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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 3 V O L 4 8
President’s Message
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Chapter 16 Newsle er Organiza on and Responsibili es:
Editor: Glen Craig Sec ons:
Message from the President: Dave Shell Treasurers Report: Kevin Pa on Sec. Rpt (Staff Mee ng Minutes): John Pa erson Sick Call/Obituary: Chaplain Butch Hall Blast from the Past: Glen Craig Special Recogni on: John Pa erson Upcoming Events: John Pa erson Calendar: John Pa erson Human Interest Story: Chapter at large SFA Na onal HQ Update: Dave Shell A er Ac on Report: Jim Lessler Membership Info: Roy Sayer Adver sements: Glen Craig
Suspense:
Newsle er published (Web): 1st of each odd numbered month Input due to editor: 20th of each even numbered month Dra due to President: 27th of each even numbered month Final Dra due 29th of each even numbered month
As I’ve o en stated in the past, we are fortunate to be a Chapter that is located in such close proximity to the 1SFG, one of only five ac ve duty Special Forces Groups, and a Company of the 19SFG located in Buckley. As such, many of our Chapter members are affiliated with one, the other, or both of these units. This close rela onship gives our Chapter a special interest in the 1SFG Reunion, which if you haven’t been informed by now is scheduled to be held in Washington D.C. during the summer of 2015. I have also been informed that ownership has been accepted for the 2017 reunion as well (they are held bi‐annually), keeping it perpetuated for at least the next four years. The management of the reunion has, to date, largely been informal with the loca on for the next future event being decided during the course of an ongoing event. During the 2013 reunion there was a no ceable lack of volunteerism on the part of 1SFG alumni with regard to stepping up to Chair and host the 2015 event, which led to a discussion about dissolving reunion assets and ending the tradi on. At that point SGM(R) ‘Jake’ Jacobson (always large and in charge) said he would lead the effort (again) for the 2015 event and that it would be in Las Vegas. Shortly therea er Jake had to take a step back due to health related issues and talk of ending it en rely gained a more serious tone. Had it not been for Pat Kelleher and SFA Chapter 11 it might have been finished. In spite of this turn, my guess is that it will likely peter out in the next six to eight years, and predictably so. The reason is that the 1SFG Reunion was originally organized so that members of the 1SFG who served together in Okinawa from 1957 to 1974 could renew old comradeships and relive past glories. It seems to me that it was cohort from the start and always has been. I was with the second genera on of 1SFG soldiers who served with the Group a er it was reac vated in 1984 serving 27 years in the unit and I never remember ge ng an invita on to or a ending a 1SFG Reunion un l the one that was conducted in the Puget Sound area in, I believe, 2005. I have no heart burn with that and feel it is perfectly natural that soldiers and their families who were together for an extended period of me in a foreign land and at a me when the country was at war would have special bonds. In
fact, according to many of the old mers, the 1SFG Reunion was never intended to be more than what it started out to be, which was a bunch of old army buddies ge ng together to share a few days of beer, golf, and good mes. Nothing wrong with that, but these kind of things do run their course eventually. Now, as me has marched on, fewer and fewer of that lot are able to a end due to either poor health or mortality, and they are encouraging the next genera on to pick up the ball. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm for this transi on on the part of the reac va on crowd, so I feel that in the long run it is unlikely that the reunion will con nue into the next decade, and I believe if par cipa on is low in 2015 it may not make it to 2017. There are lots of reasons why, but I think that the biggest one is that, unlike the other Special Forces Groups, 1SFG has never had ownership of a Group Reunion. To my knowledge there has never even been a serious discussion at the Group Command level of a reunion of 1SFG soldiers and I do not foresee one any me soon. This is because the Group is commi ed to the very robust and important 1SFG tradi on of hos ng the annual weeklong Menton celebra on each December that has become their premier military social event of the year. It is open to all unit members and their families, past and present, and it has an agenda that includes a memorial wreath laying ceremony at the wall of fallen comrades, a combined US/Canadian airborne opera on, a small arms fire day, an informal social event, and a formal Ball. In view of this, it appears that there is li le reason for the Group to have interest in hos ng a second major social event even if it is only every other year. I am not proposing that we end the 1SFG Reunion, as me itself will determine it’s fate. However I am sugges ng that the 1SFG Menton Week celebra on is an a rac ve successor if/when the day comes that the 1SFG Reunion is no longer held. If 1SFG veterans embrace it as an opportunity to both spend me with former teammates and to get reengaged with the 1SFG it could be the best and most easily sustainable Group reunion in all of USASOC. I encourage your input on the ma er and will con nue to work hard to keep the tradi on alive.
