MACV Team 44 – Gia Dinh
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 44 located in Gia Dinh.
MACV Teams
Military Assistance Command Teams Vietnam
MACV Team 44 – Gia Dinh
This Page is intended for the discussion of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Team 44 located in Gia Dinh.
MACV Teams 
All,
I’m looking into advisory efforts in Gia Dinh. Advising in South Vietnam has always been a major historical interest of mine, and Gia Dinh is a newer part of that interest. I recently purchased some award certificates – purchased by the seller at an estate sale – named to William R. Dean. Two of the certificates (an Air Medal and Bronze Star) place CPT Dean in Gia Dinh in late 1967, sometime between October-December. Did anyone here know him or work with him? His Bronze Star citation lists several accomplishments including construction of a rifle range and support to local Regional Force/Provisional Force units.
Thank you.
Harrison Manlove
Jerry Hughes, Russell burger, & bob bailey. One of y’all may have seen my name in the records. I joined MATT team 44 in Hoc MOn in March 1969 as a 2lt. With capt Mcginn, sgt sprouse, spec 5 Warren Bayne. I left team to come home sept 3 1969. Henry Jay Braunig.
I was on Team 100 and then Team 44 Hoc Mon from August 66 though October 1968.
I was initially assigned to a MAT in Hoc Monforgot the number. quickly, reassigned to MAT 27 in Nha Be aththe time.that was Noov ’68. Mar ’68 i was with MAT27 in Binh Chanh. deros’d in Apr returning to Province in May ’69. I recall the Hoc Mon deputy senior advisor as civilian, tall, dark with a beard.
Hello,
I am the son of David H Mckillop who was the province chief from 1969-1971.
He died in 1987, but Ian doing a family history and would be grateful to hear from anyone who served with my father.
He was very fond of Team 44 and their efforts to meet the CORDS mission.
Peter McKillop
Dear Peter:
While I wasn’t lucky enough to have ever known your father I wanted to praise you for piecing together his history and legacy after so many years. I am sure that he was very proud of you and would be honored by what you are doing.
Wishing the best to you and your family.
COL (ret) Lou Lallo
Nha Be. 1970-1971
Peter:
While I was not with the MACV Teams I did serve with CMAC (Capital Military Assistance Command in Gia Dinh from 1970-72 and did have contact with several MACV Teams in Gia Dinh and Hua Nghia Provinces. Do you know exactly where he was stationed in Gia Dinh? I have our old operations maps and if I know where he was stationed I can send you a digital copy that might be nice to have in the history piece that you are putting together on your father.
Peter:
I was fortunate enough to have served under your father as Deputy Intelligence Advisor for Gia Dinh Province from September 1969 to September 1970. While my interactions with him were brief, it was clear that he was a true professional and dedicated Foreign Service Officer. What perhaps impressed me most was his…and I hesitate to use this word–cheerfulness. There was much to be dour about in the 1969-1970 time frame, as the US poured additional troops into RVN, reaching a high I believe of 570,000. But your father believed in the mission of what became known as pacification and never lost faith in that mission (as opposed to the military side of the equation).
While your father was not personally involved in the two major events of Team 44 during my tenure there, I thought I’d mention them. The first was the decision, appropriate in my mind, to abandon the luxury French villa that the Team was housed in for a more traditional barracks-type dwelling.While the troops certainly enjoyed the swimming pool (!), the optics of housing advisory personnel in such an upscale building alone warranted the move. The second was the bombing of that Barracks building by the VC on April 30, 1970. In retrospect, it appears that the timing–48 hours before the launch of US troops into Cambodia–was hardly coincidental. Fortunately there were no fatalities, though some of us ended up in 3rd Field Force Hospital for several days.
Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. I am sure that others will use this space for their own recollections.
David Calfee (Ist LT at that time).
Peter,
I served with Team 44 Gia Dinh Province from September 1968 until August 1969. Col Herbert was out Senior Advisor to the Provience. I was the Assistant S-4 for a short time and then became the Sr. Advisor to the Administrative and Direct Support Logistic Company which supported RF/PF forces in the Provience. Team 44 had just been formed shortly prior to my arriving in September of 1968. I had orders for Team CMD until I hit MACV for in-processing. I arrived at the team on 23 Sept and was promoted to CPT that very day by Col Herbert. My promotion orders were in my 201 file. I started out as the Assistant S-4 working for a Maj Carl Vanbibber. When I arrived the officers and enlisted were scattered all over the Saigon area. I was living in the Lucky Hotel in the Cholan (sp) area a good 45min to an hour drive to the Provence HQ. Col. Herbert wanted us closer to the HQ so Maj. Vanbibber was working on finding use billeting in the area. He found a hotel a few blocks from the HQ and got a lease on the Villa from the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp. We had 23 officers living in the main house plus our Vietnamese guards and their families living in the servant quarters behind the main house. The wives and daughters worked as our house maid and kitchen help. We justified the pool by allowing the EM and NCO’s use of the pool as their hotel was just a few blocks away. One of the officers had his wife send the parts needed to get the pool up and running and the officer chipped in to cover the cost of the parts. I don’t remember who I replaced at the Company, but I had only been with Teem 44 a short time maybe 2-3 months. I got a 30 drop because I was scheduled to start the Officer Advanced Course at Ft Lee in early October 1969, while Col Herbert was still SR. Advisor..
Kyle,
interesting. i joined the Province team in May ’69 after serving with Mat 27 in Nha Be and Binh Chanh. i was the RD Cadre advisor with the additional duty of AIK fund administrator. when i arrived, all the officers were in the house with the senior S3 advisor in charge (if you could be in-charge of a bunch of 20 – 25 year old CPT and LT). we had officers staying in the servants quarters. the pool was mostly not used. as the only non drinker in the organization i was was assigned “bar officers” making runs to the Cho Lan PX as required with only a signed letter from the S1, i believe his name was Garret.i served at Col Herbert end and Mr McKillop start leaving in Apr 1971. good to hear some earlier history. The S4 was ws chubby major who had been there forever.
Peter,
i served on Adv Tm 44 Gia Dinh from Oct 68 until Apr 71. I was on the province team from Apr 69 to Apr 71 as the Rural Development Cadre advisor. I was present when your father took command and served with him until i left. unfortunately, i took no pictures and did not keep a journal. under your father’s strong positive influence we become a true CORDS team. he took a great interest in all our programs and our morning briefings changed from number crunching to reporting on the positive. he wanted to know where he could help. his door was always open. he bonded with all of us young captains and lieutenants. when i left in 71, he asked that we keep in touch. after he took the position with Senator Pell, i received a post card with contact info and he and i spoke in the phone a number of time. i was reluctant to impose on his time but he always took my calls and we spent a few minutes talking mostly about TM 44. we lost contact as life gets busy. after a few years i looked him up int Washington DC phone directory but it turned out to be David jr. and he informed me of your fathers passing.
it was a great honor seving under your father. he would had correct me to say “with”.
i came across a picture of your father “inspecting” thr troop on Facebook. we cannot post pictures nor links here.
if you wish to contact me @ jwhughes1@hotmail.com, i will happily sent you the link
I served as a People Self Defense Advisor from July, 1969 to July 1970 in Gia Dinh Province. My last seven months of my tour was spent as the PSDF Advisor at Gia Dinh Province Headquarters under your father and Col. Burley. He was the best supervisor/leader that I had in my work life. He was special, smart, and had the respect of everyone on the advisory team including those higher level officials in the chain command above the province level. You could see that when we had VIPs visiting Gia Dinh Province Headquarters for briefings. I was able ride with your father in his staff car to visit some of the nearby Districts. During this time, we would converse about about PSDF program and he got to learn about me as a person. It left me memories that will never forget.
