’ in diameter and 3’ deep with results were 2 US WIA, 1 Vietnamese WIA, 1 US KIA and 1 Vietnamese KIA and personnel were from Quang Ngai and Da Nang, 1 of the wounded was a US Civilian.” Another reference found on the internet identifies the 1 US KIA as being Sgt Donald E. Weisman.
Provide me with your e-mail address and I’ll send links to the information and create a map of the coordinates of the incident.
Jim Wambold
jkwambold@1-20infantry.org
Don Weisman is my cousin. He was killed while I to was serving in Vietnam. I was with the 630th MP company out of Can Ranh Bay and ran convoys mostly north. I am wondering what your units mission was while he was serving in country. Thank you for any help on this.
I was on Mat-13 in Binh Son District in Quang Ngai. Was he a E-5 if so he was my RTO for many operations.
He transferred from our district to another one. Don was killed when his jeep hit a mine. I attended farewell program for him in Quang Ngai City.
Don was a good NCO and outstanding member of our team.
Dear Robert, Thank you so much for this message. Don was my uncle and godfather. It warms my heart to know someone remembers him. If you come across any photos of him, I would love to see them. We have very few. Thank you for your service. All best, Betsy (Weisman) Viani
Sorry, I do not have any photos of your uncle.
csm Robert l Williams I was at tu nghi district 1969 -sep 1970. Was on a MAT team. Lt Degrange was the team leader. Vietnam ending was no susprise. It ended the way I always told every one on the team it would end. No one wanted to hear that. My prediction was to painful to every one.. So I was not to popular on this team.. I can see from some of the comments that some of the team members made finaly saw the light.That was my third tour in Vietnam. South Vietnam was a sad ending. I have been back to Vietnam many times since the end of the war. Its changed some but still not to good. Use to take the train from Beijing China to Dong Dang the boader of China and Vietnam. Then on to Hanoi all the way to Saigon. If you want a good vacation its not to exlensive and they treat you well.To thouse who served you did your job very well
I do remember you, SGT. Williams (CSM later). You and I were the two guys from Advisory Team 17 in Tu Nghia District that were sent out to support the local RF’s in their encounter with part of a VC Battalion. Dave DeGrange was in Quang Ngai city at the time Ken Gove told me that advisors were needed for fire support. I was the Deputy District Senior Advisor and we were literally dropped in the thick of things. I di not know you made the Army your career. This took place on April 1, 1970 if memory serves.
CSM Robert L Williams reply back to Bill Salamy. Yes I remember you . I was SFC at that time. I was promoted to CSM in 1977. Retired in 1989. After 32 years in the Army. Then went to Cambodia for about a year until the peace thur the UN Then on to England, Cario Egypt Kawaitt for a year. Then back to Bancock Thailand. For a year . Then on to Angles City Phillippines for three years. Spent a lot of time in China and back to Vietnam 5or six times. Vietnam is a good place to visit not to expensive and you are welcome. Every thing has really changed in China old china is gone the new China is more expensive . Before there were thousand s of bikes in Beijing now not many bikes but many cars. Every large city has a new Airport really up to date. The most beautiful is in Hong Kong up to date.. Old Hong Kong is gone also I was there over 50 years ago it was exciteing and alive. Now its a over crowded city very bussy. smile. Well thats life nothing stays the same as you well know. Life has been very good to me. I hope the same for you and your family. So Long Robert
Bill you are correct the date of that attack was 1 April 1970. I got hit with a piece of shrapnal from that mortar round that landed behind where we were standing I still have a scar under my chin from that day. It has bothered me over the years. I should have gone to the medics to have that treated. Well what is done is done. smile I meet SFC Fennell at Ft Polk La. in 1971. Don”t know what happened to Lt Degrange never saw him again after Vietnam . That was a very hard year for me knowing how the war was going to end and there was nothing we could do about it very sad. The only place I was wrong about is the time of the end I thought it would end in1974 but it took them one more year May 1975. So Long for now Robert
Mat team 17 Binh Son April 1971
Advisory Team 17, MAT I-68 Binh Son District, South of Chu Lai in April 1971 Remember a joint RVN Navy & USS Turner Joy Mission
Henry,
I am one of the Advisory Team survivors of the 3 DEC ’67 wipeout of the Binh Son District Headquarters. I had been at Binh Son for about six weeks prior to the attack in the (then) new Phoenix billet. Actually, I was one of two Navy Intel officers assigned in Saigon to the new Intelligence Collation and Exploitation (ICEX, later Phuong Hoang/Phoenix) program. In Feb ’68, I relocated from Binh Son to Quang Ngai city, working as Phoenix Coordinator (on the military side) for all Quang Ngai Province. I returned home just before Christmas, 1968.
