Processing and Assignment in Long Binh
“They had you coming and going!”
Entrance to the 90th Replacement Battalion in Long Binh, 24 June 1971.
Photo by Sp5 Logan L. McMinn, DASPO
There were a couple of buses at the Bien Hoa Air Base patiently awaiting our arrival to take us to our next destination. That was 90th Replacement Battalion, situated on the road to Saigon between the village of Bien Hoa and the huge base at Long Binh. There we would be assigned a unit we would serve with in Vietnam.
The bus ride to 90th Replacement was relatively short and everyone seemed exhausted from the long flight.
When we arrived, we filed off the busses and were assigned to barracks where we were to await processing and assignment. We were marched into the long building, which had a concrete floor, wooden walls that were built with each slat at an angle so the wind could blow through and ventilate the building, wire screen on the inside of the walls and a tin roof.
90th Replacement Post Exchange
The next morning after chowing down at the mess hall, we all lined up on the parade field where they called names of those who have been assigned a unit. These were called shipping formations and were held every two or three hours. My name was not called the first day, so I had to wait at least another day to find out where I was going.
That night two of us were assigned perimeter guard duty. Around the perimeter of each firebase, there were bunkers constructed with sand bags where you stand watch for any enemy infiltration. The other guy with me said just a week ago a sapper came through the perimeter wire and slit the throats of the guys on our bunker. I figured he just made that story up, so I would stay up all night and pull his watch while he slept. Well, it worked, as I didn’t get one wink of sleep.
There was rumors floating around, that our units up north were experiencing heavy casualties. I just had a feeling, I would be one of their replacements, especially with my MOS of 11 Delta (recon).
The next day as a large group of us was lined up in formation, the guy next to me offered me a chew. I did smoke at that time, but had never tried a chew before. I accepted his offer and put a small wad of Red Man in my mouth. Just as my name was called with orders for my new unit, everything started spinning around me. I heaved my last two meals all over the parade field. Needless to say, that was a moment of great embarrassment!
Call it a case of the nerves or the affects of chewing tobacco on my system, or maybe a combination of both, I just received orders to report to C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division…
Photos courtesy of SP4 David Ross Diser (Payroll Specialist
90th Replacement Battalion, 12/10/66-12/01/67)
My Vietnam Experience 
This memory of the first days at the 90th Replacement Bn. in Long Binh is very accurate. It is very similar to my memory of the time. The only difference is, when my assignment came, it was to the 90th Replacement itself, but not at Long Binh. I was assigned to its R&R processing company at Camp Alpha, Tan Son Nhut, a much better assignment.
I also was at the 90th from 9/68-8/69. I worked about 6 months of this time as an interpreter managing the searches of Vietnamese nationals and foreigners who worked somewhere in the Battalion area. The remainder of the time, I ran the 8pm-8am shift at the guardhouse and also helped keep things under control at the Enlisted Man’s Club since there was always a fight brewing there. I spent a lot of time in my off hours in the commo van (it was air-conditioned) and helped man the switchboard if the guy on duty needed a break.
December 68 to January 70 I think that i took your job at 90th Replacement. My Vietnamese came because I spent so much time with the Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian staff at the gate. Tet nerves by USARV for 1969 led to them putting all of us on guard through the night at the wires, etc. Each of us got a few grenades and extra ammo. In fact I was one of the guys who got an M 14 rather than the M 16. I got to squat in the swamp between the gate and the main battalion grounds from dark until the AM. It is amazing how shapes in the darkness began to take on form after a few hours. Small world.
Welcome Home Robert…
I probably saw you guys hundreds of times,i drove one of the Busses picking up replacements at Bin Hoa air base .I was there 4/68 until 6/69 ,I was in country from 2/68 thru 8/69 i was transferd from 1ST Log Com. to Saigon Support Com.
Welcome Home Daniel…
Yup. Coming into country, I [like everybody] just sat wide-eyed, trying to figure out my new surroundings. At time of departure, I prayed silently, that nothing untoward would happen to prevent us from boarding the out of country jet.
I remember you, I worked the commo van for a short time. 6/68 to 6/69. Elvis wright.
Welcome Home Elvis…
You may remember me, I had the commo van for awhile then reported to capt Officer to head up all the maintenance of buildings and such. 6/68 to 6/69. Wish I could remember the name of the Texan I replaced who was responsible for the commo van. Lots of typing and running tapes. Air conditioned Quonset huts next door for computer processing. Agree, the description at the site accurate. As a gee whiz, one night on guard duty the flares went off, I was high rank so when a body got through the concertina wire I chased the person threatening to shoot. Stopped about the 2nd row of buildings, was a guy who had escaped from LBJ and was trying to get a plane flight back. Didn’t know that when the chase started, scared crap less….
Hi there, I was at long bien in 1967 when they blew up the ammo dump, scared the shot out of us, the next day I had to go cut down some weeds where the vc were getting threw.
I was at 90th when a hit was made at 4tf ord, believe Feb ‘69. Didn’t take long to hit the ground.
What year at camp alpha?. I I was a pay clerk from 12/12/66- 12/1/67 at the 90th. one of my memories is of processing in a new co for ALPHA. a few weeks later I was just one those standing in line to go to Tokoyo, He spotted me, took me into his airconditioned hootch and had all the R&R stuff done there. Upon return from R&R he spotted me waiting for transportation back to Lon BIen. saif his driver had just for there but i I could take his jeep and they would pick it up in day or. Not the way e4’s are normally treated!!!!. I am working on my RVN memoirs now
some rambings can be seen at the web site below..
Welcome Home David…
I was at Camp Alpha from June 1969 to June 1970.
I arrived in Nam, August 16th 1967. I was assigned to Bien Hoa Army camp, 2 days later. When I got there they did not need me, so shipped me back to the 90th Repo Depot. At one time we were the 91st Finance & then however the Military works we got switched to 10th Finance. Our SSG was Bob Schnug, our LT, was Ken Pierce. Other guys in the unit included Merle Breymeyer, Don Kanable, Frenchy Lamouriex ( not sure of spelling), Sam Cotter, Thurmond Munson ( I think), a black guy named Holland, Flap Henson. My DEROS was August 3rd, 1968. Does this help?? I was from the Philadelphia, PA area.
I came through the 90th Replacement in June 1967 and was stationed at Tan San Nhut with Hq MACV. I ended up staying in Vietnam for 33 months because I was single and made more money there with the combat pay.
Welcome Home Rod…
I had a Major like that in the AG’s office, he didn’nt like for you to even salute unless other officers were around.
I to was assigned to the 90th Replacement Battalion. I worked in the Battalion S-2/3 section as the operations sargent from April 69 until May 1970. Harold Hayes, also known as Sugarbear. I made monthly visits to Camp Alpha (22 Replacement Co.) to inspect training and security records. When were you in Vietnam?
Welcome Home Harold…
Sugar Bear? You were the fellow who handled the radio communications while was there. I hardly remembered a single name of the people that year, but “sugar bear” was one name that stuck. I got there December 1968 and left January 1969.
I was Assistant Operations sergeant and then acting Operating Sergeant from April 1967 until June of 1968. MAJ Willard J. Moss was S/2/3 Officerd followed by a Major Brennan. CO of 90th at time was a LTC Billingsley.
SUGARBEAR. This is Dave Landry aka CURLY. G-4 transp in quonset hut with John Howell. Manifested Freedom Birds.
7/4/69 to 6/26/70. good to hear you.
Dennis Alt – Sp/5, 178th Replacement Co., 90th Replacement Bn., USARV, 20Jun1968 – 8Sep1970
Welcome Home Dennis…
Dennis Alt, contact me, we served at Camp Alpha at the same time. Sp/5 Jim Dugan, June 1969-June 1970. I have made contact with others who have served with us. jimdugan1@msn.com
I worked at the Camp Alpha R&R processing from June ’67 – Jan ’68.
You served until January 1968? Were you at 90th Replacement for the Tet?
I missed you by a year and a half Bud. I was assigned to Camp Alpha from June 1969 to June 1970.
this is a repeat from above.”i, an e4 finance clerk processed in your CO, i don;t remember the date. I was at camp alpha on my way to japan for r&R (had two, august and november 67″) and he saw me, welcomed me like a long lost friend, took me into his air conditioned hootch, had the money changers etc come there to processs me. upon returning to RVN he saw me. said the jeep to Long Binh had just left but if I wanted to take his jeep, he would send someone to get it the next day. I declined as I was not familiar with the routeback, but thats not the way e4′s are normally treated. and not like the officers later at FT Meade, MD.,
January 1967. Listened to the first Super Bowl (though they didn’t call it that) on Armed Forces Radio while drinking water out of a Lister bag. Went to the 159th Engineer Group, which was right there in Long Binh. Bien Hoa what a wonderful, charming, quaint little town. Yikes!
Welcome Home Doug…
Hey Doug, I was at Long Binh (24th Evac) same time as you. I’m doing some research on Long Binh & Bien Hoa in ’67. Please email me at stdonova@sprynet.com so I can ask you some questions. Thanks!
My memory of the bus ride- I immediately noticed there were bars, or strong screens on each bus window. I believed these were installed to prevent someone from dropping a grenade inside the bus. My first thought was “aren’t we in a safe area?” Caused me to think.
I processed out of Oakland Army Terminal & we boarded a Braniff International Airways 707 at San Francisco airport headed to South Vietnam. We refueled at some small pacific island(Wake Island, Christmas Island or Johnston Island) I can’t remember which one & we proceeded to South Vietnam. We landed at Ton Sonuht on February 15, 1967 at around 1:00 P.M. & we were loaded onto buses headed for the 90TH Replacement Depot in Long Binh. The bus windows were covered with a heavy see-through wire mesh screens so no one could through anything inside our buses. The strange smells of Saigon were very different & very odd to us servicemen. We arrived at the 90TH Replacement Depot & the depot was so crowded that we were placed about 200 yards inside the gate at a small outdoor compound that had military cots & a very large military tent. I noticed a bunch of G.I.s complaining about where they might be assigned and as a new paratrooper; I did not like their complaining but at least they were not violent.. After one night at about noon the next day I was assigned to “Recon platoon” HHC 1/503rd Airborne Infantry-173rd Airborne Brigade at Camp Ray in Bien Hoa very close to the Bien Hoa air base. I was very happy to get to my unit but they were out in Tay Nihn province for the start of “Junction City” one which would be my first operation. The rear echelon personnel said they would send me to jungle school but they were just messing with a couple of us. I stood night time berm watch about 2-3 times & then about 4 or 5 of us FNG’s were loaded on a CH-47 Chinook for the flight out to Tay Nihn to join our real unit. We arrived 1-2 days after the 2/503rd made their famous jump into Tay Nihn on February 22. 1967. Wooden embers were still burning due to the heavy bombing that took place to protect the paratroopers who made that jump. A couple of days latter one of our new guys was killed on a sunrise clearing patrol when one of his defective pineapple grenades exploded on his web belt & it sunk in to me that anything could happen in Vietnam. I was in the field for one year except for two R&R’s to Taipei & I would not trade my Vietnam experience for all the money in the world but the violence was too cruel to the great heros of our 5 armed forces, everyone else & to the innocent Vietnamese people & their beautiful children!!! Freedom is not free; we have to fight & struggle for it everyday to ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten!!! As president Eisenhower warned us; we must keep a watchful eye on the “military industrial complex”…
Hello Jim: Our Braniff Airways 707 touched down at Ton Sonuht on February 15, 1967 & all of us were sweating profusely as soon as we walked down the loading ladder onto the tarmac. We loaded military buses & the windows were covered with screen meshing so that no one could throw a grenade or anything else inside our buses. We arrived at the 90TH replacement depot & it was crammed full so we were housed about 200 yards inside the main gate under a huge general purpose tent & we slept on cots. A lot of the guys were nervous about where they would be assigned & many of them were complaining. Being an 11B(airborne qualified) I did not appreciate their complaining but I did understand the way they felt in this dangerous country. After about 2 days inside this tent; they told approximately 5-6 of us to jump on a deuce & a half; we had been assigned to our units. We were headed to Camp Ray at Bien Hoa & I was really happy to get there but my unit(Recon platoon HHC 1/503rd Airborne Infantry was in the field on “Junction City” one. Our rear echelon people told me I would be going to jungle school but that never happened. I pulled berm guard duty at night 2 or 3 times & after about one week about 6-7 of us were loaded onto a ch-47 Chinook for our ride out to join our unit in Tay Nihn. When we got to Tay Nihn; embers & brush were still burning from the heavy air force & navy bombing raids to protect our sister battalion(2/503rd)when they made their famous jump into Tay Nihn on 2-22-1967. A few days latter on 2-27-1967 one of our new guys went on a sunrise clearing patrol & a defective “pineapple grenade” exploded on his web belt & he did not make it(GOD) bless his soul!!! Right then I started realizing what I had gotten myself into but I was regular army(I volunteered) so I could not complain very much because I had wanted to experience combat like my grandfather(World War 1) & my father World War 2. Many of my other relatives had served in the military also. After Junction City 1; my unit also patrolled war zone “C” & “D” & patrolled so many towns & villages it is hard to remember every name of each village. In June 1967 our base camp was moved from Camp Ray to the huge army base at An Khe & we were airlifted up to Dak To to search for & Destroy large NVA units. The violence in these horrific fire fights was terrible!!! I was in the field for one year but was allowed to take two R&R’s to Taipei & I enjoyed those R&R’s very much because I was able to get some real rest & real sleep. Me & a couple of my friends “DEROSED” out of Vietnam from cam rahn bay on 2-11-1968 on a Northwest airlines 707 just as “Tet” 1968 was winding down. We should never forget each service person who served in Vietnam & we should always respect & never forget the men & women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the innocent people of Vietnam & their beautiful children. Our fallen heros gave everything & more to protect our freedoms that all of us enjoy every single day!!! SGT. Clarence “Rodger” Hyler
Clarence, my experience coming to Vietnam was much like yours was, the bus ride from Bien Hoa to the 90th at Long Binh and the confusion of the in-processing. I was there for 4 days and was finally assigned to the 90th’s 178th Replacement Co. at Camp Alpha, TSN. We did the processing for R&R personnel in and out out of TSN for MACV. It was a boring year, but good duty considering it was Vietnam. I have gone to Vietnam not hoping to earn any purple hearts, and I didn’t, or any other valor medals, and I didn’t. I wasn’t a career soldier, so it didn’t matter to me. I left country a year later through TSN, this time without all of the 90’s out-processing procedures. I just came home which is what we are hoped for at the time. I had fulfilled my obligation, did my job, promoted to Sp/5, I was done.
Check out the humorous memoir “Long Daze at Long Binh,” very funny, great way to reminisce. Might improve your attitude a bit. Read all about it at longbinhdaze.com
I was at Camp Alpha from Feb ‘69 until Aug ‘69 then at the 90th officer processing til Feb ‘70.
Here’s a funny description of the 90th processing area by some guy who arrived there six months before I did, that I found on the web:
Most RVN arrivees are processed through one of a few replacement battalions scattered throughout the country. I had the dubious privilege of being a guest of the 90th Replacement Battalion, Long Binh, Republic of Viet Nam, a few times. I first arrived at the 90th on a bus from nearby Bien Hoa AFB, on 13 July 1968. We went through the gate and there it was, just to the left. It was a battalion-sized area of what were called Southeast Asia huts connected with duckboard sidewalks. The SEA huts were about 30′ X 50′ and had a row of metal bunks along each side. The buildings were riveted with 55 gallon oil drums filled with dirt and screened from above the oil drums to the large eaves. I think they were painted green. Perhaps the color was a subtle attempt to prepare us for what lay ahead. Before too long I felt the urge to answer a call of nature, so I walked out of the door opposite to the main area. I was shocked to discover that the perimeter wire began not five feet from the door. There were two man fighting positions spaced out along the wire. The stories of the Tet Offensive and the smaller May 5thOffensive were fresh in my mind. A Girl Scout sapper squad wouldn’t have met much opposition. I didn’t even have a rifle and I definitely felt exposed. My apprehension was heightened by many high columns of black smoke that rose from the ground. Oh my God, we’re under attack. Being a wise 1LT and not a naive butter bar, I checked out the area before running for safety. There was no sign of anxiety on the faces of the troops on the ground so I thought I would play it cool. I casually asked a soldier what all the black smoke was. I think he knew my concern because he grinned when he said, “Just burning shit, sir, just burning shit.”
Terry I came to Camp Alpha in June of 1969, so we were there together for a couple of months. I don’t know if our paths ever crossed since I don’t recall your name..I worked under 1LT Jim Stewart for awhile in Movement Control. He left country soon after you.When Camp Alpha was converted in late ’69, I was assigned to the USARV Liaison office which by then was part of the Company Orderly Room/Supply Room building.
Jim Stewart and I roomed together. Great guy. I was a 1LT in charge of processing. Same duty when I went down to the 90th. I’m sure we bumped into each other. Would love to visit with you Brother-of-Mine.
Hello James: I believe I processed out of the 90TH for my first R&R to Taipei & the staff at the 90TH were true professionals in June 1967!!! I was there about 2 days & visited the enlisted club & it was a “gas” with the music, food & drinks. The staff at the 90TH made everyone feel at home & all of us were grateful for that because it was so much better than being in the field & so much safer also. I believe each G.I. had to have at least $500.00 to take with them on R&R. The Chinese ladies were very sweet & very clean & comforting & spoke great English. My girl took me to the most beautiful cinema that I have ever seen & we watched “Doctor Zivago” which lasted about 2 hours. The Chinese cuisine was the best I have ever eaten. I did not buy a shark skin suit like other guys; because I was not into suits!!! While I was at the 90TH getting ready to go to Taipei; I heard “Grovin” by the “Young Rascals” for the first time!!!
Appreciate the comments about Camp Alpha, I was 9th Div Liaison there in ’67. It was a well run organization and we tried to make the guys on R&R feel at ease and as comfortable as possible.
Edwin(Bud) Shoemate: Yes “Bud” Camp Alpha & it’s staff were so organized, really clean & up beat & they made the start of our R&R’s just very awe some because our R&R’s did really start at “Camp Alpha” Welcome home “Bud” & thank you for your service to our nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SGT./BMC Clarence “Rodger” Hyler-home town Long Beach-Wilmington-San Pedro, California
I was at the 90th from Aug 67 until Aug 68. TET occurred during the period. I saw many folks that I knew during this period. Lost contact with friends I made while I was there. Would like to hear from Bob Hubbert.
I was with the 10th FINANCE DISBURSING SECTION, August 67-August 68
Jim I was at camp alpha from July until Dec of 67 as the layison for the 9th Division
I was at camp alpha 9/67 to 9/68. Typed flight manifests for pan am airlines . Recall sgt Evers, sgt beck, sp4 joe starter, 1st lt best among others.
I was a medic, worked as a translator for awhile at the 24th Evac Hospital in ’66-’67. Except I had to find a local who spoke French like me, since I didn’t speak Vietnamese. So every translation involved three people and had to go from English to French to Vietnamese and then back, Vietnamese to French to English. Needless to say, it was a rather laborious process– funny though! Check out the humorous memoir “Long Daze at Long Binh” written by myself and a fellow medic. Very funny, great way to reminisce. Read all about it at longbinhdaze.com
Did you know Gary Cox? He was at the 90th
I know the name Gary Cox. when was he at the 90th? I was 90th from 7/4/69 to 6/26/70
I was at the 90th atCamp Alpha 2/69 till 8/69 then at LB until 2/70. Terry Barrett
David Friend at 90th Replacement Battalion from March 1967 to March 1968. There during Tet. Anyone know John Parker from New Shrewsbury, New Jersey? Still trying to locate John.
What really stands out in my mind was the rumors floating around, that our units up north were experiencing heavy casualties.
In 1969, I think the media wanted to see heavy casualties, especially since the U.S. was responding to the ’68 Tet Offensive. It made for better headlines. And remember in the North you had the Marines, 4th Infantry, Americal Division, 173rd, and 101st Airborne, plus a smattering of 5th Special Forces all over the place. This was story stuff. If they had no story, they were invented by the media. I’m certain every unit saw its share of fighting and casualties, but during my tour, ’69-’70, it was pretty calm.
James Dugan: I can still remember my first fire fight out in Tay Nihn province with “Recon” platoon “HHC” 1/503rd Airborne Infantry-173rd Airborne Brigade in February 1967. My platoon left the perimeter where my buddies & I joined our platoon & we ran into a Viet Cong platoon. Well it was dueling banjos with our m-60 machine gunner(Dennis Rocco) from the Bronx, N.Y. & the Viet Cong machine gunner. Our platoon leader(Les Colgrove) called in the 105 artillery real close and a 10 foot ant or termite pyramid saved us from shrapnel & we could hear the whistling as it came in. Rocco got the best of the Viet Cong machine gunner & his platoon fled the area & we continued our humping to meet up with the other units of our battalion. My wife & I visited my wife’s relatives in Burlington N.J. to attend our niece’s high school graduation & Dennis Rocco drove down to meet our family from Las Vegas where we live now & we had breakfast at a local diner & it was great to see our unit’s best machine gunner once again!!! My unit worked with numerous other units in Vietnam(usually in big operations) that were planned way a head of time before we knew where we would be going next. The red clay dirt- mud at Pleiku, the swamps, the thorns & elephant grass got really old fighting that stuff day in day out!!! As our Northwest 707 lifted off the tarmac at Cam Rahn Bay on 2-11-1968; the high balls & roars of glee were out of here thundered through our 707 & we were headed back home to the great & wonderful United States of America!!! SGT. Clarence “Rodger” Hyler
Jim Dugan: Your Camp Alpha pictures at the 178 Replacement company really cleared up my memory because I remember those white water tanks & I also remember the short bus ride to Ton Son Nhut airport where we boarded a jet aircraft to Taipei for my first R&R. The personnel at Camp Alpha were truly awe some & they helped us get ready for our R&R’s & the camp was run very professionally in every manner. I did not witness one serious incident of bad behavior while at Camp Alpha & everyone was just happy to be out of the field for a one week R&R!!! On my second R&R; I must have processed out of An Khe & Cam Rahn Bay but I am trying to jog my memory??? But after my second R&R; I returned to the large army base at An Khe & began processing out for my DEROS with a couple of my platoon members & that was making everyone really happy that we had survived one year in Vietnam. Our 707 on Northwest Airlines lifted off on 2-11-1968 & first we stopped in Japan to refuel & then flew into Seattle where they bused us to Fort Lewis-gave us a free 9 course steak dinner & let all of us go on a 30 day leave!!! SGT. Clarence “Rodger” Hyler
Clarence, Camp Alpha was a unique place for Vietnam. We all had to pass an interview process to win assignment there. The CO during my time there was a major who had worked his way up through the enlisted ranks. He wanted people who had a kind of customer service personality. Many were E-4’s or above who had some civilian schooling beyond high school and were workers. We lived under strict rules to maintain our right to be there. Everything had to be clean and orderly, almost stateside-like. He believed that your R&R began the minute you arrived there. We wanted it to be as comfortable as possible.
