MACV Team 19 – Quang Tri.
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 19 located in Quang Tri.
MACV Teams
Military Assistance Command Teams Vietnam
MACV Team 19 – Quang Tri.
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 19 located in Quang Tri.
MACV Teams 
I stayed in the Cam Lo compound during 1970. My Platoon did road opening/clearing & mine sweeps from Dong Ha to Cam Lo, C2 to Cam Lo and C2 to A4 (Con Thien). Also responsible for water point at Cam Lo bridge. Was there with driver (used 2 1/2 ton truck as my “command” vehicle -White Lightning Express) & RTO. Spent Christmas at Cam Lo Dec ’69.
SFC Forsythe was there, my father. 68-70 Team 19. Cam Lo MAT I 29
My deceased brother, Jim Piepenbrok, was a DIOCC advisor in the Phoenix program in the Cam Lo District & Huong Hoa District from May 1969 t0 May 1970. I figured it was worth a shot to see if you happened to know him, even though you had different jobs, but were both in Cam Lo. He was tall, thin & probably went by “Piep”. My email is r.wathen@outlook.com if you happen to have any photos of the Cam Lo compound or remember my brother. It would be nice to know your thoughts about what the compound at Cam Lo was like. I’ve not found anyone who remembers him, but some on this site have been kind enough to give me insight as to what his job would have been like, which is much appreciated.
Continued – Was with A Co 7th Engr 3rd Platoon Camp Red Devil 1st Brigade 5th Mech was home base.
I was the DSA of Cam Lo District the last half of 1969.Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
SFC Forsythe was in Cam Lo then. Team 19 MAT I 29. Previous tour with D 1/12 1st Cav 1966. He raised me. Glad you made it back..so did he.
I have often wondered how two young boys (who were buddies about 10 or 12) Sun & Hoa fared in the aftermath. They had befriended my driver and RTO and stayed in our hooch (on the bunker line) when my Plt was on mine sweep duties. We washed our tracks in the river and passed out candy to the local kids.
I remember shooting flares at Mai Loc district compound on New Years 1971 and seeing flares coming up from camp Carroll and other combat bases. Beautiful sight!
1st Lt. Dan Huff – Phoenix Coordinator
This is off topic but:
Happy Safe and Healthy New Years to all the troops that shared the Team 19 and Micro Wave site compound in Quang Tri.
We have all lost some friends this last year. Keep them in your thoughts. Proud to have served with you.
Former Spc5 Al Albrecht
Wish you and the others a Happy New year also. I was with the QuangTri microwave site New years 69 and 70. Seems like yesterday.
Tom Dean SP 5, 26v.
Tom,
I was a 26V at Quang Tri ‘68-69.
I think we talked before. If my memory is correct we may have both known Val Sterling.
Have a great year and stay healthy
Looking for information on Marcel B. Dumont, MACV Advisory Team 19, to build history of his service for his family. We have Bronze Star Medal citations and Air Medal citations but little other information. He never spoke of his multiple tours in Vietnam, and now that he is gone the family is interested in his service. I am his son-in-law (Army Retired) and am trying to put together Marcel’s story for the daughters and sons. Any help would be appreciated.
COL Barletta. I served with MACV Team 19, Sept.’71 thru May ’72. Are you looking for info on, (then), SFC Dumont who was the S-2 NCOIC for the team? And later served as the SMG for G-2 at HDQ, I Corps, FT. Lewis, WA.? (I also served with him at I Corps and that was surprise reunion for both of us). Am fairly certain I have at least one photo of him as we were evacuated from Quang Tri as a result of the Easter Offensive. Happy to share if you will contact me at hiramu@mtaonline.net MAJ John G. Hopkins, U.S. Army (R)
Still looking for information on Pregnant hoochmaid in 1970 delivered early 1971, any help would be greatly appreciated
Prolly too many too list
not funny, AH, trying to help find someone’s Mother, do you know yours?
Have DNA tests been done?
nnr1950, I was at Kilroy at that time, and I didn’t see or know any maids who were pregnant. That doesn’t mean there weren’t any. I did meet a maid from the civilian side of MACV who had a baby with one of the foriegn service officers, but their compound was in the middle of the city.
Did not have too. Story same all the way around. You know how it is, overseas military protected from any liability of obligation to children born out of wedlock in occupied or wartime countries. 1957 Augsburg was last post for The original 11 th Airborne. Bunch of tuff guys. I’m proud of my military blood, my German blood, and my raising in military environment. Never served but was a dependent 1957-1972. 3 yrs alone with my mother as man of house at age 10 in Fayettenam. Once told my Dad at age 20 was gonna enlist in 82 nd hopefully with his last outfit.. 2/325. He never laid a hand on me but stated…” If you do… I’ll kick your butt.” Love you guys but I wasn’t t joking. Keep those pistols holstered soldiers, unless your gonna marry her.
My apologies Mr Asplin. Was thinking you asked me for DNA proof. Good idea and wishing nnrvmuck luck and success. Wars create all kinda casualties. Thank God most men still show up when called up.
Have you tried contacting the Quang Tri Provincial Government? They may have useful records despite the destruction resulting from the 1972 and 1975 offensives.
David thanks for responding I have not tried the Provincial Government, will try. Very difficult finding her, believe killed by NVA 75/ Again very appreciative – Neal 69-70
You might also want to contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington for advice. vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular. I would begin with the Consular section. It’s likely that they have handled similar requests in the past. They would have contact infromation for the QT government. Whatever the results, persevere. Many Quang Tri residents returned to the province after the war, and there may be people around who remember things. Do you have any photographs?
David thanks for responding, I have but not sure which one is her.
In Washington, DC.
This a their Web site:
vietnamembassy-usa.org/
You should contact the consular section.
David
David I have some pictures but I do not know who they are, If I sent them to you maybe you may know them?
A throw-back memory revisited: On several occasions I had stopped over in LaVang District, Quang Tri Provience during my tour with Team 18 in Hue. Recently I was surprised to discover a newly established Vietnamese Roman Catholic Church in Raleigh, North Carolina named “Our Lady of LeVang,” in honor of a visit by the Holy Mother Mary sometime in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s. I arranged one Sunday to attend Mass there in Raleigh and had major flashbacks of my time in other Vietnamese Catholic Churches while in country. Under the guide of Father Pham, I enjoyed and remembered my Vietnamese friends among a congregation of approximately 400 Vietnamese speaking Catholics. He asked me if I understood the mass, spoken exclusively in Vietnamese, and I replied that I did when he said “Hallelujah” and “Amen”, but the memories of my experiences in 1968-1969 was more than enough thrill for me to understand how I felt about these people. I am presently planning to attend a Vietnamese Mass next time I am in Fayetteville, NC at St Patrick’s. I recently taught school with several Vietnamese children among our classes, and it was a trip back in time. I realized how much my time in Vietnam as an Advisor had influenced my appreciation for other peoples.
I was on Kilby with 1st Sig microwave 6-69 thru 70.
I have pictures of a church taken near QuangTri combat base when marines were there. Ai-Tu(?) area.
Don’t know what religion.
Is anyone around who remembers the 1st Signal Brigade team in Quang Tri Sept 1968 to Jun 1969.
I remember Lt Creely commanding, Spec 5 Val Sterling, Soec 4 WJ Coons, and Soec5 Steve Brodzinski from South River NJ?
I arrived there June of 69 as a Sp 4, 26v. I remember those guys mentioned. I extended my tour until March of 71, with my last 3 months at Chu Lai as a Sp 5.
I believe I saw our antenna from a distance on a news shot during the Easter offense of 72. QuangTri was good duty. We got the guys from Dong Ha into our group when the Marines pulled out in late 70.
Welcome home.
I am a retired Seargeant Major. I was on Team 19 from April 69 until April 70. My team was a 7 man team led by Cpt Granger. We lived with 3 RF companies and about 12 pf platoons and operated with them at the HA Than refugee camp 2 clicks from North Vietnam. We were located right below Alfa 2 look out post, on the Qua vet river. I was a staff Seargeant and was the teams light weapons expert. Our senior staff people were in Quang Tri at the head shed. Our team was the northern most team in Nam. I don’t think I knew your brother, we were very isolated. We positioned the RF And Pf platoons and would split up at times for search and destroy missions. I lost my Lt. Xo and our medic to an anti tank mine. This was my 2d tour in Nam. My 1st tour 66-67 was with C company 1/8 airborne with the First Cav.
SGM Green
I was at the Quang Tri citadel Microwave Sute from Sept 1968 to May 1969. I got out on an few small patrols mostly doing communications for Company K 9th of the 3rd Marines. I hope you are doing well, brother. Thank you for the service and never forget
Would you happen to know SMG billy Vaughn stationed at Quang TRI 1970-1971
I became PHOENIX Advisor, Mai Linh District in late 1968 & went on to become DSA, Cam Lo District. Left Vietnam & the army in October 1969. Many memories
Ken – My brother, Jim Piepenbrok (deceased) from Indiana was a MACV advisor in Quang Tri Province from May 1969-May 1970. He was a DIOCC advisor in the Phoenix program with Advisory Team 19, assigned to MACV units in Cam Lo District & Huong Hoa District. Your last 6 months seem to overlap with his first 6 months. I’m looking for someone who might have known him or could give me insight into what his experience might have been. Tom Chorba was kind enough a few years ago to describe to me how the DIOCC was organized & that it sounded like my brother was assigned to a Distirct Advisory Team. Papers of my brother said he was out in the field with RF & PF companies. Any insight you can give me of what typical days might involve would be appreciated. Thx! Mary (Piepenbrok) Wathen
Mary, I led a MAT Team in Mai Loc from August ’69 until march of ’70. I remember seeing a tall guy in black pajamas in the field with a small force, and they stopped an ambush one night and saved a couple of MACV troops from our compound that were returning from a Bru village.
I never got his name but I am guessing it was your brother because he was with some Vietnamese Special Police.
There was a medal award ceremony the next day.
Vince DiLodovico
Thank you Vince! My brother was tall – 6’2″ & thin – appox. 180lb & wore glasses. His DD214 only lists the 3 standard medals – Vietnam Campaign medal, Vietnam Service Medal, & the National Defense Service Medal. I assume you are saying there would be a special medal for this act. Also, did the advisors, when out in the field, wear clothing like the Vietnamese instead of their army uniform? Would be interesting to know.
Mary, they would try to blend in, and at 6’2″ that would be hard, hence the black pj’s, He also was carrying a 45 cal grease gun. The medal ceremony was a moral booster for the Vietnamese and he probably did not want to be involved, plus it was for a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry given to the RF’s and PF’s for the action Vince.
Hi Mary – Your brother’s name doesn’t ring a bell but I have to admit, I’m terrible at remembering names. He was most likely assigned to the Mai Linh DIOCC some time after I left, and to the best of my knowledge, there were no other DIOCCs in the province. The Mai Linh DIOCC probably was established because of the proximity of the Mai Linh Dist. HQ. to Quang Tri City. II wrote a story about some of my experiences but being new to this site, don’t know how to get it to you.
Ken
Thanks for replying, Ken. It is new information to me about the Mai Linh DIOCC being the only one in the province. If you can email me at r.wathen@outlook.com the story you wrote about your experiences that would be great! Otherwise, I will keep trying to find out how to find it on this site.
There may have been other DIOCCs later.
Will send you the story. It’s in PDF.
Ken
Hi Mary. I was the DIOCC, Phoenix Advisor for Trieu Phong District, Quang Tri Province, MACV Team 19, from Apr ‘70- Mar ‘71. We did work with RFPF for sweep operations along the sand dunes. But mostly we conducted Cordon and Search Operations with the Nat Police Chief as my counterpart in the many villages and hamlets throughout the District, all east of Highway One. At least weekly. We had a top 10 list of Viet Cong Infrastructure (VCI), civilians, and sometimes females. suspicious individuals would be interrogated by the police on the op, usually without US military present. A couple if times we joined up with 1/5 mech inf ftom Dong Ha for joint operation, west of Highway One.
Hi Nick! Thanks for letting me know that you mostly conducted cordon & search operations. I assume that was also the main job of my brother in his districts. It gives me an idea of what he was doing. He never said much, even when I asked. Pretty much avoided my questions, so I didn’t press him. Mary
Dear Ms. Wathen,
DD 214s sonetimes contain errors or ommissions. You might want to obtain a copy of your brother’s Army personnel and medical records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis through the National Archives in Washington DC. You may learn interesting information about his various assignmrnts.
Go here to fill out an online request: vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html
Be sure to check boxes for both personnel and medical records, and include a specific typed in request for copies of all pages in his files. Otherwise they will only send you a copy of his DD 214 and any other primary records they deem important. Also request a replacement set of his awards and decorations. This request will be forwarded to the Army which will do research and will provide you s set of every American award he received, and they should also provide you with a list of foreign awards he received. They will not provide replacement medals and ribbons for foreign awards, but you can obtain correct foreign medals from reputable online sources such as Medals of America.
About two werks after you file, you can call the NPRC and speak with a live himan being to emphasize that you want complete copy of your brothers files and to get an estmate of how long it might take.
When you receive his records, look through his assignment record to see what awards mighg be kisted, and also tesd at his yesrky performance reports, as they might also list awards. If tiu find doscrepancies yiu can ask the Army amend hos DDx214 with a DD 215, which is a correction of records.
If you find he was recommended for an award which is not included on the list you receive from the Army, you can ask the Army to research the award recommendation to see if it was awarded but never forwarded to your brother.
You may contact me if you run into problems or frustrations. david.sciacchitano@gmail.com.
Please pardon typos and misspellings.
Dsvid S.
Thanks David! Great information that I will follow up on.
SFC Forsythe was in Cam Lo then. Team 19 MAT I 29. Previous tour with D 1/12 1st Cav 1966. He raised me. Glad you made it back..so did he.
I was Trieu Phong DIOCC/Phoenix Advisor ‘Mar ‘70-71, under Cpt Clark then Major Hall. My predecessor was KIA.
Hello. I have recently come into the possession of a NVA helmet captured by Major Frederick Brigham who on team 19 in ’71. If anybody could tell me more about him I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you
Gentlemen I am still on a quest for a Pregnant Hooch Mail in the latter of 1970. She would have been term in February to March 1971. Anyone have any hint of knowledge please contact me. Thanks much
Does anyone know the date MACV Team 19 was deactivated? Sometime in the time frame of June to August, 1972?
I was one of the few Marines from Quang Tri. Assigned to MACV security providing guards for the MACV compounds. Assigned to Riverside and main compound. I was the NCOIC for the Marine detachment in 1965 and 1966. Was not aware we were replaced , I assume it was long after my return to States.
I was a advisor 11 ARVN CAV and we still had marine guards at City in 68,69. I went south in ’70 to team 17 so not sure after ’69
In Jan of ’70 I was part of the Army team that replaced the Marines in Quang Tri, Team 19. Dave
presstone?
Sorry what is your name? i knew just abut everyone…29th civil affairs, phenox, the marines we replaced, the tall red headed corpsman from the medical hospital group
I was with the microwave group on Kilroy that sent crypto somewhere. We monitored all the time but didn’t know who it was going to. We had comm to dong ha and then to phu bai/da nang.
I was in Quang Tri City at the microwave site from Jan 1970 to July 1970
I was 26v in transmitter room. I also helped with tech support. SFC Hunter & Lt. Valentino were in charge. I was in the trailer closest to the site.
I was 26v also, I remember Lt. Valentio, I believe a Lt. Gearhauser replaced him. I think I was in the second trailer. I worked where the microwave transmitter and receiver were.
I also remember a guy named Herbert Dickie, a guard Hank Snell, Jim Keaun, a guy named Pollard and a guy named Baird.
