INJURIES AND DEATHS

During the first half of 1969, there was an increase in casualties as a result of

hostile action. The following is a list of deaths and injuries sustained by EOD personnel

from 1 Jan 69 thru 30 Jun 69:

1. The first day of the new year started badly when CPT Briggs K. Sicilia, 170th Ord Det,

was killed by an accidental gunshot wound, while responding to an incident in Saigon.

2. SP4 Donald G. Robbins, 44th Ord Det, was injured on 8 Mar 69, when a BLU 42/B

Bomblet detonated approximately ten feet behind him. SP. Robbins was treated and

placed on light duty for three weeks.

3. On 14 Mar 69, SSG David Keller and SP5 Raymond Zipprich, 44th Ord Det, were

injured while evacuating personnel from a burning ASP. SSG Keller was treated and

returned to duty, while Zipprich was placed on light duty for two weeks.

4. SP4 John Caffy, EOD Section, 3d Ord Bn, received lacerations while recovering a

damaged 2.75" rocket on 28 Apr 69. EM was returned to duty after treatment.

5. SP4 James Randolph, 133d Ord Det, was wounded by fragments from incoming

mortars during EOD clean-up of an ammo bunker on 12 May 69. He spent five days in

the hospital and was returned to duty.

6. On 28 May 69, SP5 David Caufield, 287th Ord Det, was injured when a mine

functioned during breeching operations. SP5 Caufield’s left foot had to be amputated,

and he was evacuated to CONUS.

7. SFC Dale Smith, 170th Ord Det, was injured on 5 Jun 69 by an antidisturbance firing

device. SFC Smith received numerous fragmentation wounds to his hands when a

blasting cap functioned. SFC Smith has been evacuated to CONUS, where full recovery

is expected.

8. On 20 Jun 69, MSG Franklin Forester and SFC Boyd Kidd, 25th Ord Det, received

fragmentation wounds when a dud 40mm grenade functioned during disposal operation.

MSG Forester was treated for minor fragmentation wounds and returned to duty. SFC

Kidd was hospitalized, but returned to light duty the following day.

9. SSG Leo Conahan and SP4 William Richards, 269th Ord Det, were wounded on 29

Jun 69, when a booby trap functioned. SSG Conahan was treated and released the next

day, however SP4 Richards was evacuated to 3d Field Hospital and then to Japan. He

should recover completely in a few weeks.

Inclosure 5

10. The following injuries occurred during EOD clean-up of Qui Nhon Ammunition Base

Depot:

a. SP4 John Claffy, EOD Section, 3d Ord Bn, received lacerations when an

XM716 PD fuze functioned. EM was treated by medics and returned to duty.

b. SP5 Timothy Roumph, 59th Ord Det, received WP burns on his legs from a

leaking 60mm WP mortar. He was treated by medics and returned to duty.

c. SP5 Philip Kirwan, 25th Ord Det, received burns and bruises to his right side

and arm, when he was hit by a base plate when a l05mm Illumination round functioned.

He was treated and returned to duty.

d. SP5 Stuart Steinberg, EOD Section, 184th Ord Bn, received lacerations and

burns of neck and ears, and punctured eardrums when an 81mm HE mortar (with a M524

fuze) detonated in the rear of the truck he was driving. After treatment by dispensary

personnel, he was returned to duty.

Note from Stu: I was wounded May 10 in the Qui Nhon Ammo Dump and was awarded

a Purple Heart. It's in the 1969 report under the Qui Nhon Ammo Dump section. The

award certificate says May 13, but my medical records show treatment on May 10-12. I

was wounded a second time during an incoming attack on May 19. I was treated at a 51st

Med. Battalion aid station and nothing ever got into my records.

Page 2 of Inclosure 5

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

During the first half of 1969, EOD Personnel have continued to receive many

awards and decorations. Tabulated below, by award and grade are those received by

EOD personnel for the period 1 Jan 69 –30 Jun 69:

SILVER STAR

SP5 Arthur Canizales

LEGION OF MERIT

CPT Briggs Sicilia (Posthumous)

SOLDIERS MEDAL

SFC Charles L.D. Ball SFC Edward F. Hochecker

SSG Patrick Campbell SSG Leroy D. Jackson

SSG James D. Phipps

BRONZE STAR W/ “V”