Speaking of the media wanting to see heavy casualties. It was all about ‘body counts’ as a way of keeping score to see who was winning or losing the war.
Sadly to say it was almost like a game. We had a guy in our Scout platoon that had at least sixty confirmed enemy kills…
James F. Dugan: Jim you are so correct!!! The personnel at “Camp Alpha” at the 178TH “Replacement Depot” were professionals in every manner. The entire camp was really clean & organized & us transits were expected to help keep it that way. Yes our R&R’s did start with our first impressions of “Camp Alpha” & your staff ensured that our R&R’s would be the best possible at Taipei, Bangkok, Penang, Australia, Hawaii-a few others & also the in-country R&R’s!!! Your staff at “Camp Alpha” were awe some in every way possible & us G.I.s appreciate all the hard work you guys put in to make our R&R’s the best ever!!! SGT/BMC Clarence “Rodger” Hyler
Thank you Clarence, we did our best. There was no Army training school for R&R processing. Everything we knew and did came from trial and error and we learned as we went along.
All that I can recall about that place was someone over a PA system asking if anyone wanted to volunteer to go to the 1/9 Cav and I did!!!
I was at that place for an hour before departing (maybe they didn’t want me to know something)
Kurt,
Trying to catch up with you for the Aeroscout book.
Wayne Mutza
wmutza@wi.rr.com
Wayne,
Try posting a message to Kurt on the Yahoo C Troop 1/9th message board…
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ctrp9thcav/
Served at the 90th Replacement Bn from 1967-68 as a Finance clerk. Would like to hear from others who served at that time–Lt. Kikuchi was our commanding officer at HQTRS.
Mike Klauer
Mike, there are several places where you can hook up with veterans of the 90th Replacement. One is Military.com, they have a page for the 90th or, Two, I have started a Facebook page for the 90th Replacement Bn-Vietnam. The Facebook page is designed to get all members together in one place, all companies regardless of date of tour. Check it out, I think you’ll like it.
Jim Dugan, Sp/5
178th Repl Co
Camp Alpha 69-70
I don’t use face book, any other way to send stuff, especially pics.
I was one of the original 90th Replacement Battalion personnel that deployed from Ft Benning in summer of 65. Is the facebook page still active?
No Norman it’s not active. When FB made changes a few years back they wiped out all the members who had joined. The pictures also. They are constantly changing things I just let it go.
Welcome Home Norman…
A recent Message mentions being with the 90th in FT BEnning. That’s interesting as I did not know anything about the 90th pre Long Binh. I, from Nothern Ohio had basic, 4/30-66- 7/8/66 at Benning, Harmony Church and then assigned to it in 12/66 in RVN. But I went from Ft Benjamin Harrison, Indiana unassigned. As for the comment about messages such as can “anybody type,” A similar message, “any finance clerks?” got me assigned in time to avoid sanding bagging also.
James Dugan: Did the 90TH replacement depot have an R&R processing unit there??? Because I think I was processed there for my first R&R to Taipei. The place was really fun and had a great enlisted club with great food, music & drinks!!! But I could be wrong. I might have been processed out of where you worked at Ton Son Nhut for my first R&R. But I do remember that every serviceman needed at least $500 in his account to be approved to go on R&R. Taipei was a thriving & mystic city with beautiful Chinese women!!! James did the 90TH have an R&R processing unit or did I process out of Ton Son Nhut where you worked??? Give me some help on this “Jim”… SGT/Chief Boatswain’s Mate USCG(RET) Clarence “Rodger” Hyler
Clarence, the 90th had 5 companies to do it’s mission in Vietnam. Four of those were located in Long Binh, and one, the 178th Replacement was located at Camp Alpha, TSN to handle R&R for MACV.
James Dugan: Thanks for the update on the 90TH; your info really brings the details about the 90TH into focus!!! The personnel at the 90TH were very helpful, sincere & they did their best to get us ready to enjoy our R&R’s & to forget about the war zones for a week or two!!! I left the field on January 18, 1968 to go on my second R&R also to Taipei & when I returned to the large army base at An Khe; Tet 1968 was in in full bloom & the enemy did their best to penetrate our large perimeter at An Khe but they were not very successful at An Khe but did so much damage in other villages, towns & cities. An Khe was a huge army base & a lot of us G.I.’s actually felt safe there. Two weeks later after I DEROSED on 2-11-68; I came down with malaria in my home town area of Long Beach-Wilmington-San Pedro & was in the Fort McArthur army hospital malaria ward in San Pedro, California with 10 other servicemen & then headed to Fort Bragg, NC to finish the last 14 months of my army contract. Fort Bragg was too much spit & polish & it did not measure up to what my buddies & me had experienced in “Vietnam” but I did enjoy serving with the 82ND Airborne Division(The “All Americans”)…
Jim Dugan: Welcome home my brother-in-arms & everyone wants to thank you for all the hard work you have done over the years to make this site so interesting & informative to us Vietnam Vets!!! No matter what the MOS; each of us had a job to do & we were part of a long chain that tried to protect the innocent “Vietnamese” people & their beautiful children!!! Each one of us has many very compelling stories to share with our fellow brothers & by doing so; we can educate the younger generations about this expensive, cruel & tragic war!!! Clarence “Rodger” Hyler
Just saw your post. I also was at the 90th, 259th from Feb 67 to Feb 68, I worked in the commo van, as years have gone by I have less bad things to say about the 90th, I could have had it worse. I do remember some of the people in finance, or maby where they changed the money from greenbacks to MPC since there names fit there MOS one was named Penny the other Cash.
Hi Mike:
I was attached to the 90th Repo Depot from August 67-August 68. I was a Finance Clerk, 10th FDS, 73C20 MOS. Lt. Pierce was our CO, SSG Schnug was our NCOIC. I do not remember you. Get in touch & I will throw some more names of the guys in my unit. We were second floor hooch, above transportation.
Joe Melchiorre
Joe,
I remember you. I was Sgt/SPC 5 Nick Nichenko. Actually, my first name is Leonard. People at work call me Len. Being in Finance was like the M.A.S.H. TV show. As I think back on it there were many laughs. I work at a company called FLIR Systems, Inc. I live in West Linn Oregon which is south of Portland. What’s going on in your world?
Len
Just saw your post I was at the 90th 67-68 (feb) most time spent in the commo van don’t think we had a commanding officer, do not remember one anyway Bn commanding officer was something like LTC Bingham or something like that.
Gary Larsen
Welcome Home Gary; good to have you on board!
I don’t have any photos of 90th Replacement, to speak of. If you have some and would like them posted, send them my way: usastruck@yahoo.com
I was assigned to the 90th in January 68 and got there about a week before TET. Worked in the data processing section.. Our hootch was up by the road and at the far end from the Officer’s Club.
Welcome Home George…
Mike Klauer I was down the road from your billets 1968/69 ti ti time then to main post with USARV palace guard, Jeff Kessen sp/4 us army. 11b20
I was a pay clerk from 12/12/66- 12/1/67 at the 90th. You may have replaced me. I am working on my RVN memoirs now.
I don’t recall Lt. Kikuchi , my original personnel officer was DH WHeeler, wo4, replaced by SFC Nelson and LT Robin S kent.
two names I remember from our office were Jim Cousins and Tom Scully. some of my “other duites” included trips to Long Binh to 91st Fiance and pickup messagess and drive Wheelers laundry to bien Hoa.
my temporary web site is http://ddiser.tripod.com/RVN_MEMOIRS/RVN_MEMOIRS.htm.
i just came across a plaque was given to me by cohorts when I left the 90th for “outstanding performance.” not sure about all that and I just trashed the plaque as the part was mssing. but i did find the names of those giving it to me.
It had at one time a map of vietnam and the unit logo. the list of those giving it to me where ”
Jim Cousins,
Tom scully,
Chas (i assume SFC neilsen) ,
R.S.K, ( aka Lt Robins S kent,
G Kikuch,
“ARM” (no idea)
KLAUER, I just cannot place you in my photo’s
W dunn
George,
Henry Prior. N
i note that you write “at that time–Lt. Kikuchi was our commanding officer at HQTRS. ” and I don’t remember him but he is llsted as contributing to my “outstanding perfromance ” award that Jim Cousins and Tom Scully initiated but even so, Robins S kent was the personnel officer and SFC Neilsen as his assistant. also, your write about the “10TH Finance, That is strange to me also. our dsibursing office was the 91st Fin, at Long Binh Post.
Mike I was at the 10 Finance Section in Oct. 67. Did you know anyone there.
I have numerous recent blogs here so I am not going to be redundant but I don’t remember you nor the 10th, I only dealt with 91st. I have pictures on ritz pics that I can give you asscess to, so please send me your real email address. Also my memoirs are at the web site below.They have become verbose and I am going to clean them up. Where you located at Long Binh post or LBJ?
We were at Ton Son Nhut. I understand after I left they combined with the 91st finance company. Our building and living quarters were near the golf course it was our line of defense. I usually went to Long Bien, Bear Cat, Bein hoa, and CuChi, and all other places around Saigon that the Sgt. Major wanted to go.
still around, contact me if and when you can, ddiser@comcast.net
I NEED TO update my email address, I can that below but is there a spot to permanently change it?
i WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU AS YOUR NAME AS WELL AS Kikuchi ARE LISTED AS AS DONORS ON THE PLAQUE I WAS GIVEN FOR FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE. i NO LONGER HAVE THE PLAQUE BUT RETAINED THE DONORS LIST. i LEFT 12/1/67. BUT I CANNOT PLACE EITHER OF YOU. AND I HAVE PICTURES TO WHICH I CANNOT PLACE NAMES. i REMEMBER COUSINS, SCULLY, NEILSEN, ROBIN KENT, DH WHEELER AND FEW OTHERS.. DO YOU REMEMBER THE SNAKE? OR 3RD ORDANCE BLOWING UP?
I arrived in Vietnam August 16Th 1967 & DEROS, August 3rd 1968. I was assigned to the Finance Unit at Bien Hoa Army Camp & when I got there they reassigned me to the 9OTH REPO DEPOT. Lets see, their was Lt. Ken Pierce, SSGT Bob Schnug, Sgt. Don Kanable, Spec 4 Merle Breymeyer. Other guys were Thurmond, Holland, Cotter, Lamorieux, Greenhall, Henson A black guy from Mississippi, first name was George. Yes, I remember them hitting 3rd Ord, a couple times when I was there.
Hello Mike,
I’m looking for information on S/Sgt Andrew J. Dawson who was sent to the 90th from Ft Campbell. Don’t know the year.
Could you help?
Rob
worked in commo van aug 69 to aug 70 at 90th repl hq co Lt Ricketts co 122 rocket hit just behind “lifers” hooch went on r&r tet of 70 loved loon foon restraunt on main post mp otis holcomb at the main gate with his pet monkey
Welcome Home David…
I am confused about where Mike Klauer fites into this thread date wise as he has never responded to me and I don’t rememeber him but his name is a on farewell plaque give to me by me co workers when I departed 12/1/67. I don’t remember lt K either, my bosses wee DH WHEELER, CW, LT ROBIN s KENT and conviving e6 C Neilsen, waana be e7 who put E4 promotion orders in his desk and forgot about them in August 67!
Hello Mike, I was a medic at the 24th Evac (Long Binh) in 1967. I’m currently doing some research on the 90th Repo. If possible, please send me your email address so that I can ask you a few questions pertaining to anyone who worked there during that time. Thanks in advance. You can email me at:
Steve Donovan
My email is stdonova@sprynet.com
Steve Donovan
I cannot remember Klauer or Lt K at all yet both donated to a farwell ” outstanding service plaque for me. ! I remember Sgt Neilsed, DH Wheeler and Robin S Kent as bosses. I was a finance clerk in 90th Post Headquerters, MY sentence was s 12/11/66- 12/10/67 but left on 1st place out 12/1/67. Much to my own surprise my transfer order had me departing form 279th REPL CO, !!! My picture shows HHQD. all well time has passed. PS my only ailment were ingrown toenails. coworkers included Cousins and Skully.
I was stationed at the 381st Repl Co. in 1968. I knew Lt. Kikuchi, and others in the assignment processing shack -can’t remember last names, but there was a Dave & Jerry, who went home when the guard tower by us collapased during heavy rains, and he got injured in it. I also recall a finance clerk named Koziol?
Welcome Home Russ…
My visit to the 90th was from Jan 67 to Dec 67. Got lots of photographs of all my pals. Would like to share….. Good seeing this site for the first time.
Jim Cousens Sp5, records clerk for E7-8-9 & Officers. The Officers were all crooked…
Contact me if you’re interested in some very nice photos: Included David Diser, Tom & Rick Sanders, Norm Todd, Chuck Mason, David Britt and others. In Michigan (248-431-8024) jamescousens@msn.com
Chuck mason, I have his picture but don’ remember mos and name was a blank.
Sent from my iPhone
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Welcome Home Jim…
Mike I served at the 90th Mar 67 to Mar 68. I was there during Tet were you there at that time? I am trying to find someone who can recall what happened at the 90th during Tet. I worked with assignments of new personnel. I remember serving on perimeter guard duty nightly. Thank you for your service in Nam.
Welcome Home David…
I was a finance clerk, at the 90th REPO DEPOT, August 67-August 68!! I remember sleeping, when the shit hit the fan, then guys yelling incoming & I woke up, slept in my fatigues, threw boots on & grabbed my M-16, from the weapons rack & headed to the finance hooch!! I remember thinking, I am going home in a body bag!! This was the first time, inside the wire, that I was scared shitless!! Thanks for your service!!
Joe, your name is familiar, I have a lot of blurbs on here but I was at 90th 12/11/66-12/1/67 as finance clerk and i really want to chat with Mike KLauer but cannot find his message to you. I don’t recall him but his name is on a plaque my friends got me as a farewell present, it thanked me for “outstanding service”, which i did not earn but the thought is well remembered. also he mentions Lt K and his name is listed also and i have no idea of him.lt Robin S Kent and Sgt Neilsen replaced DH Wheeler and they are the only bosses I remember. Also, Jim Cousens is now on here, he did senior NCO’s and Officer personnel Records I keep promising to send people pictures and so far its been all talk. But I have bunch including copter crash on Parade field and snake.
Hi David,
In regard to the Tet offensive – I was in country July 67 – Jun 68 at the 90th Commo section and have a fairly clear recollection of that morning. Wow, fifty years ago. Hard to imagine. We were bounced out of our racks by incoming about 3:00 am. and several of us up at the HQ detachment up at the front of the compound were trucked to the back end as a reaction force. Charlie was threatening to come through the wire back there. He never did. The standoff ended about dawn when a lone gunship hovered above us and opened up his miniguns and shredded the brushline about 50 clicks away, ending that episode. I returned to the commo van where, immediately, a single round popped through the little window by the switchboard. Turned out to be a .30 cal round, a friendly. Since the window was below the level of the Quonset hut next door, I have always assumed it was a stray from a gunship engaged in a fight on the far side of the compound. Man, that was a long time ago…..
I missed tet as I left 90th 12/1/67. When I checked in a officer decided I needed a rifle, probably around 200 rifles assigned to cadre. A little under armed consider the number of casuals we held daily. It was dedided l should have amo! I had, think the term is banderos and more bullets than rest of 90th combined. My rift was fired on 3 occasions, 4th of July, news eve and yes, we went to rifle range for qualifying, even in a combat zone.
Some others had booze in canteens and other threw their helmet liners in air and shot at them. Fun was by all
Danny, I believe that I was on the other side of our compound. I can vaguely recall a lot of small arms firing at us. I do remember what I thought was a Cobra Helicopter firing over all of us into a lot of activity just outside our fence line. I have always tried to forget that year in Nam. However, as I get older I want to try and patch together some of my time there. Thanks for your input. David
Welcome Home David…
PBS has a new Documentary on RVN a 8Pm, Sunday , EDT.
Greetings, time is passing us bye. I have been slugggish my self. I recal a welcome sign at ton son nut that said welcome to sunny Saigon, sponsored by Bank of America and pan am airline. Bank is the only one existing today. Bummer. Panama was doing all r&r flights in my time. Would not use bien how afb, not secure enough. Any way, have save healthy summer.
Sent from my iPhone
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Dave remember me I was the NCOIC of the assignment team night shift Jan67-Dec67
I left 12/1/67 so we overlapped and I s was gone before yet. James Cousens was there and he is in here and Matt klauer but he was here at the beginning of this blog and never responded to meme. I will dig out Cousens email in a day or so or we may see this and get back to. I recall others describing the tet events.
Try surfing this site. Oh, we almost never had guard duties as one casual wrote earlier here, they did all that stuff for us. The only. Bad guard station was the women area and trying to keep me out, especially officers.
Glad to see you’re still posting notes to this great site. Call me when you get bored, and I’ll tell you some good stories about Gary Frankel (18th Repl Co.) company clerk …1967.
For some good (funny) stories about clerks, jerks and medics, see http://www.longbinhdaze.com
name does not ring a bell, but should have known him>.. also, why do you keep saying officers were crooks? NCO running club may have been as he was driving a corvette I recall.
David, the only name I remember is John Parker. We worked together.
David, I’ve made a number of posts here over the last couple of years but you probably haven’t run across them. I was at the 90th July 67 – June 68 in the commo section. Charlie bounced us off our racks about 3 a m and I and a few others were tapped as a ‘reaction force’ , piled in a deuce and a half and taken to the back of the compound. The perimeter back there was taking fire and we spread out along the downside of a hill just inside the wire. I don’t recall many details of the next 3 hours, but at daylight a gunship settled overhead, opened up his mini-guns and shredded the treeline outside the wire. That ended that. I went to the commo van and back to work. The teletypes and phones just went crazy all that day. BTW, I think we’ve established that Elvis Wright was my replacement.
I was at the 90th, May through December of 1969. I assigned people to all units under the 20th Engr Bde.
Welcome Home Harry…
I am looking for contact with brothers from my first unit I was with permanent party with 19th dpu @ 90th repl bn. anybody out there? tet 1968
Welcome home Jeff…
Thank you usa struck??? I don’t feel like I ever did come home. Sorry bout that Brother.jeff kessen
I was original member of 19th DPU Feb 1967 arriving from 6th Army Presidio, S.F.. Rotated out one day before Tet 1968. C.O. was Maj. Rhodes.
Welcome Home Thomas…
Thomas Collins – I replaced a guy named Bergie as company clerk for Capt. Paul at 19th DPU, 2 weeks before TET. 19th was absorbed into
14th ICC (Data Mgt. Ctr.) under 1st LOG, around Apr. ’68…
Bergie was discharged. Mental issues. He open fired from the perimeter bunker for no reason at all. Caused a lock down of the base for a couple of hours.
Hi Tom, I also was an original member of the 19th DPU. I was the first one to leave in July 67. I was short when we went over. I was the unit Training clerk. Are you in touch with any of the other guys?
I’ve been communicating with Eulie Middlet
I remember a Kessen from 19th DPU. think I have a pic of you with a guy named Shonk, after we moved on main base ..
Jan ’68 to Jan ’69….Pat Lindley
Hi Pat! Welcome Home!
Mike Slusser here. I was with the original 19th DPU when we went over by ship. In about 9/67 they sent me up north to the 527th Personnel Company at Camp Granite in Qui Mhon. When my year was up, I took their deal of 30 days non-chargeable leave, door to door, come back for 6 more months and get m choice of duty and a promotion. I went back to the 19th and was the night keypunch supervisor. Gerry Benjamin, Gary Tubbs, Paul Kornbeau were names I remember then. I keep in touch with Gene Sorrell. He was an analyst. He’s out in Montana. I was from the Louisville area, but moved up here to upstate New York when I married a woman who was a pen pal while I was over there. I’m battling AO exposure and am 80% disabled. Waiting for another claim to be awarded, then I’ll be 100%.
email me, if you want. mike_slusser@hotmail.com.
Good Luck
Pat Lindley
Don’t remember Bergie being Company Clerk. I was Commander of Relief the night he fired his weapon just to see if it would work. That night stàrted off badly for me, got my ass chewed out pretty good for not having any water in my canteen. Some time during the night the OD came for me and we went to pick up Bergie. Never saw him again. I spent most of the next day answering questions and filling out paperwork.
I was with the 19thbut, left in July of 67.