Hi Jim, the first residence I had when I got to Mat 99 was and old TOC that was left over from the 82nd, the villagers would bring us unexploded mortar rounds once in a while and one time gave an M-88 [I think] tear gas multiple launcher. I ended up in a PF compound in an old small French fort in the village of Xuan Thoi Trung[sic] after that we moved in with an RF company in another triangle shaped fort astride a highway leading to the Delta. Our RF company was moved there after spending some time as guards at Cong Son Island POW camp, famous for its tiger cages.We spent a month building a hootch to live in, it had all the creature comforts we could get. I think I spent half of my tour scrounging up jeep or truck parts or mortar ammo for our counterparts Luckily I never got shot at and never had to shoot at anybody, being a gungho 2lt I was ready to but luckily the situation never presented itself. I am not sure that I enjoyed my tour but I did get to meet some interesting people and learn a little bit about the Vietnamese..
Ditto Gary. I spent a good part of my tour scrounging. Similar experience combat whys. Spent year in up to 4 different teams. Tu Duc, Go Vap. Hope all is well with you.
Pat Maloney
Old ,fat, and sassy, so I guess I am doing just fine. I always wonder what happened to our interpreter, he seemed to be a pretty good guy. I ended up on MAT 88 [I think] in Bien Hoa, still quiet there but I found out after I got home that my team leader was KIA in a chopper crash about three weeks after I left. Were you on a MAT team?
My name is Gary Opheim, I was a 2lt assigned to Advisory team 44, MAT 99 south of Hoc Mon village, some of the names I remember are medic SSG Jessie, SSG Brophy, SFC burgess, Team ldr was Cpt Nelson I think and then Cpt Karlis, AKA the mad Greek. I was there from June 1970 to approximately Feb 1971 when I was mde a team ldr near Bien Hoa, team number I don’t remember, names I do remember from that team were medic SFC Willingham, SFc Bear Reinitzer, team leader was Cpt Valter, I found out later he was killed in a helicopter crash, if anyone remembers any of these people or me please reach out to me and maybe some more stories can come out. Also had ex- Mp SFC Jones on team 99 hell of a scrounger and his girlfriend ran the comfort station on the road between Cu Chi and Siagon.
c
Hey Gary, I was part of the S-5 with the 3rd Bde 82nd Airborne. Up thru Hoc Mon was our AO, but I left in Aug 69 and the Bde went home shortly after that. I have been back a bunch ofd times volunteering and touring. The Hoc Mon market is still there, so much has changed. We spent a lot of time in Vinh Loc Village in 1969, which was west of Hoc Mon…it’s now part of Saigon and has large factories.
I was there September 1971 to June 1972. Would enjoy hearing from anyone else there during that time.
Returned to visit with my adult son in 2018. Sites much changed!
Duane, what job did you hold? i left Apr 71 and would like to know how things changed when to left in 72.
where did you go on your return trip? what did your son think?
Jerry Hughes
Rurak Development Cade Advisor and AIK fund administrator May 69 to Apr 71
Duane,
cannot spell Rural Development Cadre (also Chieu Hoi company advisor for a short time, may had been the last person in that slot).
Jerry Hughes
Hi Jerry – not sure why this ended in my junk mail, but glad I found it. I was the S3 Advisor, doing short times in Binh Chanh District when Butch Boyette was on leave or R&R. Mr. Robert Walkinshaw was Senior Province Advisor. Maybe you remember him? How about Tom Newell? Sam (cant remember last name.
Duane Myers
dhmyers@msn.com (please reply there)
i was on a MAT in Binh Chanh in late ’68, early ’69. when i left Mr McKillop was PSA. John Forte was my boss, his boss was a retired US COL, a Filipino. Guest most peole i knew had left by the time you got there. I have terrible time with names. Bob Sibly was a TOC officer, Kurt (cannot recall lat name) in S2, Phil Hatcher with PSDF. i worked in a round 2-story building to the right as you came into the compound. actually move back to SaiGon in 1992 and lived there until 1996. married a Vietnamese and we have made many trips over. her family is in GoVap maybe 10 ninutes from old province HQ. great sharing info with you.
One clear memory I’ve had of Binh Chanh was of a tall gray tower along the road there. Maybe you remember it? I learned it was a container with dead fish – for ‘brewing’ nuc mam sauce (spelling?). You could smell it from a great distance. When I returned in 2018, looking for it, it was no longer there. However, the nuc mam plant/business was still there. The ‘brewing’ is now done by a more modern process, in metallic tanks. No aroma. Ha!
sorry, my return trip. Got great help from a VN travel agency based in Hanoi. Visited Saigon, Danang, My Lai, Duc Pho, Quang Ngai (from my first tour in 1967), Hoi An, Hanoi, Binh Chanh. Hardly recognized anything, any place. Tree and shrub growth, structural changes in buildings made me feel almost as if I was in a different country. Glad i took my son; good bonding experience.
Forgot to mention that when my son and I visited VN in 2018, during our last day or so we visited the compound that used to be the Province Headquarters for Gia Dinh Province, and as such, also the headquarters for Advisory Team 44. It was now some kind of government installation, heavily guarded, looked approximately the same as I recalled having last seen it in June 1972.
Seen your reply about returning is 2018 doesn’t sound like province Hqs change much if either of you got flight on Air American choppers from the roof at Prov Hqs in 69-70 my at team at the TOC set them up for you. Left OCT 70 and never look back!
did you handle the Vung Tau runs as well. did a couple flights to Rung Sat thing it was CanGioi? got to Provience HQ in May – Jun 1969, prior on MAT in Nha Be and Binh Chanh. do you recall Bob Shibley, he was in TOC starting in 1970 i believe.
I took many flights off of the roof top helipad. Most were Air America but also some army flights.
Worked in S-4, March-September 71
Hi Duane, was that the house that had a beautiful swimming pool. In 1969 I was with the S5 of the 3rd Bde, 82nd Abn. That was our AO and I had the benefit of a couple of great parties at that house. Looked for it von one of my return trips, never did find it.
Bình Thạnh District of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The name of the district was formed from the names of two wards in the old Gò Vấp District, Bình Hòa and Thạnh Mỹ Tây. In 1976, those two wards were removed from Gò Vấp District to create Bình Thạnh District. Check out Wikipedia
first time i returned to VietNam (1990), i walked into coumpound to check out my old office but was quickly escorted out.
as of 2019, it was still there.
Maybe not the same, Jim. I don’t recall a swimming pool. But it was about a half/three quarter mile from a big hospital.
Jerry:
I remember you from my time at Team 44 from September 1969 to September 1970…I just found this blog adn a few names that I recall. You asked about Paul Schaberger. I know him from before I got in country and a few years thereafter…A good guy. I also remember Col. Herbert and Dave McKillop. I was Deputy Intel Advisor, aka Phoenix Program. I started at the Team House with the Pool, then went to the team house that was attacked on April 30, 1970. Got injured, went to Hospital in Saigon, near Ton San Nhut. Have stayed in touch with Steve Wilkerson who was in Hoc Man District; Steve is now in the Bay area.
Would welcome any comments from folks who were on Team 44 where I was there. As others have mentioned, the memory fades and I remember faces better than names.
David, Thinking i mave had visited you at the 3rd Field Hospital. I was with Rural Development Cadre under John Forte and worked out of a “round” white building on the right as you came into the province compound. Live in Georgia. Went back to SaiGon in 1990, 1991 and move back in 1992 leaving in1996 with Bob Shibly who was int the TOC, same building as you.Great hearing from you and hope all is going well. You can contact me directly jwhughes1@hotmail.com.
