There`s Been a Sighting…an Elvis Sighting!

Spring 2012
94th Annual Reunion Info Page 12–15
Society Announces New Office Page 2
A
P u b l i c a t i o n
o f
t h e
Letter from Danger 6 Page 4
“Dogface Charlie” in Vietnam Page 9
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
There’s Been a Sighting…an Elvis Sighting!
Join us for the 94th Annual Reunion
Memphis, Tennessee, 1–5 August 2012
Memphis, Tennessee, the
pulled pork bar-b-que capitol of
world, and home to Elvis, W.C.
Handy, Beale Street, home of the
blues, and we cannot forget it
is also the place where Martin
Luther King was assassinated. This
historical place is our destination
for our 94th annual reunion.
Memphis is rich in history. Its
roots started with the Chickasaw
Indians who settled in the high
bluffs overlooking the Mississippi.
The territory was then claimed
by the French in 1673 and then
moved into British hands in 1819.
The Marriott Memphis
Downtown is a great hotel for our
reunion, with plenty of rooms
and connected to the convention
center, which has great space for
all of our functions and CP’s. The
hotel is in the heart of downtown
near Beale Street and only 15
minutes from the Memphis International Airport.
As usual, we have arranged
for a variety of tours and activities
for you to enjoy. The surprising
architecture and history of the city
is something you can experience
for yourself if you choose to take
the city tour. We hope we have
found tours to interest everyone.
There are also attractions you can
explore on your own.
Our Welcome Party will offer
you a chance to mix, mingle and
enjoy some unique entertainment.
You and your regiment will get
a chance to compete on the best
look alike to the “King” himself.
Practice your moves and vocals
to one of his famous tunes. The
competition and entertainment
are sure to make your trip. It is
free and everyone, of course, is
WELCOME!
We are hoping to see our old
friends in Memphis and to meet
many new ones. We are looking
forward to seeing you there!
Veterans Day Remarks at the
First Division Monument
LTG (Ret) Thomas G. Rhame
President, Society of the
First Infantry Division
Each of us come here for our
own special reasons. For me, I
find strength in coming here and
reflecting on what this ceremony
and this place is all about. I also
enjoy having the opportunity to
reflect and remember the fond
memories I enjoyed while serving
with the soldiers of the 1st Infantry
Division.
When we gather on Veterans
Day, we hold this meeting on the
11th hour, of the 11th Day of the
11th Month of the year. We do this
to respect the celebration of Armistice Day which celebrates the end
of WWI in 1918.
For we who have served in
the division, especially those of us
who are veterans, we are quickly
drawn to the WWI history of our
Division. It is during this critical
part of American history that we
see the creation of our Division,
First Expeditionary Division, The
First Division.
We know that our patch was
created during this period by
the soldiers of the Division. Most
importantly – the spirit of the First
Division was created during the
preparation and conduct of the
battles of the war.
Finally, we know that the idea
for the monument in front of you
was born during the war. The
monument was created by the
leadership for the Division, paid
for by the veterans of the war, and
dedicated to the memory of the
fallen from that war.
We had four Division
commanders during the conduct
of WWI. Two of these four, MG
Bullard and MG Summerall, were
very dominant and decisive leaders
who produced a Division that was
respected and honored by both
our Allies and our enemies.
These two men held a high
respect for each other and were
Jack Kenner. Copyright © Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau 2011 All Rights Reserved.
Above: Aerial view of downtown Memphis. Welcome to Memphis,
a vibrant city that’s home to some of the world’s most melodious
music, tastiest food, authentic culture and you-can’t-find-itanywhere-else fun.
Our hotel, the Memphis Marriott Downtown Hotel, is within
walking distance of the Memphis Cook Convention Center and the
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts and just blocks from Beale
Street. Rooms and suites feature amenities like wifi, VIP services
and sprawling views of the Mississippi River.
close friends because of their
battle experience in the Phillippine
War in 1899. COL Bullard and his
39th Infantry Regiment of volunteers found itself pinned down by
the direct fire from a dug-in group
of insurgents. Col Summerall
moved his artillery to the front,
and while exposed to direct fire
placed effective fire on the enemy,
forcing them to abandon their
position. Col Bullard, who like
most infantryman of the day, did
not hold artillery in a very high
regard. On this occasion, this view
changed dramatically because of
the valor, training, and discipline
demonstrated by the artillery unit
of Col Summerall. These two
leaders bonded there for the rest
of their lives.
In December of 1917, Gen
Pershing found if necessary to
change the commander of the
Division as it prepared for war in
France. He thought the Division
was not training hard enough,
did not show the proper discipline to fight effectively, and
lacked mission focus. He placed
MG Bullard in command with
instructions to prepare the Division for forthcoming battle. The
first person MG Bullarad asked
for to command the First Artillery
Brigade was BG Summerall. These
two leaders and the soldiers of the
Division created our Leagacy.
MG Bullard produced the
decisive must win at Cantigny. This
was the first victory for Americans
in the war and showed clearly that
Americans could fight effectively
under American leadership. When
MG Bullard was promoted to
command the newly formed III
Corps, MG Summerall was placed
in command of the Division.
MG Summerall commanded
the Divison during the Soissons
battle and through the Meuse
Argonne. He believed in his
heart that, at Soissons, the heroic
advance of the First Division, the
desperate fight they fought, and
the unprecedented losses that
they incurred against 8 German
Divisions, turned the fate of the
war. When the enemy was forced
to retreat across the Marne River,
they were forced to defend and
Continued on page 2…
D U T Y F I R S T!
Society of the First Infantry Division
N O S A C R I F I C E T O O G R E A T.
PO Box 1127
Junction City, KS 66441
N O M I S S I O N T O O D I F F I C U L T.
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 6080
Carol Stream, IL
60188
…Veterans Day Remarks at First Division Monument Continued from Page 1
retreat for the remainder of the
war.
Here we see a Division that:
Always takes its objectives.
Never asked to be relieved.
Never complained about its
mission or its neighbors.
Fought as a team, Infantry
supported by effective Artillery.
In the words of Gen Pershing; “The Division has a special
pride of service and a high state of
morale never broken by hardship or battle.” Those words
are inscribed on our monument
to my rear. As a result of the
performance of the soldiers of
the Division, MG Summerall was
totally resolved to do something
permanently to immortalize their
triumphs and preserve their names
forever.
As a result, the Society the
First Division was formed and the
monuments in France were built.
In 1924, the monument behind
me was built and dedicated. This
efforts was led by MG Summerall.
He never waivered in his commitment to place the names of the
fallen on the monument.
The legacy created early in the
history of the Division is carried
forward and can be seen in our
performance in WWII, Vietnam,
Desert Storm, and the present
Global War on Terrorism. Like
the fallen of WWI, the names of
the fallen of WWII, Vietnam, and
Desert Storm are there on the
monument. We will be at a point in
the near future when we can place
the names of the fallen from Iraq
and Afghanistan on the monument.
This year marks the 20th
year since the conclusion of the
Desert Storm War. In spite of the
passage for 20 years and in spite
of routinely forgetting where I put
my glasses down, I can remember
the events of Desert Storm with
clarity. I suppose that is because
the responsibility and opportunity to perform as expected of
any 1st Division soldier made a
significant and lasting impression on my brain. Thoughts of
failure, thoughts of doubt, or
thoughts of a lack of confidence
never occurred. Those are not the
values of First Division leaders,
soldiers or units. This generation of soldiers like those who
served before them faced their
duties where they saw: No mission
was considered too difficult; any
sacrifice required would be made;
and they served their duty to each
other, the Division, our Army, and
our country. This generation of
soldiers took the enemy head on,
gave no quarter, but yet accepted
his surrender when the offer
was made. Our enemy was not
prepared for this generation of
Big Red One soldiers! Our leaders
skills, our training, our motivation, our very reason for serving
far exceeded anything the enemy
had ever seen or faced. We won
a decisive and complete military
victory. The mission of destroying all the enemy we faced and
complete the liberation of Kuwait
was accomplished. I was extremely
proud of each and every member
of the Division.
It is important to pause and
honor all of our Veterans on this
day. We want to salute and honor
our veterans for their unselfish and dedicated service to the
nation. Thomas Paine, a major
figure in the creation of the United
States, once said: “Those who
expect to reap the blessings of
freedom, must, like men, undergo
the fatigue of supporting it.”
Our veterans, past and present,
understood the need for their
services – they love their freedom,
they love their country. They all
understood that the freedom we
enjoy today was earned and not
given to them for free. For us,
nothing brings home that belief
than service in the First Infantry
Division. It begins with our motto:
No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First!
Our motto speaks to service to
nation, selfless service to country,
the Division, the unit, and to each
other.
Each generation has to renew
it pledge to sustain our right to the
freedom we enjoy. I wish it were
different, but the cause will remain
always unfinished. We will always
as long as we exist as a nation,
be required to defend values, our
principles, and very right to liberties we are provided by our Constitution. Our veterans are a constant
reminder of this requirement.
Their presence reminds us that
the blessings we enjoy today were
earned by the hard fought bitter
experiences undertaken to protect
our heritage and way of life.
Our veterans are a great
investment in the preservation of
our right as Americans. They have
seen war. They know that a war is
a very unpleasant event. No group
of Americans hate or despise war
Letter from the
Executive Director
more than our veterans. No group
of Americans desire to live in
peace more than our veterans.
All of us must be grateful for
the past service and contributions
of our veterans. We know they can
be counted upon to continue to
contribute their patriotic service to
the future.
As we depart from here today,
each of us must continue our
support for the men and women
who are participants in this
current war on Global Terrorism. Both Iraq and Afghanistan
remain as very dangerous places.
These soldiers, like us and other
veterans, did not get a vote on
who or where they would fight for
America. They moved out and are
conducting the nations business as
we speak.
They are performing to a very
high standard. We own them our
total loyalty and support. Again,
thanks for coming today. God
bless each of you, God Bless the
men and women of the First Division and our Armed Forces, and
God bless America.
DUTY FIRST!
Society of the First
Infantry Division
CSM (Ret) Darrell “Buddy” Wallace
Executive Director, Society of the
First Infantry Division
Please note these
new Society contacts
Headquarters and
Reunion
Society of the 1st ID, Family
and Friends,
Happy 2012. We hope that
everyone had a wonderful holiday
season and a great New Year. As
we prepare for Memphis, I want
to bring all of you up to date on
some of the important improvements our Society has undergone
in the past year. Our new web
site is up and running, we now
have Facebook page “SocietyFirst
InfantryDivision,” as well as a
Twitter account “Soc. of the 1ID.”
Please follow us on Twitter, and
share your BRO pictures on our
Facebook page. Lastly the Supply
Sarge will now be known as the
Quartermaster. Please make note
of the changes.
Our biggest change is the
addition of the Junction City office
just outside the gate at Fort Riley,
KS. The Fort Riley office will be
responsible for membership, as
well as handle the Quartermaster. The mailing address for our
Ft. Riley office is PO Box 1127,
2
Junction City, KS 66441, we have 2
phone numbers for this office they
are (785) 579-6761 or toll free
at (855) 236-7076. Headquarters
and Reunion will be handled by
our Pennsylvania office, which
is PO Box 607, Ambler, PA
19002. The phone number is
still 215-654-1969 and the fax is
215-661-0392.
You will also see some additions at this year’s reunion. There
will be some inter-Command Post
(CP) competition. The CP competition will be evaluated and scored.
The CP that has the best overall
score will receive a trophy that will
be awarded to the Best CP as well
as a $200 cash prize. The Trophy
will have a plaque engraved with
the wining CP on it. This Trophy
will be passed from CP to CP each
year. The scoring will be based on
CP’s Espirt De Corps, combined
with a theme of the location of the
reunion.
Last year was our first room
raffle upgrade and it was a
success, so we decided to continue
the raffle this year. In this issue of
the paper with all of the reunion
information, you will find the
coupon to fill out and return with
the $5.00 to upgrade your room
to a suite for the same price as a
regular room. Don’t miss out! You
have nothing to lose, so include
your coupon in your registration
for the reunion.
If you have special room
requirements, I urge you to get
your reunion registration returned
as soon as possible. This will
increase the chances of getting
your desired room, with your
requested accommodations. The
rooms that have king sized beds
go pretty fast. As always, the rooms
are assigned by the hotel not the
Society.
Once again, I ask that you
reach out to those that you may
know that have not made it to one
of our reunions. We are very interested in reconnecting with any and
all who have been assigned to this
great Division and would like them
to be part of the Society’s Family.
The team and I look forward to
seeing all of you in Memphis this
August!
In closing I want to offer my
apology for the misprint in the
2012 Calendar for the month of
December. After all my years in the
Army doing friend and foe recognition, how could I have missed
it. The photo is actually one of the
1st Engineer Battalion preparing
for the Bob Hope Christmas show
in Lai Khe in December, 1967.
The two tanks are M48 “Patton”
tanks with the plow blade attachments. The names of the two tanks
are “Mr. Magoo” and “Charlie
Brown.”
Duty First!
Jennifer Sanford
Society of the 1st Infantry
Division–Pennsylvania
PO Box 607
Ambler, PA 19002
215-654-1969 (Direct line)
215-654-0392 (Fax)
Membership and
Merchandise
Ruth Dupree and
Barbara Printy
Society of the 1st Infantry
Division–Kansas
PO Box 1127
Junction City, KS 66441
785-579-6761 (Direct line)
785-579-6762 (Fax)
855-236-7076 (Toll free)
1st Infantry Division
Foundation
Rosemary Wirs
PO Box 607
Ambler, PA 19002
215-353-2459 (Direct line)
Bridgehead Sentinel
Unit News
745th
News
ees at the monthly luncheon in
Joliet, IL.
George Webster, Service Co.,
died on December 10, 2011. He
is survived by his widow, Venita.
Sick Call:
By Bud Spencer
Obituaries:
The late months in 2011 were
not kind to 745th folks: Dorothy
Sherwin, widow of Ed Sherwin,
C Co., died on October 20, 2011.
You will recall that the Sherwin’s
hit the Illinois Lottery on June 1,
1990, for what, at that time, was
the largest winning–as I recall it
was for 42 million!! Ed died on
May 6, 2008. Money never went to
their heads. A great couple!
Vern Proffitt, A & D Companies,
died on November 29, 2011. He
is survived by his widow, Rosalie.
They were on the Battlefied Tour
in 1994 and were regular attend-
Don’t know of any in particular,
though, to be honest, all of us, at
our advanced age, have all sorts of
aches and pains of various degrees
and intensity. I guess we all can
be grateful that we are still on the
right side of the grass.
Social Activities:
First Tuesday of month, at 9:30,
breakfast at Loves Park, IL Sheri’s
Place Family Eatery, 5859 Forest
Hills Road.
Third Thursday of the month–
luncheon, 11:30 AM. Don’t know
where it will be, but it will be in
the Joliet, Il area. Right now we
are meeting at “The Big Apple,”
which is on Larkin, about 1 mile
north of Exit 130, I-80. Immedi-
2011 Kokomo All Vietnam
Veterans Reunion
ately north of Jefferson St (US 52),
on the east side of the street.
Fourth Thursday in April and
October, lunch in the Lodge at
Starved Rock State Park. This
park is located about halfway
across Illinois off of I-80. Exit at
mile post 81 and go south 3 miles
on Rte 178 through Utica and over
the Illinois River. Follow the signs
to the Lodge. They need to know
how many to expect, so please let
me know at 1107 21st St, Apt 223,
Peru, IL 61354,. Phone 815-2201558, or E-Mail to Bud745@ivnet.
com.
Fourth Thursday in August.
