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send your comments to:
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9/8//11 |
Michael W Pierce 158th Avn Ghostriders
mike.pierce@coachamerica.com |
I was a crewchief on a huey that
installed the troops, resupplied and after the Chinook
crashed helped remove the troops. We landed in the gun
pits and picked up the gun crews. Our call sign was
Ghostrider 566 red ball on the tail and white strip on
the roof based a Camp Evans.
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9/7/11 |
Jon Eric Penfold C & HHC /2-506
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Walked on Ripcord with C
Ccompany,second to last copter off with HHC TOC
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8/27/11 |
Eddie D Hubbard B/2-17th Cav
eddhubbard@aol.com |
I was stationed with B Trp 2/17
Cav 101st Airborne Camp Eagle from Jan1970 to July 1970
then transferred to B Co 5th Trans 101st Airborne Phu
Bai Airbase. Our main AO was the A-Shau Valley and
support for all the fire bases from Camp Eagle to the
Valley. That was one hell of a tour. I went to Vietnam
with 13 buddies and was the only one to return.
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8/16/11 |
Rick Mueller
B/1-327
palmemblem@yahoo.com |
our unit did support for ripcord
in the ashau vally and hills surrounding ripcord
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7/25/11 |
Bruce McCorkle
Delta 2nd/506th
bwmccorkle@gmail.com |
Hi, Frank,
I was one of Capt Rollison's RTO's and was very
fortunate to be assigned to Delta...and to serve under
him. Rick Rearick was the senior RTO and spent most of
the day with a prc 25 headset on each ear. Everyone did
their job on the 23rd and I'm grateful (and somewhat
amazed) that we didn't take any casualties that day and
we all got out safely. I was with Rollison on one of
the last birds out...so it got pretty tense.
You guys in Alpha went through Hell and back...I hold
you all in the highest regard.
Bruce McCorkle
Delta 2nd/506th
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7/25/11 |
Benny "Milkman" Mulkey
101st Pathfinders
ywtbdm@yahoo.com |
I have been at a National Pathfinder Ass. reunion in Las
Vegas this week. There was three of us that was on
Ripcord (we haven't seen each other for 41 years ) an
not a one of us thought of the anniversary of Repcord
until I got this email. I am on the road heading home
and had to call these guys right away, THIS WAS REALLY
WIERD !!!!!!!!!!!! We are all three also going to be in
Indy in October, see you then.
Benny "Milkman" Mulkey
101st Pathfinders
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7/25/11 |
Johnny Carr
D/2-506
jcarr49@att.net
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Hello frank this is johnny carr of delta co.2nd of the
506th,and it was indeed a pleasure to receive your
e-mail on the day of the 23rd of july,a day that will
live in infamy for so many of us that served on,in and
around firebase ripcord and the dreaded and infamous A-Shau
valley.I am humbled and indeed honored that so may of
you guys in Alpha co. still remember so much about our
incursion into you guys A.O.on that fateful day and days
in july 1970.I was either the point man or slack man
that day when we stormed down that trail to rescue you
guys,or to die there with you trying to save you guys if
possible.I have through the fog of war or just by design
have put most all of that traumatic year in vietnam and
the a-shau valley and ripcord in the back of my mind,and
until the association came to be I thought nobody
remembered or cared how much we sacrificed for the fight
for ripcord and the surrounding hills in the a-shau
valley.It is good that warriors such as we and all our
comrades who fought and cried and bled there can come
together after all these years and reminis and relive
some of the events that transpired there.I have to admit
after all these years my memory of that place and events
and sadly even some of the people that were there with
me on and around ripcord have slipped into oblivion,but
from all the guys i have talked with they have the same
problem with some people,events and things that
transpired there on that mountaintop and the hills
surrounding it.I think for many of us we just we just
wanted to forget those terrible months there and go on
with living,but try as you may you can never forget and
just when you least expect it hear comes those
thoughts,dreams,smells,sounds etc.to let you know that
as long as you live you will never be able to put those
things and that place behind you,it can't be done.For
that and many more reason's I am so glad that you put a
ripcord association together,because if we that were
there have to live with it everyday for the rest of our
lives,nobody should ever forget that we were there and
what we had to live through everyday for a year and how
much of us was given and how little we came home with
and to.I am honored to have served with such brave
men,and am proud to be an American,and to be a member of
the greatest division in the U.S.Army the 101st airborne
division,and also proud and humbled that my name will
live forever on the roster of the ripcord association.I
salute each and everyone who served there with me and it
is an honor and a priveledge to be mentioned in the same
breath with these men.If I would have had to give my
life for any of these brave men,and that is what we
fight for,each other,then it would have been
worthwhile.I know now and forever we will never be
forgotten,because we will never forget each other and
won't let anyone else forget us.Your comrade in arms
forever,,,,johnny carr.
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7/25/11 |
Mike Daley
101st Abn
Vietnam
mdirtdart101@aol.com |
ALL who participated in "Ripcord" will be in prayers at church and
Novena this week,.,,
esp the deceasd..
Yur in my thought, brother..
Mike
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7/25/11 |
Ross Donnell
Sensor Platoon
rossdonnellsma@hotmail.com |
Dear Frank,
A poignant note such as yours below should not go
unanswered. Though my part in the Battle for Ripcord
ended the night of April 29th during the fight for
"Granite", I understand how the nightmares of Vietnam
remain with us on a daily basis. I find, even after all
these years, an insatiable need to know what really
happened to us and a necessity to at least make an
attempt to understand why. There is also a remarkable
need to be with or at least correspond with others who
have witnessed the insanities of man.
I came into "country" in September of "69". The Sensor
Platoon was a small 26 man unit that was broken into 2 &
3 man teams and sent to work with various Battalions
throughout the Division AO. I worked with both the 1st
and 2nd of the 506th for much of my tour. Both
Battalions supported us while at Evans and provided our
security while in the field. A month in the hospital
after "Granite", then a month or so at "Birmingham" and
then I was finally pulled into the rear before leaving
"Country" in September. I witnessed more than I would
like to recall, but I can not imagine the nightmarish
hell which you guys went through. I find that I do not
want to forget what we witnessed, for by forgetting, we
do an injustice to those who did not come home. At the
same time, Vietnam is a burden! Can it ever be put away?
I hope the intervening 41 years have been kind to you
and if no one else really understands or cares for what
we endured, at least we can hold ourselves up with pride
and appreciate the humanity of our fellow soldiers.
My Best to You!
Ross Donnell
Sensor Platoon
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7/25/11 |
Don Powers
Ghostrider
donpowers34@sbcglobal.net |
Hello,
Has anyone written about the evacuation of ripcord? I
was a 'Ghostrider' in same.
Regards,
Don Powers
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7/23/11 |
Mikel W. Dawson
beslagsmed@hotmail.com |
Until I was in Iraq(2003), I never knew about Ripcord.
While there I read Keth Nolan's book and found a quote I
could relate to in "my war". You all were great. I
also understand the S&S guys never really get their just
dues. Being a link in the S&S chain in Iraq, I know
with out the beans, bullets, and fuel, all you guys on
the front can't do your job. Thanks to all those who
helped you guys in the front do your job.
After reading "Hell on a Hilltop", I then better
understood the odds you all ere up against. You guys
didn't loose, you stood your ground and the NVA paid a
heavy price. Again thanks to everyone of you who were
there.
Mikel W. Dawson
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7/23/11 |
flash, wayne gourdon
2/506 E.company recon
Wayne
wayne_1949@hughes.net |
We were all together to the end,,, as the word impales "currahee"
and there's no other way to say it but for the
bravery of all,, we stood together. as for myself on
that day I was on currahee battalion pad awaiting too
CA to Ripcord...there was info that there were two dead
still on ripcord...we all volunteered but two were
chosen they went out in a loch with plenty of
backup...the rest of us were on the pad,,, slicks
running to take us out if there were problems... it
went well and all came home ....thanks to all of you I
never knew and to the ones I grown to know...it was a
different time and different place I'll never get
over..
flash, wayne gourdon
2/506 E.company recon
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7/23/11 |
Jan Kalsu
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Dear Frank and all of my Ripcord family,
I too have been reflecting on all of you during this
time as it was 41 years ago on the 21st that both Bob
and David were killed together. I thank God that you all
were Bob's family while on Ripcord and prayed for all
of you and the memories that you hold deep in your
hearts as I placed flowers at Bob's grave.
it is just after midnight on the 23rd as I type this as
I am waiting to call Bobby at 12:45 am and wish him a
very Happy 41st Birthday before I then will go to bed
thanking God for the gift of our daughter and son and
grandchildren to allow Bob's and my love for each other
go from generation to generation. I've given these days
the name "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (Bob's death and
the birth of our son.)
My love and Gods blessings on each of you brave men.
Jan
PS/ Gerri and I can hardly wait to see you all in Indy!!
:-)
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7/23/11 |
Erick W Miller
author1997@yahoo.com |
A Hill to Remember
Erick W. Miller
Hill 882 - A Perspective
From my book,
Toll of War/Vietnam |
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7/23/11 |
Jerry Rodgers
Eagle Dustoff
1970-71
rodgersjd@earthlink.net
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Frank and all veterans of Firebase Ripcord:
As a Pilot in Eagle Dustoff, I never set foot on
Ripcord; but I set "skids" on the firebase more times
than I can remember. Each time was a new and anxious
experience. Those approaches into the farebase were
never routine, especially at night. I cannot forget the
expressions on the faces I saw through the chin bubble
and windshield on short final approach as we settled
into the landing pad--the faces of those on litters,
those carrying the litters, or those well enough to walk
on their own and crawl into the side of the aircraft.