I must have just missed you as I left the end of August 69. I was with S 5, 3rd Bde 82nd Abn at camp Red Ball in Go Vap. I remember the house with the pool. How could you forget the beautiful tiled pool.
did you work with Jerry Hore? he had a team that was close to S5 activities as the povince team had.
that house and grounds was amazing to an infantryman who had spent the last year first as a platoon leader thn a MAT leader.
then we hd to move out. not complaining about the house we moved into. sawit last time i was in SaiGon (2019) atleast half of it.
Jerry:
Was the Team House that was bombed on April 30, 1970 still in existence (as of 2019)? It was so poorly constructed I didn’t think it would last beyond 2000!
David
Dave:
I remember you very well! My hooch was next to yours during the attack when you where wounded! I, fortunately was on R&R in HKG at the time. Aside from John Forte and his wife, Mr McKillop plus several CIA guys, I do not recall the names of others any others on TM 44.
Nice to hear from you…Can you refresh my memory with a first name? All of us who were in country in the late 60s and early 70s are getting a little long in tooth, with fading memories…Also, can anyone who was in the Team House on April 30 1970 when the attack occurred confirm whether anyone other than CPT. Cameron and I were injured?
I guess I am hard to remember! I was the Black, bald head SF 1st LT that worked briefly with you. I gave up trying to contact you after I missed your wedding? Those this all ring a bell.
Thanks for the mental jog…I was in country from 9/23/69 to 9/10/70…What were your dates, and were you at Province or in one of the Districts? Also (and I know this is a memory stretch for me), were you originally from Cincinnati?
Yes, good memory. I am from Cincinnati. My dates in Nam were 5/20/69 to 5/15/70. I joined you with Phoenix in mid December 69 after beating the ‘bush’ for what seemed an eternity. I spent a lot of my time in the same office but actually took direction from JG. Me and that Major didn’t get along! GWT
George…Please give me your non-MACV Team 44 Email, so that we can converse offline…
David
My email is as follows: gwthomasjr@icloud.com
I didn’t get your response. It is : gwthomasjr@icloud.com
I was wondering why my reply was met with silence (!)…LEt me go back to my sent file and resend the email to gwthomasjr@icloud.com…
Thanks for the heads-up,Goerge!
David
George:
I can be reached at dlcalfee100@gmail.com
My name is Gary Opheim and I was an assistant team leader around Hoc Mon village from May 1970 until around March 1971
Reported into Team 44 23 Sep 68. Caring my promotion orders to CPT. COL. Herbert pinned my bars on that afternoon. Was assigned to then Team S-4 office Maj Van(something) my memory is getting old. He was an infantry officer. I was the Sr. Advisor to the Administrative and Direct Support Logistic Company with additional duty as Assistant S-4. I work with the Maj in obtaining the Team for the HQ Team. Maj Van…. was replaced by Maj Rodrigues. He was my boss for the rest of my tour. We had the Helicopter pad right over the S-4 office. John Greenwood was one of my roommates in the Team House. He was from Denver and I tracked him down in ’73 on a visit there. He was out of the Army. I left country in August ’69 and headed to the Officer Advanced Course at Ft. Lee, VA. Col Herbert left a month or so before me but had a war trophy pistol that was not ready when he left so asked me to carry it out for him. We was going to the Pentagon. I carried it to Washington and met him at his home one weekend. Team 44 was my 2nd tour to Vietnam. I spent 12 years on active duty with assignments at Carson, Ft Lee, Hawaii (OIC Armed Forces Recreation Center Ft DeRussy and 25th S&T Bn), and Ft Gillum and Ft McPherson GA. In ’81 I took a job with the reserves in MT. Spent 23 years in Missoula. Spent 17 years in the reserves retiring as an LTC in ’94. I retired from the civilian side in ’04 and moved to Casa Grande, AZ.
I arrived to Advisory Team 44 on 24 Nov 68 and departed on 26 Nov 69. I was the NCOIC of the administrative section for our advisory team. I remember our helo pad on top of our building. MSG Fletcher was the senior enlisted officer at the time I arrived. My original OIC was Major Willis. COL Herbert was replaced by Charles Whitehouse (FSO). I remember John Paul Vann landing on our helo pad many times to visit Mr. Whitehouse. All of our landing on the helo pad were Air America helicopters.
Advisory Team 44 Nha Be and Hoc Mon was my locations 1970 to 1971 . I was Radio operator. I was drafted, basic/+ Auxiliary training Fort Jackson to Camron Bey , to Nah Be to Hoc Mon.
The only name of someone in country I remember was a Sgt. Reddic( military police) . We had a medic , light weapons team, a ” civilian team leader ” ( he never wore a uniform but was armed ) and 2 other uniformed personal ( they floated around interacting with the locals gathering Intel) . Both were ” pathfinders ” but one was Native American .
I liked that we lived off the regular army base , had to do our own “scrounging ” for food , and lodging, living right in the villages. I would like to return those locatons to what became of those areas. A lot of personal had families there and in the states ( kids and wives ) . I was 19 / 20 years old never been outside the USA until then , seeing , smelling, tasting, feeling another world… it was great !
I was RTO on Team 44 in HocMon from 66-68. would also like to go back to see what happened.
We had a sister unit in Hoc Mon and I had been there numerous times ’70-’72. Our team was located at Cau Xang/Chau Hiep about 13 klicks SE of Hoc Mon and was a 7-man Ground Surveillance Radar team attached to ARVN units. Yes, it was a decent assignment as we did have people messing with us. Hell most didn’t even know we existed. Lived off the local economy, met and became friends with the locals (I eventually married the Village Chief’s eldest daughter) and did most of my 3 tours there. Our unit was the 277th FA Det, part of 23rd Arty. Grp, II Field Force but we were OPCON to CMAC and our HQ was at Camp Le Van Duyen (CMD) near the Chi Hoa prison in Saigon. I don’t remember the name of the unit at Hoc Mon but it was about 4 klicks north of the market in Hoc Mon on TL15 just inside Gia Dinh Province boundary. It was 50 yards NE of the bridge that crossed over a substantial canal or river. We also had a sister unit (278th FA Det) at Cat Lai on the eastern side of Saigon. I’ve been back 4 times between 1989 – 2001 and hoping to go back with my grandsons this summer. Yes, it was a great experience for me also, the country life, the culture, the people, but then I wasn’t a grunt having to hump the paddies and mud days on end.
It was a little different in my time. We had a lot of activity during my tenure and the main thrust of the TET Offensive when right through our AO. I DON‘t regret my time there, I did spend a lot of time with the people and learned that you don‘t have to have a lot of money to be happy or giving. Eventhough I had to do so terrible things, I never hated the people. We were right down town Hoc Mon at the District Compound but live at the Black Dog Inn in the Arvn Engineer Compound off Hwy 1, in the direction of Cu Chi.
Mark, when you were first at HOc Mon did you ever hear about one of our RF 4 night recon planes crashing in the center of the village apps April of 69? I & my medic spec 5 Bayne took our Jeep into the village to try & pull people out of the wreckage. Pilots ejected after flame out & takeoff from Ton SA Nut. Jay Braunig
Jay: No I had never heard about that. But I didn’t arrive in country until Feb. ’70. I was in our support detachment until May of ’70 and so I got to visit all of our teams but never got to know any of them. I went to the team at Cau Xang in May ’70 and was there for most of the rest of my 3 tours. Cau Xang/Chau Hiep was 13 km S.E. of Hoc Mon.
I was an advisor in Nha Be from July ,1970 to June 71. I was the assistant district advisor then MAT leader. Could it be possible that we served together? If so, I would be absolutely thrilled to hear from you. Please see my contact info below.
