tips on how to work with the 7/17th cav history s...514 – 556 1970 – jul to dec 557 – 566 1970...

Tips on how to work with the 7/17th Cav History PDF Files

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The entire 7/17th Cav History is contained in thirty (30) PDF files that if printed would be a complete book. The twoother documents are bonus material. Each of the files has a link below. To open each PDF file, click on that link. Toreturn to this list, close the PDF file or use the Back button if your browser does not open a new window. You can seethe entire history in one file here.

Starting & Ending Page Numbers PDF Files Name

1 – 7 Table of Contents8 – 51 1966 – 196752 – 61 1966 – 1967 Aircraft62 – 147 1968 – Jan to Jun148 – 161 1968 – Jan to Jun Aircraft162 – 240 1968 – Jul to Dec241 – 256 1968 – Jul to Dec Aircraft257 – 340 1969 – Jan to Jun341 – 350 1969 – Jan to Jun Aircraft351 – 428 1969 – Jul to Dec429 – 438 1969 – Jul to Dec Aircraft439 – 503 1970 – Jan to Jun504 – 513 1970 – Jan to Jun Aircraft514 – 556 1970 – Jul to Dec557 – 566 1970 – Jul to Dec Aircraft567 – 615 1971 – Jan to Jun616 – 626 1971 – Jan to Jun Aircraft627 – 645 1971 – Jul to Dec646 – 655 1971 – Jul to Dec Aircraft656 – 692 1972 – Jan to Jun693 – 701 1972 – Jan to Jun Aircraft702 – 727 1972 – Jul to Dec728 – 733 1972 – Jul to Dec Aircraft734 – 737 1973 – Jan to Mar738 – 741 1973 – Jan to Mar Aircraft742 – 748 Support Material749 – 775 Leadership Rosters776 – 780 Honor Roll781 – 813 Index

Other Documents

PDF File Names

8 pages History Project 7_17 Cav16 pages Base Camps

3 Covers1 Front Cover1 Back Cover

The Covers file contains three pages that might be helpful should someone desire to print a paper book. The front andback cover have been saved in separate files in case that is helpful. We have put together the entire book in this file ifyou want to print your own copy.The entire history is generally in chronological order. The Table of Contents pages simply list the major events (unit

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relocations, major battles, etc.) and the various calendar months. For example, the Table of Contents file tells thereader interested in the famous Battle of Tet of ’68 to start at page 77 or that the narrative for April 1968 starts on page114.As a general rule each PDF file relates to a six-month period. The narrative history is in one file (i.e. 1968 – Jan toJun) and the aircraft data for that period is in another file (i.e. 1968 – Jan to Jun Aircraft).The Support Material file has five logic subsection: Campaign Streamers, Unit Awards, A Salute of the 7/17th Cav, aGlossary of Abbreviations used in the document, and Locations of importance to the 7/17th Cav.

The Leadership Rosters are basically organized by Troop starting with HHT, the Alpha, Bravo, etc. For each Troop thenames of the individuals who held the various positions (Commanding Officer, 1st Sergeant, etc.) are listed inchronological order.

The Honor Roll lists all those Killed in Action who died while serving with the 7/17th Cav in Vietnam (includingVietnamese soldiers) plus anyone listed on The Wall who died of wounds initially received in Vietnam while theywere serving with the 7/17th Cav.

The Index attempts to provide a page number for ALL REFERENCES to every individual, every aircraft, photo,pocket patch, radio call sign, major event, etc. mentioned in this History. It is organized alphabetically. To keep thingssimple, all aircraft references include their type – OH-6A, UH-1C, etc. Locations such as Camp Enari appear in theindex as “Location – Camp Enari.” Events such as the first LOH to be shot down appear as “Event – first LOH ...”Individuals appear by last name.

The 8-page History Project document attempts to describe how the History was prepared over nearly a twenty yeareffort.

The 16-page Base Camps document is basically a work in progress. It shows something we have been working on at anumber of our Reunions over the last few years. Clearly we are missing several base camps: A Troop’s stay at Ban MeThuot East in 1968 and Phan Rang in 1971, B Troop’s stay at Ban Me Thuot East in 1969, C Troop’s stay at An Kheon and off in 1970 and 1971, and really everyone’s stay at Camp Holloway.

Additions and/or corrections are welcome. Please submit as a MS Word document or email to Mike Law [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry History Printed 09/25/11

The History of the 7th Armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry This text, made available by the 7/17th Air Cav Association, is copyright (c) 2011 by Michael G. Law or the author, all rights reserved. This text may be used, printed, and archived in accordance with the Fair Use provisions of U.S. Copyright law. This text may not be archived, printed, or redistributed in any form for a fee, without the consent of the copyright holder. This notice must accompany any redistribution of the text.

First published as the 48-page History Section in the 1992 VHPA (Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association) Membership Directory, the extensively updated 7/17th Cav history is published again as the History Section in the 2011 VHPA Membership Directory. Then entire history plus supporting material was published in Portable Document Format (PDF) files on a CD in September 2011 for everyone to wishes to have a copy. Please report all updates to Mike Law the Historian of the 7/17th Air Cav Association (AKA Ruthless Riders Association) as the CD will be updated from time to time.

Table of Contents The History of the 7th Armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry .................................................................. 1

Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 1

Background Information - The Lineage of Air Cavalry ....................................................................... 8

Background Information - Air Cavalry in Vietnam ............................................................................. 9

1966 .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Activation ............................................................................................................................................. 9

November 1966 ................................................................................................................................ 9

Squadron Patch ................................................................................................................................... 10

1967 ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

Deployment Preparations .................................................................................................................... 10

January 1967 ................................................................................................................................... 10

February 1967 ................................................................................................................................. 11

March 1967 ..................................................................................................................................... 13

June 1967 ........................................................................................................................................ 13

Aircraft Details ............................................................................................................................... 13

July 1967 ......................................................................................................................................... 15

August 1967 .................................................................................................................................... 19

October 1967 .................................................................................................................................. 22

Background Information about the Pleiku Area of Vietnam and the 4th Infantry Division ............... 26

Monsoon Weather ............................................................................................................................... 26

Aircraft Inventory ............................................................................................................................... 26

First Base Camp .................................................................................................................................. 27

November 1967 .............................................................................................................................. 30


Becoming Operational ........................................................................................................................ 34

Thanksgiving – 23 Nov ...................................................................................................................... 39

C Troop Moves to Chu Lai ................................................................................................................. 41

40th Transportation Detachment (Maintenance) Joins the Squadron .................................................. 42

December 1967 ............................................................................................................................... 44

C Troop Becomes Operational at Chu Lai ......................................................................................... 45

Bob Hope Show at Camp Enari – 26 Dec .......................................................................................... 49

Aircraft Data for the period July through December 1967 ................................................................. 53

1968 ........................................................................................................................................................ 63

January 1968 ................................................................................................................................... 63

B Troop’s Tiger Skin .......................................................................................................................... 63

Tet of '68 ............................................................................................................................................. 77

February 1968 ................................................................................................................................. 81

March 1968 ................................................................................................................................... 100

April 1968 ..................................................................................................................................... 114

C Troop Redesignated F Troop, 8th Cavalry ..................................................................................... 114

May 1968 ...................................................................................................................................... 124

The Replacement for C Troop .......................................................................................................... 124

June 1968 ...................................................................................................................................... 136

569th TC Detachment assigned to B Troop ...................................................................................... 143

568th TC Detachment and 288th SC Detachment assigned to A Troop ............................................ 144

B Troop Relocates to Phan Thiet from Camp Enari ......................................................................... 146

Aircraft Data for the period January through June 1968 .................................................................. 150

July 1968 ....................................................................................................................................... 164

First Cobras Arrive ........................................................................................................................... 164

569th TC Detachment joins B Troop at Phan Thiet .......................................................................... 166

C Troop Arrives ................................................................................................................................ 168

A Troop Moves to Ban Me Thuot East ............................................................................................ 169

August 1968 .................................................................................................................................. 172

B Troop Relocates to An Khe from Phan Thiet ............................................................................... 176

Sapper Attack at Ban Me Thuot East ............................................................................................... 182

September 1968 ............................................................................................................................ 184

C Troop Becomes Operational ......................................................................................................... 185

B Troop Relocates to Phan Thiet from An Khe ............................................................................... 187

412th TC Detachment joins C Troop at Camp Enari ........................................................................ 195


October 1968 ................................................................................................................................ 196

A Troop Relocates to Camp Enari from Ban Me Thuot East ........................................................... 202

November 1968 ............................................................................................................................ 214

40th Transportation Detachment (Maintenance) Departs Vietnam ................................................... 220