As an aside to your Turner Joy reference, about two hours into our being overrun, I received a call on the arty net (callsign ‘Tomcat 2’) from someone whose callsign was completely foreign to me. He told me he was “from your position, range one-one nautical mlies, bearing 090 degrees.” I did a quickie KM to NM mental conversion and responded “it’s a little wet out there, isn’t it?” He responded “That’s affirmative – I have my biggest gun pointed your direction – can we be of assistance?” At that time, we still had a couple of folks we could not account for, so I had to tell him “thanks, but not right now.” He said he would stay within range, just in case we might later be in a position to use the help. I tried later to find out what ship it was (I would have bought the entire crew a round,) but I never could find out, even after going up to DaNang to check with the Navy. Eleven nautical miles was quite a stretch for any naval gun.
Tom Sartin
sartins@comcast.net
Tom, your remembrance brings up a memory I had of the Quang Ngai, Navy advisory base, (6-8 man base), where the Song Tra Khuc River dumped into the South China Sea. They patrolled up and down the river and out along the coast line. I was on a MAT team a bit inland and west of their base. They always had the best of food and cold beer and from time to time they helped me and my team with PRC-25 commo problems to and from province and my district base.
One extremely wet monsoon evening, end of 1970, early 1971, a group of Vietnamese civilians called in for help, they were adrift on the river. I was listening to the province freq as two Navy advisors got into a boat, headed upriver. Apparently, the river was too much for their boat, they began taking water, and one of the last communication I heard from them was, “We’re taking in too much water, don’t think we’re going to make it.” or words to that affect, Their bodies were found a few days later, washed up along a beach area. Thanks Tom, for your memory.
DSMudd
dswmudd@gmail.com
I was the rto at soic that was ordered to call the navy guys to go up river and rescue ARVNS trapped by flood waters while on a training mission in late 1970. I called air to sea rescue as soon as they reported being swept out to sea. I remember the radio signal fading as the boat was swamped. I also took the spot report of the bodies being found a few days later. I could tell these men were reluctant to go up river, and the fact that the ARVNS were later rescued by chopper makes this an event I can not forget.
Ed, thanks for your reply and remembrance. I also will always keep the memory of the final few radio transmissions from the two Navy guys. I do seem to recall that the Vietnamese were rescued by air and please remind me what is SOIC?
DSMudd
Team 17 SOIC is Sector Operations Intelligence Center. We were located across the street from HQ in Quang Ngai.
Butch, sounds like SOIC was close to the S2 and S3 bldgs. and the Catholic Church, which were across the street from QN HQ’s. I was S2 advisor for my last couple of months, May-July 71. I recall the Phoenix and CIA guys but not SOIC.
Darrell, Macv adv. tm 17’s radio room was in a small arvn compound across the street from HQ. We were on the main floor with the arvn radio room below and arvn offices above. It’s been a long time but I remember high ranking arvn officers up stairs. During the flood we had to move our radio room up stairs as ours was under water. I had to ride on an arvn apc to get there, Binh Son acted as net control while our radios were down and while I was trying to get back to normal a general comes walking in. Busy day. I went home a few days later. Butch
Butch, Okay, it must have been where i recall the S3 guys were located which was in front of the S2 bldg. Again, I’m was there in 71. I do recall a radio room, that’s where the QN province main center was for communication, I referred that to the S3 shop. Our MACV Tm 17 HQ’s was on the opposite side of the street, behind the Vietnamese 2-story bldg. Interesting that on my 2009 tour to QN, my tour guide would not let me take any pictures of bldgs with Commie red flags, of course, both sides of the street still housed govt offices. The Catholic Church had been repaired and looked to be in use. I attended Mass in a number of towns, (services were always packed), from Notre Dame in Saigon, Nha Trang and Hoa An, south of Danang. We had two bad floods late 1970 and early 1971. The water came up so quietly, both times, i was in my sack, woke up, feet on the floor, and water was right up to the bed springs. Rats, snakes, bugs all over the place looking for a dry spot. Take care.
At district level we had a DIOCC , district Intel and ops coordination center.
Tom, wasn’t the battleship New Jersey in theatre for a stretch around that time? Those 16 inch guns could send a shell 20+ miles, if I recall correctly.
Pete – the New Jersey probably could have helped, but she didn’t arrive on Dixie Station for workup until sometime on/after the following April. An O-2 pilot from the Quang Ngai detachment told me on of this squadron mates called the shot for the first 16″ ‘practice shot’ fired by the New Jersey on her Dixie Station workup (prior to Yankee Station deployment.) The coordinates the O-2 pilot gave them was for a hootch suspected of being the entry/exit facility for a suspected resupply tunnel system. That first round not only disintegrated the hootch, but it also collapsed the tunnel in both directions for quite a distance from the point of impact! Would have been nice to have them provide cover for us, but we were hit some five months prior (3 DEC ’67.)
Bet it was the Turner Joy
I was on MAT I-13 from Nov 70 until August 71. Assistant Team Leader.
I remember operations with Turner Joy and I made two landings in the district.
A Christmas blessing to all those who served in Son Tinh, may our Lord continue to watch over you and protect you, mayHe be gracious to you and give you His peace.