I was with Hank Snell, John Gleason, Bob Laporta, Also guys from the 29th Civil Affairs, Rob Cooke, Bob Hewes, Dave??
Jan 70 -Apr 71. Top was Hunter. I’ll dig some pics up. Dave Worsman.
Also Scott Miyake, David Lynch, John Gallager, Val Stirling, and 4 Navy Seabees.
I remember Scott and David.
Tom,
My name is Al Albrecht I am also a 26V and was on the original deployment and start up group for the microwave site, Sept ‘68 to jun ‘69. I also remember a Val Sterling, blond head guy from Salt Lake. He was still there when I rotated out, but it seems like a long time between your tour and mine.
I got to Quang Tri mid June 69. I was nights to start and then requested nights permanent. Was bored due to equipment never breaking down, learned tech control mos so I had something to do. I was unsure of startup date and you just told me. I extended my tour so I could get an early out- spent 19 months at Quang Tri and final 3 months at Chu Lai. They needed an experienced E5. I wondered what happened in 72 when Quang Tri was overrun. I have been in touch with a couple of guys but a lot have passed on. Hope you’re doing ok.
Tom Dean
Tom,
Good to hear from you. I’m actually doing fine except for the getting old part. I was an E5 when I left and did exactly what you described, I learned tech control to keep from being bored. Do you remember another Tech by the name of Russell, don’t remember his last name. Also, one of the marine guards was named Pork Chop. I never did know his real name but we spent many an evening shift sitting on the 50 Cal bunker smoking, telling lies and killing mosquitos. I ended up DEROSing back to Ft Huachaca for the remainder of my time then on to college. Other than Russell contacting me after I got out I haven’t been able to track down anyone.
If you want to contact me directly try
alanjalbrecht@gmail.com
Tom
I just posted a reply and noticed it was aligned vertical. Try my regular email:
alanjalbrecht@gmail.com
tom, i was phoenix advisor at dong ha from june 70 to may 71. 11 months later the province was attacked. seems impossible to believe armor and large numbers could operate around cam lo and donga ha. there is a good book on the battle for donga ha on amazon. cost 4 bucks. the bridge at donga ha-is the name. also you tube-war stories-col north the furious fight for donga ha. col ripley should have got medal of honor but there were no american troops there except a few advisors.
Alan,
We met. I was the Phoenix Coordinator (1 LT) at Houng Hoa (Mai Loc) and had to spent the night at Dong Ha because we were caught in a down pour and flood driving back from Quang Tri. Also, we went to Dong Ha one time to identify some deceased VS Cadre. …. Dan Huff
I saw the war stories show on dong ha. Was this the Easter offensive in I Corp? I saw a CBS news report in 1972 showing Quang Tri City and saw in the distance what appeared to be Kilroy compound. I recognized our antenna tower with the dish. Was anyone there when the NVA overran the area and was the compound ever used after that? Our group left Dong Ha in late 70 when the marines pulled out. I’m glad to get info on what went on. Thanks
I was not there. but I saw the same TV report—it was Kilroy and the school beyond there berm.
>
I left two weeks before the province was overrun…After 5th Mech left the security was going south and several district outposts were attacked. Cam Lo was completely sacked and burned. Gio Linh, Hai Lang, Trieu Phong, and Mai Linh. Mai Loc was closed in January because it couldn’t be protected.
dan i remember you, mailoc and gio linh were scary places. i spent a night at giolinh , as i remember from their tower youcould see the flag across the DMZ. we were all lucky to get out of there; those 122 rockets were the worst. nobody really knows what it waslike; my grandson did a history project on the seige at khe sanh; looking at the maps he used brought back a lot of memories of highway 9 and 1, wunder beach., con thien and the sand dunes east of highway one.; i have a good friend marine that was there in 1968 at con thien , listening to him talk i was glad i was there 2 years later. i got back in june was in law school 6 weeks later, live in boise, still working part-time. nice to see the comments. ac
I bumped into a Marine advisor at Ft Knox, in 1976, who was in between Cam Lo and Dong Ha on highway nine, the day the invasion happened. He said he looked across the river and saw tanks heading for the bridge at Dong Ha. he was going the same way and he realized they were trying to cut him off. He sped up and beat them by just minutes and made it to Quang Tri where the last chopper picked him up. He was a cool guy and fearless. I’ve got a few more stories about him.
Alan, I was the Dep Phoenix Advisor for Team 19, Sep ’71 thru Apr’72, (in short was in QT during the Offensive). The best book I have come across is The Easter Offensive by COL G.H.Turley, U.S.M.C.(Ret). However, Tm 19 is not mentioned. Best I can say about the situation, (and I was there), is “t’was a melancholy and hectic situation”. Team 19 was sort of “faded away with” and I was reassigned to Quang Nghai and ended my tour with the Phoenix office in Danang.
I was the Phoenix Advisor (DIOCC) in Trieu Phong District, Quang Tri, Apr 70-Mar 71. Lived in the District Compound. My CO’s were Cpt Clark, followed by Major Hall.
Tom
Sorry it has taken so long for me to reply but the emails always always go to junk inspire of the VIP designation. It sad that so many guys have passed. I got to visit Da Nang and Hue in 2019. Everything looks different and I must say better. The local were very good to us during the trip however I couldn’t convince the driver to go into Quang Tri. I do have one funny story about Val Stirling and his guitar. One night he woke to musical sounds as I was pretty well drunk and peeing on the strings.
You can always email me direct at alanjamesalbrecht@gmail.com
Mr. Worsman,
John Gleason is my father. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support this site or a cause that honors his, and your service.
Thank you for your service.
Welcome Home,
Thom
Thank You Thom Gleason.
Thank YOU!
Thom, So good to hear from you. John and I were great friends. I have some photos I’d like to share with you. My Email is worsman@comcast.net. Please respond to my email address. Dave
(just found your email below, does your Dad have one?)
David lynch
Hank Snell was in Crawfordville Fl. where I am in the late 80’s, but left with out telling anyone
What did Hank do after the Army?
I am not sure what Hank worked at.
John Gleason’s son, Thom has photos of his dad & Snell. I’ve got photos promoting Gleason and Snell from when I was HQ Cdr.
>
Don, after the war the only people I could locate were Jim Kuehn and a guy from Phoenix whose name I’ve lost. Kuehn died a few years ago in Nebraska. I remember Pollard and Bill Baird. Never could find them. I recognize your name, but I don’t think I have a picture of you.
Herb Dickie and Jim Kuehn were with the microwave group on south end of Kilroy.
I was part of that group 69-70. Tom Dean
I have not been in touch with either.
Hi, Tom I am glad to hear from you I am so sorry to hear about Jim. Herbert Dickie lived in Tallahassee Fl. about 20 miles north of me, he died i believe sometime in the 90″s from cancer caused by agent orange. Glad to hear from somebody that I served with over their over their. Where are you living? I am in Crawfordville Fl.
I was originally from Pa, moved to Ohio to go to school (GI Bill), and moved to North Carolina 5 years ago, Lincolnton. I believe the Phoenix guy was Philip Wilson. I have not been in touch with anyone. Sorry to hear about Herb D. and Jim. I’ve had some health issues but the VA has been good for me. Hope you’re well. Tom D.
Tom
Thanks for the reply. I am like you having a lot of health problems, but still on the green side. Stay in touch,
Don
Is this Lt. Gearhiser? Jim and I were good friends, but never heard from him after he left. I believe he was from Hartwell Neb.
My name is Sergeant Major Richard Green United States Army Sergeant Major retired. I was with Team 19 from April 69 to April 70. We lived in the Ha Than refugee camp as a 7-man team. Two of my team were killed by an anti tank mine. My CO at the time was Cpt
GRANGER. Our headquarters was in Quang Tri but we visited infrequently. We advised 3 RF companies and thirteen PF PLATOONS, if memory serves. We were the northern most troops in Nam, we slept 2 clicks from the Ben Hai river.My first tour was Apr 66 to Apr 67 with C co, first of the 8th airborne, 1st Cavalry division.
Must of crossed paths at sometime. Where you at Gio Lihn! Worked in S2 out of the TOC in the Citadel.
I was stationed in Quang Tri city from Jan 70 to July 70 at the signal corp microwave site.
At Kilroy 7/69 to 8/70
I was at the site from Jan to July 1970
SGM Green..I was the Adjutant/S-1 for LTC Mooney and later, LTC Birk who replaced Mooney. I recall the two soldiers who were killed by an anti-tank mine (or unexploded artillary round) that you refer to…..a LT (name not recalled – Spanish surname)) and a SSG or SFC Love. I was tasked to ID their remains at the Dong Ha morgue. I also remember participating in an award ceremony st Camp Kilroy a few weeks (or months) prior to thier death. I distinctly remember Love who had a large mustache. I helped the PSA write letters to their next of kin. I submitted the casualty report as well as a replacement request. If memory serves, you, and the two deceased, were members of the District Advisory Team in Gia Lin. I visited your compound once, and could not wait to depart the area. Was Captain Granger from Carbondale, PA? My name is: Captain Tom Chorba (Ret), Jul 69 to Jul 70.
I believe I was one of the replacements . My name is Lt Vince DiLodovico, I was assigned to Mat-10 and one of the jeeps was blown up with two men in it before I got there.
I remember you Tom, as you came to Mai Loc camp a couple of times. I was re-assigned to Quang Tri just days before the Special Forces camp there was overrun.
Vince
You were indeed one of the replacements Vince. So nice to hear from you, and happy you made it home. I am now 80 years old and retired, living in Maryland. I am on Facebook. An old photo is attached. My 59-year old son, Tom Jr., is taking care of me, so life is good!
Looking for information about my grandfather SFC John Church he was a advisor with the airborne group, Died Jan 31 1968 , I know he was in a hand to hand combat fight near tru- bu village, if anyone knew or served with him please contact me thanks
I was in Quang Tri City with MACV Team 19 from Jan 1971 to Dec 1971. First half of the year assigned to a 588th Signal Company and attached to MACV Team 19 as a radio/teletype operator in Quang Tri City. Second half of the year when signal pulled out, I was assigned to MACV Team 19. I was young and stupid. Remember on one occasion while working at the Citadel for a few weeks, I was driving a jeep and ran out of gas in the middle of Quang Tri City, driving alone. All of these Vietnamese surrounded my vehicle. I was scared shitless. An army major came by and had some gas sent out to me. I do not know why I was alone. MACV was kind of casual in security compared to other units in Vietnam.
Worked out of the TOC (S2) in the Citadel. Walked alone from Kilroy to the Citadel and back many times. Never had a problem. Also visited our interpreter that lived down the street from Kilroy and never had a problem. (July 69/August 70)
were you on kilroy compound? I was there with 361st. sig until Nov 70 (18 months). we were microwave site with tall dish antenna at south end of the compound.
Yes. I remember the micro wave site. Use to hang around some guys from the site, but I did not get there until January 1971. We occupied the signal bunker with the radio/teletype rig, com center and switch board. It was a relatively quiet year for the most part as far as far as any military action with the exception to Lam Son 719, but even then, at least on paper, the US was not directly involved in combat operations. The only thing that sticks in my mind was the ammo dump frequent explosions in Quang Tri, although it never directly impacted us.
Found some pics. Need your email address.
nnr1950@yahoo.com
Anyone have pictures of the housekeepers? I was there 69-70. Thanks
I was with the communications group at the south end of the compound. We had 3-4 hooch maids for our group. They only worked for us. I do have pics of some of them. No pics of the other ladys that worked there, other than Mai, the bartender at the EM club.
Is there a way I can see them? Looking for a missing Mother. Thanks
I will go thru my pictures. I’ll get in touch. May take a few days.
Thanks Tom, I worked as a bartender a few times in the EM & O club in 69 – 70
Everyone knew Mia. I think she
was engaged at least 6 times. She worked ta the PX as well.
Tom, I have a picture on an Air Force person in the EM club from sometime in 70. He had a purple birth mark on his face. As I remember he was a nice guy. Dave
I have a couple of pictures but I think they worked in the mess hall. I was on Kilro May 67 to mid Jan 68.
If you are interested e mail me at kunzr@verizon.net.
Rich Kunz
I need your email address please.
Neal,
I was located at the Riverview compound and was on TM 19 March 68 to Feb 69. Only visited the main compound twice but I have a picture of our 3 maids if you want them. Send me an email address and I will send them to you if you wish.
nnr1950@yahoo.com thanks Rich
John G. Hopkins. Just found this site about a year ago and have had some contact with John Abruzzo, (exchanged photos and what info. we could remember From Sep ’71-late Apr.’72 I was a CPT assigned as the Dep. Phung Hoang Coord, (Sr. Coord. was MAJ James Brown). in Quang Tri Prov., MACV TM 19. Abruzzo and I managed to dredge some remembered names and I was able to send him some photos. If anyone is interested, (quality varies due to different cameras), let me know. After “hastily departing” Quang Tri I was assigned to Quang Nghai and Danang. Retired after 21+ years and now live in Alaska.
You must have been my replacement with PHX. I was there November 70-last of Jul 1971.
Curious if anyone remembers or was part of the signal Corp (LLBn North) micro wave site adjacent to the Citadel. I was there Sept ‘68 to May ‘69. Lt Creely was the original CO. Team members I remember were a Steve Brodzinsky, a guy named Yarbourgh from Arkansas, WJ Coons from Florida, and a few others I won’t list now. I believe the Batallion Comander was a Col Blumenthal
I was there June 69-Dec 70. Glad to share info. I have pics of area. We had direct line to Saigon and Dong Ha.
I was part of the microwave unit on Kilroy from June 69 to Dec 70.I probably knew a lot of the guys you mentioned but my memory sucks. Was the site in operation when you arrived there? Our OIC was 1 lt. Valentino. We also were part of the microwave site at Dong Ha.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
I was their with you and remember Lt. Valentino. Donald Speigner
I was with 361st sig/1st sig brigade microwave unit starting the month you left.I knew some of the guys you mentioned. Was the comm site built while you were there? Who were you with?
Curious if anyone here remembers a Master Sergeant Rick Jackson in ’69? He was my grandpa. Thanks!!
I have just competed going through slides that have been in storage since 1972. I have photos of the following members of Team 19. LT Dave Covington, Lt Don Schreiver, LTJohn Beaven, SFC Sinclair, CPT Kurt Larsen, CPTJ. B. Farley, LTJack Seibert, LT Jerry Reinhohl, Civilians Bobby Harville and John Swanson with their VN wives, CPT Rick Jones, Maj O’Brien, Specs DeFries and Prestegard, LT Chuck Asplin, CPT Daryl Rogers, SFC Teele, LT Spike Speich, SFC Kassil, Maj Redmon (Aussie), Spec Russo, Spec Spec lreason, Spec Snell. Memorial Service for LT Larry Swarbrick. If anyone want them < i will have them made into photos and scanned. Walt Edgar
Sorry I left two folks off my list: CPT Reichenberg (my turtle!!) and SCF Cox.
Edgar, do you have any pictures of the inside of the TOC in the citadel. Also, I have the capability to
Digitize photos, slides and negatives.
I have one or two. One is of a strange looking Catholic church.
Walter, please email me anything you have on the TOC in the citadel and anything you have at Kilroy. My email is bmcbiker@me.com.
I have a slide of a 2 Lt and me the day I left Kilroy I would like to send you. It is faded. I am wondering if you could identify the 2nd Lt. It is bugging me that I cannot remember his name. The picture was taken around August 1, 1970.
I have a number of photos of Kilroy [I was acting HQ CO for four months]. WIll get them to you.
Walter, yes I know you were acting CO at Kilroy and also S1 Advisor. You replace Cpt Chorba. I met you a couple of times. I got extended a month for lack of a replacement. I use to come to your office at Kilroy to find out when I could get out of there. I was the S2 intel analyst at the TOC.
