MACV Team 73 – Vi Thanh – Chuong Thien.
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MACV Teams 
I was with team 73 in late 1971 to 1972, I remember a major Maddox and Lt wildey, I was Lt Crable my memory is hazy anyone remember any of those I mentioned?
Bill,
I maintain a list of those who served on Advisory Team 58/73 in Chuong Thien Province. I have MAJ Maddox on the roster but not you or LT Widley.
My roster contains about 550 names and has some who were there at the same time you were. If you are interested, please give me a call at: 217.553.4498 and leave a message. I will call you back ASAP.
John S. Raschke
Vi Thanh 1969-1970
Team 73 August 1969 to October 1971. S-2 at Vi Thanh. COs were LTC LeVasseur and LTC Meese.
I was there summer of 69,jackgarland spc 4 signal commenter Sgt hall mousie,chief many have passed
I was there from 1969 to 1970. I ran the air field my commander was ltc lavasiur
Hello, my name is Donald Bowers, I was in the Phoenix program from Nov’68 thru Jan’70, sorry I don’t remember those I served with, but it was Advisory team 73, located in Vi Thanh, Choung Thien Province. I was a Spec 4, helped develop hundreds of targets used to search out local VC. Went out to each of the 5 districts to gather info with my Lt. and Capt. if anyone remembers me, let me know
I remember you well. I was Province Phoenix Advisor from May, 1969-May1960. Get in touch with John Raschke and become part of his contact list. Harvey Weiner
Don, Please contact me as I’d like to link you up with CPT Harvey Weiner, whose life you saved on Jan 21, 1970 when you took a wrong turn and another jeep assumed the lead. That jeep was subquently blown up by a VC mine with several KIA and WIA. John Raschke (Province Engineer Advisor Chuong Thien Province Jul 69-Jun 70). You can reach me at: foxwilson01@gmail.com
I remember you well. Please get in touch with John Raschke and get on his contact list. Foxwilson01@gmail.com Harvey Weiner, Cpt. Province Phoenix Coordinator.
Need to see all the pictures of the teams in Dongtam, Chuongthien, Binhthuy Cantho VN
I was a Marine, based for a few months in 1971 with the MacV team at ViTanh, as the navel gunfire spotter for the ARVIN 21st . I think the C.O. was a light bird named Shaffer, (call sign Cupcake), and the X.O. was a Major Moffett. Anybody out there remember any of this?
I do remember this. I was in Vi Thanh until October 1971
Reminder to former Advisory Team 73 members that our next reunion will be July 23-26, 2020 in Springfield, IL. If you’d like more information, please contact me at: foxwilson01@gmail.com
Greetings; just came across this post while doing some research for some writings I am doing about my tour in RVN flying Huey’s for the 18th Avn Co, aka “Green Deltas”, out of Can Tho. I had a short tour of only five months, as the war came to a close following the cease-fire.
I did fly numerous missions in support of the US Advisors located in every delta province, including Vi Thanh, in Chung Thieu Province, from Nov 72 – Jan 73; was curious if you have any members who were advisors at Vi Thanh, or any other MR IV locations, during those last few months?
Welcome home & have a great reunion!
John M. Harris
CW5, US Army (Ret)
“Green Delta 19”
I was the Operations/Intelligence Advisor to Duc Long District, Chuong Thien Province for 6 months before receiving a direct appointment to warrant and then transferred to the 11th GS Company of the 1st Cav. I think we had more pilots and aircraft in the 11th GS than the entire air force had at the time.
Did you ever pilot the C & C Huey for the MacV team in ViTanh?
Navy seal located inside of Macv compound at Vithanh and I ‘s there from 1971-73
John,
I just found out that you have a book out. I remember our time going thru pre Viet Nam training courses with you. Good memories. I will get a copy of your book from Amazon. Hope all is well with you,
John R Halfmoon
John Halfmoon, Please contact me; I’d like to catch up on the last 54 years since our time at Biggs Field with our Vietnamese language training. You can get me at: foxwilson01@gmail.com
Looking for info on a battle that took place on 11 Dec 1964 in Duc long
Jim,
I recommend you go to the site macvteams.org/team-58. (Team 58 was the predecessor of Team 74-both headquartered in Vi Thanh.) There is really quite a bit of info out there, including the ambush of the ARVN troops coming out of Vi Thanh, the death of CPT King and the capture at the same time of MSG Johnson. In fact a subscriber to that site is Will King who knows a lot about that action.
Hope this helps
Anyone know CAPT. John D. Shepherd? I believe he served in MAT 73 in 1971. Thank you.
LTC Leonard Kergosien
I am an AF Veteran doing some research on my Uncle Frank Sherille, Army, First Sergent Advisory Team 73, 1969. Chuong Thien.