I was assigned to HHC, Saigon Support Command and detailed to the Transportation Section on the 90th at Long Binh. (First Ride In / Last Ride Out) We would transport outbound personnel to the Air Base at Bein Hoa and return with inbound personnel. We also made runs from LBJ to the Third Field Hospital in Saigon and on occasion we would transport personnel to Camp Alpha at Tan Son Nhut AFB.
Welcome Home Steven! I’ll never forget the bus ride from Bein Hoa Air Base to 90th Replacement, late at night, when I arrived ‘In-Country’…
Transportation lived in the hooch below Finance . Often rode shotgun for you guys going into Bien Hoa Airbase. Was there from August 67-August 68.
You left August 68? So you were there during the 1968 Tet? What was the role of the 90th that night?
Trying to stay alive!!
Sent from my iPhone. “JOE”
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Hi
I try to find any photos of Sergeant First Class Hugh William McQueen served in 90th Replacement Bn, Camp Alpha from 7th july 1965 to 06th August 1966, can anyone help me
Sincerely
Brian
brihj@hotmail.com
Brian, I was with the 90th when we deployed from Ft Benning in 65. We were flown to Oakland where we boarded the Gen RMS Blatchford for our voyage to Nam. I only remember a few of the names from then and unfortunately SFC McQueen is not one of them. I may remember him if you can give me any further information. The only SFC that I can remember was a black man who was First Sargeant. I remember his face and even have a photo of him but can’t remember his name.
I am challenged to get the correct reply to the commenter , sorry about that, but I have pictures of cadre in my tour that I cannot recall name. a black Sargent with a pet monkey is one of them. send me your picture and I will send you a link to ritzpics where mine can be seen.
Steven, my name is Danny Brister; I was with the transpotation section at the 90th in 68 and 69 what year were you there, cannot forget those night rides thru Bien Hoa driving blackouts, we look like a train going thru town we were so close together, I know we sure scared some new replacements, scared myself sometimes. We carried troops to Saigon Cu Chi, Bear Cat and places; I don’t remember the names we had some intresting trips, we even crried the white house press when Nixon came over, we carried the Bob Hope show, we transported prisoners to airport transported wounded to airport we hauled just about any kind of warm body over there night and day.
Welcome Home Dan…
Hi Danny, WELCOME HOME. I was with the finance team, we hooched above transportation. I was there from August 67- August 68. Sometimes rode shotgun for transportation, something to do when we had a lull. We changed currency for incoming & outgoing troops. We were usually the last unit to get them when they came through processing
My name is Joe Melchiorre.
Hi Danny.I was at the 90th from Sep 68 to Aug 69 – I just came across this in hope of making contact with anyone who was there at that time. I was part of the processing team sending the troops to their various assignments. Regards, Dan dan.coleman@live.com.au
Hi Danny, I was at the 24th Evac in Long Binh, ’66-’67. If possible I’d like more details on the blackout runs thru Bien Hoa. I had to drive to Bien Hoa a few times around midnight to spring somebody out of the drunk tank. It was spooky in a single vehicle. We also drove blackout, but we had no idea what the true security situation was. Once we came around a curve and zoomed right between two columns of armed
Vietnamese wearing khaki type uniforms. They were patrolling the two ditches on either side of the road. No idea if they were local militia or friendlies or what. Please send me your email address, thanks!
Welcome Home Steve…
SP4 Larry D Dowd was with 381st repl co from 6/68 to 9/69 started as driver/motor pool ended up as clerk typist
To Steven Kennedy: You guys transported a couple of buddies & myself from the 90TH to “Camp Ray” at Bien Hoa because as 11B(airborne qualified) we had been assigned to “Recon platoon) HHC 1/503rd Airborne Infantry-173rd Airborne brigade on 2-15-16-1967 & the ride to Bien Hoa was uneventful. When we got to Bien Hoa; our unit was out in Tay Nihn province for the start of “Junction City” one. Our rear echelon people said they were going to send us to jungle school but they were just messing with us FNG’s. On 2-23/24-1967 we were flown out to Tay Nihn by ch-47 which was also transporting food, water, ammunition & what ever our troops needed in the field. After “Junction City” one we worked “Junction City” 2 & also went to numerous villages & towns in War Zones “C” & “D”; we visited so many villages & towns that I can’t remember all the names. In June of 1967 we were airlifted up to Dak To in the central highlands by c-130’s to search for & to destroy NVA regiments & I prepared to take my first R&R & processed out of Camp “Alpha” at the 178 Replacement Depot & the personnel there were true professionals in everything they did to get us ready for our R&R’s. My week in Taipei was so much fun & really relaxing getting some real sleep for once. The Chinese ladies were so beautiful & sweet!!! Our new rear base was at An Khe & my last day in the field was 1-18-1968 & I took my 2nd R&R also in Taipei & it was even more fun because then I knew my way around in Taipei on my 2nd trip there. When I returned to An Khe after my 2nd R&R; the enemy was trying to breach our large perimeter at An Khe but our troops repelled them & me & a couple then DEROSED out of Vietnam from Cam Rahn Bay on 2-11-1968 on a Northwest Airlines 707 & once we leveled out the hoops, hoolers & cocktails started flowing!!! We stopped in Japan to refuel & then landed in Seattle where we were bused to Fort Lewis & the U.S. army served all of us a 7 course steak dinner & let us go on a 30 day leave!!!
To Steven Kennedy: A couple of my buddies & I arrived in-country at Ton Son Knut on 2-15-1967 at about 1:00PM & we started sweating profusely as we came down the tarmac ladder & we boarded buses for the 90TH which did not take that long. The 90TH was so packed that we were housed under a very large “GP” tent with cots just 200 yards inside the main entrance gate to the 90TH. Some of the new guys were complaining about where they might be assigned. Your transportation unit trucked us to Camp Ray because we had been assigned to “Recon” platoon HHC 1/503rd airborne infantry-173rd Airborne Brigade. Your unit was very professional & I can only imagine how scary it would have been to be on those deuce & a halfs at night but I did experience a couple of rides at night when after a few small operations in War zones “C” & “D” our unit went back to Camp Ray & we were allowed to go into Bien Hoa with a mid night curfew & you had to be on one of those trucks back to Camp Ray or you were in trouble at your unit the next day!!! I was in the field for one year with 2 R&R’s to Taipei which I enjoyed so much!!! Welcome home Steven & thank you for your service to our great nation!!! SGT./BMC Clarence “Rodger” Hyler home town: Long Beach-Wilmington-San Pedro, California
I was with the 352nd Trans. Co. all of 1968..within walking distance of the 90th….
Welcome Home Norman…
Thanks very much…didn’t spend much time at the 90th…my Company area was a 2 or 3 minute walk up from the 90th…(actually rotated to the 261st TC after my first 6 months)…good to hear from you…I revisit that place often in my mind….
I too was with the 90th Replacement Battallion, 259th Replacement Co. 70-71. I worked in the Customs Shakedown Building. Quite an interesting job. Miss the guys from the 259th!
Welcome Home Glenn…
do I have story for you. I was payroll clerk from 12/12/66-12/1/67 at the 90th . I suppose it was your type that searched outgoing bags for contraband., most likely a hand grenander , chiness weapon etc. One night they came across a hugh snake. I have a picture of it in box/crate taken from about 30′ , i was not getting any closer. we finally were ordered to destroy it, those dam AGC type. It will be on my web page soon. but in the meantime anybody want it, email me. Sitting on the box crate are thompson and scully
PS that was the end of using thier bare hands to search.
Whats your email address Dave? They didn’t kill it right away…. I remember the Python….those guys would feed it a live chicken….tied the Chicken to a post in the ground…released the Python…and watched it go after the bird. Just as it opened its mouth to grab the bird…”The Chicken Shit!”. True story….where did you think that expression came from.
CATCHING UP ON ALL YOUR POSTINGS AND I REMEMBER MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN, HAVE LOTS OF PICTURES OF SNAKE, HELLICOPTER CRASH AND CO WORKERS. AS FOR DH, HE WAS TOUGH BUT WHEN I WOUND UP AT FT MEADE IN MD FOR MY LAST 18 MONTHS, I KNEW MORE ABOUT MILITARY PAY THAT CAREER GUYS AND IT ALMOST COST ME MY E5 BECAUSE AT THE PROMOTION BOARD FOR 6TH CAV, A MAJOR SAID I WAS WRONG ON AN ISSUE AND THE RANKING OFFICE SAID I WAS CORRECT. LEAST RATING CAME FROM THAT MAJOR. DH’S ANSWER TO MOST OF MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED BY HANDING ME THE REGULATIONS.
SEND ME YOUR SNAIL MAIL ADDDRESS AND I WILL SEND PICTURES.. OH , LAST THING, MY TRANSFER FROM 90TH INDICATES WE WERE WITH 279TH, I REMEMBER 18TH AND heaqquarters company but 279th throws me for a loop! NOT YELLING , STUCK IN CAPS. and WHEELER DID NOT ALLOW ANY TYPO’S SO I HAD A HELL OF A TIME DOING MORNING REPORTS,, afternoon reports, next morning reports, like Klinger on MASH.
I was a mechanic with the 56th DPU stationed at the 90th I was 17 yrs old. our Sargent Major’s Name was Quimby our CO was Major Brummit
Glenn… I was there at the 259th…Quonset 2 and Customs from Halloween ’70 til Halloween ’71..interesting tour to say the least !!
To Glenn Shawgo: Thanks for your service “Glen”… You must have stopped a lot of people from leaving “NAM” with some bad stuff!!! Your job must have been so interesting intercepting everything & more!!! Do you remember the story about the wiener dog named “Gunther” who worked in Japan with our military & sniffed out 21 “G.I.’s??? He was a true champion & did a fantastic job in the far east & his story was covered by the Stars & Stripes newspaper!!! Welcome home “Glen”… SGT/BMC Clarence “Rodger” Hyler-home town-Long Beach-Wilmington-San Pedro, CA
In 67’ one outgoing had a snake, 22. some feet, have picture from long rang in milk type create. I did not get close but Tom scully is on top of create. Nervous just thinking about It and not. Far enough from hootch . Told to destroy it, thank god for officers o
Nice in a while.
Glenn,
We have a few guys who served with the 259th at the 90th Replacement Bn-Vietnam on Facebook. It’s the gathering place for members of the battalion only. If you are on Facebook, you are welcome to join.
Thanks! Yes, I am on facebook. Do you have a list of names?
The group is composed of members from all 5 companies of the 90th Replacement Bn. I started the group just for cadre and those who were attached. No outsiders who are looking for non-90th members who happened to have passed through and then moved on. I have members from all compaies, all eras of the war. I have become a historian of the battalion and, although I don’t know the whole story yet, I have managed to piece together 90% of a summary history of its time in Vietnam from 1965 to March 29, 1973 when it left Vietnam. My e-mail is: jimdugan1@msn.com. I was a Sp/5 at the 178th at Camp Alpha, 1969-70.
I was in the saigon support command,assighened to the 90th replacement bus company.I drove from April 1968 to june 1969.Was anyone there when Mike Verhaighe was killed in a car wreck.
Welcome Home Danny…
Harry:
Did you know Gary Hayes? He was the 20th Engr liason at the 90th from June 1969 to August 1970. He and I went to AIT together and arrived at 90th on the same plane. I ended up at HHC in Bien Hoa, and would substitute for Gary when he went on R&R/leave. The guys at the 90th threw a nice party for me when I was leaving for home.
John Flanagan
Hi Len:
I think I remember you. After I came back to the WORLD, I barbered for a living. I had my own business for 9 years, got divorced, went to work for Lockheed Martin Corp (LMC) I suffered a knee injury in Nam, finally went after the VA for comp & got 70% disability, but am IU, so have the benefits of 100%. Happily married, to a LADY I went to high school with. She retires April 2012 & we plan on spending winters in Florida. All in all, life is good. We live about 2 miles west of Valley Forge, PA, in the town of Phoenixville. We have a nice 3 bedroom rancher. Send me a picture of yourself. My e-mail address is haircutter65@gmail.com
“JOE”
Hi John. I don’t remember the name, but I’ve always been terrible with names. I was also 20lth Engr laison at long bihn, from May to December of ’69, so I’m sure I knew him. Do know where he is now? What did he look like? Maybe I can remember him by that. Good to hear from you.
Harry: Email address is jflanagan7@verizon.net. Let’s take offline and I’ll send you old/new photos of Gary and me.
Your name is so familiar to me and since I subbed for Gary when he went on R&R/leave and TDY at Tan Son Knut I do believe we worked together…been 42 years now so memory is not spot on.
Best,
John
this is ron owensby,browncreek2@gmail.comdid the 70thengrbn(C)(A) have a liason there.I was ssg signed to co D,at ban me thout apr-aug1969 etsd to fort lewis where I was processed out army.look fwd hearing from you
jeffpkess@yahoo.com
Arrived at the 90th in Long Binh long after dark on 01/12/70. All barracks were full so our plane load had to sleep on the parade ground on cots. Was sent to Phu Bi with the 101st, not needed there(I was a comcenter specialist), sent DaNang(DaNang Signal Co). After a month was sent to NaTrang, not needed again. Ironically I ended back at the 90th and stayed there until December. I worked in the warehouse handing out Jungle uniforms to those coming in country and Khakis to those going home.
Sounds like you made the rounds!
Welcome Home Fred…
Just for the record, the sign in front of our warehouse at Long Binh had a sign in front that said. “Central Issue Facility” “29th General Support GP.” “Operated By” “299th S &S Battalion” I was assigned there from mid to late February thru mid December 1970. While there I was promoted form PFC to SP/4, in the only open slot, Graves Registration. When I got sent back to the World, I was assigned to the morgue at Ft Lee VA. I had to do a lot of talking to get out of the morgue and assigned to a Signal Unit, my training and MOS was Communications Specialist. Got assigned to a Signal unit and mowed grass, picked up cigarette butts and worked in a mess hall for the next year, before I got a six month drop. Swore I would never wear a government uniform again. Was wrong, since March 1985 I have been A Letter Carrier with the USPS. Post Office time plus Military combined, I have almost 30 years in uniform.
FYI: blew out a knee and retired from the USPS on March 31st 2013. 30 1/2 years of Government service.
Welcome Home Fred and Merry Christmas…
Thanks, and a Merry Christmas to you and everyone that worked at or went through the 90th.
worked in motor pool and drove a wter truck 1968-70 ferguson
Welcome Home Terry…
I worked for CIF at the 90th and drove a raggidy duce and a half out of that motor pool. It had the record for the number of gigs for any truck there. Painted the wrong color OD green, I believe it had a 5 Ton engine in it, it smoked, was very loud and I drove it with the top off and winshield folded down(wore goggles). We used it for our “trash” truck at CIF for trips to the dump. Was a lot of fun driving it to the dump. The locals really stared at it.
J.Priest 90th CIF 7/70-9/71 14 monthes and ETS,d at Oakland. Nixon give me a drop. No such truck when I was there. I was in the big tin warehouse. 3/4 qtr ton 5 ton 18 wheeler and rt fork lift. CIF was really a detachment of 266 SS BTN 624 CO SS Long Binh Post just up from 93rd EVAC along highway 1
Was your unit 54th Ord?
Joseph Priest, while I do not remember your name, you are the first person who seems to have worked a CIF while I was there. I went home(about three weeks) early on a Christmas drop,1970. The vehicles, you describe, with the exception of a small fork are the one that were in the ware house. The Duce and a half in question, was kept at the motor pool. I lost my driving privilege, after a couple of Sergeants took the 3/4, and and tore the drive shaft out, and expected me to fix it, I said no. SGT Dieter Schuster was the NCOIC. Towards the end of my tour, I dislocated my right shoulder and spend a couple of months in a sling. I had a room on the first floor of the barracks(actually two rooms, one with beds other a “living” room, I shared with Bruce Choen, until he went home, then A kid that was a Canadian Citizen(jail or ARMY). On the outside of the door was painted…”IT’S A GOOD LIFE…RE-UP ARMY”. Room was painted all black except for one wall and a lighted panel in the ceiling, and a square shipping crate turned into a lighted, zebra stripped coffee table.
See my last post….also I had a dog we all called “Big Dog,” he slept in my room and stayed with me daily, and when I worked the night shift. Looked into bring him back to the States, but the paper work would have taken months to fill out. He was missing a back toe, because a truck ran over it, when he would not move. He hate the Hooch Maids.
I am George Rosenbaum, I served at Long My Depot outside Qui Nhon September 69 – June 70.
From June 69 thru September served as Security Guard on the DPO yard in Phu Tai. Pulled guard duty on all the towers and at the Tank Farm in Qui Nhon ( fuel storage). At Long My pulled guard and did inventory in all the warehouses. Memories are vague as I drank/smoked too much. I was called Chicken Man.
Many of our memories have become vague; Welcome Home George…
thank you and welcome home to you and all our brothers and sisters
I am George Rosenbaum, I served at Long My Depot outside Qui Nhon September 69 – June 70.
From June 69 thru September served as Security Guard on the DPO yard in Phu Tai. Pulled guard duty on all the towers and at the Tank Farm in Qui Nhon ( fuel storage). At Long My pulled guard and did inventory in all the warehouses. Memories are vague as I drank/smoked too much. I was called Chicken Man.
My name is Juan Rodriguez. I served at Long My Depot, November 1969 – Feb 1970. Guarding the same places you did. I remember when the VC blow up the ammo dump in Phu Tai. Then was send up north to Da Nang and them camp Eagle. Left Nam on April 1971. Last place I was station was Pleiku and An Khe. As you don’t remember much (as I drank/smoked too much too.) Remember going to Pleiku from Long My to Pleiku thru road 19.
Welcome Home Juan…
Welcome home and thanks for your service. I arrived at 90th Repl Dec 68 and left Jan 70. Was NCOIC of the civilian egress and access at the main gate. Robert Galt
Arrived at the 90th in May 1968, and got stuck there for days. We were to arrive at Bien Hoa airfield But, the war had other plans. So, I arrived at Tan Son Nhut field, and we were transported on a non-A/C bus out to Long Binh. No gear no clothes, they got ‘lost or misplaced’ So, I was stuck at the 90th Replacement for days, I remember – it was hot, in those dang khakis. They refused to give us any jungle gear. Also, since we were inappropriately dressed, we generally did little to no KP or any duty just hung around and sweated our b***s off. Finally, near a week there was sent upto II Corps, where I did most of my Nam duty. Oh, my lost duds caught up with me — months later in II Corps. Never, went back to the 90th. Oddly, did depart from Nam, @ Tan Son Nhut, not Bien Hoa. Thanks for your sharing.
Welcome Home Jimbo…
Donald Schibbelhut , Worked in out processing in the 259th Replacement Co. from Jan 1968 to Sept 1969 gave orientations to troops leaving country worked right under the “Going Home Report Here” sign. Worked for Lt. Nehuis (not sure if I spelled his name right)
Welcome Home Don…
Welcome Home Don! My name is Jim Dugan. I was assigned to the 178th Replacement Co. at Camp Alpha (June ’69-June ’70). We did R&R Processing for the 90th and MACV out of Tan Son Nhut. I have become an amateur historian of the 90th Replacement Bn. I know most of where it has been and what eventually happened to it after Vietnam. The last U.S. soldier to leave Vietnam in 1973 was one of ours. My e-mail is: jimdugan1@msn.com
James, if you have any photos of 90th Replacement that you would like to share, send them my way and I will post them…
My name is JerryJoseph. Assigned to Camp Alpha, 178th Replacement co from Sep 67 to Sep 68. Looking for other guys stationed there at least thru the Tet Offensive the first few months of 1968. I was a SSG, doing R&R manifests, customs briefings and worked at air terminal. (something like a walmart greeter, hey welcome to Viet Nam). remember Lt Larry Bess, SSG Arnie Beck, Sp4 Charles OBrien, SSG Johnny Evers, and SFC William Henderson (deceased).
Welcome Home Jerry…
I was also with the 259th, 90th replacement Battalion 68 and 69. Don I remembered you so well and wondered how you were doing and hoping every thing was great with you. I have tried to locate you, with no success.
would love to get in contact with you, if possible. Jerry Smith Oct. 2014
Welcome Home Jerry…
Not sure if this will go through but live in Mayview MO. doing fine hope you are to, cell 913-530-7930 or on facebook. nice hearing from you!
My father was assigned to the 90th Replacement Battalion in Vietnam during both tours. He was Captain Thomas B. Goodrich, Jr. Not sure of the exact dates but believe first tour began in 1967 and the second in 1970. Not sure of the specific company. He passed away in 1998 of cancer. The VA ruled his death service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. Would like to hear from anyone who remembered him and may have pictures. He talked very little of his time in Vietnam and I only have one photograph of him while he was there.
This is a great place to begin your search…
This past weekend, I found a gold mine of documents that my mom had stored in a large Rubbermaid bin. It was most of my father’s military records from the time of his appointment in April 1962 until his retirement in June 1984. I found orders, award citations and other documents. Initial reading indicates he was assigned to the 178th Replacement Company, 90th Replacement Battalion during his second tour from 1970 until 1971. I still need to find the exact dates.
Hi, Your Dad was known in the Battalion HQ as “Tom 1”. I served with him as “Tom 4”. Sorry to hear of his passing. I do have some pic’s. I’m in Florida for the winter but will get to the photo’s next summer. Glad to share them with you. We also had a “Tom 2” who was the Bn S2. We served under Col. Ed Weber
Thanks so much for response and would absolutely love to see any photos you may have.
Mike, the only photos that I can offer at this time are on my post about 90th Replacement…
Hello…..was responding to someone who remember my dad and worked with him. Said he was in Florida for winter but would look when he returned home.
Sent from my iPhone
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Hoping Tom Laitinen is still checking this site. Still hoping to see photos he mention. Thank you!
Don’t know if this site is still running or not, but I was with the 9th div Admin. but attached to the 178th at Camp
Alpha. I processed R&R for my unit from June ’67 through Jan ’68.
