Ripcord  Veterans  Biographies

Benjamin Harrison

HHC 3rd BDE

Frank Marshall

A/2-506

Bob Judd

B/2-506

Daniel Thompson

HHC/2-506

Gary Radford

D/2-506

James Aanonsen

A/2-506

Tommy Counts

D/2-506

Martin Glennon

A/2-506

Barry Mishler

B & E /2-506

Floyd Alexander

FO's RTO

Bill Kohr

Pathfinder

Lee Widjeskog

A/2-506

Tim Joliet

A/2-506

James McCoy

D/1-506

Charles F Hawkins A & C & HHC/2/506

Fred Spaulding

3rd BDE S3 AIR

     This Page was last modified on   08/14/2010

Charles Farring Hawkins, C Co., A Co., and HHC, 2/506

AKA: Chuck, Hawk, Charlie Oscar, Nanook of the North, Dumb___, and a few other choice expletives.

In China I am called Hua Qin-si (Hawkins), after a well-known Confucian era Kung-fu master. But that’s another story.

If you Google “Charles F. Hawkins” you will most often come up with a guy at the University of New Mexico with a Ph.D. in electronic engineering. That’s not me.

I was raised in the great state of Alaska, and while some folks joke that I was “born in the belly of a moose,” I was actually born of fairly normal humans in Carmel, California on August 1, 1946.

My father, James Edgar, mustered out of service with the 10^th Mountain Division in World War II at Fort Ord, California. Mother, Mary Teresa Reinheimer, left a teaching position at State College, Pennsylvania to join Dad on the left coast.

Both parents were schoolteachers and in 1950 accepted a federal teaching assignment in Ninilchik, Alaska. (It’s on the Kenai Peninsula, about 100 raven flying miles south of Anchorage.) By that time I had a little brother, Richard Michael (who later became a school teacher and Air National Guard rescue helicopter pilot). After we got to The Kenai and took a look around we decided we liked it, staked out a homestead, and stayed.

I grew up hunting and fishing, roaming the forests, working on fishing boats, planting and harvesting crops, and doing all the normal things a kid does in the wilderness. I had the makings of a good point man, until…

In 1964 I received an appointment to West Point through Senator Ernest Gruening (one of only two senators who voted against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that got us into the Vietnam War). Sort of ironic…

On June 5, 1968 I graduated and put on the “butter bars” of a second lieutenant and the crossed rifles of an infantry officer. Hot damn! I was already airborne qualified when I graduated; then followed the obligatory Infantry Officer’s Basic Course at Fortress Benning and Ranger School. Earning the coveted Ranger Tab wasn’t so bad—I’d been on tougher moose hunts.

My first assignment was with the 4^th Armored Division, 1/51^st Infantry in Crailsheim, Germany. Within a year I had two sets of reassignment orders: one for flight school and the other for Vietnam. I decided not to become an aviator. It was time to go to war.

Has there ever been a good place to go to war? Probably not. But I had done some research, and when I got to Vietnam (geeze, it was hot!) I requested (demanded?) assignment to the 101^st Airborne Division, then operating in the mountains of Thua Thien Province. On March 6, 1970 I reported to Lt. Col. Andre Lucas at the 2/506^th rear HQ. Two days later I was on Rocket Ridge leading 2^nd Platoon, C Co., and Capt. Vasquez was my commander.

Most of you can pick up the story from here. It’s familiar ground. We humped the boonies most of the time, and when we weren’t busting brush with a 100-lb. ruck on our backs, we were building firebases. We humped and built more than we fought, and we fought a lot.

There were a lot of good guys in Charlie Co. Doc Shepherd, Rainwater, my RTO, and SSG Queen, my first platoon sergeant. But at the risk of their perpetual notoriety and embarrassment I will single out three: Bob (Gypsy) Wallace and Jim Campbell, two of the finest officers I have ever known, and SSG Paul Burkey, the best damn platoon sergeant, period!

On May 30 Lucas pinned captain’s bars on my collar (it was before my regular promotion date; the term for this sort of early promotion is called “frocking”), and I took over Alpha Company. That’s where I got the nickname Charlie Oscar, and it has stuck with me all these years among those with whom I served.

The men of Alpha Company were simply the most outstanding soldiers I have ever had the honor of serving with. I can’t name you all here at the risk of missing someone important (yeah, I’m getting older and more forgetful). But you know who you are, and you were then and are now important to me. Some of you didn’t come home, and I miss you the most. You did your duty. You supported your fellow soldiers. You fought like hell. You did not stain your sacred honor. I would serve with you again, anytime, anywhere.

God bless all the men of Alpha Company, 2^nd Battalion, 506^th Infantry! I love you more than mere words can convey.

After the Battle of Firebase Ripcord was over (July 23, 1970; read Keith William Nolan’s excellent account in Ripcord, Screaming Eagles Under Siege, Vietnam 1970) Alpha Co. went back to the field with 39 men, nine old hands and 30 new guys. During the months of August through November we did more damage to the enemy than any other outfit in the battalion. (Was it a lust for revenge? Or…)

At the end of November I was reassigned to be the battalion S-1 (personnel officer). I finished my tour on February 20, 1971, and went back to the World.

I continued on active duty until September 1977, when I resigned my commission and became a real-life REMF. I served in the 1^st Infantry Division from 1971-1975 where I commanded two more rifle companies (A/1-18^th, and A/2-16^th), then went back to Benning’s School for Boys to attend the Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course, and finished up as a staff weenie at U.S. Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia.

Atlanta was a great place and a fun city. I enjoyed my time there, and “got into computers” in the early days of the PC. I joined the Georgia Army National Guard and commanded a fifth rifle company (B/1-121^st Infantry) with Georgia’s 48^th Infantry Brigade, the second finest unit I’ve ever served with.

In 1984 I moved to northern Virginia to work as a computer geek at the White House Communications Agency, and other government organizations (mostly classified). I shifted my Guard allegiance to Virginia and helped form the 1^st Battalion, 170^th Infantry, 29^th Infantry Division. I retired as a major from the Army Reserve in 1990.

Bill Clinton was never my commander-in-chief. Hah!

Since that time I’ve done a lot of work for the defense and intelligence community. We call it “analysis,” but it is really journalism disguised as analysis. And I’ve had the pleasure of going to many interesting places, including a lot of Europe and a good part of Asia. In the past decade I’ve logged nearly 500 days in China on over 30 trips, and have been to the Chinese-North Korean frontier a number of times. I have also been a regular part of the U.S. observer team helping the Taiwan military prepare itself for a war with Mainland China. These efforts show no signs of abating.

In 2006 the U.S. Army Foreign Military Studies Office published a book I edited: The New Great Game: Chinese Views on Central Asia. Another book, Asia Pacific Security: Observations and Opinions of an American Defense Analyst, can be found at: http://www.militaryconflict.org/publications. Click on the title in the section.

I enjoy what I do. I’m thankful for the many blessings God has given me, and this includes the experience of leading outstanding American men in combat. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Ripcord and the men who served in that hellish place.

Chuck Hawkins

P.S., Although I’m settled into a comfortable spot on Kent Island, Maryland, I find myself going back to Alaska more frequently these days. The old homestead is now in my care, and it needs some work, as any 57-year-old log structure will. If you’re ever of a mind to visit The Great Land, let me know. The cabin door is always open.

Tim Joliet  A/2-506

Late in 1968 I dropped out of College and lacking any sense of direction, I volunteered for the Army.   I left for basic training on April 15, 1969.  I had signed up for a four year tour in the Army air defense program.  I tested into Officers Candidate School, and Special Forces but on the advise of my Uncle (retired Command Sgt. Major), I declined.  About half way through basic however, I’d gotten sick of taking orders from a jerk drill sergeant and an abusive platoon leader and knew I couldn’t take orders for four years.  So when they came around a second time, I signed up for Artillery OCS.  Half way through that, they closed the program and I transferred to Infantry OCS.

I graduated with Gary Watrous in March and after jump school was assigned to the 82^nd Airborne.  I spent the summer conducting heavy weapons training for the cadets and national guard at West Point.  Most of the guys in my company had just returned from serving with the 101^st and all fought at Hamburger Hill.  After Jungle School (we had to eat our pet Spider Monkey - it tasted like roast beef), I got orders to report to the 101^st.  After all of the horror stories I’d heard about the Ashau and I Corps, I was suitably apprehensive.  I took over 1^st platoon Alpha, 2/506, from Dick Scaglione.  I spent the first few weeks at Firebase Bastogne where we repelled into the jungle to cut LZ’s.