D Troop Relocates to LZ Mary Lou from Ban Me Thuot East ........................................................ 222

December 1968 ............................................................................................................................. 230

D Troop Assigned the Camp Enari TAOR ....................................................................................... 241

Aircraft Data for the period July through December 1968 ............................................................... 245

1969 ...................................................................................................................................................... 261

January 1969 ................................................................................................................................. 261

February 1969 ............................................................................................................................... 282

March 1969 ................................................................................................................................... 287

April 1969 ..................................................................................................................................... 310

C Troop Moves to Lane AHP ........................................................................................................... 315

May 1969 ...................................................................................................................................... 321

June 1969 ...................................................................................................................................... 336

A Troop Adopts the Checkmate Callsigns ....................................................................................... 343


July 1969 ....................................................................................................................................... 355

B Troop Moves to Camp Enari ......................................................................................................... 355

August 1969 .................................................................................................................................. 361

D Troop and HHT Elements Move to Ban Me Thuot East .............................................................. 370

September 1969 ............................................................................................................................ 373

B Troop Moves to Ban Me Thuot East ............................................................................................. 373

October 1969 ................................................................................................................................ 390

November 1969 ............................................................................................................................ 396

A Troop Moves to An Khe ............................................................................................................... 421

Sapper attack at An Khe ................................................................................................................... 421

A Troop relocates to Camp Enari from An Khe ............................................................................... 424

December 1969 ............................................................................................................................. 425


1970 ...................................................................................................................................................... 443

January 1970 ................................................................................................................................. 443

B Troop Moves to Camp Enari from Ban Me Thuot East ................................................................ 443

February 1970 ............................................................................................................................... 451


March 1970 ................................................................................................................................... 457

B Troop Moves to Phan Rang from Camp Enari ............................................................................. 459

Squadron Moves to Camp Holloway from Camp Enari ................................................................... 460

C Troop Moves to An Khe from An Son ......................................................................................... 461

B Troop Moves to Camp Holloway from Phan Rang ...................................................................... 461

April 1970 ..................................................................................................................................... 464

May 1970 ...................................................................................................................................... 486

The Cambodian Incursion ................................................................................................................. 487

A Troop Moves to Ban Me Thuot East ............................................................................................ 494

June 1970 ...................................................................................................................................... 497


July 1970 ....................................................................................................................................... 518

568th TC Detachment and 288th Signal Detachment integrated into A Troop .................................. 526

569th TC Detachment and 414th Signal Detachment integrated into B Troop .................................. 526

412th TC Detachment and 238th Signal Detachment integrated into C Troop .................................. 526

August 1970 .................................................................................................................................. 532

September 1970 ............................................................................................................................ 540

D/2/1st Cav Assigned to 7/17th Cav .................................................................................................. 544

October 1970 ................................................................................................................................ 548

D/2/1st Cav Redesignated K Troop, 17th Cavalry ............................................................................. 548

November 1970 ............................................................................................................................ 551

C Troop Moved from An Khe back to Lane ..................................................................................... 552

December 1970 ............................................................................................................................. 556


1971 ...................................................................................................................................................... 572

January 1971 ................................................................................................................................. 572

Squadron Relocates to Qui Nhon from Camp Holloway ................................................................. 575

61st AHC and 129th AHC Assigned to 7/17th Cav ............................................................................ 576

February 1971 ............................................................................................................................... 577

D Troop is assigned to the 52nd CAB ............................................................................................... 577

B Troop is assigned to the 52nd CAB ................................................................................................ 577

C Troop Moves from Lane to Quang Tri and then Khe Sanh .......................................................... 578

Lam Son 719 / Dewey Canyon II ..................................................................................................... 578

March 1971 ................................................................................................................................... 595

April 1971 ..................................................................................................................................... 602


A Troop Moves to Camp Holloway ................................................................................................. 602

C Troop Moves from Khe Sanh to Quang Tri .................................................................................. 602

C Troop Moves from Quan Tri to An Son ....................................................................................... 602

MANG HO 16 .................................................................................................................................. 608

May 1971 ...................................................................................................................................... 610

June 1971 ...................................................................................................................................... 617

C Troop Moves from Lane to Kontum ............................................................................................. 618

C Troop Moves from Kontum back to Lane .................................................................................... 619


July 1971 ....................................................................................................................................... 632

August 1971 .................................................................................................................................. 633

September 1971 ............................................................................................................................ 638

October 1971 ................................................................................................................................ 641

November 1971 ............................................................................................................................ 643

C Troop Moves from Lane to Camp Holloway ................................................................................ 643

December 1971 ............................................................................................................................. 649


1972 ...................................................................................................................................................... 662

January 1972 ................................................................................................................................. 662

A Troop – Reassigned to 7/17th Cav from the 10th CAB .................................................................. 662

C Troop Returns to Lane from Camp Holloway .............................................................................. 662

A Troop Reassigned to the 17th CAG ............................................................................................... 666

February 1972 ............................................................................................................................... 670

A Troop Assigned Cam Ranh base Security Mission ...................................................................... 670

C Troop Assigned Cam Ranh base Security Mission ....................................................................... 672

March 1972 ................................................................................................................................... 674

NVA Easter Offensive begins in MR II ........................................................................................... 678

A Troop Departs Vietnam ................................................................................................................ 678

April 1972 ..................................................................................................................................... 680

C Troop Moves to Camp Holloway .................................................................................................. 680

The Squadron, HHT, and A Troop officially stand down ................................................................ 682

D Troop Departs Vietnam ................................................................................................................ 685

B Troop Redesignated H Troop, 17th Cavalry ................................................................................. 687

C Troop Redesignated H Troop, 10th Cavalry .................................................................................. 687

May 1972 ...................................................................................................................................... 687


H/10th Cav operates dual missions from Camp Holloway and Lane AHP ....................................... 688

June 1972 ...................................................................................................................................... 691

H/10th Cav Moved to Lane AHP from Camp Holloway .................................................................. 692

H/10th Cav operates dual missions from Camp Holloway and Lane AHP ....................................... 695

H/10th Cav consolidated operations at Lane AHP ............................................................................ 697


July 1972 ....................................................................................................................................... 708

August 1972 .................................................................................................................................. 715

September 1972 ............................................................................................................................ 719

October 1972 ................................................................................................................................ 724

November 1972 ............................................................................................................................ 729

December 1972 ............................................................................................................................. 731


1973 ...................................................................................................................................................... 740

January 1973 ................................................................................................................................. 740

H/10th Cav operates dual missions from An Son and Xuan Loc/Phan Thiet ................................... 740

February 1973 ............................................................................................................................... 742

H Troop, 10th Cavalry Departs Vietnam ........................................................................................... 743

H Troop, 17th Cavalry Departs Vietnam ........................................................................................... 743

Aircraft Data for the period January through March 1973 ............................................................... 744

Campaign Streamers ......................................................................................................................... 748

Unit Awards ...................................................................................................................................... 748

A salute to the 7/17th Cav ................................................................................................................ 749

Glossary of abbreviations used in this narrative: .................................................................................. 749

Locations of Importance to the 7/17th Cavalry. .................................................................................... 752

7th Armored Squadron 17th Cavalry Leadership Roster ..................................................................... 755

Squadron Headquarters Leadership Positions .................................................................................. 755

Headquarters Troop Leadership Positions ........................................................................................ 759

A Troop Leadership Positions .......................................................................................................... 761

B Troop Leadership Positions .......................................................................................................... 766

C Troop (Original) Leadership Positions ......................................................................................... 771

C Troop (Replacement) Leadership Positions .................................................................................. 772

D Troop Leadership Positions .......................................................................................................... 776

H Troop (AIR) 10th Cavalry Leadership Positions .......................................................................... 779

H Troop (AIR) 17th Cavalry Leadership Positions .......................................................................... 781


7th Armored Squadron 17th Cavalry Honor Roll................................................................................. 782

INDEX .................................................................................................................................................. 787


Background Information - The Lineage of Air Cavalry The legacy of the Air Cavalry concept is available from several sources. Lawrence ‘Hank’ Johnson's Winged Sabers contains a very concise rendition, so we will quote liberally from it for the benefit of those that have not yet had the pleasure of reading this fine book.

