Summer - Society of the 1st Infantry Division
Transcription
Summer - Society of the 1st Infantry Division
3rd Brigade returns home from Afghanistan Remembering the fallen on Memorial Day A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e 65th Anniversary D-Day Page 10-11 Story of an “old Army” Corporal Page 11 Page 2 Page 5 S o c i e t y o f t h e F i r s t I n f a n t r y D i v i s i o n 40 Years ago: Vietnam, 1969 3 Bandido Charlie veterans remember the Battle of Binh Long Province Following are the stories of three C Co, 1/16th Inf veterans: Al Herrera, Ron Mackedanz and Phil Greenwell. Each has taken the time and effort to have his history in Vietnam recorded, each in a different way. Herrera’s story is from his self-published book, Mackedanz’s is from his online memoir written with the help of a friend, and Greenwell’s was part of a video oral history project sponsored by the First Division Museum. An excerpt from Blood and Sacrifice a history of the 16th Inf. Operation Kentucky Cougar Aug 7–Sept 20, 1969 U.S. Army photo, SPC Shantelle Campbell, 4th IBCT PAO. The intelligence indicators were that [Sr COL Nguyen Thoi Bung’s 9th PAVN Div] might strike areas along Highway 13 between An Loc and Quan Loi from bases across the border in Cambodia. That area was now the AO of the 3rd Bde, 1st Cav Div, since that division had assumed responsibility for Binh Long province….To counter the 9th Div plans around An Loc, MG Elvy B. Roberts, commander of the 1st Cav Div, initiated Operation Kentucky Cougar. In late July, LTC Cassels’ 1st Bn, 16th Inf was placed under the operational control of the 11th Armored Cav Regt and moved north on Highwy 13 to help the cavalry block the eastward movement of the 272nd and 273rd Regiments. Photo courtesy of Ron Mackedanz. The Situation Above: Bandido Charlie on the move, checking out local rubber tree harvest workers,1969. ments. The first major action was a battle five kilometers northwest of An Loc on August 12. For the five days prior to that mission, the 1/16th (for this mission consisting of the HQ Co, and A and C Companies only) was primarily utilized to secure a series of FSBs in the areas between Quon Loi and An Loc. On Aug 10, [2nd Plt, Bandido Charlie, C/1/16th Inf], in coordination with an ARVN company from the 4th Bn, 9th ARVN Regt, conducted an air assault near An Loc. The combined U.S./ARVN force, accompanied by LTC Cassels, went into a LZ defended by NVA troops. Cassels recalled that this landing was the “hottest LZ I was ever in. I’m sure Cav riding on the tops of the C Co the chopper took bullets as it rose tracks (APCs). from the LZ.” Upon landing, the Iron Rangers Battle of Binh Long Province immediately engaged an NVA unit Aug 12, 1969 As taken from his book and killed 23 of them. Four enemy Over the next 30 days, the Iron Reaching An Loc soldiers were captured, and, Rangers fought two major actions “singing like turkeys,” indicated In June 1969 CPT Greenwell and numerous minor engageth that units of the 9 Div were indeed assumed command of Charlie moving into the area. Co, 1/16th Inf (M). The vehicle The next evening, Cassels crew CPT Greenwell inherited was assembled his battalion, less composed of SPC Ron Mackedanz, Olson’s A Co, at FSB Allons II driver, SPC Albion Kalchik, Track about eight kilometers north of An Commander (TC), SPC Dennis Loc, as the RRF for the 11th ACR. Daughdrill, PVT Mike Renshaw, Given the diminished size of the the RTO, the Artillery Forward Iron Rangers for this operation, Observer, 1LT Knutsen, and the [COL James Leach, CO, 11th ACR] assistant Forward Observer, SPC th th attached D Co, 5 Bn, 7 Cav, that Siegel (the baby FO). afternoon to Cassels to give him I was due for R&R so I left At Left: MG Vincent Brooks st additional firepower. Even with the the company at the end of July to receives the 1 Div guidon additional rifle company, Cassels return to Lai Khe. CPT Greenwell from GEN Charles Campbell, commanded just over 300 men for told me to let him know about my commanding general of the the impending operation. trip and visit with my wife in Hawaii U.S. Army Forces Command. While C Co guarded Allons II, when I returned to the company. Brooks assumed command Olson’s A Co pulled security for I told him that I would. We had of the Division 15 April. FSB Eagle II, there to counterattack no idea that it would be 30 years Below: MG Brooks. U.S. Army Photo. By SGT Cody Harding, 1st ID PAO an enemy force that had attacked before we had a chance to discuss Public Affairs, acting CG of the 1st The task of leading the 1st the fire base a couple of hours my trip to Hawaii. Cav Div and deputy commander of Infantry Division was transferred earlier. I arrived back in the company III Corps and Fort Hood, TX, stated to MG Vincent K. Brooks, April 15 Moving in the darkness, the area in Lai Khe on Aug 10, 1969. during an assumption of command that he was proud to return to the battalion’s elements linked up The company XO told me that the BRO, where he learned his leaderceremony at Cavalry Parade Field. at Eagle II about dawn without company had deployed north to ship skills as a young company More than 700 Soldiers repreencountering the expected enemy the An Loc area. I could not leave commander during the Cold War. senting each 1st Div subordinate resistance. Cassels then decided to alone as there was nothing travelWiggins, who served as acting unit were assembled as Brooks move along the enemy’s suspected ing in that direction to accompany commander of the Big Red One for assumed command of the Big Red withdrawal route to the southme. The next day, Aug 11, 1969, I nine months, will be assigned as One from BG Perry Wiggins. west. The Iron Rangers moved noticed that the company had not the deputy commanding general, Brooks, whose service has out with Olson’s A Co in the lead, taken the “water buffalo” (a water Fifth U.S. Army North at Fort Sam spanned 29 years and includes [CPT Phillip J. Greenwell’s] C Co tank extremely essential for our Houston, TX. positions as the Chief of Army following, and the troops of the 7th Continued on Page 6... N O M I S S I O N T O O D I F F I C U L T. N O S A C R I F I C E T O O G R E A T. D U T Y F I R S T ! Al Herrera’s Story Former BRO officer assumes command of Division Society of the First Infantry Division 1933 Morris Road Blue Bell, PA 19422-1422 Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 6080 Carol Stream, IL 60188 3rd Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan: Welcome home from a job well done! U.S. Army Photo. U.S. Army Photo. U.S. Army Photo. Kunar Province, Afghanistan SSG Jean-Francois Frenette, 416th Civil Affairs Bn, 351st Civil Affairs Command, pulls security in northeastern Afghanistan, 19 April. The team organized contracting services and provided funding for the building and repairing of schools, roads and bridges in the area. Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Trp, 6th Sqdn, 4th Cav, 3rd BCT, 1st Div, set up a security perimeter in northeastern Afghanistan on 19 April, to allow their Soldiers to safely cross a bridge. The troop was acting as a security element for a team of Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Bn, 351st Civil Affairs Command, San Diego, CA, who was assessing damage to a school roof in a nearby village. U.S. Army Photo. U.S. Army Photo. Konar Province, Afghanistan U.S. Army Photo. Operation Viper Shake A Soldier with 6th Sqdn, 4th Cav, 3rd BCT, pulls security outside a new boys school, in the Kunar province of northeastern Afghanistan, while a team of Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Bn, 351st Civil Affairs Command, San Diego, CA, inspects the structure, 17 April. U.S. Army Photo. Afghanistan (April 6, 2009) – Army PFC William Drikell, scans the valley walls for suspicious activity during a combat patrol near the village of Walo Tangi, in Konar province, Afghanistan, April 6. Driskell is a member of 2nd Plt, C. Company, 1st Bn, 26th Inf, 1st Div. B Co, 1st Bn, 26th Inf Soldiers hike at elevations above 2,500 meters during Operation Viper Shake in the SPC Andrew Harvey, a native of San Diego, Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, 21 April in order to disrupt CA, realizes he still had hours of climbing ahead, as he stared up at the mountain peaks violent extremists operating in one of Afghanistan’s most hostile areas. overlooking Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, during Operation Viper Shake. Harvey is an infantryman with C Co, 1st Bn, 26th Inf. 4th IBCT completes rotation at Nation Training Center Act of heroism saves lives; Soldier earns Silver Star FORT IRWIN, CA – Military police with Headquarters and Headquarters Co, 4th Bde Special Troops Bn, 1st Infantry Division trained their notional Iraqi police counterparts while at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA, 3 June. During the training, IPs learned how to properly conduct vehicle and personnel searches, set up traffic control points, run detainee operations, and safely and effectively enter and clear a room. The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is expected to deploy to Iraq later this summer in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Soldiers of 2nd Bn, 32nd FA, 4th IBCT, evacuate an “Iraqi” Soldier during a training lane in a village at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, CA. The brigade completed a 30-day rotation, its final major training test before the “Dragon” Brigade deploys to Iraq in late summer/early fall. U.S. Army Photo. By SGT Todd Goodman, 3rd BCT, 1st Inf Div 4 June 2009 Fort Hood Sentinel PFC Robert Debolt became a member of an exclusive club on 28 May, when he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. An infantry rifleman with the 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Debolt was on patrol in the Maywand District of Afghanistan when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Debolt dragged himself out of the burning vehicle and extinguished the flames that covered more than half his body before going back for his trapped teammates. Debolt fought through his pain and helped pull his teammates from the burning vehicle, refusing to leave them until he was nearly incapacitated from his own wounds and shock. His actions helped save the life of one of his fellow Soldiers and helped prevent serious injury to another. - Story above from article by SPC Shantelle Campbell, 4th IBCT, PAO. 2 Bridgehead Sentinel U.S. Army Photo. Keeping up with the 1st Division 1st Brigade Combat Team continues to prepare for the hand off of the transition team training mission this September to Fort Polk, LA. Once that mission leaves Fort Riley, the brigade will build to a heavy brigade combat team. Iraqi Soldiers stand in formation with Soldiers of the 1st Combined Arms Bn, 18th Inf, 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf Div, Multi-National Division (at left). The JSS transfered to the Iraqi Army with a ceremony highlighting the security agreement signed between the U.S. Government and the Government of Iraq. 2 BCT prepares for transfer of authority in Iraq nd of JSS Hurriyah have deterred area violence. U.S. forces under MultiNational Division-Baghdad handed over another joint security station to Iraqi Security Forces in a ceremony June 9th. The 1st Combined Arms Bn, 18th Inf, 2nd Heavy Bde Combat Team handed over Joint Security Station Hurriyah II to the 1st Bn, 22nd Bde, 6th Iraqi Army Division, 9 June, in the Kadamiyah district of northwest Baghdad. Since October, elements of the Vanguard Bn lived and worked with the Iraqi Soldiers in a joint effort to help secure the population of Kadamiyah’s Hurriyah neighborhood. As the security in Iraq improved, the two governments decided it was time for the U.S. Army Photo The 2nd Brigade Combat Team is in the process of transferring authority back to Iraqi forces and the Iraqi people as conditions continue to improve and infrastructure is rebuilt. Control of joint security stations (JSS) is being relinquished back to the Iraqis in implementation of articles of the security agreement that went into effect 1 Jan 2009. An historic event took place 30 May when Soldiers of the 1st Bn, 18th Inf “Vanguard,” 2nd Bde Combat Team, transferred JSS Hurriyah to the Iraqi Army’s 1st Bn, 22nd Bde, 6th IA Div. Hurriyah was once a spot perforated with sectarian violence, causing many families to leave. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and U.S. troops working out SSG Jeffery Eaken, 1st Combined Arms Bn, 2nd Bde, 1st ID demonstrates how to properly lay the dismounted 120mm mortar tube while members of the 17th IA Mortar Company observe. The exercise was to demonstrate the division’s proficiency in combined operations to key Minister of Defense and Iraqi Security Forces leadership. Summer 2009 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (REDEPLOYED) this Spring continued to push counterinsurgency operations throughout the provinces of Nangarhar, Nuristan, Konar and Laghman, as well as Kandahar. The focus was on border security, protecting supply routes, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division final predeployment site survey, Afghan National Army relief in place and conducting operations to disrupt the enemy. The Brigade began redeploying from Afghanistan in June and will be back at Ft. Hood, TX by the end of July. They will then transfer to Fort Knox, KY by October. 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers in the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team returned to Fort Riley in mid-June following a 30-day rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA During their time at NTC, Soldiers participated in numerous exercises and drilled in various components of full-spectrum operations, including combat patrols, combined operations and battle drills. The NTC rotation is the culmination of training in preparation for the brigade’s upcoming deployment to Iraq. 1st Combat Aviation Brigade will be completely housed at Marshall Army Airfield. The brigade’s final segment—1st Sqdn, 6th Cav, a Kiowa Warrior Squadron, will arrive officially at Fort Riley in June. The first components of the “Fighting Sixth” will touch down at Fort Riley in early May, said MAJ Scott Spradlin, squadron S-3. At full strength, Spradlin said the squadron will have about 376 Soldiers and is authorized about 30 Kiowa helicopters. Only about 25 helicopters will actually end up at Fort Riley, since some of them will be required to fill combat needs for other units in Iraq and Afghanistan. 1st Sustainment Brigade (REDEPLOYED) officially opened the doors of a brand new headquarters and operations complex on 9 March. The $65 million complex took 14 months to complete and houses the brigade’s 55,204 square foot headquarters, Special Troops Bn HQ, company operational facilities and motor pool. The 1st Division HQ Bn and 1st Div Band also moved into buildings within the complex. U.S. Army Photo 2nd BCT Soldiers prepare Iraqi Army division’s combined arms live fire exercise. ISF to take more responsibility. The transfer of JSS Hurriyah I by the Vanguard Soldiers also demonstrated the U.S. commitment to returning Baghdad to its citizens. On 10 June, C Trp, 5th Sqdn, 4th Cav, 2nd Bde Combat Team was part of a ceremony transferring authority from them to Iraqi soldiers of the 3rd Bn, 54th Army Bde, 6th Inf Div as a direct result of the Iraqi Security Agreement and the teamwork of the Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Force and the Iraqi people. “The transfer of JSS Kahdra is another way of validating the work Iraqi Security Forces have done with the aid of Coalition force for so long,” said CPT Maxwell Scott, an intelligence officer assigned to C Trp. “This ceremony not only represents the advent of a modern, more unified Iraq, but it also signifies the strength of the Coalition Forces to work with the citizens of Iraq to develop a brighter future.” Teamwork and selfless service by the troops at JSS Khadra have greatly improved the security in Baghdad and made it possible for the Iraqi Security Forces to meet the terms of the Iraq Security Agreement and take full control of the security in Khadra. Ghazaliyah, once known as one of the most dangerous areas in Baghdad, had many local citizens concerned about security. Recently, Ghazaliyah has become much safer, due in part to the security efforts of the Coalition and Iraqi Security forces. “Over the next month, Coalition forces will be moving from the cities, leaving the responsibility of security totally to the Iraqi Security Forces,” said LTC John Richardson, commander of 5/4th Cav. “Although the transition has not technically transpired, I must say the Iraqi Security Forces are performing admirably.” Although U.S. troops will no longer be at these joint security stations, they will continue to support the ISF. The ISF will take greater roles in the security situation, to fill the void that will be left by Coalition forces. 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team (DEPLOYED) A group of volunteers in Washington participated in the “Hugs from Home” project and sent 7,000 gift boxes to Soldiers serving with the 2nd HBCT. Soldiers received the packages March 12 at Camp Liberty. May 11—Through partnership with the local government, Iraqi Security Forces and the 1/18th Inf, citizens of the neighborhood are witnessing an improvement in their community. In a walkthrough of a busy market street in the Hurriyah neighborhood in northwest Baghdad, various Iraqi television stations met with civic, tribal and security leaders, as well as 2nd HBCT leaders, to see a cleaner environment and thriving shops. The brigade is scheduled to redeploy in October 09. New model UH-60M Black Hawks arrive at Fort Riley The latest in aviation technology for the Army arrived at Fort Riley at the end of April in the form of two UH-60M Black Hawks. The 3rd Assault Helicopter Bn, 1st Avn, is the second active duty army unit to receive the new model of Black Hawk. At first glance, the new UH-60M Black Hawks look very similar to their sibling, the L model. However, in the cockpit the old round gauges with dials have been replaced with four computer monitors that can display numerous functions to include instruments, radios or maps. 3 Rapid Fire Fort Knox Chapter of the Society Any member who is interested in forming a Chapter of the Society in the Fort Knox, Kentucky area is asked to contact the Society. A packet of start-up information is available and the Society will provide every possible assistance. The principal reason for forming a Chapter in the Fort Knox area is to facilitate liaison and support with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, which will be stationed at Fort Knox by October 2009. Society NY / Ft. Dix Branch Join the NY/Ft. Dix Branch for their upcoming Fall and Winter brunches on 13 September and 13 December. Both brunches will be at Sebastian’s Schnitzelhaus in Wrightstown, NJ at 10:30 am. To join the New York/Ft. Dix Branch of the Society or learn more about their events, contact Antonio Maria at 717-5830821 or [email protected]. New Society Vice President Command Sergeant Major Cory McCarty (Ret), who served as the Big Red One Command Sergeant Major from 2000 to 2005 has been approved by the Society Board of Directors to serve as 2nd Vice President of the Society in the position formerly occupied by Sergeant Major of the Army Bill Bainbridge, who passed away recently. After 66 Years, BRO Veteran Reunited With Dog TaG “A week ago, 19-year-old Sydney Rector of the Bronx went to a music store in Midtown Manhattan with her boyfriend, Stevin Tyska. When they left, they were playing around in a tunnel between 48th and 47th streets — and that’s where they stumbled across a 66-year-old dog tag….” So begins a great story covered by National Public Radio on one teenager’s selfless act and the veteran it impacted. Read the entire story at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story. php?storyId=101443140&sc=emaf or go to www.npr.org and type “Joseph Farish” in the search box at the top of the page. Cantigny First Division Oral Histories Ball State University, in cooperation with the Cantigny First Division Foundation has completed 40 high definition video oral history interviews with veterans of the 1st Infantry Division. The goal of the project was to preserve the memories of the soldiers whose military service occurred around the globe after WWII. The interviews were conducted with veterans then residing in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. View these oral histories and their transcripts online at http://libx.bsu.edu/collection.php?CISOROOT=/CtgnyOrHis. See oral histories by Ken Alderson, Clark Fuller, Phil Greenwell, Dan Rogers, and others. Army BLOG The Army now has a blog! Visit http://armylive.dodlive.mil/ to read the latest. Veterans Day 2009 The Society’s Veterans Day Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Division Monument in Washington, DC. Due to security conditions in the vicinity of the White House, it will be held on the north section of the Ellipse immediately south and within sight of our monument. The First Division Monument is located at the corner of 17th and E Streets, Northwest, in DC, just in the shadow of the White House. Parking in the vicinity can be a challenge, but the monument is located only a short walk from the Farragut West and Farragut North metro stations. Before making final plans to attend, check the “CURRENT NEWS” at www.1stID.org for last-minute changes and advisories.. 