De Oppresso Libre
Dave
J. K. Wright Memorial Breakfast, September 7, 2013
The following members and guests were in a endance: Jim & Elaine Lessler (IMO Eulis Presley), Stan Ha en, Jay Lathrop, Dave Shell (IMO JJ Boyington), Eric Heid, Glen Craig, Carey Pennington, Wayne & Yoko Karvonen, Ted Wicorek, Butch & Regina Hall, Nick Marvais (IMO Mike Karr), Roland Nuqui, Ed & Erma Booth, and Mike & Joy Cassidy (IMO Del Richards). Chapter 43 members in a endance: Jerry Hampton (IMO Gary Wright), Stacie Hampton (IMO Gary Wright), and Skip E nger.
Dinosaurs Luncheon, September 27, 2013
The following members and guests were in a endance: Mike & Joy Cassidy, Brian Hess, Juan Fernandez, Oscar Gomez, Wayne & Yoko Karvonen, Chuck Stevens, John Gebbie, Roland Nuqui, Richard Reilley, Bufford & Mary Lawson, Glen Craig, Chuck Radawick, Kevin Pa on, Ed & Erma Booth, Robert Ferguson, Butch Hall, Harlow & Carol Stevens, Deana Fraser, Captain Ron Rismon, and Jim & Elaine Lessler.
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J. K. Wright Memorial Breakfast, October 5, 2013
The following members and guests were in a endance: Jim & Elaine Lessler (IMO Mike Karr), Harlow Stevens, Steve Epperson, Mike Cassidy (IMO Del Richards), Glen Craig, Ted Wicorek, Wayne & Yoko Karvonen, Dave Shell (IMO Jack Savant), Dennis Guiler, Steve White, and Butch & Regina Hall. Chapter 43 members in a endance: Jerry Hampton (IMO Carroll Elora), Stacie Hampton (IMO Carroll Elora) and Mike Taylor. Chapter 3 members in a endance: Reed Johnson and Luster Johnson.
Dinosaurs Luncheon, October 25, 2013
The following members and guests were in a endance: Jim & Elaine Lessler, Richard Reilley, Walt Hetzler, Wayne & Yoko Karvonen, Dennis Guiler, Ed & Erma Booth, and Juan Fernandez.
Juan Hernandez displaying his radio controlled parachu st which he drops from his radio controlled airplane.
Chapter XVI SFA William R. Card
Chapter Mee ng Minutes Oct. 12, 2013
Call to Order: President Dave Shell called the mee ng to order at 11:10 in the 1st SFG mul purpose room Fort Lewis. Late start was due to wai ng for members and chapter secretary to arrive a er lengthy delay nego a ng Main Gate security. Reminder (to self): you need to allow for a 30 minute delay at the gate.
Pledge of Allegiance: Was led by our illustrious leader President Dave Shell.
Opening Prayer: Chaplain Butch Hall recited the SF Prayer.
Welcome & President’s Report: Dave briefly summed up the chapter philosophy by sta ng, “We don’t fund raise to bank the proceeds but rather to give back to the (SF) community.” This was well received by the membership who voiced approval. Dave made an appeal to the general membership to consider running for chapter office Spring 2014. None of the current chapter execu ves want to con nue in their posi on by default.
Members Present: Eric Heid, Bill Gates, Carey Pennington, Mike Cassidy, Roy Sayer, Dennis Guiler, Kevin Pa on, Ron Hale, Jim Beisley, Willi Lindner, David Teachait, Harlow Stevens, Rich Wall, Walt Hetzler, E J Booth, Glen Craig, Jim Lessler, William Butler, Jim Corcoran, Paul Waldburger, Butch Hall, Mathew Schleupner, Frank Lueck, Bryan Rowe, Capt Ron Rismon, David Ding, Steve Kubiszewski, John Pa erson, Juan Fernandez, Gino Lamolli, Dave Shell.
Wives Present: Stephanie Gates, Joy Cassidy, Tammy Pa on, Carol Stevens, Lynda Hetzler, Erma Booth, Elaine Lessler, Regina Hall, Helga Ding, Carmel Lamolli.
Guests Present: Addy Wilson‐Heid, Lousuane & Wya Lamolli, Jerry Hampton (chap 43), Reed Johnson (chap 3), Luster Johnson.
Sick Calls & Deaths: Bob Ferguson is out of the hospital and doing fine.
1‐Douglas C. Cannon III, Bothell, Wa. Passed away on 14 Sep 2013, age 83, Project B‐52 Vietnam.
2‐Col ® John “Skip” Sadler, passed away on 8 Oct 2013, age 89, CDR MACVSOG.