A fellow ex-MAT leader and OCS grad and I are returning to VN in June. This will be our first trip back since 1969. I was in various locations in Thu Duc district throughout that year; Paul Olsen’s team was in Song Be (NW of Saigon). He was wounded in a fight with an NVA main-force unit while I got out relatively unscathed. We’ll be in-country 10 days, starting off in Saigon and working our way up to Hue. Nha Be is on the itinerary, along with the port of Cat Lai which is close to one of my team locations (Phuoc Long). I know some of you have made the trip back and I assume you had the same mixed feeling we’re experiencing — looking forward to it though. My best to all you guys who served throughout Gia Dinh.
i was on MAT II-27 in Nha Be then Binh Chanh Oct 68 – Apr 69. followed by RD Cadre at Providence HQ.
last time in Nha Be was 2012, all new world. Nha Be is now 2 district. northern end called District 7 and south Nha Be.
have a great trip back. 10 day maybe a bit short on time.
correct III-27
Jerry : Thanks for the comment on my upcoming trip. We’re going to cover a lot of ground in 10 days, including a flight from Saigon to Hue and return. I might be pushing my luck if we were to stay in-country much longer than that as my health is not great. Anyway, looking forward to it and the memories (good and not so good) it will evoke. While in Saigon we’re going back to the roof bar at the Rex Hotel and drink a few toasts to all of us who served on Team 44. Last time there was 50 years ago.
Jerry, your name is familiar. I was the Assistant S-4 and Senior Advisor to the Administrative and Direct Support Logistic Company from Sep 68 to Aug 69. I was a CPT at the time. Worked with all 23 MAT and 7 Districts,
Kyle – not sure of date but i moves to TM 44 province team Mar – Apr 1969 first with the Chieu Hoi program then RD Cadre also handled AIK fund. Inf Cpt on Mat 27 prior in Nha Be and Binh Chanh. at HQ until Apr ’71. I recall a S4 Maj, a bit chubby, maybe Hispanic. I believe he was there the entire period i was. terrible with names.
The S-4 at the Province HQ was MAJ Rodrigues. He came in after MAJ Vanhorn. Did you live in the Officer Team House when assigned to the HQ? We had the swimming pool and had Saigon Golf Course near by. I hit country in 21 Sep 1968 and got to Team 44 on 23 Sep 68. I worked with MAJ Vanhorn in getting the lease for the Officer Team House. Enlisted had a hotel not to far from our house. Left in Late Aug 69 to go to Advanced Course.
yes, i lived in the team house with the great stairwell and magnificent bar. at the top pf the stairs on the right front. later we had to move relocating to Phu Nhuan (hopefully spelled correctly) not far down the road. my office was on the front of the compound on the right as you entered.lunched at the golf course on occasion.
Rough duty, guys: pools, big bars, etc. I had MAT III-60 in Thu Duc district from 2/69 to mid-October ’69. One of our locations was an old French villa with a swimming pool. Unfortunately, the water was so nasty that a dip in it would kill you. It was nice, however, to get into Saigon for a night of burgers and beer at the Rex now and then. Best to all you Team 44 alum. Guess we’re starting to thin out a bit.
think some from ThuDuc made it into SaiGon more than one or two days! by chance do you recall Paul Sharberger DIOCC? was Maj. English there during your time?
Col Herbert left about a month before me. I hand carried a pistol back for him which was not ready when he left. It had to be de-milled. He was going to Washington and I was going to Fort Lee, VA. Went up to DC with my wife one weekend and took the pistol to him. Had lunch with he and his wife at their home,
Been watching the latest and saw Thu Duc (boy does that bring back memories). I was on Mat 60 (Asst Team Leader under Cpt Bruce Mallick) from June 1970 to late August 70. We were camped with a RF Battalian and advised the Battalian Commander and his companies. We were located a short distance from the Naval Base at Cat Lai.
Pat Maloney
Jerry: I believe I replied to you personally rather than to all. I’m still trying to learn the name of the Thu Duc DSA who replaced MAJ Young. Was it English? There was also a very sharp CPT (S-3?) on the district senior staff during most of my tour in 1969 as MAT 60 team leader. There was also a 1LT S-2 who often had a small monkey on his shoulder. Anyone recall their names?
Jerry, Sharberger doesn’t sound familiar. What was his job? I don’t recognize the designation DIOCC . Is that Intelligence? Could he be the S-2 I described above?
Steve
the only one i recall was Maj English, big man.
DIOCC was the district Phoenix office, intelligence garhering for all CORDS agencies. i moved from a MAT to province late May ’69. ________________________________
I was the TOC NCOIC for Gia Dinh 69-70. I had to baby sit 3 Capt assign as the TOC officers while their, Col Burley was the province SR Advisor, was also my Brigade Commander at Fort Dix, NJ before returning to Vietnam.
Thu doc 69-70 worked nights with Ron Schoaker. Just hooked up with him. Hard to believe it was 50 years ago. All the best. Bob.odonnell.241@verizon.met
Greeting, again to the team 44 and others I trying to find out if Nha Be and Hoc Mon regions are where exposed to Agent Orange during my time In “Nam ” ” 70 to 71 ” . . Does anyone have knowledge to use during that time ?
I was the NCIC for the TOC for TM 44 at Province HQ from Aug 1969 until Sept 1970, If they was spraying of Orange in our AO we was not informed, but that don’t mean a lot of was going on then!! I might have met you or at least talk to you on the radio, might have sent you a copper from time to time we control two for our team one military and one Air America , gave a lot of our enlisted Team Members day trips to Vung Tau for a day on the beach, when I could.
I just came across the Team 44 website while googling general info for MAT teams. Quit a nice surprise to see so many Gia Dinh alumni on one site. I served briefly as MAT III-60 XO under 1LT Ryan Moran in January ’69, then was designated team leader upon Moran’s assignment to West Point as an instructor. I remained with the team in Thu Duc district until medivaced to Japan in November ’69. My XO was Lt. Sam Miller, heavy weapons/light weapons NCOs Harris (a great scrounger) and Mills (nicknamed Pappy). Forgot my first medic’s name but his replacement was named Holiday – Doc Holiday. All good men, although Holiday didn’t have much use for me. DSAs while I was there were both majors, the second one always in civilian clothes with a big revolver on his hip. No one knew who he really worked for. Anyway, a very capable district HQ team that I didn’t interact with that often as my team was fairly remote. We did have a couple of team leader’s meetings in a local bordello near HQ, with food and drink only.
BTW, my close friend from OCS, Paul Olsen, commanded a MAT north of Saigon at the same time I was in Thu Duc. Anybody from his team posting on this site? My best regards to all of you. Happy holidays.
Steve Murray
samurray45@comcast.net
Steve: I was Assistant Team leader in Thu Duc at Mat 60 from May 70 to August 70 under Captain Bruce Mallick. We were located with an RF Battalian Headquarters. We were about a mile from the Cat Lai Navy Base. After then I was all over the province.
Pat: Nice hearing from you. My memory is fuzzy but my last location with the team was with a RF battalion commanded by a somewhat overage major. Can’t recall where we were in relation to Cat Lai but we were involved in riverine ops with the navy out of a small nearby river port.
Anyone recall the name Raymond Alley?
Do not recall that name. Ed Johnson S1 Team 44. Anthony if you read this e-mail me at: edward.johnson40@cox.net or any one else from Team 44, have some photographs of awards formation that some of you may have been present during the time period June 71-Dec 72. E-mailed them to Charlie Reed, but no responce
Hi Ed, you and I had considerable overlap time on Team 44. I was there September 1971-June 1972. Please email me at
dhmyers@msn.com
and maybe we can make an easier connection
I tried sending an email to you at the address you gave here, but it bounced. Maybe due to carelessness on my part – fat fingers or the like.
