Team 21 Pleiku

MACV Team 21 – Pleiku.

This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 21 located in Pleiku.

630 thoughts on “Team 21 Pleiku”

  1. i have to ask if anyone knows what happened to mad dogs smoking jacket at the nco club ive tried to find where it may be

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    • I was in the MACV G2 unit in Pleiku from 7/69 to 7/70 but I am sorry that I don’t remember that name. I can remember lots of faces but names after 50+ years just keep slipping away.
      I hope you can fine a connection on this site.

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      • Jim, MY Dad was there same time.
        Sp4 John Nix
        HHC 4th S&T Battalion 4th ID Camp Enari 1969-70
        DISCOM/USARV
        patrol team name: GOLD

        I also know James Paris. He posted somewhere on here. Do you happen to remember either soldier? Mr. Paris passed away last December. He was my friend. I miss talking with him. He told me his war stories. Idk what to do with them! Trying to contact his family. He wants his story TOLD. I just think his family should make that decision not me.

        Also, there was an incident on December 6, 1969 at Camp Enari. A Mortar round came through the roof of a hooch that had 3 soldiers sleeping in it. My Dad, and his Best Friend Sam were both on bottom bunks. Sp5 Gary L Hein was asleep on a top bunk. He did not survive. Does anyone remember this incident?…. or the names please and thank you.

        One of your PROUD Daughters🇺🇲,

        Laurie Nix-Colegrove

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        • Laurie,

          You mentioned Camp Enari in your post above. Just so you know, this Camp was not close to where MACV Team 21 was located and from my memories, (July 68 to Oct. 69) I don’t recall anyone from Team 21 mentioning it. Team 21 was located north of Pleiku with Camp Enari being south. Camp Schmidt, another 4th Division Camp was located just outside Team 21’s perimeter.

          Dave…

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          • If this was James Parish Sp4….. After Nam and a year at Ft Carson 4th ID I went Germany had a Sp4 James Parish in my platoon who had a 4th ID patch on right shoulder? A well built blonde hair young man good soldier. If same man, I served as defense counsel in a courts martial for him which we beat.

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          • He told me some WILD things. I have the screenshot of him talking about being MACV TEAM 21.🤷‍♀️

            I believe him Sir, the stories I have….you can’t make them up. You had to be there…I’m sure you can tell the difference. His stories are very detailed. He stated he was on a Civil Affairs team for 30 days. Could that be what he meant about Team 21? He was 525th M.I, as well as running Prairie Fire missions. Team Red. So was Sam, also Red.

            I even located and spoke to the Commanding Officer at Enari while my Dad was there. Mr. James Elshaw.

            His signature was on my Dad’s article 15. He back talked a Superior to him😆. Got his hand slapped.

            Respectfully, Laurie

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      • Kirby what year did you graduate from Ft. Holabird? I graduated in 1969. I was sent to Pleiku when I first entered Nam. I was then sent to Phoenix school and then to the Delta. Paul Hardin

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        • Paul, i graduated from Holabird 29 May 1969. Do not see your name on the graduation program so u were either before Jim and I or after.

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          • Hi Kirby, this Paul Hardin. I graduate from Ft . Holabird on 9-10-69. then to French language at Ft. Myers, Virginia and to Pleiku for a brief time at Camp Martha Ray.

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            • I was at Team 21 1970 – 72. I read these posts with interest but the strings are extremely difficult to follow (maybe it’s just my aging brain). i know that there are folks who are part of the MACV teams monitors or whatever the right word is. Can someone tell me a way to track either by thread or chronologically? it would be very helpful.

              Thanks

              Grant Callery

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            • I was at Team 21 1970 – 72. I read these posts with interest but the strings are extremely difficult to follow (maybe it’s just my aging brain). i know that there are folks who are part of the MACV teams monitors or whatever the right word is. Can someone tell me a way to track either by thread or chronologically? it would be very helpful.

              Thanks

              Grant Callery

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              • The order of comments is chronological based on the first date of a thread. For example if a thread was started in May 2021, a response to that thread made in February 2024 is put with the original May 2021comment in order that the response is put in context. The only alternative is to post all responses in chronical order but they would be out of context with the original comment. It is confusing so any recommendations for alternatives are welcome.

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      • Hi Kirby,

        Wow that is a place out of the past. Were we in the same class? I would have thought you have been a few months ahead. I would like to look at the list. How would I find it?

        I hope you are doing well. Thanks for touching base.

        Jim

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        • Hi, We graduated on 29 May 69. U were in class 69QV-14 Combat intelligence staff officer, I was in 69-T-17 Imagery interpretation (enlisted0.

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  5. After discovering this group earlier this month, I noticed and have already read the Pawns of Pleiku book (a must read IMO) by Monty Vogel and today I dug up some photos of my time at Team 21 from 7/68 to 10/69 and made a Flickr album that I’d be happy to share with anyone interested.

    One of the long forgotten photos was the memorial service for Sgt. Tom Sudlesky who was KIA in Sept. 1968. There are four with helmets on in the front on the chapel. I’m on the far left.

    There are 20 photos in total, all with captions, including the hi-res aerial of the Team 21 compound mentioned here and a Spooky time lapse from May ’69. No gore just memories.

    I wish I had some photos of the Montagnard Leprosarium we did some unofficial work at but never had the camera with me when we made our visits there from time to time. The memories are there though.

    Email me at: davelpg@outlook.com and I’ll send you the link to the photos if interested.

    Dave Gudewicz

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    • Hi Dave,
      I would very much like to get a copy of your Flickr album.
      We did overlap some in Pleiku as I was there from 7/69 – 7/70 and served in ll Corp G2 group. I will email you directly to get the link to your photos.
      Thanks, Jim Compton

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    • Strange that I came upon this post. I was looking at old newspaper clippings and letters from my uncle, Thomas Sudlesky, when I saw it mentioned something called MACV. I knew he died in Pleiku, so I searched “MACV Pleiku” and came upon this site. Lo and behold, the first post mentioned my uncle! I never met him since I was born in 1977. However, he has always been a big part of my family through stories and my mom’s memories.

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    • In 1970 the Fourth had just left Camp Enari (sp?) that i think was South of Pleiku neat Camp Hollloway. The only thing in view at that time was Artillery Hill as i remember it but i’m sure things were different before US troops started being withdrawn en masse.

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        • Wikipedia article mentions that Camp Enari was 12 km southeast of Pleiku. Also mentions a Hensel Airfield as part of Enari. Team 21’s compound was north of Pleiku if my memory is correct. My timeframe is ’68, ’69. Can’t post links here but easy enough to search. Based on what I’ve read I don’t think the name was Camp Enari.

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          • Camp Enari was 4th Div. base camp, I can’t remember name of Tm 21 area, down the hill from II Corps HQ. It was named after a PFC or SP4, who was killed in the early years of its existence. I was there Nov. 67-Nov. 68, in the security Plt.. under SSG Munger.

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            • Gordon gray?  Col grey?  I remember you.  As young LT as Det XO

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              • Just a lowly buck Sargent, my father was Col. Gray (retired in 1963). I have remember a few names, vaguely. I ran the movies, was CQ, maintained the weapons in the bunkers and communications to them and drew all the ordinance for the compound and Rf/Pf.

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                • I ran the movies during my stay (’68-’69) at Team 21. By time we got the movies they were usually fairly worn out with torn sproket holes that made for the “shakes” on screen followed by boos from the audience. 😉

                  One flick I remember was John Wayne’s (in his late innings) Green Berets. I was told the general was coming to see the movie and make sure to start when he showed up. He showed up, stayed for awhile then walked out. Terrible movie. 👎

                  Hadn’t thought about this for over 50 years, then I read a few posts here and these memories wake up from a long slumber.

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                • Gordon Gray – you *might* have been the guy that showed me the ropes for running the movies although that memory is more than a little fuzzy. Anyway, you probably finished your hitch then it was my turn to run the projector.

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          • After more poking around I think it was named Camp Schmidt. Found a photo of the camp with the very large tropospheric antennas in the background which looked familiar as they were fairly close to the Team 21 compound. The name Camp Schmidt also “rang a bell” after my poking around today.

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            • Bingo.  I think u r correct. Kinda fun poking around old memories as I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night but can recall Vietnam issues to the minute.  

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            • I think Camp Schmidt was the compound that bordered the MACV compound ( which I never heard that it had a name.) Camp Enari was the 4th Div. I think.

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        • Can’t remember off hand the Arty unit at Oasis but they were 4th ID for I was TDY there few weeks around 1/71 before LZ Lonely Phu Nhon battle. I was E-5 Engineer traveled entire Pleiku area extensively with my 1Lt. Based in Weigt Davis south of Pleiku on QL19 S I think. Always TDY on road out on jobs so many LZ,s firebases we worked moved on was 584th LE 20th Cbt Engr Bn. Any rate I know most Ivy patch boys were gone by early 71 but many still around. Patch worn everywhere. I went from Nam to 4th ID in Colorado. 14 years active duty.

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      • i have some photos of Artillry Hill from the Team 21 compound. Also a few of Camp Enari when we went there to scavenge some stuff (dont remember what) after the 4th had left probably late 1070 when we went.

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  7. Team 21 from July ’68 to Oct. ’69. When I arrived they didn’t know where to “put me” because my MOS was 22K20 – Hawk Internal Guidance and Launcher. I wound up in the Security platoon and worked in the R&U shop with the locals that came to work every day on the bus from Pleiku. Had my own jeep and bought stuff on the local economy used by the folks in the R&U shop. Filled my share of sandbags too and recall spending my 21st birthday on guard duty.

    A big project for the R&U folks was rebuilding the barber shop and adjacent newly arrived hootch that were both destroyed by a 122mm rocket one night with sadly several new in country that were killed in their sleep. Also recall being one of several that went to an OP that was blown up taking the life of Tom Sudluski (sp?) – his nick name was Sudsy.

    That said I was wondering if anyone here knows the back story to the compound we lived in. It was built, I think, by the French and was used as what I now wonder? I recall the swimming pool which was certainly not standard equipment along with other unique features. I’m guessing a resort of some sort but not sure.

    Also remember doing some unofficial work at a Leprosarium, which was located in a remote area, that was run by a group of nuns from Illinois. Our mess sergeant Fidelle (sp?) and others helped the nuns from time to time. I was from Chicago and was happy to help the nuns. I recall they wanted to learn more about a new skyscraper being built in Chicago, the Sears Tower, the tallest building the world when completed.

    Scott was the Top back then and Major Boroski was the commander with many others that worked at II Corp HQ.

    Thanks for reading and I hope to get one of those aerial photos of the compound mentioned here. If anyone has one, please send to: davelpg@outlook.com Thanks!

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  9. Hi Paul Volsky , Tom McGuffie here in Ft Myers Fl. Hope all is ok with you. We served together with MACV Team 21 in Pleiku from sep1970 toSep 71.

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    • Tom I was at Team 21 from June ’70 through May ’70. I noted your reference to Paul Volske in your posting. I tried to find a message from him in the string but the search came up blank. I was the legal clerk in the AG quonset and worked for Paul as well as Gene Harrelson and Rick Smyre (who i reconnected with through this site). I believe Paul (then Captain) helped me depart a bit early to try to get back to The World (as it was called) for my fiance’s college graduation although i didn’t quite make it. I’d love to connect with Paul or anyone from that group. Names i remember other than Paul are Charlie Smith, Sam Reed, John Staby, Alan Winchester. For more than that i’d have to test my aging brain. My email is gcallery1@gmail.com and i live in Bethesda MD.
      Grant Callery

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  11. I have a wooden crossbow that says David m carder sp4 oct 66 may 68 on one side brass plaque other side same brass says 2 corps advisory group pleiku Vietnam would like to know if anyone knows this person would like to return this to them

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    • You are an answer to prayer! That’s my dad’s bow. It disappeared when he died a few years ago. I’ll do anything to get it back! I have the quiver and bolts. Please get a hold of me.

      David M. Carder II
      702-588-1642
      safetdc@gmail.com

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        • Hello. I have been following the posts about the Montagnards with much interest.  I was Detachment XO 69-70 and we worked closely with them. Myself and fellow team members helped them build a pulley system with buckets to get water from nearby stream. We also provided  food, first aid and some weapons. I was at their village few times a week. When I left country the Chief  presented  me with a crossbow.  I actually slept one night in one of their stilted “homes”.  Wellll actually not much sleep.  Many great memories compared to too many bad memories with other situation.  I worked w First Sgt George Scott.    Bill Izzard 1 LT.  

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  12.  I was a 1st LT serving as “the every detail Lt” from jan 72 to apr 73. First at Artillery Hill and then at MACV Team 21. Notably one job I was in charge of the Chinese Nuangs, who guarded our perimeters. I escorted Ms America Ms Laurie Lee Shaefer 72 troop to the events in the Pleiku military installations. I was signal corps. I was there the evening when John Paul Vann was killed in a helicopter flying from from Pleiku to Kontum. Also wore the MACV patch.
    Pete Martinez

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  13. I was stationed behind II Corps HQ in some of the Pink Palace buildings. I was with A Co, 41st Sig Bn. We wore the MACV patch the whole time I was in Nam. Jan 1966 – Dec 1966. I worked up on Tropo Hill for a while, then out of a van on a 2 1/2. I also worked out of a night CP within some CONEX containers and also in a room in II Corps HQ building. I was a radio operator/morse code. I also did radio relay operations on Titty Mountain and at Special Forces A Team camps at Duc Co and
    Plei Djereng.
    I would truly love to get any pictures of the MACV 21 area or of the overall compound. I would also love to have a map photo of the overall area.
    Have many memories of my year there.
    Thanks for any help, info or pictures.

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    • Larry, I was in G-4, IIC Adv Tm 21 Pleiku from May to Nov 66 and bunked down below in that old French compound. The G-4 was in that small building beside IIC HQs. I had a Minolta 7S 35mm Camera and took color slides. I’ll look through them on Monday and determine if any would be appropriate to make prints to send to you. I was responsible for that (secured) Radio Van parked in front of the G-4 building. Will post a reply to you here on Monday or Tuesday.

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      • Yes in The Pentagon Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as the Cdr 502/101st following his IIC leadership. He had already left IIC when I arrived there in May 1966, but I met and chatted with him at his base camp in the Dak To area. I must say that I had and still have the most respect for Gen Mataxis, bar none, than any other officer in the U.S. Army and I had 21 years of active duty retiring as a Master Sergeant. Going through my slides and should have “hopeful” results by Tuesday.

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        • My father (then Major Bernard W. Dibbert) served with Gen Mataxis in Germany as a Co Commander and was recruited to II Corps to work with him as the Senior Sector Advisor. His counterpart was LTC Ba. On June 1st, he was killed in an ambush en route to Le Thanh. He General (then Col) Mataxis provided us a great deal of information, but specifics of what happened during the ambush are sparse. If you know anything about what happened on June 1st, or if you know anyone who does, please let me know.
          Michael Dibbert
          214-926-8464

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          • With regrets and respect, I have no information about the ambush in June 1966 that occurred shortly after my arrival, but I would gladly share if I did. Having spent six months in Saigon at HQ MACV and then to the Central Highlands in May 1966, it was an entirely different environment especially that first month or so.

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    • Hi, i served at II Corps HQ as night duty officer from Nov 7 to March 68 when I rotated. I lived in the old French compound. Initially I was battalion advisor to ARVN 37th Arty on the south side of Pleiku – Spent considerable time with projects that helped children of that battalion- a school and play yard.. My senior NCO was SFC Kimsey, a reknown “finder” of things that made much of the construction and acquisition take place. For example, the carpenters in the battalion used wood to make desks for the kids. It took three 105 mm round wooden boxes to make one desk. When needed, I would arrange to fire off several H&I mission from Arty Hill. Next morning we would have enough boxes to make some more desks. TET in 68 was difficult. Pleiku was almost over run. The ARVN 3rd Cav and its advisor (Jim Taylor) were in direct fire contests in the town square with VC. 4th Div gun ships finally helped turn the day on the south side of the town. Best scene I saw from II Corps HQ was a platoon of M-60s, buttoned up and moving fast along main route toward the town – the cavalry had arrived. I also flew back seat in Dusk Patrol O-1s every other night in late 67 and early 68. Tried to find the 140mm rocket sites that periodically aimed at the HQ, missed every time, but would drop on the airfield or near hospital. 37th Arty was stretched over much of II Corps – Pleiku, Kontum, Banmetout, Nhatrang, and up to the border with I Corps along Rte 1. I would arrange to get the commander and I on a chopper to see them periodically. Was chewed out by 1s Cav Divarty Commander one time for not participating in adjusting fires with meterolgy data. Of course, the ARVN had been firing from thos sites for years and could drop a round anywhere they chose.
      Brian McEnany

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      • Hey Brian, nice to see you post on here. I was your replacement at the 37th RVN Arty from 1/68 – 11/68. SGT Kinsey was the “go to” guy for much of what we needed to complete some of the projects you had started. In addition to what you had done, we built a “team house” at the Battalion and had started on building new dependent quarters for the Battalion. So, I got there just in time for Tet. Kinsey and I were in the field with a platoon of Battalion guns supporting the Rangers up in the mountains just before Tet. We got hit that night about 2 am. I recall you mentioning later that what sounded like a “stressed” 1st Lt was sending you radio updates from our position. I will never forget that night – it was like the 4th of July and Bastille Day all rolled into one. Hope all is well.

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        • Hi sent you the photo I had. I went back to the 2019 discussion on photos and saw your comment there also.
          Haven’t heard from any of the folks who we served with there but you never know. Be glad to connect up and perhaps now some more from the 68-69 guys will come out of the distant past. Cheers, Kirby

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        • Jim,if I am not wrong I think we shared a hooch with two other officers while assigned to G2-I was at the CIC. Is that you?

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          • Hi Bob,
            Yes that was me. Did you also work with Dan Schmidt in interrogation?
            I have communicated with him on this site. Very excited to hear from you and hope you are well .

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      • Hi Kirby!
        I’d appreciate a copy of that compound photo. I was signal support at Team 21 in late ’67 & thru Tet in ’68, Didn’t realize just how close we came to being overrun during Tet until I watched a documentary recently. Interesting times. My email: carney73@gmail.com Thank you in advance!!

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        • Hello Jack, my name is SP4 Larry Johnson and I was at Team 21 in 66-67. I was the radio guy for our 5 man advisor team to the 23rd ranger battalion. I would like to get some info from you on how to find the documenery you sai you watched showing how close the compound came to being overrun. I length in March of 67.
          Thanks for any help you can give.

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          • Hi Larry. As I said to Grant, I think this was the right one. It’s been many months. I also watched the Ken Burns documentary. I was with 52d Signal, assigned in support of the SF camp. My roomie was an SF corporal named Mike. We were down a path from the airbase, so this link may also be of interest.
            The war nobody wanted to talk about, so p, many of us bottled it up inside.
            I’m glad you made it home.
            Jack

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        • Hey Dave, did u work in the orderly bldg w Floyd Joshwic, Mike Canfield, and George Scott? I was Detachment XO
          LT Izzard
          Your name seems so familiar to me even after all these years.

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          • Thanks for your reply Bill and I did work for a while in the orderly room with Top Sgt. Scott who I really remember and I think I now remember you – amazing – after all these years. Major Borowski (sp?) too. Sgt. Fidele (sp?) the mess Sgt. I recall was from New York and quite the character (in a good way) as I remember. He knew a guy at the Air Base that helped out the nuns at the leper colony and that’s how I got involved. We brought a “borrowed” 100KW diesel generator from the Air Base to the colony which fixed their electricity problem although the details are now fuzzy.

            Long story but I’ll never forget what we did for those nuns in the middle of nowhere, doing what they did. I now wonder what happened to them. I haven’t thought of any of this stuff for decades until I stumbled on this site yesterday.

            I’ll close for now with something that came to mind (again amazing after all these years) about you. I vaguely remember I once said “don’t call me sir, I work for a living”, when a new arrival called me “sir”. You were at your desk and told me (in a nice way) “don’t say that anymore” or words to that effect.

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        • I was assigned to Team 21 February to September 1,1967 and did conscript flights with E-5 Sgt on the Caribou C7 weekly to Ankhe, BanMiThuot, Quinon, DakTo til I left. My buddy, Ron Johnson, flew on the Otter and died with the pilot in a crash the day before I left for home. I lost track of our small group of team members and would love an aerial photo of our camp on the side of the hill. Sp4 Ken Kraft anchorkraft@yahoo.com

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  14. When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!

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  15. Slow hand salute for my brother in arms. Unfortunately I was gone from Pleiku when he got there. I was there from 6/68 to 6/69. So sorry for your loss.

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  16. Hello, my Uncle served in WWII, Korean and Vietnam where he lost his life on Nov 06, 1969. His name was Robert A Dondero, CSM, Advisory Team 21
    It’s Memorial Day and I decided to look up advisory team 21 and it led me here. I was only 10 when he died but I remember him fondly. Just thought I’d commemorate him here with comrades.

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    • Hi Janet. I was at Advisory Team 21 at the same time as your uncle who I knew well. I was a 1st LT serving as Detachment XO as was responsible for all activities of the soldiers there. I recall the day he was killed like it was yesterday. Others returned from the mission but not the SGT MGR. I recall he was to leave the next AM for R and R in Hawaii and his wife was traveling there and couldn’t be reached. He was from Brockton Mass I believe. He was close to my First SGT George Scott who I saw many times after the war. He lived in New Jersey. Please confirm that you received this note. Where are you currently living. More later. This Like all the Memorial Days is a very somber time for me. I live w my wife of almost 50 years in Maine.