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3‐MG ® Greg Barlow, passed away on 4 July 2013, age 74.
4‐Sgt Joshua Strickland, 1st SFG(A) KIA in Afghanistan 9 Sep 2013.
Secretary’s Report: The Secretary John Pa erson requested a mo on to accept mee ng minutes from June 2013 and picnic a er ac on report Aug 2013 as wri en. The mo on was seconded and passed.
Treasurer’s Report: star ng balance as of Apr 2013= $24,000.00
Expenses= 14,000.00
Net income= 8336.86
Current balance= 17,418.24
*it was explained that the bulk of expenses was for the scholarships awarded and the wounded warrior cruise.
Quartermaster’s Report: Mike Cassidy says he’s ordered more SF glasses although Kevin Pa on s ll has 70 frozen on hand. Cases of SF beer s ll available for purchase from 3rd Bn, 1st SFG(A). Veteran’s Liaison: Ted Wicorek absent from mee ng.
Past (Old) Business: Again, some of our senior members took excep on to using the term “old” business to describe previously discussed issues preferring “past” business instead. In considera on of our octogenarians and their feelings we will honor their request at least un l they pass on. Many Menton raffle ckets are s ll outstanding. For those of you not selling them please give to a member who will or Kevin Pa on Chapter Treasurer. We have a finite number (200) of raffle ckets and need to keep the unsold ones available. $50.00 p/ cket winner take all (cache of weapons). The expecta on is to raise $10,000 for the Menton Day Ball being held at the Tacoma Conven on Center Fri Dec. 13th. Tickets are $25.00 ($50 last yr). The drawing will be held the day of the Menton Social Dec 11th in the Regimental Mess. It was suggested that we should have the social catered by an area restaurant. Some disagreement over Thai vs. Asian cuisine (to be resolved later). Many ac vi es planned during Menton Week 12/9‐12/13/2013 (ie: memorial wall ceremony, range day, jumpfest). Point of contact regarding Menton is Ma Schleupner 3rd Bn S1. The Chapter website will be fully opera onal some me in Dec 2013. We are paying a professional to design and manage the site which will be password protected and include a directory of members as well as the newsle er and a photo gallery.
Present (New) Business: Another nod to our senior members. Chapter 16 will be par cipa ng in Auburn’s annual Veteran’s Day Parade on Nov. 9th at 11 AM. In an a empt to look more uniform we’re asking those marching wear the Chapter blazer, preferably white shirt w/chapter neck e, black pants, black dress shoes and beret. Please try to get as close as possible to this request. At any rate it will certainly look be er than past parades. Member CW4 Frank Lueck proposes an idea to create sustainable fund raising by partnering with Rainier View Winery in Graham to produce a Chardonnay and Merlot under the Chapter label. Cost per bo le would be $15.00 (includes labeling) with the Chapter selling it for $20‐25.00. Would need to order 12 cases (144 bo les). This wine is meant for drinking not presenta on. Rollout planned for Spring 2014. Apparently no up front costs to the Chapter. Therefore a mo on was made to proceed and seconded by several members. President Dave Shell reminded the membership that Chapter elec ons coming up Spring 2014. He made an appeal for members to seriously consider running for office. Service is a duty. Our Chapter is growing and needs to be truly representa ve of the membership. None of the current Officers wish to con nue in office by default. We would beseech those already re red to step up and relieve those of us s ll working full me and trying to support the Chapter. Cary Pennington gave no ce that he will be moving to his cabin and would not be able to run the coffee stop. A replacement has not been iden fied. Our slot for 2014 will be over the lucra ve Labor Day Weekend. With the right crew we could raise an enormous amount of cash money (ching!) for the Chapter.
For the Good of the Order: Capt Ron Rismon creates a gi basket of salmon, homemade pickles & cigars to be shipped to ac ve duty soldiers and their families over the Christmas season. Please assist in his efforts by providing names so that he can send as many baskets as possible this year. Cudo’s to Chapter Vice President Capt Ron Rismon exemplifying the Special Forces spirit. 50/50 drawing totaling $66 won by Eric’s dtr Addy. She pockets $33 with the rest going back to the Chapter.
Closing Prayer: Chaplain Butch Hall
Mee ng Adjourned: President Dave Shell adjourned the mee ng at 12:15 followed by the Chapter Octoberfest Potluck (which was outstanding).