Welcome Home Bud…
I remember a SSg Blackwell, 9th Div R&R Rep during my tour from Sep 67 to Sep 68.
I was probably your finance clerk at 90th , Long Bihn at least until 12/1/67. I made a few trips to ‘Alpha , at least one of which was on an R&R, I had two, aug67 & thanksgiving 67. I point that out because one at least one of those, I, an E2 OR 3 had just processed in your CO., He saw me in line and took me into his A/C hootch and all the paperwork done for me in there. The Icing on the cake was when I came back he spotted me, greeted me like a long lost wealthy relative and offered to let me take his jeep to the 90th and he would send someone to get it the next day. e nothings are not treated that way. Also, your wrote you were an e6, one of my bosses was an e6 NEILSEN, he spent most of his time plotting to get rid of any e6’s may have a shot at getting an E7 SLOT he was trying to create!
I think Blackwell came toward the end of my tour. I worked with first sgt. Bradley sent to help me because of some medical problems. Do you remember the girls name in the office that handled the manifest?
Bud, I was the Medic for R&R,Camp Alpha April 67 to March 68, your name sounded familiar. Know just as”Doc”, Served with Kelly, Reagan, Dunlap any names ring a bell? Contact me.
Ken I remember Dunlap because we have a town near here by that name. I will post a picture of myself from that time when I get a chance.
Bud Your name sounds familiar. I was known as “DOC” the Medic for R&R Processing Feb ’67 Through Jan ’68 Camp Alpha. Who do you remember at CA? Ken Schauer
Ken it appears the site is still up, “Doc” I think I remember you but I am don’t remember many names anymore but can still picture their faces. I worked with an NCO named Tom (Pop) Bradley, I am sitting here racking my brain trying to remember the name of the vietnamese girl that processed the paperwork in the office. I am sure we saw each other a lot, we usually hung around the little snack bar there in the compound.
Welcome Home Edwin…
you may have missed my comment many years ago in this blog but it goes like this. I was a e3 or e4 finance clerk at 90th in long binh. I processed in a new co for “a” . sometime later (i went on two, august and November) i was at “a” going on R &R and he spotted me, took me into his A/c hootch and had money changers etc process me there and i was 1st on manifest.. Upon returning he spotted me again and said his driver had just gone to 90th but I could take his jeep and he would pick it up. I decided just to wait as i was not about to get lost in between..
anyway, not the way e nothings are normally treated. When / if did you move to LOng Binh., We did not do officers there in my time so we were very causal, sort like MASH but later bloggers have written about officer swimming pools (we were lucky to have potable water) etc. I left rvn on 12/1/67. Ps I may have been your finance clerk, I have a few pics of the comforts that the AF had at Ton Son Nhut, snack bat etc.
I was stationed at the 90th as a liaison for the 34 General Support Group. You story and picture brings back many memories.
Welcome Home Richard…
What year were you at the 90th. I was with the 10th Finance Section, August 67- August 68. Where was your hooch? We were right next to the officers swimming pool, built right before I rotated home.
pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we were luck to have any water (other than rain) at all, potable or non potable. On most occassions the shower water was used up by casuals as we had to work from 7:30-7;30Pm. (except Sunday) We only had warm water if had been in the water tower all day and was heated by the sun. Ps if you fogot, potable water was clear enough to see the bugs, non potable was too murky to see the bugs.
as for 10th Finance Section, our disbursing was done by 91st Finance at Long BInh Post. as for “Often rode shotgun for you guys going into Bien Hoa Airbase’, I often drove there and back by myself , and every sunday, Dh Wheeler, CW4, Personnel Office would have me drive is :Laundry to Bien HOa and also get the jeep washed, same place, same water. I abstained from other available activites. You have to read my web page to see why! I am searching Special orderes and my final unit in RVN was the 381st Repl Co. It seems to me that we personnel office types were in 18th and HDQ & HDQ units.
You guys have not talked about the wonderful sanitary conditions at the 90th and since we may have over lapped you may be in one of my
I was at the 90th foriic Worked with Nick Nichenko never knew his name was Lenoard// Larry Tronco Neil MIranda Lt Weisgerber Greg Chapman Jack Bonney John Claudell and Flap \Sp5 Denis O’Connor
Welcome Home Denis…
WHAT YEAR AND WHAT did you do? what is foriic Non of the above names ring a bell but then after 45 years, my bell is a little rusty and lost its hammer,
What year?? I remember a Flap, a black guy, from Watts!! None of the other names register. I was there from August 67- August 68.
Hi it’s been years but finally got back to you. I missed typed I was there Nov 68 to May 69. The names I gave before were the guys who were there with me. I have lost touch with them Its nice to hear from someone who was there
Joe , in the short period I have been active on this blog a lot of things I remember and many not. I left 90th (long binh junction on 12/1/67) , spo we should have over lapped. The plaque I found that my co workers gave me for “outstanding” service, not sure about all that but has the following names.
Jim Cousins, Tom Scully, chas ( assume that was sfc Neilsen), Lt Robin S kent, G Kikuchi (don’ remember him), “ARm”, KLauer, (he Has stuff here but cannot place him), W Dunn, George ?, Henry Prior. I trashed the plaque as it was rotting but saved the metal list of contributors.
I don’t recall a 10Th Finance, all my memory is of 91st Finance which was located at Long Bing.
I expect to get a memory boost as I just ordered a copy of My 214 from Army Archives. At least see what units at 90th I was assigned to.
NPRC.Vetrecs@nara.gov
as of my departure, we were just beginning to process low officers at long binh as they were processed at Camp Alpha. So we did not have enough officers at LBJ to warrant separate clubs etc.
where was the 10TH physically located.
oh ya, as far as I recall, Camp Alpha was kept open at Ton son Hut mainly because all R&R flights where via Pan AM and they did not like the security at Bein HOa.
I note that james Dugan, and others above refer to alpha as the 178th Rep company and others as the 22nd. I think the 22nd replacement battalion, up north opened in Mid 1967! I am not writing a history fo he 90th but only the way I remember it.
Dave, The information I have from my historical research was that the 22nd Replacement Bn was at Camp Alpha for a short time before they were sent to Cam Ranh Bay permanently. That’s probably why they are confused with the 178th. The 90th Repl Bn moved to Long Binh in 1967 with the rest of the support units. The move was Westmoreland’s idea and was called, Operation M.O.O.S.E. The 178th was chosen to run MACV’s R&R program so they returned for that purpose. The 90th served under 3 commands during its time in Vietnam, 1st Log 65-67, USARV 67-72, and MACV at the end 72-73. The 90th was the last intact unit to leave Vietnam. It was deactivated by the Army on March 29, 1973 at Oakland. It is no longer a replacement battalion and has been activated and de-activated under various designations since. The 90th Personnel Company at Ft. Stewart, Georgia is the current designation.
ok, yes we were under 1st log. I remember there logo being a blue titled out house. Our commander at USARV was a General Cole. he lost his star and became Colonel Cole due his lack of oversight of the Px’s scandle in Germany. Sgt major of the Army wooldridge was repirmanded for the same thing and served his time on as a sgt major. I reaserchedsome this on the web, I found more about woolridge than Cole.
The only show we were allowed to see was Nancy Sinatra, at 1st Log.
I live in the baltimore washington area and it seemed to me that a local construction company was using the same logo as 1stlog.
Most of the units who were under 1st Log continued to wear that shoulder patch. After the move to Long Binh, 1st Log fell under USARV command along with 1st Avn, 44th Med, 18th MP’s and most of the engineer groups. The 90th Repl Bn however, was placed directly under USARV and wore the USARV shoulder patch until 1972 when USARV was deactivated. The 90th then wore the MACV patch. In fact, everyone left in Vietnam in 1973 was under MACV command directly until they processed out.
You guys have not talked about the wonderful sanitary conditions at the 90th and since we may have over lapped you may be in one of my pictures so send me your email address and I will send a link to my temporary photos, snake, helicopter crash, dungy burning and more.
Yes, we were 91st Finance, & then in early 1968 the mucky mucks decided to change to 1oth Finance. I remember a George Lewis, a black guy from Mississippi. Their was a LT. Ken Pierce, SSGT. Bob Schnug, Merle Breymeyer, Sgt. Don Kanable, I remember a guy from California, not his name, but he was gay, some guy named Thurmond, from Kentucky, Sam Cotter, from Chicago, Duane ( Frenchy) Lamoreaux, frfom Sacramento, Calif, a guy named Flap Henson, he was in the watts riots. That about all I come up with now. Where do you live?
ok, i would drive guys from LBJ to 91st Finance to get paid or a casual for H & C part pay. Often there would be long lines to the cashiers and we would be escorted to the back to get them paid quickly so we would help get 91st personnel on flight out quickly for R &R or home.
I remember reading in a post paper that “lost near 91st Finance a small brown pag.” after picking up cash, the officer’s would place the bag on the top of the jeep, take out their sidearm, reload, get into the jeep and drive off forgetting the bag on top.
I was cadre personnel at Camp Alpha from Dec 65 to Dec 66. LBJ was just being built when I returned to US. We would transport troops to LBJ at night in caravans when they started processing in country personnel toward the end of 66. I was originally assigned to the 1st Infantry Div, however when I got there it didn’t matter what your MOS was, they needed lots of positions filled just to handle the incoming troops. It was the start of the big buildup. I became a processing person for enlisted at Camp Alpha for the first six months, then processed in officers for a few months, then kept the camp population on a board until I rotated. I haven’t seen much info about people there when I was. I live in the New Orleans area and would like to hear from anyone stationed there when I was. I think I have a few pictures of Camp Alpha somewhere and will try to find them and post if I can get some email addresses. Had to spend a few nights up at LBJ when it was jungle, scary times.
Welcome Home Richard…
i ARrIVED ON12/10/66. my 1ST RECollection is standing in line for a bus, the locals trying to usa to exchange ‘geen back adollars,” from a song. despite being warned about doing it.
I
Welcome Home David…
I was NCOIC of officer processing and assignment from arrival in RVN end of August 65 till Sep 66. LtCol Clyde Carroll was Commanding Officer at the time.
I must have missed you by a couple of weeks, I arrived 12/11/66, and was plucked out of formation to be a finance clerk. by DH wheeler, cw0, Personnel Officer.. he referred to the assignment team as the stream. and acted as if it was his personnel tool. it was until usarv had enough. If you knew him, you probably hated him like everybody who worked for him or even heard of him. He plucked people from the stream or out you back in it if you displeased him. But he wanted cooks, clerks,carpenters etc with civilian experience rather than just 6 weeks of army training.
There are names in this site that I don’t remember that also must have been there around 12/1/66.
ps, I have picture of DH should you need to be reminded!
Richard, I was with the 90th during its deployment from Ft Benning and rotated back to the states in Sep 66. I live up in Bossier City. I handled Officer Processing at Camp Alpha. Sounds like we probably knew each other then. Contact me at nahearn@bellsouth.net and we can talk.
It sounds like we were all around Camp Alpha about the same time.. I was with the 9th Division but was attached to the 178th as R&R laison for my division from June ’67 untill mid Jan ’68.
Welcome Home Bud…
I know that we were in several companies, HHD, 18th but I was surpised to see that my orders leaving RVN show my Unit as 178th. do you have photos of you at that time? send me soem and i will try to mact up with the few cadre photos. MY work on my memoirs was delayed by recent health issues.
Bud,
I remember the 9th Div laison, were you not out of Chu Lie? I think you or another laison were there after getting hit by 50 cal rounds ? We also had an Aussie Laison for awhile. In the states I was on the Fire Dept in Westlake OH with Jack Clare he was with the 9th, don’t remember when though.
No Ken I was transferred out of the AG’s office at Bearcat to Camp Alpha at Tan Son Nhut.
Just decided to look up my old Unit in Nam. I was with the 178th at Camp Alpha, March ‘ 67 to April ’68. Luckily on my way home one day prior to TET. I was the medic known only as “Doc ” Don’t remember to many names, Mike Kelly, Reagan, Bob Gambatese, Lyman Low (Chinese kid we called Ho Chi Low). Any names ring a bell??
Welcome home Ken…
Thanks, usastruck
i, an e4 finance clerk processed in your CO, i don;t remember the date. I was at camp alpha on my way to japan for r&R (had two, august and november 67″) and he saw me, welcomed me like a long lost friend, took me into his air conditioned hootch, had the money changers etc come there to processs me. upon returning to RVN he saw me. said the jeep to Long Binh had just left but if I wanted to take his jeep, he would send someone to get it the next day. I declined as I was not familiar with the routeback, but thats not the way e4’s are normally treated. and not like the officers later at FT Meade, MD.,
I arrived at the 90th July 31 1968. The first night I was there we went on red alert. I was scared out of my mind. They told us to stay on our bunks for one reason or another. I couldn’t figure out at the time why they didn’t give us a weapon. After all we were in Vietnam. The next four days was not a pleasant experience. For the next two days I carried shit to the burn pit. I wasn’t a very big guy so I had to wrap both of my arms around the cut off barrels. As I struggled to carry the barrels the shit slopped all over my uniform. What a mess. Many of the guys with me were throwing up. For the next two days I was promoted to burning shit. I didn’t have to carry it so it was a step up. On the fifth day in country my unit picked me up. I ended up in Long Binh at the 44th signal bn as a com center specialist. So as you can see I do have a very good memory of the 90th replacement.
Welcome Home Randy…
Danny Jones
Arrived at the 90th in July 67 with orders to 16th Sig Com down in Saigon. The army, in it’s infinite wisdom, had awarded me a Commo MOS without benefit of advanced training. Was told in morning formation to report to H&HD, where I was offered a job right there at 90th commo. I eagerly took it, learned as I went, and did my entire tour right there at the commo van. Not bad duty. Glad to see a post from Gary Larsen. I remember ‘Laser’ very well, along with Sligh, Faulkner and others whose faces I can see, but whose names no longer come to mind. Long ago and far away……
The only person I can think of at the 90TH in communications was ????
he had a bullet go between his ear and his radio.He was transfereed to the 90th after recuperation. I :assume” you were one of those who “twixed” the 201 file to USARV for assignments. send me an email and I will send you the link to my pictures on ritzpics. CWO d.h wheeler referred to that as the stream and he oftened has searches done for those not with army training in a field but civilian experience. ythey were then kept at 90th
The guy you’re thinking of must be Faulkner. Lost part of an ear in a near miss with the Cav. He was at 90th Commo when I got there. Good guy. As were most of ’em.
Yup, remember him well. The was a nervous wreck.
I was the Saigon Support Command Liaison Personnel Management Specialist for the 520th/538th PSC in Bien Hoa. I was stationed at the 90th Repl Bn from April 67 until August 1967. I worked next to the the data processing hooch, but usually late at night when it was cooler. My job was to assign all E4 and below to units in the Saigon Support area. So, I dealt with cooks, drivers, finance, clerks, just about anything other than combat arms. That was another team. So, I sent you guys to good places! I maintained a manual inventory of MOS’ and authorized levels at each of the units. I would update the inventories with rosters of soldiers coming in and leaving and try to maintain levels at each unit, Nothing personal about it, just numbers. I remember how bad the chow was there. I hope they shot that cook, although I must admit the midnite chow wasn’t too bad. Never went to the clubs. I was reassigned when I came back from R&R.
Welcome Home Bob…
do you remember DH wheeler,CW4? He was the 90th’s personnel office for the first part my tour which was 12/10/66-12/1/67. (ALL AT THE 90TH) He often had you guys pull 201s from the “stream” if he was looking for an mos but wanted those with civilain experience in that area? LIKE 73C20 WHICH is how I would up as up assigned there.
Yes….everyone who knew him…hated him. Wonder why? He was a complete and perfect devil. Got just one picture of him…. real creep.
I must have just missed you. I arrived in country, August 16th, got assigned to Bien Hoa Army Base & when Igot there they then sent me back to the 90th. I was assigned to the Finance Team. I was 73C20. How about these names to remember, Schnug, Kanable, Breymeyer, Pierce?
No, what year? but your name might?? back later
August 67- August 68
I was 73c20 also and was a part of the 22nd finance unit in Bien Hoa. I was there from December 69 until November 70. Really wish I could find anyone there during that time. The only name I can remember is Ramon Thompson.
SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND i WIll send a link to my pictures
Hello and Welcome back! I’m looking for information on ANDREW J DAWSON RA36119426. All I know at this time is that he was deployment to the 90th AG BN HHG Ta Son Nhut. Can anyone decode the abbreviations for me? I
Welcome Home Rob…
Adjutant General, Battalion
, Head & Head Quarters, last one is the airbase, in Saigon
Thanks Joe,
What would the duties of a S/Sgt in the Adjutant General Battalion likely be?
No Clue!!
ELSE WHEre in these ramblings you will find 90TH’S component at Ta Son Nhut referred to as camp alpha . i think it was the 279th Replacement Company.Briefly put it was the liasion between the Army personnel and the Airforce types who physically got them to/from the plane in or out.
Thanks David. Hopefully someone here will remember him.
I arrived at the 90th Replacement Xmas of 69. There was a large hard bound book with lined pages I signed it and noticed 3 guys I went through basic with had also signed it within hours of me. I wonder where that book ended up anyone know?
I remember the area with the post I was called to stand behind the one labeled Vinh Long. While I was at the 90th getting my gear I slept on a wooden platform with a huge tent next to a fence. Behind the fence was a large area of dog houses and dogs. My first night there I was listening to outgoing when all of sudden there was incoming what a way to get welcomed to Nam.
Had two trips to the 90th, second more enjoyable than the first. Spent my year with army transportation unit on the Saigon river. You guys remember sitting in the pews waiting for the flight home. Welcome home everyone,we are the fortunately ones!
Welcome Home Mike…
Arrived at 90th on Sept 13, 1968 (Friday the 13th) how appropriate. I was there for a few days waiting for transport to the 82 ABN but they changed my orders and I ended up with the 173rd at AN KHE, then down to Bao Loc. I had a pleasent vacation with the 173rd, taking in the sights and hiking trails from Tay Ninh to who knows where. One day while enjoying my day in the tropical paradise around Bao Loc My platoon Sgt and I ambushed a couple of VC that were hiking down a stream bed parallel to our positions. My Platoon Sgt wounded one of the VC. I had left my HE Rounds with my pack and couldn’t return fire with standard M-79 Shotgun rounds. They were over 50 years away, how embarrassing. We were following his blood trail which led us to a VC/RVN Base Camp. I was part of the point element and was greeted warmly by the residents via AK-47 fire. The rest of the morning was spent hugging trees while green tracers impacted around my location, at the front of the lead element on a plateau. The rest of my unit was stuck below the plateau and couldn’t help return fire. I ran out of M-79 rounds in about 20 minutes, most of my rounds impacted on vines and not the intended target. After about an hour the VC holding team stopped firing and the bad guys managed to vacate the camp with only one wounded. The date Friday the 13th of December, 1968. How appropriate.
In my haste I used the word years in lieu of yards on line 9.
Thank you for the story! Welcome Home…
Thank you for bothering to read it. We are getting a bit older now and what we leave is in fact History. My son was wounded in Afghanistan and has his own war stories for his kids.
Quillerm is Jack Pettit, SP4, 173 Abn Bde, Vietnam 1968 WIA 12/13/68.
Afternoon Jack by any chance did you know or hear of DEWEY 173 Vernon Brewer II? Dewey and I good buds. He is VP of the Black and Red V/MC out of Trumensburg New York. Dew also wrote a book called ” Frenchey’s Whore ” Good reading Check it out on Amazon also Dewey’s home page ”Bamboo Memories”. All ”HERD” stuff. back to back my brother
Dewey doesn’t ring a bell but then it’s been a hundred years.
I was at 90th replacement Oct. 1966 I can not remember the date, but the company attacked with mortar and small arms fire. If anyone was their please send me an email thank you
I ARRIVED AT 90th on 12/11/66 so the attack was before me and I don’t remember any talk about it. But with new guys & scared like me on guard duty we often had fire fights with the units next door. We did not load rifles unless sgt of guard gave us permission. 3rd ordance did explode within a few days of my arrival. Never did know if it was accidential or cong work.
only casualties I remember during my 90th experience were a sucide and hear attack!
My tenure at the 90th (in Commo) was from 7/67 to 7/68 and of course Tet fell right in the middle of my tour. Interesting time, the only time I was actively involved in a firefight. I only remember one minor casualty associated with that. We did take a rocket round (in March 67, I think) that destroyed one of the big two story hooches on the hill and killed one of our cooks who had cleared country and was on a flight manifest for home the next day. Those occasional mortar & rocket rounds were usually ineffective.
Remember the 3rd Ordinance exploding….the concussion was more than scary.
Good afternoon David,
I hope you remember me. My name is Gary Mills,I was writing e-mails to you about things that happened to me in Vietnam. I had sent you three or four e-mails before we lost contact. One e-mail was a photo of a helicopter crash in the parade field at the 90th Replacement Batt area. If at all possible could you resend me the e-mails of my experience that I had sent to you. I can not find the originals I sent you. I hope all is well and your in good health. Thanks David
Gary
I don’t think i have the emails but i remember trading pictures and i just had them rescanned by a professional outfit,scancafe so i can send you all of them just send me your address. A lot of recent comments about audio equipment,, our Px was well stocked with recorders,, amps , cameras etc. I bought an AKAI self contained Reel to Reel,amp and Maimya sekor camera. The problem our hootch had was keeping all the electronics powered . and Tv and AF TV had a lot of screen test to fill its few hours. If you remember, the overseas Px’s could sell components while those in the states could only sell consoles so as not to compete against retail stores,
Good morning David and thank you for responding so quickly. My e-mail address is g31e20x@aol.com. It stands for 31e20 was my MOS ( field radio repairmen ) g the first letter in my name Gary and x I’m no longer a field radio repairmen. Have a good day and watch yer 6…….out
March ’67 above is obviously in error. S/B March ’68. Sorry…
I arrived at the 90th in Feb 67. I was on a detail that moved px goods from one hooch to another. Like there were 5 hooches and one was empty. So we moved the goods from the full one to the empty one making that one empty then filling it from the other full one. While I was there in the afternoon formation just before we were dismissed a Huey was taking off and made a lot of dust. It sucked the dust into the intakes and caused it to crash. Right then I thought hell I’m not going to make it to a unit with crap like this happening. To my surprise the next day I was shipped out to my unit First Field Force Vietnam 54th Signal Batt. Nha Trang.
