MACV Team 3 – Thua Thien Hue.
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 3 located in Thua Thien Hue.
MACV Teams
Military Assistance Command Teams Vietnam
MACV Team 3 – Thua Thien Hue.
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 3 located in Thua Thien Hue.
Where was the compound? I am in Hue now. I was not on the team but was was Team 70 in III Corps.
I would like to find the site.
No longer exists- bulldozed to make way for a high rise. Saw it in 2017 and it was unrecognizable.
Thanks for the quick reply. I never thought I would hear anything.
Two blocks south of the river,
John, Did you notice if the Thuia Thien Sector compound that was adjacent to the north of the MACV Compound still there?
The whole area was redone and I didn’t recognize anything. The size of the City is incredible and most of the buildings in our old area are now multi-story business blocks. You can try Googling it on your computer.
Thanks John. I’ve seen photos of the city and it’s hard to believe there has been so much development there. I hope to take a trip there on the next couple years. Any travel tips from anyone is appreciated. I’d like to visit Saigon, DaNang and Hue.
Martin, Fred Drew here….John was there much later than me, i went in 2008, but here are my two cents worth. my wife and I did two weeks. one in Hue, one in Saigon. we did not go on a tour, or with anyone…totally on our own. we flew LAX to Hong Kong, then VN Airlines to Saigon. flew then , supposed to go to Phu Bai, but ended in Da Nang, long story, but bottom line, we finally got to Hue. We stayed in that hotel/Spa, on the perferm river, west of the bridge…been there forever, French built it, Generals stayed theere in the 60s, etc..Cant remember the name, but,.it had been totally redone, and it was nice…and lots of westerners there, mostly German, canadians, Aussies, etc…of coiurse now you have a choice of some nice high rise world chain hotels….(we did AC cars and went to a lot of places, includeing several of the District Hdqs north of Hue, visitijng places i was at with 2/3, 1st ARVN Div…Quang Dien, etc…the taxi drivers were organized by the hotel, they did broken english ok, and i had a map, and basically told them where to go…we were there duering TET , the 40th anniversary, so lots of celebration, singing, etc etc…it was interesting to see them celebrate their Victory. We then flew Phu Bai, VN Airlines to Saigon; stayed at the the nicest hotel i have ever been in…it was the Hyatt…anyway, we did more AC Taxis, out to Tay Ninh, etc where i was my second tour…it was then, still very westernized….and lots of shady dealings, and sales along the streets….lots of good food, and of course some cheap clothes…i went to the top of the hotel that I stayed in for one night, when i first arrived in VN in June 67, repoeting to MACV, for one day processing before c130 to Phu Bai, and Hue, but I cant remember the hotel, but at the top is a bar, and it was still there in 2008, and we went up there, and it still smelled the same…if you can believe that…geez. Plan to spend at least one day in the imperial city in Hue….lots of memories for me…hope this helps…Cheers, Fred.
Thanks Fred. Appreciate the advice. That’s the itenary I’m thinking of. Saigon to Danang, then I’d like to take the train to Hue. I didn’t get to do much sightseeing when I was there in 68. I never even went to see the palace. I do remember the hotel on the Perfume River. I had gone there with a buddy once for some personal R&R. The MPs caught us in there and chased us out, literally. We were able to lose them in the back streets. I’m glad to hear you had a good experience without a tour. That’s the way I’m thinking of going also.
My friend, also a Vietnam vet, and I are here for a few weeks. Came from Newark to Tokyo to Hanoi. Spent 4 days in Hanoi, a great city. Very prosperous. Then flew down to Danang and took bus up to Hue. Been here 2 days and now going back to Danang. Will fly from there to Dalat and then to Saigon, Tay Ninh and whatever else we can fit in.
We are here by ourselves and set our itinerary a day or two at a time. Very inexpensive to travel here. I was stationed at Lai Khe down south near Saigon so this region is all new to me.
Sounds like you’re having a good trip. From everything I hear it’s fairly easy to get around the country. Enjoy!
It is easy to get around. We are having a great time. It is nice being back with the Vietnamese people again. Met a VNAF helicopter pilot last night.
1. I hired a highly-recommended guide for this trip…Mr. Thanh. He has been the guide for a number of the military-oriented tour groups over the past 15 years. He took care of everything…meals, transport, hotels, etc. The only way to go for folks of our age group and experience. I was a party of one…my preference. Total trip length was 14 days, including an overnight in Seoul on the way in. I sent him a list of places I wanted to visit ahead of time, and he made all the arrangements. It was a great trip.
2. Vietnam is still a land of contrasts. The cities are modern and growing fast. Lots of entrepreneurial spirit. The countryside is much the same as we remember it…albeit a lot more peaceful. Internet service is countrywide with few exceptions…even in the A Shau! The war museums and statues tell the NVA side of the “American War”. Their call.
3. My observation is that the Vietnamese are among the best drivers in the world. Traffic appears chaotic at first, but that is only to western eyes. Every type of transport imaginable co-exists on the highways/roads/paths/trails. The actors range from kids pushing wagons, old women walking with baskets on poles or on their heads, motor bikes carrying a family of five or chickens or pigs or whatever, taxis, scooters, 6×6, 18 wheelers. Rules of the road are mostly unwritten, and traffic signs/signals are only “suggestions”. All the drivers/walkers have an amazing sense of situational awareness, together with muscle memory for navigating through or around their neighbors. For the most part, they are also very courteous, and there is a definite hierarchy for “right of way” . I didn’t see a single accident during my many hours on the road.
4. Highway One is a toll road in parts. There is a traffic light between Quang Tri and Dong Ha. Almost all of the memorials, statues, and cemeteries honor the NVA. The Viet Cong are hardly mentioned. A lot of the places we remember are no longer recognizable. Either gentrified, overgrown, or cultivated.
bill mcbride
Bill, along time since I have spoken with you. I absolutely agree with all of your observations. What a country!
My friend was a gunship crew chief. We are sitting here in the Hue rail station and headed for Danang.
No more climbing the Hai Van Pass (unless you want to). A tunnel now goes through the mountain.
Pulled the trigger before I had a good sight picture: This introduces my comment below.
I went back in 2006 and 2019. Having a guide made the second trip much more focused and meaningful. I spent a couple of days in a “homestay” in the AShau, less than a klick from where my recon patrol was hit, Aug ’67. Went back to the location.
Not pimping for the guide, but would highly recommend him.
Mark, were you with TM4 or TM3 when you were with units along the DMZ? I’m asking because I had a long-running discussion with a colleague from TM4 about whether Hue had any advisors in that area.
Just FYI re the question of tm 3 or 4 in the DmZ area: I was with tm 3, with 2/3 Regt, 1st ARVN Div… our bn never operated that far north, but i spent a short time with the 1st Div Reaction Co, Had Bao, and all of I Corps, north of Da Nang was 1st ARVN Div area up to and including the DMZ, although the Marines pretty much had all of the fire bases etc…..but, when i was with Hac Bao, we went up to the DMZ, A1, Charlie One, etc etc for some short Ops…..thats the only time that I was up there, Tm 4 had the northern area , team 3 had the Tui Thein Priovince…..tm 4 had Qunang Tri Province….this is to the best of my recollection….then LT Fred Drew.
I was base at A1, then C3 and finally in the MACV compound in Hue as Senior Advisor to the Hoc Bao. Then 1Lt Francis Delaney.
Mike thats very interesting. The time i spent with Hac Bao was when Jim Coolican took two weeks leave after TET 68, it was a crazy 2 weeks…what months and year were you with Capt Hue?
Mike/ Fran was there with my dad, Also then Capt Hue, Merv Bolitho, before Merv Tony Egan.
I was the Hoc Bao Sr Advisor in Spring of ’69.
Hi, I am Jimmy Gibson’s daughter, Lynn Gibson. He passed away 09/01/21 and we have his DD214. We miss our dad so much and have learned more about his military time since he passed away.
He was an Advisor for the MACN
He was a 1st LT and was awarded several Bronze Stars. I was wondering if any of you guys new him.
Lynn,
I was a radio operator with MACV team three from 19 May 1969 to 15 June 1970. I’m pretty sure that Jimmy Gibson was one of our personnel; he was an officer and as such we didn’t socialize. But I remember him from my time at FSB Currahee and FSB Airborne in the summer of 1969. I remember him as a tower of strength in the A Shau Valley campaign that summer. It was my job, among other duties, to ride with the supply helicopters that delivered mail and other requests to our in-the-field advisors. He seemed like a very “together” guy.
Really can’t tell you much, but a reflect a lot on my experiences with Team 3, and have been trying to remember details, and your post reminded me of someone I worked with and respected.
Sincerely
Alan L. Kalter–MACV Team 3
I’m so sorry I am just seeing this. I have a photo of dad – Jim Gibson 1st LT doing a resupply on Hill 937. My email is LynnGibson@thenrv.com
Feel free to email me.
I served in Thua Thien Province from July 1968 through March of 1969. One thing that may be causing some confusion was the fact that I arrived as District Senior Advisor to Phu Thu District we were Team 3, along with Advisers to the 1st ARVN Div. Sometime a little later (not more than two months) Adv Tm 3 was split, Team 3 stayed with the Division and the Commanding General, and Team 18 was activated as the Provincial Advisory Team encompassing all of Hue under Colonel Thanh and its subordinate Districts. Basically TM 18 became a political advisory team with the attached RF/PF forces while the main force 1st ARVN were separate combat units. Both Advisory Teams were Headquartered and quartered in the hotel in Hue, however the District Teams were generally located at the respective District Headquarters. Hope this might clear some confusion. If I am correct, all the Provincial Teams were separated mid-1968 from the Combat Advisory Teams.
sir I was with 1st Div Recon Co SSG D R REESE . Diid you know Dad Kelly Reg SGM He took me Under his wing I first got to the unit. I think he pass away a few year ago.
I was the Adjutant for Team 3 from February 1970 to October 31st. I remember the MACV hotel. My roomate was in team 18. Was that a CORDS team, don’t think it was team 3.
George Donatello CPT USA (ret)
George
Did you work with Major Billy Joe Williams? He was KIA at FCB Henderson. It appears you might have overlapped on Team 3
Rawles
Frank does a was a sp4 radio operator on guard duty the night that yet started. He manned an m-60 machine in the tower on the front side of the compound. He shots ip the nva/b/c sappers trying to breach the wire, killing about a dozen.
An rpg hit the tower, basically taking off his leg. Usmc major Jim coolican got him down from the tower but he bled out begotten he could be medevaced, he got the dsc and Jim got the navy cross. Frank was a wonderful kid from outside kalamazoo mi who was due to go home and marry his h.s. Sweetheart.
MARK I WROTE A NOVEL whichis basicly a wild psycho dream of my view of viet nam experience but there are some scenes of the macv compound and the palace in hue. i am happy to attach it to you if you send me an email usincus@hotmail.com.
or any one else interested—steve malamud
I served w/ the 525 MI Grp in Hue, Dec 71 until we relocated to PhuBai in the summer of ‘72. Who was PFC Dozema- the soldier who died during Tet 68 that they honored by naming the compound in his honor?
Thank you-
Mark, I was an infantry officer and advisor to various ARVN units in 68/69. I was based on outposts just south of the DMZ, and later at the MACV compound in Hue, when I was Senior Advisor to the Hoc Bao (Black Panthers). I may be able to help you with your book.
Mike Delaney
Left Hue so suddenly (medevac) in Feb,1968 – never got a chance to say goodbye to my roommates- Majors Hank Bartlett and Donn Hogan. Hank was from Massachusetts and Donn from DC. Anyone in contact with them or know how to reach them?
Hi John, Fred Drew here….sorry , but I have not info on those two….so sad that you were not able to receive some of the goodies, of those of us who were able to make it thru that stuff….cheers, my Friend…Fred Drew.
Can anyone on here tell me where the MACV Compound was located in Tam Ky? and what Team # it was? I can’t see it listed on the Team listed page. I spend over a year at the Team 3 compound in Hue. After I extended, I was sent to Tam Ky but only spent a couple weeks there so don’t remember much about it.
Hi Richard, When were you at Team 3? I was there Oct 67-68.
Martin, I was there from June68 to about July or Aug 69. I was part of the Marine Security unit that took care of the main gate & perimeter. Our house was on the South West corner.
Richard, I am sad to say that I was the idiot that came through the gate one night at a high rate of speed. I tore the chain off and slid to a stop. I’m surprised I wasn’t shot. I was using a jeep that I “borrowed” from one of the officers. After this and other aberrant behaviors, I was awarded a one way trip to the A Shau Valley.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Lol….Gary, I wasn’t working the gate that night cause I would of remembered that one. Your assignment wasn’t a good place to be. Glad you made it back. Who were you with? I do remember some one running over Garfield one night. I think we buried him at the base of the flag.
I worked in G-2 at the 1st ARVN Headquarters until banishment to the A Shau.
Gary: Banishment is such a hard word for “the needs of the Army require your presence elsewhere.”
Yes, it was actually an opportunity to improve to improve one’s health hiking through a beautiful tropical jungle. Also gave me the opportunity to sample exotic Vietnamese cuisine. There were frequent fireworks for one’s enjoyment and the opportunity to call in air strikes on evil little people.
There is a pretty detailed new book out on the Ashau. Covers most of the operations conducted there.
A Shau: Crucible of the Vietnam War
byJay Phillips
It is on Amazon, among others.
Thanks, I will check it out.
So it was all good in the lovely A Shau?
JOHN, you crack me up…..
Richard, I was there from May 68-May 69. Served as Deputy Compound Commander. You guys did a great job! Thank You.
Angelo, In your position, I’m surprised my exploits did not come to your attention. My behavior was not exemplary!
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
But you were there and not in Canada and we got thru it together. That’s what I remember. Welcome Home.
Mr. Romero, would you mind allowing me to contact you directly about an awards case I am working? Email, text or phone. David Sciacchitano 703 980-7510 david.sciacchitanol@gmail.com
Hay Richard, I was there Sept68-Oct 69. Was with 1st Div, Recon Co. Did know a Aussie Dad Kelly he took me under his wing when I 1st got to the tm. He got hit on Hamburger. I got mine same time.
Hi, I am Lynn Gibson – Jimmy Gibson’s daughter. Dad was with Kelly when he was wounded and has responded on this page. My dad passed away in September 2021. I found this website by accident and saved my dads response. You’re more than welcome to email me at
Lynngibson@thenrv.com
I visited the Marine’s house a few times and drank wine with the guys. I even recall they liked Paul Mason Pinot Noir. Dont know how I remember that. LOL Your name sounds familiar.
What year? I remember drinking a little wine as I wasn’t a liquor drinker. Just wine or beer. Check our the MACV Hue compound on Facebook where you can view & post pics
I was there Oct 67-68. Worked in the Thua Thien Sector S2 shop.
Does anyone remember who the awards and decorations officer was from late 1967 until spring 1968? How about the 1sr Sgt. for the same period?
As Deputy Compound Commander my First Sgt was Calvin Lord and the gentleman who served with the Compound Commander (Major Webb) was First Sgt Peebles. Hope that helps.
Hi, Thanks. It will if I can find any of them! I don’t suppose you remember any first names?
Sorry, can’t help you there David. Also, I should mention that I was there from May ‘68- May ‘69. Probably after the time period you were searching. Good luck.
Thank you very much. I will try to find Webb to see if he knows the awards chain of command. Team 4 was subordinate to Team.3 until about August, 1968, and all Team 4 award recommendations went through Hue.
Hello David…was monitoring the conversation….there is a Gary Webb…Advisor then, i went to school with him at Fort Bragg, we both went over together, he went to adv team 2 or 4, it think…and i went to adv team 3….which i think he was there also, anyway, we have communicated since…not sure he can help, but his email is: freefallfella2004@yahoo.com. Good Luck
Hi Fred.. I haven’t had a response to two separate emails I sent to Col. Webb’s address. Is there another way to contact him? If you know where he is living, I might be able to find him on the Internet. Thanks, David Sciacchitano
david.sciacchitano@gmail.com
My dad Jimmy Gibson was at FT. Bragg around the same time. He was a MACV Special Forces Team 3. Please forgive me if I didn’t write that correctly.
Hi David, Were you at the MACV Compound during the Tet Offensive?Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
No, but if I can help you with something, let me know.
I was in the USAF with a TACP (FAC) attached to Team 4 up in Quang Tri and I was there during the Tet Offensive. Our aircraft sometimes operated out of Hue, so I was back and forth to Hue with our aircraft (all either O-1 Bird Dogs and O-2s). But that was mostly in 1967. Some of our pilots and aircraft were at Hue during the Tet Offensive (aircraft all lost pilots OK). If you have a question that a USAF guy might know the answer, I can ask one of them.
There was a separate 20th TASS group that flew out of Hue, led at that time by USAF Lt. Col. Richard Brown, a wonderful boss and all around great human being. He was also our boss as our chain of command passed through Hue just as the rest of Team 4’s did I stayed at House #8 when I was working out of Hue.
We belonged to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron based at Danang, but most our aircraft and personnel were what we called “up country,” either attached to MACV teams or to various US and allied infantry divisions (except Marines) in I Corps. I was first with Team 2 at Tam Ky and then went up to Quang Tri.
Do you or any of your colleagues know or remember a Barky FAC Trail 33 Will Hall from Texas? I was the Sr Advisor to the 3/54th regiment late 68 to late 69. He was a great help to me from time to time.
Never had a chance to meet “Trail 33,” but I surely did hear him from time to time–I was an RTO with MACV Team 3; spent a lot of time at various fire bases in and around the Ashau Valley in the summer of ’69, and “Trail 33” came up on the radio a number of times when I was at Berchtesgaden, Currahee, and others. Watched him flying Trail 33 from a vantage point at B’Gardens–Alan Kalter, Spec 4
Did you work with Major Billy Joe Williams? He was with Team 3 Aug ‘69 to May ‘70 (KIA at Firebase Henderson)
I was part of Team 3, as was your dad. I did not work directly with him. A couple of years ago, I related here my experience when I returned from R + R and got to talking with the officer who was to replace your dad, which is how I learned of his demise. The Black Cat helicopter pilots filled in a number of details for me.
Copy that and thanks! That conversation was with me prior to visiting FCB Henderson (as close as we could walk) in 2019, with a local ex-NVA soldier, which was an incredible experience.
Your input was precious as was the brief email exchange with the 101st CO. In my own mind, I’ve found peace in understanding, as best possible, what actually happened, but I’m always chasing threads. Thanks for sharing, again. In my heart, I know he’s dancing the fiddler’s green…
I found two FACs who used the Trail 33 call sign. There may have been others. One was William Harris, and the other was Leo Hall. I don’t have dates of service in Vietnam. Interesting that one FAC’s first name is William, and the other’s last name is Hall.
Thanks David. I was NCOIC of the Thua Thien Sector S-2 from Nov 67 – Nov 68. I am in the process of trying to write an account of the defense of the MACV Compound during the Tet Offensive. I’d like to get in touch with as many of the men who were in the compound during that time as possible to conduct interviews. If you can help me get in touch with anyone I’d appreciate it. My email is: mashreveport@yahoo.com and my cell for calls or texts is 225-252-4929.
marty,
steve malamud–I was at the macv compound the night of the tet attack 1968–radio operator bunker
Hi Steve, Thanks for reaching out. I would really like to talk with you sometime. My email is: mashreveport@yahoo.com. My cell is 225-252-4919. Please let me know a good time to call and I’ll be happy to call you. Look forward to chatting. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
There is a photograph posted on the Facebook site: Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV)Team3 . You might recognize some of these folks.
Hello David
My father LTC Moore was senior advisor Team 3 to the 1st Regiment from September ‘68 to September ‘69. He mostly worked from Riverview. Richard Johnson worked with him a few times. I have a few pictures that Richard thought you could shed some light on – a bar (Officers Club Quang Tri?); two Aussies having a beer; and my father with a Captain, two Montagnards and an ARVN soldier. They could also have been from his first tour ‘66/‘67 in Tuy An.
Any info you could provide is appreciated. My email is ryerow@yahoo.com.
Best Regards
Kevin Moore
Hi. I was in Quang Tri with MACV Team 4 during Tet. When I was in Hue, it was always on an informal a TDY from Quang Tri (we traveled with our aircraft).
I was a first LT and worked for Col Adkinson from Dec 67 until i derosed, after coming in from the field. I was not the awards and decorations officer, but i knew him, but cannot remember his name, for some reason I think he was a major, but probably a Capt….i know that he was swamped with award recommendations after TET….sorry i cannot help.
I never knew him either but he and the USMC cost me dearly. I never got three medals I had been put in for and I never got that cool citation you all got after the battle ended – the locally produced scroll thingy. So I got hit three times at Hue, got medevacked out in mid-February and missed out on all the goodies. The worst part was finding out 25 years later that USMC Captain JT Irons saw to it that two of his guys got medals exactly for what I did! Ah well as my wife says- “virtue is it’s own reward.” At least I got my occasional radio operator Nelson Rodriguez the CIB by providing an affidavit 50 years after the battle.
Hello. Could the major have been Leon Taylor, or the Captain Role Mijares?
I don’t recall either name. I never spent much time in the Compound as I was in the field a lot on division operations or with the Recon Company. I really only got to know Col Kelley, Mel Russell, Bob Wakefield and Jim Coolican, Bob Stuler, LTC Brown, and a few others whose names I’ve pretty much forgotten.
If I am not mistaken I believe the Captain’s name was Capt. Mijares.
i thing the awards guy may have been a majeor–west point ype anyway a major from the 1st division advisors pinned a medal on me
steve malamud
Thanks
that name is very familiar to me….maybe he was the Adjutant, or S1, that would have been the place where awards were sent in the beginning….
Hi. I had Mijares name wrong – the stud book I used was faint on the final letter. His full name was Rolf Siegfried Mijares. Unfortunately he passed away in Germany in 1977. The other fellow’s name was Leon Taylor, as noted above. But I can’t find him. I’ll keep trying.
Hi. This does help, and might be useful. If you remember the name, please let me know.
David Sciacchitano
I’m curious if anyone that served at the MACV Compound in Hue from 1968-1969, knew where our water came from? I remember a “water buffalo” at the front of the compound close to the main gate. But where did all our water come from? Was it “processed” is any way? Or was it just local water from the city source? I was with the Marine security unit housed in the NE corner in an old French house.
I was attached to MACV Tm 3 from March 66 to May 67 and ran the
APO with Ron Rex and Richard Miller. The Buffalo at the front gate
Was towed to Phu Bai almost daily to get water from a water purification unit at the 8th RRU in Phu Bai, we made that trip almost
Every day I was there. I think of the people I served with often,
Since its been over 54 years I have forgotten many of the names.
Jerry, Thanks for the reply & information. Good to know. I remember the water buffalo well. I guess I drank more sodas & beer than water while I was there and I couldn’t remember any water purification system at the compound although our ‘house’ did have running water in it when I was there in 68-69. I’m not sure where the source that it came from. Glad you made it back.
There was water in the latrines except during the Tet Offensive. I assumed that was from the local water system.
Marty, did your latrines (head for Marines) have showers? Don’t remember ever using the Army’s latrine
the reason there was no water during the TET offensive was because the NVA blew up the power plant at the west end of the city, not electricity, no pumps to pump the water, I think the water came from the Perfume River and was non potable…we did a couple of days with not water in the compound during TET 68 until the Marines brought in a water buffalo.
Fred, I remember that we had water from the Perfume River for a few days.
Marty, yes maybe a few days…i just remember that when the Marines pulled in the water buffalo, it got real croweded around it, and a good target for snipers…i had some dehydrated shrimp, that I was cooking with orange soda….do you rmember the navy EM guy, who drove the Navy grey pick up in the compound and it had a pallet of orange soda on it, and he was selling cases of it like he owned it, I traded a thompson Sub machine gun for two cases….geez.
I love that story. Here’s one for you. The Marine security detachment lost a PRC25 radio during TET & it never got remove from there checked out gear & supply at MACV supply & they wanted it back. We bought 2 bottles of Old Crow at the Class 5? & took them to Marine base at Phu Bai & traded for a PRC25 to give back to supply.
We also took some stuff to the Army base at Phu Bai after the Marines moved out & traded for a case of frozen steaks & grilled them outside one day.
Another one….the Col had someone fill a room on the 2nd floor of the yellow building that was next to the flag pole with cases of C rations. They filled the room with them. Some Marine climbed up the back side & got into the room thru a boarded up window & started liberating them a couple cases at a time. Before too long the room was empty from the back with only a couple rows at the front. The Col. Wasn’t happy when they did an inventory & found most of them missing.
Lots of great stories amoung the fierce fighting etc….I was withg 2/3, regt, first arvn div….and had just come in from the field, about a month before TET, and had this cush job as the assistant to col Adkinson…i was a first LT…..and then tet, so i was in the compound when the shit his the fan on jan 31…etc etc…but another story….when i was with the bn out in the field, and would get a night or two in the compound every month or so, I would get booze from the class “6”. store, in the compoiund, and stand at the entrance to the compound in the morning with the daily convoy came thru from phu bai, to north points , all, and I would trade the booze for c rats, cause i was living with the VN Bn, and was not good at eating fish heads.k , etc, and wojld then mix some of the c rats with the rice, etc, out in the field…geez….what was your job, etc during that time?
I used to go to Phu Bai and trade AK-47s for steaks from Seabees. Also had a mamsan who sewed NVA flags for me and put chicken blood on them. Sold or traded them to USAF guys for hard liquor or steaks. I guess now they’d call that the “Gig” economy.
I don’t remember the orange soda. But it was a very creative time. I remember once we tried to figure out a good mixture of ketchup to vodka to create a bloody mary.
Ha, hell , that actually sounds good today as a stand by…..Merry Christmas. Fred.
Thanks Fred. And Merry Christmas to you also.
Are you the one who stole MAT I-31’s jeep at the Danang Hotel in July 1969?
Arthur, That’s a good question. I assumed the water came from the Perfume River and was treated to drink. But perhaps it was trucked in from Phu Bai. Were you assigned to MACV during Tet?Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Art, steal is a very harsh word back in Vietnam. Liberated might be a better definition……found a lost jeep…or it followed me home.
I have a picture of a stray jeep but this site won’t let me post it.
Curious if there is someone who remembers my father, MSG Anthony “Tony” “Guy” Costantino. Also went by last name of “Cost”. In country just before or just after Battle of Hue and tour was 1 year. Served under COL Thomas Bowen and LTC Frank Jakes. Would have been in civilian clothes for duration of tour. Was located in office building NW, across Perfume River from MACV compound. I believe his job was psyops advisor.
LTC Bower, though we never met personally I do remember you. I was the Deputy Compound Commander serving under Majors Webb, Williams, and Perry. All wonderful COs.
While I can’t recall Dr. Bernie I do remember Navy Lt Dr. Connors, the surgeon. Long discussion concerning his student loans and how he looked forward to paying them off once he got into private practice.
The other MACV Doctor was Walker Shields. He came after Dr Bernie. Once gave me large doses of tetracycline in both cheeks for some kind of “rot” on my foot.