I will appreciate any pictures, may stimulate my memory.
Thanks
Walter, Bob Hunt asked me if I knew how many people resided at Kilroy in1970. Do you know. Hunt was there 70/71, you may know him
Dave, send me your e-mail and I’ll send you the photos
Bmcbiker@me.com
Walt, I would be very interested in seeing them…. Dan Huff
I was attached to team 20 down in the delta March 1968 till September 1970. Lt. Larry Swarbrick was my wife’s cousin I visited with him a few times at Fort Sill Ok. in 1970 before he went to Vietnam. I’m wondering what you know about his death and if you would be willing to share any photos. My e-mail address is Flashy29er14@gmail.com. thank you so much.
love to see the slides I was at Kilroy Jan 70 – Apr 71. Army, we replace the Marines for Security under Cantu and Hunt. Dave
Dave,
I was one of the Marines in the MACV security detachment that was there in Quang Tri in 1966 and 67, I was the NCOIC of the security at the MACV Compound and The Riverside Billet.
This is the first time I am aware of the Marine detachment being replaced.
Thanks for the info and be well.
Sgt DS zzz Ballou USMC a long time ago !!
Gary, I commented before about Larry Swarbrick. I talked to him last. Search the emails if you like. We can start as new thread if you like.Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S9+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone
I was attached to MACV Team 20 1968-1969. Larry Swarbrick was my wife’s cousin. Any information or pictures would be appreciated. My email address is flashy29er14@gmail.com, thank you so much.
gary, i knew larry slightly, he was the phoenix advisor in treiu phong district next to mine. i was the phoenix advisor in dong ha district from june 1970 to may 1971. i attended his memorial service at camp kilroy after his death. i think i even have a picture of the ceremony. when i visit DC ialways go to the wall and pay my repects. my re-collection is that larry , his sargent and his interpreter were with some vietnamese popular local forces and a battlion of NVA came up from a river valley infiltration route. it was a suicide mission; it is my belief that the south vietnamese had some kind of advance info about the coming attack and abandoned larry and his sargent; ithink a rpg hit the hooch they were in, the sargent survived 3 days under the rubble; larrys interpreter was beaten to death and his tongue torn out. the 5th mech brought their tanks and choppers out and the air force bombed them. about all were killed325! my co cpt benhart was part of the attacking force also. i remember listening to the battle on our radios. they set up,a NVA flag and basically said come and get us. as i remember that was the biggest engagement in the area during my tour. 10 months after i left, the NVA used tanks to overrun the province. llt col north has a video on” war stories “-you tube about the fight for dong ha. amazing to me that nva could use tanks in that area(no cover); we would have wiped them out.!at least that is the way i remember it. alan coffel
Alan, that rings true. The battalion of NVA soldiers actually numbered close to 400. We accounted for over 390 bodies and captured about six who became hoi chanhs, meaning they renounced their country and pledged allegiance to the South. They did two of those invasions during the two years I was there. Each time we destroyed them. They were all brand new young soldiers and they were told they were going to liberate the villagers. Instead, they slaughtered the people of the villages who were old men, women of all ages, and kids. Nobody talked about that back home.
Thank you so much Alan.
gary, once this covaid dies down i will transfer my slides to a disc and see if i can find the ceremony picture . and send it to you. iam in the process of putting a picture record of my time at dona ha together for my grand-kids. one of my grand-kids did a website on the seige of khe-sanh ; he was able to talk to a marine general that was at cua viet(naval base ) down river from dong ha and a private that was there during the siege. my grandson is 12.!
I would definitely appreciate that, thank you so much. I’m also writing the story about my time in Vietnam, for my Grandkids.
Hi Gary, we may have met? I was the Trieu Phong Phoenix DIOCC, Apr ‘70 to Mar ‘71. Went on a couple of joint ops with 1st of the 5th West of Highway 1. Visited Kilroy Compound for 0-Club a few times. My CO’s were Cpr Clark and the Maj Hall. Maj Hall passed a year ir so back. Cheers!
Nicholas Conger
I am pretty sure I replaced Larry as Trueu Phong Phoenix advisor. ‘70-71. When I arrived They told me my predecessor had been hit with an RPG. I thought about that my entire tour.
Nicholas Conger.
Cpt Clark prob would have been Larrys CO. I have no pictures of Larry, but several of the Trieu Phong compound and Col Nimh (sp?)
My email is nconger147@aol.com. Let me know , Gary or Alan if you would like any pics.
Nick
Looking for information on my Grandfather SFC John church . Died Jan 31st 1968 .
You want more names ? Nov 70-Jul 71: Maj Wolfenberger, logistics adv in Citadel:
LT/CPT Nick Conger on a district team; MAJ Remen, Kilroy “Commandant”; CPt
or MAJ Nat Murdock, fr AL, Armor; MAJ Mike Hubbard; MAJ Blain Irvin fr WV, Arty;
SGT Frady, mess hall; SP4 Tony Kosek, MI, fr Philadelphia: LT Jerry Reinhoel, MI,
“1st Fld Maint Det” OIC; PFC/SP4 Ronald Larry, TOC, Phung Hoang, then Team
mail clerk: SGT Dumas, 29th CA; CPT Kurt Larsen, QM, Team supply officer: Sig Det
Had a SP4 Major, who when promoted to E-5 could not be SGT Major, though an
NCOIC , so was SP5 Major. AUSSIES: MAJ Redman, WO Bernie Laseur,
WO Snowy Lawrence. What about our VN counterparts or club barmaids (Ba
Nga, for instance)? There are others whose faces I recall, but not their names. The
I remember Capt. Jones from Phung Hoang since I was in that area at Mai Loc. He supplied me with a superb Bright Green National Police Jeep. I also remember Lt. Reinhoel (sp?) from 9301 class at Fort Holibird and possibly Armor basic at Fort Knox.
I believe I recall LT. Reinhoel posing as a member of the Engineer Corps while doing some kind of covert MI work at Quang Tri.
Dan Huff
Jerry Reinhoel was the OIC of “ 1st Field Maintenance Det”, a pretty lame cover. His EMs included SP5 Tony Kosek from Philadelphia (last known 25 Yrs go still in Phila and an SSG in USAR. Then SP Bruce Heine (spelling?) From San Francisco..
Cpt Conger here. I was the District Intell and Ops Cord Center officer (DIOCC). Phoenix program. Sept 1970-1971. Others on MACV Team 19, Quang Tri Province, Col Birk (PSA), and in Trieu Phong District were Cpt Clark (District Senior Advisor-DSA) who rotated back th the states and was replaced by Maj Robert Hall. Lt Rick Dean (MAT), Lt Cavuto (MAT), Lt Randlet (MAT) from Wash DC (became a lawyer after the war), SFC Davis (Senior NCO), SFC Sizemore (D first sgt), SFC Maldonado (Supply), SP/5 Dyber, PFCChristopher (RTO), SSG Thomas (MAT), SFC Stark (MAT), SFC Garcia (MAT Medic), the RVN Distrct CO wasCol Nhim.
Rick Dean was a former EM in ASA at Kagnew Station, Ethiopia, IIRC…?
Don’t know about That. Rick was from NC or SC I think. Beaufort?
Anyone recall the Aussies? LtCol Rodman, WO Beatty, WO Snowy Laurence, WO Berny LaSueur?
David Birk here – Youngest of COL Birk’s 4 kids….I have a ton of pictures that I am scanning of my Dad in Quang Tri and out and about with various units, montagnard, etc etc etc – I was 6 years old and was going to 1st grade back a Clark.
David. Anyway you can share some of those pictures. I flew around Quang Tri Province on a Air America Huey to all the districts with your dad. I was the intel analyst that worked out of the citadel (S2)(July 69-July 70). My email is bmcbiker@me.com
Chuck Asplin and Walt Edgar: I just discovered this site. I was with Phoenix/PIOCC, Nov 70-Jul 71. My bosses were Dick Jones, then Gene H. Lacaze, then James Brown. Roommates Dale Kratsch (RIP) and Kurt Larsen. RSVP.
John,
I remember Dale and Kurt. Kurt was my hooch mate for the last 3-4 months of my tour. Kurt and his wife visited in SC in 1973–my last connection with him. I think he is still in Utah.
Walt
Hi John, We have to know each other, but a lot of names elude me these days.Were you staying at Camp Kilroy? Welcome to the site. I was the Chieu Hoi advisor. Chuck Asplin
Yes, I was at Kilroy and worked in the Cutadel. Where are you these days?
John,
Duh! Sorry, I remembered you as well as Dale and Kurt. Chris Kirikos who was S-2 for most of my tour [June 70-June 71] has been in on our discussions.
A little trivia. How many pine coffins were lined up in the citadel right before Lam Song (sp).
I always thought it was bad karma to put the recruiting center next to the morgue. Right across the street from the citadel. The recent conscripts were right next to the wailing families. Bad idea.
Chuck,
Bad Karma indeed. Do you remember the grad ceremonies for new recruits in the Citadel–after dark; torch light; lots of speeches? Capt Mao [Province S-1] always asked me to attend and congratulate candidates. Walt Edgar
Walt can you send me your email again? Chuck asplin sandjacking@cableone.net
Mostly, I didn’t get involved with those social things. Sometimes the PSA would ask me to translate at functions if they couldn’t find an translator. I’d do my best but it was basic stuff.
Do you received my previous email? about your late relative having the same surname with you which i previously sent to you? please Let me know.
Trying to get some more information about my Grand father . SFC John Church he was on a MACV team And Green beret . If anyone served with him or knows anyone please let me know thanks .
Ryan, I have replied to your post asking about your two or three times, and I don’t believe you have ever read them. They provided information about John Church and the circumstances of his death. I also offered to put you in touch with one of the few living people who served with him when he was an advisor to the 9th ARVN Airborne Battalion.
You can do a search for “John Church” below and find my previous responses to your posts, or you can write to me at david.sciacchitano@gmail.com.
Wasn’t sure how to post these photos. These are the Marines we replaced in Feb ’70. I think in the EM club (with Mia) Great bunch of guys but really ready to get out of there. The second photo is myself test firing ou 50 cal along with the 8-10 m60s, the 3 cal, and some 79s. Not sure who the other guys are. Dave W
> WordPress.com
i want to Talk to you right now
My father SFC Harry Forsythe was stationed in Quang Tri province for 2 back to back tours 68-70. He never told “war”stories, His first of 3 tours was 66-67 with the 1st Cav 1/12, He passed Feb 2012 just shy of age 80. Among his belongings was a plaque from maccord team 19 and a macv sog zippo, Never seen him display the plaque or use the lighter, Interested in any response that might have served with him. He liked to play cards sometimes had a moustache and sent home slides of himself with a “black label” beer. I have loads of slides. My name is Cliff Forsythe and my father felt very close to other veterans. He was from rural Missouri. I know the camp he was at with other advisors was overun not long after he left. His career with the army started in 1952 with the 11th Airborne and finished in 1972 at Fort Hood.
I have that plaque too! Or at least the parts of it.
David are you a brat like me. or did they hand it to you when
your tour was over?
Got it at the end of my tour with a Bronze Star and E5
Thank you for your service sir. I know my fathers participation affected him as Im sure it would anyone serving in that capacity. He did say once that when he was getting ready to begin his second tour, right after tet 1968 a major or col that was not fond of him said boy I ve got a great post for you , He ended up in Quang tri at a compound very close to the dmz with 7 other advisors.
cliff forsythe: — was the compound – gio linh or maybe cam lo?
Cam lo rings a bell he said it was 5 miles from dmz. Anyway found a zippo of his it reads MAT I 29 ADV TM 19 RVN 1969 on the other side it lists these names 1lt Gonzalez, SFC McCabe, 1lt Beck,SFC Forsythe, SFC Marrero.
I think I remember you. Were you at macv compound in late 1969? I was a radio operator then the company clerk for a while.The company commander was an older captain.
Do you remember SFC Forsythe or Corporal Curran? Forsythe was my father (deceased Feb 2013).
Cliff
Just noticed this post. And you mentioned my name. I was a Sp4. Not a Corporal. But both are E4’s. Did your father work in the TOC in S2 for awhile at the Citadel. We had a SSF join us for a period of time in late 69 early 70.
I was the team medic.. Knew your dad. Took me under his wing. Spoke of you and fishing. McCabe and Gonzalez were kiilled, beck was a. strapping hockey player for the U. of Minnesota. We all liked black label. I was there from 8/68 to 8/69. Sorry for. your loss. I believe that I may have a few slides and Polaroid of the. Compound, etc.
Jim Thanks for the post …..good to hear…. yes I knew at least 2 of the names on the lighter are on the wall. What compound did you operate out of? I have a box full of slides but some were from his tour in 66-67 with the 1 Cav 2/12. I cant imagine what you had to deal with as a medic….Yes he once tried to apologize for not being around much when I was growing up said he didnt think he was a very good father. I said “What are you talking about…you taught me how to hunt and fish..thats all that ever mattered.” My phone is 832 620 4607. St Louis Mo. Call anytime.
To anyone within driving distance of Columbia, SC. We are downsizing and I have to large green BUFEs looking for a home. Bought them at Ton Son Nhut PX on the way home. Free if you come pick up. Walt Edgar
I flew gunner with 282nd assault helicopter company, Black Cats out of MACVSOG compound in Quang Tri, Nov 69 had our nice little rooms like a hotel, , Christmas dinner Dec. 25th late night, Mess SGT had table all set up, turkey all the goodies, white table clothes, it was heaven, still have a copy of menu that was on table, we had a very bad day, those MacvSOG guys are nuts, January before going to Gunships, ALLEYCATS.
Do you remember the two cousin pilots who assign to the compound in Quang Tri?
i remember that. there was a guy that flew door gun that used to say he wished he had a day off. so, I told him I would fill in when he wanted a day off. had some real good memories from that. one of the copter pilots was called mac. that’s all I remember. not good on names.
I’m trying to connect with some old Team 19 members. I was in Quang Tri from October ’71 thru April ’72 and was relocated to MACCORDS Phung Hoang Division, DaNang in May ’72. I’m trying to remember the firebase (northern Quang Tri Provence) I was assigned to (there were 5 of us, a Major, an MI Captain, an Infantry Lieutenant, an enlisted medic, and myself (intel). I’m trying to put together some history for my kids and grandkids, and really don’t remember a lot of names these days and would appreciate any help someone may have. I was 6’6″ and 240# then, dark hair and a handlebar mustache. I can be reached at jtabruzzo1@gmail.com.
John, I was there during that time. Like everyone else, time has erased some of my memories. I got there in late March – early April 70 until March 72. I was in Quang Tri the first year and Houng Hoa or Mai Loc the second year. I volunteered to be paymaster, so for many months I flew to all of the outposts. I seem to remember you.
Charles Asplin “Chuck”
Chuck, good to hear from you. We probably did run across each other. I believe my Team was in Gio Linh, I’m trying to put together a sort of bio for my kids and grandkids (something I never thought of doing while things were fresh). You wouldn’t happen to know anyone else that may have been in Gio Linh would you? I just don’t remember their names any longer. My best to you, and I’m glad you made it home!
John Abruzzo “Bruzer”
Maybe Cam Lo subsecter
Hi my name is Ken Delaney . I was an Army Engineer who served in many different areas of I – core from Duc Pho to Quang Tri Between Nov 70 and Aug 71 .
I lost a Brother on April 10th 1970 at or around a Special Forces camp at Mai Loc . He was a Army Engineer as a Grader Operator . I found a report on line about a early morning attack by NVA on the Mai Loc camp on that date and that it was over run by the enemy . I think I saw somewhere in my research that camp Mai Loc was a team 19 area and that it had a small air strip next to it that could only land C-7 Caribou’s .