Led by vertical envelopment proponents such as those developed by LTG James M. Gavin, World War II commander of the 82nd Abn Div, the army continued to experiment with refinements to the concept. During 1955-56 tests were conducted with an experimental unit known as "Sky Cav." This unit combined light tanks, reinforced infantry, and helicopters to function as a cohesive, three-dimensional unit. The test results proved less effective than the army had hoped, but in 1956 each of two airborne divisions was authorized an airborne reconnaissance troop (Sky Cav). With the advent of the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) in 1957, these embryonic air cavalry units were designated A Troop (Reconnaissance) (Aviation), 17th Cavalry, 82nd Abn Div; and B Troop (Reconnaissance) (Aviation), 17th Cavalry, 101st Abn Div. The term "Sky Cav" was nebulous, with no standardized Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E). On 26 Feb 1957, the Sky Cavalry Platoon (Provisional) was activated at Fort Rucker. Its stated mission was to function as a test vehicle for the development of aerial reconnaissance concepts and systems for the army.

Far from the glory of prestigious line units, in an obscure "think tank" at Fort Rucker, a group of incredibly far-sighted "madmen" were at work. Assigned to the Army Aviation Center's Combat Developments Office (CDO) in the late 1950s, the group labored intensively to develop an armed helicopter strike force within the army. With outstanding leadership from COL Jay D. Vanderpool, and later from COL Delk M. Oden, "Vanderpool's Fools" of CDO fought a tough, uphill battle. Utilizing the assets and experience of the Sky Cavalry Platoon (Prov.), the 7292nd Aerial Combat Reconnaissance Company was formed at Tiger Port, Fort Rucker, on 24 Mar 1958. Referred to as "the ACR Company," the unit was intended to serve as a test bed for all CDO concepts. Through both continued experimentation and the influence of former cavalry officers at CDO, the unit would evolve in structure and would come to resemble the highly successful armored reconnaissance troop of World War II. It contained aero-weapons, aero-scouts, and airmobile infantry, all combined to form a heliborne strike force. Its resemblance to the future air cavalry troop was more than coincidence.

In 1959 the Continental Army Command (CONARC) directed the Armor and Aviation Schools to develop the mission statement and TO&E for an Aerial Reconnaissance and Security Troop (ARST). The first ARST was activated at Fort Rucker, on 24 Sep 1962, using the assets and expertise of the 8305th ACR, formerly the 7292nd ACR. This ARST was designated D Troop (Air), 17th Cav, and would further by redesignated B Troop 3/17th Cav on 7 Feb 1963. As part of an army-wide move to update tactical effectiveness, the Reorganization Objective Army Division (ROAD) program was initiated in 1962. A major provision of ROAD was to authorize an air cavalry troop (ACT) in each division's armored cavalry squadron. Unfortunately, time has blurred which unit was the first air cavalry troop. Some sources credit the ACR/ARST, others D Troop (Air), 4th Squadron, 12th Cav at Fort Carson, and others D Troop (Air), 2nd Squadron, 15th Cav which was part of the 4th Armored Div in Germany. For the first time in its history, the army possessed a self-contained airmobile combined arms strike force. From its inception, the ACT was designed to be the only combat aviation unit tailored specifically for aggressive, offensive tactical operations. There was no doubt in the minds of Vanderpool's Fools that they had created the most tactically innovative and efficient organization to appear on the battlefield in decades.

Concurrent with the developments occurring at Fort Rucker, a select group of officers with expertise in airmobile concepts was convened in 1962. Though formally designated the Army Tactical Mobility Requirements Board, it soon came to be known as the Howze Board, after its


chairman, GEN Hamilton H. Howze. Perhaps the most significant contribution of the Howze Board was the recommendation that the army field a ‘test’ airmobile division, and that a sub-element of that organization be an air cavalry squadron (ACS). On 19 Mar 1964, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cav was activated at Fort Benning, as a portion of the incremental build-up of the 11th Air Assault Div. On 3 Jul 1965, the 11th Air Assault was redesignated the 1st Cavalry Div, and the 3/17th Cav became the 1/9th Cav.

Background Information - Air Cavalry in Vietnam The first ACS to deploy to Vietnam was, of course, the 1/9th Cav with the 1st Cav Div in Sep 1965. The first divisional ACT to deploy was D/1/4th Cav with the 1st Inf Div in Oct 1965. Their experiences and combat contributions in Vietnam during 1965 and 1966 are part of air cavalry sacred scripture. Their successes led the army to authorize more ACSs. In Nov 1966, the 3/17th and the 7/17th ACSs were activated at Fort Knox. In the Spring of 1967, the 7/1st ACS was also activated at Fort Knox. During the transformation of the 101st Airborne Div to an airmobile division, the 2/17th was converted to an ACS. Each of the twenty eight ACTs and five ACSs that served in Vietnam added honorable and glorious chapters to air cavalry history. It is no coincidence that seven ACTs were the last U.S. combat elements to depart Vietnam on 26 Feb 1973. Again Lawrence ‘Hank’ Johnson's Winged Sabers contains more information on this subject.

1966 Activation November 1966 Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 7th Armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry was activated on 25 Nov by General Order 249, Headquarters, US Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, KY dated 25 Nov 1966 under TOE 17-9 Oct. The photo shows LTC Lawrence H. Johnson, Jr., receiving the squadron's colors from MG A.D. Surles, Jr., then CG of the US Army Armor Center. Godman Army Air Field at Fort Knox would be "home" for both the 3/17th and the 7/17th for the next nine months.

The 7/17th Cav is reactivated.

The late COL "Pete" Johnson provided: Armor Branch knew they were going to activate the two squadrons so they began positioning critical personnel and equipment at Fort Knox during the Fall. I arrived in October and by late November it was getting cold and there were too many leaves covering the golf course; so we had to go to work. Most of the Hueys were already at Godman. At that time Fort Knox was still ‘locked in the CONUS mentality’ but we were a combat unit most likely destined for Vietnam so I wanted to be different. We started wearing subdued insignia and name tags. I wanted a unit patch that would help build esprit de corps like the units in Vietnam.


Squadron Patch LTC Johnson's son, Hank Johnson, (mentioned previously as the author of "Winged Sabers"), designed the Ruthless Riders patch. LTC Johnson liked the 17th Cavalry crest and wanted the 7/17th patch to show a clear relationship. Hank drew several variations and LTC Johnson submitted the one he liked to various patch makers. The spur centered in the patch was taken from the 17th Cavalry crest and represents the horse cavalry heritage as well as the concept of flying cavalry because the 17th Cav crest also has wings. The superimposed lightning bolt came from the Fort Knox armored triangle patch and symbolized the speed, power, and strength that air and ground vehicles give to the modern cavalry. The flasher with the words RUTHLESS RIDERS appears beneath the circular patch. LTC Johnson believed that RUTHLESS RIDERS was a fitting handle for a unit that was going to kick butt. The history of the patch and how the 7/17th used it is also interesting. Initially it was only available on OD cloth with black lines and letters. When painted on aircraft, it was called the ‘electric horseshoe’ with a white or silver spur and a yellow lightning bolt on a black background. Hank prepared the master stencil and still maintains that it should be the ‘electric spur.’ The ‘electric horseshoe’ stayed on the nose for some years but photos from the 1970-1971 period show the 7 and 17 numerals on the large crossed sabers (made popular by the 1st Cav folks) on the nose of the Hueys and LOHs and on the front of the doghouse on the Cobras. About that same time a colored patch was made in Vietnam as well as those metal ‘beer can’ crests that people liked to wear. Anyway, if you want to get into this subject more, contact Hank - he loves it and can go on for hours.

The Ruthless Rides patch.

1967 The primary source materials for this year are: For HHT, the 14 page initial Annual Unit History (AUH) prepared by CPT Michael G. Law. For A Troop, the 18 page AUH prepared by 1LT Robert J. Gibson. For B Troop, the 31 page AUH prepared by 1LT Richard L. Montgomery. For C Troop three documents: the 12 page AUH prepared by CPT Cornelius C. Holcomb, Jr., a single page history submitted as part of the 14th CAB's Yearbook, and the 21 page 1967-1968 1/1st Cav yearbook. For D Troop, the 18 page AUH prepared by LT Brack Jones, Jr. For the Squadron, nothing. Other Vietnam Era reference material include: Rick Schoeny’s Diary - WO1 Schoeny went over on the Walker and flew Lift and Scouts for B Troop. His 1967 diary has one hand-written page for each day. SGT Jeffrey Adkins and Rich Hefferman provided a virtually complete set of B Troop Morning Reports.

Deployment Preparations January 1967 MAJ Florian A. “Sparks” Thiring provided a copy of Unit Orders Number 1 dated 11 January that made several duty assignments as follows: MAJ Owen Haxton as Executive Officer, CPT Lawrence Kenyon as Adjutant and Safety Officer, MAJ Richard Marden as S3, CPT John Smith as S4, and MAJ Thiring as Maintenance Officer. Sparks says: ‘I believe I was either the second or third officer to join Pete Johnson as we were waiting to form the unit.


