Guestbook Archive for Redbook
Redcatcher
Guestbook
Redcatcher
Email Database
Brigade Summaries
Main Page
199th
Chat Room
Palmer
Guest Book Archive

May 04, 2002
John Campbell <campbellj@benning.army.mil> from Columbus GA, Ft. Benning
3/7th----A Co.----Wpns----6/66----11/67
Lt. Gary Wiedle and my self had a conversation via e-mail last week. I know Garry and myself now understand each other, more that either of us ever thought. As an "Old" 1SG, Gary understood how I felt at that time. That time should have passed many years ago. Gary, I am personaly, on this Great 199th Web, Stating, "I accept you apolegies, Please except mine". I stated, I wanted to see you at the next "Redcatcher Reuinion" and I still do. This time with a hand shake, and say "Welcome Home Redcatcher"

May 04, 2002
Clarence D. Rule <crooznby2@email.com> from Coldwater, MI
4/12----D----2----Nov 67----Oct 68
I have not been into reunions or other things involving veterans since I have been home. I attended a Vietnam Veterans reunion in Kokomo, Indiana for the first time last September (2001) and met some people from the 199th that changed things. Then I got some email from Doc Ramirez which really changed me. Now I am looking forward to meeting and hearing from others. God bless us all and thanks Doc.

May 04, 2002
Terry Beckelic <beckelic@coslink.net> from cadillac, michigan
4/12----C----1st----1/69----1/70

I salute Gary Wiedle!
I've just been catching up on my reading here at the forum, errr, guestbook, and have read his posts both in the
message board and the guestbook. He is a good man and officer and a fine human being.

To the 199th and all of its attached units and personel, men and women, high and low, I raise a glass of the finest
champagne.


May 03, 2002
Bob Fromme <rfromme@stic.net> from Floresville, Texas
http://www.stic.net/users/rfromme
4/12----Delta----Joannides/Elias----4/69----7/69
Here is a copy of another letter to Blake Andujar, one of the SSG's sons. (See the June issue of Vietnam Magazine.) I am sure it will bring a few more memories to mind, for those of you who spent time in the northern part of the delta and up in the "Pinapples" before we were moved over to the jungles around Xuan Loc.

To: Blake Andujar
From: Robert Fromme
Subject: (Letters to the Redcatcher's Children) Remembering Newbies
Date: 09:10 P.M. 7/14/00

Dear Blake,

This has to be hard for your family, right now. Most human beings are never subjected to this kind of lingering grief and unanswered questions when death brings great tragedy and loss to the family. From your messages you seem to be a fine man and I am certain that your father would have been pleased with you and your family. Come to think of it, if he is there, silently looking out to us, watching you and your family behind that reflective darkness, that tragic wall of names, I know he is so very proud of all of you. Tears have come to me, again, Blake...

I took a break and spent some time in the yard and now I will continue. You see, in the fall I will not have much time to write to you about those days. The school year will begin and there I must live again in the present. The time for this is now and I need to get on with it. Also, I have mentioned to Bob Wagoner that I keep finding myself sort of skirting out around the edges of life there. I have been writing "little" memories. I am avoiding the big ones. It is as if I have to build a bit of courage before I get back in the middle of some of the events, those with great tragedy where men were wounded and where lives were lost. Anyway, I thought today I would try to continue with a couple accounts about the "newbies," the constant string of replacements who filtered into the squads of in Delta 4/12.

After a soldier had been in the unit for a while, you began to realize that, early on, other men in the squad had shouldered responsibility for trying to get on with the mission and they had been carrying you, the new guy, along the way. Somewhere along there, you had become less of a drag on the system and perhaps you were even making their lives a bit easier as you discovered your own place in the scheme of things. The general attitude was that a newbie was not very bright, he was careless, he was noisy, and he may well be a coward. If you were new to the squad, you had to prove things were otherwise. Certainly a new man was a liability and one's life would be simpler and safer if he were not around.

I remember when things were going well, how quietly Third Platoon would sort of float along in the dusty Vietnam countryside. We were like a long olive drab serpent, snaking our silent way along into the evening and the night missions out of Elvira and Claudette. Then we would get stuck with some character who was always wearing gobs of reflective adornment, jewelry, a flashy watch or he was knocking the butt of his M16 into his canteen...stepping on every dry branch or kicking every darned rock in the trail that he could find. Some of them would try to face their fear and the loneliness by conversation, walking up too near to you when we were supposed to remain apart.... talking out, raping the silence, when the time was not right for any sound.

The unexpected seemed to hover around the new guy like a stench. I remember one fellow who began yelling out, talking in his sleep, while our little squad lay prostrate in the quiet floor of a dry rice paddy, laying in ambush, through the lonely fear of another night. Snoring was not that much of a problem. Several of the men were regulars at that night noise. But when it developed, they would soon feel a buddy tugging at them. Helping them move over onto their stomachs so the deep waves would not compromise the position, but the men who yelled out and talked sent chills up one's neck.

Smoking was another habit which required serious responsibility. For those of us who were smokers, the ritual had you hunched over so that your back, your helmet and shoulders concealed most of the light. The cigarette was held backwards, cupped deep into the middle of both hands. In other words, out in the field, in the evening and night, you had to wrap yourself in layers over and round your smoke. If the unit was set into the ambush site, one would arch their body around against the paddy burn and sort of get the smoke up under your chest and shoulder as your lay in the darkness. The idea was for no light to escape. Any other way would get people killed.

I have a memory to reinforce my point here, Blake. You will remember that in an earlier message I explained that when we were sent out on "bush”, we would usually begin the patrol in the late afternoon or early evening. We would walk through the countryside until we were within about three or four kilometers, "clicks," of the ambush site. Then, if there was some time, we had to wait for darkness to set in before moving on out and over for the set up. This was all complicated if the moon was bright and when the night was extremely black. If the moonlight made secrecy difficult, we would occasionally have to crawl along on our stomachs into position or we would have to work our way out through any available cover until we could get near the site. If there would be no moon, we would watch through the dusk trying to memorize the lay of the land so that we could negotiate the last few "clicks" to the place in total darkness. Anyway, on one such evening assignment, we had a new fellow who was a smoker. We had made the long hike into the staging area and we were waiting for darkness. Corporal Routte had us on a raised path where there was a rice paddy on the right and a sort of canal or shallow water way on the left. I remember a lot of footprints in the dust along path and we were not too concerned about it being mined. As we moved into position, in the distance at least three kilometers to the south, we could see a little farm hamlet and a raised burn which signaled a PF post. Around the countryside the South Vietnam government had tried to organize local militia among the population and they had these raised bunkers where the Popular Force hung out...where they acted like they were guarding the local area. In reality, we all figured that they were just local farmers, probably caught between us, their government, and the VC. They probably had some sort of unwritten standing agreement with the local VC so that if one group did not bother the other, things would just stay " hunky-dory".

Anyway, Corporal Root quietly stated that we were going to be moving out soon so "smoke if you need to, before we get to humping again." Darkness had nearly replaced the dusk. All the smokers, except the newbie, assumed the position. We were like a row of sparrows on a phone line, but on a trail, down in the squat. The new man stood straight up; struck a match across his belt buckle; and like an Olympic torch it made its fiery way up toward the "John Wayne" cigarette perched out to the side off his mouth. With the light coming up from below his face, there was an unnatural "Alferd Hitchcock" lighting to the man's face. In seconds there was the sickening thud and then splatter of a round ripping into the paddy mud just below our trail. A second round hissed right though the middle of us, followed by the sound of one shot and then the other riding on the night air from the direction of the PF Post. In the next instance the men of the squad were all prostrate on the north side of the burn, feet and ankles in the paddy water. Yet, the new man just stood up there, on the trail in a daze, wondering what was up. I believe it was the muscular arm of Corporal Routte which seemed to shoot up toward the young soldier's stomach. He caught the newbie at his belt and yanked him, stomach first, to the mud on our side of the burn.

We lay there in silence and watched, waiting for more danger, but there the silence won out. Eventually our squad moved back up into the darkness of the trial and headed on about our mission. The chosen "bush" was set up and the silence of the black was broken only by an occasional snoring man and the syncopation of the "squelch" jerks, Sit-Rep signals to the command post back at Elvira. The night was uneventful. Very little was said to the new man. He knew that he had screwed up and he would probably never be quite so careless with a smoke. Perhaps, later in the next day, back at the base camp, Corporal Routte would have faced the man and said "You dumb sh_t!" Then he would have said, "I'm glad you’re still alive." That would have been the end of that.

Blake, on the same night, your father was probably either back at Elvira listening for the clicks and static on the radio, or he was out there somewhere else in the darkness of Delta's quadrant of the countryside. I am sure he had a wonderful collection of similar stories about newbies that would have enjoyed sharing with you and your brothers and sister.

Perhaps tomorrow I can share another related memory hat has come back with me from that place.

Enjoy the evening,

Bob Fromme


May 03, 2002
RICK JONES <ROTT357@AOL.COM> from PITTSBURG, TEXAS
http://www.geocities.com/LILRACOON_30/
4TH/12TH----DELTA----2ND----69----70
HELLO TO ALL,

THIS WIEDLE THING HAS GONE WAY TOO FAR. LET’S GET OFF THIS MAN’S BACK. I AGREE WITH YOGI, JOHN, SKIP, ROBERT, AND SEVERAL OTHERS THAT THERE SHOULDN”T BE ANY MORE MENTION OF SUCH DENIGATION TO THIS MAN. I KNOW THAT HE HAS BEEN WRITTEN SEVERAL PERSONAL EMAILS, BUT I DON’T THINK THEY EVER GOT REPLIES? WELL, LET’S QUIT THAT STUFF BECAUSE WE SHOULD REALIZE HOW WRONG WE WERE IN QUESTIONING AN OFFICER IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT HAS ALL BEEN VERY ENLIGHTENING FOR ME AND I’LL ADMIT
THAT THE MAN HAS REASSURED ME THAT THERE ARE THOSE OFFICERS, STILL LIVING, THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN A BULLET
FOR HIS MEN, SO MANY YEARS AGO. AND THE AMAZING THING IS
THAT NONE OF HIS MEN TOOK A HIT OR EVEN A SCRATCH WHILE THEY WERE UNDER HIS COMMAND. THAT THOUGHT FROM THE FIRST POST WILL NEVER LEAVE ME. AND ANOTHER THING IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME HE SPENT TO ACCOMPLISH SUCH A RECORD......ABOUT 3 MONTHS? THAT IS SO AWESOME, AND AT THE SAME TIME, SO UNBELIEVABLE... BUT,THERE AGAIN, I WASN’T AN OFFICER. IT MUST HAVE BEEN SO STRESSFUL! I JUST THOUGHT THAT THE PLATOON SERGEANTS HAD IT BAD! I OPENLY ADMIT I WAS A REAL FOOL. THIS MAN, THIS WONDERFULLY DECORATED OFFICER HAS POSTED HIS FEELINGS HERE; WHAT A TRIBUTE TO ALL OF US REDCATCHERS! APRIL 25, 2002 WILL ALWAYS BE A FOND MEMORY OF WHAT A REAL LEADER IS ALL ABOUT.

I GUESS I HAVE SAID ENOUGH NOW. I KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU
ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT I HAVE FAILED IN JUDGING THIS WONDERFUL MAN AND WILL ACCEPT MY MOST SINCERE APOLOGY IF I HAVE EVER GOT OUT OF LINE IN MY INTERPRETATION OF HIS WORDS THAT I MUST HAVE TAKEN IN THE NEGATIVE. I PRAY THAT I WILL BE FORGIVEN BY GARY WEASEL AND ALL THAT MAY HAVE TAKEN OFFENSE AT MY EARLIER POSTS. LOVE TO ALL, RICK JONES

DISCLAIMER: SINCE I WAS JUST A PFC., I HOPE THAT ANY BAD
GRAMMAR, SPELLING OR PUNCTUATION MIGHT BE IGNORED IN MY LAST STATEMENTS. I’VE ONLY HAD A COUPLE OF YEARS OF COLLEGE SO THEREFORE, "I’M AT A LOSS FOR ANY PRETTY
WORDS, OR WHATEVER?"

May 03, 2002
Michelle M. Johnson <jwjmmj@msn.com> from Gig Harbor, WA
----------------
It has been awhile since I could post something to the site about my grandfather's funeral. General Robert C. Forbes was buried at Arlington on April 18th. The service was breathtaking, emotional, respectful...
I was so moved by the support shown by the 199th members in attendance. I had the privelege to meet a few of you before the service. I am sorry I could not meet more of you, I had to leave for the airport right after the service. My family was honored to have you all in attendance.
The graveside service was moving beyond my words. I could only sit back and take it all in. On my flight that night I still could not put into words what honor and respect I had seen displayed that day. My husband and I could only say "Wow, what a service, what a day, what a man." Thinking about it still brings a swell of pride in my heart and a tear to my eye.
I ask that you all keep General Forbes in your heart and continue to remember him. Talk about him, tell your stories, smile when someting reminds you of him. He is still here with us if we continue to do this. Just the other day I smelled pipe tobacco...I smiled and remembered my PopPop smoking his pipe and enjoying life.
Thank you all.....Michelle Johnson

May 03, 2002
JAMES R. WALKER from OKLAHOMA
5/12----B----3RD----JAN70----MAY70
FOR LT. WIEDLE, I WAS WITH YOU ALL THOSE TIME AT FSB LIBBY AND FSB GLADYS, THE TROOPS THAT WERE STATIONED AT THOSE FSB FAUGHT JUST AS HARD AS ANY ONE ELSE. I WAS WOUNDED IN MAY OF 1970 IN CAMBODIA. SO I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED. WE ARE ALL ONE, WHEN THEY GET US TO BATTLE EACH OTHER THEN THE DEMONS WILL WIN. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL. LETS NOT FORGET THAT OR OUR FALLEN COMRADES

May 03, 2002
Robert L. Cusick <RCusick102@aol.com> from Wayne,New Jersey
2/40th Arty----B Battery--------69 Sept----70 Sept
Greetings to all,just a friendly note of hello to all my fellow 199th LIB Vets.As mentioned before by our brothers, appology accepted from 2nd LT Weidle.We all tend to say things that sometimes get out of hand.No harm at this stage of our lives .Memorial day is rapidly approaching and as always a time of inner thoughts and rememberances about our past histories.It's been a hella of a long time (35 years) but welcome back to all my brothers and my prayers for one and all.I will be making that trip to the "Wall" this summer to try and close that open loop.Somehow I know it will hurt but I think we all have to get it behind us.I look forward to my trip .I know that not one of us soldiers will ever forget that time in our young lives when we put it all on the line for each other.God Bless and I pray for all of us Vets.Regards,Bob

May 03, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th / 12th----HHC, CO. E. & CO. D.----4th----May 1967----May 1968
I am one hundred percent with Yogi, Gary has apoligized and
as Redcatchers we should say apology accepted. Now I want
to see all redcatchers who use these pages think of the last
time we made a mistake and count back 10 times. It is hard
to believe others forgave us after we realize what we did.
Thanks amigos

May 03, 2002
LOUIE YEOSTROS <YOGI1570@AOL.COM> from SARASOTA FLORIDA
199TH 2/3----A & HHC----FIRST----10/68----1/70
Ok!!! It is time to cut 1st LT Gary Wiedle some slack. He already apologized for that fatal night. We all put our foot in our mouth sometimes. He took his beating like a man. Lets unite again and welcome Gary to our family. I know I can't throw stones at a glass house. I think we all tip one to many sometimes,then wish we could turn the clock back,when we wake the next morning. I hope we can put this behind us,and welcome Gary to the REDCATCHER FAMILY. Thank you for your time.

Yogi aka Louie Yeostros

May 03, 2002
Dave Murray <redhawk34@comcast.net> from Joisey, ya gotta problem wit dat?
1099 Medium Boat----LCM 34/ 23--------68-69----
To 1LT Wiedle:
This website isn't about you (or me).
It's about US.
Redhawk34
Rear Echelon Melon Farmer
(Hell, I was 30 feet behind the Infantry!)

May 03, 2002
mike janway <wedge50@earthlink.net> from oklahoma/florida now
856th RR Det------------8/68----8/70
just checkin to see if any old buddies were still kickin

May 02, 2002
Randy Brooks <RBrooks340aol.com> from Chicago, Ill
5/12----HHC/D/C------------
It is with great sadness that have to report the loss of a fellow Redcatcher.William T. Matson. Bill served with Co.B 7th Support from 1968 to 1969. Bill was active with his church the VFW, American Legion and VVA. I have lost a good friend. Say a prayer for our fellow Redcatcher. Bill Matson 1945 to 2002

May 02, 2002
Larry Hanner <lehanner@yahoo.com> from Bloomfield, Mo.
2/3----delta----1 st----June 68 ----june 69
Had a great time at the Alatoona Reunion. Need to find these guys for next reunion: Lt. William Leblanc, John T. Youngblood, Carl Young, Juble Hampton, John Herzog, Jim Froelich, Mark Kreuger, Sgt. Furr and my buddy from Alabama by the name of Scotty, (sorry Scotty cant remember your last name but you were married to Jackie at Ft. Benning). Please contact me any of you.