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      • Hello Bill. Thank you so much for reaching out. I didn’t expect any response. I was taken aback when I received one from a fellow comrade who knew him well. The last time I seen Uncle Spike was Valentine’s Day 1969 when he came to our home to check in on us when my father, his younger brother, was also stationed in Vietnam. My father was Air Force and was a Green Hornet there. He never talked about Vietnam until the last 10 years of his life when I asked him about the plaque he had hanging on his wall with a green hornet on it engraved with his name. He said he flew over 800 sortie missions into Cambodia, dropping off and rescuing intel personnel as a gunner. He passed away 5 years ago.
        I live in small town Oregon. I’ve been in every state but 2 by the time I was 14, ending up here. I’m hoping my sister joins this conversation. She knows so much more about our Uncle. She was in contact with another fellow comrade who knew him well, Samuel Hadley. He sent her pictures and some old video footage of Uncle Spike. (Everyone in the family called him Spike, the only name I knew).
        Again, I want to thank you. Your reply made my Uncle real.
        Thank you for your service

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        • Hi Janet,
          Are you in touch with your uncle’s daughter? My father died in Vietnam and I am a member of Sons and Daughters In Touch, sdit.org.
          Also, if your father’s death was related to his service you might look at VVMF.org/In Memory.
          It is good that you keep your uncle’s memory alive.

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          • Hello Wayne, my father (Wayne Dondero) retired many years ago. I was a teenager, so early 70’s. My Uncle’s wife Helen passed about 6 months after my Uncle. I never met her and I don’t have any idea what became of his step daughter. I just learned that she had a daughter prior to their marriage. My sister is who I contact for any info about our family history. Thank you for replying to my message here.

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      • Thank you…ALL OF YOU, for your service to our country….you are a huge part of what made America so great

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        • I’ve read your guidelines, but it isn’t clear to me how to post a question. I was with 47 RCAT, under 22 ARVN in 70-71. Am I starting in the right place?

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  17. Was in Pleiku as senior advisor to II Corps RF/PF Inspection Team approx 4/70- 10/70. We were part of OTF/ CORDS. I remember a Major Schiessel . There was a 1 star on the compound with us and an Officer’s club. Don’t remember much more although we took many rocket attacks.

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  18. I was curious if any one out there served with my uncle, sgt Thomas Sudlesky in 1968, he was with ADV TEAM 21, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, I would love to hear from you.

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    • Tom, my name is Gordon Gray and Tom was in our security plt. I was on the team with 1Sgt Scott, that went to the site with graves registration to identify and recover the casualties. Tom was a good soldier, I have visited him at the wall many times over the past 54 years.

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      • Hi Gordon
        Thanks for commenting and letting me know you knew my Unlce Tom. I put his information awhile ago and just saw your note. I would appreciate talking with you directly if possible. I have letters Uncle Rom sent my Mom and my Grandmother but he kept a lot out we assume to protect them. My Grandfather was never the same after Uncle Tom was killed. Any more insights I could share with my Mom too as she adored her brother. Again thanks for reaching out
        Tom Romanyshyn

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      • I REMEMBER A GUY FROM GRAVES REGISTRATION,IT WAS A TUFF JOB! I WAS WITH Aco.S&T Bn.4th.INF.DIV. I DID DISCOM 12 MAN PATROLS,DID 30 DAYS ON A 12 MAN CIVILIAN AFFAIRS TEAM.AUG.68-69.WE MAY HAVE PARTIED ONCE.WE WERE ALL CRAZY BACK THEN.AS FOR MY COMRADS,I WAS 1 OUT OF 37 TO SURVIVE,IT WAS HARD TIMES.WELCOME HOME.

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  19. My brother, Richard J McDonald, served in Vietnam with MACV Team 21. He was in Vietnam from about July 1968 to August 1969. Richard who lived in Delta Junction, Alaska for more than 25 years passed away December 24, 2018. Richard did not talk much about Vietnam except to briefly mention recovery operations and lots of guard duty. After Vietnam, Richard returned to New York State briefly and later lived in Utah and Idaho before settling down in Alaska, He was a hunter, a trapper and cleared land of trees for a living. We must remember all of our veterans.

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    • It was very nice to read your remarks. I was at that location from late ’67 until about June’68, after the main Tet offensive activity had quieted down. I too remember lots of guard duty, mostly overseeing the indigenous troops who were on the perimeter. Sometimes we’d find one sound asleep, basically leaving us unprotected. Some of those folks were dedicated to their assignments, but many were there for a little money and some food. The Montagnards in the area lived very simple lives for the most part. I think they were just waiting patiently for ALL of us, on both sides of the conflict, to go away.

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  20. Dear Warriors,

    I’m very new to this, please excuse me if my search has lead me to the wrong place.
    My uncle served in Vietnam twice, but has never talked much about it. Not at all to be honest…At the moment he’s being treated for severe PTSD. Eventhough he waited too long to get help, we are happy he finally made the step.

    So far the only information I have is that he was sent to Monterrey before he was deployed to Vietnam. He spent 6 months with Montagnards in the highlands near Pleiku. I’m guessing he must have been stationed at Plei Djereng Camp, but that is merely my hunch.
    His name is Peter Lehnecke, born in Amsterdam (The Netherlands).

    Thank you for all your help.

    Rae

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  21. Hello to all. My name is Curtis Rogers. I was a foolish young Infantry 1LT who volunteered to go north during the Easter offensive. My goal is to gather information from those whom may have served at that time. Myself and Captain Phillip Handley reported to the 2nd Bde Airborne TOC and were fielded to FSB Yankee on 7 April, 1972. We joined a Vietnamese Airborne company there. As ground observers we directed a significant number of airstrikes and artillery support, in particular, fires to support FSB Charlie, overrun on 15 April. Major John Duffy was a recipient of the DSC for his actions. A Ranger Battalion replaced the company which had become combat ineffective due to heavy losses.
    Handley returned to Pleiku and I was the sole adviser on Yankee. Handley informed me quite recently, that I was wounded on 14 April by a 105 round. No aircraft could be launched for a medevac due to heavy AA and 51 cal fires. On 24 April we were overrun or withdrawn (reports are conflictive). I remained with the Ranger Battalion (22nd) and we were relocated to Firebase Hotel. At this time the 2nd Bde was withdrawn and
    my last recollection is being in the village of Plei Te where we were in close contact with an NVA unit. I received a BSM-V device on 3 June from the Ranger Group. This is not to be a braggart; only to track what followed. I recall John Paul Vann “visiting” and believe there was a photographer present. I had a visit from a LTC who commented on my being jaundiced. Sometime later, quite sick from malaria, my initial evacuation was by way of a Ranger trooper on a small motorcycle on which we struck a tank trap. My “driver” was more injured than I, and I drove back to the CP. There I passed passed out and do not recall how I ended up at the 67th medical evacuation hospital. Of importance is that I was awarded a purple heart along with a OH-6 pilot who had been shot down in my vicinity. Questions: 1. Does anyone-pilot or Ranger adviser have any knowledge of these circumstances? 2. I believe General Healey pinned the medals on both of our pillows. I declined mine explaining to him that I had fallen off a motorcycle-only to learn from Handley, Major Duffy and a review of my medical records from the 67th evac hospital of the wounds sustained. Might someone have any information on this rambling account?

    Reply

    • I have no recollection of the event, I wasn’t there, but sitting here in my living room reading this I can say you are amazing and a thankful nation salutes you! Welcome home!! All of you guys were bad asses and I thank you from the bottom, and top, of my heart!

      Reply

    • Hello Mr. Rogers,
      My brother, Phan Mao, was in Pleiku during this period of time and he was seriously injured when a shrapnel hit his head. We know he joined the army and work as interpreter for MACV, he did not tell us much about his work at all. I wonder you him.

      Reply

    • I was with the 17th Aviation coordinator attached to MACV Team 21 G-3 Air, from Oct. 1970 to April of 71. The name doesn’t ring any bells. It’s most likely we worked in the mission control center. Please contact me at pcjewel@yahoo.com

      Bill Yates

      Reply

    • I was the Team 21 Assistant to the G3 Air Advisor and then the II Corps G3 Air Advisor replacing Capt George Finley, from November 1966 to early November 1967. The Sgts that worked with me in the TOC were MSgt Collins and MSgt Steve Biro, also one other Sgt whose name escapes me. Your grandfather may know them. Regrettably I do not recall your grandfather.. Do you know what was his job and his rank?

      Reply

  23. Hello,
    I brother worked as an interpreter for MACV in Kontum and Pleiku in 70-72 periods, I wonder if any of you recognize him. Is there a way to post a picture here?

    His name is Mao Phan.
    Best regards,
    Khai Phan

    Reply

  24. I was with MACV in I and II corp 1970-1972 when we stood down, John Baldwin, thankfully home and still fighting my memories

    Reply

    • Welcome home. I was with Team 21 (G2) from August 72 – March 73 (my second tour overall); first tour was with a truck company along QL19 between Qui Nhon and An Khe (Cha Rang Valley) and in Phu Tai (July 67 – January 68) and in I Corps based between Phu Bai and Hue. Thankfully, memories from neither tour bother me.

      Reply

  25. hello team 21. just came across this site. i read through most of the entries and saw only one name i knew: grant gerber. he and i worked together at the II Corps Interrogation Center. my name is dan schmidt. i was the senior interrogation advisor, replacing larry blalock in april 1968; i extended twice, leaving in april 1970. (i was in the st. albans naval hospital for a few months in mid 1969 recovering from a ruptured appendix). given my assignment, many of my closest contacts in-country were the vietnamese involved with interrogation i worked with captain matz. we all wore “US brass”, so our ranks were not known (to the prisoners at least). i travelled extensively by chopper within II Corps, particularly to the Tiger ROK and White Horse divisions, IFFV, bam me tout, and dalat. i interrogated pows at the 71st evac and in some tactical locations, but our primary mission was strategic; we focused our interrogation on sicrs (special intelligence collection requirements), including those relating to downed pilots i would greatly enjoy re-establishing contact with my team 21 colleagues. my email address is dan@des4adr.com. i also would greatly appreciate contacts from any of my counterparts. i exchanged letters with them for a few years after i left but that stopped once the nva took over the western highlands. i recently read about the horrific losses of civilian and arvn personnel while attempting escape over land to nhs trang.

    Reply

    • Hi Dan, I’m Bob Benton. Your post has answered questions I’ve had since ’71. I was a very young WO1 flying an O-1 out of Kon Tum and lived in a small high walled compound in the city guarded by ARVN. Yes, I was a stupid young warrior. I always think back to an individual who sometimes lived in the compound and I flew him on in-country missions occasionally. I remember his name was Hogan, perhaps an American Indian and wore “U.S.” insignia on his collar. I wasn’t entirely sure who or what he was military or civilian.
      I got to know him, I thought. He opened my eyes concerning life on the ground and what was at stake if you didn’t recognize all the threats. “Come on, a mechanical ambush went down last night” next thing I see is a stadium lined with bodies and locals lined up to see if they lost someone. “Don’t let those kids near your side of the jeep, watch’m and keep that cleaning rod at the ready”.
      My last recollection of him was happy hour at our compound’s “very mini club”. Many drinks later he emotionally told me just finishing interrogating NVA hospital personnel, but usually traveled in a small team of ARVN and others visiting villages. On parting he mentioned that sir wasn’t necessary because he was a sergeant.
      I was never sure if the stories were bravado, but I could tell was well educated, knew multiple languages, and he kept me out of trouble. Days later two planes, two pilots, one jeep, and our adult supervision, our SP5 crew chief closed Kon Tum and returned to Camp Holloway and I did not see him again.
      Your note gives me some clarity now, I guess he was a MACV Interrogator and …

      Thank you Hogan, seasoned warrior, keeping me straight and safely home, when many didn’t. Anyone know of him?

      Cheers, it always remains in my thoughts.

      Bob
      rcbenton@gmail.com

      Reply

    • Hi Dan and Others,
      I just came across your post and was pleased to recognized your name. I have seen Kirby Green’s name here as well. Kirby was in my Order of Battle unit as part of the G2 Advisory Group and I hope I can contact him.

      I was in MACV Team 21 with G2 staff from July 1969 – July 1970. I have not been in touch with anyone from my unit since I left country. I would welcome contact with anyone that was with Team 21 around that same time.

      I did have the opportunity to travel with two of my Ft. Belvoir OCS classmates back to Vietnam in 2010. We were celebrating 40 years since we traveled home together on July 4 1970. Unfortunately, the communist government
      will not let tours near Pleiku and the Mountanyard people. It was an amazing trip. Started in Hanoi and traveled all the way down to the Delta. Things have certainly changed!

      Dan, I will try to contact you by email assuming that this email still work after two years.

      Lt Jim Compton
      jcompton6five@gmail.com

      Reply

  27. Good day to all, and first and foremost, thank you for the service provided. My name is Jeff Gatwood, I am the youngest son of John Gatwood. He recently passed away on the 30th of December 2019. I obtained a copy of his 214 and on it was listed this team number along with other information. If any of you served with my father and would care to share stories with me, I would love to hear them or read them. I know he was also in special forces and served a total of 6 years. I can easily be reached via Facebook or via emailing WA9DDK at G mail dit com. Thank you again and God bless, Jeff Gatwood

    Reply

  29. Hi All

    My father served in team 21 from Sep 68-Sep 69. SFC Paul Richardson. Whatever happened over there, it wrecked him. He came back a shadow and passed away a few years later. He also served in Korea and WW2. Maybe it was all too much. I know the situation stateside when he came back really messed with him. Never got to know him very well. I joined in 1982 and did 4 years, most in Germany, as an 11B. Lots of our NCOs were Vietnam vets. Helped me understand some of it.

    God bless all the Vietnam Vets and I hope you live long and prosper.

    Paul Richardson Jr

    Reply

    • Marray, just saw your post due to a Team 21 notification. Thanks for your kind words, PAWNS OF PLEIKU has been selling much more recently, not sure why, maybe just bored veterans due to the Covid era…. There is a chance of a movie recently as well, not due to Amazon, just from a series of coincidences. Thanks again! Monty Vogel

      Reply

      • Monty – not sure I’ve seen the references to your book before. I was in the Team 21 AG office 1970 – 71. Have just ordered from Amazon. the Montagnard were a fascinating people. We had a young woman who worked in the compound and while driving her home one day i asked what she wanted in life. Her answer was a very sad “just to see my baby wake up without the sound of gunfire/fighting in the area”
        Best,
        Grant Callery

        Reply

      • Monty, just ordered your Pawns of Pleiku book and look forward to reading it. There was one paperback left on Amazon, so I quickly hit the Buy Now button.

        I was Team 21 from July ’68 to Oct. ’69 and one of the most interesting things I and several others did “unofficially” while there was help a group of nuns that ran a Leprosarium for the Montagnards somewhere (forgot location) in the Pleiku area. We brought stuff to them from time to time including a *borrowed* from the Air Base 100KW generator that fixed their electricity problem. Now I wish I knew more about them other than they were from an order in Illinois somewhere and I was a Chicago kid, thus the connection.

        Thanks for writing the book!

        Reply

        • “Pawns” is available to listen on Audible. Just got it since I’m primarily a book listener these days. Looking forward to the “read”

          Reply

  31. Daryl Bahma I server in Pleiku in 1965 with Adv Tm 21 and at Phu Nohn Dist south of Pleiku. Would like any info or picturs from anyone from that time period.

    Reply

  32. Hello my name is Nick Beemer. I found a knife/sword that belonged to a cpt. Oscar Roberts. It says from pleiku sector advisory team 21. 1967-1968. I was hoping someone could help me find some info on it if possible? I can send pics if it will help?

    Reply

    • Mr. Beemer: I was in Pleiku Jun67-July68 Would be interested in seeing the photo of the Knife/Sword it might jog a past memory.

      Reply

    • I worked with Captain Roberts and he was in charge of S2. I have no idea where any of my house mates {Enlisted or Officer} have ended up, except for my room mate who is now in Eugene, Or. I have a good memory of one of our monthly ‘hello – good bye’ parties. I/we had had quite a bit to drink, but I still had to get one of his reports typed up. I went to the HQ about midnight to type it up. What a challenge that was. Also, during TET he was hurt and wanted a Purple Heart, so that form had to be submitted, too. {2 different occasions}

      Reply

  33. There have been a number of posts about photos of the Team 21 area over the past several months. i know that you cant post photos on this site. would there be any interest in developing some sort of a photo uploading capability for folks who use this site? i dont know much about things like Dropbox and other sharing venues but maybe some of the readers do. Is it worth pursuing?

    Maybe the site administrator has some thoughts. it would be interesting to know why they prohibit posting of photos.

    Thanks

    Grant Callery (1970 – 71 – Legal Clerk AG Office – in Green Quonset)

    Reply

      • Does the site have the technical ability to permanently show a URL “sticky post” or photo icon button should we figure out how to share photos? – given all the teams I can see this as a bit of a project but an interest builder; and thanks for your work hosting this site.

        Reply

          • Hi Kirby,
            I just discovered your name scrolling through this website looking for a familiar name that served in Pleiku in ’69 -70.
            If I am correct, we served with the G2 in the Order of Battle shop down the road from ll Corps HQ. If I am right you might be able to help me with names and places that have escaped me after 52 years. Please contact me at jcompton6five@gmail.com. It would be wonderful to re-connect.
            I hope all is well with you!
            Lt. Jim Compton

            Reply

      • I served with MACV G5 @ II Corps Headquarters ’70-’71 with trips to Da Nang, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Saigon, Cambodia, and many of the Montagnard villages on a regular basis. I have many pictures

        Reply

        • Hi There Bryan,

          I spent part of my tour with the 191st Ordnance Battalion in Camh Ranh Bay. Did a lot of Gun Truck duty, but managed to get reassign to 17th Avn Gp in Pleiku. I arrived at the II Corps compound in October 21 1970. My title was Air Mission Coordinator MACV Adv TM#21 (G-3 Air). I have another post a little further down this list with a little more information about me and my tour. I returned to the States April 8 1971.

          I would be interested in seeing some of your photos, especially ones with people in them. I know there must be some of us who made the trip back, just to see what it looks like. The City itself has grown to over 458,000 in population. To tell the truth, I don’t miss it. But I will always be curious about what might have been. Just like my Dad, a WWII veteran, I didn’t care much for the politics. But I do remember some wonderful friendships and would like to find out how they are doing. There were good times and bad times. I myself believe my service turned an 18year old boy into a man. I will never regret it. Peace!!

          Reply

        • I’d like to see some pics. Send to: Donmcaghon@aol.com

          Served south of y’all along the border w team 67. More remote than your team

          Located in a district.

          I’ve got pics of our location and Montagnards etc.

          Thanks

          PS. I was drafted in w Roger Doyle, Cahill and Robert Hall whom served on your team, 68-69.

          Reply

        • Hey Bryan, this is Bill Izzard and unless there are 2 Bryan Harpers, we spent many, many late nights chatting about our backgrounds and what the future held. If this is you, I recall you telling me that you didn’t want anything to do with the family magazine business and you wanted to do your own thing. Curious how that played out. I spend 40 years in the financial services business in Boston am now retired in Maine with my wife of 50 years and a bunch of grandchildren. At Team 21 I was Deo XO, then for 5 months was advisor to the 68th RF/PF infantry battalion. I’d love to hear back from you !!!

          Reply

    • Perhaps the answer to the photo issue is for someone here to create a Team 21 Facebook page? I don’t have the time to monitor a page but if someone does……….
      Steve

      Reply

    • Hi Brothers and Sisters,

      I was in Pleiku from Oct 70 to Apr 71. I was an air mission coordinator for the 17th Aviation Group (Combat). I worked out of the MACV mission control central and lived in the compound with the old French colonial buildings. I was billeted in the first quonset hut from the entrance of the main building. My job entailed coordinating air assets with RVNAF for missions all over the II Corps. I was the only NCO and pretty much ran the whole show. I’m really stoke by finding this web page. I remember the compound and how we used to set out on the grass lawn when not working and roll up a big old pile of J’s and smoke them as the sun set over the mountains. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the names of most of my fellow soldiers. Besides we all went by nicknames. I do remember one pal, we all called “Stick” because he was so tall and skinny.

      I had originally transferred to the 17th AVN to be a door gunner. I was lucky they needed someone in Pleiku with a clerical background. While I was there, we experienced a few rocket attacks, but no one was hurt as far as I knew. It was a nice place and the scenery was great. The compound was only a small hill surrounded by high mountains. One mountain in particular was the subject of much conversation. The theories go like this. The mountain to the north of the compound was a NVA hide out and there was a division of NVA defending it. Others thought it housed a hospital. Whatever it was, from time to time during a lull in the action, the Air Forces guys would call in a A1 Skyradier bombing run on the top just to watch the fireworks.

      This is just some of the things I remember about the place. I could go on for ever. Anyway, I’m happy to have found this webpage. After all these years, I’m finally learning to live with that year. By the way, the first half of my tour was in Kam Ranh Bay with 191st Ordance Bn. I served on a gun truck team running convoys to Da Lat and Buon Me Thuot,

      And yes I would like a copy of the photo of the compound if it’s still available. I also have some photos of the times there and some of the people I served with. p.s. I noticed at least a couple for Wasington state. My email pcjewel@ Yahoo.com Name Bill Yates

      Reply

      • That would have been Chu Pong Mountain, where the NVA 95B Regiment regularly operated with the mission of interdicting convoy traffic moving through the mountain passes along QL 14 between Pleiku and Kon Tum.

        Reply

      • Hi Bill….I was an AG Cpt at MACV HQ, II Corp in Pleiku from June ‘70 through Jan ‘71. I live in NC near Charlotte. My email address is rlsmyre@aol.com in case you would like to connect. Warm regards. Rick smyre

        Reply

        • Hi Rick. Were you every in the G-3 Section or remember where it was. After 50 years it’s kind of hard remember the names. I was in the 17th Aviation Group down in Tuy Hoa, but I was attached to the II Corps G-3 . I worked with a Captain, whose name I can’t for the life of me remember, for the first 3 months there. Then I was working with a Major Wolfe in the control center. I have some pictures of the compound I can send you through regular E-mail. if you like.

          I’m kinda like you. I just found out about this site. And while it brings back many bad memories, it had some good times too. Since I was the NCOIC, I was able to be a lot looser than most of the guys. My email is pcjewel@yahoo.com. If you have any information about the place or pictures. I don’t know if any one has said this yet. But the best thing anyone ever said to was” Welcome Home” and thank you for our service.