I worked in the H Q in Quang Ngai from April 70 to May 71. SSG Guzman was my supervisor. Mr Cushing was Province Advisor.
Merry Christmas to all you ex-MACV Team 17 Vets, especially those who were at Son Tinh in 68,69, and 1970!!
Tad Eversole
________________________________
Pat, perusing all the comments and saw yours. I was the S1 for TM 17 from Jan-Dec 71. I remember SSG Guzman and of course Cushing (and the other guy?). I think both Col Perkins and Maj McVeay are gone now from what I’m seeing on this board. Glad this both is here to stimulate some of my corroding synapses. 🙂
MY NAME IS SAMUEL SERRANO I WAS THE MEDIC OF CHARLIE COMPANY 4/21 IN OCT 70 TO 71 I LIKE TO KNOW OF MY BROTHERS THAT WAS WITH ME IN CHARLIE CO. 4 PLATOON
I was a RTO at the Team 17 camp at Nghia Hanh from April 70 until Aug 17,70 when I went home. I’m from Toulon, Il. The other RTO was Dave Woelfel from Edwardsville,Il. We were both from A Co. 3/1. Can’t remember some of the guys but have quite a few pictures. Do remember capt. OConner and Lt. Stien. Spelling might be a bit off. We had a old Army sgt. that cooked for us. can’t remember his name. He wore black pajamas all the time and I would not be surprised if he didn’t stay there. If any of you remember me or were there at the time I was please get in contact with me.
Hi Sam.
My name’s Ed O’Connor. I was an RTO at SOIC in Quang Ngai city from april to nov. 1970.
Do you remember a capt. from California that carried a tommy gun ?[ Omega maybe ?]
Also, where you there when we received an intel that Nghia Hanh was about to be over run by a 300& nva force ?
I called in a basketball to drop flares and made sure contact was made so that it would stay the night. Funny, the things I remember and what I’ve forgotten.
Ed, you ignited a memory! I was in Son Ha/Ha Thanh (MAT-I-58) and well remember the spin-up over the impending attack on Nghia Hanh..probably Sept or Oct 70..we ran around out west looking for signs of a large main force/NVA movement toward Nghia Hanh. I also recall the SOIC bunch at Kramer Compound.You guys did good work.
Hi all,
I am looking for anyone who might remember my uncle, Don Weisman. According to Army records he was assigned to ADV TEAM 17, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, MACV in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam. He was a Sargent and began his tour in late October ’70. He was 23 years old and was killed in action in April of ’71; a result of his vehicle hitting a live mine. My cousin is helping create a memorial for soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam originally from Maryland. We are specifically looking for pictures. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much.
Betsy. My radio room [soic} was just across the street from hq so I should have met your uncle but I do not remember. Too many years have past. Sorry Ed
Betsy,
If you are still in the MD area you may wish to visit the Nat’l Archives in College Park and search for his records.
It would be helpful if you knew Don’s actual team affiliation and duties.
For instance, I was with Adv Tm 17 but served in one of the many MAT Teams within it.
If you have any envelopes from letters that he sent home, take a look at the return addresses to determine his actual information.
Just suggestions.
jkw
Betsy, I was there all of ’71. I do remember an incident where one of our guys was killed by a mine. The timeframe seems about right. Unfortunately at this point, that’s about all I remember. Since I don’t remember another incident like that, it probably was your uncle Don. Wish I could provide more info, and very happy to hear of your efforts to fill in the blanks for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. All the best in your endeavors. Art Gill
I was part of Advisory Team 17 from Aug 1969 to July 1970. Worked at HQ in Quang Ngai city for four months and then was assigned as deputy district advisor in Tu Nghia District, whose HQ was around 5 miles south of Quang Ngai City on Highway 1. Worked for a USAID guy named Ken Gove. I remember some names: Dave DeGrange, Dick Logan, Major Hoa (the District Chief), Sergeant Fennell. I also remember Ed Dillery (now deceased) who was the Province Senior Advisor, and LTC Hippler who was his deputy. I was working at Province HQ when word of the My Lai massacre (Feb. 1968) was reported in the NY Times, in Nov. 1969, I think. Very exciting times. The war was a waste of fine American lives. We supported a corrupt RVN government.
Bill, i was there in ’71. And although I consider 1971 my most useful and rewarding year in the Army, I totally agree it was a waste of lives. Based on everything I’ve seen since up to now, seems like almost nothing has changed. We continue to support corrupt governments and continue to lose thousands of lives with no end game in mind. I guess we learned nothing.
6/69 – 6/70 adv team 2 quang ngai at kramer – worked for Cap Lonsdale
served with the 1-52inf. 198th in 70-71. spent time with the group at binh son bridge. also after running punjai stakes thru my foot was running the MARS station in Chu Lai. last name is SIMPSON.