Throughout the Fall of 1969, we walked the length and width of I Corps and sometime in late December or early January we went into Laos where we spent an anxious day or two on the Ho Chi Minh trail.  For reasons I don’t remember, my platoon had to walk back into Viet Nam.  We were out of radio contact for the first two days. 

Our first firefight was in late January or early Feb.  We were sent to rescue a lost cherry and then hook up with the recon platoon near Ripcord.  The cherry was eventually picked up by a Psy-Ops helicopter, but he had dumped his rucksack with a Claymore mine in it.  A trail watcher got his Claymore and blew it on us the next day when were on our way to link up with Recon.  The guy on Point received serioius wounds to his legs, and the guy on Slack was hit in both hands.  Both were medivac’d out. 

Later 1^st platoon was assigned to observe a planned aerial and artillery carpet bombing on a valley that was used by V.C. for infiltration.  We were spread out on top of a hill watching the artillery walk up the valley when we started receiving incoming 155’s.  Rounds exploded everywhere and bounced us down the face of the hill.  I called in a “check fire” and miraculously, no one was hurt.  The visit the next day by what seemed to be every star, eagle and oak leaf in the Division was scarier than the friendly fire.  I breathed a big sigh of relief when it was confirmed that we didn’t do anything wrong.  We ended up on the wrong hill because the Battalion S-2 gave me the wrong map. 

I don’t know why the initial assault on Ripcord on March 12 gets so little attention or acknowledgement.  That first day was Hell incarnate.  As I recall, my platoon (1^st platoon) was supposed to go in first but that was changed so that we could pick up some replacements for the platoon.  I think we were down to about 15 guys.  We picked up Tim Evans and Chris Daffler.  I just recently found out that it was Tim’s first day.  Chris had transferred from the Americal.  We ended up coming in last and by then, it was pure Bedlam.  Ripcord was a great rock and there was no where to take cover.  I saw guys hiding behind their rucksacks and behind empty ammunition crates.  I remember standing near the perimeter of the hill with Capt. Burckard pointing to a hill he wanted me to go to and spot for A.R.A.  It seemed like the entire firebase was either exploding or being ripped up with NVA heavy weapons.  I didn’t know until later that 3^rd platoon was virtually wiped out within a few minutes of landing.  Two of the survivors (Orville Koger and Frank Marshall) were transferred to my platoon. 

Later that day I moved the platoon to the adjoining hill.  We spent the day calling in ARA  (Sweet Griffin Niner Fox) on a hill about a mile away where we could see a mortar crew firing at Ripcord.  We spent that night on a hill infested with poisonous centipedes on full alert.  I assumed that we’d get hit that night, so I had everyone move to an alternate position after dark.  I sent the two machine gunners (Tiny Aanonson or Bobby Young) to the points where I thought we were most likely to be attacked, hoping that they could put down some machine gun fire while we rallied.

The next day I was ordered to rejoin the Company on Ripcord.  Assuming the NVA had set up an ambush, I had the platoon spread out in an assault line.  We each threw a grenade and took off down the hill at a dead run, ready to assault the ambush.  There was no ambush, but I got a lot of heat for not requesting permission throw the grenades.  Aasking permission when I was pretty sure it would be denied didn’t seem like a good option.

My platoon spent that day and the next night alone on Ripcord in two-man positions while the company withdrew to an alternate location.  We received intermittent mortar fire all day and called in ARA (Sweet Griffin again) when we spotted their aiming stakes.  Before dark, I spread the platoon around the perimeter and we scraped holes in the ground as best we could.  I gave orders not to move for any reason, and to use grenades if there was movement.  We had some crummy Korean war walkie talkies at each position and anyone who spotted movement was to break squelch three times.  Late in the night Dick Oxler let out a muffled cry and we thought he was under attack.  Apparently a large lion or panther approached him and they scared each other.  We could see the silhouette of the animal jump over Dick.  Before dawn, there was movement near another one of our positions.  I called the position on the radio and there was no answer.  After several anxious minutes we agreed that it must be NVA, so I told Charlie Steffler to shoot the figure moving around with his M-79.  At the last second he decided to aim short.  The round landed in front of the one of our guys who decided to stand up and relieve himself.  They never explained why they didn’t answer the radio; or why he didn’t get back in his hole when he was done.  He was seriously injured and medivac’d out after dawn. 

We left Ripcord early in the morning and rejoined Alpha Company were they were deployed on a ridgeline about a mile away.  When we joined the Company, my platoon was assigned the task of putting the bodies carried from Ripcord into body bags.  Later I took a squad back towards Ripcord to find the Recon platoon after they got hit on Ripcord.  We waited in the foggy rain forest for a couple of hours and finally made contact with them.  The medic had their dead platoon leader tied onto his back.  The medic was holding a .45 caliber in each hand and looked like he was in shock.

On April 15, we were assigned to chase down an NVA platoon estimated at 40 men.  We had only ~ 17 guys and I was very worried about it.  The NVA had set up an observation post facing a firebase that was scheduled to be reopened.  When we approached their positions, they evacuated down the side of a very steep mountain.  I was told to pursue and engage them.  There was only one way down and it was perfect for an ambush. 

I asked permission to do a recon by fire and was denied.  I should have argued but didn’t.  We were out of water and it was terribly hot.  We climbed down and I finally had to call a break because Bobby Young was about to pass out.  At that moment, we got hit by an NVA machine gun.  I thought it was friendly fire, because one of the other platoons was supposed to be behind us.  When I found out it wasn’t our guys, I returned fire and they started throwing grenades at me.  At the same time, Charlie Steffler found their position and killed the machine gunner.  He was shot in both legs.  Both of his legs were broken and had lost a lot of blood.  Bobby Young was shot in the forehead and Chris Daffler in the heart.

We called for a Medivac and had Charlie ready to be picked up.  When the Medivac arrived, the pilot said it was too dangerous and abandoned the rescue.  We then carried Charlie all the way back up the mountain.  After a lot of begging, I was told that if we could make it back to the LZ, the Medivac would return.  By then it was well after dark and I got some volunteers to go with me to take Charlie back.  Unfortunately, the only people I remember who volunteered were Orville Koger and our Medic.  It took a lot of courage for them to leave the safety of the company and walk a couple of miles in the dark carrying a stretcher with no quick way to defend themselves.  We made it to the LZ and set up fuel tab lights for the Medivac.  Charlie stopped breathing while the chopper was inbound.  We took turns giving him CPR until the medic told us to stop.   The Medivac again left without Charlie.

The next morning I left on a helicopter with Charlie Steffler, Chris Daffler, and Bobby Young, six months to the day from when I first took over the platoon.  Charlie and Bobby Lowe were best friends. The first person I saw when I got back to Camp Evans wash Bobby Lowe.  I told him about Charlie and he said it was ok because he would see him again soon.  Bobby was killed not long after that. 

I finished my tour as the Brigade Headquarters Company XO and Property Books Officer.  When I returned to the U.S. I finished my service with the 10^th Special Forces in Massachusetts.  I was training to be assigned to a NATO contingent to be sent to Sweden or Greece.  I blew my knee out and lost the assignment and decided to leave the Army.

I used to visit the wall a lot, but not so much anymore.  The first time was the night of its dedication.  It was heart wrenching.  My first impression of the wall was a great black gash in the earth.  To me it symbolized the great division the war caused in our country.  Now, it is a place of comfort and connection with guys I grew to love and miss very much. 

It wasn’t until just before Alpha’s mini-reunion last March, that I ever talked about Ripcord to my wife and son.

Frank Marshall said that there was talk of a movie.  If there is one and it doesn’t include the first assault on Ripcord in March, the lives - and deaths of a lot of good and awesomely brave men will have been wrongly and unfairly minimalized.

James Gordon McCoy     D/1-506th

Benjamin Leslie Harrison,   HHC 3rd BDE  101st 

Born in the small town of Trumann, AR in 1928, Ben’s father died when he was 10.  Midway through the 11^th grade, Ben entered Arkansas State College and then transferred to the Univ of Miss.  At age 17, he enlisted in the Army in Jan 1946.  He was promoted to Sgt First Class at age 19. He was the enlisted honor graduate of his airborne class. He returned to Ole Miss and in 1951 was called to active duty as a military personnel psychologist.  In Sept 1951 he married Carolyn Algee, his college sweetheart.  In 1952, at his request, he returned to the infantry and was assigned to the 325^th Airborne Inf Regt, 82^nd Abn Div.  In the 82^nd, he was aide de camp to Brig Gen A. S. Newman and later served Gen Newman at the Inf School and in Germany.