Those well enough to talk would sometimes shower us with
gratitude for picking them up and returning them back to
safety, while others remained silent as if what they had
just experienced was too private a matter to discuss
with anyone. Eagle Dustoff lost several aircraft in
operations on and around Ripcord during the weeks
leading up to the final day on Ripcord; some shot down
by small arms and machine gun fire, some to RPG's,
including the entire crew (O'brien, Graham, Johnson &
Hawkins) that went down in flames from RPG fire while
doing a hoist mission on or about 26 May. Medic Brent
Law died heroically from small arms fire in an LZ while
his crew attempted to rescue another of our crews shot
down while attempting a rescue in that LZ. Several
other crewmembers were seriously wounded during this
time. On the final day I was flying with WO Bob Pascoe,
Aircraft Commander, as I recall, when we got a call to
pick up some wounded in an area away from the firebase.
They popped smoke as we approached a small landing pad
that had been fashioned together out of logs.
We hovered light on the skids as a number of wounded
were loaded into the Huey. Through the chin bubble I
saw two nametags of I'll never forget--Rollison and
Hawkins. Shortly before the final helicopters lifted
off of Ripcord, we were circling around in the area to
respond when needed. We got a call from someone called
"Thunder 77" if my memory serves me right, asking if we
could come in and pick up one soldier that they could
not accomodate in their liftoff. We zoomed in amidst
mortar fire and picked up a trooper who, if I recall
correctly, had been the RTO for the commander, LTC Lucas
I presume. We picked him up and headed back to Camp
Evans as the other ship was departing Ripcord. Later
that day or maybe the next day, my crew was presented
with the .51 Caliber anti-aircraft machine gun that had
been captured by the units on the ground. We disabled
it and mounted it in concrete at our small club back at
Camp Eagle. My deepest admiration and respect for all of
you who served on the firebase as well as those who
supported you back at Camp Evans, the Cobra jockeys who
held the enemy at bay while the Slicks, Dustoffs, and
Chinooks did their thing; and the LOACH pilots and
observers literally looked the enemy in the eyes in
daredevil flying that amazes me to this day.
Congratulation to all of you Ripcord survivors, and God
Rest those who died serving our Nation on and around
Firebase Ripcord as well as those who have passed on
since then.
Jerry Rodgers
Eagle Dustoff
1970-71
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7/23/11 |
Ransom Southerland
C/159 ASHB
ransom@cottonwire.com
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It's hard to believe it's been so long since Ripcord and
yet, sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday.
I was a Chinook pilot for C/159th Avn. Bn. (Playtex 18)
and was in and out of Ripcord a lot during those days.
As we worked through sorties for an operational day, we
always knew a load was bound for Ripcord because the
tower operator would not reply to our request for
instructions. Normally, the radio conversation might go
like this:
"Tower, this is Playtex 18, inbound (for Evans) for a
load."
If the load was going to Sally (or Quang Tri . . . or
anywhere else), they'd reply with,
"Roger 18, you have a couple of blivets for Sally."
If the load was going to Ripcord, they wouldn't say
anything . . . and you knew. The radio was usually very
quiet after that kind of non-exchange. We'd go in, pick
up the load, and head to Ripcord, always going in a
different way, a different altitude and different
anything else we could do to mask our load-drop.
Sometimes, the radio would break silence, and you might
hear something like this:
"Hey 18, can I have your guitar?"
A few moments later, you might hear:
"I'll take your stereo."
And then,
"Can I have your wife?"
We masked a lot of emotion with that macabre sense of
humor. I don't know what the worst day (or night) was
for me, but there were plenty.
Hardly a day has gone by that I haven't thought about
Ripcord and it's been over 40 years.
So, all that to say THANKS to you for your service, both
then and now.
I'm very grateful for the work you do with the
newsletters and the association. Please be encouraged
and keep it up.
Kind regards,
Ransom
--
Ransom Southerland
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7/22/11 |
JoAnn Meier.
jmeier@htc.net |
Thank you to all the veterans and blessed be all those
who have reached out to their comrades and made the
ripcord assn an unparalleled success. I know it has
changed the lives of so many brave men who survived that
terrible time in our history.
Take care and God Bless
JoAnn Meier.
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7/22/11 |
Tom Pack
B 319th Arty
jtapack@msn.com |
Frank, my name is Tom Pack and I was a member of Bty B
2/319 and was on ripcord some of the time. I was
transferred to a unit down south on about July 10, 1970.
I Never could find out why but it was hard to leave My
friends and comrades at such a time. I still have the
clipping from the stars & stripes about the the last
day. It was the only information I could find after I
left. I was on a gun crew with Eugene Marshal &
Floyd (Andy )Anderson. I don't remember much anymore as
I never have told anybody about it much less talked
about it. I just figured nobody knew or cared till I
found Your Website. It brings back some of the memories,
some god and some bad. Thanks for keeping this going. I
will always be grateful to all the grunts that fought
around us. Tom pack (Pack-o)
ps On the 4th of July our battalion commander came out
to Ripcord to Give us a pep talk. He got up on a ammo
bunker and said this is a 4th you will never forget. at
that time we had a mortar hit and the next we knew he
was flying away on his loch. I guess he was right
because That is one thing have not forgotten.
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7/22/11 |
Steve Manthei
C/2-506
racksandstuff@charter.net |
RIPCORD,
I arrived in vietnam august
22,1969.Bob Tarbuck,Steve Stanley,Bob Radcliff who I
went through basic and AIT with came into C,Company at
about the same time.We made a pac that we would not be
taken alive if it came down to that. Ceased being a fngs
and cherries 27 days later,thats when we really became
one of the guys.Respect is good.All I ever wanted to be
was a good soldier just like my dad.I learned many
lessons while in vietnam .Many of them were very
harsh,yet even through the pain and discomfort there was
a feeling of pride,accomplishment ,and real
understanding as to what we really have back home.We all
talked about where we came from and our future.We also
talked about our job and what we were up against.We
learned from those who been there done that,and we took
it to heart.We knew not everyone would go home alive or
in one piece because that was war.Many friendships were
forged ,the strongest union I ever belonged to,ever.When
these guys said they got your back they meant it,no
exceptions.Come hell or high water.Many of my friends
and comrades I met when I got in vietnam went home safe
and some went home wounded.It wasn't until we were sent
into the Ashau that all we learned would be tested to
the extreme.We were up again a much tougher
enemy.Hunting and being hunted was a daily thing.Hot LZ
,We lost two good men that day.Others were wounded.Just
the start of a bad dream.March 16,1970,our comrade and
friend Steve Stanley was killed in a firefight.A day I
still remember like yesterday.I was assigned to take him
home to his family.
When I returned some old
faces were not there and Ripcord was the word of the
day.Being a wisconsin country boy who already could hunt
a track I knew by the sign we were in for a fight.Many
new and untested faces were added to our Company and it
made us old guys nervous ,but we had faith that in the
past had proved to be right.Those dogs would fight.
Another day I will never
forget July 2,1970.Prior to that day we came across a
bunker complex complete with communication wire.As we
searched the area the sigh was big time .Made the hair
on my neck stand up.We were all on edge and ready to
go.There's a feeling you get when you know their
close,real close.Then a recon team was sent up Hill 902
. When it was secured we moved up the steep side.We dug
in and spent the night.The next day we saw the puff of a
enemy mortar just above the trees in the valley to the
south of the hill out of sight of Ripcord.Thats when I
saw the best shot I have ever seen with a Laws
Rocket.Dreher made a direct hit on that mortar.We
totally thought we were leaving because we knew we just
pissed them off.That did not happen.We stayed.I was on
guard when the battle erupted .For those of us who were
there I can only say this.Because there were so many
acts of courage that night some of us lived . For those
who did not,they will never be forgotten.If there was
any doubt about the fight in the dogs it was put to rest
that night. Throughout the Ripcord battle I heard of
these types of men.Day in day out right to the end.I'm
proud of all these men.We could not fight to win so we
fought not to lose.It's been said we fought like lions
and demons.I think we fought like Americans.I would not
be here today without my guys having my back.You know
who you are.Love you like a brother.
I went home in August.I came
home to a caring family and friends .I came home with
alot of memories.Some good,some not so good.I saw a
segment of our society who just don't care.After what we
went through I feel sorry for them.One of these anti
military types said to me"Your just another fucked up
vietnam vet" to witch I replied"No,your fucked up ,I'm
Pissed off".
CURRAHEE
May God Bless
God,Guns, and Guts Made America
Free
Steve Manthei
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7/22/11 |
Steve M Morehead
B/159th Avn Bn
stevemm2@earthlink.net |
Dear Frank,
It was a pleasure to spend a couple of interesting days
getting you guys off that dam hilltop.
Needless to say, it was the 23rd that was the worst for
me and my crew.
Sorry about leaving my helicopter
illegally parked on top.
Wish I had a picture of that.
Steve M Morehead
B/159th Avn Bn
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7/22/11 |
Mike Goff
Banshee 12 (B trp. 2/17 Cav)
michaeldgoff@hotmail.com |
Hello all:
I would have liked to been able to have done more, I had
it easy.
As a "little bird", I experienced "eyeball to eyeball"
contact with the bad guys, but could not stop them, kept
running out of fuel and bullets. I felt bad leaving to
refuel and rearm, because I could see what was going on,
and I knew it would not stop and wait for me to get
back.
God bless you guys, you had balls the size of
basketballs, I wish I could have done more.
Mike Goff
Banshee 12 (B trp. 2/17 Cav)
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7/22/11 |
Denny Morris
265th RRU / 8th RRFS
denmar1@cox.net |
Frank,everyone of us has each other to thank for
surviving those days.We wouldn't have made it any other
way.There were a lot of "Hero's".The good Lord spared us
for some reason,why & how we made it I'll never know.
But here we are, go figure.Denny |
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7/22/11 |
Frank
Babich
babelec@yahoo.com |
I was just a young boy, on july 22nd 1970. I do remember
the impact it had on our family, to learn that my
cousin (John Babich) had died that day. Our family was
very close. I always think about, what if, John had
made it to the 23rd of July and would he and I be having
a beer together today. July 22nd is a tough day for me,
my father also died on this date in 1984... Frank
Babich |
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7/22/11 |
Steve Smith
D/158th Avn
rs16@comcast.net |
We helped as best we could, there was just never enough
fuel or ammo.