He served under Col Thomas LeVasseur, Jr
I have a letter of appreciation from Sr. Marine Advisor w. M. Zuyen.
Tom,
I served in Vi Thanh on Team 73 and remember your uncle. He was the team’s First Sergeant.
Is Frank still with us? Last I thought I knew he was in California
John Raschke
John – Sorry, I just saw this and would love to connect with you if that could work out. Frank passed away in his 80’s of brain cancer, but lived a great life after his Army career. He owned several Shell Stations in Salinas CA, and ran them like a First SGT for sure – he became one of the top Shell Oil Stations in the country.
Was there from may 69 to Sept signal under sergeant Hall
Jack, I assume you were assigned to the 52nd Signal Battalion at the time you were attached to Advisory Team 73 in Vi Thanh, Chuong Thien Province. I have contact with some of the members of the 52nd, but not SGT Hall.
Hello,
I’m hoping someone to find someone who might be able to help me with some research I’m doing on my Vietnam service OCT 1970 – SEP 71 .
My name is Stephen Abney, and I was a Sergeant in Vietnam, OCT 1970 – SEP 71 with HHC of the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, First Aviation Brigade. I was in charge of airfields at Rách Gia and Vi Thanh, IV Corps. I was first attached to MACV Advisory Team 73 at Vi Thanh and then to MACV Advisory Team 55 in Rách Gia .
I am looking for someone who could put me in touch with or who has knowledge of MACV Advisory Teams 73 and 55 and/or my unit when I was in Vietnam either HHC of the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, First Aviation Brigade 1970-71, or 13th CAB Personnel for the time period I was stationed at airfields in Can Tho, Vi Thanh, and Rách Gia. I would particularly like to find the CO or 1st Sergeant for HHC (or anyone else) or any of the pilots in the 13th CAB to see if they’re still around and would know of my CO or first sergeant.
Some of my recollections of Vietnam are not so clear after all these years, but I left Oakland in October 1970 and flew to Bin Hoa Air Base and from there left for Camp Alpha at Long Binh. From there I was sent south to Can Tho to a holding company. A first sergeant came through after I had been there a few days and asked for volunteers for a job running airfields. I ended up in a helicopter unit, HHC of the 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, First Aviation Brigade, and was sent first to Vi Thanh where I lived in the MACV Team 73 compound with other GI’s and officers and a Navy SEAL team stationed there and their other related personnel. During the time when I was in charge of the airfield at Vi Thanh the United States was going through the institution of the Vietnamization Program where we were turning over all assets to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam so I had a lot of ARVN personnel at the airfield who worked for me. But basically I had about a half a dozen GIs who worked for me at Vi Thanh and about the same number later when I was reassigned to the airfield at Rách Gia. We refueled and re-armed all helicopter and fixed wing traffic coming into those two airfields. I managed JP4 storage and ammo dumps and the airfield operations at both of these airfields. There may have been some air traffic control at Vi Thanh but there wasn’t any at Rách Gia.
I am looking for anyone in MACV Teams 55 or 73 who may have known the CO or 1st Sergeant for HHC of the 13th CAB and specifically to see if anyone has any recollection of my being stabbed in the back on the city street in Rách Gia in 1971. I seem to recall my CO’s name was Whorton or Morton and had a Captain America helmet he wore sometimes and flew a Kiowa. I was stabbed by a Vietnamese guy riding on the back of a Honda 50 as I was walking down the street with a couple guys in my unit. As they came by, the VC stabbed me in the left shoulder, and then they kept going. Best I recall I was treated in Rách Gia and later flown out of Rách Gia into Can Tho where they fixed me up. For whatever reason, it is not in my medical records. I do not recall going back to Rách Gia after that, but shortly thereafter I left for home in September 1971 and separated from the Army as an E-5 sergeant.
If you know anything about my unit or the MACV Team 73 or 55 during the time when I was there, I would appreciate it if you would get back to me or forward my name and contact information to anyone else you might have known me in Team 73 or 55 or the13th CAB and who might be able to help me.
I see there is a scheduled reunion of those who served in Chuong Thien Province, Vietnam, Advisory Team 58 and its successor, Advisory Team 73 in San Antonio, TX the 17-20 May, 2018. Is this still open to attend? I would like to attend if possible.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you can help me or if there is any one you know who I can contact. I’d love to visit with you.
Thank you for any help you can provide. I have a number of photos from both assignments, and I’d love to share those if there is any interest.
Here is my contact information:
seabney@comcast.net
Best regards to all,
Stephen Abney
2010 Crisfield Drive
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Sergeant – Vietnam
US Army
1970-1971
281-414-2924 (cell)
281-565-3152 (home)
Hi, My name is Jeff and I am 46 years old and a historian for the Vietnam war. I am looking for information for anyone who knew George Walker Jr from Swanton VT. He was part of Team 73 and was killed on May 26,1970. I am on a committee that is working on dedicating a bridge to him in his home town on Memorial day this year. His family will be attending so I would also invite anyone here that would like to attend the dedication.
