I was born in 1949 and raised on a farm in Western Iowa.
After graduating from Schleswig High School in 1967, I was drafted into the US Army in 1969 and did a thirteen-month tour in Vietnam. While in Nam, I served with C Troop 1/9, 1st Air Cavalry Division, which was a recon unit for the 1st Cav.
I received my discharge from the Army in April of 1971. I landed a job as an electrician shortly after in Denison, Iowa. In 1976, I started Struck Electric in Carroll, Iowa; we were a small electrical contracting company which specialized in residential and small commercial wiring. In 1992 I closed my business and moved to Kennewick, WA where I worked for an electrical contractor as an estimator/project manager. I am now enjoying retirement.
I married my high school sweetheart (Rebecca) in 2004, and together we have seven children and twelve granddaughters…
My Vietnam Experience 
Great idea. We all need to do this! I guess our C Troop tours pretty much overlapped, but had different jobs.
I had all these Nam pictures sitting around in boxes for the last thirty-nine years. I wanted to preserve them, so I fired up my scanner and went to work.
My daughter suggested writing a Nam blog, so I did…
I am rereading all the comments and I have pics on ritz pics, send me an email and I will send you or anybody else access. Military pictures tend to be of 90th compound and locale, between 90th and Bien Hoa. I sometimes wind up in strange sections of your great blog. And do you know matt’s last name? ( he wanted to ask question, 5/6/15 coment ) I am trying to track down Matt Lauer, who was with me in RVN but has not responded to earlier responses to his comments.
Mr.Struck: I don’t know you, I was stationed in Phuoc Vihn in 1969 with the 595 Signal Co. Hope your life is good for you, sounds like you did okay. I’m not into technology, BUT, I’ve noticed every time I loin to this web site, my computer takes a long time to bring up your site. I get messages saying there’s ‘a long running script’ or ‘searching’ and others. Some times my computer frooze up and I have to reboot it. I was thinking, you have a ton of content in here, with pictures and years and years of correspondence. Is it possible when people are logging in this is creating connectivity issues? I don’t know if it’s possible, but, would it be a good idea to create new internal links to the message books that would/could be organized by year, or military groups and move a lot of the existing content outside of this main page?? Maybe leave the last year or two of comments/messages in this web site and move the rest to reduce the huge content in this site. I have no idea how feasible this is, or technically challenging, but, I thought I’d through it out there. You do have some of those grand children who are probably computer literate and would love to help grandpa. And, I don’t want to intrude, I don’t know you or your circumstances, but, this is a great site for a lot of reasons, there’s a lot of history, personal contacts and messages, emotions, happy results and sad ones. But, my feeling is it’s invaluable to a lot of us forgotten soldiers and I’m sure the camaraderie in here helps a lot of soldiers, I for one of many. Do you have any type of longevity plan for this site? If you pass or become incapacitated, is there someone else to take over your site, and know who the audience will be, us Vietnam Vets?
Many, many thanks for having and managing this site. I hope it survives both of us.
In brotherhood, Richard Cortright
Yes, I do have a lot of content on my blog, but it loads just fine on my computer. Perhaps your computer should be checked out or upgraded. You have a good point on what happens to it when I am no longer able to do so. Just another point to ponder – after all, none of us are getting out of here alive…
Hello, I would like to ask if I may use some of your photos of American soldiers loading and rigging up 55-gallon barrels to C-130 helicopters.
I am writing an article on Agent Orange for Southeast Asia Globe and the photo are fascinating pictorial accounts of the use of the chemical in Vietnam.
I also wonder if you could explain who Gregg Knowlton is? I read his study on Agent Orange and I’d like to quote it. It deserves a wider reading.
Thank you and all the best,
James
No problem, use what you want. If you google Gregg Knowlton you will know the same amount as I about him…
Hello,
I would like to ask if I might use some of your photos for an article I am writing for Southeast Asia Globe. Specifically, photos of American soldiers loading and rigging up drums to a C-130 helicopter. The article is about the use of Agent Orange in the RVN, particularly in Phuoc Vinh.
Also, i’d appreciate if you could tell me who Gregg Knowlton is. I read his study on the use of Agent Orange in Phuoc Vinh and i’d like to quote his findings.
Thank you and all the best,
James
Thank you for the permission to use some of your fascinating photos.
LT STRUCK: I am a member of this site, as well as the other [site, WORD PRESS/ AGEOFSAIL] I had forgotten about it since it was set up for me I am a hobbyist, and build wooden clipper ships from scratch, I wanted to get in to ” MY VIET NAM EXPERIENCE” BUT GOT rerouted to word press instead: I haven’t had any up dates in quite a while can u straighten this out, I think I goofed some where!
