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This Page was last modified on 02/22/2010 |
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New Member 2/21/10 |
Al Hooper Nova Scotia, Canada Associate Member |
Hi Frank, I am about to sit down and read a copy of Ripcord that my wife purchased for me at a used book sale. It is still in like new condition. I quickly browsed through it and it looks like it is going to be a really AWESOME read. I love to read the REAL stories of men who served. This book is absolutely full of autographs! It is autographed by Keith Nolan in October of 2000 as well. Now this is where the story I tell gets really interesting. This book belonged to Daniel Thompson, who presented it to "Doctor Louise Graham". There are a total of 27 signatures and brief messages in the book flyleaf pages from vets who served with him. YES! Your signature is in there too! I am not exactly sure how this ever ended up in a used book sale as it was obviously full of memories when Dan presented to Louise Graham. It just seemed such a shame to me for a book with such a personal touch to end up where it did. It always makes me feel bad to find books at the used store that have such a personal touch to them but this one was the one that bothered me the most so far. I felt I should contact someone about it just in case it had been lost by Dr. Graham or stolen from her. I tried contacting Dan at his email address in the members list but it is invalid and the message came back to me. Just thought I'd drop you a note about it. Regards: Al Hooper
2/22/10 Frank, there is not much I enjoy more than a good mystery other than a good book. I have to say, I am into page 65 now and it is spell binding. I don't want to put it down. Very well written and so detailed! Just a super book. Absolutely the best I have read so far pertaining to the Vietnam war. Dan emailed me yesterday Frank, and I emailed him back and hope to get chance to call him soon. I am really touched by the proposed signing of the book for me. That would be absolutely fantastic! That would be something I would treasure always! I sure don't mind sending it back to Dan BUT only after I have finished reading it! GRIN It's too good to stop now and wait for another copy! I should be done with it in another week. Oh Frank, feel free to use any of our correspondence. It's definitely no problem with me. I'm just so glad I can help. Several years back my wife was metal detecting up here and found a Sterling silver US Marine service ring with no serial number engraved in it. We contacted the USMC and many other people and sites desperately trying to reconnect the owner or his family with that ring but to no avail. Without a serial number it was a lost cause. Thanks goodness this book was so well signed! Al
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2/17/10
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Bob Staranowicz
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Frank
Welcome Home
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New Member 2/16/10
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Jimmy Dale Howton 101 pathfinders |
Was with William "Hardcore" Kohr on the final (3) days of Ripcord. Hardcore is one of the biographys you have listed.
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New Member 2/13/10 |
Glenn Hanson 2/11 arty |
Hey. As with all things internet I don't even want to begin to describe the path that led me here tonight. Anyway I went in for two yrs as arty. Was sent to 1st Inf Div and ending up humping a radio for the fo.which turned out better than being on the darn gun anyway. When the 1st went home I got sent to 2/11 arty and was placed as a laison someplace (don't recall where) to get ammo hauled by chopper or truck to our batteries. anywayyyyyyyyy I used to haul ammo to FSB ripcord! also recall bastogne, veghel, rakkason?, and others. So Hi! glenn |
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New Member 2/10/10 |
John Stoneburg commanded the 65th MP Company (Airborne) at Forward Operating Base Kalsu from Jan 2005 to Sep 2005
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Gentlemen,
My name is John Stoneburg and I commanded the 65th MP Company (Airborne) at Forward Operating Base Kalsu from Jan 2005 to Sep 2005. FOB Kalsu was named for your 1LT Bob Kalsu. From the second I first read the sign at the center of FOB Kalsu (picture attached) during my first tour in Iraq (Feb 2004) I've been intrigued with the story.
I just finished reading "Hell on a Hilltop" by MG (R) Ben Harrison and am even more proud to have served in the hell hole called FOB Kalsu. I have always believed the Army is a small family, but even more so now. The company I had the great pleasure of commanding (65th MP CO (ABN) out of Fort Bragg) used the motto Ripcord. My call sign was Ripcord 6 and interestingly enough, our TOC at FOB Kalsu was known as Ripcord Base. I also served as a squad leader and platoon sergeant in A CO, 1/501 Parachute Infantry Regiment before I went to OCS and remember reading the stories of the 501st (all battalions) in Vietnam. The coincedences alone made me think hard.