Thanks for your time,
Welcome Home
Jeff
My E mail vtdeucedriver@yahoo.com
Jeff,
I may be able to help. Over the past 10+ years, I have tried to find and contact everyone who served in Chuong Thien from the beginning of the advisory effort until early 1973 when all advisors left the province. Regarding SFC Walker, I was serving on Advisory Team 73 when he was killed in action on May 26, 1970. By the records I have acculumated, I show that SFC Walker was the medic on MAT (Mobile Advisory Team) 56 when he was KIA by a land mine explosion. MAT 56 at the time was located in Chuong Thien Province, and received their support from Advisory Team 73; though, officially they did not “belong” to Team 73. MAT 56 was technically an asset of IV Corps.
The MAT 56 team leader at the time, May 26, 1970 was LT Stephen Glueck. Unfortunately, Mr. Glueck died in California in 1986. I have contact with another member of MAT 56 who may have been present at the time SFC Walker was KIA. I say may, since he arrived in Vietnam in April 1970 and may or may not have reached the MAT at the time of SFC Walker’s death.
In collecting names and contact information from former members, I promise not to share this information with outside persons/agencies. I may be able to contact this former lieutenant and see if he would be willing to help. For such a noble effort as you are organizing, I hope so.
Before I attempt the contact, I would like to discuss this with you, and ask that you contact me at: foxwilson01@gmail.com
I got to Team 73 a few months after Walker was killed. He and a SFC Lee Vance were out with a group of CIDG – I think they were since there were no regular ARVN forces there when I arrived. He was walking across a small bridge when a command detonated mine went off, badly injuring his lets, according to Vance who I assume medivac him.
SGT Lee Cary
Served with tm 73 1972
My brother, Glen Page, was with Adv Tm 73 in 1971-72. We were both in country same time.
He’s still kicking but doesn’t do email. wpage1@att.net
Was there in Aug 69,52signal under Sergent hall,remember mouser and Jerry m.
Jack-please contact me direct as I can hook you up with some of your fellow 52nd Signal buds who served with you. I was a MACV LT and was there July 69-Jun 70. I have a list of ~520 solidiers, civilians and ARVN who served in Chuong Thien Province over the years 64-73. foxwilson01@gmail.com
Hi John was u there in August ,I.remember a young Lt. Being killed and a Sergent Thay were brought in together and we had a service for them.Very sad can’t forget.Maybe we meet can’t recall ,I do remember two or three people from 52 ND I was a comcenter specailest seat in air conditioned box,much incoming at night.There was only 7 OR8 of us in signal.So what names u have
Jack, Yes, I was there when LT Donaway and SFC Ard from MAT 54 were killed in an ambush north of Vi Thanh and attended their memorial service on the MACV Compound. Several weeks later, LT Donaway’s replacement, LT Stephen Young, was KIA on an operation I participated in.
Several 52nd Signal names I have contact infromation on are: SGT Paul Anderson, SGT Joe Bragiel, SP4 Floyd Crow (decesased), SP4 Grant Halverson (deceased), SSG Odel Humphrey (deceased), SP5 Bob Madison, SP4 James Murray, SP4 Ted Rosinski (deceased), and SP4 Don Tancredi. I also have contact info on some MACV soldiers you may have worked with or known during your tour.
Were you there when the new commo bunker was built back near the parking lot? Would like to talk to you, so please contact me on my personal e-mail site shown above.
SSG Ramos, I believed we worked together in 1971 as paramilitary forces advisors; Co Xinh was our office interpreter/translator and Mr. Ha was our field interpreter…hope you got your CIB–I recall you being shot at more than once…Manny, good to hear from you and Bill Forkner, my co-conspirator trying to start the RVAF C-119 that had a bad landing and ground looped…we were just going to taxi it clear of the overrun and probably could have if we’d had a couple less beers…Bill, sorry I missed you flying out of Houston that day–maybe we can get together at the 2017 reunion. I don’t know if it was the same Major Borrego, but there was an Evelio Borrego cited as a Bay of Pigs returnee and retired military officer killed in Latin America about 1992-3…he had participated in the hunt for Che Guevera and was later killed in Paraguay, I believe, working for the three letter agency…got that from a book on clandestine operations but can’t remember the title…Eric Ohlsson, Deptuty DSA at Duc Long, as I recall, was murdered in northern Virginia Thanksgiving 2016 by four contractors that were working for him (robbery attempt). All but one captured and the killer has been identified and in custody; this came from then Major, now General (four star) David Maddox (Retired)–our operations officer boss…Does anybody remember the SEAL Platoon POW camp raid that went so wrong in 1971…the 7/1st Air Cav lift element landed in the wrong province and things unspooled very quickly. /
Bill Jordan, I hope you remember me. My name is Keith LeBlanc and I was in Vi Thanh with the 73rd advisory team from November 1970 through October 1971. You actually went on a couple of ops with me and members from the seal team. Charlie Phillips was my partner and a major who went on to retire from Delta force. I have stayed in touch with members of the seal team and Charlie Phillips. I know Charlie Phillips was involved with Steve Merlino after his death. I would love to get in touch with some of the guys that were there when we were there. My email is keithleblanc@comcast.net.