If anyone out there remembers that day and can share any information it would be greatly appreciated.
His name was Francis X Gaworski . We were not biological brothers but we were brothers . Back in the mid 60s I was living on the streets of New Castle ,Delaware . One night I was sleeping in one of his older brothers cars out in front of the house . His Mom saw me out there and asked who I was . She than told them to tell me that I could stay with their family as long as I paid room and board. That was the beginning of my relationship with the Gaworski Family . Franny as we called him and I were the same age . I was born in October of 48 and he was born two months later in December. Franny,s father John got us both a job where he worked in Wilmington in the same department. We worked together there for a couple years until we got drafted . Franny left first for basic training. I was refused at first because I was on probation in Family Court and Superior Court . OK I have rambled on enough .
Franny’s Mom and Dad are gone now but he still has two Brothers and one Sister still living . It would be great if I could share more about his last days with them. Going back forty something years ago I can still remember the agony and pain our Family was going through the week of the funeral. They just could not understand why it had to be a closed casket . I thought I did. I would have a much better understanding of that later when I went to Vietnam myself.
Again if anyone can remember anything like how he was feeling or about his time in country please feel free to share.
Very Truly Yours
Kenneth R. Delaney Jr.
62 Valley Forge Road
New Castle,Delaware 19720
Hi Ken,
I did not know your brother but I was stationed at the MACV compound across the airstrip from the Special Forces camp
as the MAT Team leader..
I was transferred to the MACV compound the week before the attack and was in the field near Quang Tri at the time
and listened to the call for the Cav Troop relief force.
I went the next morning to see the after action results and spoke to the MACV personnel.
Here is what I remember.
The SF Team leader and his counterpart were in the field with a couple hundred CIDG troops when the attack took place.
NVA sappers infiltrated the camp (they suspected inside help ) and took out the two twin forty tracks,
Next they threw satchel charges in the barracks and bunkers, This I believe is where the engineers were caught off guard.
The SF Master Sgt was shot in the open and the remaining Team members retreated to the underground team bunker.
They remained there as the NVA dropped grenades down the air vents but had stuffed sand bags in the vents to prevent
being hurt.
They remained there until the relief force arrived around dawn.
The NVA booby trapped thier dead in the wire and we took a couple more casualties.
That’s about all I remember. 12 Americans were KIA, I am sorry that your brother was one of them.
Vince DiLodovico
West Chester, PA
Hi Vince
Thanks for the reply. It was good to here from someone who knew a little more about the incident.
Thanks again
Ken Delaney
New Castle,De
Ken, glad I could help. Wish I had more to offer. Vince
This sounds like the macv compound at Huang Wa. I was trot here in 1969.
My name is Tom McCauley. I was at Mai Loc on April 10, 1970 with the 630th Eng. (LE). My MOS was 62K20 Motor Grader Operator. I was in the bunker with Francis and other brothers whom also were killed. I am so glad to see this letter about Francis since it has been so many years, I have thought about him for years. It is hard to talk about such things, however since you asked I am glad to tell you. All the Special Forces left the compound to go on a search and destroy mission and left us with no security except for the ARVN. I am still bitter about this till this date. You can go to the 630th Eng. web site and it has a lot of good info including the names of who were KIA in Mia Loc. Lt. Vance Titus was also at Mia Loc when Frances was KIA. He has a great memory and can tell you a lot more about Mai Loc. He lives in Washington State, his phone number is 425 248 9217. The short time I knew Frances he was a great person.
Hey Tom ,
I just got back on line to see your response from February 10th . Thanks much . It is good to get more information about Franny . I remember reading somewhere that the bunker you guys were in was not as defenceable as the Special Forces bunkers . Is that what you remember ? I have found the 630th site and saw the other names of the engineers killed that day . I believe there were two more from the 630th and one from HHC . I really appreciate your response Tom . I will also try to contact Lt. Vance with the number you gave me .
Welcome Home Tom
Kenneth R. Delaney Jr.
kenrjr3@icloud.com
The personal from the compound went on a search and destroy mission and we had nothing but the Arvens guarding the compound. I helped a medic pull Franny from a the trench and load him on a chopper. I am so sorry that he did not make it. Were you able to get in touch with Lt. Vance? The 630th Eng. has a reunion each year you can get the info from the web site. The doors of our bunkers were open the NVA thru grenades in on us to flush us out. We were caught by surprise.
Mr. Delaney,
It seems you had some good responses to your query regarding your brother. I have a few minor things for you, and can email them to you if you can send me your email address.
Regards,
David Sciacchitano
david.sciacchitano@gmail.com
Hi Dave
I noticed your reply on June 6th 2018 about my search for more information on the death of my Brother
Francis X. Gaworski ( Franny as we called him ) on April 10th 1970 at the Mai Loc SF camp . I really appreciate your response. Anything else you have can be e-mailed to me at kenrjr3@icloud.com .
Thanks
Kenneth R. Delaney Jr.
Thomas McCauley says:
February 10, 2018 at 7:35 pm
My name is Tom McCauley. I was at Mai Loc on April 10, 1970 with the 630th Eng. (LE). My MOS was 62K20 Motor Grader Operator. I was in the bunker with Francis and other brothers whom also were killed. I am so glad to see this letter about Francis since it has been so many years, I have thought about him for years. It is hard to talk about such things, however since you asked I am glad to tell you. All the Special Forces left the compound to go on a search and destroy mission and left us with no security except for the ARVN. I am still bitter about this till this date. You can go to the 630th Eng. web site and it has a lot of good info including the names of who were KIA in Mia Loc. Lt. Vance Titus was also at Mia Loc when Frances was KIA. He has a great memory and can tell you a lot more about Mai Loc. He lives in Washington State, his phone number is 425 248 9217. The short time I knew Frances he was a great person.
I found my grandfathers lighter and am hoping anyone here may have known him.
His last name is misspelled on the lighter; it was Espey, not Epsey. He was a doctor so I presume he was some kind of medic or field doctor over there but I really don’t know.
Any help much appreciated!
I gave the zippo lighter to Dr Espey on his departure from TM 19 in 1972.him and I worked together as I was the medieval assigned to TM19, as I recall he was studying TB while there. We would helicopter to other areas to the villages.SFC Charles Boulet RET E-7,Hopkins,SC 29061 ,asI recall he was from Hickory as I called him when I returned tothe states.
>
Charles, thanks so much for your response. I was with my mom/his daughter when I read this and she relays her thanks as well. I’m not sure why the link to the photo was removed from my original post…
He lived in Hickory, NC until he died in 2009 and practiced medicine well into his eighties. My grandmother lived there as well until she died last year. I wish I had found this message board sooner, she would have been thrilled to hear about this.
We came across the lighter when they were clearing out my grandparents’ house. Some of my uncles/his sons still live in Hickory and they have dozens (at least) of my grandfather’s pictures that he took when he was in Vietnam. If you are interested, I could put you in touch with them via email. They would be happy to send over some digital copies and very interested in hearing more about his time there. Just let me know.
In any case, thanks again for your response and for your service.
I would love to see some pictures he took, he was well,liked while he was with us.thanks for the reply.
Great, feel free to reach out to me at jm488733@gmail.com whenever you like and I can connect you with them.
I was a U.S. Army SFC assigned to 29th civil affairs company, II Field Force in the village of DONG HA, QUANG TRI province. We supported civil affairs refugee settlement, sharing our mission with Advisory Team #19 during the period November 1968 – November 1969.
Yes,
I was the assistant Phung Hoàng (Phoenix) advisor under Captain Richardson at the time.
I can’t see the previous comments, so I can’t keep track.
I’m sorry, I was wondering if you recognized either name of myself or CPT Richardson. I am having a hard time finding anyone who was there when or after we were hit. I take it you don’t. I guess trying to find old team members.
Guess I’ll just sign off.
I was the deputy district advisor for the RF/PF and the Bru tribe. I was in the compound next to the CIDG base which became the VN marines compound and some Army forces. Sgt Tibbs was are Phung Hoang guy.
oops our Phung Hoang
I believe that ssg tibbs was the one I replaced at huong hoa. my memory is just not what it used to be. sir: do you remember ssg grady?
If that is the case where you replaced Tibbs you must have been in my compound. I don’t remember your name, but that was 45 years ago. I had a montagnard “valet” by the name of yang and I was an infantry captain. We had as pet duroc sow by the name of red. I inherited her and several chinese pigs. We ran a club in the mess hall and often played pinochle until late. If any of those things ring a bell let me know.
Not sure, maybe.
I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else. What compound were you at?
Cam Lo
I remember when you guys got overrun. I was part of the cleanup, afterwards. Maybe it was Cpt Richardson who offered me the tank at your front gate. I think it was an M41, Gen Walker Bulldog. I turned it down because I didn’t want to order ammo for it.
George, In the same time period, as I remember, all of the other district outpost were overrun. Gio Linh, Hai Lang, Trieu Phong, Mai Linh . Like I said before, they tried to take Mai Loc but we caught them early on and held them in the wire. All of the fire support bases were wiped out with massive attacks and huge loss of lives. It really went south after that and I got a two week drop to deros and read about the province getting overrun in my home newspaper. Not a fun time.
HEY GEORGE I WAS AT CAMLO WITH YOU I LEFT 0N AUG.18 1971 HOPE YOU ARE OK
GEORGE I WAS THERE WITH YOU THIS IS LITTLE BUDDY SFC CLIFFORD HUL FROM 1970-1971 HOPE YOU ARE OK.
George Perry, what compound were you at?
I’m having a hard time following the comments so please forgive me.
70-71 anyone remember First sgt Hunt, sgt cantu or CO Capt reems at kilroy
Dave,
I remember all three. For about 3 months I had double duty as S-l and Kilroy CO. The great Halloween flood was my last day. Don Reemen took over on 1 November. ISG Hunt DEROSED in the spring. Walt Edgar
Walt, I left with Hunt in early April 71. The airport was hit the night before so SGt Willis drove us to Danang in the company scout. Lots of fun. I was one of the army 11bs that replaced the Marines in Jan of ’70. Were you there when the Civil Affairs Captain was caught selling cases of C rations on the black market? Tall guy with a Vietnamese girlfriend. Dave
Dave, Heard about the black market guy. That happened just before I arrived June 70. I was there for the “C” day change-over. That was a 24 hour marathon–an additional duty I didn’t know I had until SFC Tutko came to bring me the welcome news. Were you the 11B guard from Illinois?
Walter, John Gleason was from Rockford, Illinois. Tall, about 6’3″.
Dave, I remember all three also. CPT Reemen had the ugliest rooster in the world. It would crow before the sun came up and was hated by everyone. It was ugly because it only had about three feathers. It stayed alive only because he protected it and the day he left, the rooster disappeared. Chuck Asplin
I think the spelling of the Cpt’s name was Remen though. And the 1SG was a colorful guy. Lots of stories. He called me son because I was so young.
Do you remember Lt. Donald Huskins?
No, I do not remember him. Sorry
Charles, I was the phoenix advisor in dongha from june 70 to june 71. maj reitz was the last co I had, I think our medic went to camlo after I left along with reitz, within two months of deros, I was in law schoo! everyonce in a while I will come across the phoenix program referred to in a novel, it never really goes away. we are now the old vets that people say hi to at parades. highway 9, con thien alpha 1 23 and dong ha combat base, distant memories now, lucky to have got out of there , never wanted to go back! we probably met at province hq.best wishes.
Thanks for your wishes, same to you. It all seems so distant and far away… those days. I have lots of memories, but they are slowly disappearing. I happy to see the newer soldiers finally getting support for their sacrifice.
I was at Quang Tri MACV with an Army Security Agency team using a cover designation as a Radio Research unit just before Tet 68. The month had been a busy one with an Australian General visiting the compound and VC and NVA activity increasing to the north and west. Tragically, the senior advisor of the MACV team would be killed as he led a relief force of Vietnamese Regional Forces towards a Special Forces camp which had been under attack for 2 days.
Tino “Chui” Banuelos
Chuck,
Good for you on all counts. When I got back had a post-doc fellowship with National Archives, then spent 40 years as a history prof at University of South Carolina. Retired in 2012. Walt
I knew there were great things in store for you. Congratulations.
Nice to hear you have done well. And I yank you for your service. I retired from USAF Special Operations Command in 2010, and I have a deep respect for what the MACV did.
The son of the navigator on Shadow 61 is hoping to locate the Aussie on the radio that night (Rivet 19), just to make a connection. If you hear of anything, please let me know.
I knew several Aussie’s what time frame?
Night of 24 Apr, 69.
TIC 020/70 off of Bein Ho airbase.
i was there at that time. i was a ssgt. i also was in charge of the nco and officers clubs which were actually just a couple of rooms. this was a blessing because it enabled me to black market booze for things we needed like telephone poles for better communications, air conditioners, and just about anything we couldnt get through normal channels. i dont remember many names. a pilot named skip klug was killed while i was there. ran his 0-2 into monkey mountain in da nang when it was socked in. i think one of my co’s was major jones.
I joined the guard when I got back. Made it to O4 reverted back to enlisted to finish my twenty and retired as MSG in 95. I took an early retirement offer to pursue an invention for repairing concrete which I call Sandjacking. I’ve been doing that since 93 and received my ninth patent last fall. After 30 yrs of retirement and active duty the army advanced me to retired rank of Captain for pay, so life has been good for me.
Charles asplin,i am sure that you were at huong hoa when maj biddle was there. when we closed huong hoa I went to cam lo. maj reitz was at cam lo. the spring offensive, mar 72, was my last real duty. I got a 59 day drop. ft. hood tx, 502d mi, 2d ad was my next duty.
I was there when Mai Loc was closed.
I surveyed the damage at CamLo after it was overrun. An NVA company tried to overrun Mai Loc but we caught them in the wire and stopped them. All of that was 71.
Are you referring to the attack on Camelo on August of 1971?
GEORGE THIS IS SFC HULL IE LITTLE BUDDY I WAS WITH YOU AT CAMLO I LEFTON AUG 18 1971 HOPE YOU ARE OK
I do remember you. How are you doing? I retired in 1980 as a MSG. Still think about that place and all the folks I had the pleasure to meet. Living in Albuquerque New Mexico now. If you want to catch up my e-mailed address is gp2063.gp@gmail.com.
MSG Ell, Am kind of late finding all this and hope you are still up and around. I am MAJ(R) John G. Hopkins but from Sep.’71-Aug ’72 I was the Dep. Phung Hoang Coord. in Quang Tri. As I recall you were at Cam Lo, (along with CPTs Ken Black and Stan Blunt), when it was evacuated? (FYI, Ken Black and I were classmates at the MI ADV Course, jump school, and later as S-2’s in 3rd. Brigade, 101st ABN. I believe he retired as LTC but not sure). Was in touch with John Abruzzo, (Gio Linh District), and exchanged some old memories and I sent him a few photos. I think I have a couple of you, (blond hair, black beret ?). Glancing through this site I recognize some other names and Abruzzo and I had quite a long correspondence as he mentioned he had lost all photos and such when they were extracted from Gio Linh just about the same time as Cam Lo.
Anyway, long time ago for all of us and if you are interested in the photos let me know. I retired after 21 yrs.+ and stayed in the area of my last duty station- Eagle River,AK.
Anybody have any info on “Rivet 19” who used an AC-119 Shadow during a close TIC on 24 April 69?
The family of the AC-119 is trying to contact the ground team operator who was coordinating fires that night.
I am a retired AH-130 Spectre pilot (1995-2005), trying to facilitate a reunion of sorts.