Asked him if that was also the treatment for another ailment some of the men contracted. Also asked him if that meant I was protected – just in case – to which he replied “don’t even think about it Captain”!
His medic was an ace. Gave me the rabies shots.
Proud to have served with you. Ange Romeo
No, I am not. I was not a marine. I was army but still I made with some of the guys. I also saw your husband in Fort Steward, Georgia.after Vietnam.
Does anyone remember my husband, Corporal Michael “Mish” Mishler or Bob Robertson Jr.? They were both in the MACV Tower Post #2 the first night of Tet and protected the MACV from being overrun the first night of Tet, along with Frank Doezema Jr.(Army) and another Marine Bobby Hull or Hall.. Michael was attached to the 3rd Marines 3rd Battalion Marine Security in Hue from 66-69. I just found this site,wish I had known about it when Michael was still alive. I just lost him July 2019. I do want his service for his country kept alive and the true account of the first night of Tet from MACV Post #2,of Michael and Frank Doezema Jr, Bob Robertson and Bobby Hull and their heroism to be told. I know all of his stories,have photos,and video of Michael and Bob at the Doezema family farm sharing their story with the Doezema family.
Thanks Linda for this post & comments. I too make an effort for all to remember Mish’s account of that night. Proud to have known & served with “Mish” at the MACV compound with the other Marines, in our little corner of the compound.
Linda I was in Vietnam from august 67 to august 68. I knew your husband and also a few of the other marines at marine security. Some of them I remember by name and others can’t remember their names. Two members of the marine security were friends of mine, Victor Milian and Vazquez. After the attack started I never saw Vazquez again. Victor Milian returned to the states. I have some pics of some of the guys from marine security. By the way I was an RTO working with Vietnamese infantry.
Hello Linda, My name is Martin Albritton. I was at the MACV Compound during the Tet Offensive but I didn’t know your husband. I am in the process of researching the battle from the perspective of the MACV participants and hope to write an account of that action. I would like to talk with you at your convenience. My email is mashreveport@yahoo.com and my phone number is: 225-252-4919. Please let me know how you would prefer to communicate and I’ll look forward to talking with you. Thanks.
Does anyone remember serving with Lt. Chuck Provino, USMC? He was with 1st Anglico, Hue Detachment. Advisor to Vn Airborne Unit and VNMC Sept 72-Jan 73
Bill: Do not know the Anglico you spoke of however I did get to fly on one of their missions. The Anglico we had at the time (sorry, can’t remember his name) asked me if I wanted to come along on a fire mission he was doing for a ship that was heading north, I of course said sure> He knew I was a former Team Chief/Instructor on FO procedures at Ft Benning and thought it might be interesting. When we got out over the shoreline I saw a destroyer passing by and asked if that was the ship. He said “NO, it’s that one out there.” It was the New Jersey, heading north. What an experience watching those big guns firing into the depths of Nam Hoa/Ashau. Three rounds fired from each gun, big boom and it looked like jeeps flying through the air, then lots of mahogany splinters flying around. When I got back to USAIS I had a real story to tell my students.
Not too related, but I remember the New Jersey firing over the MACV compound. I could hear it fire, I could hear the round going over us & I could hear & feel the explosion. Even the plywood would squeak from the blast. Cool stuff. Glad I was in a safer zone than where those 2300# were going. Isn’t that how big they were? This was in ’68 or ’69. Cpl Richard Vaughn USMC, I Corps Security detachment.
Were you part of the group that had to get the rabies shots from the puppy that was the MSD mascot? Just before I went on R&R someone wanted me to pet the new puppy but I had a flight to catch. Got back 9 days later and I was told by the doctor who was my hooch mate that the entire detachment had to get the shots. It is good thing I left. I started out in college wanting to be a Veterinarian but it didn’t work out, but I love animals, dogs especially. I would probably have gotten better kisses from him than I got on my R&R with my new wife.
I believe I was the only Army guy along with the Marine Security Detachment who had that wonderful experience. CPT Shields came to me and said I needed to get the rabies series because I had cuts on my hands and had been playing with the puppy. I hesitated until he asked me if I played poker. When I said “yes” he said “rabies never loses”. Most of us just had to get seven of the fourteen shots (in the belly) but one young Marine took all fourteen. Major Perry, my CO, suggested I have a drink or three b/4 each shot. Good advice!
Yes I was. I think I ended up getting five or six of the 10 shots when they found out that the puppy did not have rabies. I have a picture of a syringe in my tummy on one of the shots. I too had cuts & they highly recommended the series of 10. I was at the Hue MACV compound in ’68 & ’69 but don’t remember when that happened. I use to have a picture of one of one of my Marine buddies holding the puppy infront of our building.
I too took the shots over that darn dog, I am Bob Alley shared a room in the marine house with Mishler. I have had no contact with any of the men from Hue or Danang detachment.Would like to talk with you and any the others. I just read of the passing of Mike and Rob, breaks my heart that I have waited so long. Im in East Tennessee Phone 423 416 7198 Email Boballey@excite.com
Correction: Chuck Provini…not Provino
I dont remember him, but I do rmeember 1LT Steve Lampo, USMC….he and i, both LTs were on several volunteer missions during the first ten days of the battle of Hue….
Does anyone remember a Cpt Fred Flueckiger? He was an advisor on team 3 from 65-66. He was my father . Appreciate any information
Captain Stephen Bernie. I was the general medical officer at MACV-3. From Sept 1967 to Oct 1968. Would like to hear from anyone at that time period. Bernieeyedoctor@yahoo.com
WOWWEE ZOWEE….DOC BERNIE…MAN, DO I REMEMBER YOU…You saved so many lives in your little dispensary in the compound…SO MUCH RESPECT FOR YOU….I think I brought several wounded to you over the first few days….This is Fred Drew, I was a 1st LT , had just come in from the field (2/3 Regt, 1st ARVN Div.) a month before TET, and had been on an advisory team with Capt Jim Coolican (USMC,), and sp4 Frank Doezema…On the first morning, after I left my bunker, which was just south of the tower, I was standing at the West Wall, watching the lead vehicles of the normal morning convoy come in from Phu Bai with the Marines getting fire from across the road, and they were firing all over the place…a signal Capt, I think, was standing right next to me, and got shot in the head, I think I dragged him to you….anyway…what a pleasure to hear from you, and that you found this web site…I have been on this site for some years…lots of good discussion about the Battle. Not sure you remember me, but I sure remember you. Would like to know what the rest of your life was like…as a doctor, in or out of the service…etc. I ended up doing 20 years, and retired in 84 with 20 years, as a LTC….I will communicate with you on the email you posted later today…My email is: fdrew@bak.rr.com . I live in Bakersfield CA. Hope you and your family is safe and staying away from the virus….Best to you,Fred.
Stephen, I was with team 3 from Jan ’68 to Nov ’68 and was assigned to the Nam Hoa District team. We spent about 1/3 of our time working out of the Hue MACV compound so I’m sure we spent some time together. I recall playing poker with a Doctor at the O Club, could that have been you?
Tom, Fred Drew here….I responded to Doc Bernie. He saved a lot of lives in his little dispensary ….I am looking now for pics. I am going to send him an email and will CC you on it…cheers, Fred.
Tom, I was the club officer from June 68 until May 69. Certainly remember playing cards with Steve Mettler, Dick Sites, Majors Throckmorton, Click, and Donley, and others whose names elude me now. Enjoyed when LTC Everett ( not a player) would start singing “Over There” while the rest of us were engaged. Thanks for the memory.
Hi, Angelo. Don’t forget about me. Joel Weisberg.
Hey Joel I will never forget about you. The best Director of Consumer Advocacy the State of Pennsylvania ever had. Spoke with Frank White a few days ago and he is doing well. Hope you are too.
Living in Florida and enjoying life. Hope all is well with you, Angelo.
Joel; so you finally made the move – good for you. Just tried to call but obviously your old number is out of service. Please email me your new one. ktownhue@aol.com
Spent a few weeks in Florida (Miami, Key West, Orlando, Tampa) in Jan-Feb. Maybe next year. Ange
Whatever happened to Major Click? Did you know Captain Clark or Lieutenant Presley?
Sorry I can’t help? What Branch was Presley? Anyone know whereabouts/status of Phil Taylor (signal), Berry Thompson, Dick Sides? How about Dave Shepherd. Dave consumed all the vanilla wafers and Dad’s root beer that made it into the compound. Good guys all!
Presley was Army, G-2
I arrived as Australian Medical Adviser (Warrant Officer 1) in early October 1968 and served with Capt Richard Donlon (US Army) and Capt Walker Shields (US Air Force) and I presume that he was your replacement..
I was a District Senior Advisor for Phu Thu District. Initially I spent every two or three days in Hue living in one of the huts near the eastern end of the compound, just over from the Province Senior Advisor’s quarters near Frank Dozema’s last stand. Second hut in from the wire. There were two doctors staying in that hut. Unfortunately do not remember names but one, maybe both worked at the Province Hospital and if I remember correctly they were both Navy Lieutenants. One was a surgeon, tall guy who I once out of curiosity visited him in the civilian hospital in Hue, and he had a book on general surgery that I used to read through on occasion. One part i remember well, was when I gleaned the issue of appendectomies and thought, “Hey that looks easy.” Just after Christmas we moved permanently to our newly constructed Team House. In January 1969 Typhoon Annie came through and closed out our area to everything but helo traffic. One night during the storm a woman came in and said her “son” was sick. My Medic, an excellent medicine man, and I took a look and immediately realized when we lowered “his” pants that she did not know the English difference between son and daughter. My Medic said she was suffering from appendicitis and was in really bad condition. We called for Medevac but he and I both prepared to do an emergency operation. That book was still fresh in my mind, just as it is as I write this but thank God, the Medevac got there and took the lady and her daughter to the hospital. Still remember how I felt when I realized I might have to assist in an emergency appendectomy. My time in Veterinary School made me think I was going to have my first operation in the field. Apologize, can’t remember the Doctor’s names, sometimes I have trouble remembering mine, but they were both very professional and I admired them, and still do, greatly.
Doc Bernie…see my other reply herein…I remember you very well. I was a 1LT….on the first morning, I carried a signal corp capt into you dispensary with a head wound,,,,after i left my bunker after daylight, on the first morning…my bunker was the first one down, south, of the tower, I was on the west wall, as the Marine Convoy came rumbling in, under fire…etc…and i was standing next to this capt, and he got shot in the head…I carried him to you…not sure what happened after that…i went on several volunteer missions…and then was carrying wouinded to the LCU ramp later in the evening….geez. So, yes I remember you very well….LTC (Ret) Fred Drew.
Hi all! Thank you for your service. My dad was Rawle Gardner and he served almost 2 years from Feb 66 to June 67 ADV TM #3 MACV APO 96258 USARV. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was 3 and I don’t have any memories of him. I’m looking for anybody who met him or anything at all you could share. He did basic at Ft. Dix in 66. Sharpshooter/Radio Operator. Thank you so much and hoping to connect!
I was with 1st Bn 1st Div 1968-1989 does any one kown if Aussie Dad Kelly may it home my name 1st Don Reese back they SSG.
Donald: I was with Dad Kelly during the attack on Hamburger Hill, I also call the medivac a few days later when he was wounded. I never saw him again, but the wound was not bad. Not long after he was evacuated, I was on a RIF with a ARVN Company 2/3, {n the Ashau Valley} While talking to a FAC pilot; Dad Kelly came on line , he was in the 01 birddog with the pilot. He was being sent home, I understand he died in Australia around 2005. he was a great solder as most of the Aussie were. LT. Jim Gibson
To Jimmy R Gibson….Reference your question about “Dad Kelly”, and Aussie soldier. I served with several Aussie Warrant Officers in HUE July 67 to June 68…and thru TET 68, with 2/3, First ARVN Div; and then in the MACV compound on Jan 30th…I was a LT then….Later, I served, as a Major, as the exchange officer to the Australian Infantry Centre, (while assigned to Fort Benning), for two years, from 1977- to 1979…in Singleton, NSW, Australia. When I saw your question on this WEB site, I sent an email to LTC Retired Bruce Davies, Australian Army, and he told me that “DAD MAX KELLY” did in fact return from VN in August 69, and he did, unfortunately pass on May, 6, 2003. So, I hope that fills in some blanks….by the way, LTC Davies and I , I was a major at the time, and he was a LTC, we were both at the Australian Infantry Centre at the same time…he wrote a book about the Aussies Advisors in VN…so I hope this helps…..LTC (R) Fred Drew.
thank you sir Dad took me under his wing when 1st join the team in 68 I was may 69 ship home glad you made also 1ST don REESE
thanks for the info LT. I miss hamgurger was back at team house getting ready for recon same AO yes he sure was a great solder.
Don and Jimmy. I was an Aussie Med Adviser posted to Hue. Dad Kelly was my ‘lucky charm’ as he was a Korean veteran. As we all know our initial war experiences can be worrying. Playing cards with Dad and a couple of fellow advisers when a few rockets landed nearby. My first reaction was mirrored by the same reaction as Dad’s and I knew then that I would be OK.. I had the task of finding Dad after he was wounded. So I helter skeltered down to Phu Bai fearing the worst but as I entered the hospital I could hear him cursing in a loud voice as only an old soldier can. Relief!!! Dad was OK. Yes he did return home and he was lucky as his back pack caught the shrapnel that should have killed him. At one stage his back pack was on display in the Australian War Memorial. Yes Dad passed quite some years ago.
Thanks William,
Thinking of Dad brings tears to my eyes on but puts a smile on my face.
Yes sir Mr Brown Dad was very good man he took me under his wing when I first got there He showed me the ropes . My he always RIP.
Me, Brown,
I am Jimmy Gibson’s daughter. He passed away on 09/01/21. I’m still reading through all of these comments to see where he commented.
Did you happen to know my dad?
Thank You,
Lynn Gibson
Yes he was one hall of a soldier like I said before he took me under his wing when I first got to the tame. when I got hit in late Aug. he was the 1st to come see if I was Ok. Thanks you.
This is my dad – oh WOW! I found something –
I stumbled across your blog researching my cousin, John J. O’Neill, Jr. He was on ADV TEAM 3 and reported as a casualty on 9/30/1966.
Unfortunately, I never met him. I was born after he had died but was close with his mother, Anna, who was my Great Aunt.
I’d appreciate any information or potential leads to gather information that anyone can offer.
Thank you.
Update on John O’Neill. Incident date 8/31/66. Casualty date 9/30/66. Location Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. 1966 status: Body not recovered. Found later.
Repatriated: 12/27/1969 (Returned to US Soil)
Identified: 1/12/1970
mervyn ritchard bolitho aattv sasc sasr rar 1968 1969 i am his son dad was black pather huk bou with harry hue
Hi Jeff. I was senior advisor to the Black Panthers in early 1969. Merv was second in command at the time, and took over my job when I returned to the States in May. Merv was a great guy, liked him a lot. Gunny Sgt Dick Weyand, another great guy, was the 3rd man on the team for a short period, then it was Merv and me.
At the time I was a army 1st Lt, was promoted to captain upon my return to the States, was discharged in 1970. Francis Delaney.
Are you in the military, too, Jeff? I
Hi ‘Geoff good to hear from you hope you are doing well every so often I am in contact with your sister feel free to email me anytime as you know my dad served with your father as did Francis Delaney. Patweyand@wi.rr.com. It was unfortunate that our parents could not of reconnected in person but I know they were both very happy to have reconnected via letter almost 40 years later Mr. Delaney I hope you’re doing well
hi pat hope u r well.how is dad..i will trey to stay in contact with u and frank more often by for now jeff
Jeff, we are well dad is 81 and wishes he and your dad could have seen each other in person. Feel free to E Mail me anytime Patweyand@wi.rr.com. Your father had sent me a photo of a son bow hunting. Was that you?
HI FRANCIS.GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU. I NEVER SERVED.
My father, Major Billy Joe Williams, served with MACV Team 3, Aug 1969 – May 6, 1970. He was KIA at FSB Henderson. I plan to visit Vietnam in May 2019, and intend to spend time in the DMZ in order to honor his service. I am extremely interested in talking with anyone who served in I Corp during Operation Texas Star (April 70 – Aug 70), specifically those who served with MACV Team 3; 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne; Battery 2-11 Field Artillery 155mm (US); B Battery 12th Field Artillery 105mm (ARVN); or, ARVN 1st Division, 54th Regiment. Also curious if anyone knows how to contact NVA units? Specifically, the 33rd Sapper NVA Battalion? Thank you in advance. (rawlesw@gmail.com)
I was an RTO with Team 3 at First ARVN Division Headquarters at the time you mention. I believe the Billy Williams you refer to was known to me as “Major Williams”–I was a Spec 4. I was in Japan on R+R; returned to Hue on or about 4 May, 1970. When I was on the last leg of my return, I chatted with a US Army Major who told me that he was on his way to join Team 3 because of what had just happened at FSB Henderson. He told me that Major Williams had been killed and Major Revelto wounded at Henderson. I talked to the Black Cats upon my return and asked them what had happened. They (Lt. Pfitzer, if memory serves) told me that they carried the two majors to Henderson; when they were inbound, the personnel at Henderson asked if they could take out some Medevacs; the Black Cat dropped off the two majors and made a trip to the rear with five or six wounded. Upon return, they checked in with Henderson and were told there were more Medevacs to carry back. When the two majors had left the Black Cat, they approached the bunker from which a major on the ground exited to greet them. As the three approached each other, an incoming mortar round hit in the middle of the three of them, resulting in the death of Major Williams, the injury to Major Revelto, and the major from Henderson escaping unscathed. This is what I remember almost 50 years later.
Alan L. Kalter, ex of MACV Team 3, 19 May 1969-15 June 1970 (approx.)
Alan – Thank you so much for the response. Your memory aligns with what I’ve read and been told. Most accounts of the battle at FSB Henderson on May 6, 1970 are written by A/2-501st soldiers, and from what I’ve read it sounds like what happened was rather gruesome. I have had difficulty determining exactly when Dad (Major Williams) arrived at Henderson that day and at what point of the battle he was killed.
I was 13, turned 14 at his funeral, but I remember “the Major” (what all my friends called him) like it was only yesterday. He was a good man who proudly served in difficult times. My oldest daughter, wife, and I will be in the Song Thach Han River Valley on May 5th this year, tipping back a cold beer to the Major and men just like yourself who did what they were asked to do. God bless you, sir!
My deepest condolences to you and you family in the loss of your father. I was the U.S. Forces Ground Component Commander commanding A Company, 2nd Battalion (Ambl), 2-501 Inf, 101st Airborne Division (Ambl) on FSB HENDERSON on 5-6 May 1970 when elements of the 8th Bn, 66th Inf Rgmt, 804th Inf Div (NVA) attacked the fire support base. Although I have no recollection of the specifics (time/place/circumstances) of your dad’s death, I would be honored to share the details related to Henderson’s defense and the horrific battle that took place on the 6th. I fought/led the battle from a fighting position no more than 15 to 20 meters from the 54th Regimental Tactical Operations Center and had met your dad there for the first time the previous day.
Sir
God bless you for your kind offer. I think I know what happened to the Major, but would dearly love to hear your story. I have read everything I could find about that terrible day, but it would be an honor to hear your version of events. I will be in Hue tomorrow evening and will reach out to establish a commo channel.
Thank you
Rawles
General Mitchell
Hue. Here is my email, rawlesw@gmail.com We are laying over here today, off to FSB Henderson May 5. Actually, to a small commune in the valley below FSB Henderson. If by some miracle of circumstance we could speak prior to the visit, that would be a blessing but with the time difference, I realize it might not be practical. Today we are taking a private boat tour on the Perfume River, then touring the Citadel. Maybe (your time) tomorrow morning? If not – I will attempt to connect after we return home (which is most likely) May 12.
You and your men will be in my prayers as we walk this path.
My email is rawlesw@gmail.com.
God bless you, sir.
Rawles
Hey Rawles, I was with TM 3 from Aug 68 until August 69. I was with the 54 regiment, first as the Senior Adviser to 3/54 than as the staff adviser/deputy regimental adviser. I did not know your dad; however, it is quite possible that he may have replaced me in 69. Best of luck with you trip and closure.
Robin
Thanks for the shout out. I may reach out when we get home to better understand what life was like with MACV Team Three
Rawles
Hi Rawls, I knew your dad casually. I was a Cpt and the adjutant at MACV team 3 in Hue.
I remember his death at Henderson. He was a very well liked officer. God Bless him and for his service there.I believe that he and Maj Rovelto were killed by mortars.
My name is Miguel M. Pacheco and I am a 62 yo survivor of a now deceased US Army Major Miguel Pacheco who was deployed to Laos in 1969-70. His record from NARA indicates that he was linked to a USAF outfit with the name “project 404.” Apparently, it was also called “Palace Dog>” I’m trying to get more useful information to clarify his role. Did any of you know him–he is the only father I ever had. He was of Puerto Rican extraction and 6’8″, Vietnam vet (medical logistics) and had a wife and 4 sons. If you knew him—-or of him–please give a shout out!
MIKE PACHECO, oldest son
Today is February 6th 2019. Today I will spend some time at our local Viet Nam Memorial remembering eight individuals who died this day in 1969 west of Camp Carroll area near FSB Vandergrift. They were four members of the crew of a Black Cat UH-1 helicopter of the 282nd Aviation Company, 212th Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division. Along with the crew were two Advisors LTC Donald Parsons and CPT Ron Briggs. Also Major Vu Vanh Phao, ARVN and an unidentified Vietnamese soldier Aide.
.U) CASE SUMMARY
1. On 6 February 1969 CW2 Charles I. Stanley, pilot, First Lieutenant David E. Padgett, aircraft commander, Lieutenant Colonel Donald E. Parsons, First Lieutenant Ronald D. Briggs, and Major Vu Vann Phao (ARVN), passengers, SP5 Robert C. O’Hara, crew chief, and Private First Class Eugene F. Christiansen, gunner, were aboard a UH1H helicopter, (#67-17499), on a re-supply mission in South Vietnam.
At about 1100 hours, while enroute from Landing Zone ((LZ) Vandgrift to LZ Tornado, First Lieutenant Padgett contacted the LZ Tornado radio operator, and stated that due to poor weather conditions and poor visibility the flight was returning to LZ Vandergrift. At that time the radio operator at LZ Tornado could hear the helicopter northeast of his location, which sounded as though it was heading- in a northerly direction. When the aircraft failed to return to LZ Vandergrift a coordinated search and res-cue operation was initiated and continued for a period of seven consecutive days, finding nothing. However, on the morning, of 7 February, R-Crown, (an airborne control aircraft), reported receiving radio beeper signals several times from the – general vicinity of where Lieutenant Padgett’s aircraft was last reported. The beeper signals were estimated to emanate from a point– near grid coordinates (GC) YD 170 300. (The incident coordinates are listed in JCRC files as YD 182 212).
This incident is highly significant to me personally for several reasons. First is that the crew are friends of mine. Second,CPT Ron Briggs was a friend of mine, we lived within two blocks of each other while growing up in Philadelphia. Third was the fact that I was supposed to be on that flight but missed it due to bad weather. My high school, Thomas A. Edison High School of Philadelphia has a total of 64 names, more than any other school in the nation, on the Viet Nam Wall and I should have been number 65 but for the grace of God. He left me here on earth and for the past 50 years, allowed me to do his will in the name of those who died. I have told this story many times on February 6th each year.. I attended the Interment in Arlington for those who died. I have kept in touch with some of the family members. One thing that is true is that I will never forget them and their sacrifices. .
It was a very sad day at the MACV base/house in Dong Ha where Parsons worked and lived. I, 1Lt Francis Delaney,
was there at the time, a day off from my usual post at Charlie Three. Col Parsons was a great guy, cared deeply about his fellow advisors. I assume you’re aware that two of his teeth were found a few years ago and that after two years of effort, were identified as being his. They were buried in Arlington and his 2 daughters were present for the ceremony.
Francis: Thank you very much for contacting me. I did not personally know LTC Parsons but I had heard good things about him. It is a sad day for me every year but I make a pint of remembering. I was at the interment at Arlington, I believe it was 2002. I got to meet several of the Team, some of the Black Cats and my friend Charles Stanley’s family. The Artillery Observer Ron Briggs ironically was a neighborhood friend and I did not even know he was in the Army.
I just met Paul Abbott who was at Hue MACV Compound and Adv Tm #3 from Apr ’66 to Apr ’67 as a crew chief for L-19. He’d like to hear from others: 704-891-2922. He’s not on the blog yet but may get on it.
I just happened upon site while searching for more identifying information about Major Edward R. Frank ( posthumously awarded Lt. Col.). Maybe someone can shed some more light on what I know, which is: Last (4th) tour to Vietnam began 10/21/1966. He was 5th Special Forces Group as I recall by my memory’s vision of the patch on his beret, but have exhaustively searched all S.F. camps, dates, “after actions” reports, etc. with no mention of him. Unit of assignment was ARVN ABN ADV DET, ADV Team 3, HQ, MACV Advisors, MACV. Limited info of his death: hostile, dies outright, multiple fragments, ground casualty. Event: undetermined. Form DA2496: no unit or location, attack on unidentified outpost. I remember (from letters) he said he was in Hue and saw photos from there, which look like the Hue compound from file photos. Western Union telegram stated he was mortally wounded by mortar and rocket fire on command outpost on May 18, 1967. His remains were returned in a metal coffin that was welded shut, I presume because his remains were in what is called “severe wrap”. What conflicts is Vietnam Memorial site info states death happened in Quang Tri Provence (with no specific location), not Thua Thien Provence where Hue is. The only other things I can remember is he said he had been in Laos (with and with out orders), and over to Vietnam twice with no military record of such on file (CIA ?). This is about all the info that has been made available to me, and the same or less than any remaining family knows. Any additional info that any one can provide would be of great interest to me, and help clear up any confusion or doubts. A tremendous thanks to all of you for you service to our country.
Does anyone remember PFC Michael P. Randall, assigned to ARVN ABN ADV DET, ADV Team 3, HQ, MACV Advisors, MACV beginning July of 1966. He was a radio operator (Airborne).
I was there Jan 67-Nov 67. Was the G2-Air, Recon Co Advisor, G2 Briefer and general gofer LT.
I arrived after he left. I basically replaced Bob Stuler as G-2 Advisor and Recon Co Advisor. Did several months with Trinh Sat (Recon) until they could free up an Aussie W/O to replace me before TET. Did two lengthy multi day patrols and a lot of convoy escort duty (mostly to Dong Ha,) a couple of “Palace Guard” details and one security operation for ARVN 105mm artillery in support of the ARVN Airborne Southeast of Hue.
Very temporarily replaced an ARVN Abn advisor who was KIA by an NVA who popped out of a spider hole (Bob Arvin, after whom the West Point gym is dedicated.) What a coincidence, an American advisor to the ARVN named ARVIN. For a day I was the only “leg” advisor to the ARVN Abn. Great troops, very disciplined and high morale. We got mortared (60s) while in the open and they acted like it was an everyday occurrence and no big deal. I tried to dig a 40 foot deep foxhole in thirty seconds. Don’t think I impressed the ARVN.