The URL for my blog is usastruck.com
How would I go about posting some pics
Fred, only I can post photos on my blog. If you want, email them to me and will look them over. Good chance I will post them, but no promises…
hi there, I have a couple of questions about the war for a project I’m doing. I’ve been trying to find the answers and was wondering if I could ask here? Much appreciated
Matt
Sure Matt, go ahead…
Looking for information on the blues rescue team that recovered my brothers body and six others who went down in bad weather after a team member rescue. 101st Arborne 75th Rangers Co. L. The chopper went down on the evening of Feb. 15 1971 My brother was 1st Lt. James L. Smith. I have all the other details except the team who recovered the bodies. Please help if anyone no’s any information.
He made it home safe and went back for a second tour flying medevacs. He passed away a couple of years ago. I just know his exploits in a helicopter went far beyond what he ever told us
Great job. I honor your service. And I enjoyed seeing my picture on your blog 🙂 Did I send you access to my Vietnam Flickr set that includes some of your photos?
Thanks Walker!
No, I don’t have access to your Vietnam Flicker site and would love having it…
I accidently came upon your blog after trying to start one myself on wordpress.
I was with the Cav back in 65-66 and I enjoy your posts and photos. I was an 11b2p and was in both A co as an infantryman and the delta recon as a senior scout.
My photos on my website @
http:www.dukesbrokendreams.com
reflect the difference between the instamatic camera I used versus your photos. You win , hands down.
Welcome home.
Duke
Dude,
I took a peek at your website and was quite impressed by segments of your book. It will be my next read for sure.
All the photos I took out in the ‘bush’ were taken with an Instamatic. I doctored most of them up on Flickr.
https://usastruck.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/combat-tested-camera/
I welcome you home as well…
Rob
Thanks Rob,
Duke
Great site,Iwas in Ctroop maint.platoon from sept 69 to sept 70.Have some pictures you could use if you want.I live in yakima.Jordan Green.509-823-4118.
Glad you found us and welcome home.
Would love to see your pics and perhaps use on my blog…
Rob
My brother was in Nam – I forget the years – but I remember the time and the feeling. Our father had been an Army test pilot during WWII and had tested the P40 series the Flying Tigers flew and we knew some of them.
Sandy now lives in Iowa – eastern Iowa – with his second wife who is from Cedar Rapids. I am so sorry you are no longer in the state. Here is his website
http://wolftoe.com/
I did a blog post on the end of the Huey – it is searchable on my blog.
Glad to know where you are. Thank you for visiting my blog.
SH
Sam, sorry about the late reply to your comment.
I checked out your blog and enjoy reading your entries. Writing at it’s best!
Even though I now live in WA State, I will always call Iowa home. I am a huge Hawkeye fan, so yesterdays three point loss to Ohio State has still got me rattled…
Wow! what an eye opener your blog is. It’s amazing to see shots from the 70’s.
if you are in Sioux City – We just located your blog. John Hlavacek is in Sioux City today until 4 at the Wilbur Aalfs Library. If you would like to talk to him, call 402-301-4767.
No, I’m not in Sioux City. In fact, I’m 1500 miles west of you in Kennewick, WA. I wonder if he remembers his stop in Phuoc Vinh, Vietnam in 1970, and of course the interview, which I will never forget…
https://usastruck.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/john-hlavacek/
Rob
I’ve finally gotten some photos of old PV 1969 – 1970 at: http://spec5.wordpress.com
I was in PV with HHC 1st Cav Division, assigned to G3 section, moved from Camp Evans in 68. I don’t spend much time thinking about it, proud to have served, but still have bad memories, mortar & 122 attacks, satchel charges, etc. no regrets, get emotional when I spend time researching. Lost and made some good friends there. I haven’t shared much with wife and family, everything in box in attic; maybe some day my grandchildren will find it and care enough to research and learn what we did and why. Any old comrades out there; feel free to contact me. Thanks to everyone for your service and WELCOME HOME!
Welcome Home David! I have found that it’s best to share your Vietnam memories, both good & bad, rather than keep them bottled up inside. That’s why my blog…
I was in PV with HHC 1st Cav Division, assigned to G3 section, moved from Camp Evans in 68. I don’t spend much time thinking about it, proud to have served, but still have bad memories, mortar & 122 attacks, satchel charges, etc. no regrets, get emotional when I spend time researching. Lost and made some good friends there. I haven’t shared much with wife and family, everything in box in attic; maybe some day my grandchildren will find it and care enough to research and learn what we did and why. Any old comrades out there; feel free to contact me. Thanks to everyone for your service and WELCOME HOME!