February 1967 The Squadron's line troops were all officially activated on Saturday, 4 Feb though they physically existed prior to that. Prior to this date, HHT carried everyone in the Squadron on its morning reports and other administrative documents.

The first morning report for B Troop is dated 4 Feb. It was signed by MAJ Alfred J. Iller (he goes by Al). The “Record of Events Section” reads: Eff 25 Nov 66 Trp B 7th Armd Sqdn 17th Air Cav activated under TOE 17-96T 1965 GO 249 HQUSAARMC Ft Knox Ky Auth str Comm Off 18 WO 30 Enl 104 initial MR. The “Assigned Gains” section provides the following:

Name MOS & Duties Assigned from

Iller, Alfred J. MAJ 61204 Troop Commander Para 1 SO 1 HHT 7/17 James, Douglas W. CPT 61204 28 days TDY Para 1 SO 1 HHT 7/17 Schulte, Robert A. WO1 0628 Para 1 SO 1 HHT 7/17 Getzfreid, Gerald L. SP4 67N20 Para 5 SO 7 HQ Avn Gp

USAARMC Green, James F. PVT 05820 Para 3 SO 7 HQ Avn Gp

USAARMC Oswalt, Harold F. PVT 05820 Para 3 SO 7 HQ Avn Gp

USAARMC Purrell, Richard L. PVT 05820 Para 3 SO 7 HQ Avn Gp

USAARMC Jackson, Robert A. PVT 11D10 Para 1 SO 7 HQ Avn Gp

USAARMC Fisher, Thomas L. PVT 11D10 Para 1 SO 7 HQ Avn Gp

USAARMC Kupka, Edward J. PVT

The Monday, 6 Feb B Troop Morning Report adds the following soldiers:

Boone, Forrest C. 1SG: E8 MOS 11E5W

Brilinski, David L. PVT Crow, Jon C. PFC 67N20

Ferguson, Kenneth PVT 05820 Henson, Dennis L. PFC 67N20

Meadows, Rodney D. PFC 67N20

The next B Troop Morning Report, dated 7 Feb, is illustrative of the challenges, uncertainties, and confusion of these early days. It is six pages long and provides corrective information for eleven individuals. The assignment of PVTs Green and Purrell were voided by the revocation of orders and details for nine others provided.

It is safe to assume that the other letter Troops had similar experiences to those just mentioned for B Troop.

Each of the five troop AUHs for the pre-deployment period contains various details about the building refurbishment they had to do at Fort Knox, the equipment they received almost on a daily basis, the groups of Warrant Officer flight class and various enlisted class graduates they received, etc., etc. Richard Montgomery, who prepared B Troop's initial unit history, provided over ten pages detailing the training activities. What follows is an attempt to summarize the hard work and long hours expended during this period.

The S-3 organized the Squadron Master Training Schedule as personnel from the various schools began to arrive. The four letter Troops were assigned areas of responsibility and appointed committees to develop the training lessons. For example, A Troop was responsible for all scout personnel, B Troop


for repelling techniques, and D Troop for infantry and rifle platoons. The scout training, conducted from 13 Mar to 6 May, included extensive map reading, types of reconnaissance, observer and gunner training, pilot qualifications and standardization in the OH-6A, XM-27 weapons system familiarization, etc. Not only did each individual need refresher and specialized skill training, but also squads, crews, and teams had to be trained as units. Then SOPs were written, practiced, debugged and learned. Platoon IPs and ACs were selected and trained. There were several ‘horror stories’ from this period; like weapons systems issued with missing components, the non-availability of OH-6As, last minute qualifications for the M-5 grenade launcher, not enough support of some types of training, not enough time for the Troops to conduct advanced unit training, etc. A good example was the ‘long round’ problem. The XM-21 systems for the UH-1Cs were plagued with excessive stoppages. Repeated ‘communications’ with the Army Weapons Command resulted in having two DA civilians spend some time at Fort Knox. The team discovered that many of the problems were due to a poorly designed ammunition box adapter and the misalignment of ammunition trays and crossover drives. A field modification was developed and the Fort Knox machine-shop provided the equipment that solved this problem. The histories contain many ‘bright spots’ which illustrates the resourcefulness and determination of these men. Examples are: the use of training facilities outside of Fort Knox such as Camp Atterbury, IN and the Mountain Ranger Camp at Dahlonega, GA; insuring maintenance personnel were enrolled in many speciality courses, using Charlie Models to train Scouts until enough OH-6As arrived, putting observers on any aircraft that was going anywhere just so they could gain the experience, etc. These were interesting times for almost everyone who joined the Squadron.

SGT Edd Garrison recalls: I joined D Troop at Fort Knox not long after completing AIT as an 11B. I remember several other Infantrymen received orders for Fort Knox at that same time I did and we couldn’t understand why infantry guys were going to a place famous for armor and cavalry. I was a member of 2nd Platoon for all my time in D Troop. I still have lots of close friends from my time in D Troop and I remember lots of special guys. One was Lance Carmen. His nickname was ‘Bird Chest’ because he worked out as a weightlifter. I believe our close friendship is what made D Troop so different from the other Troops. We were together day in and day out and had time to form bonds that the other Troops missed since their mode of operation was so different from ours.

SP4 Don "Shane" Schoenemann joined D Troop at Ft Knox. He served as 2nd Platoon Leader’s jeep driver both at Ft Knox and in Vietnam. At the 2006 Squadron Reunion Don displayed several photos of his jeep outside D Troop’s Orderly Room at Ft Knox and he provided the following comments: I have attached pictures taken in 1967. D Troop was the first Troop to use Snoopy as an emblem. The color print shows 1LT Bill Baker (his nickname was "Wild Bill") holding the real Snoopy and myself as the driver. This same attachment has a black & white photo showing the front end of my jeep. Notice the license plate! None other than Snoopy. The bumper clearly shows 1A7R17Cav and the right corner shows D26 - my radio call numbers. Also look at the edge of the color picture, you will see Snoopy under D/7/17 on the sign. The actually dog named Snoopy left us a few weeks before we departed for Vietnam. All five of our Scout jeeps had Snoopy license plates. 2nd Platoon also had Baker’s Raiders. I believe the Snoopy design even ended up on MAJ Emrick’s helicopter when we got to Vietnam. [Editor’s Note: Someone brought a D Troop patch that included Snoopy in the design to a Squadron Reunion about 2000. No one in the room had seen anything like it. The person had picked it up at a flea market. Many of us were rather skeptical of the design, but calls to some of the original D Troopers quickly changed all that!]


1LT Baker, SP4 Schoenemann & Snoopy. D Troop Snoopy patch.

March 1967 PFC Homer Gwyn Huie recalls: After Basic I went to Ft Dix to Supply School to earn the 76Y10 MOS then I went to a Quarter Master Supply course at Ft Lee. There were about 20 guys in that course. It lasted about six weeks total and I was given the 76Y20 MOS. Basically this qualified me to work in the weapons side of Supply at the Squadron S-4 level. It was Good Friday when I reported into the 7/17th Cav at Ft Knox. Because of the Easter holidays no one was there save this one clerk. He said he could give me a pillow and a blanket but everything else was locked up until Monday but that it was OK with him if I just went to town and got a hotel. There was another new guy there, so we shared the hotel cost. On Monday I reported to MAJ Brown. I remember he looked over my records and announced to the clerk and 1st SGT that the Troop’s new Armor had just walked in the door. Basically my job was to secure, store, and take care of all the weapons in the Squadron. I’m certain everyone remembers that in a state-side unit all the weapons are locked up with their basic load of ammo. I had been trained to assemble and disassemble all the small arms weapons up to and including a 50-cal machine gun and including the miniguns and 106 RR. I also order parts for these weapons. I remember when CPT Basta joined HHT. Naturally all pilots were issued 38s and he hated it. I had a 45. One day we were firing the pistols and I noticed that he not only preferred the 45 but was very good with it. So I asked him if he wanted that for his personal weapon. He was delighted with that idea! So I put a new barrel on it and signed it out of him. We had another gentleman named Jerry Dean Bahr with the 76Y10 MOS. He handled all of the supplies and supply records. He was a married man and stayed off post with his wife and baby whenever possible. He could also type about 90 words a minute! He quickly became the Squadron Supply Clerk and I stayed with the weapons.

June 1967 Aircraft Details The OH-6A Cayuse had the following dimensions and characteristics: length: 30 feet (9m), weight: 1,160lbs (519kg), payload: 930lbs (415kg), cruise speed: 150mph (240kph), and range: 380 miles (610km). The Cayuse had a single articulated four-bladed main rotor, a metal two-bladed tail rotor, and a V-shaped tail. The OH-6A was powered by a single Allison T63-A-5A 285 shp turboshaft engine. The Cayuse could absorb an extensive amount of small arms fire and still bring the crew home safely. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. In addition, an M60D 7.62mm machine gun could be mounted in the rear starboard (right) door opening.