Most likely a luncheon at the
Museum. Look for a special
mailing telling of it. Words can’t
adequately express how great the
folks at the Museum are and how
great they treat us–whether we
deserve it or not!
z
D Company 2nd Battalion,
16th Infantry Regiment 2012 Reunion
Above: Group photo from the 2011 Reunion in Albuquerque, NM.
Pictured back row, left to right: Denner Astyk, Dave Borst, Ralph
Nau, Steve Shaffer, Bill Cherry, Harold Lampe, Larry Grandolfo, Terry
Cordell, Larry Earl. Second row, left to right: Rick Johnson, Bill Pash,
Ron Saxton, Joe Morgan, Bill Dilla, John Conway. Front row, left to
right: Don Dignan, George Gutierrez, Ray Hutson.
This year’s D/2-16 Infantry Regiment Reunion will be held in
Lindenwold, New Jersey from August 16–19, 2012.
If you would like attend, please contact Don Dignan at dondignan@
sbcglobal.net or 734-525-0157 for more details.
1st Military Police Reunion
1964–1966
Left: Group photo taken during
the 2011 1st MP Reunion in
Williamsburg, Virginia.
Below: Group photo of the wives
at the 2011 1st MP Reunion.
More 2012
Reunions!
By Bob “Turkey” Youngberg
Here is a nice photo of the
BRO tent at the Vietnam Veterans
Reunion in Kokomo, Indiana
taken by Rod Thornton.
We had nearly 100 1st Division sign-ins this year, and James
Kinsey was out there waiting for
us since August 2! He helped the
HCVVO grounds with the set-up
for the Kokomo Reunion.
We also held our 26th Infantry
Regiment, Recon Reunion at the
Kokomo Reunion. Tom Clay, 1st Av
& 1/26 and LTC Edward Bensman
of HHC were first-time attendees.
Lurch, aka Big John Bryan, and
Virgil Hartline and Melvin Mathis
and Dave Foust were also firsttimers to Kokomo. What a great
bunch of buddies we had!
Hope everyone liked being
together at the BRO tent this year.
All the goodies that we had to eat
Friday and Saturday were arranged
by the wives and the guys did the
grilling—our bellies were satisfied! And of course no Vietnam
reunion would be complete
without some “Tiger Piss” aka 33
Beer.
Thank you all so much for the
money, donations and support
to make the Kokomo and Recon
Reunion a great success and look
forward to seeing you all next year!
30th Annual Kokomo Reunion: 13–16 September, 2012
For more information contact
Bob Youngberg at: [email protected]
Spring 2012
94th Annual
Society Reunion
information on
page 12.
Members of the 1st MP Co., 1st
Infantry Division who served in
the company during 1964 through
1966 held their annual reunion
September 9, 10 and 11 in
Williamsburg, Virginia. About 75
veterans, including their spouses/
friends and family, attended this
year’s reunion. As usual, they
shared stories about their service
and their lives after service. A good
time was had by all.
Next year’s reunion will take
place in Jacksonville, Florida
September 21 23, 2012.
For information about the
group or future reunions please
contact:
Ed Czubernat
(708) 301-5588
[email protected]
Ron King
(912) 285-1942
[email protected]
Roy Althouse
(785) 272-3486
[email protected]
More non-Society,
unit reunions on
page 18.
Charlie Company,
18th Infantry
Regiment Reunion
on page 9.
3
U.S. Army Photo
Letter from the CG
William C. Mayville, Jr.
Major General,
Commanding
“Danger 6”
This spring marks an important milestone in the recent history
of the First Infantry Division as
every major unit in the Big Red
One will be home and not participating in combat operations.
Admittedly, it will be a short lived
accomplishment as the Division
Headquarters, the 4th Brigade,
the Sustainment Brigade, and
multiple units within the Division
prepare to deploy again. Nonetheless, we are proud and happy to
have everyone home if only for a
moment.
The accomplishments of this
Division over the past year have
been many. In Iraq, our 1st and
2nd Brigades were part of the last
combat formations to successfully
end combat operations as part of
OPERATION NEW DAWN. Portions
of the 1st Brigade as well as the
entire 3rd Brigade were part of the
surge forces sent to Afghanistan
under OPERATION ENDURING
FREEDOM to support a strategy to
reduce an adaptive enemy’s grip
on the Afghan people and to build
the capacity of the Afghan government and its security forces.
At home, our Fires, Aviation, and Maneuver Enhancement Brigades have continued
to prepare and deploy portions
of its formations for operational
missions, while modernizing its
capabilities and maintaining a
combat edge in an increasingly
complex strategic environment
where war and conflict are not
over.
The tempo and pace of these
operations have placed great
demands upon our Soldiers, their
families and the civilian work
force who support them. We are
truly appreciative of the support
we receive from the local communities as well as the organizations
and charities, which for so many
years have been there to help and
assist the members of the Big Red
One.
Command Sergeant Major
Sasser joins me in thanking you
for your support to our Soldiers
and their families and we congratulate you as you prepare to meet
and celebrate this great Division
at the Big Red One Reunion in
Memphis, Tennessee.
Devils Mark Return with Uncasing Ceremony
By Shandi Pase,
1st Inf Div Post
U.S. Army Photo
Soldiers with the 1st Heavy
Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry
Division, marked their return
to Fort Riley with an uncasing
ceremony Nov. 16, 2011.
The brigade headquarters,
101st Brigade Support Battalion
and Special Troops Battalion were
among the units uncasing their
colors during the ceremony.
The units deployed in October
2010 in support of Operation New
Dawn as the core of the 1st Advise
and Assist Task Force.
During its recent deployment,
the brigade worked to improve the
capabilities of the Kirkuk Province
police, 12th Iraqi Army Division
and the 1st Pershmerga Regional
Guards Brigade. The units also
built cooperation and stability between ethnic and political
factions vying for influence in the
province under the Iraqi constitution.
Only three of the colors within
the “Devil” Brigade were uncased
during this ceremony. The remaining four, representing three battalions in Afghanistan supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom and
a battalion in Kirkuk Province, will
follow in the coming months.
Above: The 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team uncased their colors
during an uncasing ceremony held on Nov. 16. The event symbolized
the return of the brigade after a year-long deployment in support of
Operation New Dawn.
The 1st Battalion, 5th Field
Artillery Regiment has currently
closed out operations in Kirkuk
after advising security forces in
Iraq, while working with Iraqi
Army units.
Following the return of “Hamilton’s Own” the 1st Bn., 16th Infantry
Regiment and the 4th Sqdn., 4th
Retired Wounded Soldiers Share
Experiences During Visit
Left: Retired SGT Jay Fain
(right) talks to CAB soldiers
about being injured in Iraq in
2007 and how helicopter crews
saved his life. He was on Fort
Riley, with retired SGT Omar
Avila, as part of a professional
development program Nov. 18.
By SFC Jeff Troth
Wounded 1st Infantry Division
Soldiers got a chance to talk to
leaders of the Combat Aviation
Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., for the aviation support they received while
they were deployed to Iraq in
2007.
Retired sergeants Omar Avila
and Jay Fain both claim that after
being injured on patrols near
Baghdad, they would have died if
not for the flight crews who flew
the helicopters, which medically
evacuated them. About 200 aviators, crew chiefs, fuelers, mechanics and administrative Soldiers got
to hear firsthand accounts of how
their work saves Soldiers’ lives.
In 2007, both sergeants were
assigned to different companies
in the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. Patrols
in Baghdad and the villages around
Iraq’s capital were everyday occurrences for both infantrymen. On
May 14, “just like any other day”
Avila’s platoon went on patrol, he
said.
“This was 10 months into
the deployment, and I knew the
streets,” said Avila, a Brownsville,
4
Texas, native. “We went over this
bump that I had never felt on that
road before.”
As he was processing what
the bump was, a 200-pound deep
buried IED went off, hitting the
back of the truck and rupturing
the gas tank, sending fuel everywhere.
Injured and in a burning
vehicle, Avila manned the .50 cal
machine gun. He said he was only
able to get off three rounds at the
insurgents before the heat from
the fire caused a round in the
weapon to explode.
As he started to climb out
of the vehicle, a hand grenade
exploded from the heat and
peppered him everywhere. When
he got out, he was on fire, and a
Soldier from another vehicle used
a fire extinguisher to dose the
flames.
“This is where you guys come
in. I’m lying there, and I hear two
Black Hawks coming in,” said
Avila, who sustained burns to 75
percent of his body and had a foot
amputated.
But these were not medevac
helicopters. They were on another
Cavalry Regiment returned late
January, 2012 from their 9-month
deployment to Afghanistan.
The 2nd Bn., 34th Armor Regiment, also deployed to Afghanistan
are also expected to begin their
return to Fort Riley.
U.S. Army Photo
mission when they saw the smoke
from the burning wreckage and
changed their course.
A little more than a month
later, Fain caught a ride with a
convoy to Camp Taji, Iraq, to start
his journey stateside for rest and
recuperation. And like Avila, he
knew the route they were taking,
he said.
As they were driving down
the road, he was scanning the
countryside outside his window
when his vehicle was struck by an
explosively-formed penetrator.
“I don’t remember hearing the
blast, seeing it or feeling it. When
I came to, I realized we had just
been hit. I could see the smoke,
people yelling. My first reaction
was to check on my buddies.”
He then tried to find his
weapon, which had been between
his legs, but couldn’t find it or the
door latch in order to open the
door and engage the insurgents.
“The reason my weapon wasn’t
there was because it had been
torn to shreds and the door was
destroyed,” Fain said. “The medic
got over there right away and
saved my life. The EFP came up
through my hip and went out, but
a lot of shrapnel tore through my
insides.”
“This is where aviation saved
me,” said Fain, who had sustained
internal injuries and burns to his
body, and despite the efforts of his
doctors, his right leg was amputated. “That Black Hawk crew took
off anyway, by himself, without his
wingman, to come and get me. To
this day, I don’t know who it is. I
really wish I knew who it was.”
They got him to the hospital,
where he was taken immediately to
surgery. Five days later, he joined
Avila at Brooke Army Medical
Center.
Although being medically
evacuated was a critical moment
in their lives, both men said they
know this was not the first time
that helicopters played a vital role
in them being alive today.
Bridgehead Sentinel
Task Force Duke Hands Over Command of Provinces in Afghanistan
Keeping up with the 1st Division
By SSG Ben Navratil
The 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
1 Infantry Division, Task Force
Duke, officially relinquished
command of coalition forces in
Khowst and Paktya provinces in a
ceremony December 31, 2011.
The Fort Knox, KY – based TF
Duke cased their colors as they
transferred authority to the 4th
BCT (Airborne), 25th Inf. Div., TF
Spartan, based out of Fort Richardson, Alaska.
Dignitaries and senior Afghan
National Security Force leadership,
as well as senior leaders from
Combined Joint Task Force – 1
attended the ceremony held on
Forward Operating Base Salerno.
By the numbers, TF Duke
achieved monumental success in
their region of eastern Afghanistan.
Over the course of their deployment, Duke soldiers conducted
more than 14,600 combined
patrols with their Afghan partners
while executing nearly 700 operations. During these operations they
logged over 275 confirmed enemy
kills and captured almost 1,800
insurgents, with more than 300
of these being insurgent leaders.
According to local Afghan officials,
the marked increase in security in
Khowst and Paktya has given way
st
Headquarters (REDEPLOYED) Since their return from a oneyear deployment to Iraq, the Division Headquarters has been
training and preparing for their next deployment.
1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team (REDEPLOYED) On Sept.
21st, 2011 the first main body flights of the 1st Brigade soldiers
returned home to Fort Riley, Kansas after a year-long deployment
to Iraq.
The 1-16 Infantry, 4-4 Cavalry, and 2-34 Armor of the 1st Brigade,
which were deployed separately to Afghanistan, have recently
began their returns from those missions.
U.S. Army Photo
to better governance and development in the region, key pieces
to Afghanistan’s future after the
departure of coalition forces.
U.S. Army Col. Chris Toner,
commander of TF Duke, thanked
his Afghan partners for their
support over the last year.
“We’ve all served together for
the safety and security of our families in Afghanistan and the United
States,” said Toner.
He went on to reflect upon
the Soldiers who gave their lives
during the deployment.
“Sadly, this effort was not
without loss, as 27 TF Duke
soldiers made the ultimate
sacrifice,” he said, adding that
92 ANSF members also gave their
lives to the effort. “Their sacrifice
has made all of us all even more
committed to finishing this fight
on our terms and ensuring their
sacrifice was not in vain,” said
Toner.
Toner also gave credit to the
families at Fort Knox and elsewhere for the support they gave to
their deployed soldiers.
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team (REDEPLOYED) After
their return last Fall, the 2nd HBCT has been training its troops
with new equipment in preparation for its future missions.
3rd Brigade Combat Team (REDEPLOYED)
3rd BCT deployed to Afghanistan in January 2011 in support of
Operation New Dawn. Since January 2012, these soldiers have
began their return to Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (REDEPLOYED)
Since its Fall 2011 redeployment, 4th IBCT has been resetting
equipment and engaging in training exercises to prepare for
future deployments.
1st Combat Aviation Brigade (REDEPLOYED)
The Combat Aviation Brigade returned home to Fort Riley, Kansas
in March, 2011 after a 12-month deployment to Iraq. Currently,
the CAB is training its soldiers for a future deployment.
“Proud Americans” Pull Lanyard On M777 2HBCT Uncases
Colors
By SGT Gene A. Arnold
By SGT Daniel Stoutamire,
2HBCT Public Affairs
U.S. Army Photo
“Fire Mission” are the words
yelled when the fire direction
center sends coordinates to the
gun line when they need to put
rounds on target. This is one
aspect that will never change for
the gun line sections of Alpha and
Bravo Battery from the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry
Division. Prior to the arrival of the
M777 Howitzers, these two firing
batteries only shot M119A2 howitzers. The 2-32 FA, also known as
“Proud Americans,” became the
first field artillery battalion in the
1st Inf. Div., to fire the M777 Digital
Lightweight Field Artillery Howitzer
at the outskirts of Fort Riley, Jan.
23.
A total of six teams, consisting
of two teams from Alpha Battery
and four teams from Bravo Battery
conducted section level qualifica-
Spring 2012
tions by successfully putting steal
on target with the 155 millimeter
rounds.
Initially the Proud Americans
Battalion was an M119A2 Towed
Lightweight Howitzer unit that shot
105 millimeter rounds, which
proved to be more lethal and
received significantly more range
than its predecessor the M101A2
and the M102 howitzers. When
the Proud Americans received the
task to train with the M777, they
stepped up to the challenge.
The teams conducted a series
of four fire missions, sending a
total of nine rounds on target with
the supervision of their instructors. The purpose was to make
sure proper commands and tasks
were completed for each fire
mission without input from the
instructor.
Having completed a yearlong
deployment as one of the final
American units in Baghdad,
members of the 2nd Heavy Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, officially announced their
homecoming Dec. 6 by formally
uncasing the unit colors during
a ceremony at Marshall Army
Airfield.
The uncasing of a unit’s colors
is an act symbolizing all members
of the unit have returned from a
deployment to their home station.
The Dagger Brigade was the
sole American brigade-sized
element in Baghdad Province
throughout its deployment and
worked with two Iraqi security
forces area commands, seven Iraqi
security forces divisions and two
Iraqi police directorates, while
also helping to logistically support
all U.S. forces in the province. The
brigade’s work set the stage for a
withdrawal of U.S. forces, which
will be complete, as per a security
agreement between Iraq and the
U.S., at the end of 2011.
“You were the last ones to
put the finishing touches on our
nation’s war in Iraq,” said MG
William Mayville, 1st Inf. Div. and
Fort Riley commanding general.