Ross, I saw your reply to Tommy Highnote and would be interested in talking to you. I got your name and that of SSG George K. “Sonny” Turner on a Chuong Thien personnel roster dated Nov 25, 1972 given to me by Corless Mitchell.
Over the past 9-10 years, I have been trying to locate those militray, civilian, and ARVN who served in the province from 1964-1973. Hope to hear from you at: foxwilson01@gmail.com
I am MAJ Carl S Merlino’s brother in law COL Alexander E Rodi retired Air Force. If you have any information about MAJ Merlino please contact me. He was a very close member of the family since my wife raised him from the age of 9. My email is arodi1928@gmail.com.
Try Contacting Steve Isenberg. Steve is an officer that served with Major Merlino. I am sure that he told me about Merlino. I was in s-2 from Aug 1969 – Oct 1971 in Vi Thanh. sjisenberg@comcast.net
Thank you!
Hello everyone,
Thank you so much for your information. I am a college student and had misplaced the link to the website to check up on any replies to my posts. I will be following up on your comments as soon as possible, now that I have graduated, but I greatly appreciate your information.
My email address is srehrig1992@gmail.com. If anyone has any information or pictures that they would like to share or would like to get in contact with me about Maj. Merlino, please feel free to do so.
Thank you,
Samantha
See you next monrh
Bruce Solberg,
I have been to Monti Caylor’s website in the past (not lately), and find it helpful. Also, I will look for the book you mention.
I would like to add your contact infiormation to the Chuong Thien Province Advisors spreadsheet I maintain, and place you on a somewhat regular update I e-mail out. I also have a Facebook page under the same name as above, and if you want to post your pics, you can do it there (just ask to be admitted). Please contact me at foxwilson01@gmail.com. If you give me a phone number in the e-mail, I will give you a call and let you know what this is about.
On my spreadsheet I have several other “Shotgun” and USAF O-1 pilots and their contact info.;
John: i tried your e mail address above but google did not recognize it?? i cut and pasted it also.
bruce
Bruce,
You can call me at 217.553.4498 or send me your phone number and I’ll call you.
I should be able to put you in contact with someone who knew of the circumstances of SFC Sanut’s death. Will research and get back to you when I return home.
Barb Ard, We’ve talked before. I will call you and see if I can you as well.
John S. Raschke
I must apologize. So many things have happened lately, including losing my father. I looked through my notes and just couldn’t remember who I had contacted. Gob bless you for your service and your hard work in keeping the veteran’s bond going.
What is the app or website to upload and share my photos to ?
I’ve heard the the strain of agent orange can be terrible on the body. I’m sorry for you loss as well. God bless.
I wish you luck. I’m still searching for anyone who might have known my father-in-law, Howard Carlton Ard. He died in Viet Nam in 1969. He was a medic. Best wishes.
Thank you. I’m sorry about the loss of your father-in-law. My father was with the 299th Engineer Bn in Pleiku in 1968-1969. He came home safely but died of Parkinson’s disease related to Agent Orange exposure in early 2014.
I worked with him on many operations. He was agreat soldier and abetted person! I left on August 10 1969.i probably would have been with him on the 18th..I am sorry for your loss
I am a retired Army Nurse and I am collecting information for a book on service members from Hawaii County (the Big Island) who died in Vietnam. If anyone has information about SFC Alfredo Sanut, who was born in Hawaii but whose family settled in Louisiana near Ft. Polk, would you please contact me? I’m looking for photos, remembrances, an obituary or any other information. He died on 10-2-70 in Chuong Thien of “non-hostile” causes “related to mines,” according to official documents. My email address is brinklaw@aol.com.
Thank you.
SFC Sanut was killed when a lightning strike detonated a claymore mine that he was standing in front of. I was an advisor on TM 73 during that time frame.
Thank you so very much. My husband didn’t know his dad was known as Doc Ard. It means so much to us to hear from someone who KNEW him. Please feel free to send us any “stories” you think of. We are sharing this information with our children and grandchildren as well; we want them to know their grandfather was a loyal soldier. Thank you again and God bless. If you ever have need to get in touch with us, we can be reached at James–803-609-4402 or Barb–803-609-6935. Thank you for your response and your service to our country.