Duane Myers
Ed, I never received your email. It may have been lost in cyber space. Were you the
Gary: Good to hear from you and hope you’re well. We did go through DSA’s pretty quickly, not so? I suspect you’re the guy who arranged for my dustoff when I developed a kidney stone.
One of the things I didn’t take away from Binh Chanh was photographs – I had some, but they were stolen by our “allies.” Don’t know why they’d want something like that. If you have any you’d like to share, I’d be most grateful. Best wishes, Tony
Dear e-mail correspondent:
Effective at this time my new e-mail address is:
aambrose@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
My apologies for any inconvenience this might cause you;
Best,
Anthony/Tony etc.
Charlie:
I’m embarrassed to say I don’t remember this handover. I left Binh Chanh in the Fall of ’70 and went to Gia Dinh on Mr. McKillop’s staff, where I remained until DEROS in mid-May 1971.
Any PIX you have would be very much appreciated.
Tony
aambrose@psu.edu
Jim,
been some 5 years since i have been to the old team house; will be trying to find it again Jan 2017.
last time i was there it was a HQ for some Vietnamese company.
most of the street names have changed; today. go out Hai Ba Trung, name changes to Phan Ding Phung, go over railroad track, name becomes Nguyen Kiem and the house would be on the right hand side a little way pass the tracks.
not sure it is still there as land in around the air port is very valuable.
try google map, satellite view
good luck
Charlie,
do not recall any US units in Binh Chanh, maybe some signal people up close to Cho Lon; MAT not far from there; thinking Highway 1 thru Cho Lon within a few miles out take a right and head toward Cambodia to edge of district.
I have vague recollections of the MACV Gia Dinh hq. A beautiful old building with a fabulous swimming pool. It was not far from Camp Red Ball the 3/82nd Abn forward base wher I was part of S 5. Can anyone fill me in on where it was, I’ll be in Saigon in March. Thanks
There was at least one US unit still out there there until Feb ’72. I was with the 277th Field Artillery Detachment at Cau Xang which was just north and west of Binh Chanh. We were a 7-man team running a Target Acquisition radar. We were located about 13 miles west of Cho Lon /Phu Lam on QL-10 just east of Duc Hoa.
Chuck,
I do not recall him. I can only recall flying to the Rung Sac (not sure of the spelling) a couple times.
cannot spell saw a lot of people pass thru
Jerry….I shipped out may 71, was wounded in February 71 ambush, flew 274 combat hours on air mobiles and nighthawks. My mat was 38, turned hours to Gia Dinh hq never got air medal orders.
Lt Greg brune tm44 mat team on vc island 70-71′ maj English was co Tu duc then
remember Maj English; do you recall Paul Schaberger at the DIOCC; i was the RD Cadre advisor at providence hq
No,but English and I .played pro fb before, he was in Baltimore and me in chicago. We were in fire fight at the Arvin ocs school. The picture in the web sight is my hq at the old school near vc island.
attended a reunion in Atlanta with Viets who had graduated from Thu Duc OCS; guess close to 150 people attended.
Jerry… I was first assigned to mat at the French villa in saigon ,major mooney our tm leader was arrested for driving and stealing an 65 mustang , never saw again!
Greg — first i have heard about this; i was at Gia Dinh from late ’68 until Apr ’71; save a lot of people pass thru, remember faces not many names! MAT 27 (Nha Be, Binh Chanh) for the first 6months are so.
Jerry was the 1/14th still in Bình Chanh when you were there? I was the SA for the Bn in ’67. Regards, Charlie
My team was right outside the OCS facility. My Interpreter left me after a month to attend the school. I can’t remember team number.
I have several on my hard drive and actually what used to be Picasa (Love these surprises when things change.). Most of the shots O have are from Rach Gia when they had the Sea Bee project there and thy repelled a VC overrun. How do you post pictures here?
Wife of deceased SSG Charles (Charlie/Chuck/Super P.) Joseph. Prusik seeking any stories or leads or information about his service in Team 44. This would have been approximately 1969. According to the notes I found he was also in: MACV Delta; MATT Adv Team #55 at Rach Gia; then Military Advisory Team #87. During 1969 he told me he was a “STRAK Man” in 1969 (and taught quick fire with rifles), which I cannot locate on any abbreviation site. In 1970 he was on “recon” but did not get to tell me where, but that was when he was serving his second term 1970/1971 at Rach Gia again. I believe it was during this time that they were in Cambodia under heavy fire by a machine gun nest and lost many man until he lost it stepped out into the machine gunner’s range of fire and blasted them away. The Reg Forces/Rough Puffs called him “Crazy White Man from then on. If it helps he was also at Tet Offensive 2/19/68. There are some fuzzy areas between 1961-1966 I am trying to piece together. Any help appreciated. Thanks!
Do you have a picture from that time period
Sent from my iPhone
>
Tony when did you depart BC? Do you remember the name of the NCO there when you left? We’re currently at Padre Island until March 4. Once I get home I’ll look for names and pictures or you. My first VN tour was as a Battion SA with team 57 in Tra Vinh in ’67 and I get names and times mixed up. If you have FaceBook you can see some of my VN photos – not many. I’m just wondering if I was your BC replacement? I got there in mid Jan ’72. I remember the house girl was Han(sp)? Good to meet you. Will have a couple of stories to share with you. Blessings Charlie
Charlie: I believe Sgt Henson was our Signal NCO and was from Florida. Was never able to contact him after I departed Vietnam. Sgt Green was Supply S4 and worked with a Major Ginsburg above Team 44 Hqs. LTC Dunlap went to Ft Hood. Keep him out of trouble a couple times when he had to much to drink down town. Was you there when they presented him with the Silver Star? That didn’t go over well with some of the officers from the Team..
Will reserve my comment at the time on the Silver Star winner, the one who was not willing to spend a night at BC. It’s so great to have made contact with you, have often searched for former advisors from both Gia Dinh, and my first assignment down in Tra Vinh, but never able to find anyone. Again, as soon as I get home I will take time to round up some information that will be familiar to you. Was so sorry to hear of LTC Chapman’s wife passing away from breast cancer. He was a class a gentleman and officer. My family lived at Clark AFB down the street from his family. Great people.
Edward, were you the officer who relieved me at BC during times I went to the Philippines to visit my family?
Will think about it. Its a long trip from Arkansas.
Charlie: I went thru some of my old military records and found a copy of Hqs Third Regional Assistance Command Organizational Chart that you may want a copy of. Any way it shows a LTC P. Reed as Sr Adv Team 49 Long Khanh, not sure if that is you. Also it shows LTC C. Chapman as Sr Adv Team 44? Have a photograph of Col Chapman, civilian and an officer and 2 photo’s of I believe of them boarding an Air America aircraft. I do not remember taking the photographs though. Plus a formation of some Team 44 personnel at Gia Dinh and some when I flew to Tay Ninh with Col King.Will send them to you if you would like to look at them. You mentioned a Major Meadows, I also remember him. He was an AGC branch retailed Infantry and was there for what he could get out of it. My memory goes back to Vietnam every now and then so will keep you posted..