4 WORLD WAR II ERA I am looking for information about my Dad, C. Thomas Cronin, who was a member of the 1st Division and participated in the invasion in 1942 in North Africa. He eventually became a POW and was captured by either the Germans or the Italians and ended up in a prison camp in Sicily until he finally escaped. He never talked too much about his involvement in the war, and he passed away about 15 years ago. I would love to hear from someone who might have known him. He was from Brooklyn, NY and did a lot of boxing while he was in the army. He was stationed at Ft. Devens, MA before going overseas for the North Africa Campaign. I also believe he may have been at Ft. Benning, GA prior to going overseas. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Edward Cronin 391 Wanoosnoc Rd. Fitchburg, MA 01420 [email protected] VIETNAM ERA Thanks for your help with trying to find my old battle buddy, SP4 West. We served together first with the 3rd Armor in Friedberg Germany and the 3rd ID. Went to Vietnam in 66-67 with C Co, 1/4 Cav, 1st ID, at Lai Kai. They used to call us “Salt and Pepper” in Germany because he’s black and I’m white. West was tall, 6’2” at least. I don’t remember his first name—we always called each other by our last name or nickname. Thanks for your help. Dr. John J. South CH (COL) USA, Ret. U.S. Army Ambassador 602-451-4611 [email protected] BRO Command Staff visit 1ID monument MG Brooks and 1st Division Commanders and Staff visit the 1st Infantry Division Monument in Washington DC in April. Veterans Jim Tucker, Clark Welch and Ed Burke accompanied the group. Former Danger 6 retires from McCormick Foundation McCormick Foundation Chief Executive Officer, David L. Grange, retired, effective June 30th. He is now the new CEO of Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. in Wilmington, NC, moving him closer to his extended family and his two sons on the East Coast. “There has been no greater friend to the First Division Museum than Dave Grange,” said Paul Herbert, executive director of the Cantigny First Division Foundation, which is part of the McCormick Foundation. “His high standards, his passion for our mission of telling the story of the Big Red One, and his concern for the veterans are essential parts of what drives us today.” BG Grange USA (Ret.) joined the McCormick Foundation in 1999 as executive vice president and chief operating officer, after serving 30 years in the U. S. Army. General Grange’s final position in the military was as Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division. In 2005, Grange was appointed the Foundation’s president and chief executive officer. Since becoming CEO, he has spearheaded the opening of the McCormick Freedom Museum, overseen major expansion and improvements at Cantigny Park and Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, Illinois, and led the development of a new Veterans Programs initiative for the Foundation, including Welcome Back Veterans, a partnership with Major League Baseball, and Operation Healing Freedom, a collaboration with private equity firms and the financial community. One of his final duties was giving the keynote speech at the D-Day 65th Anniversary and LCVP Dedication on 6 June at Cantigny Park. “My 10 years with the McCormick Foundation have been among the most satisfying and rewarding of my life,” said General Grange. “The Foundation’s commitment to service and to building more active and engaged citizens reflects my own belief in the strength of our democracy and the power of people and communities. It has been a great privilege to be a part of the Foun- dation’s work and the legacy of Robert R. McCormick.” General Grange will continue to support the Society of the First Infantry Division and the First Infantry Division Foundation. The First Division Museum wishes General Grange well on his new endeavors and will miss him greatly. The new president and CEO is David D. Hiller, the past publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times, positions he also previously held with the Chicago Tribune. BG David L. Grange (Ret) presents the keynote speech at the 65th Anniversary of D-Day event at Cantigny. Bridgehead Sentinel The last full measure of devotion Distinguished veterans and friends of the 1st Inf Div, I can say without hesitation that in 28 years of active military duty, the greatest privilege I had was to serve in combat with the Big Red One. And if I can take a personal privilege, serving under my Commanding General Tom Rhame was a distinct honor. He loves this Division, and he embodies the motto we all cherish: “No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great, duty first!” My assignment to the Division was, well, by accident. I was actually selected to be the aide de camp to a rising four star, Norman Schwarzkopf, but his early activation to CENTCOM and my assignment to staff college conflicted, and as an alternative, I was sent to the 1st Div as the DIVARTY S-3. Little did I know then that this turn of events would change my life and provide me with the greatest honor one could hope for, to be a Soldier in the Big Red One. I did not come here today to recount wars past. There are lots of historians better able than I to do that job. But I will relate this. When we returned to the Iraqi desert after the successful liberation of Kuwait to await orders to continue our march points north in Iraq, the word came down from Division that we were now authorized to wear the division patch on our right shoulder. Like others I retired to my dusty tent to sew on my patch with a sewing kit I found buried in my duffle bag. As I sat there not so nimbly sewing this patch on my desert shirt, a tear rolled down my cheek. As I thought about all the men who had gone before and rendered the last full measure of devotion, soon my eyes were so full of tears I could not see the stitches was I attempting to make. They had given “the last full measure of devotion” as had others in the sands of Iraq and Kuwait. “The last full measure of devotion.” These words were first said by Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address. “The last full measure of devotion.” Six simple words. Six powerful words. Six moving words. You know, lots of people are quick to criticize the military and American power. But on this weekend, maybe they too should take a moment to consider what kind of person it takes to give the last full measure. Well, I’ll tell you, because I knew those that did, those that were willing to do so for their entire careers, and those who serve today, willing to lay down their lives for our freedom. It’s a special person willing to defend his nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. It is a special person who takes the oath to do just that, going out and meeting glory and danger alike and then never coming home. Those are the people we honor this weekend. Those are the families that are special among all families. That is the sacrifice upon which all other freedom you and I will enjoy this weekend and in the years to come is founded. Unlike the Fourth of July, Memorial Day is special in a different way. This is the weekend that we remember those who gave the last full measure. For them, it was a total commitment. They didn’t get to see the soccer games, they missed the ballet recitals, and they missed the graduation walks with proud children receiving their diplomas. These moments never happened for them. They did not have the opportunity to gracefully age in loving relationships with their spouses. For them, it was a total commitment. So sometime this weekend amid all the barbeques, parades, special ceremonies, and weekend gatherings; amid all the joy and laughter and fun by the pool, I hope people will find a quiet place and sit in that quiet place and say a prayer to our Father in Heaven, thanking Him for those who gave the last full measure, and as they do, think about what that sacrifice means to them. We of this great Division know this well. America must be reminded, which is why we do this honorable thing and others to keep the flame of honor burning bright. I want to thank you for asking me to give these remarks. Few will remember the words spoken here today. No one must forget the sacrifice of those who gave the “last full measure of devotion.” Thank-you. God Bless America and the 1st U.S. Infantry Division. Duty First! - Remarks given by the Honorable L. Scott Lingamfelter at the regular Memorial Day Service at the First Division Monument in Washington D.C. Lingamfelter is President of Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation and a current member of the Virginia House of Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who served in the BRO during Operation Desert Storm as the Division Artillery Executive Officer. 1st Infantry Division Soldiers Who Died During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom 1 February 2009 – 1 June 2009 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Hood, Texas PFC Richard A. Dewater, 21, of Topeka, Kansas 15 April 2009 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry, 33rd Brigade Combat Team, Illinois National Guard (Attached to 3rd BCT, 1st Infantry Division) The23,following SGT Christopher P. Abeyta, of Midlothian, Illinois businesses in 15 March 2009 the Ft. Riley 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Riley, Kansas MAJ Stephen Hutchison, 60, of Scottsdale, Arizona 10 May 2009 Military Training Teams, Afghanistan, 1st Brigade, Fort Riley, Kansas Staff SGT Timothy L. Bowles, USAF, 24, of Tucson, Arizona 15 March 2009 Business Memberships area PFC Norman L. Caincommunity III, 22, of Oregon,are Illinois supporting your 15 March 2009 Encourage a Society. business SGT Robert M. Weinger, 24,you know of Round Lake Beach, Illinois to join the Society! 15 March 2009 Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Hood, Texas SPC Ryan C. King, 22, of Dallas, Georgia 1 May 2009 SGT James D. Pirtle, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colorado 1 May 2009 v Briggsauto.com CPT Brian M. Bunting, 29, of Lueker Potomac,Real Maryland v Mathis Estate 24 February 2009 LT Florence E. Choe, USN, 35, of El Cajon, California 27 March 2009 SGT Daniel J. Thompson, 24, of Madison, Wisconsin 24 February 2009 LT j.g. Francis L. Toner, IV, USN, 26, of Narragansett, Rhode Island 27 March 2009 SSG William D. Vile, 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1 May 2009 They will not be forgotten 27 May 2009 Dear Larry, This past Memorial Day, Tom Sommerhauser, (C Co, 2/2nd Inf, Vietnam ’68–’69) represented the 2nd Inf Assn at the wake for SPC David A. Schaefer, Jr., C Co, 1/2nd Inf, who was killed by an IED on 16 May 2009. The funeral was held the day after on 26 May 2009. SGT Joshua Logan C Co, 1/2nd Inf came from Schweinfurt, Germany to escort the remains of SPC Schaefer. Following is a letter sent by Tom to Larry Grzywinski (HQ, 2/2nd Inf Vietnam, ’66–’67) Be advised that I represented the 2nd Infantry Association as promised for SPC Schaefer. It went well, I think, but I was allowed only a brief moment with the wife and the sister, an Airman in the USAF. It was extraordinarily crowed, with big shots such as the governor of Illinois (Pat Quinn), mayor and police chief of Belleville, and two major generals, et al. SGT Joshua Logan, who you gave me a heads-up on, was wonderful. He gave me the enclosed 1/2nd Inf coin, which I promised to forward to the 2nd Inf Regt Assn historian, you. I loved the baseball cap you sent, but gave it to the widow for the step-son, who seemed to worship the ground his “Dad” walked on. The two children of the marriage were quite small and didn’t quite understand, I don’t think. This week has been a strain, but the Lord moves in mysterious ways. On Memorial Day I wasn’t at all sure that I could cope with the Memorial Day service at Jefferson Barracks which I always attend, and the visit to the funeral home in Belleville. When my wife asked me what time to set the alarm for, I said, “set it for 8:00, if it’s not raining I might go.” At 8:00 it wasn’t raining, but by the time I got dressed it was. I said “**** it, I’ll go and wing it.” Go I went, and paid a visit to a brother, Bill Schell, who sort of represents all of my brothers passed. I paid my respects in the rain, anticipated leaving and thought, “I’m gonna drop in on Winston.” (PVT Vincent Winston, KIA in Afghanistan from C, 2/2nd whose funeral I attend for the association last year) Hello Twilight Zone. … Nobody else around, me, Winston and the rain. I’m so lost in thought, anticipating Belleville, that I didn’t hear him coming—a young man next to me in a T-shirt and shorts, on his knees sobbing his ass off. I knew right off who he was. I’d met his father at Winston’s funeral. I said, “You were with him, weren’t you?” Larry, I’m damaged goods. I have no pretentions, but I know that I was put there, right there, right then for a reason. I’ll not go into detail, but I truly feel that I profoundly helped the young man. (His name is Phil. He was promoted from SPC to CPL when he was WIA. His hands and back had scar tissue from burns.) We got out of the rain; talked for almost an hour. I asked if he would like to say a prayer and told him the only ones I know are Catholic. He said, “That’s OK, I’m Catholic too.” We went over, and as I began reciting my favorite prayer, that of Saint Francis of Assisi, we were joined by other young people. The grave site next to Winston’s is another KIA from Afghanistan. His widow? or girlfriend? and others including a buck sergeant with a 173rd patch were there. They joined us in the moment, and the young lady gave us two of the dozen roses she had brought, which we placed upon Winston’s grave. The young man, Phil, and the sergeant began talking, and I excused myself. Phil said, although we had not exchanged any information whatsoever, with certainty, “I’ll see you again!” I parted with, “I don’t doubt it!” Day 2 En-route to the funeral home in Belleville, I had my first exposure to the nut-jobs (my wife tells me it’s some preacher from Kansas). They and their children were holding up signs that were so unchristian as to be obscene. I don’t get it, but I leaned on my horn and flipped them the Big Red One as I drove by. The cops didn’t seem to mind, and for once we were on the same side. After the funeral ended, they had been dispersed, but the Patriot Guard Riders were along anyway. I made a point of shaking the hands of each of them while out in the rain. SPC Schaefer had been awarded a posthumous CIB, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. I was surprised to see an open casket. The body showed no apparent trauma but who knows. Larry, I hope this **** ends soon! I’ll do this for you whenever you need me, but I sure as **** don’t like it. My son should be back from his 2nd Iraq tour in August. Hopefully he’ll E.T.S. before he goes to Afghanistan. Say a prayer for him. Always your brother, Tom Sommerhauser AKA Daring Charlie Boo-Boo - PVT Vincent Winston from the C Co, 2/2nd Inf was killed by an IED on 4 Sept 2008. Phil was with Winston when he was killed. Phil was one of four others wounded in the blast. Tom, who had served in the same unit exactly 40 years earlier, attended Winston’s wake and funeral in 2008. Battle of Binh Long Province ...CONTINUED from page 1 6 Photo courtesy of Al Herrera. heard that Alpha was taking fire from the rubber trees. We were heading west at the time and then turned north alongside Alpha Co into the rubber trees head towards the enemy fire. All of our .50 cal machine guns were firing, and most of the men began firing their own weapons. We were approximately 50 yards into the trees when we began taking heavy RPG fire. I knew our men were firing their M-79 grenade launchers, and at first I thought some were firing very close to our tracks. Then I realized that it wasn’t M-79 fire; they were RPG rounds dropping all around us. I began feeding ammunition to the machine gunner, SPC Kalchik, who was firing as fast as he could. I would give Kalchik cans of .50 cal ammunition each time he emptied the previous can. I know we were hit once because I heard the round as it hit the front of the track. The driver, SPC Ron Mackedanz, was hit with that round. I was in the process of handing Kalchik another can when the next round hit right in front of us, wounding us both. We tumbled from the track onto the ground. Mackedanz and a few others reached us to help as Kalchik and I were very badly wounded. I didn’t realize how bad the wounds were. We were both hit in our upper body area. The medic came about then and tried to stop the bleeding from my wounds in my upper right arm area. He couldn’t, and I told him to leave and treat the other wounded. He left, and I decided then that I was not going to bleed to death right there and jammed my thumb into the wound. I finally got it to stop bleeding. the stomach. He fell on Kalchik, but being a large man, McElreath regained his feet and the four men continued on to the dust-off helicopter. I can’t recall all the men, but I know that Mackedanz and McElreath distinguished themselves on this day. I ran to the track and opened the rear door. I saw CPT Greenwell holding his shotgun; he had been firing a 12 gauge. I thought he had run out of ammunition. Thirty years later, in Aug 1999, I met Phil Greenwell at a BRO reunion in Louisville, KY. One of the first things I asked him was how come he had run out of ammunition so quickly on that date. He told me that he didn’t run out; he had dropped all the rounds on the floor of the track and was trying to retrieve them. We both thought it was humorous 30 years later, but on Aug 12, it was very serious. CPT Greenwell maintained his composure, rallied the company, and repelled the enemy. On Aug 12, 1969, CPT Greenwell’s leadership throughout the action was evident and had immense impact o the ultimate favorable results of the engagement. CPT Greenwell received a Silver Star for his actions on that day. I left the CO and looked out across the field and saw all the men firing. I remember one sergeant, but cannot remember his name. He was in the second platoon and was just firing away. The reason I recall this image is because he was wearing a black beret. I had tried to make all the men wear their steel helmets, and it was very clear that he was not. I don’t fault him and never will L-R: (?) and 1SG Alfredo G. Herrera. We couldn’t have been on the ground for more than two or three minutes when another RPG round exploded between Kalchik, Mackedanz, and myself. The second round hit Kalchik and me. This one hit us in the lower extremities, somehow missing Mackedanz. By then other men arrived to help us and, since Kalchik couldn’t run, four men got a litter and began carrying him to the rear. I don’t remember all of them, but two of the four men carrying Kalchik were SPC Melvin McElreath and Mackedanz. As the four men were carrying Kalchik, McElreath was shot by AK-47 automatic rifle and hit in because he was exposing himself to enemy fire and returning it as fast as he could. I can still picture him. In fact, I was very proud of him on that day. I also saw the Battalion CO, LTC Cassels. He was on the ground, but I couldn’t tell what he was doing. At a later BRO Reunion, he told me that an AK-47 hit and wounded his driver’s arm. The driver could neither maneuver nor stop the vehicle. The track began to run erratically, causing LTC Cassels to fall to the ground. LTC Cassels also dropped his maps and was picking them up, which is what he was doing when I saw him. As Battalion Commander he was the instrumental officer, calling in fire, Map from the book Blood and Sacrifice. ...Al Herrera’s Story Cont. tracks). I was very upset and told the XO that the company should not have left without the water. I found a track that was going north to the company area and had them hook up the water buffalo to their track. In the meantime, I sent the mail clerk, PFC Robert Dorris, to get the company Jeep. Then in a convoy of two we set out for the company forward at An Loc. I did not know it at the time, but the company had been on 24-hour alert because elements of the 272nd and 273rd NVA Regiment were in the area. We arrived to join the company without incident. I told Dorris to quickly return back to the rear in Lai Khe. I was worried about him but found out later that he had made it back safely. I joined my men and my 007 track. Most of us remained on alert and awake during the night. In 2006, Herb McHenry and Ken Cassels supplied me with detailed information of an enemy encounter that occurred on Aug 10, 1969, just two days before Aug 12. 