DJ, I was using my phone earlier, so I couldn’t see your post. That’s prior to my time, sorry. Used to love watching you guys work. It’s awe inspiring from a ground-pounder’s perspective. Thanks for your service. When you guys showed up everything got better immediately.
Chuck,
Yes, I do remember you as an effective advisor and one of the youngest LTs in the US Army. In addition to tracking down Dave Covington, I’ve located JP Farley, District Advisor in the west with the Montinyards. He, like I, stayed in the Reserves and ended up as 0-6s. Good to hear from you. Walt
I heard of JP but don’t think I ever met him. My last year was at Mai Loc as the advisor to the Bru tribe.
I was in country from Aug. 70-SEPTEMBER 71 FSB Barbra, BFS Nancy, and then we took over The Marine unit that got over ran at Camp JJ Carrol .Quang Tri Provence . At JJ Carrol we were 14 miles I think from the DMZ. On the 8 inch SP Howitzers and the 175mm long Tom’s
I live in the State of Maine… Agent Orange did get me… prostate cancer plus….. Tom Mitchell
Say Tom, I’m coming to Maine in August for the Lobster festival. If you’re interested. perhaps we could meet up. I’ll buy you and your SO supper.
Has anyone returned to Viet Nam since the end of the war to the MACV team 19 area? I was with the Signal Corp unit on the south end of the compound. We had long range comms. to the rest of the country and to the US. We had the generators that gave power to the compound and to our site. Our site was high tech for the times and is still in other areas used today. I saw our antennas on a tower (round dish) on TV when the NVA were taking over. We had a small site in Dong Ha but when the Marines pulled out in 1970 it was dismantled
Tom
I was at Kilroy from approx April 67 to mid Jan 68. CO B, 37th Sig Bn. Teletype/Comms Operator. At the bunker on the South East corner of the compound. Served with George Damon, John Jenkins and a few others from the same unit. I’ve been trying to find John Jenkins for years.
Richard. You left Kilroy before our Comm. site was built- I believe sometime in 1968. We were at the south end with a new metal building surrounded by revetment steel walls filled with dirt. There was an 80′ tower with dish antennas on top, one 3′ comm. dish to Dong Ha combat base and an 8′ dish to Phu Bai and thru them to the rest of the country. On the southwest corner was the generator station and between the 2 buildings was 3 10000 gallon fuel tanks covered in concrete and stone. Our entire comm. building was air conditioned and had flush toilets and a small kitchen. We were housed in 4 trailers that were used by the civilian contractors that built the facility, also with A/C and shower. Rough duty. I did not know the folks you spoke of. Tom
Thanks for that update Tom. Our bunker was adjacent to the rarely used concrete basketball court which was outside the wire. Our living conditions weren’t bad but not as good as your’s. glad you made it home safe.
Tom I was their in 1970.
wasnt that site called ai 2 or something like that? thats where i put up some antennas to help with fac operations. used to go skinny dipping in the tonkin gulf where the ben hai comes out. we would fly a black cat and land it on the beach. the citadel with the big red flag would dispatch their personnel to get us. by the time they were close, we would lift off. we had a good hour and a half of floating in the salty water. there were good times.
Ai tu was a hamlet along Highway 1 north of the city and zcross the river. The Navy and Marine Corps built a large combat base there in the latter part of 1967 with work continuing into 1968. The bSe took the nzme of the nearby hamlet, Ai Tu, but is often referred to as “Quang Tri” by vets who served there but didn’t know the geography or history. It wzs later an Army base and then occupied by the ARVN.
I think it was in the dong ha district as opposed to the quang tri district.
I was at the signal site. Don Speigner
The ground water at camp Lejeune was a cancer causing agent. I am applying for it now. My buddy, former marine, got lukemia and it was confirmed to be caused from the contaminated water, by the Lehe clinic, in Boston. He is still alive. They just released 2 billion, compensation money in march of 2017. The government hid it from us. Many cancers from it.
For all folks on Team 19 in 1970 and 1971. LT Dave Covington [Psyops] is in NC and in really bad shape from all sorts of cancers. Know he would be glad to hear from Beaven, Chorba and others were there. davidkcovington@msn.com Also Johhn B. Farley, who was DSO in Huong Hou. johnbfarley@cs.com
Walt Edgar [Chorba’s replacement as team S-1′ also Kilroy Compound Hqs Cdr.]
Walt – I sent him a short email a moment ago.
Tom
Tom,
I was MAT I-10 team leader from June 1969-May 1970. I remember you, called you Chorba the Greek.
I was on the Cua Viet river, then Mai Loc, then went to Quang Tri for the last month in country.
Just found this site.
Vince DiLodovico
Vince….very nice to hear from you, and happy you made it home! I retired in August 1984m then went back to work for the Army as a civilian.
That earned me another retirement check. Afterwards, I bought a franchise business for my two boys, but the recession ate us alive and I lost a good chunck of my retirement savings. Not to fret, though, my wife went to work and stashed most of her earnings into retirement savings which made retirement possible. Howeever, I could not rest sitting at home and to this day, I am still working for the Army only as a contractor. Life goes on. I will be 78 in October. Drop a line when time permits.
Warm regards and welcome home.
Thomas
Walt, I’m not sure if you remember me, but I was with team 19 from Feb 1970 to Feb 1972. I started out at Mai Linh district and ended up at Houng Hoa. I extended for a year to make captain and became fairly good with the language. Bob Biddle was my boss at Houng Hoa. I remember David Covington.
mr. asplin, when were you at mai loc?
I was at Mai Loc from Feb 71 to Jan 72
When you were at Mai Linh, COL Birk made your district team move to Kilroy from your place in the ville. I seem to remember that Smokey and others were not very happy with that decision.
Walt, I just saw this post. Sorry for not keeping up. Smokey seemed to not like me, so the move removed me from his supervision. I then went to work with Dick Stevens the civilian chieu hoi advisor. Dick was a former marine and we got together when I volunteered to go on night ambushes with him.
Chuck,
You were too good with the locals, “went native” according to some folks. Your actually spoke Vietnamese. Sadly, that’s how effective counter-insurgency operations have worked over the centuries, but it goes against the grain for some.
Walt
What ever happened to Smokey? I admit to being different, but I think I upstaged him and the two lieutenants that left shortly afterwards. I can speak more candidly in a private forum, but none of it matters anymore. I was a little disappointed that he recommended the bronze star for the others and I got nothing because I was too new.
Chuck, send me a personal e-mail. walterbedgar@gmail.com
Have you ever heard from Don Shreiver?
Walt
No, I haven’t. For the last few years I have been wondering about him. I suppose I could Google and Facebook him
Dick was wounded on one of our ambushes and sent home.
Chuck, You are correct. Smokey Stover was furious. That decision put his team on Kilroy and I was the Hq CO. We all survived, but every now and then there were discussion about who had access to the compound. Walt
It’s probably best to leave well enough alone. Good talking with you Walt, drop me a line sometime, if you like sandjacking@gmail.com
Chuck, will do.
I was one of those Navy Corpsmen 69 – 70, assigned to the Vietnamese Hospital and the District Dispensaries. In my spare time I was the Bartender the Officers’ and NCO club. Had a friend Sgt. Ortiz who worked in the Phoenix Group often wondered what happened to him. If I can help anyone let me know.
Neal, I was there between Jan 70 and Apr 71, part of the security team. We most likely met. I do remember the corpsmen who was tall, red hair, and a big bushy beard. I just can not remember his name.
Dave, not me. If he had Jim Beam in his Unit 1 bag it was probably Rosenburg from GA. Lost contact with him. I had blk hair and Glasses.
Dave need some help, I was at Tm 19 from August 1969 to June 1970, I know we had incoming outside the perimeter, but I do remember one time was really bad inside the compound, did not hit any building just the school house in front, but I remember hit outside of the HQ, can you or anyone verify this, appreciate it. Neal
Neal, I was there for one mortar attack in early 1970. There were three rounds fired from a bamboo grove south east of Kilroy compound. They missed and exploded harmlessly on the road and in the courtyard of the school right next to the compound. looking at the holes and fins, they appeared to be 60 mm Russian/Chinese mortar rounds. We swept the bamboo grove the next day and found a single bunker that had been occupied for many days. Just a little spider hole and evidence of cooking and occupation. During that time there were also several rocket attacks, usually 122 mm and at least one suspected 140 mm. One hit in the village of Mai Linh and I think produced a couple of civilian wounded. otherwise most landed in the rice paddies and did no harm
Chuck,
Thank you as you just added a date to something that I recall. I was at Waterfront the nite of the mortar attack you mentioned. The next day myself and a couple of my Marine security guards went out with the group to find the source of the mortors.
I was the NCOIC of the Marine Security Detatchment assigned to Quang Tri.
Nice to start to put specific dates to things as I was in country from 1965 till 1967 and most of the time is a blur !
Thanks again, be well
Dan Ballou
Sgt DS Ballou USMC
Dan, you may be referring to a different event. The mortar attack I’m talking about was spring/summer 1970.
Thanks, your correct, I was gone from there in 1970.
Neal, I was there as well. I thought I remember 5 round landing but could be wrong. I seem to remember it was on the makeshift helopad. If they landed 100 or so feet to the left they would have hit the CB, the ammo bunker. Dave
Anything next to the compound or inside? I thought I saw you guys digging the fins from the middle of the compound at some point in time. Thanks for the response.
Chuck,
I’m a little confused about your time frame with the team. I was there June 1970 to June 1971. You were there for much of that time, weren’t you?
Walte Edgar
Walt, I was there for all of your time. I got to Saigon in Feb 70 and spent 2 weeks at Di An, next to Bien Hoa air base. I hitched a ride to Da Nang, where I spent a couple of days and received the assignment to Quang Tri. I signed into Camp Kilroy and was assigned to Mai Linh Mat team. Smokey was my boss and I suppose I was there for two months, before things blew up and I was reassigned to work with the civilian Dick Stevens as an advisor to the Hoi Chanhs, aka the Chieu Hoi program. At that time, I moved back into Kilroy for housing. I worked with Dick Stevens until he was wounded and sent home. I stayed in that position until I was promoted to Captain and went home on a 30 day leave. I extended for a year to make captain and keep my brothers (marines) from coming over. When I returned from leave, I was assigned to Mai Loc. Lam Son 719 was winding down when I got back and I stayed there until the district team was shut down in Jan of 72. The Marine advisors were still at the CIDG compound which was next to us. I got a two week drop and DEROS’d in mid Feb 72. I’m going by memory for the beginning and ending dates, cause I haven’t looked at my records for a long time. All of the outlying compounds were shut down because security was getting bad, with the withdrawing American forces. The province was over-run about a month after I got back home.
Neal,
The only Kilroy mortar attack I remember was just outside of the gate in the school yard. there were some rocket attacks in the village south and west of Camp Kilroy. You probably saw the ones right outside the gate, because it was only maybe 50 yards away. All I can say is “that’s the way I remember it.” 47 years later.
Best regards
Chuck
i remember that. it was night. a bit late. i heard the explosion and sand landed on top of the barracks. i peeked out the door and another hit. the vc didnt allow for the wind. if the wind was blowing like it should, the mortars would have all landed in the compound. one of the few times we went on alert. wait a minute. there was a navy guy we called rosey. is that you?
Neal,
I remember you. I was HQ Co of Kilroy for a spell–but probably after you left. Tour June 1970-June 1971
Neal,
you must have been in the replacement team for mine. I was there 10/68-10/69. Then spent two months in Da Nang. I thought most of you guys bought the farm but glad I was wrong. When I got back to the real world I spent about a year at NAS Oceana near Norfolk, Va before I got out. I went to college, became a geologist with the fed gov’t, and had a good life so far. Two kids, wonderful wife who helped me through PTSD. We’ve been married for 44 years. She is retiring in two weeks. Was Suzie still an interpreter for you when you where there? Wonder how many of the people we knew made it through the NVA invasion and takeover.
Dale understand, my Wife has been great helping me with PTSD. We will have to compare notes sometime, I looked for one of our interpreters Sgt. Tao, I found one from Quang Tri in a re-education camp, don’t think he made it if was him. I did anesthesia, burns, dirty surgery and sometimes went to trieu phong. I was TAD to DaNang at Public Health for two months than NAS Norfolk.
who was the medic we called stymie?
also, do you remember lt bilsborough? we called him bilzer. he shot himself in the leg to try and get back home. didnt work.
To David Birk and Others, the only name I remember is Col Birk.
Just came across this web site. My name is John Beaven, I was assigned to MACV Team 19 in Quang Tri City from January 6, 1970 to December 18, 1970. I was there as a 2nd LT and 1st LT Engineer Officer as the Province Engineer Advisor. I replaced an Engineer officer that was killed along with his interpreter in a mine field accident while trying to count rocket impact craters.
David, I served under your father. He was very tolerant of me as a young officer, it was a pleasure to be in his command. I would often travel with him on district visits on Sundays in the Huey.
I clearly remember when he was promoted to full colonel.
We had a number of wonderful Navy physicians living in the compound, they were advising and providing medical care at the Quang Tri Hospital.
I must apologize for my memory, but I always thought Col Birk’s first name was Elmer, but of course I was not on a first name basis with the Colonel.
I also recall that his family was in the Phillipines and he would travel there to visit them every month or so. I am not sure, but I think I remember his wife may have come to the province for a short visit, but do not quote me. You know it has been a long time.
I also remember that he had a son that got very ill in the Phillipines and he had to go there to be with him. I do not remember if he survived the illness.
By the way, we had the best mess hall at Team 19 in I Corps, pilots would fly in to eat in the mess hall, we almost needed an air traffic controller.
Team 19 had very dedicated members, it was an honor to serve with them.
I have many pictures of the compound and team members in my scrape book.
I now live in San Antonio, Texas
John Beaven: Here is some personal/official info on the Engineer Officer who stepped on a mine and was killed:
Carl Edward Gilbert
First Lieutenant
ADV TEAM 19, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, MACV
Army of the United States
Cookeville, Tennessee
March 22, 1945 to January 06, 1970
CARL E GILBERT is on the Wall at Panel W14, Line 4
See the full profile or name rubbing for Carl Gilbert
I was at the airport waiting for the Air America flight from Danang the morning of January 8, 1970. Parked along side of me in his jeep was 1LT Carl Gilbert, a friend and fellow Team 19 member. He was waiting for a passenger on that plane to take him to the Team HQ downtown Quang Tri. He told me that he was tasked with going out to do a crater analysis following a rocket attack outside of the city the night before. I was on my way to Danang to MACV Hq there. As I arrived at my destination, the officer I went to meet was on the phone taking a casualty report. The deceased was Carl Gilbert, and his Vietnamese interpreter. Seriously wounded was the District Cenior Advisor, a Major (name not recalled) who was with Gilbert on the crater analysis mission. The Major had to be extracted by helicopter due to his wounds, and the danger of the unmarked mine field that they had entered. Later I found out that it was a Sounth Vietnames unmarked mine field…go figure. When I returned to Quang Tri that same afternoon, I had to go identify the remains at the morgue at Dong Ha combat base, one of my toughest duty. I was the Team 19 Adjutant and the job came with the assignment. Within a few days, I placed a replacement request for Lt Gilbert, and you know who that turned out to be. You may or maynot remember me, but I worked in the outter office next to Col Birk. I am very glad you had a safe tour and came home unharmed. We lost 5 soldiers during my 12-month tour of duty, and I still think of them often. I know Carl had 2 small boys and a lovely youn wife at home whom he cared for very deeply.
The Navy physicians were called a MILPHAP team. This is a surgical team whose mission was to treat the locals at the Quang Tri hospital in town…they were not there to take care of our military and civilian team members. A great bunch of guys!