May 02, 2002
Tom Kennedy <tckenne@attglobal.net> from Rockville, MD
5/12----B & HHC----1 & $----May '68----May '69
Second Annual Redcatcher Golf Outing!!!!!
Hello to all! Colonel Malone and I are organizing our Second Annual Redcatcher Reconisance in Force & Golf Outing --- Details are not firm at this time, but the plan will be to tee-off on early Saturday AM (May 25). Format will be as last year, two man teams/best ball dogfight. If you don't have a partner yet, we'll team you up with someone. Prizes will be nominal and accompanied by suitable abuse and recognition for the winners! ALL skill levels are welcome and encouraged to join us. Feel free to sign up individually or in teams. For those of you who are interested, please send me an e-mail( tckenne@attglobal.net ) or give me a call at home (301-840-1409) .
We are trying to lock in on a golf course as close as possible to the reunion as possible. We will do our best to keep the expense to a minimum. As soon as we have the golf course and cost inedtified, we will post it here on the website. Thank you.
I look forward to seeing you all at the reunion and on the golf course.
Best to all,
Tom
tckenne@attglobal.net
301-840-1409


May 01, 2002
Ram Chavez <ramchavez@sbcglobal.net> from Corpus Christi,Texas
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2237/vetfive.html
4/12----Co. D----Sr. Medic----Sept. 1967----Sept. 1968
Anybody know where Capt. James Dabney is today. He was the company commander of Co. D, 4/12 from Jan. 1, 1968 till at least June 1968, that I know off. He and I walked to Co. D 4/12 on Jan. 2. I was assigned as the Senior Medic of Co. D 4/12. It would be nice if we could find him. He was one of the finest officers and becasue of that, many of us came back home. Pasqual Ramirez, Otis Wells, Lt. Arlan Wayne Smith, Gunterh Bahjal, and many other good men served under Capt. Dabney. Let me know if anybody know where we can contact Capt. Dabney.

May 01, 2002
Bill Tallman <billtallman45@yahoo.com> from Carbondale, Illinois
2/3----Delta----3----Feb. 68----Mar. 68
Having just returned from Delta 2/3's first ever reunion I must say that a finer group of men I have never been associated with. The laughter was infectious with a sprinklering of tears and hugs mixed in. I am more convinced than ever that by the time the good Lord takes the very last Vietnam vet our country will have lost a national treasure and not even know it. The history revisionists will have made the protesters out to be the heroes and we will be relgated to a dark chapter in our county's history. That's okay because we want nothing more than to be able to look each other in the eye and see the mutual understanding that comes only between those of us who were there. God bless each and every one of you and please try to get together with your old buddies. It's tuely a salve for the soul. A special thanks to an old Lt. named Wayne Williams without whose help none of us would have found each other. His contsruction of the Old Guard web site has been priceless. Men of Delta 2/3 you are the greatest. Bill Tallman

May 01, 2002
John Campbell <campbellj@benning.army.mil> from Col. Ga. Ft. Benning
3/7th ----A----Wpns----6/66----11/67
2nd LT (HA) Weidle, After reading your article in the 199th web site, I now realize what officers like you meant to the US Army. ZIPPO. All I saw was bragging about the quick kill at Benning. How about your relationship with the troops, oops I forgot, you must have been far above them, especially the REMF’S. You know the ones that did all the paperwork for your awards, sent the Hot meals to the field with the new fatigues, the Sundry packs, ammo, and new troops, yep, you must have been a good leader. I'm sure you have told all your friends and co-workers of all the trials and tribulations in Nam, with all the non-combatants saving your ass on a daily basis. Especially the hospital. I hope I see you at the Reunion, along with the rest of the 199th, by the way, there will be some REMF’S there also. And ALLWAYS remember, "Rangers Lead The Way". (3/75th)

April 30, 2002
Bob Fromme <rfromme@stic.net> from Floresville, Texas
http://www.stic.net/users/rfromme
4/12----Delta----Joannides/Elias----April 69----July 69
Howdy, Redcatchers,

Several of you seem to enjoye reading the "Rat Storm" letter to Blak, the son of SSG Andujar, so I will share another earlier letter, It is one for those who want a to remember some of the ....."stand-down good times?"

To: Blake Andujar
From: Robert Fromme
Subject: (Letters to the Redcatcher's Children) Newbie's Burning Memory and a Football Game.
Date: 09:58 P.M. 7/13/00

Dear Blake,

I am sure Bob Wagoner shares many of the same emotions and frustrations that I have been having with wanting to remember glimpses of those months with your father. I always enjoy Bob's messages. I was pleased to learn recently that he has made contact with Marty Gushwa who was also one of your Father's men. I did not know Marty and there is very little that my memory holds concerning Wagoner. Last year, Bob attached some images to email and after looking at several where I could see parts of his face, he seemed familiar, but certainly our lives did not touch in any direct way before his tour was over. I do have a bit of a memory of a party given for a Sgt. in the unit, probably his, and I had not been with Delta very long. Another squad in Third Platoon was lead by a fairly tall man named VanAndel, a Sgt., who was also "short" (we called them "short-timers" when they got close to the end of their tour over there). Anyway, it was probably Van Andel or Corporal Routte, my squad leader at the time, who went over for this party. Honestly, at that time, for me, an F.N.G. or "Newbie", men like Bob Wagoner were a bit
frightening. ( Please don't ask what the F.N.G. stands for.) The "short-timers" were hard, muscular, sun warn.... battle warn, men.... aged beyond their years. Their speech was usually coarse, direct and if they talked to you, the words would cut right through you. Yet, you had better listen to them. They had their own circle of friends garnered from trust born of fire fights and "down-time" fun and they had no reason to talk to an F. N. G unless the fellow had "screwed up" or unless they had a bit of experience that they were gracious enough to share with you in order to help you stay alive. You listened and you kept your mouth shut. If they kidded you, and in the jest, made you feel like an "ass," you took it as a compliment. It usually signaled that they were starting to accept you as one of the unit.

In an earlier message to me, from Wagoner, he made a humorous reference to an "old-timer's" attitude toward replacements. You see, after his recent letter to me, I realize that I should point out that your father, with the responsibility of a Platoon, had an ongoing flow of men moving in to his squads. He would have been sizing them up, looking for the ones who were careless, looking for the ones who were not very right....watching for those who were angry or untrustworthy. He would have quietly talked to his squad leaders about the new fellows. Trying to head off problems. Trying to save lives. I thought, in this particular message to you and your family, I would talk a bit about "newbies," those in the constant string of replacements who were moved into the unit, as other men left via Med-Evac, "freedom bird," or "re-upping," to get out of the Infantry. Here are two of my memories as a "newbie" in Delta Company.

One of my early memories, as a new guy, was one repugnant task shared by thousands of fellows who were in Vietnam. There was one duty that was hated above all others. If you were a "newbie" you probably "burned sh_t." No....literally, Blake, that was one of the duties. In base camps they had these long "out houses." There were six hole sh_tters and twelve hole sh_tters. For sanitary reasons, something had to be done with the accumulation. If you were a new fellow, you were ordered to take care of it. You were given a five gallon can of kerosene and some matches. You had to go over to the back of the long shack, pull up the wooden door which flopped down over the rows of fifty five gallon drums, cut in half, below the "thrones." These were usually perched in there on a support of "two by fours" and the critical part of the whole nasty experience was getting that vile, loaded can slid out and eased down onto the ground without getting splattered as it dropped. The thing was dragged out away from the shack, doused with the kerosene and ignited. When one can looked as if it would stay burning, you had to move on to the next one. It was back to the shack and the stench. Up came the wooden door, etc. Down the line you would go. Soon a line of billowing smoke trails would celebrate your mission. The cans would burn and smolder for hours. Mondays were the worst day to catch the duty. There were two kinds of Malaria pills that we had to take. The little one taken on Mondays gave most of us the "runs".

Well, I realize that this is a vile account but one may consider that this duty probably held value as a way to see if a man would follow orders and accomplish his mission, no matter how degrading and repugnant. No doubt, it also served as a source of humor as the "old-timers" (like your Dad and Bob Wagoner) watched the "newbie" stumbled along through the base camp dust, off and up toward the "sh_tter with the can of kerosene and the matches. Unfortunately I caught this duty several times in the first few weeks that I was with the unit. I think, being a college graduate may have worked against some of us, since they wanted to check us out to see if we could handle life at the bottom. I must have finally passed their test because after a number of similar missions successfully accomplished, that duty eventually fell to another poor F. N. G..

I remember another "newbie's" impression from some "down time" at Fire Support Base, Elvira. Blake, as grunts in the 199th, what we owned was what we could carry. But there were other units, other kinds of jobs, where men had the luxury of living a more stationary life. The fellows in the artillery had a bit of this luxury, and I remember that some of those gunners had an old, really pathetic looking football. The thing had a slow air leak but it was good for about ten or fifteen minutes at a go before the game would stop and one of the men would get the job of running back over to the gunners' tire pump for another resurrection. Sometimes, the darned thing was as flat as it could be and yet, the game went on.

Now, Blake, you have to try to picture this one. The area where they played was just outside one of the entry gates at Fire Support Base, Claludette. One of the goal lines butted up to a pile of concertina which was usually pulled back into a U-turn by day and then at night the stuff was dragged back around and up over to restrict part of the road. The men usually had their shirts off and so you see these clowns out there with jungle boots and baggy pants. They had no pads, no football helmets, and they threw themselves into the game like there was no tomorrow. For a "newbie" like myself, the whole spectacle was bizarre. I had played a bit of ball in high school but when they got me over there I felt like this was not the same game I had known. The fellows would hit and tackle each other with a furry. If the course of their play yielded a bone cruncher, the participants would simply roll onto their backs in the dust and laugh until the pain lessened. When the game put some of the men down on the ground, trying to recover a real slammer, the others all laughed and sort of danced around as their buddies gyrated, rumbled and moaned in their pain. Along with the play, one of the men was walking around the edge of the area with his hand up to his mouth, acting as if he were a sports announcer on the radio, yelling out the play by play at the top of his voice. They all were crazy!

I certainly did not understand this ritual until much later. Anyway the image sticks in my mind because a tall blond fellow, an R.T.O, I believe his last name was Kenney, went out for a long pass and the high arching, wobbling, pathetic excuse for a dead pig in the air, took him deeper and deeper toward the razor sharp nest of concertina at the goal. We all expected him to stop.... give up the pass, but he did not. Up he jumped, then in a slow arch his reach caught the wobbling pig. He seemed to hover up there in the air for the longest time and then down he floated, spread out over the tangle of razor sharp concertina wire. Down, slowly down, he ascended, deep into the lap of this tangle. Then his body just sort of hung there slowly easing up and down with the springy wire, about two feet off the ground. Things all got deadly quite. The men rushed over to the fellow. His face reflected a glimmer of satisfaction, pride at his "All American" moment and then, in an instant, he and the rest of us got real serious. This man was stretched out there, deep in the hive of nasty wire, on his back.... impaled. Every time one of us would try to ease into the tangle to try to help him out, it would pull the razor nest along, tearing deeper into his back.... into his neck and the back of his legs. He would give a heavy "huff' of wind from down in his lungs each time we tried to move in to get him, making the wire pull at him in his frozen, ritual sacrifice, position.

Eventually, he had endured sufficient pain for several of the men to get deep enough into the rolls of wire to lift him up. I don't know whether we should attach significance to the fact that the gunner's football was the first to be rescued from the nest. Next, they brought the man almost straight up, with the springy wire trying to follow his body as he was raised. I remember grimacing at the sight, empathizing with his pain, as one and then another of the razor barbs popped back from his skin. They brought him up and then out.... over his bed of suffering. The man was eased over so that he was in a standing position. He slowly started to smile. Then he sort of shook all over and he grabbed at the fellow holding the football. Pig skin in hand, he broke out of the huddle of men who had just rescued him. Down the make believe football field he went, skipping and jumping while waving the ball high above his head and yelling out at the top of his voice, over and again, "And the crowd goes wild!" He continued his tirade for a while as men clapped, whooped and laughed their way deep into the moment. Then, someone yelled out to him, "get over here with that you crazy bast_rd!". "The thing still has some air in it.... Lets play!" The game went on. Kenney was right there, in the middle of it, as if nothing had happened. From the back, the man looked kind of like Christ brought down from the cross.

Only later into my tour of duty with these men would I understand all of this. For the grunts, for us, these sorts of times represented a way to loose the nasty reality which was our lot. That Claudette football afternoon was just a pitiful few "All American" moments for some "All American Boys." Some of America's finest! It was a way to make a fleeting bit of "Stateside" come for a visit. Unfortunately, like the air in the gunner's pigskin, it would not last long.

Blake, I will try to share some more on the topic of "newbies" with you tomorrow.

Bob Fromme
( Dave Kenney, the fellow in the wire in this day, was hit in a firefight on May 27th 1969 and later died in the hospital on June 11th. Another player, that afternoon was SGT Claude VanAnde, who was also KIA in the May 27th fight. Charlie Fink, now a priest in Hewlett, New York, and another fellow from Georgia, too new to the unit for me to remember his name, were wounded in the same contact with the enemy.)


April 30, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th / 12th----HHC, CO. E. & CO. D.----4th----May 1967----May 1968
Enough of the REMF crap guys we were there some of us still
don't know why. So cut it right here or am I going to have to go to my first reunion and slap some heads.
Love all of you. Welcome Home Amigos!

April 30, 2002
John McBride <mcskudler@msn.com> from Seattle, Washington
2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry----Alpha and HHC----1st ----April, 1969----June, 1970
Gary Wiedle,

Louis Yeostros convinced me that it was late at night when you made that entry and that you were melancholy.

I hope you are okay, Gary.

As Dan Houchin noted, we all served together. The war was a long time ago. Right now looking back at your entry in the Guestbook, and those since, I'm having to laugh. Talk about shaking a red ant colony! Man!

I'm printing all the entries beginning with your's, and especially Skip's, and putting them in an album. If I live long enough to be a really old man like Skip I want to make sure I've got something to really laugh about, not least my own. Whoa! Jump down off the highhorse, John, and don't kill yourself in the fall.

Take care everyone. I'd say a lot more as I'm prone to do, but I've got to run for cover right now. I'm expecting an e-mail from Skip momentarily.

John
p.s. Anonymous (ya, right! three guesses who and the first two don't count): Thanks for fixing that date in Skip's entry. Otherwise I was going to go through life thinking Skip's dad (all due respect to your father, Skip)had died in Bed 26 and I had not even a single clue what to do with that information.


April 30, 2002
Michael Yancy <mwyancy@bbtel.com> from Radcliff,KY
5/12 Inf----HHC/RECON/D. CO----Medic----Mar68----Mar 69
When all is said and done,drive over to the wall and remember what it was all about. Those in the field and those in the rear dying to protect a brother.

April 29, 2002
Mike Swearingen from
----------------
Sorry about that! (permanent and Afganistan at the end of that last post). I was laughing and typing, and I can't do two things at once any more.
However, I do sit a very good REMF chair every chance that I get.

April 29, 2002
Mike Swearingen <a-realty@mchsi.com> from TX Then/NC Now
http://www.albemarle-realty.com
40th PIO----HHC, 199th--------NOV 67----NOV 68
My earlier comments regarding REMFs, as an REMF, were not aimed back at Gary Wiedle in any way. They were just my comments in general, and he only brought the subject to my mind. I highly respect any man that ever sets foot in a combat zone, especially people like former ILT Wiedle, who served as a 199th infantryman and was seriously wounded.
He has earned a right, as all Redcatchers have, to say what he feels at the moment. Whether we disagree or not. Brother! I'm not perfect either, and that damned war didn't improve me. So just for the record, I am a permenant REMF from Afganstan. How about you? LOL Mike

April 29, 2002
Anonymous <ROTTEN RICK> from HERE
ONE OF THEM----SAME----SAME----60'S----70'S
THE DUMMY THAT POSTED THE LAST ONE MEANT FEB 26, 2002 BUT I THINK HE WAS DRINKIN' OR SOMETHING.

April 29, 2002
Skip Brockner <CAX1946@aol.com> from D Troop
----------------
FYI.....just for the record....during WW2, my Father was a Fighter Pilot and OFFICER flying the P-47, P-52 & P-38 out of England escorting the Bomber flying into Europe. HE passed away Bed 26, 2002 in Port Charlotte, Fl at the age of 79. I WAS a Military Brat growing up.

April 29, 2002
Chris Wander <GMaWander@AOL.com> from Las Vegas NV
7th Support----B----Co Clerk----Aug 66----Apr 68
I didn't even know I was a REMF until 15 years ago. I sure never heard the expression while with the 199th. I am glad I stumbled upon your website the other day.

April 29, 2002
Skip Brockner <CAX1946@aol.com> from New Jersey
http://www.skipbrockner.com
D Troop------------June 67----Nov 67
Okaaaaaaayyyyyy now folks, we been having some comment regarding Butter Bar LT Weidle and some silly stuff over 35 years ago. I've been holding back my "comments" trying to sort out this stuff (and according to Rick Jones, I'm supposed to be polite). Now I will admit up front I am no RAMBO, I spent about 1/2 a tour in Nam, and to be hones, was scared 1/2 to death most the time. I was a repo-depot replacemnet incountry with the 2/47th Mech inf, "Cookie Division" and later transfered to the 199th (and to this day have little to no clue where i was, or what we did). Excuse me if I BRAG just a little here, but I VOLUNTEERED for Vietnam coming from Korea, went to Nam, and was transfered BACK to Korea just in time for the Puebo Incident. I took Basic Training like we all did as an 11B10, school trained as a wheel & track vehicle mechanic, 63B20. I freely admit I was no Superman, but i will tell ALL of you that I was trained in Nam to handle the 50 cal, M-60, M-16, 30 Cal Grease Gun and i carried a tool box in the process, and I never got the CIB because of my MOS. I went on AMBUSH PATROL, and gave as good as I got. I feel I was cheated out of a CIB because of my MOS and the Legal Letter of the Military Law. I did my bit. I lost friends in Nam, and Clyde Owenby was a special incident in my life and I reverence him to this day.