Thanks Ed, yes I would love a copy of the picture. I was a Major at the time and not assigned as a PSA. Yes, my family and the Meadows’ family were long time friends. Ken made Colonel and retired in ’85 and moved to Gulfport, MS. They lost their home during the storm, only the foundation left; Inez died of a stroke a year later, and Ken passed from lung cancer a year after that. We visited them often in GP, and they came to Dallas in June 07 for our 50th wedding anniversary. I was assigned as DSA of Cang Long District while both Ken and LTC Chapman was there. Dunlap was the the APSA and Ken was a DSA. Both of their families lived at Clark AFB as did my family while we served in Gia Dinh Province. Do you remember a obese Major that died of a heart attach at the GD compound during his sleep? Have been trying to think of his name. Don’t know whether or not you were in country when my Binh Chanh District Chief lost his leg during an attack on the District compound in broad daylight. It was around July or August ’72. As you probably remember Binh Chanh was quite an unpopular location for the Province staff and I had very few visitors. I have one picture of LTC Chapman viewing the troops with myself and the DC I will send you if you can receive pictures at this email address. I have several other pictures that you might be interested in. I was a Battalion SA in Tra Vinh Province in 67-68 and at my age I get personnel and events confused at times, but always enjoy revisiting the pictures and hearing of the troops. Thanks, Charlie
Ed, didn’t you fill in for me at Binh Chan a couple of times that I went to Clark AFB to visit my family? Just thought of it. Just read where Dunlap won the Silver Star? What did he do to earn that. Never thought that he left the compound, except to visit the local watering hole:)) And, did you not play pro, or semi-pro football prior to the military? May be thinking of someone else. At 80 things have a way to get tangled up. Charlie
I was E-5, Worked in TOC and Air Coordinator for team # 44 from 70-71. I flew mainly with Air America, doing various things. Very interesting job. Did a lot of coordinating with Army and Navy choppers from Nha Be point.
Were they still at the infantry school?
my email is charliereed12@sbcglobal.net
Don, was Major Riggs there when you were? I was a 14th Senior Infantry Advisor in the Cang Long District. Remember a Captain Bopp?
Don did you receive my email on Riggs and Bopp?
Don’t Martin I was stationed in Bing Chan from May 70 – May 71. I was the radio operator. Had three co’s while I was there. First was major Author he rotated shortly after I arrived. Next was Major Nelson he got his foot blown off and out he went . the next was major (Butch) Boyette. I coordinated dustoff and lightfire teams for a lot of fallen servicemen both american and Vietnamese. I will never forget the experience I had in that God forsaken place.I also remember Tony Ambrose we were together the whole time he was stationed in Binh Chan.also flew a few knighthawks with major Boiyette.
That must have been Maj. Warren Boyett. He will always be a hero in my book. In late Jan – early Feb 1972 the ARVN battalion we were attached to turn against our 7-man team, shooting up our compound and were planning to set our facility on fire after dark. Several hours after the incident started several officers headed by a Major from our HQ at CMD (CMAT) flew out to our camp. Once they realized the nature of the situation, the major turned to his Lt. and said, “Well Lt. I guess we best be getting on our way”. I asked the major, “What about us sir?”. He replied, “We’ll see what we can do when we get back to Saigon”. And the bastard got on his chopper and flew off.
I got on the radio and contacted Binh Chanh to appraise them of the situation. Within several minutes Major Boyett was on the radio asking for the details of what had happened. When I told him that the Village Chief had come down to warn us that the ARVN were planning to torch us that night, the Maj. said that he’d be there within the hour. About an hour later Major Warren Boyett arrived in his jeep with his driver and his bodyguard. He tore the ARVN Bn. Commander a “new one”. Disarmed most of his men, and put several of the ARVN senior officers in our camp as hostages in case anything happened. Then Maj. Boyett hunkered down with us for the night. That gentlemen is LEADERSHIP.
To this day I wonder what would have happened to us if he had not stepped in. We never heard from that chicken-shit major from CMD ever again. Does anyone have any contact info for Major Warren Boyyett? If so please contact me at: mdraab@verizon.net
I was the RTO for Team 100 and later Team 44 in Hoc Mon and served there from August 1966 thru October 1968. Made it thru the Tet Offensive and Counter Offensive in 1968.
Jerry, Edward:
I think COL Missildine was a fine officer and enjoyed working for him. Before coming to Gia Dinh I’d been the District Operations Advisor at Binh Chanh (starting mid-May 1970). After returning from RVN I went to medical school and stayed on active duty as a doc until 1989, retiring as an O-6. I was an O-3 during my entire time at Gia Dinh.
i got you; if i am not mistaken you were going to a PA medical or from PA, maybe both.
sometime it is the little things that opens the memories.
Col. Burley was an exceptional officer and it is difficult to compare.
You are correct, his brother was a UH-1 pilot in the Army, 03, and died at Ft. Rucker after his 2nd tour, in the shower.
Any info on Retired General Hughes, what was his rank during this period and position?
Thanks for all the reply’s.
More on COL Burley: I found on the internet a resolution from the Senate of the State of Texas congratulating one Roy W. Burley on 70 years of marriage (last month), and referencing a distinguished Army career which started in WWII. I’d bet it’s the same gentleman. Great man to work for.
COL Roy Burley was on his second tour when he was the Gia Dinh Prov Sr Advisor. He was from Texas and had been the Professor of Military Science at Prairie View A&M before going back to Vietnam.
Like to correct you on Col Burley assignment before returning to Veitnam as SR Advisor of Gia Dinh , he was my Brigade Comdr of the 1st AIT Brigade at Fort Dix ,NJ and pin my E-7 stripes on me and we met again in Vietnam and he offered me a job which I accepted on advisory TM 44 1969-70
I stand by my statement: I was on ADV TM 44, Gia Dinh, from May 1969 until Apr 1971 and MR. David McKillop was the senior advisor, Col Burley was the deputy senior advisor but the senior military man on the team. Col may had taken over sometime later in 1971. I was the RD Cadre and administered the AIK fund.
LTC/COL Missildine was Deputy Province Senior Advisor, replacing COL Roy Burley, under PSA Ambassador David McKillop (who had been ambassador to Rwanda). Interesting anecdote about Missildine: Anton Myrer’s book “Once an Eagle” was popular then and many of us read it. On an occasion or two Missildine remarked that he saw himself as akin to the Sam Damon (mustang) character. Consensus seemed to be that he may have resembled the Massengale character a bit more. Good commander, though. Enjoyed working with him. I was Team 44 Executive Officer, OCT 70 – MAY 71. Anyone have any photos from that era?
all of us have our own memories, as i recall Missildine had a younger brother that had a heart attack during this time and many of us were waiting for the older Missildine to follow as he was high strung; Tony, I served on Adv Tm 44 from late ’68 until Apr ’71 including a time on a MAT in Binh Chanh then as Rural Development Cadre adviser at province , you and i must had crossed paths; how about a quick description of Maj (assuming rank) Ambrose as i am trying to get my brain to operate.Thanks
Tony did you apply for a branch change while assigned to Team 44?
LTC Miseldine was the Deputy when I reported in at Team 44 and LTC Dunlap replaced him. Can’t recall the pistol though. Miseldine was a great officer to work for. Often wondered what happened to him.
From info I gathered in his obituary, he retired a Full COL. In ’92 it also stated he was the Army liaison to the white house during JFK’s short presidency.
On the bring back documents his in country address is ADV TM 49. A retired Major General Patrick Hughes (retired) list in his bio as being a member of TM 49 during this same period around ’71, he was probably a CPT or Majj then.
Edward, I was the sr adv at Binh Chan from Jan 72 til Jan 73. Do you remember me? How about Riggs and Bopp? Where did Dunlap go from there? I retired in 76 and spent 24 years in banking. Before leaving VN I spent my last few months as a member of the Four Party Joint Military Commission. May be wrong but you may have spent some time for me at Binh Chan while I visited my family in PI.
Looking for Team 44 members 1970-1972 , have a pistol engraved to LTC Missildine TM 49, presented by TM 44, would like to know the significance of the pistol and if TM 49 was a Phoenix Team.