Respec ully submi ed,
John Pa erson
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Pastor Butch’s Corner
Back in the 50's there was a well known radio Host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking, Womanizing, partying, etc. One of his bigger hits at the me was "I won't go hun ng with you Jake, But I'll go chasing women." One day, along came a young preacher holding a tent revival. Hamblen had him on his radio show Presumably to poke fun at him. In order to gather more material for his show, Hamblen showed up at one of the revival mee ngs. Early in the service the preacher announced, "There is one man in this audience who is a big fake." There were probably others who thought the same thing, But Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher Was talking about (some would call that convic‐on) But he was having none of that. S ll the words con nued to haunt him un l a couple Of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's Hotel door around
2AM demanding that the preacher Pray for him! But the preacher refused, saying, "This is between you and God And I'm not going to get in the middle of it." But he did invite Stuart in and they talked un l About 5 AM at which point Stuart dropped to his Knees and with tears, cried out to God. But that is not the end of the story. Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women, Quit everything that was 'fun.' Soon he began To lose favor with the Hollywood crowd. He was ul mately fired by the radio sta on when He refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor. Hard mes were upon him. He tried wri ng a couple Of "Chris an" songs but the only one that had Much success was "This Old House", Wri en for his friend Rosemary Clooney As he con nued to struggle, a long me friend Named John took him aside and told him, "All your troubles started when you 'got religion,' Was it worth it all?" Stuart answered simply, "Yes." Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much, Don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was, "No." John then said, "I don't understand how You could give it up so easily." And Stuart's response was, "It's no big secret. All things are possible with God." To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it." And as they say, "The rest is history." The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was "It Is No Secret." "It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll welcome you. It is no secret, what God can do...." By the way... The friend was John Wayne. And the young preacher who refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen? ...That was Billy Graham.
Major General Gregory P. Barlow
Major General Gregory P. Barlow (D‐5365‐L) passed away peacefully on July 4, 2013 at the age of 74, due to complica ons from Alzheimer's disease. MG Barlow was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on July 16, 1939. He graduated from Highline High School in Burien, WA in 1957 and from Sea le University with a Master of Arts degree in Administra on in 1966. From 1989 un l his re rement in 1999 MG Barlow served as Adjutant General of the State of Washington, during which he commanded the Washington Army and Air Na onal Guard, consis ng of over 8,000 soldiers and airmen. His dis nguished military career began in 1964 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the ROTC. He entered into ac ve duty in 1966, and served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 as a Special Forces avia on officer, comple ng more than 1,000 combat flight hours. Prior to appointment as Adjutant General, MG Barlow served as the Commander, 81st Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. Throughout his military career Greg received numerous meritorious honors. Some of his major awards and declara ons included the Dis nguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Dis nguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart. Addi onally, MG Barlow served as execu ve director of the Medina Founda on. His numerous civic affilia ons included Boy Scouts of America; Chief Sea le Council; Pacific Northwest Grantmakers Forum; United Way of King County; Washington State Department of Social Health Services; Sea le Rotary Club; Pioneer Broadcas ng Company; Adjutants General Associa on of the US; Special Forces Associa on (Chapter XVI); Na onal Guard Associa ons of the US and Washington; Associa on of the US Army; and American Legion Founda on of Sea le. Greg was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Rosita ("Zita") Barlow. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Ellie; his daughter, Ona Steigenga and son‐in‐law Richard Steigenga of Snohomish; his son, Eric Barlow and daughter‐in‐law Shauna Barlow of Bellevue; and grandchildren, Dillon, Alex, Joshua and Natalie all of whom he adored. A funeral Mass was held on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at St. John the Bap st Catholic Church in Covington, WA followed by internment at the Tahoma Na onal Cemetery.
Col. (RET) John “Skip” Sadler
30 June 1924 – 7 October 2013
Skip Sadler, passed away 7 Oct 2013 from conges ve heart failure. He finally faced a ba le he was powerless to win. Skip will be cremated and his remains will be placed in a vault, most likely at the Tahoma Na onal Cemetery. Please join me in a prayer for COL Sadler and in condolences for his wife Murph and their children. Many were at the gates to greet him, scotch and cigar in hand. I can share that in lieu of flowers he would be honored to have dona ons made in his name to either the Wounded Warrior Project or the Folds of Honor Founda on.
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Robert B. Rheault, Green Berets commander who faced scandal in Vietnam, dies at 87
By Ma Schudel, Published: October 26
Robert B. Rheault, a charisma c Army colonel who could scale mountains, dive to the ocean floor and speak flawless French, arrived for his second tour of duty in Vietnam in May 1969, when the war was at its raging peak. He had the job that had been his des ny, commander of the Green Berets, the elite Special Forces unit that o en operated outside the standard Army chain of command. Within a month, Col. Rheault (pronounced Roe) was embroiled in a case that spread to the highest levels of the Pentagon, White House, CIA and Congress and brought a premature end to his promising military career. The Green Beret murder case, which was splashed across magazine covers and in headlines for weeks, became one of the most puzzling, disturbing and tragic episodes of the war, but it has largely been forgo en in the decades since.