LTC Birk;s first name was Elmer, so you got that one right. Like you, I went out with the Colonel on a few occasions, mostly to help guard the helicopter while he and the Province Chief (a Vietnamese Colonel) traveled to visit out in the boonies. The most lonesome District compound qas Gia Linn, the most northern district in the province. I only visited there once, and couldn’t wait to leave. But on a happy note, there were no attacks there during my entire 1-year tour. I live (and still work as a contractor) near Fort Meade, MD. My email is knewheart@yahoo.com. I am almost 77 now, but I turned 30 during my tour in Nam.
Capt Chorba:
You are so kind to post a reply to my posting.
You are the first soul I have talked with from Team 19 since I left, except for a couple of letters.
I am sorry, I do not remember you, but if I saw a picture I am sure I would. I remember where the adjutant’s office was in the headquarters building down town. My office was a small room off Col Birk’s kitchen where Co Dow and Ba Tu prepared his meals and kept his house.
I remember a fairly thin man, slightly balding working in the area you talk about but I do not know if he was an NCO, Officer or Civilian. I am sure I saw you at the daily briefings.
I have many things I would like to talk to you about. Thanks for the detail briefing about Lt Gilbert. I had done research on him and made a posting about his death on a Vietnam KIA website, not sure where it was now.
I only remember a couple of names, Col Birk, Lt Mike Gacy (civil affairs) and one of the physicians, Lt Cmdr Dave Dennis, MD (internist).
My seargent’s name was Eilis, I cannot remember his last name. Col Birk transferred Ellis to Da Nang as the team liason officer, He was in his second tour in Viet Nam and was sure he would not make this time; he was an older man with 2 young children. Also , our work was very dangerous, traveling to all parts of the province in a jeep with no escorts or radio, however, no more dangerous that other folk’s work.
I believed in the adage, out of sight, out of mind, and spent most of my work hours in my jeep on the road in the province looking for road maintenance projects for the Province Engineer, visiting with the Seabees and Engineer units in the area and at the Province Engineer office. I was able to get some heavy equipment for the Province Engineer.
I drove or flew to Da Nang weekly, as I was the civilian payroll officer and coordinated with the Pacific Architects and Engineers and other team business. I believe I was the junior office on the team, arriving as a 2LT, not making 1st LT until April 1, 1970. I do not recall any other 2nd Lts on the team.
As you may recall, the Seabees built a beautiful bridge across the Quang Tri River adjacent to the converted one way rail road bridge. I believe the bridge was destroyed when the province fell to the NVA.
I was released from USAR service upon returning from from Viet Nam at Oakland Terminal.
Just wanted to touch back and thank you. I will make future contacts if that is O.K. with you. It is better to make contacts on this web site or use the private email address? My email address is john-piper@jdbeavencpa.com. You gave me yours in your reply.
I am amazed at your knowledge and memory about the team. I am afraid I was fairly naïve about all the things that were going on in Team 19.
Thanks, again
John Beaven
John..I just re-read your posting regarding your hootch at Tm 19. For a few months of my tour, I resided in a room in the same bldg. as the guest quarters near the Tm HQ bldg. The cook would bring me my meals to my room. I can relate to your similar experience. I later moved into a compound downtown where several other team 19 members lived…it was on the river. We had some hired local guards to man the .50 cal. machine gun overlooking the river. The head of the guards was a tall Chinese man who was excellent at his job. I recall pulling guard check at a time after midnight of my choosing to go out and inspect the guards on the compound. I don’t know how this guy did it, but each time I would venture out of the hootch, he fell-in lockstep with me for the inspection. When I left at the end of my tour, I gave him an almost brand new AK-47 (no ammo) that I acquired during my tour, and could not ship home. It was my way of saying thanks for your professionalism and dedication to our team’s safety. I was lucky for 12 months as there were no instances of ground assaults/attacks against any of team 19’s compounds. There were a few mortars and/or rockets sent our way, but nothing serious.
Tom
Tom,
I was your successor at Team 19. Have never forgotten your desk calendar message “Back in the Saddle Again.” Cannot remember the date, tho. Walt Edgar
Walter – glad to meet you even though we never met physically before I left. I slightly recall the desk calendar message..guess I was ready to leave. However, a few days before I left, I came down with a serious case of the shits…..made me sick, weak and uncaring about anything other than being within close range of a toilet at all times. I reluctantly left Quang Tri, flew to Danang for 1 night stay, then on to Saigon to out process at MACV headquarters. I was sick the whole time, and paid the price for not being near a toilet at the MACV HQ. Yep, Montezuma’s revenge struck while I was walking down a hallway! I should have gotten a medal for that performance! Tell me how your tour went when you get some time. My next Army assignment sent me to Berlin, Germany.
Tom
John
I was on Team 19 from July 4, 1969 through August 4, 1970.
I was the S2 Intel Analyst (96B) for the S2 Advisor. Also, worked the Radio from the TOC in the Cidadel and with the RF/PF’s with the S2 Advisor while out in the field. Also flew in the Air America Huey as radio man that shuttled Col. Burk around the province.
Do you have any pictures of the TOC in the Citadel and did you know the S2 Advisor.
David,
Walt Edgar,
Arrived at Quang Tri mid-June 1970. Was really good friends with Chris Kirikos. We keptt in touch for a few years after DEROS, but nothing for the past 40 years
Walt
I probably met you, I got extended a month for lack of replacements. And if you took over as the S1 Advisor from Cpt Tom Chorba. I was probably in your office every other day trying to see when my replacement was coming.
I do not remember Chris Kirikos, did he take over as S2 Advisor.
Hello Walt, this is Chris Kirikos. My granddaughter was surfing the internet and found this message. My email address is kirikosc@yahoo.com I’d like to make up the 40 year’s.
Chris
I understand that you were the S2 Advisor mid 70 through 71. Do you know who you replaced. I was the 96B from July 69 through the end of July 70. I cannot remember the name of the lieutenant that I worked for and it is driving me nuts. We had an interpreter called Phu Chi Duc.
the citadel. i heard its been leveled. i was supervising the radio operators that coordinated between the facs and da nang when airstrikes were needed. lots of memories in the little citadel.
The citadel is still there, though it was very badly damaged in 1972. The Communist government did some minor restoration, apparently with the aim of making it into another one of their monuments to themselves.
The town was basically pulverized, and Quang Tri City is now across the river. There isn’t much left where the old city was.
John,
Walt Edgar here,
I took over the DOHIF funds from you at your DEROS. Dave Covington [PSYOPS] was my hooch mate. Went to Danang once to get the piasters and flight back to QTRI cancelled. The BOQ would not take the $$ in their safe. Dave was with me. I slept in a corner of the 2nd floor of BOQ and Dave had his cot in front of me. Since we had the $$ they let us keep our weapons. Incidentally, Dave is in really bad shape from all sorts of cancers
Hi John
I just saw this post and would appreciate any photos of the compound that you might be able to send me. I was at the compound mid 67 to mid Jan 68.
Richard Kunz
E mail at kunzr@verizon.net
Thanks
During my first tour in Vietnam, I was a LCpl (MOS 0311 Infantry Rifleman) with 2d Platoon, Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines in 1968-’69. My platoon was paired with a Regional Forces (South Vietnam) (or “Ruff Puff”) Company in the Mai Loc area from Sep 1968 through the first few months of 1969. (My squad – Bravo Squad, was detached and redesignated as Combined Action Platoon [CAP] 4-2-6 and sent to the village of Nhu Le on the Thach Hong River, c. 11 clicks SW of Quang Tri City on 19 Jan ’69. I was wounded on 27 Jan ’69 and MedEvaced back to the States, so I don’t know exactly when the elements of Fox 2/3 left Mai Loc.) I do remember that there were two compounds in the Mai Loc area: a Special Forces/CIDG compound, and the MACV compound next to a dirt air field. 2d Platoon and the “Ruff Puff” Company operated near and out of that MACV compound for the four months I served in the Mai Loc area. As a Grunt Snuffy, I did not have much contact with the Army MACV personnel in the Bunkers at MACV. In Dec ’68 and Jan ’69, the Fox Company CO, Marine Capt Cunningham, spent some time registering defensive target info around the MACV compound and air strip for the Four Deuce Mortars that were emplaced within the compound. There were also three USMC M-48 tanks aboard Mai Loc. I spent New Year’s Eve ’68-’69, lying on one of those tanks listening to Armed Forces Radio do the count down of the greatest hits of 1968. (Claudine Longet’s version of ‘Love is Blue” was #1.) When not running foot patrols, ambushes, and “killer teams” in the area around Mai Loc village, we provided security for the MACV compound, manning night time guard posts and listening posts (my LPs were always on the other side of the dirt air strip). We (Fox 2/3) and the Ruff Puffs then did a County Fair operation in the village of Mai Loc in early Jan ’69. The months at Mai Loc were a very quiet period for my platoon. We killed around a dozen or so VC during those months, and only suffered no wounded and only one KIA – LCpl Muriel “Max” Groomes was killed on the morning of 04 Nov 1968 by a command-detonated booby trap while walking along the rice paddy dikes just west of Mai Loc village.
So there were more than just 3d MP Marines providing security for the MACV compound at Mai Loc.
Maj (LDO) Joseph B. Burroughs, Jr. USMC (Ret)
Loysville, PA
Hello Major
Welcome home
I was in Mai Loc, Jan-Feb 69 with 1st plt. Fox 2/3. I am writing a book about Fox 2/3 Nov 68 -Oct 1969 . Starting with Mai Loc ending with the 3rd Mar Div Pull-out. 69 was quite a year for the Marines of Fox 2/3. Any info you have or pictures you could share would be great. I went back to Mai Loc in 2011. Best to you Semper FI
All – My name is David Birk. My Dad was COL Larry Birk who was the Quang Tri Province Advisor I am thinking (I will confirm when I get home) for late 1969 through Late 1970…I have a footlocker of pictures from this time frame….Would like to share – just need to know how best to do that…I can set up a web site….Will be a month or so as I am away from home….
David – thanks fir sharing information and photos of your dad. I do have one photo of him standing by his jeep outside of the MACV Tm 19 HQ bldg. (his office and mine). Send me your email address and I will be happy to send you a copy. I am sure there are several public websites that are designed to store your photos. Let all of us know how we can access the pix after they have been posted. Your dad was a very fine officer. He was well-liked and respected by all on the team, and the Province Chief and his staff who worked with him daily. I am truly sorry to hear that he has passed. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
David, I would be very interested in seeing Col. Birk’s pictures. I was on Advisory Team 19 at the same time. In fact I sat next to him a few times on the Air America Huey. I was the S2 Intel Analyst and on Fridays I was the radio man on the Huey that transported Col. Birk to the District Advisory Teams. My e-mail address is bmcbiker@me.com
David,
This is Walt Edgar. I was the team S-1 and also Kilroy Compound Commander. I knew your father was Larry because your mother came over at least once–maybe twice. Also, your dad liked to play cribbage. I spent many an evening with him and several others playing the game in his qtrs at HQ in the city. He was a no bull-shit kind of guy. The team was a very interesting mix. Our DSO was a State Department civilian, Mr. Menendez. I was in Quang Tri from June 1970 till June 1971.
David, I worked for your dad when he was Project Manager, Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle. My name is Jerry Hornor. I was the R&D Coordinator for the XM800T with duty station at FMC in San Jose CA – Jul 73 to Jun 74. I was in Vietnam with MACV team 9 from Jul 70 to Jun71. I have an extended family member 1LT Lawrence (Larry) G. Swarbrick who was assigned to the Team 19 Phoenix effort. He was KIA in Thur Thein Province on 13 Aug 1970. His name is recorded on the Vietnam Memorial Wall at 08W 109. Does your dad’s pictures deal with anything about the Phoenix program? Is there anyone from Team 19 who remembers Larry? I’m a retired Ordnance LTC.
Jerry, I knew Larry. We’d had some conversations about grad school. He intended to get a grad degree when he finished his tour. He and an NCO were with w RF/PF patrol when they were attacked–the RF/PF disappeared. Had his memorial service at Kilroy Compound. Walt Edgar
Jerry, I remember Larry. I was the staff duty officer the night he was killed. He was in Quang Tri province assigned as an advisor to a RF/PF company, as I recall. To be certain, let me ask you, was Larry from florida and was he in his second or third month in Viet Nam?
I just read Walt’s comments. I loaned Larry my camouflage jungle fatigues for his operation that night. He was with a full company of RF/PF who were attacked by a sacrificial NVA Battalion. The withering battle saw many of the RF/PF abandoning their positions and the last time I talked to Larry, it was just him, the Company Commander and a RTO. There was a E-7 medical NCO who became separated during the battle and survived, though wounded and burned. Larry was a credit to his service throughout the battle, calmly giving status updates and battling overwhelming odds. The whole battle to eradicate the Battalion took three days and, as I recall, the 400 enemy soldiers were all killed except four unaccounted for.
David,
Thanks for your reply – looking at my DD214
It looks ( guessing) like I was there from 5 Dec
1966 to 17 October 1967.
I recall the mirror attacks, help crash on grave mound and one guy that died from drowning.
His body was in a storage locker outside my hooch.
Any names, dates anything might be a great help. There was an army medic that helped when a round heat fired and the magazine ripped through my trousers and hit far too close to the family jewls !!
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Dan
Dan,
The fellow who drowned was Spec 5 William Paul Rogers Jr. Date of death is 05/12/1967.
You must have been with Team 4 when Quang Tri City was overrun in April 1967 by a reinforced NVA regiment – there was heavy fighting all around the two MACV compounds, fighting within the city, and a lot of mortar fire and destruction in the City and at the 1st Regiment headquarters south of town. The Citadel was penetrated, and the jail captured, and about 300 Communist prisoners released. I only arrived a month later, in mid May 1967, about the time that Rogers drowned, but everyone was still talking about it. The attack made the news back home, and you can find accounts in contemporary newspapers for evidence.
There was also a fairly heavy hit and run mortar attack in September, 1967 but several others besides that one from May 1967 to October. I remember the one in September, but not the dates of the others.
Also in late May 1967, two advisors, USMC Lt. William M. Grammar and US Army SFC Orville Frits, were captured and murdered during an operation in Trieu Phong. Your marines helped carry the bodies into the compound, and they were laid out next to the USAF radio bunker awaiting helicopter transportation to the morgue in Danang. One of the Marines who helped carry the bodies in, if I recall correctly, was named Rice. The murder of Grammar and Frits was also in the news, and I have a report of it in my files.
On October 10, 1967 SSgt. Thomas Witherspoon was killed in an ambush. There might have been some others I am forgetting for the moment.
If you would write to me directly at the email address I posted earlier, I have some photos I can show you of some of the Marines, and of the results of the April 1967 fighting, and I can provide a lot of other information, including the names of some people, officers and enlisted, who might be able to provide statements for you. I would be happy to write a statement covering the time that you and I overlapped as well, if you think it might help.
Regards,
David S.
Hi,
I was the NCOIC of the Marine security detachment at the MACV Compound and the other MACV Billet on the other side of town. I departed from that position in October 1967.
Would love to hear from anyone that was there when we had a mortar attack and the helicopter that crashed outside the perimeter into a grave mound. I need more specific dates for the VA and my PTSD.
Dan,
Please write to me at david.sciacchitano@gmail.com and let me know the date you arrived at Quang Tri. I believe I can help you.
David S.