In regards to Major Edward Frank and PFC Michael Randall, both attached to ARVN ABN ADV DET, ADV Team 3, HQ, MACV Advisors, MACV during 1967, I found some additional info through much detective work. Both killed together (possibly along with some ARVN) during OPERATION HICKORY, near or at Dong Ha Combat Base on May 18, 1967 from massive rocket fire on an unidentified outpost; if anyone has knowledge of Major Frank, or anything about that day, or his time at MACV, I’d really appreciate hearing about it. I discovered PVC Randall was buried at a cemetery about 2 hours from me. I went, found his grave, and paid my deepest respect to him. “Thank you” to you all.
Hello, I am seeking Information on the battle of the A Shau Valley, 9-11 March, 1966 and an individual named Sgt Horn, an advisor. I Met Sgt Horn at Paris Ton Quy, Team 70, 4th Bn, 7th Reg, 5th Div in July1966. He was visiting our Team leader, Maj. James W.F. Pruitt. Maj Pruitt told me that Sgt Horn had been at the battle of the A Shau. Before Sgt Horn left he gave me his cap. He said it was his good luck hat. It had some blood stains on it. I was honored to receive it. I have often wondered about Sgt Horn and what became of him.
I presume, guessing that the team at A Shau was part of Team 3. Any information will be appreciated.
Chuck LaMons, Team 70 6/66 to 3/68.
I just did a Google search for “Ernie McPeek”–he passed away in mid-June 2019 in New York State.
For more info, do Google search (he was born in 1947) and there are pictures, etc. of some of his life on the funeral home web-site.
Don’t forget, there is also a Team 3 Facebook page/ group with many photos and people on it .
I just went on the Face Book blog for the first time, also looking for any pictures of me in Vietnam (I haven’t had any pictures since mid-1970’s when someone borrowed them and then left town). I remember (and can visualize) probably ten of you all–I can’t even remember what I looked like in Vietnam (would also like to show my son who is in USAF intel).
Does anyone have pictures that would include me: Jim Hollister, June ’67 to June ’68, Adv. Team #3, Hue MACV Compound, SP4, G-2 Order of Battle Analyst.
Mr. Hollister,
Were you billeted in House #8 or at the main compound?
I was SP4 at the MACV Compound billeted near SE corner I assume with Buck, Ernie McPeek, Marty Albritton and others of Adv Tm #3, 1st ARVN Division G-2 (I was there June ’67 to June ’68).
Yep, those were some luxurious accommodations!
Marty, I was a 1LT, in the end hooch, south east, but not right in the corner…my hootch was on the end of the first row, and by assigned bunker was right outside our hootch, and the first or second one, not sure , just south of the tower…night of jan 30, early morning 31 was a lot of fun….ugh.
Fred, We were neighbors. I had only been in country for a few months and I didnt have an assigned bunker nor a defensive position. I rode out the rocket bombardment in an interior bunker that was close to my hooch. When we heard small arm fire the bunker emptied. My first stop was a perimeter bunker on the south side that had, I believe, three warrant officers inside. As soon as I entered the bunker I heard Vietnamese yelling outside the bunker but couldn’t see through the firing holes because weeds obstructed my view. So I jumped on top of the bunker and saw a number of sappers running toward the wire with satchel charges. I opened fire and the sappers dropped their charges and out of nowhere some ARVN started cheering and rounded them up. At least I assumed they were ARVN. I then realized that I was in my underwear so I ran to my hooch to get dress and made my way to the hooch where the Aussies had taken a hit. We quickly reinforced the sandbags and I spent the rest of the night there manning a 30 cal. It was interesting times.
Marty/Fred: I was on the North side of the Compound in a room with engineer Majors Hank Bartlett and Donn Hogan- two really good guys. We lit up the wire when we saw shadowy forms approaching it after Frank Doezema had already taken them under fire. It was mass confusion because some of what was supposed to be NVA supporting mortars and rockets actually hit the NVA. Frank really stacked up the sappers in the wire and was wreaking general havoc when an RPG hit the tower and basically took off his leg. Jim Cooliocan eventually got him down but it was too late and he bled out. Jim was the Hac Bao advisor and got the Navy Cross for his actions that night. I’ll never forget that night and I have revisited the scene twice, once when it was still similar in 1994 and then again in 2017 when the whole area was being torn down for new construction.
Frank got the DSC but some folks back in his home area near Kalamazoo, MI are trying to get it upgraded to the MOH. Jim Coolican and I attended the re-dedication of Frank’s grave and were enormously impressed by his family – really decent and hard working farmers who raised one outstanding soldier. A whole lot of people on Team # 3 owe their lives to Frank Doezema.
For those of you new to this web site, John and I have talked about this several times. I had the good fortune as a first tour, 1LT , of being on the same Bn Advisory team, 2d Bn, 3 regt, 1st ARVN Div, with Capt Jim Coolican, SP4 Frank Doehzema and SFC Garcia (?)….Frank, Jim and I all got transferred to the “rear” area, just before TET; Jim with to Hac Bao; Frank I think to the main Adv Team 3 TOC, and I got a cushy job as the Assistant to the Senior Advisor,,,,first, Col Peter E Kelley….he was a WWII 82 Abn D Day guy and no bull shit; then Col Adkkinson….had a bunk in a hootch on east side of the compound , just south of the tower….and my assigned bunker was right there, i think second bunker south of the tower…anyway, Frank and I had quarters in the compound, Jim was in the compound because of the TET holiday, and Capt Hue had let a lot of his Black Panther Company soldiers go on vacation…..good thing jim and frank were assigned to the tower….as John said, so many of us owe our lives to them,,,,cause if the NVA wold have breached that corner, it wold have been really bad in the compound….Fred Drew.
That would be wonderful if Frank could be awarded the MOH. His combat experience and bravery under hostile fire were instrumental in preventing the compound from being overrun. His actions certainly deserve the highest recognition possible. Naming the compound in his honor was a good start as well as the DSC. I’ve actually read two different accounts of how he came to be in the tower. One was that he had swapped guard duty with another guy for the night so the guy could go on R&R. The other was that he went to the tower during the attack. At least his actions there have been documented. A thorough account of the attack on the compound has never been done. At least I’ve never seen one. I believe Bowden had six pages describing the defense of the MACV Compound in his book. I hope to be able to put together that account. I’ve been in contact with the Army archives and would like to interview as many of the men who were in the compound during the attack as possible to be able to relate the experiences in the words of the men who were there. My email is mashreveport@yahoo.com and my phone is 225-252-4919. I would like to hear from as many as possible. And please let me know if you know how to contact anyone. Thanks.
Did you work with sfc tate and ssg kimes?
I remember both of them–I hadn’t remembered them until you mentioned them–and their faces now flash before me and I remember them.
Jim Hollister
Hi Jim, Hope life has been good to you and that you’re doing well.
I was supposed to be on that helicopter. I sent one of my enlisted men in my place. Fortunately, he was not on it at the time of the crash. I was in the 1st ARVN TOC when word came that it was missing. I started the failed search and rescue mission. I did not know that he had gotten off, when I first heard it was missing. He called to say he was waiting in Quang Tri for it to return and pick him up. Joel Weisberg
I think I’ve posted this before but I was working in the TOC with you when this happened. The enlisted man on the flight was Larry Cravens. He lived in the same hootch as several other of the G-2 people. Can’t remember where he was from. Gary Roberts may know.
Hello, Wondering if anyone has read the book Village at War: An Account of Revolution in Vietnam; written by James Walker Trullinger, Jr. The book focuses on My Thuy Phuong Village, located about 7 miles sw of Hue, in Huong Thuy District. Highway 1 ran through the village. In 1968 the 101st established Camp Eagle in the western part of the village. While the book has a good history and analysis of how the VC took and maintained control of this village, I found the book to have a decided anti-U.S., anti-GVN, but pro-VC bias, but I was wondering what other readers who had experience with the area might have thought. Thanks, and glad you all made it home.
Hi Randy, I have not read the book. I was a BN advisor with the 1st ARVN Div in 1968/69. I got in country in August of 1968 and I can tell you from first hand experience that the VC did not control ANYTHING post Tet The National Liberation Front (NLF) almost was completely non existent and the VC units were being manned by NVA regulars to keep up appearances.
Randy: I was District Senior Adviser at Phu Thu District, just east of Huong Thuy (jJuly 68-March 69) I traveled the roads of Houng Thuy every other day and never had any inkling of VC activity there. As far as the Southern portion of Huong Thuy, the eastern edge of the area you are talking about had a large bay bordering the eastern edge of Phu Bai and was relatively pacified. The VC presence as I knew it, were mostly VC from the mountain Districts of Phu Loc and Nam Hoa District who came down to the coast for R&R when wounded, convalescing “at the beach” so to say. They would come over by Sampan. There were sporadic shots fired at us, and within the zone but only be individuals or small teams who were discovered E&E’ing into Phu Thu.
Randy and Ron, the R&R beach area was actually VinLoc island. THe NVA and what was left of the VC (post Tet) used VIN Loc as an R&R area. In SEP or OCT (can’t remember exactly), 3/54 Inf (I was the senior advisor) and units of the 101st first Brigade conducted a joint operation and cleaned out VinLoc completely. At one point, we were taking upwards of 60-90 prisoners a day. We had to call in CH47 Chinooks to haul em out. The operation actually made the evening news. An additional bene was one of the enemy kia had been a high ranking NLF guy who was one of the people responsible for the mass executions in Hue. I had to personally take his body out for identification..
Dear Sir, my friend , he was interpreter in that time in Phu Thu sub sector(ssgt DANH and SSbt NGO), I don’t known they was interpret for you, what you known about them, can you lat me known, Thank you so much.I was interpreter too.
hi everyone, first and foremost i would like to thank each and everyone here for ur service . my name is Kathy Rinehart. i was adopted out back in 1966 but i have since reunited with my bio family and on my mother’s side i have found out i had an uncle by the name of Ronald Harrison Allbright that was killed in action April 26,1970 in Thua Thien-Hue. selective service,specialist 4th class , company A co, 327th inf.,1st Bn,province military region 1, light weapons infantry. if any of you great men remember him , i would love to hear about you and him, And again thank you from the deepest part of my heart . oh , He was from Trinity Tx.
Kathryn, I did not know your uncle but I served as an District Advisor in Thua Thin Province and I was familiar with the 1/327. They were part of the 101st ABN Div and operated out of a series of bases west of Hue. The 1/327 saw a lot of action in the central highlands during that period. Best of luck making contact with some vets that knew your uncle. Your best bet would probably be through some Vet groups that were part of the 101st. My dad was in the 101st in WWII and I know they have several active web sites.
To Tom Odom: Hello Tom again. Fred Drew here. I presume you are back from your recent trip to Hue. I am looking forward to seeing some updated photos….I am still trying to post four Hue MACV Compound Newsletters that I had scanned years ago….on this message, I will try to attach the May 31, 1968 newsletter, it is 8 pages long….and hopefully it will attach, for others also to see, copy, etc. Fred Drew.
/Users/frederickdrew/Desktop/Tm 3 news 5:31:68
Fred, I’m not sure how to post Pics on this site but I’ll try to get some to you via email. You may then be able to post.
Tom
TOM, you are correct, just heard back from administrator……SO….TO ALL TEAM THREE MEMBERS DURING TET OR AFTER…I HAVE FOUR OF THE HUE MACV NEWSLETTERS….CONTACT ME DIRECT AT FDREW@BAK.RR.COM….AND I WILL FORWARD THEM TO YOU…THEY ARE FROM: MAY AND JUNE, 1968…..CHEERS, FRED DREW…..
Hi Tom…my name is Maureen Murphy my father is still living and served in Team 3 in 1969..Sergeant Timothy Murphy originally from Cork,Ireland. I came across this site and I know he would love to connect with those he served with..any help would be appreciated and he does have a lot of pics I would love to share..God Bless all of you for your service!
Hello Maureen, I was with Team 3 from Jan. 1968 to Nov, 1968. Do you or your father recall what assignment he had in Team 3? Also, was Sgt Murphy in the Army or Marines? We had plenty of both. If your father was there in 1969 we probably did not cross paths but we certainly may have known some of the same people. I would be glad to send you some pictures of my tour in ’68 as well as some pictures of my recent trip back to Hue, Vietnam. My email is tomodom@odomstanley.com. How is your Dad’s health? I know the years just keep rolling along!
Best regards, Tom
My dad served with Tm 3, 1st Infantry.
Jimmy Moore
hello kathryn
you may want to post a listing on our lost and found site to find someone who served with your father.
vietvet.org. the link to the lost and found is near the top of the page.
best
bill mcbride
Does any one have info on Tm 3 that went missing presumed dead on Apr 15, 1971..6 men the base they were out of, info what A.O. they were sent in and what was done to find them? Getlfinger Wilson, Pacheco, Dukiewtz, Carrol, Crowley
My husbands uncle Larry Yielding was killed April 30, 1970 in a Helicopter Crash. Did anyone know him or serve with him? We would appreciate any information or stories about him.
The Kelly you mentioned was COL Peter Kelly, Senior Advisor to the First ARVN Div. I do not recall any New Zealand personnel in Team 3 but that may have been prior to my arrival in late August 1967.
John Doherty, I remember your name. This is Fred Drew. I was a 1LT, just in from Bn adv with 2bn, 3 Regt, about Dec, worked for Col Kelly, before he left; then for Adkinson. I was on the team with Capt Jim Coolican USMC, and Frank Doezema…all three of us came in to new jobs in Dec 67; Jim went to Hac Bao….I am blown away by some of the comments on this site, which I just found…I did 20 years and retired as an 05; I was with a few of the rag tag volunteers who went south on Hwy 1, in a flat bed truck and picked up dead and wounded marines on the first day, also got 30 children out of a basement of a school two blocks from the compound on day 2…the marines were totally screwed up, and there was no command and control….it was a mess….my wife and I went back in 2008, spent a week in Hue and a week in Saigon, jan, Feb, 2008, to commemorate the 40th anniversary. of TET. I was going to go this coming jan for the 50th, but Jim Coolican and Capt Hue, who got to the states years ago, are not going, so I am not. I am going to take a couple of days and read all the comments from the TET 68 time frame, and hope to connect with some others…..Cheers to all of you who were in the Compound on the early morning of Jan 31, 1968 . Fred Drew.
Fred, I got to Hue the last part of Jan ’68 and I remember you as one of the first people I met. I was also a 1LT assigned to the Nam Hoa District team. Our Sr Advisor was an Australian Maj and we had an Aussie WO named Ozzie Ostera, an RTO named Nelson Rodriguez and an SFC Medic. The Aussie Maj was in Saigon for Tet and the rest of the team was sent to Nam Hoa the evening of Jan 30, my 1st night in the field. We were there until Feb 14 when Adkinson had us pulled back to Hue. I recall landing at the park adjacent to the LCU ramp and running for cover on the way to the MACV Compound. I was never able to understand why we left Nam Hoa and all the RF/PF to fend for themselves. Never had much respect for the MACV chain of Command after that.
I later spent time with the 82nd and 1st SF Group, later went back to school on the GI Bill and had a career in manufacturing. Now retired and live in Tennessee near kids and grandkids. Where are you now and what have you done post military?
Tom Odom
WOW TOM…I do remember you…yes, the whole command and control during TET, especially in Hue was a total mess….and the Marines, God bless them, were totally screwed up….they had some general in Da Nang telling them to cross the river on the first or second day, I was down at the LCU Ramp with dead and wounded waiting for an LCU (you remember the weather had socked in)…anyway, I watched a company get the shit beat out of them on the bridge….speaking of Aussies, I did two years of my 20 at the Australian infantry Centre, 77-79, as a major…and ran into several of the warren officers that were in Adv Team three…cant remember their names…but they where , as I remember , really good soldiers….I retired in 84, LTC, came back to Bakersfield, CA…my home town, single….spent 13 years with a non profit community action agency, and 14 as the Emergency Medical Services, department director of kern county…than I ran the local Community Foundation for a couple years…lots of community stuff….retirec 8 years a go from all of that….now spend time volunteering for Honor Flight, and help raise money for sending the WWII and Koriean vets to Wash DC…. my wife and I went back to VN in 2008….Jan, Feb, one week in Hue,a nd one week in Saigon (my second tour, I commanded a mech company of the 25th near Tay Ninh…) anyway, it was good…Hue of course had changed, and the people loved Americans….Tom, send me a picture of you in VN to my email: fdrew@bak.rr.com. I will do the same…I have had two reunions recently with my B Co, 4-23 iNF….was great…the guys wanted me there…also,in 2007 I was inducted into the OCS HOF; and last year I became the Honorary Col, of the 23rd Inf Reg…a great honor…I go to Fort Lewis a lot for stuff, as two active battalions of the 23 Regt are there…cheers, glad you doing ok….Fred, out for now. vr, Fred Drew.
Fred, My email is: tomodom@odomstanley.com. I am in the process of putting a bunch of slides and pictures, from Vietnam, into a format that can be easily sent via email. I’ll get you a copy. I have a bunch that were taken on Jan 30, 1968 on a morning/afternoon trip to a Royal Tomb in Nam Hoa with Ozzie Ostera, Tony Eagan and several other Aussie WO’s. As you recall, it was the 1st day of the “Tet Truce” and a holiday. We were on a sight seeing trip and had brought some captured weapons to test fire at Regional Force OP in Nam Hoa. We all later suspected that NVA were probably watching us the entire day. Crazy!
Thanks Tom. make sure a pic of you at that time. I will email you what I have…a few of them taken in 2008 when my wife and I returned to Hue. also the four weekly Tm 3 newsletters that I had found years ago, and some interesting info in them. fdrew@bak.rr.com….Bakersfield CA….661-327-0551.
Lt Drew,
I remember you very well. My name is Tom Boyce and I too have just discovered this site. I was with Adv Tm 3 from Nov 67 to Nov 68 in the G-2 section at ARVN HQ with the rank of Spec4 (later Spec5). On the night of 30 Jan 68 I was in the chow line when you approached me to inform me that you were going on R&R to meet your wife in Hawaii the following day and that I would be acting as the Colonel’s aide while you were gone.
I told you that I had second shift guard duty that night which ment that I got the next morning off and so would be unable to cover for you.
You said let me see what I can do.
You returned to the chow hall later and told me that I was all set. A replacement was picked for guard duty so I was to report to the Colonel in the morning.
You didn’t go on R&R and I didn’t pull guard duty that night. The rockets and mortars began at 0340 the next morning.
Frank Doezema had taken my place at post #2. His actions probably saved the compound and our lives. He died defending his post.
That’s all I can write right now.
Respectfully,
Tom Boyce
Tom Boyce:
Forgive me, the ravages of old age on my memory have been severe. I have trouble recalling our G-2 people except Maj Sanchez and Captains Duda and Knickerbocker. I also recall Lt Stuler with the Recon Co and I do remember a SSGT/SFC Kimes. Your reply to Fred Drew triggered some major memories of 1/31/68 @ 0340. Just before midnight I had gone to Div HQ to clear an Arclight and probably drove right through half
the North Vietnamese Army in their jump off positions. Thank God they were disciplined because they could have taken me out in a heartbeat.
I seem to recall that Sgt Kimes had to clear another strike after midnight and he may have wound up trapped at Div HQ. I got hit three times in Hue and then after being medevaced on a log ship to Da Nang I went to my parent unit the 525th MI Battalion in Cho Lon where I got hit again
the night before I went home. I don’t remember the exact date I left Hue but it was between the 7th and the 14th of February so I missed a lot of the battle. Can you give me the names of the other G-2 people I’ve forgotten please? I’m 77 and not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Thanks and glad to hear you are doing well.
John Doherty
I remember you Captain. Nothing specific comes to mind at the moment but I remember you as tall, thin, blond with glasses and that you may have been from Massachusetts? I could be wrong but it’s strange what you retain.
As for G-2 most of us were quartered in the southeast hooch in the compound, a few more were housed more toward the center.
Some names I remember are Maj Sanchez of course (later replaced with Maj Click) Lt Bishop, Lt Puma and Sgt Kimes. There was another SSGT but I can’t think of his name. I can see his face as plain as day but can’t remember his name. The specialists were Homer Jean Buck from Oklahoma, John Rittenhouse from Baltimore, Jim Hollister Cali I think, John Lockhan (sp?), Marty Albritten (S-2) from the New Orleans area, Tom Konasheta Hawii, Kilpatrick, who came in near the end of the offensive and Ernie McPeak.
I remember Kilpatrick gaging and covering his nose and mouth when he first arrived. I asked him what was wrong and he said, how can you guys stomach the stench and I said, what stench.
I’m sure I’m forgetting some but they may come to me. Capt Williams, a Marine, may have been part of G-2.
Anyway, I was 19 way back then. I’m 69 now with a wife, six children and eight grandchildren.
I’ve just discovered this site and I’ve got some reading to do.
Thanks for your reply and I look forward to sharing more memories here.
Tom Boyce:
Your memory is great. I was 6’3″ and rather scrawny with red hair and from Andover, MA, 25 miles due North of Boston. I’ve been i n touch with Jim Hollister and I do recall Homer Buck. Nelson Rodriguez and I met up on FB about a year ago and I have contacted retired USMC Col Jim Coolican. Jim and I went to the re-dedication of Frank Doezema’s grave outside of Kalamazoo, MI a number of years ago. For some reason the original VA plaque on Frank’s grave was all wrong but one of the local County Commissioners took it upon himself to straighten it out and we had a very nice ceremony to re-dedicate it. Having met his family I can see why he was such a nice guy- they are wonderful folks. I don’t discuss either of my Vietnam tours with my family much but they do understand what we all owe Frank and my Daughter learned his name and what he did at a very early age.
I’m glad you stayed in touch with Jim. In my 3 years of service, I never met a better man. I remember him as a very caring man. He took a keen interest in the locals and cared about their welfare. He was very giving. Every night he’d leave the hooch to make the rounds to the guard posts just to keep the guards company for awhile.
A good man.
Tom Boyce and others from Jim Hollister: You have a great memory! I have communicated some with CPT John Doherty and Marty Albritton and remember CPT Duda and CPT Knickerbocker, Rittenhouse, McPeek, Buck and I believe I remember you. I was SP4 G-2 Order of Battle from June ’67 to June ’68 and originally from near Cincinnati, Ohio.
I sure would appreciate any pictures of any of us since in early 1970’s someone borrowed all my pictures and then moved away with the pictures–and I have none.
Great book: “Palace Gate: Under Siege in Hue City:Tet, January, 1968” by LTC Brown from the compound. Much about the compound is only in the appendix which has fourteen pages about the first seven days of Tet at the compound; when first attack happened he turned on his reel-to-reel recorder and then came back and narrated on the one channel (I guess) and then transcribed it on paper for the book. Get the book presumably Amazon or e-mail me as I saved the appendix on attachment and can send it to you: jimhollister@juno.com Great stuff!
Great to hear about so many of you all!
Jim Hollister
Jim, when LTC Brown originally had his book published he also had made some copies of his audiotape- one of which I have. Incredible that he had the presence of mind to tape the TET Offensive. Of course this is the guy who “unofficially” may or may not have landed his plane at an airstrip in Laos on more than one occasion. Urban legend says that he may have even had one or more passengers from Team # 3. Quite a guy- three war veteran and consumate gentleman.
A few years ago when I got the book I tried to call his personal phone as instructed in the book to get a copy of the tape. It was a disconnected number. Thirty seconds of the battle sounds of that tape were played on LTC Oliver North’s War Stories on Hue during Tet. It is amazing! Is the copy of the tape something that could be copied that I could get?
I’ll locate it somewhere in my house and make some copies. I treasured it so highly I can’t remember where I put it! It’s definitely here though.
Good Morning John….last week of chemo and radiation…tumor in neck gone…doing good….thanks to you for connecting with Jim Hollister, as I have sent him some pics…and I also would like a copy of that tape….Take care, Fred.
Best of luck in chemo/radiation- been there done that and surgery as well. I’ll copy you when I get the tape copied.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
john, i would like a copy too. i’m probably going to meet up with ray lau in late may and i’m sure he would like to have a copy.
best,
bill mcbride
Is that something that you could post to YouTube and give everybody a shortcut to so that everybody could listen to it
Whoa that’s way beyond my computer paygrade. I’ll talk to my Daughter and her boyfriend and see if that can be done. It’s fairly long and may not be suited for that type of dissemination. I’m on it.
Eugene d Wotring G4 1st arvn div may 1967 may 1968 I was tm 3 Sgm During the tet off the mtssing sgt was sfc Bob Tate from virginia woked with Ssg Kimes from KC Missouri.
You have a great memory, I was from Andover MA (25 miles North of Boston, 6’3″ and a major geek. I was normally the G-2 Air Advisor but in Fall 1967 was reassigned to the Trinh Sat (RECON) Company when their Aussie WO was WIA. Did that until just before Christmas when a new Aussie, Terry/Tony Eagan arrived. Got hit four times during TET, three in Hue and once in Cho Lon where I was medevaced to ETS. Went home, went to law school and for 15 years was a state/federal prosecutor. For 18 months I worked with former USMC Captain Robert Mueller, now the Special Prosecutor who remains a friend. Later I was in private practice and then for 10 years a full time veterans advocate for my home town. Have been 100% VA disabled for many years due to wounds, AO cancer (twice) and ischemic heart attack. I’ve had three joints replaced (so far) with two more in the offing. TET was a hugely important event in my life and still fascinates me. Although we were lucky that the NVA screwed up their attack on the Compound I’m still proud of how we fought and persevered. I trust that life has treated you well and that you are enjoying your retirement.
Hi John:
I remember you as the best G-2 briefer we had. Captain Bob Williams, USMA was the head of the interrogation team attached to us. Homer worked for him. Bob was my room mate and when the mist cleared that first morning of Tet, he noticed our Flag had been blown down by the explosions during the night. He grabbed a couple of other marines and put it back up.
I just found a book called “The Siege at Hue” by George W. Smith. George was the Public Information Officer for our team and I remember he told me in early Feb he was going to write a book about the battle. He did, but it took him thirty years to do it. I believe he passed away last year.
I last saw Bob Duda at his wedding at Ft Holabird, around 1968-69. I believe they were planning on moving to New Jersey.
To Dave Knickerbocker….Hi Dave, this is Fred Drew….in your comment to John D, you mentioned another book written about the Battle of Hue, one, which I had not ever heard of….do you know the publisher…I checked Amazon, and not found it so far. Thanks, Fred Drew.
Hi Fred:
I bought the book on Amazon just a few months ago. Publisher Lynne Rienner.Publishing. Let me know if you need more information.
Dave K.
Thank you Dave….I will try again….Fred Drew.
As it is soon the 50th anniversary of the battle, I thought it would be appropriate to write down some things I heard and saw that were not in the books I have read concerning the first day and I would urge all of you to do the same.