2LT George Perabo and members of his 2nd Plt were assigned to search and destroy a reported NVA area. They boarded choppers for an Eagle Flight and traveled to the area where they encountered and engaged in enemy fire. Some of the platoon members participating were Herb McHenry, Don Lane, Gary Hummer, Pat Delaurie, John Hanrahan, Greg Goldenstein, Ralph Rome, Melvin McElreath, (Doc) Joe Gossett, and Platoon SGT Marion Culbertson. As the enemy fire began, the men of the 2nd Plt returned fire, killing several enemy soldiers and capturing four prisoners. They brought the prisoners to the rear for interrogation, where the prisoners provided extremely valuable and accurate information covering projected enemy activities. The operation in which we were participating was designated Operation Kentucky Cougar. Very early in the morning of Tuesday, Aug 12, 1969, we joined the Battalion Commander, LTC Cassels and assorted battalion staff, Alpha Co, 1/16th and elements of Delta Co, 5/7th Cav for a combined search-and-destroy mission. We formed our tracks at the departure point and proceeded to begin the operation. We reached an area where there were Soldiers from an engineer unit with an AVLB (Assault Vehicle Landing Bridge). I can’t recall whether it was emplaced, but CPT Greenwell told me to remain with my track and crew of SGT Richard Burkardt, SPC Massey, and SPC Hill, and secure the AVLB and the engineers. I thought this might be boring, so I had Burkardt radio to the command track and ask CPT Greenwell if I could come and ride on his track for the operation. CPT Greenwell assented, and I ran to his track at the head of the company column. We were traveling on an access road following Alpha Co when we etc., and the maps were extremely important. The enemy drew us in perfectly; we could not fire flares nor smoke through the rubber tree canopies. We had no way of telling the artillery and air where we were located. It was obvious that the North Vietnamese were very well prepared for this engagement. I began running to the rear. I couldn’t hold my rifle, so I just had my .45 cal pistol in my left hand. I doubt if I could have hit anything, but that was all the firepower I had. My right arm was completely useless. At the time I didn’t know how much damage had been done to my lower extremities. As I was running to the rear, the enemy was firing their AK-47s at us. I could hear the rounds whistling all around me. I would stop behind a tree for a rest, and the rounds would hit the trees. It was very scary because I could hear the rounds flying past my ears (it certainly wasn’t like the movies). I felt very threatened and wasn’t sure I could make it out on my own. I finally did and reached the area where the wounded were being loaded on to a track to be transported to the dust-off helicopter. I was trying to get everyone loaded onto the track and had to order some of the men to get aboard. A few wanted to stay, but most were severely wounded and could not have been much use on the battlefield. Mackedanz recalls this very well as he said I ordered him to “get on the damned track.” I then got on myself. I was surprised to see my TC, SGT Burkardt, Hill, and Massey. It was my #007 track that was transporting the wounded! They had come forward when they heard all the weapons firing. They loaded and carried us to the dust-off area where we were boarding the choppers. I made a feeble attempt, as I was extremely weak, to direct the loading of the wounded. About that time SPC McElreath got a hold of me and lifted me into the chopper. I didn’t, nor could I, resist. What made me feel worse at the time was that McElreath had been shot in the stomach. He was seriously wounded and still managed to lift me onto the chopper next to the door gunner. He was a very heroic man on that day, and I feel that he should be recognized for what he did carrying Kalchik and placing me on the chopper when he himself was severely wounded. For their actions I feel that both Mackedanz and McElreath should have been awarded a valorous medal or citation. Before I was placed on the chopper, I gave Burkardt my situation book (which has been very instrumental with dates and names of my time in Bandido Charlie), my pen and pencils, address book, my holster, pistol, and my strobe light. I asked him to send everything home to me. He said he would. However, I never received my pistol or strobe. But I really didn’t think the military would allow him to mail these two items. I am grateful for him and for the items he did manage to send. When the chopper lifted off, they made a circle around the ground area. I waved at my crew and they waved back. Hill even waved a “V for peace” sign. What happened next was related to me by SGT Don Baum, also a patient, while we were at Letterman Army Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco. SGT Baum told me that Burkardt and crew were returning to pick up more wounded when the track came under heavy RPG fire. They returned fire with Hill on the .50 cal machine gun, Massey was driving, and Burkardt was in my place as NCOIC of the track. Hill was hit and knocked off the track. Massey jumped up to begin firing the .50 and was also shot off the track. At that time Burkardt got off the track, picked up each man and placed them on the track, got in, and drove the track away as RPG rounds were firing all around them. SGT Burkardt received a Bridgehead Sentinel Ron Mackedanz’s Story Excerpt from his online memoir as related to and written by Jon Lindstrand Around the first week of August, Bandido Charlie saddled up and headed up Highway 13 toward An Loc and Loc Ninh. These two areas were receiving a lot of activity from the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and the Vietcong (VC). On 12 Aug 1969 Bandido Charlie, along with Alpha Co, and a company from the 5/7th Cavalry, went to bring the Cavalrymen out toward the Cambodian Boarder. The convoy consisted of Charlie Co with 20 APC’s, Alpha Co with 20, and Battalion Headquarters with about six APC’s. There were also about 150 men on foot with them. They were moving through the rubber plantations west of An Loc. As they were going through the plantation a couple of NVA soldiers ran across the road in front of the column. The Battalion Commander (LTC Cassels) ordered four tracks to pursue the enemy. The NVA led them straight into an ambush. They all turned to the right, heading toward the ambush to provide support for the four tracks. Suddenly they started to take heavy fire from the left flank. They swung around and proceeded up a hill in the direction it was coming from. They were up against the 272nd NVA Regiment with reinforcements from the 273rd NVA Regiment. They were dug in and ready for action. The U.S. soldiers were outnumbered two to one. The battle in Ron’s words; “As we moved into the ambush site, Alpha Co on the left, LTC Cassels in the middle, and Bandido Charlie on the right, we charged ahead. The cavalry troops had dropped off to cover our right flank and rear. The NVA were dug in, tied up in rubber trees, and firing at us from every possible position. With the Photo courtesy of Ron Mackedanz. Photo courtesy of Al Herrera. 1SG Al Herrera and CO, CPT Sherwood D. Goldberg, at FSB Huertgen, January 1969. Ron Mackedanz. Summer 2009 Photo courtesy of Phil Greenwell. Silver Star for his quick and heroic actions. I didn’t know of this action because at the time we were flying to the aid station. We circled the aid station area, and I saw many enemy bodies on the wire. The NVA had almost overrun the aid station. Fortunately they were repelled, but many were still on the wire, dead. When we landed, the medics rushed us in. Almost everyone but me was on a litter being treated. I was standing, leaning on a crate or something when I began to feel very weak. I called a medic over and he saw my legs covered in blood. He tore my trousers and saw my leg was messed up and had me lay down on a litter. I found out then how much damage had been done to my left leg. I was bleeding very badly from those wounds. I was laying there, it could not have been more than 10 minutes, and looked up to see Hill and Massey being brought into the aid station! I was very surprised and disappointed because they were both hurt pretty bad. I looked at Hill and called his name. All he could manage to say was that they were ambushed. I did not have opportunity to ask more of Hill as the medics picked up my litter, and I was taken to another helicopter and transported to the 121st Evacuation Hospital and home of the 25th Inf Div in Cu Chi. Initial assault by Bandido Charlie on 12 Aug 1969. Bandido Charlie Command track leading the way, we let ‘em have everything we had. The NVA knew what they wanted to accomplish. Within the first half hour of the firefight, they took out the Battalion commanders track and both Company Command tracks. I guess they knew how to count radio antennas.” “Driving for CPT Greenwall, I saw the first RPG go right over my head. We were within 20 to 30 yards of where the NVA were dug in. I didn’t see the next RPG. It hit the front of our track, destroying the engine. The service door in the driver’s compartment blew out and hit me in the shoulder. At that point, I must have developed tunnel vision, because all I remember seeing was little brown guys all over in front of me. I grabbed my M-79 thump gun (grenade launcher) and started firing from the driver’s hatch. I didn’t realize at the time that there was no one left on my track. They had all been blown off when the RPG hit.” “After what seemed like forever, I crawled out of the top of the driver’s hatch. Al Kalchik, my 50 gunner, told me just a couple of years ago that he ran up and told me to get the hell out of there.” “When I got to the rear of our track, Al Kalchick and 1SG Al Herrera were both there. I didn’t realize that they were both already wounded from the initial RPG hit. As we hunkered down for a minute, another round came in from somewhere. Although we were all very close to each other, I was not hit but Kalchick and Herrera were both hit seriously. I was hollering for a medic while I was cutting Kalchick’s pant leg off and bandaging up his wounds as best I could. 1SG Herrera was hit in the main artery near his arm pit. He had shoved his thumb in the wound to stop the bleeding.” “Finally a medic got there and took over. Not knowing what to do next, but realizing that we had nobody on our 50, I went through the back hatch, into the track, and up on the 50. Believe me, this was no hero thing. It was survival.” “Inside the track CPT Greenwell was trying to coordinate the support. At that point he believed that LTC Cassels was out of the fight. After getting on the 50, I started firing at the NVA positions. Unfortunately the barrel on the 50 was burned out and rounds were going all over the place. Tracer rounds were going in six foot circles. I got off about 100 rounds or so and CPT Greenwell was handing me more ammo when another RPG with my name on it hit in the trees just behind me on my right side. I took multiple shrapnel hits in my right hand, right shoulder, back, face, and the most serious ones in the neck. The biggest one just missed my jugular by about a quarter of an inch.” “I remember dropping down inside the track saying, ‘I’m hit, I’m hit.’ CPT Greenwell took one look at me and said, “You’re alright Mack, get out of here.” Years later he told me, “You looked pretty tough Mack, I didn’t think you were going to make it.” I was covered pretty heavy with blood, some mine, some Kalchick’s.” “When I baled out of the track, the medic was still there working on Kalchick and 1SG Herrera. He bandaged my neck and hand wounds and told me to get the litter out of the track so we could get Kalchick out of there. I got the litter and we loaded Kalchick on it. Then with 1SG Herrera running along side barking out orders, Mel McEldridge, I and two other guys grabbed the litter and started running down the hill with Kalchick on it.” “We hadn’t made it very far when McEldridge took a round thru his side that exited by his navel. He fell, and I stumbled and fell on him and Kalchick. We got up, grabbed the litter again, and took off for the medevac track at the bottom of the hill.” In the end Ron and the others were medevac’d out. Ron was choppered to the 12th Evacuation hospital at Cu Chi where they removed most of the shrapnel from him. “I spent a few days there and then was sent to a convalescent hospital in Cam Rahn Bay for a few weeks.” Around the second week of Sept he returned to Lai Khe and Bandido Charlie. He had less than a month left in Vietnam. Ron has little recollection off his remaining time in Vietnam. A new first sergeant tried to make Ron go out into the field but CPT Greenwell stood up and said “No.” Ron never had to go back out. Ron went up for promotion and was promoted to the rank of sergeant just before his tour of duty ended in Vietnam. He left Vietnam 11 Oct 1969 and arrived back in the U.S. on 13 Oct. When he awoke on the morning of the 14th there was three inches of snow on the ground, a big change from the jungles of Vietnam. Phil Greenwell’s Story Excerpt from Phil Greenwell’s video oral history done by Ball State University as part of the Cantigny First Division Oral Histories project. Excerpt from Interview day #2, beginning at 1:16:00 The first major gunfight was on the 12th of Aug 1969. This was more or less a counterattack. We knew that the Ninth NVA [North Vietnamese Army] Div had come into country and were operating and trying to attack the province capitals, and our goal was to interdict them and try to catch them trying to get back out. We had pretty good intelligence because on Aug 10, a helicopter had spotted a large group of North Vietnamese soldiers. The Battalion Commander took my 2nd Plt and air assaulted in. I was not there; I had gone to Quan Loi. The battalion was going to stand down there several days in the future; I was supposed to go there and find out where we would go, what the facilities were, what we could expect, what we needed and all that. As we were going back, we started picking up radio transmissions, and that’s how I found out that my platoon had been hauled off by the Battalion Commander. And he air assaulted them, captured some prisoners. The prisoners talked freely, and that’s where he got the intelligence information of where we might be able to find some other guys fairly soon. Turned out it was correct, although we weren’t quite as prepared for it as we thought. In analyzing it today, I think I understand more about what had happened but it was a very sizable unit, probably 600, 900 North Vietnamese soldiers. They were dug in….with heavy weapons, anti-tank weapons, Continued on Page 8... 