Team 2 ARVN 2nd Division

MACV Team 2 – ARVN 2nd Division.

This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 2 located with the ARVN 2nd Division.

509 thoughts on “Team 2 ARVN 2nd Division

  1. Hello. My grandfather, Conan G. Meyer was on Team 2 from June of 65 to June of 66. He posted on this thread about 10 years ago. He recently passed away, but I’m hoping to connect with anybody that knew him or had any stories about him, as I will be speaking at his funeral in two weeks. Thanks in advance!

  2. Does anyone remember an US Army officer named Carlton L. McGuire i am told he worked as a Senior Advisor to Team 2? He was a Captain at some point during his tours in SE Asia I have been told he earned 18 medals from the 3 tours to Vietnam alone. hank you and welcome home

    • He was with Team 2 as a Senior Advisor from August 68 to August 69. I still have his original orders. He was with Team 5, 66/67. 18 medals from Vietnam alone may be correct considering 4 Bronze Stars and multiple Purple Hearts between the Korean and Vietnam wars including 2 combat jumps. Thank you, Sir.

  3. Does anyone know what the name of the bird colonel who was the senior advisor for the 2nd Arvn Div. I have a distant photo of him walking to a Black Cat Huey in the summer of 1967. Also, anyone serve on Nui Dep in Mo Duc summer/fall of 1967.

  4. Can anyone provide any information pertaining to USA SFC John Steltzer who was assigned to the MACV Team 2, ARVN 2d Division Tam Ky as an Operations and Intel person, from 9-1967 to 9-1968?

  5. I was senior advisor 2/5 BN from ~Sep 68-~Jan 69. I had an Aussie WO Bill O’Brien as the heavy weapons advisor during that period.

      • Check back a couple of weeks ago someone left me a comment about a web page listing information about Aussie personnel who served in Vietnam.

    • Thanks for your help. At the moment I’m writing about the events of September 1969. Captain Stanley Brown had been the advisor for the RF/PFs off LZ Karen for Hiep Duc. (I don’t know who his replacement would have been) The info that I have is units of the NVA 1st Main Force Regiment and the VC 105th Battalion launched an attack on Hiep Duc during the morning hours of September 11, 1969. (During the night LZ Siberia was attacked) The 2/5th ARVN was CA into Hiep Duc to help. Thanks much, Ken Hughes

    • Merry Christmas, wishing you and yours a blessed 2023. Do you recall the name of the Vietnamese 2/5 Battalion Commander and the Vietnamese Regimental Commander? Thanks for your help, Ken Hughes 5135022052

      • I remember an Air Force Major with Advisory Team 2 named David G. Brenner who was killed on June 13, 1968 when his plane collided with a command and control helicopter.

        • Merry Christmas back at ya! I THINK that the 5th Regiment commander was a dai ta (COL) Cahn and 2/5 Bn commander was thieu ta (MAJ) Tahn. I had most of the personnel names in a notebook that I lost in a fire a couple of years ago. So I can’t confirm that the nanes are correct.

  6. Is this where I may be able to get a zippo lighter back to a soldier/family if they may want it? It says SGT Bell Quang-Ngai Viet-Nam 1967-78 ADV TM #2. Thanks

    • Sgt Bell, I was the commanding officer of the unit in Jan. 1968. I don’t have your zippo lighter. My practice of medicine was
      in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Children’s Hospital. I reconstituted my retired e-mail and found your
      message. Hope all is well with you. Eugene Flaum, MD (and retired Captain and Bronze Star recipient)

      • Maybe I didn’t get that out properly I’m just an E5 jarhead. I ended up with the lighter I referenced somehow and I was trying to get it back to Sgt Bell or his family if they would want it. I was avionics and worked to help keep the twin rotors working, but just after the VN years. Thanks for your fine service Cap and putting up with that mess that was Viet-Nam.

  7. Hello…looking to hopefully fill in some blank spots with my father’s past. Best I can tell, he was Team 2 around 1962-1964ish. He passed over a year ago…Carl Winston Johnson. He was my hero.

    • My father was on Team 2 from August 1963- August 1964. He took a lot of color slide pictures which my siblings and I have been reviewing off and on for several years now. He passed in 1993. He was CPT Richard J. Moser when he arrived and was promoted to Major while in Vietnam. He never would elaborate nor really even discuss his time there even though I ended up serving over 30+ years in the Army both active and Reserve myself.

  8. This is Ben A. Barker: I was the Advisor to the TMF under Captain Lonsdale, “69 – “71. Does anyone remember Larry Zafft? We have been in contact for several years and this past year, 2021, I received a reply from his wife, Janet. She gave me some bad news. Larry fell in the garage and hit his head on the concrete on September 8, 2021. He was in the hospital 4 1/2 weeks, then sent to a nursing home. Major brain damage. My wife, Donna and I spoke with Janet today, 1/4/2022. Larry has been moved to a hospital under Hospice care. Apparently, Larry did not seek any help from the VA or DAV and has left Janet with a pile of medical bills. We gave her the phone number to the DAV. She has tried the VA and they have mostly blown her off. We will keep everyone up to date as we receive any additional information. Please pray for both Larry and Janet.

    • Hi Ben. Bill Lonsdale and I are very sorry to hear about Larry. We had hoped to reconnect with him as we have with Bob Stough, Hugh Waddell and Dick Ballantine. Can we have contact information for Janet? We would like to offer any testimonials for either the VA or the DAV if needed. You can reach me at either 410-935-2411 or at jclement64@yahoo.com. My latest EMail for you is ben.barker44@yahoo.com but I’ve not had a reply to any of the messages I sent you so I suspected your address had changed.

      • John: I regret to inform you that Ben passed away on January 31, 2022. The information for Larry/Janet Zafft is as follows: Larry & Janet Zafft, 1055 Parkview Way, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047-4258 and her phone number is 770-564-2473. I certainly appreciated your letter and phone visit. If you need anything else that I can possibly help with, please do not hesitate to contact me. Donna M. Barker, 4316 East 60th Place, Tulsa, Ok 74135, phone number is 918-637-2041 and my email is: donnamae1847@gmail.com. Please let Janet know, if you talk to her about Ben and that I will call her in the next few days. Thank you.

        • Donna, I spoke to Janet who was very distressed to hear about Ben as was Bill Lonsdale. She will expect your call within the next few days.

  9. Sam, I was stationed in Tam Ky 5/67 – 5/68 with 1/4 ARVN Cav. Unfortunately we spent most of our time in the field and I seldom got into the MACV compound. Sorry I can’t help.

  10. I know I’ve asked this before but there may be some new members, does anyone remember my Father Captain Carlton L. McGuire Senior Advisor MACV, August 68 to August 69? The only thing he said to me when I asked him what unit he was with in Vietnam was MACV 2nd ARVN Advisor. I have pictures but I have not found a way to post them on this website. Thank You

  11. Hello, my name is Jake Aspacher, I am looking for information or potential contacts with my grandfather. He was on a MACV Advisory team in 1966 or 1967. I believe he was an Intelligence Officer but he was definitely a Marine Corps Officer, I think a Lt. possibly a Capt. at the time. His name was Marvin Lippincott, he passed away in 2016 but I have some of his personal pocket notebooks and he mentioned Quang Ngai in it many times. His notebook has lots of notes, codes, radio callsigns, grid references, hill drawings, supply requests, other notes, and things. He has lots of names written in it as well as an ARVN unit command structure with names and ranks. I just want to find out more about what types of things he did and see if anyone who might have served with him might have some stories. If you have any information or want more information you can email me at jake.aspacher@gmail.com

    Thank you!
    Jake

    • Update. He was a Captain and served as Battalion Advisor, 4th Battalion, 5th Regiment, and as Assistant G3 Advisor Second Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the period 8th February 1967 – 22 December 1967.

  12. I’m looking for help verifying an incident with 5th Reg, 2nd Inf Div at Nghia Hanh, Quang Ngai January 27, 1968. After heavy contact with the enemy, an American adviser (Captain) and an Aussie adviser (W.O.) and an ARVN Sgt were separated from the Regiment as it pulled back 2 km. The 3 men were rescued by a Sgt from 3/5. The Sgt from 3/5 was awarded a Bronze Star “V”. If you have any knowledge of this incident, please contact me. Thank you.
    Tom Brogan, Chu Lai ’71.

    • You don’t happen to know the name of the WO? I’m trying to find information and track down those who might have been in contact with my grandfather, Marvin Lippincott, he was a Marine Lt. In his notes and things he has a WO2 Dermody listed.

      • I was Sr Advisor to 4/5 Inf Bn Oct 68-Apr 69. I believe the Ausstralian WO was he same for a number of years b4 I got there. His name was William Dickey. He stayed there after I left. He passed away from canser @ 8 years ago..I got the info from his grandson. Tom Griffin.

        • that is correct tom, im vince bills grandson im curious if anyone has any information on the assault of dong a tay 23 may 1971 by 3 battalion 3 regiment 1st inf div i have read through all aattv after action reports for 1971 and no mention. he was awarded bronze star with v device so i would expect to find something but couldn’t, they were operating near hue at the time. any information would be much appreciated lookinternational@gmail.com

          • Hi Vince: Just got back to this site. I know nothing concerning the battle at Dong Tay in ’71..at that time I was back in CONUS..went on my third RVN tour 7/ ’72 – 4/ ’73 – Kontum..til the end of the war and 2 months after investigating cease fire violations.

            Your grandfather was a great warrior..smart, tough, great sense of humor..always there when needed. His favorite saying was”..well, fuck me dead!”

            If he was awarded a Bronze Star V, he was a hero..I always thought so anyway. Sadky records keeping in those days was sketchy..downright bad..don’t know if there is a registry for those awards for foreign soldiers. Have you checked all his papers..if he left any? Tom Griffin

            my usual email is owlthg@sbcglobal.net

      • Jake, The name I have of the rescued Australian WO is Venebis. However, I have been unable to track down a Venebis who served with Aussies. If Venebis or an American Capt John Clary are in your grandfather’s notes, that would be huge in verifying this rescue of Jan 27, 1968. The rescuing ARVN was Sgt 1st class Do Thuong 3/5 2nd Inf Div. Do Thuong was sent on the rescue mission by orders from Lt Col Nguyen Cong Chanh. Any of these names in your grandfather’s notes would be helpful: Venebis, Capt John Clary, Sgt Do Thuong, and Lt Col Nguyen Cong Chanh.
        Thank you,
        Tom Brogan

        • HI Tom, Working on a book that includes a CA by the 2/5th ARVN into Hiep Duc September 12, 1969. Thanks for your help. Ken Hughes 513-502-2052.

  13. I was given this info from a friend, about camp Kramer. I was searching out info on my father, Ssgt Willie Donald Tyrone, kia 30may65 in quang Gnai. He was a military adviser to 39th ranger batallion. He and captain christofer o’ sullivan served together as american advisers.
    If anyone knows of any info on him and battle, I’d appreciate it.
    Thank you

  14. Captain Carlton McGuire is my Father, he was with Team #2 68/69. Does anyone recognize him name? Thank you. Curtis

    • Team 2 was located in Quang Ngai Province and had its headquarters in Kramer Compound. There were advisor teams in local districts such as Tam Ky, Nhia Hanh, Mo Duc.

      • Thank you Sir for the information you have provided and taking the time out to respond. Respectfully, Curtis

        • Just west of Hwy 1, south of Song Be River. When we left the firebase we crossed QL 1 and patrolled east to the ocean. Duc Pho was south of us and I don’t believe there were any Team 2 units there, bit doesn’t mean they didn’t interact with Americal units. I have a tactical map of the area. Nui Dep was the hill the firebase was on.

          .

      • I was with 3rd marine detachment Tamky vietnam 6\67 – 7\68. Contact with questions or pics. Will try to help. Respectfully

        • Mr. McCann,

          Does the name Marvin Lippincott sound familiar to you at all? He was my grandfather and was a Marine Lt. in this area in 1967 and 1968. I am just trying to find people who might have been in contact with him. I have a notebook of his with lots of notes, radio freq, coordinates, names, and other information. A lot of it is scribbled out so I’ve been doing my best to decipher it, I have found some names of both US and ARVN troops that he had written down.

          Best,
          Jake (jake.aspacher@gmail.com)

        • Hello I was with the eight marines in tam ky Macv compound and been trying to track any of the other
          Seven. Was 67-68 time frame. We were security for the compound. I spent most time on entrance
          Gate but some
          In towers too. Remember one last name Hill that’s all. Can’t find anything other than this article
          So far that shows we existed

        • Been trying to find any info on Tam Ky and the eight marines stationed there protecting macv compound
          Your name sounds familiar if we can chat maybe more to remember was there a marine called chief and one last name hill
          Can’t find much of anything on that compound or the artillery base across road south Vietnamese which drove us crazy
          Ted s in michigan

          • I was in Tam Ky from June of 66-June of 67 as an advisor to the Vietnamese artillery battery across the road from the compound. I don’t think that there were Marines assigned to the compound as security while I was there.

          • Ron Knolles US Army Retired 30 Aug 21

            I was in Tam Ky from 1 November 67 to 3 November 68 and I do remember the Marines who were in charge of security. I don’t remember names but I can tell you they were good guys. I worked with a SSGT Charles S. Clites our Marine interrogator. We worked out of the Provincial Hqs S-2. There were only about 60 on the compound.

            • Visited that compound in Tam Ky a number of times. I was up the road assigned to the 5th Regt, 2nd ARVN Div across the road from Americal’s 196th Bde at Hawk Hill.

              • Hello Jack Tillman, I have been tracking down an incident related to me from a former ARVN, Sgt 1st class, platoon leader Do 3/5 2nd Inf Div. I’ll relate the incident quoting Do :
                “On Jan 27,1968, our regiment made an operation towards the south-west of Quang Tin Province, Tam Ky District, Ky Nghia Village. When we came to the objective, a violent attack happened. Our regiment had to withdraw 2km from that objective. There were 2 advisors, a US Captain and an Australian Aspirant (WO), and Sgt (RVNAF) get lost.
                By the order of Lt Col Nguyen , I came back to the objective to look for them. After struggling violently for several hours I rescued Sgt and 2 advisors.
                After that, I was awarded Bronze Star Medal “V” #968 dated 19-4-1968 (April 19) for Heroism in Ground Combat.”