+1
Mr. Lennard:, I call everone sir mr, or mrs., allways by first names: here is my story, I also was in hhq from 8 2 /67 to 8 2 /68, in the I/9. For almost 30, out of the 47 yrs ive been back from my tour, I kept it bottled up inside me, some took to booze drugs, or kissed a train. I my self, went through 20 jobs in 30 yrs, and had that [ ADDITUDE, ] I would get p e o d and walk off my job, and said to myself ” what can u do to me, send me to viet nam, and carried a chip on my shoulder, a very heavy chip, didn’t care about my family ,or evean how the bills were going to get paid, let a lone [ my wife of 37 yrs on the 22 of sept o16 ] At that time was ready to leave, I did not know I had P.T.S.D. un tile I found ” HEAVY DUTY COUNSLING] through the [veterians out-reach center] , run, and founded by vets for vets and their spouse, this was way back in 1992, and for 10 yrs, I was able to get the help I needed. Boy it wasn’t easy! and to day because of that, I CAN SAY “,I AM A VIET NAM VET AND DAM PROUD OF IT”. [AND espucially the 1rst cav div 1/9 So to you LENNARD, and all u GI Joes and GI Janes talk about ur experaince during your tour, It does help look for ur locial chapter, ” VETERIANS SERVICE CENTER” yea, I know it hurts me too, because [a services center, is where u get ur car fixed]. paul klugh
I was in Kennewick exactly a year ago to visit an uncle who was an instructor pilot in the Army Air Corp with my father. I joined the Army after graduating from high school in Texas in 1970, went to Fort Bragg after basic and A.I.T. got bored and asked my boss (CSM Roy Marvin Batton) if I could get a transfer to Vietnam. Two weeks later the paperwork came in and off to Long Bihn…
Some of my stories about Vietnam are found on my Flickr site, and this link shows my Cessna I flew from Texas to Kennewick at Vista Field.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/southwestusa/4936232980/
Great flickr site you have. I enjoyed viewing all your photos.
Welcome Home Sterling…
Great site you have put together!
I would like your permission to link your site on the Bullwhip Squadron.org site.
V/R
Joe Bowen
Thanks! It would be an honor if you did so.
I will also include your Bullwhip site in my blogroll…
Rob
Nice site was 1/9 A troop cav 69-70 from 31st eng co.C 68 worked on the airfiled
Thanks Gene, and Welcome Home…
Great idea!
Rob could I please share a war story I have? My Grandad fought in the battle of the Somme and Ypres. He fought in others but the two I mentioned clearly stood out to me as I studied those wars in history in school. My Gran had honour scrolls (not sure what they`re called) and medals that he received. Back then when my Gran showed me I really didnt have much interest, as you do as a child I suppose, but now I`m kinda kicking myself. I so loved history back then and more so now. Sadly my Grandad passed before I was born as he was a good 20 year older than my Gran. Anyway I have a wallet which my Grandad had with him during the wars. It has a bullet hole in it. It was this very wallet that saved his life. It contains very old photos which as you will know were made of thick card back then and the bullet pierced each photo but eventually stopped. Very lucky!
Thank you for your amazing story…
I was thier in Jan 71, when did you leave
I left Country April of 71; with the Blues March to October of 1970.
Welcome Home Bob…
Hello i stumbled across this while browsing for c troop pics my father was 1/9 c troop in nam he was a door gunner in a loach and he has ben sending me pics of his experience over there i just wanted to give a thanks to you and all your fellow soldiers. The reason why i have ben doing research On C and E troop is because i purchased him a 1911 from that eara never fired and wanted to engrave a picture of his bird and troops he was in on the slide, just respect from one soldier to another and a son to a father i have found alt of info on the net and found his actual bird from C troop but enough of my rambling thank you all for you service
Robert, who is your father and when did he serve with Charlie Troop 1/9th? Someone here may know him and also may have served with him…
Thank you…Rob Struck
I am looking for anyone who knew my dad—Capt. William “Bruce” Sanders, a doctor drafted in 1967, who went after Fort Gordon in Augusta GA to Phouc Vinh I think in 1968 and about a year later to Phu Loi. He rode on helicopters to pick up wounded and also doctored in the camps. He would never talk about it so we know very little. He passed away in 2008 and the family would like to know anything anyone could offer. Thank you everyone for your service, and any help you can provide!
Lynne, does any member of your family have a copy of his DD214; it may list on there his unit. It’s likely he was with the 15th MED. If you can’t get anything from the 15th MED, send off for his records…Rob
We don’t have any paperwork, don’t know what his medals were for—he refused to talk about any of it, just acted like it never happened. Where do I get his records? My mom is going through things to see if he hid any paperwork in the attic or something…
Lynne,
You can go to http://www.nara.gov. You will see section (second box) that says “Veterans service Records”. Click on that. On the next page the first box says “Request Veterans Service Records. Click on it. On the next page in the first column click on start Your records request. You will have to print off a SF180 form. When filling out this form add as much information as possible. Tell them that you want a DD214, all of his medals that he was awarded and the certificates to go with the medals as all of this has been lost over the years. If you have his medals and don’t want another set just tell them that you want the certificates. If you need any help along the way you can contact me at 859-771-6342. I will be more thn happy to take you step by step fro the beginning to the end. The wait time to get the medals and the certificates can be from six to twelve months. It is importabt that you request these on line and then send in the form. They will begin to look for everything while they wait for the paperwork.