Major General Harrison retired from the US Army after 28 years of commissioned service as an infantryman, aviator and educator. For three years, he was the academic and administrative head of the Command and General Staff College.  One of his lasting contributions at the College was to consolidate all Training and Doctrine Command constructive simulations and create a family of battle simulations from platoon through corps level.

Harrison's assignment at the time of his retirement was commander of the Soldier Support Center and Fort Ben Harrison, Indiana.  In this position he directed studies on unit cohesion and decentralization of personnel management that have had a major impact on today's personnel policies and replacement system.  Just prior to his assignment at Fort Harrison, he directed the one year Review of Education and Training of Officers (RETO) that created the  Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3) and the system of Military Qualifications Standards (MQS) and placed Branch Proponency  with the Commandants of the Branch Schools.

From Aug 1976 to Aug 1977, Harrison was the Deputy Commanding General of the Aviation Center and Ft Rucker.  Harrison commanded the 3d Brigade, 101st Abn Div, in 1970 during  the last major US ground battle of the Vietnam War.  This battle has been documented by Keith Nolan in his superb book, RIPCORD Screaming Eagles Under Siege Vietnam 1970.  After command of the 3^rd Brigade, 101^st Airborne Division, he was the Senior Advisor to the Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division, ARVN, during Lam Son 719 operations into Laos.  In two tours he flew 1842 combat hours and was the only officer in Vietnam to command a combat aviation battalion for 12 months.  He graduated from flight school in 1958 at the top of his class and was also first in his class at instrument school.  As a major, Harrison taught a wide range of tactical subjects at the Command and General Staff College.  He was the chief evaluator of all Air Cavalry and Mohawk units during the pivotal air mobility tests of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) in the mid 1960's.  In 1971-73, Harrison directed the TRICAP testing at Ft Hood which resulted in the demise of the TRICAP Division and the formation of the 6th Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat).  In 1982, the TRADOC commander asked Harrison, then retired, to be the senior aviator of a group of four officers tasked to review Army Aviation.  This four-month study effort resulted in the creation of Aviation as a separate combat arms branch and the centralization of all aviation doctrine, materiel and training development at Fort Rucker.  As a junior officer, Harrison served in the 82d Airborne Division, the 5th Infantry Division in Germany, commanded a rifle company, taught operations at the Infantry School and commanded the Aviation Detachment in the 2d Infantry Battalion Combat Team in Iceland.

After his early retirement from the Army, Harrison was president of a holding company with three small manufacturing plants and varied real estate properties while concurrently doing consulting work in the defense industry and leadership development. He was a certified trainer and adjunct staff member of the Center for Creative Leadership from 1980 until full retirement in 1997.  He conducted 38 training programs for the CIA in the 1980’s.  He resigned his position as president of the T-Vest Corporation in 1982 to do the Army Aviation Branch study.  After1982, he worked as an independent consultant. Harrison conducted comprehensive weapon systems manufacturing feasibility studies for Martin Marietta Aerospace and the Hughes Helicopter Company.  He specialized in joint and combined arms operations, aviation, training simulation and executive leadership and management training.  He became a consultant to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Program Manager for SIMNET in 1985 and continued work with Distributed Interactive Virtual Simulation as an adjunct staff member of the Institute for Defense Analyses.

Keith Nolan’s book RIPCORD, published in 2000, did not provide much detail of the North Vietnamese Army side of the Firebase Ripcord battle.  Harrison gathered official Peoples Army of Vietnam books and publications, had them translated and made trips to Vietnam  in 2001 and 2004 interviewing seven former enemy officers including Maj Gen Doi who commanded the division surrounding Ripcord from May until July 23, 1970.  Harrison’s book, Hell On A Hill Top, details a much larger North Vietnamese Army operation against Ripcord than had previously been known.  The book was published by iUniverse, Inc. in Nov 2004.

AWARDS AND HONORS 

Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Silver Star, two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Soldiers Medal, forty awards of the Air Medal and numerous other US and foreign decorations.  Member of the US Army Aviation Hall of Fame, the University of Mississippi Army ROTC Hall of Fame and Honorary Colonel of the Third Aviation Regiment.  Harrison has been listed in Who's Who in America since 1981.  He was National President of the Army Aviation Association of America 1993-95.  Harrison currently is President of the Army Aviation Museum Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.

EDUCATION

University of Mississippi, BA, Psychology, 1951

University of Missouri at Kansas City, MA, Counseling and Education Psychology, 1963

Auburn University, MBA, 1969

Harvard Business School, AMP, 1971

US Army Command and General Staff College, 1961

Armed Forces Staff College, 1965

USAF War College, 1969

OPEN PUBLICATIONS

"Awesome, Mean:  Now What Do We Do with the APACHE,"  ARMY  January 1988

"Five Keys to Becoming a Successful Manager,"  ARMY  September  1988

"Which PLATOON?, " movie review in various publications

"Aviation:  A Branch Decision Revisited,"  ARMY  January 1991

"The A-10:  A Gift the Army Can't Afford,"  ARMY  July 1991

"AirLand Battle-Future and the Aviation Brigade,"  Army Aviation  July 31, 1991

"From the Hills West of Hue:  A Cautionary Tale,"  ARMY, July 1993

"Leaders or Managers?,"  selected for publication by ARMY

"Simulating the 'New World Disorder,' ARMY, August 1994

"Vietnam and the Information Age," ARMY, July 1995

"Changing the Division Structure--Ask the Right Questions First,"ARMY, Jul 1997

"Aviation:  A Branch Decision Revisited-Again,"  ARMY  April 2000

“Battle Tests Prove the APACHE Highly Survivable,” ARMY AVIATION, Sept. 2003

Hell On A Hill Top, iUniverse, ISBN: 0-595-66675-2  Nov 2004

LIMITED DISTRIBUTION PUBLICATIONS

Project Leader and Co-Author, "A Review of Education and Training for Officers," Headquarters Department of the Army, 5 volumes, 30 June 1978

Deputy Project Leader and Co-author, "TRADOC Review of Army Aviation," Headquarters, TRADOC, 3 volumes, 8 September 1982

Project Leader and Co-Author, "AIRNET Data Handbook," DARPA, 14 March 1986

Deputy Project Leader and Co-Author, "JETNET Data Handbook," DARPA,  Apr 1987

Editor and Co-author, "SIMNET Command Modules," DARPA, 5 volumes,  Mar 1989

Project Leader and Co-author, "SIMNET Semi-automated Forces," DARPA,  Apr 1990

Project Leader/ Author, "Army Aviation Simulation Survey," IDA, 2 vols, March 1992

OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE 

Served in Germany, Iceland, Hawaii and Vietnam.  Traveled in 69 countries.

Frank  Marshall  A/2-506

Frank was born in Philadelphia on February 2, 1949. He graduated from Dobbins High School. After being drafted on January 14, 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War, he received Basic Training at Ft Bragg, Advanced Infantry Training at Ft Dix, then went to but did not complete NCOC training at Ft Benning.

In October 1969, he was shipped to the Vietnam and assigned to The 101^st Airborne Div.  Alpha Company 2/506. On March 12, 1970, his company led the assault to open up Fire Base Ripcord, 20 miles above Hue. His company suffered many casualties on this Hot LZ when their helicopters were landing. On June 8, during an ambush, Frank sustained shrapnel wounds in his back. After spending a few days at the hospital in Da Nang, he returned to his company.

By July 22, his company had been reduced to a mere 76 men due to casualties during this battle for Ripcord. That day Alpha company was attacked by over 400 NVA soldiers. Frank suffered shrapnel wounds to his arm and leg and burns to his face in three separate encounters during this 6 hour battle. These injuries kept him in the hospital and Convalescent Center for six weeks. He returned to his company and was discharged from the Army on Oct 10, 1970. Frank was awarded The Bronze Star with a “V” device, The Bronze Star, Two Purple Hearts and Two Air Medals.

After his return to civilian life, he went into his own roofing business. In 1994 became a commercial roofing sales consultant for Gucci Roofing Company and also held a part time job with Home Depot for 10 years. In 1999, he received his PA and NJ State Real Estate License. He is now a successful Real Estate Agent for Prudential Fox and Roach in Mt Laurel, NJ.

Frank was a member of “The Last Patrol” a successful fundraising effort for the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans memorial. He instrumented the “Great American Duck Race” for the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service Center. He was chairman and founder of the Philadelphia Veterans Fair for the Philadelphia United Veterans Council. He has chaired and implemented numerous fundraising events such as The Woodstock Revival for the Memorial, featuring Country Joe McDonald, and Richie Havens., The Oldies Night at The Woodbine featuring Gary U.S. Bonds and The Duprees. A concert at The Civic Center featuring The Drifters, The Marvelettes and The Coasters. He was newsletter Editor and Publisher for the VVA #266 Newsletter and The Phila United Veterans Council Newsletter.