                In a second meeting with Do , I asked for more detail of the rescue. He drew a map of the rescue and on the flip side wrote “When we go to operation Quang Ngai Province, Nghia Hanh District.” While drawing the map Do explained he found a badly wounded Sgt first. Do treated wounds and moved on in search of the 2 advisors. He found them pinned down in the forest. Do circled around and came up on the rt flank of the enemy and drove them off. Do guided the two advisors back to the wounded Sgt . While the advisors helped Sgt , Do T led the 3 back to the regiment. The 3 rescued men were then choppered out. He thinks they were taken to Chu Lai.

                Jack, do you have any knowledge of this incident? Thank you.
                Tom Brogan
                Chaplain’s Asst
                DIVARTY- Chu Lai 1971

                • Hi Tom.I was on  2nd DARRS team and used to bring multiple fire missions into the DTOC daily 71 -72. SP4 then. Medevaced Jan 72. Remember the new Chaplain at Chu Lai after his 1st chopper ride. The pilots got him real dizzy. Bob Little CW3 (ret) |

                  Tom Brogan commented: “Hello Jack Tillman, I have been tracking down an incident related to me from a former ARVN, Sgt 1st class, platoon leader Do Thuong 3/5 2nd Inf Div. I’ll relate the incident quoting Do Thuong: “On Jan 27,1968, our regiment made an operation towards the ” | |

      • More specifically Kramer was on the edge of Quang Ngai City and housed Team Two members, as well as, some other units. 2nd ARVN HQ was right across a dirt road and was the actual working location for Team Two MI

        • I was on the Kramer Compound the end of October 67 to the end of September 68. Ran diesel generators and helped purify the water.
          Best Regards from your OLD Seabee.

          • I have a question Sir, what is (MI) as in Team 2 (MI?) My Father was a Senior Advisor Team 2 68/69. Not sure exactly where he was at but I do have some pictures of him with Vietnamese Officers. Thank you.

            • Hello Curtis! I’m not sure what you are asking about? MI? I was in the US Navy Seabees and was assigned to the US Army’s Kramer Compound in Quang Nagi. Maybe someone that was in the Army can answer your question about MI. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you. Best Regards, John

              • I apologize Sir, apparently I emailed you thinking you were someone else. I’m not sure what compound my Father was on when he was with Team 2, it may have been Kramer compound. I have some pictures of him with a Vietnamese officer I’m assuming was his counterpart. They were taken outside if I email them to you would you be willing to look at him and see if they look familiar? Thank you.

                • Hi Curtis, I only knew Army enlisted men. I did not know any Officers, so I doubt I would have known your father. Best Regards from your old Seabee.

                  • Thank you Sir, it wasn’t necessarily the picture of my Father I wanted you to look at. I thought maybe the building behind him or some of the bunkers may have been on Kramer compound. I realize it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack but someday luck may come my way.

            • MI is military intelligence. Tom Hyland, who prceded me as Bn Advisor for 4/5 Bn. was MI. He was injured evacuationg wounded off the mountain overlooking MyLai – got shrapnel in his back – that’s when I became the Sr Adv for 4/5 Bn.

    • Team 2 was stationed in Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province. The country was divided into 4 quarters and Quang Ngai province is the southernmost province in the northernmost quarter, hence I Corps.

        • Stephen, I served in Quang Ngai, not my father who was a fighter pilot in WWII. I did not know your father but his name sounded familiar to Bill Lonsdale,my former commanding officer. He didn’t have a clear memory of him. I was in VN from early Nov 69 to mid May 71.

    • Thank you Jim! The very same to you and your family. MERRY CHRISTMAS and A VERY HAPPY,HEALTHY NEW YEAR 2020 to you and your family. Best Wishes from your ole Seabee, John. Quang Ngai November 67 to September 68.

      • Served with an Advisor in 65, south of Danang some place. Captain, West Point. Told us(my team, and Marine Gunny and 2nt Lt) if we get his we were on our own. The ARVES would scatter. Never happened, but remember him as a great guy. That you all for your service, first to go last to leave.

        • Hi Jim! By chance did you know Richard Knapp? (I believe he went by RICK) He was a Medic at Kramer. I’m not sure when he left Quang Ngai, but it may have been around the same time you arrived there. I remember going out to the airfield with a few other guys to see him off. I have some photos of Rick. Best Regards from your OLE Seabee, John MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family my FELLOW VETERAN!

      • I drew the right length straw and was one of about 12 or 14 from Team 2 who received a helicopter seat to Bob Hope’s Christmas show with Ann Margaret at the 3rd Marines base near Da Nang.. That was 1970 and probably mid-month, as Hope’s show worked its way south to Saigon for Christmas day, or close.
        Ann Margaret was in the distance, actually, from our hillside vantage as the Marines had the close-in seats. It was their base.
        Either Christmas day, or the early evening prior, I remember attending a service at a Christian church in Quang Ngai and then being treated to a home meal afterward. An ARVN captain in G2 lived with his family in Quang Ngai.
        Entering their house there was a cage hanging on a post with four or five small birds inside; when we left the cage was empty.
        Mia birds (my spelling) apparently cooked whole (less feathers) were a delicacy and they’d honored us by serving them.
        Merry Christmas 2019 to all.
        Richard G. Ballantine
        June ’70 – June ’71.
        .
        o
        .
        .

        • Hi Dick !!! Do you remember me?? I hope you are well. I’m John Clement who worked with you as an Intel Analyst in Quang Ngai under Capt Lonsdale. I found him in CA where he is a retired Lt Col. He and I are in touch quite often and I think he said he’s had some contact with you. I’d love to hear from you. EMail: jclement64@yahoo.com and Ph: 410-935-2411. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

          • John,
            You have a great memory for many we worked with, and events! We’ll talk again.
            Thanks for reaching out. Dick Ballantine

    • Hi James: I use ur mail because it is on top: I want to announce to all that COL Dean Hutter, Sr Advisor to 2d ARVN Div, May ’68-May ’69, passed to Valhalla on Jan 5, 2020 at the age of 99. He was the best..soldier, husband, father, man of faith..I spoke at his services in Columbia, SC..at his funeral over 400 attended..military and community..from all over the country..on a rainy day..he was very loved and respected. RIP, Boss!!

      • Sir my Father was also a Senior Advisor 2nd ARVN, Captain Carlton McGuire, 68/69. Do you by any chance recognize his name I know there is only a small possibility? Can you tell me what the job entails to be a Senior Advisor to the ARVN 2nd Division? Thank you very much, Sincerely, Curtis McGuire.

        • Curtis, as a captain and considered a “senior advisor” your dad was probably a battalion advisor within the ARVN 2nd Division. A battalion advisor went out on field combat operations with his battalion. When i was there i was a First Lieutenant and, as such, was an assistant battalion advisor when i had a captain or major with me as senior advisor. Most of our combat advisory teams consisted of a senior advisor, asst senior advisor a non-commissioned officer (Sargent) and an enlisted man RTO. On the ARVN side we usually had an interpreter and radio bearer or two. Hope this helps.

          • First of all Sir I would like to thank you for your response! I really appreciate when somebody takes the time out to respond and answer a question that I have. Your answer explains a lot to me, days before my Father passed away And while he was sedated I asked him where he was at in Vietnam and his response was (MACV 2nd ARVN, South Central). My Mother once told me years ago that he would train the South Vietnamese soldiers and then fight with them against the North. So what you have told me makes perfectly good sense Sir. My Father was there twice, Team 5 the first time 66/67 and Team 2 the second time 68/69. Both times I Corps. I have pictures of him sitting behind a desk and pictures of him carrying weapons in Vietnam. I’m still a little confused but a lot less confused than I was before! Recently I have found a folder with most of his orders in there and some of his personal notes, One reads that he was an Advisor RF/PF, I might have that backwards. I did some research and now that would explain to me why he had such great respect for the Montagnards, He said they were great warriors. I wish I could send you a couple of pictures but I don’t know how to do it on this site? I thought maybe you could explain them to me. I hope I am not taking up too much of your time. I wish I had asked him all these questions but was always told not to, once in a while he would say a few things but unfortunately never told an entire story. He was also with the 187th ARCT in the Korean war, He certainly did see his share of war and how brutal it is! Once again Sir I thank you for responding, Thank you for serving our great country, you have my gratitude and respect. God Bless, Curtis McGuire.

            • Hi I am retired CW3 Bob Little who was a SP4 with 2nd DARRS a part of MACV Team 2 in Quang Ngai and Chu Lai 1971-1972. My dad Selby F. Little was working with the Montanyards near Doc To and Dak Pek as a MAAG advisor in 1962-63.
              He was also a Lt in the 187 RCT in Korea. I was born in 1951 while he was there. I am named for 2 of his buddies killed over there. He was also CO of 1/11 5th Mech Infantry in RVN 1968-69 in the Khe Sahn and Hue areas. He had 2 purple hearts from Korea and another from Vietnam. Mom couldn’t understand why I had to go there when he had been twice. He ended his career as CO of 10th Special Forces Group. Never talked about Korea and only a little about Vietnam. That war affected our family and many others a lot. Take care and stay safe!

              • Thank you so much Sir for your response and the information that you provided! I thank you also along with your Father for your service, dedication and devotion to our great country! Our Fathers definitely had a lot in common! My Father also retired SF Qualified 5th SF. I just recently found some of his paperwork that’s how I know now he was with Team 2 his second tour and Team 5 his first tour. He was with Team 2 July 68 to July 69. I was hoping I could post a picture on this site of him but I don’t see anywhere where that is possible? Would you please email me at my email address and tell me if you recognize him? Would it be possible Sir if I could ask you more questions? My Father like your Father Did not speak about either war very often. He said many little things and comments but never told the whole story. I know for sure he considered the Korean War worse than Vietnam based upon a comment he made to me one time, he said (Son Vietnam was fierce Korea was unthinkable). My personal email address is captin988@gmail.com. there is no (a) after the letter (t) in the word captin in my email address. Pease email me if you would Sir, I understand those who were there get tired of questions from people like myself and I would understand if you would rather not correspond with me and answer my questions, I would not take offense to it. Once again I thank you very much for the information You have provided! Sincerely, Curtis McGuire.

            • Curtis, RF/PF stood for regional Force/popular Force which might equate loosely to a militia type irregular organization (think of our US revolutionary war that started with a bunch of farmers fighting the British and i think you’ll get the flavor of what RF/PF was like). They were not a direct part of the ARVN military to the best of my recollection. Stories about some RF/PF units bolting under fire and leaving their advisors high and dry circulated around our team if I recall. The montagnards were remote jungle tribesmen that were very tough fighters, not sure if their units were considered part of RF/PF. But i do recall they worked with Special Forces units.

              • Thank you Sir for that information, In my father’s personal notes he has wrote down Team 5 RF/PF, Team 2, 2nd ARVN. He spoke highly of the Montagnards, He said they were great warriors and some even fought with crossbows. He told me once they would go into the mountains and teach them how to live better off the land, via irrigation when growing vegetables etc. He even sent us home a crossbow once that they had made for him, I wish we still had it. Is it possible Sir for you to describe Kramer compound, give me some type of visual.? The way I understand it Team 5 was on a huge military installation in Phu Bai, was camp Kramer far from there? Was it part of a military installation like Team 5 was? Thank you Sir, Sincerely, Curtis McGuire.

                • Curtis, my name is Ed Thachers. I was on Tm 2 May of 67 to April 68. I was a radio operator in the field and the Tactical Operations Center. I have photos and maps that I can email you if you can provide an email address. Mine is fyrbiz@gmail.com.

  15. I got to Quang Ngai late October 67 or very early November 67 I was in the USN Seabees and ran the generators and helped purify the water. Does anyone remember Ronnie Sanders SP4/5. I bunked with him in barracks E7 along with Tom Hale SP4/5. I’m in contact with Ed Thatcher and Tom Hale but would like to contact Ronnie Sanders also. I left Quang Ngai the end of September 68. Best Regards from your OLE Seabee, John jbachmanjr@ptd.net

  16. Well, it’s 2019, so a very happy new year to all my “Co-van” brothers and sisters. 50 years ago this month, if memory serves, the NVA were very active in the Team 2 area of operation around Quang Ngai. Some tense times were had by all in early 1969.

      • I was there..but out in the boonies as sr. advisor to 4/5 bn…didn’t celebrate tet out there..did it later in Tam Ky when we came in. Tam Ky was the home base for my bn..most of the unit’s fams lived there.

          • John..I was 25 yo at that time..
            BTW..very sad to announce that COL Dean Hutter passed to Valhalla on 5 Jan 2020 at 99 yo..I spoke at his service in Columbia, SC..he was one of my heroes..a stalwart of a soldier..integrity..caring..compassionate.. loyal father & husband..also learned that he was one hell of a classical piano player, spoke 4 languages..there were over 400 people at his funeral..military and community..on a rainy day..he was very much loved & respected.

            Stay safe..

            Tom

            • Hell be missed. I remember playing darts with him a few times. It was great. He treated me well and we laughed.y

              • I have a letter from Col Hutter dated 1/18/69 on the occasion of my birthday in Quang Ngai. The last sentence was classic: “keep your head down and powder dry”. The colonel also pinned on my purple heart medal at a ceremony with a half dozen other recipients. A true gentleman. If anyone is interested I have several pics of the Purple Heart award ceremony with the Colonel in them. my email is: pjerszy118@aol.com

            • Tom, that’s OK. I was just about to turn 20 when I arrived in Nov 69. Wound up extending to avoid being sent to Ft Bragg, NC where I’d had basic (and never wanted to see again). Went home for good in May 1971 after nearly 19 months in country. Wound up at Bragg anyway but only for 6 months instead of a year. You may recall the draft lottery that took place during 1970. The word was that those in the first third were definitely called into service, those in the 2nd had a 50-50 chance, and the last third were probably clear. I have three cousins, all brothers, who each got a number in the 300’s so they were never called. Two of them are quite liberal in their politics, primarily, in my opinion, because they’ve never had to fact the reality of what this nation is up against and the cost of freedom. My number was in the low 130’s, just into the 2nd third. Of course, at that time I was already in country. The military/VN experience did me a lot of good and I did some serious growing up during that time. My dad had been a fighter pilot in the Pacific theater and after the war was stationed in Germany as part of the occupation. Mom tells me that he flew in the Berlin Airlift. My uncle (Mom’s brother) was a navigator, also in the Pacific theater, and was killed when his bomber was shot down over Tokyo. His CO wrote a book about it called “Proof Through The Night.” My point is that I enlisted because I felt it was my personal responsibility to serve, something that runs in my family, except for the cousins I mentioned although we’re all very close..