(AP) ‐ Col. Robert B. Rheault, a former commander of the Army’s Green Berets in Vietnam in 1969. In the words of Time magazine, it was “a Vietnam War scandal second only to the My Lai killings” — in which U.S. troops killed hundreds of innocent civilians — “and one of infinitely more complex moral overtones.” Col. Rheault died Oct. 16 at his home in Owls Head, Maine. He was 87. His wife, Susan St. John, confirmed his death. She did not disclose a cause. Col. Rheault, a 1946 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., joined the Army’s Special Forces in 1960. He traveled all over the world, engaging in ac ons along the East German border and peering into China from high in the Himalayas. He trained military units in Jordan, Pakistan, Tunisia and Iran. In one training exercise, according to Jeff Stein’s 1992 book “A Murder in War me,” Col. Rheault’s commandos sneaked into the headquarters of a sleeping U.S. general, drew a red line across his throat and le a note on his pajamas that said, “You are dead.” During Col. Rheault’s first tour in Vietnam in 1964, he was an intelligence and opera ons officer with the Green Berets. Few people knew what he did on his long solo forays into the jungle, but he always came back alive. In the mid‐1960s, when he received a master’s degree in interna onal rela ons from George Washington University, Col. Rheault also worked as a counterinsurgency specialist for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He had close contact with top officials at the White House, State Department, Pentagon and CIA. He was among the few people who knew about clandes ne U.S. opera ons in Vietnam and neighboring Cambodia and Laos. As the war in Vietnam began to be ques oned on the home front, the Green Berets remained one of the few popular parts of the military during an unpopular war. In 1966, “The Ballad of the Green Berets,” a song co‐wri en and sung by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, was a No. 1 hit on the pop charts. In a fla ering 1968 film portrayal of Special Forces units in Vietnam, John Wayne played a colonel in “The Green Berets.” ‘A scin lla ng leader’ When Col. Rheault returned to Vietnam in 1968 to take command of his old unit, the 5th Special Forces Group, the first thing he did was drag the queen‐size ma ress out of his bedroom and toss it in the dusty compound for all to see. He put in a requisi on for a plain canvas cot.
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The Rules of the 1st SFG(A) Regimental Mess
1. Members and guest shall be a red in a manner befi ng the decorum and ac vi es of this Mess.
2. There shall be no occasion where ranger pan es, pith helmets and/or flip‐flops are considered befi ng a re.
3. Conduct will be such that during occasions of cre nous verbosity, only those enabling said verbosity may be fined.
4. Cursing, exchanging lurid accounts of war me ventures, or reliving carnal feats of prowess in the presence of women and
children are prohibited.
5. As each member’s glass of refreshment is served in an un‐sha ered container, each member shall return said container in
an un‐sha ered condi on.
6. Members shall not pinch trophies, mementos, or sundries from the mess.
7. Those failing to adhere to the 5th and 6th rules shall incur fines reflec ng the wrath of fellow members.
8. Members who find themselves involved in a stalemated argument concerning poli cs or religion shall consult higher HQ or
resident religious authori es. At no me shall the bartender act as adjudicator.
9. Members shall not speak with food or drink in their mouths, or ges culate with utensils in their hands.
10. Imita on and mockery of another member of the Regiment, when said member is not present, shall be considered ill‐mannered.
11. In the event that a member’s countenance and personal integrity is in a declining nature, said member should depart the
mess with what remaining grace he may have at his disposal.
12. Others present shall assist members who partake of the spirits provided to the point of excess celebra on to safe quarters.
13. Supers ous prac ces and beliefs, such as the unlucky number 13, shall at all mes be considered shallow minded and
beneath the dignity of the mess.
14. Members will at all mes be reminded that they are brothers of the Special Forces Regiment, and as their deportment
shall be of a caliber befi ng the honor, integrity, and fidelity of said Regiment.
