I would be remiss…

If I didn’t mention Jim Lesch & Lt. Cosper in regards to the FNG’s. Lt. Cosper was not a new guy, but he was new to Recon. Jim Lesch was an FNG while we were in Cambodia. Well, I think that’s right and I would be a slacker if I didn’t mention them. They would have been with Recon when we walked off LZ Kuhn. I remember them as capable, able-bodied fellows and welcome to Recon at that time. We were pretty thin, well below any kind of platoon strength numbers. We were attached to Bravo Co. then, after being with Alpha Co. at LZ Salty and Kuhn.  Cosper handled himself well in a fight and was a good Lt.  Any comments appreciated. Don’t know at what point Baker & Lesko arrived in country. They are both in Group Photos in previous blog. Help me out if you can. I remember Ronald Toombs was wounded when we were with Bravo Co. approaching a bunker complex.

Still looking…the morning report for 30 May 1970 shows James Lesch & Henry Mason as “gains”, so Jim was there earlier than I thought. Morning report for 30 June shows Ronald Baker as a “gain” and SSG Joesph Haupt being reassigned to Fort Bragg.

Going to mention as many names as I can, some guys I just don’t remember well or never met. Everyone in Recon mentioned Lt. MacVittie and Willie many times. I never knew them, but the guys had some great stories. Wagner, Doc Nix & Flaco are three names frequently mentioned also. Doc Coleman was held in high regard by everyone, but we were not in the field together. I remember Blooper (Dennis Krohn), but he wasn’t in the field for long after I showed up. James Kloepping is a familiar name but I am having trouble putting a face to that name. He is not on the only roster that I have. I don’t remember Chuck Miller. He is not on the roster for 31 May. There are quite a few on Echo Co’s roster that are listed as MOS – 11F. Cossey, Hutch, Lesch, Livermore, Foley, Delmer & Ski are all 11F (11F is intelligence, ha, ha). Paul T. Bailey (E5), J. Calderon (E3) are shown as 11B’s. I couldn’t tell you who they were, maybe they were on the 50’s after I was in the field with Recon and I just don’t remember them. As is Arvid Langfeldt (E4-11B). Stephen Grega is listed as 11F. Possibly forward observers attached to other companies (?). I Remember Arty from FSB Ann, but I don’t know his given name. I have a request in for a roster from May 1st.

Looking again, I see Stanley Shelton is not 11C, but 11G(Golf)-1st Sergeant…sorry Top! I remember him from firebase Granite & Ann, but I didn’t remember his name.

(17 Jan 2017) There are 3 officers on the roster: Cpt. M. Crutcher, Lt. Willie Jenkins and Lt. Joel Chase. There has been mention of Lt. McKenna on the night of the attack. He sounds familiar, but I wasn’t there…    I can’t tell you who the XO was then. Have to wonder why “LT “, Lt. Szczebak is not on there. Maybe still assigned to Bravo but attached to Echo? I could also request roster for June 14th. Lt. Rice was assigned to Recon the end of July, 1970.

Bird-out