ADV TM 44 was the province advisory team for Gia Dinh Province which surrounded
Sai Gon. LTC Missildine title was Deputy Province Adviser. The piston would only have significance to him or his family. It was be fairly routine for a Deputy Province Adviser to receive such an item from his “team”.
Served with Team 44. Worked in S-4 for Sgt Art Crimble, Also with SFC Ed Shelton. My replacement was Sam Butler and Mike Carnes. Stayed in Louisiana BEQ
68-69 Thu Duc
Greetings, sir. I’m doing some leg work for an AO claim for my father (last name, Whittingham)…by chance, during your time at Thu Doc do you recall anyone by that name?.
No. I was there in the summer, fall and spring of 70 to 71 on a MAT Team
Thank you for your reply.
Was a member of Team 44 from June 1972 until December 1973 as S1, promoted to E9 and reassigned to CORDS. Not sure if there are very many of us left. Remember a Sgt Green who visited me Fayetteville, AR some years later; CWO Waters; SFC Hinson, Sgt Pryor; LTC Dunlap Deputy SAA and FSO 1 Mr. Walkenshaw SAA.
I worked with Sgt Greene at the Airborne School at Benning in 62 – 63. Was Riggs and Bopp there while your were? And, can’t remember a heavy Major that died while there of unknow cause, may have been a heart attack?
Ed, do you remember Major Ken Meadows a DSA. He was promoted to Col and passed away last year, living in Gulfport, MS.
Ed, was Sgt Hinson at Binh Chanh? At almost 80 I can’t place names with faces as I once could. There was a CPT Johnson, believe a football player, there while I was at BC. Did not get to visit GD Hqs often but remember Riggs laying in the sun the keep his sun tan. LOL
I preceded MSGT (then)Johnson as S1 of Advisory Team 44, later became XO, under Mr. Walkenshaw. Still stay in touch with John Powley, DSA Hoc Mon. Team 44 was a GREAT Team …. !! NIGHTHAWK missions over VC island ‘memorable’. *MSGT Edwards, CWO4 Waters, SFC Pryor ‘top shelf’/ squared away….. David McKillop and Mr. Walkenshaw estimable Statesmen.*
I remember Lt. Bailey. He knew Sgt Crimble. I have a photo of the 2 together. Remember team parties at Team house. They let us EM come and get drunk. I talked with Capt. Valr the night he was shot down
Hello Ed… I remember You quite well . I was a Young ‘shavetail’ (well, 1Lt when we met). We worked together about 5-6 mos. at Team 44 before I rotated back to “The World”…. With Your considerable experience and easy-going nature, YOU made the rest of my tour as Team 44’s XO very positive, ( despite weekly ‘Nighthawk’ missions flying at 300′ with my ARVN counterpart falling asleep) .
*I live in Baltimore Md. and would like to give You a shout … please give me Your contact info. and I will do so-
Best, bob bailey ( frmr 1 Lt., FA, Adv. Tm. 44)
I am still around at age 87 believe it or not. You had something to do with me getting promoted to Sgt Major and after all these years I would like to thank you. Thought of you off and on after all these years wondering what ever happened to you. When I left Vietnam I was assigned as a Army Advisor to a Army Reserve Civil Affairs Group in Fayetteville, Arkansas until I retired on 31 August 1978 with 30 years active military service. I then went to work for the state of Arkansas as a Local Veterans Employment Representative assisting veterans getting jobs and special projects thru the Department of Labor. Worked for the state for 31 years until I retired in August 2011. My routine now is having coffee every morning with my veteran buddies at Susie’s Cafe between 900-1000am, work out from 1030-1200pm, have lunch some place, go to Walmart or Home Depot and come home and set around the swimming pool relaxing and thinking about old times. Then I volunteer at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville on Friday. On Saturday I get by 1940 Chevrolet Club Coupe Special Deluxe Street rod out and cruze abound town or take in a Car Show.
Sgt Maj.Johnson, my name is Jimmy Stephanoff. I was e-4 and worked in s-4 for Sgt Crimble from march-September 1971. When I returned home, after a month at home you sent me A plaque and army commendation medal. I had no idea I was going to receive either. I’ve always said that was one of the nicest things anyone ever did for me. It’s been 46 years and remember it well. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you are doing well. I stayed at Louisiana beq. I got intoxicated one night, drove keep to MACV HQ. I drove thru the gate, and MPs called you and you came and saved me. I live in Indianapolis Indiana, and retired after 35 years in bar ownership. I am 67 now.Do you recall many guys from 44? Thanks again for helping a 20 year old kid.God bless you
Looking for anyone MAT Team 44, member of security force for U.S. Navy Seabee Team 20 kilometers SW of Rach Gia, other than, Capt. Morgan, who may recall Charles Joseph Prusik. This was prior to the time of the overrun Dec. 1970–or after.
I am Ron shoemaker. I worked in the TOC. I lost my address book.
Chuck Sankey here. Adv Tm 44 all of 1969. First four months in Rung Sat (Can Gio), was wounded (two months in the hospitals in Vung Tau and Japan) and then spent the last six months at Tm HQ, Gia Dinh. First worked in TOC as watch officer; and, finally as coordinator of PSDF (NYTV) forces in Gia Dinh. Was career US Army officer.
I would love to here from Dan (can’t remember last name) whom I met while on 44 staff. I remember he is from Texas and a community S of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Chuck, how are you. I was the Rural Development Cadre advisor and we shared an office
for a couple months at Gia Dinhj
Jerry: It’s only taken me over a year to see your entry. Just happened t the website for ADV TM 44 site. Yes, I remember you, but not details of your background. And I do not remember too much about what you did.
I became a lifer, spent time in RVN, Lebanon, Liberia, West Point, Fort Carson, Fort Bragg and elsewhere. Spent time flying in F16s, left my career in ruin at Fort Carson, but glad I stayed in. Tell me alittle yourself.
Where are you? Did you have post-Army career?
Mine was in Education and being a thorn in the side of Liberals, and am persona non grata from the local liberal rag in town. Live in Hutchinson, KS, can’t stand the lying and liberalism I am seeing; and, as may be surmised, don’t have many friends. Would love to hear from you.
Chuck Sankey
Chuck… I worked in the Thu Duc TOC 69 70… I’ve been trying to locate Ron Schoemaker.. (Not sure of spelling)… He worked in the GD TOC at nights… Do you remember or have location info… Thanks in advance…
Bob, I had Mat 60 in Thu Duc,70-71 did you go on a opn with me as RTO?
Bruce: Just discovered this site. Not sure if this will catch up to you. I was your assistant for a few months in early to mid summer 1970.
Love to here from you. Pat Maloney
Pat. I worked the TOC in Thu Duc in your time frame…. Remember MAT – 60 my email is bob.odonnell.241@verizon.net email me and I’ll send you mt tel #…… I do remember giving one of the MATs an antenna from the TOC and boy did I catch shit from other team members
I rotated in July 70… Don’t remember going with you, Bowles, Plath , Marechal, Kelly were some of the team members I worked with, but as they say I never left home with out my radio on an operation… remember one airmobile when the slick crew tried to steal one of the ARVAN’s motor bike… …. … I remember giving one of the teams an antenna from the TOC to improve their radio… but not sure of the team… Also I did contact Ron … after 40 years…
Chuck, were you from Arizona. The team leader in Can Gio was a good acquaintance. We were both from AZ. I had either Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with the team in 1969. The RF commander in the area had us drinking a Japanese Whiskey and I flagged the chopper off in favor a boat ride the next morning with the Navy. I spent 12 years active and then 17 years in the Reserves in Montana. Worked for the reserves as a civilian. Went to Desert Storm in ’90-’91. Retired from uniform as an LTC in ’94. Retired in 2004 from the civilian side and moved back to AZ.