The individual Troops emphasized field training exercises in the Green River area.


1LT Randy Bresnik provides: Early in January, CPT Bob Young (his full name is Robert S.), Jim Jackson, and I went to Rucker and became the Squadron's first LOH IPs. I really enjoyed that aircraft and being an IP! In fact, my last three months in Vietnam I was sent TDY from the Squadron to the OH-6A NETT in Vung Tau. But in those early days, I worked in the S-3 shop as the Assistant S-3 until MAJ Bob Hefford took that slot, then I was a Liaison Officer. Besides working on the Master Training Schedule, I had the responsibility to go to areas of land that the local farmers had registered in the soil bank. Assigned with me was a fine civilian from the Army Corps of Engineers to handle the necessary paperwork and between the two of us, we managed to obtain approximately 5,000 acres of unused farm fields and wooded areas, very willingly, for the training of the "boys goin' to Vietnam." These six to eight sites were used by our helicopters as landing and field training areas. By the time we were through with this task, I could talk about how poor the strawberries were doing this year because of the abundance of rain, how Uncle Luke's lumbago has been giving him fits for months, and a myriad of other important topics. It was a very heartwarming experience to find the "Quiet Majority" willing to do most anything for the men going to war.

CPT Bob Inglett recalls: I completed my fixed wing Army pilot training in 1960 and helicopter transition in 1963. I was stationed in Germany when I received orders to return to the States to attend the Aviation Safety Officer course. I completed it and received orders to report to Ft. Knox to the 7/17th Cav. I’ll never forget the first day I met LTC ‘Pete’ Johnson! I reported in and announced that I was his Safety Officer. I said, “Welcome, I already have a Safety Officer, what else can you do?” I said something like, “No, you don’t understand. The Army pulled me and my family out of Germany, sent me to Safety School, I graduated first in my class, now I’m your Safety Officer.” Pete replied, “No, you don’t understand – I already have a Safety Officer, what else can you do?” Pete had previously given that job to CPT Larry Kenyon and wasn’t about the make a change. He was very loyal to those he thought were doing a good job. That was the beginning of a wonderful relationship! Pete, to this day, is one of my personnal heroes. I always told him the truth and never tried to hide something from him to make me look good. I can remember him chewing me out rather firmly and when he was done he’d said, “Oh, Hell, Bob – have a beer!” I also want everyone to know that Pete wrote the original Squadron SOP himself! He was a great soldier and a great officer!

CPT Larry Kenyon recalls: As pointed out earlier, I was one of the very first officers to join the squadron even before it was officially formed. I was an Infantry Officer. I completed fixed wing flight school in 1962 and served with the 18th Aviation Company flying the Caribou in Vietnam from April 1963 for a year. After Vietnam I served with the Caribou company in the 11th Air Assault. I did not deploy to Vietnam with the 1st Cav Division but I did help ferry one of their Caribou to Vietnam. I returned to Ft. Benning and helped train the USAF guys when they took over the Caribou. Then I got my rotary wing transitioned. I too have several LTC ‘Pete’ Johnson stories but I need to state up front that in my entire career in the Army Pete was the smartest, the best, and maybe the toughest man I ever worked for. I was a relatively senior Captain at the time and Pete made me the S-1 and the Safety Officer. I first he called my Larry. Then once he called me into his office and said he want me to ‘put this out to everyone’ and give me some details. I wrote the ideas down and posted it on the unit bulletin boards. A few days later Pete asked me what I’d do with his ideas. I told him what I’d done and he was upset. “That’s not what I wanted,” he said. “I wanted it incorporated into the Admin Section of the SOP.” From that day on he never called me Larry again – it was always CPT Kenyon! Then late on Friday night about midnight he called me at home and said that I needed to report to his office immediately with the Troop Commanders and other senior officers. We assemble as ordered. Remember that the Army had a tradition of giving each officer a departing gift – usually a plaque or a silver dish. This items were purchased from what was called the ‘Cup and Flower’ Fund. The flower part was when a baby was born or someone had a serious


medical situation. The XO and Adjutant were the ‘administrators’ of the Fund with input from the Troop Commanders, etc. Pete explains that he had long since determined what the gift would be for a departing officer and he didn’t appreciate any committee changing that! He said that he wanted every penny back in the Fund by Monday morning. And that is exactly what we did!

July 1967 Advanced Squadron level training began with road and air movement to Camp Dawson, WV. During the last half of July the emphasis was on weapons qualifications. For example, XM-27 qualifications at Wilcox Lake Range 13 - 19 Jul. The Infantry qualified in their primary weapons plus an alternate.

WO Al Sabaka provides the following details about C Troop’s famous nom de guerre and radio callsign Blueghost: My recollection is that C Troop began having conversations that result in the Blueghost design for the pocket patch while we were still at Fort Knox. I say this because my ex-wife, Donna, was an artist. She painted some of our flight helmets. I am certain she was involved in some of these conversations, so that’s why I date the beginning of the Blueghost design. I recall that we were all fascinated with the ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ song that was popular at that time. The names Ruthless Riders and Ghost Riders naturally go together. I don’t recall there being any one who you could call the leader of this effort but I am very certain WO Tom Pueschel was the Troop artist that put it on helicopter doors, etc. I know those of us who deployed with C Troop always thought the Blueghost design and radio call sign was great. The fact that it was still in use in 1973 testifies that many others liked the design as well. [Editor’s note: there are at least two main or primary Blueghost designs. The oldest design and the one being referred to here had a ghost with a blue cap flying to the left cradling a mini-gun. The second and most popularly seen in Reunion banners features a ghost with large white wings on either side.]

The following individuals are listed on the HHT Personnel Roster dated 26 July 1967 that is Inclosure 1 to the US Army Armor Center Letter Orders 1620 dated 20 July 1967 that authorizes the deployment. The roster lists officers first then enlisted men by rank for a total of 179 soldiers.

Johnson, Lawrence H. Jr LTC Brown, Charles L. Jr MAJ Cook, Robert W. MAJ Haxton, Owen V. MAJ Hefford, Robert A. MAJ Hill, Ray J. MAJ Marden, Richard H. MAJ Thiring, Florian A. MAJ Adams, Herbert E. CPT Ahl, Arthur W. CPT Basta, James M. CPT Halcomb, Dallas CPT Kenyon, Lawrence R. CPT Lueken, James T. CPT Smith, John E. CPT Woods, William J. CPT Bresnik, Albert R. 1LT Fligg, Claude M. 1LT Hurley, Michael 2LT Patrick, William M 2LT Archer, Jesse F. Jr WO1 Paulk, Robert M. WO1 Smith, Richard K. WO1 Wise, Robert C. Jr WO1 Carden, Malcolm SGM E9 Conroe, Jackie MSG E8 Frazier, Robert 1SG E8 Harder, Werner MSG E8 Burnett, Willie F. SFC E7 Crisp, Percival R. SFC E7 Moore, Robert L. SFC E7 Richardson, Clarence SFC E7 Staley, James L. SFC E7 Delgado, Ramos Adolfo SSG E6 Brundage, Julian A SSG E6 Daubert, John B SSG E6 Fielder, Ludwig L SSG E6 Gerner, Jack D SSG E6 Greene, Thomas T SSG E6 Hollis, Thomas S Jr SSG E6 Keen, William E SSG E6 Moore, James D SSG E6 Ortiz-Lopez, Ludger SSG E6 Padgett, Jesse SSG E6 Perdue, James C SSG E6 Tomassetti, Charles SSG E6 Rhinehart, Barnett SSG E6 Alvey, Thomas A Jr SGT E5Bowling, Craig SGT E5 Ethington, Billy C SGT E5 Holland, William T SGT E5 McWain, Donald S SGT E5 Sikes, Owen E SGT E5 Solheim, Wilbur E SGT E5 Tomlinson, Edward SGT E5 Torres, Miguel SGT E5 Hall, Jon L SGT E5 Allen, Gary L SP4 E4 Arredondo, Prejedes SP4 E4 Banks, Gerald L SP4 E4 Baldwin, John SP4 E4 Caputo, Joseph J SP4 E4 Centeck, Robert F SP4 E4 Coleman, W C SP4 E4 Dabrawsky, Howard SP4 E4 Daigle, Raymond P SP4 E4 D’Aleo, Peter J SP4 E4 Dentiger, Thomas A. SP4 E4 Dombecki, Thomas H. SP4