He has received several awards from veterans Organizations. The 1986 Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Distinguished Service Award; The 1986 Chapel of Four Chaplains legion of Honor Award; The 1987 Gold Star Mothers Appreciation Award; The 1987 geriatric and medical centers Inc. for outstanding volunteer Service. The 1988 Italian American press Knights Legion, Knights of Goodness Award; The 1992 Philadelphia United Veterans Council Commanders Award of Recognition;  The 1992 Phila Vietnam Veterans Memorial relighting project appreciation award;  The 1993 VVA Chapter #266 Appreciation Award;  The 1993 National VVA organization Appreciation Award; The 1993 United veterans Council Veterans Veteran Award; The 1994 Philadelphia Regional Veterans Service Award.

Frank is Past Commander of the United veterans Council. Has held previous position of Secretary for The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #266.  He is a member of “Vietnam veterans of America; The Military Order of The Purple Hearts; The Phila Vietnam Veterans memorial Society; and The United Veterans Council of Philadelphia.

My Story

Being born in North Philly, I grew up hanging on a street corner. we hung out in large crowds, got along with most of the other neighborhood corners in the area. (A  neighborhood reunion in 1985 had 500 people attend). Occasionally  a street fight would occur with other neighborhood corners. I was one of them scared guys and did not like to fight. I was more into the dances that were held in different areas of the city and was more into meeting the girls. I did not like high school and after graduating, did not attend college.

I enjoyed going down the Jersey shore, driving my “65” GTO, going to dances and hanging on the corner. Never did the sports thing either. I held different jobs after high school. Tried being a plumber for a year, then got into a print shop. I continued a couple different jobs in the printing field advancing myself with each one. I was a pretty good worker, and liked printing.

In the late “60’s”, a lot of guys from my neighborhood were getting drafted, few enlisted. I just didn’t care one way or the other about the draft or the war. When I got drafted, I just said OK and went. I didn’t really know too much about Vietnam, paid no attention to the protests. Drugs were all around in my neighborhood, but I never indulged or got into them, never drank that much either. It just didn’t phase me.

My family was more upset than I was. My mother had been dating my father during World War II. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. So they both knew about war. The author James Jones was in my father’s company and wrote “From Here to Eternity”. That book’s characters were based on the real men in that company. but a lot of fiction was added. My father was “Friday” in the book (Salvatore Clark, the wop from Scranton) they really called him Friday in the service. The guys all used to have reunions together, Stewart (Prewitt) and the Warden etc. all except Maggio (that was his real name they used.). My father is an Honorary member of The James Jones Society. He was also a local musician who recorded country and Western music. Traveled the same circuit as Bill Haley and the Comets and were friends.

After the service, I worked as a printer a short time, then went into roofing. I started my own roofing business in 1979 and had a very good business. My only problem was, I liked going to the nite clubs and drinking every night. I started that as soon as I got home from Vietnam and didn’t stop until 1994, then it was  I would just go out once or twice a week. I sold my roofing business and worked as a sales consultant for a local roofing firm doing commercial roofing, and a part time employee at The Home Depot in the evenings. I started Real Estate in 1999 in Bucks County PA and moved to Mt Laurel New Jersey in 2000 where I am a successful Real estate Agent.

I never married and have no children. I have had several relationships over the years, but enjoyed going out too much to get totally involved with one girl. I never had a serious problem with drinking, I just liked the nite life.

I got involved with the Veterans Organizations after getting together with members of my squad (6 members) in 1985. I have enjoyed helping other veterans in many ways. Since 1985, I have been a part of the Ripcord Association and try to help in any way I can.

            Vietnam Experience:

I had no idea what Vietnam was going to be like. I went up North and got into Alpha company. The guys I was with from the beginning were the guys I ended up with (with the exception of a few).

I kind of call myself dumb over there, cause I just was there. I was not a leader. Guys like Koger, Webster, Evans, Janezic, in fact all the guys in my squad were pretty together. I trusted them, I felt safe as I could feel, but I was still scared. Sometimes I think I was too scared to cry.  I didn’t know too many other than my squad and platoon. Again, because I was just there. I didn’t want to be a hero, I didn’t want to fight, I just wanted to do my time and come home. I was young, we all were, but some of these guys, even though they were my age, they seemed so much older.

I got close with my squad members and some of the others in my platoon, because most of the time we just sat out in the boonies for days. We would talk about our families, girl friends, cars, just about everything. We were together 24 hours a day, side by side, slept next to each other to keep warm, for days, weeks even months at a time. We all were together, but we were all scared even if we never admitted to each other. You have no choice but to bond. These were my friends then and today they are still my friends, no matter what.

I hung around with a lot of kids when I was growing up, and had a lot of friends.  The past 25 years of going out every night, I met a lot of people and got a lot of friends. being involved with the veterans organizations, I met a lot of other Vietnam Veterans whom I hold a lot of respect for, and made a lot of friends. These friends I have met over my lifetime, I spent a lot of time with some of them. A few hours a day or once a week, or even less, and they are good friends. But the friendship or bonding could never be the same as that I made with the guys I spent 24 hours a day with for months through the fun, fear and trauma we shared together. I’ll never be as close or respect anyone as I do them.        

It was in 1985 when my squad in Alpha Co. has got together. Ron Janezic, Joe Evans, Jim Aanonsen, Carl Dykstra, George Westerfelt, their families and myself got together down Seaside, NJ for a few days. That was a great time.  I now look forward to getting together every year at the reunions. We are older now and more mature than the younger years. But one thing we will always have to share with each other and that is the True Bonding that others will never experience.

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James (Tiny) Aanonsen,    A 2/506

Jim (known by his buddies in ‘Nam as “Tiny”) was raised in West Brightonite a town on Long Island New York. In 1967 he graduated from Port Richmond High School. By April1969 he was drafted and shipped to Fort Gordon, Ga. for Basis Training and Advanced Infantry Training. October 1969 found Tiny Aanonsen in Vietnam assigned to the 101st and more importantly to Alpha Company 2/506. Here he served in the First Platoon as a machine gunner under the direction of Lieutenant Joliet.

By March 1970 Alpha Co. was under the leadership of Capt. Burkhardt and First Platoon had a new LT in Dudley Davis. Under these leaders, Jim participated in the first attempt to secure Firebase Ripcord on 12 March 1970. It was a bad day for Alpha with the loss of Lt. Davis and his RTO Dan Heater as well as numerous others wounded.

“After Ripcord was secured in April we didn’t see a lot of contact till we hit the hot LZ in May.” remembers Aanonsen years later, “By this time my platoon leader was Lt. Wilcox.” On May 13th Alpha Co. combat assaulted onto a hot LZ southeast of Ripcord. The firing had quit by the time the last choppers came in. After securing the area, hot chow was flown in for the evening meal. As dawn edged it’s way over the trees, the troops loaded with three days worth of food and water prepared to head out. For the morning of the 14th Captain Burkhart had First Platoon lead in column towards the southwest. Bob Lowe of Ohio and Jim Aanonsen had become friends on the flight over to Vietnam. As luck would have it they ended up assigned to the same company and platoon. That morning Bob was the point man with Jim following behind the slack man as they moved down the trail. They hadn’t gone 200 yards when an enemy sniper in a bunker shot and killed Lowe. In the ensuing firefight Tiny brought his machinegun to bear on the enemy fire and in the process mowed down trees and bushes through out the area while his comrades moved behind him. He continued to provide continuous suppressive fire as Sgt. Koger crawled up to retrieve Lowe. In the short but furious battle shrapnel wounded Jim in the arm, shoulder and leg.

When the fight was over he was medivaced back to Camp Evans then to the USS Sanctuary, a hospital in Japan and finally, ended in the St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens, NY. His courage and gallantry under fire, in spite of his wounds, earned him a Silver Star. After a lengthy recovery he spent his last 8 months in the service on an honor guard at Fort Totten also located in the Queens.

Following his Army tour he joined the New York City Police Department where he served 12 years at the Midtown North Precinct and another 11 years in the Manhattan Emergency Service Unit. This final assignment dealt with rescues, hostage situations, jumpers, and assisting the bomb squad. Finally after 23 years he retired in 1996.

When he reported for duty, Irene Hyde (his future wife) spotted him and decided this might be a guy she wanted to know. Since she also worked for the police department she had an easy time checking him out and after that he was hers even if he did not know it at the time. They have been married for over 25 years, still live on Staten Island and have two grown daughters.