I have spent the majority of the last 35 years trying to figure out where the heck i was on any given day. I remeber doing Road Patrols, sitting by bridges, fixing tracks, getting heat sick, being scared stiff, sleeping on the Swim Boards of Tracks, being at French Fort, in the Boonies, running from Saigon to BearCat to Xuan Loc and back BEFORE most of you showed up in the Nam. I remember guarding the 13th Engineer Btn pushing roads through the jungle and i can't tell you exactly where, setting up Claymor Mines, getting eatin alive by ants, bamboo jungles, and rubber plantations. I still got no idea where i was. I remember meeting General Westmoreland just once while digging a Foxhole near the Cambodian Border (Operation Junction City?), third phase? I honestly have no clue.

I remember Gary Heflin, very little of Base Camp, having the Army lossing my paperwork, pay records, having to write my Mother because I had nothing and having to get a Congressman involved to get some justice. I remember some jerk Officer telling me that I didn't have to do that AFTERWARDS! I was a PFC, he was a jerk!

I came out of Korea to Nam to do my bit. Then my Dad was transfered into Nam from Ft Benning as a Chopper Ops Sgt. Stationed at Bein Hoa. Before that he was in Germany. I was supposed to be transfered Stateside when the military found out we were BOTH in country. He stayed, i got transfered back to Korea, just in time for the Pueblo Incident in Korea. 21 Chinese Divisions against about 2 American Divisions, and a couple ROK Army Divisions....if Joe Chink had jumped, we'd have been grease spots on the map. Out of a 36 month ENLISTMENT I spent 27 months on HARDSHIP tours...so I really don't want to hear "certain people" cry about stuff that happened to them.

I will say this much about Nam, Officers, and all that goes with them, from President Johnson down to the Grunt in the field, we ALL paid our dues....so quit yur $%&#!in and get on with life. We are ALL old men now, and we ALL lost buddies, and SOME PEOPLE still don't get it 35 years later. They never will.

I am 55 years old now, fat, ugly, got 8 kids, pay a lot of Child Support, had a fractured spine, brain hemmorage and am supposed to be dead. Been through 3 divorces, married 4 times, got kids from 30 years old down to 4 months old and adopting an 8 year old. Been broke, bankrupt, lived on the street, ate out of Dumpsters, lived in an 82 Toyota and done it all, or been accused of it. i shoulda given up and quit along time ago......so do me a favor.....

Quit yu $%&#!in, crying about who struck John, and who is better than whom. You ALL need to go THANK GOD you are still here to $%&#! about it! I'm tired of hearing your crying! We got buddies dying from brain cancer, agent orange, you name it and you let ONE little 2 LT get you upset? Go get a life and remember 911...American was attacked and John McCain (AZ) "War Hero" is trying to make hay on his rep, he needs a BIG slap down, and a wake up call. And yur fighting about rear echelon people? When I was in the Nam, WE ALL WERE TARGETS...when the hell were you? Get a life will ya and quit yur $%&#!in!

April 29, 2002
Dan Houchin <dhooch@sptc.net> from Plainview Tx
3/7----C----3rd----2/70----9/70
Gary Wiedle,

Apology accepted, please accept my apology for any unkind remarks, especially about lizards. Vietnam affected us all and continues to do so today. We all served together.

April 29, 2002
RICK JONES <ROTT357@AOL.COM> from PITTSBURG, TEXAS
http://www.geocities.com/LILRACOON_30/
4TH/12TH----DELTA----2ND----69----70
GARY,
SINCE I TOOK THE FIRST OFFENSE OF YOUR POST I'LL HOPEFULLY BE THE FIRST TO ACCEPT YOUR APOLOGY. WE ALL HAVE OUR WEAKER MOMENTS BUT, AS YOU HAVE LEARNED, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR BELITTLING ANOTHER MAN FOR WHATEVER HIS JOB HAPPENED TO BE IN THAT PLACE THAT WE ALL WISHED THINGS HAD BEEN EASIER OR LESS DANGEROUS. FINDING THOSE PLACES WOULD HAVE BEEN A REAL TRICK; WHERE WAS IT SAFE? NOWHERE! THANKS FOR BEING A MAN ABOUT ALL THIS AND WELCOME BACK TO REALITY. RICK JONES

April 29, 2002
1LT. GARY WIEDLE <gewiedle@msn.com> from
5/12----B----4th----12/69----5/70
Please accept my apology for the comments that I made about support troops. When I posted that message it was late at night and I was feeling melancholy, but that is no excuse. My sincerest apology to the men with whom I served

Gary Wiedle

April 29, 2002
Robert L. Cusick <RCusick102@aol.com> from Wayne,New Jersey
2/40th Arty----B Battery--------Sept.69----Sept.70
I will always be thankful to all those units who assisted/supported us, without concern for their safety, while we were out in the field or in a far away LZ outpost.I was with a 105 gun support unit that was constantly being air lifted into some god forsaken remote area to pull support for the grunts or who ever needed us to back them in a fire mission.We could not make it without their help and support with ammo, food,beer and all the rest of the stuff that we wanted but could not get.Anyone who spent time in country is a brother no matter what their job or mission was.Thanks from a brother Vet who served his country and returned to the world to get on with life.My prayers to all the guys of the 199th.Regards,Bob

April 29, 2002
Ted Lackland <tlackland@e-lacklaw.com> from Chicago, IL
4/12----B--------6/68 to 6/69----6/69
To the good times and the good men of B 4/12 199th

April 29, 2002
Jim from Maryland
2/3----Echo----Recon--------
THANKS BRUCE! Thats telling them

April 29, 2002
Bruce <pananie@msn.com> from Pa.
5/12th----B----1st or 2nd ???----Mar 69----Mar 70
REMF stands for Reliable Everyday Military Friends....Why
Because without the REMF I would not have....
Gotten my mail from my loved ones at home
Had any Hot meals in the field
Had no resupply of ammo or weapons
Had no place to get away from the hell and be protected while I recooperated.
No clean Clothes or dry socks.
No intertainment
No hospitals to recoop from my illness
and on and on.
I was a grunt and an REMF during my tour.When I had became an REMF some of my fellow grunts rejected me which really hurt. Maybe for the next war we can suggest to our government to do away with REMF's. Think of all the money our country would save. After all is it really neccessary to have all that stuff mentioned? I know I surely appreciated it.I hope that before the next simple minded moron comments on REMF's they at least take the time and think first. Thank you and have a great life.


April 29, 2002
Dave Kwiatkowski <kwiatkda@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us> from Milwaukee, WI
----152nd MP--------Sept. 1968----Sept. 1969
Looks like a missed some great discussion. Neat stuff about REMFs. While on duty as an MP, I know that everyone who had the pleasure of meeting me loved my butt and respected me.

April 28, 2002
Terry Beckelic <beckelic@coslink.net> from Cadillac, Michigan
4/12----C----1st----1/69----1/70
1st and foremost:
Very glad to see the entry from Steve Riehl; I know he's doing some tough duty right now and I'm happy to hear
that things are starting to come around for him. We spent the better part of 1969 together in 1st platoon, c/4/12,
and I remember the firefight when he got the wound that won him a job in the rear for his last few months in-country.

2nd, the REMF topic:
Generally words like "REMF" and "wannabe" and the ilk, are negative terms used for denigration and attack and
there's not much else to say about them. But you men of the 199th have carried on (in my opinion) an enlightening
and positive conversation and I would like to add another 2¢ worth (and only a little tongue-in-cheek):
In the course of human affairs, being an MF is not dependant upon being in the field or in the rear, nor anything
else that I know of. Some people are never an MF, others are sometimes an MF, a few are an MF most of the
time. I personally try to never be an MF but occasionally fail. I am sorry for the times I've been an MF and attempt
never to do that again. And I know that someday I will succeed!


April 28, 2002
steve riehl <benreel@msn.c0m> from portland, or
4/12----c----1st----12/68----12/69
First, I want to thank any and all of you for your prayers, thoughts, e-mails, cards, phone calls and visits .I have felt well some days and not so well others. mostly the path to control the pain has gone ok. all the obvious problems are slowly being overcome. the appetite is returning, weight gain is slow but happening.
I had to return to Houston from Portland last Tuesday and returned on Wednesday evening but that overnight trip was a real butt kicker. Honestly I have not had the energy to check my e-mails and other messages.
I return to Houston on may 4th to begin radiation treatmentsdaily for 5 weeks then stay an extra week before returning home.
thanks again
steve and teresa

April 27, 2002
Gary Bjaaland <gbjaaland@yahoo.com> from N. Idaho now Tulsa Oklahoma
----------------
I served with the 174th Avn. Sharks and Dolphins Americal. 1970 - 1971. The reason I had to look you all up is I have a friend where I work that was with your 199th. His name is Sid Ward and served 1969 - 1970. He was with 199th Lt Inf. 5/12 Delta Co. I'm sure he would enjoy hearing from you all.

April 27, 2002
LOUIS YEOSTROS <YOGI1570> from SARASOTA FLORIDA
199TH 2/3----ALPHA----FIRST----10/68----1/70
AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE COMMENTS ABOUT REMF'S WE ARE STILL A TIGHT FAMILY THAT RESPECTS EVERYONE WHO SERVED. I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE BEEN IN THE REAR FOR MY WHOLE TOUR. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT,THIS CITY BOY WHO NEVER SHOT A WEAPON IN HIS LIFE,ENDED UP BEING A GRUNT. I ALSO WAS SENT TO THE REAR AS AN RTO FOR TOC,BEFORE JOHN MCBRIDE,AFTER SERVING OVER 10 MONTHS IS THE FIELD. WHEN THE TROOPS CAME IN FOR STAND DOWN WE WERE STILL A FAMILY. I THANKED THE LUCKY STARS FOR MAKING IT OUT OF THE FIELD IN ONE PIECE. I REALLY THINK I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ASSIGNED TO THE 199TH LIB. WE WERE AND STILL ARE A CLOSE KNIT FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
YOGI

April 27, 2002
Bob Fromme <rfromme@stic.net> from Floresville, Texas
http://www.stic.net/users/rfromme
4/12----Delta----Joannides/Elias----4/69----7/69
Howdy, Redcatchers,

Sorry to see all the sparks fly over Grunts vs. RAMFs. At one time or another, I was both, and can remember to how hard and dangerous life was as a grunt in the field …. and how much less difficult, and less dangerous life was later in my tour while serving in an engineer unit. I can also attest to the occasional presence of danger for men serving in the rear. However, in the end, I know what I did for this country in both capacities and I look back with a great deal of respect for all the men who served over there, especially the gallant grunts of the 199th who served in the field.

Now, to lighten up the conversation, I thought some of you might enjoy one of the letters I wrote to the son of a fellow soldier who lost his life in the jungles northeast of FSB Blackhorse. (For an account of the SSGs death, see the June 2002 issue of Vietnam Magazine.) The following letter was an account of a relatively uneventful night ambush position in late April of 69, before our unit was moved over to the area around Xuan Loc:

To: Blake Andujar
From: Robert Fromme
Subject: (Letters to the Redcatcher's Children - Ratstorm)
Date: 05:58 P.M. 7/15/00

Dear Blake,


I have a few additional memories for you concerning the patrols and night ambush positions out of Fire Support Base Elvira and Claudette. Then I will be able to move on to some of the other missions that the men in your father's company were doing in the months of March, April and early May, 1969. There is one other memory that involves a newbie and I suppose we should stick with the theme in order to keep some organization to our communication.

Anyway, yesterday the memory involved an experience for our squad on the way out to an ambush site. This evening, I want to talk about another similar mission. You pretty well have the picture now of how a grunt would spend the afternoon and evening working out of
Elvira and Claudette, so I can begin this letter as we move through the darkness , after the wait for darkness, to set up the ambush. On that particular overcast night we could hear thunder in the distant and we figured that there would probably be rain sometime in the night. That was nothing new and rain had little to do with whether we were assigned to do the ambushes or not. Anyway, I remember us moving through the night and into the bed of a small dry rice paddy. As usual, we distributed ourselves out around the inside of the thing, looking out in all four directions. Things were going as usual except there was a new man in the squad. I do not remember his name. I do remember asking him if he had any trouble getting his Claymore set up.

A Claymore mine is a wide, thin curved anti-personnel device that was perched on some thick wire pull-down legs. It had a layer of plastic explosive at the back and then over that layer was a layer of metal, like a waffle, which would blow apart and become a huge, shotgun like, blast toward the enemy if they came in at us. The thing was slightly rounded to distribute the blast out over a curve. It was always faced with its curve pushing out, away from the unit. Each man had to carry one and when the bush was set up, the area all around the position would have at least one layer, one wave of protection against the enemy. The device had a little hole on the top where a blasting cap was placed down into the layer of C4 and a thin , double wire was rolled out along the ground. Then it was pulled up over the burn or rice paddy dike where it was then connected to a hand held switch where a squeeze would send a charge of electricity up to set of the blasting cap and the explosive.

Anyway, I had to watch the new guy that night. I asked him if his Claymore was set up right, and his response to my question was "I think so." The answer that was required was a confident, “yes”; Well, this was the stuff he should have known from his basic training and
A.I.T. He must have been sleeping in that particular class. Anyway, the poor fellow was already a wreck and I didn't see any need to add to his fear. I could not send him back out there to check his work, I knew that even if I did, I would not sleep well having some question in my mind as to whether he would get it right the second time even if he had goofed up on his first attempt. All of us were newbies at one time or another. I asked him to show me where he had the firing device and I disconnected it from his wire and put it in my leg side pocket. I let the fellows on both side of us know that I had to go back up over the embankment and check the mine. I slid up over the mound and crawled along side the wires in the dark. In the darkness above, clouds had been boiling and a few drops of rain were starting to fall. By the time I had done the belly slide out close to the mine at the end of the wire, an occasional flash of lightening would cover everything with a quivering blueness. I was quite conspicuous out there in the next paddy with the mine out ahead of me and the momentary light catching everything. Then, all around, the world would go back to dark. I made my way on out toward the Claymore. Soon it was only inches in front of my nose, I struggled to see which way it was facing but it was too dark. I reached up to feel it. There was another flash of lightening followed by its crash of thunder. I could see very clearly in that instant and, yip, the F. N. G. had the thing turned around. It could have wiped out a good portion of the squad if we had needed to use it that night.

The mine was repositioned, the blasting cap was checked, and I crawled back to the men as big raindrops were transforming our bed of dust to one of mud. At the dike, I quietly let them know that I had returned and would be coming up over the paddy burn which was our perimeter.

That night, I kept both firing devices in front of me. I remember thinking that if the clown didn't know how to set the darned thing up, he surely would have trouble trying to figure out how to use it.

The rain continued.. From the distance, one could hear an occasional low bellowing guttural sound that one often heard near waterways or rivers. Later in the month, I heard the sound again and asked if anyone knew what kind of animal made it. One fellow said he thought it sounded like an alligator. Surely he was pulling my leg. Years later, in the lazy boy comfort of our family room, those same sounds gripped me. They were coming from the TV audio in a PBS special on the reptiles. The man had been correct. I think perhaps, long ago, that was one of those occasions where "ignorance was bliss." Had I known the true origin of the sounds, surely sleep would have never come that evening. With another man on duty at the radio, it came for a while. It did not last.

The rain continued. Somewhere in the night we decided to unhook the firing devices from the mines because of the building storm and the electricity all around us. The moon must have been out, somewhere up above the night haze. Its big yellow face was probably looking down into the storm clouds above us, down toward the little muddy, squashed "grand-daddy longlegs" position with the men in its belly and the wires strung out into the surrounding paddies forming its legs. Its feet were our Claymores. The tide came in, raising the level of the river and its lower delta tributaries. Up river, the rains also came. The season was in change and the yearly flooding had begun. Later in the night, in the rain, the huge expanse of land which stretched out around us gave in to the change, filling with water. The patchwork quilt of dry, then muddy, paddies.... even the place where we had claimed for our sleep, began to reflect the serpent tongues of blue night lightening lapping across the steamy spaces above us.
In the flood, in the dark, the river moved on in, sneaking like an enemy, over low places in the dike. We eased closer to the embankment. In slow evolution we moved again, closer up the walls. Then within another hour, the packs and weapons were moved up above us on the little causeway of our concealment. Eventually all of us were laying in the water perpendicular along the inside rectangle of high land with our heads out of the water.

By this time, we were shivering. Our body heat would not stay long in the usual tightly wrapped warmth of our poncho liners. If anyone found additional sleep, there in the water that night he would have found it out of pure frustration and exhaustion. Things were certainly not going well for our group. Then, in the night some of the men seemed to be swearing out loud, twitching and squirming and slapping at the the water. High pitches squawks and squeaks also filled the air. A man yelled out from across the geometry of our plight, "There Rats!"