U.S. Army Photo
Above: COL Paul Calvert, 2nd HBCT commander, left, and CSM Rodney
R. Lewis, 2nd HBCT command sergeant major, right, uncase the
brigade colors Dec. 6 during an uncasing ceremony.
“Yours were the last faces the
ISF saw. You left the standards
behind for your Iraqi counterparts
to meet. It’s a job well done –
tremendous, tremendous work,
and we are very proud of you.”
During their deployment,
Dagger Brigade Soldiers earned
more than 800 Combat Action
Badges, Combat Infantryman and
Combat Medic badges. More than
500 Bronze Star Medals were
earned, along with more than 350
Army Commendation Medals. Forty
Purple Hearts were awarded to
Soldiers in the brigade. Sadly, nine
Dagger Brigade Soldiers made the
ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
The brigade took a 30-day
period of block leave, where
Soldiers had the opportunity to
spend the holiday season with
loved ones. Following leave, the
brigade will get busy with the business of preparing itself for whatever it is called on to do next.
5
Far Left:
Photo of Ralph
Fancher taken in
1945.
Two Generations of Big Red One Soldiers
SP5 (Retired) Norman D. Haugk
HQ Co, and Co. A, 1st Medical Battalion
On January 24, 2005, Ralph
T. Fancher, my father-in-law, was
awarded the French Legion of
Honor Chevalier at his home in
Succasunna, NJ by the Deputy
Consulate General of France, New
York City.
Fancher’s unit was part of
the 149th Battalion, Beach Group
supporting the 116th Regimental
Combat Team. The 116th RCT
consisted of the 116th Infantry
Regiment and a number of other
units of the 29th Infantry Division,
which was attached to the 1st Infantry Division from March 17th –June
7th, 1944. Fancher landed at 10:46
a.m. on Omaha Beach as part of
the third wave on June 6, 1944.
Fancher was inducted into
military service on May 24, 1943
at the age of 28. He was initially
drafted into the Navy, but since his
mother never allowed him to learn
to swim, he requested service in
the Army. His initial training was in
an ordnance training regiment in
Aberdeen, Maryland. On February
12th, 1944, he boarded the troopship Brazil and landed in Liverpool, England on February 22. On
March 18th, he was permanently
assigned to the 618th Ammunition
Company, 74th Ordnance Battalion,
6th Engineer Special Brigade, headquartered in Torquay, England. It
is amusing to note that despite his
inability to swim, he was assigned
to an amphibious unit.
The 6th ESB was attached to
the 29th Infantry Division and was
assigned various engineering and
support functions to the infantry
units. Fancher’s unit was assigned
the responsibility of ammunition identification, supply, and
replacement. Their initial mission
in the Normandy operationwas
to organize and operate an initial
beach dump at Vierville-Sur-Mer
and to organize a consolidated
ammunition dump in the vicinity of
Formingy.
Fancher was a member of
the Third Ammunition Team and
due to heavy seas landed at Les
Moulins (Easy Red Sector on
Omaha Beach) at 10:46 a.m.
on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Due to
enemy fire, nothing could be
accomplished toward their initial
mission. Fancher always remembered Corporal Bazzari’s declaration when they first hit the beach,
“Start digging! This is terrible!”
He also remembered the buzzing
sounds of the German 88s going
overhead. All they could do at that
Left:
Photo of Fancher
taken near Normandy
in July, 1944. Holding
ordnance made at
Picatinny Arsenal.
time was to retrieve and secure
ammunition from the water and
knocked-out equipment to supply
the units with ammunition.
It was not until D+2 that a
beach dump could be organized.
Instead of the original location
at Vierville-Sur-Mer, the beach
dump was set up at Les Moulins,
about 100 yards in from the water.
Fancher sadly remembers the time
he accompanied an Army buddy
to the temporary cemetery set up
on Omaha Beach. His buddy’s
brother, part of another unit, was
killed in the D-Day landing.
Les Moulins is now embodied
within and is part of the village of
St. Laurent-Sur-Mer. The former
site of Les Moulins is marked
by the Monument of the D-Day
Landing. It was here that the first
units found shelter at dawn on
June 6, 1944.
Fancher departed the Republic
of France for the United States
on Christmas Eve, 1945 aboard
the U.S.S. Monticello and after
passing by the Statue of Liberty,
he landed in New York Harbor
on January 1, 1946. He proudly
wore the Seahorse Patch on his
uniform, a badge of distinction to
those who landed on the beaches
of Normandy on D-Day. He saw
service in Normandy, Rhineland,
Northern France and thus has
three bronze campaign stars on
his European campaign ribbon.
This is preceded by a bronze
arrowhead designating that he
took part in an amphibious assault
landing on an enemy-held shore.
Not only was he my father-inlaw, but he was also my best friend
for over 40 years. It was interesting to discover that both his and
my military service began on May
24th, only his was 23 years earlier,
and that for 3 months he was also
part of the 1st Infantry Division.
Sadly, Ralph Fancher died on May
14, 2009 at the age of 94. In 1997,
my wife, daughter, and I visited
three of the five Normandy beachheads and many of the villages
and towns Ralph had been to. He
said much of the area had been
devastated, but at St. Lo one could
still see remnants of the church
exterior wall from a distance,
providing an excellent reference point. On Omaha Beach we
kneeled near the former village of
Les Moulins where he and others
endured that fateful day. We visited
the Normandy American Cemetery
and at noon when the chimes
began to play, tears began to run
down our cheeks. It was a moment
we will never forget and 14 years
later, I am still impacted by those
emotions and tears have never
failed to come when thinking of
that indescribable moment.
stop the German push, they were
able to bring more troops up
and started pushing the Germans
back. On the morning of February 1st, 1945 my dad would lead
1st platoon on a patrol looking
for German soldiers. Many of the
Germans were worn out, without
food and ammo. As the American
patrol proceeded, they would
capture about 10 German soldiers,
and would send two U.S. soldiers
back to their lines with them. They
started out with 25 men. Dad said
they sent back 6 groups of prisoners so they had 13 guys left. He
said as they were moving forward,
two German machine guns opened
up on them, one on each side.
Dad said he fired a rifle grenade
knocking out the gun on his left
but was wounded before he could
get the other gun. He said they
were pinned down and couldn’t
move. He said 11 guys were dead
with only he and Sergeant Black
alive and both were wounded.
Dad said he laid a grenade by his
head because the Germans would
kill the wounded. As evening was
coming dad said he heard tanks
coming but couldn’t tell who’s
they were. When they got closer,
he realized they were Americans.
They had sent 2 tanks out to find
out what happened to the patrol.
They picked up the dead and
wounded.
I often wondered what went
through my dad’s mind not
knowing if he would ever see his
wife, Mary, and his 3 young sons
ever again as he lay in the snow
that clotted his blood and kept him
from bleeding to death. He would
undergo several operations and
come back to America to his beautiful wife, Mary, and his 3 sons
Ronnie, JL and Tommy. And as the
story goes, he would have 6 more
boys and 3 girls. What a great
family they would raise together
and the sacrifices they would go
through.
In 1958 JL, Tommy and I saved
our money to buy dad a rifle so
he could go deer hunting. We got
a used 30-30 rifle. On Christmas
Eve 1958 we gave it to him. His
face went blank. We asked Mom
what was wrong. She said not
to worry, that Dad would be all
right. We wanted him to have a
rifle so he could go hunting with
his friends. I didn’t know why dad
had that look on his face until my
tour in Vietnam. I went there on
my 25th birthday, June 29th 1967
to June 29th ‘68. I now knew why
my dad didn’t want his 30-30rifle. It would be hard for most
people to understand what an
infantryman would go through in
war. The weapon you carried with
you all of the time in combat. You
would sleep with it, eat with it, and
shit with it. You would kill and
do things with a rifle you would
never want to ever think about
again. In combat you become the
animal you were trained to be and
couldn’t put faces on what you
were doing for it would be too
much to bear.
Yes my dad, Arthur Lee
Campsey was a combat infantryman in WWII, the same as I was
in Vietnam. He was a scout and I
To My Dad On VETERANS DAY 2011
My Friend, My Father, and My hero
SGT Ron Campsey
1st Infantry Division
1st Bn, 18th Infantry, 1967-68
Veterans Day is always special
for those who have served this
great nation we call America the
Beautiful by wearing the uniform
of the American Military. That’s
what has made our nation so
great. Just think of those who have
served this great nation in time of
war, the sacrifice that they gave to
help make the world a safer place
for their children to grow up in.
I remember my dad telling
me why he went into the Army in
1943. He told me all of his friends
were being drafted and he felt it
was his duty to serve as well. Dad
worked at Kelley Air Force base
in San Antonio as a government
employee, which exempted him
from the draft. He also had three
young children Ronnie 3, JL 2 and
Tommy 1. That also could have
kept him from being drafted. He
said he wanted to help America be
free, maybe help this to be the last
war our country would be in and
maybe a world where everyone
could live in peace. How I wish
that could have been, peace.
It’s cold and rainy out as I am
6
writing; it makes me think about
my dad in the Battle of the Bulge.
How cold, rainy and snowy it
was. My dad celebrated his 25th
birthday 4 days after the German
Army broke through the American
lines. I think of them having only
their rifles to fight the German
tanks and Infantry. How they
were without proper winter coats,
uniforms for the cold, not having
food to eat nor ammo to fight with.
He would talk of going on
patrols and the soldier in front
of him stepping on a mine, being
blown up and having to keep
moving. He was a scout and would
go out at night to try and find
the German artillery positions.
How he would leave the younger
soldiers at the perimeter for they
were scared and he could travel
faster and safer by himself. He
would tell how sometimes those
same guys would fire on him when
he was coming back in. Being
older would help him to survive,
for in war you must use every one
of your senses plus instinct.
As the Americans were able to
...Continued on next page.
Bridgehead Sentinel
No More BRO Mascots, Please!
By Pat Daniel
COL (Retired), U.S. Army
When 3 Brigade (Dukes),
1 Infantry Division first arrived
in Jalalabad Afghanistan in June
of 2008, the 173rd Airborne
Infantry Brigade, predecessors
of the Dukes were experiencing problems with unit animal
mascots. Then Colonel Charles
(Chip) Preisler, the 173rd brigade
commander was passionately
working to rid the area of operations of all pets, mascots, and
such. During the Dukes’ relief in
place operations with the 173rd
Sky Soldiers, a monkey had bitten
a Soldier on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the area. COL
Preisler (Bayonet 6) sensed all the
problems that could arise from
animals and Soldiers mixing on
the FOBs, and he was determined
to avoid such trouble. In this case,
the monkey was determined not
to be rabid, and the 173rd Brigade
soon redeployed to Europe leaving
the Dukes in charge.
Fast forward to one year
later, May 2009. The Dukes are
conducting relief in place operations (RIP) with the 4th Brigade,
4th Infantry Division. I was the
commander of the 3rd Brigade
Special Troops Battalion on FOB
FINLEY-SHIELDS in Jalalabad,
Afghanistan. FOB FINLEY-SHIELDS
was home to the 3rd Brigade BSTB
(Valiant Warriors), the Nangarhar
Provincial Reconstruction Team
(PRT), the Missouri Agribusiness
Development Team (ADT) and a
few other stray units totaling over
620 people living on the FOB on a
given day. In May 2009, we began
sending some Valiant Warrior
Soldiers back home, and bringing
rd
st
4-4ID Soldiers in. The goal was
to send about as many out each
day as were coming in so as to not
over whelm the logistics capacity
of the FOB during RIP; but generally, we had extra folks on the FOB
during the RIP.
My BRO mascot story really
begins mid-way through the
RIP in late May 2009, when the
Command Sergeant Major informs
me that Dave bit a Soldier from
HHC, and Dave is acting strange;
more aggressive than normal.
“Who is Dave?” I asked. At this
point in Battalion Command, I
knew better than to completely
dismiss the idea that Dave might
be another Soldier, Airman, Afghan
citizen, etc. Dave, he says, is
the little gray dog that was just
a puppy not long ago, and has
been hanging around the FOB. I
calmly asked (or at least that’s
how I remember it), “is Dave still
on the FOB?” To which the CSM
replied, “yes, the PRT ‘guys’ are
trying to chase him down and kill
him”. Now I am sensing risk as I
consider the possibilities of calamity that may occur from an all-out
rabid dog hunt on a congested
FOB filled with seasoned veterans,
newly arrived (“green”), and
Afghan tenants. Fortunately, this
part of the story ends with Dave
dead and no one else injured.
For this, we were truly thankful.
The next part of the story really
drives home the manifested consequences of Soldiers interacting
with animal mascots in a foreign
country. In addition to the myriad
tasks associated with conducting
a relief in place operation with
The “Other” Mascot
Nathan, C. Sollish
Concerning your request to
hear about company mascots,
here is my story.
Although Company A, 1st
Aviation Battalion had an English
Bulldog in 1968 as a company
mascot (named Birmingham),
a few of us adopted a mutt that
had wandered into our company
area on day. His right ear had
been shot off, so we named him,
“Ear.” Not only did he attach
himself to us instantly (not for his
love of c-rations), he exhibited
a unique trait. He would quietly
whimper if he heard something off
in the distance. If what he heard
was getting closer, he’d become
noticeably restless. He was the
ultimate combat watchdog.
Unfortunately, the First Sergeant
Spring 2012
a follow on unit, we now had to
account for all the people, past
and present tenants and visitors
that had direct contact with the
dog, Dave. Of course the Physician’s Assistant (Doc) came up
with some very technical guidelines to determine if the people
were exposed to the dog, Dave, as
opposed to incidental contact. As
it turns out, he advised, there are
several levels of exposure, and all
those with the most severe level of
exposure to Dave would have to
be inoculated for rabies as soon
as possible. Very quickly, the list
grew to 25+ individuals with the
most severe level of exposure. It
was at this point, I discovered
there was a world-wide shortage
of rabies vaccine; who knew? To
make it just a little more complex,
we now had Soldiers at Fort Hood
and all points in between Texas
and Afghanistan with the severe
exposure to Dave and MG Curtis
M. Scaparrotti, Commander of RC
East, was asking for a daily update
on the rabies problem at FOB
FINLEY SHIELDS. As always, the
great staff of the 3-1 STB (Valiant
Warriors) along with the newly
arrived 4-4ID STB staff did the
hard work and made me look
good. The Docs all got the vaccine
from some place and every one
was inoculated that needed it, and
maybe a few that did not need it.
However, the best part of the story
is that no one, other than the unofficial BRO mascot, tested positive
for rabies in Texas or Afghanistan.
Did I mention the dog’s name was
Dave? I hate that name for a dog!
The French
Legion of
Honor
The Highest French Distinction
Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the French Legion of Honor
was created to reward military and civil merits in the service of
France. The “Legion d’Honneur” is France’s highest distinction which
can be presented to a citizen of France, or another country.
Listed below are submissions from 1st Infantry
Division veterans who have recently been awarded
the French Legion of Honor by their local
French Consulate General.
Albert Nash Whatley of Tucker, Georgia
Co I, 18th Infantry Regiment 1943–45
the French Legion of Honor medal on
September 1, 2010 at the Museum of Aviation
in Warner Robins, Georgia
Demetrius “Pete” Lypka
Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon [I&R], 16th Infantry
was presented the Legion of Honor in 2011
for his actions on D-day, June 6, 1944, in Normandy, France.
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.
Veterans Day By Ron Campsey
...Continued from page 6
had a greater love for Birmingham, the bulldog, so when no one
was around he loaded Ear onto a
truck and had him dropped off in
Saigon.
Two weeks later a frail and
shaken Ear came wandering back
to us. When the First Sergeant saw
him, he said “I dropped him off
in Saigon! How the hell did he get
back here?” It was then that we
found out why Ear had disappeared.