I served with “doc” until I left on August 10th 1969. Ian sure I would have been with him on the18th.he was an extremely brave soldier. He was also a good friend.i am sorry for your loss!
There will be an Advisory Team 58/73 reunion June 9-12, 2016 in Washington, DC. If you want more information, please contact John S. Raschke at foxwilson01@gmail.com
COL Warnock, please contact me.
The correct e-mail is foxwilson01@gmail.com
I recognize some of your names, and had Maj Evilio Borrego fly in my backseat a few times. I was Shotgun 43 then, for my last three months from july-sept in 1971, after a 6 month stint in ca mau as shotgun 41 with team 80, and then signal officer of the 214th cab in vinh long for 3 months , i went to vithan due to a shortage of pilots as there were no replacements at the time…the 221st closed down in october 71, i left 29 sept 71 and flew three missions my last day, mostly in support of the 21st ARVN division, or SOG ops.
I remember one day borrego came in with the brim of his had shot partially off when his night camp was hit……..his comment was , that needed to dig his fox hole a little deeper next time. Apparently he would dig a trench next to where he slept, and it was a bit shallow.
As i recall, Choung Thien was #1 hess rating at the time: mostly controlled by the vc. Anyway, when there life was never dull. the VC had miniguns set up 5 klicks west of the airfield at the time. I lived downdown next to the market with the other pilot at the time, Tom Henson, and Williams, our crew chief. I think some of the team also may have lived there. Most of my activities were with the 21st arvn division, intel and others. I have some photos of Vi Than posted on 221st RAC website, but you will need permission from the webmaster Monte Caylor to view…..I passed all originals on to texas tech vietnam archive.
Bruce Solberg , aka shogun 43 at the time. July -sept 29 1971.
Bruce, please contact me as I am collecting contact information on those who served or supported Advisory Team 58/73 throughout Chuong Thien Province. I was there July 69-June 70.
John S. Raschke 217.553.4498
John:
i only look at these in the wintertime , so sorry for the late reply.
In Wisconsin, it is white, below freezing, and winter now. We are leaving for San Diego shortly.
As I understand the roles within MACV , I was attached to team 73 my last three months there….I was at ca amau the first 6 months, and was SOI i recall, vs SOG, i I was attached vs an assigned part of team 80 reporting to a COl. Franklin there. . Perhaps , considering my last name, some might have thought i was also SOL:)
If you can get access from Monte Caylor (221st website manager) there are some Vi Than photos there. I could not copy and paste them here, as evidently, your website does not allow it.
I have just downloaded an amazon book by another birddog pilot i have met, Dave McGowan, , Delta shotgun which is a good read on what we did, and covers the area that you also covered.
As i came to Vi Than for my last three months, It was a difficult choice….I could have remained at the 214th battalion as signal officer, doing nothing, or fill in for departing pilots, and take over my area in the U-Minh again which i did. My mother might not have approved, but it might not have gone well for a newbie in my ao.
If you need verification with Monte….let me know…
Bruce Solberg , Shotgun 43 at the time.
Tommy/Samantha, The October 1971 incident you are talking about is the ambush of MAJ Carl Merlino and the Kien Thien District Chief. I don’t know the particulars about the incident, just that the event happened and both were KIA.
Tommy/Samantha: I was on Team 73, Kein Hung Phoenix Advisor, when MaJ Merlino was killed. As I recall, he and the Kein Thien district chief were leading a reaction force in response to an attack on an ARVN outpost. The VC attacked the outpost, and then fell back and set up an ambush to hit the reaction force (a common tactic at the time). Their tactic worked, and they wiped out the reaction force. MAJ Merlino was the only American with the force.
I am searching for anyone who might have known my husband’s father, SFC HOWARD CARLTON ARD. He served with this team in 1967-68. He was killed in August of 1968. He left behind a wife (who never got over losing him) and six children under the age of 13. My husband James served 26 years in the Army and retired as a SGM. Because he and his younger siblings don’t remember much about their dad it would be great to hear from someone who served with him. Please contact me at BarbArd07@aol.comB or my husband JamesDArd925@aol.com. Thank you ALL for your service to our country. God bless, Barbara Ard.
The Doc Ard I knew was KIA in August of 1969 I think, I was the Operations Intelligence Advisor for Duc Long District and he was the medic for Mobile Advisory 54 or 59 (I can’t remember which). We used to meet while on operations from time to time. As I recall he would have retired upon completion of this tour in Vietnam. I’ll never forget his favorite saying, “What’d I say?. This was always jokingly. A fine soldier.