Pat
There is an obituary in the Asheville NC Citizen-Times for Brigadier General William Rousse, age 84. Here is a quote from the obit: “He considered his greatest military honor and achievement in being selected to lead the very first air cavalry squadron (AirCav) in the U.S. Army, the 1st Squadron, Ninth Cavalry. This unit’s combat mission was aerial reconnaissance to locate the enemy units to be engaged with the combat power of two Army divisions and two Marine Divisions assigned to “I” Corps in the Northern sector of South Vietnam. Bill helped study and lead a new approach for the use of helicopters in combat.”
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/citizen-times/obituary.aspx?n=william-rousse&pid=170350231&fhid=5702#sthash.iU1j7BZ3.dpuf
Good morning! I want to thank you for this great resource. I stumbled across your blog while researching a 1/9th story I wrote several months ago, and have come back often for bits of information, always crediting usastruck.com. An old Army Security Agency buddy and I published a book in 2013 titled “Unlikely Warriors: The Army Security Agency’s Secret War in Vietnam 1961-1973” and we have a Facebook page (by the same name) where I post stories almost weekly. My stories are about various units and all branches of the U.S. military in Vietnam. We also have over 1500 photographs on our page, so I would invite you to come for a visit. I did not serve in Vietnam. I was a Yale-trained USAF Chinese linguist, and my talents were better used elsewhere. They did not ask us where we would like to go. I was also in early. My buddy and I met in Taiwan in 1963 when he was assigned to work with AFSS. We were more concerned about a half million Chinese troops 90 miles away, ready to attack Taiwan than anything going on in Vietnam at that time. My friend went to Vietnam from Taiwan and spent 15 months there. I am also a native Iowan, so I would really like to hear from you. We are working on a new book and might be interested in using some of your photos.
G. B. Blackburn
Thanks for this site. Means a lot to me, as all photos of my time with 101st in Phouc Vinh are MIA. Got nailed by 122 mm rocket in June ’68 while on guard duty at TOC. Stationed in Bien Hoa after 22 days in hosp. Flew back seat in Bird Dogs & door gunner in Huey’s. Been an adrenalin junky ever since. Glad u made it back.
Welcome Home Brent…
hi all on this great forum, found while looking for details of American troops who visited Sydney on R&R (also looking for any Australian wives or daughters from relationships formed during those days). I am researching the American R&R days in Sydney in the latter part of the 1960s, and also the program which linked American soldiers on R&R in Sydney with Australian families offering hospitality. If you have oral or written archives, or know who in the US Defence Dept may hold such material, could you please email me a contact.
My family was part of this program, in return for the hospitality from Americans that my dad received in Washington after WWII where he worked for a year as an RAAF Liaison Officer in the War Commission. In late 1965, early 1966, I recall we had to wait several months to entertain our first two US soldiers because the response was so great. I was still living at home and I think the call went out before Christmas (1965?) but we waited until almost Easter.
The research is for a book I am writing. I am not an academic but a woman of 67 now, girl then, who was touched by the war as so many of us were. Unlike the Australian and US moratorium protestors of the time, my experience was mainly positive. I wrote to many of these boys, American and Australian, and they wrote back, but unfortunately the letters no longer exist. Mum always wrote to the parents letting them know how their sons were getting on.I was lucky that only one of the US servicemen we know of was killed in action. I wish I still had the letter his mother wrote to mum letting us know of his death, her loss still lives in my heart.
The book will tell the stories womenfolk of Vietnam Veterans, mainly Australian Veterans but I’d be interested in finding some Australian “war brides” from that era, now living in the US. I’d like to include one or two of their stories as well. It will be an inspirational book of funny, quirky stories, tinged with the sometimes black humour, through which these Veterans’ wives and partners, sweethearts from the war years, and now daughters and even granddaughters choose to deal with what can sometimes be a challenging relationship. I hope it will inspire the womenfolk of current Veterans, especially those who have served in Afghanistan and are now starting their own journeys with their “soldier boys”.
I have already collected a couple of dozen stories from Australin women, and as the writing draws to an end, I feel that the book wouldn’t be complete without some recognition of the R&R days in Sydney which sometimes resulted in marriages or long-term relationships. I am already in touch with some American Australian couples living in Brisbane who met in Kings Cross. I think most of the husbands served in 1965/6 and I think are from the 173rd Airborne? – Australia’s first troops served with them before we got our own command.
thanks again to you all, not only for a wonderful blog, but for ensuring through your service along with Australia’s Vietnam Veterans way back then, that we can now live in Australia and the USA where we are free to live as we like and can find each other over the ether in this way, regards Wendy
I’m glad you did this blog. I was with C co 31st engineers in 1970. I was one who helped finish the asphalt airstrip.
Welcome Home David…
I am looking for anyone with info and pics of D Troop at Phuoc Vinh circa 9/70-9/71. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Jeff Betz
jbetz@lockportschools.net
Love your blog. You, and others, might like mine. It is about my “Beagle Posse” mostly, but mixed in are some funny stories about my time at Long Binh. I am a humorist, that’s how I handle things. If you want, check it out.
beaglepossechronicles.blogspot.com
Thank you Pat!