E4 Dull, Stephen A. SP4 E4 Fore, John D. SP4 E4 Hammond, John P. SP4 E4 Hess, Harry SP4 E4 Hopkins, John M. SP4 E4 Jones, Earl R. SP4 E4 Keels, Louis SP4 E4 King, William R. SP4 E4 Kitzmiller, Carl O. SP4 E4 Lee, Harry A. SP4 E4 Lill, Michael J. SP4 E4 Lynch, Edward F SP4 E4 Marsden, James W. SP4 E4 McGuire, Charles W. SP4 E4 Moore, Samuel Jr. SP4 E4 Morrison, Joseph D. SP4 E4 Peterson, Erick G. SP4 E4 Robinson, Gerald SP4 E4 Rone, Donald M. SP4 E4 Ross, William SP4 E4 Schmidt, Raymond SP4 E4 Sisson, Ralph A. SP4 E4 Smith, Wayne L. SP4 E4 Suchowski, Claron SP4 E4 Treen, William SP4 E4 Underwood, Glenn SP4 E4 Vingino, Roscoe J. SP4 E4 Moore, Patrick SP4 E4 Adkins, Larry PFC E3 Abney, Dan G PFC E3 Bahr, Jerry D. PFC E3 Bailey, Charles S. PFC E3 Buttram, Dana A. PFC E3 Berger, Danny PFC E3 Berke, Anthony J. PFC E3 Bilyk, Bohdon PFC E3 Brunty, Carley R. PFC E3 Bulka, Peter PFC E3 Burton, Richard J. PFC E3 Cahill, Robert M. Jr. PFC E3 Cantrell, James W. PFC E3 Carey, Richard T. Jr. PFC

E3 Carney, Wilson L. PFC E3 Carillo, Gerald PFC E3 Catania, Nicholas J. PFC E3 Comer, Paul PFC E3 Edwards, Gary W. PFC E3 Emricko, Robert J. PFC E3 Evi?gelista, Daniel J. PFC E3 Ewing, David D. PFC E3 Feeley, David A. PFC E3 Granillo, William A. PFC E3 Gosselin, Normand PFC E3 Hass, Frank E. PFC E3 Hamilton, Robert W. PFC E3 Haller, William D. PFC E3 Hower, Aaron H. Jr. PFC E3 Huie, Homer Gwyn PFC E3 Hurd, Ronald E. Jr. PFC E3 Jarrell, William PFC E3 Jester, Elmer F. Jr. PFC E3 Jones, Richard PFC E3 Jones, William C. PFC E3 Joyner, Harold C. PFC E3 Lindsey, Mark PFC E3 Lipski,William J. PFC E3 Loper, Daniel L. PFC E3 Macias, Anthony PFC E3 Maestas, Eraldo A. PFC E3 Magwood, Quincy Jr. PFC E3 Manger, Michael M. PFC E3 Marshall, Gary A. PFC E3 McGuire, Richard W. PFC E3 Miller, Thomas M. PFC E3 Moore, Robert C. PFC E3 Morley, David A. PFC E3 Morrissette, Robert A. PFC

E3 Parker, Willie T. PFC E3

Peeler, David L. PFC E3 Persinger, Dalmes PFC E3 Peterson, Charles E. PFC E3 Redden, Roger H. PFC E3 O’Rourke, Joseph D. PFC E3 Rhodes, Robert J. Jr. PFC

E3 Rogers, James A. PFC E3 Russo, James V. PFC E3 Shaffer, John S. PFC E3 Simone, Robert W. PFC E3 Smith, Johnnie L. PFC E3 Soffer, Martin H. PFC E3 Warner, Gary T. PFC E3 Williams, Larry G. PFC E3 Welch, Jochen W. PFC E3 Verdibello, Anthony PFC E3 Von Mosch, Eugene E. PFC

E3 Ziegler, Theodore F. PFC E3

Tester, Marvin D. PFC E3 Yost, Larry W. PFC E3 Akans, Harold G. PVT E2 Benedict, James M. PVT E2 Blackmon, Earl E. PVT E2 Choate, Ronald V. PVT E2 Conoway, Lonnie L. PVT E2 Doine, Jeffery L. PVT E2 Elkins, Daniel L. PVT E2 Elmore, Robert PVT E2 Gildersleeve, William PVT

E2 Guthrie, George L. Jr. PVT E2

Kammer, Andrew PVT E2 Rider, Robert E, PVT E2

The following individuals are listed on the A Troop Personnel Roster dated 25 July 1967 that is Inclosure 1 to the US Army Amor Center Letter Orders 1620 dated 20 July 1967 that authorizes the deployment of 139 soldiers. CPT Charlie Rayl provided a copy of this roster. The copy has numerous hand-written comments to the right of the individual’s rank. Where these comments are significant, they are included in this history inclosed in parentheses. The roster is listed officers first then enlisted men by rank.


Carver, Dudley J. MAJ (WIA 22 Jan 68 index finger)

Bell, Richard A. II CPT (Infused)

Inglett, Robert A. CPT (WIA small frag neck)

Jackson, James A. CPT McDevitt, Coleman J. CPT (WIA small frag shoulder)

Mebane, Eddie B. CPT (Infused)

Pettison, Trent A. CPT (Extended) Saunders, Phillip A. CPT (Infused) (Guns & Opns)

Wood, Douglas J. CPT (Infused)

Young, Robert S. CPT (WIA Mar) (Scouts)

Huston, David CPT (WIA Feb/Apr) (Guns)

Kramer, Ellery C. 1LT (Infused)

McCleney, Dickie H. 1LT (WIA 22 Jan 68) (Scouts)

Rayl, Charlie R. CPT (WIA Feb Infused) (Scouts)

Sapp, James W. 1LT (WIA Jan/Feb) (Scouts)

Cully, James F. 1LT (WIA 18 May 69)

Miller, Wayne C. WO1 Moore, Gary C. WO1

Murphy , James L. WO1 Nelson, Leroy A. Jr. WO1 Olah, Frank R. WO1 (Infused)

Orchard, Kenneth A. WO1 Ori, Eugene J. Jr. WO1 Ozgowicz, Richard S. WO1 (Infused)

Parker, Allan C. WO1 (WIA 15 Jan Infused)

Peters, Donald C. WO1 (WIA Feb) (Scouts)

Pittman, Phillip D. WO1

Purvis, Joseph N. Jr. WO1 (Infused) (Guns)

Reyna, Roberto WO1 (Infused) (Guns)

Riddle, Walter J. WO1 (Infused)

Rogers, Roy A. WO1 (Guns) Rowe, William J. WO1 (Guns)

Schmaling, Ronald E. WO1 (Infused)

Searcy, Edgar S. WO1 (Infused) (Guns)

Sheldon, Charles R. WO1 (Infused)

Sheperis, Francis J. Jr. WO1 (Guns)

Smith, James E. WO1 (WIA Mar) Sorenson, Duward J. WO1 (Guns)

Steinbrunn, Robert W. WO1 (Infused)

Walker, Douglas A. WO1 (KIA 18 May) (Scouts)

Wilson, W.L. WO1 (Infused) Mercer, John A. 1SG E8

Bright, Billy SFC E7 (Scouts) Rorrer, Billy J. SFC E7 Rose, Vernon SFC E7 (WIA 24 Feb)

Rodgers, Lloyd M. SFC E7 Westbrook, James D. SFC E7 Martin, Robert O. SP6 E6 Babers, Johnnie SGT E5 (ETS) Swartz, Donald F. SGT E5

(ETS) Blansett, James T. SGT E5 (ETS)

Bush, George C. SP5 E5 Ehrhardt, James R. SP5 E5 (WIA 16 Mar Evac)

Foreman, Michael O. SP5 E5

Kinnaman, Charles J. SP5 E5 (ETS) Myers, Mark R. SP5 E5 Lauster, Michael R. SGT E5 (ETS)

Taylor, Lee I. SGT E5 (Infused) Banfield, Ronald SP4 E4 (WIA 24 Feb)

Brown, Alvin R. SP4 E4 (Infused)

Bruce, Robert I. SP4 E4 (Transferred CONUS)

Dudley, James H. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Barbee, John L. SP4 E4 (Self inflicted wound)

Bartlett, Thomas A. SP4 E4 (ETS) Carabetta, Vincent SP4 E4 (ETS)

Carlin, Dennis SP4 E4 (WIA 24 Feb)

Denisco, Salvatore F. SP4 E4 (ETS) Henderson, Paul SP4 E4 Klawon, Gregory SP4 E4 (ETS)