I was in the same Prov (state) District) County As A maj Madero (I Thought long time past < Maybe wrong name ) But this one was ambushed along with Dist. chief, MyTeam was at Air field Waiting to go on our mission or React To this , When word about the Deaths came in , Was there when the bodies were brought in !
I know there was debate over if it was friendly fire or not. From the stories I’ve heard, he was supposed to be leaving soon to go home and went out on a mission because he knew the area better and ended up getting killed instead. I don’t know if that’s true but that’s what I’ve been told.
I want to make sure we’re talking about same person ! if he was in team 73 approx. Oct 1971 it was not friendly fire ! Can anyone confirm position in Chung thinh prov Team73 Vi Thanh The wall description said Bac lieu Prov ? Still my have name wrong !( but been long time )
An officer that served with Maj Merlino was Steve Isenberg. Try contacting him by email: sjisenberg@comcast.net I use to be intouch with Isenberg and he told me about Merlino. I myself served on Team 73 from Aug 1969 – Oct 1971
That was Major Steve Merlino, District Senior Advisor, Kien Thien.
Hello,
I’m looking for anyone who might have known Carl Steven Merlino. He was my grandmother’s cousin and I’ve always been curious if I could make some kind of connection with someone. Based on what I could find on ancestry.com, he was killed Oct. 17th, 1971.
Thank you for your service. I’m hoping someone knew him.
Was He a Major And Dist senior Advisor Duc Long Dist ?
I know he was a major but I don’t know much more than that.
And I’ve heard stories that he did intelligence. He was from Hammonton NJ
http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/33592/CARL-S-MERLINO
Ms. Rehrig,
My name is Manuel G. Trevino and I presently reside in San Antonio, TX. I served at Advisory Team 73, Mobile Advisory Team (MAT) 110, in Vi Thanh and knew Maj Merlino. I stayed at his district headquarters for some days during my tour. I was also at Vi Thanh when he died.
He and his Vietnamese counterpart were lured away from the district headquarters by a minor firefight and then ambushed by a larger VC unit. I was at Vi Thanh when he was brought into the US compound.
I have seen his name on the Vietnam Memorial at Washington, DC,
I will search my pictures and see if I have a picture of the time I spent at Major Merlino’s head quarters.
Feel free to contact me.
My contact information is: 210-684-6508 home, 210-219-1425 cell.
8234 Meadow Sun St.
San Antonio, TX 78251
Could not have said it better ! Iwas not sure about The name ( I m getting older ) Iwas with Mat 58 and was on the airfield when bodies were returned
Hi Samantha,
I was a province operations adviser in Choung Thien Province in 1971 and 1972. Major Merlino was the Kien Thien District Senior Adviser (DSA). I remember playing poker with him at Vi Thanh just before he was killed in combat. I think we called him “Lenny.” I was told that when he was out on an operation, an M79 round burst behind him and a small fragment penetrated the back of his skull, fatally wounding him.
DSAs were specially trained and Vietnamese language proficient. But when one was on leave or absent, I frequently filled in for from 1 to 3 weeks. I did so at Kien Thien until a trained DSA replacement was available. The district headquarters was a typical triangular mud fort. The US team had a hutment and bunker at one of the corners. The team consisted of a major, a captain, and a sergeant. The later two were charged with identifying the VC infrastructure under Operation Phoenix.
Travel in the Province was by helicopter or boat (Sampan). Roads were basically nonexistent. I remember traveling with the District Commander, LTC Thanh, to the area where Major Merlino died. En route, we stopped at a Hamlet where we were shown a dead VC with a rope around his neck tied to a palm tree and an unlit cigarette in his lips. We were told that he was the leader of the unit that had led the attack. Of course there was no way to evaluate this story.
I noted that the canal in the area of the attack was labelled “Cong My” on my map. I asked Sergeant Triet, our interpreter, what that meant, and he replied “Kill Americans.” It was not friendly territory.
I consider myself very lucky because I went all over the district by sampan and received not a scratch. After about 3 weeks, a trained DSA arrived, and he got 2 Purple Hearts in his first month in Kien Thien. The VC even attacked the District compound, and an RPG round blew up a propane tank used to run the team refrigerator. The team house burned down and the bunker burned as well. The new DSA shot and killed 3 VC who were inside the team house, and the team had to exit the burning bunker through the front firing port and run to the Vietnamese operations bunker. They were left with their weapons, helmets, flak jackets, and in their underwear–but with their lives.