7 Battle of Binh Long Province ...CONTINUED from page 7 8 find another radio and a ride to get back in the fight. We maneuvered up and took the pressure off, and Alpha Co—the bulk of their force, came behind us…And as we got to the top of the little rise there, that’s when the North Vietnamese really opened up. They knocked four of our tracks out; mine was the first, almost instantly. It was kind of funny; they were shooting RPGs, hand, shooting at the enemy. The second RPG hit us, and it severely wounded our gunner, Al Kalchick, on the back on his legs, so the gun stopped. I was on the radio by that time trying to get air and artillery support and talking to MAJ Harris trying to find out why I couldn’t talk to COL Cassels, and trying to maneuver the company. Mack jumped out of the track, ran around behind, got Al down Army a long time, and this was his second tour. He knew things were going to get bad pretty quick loosing this much blood, so he stuck his thumb in the hole, and had the medic tape his arm so his thumb wouldn’t come out. Saved his own life. Stayed conscious and directed the evacuation of all these guys. Remarkable, remarkable. Anyhow, they got down the hill and the other wounded got down. Bandido Charlie Co Command Track. July 1969. L-R: Ron Mackedanz, guy in glasses (?), Al Kalchik, CPT Phil Greenwell, Dennis Daughdrill, SPC Siegel. Photo courtesy of Ron Mackedanz. ...Phil Greenwell’s Story Cont. RPGs [rocket-propelled grenade], recoilless rifles, heavy machine guns. I believe their goal was to make sure that when they attacked Quan Loi, that reinforcements couldn’t come down Highway 13 and couldn’t take this backroad to come in. Alpha Co was in the lead, and they came to a bridge. We had an armored-vehicular launched bridge, which is a tank chassis with a bridge that scissors out. They had used this ’cause we knew we had a stream crossing to make. And apparently, they were having a little trouble getting across the bridge. Battalion Commander went forward to hurry things up—this is early in the morning, about 6:30 or 7 o’clock—then they got across the bridge. Well he stayed up in the front. When we got to this T [in the road], the North Vietnamese opened up, cause it’s a slight hill going up both ways—not a real valley now—but a very slight rise either way. On the other side of this road, the terrain dropped off pretty seriously. So they opened up and knocked out the first track— actually it wasn’t the first track, we thought it was the first track at the time, turns out it was the second track of Alpha Co. Set it on fire. Alpha Co in the meantime had run in here and they were bunched up, and they were fully engaged now from both sides and couldn’t maneuver. I remember COL Cassels just calling me, said, “Phil, get up here.” We were in rubber, but … right here to the north there was a clear area in the rubber. Why, I don’t know, it was clear—about the size of a football field or so. It was obvious that Alpha Co was fully engaged and unable to maneuver, they were too close together. I had a rifle company from the 1st Cav Div, Delta Co, 5/7th Cav riding on my tracks with my company, so I asked them to dismount. We turned, dropped these guys off, and I maneuvered my folks up the hill and then turned, wheeled a little bit left— the idea being to come here, and take the pressure off of Alpha Co so they could get out, and to give the North Vietnamese a real worry that they were going to be flanked. And it worked; Alpha Co was able to get out. They pulled back. Well, in the meantime the Battalion Commander’s track had been hit, and his driver jerked the controls, track went back, hit a tree, knocked everybody off. Battalion Commander’s maps went one way, he went another way, they had to get the driver evacuated, and then it got hit again I think. So, I couldn’t call the Battalion Commander on the radio, there was nobody in—I got no answer at all. I could talk to battalion S-3, MAJ Jim Harris; he was in the air in a helicopter. He didn’t know what had happened to the Colonel, so I assumed the Colonel was dead. Turns out, he was just on the ground trying to and I remember one going right over my head. My driver thought it’d hit me, but it went right over my head. Then we got hit once, then again. The first one blew the motor. The second one blew the inside out. Course it knocked us off the track. Learned a valuable lesson that day. I carried a shotgun—I figured when it was time for me to start shooting a shotgun was about right—but I had my web gear on the back of my seat instead of on my body. And of course, when I went off, the web gear was still up there with all my ammunition in it. So, I was going to get that, and a machine gun from the North Vietnamese stitched the seat and knocked all the shotgun shells everywhere. I looked like a squirrel trying to gather acorns, trying to pick shells up off the ground. My First Sergeant, Al Herrera, had been on R&R. He’d just got back, and his track remained behind to guard the bridge that we had left to go across the stream. And I called him up and said, “First Sergeant, why don’t you get up here and ride with me? And tell me about R&R, I’m gonna go someday.” So he was sitting right here next to me. Well, he got hit, an RPG hit the track beside us and splashed out. He was trying to help some wounded soldiers, and it splashed out and got him pretty good. My driver, Ron Mackedanz, when the first one hit, it caved the side of the APC on his right side in, and crushed his arm a little bit. He’s sitting on the left front, down in the hatch. He couldn’t come back through the track, he was going to have to go out the top to the front where the enemy was. He had an M-79 grenade launcher, and he was using that with one out of the gun hole. And got him back and they were working on him. Another RPG hit that wounded Al again—both Als, Al Kalchik and Al Herrera—medic came, Mack got up on the gun. Al had shot the riflings out of the barrel so he couldn’t hit anything with it, but I handed him some ammunition anyhow. Another RPG hit and splashed Mack all down the side up here, and he dropped out of the hatch, screaming, “I’m hit! I’m hit!” I grabbed him, and I looked at him and said, “Mack, you’re all right.” He said, “Oh.” He was fine then. He wasn’t all right, but, he helped get the wounded down the hill. I told First Sergeant, “You get these guys down the hill.” I didn’t realize the First Sergeant was wounded as bad as he was; it didn’t show exactly. Actually what had happened, the second RPG that had hit had sent shrapnel up under Al’s arm and cut this artery, and the medic couldn’t stop the bleeding. And Al knew—course he’s First Sergeant—he’d been around this Forward Observer and I finally got down, but I was down to one shot left, and he was about out of ammunition. He got shot in the leg. I had gone forward and thrown a couple of grenades, ’cause I needed to see a little more of what was in front. And, moved forward in front of the track—stupid, stupid amateur, stupid mistake. Rubber plantations—every tree has its own water trap; it’s just on one side of it. Well there was this North Vietnamese soldier. He was just right in front of us, right behind this tree, and I walked right past him. And he stabbed me just barely, I didn’t even know he’d done it. I knew he’d came at me, and I shot him. I didn’t know for two days that I had a cut here cause it didn’t hurt. But anyhow, got back behind the tracks after that. That was a really stupid move. But I did see what I needed to see, and I knew that we were not going to be able to hold right here where we were, and we needed some air and artillery. Was not allowed, I had talked to MAJ Harris on the radio, was not allowed to fire air artillery, gun ships, nothing, no fire support. They said that one of Alpha Co’s tracks was missing, and we couldn’t shoot for fear of harming our own soldiers. Well, as soon as I heard that, I got hold of my Weapons Plt, my mortars, and instructed them to start knocking trees down. If nobody else was going to let me shoot their stuff I was going to shoot mine. ’Cause I could see, and there was no Alpha Co track where I was going to shoot. But we couldn’t knock the trees down, and we didn’t have enough plastic explosives to blow it, so that didn’t work either. Anyhow, FO got shot in the leg, I grabbed him, put him on my back and we went down the hill. Stupid soldier’s humor. We kept falling down, was trying to go down a hill, you know, bullets are whizzing by, and he says, “You know, the only reason you’re carrying me is cause that way I’m behind you, and they’ll shoot me first.” And then we kept falling down and he says, “You’re going to kill me! You just keep falling down!” And then we got most of the way down, and it dawned on both of us at the same time, it was just like a revelation, because Alpha Co had reformed on the road, and the 5/7th Cav soldiers were interspersed in between the Alpha Co tracks. And he said, “You know Sir, if just one of those guys thinks we’re VC they’re going to chew us alive. Everybody’s going to shoot at us.” So we were just, “Oh please, don’t mistake us for the bad guys.” But turned out everything was okay, they didn’t. For more of their stories Watch or read the entire interview with Phil Greenwell and other 1st Division veterans at the Cantigny First Division Oral Histories section on the Ball State University web site at http://libx.bsu.edu/ collection.php?CISOROOT=/CtgnyOrHis. Read Ron Mackedanz’s memoir online at www.usmhc.org/ biographies/Ron_Mackedanz.pdf. To order a copy of Al Herrera’s book, Reaching An Loc, see the BRO Books section on page 15. - All three stories were edited by staff for space and content. After action sweep of the battlefield, 13 Aug 1969. Photo by Norm Hardin courtesy of Ron Mackedanz. Bridgehead Sentinel We thank all who have responded to our requests for support of our Scholarship FundS. Your generosity will enable us to fulfill our obligation to the children of all Big Red One soldiers who lose their lives in combat—over 180 children to date. Following is a list of contributors to the 1st Infantry Division Foundation Scholarship Fund from 1 February 2009 – 15 May 2009. Duplicate names indicate additional contributions. 1st Infantry Division Foundation Scholarship Funds Melvin Lewis Cecil W. Hallock COL John M. Spiszer LTC Gilbert N. Conforti Albert N. Pike MAJ Howard S. Stanfield Rafael C. Trevino LTG Orwin C. Talbott MAJ Joseph Batistoni BG John R.Gallagher, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William Bruce Vernon Torkelson United Health Group Alfred Clausen Charles R. Bockes Albert H. Pike Office of the Division Command Sergeant Major MAJ Joseph M. Batistoni JC Realty Group, LLC CPT Wilmer K. Benson Mrs. Claire B. Hathaway Richard K. Grubbs Kenneth L. Whitson Bill W. Mielke LTG Ronald L. Watts BG John R. Gallagher, Jr. Arthur Mark Lee COL Mark Slominski, Ret. LTC Lionel V. Wilburn Fred A. Crane Dick E. Harman COL Max L. Waldrop, Ret. United Health Group MAJ Joseph M. Batistoni, Ret. Wallace E. Chapla Larry Blair LTC Gil Conforti Thomas P. Jordan Mark E. Scott Joel Quinn Fort Riley Officer and Civilian Spouses’ Club E. Lawrence Adams, Jr. BG John R. Gallagher, Jr. COL James B. Carvey, Ret. MAJ Joseph M. Batistoni, Ret. LTC Charles R. Thomas SGM Albert N. Pike Ted Tragarz Louis Marsico, Jr. SFC Dennis Laliberte James A. Krucas Joseph D. DeRossi In Memory of Beverly Deaton John B. Deaton John B. Deaton, Jr. Marc H. Deaton In Honor of COL Karl W. Robinson, Ret. Stuart A. Deaton In Memory of Matthew Hirsch New York/Fort Dix Branch In Memory of Chester Karwinski New York/Fort Dix Branch In Memory of Stuart Quigg in the name of Robert DeSilva, Speaker of the Year for 2008 Society for International Affairs In Memory of Fred Mager, Joe Devine, Paul Mencinskas & Gilbert Pizano Ray Albin In Memory of Mrs. Gene Kling Mr. & Mrs. William C. Maher In Memory of Lena Douglass Robert C. Douglass DePuy Scholarship Presentations In Memory of Charles Stimmel New York/Fort Dix Branch Certficates of Award of Scholarship were presented to the children of MSG Anthony Davis on 17 April 2009 in Dumphries, VA by COL (Ret) Ed Burke, Society Excecutive Director. (L to R: Marc Davis, Ed Burke, Diana Davis, Kayla Davis and Mrs. Anna Davis). SGT Davis was killed in Iraq on 25 Nov 2008 while serving in the Military Transition Team, 1st Bde. Mrs. Dena Yllescas accepts the Certificate of Award of Scholarship for her daughters, Julia and Eva Yllescas, at a ceremony at Fort Hood, TX in Dec 2008. The certificate was presented by BG Mark McDonald. Her husband, CPT Robert J. Yllescas, lost his life on 1 Dec 2008 in Afghanistan while assigned to the 6th Sqdn, 4th Cav, 3rd BCT. Mrs. Starlia Dawson accepts the Certificate of Award of Scholarship from MAJ Gregory Stokes on behalf of her daughter, Diamond Diggs at a presentation ceremony in North Las Vegas, NV in March 2009. Her husband, SGT Ezra Dawson, lost his life in Afghanistan on 17 Jan 2009. At the time of his death, SGT Dawson was serving in 1-26 Inf, 3rd BCT. Scholarship Fund Yes . . . I want to help the children of our BIG RED ONE Soldiers! Here is my TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution to the Scholarship Fund! $15 $30 $60 $100 $150 Other$ Name Address City Phone( ) State Zip E-Mail Please make your check payable to: 1st Infantry Division Foundation. Mark it “Scholarship Fund” and mail it to: 1st Infantry Division Foundation, 1933 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Mrs. Melinda Wilkey and her children, Blayke Wilkey and Christian Wilkey, receive Certificates of Award of Scholarship from MAJ (Ret) Ed Bensman at their home in Elkhart, IN on 21 March 2009. Their sister, Alexea, was napping at the time of the presentation. Her husband, PFC David Wilkey, was serving in 1-28 Inf, 4th BCT at the time of his death on 18 June 2007. Summer 2009 Your contribution is 100% deductible for income tax purposes. NOW Contribute online! Visit www.1stID.org and click on “Foundation” then “Contributions.” 9 U.S. Army Photo. Commemorating D-Day, June 6, 1944 By BG Vincent K. Brooks CG, 1st Infantry Division 6:30 a.m. June 6, 1944. Omaha Beach. A 16-year-old Soldier who falsified his birth certificate so he could join the Army is anxiously awaiting his landing on the beach head. The ramp lowers. Soldiers of the 16th Infantry Regiment courageously move forward, as they have trained many months to do. Many die on the first step. PVT Joe Argenzio follows Memories of D-Day By Stephen Kellman I enlisted in the summer of 1942. I took the ferry across New York harbor to Ft. Jay (Governors Island). Little did I know that after Basic Training that I would be assigned to L Co, 3rd Bn, 16th Inf, 1st Div. 12 thousand of us were on the Queen Mary. I was on D-deck below the water line. It only took us three and a half days to make port on the River Clyde in Scotland. After a long train ride, I arrived at L Co. It was just one company in a Hamlet called Long Bredy. We trained for the rest of the year and into 1944 for the assault on the Normandy Beaches. We were trained in all the special jobs—putting together the Bangalore Torpedoes, using the flame thrower, and placing the satchel charge in the aperture in the pill box we were to attack. The RAF had supplied excellent photos of the beach we were to land on. In addition, I had an 8 ft. aluminum ladder in 2 sections that we were to use getting across the tank ditch. We left Long Bredy for the Marshalling Area in the woods near Weymouth (where we boarded the Empire Anvil a British ship). Originally we were set to hit the beach on June 5th but the weather was so bad it was called off before we were getting prepared for the assault. On June the 6th we were called on deck and ordered over the side to the landing nets at about 3:30 in the morning. The weather was terrible and the English Channel was very rough. You learned very quickly that you didn’t grab the horizon- 10 the advice shouted by a fellow Soldier and bails over the side of his landing craft, since the open ramp of the landing craft seems to have been replaced by a wall of machine gun bullets trained accurately on everyone in the boat. The water is over his head. His comrades are falling all around him. His helmet, rifle and ammunition are lost in the cold, choppy waters of the English Channel. Joe Argenzio, fighting by not quitting, survives the bullets and the water and makes his way ashore. He takes cover behind obstacles on the beach, then scrambles to the relative safety of a sea wall that provides some relief from the constant barrage of bullets from German machine guns. Argenzio grabs a weapon and ammo from a dead Soldier and after some inspiring words from the 16th Infantry’s regimental commander COL George Taylor, the men of what would later be called the “Rangers” begin to make their way inland. When they secure a German blockhouse on a hill overlooking the beach, a sign, hastily created, points the way ahead with the words—“Danger Forward.” For the Division there had been other “D-Day” assaults— North Africa, Sicily. But this one was unlike any other, before or since. The veterans—sergeants and officers—taught newly arrived Soldiers how to fight and how to get the advantage over the enemy, no matter the odds. Many sacrificed their lives but the Division accomplished nearly an impossible mission while heroes felt they were only doing their duty. Another chapter was added, not only to the Division history, but to human history. Those Soldiers of yesterday are not unlike our Soldiers of today. They come from diverse backgrounds and blend together as exceptionally capable units. They train to accomplish a variety of missions and are extremely creative in the process. They are guided and trained by a cadre of seasoned combat veterans. They persevere against all odds and make the impossible happen routinely. The Big Red One Soldiers of today are engaged in battles for freedom far from the comforts of home. They are some of the best this generation has to offer. And they serve honorably, as heroes, just as those who have gone before them have done. It is a legacy our Soldiers build upon and will continue to build upon, adding their stories to those of the Big Red One who have gone before them. Though our war fighting capabilities have changed dramatically in the past 65 years, one thing about this division has not changed—the heart, the spirit, the camaraderie, the professionalism and the bravery of its Soldiers. The warriors who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day lived by the same motto our Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan live by now and sang the same song we sing today. As we reflect on the honorable service and sacrifices this June 6th, let us also rededicate ourselves to the legacy passed to us and carry on the heritage in our service—No Mission too Difficult. No Sacrifice too Great. Duty First! tal rope because the man above you would be stepping on your hand. Also the little landing craft was bobbing up and down in the water, while the landing nets were banging against the side of the ship. That combination, plus all the equipment we were carrying, made it more difficult. Our British Coxswain did a great job in getting us to the beach (although it was the wrong one). When we got into the landing craft we had to assemble with the other landing craft, so we went around in circles until all the craft were ready for the run to the beach. Our craft and two others made it to the beach. I learned later that the other two were sunk. I believe they were swamped by heavy seas. I zigzagged across the beach to the safety of a small cliff. I got rid of the ladder because we were not on the right beach, and the ladder was not needed. We were pounded by the German 88’s and machine gun fire from the machine guns in pill boxes above the beach. After some time the 88’s landed very close to me and killed the man next to me. It knocked me down but otherwise I felt fine. Our Executive Officer came along and said we were moving inland up a draw that had been opened. When I stood up to follow LT Cutler, I fell down. I had no feeling in my right leg. I tried standing up again, and I fell again. LT Cutler said, “take your legging off.” I did, and that is when I saw blood and the wound. LT Cutler said to stay put and wait for an Aid Man to look at my wound. At that time LT Jimmie Monteith was directing a tank to fire at the strong point that was holding up our advance. LT Monteith was killed and was awarded the Medal of Honor. There were only 79 member of L Co that made it across the beach alive. Many of those who didn’t make it were part of the L Co that invaded North Africa and Sicily. Later that day an Aid Man put me on his back and ran down to the waters’ edge where an LCVP took me out to an LST that had an operating room. We pulled along side and then lowered four ropes that were put around the handles of the stretcher. The only problem was that the sailors on one side pulled faster than the other sailors, and I almost slipped off (circa 1943). the stretcher into the Stephen Kellman in England English Channel. Once safely on board It was then that he offered they cut all the clothing I was to shave me. I was too groggy to wearing off, and I went into the operating room. When the doctors refuse him, but when he took out a straight razor, I began to doubt my were done, I was taken below to a answer. He did a wonderful job, seaman’s bunk. I learned that the and I complimented him asking crew was at General Quarters, so that I wasn’t denying the seaman of if he had been a barber before joining the Navy. He said that he his bunk. had worked for his uncle, and I I then found that the LST asked if his uncle was a barber. had not off loaded the tanks that He said no and mumbled somewere on board. As a result the thing that I couldn’t hear. When off loading didn’t take place until I pressed him he told me that his D-Day +3 and we didn’t get back uncle was the town’s mortician, he to England until D-Day +5. The had learned to use a straight razor seaman also brought me someshaving the corpses. thing to eat. A bowl