Nodlinski, Stanley W. SP4 E4 (ETS) Parker, James C. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Sellew, Ronald B. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Schultz, Ronnie D. SP4 E4 (KIA Mar)

Shaw, George E. Jr. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Spotts, Clarence H. SP4 E4


Stach, Peter G. SP4 E4 Yontz, Robert A. SP4 E4 Meek, Frank W. III SP4 E4 (ETS)

Beckerdite, Dan E. SP4 E4 (WIA Apr ETS)

Tennent, Stephen SP4 E4 (ETS)

Feazelle, Daniel W. SP4 E4

Davenport, John D. SP4 E4 (WIA Jan)

Bowers, Tony R. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Carl, Walter L. SP4 E4 (WIA Mar)

Evander, Ronald M. SP4 E4 (Extended)

Fenkl, Dieter R. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Garner, Johnny Jr. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Jackson, Henry SP4 E4 (WIA 18 May Died in VA hospital)

Kelley, Walter B. SP4 E4 (ETS)

McNabb, James E. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Moody, Charles F. SP4 E4 (ETS) Ruscoe, Joseph M. SP4 E4 (ETS)

McClintock, Richard SP4 E4 (ETS)

Vasizily, Charles J. SP4 E4 (ETS) Dressler, Charles J. SP4 E4 (WIA Apr)

Lamb, Ernest G. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Bechtold, Thomas H. SP4 E4 (ETS) Macias, Victor M. SP4 E4 (WIA Jan ETS)

Bagley, James E. SP4 E4 (ETS)

Harris, Onnie L. CPL E4 Cameron, James CPL E4 Franklin, Joseph J. Jr. PFC E3 (Infused)

Gentry, Larry S. PFC E3 (ETS) Jensen, James J. PFC E3 McClure, David E. PFC E3 Wheeler, George M. PFC E3 (Infused)

Woodward, Jasper PFC E3 Litcher, Leonard A. PFC E3 (ETS)

Rair, Max R. PFC E3 Carman, Fred R. PFC E3 Griffith, Carl B. PFC E3 Hallinean, William A. PFC E3 (Germany)

Harmison, Kenneth PFC E3 (WIA Feb)

Harrington, Jerry W. PFC E3 (Stockage)

Hiller, James T. PFC E3 (WIA Feb) Hopkins, Harold L. PFC E3 (WIA 22 May)

Kische, Jerome R. PFC E3

Maldonado, Joe B. PFC E3 (Infused) Murphy, George T. PFC E3 (WIA Aug)

Reese, David W. PFC E3 (ETS)

Rose, John M. II PFC E3 (ETS) Rowe, Kenneth M. PFC E3 (Germany)

Santangelo, Charles J. PFC E3 (ETS)

Tyler, James L. PFC E3 (ETS) Spence, Holston P. PFC E3 (ETS)

Smith, Silvester PFC E3

Groover, James A. PFC E3 (ETS) Kimrler, Jerry R. PFC E3 Randall, John M. PFC E3 Ivie, David C. PFC E3 (ETS) Roe, Ronald S. PFC E3 Mehrer, David G. PFC E3 White, George PFC E3 (Infused) Lafferiere, Glen C. PFC E3

(WIA Apr Infused) Austin, Alvin E. PVT E2

Levesque, Wayne B. PVT E2 (Infused)

Solo-Santos, Jose J. PVT E2 (Infused)

Wayant, Roger A. PVT E2

Ziegler, Andrew J. PVT E1

The following individuals are listed on the C Troop Personnel Roster dated 26 July 1967 that is Inclosure 1 to the US Army Amor Center Letter Orders 1620 dated 20 July 1967 that authorizes the deployment. The roster is listed officers first then enlisted men by rank for a total of 143 soldiers.

Marett, James D. MAJ Williams, Billie G. MAJ Burden, John R. CPT Grooms, Ronald L. CPT Gross, Joseph C. CPT Hatch, Billy F. CPT Halcomb, Conelius CPT [Editor’s Note: Correct name is Holcomb, Cornelius McKenzie, Billy J. CPT Schwartz, Thomas M. CPT Asay, Philip L. 1LT Briggs, George R. 1LT Chambers, Michael 1LT Jones, George B. III 1LT Reed, Jack S. 1LT Williamson, Donald R. 1LT Handley, George H. 2LT Cummey, William F. Jr 2LT Monte, Philip G. WO1 Morris, Dale L. WO1


Napier, Edward P. Jr. WO1 Nicely, Harold F. Jr. WO1 Opheim, Glen WO1 Owen, William T. WO1 Pearcy, Thomas L. Sr. WO1 Pewitt, Robert B. WO1 Phillips, James L. WO1 [Editor’s Note: Correct name is Phipps, James L. ] Pueschel, Thomas R. WO1 Ramos, Rainer S. WO1 Rauber, Paul F. WO1 Redel, David A. WO1 Reel, Jeffery R. WO1 Rippy, Terry L. WO1 Rock, James W. WO1 Ross, Gregory WO1 Saboka, Alan D. WO1 Shanahan, John “Jack” L. Jr. WO1 Smith, Robert P. WO1 Sheparden, John L. WO1 [Editor’s Note: Correct last name is Shepardson] Snow, Gilbert W. WO1 Sprinkle, Ronald M. WO1 Tynan, Peter A. WO1 Glaze WO1 [Editor’s Note: Correct name is Hearld H. Glaze] Higginbotham, Ralph 1SG DeLoach, Winston SFC McCarole, Samuel SFC Taylor, William SFC Yeary, Carroll SFC Stephens, Alfonzo SFC Carter, Ralph SSG Lloyd, Rufus SSG Pennington, Leroy SSG Privett, Clarence SSG Derby, Robert F. SSG Dressler, Richard SP5 Eid, Robert SP5 Fisher, James SGT Fitzsimmons, Michael SGT Lindley, James SGT Geaney, Jeremiah SGT Wynn, Moses SP5 Troyer, James M. SP5 Bradley, Ronald SP4 Beamdl, Willi SP4 Cook, Victor SP4 Coursin, David SP4 Daugherty, Howard SP4 Davis, Carter SP4 Davis, Robyn SP4 Dyer, Dennis SP4 Fry, Gary SP4 Harkey, Wandell SP4 Herson, Fredrick SP4 Huggins, John SP4 Johnson, Joseph SP4 Johnson, Edward SP4 Jones, Kenneath SP4 Kemp, Gary SP4 Matthews, Wesley SP4 McDowell, Dobbie SP4 Noyes, John SP4 Ogden, William SP4 Oglesby, Ronald SP4 Pack, Kenneth SP4 Pickelsimer, Ronald SP4 Pinion, Clarence SP4 Ramsthaler, Clifford SP4 Rumans, Earl SP4 Spahr, Paul SP4 Sykut, Andrew SP4 Turner, Roy SP4 Carrillo, Ernest J SP4 Albright, David PFC Babcock, Donald PFC Barber, Harold PFC Beadford, James PFC Besihgre, Robert PFC Bull, George PFC Chandler, Albert PFC Covengtol, Alvin PFC Gray, James PFC Deskins, Norman PFC DuBois, Richard PFC Fyle, Lloyd PFC Gay, Edward PFC Gilliam, Donald PFC Graham, Ronnie PFC Higglebotham, Roger PFC Buer, Sterling PFC Kiggins, Rusty PFC Kline, Eugene PFC Mason, Edward PFC Mayabb, Donivon PFC Maynard, Garland PFC McCabe, Thomas PFC McConnell, Donald PFC McGehee, Harvey PFC Morris, Dennis PFC Norman, Stephen PFC Pace, Rookey PFC Parler, Thomas PFC Rosner, Wayne PFC Schepareth, Stanley PFC Stenson, Otis PFC Schneider, Harold PFC Verenn, George PFC Wiglly, Ira PFC Williams, James PFC Wood, Dennis PFC Woods, Frank PFC Yeager, Harold PFC Benedict, William PFC Mackey, Timothy PVT Martinez, Wilberto PVT Richardson, Gary PVT Stillwell, Thomas PVT Tate, Stephen PVT Thomas, Clayton PVT Wood, Gary PVT Venture, Edward K. PVT Secrist, Fred J. PVT Goodman, James PVT Coole, Kenneath L PVT Brady, William J. PVT

August 1967 Squadron level ATTs were conducted in the Green River area near Campbellsville, KY. Personnel from the forming 7/1st Cav served as aggressors. The tests were administered by the US Army Aviation Group (PROV) at Fort Knox. There was also an Air Cavalry demonstration for the US


Military Academy Corps when they visited Fort Knox. About mid-month the equipment started moving to Mobile, AL for ship loading.