He was still there when I
rotated out in January 1969, when
my tour was over. I hope he lived a
good, long life. The majority of us
that had adopted him were in the
Rebels Gun Platoon. Perhaps they
remember. Good boy, Ear!
was a point man. We would both
serve in the Big Red One, the First
Infantry Division; We would both
receive Silver Stars for gallantry in
action, a Bronze Star with a V for
heroism and a Purple Heart for
being wounded. We would both
be 25 yrs of age. And yes, we both
suffered from the things we would
go through. Once I was talking to
Dad about our time in war and
his word were, “Son you live with
it each day, some days more than
others. You mustn’t dwell on it for
it would be too much to bear.”
So you see my dad is my
hero because in combat he did
everything he could to care for his
fellow man. He and Mom would
bear and raise 12 children. When
the house burned in 1953, Dad
never blinked, he just dug in
and went to work. There wasn’t
anything he couldn’t do. He was
a cowboy, a pioneer, a soldier,
husband, father and a humanitarian. My dad was all of that, for he
never turned his back on anyone.
Now he is in the twilight days of
his life. Mom died June 30,2011.
They were married over 70 yrs.
And he is lost without his beloved
wife, Mary. He will ask, “Where is
Momma?” And my sister Sue will
say, “She will be in soon.”
After my time in Vietnam I
could understand who my dad
was, he is a hard man but a just
man for he wanted his children to
be strong so they would be able
to face life’s challenges. He and
Mom accomplished their goals.
Did You Serve
with the BRO
in Iraq or
Afghanistan?
The Bridgehead Sentinel
would like to hear from all
veterans and active duty 1st
Infantry Division soldiers who
have served in our current
conflicts in order to tell YOUR
stories on these pages.
From a strong recollection of an intense fire-fight to
the last days of the Division’s
mission in Iraq, these are
all stories we would love to
print!
Write us at the contact
information on page 15 to
submit your story!
7
U.S. Army Photo
Fort Riley to Vietnam
With the 2-33 Artillery
U.S. Army Photo
The following article is in response to the Fall 2011
Bridgehead Sentinel article by Bill Baty about his trip over to
Vietnam. Greg Mason recalls his similar experiences over on
that same trip to Vietnam.
By Greg Mason
The 2nd Battalion, 33rd FA, was
the direct support field artillery
battalion for the 3d Brigade. As
such, we had a wonderful relationship with the infantry battalions
and the Cav, which especially
developed into close camaraderie
while training up for deployment at Fort Riley. Our Forward
Observer Sections from the firing
batteries, together with the Liaison
Sections from the Battalion Headquarters, were fully manned (a
first in years) and trained full time
with their respective maneuver
units. So, during the months of
intensive preparation for combat,
the soldiers in the artillery battalion rarely saw, and in some cases
barely knew, the forward observer
personnel from their own battery.
Similar to most of the other
units in the BRO at Fort Riley, we
had old (Korean War vintage)
GMC 2 ½ ton trucks with hydramatic transmissions for the howitzer prime movers and ammunition
resupply. It was very difficult to
keep these trucks running and
in some cases was nearly impossible to obtain transmission repair
parts. Fortunately, before we began
to rail our equipment from Fort
Riley to the port in San Francisco,
we sent a driver and his assistant,
for each of our trucks, to Lansing,
Michigan to pick up brand new
replacement trucks (with manual
transmissions) from the assembly
line of the Diamond-REO Motor
Co. factory. Our soldiers convoyed
these beauties back to Fort Riley,
logging enough miles so we could
change the brake-in fluids before
railing them to the port. The trip to
Lansing and back went very well,
and once the drivers and trucks
returned to Fort Riley you could
hardly get them out of “their”
truck cab because they were so
proud of their new equipment.
Each Battery detailed a lieutenant to work with the Battalion
loading officer in developing
loading plans for our equipment
ships. Our job was to insure that
each piece of TOE had an assigned
space on the ship and that the
shipboard space was used most
efficiently. Unfortunately, the
Battalion staff officer in charge
of loading was not the brightest
candle on the cake. It took the rest
of us planners a couple of days to
teach and convince him why a 2
½ ton truck with winch needed 84
more cubic feet of parking space
than a 2 ½ ton without winch. His
rationale was that a winch only
8
measured 7.5 cubic feet so why
did we need the additional 76.5
cubic feet. Thankfully we were
able to eventually complete our
task and all of our equipment
arrived safely in Vietnam.
Most of the personnel of 2/33
FA did not rail to the port; rather
were bused from Fort Riley to
Kansas City to fly from the then
brand new (not even open to the
public yet) Kansas City airport,
way out on the northwest side of
the city, to San Francisco, where
again we were bused back to the
port in town. The bus trips and
the flight to San Francisco were
accomplished without incident
and we boarded the USNS General
Daniel I Sultan, spending the
rest of the afternoon exploring
the “comforts” of troop-ship
deployments. We set sail late in the
afternoon and shortly after passing
under the Golden Gate Bridge, we
began experiencing the California
ground swells, offering us our first
taste of seasickness.
After we had been under sail
for about two and a half weeks,
we were rounding the northern
tip of Luzon, PI heading into the
South China Sea when all of the
sudden we came to a dead stop in
the ocean. Rumors were rampant,
most of them centered on some
type of disaster that had befallen
our ship. Some time later in the
evening, we once again resumed
sailing south along the western
coast of Luzon and the chain of
command announced that we had
gotten ahead of our equipment
ships and henceforth we would
put into US Naval Station Subic
to give the equipment ships time
to get ahead of us. After sailing at
a snail’s pace all Thursday night
and most of Friday morning, we
finally docked shortly after noon
on Friday. All officers and soldiers
were permitted shore leave providing they were properly dressed in
the summer Class A khaki uniform
with tie and overseas cap. Before
deployment from Fort Riley, the
Battalion Commander had issued
specific orders that each officer
and soldier would pack a Class
A khaki uniform (with tie and
overseas cap) in their baggage to
accompany them onboard ship.
As we discovered that Friday
afternoon, the Battalion’s senior
officers, lieutenants, and enlisted
soldiers all had complied with
the packing instructions and had
in their possession the required
uniform to obtain shore leave.
Above: It’s a brawny job for the 2nd, Battalion, 33rd Artillery
to positition the 1st Infantry Division’s heavy guns, but there
is plenty of teamwork to do the job. August 1967.
Left: “A little to the right” SSG Humberto
Valentine directs positioning of the 1st Infantry
Division’s 105mm howitzers near Lei Khe for the
2nd Bn, 33rd Artillery’s B Battery. August 1967.
However, some of the Battalion’ staff officer (primarily the
Captains) had not followed the
orders and were madly trying to
“rent” various parts of the uniform
from comrades and enlisted
men. Those who were successful
discovered that the prices were
very high.
Our Battery 1SG was a man
with impeccable taste and dress
who definitely appreciated the
finer things in life. It turned out
that the way he could afford the
luxuries, of which other soldiers
could only dream, was by being
a very successful gambler. Of
course, 1SG “X” only played by the
rules and he only gambled with
officers. Well it so happened that
a medical detachment was also
part of our manifest onboard the
ship and so every night he played
poker with the doctors. Oh, that
doc pro pay was like taking candy
from a baby for our “Top.” On the
Saturday morning after we docked
at Subic Bay, he asked me if I
would accompany him to the Base
Post Office and sign the certificate
necessary for him to send money
orders totaling more than $1,000.
I distinctly remember him sending
many thousands of dollars to his
bank back home in the States that
day. (Once we were established
at our Lai-Kai Base, he continued
his winning gambling practices
and continued sending money
home. He was such a big winner
that eventually the CID conducted
an investigation and was forced to
conclude that nothing illegal was
going on.)
In July and August before
deployment, five of us Second
Lieutenants in the Battalion had
been promoted. With the fast
paced training and preparation
schedule, we simply did not have
time to have a promotion party
before departing Fort Riley. Once
we learned we were going to put
into Subic for approximately three
days, the five of us got together
and decided to have our promotion party there. When we obtained
our shore leave, we headed
straight for the Subic Officers Club
to make arrangements for a Saturday night bash. Each of us initially
kicked in $10 for an open bar and
some “chips and dip” trays etc.
(This was in the days when the
most expensive drink in the house
was a double Martini at 10 cents.)
We invited all officers on the ship
to attend the festivities beginning
around 8 PM on Saturday evening.
About 2 AM Sunday morning the
bartender assured us that we still
had enough money left in our pot
to cover more drinking, so the
party continued. Sometime in the
early morning hours, a group of
Navy Officers and their wives came
by the club for a nightcap on their
way back to their quarters from
another function. We promptly
invited them to join us and they
accepted. Daytime activities on
Sunday turned out to be pretty
much a wipeout for most of us.
While we were at Subic, one
of our Battalion’s Second Lieutenants drank a bit too much and
after getting lost and wandering
around the base decided to deride
a member of the USMC Detachment. When the Shore Patrol
arrived they took 2LT “Y” to the
Base Hospital where he stayed for
6 weeks undergoing treatment and
recovery for his broken jaw, etc.
Following his discharge from the
hospital, he rejoined A Battery at
Lai-Kai and was promptly wounded
during his first operation with the
2d Infantry.
The 2d Brigade had deployed
to Vietnam about 3 months ahead
of the 3d Brigade and was tasked
to be the “welcoming committee”
for us. They helped marshal our
equipment at Bien Hoa, transport
us from the ship at Vung Tau,
and provide security for us until
we were ready to move tactically
to Lai-Kai. Elements of the 173d
Airborne Bde had conducted
clearing operations in and around
the Lai-Kai Plantation before we
arrived to establish our base
camp. Even with all that prepara-
tion, the first night we were at
Lai-Kai we “killed” a whole bunch
of rubber trees thinking the enemy
was “coming in the wire.” Our
initial positions at Lai-Kai had B
Battery set up in a peanut field on
the southwest corner of the perimeter flanking the south checkpoint
along Highway 13. C Battery was
on the east side of the highway in
an empty field, A Battery was at the
south end of the Lai-Kai air strip
more or less in the center of the
base camp, and Headquarters and
Service Battery was in the rubber
trees between A and B Batteries.
As memory serves me, it was
about three weeks between the
time we arrived at Lai-Kai and
when we deployed to the Michelin
Plantation by road on our first
operation in support of the 2d
Battalion 28th Infantry. (Bill Baty
described the initial phase of
that road march in his previous
article.) During that three-week
interim all of the Brigade elements
were improving the base camp,
getting acclimated to the weather
and environment, and conducting
local security and patrols. Each
day our Battery had to provide
security while permitting some
local VN nationals’ access to
our area so they could tend the
peanut crop. Once they harvested
the nuts, we were able to almost
double the size of our battery position, thereby making most efficient
use of the available space for our
howitzers. We suspected that some
of the workers were at least VC
sympathizers and sure enough,
the day after the peanut harvest
was completed, our Battery area
was mortared by the VC with each
round landing where one of our
howitzers had been located the day
before.
The initial Michelin operation
and the mortar attack gave us
our baptism by fire and from that
time forward, we were continually
moving in operational support of
the Brigade maneuver units.
Bridgehead Sentinel
Dogface Charlie in Vietnam
Left to right: Kenny Gardellis
and Tom Mercer, Point Men of
Lima Platoon, 1967–1968.
The following excerpt is taken from the upcoming Cantigny
Military History Series book, Dogface Charlie, which follows
the personal stories of members of Charlie Company, 1st
Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment in Vietnam.
Dogface Charlie:
Soldiers’
Recollections of
Vietnam and the
Big Red One.
By Tom Mercer
Every time we left an old NDP,
there were thoughts running
through everyone’s mind: “Where
the hell are we going now and
what are we looking for?” Of
course, we would always hear bits
and pieces of information, not
knowing what was true and what
was not. This would drive us crazy
because we were always thinking
the worst was coming.
This time we heard we were
going searching for rockets 12
miles northwest of Lai Khe in an
area called the Rocket Belt The VC
had been firing rockets at our division headquarters every day and
every night. We had heard General
Ware was really getting pissed and
wanted it stopped. This area had
lots of NVA roaming around and
big base camps set up for the NVA
and VC.
We got word down through the
chain of command that our battalion commander, Colonel Tronsrue,
was going with us on this one. This
meant we had to do things exactly
by the book. Colonel Tronsrue
wanted us to be careful; there was
a lot of NVA/VC in the area. That’s
always good to hear right before
you head out on a patrol. The
colonel was a no-nonsense type of
commander, and he took his job
seriously. He didn’t like getting
anybody hurt or killed. Captain
Phillip McClure was in charge of
Charlie Company. He was a tough
and rugged type of commander
and did not mind getting right in
the middle of the fight with his
men. He would have been a great
point man.
Charlie Company had point:
Lima Platoon up front, 1st Squad
was in the lead, and I was point
man. Kenny Gardellis was the
second man in the patrol and
right behind him was Rusty Little
and Kimble Myrick. Rick Morrow
was new in country. He was in 2nd
Squad and didn’t know what to
expect if we got into a firefight. If it
happened, this would be his first.
At the time I was an acting squad
leader who was walking point.
Kenny and Rusty behind me were
two good men to have up front
with you. Throughout the day we
changed point men to rest each
other. Kenny was a well-used point
man. Throughout the year he and
I walked point quite a lot for Lima
Platoon. Kenny knew how to keep
his cool when a firefight started.
I didn’t think it would be too
bad because Colonel George
Tronsrue was going with us. Why I
would think that, who knows. We
had walked for about two hours
doing our regular maneuvers. We
would walk a while, then stop and
send out some cloverleaf patrols,
which was a patrol outside a
Spring 2012
patrol. The smaller patrols sometimes would help find ambushes
that were set up by the VC and
waiting for the main patrol to
walk into. They were like a safety
precaution. Some people had the
impression that the NVA/VC were
stupid; they were not. They had
been fighting for years, and they
were great at setting up a good
ambush.
This day we had “Fritz,” a
scout dog, with us and his handler
from the 35th Scout Dog Platoon.
Fritz was a black German Sheppard and he was a good one! The
handler would have to get the
dog used to the point man, but
we weren’t allowed to touch the
dog. The dog gave us a feeling of
security because if there was a VC
in the area, Fritz would sniff him
out. We found this to be true later
that day.
I was hoping for a nice easy
day, and not seeing any NVA/VC at
all would have been nice. Sometimes we had a feeling that something bad was going to happen,
which is the way I felt that day.
With everything that goes through
your mind, you can’t even imagine
what may happen on a patrol in
a free fire zone. As point man on
this particular day, I had my eyes
and my ears working as hard as
possible. I stopped the patrol
immediately for anything that
didn’t look right. The longer I was
on point, the more nervous I was.
I was considered one of the better
point men in Charlie Company,
and we had some really good
ones at the time: Kenny Gardellis,
Bill Sullivan, Robert Norris, Lon
(Smitty) Smith, Thomas Cone,
Rick Rossi, and Tom Murphy We
all did things the right way.
After another hour of walking
we got word that rockets were
being fired in Lai Khe toward the
1st Division Headquarters. That
was one thing we didn’t want to
hear. That means we were getting
close to what we were looking for
and didn’t want to find. Things
changed and everyone was in a
serious mood. I noticed everybody
was looking around like this might
be the big day for all of us. Will
this be the day we walk into a big
ambush like so many soldiers had
done in Vietnam over the years?
Our platoon leader at the time
(KIA) was new in the country and
had never seen combat. He kept
telling me to be careful and keep
my eyes open, reassuring me that
everything would be okay. I had a
hard time understanding how he
could tell me everything would be
okay. I had been in country for
nine months and had been in a
few firefights and battles. He had
never been in a firefight. I knew
Published by the First
Division Museum at Cantigny
Park in Wheaton, Illinois,
part of the Cantigny Military
History Series.