  17. I was a 2/3 Marine PRC 47 Team. We were assigned to work with an Advisor and perhaps ARVN 2nd division. Our advisor was a Army Captain, I believe west Point, but not sure. This was Some time around Chu Lie, may to Sep 1965. Any way, crazy to work with the ARVENS, not sure what the operation was, but prior to Starlight. After 3 or 4 days of search and clear we went to the Compound. We tired, hungry, and just plain shot. The Captain took us, two Lance Corporals, to the “bar” no bar tender but all kinds of beer, cold and good hard beverages. He showed us where we could bunk, actually pillows!! Set for a good meal. That was all shot the 2nd LT who was assigned with us came in while we were having a beer and said we were to mount out, he had a chopper for us. So instead of having a good time drinking, having a real meal and sleeping in a cozy bunk, plus we had a shower. We took the chopper to the top of some Marine outpost and slept on the ground. I would really like to connect with the Captain. He took care of us enlisted. Actually his first instructions were that if we got hit, we were alone, as the Arven world more that likely run. Past experience on his part. The LT well what can you expect from a 2nd Lt. Long shot in the dark, but need to settle my mind a bit.

  18. I am looking for anyone that would have known my grandfather, SFC Charles Green. He was in Vietnam from Sept 65’- Sept 66’ his DA Form 20 states “USARPAC-Vietnam” and during this time was awarded the Bronze star under the authority of “GO1306HQMACV”. From what I have gathered from old pictures, his commander was CPT Rylaud (could be spelled wrong, it was hard to read the back of the picture). If there is anyone that remembers him, or can point me in the right direction as to which location he was with I would be extremely grateful! Thank you all so much!

  19. 3/4 Cav Tam ky 67-68
    CPT Lao, his son and his family stopped by for a visit a few weeks ago. The visit was short, but we had a lot of laughs.

  20. 1970 at first I was walking up and down mountains with various ARVN companies then went to the TOC North of Hue during the Cambodian adventure. Was there with Maj Charles Coffee. Late in 1970 the team was downsized as Nixon started the Vietnamization of the Vietnam War and I went to DaNang.

    • Anyone remember Aussie WO Johnson? He and I were together walking up and down the mountains with ARVNS during the Moonson season in ’70. Rained so damn hard we couldn’t get any resupply and had to return to an LZ after several days with very little food.

    • Had a conversation(via this site) the other day with Joe West and Lee Bloom who was the the Arty folks down the road from us. Lee lives in PA and he came by last year. To answer your question,Joe West was the only(3/4 ) one thus far. I’d really like to go to one of the reunions depending when and where? My wife Kathy and I are pretty busy with the local Meals on Wheels so I’d need a heads up on when the reunion would be? Good to hear from you.Take care!

  21. Happy New Years to all my MACV brothers out there!!
    Just a reminder I set up a MACV-Veterans page on facebook and posted a bunch of my pix there. Check it out.

    • Pete: Last week I visited COL Hutter in Columbia, SC. He is now 97. His daughter called me and said that he was bleeding internally in several polaces and he needed blood replacements daily since the docs couldn’t stop the bleeding. I spent @ 1.5 hours with him..he’s positive, very clear and mentally there. We talked about lots..he still remembers Team 2 and the actions..when I left, his family had arrived and it looked like he was going home..I think. His daughter asked if I wanted periodic updates..I said no, just if there are major changes and that no news is good news. I flew back to CA the next day – honestly, my impression was that he is fighting whatever is going on and has the will to make it. Sadly I believe he’s going sometime this year..I’m not a medical dr, but I’ve seen lots of older folks leave us..! I’ll continue to call him monthly..we have fun talks. As things develop. I’ll keep you & this site updated. Be well, Tom.

      • Tom, thanks for the update on Col. Hutter. Did you ever give him the pix of the Purple Heart award ceremony I sent you? He probably administered a lot of those ceremonies while there at team 2.

        • I gave him the pics..he was surprised and liked it. He recalled the moment..he’s so smart – still!! They survived the hurricane..his daughter said it was not much..the media hype it all up…ciao.tom.

          • Hey Tom, Happy New Year! Anything new to report on Col. Hutter? I apologize in advance if you already told me. Last i recall from you was your visit with him back in September 2018.

    • Hi Pete. I still have a set of orders for my CIB from 16 November 1967. On there is a guy I went to RTO school with in FT. Ord. It shows his team as CMD. I know he was in the Saigon area, but there is no mention of a CMD on the MACV website. I assume this to be Command of some kind. He was the only one of 8 of us who volunteered for Vietnam out of radio school that made Sgt. As you were an LT, perhaps you know something of the CMD team.

      • Ed, sorry, wish I could help but I’m not sure what that stood for other then your suggestion that it could be MACV command in Saigon.

        • Thanks for the reply. He lived in Los Angeles back then and was just trying to track him or some of the other guys down.

  22. Was in 2d ARVN Div 1963-64 in and about DaNang. Went on to 1st Cav( ABN) and 5th SF am 82 and Det B-f6 (SIGMA),

    • Not on 2 ARVN, 2nd Div.   Who can I hear my Team; MACV Advisory Team 2. I was advised a 5 members, 1Capt., 1LT, and 3 NCO’3. We were started at Tamkey,VN 1967 and 1968.    Chris Mattiace  

        • joe, did your APC unit ever support ARVN 2-4 Battalion south of Quang Ngai and north of nghia hahn? i recall we were in contact with what I believe was an NVA regiment. i remember having ARVN APC’s with us that night as I was calling in Spooky gunships to drop flares and and suppressive fire. Time frame was probably early 1969

          • I was with 3/4 APC Troop ARVN in Tam Ky , My senior Advisor was Capt Frank Norwood the Viet was Capt Le Tan Loa .
            do you know we have Armor Cav Reunions every year maybe 200 ARVN Attend

            • We were hit that night too. MacV caught it. 173rd503/3rd batt. I caught my first Purple Heart that night. We were hook up with AVN Unit .

    • You won’t remember me but I remember you.
      I had just arrived as you were leaving.
      63 was a return trip for me as I had been with MAAG in 61 and had TDY’d there from Taipei.

  23. Hello,
    This is Keith Goudy, one of the volunteer Admin members for VietnamWarHistoryOrg fb page.
    One of our members whose Father flew with the 220th.
    He posted a picture of a couple of 220th soldiers coming out of Grove Hall in 1966.
    I could not find out where Grove Hall is located. Also, was this considered the HQS building for Team 2?
    Thank you, Keith. 1970-71 An Khe and Da Nang.

    • Keith, I was a RTO on Team 2 from May 1 67 to April 68. I worked for some of the time in the TOC, which was outside of Kramer Compound, where all the support folks lived when not in the field. This was in Qunag Ngai City. I have a few aerial photos from around 1968 of the compound. Tactical maps from the time period show Arvn Military buildings outside of the coumpound. The TOC was in a U shaped set of buildings with a “parade ground” in the center. I think that this was the Arvn HQ for the 2nd Arvn Div, but I cannot be sure as I was a lowly E-4. I do remember that Nguyen Cao Ky came there and met a bunch of U.S. and Arvn brass out on the parade ground one day. Might even have a photo of it. Never heard the name Grove Hall. My email is fyrbiz@gmail.com if you would like some photos I will need yours to send them. Ed Thacher

  24. My thanks to all who served and especially those who were on Team 2 over the years so long ago. July 4th is a great day to remember our comrades and what we all stood for and what we were trying to do. I am grateful to have been able to make contact with Roger and Mike Smart who were there with me in 71-72. I was a 20 year old Sp4 SIGINT analyst on the 2nd DARRS Team with Cpt Rhoerig. Special thanks to our Macv Tm 2 helicopter crew for medevacing me to Danang. I became a Warrant Officer later and worked with a lot of helicopter pilots affectionately known as rotor heads. I am grateful for our country and our freedom. I am thankful for men like you! Enjoy the 4th with your friends and family!
    God bless America!
    Bob

    • Thanks for thoughts on this July 4th. Just returned home from visit to VN Traveling Wall here in West Orange, NJ. Every bit as moving as when I saw the original in DC many years ago. Hard to believe that Team 2 was 50 years in the past.

    • Happy Independence Day, Bob.. Sometimes I catch myself remembering those days when I don’t want to.. I met some very good people in my younger ‘warrior’ years, and you were one of them.. Stay strong – Welcome Home!!

  25. OK, Happy July 4th weekend to one and all. I have some pretty amazing news to report. But first a recap: Once again, I was at Team 2 from July ’68 to July/August ’69. At that time I was a 1LT assigned to 2-4 Battalion that was commanded by Dai-uy Hoa. I spent my whole tour with the 2-4 on field ops. Our area of operation was mostly west of Quang Ngai City and south as far as Nghia Hahn. We did spend some time north of the city guarding Song Tra Kouc Bridge (Highway 1).

    I can now report, amazingly, that I have made contact with all of my former team mates from 1968: Lynn Bender, was a major and the senior adviser; Jim Bourgeious was a SSGT and Ron Roth was our Spec4 RTO. Additionally, we learned that Lynn and Jim actually live very close to each other in Washington state but never knew it until recently. I live in a suburb of Chicago and Ron Roth lives in upstate New York. It all started with macvteams.org. Thanks!!

    • I’m MSGT USMC (Ret) LeRoy W. Bloom. I served in Tam ky 66-67 in the 22d ARVN ARTY BN. I don’t know if you were aware, or if anyone in your group was, about the murder Of Lt Col Tau the previous year while on ops with 4th regiment. Just curious about events after I left there.

      Capt Herb Wassom took over as senior advisor to the ARTY BN in May of 67. In June my relief showed up and I often wonder what happened to him. It was an Army SFC whose name I don’t recall since we only met very briefly while he got off a Black Cat and I got on. The 4th was on OPS and my Btry had displaced out of Tam Ky in support of operations in progress. When I was relieved in the field by the Army SFC I had two days to make it to Saigon for my already booked flight home. The Black Cat pilot did not want to sit on the ground waiting for me and my relief to exchange pleasantries. I think I had time to introduce him to the Btry CO, gather my gear, and give him my cumshawed M79.

      Curious about my relief and how things went while you group was in country.

      Lee Bloom

  26. Does anyone remember a Capt Fred Flueckiger. He was there 65-66 two members of his advisory team were KIA on 7 Feb 1966. A Capt Lubavs and a W02 Jim MacDonald RAE AATTV.

    Thanks

    • Lets remember those who did not make it back alive on this solemn day. I remember ssgt John hill who died in Feb 1969. I left in Jan 1969 and Maj Jacobi sent me a letter about the tragedy. Ssgt hill was with Lt. Ayers when he got wounded. Does anyone remember a marine Lt Walkup, he left around Nov 1968 and took a young boy refuge with him, I would love to hear how that boy turn out

  27. Jim, about the rocket incident where we took shrapnel into the advisor hooch, do you recall that the night before we were cleaning the place up and rearrangeing the furniture? If we had left the table and chairs where they were originally we all would have taken significant schrapnel hits that morning, possibly fatal. So the question: what possessed us to rearrange the furniture the night before the attack? Had we left things as is, we may have all been hit badly. Fate? Devine intervention? I’ve always wondered about that. I think I was standing near Major Bender when the rocket came in. When you yelled “eveybody under the bunks”, which I quickly dove for, I didn’t even know I was hit in the leg until after we assumed the attack was over.

    • I was MACV Advisory team 2, G2, at a compound on the outskirts of Quang Ngai 69-70. Captain Lonsdale headed our intel group

      • Hi Hugh. Do you remember me — Sp. 5 John Clement, an OB Analyst. You, I, Pete Adamsak, Bob Stough, Sgt. Suong and Capt Lonsdale all sat around that octagonal table every day. I remember you very well. I think you might have been from Kansas or somewhere out there. Not sure now, 46 years later. If you want to contact me besides through this site, I’m at jclement64@yahoo.com. I still live in MD.

        • Oh yea I remember you. Colts fan disgusted with the move. Will never forget our little intel org
          or the compound across the street. Hope all is well

      • Hi Hugh, Sgt. Laa and myself were the Target Mission Force Advisors till I left in 1971. I still get Christmas cards from Bill Lonsdale. Sgt. Laa pasted away several years ago from Agent Orange, which is working on me now, too. Hope you are well.
        Ben Barker ( Captain Barker, B.A.)

        • Hi Capt Barker. I am Spec 5 John Clement, an analyst in Capt Lonsdale’s group. I hope you remember me as well as I remember you and Hugh. I am sorry to hear about Sgt Laa and that you are suffering the same way. If you want, you can reach me at 410-935-2411 or EMail: jclement64@yahoo.com.

      • Hi Hugh!
        Ben Barker ( Captain Barker, B.A.) Sergeant James Laa and I started the Target Mission Force under G-2 with Captain Lonsdale. I was there from 1969 – 1971. I was assigned to a few Battalions and the Recon Company before we started up the sensor unit.
        Sergeant Laa passed away from exposure to Agent Orange. I hand sent him a list of the operations with grid coordinates to help him get some disability from VA. That was back when VA denied any and almost all Agent Orange claims.
        FYI I stopped eating anything produced, grown or caught from Southeast Asia. The Agent Orange is still leaching out of the soil into the China sea. We ate, drank and bathed in it when we were there. I finally got my 100% disability through DAV in Claremore, Oklahoma.
        I’m living in Tulsa, Oklahoma with my wife, Donna.
        I would like to get together one day soon. Keep in touch. Me email: ben. barker44@yahoo.com

        • Hi Ben,
          I was SP4 Bob Little who along with SP4 Gary Yale gave 2nd DARRS Team morning briefings for Team 2 Commander in Quang Ngai. CPT Rhoerig was our OIC. Later we moved to Chu Lai. We were analysts working with remote sites and ARDF birds. I was always in and out of the TOC delivering fire missions for both the U.S. and ARVN Arty units. Retired as CW3 in 1995 and got that agent orange crap too.
          Can’t remember if you were one of the folks in the TOC I worked with but you must have known our team. Good to be home.
          Take care.
          Bob Little

          • Bob, this is Roger Stoffer, with Team 2, mostly comm center, from April ’71 – March ’72. Do you know how I could get in touch with Gary Yale? I remember him.