” WELCOME HOME BROTHERS ”
Welcome Home Gary…
I was cadre at the 90th . My hootch, (well more a tent on concrete) was next to the parade field
when the crash occurred, I have pictures. Same crash you rremember? I don’t see a way tp attach them
here. so email me and I will send them to you.
Nice to hear from you David. I also have a photo of the crash. A trooper had a Polaroid camera. I asked him if I could buy one of the photos. He said yes. I well locate the photo and scan it and send it to you. My e-mail is g31e20x@aol.com. My name is my MOS field radio repairmen. G for Gary and X because I’m no longer a repairmen. I’m located in Northern California about 90 miles north of San Francisco. Cloverdale, Sonoma County. Keep in touch David. Oh yeah the billets were concrete but wooden barracks when I was there Feb 19 1967. Remember the milk substitute by Foremost?……………….out
I remember what started off tasting great , cold milk or ice cream but just after passing the lips actually tasting like chalk. Something drastically bad had happened to it be between the cow and our lips.
Our supposedly drinking water (potable) was clear enough that you could see the bugs , nonpotable was too murky to see them, I faithfully took my malarya bill for 7 weeks after returning to the states/
as for your make work, elsewhere here and this is site is getting long, a casual wrote that you casuals did the choirs for the
cadre and he was correct, especially shit burning, guard duty and kp, I was greatful but it was only a miracle that got me from casual to cadre as I arrived e nothing unassigned also. I may have been filling sandbags all night my self.
Remember it well……also got pic’s. One of the guys in the PX, thought it was shot down…he ran out the door, tripped over a tent stake, broke his angle. Archie would call him a “meathead”.
NOT THE JIM COUSINS THAT DID OFFICER PERSONNEL FILES AND KEPT BLACKMAIL FILE ON THE COMINGS AND GOINGS OF CO’S. yOU AND TOM SCULLY INSTIGATED A NICE FARWELL PLAQUE FOR ME WHICH HAS ROTTED BUT I STILL THE SILVER PLAQUE WITH THE NAMES. LET SEE, SMOKES A LOT AND CAM E FROM PONTIAC ( NORTH OF OHIO)
there are names on the placque which other than you, scully, Robin S kent and Neilsen I don’t remember such as and some have even had comments here way back at the beginning. in closing for now, remember the snake and of course DH wheeler ??????
Seems all you guys were with the 90th before me. I was processed at the 90th in early January 1970, sent to Phu Bi, then to Da Nang, then to Na Trang(yep getting mail was hell) then back to the 90th in March, assigned to the Central Issue Facility. Ended up processing some friends for my home town(Galesburg, Illinois). AND my DI, Sgt Cunningham from Ft Bragg. He was coming in, gave him a bunch of extra stuff. Even though he rode my ass……… HAARRISSS, he made me a Man. Turned 21 @ the 90th(July). Have not seen any one I worked with on this site(3/70 to 12/70). Would love to hear from any of you guys I worked with, PFC(most of the time) very later on SP/4 Fred L Harris…..
Just ran across this a few minutes ago looking for information on Long Binh. I arrived in-country at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Oct of 66. My first impression of Saigon was trying to keep from gagging when they opened the door to the commercial flight I arrived on. The smell was AMAZING! A small group of us about 16 were led through the air terminal (straight out of a 1940’s movie set) to wait for a bus to the 90th Replacement Battalion. My first indication I could be in the shit was when the bus driver stood up and gave this little spiel. “Who knows how to drive a bus? OK! you sit behind me and if I get hit drag me out of the seat and take over the wheel”. Then he explained the windows were covered in cyclone fencing wire to keep out hand grenades but would not stop bullets. Needless to say the trip to Long Binh ( I think that is where we went) was not an enjoyable one. Welcome to Viet Nam you are not in Yakima anymore.
I remember 90th replacement as just being a huge wire enclosed patch of ground with GP tents everywhere. A helicopter landing area off to one side of the field where formations were held. The place was nothing but crazy while I was there. Small arms fire and flares all night long. Guys would tear the name tags off their uniforms so that they could skip out of work details (burning shit) and other various jobs. I remember standing in formation while they were calling out names for replacement. At those formations I would hear things like “Is there anyone who knows how to type? Do you know how to cook? Does anyone want to go to 1st CAV?”. Most memorable was a huey landing and an ambulance taking two guys away and then two guys with duffle bags boarded to take their place. I was there 5 days before my name was called and I ended up going to 1st Field Force Artillery HQ in Nha Trang.
I noticed the photo had wooden buildings and streets. It was nothing like that during my short stay.
I enjoyed the read!
Welcome Home…
Hey P, WELCOME HOME. I came in country Feb -67 Through the 90th . I was with IFFV 54th Sig Batt Camp McDermott HQ Co. until Feb-68 tasted a little of ”TET”. Was very happy to come home to the land of the ”round eye”………out
I got there in October of 66 as well. Your first impression of TSN was the same as mine. I kept looking around for the cameras. The group I arrived with was a fully loaded 707 and we got there right around midnight. I remember the guys that showed up to move us over to Camp Alpha were carrying all manner of weaponry from holstered handguns and big-assed Bowie knives and all kinds of shoulder weapons slung over their shoulders. As soon as the door was cracked on the plane everyone broke into an instant sweat. Soaked before I could get out of the plane. There seemed to be some kind of music in the background that sounded like a cat in a meat grinder. All kinds of people running around in pointy straw hats. It looked like somebody stepped on an anthill at a Baptist picnic. I spent two days at Camp Alpha. The first day I got guard duty with no weapon at one corner of the transient nurses quarters. I was posted at a corner near a taxi-way for Hueys. No cover anywhere and a monsoon rolled in. It wasn’t bad enough that I was soaked to the skin in about two minutes, then a Slick came down the taxi-way and rocked a bit to further soak me. Sadistic sense of humor on that chopper jockey. It took me another day to dry out and by the time they hauled us outta there for Long Bihn my low quarters were still soaked. That rain turned a new pack of Marlboros into a box of mush. Great first impression of my new digs. I would up being stationed not far from TSN for the rest of my tour. What an introduction!!!
Someone mentioned a spoiled milk problem. I don’t remember that, but I do recall a shipment of beer (Rainier, I believe) that went flat in transit and was free for the taking. Weren’t many takers, though. That stuff was rancid, though it was better than the so-called potable water. As for the casuals burning the crap for us – I was casual for 8 days before becoming cadre and burned more than my share.
I was cadre 12/66- 12/1/67 and never burned shit,filled sanbags or go on ambush patrol but about the time I left patrols were being discussed. as for beer, I only remember ROK beer (Korean) and Lone start, which I always heard was owned by the presidents daughter(s) But then we got bud. and coke cola. But we had plenty of real alcohol and I had my share
Yeah, later in my tour we had cold Bud and cokes. Prior to Tet we spent time (too much) in the village. Who remembers the Cherry Bar, behind the Esso station? We drank lots of “33” there and were ordered back to the compound a couple times by the MPs. All that ended at Tet.
When I got in-country the only beer we had was San Miguel in rusty cans!
wHEN WAS THAT? I arrived on 12/11/66 and when I became cadre, I bought my footlocker from my predecessor and as I recall it was made on the local ecomony from recycled beer cans. Thus, since they were not army issue, they could not be inspected. Nude pinup came at no extra cost. I was embarrassed to have family see it so I tried to touch up parts,
TO USASTRUCK. at the very beginning of this blog, starting with “they had you coming and going.” are some pictures and below the 90th Front sign it gives me credit for the pictures and other that the welcome sign they are not mine. IN fact it may not be mine either as it is often close to one i took. They must have been taken after I left, as the place almost looks civilized!!! I have pictures from my tour but I may have an offer for them which I don’t want to jeopardize at this time.
Anyone know a Sam Cotter or Duane (Frenchy) Lamoreaux with the Finance Unit, at the 90th?? 67-68
Joe, please send me an email so I can send you link to my photos as we must have been there together but cannot recall you and same with Cotter/Lamoreaux. I was in finance until 12/1/67 when I left. my bosses were CwO DH Wheeler followed by Robin s Kent, lT and SGT, wanna be E7 Neilsen. There are names in this blog that I don’t remember Klauer, LT k and others but then I see they contributed $$$ to my “outstanding service plaque.” . The plaque fell apart but I kept the part which had the names like, Cousins (officer personnel) and scully, finance with me, kent, neilsen and many more.
Did we by any chance windup spending some time together in Japan on RR in Early November 67?
I was there from August 67-August 3, 1968. I went on R&R in July 68. Cotter, Lamoreaux, Thurmond, Holland, Lewis, Pierce, Schnug, Greenhall, Breymeyer, Kanable were there when I was!!
does not compute, none of those names are on my plaque. or did not give, no problem but am surprised by my memory or lack thereof. anyway, there must be others still alive who may want to join our fun. a couple of final questions, Did you see Nancy Sinatra at 1st log. It ws the only show we were allowed to see and do remember a very large snak found in an outward going guys bag? back to waiting for new comments from passerby’s.
Saw the Bob Hope Christmas Show, Christmas Day, 1967, at Long Binh.
well, something is missing. I have reread several all the blogs here and nothing hits home. There was a 91st Financing (disbusring ) at Long Bin Post. and I don’t think we will ever get it straightened out. If you have any ideas email me at ddiser@comcast
when I arrived in country, & for assigned to my unit. It was the 91ST FDS. At some point it was changed to the 10TH FDS.
WEW !!!!Solved, just read your comment from 2013 and you mentioned 91st/10th. I have been talking about 90th Replacement Battalion, at Long Binh Junction while you were at 91st Finance at Long Binh Post. Near long binh Jail (all lbj’s, same as president!!!!! ) I drove people to you for part pays or back pays. Because I was with the 90thrBN, I was lead into the back for personal service as opposed to waiting in long lines from for other units.
90THRPLN ‘s Manifest team, in preparing flight manifests for planes out, took care of those who treated 90th personnel nicely
memories are still good, just failure to communicate!!!!!
Have a good night
NO!! I was stationed at the 90TH REPO DEPOT, assigned to the 91st FDS. We were attached to them, our Finance Unit was assigned from Bien Hoa Army Camp. We were a motley dozen, never really belonging to the 90TH, but part of them!! I just did my job & went home, to try & sort it out!!
Yeah, I saw the Christmas show at Long Binh, too. 48 years, and I still vividly recall that dress Raquel Welch wore. Some memories fade, some don’t.
I saw Bob Hope with Phyllis Diller at TSN Xmas eve 1966. Bless his memory!!!!! I’m glad I have that as part of my memories. Nobody like him.
As cadre at 90th, I was only allowed to see nancy Sinatra sometime in 67′
My bosses thought we should save the space for combat troops that they deserved it. And I agree. It was at 1st log command which was next to us in long binh.
David, thank you for your contributions on my blog…
I often wonder what were happened to the 90th Replacement Battalion. I served in the 90th from Oct 1963 which was stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash. and in July 1964 the unit was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia. On September 1, 1965 the unit was once again transferred to Viet Nam. Being that my ETS was August 8, 1965 I was transferred to another unit in Fort Benning. During my tour with 90th I had many great times and met many wonderful people. I am presently living in Minneapolis, Mn. God bless the men in the 90th and all those who processed thru the 90th.
Welcome Home David…
I was with the 90th when it was deployed from Ft Benning in 1965. Would enjoy hearing from anyone else who was with the 90th at that time.
Welcome Home Norm…
Where in RVN was the 90th physically located when when you deros’d and I assumed you left in 1966! I was stationed with it in Long Bink 12/11/66- 12/01/67
David, I left in September 66 and we were still at CAmp Alpha at Tan Son Nhut
Thanks , I arrived on 12/11/66 and became cadre a few days later. Enlisted processing and low grade officers( until late 67″) went thru Alpha and it was our sole processing pt for R&R’s as Pam am apparently did not like the security or lack of at Ben Hoa. We were in setup mode and a different place place than later years as reading others blogs will show. officer swimming pools , officer clubs etc. . I have a lot of replies here so you can read for your self, I am surprised that most of the comments here seem to be from Casuals who just breezed thru but remember it. .I was at benning, harmony church for basic in may-june 66 but did not wander far, especially not to PHEONIX CITY. I was 24 and most of the guys around 18-20 and they got drunk there, new drinkers and fight. . I am upset when I see the welcome to Saigon sign at Ton son Nhut as both Pan Am and Saigon are gone and bank of America is still around, Have a happy/safe…….
We were in Camp Alpha at Tan Son Nhut AFB
that s/b Long Binh
We were in Camp Alpha at Tan Son Nhut AFB.
I arrived in Nam in Oct 66. Came in on separate orders so I arrived on a commercial flight at Tan Son Nhut. Was housed at Camp Alpha for a couple days and then transferred to Long Bihn. I think I spent a week or more there before I was rescued by my permanent duty outfit. I was with the 525th MI Group about 20 miles south of Long Bihn. When I got to Long Bihn it was a huge tent city. The only permanent buildings were the mess hall, some personnel buildings alongside the main road, and some crappers along the middle of all the tents. There was a water tower just about in the middle for the showers but unless you were among the first 100 guys in line you weren’t likely to get wet. I came back thru a year later to find that all the tents were replaced with more permanent structures. Looked like a whole different place. I thought about how lucky the new replacements were to be able to sleep in a screened building rather that a dirt-floored tent. Don’t know if the sanitary facilities had been improved. To say that it was an experience is an understatement.
Welcome Home Ray…
Didn’t mean to post some of the above twice. My first response didn’t show up right away so I thought it got lost.
Back atcha my friend!!! Welcome home!!!
HEY RAY, I WAS THERE IN TENT CITY ALSO IN SEPT.1966, SEND MEAN E-MAIL IF YOU CAN, DAN MILLER..US ARMY, 40TH.SIG.BAT.
I arrived in Nam via Tan Son Nhut Oct 8,1966. Spent a day or so at Camp Alpha. Then bussed to Long Bihn. What a treat that was. Camping Army style. Rows and Rows of troop tents. The only wooden buildings were the mess hall, the crappers, and some Quansit huts being used by personnel stationed there. Some other new treats to experience…..reconstituted milk!!!
When I returned a year later all the tents were gone. Replaced by wooden, screened buildings. No more dirt floored, open troop tents. Almost felt sorry for the new incoming FNGS who didn’t get to experience what I did coming into country. Maybe they did where they finally wound up. It was an experience to say the least. One i’d rather not repeat, but an experience just the same. I was stationed about 20 miles southwest of there in a hamlet named Cau Bihn Loi. I recall just a few weeks after I left LB when the VC blew up the ammo depot up there. Shook the hell out of us 20 miles away and the resulting fire ball looked like we’d just gone nuclear!!!!
I was new at the 90th when 3rd Ordnance blew, I arrived on 12/10/66. I later became permanet party there and yes, I remember the milk and ice cream, nice and cold but about the time it hit the back of the mouth tasted like chalk!!!
Imagine how ‘nuclear’ it appeared to us on alert at the 90th that night. In what appeared to be the light of noon, I caught a glimpse of the shock wave in the instant before it hit. My head still rings to this day. Of course, at 70, it would be ringing anyway.
Good evening all. I had posted a while back asking for any information from those who may have served with my father, Thomas B. Goodrich, Jr. during either tour of his service in Vietnam. More specifically, looking for photos. I only have one. He served with the 90th Replacement Battalion twice. First tour was January 1967 to December 1967. Second tour was September 1970 to September 1971. I know he served with the 178th Replacement Company his second tour. His first tour he was a 1st Lieutenant and second tour he was a Captain. My father retired in 1984 at the rank of Major. He passed away in 1998 due to cancer that was deemed service related from exposure to Agent Orange. Someone on here did reply that they had photos, but have never heard back from that person. I spent most of today looking through the treasure trove of his military paperwork he saved. However, no photographs. Also, he never spoke much about his time in Vietnam. Thank you all so very much for your service!
I was there at the 90th from December 68 until January 1970. I was the NCOIC at the gate, overseeing security at the gate, screening foreign nationals who came and went. Maybe images you find on this web page will help. SP5 Robert Galt
Welcome Home Robert…
I have some photos fro 67′ so email me at my new address and I will aee if any click with you. I wonder if he was the co of the 178th, camp alpha. I mAy have processed him in! I have note somewhere here about the co of Campa Alpha treating me, e3 or e4 at the time very well
I tried to email you but it got kicked back. Could you please contact me at Mike.Goodrich@gmail.com ? Thank you so very much.
I arrived at the 90th on Aug. 8, 1968. I was there for 2 days…..scared, thinking hordes of VC were going to attack any minute now that I was there. I got lucky and was assigned to the 29th Gen. Support Group, HQ Co., SP&O. We were across from Long Binh Jail. Left from Tan Son Nut a year later 8/7/69.
Welcome Home Nick…
I remember driving past jail. I only recall a barren area with a couple of tents and barb wire. That was in 67′
Sent from my iPhone
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I have been fighting a virus/allergies whatrever for over a month and my email has changed to drdiser@GMAIL.COM. I CANNOT REPLY VIA THIS PAGE AND MY GMAIL web based acct so my apology to anyone trying to reach me.
Several years ago I was contacted by a Ken Burns rep(does documentaries for PBS) that they are planning a documentary on the 90th. (Why i know not) I recently contacted them and they said it was moving forward and chose not to use my pictures or insight. I do not know what/who they may be using with more information than I have as I was in the very early days of Long Binh 12/11/66-12/1/67 and the also the transition from the war to army rules being reinstated. I admit that some of my chats with the others here show some gaps in my memory so I will be anxious to see what they have. The name of the film company is
FLORENTINE FILMS,
THE VIETNAM FILM PROJECT, INC.
59 MAPLE GROVE ROAD, P.O. BOX 613
WALPOLE, NH 03608
I was in the 90thReplCo. 12/31/1965-12/17/1966. Actually in the 18th repl co 90th repl bn at Camp A lpha from 12/65 and transferred to Long Binh, 90th repl 4/1966 when the camp was being initially built. We were the initial party that help build the camp in early 1966. You must have just gotten to Long Binh a few day before I left in 1966. It has been 50 years since arriving Vietnam for me. Some one made the comment that Camp Alpha at Ton Son Knut was much better assignment, I agree, It sure was. The little village outside Long Binh called Tam Heip was off limits, s o we had to go to Bein Hoa when we had some off time. Thank you for your service and welcome home.
Welcome Home Larry…
Hi Larry, my buddy and I were medics at the 24th Evac in Long Binh from July ’66 to July ’67. We are currently collecting entertaining or humorous stories about what life was like in Long Binh at that time. If we get enough good material, we will put it in a book. (If Tam Hiep was off limits, somebody forgot to tell us!) I have a few questions I’d like to ask you about Bien Hoa and the 90th Repo. Please email me at: stdonova@sprynet.com
Thanks…. Steve Donovan
What was your mos at 90th? I was finance clerk but may not may not have been cadre before you left. I arrived on 12/10 or 12/11 ,at long Bing. left on 12/1/67 @ around 3 am. We had a tent along ditch behind speaker stand on parade. Need pictures? My first tent as cadre held company clerk, personsell types and cooks. I think we were18th but not sure.
my name is jay caldwell, was from fla. got incountry nov 71, ended up at 90th as a securty guard with doug, flip and a few other son of guns. hot as hell, bad smell, dirty, and thank god did’t have to burn everyones shit. now living in kansas.
Welcome Home Jay…
some where in this thread a casual wrote they did all the dirty work for cadre, that was nice of them, One of my favorite , UGH, memories is the sweet smell of shit burning in the valley between our hootch and camp on sunday morning.
At Bin Hoa . does anyone remember seeing FTA on the backs of the guys flak vest guarding the perimeter. Thought that was so cool. thought they had nerve enough to tell UNCLE SAM what we thought of the army. turns out it meant (first team academy )
Great information! Welcome Home…
At Long Binh my buddy carved FTA into the wood in the latrine and he never heard of First Team Academy. He didn’t really hate the Army, just thought it was funny. Speaking of funny, there’s a humorous book about Long Binh coming out soon called “Long Daze at Long Binh” and you can read several of the chapters now at: http://www.longbinhdaze.com
I was innocent, hahahaha, always believed the ARMY RECRUITING poster behind my bosses desk at 90th that fta was fun, travel, adventure,
Arrived in Ben Hoa at midnight December 31, 1969. As we approached to land I noticed that the perimeter there were outgoing fire all over the place. There was a steady stream of pink rounds going out. I knew that a tracer was every 5th round. I thought, that if they had to provide cover for our jet to land it was a very dangerous place. Once we landed we became aware the outgoing rounds was to celebrate New Years and we had landed at midnight. But still remember the smell once we got of the jet with the humidity and the smell of jet fuel. After landing we were herded onto busses with wire mesh windows and taken to Long Bihn and 90th Replacement. It was total darkness and I remember we didn’t have anything to defend ourselves. While at the 90th I was given a detail to accompany a finance clerk to go from pay station to pay station. I think I got the detail since I was 11Bravo, Infantry and knew how to handle a weapon. I was given an M-16 to protect the money. I would sit outside one pay station in a chair to protect the guy inside giving out the pay. But on traveling from pay station to another the finance clerk told me, “if we have incoming mortars and you run, I will shoot you”. I thought that was kind of weird comment. He appeared to little high stung and very nervous. Was assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade the next day.