I peeked out of the soaked poncho liner wrapping that was my bed. After some darkness, I saw in another flash of the storm what seemed like flat black shadows, hundreds of the dancing, wet, skinny critters, hopping in crazy rhythm above us on the paddy banks. Then thud, something the size of a small house cat was on me. Then it was off again and there was another thud and squeal. Another was on me. With the change of the season, the water of the flood had evicted a multitude of these stinking, vicious things and they couldn't tell our recumbent bodies from the paddy dike. The rainy, rodent orgy seemed to go on for hours. We just had to lay in the water, prostrate behind the protection of the bank until we had a bit of morning light. Throughout the long night, the rats came and went with no warning.

Blake, the poor fellow who had been confused about the Claymore, that newbie who tried to sleep in the water near me, would assure you that it is an understatement to describe that night as "miserable." Indeed it was something else. Certainly it was an initiation for the man.

When light came, the order to move out was given and like corpses from a watery grave, we struggled to position our water shriveled bodies upright. The water made its way down our shirts and pants legs. It drained it's way down our legs and then back up over the tops of our boots or out the vent holes on the sides. I remember the strange low fog that seemed to cover everything to our knees and the water in the rice paddies went on for miles around us. This was not the same land into which we had come. Some of the Claymores were nearly under water. Others seemed to pitch and bob as it they were trying to float. One of the fellows was on the bank reeling his in by its wire as if he were on a fishing trip with his buddies. He had the thing nearly in before the wires to the blasting cap came loose and he had to step down from his rise and wade in through the old rice straw and water buffalo dung which rose and fell with the gentle paddy waves. We began to move out. A man pointed to a serpent which was swimming along, staking his claim on our former position.

We had not been long into our diagonal path through the paddies, toward the higher trail when a man, I think his name was Belmont, held up and waited for the newbie ahead of me to move past him. I saw a twinkle in his eye and as he gave a quick snicker and then the words, "Welcome to Vietnam." We all cracked up.

Blake, humor got us though a great deal over there. Robert Wagoner has remarked about that aspect of your Dad's personality. At times a good laugh was critical.

Sleep well tonight, Blake......if you can...

Robert Fromme






April 27, 2002
Skip Brockner <CAX1946@aol.com> from New Joisey, LOL, exit 3 NJTP
http://skipbrockner.com
D Troop------------67----67
Man, I just came to check in....WHAT did I miss???? Smokin! HEY, my TWO CENTS.....ANYBODY that was in the Nam, front or rear (was there really a rear?) is OK in my book. We were ALL subject to getting hit. But what do I know, I was just a dumb ole track mechanic who lived in the boonies with the tracks. Both with the 2/47th as well as D Troop. Tool box in one hand, M-16 in the other and getting heat sick, LOL.

April 27, 2002
Marty Glasgow <glasgow@cse.psu.edu> from PA
http://www.cse.psu.edu/.~glasgow/
5/12----B----4th----1/69----12/69
OK, I'll admit it. I was jealous of the CAV guys. They got to ride allot more than I did, they had bigger guns and a few inches of steel instead of just a flack jacket. Just kidding guys. I will say that the few weeks we spent at Fishnet was like a stay at the Hilton.

April 27, 2002
Rich "Slim " Mahnken <r.mahnken@comcast.net> from Joisey
D-troop----17th CAV----1st----10/69----10/70
Incoming !!!!
I've been reading about this the past few days and I knew there would be lots of feed back on REMF's , yes we in the CAV could not do our job with out them either , I believe that for every soldier in the field there were 7-10 in the rear as support ( not sure ) they did their job well so that I could do mine . I really don't care where you were , you were always under the gun since there was no safe place in the Nam !!! Nuff Said !!! I might add that allot of REMF's were in the rear because of wounds etc. I was for 8 days !! Guess i was a Temp. REMF !! Don't Mean Nothing !!!

April 27, 2002
Larry McDougal <History@redcatcher.org> from Eastpointe Mi.
2/3----A----4----May 67----May 68
Dick Arnold your E-mail address don't work.

April 26, 2002
Dan Houchin <dhooch@sptc. net> from Plainview Tx
C----3/7----3rd----2/70----9/70
To those who serve: Definitions... REMF: Any one who was not humping a pack. Respect: Something earned , not issued...My relationship with Gen Bond. Balls: courage including Kammy and all other Donut Dollies... why else would you be in Nam if you didn't have to be. Bronze StarW/V: issued to 2nd Lt. or higher: Ticket punching... you might decide to stay in the army. Bronze StarW/V issued to a draftee: a lot of paper work, why bother? To 1st Lt. Gary Wiedle... what was the name of the lizard that used to call out to us in the night in Vietnam? By the way it's spelled Xuan Loc.

April 26, 2002
Steve McDonald <smcdo199@earthlink.net> from South Carolina
5/12----A----3rd----Nov. '68----Sep. '69
More on the REMF discussion. As a member of a line company, I too was envious of the guys assigned to the areas we considered "the rear". They had shelter from the elements. They had a cot to sleep on. They had a mosquito net. They had better food and water. They had access to the PX. They could get cold drinks and ice cream. They had EM, NCO, and Officers Clubs. And most importantly, it was unlikely anyone would shoot bullets through their bodies. Now, these things (except the last) don't sound so great after 30+ years have passed. But, at the time, it seemed so much better than our daily lives that there was some natural resentment. All we cared about, was the fact that we were eating from cans, collecting water from bomb craters, sleeping in the rain, slapping mosquitoes, and suffering from a lack of sleep. To us, anything was better than this. But, as someone else mentioned, it’s all in your point of view. As bad as our lives were, it would have been much worse without the presence of those support troops. Consider this. SOMEONE did these things for us: SOMEONE produced and delivered the water for our Fire Bases. SOMEONE collected and delivered the C-rations we ate. SOMEONE cooked those hot meals we received, provided the ammunition, delivered the mail, sent the cokes and beer to the jungle LZ’s, provided the fire support, faced possible death to rescue the wounded. SOMEONE had the medical skill to save the lives of the wounded, cared for them during recovery. SOMEONE occasionally came to the Firebases to entertain us. Well, you get the idea. From that perspective, all those people we called REMF's looked pretty good to me. My sincere thanks to ALL who served. Whether volunteer or draftee, no cowards entered the Republic of Vietnam. Any person who said goodbye to family and friends, faced their fears, and then boarded that plane (or ship) has my respect. It took courage. Thank you.

April 26, 2002
robert civa <rciva@comcast.net> from wenonah n.j.
3rd battalion----e----mortar----12/66----12/67
I never realized just how few of us were in the field.

April 26, 2002
John F McBride <mcskudler@msn.com> from Seattle, Washington
2nd of the 3rd,----Alpha and HHC----1st and HHC TOC----April, 1969----June, 1970
A simple observation in life is that generalizations are usually dangerous even if we are forced daily to employ them. In the case of the entry on 'RAMFs', as I believe they were referred to, painting all individuals in rear areas as obviously less worthy than grunts is uncalled for.

Running an Army requires men and women doing all kinds of jobs. That was true in the time of the Egyptians, Romans, and Normans and certainly in modern times. It is increasingly true that many personnel are not in combat. Are they less honorable?

My father spent three years of World War II in Pearl Harbor running a kitchen as a Chief Commissary Officer in a Navy hospital. Was he a lesser man for not having been with the fleet in the Solomon Islands or Luzon or off Iwo Jima? I don't think so. He suffered from working for three years with men returning from war with terrible wounds. He also punished himself psychologically because unlike friends of his he hadn't been in combat.

I love my father and always will. I think what he did in World War II was incredible. So did the Marines and Grunts and Sailors in the hospitals he worked in I've been told by a few. They told my father they were glad he was there. Was he a REMF? Ya. He was a REMF. And he was then and is now a guy who cares about others and did his job absolutely well to the benefit of those who were in action. His friends who fought in Europe and the Pacific, and some who later fought in Korea think the world of him.

I will always feel that way about the guys in Vietnam who were in the rear. Sure, there were jokes about REMFs. I told them and have on occasion since. But they were born of our own anxiety and fears of death and maiming while we were in the field. And the truth is that most of the guys I knew in the field wanted to be a REMF. Many eventually did. My third company commander transferred me out of Alpha, my line company, in January, 1970, after 8 months as RTO with a squad, a platoon, and finally the CP. I was put into the 2/3 battalion TOC in FSB Blackhorse. I became a REMF as far as my friends in the field were concerned. They are all still friends of mine. I see them at reunions and I'm not reluctant to say I love them now as much as I did then. I worked as hard for them out of the field as I did when I was with them. But I did different work. When a fellow RTO I used to talk to in the 199th HHC was killed by a mortar round at Xuan Loc in May 1970 shortly before I left country, and a month before he was supposed to, I didn't think of him as a REMF even though he was one. I mourned at the death of a fellow soldier and a friend. I still do and always will.

The truth is that there were individuals in every line company who did less than others or who screwed up. Some did it regularly. Others did it because they were depressed, or fatigued, or just plain ill tempered at the time. So it goes in life. That's what patience and forgiveness and remorse are for. Prejudice against anyone for any reason is typically dangerous.

We all are prone to making decisions and judgements we shouldn't. I do it too frequently to my regret. To all of you I have offended with comments that slighted or denigrated you, regardless of who you are, my sincere apologies. Let me know who you are and I'll apologize again. I hope that in regard to those who feel inclined to discriminate against anyone just because he wasn't in a line company the same will be true.

My thanks go out to all the personnel who got off their cots in rear areas every morning and went and did what they were supposed to do. I will forever appreciate it.

My best wishes to all of you. You all served. Thanks for doing so.

John F. McBride
Alpha, 2nd of the 3rd
April, 1969 to January, 1970
HHC, 2nd of the 3rd
January, 1970 to June, 7, 1970

April 26, 2002
Mike Swearingen <a-realty@mchsi.com> from TX Then, Now NC
http://www.albemarle-realty.com
40th PIO----HHC, 199th--------NOV67----NOV68
2 cents on REMFs. A military fact: more than 85% of troops in all modern wars are REMFs, including WWII, Nam and to date. Anyone who knows anything about it, knows that the only guys who really got the shaft in Nam were you grunts who spent their whole tour in the bush, and the arty, medics, etc. who served out in the field with you. Period. Officers usually only spent half their tour in the field, at most. Back in my younger and dumber days, I enlisted in the airborne infantry in '65, completed Basic and Infantry A.I.T., Infantry OCS, Jump School, Special Forces Officer's School, etc. Since I had a degree in journalism/public relations and the political side of Nam was heating up, I got diverted to the 199th as a PIO when I hit the 90th repo/depo, along with another infantry LT, Mike Vaughan. (He was killed in a chopper crash doing his REMF PIO thing in the field in '68). We both spent the majority of our time out in the field with various 199th line units. While I was there, we also had 10-14 combat photographers and writers with the Brigade PIO, and they spent the majority of their time out in the field with the various 199th infantry units. With four rifle battalions, we were spread pretty thin. While I was there, one PIO photographer received a BS/V for forcing (at gunpoint) an RVN ragboat driver to go to the rescue of some 199th grunts under fire on another sinking ragboat, and then helping pull them out. Another PIO photographer was shot through the face, losing a good chunk of jaw, cheek and teeth. As a 1LT PIO, I was an acting M60 machinegunner on a D/17 track in my first firefight, tossed my first frag in Saigon during TET 68 with the 3/7, and was in firefights along the way with elements of all 4 rifle battalions just doing my job. We were all REMFs. In my opinion, the worst REMFs were draft dodgers who never set foot in Nam, to include the past and current presidents (one was a total Nam draft-dodger and the current one's daddy got him into the Texas Air National Guard where only the rich and politically powerful made it to avoid Nam). I find it funny that a line infantry LT would think that someone in a FSB is a REMF. The guys in the FSB probably thought that everybody at BMB were REMFs, etc. All in one's perspective, I guess. I WAS a REMF by orders and duty assignment, and I got an ARCOM for TET 68 and a BS/S from Gen. Davidson for being one. Definitely no "war hero" here, but I went. I just did my assigned duty to the best of my ability, and got out. But no one can blame any grunt resenting REMFs. There was nothing fair about that war to begin with. I still salute all grunts, especially Redcatchers. You were the best.
Mike

April 26, 2002
RICK JONES <ROTT357@AOL.COM> from PITTSBURG, TEXAS
http://www.geocities.com/LILRACOON_30/
4TH/12TH----DELTA----2ND----69----70
GARY WIEDLE, AFTER 32 YEARS YOU ARE THE FIRST MAN I'VE HEARD REFER TO A ''REAR ESCHELON M----- F----- AS A 'RAMF OR AN 'RAMPH'SO I HOPE SOMEONE RECOGNIZES YOU AND MAKES ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR ENTRY. FOR A 1ST LT. YOU HAD QUITE A RECORD AND I SALUTE YOU FOR IT. MY RECOLLECTION OF MOST 1ST LT'S WAS A ''REMF'' SINCE MOST PLATOON LEADERS WERE 2ND LTS AND THEY WENT TO THE REAR UPON PROMOTION OR WERE PLACED AS FO'S OR SOME OTHER ''REAR'' POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY. YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY GALLANT MAN AND I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THOSE THAT WILL SURELY REMEMBER YOU AS ONE WHO NEVER HAD A MAN EVEN SCRATCHED WHILE UNDER YOUR COMMAND FOR 2-3 MONTHS? THAT'S REALLY A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT AND IT'S GOOD THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT TO OUR ATTENTION VERY EARLY IN YOUR INTRO. I WAS JUST A 'LOWLY' PFC BUT REALLY RESPECT SUCH GALLANT MEN AS YOU OBVIOUSLY WERE. RICK JONES D/4/12

April 25, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico & California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th. / 12th.----HHC, CO E. & CO D----4th.----May 1967----May 1968
Hello Redcatchers Pancho here again to let you know to check out the picture I put up in my Tools of the Trade
page. Walter K. Young from Company C 4th. / 12th.
supplied the photo and I think it makes a statement so
I decided to put it in the site Enjoy and see you in D.C.

April 25, 2002
Marty Glasgow <glasgow@cse.psu.edu> from PA
http://www.cse.psu.edu/~glasgow/
5/12----B----4th----1/69----12/69
Just checking in. I want to say that I appreciated every dry sock, c-rat, warm meal, mail, fresh water, beer and soda and everything else that was provided to me by the folks in the rear.

April 25, 2002
Tom Guion <tjguion@stthomas.edu> from St. Paul, Minnesota
3/7----HHC--------6/68----6/69
This is Great. I didn't know it it existed. Talked to a comrad already!

April 25, 2002
John McBride <mcskudler@msn.com> from Seattle, Washington
2nd of the 3rd----Alpha----1st----April, 1969----June, 1970
Dick, I saw your posting on the 199th Website. The following men from Alpha Company, 2nd of the 3rd, 199th LIB were killed while I was in country:
Brown, Gale L. 04/28/69
Dixon, Michael K. 05/21/69
Dwyer, Patrick W. 05/21/69
Kocanda III, Jerry J. 05/21/69
Richard, John W. 05/21/69
Shugart, Lynn D. 05/21/69
Butts, George L. 07/14/69 (Friendly fire; the Army made it hostile)
Martin, John E. 12/05/69
Muehe, Mark R. 12/05/69
Lazicki, Joseph C. 03/02/70

There was one other I believe, in April or May, but I forget his name. He may have been one of the Platoon Leaders. Someone else in Alpha at that time may remember.

John McBride


April 25, 2002
Dick Arnold <arnold_richard_J@lilly.com> from Indy
----------------
Hi Redcatchers

Dick Arnold, 35th Infantry, RVN '67-'68. Been working with two other veterans (one is Richard Coffelt who some may have interacted with before)to identify company-level units for all 38,000 Army KIAs. When complete, our data will be made available for free to whomever. To date, we are about 36,500 along the way!

Believe we have most of the 199th accurately sorted-out but we do have a few where the battalion is known but we need help with the company.

Please advise if anyone can help and/or does anyone want to see what we have so far.

Best Wishes
Dick




April 25, 2002
Wiedle, Gary, 1Lt. <gewiedle@msn.com> from Indio California
http://www.fortunewest.com
B/5/12 ----B----4th Mortar Platoon----12/24/69----Sometime in April 1970
5/Feb/70 awarded Arcom with "V" for ambush operation; 20/Mar/70 awarded Bronze Star with V" for reconnnaissance operation in Xuan Luc. Purple Heart and pulled out of Xuan Luc under fire second time by Dust Off. CO was Cpt. Lee and other friend Plt Ldr was Lt Birkhead who was with me at OCS in 54th Company at Ft Benning. Had the highest score on the "quick kill course". Managed to conceal my fears and lead the men with some confidence. No man serving with me was ever hurt, wounded or killed. I was hurt and almost killed, but the men with me were kept safe and I like to think that this was on purpose. We on the other hand killed a lot of enemy, both Viet Cong and NVA. Our AO was from FSB Libby and the forward FSB was Gladys. Our Battalion Commander was Lt. Col. Bascom. We had a pimply faced Cpt. in the Battalion CP who was in charge of Intelligence and he was more often wrong than right. I was always in the field with my men and hardly ever got back to FSB Libby and then only for a day or two. When at Libby I used to marvel at the "rear area mother fucher" "ramf" attitudes of the soldiers in deflade at Libby. They even had vietnamese coming in to shine shoes, wash and starch uniforms, and cut hair. We were supposed to be at war. These ramfs were just using American initiative to make things nice, while us Infantry were out fcr days on end, 10 to 15 in the woods snooping and pooping and killing. When I was wounded at a mountain area at Xuan Luc (where the radio relay was) and evacuated to Camp Zama Japan I found one of these ramphs, a Arty Cpt. who had had his ass literally shot off and he was in the Officers Ward with me he had been over run some time after March 20, 1970 when I was wounded and before the May movement into Cambodia. He could hardly talk and I bought him an electric razor and helped him out. At FSB Libby he had been a real asshole.