CPT Ronald R. Casper CPT Russel Hunt

CPT Dennis J. Lorance CPT Allen K. Rosson

CPT Michael J. Tavnao

MSG Norman H. Lier Jr. MSG Lee. A. McClain

SFC Donald W. Douglas (2) SFC Franklin G. Lewis

SFC Leslie Champ SFC Dale N. Smith

SSG Edward Jones SSG Harold D. Lewis

SSG David A. Keller SSG Leo E. Conahan

SSG Patrick Campbell SSG Frank Hornbaker

SSG Willard A. Small SSG Donald A. Ankerman

SP5 Thomas Brown SP5 Allan S. Cummins

SP5 Leslie L. McKimson SP5 James L. Scott

SP5 Raymond A. Zipprich SP5 Howard Smith

SP4 Donald G. Robbins SP4 Kraig D. Dern

SP4 James S. Randolph

Inclosure 6

BRONZE STAR

MAJ Patrick DesChamps

CPT Russell Hunt CPT James R. Davis (2)

CPT Thomas L. Stark CPT Michael Griffard

CPT Ross Gralia

MSG Jack G. Sumrall MSG George W. Watson

MSG Frank I. Mowery MSG John T. Branch

MSG Horace M. Ayres MSG Edward A. Greer

MSG Willaim A. Campbell MSG Daniel N. Weaver

MSG Lee A. McClain

SFC Kenneth S. Deptol SFC Eugene Cope (2)

SFC Charles L.D. Ball SFC Ernest V. Briley (2)

SFC Leslie H. Champ SFC Dewey L. Burchfield (2)

SFC Hugh L. Lauthner

SSG Alexander Kaczmarek SSG Ross Terrien

SSG Patrick L. Campbell SSG Harry R. Hull Jr.

SSG Elvin E. Kotouc SSG Charles A. Scott

SSG Clifford Robinson SSG James G. Hunt

SSG Robert M. Turner SSG Lawrence L. Crawford (2)

SSG Thomas Griffith SSG Charles R. Irland

SSG George N. Moore SSG James D. Phipps

SP5 Arthur Canizales SP5 Roger Jones

SP5 Keithley A. Stevens SP5 Harry E. Beemer

SP5 David A. Gans SP5 Dwaine M. Wallace

SP5 Richard V. Earl SP5 James E. Young

SP5 Roger L. Floyd SP5 George G. Perry

SP5 Dale E. Wilber (2) SP5 Thomas M. Kemp

SP5 Michael L. Kern SP5 Steven R. Rawlings

SP5 Philip C. Kirwan

SP4 Stephen P. King SP4 Wilton Holt Jr. (2)

SP4 Kent S. Voge SP4 Michael Kern

ARCOM W/“V”

MSG Lee R. Miller (2)

SFC Jenterious Anderson SFC Ernest Briley

Page 2 of Inclosure 6

ARCOM W/“V” (Cont)

SSG Paterick L. Campbell SSG Robert M. Wagner

SSG Michael D. Lizak SSG Lee R. Ness

SP5 Harry E. Beemer SP5 Howard F. Smith

SP5 David T. Johnson SP5 Paul F. Owens

SP5 Dale E. Wilber SP5 Douglas F. Rhodes

PFC Robert W. Derry

ARCOM

MAJ Patrick L. DesChamps

MSG Lee A. McClain MSG Lee R. Miller

MSG Franklin T. Forester

SSG Charles D. Crawford SSG Leo E. Conahan

SSG Haskill C. Edwards SSG Richard H. Upham

SSG Ross Terrien SSG Arthur M. Brodeth

SSG Roland Peterson SSG Lawrence L. Crawford (2)

SSG George F. Chapman (2)

SP5 Robert W. Jenkins SP5 Timothy J. Roumph

SP5 Hugh A. Nolan SP5 Daniel Louwerts (3)

SP5 Roger Jones SP5 Jon R. Havert

SP5 Kenneth E. Johnson SP5 Thomas M. Kemph

SP5 Charles R. Irland SP5 Philip C. Kirwan

SP5 Stuart A. Steinberg

SP4 Frank C. Rhody SP4 Miquel M. Casas

SP4 George Twyman SP4 Thomas Boyd (2)

SP4 Richard L. Flanders SP4 Richard J. Flynn

SP4 Albert W. Hays (2) SP4 Roger McCormack (2)

SP4 Michael J. Isham SP4 Gerald R. Culp

PURPLE HEART

MSG Franklin Forester

SFC Eugene Cope SFC Boyd F. Kidd

SFC Dale Smith

Page 3 of Inclosure 6

PURPLE HEART (Cont)

SSG David A. Keller SSG Ross M. Terrien

SP5 Raymond A. Zipprich SP5 Stuart A. Steinberg

SP4 Donald G. Robbins SP4 Albert Hays

SP4 William E. Richards SP4 James S. Randolph

Not Previously Reported

MSG Gordon J. Smith Legion of Merit

SFC Eugene Cope Purple Heart

SSG Ross Terrien Purple Heart

SP5 Thomas Kemph

INJURIES AND DEATHS

During the second half of 1969 EOD personnel sustained some unfortunate injuries while

performing their duties. Some were minor in nature while others were more serious.