            • Hi
              Haven’t heard from him since TM2, He was from Binghamton, New York.
              Good to hear from you and Max. Will call him soon. Take care!
              Bob

  28. Damn, Sarge you’re the first person I actually remember from my time there. You, me, major Bender and pfc Roth were together on field ops with 2/4 for several months. I think I have a couple of pictures of you if you’re interested in them. Do you know how to reach major bender or PFC Roth as I have a pic or two of them too. Let me know.
    Pete Jerszynski 1LT
    pjerszy118@aol.com

    • You are correct for La, I now live in LAKEWOOD WA. Got a job when I retired from US ARMY after 35 years active duty. I was assign to 2.4 for five months, spent rest of that tour in the TOC as G-2 AIR. JULY 68-JULY 69.

      • Jim, do you remember me on the team with Major Bender? Were you still with us when our regimental advisor hooch was hit with the rocket shrapnel after it hit the roof of the building next to our hooch? I think I was the only one that got medi-vac’d for a couple of days to Chu Lai.

        Pete Jerszynski, 1LT
        pjerszy118@aol.com

        • I remember that day very well.MAJOR BENDER also got hit. He was standing up making coffee.I heard the ROCKET coming in.I yell to get under the bed.All I got was bruse on my knee.After that we reinforce the ADIVSOR HUT with sand bags.Call me 253 224 08127 or E-MAIL csmjabemk32@gmail.com TAKE CARE,ABN,JAMES A.BOURGEOIS

  29. Looking for anyone who was with the 450th Medical (MILPHAP), Adv Team 2, Kramer Compound, from Apr. ’67-’68th. I was C.O. of the unit.

      • I was there the exact same time. I was a field infantry advisor for 2nd battalion, 4th Regiment 2nd ARVN. major bender was my senior advisor for 5-6 months, then a marine captain (Carlisle) was my senior for a few months. What did you do at team 2?

        Pete jerszynski

    • I was assign to 2nd Bn 4th RGT for four or five months with SENIOR ADV MAJ DIXIE GARDNER AND MAJOR BENDER.I was pull out of field duty to BE G 2 AIR IN THE TOC.TAKE CARE.CSM RETIRED

    • Hi Sam. I wasn’t a Marine but Navy and was with Task Force Oregon originally than it became Americal Division in ChuLai. I was assigned to the 23rd Military Police, USMC/Navy platoon in June 1967. Later In Nov 1967 me and 1 Army soldier were attacted at the USAID Compound (all civilians there) about a click down the road from the MACV compound. We were there mainly to patrol the city and assist with convoys and pickup point liasion with other units in the area at the north side of TamKy. I xferred out right after Tet ’68 and headed out to the states for re-assignment. I remember one of the Marine NCO’s who was a Staff Sgt if I recall correctly and I have his name written down somewhere in my notes from the past. I think he was your NCOIC there but not sure. We used to liasion through him and the OIC for the compound.

    • Haven’t seen any new comments from any 3rd Marine stationed in Tam Ky compound, part of security group. highest rank was a sgt, and only 8 of us, would like to learn what we were part of, what the compound was where all the advisors were living and their purpose. Just did my duty and never asked when I was there, what I was there doing > HA! now would like to know. email is mobileted1223@gmail.com

    • hopefully we are talking same place with 8 Marines left comment couple of years ago but no replies
      only people we reported too were Da Nang 3rd marines I thought

    • Sam – I was an Army S2 intelligence analyst Advtm2 in Tam Ky from 1 Nov thru 30 Oct 68.
      I worked with Charles S Clites a U S Marine interrogator. We had about 60 of us on the compound. Had Navy hospital personnel a few FAC AF people and various other support personnel. As I recall, there were 8 to 10 Marine security personnel there.

      • Yes you are right eight marines and would like to hear from any of them myself as I was one 67-68. Never knew what I was doing there or what we were guarding as new green person and almost impossible to find anything about that compound

  30. larry do you remember the ARVN soldier that was the cook at the regiment office by the airfield. I learned how to cook eggs/omelets from him.

    I think his name was An, but not sure.

  31. I was on duty in the radio bunker at the TOC the night of TET. Started taking mortars in the area all around the TOC. Still not sure how they missed the TOC. The officers kicked me out of the bunker and took over the radios and had me man the sandbags out front. They sent me back to the compound in an APC to get the Colonel and provide security for him. Remember standing out in the road thinking “where in the hell did they (VC) get all this ammo.” Spent about 4 months with an ARVN unit on Nui Dep in Mo Duc prior to the end of 67.. Don’t remember what regiment or battalion it was. I was with a mustang captain and a 2nd LT. Did ops out to the ocean and back. First operation we were walking through a very sandy area and the captain told me to make sure I walked in the foot steps of the man in front. Being the tallest person out there and carrying a radio, I felt like a prick in a pie. Shortly after we started off the ARVN on point stepped on a booby trap. The explosion severely wounded him and the man behind him. Definitely woke me up. Started paying a lot more attention after that.

  32. Larry, yes I got wounded at the regiment site by the airport. A 240mm rocket hit the roof of the building next to ours and the shrapnel ripped down through the corrugated tin walls of our building. I believe I was the only one medivac’d to chu lai after the attack. Got hit behind the knee joint. Was back on field ops two weeks later, if memory serves. I think I limped for a couple months after. Walking over muddy paddy dikes with a bum knee was not fun. But hey, we made it home.

  33. Hi
    Did you happen to know Maj. S.F. “Buster” Little? He was a MAAG adviser 62-63 Dak To, Dak Pek, and Kontum working with the Montanyards. He was CO 10th SFG 71-73. I was on Tm 2 in 71-72 on 2nd DARRS team. Also grew up with LTC Martin R. Beck family and GEN Iron Mike Healy family. Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

  34. Being drafted was part of the experience. I was a PFC RTO, working both in the TOC and out in the field with ARVN units. I ran out of water one day and got some water out of a village well and didn’t wait long enough for the purification pill to work prior to drinking (awful hot out there). I crapped for a month and must have drank a gallon of Kaopectate trying to dry it up. Spent my 21st birthday in the radio bunker in the TOC. Not exactly how I would have planned it, but “xau len” GI. Hoping to hear from some RTO’s who were there from May 1 67 to April 68. Glad all of you are here celebrating life. Ed Thacher

    • I was the RTO for the 4th Regt. out across from the airfield. Was in Siagon for TET so didn’t get to guang ngia till Mid Feb. spent one day at Kramer and then went to the field. served with Maj OBrien, Later Maj, Jacobi, Capt. Rossi,
      Sgt Long, Sgt Cook. I remember went Lt. Pete J. got wounded

  35. Being drafted was part of the experience. I remember Christmas as the hardest time being away from home. Jim Airesman Kramer compound Medic 68-69.

    • Jim, were you the guy we went to to get penicillin, tetracycline, maleria pills, paragoric, etc, before we went out on field ops? I distinctly remember carrying a pharmacy in my rucksack to ward off all sorts of maladies. Boils, stomach issues, etc.

      Pete J.

    • Good Afternoon.I was there at the same time.First with 2-4 INFANTRY for 4 to five months,I am looking for a PFC ROTH or SP4.I need his first name or state.I believe he was from WISC.Take care,ABN,CSM(RTR) JASMES A.BOURGEOIS

  36. Ditto your thoughts. Merry Christmas to one and all. Good to be alive. I was a draftee but then went to infantry OCS, that’s how I ended up an advisor in team 2. July ’68 to July ’69.

  37. Thanks Roger. Yesterday I heard the song “I’ll be home for Christmas” on the radio and was instantly transported back to 1967 and the power of that song that Christmas. Merry Christnas to all Team 2 alumni.

    • I remember listening to AFVN on a little transistor radio with ear phones out in the field and loving the Country Joe and the Fish song: “1-2-3 What are we fighting for”

  38. This is December 25, 2016.. I want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you who are still around to talk about their time with MACV Team 2.. It doesn’t matter what year or which camp.. Thank you for serving – especially the ones who volunteered for Military Service.. Because I know some of you may have been drafted and forced to serve..

  39. You guys were rookies! I got to Team 2 1 May 1963. Stayed til 1 May 1964. Advisor with Div Recon Co, Kham Duc and all over after the Saigon coup. Served later with 1st Air Cav (Airborne) 1965-6 and later Det-56, Project SIGMA, 5th SFG, 1967-68. Retired LTC 1980 Fort Bragg.

  40. Mark, AFAT is “Air Force Advisory Team” , 2 is Detatchment 2 . The AFAT has different locations for their numbers than Army MACV . Im not sure where AFAT-2 was located .

      • Jim, thanks. When I got to Nam one of the first things I did was buy a Yashica 35mm camera And a bunch of color slide film. The camera fit nicely in one of my ammo pouches on the pistol belt. I was determined to record my tour so I moved the displaced magazines from the ammo pouch to my ruck sack. When I have more time I’ll try to put some descriptions on the pix.

        Pete Jerszynski

    • To everyone, note that each picture has a place at the bottom if you want to leave comments — like who is in the picture, etc.

  41. As a relative newbie to this site I have often wanted to have a way for everyone to share photos from Team 2. Yesterday I created an album on a photo website called Flickr. If you wish to view or post photos go to Flickr and search for “Advisory Team 2” in the search box. It won’t likely come up on your first search so if you click in the search box again it will give you the “search groups” option. That’s how you will find it. Please post and comment as much as you wish. Access to the album is free and open to everyone. I posted 11 photos yesterday and will see if I can find some more. Have fun!

    • I came across a zippo lighter marked MACV AFAT – 2 68-69 JIM. I’m not sure if this would be the same team, but I thought you could tell me. I noticed your name is also Jim, like on the lighter.

        • From 1968-69 there was an air force CPT attached to MACV tm 2. He flew FAC in support of the division. His first name was Jim. Not sure what his last name was. I flew several missions with him while I was assigned to the division TOC as the night G-3 duty officer along with CPT Lonsdale, the G-2 night duty officer. We provided a daily SITREP briefing to the commander of the division. Before coming to the G-3 I was the 5th regimental staff advisor and senior advisor for 2/5 and 4/5 BNs. Does anyone have any information about Aussie advisor Obrien of 2/5?

          • Louie, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Do you recall the names of the Vietnamese 2/5th Battalion’s Commanding Officer and the Vietnamese 5th Regiment’s Commanding Officer? Thanks for your help. Ken Hughes 5135022052

    • Was unable to use the website Cluster since this blog site does not permit “links” so I opened an album on Flickr. If you go to Flickr and search for a group titled Advisory Team 2, you can access the album. Please note that this is a public site, otherwise I would have had to add a password. Good posting!

  42. Trying to figure out how to post a comment rather than a reply. I was with Team 2 at Kramer from 1967 to 1968. Have created a photo-sharing site on a website called Cluster and going to post some of the photos I have, as well as open it up to everyone. It’s free.

    • LOL, well I just learned how to leave a post! I’ll post my photos and let everyone know the link if you wish to put photos up.

  43. Peters and I used to play poker at the MACV Compound when we were not in the field. On Nov 10th, the Marine Corps birthday Peters, CPL Cox and I were the only Marines around to celebrate the birthday together.

  44. Gentlemen, I hope you don’t mind my interruption. My late father was an Australian serving with AATTV late 69-70 also assigned to ARVN 2 in Quang-Ngai. He used to speak of working with the Americans, I assume that would be a MACV Team, and I was wondering if any of you remember him? He was a Captain at the time, John P Nelson. 6 foot tall with horn rimmed glasses.

    • Gerard, don’t remember him but I worked with an Aussie warrant officer named Max Poole for several months while I was in country (7/68 to 7/69. The pix I posted on Flikr has at least one shot of Max.

  45. John Clement, I’ll e mail you this afternoon.
    Didn’t you termporarily join Team 1 in the spring of 1971 in order to play a support role in Lam Son 719 into Laos?

    Thanks.
    Richard G. Ballantine

    • Hi Dick, Did not get your EMail but I am looking forward to establishing contact with you. i have already done so with Pat Burke (then a 1st Lt I think). I did get moved around a little which I’ll explain when we make contact. Just to make it easy to find my EMail is jclement64@yahoo.com.

      John

    • Dick, I haven’t gotten an EMail from you yet but I will be delighted to establish contact with you after all these years. I did get moved around a bit albeit winding up with Tm 2 at Quang Ngai again for the last few months. I’ll explain in more detail when we make contact. Looking forward to hearing from you. My EMail is jclement64@yahoo.com

  46. I took care of and was friends with a lot of Marines, I don’t recall the name even though it was only near 47 years ago.

  47. To Lee Bloom–
    Good to hear from a Tam Ky vet. I knew Herb Wassom pretty well…we used your ARVN artillery to support some of our operations. Tough when his chopper went down in Pakistan.
    As I recall, the ARVN Bn CO was a big, heavy set guy who was kind of a showboat–had a crew that kept his jeep waxed. I know Herb didn’t always agree with his tactical decisions.
    I retired after 20 years and 20 seconds as a LTC in 1985.

    • Bn CO was Maj Pham when I left but he was never actually around much. You are probably thinking of Capt Khan.

      Herb Wassom was a fine officer. Khan was a pain in the butt and I’m sure Herb would not have cared for his methods very much.

      Did you know SSGT Peters?

      Great talking with someone who knew Herb Wassom. I did not serve with him very long but there was no doubt of his leadership ability and his dedication. A really fine man.

  48. To Bill Zak,

    I should remember you. I was in Tam Ky June 66 to June 67. I was the enlisted advisor to the 22d ARVN ARTY BN. My name is Lee Bloom. I was SSGT USMC at the time I retired as a MSGT in 1978. I knew Sgt later SSGT Peters USMC who was assigned to the RF/PF while I was there. Capt Warren Smith USA was my boss and later Capt Herb Wassom USA. They took Wassom back up to Corps because I think the Army knew he was destined for higher rank. He was a BGen when he was later killed in Pakistan.

    Anyway thanks for posting here. You are the first poster here who I might have actually known during those days.

    • Lee, I notice that you are a frequent poster and maybe you can help me figure out how to “post” not just reply. Thanks.

  49. Just came across this site…interesting stuff. I was a LT then CPT — RF/PF Advisor in Tam Ky from Jan-Dec 1967. Had a Regional Force Bn that supported Marine sweeps throughout Quang Tin Sector. Made many trips to Hau Duc, Tien Phuc (SF Camp), Hoi An and villes up and down HWY 1. Many ops were out east to clean up VC operating in the villes along the inland waterway. Flew with a Firefly mission in July ’67–we took out 147 sampans–got many secondaries as a lot of ammunition was coming down from the NVA. Didn’t get to Kramer compound much but liked going to ChuLai–we traded many VC flags for unbelievable amounts of supplies from the Navy.
    Checked Google Earth–nothing left of Koepler Compound in Tam Ky either. Would sure enjoy hearing about what happened in Tam Ky after 1967. We were mortared a few times and lost a few but never had our perimeter breached. Felt a lot better when the USMC battalions were dug in around our airfield.
    Thanks to you all for stepping up!