I served at Province Team HQ from late ’70 until DEROS in May ’71, after being District Operations Advisor at Binh Chanh. Would like to hear from contemporaries, especially if you have photos, as most of mine were stolen. BTW, had the opportunity to speak with Mr. McKillop a couple of years later at a Foreign Policy Association event. Tony Ambrose
not good with names; Tony what job did you have at Gia Dinh? sorry no pictures; the one person who had loads as pasted and not sure where they went.
Jerry:
Do you remember CPT Dan Gordon from Texas. He was liaison to Con Son Island (NVA prisoner of war settlement.
Chuck Sankey
Chuck, not sure if i had replied to your question on Dan Gordon. i do not recall him but you and i shared an office when you advised PSDF and I RD Cadre. i thinl a couple months at the most.
Tony I was assigned as DSA of Binh Chanh in Jan 72 and served until Jan 73 before joining the Four Party Joint Military Commission. I’m approaching 80 YO now and memory not so sharp. The District Chief, Col ?, lost his foot during an attack on the compound and was replaced about 6 months after I arrived. Little short guy wore glasses. Have many pictures that I will send you if you’ll send your email address. Charlie
Charlie: I’m at aambrose@psu.edu. As I recall, the District Chief when I was there used a nom de guerre, I think it meant “Victory” or “Conquer” or something like that. During the summer of 1970 there was a fire in the home of his deputy and his daughter perished. Some of us tried to get into the house to help her, but flames and smoke kept us from finding her. Shame. Part of the problem was that the DDC had a virtual arsenal of weapons and ammo hidden therein – when this started cooking off it was a real mess. Good to hear from you. Tony
Tony, after thinking of it I feel more certain that I met you at BC the day you left there? And, yes I’m sure that Sfc Henson was the NCO in the bunker to the South of the DSA trailer. After you left I installed a movie theater in the Mess Hall, but as you probably remember the generator had it’s own schedule when to run, and when not to. I can’t remember their names, but while I was assigned there, before converting over to the 4 Party JMC, ost both of them. The first, the one that was there when you were, was injured on an operation, and the second one lost his leg when the compound was attacked in broad d!ay light! The little house girl, Hawn(?) was there until I left, after the Peace Agreement was signed. I was reassigned, after the treaty was signed, to Vinh Long, working with the VC, NVA, and SVN units. A very different way of life. Anyway just wanted to bring back some memories. Oh, yes, we were still hauling water forer the water tower:))
Tony, a couple of questions. First, did you know Dunlap, and that I was informed that he was awarded the Silver Star. Never seen him leave the compound, and understand their was some feelings over the award; and second, do you remember a Captain Johnson assigned to Province Hq and was a college football star?
Tony, I was thinking that you DEROS back to the states when I replaced you at BC? Remember that you departed the District the day that I got there. Remember the house girl “Ha(sp)?” Lost two District Chiefs within the year that I was there from combat wounds. One when the compound was overrun. I have pictures of BC if you’d like; email: charliereed12@sbcglobal.net
My dad Lt. Col David Cartes never spoke of Veitnam, he passed in Aug of 99, reading thru his old papers I found reference to Gia Dinh RDC/O and then in Long An. Does anyone remember him? Would like to hear back, Thanks Fred Cartes
I worked the TOC at the RF/PF outpost
I worked the TOC in Thu duc DROS in July 70… did you know Ron Schoemaker(?)?
I can’t remember him, I left 44 in August 68 we stayed at the Infantry school.
ALAN RAYMOND (sp4) MACV adv tm 44 GIA DINH HQ May 70-71 worked TOC nights
No… only remember ron… as we spoke nightly … this is my email…rodonn1026@aol.com.. drop a private line and I’ll send you my cell # .. I go to the VA in Brooklyn to use the gym and have never ran into any MACV people.. ps I live in NY… would love to talk….
I was with Adv Team 44 from May to Nov 1970. I was attached Provincal Hdqts. and worked for Adam Foti.
I was in Thu Duc and dros in July 70… Did you know Ron Schewmaker? he ran the TOC in Gia Dinh at night and flew Air America ..
Bob, did you know Paul Scharberger ?
Richard, at that time, I worked the RD Cadre program working for John Foti is this the same person? what program did you for?
I’m trying to locate any information regarding Major, HOWCOTT, Henry Grant. My name is Earl and he was my uncle and I’m trying to help his son gather information regarding his dad. So if you knew my Uncle please respond.
Casualty Location: Province code 24. Country code VS.
Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam.
Thanks,
Earl
I knew then Cpt. Howcott at Fort Riley when I was there in the summer of 1963 for two months prior to going to Fort Benning for basic infantry officers training. I would be interested in knowing what happened to him, as he was a fine gentleman and a fine officer
Thanks Frank – Major Henry G. Howcott was my Father – its always good to hear stories about my Father
Don’t know him
Does anyone know Mr. Vernon T. Metcalf? I recently purchased a French MAS 39, with capture papers that indicate that he captured this weapon as a member of MAVC, Advisory Team 44. I would really like to contact him and talk to him about this rifle, if possible. If anyone could help me with this, I would be very grateful.
Thu Duc 69-70…. Bob O’Donnell… rodonn1026@aol.com
I was team 44 medic from jan. 69 to june 69. Our ao was west of Saigon with the pfs. Some of my friends while there, was sgt. Boyd, spec. White, Lt. Lindell, Lt. Fox, Capt. Blackwell was there sometimes, looking for something to eat. There are others that I cannot think of their names all of the time.
I was there 68-69 July team # 44 we stayed at the Infantry school.
Got to the Infintray school in Aug 69… Was the RTO.. took Rankors place… Don’t remember the Doc’s name… we moved from school to Tean house in District HQ. in Sept 69… Some of the names, Bowles, Marcechal(?),Rich Wynn, Maj Michels was co… Send me your phone number to my email address and would love to talk.. OD
I was with MAT 44 from June of 1968; temporary assigned from the 199th LIB and subsequently transferred to MACV command. Located just outside of Saigon at the confluence of the Ben Cat and Saigon River (Go Vap). Transferred to a “hotter spot” south of Saigon (Binh Chanch District) because of personality differences with the new District Advisor!! He was transferred out the next day!!! Rank has its privileges.
I was a member of Advisory Team 44 from November 1968 until November 1969. Upon arrival Colonel Herbert was in charge and subsequently replaced by Foreign Service Officer Charles S. Whitehouse who later became the American Ambassador to Laos and Thailand. Team 44 was located in Gia Dinh Province, outside of Saigon. Team 44 had MATs located in Thu Duc, Nhe Be, Rung Sat Special Zone to name of few. I served with Major Willis, Master Sergeant Fletcher etc..
Thank you T.A.
As a 1lt (John D. Stone, I assumed command of MATIII-55 in Thu Duc while you were with Team 44, but after more than a year in the field, Col. Herbert allowed me to come in from the cold in the fall of 1969. As a Captain I became the Senior RF/PF advisor in Gia Dinh, and lived at the Team 44 Team house near Tan Sun Nuht. Did we meet?
We probably did. You fine officers lived in a nice house which u believe was a house for some countries embassy personnel. Visited there a few times to enjoy the outdoor swimming pool. I was the NCOIC of the Administrative Section for our Advisory Team.
I was with the Thu Duc team # 44 from 1968 -1968 July
Col Herbert was replaced by David Holmes McKillop who was a Foreign Services Officer 1, not sure when his tour ended as i left in April 1971. He went on to become an adviser for Senator Pell of RI.