As I read the book, I quickly learned that FSB Ripcord was truly Hell on a Hilltop. The similarities with FOB Kalsu were too obvious to avoid. While we received no where near the enemy onlsought you heroes did in 1970, the importance of the two bases is evident. FOB Kalsu sits at the gateway to the Triangle of Death (Al Hilla, Karbala, Babylon) and is the intersection of two major routes. The East-West route is the primary route insurgents from Iran would take to get to the Triangle of Death. It is a key piece of terrain in that we were there to stop insurgents, build the local community, and keep the North-South route free of obstructions. At the time, FOB Kalsu was a tiny base (less than 1 square mile) with a Brigade HQ, BN HQ, and my company. I provide direct support to the 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Infantry Division, and Polish Division within my sector which covered ~60 kilometers of the North-South route. Additionally, I had 1 platoon training Iraqi Highway police and 1 platoon 4 hours East training border patrol along the Iranian border.
FOB Kalsu received mortar fire and rocket fire on a near daily basis while I was there. While many soldiers in Iraq would relax on FOBs, my company kept a high state of alert at all times. Rocket and mortar attacks were high adventure as the Iraqis don't aim, they just lob and so there is no way to see how the rounds will land. This was unnerving as a commander trying to keep my troopers safe. On more than one occasion my 1SG and I would be yelling to get folks in bunkers while trying to determine the best route ourselves as the rounds flew overhead and impacted around us. The soldiers of my company would often comment that they only felt safe out in sector inside the armored vehicles. It was not uncommon to encounter 10 improvised explosive devices on the North-South route in a single day (althought this came with peaks and valleys of activity) or an ambush from insurgents working their way West to Karbala. I was blessed with an exceptional cohort of experienced veterans, 95% of which were on their secon deployment and 80% on their third.
Living at Kalsu, the Ripcord paratroopers rarely slept and were constantly hyper alert until we moved 600kms north to Mosul in 15 Sep 2005. While FSB Ripcord was the high ground, FOB Kalsu lay in the low ground immediately West and South of the two major routes. This made it very easy for insurgent attacks via indirect and direct fire. After we left, the FOB boundaries were extended and the population increased 4-5 fold. My former driver (a cook, not an MP) was recently based at Kalsu again and told me it is no longer recognizable and quite a bit safer than when we were there. At least some progress was made there! No Ripcord trooper was immune to hard work and direct contact with the enemy. Every cook, clerk, commo, supply, and medic in the company came in direct contact with the enemy. While we were an MP company, we trained every soldier to do everyone elses job before we left for Iraq and it was not uncommon for the low density personnel to do MP jobs. We were a cohesive team and while I read "Hell on a Hilltop" I was filled with pride to learn we achieved what the greatest heroes of our era did everyday on FSB Ripcord.
I have rambled on long enough. I just visited your website and will continue to read through it. I am sending off a donation for $100 as a thanks for the heroism of the troopers on FSB Ripcord and the honor of serving on a small FOB in Iraq named in honor of a veteran of the horrific fight you endured.
Please add me to your mailing list, I would love to read the newsletter.
One final note, the story of how I learned of the book is interesting in and of itself. I currently work in the Pentagon at HQDA, G-3/5/7, Force Management office as a Major. One of my coworkers and I were discussing coincedences and he brought up his assignment to Fort Ben Harrison when MG Ben Harrison was the commander. I wondered if he was related to the former President, so did an internet search and came across the book "Hell on a Hilltop." I immediately ordered the book from Amazon.com and laughed with my coworker at yet another coincedence!
I thank you for your service, and as the son of a Vietnam Vet, thank you for your continued dedication and patriotism.