Joe Evans, Tiny,  Frank Marshall, George Westervelt

Jim and his wife Irene at the 2003 Reunion

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Tommy Counts,   Delta Co. 2/506

Tommy grew up in Columbia, Tennessee about 50 miles south west of Nashville.  While attending Columbia Central High School he probably didn’t think too much about the army or the draft until graduation in 1968. He soon discovered that others had been thinking of him because he was drafted and shipped off to Fort Campbell Kentucky for basic training sooner than he imagined.  This was followed up with Advanced Infantry Training in the “semi-tropical paradise’ known as Fort Polk.

By February 1970 Counts had arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to Delta 2/506 of the 101^st Airmobile Division at Camp Evans.  His platoon leader was Lt. Anderson and his squad leader were Stanley Diehl and Mark Skinner.  Stanly was killed by a mortar round after exiting a helicopter that landed on Ripcord.

In the picture we see a young Tommy Counts with two of his best squad buddies.  One, George Kitzmiller was from West Virginia and opened a business in Miami, Florida after returning home.   John Mason is the other and hailed from Maryland.  However, Counts has not been able to contact him since the war.

Delta Company and Counts walked over hills and ridges around and on Firebase Ripcord in search of enemy troops until the battle for the hill started in earnest during July. During this dangerous period Delta and Charlie Company assaulted Hill 1000.  Later the two companies teamed  up to relieve D 1/506 and recover the body of Captain Workman near hill 605.  Finally Delta walked in to relieve and extract the badly mauled A 2/506 on July 23, 1970.  Tommy recalls meeting Frank Marshall of Alpha for the first time during that last relief assignment because Frank said something to the effect of, “I’m from Philly”.  That has stayed with Tommy ever since.

As an SP4 and grunt, Tommy felt fortunate to have served with the members of the Delta Raiders under the command of Captain Rollison. In his opinion Rollison was an excellent company commander and the reason many of the Delta Raiders are alive today.

Counts spent a few more months in the field following Ripcord and then was assigned his “best job in Vietnam” as the assistant to Chaplain Fox till he returned to the states in February 1971.

Since returning to the states, Tommy has been in the billiard business.  For a period of time he was a tournament pool player.  However, presently he lives in the Columbia, Tennessee area where he owns and operates a Shooters Sports Bar and Grill.

He married his one and only wife, Judy in the 70’s and they produced three children, Lisa, Leslie and Tommy Jr.  In turn their children have presented them with grandchildren Blake, James and Julie.

Tommy says there were many great guys in Delta Company and he wishes more would attend the reunions so they could discuss the many memories.  Counts can usually be found at the reunions seeking other Delta Raiders and enjoying the fellowship of other Ripcord survivors.

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Martin J. Glennon    A/2-506

In 1969, an Indiana youth made a fateful decision when he opted to withdraw from his college English course.  By so doing, he was no longer a full-time student and now available to be drafted.  Within weeks Martin Glennon had received his notice and was heading to Fort Leonardwood for basic training.  From there he traveled to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas to train as a combat medic.  Martin found that he had learned a lot in a very short time but that did not ease the anxiety of leaving for Vietnam.

In January of 1970 his parents and sisters gave him a tearful send off.  Within days he was delivered to Cam Ran Bay where he discovered he had been assigned to the 101^st Airmobile Division.  This assignment brought to his mind disturbing visions of airborne rangers, parachute drops and behind enemy line activities.  Glennon was happy to learn that the visions were not reality but he would learn that reality was just as disturbing.

Following a week of in country training to get used to the heat and humidity Martin was assigned to work with Alpha 2/506 under the command of Captain Albert Burckard and specifically with 2^nd Platoon led by Lt. Gary Kelly.

His field time started out with what was to become a familiar routine.  Diagnosing minor aliments seeing that all the troops took their malaria tablets, distributing aspirins and anti-biotics and treating the minor cuts and abrasions accumulated by troops walking through the mountainous jungle terrain.  This changed when the platoon Kit Carson Scout hit a booby trap and suffered severe shrapnel wounds to the chest and abdomen.  Despite the best efforts of Martin this young Vietnamese died enroute to Camp Evans.  The next day another booby trap was encountered and two GI’s were injured.  These men were successfully treated and survived their wounds in the hospital.

On the 12^th of March Alpha attempted to open Fire Support Base Ripcord.  Three men from the first platoon were killed and others injured.  The attempt to secure the firebase was called off.  On 1 April, a second attempt was made as Alpha encountered more enemy action when they supported Bravo and Charlie Companies in establishing Ripcord.  While Alpha Company continued to encounter enemy activity, things were quiet for Glennon and the Second Platoon until May.  On the 14^th the Company was involved in a brief firefight as they left their NDP resulting in a loss to First Platoon and two wounded.  A week later a Second Platoon RTO by the name of Michaels was wounded by a trail watcher as the platoon passed by.   On the third of June Weiland Norris was killed while walking point.  Sargent Koger? was wounded in the opening fire as well as Sgt. Waggon.  Supporting fire from a Cobra Gunship spayed the area with shrapnel hitting Sp4 Mcvay.

A few days later the battalion and Alpha went on a weeklong stand-down before going to FSB O’Riley to provide security.  From a medics point of view this was a period of quiet and relaxation since the injuries were few and generally slight.  During this time Martin started reading the bible regularly.  He also considered re-enlisting in order to get out of the field but after some thought decided against it.  Life wasn’t too bad on O’Riley.

As most troopers facing combat in the jungles of Vietnam know, things can change rapidly and not usually for the good.  On 10 July Alpha Company was once more inserted into the jungle and on 12 July with D/ 2-501, assaulted Hill 805, which luckily was undefended.  An attack that night by the NVA led to injuries in Delta and a number of enemy soldiers killed.  The next day Alpha moved off the hill in search of the enemy.  Within a little more than a week they had found all they wanted.   During part of this time the second platoon operated away from the rest of the company.  The men became very cautious and scared because of all the enemy activity.  Most of the men were just hoping to do their recon without encountering the NVA and as a result were moving quieter than they had ever operated before.  They soon found themselves once more moving with the rest of the company but the noise generated by all these people did little to make the troops calm.

It was the morning of 22 July 1970 when Medic Glennon reported to his Platoon Sergeant Johnny Brown, that he smelled NVA.  Patrols around the NDP failed to turn up any sign of activity and the Company waited for the time to move out.  Martin began reading his bible for comfort.  As the Second Platoon moved out Glennon soon heard shooting, explosions and cries of “Medic” from the front.  Martin froze in his tracks as the shooting and explosions erupted.  SP4 Tom Schultz grabbed Martin and assured him that all would be well.  He soon gathered his composure and moved to tend the wounded.  By the end of the 6-hour firefight he had tended wounds on most of the 17 platoon members present.  However, Robert Journell and Tom Schultz were dead and Brown had a serious face wound.  But 15 of the 17 in the field had survived.  That night when not tending to wounded he continued to read his bible.

Following the evacuation of FSB Ripcord, Glennon was re-assigned to duty at the Corp hospital and eventually left country in December.  The remainder of his service was spent at Fort Knox.

Martin returned to Indiana and attended school once more.  It soon became apparent to him that he needed to dedicate his life to Jesus.  With that he married his girl friend Lea and finished Bible College.  Today he is an insurance salesman and a lay minister with over 100 weddings performed.  He and his wife live in Valparaiso, Indiana where they continue to raise their eight children and dedicate their lives to Jesus.

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Lee Widjeskog    A 2/506    HHC 3^rd Bde.

I grew up in southern New Jersey near the little town of Rosenhayn.  Following graduation from Bridgeton High School I attended Colorado State University where I majored in Wildlife Biology and enlisted in the Army ROTC program.  My basic training was held at Fort Riley, KS during the summer of 1968.  By March 1969 I had graduated and received my bachelor degree, a commission and orders for Fort Benning, GA with eventual overseas assignment.  Fort Benning meant 9 weeks of Infantry Officer Basic Course and for the heck of it and the $11 per day TDY pay, volunteered for 3 weeks of airborne training.  This was followed by an assignment to lovely Fort Polk Louisiana.