Hey Ed,it has been a long time.I,too,have remarried.It ‘ll be 35 yrs.this Sept.You and I have to get in contact.I’m moving to NC this summer.Lots to catch up on.Right now I’m recuperating from foot surgery.Talk to you soon. Cass
cass sorry to hear of your foot problem. hope you’er ok. the vietnam vet get together would be a good time to meet. we have room, but if that is not possible we’ll figure something else out. Ed
Phillip “Cass” Castello I served with ED OConner and Ron Riley in 1970 .SOIC RTO.I haven’t talked with Ed in years.I happened across this site by accident.Ihope to talk to you guys at some point.I’ll keep checking this site.
Cass. It’s been a long time. I remarried and now live in Boonville N.Y. were the vfw is having its 25th and final vietnam vet get together on 5-13-15. If you or anyone on this site are interested, we have room.
correction on the date of the vietnam vet get together in Booville N.Y. It’s 6-13-15. The day before father’s day. sorry for the mix up. Ed O’Connor
final correction. the traveling wall will be in boonville ny on june 18 thr. june 21 with the main get together on june 20. they say the memory is the 2nd thing to go. sorry. Ed
I just realized when I set up this account my name defaulted to my email. So, to update, I’m Art Gill, TM 17 S1 all of 1971. My memory ain’t so good so if anyone remembers me I’d love to hear from them and that might stir some of my synapses! Like jumper cables for my brain! 🙂
Art, Jim Meyer..I’m at memjfm1@hotmail.com and would welcome a chance to meet. Hope you are well and wishing you and yours all the best for the forthcoming new year. JfM
life sucks then you die
Great thread! My name is Jim Meyer and I was MAT leader in Son Ha/Ha Thanh June 70-July 71. Had 3 E-7 keeping an eye on me; Doc Fugate, Dennis Shaw and SFC Carter. District senior adviser 1st half was CPT John Sullivan/2nd half Riley McVeay. My XO was 1LT Joe Kopchick. Mention in thread of Rex Perkins; I was in comms with LTC Perkins a decade or so after Quang Ngai..he retired, as best as I know, in Hawaii. Riley Mcveay retired in Ocean Springs Mississippi. I had a couple running mates after TM 17 who’d been there when I was; CPT Bob McKenzie was a LTC in Calif National Guard in 1981, LT Dennis Troute (who was commissioned with me coming out of ROTC at University of San Francisco in1968) died a couple years ago. Dennis had a distinguished journalism career after the Army, and was one hellva fine fellow. Big Red..the MAT team leader who’d gone native in Ba To (had a yard wife so the story goes) and may be the guy attributed as having an NFL background was CPT Terry Shaughnessy..quite the fellow. He went to Florida Keys and was/is running a idyllic charter deep-sea fishing company. I recall our S-1 at Kramer was CPT Art Gill. MAT-I-4 at the time had a hard chargin’ CPT, Bob Hensler (lives in Hawaii too)..long time ago, but in some regards not that far back. I retired with 26 yrs in the Army and live near the Beltway in Northern Virginia.
Jim, I don’t know why I just saw this post (well, maybe old eyes), but it sure brought back some memories. I still tell people about Terry Shaughnessy. What a character! Wonder if he made it out ever, and is still alive. Or maybe he’s still in the mountains. Surprised you remember me. Thanks. Let’s me know I wasn’t just imagining that year. 🙂 I remember Dennis Troute. Sorry to hear he’s no longer with us. I also stayed in for 26 years (never intended to). And now live in Annapolis. Not too far from you. Maybe sometime we can have a beer and reminisce. Strange how life works out. I just kept getting good assignments, met a great girl, got married, started a family, and then we got to travel around the world at government expense. All in all, not a bad life. If you’re ever going to be up this way, drop me an email and we’ll hit a pub. Art
Rex Van Noy Perkins retired in Italy, worked in Atlanta managing a law firm and retired again in Bluffton, SC. Passed away 6/30/16 and interred at West Point.
I was there 1971 before we moved to Chu Lai around Christmas.
I was in 2 DARR team.
Left Chu Lai August 30, 1972
Mike
Grass Valley, CA.
Maryland is in need of a photo of SSG Carroll Thomas Jackson who was part of ADV TM 17 in September 1972 when he was killed. Do you have a photo of SSG CT Jackson that you could share with us? We have been searching for over ten years. We are trying to commemorate every Maryland service member who died while serving in Vietnam by completing the Maryland portion of the Wall of Faces.
SSG Carroll was from Princess Anne County, was married, and was survived by four step-children, two brothers, and a half brother. At the time he was killed by friendly fire on September 16, 1972, he and his family were living in Tacoma, Washington.
Although I’m posting this as Chair of Public History, Stevenson University, Maryland, my plea comes from the heart. As a former combat arms officer I firmly believe the sacrifices by service people of their lives, limbs, and emotions in service to their unit, their family, and their nation is not recognized often enough. For every soldier killed in any war there should be a face. We should all have to look into the faces of those who gave their all. The Wall of Faces allows us to do that.