Release Date: May 2012
Available:
FirstDivisionMuseum.org
Above: Group photo of the Charlie Company
Reunion in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 2009.
he meant well, but mainly I was
hoping he could keep it together if
we had contact.
Captain McClure was about
17 men back in the formation.
He liked being up front where the
action was. He had all the guys’
respect.
After we got the news of the
rockets being fired toward Lai Khe,
we started moving again. We had
walked for about one hour, and
Fritz, the scout dog, started acting
up. There was definitely something
in the area, and he was detecting
it. When the dog handler told me
to keep my eyes open and be really
careful, I knew something was
going to happen.
Again we started moving and
maybe went about 40 yards when
Fritz acted up again. This time the
dog handler said we have to stop
and check out the area. I passed
on this information to the platoon
leader. The lieutenant said we
were not stopping and to keep
going. I knew we should not keep
going, but we did go a little further
until we came to a clearing. Again
I stopped the patrol and told the
lieutenant we have got to check
this out before we go across the
open area. The lieutenant still did
not want to do a cloverleaf; he
wanted to keep going. I stopped
and refused to lead the patrol
across the clearing without first
checking it out. I was still on
point, and Kenny Gardellis was
behind me and then Rusty Little
and the dog handler, Sergeant
Miguel Soldana. The lieutenant
was a little ticked off at me, but I
was right.
The platoon sergeant spotted
two rockets set up and ready to
be fired. Against my judgment, I
took a few more steps. The VC let
Kenny, Rusty and me go into the
open area with the dog handler
and then began firing at us. We
were pinned down and couldn’t
move at all. Rusty Little was shot
in the hand and fell to the ground.
Kenny Gardellis was trying to make
sure Rusty was okay. Even being
shot in the hand, Rusty Little was
still doing what he could to kill the
VC that were shooting at them The
dog handler laid his body on top
of Fritz so he would not get shot.
The dog was going crazy at this
point. The VC would love to have
killed Fritz; they hated our scout
dogs.
This is when I decided to get
up and run toward the VC, firing
my M-14. The VC must have
thought I was crazy for doing so.
My action took me forward toward
a log and closer to their position.
I was trying to get behind cover.
If I had dropped to the ground
when the firing started, most likely
I would have been shot and killed.
My instinct took over, and I really
don’t remember everything that
went on after that point. I didn’t
take a lot of time to think about
what move I was going to make; it
came naturally. My buddies were
down and needed help. Any one
of the guys would have done the
same thing I did, but I was the one
who was there.
I felt a little relieved when
Kenny Gardellis had come up
Please check the
‘Publications’ section at
FirstDivisionMuseum.org for
more details and information.
where I was and helped me get
out of my bad position. We were
firing our M-14s and throwing
hand grenades toward the enemy’s
position. Kenny and I were doing
all we could to make sure the VC
didn’t shoot the guys that were still
pinned down, including the dog
and the handler. I’m glad Kenny
was able to help me because at the
time all I had for protection was a
log and my M-14.
There was at least a squad of
NVA/VC, even though we only killed
one. There were signs of blood
from either wounded or dead VC
that were being dragged into the
woods. One VC could not have
carried those big rockets through
the woods by himself, so we know
there was at least a squad.
I remember when the firing
started, there were men from
the other platoons coming up to
help. That’s what made Charlie
Company so great. Lieutenant
Doug Goddard, who was Mike
Platoon leader, was one of the first
ones up there. I remember Joe
Boland from supply trying to put
out the fire in the grass that started
...continued on page 18
Charlie Company Reunion
Charlie Company, 1st
Battalion, 18th Infantry (Vietnam
era) is hosting its fourth annual
reunion May 3-6, 2012 in Lisle,
Illinois.
The event will be held at
Cantigny Park and the First
Infantry Division Museum in
Wheaton, Illinois. Hotel reservations are available at the Lisle/
Naperville Hilton, 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, Illinois
60532. The phone number is
630-505-0900.
The group code is: “Charlie
Company 1st Batta.” The nightly
rate is $99 plus tax and this
includes breakfast for two occu-
pants per room.
Charlie Company veterans
from 1967 are currently on
our roster and we add new
members regularly as we find
them. About 45-50 veterans
plus their spouses, families, and
friends are expected.
The Charlie Company
Book, collectively written by
Charlie Company veterans and
published by the First Division
Museum will debut at this event.
Please contact Joseph J.
Boland at (708) 352-3981 or
[email protected] if you
are interested in attending.
9
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 have lost their lives in combat—
over 180 children to date—and to the children and grandchildren of our
1st Infantry Division veterans.
Following is a list of contributors to the 1st Infantry Division Foundation
Scholarship Fund from 1 October 2011–1 February 2012.
Duplicate names indicate additional contributions.
1st Infantry Division Foundation
Scholarship Funds
CSM John Fourhman
Dr. David Eubanks
Robert M. Riggie
Thomas Wills
Stanley J. Wood
Anuj Gupta
Rodney L. Creel
The UPS Store, Fort Riley KS
Robert M. Riggie
Wallace E. Chapla
Donald C. Andrezjwski
Ron & Kay Roberts
LTC Gilbert Conforti
Joseph DiBernardo
DePuy Family Foundation
Trust
Robert O. Paoli
Robert L. Klinkerman
Richard B. Dahlseid
DC MONUMENT FUND SOCIETY CONTRIBUTIONS
Norman T. Austin
Melvin V. Lewis
The UPS Store
Robert M. Riggie
Estate of Rachel Lyman
Thomas Wills
Donald C. Andrezjwski
Fred N. Calenda Memorial Gifting Fund
Association of the United States Army
In Memory of Stephen E. Row
Paul L. Nelson
In Memory of Joseph Gallo
Mr. and Mrs. Morton
Melanie and Jack Gallogly
Betty Stevens
In Memory of Aubrey Arnett
Mr. and Mrs. R. Swinfford
In Memory of SFC Karl
Koennecke
New York/Fort Dix Branch
In Memory of LT Ashley
Henderson-Huff
Maurice S. Albin, M.D.
In Memory of Philip A.
Morehouse
Alan R. Morehouse, Jr.
OIF/OEF D.C. Monument Fund
1st Infantry Division Soldiers
At the present time, over 12,000 Big Red One soldiers have their names inscribed on this
monument from past conflicts. But, once again, we’re asking for your help. Much preliminary
work needs to be done, and that takes money. Please help honor our Big Red One Soldiers who
gave so much and are still giving!
Who Died During Operation New Dawn
and Operation Enduring Freedom
1 Nov 2011 – 1 Feb 2012
Here’s my contribution of $ _______ to help honor our men and women of the
Big Red One who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Name_____________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________
City ______________________ State ________ Zip ________________ Phone(
)________________E-Mail____________________________
Please make your check payable to: 1st Infantry Division Foundation.
Mark it “DC Monument fund” and mail it to:
1st Infantry Division Foundation, PO Box 607, Ambler, PA 19002.
Yes . . . I want to help the children of our BIG RED ONE Soldiers! Here is
my TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution to the Scholarship Fund!
$30
$60
1LT Dustin D. Vincent, 25, of Mesquite, Texas
3 November 2011

Scholarship Fund
$15
1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team
$100
$150
Other$
2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team
PFC Cody R. Norris, 20, of Houston, Texas
9 November 2011
SFC Dennis R. Murray, 38, of Red Broiling Springs, Tennessee
21 November 2011
SGT Ryan D. Sharp, 28, of Idaho Falls, Idaho
3 December 2011
Name
Address
201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team
City
Phone(
)
State
Zip
E-Mail
SPC Mikayla A. Bragg, 21, of Longview, Washington
21 December 2011
Please make your check payable to: 1st Infantry Division Foundation.
Mark it “Scholarship Fund” and mail it to:
1st Infantry Division Foundation, PO Box 607, Ambler, PA 19002.
Your contribution is 100% deductible for income tax purposes.
NOW Contribute online! Visit www.1stID.org and click
on “Foundation” then “Contributions.”
10
Bridgehead Sentinel
A Flag Comes Home
Far Left: A
direct fire
training
mission with
the 1-6 FA at
COP Goshta,
Afghanistan
during 3rd
Brigade’s
2008–09
deployment.
By Trent D. Laviano
I was looking forward to
seeing a good friend who had
just PCSed from Fort Lewis, WA to
Fort Belvoir, VA. CH (MAJ) Emmitt
Furner had been at Fort Lewis for
two years since shortly after having
returned from Afghanistan at the
end of 2008. We had previously
been together in the same unit in
2003 prior to my deployment to
in Iraq in 2004-2005. Although
we had kept in touch by means
of phone and e-mail, I had not
seen him since July 2007 when his
branch transfer had finally been
approved and he was accepted
into the Chaplain Corps. Due to
a technical requirement of Army
Regulations concerning the Chaplaincy, he had been required to
undergo a process to momentarily
separate from active duty and be
immediately sworn in again as a
chaplain. I was very glad to be able
to administer his oath of office at
Fort Bragg on 1 July 2007. Following the completion of Chaplain
OBC, Emmitt had been assigned
to the 101st Airborne Division
at Fort Campbell, KY. Due to his
background of having previously
been an infantry officer, he had
initially expected to be assigned to
an infantry battalion. However, he
became the battalion chaplain for
6-101 Aviation Regiment. This is a
general support aviation battalion,
which contained companies of
UH-60 Blackhawks and CH-47
Chinooks as well as a medevac
company. The 6-101 Aviation
began a one year deployment
Afghanistan in January 2008. Being
assigned to an aviation battalion
gave Emmitt a unique opportunity to travel all over the country
and to see many more aspects of
the war than would normally be
typical for a battalion chaplain.
In addition to being able to visit
a great many units and locations, one of the most rewarding
aspects of his deployment was the
opportunity to fly on numerous
medevac missions and to be able
to offer assistance to Soldiers who
had become casualties. Having
the chance to help Soldiers under
these circumstances is really the
essence of what it means to be an
Army Chaplain.
There was a specific set of
procedures for these flights.
Casualty evacuation missions
like all other flights in a combat
zone, involved sending at least
two aircraft on every mission. One
aircraft was the medical flight
and the other had the purpose
of escorting and protecting the
one which was carrying medical
patients. The chaplain would fly on
the aircraft which carried medevac
patients. In order to avoid further
emotional trauma to those who
had been wounded, Soldiers who
had been KIA were not transported
on the same aircraft with Soldiers
who were being evacuated for
Spring 2012
purposes of medical treatment.
Most of these air missions resulted
in the successful evacuation of the
wounded to medical facilities, but
there were also a number of flights
which were made for the purpose
of returning the bodies of those
who had been KIA. Part of the SOP
for these flights was for the helicopter to carry flags which were
draped over the body bags while
they were taken to the air base at
Bagram to be prepared for their
ultimate return to CONUS. Each
aircraft carried several flags. After
having been used on these flights,
the flags were normally cleaned
and returned to the aviation unit
to be reused for this purpose.
However, there was one occasion
when Emmitt arrived to find that
the unit had already provided a
flag to place over one of its fallen
comrades. Rather than following
the normal practice of leaving the
flag at the mortuary facility, he
resolved to personally return it to
the next of kin of the Soldier who
had died.
Emmitt had planned to visit me
at Fort Bragg once he completed
his PCS to Virginia. However, this
trip soon took on a meaning far
greater than just a typical visit.
Following his redeployment to
CONUS, Emmitt had returned
to Fort Campbell, KY for a few
months until his PCS to his next
assignment at Fort Lewis, WA. This
visit was the first time that he had
the opportunity to travel to the
area where he would be able to
visit the family. He had traveled
with another chaplain who was
also assigned in the DC area and,
he asked me to accompany him
when he went to deliver this flag
to the Soldier’s mother. I would
have been most willing to do this
in any event, but this mission took
on a special meaning for me once
I learned that this flag had been
used for a Big Red One Soldier.
PFC Michael W. Murdock had
been a Fire Direction Specialist
(13E) in 1st Battalion, 6th Field
Artillery of the 3rd BCT of the Big
Red One. He had been stationed at
FOB Lybert in Eastern Afghanistan
fairly close to the border with
Pakistan. He had been killed by
small arms fire on 11 September
2008. FOB Lybert was located in
a barren and hilly area. Enemy
forces were normally quite
cautious about attempting a direct
fire attack on this location because
they knew that they would be
quite vulnerable to the firepower
of U.S. artillery. However, due to
the fact that this was the seventh
anniversary of the 11 September
2001 attacks, they conducted what
was essentially a short hit and run
attack. A small enemy element
managed to make their way to a
hilltop overlooking FOB Lybert
and open fire with a light machine
gun. Although the US installation
Left: Photo of
PFC Michael
Murdock prior
to deployment.
U.S. Army Photo
was surrounded by Hesco barriers
and blast walls which afforded
considerable protection against
incoming fire, the position of the
enemy element on a hilltop made
it possible for them to effectively
fire down into the compound.
The attack did not last very long
because they wanted to be able
to make their escape back across
the border with Pakistan before
US artillery fire or a QRF would be
able to wipe them out. Although
the attack only lasted a few
minutes and did very little damage,
one 7.62 round did penetrate one
of the plywood buildings on the
FOB. PFC Murdock was inside
this building when he was struck
in the side by a single bullet. The
aircraft which flew to the scene
was on a recovery mission since
there was no possibility of being
able to evacuate him for medical
treatment. However, there was one
difference which distinguished
this mission from others of this
type. The members of his battery
had taken a flag which had been
flying over FOB Lybert and used
it to cover Murdock. This had
already been done by the time
that the helicopters arrived at this
location. This flag was somewhat
smaller than the ones that were
usually carried for this purpose
and the artillerymen had used tape
to secure it over the bag. Following the normal SOP, the fallen
Soldier was returned to Bagram
Air Base and accompanied by a
chaplain. Since the aircraft was
from 6-101 Aviation, CH Emmitt
Furner was on that flight. Upon his
arrival at Bagram, he remained
with PFC Murdock until he was
turned over to the Mortuary Affairs
unit. However, unlike the flags
which were normally used on
these flights, this one had special
significance. It had flown over the
U.S. outpost and the members of
the unit had used it to cover the
remains of one of their own who
had been KIA. Recognizing the
unique nature of this particular
flag, he decided that it would be
appropriate to keep it with the
intention of giving it to the next
of kin. When the UH-60 landed at
Bagram Air Base, he spoke to the
members of the Mortuary Unit and
explained his reasons for wanting
to keep this flag.
Michael Wayne Murdock
was an only child. He was from
Chocowinity, NC. This is a small
town (population 720) in eastern
NC which is located in Beaufort
County which is east of Greenville.
He was born on 7 July 1986 and
had graduated from high school
in 2004. He had lived his entire
life in this area until he joined the
Army in June 2006. Following the
completion of IET he was assigned
to 1-6 FA in March 2007, and he
had deployed to Afghanistan on 30
June 2008.
Emmitt had contacted
Michael’s mother, Jennifer Tripp,
while he was still deployed.
Although he had not met her in
person prior to the time that we
went to deliver the flag, they had
kept in touch through e-mail
and telephone calls during the
remainder of his deployment in
Afghanistan and his subsequent
assignment to Fort Lewis, WA.
Emmitt arrived at Fort Bragg on 30
June 2011. Although we had kept
in frequent contact since he had
become a chaplain, we had only
seen each other twice since he had
left to go to Fort Jackson for Chaplain OBC immediately after I had
administered his oath of office.
We made the drive to Chocowinity the following morning. This
was exactly four years to the day
since he had become a chaplain.