On January 31, 1968, I was a Captain, serving as the Assistant G-2 Advisor to the 1st ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) Division in the City of Hue (pop 140,000). Early in the morning on the first day of the Vietnamese holiday of Tet, 10,000 VC and NVA troops assaulted and took most of the city. The only hold outs were the 1st ARVN Division Headquarters and the MACV (Military Assistance Command Vietnam) compound where I was located along with several hundred military personnel.
Others have described the battle far better than I could, I just want to note some of things I saw and heard that first day. During an attack, we all had our assigned positions. Mine was in my room, which was on the bottom floor of a two-story structure that had been an old motel with two rooms and a bath in each suite. Two of us slept in the front and one in the back room. My bed was next to the window which looked directly onto the front gate. We were to defend that gate which was on the north side of the compound. To do so I had an automatic weapon with one 20 round clip. Fortunately, no attack came from that direction. I should also mention there were probably 20 to 30 others with the same mission including one of my roommates, Captain Bob Williams, USMC.
The attack started about 3:30 am when a mortar round hit about 15 feet outside my room, destroying two jeeps and covering me with glass. Now awake, I dressed, found my weapon and looked out the window to see the jeeps burning next to the main gate. Shortly thereafter, I heard small arms being fired on the south side of the compound and a machine gun located about 50 feet to my right on a tower opened up. I then heard an explosion and the machine gun stopped firing. I found out later it was knocked out by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) round, mortally wounding the Sargent manning that position.
Rifle, automatic weapons fire, and explosions continued thru the night, sometimes intense, sometimes sporadic. At daybreak, the sounds seemed to be more distance rather than in and around the compound. About 8:00 the mist cleared and we looked out to see what appeared to be a North Vietnamese flying over the city. As we were looking around, Bob noted that our flag had been blown down by the force of some of the explosions, so, in great Marine tradition, he gather up several other Marines, and put it back up. It was a very welcome sight over the next 24 days.
I was soon called to the Command Bunker. The Division Senior Advisor, Colonel Adkinson, a Korean War vet and West Point graduate, directed me to contact the Corps Senior Advisor and get him on the phone for him. After what seemed to be a long time, I got thru and handed the phone to him and he said, as best as I remember it, “…I want you to know we are surrounded and cut off. We are just about out of ammunition and medical supplies. If somebody does not break thru to us, we will not make it thru the night.”
Unknown to us, a Marine task force set out to reach us about 8:30 am from the Marine base at Phu Bai 7miles south of us. They reached us about 3:30 pm and two Marine officers came into the Command Bunker and greeted Col. Adkinson. Adkinson told the Marine Company Commander to position his unit around the compound but the Marine Captain stated he could not do that as his orders were to reach the MACV Compound and then proceed across the river and go to the 1St ARVN Division Headquarters and escort General Truong, the Division Commander, to Phu Bai. Adkinson responded by stating he had spoken with General Troung a number of times during the day and he was safe in his Headquarters and if you do make it to his Headquarters he certainly would not leave it to go with you to Phu Bai. But, you can do a great thing for our country by taking your unit several blocks from here and bring his wife and children back here as he is very worried about her. The Captain replied that he had his orders and he turned around and left the Bunker. Several of us followed him out and told him the bridge he had to cross was partially blown and they would have to cross on foot in clear sight of an unknown number of enemy automatic weapons positions and then would have to deal with the Citadel, a medieval type of fort with moats and 30-foot-tall walls 40 feet thick. Once again, he stated he had his orders and went to gather up his unit. They returned about an hour or so later carrying with them 10 dead and 56 wounded, about 1/3rd of his unit.
I learned much later that a call had been made back to his Headquarters to explain the situation had changed, but, they were told to proceed as ordered. I have also learned that the original enemy attack plan for the MACV Compound included two NVA Battalions, however, one got lost on their way to us and the other diverted by some unexpected resistance.
For those interested in more details, I recommend “The Siege at Hue” by George W. Smith. George was an advisor assigned to our Advisor Team and was in the Compound when it was attacked. I met him there and he told me he was going to write a book about the battle and he did 30 years later. Another book with much more detail is “HUE 1968 A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam” by Mark Bowden that was published in 2017.
By the way, I just heard they were going to make a move based on the Bowden book.
Dave K.
Dave: Great background on the siege. I was not there during Tet, arriving in July 1968. Initially I was quartered in the hotel on the second floor. One of the first things I noticed was the sandbags stacked on the walkway outside my room. I lived in the back, 2nd deck,, facing what remained of the school off in the near distance. I was told that the school had been a strongpoint for the NVA/VC and it suffered the consequences.(I have a picture of the school from my balcony viewpoint. If you contact me at rbower@ec.rr.com I will forward it to you or anyone else who wants it. It is really unknown the number of personal pictures taken which can flesh out the story but lie in someone’s memory box or on a computer. We have all seen the iconic pictures of the wounded Marine on the tank [recently interviewed on TV]. but there are probably thousands of others which would tell the story even more.) Your comments added much to the history. Thanks
To Ron Bower: Please send me any photos you have of the building you mention. I have a photo of a Marine Quad 50 firing at the building…thanks, Fred Drew (fdrew@bak.rr.com)
Fred Drew to Dave Knickerbocker: Thank you for your recollection of that first morning and day…I had voluneered to take some wounded down to the LCU ramp, and wait for LCUs coming from Da Nang or Phu Bai because of he bad weather, no Helicopters could come in…I was with a Sgt and we scraped a very shallow fox hole while waiting….I watched that Marine Company go across the bridge, and the NVA letting them get to the north end, and then opened up on them; it was devastating….the Sgt and I opened up firing across the river, but did not do any good….I have always thought that that was such a waste of human beings….in Bowden’s new book, there is one sentence about this on page 146. Ugh.
@ Dave Knickerbocker………This is Richard Vaughn, USMC ’67-’70. I was stationed at the MACV Compound from around June ’68 to Aug ’69 with the Marine security detachment and found this post from Marine Cpl Mishler on his account that first night of the TET attack on the compound at post#2. I personally know Cpl. Mishler (Mish), met him when I arrived there until he rotated back to the ‘world’. I thought I’d share this with you after reading your above post and thank you for posting your account. Hope this will be informative to you since Mish was there with you at that time.
My name is Michael Mishler. I was at the time Corporal Mishler, assigned to 3rd Marines, Marine Security.
On January 31st 1968 Post #2 of the MACV compound was my post. That was the tower that Frank Doezema died in. It was not an unmanned position, I know because I was there.
When Frank got there, it was manned by me, Corporal Robertson, and another Marine named Hall, who was a driver for a Colonel.
We took three rounds, not to mention multiple small arms fire. One of the rounds blew off the roof, the second one blew a hole in the floor, and the third one seriously injured Frank and wounded all the rest of us.
Frank certainly deserves the medal he received, but I take offense at the post being called an unmanned one, because I was there manning it before Frank came to the tower.
If Frank had not shown up, I would’ve been the one behind the machine gun. Frank said it was his gun so I gave it over to him. A short time later, he was dead… It could have been me.
Robertson and I were never awarded any medals besides a Purple Heart, because Robertson and I were the two ranking Marines from that detachment and never wrote each other up, we were just doing our job.
It is true, the main attacking force came at that position and we defended it.
I’ve always felt guilty that Frank Doezema died in that tower, if he had not said the gun was his, I would’ve been the one who died. I owe him my life.
I’m sorry if this offends anyone, but I am a United States Marine and did not desert my post.
My name is Marty Albritton and I was an Army Specialist 5 stationed at the Hue MACV Compound from Oct 67-68. I served guard duty in the same tower many times. I imagine that Frank felt he was relieving you when he took over the gun. Many of us alternated duty at that post. No one should accuse you of deserting your post. But I have never read an account that there was anyone in the tower beside Frank. I believe the story of the compound defense needs to be told and I am planning to start a project to do so. Please send me an email to mashreveport@yahoo.com so we can communicate. And I invite and encourage all serviceman who were in the MACV Compound during the Tet Offensive of 1968 to drop me a line. Thanks.
I just finished “Hue 1968”..As with most accounts of TET 1968, it would be very diffcult not to eliminate some people/places/things of interest…I was in Phu Bai, Camp Evans and Hue from 10 Jan to 25 Dec 1968…at the insistence of my daughter and inspiration from reading, to include Bowden’s book, I am writing my personal account of 1968. I told my daughter that it is ok if she is the only one who reads it…smile…means I have to live a bit longer…I love this site!
Bill, I also have written an account of my experience in Vietnam in 1968. It was first suggested by the leader of my PTSD Group but it turned into much more than a therapy exercise. It was started in 2009 and has been added to and edited ever since. One of the final chapters is . about my return trip this year. Send me your email address to tomodom@odomstanley.com and I’ll get you a copy. Regards, Tom
Great account Dave K….I had the privilege of meeting COL Adkinson and I also met Gen Truong! I am writing a book, nothing special but some experiences in Phu Bai, Camp Evans and Hue from Jan to Dec 1968. Some trivia tidbits: Gen Truong’s staff car was a black 1959 Chevy (have photo of it but have to wait until late 2019 to retrieve it). Helped COL Adkinson communicate with GEN Abrams, late 1968. He was grateful, to say the least…I operated a secure radio in the 1ARVN DIV HQ the last half of 1968! I also met Pres Thieu and VP Ky (sp?) when they visited the 1ARVN DIV HQ…Don’t want to blab on but just wanted to share! I love this forum to here accounts from many who were there! THANKS!
Wow. Im just an 11 year old kid and I was doing a report on the battle of Hue and I found this message board. I really think you guys are heroes of our country, and from what I understand, nobody recognized that when you came back to the states. I actually got interested in hue when I read the book ya’ll were talking about. Thank you for your service, Frank L.
Frank
I am impressed that you have taken an interest in American History. And just as impressed that your teacher has encouraged you to read about the Battle of Hue. I am sure any of the members of site will be happy to answer your questions.
Thanks
Currently, I am reading Dispatches by Michael Herr. Im pretty sure he was at Hue. I am really enjoying the book. I think Herr also wrote Apocalypse Now, thats one of my favorite movies.
Frank:
Please understand that movies like that are produced to entertain and sell tickets, not to inform. If you enjoyed it, great, but do not believe all of it.
I have not read your book, but will look it up based on your recommendation.
I’m so sorry. The movie was nothing compared to what you have been through. Stay Strong, Frank 🇺🇸🇺🇸
If the book “Vietnam’s Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN” is not on your list of reading materials, please add it if you would like a South Vietnamese perspective on the battle. The Hac Bao commander, Tran Ngoc (Harry) Hue and one platoon of his 200 man company, stopped the NVA attack across the airfield screwing up the NVA’s schedule, and Tran saving the 1st ARVN Division headquarters. I was not in Hue at the time but later served with Tran along the DMZ when our South Vietnamese cavalry unit was attached to his battalion. He lives in Falls Church, VA and would be delighted to sign your book should the opportunity exist.
I was a 1st Lt Asst Advisor to 1/3/1 and worked with Harry some when our regular ARVN Bat. C O was seriously wounded in Jan. ’69. He was a fine tactician and what I call a soldiers’ soldier. His story is fantastic. Please take time to read this book as it will open your eyes as to the accomplishments of the Vietnamese Army.
Hey Frank L., I was in Hue for the battle and there were a lot of very brave men who fought. Many died and many more were wounded. They were Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors and few received the credit they deserved. I am proud to have known many of them. Glad to hear of your report. Tom Odom
To Ned, Charles and Tom Odom….Tom you are of course correct; and Charles , if you had the privilege of serving with or around Harry, you are a lucky guy….I was a 1LT Asst Adv for 2nd Bn, 3rd Regt, and had been reassigned to be the assistant to the Sr Adv just before TET, so my work station was at Div Hdqs, and I had a bunk in one of the pooches in the MACV Compound…I had been on the advisory team with Capt Jim Coolican (USMC) and my RTO was Frank Doezema , all three of us had been reassigned just before TET….Jim went to Tac Bao, and was in the compound the early morning of jan 31…he got across the river to be with then Capt Hue (Harry) on Feb 1 or 2….there were a lot of experienced combat vets in the compound when the crap hit the fan, and that was one of the reasons that we were able to protect the compound, and got south on Hwy 1 and get that first convoy into the compound early morning of Jan 31….Capt Hue story is legandary….a couple months later, Jim Coolican left country for an extended period, I think about three weeks, and I had the preveledge of replacing him for that time, and spent that time with Hac Bao…well, I could not “replace” Capt Coolican, and I certainly could not ‘advise’ Harry, but I rode along….The book Vietnams Forgotten Army is a must read. Fred Drew, LTC (Retired).
Earlier this year I stayed with Harry for several days in Falls Church. In fact just the other day we talked while I was waiting in line at Costco for gas. Harry is still a warrior, and a damned fine friend indeed. I am glad you are on this site adding to the “Legend of Harry.” Best of the holiday season to you.
Hey Dave, great to hear from you! I trust life has treated you well over these many years. I too haven’t heard anything from Bob Duda and I do recall his wedding at Holabird. Did you leave Hue before TET or were you there for the festivities? What have you been up to since the Army?
I’m at email dohertyjohn@verizon.net . I don’t seem to recall Bob Williams but then again I have senior moments constantly. I had a TBI in Cho Lon and it has done some real damage to what’s left of my memory.
Hello Tom,
My name is Gary Roberts. I arrived at MACV
Compound in August, 1968 and I was in your hooch. I don’t know if you remember me or not. I also worked in G-2. I ended up extending twice and later went to the A-Shau Valley as a light weapons infantry advisor. Do you remember Homer Buck, Tom Kinoshita, Larry Anderson, Fred Thompson, Major Click?
Hi Gary,
I remember your name but I can’t picture you. I’ll have to go through my old photos. I remember Homer Jean, Tom and Maj Click.
I’ll have to think about Larry and Fred. After 50 years things can get foggy then all of a sudden it comes back to you.
Larry Anderson was the Company Clerk. Fred was the MARS operator. I have tried to locate Homer Buck without success. He was from Oklahoma. I started a Facebook group called Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Team 3. Check it out. Several photos have been posted. Other names you may remember are Captain White and Lieutenant Presley.
I just visited your facebook site and requested to join. I saw several pictures of you and I certainly DO remember you.
It’s a great site with great pictures. There’s even a group picture with me in it!
steve malamud, i just tried to join the facebook group, i realized afterwards that ir is ny wifws facebook, but it was me requesting to join, don’t know how facebook works
This is Marty Albritton, former Spec 5 in the S2 shop. Have seen a lot of familiar names on this site. Also in our shop was Jeff Fiedler and the CO was Cpt. George. I would look through photo books from Vietnam whenever I saw one in a book store. The only person I ever saw in one of the books was Homer Buck. It was a photo of him escorting prisoners during the Tet Offensive. I remember that the prison caught fire early during the siege and Buck wanted to go rescue the prisoners. We were under fire at the time. I suggested he let them burn but he gathered a few guys and got them out.
This verifies the information I had been told about Homer. Reportedly, he received a Silver Star for getting people out of a burning building. I lived in the same hooch with Homer for a few months. He woke up every morning listening to the Glenn Campbell song “I Am A Lineman For The County”.
Homer won the “Soldier’s Medal” for saving the prisoners in that fire.
Good to hear from you after all these years Marty. I see you posted on Gary’s Facebook page too.
In case you’ve forgotten we served together in Hue. I was G-2 and then at Fort Bragg in the 14th or 15th MI (I think I was 15th MI)
I remember you, Tom. I was with G2 in Hue starting in July of ’68. Capt Joel Weisberg. Wanted to say hello.
Hello Capt Joel. So many names from the past.
I visited Gary Robert’s facebook site ‘Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Team 3’ and saw a picture of you. I remember you well now. It’s a group picture that we are in together along with Gary, Tom Konasheta (sp) and others. Great memories.
Wow, Tom, I don’t remember that….damn….I do remember not being able to go on R and R…My wife was there waiting…she was watching all the crap about Hue on tv , and freaked out…we eventually met I think in April…Frank and I were on the same team together in the field…if you have any photos of the compound or of you, then, could you send to my email: fdrew@bak.rr.com. Thanks Tom…Hope all is well, and Welcome Home to you, my brother.
Fred, I had not heard the R&R story before. I’m sure your wife was freaking out! That’s the second worst R&R story I ever heard. The worst was a guy on my R&R flight who was surprisingly met in Hawaii by his Mom instead of his wife. My wife sat beside the Mom and was told that the guy’s wife was filing for divorce and told the Mom the day before her flight. Glad yours turned out better!
Tom, it did that time….then Fort Ord for 10 months, then back VN, second tour, 25th ID, Mech Co Cdr….got a dear john from her after nine months in command….we got married after basic….go figure….so , went home on emerg leave, 2 weeks, came back, asst 3 in bn, went to cambodia, then rotated and bought a corvette…i thought i deserved the car….LOL
Yes, you did deserve the car! Sorry to dredge up that ole memory but it sounds like you got a good one the next time.
well, there were a couple more., then I finally got it right about 17 years ago….she is great…very happy…it took a while, but ended up good. Cheers, Fred. I am still scanning the MACV team 3 newsletters….will email when done….
All is well here Fred. I do have quite a few photos. I’ll scan some and send them to you. I’m computer challenged so it may take me awhile but I’ll send them.
I also have movies I made on VHS. I’m going to have my son convert them to CDs. Some good stuff. The schoolhouse before it burned,
shots of the area from atop the hotel, the landing ramp at the Perfume with jets dropping napalm on the north shore, some shots of the guys in the compound and a lot more. I haven’t viewed it in years so I hope the tape held up.
A lot of the movies were taken very early in the offensive, day two or three probably.
When I was on the hotel roof taking the panoramic shots there was a Marine sniper sitting against the wall. I think he was part of our security detachment. He asked me matter-of-factly if I could hear a zit-zit sound. I said yeah, what is that anyway. They’re shooting at you. GET DOWN. I nearly crapped myself. I crawled to the door and never went back to that rooftop.
Tom, Do you have any pictures that would include me–Jim Hollister–in them or any video?
jimhollister@juno.com or I can send you snail mail address.
Thank you–it’s great hearing about you all.
I was in Team 3 in 71 and 72. The compound was named after Frank Dozema. He did actually save the Compound that day. I am still in awe of his feats
Frank & 3 marines. All 4 were wounded. Cpl Mishler was manning the post when the attack started & Frank arrived shortly after the attack along with 2 other marines that were on duty that night. I have Mishlers account if you want to read it. Fyi, Cpl Mishler just passed away about 3 weeks ago.
Richard, I am so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I did not know him in Vietnam. I met him and Bob Robertson, one of the other Marines who were in the tower with Frank, a few years ago in Houston. Bob was in his final days at the VA hospital, and Mike, who was one of the kindest men I have known, had come down to be with him when he died. I live in San Diego and flew to Houston to see Bob. He passed away while I was on a flight home. I did not know Bob in Vietnam, either, but I was thankful that they were with Frank when he was mortally wounded. I was with my team at Phong Dien the night that Frank was wounded and did not learn of his death until March, when our team traveled to Hue. Frank was a friend. I stayed in his hooch with him, Mignemi and a couple of others whose name I don’t remember when we came to Hue at the end of the month to get paid. I did not know that Frank was not alone when he was wounded until I read Bob Robertson’s account in 2004. Bob and Mike gave me a detailed account of what happened that night. I only met them once, but they left a very favorable impression. They were both kind, decent men. I know that Mike was deeply religious.
H.G. Reza
RTO
Phong Dien 67-68
H. G., thanks for the reply. From what you described, you were with Bobby & Mish when they shared with the Doezema’s what had happened that fateful night when Frank died.
Here’s a link to the video of the meeting.
Facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10216822549987631&id=1580077024.
For Richard Vaughn. Were you possibly with team 56 in the delta, on 4 different mat teams, a medic. Looking for you. please email me c322Locate@aol.com
Do you remember a Major Cooper on Team 3 in 1971. I would like to know what happened to him. He was one of my Army ROTC instructors . I was attached to Team 15 in 1971.Thanks.
Sorrt Kenneth: 1971 was after my time. Good luck, hope you find him
Thank you for your quick response.
My name is Tom Odom, I was a LT/CPT with Team 3, Nam Hoa District from 1/68 until 11/68. I am trying to reconnect with any of the many folks who spent the ’68 Tet Offensive with me in and around Hue. I am planning a trip to Hue in Jan and Feb of 2018 with two of my sons. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions as I know many of you have made the trip.
Emailed you a reply several days ago. Have a great trip.
I got it John. Thanks.
High John I see you made contact with Captain Odom. We were together in Nam Hoa Village until the end of my tour in Nam.Glad your are doing OK. I will always appreciate your kind gesture in sending me the papers for my claim.Thank you.
Tom, as I said above, my wife and I traveled to VN in Jan/Feb 2008…one week in Hue to commemorate the 40 th anniversary. I was going to go this Jan, for the 50th, but the one guy I wanted to go with, Capt (Ret Col USMC) Jim Coolican, is not going, so I decided not to go…anyway, when we were in Hue, we stayed at the La Residence Hotel and Spa….been there for ever,,,the fresh used to stay there, and generals…anyway, they had completely redone it…lots of westerners stayed there…we were not on a tour group, by our selves…I took taxi to Quan Dien, PK 17, and so many other places that I had been with the Bn, before getting my ‘rear’ job in the compound….they have built. a huge new, maybe three star hotel, I think its called the Imperial Hotel…its right on Highway one, across the street from where the compound was, and some of the permanent buildings of the compound are still there…Maygbe you can stay there….Linda and I went there, to the bar, and then up to the top, and looked thru window at the old MACV compound…..we could not get in the compound. , its some kind of government rest home for north VN soldiers, I think….we did two days on rick shaws, going all over the city, south and north….imperial city, etc….still lots of damage to the outer and inner walls…from TET. food was good. the people and children love westerners, and especially Americans….at the end of one day, with my rick shaw bicycle driver, he and I spoke a little VN, and he had been a South Vn soldier…spent 12 years in reeducation camp…anyway, when we got back to the hotel, I gave him a ten dollar US, and he got on his knees, made the sign of praying and started crying…he had shown me his bullet wounds from the war….recommend you try to fly into PHu Bar from Saigon….we ended up in Da Nang at midnight, raining, etc and the airlines got us a taxi…trip from hell, with this VC driver….I thought I was going to die….anyway, there is a tunnel now from Da Nang, thru the mountain, to Phu Bai, four lane, lighted…it was nice…did not have to go over the Hai Van pass…..hope this helps….have a great trip….Fred Drew.
Tom: One item to add to your planning list to return to Vietnam. Get one or two hundred dollars in crisp new one dollar bills. Everywhere we went we were told “you give me dollar I be friend for life.” Actually it is easier to tip, buy post cards, and if you skip the tunnel, ladies will sell you home made bracelets when you pass over the Hai Vang Pass. If you will be spending much time in Hue City, Tran Ngoc (Harry) Hue still has a sister and some other family in and around Hue City. Might be tough to meet up with them. You can email me your email address (see below) and I will forward it on to Harry. Enjoy your trip.
Totally bummed out. I signed up for a Celebrity cruise out of Singapore that was scheduled to stop near Hue in early Feb. They dropped the stop for another glorious sea day. The only Vietnam stop is now Saigon. I had planned to go to Hue and Ashau, where I targeted beaucoup arclight strikes.
Thanks Denny, we booked airlines all the way to Hue so should be OK.
i went back by myself in 2006 and rented a car and driver to go to the ashau. at that time, i had to have a gov’t “minder” as the area was still “sensitive”. ho chi minh trail through the ashau is now 4 lanes a lot of the way. i was able to get off the beaten track a little, but the minder wouldn’t approve heading off into the bush where i wanted to go. next time i’ll just rent the car and go by myself.
steve malamud, ned, i had the honor of going on a few operations with the hoc bao, even though i was a low rank radio operater. if Harry you are talking about id Dai Wee Hue i would appreciate if you would forward my email address to him, usincus@hotmail.dotcom
Good Morning Steve. Your message complete has been forwarded to Harry. Harry’s story is told in Andrew Wiest’s book “Vietnam’s Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN.” It is available through Amazon. I served with Harry along the DMZ with the ARVN 11th Cavalry until we were wounded together. The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) monthly publication “The Veteran” has a June 1996 cover story I wrote entitled “This Man Lives the American Dream Every Day.” You may be able to find it on line. If not email me directly: neddevereaux@comcast.net and we can coordinate getting you a photo copy.
Fred, thanks for the info. My email is: tomodom@odomstanley.com
Thanks for the info, I’ll stock up on $1’s.
Tom, did you make the trip? Hope so…would love to hear a report…
Tom, guess you might remember the newly promoted Captains Kirkland and Bradley, promoted at MACV compound mid-’68…they were frat brothers at ETSU before active duty!
My cousin was Lt Wesley Woodford from ohio. I believe he was only in Hue about a month before his death.
If anyone remembers him please let me know any memory you may have. Thanks
I was in tm 3 in 70-71 with a cpt Herbert cline who passed on this mar 2017. He would never talk to anyone even me. I was the recon nco for the first ARVN Div. then an E-8 slot but I was a buck sgt. I used to get my Code and orders given to me by a E-8 (sgt Z) can’t recall his real name. In the bottom of the citadel . I had a bunk behind the tennis court/open bar. I was in and out as could be. Across from me was a staff sgt name of bagget or basset, I went out with him once in awhile as an extra on ccn. Cpt Cline was on his 5th tour and did not carry a gun at all , said i was to keep him alive, he was a bit wacko, a little on the bulky side, if anyone recalls him. We had a new first sgt from Germany come in about the time i was there. All i have for pics are the nice girls in blue and white that served at the nco club. I had my own APO box but can’t recall the #, wish i could. Had an attached cpt from 101 st that was a prick and got held there because he had the clap, can’t recall name. Wish i could recall more but a lot has been forgotten. A lot of fine people .
Dennis. I did not actually know your cousin but I owe my life to him. I had the honor of visiting his grave site in Ohio this past summer. If you wish to visit with me I would be happy to talk with you. CWO3. Larry Tessmer Ret
701-471-8721
I am not sure you got my first reply so I will leave an additional. Message. I was with your cousin the night of his death and will share info with you that you may or may not know. Phone number. 701-471-8721.
thanks Larry I will contact you soon thanks again
Hi Dennis. Just ran across our brief contacts that we had concerning your cousin Lt. Woodford. I just wanted to let you know I am still available to share information I have about his sacrifice in VN.
The AATTV has a facebook page. They really look after eachother. There is also a website for the Australian Army Training Teams. These guys are great . I am sure if you reach out to them, and or I can put you in touch with some if them .
Hi Pat…first visit to this site…was attached to TM3 in last half of 68…radio operator at 1ARVN HQ…Saw posts from Steve Malamud and tried to send msg to him…HELP..Thanks…my email is grubbsw@earthlink.net
Bill, I sent a message. Please check your folder
Pat
I sent email to
Steve Malamud…thanks…also have communicated with Travis Kirkland, a frat bro from the past…this is a great site!
I was also at 1st ARVN HQ’s the last half of 68. I worked in G-2 with Cpt. Weisburg, Cpt White, Lt. Presley, Major Click, Sp. 5 Larry Craven. Do you remember any of these people?