Please, if you have a picture–no matter how good– would you let us know?
Thanks for reading this far–we appreciate it.
Glenn T Johnston
Chair, Humanities & Public History
Stevenson University
gjohnston@stevenson.edu
Peter Wright left a message under MACV Team #2 2nd ARVN Div. and is looking for anyone who might have known his father, 1st LT. Burl M. Wright who was at Quang Ngai from May 1968 to May 1969. I was at the Kramer compound from late Oct. 1967 to Sept. 1968. I was one of the 5 Seabees attached to MACV Team 2. Best Regards, John
Fred,
Send me your e-mail address and I’ll send the photos of Son Tinh Training Area as requested by Tad.
I do have Tad’s address.
Thanks,
Jim
jkwambold@gmail.com
I have a few will scan them and post..
To Jim or Fred, I was on the Son Tinh Hill site from August 69 to June 70, attached from the Americal Div. 198th as a RTO for artillery grid clearance. Major Waite was the CO for Advisory Team 17 at that time. Just wondering if anyone had any old photos of the Hill/area that they could share on e-mail with me?
Thanks
Tad Eversole teversole@bellevuewa.gov
“Jim, boy was I wrong, looked at my 214, it was MAT I-14 out of Son Tinh Subsector. Was the team leader during Operation Russell Beach.
Dustin,
Thanks for the personal communication. I’m not going to carry-on a lengthy interrogation.
Just send “ALL DETAILS” to the site. Perhaps, with more clarification of his service, the readers may be of help.
You may consider performing more family research and find his “full name”. Until then, I’m OUT of the loop.
No response is necessary.
jkw
No, Dustin,
Not on my MAT I-4 from July to December 1968.
What other information can you provide about SFC Robinson?
Service number; Branch (Infantry, Artillery, Armor, Special Forces, etc); Was he on an advisory team, office job, supply, cook, etc; If you have any letters from him, what was the APO on the envelope. MACV had a large presence in Quang Ngai Province and additional information would be helpful in your search.
Jim
He worked at Quang Ngai MACV Compound HQ as an administrative SFC
All records from my grandmother has been destroyed due to fear of being persecuted by the Communist regime
Very little information is found, he did advise for ARVN 2nd Division
I’m looking for an astrayed grandfather stationed in MACV Quang Ngai in 1968. I do not know his first name, but I do know his rank of Sergeant First Class and the last name of Robinson
Dustin,
Here’s some results from a brief internet search of military sites. Hope it helps.
Trying to locate: SFC Robinson
Branch of Service: Army
Unit was: Detachment Headquarters Advisory Team 2 MACV 2nd Division US Army Compound APO 96260
Where served: Quang Ngai Province Vietnam
When served: 1963-1968
Message is: Looking for SFC Robinson who was stationed at Quang Ngai Province in Vietnam from 1963 to 1968. SFC Robinson was assigned to Detachment Headquarters Advisory team # 2 MACV 2nd Division US Army Compound APO 96260. First name is unknown but could be Roy. Please forward any information to me at my e-mail address. Thank you.
Please contact: David Brown
Mailing address: 4103 214th St. Ct. E.
City, State, Zip: Spanaway, WA 98387
Jim
Hello to all! I was attached to Team 17 locations at Mo Duc and Nghia Hahn from May 1971 to April 1972. I was at Mo Duc when I rotated back to the “World” (remember that?) in April 1972. I was the RTO at both locations. I sincerely hope and pray that all who served and lived in the Team 17 locations came home and their life has been full.
Randy; I was with the 4th Arvn at Duc Pho till we went back to Chu Lai. I remember you well. I lost your info when I left Nam in Apr 72.
I was the rto at HQ from August 71 to July 72. I started out across the street from HQ. When everyone left the enlisted moved into a villa and I worked in the VN bunker back on the compound.
I have a number of pictures of Quang Ngai taken in 2009, plus a dialogue of my re-visit if anyone is interested. Contact me at dsmudd43@aol.,com
I would like to see your pictures of Quang Ngai hnpark1@msn.com I was there April 1971
My email has changed to…dswmudd@gmail.com
Ron RIley S4 and Supply and Maintenance ( SMDLC) adivsor 1970 – 1971
Just wanted to say high. I worked for COL Perkins. I did visit all the camps and helped with their there build up . I will never forget the old 60 kw we got for the mountain camp .
Ron
Ron, Are you talking about Rex VN Perkins? I was the S1 for Adv Tm 17 all of ’71. Do you remember the Deputy Riley McVeay? Have tried over the years to find out what happened to either of them, but they seem to have faded away. Also, do you happen to remember the name of the COORDS/Phoenix guy who worked in Quang Ngai?
Rex perkins passed away 6/30/16. I am his daughter. He is interred at West Point. I have slides of his from Viet Nam. Could provide a link, maybe. Mom still alive and missing him.