of cold peas After about six weeks in the was all he could find. I didn’t like hospital I returned to France and peas, but I ate every last one. He rejoined L Co. also brought me a basin of warm water to wash my hands and face. D-Day 65th Anniversary in Normandy By Bill Ryan At 1730 hours on the 5th of June 2009, a Memorial Service was conducted at the 1st Infantry Division Memorial overlooking Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. This Memorial Service was arranged by Patrick Thomines, the mayor of Colleville-surMer. Because President Obama was going to be present at the American Military Cemetery located at Colleville-sur-Mer, all of the memorial services that we had organized were cancelled. Mayor Thomines invited all of the local French dignitaries and the local civilians to attend the services at the 1st Division’s Memorial. As a result of this invitation a large crowd of French civilians were present at the Division’s Memorial. Also present was a detachment from the 1st Infantry Division, under the command of LTC West and CSM John Jones. Mayor Thomines gave a short opening speech that was translated by Fred Castier, our French liaison. I was then asked to say a few words. After a short period of silence, the mayor laid the traditional French wreath. The wreath from the Society of the 1st Infantry Division was laid by CSM John Jones, Charles Shay, Fred Castier, and CSM Bill Ryan. After the wreath laying ceremony, we proceeded down the hill, to a large bunker that was the first Command Post for the 16th Inf and the 1st Div. On top of this bunker a memorial has been constructed, dedicated to the men of the Amphibious Engineers and the U.S. Navy Beach Masters. After a short prayer a wreath was laid at the memorial. We then proceeded to the garden behind the Town Hall where a short Champagne reception was held. Once again the Mayor gave a short speech and then he presented the new pin commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day Landing to the D-Day Veterans. He also presented a bottle of Calvados that had been prepared for the 65th Anniversary. As always I had to tell the mayor about the very bad Calvados that we were given as soon as we landed on Omaha Beach. Epilogue: Once again the French people showed that they will never forget what we Americans did for them. The old folks have passed on to the youth all the information on what we did. That was evident by the large number of young people who attended the Memorial Service. See next page for photos of the Normany France event! Bridgehead Sentinel The Corporal By LTC Al Alvarez, U.S. Army (Ret.) His raucous assertion every dark morning as he roused us from our bunks was: “I’m your Red-Leg Corporal! The lowest Arty non-commissioned officer in this cotton-picking Army! But to you, these two chevrons mean I’m the rat of God! If you don’t believe that—you better be right! I ain’t no gypsy fortuneteller, and I ain’t promising you no tomorrow! So get on the stick, today!” Thus would dawn another exhausting day of toil under this unrelenting despot. At night, his wheezing snores amid the aroma of imbibed vanilla extract emanating from his end of the Nissen hut kept us vividly conscious of his drunken presence. Yet no one dared awaken him during these 6 hectic months of a 1944 spring training period in Dorchester, England. We marveled every morning how that “old sweat” could be the first up and ready at reveille with the tightest bunk and ODs crispy-creased. It’s still enthralling to remember his ironing his trousers the evening before on his foot locker with a heated mess pan. Then his tattooed arms moved in continuous motion as he spit shined his boots. Those two stripes on his sleeve and his two hash-marks at his wrist fully denoted his authoritative 6 years plus of hard-bitten service. But it was the ETO ribbon with 3 battle stars added to the red, white and blue Silver Star for the Gela assault in Sicily that slack-jawed us with awe. Here we were, newly arrived replacements assigned to the premier fighting division in the whole U.S. Army; the U.S. 1st Infantry Division! This famous fighting unit had just returned to England from the bloody Mediterranean battlefields of Algeria/Morocco, Tunisia, and Sicily. The First was one of the only battle-tested units available for the coming invasion. Obviously, this crusty corporal fully comprehended what was in store for us and what he had to do to prepare us. There he stood erect, hands on his hips, epitomizing all the old soldiers who had worn campaign hats as they soldiered in Hawaii and the Philippines—sporting his red-and-green Foureguerre our Arty Bn, The Lucky 7th, had gloriously earned on the blooddrenched fields of France in WWI. Next to that French cord coiled around his left shoulder was the Big Red One insignia, respected throughout all armies, both American and foreign, as the The Fighting First! Displayed, it portrayed to us and the military world that he was the warrior that we and they aspired to be. His constant rowdy belching at our many mistakes during his battery recruit school were always loud, irreverent, and profane, yet invariably hilarious. “If I’d wanted to send a stupid SOB, I’d gone myself!” For those who hailed from the great Lone Star State, it was, “Texas, where more men needed killin’ than horses needed stealin’!” As for me specifically, he savored this gem: “You’re a lucky SOB. Your name begins with ‘A’, so it’ll be inscribed high on top of the War Memorial in your hometown—and the dogs won’t be able to pee on it!” On the other hand, amid these churlish admonitions, he included truisms I’ve always respected, remembered, and now repeat: “Never, ever forget you’re The First—and nobody in the hell, German, British, or Chinaman will ever stop us!” Always the boss, which he gutturally explained meant “Double S, OB spelt backwards,” as he indelicately pounded in sage combat wisdom, “It’s ‘duty first’ and for us cannon-cockers, it’s ‘we support the doughs!’” As a newly minted PFC, a fresh product of a comprehensive stateside communications school, he honed in on my manual-correct military craftsmanship with verbal flames to my posterior: “Dig your commo pit hole deeper! Protect your radio, carry too many batteries—commo is more important than you!” We absorbed his basic tenets of battle soldiering: “Carry two full canteens! Wear 3 first-aid packets, and one with morphine syrettes on your helmet! Tape wound-powder packets on your equipment!” Believing he was the noblest creation of the devil—our War God— we incessantly strived to learn. Not only this infernal corporal, but most of all, the other accursed Battery NCOs, came across as exclusive, eccentric, and maybe arrogant buggers, “but they had smelled the smoke and seen the elephant!” Surely they were narrow-minded, rigid, one-way, and harsh in their crude, incessant discipline, yet they all oozed a distinct professionalism. Certainly, they were “old Army” and therefore permitted no evasion of orders. Seemingly always, they were inflexible as they maintained the strict application of their rules. Yet in some strange way, they formulated in John-ass recruits “the rule of the bunky.” These old NCOs would look out for us by teaching us the hard truths. We then would learn to look out for our section buddies, then as platoon mates, and finally as Battery members. Thus we bonded and became a military family! Our unseasoned, fuzzy uniforms devoid of any mementos of battle probably typified to these old codgers the new Army of civilians arriving on the scene— stupid, young healthy, whippersnappers who had devoured an extra portion of smart pills! We required squaring away, so we endured the brunt of these many months of their intensive “red leg” preparation training. First it was “cannoneers’ hop” where we maddeningly exchanged gunner positions while continuously dry-firing. Then “closestation and march-ordered,” we manually emplaced the 105mm Howitzer. Our now-calloused hands dug the gun pits, then administratively refilled them, leaving a neat area for the British landowners! For some of us, the high scores on our aptitude tests channeled us to fire direction procedures and forward-observation methods training. There, we absorbed the intricacies of shooting. All of these readiness days, however, invariably ended with dirty-fingernail-maintenance of equipment. These unforgiving NCOs oversaw as we washed, cleaned, saddle-soaped, Neat’sfoot-oiled, greased, oiled, painted, and eventually the mammoth demand—waterproofed! We continued on page 18... y The Big Red One Commemorates D-Day on at rain S Cerem t y k S K C47 bilene, A the Normandy, France O Ft. Riley. ackmon, US ril Bl Photo by Ap The Big Red One sent contingents of soldiers to the First Division Museum, to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, and to ceremonies in Normandy, France to do its part to honor and remember not only 1st Division soldiers but all who contributed that fateful day. Photo by Frederic Castier. Normandy, France Photo by Frederic Castier. Wheaton, Illinois The 1st Division Memorial Ceremony at the 1st Infantry Division Memorial in Normandy, France on June 5. CSM Bill Ryan (Ret.) and active duty 1st Division Soldiers attended the June 6, ceremony in Normandy. Abeline, Kansas Abeline, Kansas Courtesty of the Eisenhower Center. Collection’s Manager Chris Zielinski speaks with veterans attending the Memorial Ceremony at the First Division Museum. Wheaton, Illinois Courtesty of the Eisenhower Center. Representative veterans from the branches of the Armed Forces unveil the LCVP during the ceremony. 1st Division CG and CSM heading up the Fort Riley component of the parade in Abeline, Kansas. SSG Walt Ehlers (Ret.), who earned his Medal of Honor during the Normandy Campaigns of WWII, spoke during the Abilene, Kansas Commemoration. Normandy to VE Day: L-R: CPL Hougas (gunner), Orey Cole (loader), Ed Albracht, (assistant driver), Glenn Raffensparger (driver), SGT Melton (commander). The 745th Experience of George Hougas The French Legion of Honor John Gembel of Johannesburg, Michigan D Co, 26th Infantry Regiment 1940–45 was presented the Legion of Honor in February 2007 at Union Hall in Detroit, Michigan. Arnold R.Lambert of West End, North Carolina MED Detachment, 2/16th Infantry Regiment 1940–1945 was presented the Ligion of Honor on 11 November 2008 at the Museum of History in Raleigh, North Carolina. William M. Lee of Mt. Vernon, Illinois D Co, 26th Infantry Regiment 1942–45 was presented the Legion of Honor on 24 May 2006 at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis, Missouri. Robert Miksa of Naples, Florida 745th Tank Bn & 18th Infantry Regt, 1944–1946 was presented the Ligion of Honor on 6 June 2007 in Naples, Florida. Robert B. Piner of Panama City, Florida B Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1944–1945 was presented the Ligion of Honor on 26 February 2009 at the French Consulate in Miami, Florida. Hyrum Shumway of Richmond Heights, Missouri 18th Infantry Regiment was presented the Ligion of Honor on 24 May 2006 at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis, Missouri. If you’re a WWII veteran of the Big Red One, have been honored with the French Legion of Honor and haven’t yet had your presentation mentioned in the Bridgehead Sentinel, please tell us about it. Include your: name, hometown, date and location of presentation, 1st Div unit and the years. John Gembe l receiving his French Legio n of Honor medal. 12 I enjoyed “Memories of the 745th Tank Bn” in the Spring 2009 issue of the Bridgehead Sentinel by Allen “Bud” Spencer. Bud, and four others from Marseilles, IL, came into the 745th at the same time: I became part of assault Plt, HQ Co; Mario Vangelisti became a member of Recon Plt; Tom Lipsey wound up in Mortar Plt; Clem Hicks became mess sergeant in Service Co. We were quite diverse with parts of our battalion being distributed throughout the Division. Our Assualt Gun Plt was attached to 16th Inf, Cannon Co under the leadership of CPT O’Brien and LT Golden. Our first association with the 1st Div was in Operation Fabius—debarking an LST onto a “Rhino” Ferry and coming ashore on the English Coast. After a couple of days, we returned to Beaminster tent city. I came down with pneumonia and spent a week in an Army hospital, returning to the 745th the day before we left for the marshalling area. After several days there, we received orders to go to Bournemouth. At Bournemouth we exchanged our M-8 assault gun for medium tanks and we were in the process of waterproofing them when word came that ships had taken off for D-Day. I was driver of the command half-track of the Assault Plt, and we landed in Normandy on Omaha Beach on June 18th. I drove off the top deck of the LST onto Operation Mulberry. The dock was constructed out into the channel. After a night just off the beach, a recon group led us to the battalion which was just outside Caumont. We didn’t move very much for the next three weeks. We were then put in position for the breakout of Normandy. I recall the Air Force had a huge amount of sorties, and the ground was vibrating from all the bombs. Before we took off across France, we helped close the Falaise Gap then headed for Belgium and the Mons Pocket. We were in convoy, and CPT O’Brien hailed my half-track. He said, “Head for that forest off to the right.” Across a field, perhaps a half-mile away, was a stand of trees, and I saw several white flags waving. We crossed the field and reached the woods where we rounded up 110 prisoners. We lined them in formation ahead of the half-track and marched them back to the highway, and a short time later we entered Mons. We were pretty much on the move thereafter, travelling many miles some days, hauling Infantry on our vehicles through Namur, Leige, and Verviers toward the German border. We were along the German border at a place called Brand when late one afternoon we were given orders to mount up. We travelled several miles through “dragonteeth” and “pillboxes” into a valley outside Stolberg. This turned out to be one of the worst nights for us. Darkness set in, and we were in a sort of “no man’s land,” small arms fire all around. There were six of us in my halftrack, and we set up a guard detail for the night—one man in front of the vehicle and one man behind it. I pulled first duty, and when I was relieved, I climbed into the front seat of the half-track and laid down across the seats to try and get some rest. I was almost asleep when I was lifted into the air by the concussion of an artillery shell that hit alongside the half-track, and throughout the night we were under mortar and artillery from our own Long Toms as well as Germany’s. It was a night I will never forget. About daybreak a couple of infantrymen came by and asked if we had any thing to eat. We gave them some of our rations and shortly thereafter some tanks came by. They said they were to help the infantry try and take Stolberg. Why we were there I’ll never know, but we decided to move out and return to where we had vacated the day before. LT McCain, our CO, had a bed roll in a rack on the back of my half-track and the next time he went to use it, he discovered it was torn and full of shrapnel. Several weeks later my crew spent a day in Aachen at a forward ammo station. The battle for Aachen was tough, building to building. After Aachen was taken, we moved into the forest and set up positions for mostly night firing missions. In early Nov ’44 the Assault Plt had a big change in its operations. LT McCain left as our CO to work as an artillery observer. SGT Howard was promoted to CO with a battlefield commission. SGT Barille, #1 Assault Gun Commander, had acquired blood poisoning in this shoulder and left us for a field hospital. SGT Jennings our ammunition sergeant was promoted to SSG and CPL Melton became #1 Gun Tank Commander. I, CPL Hougas, become the gunner for #1 Tank. Then came the Hürtgen Forest fighting where our infantry took a beating from the tree bursts. We ate thanksgiving dinner at the edge of Hamich. Here I acquired my first sleeping bag or bags. The woods were littered with equipment, I salvaged a couple of damaged bags put them together—until that time we just rolled up in a couple of Army blankets. By now, winter was setting in and it was snowing and temperatures were changing. Early in Dec we made a big move to an area that was somewhat calm. Where we were positioned we could see flashes when the Germans launched the buzz bombs. On the 13th we were pulled out of the line, and it was rumored we were to practice for river crossings. I received a pass back to rest camp near Verviers, Belgium for three days, only to return on the 16th of Dec when the Germans launched the Battle of the Bulge. Our platoon had already taken up positions at a place called Walk, which was on the western edge of the breakthrough. We became limited at this time in the amount of shells for our assault guns. Most of our firing was harassing fire in areas where concentrations of the enemy were gathering. On Christmas Eve we were called for a firing mission. When I fired the first round, there was an odd explosion and flash in the tank. We contacted the company armorer. When he arrived, he told us we have to go to Ordinance. We left the next day, which was Christmas. Ordinance had set up in Verviers, in a factory with overhead cranes. We figured we might get a little rest there, but we decided to change our tracks. I’ll tell you that is “bull” work. Our tank was fitted with a new 105mm Howitzer and we returned to the platoon on New Year’s Eve. After several days we moved up to another area. We were assigned to “Task Force Davisson.” It was composed of units of the 634th Tank Destroyer Bn and the assault and mortar platoons of HQ Co, 745th Tank Bn, and D Co light continued on page 18... 