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A recent statement in support of a Medal of Honor write up for SSG Bill Hunt
Sworn Statement of Sergeant Major (Ret.) Donald J. Taylor
A er comple ng a four‐year enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1963, I enlisted in the U.S. Army, a ended Jump School then the Special Forces Qualifica on Course, gradua ng in November 1963, and then I was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) in Okinawa. In December 1965, I inter‐theater transferred from the 1st SFG in Okinawa to the 5th SFG in the Republic of Vietnam and was assigned to ODA‐323 at Camp Trang Sup under Detachment B‐32 in Tay Ninh Province, CTZ III. In 1966, Staff Sergeant William B. “Bill” Hunt and I served together at Special Forces ODA Camps under Detachment B‐32, in Tay Ninh Province. Hunt was with ODA‐322 at Camp Suoi Da, and I was assigned to ODA‐323 at Camp Trai Bi. Our camps were about 30 kilometers apart and we only had VHF voice radio communica ons between our camps through the radio relay site on top of Nui Ba Den Mountain, but we spoke frequently, as our opera onal areas bordered each other. On the a ernoon of November 3, 1966, I was passing through B‐32 Tay Ninh on my way back to Trai Bi when I learned that SFC George Heaps (call sign China Boy 3), the III Corps Mike Force 3rd Company Commander, called in through the Nui Ba Den radio relay site and reported his company had just made contact with an es mated Viet Cong Ba alion and that his XO, SSG James (Jim) Monaghan, was badly wounded. Their company had taken heavy casual es, they were low on ammuni on and they urgently needed both an ammuni on resupply and a medevac. Figh ng alongside Monaghan and Heaps was Heaps’ replacement, SFC James N. Finn. Heaps reported that he believed they had found COSVN HQ and had made contact with elements of its VC Main Force Regiment, all armed with AK‐47s. As the Mike Force at that me was armed with WWII Era M‐2 carbines, they were badly outgunned. I knew these men of China Boy 3, as they had secured the area around Trai Bi in June 1966 when ODA‐323 moved from Trang Sup and built the Special Forces Camp at Trai Bi. It was too late in the day to request a medevac flight out of Bien Hoa to bring the wounded out before dark, and other avia on assets were commi ed in support of the brigade and divisional American units also opera ng in the area. But a lone "slick" UH‐1D, with call sign "Blue Bird" that happened to be flying through the Tay Ninh area on its way to Suoi Da, was asked for assistance. The pilot was advised that a company of Mike Force Chinese Nung mercenaries with numerous wounded, to include an American, was surrounded by a Ba alion of Main Force Viet Cong and urgently needed a medevac. He knew his Huey had no fire support other than his two door guns, but he agreed to fly into a fire‐swept LZ to bring out the wounded. When “Blue Bird” was diverted to medevac China Boy 3 casual es, no one at B‐32 was aware that SSG Hunt was on board the helicopter. It was only by chance SSG Hunt, returning to Suoi Da from R&R, was on board the helicopter, and, as he was very familiar with the area north of Suoi Da, he offered to guide the helicopter into China Boy 3’s LZ. Within a few minutes, “Blue Bird” was making its low‐level approach on China Boy 3’s LZ and found it to be barely large enough for one Huey to narrowly fit. “Blue Bird” took heavy ground fire on approach, and one of the door gunners was wounded. The next few minutes on the ground were very intense. The helicopter was taking small arms hits from the tree line, the door gunner was bleeding profusely, the pilot wanted to li off immediately, and, although SSG Monaghan was badly wounded, he was loyal to his Nungs and he ini ally refused to leave them. SSG Hunt had to quickly make a decision on what he was going to do, and he unhesita ngly decided he couldn’t leave Sergeants Heaps and Finn shorthanded. So he put SSG Monaghan on the helicopter and stayed on the ba lefield with Heaps and Finn. The Huey flew out with one wounded USSF (SSG Jim Monaghan) and ten of the most severely wounded Nungs, taking heavy ground fire again on the way out. Mike Force 2nd Company, call sign China Boy 2, commanded by SFC Jim Edgell, was opera ng ten kilometers south of 3rd Company and they were in radio contact with one another. Jim Edgell a empted to move his company north and join up with 3rd Company but ran into a large VC unit and they too were soon figh ng for their lives. Mike Force 1st Company, call sign China Boy 1, commanded by SFC Joe Lopez, was farther away and out of PRC‐25 radio range with either China Boy 2 or China Boy 3, but they too were in heavy contact with a numerically superior Viet Cong unit. Night fell with all three Mike Force Companies figh ng for their lives and doing their best to survive. A er Bill Hunt unexpectedly remained on the ground with China Boy 3, I was sent to Suoi Da to replace him un l he returned. As Opera on A leboro was growing in scope and things were ge ng very busy in the Suoi Da area, I was needed more at Suoi Da than at Trai Bi. For the next several days, I remained in Suoi Da’s command bunker monitoring and direc ng radio traffic. What follows is a summary of my recollec on of some of those transmissions, and of statements made to me by various par cipants: The morning a er Hunt joined China Boy 3, I flew from Tay Ninh to Suoi Da on a Huey loaded with an ammuni on resupply for China Boy 3 that didn’t finally get to them un l later that a ernoon. It was while they were breaking down and distribu ng this ammuni on that they were a acked by a regimental sized force and almost over run. China Boy 3 repelled the a ack, but once again took heavy casual es, most notably SFC Finn, who was KIA early on. Both Heaps and Hunt knew they couldn’t withstand another such a ack. China Boy 3 desperately needed reinforcements, but airli to bring in sufficient reinforcements wasn’t available due to commitment to the large American units also engaged in A leboro. The China Boys, not for the first me, were pre y much on their own. For the remainder of that day and throughout the night, I remained in the command bunker at Suoi Da and maintained radio contact with China Boy 3. Some me during that night, Sergeant Heaps was rendered unconscious by wounds from an RPG, and I heard SSG Hunt single handedly