Respectfully, John Stoneburg |
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2/5/10 |
Raymond Hines 2nd Bn 319th Arty
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Lt. Joliet’s story especially brings back memories. He writes about his first contact reminds me of what happened. The man who was separated was the point man for a platoon. They had been inserted on LZ’s along Rocket Ridge, and were working their way along a ridge going downhill. It was on the west side of the ridge, just north of the valley, to the south. As they went downhill, the point man and slack man crossed a trail. They received small arms fire, point man went down, the slack man retreated back to the platoon. There was a short fire fight (I don’t believe that there were casualties on either side). The platoon lost contact with the point man. Artillery was called in, and there was a jet in the area, so it was employed, bombing the area. The point man was lost! Someone in the command helicopter (I think that it was Major Kronisgbaugh, the S-3) suggested that the Psychological Operations helicopter with speakers could be used to communicate with the point man, if he was alive. The helicopter arrived and requested the point man to throw a smoke grenade, but he had dropped his pack and did not have a smoke grenade, so he threw a regular grenade. The people on the ground heard the explosion, but the point man’s position could not be positively detected, so the Psy Ops helicopter asked him to build a fire. He gathered up “Chu hoi” leaflets, and built a fire. We could see the smoke from the command and control helicopter. A helicopter with a jungle penetrator extracted the guy. The story that he told was that when he and his slack man crossed the trail, they cut an NVA unit that was taking a break. When they received fire, he got down, and dropped his pack. His slack man withdrew back across the trail. The point man circled one way and saw a Vietnamese taking a crap, so he circled the other way and saw other NVA. Then the artillery rounds, and he got down, but when the bombs went off, he just ran for his life. This is the only time that I know of where Psy Ops saved a man’s life. When I was assigned as the Artillery Liaison to 2-506 on January 2, 1970, Gary “Teenager” Watrous was the Recon Platoon leader. In January 1970, he, personally, had the high kill count for the country, eleven. Just before the March 12 insertion on Ripcord, Lt. Wilson replaced him as the platoon leader. On April 13, LTC Lucas ordered the Recon Platoon to “poke around” Ripcord to see if the enemy was still there. They were, and Lt. Wilson was killed. He had volunteered to be the Recon Platoon leader.
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New Member 2/4/10 |
Thomas Dale Prouty Associate member |
New Associate Member |
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2/3/10 |
Don Holthausen C/2-506 |
Frank and Lee , Thanks for all the work maintaining this site. Its much appreciated, Don I was just reading the Unit History on your web site and would like to correct some information. When the Company CP was initially hit there radio was destroyed. After 20-30 minutes of confusion Steve Manthei and myself contacted the RTO at Camp Evans and requested gunships. When the aerial support arrived we threw flares in front of and to the side of our position to guide there fire. Kieth described this pretty well in his book. Thank you for your time , Don Holthausen |
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2/1/10 |
Harry C. Crawford Recon 2/501 |
Always keep up with your Newsletter. Hoping to find more fellow grunts from Echo Recon 2/501 or Delta Co. 2/501 in the future. I was the Platoon leader RTO for both 2nd Platoon Delta Company till June 1970 then moved with him when he took over Echo/Recon 2/501 in June of 1970. Was working off the Coc Muen side of Ripcord with Bravo 2/501 on assaults to adjacent hills on that side of Ripcord. Can't remember much more after all these years. |
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New Member 1/30/10
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Michael Jenkins Associate Member |
Friend of James Williamson and the Ripcord Association
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1/27/09 |
Ben L. Harrison Commander
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Hi Frank-- |
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1/17/09 |
Dennis M. Mina 2/501 HHC (TOC) |
involved in transition of battalion command of RIPCORD from 501 st to 506 th TOC NCOIC. Saw the CH-47 go down, was there as the FSB was imploding. WIA and medivac the day before Col. Lucas was KIA
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New Member 1/9/09 |
Ronald C. Richtsmeier D Co. 101st Avn Bn (Cobra) |
I never had the "pleasure" of setting foot on Ripcord, but I spent many hours flying helicopter gunship support missions there. My call sign was "Hawk 6". I was the C.O. of D Co. 101st Avn Bn (cobra) during the period of May through October 1970. We were responsible for providing gunship escort for aircraft flying into and out of Ripcord. After the lift aircraft departed Ripcord the Hawks stayed around to provide fire support for the F.B. We were privileged to fly above the best, and give you every bit of support that we possibly could. Welcome home to everybody - and God Bless You All. Ron Richtsmeier (LTC - Ret.)
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New Member 1/3/09
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LAINE D DOTSON A co 501 101st
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A co 501 101st Tour_From: OCT O5 Tour_To: APR 06
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12/29/09 |
John A. Flaherty D/2-506 |
Sorry I've been out of touch. I changed my email address a while ago and forgot to update my information. Looking forward to the 40th anniversary in Ft Worth.