Stephanie, I was a MAT Tm Ldr for the first 8 months of my Vietnam assignment, did not get into Quang Ngai province much during that time. In April, 71 thru July 71, I was assigned as S2 province advisor and met your dad, LTC Rex Perkins, on my first daily province briefing. He was (in my opinion) a no nonsense commander, he got my attention and respect immediately. I mention him in my first published book, titled, “Cold War Burning.”
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
Thank you. Just bought the book!
Stephanie, I’d love to see those slides. I think they’ll let you post a link. I know we can’t upload photos on this site, but if you could send the link it would be greatly appreciated. Will bring back memories I’m sure. If you can’t post, please send to vietnam1971@hotmail.com. Thanks again.
Sent photos. Let me know if you get them or not.
Sent photos. Let me know if you get them or not.
I have an informal picture of your that father I took at an informal gathering in Quang Ngai. I’d be pleased to share it.
I would love it. Sgsail@icloud.com.
I did not get a photo. Please email to sgsail@icloud.com
I have a picture of you
My dad is (was?) Rex Perkins. What’s a 60 kw?
Stephanie, I’m guessing the “60 kw” Ron mentioned was a gasoline-powered 60,000 watt (60 kw) electrical generator. Recall that the reference was to it being at a mountain camp. As one might surmise, siting strategy for mountain camps seldom considered the availability of electrical powerlines (there weren’t too many of them anyway, except near Highway 1.) At Binh Son, we had a 100 kw unit – it just showed up one day, courtesy of a world-class E-6 scrounger on the team. I never asked where it came from, and he never volunteered. Essentially like what one can get today for a family camping trip, they were only rated for a few (4-5?) hours of continuous use. You were then required to power it down and let it rest. Unfortunately, it was lost – along with everything else – when we were overrun in early December ’67. Up to that time, we had been able to draw from the Americal Division movie shack at Chu Lai. A Jerry Lewis movie was one of the items we had watched just a few hours before the attack, and the movie officer was totally incensed that he was going to have to try to write off the replacement cost of the 16mm Jerry Lewis movie – some $1,500. He actually asked if there were any way we could somehow reimburse the Division for the movie!
So it’s a generator, sort of?
Yes – and a healthy one at that. It took a bit of doing to get one of those things anywhere! In reviewing my last response, I find that I had one too many zeroes: we had a 10 kw, not a 100.
Found more Vietnam photos. I can’t get the scanner to work but when I do, I’ll scan these and put them on my smug mug site. Let me know if you’re interested in knowing when I’m done and send your email!
this message is for Tad Eversole. I remember the story of the Capt. of the Marines that was KIA. There was a Gunney E-7 who was with me that day, cant remember his name. I think I should know you. Please email me judbrown@up.net so we can exchange phone numbers. BOB
Hello, it’s been 44 years, but I remember the small, below ground radio room on Son Tinh Hill. I (Tad Eversole) was attached from the 1/14 Artillery/198 Lt Inf. Americal Div. to MACV Team 17 from 8/69 to 6/70. I would share radio duties for arty grid clearing and went on field ”trips”(as a rto) with team 17 to different locations around Quang Nghi, including the hill that overlooked My Lai (Son My). I remember some of the other team members besides Major Waite..can’t think of their names, but I do have a few old pictures of them.
I also remember a Capt. from Minnesota (he liked to wear black PJ’s) big guy who played some college football. We would stay with the Mountain Yard troops at night and share food. We also worked with the local Marine CAP Team, whose CO was KIA by a booty trapped tunnel near My Lai in early spring of 1970.
Hey, Tad,
Yep, I remember the Advisory HQ on top of Son Tinh Hill. During my time with MAT Team I-4 (July-December ’68) we visited that location frequently while working the My Lai villages with our RF/PF counterparts. Our HQ was in Kramer Compound, east of Quang Ngai City, and our 5-man team spent several days a month there when not on field operations with our VN counterparts.
If I remember correctly, the Son Tinh rifle range was located just south of your hill. That was to the East of Rt. 1 and where we trained the (hopeless) RF/PF troops.
Also, my memory recalls an in-ground swimming pool at your location along with the several well-built, underground, operations/sleeping bunkers. Was the pool still there during your tenure?
Wow, I did enjoy Kramer on those occasions we were able to stand-down there: cots/mattresses, EM/NCO/Officers clubs, hot showers, hot chow, clean uniforms, dry sox, small PX, etc.
It’s great to meet another “Redleg”. I served with the 6-11 Arty (as LnO/FO to 1-20 Inf) and the 3-16 Arty (as LnO/FO to the 1-1 Cav) before joining my MAT Team.
Still looking to reconnect with the others from my team … with no success.
Jim
Hi Jim, you are correct about the rifle range and under ground bunkers. In fact there was a hidden tunnel from our bunker/radio room that connected with the ARVNS underground radio/grid room for clearing grid locations of ARVN/village units.
Don’t recall seeing a swimminig pool any where in Nam (much less Son Tinh). MACV in Quang Ngai City had a sandbagged covered handball court.