Steve
D/158th Avn
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7/22/11 |
Terry Stanger
A/159th Avn Bn
[stangerta@yahoo.com]
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One
thing people learned from Vietnam is that Soldiers are
not politician's. They have no control over where they
go to fight and now the American public is finally
treating the men and women of the Iraq and Afghanistan
War with respect and dignity all American Soldiers
deserve. Only in America can a Vietnamese become a
Flight Engineer on a Chinook with the 101st. What a
great country we live in.
Terry A Stanger
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7/22/11 |
Tom Taylor
( FE Varsity 504 & 507)
B Company, 159 ASHB
101 St Div.
taylor507@verizon.net
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We in Varsity - B
Comp 159th "visited " your home away from
home regularly...
The 22nd was the
last day I flew in (on Varsity 507) to resupply you and
remove a downed Huey ( and much more), I believe it was
11 times that day. There was one other aircraft that had
flown in as many runs as we did in.
My Pilots, well,
they got us in and out with only minor dammage. That was
a feat that day.
I was asked to
crew (flight engineer) 011 the following morning -
which lost an engine right after take off. ( I spent the
morning replaceing & flight testing the engine)
My 507 ship with
a new FE but my gunner & crew chief was the one that was
shot down on your lower pad pretty much stopping the
Chinooks from that point forward.
Glad we could
help, Those weeks up to the 23rd are still as clear
today as then. >> It was not uncommon to have 9 to 11
hours in the air 4 to 5 days each week. for the month
running up to the extraction day. You had a lot of
people trying their best to assist...
Bless you all.
By the I was glad to see the recognition for Joe Bagget
earlier this year. We graduated from the same High
School in southern Jersey. Our incountry service
overlaped as did sever of my classmates. But that is
another story.
Tom Taylor ( FE
Varsity 504 & 507)
B Company, 159
ASHB
101 St Div.
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7/22/11 |
Frank Campo
Local Veterans
Employment
Representative
State of
California
Employment
Development
Department
WorkForce
Services Branch
1410 S.
Broadway
Santa Maria CA.
93454
805-614-1205
|
I will be remembering all those heroes and my friend Paul Hansmann
tomorrow at Ft Campbell as I welcome home my son who has
spent the last year in Afghanistan. He is the first
group of the 506th returning from combat.
CURRAHEE
Frank Campo |
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7/22/11 |
Dave Moyer
exjake9065@yahoo.com |
I was just a ten year old kid in the Summer of 1970, a
"graduate" of the 4th grade and playing baseball in the
WBBA... Warminster Boy's Baseball Association. That July
my family lost my cousin Sam in a traffic accident. I
was devastated. I thought the world of Sam and looked up
to him. He was a US Navy Vietnam Vet, having served on
the carrier Enterprise during a deployment off the
Vietnam coast from Dec. 1965-May 1966.
I recently read the newspaper I have saved with an
article about Sam's accident. In the entire paper there
is just one small column mentioning Vietnam and the fact
that 8 US servicemen were killed when two helicopters
were shot down near the Cambodian border. That's it.
Just a few paragraphs of general news. You guys were
fighting and dying at Ripcord, but no mention in the
paper about Ripcord, the 101st, the A Shau VAlley...
nothing.
As I've mentioned to you in prior email I've taken a
strong interest in the men of Ripcord since reading
Keith Nolan's excellent book. I'm a regular reader of
the Facebook page and the association news. I still find
myself amazed and in awe at what all of you experienced
and accomplished in Vietnam while I was spending the
innocent summer of a ten year old here at home.
I'm glad you survived to spend an extra 41 years of
living... wishing you many more!
Dave Moyer
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7/22/11 |
Lee
Widjeskog
A
2/506
2nd
Platoon May to Oct.1970
LTWIDJESKOG@aol.com |
To the Second
Platoon and all of Alpha Company, Congratulations on
surviving the 22nd 41 years age and making it through
yet another year of you life!
Here in NJ it
is muggy, hot and sticky much like some years ago.
Most of us
survived that day and are fortunate to continue our
lives. However, we were all changed by the events of
that day to some degree or another. Some received
serious physical wounds but we all were subjected to
mental wounds as we were made aware that life can be
very, very short and there really were people out there
who want to do us harm.
The afternoon
of 22 July 2nd platoon led out heading to a distant LZ
for extraction. About 100 meters of so from the Company
main body we were attacked and cut off from all the
other platoons. In the opening fight the radios at the
front and rear of the unit were lost and we began the 5
hours of fighting for our survival. That day I had only
16 men in the field along with myself.
Over the years
I have slowly found some of the men who were with 2nd
platoon that fateful day. Staff Sergeant
Gary Foster
who was very instrumental in keeping the rear of your
column safe. Don Keifer, a fresh
rifleman who was wounded and had no idea how he would
survive a year of this if what he had experienced in the
first five days was any example. Dan Pretty,
another rifleman who survived in spite of his wounds but
continues like all of us to recall the 22nd very well.
Bill Mulvey received shrapnel wounds while RTO
for Platoon Sergeant Brown. Bill Edminster
a rifleman who was wounded and survived to fight into
the night. Medic Martin Glennon who
worked to keep all the wounded alive till they could be
evacuated.
The rest of
the platoon I am still seeking. Sgt.
John Brown,
was seriously wounded during the initial attack and hung
on to eventually recover. Tony Galindo
with Larry Dees, worked the M-60 till
he was hit by a Chi-com grenade which closed his right
eye. Alan Miller and Robert
Counts made it through the day without a
scratch but how we do not know. Point man Doug
McVay lost his hearing during the attach but
survived to go home. Robert Journell (Sparky)
fought long and hard before succumbing to bullets and
grenades. Squad leader Tom Schultz was
killed shortly after the fighting started without
getting much opportunity to return fire. My RTO, whose
name eludes me, was shot in the leg in the initial
attack but was able to get our last radio working after
an hour or more had passed. Our chances for survival
went up from that point on there are other riflemen
whose name I cannot recall. Hopefully as more guys
become aware of Ripcord, their names will re-appear.
All my guys
fought well! I remember everyone staying low and
keeping their shot low. While we went through a low of
ammo, we had not run out. Our concern was that there
was no one available to help us. i had decided we were
going to have to take care of the situation by
ourselves. That changed once we made radio contact with
Capt. Hawkins. We knew we would eventually get help
from other companies before too long. Artillery and air
support was being used to prevent NVA reinforcements
from coming in. The close air support from helicopters
and jets made a lot of difference. When the bombs fell
short and hit the NVA hard, our survival was assured.
Just before dark we linked up with the company and
re-deployed for the night. The anticipate night assault
never arrived and 7AM found Delta coming to our
assistance! Finally around noon Alpha was out and
heading back to Evans. The 22nd was the worst day of my
life and the 23rd was the best!
To all the 2nd
platoon and Alpha guys
Thanks
for being great soldiers during this time. Some did
more than others but we survived because of the combined
effort. YOU GUYS WERE
GREAT !!!!
Lee
Widjeskog
A
2/506
2nd
Platoon May to Oct.1970
|
|
7/22/11 |
Curtis Bodin
CW2 A101AVNBN
70/71 Camp Eagle
comanchero15@hotmail.com |
Frank,
I thank you and all of our brothers who fought and gave
it their all. I was a pilot with the Comancheros
A101AVNBN on this date.
I was a newbie during this time for first flight was an
orientation flight with our check pilot and we went into
Ripcord on a supply
drop. I must have looked like a deer in the headlights
during that mission. I thought to myself what the hell
have I gotten myself
in to here! I guess you could say that I got baptized
in grand style. Thanks to all who served, God Bless
America, may all of the
sacrifices made not be in vane.
Curtis Bodin
CW2 A101AVNBN
70/71 Camp Eagle
|
|
7/22/11 |
martin j Glennon
A/2-506
2nd plt medic
mmjg92649@aol.com |
yes ,frank i
totally agree, thanks to all who got us out,Capt Hawkins
,Lt lee helcopter pilots. capt rollins all of D co. who
courageously came out to us to help all 51 wounded and
12 kia and,most of all Jesus who i called on repeatedly
even to a my wound was small schrapnel but i remember
it like yesterday little did i know how that one event
could change my life so much .
former surviving medic martin j Glennon 2nd plt medic
now vva 905 chaplin vietnam vets of america
|
|
7/22/11 |
Martin Galle
B/2-506 HHC
Martychem@optonline.net |
HELLO all
RIPCORD veterans,
I never
set foot on RIPCORD, I was in the safety of the 2-506th
Bn TOC in Camp Evans. "Snoopy" sat guard to protect me.
My experience with RIPCORD was rather unique. We all
know that an Army runs on "paper-work" (along with its
stomach). I had the dubious honor of typing all the
Order of Battles for the battalion. I then sat listening
to the battalion nets as the battle progressed. At
night all the radio operators (the ones not monitoring
the radios) and myself would sit and watch the lights
from the battlefield of RIPCORD. It appeared so near. I
then transcribed all the radio commo's and typed the
after action reports. I felt for all of you, the actual
combatants on and around RIPCORD, many of whom I had
fought next to with B Company, 2-506th.
The
strongest memory I have is of Maj. Koernigsbauer, my
boss, Battalion S-3,"conducting" the artillery fire as
the "maestro". He would sit there in the TOC starting
and stopping fire missions to allow the "slicks" and
"cobras" to fly their missions mid the torrents of HE.
As he would control this "orchestra" his head would rock
back-and-forth at a rapid rate. He appeared oblivious
to this movement of his head.