CSM Robert L Williams I was at Quang Tri Adv TM 4 in Oct 1964. In Nov we went to Hai Lang and set up the first District ADV Team. At that time there was only about 40 advisors in all of Quang tri Providence. The Macv compond Had rooms for all of them. On the average day there were no more than about 15 soldiers at the MACV compound No Helicopters or aircraft in Quang tri providence. The guards were all Vietnamese soldiers. The District Chief in Hai Lang was ARVN CPT . A very excellent officer Who in April 1975 was killed when his helicopter crashed into the south China sea Close to Binh Son not far from Quang Nghi. AT That time he was a Major General . He was the commander of the ARVN 1st INF Division. His body was buried by some local people . I don’t remember the exact year around 2009 His remains were recovered and identifed by his ID Tags on his body. He was given a proper burial in California. The Vietnam war ended in May 1975.To you who served you did a excellent job. Thanks for your service
we closed Huong Hoa. i am not sure of the exact date that we closed Huong Hoa. i moved to Cam Lo/Maj Reitz was the senior advisor at Cam Lo. SSG Paul Tatum, CPT Brown and the team medic (not sure of his name). i can remember faces but not names. the easter offensive of 1972 hit Cam Lo pretty hard. hit me with some more names. i am sure we have some in common. that was either 29 or 30 March of 72. thanks/give me a shout.
I was at Huong Hoa and spent some time at Cam Lo. anyone can contact me at 352-642-2728.
David,(Just found this old posting) I was on Team 19, Quang Tri, as the Dep Phoenix Adv. Am thinking you were at Cam Lo during the Easter Offensive ’72. Evacuated along with CPTs Ken Black and Stan Blunt from Cam Lo? Am fairly sure I have a couple of old photos of you. FYI, Ken Black and I were later assigned to the MI Officer’s Adv. Course, Jump School, and as Inf. Bn. S-2s with the 101st Airborne. Lost track of him after ’78 or so. Contact me via e-mail: hiramu@mtaonline.net MAJ(R) John G. Hopkins
Thanks, Tom .What changed your mind? He wrote in his request for for benefits for diabetes, ” I served as a MACV advisor in Quang Tri Province, RVN from May 1969 to May 1970. I was assigned to MACV units in Huong Hoa & Cam Lo District while there. Both districts had sustained heavy usage of Agent Orange. The MACV units were ‘out in the field’ with RF & PF Companies, not back in the cities or rear areas.” I only care about trying to get a clearer picture of his experience, so really appreciate you taking the time to offer your thoughts.
Mary, good morning. Here are my thoughts: Your brother told you he was a DIOCC advisor in the Phoenix Program with Advisory Team #19. I admit I do not know how the DIOCC was staffed or where they were physically located. I surmised that he may have been assigned to the DIOCC from this disclosure. If your brother was a NCO or a LT, he may well have been assigned to a Mobile Advisory Team who worked primarily with Popular Forces (PF) in the field in Huong Hoa and Cam Lo Districts. Or he could have been assigned to a District Advisory Team, who worked with the Regular Forces (RF) in those areas. So there are several possibilities. If he advised the DIOCC on the Phoenix Program, my guess he was in military intelligence. I don’t think this job was a mission of any District Advisor positions. .Do you have his DD Form 214? That would give you his rank and MOS, and more clues as to what he did in VN. You can be proud of his service. He stated that he served in the field in two very dangerous Districts in Quang Tri Province a few kilometers below the DMZ. FYI, the Veterans Administration lost a class-action lawsuit over disabilities claimed from Agent Orange. No vet had to justify his disability claim if later in life he/she developed Diabetes Type 2. The only document you need to support your claim is a copy of your DD 214 showing you were assigned to Vietnam. I, too, have an approved VA disability claim over Agent Orange.
He was a LT in Intelligence – sorry I failed to mention that before. I do have his DD214. He went in as a 2nd LT & left as a 1st LT, & then went into the Reserves & left there as a Capt. Box 23 on the DD214, titled Specialty # & Title, says 9301 Combat Intel staff Officer.
Mary if you could email me at classicloc@aol.com I can send you pictures of where you brother lived and worked in Cam lo. I arrived in Cam lo August 1970 as the Assistant Phoenix/ DIOCC advisor.
George,
We probably met. I was the Huong Hoa District Phoenix Coordinator (also a 9301) From August 1970 through April 1971. I spent the night at the Cam Lo Compound when rain and flood prohibited us from driving back to our compound and visited there at least two other times.
dan and george, i was the phoenix advisor in dongha arrived july 1970 left i june 1971. we probably met sometime during my tour. . cpt benhart was co, then major harper, finally major reitz, who left to go to camlo..long time ago!
George – Somehow I missed your offer to email me pictures of where my brother, Jim Piepenbrok, lived & worked in Cam Lo in 69-70. I would love to see these! My email is r.wathen@outlook.com I am so sorry for this very late reply & hope it is still possible.
Hi George! I never received the photos you kindly offered some years ago, so thought I would see if it was still possible for you to send some to me. I would very much appreciate anything, & they could be emailed to r.wathen@outlook.com Thanks!
Mary,
Please contact LT Dave Covington. He’s is really bad shape. with multiple health issues He was Psyops officer on Team 19 in 1970-71. davidkcovington@msn.com
walt Edgar
Thank you so much, Thomas. I really appreciated it! You confirmed some of the thoughts I had after trying to research & gave me other information that was new. Mary
My pleasure, Mary.
Mary – After re-reading my hastly drafted reply, I now believe your brother worked at the DIOCC, not a District Advisory Team.
Thomas
My brother, Jim Piepenbrok (deceased) from Indiana was a MACV advisor in Quang Tri Province from May 1969-May 1970. He was a DIOCC advisor in the Phoenix program with Advisory Team #19, assigned to MACV units in Cam Lo District & Huong Hoa District. On one of his papers that I found, it says they were “out in the field” with RF & PF companies. In his belongings was also a name tag from a reunion that said 11th Engineer Bn USMC & then his name – US Army-MACV, so I don’t know if he was attached to them, or what
Looking for someone who might have known him or could give me insight into what his experience might have been. Thanks!
Mary – I did not know your brother, but I did serve on Advisory Team 19 from July 69 to July 70. I can share the following information about what his experiences might have been. DIOCC – Defense Intelligence Operations Coordination Center. All military intelligence was coordinated with friendly units by the DIOCC in the area. Cam Lo and Huong Hoa were 2 of the 5 Districts in Quang Tri Province. Think of them as though they were counties in a state. Each district was headed by a Vietnamese military District Chief (military officer). Within the districts there were hamlets (small cities). RFs and PF’s: These were Regional Forces (RF) whose area of operation was within their District. Popular Forces (PF) were generally unconventional armed militia whose function was to protect the small hamlets and cities where they lived. MACV Advisory Team 19, like most other ATs, had Senior District Advisors, usually headed by a major or a captain plus one other officer. All team members received advisory training before deployment at Ft Bragg, NC (as I did). The District Team worked with the Regional Forces under the District Chief. Advisory Team 19 also had several smaller teams of advisors who worked with and supported the PF’s. Those were usually a 5-man team consisting of 2 Lieutenants, a medic, a heavy weapons specialist, and a light weapons specialist. They lived and worked in the hamlets and villages, a dangerous job I would imagine. The Phoenix Program was designed to identify and neutralize the Viet Cong (enemy) within their area of operations. I cannot be more specific, but you may find more information by Googling it. From what you described above, I think your brother was assigned to a District Advisory Team. I hope this information helps. Best wishes and my condolences. Your brother did a great service..
I was Phoenix Advisor ,ILT. MI, at Huong Hoa (Mai Loc) from August 70 through April 71. District Senior Advisor was Capt John Farley (replaced by Major Biddle after his tour of duty), Capt. Rios was Farley’s assistant. Other team members were Sgt. Gomez, Sgt Vollimer, Sgt Williams & Sgt Tibbs. The MAT Team members were Capt. Davis, LT. Seefeldt, Sgt. Guy, Sgt. Rice, Sgt. Stewart. There was also Civial Affair officer Lt. Visher, Sgt. Kord and Sgt. Allquist. I arrived at Mai Loc just after the attack on the Mai Loc Combat base located just across the dirt airstrip from our District Compound.-Dan Huff
That’s exactly what I meant. Ever type a message and have phone “correct”your word.
David
You can e-mail me at “bmcbiker@me.com”. I have another name for you, there was a Vietnamese interpreter assigned to S2. His name was Phu Chi Duc. Not sure of the spelling. He played the guitar. He had to be around for a couple of years. You might of known of him. He lived right outside the MACV compound front gate.
Ok Gents seems I have found the right place. I will be working the scanner overtime as my Dad has 8 full photo album of all the places he was during his tenor as senior advisor – By looking at these pictures he spent a lot of time out and about with the Vietnamese people. I hope you guys will find it as interesting as I do…..check back soon
David,
What is the location of the photos?
No, Lt Fusilier was Army, he was MI. He recommended me for the Bronze Star. I have to dig through some of my old records. And like you, a lot displaced records, because of moves and a lot of time passing. After Nam I ended up at Bragg, got an early out to go back to college, got an engineering degree and had a hell of a career as an engineer (41 years) Now retired, and have plenty of time to reflect on the past. Team 19 changed my life, made me what I am today. From a PFC to some one that is very comfortable in life.
Yep, serving with MACV Advisory Teams in any capacity certainly left an impression, and Team 4 (that’s what it was when I was attached to it) was certainly an experience. I made some great friends and still have them.
The latest register I have is for 1969, but he should be in there, and I don’t find any names like that with an MI specialty. The only MI lieutenant in 1969 who was either regular army or a reserve officer with a name beginning with “Fus” is a Robert A. Fusco, but that’s not much of a match. This fellow was still a 2nd Lt. in January 1969, and of course I have no way of knowing where he was assigned. I tried alternative spellings, also. I hope he wasn’t one of those MI types who went under a nom de guerre! If like you can send me your email and I can forward the registers to you to look through.
For D. Curran and anyone else interested – I just purchased”Team 19 in Vietnam” by Australian Major David Millie, who served as S3 68-69. In the book he provided the names of Staff Advisors (ERA 1968-69) and I thought you may remember some of them. The S2 (Intelligence) was Major Paul Laski. The S1 (Personnel) was Captain John Pitts (I replaced John Pitts in July 1969). The TOC Supervisor was Sergeant Burdett. The S2/S3 (Air) was Lieutenant Ed Logan/Captain Porter Angel. The S4 (Logistics) was Major Bernie Meisel; Major Richard “Dick” Mottel. The S5 (Civil Affairs) was Captain Black. The RF/PF Advisor was Major Brad Oliver, and the Compound Commander was Major Robert:”Bob” Phillips. At the top were Mr Bob Brewer/LTC Harley Mooney as Province Senior Advisor; LTC Mooney/Mr. Terry McNamara; Mr. Fred Ellfers as Deputy Province Senior Advisors.
I enjoyed the book and the trip down memory lane. There was a great amount of information about Colonel Mooney. I recommend the book…you can get one at Amazon.
Major Harry Bell replaced Major Millie as S3. Sometime later, date not recalled, Australian Major Connors replaced Bell. I have a photo of Connors.
Tom, thanks for the information, I surely knew any one that worked in the TOC. Segeant Burdett, I believe I replaced on the radio, in July 69, I believe he left in August 69. Major Laski I should have known if he had not left there by July 69. I did work for a Lieutenant, but I do not believe it was Logan That name Fusilier keeps popping up in my mind, the guy in the back row of that photo you sent me, but again it has been 45 years. I wish I had some pictures of the inside of the TOC, that would bring back some memories. On the Austrailan Major Connors. That name rings a bell. He flew a lot on the Air America Huey with Mooney or Burk. I thought he was a W/O. He was a nice guy!
I was on Team 19 one month after Millie left, I am aware of his book. Now the name Harley Mooney is very familiar. I am pretty sure the Assies was a warrant officer. Just cannot remember his name. Also went on patrols with him and the RF/PF’s with Lt. Fusilier (not sure of the spelling of his name). Fusilier was the S2 Officer and I was his S2 Intel Analyst/clerk/radioman or anything else that had to get done enlisted man (MOS 96B). That is how I ended up in the Air America helicopter every Friday.
I might be able to figure out who the Aussie was if I can find one of my books. I moved over a year ago, but haven’t unpacked all of them yet. If the Lt. was Army, could the name have been Fusillo? I looked through the Army registers and didn’t find anyone with a name like Fusilier except for an Anthony Fusillo. He is listed as an engineer, but he could have been with combat engineers. I’ll let you know if I can find my book.
I was with Team 19 from Jan 70 to Apr 71. I do remember Col Birk who was Pro Senior Adv. I was at the compound south of Quang Tri citadel. I think he was housed downtown in a separate compound. I don’t recognize the photo but that was 45 years ago. Sorry for your loss.
Dave worsman
I think those dates must be right, as the senior military advisors in ’68 and 1969 were Joseph Seymoe, Marlin Thrasher and then Harley Mooney. Mooney was senior province advisor until sometime in August 1969, I believe.
I have a photo of a Lt. Col. who looks something like Col. Birk, taken in 1968. I suppose it is not likely to be him, but I can send it if you want to give me your email address. Mine is david.sciacchitano@gmail.com
Mooney served as PSA until sometime in early 1970. He was replaced by LTC Elmer L. Birk. I served as the S1 Advisor for both these gents. Mooney eventually retired as a BG, and currently lives in WVA. You can google his name for more info.
Anybody know Col Larry Birk – He was the Province Adviser during this time frame? He died a few years back and is buried at ANC…
Do you know the exact dates he was with Team 4/19?
I do not know what team he was with – when I asked my Mom she said he was the Senior Advisor for all of Quang Tri – Here is a picture of him…Let me know if it works?
I was quite young (7 years old). We were in the Philippines at Clark while he was deployed. I will get exact dates from his paperwork next week. I know he spent most if all of his time under Abrams as he was his aide when he graduate from West Point in 1950. I grew up calling Gen Abrams Uncle and our families are still very close.
Name sounds familiar, we use to fly a Colonel, who was the Province Advisor and an Australian Warrant Officer to meetings through out the province on Fridays via the Air America helicopter. Do you have any pictures of him in the field (Gio Linh, Cam Lo, Dong Ha, Houng Hoa).
The Col. and Warrant might have been Harley Mooney and David Millie – Millie was the senior Aussie, but a major at the time, not a warrant. The other Aussies were warrants. I’m just speculating. Millie has published a book on his time with the Team: “Team 19 in Vietnam – An Australian Soldier at War”. He was with the Team from May 1968 until May 1969.
I do. I was his S-1 on Adv Tm 19, Quang Tri City. He replaced LTC(P) Harley F. Mooney, the Province Senior Advisor. LTC Birk was a fine officer and gentleman. I served from Jul 69 – Jul 70.
D Birk – I served as LTC Birk’s S-1. I have 2 photos of him that I can send to you by email. Contact me at knewheart@yahoo.com.
Tom Chorba, CPT, USA (Ret). I also have a photo of his depurty Senior Advisor, Marcos O. Mendez, and can send that as well.
Team 19 from June 69 to the end of July 70. Lived at the compound but worked out of the Citadel (S2(MI)). Worked through out the Province, published a daily MI report, went out on patrols with RF/PF’s, carried a PRC-25 on my back. Also flew in the Air America helicopter every Friday as radioman. Remember flying up to the big red flag on Highway 1 every week that I flew. Left Team 19 after 13 months (no R&R) as a SP5 and a Bronze Star. Left the service in 1971 (Early out to go back to college). Retired now after a career of 41 years in Engineering! Will always remember MACV Team 19! Made me what I am today.
I was transferred to MACV Team 4 in Mar 68 from the MACV Hue TM where I was stationed in Feb,and sent to Riverview in Quang Tri City on the River. My first commander was Major Moore and then in late 68 Col Moore. A Capt Kitchen was there in early March and April and an Australian Mr Perkins. I spent my whole year in the field with the first ARVN Regiment, I was a PFC then and remember operations in Hai Lang, A Shua Valley. Left in 68 as an E-5
I have not been able to find any information on Riverview or its team members. I always thought I was part of TM 4/19 until I started reading here. I only visited the compound mentioned here twice for a couple of hours.