Thank you Pat, I’ve been in contact with a few of the die hard veterans of the AATTV, but trying to track down any US veterans including Sergeant Alberto Alvarado who served with him on Team 3.. many thanks .
If anyone who knew Peter Badcoe VC during his time in Vietnam and can assist in our research please get in contact. Many Thanks
I just read the book “Hue 1968”. It was a good read but I was disappointed that only a few pages mentioned Team 3. It was mainly about the Marines and their almost month long battle against the NVA. Originally, I was assigned to Team 3 but when I got to MACV-Danang in December 1967, I was instead assigned to Team 1, Hoi An.
For any member of Team 3 during Tet 68, was the team evacuated to Danang or some where else?
Not while I was there (until 2/17/68).
Thanks John and Charles. I was at Hoi An while the attacks were going on and we heard reports that MACV 3 had been evacuated. I thought the same thing would happen to us but we could not get any support from Danang and were just told “to hold on as long as we can.” Later, the ROKs (South Korean Marines) came in and pushed back the enemy attacks.
the 1/3/1 out of PK-17 fought hard around the Citadel as did the Hoc Bao and the Recon Company—
During my time at House 8 during Tet, we were joined by about 5 Chinese Nungs, a Vietnamese hill people used as mercenaries by the Special Forces and the CIA. Does anyone know what their role was before Tet? I never found out who they worked for. All were over 6 ft and fearless. They used .45 cal silenced grease guns until they ran out of ammunition.
They are actually not Chinese but an ethnic minority from the South of China. On my first tour we hired them as security guards for our off base intelligence compounds in Nha Trang because a) they were fiercely loyal, and b) they did NOT like the Vietnamese and wouldn’t let any locals anywhere near us. They always carried shotguns in Nha Trang. They were very friendly to us and exceptional guards. They were unusually tall
for Asians.
The CIA compound in Hue, an old French Villa where the resident agent lived, was guarded by Chinese mercenaries. That compound was hit and overrun during the initial attack. That may be where those guys came from.
When I arrived at Hue City (mid ’68) the Nungs were being used, among other things (I assume), as security for the CORDS Team House about four blocks away. This is the facility from which the Phxxxxx program was coordinated. One of the unusual stories of that Team House was the LT(?) who was the administrator for that group had previously been assigned there as a civilian, FSO 6. Sometime around late 1965 he was drafted, returned to the states, underwent BCT/AIT and OCS, was commissioned and came right back to the desk he sat at as a civilian employee.
Al, just a quick follow up to John and Charles…..We, (Team 3) could not have gone anywhere anyway…we were surrounded….ugh.
no, it stayed right where it had been, got shot up a little though—
Team 3 was not evacuated from Hue during the Tet Offensive. Following the initial assault team members assumed defensive positions in the compound. After the second day ammunition was getting low. We were preparing for another assault and had learned that Vietnamese civilians might be marched in front of the advancing NVA/VC units. Everyone was informed how to shout out for them to get down and at what point we would open fire. That night the Marine detachment from Phu Bai fought their way into the MACV compound to reinforce Team 3. I was on guard duty in the compound at the corner of Highway 1 when we heard all hell break loose. We had not been advised that U.S. Marines were attempting to reach us. I saw the first Marine crawl around debris and alerted everyone to hold fire, that they were U.S. troops. One day a group of volunteers were detached to try and reach the radio compound in the soccer stadium but they were not successful. I believe a Marine gunny assigned to Team 3 was KIA in that operation. Another group tried to get to the river to bring water to the compound but they were also unsuccessful. I worked in the Sector S2 shop and on the morning after the assault I left the compound with another NCO to destroy the classified material in the office according to SOP. When we reached the Sector HQ gate the ARVN almost opened fire on us. We built outside latrines and everyone volunteered where needed. I eventually volunteered to be a radio operator because all the regular operators had been wounded. I provided coordinates for free fire zones to bombers returning from missions to dispatch their unused ordinance. Much of the offensive strategy was initially coordinated from inside the MACV compound. The compound’s tennis court was converted to a make shift mortuary to store the growing number of body bags. There was no hot food nor showers during the month long siege. But on the first day after the initial assault an American flag was hoisted over the compound and flew there until all of the enemy were routed from the city.
The Gunnery Sergeant (he was then a SSGT) who was killed was George Kendall, a USMC I&I linguist working with me (G-2 Air Advisor). We
were on a patrol with his CO, CAPT JJ IRONS and the rest if the I& I team near the soccer stadium when we were ambushed and George was
hit by a burst of RPD fire. I and another USMC EM were WIA and half the I& I team briefly trapped on the West side of the stadium- we were on the East. I made it back to the MACV Compound and an ad hoc rescue team of Marines and an Army Duster was formed. We got Kendall’s body back and recovered the wounded Marine but I got hit again. We had done a number of such patrols and had gotten good intel and had
recovered a lot of weapons from an ARVN weapons room which had been abandoned but our luck finally ran out. While I was
being treated by an Army medic for a leg wound Col. Adkisson threatened to “court martial me for unauthorized participation in combat.”
I believe this was on February 4th. Kendall was posthumously promoted to Gunnery Sgt.
I was also on the unsuccessful rescue mission you mentioned.
This should put the rumor that Team 3 was evacuated to rest. Someone should write a book about Team 3 during Tet. At least do oral histories of those of us still around.
Just seeing this post for the first time Marty. I was on the patrol you mentioned where USMC SSGT George Kendall (posthumously promoted to GY SGT) was KIA just outside the stadium. The patrol was Marines from the 1st MAR DIV I& I Detachment joined by me for local knowledge. We had done a number of previous patrols within 5-10 blocks of the Compound with only minor firefights but this one went wrong quickly. Kendall died instantly from a burst of RPD fire, a USMC PFC named Billups I believe took an AK in the ankle and I got hit with shrapnel from an RPG. The rest of the patrol was on the other side of the stadium and my memory is that they were untouched. I made it back to the Compound for help and a relief force was dispatched to recover Kendall’s body and free Billups who was trapped in a drainage ditch by snipers. During the
rescue/recovery I got hit again, this time from shrapnel from an M-79 wielded by a USMC Lance Corporal who accidentally discharged the weapon and sprayed me with metal. On our return to the Compound an overwrought Col Adkisson threatened to court martial me for “unauthorized participation in combat.” Sadly the tragedy didn’t end
there, as Billups was killed as a victim during a carjacking in Washington, DC and the patrol leader, Capt JJ Irons, USMC, committed suicide
in later life. I still have a piece of the RPG in my tibia.
I have a photograph of your patrol as it was forming up to leave. It was taken by one of our pilots. I only see Marines in it but you might see some MACV personnel.
To Al Navarro. This is Fred Drew. I was. 1LT in the compound on jan 31, 68….all three books: Battle for Hue; Fire in the Streets and the latest, Hue, 1968….are all the same….first few chapters about the first week or so, some MACV stuff, and then all about the Marines. Very little about Hac Bao also….I have been disappointed also…yes, the Marines took a lot of casualties…but if it weren’t for the MACV Compound being there, and for us defenders not allowing ourselves to be overrun, the Marines would have had no where to go, except back to Phu Bai. That first Convoy that came rumbling into Hue, had not clue…we had to go out, and down the road and collect bodies, and get the officers to know where the compound was, etc. It was a mess…..There was also a book about the TET Offensive…I can’t find it right now, but the by line, is that: We win this time, or words to that effect….anyway, it delves into more of the advisors, and the South VN Army and the successes of the American units….Anyway, just some thoughts. Fred Drew.
Thank you, Fred
Fred, my name is Bill Bradley. I came in country in time for the Tet Counter Offensive. I was originally assigned to Team 1 in Dong Ha. I was sent down to Team 3 after a but of severe dysentery. Captain Gary Webb (later major) was the detachment CO. I was his assistant. I saw a reference to Travis Kirkland. Travis and I were fraternity brothers in college. I just came across this site. So many old memories.
Bill, I know Gary Webb, well. He is from Bakersfield. He is ten years older than me, but he now lives in Arizona, and was inducted into his High School HOF about a year ago here in Bakersfield, and he invited me and my wife….we had dinner the night before, etc….he was a stud football player on a state champ team…he retired as a col. i am traveling right now, but i will get you his email address soon…and also tell him that you are on this web site…which, i also just found it about a week ago…pretty awesome…Fred Drew
Fred/Bill, my name is Angelo Romeo. I arrived at the MACV Compound in June and took Bill’s place as Major Webb’s deputy. Shared a room with Travis and Frank White. Good soldiers, good people, great friends. Had dinner in NJ with Frank and Elsie last month-spent a couple days with Travis and Linda in New Mexico last Spring.
Mr. Drew, if you can send me Maj. Webb’s email address I would greatly appreciate it.
His email address that I have at this time is: freefallfella2004@yahoo.com . Fred.
Hey Bill, 1 Lt Fran Delaney here. I arrived Dong Ha in June of ’68, was first assigned to Alpha One outpost. CO at that time was Lt Col Parsons, based in a house in Dong Ha. My 2nd assignment was Charlie Two (or Three?) outpost halfway between Dong Ha and DMZ, final assignment Hoc Bao with counterpart Harry Hue. On my first venture into the DMZ, we came under artillery attack, got a piece of shrapnel through my canteen, scared me shitless. I don’t recall the names of most of my fellow advisors, was wondering if you worked with me. Email: fmiked@msn.com.
Fran, I remember you telling this story at Pk-17, I thought it was both funny and sobering at the same time—-that was close, the Good Lord was looking after you that day for sure—I have a couple of photos of you if you would like me to send them to you -cthurmond1@windstream.net
Bill, Sig Ep from ETSU here…communicated a bit with Travis on this site! Could have been wrong when I said you and Travs were promoted to CPT at the same time, mid-68 on the MACV compound…help me out here!
Mr. Bradley, I just wrote a note to Fred Drew asking him to send me Maj. Webb’s email address if he had it. I don’t know if he will see my not, so I would like to ask you to do the same. Thanks
David, Colonel, retired Gary Webb, email is: freefallfella2004@yahoo.com. He is a great guy, hope you can touch base with him…Fred Drew.,, then 1LT, now retired LTC….cheers. Best, Fred.
You are correct, pretty good read but many things left unmentioned and too much from/about reporters/correspondents who sometimes twisted stories to the detriment of the U.S. Military and all we tried to do as 20 yr old patriots…
Don’t recall Adams but action by Adkisson sounds about typical.
you are right John…I worked directly for him…
I am inquiring about my brother, Captain Kenneth H. Rud. He was an advisor with MACV in Thua Thien Hue in 1967. I was 18 when he was killed on February 6, 1967. He left a wife (now deceased) and 4 children. My remaining brother and myself would like to hear from anyone who remembers serving with him. He was on his second tour in Vietnam and was coming home in March 1967 for my wedding. Our parents are both gone now, but they never fully recovered from his loss. We would like to re-create a shadow box for him as our remembrance to a big brother we never ever forgot. We often wonder “What if…”. Thank you for your time.
Due to the length of your reply, it would be better to ask for Linda Newman’s email address and send it directly to her.
Linda, I do not know if my first message went through. I have a photo with someone with my father with the uniform tag name Rud / Rudde its hard to read. My father says the dates may not be right but I can send you the photo and you can tell me.
Patweyand@wi.rr.com
Please send the photo to me, I will know if it’s Kenneth. Thank you so much.
Linda, I have some information about the battle where your brother was KIA. Please contact me at hgreza@macvtm3.com if you want me to send you a narrative about the events of Feb. 6, 1967.
H.G. Reza
RTO Phong Dien
1967-1968
Please send everything you have to my email address. Thank you so much for your response, I miss my big Brother everyday. I often wonder what would be…..if he came home in March 1967. Thank you again for sharing with me.
Linda , what is your E -Mail address?
I came to Team 3 after this event, but I just want to say that if you can get information that will help provide you a step toward some measure of closure then this web site will have served a wonderful service. Thanks to all who have responded to Ms Newman’s requests. You are a great bunch of veterans.
Greetings once again fellow CoVan Mi’s. As I have detailed previously I served on Adv Tm 3 and 18 during Jul 68 through Mar 69 when I moved to USARV Adviser School at Di An to train incoming MAT Teams. One thing I have not mentioned and is distantly related to Teams 3/18 is that I was the Student Company Commander of Student Company B, USASWS at Ft Bragg from August 1967 through June 1968. It was an Administrative Company, (Pay, morning reports, orders, billeting, admin issues, etc) We were at the end of the small one story building behind the SWS headquarters across from JFK Center. That building is now the Special Warfare Museum.
Although i put almost 6,000 students through the MATA and PsyOps Schools, have not heard much from any of them. If you are out there would enjoy a reply and maybe a memory or two about your time at the School. Does anyone remember Co Pussycat (that’s what everyone called her), one of the Vietnamese Language Instructors for the MATA Department? I think everyone of you were in love with her. My counterpart as Commander of Student Company A was 1Lt Lenny Karp. My XO was 2LT Jim Caylor from Atlanta, Georgia and my 1Sgt was 1Sgt J.D. Batten who had three brothers, all Sergeants Major and my clerk was Sp4 York, a cousin of Alvin York.
I went through the MATA course in June-July 1968 with my good friend CPT Jerry Walker. We had served together in Germany with the 24th ID (1/19 IN). I do remember Co pussycat. I want to say the her name was Co Hue. The memory that stands out most vividly was a grizzled old (to me) Major who referred (0nly half jokingly) to us two year Captains as maltreatment of the troops. He was pretty much right and I was always eternally grateful to my Aussie WO on my Bn advisory team. He took me in under his mentoring wing. Sid Colley had served on New Guinea in WW2, fought in Korea and Malaysia and was into his third year in Vietnam when I met him. A true warrior!
To Ron Bower. I attended the MATA Course after OCS at Benning, then two cycles as a TAC, then to Bragg for MATA approximately, Jan to April 67; then to Fort Bliss for more VN language for about two months, then to Team 3, after two days In Saigon. Got to Hue about June 67, jeep to PK 17, over night, then to Quang Dien, 2 Bn, 3 Regt, 1st Div. Had a great Mentor, USMC Capt Jim Coolican, and our RTO was Frank Doezema, who later KIA on Jan 31, and they named the compound after Frank….I remember that the MATA Course was pretty tough, and all the instructors were professional…etc. What I hated was that MATA Mile…not so much the distance etc, but it was the sand along the two miles and running in combat boots….hard on the Achilles….anyway, fond memories of a short time at Bragg. I did 20 years, retired 1984 LTC….Life is good. I went back to Hue in 2008 for the 40th anniversary. It was a good week. Fred Drew.
Fred, do you happen to remember Richard Weyand USMC SGT advisor to Team 3 And later to Hoc Bao. He is good friends with Jim and Uncle Harry Hue. He served with Phil Kane, Mike Deleany , Jim, Joe Boldt ? I want to say he was there sometime in 67-69
Fred: Shame on you. The MATA Mile was my favorite! I used to run it twice a day. Had a rucksack which I loaded with a new rock every day (we kept a rock pile at the start just for that purpose, small rocks.). By the time I finished I had 40 pounds of rock and only 167 pounds of me. There were actually two MATA Miles, one for summer 2 3/4 miles, the other for winter, 2 1/4 miles. That was because of darkness. My favorite part was jumping the ditch that was about 1 3/4 miles in. Had a Navy Reserve LCDR Marackis who was a former NBC Exec and was going to Saigon to help RVN with their TV Station. He worked the Johnny Carson Show before he was called to AD. He ran the mile one afternoon, got lost and came out in the Cottonade Housing area. We looked for him from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and could not find him. Turns out he called a taxi , went back to Holmes Hall, showered, and went to dinner at the messhall. Just as I returned from the hunt, I saw him coming out of the Mess, smiling, clean and well fed.
Wow Ron, You have a great memory…and good stories. I have a nephew, just make BG…a real Warrior…Aviator….160th, Delta, etc….he loves my BS stories….the good ol days !!!!
hello ron,
i went back to vietnam in 2006 specifically to visit a former patrol area in the southern ashau where we had 4 kia, bnr until late ’90s. (partyline-one, 3rd recon, opn. cloud, 3 aug 67). at the time i had to have a “minder” with me, but knowing what i know now, i would just hire a car and driver (in hue) and go. roads are good, major highway now runs through the valley. hard to recognize now. built up. i have some photos if you are interested….email me (bill.mcbride@gmail.com)
bill
Bill: I’ll take you up on your offer. Always love to get photos. Helps me when I teach the current generation about our experiences. Thanks for the offer. Please forward them to rbower@ec.rr.com
“in the mail”
bill
Thank you for your help in keeping the memories.
On Monday, 6 February I will spend a portion of my day in prayer and reflection at our local Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Jacksonville, NC. The reason is that this will be the 48th anniversary of the crash of a UH1H Huey helicopter belonging to the 282d Avn Bn “Blackcats.” All eight passengers (6 US and 2 RVN) died in the crash, 5 US were friends of mine. I was scheduled to be on that flight and because of bad weather in Hue prior to it leaving, I was diverted to Phu Bai and missed the flight by 15 minutes. Those on board will remain in my heart and mind until the day I die.
Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive. I’m scheduled to take a Celebrity cruise that stops for a day in the Chan May port (between Danang and Hue) on 14 February. I’m currently planning to get a car and driver to take my wife and me around Hue for the day, and possibly go to Ashau Valley, which was the focus of many Trail FAC missions during 1967/68.
I would much appreciate any recommendations from my comrades on this website regarding reliable tour guides, etc.
Hey Denny,
Was that the Black Cat that Lt Col Donald Parsons was on? Timing is about right. He was my CO, based in a house in Dong Ha. I was senior advisor to the MACV team at Charlie-2 at the time. Charlie-2 was about halfway between Dong Ha and the DMZ.
Parson’s remains, 2 teeth, were found in 1996, IDed several years later and now reside in Arlington Nat’l Cemetery.
Then Lt Francis Delaney.
________________________________
I going back this Thursday with a group of nine Purple Heart vets sponsored by the VFW National HQ. We are
definitely going to Hue and hopefully the A Shau. I’ll give you a shout when I return in early May.
Just back from Vietnam. All traces of the MACV Compound are GONE. The site was leveled and is currently a building
site for a high rise hotel. Route One from Phu Bai to Hue is almost wall to wall with small and dilapidated shops/food stores etc. Camp Evans is unrecognizable – tree farms (mostly acacias) and plantations. All area LZs are overgrown or
otherwise unrecognizable. Imperial Palace and Forbidden City are intact. Population of Hue is way over 300,000 and still
growing. High rises all over Hue- some hotels, mostly commercial structures. Heavy foreign investment- Korea, Taiwan,
Malaysia, even China. BEER 33 is now BEER 333. Huda is local Hue beer- pretty good. Dong is now 23,000 per dollar
and a beer costs about one dollar in most places.
Saigon and Da Nang are amazingly modern cities. China Beach is wall to wall resorts (Hyatt, Marriott, Sheraton etc.) with
dozens more under construction. They have cleaned up the beach and it is stunningly beautiful. Khe Sanh still recognizable despite heavy logging and reforestation with eucalyptus, acacia etc. Khe Sanh Combat Base is down to the runaway only and the rest is coffee plantations. Khe Sanh town is tacky and touristy. Route Nine is somewhat improved
but still winding, narrow and wild in places. Still a lot of Bru tribespeople in the area. Lang Co much developed but still
gorgeous. Two new Catholic churches there. Quang Tri not too different except that the Citadel is now an NVA/VC memorial. Dong Ha has a cemetery with all the Ho Chi Minh NVA casualties – OVER 40,000! We hurt them even worse
than we suspected.Cu Chi tunnels worth visit despite blatant propaganda. There is US made equipment in many Museums- the vast majority of it ARVN or VNAF. They somehow got a C-130 to Khe Sanh despite the now very short
runway.
No problem with the people, they seem to like Americans and were generally very welcoming. Still some Russians there,
mostly around Vung Tau but they are NOT popular with the locals- “beaucoup cheap.”
Thank you for this report—I would like to hear more about Hue and Hwy 1 north–PK-17?, Camp Evans?
PK 17 just a spot in the road- didn’t see marker. Camp Evans is all either overgrown or planted with single species trees.
Some tarmac still visible but generally just foliage off a poor road. Route One North from Hue is heavily populated most
of the way and is lined with shacks and tacky restaurants. Opens up a little South of Quang Tri. Dong Ha resembles what
we saw only much more people and buildings. Quang Dien and Phong Dien Sectors a lot bigger now. Route One is way
better than what we experienced but still not up to Western Standards. Economy of Hue area is strong, unemployment
around 2 % with most people involved in government sponsored jobs or “make work” programs. Northerners still run
things in area- almost all mayors and police chiefs are Northerners, they still don’t trust the old Viet Cong. The number of high rise buildings in Hue is staggering.
Every major village along Route One North of Hue has a cemetery dedicated to residents killed fighting for the Viet Cong-
thousands upon thousands of graves and those cemeteries are limited to actual KIAs. NO ARVN cemeteries except at Bien Hoa and that has been heavily vandalized and desecrated.
Thank you John, I had several friends in the Hue area, either they got out or were killed as best I could find out. Too many would not have had the chance to flee. I tried to go to Hue in 1994 but wasn’t able to because the road was so bad that it was a 5 day trip one way and the air service was terrible and very dangerous.
I was told in 1994 that the North had killed most of the VC after the war. They didn’t trust them and the VC had the stupid idea that because they fought for the North that they would get to share in the spoils and political power.
Thanks for the update on Hue and surrounding areas. I was assigned to Team 3 in 1967-68 and was there for the Tet Offensive. I drove to Phu Bai often and the route was all jungle then. I’m not surprised to hear about China Beach. When I returned and was asked about Vietnam one of my comments was always that the country is beautiful and the beaches are prettier than Hawaii. Glad to hear the the country’s resources are being appreciated.
Couldn’t agree more about the beaches- just spectacular! Warm water and good surf, all the amenities- what’s not to like.
Marty: I am a retired US Marine who served with Marine Corps Counterintelligence at Hue/Phu Bai during Tet 68. There was an US Army unit located in Phu Thu district along a river that separated Houng Thuy District from Phu Thu District. Would you happen to know the name of that unit? It was a key Army unit that was hit just prior to Tet. Thanks, Bob Glasgow, MSgt, USMC (Ret)
Hi Bob, As far as I recall there were no army units operating in the vicinity of Hue before the Tet offensive other than occasional special forces operations. A number of army MACV advisors were attached to various ARVN units as well as other South Vietnamese operational units. Perhaps it is one of those you recall. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Marty Albritton
Marty: I was the District Senior Adviser at Phu Thu District from July 1968 through February 1969. There was no US Army unit on the river during my time. The 1-501 (101st Abn) was located in the northern area of Phu Thu at FB Star and they would occasionally run patrols along the river. That may account for the idea of an American unit in that area.
There was a SF Compound over on the Hue-Phu Bai Road (Hwy 1). Except for my 6 man Team at District Hqtrs (on east side of the river) the only other US was a four man MAT Team under a Lt Perez (from Texas) that joined us in October 1968 and was located in the southern area of the District at Vinh Ha Village. I remember well driving through that road from US 1, with thick vegetation on both sides. You had to dismount our J4B jeep vehicle on the western shore and take a boat rowed by a Vietnamese to get to the District Hqtrs. The jeep was stripped of all the equipment (shovel, axe, radio equipment, gas can, etc) every time we went over and it stayed overnight at the boat landing. Every time we went back to go somewhere we had to inspect it carefully for booby traps. There was one incident after I left of an American jeep with four occupants driving down that road and they hit a booby trap on a small bridged area just south of the boat landing and there were KIA and WIA involved. This was the impetus for getting a land route to Phu Thu District which unfortunately did not come about until after I left. My team was a SFC Bagby, SFC Williams, Spec 4 DiPietro. I also had a Medic (91C – AKA “Almost a Doctor”) whose name I cannot recall, a great Medic, and a 2LT Intel Officer who arrived just before I left in February to take over the PolWar Advisor job at Province in Hue. You guys are really testing my memory cells!
Kind of sad to hear that the MACV compound is gone. As the SR Advisor to 3/54 in 68 and 69, my team, and I enjoyed the benes of coming in from the field and getting cleaned up, hot chow, cold beer and good booze and in my case, having Garfield the goose bite my butt leaving the mess hall one time. I am the last of my team, Quentin Von Tarafdar passed away this past Jan and Sid Colley, my Australian friend and mentor passed a number of years ago. makes one quite reflective from time to time.
I saw photos of the MACV compound a few years ago. At that time it had been converted to a national police facility. The hooches were gone but the main buildings looked the same, just cleaned up.
I lived in the MACV compound from Feb 1966 until July 1967. I lived in the very last hooch in the back of the compound on the east side. The catkiller pilots lived next door. Is there anyone on this site that was there during the same time? I was a Navy LT/JG, Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer . Any response would be appreciated.Jim Glavinjglavin@kc.rr.com
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Check out our Facebook site Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Team 3.
You will see some great pictures of the Compound and potentially connect with former acquaintances.
Don’t know if I asked about this before (senior moments last days now) but is Aussie W/O Terry Eagan still with us. He took over from me with the TRINH SAT (RECON) Company under Truong Uy Tan (sp??). Having been medevaced out in mid-February I missed a lot of TET, especially the clearing of the North side of the River.anyone remember when Chaplain Aloyisius McGonigal was KIA? I saw him leave the Compound with a couple of grenades and .45s which he explained were for “his Marines.” I understand that a sniper got him somewhere in the Citadel.He was one of those surreal characters one occasionally meets on life’s journey. Very rough around the edges but a heart of gold.
Tony passed in the 1980’s. He and dad were good friends.
Thank you Patrick. Terry was a real soldier and great guy.
John I believe that there was a Tony and a Terry. The AATTV website had a page called Honor roll. It shows the people who have served with them and those who have passed . You might want to double check that we are talking of the same Egan. I know Tony was in Hue attached to Team 3 around Tet and when they went into the Ashau. Then Merv Bolitho rotated in. Hope this helps. I tagged you in photos on the FB page with Tony.
Yeah it is sad to realize that something so important to us in our young lives and something that riveted the world’s attention in February 1968 is gone. But that’s progress and history I guess. The old Police Station is now a Fire Station
with modern firefighting equipment. Rush hour traffic in Hue is incomprehensibly chaotic- thousands of scooters and
bikes playing chicken at intersections with little or no signage/traffic controls (except at really major points) and scant police presence. Some Western cars with for some reason a lot of tricked out Ford Rangers.
Food in Vietnam still tough for foreigners. Little meat except pork and duck and a lot of that looks just disgusting. Steak is
very rare except in top hotels. Lots of veggies loaded with cilantro and turmeric. Bread is however excellent- a legacy from the French. Meals tend to be repetitive with little variety- spring rolls, salads, sticky rice, fried rice, bits or pork and/or
duck. There are a few Burger Kings, McDonalds, KFC and even a couple of Popeyes. Mixed drinks expensive- Bacardi
and Coke $9-12 in the few places you can get it. Single malt whiskey VERY expensive. Wine varies from Godawful to
pretty good- mostly French. Still risky to drink anything with local ice in it except for top hotels and best restaurants.