At Fort Polk I met with the Colonel to receive my assignment.  My fellow officers talked about the possible good and bad assignments to be had on post.  All seemed to agree that assignment to Tiger Ridge, 32 miles from the main post was the least desirable place to be.  As the people around me got training company’s assignments and range assignments the colonel finally got to the name Widjeskog.  He remarked that seeing as how I had a degree in wildlife biology, it was only fitting that I should be assigned to work where there was a lot of wildlife… Tiger Ridge. (To my knowledge, this is probably only the second or third time in the history of the Army that someone was assigned based on his or her pre-Army knowledge).  In spite of the rumors to the contrary, I found the Tiger Ridge assignment good and was sorry to see it end when it came time to report to the Canal Zone for Jungle Survival Training.  Between Fort Polk and Panama, my wife Kathy gave birth to our daughter, Denise.  I got to see her for a few weeks before having to ship out to Vietnam.

Once in country, I soon learned I was assigned to the 101^st.  Following SERTS I met Col. Lucas and walked over to my assigned company, Alpha 2/506.  Within a day or two I was on a helicopter heading over the jungle to join Alpha and Capt. Burkert somewhere east of Ripcord. It was now late April.  I replaced Lt. Kelly as platoon leader of the 2^nd Platoon and quickly came to depend on my platoon Sergeant, Leverett. 

My first true exposure to gunfire took place on May __ when Robert Lowe of first Platoon was killed and Tiny Aanonsen was wounded.  I remember moving up to the front to try and spot the bunker used by the NVA and hit it with a LAW.  We found it and hit it but it was empty which is why I didn’t get killed or wounded.  That was the first of a number of times I found myself frightened but doing what I was trained to do in spite of the fear.

During this time we moved through the jungle looking for NVA and usually finding none.  As a wildlife biologist I found the jungle interesting when I had time to notice.  Within two weeks my radioman, Sgt. Michaels (?), behind me, was wounded by a trail watcher and shipped home.  Sometime after in the end of May we crossed the Rao Trang and were flown onto FSB Ripcord for a brief one-night visit.  The next day on the 3^rd of June headed out to Hill 1000 in search of more NVA but by now we were under the command of Capt. Hawkins.   He is a graduate of West Point and the troops had mixed feelings about him.  Some felt he would be good and others were concerned he was out for glory and would put us at risk to get there.  The average GI by this time of the war was only interested in getting home intact.

As we went up the hill our point man spotted three NVA sitting in the trail eating.  He fired one shot and either stopped or his gun jammed.  Regardless, his slack man failed to back him up and they both beat a hasty retreat.  We brought in artillery and then prepared to move forward.  The point and slack team would not go.  Weiland Norris and Sgt. Koger moved up to the job.  Shortly after they moved forward the NVA opened fire killing Norris, wounding the Sgt. and nicking another Sgt. Bill Wagnon.  After the shooting was over we medivaced the two Sgts. And SP4 McVey for wounds.  Six days later we were in Camp Evans for Stand Down and re-fitting.

Our next assignment was to secure FSB O’Riley, which had a battery of ARVN artillery on top of the steep sided hill.  While there a wounded NVA soldier surrendered after failing to find his unit.  On a more deadly note a Recon unit walking onto O’Riley, hit a mechanical ambush our company had set up when they missed the guide who was supposed to lead them around it.  One trooper was killed and several injured when only one of the claymores went off.

Things were quiet on O’Riley but by the end of the month things were heating up around Ripcord.  During the early morning of June 2, C 2/506 was hit at their NDP (night defensive position).  This resulted in 8 dead including Capt.      and __ wounded.  We felt certain we would soon be getting orders to head into the jungle around Ripcord.  Finally on July 10 we CA’d into the jungle east of Ripcord and on 12 July we assaulted Hill 805 with D 1/506 after an artillery barrage and tear gas.  Conveniently the NVA had not chosen to contest the hill at this time.  That night they decide to come back and they attacked Delta.  They apparently didn’t realize Alpha was on their flank so the two companies had the NVA in a bit of crossfire.  In spite of this Delta still took some wounded.

The next day, 13 July, we moved off the hill and moved into the valley south and east of Ripcord.  For much of this time we worked as one or two units moving in support of each other but only once in a while joining together.  We were nervous most of the time and always expected to make contact.  By the 18^th the entire unit was with the company CP as we waited for re-supply.  As we watched from the LZ we heard and saw the Chinook take .51 cal rounds from an NVA gun and crash to the ground atop the ammo depot on Ripcord.  Tremendous series of explosions ensued and we heard shrapnel hitting the trees near our LZ two kilometers from the firebase.  We were certain many were being killed on the hill but were more concerned that our mail might be on that hill getting destroyed.  Later we received re-supply, mail and three or four new guys who got to see the explosions as the flew to join us for their first day in the field.  So in all things were fine for us in the jungle even as the hill continued to smolder.

The next day two NVA walked up on the middle of our column much to the surprise of Capt. Hawkins and his RTO.  The Captain was quick and has shot both of the NVA before they could get their rifles off their shoulders.  One of the two had been wounded on Hill 805 earlier and was returning to his unit when they ran into us.  The other was a tall man who appeared to be a replacement or perhaps a Chinese advisor.

On 20 July, First Platoon found and tapped into a commo line deep in a valley SE of Ripcord.  ARVN SSgt Long listened in and told us it was a line between their mortar and Regimental HQ.  Ambushes were set to intercept anyone who was coming to repair the line.  This led to a number of NVA blood trails as the ambush was sprung.  SP4 Miller of 2^nd Platoon later spotted an NVA coming onto a rock to scout us.  He killed the man with a well-placed M-79 grenade.  Shortly after these encounters Hawkins had us move out of the deep ravine and onto the hillside for the night.

The next morning the lead platoon encountered two NVA soldiers moving up the trail towards our company, probably to scout our position.  The point man fired them up killing one and wounding the other whom fled for his life.  He was not found in spite of the blood trail.  After re-grouping the lead platoon returned to the site of the dead NVA soldier on the rock.  His body had been removed.  It was decided to move northwest to a new NDP.  Captain Hawkins had 2^nd Platoon drop back to pick up any NVA that might be following.  We in turn had Sparky Journell and another GI drop back to pick off any trail followers.  After a ½ hour wait or so, they spotted two NVA soldiers coming up the trail.  They were fired on by the two GI’s without returning fire.  One was killed and the other escaped.  The dead man proved to be a recon Sergeant who had drawn a layout of the Ripcord Firebase in preparation for an assault.

We soon moved into a new NDP and around 2300 hours heard an explosion in the vicinity of the NVA body we left behind.  We had attached a grenade in hopes of injuring additional NVA.

The sun rose on the 22^nd of July.  I anticipated getting mail this day with re-supply or relocation since it was my 24^th birthday.  Other people had plans for us, which I did not appreciate.  As we moved about, we caught the odor of fish and rice that was typical of the NVA.  Patrols sent out from the NDP did not spot anything but all were on edge.  We attributed the odor to all the captured NVA equipment we were now carrying from the NVA killed over the past few days.  Apparently higher HQ was in a flux about what to do with Ripcord and us.  All the other units had been pulled from the AO (area of operations) except those on Ripcord and Alpha Company.  Hawkins had decided to move to the southwest for extraction and had First Platoon move there to secure a LZ.  Lt. Col. Lucas had other ideas and wanted us to move north to a LZ that he felt could be better covered by artillery.  First Platoon was called back as the rest of us waited on the NDP to move out. 

Once they returned, it was decided to have 2^nd Platoon lead the way to the LZ to the north.  It was now almost 1300 hours, much later than we normally left a NDP.  (The longer you stay in place the greater your chance of being hit.)

 I only had 16 men in the field with me this day.  I don’t recall all that were there but beside the point man I remember our medic Martin Glennon, Platoon Sgt. Johnny Brown, Larry Keys, Dave Counts, Anthony Galindo, Tom Schultz, Sparky Journell, a new guy SSgt. Gary Foster, RTO Mulvey, grenadier Sp4 Miller, my RTO whose name is lost to me, Rifleman McVey as well as five others whose names elude me after all these years.

After we had moved from the NDP perimeter about 150 to 200 meters, the point man spotted mortars and NVA in the trail.  Rather than firing, he dropped back to report his find.  Upon questioning, he said he hadn’t shot cause he thought they might be ours.  I took the squad and moved up to see if we could make contact.  As we approached the NVA opened fire on us with RPG and automatic weapons.  At the same time we heard the mortars popping off as they shot tear gas onto the rest of the company on the hill behind us.  The fire about us dropped a tree in front of my point man and hit my radioman in the leg.  At the same time an assault was taking place around my platoon as the NVA charged the hill and my now cut off platoon.