  50. Pingback: Blackcats Games Company Name | Sovantha

  51. Hi,
    I only briefed him a few times because I mostly worked nights when I wasn’t on courier runs to DaNang or out at collection sites. It has been too many years. Maybe Mike Smart remembers.
    He was colonel sir to this young SP4.
    I will ask Mike when I talk to him.
    Take care!
    Bob

  52. I was with Team 2 from May of 67 to April of 68. Your grandfathers name does not ring a bell, but it has been almost 50 years. Do you have a picture of him from that time or his rank? I have some pictures of men I was with who I can no longer remember their names. Ed

  53. My Grandfather was Thomas Brockman Earle Jr. I wanted to know if anybody here remembers or knew him? He was with the 2nd Advisory team from October 1967- July 1968.

  54. Richard, I was there with you as an honorary member of the G2 section as I was the advisor to 2d Recon, I was with 4/4 from Dec 69 to Aug 70 at the TOC from Aug 70 to Dec 70 and with 2d RECON Jan 71 to April 71. I had extended in the Army for G2 Air but they gave it to someone else when I was home on leave. They were going to cut me out of 2d Recon and send me to 1st ARVN Division, when I wrote to the Pentagon telling them they did not live up to their end of the bargin and I wanted out. I had gone out in the mountains for a 2 week op when they sent a helicopter out to pick me and bring me back so I could be sent home. When I got to San Fransico, they wanted to charge me for my airfare, because I did not stay the full six months. I signed a promissory note, but they never billed me. Patrick Burke (1LT)

    • Hi Pat, do you remember me? John Clement, OB Analyst for Quang Ngai Province when you were there. I certainly remember you. See the note below from Dick Ballentine and my reply to that.

  55. I’d be surprised, based on what people say here who have visited, if anything remains of the Tam Ky I remember from 66-67. Going west from Kramer, back in the day on the north side of the road you would have arrived at the 22d ARVN Artillery BN. The BN HQ was here along with the six gun mobile battery. Right next to it, on the same side of the road was the BN HQ of one of 4th Regiments infantry BN. It was commanded by COL Tau who was murdered by my FO while the COL was protecting then Capt. Bill Chase who was the target of the FO. We never found out if the FO was a VC plant or if he bore some kind of grudge against Bill Chase. Col Tau placed his body in front of Chase and took a 45 slug for him.

    Across the road from the infantry BN HQ was a building that was used as a morgue for KIA ARVN. You have not heard grief until you have heard the grief of a Vietnamese woman who had just lost her ARVN soldier to combat. Further down the road on the opposite side of the road was the ARVN APC company. Outside of town, a click or two to the south east was an ARVN company size position on a hill, fortified, and two of the 22D 105s were up there. One night a VC plant opened the wire and disappeared and before they knew what was happening the VC were inside the perimeter wreaking havoc. I was on the radio with an Aussie Covan (advisor) and my battery in town was firing on the hill. It was one of those situations where the ARVN company was completely overrun and called fire on their own position. The VC blew the muzzle off one of the 105s that night.

    I would really like to walk that street were Kramer once was and also go out to the firebase that got overrun. Don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance. I’m 75 and starting to feel it, and if I ever have money for a serious trip it will be to Germany first. Vietnam is second on the list.

    LW Bloom
    MSGT USMC(ret)

    • Lee I was the enlisted Advisor (SSG at the time) to the APC squadron from Dec 67 – Jan 68. I seem to recall you as being a tall guy? Am I correct? I retired as a SGM in 1991.

  56. While the Vietnamese army was occupying 2nd ARVN Div buildings, Kramer Compound’s location was visible until at least 1994. Then It was an unoccupied open area of dirt, weeds and some concrete, but numerous concrete footings remained. Two bunkers, stripped of their sandbag and lumber coverings, stood out. And, at the far end of the three or four rows of former EM living quarters was the large barrel, still on a steel framework 10 or 12 feet in the air, which had played a role in the water distribution system.
    The concrete flagpole base, at Kramer’s entrance, was there and showed the outlines of the USARV and MACV plaques which I assume had been moved to Chu Lai in the fall of ’71.
    It was on both sides of the airstrip that extensive housing had been built by ’94, and while the hard surface of the runway was mostly still there, I thought to myself then that even an 01 Bird Dog would be a tight fit.
    Which makes me think, is Bob Spivey still in Minneapolis? He was the Air Force EM who had weather data-gathering and tower management duties at the airstrip.
    R. Ballantine in G2 July ’70 – June 71. Capt William Lonsdale and Lt-then-Capt David Meshan (sp?) were in charge.

    • Hey Dick, remember me? Spec 5 John Clement, OB analyst for Quang Ngai. I was there from Nov 69 to May 71 (extended once at Capt Lonsdale’s behest). Saw him several times in Baltimore Washington area after the war but have lost track of him. Saw Pete Adamsak at Ft Bragg in late 71 and spoke to him by phone some years later. Did you see the note from Pat Burke above? Would lovetoh ear from you and wonder if you have heard from any of us (Bob Stough, Roger, Hugh Waddell, Larry Zapf?). EMail is jclement64@yahoo.com. Hit me back and I hope you’re doing well.

  57. It took me awhile to decide to do it for that very reason. I’m glad I did it, but it is a personal decision for each of us. Not sure if you saw my post about Son Ha, but that was the main I went back. The people treated us very well and it was good to see kids in school and eating well, etc. I took my wife and went with a vet group called Vietnam Battefield Tours. They have set tours, but will customize the trip around where you were. Ed

    • Would love to visit Tam Ky. Were yu able to walk outside the city? I had a plt of 105 on a hill just outside the city. I imagine the hill is still there but wonder if there is any trace of the ARVN company and my two guns still up there. I may never get there since I have plans to visit Germany and some of the countries adjoining it. If I get that trip done I may not live long enough or be in enough good health to save the additional funds to travel to Vietnam.

      I wonder if any of the ARVN buildings done the street from Kramer survived.

      Lee

      • All the buildings are gone. The Vietnamese army has a building on Hwy 1, but it was built after our presence there. I broght photos with from when I was at Kramer as a RTO in the TOC, but nothing looked the same. In Mo Duc we did find Nui Dep, the ARVN fire base I was on. The same trail we used to leave the hill was still there and I climbed up to the top. It is all overgrown with vegetation and no signs of bunkers, etc. The highway looks the same, they still dry rice on the side of the road, but there are much more homes and businesses. No more bamboo and thatch huts. All brick and tile roofs. It was a stark reminder that 46 years had gone by, but I’m glad I did it
        Ed

        • I was with 2nd DAARS team 71-72. Remember the ARVNs backing their water buffalo into the river by QL1 bridge with the top open just downstream from where the villagers threw all their garbage in. That helped me understand why I got so sick after my introduction to my counterparts with c-ration pound cake and green tea. Made me appreciate the Kramer well. I used to turn ARDF results and other intel into fire missions for firebases Dotty and Colt as well the DTOC Arty for ARVN firebases. Used to work with ARVNs out on a little hill called Nui But sticking up out of a bunch of rice paddies. Yes it was a long time ago and it is still great to be back In the World. We have a restaurant here called Tien’s Place. He escaped to Thailand by sea but his dad, an ARVN helicopter pilot, spent 10 years in a reeducation camp. He has been back to visit. Thanks for sharing. Bob

  58. Lee, I visited Mo Duc, Quang Ngai and Tam Ky when I went back in 2013. Nothing of our presence is there anymore. Where Kramer Compound was is city streets with shops and homes. Stayed in a hotel in Quang Ngai city near the river. Ed

  59. Ed,

    I knew that area well. Too bad neither of us remember most of the names. I was a Marine SSGT at the time with the 22d ARVN arty BN. The one name I do remember was Captain Bill Chase who was an infantry advisor to the 4th. I can’t recall if he rotated before or after me.

    Lee

    • Lee, I went on one operation out by the Son Ha special forces camp in August of 67. The Black Cats flew me out to a hilltop as the Marine advisors with an Arvn 105 battery needed an RTO. There was a captain and a gunny, but don’t remember their names. Spent about a week out there with them. On about the 2nd or third day I noticed a Caribou making an approach to the dirt field down in the valley. As it passed by on final approach a U.S. 155 battery fired a salvo and one round hit the plane near the tail, knocking it off. The plane crashed into an RF/PF area, killing all 3 airman on board. I found a photograph, some 40 years later, that a Japanese war correspondent took just before the plane hit the ground. If you google the C-7 Association, you can see the photo. Not sure what Arvn arty unit I was with, but they came out of Quang Ngai. I found the village, Ha Thanh on an old tactical map and went back there in 2013 and placed a memorial to the 3 men who were killed there. Always haunted me all those years about the crewman. Ed

      • If the battery was out of Quang Ngai it wasn’t mine. My battery was based out of Tam Ky. By August 67 I was happily back in the USA.

  60. Lee, all the names except for a few have slipped into memory. I wish I had kept a journal, but was told not to, so I didn’t. I did most of my time in the field with a Arvn Bn in Mo Duc on a little hill called Nui Dep, right off Highway 1. I was a PFC and then Sp/4. Most of our ops went from there east to the coast and back. Welcome home. Ed

  61. Do not remember that GY. My replacement in June of 67 was an Army SFC who I was never properly introduced to. I was in the field on OPS with the mobile battery from the 22d and was due In Saigon in three days for my flight home. The SFC was delivered by chopper and I did not have the time or chance to do more that shake his hand, wave in the direction of the firing battery, and board the chopper. The Black Cat pilots were unwilling to sit on the ground out in the boonies waiting on me. I had to get back to Tam Ky, get a flight to Da Nang and then a flight to Saigon in time to get my bird back to CONUS. I often wonder how that guy made out.

    I don’t know if any of the Aussies or American Advisors I knew were still there with the 4th while you were there. I’d like hearing some names.

    Lee

  62. Hello to my brothers, Mark Soucy here SP/4. Does anyone remember me? I arrived in Quang Ngai in Apr ’71 and left Mar ’72. I served with TM2 at Kramer Compound and worked G-2 as typist, ended up working in supply with Sgt. Shipman and Capt. DeFransico. I moved to Chu Lai and worked supply, then went to run comm on Artillery Hill across from Chu Lai. I liked Kramer better than Rosemary Pt. I would like to get in contact with anyone who served with me. Woo Pig!

    • Lee Morrison, We taught English classes at the church school in quang ngai and I worked in colonel days office as a clerk. We made the move to chu lai and I left from there a few days later back to the states. Same time terry boatright and Lonnie were there.

      • Hey Lee, Mark here, glad you made it back safely. Yes, I do remember us teaching at the church school but we also taught English at the IVS government school. We were roommates at Kremer and decorated our room. I have pics of you. Also we use to play paddle ball together.

        • That’s right. I had contact with terry when I got home but lost contact after a year or so. I remember Lonnie but not his last name. Live in minnesota now but will be retiring to a home we bought in upper mi. I left a few days before I was supposed to after the new lieutenant put me on guard with just a couple days before I was scheduled to leave chu lai. I just got in a chopper and told everyone my orders were following me. Not anytime to say good bye. I have a couple of pictures of you as well. Hope things are going well for you. I read on some ones report that nothing is left of Kramer compound. Hard to believe that was so long ago.

      • Lee, I don’t remember you, or when you got to Team 2. I was a Gunny at the time and the only Marine in Kramer Compound. I was the DivArty Senior Adviser after Major Sims was medevac with a slipped disc in this back. I visited Col Day in Tampa a few years back and it was just prior to his passing. I used to email his son who also was a retired Col. but he was jerk and liberal. Papa Col. Day should have kicked his ass. Maybe he did and the son could not do good enough for his father. They were both from West Point.

        • Are you Gunny Bach? I was at Mo Duc from Jan-Mar 71 when they closed the Bn teams. Then I was the Arty Advisor until Maj Sims got there. Then was the Spt Grp Co. left Chu Lai in Jan72. Lived in the old Navy qtr she at Chu Lai with Maj Lawson and Maj Saunders.

          • I was a SSGT USMC. Arrived I think Aug 66 and left June 67. I has an earlier posting in Hoi An for a while since I was told that when I arrived that there were no Artillery slots available for me in I Corps. I spent a couple of months on a PYSWAR Team in Hoi An until sent to the 22d ARVN ARTY BN..

          • Joe, were you on Nui Dep while in Mo Duc? I was there from Aug 67 to December 67 and then at Kramer in Quang Ngai. I lost all my pictures of Nui Dep, if you have any I would like to see them. I went back there in April 2013 and went up on Nui Dep. Not a trace of our existence there. If you want to see photos from my trip send me your email and I will send them. Thanks. Ed Thacher

    • Hey Mark; I was sent to the 4th arvn regiment at Duc Pho in oct 1971 and was there till pulled out. I remember col Kros Major Orsini, snf sgt Geodfrey. I had heard the both Col Kros and Major Orsini have both moved on. Prior to Duc Pho I was at Kramer. It is great to hear from you. I heard they sent you to the 6th. It was so great the day we hooked up in chu lai. in 11972. It was emptyMy best wishes to all I served with. What an experience.

  63. You were a little bit late for me. I left the @@d ARVN Artillery BN in June of 1967. Did you happen to run into a SSGT Peters while there?

    L Bloom

  64. Sgt. Roger Stoffer (US Army) checking in to say, “I’m still proud to be an American”.. Was with MACV TM2 from April ’71 – Mar ’72.. Mostly COMMCENTER.. Started at Kramer, in Quang Nghai, then moved to Chu Lai when the ARVN 2nd Inf. did in about August ’72.. In case you were never told, I’m saying “WELCOME HOME BUDDY!”..