Welcome Home Umberto…
I arrived in Vietnam in 1969 and stayed 14 1/2 months. I was assigned to HHC 90th Repl. Bn, Long Binh. I worked in data processing as a keypunch operator. I got lucky to get that assignment as we were all from Texas except one from New York. I don’t know how he got assigned there but he did. he He was the computer operator. Maybe there wasn’t anyone from Texas smart enough to run a computer. You have to understand that a computer in 1969 was the size of a quansant hooch. The two that I remember from there were a guy named Livesay and Cliff Womack from Waxahatchie Tx. Cliff was my hooch mate. We found some red paint some where and painted the inside of our hooch, walls, ceiling and floor blood red. It was tough to live in and we evenually had to give in and repaint itl If you were with HHC data processing around this time I would love to talk to you. wyoung6869@aol.com.
Welcome Home Wayne…
I was a finance clerk at 90th in Long Binh from 12/10/66-12/1/67. I have numerous blogs here. From what others have written, =most casuals passing through it sounds like a different place then during my stint. such as officer swimming pool. If you read my stuff, we were lucky to have shower water, no way pools and diffinitley not paved roads.
my last hooch was next to barb wire along route 1a? by Front Gate,
You good see people on road and vice versa while you peed| luckily never shoot at.
forgot my pmos, 173c20?? Have TO LOOK IT UP LATER.
my email had changed from pre 2016 postings.
god. almost 50 years ago, I arrived in RVN, WOW, hard to believe.
I got there December 1968 and left February 1969. Funny thing, I took very few photos and I can only remember the name of one guy I served with while there. I wound up as the NCOIC at the front gate with a team of nationals who screened the 600 or so nationals who came and went. That time is just a foggy memory.
Bob, name rings a bell,was at 90th as a finance clerk, 73C20. I arrived 08/16/67, DEROS on 08/03/68. Stationed with Schnug, Kanable, Breymeyer, Thurmond, Holland, Lewis, Lamoreaux, Cotter!!
Was at 90th from 12/22/66 to 4/15/68. Was, pulled out to stay at 90th and be on the carpenter crew putting up buildings to replace the tents. I have pictures of the snake you talk about. We were 3 or 4 or 5 hootches down from front gate along wire by the hwy.
Welcome Home H Edward…
Wow, somebody from my era. Yes, my hootch in a Same line. Could see people on road and vice versa as we “p… d” I remember one carpenter, not by name, of which it was said he never drank at home, but made up for it in rvn. Youprobaly got picked for 90th the same way I did, dh wheeler, cwo, personnel officer had assignment team go thru files for those with civilian expereriemce in construction as opposed to military training. I had a college (typing not a course) degree in accounting. As for pictures, email me and I will try to get you some. Oh did you get pictures of the copter crash on parade field.
Sent from my iPhone
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Don’t remember the exact date but at 90th replacement June 68 to June 69. After a couple of times at the big group assembly waiting to have my name called it was and a sergeant took me to the commo van and asked me if I would like to work there. Yep, absolutely. Forget his name but he was responsible for the van and heading back stateside in a few days. He was also from Texas. Air conditioned and located close to the Quonset hutch where the computers were located. It was air conditioned also but seem like quite a bit cooler. Went there a few times and still remember the thousands and thousands of key punch cards where some would occasionally jam and bring things to a halt but didn’t last long. Also remember having to adjust the speed of the motors (calibrating?) on the teletype machine with a tuning fork pulling or pushing the center shaft of the motor until the white dots on a disk didn’t move. After a few months worked for Captain Officer (actual name) maintaining communications and electrical parts of the buildings on the compound. Seems like the other upper level officers were colonel Voetch and major White. Also remember the first time the showers had heated water, when any of my buddies came through would get them a warm shower before they returned stateside. People waiting to be processed were assigned duties, one of the worst was getting rid of the solid human waste from the latrines. There was a long length of boards with holes cut for sitting. Under each hole was about one foot height of 55 gallon drum end to collect the poop. Persons on sh#t duty would pull the container out, slide it several feet away then mix paper/rags/whatever with diesel and burn it until nothing was left. Saw lots of guys lose their cookies performing that duty. Lots of other memories but this post is too long, I was lucky about my time there, still remember those who weren’t. Hope they Rest In Peace.
I was with the 19th DPU, the first Data Processing Unit for the 90th.Came over by ship, out of Oakland. We started out, 4/67 in trucks and progressed to a regular building near USARV Headquarters.
Welcome Home Michael…
Hi Edward,
You might be interested in a humorous book coming
out about Long Binh in ’66-67. You can read about it here:
http://www.longbinhdaze.com
Steve Donovan
I am email challenged as I hate gmail and lost my link with Outlook 2016. so if I don’t respond I will try to get back to you. Anyway, I reviewed the book and will attempt to get it. I am not sure what the connection is to the 90th but it sounds familiar. I did get contacted by Ken Burns (PBS) staff about doing a documentary on the 90th, they had seen some of my pictures and offered me $75 / pic but apparently don’t need my pictures or my rambling about how the 90th was in the very early days. I think the film company is “Florentine FILMS. ” And Finally for now, where you there when the 3rd Ord went BOOm? at that time we had a tent on the edge of the Parade Field . it went boom boom boom for about 24 hours, I think we bombed it to finish it off!
Hi Dave, yes we were there when the ammo dump blew up in Oct. ’66 due to sabotage by VC sappers. (Probably before you arrived.) We were medics at the 24th Evac Hospital, down the road a piece from the 90th Repo. We were watching the evening “outdoor movie” when the screen lit up as if the sun had suddenly come up on the northern horizon. It took maybe 5 or 10 seconds for the sound to arrive— BOOOOOOMMMMM!!! Largest explosion I’ve ever heard in my life. We had unarmed artillery shells landing in our compound, roughly 3/4 of a mile south of 3rd Ord. EOD had to come and disarm them the next day. The event is described in the book.
The 18-hour Ken Burns documentary titled “Vietnam” is scheduled to air on PBS in November 2017 in ten episodes. It would be a great place to advertise the book, except PBS doesn’t accept commercials!
The paperback book is not available yet but if you go to the website you can put your name on the notification list and they will alert you as soon as the book is out. The website is http://www.longbinhdaze.com
I don’t know if this will work but early in this blog, there is a picture of the 90th from the road for which I am credited, not sure but if you see it, my hootch , I think is just off the picture on the right. nope only the link appears.
https://usastruck.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/rvn-097-copy.jpg?w=1000&h=652
As I have previously mentioned, I was in the little commo unit at the 90th from July ’67 to June ’68. Some of the names I see here dimly ring a bell, most don’t. My hooch was up front, near the wire and the road about three down from the o club. Sligh, Southard, Hawksford, Frenchy, a North Carolina guy that went by “gums” and a couple of carpenters named, believe it or not, Black and Decker are the few hooch mates I recall by name. I can see the faces of others, though. Fifty years! Unbelievable.
If you were from Texas and could do a one leg squat I was the guy who took your place. Thanks again, there were lots worse places to spend the year. My hooch was about the second one past the officers club, about 20 feet from the concertina wire on the perimeter. Interesting memory, one night on guard duty flares on the wire went off, there were a couple of new incoming on duty with me. I had them stay in the sandbag guard area in case more people tried to get through while I chased the guy down. Still happy I didn’t shoot him, he was a GI who had escaped from LBJ and was trying to figure out a way to get back home. Another possibly interesting memory was when going into the sandbag guard post is you had a field phone that had to be hooked up. In the corner of the post were two pairs of wires (wd9?), one connected to the main switchboard and the other was connected to claymore mines in the concertina. In that year never heard an explosion caused by someone’s goof.
Welcome Home Elvis…
our hootches must have been next to each other or even the same hutch. we were next to the highway, club at the end of the road, we we weweed, you could see the activiyt on the road and they could see you, We had a drainage ditch between us and the weweer,,hahaha .do you remember the snake? somebody had it in his baggage.
If Southard was an electrician I remember him also.
Just got back on to see if there was any more since I posted mine a few weeks ago. Some more of the carpenter names, Woods, Kaelke, Broadstreet, Fox, Wilson, Smith, Wedow, Slim (nickname), McMillan, Wyble, Raeyle, Baker, Oleavas, Franko, Sgt. Sherrill, Sgt Sapp . There are more but I can’t recall all their names right now. I think Frenchy’s name was Joe Gamanche or something like that.
Got to the 90th Aug 7 68….guarded the dump my 1st night there. Scared, I imagined getting killed protecting the garbage..LOL. Got assigned to HHC SP&O 29th General Support Group at Long Binh….across from LBJ. Went home Aug 69.
If you don’t mind sharing, what were some of your duties? What was a typical day like? Where did you R&R.
Thanks for your service and welcome home!
Hello Nick,
If you were across from the LBJ then you must have been just about right next to the 24th Evac Hospital where I was a medic. There’s a humorous book coming out about Long Binh in ’66-68 and it contains a funny story about guarding the garbage dump. The book is “Long Daze at Long Binh” and you can read a few sample chapters here: http://www.longbinhdaze.com
Arrived at 90th in March 1970. Stayed approx 3 days. Sent to 79th Engineer Gp down the road. Later to 79th Engineer Co at Camp Frenzell Jones on Long Binh near Ho Nai.
Welcome Home Phil…
Thank you so much!!!
My unit (19th Data Processing Unit) was assigned to the 90th in March of 67. We arrived by a troop carrier ship, The Nelson M. Walker. I think it was 22 days at sea. We ported in Vung Tao and were transported to Long Binh via deuce and a half trucks. We were crammed in our only barracks building until the 2nd one was built.
We operated out of semi trailers, air conditioned, only because of the computer equipment we were using. We would received Morning Reports from most of the companies in Nam. We processed everything that happened to you, once you hit the ground, until you left for home.
When you got assigned to your first unit, promotions, demotions, injuries, deaths, and awards. Some say we had it made, ,but we worked some long days and nights and we still had to pull perimeter guard duty. I remember one of our guys went mental, while on guard duty. Started firing out into the jungle. Base went on lock down, perimeter was reinforced and the MPs took him away. Never saw him again after that, but did process his hospitalization transfer to the states.
I was there from 3/67 to 12/67, then I was transferred north to Qui Nhon and the 527th Personnel Company, doing the same job. The end of February, 68, I got orders to go to Ft. Dix, NJ then to transfer over to Germany for the duration of my time in service. That meant going over there for the last 17 months of my 3 year commitment. I didn’t want to do that, so I opted for a program they had where I got to go home for a 30 day non-chargable leave, the come back to Nam with my choice of duty (19th DPU) and a promotion to Sergeant. I was a night shift supervisor. Our company had been moved to a concrete building that was in the General Westmorland compound.
I think I can speak for all of us in saying we grew up really fast and most of us will remember our service time for the rest of our lives.
Welcome Home to my Brothers and Sisters.
Welcome Home Michael…
Thank you, Brother
I arrived at the 90th replacement in Oct 67. Stayed there 3 days where I just missed the burning detail. I was later sent to the 10th Finance at Tan Sun Nhut. where I was made the company driver. Got to go to Cu Chi, Bear Cat, Long Bin, and other surrounding cities. I remember the rice paddies along highway 1 like yesterday. My name is John Davis and I would really love to hear from someone from those days of my life. It’s been over 50 years and I haven’t seen anything about the 10th since I left. I only worked in there maybe a couple of days and that was to pull records of KIAs, that was a downer. Well welcome home to my brothers and sisters that came back. I hate some of the stuff that came with me though.
I arrived at the 90th REPO DEPOT, August 16th, 1967, spent a couple days there, shipped to Binh Hoa Army Base, to the finance unit, had noted for me, shipped back to the 90th, spent my TOD there
Hi John, you might be interested in a new book that just came out about life in Long Binh in ’67. It’s a humorous memoir written by two draftee medics from
Wisconsin. The website is http://www.longbinhdaze.com and there’s a book review by the Vietnam Veterans of America at:
I arrived @ the 90th RB on Nov.22nd 1968,spent 9 days there before being assigned on Dec 1st to the 61st H.E.M. Company,79th Maintenance Bn,1st LOG,Long Binh and came back to “THE WORLD” on Nov. 21st 1969.
I had good days and bad and thought I’d never get to be a short timer but finally did and was so glad to get back on that “FREEDOM BIRD” on the way home for leave before reporting in at FT. Hood,Tx. for my last 5 months.
Our Company area was located about 1/4 mile north of where Bob Hope performed at the outdoor theater.To the best of my memory,T.E.T. started on Feb. 17th 1969 while I was there.
After reading and checking names on these comments,I don’t see any that I’m familiar with.I’m still looking for Larry Troxtell,McBeth,Smitty,PFC Frost,and others that were in my company.I’ll probably never see them again but I did hook up with one of my buddies,Elmer Brown from Vancouver,Washington.
It’s so great to at least find one of my buddies(Brother).I’m now a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1082 in Fitzgerald,Ga. and we meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month.I believe the happiest day of my life was when I left “VACATION LAND” and was on that “FREEDOM BIRD” at Binh Hoa coming home.
I remember the Stewardess giving us steaks on the way home.What a treat that was after a year of S.O.S. in the Mess Hall.But it was short lived when we got off the plane at Travis in Oakland and not one person there to greet us and welcome us back home.No small flags no where.
Their welcome home is about 48 years too late as far as I’m concerned.We should have never been in that conflict fighting some one else’s Civil War.I was so glad and honored to visit the V.V. Memorial Wall in Washington not once but twice.
I highly recommend to all Vietnam Veterans to consider joining the Vietnam Veterans of America near your area.They are all over the Country and they are a great organization to help Vietnam Veterans.I’m so glad I joined in Dec. 2015.
I have about 70 brothers in my Chapter and we enjoy so much each other’s company each month.And to me,that’s the best medicine to cope with PTSD.But I say the Dept of the VA still “SUCKS” BIGTIME and always will because they could care less for Vietnam Vets.This is how much the Gov’t honors our sacrifice.
To the tune of a measly $255.00 from SS to put us in the ground.That’s how much we’re thought of folks.Then we have those that hate our flag but love our welfare.But I do try to keep a positive altitude.
I’ve been a Southern Gospel DJ for many years going back to Dec. 1973 and worked for Civil Service for 28+ years and retard,lol, in Jan. 2009.And I still enjoy so much DJ’ing each Sunday for 6 hours.
Welcome Home Al…
Thanks Brother,just very thankful to be back as over 58K brothers gave all they had.And I honor their memory every day.They are why I fly that flag in my front yard.And 2 more for good measure.And am fixing to add a 3rd one on another pole on the other side of my front yard.
And the biggest flag I can put on the 25′ pole.I’ve been buying up flags on the bay for over a month and am up to 16 flags with different sizes.Plus some Vietnam Veterans flags.We have a beautiful American flag flying in Rochelle,Ga. 10 miles west of me that is very huge,about 15×25 or larger.I had to get some pix of it a few days ago.It really makes you feel so good seeing it wave in the breeze.
I started buying the flags when I saw the sorry no good trashy Iranians burning our flag on Fox news recently.I love my flag and I love my Country and our new President.Tuesday night,I will be giving several Vietnam flags to our VVA Chapter in Fitzgerald.The sewing seeds of kindness will be presenting 10 of us with quilts of valor Tuesday night and I’m so grateful to be getting mine.
It took about a year for the ladies to sew it.Also,Ga. Gov. Nathan Deal via Mike Robey,Director of the Ga. dept. of Veterans service presented 2 of us with Certificates of Honor last Dec. in Waycross.And I was so humble to receive it.Gov. Deal is a Vietnam Veteran also.
Nurses coming into country were also housed at the 90th Replacement. Each nurse (in 1968) had an interview with the chief nurse before being assigned incountry. The second night I was there, I was awakened in the middle of the night, loaded into a helicopter and transported to the 71st Evac in Pleiku….about 10 days before Tet.
Welcome Home Patricia…
Hello Patricia, you might be interested in a new book about the 24th Evac (Long Binh) in ’67-68. It’s a humorous memoir titled “Long Daze at Long Binh.” Here’s a link:
Coming home after Vietnam wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.Because just after I got back,here come The Carpenters releasing “Close to you” and all those other beautiful hits that followed which eased a whole lot of pain I felt inside.Karen had one of the most beautiful female voices ever heard besides Connie Francis.That woman could flat sing your heart out of you.What a beautiful voice.She’s still missed by millions and millions today.I’ve played so many of her songs on the radio and was so glad every time.One of my favorites is “Top of the World”.How many remember our anthem song in Vietnam? “We gotta get out of this place” by The Animals.We gotta get out of this place, if it’s the last thing we ever do,we gotta get out of this place girl there’s a better life for me and you.Music can be good medicine for PTSD.
Hello Al, you might be interested in a book that came out last year about “the music of Vietnam.” The book title is “We gotta get out of this place” and you can find it here:
(A word of caution: there are at least one or two other books with the identical title, so make sure you’ve got the right one.)
Don’t remember the snake but do remember in the transient area when I first got there multiple locations where 55 gallon drums had been buried, open end up, and were used for urinals. An aroma that can’t be forgotten. Also remember some guy sticking m80s in between the slats of mamasan restroom, sneaking up and lighting them when it was occupied. Lots of noisy activity afterwards.
Hi Steve,thanks for your reply.I surely enjoyed AFVN Radio in Saigon.They had good announcers and played decent oldies.I remember my locker being filled up with R2R tapes for my Teac A4010S tape deck,my receiver and decent speakers.I think I ordered 4 R2R factory tapes from an add I saw in Stars and Stripes and darned if they didn’t arrive.A couple were the best of The 4 Seasons and The Doors and two other good ones.I played them all the time.
I never went on R&R because I spent most of my $ on music and equipment.R&R didn’t last but a week,stereo equipment and music last for years.When TET started on Monday night Feb. 13th 1969,I couldn’t go anywhere to fight and kill Charlie,or be killed.
I was on crutches from being ran over by one of my buddies driving a deuce and a half tractor.It happened 4 days before TET started.I was on crutches for over 7 months and was finally off of them by late September 1969.
Then I drove in a convoy all night to Saigon and back delivering supplies for about a month and a half before getting ready to split the scene for good and get on that “FREEDOM BIRD”.And leave “VACATIONLAND”.My one Brother Elmer Brown and I stay in touch and so good to talk to him on the phone.I’m so glad I never had to pull KP again after leaving A.I.T. at Ft. Leonardwood before coming to ‘Nam.Man I sure hated KP,especially in Basic @ Ft. Benning,Ga.
And I also hated Ft Hood,Tx after coming back for my last 5 months.I hated the Army for shoving their discipline down my throat day after day.And I still despise them today.I just don’t see how my Brother could take Army life for 20 years,so many darned “LIFERS”.But it’s all water under the bridge now so need to let bi-gones be bi-gones.Life goes on.But We’ll never forget those on the wall,the P.O.W’s and MIA’S.
I’m still enjoying the oldies but goodies even today after so many years.Up to close to 30K 45’s,about 10K albums and over a thousand CD’s of great music.And a whole bunch of stereo equipment including the awesome Pioneer SX-1980 receiver and several pairs of awesome speakers,real radio station record players,and the Techjnics SL1200MK2 turntables,3 each,all courtesy of Ebay since 2005..And I don’t mean to brag.Just proud to have what I have.Plus several Teac tape decks.I could rattle the neighborhood if I wanted.But best not to.I wouldn’t want the cops @ my door.
I just picked up a book called “We gotta get out of this place” by Doug Bradley and Craig Warner. It is about the role of Music during the Vietnam War. You might enjoy it as well!
Welcome Home.
There’s also a new book which is a humorous memoir about life in Long Binh… you might enjoy it! Website is http://www.longbinhdaze.com and you can also find some reviews at http://jmp.sh/YOqbKdE
I arrived in-country in the First week of January 1970 at the 90th Replacement Battalion at Long Bien. Was sent to Phu Bia, then to DaNang then to NaTrang and then back to Long Bien at the 90th. This was in March 1970, I went back t the World in December 1970……I worked a C.I.F. at the 90th at Long Bien. A Previous, poster, has said I was not there during this time, or not at all. DAMIT I was. Our NCOIC was Dieteter Schuster (Probably Misspelled)……I
lived on the first floor. Bruce Cohen & I took two rooms and cut a door between them and a made a bunk room and a party room. All was painted BLACK except on wall that I painted copies of posters on. As a Goof. I painted on the door from the Barracks, “IT’S A GOOD RE-UP ARMY” and occasionally a Lifer would come by……I did my Job……I didn’t want to be there……..But…….I Served Proudly…….
Al, I bought a Sony 260 tape recorder (built in speakers) in mid 67 at the Long Binh PX. When I got it home in December it was partially frozen. Thawed it out and it still works in 2017! Thats 50 years. Song I remember best: Somebody to Love Jefferson Airplane.
Hi Doug,yep,I remember that song very well,got it on a 45.But the one I really like is Starship’s “Nothings gonna stop us now” from the “Mannequin” movie.Also “The girl with the hungry eyes” by Starship.I have a brother named Doug who is the last weightlifter to defeat a Russian weightlifter.He won the super heavyweight class in the World Weightlifting Championships in Warsaw,Poland in 1969.
The Russian lifter was Leonid Zhabotinsky who won the Gold medal in the ’68 Olympics in Mexico City.But Doug tore him a good one that night in Sept. ’69.I partied that night in my company area @ Long Binh.Doug met President Nixon in the White House and was on the Johnny Carson show for his accomplishments.Our Country has always been very proud of what Doug accomplished.