I am
probably one of few from 2-506th Currahees who never set
foot on RIPCORD during that battle, but I am honored to
be a member of your "Band of Brothers", the Veterans of
RIPCORD.
Martin Gallé
|
|
7/22/11 |
Marc L. Aronson
B/2-319
maronson@notary.org |
Thanks for the goose bumps, just thinking about this.
When I joined the Army (I was an RA) I signed up for the
artillery (not realizing the shells each weighed more
than I did!) because my father was in the artillery in
WWII (later I found out it that was anti-aircraft
artillery, a little different than 105s (my first tour)
and 175s and 8” (my second 6 month tour)) so I thought
well, I’ll go with artillery also. I figured that if I
was to be in a war that I did not want to be a ground
soldier, but I also did not want to totally miss the
experience.
Well…it turned out that I got more than I asked for, I
got the Ripcord experience!
I’ll just say that one of the most peaceful (yes,
peaceful) times of my life was on Ripcord one morning
when, apparently, I was the only one awake in the whole
AO, not a sound to be heard, not a shot, not a
helicopter, nothing, and I was sitting on top of a
bunker just looking out over (yes over) the clouds below
us all the way out to the South China Sea. I can still
see the moment, I can still feel the moment, it was pure
peace in the middle of pure hell.
And I’ll never forget the Chinook burning and settling
to the ground right over my gun and over my head. I’ll
never forget spending much of the rest of the day in a
foxhole/bunker in the 155 area listening to the Hill
blowing up. I involuntarily peed my pants in that bunker
(I’m not sure if I ever told anyone that before…). And I
remember leaving the Hill.
So I have left the Hill, but the Hill has not left me.
Have a good day Frank.
Marc L. Aronson
|
|
7/22/11 |
Bob Smoker
C/2-506
bobsmoker1@gmail.com |
I always knew Ripcord
was big in my life but had no idea just how big it
really was. Then sometime in the 90’s I came to this
realization: “Hardly a day goes by that something
doesn’t remind me of Vietnam. It could be a smell,
sound, sight, or even being in the woods at dusk during
a rainstorm.” Not all memories were bad, but most
related to Ripcord. Then in the late 90’s my wife
attended a quilting evaluation in Maryland and overheard
a couple guys talk about the 101st and one mentioned
Ripcord. I had previously told her enough about it that
she knew she had to check into it. That “chance”
encounter connected me to the Ripcord Association and
opened the door to many fine friends and greater
knowledge of what we all experienced. No wonder Ripcord
was big I my life – it was totally huge in many! Then
in 2002 I returned to Viet Nam. A few das after I came
home it hit me – “Hardly a day goes by that something
doesn’t remind me of Viet Nam, only now it is entirely
different. Now it is new scenes and new experiences
that I remember.” I have since come to know that new
experiences replace old memories. Not that I have
forgotten the old, but that they are no longer the
foremost. Also, they no longer have the same effect on
me that they did at one time. It is possible to recall
and recount the old memories without reliving them.
|
|
7/22/11 |
Tim Joliet
solarnapper@hotmail.com
A/2-506 |
I was the Bdge. Headquarters Company XO
on the 23rd. Alpha's first sgt. used to keep me up to
date on how Alpha was doing and especially the 1st
platoon. Among my responsibilites was running the
Brigade Supply and Property books. When the company
needed something they couldn't get, Top gave me a call
and I got what he needed. I got a call from him when
the medivacs were inbound with the wounded from Alpha.
I met them at the LZ and helped to off load the
wounded. It broke my heart. So many guys i knew so
well, so badly injured. That day and the day Bobby
Young, Chris Daffler and Charlie Steffler were killed
were two of the worst days of my life. They haunt me to
this day.
God bless you all and especialy Delta for their
courageous rescue of Alpha.
Curahee!
Tim Joliet
|
|
7/22/11 |
Eugene J Toni
Commander,
MOPH #353
www.purpleheart353.com/
|
I was with the 1st of the
327th in 1970. Awarded a bronze star w/"V" for Valor in
May 1970 and Purple Heart in Oct 1970.
We stood by and had to watch
our brothers-in-arms go down the tubes. I can say with
certainty we all stood by to die, if necessary, to come
to the rescue. The leadership of the 101st Abn should be
court marshalled for setting up Firebase Ripcord, the
abandoning them because they didn't want the body count
to get too high because of political reasons.
After Ripcord and the
leadership of the 101st's actions, it was clear to me as
an NCOIC of a Sniper Team and Recon team that, if they
could write off a whole Firebase, then the 5 of us would
be left to be hung out to dry.
I applaud and admire the
heroic stance by those put in harms way in a fire base
in the ASHUA Valley, then when the NVA came down on the
ill conceived to be lower than the surrounding
mountains, fire base, so they could take direct fire
from NVA machine guns, leadership let you guys down.
It has given me nightmares
for years. A good friend of mine Neal, was transferred
from Alpha Company 1st/327th the to the 2nd/502nd and
bleed out. This was a dark stain on the 101st ABN, not
on those who gallantly fought for their lives and those
of their buddies. Why after going into cambodia in May
1970 was the government loosing its gut to go after the
NVA when we had them where we wanted them. Surely the
Battalions like the 1st of the 327th and others could
have been brought in the fight the NVA.
I just wanted to voice my
dismay. For years because it was secret I thought I was
hallucidating about RipCord but I will always remember
the morning the B-52s bombed it into smithereens.
OBTW I lost both my legs to a
land mine in Oct 1970 and the two websights may be of
interest to you.
Sgt Eugene J Toni, 1st/327th
101st ABN
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE1DE1F3FF932A25751C0A967958260
http://www.vietnamwall.org/files/memorial.pdf
|
|
7/22/11 |
TIM NEWMAN
A/2/506TH
tnewman101airborne@verizon.net |
FRANK I
CAN'T BELIVE IT'S 41 YEARS AGO TODAY THAT WE WENT TO
HELL AND CAME BACK..
PROUD TO HAVE
SERVED WITH YOU AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF ALPHA COMPANY AND
IN THE 2/506.
PASS ON TO ALL
THE MEMBERS.
CURRAHEE
!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
7/22/11 |
Frank Marshall
A/2-506
frankmarshall@ripcordassociation.com
|
Thanks to all Ripcord
veterans
July 22 nd was the worst for
me, I would like to thank all Alpha Company that was
there with me. If it was not for them, I would not be
here. They are all my Hero’s. especially Capt Chuck
Hawkins. Then on the 23 rd , how can I ever express my
thanks to Delta company for coming to our rescue.
Damn, I know everyone fought
good and hard thru the Battle of Ripcord and there are
so many to thank for what they done, from our company
clerks who kept us supplied and gave us our mail from
home ( they deserve a lot of thanks) to the helicopter
pilots, the artillery support, etc . We were all there,
and we live with it every day.
I am just glad that you were
there to get me the heck out of there.
Thanks
|
|
|
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|
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6/14/11 |
Walter L. Smith
HHB 2/319th Arty
wsmith99@bellsouth.net |
I recently viewed your web site
and would like to join the association. I was not on
Ripcord during the 1 - 23 Jul period, however, I was
there prior to and after the siege. The "after" was a
very brief trip to verify no usable crypto or related
material remained in the B Battery TOC. After examining
the interior of the charred TOC, I certified everything
was totally destroyed.
|
|
5/31/11 |
David Glen Weir (TEX)
B/Btry/2/319 Arty
cannoncocker-19@hotmail.com |
I Changed my adress, Hope to get
some mail from the ones who knew me.
My bunch made up of Peach-David
Bratcher. TODD guillick. WILLIE MIZE. ronnie Bowling
(air born) Todd Guillick Turner,Arizanitz. And so many
more. There was Eddie Fox. Cookieman dont know his real
name..My mind went blank. God Bless each and everyone
and yours. God Bless& Thanks for fighting for this great
country.
TEX |
|
5/1911 |
Michael Dean Joseph Alioto
bravo 1st 501st
mdalioto@gmail.com
|
shot down on huey leaving fsb
gladiator while trying to support ripcord most were
injured, i may have been the only one not injured. ammo
bearer and medic went home. never heard status of door
gunners or pilots. i carried a 60 at that time. we were
first bird into lz. could not get second bird in for
quite some time. was not a regular prayer but did quite
a bit that day. never realized how many nva in area
until years later. glad i did`t know then. |
|
5/13/11 |
Lou Kauhane Nakapalau
C/158th Avn Bn
lounakapalau@yahoo.com
|
I was initially assigned as an
RTO with the 4/77th ARA. My LT and I did time on ripcord
prior to its evac. Then I transferred over as a
doorgunner and got to do the evac. Later we dusted it
with CS.
|
|
5/11/11 |
James Nolan Rachel
HHC/2-506 A/2-506
jim@rkcpas.net |
I had a platoon in A/2/506 until
late 1969. LTC Crowell moved me to the BN S-4 until my
departure in June, 1970. Many trips from Camp Evans to
Ripcord from March to June, 1970. I just found this
website....brings back many memories..some very
good...some not so good.
Thanks for still being here.
Jim Rachel
|
|
5/7/11 |
Curt Rodney Taylor
C 1/506
akjt@verizon.net |
Forward Observer assigned to
Company C 1/506 Infantry from Battery A 2/319 Artillery.
Called in artillery and air strikes during the FB
Ripcord action. |
|
3/27/11 |
Johhny Carr
johnnycarr1972@live.com
D/2-506 |
i was on firebase ripcord fought
there and was decorated for action there.i am proud and
very humbled to after all these years to see we weren't
forgotten and all our blood,sweat,and tears were not in
vain.i am proud to have served with such brave men,and i
have not and will not ever forget my comrades in arms
there.may god bless each and everyone of you.
|
|
3/27/11 |
Jeffrey F. Pierce
HHC 2/506
jeffpierce@thisweeksf.com |
I was the battalion PIO during
the time Ripcord was in operation and was with a platoon
from B company 2/506th when they landed on a hot LZ to
secure the hill for the construction of the FSB in March
1970. At the request of LTC Andre Lucas I spent many
days on Ripcord and was fortunate and humbled to spend
time with those of the battalion who served both on the
FSB and in the jungle below the hill in support of that
operation.
|
|
3/27/11 |
Les Elliot
C 101 Avn Bn /Blackwidows
les@comnett.net |
I was part of the extraction
efforts during that week. We went through two aircraft
during 28 hours of flying and we (my crew) were the
lucky ones. God bless you guys on the ground!!! |
|
3/27/11 |
Ray A. Rigsby
163rd AVN CO.