Colonel Warnock – I doubt you remember me, Cpt William Forkner, RF/PF Advisor, Team 73 and worked directly for you, I think – I happened upon this site quite by chance today and was delighted to find your name and the address of Manuel Trevino with whom I also served. I remember Maj Merlino very well and the tragic circumstances surrounding the ambush that killed him and the District Chief – I don’t remember if you were present but several of us were watching a film in LTC Meese’s complex when the attack took place – I went to the TOC and spoke vis radio with Maj Merlino prior to him leaving the compound – will you be attending the reunion in Washington D.C. this June? My youngest son is an Air Force Capt and stationed in the general area so I plan on visiting him as well as the Saturday night dinner – hope to see you there-
Best Regards,
Bill Forkner
Manny, good to hear you and Bill Forkner again, count me and my wife Janna in for the reunion…
Bill Jordan
173 2nd Avenue West
Calvert City, KY 42029 (Winter-Spring)
9543 Packer John Road
Cascade, Idaho 83611 (Summer-Fall)
Cell 703-298-2167
Ms Rehrig. I was privileged to know Major Merlino during his service in Panama, before going to VN. He was a great fellow and I have always been sorry for his loss.
Hello there: My name is Raymond Spirlet. I worked for Major Steve Merlino, He rarely used “Carl”. I have sent messages to his son, but have never received a reply back. His son is now a retired USAF pilot. My email is: Pathfynder68@yahoo.com The Major was a brave soldier that was well respected by all that knew him.
Ray, I sent you an email but just incase the mail system classifies it as junk, my contact info is steve.merlino@hotmail.com and my cell number is 478-955-8855
Hello – my name is Bill Forkner – I was the Province RF/PF Advisor in Vi Thanh and knew Maj Merlino very well – I was trying to get reassigned to his District so I could work for him – he was the greatest – please feel free to contact me any time – I would love to talk with you Samantha
Bill, I would love to hear about your time with my Dad. Steve Merlino (cell: 478-955-8855)
I just found this site and happened to read your post of March 12 2015. Major Carl Stephen Merlino was Senior Advisor in Kien Thien District Choung Thien Province. He was very dedicated to his job and to Col Phep his Counter Part. He was killed in an ambush attempting to get into an outpost after an all night attempt by the VC to over run the outpost. Robert H. Geddings MSG USA RETIRED
Was on MAT teams 17-65 Sa-Dec 1969 !
Vi Thanh jun 1971 – jun 1972 mat 56 then ops intel long me dist
Tommy, I remember you. I Was in Kien Hung, as Phoenix advisor, Deputy District Senior Advisor, and District Senior Advisor. My ops sergeant was SSgt Sonny Turner, and one of the best NCOs I had the privilege to serve with. Our Proverbial Senior Advisor was LTC John Meese, AKA, the meanest SOB in the valley.
Ross – I was in Kein Hung Nov 68-March 69, prior to that I was with 9th Div. When were you in Kein Hung? Gary Burgard, Sgt – E5
Ross-this is Jim Lincoln (now Colonel,Retired!) I recently came across some pics and info about our team-sorry it took so long! I was District advisor from about nov 71-Nov 72-do you have all the names of the guys who were here? I am embarrassed I cant remember them all!
Like to hear from you-where do you live??
also,hope John Raschke sees this also
thanks Jim
HELP!! due to bad computer skills,I somehow unsubscribed to the site I just signed up to-MACV Teams–can you please fix this??!! thanks Jim Lincoln
Jim-I’ve been looking for you for quite some time. Please give me a call at 217.553.4498 at your convenience.
John Raschke
John-great talking with you–look forward to getting in contact with others from Team 73–been too long!
Jim
Ross-trying again to contact you–we were together in Kien Hung-I just found a great pic of you,me and Sgt Turner in front of the Kien Hung district sign–let’s get in touch–
Was assigned to Mat 58 2 man team in june 1971 then ops intel long me Dist Jan 72 to Jun 72 previous sadec prov mats 17& 65 Jun 1969 – 1970 !
John: You have everything on me. Hope to see you soon. Bill
Was at team 58 aug 67 till aug 68
I was an assistant S-3 advisor under Major Borrego in Vi Thanh. I gave the S-3 briefings at night. I visited all four districts early in my tour. CPT Lockhart, S-4 advisor was my room mate in the CIA compound. I remember going on a couple of PF camp moves, and an RF company move. I also remember the nightly volleyball games, the movies (I saw the movie PATTON with several of our counterparts.) I was medically transferred to the 519th MI Battalion as a company commander just after Christmas 1970 (severe asthma). CPT Robert Romero was the S-2 advisor. COL Lavasseur’s wife came to the province during Christmas 1970. I got sick on the New Years cake provided by our counterparts. Made calls home from the MARS station. Met Bob Feller (a famous baseball pitcher from the 1950’s – he was on a USO tour with another ballplayer (last name Nash). Rumor was the seal team took Nash into town one night. Flew in and out of the air field more than a few times.