The odds was really stacked against him.But he was so determined to stomp that Russian,nothing was gonna stop him.That’s what’s so great about what he did.And the whole Country was pulling for him.Even today,he’s still the last lifter to beat a Russian.You can google “Joe Dube Weightlifting” and it’ll tell you all about him.
Me Again…… Like I said our rooms we painted Black except for one all in the “Party” room that I had spent hours copying posters on. We had an inspection, before a major inspection. I was told I had to paint over my art work. I had spent months painting these copy of posters. And they wanted me to take Black paint and cover them. Welp, I don’t go down that easy. I got two 4 x 6 sheet of plywood and nailed it over my Artwork. And Painted them Black. So the Company came through and said every thing was cool.The morning of the inspection, I removed the two plywood Black panels
Our local Officers & NCO’s were embarrassed , yet the Higher Ups were not that upset…. I slid by again……. .
Hi again Doug,yep the Sony 260 is a darned good R2R deck.You just can’t beat the sound of a good R2R hooked to a good receiver like Kenwood,Pioneer,Marrantz,or Yamaha and others from Japan.
I have several Teac’s,the A4010GSL,A6600, X10R,the A1250S.The A6600 is a monster deck @ 70 lbs.The X10R is the one that will record in forward and reverse.A very nice and convenient feature.There were so many songs we enjoyed hearing while in ‘Nam,especially CCR and Proud Mary,Fortunate Son,Have you ever seen the rain,Bad moon rising,Green river,Hey tonight,Who’ll stop the rain,Down on the corner,Lookin’ out my back door,Up around the bend,I heard it through the grapevine,Run through the jungle,Born on the bayou,and more.
Also Sly and The Family Stone,Everyday People,Clarence Carter with “Slip away”,The Animals,House of the rising son and of course The 4 Seasons,The Beatles,and so many more.All of us GI’s enjoyed our music over there.
Nothing like it.And we enjoyed our clubs.How can we forget The Doors and “Hello I love you”,”Riders on the storm”,Buffalo Springfield and “For what it’s worth”,Cream,”The White Room” and many more.War is Hell,but music helps with the wounds of war.Music is one thing all of us Vietnam brothers shared together.The music helped us through it.
Wow you know your tunes. I was there in 67 so the songs you named I heard once back in the states. Fortunate Son wasnt till 69 where I lived.For my tour it was Im A Believer, Mr. Spaceman,Respect,Lets Spend the night Together,Ode to Billy Joe, Happy Jack, The Letter, Hello Goodbye. Remember Staff Sgt Barry Sadlers Ballad of the Green Berets in 1965?. When I was in Nam he had a song out called”BaMeBa” after that shitty Vietnamese beer.My speakers were Sansui, another name from the past. Had an Akai tape deck too. The Four seasons were one of a kind. No matter how dated, I can remember everything they did. Met Frankie once.
That must have been awesome to meet Frankie.I wish I could say that.But I’ve played their songs many times on the radio.Along with a lot of the oldies of the past.I have about a 100 to 200 CD set of oldies along with a bunch of Country Classics.Plus 1,000’s more on a 320 GB hard drive.
I never have messed with MP3 or any other type of media except CD’s and vinyl.Guess I’m still old school.I used to have Sansui’s.I came back home from ‘Nam with a pair.And an old Kenwood receiver.
But now I’m into JBL,Pioneer,Sony,Bose,Kenwood,and Fisher speakers.I’ve amassed about 20 Bose Acoustic wave sound systems(table top stereo’s) I got at great deals.Like the CD3000,2000,AW-1,CS2010,AWRC1-P/G,AWRCC1/2, the new system 4.Just about every model they made.And most sound very good.I always wanted a great and real Radio station turntable.And I wound up with 6 of them.I need to sell half of them.They sound so good.Those are idle drive turntables.
I do have plenty when it comes to stereo equipment.There is much more than what I mentioned.If I ever get to my vinyl in my portable building in the back yard,I’ll have a ton of recording to do to get vinyl to CD’s.And will take me about 2 years to record it all.Got the Green Berets on a black label RCA 45 single.
“Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men we’ll test today
But only three win the Green Beret
Trained to live, off nature’s land
Trained in combat, hand to hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage deep, from the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men we’ll test today
But only three win the Green Beret
Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her this last request
Put silver wings on my son’s chest
Make him one of America’s best
He’ll be a man they’ll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret”
May Sgt. Sadler R.I.P.A great singer and a great song.
At 90th Commo we had our own version of Sadler’s song :
Fighting soldiers on the ground
Overweight by many a pound
These are men who take no crap
The brave men of the Baseball Cap
We didn’t take ourselves very seriously, though the situation often was.
Hi Danny,
There’s a funny story in our book about singing blasphemous lyrics to the “Ballad” song while drinking 3.2 beer in the PX at Fort Sam Houston (Medic School.) The four of us didn’t realize that the four dudes at the next table were “junior” Green Berets who’d been sent to Fort Sam to be trained as Special
Forces medics. They were not amused. The chapter is titled “Ballad of the Green Brawlers” and the book can be found here: http://www.longbinhdaze.com
Yeah, I imagine the Berets would take offense. Can’t blame ’em. BTW, excerpts from the book look pretty interesting.
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I processed through 90th Replacement Bn as an 11B10 starting Christmas Eve 1969. I spent 6 days on bunker guard with another newbe and a permanent guard. Shifts were 6 hrs on 6 off. I know the bunker was facing away from a section of the Ammo Dump, facing an open field, because it was hit by viet cong sappers my 3rd or 4th night on bunker guard. Does anyone have a map or pictures showing these sandbaged and covered guard bunker placements? Would be great to finally figure after 47 yrs what part of that ammo dump I was guarding without knowing it was there until all bell broke loose when 7 sappers blew up several ammo storage bunkers, including CS gas stored that drifted over my guard location (Dec 26-29, 1969?). On my 7th day, I was transferred to Cam Rahn Bay and spent the rest of my tour there as a personnel clerk, 74 D machine operator.
Welcome Home Larry…
Thank you! I’m asking about location pictures because there was a tall wooden fence running all along the perimeter which hid the Ammo Dump from that and other guard positions. Someone who spent their tour at or near the 90th Bn had to take a picture or two, hopefully. As I was new in country and 5 months in Army, I came without a camera. Didn’t care at the time to send home to my wife and 5 day old daughter pictures of the mess I figured I was about to experience. Having a child is why my orders changed from 11B10 to 74D20. So, hoping someone sees this and can attach a picture. The front gate guard house for the 90th is the same construction and a well photographed one. My guard position was an interior positioned one, or so I was told and remember after 50 yrs.. I will just add also that I heard the loudest cheers as muffled sounds from the Bob Hope Holiday USO Show while I was on duty in that guard bunker in late Dec 1969.
Thanks! I think I was a decade too late to post my request for a picture from those who spent more time around Long Bing Post with their cameras documenting events. Ken Burns recently took advantage of some of Our War’s photographers
Since my initial request, I think I am satisfied that I have a general enough idea where these guard bunkers were positioned… to stop my inquiry. I will say that I should have known that something I was doing was risky enough, as there were 3 guards in the one bunker. It was protecting that ammo dump.
For me,the experience was 6 days of “in county” formalization training for what was more likely to be worse challenges for any PFC 11B Rifleman with five months of training. I know some of my AIT friend never got that chance before going straight to an infantry company in the “boonies”. I lost one of my AIT Ft Ord training friends KIA in Cambodia. I’m sure there were many others, but he was from my wife’s home town and she saw his death announcement in the paper that said where he was killed.
Thanks for your web page efforts for welcoming all of us who went were the government sent us, even for those, like me, who were drafted….even after 47+ years in our past.
And pray for those in the service of our country now, like my son-in-law. He’s a Special Operations 82nd Airborne 1st. Sergeant whose been deployed 8 times to hostile places. Right now he is state side training professional volunteer soldiers. So, my wife and I now again are one of the 1% who have a family member in a military service. It’s now our children , their spouses and their children who well or are now in harm’s way. The drums of war are again sounding and I ask all who read this Web Page, because your experienced war close enough to know nothing is gain that informed Diplomacy can always trump. And my pun was intended!
Thanks, and God bless the USA!
I have pictures from 67′ . Ken burns company and gave me a contract for use of my pictures at $74 each used. But apparently did I’d not use any and I did not see any. But they are not revelant to his emphasis on combat. Your story re 3rd IRS is similar to what we experienced between 11/66 and 12/67. As for guard duty, cadre such me only pulled guard duty very rarely and then we did 6 hours and casuals, you did 2 on and 4 off but even then all three often were asleep when visited by duty officer. Not good thing.
Sent from my iPhone
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David Diser, I appreciate your response re pictures. I think your time of 66/67 is too early for what I was asking about- pictures of guard bunkers lining the perimeter of the Long Bing 3rd ORD Ammo Dump, circa 1970. But, your guard duty reference of 6 hours duty cycle matched my experience. Only person likely to sleep in my bunker tour of 3 guards was the permanent duty Spec 4. Apparently the 3rd ORD wes sapper attacked often enough it wasn’t unique when I was there in late Dec ’69 to be historically significant. I now know it was apparently completely destroyed in Feb 68 TET. And Long Binh was attacked in Feb 69, the “baby’ TET. I never remembered ever being called a “Casual” my 7 days at the 90th. Kind of ironic when I was hardly “casual” on guard 12 hrs every day for 6 of the 7 days of my short 90th visit. Too many of my fellow 11Bs MOSers left the 90th to get blown up in some rice paddy or jungle trail. I think the proper name for your future posts should be “unassigned” Veteran Hero and not a Casual after 50 years.
Larry Hulsbrink (Army Draftee, Spec 5-74D20/11B11, Retired Prof Engr)
PS- Sorry to read of your illness in a recent message. Hope you are on the mend.
Welcome Home Lawrence…
re pictures, working 6 days for 12 hours and 4 on sunday , plus errands for the boss, i did not have time to roam around the compound and look at guard towers nor did i want to. It was too hot and humid for that and the club was
air conditioned and had cold drinks.
Sorry but the term “casual’ does not in any way detract from their status as a hero.We had two classifications, Casual for those passing through the 90th in and out and “cadre for those permanently assigned.technically, they were assigned to the 90th for reassignment or for transportation some where.
Each had its own morning reports, separate quarters a showers, mess halls.
i respect your opinion but l am not a history revisionist.
I my self was a casual for about a week.
Good luck
correction, we shared showers and mess hall. but had separate morning reports and quarters.
I still remember the day we got hot showers. Not like being stateside but still wonderful.
David, I would be remiss if I at least didn’t seek help from the Army resource and give you, after my 47 and your 50 years of not thinking about this, the official DoD definition of an individual awaiting orders, transport, etc, at a post or station to which he or she is not attached or assigned….that person is a “Transient”. Now, maybe as a finance person, you were authorized to pay out by authorized request “Casual Pay” and I suppose that’s why you called us Casuals, those of us who were Transients moving through the 90th at Long Binh. Department of the Army says we were unassigned Transients. And because I wasn’t sitting around with nothing to do the 7 days I was there and likely most E-2s or E3s with 11B MOSs were put on guard duty as I was, I took exception to the term Casual.
Larry Hulsbrink
The full description of “transient “- Definition (US DoD)1. Personnel, ships, or craft stopping temporarily at a post, station, or port to which they are not assigned or attached, and having destination elsewhere. 2. An independent merchant ship calling at a port and sailing within 12 hours, and for which routing instructions to a further port have been promulgated. 3. An individual awaiting orders, transport, etc., at a post or station to which he or she is not attached or assigned.
I was casual /transient for 2 weeks first in Pleku then at Long Binh and was finally assigned to a unit in the 9th division that wasn’t even in country. All worked out for the best I was reaasigned at the 9th to stay with Admin Company.
My father was in Vietnam twice. I have been going through his belongings and found a mess token ” 90th Repl be open mess” . I’m sure he was there at some point. I will try and look up the years he was there but i was young and don’t remember the exact years. Just this token brought back a flood of memories about him and his years in service. I just want to thank all of you for your service!
Thank you for going through your fathers belongings. I’m sure if you find a copy of his DD-214, it will show when he was in Vietnam.
Another thing you can do is contact the National Archives at St, Louis. You can fill out a form to get copies of your fathers military records and you can get medals and ribbons he may have been awarded. Here is the website
https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel
It takes a few months, but they are thorough.
Good luck and Bless You.
Hi Cindy, you might enjoy the new book “Long Daze at Long Binh” which is a humorous memoir about life in Long Binh during the late 60’s. It’s quite funny but also very informative. You can read a sample chapter at
http://jmp.sh/JSlnIg0 and read all about the book at http://www.longbinhdaze.com
Hey Elvis (Wright) – Looking over some recent entries here, I came upon some of yours. Yep, I was (am) from Texas and vaguely recall some one leg squats (I assume Jim Beam was involved), and yes, Southard was an electrician. (We called him ‘mother’). We had several electricians and carpenters in our hootch up by the front wire. About those urinals – just another creative use of diesel fuel. After 50 years, the smell of diesel still takes me back.
You don’t mean urninals do you. In my period 66-67′ fuel/kerosene etc was used to burn the human waste/ We just stood behind corrugated sheet metal and pied in a whole in the ground. During this process, you were exposed from below the knee and above the shoulders. The one for our hootch was between highway !A and the 90th compound. I could watch the people on the road and they could watch me. Accessing it in the dark, avoiding trenchs etc. . especially in wet earther was always a real joy, UGH
on ya, the smell on sunday morning of burning waste rising from the valley between our hootch and headquarters area was always looked FORWARD TOO!
Hi, thanks for all your effort. I have lots of pictures to tie into my comments. Best way to add them or get them to you? Dave Diser
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Actually, I only recall one of those facilities that could have passed as a ‘urinal’. It was added sometime after Tet I believe, probably early ’68. It was about 50 yds from the Commo trailer and consisted of a buried drum filled with rocks and diesel. Even had a screen over it. Quite a technological advance but I don’t recall seeing others like it in the compound. Caught between it and Commo in midday, I saw three rocket rounds ‘walked’ in. The first two hit outside the wire, but the third dead-centered one of the two-stories up on the hill. It burned down like a tinderbox. It was occupied by only one GI and I understand he had cleared country and was headed home.
They added some after you left. Quite an aroma when evaporating on a 120 degree day. We got hot water in the showers just before I left.
I have pictures circa 1967 but have not found away to insert them and i don’t use the social media shown below. I can add them to an email and will try that later
HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY. … Vietnam War Vets!
I was at the 90th for about two weeks in early 1970. Was sent to Phu Bia, then DaNang, then NaTrang and then back to Long Bien with the 90th at C.I.F. (Central Issue Facility). I was there from late February to December 1970. Would like to give a “Shout Out” to all my co-workers on Veterans Day. We were a Crazy Bunch, yet, did our jobs, Processing in-coming and those going Back To The World. I don’t hear a lot from those that were there while I was there. To any that Served with me, What happened to BIG DOG ? I looked into bringing him home with me, but with the hassle, he would have died before I could have got it done. S/4 Harris, Ground Floor of the C.I.F. Barracks…..I worked Nights…
While working nights at C.I.F., we only had a E-5 working with us, and many E-6’s and above gave us a lot of crap. So, since we worked in OD Tee Shirts with no hats, we came up with the Idea to just set a Captain’s hat on the desk. Problem solved……The E-6’s and above could not figure out who was the Officer…..
OD(Olive Drab) , not a term that’s been used much here, we wore white undies.
And as far as I am concerned the aim of our Superiors pointed to a change in the war effort, from Urgency, with little or no rules to strict enforcement of army regs when the CO’s were changed from infantry to AGC, T’s was one, from T’s in office to blouses, from off the Streets between midnight to six am to on the compound.(THAT WAS A BIGGIE). liquor bottles could no longer be lined up on 2 X4’s and an attempt to inspect even though we had purchased our foot lockers from town or from the guy you replaced, two more, requiring a military drivers license to drive a vehicle and a security clearance to pick up classified messages. I did both for 6 months without either . We even had an e6 transferred out for not controlling the sound sound coming from the shower. and after all he was the senior NCO!!!!
it really sounds to me that I was there at the best time.
Thanks for reading my rattling on.
Anyone remember the name of the NCOIC at 90th H&HD in ’67 and ’68? He had 30 or so years in and tended to drink a bit. Can’t recall his name as I’m trying to fill in some ‘memoirs’ for the grandkids.
Was it Sgt Cross?? He was probably late 40’s, early 50’s, silver hair!!
as for the drinking part, who did not! I am going to toy with you, do mean the e6, who along with Robin S Kent, 1st lieuy, attempted to replace DH Wheeler? The same E6 who stuffed a message from Usarv saying any body can be promoted to e4 with a year in service into his desk and forgot about and the same e6 who managed to schedule a promotion board to e7 and had managed to get everybodyelse eligible transferred out. if thats who you mean and after all this i surely hope so, try Charles Neilsen. want picture> send me email,
I arrived at the 90th Replacement Battilion on 27 December 1967 and was originally assigned to the 5th Special forces Group at Nha Trang. I spent the night at the 90th and the next morning I was told to report to the XO a Major Iverson. He talked to me for a long time and wanted me to stay as an officer in the 90th but I wanted to go to the 5th. Well he talked to me for a long time more and I ended up as the Commanding Officer of the 18th Replacement Company. My 1st Sergeant was named Cambell and my officers were 1st Lt Paul Riser’ 1st Lt Tommy Pennel and 2lt Augie (do not remember his last name) Other officers Iremember were Cpt Trone. Maj Dusty Rhodes. Lt Kikuchi. Cpt Mike Jorgenson . I stayed until sometime in July and then went to the 1st Cav div (Airmobile) as a Special Forces Advisor stationed at th 1st Cav Div (airmoble) at Camp Evans (forward) about 10 kils from Hue E mail me
AIRBORNE!!!!!!!. Bill Carey
Welcome Home Travis…
Travis, I think my memory is growing weeds by leaps and bounds. The only officer in your list with whom i recognize the name is LT Kikuchi and I don’t remember him but several others have mentioned him here and I was given a plaque for my service and he is listed as one of the contributors. (I only have the contributors plaque left) I left RVN on 12/1/1967, a few days short of being 50 years. Also, my orders sp286, 11/5/67 transferring me to ft Meade Md., lists CPT. James Gleisner, adjustant who i do not recall and LT Robin S Kent, Assistant Adjutant for whom i worked.The special order through s another curve which is transferring me out of the 381st Replacement company. I would have bet my last dollar i ended up in H & HD or 18th Rep co. I know we changed companies once or twice.
pretty quiet for a long time and with false alarm inn Hawaii I was reminded of the action to take in ground zero based on the Canadian Airforce exercise protocol. (big modern day word), , most began, “place feet shoulder width apart, bending slight at the knees place your hands on your hips , place you head between your legs and kiss your sweet ass goodby”
anybody else remember that?
Yes, but it’s funnier when you say Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5.
–from SP4 Steve Donovan, http://www.longbinhdaze.com
Not much traffic here lately it seems. Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the Tet offensive. It was quite a show. How man of you guys were there?
Danny, I was there. I flew back from my R&R with my wife that night.Our plane flew into Tan Son Nhut airbase as Tet was breaking out. I remember trying to get a ride to the 90th from Saigon. It was crazy everywhere . I want to thank the Lord for getting me through that night. Welcome home Danny.
HI THERE, WHAT OUT FIT WERE YOU WITH IN NAM ?? WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO WHILE AT LONG BINH ?? WELCOME HOME TO YOU 2.
Dan.I was assigned to the 90th Replacement Battalion from Mar 67 to Mar 68.During Tet our biggest concern was for the unarmed men in our compound who were waiting for their assignment. I worked on processing the orders from USARV to send men to their permanent assignments.Still feel terrible about the number of men we sent into horrible locations. I also worked on perimeter guard frequently. I thank the Lord for His help. Welcome Home Dan
do you remember DH Wheeler, cw,peronnel offcer? he had his stream which he meant was the flow of 201’s through you guys and when he wanted a certain skill, such mine, 73c20 he would have you guys pluck the 201’s out before the info got to usarv. he was interested more in civilian backgrounds than military training for specialties like carpenters, cooks, etc. and of course if he was displeased by anyone they went back into the stream. I felt sorry for some of the assignments also and also the guy i sat next to who had to type all those special orders and keep the morning report correct> Army allowed three typos per page, DH allowed none. i did it briefly, and set the standard for lateness as kinger in mash did, but I had other skills so he kept me,
DAN MILLER, I WAS WITH THE 40TH. SIG. BAT. THAT WENT TO NAM ON THE HUGH GAFFEY TROOP SHIP, GOT TO NAM IN SEPT. 1966, SEND E-MAIL IF YOU WHERE THERE AT THAT TIME. dcmill@windstream.net
Welcome Home Dan…
HEY THANKS, WELCOME HOME TO YOU TO BROTHER…….
WELCOME HOME TO YOU ALSO ELVIS…….
Hello, I am looking for information from someone who would have been at Long Binh in early or mid-May 1968…to mid-June. Was there another attack on Long Binh during this time, and after the one during the first Tet Offensive Jan. 31-Feb. 1st? Thanks for any help.
Yes, the attack was somewhere around May 9- 12th.