I was a Radio Operator and communicated with the 1st Cav for helicopter insertions and medivacs. My job was to pop the smoke and bring the birds in—they needed to see an American on the ground
Does anyone have any information on Riverview? We had one marine guard
The team members that died were Lt Wilson, Capt Gifford and Gunny Tchakirides
The Riverview compound was a satellite living compound for Team 4/19. When I was there (5/67 to 6/68) it housed mainly Australian team members, along with some specialized advisors. The Marine guards were from a Marine MP company headquartered at Danang, and they rotated between the two compounds. That area along the river where the compound was located also had Senior State Department, USAID and CIA employees, and contractors living in rented housing. But both compounds housed members of the same MACV Team.
Thanks David
I remember one of the Australians in one of your pictures. It also makes sense what you wrote. I spent my entire year in the field, no R&R and was picked up in the jungle once and taken to Danang for a review to be promoted to SGT E-5. I never met most of the members except by radio or when i accompanied a few on missions. Time was spent down by Hai Lang and then most of year in A Shau Valley. A helicopter picked me up at the end of my tour in A Shau and dropped off my replacement. I do have some polaroid pictures I took of Riverview, Mr Perkins (his bunker collapse) and some of the Vietnamese Officers along with some weapons we captured. Let me know if you would like them for posting.
I am amazed at the amount of information you have as I have not been able to find anything about Riverview.
I also have a picture of one of the marine guards who cycled out about 2 or 3 months before you.
Hi,
I was one of those guards at Riverview where the Ausies and Americans would shoot at the lizards inside their pub area !!! Would love to see the photo to see if it is one of my fellow Marine Security Detatchment Guys. I recall one nite rousting all the guys out of their bunks when there was incoming mortors going into the main MACV compound across town. Just trying to be safe rather then sorry, All was good and in an hour they were all back to the rack !!
Thanks
Dan Ballou former Sgt Dan Ballou USMC.
It’s a good thing they were such bad shots with the mortars and the occasional rocket. I remember one rocket attack at Ai Tu combat base that took out a brand new six hole latrine. Oh, the good times…
Dan,
What time frame were you there? I have one picture of a marine from March 68. I do not remember any of the other marines as I spent most of my time in the field and had very few face to face contacts with the Riverside team members except by radio.. If you send me your email address I will send you a picture of the marine and a few I took of Riverview. I left country and Riverview in Feb 69.
Richard,
I was there between 1966 & 1967.
The dates are difficult to pinpoint as USMC record keeping were done in Danang and done poorly.
I was there when one of the Army guys drown in the river near Riverside. There were a few mortar rounds lobbed our way but nothing too serious. We did have a chopper that the skids hit a grave mound just past the airfield outside Quang Tri that we had to secure and get the guns etc from.
So many years ago and at a loss for the names of my guys.
Thanks for the help.
Dan
aka Sgt Dan Ballou – Marine Security Detatchment Quang Tri.
Email is : danballou@comcast.net
Hi Richard,
No R&R? But Quang Tri WAS your R&R. Didn’t they tell you?
I would love to see all of your photos. My email address is david.sciacchitano@gmail.com
I don’t have any photos of the Riverview Compound, as I was only there a few times and never with a camera. I am sure I will recognize the Marine, as I knew all of them, so I would particularly like to see that photo.
I was a crew chief with the small USAF Bird Dog unit attached to the Team. We worked out of La Vang, the village about a mile and a half south of the compound, at the air strip adjacent to the 1st Regiment compound. I have some photos posted on SmugMug taken at Quang Tri, but none of Riverview. I can send you the link if you like.
Thanks,
David
My late father, USAF Lt. Col. William Taliaferro, was a navigator on an AC-119 Shadow gunship supporting Australian troops in contact in Vietnam on 24 April 1969. The Australian ground controller was “Constant Rivet 19.” I have a tape of the mission but do not know the identity of the Australian forces in combat. If anyone has any information about this firefight of 24 April 1969 or who “Constant Rivet 19” might be, please contact me.
Mr. Taliaferro, try contacting Bruce Davies at bruce.davies@tpg.com.au . Bruce knows more about the Australians in Vietnam than anyone else. Tell him I referred you. David Sciacchitano
David, thank you for the reply. I will contact Bruce today.
looking for someone who was at Can Lo on 12 August 1971
you mean, Cam Lo, one of the 5 Districts in Quang Tri Province. FYI.
See reply above
i was there at that time. MSG David Ell (USA Ret) Cam Lo left in April 72
I was with Team 19 between Jan 70 to Apr 71 with the Army. While at the 90th Replacement unit MACV pulled twelve us out, all 11Bs. Our final assignment was to replace the Marine Security team at the MACV compound in Quang Tri. During my time there we had several rocket attacks and small arms harassments. However, the districts were a different story. When Ripcord happened it was expected that the NVA would try to overrun of outlaying MAT teams. Never happened, thank God.
David,
You went to UNI, right? Remember you from my time as Co of Kilroy Compound. What are you up to now?
Walt Edgar
not up to much. got a bs degree from u.o. southern ms. married 3 times. life is tough a ha. hope you are doing well.
David, USM. Are you living in MS now?
Dave, after you left, all the compounds were overrun except Mai Loc. I think Cam Lo was the first and shortly afterwards they were all attacked. An NVA company tried to overrun Mai Loc but were unsuccessful. Would be later in 1971.
Dave do you remember the mortar/rocket attack that killed a VN at the School? I remember people digging out the mortar fins across from the flag pole and a rocket that landed close to a hootch. I have one other person that can confirm. Thanks
This is Francis M Delaney (aka Fran, Mike) checking in. I was a 1Lt in Team 19, stationed at Alpha-One and Charlie-Two outposts starting in May 1968. Anybody out there who was around then?
Capt. Bill Coviello (Mai Linh) williamrcoviello@yahoo.com; Sp5 Bill Trimbath (TOC Quang Tri) btrimbath@hotmail.com; and Australian Maj. David Millie dmillie@iinet.net.au. Millie started at Mai Linh, but spent most of his time working out of the TOC as commander of the Australian component and was all over the province, so you would have run into him. Also Harley Mooney is still alive and living in West Virginia; Terry McNamara, Deputy Province Senior Advisor is still alive, and living in McLean, Virginia. Linwood Grant USAF Bird Dog detachment commander, Capt. Pete Luitwieler (Trieu Phong) and others are still around.
David Millie recently published a book available on Amazon that names others you might know: Team 19 in Vietnam: An Australian Soldier at War. Also check the various web pages for “MACV Team 4″, the designation prior to August, 1968 when it was renumbered Team 19.
By the way, if you remember the names and service information on any of the team members during your tour, I would appreciate your sending that information to me: david.sciacchitano@verizon.net
During the time frame 7/69 to 8/70 there were no incursions on MACV Team 19 site. There was a rocket hitting outside the perimeter & a couple mortars outside the perimeter during this time. We went on alert status numerous times but never had any incoming small arms fire, just reports of activity in the area.
There was motor inside the compound, I saw personnel digging out the fins. It was rockets and mortars more than a couple of times.
Were either of you on the MACV Team with my brother, Jim Piepenbrok, who was there May 69-May’70? He recently passed away, & I would be very interested to know more about what his job was. thanks!
Thanks for your help. I can access the marine records since you’ve tolde which unit provided the guards. The Advisory Team 19 records for the Quang Tri District does not report on any MACV Compound rocket, mortar or sniper attacks, or perimeter incursions for the period 7/69 – 8/70. The Team district reports speak more to what’s happening in the district but not incidents affecting their own compound. Does that mean there weren’t any or should I be looking at another headquarters the Army would be reporting to. Again thanks for the heads up re the marines. They should report anything like what I’m looking for.
Mr. Bracey,
I am sorry I never saw your note before this evening. If you look through the after action reports at the National Archives you can find records of major events. They are not in order of event, but rather order of filing. But there is an index you can skim through to find the ones specifically for Team 4/19, and since they are numbered, you can then go to the box and find the originals quickly. Also, though, you should be able to find daily logs of one sort or another that will at least list events, though rarely with much detail. These would be in the paper files for Team 4/19, and if you have already been through those, they may be missing. I was able to find some for 1968, but I can’t recall whether they extended into the time after August when the team number changed from 4 to 19. Again please accept my apologies.
David Sciacchitano
please email me, I have some information
All of the Marine Security personnel providing security at primary MACV facilities in I Corps came from Delta Company, 3rd MP Bn, 3rd Marine Amphibious Force. Delta Company was headquartered in Danang, which was I Corps central. Team 4/19 generally had an NCOIC and 7 or 8 Marine security personnel augmented by 7 or 8 RF troopers. Nighttime guard was further augmented by personnel living in the two compounds located in Quang Tri City. All personnel had assigned defensive positions in case of attack. Security for MACV district and mobile advisory teams varied but was primarily the responsibility of district team personnel and the Vietnamese units they advised at the district headquarters.
We were Co. B 361st sig bn., 1st Sig brigade. We had microwave comm. to Dong Ha (they were part of our group) & we transmitted thru Phu Bai to the rest of the country. The seebees ran the generators for us & a smaller generator for the MACV compound. I don’t know which unit they were with but their hdq. was in Da Nang. We were not part of team 19, just were on the MACV compound. There were 4 Seebees with us. The marines for security was a squad size group 10-12 people. I assume they were 3rd marines from the Quang Tri combat base. There was another comm. group beside us with VHF radio to field units & we got their signals & retransmitted to everywhere. Hope that may help.
Thank you for your reply. I know the 3d Marine Division was in the area but I’m having trouble finding which unit of the Division was responsible for providing the guard. It might help also to know what Navy Seabee unit and army signal unit was there with Advisory Group 19.
Hi Michael
I’m new to this site and I know you posted this a few years ago but this might help. I was stationed on the Kilroy compound from approx. May 1967 to mid Jan 1968. I was part of a small detachment from Company B, 37th Signal Bn, 1st Sig. Brigade. My job was as a teletype operator in the small com center at the south east corner of the compound. Not sure if that detachment was still there during the time frame you are looking at.
Hi,
I was the NCOIC of the Marine Security Detatchment that provided main gate and perimeter security for the MACV compounds in Quang Tri. The main compound which was across the street from the Citidal and the river front billet across town. I was assigned there in 1966 and departed in 1967 time frame, not sure of exact date. We were under the 3rd Narine division and then under the MP batallion.
My problem is I do not recall any of my Marines or other MACV staff.
Not sure if any of this info helps or not.
By June 1970, the Marines at Kilroy had been replaced by Army EP. The main HQ downtown was guarded by Nung Chinese as was the other civilian compound in town. The Seabees built a new mess hall for Kilroy that opened Late June/early July 1970. Walt Edgar.
This is a response to inquiry about signal unit at team 19. At the south end of the compound a new microwave site was installed sometime in 1968 (not sure of exact time). It was staffed by about 15 Army personnel with 361st. Sig. Bn, 1st sig brigade. We also had a site in Dong Ha staffed by the same unit connected directly us. It was a state of the art site with voice, teletype, crypto and other comm. We sent microwave transmissions from Quang Tri to Phu bai which retransmitted to Danang and the rest of the country. We served all military units in the northern sector and civilian phone lines. We also had 4 Navy Sea-bees attached to us to run the generators for our equipment.and another smaller generator for the MACV area. Our barracks was 4 civilian trailers that the contractors used when the microwave site was built. There was an 80′ tower that held the antennas- a 3′ dish to Dong Ha and a 8′ dish to Phu Bai. The dong ha site was removed in late 1970 when the Marines pulled out. SP5 Tom Dean
Response about Signal unit on MACV Team 19. Around 1968 a new microwave site was built at the south end of the compound. We were with Co.B 361 Sig. Bn. 1st Sig. Brigade. We had 2 transmitters, a small dish connecting directly to Dong Ha .(this was removed in 1970 when the marines pulled out). The other transmitter connected to Phu Bai & thru to the rest of the country.The antennas were dish antennas mounted on an 80′ tower. We had about 15 troops manning this station along with 4 Navy Seabees that ran the generators for the site & small generator for the compound. I was there from June of ’69 to Dec of ’70. Sp 5 Tom Dean
I was attached with Team 19 during your time frame. Security was by Marines. We had small attacks- nothing big. I was Army communications with Navy Seabees attached to us to provide power for the compound. Macv troops were at the front gate during the day, marines at night.
Was senior medical advisor for team 19 In71/72
Please correct the spelling to “Quang Tri”. Team 19 was originally numbered Team 4. The team numbers changed in August, 1968 – same team, different number. Team 1 became Team 16, Team 2 became Team 17, Team 3 became Team 18, Team 4 became Team 19, etc.
Thank you David.
I am a researcher at the National Archives. I am trying to research attacks on the MACV Compound at Quang Tri From August 1969 to August 1970. I am having trouble locating daily journals of those responsible for the security of the compund i.e. those who would have pulled guard duty there. I am trying to help a navy vet from MILHAP-4. Under what Army unitt could I find what I’m looking for? any help would be appreciated.
Michael G. Bracey
2708 Middle Neck Road
Odenton, MD 21113
301-219-1918.
Was there.
Per my previous response above, security was provided by elements of Marine Security Detachment, Delta Company, 3rd MP Bn, 3rd Marine Amphibious Force. Delta Company was headquartered in Danang. The 3rd MP Battalion was not a part of any division, but belonged to the USMC’s Force Logistics Command, which supported all Marine activities in I Corps. You can find monthly command chronologies online at http://www.recordsofwar.com/vietnam/usmc/USMC_Rvn.htm. You are unlikely to find reports on minor incidents, but it wouldn’t hurt to look anyway. You can find a file on MACV Team 4/19 at the Archives in Adlephi, There are some log pages in those files which contain mention of attacks and other incidents. There are also a number of boxes of after action reports from the various MACV advisory teams, and you may find one or two which contain useful information. There is an index book in the research room which will allow you to see which reports are in the files. Keep in mind that some of the MACV reports have gone missing over the years.
I was in a CAG unit 4 miles south of Quang-Tri City (67/68)
Mike – you are my neighbor…I live in Severn, and I served on Adv Tm 19 Quang Tri from Jul 69 – Jul 70. There were no direct ground attacks on Camp Kilroy that I know of, but there were sporadic/infrequent mortar or rocket attacks none of which amounted to any injuries or damage to the compound. We have to get together someday to talk. I believe we had US Marines guarding the compound. I lived in Quang Tri city in a leased house (there were other houses in the compound as well).. I served as the S1 for my tour there. Tel. no. 410-551-7741.
Tom Chorba
I STAYED ON COMPOUND ALSO WHEN NOT FLYING, 282ND ASSAULT HELO COMPANY, blackcats DEC 69 HAD cHRISTMAS DINNER IN MESS HALL,
Hello, Dennis’ My job as operations sergeant for a civil affairs group of, course were helping refugees to help themselves during the period November 1968 thru November 1969. We were supporting civil affairs activities in surrounding DONG HA villaDOROTH ex qUANG TRI province. We shared quarters in a joint MACV military compound during my entire tour.
The Army unit that I was assigned to was known as II FIELD FORCE.
I held a rank of SFC and my name is as follows:.
Where you with the 29th Civil Affairs Company? I served with the 29th Feb. 69 to Jan. 70 in Hoi An, Quang Nam Province and in Hoa Vang District, Quang Nam Province. Please email me at tjrumph@yahoo.com thanks.
i used to fly right door gun with the blackcats. when the regular guy wanted a day off, i would take a day off and fly in his place. it was a good time.