101st Airborne Div
rayrigsby950@verizon.net
|
Just looking for people that
have been there done that. Anyone that was with the
163rd Avn Co. here I would like to say hello and welcome
home to all. |
|
3/1/11 |
Lynwood (Lyn)Hargrave
S2/2/501st
Lhargrave2@aol.com |
I was a Platoon Leader with
Charlie and Alpha Company, 2/501st (Fire Base
Henderson)where we were almost over ran; lost many packs
on that hill);did Special ops work as an MTT Team
Leader. Got hit in the chest couldn't carry a ruck.
Pomoted me to S2; first assignment was FB Ripcord. Still
had stitches in my chest. Medic took them out. On last
day when we got over run. I took off in my Loch for
recon and immediately got hit by green tracers. Did
recon around Ripcord trying to determine to bring Arty
in; Cobras; air attack (which we had done so many times
on the hill the kooks had next to us),or call for a
total evac. Which is what I did after watching the Hook
get shot down over the ammo dump. I cried because I felt
so helpless; the gooks were all over the FB. For the
first time in my tour, we had to leave some of our dead
on that Fking hill. I throw up for days. Thanks for this
wonderful website. A friend, I havenn't heard from,
since Nam brought it to my attention. Thank you!
Airborne!
|
|
2/10/11 |
Ashlyn Brandenburg
ab23695@eanesisd.netab23695@eanesisd.net
|
Hi, Mr. Marshall. My name is
Ashlyn Brandenburg and I'm a junior at Westlake High
School in Austin, TX. This email was also sent to my
English teacher, Rebecca Stucky. Every year, the junior
AP English classes read "The Things They Carried" by Tim
O'Brien and do a project involving the Vietnam Memorial
Wall. Each student is assigned a Vietnam soldier whose
name is on the wall and creates a virtual contribution
to him in the form of a video/slideshow. You can find
students' projects from the previous years here:
http://www4.eanesisd.net/~vietnam/
I have been assigned Sgt. Mark
Gregory Draper and I used
www.virtualwall.org to locate his memorial online. I
sent an email to the contact left on his memorial page
there. I wanted to find as much information as possible
about Sgt. Draper, so I Googled his name and got to the
Ripcord Association website where I found your comment
with his name included in it. I was wondering if you
could tell me anything about Sgt. Draper. Anything would
be helpful--stories, pictures--whatever you feel
comfortable sharing with me would be wonderful.
Thank you!
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|
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Steve Acton
Maddog Actons Dad
sactonusa@gmail.com
|
Frank
Was reading in my VFW magazine the article on FSB
Ripcord, remembered talking to some the guys at Week of
the Eagles when I was with the Pathfinders there in the
early 80's. Decided to look at it today with Acme
Mapper. Not sure of it accuracy. You can zoom out (see
Hue) play with the Topo. You guys would know better
than I. Looks like the jungle has claimed most of it
back (if it is the right location) http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=16.445972,107.191111&z=15&t=H&marker0=16.445972,107.191111,FSB%20Ripcord
You guys were all my Sergeants and heroes when I joined
the Army in 79 and built the Army I served in for 20
years and that my Son and Daughter serve in today.
Please let me know if the link is accurate?
God Bless
Steve Acton
Maddog Actons Dad
|
|
|
Ken Mayberry
"Phoenix 50"
kensue@neb.rr.com
|
Please, I am sure someone
can help!
Frank last fall I sent you a request to locate some
troopers that were wounded during the evac. You
published it for me in the RC Report. I'm sorry to
report I have heard nothing. I guess I had this episode
built up to be bigger that it aparently was.
I
figure these guys are not part of your assn, they have
died or they just don't care. Having been around a lot
of VN Vets it is very surprising to me.
Any way thankyou for publishing my story for me. We
tried.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<>}+++++++++++++++++++++{<>
~~~~~~~~Ken Mayberry
----------------"Phoenix 50"
~~~~~~~~C/158 101 ABN
-------------70-71 Camp Evans
~~~~~~~~69-25 Tan Hats
<LIFER>VHPA/VFW/DAV/101ABN<LIFER>
|
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Bruce Whipple
E 2/506
www.whipstour@yahoo.com
|
visit my website at
www.whipstour@yahoo.com. all pictures from my tour
including ripcord. articles and equipment from that era.
we travel to veterans events and fundraisers and high
schools in michigsn to educate and keep our brothers
memories alive. curahee whip
Bruce Whipple
|
|
|
Ross Donnell
Sensor Plt
rossdonnellsma@hotmail.com
|
The Sensor Platoon was a 26 man unit out of Division. It
was broken up into 2 and 3 man teams that were placed in
strategic locations throughout the Division AO. I
operated with most of the Division Battalions during my
tour. I was wounded during the fight for FB Granite on
April 29th, 1970. After a month in the hospital at Cam
Ranh, I was reassigned to FB Birmingham. We had a Sensor
team on Ripcord during most of intense fighting.
I did not realize one could become a member of the
Ripcord Association without having been assigned to the
actual AO. I look forward to belonging.
Ross Donnell |
|
|
Pete Skells
pskells3@cfl.rr.com
|
To all
Addresses, I salute you.
I am a
classmate of Thomas J. Brennan, West Point '69, and I'm taking the lead
on writing his memorial article for a graduate publication called
TAPS. Personnel records center info shows Tom Brennan was XO,
B Battery, 2-319 FA, from 6 July to 12 Nov, 1970, so he would have been
1LT Brennan at the time of the attack on and evacuation of FSB Ripcord,
July '70.
I'm trying to
confirm if he was actually on FSB Ripcord at the time. I know he
was awarded the Silver Star, and his wife is checking to see if she can
locate the citation, but right now I don't know if he was awarded that
or something else for Ripcord. He was an FO for six months (in the
A Shau Valley??) prior to being an XO, and he was also awarded the
Bronze Star w/3 OLC and V device, plus the Purple Heart, so I'm trying
to piece it all together. If any of you recall 1LT Thomas J.
Brennan, I would appreciate so very much if you could share with me what
you remember about him. My contact info is below.
FYI-Tom did a
second tour in Vietnam with MACV in the Delta, and left the service in
'74, later becoming an anesthesiologist. He died in Vero Beach,
FL, in July 2003, so honoring him is long overdue.
I am amazed so
many of you guys are still around, particularly after going thru such
deep doo-doo. (I was in 3rd Bde, 101st the next year, but it was
quiet compared to what you guys saw.) Again, I salute you, and any
info on Tom would be great.
Pete Skells
pskells3@cfl.rr.com
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|
|
Arthur Samel
Avram911@aol.com |
My name is Arthur Samel. I
am a 25 year old male in a wheelchair with Muscular
Dystrophy. I live in the Philadelphia area. I would
really appreciate any signed military memorabilia that
you could send me.
Thank you very much.
Arthur Samel
Avram911@aol.com |
|
|
Roger Newland
A/ 2/ 506
roger19681950@hotmail.com
|
Would like
to to hear from other brothers, on what happened July 23 ,I was
seriously wouned and don't really know or understand ! All information
would be app.
Roger Newland
A/ 2/ 506
roger19681950@hotmail.com |
|
|
Bob Worrall
bob@thewoodagency.com
|
The attached YouTube link is sent to you for possible
posting to your websites or other distribution to the membership of your
fine veteran organizations (both of which I am proud to be a member of.
I received this
YouTube clip of a song originally written by Virginia Briner 42 years
ago during Vietnam, but sung by Shavonne in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3ldTeDVLZs
Bob Worrall
bob@thewoodagency.com
|
|
|
Phillip Schneider
philsch505@yahoo.com |
I just came
across the website and was very happy to see it.I was a RTO with
headquaters and left the base around the 1st of July to move FSB
O'Reilly and then back to Evans. I have had mixed feelings all these
years about leaving the base just as the heavy shelling started. I would
really appreciate hearing from Gary Watrous as I carried the radio for
him in Recon before we were on Ripcord with headquarters.
Phillip Schneider
philsch505@yahoo.com
|
|
|
Chaplin, Marty
former
medic. 2/506 inf |
40th year reunion Huey Heli
taking off in parking lot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcQVSXdROC4
Hope you like it frank, maybe
you could use it on the website. I took it on my camera when I was at
fort worth.
Chaplin, Marty former
medic. 2/506 inf
|
|
|
Katherine Smith
acecopsmith@yahoo.com
|
Search request from new Member
I believe my father served at FB Ripcord from 1969 -
1970. He was with Company A, 501st Signal
Battalion. I found a letter of appreciation to
him from Cpt. Robert E. Gray. My father passed
away in 2005 and have recently received his military
records, etc. Guess I'm just hoping that someone on
here knew him. He spoke very little of his
experience in Vietnam.
Katherine Smith
acecopsmith@yahoo.com |
|
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DONALD KIEFER
oberbee@usa.net
A/2-506
|
Frank,
Most of my family and friends know I prefer to avoid
anything about Viet Nam, but one day, as I was
perusing the bargain books and one of the bookstores
I frequent, I happened to pick up a copy of
"Airborne in Viet Nam." For unknown reason it
intrigued me and the price was right so I bought it.
After some reading of bits and pieces of the book I
happened across three paragraphs about the siege of
Ripcord.