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take over the defense of their emba led perimeter. I remember his transmissions as being calm and very professional as he coordinated the defense with us, with USAF FACs, and with other fire support elements. Shortly a er midnight, we heard what sounded like a column of tanks approaching Soui Da on the road from Tay Ninh. But it wasn’t tanks; it was a ba ery of 1st Infantry Division M‐109 155MM self‐propelled howitzers that had moved from their firebase at Tay Ninh‐West under the cover of darkness and observing radio silence. The ar llery ba ery had caught the enemy unaware and had made a night march along twenty‐five kilometers of enemy controlled roadway in order to bring their guns in range to support China Boy 3. They posi oned their guns adjacent to our perimeter and immediately established radio contact with China Boy 3. By this me SFC Heaps had been badly wounded, so SSG Hunt was on the radio the remainder of the night registering defensive fire concentra ons with the 155MM howitzers and incorpora ng the concentra ons into his final protec ve fire plan for the a ack he was sure would come at first light. When the inevitable a ack came, Bill Hunt and the 155MM Ba ery FDC were prepared to throw up a wall of steel around China Boy 3’s perimeter that would have destroyed any enemy unit that tried to assault through it. At first light the next morning, the CG, 1st Infantry Division, was over China Boy 3’s LZ in his C&C ship and watched as their posi ons were overrun by a regimental sized VC or NVA unit. Hunt was on the radio with the 155MM ba ery FDC when he was shot, and his last words were to shout, "Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!" Everyone on that radio frequency in III Corps heard the burst of AK fire that hit him. A er a brief but vicious fight, the enemy assaulted through the Mike Force Company. No quarter was asked and none was given. SSG Hunt had called on the 155MM ba ery to fire its final protec ve fires, but the guns were not permi ed to fire. They were under a “Check Fire” because the CG’s helicopter was in the line of fire and they were forbidden to shoot un l the General had cleared the area. About noon that day, the 155MM Ba ery Commander walked into the Soui Da camp command bunker. I could tell the Captain was emo onally drained and very much on edge. He had been up all night, and had pushed his guns and his men in the dark over enemy controlled roadway to bring his guns into range of those who desperately needed his assistance. But he had not been permi ed to fire when his guns were most needed, and had to listen to men being shot while pleading for him to fire his guns. The guns s ll had the rounds in their tubes that he had loaded that morning to fire Hunt’s final protec ve fires, but the ba ery commander had never received clearance to fire them. By the me the Command helicopter had cleared the area, no one was s ll able on the LZ to direct the fire, so the guns never fired. The Captain had come in to request permission to empty his guns into the side of Nui Ba Den Mountain, as it was not only difficult but also very unsafe to physically unload a 155MM shell a er it had been inserted into the chamber and its rota ng band had been firmly seated in the bar‐rel’s rifling. He was given clearance to empty his guns, and the rounds that could have saved China Boy 3 were fired harmlessly into the side of Nui Ba Den Mountain. For the next two days, wounded 3rd Mike Force Company Nungs straggled into Suoi Da. It was only then that we at Suoi Da realized there had been survivors of the ba le. Immediately a er the 1st Infantry Division departed the area, the Commander B‐32, LTC Newlin R. Happerse , led a company of CIDG in a search of the area where Bill Hunt was reported MIA, but they only found some fresh NVA graves, including that of an apparent Chinese PLA adviser. Soon a er this ba le at LZ China Boy 3, I was transferred to ODA‐334 under B‐33 in Binh Long Province to put in a new Special Forces Camp at Tong Le Chon. In the years that followed, there were other ba les and other casual es, but I never forgot those brave men of China Boy 3 and the valiant stand they made that morning in November 1966. I’ve tried to place myself in Bill Hunt’s boots when he arrived unarmed on that LZ in a MedEvac helicopter and he was standing there with bullets cracking through the air, the helicopter was about to take off, and Bill had a decision to make. Would he turn his back and fly away to safety, as he could have done and no one would have ever faulted him for it? Or, even though he knew it would probably cost him his life, would he join these brave men who were badly outnumbered, outgunned, in a desperate fight for their lives, their backs were to the wall, and they needed every gun they could possibly turn on the enemy? I hope, but I’ll never know for sure, I would have the courage to do what Bill Hunt did: SSG Bill Hunt voluntarily replaced a wounded comrade. He then picked up a casualty’s weapon off the ground and joined the fight. Bill Hunt not only joined the brave men of China Boy 3, but also a er SFC Finn was KIA and SFC Heaps was severely wounded, he led the valiant last stand at LZ China Boy 3 that was equal in every way to the Spartan’s last stand at Thermopylae. I can only hope that now, a er more than forty years passing, the sacrifice MSG William B. Hunt made to his country, to his comrades, and to the Vietnamese people will finally be recognized by him receiving a well deserved Medal Of Honor.