Welcome Home…
Can you help?
I am writing a memoir to honor veterans of the Vietnam war. I need a picture of B52 bomb craters like the one here:
Could you contact me by email so I can send you a form requesting permission to use it?
I was in C Troop, 7/17 Air Cav.
Steve
Yes, help yourself without form…
Thank you so much for letting me use one of your pictures of B52 bomb craters. Your OK is fine for me, but a publisher will want written permission (because there are so many lawyers in the world, I guess.) If you could tell me your email address or regular mailing address I could send the form. I regret the bother.
BTW I was in an air cav unit and we often did BDA missions. Seldom did we see any evidence of impact on the enemy. It was not surprising to me because even if the bombs hit something interesting, they blew up everything and there was nothing left to see afterward.
Steve
davis@clemson.edu
usastruck@yahoo.com
Steve: If you have a problem getting your permission, you can contact me at unlikelywarrors@gmail.com. I will send you a photo of B52 craters in Vietnam. It was taken by my business partner/co-author in 1965. If you think you can use it, you can send the permission form and I will forward it on to him. G. B. Blackburn
I left out a letter in the email address above – it should be: unlikelywarriors@gmail.com
Sorry! GBB
I was glad to see a photo of my dad posted here under the nose art photos. He was a gunship pilot with A troop from Apr. 67 to Feb. 68. Thank you for your service and preserving the story of the 1/9!
My son told me you have to look at Vietnam War blogs. Your site is the first I have looked at. It feels like home.
You and I had similar experiences. I joined the Army for two years in August, 1969, thinking that being an RA would buy me something. It bought me 11Bravo. I was with A Company, 2/12 Cav from February through December, 1970 in Vietnam. May and June of that year were spent in Cambodia. In June,1971 I was out. I wrote about it all recently by publishing a memoir titled, 21 Months, 24 Days. If you have an interest in reading the book, I will send you a PDF if you want. Hard copy is available through Amazon or my website at 21months24days.com. There are over a hundred pictures in the book; all taken with my trusty Instamatic using slide film. Vietnam Veterans of America reviewed the book and and liked it. I’m sure you would get a kick out of it as well. It’s more of a job description than it is a war story.
A Company had a first reunion in Chandler, OK this year. A daughter of one of the guys arranged it all by tracking down everyone over a two year period. Fifty-three guys showed up, all from 1970. It was amazing to see them again. It was three days worth of an emotional roller coaster.
Thank you for your blog,
Richard Udden
Richard, I’m looking forward to your website! Welcome Home…
Thank you for your service. I would love to read your book. My dad was a doctor at Phuc Vinh and on helicopters picking up wounded.
Lynne, what unit was your dad with and what year?
Could you let me know of any and/or the best books available about C/3/17 CAV? Or any information about David Franklin Freeman
Killed 15 Sept 1970 Incident # 70091515-KIA
Chopper: OH-58A Scout, tail #: 68-16912
Troop C [Charliehorse]
3rd Squadron
17th Air Cavalry
You can email me at: elizabethandafter@hotmail.com
Thanks, David R. Cravens
Hi Rob,
I’m writing a story about Bob Hope for the USO’s upcoming 75th anniversary issue of its glossy magazine On Patrol.
I saw your blog post about seeing a Bob Hope show in 1970 in Vietnam and I was wondering if you’d have a few minutes to talk via email or on the phone about Bob and his relationship with troops, his legacy and the importance of his USO shows through the years.
My deadline is Friday, Oct. 16, 2015.
I’m based in the Washington D.C. area.
Hope to hear from you.
Thank you!
Ann Oldenburg
email: ann.t.oldenburg@gmail.com
Ann, you got mail…
Dear Rob,
I am currently working on a piece about the Vietnam War as a tribute to my godfather, Angelo. He was a Vietnam Vet, and I hope to honor his memory, as he passed this fall. I’m looking for first person accounting to help with my project and wondered if I can email you. Please let me know and thanks.
Kimberly
kemagn@gmail.com
I wasn’t in the war. I was 3 years too young for the draft.
I remember the times well, though, and of the high school seniors and older brothers of my friends who were going away when I entered school as a freshman. They had all been going away to Vietnam for awhile, culled from every town and city around, it seemed. Most came back, others didn’t, some were messed up. Whatever the case, they all came back different.
Yes, I was scared at the time because I barely knew the world, barely knew myself at 15, and knew much less of what it took to be shipped to Southeast Asia at the tender age of 18. I had this notion I’d probably die after graduating, and still be a virgin. I know that sounds stupid. I was just young.