Those of us in the front t of my column struggled to drag my RTO back to safety while I provided covering fire.  In the process we lost his gear and radio.  At the rear of my column, Sgt. Brown and his RTO were under fire.  He took a round through the face, in one cheek and out the other taking with it part of his tongue and jaw.  I t was all he could do from that point on to keep out of shock and not choke to death on his own blood.  His RTO Mulvey was hit with shrapnel and force to leave his radio behind as he was dragged to cover.  With these two was SSgt Gary Foster who arrived in the jungle with us on the 18^th of July.  He started firing at all the NVA who showed themselves.  For a while they were coming down a trail at him but he kept dropping them.  After a dozen or more (no one was counting) they decided it was better to snipe at Gary from behind trees rather than charge.  As they shot at him, he would toss a grenade at them.  While he was inflicting damage on the NVA, Gary received his share of injuries.  He had numerous wounds from NVA grenades and had his shirt torn to shreds by a satchel charge that gave him a second-degree burn and burst both his eardrums.  Soon no more shots were being directed towards this trio of GI’s and Gary was able to herd his two wounded charges into the perimeter with the rest of Second Platoon.

Sometime during the opening salvo fired at us by the NVA, Tom Schultz of Pittsburgh, PA was killed as he maneuvered to a new position.  When Gary got to the perimeter we were down to 16 men but our perimeter was tight and we were keeping the NVA at bay.  Things were going less well on the hill where the tear gas and high explosives mortars hit.  We had lost our two working radios but we did have a third, which was due to go in for repair since it worked sporadically or not at all.  The RTO’s began working to get this up and broadcasting.

Soon after the sergeants got into our perimeter, the NVA made a concerted effort to get rid of us.  Al l of a sudden we were hit from all sides with grenades,  small arms fire and satchel charges.  Since the NVA were very close and our perimeter, very tight, only a few of the packages and grenades land within us.  As this went on we returned fire in an effort to keep them out of our space.  Sparky was fighting hard on the north end of our formation when he was hit and killed with shrapnel from a grenade.  Others received lesser wounds form that and other grenades than landed among us.  Tony Galindo was hit in the cheek badly enough to close on e eye and eventually give him tunnel vision.  I received only minor flesh wounds from the same grenade.  This assault lasted only ten or fifteen minutes (I really don’t know), but it was hard to see very far due to the vegetation and the smoke.

After that assault failed the NVA continued to pop at us but not at the same level of intensity.  The third radio was finally working and I was soon able to contact Hawkins.  I reported my two losses and he knew of at least five deaths in the rest of the company on the hill.  He had assumed we were gone since he had not heard from me since the battle started and by now perhaps and hour or more had passed (who knows?).  with the radio were able to get better coverage by artillery and in-coming helicopters and airplanes.

As the NVA continued to fire on us and toss an occasional explosive charge, Gary Foster asked me to give him some covering fire so he could throw a grenade.  I was up on my knees shooting in the direction of the NVA as he threw his grenade.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw him heave the bomb and started to get down when it exploded.  A piece of the shrapnel flew back at us and hit me in the mouth, shattering a tooth and lodging in my gum.  Luckily I had kept my mouth shut or the piece might have gone into the back of my throat or skull.  With a wound no worse than a visit to the dentist, I kept on fighting.

It was during this period that Hawkins had a jet drop a pair of 250-pound bombs on the enemy positions east of us.  For whatever reason the bombs dropped much closer than we wanted.  One landed on the end of the hill the company was on, but did not go off.  The other landed 100 meters from my position but on top of the NVA.  When the bomb went off the sky turned black as the sun was blocked and the trees were cut off down to 8 feet in height.  When the smoke cleared we could actually see 30 or 40 meters away if we rose up from a prone position.  Before we couldn’t see 5 meters.

Minutes later I was on my knees assessing the situation as a jet passed over.  I then saw a NVA machine gunner running down the trail away from the company coming towards us.  I looked to see if anyone had spotted him and realized that only I could see him.  I shouldered my rifle and quickly squeezed off 18 rounds in his direction.  As each round hit the bushes and trees around his head and shoulders I saw him look left and right for a way to escape.  All the time I kept thinking to myself  “I need to aim!”  Finally I was out of bullets and he dove into the brush to his right.  I quickly got on the radio and called in a Cobra Gunship to fire rounds in the direction he had fled.  As they prepared to fire rockets, I warned all my guys to keep down until the firing was done.  For a reason known only to him, Gary Foster decided to look up and watch the show.  As the rockets hit, he saw a fragment bouncing along the ground towards his position.  He later remarked it moved in slow motion until it hit him in the nose adding a broken nose to all his other injuries.     

By 1800 hours the fight was over and we had managed to link up with the remains of Alpha Company.  Over all, Alpha had 14 killed and 55 wounded.  Six men made it through the day unscratched.

Although the NVA had pulled out, we prepared for their return that night.  We re-established positions on the old NDP and waited for the NVA.  Through the night were the recipients of flares from the over head aircraft which waited for the NVA to hit us once more.  Nothing happened!

The next morning Delta 2/506 walked into help evacuate us as we blew a LZ on site.  By 1200 hours Delta and we had left the area and returned to Camp Evans.  The camp looked better than I had ever imagined!

I returned to the field with a basically new platoon in august and remained there until late September when I received assignment as supply Officer for the Brigade Headquarters Company till I left “Nam in March 1971.

Six months later I was out of the service and working for NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife as a wildlife biologist.  Today I still work for the same organization, have a grown daughter and son and have managed to stay married to the same woman who selected me back in 1968.  CURRAHEE!!!

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Barry D. Mishler    B/ 2-506   E/ 2-506

My name is Barry D. Mishler.  I served in Vietnam from 1969 –1970 as an E-4 with Bravo Company 2/506.  I arrived with an M.O.S. of 11-C (mortars) but was assigned as II-B (infantry).

I was on FSB Ripcord when the Chinook was shot down on the ammo dump.  On that day I was going outside the wire on a detail with two other guys.  Two of us provided security while the third would cut down trees to improve our fields of fire.  We had just left the perimeter when we heard the 51-caliber fire on the Chinook.  We watched as it crashed onto the ammo dump.  Soon things started blowing up and we were outside the wire and could not get back inside.  We hunkered down outside the wire and waited for a chance to get in.  After a long time the explosions became fewer, things calmed down and we were able to get back inside.  In my bunker fighting position laid unexploded artillery round.

Apparently due to heavy wounded in the mortar unit, the next day I was transferred to mortars.  Now instead of being in my bunker on the side of the hill, I was right on top of Ripcord where the enemy mortars hit regularly.  I didn’t think we would ever get off Ripcord alive.  When we were extracted a few days later, I got on the bird and never looked out.  There was word that the enemy was coming up the hill like ants, but I wasn’t looking.

I have recently retired from the trucking company USF Holland and am now working as a custodian for a school district in Woodstock, Illinois.  I have been a member of the Union Fire Department for 25 years and I am a life member of VFW Post 5040 in Woodstock, Illinois.

I have a great wife Rita, daughter Tonya and son Jason (daughter –in- law Georgette).  I have four grandchildren, Jarvis, Devin, Zoe and Gage.  I also have three stepsons, Darren, Tyler and Gavin (daughter-in-law Lisa).

While my experiences in the war were minor compared to others, they were not the same as my father, Dean Mishler, who served in World War II.  He had the misfortune of being captured 3 times and was held as a prisoner the last time for 112 days.  To me (and probably to my brothers Bob and Scott), Dad will always be a hero.

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Floyd Alexander     FO’s RTO   B 2/319  

Attached to A 2/506

In June of 1968, the high school in Jerseyville, Illinois sent Floyd Alexander into the working world to work in a local steel company.  By 1969 Floyd had decided to volunteer for the draft rather than wait for them to come get him.

He took his basic in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri that summer and then took AIT in Fort Sill, Oklahoma for artillery.  The need for men was high in Vietnam at that time so he went from Fort Sill to his thirty-day leave right to Vietnam and started his tour on December 22, 1969.

His first assignment was with B 2/319 Artillery on Fire Support Base (FSB) Jack located just west of Camp Evans and Camp Eagle in I Corps.  This base was on a low hill in the flat lands just east of the mountains and jungle.  It was used during the rainy season since it could be re-supplied by road is the weather stopped the helicopters.

In April 1970, FSB Ripcord was re-opened and B 2/319 set to work on the hill under Capt. Rich providing fire support for the troops in the area.  Shortly after moving to Ripcord, Floyd was selected to replace Jim Hill as RTO for the Forward Observer (FO) Tom Brennon attached to A 2/506, which at that time was run by Capt. Burkert.  By the end of May Burkert was replaced by Charles Hawkins and in June lt. Steve Olson had replaced Lt. Brennon but Floyd remained as RTO.  Alexander and LT. Olson quickly became good friends and felt like a brother to Floyd.  He was invited to be Olson’s best man at his wedding planned for his return to Georgia in 1971.