Gary Wiedle, 1Lt, Co. B, 5th Battalion, 12th, Inf., 199th Light Infantry Brigade, "LIGHT, SWIFT & ACCURATE"

Gary Wiedle can be found at www.fortunewest.com



April 24, 2002
Bob Fromme <rfromme@stic.net> from Floresville, Texas
http://www.stic.net/users/rfromme/
4/12----Delta----Joannnides/Elias----April 69----July 69
on 4/24/02 3:00 AM, ROTT357@aol.com at ROTT357@aol.com wrote:

Bob Fromme from Floresville, Texas
http://www.stic.net/users/rfromme/
4/12----Delta----Joannides/Elias----April 1969----July 1969
Howdy, Redcatchers,
I just wanted to say thanks for the kind remarks about the Andujar article in Vietnam magazine. My heart is warmed when men I respect, brave redcatchers like Pancho Ramirez, Rick Johns, Robert Williams, and so many others seem to approve of the effort. Pancho, indeed, "a very large family and we will always remember our friends who did not come home..." I sure appreciate all the help from others from our unit who wrote letters to the Andujar's, advised me on the manuscript and located photos to share with the family of the SSG. God Bless all of you Redcatchers.

Bob Fromme

FROMMIE, I HOPE YOU KNOW A DUDE BY THE NAME OF RICK JOHNS, BECAUSE I DON'T. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SPECKS OR IS THERE SOMEONE I HAVEN'T HAD THE PLEASURE OF EVER HEARING OF IN THE PAST? WELL, TELL OLE JOHNS I SAID HELLO. THANKS, BROTHER, YOU ILLITERATE REDCATCHER. RICK JONES

Sorry, Rick

I noticed the screw-up as soon as it was posted. Guuulllllpppp. Some of us grunts can't spell or we could have shaken the boonie leeches, shuffled in to BMB for a stand down and booted the company clerk out of his job for the rest of our tour over there. Jeezzzz, give a fellow a break? I should have written "brave and cantankerous."

Thanks for the correction, Rick, I will try not to make that mistake again.
Bob Fromme



April 24, 2002
Gary LEVINE from
----------------
just correcting spelling- someday I will be able to spell my own name!

April 24, 2002
gary Levien <garyl237@aol.com> from Plainview, NY
3/7----B----2nd----Jan 66----Jan67
Sorry I will not be able to attend this years reunion. First time since the 80s that I missed 2 in a row. Hope everyone has a great time and hopefully will see all next year!!!

April 24, 2002
Dave Murray <redhawk34@comcast.net> from Joisey, ya gotta problem wit dat?
1099 Medium boat, att 2/3 and 5/12------------68-69----
I came across a small connection with regard to General Bond some years ago.
Some of you may have noticed a model in the Ranger exhibit at the Infantry Museum, of HMS Princess Beatrix. She was a Dutch cross-channel ship, and when The Netherlands fell, she was taken into the Royal Navy as a Commando transport, as she was small, fast, and of shallow draught. she carried US Rangers as well as Commandos in the Med, and my records show that she carried the Rangers into Anzio. I can't confirm it, but then-CAPT William R. Bond probably went to Anzio in her.
My Dad, Sub Lieut. William Murray, RNVR, was her Third Engineer, and the mahogany model was made for him in 1946 by the ship's carpenter. Her first port of call after Nagasaki was Saigon.


April 24, 2002
Kammy McCleery <namdd@insightbb.com> from
----------------
Er, sorry 'bout that... wanted you to know that I have a new home email address... Bill Paquette... can't wait to see you and your son at the reunion... My son, also Christopher, is stationed at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in St. Mary's, GA... He is now married and going to be a father in August! Haven't had a chance to give you a DDWHH in a while... Hope you're doing your rib-strengthening exercises... :-D)

April 24, 2002
RODERT L WILD <rwild@mayvl.com> from mayville wisconsin
D 4 12----DELTA----4TH----APRIL 1----1969
LOOKING FOR OLD FRIENDS

April 23, 2002
Bill Paquette <wpaque3087@aol.com> from Miller Place NY
3/7th----Bravo----1st----1966/1967----July 1967
Just checking in.I feel that we lost a great friend with the passing of Gen Forbes. He will be missed dearly.Peter Augay, Jack Hermann,myself, and Jack's and my sons,both named Christopher,will be attending the reunion.
See you there and have safe trips.

April 23, 2002
Rip Saunders <Riplinon@aol.com> from Austin Tx
2/40th----H Btry--------Nov67----Nov68
RTO FOR
A co 5/12

April 23, 2002
Bob Fromme <rfromme@stic.net> from Floresville, Texas
http://www.stic.net/users/rfromme/
4/12----Delta----Joannides/Elias----April 1969----July 1969
Howdy, Redcatchers,
I just wanted to say thanks for the kind remarks about the Andujar article in Vietnam magazine. My heart is warmed when men I respect, brave redcatchers like Pancho Ramirez, Rick Johns, Robert Williams, and so many others seem to approve of the effort. Pancho, indeed, "a very large family and we will always remember our friends who did not come home..." I sure appreciate all the help from others from our unit who wrote letters to the Andujar's, advised me on the manuscript and located photos to share with the family of the SSG. God Bless all of you Redcachers.

Bob Fromme

April 23, 2002
Bill Tallman <billtallman45@yahoo.com> from Carbondale Illinois 62901
2/3----delta ----3rd----Feb. 68----Mar. 68
The first reunion of Delta co. 2/3 is about to happen. Those of who've already attended one of these you know what we are going through, the excitement is building to a crescendo. Some have already departed, some of us will depart Wed. morning. We'll gather at Lake Allatoona Ga. Wed. @ 1500 hrs. Wish us luck and safe passage as I am about to reunite with some of the greatest men who have ever served this great country of ours. Tears, hugs and laughter will be abundant. God Bless The Old Guard and never ever will we forget our fallen brothers.

April 23, 2002
Louis Yeostros <Yogi1570> from Sarasota Florida
2/3----Alpha & HQC----First----10/68----1/70
Larry Burton I tried to e/m you and AOL said you are not a registered member. Do you have a different address?
Yogi

April 23, 2002
larry d burton <llburton@aol.com> from nashville ind
5/12----lrrps----recon plt----1967----1969
i was in recon with a great bunch of men.from april 4/o1/68 to 4/01/69.i sure would like to gettogether with them. but don't have any idea.how to do it.some how some way i will find out.

April 22, 2002
Lisa Rowles <lrowles@msn.com> from Tacoma,WA,McChord AFB
----------------
THe funeral of Maj.Gen. Robert C. Forbes(my grandfather) was on April 18, 2002. I would like to thank everyone for attending....I was fortunately there...and proud to be there...I am honored to meet the men that I did attend.Again Thank you for being there for grandpa..Lisa

April 22, 2002
Darryl Siegfried <dndvending@juno.com> from Oceanside,Ca.
4th bat 12th inf----D----4th----Feb 1968----Feb 1969
It is going to be nice to be able to track down and talk with some of my friends.

April 22, 2002
garrett testi <testi @starfishnet.com> from newport n.c
d troop 17 cav----d troop----3 rd----nov 1966----nov 1967
no

April 22, 2002
Kammy McCleery <NEW!! > from Lexington, KY by way of New England, etc.
All of them!----I Corps - 7/67>12/67----II Corps-10/67----1/68----8/68
New email address... thank you all for your messages... it's always great to hear from you... see you in DC in May!
You will still be able to get all the Donut Dollie Welcome Home Hugs that you need or want!! Loving, healing hugs... Kammy

April 21, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th. / 12th.----HHC. CO E. & CO D.----4th.----May 1967----May1968
Hello Redcatchers I want to let you know that I have added every Company in the 4TH. / 12TH. 199th LIB.
to my website. check it out and if you recognize anyone
please let me know. I have also added an Honor for
Louis (Yogi) Yeostros for his work with Rick Jones
helping Sgt. Steve Riehl and his wife Teresa through
their tough times during his illness a fellow Redcatcher.

April 21, 2002
Ken de la Bastide <ken.delabastide@heraldbulletin.com> from West Babylon, N.Y.
HHC----3/7-5/12-2/3--------Oct. 1968----Sept. 1969
Served as a medic with a number of units. Would like to hear from some of the grunts I served with. Thought about those days many times

April 21, 2002
ron hill <rjchill@quiknet.com> from sacramento
hhc mp's----hhc bde--------69-70----oct 70
i was new in xuan loc when general bond actually stopped for a moment and spoke with me. though i have long since forgotten what he said, i have never forgotten that he took the time to stop and talk, however briefly. i was still in xuan loc when he died, and was saddened by his death. when
the brigade gathered at benning in 96, i learned things about him from the museum memorial that i had not known.
here was a man who was all officer and who cared about his troops and their well being. it is a great loss to the army and the nation that he died so young.

April 21, 2002
Rob Wright (aka DOC Wright ) <rwandco@yahoo.com> from 1322 Throeau Ln, Allen, tx. 75002
3bn7thinf----hhc, attch ALPHA----1st----Jan. 1970----
Just read the piece on Gen. Bond, it touched home. I can
remember hearing the contact while on an opperation several
kliks away and then latter that evening learning that the general had been killed. It didn't mean much to me then but
after reading the letters in this article Iregret not having known the man who ahd awarded me a bronzes star only a fews weeks earlier. It all would have ment more then and dose now. Thank you for including this artical

Doc

April 21, 2002
Skip Brockner <CAX1946@aol.com> from
http://skipbrockner.com
D Troop------------67----67
Just checking in.....we'll be moving to Mesa, AZ the end of June. Hope to see a lot of you the end of May in DC.

April 20, 2002
RICK JONES <ROTT357@AOL.COM> from PITTSBURG, TEXAS
http://www.geocities.com/LILRACOON_30/
4TH/12TH----DELTA----2ND----69----70
HEY BROTHERS,

GARY HOSMER, FORMERLY OF THE 19TH TASS(TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT SQUADRON) WAS NICE ENOUGH TO SHARE A CLIPPING FROM THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES, ALABAMA, PRINTED 31MAY70 ABOUT GENERAL BOND. I WILL PASTE IT BELOW IN TWO PARTS AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY READING ABOUT THAT GREAT LEADER AS MUCH AS I DID. RICK JONES
************************************************************
Dead General’s Letters Give Insight Into Vietnam War

Editors note: Army Brig. Gen. William Ross Bond was killed by a sniper April 1, first U.S. general to
die in ground combat in Vietnam. The following are excerpts from letters to his wife, Theodora, who made
them available to Associated Press writer H. L. Schwartz III.
*****
WASHINGTON (AP)---”I scarcely know where to start to give a insight into what this here and our--the
brigade’s--role in it. I believe it best to rough out the shape in totality and then you will have a feel for
countless details I shall pour at you...”
“My troopers are in the jungle, formidable jungle that clings to the sides of two main roads and surrounds
the rubber plantation. The jungle is triple canopy. You can see perhaps three to five yards on the ground
and in this fantastic growth the enemy builds incredible bunkers in which he lives, operates from and
controls his people. This jungle covers an area larger than from Baltimore to Annapolis to Fredericksburg,
Va., and I search it constantly by sections by means of particularly brave infantry...”
*****
In the minutest detail, Bond describes deployment of major elements in his 3,000-man brigade.
“The rifle companies go out from the bases and patrol in the jungle and look for the enemy. They remain
out about 5 to 12 days. It’s tough. We supply them and visit them by chopper in tiny little clearings.
Sometimes not at all. When they make contact they shoot to eliminate. We kill about 30 to 1. The great
trick is to find the enemy in the jungle silently and efficiently...”
“The men, as I wrote, are magnificient--so brave and so uncomplaining and so dedicated to their task. I
have no disciplinary troubles to speak of. Fantastic.”
*****
“Today was a bit more quiet than yesterday (when) we had to kill about 30. They are tough (underlined)
and mean (underlined) and dedicated. So far this month I am proud to say we have only had six men killed.
I try desperately to lose as few as one can. They are so wonderful and alive and gallant.”
*****
“With the dry season here I hope to open up some roads which have been closed since 1960. Highway 2
from the south... This will bring fish and other seafoods north by truck overnight and cut the price of fish in
my province 25 to 40 per cent perhaps. At least the Vietnamese tell me this. Correspondingly, rice and
vegetable prices will drop. But more important the crops will move freely in the area and provide a market
for the local farmers and over a period of time greatly expand the economy.”
*****
“I went to the hospital to see some 20 people I have there. They stay about a week and then are flown to
Japan and thence to the United States...The morale of the men in the hospital defies description. They just
grin and bear it, from ghastly wounds to less serious ones.”
*****
“The weather in the province stays cool and at night it is extremely pleasant. During the day it is 95 in
the sun. I assisted in opening a new, small firebase in toward Dalat some 300 to 400 to the north of my area
and I am intrigued with the beauty of the place. The jungle green-clad and the mountains stand behind feet
high and rolling gentle coming down to a beautifully winding river 400 feet wide. Absolutely wild. Elephant
herds can be seen occasionally and great purple-winged jungle birds can rise when a helicopter beats the air.
Wild pig and bore can be seen on occasion and the monkeys and fish abound. We have implaced some
artillery in a safari camp and from this base patrol outward as far as 10 miles hunting for the enemy. It’s a
primeval place. Very beautiful.”
“Just had the first trooper killed in the brigade this month. Damn. Hit in the stomach with a bullet,
deep, deep in the jungle yesterday late. We got him out with an ambulance helicopter and hook. We took
him to a hospital and surgery. A magnificent effort but he died from shock and surgery. Very sad. We did
kill two of them. But that is not enough for me.”
*****
“Yesterday was a long day with much action and agony in small packages. We had three killed and
killed several of them. But I hate to lose a single man. Savage little actions deep in the jungle with great
gallantry on the part of our troopers. In one case, they were crossing a small jungle stream when the VC
fired on them, killing two and wounding one. We summon artillery and aviation rockets and eventually get
rid of them. The other was 30 miles away and involved a platoon deep in the jungle with a young lieutenant
who kept becoming more and more excited. I had to stay up in the air above him until almost 8 p.m. to get
him quieted down with my voice and gentle commands lest more get hurt. Eventually he came around,
thank heavens. I felt I had earned my Scotch when I returned to my forward base at 11:30 p.m.”
*****
“The interesting thing in longer terms is what assignment they will give me when this is over. One does
not ask. One simply hopes...”
“The other day, yesterday, i visited a civilian hospital here in Xuan Loc. 180 beds. A terrible place,
simply terrible... This province is large in size and small in population with 120,000 people. It has one
hospital with 180 beds and four doctors only in Xuan Loc... The doctor rate is appalling. Somehow you
would believe the government of the United States would do more in this field... I believe we should start a
school-medical’-in some capital city and really turn out a modest number each year. The medical school in
Saigon simply cannot meet the demand. Above all one deplores the dit and the appalling lack of facilities
and equipment. Their eyes follow you around, mute, questioning, hoping for some assistance. We do what
we can. It is most difficult.”
*****
“Today in the cool of the evening I went to a tiny hamlet where five ‘soldiers’ malitiamen had killed five
Viet Cong in a very gallant little fight. I presented them with medals. They are terribly decent and honest
and courteous. They assembled with their village elders... They are tired, very tired. But resolute and
proud.
“’Oh,’ they seem to say, ‘how utterly nice it would be to have it all over with.’”
*****
“A group of our Montangard forces had discovered an enormous cache of arms to the northwest in deep
jungle just on the border between my area and the 1st Division area. We shall go up there with a battalion
today for seven or eight days to see if we can find and zap the enemy. The caches included virtually new
material which means, of course, it was brought in through Cambodia in large quantities by our enemy
friends who continue to disclaim this...”
*****
“The budget shows cuts in the defense spending and this is predicated on cutbacks here. More for
conservation, education, medical attention. All this seems sound to me. One deplores the Democrats
attacking the GOP for what they-the Democrats-created in the last eight years.”
Bond was not a member of either political party. In keeping with a tradition among many career U.S.
Army officers, he never voted in a presidential election.
To a friend high in the Pentagon-who made a March 31 letter available to The Associated Press on
condition his name not be used-Bond spoke of deep concern for the Army’s immediate image:
“The Army of the ‘70s will have to be particularly and sharply professional, as we all know. It is the
Army that your son and his contemporaries will inherit and run. In 1980, you will be three years retired and
me, maybe before that.”
Bond was killed the next day.