          Reply

          • And we can’t say it enough! Thank you for your service to your country and each person living here and WELCOME HOME!!! You all did your job to the best of your ability, with honor! We are so appreciative of you.
            Cheryl Walden
            Daughter of Maj Ralph Walden
            Team 21 Pleiku 1964-66

            Reply

        • Rick, would you remember Roger Thompson, a 1LT, also an AG branch (he got that for making #1 in our OCS company at Benning)? I was on MAT Team 37 working out of LeTrung and Plei Do Lim, as well as Plei Krut up near the Kontum/Pleiku Province border. Roger was a good friend, and I can’t find him. He worked out of the HQ in II Corp in Pleiku City. His name in my book is Doug Thompson. We were there from May 1970 to April 1971. Monty Vogel

          Reply

          • Hello,

            My name is Pete Martinez. I was in Pleiku as a 1st LT from 72 through 73 April. I first was in Artillery Hill, the MACV 21 I remember Roger Thompson, a 1LT, #1 in our OCS company at Benning). I went to the same OCS Infantry company with him at Benning. He made Brigadier General. The class remains in close contact and frequently meet at Benning for their class reunion.

            Reply

  34. It is my understanding that my brother, Richard J McDonald, served in Vietnam with MACV Team 21 from about July 1968 to August 1969. Richard who has lived in Delta Junction, Alaska for more than 25 years passed away December 24, 2018. Rich (known also as Dick, Rich and RJ) did not talk much about Vietnam. After Vietnam, Rich lived in Utah and Idaho before settling down in Alaska, He was a hunter, a trapper and clear land of trees for a living. I am passing this information on to those of you who may have known him during his time in Vietnam. To all who served, thank you for your service.

    Reply

    • Cpt Albers was the Team OIC when I arrived in late 1970. You may have run into him there. Don’t know where the moniker “Diamond Jim” came from. Thanks for the reply.

      Reply

  36. I am Arnold Over. In April 1970, as a SSG, I was assigned to Tm 21 in Pleiku as the Generator and Air Conditioning Shop NCOIC. About November I was sent to DaLat as a Maintenance Advisor the ARVN 101st Combat Engineer Battalion. Over the years I did my best to bury memories but have been thinking more about my time in Country. This site is extremely interesting. As I read it, memories flooded back.
    While in DaLat my Team Leader was CPT James “Diamond Jim” Albers. We shared our team house with CWO Oklahoma Reynolds, who was assigned to the Logistic Support Base at the DaLat Air Field. The Enlisted guys from the LSB were billeted in hotel over a theater in DaLat. I remember the night a bomb exploded in the theater. No Americans were seriously injured but several Vietnamese were injured or killed. All of the Americans evacuated the building and then proceeded to rescue the injured from the theater. I could never figure out if we were brave, stupid, or simply generous people. Does anyone remember either of these Officers or the bombing?
    When I returned to Ft. Belvoir I started looking for a MOS that did not go to Viet Nam. I found the Army Nuclear Power Plant Operator Course and never looked back. I enjoyed a successful 27 year career, retiring as a CWO4 after returning from Desert Storm. But I am still working as an Hydroelectric Plant Electrical Supervisor for the State of California.
    There was no “welcome home” after Viet Nam but there sure was after Desert Storm.
    arnoldover@earthlink.net

    Reply

    • Arnold, thank you for your service!! You are all my heroes. Welcome home soldier!
      Cheryl Walden
      Daughter of Maj Ralph Walden
      Team 21 Advisor
      Pleiku 64-66

      Reply

      • I knew you Dad in Pleiku, did accompany him to Saigon to escort remains of those KIA in June 1 ambush.

        Reply

        • Hi Darryl ,
          So nice to meet someone that served with my dad! As with all of you, VietNam changed my dad, it had to of been hell. My dad was no stranger to war, it was his third one, but when he came home from Nam he was quiet and lost in his thoughts a lot. On the rare occasion that he would talk about it, after having a few beers usually, you could see the pain in his eyes and even the tone of his voice changed. He wrote us a lot of letters which I still have, about 100 in all, and most were very mundane. But after the ambush on June 1st, 1965 that letter was terrifying to read. I’m glad that you were with him when he escorted his dead and gave his after action report. I’ve never gotten to read the report but I have talked with the son of Lt Col. Bernard Dibbert who died in the ambush and he had read it. Is there anything you can tell me about my dads time there? I would be grateful to know I want to thank you for your service and Welcome Home soldier. I’m glad you made it back. I’m so proud of all of you. My dad died in his sleep in 1997 and his passing shattered all of us, his wife and 4 daughters, he was our hero, you all were! You can also email me at wilhelmc44@yahoo.com. Thank you for taking the time to write me back.
          Cheryl

          Reply

  37. My grandfather is looking for old friends, can anybody help me, help him? Here’s what he gave me “pleiku b co 4 med 4 div 68 69”

    Reply

    • Hello, I am currently in the area of ​​TM 21, PLEIKU 21, or plei do lim camp. Glad to have received information from veterans in Vietnam before. So if you want to find a friend, can give me more information I will help you if possible, thanks. Good health

      Reply

      • Chao, Bui, manh goi khong? Toi da la co van my, (MAT Team Adviser) toi da lam viec o Thanh Pleiku. My home base was usually Le Trung, but I operated out of Plei Do Lim for a month, 1970 – 1971. My Area of operations was most of the northern 2/3 of Pleiku Province, from Cambodia, Kontum, to Mang Yang, and just south of Plei Do Lim. If my wife and I came to Vietnam, I could use a guide like you to help me find old locations. I know it looks very different now. I also know they won’t issue a driver’s licence, I’d need a guide with a car. Would you be interested? Cam on ong nhieu lam! Monty Vogel

        Reply

        • I’m sure that all is different now, don’t ever want to see that place again. Would like to know you knew my team leader SSG Wilson or our interpreter we called Chuck.

          Reply

  38. I recently complained that as scrolling down the site the text goes to single vertical lines and blank spaces. Now I found if I turn my phone horizontal all the text comes back correctly. My mistake. Thanks for your site!

    Reply

  39. Can’t post photos…have just had an air recon photo of II Corps/MACV compound digitized. If anyone wants the file attached to an Email, let me know.

    Reply

  40. My name is Byron Malveaux and I wanted find anyone who served with MSG Felix Malone who was killed in 1971. He was my great uncle who I did not know. Just wanted to find out what he was like. I am also a Army Veteran and I have the utmost respect for Vietnam Veterans. In my opinion you were considered the enemy in Vietnam and sadly you were viewed as the enemy when you came home.

    Reply

    • Byron, Rick Irvin here. I was clerk in the G2 office with MSG Malone from April to August 71. He was a great guy. If you scroll down this site to August 2017 you’ll find several posts from people who knew him. As you scroll down the text goes to single lines and blank spots but keep going it opens up again. MSG Malone was well respected by everyone who knew him.

      Reply

    • Bryon,
      I posted on this sight on August 25, 2017 about the sadness of MSG Malones loss. MSG Malone no doubt was a man of high character and a true soldier. He was working up at the headquarters building and his living quarters were on Team 21’s compound below where he worked. Walking distance for sure. The rocket attack that night resulted in his living quarters to take a direct hit of I recall. I was assigned to the Security Platoon. I was in my living g quarters and when the first rocket hit, made it to the bunker. We all knew the results of that night attack would be probably the worst in days. When we all heard MSG Malone had been killed, really caused much emotional stress on all of us. He had shared with me about going home and believe seeing a son in college. Matter of fact he (I think) was on extension to has a little extra money to put toward the cost of college. Great man for sure. When you speak of his sacrifice do so with much vigor and appreciation. He was on of those who “Gave All” and I nor we should ever forget that or the man. Hope you get good feed-back in your efforts. Good luck!!!!

      Reply

    • Byron,
      Like Rick Irvin, I remember your uncle with great fondness and respect. I was the Second Regional Assistance Command MI briefing officer in 1971, and worked with MSG Malone. Fortunately for me I was on R & R when the rockets hit that day in September ,1971. The one that killed your uncle hit on a path that I walked on at least twice a day, as I recall. I also remember that there was a major, whose name I fortunately do not recall, who balked at accompanying MSG Malone’s body to Cam Ranh or Saigon for return to the States. Colonel Pahl, the S-2, straightened that major out very quickly.

      Reply

      • Billy, Rick Irvin here. I was clerk in G2 from April to August 71. Your name sounds familiar but my memory is a bit cloudy. I was still on the compound when MSG Malone was killed.

        Reply

      • Billy: I was with MACV Team 21 in 1971-1972. Were you there during the time frame? If memory serves me, you were from Oklahoma.

        Reply

        • Bill,
          Yes I was there during that time. I am from North Carolina. There was another guy with us that was from Oklahoma I think. His last name I believe was Fouts. Send me an email (crane1947@gmail.com) and we can catch up. MSG Flix Malone was one of the finest soldiers and man anyone could have ever known. Look forward to hearing from you. I worked with the Chinese Nung security folks.

          Reply

    • Brian, I didn’t know MSG Felix Malone until the B-40 rocket attack on September 21, 1971, as I wad in the adjacent quonset, ran to help when his hut was hit. I was with him as he passed. He was a goid man; I tried to contact the family in CA a few years later but never received a reply. Suppose still grievong.
      clydekirk@hotmail.com.

      Reply

  41. Hello, I am wondering if anyone served with my father, SFC Calvin Brown. He was there with Adv Tm 21 Mar 1968- Oct 1969 as a medic. Any memories or information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

    Reply

    • Hello to Janice and anyone looking for info in the March 1968 to September 1968 time frame in Pleiku. I am seeking information from anyone who knew my cousin, Sgt Thomas Sudlesky, from Gibson, Pennsylvania. He arrived in March of 1968 and served in a security platoon. He was killed on Sept 21, 1968, in a rocket attack on an observation post. We just marked the 50th year of his death. I have the names of some of his Army friends but do not know if they are on this site or still with us. Do anyone know how to trace members of this team?

      Reply

      • Hi Judith , Tommy Sudlesky was also my cousin and as a vet myself I would be interested in his story , I was born in 67 so have no recollection of him , only respect , my grandfather was Walter Sudlesky

        Reply

        • Hello, Michael! I keep trying to find someone who served with our cousin Tom Sudlesky, but as yet I haven’t succeeded. Let me know how to contact you directly and I’ll share what I know. All the best, Judith Kelly

          Reply

      • My name is Gordon Gray, I served with Sgt. Sudlesky n 1968, we were both in the security platoon. I, along with 1sgt. Scott and several others were tasked with identifying and recovering the bodies on the OP, after the attack.

        Reply

          • As much as I would enjoy talking with you, after 54 years, my memories of most names have escaped me. I remember Tom, and a few others that I interacted with. Most of my work was done pretty much alone or with various senior NCO’s. I am embarrassed to also admit that I drank a lot in my off duty time and did not form many lasting friendships .

            Reply

            • I was Det XO and worked daily w George Scott. Others in HQ were Floyd Joshwick, Mike Winfield. We all remained close friends for many years after the war and usually had a yearly reunion. I was MC at 1ST SG Scott’s military funeral in NJ. Yes it was crazy times but with many fond memories. I replay them often. And yes, many names from this blog are a bit fuzzy.
              Keep the notes coming and thanks for reaching out.
              1LT Bill Izzard

              Reply

              • Bill, I left Pleiku in Nov. 68 to ETS, as I had only 2-3 weeks left in service. I cannot remember the major, who was detachment commander, very well, even though I saw him every morning. I would go from CQ, to the orderly room to man the phones until Spc. Carr and Top arrived. During the day, I inspected the bunkers, weapons, drew ammo, etc. in the evenings, I ran the projector for the movies. As you know, our security plt. We’re all assigned to various duties. SFC Munger was our Plt. sgt and headed the team that manned the OP. After the attack that took Sgt. Sudlesky’s life, There we’re reports of weapon malfunctions, that haunted me for years, even though I personally went through each one and function tested and fired them to confirm. Spc. Sheneman, was a survivor and I reached out to him several years ago and he asked not to be contacted anymore. Sht. Everesto Ventura was my roommate when we made E-5. I believe Spc./Sgt. Richardson, (Bill) became the lifeguard, after we finished the pool. I was CQ, the night Spc. Norton,(Gen. Barne’s driver) fell Al sleep on guard duty and was court martialed.. I do not remember the duty officer who caught him. I was the POW guard, for the sod cutting to cover the bunker line and to build the putting green. 1Sgt. Scott gave me about two hours, during this time, to clear records for out processing. I was not on his list of “favorites”, due to an incident that has caused him embarrassment, a month or so prior. I am about a month or so away from 79 years old now, and have pushed a lot of memories I had forgotten , or never heard, when the compound was destroyed.
                Sgt. Gray

                Reply

              • Hi Bill
                I appreciate hearing you served with my Uncle Tom Sudlesky. Any info about him is much appreciated. I have letters he wrote my Mom(his sister) and my Grandmother and would share. I would lasso appreciate talking directly with any stories too. I am named for him and only knew him young and faint memories but from my Mom’s memories he was a great guy.
                Let me know if you would be open to sharing anything directly and I’ll share my email or number.
                Thanks again for this and your service.
                Tom Romanyshyn

                Reply

        • I was also one of the group who recovered and eventually ID’d the bodies at the OP. Just learned about this site yesterday and am reading through >500 notes. Tom’s nickname was “Sudsy” as I recall.

          Reply

      • A Sgt McDonald, who was the mail clerk, talked about him a lot. They were evidently very good friends. I arrived In Dec 68 and Mac would tear up when he talked of him.

        Reply

  42. Not sure if anyone can help but I am looking for someone that was in Pleiku during 1959-60 time period and went by the nickname “Little Hen” or “Little Ken”. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

    Reply

    • He may have been with an Army of the Republic of Vietnam unit as an advisor and not at II Corps HQ. Has he ever mentioned where he was quartered, in the MACV compound or elsewhere? That might jog some memories here.

      His discharge would seem to entitle him to a disability pension. Does he receive one? If not contact the Disabled American Veterans and they will help you look into it and file a claim if warranted.

      Reply

      • He can’t remember and they are having a hard time locating his service records. For the first time as of May 2018 we began to apply for disability benefits. He was diagnosed with servere coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, hypertension, among other medical health problems. He currently receives Aids of Attendance which started in 2016. So he does have a claim pending as of now..

        Reply

        • The DAV will have a local chapter, check on line, or if you prefer call their 800 national number. Tell them you have a case filed and need their assistance in having it resolved as your father is ill. Tell them his ailments and make sure you include that he has prostate cancer which is considered a disease caused by exposure to Agent Orange(If you served in Vietnam you are automatically assumed to have been exposed.) Their service is entirely free and they are really good at what they do, I’ve used them myself. Not sure what your dad will receive but a freind has a 100% disability rating, this is tax free, as he too has prostate cancer. BTW they may ask you/him to sign a power of attorney so they can represent him, I’ve done this and it makes life simpler. They do not collect a cent when he receives his disability payment which started the day you filed and will therefore contains back payments.

          Reply

          • Ok I sure will and thank you so much for everything. He also have coronary artery disease(heart disease) which I see is also a presumptive of Vietnam. I will let you know the outcome of everything. And again thank you from myself and my father.

            Reply

  45. I’m looking for anyone who possibly served with my father Willie Lee Stephens from 1966-1967 in Pleiku Vietnam…he stated the departed from Hawaii early 1966 to Pleiku. He don’t remember too much so would like to know if anyone out there that’s knows him to enlighten my family with any information. Thanks

    Reply

    • If you have his DD214 can you tell us exactly when he was there and what was his MOS? That will help narrow it down. If you do not have it you can send away for it.

      Reply

      • I have the DD 214, which this on is from his 2nd term he entered 2/12/1965 to 7/13/1967. Foreign an or sea section stated 1year 1 month 24 days. And In the 30 remark section states Hawaii & Vietnam. He told me they departed from Hawaii to Pleiku and he was there for a year + then he was hospitalized for a month while over there and then brought back to united stated and went under psychiatric treatment and was then approved for early release due to nervousness, anxiety, etc.

        Reply

          • My grandfather was never in GA. Stateside he was always at fort sill, OK. He was in Vietnam sept-65 to Sept 66. He was awarded the bronze star and I’m having a hard time locating which team he was on. I have pictures of many of the buildings when stationed in Vietnam, however none of his records state a MACV team name. Just says HQMACV

            Reply

        • USARPAC means US Army Pacific, headquartered in Hawaii but involved with army units throughout the Pacific area. K might mean Korea.
          When I was at team 21 (June 65 to May 66), I was breifly assigned as orderly to General John K Waters, USARPAC commanding general during his tour of II Corps.

          Reply

    • I served there from 66 to april 67. I was attached to the rangers andI lived in the main compound just below iI corps HQ. What was he assigned to?

      Reply

            • Reason and Authority- AR 635-212 SPN 264
              Last Duty Assignment- DET SPD USAS/TC 3D US Army
              PVT E-2
              Home of Record – 231 Empire Way E, Seattle Washington (King) 98122
              Selective service date service number 1/37/39/709
              Selective service local- 1B #37 Birmingham Al
              Specialty number- 11B20 Lt Wpns Inf
              Net service- 2yr 0 mon 7 days
              Other service 4yr 3mon 2 days
              Total 6yr 3 mon 19 days
              Total active- 5yr 0 mon 16 days
              Foreign and sea 1yr 1 mon 24 days
              Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device 1960, 1 o/s service bar
              Education and training- ATP 21-114, code of conduct, Nil Justice Tag

              Reply

                • Hey Lee, I no not know you but have been following the recent posts. I was HQ Det XO, Team 21 1969-1970. For what it’s worth I never heard of such a position as “Moderator”. I knew the 2 Corps Commander Col Barth and the heads of G-1 thru G-4, but no moderator. I have asked some of my old buddies from Team 21 and they all agree, no moderator. Be well.

                  LT Izzard

                  Reply

                  • Bill, I think Lee was referring to the moderator of this website. I watch too. I’ve wondered why when you scroll down it goes to single lines and blanks before reaching posts from a year ago. Still glad I found this site. Later.

                    Reply

            • Remarks- 1yr of High School General
              Blood Group A
              Item 22c: Hawaii & Vietnam
              Par 9 Ar 601-210 applies
              Separated from service on temporary records and soldiers affidavit

              Reply

  46. Looking for info on a Roger G Doyle, fm Westfield NJ, 1968-69.
    Was inducted w him, went to Ft Polk together and we received orders out of AIT for MACV.
    Allot of others were ordered over as direct replacements to the 9th Division.
    I was assigned to Tm 67, as radio operator near the S end of the ‘Trail.’

    Reply

  47. I am trying to find anyone who was in Pleiku in 1965 and knows anything about the ambush on June 1st.

    Michael Dibbert

    Reply

  48. Can anyone explain how the comments are organized? they don’t seem to be by date or by person. Is there any way to view them by date?

    Reply

    • If someone starts a conversation, all comments related to that conversation are bundled together. For example if a commentary was stared in October 2017, a response submitted in March 2018 would be bundled under the October 2017 initial comment date. The site had a choice of this method or posting all comments by date made and found it easier to use the former method.It would entail digging through comments either way.

      Reply

      • Is there anyway the site can be pulled together. As you scroll down the text goes to single lines and blank spaces before reaching posts from a year ago. Most people who find the site probably miss a lot of content. Thanks for having the site regardless.

        Reply

        • we had two options for the site format: 1. chronological order where the newest posts come first at the top of the page so for example all 2018 posts would be followed by 2017, 2016…posts regardless of subject ; or 2. combine all responses to a “first” post on a subject (e.g. anyone remember the attack…) and run a string. If the first post was in 2016, any responses to that comment are grouped with the original. So posts made in 2018 to an original subject posted in 2016 would be combined with all responses to the “first” comment ,made in 2016.
          Either option causes readers to do some digging as you pointed out. We thought that option 1 caused too much confusion because no one would know what a comment made today related to if it wasn’t tied to the original comment made a few years ago.
          We also never thought that we’d have over 15,000 comments.

          Reply

  49. Sorry for previous almost unreadable msg. Old and fighting variety of illnesses. Think a lot about those times good and bad.. If Phil McMillan or bill struna read this put a msg on. Meant 69 to 70 and went from pleiku to ba GI from TM 21 to TM 22. Thanks all.

    Reply

    • HI Dick, yes. It is the same Phil you went on R&R with. Still have some fun pics from that trip. Last I heard you were with the CO state police. I assume you have retired now. If you like you can reach me at jcc213@yahoo.com. I also have some pics from out time at Team 22 (including some of us writing names on the roof of the barracks.

      Reply

  50. I was with team 22 and then at team 21 in bagi in 79 and 70. Is Phil Macmillion the same as the. Phil I went on r and r with to Taipei? Also does anyone remember Bill Struna who was wounded in rocket attack in 1970? There was several of us heading to our alert stations when the mess hall was hit along with the tower near the gate.

    Reply

  51. Hello My name is Nick Sinopole I was stationed at the HHD 43rd Sig, Bn next door to MACV 1969 to 71, I was the wreaker operator in the motor pool, I was on guard Duty the night MACV mess took the rockets, I was at the front gate of the 43rd compound and was looking out towards the MACV compound when I heard the rockets coming in, after the impact ( just a little past mid night ) I called in ( incoming) but our wonderful OD did not believe me until the whole damn rear perimeter line lit up the field phones. Very sorry for the KIA’s.

    Reply

    • Hello Nick. I was motor pool mechanic on that motor pool from 1970 to 1971. I do have a picture of me beside the wreaker

      Reply

    • Hello again Nick. On my previous comment I did say I was mechanic on your same motor pool. It is true but not on 1970. On 1970 I was motor pool mechanic in the 175th Signal Co in Kontum and was transferred in 1971 to the motor pool in Pleiku where the motor pool sgt was an African american that was between 40 to 50 years old.

      Reply

      • Hi Jose, Yes the Motor SSgt was SSGt Means I believe He was from Alabama I left the Company in May of 1971 . I spent a lot of time in Kontum, We probable met up there a time or 2. Do you remember Having the 175th Wrecker being towed to Pleiku for repair !! I was the one who dragged it down to Pleiku!