EOD personnel continue to be faced with the explosive hazards or the EOD mission as

well as the additional hazardous nature of operations in RVN. Personnel are often

exposed to enemy ambushes, rocket and mortar attacks and land mines. The following is

a list of injuries sustained during the second half of 1969 and a brief narrative describing

them.

a. SFC Boyd F. Kidd, SSG Willard A. Small, and SP4 Joseph E. Tremain of the

25th Ord Det (EOD) Received first and second degree burns while clearing satchel

charges from the POL tank farm at An Khe on 1 Nov 69. The three were treated and

retuned to duty.

b. On 5 Aug 69, MSG Ronald A. Cole, SSG Robert C. Nye, and SP5 Arthur G.

Dedmon of the 42nd Ord Det (EOD) were injured while attempting to remove a mine at

Long Hai for the 5th Special Forces Group. An M14 mine was accidentally detonated,

injuring MSG Cole. During an attempt to evacuate MSG Cole from the minefield,

another M14 mine was accidental1y detonated, injuring SSG Nye and SPS Dedmon.

MSG Cole lost his left leg and received multiple frag wounds. SSG Nye received a

serious eye wound. SP5 Dedmon received a serious foot wound, resulting in the loss of

two toes. All three were med-evaced to Japan, and then to CONUS.

c. On 23 October 1969, SSG Jerry Kekel of the 42nd Ord Det (EOD), while

attempting to remove an implanted M16 mine, was injured very seriously when an

unknown device underneath mine detonated. He was evacuated to Japan, where he later

died from pneumonia on 29 November 1969.

d. SSG Merle L. Merrick and SP5 David T. Johnson of the 44th Ord Det (EOD)

were injured, on 25 Nov 69, when they and their infantry security element were

ambushed. An NVA force of undetermined size attacked, using mortar and small arms

fire. SSG Merrick was wounded in the leg by mortar fragments and SP5 Johnson

received slight frag wounds about the face. SSG Merrick was evacuated by dust off and

spent three days in the Dau Tieng hospital. SP5 Johnson treated his own wounds. Both

men have returned to duty.

e. On 2 July 1969, SP5 Timothy J. Roumph of the 59th Ord Det (EOD) was

traveling with a convoy when the vehicle he was riding on hit a mine, resulting in a frag

wound to his right leg. He was treated and returned to duty.

f. SP5 Stephen D. Bailey of the 99th Ord Det (EOD) received frag wounds to his

back and shoulder from enemy artillery while engaged in a clean-up operation at Bu Dap

CIDG Camp. He was evacuated to Japan.

Inclosure 5

g. On 12 Ju1y 1969, SP4 Kraig D. Drern of the 133rd Ord Det (EOD) was

wounded in the back when the helicopter in which he was riding received small arms fire

from the ground. SP4 Dern was evacuated to Japan and later to CONUS.

h. SFC Floyd A. Ames and SP4 David J. Freymond of the 287th Ord Det (EOD)

were injured on 1 Sep 69, when a PG2 fuze detonated in the rear the vehicle in which

they were riding. SFC Ames received damage to his right eardrum and frag wounds on

the back of his head. He was evacuated to the 85th

Evac Hospital and later to Japan. SP4

Freymond received frag wounds in his right arm. He was treated at the 85th Evac

Hospital and retuned to duty the next day.

i. While responding to an incident, Cpt Ralph J. Schuchman and SFC Robert A.

Kelley of the 3rd

Ord Bn (EOD Section) were injured in a helicopter crash. The

helicopter in which they were riding experienced mechanical failure and crashed into a

water filled bomb crater. Cpt Schuchman received a fracture of the left ankle and right

wrist. He was evacuated to Japan and later to CONUS. SFC Kelley received minor

lacerations and bruises. After being treated at the hospital he was returned to duty.

j. SSG Michael D. Lizak and SP5 Brian J. Berst of the 184th Ord Bn (EOD

Section) were injured by a detonation on 11 Sep 69, while checking a pipeline for booby

traps. SSG Lizak lost his leg below the knee and was evacuated to Walter Reed General

Hospital. SP5 Berst received frag wounds of the face. He was treated at the 67th Evac

Hospital and later returned to duty.