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12/29/09 |
John P Georgiton C/1-506 |
I was an infantry platoon leader in C company 1/506 from April 1970 to January 1971. I was the acting company commander of B company 1/506 in December of 1970 for a little less than a month. We occupied firebase ripcord I think in late May for a week and fought near the firebase and nearby firebase Kathyrn. We obviously were not on the firebase during the evacuation but were in the area and have almost daily contact with the enemy during that time. My company commander during the summer of 1970 was 'Zippo' Mark Smith.
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New Member 12/10/09 |
Brannon Johnson 101st AB Pathfinders |
I was looking for anyone who may have known Don Ragsdale my uncle... I was only 2 at the time of his passing. But I have heard many great stories about this Man. Who gave the ultimate sacrifice on that Hill April 1 of 1970... He received The Purple Heart, The Bronze Star, and The Silver Star for his action on the Fateful Day.. Any stories you could share would be welcomed good or Bad.. and would help the 3 sisters and 1 Brother, maybe understand the 2 yrs his life they were not apart of!!!! Donald Ragsdale was Great man anyone who Knew or met him would attest to this....He is Greatly Missed!!!!
I lov the Site, Great Info... Thanks In Advance
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New Member 11/29/09 |
Frank Babich |
Family of Babich from A/2-506 |
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11/21/09 |
Rick Isom A/2-506 Spouse Name: Michelle |
Rick died of pancreatic cancer on May 11,2007. I would still like to receive information my email. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Isom
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New Member 11/14/09 |
Benny D. Mulkey "Milkman" 101st Airborne Airmobile Pathfinders |
I would like to connect with other Pathfinders and pilots that were at Camp Eagle and on Ripcord during the time I was in country. Most of the guys I only remember by their call signs, mine was "MILKMAN" |
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New Member 11/5/09 |
Raymond Kenneth Hines 2nd Bn 319th Arty |
Technically, I don't qualify for the association since I was not involved in the main battle, however, I was there at the very beginning. I was the Arty LNO with 2/506 Inf. during the transition from Ltc Crowell to Ltc Lucas. A mission was planned on the ridgeline west of FSB Carol (renamed Ripcord). There were two good LZ's, but the third was not big enough. Ltc Crowell decided that the Air Force could bomb the middle LZ to make it bigger, however, when the time came, Ltc Crowell had left, and the AF did not fly the mission. In a hasty decision, the platoon was deployed to the abandoned FSB Carol, which they renamed Ripcord. The hasty artillery perp was done by helicopters and was not good enough. The LZ was hot. The insertion was in conjunction with an ARVIN unit on our northern border. The ARVIN unit captured some documents indicating that there was a large NVA unit in the area. All the allied forces were withdrawn and a free fire bombing box was drawn on the map. The plan was to bomb the area for five days, then we would go back in. The problem was the weather. We did not get back to Ripcord until two weeks had passed. The plan had been revised, to include occupying the base. On April 1, the mission went in. Although the artillery prep was good, as soon as the transport helicopters went in, they were receiving mortar fire. As the lift helicopters approached Ripcord, the pilots reported enemy troop movement along Coc A Bo ridge. The troops were moving north toward Ripcord. The jungle around the firebase before the bombing occurred was solid, with few spots to launch mortars. After the bombing missions, there were numerous holes in the jungle for the mortars to go through. Among other casualties on that day, Lt. Wall, the company forward observer was killed. The force on the firebase evacuated overland, and the base was occupied by the enemy. The next morning, the Recon Platoon was sent back to the base to determine the enemy strength. The Platoon Leader, Lt. Wilson was killed, and the platoon withdrawn. On
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10/27/09 |
John J Beadle Jr. A-2-11 arty |
I just got back home from the reunion had a great time as usual if you missed it you missed a great time. I look forward to the reunion report coming out |
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New Member 10/21/09 |
Jim Joyce Pathfinders, 101 Airborne Div |
I have always wondered why I never heard anything more about Ripcord. I was on Ripcord from 1 July to 21 July 1970 when I was wounded by shrapnel from a recoilless rifle round. This was the same day they shot down the CH47 onto the artillery battery. I was the Pathfinder squad leader for Ripcord and we were responsible for all air traffic and outbound artillery hazards. We directed fire from the fast movers (20mm and napalm). I put together the air traffic plan for the extraction from the firebase. I was wounded on 21 July just before the extraction. A good friend of mine, Danny Bonard (callsign "Boner") was killed there. I was in Quang Tri hospital and missed the extraction. |