1st and 2nd Bn, 2nd Infantry Regiment combined reunion! How does a unit reunion come together? With the help of a few dedicated folk, the 1/2nd Inf and 2/2nd Inf have combined their reunions. For the past 16 years Bob Fulps has been orchestrating reunions for the 2/2nd Inf in Owensboro KY. A few years ago, Don Rochat also began a 1/2nd Inf reunion in Pigeon Forge, TN. In early 2008, before Don passed away, Bob and Don decided to consolidate both reunions into a regimental reunion. Though the reunion was originally planned for May 2008, Don became seriously ill, other things happened and the reunion was canceled. Later that year Juan Santiago decided that the reunion still needed to happen and set the first combined reunion for October 2008. With a great deal of work Juan and Carmen pulled it off, and at that reunion they decided to continue the combined reunion. With the help of Dominic Mish and his wife, Diane, who volunteered to organize this year’s reunion with Juan and Carmen, and the help of Larry and Kathy Grzywinski, the reunion was held on May 15-17 2009, in Pigeon Forge. This reunion was one of the best ever with a grand total of 99 attendees with veterans and guests! Everyone had such a fantastic time that they decided to add an extra day onto next year’s reunion. Special guests included CPT Joshua Buchanan, D Co CO of 1/2nd Inf Rear Detachment in Schweinfurt. He came from Germany with his wife, Angela, to attend. MG Richard Anson (Ret), Honorary Colonel of the 2nd Inf and his wife Mary also attended. Bob Fulps and Ju an Santiago. Bob is presented with a plaque of for al l the years he orga nized the reunio ns. Charlie Co reunites, reflects on wartime service A local paper covered the C/1/18th Inf reunion on Apr 30–May 3. These excerpts were originally published on May 1, 2009 in the Knoxville News Sentinel. By Fred Brown A majority of the men of Charlie Co, 1st Bn, 18th Inf, 1st Div, have not seen each other since those dangerous days in fall 1967. Some 38 former members of Charlie Co began gathering Thursday for a weekend reunion in Gatlinburg’s Glenstone Lodge. They’ll look back, sometimes tearfully, and enjoy the tranquil mountains. The meeting was put together by Tom Mercer of Seymour, who was awarded a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. A special treat for the veterans was meeting Ben Franklin of Knoxville, a WWII veteran of the Big Red One who landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day with the 16th Inf. Mercer, who saw a great deal of combat, as did most of Charlie Co, says he is beginning to have more and more trouble with post-traumatic stress disorder, but getting together with his old buddies helps. He charged a group of Vietnamese soldiers manning a Russian rocket launch area, taking out some enemy soldiers as he ran. He brought in a wounded soldier with one hand while firing his rifle with the other. Dave “Doc” Simpson, an Army medic from Prosperity, S.C., recalled one battle around Loc Ninh when SP4 John Willett was severely wounded after an AK-47 round hit him in the head. Simpson ran to the irrigation ditch where Willett fell and “started putting his brains back in his head. I didn’t think he would live.” He did and is alive today, but unable to attend the reunion. Just as Simpson began working on Willett, a Vietnamese soldier popped up to shoot him. Johnny O’Connor, or “O.C.,” took out the enemy soldier with a hand grenade. “It all happened so fast,” says O’Connor of Hollywood, FL, also a Silver Star recipient, who now is on 100 percent disability for posttraumatic stress disorder. Below: (L to R) D-Day veteran Ben Franklin, Medic Dave Simpson, and Tom Mercer at the C Co, 18th Inf Reunion in Gatlinburg. The day the medals died By Patric Guy, 26th Inf, Vietnam Maybe it’s December because of Christmas. It might be November because of Thanksgiving. Most people tend to have a favorite month and, likewise, a not-sofavorite month. October has always been a bittersweet month for me. I was born eight days before my mother’s birthday in October, but I lost her when I was only 12 years old. My birthday has always been a sad reminder of losing her and the memories that could have been. Knowing that, I will tell you why Oct 28 always brings a little smile to my face despite the sadness of the month. I had been in Vietnam for about ten months and had spent my time on line with November Plt, Co B, 1/26—Blue Spaders—of the Big Red One. My main job was infantry rifleman. Though, like most guys, I had other titles including company “demolition’s man.” Apparently I was the only one who could remember the demolition formula for blowing things up, which for the uninformed was P=Plenty; it worked every time. I was also, at times, known as “ammo man” for carrying cans of M-60 machine gun shells, and “point man” though I did my best to avoid this task—it seems I had a propensity to attract Viet Cong ambushes. Summer 2009 Photo by Fred Brown. Larry ywinski, l Richard z r G y h t L-R) Ka Genera Above: ( , Dominic Mish, , Mary ski ago Grzywin ), Carmen Santi ne Mish. t e R d Dia Anson ( tiago, an n a S n a Anson, Ju L to R: Emanuel “Manny” Malende z-Diaz, Gerald Fahrenkopf, Jaco b Colston, Matth ew Hayes, Jack Paylor (WWII) an d Captain Joshua Buchanan. I learned many lessons early on about traveling with an infantry company conducting search and destroy missions. Specifically, one must be quiet, build no fires and keep your eyes wide open. You may not have been the only one looking to destroy or ambush. As a result of a general disagreement in how to conduct the war—not foolishly with my life—with my superiors, I transferred out of this infantry line company into a RECON platoon. RECON stand for reconnaissance, in other words a few men will travel about the jungle attempting to locate the enemy so a larger force can destroy them. Now for those of you who have never served in a line or recon infantry platoon, let me highlight the differences as I saw them in 1969 about 50 miles north of Saigon. The line platoon was part of a large company, composed of roughly 90 men who usually traveled as one; while the recon platoon was made up of maybe 12 guys who traveled alone. As I noted earlier, my infantry company had tried to use the elements of surprise and stealth to defeat the emeny. My new recon platoon seemed to be oblivious to the dangers which lurked in the jungle but instead enjoyed playing the radio, smoking, and making as much noise as they pleased while traversing the jungle. Needless to say, it did not take long for me to realize that I may have been wrong about the conduct of the war and the comfort of a large force when danger was near. Nevertheless, on the night of October 27, my recon comrades and I set up an ambush in the middle of the jungle. I had done this many times in the past but mainly along trails or streams or some place where the emeny might travel at night. But, this particular ambush site was in the middle of thick jungle with no apparent signs of traffic. This was more than okay with me because with all the radios blaring and fires burning, I had a hard time believing we would be able to surprise anyone. At about 2 o’clock in the morning my gun position mate woke me to take my turn watching for the emeny. We had deployed a series of claymore mines in front of us and were lying in wait. At 6 o’clock I heard what I believed to be something coming through the jungle—I thought it was probably an animal, given there were no trails created by humans. All of a sudden I saw a flash of green moving in front of me. I knew what to do having been to this rodeo before. I discharged the claymore mines and started throwing fragment grenades as quickly as I could. My fellow comrades soon joined me in laying down heavy fire. When the firing was over, there laid two departed North Vietnamese soldiers (NVA) and a blood trail off into the distance. Upon searching these two victims we found maps and other important-looking documents. In addition, one of the guys was carrying a bag full of medals. There were probably about 40 total, but of only two types. One type of medal had an NVA solider standing with his AK-47 point downward with the bayonet extended into a helmet laying on the ground. The helmet had the letters “US” embossed on it. The other type of medal had an NVA solider standing next to a civilian peasant. Being the drafted, enlisted man I was, I immediately put about half the medals in my pocket, an equal number of both types, and turned the remainder over to my platoon lieutenant who was busily calling in our achievements to battalion headquarters on a field radio. The battalion commander, COL Harold Stone was so impressed with our find, he immediately flew to the scene in his LOH helicopter (forerunner to the OH-58 Kiowa) to investigate the emeny documents first hand. After congratulating us on a job well done, he determined that the documents must be rushed to G-2 for further evaluation. During the assault, my position mate awoke and fired his M-16 rife. Unfortunately, it had rained during the night and the barrel of his rifle was full of water causing the gun to explode. Other than him no one noticed at the time. But, during our post event celebrations the exploded rifle was noticed along with the fact that we were now one gun too short or one man too many. Needless to say I immediately volunteered to solve the problem by returning to FSB Oklahoma with COL Stone in his two-seater helicopter. It was later determined that the medals with the “US” helmet emblazoned on them were to be awarded to emeny soldiers who had killed an American soldier. The other type of medal was awarded to the parents of an emeny solider who had lost his life in battle. Having lost many good friends myself to emeny fire, you now know why Oct 28, 1969 brings a little smile to my face for medals that did not make it home. 13 Panel 3-E I very much enjoyed reading the article “Freedom Affirmed” by John Parmeter in the Fall 2008 issue of the Bridgehead Sentinel. President Kennedy’s visit to Berlin in 1963 was indeed a very memorable event. I took special note of the comment about the “spiffy 6th Infantry Honor Guard” since I was the commander of the Honor Guard at Tegel Airport for President Kennedy’s arrival and departure. To be spiffy for the departure we returned to McNair Barracks and changed uniforms. I served with the 2nd Battle Group, 6th Infantry from January 1960 until August 1963 and this article brought back many memories and reminded me of several links between the 1st Division and the Berlin Brigade. As John Parmeter points out, following the erection of The Wall, battle groups were rotated into Berlin to reinforce the two battle groups of the 6th Infantry that were assigned to the city. The first battle group to reinforce us was the 1st BG, 18th Vanguards, but because of the Army reorganizations the battle group was part of the 8th Division. They trucked up the autobahn from Mannheim to Berlin and we were “saved.” A good friend, Ed Szvetecz, was XO, D/1/18th Inf. Ed and I were together as instructors at the Infantry School when Ed’s old CO from D/1/18th Inf, Dave Hackworth, called and said it was time to go to Vietnam and suggested we go to the 1st Div. We jumped at the chance and in May ’66 we took the same plane and truck to beautiful downtown Bear Cat and the 2nd Bde. Promotions came, and Ed was S3, 1/18th Inf but moved to Discom as S3. At Di An I was able to reunite with now BG John R. Deane, Jr. who had commanded 2/6 Inf when The Wall was built. While I was in Di An, another Berlin hand passed thru on his way to 1/28th Inf. Sadly Jim Rubio was mortally wounded not many days later in an action for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. When COL Deane left Berlin he was replaced by one of the most unforgettable officers I ever served under. That officer was COL William R. Washington. He began his career in 1940 with the 1st Div, remained with them until 1947, participated in the landing in North Africa, Sicily, and, as XO 2/16th Inf, he landed in the first wave at Omaha Beach. I learned many lessons from this man as well as some insight into the “old ways” of the 1st Div. When it came time for annual weapons qualification, I reminded him of his order that everyone must fire. He told me that the order didn’t include him and that back in the 1st Div, if there was any disagreement over an order of his, he fought it out with the complainer—but now he was a little too old to fight, so I was to assume he just knocked me down. I am sure he got along very well Terry Allen. Finally, I learned that the 1st Div does take care of its people. Returning to Vietnam for a second tour my orders were for MACV. This was not my choice for an assignment, but the “rule” said no back-to-back tours with a U.S. unit. When I got off the bus in Long Binh a good old sergeant called me over and asked if I wanted to go back to the 1st Div. He knew my answer when I tried to kiss him. I told him my orders were to MACV. He said that was not a problem; he would see that they were changed. He must have known how to work Below: (L to R) James Buddo and his driver Sp4 Walter Davis. 14 the system because I spent the next seven months in the 2nd Bde as S4 and only left the brigade when it stood down to redeploy. James S. Buddo Jr. LTC Ret. I just received my Bridgehead Sentinel and on the last page you show a picture of a book called An Army at Dawn written by Rick Atkinson, mostly about the campaign in North Africa. I entered WWII with the 1st Infantry Division about seven months before Pearl Harbor and was first assigned to L Co of the 3rd Bn, 18th Inf. We were the first combat unit to go overseas to Scotland on the Queen Mary unescorted and the first to land in Scotland. I was Bn S-2 when we landed at Oran (in the first wave) and continued with the 3rd Bn thru all of the fighting in Tunisia with the 3rd Bn, 18th Inf. I became company commander of K Co, 3rd Bn, one of five company commanders of that company—the only combat unit of any branch of the services to win the Presidential Unit Citation five times! My company led the invasion of Sicily, landing in the first wave at Gela, and we were the advance company of the whole Division until we were ordered to hold up. I was badly wounded in the center of Sicily near Villa Rosa—spent over a year in Army hospitals and ended up being on limited duty training troop at Camp Croft. K Company had five active company commanders; three were killed and two of us badly wounded. I’m almost 93 years old, 95% deaf in both ears, am blind in my right eye with a damaged retina and glaucoma, and have a very bad heart. I had a stent operation of my aorta artery and another one directly under my heart. CPT Edward R. Kuehn Back on Jan 9, 1968 when I landed in Vietnam, I really had no idea what I was in for. I had been in Germany when word came asking for volunteers. Myself and six other guys did just that. I took a “short” re-enlistment for immediate reassignment to Vietnam. Everyone in my life thought I had totally lost my mind. I admit that at certain moments I thought the same thing. Regardless, I went. I felt rather safe, considering my MOS was in supply. However, what I didn’t count on was when I got to my unit at Phu Loi, they changed my MOS and made me unit armorer specialist in charge of every aspect of my company’s ammo and the ammo driver/ammo run as well. In the Iron Triangle area, the worst roads you could wind up driving ammo on was Route 13 and Hwy 1. Wouldn’t you know, that was the path to and from Long Binh ammo I went to see 7 of my army buddies today I didn’t know what I would say I stared into their faces, each I did see I found them all on Panel 3-E You see the Vietnam Travelling Wall came to our town And I saw them all wearing God’s crown As I got in my car to drive home I knew I was not alone I sat and reflected on my day I bowed my head and began to pray I thank you God for them all I only wish they were not on that wall for all to seek and see Those fine men on Panel 3-E William Eaden, Earnest Sears, Jackie McMillion, Ramo Santilli, Benjamin Lima Castillo, Morris Jenkins and Joseph Dupere. To Big Red One Brothers & Sisters In honor of the troopers of A Trp, 1/4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division 1965‘66 Lai Khe, Vietnam You guarded me in the front You guarded me from the back Danny Slaughter “I walked with you” “I was your Medic” You didn’t like chlorinated water I didn’t like dysentery You disliked ambush patrol I sat with you and took my watch You cursed the heat-rash I applied the salve You took the rounds I applied the bandages We all heard the choppers and some still do Duane Kummer 1/28th Inf, ’67-‘68 dump? The man whose place I took had a VC bullet hit his engine. When he tried to get away, they killed him. They retrieved the truck after the VC pillaged it, put in a new engine and gave it to me. Getting ammo is like getting the family groceries. Everyone expects to eat, but gives little thought to how the food got there, or what the provider had to go through to get it. I, let’s call me the “provider,” had to head out into one of the most VC saturated regions of southern South Vietnam, all alone, with the thought that the VC won’t notice I’m an ammo truck, and if they do, that the men in the field will run to my aid. And, if I’m lucky, and I guess I am, I’ll miss thousands of landmines that were up and down every which way there was. Then, I had to hope a well placed bullet didn’t hit my load, which consisted of rockets, mines, C-4, grenades and bullets. Since my truck didn’t have a canvas cover, the word, “rockets” stamped all over the cases worried me a bit, but I was continually reminded that I would be “OK”. You don’t have to convince me that the most terrifying job in war is a leg infantryman. I do realize this. I ran into many a skirmish where I drove right through the middle of an engagement. I still live with the words I heard many times, “I killed a lot of VC for you, Bro!” Sometimes those words haunt me, because I realize as well that while those VC were being taken out so the ammo could get through, so were wonderful Americans dying, for that very same reason. I cannot, nor do I want to, forget them. I certainly am no hero, but the trauma and stress I went through has never since been matched by any experience since then. Ironically, when my time came to go on a 3-day pass in-country to Vung Tau, the VC hit the place, and I never got the pass! Then, later in my tour, when I got my 7-day leave out of country, I went to Taiwan, where I stepped into a hotel and ran right into my older brother who didn’t know I was even in Vietnam! Unbe-freakinlievable! I got back to my unit more confused then when I left! Then, it was over. I did, however, get to go to the Bob Hope Christmas show at Long Binh. I was the only one in my company who went. As my “freedom bird” barreled down the runway, VC mortars started coming in. The pilot pointed the nose of the plane practically straight up and floored it. It was like taking off in a spaceship. The flames leaving the engines were so long, you couldn’t see the end of them. We were at 1000 feet before we left the end of the runway. Nathan C. Sollish Bridgehead Sentinel BRO Books The following are either books about the Big Red One, its soldiers, or are books by BRO veterans. The Bridgehead Sentinel does not endorse these books but provides the information as a service to our readers. Mont St. Michel, Brittany, France. Herrera, Alfredo G., Reaching An Loc (2006). Paperback. 105 pages, 20 pages photos, black and white. An account of Herrera’s time in the military with a focus on his second tour in Vietnam as first sergeant of Bandido Charlie Co (C/1/16th Inf) in 1969. See the cover story, “Battle of Binh Long Province,” to read an excerpt. To purchase a copy of the book, e-mail [email protected] or call 503-591-8638. Gordon, David L., A Childs War: Memories of a child in London during World War II (2008). ISBN: 978-0-578-00433-4 Hardcover. 