James, please contact me via e-mail at: foxwilson1@aol,com
Robert/Johnny,
I also served on Advisory Team, #73 from Jul 69 to Jun 70 under LTC LeVasseur. I have a list of approximately 430 military and civilian personnel who served in Chuong Thien Province during the enitre advisory effort. On this list, I have contact information on about one-fourth of these names with about another 1/6th have passed on. If you would liike to have your information added and get a copy of the list, please send me an e-mail and I’ll get in touch with you.
Robert, I have you in the list w/o contact information, having received your name from Mal Zellefrow abd Walt Reese.
Johnny-I have your name also and show you were with the 52nd Signal BN. I think I go it from Don Tancredi.
Also, we have a reunion the November (2014).
Hope to hear from you both.
John
I served in VI THANH from 1968 t0 1970. D Company 52sig BN. My name is James Murray. I remember Zellefrow S2 and Tancredi.
James, please contact me via e-mail at: foxwilson1@aol,com regarding your time in Vi Thanh with the 52nd Signal.
Can’t believe it has taken me 2 years to reply. Since my post, I have moved from California to Wyoming where my daughter and grandsons live – and have been very busy. My email is: jiminbako@gmail.com
Jim,
Back home after our team reunion in Washington. I will send you a note at your e-mail address.
I remember you well. Thanks for the poster of Paul Newman that you sent me while I was still in Nam. It hung proudly on our door. Contact me anytime mrzellefrow@verizon.net.
Assigned to MACV team 97 canto vietnam 1970 thru 1971 and further assigned to province
Team 73 at vi thanh with col lavasure province commander and further assigned MAT team 55 and 56 PSDF. And a SEAL team was also on our compound.
Hey Sergeant Ramos. I played poker with you in Vi Thanh. I was with Sergeant Tilman Rome in the Comm bunker from Dec 70 – Jun 71. Good chow there. Good people.
Johnny, please contact me via e-mail at: foxwilson1@aol,com regarding Advisory Team 73
Robert, please contact me via e-mail at: foxwilson1@aol,com regarding Advisory Team 73.
Ramos,
Are you still in the Islands? 1SG Miller and I lived on the other side of the wall from you. I worked in the Admin section. Also played cards with you.
Barb – I was with the Duc Long District Team as a Sergeant First Class. Doc Ard was with a MAT (Mobile Advisory Team – 2 Man) and was also a Sergeant First Class. We saw each other from time to time but we were rarely together for anything more than short periods of time and in those times, as it always is, only small talk took place. I went on R&R in Singapore and when I returned to Long Binh (Saigon area) I received my commission to Warrant Officer. I then returned to Vi Thanh for my personal effect I landed at Vi Thanh only to find the bodies of Doc Ard and his Lieutenant at the air strip. It was a sad day but I can’t help but recall the ANGER that came over me. Doc was a good soldier. I only hope that when I am gone those left behind will remember me as a GOOD SOLDIER. That must have been about 17 or 18 August as I was commissioned on 16 August. The last time I talked with him we were a part of a larger operation and met up with his company and while we were visiting my company just happened to be moving away. I had to run to catch up with my guys and I remember Doc thinking that it was funny. Come to think of it, I thought it was funny as well. One remembers the humorous times and I’m sure he remembered it as well. “What’d I Say”? I can still hear that saying even through some 45 years that have gone by. He is certainly remembered. My email address is billcovey@cox.net.
Robert, please get in touch with me, I have contact with one of your former teammates from MAT 56, LT Ricketts. Walt Reese said he thought you are living in Florida. I also have contact info on other Chuong Thien Province members. My e-mail is: foxwilson01@gmail.com
That would have been 10th platoon, SEAL Team 2 from Dec 1970 to June 71. They were the last SEAL Team 2 platoon to operate in VN. The OIC/2IC was Ltjg Ganoung and Ltjg Kirkwood.
I was a Marine Corp Navel Gunfire F.O, assigned to the 21st and 31st ARVIN battalions in 1971 and 1972. We were not on the actual army base, but lived with the Arvins on their firebase between missions. I remember a lt. COL. named Shafer, and his call sign was CUPCAKE. His XO was a black major named Moffett. There was a capt. Mitchell and a capt. Ludwig in the mix of army MacV officers on either the 21st or 31st firebase.
Does anyone remember me or any of the men I just mentioned. My callsign was Rivermud 26 Wiskey.
I can be reached at email:
floridabuzzman@gmail.com, or at the DAV chapter 82 office in Port Charlotte FL:
davrlc@yahoo.com
Col Mitchell is my grandfather! I am trying to see if I can find his or army uniform he donated maybe 10 years ago and found these threads. It’s been so neat seeing him mentioned in some of these posts. Thank you all for your services 🤍
I remember being on a couple of operations with a Capt. MITCHELL in 71 and 72, on a MacV team out of the 21st Arvn unit outside of ViTanh. I wonder if this was your grandfather. I remember him being a smaller built guy.