        Reply

          • the ones whit o were shot up I believe south of Pleiku. one was 2 weeks in country and the other had 2 week or so to go Home?? I Towed the truck back to the 43rd motor pool, I cant believe they wanted to rebuild that truck and put it back on the road again!!

            Reply

            • It was a vehicle crash. Theirs name were Bentley Thomas and Waldemar Grzeskowiak. I did put the deuce o deadline because brakes failures. I did replace the hydrovac but the problem was not fixed so I decided to put it on deadline. The Company Commander went over my decision and gave permission to used it. After November 10, 1970 in order to keep my mouth shut I was under harassment and more lately sent to Pleiku where I stayed few weeks and then I was sent home.

              Reply

  53. Rick
    I was a 20 year old 1st Lt with team 21 in 68-69. Strange times for all of us but grateful for those of us that made it home. I was in Pleiku in 2015, absolutely nothing was the same. Pleiku is a big city, all the way through Kontum to Dak To.
    Be safe
    Pete Lawrenson

    Reply

    • Pete, thanks for your reply. I’m sure the earlier times were worse. thank you for your service. A Lt. In G2 was injured in Sept. 71 when MSG Malone was killed by the rocket. I think his name was Machette. I wasn’t in the office by then. God was watching over all of us who made it through.

      Reply

      • Rick,
        Bill Crane here. MSG Malone ‘ s name was Felix’s. It was September 21, 1971 when he was killed. I don’t think my email will post in this comment. So, let’s try this and you will have it.
        crane1947@)gmail.com

        Reply

        • Bill, that’s the e-mail I tried but I’ll resend. You’re correct on the date of the rocket attack. I think there were 3 hits that day. You’re right about Capt. Sovine being CO. I had several discussions with him.

          Reply

      • Rick, I was the 1st Lt, who replaced the Lt who was injured in the rocket attack. I commend you for remembering names after all these years. MSG Malone was a good man,a veteran of 29 yrs and as he told me he was on his last tour to help put one of his daughters through college.I had just arrived in country and I asked him how things were and he told ,”Sir it’s going to be just like your tour in Germany”. A week later he was dead. I stil feel bad about it. I was lucky to have escaped injury because I had just left the quonset hut about 10 min earlier.
        I was still there for the Easter offensive and on duty the night John Paul Van was killed traveling to Kontum.

        Reply

        • Paul, thanks for your reply. Do you remember names of the LTC and the Major in G2? I’m not too sure on names but I think Ralph Machette was the LT that you replaced. I stated before that a friend and I were on the walkway just past the G2 office when the rocket hit. We were knocked down by the blast just past a stepdown and the shrapnel went over us. One guy in the first barracks was hit but not seriously. We got a total of 3 rockets on the compound that day. I still think of MSG Malone. I guess I was blessed to be there when I was, kinda like the eye of the storm because I know it got bad in spring 72. Thank you for your service.

          Reply

        • Here it is March 2018. Many of us posted back in September 2017 about MSG Malone being killed in the rocket attack on Team 21. I, like many of my brothers will never get over that day / night. But brothers, MSG Malone was a soldier”s soldier. I today can reason some of the things that happe; his death will never leave my mind. The same holds true when SFC Fredrick Jones was ambushed and killed when the damn QCs from POW Camp at Pleiku let some prisoners over power them and took their weapons
          SFC Jones was on of the advisor assigned to TM 21. Yep another screw up and a fine man lost his life trying recapture the POWs. Jones like Malone had a very short time left. All the many post on this site truly makes it clear; no matter when you were with TM21 or what your MOS was everyone of us are very close and have many fond memories of our tour(s). May we never forget!!!! Blessings my Brothers! Bill Crane

          Reply

      • I was there in sept 71 when we were rocketed .we were up next to those big antennas.and our barracks were with some Green Berets . I wish i could remember the ones name , think he was Italian and a lawyer too. Great great guy !

        Reply

        • The big antennas were part of a tropospheric scatter site which we used to directly with higher headquarters. In the G3Air Advisor section we used the site to convey Arc Light targets to not only the various B-52 bases in Okinawa and Thailand but also to MACV the Pentagon and the White House. The antennas projected your voice and message to the troposphere and scattered to be reassembled by other sites. We were told it could not be intercepted. You had to have a Top Secret Crypto clearance to use them.

          Reply

    • Pete, I’d love to see Vietnam now. It is a beautiful place. I’ve seen docs on TV and I don’t think the people cared about politics as long as the war was over. I’ll never get back again but I hope the country stays peaceful from now on. I hope all my friends there are doing well.

      Reply

      • Rick
        I don’t think the earlier or later times were easier, the manner of the war shifted. I was in Dak To in May 69 when the G5 LTC got killed by a rocket when his chopper landed. Don’t remember his name, I didn’t know him.
        In 1998 I met a former NVA soldier that actually fought against us in 69. Small world.
        Be safe.

        Reply

      • Long Vuong, I knew Capt. Evans. I was with him when the 11th Ranger Battalion entered Pleiku during Tet Offensive Jan.’68. As we entered Pleiku, he was KIA.

        Reply

        • Long Voung – I knew Cpt Evans and was advising the 37th Artillery Battalion (ARVN) in support of the Rangers up in the mountains at the time. We were dug into a position about a mile from the Ranger Battalion HQ the night of Tet. The next day, when things had quieted down in our area, I went over to the Ranger HQ only to find out that Cpt Evans had been killed. I believe it was by a B-40 rocket that exploded near him as he was entering a building. Cpt Jenkins was at the HQ at the time and he is the one who told me. Cpt Evans and I were in the MATA course together at Ft. Bragg.

          Reply

        • Hi Bill
          Now is 50 years after The TET OFFENSIVE.
          Capt EVANS was my advisor that time (The 11th Battalion of ARVN Ranger in Pleiku)
          On the TET Day, Don and I commanded the 1/11 Company fighting for the recapture the military camp in the center of the Pleiku City.
          Don was killed, I was shot , wounded.
          I kept his field jacket bearing his name as my field blanket for years, until May 1969.
          May 69 my unit was overrun, I got wounded again, and asked air strike right on my head.
          After that, I was survived also 3 Americans advisers were survived, but the field jacket was lost.
          If someone knows Capt Evans, may know Lieutenant Bailey. Bailey was Don’s assistant?
          Thanks for replying

          Reply

          • Thank you very much for the information. I am wondering if you knew of my counterpart in Pleiku 1967 – 1968 – Thieu-Ta Pham Te Chuong. He was the Battalion Commander of the 37th Field Artillery (155 Towed) and the Battalion HQ was to the west outside of the city. We had platoons of guns over northern II Corps since we were a Corps Artillery Unit (Dak To, Kontum, Pleiku, Tuy Hoa, etc.). I have tried to find him but have had no success. Perhaps you or someone else who reads this post will have some information.

            Thank you for your service to your country and for your sacrifice. Bill

            Reply

            • At the same time. same place, I was shot down by AK 47, Don and my assistant, Lieutenant Luu Danh Rang were killed by B40 and AK47.
              There were about twenty AVRN Rangers died during the fighting that day.
              I knew Chuong (Pham Huu). In 1975 he was LT. Col Battalion Commander of the 69 th Artillery .
              Chuong was put into the P.O. Camp after the war for years.
              He is living in Viet Nam now.

              Reply

              • At the same time, same place, I was shot down by AK 47, Don and my assistant, Lieutenant Luu Danh Rang were killed by B40 and AK47.
                There were about twenty AVRN Rangers died during the fighting that day.
                I knew Chuong (Pham Huu). In 1975 he was LT. Col Battalion Commander of the 69 th Artillery .
                Chuong was put into the P.O. W. Camp (Reeducation camp) after the war for years.
                He is living in Vietnam now.

                Reply

            • Bill, after so many years; a lot of things I find tough to recall; mentally i think they are there I just can’t locate them. I was Captain Evans radio operator with the 11th Ranger Battalion. I was with him when we entered the city of Pleiku; where he was killed in action. One day, i hope to travel to his home town in Kansas; to visit his gravesite. I also served with Captain Bailey & Captain White. I have often thought of those two officers; along with some fine NCO’s I served with; such as SGT Best and SGT Attaya. Do any of those names sound familiar ? Thank you, Paul Starks. p.s. Captain White was going to stand in as best man at my wedding while on our R & R; but he became sick when we arrived in Hawaii.

              Reply

              • I’m Les Fieldman and this is my first experience with this site. I was in RVN in 1971-72, initially assigned to IFFV-G3 Plans in Nha Trang, then IFFV became MACV and I was assigned to Advisory Team 21 in Pleiku, where I was an Operations Officer in the II Corps CTOC. For a while I did the morning general staff briefings that included John Paul Vann abd BG Wear(?). Your post caught my eye because of your reference to a CPT White. I had talked to him on the radio/phone and heard he was killed in an artillery attack when his unit took refuge at a fire base. I’ve looked for his data on The Wall but never found it. Now I wonder if he was KIA or not. Do you ave any details? Thank you in advance. gcclmf@aol.com

                Reply

        • Hi Paul,
          If you were with Don on the day he was killed, you must see the rocket launched from an L 19 that killed my radio man?
          Was you a young man who carried a PRC 25 and a R15 gun and stayed at the gate of the Military Camp while Don and I and my guys tried to fight for the recapture of the camp?

          Reply

        • Hi Paul,
          If you were with Don on the day he was killed, you must see the rocket launched from an L 19 that killed my radio man?
          Were you a young man who carried a PRC 25 and a R15 gun and stayed at the gate of the Military Camp while Don and I and my guys tried to fight for the recapture of the camp?
          I think you know Lieutenant Bailey. Mr. Bailey was an advisor of the (ARVN) 11th Ranger that time.

          Reply

          • Long Vuong, sorry for the late reply. I was with the 11th ARVN Rangers when we entered Pleiku. Sorry, after 50 years; some things seem to be buried up in my brain. I do remember Captain Bailey ( dont know why I can’t recall him as a Lieutenant ? ). The only weapon i recall carrying was a M1 carbine rifle. I don’t recall staying by the gate, but I am sad to say some things i just can not remember. I remember the launched rockets, gunship, tank and some stuff; but why some things are locked away; I wonder if hypnosis would help. Thank you for your service to your country.

            Reply

        • Mr. Starks, my dad PFC Robert Bouis, worked in BG Lee’s office and said he knew a PFC Starks and was wondering if that is you.

          Reply

          • Yes, that was me. I worked in General Lee’s office. Replacements were needed; I asked the General for a transfer to the 11th Ranger Battalion; he kindly gave me the transfer.

            Reply

  54. Thought I’d leave another post here. Most of you guys seem like officers or career NCO’s. I appreciate your service. I was a 20 year old PFC when I got to Pleiku in April 71. I was anti-war and anti-army but I volunteered for Vietnam just to see for myself. I value my time there. I worked in G2 and one day the LTC in my office had to go to Kontum for a meeting and asked me to come along. I thought it was for fun until he put me in the door gunner seat of the Huey and told me to stay alert! Thank God nothing happened. The landscape was amazing despite the pockmarks and scorching of war. Pleiku always reminded me of Tennessee with the rolling hills and all. We had a lot of great musicians in Team 21. We were jamming most every nite. I was in one of the chicken house barracks at the bottom of the hill from the HQ bldg. We sat out in the yard smoking dope most every evening watching gunships work out in the distance. Me and my friend Tim went to Hong Kong on R&R. We both bought guitars on arrival and took them with us wherever we went. They loved American music and all took good care of us. Like I said before I got caught up in the drugs over there. I’m not especially proud of my service but I tried to do the best I could. Thank you all for your service and welcome home.

    Reply

  55. I was with team 21 HQ set nov 68-feb 69 then went to the ranger advisory team. Man Marvin Boroski was the Det CO, a great guy.
    Ssgt Gary Littrell came to the group sometime in the summer of ’69. If I recall correctly he was with the 23rd BDQ and I was with the 11th. His action for the Medal of Honor took place after I left in Nov 69. The senior advisor of the Ranger team was LTC Jack Daniel, a legend in the making.
    Was in Pleiku March 2015, a high city of 850,000. The MACC compound is an army base but no visitors allowed.

    Reply

    • Mr. Lawrenson,
      Do you remember Maj. Washington. He was my father. Since his death i have obtained his Marine and Army service records and i am trying to make sense of his time in Vietnam. The records indicate he was in Phu my and Pleiku as a MACV advisor. If you have any memory of him i would appreciate you sharing them with me.
      Thank you, John Washington

      Reply

    • Hi Pete
      Did you remember The Battle of Ngok Renang (Hill 882) Benhet -Kontum May 22-29, 1969?
      Where are Sgt Walker, Sgt Attaya and Colonel Jack Daniel now?
      I was a commander of The 1/11 ARVN Ranger Company that time.
      Long
      long82bdq@yahoo.com

      Reply

    • Hi Pete
      Do you know where’s LTC Daniel now?
      I was a commander of the 1/11 ARVN Ranger Company that time.
      My friend Sgt. Gooddell with me for longtime (1969-1970), you know him?
      Long

      Reply

    • Pete, I served with Jack Daniel at Team 23 prior to his assignment to the Ranger group. I can’t think of an officer I respected more. He was my mentor for about 5 months. We developed a life long relationship. He passed away a couple years ago. At our last Highland Warriors reunion I met his sons Jack and Tyson. Good Kids. I don’t know if you are aware of our Highland Warriors group . It is group for Teams 21,22, 23, and 24. If you are interested send me an email to bigjmlitb@yahoo.com. Best regards Jess Miller

      Reply

  56. I was in Advisory Team 21, Nov 1965-Nov 1966. Does anyone remember our interpreter? Other people I served with were George Oliver and Hank Hosman. We were signal advisors.

    Reply

      • Hi Art,

        My grandfather was there from 62-68 at Doi Duc Me. I believe he was in team 25? His last name have a “son” in it as I was told.

        Anyone comes to mind? I even process a DNA kit, ancestry link to the Crandall family, but I was told could be an “Alton Nicholson”; but I can’t confirm the name.

        Thanks,
        Annie

        Reply

  58. Getting some posting from the Team 21 Brothers. Great, to say the least. We getting old Brother we need to leave our story for others. Will sit down soon try to remember more of tour there before leaving. Keep the Faith, be safe and may everyday be more fruitful with life than the the day before.

    Reply

    • Hello,

      I hope this post finds everyone well. I am looking for information on my paternal grandfather whom was stationed in Pleiku from 1962-1968 when he passed on his last mission. He was a sergeant radio operator. When he passed, my Vietnamese grandmother was notified and his tags and military items were given to her. He was in his late 40s when he passed. She said he was stationed around Pleiku, but not at Camp Holloway. He was in Vietnam in 62 when she met him, got married in 64 which allowed him to leave base, and had my mom in 66. He was also injuried on his lower left knee in 66-67 which he was on medical leave for about 6 months or so. He spent two Christmas with my mom. Does anyone know who he is or his name? I have been researching about the war, stalking the Vietnam veteran wall, and browsing online for any lead, but am not closer to a name. Does anyone recall my grandfather? Or do you have any pix that you can personally share with me so I can show my grandmother?

      Thanks in advance for all your help. Please contact me at anniehoale@gmail.com

      Reply

  59. Hello my Brothers,
    I was assigned to Team 21 and worked in the Security Platoon. I have read the post on this site and much comes to mind. I was there at the main compound in 71 – 72 year. I left and was reassigned to Team Can Tho. The Chinese Nungs was a force of 61 people assigned to do security for the compound. We did use the Montagnards firing range located out from Pleiku at their compound for weapon training. I recall often MSG Filex Malone who was killed during a 122 rocket attack on the compound and SFC Frederick Jones who was killed by a POW who had escaped from the POW Camp outside the main compound going toward Camp Holliway. The Nung was a solid group of CIDG Troops who for years had worked with many different type special op units in Nam. I seen this site and thought I see if I could reach some of the brothers.

    Reply

    • I was assigned to Team 21 from August 72 – March 73; in the G2. I went each evening to the G3 operations bunker to collect reports from the field and prepared the daily INTSUM. Pulled radio watch occasionally overnight and remember well the strong coffee made by the Chinese Nungs. Also went to the Montagnards’ firing range once. While there, one of the security force fired his weapon afield of the target range and (consider the odds) wounded an ARVN across the lake. An ARVN jeep arrived and they took him into custody. Never did learn his fate.

      Reply

    • Hey brother, I also served on team 21 with the security team in 69-70. Was that big deep whole in the ground on post no. 3 still there when you got there? I hated that post, it was scary as hell at night. I used to get up in that cement bunker to keep away from the snakes. Yes those were the good old days, you had to stay high 24 hours a day just to make it though the year. Oh well my friend, take it easy and remember to step light.

      Reply

      • Hey Al, your name is familiar but can’t place the face. I was Team 21 Det XO 5/69 to 5/70. LT Izzard ((Bill). II was best buddies w Top Sgt Scott and we maintained a relationship in the States for many year til his passing. I presented the flag at his funeral to his wife Tuyet. He was in NJ and I in Mass. Other names you may recall might be Mike Winfield and Floyd Joswick from the orderly room. We still stay in touch to this day. I remember SGT Tyson from the motor pool and SGT Fidelle from the mess hall. They were good days that I w cherish forever. I left the Team HQ after 7 mos to be advisor to the 68th RF/PF Batallion working w SGT Jackson. If anybody on this blog recalls me or my buddies please give a shout. So Al, be well and let me know if you remember me.

        Reply

          • Hello. When I was with the 68th RF/PF Batallion I worked with SGT Jackson. He was a great guy and we worked well together. We were the only US assigned to them. Great memories. One in particular was when he and I were making a helicopter landing into some hostile fire. The chopper got about 10 feet off the ground and the pilot yelled jump now. Sgt Jackson said “after you sir”. Ha ha. When I rotated out in May 1970, SGT Jackson gave me a record album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel. Please tell me more about him. What was his home town. Is he still with us. And if so, how do I get in touch with him? Thanks for reaching out to me. Be well!!!!!!

            Reply

      • Hey Al, I remember you for sure. I was the Det XO and security platoon leader from May 69 to about Nov 69. I worked closely with 1SGT George Scott and we remained best of friends back in the states for many years. I also remained friends back in the states with Floyd Joshwick and Mike Winfield from the orderly room. We visited often and are still in touch til this day. Later I became the advisor to the 68th RF/PF Battalion. I took the M 16 one night from one the security guards who had smoked dope from the breach of the rifle. He was passed out. Later the next day he came to me to say someone stole his weapon from the mess hall. Other names that you may recall Capt Dobbs, Maj Borowski, SGT Fidelle from the mess hall Good days and great memories. More later. Where do you live? I’m in Maine.

        Bill Izzard (1stLT back then)

        Reply

      • Hi, I was the supply clerk at Tm 21 from 12/68 to Mar 70. I seem to remember your name but I am not sure the image I have in my head matches anymore. Everyone saw me at least once while there. I spent a lot of nights on guard duty there too. About every 3 days or so, 2 on 4 off. Rodney Dobbins and a Sgt Allen also worked in supply. Lt Lawrenson was the XO, A guy named MacDonald was the mail room clerk and SFC Scott was the first sgt. So glad you made it back. I ended up with Team 22 after April 70 until I left in Jan 71.

        Reply

        • Was the guy named MacDonald, a mail room clerk, Richard or Dick McDonald?. If so, he was my brother who passed away 12/24/18. He told me that he was a clerk, but also did guard duty and assisted in bringing back fellow soldiers from the field. I don’t know too much about what his activities were in Vietnam as he did not speak much about it.

          Reply

    • Hey Bill we must have bumped shoulders. I served with Team 21 in G2 section after our unit 55th MI Detachment 1FFV in Nha Trang disbanded. I was there from Aug ’71 – Mar ’72. Yes I remember well of MSG Malone. He was a very good man. After the rocket attack, a group of us guys had to go in and clean up the destruction. I have a couple pictures to remind me.

      Reply

      • Dan:

        I believe you are the guy that told me the soil in Pleiku was like 11 o’clock soil in Louisiana. I was in Nha Trang beginning in January 1971 – then we moved to Pleiku and I stayed there through January 1972.

        I live near and stay in touch with Marc Schulkin – if you remember him. Also, I have seen John Gilbert on a rare occasion, but not for a long time.

        I hope all has gone well for you during this past 46 years.

        Bill Jenson

        Reply

        • Hi Bill,
          Sure nice to hear from you after all these years. And yes, we still have 11 o’clock soil. You still exercising with the weights. I have a picture of you working out. Still remember some of the gang. Tom Marsden, ? Washington, SGT Harris, LT Barr, Don Seifert, Bob ?, Gary ?. And there are a few more. My last month before I left Nam I was made SOG of the compound and that was every night. (sundown to sunup very exciting)
          I’m retired now and staying busy. Hope everything on your end going well. Nice hearing from you.
          Everyone still call me Dan

          Reply

          • Dan:

            I haven’t lifted weights in a long time. I m now a fat old man (70) who should exercise more than I do. All is well with me and my family (wife, two children, five grandchildren). I will join you in the ranks of the retired soon – maybe the end of the year. Are you still in Plaqumines (pardon the spelling) Parish? I will ask Marc Schulkin if he keeps in touch with any of the people you mentioned. I certainly remember some of them.

            Bill Jenson

            Reply

            • Hi Bill

              Nice hearing from you. No, I live in the city of Plaquemine. Plaquemine Parish is located at the southern tip of Louisiana on both sides of the Mississippi River. I live about 10 miles south Baton Rouge, La. My family (wife, two daughters and a grandson) is doing well and growing. My youngest daughter is due any day now with a little girl. Hey Bill, if you would like to send me your e-mail address I can e-mail you some photos when we served together. My e-mail is dweber20@cox.net. Glad to hear you are retiring soon. Sure that you will enjoy it.