Page 2 of Inclosure 5

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

During the second half of 1969, EOD personnel continued to receive many awards and

decorations. Below is a list of the awards and the personnel receiving the:

Legion of Merit

MAJ Gerald W. Pack

Soldier’s Medal

SFC Thomas S. Wheelre SP5 Arthur G. Dedmon

SSG Robert C. Nye

Bronze Star w/V

CPT Chester H. Heidl SP5 Albert W. Hays

CPT Thomas L. Starl SP5 Robert Keefe

SFC Robert Blanchard SP5 James N. Randolph

SFC Raymond Puig SP5 Timothy J. Roumph

SSG Gregoru D. Hentschel SP5 James L. Williams

SSG Lemuel T. Mabry

Bronze Star

CPT Marvin C. Altstatt SSG Haskill C. Edwards

CPT Ross S. Gralia (2nd OLC) SSG Frank R. Hornbaker

CPT Chester H. Heidl (1st OLC) (2nd OLC)

CPT Dennis J. Lorance (1st OLC) SSG Edward L. Jones

SGM Franklin R. Wardwell SSG Michael D. Lizak

MSG Russell J. Adams SSG Jerry E. Kekel

MSG James E. Austin (Posthumously)

MSG Ronald A. Cole (2nd OLC) SSG Jimmy P. Lynch

MSG Franklin T. Forester SSG Lee R. Ness

MSG Norman H. Liet Jr. (1st OLC) SSG Roland W. Peterson

MSG Lee A. McClain (2nd OLC) SSG Eugene S. Presnell

MSG Lee R. Miller SSG Willard A. Small

MSG Sammie L. Thomas (1st OLC)

SFC Donald L. Ankenman (1st OLC) SSG Lewis F. Weinberg

SFC Robert Blanchard (1st OLC) SP5 John M. Claffy

SFC Robert E. Chouinard SP5 Jon R. Havert

SFC William J. Shadel SP5 Albert W. Hays

SFC Robert E. Smith (1st OLC)

SSG Ronald D. Carlton SP5 Michael R. Nichols

SSG George F. Chapman SP5 Douglas F. Rhodes

Inclosure 6

Bronze Star (Cont)

SSG Charles D. Crawford SP5 David S. Tipton

SP4 Larry W. Brooks SP5 Robert E. Wert

SP4 Thomas E. Nutter

ARCOM w/V

CPT Chester H. Hedl SSG James A. Qualls

MSG Lee R. Miller (3rd OLC) SSG Paul D. Pattrick

MSG Donald C. Searles (1st OLC) SSG Jimmy E. Willis

SFC Robert Blanchard SP5 Richard D. Anderson

SFC Robert E. Smith SP5 Robert W. Jenkins

SSG George F. Chapman SP5 Robert Keefe

SSG Richard J. Keim Jr. SP5 Merrill W. Prange

ARCOM

CPT Donald L. Brewer (2nd OLC) SP5 Kenneth P. McCandless

CPT Michael J. Tavane SP5 John W. Merwin

MSG Donald C. Searles (2nd OLC) SP5 Mahlon L. Miller

SFC Robert E. Chouinard SP5 Hubert R. Nauman

SFC Edward F. Komac SP5 Michael R. Nickols

SSG James N. Anelle SP5 Hugh A. Nolan

SSG Ronald D. Carlton SP5 William S. Peterson

SSG Jerry E. Kekel (Posthumously) SP5 Gary J. Poole

SSG David A. Keller SP5 Douglas F. Rhodes

SSG Michael D. Lizak (1st OLC) SP5 Donald G. Robbins

SSG George A. Masel SP5 Timothy J. Roumph

SSG Raymond C. Merrell SP5 Michael A. Therrien

SP5 Arthur G. Dedmon SP5 Bruce R. Thomas

SP5 David L. Edson SP5 David S. Tipton

SP5 Walter Gee Jr. SP5 Bennie L. Young

SP5 Larry W. Green SP5 Raymond A. Zipprich

SP5 Lester P. Haskin SP4 Larry W. Brooks

SP5 Richard A. Hause SP4 Kraig D. Dern

SP5 Albert W. Hays (1st OLC) SP4 David J. Freymond

SP5 Robert W. Jenkins (1st OLC) SP4 Thomas E. Nutter

SP5 Joseph S. Jimenez SP4 Bill C. Poteet

SP5 David K. Kaluhiekalani SP4 Gary L. Raines

SP5 Phillip C. Kirwan (1st OLC) SP4 Terry A. Simmons

SP5 James E. Martin

Page 2 of Inclosure 6

PURPLE HEART

MSG Franklin T. Forester SP5 Brain J. Berst

SFC Floyd A. Ames SP5 John M. Claffy

SFC Boyd F. Kidd (1st OLC) SP5 Timothy J. Roumph

SSG Lee E. Conahan SP5 Joseph E. Tremain

SSG Michael D. Lizak SP4 Kraig D. Dern

SSG William A. Small SP4 David J. Freymond

SP5 Stephen D. Bailey SP4 Gary L. Raines

NOT PREVIOUSLY REPORTED

SFC Dale N. Smith – Purple Heart