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New Member 10/11/09 |
Charles R Evans 326 engr company b |
landed on ripcord for supply drop, very happy to leave. around 20th of July 1970 was on fsb Kathryn for a month after that. |
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New Member 10/9/09
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Randy L. Parmley C/2-506 |
I am the webmaster for http://company-c--2nd-bn--506th-inf.com/ We have located many C Co. 2/506th veterans an have been looking for many more. We have been supporting the current C Co. at Ft. Campbell. |
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9/23/09 |
Terry A Stanger A Co 159th ASHB |
This is the best group of people any person would be proud to know. The members treat everyone as family and I'm proud to have known all the people I have meet at the reunions |
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New Member 9/9/09 |
Clark l Namias c btry 2/319th fa |
c brty 2nd bn 319th fa. camp Evans and all points north to include alpha 1 on dmz
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New Member 8/28/09
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Ken Lilley 2-506 |
I have had no contact with anyone since 1970--am so grateful to still be here and look forward to sharing some memories Frank, finally, in the summer of 09 I googled Ripcord and was blown away with what I found---Looking thru members, I found Bill Heath and Pete McSwain, two close friends at the time and have been corresponding with them--I tried to become a member in Aug and have been checking for the list to be updated--I find today that I am not included and I wonder if you can tell me what to do--I tried to apply again today--Thanks--Ken Lilley 2/506-alplha
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New Member 8/28/09 |
Richard Stephan Bergquist B Co. 158 Avn |
I regret that I was not there to offer my help, I DERO'sd in June of 70. I flew log missions to FSB Ripcord with B. Co, (Lancers) 158th Avn. Bn. (AH) as a door gunner, but was not involved during the siege in July. My membership is to honor my Eagle brothers that made the ultimate sacrifice. Would be proud to be an associate member. Now SSG Richard Bergquist, California State Military Reserves. |
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New Member 8/25/09
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Eddie Fox ehf52 @aol.com |
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New Member 8/18/09 |
Larry Kenneth King d 2/506 |
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New Member 8/15/09 |
Carl Wyrosdick, Jr. B/2/506 |
I was brought in just after the Chinook crashed and burned in the 105 guns. I shared the hole with Chip Collins for the remainder of the time on Ripcord and the extraction. Just saw this Web site as I'm not much of a computer browser and am devastated at his passing. He taught me so much in the short time he was with us in third herd before going to recon. He pushed me down on Ripcord when a sniper opened up on us and saved my butt. I shared duty as squad leader with him and learned from him until one day he said you don't need me anymore it's yours and he stepped aside. Men like him didn't come along but once in a life time. I've tried to stay away from everything about Nam but I guess it's time. Maybe I can make it to the Reunion. |
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New Member 7/27/09
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Walter R. Juszczak D/2-506 |
The Ripcord web site is one of the most informational webs that I have been on. It was only a few weeks ago that a friend was asking where I served in Vietnam. We looked Ripcord up on the internet and found your web page. As I scanned down I saw the familiar name of Fred Gilbert and further down found his email address. After a few emails back and forth he sent me this membership page so I decided to sign up. I didn't take much still pictures in Vietnam but I did take quit a few Super 8 movie film. We put them on DVD about a month ago and although the quality isn't there you can still see them pretty good. I am going to make a copy and send it to Fred, he has a few candid shots of himself and also of other men that he might know. For now keep up the good work, and may God bless. |
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New Member 7/23/09 |
Steven Matsumoto A/206 |
The best to you from TOK in Portland OR. I had a very nice conversation with Willie Norris' Mother. She said that to a Ripcord reunion and met many of the men of Alpha Co. I don't miss the war but I have never felt as close to my fellow man as I did with our unit. I don't think I can make the reunion but please give my best everyone there. Every man there was a hero. I am proud to have served with all of you. |
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7/20/09 |
Mary Smith Marlowe wife of John Marlowe |
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New Member 7/15/09 |
Col Ricardo Ruiz HHB 2/320th Field Artillery (Balls of the Eagle) |
Overflew the old Firebase many times during my tour, while conducting operations near the A Shau valley. I don't believe that the division ever reoccupied the Firebase. |
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