              Dan Weber

              Reply

        • Bill:
          I am so glad I found this site and thus reconnected with you. See my comments below in response to Bill Crane, whom I don’t remember. Are you retired…the last I knew you were a gub’mint lawyer in D. C. I am still practicing law in Little Rock. Email me and let’s talk some more:
          dmpwell44@gmail.com

          Reply

        • Bill Jenson;
          My original reply apparently went to Bill Crane so I am resending.
          I am so glad I found this site and thus reconnected with you. See my comments below in response to Bill Crane, whom I don’t remember. Are you retired…the last I knew you were a gub’mint lawyer in D. C. I am still practicing law in Little Rock. Email me and let’s talk some more:
          dmpwell44@gmail.com

          Reply

      • I was in Pleiku April-December 1971. I was a clerk-typist in the G-2 office. I started in the big house on top of the hill. A perfect target for rockets. Then we moved down the hill to the quonset hut. I wasn’t a model soldier. Went on rehab in September and was reassigned to Security Platoon. A friend and I were walking past G2 down the hill when that rocket hit, the blast knocked us down. MSG Malone was a wonderful man and just wanted to get his kids through school. Had I still been working in G2 I might not be here now. I don’t remember a lot of the names but I remember the times good and bad.

        Reply

        • Rick,
          Glad you posted! Yep I too have a difficult time remembering names. But, the bond never goes away. MSG Malone was a true soldier and was well respected by all. Yep, the big house was a sitting target for the 122s to come in un-welcomed and causing that moment of silence before….you get it! It been 50+ years and we still relive our experiences daily. I remember as clear now when I stepped off the Pan Am bird in June 1966 in Saigon to start my first tour with 178TH Assault Support Helicopter Company. Chinook out fit. Stay 18 months and then several years later 1971, assigned to TM 21. When I left TM 21 I ended up briefly in Can Tho headed to TM 75 in Dong Tam ( I think was TM #). MACV decided to curtail us and home we come. Actually only spent 10 months of the 12 months. One name just hit me. Captain So vine I believe commanded the HQ Team 21. Well let me go and if you get a chance email me at crane1947@gmail.com. Welcome Home my Brother!

          Reply

      • Hello Dan. I got on this site because you and Bill Crane remembered MSG Malone. If you came to G2 in a August you might have been my replacement. I was clerk from April 71 til I went on drug rehab in late August or early Sept. Tried to e-mail Bill Crane but no response. I worked daily with MSG Malone. He was a good man and it hurt when he was lost. Not especially proud of my service. I got caught up in the drugs like so many others but I tried to do my job as best as I could. Vietnam was an experience and I’m thankful we made it through.

        Reply

        • Hey Rick. I think you are correct about me being your replacement. I was on leave in August ’71. When I got back our unit was already reassigned to Team 21. I took over as G2 clerk. I’ll never forget the bunker located in the adjacent room. Yes MSG Malone was a very good person. He was in Nam for only a short time, from Jun ’71 until the rocket attack of Sept 21, ’71. For such a short time, he made a lot of friends and was well respected. I have a lot of memories. Welcome home.

          Reply

          • Dan, thanks for your reply. I remained in Team 21 til December 71, first in Security Platoon and later in the craft shop. After drug rehab I got caught in a random drug screen and second strike you’re out I got a general discharge. Later they upgraded it to Honorable for some legal reason but I was just glad to be home. Glad you made it back too.

            Reply

    • I was an intelligence briefing officer at MR 2, first at Nha Trang and then at Pleiku from March -November 1971, working with Team 21.
      I too remember MSG Malone; I worked with him The rocket which killed him exploded on a path that I walked on daily to go to the secure intelligence briefing; I was on R&R then. I also recollect that a Major balked at accompanying Malone’s body to Saigon or Cam Ranh…and was told in no uncertain terms by his superior to do so.
      I have a more poignant memory of Jones. As a courts martial I was assigned to review and gather his personal effects for return to his family. There is more to the story, but I won’t put it here.
      My memory of the Nungs is not as upbeat. One night I had officer of the guard duty. When I climbed in one tower the guard was fast, fast asleep….not a comforting sight.

      Reply

      • Hello David,
        Thanks for checking in. Yep MSG Malone was a first class man in many respects. Shame on someone who would not step up to the plate and render assistance escorting to Malone. Yes the Nungs played a vital role in security. We went and brought the Nungs Force of 61 back from Nhra Trang along with family members. One reason was the post security was awful and it did not suprise me you caught someone sleeping. I never experienced that with the Nungs. As for Jones, I understand. I only knew him as an Advisor to QC….I think! He was around the club from at times. If I remember correctly the Corp Advisor was BG Ware and later replaced by John Paul Vann. I think Vann died in a chopper crash later in Kontum. He was a quite a character with in his on respect I read the book “Bright Shining Star about him. He was in the Delta Region for some time. All the recent post to this site have been very interesting. Have actually been very informed about Team 21 ‘ s history. I left 21 and went Can Tho with instruction to leave there and go to Dong Tam in the Delta. But the good Lord seen was back to Saigon with 2 month curtailment. Well brother welcome hone, take care and be safe! Crane!

        Reply

    • Hello. My name is Danny Hall. I was assigned to Team 21 in 1971. I was there when Malone and Jones were killed. I have a reminder of Malone’s death on my left hand. Does anyone remember me. My memory is clouded by time and life. I came to Team 21 after an assignment for the 17th Combat Aviation Group.

      Reply

      • Danny, I’ve got several posts on here already. I don’t remember you by name but I might have met you. I was there April to December 71. I worked in the G2 office as a clerk. I worked with MSG Malone. I was assigned to Security Platoon weeks before the rocket attack. I know one guy in the barracks below G2 was injured by shrapnel. Was that you? Thanks for your service.

        Reply

        • I did not report the injury. I was passing near the point of impact but not near enough suffer severe injury or death. I was knocked to the ground. Cleared the area as quick as possible. Did not realize I was cut until I was out of the area. It was a gash on the inside of my left thumb. I squeezed it together and taped it up. Can barely see the scar now.

          Reply

          • Danny, I was walking with a friend down the sidewalk and going to the barracks at the bottom of the hill. We were past the G2 office at the step down in the sidewalk when the rocket hit. We were both knocked down by the blast and I guess the shrapnel went over us. We both ran for cover. God was surely watching out for us that day.

            Reply

  60. I was with adv. team 21 assigned to security plt.. From Nov 67-Nov 68. I was responsible for maintains weapons in the bunkers and conex adjacent to barracks. Also ran the movies every night. Helped build the pool and filled about a million sandbags. My team rebuilt the bunkers, filled the open sewer ditches , cleared the perimeter and installed the lighting around the compound. I remember “Top” Scott well. I served as permenant captain for about my last five months. Tet 68 was a wake up for a lot of us as we rarely say “Charlie” just received his rockets. I left there as a sgt. e-5 and went back to Las Vegas, my wife and job at TWA and have had only one contact with a fellow team member, Sp-4 Shennamen. Sp-4 Sudlesky was Kia on a joint LP and another Sp-4 was wounded. Was part of the recovery team that assisted graves reg. To pull them out. Had to leave my crossbow behind as only got it night before I caught flight to Saigon for outprocessing. I am 73 now and have forgotten a lot of names. Col. Barnes ( promoted to brig. Gen) was II corps commander then. My nco roommate was Sgt. Ventura (Vinny) from St. Croix

    Sgt. Gordon Gray
    Adv. Tm. 21. 1967-68

    Reply

    • Sgt. Gray,
      I was assigned to Team 21 from 52d Sig. Btn. in Nha Trang for signal support just after the pool was filled. If you ran the movies, I must have rubbed shoulders with you. I worked 8 pm to 8 am in the commo bunker doing secure teletype comms. My roomie was named Mike, but I cannot recall his last name. I was there from around Oct. ’67 to June ’68 I think. I remember hiking down that dirt road that ran straight out the gate over to the Pleiku AB for shows. Also recall being shot at by perimeter guys from that water tower down near the highway. Did you happen to know a SP4 Kim? One last thing – I remember a mongel dog we named Heidi, and a monkey chained to a tall pole back near the movie screen. Any of that ring a bell?

      SGT. Jack Carney

      Reply

    • I was at the headquarters/city hall in Pleiku. July ’67-July’68. I was a radio operator until Colonel Gibbs found out I could type. Sp4 Ron Petrowski (Detroit) was the clerk that showed me the ropes of the job before he went home. We lived in a house that bordered Madam Nu’s summer home. There was a MP unit next door. Also a milsap group behind us. Sgt Gay was our mess Sargent and did a lot of bartering for some good meals prepared by our Vietnamese kitchen help. One of the help was Than who road his Honda to work. He later had to leave because he got drafted. (We tried to ‘fight’ it so we could keep him.) Sp4 Dan Paddock was one of my room mates. He was there around the same time +- a month, as you, Gordon. I also worked with Major Paul Led better, who smoked the cigars with the wooden tips. (I have other memories of him.). Then there is Captain Roberts – G2. I typed up his Purple Heart forms after he got hurt during TET. I worked with some civilians, too. I left as a Sargent E5. 366 days because of the leap year.
      Welcome home!

      Reply

      • Hugh, I was assigned to Team 21 Jun 68 to Jun 69 as a clerk typist, working under SFC Mitsunori Domai & Lt Pearce. LTC Eugene R Bauer was CO, Maj Martin J Vanderwende was XO. Sgt Gay was the best mess sgt in VN. Sector compound was next door to Madam Nu’s summer home . Heyward Jeffers was a RTO, Glen Sucaw was the mail clerk. Had several sub-sectors, one of which was Plei Do Lim. Can anyone help me recall some memories from almost 50 years ago??

        Reply

          • Art
            You arrived as I left Plié Do Lim now sure of extr date but was home by May of 67. When I left Maj Scott was in command I was Radio Operator

            Reply

            • Bob
              My name is Tim I was in Plei Do Lim in sept 69 to oct 69 as a radio operator, I was transferred to Le Trung for the rest of my tour I don’t remember the guys who where out there, but I do remember they had a jeep with a machine gun mounted on it reminding me of the show The Rat patrol, Glad you made it Home , Tim Dufour

              Reply

            • There were not many of us, a total of eleven but the patrols were constant. I have yet found anyone i was associated with then. I am now over seventy and for all i know they may all be gone. May the grace of god be with them. Thanks for your response.

              Reply

              • I only know of two people who served at the Ranger Group when I did. Major Otis (Bain) Ashley and then Ssgt Gary Littrell. Ssgt Littrell was awarded the MOH for action with the 23rd Ranger Battalion in May 70. He stayed active and retired asa CSM. The senior advisor st the time I was there wasLTC Jack Daniel, a Ranger’s Ranger. He passed in June 2015.

                Reply

        • Matt
          I was the operations officer at Pleiku sector from early Dec 1968 until July of 1969. Before that I was with Mats team 38 at Phu Nhon district. I got there in May 1968. I remember Lt pearce as s1 and Col Bauer. I have a picture of him giving me some kind of medal, maybe CIB at Pleiku. Always thought it was adv team 36. we shared our driveway with harmony villa =, up a hill and then left between bunkers. remember the sign on wall of dayroom that said ” Pleiku chapter cops of the world.” 1lt Richard Graf at one time. I think spc4 Vaughn was the radio operator at that time.
          Dick Graf

          Reply

          • I arrived at Phu Nhon district in May 1968. There was a 1lt there at the time , he left after about 2 weeks and I was only officer for a while. 6-7 nco’s and one radio operator.They sent a Captain Olnick? but he was wounded and left after about 2 weeks. Then a major foster came direct from Germany and was injured after about 1 week in a freak accident. Pulled his finger off helping engineers unload truck. Then I think I was the only officer until Dec. do not remember exactly when I went to Pleiku. We had 2 e7 medics Jackson and Johnson Sfc Skeens was heavy weapons. Dick Graf

            Reply

          • Yes Dick, I thought it was Team 36, but Heywood Jeffers III corrected me, said it was Team 21, whatever. I’m in Plainfield, Il, where are you at?

            Reply

    • Hello Gordon, just found this site and saw your post. I was advisor to the 37th Arty Bn (ARVN) 12/67 – 12/68 We were located at the Bn HQ west of Pleiku. Have been trying to find my Team members – Sgts Kinsey and Campbell and 2nd LT Brown. Wondering if you might recall Kinsey and/or Campbell. Kinsey had been there for over a year when I arrived and stayed on after I left. He was a rather imposing figure to say the least – by that I mean BIG.

      Bill Thomas

      Reply

    • Dear Sgt. Gordon Gray,
      I just found Sgt. Tom Sudlesky’s name in your entry, and would very much appreciate talking with you. He was my cousin. I am also trying to find others who knew Tom or wrote letters of condolence to my aunt, Tom’s mother. Many thanks! Judith Kelly in Arlington, VA

      Reply

    • Sgt. Gray,
      I am looking for information on my cousin, Tom Sudlesky, who you mentioned in your post. I left a comment for you last Sunday, but am not sure it got through to you. Can you contact me, please? My email is silverdove@verizon.net.
      Thank you! Judith Kelly, Arlington, VA

      Reply

  61. James Willison: I was with team 21 from early June ’65 to late May ’66 and knew a guy named Willison pretty well. He was about 6 feet tall with red hair. He was from California. We were initially in the security platoon then I worked in the orderly room.
    In Nov ’65 he persuaded us to volunteer to help out the First Cav at the Ia Drang Valley battle…what a weird night that was!
    We went to Bangkok for R and R together in February or March ’66: I still have a few pictures of that trip and one of us launching that old wooden boat at Lake Bien Ho.
    If that was you, great to re-connect with you. You can reach me at mdashe@aol.com.

    Reply

  62. We may have even seen each other on the Team 21 compound; I arrived July 1970.
    I heard about the currency exchange my first week in country. I was offered about a grand in MPC for my Nikon by a gentleman of the
    Asian Persuasion. Fortunately, a GI with very faded jungle fatigues (unlike my dark green FNG garb) chased the guy away and explained why the money offered me was worthless. He was also the first to share the legend (as in bogus tale) of the two grunts who memorialized C-Day by swiping Monopoly money from Special Services and “spending” lavishly at various recreational establishments downtown.
    Some of the guys I worked with included Eric Williams, Dave Koseruba, Hank Nevin, Ken MacNevin and Jack Howard, who worked at the
    AFVN Pleiku detachment.
    I keep asking forum guys if they know the story about the great water pipe scandal during construction of bases around Pleiku. Thus far,
    no one’s taken the bait.
    –jeff in Olympia

    Reply

    • I worked at the Letrung MACV compound with 2 mat teams that work with the local mostly Montagnards people I new a couple of the radio operators at the MACV compound in Pleiku, my first station was out in plei do lim small unit with just one mat team, but I was transferred to Letrung after 1 month. So long ago I don’t rememlber the names at the pleiku unit. Our mat team leaders were Lt. Vogel and Capt Pearson.

      Reply

      • Tim. What year did you serve in Pli Do Lim I was there 66 67 took over from the 5th at that time was lead by Maj Scott. Bob Galante

        Reply

        • Bob I was there for a short time in sept. 1969, I was transferred to the Le trung and remained there until I left nov. 1970, I do not remember the guys there as I was only there for a short time, but I do recall there jeep set-up with a machine gun tri-pod, It was quiet when I was out there I think when we traveled to town we went by the 4 th Division. Tim Dufour

          Reply

          • Tim
            I started in kontum and when MACV TOOK OVER the A camp frim the 5th.i was part of the team that was 66 and I extended and left in early 67.

            Reply

            • Bob I was told that Pli Do Lim was a special force camp in the early years, and that Adam saddler was station out there (He wrote and sang The Ballet Of The Green Beret). Glad to know you made it Home. Tim

              Reply

              • Hi Tim, I’m sorry to jump into your conversation but I was wondering if you happen to remember Major Ralph Walden. He was my father and he was an advisor for Team 21 from about November of 64 and returned home Apr 1966. He was tall thin dark hair and had a Bob Hope ski nose. He was there for the ambush of the convoy on 1 Jun 65 and raid on the compound. His CO, Maj. Dibbard was killed during the ambush. My father received the Bronze Star w/ V device for that day. I’m just trying to find anyone that might have known him. My name is Cheryl. Let me know if you do. Thanks! And welcome home!

                Reply

                • Cheryl your father was over there during the early years, my time there was from sept 1969to nov.1970, I was a radio operator , I have notice other post on this site I hope some of the other guys might remember his time over there, Thank you for your Dads Service, sounds like they had a lot of action in that area. Wish you well Tim Dufour

                  Reply

        • My grandfather was there In 1966. Green, Charles R. We think he was SSG OR SFC, and we know he received the silver star during this tour, but are unsure what team he was assigned. Does this name sound fimular to anyone?? Any Information would be amazing. THANKS

          Reply

        • Hey Bob – was the Maj. Scott you are talking about Chuck Scott? If so that’s my Dad. He would have been there 67-68/9.

          Thank you –

          Greg Scott

          Reply

          • Greg
            Sound like it was your Dad, if he was there during 67. I rotated out in March of 67, not sure what the Maj rotation date was.

            Reply

            • Thanks Bob – I know he was there in late 66/67 as we had returned from Tehran in August of 66 (I was 1 month old) and he volunteered right after we got back to the States. He is 86 now, still pretty sharp but memory is fading. Just putting together a timeline on my family history. He doesn’t speak much about his Vietnam time – I’ve read his citations and every once in a while he would bring some anecdote up but nothing in depth. He spoke fondly of a Sgt., an African- American fellow – the name escapes me but his first name was a nickname – like “Frosty” or something – last name maybe Rucker?? I’m getting old too : ) . He also spoke of a big Montegnard bodyguard who carried a machete with a well-notched handle. I also remember seeing pictures of him and some other guys cutting open a big snake and one of him on top of a dirt hill – captioned “Mortar Mountain” Don’t know if any of that rings any bells. After he got back he alternated Infantry and Intelligence tours, so we were back and forth to DC a lot. He went back to Iran at the behest of the Army COS in September of 79, which as you know was not a good time to be there. He was in the Embassy on 4 November 79 and was held by the Iranians until January 20, 1981 and retired shortly after his return in late 1981 as a full bird after 32 years service – 8 as Enlisted.

              Thanks for the reply and thank you for your service –

              Greg Scott

              Reply

              • Greg i was at Plei Do Lim Jun 67 Jul 68 we had a Montegnard interpreter we called chuck who carried a machete My Team leader was Sgt Wilson who was an African American, and was a great guy. I knew your father. I too was MI and retired an E-7. It hasn’t been but lately that i have tried to find folks that i was in Viet Nam With. Ask your father if he remembers Sgt wilson? I’m sure he remembers the red clay dirt at Plei do Lim.

                Reply

                • Thanks Art – I’ll ask him next time I talk to him about Sgt. Wilson – that rings a bell with me though. Unfortunately we don’t stay in close contact – typical military divorce situation. I remember him remarking about the red clay when we moved to Georgia in 76. Like most, he never really got too far in depth, just little things here and there. I am watching the Ken Burns documentary about the war right now and it’s helping me put a place with the stories. Funny how growing up with it being such a part of your life it’s odd to step back and watch it laid out so neatly – very surreal. We visited Thailand and Cambodia a few years ago and someone we met had just come from Viet Nam and was saying what a wonderful time they had – that just hit me so weirdly knowing what our guys went through there during the war – how the hell can you say you had a lovely time there of all places? – and then I realized it had been almost 50 years since my Dad and you guys were there. 50 years before I was born would have been 1916 and we know how much the world has changed since then.

                  Thanks for your service – I do remember that Dad always made a point to say how proud he was to have served with the men he did in Plei Do Lim. If you have any good stories about him you don’t mind sharing my e-mail is wedfoto390@yahoo.com. Hope all is well.

                  Greg Scott

                  Reply

                    • Hi Bob –

                      I sure will. I don’t speak to him very often – like I said in the post to Art it’s a typical military divorce situation but I will pass along your greetings. He’s 86 now, reasonably good health considering what he went through (the Iranians put him through the wringer) and still ornery as hell. Despite all of the personal stuff my family went through I am damn proud of him as a soldier.

                      Thank you so much for your service –

                      Greg Scott

        • Bob, I think I remember you. I was the team Medic in Pleiku June 66-June 67. I replaced sgt Fernandez when he went to Plei do Lim. I did Medcap when not on operations..

          Reply

        • WI rotated out of Plea do Lin in Feburary 67 radio operator maj. Scott was camp commander and Capt. Tate was Second in command.

          Reply

        • Art I was in plei Do Lim around sept to oct of 1969 only there for about 1 month small unit out there I came in as a radio operator, they transferred me to the Letrung district where I spent the rest of my tour. My memory of the plei Do Lim was the jeep with the machine gun mounted on it. I don’t remember the guys out there, was such a short stay. Glad you made it home , best regards TimDufour

          Reply

          • Thanks Tim, I remember the jeep. I had an 81mm mortar out side the entrance of my bunker. Rather odd place for it. As for the jeep i traded it for six cases of T bone steaks. The airforce mess sergeant thought it was a good deal it had a blown head gasket and the barrel on the machine-gun was a smooth bore no rifling at all. We acquired it from property disposal but we got a little use out of it anyway. If you remember when you came through our gate there was no buildings at all, we lived underground. The first bunker to the left was where we kept the prisoners but we had an interpreter named chuck that didn’t like prisoners. The one thing that i will never forget is the damn RED dirt, it was still coming out of my skin 3 months after i returned home. I also have to say that the Montangards we lived with were good people and kept us up to speed on NVA in the area. I was also a PRC25 operator and an impress fund agent. We had a sand bag machine that came from the 4th Div.camp Enarie and i used the montagnards kids to fill the sand bags. I would have to go to camp Enarie to get the piasters to pay the kids. One day i received a box through the mail and it had cool-aid in it and once the kids tasted it they wanted the cool-aid instead of the money. I gave them the cool-aid anyway . There were times that i would have given a months pay just for a glass of ice tea. I’m over seventy now and 90% disable but i still remember the things that brought joy to me when i thought i would never see home again.

            Reply

      • Tim, do you recall the year you were there? I was at plei do lim and i remember the names Lt. Vogel and capt pearson this is stunning as when i read your comment the names hit me. I was there jun67 thru july 68. Regards, Art Pic 25 operator.

