MACV Team 78 – Phouc Tuy.
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MACV Teams 
Hi Guys, from Ernie Chamberlain (LT – 1 ATF rep in the Baria PIOCC 1969, Viet linguist – and Van Kiep resident). I’ve written several non-commercial books on the NVA/VC in Phuoc Tuy (ie on D445 x 2, D440, 33rd NVA Regt x 2, 275 VC Regt) and also a “more-digestible” 75-page Note (with photos and maps) on “The Fall of Phuoc Tuy and Vung Tau – April 1975” – that begins with the 18th ARVN’s valiant defence of Xuan Loc. As with my books, “The Fall of Phuoc Tuy …” is free-to-read on Scribd. However, I can also email a complimentary pdf copy of “The Fall …” to interested Team 89 and Team 78 veterans – you can contact me at ernestchris@tpg.com.au
Regards, Ernie
I was an Australian radio operator with the MACV Team 78 Cpt Ron Quale, Lt Mike De’Orlando, Sgt Hugh (John) Maples, in Phouc Tuy province in 1969/70, working with the 2/52nd ARVN, Cpt Koi, Lt Cuong, I would be grateful for any information that anyone would have.
I was there from sept 65 to sept 66 ,the senior advisor I had when I first got there was col calhoon ,he left before his time was up. I first worked for sgt marseille he was a nice person. There were a lot of good people there,one in particular I think of all the time was Dick Banks he was a staff sgt with team 89 he gave his life in June 1966.any who knew him would never forget him. Bill Richardson
Hi Bill
I am the grandson of Col Calhoun. He passed in 2012, but I recently found his jump log and that’s how i found this group. I’d like to learn more about your time with him if possible.
I am looking for other members who were in Boa Loc, Lam Dong province.
Just saw your note. I was assigned to MACV Team #38 in Bao Loc, Lam Dong Province, from mid 1970 to mid 1971. I was a civilian, sent there to assist in a major relocation of Vietnamese who had been expelled from Cambodia after the coup. The PSA was Colonel Thompson at that time.
I was not US military (one time Black Watch) but was stationed in Van Kiep with the Decca team, (I know Robert Kehl.) from July 1965 to Sept 1967 before taking leave and moving to Phan Thiet. My memory is rotten on names otherwise I remember people by association. Curiously the one name I do remember is a Sgt Marseille the MP. The only military policeman I ever liked.
Sgt Marseille was from Rochester NY He was harmless.
I served with Team 78 at the training center in Van Kiep and was transferred down to the RF/PF training center in Long Hai. Was there in 1971-1972. Served with a Major whose first name was Doug- he had been in-country for about 4 straight years when I arrived. Do not remember his last name, would like to find out if anyone has any information on him or others who were in Long Hai.
Karl Swenson
Karl, We may have met. I was in Van Kiep at Team 78 and spent time at the Long Hai RF/PF training center a few times to help them out. I remember a CPT Murdock being there. His wife (civilian) visited for a couple of weeks while I was there one time. That may be just before your time. I left around mid 1971
Greetings William! you’re right, it was a bit before my time. I arrived in Van Kiep around the middle of September 1971 and was sent down to Long Hai in November. When I got there, the team consisted of SSG, an MSG, and a Major. Before January 1972, it was only the Major and me…….
Karl. David Wesner here. I was a 1st Lt with Team 78 from 71-72. I remember you and another Capt. seems like there was a Col. A major, two sergeants as well. I had an interpreter named To. I still have pictures somewhere of the compound. I was out with ARVN troops all day. I never remember us working together as a team. I remember being impressed with your swagger! I was just a kid. No experience and as I look back no idea about what I was doing. If you’re still out there all the best!!
David, good to hear from you, and yes, I’m still out here! I can’t say that I remember you but that may be due to the Parkinson’s I’ve developed. When I first arrived at 78, the Major I mentioned (Doug something) was the team leader, we had a master sergeant named Choate and a staff sergeant from Oklahoma – and me. Over time, those three DEROSed and left me alone on the team. About 8 months in to my tour I was moved up to Van Kiep, as the Long Hai center could no longer guarantee my safety. Spent the rest of my tour there.
I didn’t realize I had swagger!
I was a radio operator, (Australian Army) working with MACV 87 Cpt. Ron Quale, Lt. Mike D’Orlando and Sjt. Hugh (Johnny) Maples who were attached to the 2/52nd ARVN in 1969/70 Some fond memories.
I was at Van Kiep July 66 – July 67. Jim Johnson
John Prush here, Did you Sgt John Maples, worked out of Baria, 65 to 66 ?
I was with Van Kiep Training Center from MAY-AUG ’65, following an assignment with the 43rd Ranger Bn (BDQ) in the ARVN 9th ID AO in IVth Corps. My boss was CPT Saint, who in turn reported to COL Ruyffelaere (the guy with the handlebar mustache) – what a character!
Col Ruyffelaere, during a mortar attack in 65, ordered me to putout a diesel oil fire with a garden hose. I tried. Bob the civilian with DECCA
That would be typical Ruyfflelaere! I DEROS’d AUG ’65. We’re you there at that time?
Looks like the mortar attack occurred shortly before I got there. I recall there was a major effort underway when I arrived, organized by Ruyffelaere, to build fighting perimeter/positions inside our compound area. This seemed a little strange to me given that our compound was inside the ARVN compound. There was no plan or coordination with the ARVN if a ground attack occurred as to how our fires would be coordinated with theirs.
I do remember when I arrived that Ruyffelaere’s hand was bandaged. If the story is true about those awards, they weren’t awarded. However, he was well decorated as a combat infantryman in WWII and Korea. See below bio entry from West Point’s Register of Graduates.
13424 Raymond Francis Ruyffelaere
B-MA: A-RI: Inf: 509PIR T-ME 44 (BSM-2PH-CI): CoCO 16Inf Eur 48-50:
Instr NGMA 50-52: S3 7Inf 3Div KW 53 (SS-BSM-PH-CR-CI): CO 1-35Inf
63-64: SrAdv RVN 64-66 (AM): OAC 66-68: Comp JMAG Thailand 68-71:
Comp ARADCOM 71-73 (LM): Ret 73 COL: MPA UCO 75: D-Berkeley CA
18Oct99: Ob-May04
Best regards,
Charlie
The attack occurred on my first week in country. The Col was a good officer and I liked him. On the night of the attack, it was 0200 hrs, I founded myself in a hole with him. He didn’t know I was a civilian. I had on a steel pot and was in my underwear. He was clearheaded and took command. Other officers were drunk. It was Saturday night.One major fired his weapon at a nonexistent enemy. Those were the days! Best regards, Bob ,
What happened to Sgt Major James Tyner KIA Feb. 6, 1966 ?
This was the training team assigned to Van Kiep National Training Center east of Baria in Phouc Tuy Province.
Thank you Robert.
Served with MACV Tm 89 from Dec 64 to Dec 65…we were billeted along with Tm 78 on the
Van Kiep National Training Center compound ….