The first 50 miles of the 141 mile
trip were on I-95 to an exit near
Wilson, NC and the remainder was
by way of winding country roads. It
took us almost three hours to get
there due to the slow pace of travel
on the back roads. This gave us
a lot of time to talk both to catch
up on a lot of what had happened
over the past four years as well
as for him to tell me a lot about
Michael Murdock.
We arrived at his mother’s
house in the early afternoon. It
was a very nice house located on
a cove with a beautiful view of
the Pamlico River. She had been
expecting us and we talked for
over two hours. During the course
of this visit she told us quite a lot
about Michael and his life. Prior
to joining the Army, he had lived
his entire life in the same area. He
had worked in the local area for
two years following his graduation
from high school. He had then
joined the Army. She related that
although he had enjoyed his time
in the Army prior to deployment,
he had been very apprehensive
once he learned that he was going
to Afghanistan. He had expressed
a premonition that he might be
killed or wounded. However, he
was the type of individual who
always wanted to do what was
right and he did not attempt to do
anything to get out of going with
his unit. He had many friends in
his unit and he had been doing
well until he happened to be hit by
what was essentially a very unlikely
stray bullet. She told us that he
had planned to return to his home
area following the completion of
his enlistment and study engineering at Eastern Carolina University.
During the course of this visit she
also showed us an oil portrait of
Michael which occupies prominent place in the center hallway
of her house and can be seen in
the picture which accompanies
this article. In addition to this
painting, his old room contains
a number of other photographs
including the one of him included
here as well as a framed shadow
box containing his military awards
and insignia. These included
the Bronze Star Medal, Purple
Heart, and Combat Action Badge.
We also learned that his mother
has remained in regular contact
with members of his battery and
she has also created a web page
which is devoted to his memory.
After spending about two hours
with her, we left and returned to
Fort Bragg. While this had been a
somber occasion, we were glad to
be able to have the opportunity to
deliver this flag to the mother of
PFC Murdock and to provide her
with some measure of consolation.
Did you serve with the 3rd Brigade in Afghanistan?
If you served with the 3rd Brigade in Afghanistan (any deployment)
write us at the Bridgehead Sentinel. From a short story about the most
memorable part of your deployment, to your recollection of the story on
this page, we would like to print your story. Please send your stories to the
Bridgehead Sentinel contact info on page 15.
11
2008
ANNUAL
REUNION,
2012 Annual
Reunion,
Memphis,Colorado
Tennessee Springs, Colo
Tours and Special Events
2012 Tentative Reunion Schedule
We have arranged a variety of optional tours to enhance your visit to Memphis, Tennessee. Don’t forget your cameras and your comfortable shoes. We hope we have found tours
interesting for everyone.
The tours are integrated into the program so they won’t conflict with other reunion
activities. These are optional events and require pre-registration. Some of the tours have
limited seating, so, to avoid disappointment, it is best to sign up for your tours when you
register rather than waiting until you arrive at the reunion.
All buses for tours will load outside in the front circle. There are often a few spaces open
so please check in Quartermaster if you decide you would like to take one of our tours.
Memphis City Tour
3 hrs – $25/pp
The tour includes Memphis’
past and present. You’ll drive by
the Mississippi Riverfront, Tom
Lee Park, Cotton Row, the Pinch
District, Victorian Village, Overton
Park, Brooks Museum of Art and
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital to name a few.
lower course of the Mississippi.
The Mississippi River Museum
contains 18 galleries that tell the
story of the river and the one-ofa-kind River Walk scale model.
There is a deli available if you
wish to purchase a snack. At 1:30
you board the coach again for the
Memphis Riverboat dock for your
90 minute sightseeing cruise along
the mighty Mississippi.
All Elvis Tour
8 hrs – $90/pp
Black Heritage Tour
3 hrs – $25/pp
This tour honors Memphis’
most famous citizen. The tour will
include a visit inside the Lauderdale Courts apartments where
Elvis and his family lived during
his high school years as well as
a tour of Sun Studio “Birthplace
of Rock and Roll” where tour
participants can even sing into the
very microphone that Elvis used.
The afternoon will be spent at
Graceland, the home of Elvis lived
twenty years of his life. The tour
will include the trophy room, the
family gravesite, Elvis’ Automobile
Museum, his private airplanes and
the Sincerely Elvis Museum. This
is the tour for the Elvis fan.
Memphis was a leader in the
Civil Rights movement and has
a rich African-American history.
This tour will include driving by
the National Civil Rights Museum
built on the sight of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The will be a walking tour of Beale
Street and we will finish with a
driving tour of South Memphis.
Graceland Platinum Tour
4 hrs– $55/pp
This is a shorter version of the
All Elvis Tour. It will only include
the afternoon portion of the All
Elvis Tour. This will focus on Elvis
and his beloved Graceland.
Ol’ Man River Tour
5 hrs– $55/pp
Golf Outing at North Creek
Golf Club in South Haven,
MS– $55/pp
Our golf outing will be to the
North Creek Golf Club in South
Haven, MS., just across the state
line from Tennessee. This three
and a half star links course has
new Bermuda greens and challenges for all levels of golfers. We
meet in the hotel lobby at 6:45 AM
for a fun round of golf.
Lunch will be at the clubhouse,
$8.00 fee included in price.
Transportation will be provided by
volunteer drivers.
All players must sign in at
the Reunion Registration Desk
when you receive your packet.
This sign-in allows you to choose
specific “Play With” assignments.
7:15 AM Lobby Assembly, 8:00
AM Start.
Blues, Soul Rock & Roll
7 hrs – $65/pp
This tour will take you through
the Home of the Blues and the
birthplace of Rock & Roll.
Don’t forget they also know a
thing or two about Soul, after all.
The tour will begin with a visit to
the Gibson Guitar Factory, then
onto Smithsonian’s Memphis Rock
& Soul Museum. You will then talk
a stroll along Beale Street (where
if you like you can have lunch on
your own) and end the day with a
trip to STAX Museum of American
Soul Music.
Wednesday, August 1
9:00 am–8:00 pm�����Registration
9–12 & 1–5��������������Quartermaster Open
9–12 & 1–5��������������First Division Museum CP Open
1:30 pm��������������������Unit Rep Meeting with Society Staff
2:30–5:30 pm�����������Memphis City Tour
Thursday, August 2
7:00 am–6:00 pm�����Registration
7:15 am��������������������Golf Outing: North Creek Golf Club
9–12 & 1–5��������������Quartermaster Open
9–12 & 1–5��������������Cantigny First Division Museum CP Open
9:00 am–5:00 pm�����All Elvis Tour
10:30 am������������������Board Meeting
11:30 am–4:30 pm���Ol’ Man River Tour
1:00 pm–4:00 pm�����Black Heritage Tour
8:00 pm­–11:00 pm���Welcome Party (Everyone is welcome)
Elvis Look-a-Like Contest
Friday, August 3
7:00 am–6:00 pm�����Registration
7:30 am–8:30 am�����Conflict Breakfast
9:00 am �������������������Unit Meetings in CP’s
9–12 & 1–5��������������Quartermaster Open
9–12 & 1–5��������������First Division Museum CP Open
10:00 am–1:00 pm���Memphis City Tour
10:30 am–5:30 pm���Blues, Soul, and Rock & Roll Tour
1:00 pm–5:00 pm�����Graceland Platinum Tour
Saturday, August 4
8:00 am–5:00 pm�����Registration
9:00 am��������������������Memorial Service
10:00 am������������������Business Meeting
10–12 & 1–3������������Quartermaster Open
10–12 & 1–3������������First Division Museum CP Open
11:30 am–4:30 pm���Ol’ Man River Tour
12:30–4:30 pm���������Graceland Platinum Tour
6:00 pm��������������������Cocktails/Reception
7:00 pm��������������������94th Annual Reunion Banquet
Sunday, August 5
Hope you had a wonderful time. Farewell ‘til next year!
2013 Reunion
Jacksonville, Florida
July 31-August 4, 2013
2014 Reunion
Orange County, CA
June 25-29, 2014
Depart for Mud Island Park, an
educational park dedicated to the
Elvis Statue on Beale. Rock king Elvis Presley still reigns supreme across much of Memphis, including
famed Elvis Week, a celebration every August dedicated to the King of Rock and Roll.
Vasha Hunt. Copyright © Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau 2011 All Rights Reserved.
12
Bridgehead Sentinel
Courtesy of the National Civil Rights Museum.
orado
Above: The National Civil Rights Museum is housed in the Lorraine
Motel, site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Exploring
the Legacy adds 12,800 square feet of exhibition space and connects
the main campus of the Museum to the Young and Morrow building
and the Main Street Rooming House where James Earl Ray allegedly
fired the fatal shot resulting in the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Andrea Zucker. Copyright © Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau 2011 All Rights Reserved.
Left: Go on a factory
tour of the Gibson
Guitar Factory where
you can witness handcraftsmanship at its best.
A narrated tour takes you
through 16 workstations
where solid blocks of
wood are transformed
into legendary musical
instruments. See it all
from fitting, sanding and
painting to electronics
installation, tuning and
packing of Americanmade World-played
Gibson guitars.

Upgrade Your Room to a Suite!
Baxter Buck. Copyright © Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau 2011 All Rights Reserved.
For only $5.00 you can enter our raffle to upgrade your room to a suite!
Please make check out to: Society of the First Infantry Division.
Drawing will be held on August 1, in Memphis, TN. Mail check & entry form to:
Society of the First Infantry Division
PO Box 607
Ambler, PA 19002
Name_____________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________
City ______________________ State ________ Zip ________________ Above: Take in the scenery of the Mississippi River on the
Ol’ Man River Tour.
Phone(
)________________ E-Mail____________________________

2012 BRO Reunion Registration Form Side A
METHOD OF PAYMENT
2012 REUNION
M ARRIOTT DOWNTOWN
MEMPHIS , TN
1–5 A UGUST
Paying by Check: Please make checks payable to:
SOCIETY OF THE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION
PO BOX 607, AMBLER, PA 19002-0607
Phone: 215-654-1969
NAME (Please Print)
ADDRESS
CITY
(
STATE
)
PHONE NUMBER
ZIP
E-MAIL
Paying by Credit Card:
(circle one): Visa / Master Card / American Express / Discover
Card Number
Expiration Date: Month_____ Year _____ (e.g. 11 14)
MEMBERSHIP DUES
HOTEL RESERVATIONS–MARRIOTT
Is your 2012 membership paid up? If not, please include your
dues now. Dues are $30 regular or $60 executive.
Hotel Reservation cut-off date: 29 June 2012
(1) DUES
TOTAL: $ _________
MY ERA WHILE SERVING WITH THE BIG RED ONE
I served in (circle one): WWII / Vietnam / Cold War / Desert Storm /
Balkans / Peacetime / Iraq / Afghanistan
REUNION NAME BADGE (PLEASE PRINT)
Your Name Badge
Name on badge: ____________________________________
Unit: ________________________ War: _______________
Is this your first Reunion? (circle one): Yes / No
Spouse/Guest Name Badge
Name on badge: ____________________________________
Unit: _______________________ War: ________________
Is this your first Reunion? (circle one): Yes / No
Guest Name Badge
Name on badge: ____________________________________
Unit: _______________________ War: ________________
Is this your first Reunion? (circle one): Yes / No
Guest Name Badge
Name on badge: ____________________________________
Unit: _______________________ War: ________________
Is this your first Reunion? (circle one): Yes / No
Spring 2012
RATES
All rooms are $104 (plus tax) per night for up to 4 people.
An advance deposit of $104 is required to reserve each room,
you will pay the balance of your bill at the hotel. This rate is
good for 3 days before and after the reunion. NO HOTEL
RESERVATION CAN BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT YOUR
REGISTRATION FEE. Children under 18 stay free when
sharing room with parents or grandparents.
ROOMS
Write the # of each type of room you’ll need
1 Person/1 Bed ______ 1 Person/2 Beds ______
2 People/1 Bed ______ 2 People/2 Beds ______
3 People/2 Beds ______ 4 People/2 Beds ______
It is not possible to make a hotel reservation without this
information. After July 15 all reservations are subject to
availability of rooms by the hotel.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Do you require a HANDICAPPED ROOM? ______
Do you use a WHEELCHAIR? ______
Do you need a room near an ELEVATOR? ______
Are you using OXYGEN? ______
NOTE: Accommodations are assigned by the hotel—NOT by
the Society—and are subject to availability.
You will receive a letter from us confirming all activities
and accommodations for which you have paid.
Please reserve the following accommodations for me at the Marriott
Downtown Memphis:
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DATES (REQUIRED)
I will arrive at the hotel on (date) ___________.
I will leave the hotel on (date)______________.
FIRST NIGHT ROOM DEPOSIT
Here is my first night’s deposit for the rooms I’ve requested:
# rooms with 1-2 people _____ @ $104 = $ _________
# rooms with 3 people
_____ @ $104 = $ _________
# rooms with 4 people
_____ @ $104 = $ _________
(2) HOTEL
SUBTOTAL: $ ________
SIDE B SUBTOTAL (TOURS & EVENTS)
(3) SIDE B SUBTOTAL: $ ________
REUNION REGISTRATION FEE
All adults (age 18 and over) MUST pay the registration fee.
Number of people in your party: Adults _____ Children ______
Society members & families: #___adults @$40/ea = $______
Non-members: #___adults @$70/ea = $______
(4) REGISTRATION FEE TOTAL: $_______
GRAND TOTAL: Add lines (1) + (2) + (3) + (4):
PAYMENT ENCLOSED: $ __________
13
2008 ANNUAL REUNION, Colorado Springs, Colo
The Nitty Gritty Details:
Saturday. We can accommodate
you either way. If you can’t attend
the entire event, please feel free
to join us whenever you can. You
won’t be sorry!
Hotel and Logistics
Unit Command Posts
Our Hotel
Marriott Memphis Downtown
is the setting for our 94th annual
reunion. Check-in will be at 4:00
pm and checkout 11:00 am. As
usual, you can stay 3 days before
and after the reunion at our rate.
The hotel is located at 250 N Main
St. The phone number is 901-5277300 or 215-654-1969. Included
is a coupon to enter into a raffle
to have your room upgraded to
a suite for the same price as a
regular room. Fill out the coupon
and include the $5.00 donation
to be entered in the raffle for the
suite upgrade. Our Director will
draw the winner on Monday, July
30, 2012 at the hotel.
Transportation from
the Airport
Memphis International Airport
is located 15 minutes from our
hotel. Tennco Express is offering
a discount round trip shuttle ride
for $25 per person. Call 901-8598377 to schedule your pickup or
go to their website www.tenncoexpress.com and use coupon code
X06HO to receive the special rate.
Ground Transportation
The hotel is located at 120
Church Street off I-190, Exit 7 at
Church and Lower Terrace Street
is closest to the hotel.
Parking
For those who drive to the
reunion, self-parking is $18/day
with in and out privileges and valet
parking for $20/day. The parking
garage is handled by AAA Parking.
Hotel Reunion Meals Special
The hotel is offering our
attendees a 10% discount in hotel
restaurants on food with your
official reunion badge.
Schedule
If there is a reason that makes
it impossible for you to arrive
at the reunion on Wednesday,
don’t worry. The core of reunion
events takes place on Friday and

As is our custom the 2nd, 16th,
18 , 26th and 28th Infantries,
Artillery, Cavalry/Armor/Recon,
Headquarters and Support Units
will operate Command Posts
(Hospitality Rooms) for their
units. Veterans from units not
listed are welcome in any CP. The
size of your CP room will be based
on the number of members from
your unit attending.
th
Handicapped Rooms
Please do not request a
handicapped room unless you
absolutely need one. If you have
problems with walking or anything
else, please indicate them on your
reservation form and we will do
everything in our power to assist
you. Please be considerate of your
fellow 1st Division veterans.