General Bond Was A Born Leader

WASHINGTON (AP)--In a black-bordered brochure at his funeral, Brig. Gen. William Ross Bond was
described as having been “high in that miniscule group destined to lead the United States Army.”
In plane language, he was known around the Pentagon as a comer.
The 51-year-old general, who battled back from a massive heart attack in 1965 to win his star and a field
command, was killed by a sniper April 1 some 70 miles northeast of Saigon.
He was the only American general to die in ground combat in the long war. Five others have been killed
in plane or helicopter crashes.
At the time of his death, Bond was directing elements of his 199th Light Infantry Brigade in a fight
against two North Vietnamese companies.
Reared in Maryland and Virginia, Bond graduated from the University of Maryland and spent a year at
its law school before enlisting in the Army early in World War II.
A lieutenant by 1942, Bond fought in North Africa and Sicily. He volunteered for the famed “Darby’s
Rangers” and participated in some of the bitterest fighting of the Italian campaign.
He was with the Rangers the night of Jan. 30, 1944 when--at Cisterna Di Littoria near Anzio--the
900-man force was reduced to less than half its strength. Pounded by tanks and artillery, the Rangers fought
for five hours, surrendering when their ammunition was gone.
Bond, who won the first of two Silver Stars for heroism, spent the next 11 months in prisoner of war
camps in Italy, Germany and Poland before escaping.
Over the years after World War II, Bond’s assignments followed a pattern that the Pentagon called
“reasonably typical of the mid-career pattern of an o u t s t a n d i n g officer being groomed for high
responsibility.”
This included staff jobs, special courses, peacetime field commands and a major role in fashioning the
Green Berets as they are known today.
In 1959 and 1960 he was among the initial small band of American advisers in Vietnam where he was
praised for “precise and penetrating” combat reports.
Bond’s career seemed assured when he took over command of a 101st Airborne Brigade in 1964. But in
January 1965 he suffered a massive heart attack and was ruled unfit for retention on active duty.
“For the ordinary officers this would have been the end of career and aspirations, “ said the brochure
given out at his funeral. “But Bond was cast in a special mold.”
By a complex series of persuasive appeals and waivers he secured probationary assignment to Thailand in
1966. There, though he sometimes complained bitterly in private that “the fates are against me, “ he began
to rebuild career and health. He had returned to Vietnam just last November.
Bond was married in 1960 to the former Theodora Sedgwick. They had no children.
"WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY PROUD, HE WAS A REDCATCHER." RJ


April 20, 2002
Thomas Roberts <ToB452288@EV1.net> from Houston ,Texan
2nd.40th,"CBatry.------------!!/1/67----11/68/68
I would like to hear from anybody form my group, I know Frank Barbera (F1Barb)will answer as he see this and get my new E-Mail address, come on Frabnk.

April 20, 2002
W. craig norman <wcn846@earthlink.net> from charlotte, nc
----na----na----na----na
I was not with the 199 Lt Inf Br; however. was with the 23rd Arty Gp. 155sp 1/27 arty c, hdqters bty. We operated in War zones C + D + shot missions for 199th in 1968-69.

April 20, 2002
RICHARD F. WALZ (AKA SSG.TWIGGY) <JWSTARTIME@AOL.COM> from 9 OAK ST. HAMPTON BAYS, NY 11946 (631) 728 3888
CHARLIE----3 BN 7 INF----3RD----11/69----10/70
SSG "TWIGGY"...I ENJOYED OUR BROTHERHOOD...WHILE HUMPING THE BOONIES!" CALL OR WRITE TO ME AND I'LL RETURN THE THOUGHT.

April 20, 2002
Paul Skiff <PAUL-SUESKIFF@prodigy.net> from michigan
D 17th Cav------------Jan 69----Feb 70
was first assigned to HHB 2/40 arty, then transfered to D troop in Mar. I was a track mechanic, and after the Brigade went to Blachorse I rode with 1st plt.

April 19, 2002
Dennis Looker <wega2@execpc.com> from Weyauwega Wisconsin
4/12----Delta----4th----Mar.68----Mar.69
Hello fellow redcatchers; Does anyone remember Gary Howard who was kia on may 6-7 68? He was a great guy and I will always remember sharing our c-rations just before he was killed. Would like to see any photos of him if any one out there has one. Take care guys!

April 19, 2002
Bill Carr <wjcj@erols.com> from
Charlie, 2/3d----------------Apr 1967
Hard to belive its been 35 years since I left the 199th after being wounded on patrol. It was either April the 18th (I belief) or the 19th (as it says on my Purple Heart orders) around this time of day 11:58 EST.
I'll never forget how surprised I was that I had been hit. I heard an explosion I took to be a grenade someone had thrown into a bunker, but when I turned, I feel on my butt. I didn't even know I had been hit. Edgar Recob, C/2/3, also from Wisconsin and I, along with a PF soldier, got hit. I got hit with at least 4 pieces of srapnel in the hand, foot, shoulder and lower back. Scary not being able to run, shoot, or hide. I was totally dependent on the guys in my unit and they came through. We got evacuated to Ton Son Nhut Air Base near Siagon in about half and hour. In some respects the best day of my life. Hey, I got out ot Nam, didn't I.
Thanks to everyone who helped me.

April 18, 2002
John McBride <mcskudler@msn.com> from Seattle, Washington
2nd of the 3rd,----Alpha----1st Platoon----April, 1969----June, 1970
I have a new e-mail address for those of you who have grown use to my current listing. Unfortunately the new one is for my home system: mcskudler@msn.com For that reason you'll get responses in 8 - 12 hour turn around instead of on demand.
On an unrelated subject: the Alpha Company, 2nd of the 3rd reunion is going to be in Seattle the summer of 2003. Those of you interested please contact me. I have a mailing list of those whom we will contact and will be happy to add your name to it if you aren't already listed.

Take care everyone. Best wishes.

John

John

April 18, 2002
Paul Lange <langep@plk.af.mil> from Albuquerque, NM
4/12, 2/40th----C&A--------Feb 68----Feb 69
General Forbes was buried at Arlington today. May he rest in peace. I feel honored to have known him. I hope anyone who attended will make an entry to say how it went for those of us who could not attend. I feel sure the Brigade was well represented. Hopefully we can have a Memorial service at his grave during the reunion. The reunion will not be the same without him.

April 18, 2002
Abraham (Abe) Richardson <abrich3@aol.com> from June 66 to May 68
7th Spt Bn----Hq/A--------RVN 10/66----5/68
Joined 199th @ Ft Benning Ga. in 6/66. Departed Lawson Army airfield in 10/66 on advanved party. Helped set upbase camp there at Ho Nia(Big Red One was our sponser)Was asst Bde Supply Sgt and on med evac of Bde Supply Sgt Became Bde supply Sgt until my departure May 68. I have since retired from active duty and amnow a civil servent GS-12 (Logistics Assistance Representative) which is the closest thing to being in the army without being in the army. Cutrrently I am deployed to Kandahar, AFG Operation Enduring Freedom with TF:RAKKASAN, 101st Airborne Div(Air Assault)I am employed at Ft. Bliss, Tx and live in El Paso, Tx.







April 17, 2002
Tom Kennedy <tckenne@attglobal.net> from Rockville, MD
5/12----B & HHC----1 & 4----05/68----05/69
Second Annual Redcatcher Golf Outing!!!!!
Hello to all! Colonel Malone and I are organizing our Second Annual Redcatcher Golf Outing --- Details are not firm at this time, but the plan will be to tee-off on early Saturday AM (May 25). Format will be as last year, two man teams/best ball dogfight. Prizes will be nominal and accompanied by suitable abuse and recognition for the winners! ALL skill levels are welcome and encouraged to join us. Feel free to sign up individually or in teams. For those of you who are interested, please send me an e-mail( tckenne@attglobal.net ) or give me a call at home (301-840-1409) .
We are trying to lock in on a golf course as close as possible to the reunion as possible. We will do our best to keep the expense to a minimum. As soon as we have the golf course and cost inedtified, we will post it here on the website. Thank you.
I look forward to seeing you all at the reunion and on the golf course. Best to all, T.

April 17, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th / 12th----HHC, CO. E. & CO. D.----4th----May 1967----May 1968
Hello Redcatchers, I have read the story in VIETNAM Magazine
that Bob Fromme wrote about SSGT. Andujar and I came away very impressed with the piece. Bob you are a true Redcatcher and friend to his family. A hand salute to you.
We are a very large family and will always remember our
friends who did not come home but went to our real home.

April 17, 2002
Greg Nelson <nelsongl1@cvol.net> from
2/3----D----3rd----12/68----03/70
Looking for Bob Fields, Glen Falso, Leland Hisle, Jim Young,
Pete Whitehouse. First Delta reunion is happening. We want to find you for the next one!

April 16, 2002
Richard Kidd <rekidd47@aol.com> from West Salem Ohio
5 th and 12 th----B----3rd----04-68----05-69
Just checking in, its been awhile

April 16, 2002
Chris Sausser <rocketman51481@yahoo.com> from San Francisco, CA
B-3-7----B----4th----March, 1968----March, 1969
The best part of the Vietnam experience was LEAVING there, alive & in one piece. However, I did solve the
riddle of the "F. U" lizard, the one that makes that strange call in the woods at night. It is the Tokay Gecko
and it is common over much of Southeast Asia: kind of does sound like someone saying "F. U". Those were
the days!

April 15, 2002
Ray Wagner <rwagner@defnet.com> from Defiance,ohio
4th bat. 12th. inf----delta----3rd----7-69----7-70
where are you Brixy - Tritch - rick Sullivan

April 15, 2002
jerry bulzomi <bul1106@yahoo.com> from new york
4/12----b----2----aug 67----aug 68
were is everybody out there

April 14, 2002
Richard M. Greenwood <rgreenwood47@cox.net> from California
3/7----D----HQ----3/67----3/68
I am please to see the attention given to the site. I am regretful it has taken me this long to find it.

Thanks to the people who have given their time to this project.

April 13, 2002
Lawrence R. Dean Sr. <deano1190@msn.com> from seaford delaware
2/3----b----3RD----3/69----3/70
i'm still looking for some of my bros to drop me a line

April 13, 2002
JAY VOORHEES <VOORHEESPPNY@WEBTV.NET> from PAINTED POST,NY
2/3----A----4TH----APR68----APR69
Those of you that get VIETNAM MAGAZINE,check out the June 2001 issue.Lots of good stuff about the 199th.
Also-Still trying to find anyone that remembers William Mabrey C Co. 2/3. November 68 July 69 when wounded.Please get in touch with me and I can pass it on to him.

April 13, 2002
Richard B. Free <rbfree53158@hotmail.com> from Kenosha, Wisconsin
2/3----Delta----3rd Platoon ----3/69----3/70
Looking for Harold F. Upton, Edward Heier, Dennis Messineo, Richard Seaman and Weeks.

April 13, 2002
Gary Hosmer <Sgltre@aol.com> from vance alabama
19th TASS------------July 69----Apr 70
I have a newspaper article on the death of Gen. Bond. I will make copies if anyone wants.

April 13, 2002
rod domenech(lewis) <lib199@aol.com> from key west,fl
2/40----A/btry----fdc----vn/sept68----aug69
just to say hi

April 13, 2002
Jim Finnegan <Finnegan@SaigonWarrior.com> from England
http://www.saigonwarrior.com
CMAC----------------
199th was associated with the Capital Military Assistance Command in 1968-69. Lookin for related information. Visit www.saigonwarrior.com for info on CMAC - check out the pictures and unit history - both reference the 199th.

Regards, Jim Finnegan

April 12, 2002
Larry Spaulding <lrs@internet1.net> from Bellevue, Michigan
4/12----C----1st----8/69----8/70
Just checking in again to say hi to everyone, would especially like to hear from anyone I served with

April 12, 2002
Paul T. Monahan <JMONA17600@AOL.COM> from Chelmsford, Mass.
4-12----Bravo----3rd----Sept. 1968----June 1969
None

April 12, 2002
Sterlin R. Mullins <srmullins@bright.net> from Ohio
3/7/199 Th----A CO----2nd----June 1966----Nov. 1967
Just checking to see if I could find any one that served in my Co. Looking for Billy Turner--Bill Johnson-Roger Ousley-Curtis Lester-Gary Brewer-Kathy Olin that was married to Tommy Olin back in 1966 when he went to Viet Nam.

April 12, 2002
Thomas J. Guion <tjguion@stthomas.edu> from St. Paul, Minnesota
3/7----HQ--------6/68----6/69
Looking for Tom Babb, Bob Cheatham. Just found this web site.

April 12, 2002
"A Redcatcher's Letters from Nam" <penyedy@yahoo.com> from PA
4/12----D------------KIA Mar 18, 1969
My book on my brother George Farawell is now available on 1stbooks.com. It will be in stores shortly. Your fellow
redcatcher wrote home 25 letters home during those 8 weeks he was there. Follow in his own words his thoughts and fears.
This book is dedicated to all Redcatchers. Thank you for never forgetting your fallen commrades. I would love to hear
from you.
Linden High School in NJ, where we both graduated, is putting the book in their library and may make it mandatory reading
for HS students. I am very proud of that.
Patti Farawell Enyedy

April 11, 2002
George "Beau" Suchorowski <Blackhorse69@aol.com> from Chicago/Santa Clarita,Ca
http://hometown.aol.com/blackhorse69/myhomepage/personal.html
2nd/11thACR----H Company----Quan Loi/Long Bihn-----RVN 69-70----n/a
Looking for Gerry Anselmini from 199th 69 tour. I was in 11th Cav but Gerry and I went to High school in Chicago then I joined 11th to work close to him ect. Also check out my site for 1st So. Calif Blackhorse Reunion 199th are welcome guests Allons Beau

April 11, 2002
gary burgess. the general <generalgary2001@yahoo.com> from Akron, Ohio
A-Battery 2nd BN 40th Artillery------------June 1969----August 1970
love to hear from anyone from the 40th. talked to helms by phone few weeks ago and he is doing fine, I'm doing o.k.
write


April 11, 2002
Leo Reardon <khesahn71@aol.com> from Boston, Mass.
2/40th Arty.----HHC--------Dec. 69----Sept. 70
I drove ammo convoys for the 2/40th and would like to reach any of my brothers who remember those times and who served with me. Hope everyone is well. Welcome home. Peace.

April 10, 2002
Dan Duffy <echopoint@aol.com> from Union,Ohio
2/3----C----2nd----Jan.69----Jan.70
Just checking to see if there are any more of the Old Guard
out there.

April 10, 2002
don l rack <donlrack@hotmail.com> from cincinnati, ohio
A512----A----1st----Sept 68----May 69
I haven't check in for a long time , so I thought I'd better do it again. If anyone reads this that knows me ,please
contact me I'd be glad to here from you.
d rack

April 10, 2002
Tommy R. Higgins <Vern88fan@cs.com> from Virginia Beach, VA
4th and 12th----Headquarters--------10/69----9/70
was known as little man, if my friend Jack Murphy, Jr, who was in 2/3rd's is out there send me an e-mail. He was PA, and we went to bootcamp together, and in Vietnam together

April 10, 2002
HOWIE CORTY <HCORTY5985@AOL.COM> from MINNESOTA
A/3/7------------01/69----12/69
LOOKING FORWARD TO COLORADO IN JULY

April 10, 2002
tom conaway <redcatcher199@msn.com> from delanco n.j
7th support----a co.--------march 69----april 70
I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT YEAR.
WEICOME HOME.
TO EVERYONE I WORKED WITH I WOULD LOVE TO HERE FROM YOU.


April 09, 2002
mike guild <REDWILLYUS@YAHOO.COM> from arkansas
----------------
HEARD FROM H TOY THANK YOU GUYS HOPE ALL IS WELL

April 09, 2002
Tim Perkins <mermaid@sprintmail.com> from New Jersey
2/40----C----3/70--------19/70
WANTED: Donation of bugle,trumpet or cornet in good working condition to be used in "Bugles Across America" program. Our fellow vets deserve "real" taps played at funerals (CD via boom box is usually used). If you have a horn to donate I will use it to honor our veterans. Will even loose weight so I can get into my old uniform again and proudly wear the 199th LIB patch. This is an important program, more information can be found using seach engine. Thanks, Panama
PS any questions please Email me !!!

April 09, 2002
Johnny Johnson <jjohnson@postalcu.org> from St. Paul, Minnesota
B-5-12--------mortar----4-68----10-69
Just checking in. Got email today from other platoon members. Having a re-union in New Mexico in July this year.
Our platoon leader (Pete Comstock) leading the way. Thanks to him and his family for all the reunion work. I can't wait to see everyone. See ya there.

April 09, 2002
Al Watson <watsono6r@aol.com> from Vancouver, WA
3/7----A----3rd & XO----02/69----11/69
New e-mail address. Will miss everyone in DC this year.

April 08, 2002
Lawrence R. Dean Sr. <deano1190@msn.com> from Delaware
2/3----B----3RD----Mar. 69----Mar 70
Just wanted to say hi, and if Donald Thompson is out there drop me a line.

April 08, 2002
mike Apitz <red2a@aol.com> from Stockbridge Wi.
3/7 ----alpha--------4/69----4/70
Just making the rounds

April 08, 2002
kenneth mommoh <ken_moh@yahoo.com> from nigeria
na----na----na----na----na
This is cool.

April 08, 2002
Edward Ide <edide@xtratyme.com> from Minnesota
2/3----D----3rd----7/68----2/69
Bill Laurice, Leland McCann, and Carl VonDielingen welcome home fellow Redcatchers. It is absolutely earth shaking to locate you after 33 years. Here at Redcatcher.org you are always welcome. This is a place for you. For the great sacrifices you made on behalf of our country, may God bless you beyond measure. Please sign the guest book and also please visit www.the-old-guard.org, to find more of the fellas you served with. On behalf of the rest of us Redcatchers. WELCOME HOME.