I’m just curious. Did you by chance go near Hill 180 ? Do you know if Camp Eagle is still around? It was not called Camp Eagle in 1968 as the 1st CAV DIV built it for their base camp, about mid 1969 the 101st AB DIV joined in and it became Camp Eagle. They turned it over to the 1st ARVN DIV in March 1972 with the Team 3 still advisors. I stayed on MACV Doezema Compound for 4 months prior to moving to Camp Eagle in March 72, and stayed until Nov 72. Just wondering if you knew about Camp Eagle about 5-6 miles from Hue it was a very large base.
The short answer is no- we didn’t. Our Vietnamese guide said that Eagle, Sally, Bastogne, etc were “gone.” All scrub
brush and plantations of coffee, tea, rubber and pepper. We didn’t stray far from Route One except to visit Sally and Camp Evans. Sally is a massive cement plant and Evans is a combination of scrub jungle and plantations. A little tarmac\
visible at Evans and a berm but otherwise- nothing.
Thanks for the update. After reading your report on Camp Evans, MACV Compound & Hue in general I kind of figured would not be a Camp Eagle. I think they do not want us to have any connections with previous military bases, as they most likely are trying to move forward, again thanks for the info …Also Doug Wilson you are correct, early it was LZ Tombstone and R407 I believe.
I have herd that Camp Eagle was called LZ Tombstone in the early days .
Steve I remember you. I am kenneth Wiley O3 and was hdq commandant during that time. email me at kennethw@prodigy.net
It was called Camp Eagle in ‘68. I had a couple of friends there and as a 1st Lt I got to visit the base (I was at PK-17) for supplies from time to time and that’s what they called it.
CPT Wiley …I email you and I haven’t heard from you. Here is my email stevewatkins72@yahoo.com (I remember you very well also) …Would enjoy catching up on life. Take care.
I was one of the last to move from the compound and into Camp Eagle. When the 101st went home, Eagle was turned over to the ARVN 1st Infantry Division. When they went, we had to follow. They left 7 of us in Hue to guard the compound and I kid you not, My relief was a major. Told me he didn’t want to wake up dead. I sure hated to leave our compound. Best place in Vietnam I ever stayed.
When was the MACV compound closed/turned over or abandoned? I left there in July of 69. Was with USMC (marine unit attached to macv to provide security)
I am saddened that my little room at the MACV compound is rated… But I always knew that China beach was a place for a Marriott Hotel…
CPT GV Donatello Team 3
Hi John…Fred Drew here…just found this site. I notice the date of your information above….interesting….I went in 2008 for the 40th..one week Hue, one week in Saigon…in 2008, part of the compound was still there, across from the Imperial Hotel, which as I recall is about 12 stories…I stayed at the La Residence Hotel and Spa, two story, re done…on the river, West of the Bridge…anyway, not surprised they are building more hotels…I have a couple pics of the compound..the one two or three story building, where the NCOs stayed, and the mess hall was, was still there in 2008…anyway, my wife and I did Vung Tau…and you are right…the Russians…still there because of the oil research, and drilling, etc…we went to a bar in Vung Tau, owned by an Aussie, married to a VN gal, and I had been an exchange officer at the Australian Infantry Centre, 77-79, and took a photo of the officers Mess members , and posted it on the bulletin board at the Bar….never heard anything…did you drive thru the tunnel goes thru marble mountain? I was taken aback by the four lane Highway one, with streett lights, etc, both south and north of Hue. Cheers, Fred Drew
In response to Bill Browns post on Australian Woody.
I checked with some friends involved with the AATTV. They still have him listed as being Alive on their roster which is not what is in the book referenced. I can put you in contact with my friend Rick Ryan AATTV if you want more info. It appears that Woody’s telephone number is unlisted. So please dont get your hopes up but the info they have is that they believe him to be alive in Australia. Patweyand@wi.rr.com
EXCELLENT! Didn’t know him all that well but he had a reputation as a great soldier and I know the Vietnamese liked him.
I recently established contact with one of my Team 3 RTOs, Nelson Rodriguez, after almost 50 years. He tells me that
after I got medevaced during TET the Army gave Team 3 the Presidential Unit Citation and another unit award. These never caught up with me. Anyone have copies of the awards or can direct me to where i could find them?
John, My name is Tom Odom and I was a LT/Cpt with Team 3 from 1/68 to 11/68. Our RTO at Nam Hoa District, SW of Hue, was Sp4 Rodriguez. I do not recall his 1st name as we all called him “Hai Shi Rod”. Could this be Nelson Rodriguez? Do you have his contact info? My email is tomodom@odomstanley.com.
I can send the info on the PUC to you. It seems like many people were not aware of it. Send me your e mail I have the flie on my computer.
Patweyand@wi.rr.com
Pat, my email is tomodom@odomstanley.com.
Thanks,
Tom
John, yes, PUC and also, from the VN government, a cross of gallantry, with palm, unit award….I think I can help. with the award citation….give me some time….I need to dig….but I think I will find the orders….you can also contact the US Army Awards Section…not sure of official name, but wind your way thru internet, I recently had to do that for one of my KIAs on my second tour, had a mech co, and he was awarded the MOH posthumously…had to get permission for his family to gift the MOH to the Bn we were in, anyway…I think the offices were in VA, and staffed with civilians….BUT, I will look, and let you know….I can be reached at: fdrew@bak.rr.com….please send me an email, then I can send direct to you with a scan, when I find the orders. Cheers, Fred.
Bill Williams, not sure if my last message posted. Merv was a good friend to my father. Dad was there when Merv came in, if I remember right he came in right to the field dad met him when he got off the chopper.
We are still in contact with his family, and the AATTV.
Dad is in good health. If you have questions I can ask him.
People keep asking about a Kiwi but no one seems to know of who it would have been. Anyway if you are on facebook check out the Team 3 page there are a few photos of Merv there.
Patweyand@wi.rr.com
Does anyone know what became of Aussie WO Woodforde (I hope that’s his right name) whose place I took with the
TRINH SAT (RECON CO) when he was wounded in late 1967? I know that by TET WO Egan was the Advisor but I
never heard what happened to Woody.
Arthur Joseph WOODFORD is listed in The Men Who Persevered (a comprehensive book on the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam [AATTV]). This book was published in 2005 and lists WO Woodford as being deceased, date unknown. Not much help I know but at least you can ‘close the book’ on your search.
That’s sad news for sure. Like a lot of the Aussies he was a little rough around the edges but a great soldier and a lot of fun after you got to know him. He was well into his 40s in Vietnam so I am not totally surprised he’s gone. Hope he had a
suitable military funeral. Thanks for the info and I’ll try to pick up a copy of the book.
John, its me again. I remember WO Egan very well, especially in the compound officers club….there is an Aussie, Bruce Davies, He retired I think as a LTC….I got to know him when I was on exchange at the Australian Infantry Centre in 77-79…. who wrote a book about the AATTV, and his email is: pleiku68@gmail.com (or at least that was his email in 2010)…He knows where all the AATTV guys are…Hope this helps, Fred Drew.
Merv was a good friend. So the Kiwi did Merv relpace him?
Bob Emery: Need your email address and I’ll be glad to forward it to you. I’m at dohertyjohn@verizon.net
Picked it up today. Safe in hand. Dad said it had to have been from early 67 as it had his earlier assignment which had been changed. He did recognize a few names. But it was missing some so it is probably from the time frame earlier 67. He also said he was in a field team so most of his friends and contacts were with his field unit. I will scan it into a PDF and can send it via email box drop. Will just need e-mail addresses . Patweyand@wi.rr.com
I got it when I reported to Team # 3 which I believe was in August of 1967. I have no idea why I held onto it for all these years but now I’m glad I did. I’m at dohertyjohn@verizon.net . I hope others can use it. Please make sure that Roberts gets
it.
Ok thanks, I will check there . Thank you. Will be there Sat.
Pat:” I sent the material before you posted your home address. All I had was your business address at the Y. The USPS
confirmed that it was delivered and signed for at the Y by a J. Scholey or some such name.
I was on the next flight with the same pilot. He calmly told his co-pilot that he hoped he didn’t have the something as his last flight. Then explained for all to hear what had happened. I was on my way to Hue for the first time. Didn’t make me very comfortable.
Those Otters must have been magnets. Major (then CPT, USMC) Harvey Zimmerle and I flew into the citadel, the first week in September 1968. When we were on the ground and exited the aircraft, Harvey had a bullet hole through his brief case. He went to 2/3 and I went to 3/54 as senior advisors.
Anyone out there remember the Army Otter aircraft that was shot down about 13 July 1968, en-route to Hue City? A friend of mine was on that aircraft, Captain Steve Materi. Have been trying to contact him but no luck as of yet. I believe he was last located in Georgia or Florida. One of the bullets that came through the floor of the aircraft was heading straight for him when it hit a tin AVIS “We Try Harder” button and deflected it to his portable radio in his duffel bag. I have a picture of that button which I sent to AVIS’ corporate headquarters (my father-in-law was a manager of AVIS at the Fayetteville, NC airport. Just one of the little stories that make up history.
No one here got it? My address is 7402 2nd ave kenosha wi 53143
Its a house not a business?
Anyone remember this call sign . Bobbling Bravo 2.
Pat:
I express mailed the roster to your business address- someone named Scholey signed for it. Hope you can disseminate it
to the group in a better format.
Sorry, we never really got personal. Do remember that he walked around with a riding crop and that he was a great boss. He always cared about the welfare of his men.
Guys:
I have a printed official roster of Team # 3, 37th Signal Battalion, 7th USAF Detachment and USMC Guard detachment at Hue. It dates from sometime in the middle of 1967. It’s a so-so mimeograph copy but generally legible with DEROS, SN, rank, date of rank and duty station. It also has some Team # 4 info. It’s 22 pages long and if someone can reproduce in a more user friendly format I’ll be glad to make it available.
Can you send me a copy. Thanks
Hi John
I just found this Team Site. I was stationed at the Hue compound for a couple of months during ‘67. I was there when the 65 Mortar rounds hit the compound. I think I was there mid April to earlyJune when I was transferred to the MACV (Kilroy) Compound in Quang Tri. I worked as a com center (teletype) specialist for the 37th Signal Bn. If you still have that printed roster I would love to see it.
Richard Kunz, kunzr@verizon.net
I was a Navy Intel type and lived in the Hue compound for almost all of my 2 year in Vietnam.I left in the summer of 67 and would love to get a roster mentioned in the John Doherty e- mail.I have stayed in touch with many of the Catkiller pilots who I flew recon flights with.I would greatly appreciate a copy of the roster. Thanks you.Jim GlavinLt USNR jglavin@kc.rr.com
—————————————–
Rosters disappeared during recent move- still looking but not hopeful. Will keep you in mind if I find them.
Sorry to hear of Mr. Eagan’s passing, he was a top notch soldier. Like most of the Aussies in Northern I Corps he had been an NCO in the Royal Australian Army and got his Warrant upon volunteering for Vietnam. He and several other WOs
from Australia convinced me to take my R&R in Sydney which had just opened up as an R&R center. They set me up with
their friends in Sydney and I had a grand old time there. In return I had to buy them all new sets of darts- their favorite
pastime (after drinking beer that is.) I learned a valuable life lesson from the Aussies, never EVER get into a drinking
contest with an Australian soldier!
Had to chuckle about Aussies and beer. I was the Sr advisor to the 3/54th reg’t and later staff advisor for the 54th from September 1968 to September 69. My WO Aussie was Sid Colley. He had been in the Australian army since 1939 starting out as a guerilla on New Guinea. He was my mentor about most everything; certainly, the jungle and the oriental mindset…. a fine man and a WARRIOR! Off the clock, beer darts and cribbage were his thing and yes, you did not ever want to think that you could out drink an Aussie.
John, I agree about the drinking…I spend two years at the Australian Infantry Centre, 77-79, on exchange from the Inf Center at Benning..teaching tactics…etc…..YOU SIMPLY CANNOT OUT DRINK THEM….BUT, I did learn to throw some mean darts….Fred Drew.
I replaced an Aussie whose name I cannot recall but it started with WOOD, maybe Woodford? I was the co van until another Aussie named Eagan took over- he had the Recon Company during TET and did a hell of a job. I do not remember any New Zealanders with the Hoc Bao or the Trinh Sat. When I was in Hue the only Black Panther Advisors I recall were Jim Coolican and an Army Captain named Jones.
Tony Eagan. He was a good friend of Dads. Tony passed in the 1980’s of cancer .
Pat, I see your Dad was a friend of Tony Eagan as was I. In fact, I have pictures of Tony, myself and other Aussies taken the afternoon before the Hue attack. A bunch of us went out to an Imperial Tomb in Nam Hoa and later test firing some captured weapons at an outpost in Nam Hoa. The attack began about 12 hours later.
Bob Stuler:
Great to hear your name again after so many years. We overlapped in Hue for about four months when you had the
Trinh Sat (Recon Company.) I think Truong Uy Tan was the CO, at least he was when I was with them. You may recall
me as a second tour CAPT, 6’3″ with bright red hair assigned as G-2 Air. Major Esteban Sanchez, known affectionately
as Shaky Steve was the G-2 Advisory boss. Good guy but unbelievably nervous.
Funny we never met because I knew a lot of the Trail guys. I knew of Manhard but never met him. You’re spot on about
LTC Brown, terrific guy who really knew his stuff. He wrote an interesting book and also tape recorded most of the sounds
of the first few days and nights of TET 1968 from his room on the 2d floor of the motel/hotel/boq/whatever. TET ended my
Army career pretty much as my four wounds got me shipped home and I couldn’t stay in without waiving my disabilities
which I just couldn’t do. Would have loved to have done 20 but the NVA didn’t cooperate.
Must be another Jonesy. My briefs and debriefed were mostly limited to the Trail FACs. I did do a daily briefing (as S-2 Air) for Phillip Manhard, Senior Sector Advisor for Thua Thien Province. He was a GS-18 State Dept. civilian who was captured in Hue on Feb 1 1968 and spent 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton.
L/C Brown was my boss. Tough, kind and razor sharp. Flew in Burma in WWII. Amazing pilot, warrior and leader.
Denny:
Are you the JONESY the USAF SSB guy who gave me the daily weather so I could brief Col Peter Kelley and the other
honchos? LTYC Brown was the main FAC in those days. He actually flew me into an unnamed country somewhat West of Vietnam that I guess I’m still sworn to secrecy about. I was the 1st ARVN Division G-2 AIr Advisor and filled in as Recon Company Advisor when their Aussie WO got hit by mine shrapnel. Former Army CAPT John Doherty, MACV Team # 3
August 67-February 68.
john, would you read my 10 march posting below. there is a reference to a “nz army” WO, but no one i have comms with remembers any nz officers assigned to the huk bao units. i am wondering if this might have been the aussie WO you referenced….this was during col. kelley/kellys time if the same one. early august 1967
bill
My hat’s off to you and everyone else that were on the ground in Ashau those days. A true strategic target as a choke point for the North’s I-95 supply route, bombed 24/7 by B-52s, secured and rebuilt daily by thousands of NVA troops and “corduroy” road builders. A true valley of the shadow of death.
Trail FACs were involved in a few such missions during my time in Hue. I don’t remember the details of that extraction. Around that period we were in contact with a (Delta?) team that was put into Ashau one afternoon. We left as it became dark. At first light the next day the FAC made radio contact. The team leader whispered, “Get us the hell out of here. We have a regiment surrounded, but they won’t give up their weapons.”
that comment is a classic!
bill
Interesting, I had a FAC in a “pusher” (O-5?) flying over the An Hoa Basin/valley in Jan ’69 that used the call sign “Lopez 50”. He was marking a spot (bomb crater) where there were several NVA holed up and hit one of them in the back with a WP rocket.
If memory serves, “Lopez” call signs were used by Raven FACs flying out of Laos.
Lopez call sign FACs were not Ravens. They belonged to the 20th TASS out of Danang, and flew both in-country and some out-of-country missions. I knew at least one Lopez FAC who was dedicated to Special Forces in Quang Nam Province.
They flew in support the 51st ARVN Regiment, 1st ARVN Ranger Gp, RF/PF Ops, 5th SFGp operations as stated, and Marine units, all in Quang Nam Prov. Most of those who were lost during the war were flying in-country, I believe, but one was shot down over Laos.
The call signs designated the type of mission, so a single FAC might have had more than one call sign during a tour, depending on what he was doing at any given time. Ravens were based in Laos and the pilots were detached from the USAF and, ostensibly, civilians.
I have a photo of dad getting ready to go on a recon flight with ine of you guys
Hi Bill. I finished Intel school at Lowry AFB in May 1968. A couple of other FAC support names I remember are Dave Hast (Quang Tri) and Rex Darling (IDASC Danang).
Denny or Bill,
do either of you remember trail support to a usmc recon team that was in the ashau 3 august 67? we were hit during extract. this was in support of (subsequently cancelled) operation cloud. i was the patrol leader of one of the two recon patrols hit that day.
bill mcbride
Trail FACs covered Thua Thien and Quang Tri Provinces, and were based out of Hue airfield (in the Citadel), and La Vang airstrip south of Quang Tri City. It is most likely, though not certain, that a Trail FAC flying over the A Shau would have been flying out of Hue. Some Trail FACs flew out of Danang but generally only because they were there for some reason and flew a mission on their way back to Hue or Quang Tri.
Denny, Did you ever hear of a FAC out of the Da Nang/ Hill 55 area that used the call sign of “Lopez 50”?
There are two pilots on the FAC Association Roster who used the Lopez 50 call sign: Larry McConnell, and Jimmy Self. I don’t have their dates of Vietnam service.
Had one small run-in with Colonel Atkinson. It seems that two of my friends from Ft Bragg were advisors to a Vietnamese Ranger Battalion. They had been n the field for 30 days straight when they wandered into the Hue Compound, straggly looking, torn and dirty fatigues and a overgrowth of chin whiskers. They had nothing with them so they asked to borrow a couple of uniforms until the next day, which I obliged. That night they went to the O’Club and got into a fight with someone. The next day, after I came in from my District in Phu Thu, my uniforms were back in my hooch and there was a message that Col Atkinson wanted to see me. I reported to him about 3:00 PM and he started chewing my ass about my scandalous conduct in the O’club the night before. When he finished his initial rant I told him that it wasn’t me, I had been out in the District Compound all night. It was then I realized what happened. Of course my uniforms had my name on them so when whoever reported it, they gave them my name. He apologized (as best he could) and said to me, “No wonder the reports were you were fighting like two men!) I will never forget the feeling of relief when I exited the CO’s house. Unfortunately, my one friend who was a Major (can’t remember the name) stepped on a mine, lost both legs and half an arm and an eye. Like any good Ranger, he survived, went back to Florida and ran his own cattle ranch. The only time I saw him after that he was featured on a TV documentary about how wounded vets were coping. They showed how he mounted his horse with only one arm and used his teeth to steer the horse. Understand he died about 10 years later but cannot confirm it.
I was stationed at Charlie Two outpost, north of Dong Ha, when this event occurred. I happened to be in the Dong Ha MACV ‘compound’ the day LTC Donald Parsons went on this recon mission. It was a sad day, indeed: Parsons was one of the finest officers I’ve ever met. From researching POW/KIA websites I learned that the wreckage was found in 1996. Six years later, the remains (two teeth) of LTC Parsons were identified. Those remains were interred in Arlington National Cemetery with his two daughters present. I didn’t know anyone else on that flight. 1Lt Francis Delaney.
Thanks for the backup. I certainly thought I remembered that correctly.
As I recall, as the one who sent Larry on that trip, I feared he was missing when he called me in the Division TOC to find out where the helicopter was. He had gotten off before it disappeared, but expected it to come back. Larry would remember best. CPT Weisberg
OK, thanks for posting Capt Weisburg. I was on duty with you in the TOC when this all went down. Getting off the ship as it was leaving Quang Tri was what he told us back in the hootch after he got back to Hue. I recall your intense and genuine concern after getting the news that the ship was missing and relief when Larry called. So tragic for the men on the mission.
Actually, I was supposed to be on that chopper. As luck would have it, I had a very bad cold and Larry Craven volunteered to go in my place. This discussion took place at First ARVN Division G-2 Section. The weather was very bad that day with low visibility.
Ron…I derosed Aug of 69 and I believe that garfield was still guarding the gate.
Go to the Arlington National Cemetery website, type in CWO2 Charles Irving Stanley and there will be full explanation of the incident. One thing I did not mention is there were six Americans on board, (Crew) Dave Padgett, Charles Stanley, Sp5 Robert O’Hara, SFC Eugene Christian, (Advisors) LTC Don Parsons and Cpt Ron Briggs (My boyhood friend. I did not even know he was in the Army, let alone on Team 3). There was a Vietnamese Major on board also. When they found the ship, which had crashed and evidently was stuck in the second canopy they found eight bodies. It was assumed that the ship had unfortunately come down on some Vietnamese peasant. As I heard the story while they were still looking for the bird, there was another Vietnamese solider on board, who was the major’s BATMAN (carried his pack, weapon, shined his boots, cooked his meals, etc) I reported this to Casualty Assistance on the day of the funeral but do not know if they ever corrected the mystery of the 8th man. All the recovered bodies with the exception of SFC Christian I believe are buried in a common grave on the south side of Arlington, just across from the old Navy Annex building (in, about 200 feet from the road). I attended the funeral and met with Charles’ brother Ron Stanley and his family. The funeral/internment occurred in September of 2002 I believe. My roommate in Hue City was an AF FAC (0-2 pilot). He was the one who first told me that the craft was missing when I returned from Phu Bai at about 2:00 P.M 6 Feb 1969. He was just heading out to search, along with another FAC. I had never heard about Sgt Craven missing the flight. I hope he has prospered over these many years and like me, has tried to reward others with his good fortune.
I was always under the impression he was dead. I moved out to my District (Phu Thu) about that time and did not get back into Hue. I went on R&R in March and when I came back was transferred to USARV Advisor School training MAT Teams until I derosed in July 1969. Just before I left to come home went on a fact-finding mission to a little place called My Lai south of Danang. You may have heard of it. MACV wanted to know why the local population was so hostile to the Advisory effort. Think Lt Calley!
Does anyone have a picture or story about the MACV Goose? I remember there was a picture of the goose on the wall of the Team messhall. He had flown in there during the May 5th attack and took refuge in the MSG Guard Shack at the front gate. He never, to my knowledge left the compound until……when the goose met his untimely death on 10 November 1968 when allegedly, a USMC Mighty-Mite backed up over him in the courtyard. Someone (Army Captain) brought his then lifeless body into the O’Club and it was noticeable that he had been touched with some paint of scarlet and gold (USMC colors). Very suspicious!!! To some his award of a Purple Heart was disturbing. Prior to coming in country I was assigned as Company Commander, Student Company B, USA Special Warfare School where I commanded all the services who were in attendance for the MATA-Sector Unit and Mata-Corps/Division course and three PsyOp courses. I arrived at Team 3 in July 1968, remained there until transferred to USARV Advisor School at Dian and rotated stateside in July 1969. I was assigned to Phu Thu District as the DSA after LTC Lopez left. My Team Sergeant was SFC Bagby and SSG Williams. Had a MAC Team headed up by 1LT Lopez. While in Hue City bunked in with a newly promoted Major John Shalikashvili. Was scheduled to be on the ill-fated 282 AVN Bn Blackcat helicopter which crashed on 6 Feb 1969, but had missed the flight by 15 minutes. Attended funeral for CWO Charles Stanley, Major David Padgett and 4 others, one of whom was Captain Ron Briggs, a friend of mine from the neighborhood in Philadelphia.
Brothers, my name is Angelo Romeo and I was the Deputy Compound Commander for Team 3 from May ’68-May ’69. Google MACV Team 3 or “Garfield, the Hue Goose” for your information. Seem to remember a mock court martial for the perpetrator and the sentence was to buy a round at both the EM and Officers Clubs. I do remember Garfield taking a dump in the salad that was to be served in the mess hall. Also remember when the Marines painted him and Major Webb and I had to get it off before the Colonel saw him in the morning. On a somber note, I flew often with Major [then 1LT] Padgett. Nice guy.
was this major norm webb by any chance. usma, lacrosse all american?
bill
I was at Team 3 compound Oct 68 to Oct 69. Worked at interrogation center and at TOC at 1st ARVN Div HQ in the citadel. Lived in the farthest corner hootch diagonal from the main gate. I remember a helicopter that disappeared on a return trip from Quang Tri (I think). Can’t remember when exactly it happened. Is this the one you are referring to in your post? If so, one guy from our hootch (Sgt Larry Craven) had made the trip up and was just getting ready to jump in for the return trip when he realized he did not have some documents he was supposed to have and jumped down off the skid, telling the crew he would get a ride back to Hue the next day. If this is the incident you are recalling, can you post any additional info on the ultimate outcome? i.e, was the ship found, are the funerals you mention the crew members? Many thanks.
Ron, I just found this web site….going thru it a little at a time….when I came in from the field about Dec 67, I worked for Kelley and Atkinson as their “special Assist”, and my VN counterpart was Gen Troungs Aide. I also helped plan Arclights. anyway, just reading your comment from July 9, 2016….I have several monthly Newsletters from Team Three, approximately from just after TET, to about August or so….and as I recall, the info about the duck is in one of them, also lots of Hail and Farewell stuff, etc….naming the compound after Frank Doezema, who was my RTO in the field, etc etc….I was in the compound on jan 31, and until after the marines got the south side fairly cleared, then we were delegated to shooting the dogs that were eating the bodies all over the city….send me you email address, and I will send you the copies of the monthly newsletters that I have….how can I post them on this web site??? does anyone know…??? Fred Drew.
Fred: My e-mail is rbower@ec.rr.com. Living well among the Marines in Jacksonville, NC. Great guys but have to suffer through endless Army “jokes”. Will celebrate their Birthday with them this weekend. I volunteer at the Jacksonville USO, the oldest continuously operating USO in the world.
Col Tschan. Dads name may be familuar to you for a number of reasons. He was Recon in the mid to late 50’s 2nd batallion. Spent some time around Cuba. Was an instructor at Raider school 1964 Okinawa. Assigned to Team 3 from march 67-late 69. Serving 68-69 with the Black Panther unit. After that he was an instruxtor in Coronado for Amphibious recon, then back to Vietnam Thailand 73-74 with JCRC.
Being Recon, did you know my uncle Sgt Alan T Jensen KIA Oct 17 1967 in Elephant Valley. Force recon. The area was South East of Hue my dads maps do not include that area. South East if Hue near Hwy 1. He was part of Reactionary force team Petrify. They went in to try to get another unit that was pinned down out. At the time he was relativally new to Recon. He served under Joe Taussig? His team name was team petrify. ( not sure if that name was just for that Operation) One of the other team names was war cloud, and Texas Pete? Just curious
Operation Cloud Ashau Valley August 1 1967
I was on one of two USMC recon teams that were inserted into the Ashau on 1 and 2 August in preparation for this operation. Both teams made contact within a few days of insertion, took casualties, and were extracted on 3 August. The operation was subsequently cancelled.