This was the first indication, since I had returned,
that someone other than myself had ever heard of
Ripcord. I must have read those three paragraphs
dozens of times. Because of the lack of knowledge of
the siege I thought it was a typical event for
grunts and all my hangups were nothing more than
irrational hangups. Those three paragraphs gave my
first validation of my experience. It was two or
three months before I realized that if it was in one
book it would be in others. I began searching the
web for more books and it wasn't long before I found
http://ripcordassociation.com.
I was one of the cherries sent out to A Co. on the
last resupply. On the 22nd I was in the point
platoon when we moved out. An AK round hit me
in the arm during the first few minutes of the
battle and things went downhill from there. Later,
in the hospital, I couldn't believe anyone could
possibly live through and entire tour.
Oddly, the 23rd was my remembrance day rather than
the 22nd. That was when I got to see another day;
the day I counted our dead; and the day Delta came
to get us out of the hellhole. For years I lit
a candle on the 23rd to remember those fallen
soldiers.
After forty years of trying to forget all that I
came across this website and it was like coming
home. Now it's OK to remember. Thanks to all
of you.
On another note, while I don't have any pictures of
Ripcord, I have attached one that I think everyone
will remember.
Best regards,
Don
DONALD KIEFER
[oberbee@usa.net]
A/2-506
|
|
|
|
|
|
7/23/10 |
Martin j Glennon
A/2506
mmjg92649@aol.com |
God
Bless YOU frank Martin j Glennon
2nd plt medic
A/2506 2nd plt fmr now Chpln V V A 905 indiana
|
|
7/22/10 |
Jack Flaherty
Platoon Leader D/2-506
jflaherty@montroseschool.org |
Hello Frank,
Thank you for gracious
comments to the members of Alpha and Delta companies.
It is hard to believe that it has been 40 years.
Sometimes it seems like it was yesterday and other times
a million years ago.
After all these years I can
still remember how impressed I was with the guys from
Alpha company. They had really taken a beating but
there was no quit in them. I was also extremely
impressed with the guys from Delta company. Landing on
that LZ at first light and making the mad dash to get to
Chuck Hawkins and his men was really hairy. Every man
did his job without complaint or hesitation. I remember
that day as if it were yesterday and proud everyday that
I was privileged to have served with them. God bless
them all.
Jack Flaherty
Platoon Leader D/2-506
|
|
7/22/10 |
Timothy Newman
A 2/506
tnewman101airborne@verizon.net |
FRANK THANKS FOR THE E-MAIL IT
MEANS ALOT TO ME. WORDS NEVER TRUER A DAY WE WILL NEVER
FORGET
THANKS TO ALL THAT SERVED. I'D GO
TO HELL AGAIN WITH GUYS LOVE YOU ALL
CURRAHEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
7/22/10 |
Bill Heath
A 2/506 and HHC. |
|
It is hard to
believe that Chip Collins and I first talked
about this newsletter 25 years ago. He would be
proud of where his idea and hard work led so
many of us. When July 21st comes around each
year, I always remember that day for three
events. Chip's first official newsletter, my
brother's birthday and the night I landed on FSB
Ripcord, after three attempts, for the last
time. On July 21, 1970, I said a silent prayer
asking not to die that day because my parents
would always remember that day and it would
spoil my younger brother's birthday in the
future. Once again, Thank You. I left the base
in the closing minutes of it's evacuation,
having witnessed the loss of our commanding
officers. Chuck Hawkins writes about a fallen
ARVN soldier, SFC Pham Uam Long. Having served
in Alpha 2/506, and having a Kit Carson Scout
named Tran Du, I remember SFC Pham Uam Long. We
had talked many times as I tried to improve my
Vietnamese and I remember he had a sibling that
needed an operation that he was saving his
paycheck to pay for it. I always hoped that the
operation was a success.
July 1986 was also my special edition newsletter
and introduced a new letterhead title sheet that
was used by all of us through July 1992. I was there
for the first reunion in Whippany, NJ 1986, the
1987 Washington D.C. trip to the wall (my first
time), the 1995 Golden, Co. (Coors Beer) reunion
and finally the 1996 Fredericksburg, VA (capitol
of the South) reunion and golf event. What fun
times with great men telling wonderful stories
and tall tales. This years event should not be
missed by ANY Ripcord individual. It's our 40th
anniversary! Come visit with your Currahee
brothers and have a joyful time, plus honor the
memory of those that have gone before us. So, for this 21 July
2010, Thank You for your service, for being
there when we needed one another, may God bless
you and your loved ones. Hope to see you at the
40th reunion. Currahee. Bill Heath A 2/506
and HHC. |
|
|
7/22/10 |
Chuck
Hawkins
“Charlie Oscar,” A/2-506
hero_library@msn.com
|
It is
difficult to realize how forty years have gone past so
quickly, and yet here we are, we fortunate few. God
bless us, and God bless those who fell at Ripcord in
freedom’s cause.
You and
others will also recall SFC Pham Uam Long, Army of the
Republic of Vietnam, who served with Alpha Company as an
interpreter along with other duties. He was with your
platoon – first platoon under Bill Pahissa – and he also
died from enemy fire on July 22, 1970. I just don’t want
to forget him either. He fought for his country’s
freedom, but his country no longer exists.
America
still exists. We are a strong nation thanks to the valor
and service of our veterans. Soldiers today – soldiers
of the 101st who have served in many wars
since Vietnam – draw many lessons from our courage and
experience in Vietnam. When I speak to these younger men
I see images of us when we were young like them. We, all
of us, gave more to the future of American security, and
the pride and professionalism of our military than we
can possibly realize. The United States has been well
served by its Vietnam veterans and we should all take
both solace and pride in that fact.
I was
with Captain Gabe Rollison, Delta Company commander,
three weeks before he passed on of cancer in 2000. Gabe
Rollison was one of my heroes in Vietnam, and he
remained a heroic figure throughout his life. All you
men of Delta Company should know that he thought of you
until his dying day, he loved you, he cherished your
service and courage. And Rollison never lost his sense
of perspective and of what was right. I walked with him
down the hospital hall, arm in arm, shoulder to
shoulder, dragging his IV drip on a four-wheel stand. We
called the device “R2D2” from Star Wars. We looked out
the window at the sunshine and blue sky. “Hawk,” he said
to me, “we brought scunion on their ass. And we’d do it
again.” He was talking about Ripcord, about coming to
the rescue of Alpha Company, and about all of you. All I
could do was hold his hand, nod my head, and utter,
“Thank you.”
I tell
you now – members of Alpha and Delta and all Currahees –
thank you! Thank you for remembering those who fell.
Thanks for being who you are today. Thanks for your
courage and service then.
I would
go down into that valley again with you. I could not
have had better men to serve with, not then, and not
now. You all are truly the “Best of the Currahees.”
Be of
good cheer… courage… Peace be with you.
Chuck
Hawkins
“Charlie Oscar,” A/2-506
|
|
7/22/10 |
Earl Kennedy-National
CO Combat
Infantrymens
Association-
www.cibassoc.com |
Dear Frank and all of you excellent Currahees-I was in
D/2nd/506th in 71 and 72 before the unit stood down.It
was always a point of conversation about all of you
Ripcord heroes as we traversed your old jungle
trails.Those of us who filled in after you never forgot.
Thank You and God Bless each of you and your
families-Earl Kennedy-National CO Combat Infantrymens
Association-www.cibassoc.com
|
|
7/22/10 |
Dave Fawver
dsfawver@comcast.net
D 2/506 |
I appreciate so much the connection I have with you and
all the guys from Alpha and Delta Company. To have gone
through what we did together is something that we all
realize we will have with us for the rest of our lives.
I think for many of us it is the same, we remember most
of it in such a vivid way, like it just happened
yesterday, including remembering the sounds and smell.
I have played those events over and over in my mind, I
have no idea how many times now. Blowing that LZ in
those crazy tall trees. Stacking tree trunks up
toggether to make a landing pad. Watching those
helecopter pilots manuever their chopper down through
the trees to the landing pad. All the while we are
taking fire. Getting small groups of guys to the landing
pad to put them on the chopper and then watching the
pilot maneuver the chopper back up through the trees and
then taking off, with the next chopper coming right in
behind it. I could go on and on, what a time that was
for all of us. Telling the story to others looses so
much of what being there was really like. But we know.
And we all know.
Dave Fawver
|
|
7/22/10 |
Floyd Alexander
ripcord@gtec.com
A 2/506 |
We are
so lucky to survive that hell hole, I was so lucky to
serve with such good guys. GOD bless you all,
Floyd
Alexander
|
|
7/22/10 |
Bruce McCorkle
bwmccorkle@gmail.com
D 2/506 |
Thank you, Frank, for being such a
big part in bringing us all together and getting the
story told. I'll never forget walking into your NDP
when we came to get you. Hawkins had a handerchief tied
around his neck and you all looked liked you'd been
through hell and back.
I have a tremdous amount of
respect for all of you guys from Alpha...for what you
did...and how well you "fought the fight".
May you "live long and prosper"!
May we always remember those of
our fellow soldiers who did not survive.
Bruce McCorkle
Rollison's RTO
|
|
7/22/10 |
Ron Janezic
ronjanezic@hotmail.com
A 2/506 |
Very well said Frank, maybe u could do 14 shots of milk
today to keep the string going. Ron |
|
7/22/10 |
Tim Joliet
solarnapper@hotmail.com
A 2/506 |
Currahee Frank. Well said. Forty years ago but just
yesterday. I wasn't with the company by then, but Top
called me and told me about the fight. I went to the
medivac pad and helped unload the wounded. It broke my
heart. I've never forgotten that day. God bless
everyone who lived through that nightmare.
Tim Joliet |
|
7/22/10 |
Frank Marshall
frank@ripcordassociation.com
A 2/506 |
I am sending this
e-mail to all the members of Alpha and Delta company
that I have e-mails for. Some of you were out in the
field with us and others gave us the support we needed
in one way or another.