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  63. I was told by a Christian missionary (American) that the montagnards came down either from North Viet Nam or China several hundred years ago. If you notice their physical features, they appear more aboriginal than asian.
    As to interaction between Vietnamese and Montagnards, I was not aware of any interaction between ARVN veitnamese and montagnards, although there was plenty of interaction between US troops especially Special Forces, and the Montagnards.
    The Vietnamese civilians and Montagnards did not get along and discrimination by Vietnamese against Montagnards was obvious. One day while walking through the Pleiku Central outdoor Market I witnessed Vietnamese throwing garbage and trash on two Montagnard women, one of whom was carrying her infant in a sling, and yelling at them. When the Vietnamese saw us nearby, they stopped. The Montagnards seldom went into Pleiku.
    There seemed to be little interaction between the Montagnard workers in our compound and the Vietnamese workers, although interaction between Americans and Montagnards was frequent and pleasant.

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      • Larry, were you in Pleiku in June 1965? Did you know Hugh Robbins or Capt Nishimoto?
        Michael Dibbert

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    • I don’t believe the missionary was correct. He may have confused the Hmong, who were more oriental-Chinese looking, and were more in Cambodia and Laos. The two theories I had heard were the Montagnards were descended from (1) India, travelled by foot over the years to Vietnam. and (2) from Polynesia. travelled by water. Both are plausible, certainly looked more so than Chinese. They were called “nomadic”, but really were pushed to the mountainous regions as a last hope. I’d like to see some DNA research on it. There were 9 tribes in VN, we (MAT 37, out of Letrung, 1970-71) worked with 3 of the tribes, the Bahnaar, Jarai, and Rhade. Great people.
      One of my neighbors here in Maine ‘sponsored’ a young Montagnard refugee here after the war. He wound up getting his doctorate in Physics. Amazing, after coming out of a society one step from the stone age. Just goes to show…..
      Today, the Montagnards are grouped under the name “Degar”, meaning mountain people. The Vietnamese are slowly killing them off and stealing more of their lands. They can, at least in part, blame the Jane Fondas and Tom Haydens of the U.S., for our not supporting them and leaving them stranded and screwed. Monty Vogel

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  64. Thanks. The Vietnamese guys I talked to didn’t know about the spiritual center. But, few of them had visited the village.
    I knew that Montagnards hated VC, but In your experience, were there Montagnard villages or military units that worked effectively with the ARVN? I liked the Montenards and thought their village may have offered some protection to our compound.
    I caveat my remarks with the knowledge that most of what I thought I knew came from imperfect sources: tall tales by GIs and
    my very poor grasp of the Vietnamese language.
    One thing I found quite interesting. The Vietnamese I “interviewed” offered great stories about the country’s history and heroes.
    But when I asked where these remarkable people came from, I was consistently told “they come from the north part.” I didn’t see
    that as particularly auspicious for us.
    I promise not to ask the 10,000 questions that have lingered with me over the years…but you’ve certainly prompted me to begin
    some long-overdue research.
    I’d tell you some folklore about water pipes on the compound, but then you’d think that I prefer a good story to actual facts.
    –jeff young

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  65. We had a USMC ANGLICO detachment working with us in the II Corps TOC until early 1967, (I think ANGLICO stands for Army Navy Gum Liaison Company.) We assigned them targets along the coast. The VC figured out the naval guns were flat trajectory and dug in on the reverse slopes where they could not be hit by direct fire. The Marines tried high trajectory fire but the shells tumbled and were wasted so they left. No Marine infantry units in the area when I was there from 11/66 to 11/67.

    We had low ranking Montagnards working in the TOC and also in the compound. If memory serves me correctly the PleiKu province Chief was a Montagnard.

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  67. Thank you James L Willison, I was told a story over the thanksgiving weekend about my Uncle and the Montagnards , do you know if any marines were in the area?

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  68. Michael Adkins thank you for the information, I was told a story over thanksgiving about my Uncle and some Montagnards, do you know if any marines where in this area?

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    • There were no marines in the area while I was there in 1972 and 1973. The only American combat unit left in the entire military region was the 17th Aviation Group. They redeployed stateside and were deactivated at Oakland, CA in March 1973; same month I came home.

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    • Not sure if Team 21 worked with Montagnards. During my first tour, we had a Mike Force set up a temporary camp just outside our base camp at Gia Lhe just west of QL 1, 9 km south of Hue City in MR 1 in the spring of 1968. MIKE Force was composed of the Bahnar, Hmong, Nung, Jarai, and Khmer Krom minorities, and other members of the Degar peoples, also known as Montagnards. MIKE Force was active under MACV, Army Special Forces, from 1964 to 1970 and under ARVN until 1974. MIKE Force waged special warfare against the Viet Minh, NLF (Viet Cong), and PAVN (North Vietnamese Army) liberation forces in various detachments, volunteering in support of MIKE Force missions.

      MIKE Force’s mission was to act as a country-wide quick reaction force for securing, reinforcing, and recapturing CIDG A Camps, as well as to conduct special reconnaissance patrols. Search and rescue and search and destroy missions were also assigned. The conventional unit alternative to Special Forces detachments like MIKE was Tiger Force, which was primarily tasked with counter-guerrilla warfare against enemies from behind their lines that emphasized body-count rather than force multiplication.

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      • Just before joining this forum a couple weeks ago, I showed my wife some photos I shot at the Montengnard village close to Bien Ho lake in
        1971..
        First people I’d ever seen who had houses (huts) built atop rough-hewn beams, sorta like pilings. Although there was a serious
        language barrier, I thought I was told that some of the elevated huts were for the remains of deceased village members. May have
        been true, if only because I didn’t see any sort of “yard” cemeteries in the area.
        I was told there were MIC forces in the area, but didn’t see any U.S. advisors there.
        A couple culture shock events in the first few days.
        –I made a unit trash run with a couple guys in my unit. I was that when entering the dump, never stop the truck — that it would be
        mobbed by a horde of scavengers. We drove swiftly through the dump and pushed the garbage out the back. We were followed by
        scavengers, running as fast as they could, with some attempting to jump in the back. Pretty sobering sight for a guy who grew up in
        the suburbs and had never witnessed the sort of poverty so common in many other countries.
        –The morning after a rocket attack, a couple friends woke me up and hustled me down to the Team 21 compound club. A 122 was
        stuck like an arrow in the wall just a couple feet down from the top of the roof. I can’t recall if anyone was in the club when the
        rockets came in.
        –I also experienced a “C-Day” in which all military personnel on the compound were herded over to a couple finance officers.
        Simultaneously, all Vietnamese workers were temporarily barred from the compound.
        We surrendered all our Military Payment Certificates (MPC) and were issued an equal amount of MPC script that was
        either printed on a different color paper or perhaps had different images imprinted on them. MPC and (forbidden) U.S.
        currency was the backbone of Vietnam’s black market. In one swift act, all “old” MPC held by the Vietnamese became
        worthless. Something like our “Crash of 1929” occurred every few months.
        –When pulling guard duty, we always brought flashlight or whatever batteries were used to power the “clicker” in our
        Claymores. Not unusual for us to find the clickers empty. Two theories: (1) they were removed by VN working on the
        compound (2) they were filched by GIs to power their radios while on watch.
        Best wishes,
        Jeff in Olympia, WA

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        • Elevated hut in center of the Montagnard village near lake Bien Ho, according to our Montagnard laborer Rochom Sot, was the political/religious center of village, and the spirits of the village lived there. That’s where we drank rice win from large urns. They called it the Happy House.

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        • My name is Tim DuFour I was a radio operator at MACV Letrung and I remember the currency change I was in Driving back from pleiku to Letrung when that took place and yes many Vietnamese had the forbidden MPC currency . I was flagged down a couple of times by the Vietnamese to exchange it for them as I was in route to my to my unit for the exchange. The Montagnards were in our district and we work with them on Village security and operations. Sept 1969 to nov 1970

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    • I was in Pleiku from May 22, 1965 to May 21, 1966 and team would send occupational’s to speak with them. We had a good relationship with them. They were very dependable and wouldn’t run off like the Vietnamese ARVN did.

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    • I was with Team 21 from June ’65 thru May ’66 during which there was considerable positive interaction with the Montagnards.
      There was a Montagnard village about 2 kilometers from the Team 21 compound, near Lake Bien Ho. A Montagnard named Hlol was given a small space in the compound to set up a barber shop with another Montagnard and that’s where most of us had our hair cut, for a small fee. Another Montagnard named Rochom Sot, a happy little fellow, worked as a general laborer in the compound, a one day took me to the village near the lake where we drank home-brewed rice wine and ate raw anchovy-like fish. Cant recall whether he was with the Hmong or Raday tribe.
      There were a few others employed in the compound as KP’s and launderers. as well.
      Also, during brief periods during monsoon season, some Montagnard families were allowed to live within the compound.
      I wrote home about how friendly these people were and the folks in my , home town sent over tons of supplies for them,which were distributed after I rotated back to the U S by our medic, SP5 Darwin Reavis, and I believe, by some PsyOps guys. They sent me a photo of that activity which I still have.
      There was also much organized official intersweraction by various American advisors with a number Montagnard villages in the area.
      The Montagnards were great people who loved us and hated the communists. They had a very primitive but interesting culture. Some feared having their pictures taken because they believed their souls would be captured in the camera or on the photo paper. A missionary explained to me that they also believed that mentally ill people had to be killed by a very detailed ritual to prevent their spirits from remaining in the village to harm them!
      Hope this helps answer your question.

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      • In late ’67 the barber chair was booby trapped. Explosives were found in the pedestal with wires running up under the arm of the chair. If you recall, the barber shop was in the perimeter fence end of the CQ building. Theory was that the “barber” was waiting for a high value target. Fortunately, I didn’t qualify. Not sure who the barber was at that time.

        I got a shave from whomever it was though, before this happened. Was a bit shocked to see that he shaved me with a sliver of an olf Shlitz beer can. Used a strop like a pro. Very hard for me to relax during the process, and I only did it once. I don’t think he was Montagnard, but it has been a few years, so…

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      • Hi, regarding the Montagnards, Americans always interacted very well with them. I just got my book published on April 11, 2019, 48 years after coming home in the Spring of 1971. I worked out of Le Trung, along with Tim Dufour, our RTO. The book is primarily about the Montagnards and how they were ‘helpless pawns’, screwed by everybody. The book is called PAWNS OF PLEIKU on Amazon. This isn’t an advertisement, I don’t need it, but I think a lot of people on this site would be interested.

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        • Hi Monty. You left just before I arrived. I arrived down in Pleiku the 1st of July 66. I missed you but I think I remember you name being mentioned

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        • Hey Monty Vogel: Just finished reading your book ‘Pawns of Pleiku’ which I purchased from Amazon. You did a great job, and I really enjoyed it! Your descriptions were very clear and brought back many memories…the hair on my neck stood up when you noted the Mang Yang Pass of which I have my own nightmarish memories. The book also made clear to me the differences in the war between the time I was there (May, ’65 thru May ’66) and your time there several years later.
          I’m buying copies for each of my 3 kids because your explanations are so much better than mine have been and the kids sometimes have questions.
          Congratulations ,thanks for writing it, and don’t let it be your last book. You’re a great writer!

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    • Just found this website tonight strictly by accident. I served in II Corps, Tm 21, G-4 NCOIC/Advisor (SSG to SFC) from May to Nov 1966; after serving in MACV HQs for the first six months. It was Aug or Sep 66, in support of Ky, I (was) volunteered to be the crew chief on a C-54 (Air America) moving the Montagnards from Ban Me Thuot to Pleiku (Turkey Farm) below Boom Boom Hill (the artillery). It took three days and 12 sorties to get all to Pleiku. The purpose was to “win over” the Montagnards to the South Vietnamese. There were much interaction with them and ARVN troops during those following days. Ky himself actually spoke to and interacted with them. The encampment there at the Turkey Farm (where most of the 1st Cav used during non-combat duties), was a popular place to camp. Anytime the combat troops were there, we stepped aside in our little club/bar at the Adv Tm 21 “old French Compound” and the troops would take over (with our blessing).

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  70. I served with Team 21 at the Pleiku compound from August 1972 into March 1973. I recommend inquiring at the National Archives for reconnaissance photography collected over that site in 1974 and particularly the first half of 1975. Photography from missions flown during that time frame largely should be declassified by now. You would need to determine the geographic coordinates of the compound; but, you would not have to be precise. The region west of Pleiku, within about 10 kilometers of Pleiku, should be sufficient. If the National Archives does not possess the photography, they should be able to direct you to whomever would have it.

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    • Thanks Michael. Thank you for your service. I wonder if you knew one another. You wouldn’t recall how many served on Team 21 while you were both there or happen to have any pictures from on the ground? Thank you!

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  71. Hello. My father served in the US Army MACV Team 21 from Jan ’72 to Nov. ’72. He mentioned that he was stationed at the Team 21 Compound at II Corps HQ. I’ve been trying to find pictures of his unit and compound, barracks, etc. Unfortunately, my search isn’t producing much at all. If there is anyone with information, I’d certainly like to connect. Thank you in advance!

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    • Craig – I was at the Team 21 Compound from June ’70 until May of ’71 so I didn’t overlap with your dad. I have an aerial photo of the compound that I found online somewhere. if you provide me with an email address i’d be happy to send you a copy. cant figure if it can be uploaded here.

      I worked for captains Smyre and Volsky (sp?) who were the AGs and the G-3 was Col Lookenott. I was the legal clerk and also helped with doing OER’s and medal write ups. Arrived just after the Dak To battle and we processed the Medal of Honor application for Sgt Gary Littrell who ended up getting the award. I’ve seen his name occasionally in connection with MOH recipient organizations.

      Anyone who worked there reading this? I remember Smitty, John Staby, Sam Reed and could think of others.

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      • Just saw an obit in the Washington Post that General George Wear had died at age 99. He was Team 21 CO when I was there in ’70 – ’71. Don’t remember much about him but I think he used to go to Nha Trang by chopper to play tennis with the 3 star there. Have one photo of him by the pool at I believe a cook out.

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  72. I was TDY from the 82nd ABN in May ’72 and stationed with a few other jeep-mounted TOW missile teams at the Team 21 compound as a counter- armor threat from the north during the ’72 Spring Offensive. We were officially known as the AT Platoon, 3rd BDE (SEP) 1st CAV, and we were carried by 2/8 CAV for admin purposes. The TOW teams were spread around at Holloway, Engineer Hill, Artillery Hill, and Kontum. Only there for a few week; thanks to all for your support.

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  73. Hi folks. When I arrived in Pleiku, Aug 67, my address was Adv Tm 21. I was commo chief for a small detachment of movement specialists. We regulated all traffic in the area including highway and air. We lived in the opposite end of the MACV HQ Co barracks. We worked independently of MACV. When MACV got a new, little fat General, he kicked us off the compound because our Co HQ was in Saigon and we were not technically MACV, though we wore MACV insignia. It was a,weird situation. We had no medical or supply support and had to scrounge everything. Our Regional commander in Nha Trang got us billets on the Pleiiku Air Base. That was a trip! Living with Air Force while doing classified Army stuff put us in a kind of mistique. I don’t think even we knew who we were. Our guys ran the Air Base passenger terminal and highway checkpoints. We were true renegades. What a job! The Air Force treated us like movie stars and were in awe at all our weapons, etc. But, were we Adv Tm 21? Who knows. My call sign was DTO PKU.

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  74. HI all – was with TM 21 July69-June 70 as an Intell analyst. I remember (I think) some names such as Ed Lemkuhl (fm New Jersey) and Will Kratky from St. Louis Sp4/or 5’s like I was). Lts. Sambol and Cpt Gregson, with Col Wyatt (?1st or last name)commanding the G-2 section. SFC Tonneson (sp) was the NCOIC when I arrived and clung to his M-1, no silly AR-14 for him. Hope all is well with everyone, now that we are approaching them golden years. Kirby Greene aka Trippah.

    Reply

    • Do you remember a pleiku district radio operator that was accidently shot in the communication center , He died from the wound and I don’t remember his name . I was a radio operator in the letrung district during sept 69 to nov 70 Appreciate if anybody remembers the guy thanks Tim Dufour

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    • Hi Kirby,
      Lt. Jim Compton here. Great to find your message today that you posted several years ago. Thanks for mentioning several people that we served with. Certainly brings back many memories. I had not been in contact with any of them. I did find Dan Schmidt in this space and have just recently been in contact with him. He was not in our unit but was in the pow interrogation section of G2.
      Great to see your name and the others. I hope you are happy and well.
      Please contact me if you would like at – Jcompton6five@gmail.com

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  77. My father (A. Grant Gerber) was a MACV intelligence advisor serving in Pleiku Vietnam from June 68-69 (Team 21, II Corps, MACV). As a MACV advisor he was attached to the ARVN II Corp headquarters.

    He told a story about he and his ARVN Captain counterpart hearing of an ambush on the radio and that a wounded NVA or VC had been captured. They jumped into a jeep and raced up the road north of Pleiku toward Kontum to where the battle at the ambush site was still being fought in order to interrogate the POW.

    He also told a story about getting fresh intel from a POW concerning a new bridge that was being built by the NVA, then rushing in the back seat of an O-1 Bird Dog to observe and strafe the bridge construction before calling in some fast movers to finish the job.

    Dad said that he worked mostly with the ARVN personnel and not very much with American units, but if any of you know Grant Gerber, I’d like to hear from you.
    Boyd

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    • hi boyd – we communicated a few years ago. i visited your father in Elmo, Nevada about six years ago on my way to Bandon Dunes Oregon for a golf outing, but have not been in contact since then; my fault that i plan to correct. it was a great visit. i also plan to try to make contact with others from my two years with Team 21, but like your father our work with the II Corps Interrogation Center was almost exclusively with our Vietnamese counterparts. i hope this finds you and your family doing well.

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  78. The General that commanded Team 21 while I was there from 11/66 to 11/ 67 was BG Richard Lee, his XO was Colonel Cannon. I thought Lee was an outstanding person, willing to listen to differing opinions and had a great sense of humor. I met him while walking down to the compound from the II Corps HQ building blissfully unaware that PT was being taken not too far from the guard post. He called to me and ordered me over into the group. No warm ups for me, just “Get going”, I guess I looked to be in better shape than I was in reality. After that first day I had to report to the MILPHAP MD as I had severe chest pains I thought I was having a heart attack at the ripe old age of 26, the Doc gave me a few aspirins as I had just strained a pectoral muscle. Injured or not there was no getting out of PT if we were available. Before too long I had dropped 20 pounds and was down to my cadet weight and had some new muscles. On breaks and before we started BG Lee would chat with us, kept us informed and was quite funny. The one comment I recall him making that had us in stitches was when he was asked why he had put PleiKu off limits, his response was, “Because it is the only place I know of where you can get VD just flying over it.”

    He and the Catholic chaplain made it a point to visit the various teams and once told us they was going to visit the SF camps. The group told him not to drink the rice wine but to put his finger over the metal stem and pretend to drink. Both decided to drink however and came down with amoebic dysentery which caused them to be hospitalized. General Lee came back very thin but insisted on having PT nevertheless, I don’t recall seeing the Catholic chaplain subsequently. After Lee rotated we continued to have PT with an ever smaller group, when it rained in the theater. As things began to heat up, more field trips, and we had troops in contact much more frequently attendance at PT dwindled and basically came to a halt. I do not recall who replaced Lee, we were that busy.

    Steve Sperman
    II Corps G3Air Advisor
    11/66-11/67

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  79. Hi Murray, I’m new to this site and loved your recent post. I was 3 years after you and was Det XO at Team 21 HQ. When I was there and worked every day with 1st SGT George Scott. He was 5 yrs in country and had married a Vietnamese lady, Tuyet. We remained closest of friends well into civilian life. Me in Boston area and he was in NJ. We had many visits along w other team 11 guys until his passing. I presented his family w flag, was a tough day. The memories are vivid and my time there also had major effect on my life. I too had great career in insurance and financial services. I didn’t run a billion dollar company, but managed to pay my bills and put 3 kids through great colleges. I googled you and must say “you did good”.
    So I was XO for 6 mos. then Generals Aide for 2 weeks. He was a real jerk and I pretty much told him that on visit to Bam Mi Tuet) so he fired me and send me to out in the field as advisor to 68th RF PF Batallion. I’m still in touch monthly w 2 soldiers from the orderly room. My wife and I now live on coast of Maine and I work full time running an artisan bakery. So Murray be well, I don’t know you, but really do in many regards. I cherish the memories and still stay in touch w the kids of some my guys who are no longer with us.

    Bill Izzard (LT)

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    • Thanks Bill for your kind comments. One of the good things about an experience like Viet Nam, for many of us, is that, facing our own mortality caused us to honestly evaluate ourselves. I remember many nights when us guys in the security platoon would sit around a talk about what we do differently if we ever got the chance. There were a lot of guys in that unit who had great potential, and I suspect many did well, with the motivation of knowing they were fortunate enough to have survived and perhaps owed it to the guys who didn’t, to live well.
      Luckily, my General was a good guy. A hero as a tank battalion commander fighting Field Marshall Rommel in North Africa in WW2, was captured when he ran out of ammo and severely wounded leading the largest POW escape of the war. Oh, and he just happened to be General Patton’s son-in-law, so he felt he had something to live up to. Couldn’t help but learn a lot about life just being around the guy.
      Sounds like you’ve certainly done well, too, and that there were positive aspects to your experience, also. Great hearing from you. Stay well.
      Murray

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    • Hi Bill. I was the supply/mail clerk at Team 21 from 12/68 to 4/70. Are you the aid that ordered dinnerware for the general before being sent to the field? Was the generals’ driver Ray Ailstock? Not sure your the same aide I remember but hello if you are.