I had an overseas soldier pen pal while I was in elementary school in the early 60s. He kindly wrote of life and boredom and ambushes and such, and sent me Polaroid pictures describing what he saw. Our school was sending off care packages to soldiers and I slipped in a letter of my own when no one knew. My Mom, a nurse, didn’t want me to know of these things and being protective, didn’t think I should keep on writing. I disagreed, and I continued. One day, the letters just stopped coming. I don’t know his name. It was too long ago.
My hat goes off to those young kids that were old enough and went. I look up to them, saying hello, paying my due respects. These are better men than me having served. Later on, I was mentored in my job by those same vets. As a rule they were more mature than their years allowed, and they were wise and fearless for taking on risks.
I liked your site because the home-grown pictures and descriptions give a better understanding of what many of us missed. It’s an important time in history. I was especially struck by how young everyone looked. Just like me. It’s the same youth I remember for myself and others, give or take a few years.
One picture of yours made a particular impression on me: It was a USO show featuring Miss America and her runner-ups, taken in a hole-ridden Quonset hut. It spoke volumes as all the pictures do, in their own way.
Thank you for a great site and keeping these memories alive– and for remembering everyone’s names as best as you could.
sorry so long.
steve
Steve, the Miss America USO Show was held in the helicopter hanger in Phouc Vinh, not a Quonset hut. I’m glad you enjoy my blog and thank you for your comment…
Hello there,
I was born 1975. My life has been peaceful, in Europe, where in school we heard nothing about nam, only about WWII. My life may have been typical for my generation. Many people don’t think of the past, they have other goals in life, not wanting to look. I didn’t know enough to, either.
I am writing. During research I started finding out about history, and I got a much different picture to what I’d assumed to have happened before my time. I will not look away again, thank you for sharing!
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
I’m working on a documentary project with filmmaker Peter McDowell that I thought would be of interest to you and your readers so I wanted to reach out and leave a note. You can follow the project on our facebook or indiegogo page (https://www.facebook.com/jimmyinsaigon or http://bit.ly/2642PEO) or view our first-look video: https://vimeo.com/167368203
The filmmaker’s brother, Jim, was a veteran who died in Vietnam when Peter was 5 years old. He was stationed in the 20th Engr Brigade at Bien Hoa from July 1970 until he was discharged in January 1971. He came back to the US, then returned to Saigon, Vietnam, as a civilian in May 1971. During this time, he worked for as a legal investigator for Bellen, Belli, Bailey and Ingram law firm in Vietnam in 1971-72 and also as a reporter for the Overseas Weekly. He died on June 6, 1972, at the U.S. Army 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon. The U.S. Embassy in Saigon sent notification to his family, but an autopsy was never performed.
Peter is making a documentary film about Jim’s life and death called Jimmy in Saigon:
“My goal is to travel around the US and to Vietnam, interviewing Jimmy’s close friends (nearly all of whom are still alive). Through this journery, I hope to retrace my brother’s steps, and to shed light on my family’s sometimes painful, but cryptic past. So far I have about 30 hours of footage and I plan to shoot more this year. I am passionate about this project and feel a strong sense of urgency to complete it with grace and thoughtfulness. The issues touched on: family, loss, war, mystery, substance use, politics and history (primarily in the early 70s – a very volatile and chaotic time in the world) still resonate today, My brother’s life and story are of interest, not just to me, but to us all.”
Thank you so very much for this site. I have recently started looking on behalf of my dad for information on Charlie Troop 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry Blue Annihilators. Your blog was the first website that I looked at. I was really quite surprised to find photos of him on here. He isn’t named in the photos, but it’s him. I have since found other sites and the reunion this September which I’m happy to say he is going to. So thank you again for this site it means a lot!
Danielle, you are welcome…
My dad was there but has never talked about it. He has been a functioning alcoholic all of my life (43years). I believe the alcohol is his way of self medicating because of PTSD and depression due to his tour. He refuses help. Reading your stories and seeing your pictures helps me understand him a little better. Thank you.
Dear Shannon: most of us [ by that I mean viet nam vets all have [ PTSD ] but many of us could not handel it, It is a shame the YOUTH of America [18 to 25,] and at 25 you were OLDER THAN THE OLD 18 YEAR OLD, WHO HAD JUST MADE his first kill, or into his fire fight. Some of us drank to find answers at the bottom of a bottle, some did drugs, and some did both, me, It took me 30 yrs out of 47 to come to grip with that nasty, nasty war, but for me I was able to find counceling, [ hard core theropy] for about ten years, It dosent chase away the ( boogie man) but at least I can cope, and some times its not easy. When my wife go out for an evening, some sob will say something smart, about us, or he is a [wan to b], people who never servied, or was in the service, but was lucky not to b sent over their. Un less your dad wants the help, He will be f…up the rest of his life. If u can get him to call me, or email me , I may b able to help him, I HAVE BEEN THIER,AND DONE THAT, these are some of the things they DONT want to here, like [we were labeled baby KILLER’S u know what, we were, only the media didn’t say, it was a matter of 6 gi’s giving candy, and food to young kids, and take all 6 out of the picture,[DEAD] SO WE HAD NO CHOICE. email paul.klugh@verizon.net [ phone (607 } 323 5121, or cell ( 607 ) 644 2226. any day after 1 pm, or 13:00 hours, till 0:3:00 3am est. paul.