July 22nd
was a day I will never forget. I was never so scared in
my life as that day. (that does not mean I wasn’t scared
during the other incidents of Ripcord) I just want to
send a thanks to all of you in Alpha that could still
control the situation to get me the hell off that hill.
From Capt Hawkins and his radio man controlling the fire
power to Webster and the guys that continued going up
the hill, and everyone else that did what they had to
do. I will never forget you.
I also extend a whole
heartedly thank you to Delta company for coming to our
rescue on July 23rd. Damn, that took balls! I
always hear about other stories of the Vietnam War, but
I cannot compare them to the brave soldiers that fought
during Ripcord. Without you guys, I would not be here to
thank you.
For many years, and a
lot of you know this, I used to sit in a bar on the 22nd
of July and drink 14 shots for those we lost that day. I
can’t do that anymore but I still remember. We get older
and some things in our memory start to fail, but I
remember that as if it was yesterday.
I love all you guys,
and wish you the best.
BABICH
JOHN MICHAEL
CPL
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
BIXBY
VIRGIL MARTIN
CPL
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
BROWN
ROBERT JOSEPH JR
CPL
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
DIEHL
STANLEY GENE
SSG
7/22/1970
D Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
DRAPER
MARK GREGORY
SGT
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
FRIES
DANNY JOE
CPL
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
JOURNELL
ROBERT MASON III
SP4
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
KRECKEL
JOHN WILLIAM
SSG
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
OLSON
STEVEN ALLAN
2LT
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
PAHISSA
WILLIAM ANTHONY
1LT
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
SCHULTZ
THOMAS RUSSELL
SGT
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
SEVERSON
DONALD JON
SP4
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
SINGLETON
GERALD BLAINE
SSG
7/22/1970
A Co
2nd Bn
506th Inf
LONG PHAM UAM
SFC
7/22/1970 Army of the
Republic of Vietnam
|
|
7/21/10 |
Larry King
king.larry4771@yahoo.com. |
. i am trying to find out if anyone in the association
was in co. d, 2/506th on july 21, 1970. co. d wa sent in
to help a company from the 501st i beleive. i along with
marc skinner was on the first two helicopters to come in
on the hot lz. a
bunker was knocked out and a 51. cal machinegun was
captured. i was point and a guy named "snake" was my
slack man when we moved off the lz . unfortunately snake
stepped
on a mine or booby trap and lost his right leg below the
knee. i took a lot of the schrapnel in my backpack and
a piece got me in the buttocks. a guy that carried the
m60 was hit in his hairline also. we finally eached the
company where cpt. rollison called in an airstrike to
take out a mortar position within a few hundred yards.
if there is anyone out there who remembers this event
please contact me.
king.larry4771@yahoo.com.
|
|
7/19/10 |
George & Mary Murphy
B2/320th Arty. 101st
Airborne
|
In Search Of:
We are now trying to contact veterans
who were written about in Keith Nolan's other books
in hopes that they may join us in our goal to
provide his daughter with a college education.
For more information, send us an e-mail at
brittfund@ripcordassociation.com.
Please let us know if you can help us
contact these veterans.
The address where
donations may be sent for the trust fund is:
Anna Britt Nolan
Trust
c/o First Bank
6211 Mid Rivers Mall
Drive
Saint Charles, MO
63304-1102
Sincerely,
George & Mary Murphy
B2/320th Arty. 101st
Airborne
|
|
7/19/10 |
Joe Harber
joeharber@aol.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/joeharber |
It was 40 years ago tomorrow, July 2, that our brother Steve Harber
was killed in Vietnam during the opening days of the
Battle of Ripcord, one of the last major battles of
the war. I've put together a tribute page on
Facebook to honor his life and his legacy.
Go to:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sgt-Stephen-J-Harber-Memorial-Page/127622923929178?ref=sgm
You might have to join Facebook to see it, if you
are not a member.
You can add your own thoughts, a tribute, photos or
whatever on the site.
I hope you will visit it when you get a chance. And
tell others about it. May we never forget.
God bless,
Joe Harber
joeharber@aol.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/joeharber |
|
6/25/10
New Member |
David Yonts
A/2-506
dyonts1@yahoo.com |
WAS GOING TO BE SEND OUT TO A-CO
BUT THEY WERE UNDER FIRE SO I WAS DROPPED ON RIPCORD,WAS
THEIR FOR 14 DAYS
|
|
6/25/10
New Member
|
Ronald G Ciocci
326th Enginneers
Roncpinto@aol.com |
Is there
an official list of soldiers who were on ripcord ... an
official list of engineers that were on the firebase? |
|
6/20/10
New
Member |
Armando (Mondo) Galindo
C- Co-2/501st,
titanmondo@aol.com
|
To whom it may concern;
6/20/10
I was a pointman, with the Geronimo's,C-
Co-2/501st, 101st Airborne Division Airmobile, during
the battles of Operation Texas Star, Firebase's,
Gladiator,Granite, & Ripocord, and saw the build up of
the NVA before & after the withdrawal & return. The
surrounding hills 902-Re-up Hill, Hill 805,trails
etc,.... See attachment; I was there & survivor. What
has been lost in translation of what happened during
those battles.We were attached with 2/506, and remember
LTC.Lucas, working out every day on Ripcord. I pretty
much blocked out, what happened during those battles,
after returning home August 8,1970, tour completed. But,
in the last 3 years its all coming back as if it was 40
years ago.I am proactive in my experiences in battle,
and remind our grunts what we faced, having walked that
path, and advice those grunts who are in harms way as I
write. Those who we lost during those battles will
always remain on the wall. We returned after your
withdrawal, of Ripcord too Hill 902. I volunteered
along with another grunt on a forward observation post,
we would take 4 hour watches. When we finally left, I
was on the last bird out. I salute your site and all
those who are still with us & welcome home.
Mondo,
titanmondo@aol.com
|
|
6/7/10
New Member |
William (Bill) Rose
A/2-506
lostowl@sbcglobal.net |
New Member (Bill joined us at the Wash DC gathering) |
|
5/24/10
New Member |
NICHOLAS A. FOTIAS
PATHFINDER
NFOTIAS@AOL.COM |
THANKS MILKMAN FOR HOOKING ME UP WITH
THIS SIGHT. GREEK OUT !
|
|
5/24/10
New Member |
Bruce Wayne Brady
A2/506
kkruger309@aol.com |
I was RTO for Lt. Noll and was wounded
7/13/70 on hill 805. I was unaware of the organization
until I did Google search after watching a program on
the National Geographic channel 5/23/10 on Ripcord. |
|
5/23/10
New Member |
Charles H. Krause, Jr
A
Co. 158th ABN,
101st Airborne
rotohead@charter.net |
One of many pilots out of Camp Evans that
participated and for me I came into my own as a Aircraft
Commander of a UH-1H in July 1970. It changed my life
forever. I am honored to be apart of the Ripcord family.
Chuck Krause, Reno, NV
|
|
5/23/10 |
Jerry Rodgers
Dustoff
94 (70-71)
Eagle Dustoff,
326th Med Bn
rodgersjd@earthlink.net |
Thanks for
a wonderful issue (# 82, Spring 2010). I especially
liked Lee's article which, in just a few paragraphs,
describes a well as any essay I've seen the various
relationships,perspectives, and indeed misgivings held
at different levels of the chain of command during
combat. It was very well written and meaningful. Keep
up the good work on behalf of the Ripcord Association. |
|
5/30/10 |
Don Kennett
C Company 101st AHB (Blackwidows)
in 69-70
[kennettdm@roadrunner.com] |
, I served with C Company 101st
AHB (Blackwidows) in 69-70. I was a gunner, then a
crewchief (SP/5). I remember July 23, 1970 very
clearly. After about our third sortie during the
extraction of the firebase, my aircraft commander’s feet
were getting numb, and ask me what I thought. I told
him that I didn’t feel a thing (besides, my gunner and I
were kind of busy returning fire to be able to feel our
feet). I finally put my feet on the floor and found out
that there was a serious vibration. I told him after
the “Next” sortie out of the firebase (Ripcord), once we
drop the troops off, we need to shut-down. It is a good
thing that we did, I found an AK-47 round when through
the tailboom and shattered a bolt that would of caused
our tailrotor to fail very soon. End of story, shot
down at Ripcord.
God Bless All Veterans and God Bless my
brothers in Battle!
|
|
New Member
5/13/10 |
Joe Amenita
2nd 319th 1971
Jolocal507@aol.com |
I was attached to B Battery 2/319th Nov, DEC 1971 . For
the life of me I cannot remember the name of the FSB. It
was a towed unit. Prior to that I was attached to 3rd
187th Inf a Recon unit. I remember the location fairly
well I think. A main road to our back, Mountain to the
front, A guy named Arlan Hunter and I made brief runs
into the mountain looking for Rocket stations. There was
also a Cemetery just off the base. We drank a lot back
then, I remember a few other interesting events but
forgot a lot. I would love to find out what the name of
the FSB was. I saw the picture of Floyd in the
Newsletter and he was in B 2nd 319th
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
Joe Amenita
|
|
New Member
5/13/10 |
Joseph Keller
D/158 Avn Bn
jfkeller100@aol.com |
Got my first DFC flying a Cobra at Ripcord . Call sign
during Ripcord was Redskin 12. Later when promoted to
CPT call sign was changed to Redskin 26 |
|
New Member
5/21/10 |
Sherman D Hansen
A/2-506
sdhdmh@msn.com |
I was only in the field for four days before we got
wiped out. A "cherry" would be an understatement. I
came in on a resupply drop.
Virgil Bixby befriended me right off. He showed me a
picture of his new daughter. A couple of days later he
was dead. I contacted he widow and brother in the
1990's when the internet took off. She never remarried
and his family remained devastated from his death.