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  80. To James Willison: If you are the guy from California who we called “Willie”, who went on R an R with me to Bangkok in March ’66, I’ve still got the photos of that trip, and one of a group of us a Lake Bien Ho with that beat up wooden boat with an M14 on it. Hell of a way to water ski !! And I doubt if you’ll ever forget that night in November ’65 when you volunteered us to help the First Cav as they were getting battered at the Ia Drang. You showed great character that night when you said “Let’s go help some Americans”…it was truly inspiring!
    If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m Murray Dashe, who was with you in the Security Platoon before I went to work for Major Robert Woodworth who did double duty as advisor to the 22d Ranger Bn., and Detachment C/O at Team 21.
    After Major Woodworth rotated out, I remained in the Orderly Room with Capt. Jerry Culbertson, and was occasionally assigned to escort visiting entertainers, and later served as orderly to General John K. Waters.
    If that’s you, Willie, contact me at mdashe@aol.com.
    Life worked out pretty well for me, and Pleiku was the turning point. With Captains Berman and Culbertson, and General Waters all telling me I was a fool if I didn’t finish college, I went back and finished college and grad school after leaving active duty with the 101st Airborne (as a sergeant) in ’67, and 30 years later found myself with a great family and CEO of a billion dollar corporation. So it’s been a wonderful journey, but in my mind it all began at Team 21 where my life turned around because some great officers took the time to pound some sense into me. So I thank all you guys for your friendship, and those terrific officers who had such a positive influence on my life. Best wishes to you all!
    Murray Dashe

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  81. On June 1, 1965 I was in the Security Section MAC V Compound . At a later date, I was transferred to Distribution Clerk under Capt. Lucio Admit. Sect. I was Spec.4 and would travel from Camp Holloway to Pleiku. In 1966 , I was a Bartender in the NCO Club at the MAC V Compound. Worked there until I rotated back to the States in ’66.

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    • Hi James! Great to be able to talk to someone that was there that day. My father, Major Ralph Walden, was involved in an ambush on that day, 1 Jun 1965, traveling from Pleiku to La Thanh. (He was in Vietnam from Oct 64 – Apr 66. If you remember him I would like to chat with you and you can email me at wilhelmc44@yahoo.com.

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    • Hi James, chances are we met each other.
      Our 25th Psyops detachment arrived by ship with the 1st Cav in September 1965 and we were flown in to Pleiku where we were given space beside the bar area at the MACV compound to bunk down for several months.
      Some of the entertainers I remember meeting at the bar area were Robert Mitchum, Rory Calhoun and Martha Ray…do you recall serving them as the bartender?
      I do recall helping out behind the bar occasionally since we did not recieve our conex’s with all our equipment for a month or two….I was a tall thin SP/4 and I was the Photographer for our detachment.
      Remember how good the smell at the dining area was with the smell of fresh baked french style breads?
      I recall many nights on guard duty in that dusty bunker outside near our area…setting out the claymores and listening to the sounds of battles in the distance.
      My Commander, ( Cpt William R. Perry) and I were supporting the 1st Cav at the Catecka and on the night of 12 November 1965… we were attacked and over run by the VC as they attempted to blow us off the map and blow up our pol fuel pods..7 American KIA and about 25 wounded..the 13th I photographed LTC Hal Moore as he reported to the 3rd Bde Cdr ( Col Brown) as they planned the Ia Drang battle which began the next day on the 14th.
      I photographed parts of the battle from Huey’s going in with ammo and supplies and hauling out the KIA and wounded from the battle, but most of the time I was flying shotgun in an Air Force bird dog documenting the fighting from low altitude.
      I also remember going to Bangkok on R&R around the spring of 1966…I think we flew there in a C-47 cargo plane.
      Well James, I have rambled on far too long…just wanted to say Hi, and Welcome Home.
      If you, or any others would like to reach me I’m at milsammy@aol.com.
      Take care and God bless you all.

      David Miller

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      • David,
        This is Murray Dashe responding to your post of 6/14.
        I was on Team 21 from about 7 June ’65 through 23 May ’66. I remember the arrival of your PsyOps team and we must have known each other, since our rooms were near each other and my roommates and I did occasionally spend time at night in the enlisted bar if we didn’t have guard duty. Our room was next to the medic’s room (Sp/5 Reavis), behind the sandbagged ammo bunker (which was next to the volleyball court). My roommates were Bob Hurley (security platoon), Nick Gradl (detachment clerk), and a guy named Sherman (mail clerk). All had great senses of humor, and we laughed a lot.
        They all rotated back to the States during Sept=Oct ’65, and the only roommate I remember after that was Joel Franklin Dean of Atlanta, Sherman’s replacement as mail room clerk. Dean had a very dry sense of humor. Rarely smiled but his sarcasm kept me laughing.
        I well remember guard duty in those bunkers, and how muddy they were during monsoon season.
        I escorted Martha Ray, George Jessel, James Drury (the Virginian), Robert Mitchum, and George C. Scott who was preparing for his role in the movie ‘Patton”. In Feb.’66 I was assigned as orderly for General John K. Waters, who treated me very well and I still have a cigarette lighter he gave me the last time I saw him.
        Martha Ray wanted to have tissues ready when she came off the stage because she always cried when she said goodbye to the troops at the end of her show. You may remember that.
        Mitchum and I got food poisoning in Pleiku and we ended up that night in the medic’s room puking into a shared wastebasket and I remember him saying ‘Boy are you gonna have a story to tell your kids!’
        jessel was in his 60’s and exhausted from the trip but would never let me carry his bag because he said he was honored to work for us. A very kind old gentleman. Drury, on the other hand, was a real piece of work, and was ordered out of II Corps after his Pleiku visit!
        I don’t recall seeing Rory Calhoun. Might have been there after I left in May ’66.
        Weren’t you PsyOps guys responsible for the humorous Xmas card many of us sent home with the drawing of a surprised Santa with bullet holes in him saying ‘I went through Hell to get here!’ I still have that!
        Glad you made it home. Stay in touch.
        Murray Dashe

        Reply

  82. I am proud of my Dad’s contribution in Vietnam. I have his cross bow he must have been given. It has inscribed metal tags on it with this inscription: to: MAJ WILLIAM A WORLEY JR
    AUG 62 thru AUG 63
    From: MAAG ADV TEAM 21
    Pleiku Vietnam

    Reply

  83. Hey Pete, never met Geron. For about 10 years we had a reunion with 5 guys I worked with. We’d rotate every year and meet in Mass., Minn Ohio and NJ where Top Sgt lived. He’s the short stocky guy u mentioned. He married a Vietnamese lady, Tuyet, it was great to keep that relationship in civilian life. A while back he passed away and I was the MC at his funeral presenting the flag to his wife, who to this day, we use her recipe for spring rolls. It’s a funny thing. I don’t know you, but feel that I do because of the history from Team 21. Last night I talked to one of my guys, who told me that soon after I left, the mess hall took a rocket killing the mess Sgt and 4 others. We’re killed. Sorry for the driveling but those days had such a great impact on how I lead my life. And here we are. I spend 35 years in the financial world in Boston and we moved to Maine, bought a 200 yr old farm out in the woods. All is well. Mostly!! Be well.

    Reply

    • Sorry for the slow response Bill, lots to do in Montana in the spring. I’m glad to hear you maintained contact with the “top”, I remember he had a Vietnamese wife. I have maintained contact with many of the Ranger Advisors from Pleiku and other teams too. While I was the Detachment XO, I recall at least2 rocket direct hits at the compound. One hit by the barbershop and killed a brand new 2Lt who had just arrived the day prior. The other hit right outside the barracks tent where the enlisted me slept, only one man hit as I recall and he recovered.

      I stayed on active duty until December 1971 and then came back to Montana. After returning and finishing school, I worked with the Missoula Police for 25 years retiring as the Chief in 2001, I then worked 14 years with a regional railroad as the Chief of Security and retired for good in November 2014. I do still serve on the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole as a volunteer but plan on ending that soon. We have a mountain cabin about 85 miles south of our hometown of Missoula, great hunting and fishing and we spend most of the summer and fall there.

      My direct email is Pete.Lawrenson@outlook.com and my cell is 406-370-3168. I’d like to stay in contact with you, we do plan on coming east sometime in the near future to visit cousins in Vermont.
      Stay safe,
      Pete

      Reply

  84. My name is Tim DuFour I was a radio operator for a macv unit located outside pleiku called la trung we had two mat teams assigned to our compound not sure what the team numbers where there but , Its been a long time not sure of names but sure respected the guys that served.

    Reply

  85. Hi all. I was at team 21 from April 69 to May 70. My first assignment was detachment XO, then became advisor to 68 th RF/PF ARVN Batallion. My 1st SGT was George Scott, who remained my best friend even back in civilian life. He was in NJ and I Mass. They were good times with great people. Troopers I worked with were Floyd Joswick, Mike Winfied, Dave Krantz. I’d love to hear from anyone who I may know. My Det Commander was Capt Dobbs. He ate nails for lunch.

    Reply

    • Hi Bill,
      I was the detachment XO for team21 from Nov 68 – Feb 69, then went to the Ranger advisory team. The CO was major Marvin Boroski, I don’t recall the 1st Sgt other than he was short and squat. I went to Pleiku last year, the Vietnam Army has a base where the team compound was located and then will not let you access the area. Nothing looked like it did in 68-69. the Ranger senior advisor was was LTC Cleveland Corbett. There was a SSgt with the Rangers named Gary :Lattrell who was awarded the MOH for action near Kontum in May 69, long after I left.
      Pete Lawrenson
      Missoula, Mt

      Reply

      • Hey Pete, Major Borowski was the CO when I reported in. We worked together for a few months. Sgt Fidelle was the mess Sgt. So basically I was your replacement. I recall them saying there was no XO for a few months and they were glad to see me. More later.

        Reply

        • Great to hear from you Bill. Fun times back then, I’m sure we crossed paths at the mess hall or the crossbow club. After VN I saw Maj Boroski at Ft Hood, he was with 1st Arm Div and I was with the 2nd Arm Div. Great man but I have lost track with him.
          Did you ever meet LTC Jack Daniel from the Ranger team, another real soldier.

          In Sept 69 we had a fire at our base c amp outside Pleiku. SFC Jose Geron lost his life in the fire and the rest of us lost most of our personal stuff like all my photos.

          Where are you living now?

          Pete

          Reply

  86. I would like to correspond with anyone who knew my brother in law Captain Gary Roderick, MACV, Pleiku 1966-67. JPettit, 173rd Abn Bde, Bao Loc, 68.

    Reply

  87. Thank you for the info Ken Kraft. You are the first one to respond that they knew Ron Johnson. If you have any pictures of him you might post them on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ( VVMF.org) Wall of Faces. I am a yellow hat volunteer at the memorial in Washington and can usually be found there on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Stop by and say hi if your there. Where are you in NY? Grew up in the Adirondacks myself. Thanks again for the info on Ron. Wayne

    Reply

  88. Cpt John,
    Yes, that was me. The revolver was
    a British .455 service revolver that shot .45 ammo with a half moon clip and actually, I brought it with me from the states when I came over. Thank you so much for getting in touch with me. Can we get in touch by email?

    Reply

  89. My father was Melvin Wright he was there during 1964-1966. I think his DD214 reads HHD 52d AVN BN APO SF 96318 USARV
    Not sure what this all is I have several pics of Camp Halloway.

    Reply

  90. I think my Father was stationed out of Pleiku. He was an advisor not sure which detachment anyone know how I would find this out? He was 82nd ABN also.
    Melvin Wright
    Cincinnati Ohio

    Reply

  91. I was the radio operator for the 5 man ranger advisor team to the 23rd ranger bn out of Pleiku starting in Feb 1966. I’m trying to get in touch with one of our former team members to hopefully get some info since all my memorabilia was lost in a fire several years ago. I just came upon this site and hopefully someone with some info can contact me. My email is listed. Thank you for any help.

    Reply

  92. Hey guys, I am looking for any information I can get about my grand father (my mothers biological father) I’m not sure what “team” he was on. Captain Stewart (don’t know first name) who worked with major Scott (cap commander) they worked at a dispensary in pleiku. 66-68 pleidolim. Le Trung district.

    Reply

    • There was a MILPHAP team whose MDs were billeted in the MACV compound. They not only treated the Vietnamese but also were available to the Advisors. If you can find a MILPHAP site that might help.

      Reply

    • Elizabeth
      What was your grand father name, I server with Major Scott at Plei Do Lim 1965 thru early 1967. Leave a reply here if I know anything I will get back to you

      Reply

  93. I am requesting any comments or recollections on the CSM for Advisory Team 21, II Corps, USMACV Jun 1968- Jun 69. This was CSM Basil Plumley, according to his records. His name is familar to most people from the book and movie, “We Were Soldiers Once and Young”. Thank you. Ed Howard

    Reply

    • Ed,
      CMS Plumley was with the Ranger advisory team of team 21 based just outside of Pleiku. I’m not sure the dates he was there but know for sure in April-May 69 he was there involved in the major campaign at Dak To. He served with LTC Jack Daniel at the Ranger Team.
      Pete Lawrenson

      Reply

      • Hi all. I was there from April 69 to May 70 as Det XO. During my time the CMS was Robert Dondero until he was killed in Nov 70 while visiting a team 21 unit in Quang Duc Province. They were scrambling to board chopper back to Pleiku and he was his with rocket. All made in on board cept him. He was to leave to meet his wife in Hawaii for R and R the next day. There is a nice web site about him being in Arlington Cemetary.

        Reply

  94. I’m reading from a letter from Chuck Miller dated Feb 16, 1970: “I am stationed outside of Pleiku in an engineering compound. I live with three other individuals in a long rectangularly shaped building. The four of us form what is known as an intelligence collection team. We are working with the Vietnamese…”
    And, ” Life in Pleiku is relaxed as our team is detached from supervision…
    And, “The city itself is off limits…one plus is the weather…American troops are moving to the coast…which means the TV and radio stations are leaving…and so is the Air Force system for calling the states…”

    Is Charles S. Miller reading these posts? Chuck and I were at language school in El Paso together. Six months after receiving his letter I joined Team 2 in Quang Ngai.
    R. Ballantine

    Reply

  95. Thank you for your comment Steve. Army Otter 702 crashed and was recovered from Dragon Mountain at AR 7765 3675. The 18th Aviation Company history details the search for the crash site and they were expecting to find it further south also, as they started the search at Cheo Reo. That was the north couriers last stop were they picked up Ronald Johnson. An instructor pilot out of the 4th ID at Camp Enari discovered the crash while giving a local area check ride to a new pilot. While on the ground at the crash site on Dragon Mountain the recovery team witnessed an Air Force bird dog FAC crash on the same line as Otter 702 but 400 meters down hill. After running through an old mine field they were able to pull the observer from under the burning wing of that airplane but could not free the pilot before the fuel on board caught fire.

    Reply

    • Che Reo; a sad note. I was with Team 21, August 72 – March 73 (second tour). Subsequently, in the spring 75, I was at the Pentagon and had occasion to view a photo recon mission that covered a river crossing south of Pleiku on QL 14, if memory serves. A civilian convoy, likely fleeing the NVA advance southward toward Che Reo, had been devastated; charred/destroyed vehicles on the north side of the river. I wondered then, and since, if any of the Vietnamese I knew were caught up in that.

      Reply

  96. Hello Michael,
    I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s death in Vietnam…I can sense the loss you feel.
    I did not arrive in Pleiku until September 1965, but am familiar with the area.
    Have done some research on your father’s convoy to Le Thanh and would like to forward an email to you that may help bring some closure and explain his combat action involving the assault on the enemy’s machine gun position which stole his life.
    The map also depicts the area…
    email me at milsammy@aol.com and I will send it to you.

    David Miller

    Reply

  97. As a Captain I was the II Corps Team 21 Asst. G3 Air Advisor from November 1966 until early 1967 when I replaced Captain George Finley as the G3 Air Advisor. I advised Captain Cu. The ARVN TOC officer I worked with was Major Su. Colonel Cannon was our Executive Officer, BG Lee commanded Tm 21. Su was, after I had left in November of 1967, assassinated at the Da Lat military academy due to internal ARVN issues from what I was told. Never heard from Cu post war. My desk was on the US side of the TOC across the hall from II DASC. Sitting across from me was usually LTC Herb Rapley who went over the targets I had selected and worked out the aircraft and ordnance with me. I never had a convoy leave without air cover, nor did we ever not have air support up to be diverted to troops in contact if required. I did all the Arc Lights by myself, no USAF input and called in the targets via the tropospheric scatter site. LTG Vinh Loc had given me and my predecessor full authorization to request strkes in his name. Flew many missions with the FACs out to the border, flew all over the Corps area, Ba Gi, Kontum, Binh Dinh, Bam Me Thuot etc. I taught English in PleiKu at the court house. As I was leaving an NVA regiment moving forward toward PKU and the $th ID was surprised funny story there, we diverted all air support to the area which if you read the NVA account was a total disaster for them, 500 KIA by body count. The NVA are still unaware of what happened and why we knew they were there. Team 21 from 1966 to 1967 was highly professional and left a strong foundation for Vann and his staff later on.

    Reply

    • So Steve did you meet Capt John K Adams who came in 03-06-67 to Team 21? I have a photo of him with another Capt I’d like to ID….Do you belong to the MACV group on Facebok???

      Reply

  98. This is my first time ever attempting to contact my army buddies on the Internet. My name is (SP5) Richard C. Hudgens. I served with MACV Advisory Team 21 (G3) at II Corps Headquarters in PleiKu from mid-January, 1968 until mid-February, 1969. I often pulled guard duty on the north side of the compound among construction equipment as they were building the “firefighting reservoir” from February until July, when the pool opened. I manned a telephone and typewriter in the G3 office, a small unfinished wood frame building at the top of the hill, outside the compound, next to the huge HQ building. Soon after my arrival a replacement G3 Advisor, LTC Robert S. Williams, and a replacement G3 Deputy Advisor, MAJ Washington, also arrived. The officers had the back rooms, while the enlisted people had the front room. I worked with SP5 Thomas H.Freeman, SP4 James J. Carroll, and the best sergeant ever, SFC Gordon N. Reis. We also had Vietnamese translators in the office, CPL Le Trong, SGT Thinh, SGT Thanh, and a sillyvillain, Miss Hai. Freeman later rotated out and was replaced by SP4 Bonar Armstrong. Later in ’68, the entire G3 office was moved into the newly constructed underground CTOC, the Corps Tactical Operations Center, which was the only place in the entire area that could withstand a direct hit from a 122mm rocket. I initially had the bottom bunk in a barracks-type building, with rows of two-tiered bunks, but eventually I moved into one of the old motel-type rooms of the original compound, sharing the room with three other guys. Besides Bonar, my other two roommates were SP4 Paul Haas (the Chaplain’s assistant), and CPL Joe Rogers (a full-time Life Guard at the “firefighting reservoir”). I have fond memories of standing around the burn barrel burning classified documents with Couriers SP4 Roger Dine Olsen (Ole, or Flash Guru) and SP4 Clinton B. Hartwell. I remember SP5 Darryl F. Chapman, SP5 John Hilty, MAJ Peter LaRosa, MAJ Philip P. Caswell, and many others. That was ’68, and now I’m 68! Last year I contacted Clint Hartwell and enjoyed speaking with him. Anyway, here I am out in public.

    Reply

    • Mr. Hudgens, my father was Maj. Washington, he would never speak of his time in Vietnam. Anything you remember about him, that you are willing to tell me would be greatly appreciated
      . Thank you, John Washington

      Reply

    • Hello Richard. Your Pleiku room mate Paul Haas was my fellow Chaplain Assistant student from Fort Dix (NJ) and Fort Hamilton (NY). From the day we met (Jan-1-1968 at Ft. Dix), we became life-long friends. Paul visited me 3 times at my unit – the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon. I remember him describing his comfortable room that he shared with you, He stayed with me at the hospital, where only a few of us lived over Ward 1. Almost everyone else (Doctors, Nurses, other officers, medics and other EM) lived off-post in hotels or villas in the Ton Son Nhut area Although Paul invited me to visit him at Pleiku, I never had the time or freedom to travel that far from the hospital. Paul especially enjoyed the French restaurants in Saigon, as he spoke French fluently. Because of that he also had some collateral duties at Pleiku as a interpreter, in addition to the Chaplain’s Assistant duty.

      Paul died last year, at age 69, very quickly from pancreatic cancer. He had a long career with the airlines, Air France, Pa Am and finally Delta. Paul had retired a few years ago. I paid my respects to him at Fort Rosecranz National Cemetery, San Diego in November. A mutual friend of ours from Chaplain training, Lee Selvig, is also interred at Fort Rosecranz. Lee died 12 years ago. Lee served in Chu Lai and you may have met him when he visited Paul at Pleiku.

      A couple of years ago Paul mentioned to me that his and your roommate Joe Rogers died in the line of duty as a law enforcement officer. I recently searched his name and found nothing about the circumstances. But in the process I came upon this website and found your message. Thank you for posting. I enjoyed reading your comments. Best to you.

      Ed Russell
      Springfield, PA

      Reply

  100. I was om Team 65, Sa Dec, IV Corp. My golfing (and tm 65) buddy Jim Resau was downsizing from a house to a condo and gave me a 13X18 (approx) cartoon with 15 drawings around the border and a large drawing in the center of a Co Van My and a counterpart (VN CPT). He has no idea where he got it. We were in country 69-70 but he was another 2 years at Aberdeen and another 24 or so in the reserves. Near the bottom is printed “FINLEY adv tm 21”. Anyone know anything??? Tom Jinks 1st LT tm 65.

    Reply

    • You have a drawing by Colonel (Ret.) George Finley, then Captain, who served on TM 21 as the G#Air Advisor. Google his name for more info. I worked for George and have a personalized version of the same drawing. He also did a mural in the field grade officers mess.

      Reply

  101. I was MacV Adv21 Pleiku May 1965 to May 1966. Worked with Hdq. Co. II Corp. Area and all the G Sections. Would like to hear from any members.

    Reply

    • I was on the adv team to the 23rd bn in Pleiku as the radio operator. Just found this site and would love to talk with you as I lost all my notes, photos, etc in a fire several years ago. Arrived at MacV compound in feb 66.

      Reply

  102. I was in supply and mail room at Team 21 from Dec 68 to Mar 69. I remember a Lt. Lawrenceson, Maj. Gaier, Rodney Dobbins, Ray Ailstock, and a few others. Team 21 was basically the HQ Detachment for MACV II Corps Hq. Other units we supported were Team 36 in Pleiku, a ARVN ranger advisory group, and a ARVN POW camp. Other than moviews or the club was not a lot ot do at night. I remember volunteering to ride shotgun to take the Generals chopper pilot home after dinner one night. If i remember the 1st Sgt was part owner of club in Pleiku. William Luck ran the special services office. A guy named Delmar Titus was the motor sgt.