I THERE, I WAS AT LONG BINH IN 1967 WHEN THE AMMO DUMP WAS HIT, IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT, WE WERE LIVING IN TENTS, WE ALL RUN OUT SIDE AND JUMPED INTO A BIG DIDCH, IT SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF US. THE NEXT DAY I WAS PICKED LIKE SOME OTHERS TO GO AND CUT JUNGLE DOWN ALL DAY LONG WHERE THE VC WAS COMING FROM, THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A DAY, HAD LEECHES ON ME AND HAD SNAKES SWIMMING BY ME ALL DAY..I WAS WITH THE 40TH.SIGNAL BN.. WE WENT TO NAM ON THE HUGH GAFFEY TROOP SHIP, WE LEFT OAKLAND CAL. IN AUG. OF 1966……THAT PROBLEY DIDNT ANSWER YOUR ?, DAN MILLER, OHIO VET………………..
Hi Dan, we left Oakland two months ahead of you on the General Weigel. Saw the ammo dump blow up in Oct 66. A buddy and I have now written a funny memoir about our experiences, you can read all about it at http://www.longbinhdaze.com
LIKE I SAID I WAS WITH THE 40TH. SIG. BN., I HELPED PAINT THE YELLOW & BLACK STRIPS ON THE TELEPHONE POLES AT THE 24TH.HOSPITAL, WE ALSO PUT THE RED LIGHTS ON TOP FOR THE HELECOPTERS COULD SEE THEM……………….
HOW MANY AMO DUMP BLOW UPS WHERE THERE? i WAS THERE FOR THE 67′ AS cadre at the 90th. We were so close the company clerk said it ws in the compund. and hide behind sandbags for several hours.
it sounds like it was an annual event. we are talking about 3 Ord correct? i recall a rumor at the time of the 67′ event,in order to suffocate the fire and i think i saw it dropped, we bombed the fire ourselves or it would have gone on for every and i needed my sleep as we could hear the explosions, i actually had a new invention with me , that was a cassette recorded and i erased the music i brought from home and recorded several hours of pops…….keep the memories coming. thanks
I think it blew up at least twice while we were there, something like Oct ’66 and then again in about March ’67. First time really scary, second time we were used to it already.
Steve, read your book. You had asked for people to e-mail you stories. Mine were rejected due to graphic violence. That’s OK, they weren’t suitable for for your intended readers. But hey, there was no mention of anyone else submitting interesting stories. The whole book was monopolized by you and your co-author. Sorry, not impressed.
Hi Doug, thanks for your comments. Sorry to hear you were disappointed. We spent two years researching and writing our book which includes 37 chapters and at least 150 stories, mostly humorous, about all sorts of folks. (For example, the chapter about Robert Mitchum contained at least half a dozen stories about Mitchum, only one of which had anything to do with us. The chapter about Sergeant Stumpf probably contained a dozen stories, none of which had anything to do with us.)
During the research process we did ask for vets to submit funny stories for possible inclusion in a humorous book about Vietnam. Unfortunately that search did not yield much usable material. By then we had some 18 months invested in the project already, so we weren’t about to give up.
To avoid disappointing any potential readers, our website provides a very thorough description of what’s in the book as well as several sample chapters and at least two dozen reviews. The idea being that anyone who reads the book will first have a chance to see what’s in store after spending some time on the website (www.longbinhdaze.com)
While you’ve said that too much of the book is about us, some have complained that it doesn’t tell enough about us. It talks about what we saw, heard and did, but very little about who we were. That’s because we thought such content would probably be boring as hell– basically just a couple of typical draftees.
For what it’s worth, here are a few book reviews from the Vietnam Vets of America and the Midwest Book Review (Feb 2018):
https://booklife.com/project/long-daze-at-long-binh-23997
Best regards,
Steve Donovan
24th Evac Hospital, 1966-67
THE SECOND [MINI] TET OFFENSIVE = To further enhance their political posture at the Paris talks, which opened on 13 May, the North Vietnamese opened the second phase of the General Offensive in late April. U.S. intelligence sources estimated between February and May the North Vietnamese dispatched 50,000 men down the Ho Chi Minh Trail to replace losses incurred during the earlier fighting.[148] Some of the most prolonged and vicious combat of the war opened on 29 April and lasted until 30 May when the 8,000 men of the 320th PAVN Division, backed by artillery from across the DMZ, threatened the U.S. logistical base at Đông Hà, in northwestern Quảng Trị Province. In what became known as the Battle of Dai Do, the North Vietnamese clashed savagely with U.S. Marine, Army, and ARVN forces before withdrawing. The North Vietnamese lost an estimated 2,100 men after inflicting casualties on the allies of 290 killed and 946 wounded.[149]
During the early morning hours of 4 May, communist units initiated the second phase of the offensive (known by the South Vietnamese and Americans as “Mini-Tet”) by striking 119 targets throughout South Vietnam, including Saigon. This time, however, allied intelligence was better prepared, stripping away the element of surprise. Most of the communist forces were intercepted by allied screening elements before they reached their targets. 13 Viet Cong battalions, however, managed to slip through the cordon and once again plunged the capital into chaos. Severe fighting occurred at Phu Lam, (where it took two days to root out the 267th Viet Cong Local Force Battalion), around the Y-Bridge, and at Tan Son Nhut.[150] By 12 May, however, it was all over. Viet Cong forces withdrew from the area leaving behind over 3,000 dead.[151]
Attacks on Saigon, Phase II, May 1968
Vietcong killed in Mini-Tet
The fighting had no sooner died down around Saigon than U.S. forces in Quảng Tín Province suffered what was, without doubt, the most serious American defeat of the war. On 10 May, two regiments of the 2nd PAVN Division attacked Kham Duc, the last Special Forces border surveillance camp in I Corps. 1,800 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops were isolated and under intense attack when MACV made the decision to avoid a situation reminiscent of that at Khe Sanh. Kham Duc was evacuated by air while under fire, and abandoned to the North Vietnamese.[152]
The communists returned to Saigon on 25 May and launched a second wave of attacks on the city. The fighting during this phase differed from Tet Mau Than and “Mini-Tet” in that no U.S. installations were attacked. During this series of actions, Viet Cong forces occupied six Buddhist pagodas in the mistaken belief that they would be immune from artillery and air attack. The fiercest fighting once again took place in Cholon. One notable event occurred on 18 June when 152 members of the Viet Cong’s Quyet Thang Regiment surrendered to ARVN forces, the largest communist surrender of the war.[153] The actions also brought more death and suffering to the city’s inhabitants. A further 87,000 were made homeless while more than 500 were killed and another 4,500 were wounded.[154] During the second phase (5 May – 30 May) U.S. casualties amounted to 1,161 killed and 3,954 wounded,[155] while 143 South Vietnamese servicemen were killed and another 643 were wounded.[153]
Kham Duc during the evacuation
Phase III of the offensive began on 17 August and involved attacks in I, II, and III Corps. Significantly, during this series of actions only North Vietnamese forces participated. The main offensive was preceded by attacks on the border towns of Tây Ninh, An Lộc, and Loc Ninh, which were initiated in order to draw defensive forces from the cities.[156] A thrust against Da Nang was preempted by the U.S. Marines’ Operation Allen Brook. Continuing their border-clearing operations, three North Vietnamese regiments asserted heavy pressure on the U.S. Special Forces camp at Bu Prang, in Quang Duc Province, five kilometers from the Cambodian border. The fighting lasted for two days before the North Vietnamese broke it off; the combat resulted in the deaths of 776 North Vietnamese, 114 South Vietnamese, and two Americans.[157]
Saigon was struck again during this phase, but the attacks were less sustained and once again easily repulsed. As far as MACV was concerned, the August offensive “was a dismal failure”.[158] In five weeks of fighting and after the loss of 20,000 troops, not a single objective had been attained during this “final and decisive phase”. Yet, as historian Ronald Spector has pointed out “the communist failures were not final or decisive either”.[158] During the same period 700 U.S. troops were killed in action.[159]
The horrendous casualties and suffering endured by communist units during these sustained operations were beginning to tell. The fact that there were no apparent military gains made that could possibly justify all the blood and effort just exacerbated the situation. During the first half of 1969, more than 20,000 communist troops rallied to allied forces, a threefold increase over the 1968 figure.[160] On 5 April 1969, COSVN issued Directive 55 to all of its subordinate units: “Never again and under no circumstances are we going to risk our entire military force for just such an offensive. On the contrary, we should endeavor to preserve our military potential for future campaigns.”[161]
Wow! Feel like I just watched a documentary. The dump must have blown a number of times in the course of the war. It blew at some point during my tour, mid 67 – mid 68. I can’t recall, though, whether it was pre or post Tet Offensive, It lit up the world, though, and I caught a glimpse of the shock wave as I turned away. Never felt a concussion like that and my hearing hasn’t been right since. I came home 15 June ’68.
wow, blaming my hearing loss on the 67’s almo blast, never thought of that, wonder who we sue? at 75 not much chance to actually collect! Also , Flares being shot off all night and copters always in the air, danny, thanks for the thought.
I was at 90th during TET offensive in 1968 when VC dropped a mortar on 3rd ORD and blew up some ammo. I have pictures of ensuing fire.
I was at 90th Repl 1968-1970. One guy there who was a radio operator for us was nick-named SUGAR BEAR. I saw that in a posting on this page, but cannot find it any more. What was his REAL name? The other guy whose name I do remember was Don Baldwin.
Robert,
What Vietnam book or After Action Report are you referencing with your footnotes called out on your Feb 23, 2018 post?
Do you recall a sapper attack of the 3rd Ord Ammo Dump in late December of 1969. I asked you this question because I was on bunker guard duty and guarding a remote ammo bunker location, which was not attacked. I was a transient 11B10 Infantry soldier and spent only a few more days at the 90th before being sent to a permanent duty station at Cam Ranh Bay. I only know the history of this attack because the duty officer, about an hour after the attack, visited me and my two other guards to explain the outcome of the attack. The attackers where 7 sappers and all were killed, but bunkers were blown up when at least 3 sappers threw satchel charges which detonated blowing CS gas over my location and blowing a phosphorus bomb into the air and detonating close enough to worry we could also be attacked.
Very few Veterans who respond on this web page were there in late Dec. 1969. You are one of those Vets. Thanks for any response!
I was at 90th Replacement Bn from Dec 68 until Jan 70. I did TDY around country so sometimes I was not present, but I don’t remember 3d Ord blowing up. Don’t take my word though,. Between 1969 and today MANY years have gone past and my memory is not to be trusted,.
Is there any one out there that worked for the 90th from March thru December 1970 ? I worked at C,I,F, during that time, had a lot of good friends. I worked the Night shift Processing and Giving Uniforms to the guys coming into country. Ironically, even my D.I. from Fort Bragg.
Thanks Robert!
You are very correct about the many years since that last week Dec, 1969. Lots has happened to all of millions returning Vietnam vets before and since. Some never left the place. I have friends from my Infantry school AIT who were carried away from there. I have a high school buddy whose single seat Navy jet smashed him into a Cambodian mountain and he’s still on that mountain.
Because this incident I’ve asked you to recall and apparently you were not present, was my first “live fire” event, which I felt very threatened due automatic weapon fire, explosions, a phosphorus bomb exploding near and CS gas release, I locked/loaded my M-14 prepared to shoot anything rushing that bunker, … I never will forget.
I’m now convinced this personal incident of mine was so minor, lasting maybe 15 minutes, in the history of the 3rd Ordnance/90th Replacement Bn, Long Binh’s many many bigger attacks, that it’s lost to Vietnam War history.
I’m trying to get my DD-214 updated because I was a drafted and no one updated my files because I was too short when I got back from Vietnam and I was not “re-upping”! I’ve been working on this since the internet made history records available without visiting the Library of Congress. It’s a retirement search project.
I appreciate your time and your response.
try writing the Pentagon as I heard the st Louis records center had a fire. yOU MAY FIND NECESSARY FORMS ON THE WEB. it should not be taking any time at all,
PS The fastest response may be via your congressman/senators as they want to keep the voters happy.
I obtained my 214 way back as i needed to document my military pay amount as We paid into social security and if I wanted The years to be included with my Civil Service Annuity I Needed to pay 7% into CSA for those years, The 3 years were included in my service time but would not have been induced in the annuity computation. and in case you forgot, that means 11% or so of my military pittance (about $280 per month)went to retirement.
The 214 may not show all the information your looking for as the real information in in your 201 file
David,
Thanks for taking the time to provide this detail. I hope others reading your detail will take down this information. Many need this financial help. This should give direction in how to proceed.
I’ll head to the local Vet Admin Office after I hear back from the Army review of my records, which stands at a 6 month wait, with another 6 months likely time before a review is completed. As a retiree, I can wait. For those just coming from active duty, these delays times are shameful.
Today Is “Vietnam Veterans Day!”
******************************************************************************
To all you fellow Vietnam Veterans, go out and wear whatever you own that shows you to be a Vietnam Veteran and Proud to have served in Our War.
Do go out to show that there are still plenty of us who can still celebrate
Do it for those who like us went, but who can no longer can!
It’s a little sad that I’m the first to mention this Vietnam Veterans Day because this day is for more that have over!!
Larry Hulsbrink (74D20/11B10)-Dec -69 & 6 days@ 90th Replacement Bn
Typically, there was no mention of this in the local media. More disturbing to me was the passing of the 50th anniversary of Tet back on 31 Jan. with little or no notice. Things are getting somewhat better, though. I’ve heard “thanks for your service” more in the last few weeks than in the 50 years I’ve been back.
All these latest “Thanks for your service” comments ….are too little and too late! They just sound patronizing and phony. One mans opinion.
I drove bus for the 90th in 1970 to 1971, went from the replacement center to the top of the hill, after bus I went to tmp and guard truck driver spent 18 months in country, if there is any on else that drove bus on long binh post at that time I would like to hear from you.
for those of you that may be confused LBJ was long binh jail
I remember passing what i think was it or part of it, a single tent in the middle of a large barren barbed wire area. i think on way to 91st Finance , near USARV hdgtrs’. The 90th and Other units were located a Long Bihn Junction. and considering LBJ was president for a while.??? the 90th was at the crossroads of 1a(?? and Von Tau Road (sp). sure could have used an Amy or two in my unit. But would probably, for sure wound up there for fraternization or what ever todays politically correct term is. thou At 77, i cannot remember why, Hahahahah
I was on guard duty one night when the trip flares lit up. A person was going through the concertina wire. I told the guy on duty with me to call ncoic of guards , I was going to stop the person. He had gone about 20 yards inside the compound, about 50 yards from the officers club. I kept yelling for him to stop, fired a round over his head. He yelled don’t shoot, I’m an American. He had just escaped from LBJ and was trying to get a way home. Happy I didn’t shoot him but damn near wet my britches.
I was an original member of the 19th Data Processing Unit stationed on the 90th compound from Feb 1967 til Jan 1968. I left one day before the Tet holiday. Looking for any other members of 19th DPU. I WAS sp5 Thomas Danny Collins.
Welcome Home Dan…
Hi Tom!
I’m Mike Slusser. I was part of the original 19rh that went over on the Nelson M. Walker, troop carrier. I was a keypunch operator there until 10/67, then was sent up to Qui Nhon to be a supervisor for their keypunch in the 527th. PSC. Served there until after TET, then signed up for another 6 months and got a promotion to SGT and my choice of duty, so I went back to the 19th and Supervised keypunch there.
Would like to hear from you. I have been in contact with a couple others.
I served in US Army in Bien Hoa Vietnam during December 1969 – November 1970. I was assigned to the 22nd Army Finance Unit. Since leaving Vietnam I have very little memory of anyone I served with during my stay. I really wish I could connect with my friends whom I served with. I remember faces but I cannot remember any names. I have been experiencing this since my return. I have been unsuccessful looking on the web getting any information.
Welcome Home Willie…
Check on military.com units to see if anyone has created a page for your unit. That’s a start.
James, I arrived at Bien Hia and the 90th in Feb, 1969 on the one year anniversary of Tet, 1969. Was assigned to the 179 th at Camp Alpha and rode there in a bus wrapped in chicken wire. Was OIC of Transportation. Other officers were Jim Stewart and “Yosh” Yoshinaga, plus another Lt and a Capt and Major whose names I do not remember. In June I was transferred to the 90th as Asst CO of the unit near the front gate processing officers in and out. Processed myself home in Feb, 1970 to meet a five month old daughter I’d never seen.
Welcome Home Terry…
Terry, The company was the 178th Replacement at Camp Alpha, not the 179th. I served under Lt. Jim Stewart until he left country a few months later. The CO was Major Schmidt. I have no memory of the captain. Major Schmidt DEROS’ed about 2 month before I left country in June of 1970.
I was with the 90th right after they were transferred to Ft Benning Ga in 63 or 64. I transferred in as their Mechanic which was a cake job because we only had 5 or 6 vehicles and only used 2 on a daily basis. I ended up taking over for the motor sergeant when he discharged in early 64 and stayed until I separated in Sept. 64. They were starting to process around 30,000 troops to send to Vietnam. I think they transferred to Vietnam within a few months after I was discharged.
Welcome Home Jim…
I landed at Bien Hoa AFB on January 5, 1970, ironically, Six Years, to the Day of the Birth of my First Son. I spent about a Week at the 90th in Long Bien. Then I was sent to Phu Bia, to the 101st Airborne. With my MOS, they did not need me, and I spent one night there. Left the next morning for Danang, and the Danang Signal Company. I did not work out there, and was “traded” to a Signal Company in Nha Trang. AND things did not work out there, and I was Traded to the 90th Replacement Battalion in Long Bien, back where I started…….High Light: I Processed My Drill Sergeant, from Basic training at Ft. Bragg, into Country. He walked out, with DOUBLE ISSUES of EVERYTHING. Now, he was beyond tough on me in Basic, almost to the point of being sadistic, yet, towards the end of the eight weeks, I was Offered OCS (which I turned down) and I think he had a hand in it. Low Light: A guy I was in Basic training with, that should NOT have been Drafted, He Could NOT READ OR WRITE, he was like or almost 26 years old. He was Proud he got drafted. Every one in our Barracks helped him study to take the tests, Verbally. He was Smart, just Un Educated. We all were glad that he passed everything, verbably………..I Saw HIM Coming home, at the 90th in Long Bien. He was a Shell of himself. Zombie, is the only I can describe it. The wonderful young man, from West Virginia, who used to laugh all the time, crack jokes on himself, was just, the remains of a very great person, in a Uniform. I had spent So Many Hours, helping him to study, to pass the tests, so he Could Stay In The ARMY. That is what he wanted……….He Did Not Know Me….!!……Just a Blank Stare…….I AM SORRY, for what I did……
What I remember of the 90th, as soon as I reported in, I was asked if I had any weapons. I said yes as I had a tokarev pistol as a war trophy. The sergeant said I couldn’t take it home….I said I could and pulled out the export and license papers. he looked at them and said ok. Later another gi came in and he got the same treatment…only he didn’t have any papers. he wanted to go out to the mp station to get it legal but they wouldn’t let him leave. He sold it to the sergeant for $35.00. I wonder how many other weapons were sold for dirt cheap because the owners didn’t know about the paperwork.
Welcome Home David…
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If it’s any comfort, no one had their throats slit at the 90th in 1971. I was a 11B converted to 95B(MP) in late Dec 70. because the 90th just had a few MP’s DEROS thru. Just lucky I guess. The biggest assault we had on our gate was big ass rats and kids selling smack thru the wire. I wish I’d taken more pics. It’s all like a bad dream 50yrs later. Such a waste.
Wish I could help, I was there June 68 – June 69.
There 02/59 to 02/70, half at Camp Alpha, second half at 90th. What was the question?
I was at Camp Alpha (RVN on DD214) 20jun68 to 8sep70 = Two Years Two Months and 19 Days. I took two 30-day leaves, 3 R&Rs, and 3 7-day leaves.
I arrived at the 90th replacement in October of 1971. I remember standing in formation waiting for my name to be called, they didn’t call my name until about the third day. They called about dozen of us out and told us we were going to be there for a bit longer on Bunker guard! So for the next 57 nights I was on bunker guard from 11-7. I was 18 and by myself in a bunker, I had two M-16’s a M-79, 12 gauge shotgun, a 60 cal. And a bunch of ammo and grenades! I remember the first few weeks looking out and thinking things were moving outside the wire! And every night at midnight someone fired a shot from who knows were! That kept me on my toes and awake the whole time! I spent my first thanksgiving there, by the time I got to the mess hall, all they had left was olive loaf! I finally got my orders for the 11ACR in Phu Loi.
Ah, bunker guard at Long Binh. Slightly before dawn, that rock or bush you were staring at for hours begins to move. The more you stare, the more it moves. You’re just about ready to take the safety off on your weapon when first light finally arrives, at which point you realize you’ve been staring at an inanimate object. Next night, same story all over again. You can find funny stories about bunker guard and many other aspects of life at Long Binh in the humorous memoir “Long Daze at Long Binh.” You can read sample chapters for free at longbinhdaze.com, then decide if you want to see the whole book (372 pages in paperback or e-book.) By the way, how did you manage to operate all five of those weapons simultaneously?
That’s so true, I remember thinking there was movement and finding out in the daylight it may have just been a bush, or shadow! I was always trying to get one of the stray dogs to hang around to maybe alert me if there were any sappers, sneaking through the wire, to slit my throat! We were told that happened there before! I’m thinking now that may of been a way to keep us alert, it worked! I was 18 and scared the first few weeks. I think I was there 57 night straight, then finally got my orders for the 11ACR in Phu Loi.
I was a 13B so they assigned me to How Battery 2/11th. When we got there they took us to a small block building to sleep in. The first night we felt the ground rumble and what we thought was incoming, so we ran out and low crawled into a ditch. Come to find out it was our battery firing out! Lol
Did anyone know my Uncle that was stationed there. He was killed in 68 or 69. Any info on him would be appreciated. sraylatham@gmail.com
Did anyone know my Uncle that was stationed there. He was killed in 68 or 69. Any info on him would be appreciated. sraylatham@gmail.com
James Wardlow from Belton,Tx