This Memorial Day weekend I stopped by the Boone County Courthouse to photograph the memorials there. Thirty names are etched into the Vietnam Memorial. Most if not all of them graduates of David H. Hickman High School. Three names of soldiers and marines are etched into the Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom memorial. The WWII and Korean War Memorial. WWI-The war to end all wars. The Great Civil … [Read more...]
May 11, 1970
Cambodia- Just over the border from Vietnam in the area known as "The Fish hook". Conditions: extremely hot and dry. Mission- Check and clear enemy bunker complex. Unit- Echo Recon 1/5 Cavalry. After Action Report- Complex included medical facilities where wounded NVA could be attended to. Unit of enemy soldiers was cleaning weapons and 105 howitzers were called in, scoring some hits on the enemy. In addition enemy soldiers hiding in complex were killed. Lone NVA soldier approaching … [Read more...]
FSB Eagle – 1969
Echo platoon members in Charleston, S.C. -2021- I was never at Eagle, but now have heard a few stories about the place and thought it worth posting. Hopefully this will generate some comments. From what I've heard this must have been a miserable place, with heavy rains during the time Echo Company was there, in August and September of 1969. They were under constant attack, the NVA were using their big 120mm mortars and 122mm rockets. The rockets were a simple but effective weapon. They … [Read more...]
Photos from Patriot’s Point
These are a few photos I took at the Vietnam Experience Exhibit while at Patriot's Point. It was interesting to see a Chinook up close again. It wasn't as big as I remembered. I only flew on a Chinook once. It was taking me to Bien Hoa and the 1st Infantry Div. Medic station or shack. Everything here looks authentic. The construction of the shack, the "Mule" parked outside and the duckboards. 3/4 Ton ambulance with a real Medic...Doc … [Read more...]
L-Tee Szczebak
Lt. Frank Szczebak served briefly as platoon leader for Recon in May, 1970. He was assigned to Recon after we were already in Cambodia. As I recall we had been out on patrol near FSB North with Lt. Jenkins* as platoon leader. We were close enough that we just walked back on to the firebase. Enter a new platoon leader, a position Szczebak had been filling with Bravo Co. Szczebak was a likeable fellow with an unusual name, but someone who took their job seriously. He took command of … [Read more...]
Current events/Mine removal still going on in SE Asia
Cambodia today: Over three decades of armed conflict has left Cambodia seriously affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance ( UXO), and kept poor communities impoverished by limiting their access to farmland. The Khmer Rouge, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), Vietnamese, and Thai militaries laid extensive minefields during the Indochina Wars, Vietnamese occupation, and factional fighting that ended in 1999. The 2019 Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor reports that clearance of … [Read more...]
Ace-The mortar man
(Photo: Fauquher) I heard a good story about Ace at the Charleston reunion. I think anyone who met Ace, a.k.a., Harold Davis, would remember him. A easygoing guy who liked to talk and play the guitar, he looked like a character actor from a crime movie. Not a thug, mind you, but a cab driver or bartender maybe. So I heard... one day Ace was headed into Quan Loi with a jeep to pick up supplies. I also heard Captain Joyner was particular about his appearance and had his uniforms … [Read more...]
Charleston Reunion – 2021
Greetings all! I must say the site for this year's reunion was an outstanding selection. The hospitality of Charleston and the great history of that location made it an ideal place to get together. And of course many thanks to Mother and Toni for doing the ground work and planning the agenda. While we didn't have the restaurant meals typical of past reunions, they "organized" carry out meals that were quite good. And thanks to all those who helped out with the work of putting the meals out … [Read more...]
May 1969 – The Battle for Ap Bia Mountain
Bob Turay emailed this and I wanted to post it here as well. Thanks for reminding me, Bob.11 May 1969 – U.S. and South Vietnamese forces battle North Vietnamese troops for Ap Bia Mountain (Hill 937), one mile east of the Laotian border. The battle was part of Operation Apache Snow, a 2,800-man Allied sweep of the A Shau Valley. The purpose of the operation was to cut off North Vietnamese infiltration from Laos and enemy threats to Hue and Da Nang. U.S. paratroopers pushing northeast found the … [Read more...]
Muskets of O rang
(Photo: Cossey) Obviously Martin is the winner here. He got a man sized one. We all look like we just came out the hills where we have our stills hid away, haha. Of the 14 troopers in this photo, 8 are now deceased. Farewell old friends! God speed Stallion! Bird-out … [Read more...]