      • I was on the 1st MAT teams assigned in VN in 1968. I was on MAT 2 assigned to the Tamky District in Quan-Tin Province, I-Corps. We were organized at Xi-AN (1st Inf. Div. base camp @ 3 Corps) for a 2 week indoctrination and then sent to our respective AO’s. We had the pleasure of serving with the Rough-Puffs, living with them, and convincing them to conduct night ops.
        I was the Lt. Wpns. guru for the team.
        I was through Mo Duc and Duc Pho many many times. Our main district ville was a little place called Ky-Mi just off Highway 1 about 2 clicks and South of Tam-Ky.
        Welcome Home,
        Chris Mattiace

    • Good grief, amazed to find this website. I remember Gary Grimes very well, was at Kramer from 67 to early 69. Have a photo of him somewhere but haven’t thought of him in years. Unfortunately I don’t know what happened to him. Remember MSG Ward Orr? I stayed in touch with him a bit after he retired, he ended up in Modesto, CA.

        • He retired to Modesto, CA and I had dinner with him in early 70’s, and then we lost touch. His daughter was my pen pal while I was at Team 2 and had her letters for many years. I’m sure he’s passed away by now and I’ve search extensively for further info but never learned anything. I called him Pappy. He was a great guy. I can still picture him puffing away on his pipe.

  65. I returned to Quang Ngai in 2013. I was an RTO in the field and at the TOC at Div HQ., May 67 to May 68. Kramer Compound is completely gone. It is all homes and shops now. I visited Nui Dep, near Mo Duc, a ARVN FSB where I was for a few months. We also visited Tam Ky with a family there. The owner of the home was a former interpreter for the 196th. I have pictures if you would like to see them, but I have to send them to your email address, can’t post them to this site

  66. I am Franz David Cone. I was the G5 advisor from July 66 through July 67. General Lam was Division CO, but was also I Corps CO.. Acting CO was Colonel Phu, replaced by Colonel Toan. Senior advisod was Colonel Ochs, replaced by Colonel Ulsaker. Deputy was LTC Morris, replaced by LTC Pence. G1 advisor was MAJ Turner, G2 MAJ Strawhand, G3 MAJ/LTC Allen, G4 MAJ Magoni. I worked mostly with the Assistant Chief of Staff for Pollitical Warfare, MAJ Ngo Van Loi. I waspromoted to LTC by General Walt in Tam Ky in February 1967. I live in Winston-Salem, NC. Anybody nearby? I still have my dice cup! I too wonder what became of Kramer Compound. I have a copy of a poem called The Ballad of the Co Van My, written by someone before my time. Any interest? I recall a bunch of Australian Warrant Officer advisors. Good guys, but slightly manic.

    • I was in Tam Ky during your same time frame. I was the enlisted advisor as a marine SSGT to the 22d Arty Bn. I served under Captain Warren Smith and later under Captain Herb Wassom. I went back stateside in June of 67. Captain Wassom advanced to General officer rank and was killed in Afghanistan or Pakistan later in his career.

      I live in SW PA and have visited Warren Smith in Arkansas a couple of times. Would sure like to hear from some other Covans who served in Tam Ky during that same time frame.

    • I have a photograph of LTC Allen at the web site I posted in order to make this comment. Would like to speak with LTC Cone via email.

    • I can tell you what happened to Col Toan. He made BG them Major General. Commanded 2d ARVN Div. Sometime after I left he went to MR II . I don’t know what Div he had at that time. But I read in an Oklahoma City newspaper his assistant Div Cmdr committed suicide. Later I read during 75 he went to Saigon to plead for reinforcements. He didn’t I have said. In addition Gen Toan died some years back.stop there but fled to U.S. and ended up in San Francisco. In August 94 I met with my former counterpart LtCol. Buu Hap and he verified what I have said.

    • I assume MAJ Ngo Van Loi if it was the same Loi when I was with Team 2, 70-71, he was promoted to Col. and was Province Chief and was assassinated in Saigon but can’t remember when. I heard the investigation determined a 2 1/2 ton purposely hit the Col’s vehicle which I assume was a jeep. Therefore it was determined to be an assassination. Col. Toan eventually was the DivCmdr of 2d ARVN Div.
      I read in an Oklahoma City newspaper he was moved to MR 2 and his Assistant DivCmdr committed suicide due to the stress working under Gen Toan. In 1975 Toan went to Saigon pleading for reinforcements. That was his excuse for going but he didn’t stop. He fled to the U.S. and eventually settled there. I met my counterpart LtCol Buu Hap 2dDivArtyCmdr in Virginia in 2014. Buu Hap verified Toans fleeing and also he had died in California.

      • Colonel Ngo Van Loi was not assassinated in Saigon as rumored, it was an attempt but they hit the first Jeep and the Colonel was in the second Jeep. He escaped to the US after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and resided in Oklahoma City since 1976 until 2014, he passed away in California in June 2017. I know, I am his youngest son.

  67. The Black Cats were the 282nd Assault Helo Co. They had some units in Quang Tri, maybe Danang and at Quang Ngai. They were out on what we called the Tropo pad. I have some pics of them if anyone wants any.

  68. I have a pic of a friend in Kramer compound during monsoon in at least a foot of water. I think his name was Marty Feeny.

    Marty was a district advisor in Nghia Hahn. Heard he got wounded real bad, not sure he made it.

    Pete J

  69. I remember the NVA were very active near and around Quang Ngai around TET 69 (Jan-feb).

    My battalion was surrounded two different times around TET 69. Both times I had to call in close air support and arty flares all night long. We lost a bunch of guys during those encounters. I was calling in Puff the Magic Dragon gunships (was it a C-119 or a C-130, not sure) from under an APC most of the night.

    Pete J.

    • Pete , could those birds have been c-47s? I would transmitt info to the pilots for off limits ao’s. Thier call signs were “spooky”.

      • The magic dragons were C-47’s while I was there in 67-68. Call sign was Spooky. Black Cats were our helicopters, mostly slicks with door gunners who did most of our airlifts. We used a spooky one night out on Nui Dep, near Mo Duc. Pretty impressive to watch. I was an RTO for the captain and LT, but I was only a PFC as there were no SGT’s available at the time. Cant remember their names now, but the captain was a former SF mustang. I cant remember the battalion of ARVNS that we were with, but maybe someone remembers. Nui Dep was just outside of Mo Duc, on the west side of Highway 1.

        • Yup, you’re right. Forgot all about the old C-47 gooney birds. I may have also had a C-119 (flying boxcar) in support once or twice, if memory serves (and it doesn’t always serve). Also, loved the Blackcats, those guys were awesome. Weren’t they based in Danang? I don’t even remember their unit designation.

  70. Pete , at 68 I can’t remember what I had for breakfast. I do remember that Kramer compound had about 2′ of water in it during that monsoon. So the incident could have been before or after that time period. I do remember the Aussies that were with tm 2 , rather friendly group.

    • Was at Kramer 69-70. Woke up one morning to see my boots floating around the hooch. I think
      they said the average rainfall was over 5″ a day for almost two months

      • I have a couple of pix of Kramer during monsoon with at least a foot of water beteween the hooch buildings.

  71. Anyone know how I can reach Lynn Bender, he was a major in 1968. I have some pix of him I’d like him to have.

    Also, same goes for Max Poole, an Aussie warrent officer I worked with for several months. He introduced me to Fosters Beer.

    • Lt. , I was a rto at the toc in tm 2 from May 68 to June 69. In Oct. or Nov. of 68 do you remember a ground assault against the 4th reg. hq by the nva. This was west of the airfield in quang nghia? This was a daylight attack.

      The reason for the question is that at the time , I was on loan with a marine captain to a line company of the11th brigade plus a troop of apcs . We we’re working north of Nia hahn (sic) when we were order to go north and block the retreating nva. As we approached a small village thru a cemetery we were ambushed by estimated bn. Of nva. It was overcast and raining , we were pinned down all afternoon and most of the evening with no air support or medevacs. The event still haunts me to this day. Do you have a recollection of this event?

      • Jim, can’t recall specifically about that incident probably because of one of two incidents. Either my battalion was down in Nghia Han (South) or it was when I was wounded by a 240mm rocket attack and medivac’d to Chu-Lai for a few days. I was wounded at our battalion rear area which was across from the Quang Ngai airfield.

        If it was October-November wasn’t that during monsoon season? Whole area of operation was flooded pretty good, if memory serves.

        By the way, my leg wound wasn’t too bad (back of the knee) , but I never expected to head back out on field ops after only a week or so.

        Pete Jerszynski

  72. I was with MACV Advisory team 2 out of quang ngai from August 1968 to July 1969. I was a field infantry advisor with 2nd Battalion, 4th Regiment, 2nd ARVN Div.

    Colonel Hutter presented me with my Purple Heart in November 1968.

    I had two senior advisors during my tour, a Army major Lynn Bender for several months and then a marine Catptain (Carlisle) for a couple of months. The rest of the time I was acting senior advisor as a 1Lt.

      • I’ve been posting replies to a few men that served at this same time and recently came into the possession of a zippo lighter marked “MACV AFAT-2 68-69 JIM”. I don’t know how many men would have been there at that time, but thought you might have some insight. I truly hope to hear from you and thank you for your service.

        _Mark

    • Mr Jerszynski, I recently came into the possession of a zippo lighter marked “MACV AFAT 2 68-69 JIM”. Same time as your tour. I don’t know how many men would have been there at that time, but thought you might have an idea about it, or its owner. Thank you for your service!

      -Mark

    • hey peter: I was sr advisor for 4/5 bn from @sep 20 ’68 to @ apr 30 ’69..i was a happy ops officer in the tm 2 toc until @ sep 20 when tom hyland (then sr adv for 4/5) was hit by shrapnel while evacuating some of his troops from the mountain overlooking my lai. col hutter came into the toc and said..”who wants a battalion..?” (i was on my 2d rvn tour and was shot & stabbed as a rifle co cdr on my first vacation there, so i wasn’t going to volunteer for anything – especially since my dad – a career nco – had ordered me to never volunteer for anything!) no responses to col h’s request caused him to come over to me and say”…ok, tom, go get your shit..”. so I went out and joined 4/5 bn as its sr advisor..(col hutter was my bde cdr at ft ord during the time between my 1st & 2d tours..so he knew me well). I had a good tour with 4/5..learned a lot..grew to appreciate the arvn soldiers and love many of them..we had some ferocious fights! btw: col hutter is now 97, lives in columbia, sc and we speak @ every 2 months or so..he’s quite a remarkable man..3 cib’s..ss served in ww2, korea & rvn)..one of my heroes..don’t make them like him anymore! tom griffin.

      • HeyTom,
        Good hearing from you. I have several pix of colonel Hutter as he is awarding a bunch of us our Purple Heart medals. I can send them to you or him via email. My email is: pjerszy118@aol.com.

        Pete J.

        • 1 aug: wow..so happy to get a reply..my impression is that I’m like the lone wolf crying in the wilderness! i’ll contact u on ur email. where are you? tom

          • I live in Naperville, illinois a suburb about 30 miles west of Chicago. Been here since 1979. Grew up on Long Island, New York. I’ll e-mail you those pix of Col. Hutter within the next day or so.

    • Doug, how did you find this out and do you know what he passed from and thanks for the info, sorry to hear he has passed. I had a chance to speak with Guy by telephone before his passing and I’m pretty sure he was under some drug for pain relief. Some of the things he was saying was sort of rambling. When speaking with his wife she said he was very sick. She listened in on our call and said she would explain who I was and what we had did together. I told my wife I needed to get down to Dothan before he passes and I never did He was the Senior DivArty Advisor Team 2, 2nd ARVN Inf. Div. He was a great officer to work for as I was his Senior NCO DivArty Advisor. He could probably steal the shirt off your back while I was talking to you. Marines back in the those days carried a small green covered notebook. Every time he or I introduced each other to an unfamiliar officer Guy would make sure I put the officers name in my notebook. He would sign one the names when he signed for something that we were actually stealing from the Americal Div. at Chu Lai. He was a smooth operator and very quiet even when he was arrested by the National Police. Guy some how got through to the Compound Commander Maj. Bechtel who informed me Guy wanted me to come get him out of jail in Quang Ngia . When I showed up downtown and said come on lets leave they told me to sit down. We were both let go in an hour. I had given our ARVN driver two or three truck loads of 105mm ammo boxes so he could at least start building a home for him, wife and son. The police thought he had stolen the boxes and was going to sell them on the black market. Now, knowing where the police station was the Senior Advisor sent Guy and me to get the MP’s push so Gen. Toan could coordinate the rescue of the Province Senior Advisor who went to get the release and two Americal soldiers who were in a truck and killed some Vietnamese in a civilian vehicle. All three were being held as hostages. the the Villagers heard Gen Toan’s tank turned South on QL 1, the hostages were immediately released.

  73. September 64 to September 65 – Advisory Team 2 Quang Ngai (initially was 7) Infantry Advisor at Mo Duc transferred to 1/51st after six months.

  74. Franz D. Cone e I was G5 advisor for TEAM 2, Quang Ngai, Su Doan 2 Bo Binh from July 1966 to July 1967. Senior Advisors were Colonel Ochs and Colonel Ulsaker.. Good timehad by all. Would like to hear from any other inmates of Kramer Compound.. conefranz@yahoo.com

    • Sir, I was an RTO at Kramer compound May of 67 to Apr 68. Spent some time on Nui Dep near Mo Duc and did a few other ops with different units who needed an RTO. I cannot remember the name of the Colonel who was there for most of my tour (full bird), but his RTO was named Danny Ake. The night of Tet I was on the radio at the TOC when the mortars started coming in. The officers came into the radio shack and took over and sent me in an APC to provide security for the colonel while picking him up at the compound. If you have any names that you remember or who was the captain (a mustang officer) at Nui Dep, would love to hear from you. Thanks. Ed Thacher

  75. Hello! I am doing research for my grandfather, John Beckert. From what I understand, he was part of the 519th and he was on Advisory Team 2 from ’67-’68 stationed in Quang Ngai. I would really love to reconnect him and help find archival materials on the subject. If anyone has information on him, or would like me to help reconnect please reply or email me, ebeckert18@gmail.com Thank you in advance!

  76. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I have enjoyed visiting with Mike Smart. Roger Stoffer’s music sure lightened things up over there. Reminded me a lot of Roy Clark. I’m at rstanlit@netscape.net if anyone wants to chat.

  77. Sgt. Roger Stoffer, Adv. Team 2. Started tour at Guang Nghai in Apr. ’71 until move to Chu Lai in late ’71. Worked in Comm Center both places. Liked to play guitar in hootch during off hrs. Went home in Mar. ’72. Had buddy to order a guitar for me and he had it shipped to my home in Louisiana. Can’t remember his name. Happy Father’s Day to all.