From the top of our hill (Son Tinh) you could fire 50 cal rounds at the old abandon Buddish Temple on a large hill east of us towards My Lai and the water.
I may be able to e-mail you copies of some old pictures, if you like. Would you have any old photos of the area? What dates were you there?
Tad
Tad, I Tm Leader from Aug 68 to Mar 69 at Son Tinh, and remember well the compound, some of my NCO’s were SFC Brown, Sgt Durham and my XO Lt Robinson. My senior was LTC Gavin.
Tad, Regarding the Cpt from Minnesota, do you remember if he had red hair? I was in Quang Ngai all of ’71, and I seem to remember a somewhat crazy Cpt who had gone ‘native’ and spent most of his time with the montenards (sp). I think he also had a short history as an NFL player. Yes, a big mountain man type of guy. I wouldn’t be surprise if he was still there!
Can’t recall his hair color because he kept it very short. I remember working some nights with him on top a small hill overlooking My Lai. He did spend a lot of time with the Montenards who lived on the hill. He liked to wear black pajamas a lot. He was big, and very strong. He was the only person who could beat me in arm wrestling. I know he played college ball in Minnesota. He was a good guy, but I would not be surprised if he ended up staying in nam.
Tad
Might be the same guy. You don’t remember his first or last name do you? Now that I think about it, I seem to remember someone telling me that he actually married a montenard chief’s daughter, but as a noobee they were probably pulling my leg. Hmmm… or not.
Hey I am Charlie Brown and don’t you forget it. Your have the spelling wrong on Shaughnessy and Gorecki. I was Staff Sgt. Robert Brown E-6 of MacV Advisory Team 17. Quang Nhai Provence
Did you know Shaughnessy and Gorecki?
No idea of my team number, but I was the Phoenix guy in MoDuc in 68 and 69. Then got shipped to Ba To as a deputy after a difference of opinion on torture by the Americal Division. Later told I had gone native and sent home in October of 69 Left the army to start the Denver chapter of the VVAW. I’m proud of my service and was devastated by the waste of young American life. Working for the CIA was an eye opener for a 22 year old kid from
lowa.
Ed O’Connor rto at soic tm 17 Quang Ngai 1970 Looking for others who were there
Member of Adv team 17 from Feb 1970 to April 71. I worked in the HQ in Quang Ngai.
Pat Ishould knough you. I was an rto at soic in 1970. Are you from the Dakotas?
No, I am from Wisconsin. I lived on the compound in Quang Ngai city and work out of the Team 17 hq.
pat do you remember drinking beers with major beatles when the 1st srg came down to yell at us for letting off white fares?
I was there all of ’71. I’m from South Dakota but maybe you are thinking of someone else if you weren’t there any of ’71. I was the S1 for Tm 17.
iiWAS A rt I was a RTO/FO from the AMERICAL (1/14TH ARTY 198TH LIGHT inf bd. with team 17 from 8/69 to 6/70 at Son Tinh. I remember the CO Major Waite. We were on a small hill with ARVNS. Sgt Tad Eversole
I remember CO Major Waite. I was on the hill with you guys and then went out to the MAT team by My-Lai and was wounded but seems like I remember talking to you on the Radio. I remember the little cubby hole you guys sat in monitoring the radios.
Mr Brown, we’re you by chance a medic? My team had a SSG Brown as member of the MAT.
pat i know who you are. it was a long time ago. how are you? i remember when you and the rest of your little circle of friends ate all the cookies my wife sent. at least we still had beer left.
MAT I-62 & S2 province adviser 70-71.
Hey, Mudd, been a long strange trip,eh!
David, I went back to Vietnam in 2009, spent a number of days in QN. Lots of change in some areas, no change in others. You can read of my travels in my book, Cold War Burning.
I spent the year–1970-71– with MAT-I-58 of MACV Tm 17 in Quang Ngai/Ha Thanh or Son Ha District
Looking for members of MAT I-4, Adv Team 17, Quang Ngai Prov, 1968.
Thank you Jim.
Does Sergeant 1st Class Robinson from San Fransisco, CA ring a bell?
i guest we all should be remembered. be in boonville ny in june . you will not be disapoiated
Just found this site, took over I-4 in Aug 68…
Fred,
MAT I-4 consisted of Maj Bill Ford (Sr. Adv.), me (Asst. Sr. Adv.), SP5 Dave Wing (Medic), SFC Grigsby (Hvy. Wpn. Spec), SSG Henry Johnson (Lt. Wpn. Spec.) and SGT Linh Loung (Viet Interpreter). I DEROS’d in late Nov. ’68 and Maj. Ford did so in mid-December. Perhaps your team designation was not I-4.
I do remember a Lt. Camacho at the QN Advisory Compound around Aug. thru Oct. His room was in proximity to the hand-ball court in row H near the shower room.
Jim
We had a handball court??!! Told you guys my memory was shot.