Cut Off Date
The cutoff date for hotel room
reservations is June 29, 2012.
Please try to get your registration
form to us well before that date.
After June 29, 2012, hotel rooms
will only be based on space and
Steve Roberts. Copyright © Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau 2011 All Rights Reserved.
Above: Our hotel, the Marriott Memphis Downtown. Don’t forget to
enter the $5.00 raffle for a chance to upgrade your room to a suite!
rate availability. After this date, you
will have to contact the reservation
desk at the hotel directly at
1-901-527-7300.
Hotel Cancellation/Refunds
If you make reservations and
then have to cancel them, we will
refund your full amount minus
the registration fee, as long as it
is 24 hours before your arrival.
Cancellations made less than 24
hours from the arrival date will be
charged for one night’s hotel stay
including tax and the registration
fee. Please check with us if you
have any questions. Any cancellations to be made before noon
EST on July 27, 2012 should be
directed to the Society office at
1-215-661-1969. After that time
all cancellations must be made
through the hotel as the Society
staff will be in transit. Please call
the hotel at 1-901-527-7300 to
notify them of your cancellation
and to leave your message for Jen
Sanford.
Tour Cancellation/Refunds
If you cancel by June 29, 2012
you will receive a full refund.
After June 29, 2012 there are no
refunds.
Weather
The average temperatures are
in the low 90’s during the day.
Please wear comfortable clothes
for all tours as well as good
2012 BRO Reunion Registration Form Side B
TOURS & EVENTS
Wednesday, 1 August
Memphis City Tour
94TH ANNUAL REUNION BANQUET
#______people @ $25/ea = $__________
WEDNESDAY TOTAL: $ __________
All adult meals include: Garden salad, and cheesecake for dessert with coffee or tea.
Sliced Flank Steak
Thursday, 2 August
#______ adults @ $40/ea = $__________
Golf Outing
#______people @ $55/ea = $__________
With port wine reduction, cheddar mashed
potatoes, and steamed vegetable medley.
All Elvis Tour
#______people @ $85/ea = $__________
Boneless Southern Fried Chicken
:
Ol’ Man River Tour
#______people @ $55/ea = $__________
Black Heritage Tour
#______people @ $25/ea = $__________
THURSDAY TOTAL: $ __________
Friday, 3 August
Conflict Breakfast
Includes: Scrambled eggs, bacon
potatoes, breakfast breads, coffee,
tea, and juice.
Seating (circle one): Vietnam
#______people @ $18/ea = $__________
#______ adults @ $40/ea = $__________
House floured and fried golden with
macaroni & cheese, and southern
style green beans.
Blackened Catfish:
#______ adults @ $40/ea = $__________
Plain Chicken:
#______ adults @ $40/ea = $__________
Served with roasted red bliss potatoes,
steamed broccoli and glazed carrots.
Kids Meal (12 & under):
#____ children @ $20/ea = $__________
Chicken fingers, French fries,
drink & dessert
BANQUET TOTAL: $__________
All other conflicts
Memphis City Tour
#______people @ $25/ea = $__________
Blues, Soul, and Rock & Roll
#______people @ $65/ea = $__________
Graceland Platinum Tour
#______people @ $55/ea = $__________
BANQUET SEATING
Special seating areas will be provided for the larger units. Smaller units will be seated with
their Host CP Unit. Please circle your seating preference below:
2nd
16th
18th
Artillery
Avn/Engrs
HQ/Support Units
26th
28th
CAV/Recon/Armor
Other________
FRIDAY TOTAL: $ __________
SIDE B SUBTOTAL
Saturday, 4 August
Add up your Wednesday + Thursday + Friday + Saturday + Banquet Totals below.
Ol’ Man River Tour
#______people @ $55/ea = $__________
Graceland Platinum Tour
#______people @ $55/ea = $__________
SATURDAY TOTAL: $ _________
SIDE B SUBTOTAL:
$ ___________
Now carry “Side B Subtotal” to line (3) on the front side of this Registration Form.
orado
Reunion Info
Continued...
walking shoes. Casual clothing is appropriate for most
restaurants.
Confirmation
As usual, we will send you a
written confirmation of all
registration information.
Please check it over carefully
and make sure you are signed
up for all of the activities and
functions you are interested
in, as there is limited seating
on some activities. The
banquet is a very popular
function, so please sign up
early as we can only sell
tickets to registered attendees
of our reunion. If any extra
activities are not listed on
your confirmation letter, then
you have not paid for them
and must call headquarters
immediately to make
corrections or additions to
your registration.
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 $12 or 4 for 15$
Tag #1 (Please print clearly)
Name:______________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
City, State, Zip:_________________________________
The cost for tag #2 is discounted at 2 for $8 or 4 for $12
Tag #2 (Please print clearly)
Name:______________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
City, State, Zip:_________________________________
Please provide your phone
number in case of a problem: _(_______)_______________
Tag #1: ____No. of Tags for __________$
Tag #2: ____No. of Tags for __________$
Subtotal: __________
__________
PA Sales Tax: __________
Total Due: __________
Make check/money order payable to:
Society of the First Infantry Division
Mail to:
Quartermaster
Society of the First Infantry Division
PO Box 1127
Junction City, KS 66441
Spread
The Word!
You can help to
spread the word about
our reunion by sending
our News Release to the
editor or pressroom of
your local media. Please
make copies and mail or
fax it to all of the newspapers, magazines, TV
and radio stations that
you can.
TIP: If you hand-deliver
it, they may ask to interview you.
Unless otherwise specified,
tags will be mailed to
the address listed for tag #1.
NEWS RELEASE
Famous “Big Red One”
to hold 2012 reunion
in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, TN – Veterans of the Army’s renowned 1st Infantry
Division, the Big Red One, will hold their 94th Annual Reunion
in Memphis, Tennessee from August 1-5, 2012 at the Marriott
Memphis Downtown hotel. The reunion is conducted by the Big
Red One veterans’ organization, the Society of the First Infantry
Division located in Junction City, Kansas.
The 1st Infantry Division is the Army’s oldest and arguably most famous division. It fought with great distinction in
World War I, World War II, Vietnam, the Gulf War as well as in
Germany and the U.S. during the Cold War.
The Division’s 3rd Brigade and elements of its 1st Brigade
recently returned from Afghanistan, where they were in charge
of many notable operations near the Khost Province of Afghanistan.
Over 1000 Big Red One veterans and their guests attend the
Big Red One Reunions each year. Last year’s reunion was held in
Buffalo, New York. Active duty soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division also attend the Reunions where they create a strong bond
between the Division’s past and present.
Everyone who ever served in the 1st Infantry Division, or any
unit attached to it, is cordially invited to attend the reunion.
For more details visit our website: www.1stID.org,
or contact:
Society of the First Infantry Division,
PO Box 607, Ambler, PA 19002
Phone: 215-654-1969
E-mail: [email protected]
­Spring 2012, #1; ISSN 1092-4892
Copyright © 2012 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.
Address Changes and Dues
Please send DUES and ADDRESS CHANGES to:
Society of the First Infantry Division
PO Box 1127
Junction City, KS 66441
SOCIETY OF THE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION
Society HQ Mailing Address:
Society of the
First Infantry Division
PO Box 607
Ambler, PA 19002
E-Mail:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Society Web Site:
http://www.1stID.org
BRIDGEHEAD SENTINEL
PRODUCTION
President:
Thomas G. Rhame
Executive Director:
Darrell “Buddy” Wallace
Administrative Staff:
Jennifer Sanford
Ruth Dupree
Barbara Printy
Phone:
215.654.1969 (PA)
215.654.0392 (Fax)
785.579.6761 (KS)
785.579.6762 (Fax)
855.235.7076 (Toll Free)
Staff: Dave Blake
Bridgehead Mailing Address:
Paul Herbert
Bridgehead Sentinel
c/o First Division Museum at Cantigny
Steve Hawkins
1s151 Winfield Road
E-Mail:
Wheaton, IL 60189-3353
Phone:
Bridgehead@
630.260.8234
FirstDivisionMuseum.org
Fax:
630.260.9298
Editorial Policy
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. 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.
Send your stories to the
Bridgehead Production address above.

Vietnam


I would like to locate guys
from Maintenance Platoon, HHC,
1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment Oct 1966-Oct 1967. Some
of the names I can remember are
Lecates, Delk, Harrison, Smitty,
and Ball. Any information would
be greatly appreciated.
I wanted to see if anyone
served in “B” company at Ben Cat
in 1967. If you did, let me know.
Thanks,
SSG William Carrier
[email protected]
Thanks,
Jerry Stanford
[email protected]
972-296-5344

Hello, my name is Gary
W. Christner. I served with HQ
Company of the 7th Artillery in
Di An, Vietnam. I was there from
June 1967 to June 1968. During
that time I served with a forward
observer in a hospital for those
with the disease of leprosy. Would
like to hear from anyone that
served at that time and location.
Please call me at 330-830-2325 or
e-mail [email protected]
I am attaching a photograph
of the five of us from the battalion
who presented the stripes to Dave
Herbert on Veterans Day, and
placed them (the plaque with his
picture and stripes) up against the
Wall beneath his name.
I had earlier given an identical plaque to his mother, Vilate
Nielsen. In all, nine members of
his family were there.
L-R: Chaplain Wes Geary, Larry
Thompson, myself (Jim Magner),
Tom Devine, and Richard Baker.

I received my copy of the Fall
issue of the Bridgehead Sentinel
and I must say, it brought back
many memories. I was a member
of K Company, 26th Infantry Regiment when Woolridge was a First
Sergeant and Captain P.M. Nance
was company commander from
1950 to 1953. Later, I had ties to
the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam
from 1967-1968. I was an infantry
advisor to a South Vietnamese
infantry unit providing highway
security from Phu Loi up Highway
13 all the way to Loc Ninh and
Song Be. At one time our base
camp was at Ben Cat about a 20
Thank you,
Gary Christner
minute drive south of Lai Khe.
Our base camp was overrun
during the Tet Offensive of 1968.
Our team would drive up highway
13 to go to the post exchange
there at Lai Khe. My last couple
of months in country, I was at our
rear headquarters at Lam Son
which was next to Phu Loi. My
team and I were at Lai Khe the day
they brought the casualties back
from the bad trap that unit ran
into. That was a very sad day which
I will remember the rest of my life.
Out of my team of four, I am the
only member that wasn’t killed
or wounded. I will keep this issue
for remembrance for along time,
it was a fine article. I was there
also when Bob Hope was there in
1967 but rather than go see him I
sent some other troops. I thought
to myself, I can see him better on
T.V. I have been a member of the
Blue Spaders for quite a few years
as well as the Society of the First
Infantry Division. I want to thank
you for the job you are doing,
keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
SFC (Retired) Harvey A. Wike
BRO Books
The books in this section are not published by the Society of the First Infantry
Division, but they are BRO-related and may be of interest to members of the Society.
If you have written a book about 1st Division, and would like it in the BRO Books
section, mail a copy of the book to:
Sword of
Sand
First Division Museum at Cantigny
ATTN: BRO BOOKS
1s151 Winfield Rd
Wheaton, IL 60189
By Jon Oden
Linus Publications, Inc.
ISBN# 1-60797-126-7
$15.00, 295 Pages, Fiction
Visit Amazon.com to order.
Vietnam 1969:
ABy Patrick
Grunt’s
View
Guy
Self Published
$20.00, 140 Pages
To order contact:
Patrick Guy
[email protected].
16
Patrick Guy recalls his early
years growing up in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin and his enlistment into
the Army during the Vietnam War.
Guy was assigned to November Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st
Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment,
1st Infantry Division.
Throughout Guy’s book, he
explains the events that unfolded in
1969 through his own experiences
such as being the “f***ing new
guy,” going out on patrol, setting
up ambushes, and the tragic and
sometimes humorous situations
that occurred during the everyday
life of a “grunt.”
A Haunting
Beauty
By James Magner
ISBN# 9781461057543
$14.36, 532 Pages
To order visit:
www.AHauntingBeauty.com
or Amazon.com.
Jim Magner draws the reader
deep into his personal world of
conflicts and conquests with crisp
writing and a look at combat that
fascinates, elates, and at times,
stuns. The platoon leader must
confront the stark realities of
survival while the artist sees both
the beautiful and the horrific
through color and contrasts, and
as the composition of a work of
art. He discovers the quiet dignity
of the soldiers, nurses, and Red
Cross “Donut Dollies” as well
as their inevitable conflicts and
dependencies while they try to
survive in a primitive place. Set
in 1966, this is a riveting, highly
creative memoir that is ultimately
not about war, or even Vietnam.
Set during World War II,
this book follow the adventures
of William Giles as he boldly
leads a group of well-trained but
undermotivated gangsters on
an apparent suicide mission to
rescue a young man from battle in
Africa. To further complicate the
mission’s inherent physical and
emotional demands, the boy these
Americans need to save is in fact
a German soldier in Rommel’s
Afrika Korp.
Many of the U.S. soldiers he
encounters in North Africa are
from the 1st Infantry Division
Bridgehead Sentinel
Bates, James of Lakeville, CT
on 14 October 2011 (Cold
War, A/32FA)
Beck, Richard of Loudon,
TN on 15 September 2011
(WWII, 1QM
Bednarczyk, John F. of
Jeffersonville, IN on Oct 15,
2011 (HQ Co/AT Co/H Co, 16th
Inf)
Blake, Richard of Chicago, IL
on 11 July 2011 (VN, 1 ADM)
Brown, Earl of New York, NY
(WWII, E/26)
Chuculate, David of Vian, OK
on 16 June 2011 (VN,HHC)
Cooke, Donald of Columbus,
GA on 7 November 2011
(VN,1/5FA)
on 10 December 2009 (Cold
War, HHC/16)
Rounds, William of Tracy,
CA on 25 May 2011 (WWII,
33FA)
The Bro Support Fund
Saporito, Charles of Parlin,
NJ on 25 October 2011 (Cold
War, HHC/16)
Schwenzer, Frank of
Rochester, NY on 3 October
2011 (WWII, L/16)
Skinner, Sr. Theodore of
Tucson, AZ (WWII, F/2/16)
Sotcan, G Michael of
Sacramento, CA on 14 July
2011 (VN, A/1/18)
Stern, Jack of Melbourne
Beach, FL (WWII, HHC/1/18)
Stewart, Theodore of
Brooklyn, NY on May 29, 2011
(WWII, 26th INF)
Drozdowski, Henry of Warren,
MI (VN, A/1/28)
Thomas, Sherman of Mount
Nebo, WV on 15 November
2011 (Cold War, 16)
Ferguson, Robert B of
Evergeen Park, IL on October
20, 2011 (VN, 1/4 Cav)
Trocola, Joseph of Toms
River, NJ on 21 February 2011
(WWII, 26)
Gallo, Joseph of Atlanta, GA
on 18 November 2011 (WWII,
103AAA)
Uffendell, John (VN,
HQ/1S&T)
Hylton, Alvin of Las Vegas, NV
on 20 September 2011 (VN,
HHC)
Koennecke, Karl of of
Warminster, PA on Oct. 13,
2011 (WWII, MP)
Widner, Jr. Ralph on 21
October 2011 (WWII, 16)
Zaborek, Sr. John of
Middlevile, NY on 3 August
2011 (WWII, B/3/18)
BRO SUPPORT FUND
Alvarado, Jesus of Missouri
City, TX on 22 April 2011
(VN, 26)
Morehouse, Philip of Darien,
CT on 26 October 2011
(WWII, I/3/18)
Murphy, Joseph of Hamden,
CT on 30 August 2011 (VN,
D/8/6FA)
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 non-emergency
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!