The operation was to have been a quick raid into the valley, and was planned as a joint operation between III MAF forces and ARVN. Years later I contacted the USMC Battalion Commander who was designated as the Ground Force Commander for the operation. He sent me the Operation Order and a set of his personal notes. In his notes, an extract from which is included below, he mentions coordination with Army Col. Kelly and other ARVN units. Do any of you who were advisers remember any of this, or have any comments. In my opinion, this operation would have been a disaster had the trigger been pulled on it.
quotes from his notes below:
“Initially, it was to be a combined operation with the ARVN and
there were several conferences with the Army advisers to the 1st
ARVN Div. The Army colonel was named Kelly, I think. One of the
earlier schemes of maneuver was for ARVN Rangers to parachute into
the northern part of the Objective area near the old Special Forces
fort. which had been the scene of a big fiasco in 1965 or 66, I balked at
not having command of all the forces on the ground. Subsequently,
the ARVN Rangers were withdrawn from the operation and the Huk Bao or Black Panther Co. substituted. They had a New Zealand CWO as adviser.
The Rangers also were to have an air-dropped 105mm btry
which I thought to be tactically unsound inasmuch as both the
paratroops and the battery would impinge on the helo assets for
extraction. One of the “rumors” fed back through Col. Kelly was
that the paratroops felt that there was a heavy concentration of AA
MGs around the drop zone. That raised my suspicions that the ARVN
involvement had already gotten back to Charlie. I came up with a
concept to capitalize on that by having dummies dropped in
parachutes in the drop zone which was north of my LZ. I hoped that
would draw away from the LZ and at the same time reveal their
positions to our fixed wing support. I was again. suspicious when
Col. Kelly told me he thought the dummies were a great idea and he
had Vietnamese seamstresses making them in Hue. So much for tight-hold security.”
bill mcbride
3rd recon bn, 3rd mar div ’67’68
COL Peter Kelley was the Senior Advisor to the First ARVN and CO of Team #3 when I was there from 8/67-3/68. He had been replaced by Col George Adkisson just before TET. Kelley was WWII and had jumped into Normandy I believe. Sweetheart of a guy, great with junior officers (I was a CAPT) as he had a lot of EM time. I got medvaced out by HUEY on 2/17/68
and met several USMC WIAs who were openly advocating FRAGGING Adkisson.
I was able to attend the re-dedication of FRANK DOEZEMA’s grave outside of Kalamazoo, MI with Col (RET) Jim Coolican.
The MACV Compound was named after Frank who got the DSC for TET while Jim got the Navy Cross for rescuing Frank
from his guardtower which had taken a direct RPG hit which eventually killed Frank. Frank was Jim’s RTO with the Hac Bao
(Black Panther Co.)
John C. Doherty
CAPT USAR
MACV Team # 3 Hue
67-68
Thanks for the info john, helps fill in a few of the blanks. knowing now his background in ww2 and normandy, it is understandable how col. kelly might have pushed for a dummy drop to deceive the nva within the operation cloud taor. i do agree with the bn. co’s comments that having them made by seamstresses in hue city probably was an opsec issue.
col. jim coolican and i served together at usna in the early 70s. hand salute!
i’m still wondering about the reference to the “cwo nz advisor” to the hac bao mentioned in the op order and notes for cloud.
bill mcbride
alpha company, 3rd recon bn. jun-oct ’67
Hello John, its me again…going thru the comments on this site. I was the LT with Jim and Frank on the Bn Team. I was in the bunker just to the south of the tower on jan 31. I have kept in touch with Jim over the years. The last time I saw him and Jean was last April in Fresno CA, at his Annual Legion of Valor National Convention (MOH and Cross Recepiendts)…I live in Bakersfield CA. Anyway, I was going to go back to Hue in Jan, and Jim and Harry were going to go, but Jim told me that Harry’s kids were worried. So not going. my wife and I went in 2008 for the 40th. I am so glad that you attended the rededication of Franks grave…
I knew of Major Morales, can’t remember meeting him, however I knew Lt. Col fair very well. I moved to 1/3/1 shortly after he came to PK-17. He was a fine officer, a maverick as they called officers who had been NCOs before getting a field commission. He didn’t mind getting out with us from time to time, especially when we needed supplies in a hurry. I have a few good stories about him. I keep in touch with him until his death.
Chuck
I was there for Tet and after. I was there from august 67 to august 68.
where were you rto ,division hq ? trying to jog my memory, also not that great
At the beginning I worked division hq but later on I started going out with different units until I was assigned to the village of Nam Hoa.
steve m.
very soon after tet [a day or two a few of us went by helicopter to work at 1st arvn division hq. do you remember being part of that?
As much as I can remember I was in the main bunker by Col. Kelly’s house and we use to take turns between our bunker and the Colonel’s. You mention about Sgt. Blum, Sanford, Mueller, Anton ,etc. I remember that were at the same hootch in from of the school. I remember you also ’cause your last was kind of rare it wasn’t easy to forget.
Are you the RTO that was with the Nam Hoa District team during and after Tet? I arrived on the team in 1/68 and left in 11/68.
steve m. were your there for tet? i am in touch tom cary i will send him your post
steve m
anyone remember any of these from macv compound hue 67-68?
sgt lester blum [head signals nco]
barry mueller [clerk 1st div]
[?] sanford [rto]
tom carty [rto]
Steve m My name is N. Rodriguez, SPC 4 RTO and I was in the same hootch with these guys, and I think I remember you too. I am just recalling to the best of my memory which is not that good these days.
Were you in Nam Hoa District?
An Lo Bridge, Thua Thien Province
BINH DINH province sorry
steve m, i wrote a novel about a mutant rock and roll band on the ho chi min trail, macv compound and palace in hue make an appearance [i didn’t actually write it, it was written by a young friend of mine to whom i had told the story to when he was little] anyway if anyone is interested i will send you a copy.
i am new to this site and looking for information about my father Joseph G Mixson, USMC. The odds someone here would actually have met him are probably scarce at best since he was only in the field for something like 2-3 days. specifically my mother has asked me to find out if there is an error in the listing of my fathers place of death in the national archives, that being Bien Diem province, i have written evidence my father was prpbably not in that province. most likely he was in Thou Thang or Quang Tri. he died in an area called An Lo. he was with another officer who was wounded in the attack, Capt. Richard Dan Riley, Army (he (Riley)may have later been assigned to Adv team 1). another letter says that a then Maj. JJ Turner was in contact with my father in the initial minutes of conflict. another letter from then LTC George J. Van Hazel states he was in defence of a major bridge. my research so far finds an An Lo bridge north on Hue and lots of other references that would not have placed him in Bien Diem province. at the advice of another member i have contacted the national archive for an after action report. the battle seems to have been pretty heavy and occured on Dec. 10 1966, i am trying to read back through all the other posts to find someone who might have been in that place and time but it is a lot to read. anyone who might know of information that would help sort this out can contact me @ ximkram@gmail.com.
Thank you all for your service.
For those that may be interested, write to the National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland
20740-6001, to get information on the MACV Advisory Teams. I did that a few years ago for MACV Team 1-15, Hoi An. I did get some information, not all conclusive, but enough to answer some questions about the team. I was surprised to learn that some of the information was classified until 1987, and other information is still classified. There is a charge for this, depending on what you ask for.
i was on an operation , i think with the hoc bau but it might have been the recon company, in ashau . would have been late summer maybe of 68. the way i remember it was the valley of death. black leafless trees and tarantulas. there was jungle but i can only picture those black trees in the lz
Does anyone remember a New Zealand advisor to the Huk Bao or Black Panther Company during the July-August ’67 time frame?
A joint USMC-ARVN raid into the Ashau was planned for early August 67. The operation was “Operation Cloud”, and was subsequently cancelled by CG-III MAF. I was team leader of one of the two recon teams from 3rd Recon Bn that participated in the pre-raid activities in the valley. I have documents from III MAF and the USMC Bn. Cdr that mention the involvement of Huk Bao/ BP Co. and the NZ advisor.
I’m trying to track down other participants of “Cloud”. Email me if you would like to view the docs.
bill.mcbride “at” gmail dot com.
i have used my authorative book ‘The Men Who Persevered’ authors Bruce Davies and Gary McKay to search for any Kiwi who may have been an adviser with the Black Panther Company. Only eleven Kiwis served with the Australian Army Training Team (AATTV) and these are listed in this book along with all Australian ‘Team’ members. The first Kiwi to serve with us arrived in 1970. However, in the time frame you mention, an Australian Warrant Officer, Terence Gill was an adviser to the Black Panthers. One has to admit that with the passing of time an individual may surface who records were incomplete and that a Kiwi may have ‘dropped in’ for a few days. After all it was a strange war.
thanks for the research, bill. although the bn. cdr’s notes say ” new zealand cwo”, it is very likely that the advisor was australian. i would like to get in contact with terrence gill if possible
semper fi
bill
got it, [memory is very hazy] the guy i was thinking of came after your dad
i just sent a reply , i didn’t realize you remembered me until i read your post again, it would be really cool to see those pictures, and a picture of you [mine were all given away to goodwill by mistake]. and a picture of you
usincus@hotmail.com
when i was there there were refered to as the recon company ,they had an owl on the beret [never heard them called recondos] although they did get recondo training at the 101 airborn camp [i think near phu bai but south of hue] . the regular advisor at that time was an australian wo, an older guy from brisbain . who had retired from the english army and was recruited by the australians
Mike Roelle Was he a translator for the field teams? I just send a friend a message to see if he recalls him.
Pat , also he worked under Lien Thanh 72-75 as police for Us military South Vietnam and translator….Thanks
My name is Marty Albritton. I arrived in Hue in late ’67. I was NCOIC in the S-2 office of Thua Thien Sector Hqs.during the Tet Offensive.
I was more fortunate than you. I did not arrive in Hue until August, 1968. Do you remember names of others who served with you at that time?
Hi Gene…My name is Rob Ritchie, I was with TM3 from August 1968 to August 1969. I was the Senior Advisor to 3/54 Regiment and staff Advisor/ Deputy advisor to the 54th during that period. I worked with the Trail FACs frequently and particularly Trail 33. I believe his name was Will Hall from Midland, TX. You Trail guys were great! I also live in Houston, actually Sugar Land.
Message
I am looking for any Vietnam veteran who may have served with and known Captain Nelson Lehman, who served in Vietnam in 1967 with the Advisory Team 3, HQ, MACV Advisors, MACV, and died on duty on March 3, 1967. I am a former college roommate of his and an army veteran of Vietnam. I would like to know more about his service and his death. Thank you for any feedback.
Lance Long
lclong@everestkc.net
Hi Lance, Nels was my mother’s cousin. I spend time on this website looking for more information on him too. Below is a link to aerogrammes sent by Major Badcoe, Australian Army. His March 8 dispatch gives some detail and Nels is referenced elsewhere too.
Will send the limited other content that I have to you via email.
Hunter Hohlt
Rob Ritchie,
I was at Team #1 Hoi An) from December ’67 to November ’68 with the U.S. Army as a SP5 in the S-3 with Air Operations (282nd Aviation, Black Cats). I am retired from the Federal government and live in Pattison, TX, just north of Brookshire). Drop me a line at panama1017@msn.com.
Hi Gene
It’s great to make contact with you! The Gene Goss that I remember from 1967/68 was the epitome of an American warrior pilot.
I do remember your report showing evidence of large scale movements around Hue. As I recall, it was on the 29th of January 1968. You may be aware of what happened when I reported it, along with other Trail activities, in a briefing the next morning. (Note: Part of my responsibilities included briefing the Senior Sector Advisor as part of a major daily dog and pony show at his compound, which was located close to House 8. The Senior Advisor was a State Department civilian GS-18, the equivalent of a general officer, and he was responsible for most non-military operations in Thua Thien, including pacification.)
Anyway, on the morning of the 30th of January I was preparing a large sliding wall map with symbols for significant visual reconnaisance sightings and a couple of immediate airstrikes that we had directed on the 29th. The Advisor recognized my symbols and directed that I immediately give him my report. (Out of turn, since I would normally have been the 4th briefer.) I told him about your report, others showing company sized, probable NVA, movements in the lowlands a bit further north. I then reported that we had put in a couple of sorties in support of either the ARVNs or Marines (memory fails), who had drawn fire from smaller troop movements. The sorties had been properly cleared through the Province Chief. Reminding me that there was a Tet cease fire underway, the Senior Advisor informed me that our actions were destroying carefully nurtured pacification efforts in those areas, that the airstrikes had made us war criminals, and that he would do his best to see that we, the Hue Trail contingent, were all prosecuted. I left the briefing room, and reported what happened to Col. Brown and the IDASC folks in Danang. No one was overly concerned. The Tet Offensive in Hue began at 0300 on the 31st, the next morning. Early that day, the Senior Advisor was captured by the NVA, and I later found out that he was a prisoner in the Hanoi Hilton until he was released in 1973.
On a lighter note, you may recall the time when you and I, and I think Col. Brown were picked up by the MPs in a skivvy bar in Hue and brought to their hq. The bar was off limits to the Army and Marines, but not us. We were released in Col. Brown’s custody, and immediately went back to the bar. I forget the operation that we were celebrating, but love the story.
Best of luck to you as well. I’m retired and live in Hilton Head, SC and my email is denjones@gmail.com
Philip Wallace Manhard, a career Foreign Service Officer, was the Province Senior Advisor. Just a correction, but he probably would have been a Foreign Service Officer (FSO grade) 3 or 2. Foreign Service Officers are commissioned officers, not GS civilians and have their own ranking system. I sure he regretted not paying more attention to your briefing. I am surprised he was so out of it, since he would have seen all of the reports of something big brewing that started popping up in the days before Tet. Our Senior Advisor in Quang Tri Bob Brewer, was certainly better informed and prepared.
Manhard was the highest ranking civilian captured by the Communists during the War and imprisoned from 31 January 1968 to 16 March 1973. He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1944, and in the Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946. He worked for Standard Oil and IBM before joining the Foreign Service. He was later named Ambassador to Mauritious.
I was sent out to Fire Supp base Sarge toward the end of 67, was left out there past my going home date !!!!! I was a RTO for the ARVNs there ……
Sorry ment to say 71………..
I was in Hue from June 1967 to June 1968. USAF Intel support to Trail facs. House 8 during Tet. Knowledgeable about Thua Thien province, Tet in Hue, the Citadel airfield, etc.
Hi Denny -this is Gene Goss one of the Trail Facs. Remember you and all that fun at TET. Remember the night before the attack at dusk when I flew over the Song Be river where it enters the mountains and saw all those footprints of the NVA troop who passed North to South towards HUE. Believe you took the report. Also remember all that fun you had at House 8. Good luck to you. I’m down in Houston.
Mr. Jones,
Just curious, but do you remember Ray Parks, Bird Dog crew chief, and whether he was still with the 20th TASS Hue detachment during the Tet Offensive? He may have left before then, but I don’t recall any longer. I have some photos of House 8, and also one of the volunteer relief force that tried to rescue the people there. Also, if you haven’t read it, Col. Brown wrote a great book that includes that period, called “Palace Gate”. You might be interested in reading it.
Hi David,
Sorry, but I don’t remember Ray Parks. I would be very much interested in photos of House 8 and the heroic volunteers that attempted to link up with us early on. (Please email denjones@gmail.com.) The folks that finally broke through were USMC Hotel 2/5 led by then Captain Christmas. (He retired as a Lt. Gen, and was one of the leading forces in establishing the USMC Museum in Quantico VA.) I do have Col Brown’s book, and it, like him, is outstanding.
FYI, in Feb 2018 (i.e., the 50th anniversary of Tet) there will be a Celebrity cruise that includes a stop in Hue. I’m planning to take that trip.
Denny, My name is Bill Mahon I believe you were my replacement as USAF Intel support for Fac Team in Hue. I’m looking for others who were in our job with other advisory teams. I served in Hue, Phan Thiet and Dong Ha with teams. When did you finish Intel school?
Do you know my dad, Donald ( Don ) Welch? He did basic at Fort Ord. Followed by Fort Hollabird, then went to a Vietnam Sept. 1969-70. He was 191st MI, He was recommended for officer school ( I don’t believe he did this ). He was an Intel Analyst. He joined with a buddy, Bob Peck, they both were. My dad has the Air Medal from Fish hook, Cambodia. A bronze star with valor for the unit, I think. 1st Calvary, Airmobile detachment. They were both from Canyon City, Colorado.? They are both gone. You can reach me via email at Nacole Wagner @ iCloud. Com.
Denny, I was there from 1/68 to 11/68. Did you ever play poker in the O Club? I lost a bunch to several FACs over my stay!
Never in the O club, but I did play occasionally. On my last night in Hue, I was playing poker with some Army sergeants in a MACV barracks room, when a stoned or drunk soldier staggered into the room. Swearing at one of the sergeants, from about 20 feet away he fired a gun-like M-79 grenade launcher at us. The grenade hit a wooden support that was a few feet away from me, and fell away harmlessly. Fortunately, being a low muzzle velocity weapon, the M-79 was apparently not capable of penetrating or knocking over the support and, most importantly, the grenade had to travel about 100 feet to arm and explode on impact. After a free seconds of stunned silence, most of the sergeants jumped on the soldier and began pummeling him. I, on the other hand, scooped up my cash from the table, bid everyone good night, and left before the military policemen arrived. I did not want to have my departure for the States delayed in order to testify about the incident. The last thing I saw before I left was a rifle butt connecting with the soldier’s head. I never learned, nor cared, what happened to him.
Other than that how was your night of poker?
Richard Weyand USMC didn’t remember. Sorry
I recall Marine Security guys on Hue MACV Compound during the last half of 1968 but only recall one name, Milke (sp?), nicknamed “Milkman.” Seems he was frequently manning the tower on the SW corner of the compound. I was a radio operator at the ARVN 1st Div HQ inside the Citadel.
I didn’t arrive at MACV Compound until August, 1968. However, you may have met Homer Buck, an interrogator at First ARVN Division. Homer was 6″ 6″ tall and must have intimidated the prisoners. You may have met Tom Boyce or Tom Kinoshita who were there at that time. Fred Thompson was the MARS operator. Larry J. Anderson was the company clerk. Let me know if any of these names ring a bell. I lived in the last hooch in the SE corner of the compound. That would be the one with the hole from a B-40 round.
I will see dad tonight, and will ask. He was there 67-69 . He really only remembers most of his Hoc Bao attachment but will ask.
Only just found this site today. I presume your Dad is now in his senior years> If his memory is OK as your post suggests then he may remember an Australian adviser with the Hac Bao during the same period. I also served as a Medical adviser in Hue in the same period and I was a ood mate of this adviser. His name was Warrant Officer Merv Bolitho. he held the Hac Bao in high regard. Unfortunately Merv passed a couple of years ago. Just passing this on as memories of those days (both good and bad) never leave us.
Gary Roberts, are you from south-eastern Ohio? If so, we lived in the same hootch. I remember Homer Buck as well as Spirio, Cravens, Bruce Cook to name a few. If you’re who I think you are, my apologies for the snafu at my class reunion when you came down to visit. I have wondered all these years what had ever happened to you.
Hello James K. Frye. Yes, I am the Gary Roberts that you know. I have had very little luck locating Team 3 members. I did make contact with Captain Weisberg who resides in Harrisburg, Pa. It would be interesting to know what happened to some of the other guys. As for me, I was sent out to the A-Shau Valley the last few months of my third tour and functioned as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor for the First ARVN Infantry Division. I started a Facebook group called Military Assistance Command (MACV) Team 3. Check it out and you
will see some interesting pictures.
I was a radio op in Citadel in 67……….
Travis Kirkland? ETSU Sig Ep? Promoted to CPT circa June, 1968 at MACV Compound, Hue? Along with Bradley? Bill Grubbs here…
Bill, I remember your name but apologize for not remembering more. Clearly you recall something about me. I hope it was not the highly intoxicated promotion party. Help me remember you
Travis
I believe we are Sig Ep brothers from ETSU, TN Gamma, yes? I entered ETSU in Fall 65; drafted in late 66; two years enlisted (67-68)…the night of your promotion party I was “still” in Hue, having traveled alone from Camp Evans that day on one of my magic scrounging runs. Ran into you and/or Bradley; was invited to party; being enlisted (SP4), I got kicked out of the O-Club…my memory says you guys were a bit miffed…I made my way back to Camp Evans that night…Oh My!!!! Shortly after, I was transferred to Hue…in SIG PLT attached to MACV TM3. I was a radio operator at the ARVN 1st DIV for the last half of 68.
Australian historian researching on our Victoria Cross winners. Anyone know where I can get my hands on After Action reports online from your unit? Thank you in advance.
There may be a few on the Texas Tech site, and Bruce Davies has made a collection of many of them, but otherwise you have to go to the hard copies at the U.S. National Archives. They will locate reports for you by emailed request, but you either have to visit yourself to get copies, or hire a researcher to do it for you (or find a local volunteer). Note that they are in order of creation and transmission, not in order of the event,you will find that some were filed well after the action in question, so you have to do a broad search. Also, a good many from the time period around the Tet Offensive are misfiled or missing. Otherwise, the files seem to be intact. It is possible some of the missing AA reports are with the Army Center for Military History – but I’m only guessing.
Google RAYS MAP ROOM
Eastern DMZ Map sheet 6442-4
Responding to Don DeLano.
I assume you mean the village of Gio Linh was bulldozed. That sounds right. There were no villages within eyesight of A1 outpost, which was just a big sand dune. Everything around us was a free fire zone, from the Ben Hai River southward, including the DMZ of course.
I don’t recall the name Doc Mieu. Also don’t recall the HIll 31 designater but I think we’re talking about the same place. The outpost was definitely referred to as A1 while I was there; don’t know what it was called before or after that time.
What is your source for information on Alpha and Charlie outposts? You seem to know a lot about them. Is there a map I can access online?
Travis: C-4 was on the coast north of Cua Viet. If you were east of C-4, you were in the South China Sea. C-1 was just west of QL1, C2 and C3 were between Cam Lo and
Con Thien. Fran: Gio Linh had been bulldozed by the spring of ’68. It became an ARVN
outpost called Doc Mieu. It was designated A-2. A-1 was Hill 31. Google “Hill 31 Historic
Landmark” and check out the NVA battle monument they built there. A-3 was on the
trace between A-2 and A-4 (Con Thien)
This is Fran Delaney, responding to Travis Kirkland’s question about Bill Bates. My first duty assignment in Nam was at Alpha One outpost, aka Gio Linh, in May, 1968. I don’t recall the name of the army captain senior advisor there but I think it was Bill Bates. Tall, rangy guy, good man.
I am a historian (and Marine) working on a project concerning the battle for Hue City. I have been to,Vietnam 3 times for,research. Can anyone help me locate the names of the Marines on security detail from DaNang killed at the MACV compound 31 Jan 1968 as the Tet offensive began? Thanks.
D
Have you studied the contributions made by the ARVN forces in the battle for Hue? Check out the book “Vietnams Forgotten Heroes”.
i just sent a reply , i didn’t realize you remembered me until i read your post again, it would be really cool to see those pictures, and a picture of you [mine were all given away to goodwill by mistake]. and a picture of you
usincus@hotmail.com
I narrowed it down to 12 Marines killed in Thua Thien province on 1/31/68
BARKSDALE JERRY DEAN Marine Corps 05/14/1946 BERRYTON SHAWNEE KANSAS THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2357535 CARTER PAUL C JR Marine Corps 06/29/1948 BARNSTABLE BARNSTABLE MASSACHUSETTS THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2329758 DORRIES CARL WAYNE Marine Corps 12/18/1946 IRVING DALLAS TEXAS THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2350686 GORDON WILLIAM SAMUEL Marine Corps 02/24/1949 WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2142339 GREGORY HERBERT LEE III Marine Corps 03/04/1947 TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH FLORIDA THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 1555671 HOOVER GORDON WOOD Marine Corps 02/12/1936 MILLPORT CHEMUNG NEW YORK THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2379980 KINNY GERALD CARL Marine Corps 04/30/1949 TOLEDO TAMA IOWA THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2349399 MARQUEZ MARTIN JR Marine Corps 11/26/1945 LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2355715 MAYER FRANCIS JOHN JR Marine Corps 05/19/1948 WEST LONG BRANCH MONMOUTH NEW JERSEY THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 075028 MURPHY WALTER MICHAEL Marine Corps 09/10/1936 NEW YORK KINGS NEW YORK THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 2308144 MURRAY MICHAEL VAN Marine Corps 04/28/1947 MACON BIBB GEORGIA THUA THIEN 01/31/1968 SOUTHEAST ASIA
View 084441 WOODALL JERRY RUSS
The only person killed in the MACV compound was Frank Doezema. I believe he was an Army Spec 4. I arrived after Tet but was instrumental in the ceremony renaming the Compound after that young man. I was the Deputy Compound Commander at the time. Ange Romeo, CPT.
Sent from my iPhone
>
Not sure FRANK was our only KIA. There was a German born NCO (E-6 I think) who was badly wounded and supposedly died later. There were also some Army MI guys caught at a “safe house”, at least one, Corporal Barry Wolk was KIA during TET.
According to my count, Upwards of 60 Americans – military, State and CIA – were housed outside of the MACV compound when the Tet Offensive began. Of those, 16 were killed and 13 were captured (2 of whom died in captivity),
House 8, with it’s 25 or so enlisted Army and Air Force personnel, was the only location that housed Americans outside of the MACV compound in Hue that was not overrun by the NVA.
12 CIA and State Department CORDS officers in Hue lived within a few blocks of House 8. Of those officials, three were executed, two escaped and seven were captured (including Province Senior Advisor Philip Manhard). Two of the captured died.
Another compound about a half mile west of House 8 housed military and civilian officials that were part of a so-called CORDS embassy team. 10 members of the embassy team died during or as a result of the fighting, 3 escaped, and one was captured. (Evocative account by then USMC Cpt Ray Lau
Another house about 4 blocks away from House 8 that was occupied by a 9 Americans manning the local AFVN (Armed Forces Vietnam) radio station was overrun during the morning of 5 February — as House 8 was being relieved. Two of the radio announcers and engineers were killed during the attack, one was executed, and five were captured and brought to Hanoi as prisoners of war. Along with the CIA, State and embassy team prisoners, the AFVN soldiers were released from the Hanoi Hilton in 1973.
An Army AFVN specialist, John Bagwell, was able to escape from the attack, and a later made it to the MACV compound. On guard duty next to him a couple of nights later at MACV he told me of his unlikely escape, including how he and a North Vietnamese soldier fired a full magazine of their automatic weapons at each other from a distance of about 10 meters without either getting hit. Running into a nearby church, he given sanctuary by local Catholic priests, at great risk to their own safety.