MAJ Owen Haxton recalls: I was literally one of the first officers assigned to the Squadron. In the fall of 1966 I was sent to Ft. Knox to await further assigned to the 7/17th Cav which did not exist yet. Once LTC ‘Pete’ Johnson arrived, then the squadron was formed. I was a Transportation Corps Officer but served with a lot of Infantry guys in the 116th AHC in ’65-’66 in Vietnam. Now I would serve with several Armor officers in an Air Cavalry Squadron. One of the proudest moments in my life was when the Squadron had its parade at Ft. Knox in the last days prior to our departure to Vietnam. It seemed to me that hundreds of men and all the required equipment had come together very well under LTC ‘Pete’ Johnson’s direction. We trained hard and learned to work together as a team. Many of us were returning to Vietnam. Many were just out of Army schools. We all wanted to do a good job. LTC Johnson was very much of a hands on commander. He often flew combat missions day after day in Vietnam. He and I got along very well. I certainly wasn’t grounded by any means. My job was more administrative and I believe I served Pete and the Squadron well. I went to Vietnam on the USNS General Nelson M. Walker with most of the troops. Not long after arriving in Vietnam I was promoted to LTC. I was reassigned to HQ USARV in early December 1967.

On the 28th the 87 organic squadron aircraft departed Fort Knox for Sharp Army Depot in Lathrop, CA. WO1 Bob Steinbrunn wrote a book Vietnam Scrapbook – an Army Pilot’s Combat Tour published by Squadron Signal Publications. Bob graduated with flight class 67-1, was assigned to A Troop at Ft. Knox, and served with the gun platoon. He records the route of flight as follows: Godman Army Airfield in Ft. Knox to Campbell Army Airfield in Ft. Campbell, KY. to Memphis Naval Air Station (NAS) in Memphis, TN, to Texarkana Municipal Aiport in Texarkana, TX, to Dallas NAS in Dallas, TX, (5.5 flight hours) where we Remained Overnight (RON). The next day’s itinerary took us to Dyess Air Force Base (AFB) in Abilene, TX, to Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX, to Carlsbad Municipal Airport in Carlsbad, NM, to Biggs Army Airfield in Ft. Bliss, TX at El Paso, TX (5.3 flight hours), where we had our second RON. The third day took us to Libby Army Airfield in Ft. Huachuca, AZ, to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ, to Yuma Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in Yuma, AZ, to Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, CA, to Bakersfield Municipal Airport in Bakersfield, CA (7.3 flight hours) where we had our third RON.

While the aircraft were being prepared for overseas shipment, the soldiers took personal leave. The USNS Breton, TAKV42, took the squadron's aircraft to Vietnam. It was a WWII jeep carrier or transport that was converted for aircraft transport duty during the Vietnam War. Several veterans misspell the name as Brenton but Breton is correct.

MAJ Florian “Sparks” Thiring provides the following details. As the Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Officer, I went over on the USNS Breton with 55 maintenance personnel. This included three officers, myself plus CPT Tom Schwarz and CW3 Bill C. Walton. It was, all things considered a ‘pleasure cruise.’ The accommodations were excellent, food superb, and duties (at least for the first 3 weeks) were non-existent. Due to a propeller shaft bearing problem, the ship had to divert to Hawaii for repairs. The enlisted men didn’t have any American money on the ship so shore leave in Hawaii was going to be a problem for them. I arranged for buses to take them on a tour of the island and provide them lunch, etc. This was much better than just staying on the ship. When the ship arrived in Hawaii I arranged for We got to see some of that state also. About five days out from Vietnam, we all pitched in and helped remove the plastic coating that wrapped the helicopters on the open deck. There were only our unit’s aircraft on the ship but we were short 15 LOHs that we would pickup in-country.

CW3 Bill C. Walton wrote: I was on leave in Arkansas in Sep 1967 when I received a call from B Troop telling me I would be going to Vietnam on the aircraft carrier that would be hauling the helicopters. At the time I wondered if this was a good deal or not. It was to be proven that it indeed


was a good deal. There were 56 (I believe) maintenance personnel selected to go on the carrier. The three officers were MAJ Florian Thiring, Squadron Maintenance Officer, CPT Tom Schwarz, C Troop Maintenance Officer, and me representing B Troop. I am not sure if all the maintenance NCOs made the trip on the carrier or not, but B Troop's SFC John Bonds did. We left Lousiville for Los Angeles on TWA Flight 443, dressed in fatigues. We were spread throughout the aircraft and the flight attendants seemed to go out of their way to insure we had plenty to eat and drink. It was almost like one big party on the flight to LA. We changed planes in LA and created quite a stir when we walked through the terminal. One guy broke his leg while he was on leave so he was on crutches. But he had a white band around his steel pot that read ‘Make war, not love!’ After arriving in Oakland we rode buses to the dock where the USNS Breton was tied up and were assigned living quarters. The three officers had wonderful accommodations, MAJ Thiring had a four-man room to himself and Tom Schwarz and I shared a four-man room. We also had a dayroom for the three of us. We watched as the helicopters were loaded on the carrier. After the hangar deck was filled the remaining aircraft, coated with some sort of white plastic were loaded on the flight deck. We departed San Francisco on 12 October and I would characterize the mood of the 7/17th as somber, because no one was saying very much. The food on the carrier could only be classified as outstanding, as far as I am concerned. The three officers ate with the Ship's officers and everything was First Class. We had three big meals a day (would you believe five eggs for breakfast) plus coffee and pastries with the Ship Captain every morning and then there was a snack room that was open 24 hours a day. I believe I must have gained five pounds on the trip. About three days out of San Francisco I was on deck when the ship made about a 39 degree turn to the left and headed southeast. The word came to us quickly that a transmission bearing was overheating and we would divert to Hawaii to have some repairs made. This didn't seem to disturb anyone as the "tour" started when we left San Francisco. During the stay in Honolulu we were allowed to go ashore and do some sightseeing. It was easy to recognize the R&R troops from Vietnam and that is when I decided I would meet my wife there for R&R in the spring. There were little or no duties for us aboard the Breton. One of the highlights of the day was having daily coffee with the Ship's Captain. It didn't take long to realize that ‘Sea Stories’ are just about the same as ‘Flight Stories,’ except maybe a bit wetter. Another enjoyable time of day was in the evening, after supper. Some of the crew would gather on the bow, drink coffee and chit chat. We developed a friendship with one of the crew, Jerry Disbrow, and he could tell some tall tales. We had access to the Ship's library and a movie was shown daily. Some of the soldiers found that time hung heavy on their hands, but I managed to keep myself entertained. Tom Schwarz and I had a kite flying contest on the flight deck and then we rigged up a ‘ring toss’ from rope and had the 7/17th Ring Toss Competition. We went through the Marianas and could see Pagan Island and Agrihan Island. This was the first boat trip for some of the young soldiers and they were glad just to be able to see land. The Breton passed through the Philippines and all the lights that could be seen had the effect of increasing the homesickness factor. After getting into the China Sea the water seemed to be much smoother and this made the trip more enjoyable. About five days out of Vietnam we started removing the plastic coating on the helicopters that were parked on the flight deck. Everyone pitched it and it was a big task as the plastic came off in little pieces. The carrier anchored off Qui Nhon and shortly thereafter a UH-1H loaded with 7/17th pilots landed. The first aircraft off the Carrier was a UH-1H. It was to go to Qui Nhon to make a PX run. When it returned the pilots reported a "odd vibration" and asked that it be checked over. It was gone over with a "fine tooth comb," so to speak, and it was determined that the four bolts holding the tail boom to the fuselage had "lost their torque" and were loose, presumably due to the up and down motion of the carrier during the month long voyage. So all the UH1s were checked for this particular problem and several more were found that needed retorqueing. Little things mean a lot!!! The OH-6A pilots were all anxious to get their aircraft to Pleiku. After all 7/17th was the first unit to take OH-6As to Vietnam and they wanted to get started. The first OH-6A was prepared and the pilot (from A Troop I think) prefilighted and got aboard. After a normal start


and runup he picked up to a hover, made a couple of turns to check out the controls and departed the carrier. As soon as he cleared the flight deck the aircraft made a descending right turn and crashed in the water. Luckily the pilot came to the surface, with relatively minor injuries and was picked up by a boat from the Breton. I was filming this "first OH-6A departure" but as soon as he cleared the flight deck I lowered my camera and stopped filming. So I didn't get the crash on film. I loaned the film to the accident investigation Board, but it was no use to them. The cause of that accident was never determined, I don't think. I have my own unconfirmed suspicions on the cause. Our OH-6As underwent an air filter modification in Stockton Army Depot before they were put aboard. After we got to Pleiku we had several incid