Today Floyd doesn’t remember much about his tour.  It was just lots of days walking through the jungle with occasional encounters with the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) and a hot LZ (landing zone where you are receiving hostile fire).  However, he was glad to get off the firebase where you were subject to sniper fire and mortar rounds dropping in unannounced.

On July 22, 1970 Alexander remembers standing next to Olson as usual in preparation for moving out.  Being with the Captains CP (command post) there were two platoons ahead of them and one behind.  Suddenly they heard rifle fire and explosions to the front.  Everything was happening fast as they got down under cover.

Lt. Olson got up to see where to direct fire while Floyd pulled on him to stay down.  At that moment Lt. Olson was hit with an RPG (rifle propelled grenade) which killed him instantly.  Nearby, Sgt. Wagnon, the secure radio operator, had a satchel charge explode in his face, blinding him.  Floyd who was between the two received only minor shrapnel wounds.  Alexander saw five NVA by a nearby tree up on the hill.  He emptied his magazine at them and saw them all fall.  Whether they were hit or seeking cover Floyd didn’t have time to discover.  During the battle Floyd saw one of the medics (Fry?) get killed as he tried to work on one of the wounded soldiers.  He remembers Sgt. Long our Vietnamese interpreter, getting shot in both legs and bleeding to death before he could get adequate medical attention.  Floyd thought that Wagnon was dead and was about to leave the site when he heard him hollering.  Knowing that he could not drag Wagnon out without help and not wanting to leave him behind, Floyd lay next to him and covered Wagnon’s head with his arm and chest.  They lay there pretending to be dead as the battle raged about then for hours.  Others reported that Floyd saw NVA moving among our dead and wounded and shooting them again to be certain.  NVA were reported to have moved to within a few yards of Alexander and Wagnon before being chased off by fire from US troops. 

As the battle wore down, Floyd was able to crawl back.  He hollered “Currahee” and got the same response but was not sure it was our guys.  But once he was sure he got help bringing in Wagnon.

During the long night he helped call in artillery fire for Capt. Hawkins but was certain the NVA would return and Alpha would be over run before dawn.  He remembers being scared, praying and just wanting to go home.

On the 23^rd, Delta 2/506 walked into the battle area and helped extract Alpha Company.  Floyd was treated for his wounds and had numbness in his leg for a long time after due to the injuries.  Even today the numbness comes and goes.

A week later he had a new FO and was once more walking the jungle hills with Alpha Company.  He got an early out and left the country in November and then finished his enlistment at Fort Hood serving on an honor guard.

Service over he returned to work at the steel company till it closed 25 years later.  He followed this us with a job on the state highway department till his present retirement. 

Three years after service he married the lovely Diane Crotchett who has loved and encouraged him ever since.  They have two daughters and presently four grandchildren with a grandson due in March 2006.  Life is good!

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Bill  Kohr     Pathfinder on Ripcord

William (Hard Core) Kohr was raised in central Pennsylvania and like many that graduated from high school in the 1960’s ended up in the Army.  Bill was different from most since he seemed to enjoy the army life and soon went on to jump school at Fort Gordon in 1969.  His training completed, he arrived in Vietnam and was assigned as a Pathfinder directing the Chinook CH-47 helicopters on and off Firebase Ripcord.  On the final day of Ripcord he was there working with Lt. Caballero, SSgt. Samuel Williams and Cpl. Jimmy Howton making sure the choppers got in and loaded quickly and away before the mortars could take them out.  He and the Pathfinder Team helped keep a lot of the guys on Ripcord safe and sound during the evacuation.  For their valiant efforts that day, they all received Silver Stars.

When Bill was discharged from the Army, he returned to work at the trailer plant where he was earlier employed.  He then attended a community college and received a degree in Forestry.  Subsequently he found employment at a lumberyard cutting pulpwood.  In November of 1975 he married Susan Franz.   Together they had a daughter, Jennifer who was born in 1977.    During this overall time frame he joined the 228th Transportation Unit of the Pennsylvania Nation Guard to continue his dedication to the Army and became part of the new pathfinders unit that was being established in Harrisburg.   When the regular job hours at the lumberyard interfered with being a pathfinder, he went into subcontracting which allowed him time to spend with his pathfinder unit and still earn enough to support his family.

His unit was quite active and was called up to help in the Johnstown, PA flood of 1977.  In 1978 they were called to assist the First Coast Guard District in Portland, Maine by ferrying supplies during a severe February storm and then moving pre-fabricated homes onto devastated islands along the coast.  In all cases Bill was recognized for his dedication and professionalism as a soldier and a Pathfinder.

While this was taking his time he did not neglect his fledgling family.  In the summer of 1978 he took them on an auto trip out west to visit Mount Rushmore, tour Montana, see the Grand Canyon, experience Texas and return home. He and Sue having finished their big trip proceeded to build a new home.

By 1979, his love for the Pathfinders and the military and his exemplary work caused his superiors to convince him to attend Officers Candidate School.

Things were going well for Bill in early 1979.  His house was completed awaiting the electric, a second daughter was on the way and OCS was to start in March.  While returning home from a guard meeting in early February, Bill lost his life in an automobile accident.  He was buried on Valentine’s Day, 1979 which holds the meteorological record for the coldest Valentine’s day in the area and an even colder day for his loved ones.  Eight months later his daughter, Kristen was born.

He is survived by his mother, wife and two daughters and missed even years later.  His daughters are now grown and would love to hear from people who knew their father when he served in Vietnam.

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Lt. Col. Fredrick L. Spaulding

Inducted into OCS Hall of Fame

LTC Spaulding, was inducted into the Infantry OCS Hall of Fame March 30, 2007; and inducted August 8, 2007 The Army Ranger Hall of Fame.  In 2010 Fred Spaulding was also inducted in as Distinguised members of the Regiment of the 506th inf regiment currahees.

     Lt. Col. Spaulding entered the service in June of 1958 and spent the next 9 years as an enlisted man before being commissioned. He retired from service in June 1987 as a Lt. Col. Throughout his career he exemplified the finest spirit of the U.S. fighting man as an Airborne Ranger, Pathfinder, Master Parachutist, Raider/Recondo NCO and Special Forces Officer. His superiors consistently called upon him for the toughest of jobs. Equally important to his combat heroics was his mentoring of classmates during the various schools he attended, particularly during OCS. Several Officer Candidates credited him with their success in graduating.
     He served in three combat areas, Dominican Republic, Korea and Viet Nam; Commanded five rifle companies, two HQs' companies, and 3 Special Forces "A" Teams. He was Selected for United Nations Honor Guard duty at Eighth Army Headquarters, Seoul, Korea; NCO of the Year (1963) for 1st CAV Division, and runner up for Eighth Army NCO of the Year. He has been awarded the CIB, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Stars w/V, Air Medals w/V, Presidential Unit Citations, and Valorous Unit Awards.

     While serving as an instructor at the 82nd Airborne Div., Raider/Recondo, and Airborne Schools in 1965, then SSG Spaulding was selected among 4 other Rangers in the Battalion to be point man across the Duarte Bridge into Santo Domingo leading the 3rd Platoon, C Company, 2/325th and the 82nd Airborne Division into its first battle since WWII.
     As an Officer in Vietnam, Captain Spaulding showed his extraordinary willingness to "lead the way" when he was trusted to take charge of a chaotic Firebase Henderson which had been attacked during the night by an NVA sapper company causing multiple KIA and WIA. FB Henderson remained under constant mortar and heavy arms fire while Capt. Spaulding on the ground called in effective air strikes and evacuated the wounded. He later returned under fire and recovered all of the KIA. Further, in 1970 Capt. Spaulding was selected to plan and coordinate the battle of Firebase Ripcord in the vicinity of the A Shau valley, I Corp, Vietnam.

     He was responsible for all aircraft in the AO and fire support during the battle with emphasis on the siege (1-23 July 70), the withdrawal of the firebase and two rifle companies in the vicinity, all while under heavy fire. During the withdrawal (23 July), three LOH helicopters (OH6A) from which he operated were consecutively damaged so badly by enemy fire that the were each rendered inoperable. The fourth OH6A he used that day was also heavily damaged, but it was flyable long enough to complete his mission of getting all troops out of the AO, opening the way for a massive B52 strike. Capt. Spaulding's disregard for his personal safety, while under intense fire, to accomplish his mission, is in the highest tradition of the credo. "Rangers Lead the Way".