It has been nearly forty years and I remember 22 July as
if it were yesterday. I was wounded in the arm and
fingers when we took the CP back and in the foot the
next morning. Personally, I don't know if anyone would
have survived if not for Cpt. Hawkins.
|
|
New Member
4/21/10 |
Deborah Kuennen
Sister-in-law of
Ripcord veteran John Kuennen
|
I just learned a little bit
about Ripcord from my brother-in-law, John Kuennen, who
fought there. I hope to learn more about his experiences
and about Ripcord in general. I look forward to reading
the past newsletters and hope to be able to obtain a
copy of the program by Oliver North shown on Fox. |
|
4/28/10 |
Hoa Nguyen
[antilles315@gmail.com] |
Frank:
Was reading about Firebase
Ripcord when I came across your article ... I'm not
sure how long ago you posted it...But here are the
lyrics from the song by Nail Michael Hagerty....I'll try
to find the mp3....(put the lyrics as an attachment so
you could print it separately)....
A Friend.......
William Krause
images\Firebase Ripcord lyrics.docx
|
|
|
1/27/10 |
Timothy Joliet
[tjoliet@fairfaxwater.org]
|
Someone spent a lot of time on this and it is truly
remarkable...........to all my fellow Vietnam Vets take
a look............................
Someone sent
me the link below which is a virtual wall of all those
lost during the Viet Nam war with the names, bio's and
other information on our lost comrades. It is a
very interesting link, and those who served in that
timeframe and lost friends or family can look them up on
this site. Pass it on to other veterans who you think
would like this.
First click on a state.......then when it opens
.........a name.......then it should show you a picture
of the person or at least his bio and medals......
http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm
|
|
4/26/10 |
William Baldwin
A/2-506
VFW 3962
[vfw3962@live.com] |
The VFW in Corinth, MS is sponsoring The Vietnam
traveling Memorial Wall coming to our area on Sept 1st
to the 7th of course this is an invitation to
all my brothers to come and see me. I have 15 acres of
woods you may sleep in, you’ll have to bring your own
poncho liner. YOU WILL CERTAINLY BE MY GUESTS. Any way I
wondered if the association would like to donate
anything to help us with this. I will be at the
gathering I’m going to call Freddy tonight just to screw
with him. I love you Frank and love to all my brothers.
CURRAHEE! BALDY. |
|
3/16/10 |
WBCAMPBELL
[WBCAMPBELL@HUGHES.NET] |
Hey,
I don't know any of these guys. Do you?
Tex |
|
|
New Member
4/21/10 |
walter "varge" petrowski
506th 11/70 - 7/72
jcskibby@yahoo.com |
i still feel sickend on the
abandonment of the montagnards, and how they were left
to be slaughterd, without our protection for being our
allies, i would like here others take on this matter! i
could speak more on the battle but anyone that was there
know what hell it was!allthough he wasn't at firebase
ripcord, any one else here serve under col. david h
hackworth?
|
|
New Member
4/14/10 |
Steve M Morehead
B/159th Avn Bn
stevemm2@earthlink.net |
I was involved in regular supply
missions for the weeks preceding the pullout. The main
pullout was a two day operation and we removed equipment
as well as troops. The second day, the 23rd, my Chinook
was shot down on top of Ripcord. Shortly after that a
picture made Stars and Stripes of the top of Ripcord in
which a flight helmet can be seen. It was my helmet and
if anyone has a good copy of that photo I would greatly
appreciate a copy.
|
|
New Member
4/14/10 |
Francis J. (Chuck) Theusch
chucktheusch@yahoo.com
Associate Member |
I have been inspired by the
story of J. Robert Kalsu, that took me to the Ripcord
story. As a Vietnam combat Veteran myself (Americal,
Quang Ngai, 69-70) I was unawares except by scuddlebud
of the extent of the Ripcord battle of that year. I now
travel back to Vietnam often and will be going near
Ripcord in a couple of weeks (10 May, 2010)where we will
be building a Library/Learning Center. |
|
New Member
4/9/10 |
Dale Cooper
C/2-506
currahee@avenuebb.com |
Was a 1st platoon member w/ Lt.
Wallace as platoon leader. Served w/Capt Hale & then
Capt. Vasquez. Flew off Ripcord 7/10/70 to deros.
Military records are under Norman D. Cooper. |
|
New Member
2/21/10 |
Al Hooper
Nova Scotia, Canada
rock.hound@ns.sympatico.ca
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
|
|
2/17/10 |
Bob Staranowicz
HQ 501st Signal
101st Airborne Division
Camp Eagle I Corps
1969-70
bobstar101@gmail.com |
Frank
Welcome Home
I served with HQ 501st Signal in 69-70. I was at Camp
Eagle when 2 of my friends from A 501str Signal were
killed on Ripcord. As time passed, their names passed
from my memory.
Is there any way to find out the names of these 2? I
believe that they were the only KIAs from a/501st Signal
in 1970.
Anything you can do to help would be appreciated.
|
|
New Member
2/16/10 |
Jimmy Dale Howton
101 pathfinders
howtonjd@yahoo.com |
Was with William "Hardcore" Kohr on the final (3) days
of Ripcord. Hardcore is one of the biographys you have
listed.
|
|
New Member
2/13/10 |
Glenn Hanson
2/11 arty
glenn.hanson@sbcglobal.net |
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
|
|
New Member
2/10/10 |
John Stoneburg
commanded
the 65th MP Company
(Airborne) at
Forward
Operating Base Kalsu
from Jan 2005 to Sep 2005
jhstoney673@yahoo.com
|
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
|
|
2/5/10 |
Raymond Hines
2nd Bn 319th Arty
hinesra@soc.mil
|
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.
|
|
New Member
2/4/10 |
Thomas Dale Prouty
tom@prouty.name
Associate member |
New Associate Member |
|
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 |
|
2/1/10 |
Harry C. Crawford
Recon 2/501
hcc1050@roadrunner.com |
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. |
|
New Member
1/30/10 |
Michael Jenkins
Associate Member |
Friend of James Williamson and
the Ripcord Association
|
|
1/27/09 |
Ben L.
Harrison
Commander
HHC 3rd BDE
101st
BHarr7232@aol.com |
Hi Frank--
Just visited the web site.
Super work with the new members. You have provided an
absolutely great service to our comrades with your web
site.
Thank you so very much! |
|
1/17/09 |
Dennis M. Mina
2/501 HHC (TOC)
icthusvacaville@msn.com |
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
|
|
New Member
1/9/09 |
Ronald C. Richtsmeier
D Co. 101st Avn Bn (Cobra)
ron737@satx.rr.com |
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.)
|
|
New Member
1/3/09
|
LAINE D DOTSON
A co 501 101st
laine.dotson@us.army.mil
|
A co 501 101st
Tour_From: OCT O5
Tour_To: APR 06
|
|
12/29/09 |
John A. Flaherty
D/2-506
jflaherty781@verizon.net |
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.
|
|
12/29/09 |
John P Georgiton
C/1-506
JGeorgiton@yahoo.com |
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.
|
|
New
Member
12/10/09 |
Brannon Johnson
101st AB Pathfinders
brann918@yahoo.com |
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
|
|
New
Member
11/29/09 |
Frank Babich |
Family of Babich from A/2-506 |
|
11/21/09 |
Rick Isom
A/2-506
Spouse Name: Michelle
mdisom@tds.net |
Rick died of pancreatic cancer on May 11,2007. I would
still like to receive information my email. Respectfully
submitted, Michelle Isom
|
|
New
Member
11/14/09 |
Benny D. Mulkey
"Milkman"
101st Airborne Airmobile
Pathfinders
ywtbdm@yahoo.com |
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" |
|
New
Member
11/5/09 |
Raymond Kenneth Hines
2nd Bn 319th Arty
hinesra@soc.mil |
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
|
|
10/27/09 |
John J Beadle Jr.
A-2-11 arty
jbeadle9@google.com |
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 |
|
New Member
10/21/09 |
Jim Joyce
Pathfinders, 101 Airborne Div
jimjoyce@earthlink.net |
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. |
|
New Member
10/11/09 |
Charles R Evans
326 engr company b
rickrrevans@yahoo.com |
landed on ripcord for supply drop, very happy to leave.
around 20th of July 1970 was on fsb Kathryn for a month
after that. |
|
New Member
10/9/09
|
Randy L. Parmley
C/2-506
randy.parmley@adelphia.net |
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. |
|
9/23/09 |
Terry A Stanger
A Co 159th ASHB
stangerta@yahoo.com |
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 |
|
New Member
9/9/09 |
Clark l Namias
c btry 2/319th fa
cnamias@comcast.net |
c brty 2nd bn 319th fa. camp Evans and all points north
to include alpha 1 on dmz
|
|
New Member
8/28/09
|
Ken Lilley
2-506
kalilley@msn.com |
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
|
|
New Member
8/28/09 |
Richard Stephan Bergquist
B Co. 158 Avn
rbergquist@mac.com |
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. |
|
New Member
8/25/09
|
Eddie Fox
ehf52 @aol.com |
|
|
New
Member
8/18/09 |
Larry Kenneth King
d 2/506
king.larry4771@yahoo.com |
|
|
New Member
8/15/09 |
Carl Wyrosdick, Jr.
B/2/506
cwyrosdick001@tampabay.rr.com |
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. |
|
New Member
7/27/09
|
Walter R. Juszczak
D/2-506
farmer64@hotmail.com |
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. |
|
New Member
7/23/09 |
Steven Matsumoto
A/206
matsumos@ohsu.edu |
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. |
|
7/20/09 |
Mary Smith Marlowe
maryarnp@aol.com
wife of John Marlowe |
|
|
New Member
7/15/09 |
Col Ricardo Ruiz
HHB 2/320th Field Artillery
(Balls of the Eagle)
rruizortiz@ruizfamily.net |
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. |