  78. Hi guys. I’m Lee Bloom was a SSGT USMC advisor with 22nd ARVN Artillery BN from 1966 until June of 1967. Battalion was located in Tam Ky. My senior advisor was first CAPT Warren Smith who now lives in Arkansas. After him was Capt. Herb Wassom who was later Kia as a general in Pakistan.

    I now reside in SW Pennsylvania. Looking for anyone that served at that same time period.

    • Members of the USAF FAC team assigned to Team 2 have a little organization and some members where at Tam Ky at the same time as you were. The Jakes were a detachment of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron (20th TASS). They are a friendly bunch and if you remember names, you can email them and ask about them.

      • David I have been trying to find someone who knew Major George Waring who flew as a FAC with that outfit and died on August 26, 1972 in Quang Nam. He was either in an O-1 or he was a “Fast FAC”. This Is unclear. I am a friend of his daughter and his family has been told very little about his death.

        Can anyone help?

    • Hi Lee, my name is Ed Thacher and I was an RTO out of Quang Ngai starting in May 67. My first op was with a Marine LT and a Gunny by the name of Birely or Byerley, not sure of the spelling, but pronounced like the orange soda. Did you know him?

      • My name is Larry Armstrong and I was the rto with the 4th regiment. I remember a lt walkup with the 4th battion he also had a gunny with him. I was the rto from jan 68 to jan 69 with maj Obrien and capt. Rossi and Later col. Jacobi

        • Don’t know if this is meant for me. I was advisor to the artillery unit in Tam Ky and left in early June 67. But to answer your question, I was not acquainted with either of those Marines.

      • Left this reply previously; it disappeared. His name was Byerly Met him at Quang Ngai. I was a TAD Marine. He died of a heart attack in early seventies. Hope this reply survives.

      • got there in 72 and stayed until 1 month after cease-fire in 73 . occupied old navy quarters on hill above chu lai. C.o> was Lt. Col. Schwoppe. remembered gunships arrived at compound on day od cease-fire

        at 0500 and lifted off at 0800 shot up the treeline and then flew over South China Sea and were directed to dump all unexpended ammo overboard. I ran comm center at that time and relayed instructions to pilots. Worst day of my life.

        • Patrick, glad u made it home

          “Welcome Home Brother…”

          Had many good times at Chu Lai… Fishing with gernades, swimming, playing with the Power Wagon in the river… Still do not know how we did not get idled… BUT,
          At 19, u will never die…

          God Bless America

          Mike
          Grass Valley

        • Patrick Salsman, I lived in the Chapel on top of that Chu Lai hill 1971. Then it was called DivArty Hill. The chapel was pretty much flattened along with the Officers’Club by Typhoon Hester 10/23/71.

  79. Team 2 1968-69. Remember LTC Henry and Maj Kidd. Both great people. Did short service with Recon Co 5th Arvn Regt. Also spent time in Quang Gnai compound. Had 3-4 Aussie, several Marines on the team. 2Lt at that time. Quick search and destroys were Col Henrys favorites!

    • Jack Bock, here, I was Team 2 Senior NCO Arty Advisor for 2nd Div in 70-71. Maj Kidd was G4. We flew to an ARVN Capt. funeral. He was killed during Lam Son 719. When we got aboard the UH1, Maj Kidd was missing. No he wasn’t he was in the pilot seat, (right Side). I sat in jump seat and finally when we get to Quang Ngai the AC though of the instrument panel to see how Kidd would respond to an emergency. Kidd over reacted and the bird started going sideways into the roof of an ARVN barracks roof. The AC pulled it out and we were about 6 feet from going into the roof. If you wanted to loose some weight that bird was the place to be. It shook so bad it would have shook the weight off of anyone. The headliner fell in the troop compartment, Maj Guy Sims Senior Arty Advisor for the Div,., slipped a disc in his back and medevaced the next day. Kidd never flew again as long as I was there. Col Day Senior Advisor for the Div. saw to that.

  80. Gentlemen does anyone remember a SSG Davis an Infantry advisor July 65 to June 66, SSG Davis was involved in a battle with the 1st BN 4th Infantry Regiment 2nd Division on 23 February 1966. Any help is greatly appreciated.

  81. My name is Sfc James K Roberts now James R Kaleohano. I was with Macv team 39 in the fall of 1967 till the fall of 1968. I was the infantry adviser for the team. Did missions with rf,pf,Arvn,mountain yards and also did operations with the 101 airborne div. 3rd of the 506. We were attached to them a month doing operation Rose I was with the pru team that time I would come back to the base at Phan Rang to rest and do our planing for what ever the mission was. My first operations officer was Maj. Mc vey after he rotated the next operation officer was Maj. Ryan. I can’t remember to much of the people who at the Macv compound because I spent most ok my time in the field. Maj. Ryan and myself where wounded on the same operation. I remember going on operations with some the cia guys when I was with the pru team we worked with the nungs, comes, mountain yards, in fact the mountain people made me 6 wrist bracelets one for each member of my family. I also fought in Korea with the 25 inf. div. I was a machine gunner in the rifle sqd of the 1st. Platoon 25 recon Co.I retired from the army July 1970 I now live in Hawaii

  82. Does anyone out there know what happened to Sgt Hai, He was the ARVN who worked in Maj Grays office. Someone must know something about him.

    • Don Murphy I have been trying to find out the same thing. Worked in the same office with Sgt Hai for Aug 1967 until I left on emergency leave in July 1968. I left so guickly that I didn’t time to retain any info on my buddies to keep in touch. If anybody has anything on my time period please let me know.

  83. I was in Advisory Team Two all of 1968, it was a compound near Quang Nai, Vietnam, in the northern portion of the country. Do not remember the Lt mentioned, but no one lost while I was there. No doubt he was an advisor to the 2nd ARVN Division. It was a unique situation I that there were people from several services, marines, army, navy( Seabees) and army pilots. Infantry advisors sometimes were out in the villages, helping the locals defend against the Vietnam Cong who would attack them. All the best to you. Tom Hale

    • I was a member of Advisory Team 2 from July 1967 to July 1968, had to leave on emergency leave July 4th 1968. Did not get time to get any info on my buddies to contact them at home. Have not seen or heard of anyone I knew back then. My command officer was Maj Gray. Sure wish I could find someone. It seems we were the forgotten ones. My name is Don Murphy

  84. Peter, I left RVN on April 30th 1968, but I forwarded your message to a couple of guys who were still there in Quang Ngai at Kramer Compound. Kramer Compound was where the U.S. personnel on MACV Team 2 lived if they were not assigned to a field unit. This included everyone from clerks, radio operators, support from Navy, Marine and Air Force personnel, pilots and command staff. Hope my friends can help you out. Ed Thacher

    • Hi my name is Sam Harrison I was a pfc assigned to Advisory Team 2 Marine Security at Tamky I was there from 68 -69 when I was medavac out to Chu Lia my platoon sgt was SSGT Berryhill have some fine memories there well Thank you and hope to hear from someone who may have remembered us.

  85. While moving some of my parent’s things I came across a dice cup with a little plaque on it that said “Advisory Team 2 MACV” his name 1st Lt Burl M Wright and the dates May 1968 to May 1969. Is this the same unit y’all were in? The family is kind of fuzzy on Dad’s time in Vietnam as he never really spoke about it. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

    • I was there at Kramer Compound on those same dates. Do you have any pictures of Lt. Wright or know what he did there?

      Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

    • Peter: I served with your dad in Quang Ngai in 1968 and 1969 and remember him well. He was one of the most professional marines or military men I ever met. I was a young 25 year-old army captain and your dad was a seasoned combat veteran marine 1LT who was a mentor and role model to many much younger and inexperienced newly commissioned infantry officers. I have a photograph of your dad and other photos of Quang Ngai. I can tell you a lot about your dad as well. Just prior to serving in RVN we both completed the Military Advisor’s Course at Ft. Bragg where we first met. I was really surprised when we were both sent to Advisory Team 2 in Quang Ngai. Your dad was also friends with Major John Guy, USMC who was also in Team 2 in Quang Ngai. Contact me any time at . Your dad was a marine’s marine! I am so sorry that we lost touch after Vietnam and am deeply saddened to learn of his passing. He helped so many
      marines and soldiers professionally and personally. He knew his job and inspired others by his example and wisdom. I would very much like to know how life treated your dad after Vietnam. I hope he had many happy years with you and your family after RVN. He was a gentleman and a man I will never forget. But I don’t have to tell you that. But I can tell you about what he did while in RVN in 1968 and ’69. I hope to hear from you. Have a Happy Thanksgiving (2015). I now live in Bel Air, Maryland. Patrick Wilson

  86. My Name is George Beach.We had some Vietnamese soldiers from 2nd ARVN div. recon company working with us in G company 75 In.Ranger in Chu Lai in late 1969 and early 1970 The names that I remember are Tran Cam Sang (killed)Sgt.Ah,(killed) Duc Gan,Thom,and Sinh I am not sure of the spelling.I would like to contact any of them if they are still alive.

  87. Dear Sirs,

    I am Tan Nguyen, an ARVN. I served in Quang Tin and Quang Ngai, where you used to be, from 6/73 to 3/75 in ARVN Infantry Regiment 5 of the ARVN Infantry Division II in Chu Lai. I currently live in St Louis, Missouri. ARVN Infantry Regiment 5 was home based in Hawkhill LZ after you left. I have been desperately looking for the insignias of the units I served:

    1. ARVN Infantry Regiment 5: a rectangular badge with a yellow fish-dragon on blue background with number 5 on it.
    2. Recon Company of of ARVN Infantry Regiment 5: a rounded badge with a black/white eagle eagle on a orange color background.

    I would appreciate very much if you would provided me with any information about these insignias, actual badge or pictures,

    Please send any information to willyphi@sbccglobal.net.

    Sincerely,

    Tan

    • Tan, I also live in St. Louis, (Brentwood). I was Arty Advisor for 2nd ARVN Div. at Quang Ngai fro 70-71. I found a Div Patch on eBay. Maybe you can try there. I will also look for you. Semper Fi. 961-9083. Where do you live in St. Louis?

  88. I’m looking for an astray grandfather stationed in MACV Quang Ngai in 1968. I do not know his first name, but I do know his rank of Sergeant First Class and the last name of Robinson, and that he worked at Quang Ngai MACV Compound HQ as an administrative SFC. Very little information is found, because all records from my grandmother has been destroyed due to fear of being persecuted by the Communist regime. Another possibility is that his first name is Roy

  89. Luke Clark

    I was Sub Sector (District) Advisor Quang Tin Province from June 65 to June 66. First at Tam Ky District and then at Thang Binh District.

  90. Happy 4th of July..just found this page by accident. served on my second tour with TM2 72-73 and resided in old navy area above Chu Lai. Remember Major Zike, Col. Shwoppe, and Sp4 Fred Baxter. Worked the comm center and was there during cease -fire in ’73.came back to the world about a month later. First tour served with 196th at LZ Hawk Hill and Da Nang. ETS in ’75 from 18th Abn , Ft. Bragg.
    Patrick Salsman
    Corpus Christi,Tx

    • HI, I’m Bob Little and was at the same place 1971-1972. You may have known Roger Stoffer who also worked the comm center and was our mail man. I was on the DARRS team with Mike Smart . They have both been on this site. Welcome and hope you had a great 4th of July too! Take care! Bob

      • Hi Bob. I was Sgt. E-5 at the time. I remember the move from Quang Ngai and having to rewire a lot of the comm center (inside and out) and getting commo re-established after the move. Lots and lots of rain. Think I stayed wet for about a week. May have helped with mail at times, but don’t remember being mail man. But, I do remember the EM/NCO club. Use to play guitar and sing some in the club on ‘off hours’.

  91. 2nd DARRS team members AUG 71 Quang Ngai: CPT Richard L. Roerig, SFC Earnest L. Michaelis (05H40), SP5 James Battaglini (05H20), SP5 Larry D. Walton (63H20), SP4 Robert L. Barnes (31J20B3), SP4 Robert S. Little (98C20) from Texas, SP4 Barry J. Potter (72B20D1) from Texas, SP4 Ronald B. Smith (Smitty) (72B20), SP4 Charles W. Pridemore (05C20), SP4 Michael D. Smart (Max) (72B20D1) from California, and SP4 Gary A. Yale (98C20) from New York. There were three other members of our team working at remote locations; SGT Pete Walker, SP4 Wayne Melenbach(?) and another another fella I can picture but age has robbed my memory of his name. By Oct 71 SFC Aurthur F. Wyman (05H40) had replaced SFC Michaelis and SP4 Doug L Couts (98C20) had joined the team. We moved to Chu Lai in NOV 71 in time to have a real turkey dinner for Thanksgiving that was more like turkey soup because of the Typhoon. We provided many fire missions for Fire base Dotty, Firebase Colt, and the 2nd ARVN Div Arty. The MACV TM 2 commander became very interested in our support and daily briefings. In Quang Ngai there was a ranger named CPT Ranger who bunked next door to us. I also learned from a South Korean SGT (taekwondo instructor) that not all poisonous snakes had diamond shaped heads. He caught me playing with a bamboo viper and smashed its head with a swift kick. Maybe someone else remembers these folks. At that time we were known as a “Radio Research” activity and were helping our counterparts. Like to here from anyone there.
    Bob Little

    • Bob,

      Your CO CPT Richard Roerig was my hootchmate. I’m CPT Felix Haynes. I was Admin Officer for Team 2 from September ’71 to March ’72. Our other hootchmate was a Navy Jaygee who commanded a squad of Marines, a Naval Gunfire Liaison Team, which called in naval gunfire from destroyers off the coast. To practice their skills they used to call in naval gunfire on water buffalo. I was the solatium payments officer, so every time they were successful I had to go pay briefcases full of piasters to Vietnamese farmers to pay them for their buffalo. I remember DARRS very well, and since then I’ve decided that one of Team 2’s important jobs was to add security to your important unit. I remember moving from Quang Ngai to Chu Lai in November. I think we bunked in an old school in Quang Ngai, but in Chu Lai we took over the compound of an Americal Division medical unit. Hope you and all your DARRS team members are doing well.

      Felix Haynes

    • Robert, do you recall the MACV Team 2 Commanders name at the time you were there?

  92. I hate to jump back in but, I located LtCol Buu Hap, DivArty Commander. If anyone knew him he is well after spending 15 years in a Re-Educational Camp in Hanoi. They finally kicked him, his wife a 5 of his 10 children out of the country and he came to the good Ole
    US of A 14 years ago.. I will be visiting him in Sterling, VA in June 2014. I found him in the White Pages.