My Dad was in the lounge at the US Army replacement detachment, 90th replacement battalion on December 23rd 1970 awaiting transportation to Bien Hoa Airfield and his ride home when he collapsed. His CO’s letter said that he was given mouth to mouth and transported to the 93rd Evacuation hospital where he survived until January 1st, 1971. I would like to find the individual(s) that provided first aid for my Dad to thank them for giving him a shot. Any idea how I could track him/them down?
I could spend days going through your post here. This is a great tribute to your Army buddies that served with you in Vietnam. I enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 to avoid the draft. I was going to school at Iowa Stat University and was about to lose my student deferment. I was inducted at Ft. Des Moines. I’ll bet you remember that horse barn they used. I served four years and was deployed to Vietnam in December 1968.
By the way, my dad was also Air Force and we were stationed at Sioux City Air Force Base from 1956 – 1961. I went to school first at Salix and then at Sergeant Bluff. I have a brother that lives at Port Orchard, WA if you know where that is. Small world.
One of the reasons I’m leaving a comment is that until recently, I was like so many guys that went to Vietnam, I didn’t really want to talk about it other than to maybe someone else that had served. They didn’t call it PTSD back then when we returned, but there were a lot of us, including me, that carried the nightmares home with us. Over the last few years after retiring, I started writing my memoire and decided to write a separate manuscript on my four years in the military. I finished it last summer and published it as an ebook. When finished, I felt I could finally put that part of my life behind me and quit feeling guilty.
Yes, I also want to advertise my book. Not to make money (you can’t make much when you sell it for $4.99 or give it away). I want to let others know, it’s okay to finally let go. Perhaps reading my experiences will help.
If anyone is interested, they can visit my website and read the synopsis of the book. There are links for purchasing depending on the type of e-reader device you have.
Thank you for sharing a great website and giving honor and respect to those that served.
Chuck Jackson
cljjlk@gmail
http://www.chuckjacksonknowme.com/about/books/
I’m looking forward to reading your book!
Welcome home…
Thank you. Since we are WordPress neighbors, I have selected to follow your blog. I hope your interest will follow mine as well. Otherwise, I’ll follow you and you follow me and we spread to good word.
Chuck: hello, I hear what u r saying, I spent 10 yr’s in theropy, [hard core] MY name is paul klugh, and I am glad I found this web, I also have a small paragraph on this site about P.T.S.D, BECAUSE talking about it help’s to chase the boogie man back where it belongs. em: paul.klugh@verizon.net
Dear Sir,
Sorry to interrupt your day, but I have some information you might appreciate. I am a Vietnam veteran, USNR. I have written a novel about the Vietnam War. The title is “Abandoned: MIA in Vietnam.” If you go to the following website you can read about it and see the reviews, none of which did I solicit or pay for. In my opinion, Richard A. Stratton, a naval aviator and POW (famous for blinking a Morse Code message to the world about torture) wrote the best one.
I will be happy to send you a FREE digital copy of the novel (PDF, Nook, Word, or Kindle), if you will put an HONEST review on your blog. That means if you hate it, you say so.
My email address is wbyauthor@bellsouth.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Bill Yancey
I was Phuoc Vinh with the 8th combat engineers and I’m trying to find out where I was located on the base. I know I was close to the 31st engineers. If you can give me some direction, that would be great. Thanks
Sorry, I can’t help you with that, but maybe someone else here can. Welcome Home…
Hello, my father was B co 1/502 101st 67-68… he and i recently published a book about vietnam memorials in the usa and would like to talk to you about possibly setting up a guest blog post on your site about the importance of these memorials… i cant find your contact info but you can go to out website and contact us from there… thank you we look forward to hearing from you sir
Hello!
I’m a modeller from Poland and I’m currently working on a 1/72 model of a Loach. I have found a nice set of decals for my model and only recently I have found out that I’m building a bird that you have piloted – the good ole 16290. If you don’t mind I would like to ask you a few questions about it. Here’s what I have so far: http://www.vietnam.net.pl/LOH/paint31.jpg and http://www.vietnam.net.pl/LOH/paint32.jpg. Thanks a lot for your great blog, best regards, Paweł Mroczkowski
Pawel: I wouldn’t mind having one of those my self. most everyone on this blog, has flown, or was being flow some where in nam, and some places we didn’t even know, the only two ships, I did not fly on, is the COBRA, AND THE OH-13.
Hello Mister Struck,
Thanks a lot for the link, that’s a very nice restoration report, very helpful to a modeller. I was hoping maybe Mister Jones is reading this and just maybe he would be so kind as to provide some pointers for me.