There was an Army Counter-Intelligence team in Hue at that time. It was commanded by a Captain whose name I have forgotten. I also have forgotten the number of Special Agents in the team, but it was probably less than 10. As I understand it, they were in their “safe house” when one of them fired at a column of NVA passing by them in the street. Bad idea. After a RPG round came thru the window and exploded, they surrendered. The first thing that happen to them as prisoners is that they had to take off their boots. But, no thorough search was made as the Captain still had his 38 6 weeks later. He give it to two of his people when they asked him for permission to escape. He declined to go with them as he believed he would slow them down because of the condition of his feet. That’s what they told me when I spoke briefly with them at the compound. I understand the Captain survived but I was told he had so many concussions when he was released they could not be counted.
As I sure you all know, it was extremely unusual for any of our POWs to escape so I was surprised there was little publicity about it. Perhaps the Army did not want to confirm to the NVA they had captured the team.
Ted Gostas was the CI Team leader and was released in 1973 along with his NCOIC E-7 Don Rander. I was told that Barry Wolk, a local guy from MASS and a good friend, was executed by the NVA for not surrendering fast enough.
Former USMC Captain Ray Lau has recently published an artictle regarding his Tet experience in Hue. He was part of the CORDS/PRU unit housed at 4 and 6 Nguyen Hue St near the Provincial HQ. Among other things, he describes a USMC Sgt Howard Vaughn firing at a large number of NVA running down Le Loi St toward the HQ. That precipitated an attack on their location and his (Vaughn’s) death. Lau’s article can be found in the unclassified CIA.gov website under the December 2016 edition of Studies in Intelligence.
Sorry, December 2017 edition.
Don’t know if my earlier reply went through. I arrived after TET and served asDeputy Compound Commander for MACV Team 3. During my tour we renamed the compound after Frank Doezema who was killed during the Offensive. I believe he was an Army Corporal or Spec 4. Ange Romeo, CPT.
Glenn, have you checked if some of the men you named were assigned to CAP teams? From what I remember, the CAP teams were hit pretty hard the first night of Tet.
H.G. Reza
RTO
Phong Dien 67-68
Were the marines coming from Phu Bai to reinforce Hue MACV Compound–the first group to arrive during Tet? If so, I know someone in this group–e-mail: jimhollister@juno.com –I’ve never been on this site before so e-mail is appreciated–I was at the compound June 67 to June 68 as Order of Battle Analyst.
I would like a copy of those names if you get them. I was the NCOIC of that unite until April of 67
Hi to every one, the contents present at this website are really awesome for people experience, well,
keep up the good work fellows.
Hello All,
I am the son-in-law of Frank Breth. He was assigned to MACV Team 3 as a Marine Major back in 67-68. I have reached out to some of his team mates regarding his actions with the team and was wondering if anybody here served with him at Hue and had any personal stories to share of his actions during the battle of Hue. I have talked to Col Coolican and Fred Drew regarding having his Bronze Star upgraded from the Marine Corps but as some of you may know, it’s nearly impossible to get done. So any personal stories would be appreciated.
Thank you all for your service,
Jim Garman USN (RET)
MSCUSN99@gmail.com
Jim,I don’t know if this will get to you.I left MACV compoud just befor Frank rotated in. I had spent 2 tours in Vietnam most of it in Hue. I was with EDS when Frank was hired as a recruiter.We were both working in NYC and became friends after we talked one night and realized we had spent time in Hue. I saw Frank at the pentagon when he was N-2 for the corp.Strangely enough we both wound up living in KC. I recruited him to CSC in Austin and then he got sick,I flew to D.C. to see him in the hospital whitch was the last time I saw him.I flew to D.C to attend his funeral at Arlington. He was a hell of a Marine and a great guy.Think of him often.
Jim Glavin
LCDR US Navy, retired.
James, I put together a “reader ” several years ago thinking I was going to VN with a college group. The reader was mostly a collection of AAR’s, magazine articles and some captured stuff that mentions Maj Breth. I set a copy to his wife shortly after I completed the final draft. She may still have it.
Good luck
Travis Kirkland
Jim: my cell number is 352-250-2762. I look forward to hearing from you in January.
Jack: Looking forward to seeing you.
Jim
jim, steve malamud, i am trying to fit memories back together, i was an rto ist arvn division macv compound , next to hootch to the one on the corner where i believe the helicopter pilots were. in other words, looking at the school across the street i was in the hootch second from the left when tet hit. i believe i was blown out of bed by the rocket that hit the tower, anyway a big yelow ball of fire went off in my deream and i was on the floor.
at any rate i spent time in the field with the hoc bau. there was a young rto who was assigned to the hac bau right around the beginning of tet and he told me about you and dai wee hue, and when a tall e-7 advisor to them got injured i asked to be assigned to the hoc bau. i don’t rtemember if you were still the advisor or you had already left.
also i would like to say hello to dai wee hue [that’s how i knew him and still think of him
thanks steve malamud
Villages Fl lots of friends there. It is a pretty cool place.
Jack (Skip) Moore says hi to Jim Coolican. I live in The Villages, FL if you get this way while you are in FL, say hi.
Jack, will do. We go to Fl in Jan. Looking forward to seeing you.
Jim
Does anyone remember a bn advisor named Bill Bates, Army Captain. He was at Gio Lihn I think. Home was California.
Bob Tschan, I remember you from a fight we were both in just east of the fire base (c4 I think) that went on for a few days. I think I recall a bullet hole in the leg of your fatigues. The Arvin bn I was with went into the southern end of the tree line and were quickly pushed out.
Travlin@aol.com
Travis,
Yup! Good memory!!! That’s a couple of days that I will never forget! Yes, I had a round go thru my trouser leg, just below the crotch. Had to drop to my knees to check it out! Just a welt–didn’t break the skin, so no Purple Heart. Still don’t have one, but definitely not complaining!!
That was one hell of a fight w/the NVA–2 Bns.
Bob Tschan
Bob: I noticed your comment to Pat Weyland. We live in Ann Arbor, MI, but spend the winters in Florida. Our son is stationed at Quantico so I see Harry Hue often, he lives in Falls Church, VA.
Semper Fi
Jim Coolican
Bill , We are down in Sarasota on Vacation, I will ask dad when I return. The Two Aussies he worked with were Tony Eagan and Merv Bolitho. However, I seem to remember him telling me that there had been another Aussie that Merv replaced early on. I will have to check with him. will be home next week. I do not recall him mentioning any New Zealanders Pat Weyand
Just a FAC call sign clarification: The Cat killer FACs were Army flying L19Bird Dogs; Covey FACs were out country USAF flying in Laos and along the Laotian RVN border; Trail FACs were USAF supporting TM3, 1st ARVN Div.
In the spring of ’67 we had a fire mission in support for call sign Polite Search , (SF). We were still in the adjustment phase when Cat Killer 11 came on the net and asked to control the mission as his visual from the air was better. SF okay, and when we went into Fire For Effect, (FFE), Battery 3, all 18 rounds were on the way, Cat Killer came back in a Panic, Check Fire, Check Fire All Check Fires in Effect, I gave the wrong correction. Everyone in FDC, had to write a statement on what they heard transmitted incoming transmission from Cat Killer to FDC. Then Cat Killer called for Medivac, then after Medivac he called for an airstrike. Our Battery Commander was angry because the air force would get credit for the body count. Cat Killer then requested to continue the artillery fire mission. Our Battery Commander told Cat Killer negative and return to home plate and shake Ho Chi Min’s hand. What we were able to come to the conclusion is Cat Killer 11 censed the round in adjustment and sent that as a correction and FFE.
There were two Trail FAC teams, one at Hue airfield (Tay Loc), and the other at La Vang south of Quang Tri City. They were attached to Team 3 and 4, and supported 1st ARVN Division units and anyone else who needed help.
I worked with the Trail FAC’s as an advisor for the 1st ARVN Division operating out of Firebase Barnett in the A Shau Valley. This was January to July 1970. I appreciated them.
Being in the middle of the A Shau must have been an interesting experience. I flew over it a few times in the back seat of a Bird Dog, but that was as close as I got. It was quite pretty from the air.
Responding to Bill McBride. Covey was the army O-1 call in early 68. Also, Tom Pilch lived above me in the Hue Compound sometime the last half of 68 when I came off A1.
the FACs who supported our team in 1967 and until i rotated home in May 1968 used the call sign “Cat Killer.”
H.G. Reza
RTO, Phong Dien 67-68
The morning of the Tet offensive ’68, I was on the radio at 1st ARVN Div in Hue’; I got a call from Cat Killer 22 saying Sappers were blowing up the planes and hutches at Hue’ Cit airport…. That was the beginning of Tet for a 20 year old with 3 weeks in county.”
Hey Barry, I was the senior advisor with 3/54 in 68/69. Sid Colley was on my team. He was a soldier’s soldier. Did you know him?
Jason…was your dad MACV TM3 or a US unit?
He was in the USMC. Combined Action Platoon 3-4-3. The leader of the CAP was a LCpl D.L. Williams. He was wounded 4/15/70, died 4/17/70 on the USS Sanctuary.
My name is Jason Adkins. I was born Jason Kitchens. My father was Frank McCrary Kitchens and was killed in April of 1970 in the Thua Thien Province of Vietnam. Can anyone remember him and divulge any information about him? My mother became pregnant while they were on R&R in Hawaii. I was born in December of 1970. My mother became a mother and a widow at the age of 18. Just looking for some info! Thanks!
I was an Australian Advisor with 2nd Bn, 2nd Regt at Dong Ha in 1970/71 and was checking out Team 19 Quang Tri for info when I saw the following regards a Capt Kitchen. Hope it may help you.
Persevere,
Barry Long (WO2)
Richard D Johnson permalink
May 12, 2015 9:39 pm
I was transferred to MACV Team 4 in Mar 68 from the MACV Hue TM where I was stationed in Feb,and sent to Riverview in Quang Tri City on the River. My first commander was Major Moore and then in late 68 Col Moore. A Capt Kitchen was there in early March and April and an Australian Mr Perkins. I spent my whole year in the field with the first ARVN Regiment, I was a PFC then and remember operations in Hai Lang, A Shua Valley. Left in 68 as an E-5
Barry, are you in contact with Dick Powell, Aussie WO who was assigned to our team at Phong Dien? He rotated home in 1968 soon after the Tet Offensive. If so, can you tell me how he’s doing? Thanks.
H.G. Reza
RTO, Phong Dien 67-68
hi baz.mervyn bolitho son here you rock.respect and honor. catch up soon at the house
Hello Richard,
My father, Ltc Ralph Moore, was Team 3 Senior Advisor to the 1st Reg, 1st Div ARVN mid ’68 to late ’69. Is this the same Moore you mention in your post. He passed away in 2001. I’m trying to find information on his service.
Thank-you
Kevin Moore
Kevin, I am sorry for this late reply, this is the first time back. First off my sincere condolences, he was an exceptional officer! I was his radio operator on the 1st Regiment missions. If he is the one I am thinking of, he was originally a marine who fought in Iwo Jima in WWII, left the Core, joined the Army as an enlisted man, became an officer and rose thru the ranks becoming a LTC. An officer with his background and accomplishments is truly awe inspiring! If it is him, I can provide some information from when I first met him when he arrived at my bunker in Ashua. If this is not him, there were two other Major Moore’s I served with. If you email me at emcr208807@aol.com I will provide you with what ever I can remember.
I arrived in Nam on August 67 until Aug 68. I was a RTO assigned to the Hue side. the first few months I was not assigned to a unit so I went out with different units. Later I was assigned to the village of Nam Hoa. My commanding officer was an aussie and also the warrant officer. We had a team of 5 and we stayed at the village. Once in a while we come into the MACV compound. We were in the compound during the Tet Offensive.
steve m . were you possibly in our bunker [behind our hootch ]on the perimeter? we were mostly rto’s a few enlisted men who worked at 1st arvn division. by the way there was an e6 sgt lester [something like signals nco] blum. any memory of him
Hey “Hai Shi Rod”! I am Tom Odom and was assigned to Nam Hoa in 1/68. I was a 1LT when I got there but made CPT on 2/1/68. As I recall we got the CIB on the same day and when Our Aussie Maj got back from his party in Saigon we got evacuated to Hue the next day, 2/14/68. We spent the rest of the Tet Offensive in Hue. Where do you live now and what have you been doing for 50 years?
Hi Tom or Captain Odom, I can remember you exactly as you were back in the day in Nam Hoa Village. Is so nice to know that you are still alive and kicking. I connected with Captain John C.Doherty through this same page.We went to an operation together to street withow joy. I am so glad to know that you are still alive. Miracles never seize to amaze me.I live in Ocala,FL. I remember that our team consisted of an Aussie Major,Aussie Warrant Officer, you, E7 sargeant medic and me.The only name that I can recall is yours. I can see their faces but I can recall their names. Keep in touch.
Nelson, I can remember your face as well. The Aussie WO on our team during Tet was Ozzie Ostera. There were two Aussie Majors during my tour and I know one was named Maj Norris but I can’t recall if that was during Tet or later. I do recall that he was in Saigon during Tet and the day after his return we got sent back to Hue on an Air America Huey, 2/14/68. We landed at the LCU ramp and made a run for the MACV compound while the NVA fired from across the river. I do not recall the SFC medic’s name but I do remember our Vietnamese driver was Ben Shi Sau (Pvt Sau).
After Vietnam I was with the 82nd and 1st Special Forces, went back to school on the GI Bill and made a career in manufacturing. I now live in Tennessee near kids and grandkids.
Lets do stay in touch,
Tom
Tom I remember Sau and If I recall correctly he was also our cook. He had a daughter that he sometimes use to bring it to the hootch that we stay in Nam Hoa.There was a liutenant that his tour of duty was over after I got assigned to Nam Hoa.I can not remember his name. I am 70 years old already and still going. I am we made contact.
Another place to interact with Team 3 members is with our facebook group called: Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Team 3. We are starting to get some good photographs and interactions. Feel free to join us.
With the G2, 1st Div from Jan 67 – Nov 67. Served with the Recon Company when they lost their Aussie Advisor, WIA. Lots of pics of the area and compound, etc. Recon pics are all slides, need to change them over to CD. Would love to hear about our ARVN friends. Bob Stuler.
I knew Sgt. Alvarado and I remember he was in Thua Thien Province. I believe at one time he mentioned to me that the reason he stayed in Vietnam for so long was because he did not have that much family in the states. He really was a nice guy.
Sgt. Alvarado was from Texas, my home state. He had a girlfriend in Saigon, which was the main reason why he kept extending. I had lunch with him in Oct. 2001. He married his Vietnamese girlfriend, and they lived on a farm just north of Escondido, Ca. He and his wife grew vegetables and fruits that they sold at Vietnamese markets. I called him a few weeks later and got a message that the number had been disconnected. I never saw or heard from him again. When I saw him he was wearing a straw hat, faded jeans, very scuffed work boots and a flannel shirt, looking every bit like the farmer he was and nothing like the soldier I remembered.
H.G. Reza
RTO, Phong Dien 67-68
Never thought I will be communicating with anyone from Team 3
I never worked on the ARVN 1st Inf. Division side. I was assigned to Thua Thien Sector. A number of new RTOs were broken in on the Sector side, working at hqs for a while, when I arrived in May 1967. Some of these guys ended up with ARVN units. Sgt. Alberto Alvarado mentored many of the RTOs, including me, at Sector. Alvarado was on his 3rd tour in 67. He already had a Silver Star and at least one PH.
Just came onto this site to see if anyone on the teams served with Major Peter Badcoe during the period 1966 – 1967 being the year he was killed in action ? Doing research on Peters time served in Vietnam. Many Thanks ( WO 2 retired served 1 SAS Sqn Vietnam )
N.Rodriquez—I know how you feel. It’s been great to find men who were with Team 3 and knew about Hue and PK-17. I had a hard time finding any body except SFC Elmer Denton when I got back. “Dent” died in 1976 or ’77 and I didn’t try too hard after that until the mid ’80’s when I found SSGT Herman Wiggins (a Marine) in 1987. I found Col. Fair some years later and kept in touch with him until his death a few years ago. I kept in touch with Lt Gen Richard Stillwell from 1996 til he died, he was a solder’s soldier. In Nam we were on friendly terms, he called me “Chuck” and I called him “Yes Sir, General”. I’m in contact with Major James Shillinglaw as well as now Gunny Wiggins on a regular basis.
After I left Vietnam and saw the treatment Vietnam Vets were getting by society and the government I turned to isolation and avoidance and I did not kept with any one from Nam. I came across the MACV website by chance and read some of the comments and I decided to make a comment. I am glad I found the website and read some of the comments of people that were on team 3.
Capt. Thurmond, doing some research and came across this. Seeing your reference to Dad (SFC Elmer Denton) took my breath a bit. We think of you frequently and hope you are well. So appreciate the effort you made to tell us some of Dad’s story. It has been so log since May 15th 1981 when we lost him, but memories are still sweet. Thank you,
Sandy (Denton) Smith d-ssmith@classicnet.net
Phil, and dad was there prior to you. Interresting. Hey after 45 years hard to remember
I am not sure whether I know you but for some reason your name if I am recalling correctly sounds familiar. Since is over 45 years I never thought of making contact with anyone from Hue MACV advisory team. I was very friendly with Vazquez the marine at the main gate and also I knew most of the marines from marine security. Vazquez was hit the first night of the Tet offensive and I did not see him again.
I stayed at PK 17 a few weeks when Major Morales was assigned as the commanding officer and also went on a few patrols with them. After that another radio operator was assigned to them. I am not sure if the RO last name was Sanford.
I remember your team and Major Morales. You guys were on an operation with an ARVN unit from PK 17 in Co Bi Than Tan. Our PF company from Phong Dien secured the east end of the river on the last day so you guys could make a safe crossing and return home. I also remember the time that your team was trying to reach the marine unit at Camp Evans. They had changed call signs and they weren’t responding. I called and asked your guy (maybe it was you) to “go high” to the alternate frequency and cryptically gave you the new call sign, which was John Brown.I was the RTO at Phong Dien. I’m glad you found this site. There’s only a few of us from 67-68 here.
It is interesting that you mention Major Morales. When I arrived in Dec 67, I was assigned as senior advisor to 3rd Bn, 3rd Regt. Major Morales was the Regimental Senior Advisor and was based at PK 17. He remained in that position until maybe July or August when he was replaced by LTC Fair. I got promoted out of my job as Bn Advisor and served as the regimental staff advisor at PK 17 under both Maj Morales and LTC Fair.
I think Major Morales left early Aug, not sure I met him while I was with the Recondo company (Night Owls). I remember 4th of July night while on ambush south of PK-17, a near by fire base, can’t remember which one, I can’t find my patrol book from that time, opened up with every thing they had at 12 midnight. We could hear Maj. Morales on the radio wanting to know what was going on. We were set up in a grave yard and had enough cover but it was hair raising. About 3 minutes after the shooting stopped a VC ran into our ambush wide open- we thought that he and his buddies had attacked the fire base but found out later that the FB was just celebrating the 4th. Never did find out what the VC had been up to.
]
I knew all of these gentlemen.
Hey Tom, I was a mail clerk for awhile also, along with being a gate guard perimeter guard, bunker guard, and general jack of all trades. I was at Eagle on an extension of my tour. Before that I was with the 196th Infantry Brigade near DaNang and the 1st Aviation Brigade down around the Bien Hue area. There was a Sgt Rice at Eagle who was an orderly room Sgt we were friends. Had another buddy named Shepperd only new him by Shep. He extended also was sent to Quong Tri, with the 3rd ARVN Division. Never heard from since.
b
Chuck Thurmond,
You should read the book “Easter Offensive”, by Gerald Turley, Col., USMCR, Ret.
Hi Bob: I saw your reply to Bill McBride, but don’t have your e-mail address.
I am at cjmjmm@comcast.net.
Semper Fi!
Jack Moore
If anyone knew Billy Joe Plaster Jr, please let me know.
Tatumlohmeier@gmail.com
I left a long msg on the MACV Team 4 site. I served on both MACV Teams 3 & 4.
Robert,
I came in while you were on leave and took over as advisor to the Recon company. They were a great bunch. Tough and reliable. I heard about your stay in the moat, I was billeted along the wall not far from the throne room. I wondered then how you kept from being eaten alive by leeches and mosquitos. The answer is that it probably was a close thing. I’m glad you made it. It’s good to see your post. I’ve really enjoyed reading the posts here by people who I either knew or at least knew the area and the ARVNs there. Almost all of the ARVN’s I knew were killed in ’72.’73 or ’75. One or two that I met from the Hoc Bao were in Falls Church when I went to Harry’s book signing. Of course I knew Gen. Troung and Harry but few of the lt.’s, Captains and Majors survived the war. I didn’t know that Harry Hue was alive until I met with Gen Luong in 1996. I was shocked to say the least, and almost as surprised that they remembered me, a lowly 1Lt.
Take care and God bless you
Chuck
hello chuck, any others who might have info:
i’m bill mcbride, usmc ret. i was with 3rd recon bn, 3rd mar div. i was patrol leader of one of two patrols inserted into the southern ashau on 1 august 1967. this was in support of a joint usmc/arvn operation (operation cloud). the operation was cancelled by cg 3 MAF before it started, partially due to wx and partially because both our patrols were hit pretty badly.
i have notes from the bn. cdr and the op order for “cloud”. in the task org. it lists the hoc bao company as being the arvn component, and indicated that the advisor was a wo/cwo from new zealand.
any idea who this might have been?
thanks
bill bill.mcbride@gmail.com
steve malamud ,i was an rto 1 st arvn division and spent much time in the field with hoc bao and the reconassaince company. i was awarded a beret by each unit. i made some pretty stupid mistakes along the way but casualties were pretty low. i remember dai wee hue very well
Mal, I have several photos of you—I joined the Recondos in June ’68.
Col. Robert E. Tschan. I showed Dad SgtMaj Richard Weyand USMC your post, and he was trying to place you with the dates you listed for Hoc Bao team 3. Dad worked with and Replaced Jim Coolican. He was with team 3 from 67-69 and with Hoc Bao as the Assist Sr Advisor from 68-69 around the dates you mentioned. But as he said 45 years later it is difficult to remember all the names. He didn’t recognize your name. maybe you guys crossed in transit. He was a Marine as well
hello pat…i posted this. would you ask your dad about it? i also served with jim coolican and will try and contact him
“hello chuck, any others who might have info:
i’m bill mcbride, usmc ret. i was with 3rd recon bn, 3rd mar div. i was patrol leader of one of two patrols inserted into the southern ashau on 1 august 1967. this was in support of a joint usmc/arvn operation (operation cloud). the operation was cancelled by cg 3 MAF before it started, partially due to wx and partially because both our patrols were hit pretty badly.
i have notes from the bn. cdr and the op order for “cloud”. in the task org. it lists the hoc bao company as being the arvn component, and indicated that the advisor was a wo/cwo from new zealand.
any idea who this might have been?”
thanks
bill bill.mcbride@gmail.com
Pat Weyand,
Your Dad’s name is familiar, but I can’t place him.
I was the Sr. Advisor to the 1st ARVN Div. Recon Co.–different unit from the Hoc Bao (Black Panthers).
Your dad must have been replaced by (then) Capt. Roger Wellbrook, USMC.
Jim Colligan was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions @ the Hue MACV compound on the first night of “Tet”.
Jim and I were classmates @ the USMC Command & Staff College, ’78-79.
He retired as a Col., USMC, but I do not know where he is now.
Semper Fi,
Bob Tschan
hi am the son of mervyn richard bolitho sasc sasr aattv black panther mid hello
Hi Jeff how are you? Hope all is well on the other side of the pond.
semper fi
hello robert,
i left this post in multiple places on the blog. any help appreciated. thanks
“hello chuck, any others who might have info:
i’m bill mcbride, usmc ret. i was with 3rd recon bn, 3rd mar div. i was patrol leader of one of two patrols inserted into the southern ashau on 1 august 1967. this was in support of a joint usmc/arvn operation (operation cloud). the operation was cancelled by cg 3 MAF before it started, partially due to wx and partially because both our patrols were hit pretty badly.
i have notes from the bn. cdr and the op order for “cloud”. in the task org. it lists the hoc bao company as being the arvn component, and indicated that the advisor was a wo/cwo from new zealand.
any idea who this might have been?
thanks
bill bill.mcbride@gmail.com
Bill Mcbride,
Sorry, but I can’t help. I was with the 2nd Bn, 1st ARVN Regt. @ Dong Ha in August ’67. I do know that the Sr. Advisor to the Hoc Bao during “Tet” was (then) Capt. Jim Colligan, but I don’t know if he was the Sr. Advisor in August.
Semper Fi, Bob Tschan
Sorry I missed both of your post. I have been offline for quite so time. I’m sure I knew you Gary as I worked at TOC off of the compound, and went through the gate daily. I recall your name Tom, you were Lt or Cpt Coleman I think, seems like you were in TOC also. Yes 1st Sgt Decker was there the whole time is was, the CO was Col Dickerson, and at one time Col Muller (or Mueller). My immediate CO’s were CW4 Clark & Maj Shaffer, our NCOIC was SSG Ashley. I remember the Mess Sgt was SFC Tyson, and the Supply Sgt was Sgt Dasher. Had an Lt Pappas that worked near me in TOC. I can’t recall many enlisted names like myself because we almost all had nicknames like Spider, Red, Countryboy, etc. Glad you both found this site. I came to Hue Dec 71, moved to Camp Eagle with Team 3, and stayed until Nov 72. Take Care ALL !
I’ve been doing a little research and found references to Team 3 and the 1st ARVN Div., 3rd Reg, 1st and 2 nd Battalions in regard to Tet and Hue. Look for “Fire in the Streets” and “The Siege at Hue”
I’ve really enjoyed reading the posts on this site. I’ve found out what happened to a couple of people that I once knew and read other people’s accounts of their experiences. They are both similar and different at the same time-not confusing if you understand that some things are the same for soldiers regardless of circumstances yet personal factors make each story a little different. God bless each and everyone of you. We were a “different breed of men” who for the most part at least, were volunteers. We enter acted with an alien culture and through it all survived to tell our stories. I’d love to see a book written about American Advisors by someone who really knew about being one. Andrew Wiess wrote a very good book about Harry Hue. I tried to get him to write about Advisors but he was burnt out after doing Hue’s story. Maybe one day he;ll get around to doing it. I just hope there’s enough of us left to make sure it is on target.
Chuck Thurmond
“Delta Whiskey”
Team 3
Sub Team 65
PK-17
’68-’69
Chuck,
One of my favorite “explanations” of “language in general” and how it functions: “Language is like a river; it goes where it will.” Or as Don Quixote is “quoted”: “I know what I’m saying” (even though nobody else does). Ah, the frustration of it all–one wants what one learns from a book or from a native speaker to be “correct,” and it ain’t necessarily so. My Spanish is that of Madrid; I always gotta remember that when I go elsewhere in the Hispanic world. Case in point is how you say “You catch the bus” at that corner or wherever. In my dialect, what’s perfectly normal and innocent doesn’t work so well in Argentina, where what my dialect uses would describe performing a sexual act with a bus that is unlikely at best–and, as you suggest above, an occasion for all those involved to have a