April 08, 2002
Dan Merryweather <danman3618@aol.com> from Illinois
none----------------
I just want to know anyone that was with, now General, Loefke in any combat missions. My mom is really good friends with him and I have yet to meet him, I want to hear some stories so when talking with him, surprise him with knowledge. Thank you and good job on them Nams.

April 08, 2002
Debbie McCabe <MAVSnews@aol.com> from Houston, TX
http://veteransearch.homestead.com/home.html
----------------
Rick Jones of the 199th has encouraged me to post a notice that I'm working on a book about BROTHERHOOD, the dedication that exists among those who find themselves in combat and other hostile zones-----rescues, protection of one's fellow troops, gratitude to those who gave air or sea support, "thanks" to medics, appreciation for exceptional leaders, heroic actions, loyalty of friends, and more.

It gives some a chance to say "thank you" and others a chance to say "I hope I helped". It will, hopefully, also offer encouragement and reassurance to those who currently serve our nation.

I hope this is a subject that might interest you. I would be very happy to hear from you! If I have left any questions unanswered, please let me know.

THANK YOU!




April 07, 2002
RICK JONES <ROTT357@AOL.COM> from PITTSBURG, TEXAS
http://www.geocities.com/LILRACOON_30/
4TH/12TH----DELTA----2ND----69----70
GREAT NEWS ABOUT STEVE RIEHL-AN EMAIL FROM HIS SISTER TODAY

Hi Everyone,
I just talked with Teresa, Steve is being discharged today. Teresa and I think maybe a day too soon but they're letting him out. So, he'll be on his way to their room at the hotel for the next week and off to many dr. appts. in the next few days. The target date for their return to Portland is still the 14th. I'll be rescheduling my flight as soon as I know for sure that that date is a go. Because Steve will probably be very tired, she asked that nobody call him tonight. I'm sure he'll be exhausted.

Louise


April 06, 2002
Maj Robert D. Tyson, Sr. <VMI62@Bellsouth.net> from Wrightsville, Georgia
4th Bn/12th Inf----E and D------------
My husband Bob was a Company Commander for:
E Company Jan 1968 - May 1968.
D Company May 1968 - Dec 1968.
He carries the memories of all he served with.


April 06, 2002
Don C. Hall <DonCHall@msn.com> from Bellevue, WA.
http://www.I-Served.com
F/51 LRP (Abn.) Inf.--------2nd platoon----Sept. 1967 to June 1968----June 1968
I am currently finishing up a documentary SILENT VICTORY that will be available to purchase soon. We were honored to have (retired) General H. Norman Schwarzkopf jump in and help us out. He is a strong believer in correcting the errors of the Vietnam tales of how bad the troops were in RVN. In this documentary we don't hold back and go straight at people like "Mr. News" Walter Cronkite, the hippie-types and of course, the BS stories the news media told that were wrong. We address this with first person accounts from the men in F/51 LRP (Abn.) Infantry. We have won 3 awards after entering 3 film festivals. I must say, it's a good feeling winning these awards when we had so many people tell us we couldn't do it. "You're not in Hollywood, etc." We even had a Hollywood producer gather up a gang of other Lurps from another unit and attempt to stop us from filming and all sorts of crazy things to stop us, but we don't quit!! I could write a book on that! It was mostly due to the records I found that refute these books that have these authors extremely upset and want to kill the messenger -Me.

My current book I SERVED is starting to sell well. Mostly due to friends like, Ricky Jones, the men in the 199th LIB and other units that are getting the word out. It all depends on word-of-mouth for our book I SERVED. We had a book deal with a big publishing company in 1993. We sent the money back after I found some national archive records that refute some 18 non-fiction books by this big publishing company. Again, we were told, "you can't do that." We sent the advanced money back to the big publishing company, broke the book deal and self-published with the new printing on demand technology. Even under threats of death from the men that served under the likes of (retired LTC) James "Bo' Gritz and others LURPS from another unit we are making it work. Right, makes right!

I am working on a new book and thanks to people like, Ricky Jones have been getting great responses from men who served in the 199th LIB. I have over 10,000 pages of National Archive records from the time period of Nov. 1967 to June 1968. Need individual stories, photos, and supporting records of anyone who served in War Zone D during this time period. It can also be afterward for I will have an afterword section in the book. I will be posting some of these records for your review. It will jog some memories. The 199th LIB was the best. God bless all you guys who were out there with us in Vietnam.
Your brother-in-arms,
Don Hall


April 06, 2002
Don Prazuch <ozarkdep@cs.com> from Chicago
2-3----ECHO----MORTAR----3/69----3/70
Charlie (okie) Mckay,Come to www.the-old-guard.org log in to echo company,We have been looking for you,WELCOME HOME!

April 05, 2002
Charles (Okie) McKay <cmckay@capcarpetinc.com> from Oklahoma
2nd inf 3rd battalion----Echo----4th----March 1969----April 1970
I would like to hear from anyone who served with me

April 05, 2002
Louis Yeostros <Yogi1570@aol.com> from Sarasota,Florida
2/3----Alpha----First----10/68----1/70
Update on Steve Reihl. You will be happy to know Steve is feeling much better. He is out of ICU and has been moved to a regular room. I talked with his wife,Teresa, and with Steve today. He asked me to relay that he is feeling much better. He will be going home within two weeks ,if all goes ok. Then he goes back in six weeks for radiation treatments. He said thanks for all the e/m's and phone calls from the REDCATCHER family. They really helped to boost his spirits. As soon as he is able to get on line you will hear from him. If anyone would like to call him his phone number is 713-792-6383. Thank you for your consideration for a fellow GRUNT.

YOGI

April 04, 2002
Benito "Benny" F. Leija <sfleija@yahoo.com> from Groveland, CA
2/3----Alpha?----2nd----8/69----8/70
Today I talked to my partner,Wayne Dixon, from Nam for the first time since he left on 7/70. He is the first person, with whom I served with,that i have talked to since leaving Nam...32 years ago! Found him on the net and called him. I plan to visit with him in May, 02. We have alot to talk about. I am looking for others that served with me...Richard? Martinez, Eicker (sp?), McCarthy, Gardner...names escape me. I live in Groveland,CA...ph. 209-962-6364...call me. Benny Leija

April 04, 2002
Kammy McCleery <kamccl2@uky.edu> from Lexington, KY
All of them...----Donut Dollie--------199th from 1/68----8/68
Guess I'm no longer your brigade musician... got a nice card from Pete saying that he had already contacted the people who led the singing last year at Benning... I know that it will still mean as much to you to honor all of the guys who served with the 199th no matter who's up front waving their hands... It's been great just being with you again.

April 04, 2002
Skip Brockner <CAX1946@aol.com> from Lindenwold, NJ
http://www.skipbrockner.com
D Troop------------1967----1967
Just checking in. We are planning to move to the Phoenix Area the end of July. Hopefully it will help the elbows and knees. Gettin old sucks! LOL.

April 03, 2002
Richard Walters <mydesk@optonline.net> from Long Island, New York
Brigade Hq.----Headquarters, Headquarters Co. 199th----Communications----1966----Nov. 1967
New correct email address.

April 03, 2002
Richard Walters <New email address mydesk@optonline.net> from Long Island, New York
Brigade Hq----Headquarters, Headquarters Co. 199th----Communications----1966----Nov. 1967
Just checking in to leave my new email address. Still looking for old friends from Brigade Hq 199th, Communications Platoon. While in Nam stationed at Cat-Lai. Left Nam Nov. 1967.

April 03, 2002
Ron Titus <barny@bellatlantic.net> from New Jersey
http://vietnamveteransmemoral.homestead.com/Home.html
----------------
Looking for anyone remembering JAMES LAWRENCE SUYDAM Kia'd on 10/10/70 or HARRY FLOYD CONRAD Kia'd on 3/14/67. Please visit their Memorial Site to leave a remembrance.Both were with the 4/12.

April 03, 2002
RICK JONES <ROTT357@AOL.COM> from PITTSBURG, TEXAS
http://www.geocities.com/LILRACOON_30/
4TH/12TH----DELTA----2ND----69----70
AN UPDATE ON STEVE RIEHL'S CONDITION AT M D ANDERSON IN HOUSTON FROM HIS SISTER, LOUISE:
Great News! Steve is being transfered to a regular room tonight. Teresa will call me later with the room number, it could actually be the same one he was in originally. He's still a little out there mentally but much, much better. Not nearly as combative as he was the last day or two. Teresa will be staying in the room with him because the doctors don't want him left alone, at least not yet. Only once today did he bring up having to get out of there. So, he may be home by the 12th or so if all goes well and there are no set backs.

When I get more on which room he'll be settled into I'll let you all know.

Louise


April 03, 2002
dennis lietha <Liethad@aol.com> from minn
dtrp--------2nd----5\69----7\70
Looking for Bob Abernathy 69\70 199th Formaly from Rock hill SC.

April 03, 2002
Rich Free <rbfree53158@hotmail.com> from Kenosha, Wisconsin
2/3----Delta----3rd Platoon----3/69----3/70
Looking for Harold F. Upton (Daisy) Chattanooga Tenn. If anyone knows this old guard soldier, please have him contact me by email or log into the old guard chat room. Address: www.the-old-guard.org.

April 02, 2002
Dennis Hahn <dhahn@gci.net> from Anchorage, Alaska
----------------
Seeking Andy Appelfeller... Andy I would like for you to contact me via email. Since I spoke with you while in Hawaii, I have missplaced your landline # and email.

Thanks,

Dennis Hahn

April 02, 2002
Ram Chavez <ramchavez@sbcglobal.net> from Corpus Christi, Texas
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2237/vetfive.html
4/12----A & D--------Sept. 1967----Sept. 1968
Today I was reading our local newspaper (Corpus Christi Caller-Times or Caller.com) and in the Funeral announcements, I found a Redcatcher who served in Vietnam with C Company 3rd Bn. 7th Inf, by the name of Henry O. Rokohi. I thought some of you whom also served with the 3/7 would remember him. I did not know him, but I wanted to pass that information to you. I served with Co. A (Dec. 6, 1967) as a combat medic and with Co. D (Jan. 2, 1968) as a Senior Combat Medic under the Command of Captain James Dabney. Let's all stop and listen in our hearts for the sound of Taps for Redcatcher Rokohi.........

April 02, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th. / 12th.----HHC CO E & CO D----4th----May 1967----May 1968
I would like to invite all Redcatchers to view the Honor I
did for James D. Plank in my KIA Honor Page.
Come on Company D troops use my guestbook to
speak about Jimmy.

April 02, 2002
Bob Stein <ks@starpower.net> from Ohio originally
Artillery----A Btry----XO----July 1966----June1967
Always looking for some artillery guys from 2/40th. Funny how a bunch of scared kids who went to Vietnam back then came home brave men. Those of us who made it were better for it. Proud to have served!

April 02, 2002
Louis Yeostros <Yogi1570@aol.com> from Sarasota Florida
2/3----Alpha----First----10/68----1/70
I just wanted to mention Steve Reihl is still very sick from his major sergury. His family thought maybe some e/m's would help cheer him up. You can e/m him at the following address and it will be printed out for Steve. It doesn't have to be long,just a get well will do. Thank you for your time. e/m innkeep@rowellsinn.com
Fellow REDCATCHER,Yogi

April 02, 2002
Doug Allen <dsallen@att.net> from
http://dsallen.home.att.net/199th
3/7----B----2nd----1966----1967
Just checking in.

April 02, 2002
larry dburton <llburton38@aol.com> from indiana
5/12thlrrps4/168----lrrps----e/co----4/168 4/169----4/169
my name is larry d burton. iwould to make contact with sargent john c hucklybe i think the spelling is correct.charels f fitch. last know place louisville ky.mr long who was injuried in the back came back to action two days later. i would like to here from everone.that has survied both. just started on computers so be patient.

April 01, 2002
Jack Hudson from San Diego, CA.
3/7----D------------
It was 32 years ago,on this date in April, that I arrived home from Vietnam. Not only was it the end of my tour ,but I also ended my time in the service with an early out. Many days have passed but the memories of those friends remain fresh in my mind and I am greatful that this site allows us to revisit those times long past. I often return to read the comments left by all the others and it reassures me that the bonds between us,even though we may have not seen one another, remain intact and are a real part of me. Stay together,stay in touch,and if possible make it to DC. this spring.

April 01, 2002
Howard R. Toy <htoy01@lausd.k12.ca.us> from Northridge, California
3rd. Bn., 7th. Infantry----Company B----2nd. Platoon----Dec. 1966----Nov. 1967
My gratitude goes to an old 199th buddy, Dan Coughran, for leading me to this website. In addition, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Lt. Col. Dick Garner (ret.) for having the perseverance to hold a personal tape recording of an ambush that occurred more than 35 years ago. The tape recording was forwarded to me via Doug Allen, another long lost friend from Company B, 3/7th. Be sure to visit his website at http://home.att.net/~dsallen/199th/. Doug’s website has brought back many fond memories. As Col. Garner mentioned in an e-mail to me….”It has been a long journey”


April 01, 2002
C.D. Hunt / Pinneck <Superpawpaw@ntelos.net> from West Virginia
71st Inf. LRRP // 75th Inf. Rangers----M Company----Teams----5/68----5/69
While a team leader with the LRRP unit my team worked with several pltns. from the 3/7 4/12. Met a lot of great guys but time has taken it's toll on my memory. But to those I had the Honor in meeting and fighting with I just want to GOD BLESS!

April 01, 2002
Louis Yeostros <Yogi1570@aol.com> from Sarasota,Florida
2/3----Alpha----first----10/68----1/70
I hope everyone had a great Easter Holiday. Steve Riehl,a fellow REDCATCHER had serious sergury two weeks ago from today. He has hit a couple of serious snags during post surgery. He could use some prays and e/m's from our REDCATCHER family. He has been in a induced coma since the end of last week,and will hopefully be brought out of the coma this Thursday. Tresa,his wife is at his bed side. She has been updating us. Please keep Steve and his family in your prayers. He could use our help. Like always the REDCATCHER family pulls through when called upon. Thank you for your time. Yogi

March 31, 2002
Ed Williams <dadword@yahoo.com> from Wharton NJ 07885
2/40th----c/battery----5th sec.----11/66----10/67
Looking for anyone who may have served in 66 to 67 and spent 22 days on that lovely cruise ship to RVN

March 31, 2002
Mike Wilson <MW11B20@aol.com> from In
2/3----C----4th----1/'70----9/'70
Just checking back in. Would like to hear from anyone in the old outfit. Welcome home.

March 31, 2002
Josph G. Tchinski (SKI) <jgt709@mindspring.com> from Long Beach , California
D 17 Cav ----D Troop ----2 nd ----10/69----10/70
April 1 st 1970 , To Honor and Remember 32 years and still , Feelings that are to be Felt for years to Come , Rest Well My Brothers ,King , Schaffer , Moore , Ankrom Howard , Flynn , Bond .

March 31, 2002
Jim Klones <earth.man@verizon.net> from Mukilteo, Washington
2/3rd----C--------1969----1969
Happy Easter to all my friends and all the great patriots. Does anyone know Robert Dyke from Virginia Beach, VA? Not sure which unit he was in. He went to sniper school and later drove a water truck at BMB. Thanks, Jim Klones

March 31, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th. / 12th.----HHC CO E CO D.----4th----May 1967----May 1968
I would like to wish every Redcatcher and their loved ones a very Happy Easter. I would Like to invite you to
view the Las Vegas Mini reunion photos in my site.

March 31, 2002
Charlie Engel <redleg26@webtv.net> from New York/Arkansas
2/40th Arty----A Btry--------11/67 ----2/69
Lost and found: Just found Jim Normile from L.I. NY. Thats 3 new redcatchers in the last 2 weeks!! I`m on a roll!! Still looking for Beggs,Lyle,Dawson,etc. Come out of the woodwork and lets talk..

March 31, 2002
Bob Goldsmith <compuprt@foothill.net> from Foresthill, CA
4/12----C ----RTO----5/66----10/67
Happy Easter to all Redcatchers and Redcatcher Families.

March 31, 2002
Dennis Lietha <liethad@aol.com> from minn
----------------
e-mail correction

March 31, 2002
Dennis Lietha <lietha@aol.com> from Minn.
D Trp.----17th Cav.----2nd----5\69----7\70
On this 32 aniversary of the Ambush APRIL 1ST 1970 The Cav. would like to remember these fine men who gave there live's 2nd Platoon Billy Jo Schaffer,Jay William King,Eldon Wayne Moore, 1st Platoon Everett Lee Ankrom,Daniel Leopold Flynn, Edward Emanuel Howard, Brigade 199th Gen. William Ross Bond.
Also thier family's and the 22 wounded men that day,we will never forget the day or the people.
May God Bless the family's of all involved.

March 31, 2002
Jim Towns from Maryland
http:
2/3----Echo----Recon----66-69 69-70----
Happy Easter To All. May God Bless

March 30, 2002
Patrick R. Donohue <vdon71049@snip.net> from Beverly, NJ
2nd&40Artillery----Headquarters--------March 1969----Feb. 1970
Can anyone help me find Jerry Wesley or Mike Stepkawitz?

March 30, 2002
larry d burton <llburton38.aol> from indiana
5th/12inf----e-co----lrrp-recon----1april 1968----1april 1969
i would like to find and talk to the men that were in this unit.i am not very good on computers.so bare with me. this my firt time in trying to contact anyone. thanks for any help. my nicname was( little $%&#! two).