Do you have any idea what those black panels on the sides of the -290 were for? Were there any high visibility markings on top of the main rotor blades? Thanks again for your help and have a nice day
Paweł Mroczkowski
Hi Randy, I have just read Snake Pilot – I know very little about the Vietnam war, but served with the British Army in Afghanistan and Iraq. I can really resonate with the feelings that you articulate throughout the book. Your honesty was really moving. Whilst my experience was no where near yours. Many of the thoughts were similar. In Afghanistan I served working with the Air Force. I can vouch for the fact that the camp, food, and everything were entirely different! Jeremy
WelL I just found this sight. I’m looking for a good digital photo of the 1/9 logo so I can print it on my corn hole boards.
I was with the 1/9 with HHT and General Putnums crew chief 1970-71. I was the flight platoon SGT from January 70 to July. I don’t remember names very well but I sure did have some hairy missions putting LRRP’s. Love those guys. It would be nice to catch up with some of my troops. I did fly night hawl a couple of times with Charlie troop and helped out on 555″triple nickel” canned heat. Hope to hear back. thanks
Welcome Home George…
I was trying to recall the date of an event, and recalled the heroic LOACH pilot who was shot down and died just outside of reach – I looked up those officers who died during this period – and a Captain Luther Lasater’s name came up. I see that he served with F Troop 1st of the 9th – and what he this pilot was flying was a LOACH on that day. Does that sound right – as I recall immediately after – there was a COBRA also nearby who went Postal on the NVA compound. Any ideas on if that was Luther Lasater? Did you guys fly LOACH’s and hunter/killer teams – or Huey’s?
Hi Dave first off I want to thank you for your service. I was wondering if you could help me getting some more info on my uncle James Manthei that was killed on 3/21/71. I seen somewhere your name on a account of that day. Just reaching out to you if you have any memory of that day? My email is romanthei@yahoo.com Any info would be much appreciated. Robbie Manthei
Sir,
I am trying to find some information on my Father and his time in Vietnam, hoping his stories are not lost to history. I know hw was with 2 BDE 1 Cav in 1969, flying OH-6 scouts out of Bien Hoa and Phuoc Vinh. He was involved in engagements in Cambodia, and I remember vividly him telling a story of a jet ranger crashing during the fight at Rock Island East, and his Loach being next in line to kick out ammo. His name was Dennis Seals and I believe his call sign was “Silver”. By some rare chance, if you knew him, could you let me know? Thank you so much! my email is lincoln.seals@gmail.com
Lincoln
Lincoln: I was stationed in Phuoc Vinh in 69, but, I was assigned to the signal corp. We kept all types of communications up and running all the time. We had some scary characters you probably would never like to meet. Our station was fairly secure by 69. But Charlie wanted to make sure we didn’t get fat and lazy, so he’d lob mortars at the camp many times. I don’t remember other details about people. But, the guys I was with in Phuoc Vinh were some of the best people I ever met in my whole life. We were scared, more so at night, Charlie loved the night. I’d swear they can see like cats at night. Hotter than hell with the air conditioner on full blast. I hope you find your father, they are so important in our lives, all of us. Pray to God in helping you find dad. But, if it doesn’t work out, it was great to have God on your account for a while. Good luck.
Hi – I came across your blog after finding a photo that I wanted to use for my Masters Capstone Project. I read the final VAO report (2018), and have done a fair amount of research on dioxin (Agent Orange) and the affect agent orange has on children of Vietnam veterans. The research I am doing is on epigenetics (how toxins affect the expression of genes without changing the genes). My research is on all the scientific articles SINCE the final VAO report. I am hoping to be able to provide support (through research) to Vietnam veteran families. Thank you for your service. Alex
Alexander, I’d be interested in your findings on the effect of Agent Orange toxins. I lost my first born to cancer. He was five years old. I was back from VN about a year when he was born. He had issues from day one. The VA does acknowledge his condition as it wasn’t spina bifida. I’m also trying to find out long term affects on me as I was once assigned to spray that stuff around the perrimeter of Phouc Vinh. Got saturated but no one gave a darn at that time. I do have some spots of skin cancer that is treated at the local VA hospital. Thanks and Thank you for your service, Sgt George, 1/9 HHT70-71
I was in Phioc Vinh from February 1970 to March 1971 with the 371st RRC. It was my second Vietnam tour and I extended it to get out early. In 1999 I was diagnosed with a cancer caused by Agent Orange. I was 51 at the time. I distinctly remember our Barracks were in the old rubber trees that had been defoliate.
Sorry… should be Robarts..small phone screen.
Welcome Home Jim…
Cancer took my take a couple of years ago. We managed to service connect it, since his heart disease was already tied to it. I remember him talking about an old rubber plantation …..
I am writing the story of my VN Tour for my family. I am asking for permission to use your 90th BN gate w/2-1/2 ton truck photo for my story.
Len Ignatowski RVN 70-71
grunt69@gmail.com
Len, you have my permission to use anything I have published.
G. B. Blackburn