    Reply

  103. 245th Psyops from August of 1966 to July of 1967. Ran the photo lab and also was a pressman for a short while. Sp’s Miller, Morris and Niver we leaving at i arrived. The two artists were SP4 Wands and Keane. Keane also served in the field. Mario Villamazzo and David Luke served about the same time. I remember being mortared at least twice, and night was a pretty major offensive at Camp Holloway. Nice to see some of my friends posting here. Capt. Dunn was the CO when I got there replaced by Capt Brereton from Bremerton, WA. The other Lt referred to my be Joe Wlbran, who became active in Minnesota politics.

    Reply

  104. Hi mario, Good to hear from you…and welcome home.
    So many thoughts running through my mind about how we were so close, but yet do not remember meeting you….did you work with SP5 Peter Clark in our detachment? He had similar duties and was in the loudspeaker/med/cap team that supported the 1st air cav and Montagnard villages.
    When we got off the troop ship in Qu Nhon in September 1965 we were flown to Pleiku and set up a temporary place to sleep in the same building as the Macv bar on the main compound while our hooch was being built…about 100 yards from the small PX…our vans and work area was behind II Corps Hq bldg.
    If you send me your email address I can send you some photos.
    I do remember Cpt Perry being replaced by Cpt Dunn and think I have a picture of Sgt Baker.
    Have a lot more to say, but have to stop for now…hope you respond soon.
    David Miller
    Olympia, Wa

    Reply

    • Captain Perry was there when I transferred to the detachment. Captain Dunn came in about the same time I did. I knew Plemmons. Our ship sailed into Cam Ranh Bay and then sailed to Vung Tau where the HHC of the 6th disembarked. My email address is mvillama@comcast.net. The detachment had its orderly room and operations in the ARVN compound behind II Corps HQs as you wrote. Baker and Allen came on the same troop transport with me but they were sent to the 245th PSYOPS Co. in Nha Trang and then to Pleiku. I was my own team leader most of the time. A couple of times I went out with Lt. Barrett and another lieutenant whose name I forgot, but I usually went out by myself with Montangards and an ARVN soldier that we called Wilbur. Wilbur wore glasses and spoke English, French and Vietnamese, of course.

      Ia Drang was close to the Tea Plantation where the 3rd Bde of the 25th was. , I didn’t go to Ia Drang, but had I been there in ’65 who knows if I’d be here today. The 1st Air Cav took me all over II Corps.

      Reply

  105. David Miller, I was with the PSYOPs detachment in the MACV compound. Our hootch was next to the mail room. Went to Nam by MSTS troop transport ship, the USNS Gen John Pope, with the HHC 6th PsyOps. Was in the Detachment from about May 1966 until January 1967. I was an intelligence analyst and on a loud speaker team. Supported the 1st and 3rd Bdes of the 1st Air Cav, 2nd Bde of the 4th ID and 3rd Bde of the 25th ID. I also worked with the CIDG. Richard (Duke) Allen, David Luke, Lt. Barrett, Captain Dunn, and Sgt. Baker were there at the same time.

    Reply

  106. I was assigned to Team 21 supply room from Dec 68 through Mar 70 when i was reassigned to Team 22. Ray Ailstock, Richard Smelser, William Luck were some of the guys assigned that I remember. Ray was the generals driver/clerk, Bill was the special services guy. I worked with a Rodney Dobbins who transferred from the 175th Abn. Lt Lawrenceson was the xo for a while before he went out with the Rangers. I left before the officers/nco club was hit by a rocket but so the aftermath. Was early 1970 i believe.

    Reply

    • I am Pete Lawrenson and served with team 21 in Pleiku. I don’t recall your face, had yo9u previously served with the 173rd before team 21? I remember Major Marvin Boroski was the team 21 HQ Det. Commander, the 1st Sgt was a short stocky guy but I don’t remember his name. I was there Nov 68-Nov 68, went to the Ranger advisors in March 69. Went to Vietnam and Plieku last march, amazing change. Pleiku is now about 850,000 residents, no sign of the MACV HQ or anything else familiar. Looking forward to hearing from you.

      Reply

    • So Phil I was Det XO at Team 21 from April 69 to May 60. I replaced LT Lawrenson. First Sgt George Scott was me best buddy. Floyd Joshwisk and Mike Winfield were also in the orderly room with me. I am having a brain fart to remember you but the name is familiar. More later.

      Reply

      • Hi Bill Izzard: I’m Tom Woodall. As a Major I was assigned to Team21 from Jan thru Dec 69 as Engineer Advisor to the localVN Engr Group in Pleiku. I roomed with 2 other guys in the old compound but don’t remember their names. By any chance do you remember me? I do remember the Hqs Commandant mentioned in other postings here. Would be nice if I could jump start my memory of those days!

        Tom Woodall

        Reply

        • Hi all, Pete Lawrenson here. As mentioned, I was the XO Nov 68 Mar 69 when I went to the Ranger team. Maj Marvin Boroski was CO when I was there. Was 1st Sgt Scott and short and stocky guy. If so, I remember him well. Phil, after seeing your pic I remember you well. I went back to Pleiku last tear, amazing changes. A very large city (850,000), high rise buildings and the MACV compound is now an army base with no access or photos allowed. Do any of you remember Maj Jerry White from the ranger team? I am in contact with a few of the Ranger advisors. All the photos I had were lost in a fire at the Ranger compound a month before I came home. SFC Jose Geron also died in the fire. I’ll go back to VN again but the plane ride is a killer, 25 hours out of Seattle! Be safe all.pere

          Sent from my iPhone

          Reply

          • XO, My name is James Davis, I am Retired Navy Chief. My father was Captain Michael Allen Davis. He was assigned to Team 21 in January 1969. I know that specific date from a news article about a bronze star he received from Colonel A.R. Clark.

            Did you know my dad? Does anyone reading this?

            Is there anywhere photos from Team 21 are posted?

            Thanks!

            /r
            J-D

            Reply

            • James,

              Saw your note about your dad and photos. While I was stationed at Team 21 from July 68 to Oct. 69, I did not know your dad but I do have a Flickr album of my time with Team 21. Link below:

              flic.kr/s/aHBqjALfjG

              Dave…

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              • Thank you Dave I appreciate it!! I will take a look and see if I can find him in any of them. It was always funny to me hearing my dad with a west Texas drawl speaking Vietnamese. Unfortunately from a flood and a fire not much remains except my dad’s awards. I have his service records from St Louis but it would be nice to know more about what he did during his time in Vietnam and the Army, he never did talk about it much. My parents divorced, with mom in the Air Force and Dad in the Army our time together was always short. He passed away in 2006 while I was deployed as the Operations Chief at the Theater Field Detention Facility (TFDF) in Kuwait. Although we were a Navy Military Police unit we were staffing an Army Correctional Facility and working for the Installation CO who was an Army Colonel and his SGTMAJ. That was one of the best deployments I had, better than some of my Navy Deployments!!

                I participated in the Run For the Wall (RFTW) last year in honor of my dad. I had a very different experience coming back from multiple deployments than what many from Vietnam had. It was a very humbling and life changing experience.

                Thank you for what you did in service of our country, it is appreciated!

                /r
                J-D

                Reply

              • Hi. I was Det XO during that time period.   I knew a Capt Davis who was in II Corps HQ as admin officer.  Was great guy.  He finegled a second R and R for as a last minute project to Hong Kong.  Not sure if same Capt Davis you referred to. LT Bill Izzard. 

                Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

                Reply

            • James,

              I posted a link to a Flickr album which I forgot is a no-no here. Not sure if you saw my earlier note, which may get deleted because of the no photo/link rule. If you send me an email, I’ll send you the link to my Team 21 album.

              dlpg@outlook.com

              Dave…

              Reply

            • Hi. I was Det XO after you under Maj Borowski.  Sgt Scott was still there. He and I remained best friend back in civilian life. He in NJ and me in Mass. we got together often.  And I was involved and helped w his military funeral and presented the flag to his wife Tuyet.  He was a good man.  LT Bill IzzardMaine. 

              Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

              Reply

        • Major Woodall, My dad (Captian Michael Allen Davis) was also an Engineering Advisor. What was the job of an Engineering Advisor? Thanks!! J-D

          Reply

  108. I served from 1966 – 1967. Team 21 II corp and lived.on the MACV compound. Dos any one know of ssgt fisher also of team 21. He as i were assigned to ARVN Rangers he moved north when the rangers moved in december 1966.

    Reply

    • Hi Fred…just now seeing your post. Do you remember Capt John K Adams, Army, who was with II Corps Team 21 from 1Mar67 to 26Mar 67 when he was KIA with his ARVN Counterpart??? I’m trying to ID another Capt in a photo I have posing with my father when her first arrived at HQ. Maybe you can remember other Officers during that time frame? Thanks much!

      Reply

      • Deb, sorry for the delay I have been out of the area. On my team there was one captain, a lt. And a major. As far as I knew the officers stayed and us enlisted rotated home. There were a total of ten men with no Kia on my rotation. If you have a photo that I can see I will be happy to tell you about our interaction, I was the team medic.

        Reply

    • Fred it doesn’t look like I can upload a photo here…are you on the MACV group on Facebook?! It’s a small group but if you served as part of the MACV you should join!

      Reply

    • Have you checked with Bill Miller, he is the BDQ conection with the 75th Ranger Association and may have records of him. I was with the Rangers in 1969.

      Reply

  109. SSgt Mike Adkins. I was an Intelligence analyst assigned to Team 21 Aug 72-Mar 73; my second tour. SP5 at the time. First tour was Jul 67 – Jul 68, during which I spent Tet 68 just 8 km south of Hue — an interesting time indeed. Got to “tour” the city after it was cleared of NVA. Years later, I viewed a schematic of the Team 21 compound and discovered an amusing factoid. The compound had a “fire-fighting reservoir” complete with diving board. Also had a volley ball court and skeet range. Rotated back to the world in Mar 73 as we were closing out the compound and turning it over to ARVN.

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    • I worked at the AFVN station in 1970, shortly after the det had moved down from the mountain to the MACV compound. I actually swam
      in the “firefighting reservoir” a couple times. At that time, the swimming pool area was surrounded by only a couple buildings. That immediate area was called Camp Schmidt. Don’t recall if anyone was actually working there.
      There was an intell compound directly up the hill from us, just a couple hundred yards from II Corps HQ. They would tell us when
      52 strikes would hit. We’d stand outside and feel the ground shake.
      The nearby compounds I can recall were Artillery Hill, the Log Center (rocketed fairly often), a field hospital, a Special Forces
      (5th or 7th) and the air base where we could see the tropo antennas from the MACV compound. We were also treated to
      midnight chow at the base chow hall.
      My favorite nearby areas were Ben Ho Lake and the Montenard village — probably less than a mile (as the rocket flies) from MACV.
      A couple “day trips” in Kontum and Blackhawk fire base along the road that I think led to Quang Tri or NaTrang.

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      • My name is David gordy shy E5 was attached to 43rd signal btn from jan 69 jan 70.was 05c20 teletype team chief in bunker with 525th attached to macv.i new Paul Hass and the life guard as well as Tom Smith and Joe! recall the barbershop rocket as well as the one that hit the shoulder going home and of course so many more.My unit was 54th signal btn na trang.our group was Woody,joe ,doc and others attached.have been reading on this page and could not believe I found it.if you remember me or my brothers email me at gordyshopshop@gmail.com I live in longview Texas. Bless u all!

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  110. R Lacerenza I was Intell at advisory team 21 II DASC 1966-67 I was a SSgt in the USAF. Would like to hear for anyone who was their at that time.

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  111. Welcome home guys,
    I was the still photographer in the 25th Psyop det. MACV compound, Pleiku from September 1965 to September 1966.
    I was presented with a small crossbow inscribed with MACV Advisory team 21, Pleiku, Vietnam.
    I photographed the Ia Drang battle in Nov 1965 and was in the jungles and Montagnard villages with the 3rd bde, 1st Cav often collecting photos that were made into leaflets at our detachment.
    Would be happy to provide more info if requested.

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    • Some of the soldiers in 25th Psyop detachment as I remember….sorry I can’t recall everyones name….Remember that 17 day ship voyage to Vietnam?
      Cpt William R Perry, Lt Harvey, Lt Goetz, Lt Williams, Sp4 Corlette Baylock, Dienthal, Swinerton, Pimental, Charles Morris, Risley, Niver, Rosynek and Plemons…Sp5 Peter Clark and SSG Mike Zazalak.
      I was honored to be selected in August 2013 in Together we served if you care to look at my profile go to: http://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=Profile&type=R
      Sure would like to hear from you!

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    • February 12, 2015 11:29 am
      David Miller, I was with the PSYOPs detachment in the MACV compound. Our hootch was next to the mail room. Went to Nam by MSTS troop transport ship, the USNS Gen John Pope, with the HHC 6th PsyOps. Was in the Detachment from about May 1966 until January 1967. I was an intelligence analyst and on a loud speaker team. Supported the 1st and 3rd Bdes of the 1st Air Cav, 2nd Bde of the 4th ID and 3rd Bde of the 25th ID. I also worked with the CIDG. Richard (Duke) Allen, David Luke, Lt. Barrett, Captain Dunn, and Sgt. Baker were there at the same time.

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    • My father, Major Bernard W Dibbert, was killed in an ambush near Pleiku on June 1, 1965. Do you know anything about what happend or have any pictures of Highway 19 from Pleiku to Le Thanh (where their convey was headed)? Michael Dibbert (his son)

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      • Hi Michael,
        First off, I’m sorry to hear your father passed away there. I often wonder what it would have been like if my dad hadn’t returned home and how different our lives would have turned out.
        My father was an ARVN advisor 1964-66 in Pleiku. His name is Maj. Ralph C. Walden. I have your father’s name written down in my research notes and I just googled his name and came across your post. Unfortunately my dad passed away in 1997 so I can’t ask him but he received the Bronze Star for that ambush and I have the letter he received with it. It reads:

        For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Maj. Walden distinguished himself by heroic action on 1 June 1965 while serving as an advisor to a friendly force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the course of an operation Major Walden’s convoy was ambushed by a Viet Cong battalion. He immediately returned fire inflicting many casualties on the insurgent forces. After approximately twenty minutes of intense fighting, Major Walden moved to the far side of the road where friendly soldiers were wounded and led them down a ravine to safety. Upon arrival of the relief force he led the group back to the pick up point and assisted in the evacuation of the group.
        The letter is dated 24 Nov 1965 and is signed by W.B. Rosson Major General, USA Chief of Staff

        I also have a letter my dad wrote to us about that day and I will try to find it.

        I also have a letter from Lt.General Lon That Dinh commending my father in regards to LOI HOA II and III. I don’t know if anyone out there remembers my dad or these exercises but I would love to talk to anyone that does.
        Thanks!
        Cheryl Walden

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  112. My mail address in 1967 was MACV Adv Tm 21 Pleiku. We lived on the MACV compound next to their HQ guys. We were a small detachment of TMA. I was commo chief. When the new General came we got kicked off the compound and went to live with the Air Force. Since most of our work was classified, I told him what we did was none of his business. Our hooch looked like MASH the tv show. Bar in the center, loud music and weapons everywhere. Needless to say, the little General was pissed.

    We were there during Tet ’68. We manned the bunkers outside the compound. Once out of the wire there was no getting back in until daylight. Mortar and rocket attacks were a daily part of life after Tet. Fortunately, none of our guys got killed, though we took a lot of shrapnel.

    Am unable to contact any of the TMA guys. The only people we associated with were some of the 504 MP’s. If anyone is out there let me know.

    Jerry Frith. 66-68

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    • Jerry Frith are you on Facebook? I posted a reply above regarding Capt John K Adams, Team 21 only from 01Mar67 to 26Mar67 , his KIA date. Did you have contact with these guys ? I’ve posted photos he took on the MACV Facebook group

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  113. I am looking for anyone who served on the MACV team 21, II Corps, who might remember a Sergeant First Class by the name of Ray Ely. He was in Vietnam from ’67-’69 and was awarded the Bronze star in ’67. Any help would be appreciated.

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  114. SP5 Tommy C. Nettles, I was assigned to Team 21 Feb-May 70 as an Intelligence Analyst. I had an emergency at home and had to leave early. I ended up getting out of the Army , for a while. I remember the mess hall getting blown all to hell and killing lots of people. We were a target for the rockets and got hit often. The pool was great. This was the time of the Cambodia action and I remember our base pay doubled during this period of time due to VOLAR. I got to reenlist and spent 23 years and retired a Master Sergeant. This was my second tour (my first was airborne infantry 1/8th Cav ABN 65-66 and my third was 525 MI Group (CI), Siagon 72-73)

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  115. Hi- Spec 4 Greene served Jul69-Jun70.at Tm 21. Was in the order of Battle Shop. Sorry, I didn’t know any of the above- they were before and after me.

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  116. Hi Ed, I am a fellow Gold Star son. My father CWO Wayne E. Jones was KIA 17 Aug 67 flying out of Pleiku. The reason that I am on this page is a MACV Advisory Team 21 member Ronald Johnson died in the crash and I have been trying to find a picture of him. The Virtual Wall.org shows your dad serving with team 36 and Army.togetherweserved.com has a description of the attack in which he was killed. Also google his name or the Coffelt Database. Check out the website SDIT.org. Let me know if you want to talk or need more help. Good Luck, Wayne A. Jones, Jr.

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    • Wayne – thanks for the immediate response. I will follow the lead on the links you provided. I have been to some of the sites but I look forward to the others. Thanks.
      Ed

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      • Hi Ed – I knew your dad and family, including you as a little guy, when I was an E4 Counterintelligence Agent attached to the 8th Infantry Division in Bad Kreuznach, W. Germany. Straight out of MI school. I was there for 2+ years, from January of 1969 to July of 1971, at which time I rotated home and was discharged. I think about your dad often, he was a wonderful man and a mentor to newbies like me who worked for him. I also remember one time when your mom and dad had all the unattached young guys over for Thanksgiving dinner one year. I’ve never forgotten that act of kindness, and that was just one of many. I’ve also shed a few tears at The Wall for him. Not sure that you will see this note, as your correspondence is a few years old. If you do see it, send me a note if you’d like to talk sometime. bill.abel@mchsi.com

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        • Bill – thanks for reaching out to me and responding to my inquiry. I will reach out to you via email. Can’t wait to hear your stories.
          Ed

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  117. Great website – thanks all for your service.
    My father Edmund Roberge was killed in action on 16 March 1971 in Pleku, Phu Nhon HQ. He was part of MACV team just not sure what team. Does anyone recall him or serve at that time. Thanks. Ed

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  118. I was the communications Sgt. at Pleiku sector headquarters from September 1967 to September 1968. I was responsible for radio communications between sector headquarters and our four subsectors. We used RT-524 and PRC-25 FM radios and a KWM2A and PRC-74 SSB radios.

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  120. Was assigned to the Direct Air Support Center at the Army MAC-V compound from Aug 67-68. I was an Air Force radio operator who provided air support all over II Corps when requested by the Army. Primarily, F-4 Phantoms.. Was there on Jan 31, 1968 when the Tet offensive began. Ended up making the Air Force a career and retired in 1989. Would love to hear from anyone from that time frame. Steve Fee steve134@comcast.net

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  121. I was at Team 21 between May 71 and January 72 with a period of time at Arty Hill. We were a team of 5 called II Corps(Red) which was part of the 525th MI Group. I have spoke with others assigned to the team earlier but have not yet found any assigned during the same time period.

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  122. My father CWO Wayne E. Jones served with the 18th Avn. Co. 2nd Platoon at Pleiku. He lived at the MACV compound at Pleiku and flew out of Camp Holloway. His Otter aircraft crashed on Dragon Mountain 17 Aug 1967, taking the lives of all the crew and a passenger Pfc Ronald J. Johnson from MACV Adv. Team 21.
    Would like to hear from anyone that new Mr. Johnson or remembers the 18th Avn. Co. members there in 1967.

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    • I recall the crash which killed our courier whom I believe was Johnson around then. He would come to the TOC, pick up dispatches and leave, not much chatting was done. It is a long time ago and detailed memory fails but I recall the crash not being on Dragon Mountain which was devoid of vegetation and stuck out like a sore thumb, also called Titty Mountain, but in a the mountainous jungle area further south in bad, foggy, weather. Having flown many hours in II Corps as a passenger the weather could turn on you in a second and the flight get very tense.

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    • Hi Wayne, I was Ron Johnson’s bunkmate at Team 21 and he was a good looking, young 21-22 year old kid from I believe the Seattle, Washington area. We had a small group of buddies in our compound with various duties and Ron and some of the other guys whose names escape me would shoot hoops sometimes and just kid around with each other. This is the first time I have been at this site as my buddy just told me yesterday to try this. We had friends there, Marty from Maryland, Ingrahm from New Jersey, and Kenny all of whom I have never been able to get in touch with. I transferred up to Team 21 in Pleiku from Saigon in February 1967 and came home August 29th. I had applied for an early out for college here in New York and surprisingly left in August rather than November. On August 17th Ron and I both left on different flights and that was the last morning that I saw him. He went out on his regular courier flights and I would fly with a buck sergeant on the Caribou aircraft where we would go from base to base(An Khe, Ban Me Thout, Dak to and Qui Nhon, along the coast in II Corp each week picking up and dropping South Vietnamese ARVN draftees. Ironically, I was preparing to leave for home within a day or two of that flight and mentioned to Ron that morning that I would see him for dinner and drinks that evening when we returned. Sadly, that was the last day I saw Ron and left for home the following day. Whenever I stop down at the Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington, D.C. every once in a while(less in recent years) I stop by Ron Johnson’s name as well as three other veteran buddies from home who never made it back either. Now I am 70 and I was one of the fortunate guys to make it back ok and live pretty much a full life. I am truly sorry that your dad and Ron never had the same opportunity. At least now I actually know where their plane went down over 48 years ago. Thank you for allowing me to express my thoughts. Ken Kraft

      Reply

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