My wife and I were watching a couple episodes of China Beach the other night and she asked if the show was anything like reality. I started to think about it, and the quick answer is no, but the better answer might be that China Beach captured the flavor and atmosphere better than any other VN show I can think of. More enjoyable to watch anyway. I’m probably just still in love with Dana Delany! Sorry for the ramblings.
Art – Yep, Dana Delaney made one fine China Beach hospital member, but just to set the record straight, the only hospital at DaNang East (just North of Marble Mountain) was the Naval Support Activity hospital, not Army as portrayed in the TV show. The BX nearby did go by the name of China Beach, though. A Navy Lieutenant friend of mine was one of the Protestant Chaplains at the hospital – a friend who kept me in cigars. Seems the company that made the White Owl tobacco line shipped a bunch of chess/checker boards to the hospital monthly to be given to recovering patients. The shrink-wrap packages had plastic chess and checkers on one side, and a five pack of everything in their cigar product line on the other side. The hospital folk took a dim view of cigar smoking on the ward (probably everywhere else, too,) so the incoming packages were always turned over to the Chaplain’s office for distribution – after all the five-packs of panatellas, perfectos, blunts, etc. were (surgically???) removed. At that time, I was known to puff on a cigar when I could get them, so I combined a Phoenix meeting/cigar resupply trip from Quang Ngai to DaNang every couple of months. There was always a bed somethere (one with real sheets, even) from one of the staff who was on R&R or whatever, so I had a place to stay. They even had round-eye food! It was great.
I was Radio operator for Maj Early, 50th regiment, 63-64. Heard a rumor that you wanted to merry a vietnamese girl. Heard another rumor that it didn’t work out.
Tom, Phil, et al. For you guys remembering China Beach, you should see it today, or for me, back in 2009. I was at the Furama Resort for a couple of days, the beach was nearly one big hotel after another. I wish we could insert images, I have some pictures of the beach, of the airbase north of Marble Mtn. and looking north to Monkey Mtn. Have to admit, the area looked very nice and the city of Danang is taking on a whole new look. MACV HQ’s at the north part of the city is gone, a number of streets were cleared out to make way for a huge bridge over to Monkey Mtn. not quite finished in 2009.
Phil – I think we may have a mis-connection here. Were you responding to Art Gill’s Oct ’16 China Beach entry, or my more recent response to that China Beach commentary? The reason that I ask is – I can’t put the image of a face with the name ‘Early’ on it, nor does 50th Regiment ring a bell. As for the rest, I definitely could appreciate looking at many a “co dep qua” [‘beautiful unmarried female’ if memory serves correctly] but I was not of a mind to marry anyone at that time. I was in Quang Ngai Province from Sept ’67 to Dec ’68 (Binh Son District, then Phoenix office in Quang Ngai city.)
Dear Phil, Don’t really know how to use this site but will try this. Don’t know if this was a comment for me or not but the description sounds like me in the affirmative. I was there from 62-64 and had been with 3/50/25 part of the time. Maj Early sounds familiar but can’t put a face on it. Dai Uy Le Ba Khieu was Cmdr of 3rd Bn and I served under CPT John Shannon and CPT Perley Holmes. Dai Uy Khieu became a Colonel of 4th ARVN Div and I have been in touch with him in Garden Grove, Calif. CPT Shannon became under secretary of Army under Pres Bush senior. I had contact with Shannon in 1982 but he died I think in 2017. I later worked with CPT Ed Gunning at province with 46 Civil Guard Bn. I am in touch with him but he’s been in nursing home for a while and ??? I was back in VN again in 67-68 and again 69-71 lastly with 173 Abn Bde. Retired after 24 years. I have a 8×10 aerial photo of Kramer Compound. Not exactly a quick reply and I hope it doesn’t take as long to hear from you. Old dinosauers don’t learn computers too well. I LIve in NH 603-847-9636. Best regards, Jim Devine 10 Apr 2020
Good afternoon. I am writing to see if anyone knew a 1st Lieutenant named George Primm from Pittsburg, Kansas. His widow asked me to make a search. George was the Infantry company commander I served under in the Kansas Army National Guard. My email is LBKRVN@GMAIL.COM I was in the USAF in the 1960s and was in-counttry with 7th AF DXI-C between 1967-1969. This included a couple months in I Corps in 1968, as a military journalist beased out of DeNang. Our team went to such places as Hue, Dong Ha, and of course Khe Sanh in March 1968. We are trying to verify that George was on a MACV CORDS Team between 1969 and 1970, in the time frame. Thank you. Rick Fulton Welcome home.
Rick,
I arrived in BaTo District, Quang Ngai Province in May of 1970. I was a captain and assigned as District Senior Adviser, 1lt George Primm from Pittsburgh, Kansas was already there and assigned as the Mobile Advisory Team Leader. I am not sure how long he was there when I arrived. I can recall George going to Hawaii for R and R to see his wife while he was there. He rotated home before I did, but I wouldn’t know the exact date. I will e-mail you with my current information.
Tom Maddock