March 30, 2002
Edwin F. Kowalski First Seargent USAR Retired <www.ekowals2@peoplepc.com> from Eastpointe, Michigan
E-2/3 Recon/Radar Platoon----Echo----1st Platoon----March 1969----April 1970
I continued my military carrier after Viet Nam, attended Drill Seargent school,followed by many other NCO courses, retired in 1995 USAR as 1st Seargent from the Alfa Co.1/330th 70th Division Infentry Unit In Michigan. Spent many weeks at Ft.Benning Ga. Training infentry troops for combat. I was proud to wear my last unit 199th patch on my uniform and be proud to share with other soilders where I earned the privledge. I wish all the soldiers around the globe a happy Easter, and may the Lord look over you where ever you are, God bless.

March 29, 2002
GEORGE W BOOTH <G.H.BOOTH@JUNO.COM> from LONG ISLAND,NEW YORK
CO,D 3dBn 7thInf199thInfBde----CoD----unknown----Jan 24 1968----April 28 1968
God Bless all of you.

March 29, 2002
John Lavan <Lav270@quixnet.net> from St James, New York
3/7------------7/66----10/67
Happy Easter to all. Looking for Chaplain Jim Craig, 3/7-67 God Bless

March 29, 2002
paul kaser <sky3walker@aol.com> from California
----------------
Does anyone who operated in the Bien Hoa area recall a leper colony and hospital operated by a Catholic father and nuns? I'm trying to find our their fate. We used to take them supplies when I was with AF SP and Civic Actions 69-70. Thanks for you service, vets!

March 28, 2002
E F Dump <alexemt@westriv.com> from North Dakota
A5/12, HHC--------3----68 ----69
I'm still looking for a guy named Don Patton, B 2/3, HHC 68 / 69. He's the only guy I ever knew who charged a Bunker with a Bowie Knife. (found out later he threw 4 hand grenades in it first, he leaves that part out)I would really like to find that rascal.

March 28, 2002
Edison F. Burleson <edison181@aol.com> from Pensacola. FL
HHC 199 LIB------------Oct 1968----Oct 1969
Chaplain Protestant covered for 4/12 Inf & 3/2 Inf

March 28, 2002
Ernest L. Jordan III <jordane@spsci.com> from Rhode Island now Kansas
5/12----D----?----3/69----11/69
Have stayed in touch with Steve Keiser D 5/12 and Alan Hemberger C 5/12 Would like to find Stan Gillette(sp) from Califonia. Best wishes to all associated with 199th. Glad to hear from everyone.

March 27, 2002
Liz Ritchie Burford <lafox007@aol.com> from Baton Rouge, LA
----------------
You have no idea how nice it is to read such wonderful things about my great uncle General Forbes. Though I did not get to spend as much time with him as I would have liked, I always thought he was the greatest. I can remember going to the annual family reunions in PA and him smoking his pipe and playing cards. The most important thing I remember about him is that he is responsible for introducing my parents (Terry and Frank) to each other when my dad was stationed at Fort Dix. I know that I will really miss him. Thanks again for the entries.

March 27, 2002
Herb Howe <herbhowe@aol.com> from Dartmouth, Mass.
4/12----A----?----10/68----10/69
I just started to use this site and I am very impressed. I wish my memory was as good as others, thiry-three years is a lot.

March 26, 2002
Dominc Brignola (Nick) <Global@Globallosscontrol.com> from 342 N. Nulton Ave., Palmer, PA 18045
http://Globallosscontrol.com
179 MI Detachment----4/12 Batallion--------10-66----6-67
I Nick Bignola Was an Interrogator with the 179 MI Detachment leaving with the 199th in November of 1966 from Ft. Benning, GA
from Long Bin I was assigned to the 4 of the 12th Bn in the district of Thu Duc.The 179th handled Order of Battle, II intelligence,
and Interrogations. After 6 months in country I was transferred to the 219 MI Detachment at Corp level
Second Feild Forces where they were considered a free lance intelligence unit going out with the 9th Div, 1st Div,
5 th Special Forcces and other units as needed. I returned to teach the ART of Interrogation at Fort Holibird, MD
from 12-67 to my ets. in April 18, 1969. I can be contacted at 215 783 5643, 610 258 4653, Global@Globallosscontrol.com
Have been looking for Captain Smor, Captain Charels Stanley, Woody, Lt. Giles, Rus Fundakowski.

March 26, 2002
Charlie Engel <redleg26@webtv.net> from New York/Arkansas
2/40th Arty----A Btry--------Nov `67----Feb `69
LOST AND FOUND: Just found former battery commander Bud Fish and Steve Cernicky! Thats 7 in the lastfew years. Where are the rest of you from 1968?

March 26, 2002
Glenn Maxey <GTMaxey@aol.com> from Ok. City, Ok.
2/3----E----Mortor----66/67----10/67
Looking for Gabe Villasenor(4/12 66-67) and Jim Mutz, pronounced moots, (3/7 66-67). Anybody know'em?

March 26, 2002
Kammy McCleery <kamccl2@uky.edu> from originally Massachusetts, now Lexington, Kentucky
all of them!!!----Red Cross Donut Dollie----incountry 7/67 - 8/68----1/68----8/68
Hi Guys! My deepest sympathies to the family of General Forbes. I'm so happy to have had the privilege of getting to know both of our fantastic generals in the past 15 years thanks to the reunions... It has meant so much to me to see all the messages from Gen'l Forbes' family... I hope they will gather in DC with us at our next reunion. We were blessed to have commanding officers who put their men first... that special spirit showed in Nam and it still shows bright and clear now. I'm really looking forward to being in DC with all of you this Memorial Day weekend... It's been too long. It's also great to see some messages from guys who were there when I was... The 199th pulled me out of the Wall the first time I saw it and, at the reunion dinner that night, I met 3 guys that I had known in Nam... life affirmed after a day at the Wall... You gave me a precious gift that first evening together... a reason to go on living... Tune up your singing voices, folks! Love and healing hugs, Kammy

March 25, 2002
James H Fisher <jhfisher@aol.com> from Fairfield, California
2/3----c----3----start-up----Nov. 67
good site

March 25, 2002
Dennis Castaldo <dcastaldo@brandelplumbing.com> from Southern California
4th of the 12th----A----2nd----10/67----3/68
I did fight in the Dec. 6th battle, and was wounded in

in a Mar. 22nd firefight.

March 25, 2002
William Roach <wroach1007@aol.com> from Glendale AZ.
3/7----C.Co.----3rd.Plt. & C.Co. RTO----1966/67----Nov. 68
Correct me if I'm wrong, went to see the movie "We Were Soliders", thay stated that the 7th. Cav. was Gen.Custards' old unit, I was always under the impression that the 3rd. & 7th.infantry was Custards' old unit ? We had the battle streamers for The Battle of Little Big Horn.

March 25, 2002
Don Zimmerman <zimm1942@earthlink.net> from Memphis, TN
3/7th----D----HQ----6/67----6/68
Good morning! Hope all is well with Redcatchers every where. I served as Plt Ldr, 3rd Plt, C Company 6/67-12/67 short stint as XO then on to D Company Commander 2/68-6-68. Any news would be enjoyed.

March 24, 2002
Tom Curtin <curtin12@erols.com> from Clifton, Virginia
http://www.tomcurtin.com
E Co. 3-7th Inf------------12-67----5-68
I just spoke with Don Zimmerman, who commanded D Co. 3-7, in early 1968. He lives in Memphis, TN and his email address is: memphisadai@yahoo.com

March 24, 2002
Clark N. Ferrell <elkcatcher@hotmail.com> from Montana
C-5-12----?----?----4-69----8-69
Anyone out there still alive? Gross, Peterson, Jackson, Butte?

March 24, 2002
dan rhodes <dustyrhod46@yahoo.com> from north carolina
2/3/inf----delta----third----june 1969----june 1970
am proud to be a part of this unit am extremely proud of all the men that i served with

March 23, 2002
Rich Free <rbfree53158@hotmail.com> from Kenosha, Wisconsin
2/3----Delta----3rd Platoon----3/69----3/70
Harold F. Upton, Looking for you! When you read this please join Greg Nelson and I in the old guard chat room! www.the-old-guard.org waiting to hear from you Daisy!!!!

March 23, 2002
Lisa Rowles <lrowles@msn.com> from Tacoma,WA,McChord AFB
----------------
I am another grandaughter of Gen.R.C Forbes. Ihave two daughters of my own. My grandfather will always be a hero in my eyes.I will always remember him smoking his pipe and calling everyone a "Damn Cluck" when he was losing at cards...I will miss him very much...and thany you everyone for all the prayers...Lisa Rowles

March 23, 2002
RICK JONES <ROTT357@AOL.COM> from PITTSBURG, TEXAS
http://www.geocities.com/LILRACOON_30/
4TH/12TH----DELTA----2ND----69----70
REDCATCHERS, LET'S HELP THIS AUSSIE VIETNAM VET IN PETITION TO THE MAYOR DOWN THERE WANTING TO CHANGE THE ''CHERRY TREE WALK'' AND NOT HAVING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IN MIND. HERE'S MY PETITION AND I HOPE YOU WILL DO THE SAME. RICK JONES
Subj: ATTENTION MAYOR PHIL YEO
Date: 03/23/2002 8:54:16 PM Central Standard Time
From: ROTT357
To: WSCMail@w...
CC: ozgrunt@h..., CAX1946


MR. MAYOR,

AS AN AMERICAN VIETNAM VETERAN I WISH TO JOIN IN ON TELLING YOU WHAT A TRAGIC MISTAKE YOU ARE MAKING CONCERNING THE ''CHERRY TREE WALK'' MEMORIAL. THAT MEMORIAL TO YOUR FALLEN IS ALSO OUR MEMORIAL. HERE IN THE STATES WE DON'T FEEL YOU HAVE THE MORAL RIGHT TO CHANGE IT IN ANY WAY. IF IT'S A MONEY THING THEN WE WILL DO OUR PART, BUT PLEASE
DON'T DESECRATE THE MEMORY OF THE FALLEN BECAUSE OF DOLLAR SIGNS. THIS COUNTRY WOULD COME APART AT THE SEAMS IF SUCH ACTIONS WERE SUGGESTED FOR OUR NATIONAL MEMORIAL OF THE FALLEN VIETNAM VETS ON THE WALL IN WASHINGTON, DC. THESE ARE SACRED MONUMENTS. YOU JUST DON'T WALK ON THE DEAD! LET THEM LIE IN PEACE AND DIGNITY. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED AN INTERNATIONAL FUND TO BOLSTER YOUR NEEDS? MAN, WHATEVER IT TAKES, JUST DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

SINCERELY,
RICKY W. JONES
D/4/12/199TH LIGHT INF. BRIGADE VIETNAM 69/70
PITTSBURG, TEXAS, USA


March 23, 2002
John Puzzo <k75ranger@attbi.com> from Connecticut Damn Yankee
Wasn't----------------
You have a good site. Thanks. I was searching for info on a KIA, first name Douglas, not sure of surname, was a medic, KIA in 1969, Bronze Star "V" posthumously awarded. Would like info. Thanks I was with 4th ID in 1970.

March 23, 2002
Tom Curtin <curtin12@erols.com> from Clifton, Virginia
http://www.tomcurtin.com
3-7th Inf----E----CO----12-67----5-68
I just attended MG Forbes funeral in Catonsville, MD for family and local friends. His sons John and Michael gave extraordinary eulogies to our commander and friend. We all have our favorite "General Forbes" story but here is one I had forgotten: Did you know that prior to entering the Army in 1940 General Forbes was an ACTOR, on Broadway?

March 23, 2002
Timothy A. Johnson <timothyjohnson@bigfoot.com> from California
http://www.tim.johnsonmail.com
2/3----A----3----67----68
Hello

March 23, 2002
brian lee hahn <RMK800BLH@AOL.COM> from BORN CALF NOW IN IDAHO
MY UNCLE G HAHN----????----???--------KIA DEC 67
A FRIEND OF MY UNCLE SPC4 GARY GORDON HAHN CALLED MY DAD DENNIS HAHN SAID HE SERVED WITH MY UNCLE WAS IN THE FIREFIGHT THAT MY UNCLE LOST HIS LIFE PLEASE E MAIL ME I WAS TO YOUNG TO KNOW HIM BUT IM JUST LIKE HIM EYES BUILD IM THE BABY HE TALKED ABOUT NOW IM 35YRS OLD HE WAS AWARDED SILVER STAR PURPLE HEART AND POMEROUS CROSS I HAVE HIS METALS AND FLAG QUITE A HONOR TO BE IN POSS OF THANKS ALL VETS GOD BLESS AMERCIAN VETS YOU ARE WHY WERE STILL FREE SINSLERY BRIAN LEE HAHN

March 22, 2002
Richard A. Brand <andchenier@aol.com> from Iowa City
3/7----HHC----Medical----8/69----3/70
I seek the name of a young man who died from a small grenade fragment wound to the neck in late August or early September, 1969. The injury occurred at the 199th LIB BMB (Camp Frenzell-Jones one night at the Enlisted Men’s Club during a standdown. A grenade exploded in the crowd, and to my knowledge the person tossing the grenade was never discovered. The young man was taken to the base dispensary (where I took initial care of him) and subsequently to the 24th Evac Hospital at Long Binh, where he died a week or so following his injury. Please contact me if you recognize this story and individual. Dick Brand, Battalion Surgeon 3/7, 199th.

March 22, 2002
DOUGLAS SMITH <DOANT@SIMFLEX.COM> from NORTH CAROLINA
5/12----B----3----3/70----8/70
HI, LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF MY BUDDIES

March 22, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199.freeservers.com/index.html
4th. / 12th.----HHC CO E CO D.----4th----May 1967----May 1968
I want to let you guys know that I have posted 3 photos
of our Las Vegas reunion on my custom 2 page.
Check it out and leave any coments on my guestbook.

March 21, 2002
Don Bishop <bloodyear4u@att.net> from Salinas, California
3/7----D----3rd----Nov 67----Oct, 68
Hello, anyone in my unit? Would like to hear from you...
Don

March 21, 2002
Katie Forbes <cheergurlz713@yahoo.com> from Durham, nc
----------------
I am the 11 year-old grandaughter of Gen.Robert C. Forbes. My Grandfather was a great man. I didn't realize he was so important. One very great memory I had with my grandfather was playing hearts. He loved to play hearts and that is how I learned to play. I thank all of you who prayed for him in his time of need and for my family.
Katie Forbes

March 20, 2002
Clay Crowder <kr4mn@charter.net> from Fort Rucker, Alabama
http://redcatcher10alpha.com/index2.htm
199th----HHC----Communications----March 68----May 69
It was with great sorrow that I heard of the passing of General Forbes. I talked with him many times at the reunion. If you would like to send a card to the family you can do so at the following address:
Mrs. Robert C. Forbes
719 Maiden Choice Ln HR 531
Catonsville, MD 21228
I will be unable to go to the services at Arlington, I am retiring the next week so I have to tie the loose ends up before I retire. If any of you go please send me what you can about the services and pictures and I will do a memorial page for General Forbes as I have done the other commanders that have gone ahead of us.
Take Care
Clay


March 20, 2002
michael forbes <valerieforbes16kin@prodigy.net> from durham,nc
----------------
I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns for my father general forbes. he will be missed. he was very proud to have served with each and everyone of you.thank you for being his comrades. Michael Forbes

March 20, 2002
webmaster <trward@concentric.net> from Columbia SC
http://www.redcatcher.org
----------------
"Major General Robert C. Forbes, Commanding General of the 199th from Sep 1967 until May 1968 received his final orders at 1015EST, March 18, 2002. Like any good soldier, he faithfully carried out those orders and precisely on time - as was his habit - he proceeded to his final port of embarkation and peacefully boarded his transport to his final duty station.

Gen. Forbes will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on 18 Apr with the full military honors he requested and that he deserves. Those attending the 1245 funeral mass at the Memorial Chapel need to arrive by 1130. In place of flowers, contributions in his name can be made to Parkinson Disease Association, 601 N. Caroline St., Suite 5064, Baltimore, Md, 21287.

Mrs Forbes and the family wish to thank all of you for your prayers and warm, caring thoughts"

Robert C. Forbes, Jr

His family knows of the respect, honor and love that many members of the 199th have shown him over the past 35 years and are deeply appreciative of all you have given him."






I am also putting this information on the redcatcher.org web page. I plan on bring there - Tom Ward Webmaster redcatcher.org

March 20, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th / 12th----HHC, CO. E. & CO. D.----4th----May 1967----May 1968
All you Redcatchers from Company B 4/12 from around 68/69
check the photos Johnny Velasquez gave me permission to post
on my website. Let me know what you think or if you want to
contribute some Company B photos see photo2 page. Sign my guestbook please.

March 20, 2002
Doug Allen <dsallen@att.net> from
http://dsallen.home.att.net/199th
3/7----B----2nd----1966----1967
Steve McDonald of A/5/12 suggested I make the pictures on my web site larger, so I did. More and more people are on LANs or cable modems, so if you are one of those or very patinet, you can choose to look at the high resolution version of any picuture.

March 20, 2002
Pasqual (Pancho) Ramirez <pachuco@usa.com> from New Mexico now California
http://www.pancho199th.freeservers.com/index.html
4th / 12th----HHC, CO. E. & CO. D.----4th----May 1967----May 1968
Rick & Yogi I believe it is a great idea you to came up with
to honor Steve in that manner. I am 100% behind you guys. Bless all Redcatchers