1-63 AR
AUSA
Robert Riggie
Steve Graham
James Jensen
Lois Hill
Glen Sharp
John Lynch
Frederick Crane
Vernon Torkelson
CSM and Mrs. John
Laborn Malone
Robert Riggie
Bob Montano
Richard Morrissey
Dannie George
Rudolf Egersdorfer
Carl Goslovich
Paul Herbert
Larry Van Lancker
Mahlon Hile
Fourhman
John Fischetti
Russell Tozar
Don Deese
Richard McCusker
Francis Humbrecht
Tom O’Donovan
H.F. Swinford
Donald MacWillie
5/4CAV Fort Riley, KS
Tom Wills
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.
Pappas, Michael of San Diego,
CA (WWII, 1/26)
Peters, Daniel of Oceanside,
NY on 31 October 2011
(WWII, 5FA)
Rissell, Gene of Birdsboro, PA
BRO Support Fund
Business Memberships
Yes . . . I want to help our Society help the Soldiers of the BIG RED ONE!
Here is my TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution to the BRO Support Fund!
If you are a businesses in the Fort Riley,
Kansas community and would like to
support the Society, become a business
member!
Membership form and
information on page 18.
$30
$60
$100
$150
Other$
Name

Join the Society of the First Infantry
Division and show your support for
the Big Red One!
$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, PO Box 1127, Junction City, KS 66441.
Your contribution is 100% deductible for income tax purposes.
Spring 2012
17
2 0 1 2
Dogface Charlie
Continued From
Page 9...
E
Who:11th ACR
When: 7–10 June 2012
Where: Williamsburg Hospitality
House
Williamsburg, VA
Contact: Glenn Snodgrass
(703) 250-3064
[email protected]
U
I
N
O
N
S
Who: Society Ft. Dix/NY Branch
When: 11 March and 10 June 2012
Where: Sebastian’s Schnitzelhaus in Wrightstown, NJ at 10:30 am.
Who:2nd Infantry Regiment
When: 17–20 May 2012
Where: Pigeon Forge, TN
Contact: Israel Tames
1543 BABCOCK ROAD
APT# 207
San Antonio, TX 78229
[email protected]
Contact: Antonio Maria at 717-583-0821 or [email protected]
Who: Officers of the 1st ID
Who:26th Infantry Regiment
When: 20-23 June 2012
When: 28 April 2012
Where: Louisville and Fort Knox, Where: Alexandria, VA
Kentucky
Contact: William Bannon
Contact: John M Brown III
[email protected]
703-497-4312
[email protected]
Who:1st ID Artillery

when the first rocket was shot
off. We had to get the two rockets
that were still there out of the fire.
Thomas Cone and I grabbed the
rockets and got them away as fast
as we could. We were hoping they
would not go off in our arms. It’s
a good thing Cone had already cut
the wires away from the rockets.
The rockets were 122mm,
Russian made. They were six feet
long and would definitely go a
long way. They were set up on a
real unusual platform consisting
of two wooden sticks about one
inch in diameter and three feet
long. They were bound together
with wire, six inches from the end
forming a makeshift tripod. The
power source was eight flashlight
batteries that were wired together.
They had an American Claymore
detonator that was attached to the
batteries to fire the rockets. The
1st Infantry Division intelligence
spokesman said this was the first
time we had found the VC employing such a launching platform.
The VC used this type of platform
because it was a fast set up, and
they didn’t have to carry a heavy
tripod through the jungle when
they moved to different sites.
I guess the things we did that
day helped keep a lot of men and
ourselves from getting wounded
or killed. All the on job training
that we had up to this point really
worked out. I know General Ware
was glad that we got the rockets.
Then maybe Lai Khe could sleep
better at night.
We got word that General
Ware was coming out to the field
to check out the rockets that had
been haunting him for months.
When he got to the field, he was
wearing two .45 revolvers and had
a white German Sheppard that
stayed right by his side. I think
Fritz the scout dog was liking the
general’s white German Sheppard.
True love in a war zone. When they
informed me the general wanted to
talk to me, I was scared to death.
The general told me what a good
job we had done and promoted
me from a private first class to
a sergeant E-5. Before I got the
promotion I was an acting squad
leader as a PFC. Nobody was aware
both Kenny Gardellis and I and a
few others were going to receive
medals for our actions.
Colonel Tronsrue and Captain
McClure were proud of Charlie
Company that day, and I’m sure
they got some pats on their backs
from General Ware. One thing
for sure, it was pats on the backs
that were well deserved for the
battalion commander and Charlie
Company commander.
R
Who:1st Engineer Battalion
When: 9–12 September 2012
Where: Holiday Inn River Walk
San Antonio, TX
Contact: For more info vist:
www.diehardengineer.com
When: 12–15 June 2012
Contact: Dick Harman
[email protected] or
(804) 639-3701
[email protected]
www.bluespader.org
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL Effective For 2012
line!
n
o
n
i
Jo
g
tID.or
s
1
.
w
ww
Society of the First Infantry Division
PO Box 1127, Junction City, KS 66441
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)
All Membership types include a subscription to the Bridgehead Sentinel and the Annual Calendar
ANNUAL Membership
Annual Active Duty
Annual VeteranS
l Regular ($30 per year)
l Executive ($60 per year)
Currently serving with the Big Red One
Annual 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)
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 785.579.6762.
For your convenience, you may also join online on our website at www.1stID.org by clicking on the “Membership” link.
QUARTERMASTER
Or order online at www.1stID.org
34-Shoulder Patch
43-Window Decal
42-Visor
7Blazer
Patch
4-Baseball Cap
(White, Black, Khaki)
32-Shopping bag Reusable - Green
10-Coffee Mug
33-Shotglass
3-Auto Tag
39 -Tee Shirt
Long Sleeve
New!
31-Baseball
Shirt, WWI
42-Window Cling - Clear
(Blank, VN or Member)
17-Dbl. Rocks
Glasses (Set of 4)
18-Knit Golf
Shirt w/pocket
2- Auto
Licence
Plate
Holder
New!
40 -Tee Shirt
Mesh (Red)
1-“1” Charm,
Sterling Silver
New!
22-Jacket,
Multi-Task
29-Pocket
Knife
8-Bumper
Stickers
(Blank /
WWII / VN)
38-Tee Shirt
w/pocket
35Sport
Bottle
20 oz.
9-Bumper
Stickers
(DS / Iraq /
Afghanistan)
45-Wind
Shirt,
(Navy)
27-Mini Badge
CIB, CIB 2nd,
21-Golf Shirt Dri
Mesh (Lt Blue)
New!
20-Golf Shirt
w/o Pocket
(Navy/Red)
6-Billed Cap
(Graphite/
Stone)
14-Doo-Rag
37 -Teddy Bear
30-Shaving
Kit (Navy)
11-Coin
Drawing by
Alban B. Butler
© First Division
Museum at
Cantigny
5-Billed Caps
(Black, White,
Khaki)
41Tie
Tac or
Lapel Pin
28-Mini
Badge
CMB
26Lounge Pants
(Plaid)
19-Knit Golf Shirt
no pocket (Tan only)
46-Woven Throw
24-Ladies
Charm
25-Lapel Pin
King Size or Regular
16-Garden Flag/
Pennant
15-Nylon Flag
23-Jacket
(3 Season)
13-Denim Shirt, Long
Sleeve (Blue only)
Order Form
12-Denim Shirt Short 36-Sweat Shirt (Navy)
Sleeved (Blue only)
Mail to: Quartermaster Society of the 1st Inf Division, PO Box 1127, Junction City, KS 66441
NameAddress
CityStateZipPhoneE-mail
No. Item
Cost
1 “1” Charm, Sterling Silver
$14.00
2 Auto Licence Holder
9.00
3 Auto Tag - Society 9.00
4 Baseball Cap
20.00
5 Billed Cap
20.00
6 Billed Cap
21.00
7 Blazer Patch
13.00
8 Bumper Sticker
5.00
9 Bumper Sticker
5.00
10 Coffee Mug
18.00
11 Coin, Commemorative
11.00
12 Denim Shirt, Short Sleeve
39.00
13 Denim Shirt, Long Sleeve
41.00
14 Doo-Rag (head cover)
13.00
15 Flag / banner (nylon) 85.00
16 Garden Flag / Pennant
26.00
17 Glasses, Dbl. Rocks (4)
30.00
18 Golf Shirt w/ Pocket
41.00
19 Golf Shirt w/out pocket
41.00
20 Golf Shirt w/out pocket
50.00
21 Golf Shirt, Dri Mesh
55.00
22 Jacket, Multi Task
90.00
23 Jacket, 3 Season
110.00
24 Ladies Charm
10.00
25 Lapel Pin
13.00
26 Lounge Pants - Plaid
39.00
27 Miniature Badge
10.00
28 Miniature Badge
10.00
29 Pocket Knife
10.00
30 Shave/Toiletry Kit
20.00
31 Shirt, Baseball, WWI
38.00
32 Shopping Bags (2)
15.00
33 Shot Glass, BRO
10.00
Qty
Circle
Circle
Size/type
Color
Blk / Wht / Khaki
Wht / Khaki /
Blk-Sndwch
Graphite/Stone
Blank / WWII / VN
DS / Iraq / Afghanistan
M L XL XXL
M L XL XXL
M L XL XXL
M L XL XXL
M L XL XXL
M L XL XXL
M L XL XXL
L - XL
Kingsize / Reg
M L XL XXL
CIB/CIB 2nd
CMB
M L XL XXL
Large-Reusable
Blue
Blue
Black only
Black / White
Tan only
Navy / Red
Lt Blue
Stone
Black
Navy & Red
Navy only
Grey
Green
Total
No. Item
Cost
Qty
Size/type
Color
34 Shoulder Patch
4.00
Reg / Subdued
35 Sport Bottle 20 oz.
15.00
Stainless
36 Sweat Shirt
43.00
M L XL XXL
Navy
37 Teddy Bear, BRO
15.00
38 Tee Shirt w/pocket
23.00
M L XL XXL
Black / White
39 Tee Shirt, Long Sleeve
28.00
M L XL XXL
Black only
40 Tee Shirt, Red Mesh
40.00
M L XL XXL
Red
41 Tie-tac/Lapel Pin
10.00
42 Visor
20.00
Stone only
43 Window Cling (LG-Inside)
6.00
Blank, VN, or Member
44 Window Decal (Small-Inside)2.00
45 Wind Shirt, Navy
46.00
M L XL XXL
Navy only
46 Woven Throw
62.00
Total
This order form is valid through 2011 only!
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
Make Checks payable to: Society of the First Infantry Division
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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
First Division Museum and Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Call for Photos
Veterans Day
Luminary Tribute
at Cantigny Park
Left: The parade field at
Cantigny Park with over
2,100 luminaries, each one
representing six 1st Infantry
Division soldiers killed in action
since World War I.
Above: A conceptual rendering of the finished memorial photo wall
inside the future Education Center at The Wall in Washington, D.C.
If you do not have photos yourself, spread the word! This will help
preserve their history for future generations.
Help the First Division
Museum and Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund (VVMF) Honor
the 1st Division soldiers who are
memorialized on The Wall by
submitting a photo. The Call for
Photos campaign is a campaign
to collect a photograph of each of
the more than 3,000 1st Infantry
Division soldiers whose names are
inscribed on The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. The collected pictures
will be used in the First Division
Museum and in the Education
Center at The Wall and can also be
found on The Virtual Wall.
Visit www.buildthecenter.org
to learn more about the Education
Center and the proposed at
The Wall.
Visit: http://www.FirstDivisionMuseum.org/VNMemorial.aspx to
submit your photos of 1st Division
soldiers which are inscribed on
the wall.
To submit a photo of someone
whose name is on The Wall, but
not a 1st Infantry Division soldier,
please visit: www.vvmf.org/pafwan
Left: Certificate of
recognition available
to BRO soldiers
returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Certificate Program Continues
with Iraq and Afghanistan
In May 1966, the First Division
Museum at Cantigny began to issue
certificates of recognition to 1st
Infantry Division soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Years
later, the museum uncovered a
cache of these original certificates
from 1966–1970 in mint condition. Each certificate is co-signed
by the President of the Society of
the First Division at the time and
by each Commanding General.
These certificates are still available to all Vietnam veterans of the
1st Division with a written request
to the museum including your full
name, VN service dates, unit you
served with, and a copy of your
discharge papers.
For soldiers in the current
conflict, the museum and the
Society are again offering a certificate program to returning soldiers
from Iraq and Afghanistan.
If you have recently redeployed
from Iraq or Afghanistan serving
with the BRO you should receive a
certificate with your redeployment
packet. If not, please contact your
Brigade S1 and ask for the First
Division Museum/Society
certificate.
Cantigny Park and the First
Division Museum commemorated
Veterans Day 2011 with over 2,100
luminaries on the Cantigny Park
Parade field, each one represented
six 1st Infantry Division soldiers
killed in action from World War I
to the present--a total of 13,594 as
of November 2011. These candles
also stood in honor of the more
than 650,000 men and women
who have given their lives in
combat in defense of their country
since the Revolutionary War.
At 11:00 a.m. in the courtyard
of the museum, Colonel McCormick’s American Legion Post, Post
556, conducted a wreath-laying
ceremony in the museum lobby in
honor of Veterans Day.
At dusk, visitors were able
to walk through the luminaryfilled parade field and reflect on
this solemn tribute, which also
featured silent docents depicting each era of the 1st Division’s
service.
In the museum’s traveling
gallery a special program called
Veterans’ Voices, featured living
history re-enactors reading letters
sent by soldiers from the Civil War
to Desert Storm.
Also on this day, the museum
released its latest book Happy
Days!, which depicts the First
Division’s actions in World War I
through a series of historic illustrations. This was a fitting tribute
to the Division’s storied history, as
the first edition of Happy Days!
was released on the 10-year anniversary of the armistice in 1928.
Active Duty 1st
Infantry Division
Soldiers Participate
in Museum’s Black
History Month
Program
On February 8th, in honor of
Black History Month, the First
Division Museum held a special,
educational and inspirational,
presentation on African Americans
in the U.S. Armed Forces with partnering institution, The HistoryMakers.
The program, “The Untold
Story: African Americans in the
U.S. Military,” included noted military historian Michael Lee Lanning
who used excerpts Frank Martin’s
film, “For Love of Liberty,” and his
own expertise to reveal a powerful
story of service and sacrifice.
Lanning, a U.S. Army veteran
and author of The AfricanAmerican Soldier: From Crispus
Attucks to Colin Powell, was
joined by local African American
veterans Eugene Scott and Charles
Harrison, as well as active-duty
1st Infantry Division soldiers LTC
Andrew C. Gainey, and 1SG Phillip
C. Hollifield from Fort Riley,
Above: LTC Andrew C. Gainey, Commander of the 1-7 Field Artillery,
and 1SG Phillip C. Hollifield tell their personal stories at the First
Division Museum’s event in honor of Black History Month.
Kansas. These soldiers shared
their personal stories of service in
the U.S. Army and took questions
from the audience.
Following the veterans’
personal stories, The HistoryMakers held a brief presentation
about the their organization,
which through its MilitaryMakers program, seeks to correct
the missing legacy of African
Americans in the U.S. military by
filming oral history interviews with
African American veterans and
current servicemen and women.
These videos are made available
to the public via The HistoryMakers digital archive and through
engaging public programs with the
First Division Museum and other
military museums.
Museum Wants
YOUR Untold
Stories
Throughout the 1st
Infantry Division’s historic
past many personal stories
are underrepresented within
the context of the 1st Division
story. Were you were the first
in a particular unit, or to earn
a specific rank or award?
If you have a personal
story that you would like to
share, please contact the
McCormick Research Center
at the address on this page, or
e-mail: [email protected]