173 pages. In 1939, as an eight year old boy, David Gordon and his younger brother were evacuated from London to the country and remained there for the duration of WWII. The book is an account of his time in Dorchester, Dorset including his experiences with the 1st Div at Poundbury Camp in 1943-1944. If you’re interested in this book, visit www.lulu.com and type “David L. Gordon” into the “Search” function at the top of the page. Big Red One Battlefield Tour, Normandy, 1–9 June 2010 Join us on our 2010 Battlefield Tour. The tour includes: Normandy American Cemetery and Visitors Center June 6 D-Day Anniversary: Omaha Beach, the 1ID Monument and the Danger Forward bunker Pointe du Hoc, Ste Mere Eglise and Utah Beach Monet’s Gardens in Giverny and Mont Ste Michelle Paris, the City of Lights Additional information is on the Society’s website, or call Henry Williams at 708-4206779 or travelpro01@gmail. com. Check out the rear fender on Tom Curtin’s BRO Luggage Tags Tags have name & address on one side with BRO Shield on the reverse side. Tags are enclosed in plastic laminate with loop fastener included. The cost for tag #1 (includes postage & handling) is 2 for $10 or 4 for 15$ Tag #1 (Please print clearly) Name:______________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ City, State, Zip:_________________________________ BRO SUPPORT FUND ’98 Harley Softail! A BRO vet and proud of it. The Bro Support Fund The Big Red One Support Fund is the Society’s own fund that provides assistance to serving 1st Infantry Division soldiers and their families in nonemergency situations—our 1st Infantry Division Foundation’s McCormick Grants program handles the emergencies. As the Global War on Terror has progressed, the number of needs and assistance programs have multiplied dramatically, yet there are often needs that fall between the cracks. These situations are the reason the BRO Support Fund exists. If you would like to donate to the BRO Support Fund, please use the coupon below or the membership renewal application on page 18 to do so. With your generosity, help and support, the Big Red One continues to take care of its own! CENTURY CLUB Welcome to the new members of the Century Club! These are members who have donated $100 or more toward the Big Red One Support Fund. Thank you for partnering with us to support our division! Robert Torres Dick Harman Carter Ham Wilmer Benson Ricardo Cantu Frank Swinford Franklin Bent Vincent Brooks Eston White – In Memory of Arthur Chaitt Calvert Benedict John Carty, Jr Christopher Hoffman Martha Gonzales Scott MacPherson Mark Pappal John Brocato Don Jenkins Mahlon M. S. Hite Elvis Carden Pat DelloIacono Dennis McCarthy Jim Shelton Thomas Clay Robert Fuller Brandon Caputa Laurel Peake Paul Geddry, Sr Thomas Cagle The cost for tag #2 is discounted at 2 for $8 or 4 for $12 If you would like to donate to the BRO Support Fund, please use the coupon below or the membership renewal application on page 18 to do so. Tag #2 (Please print clearly) Name:______________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ City, State, Zip:_________________________________ BRO Support Fund Yes . . . I want to help our Society help the Soldiers of the BIG RED ONE! Please provide your phone number in case of a problem: (_______)_______________ Here is my TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution to the BRO Support Fund! Tag #1: ____No. of Tags for __________$ Tag #2: ____No. of Tags for __________$ This form is good for 2009 only. Unless otherwise specified, tags will be mailed to the address listed for tag #1. Summer 2009 Make check/money order payable to: Society of the First Infantry Division Mail to: Supply Sarge Society of the First Infantry Division 1933 Morris Road Blue Bell, PA 19422 $30 $60 $100 $150 Other$ Name Subtotal: __________ PA Sales Tax: __________ Total Due: __________ $15 Address City Phone( ) State Zip E-Mail Please make your check payable to: Society of the First Infantry Division. Mark it “BRO Support Fund” and mail it to: Society of the First Infantry Division, 1933 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Your contribution is 100% deductible for income tax purposes. 15 Our list this issue is more extensive due to the increased capabilities of our address verification program and the families of our members to notify the passing of their loved ones. Abbs, Garry of Henderson, NV (VN, D/1st ENG) Davies, Thomas of Lake Mills, WI (VN, C/2/18th Inf) Adamsky, Michael of Somerset, PA (WWII, A/26th Inf) Daly, Michael of Fairfield, CT on 25 July 2008 (WWII, I/18th Inf) Addy, Larry of Killeen, TX (VN, B/2/2nd Inf) Deel, Gary of Matthews, NC (VN, HHC/1/28th Inf) Adkins, Thomas of Sharptown, MD (Cold War, A/1/16th Inf) Dege, Raymond of Brick, NJ (WWII, I/18th Inf) Alejandro, Victor of San Antonio, TX (VN, 1st MP) DeMartino, Alfred of Pittsburgh, PA (WWII, B/18th Inf) Armellino, John of West Palm Beach, FL (WWII) Dickens, Edward of Pennsville, NJ (VN, HHC/2/2nd Inf) Barrowclough, Charles of Norwich, NY (WWII, M/3/16th Inf) Dimasi, Frederick of Nokomis, FL (WWII, G/2/18th Inf) Barysh, Noah of Sudbury, MA (WWII, 16th Inf) Donaldson, Michael of Anchorage, AK (VN, B/1/2nd Inf) Beadenkopf, Carroll of Baltimore, MD (WWII, F/16th Inf) Doran, Roy of San Antonio, TX (Cold War, HQ/16th Inf) Bechtel, Harold of Fredricktown, OH on 2 June 2009 (WWII, 7th FA) Ellis, Milton of Sacramento, CA (WWII, 1st ENG) Bedway, John of Harrison, OH (WWII, 16th Inf) Elsner, Robert of Aliso Viejo, CA (VN, B/2/2nd Inf) Bowles, Thomas of Florence, AL on 23 April 2009 (WWII, G/2/18th Inf) Erk, DeWitt of Albuquerque, NM (Cold War) Boyd, Joseph of Palm Harbor, Fl (VN, HQ/1/2nd Inf) Brady, Walter of Boynton Beach, FL (WWII) Brown, Jess of Sanford, FL (WWII, 16th Inf) Brownfield, James of Lawton, OK (VN, 1/5th FA) Brownlee, William of Taylors, SC (WWII, 5th FA) Fernelius, James of Sandy, UT (VN, I/18th Inf) Finkral, Wayne of Sun City West, AZ (VN, 2/16th Inf) Keluche, Quentin of Fresno, CA (VN, A/18th Inf) O’Brien, Sanford of Pittsburg, NH (CW, 2/28th Inf) Ketterer, Urban of Buffalo, NY (WWII, 18th Inf) Ohme, William of Leesburg, FL (WWII, HHC) Kohler, Carl on 6 March 2009 (WWII, A/1/16th Inf) Parsons, Alphonzo “Phil”, of Dayton, OH on 3 April 2009 (VN, C/2/16th Inf) Komarek, Edward of Teaneck, NJ (WWII, 1st MED) Krucklin, Robert of Charleston, WV (WWII, HHC/1st ENG) Kuechler, James of Leawood, KS (WWII, MED/16th Inf) Lagani, Salvatore of Mamaroneck, NY (Cold War, A/1/16th Inf) Laurinas, Sylvester of Monee, IL (WWII, C/83rd FA) Leep, James of New Albany, IN (VN, B/1/4th CV) Leppo, Earl of Arlington, VA (WWII, I/26th Inf) Lewis, Melvin of Delray Beach, FL (WWII, 745th TNK) Lloyd, Lindsay of Los Angeles, CA (WWII, G/18th Inf) Gunder, Brad of Findlay, OH in Dec 1994 (VN, C/1/16th Inf) Centrella, Fiore of Jacksonville, FL (WWII, 32nd FA) Hajek, Erwin of Naperville, IL (WWII, B/745th TK) Clark, Stever of Berlin, NH (VN, 1st ENG) Handy, John of Ansonia, CT (WWII, 7th FA) Clarke, Gerard of Pasadena, CA (WWII, A/18th Inf) Harrelson, Horace of Dadeville, AL (WWII, 5th FA) Clyde, Randall of Joplin, MO on 25 March 2008 (VN, HHC/1/18th Inf) Haslett, Donald of Dearborn, MI (Cold War, 1/18th Inf) Hatchell, Albert of Florence, SC (VN, 1/2nd Inf) Heidrick, Arthur of Lakewood, CA (WWII, AT/26th Inf) Hilaman, Bernard of Sealbeach, CA (Cold War, 7th FA) Horyczun, John of Ceadartown, GA (WWII, HHC/16th Inf) Ingley, Milton of Lubbock, TX (VN, 1MP/2nd Inf) Jenne, Norman of Orleans, VT (WWII, 32nd FA) Johnson, Elwood of Cape Coral, FL (Cold War) Juergens, Raymond of Cincinnati, OH (WWII, K/3/16th Inf) Manning, Vaughn of Bigfoot, TX (WWII, E/26th Inf) Marano, George of Alamo, TX (WWII, 16th Inf) Mariani, Alfonso of Brooklyn, NY (WWII, HHC/16th Inf) Marion, Arthur of Athol, MA (Cold War, K/3/18th Inf) Mathison, Jerrell of New Orleans, LA (VN, HQ/1st MED) McCaul, Joseph of Chatham, NJ (WWII, HQ) Spry, Kenneth of Waterford, MI (WWII, 26th Inf) Steinberg, Allan of Rochester, NY (WWII, 5th FA) Steinhauer, Samuel of Escondido, CA (WWII, 701st MT) Stimmel, Charles of Pueblo, CO on 3 April 2009 (VN, B/2/28th Inf) Partridge, John, Jr. of Waukesha, WI (WWII, MED/16th Inf) Stivers, Keith of Machesney Park, IL (WWII, C/16th Inf) Patrick, Philip of Gillette, WY (VN, B/2/18th Inf) Stowell, Lucien of Richmond, VA (WWII, C/1/16th Inf) Patterson, Harold of Ypsilanti, MI (WWII, AT/16th Inf) Swansiger, John of Windber, PA on 16 March 2009 (WWII, HHC/1/16th Inf) Perry, Bill of Frisco, TX (VN, 2/18th Inf) Tatro, Harland of Grand Isle, VT (WWII, B/32nd FA) Piglowski, Clemens of Depew, NY (WWII, 5th FA) Taylor, Guy of Lakewood, OH (WWII, C/1/16th Inf) Pistorius, Alvin of Spring, TX (WWII, HHC/AG) Thomas, Oscar of San Diego, CA (WWII, F/16th Inf) Points, Robert of Cincinnati, OH (VN, HHC/2/2nd Inf) Tierney, Michael of Las Vegas, NV (VN, 1/18th Inf) Prentiss, Robert of Pittsburgh, PA (WWII) Tipton, Harold of Clearwater, FL (WWII) Reynolds, Frank of Wellsburg, NY (WWII) Roethlisberger, Leo of Huff, ND (WWII, 26th Inf) Grass, Thomas of Mooresburg, TN (VN, 1/28th Inf) Songer, Herbert of Abilene, KS (WWII, 26th Inf) Nowak, John of Ludlow, MA (WWII, 601st TD) Mancha, Frank, Jr. of Del Rey Oaks, CA on 11 April 2009 (VN, C/1/16th Inf) Canady, Robert of Starke, FL on 24 March 2009 (VN, C/2/16th Inf) Dale, Floyd of Blue Springs, MO (WWII, K/26th Inf) Newcomer, Samuel of Washington, DC (WWII, A/26th Inf) Freeman, Ralph of Allegany, NY (WWII, I/16th Inf) Guist, Merle of Canton, OH (WWII, H/16th Inf) Curtin, Lawrence of Marshfield, MA (Cold War, D/5th FA) Solomon, Edward of West Palm Beach, FL on 23 March 2009 (WWII, HQ/2/18th Inf) Robinson, Donald of Alexandria, VA (VN, HHC/1/16th Inf) Burns, James of Reno, NV (VN, HHC/1/18th Inf) Crowley, Thomas of Marion, MA (WWII) Neuner, Clarence of Buffalo, NY (WWII, 33rd FA) Malanowski, John of South Hadley, MA (WWII, H/2/26th Inf) Gressang, William of Orange, FL (WWII, 2/16th Inf) Cowell, Dale of Grove City, OH on 31 Jan 2009 (VN, C/1/2nd Inf) Smith, Fred of Deerfield Beach, FL on 8 Jan 2008 (VN, L/8/6th FA) Forman, Harold of S Burlington, VT (WWII, 1st ENG) Burch, Paul of Indianapolis, IN (VN, 1st DA) Cook, Walter of Glen Cove, NY on 30 March 2009 (WWII, H/2/16th Inf) Neil, Quinton on 13 May 2008 (VN B & D Co, 2/16th Inf) Flory, Richard of Logansport, IN (WWII, HHC) Gray, Ralph of Suffern, NY (WWII, L/3/18th Infth) Comber, Charles of Sylmar, CA (WWII, F/2/18th Inf) Smith, Donald of Medford, MA (WWII, 1/18th Inf) Magee, Daniel of Oviedo, FL on 23 Feb 2008 (Gulf War, HHC/1st BDE) Bullin, Paul of Boonville, NC on 28 Jan 2009 (Cold War, HHC/1/16th Inf) Collins, John of Franklin, PA (WWII, A/26th Inf) Karafelis, Arthur of Lowell, MA on 4 May 2009 (WWII, C/1/16th Inf) Neier, Frank of Pemberville, OH (Cold War, 1/28th Inf) Tobey, Nelson of Las Cruces, NM (WWII, 7th FA) Roberts, George of Polo, IL (WWII, 745th TNK) Trunzo, Dominick of Apollo, PA (WWII, 18th Inf) Vandermeer, William of Memphis, TN (WWII, L/18th Inf) Veazey, Charles of Guntersville, AL (Cold War, 1st MED) Rozek, Stanley of Union, NJ (WWII, 2/16th Inf) Ruscitti, Elvidio of Beaver, PA (WWII) Vining, Evertt of Farmington, ME on 27 Feb 2009 (Cold War, HHT/26th Inf) Russo, Peter of Mastic, NY (WWII, C/1/16th Inf) Warfield, Nelson of Aberdeen, MD (VN, 2/28th Inf) Scales, Joseph of Burlington, KY (WWII) Watkins, Ken (VN, C/1/16th Inf) Scavone, Joseph of Parma, OH on 8 Jan 2009 (WWII, H/2/26th Inf) Scherer, Milton of Walton, NY (WWII, K/3/18th Inf) Setlak, Joseph of Merrillville, IN (VN, HHC/1st AVN) Weaver, Fred of Warren, OH on 12 April 2009 (WWII, C/1/16th Inf) Werkin, John of Blacklick, OH (VN, A/2/33rd FA) Whalen, Henry of Holyoke, MA (VN, B/2/2nd Inf) Seward, Frederick of Dryden, NY (WWII, 5th FA) Wheeler Paige, Edmund of Monroe Township, NJ (WWII, I/16th Inf) McCormick, Perry of Serena Park, MD (WWII, 1/26th Inf) Sheetz, William of Bristol, PA (WWII, D/1/26th Inf) Wilson, George of Versailles, KY (VN, B/1/2nd Inf) McGrath, Lawrence of Suffern, NY (WWII, B/18th Inf) Sheridan, James of Wentworth, NH (VN, D/1/2nd Inf) Willmann, William of Coppell, TX (Cold War, 16th Inf) McZegle, Dyane of Clearwater, KS (VN, HHC/2/2nd Inf) Silipo, August of Ozone Park, NY (WWII, H/2/16th Inf) Wright, Albert of Alexandria, VA (WWII, 1st QM) McClain, Carl of Kansas City, MO on 23 May 2009 (WWII, HQ/1/16th Inf) Medlin, Henry of Selma, NC (WWII, F/2/16th Inf) Moe, Wayne of New Brighton, MN on 10 March 2009 (VN, A & D Co, 2/16th Inf) Morse, Harold of North Vernon, IN (VN, D/701st MT) Morlan, Roy Petersburg, OH (WWII, 26th Inf) Moultrop, Kendall of West Kingston, RI (WWII, K/1/26th Inf) Murphy, John of Somerville, MA (VN, B2/2nd Inf) Business Memberships The following businesses in the Ft. Riley community area are supporting your Society. Encourage a business you know to join the Society! v Briggsauto.com v Mathis Lueker Real Estate Unit News 745th News By Bud Spencer The Fort Polk Military Museum is looking for one of our lapel insignia for their Museum. If any of you have one to donate, please let me know. At the First Division Museum on the 65th Anniversary observance of D-Day, I met with Matt Osegard and Dan Castelanetta, who 8 years ago were 1st lieutenants in the 1st Bn, 63d Armor, our successor outfit! Matt emailed me that he had just checked out the 745th on the internet, and, lo, and behold, he came across a digital copy of our History. It was done by a son or daughter of Olin Garner Johnston who was a Cpl in the 2nd Plt, A Co. Visit it yourself at http://745tank.com. I was as surprised as anyone when I saw an article in the last Bridgehead Sentinel attributed to me. I got a couple of E-Mails commenting on the article and had not received my copy of the Sentinel. Contacted our good friend, Becky Tharp, at the Museum and so she came to our next breakfast and hand delivered a copy. Now, that is “service above self.” The story behind the article is that last summer the Museum people gave my name to LTC Jim Bradford, CO of the 1st Bn, 63rd Armor at Ft Riley, Kansas. He invited us to be the guests of honor at their Battalion Ball on Aug 22nd and, in preceding days, to talk to the Officers and NCO’s about the 745th and how life in the Army was during WWII. (This Bn takes their lineage from our A Co, and at the time we were there, were preparing for deployment to Iraq where they are now located and are over half way through their tour). At her request, I sent Becky a copy of the talk. Unbeknownst to me she edited the speech down to create the article. She did a darned good job, and I thank her for that. However, it was written originally as a speech. At the time of delivery I had examples of V-Mail to show, and even Kraft paper to show for the toilet paper we had in England. The written copy also doesn’t show the ending, at one of the talks-where I praised the current Army and even saluted them with a “snappy” salute, and as I brought my arm down I knocked over a bottle of water, soaking my cap. Brought down the house, though. I want to publicly thank and commend Becky for the fine job she did in condensing my speech. She should have shared a by-line with me, she surely earned it. Before some critics point it out and question my memory, let the record show that the 191st did not come out of the 192nd-they were sister battalions; I was buck Sgt, not a Staff Sgt when I went into “D” Co., and that I was not President of the 745th Tank Bn Assn—I was, for the 42 years of its existence, the Secty/Treas and Newsletter editor. Obituaries: the widow of Erwin Hajek, Anne, died the first week of June, 2009. Did you notice in the last Bridgehead Sentinel that Shirley “Ben” Marshall died on July 25, 2008? He was part of the cadre and was out of Danville VA. He served in both Sv & D Companies. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Mark your calendars for these dates: 1st Tuesday of the month, at 9:30 am, breakfast at Loves Park, Illinois (Sheri’s Place Family Eatery, 5859 Forrest Hills Road). 4th Thursday in April, lunch in the Lodge at Starved Rock State Park, and the 4th Thursday in October it is lunch at Starved Rock. RSVP 815/220-1558, or send E-Mail to: Bud745@ivnet. com. 4th Thursday in August lunch at the First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, IL. RSVP 815/220-1558, or send E-Mail to: [email protected] BIG CHANGE: 3rd Tuesday of the month, breakfast at Palos Heights, Illinois Royalberry Waffle House, 6417 W. 127th St at Ridgeland Ave, in Indian Trails Shopping Mall will be no more. It will now be an 11:30 lunch (or late breakfast) at Bob Evans Restaurant on the 3rd Thursday. It is located on the west side of Joliet just off of I-80 at mile post 130. Exit North on Larkin, at the first traffic light turn right, then right into their parking lot. It is diagonally across the street from Sam’s and only 2 or 3 miles from the Empress gambling boat. We hope to increase the attendance. How about you? Can you make it? Who:1st Engineer Combat Bn When: 13–16 Sept 2009 Where: Landmark Resort Myrtle Beach, SC Contact: Bob Brink 7642 Botting Road Racine, WI 53402 262-639-4405 [email protected] Summer 2009 Society HQ Mailing Address: Society of the First Infantry Division 1933 Morris Road Blue Bell, PA 19422-1422 E-Mail: [email protected] Society Web Site: http://www.1stID.org President: Thomas G. Rhame Executive Director: Edward J. Burke Administrative Staff: Jennifer Sanford Nancy Freeston Phone: 215.661.1969 (direct) 888.324.4733 (toll free) BRIDGEHEAD SENTINEL PRODUCTION Staff: Rebecca Tharp Bridgehead Mailing Address: Dave Blake Bridgehead Sentinel Paul Herbert c/o First Division Museum at Cantigny 1s151 Winfield Road Steve Hawkins E-Mail: Wheaton, IL 60189-3353 Phone: Bridgehead@ 630.260.8256 FirstDivisionMuseum.org Fax: 630.260.9298 Editorial Policy Send your stories to the Bridgehead Production address above. Come to the oldest and largest all-era veteran reunion in the nation. Find new friends and old buddies you served with at Kokomo! Don’t forget to stop by the 1st Div Hospitality tent and register as a BRO Vet. Make sure you say “hi” to KC. For more information visit www.hcvvo.org or call 675-628-0297. N SOCIETY OF THE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION Reunion will include fish fry, golf outing and tour of Pittsfield Battle Grounds. Veterans from the 2008 Reunion in Kokomo, IN pose for a group photo. U Please send DUES and ADDRESS CHANGES to: Society of the First Infantry Division 1933 Morris Road Blue Bell, PA 19422 Who: B Co, 1/26th Inf, 3rd Bde, 1968–1970 Vietnam When: 18–20 Sept 2009 Where: Ft. Scott, Kansas Contact: Patrick Guy 1108 Saint Charles Avenue Saint Charles, MO 63301 636-947-8521 [email protected] 17-20 Sept 2009 Kokomo, IN E Address Changes and Dues The purpose of the Bridgehead Sentinel is to serve the needs of the Society and the interests of its members by: -Disseminating information from the Society to its members; -Publishing articles and items of interest to Society members; -Promoting the history and heritage of the Big Red One. The Bridgehead Sentinel will publish three issues per year to be mailed out 1 March, 15 June, and 15 Oct. To be considered for publication in a particular issue of the Bridgehead, articles must be received by the following dates: -For the Spring issue, received by 15 Jan; -For the Summer issue, received by 1 May; -For the Fall/Winter issue, received by 1 Sept. Submissions received after these dates will normally be considered for publication in a subsequent issue. The Bridgehead Sentinel encourages members to send stories they have written about their time spent with the division. Feature articles should not be longer than 6 pages, typed. The Bridgehead Sentinel staff reserves the right to edit all articles for length, grammar, and content. The Bridgehead Sentinel does not publish material relating to political issues or campaigns, paid advertisements or solicitations, or material that may be considered defamatory or libelous. Because of issues involved in securing permissions for articles and original copies of photos, the Bridgehead Sentinel does not typically re-publish articles that appeared previously in other newspapers, journals and magazines. The Bridgehead Sentinel reserves the right to publish or not publish any article or item sent for its review. All stories, photos and other items sent to the Bridgehead Sentinel will be automatically considered for donation to the First Division Museum in Wheaton, Illinois, unless otherwise requested. KOKOMO 2009! R Summer 2009, #2; ISSN 1092-4892 Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved.. The Bridgehead Sentinel is published in accordance with the terms of the 1957 agreement between the Society of the First Infantry Division and the Cantigny First Division Foundation. I O N S 17 The Corporal George Hougas 745th Tank Bn ...CONTINUED from page 12 tanks. We were used a couple of times at outposts and covered main intersections. In Feb we were called on to cross a field supposedly mined, to meet up with another U.S. Army Group. This was near Houffalize. Shortly thereafter the battle of the Bulge was over, and we returned to Cologne Plains near the Rhine River. In March 7th late at night we were assigned to a combat unit going to attack Bonn. We took off in the early morning hours, arriving at the outskirts without much action. I do recall an anti-tank gun unmanned as we started into town. We travelled without incident until we got a couple of blocks from the Rhine River. We made a left turn on a side street and went about ¾ of a block when we came upon a German supply truck that had been knocked over by the infantry. There was other debris lying across the street, and our medics were tending to a couple of wounded men in the street. Our driver pulled to the right side of the street, and our tank commander got out to go check with the officer in charge to see where he wanted to position our assault gun. There was a lot of small arms fire at the end of the street from which we had entered. It was just starting to break day when suddenly I spotted a German self-propelled tank come around the corner headed in my direction. As I cranked the turret, I told the loader to grab an armored piercing shell to put in the chamber, figuring we might have to blast some building I had a HE shell in the gun. The turret hung up about ¾ of the way around. I backed off and tried again. It released, and I got a shot off and hit the self-propelled tank. It exploded and fire came out it must have been fully loaded as the ammunition exploded for several minutes. I estimate the distance was about 50 yards away. I found out later the reason the turret hung up was because the driver got out of the tank and left his hatch open. A .50 cal ammo box attached to the turret caught on the hatch. Some time later, while looking up the street above the wall, a barrel of a gun was slowly coming from behind a building and angling in our direction. I could see about half the silhouette of a tank. I fired at it, saw an explosion and someone jump off the tank in flames. The next day I walked down the street to view the damage. It was then I realized the tank was on the University of Bonn. The tank could not get between the buildings with the gun pointed in our direction. “Thank God.” We departed Bonn the next day when we got word the Remagen Bridge had been captured. The following day before daylight, we crossed the railroad bridge. Thereafter we did not see too much action. The Harz Mountains was the last real combat for us, we ended up in the Zwodau, Czechoslovakia when we received word a truce had been reached. Many German prisoners came into our area, and for a couple of days, we served as a blockade around a large field where they were interrogated and taken to various places. After several days in Eger (Cheb) we had orders to move to Rothenburg. We had a long road march there and served as Army of Occupation until Sept ’45. We had a good relationship with 16th Inf, Cannon Co and had a great admiration for their CO and 1SG Harold and SGT Peterson the mess sergeant. They made sure we had plenty of rations whenever we were dispatched to reinforce other units in various battles. I recall times when CPT O’Brien spent all night in Forward Observation of our artillery and in the next morning he would greet us in the chow line and might even serve us coffee. I feel fortunate that we were assigned to a unit that had previous combat experience. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL Effective For 2009 line! n o n i Jo g tID.or s 1 . w ww Society of the First Infantry Division 1933 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422-1422 DATE:______________ TITLE: _______ NAME: __________________________ _________ _______________________ _________ (Rank or Mr/Mrs/Ms) (First) (Initial) (Last) (Suffix– MD, RET, etc.) l If you do not want your contact information (name, address, email, era, unit) LAST 4 DIGITS OF SSN: ___ ___ ___ ___ listed in the Members Only online directory on our website, please check here. (Required) Complete this section to apply for membership or to update our records Mailing Address (All Members) _____________________________________________________________________ (Street or Unit/CMR) _________________________________________________ __________________________ (Suite #, Apartment # or Box #) __________________ (City or APO) __ __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ (State or AE) (Zip Code + 4) Permanent/BILLING Address (Active Duty Soldiers Only) ________________________________________ _________________________ ________ _______________ (Street, Apt #) (City) (State) (Zip Code + 4) Your phone # will not be released for any reason including the website.. Phone (__ __ __) __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ EMail: _________________________________________________________ Your service with the big Red One (assigned, attached or in support–eligible; please check all that apply) l WWII l Vietnam l Cold War l Peacetime l Gulf War l Balkans l Iraq l Afghanistan UNIT: Company:_______ Battalion:________ Regiment:________BCT_________ Years of Service: __________ to__________ Have you served in combat with another unit? l Yes l No Select a Membership Type (please check only one) ...continued from page 11 filled every crevice and covered every opening with a smelly, oozing black, sticky waterproofing compound. Then we proved this blackening endeavor by driving our vehicles through and operating in water-filled trenches. It was an unusual sunny May day when finally the B.C. determined that all the battery armament and equipment were waterproofed and ready for amphibious assault. His NCOs had prepared us, and we were groomed for what was to be the most incredible immersion in the world’s troubled waters—the Invasion of Normandy! Fortunately for us young soldiers, the Corporal’s extensive supervisory months of comprehensive, common-sense, combat-survival skills training transformed us technically proficient craftsmen into battle-wise, energetic, enthusiastic, dirty-underwear, hot-to-trot field soldiers. We could shoot, scoot, and communicate! We were The Lucky 7th. Thank God—for that 6th of June in ’44, we, as part of the 16th Regimental Combat Team, the assault regiment of the 1st Division, staggered, but then slogged through that blood-foamed surf. It was our longest damn morning, afternoon, and night at “Easy Red” on Omaha Beach. We were fortunate, however; we survived. Sadly, the law of averages was against this corporal and his dinosaur cohorts. He got his German marksmanship medal, the Purple Heart somewhere around Caumont, France. He left us on a warm June afternoon on a stretcher, laughing uproariously at some joke. We didn’t join in as the medic nodded forebodingly. We remained silent, saddened at our family loss, curiously feeling that we had come too late to share this war with him… We’d seen him as an ordinary loudmouth corporal, the unit’s lowest level noncommissioned officer, yet he had cared only about our welfare and subtlety or brutally energized our potential. In the end, it was not what he did that made him unique, but what he eventually caused us to do. We never knew whether we liked him or disliked him, but we sure never could ignore him! He, as he avidly proclaimed, was our master or disaster! Somebody said he died of his wounds that night in lonely obscurity in a medical tent back of the lines, still calling out obscenities on the doc and his medics…but I don’t accept that. No sir, I believe he’s ensconced on the right seat of that throne in Valhalla, greeting the newly-arrived warrior angels, his raucous assertions still occasionally mixed with nettled harassments persisting! Then, above it all, another voice, cautioning with these soft words: “Heads up, men, listen up… that’s my rat speaking.” All Membership types include a subscription to the Bridgehead Sentinel and the Annual Calendar ANNUAL Membership Active Duty VeteranS l Regular ($30 per year) l Executive ($60 per year) Currently serving with the BRO Associates Family and Friends of the Big Red One l Regular ($30 per year) l Executive ($60 per year) l Business ($100 per year) Life Membership veterans l E-8 & above, 01 & above ($30 per year) l E-5 to E-7 ($25 per year) l E-4 & under ($20 per year) PCS: Mo_____ Day_____ Year_____ RANK (Required): _________________ l Widow(er)s of BRO Vets (FREE) l Under 39 ($400) l 40 - 49 ($350) l 50 - 59 ($300) l 60 - 69 ($250) l 70 - 79 ($200) l over 80 ($100) Life - Active Duty l Currently serving w/ BRO ($100) Contributions l I would like to make a tax deductible contribution of $_____________, beyond my regular dues to be used for the: Society’s General Fund ________ or the BRO Support Fund _________ that supports active duty soldiers and their families. (Note: Donations of $100 or more will be recognized as CENTURY CLUB members in the Bridgehead Sentinel.) Payment (for “Membership Type” and “Contributions”) l Enclosed is my check payable to the SOCIETY OF THE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION in the amount of $___________ l Please charge my (circle one): Visa / Mastercard / American Express / Discover Card #: ___________________________________________ EXP DATE: _____/_____ (month / year) Credit Card orders must be $25.00 or more** CVC: ___________ (code on back of card) Signature: ___________________________________________ CVC# and signature are required. 18 Return this form and your check, if applicable, to the address at the top of the form. If paying by credit card, you may fax this form to 215-661-1934. For your convenience, you may also join online on our website at www.1stID.org by clicking on the “Membership” link. OLD SUPPLY SARGE Or order online at www.1stID.org 6Blazer Patch 9-Coffee Mug Drawing by Alban B. Butler © Cantigny First Division Foundation 5-Billed Cap (White, Khaki, Desert Camo) 31-Shoulder Patch 44-Window Decal 39-Travel Mug 8-Can Holder 4-Baseball Cap (White, Black) 27-Pub Glass 33-Teddy Bear 30-Shotglass 42-Visor New! 10-Coin 28-SandwichBilled Hat (black) 3-Auto Tag 13-DooRag 42-Window Cling (clear) 26-Pocket Knife 19-Navy Golf Shirt w/out pocket 16-Dbl. Rocks 36-Tee Shirt Long Sleeve Glasses (Set of 4) 29-Shaving Kit (Navy) 2- Auto Licence Plate Holder 7-Bumper Stickers A 17-Knit Golf Shirt w/pocket, (White or Black) 40- The True Story of the Big Red One (DVD) B C 34-Tee Shirt 25-Pillbox, 7 Day w/pocket 3½” Diameter (White or Black) 35-CIB Tee Shirt, no pocket 1-“1” Charm, Sterling Silver 23-Mini Badge CIB, CMB, CAB D 38Tie Tac or Lapel Pin E 44-Wind Shirt, (Navy) 18-Knit Golf Shirt no pocket 21-Ladies Charm 24-Neck Tie (Blue or Red) 37-Throw, Fleece (Gray) 15Garden Flag/ Pennant 22-Lapel Pin King Size or Regular 45-Woven Throw 14-Nylon Flag 20-Jacket (3 Season) 32-Sweatshirt, Rib Fleece 12-Denim Shirt, Long (stone only) Sleeve (Blue or Khaki) Order Form 11-Denim Shirt Short Sleeved (Blue only) Mail to: Supply Sarge, Society of the 1st Inf Division, 1933 Morris Rd, Blue Bell, PA 19422-1422 NameAddress CityStateZipPhoneE-mail No. Item Cost 1 “1” Charm, Sterling Silver $11.00 2 Auto Licence Holder 9.00 3 Auto Tag - Society 9.00 4 Baseball Cap 20.00 5 Billed Cap 20.00 6 Blazer Patch 13.00 7 Bumper Sticker 5.00 8 Can Holder - Coolie 6.00 9 NEW Coffee Mug 18.00 10 Coin, Commemorative 11.00 11 Denim Shirt, Short Sleeve 39.00 12 Denim Shirt, Long Sleeve 41.00 13 Doo-Rag (head cover) 13.00 14 Flag / banner (nylon) 85.00 15 Garden Flag / Pennant 26.00 16 Glasses, Dbl. Rocks (4) 30.00 17 Golf Shirt w/ Pocket 41.00 18 Golf Shirt no pocket 41.00 19 Golf Shirt w/out pocket 50.00 20 Jacket, 3 Season 110.00 21 Ladies Charm 10.00 22 Lapel Pin 13.00 23 Miniature Badge 10.00 24 Necktie 30.00 25 Pill Box 6.00 26 Pocket Knife 10.00 27 Pub Glass, BRO 15.00 28 Sandwich Cap 20.00 29 Shave/Toiletry Kit 20.00 30 Shot Glass, BRO 10.00 31 Shoulder Patch 4.00 32 Sweatshirt - Rib Fleece 53.00 Qty Circle Circle Size/type Color Blk/Wht Wht/Khaki /DesertCamo/ A/B/C/D/E Red only M L XL XXL M L XL XXL Blue only Blue / Khaki Black only Total No. Item 33 Teddy Bear, BRO 34 Tee Shirt w/pocket 35 Tee Shirt, CIB no pocket 36 Tee Shirt, Long Sleeve 37 Throw, Fleece (Gray) 38 Tie-tac/Lapel Pin 39 Travel Mug (Insulated) 40 “True Story of the BRO” 41 Visor 42 Window Cling (LG-Inside) 43 Window Decal 44 Wind Shirt, Navy 45 Woven Throw Cost 15.00 23.00 25.00 28.00 35.00 10.00 26.00 30.00 20.00 6.00 2.00 46.00 62.00 Qty Size/type Color M L XL XXL M L XL XXL M L XL XXL Black / White Lt. Blue only Black only Total DVD Stone only Blank or VN Inside/Outside M L XL XXL Navy only This order form is valid through 2009 only! M L XL XXL M L XL XXL M L XL XXL L XL Black / White Moss / Tan Navy only Black only Kingsize / Reg CAB/CIB/CMB SHIRTS & JACKETS – nonstock sizes are available on special order for the following premiums: Small and Medium +$5 each XXL +$10 XXXL +$12 each (Please indicate the size required at the item line) Nonstock note: 4-6 weeks for delivery. SUB-TOTAL *All prices include shipping and handling. Shirt/Jacket Special Order Premium PA Residents ADD 6% for state sales tax +(x .06) Overseas Orders ADD 10% +(x .10) TOTAL Red / Navy Make Checks payable to: Society of the First Infantry Division Payment method (circle one): Cash, Check, Visa, MC, Amex, Discover Black only Navy only M L XL XXL Stone only **Credit Card orders must be $25.00 or more** Card Number Expiration Date: Month________ Year________ (e.g. 08 10) Security Code ____ ____ ____ (Back of card) Signature__________________________________________________ 19 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189-3353 Phone: 630.260.8185 Fax: 630.260.9298 E-mail: [email protected] www.FirstDivisionMuseum.org Part of the McCormick Foundation F I R ST D I V I S I O N M U S E U M AT c A N t I G N Y McCormick Research Center 65th Anniversary of D-Day and LCVP dedication ceremony The First Division Museum commemorated the 65th anniversary of D-Day on June 6th by holding ceremonies to honor those who made the historic assault that day as well as all World War II veterans. Approximately 470 World War II veterans attended, of whom 88 were D-Day veterans. All services were represented: Army, Navy, Air Corps, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. Some served in the Pacific Theater; others served stateside; while others served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Europe. Some landed at Omaha Beach; some at Utah Beach, and others landed at a half-dozen “D-Days” on beaches throughout the Pacific. “Their sacrifices helped free us from the terrible dangers of that time and shaped the world we live in today,” said Paul Herbert, executive director of the Cantigny First Division Foundation. “We want them to know their legacy will not be forgotten.” More than 6,100 people came to the special events that day, which included a memorial service and a commemoration service where the museum dedicated its recently acquired, rare World War II Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP). Also known as a “Higgins boat” after its designer, Andrew Higgins, Cantigny’s LCVP is the same type used to deliver soldiers onto the beach in Normandy on D-Day in 1944. About 22,000 LCVPs were manufactured during World War II but fewer than a dozen still exist. The First Division Museum’s LCVP will be out on limited display throughout 2009. Please call ahead or check our Web site for days and times. Active-duty 1st Infantry Division soldiers from Ft. Riley, Kansas, also participated in the June 6 events. The soldiers arrived aboard three Armed Forces Day celebration 2009! Over 2,300 visitors came to the First Division Museum at Cantigny this year on May 16 to celebrate Armed Forces Day with displays of military aircraft, vehicles, equipment, live music, Living History re-enactors, and crafts for kids. In attendance this year were about 20 active-duty 1st Division Soldiers from Fort Riley, Kansas who brought a variety of military vehicles and equipment. 1st Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers flew an AH-64 Apache , CH-47 Chinook, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Cantigny Park and landed in the parade field while other 1st Division Soldiers brought up-armored HMMWVs (Humvees) and an Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) for the public to see up close. The latest in military technology such as an IED (improvised explosive device) robot, biometric security equipment and a sniper in full gear were on display to demonstrate all the new equipment soldiers have in today’s battlefield. Children’s activities included writing thank you letters and folding a pocket flag for deploying soldiers, as well as painting camouflage “boonie hats.” different military helicopters and an M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) and an M-1151 Up-armored Humvee. Some of the soldiers served as the Color Guard for the day’s events. Park visitors were able to meet the troops and see the aircraft and vehicles up close. Historic vehicles from the First Division Museum’s collection were displayed as well. Brigadier General David L. Grange, U.S. Army (Ret.) and former Danger Six, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. Other events for the day included World War II re-enactors, two bands performing, crafts for the children, and an actor portraying Colonel Robert R. McCormick delivering his radio talk on the D-Day landings. Former 1st ID Senior Officers lay a wreath at the Museum’s M1 Abrams. 1st Division Desert Shield/Desert Storm workshop Top left: Visitors look inside of the Apache helicopter. Top: Visitors got a look at the latest technology like this IED Robot. Above: Snipers showcased new rifles and camouflage techniques. Former BRO CG LTG (Ret) Thomas Rhame and senior officers of the 1st Infantry Division who served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm were invited to the First Division Museum at Cantigny for a workshop on May 16 that detailed the Division’s involvement in the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War. The workshop was aimed at telling the story of the first Gulf War from the commanders’ perspectives including specific At Left: Senior Officers aboard the Museum’s newly restored WWII LCVP. 1st Division commanders visits the Museum! In preparation for deployment, MG Brooks, CSM Champagne, senior officers and other staff of the 1st Infantry Division visited the First Division Museum at Cantigny in early May for a hands-on experience with the Division’s historic past. The Museum’s staff led the Division Command through the main exhibit hall where they walked through the footsteps of 1st Division soldiers from the formation of the Division in 1917 to Operation Desert Storm. After the ceremony staff and volunteers escorted the veterans onto the LCVP. Some of the them had not seen an LCVP up close in 65 years. The tour also included access to the Museum’s collections department, which houses over 10,000 artifacts pertaining to the 1st Division and a walk through Cantigny Park, Robert R. McCormick’s expansive 500 acre estate. The day concluded with a formal 1st Division punch bowl ceremony that was attended by former 1st Division Commanding General David L. Grange U.S. Army (Ret.), the President and CEO of the McCormick Foundation. At Left: Big Red One officers test the punch during the Formal Punch Bowl Ceremony. Photo by Teri Bianchi. details of events they experienced and their recommendations for future research. The Museum collected notes and other input from the workshop to use in future exhibits on Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm. The Senior Officers also participated in a memorial ceremony held in front of the Museum’s M1 Abrams Tank in honor of the fallen Soldiers of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Museum awards research fellow The Cantigny First Division Foundation has selected its first ever Cantigny Research Fellow: Michael Dolski. Dolski was awarded a $5,000 sponsorship toward completion of his Ph. D. dissertation on “D-Day in American Consciousness.” As a component of his research, Dolski will utilize the extensive archives at the McCormick Research Center at the Museum to investigate how the actions of D-Day have been portrayed in popular culture since June 6, 1944.