  93. I know of MACV having reunions but never went. The POC made me think he thought I was a Wannabe. Would anyone on Team 2 be interested in a reunion in St. Louis, MO.

  94. Jack Bock, I arrived at Team 2 June 1970 and Replaced GySgt Oscar T. Reed, USMC. Maj. Richard Wallace was DivArty Senior Advisor. I was DivArty Senior NCO Advisor. Maj Wallace returned to Conus on Emergency Leave and never returned. Maj. Guy Sims replaced Maj Wallace. Maj Sims was Medevaced 2/71 when we were returning from an ARVN Capt’s funeral killed during LAM SON 719. I was then without an officer the rest of my tour and was unofficially the DivArty Senior Advisor until June 30 ’71. Col Stephan A. Day, USA Inf. was Div. Senior Advisor. SgtMaj Marvin Compton was Command SgtMaj of Team 2.

    • I served with col day and sgt major compton at team 2 in office sp4 lee morrison 13 months with the move to chu lai after americal left

    • Jack:

      I just came across your comments on the 2nd ARVN Division advisory team while checking out something else – Dick Wallace was one of my good friends in VN. He replaced me as the DivArty senior advisor after I took over as asst. Div Senior advisor in the spring of ’70. Col. Ramos was the Senior Advisor during the duration of my tour which ended in October. Dick must have returned to the States after October, as I still have his signature on a gag gift given to me when I left. Haven’t though abut Kramer Compound in a long time…

      John Dynes

  95. I was with the 2nd ARVN, Chu Lai in 71-72. ASA, 2nd DARR program. We were located in the Navy section east of main area. We were there to help the ARVN take over 23 Americal Division…

    • Mike, I went back to Vietnam in April of last year. Went by the old site at Chu Lai. The main gate structure was still there and you can see some of the old aircraft and fuel bunkers, but that is about all. I send you a few pictures from there if you send me an email address. Ed

  96. For us history buffs, there are approximately 4000 pages of Daily Journals for Tm 2 January 70 through May 71 in the National Archives. (Record Group 472) . I am sure the other journals can be found nearby

  97. Thanks Mike. I was a PFC at the time and did not enter “officer territory” My first op was with a Marine LT and a Gunny by the name of Byerley or Birely, not sure of the spelling. Ed

  98. I was with MACV for a very short time. June of 1967. A month or so. My memory is bad. I was stationed in Tamky but soon shipped back to the First Marine Division as a replacement. I was a young Marine Lt just out of the hospital down in I Corp. I remember the evening poker games and a less than sane Australian officer. And a great compound. My name is Mike Hayden.

  99. Richard Ballantine, I’ve got a picture with both of us it. I was with 2d Recon and because of Bill Lonsdale an honorary member of the S-2 Section. Patrick Burke

    • looking for William Lonsdale. Specifically in reference to an ARVN named Tran Van Suong (known as ” Vinh”) an E6 or 7 who was awarded an Army commendation medal by Lonsdale (or any record of his service with Mac-V). Met Vinh in Hue a month ago. He’s looking for proof that he worked for us. Nice Guy.

  100. I was with Team 2 from May of 67 to April 68. I was an RTO. Did some ops with Marine advisors out of Kramer Compound, worked the radios in the TOC and did a stint with a field unit assigned to a FSB on Nui Dep, near Mo Duc. I was manning the radio shack in the TOC the night TET started. Got kicked out of the radio shack by the officers and manned the sandbags out front during the mortar attack. I was told to get in an APC and provide security for the Colonel when we drove back to the compound to get him. Can remember his name. His RTO at the time was Danny Ake. I also worked with a Bruce Leahy. Don’t remember the names of the officers in the field either, but the captain was a mustang and a good guy. Ed Thacher

  101. Tom , I was a radio operator at the toc in the2nd div. in Quang Nghia. Who took Col. Dean Hutters place as senior advisor? I recently read that Col. Hutter was questioned in the Peers report re: my Lai. Was he impacted by this?? Jim Gerst

    • Col H was replaced by another O6 – tall, thin – will think of his name soon. Peers report did not impact much on COL H – he was selected for O7 but turned it down because he wanted to teach business at the Univ of Hawaii – which he did for a long time. He then taught at Univ of SC and retired from that @ 10 years ago. Now he lives in Columbia, Sc and is a healthy 94 years young – swims every day. drives the crap out of his Cadillac and is enjoying life. We talk @ 1/month and I visited him last new year’s.
      There was a LTC Doyal, Hutter’s deputy, who was a difficult man – he didn’t like us guys in the field very much!! (read between the lines!).

    • Actually that big fight was on 1 March ’69, not 28 Feb. I believe the name of the o6 who replaced COL H was Johnson.

      Am still searching for SFC Don Logan.

      • Tom, if you’re talking about a Canadian American SFC who also went by the name Grumpy Logan, I remember him too. I was the RTO for the advisors tagged to the 5th Regt from 8/69 to mid-71 opposite Hawk Hill and then transferred down to Tm 2 HQ in Quang Ngai. I remember Don was there most of the time and if I recall correctly had been in-country pretty much continuously since sometime in 65 or 66. Like you, I’ve lost track of him over the years. LTC Cecil Henry was the regt senior advisor when I first got there – he’d transferred over from a battalion CO’s job with the 196th. Retired as a bird and last I heard was still living in Corpus Christi. Were any of the AATTV team members working with MACV when you were with the team?

        • nothing like losing this site for a few years!! logan was in Vietnam for 7 years when I got to 4/5 bn..he’d married a Vietnam woman, had some kids in his home in tam ky, and was there after I left the bn. I believe he stayed in Vietnam after the cease fire was signed in ’73 (while I was on my 3rd tour), and was presumably kia’d – along with his family – when the nva waltzed over svn in ’75.

        • Jack Tillman, I might have contact information for Cecil Henry if he is still vertical. I was a Rattler, 71st AHC, and flew mission for US and Australian Advisors when I first got to Chu Lai in May of 1970. The 71st had a regular mission, the “Tam Ky Taxi,” supporting the ARVN. I helped COL Henry with a retroactive award for his Rattler flight crew for action in the 1969 Hiep Duc mess. I also received a RVN Gallantry Cross, mostly for a two ship insertion of ARVN Engineers to blow up some trees for LZ Apple and LZ Aro when Kham Duc was reopened.

    • hi: col hutter was followed by a col Johnson who was followed by col day (I think). col hutter was interviewed by the my lai investigative committee and was cleared of anything simply because he was clean – the moment he heard of the my lai actions he informed the 2d arvn div cg, bg toan who informed his superiors. col hutter also immediately informed his macv chain of command. he was selected for bg soon thereafter but declined the promotion because he wanted to teach history at the univ of Hawaii AND RETIRE FROM THE ARMY..WHICH HE DID.

  102. I was Sr Adv for 4/5 Bn from Oct ’68 to Apr ’69. On my team was SFC Don Logan, WO Bill Dickey & an E6 I can’t remember. We were the 2d ARVN Div fast reaction unit and got thrown into a lot of hot stuff. On 28 Feb ’69 we went – by truck – from Tam Ky to just south of QN to stop a NVA regiment from assaulting the town – the night b4 they had hit the hospital in town/killed a bunch of people, etc. We went up against the NVA – fought all day – next night – killed 67 of them – captured bunch of weapons – followed them for 2 days & killed a bunch more/captured total of 5. 4/5 lost 126 kia/more wounded. One hell of a fight!
    After 3 weeks in the training center & receiving 300 new soldiers, we were CA’d into Antenna Valley – way west of Chu Lai…LZ Ryder..Lots of NVA who resented our intrusion on their turf!

    Anyway, WO Dickey died of cancer 3 years ago – I’m looking for Don Logan – retired as a MSG in April ’72. Anyone know where he is? Also looking for others who were there on Team 2 at that time.

    • I was replaced by Capt. Tom Hylan as the sr adv in October 68. He was sent home via japan after mortars hit them while medieval,ngai 4/5 troopers out at nite, at the northern bank of Tra Khuc I went back to the unit for few days until Cpy Caruso replaced me. Went back on another tour and found out Cpt Nam was Kia at a hot firefight w/nva. knew Bill Dickey, was on the team. set D. smith, Gunny Jim, SFC Torres. I had replaced Cpt McGrath.

      • right…hylan was wounded by shrapnel while evacuating other wounded on the hill oerlooking my lai…i replaced tom hylan as bn sr advisor…was there from oct 68 to april 69.

  103. When I arrived at Kramer Compound in June ’70 the sergeant major had a nighttime sport of using a crossbow against the rats. Arrows went sort of like “thing, thing” as they bounced back and forth between the concrete, the bunkers and the walls of the Seabee-built row housing. Even for a war zone that was a little dicey.
    The burger and milkshake stand certainly made Kramer popular. The Americal traveling Hwy 1 by truck and jeep would line up.
    What an E6 was in the kitchen! He was from Maine and bargained to serve oysters in a thick butter broth.
    QN was a difficult province. Especially poor and distant from Saigon, sympathies were often with the North. Many, too many trip explosive devices. In G2 we saw the reports: the Americal had a tough time. My condolences.

    • Was that Sgt Major Marvin Compton? He and I teamed up in the Doubles Horseshoe Tournament. We were really good players back then and won the tournament We later played against each other in the Singles and I won. He was upset and sort of turned against me, sore looser I guess. The next spring, ’71, he had them set me up to play him in the beginning of the singles tournament, he kicked my but. We teamed up in the doubles again and again we won.

    • Dick Ballentine, do you remember me? Spec 4 John Clement, at the time OB analyst under Capt Bill Lonsdale with Team 2. I remember you and Roger (Evans?) very well. I agree with you about the guy who ran the kitchen. For quite a while he managed to get steaks to BBQ every Friday night. Were you there for that?
      You can reach me by EMail at jclement64@yahoo.com. It would be fun to catch up.

  104. When I was RF/PF advisor on Team 2, we would go up with the FAC’s. We would put a grenade, with the pin pulled into a mason jar. When we saw a target we would drop the mason jar. Who said Advisor didn’t have bombers (ha).

  105. THE NIGHT GOD SAVED THE CHILDREN. On Christmas eve 1965, Charlie sent mortar rounds into team 2 compound from about 11:00pm to 4:00am. The next morning many of us went to the church in town. Six mortan rounds, 2 into the church & 4 in the children area & were duds.

  106. With Team 2 in Quang Nghia from April ’71 until we moved to Chu Lai with the 2nd ARVN in the fall of ’71. Stayed there until I went home in March ’72. Worked in Comcenter most of the time. Please reply if you were there then. Thanks.

      • I was there when adv team 17 closed down kramer compuond and moved downtown into 2 house as far as i know the flags and plaque were sent to cpt kramers family

    • I was on 2nd DARRS team at the same time. Got there in Aug/Sep 1971 until Jan 1972 when I got Medevac’d. Started out in Quang Nghia (remember the Typhoon and swimming to our site.) and was advanced party with Gary Yale to secure new ops area in Chu Lai. VC were moving onto the base because 2nd ARVN Div was so slow moving up. The only other Americans on the base were a supply SGT and a LT trying to find an ARVN to sign for the base propety book. They had to bring in 173rd ABN Bde units from Da Nang to secure the perimeter. They brought a Red Cross worker with them and he informed me that I had a new baby daughter as of 3 days before. That was a surprise. Also remember the night when the DTOC was overrun and then driving back the bad guys. Boredom to insanity in 60 seconds. Were you in the communications shelter? I think Mike Smart was called Max and drove me at night down to the MACV team area for MEDEVAC in Jan 72.

  107. I was on Team 2 in Jun ’65 to Jun ’66. The first 6 months I was RF/PF advisor. The last 6 months I was in Mo Duc. In Mo Duc we looked forward to Sundays. We would go to the hamlet & buy duck eggs. Then make cheeze omlets with spam. Beat rice & fish heads.

    • Were you on Nui Dep when you were in Mo Duc? I was an RTO there from Sept 67 to Dec 67, then back to Kramer Compound as an RTO in the TOC. Ed Thacher

    • Conan, I was the 68′ to 69 MAT Team in RF//PF and set up the town on Mo Duc. What the real after of my life. My NY license # is COVAN, I brought as a Vietnam # as a very movement name. Very good we brought close to your name.

    • Do you remember a Capt Fred Flueckiger. He was there the same time frame. 2 members of his advisory team were KIA on 7 Feb 1966. A Capt Lubavs and a W02 Jim MacDonald RAE AATTV

      Thanks

      • I was Assistant District advisor at Tam Key from Junr 1 To November and District Advisor at Thang Binh, Quang Tin Province. I believe McDonald was the Aussie that Team2 Advisors took up a collection up to send his remains back to Ausrralia. At the ti e all United Kingdom soldiers were sent to the nearest Kingdon territory. hat would have been Singapore at the time.

        This policy was changed after we sent him home to his family.

        All or us we’re proud to serve with the Aussies.

        Luke clark

    • I was advisor, with, Marine, Gunny Harrold D. Byerly. We were Luckly assigned to the 2nd Div Recon Company and Kicked off an operation from Tam Ky mid 1967. I remember the counterpart but my relocation of the American Advisors is foggy. Did you know Ecke he was our RTO on many operations. I have Bill Chase’s tel number if yo9u want it. 251 402-4687. Before the Recon company I was in Mo Duc Jul 66 until Oct-Nov when we were pulled back into Div Reserve. We operated to the east side also. I have the brass plate that was on the leather dies cup. Chase and Martinson were my contact in HQ. Worked for Ochs. Black Cats inserted us several times and we used their birds for training of the Recon Company.

      • I was advisor to ARVN 22d Artillery BN in TamKy. I knew Bill Chase (I’ve talked with on the phone several times) and the advisors to that ARVN infantry BN. I was a Marine StaffSgt at the time. I was there from August 66 till Jume 67. There was a Marine Sgt with the local RUFPUF, I can’t remember his name. I think he was later promoted. I was there when the BN CO was murdered by my FO. The CO took the shot to protect Bill Chase. The ARVN Colonel was one of the finest officers I have served with anywhere.

        Would be good if we could have a reunion some day.

  108. I was an rto for Adv. Team 2 in 1968 & 1969. I served in I corps for the 2nd ARVN Inf. Div. in Quang Nghia provence. I did not know there was another team #2 in Cholon.

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