Donald J. Taylor
Sergeant Major (Re red)
U.S. Army Special Forces
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Army Unveils New Modular Helmet Prototypes by Mike Hoffman on September 10, 2013
The U.S. Army has released two new helmet prototypes the service is tes ng to offer soldiers a modular design that would allow crew members to need only one helmet versus the two they currently have to keep. Army leaders plan to unveil the helmets officially in October that came out of the Helmet Electronics and Display System‐Upgradeable Protec‐on program — a four year development effort led by the Na ck Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.
Engineers and scien sts have developed the helmet to poten ally include see‐through and projected heads up display technologies, be er eye and face protec ons with improved ballis c materials. A few soldiers have already go en a chance to test the helmets in mounted and dismounted human factors evalua ons. What stood out for these soldiers is the ability to remove or a ach the mandible and eye protec on.
Currently, crew members must keep two helmets — the Combat Vehicle Crewman helmet and the Army Combat helmet. These new prototypes would allow them to carry only one by altering their helmet to the combat condi on they face. “I think we’ve proven through our program that there can be one helmet for both mounted and dismounted soldiers, which, I think, is a big deal,” said Don Lee, project engineer in the Headgear Thrust Area of Na ck Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, in a statement. “I think the program’s proven that a one‐helmet system for ground soldiers, whether they’re mounted or dismounted, can exist.” A recent report found that 72 percent of all head injuries suffered by soldiers occurred to the face. Army leaders said it forced them to reconsider what equipment was provided to protect a soldiers’ face. Lee said the new mandible and visors associated with the two helmets especially protect soldiers from debris kicked up while riding in vehicles. “When the soldiers wore the prototype systems with the visor and mandible,” Lee said in a release. “It was the first me that they weren’t ea ng sand and dust and rocks going down the road.” Na ck will pass on the results of their research into the helmets to the Army’s Program Execu ve Office Soldier and the Marine Corps for further fielding decisions. No detail were provided of when those decisions may be made.
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On November 16, 2013
Veteran's Park
Downtown Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
A ceremony will be held to dedicate the addi on of an "Iron Mike" statue to the previously dedicated Special Opera ons Monu‐ment. The statue is a $60,000 bronze sculpture designed and cast by noted Smithville, Texas ar st Bill McGlaun.
The ceremony is expected to draw well from the Special Opera ons community as well as from military veterans statewide. Special Ops motorcycle clubs are expected to be well represented. The keynote speaker will be a prominent member of the Special Opera‐ons community.
Breaux Bridge is the home of Chapter 81 of the Special Forces Associa on (The Cajun Warriors). Our small town's involvement with special opera ons began in World War II when two local men joined the OSS, one being a Jedburgh commander. In 1954, one of our na ves commanded the first Special Forces team sent into SE Asia and is recognized as the "Father of Thai Special Forces". In 1958, the Louisiana Na onal Guard established one of the three Special Forces companies of the 20th Special Forces Group in Breaux Bridge. A Breaux Bridge na ve par cipated in aerial support of the Son Tay raid and later commanded all air force personnel in the Desert One opera on. Finally, a Breaux Bridge na ve won the Best Ranger compe on in 2002.
Please make your membership aware of this event and encourage their a endance.
John Arceneaux. Bobby Mar n Commander. Project Director Chapter 81, Chapter 81,
The Cajun Warriors. The Cajun Warriors
TRICARE and the New Health Care Law
Week of October 28, 2013
The new health care law is the Affordable Care Act. Simply speaking, the Affordable Care Act will have very little impact on TRICARE beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries who receive TRICARE benefits, whether at no cost, by electing to pay an enrollment fee, or by paying monthly premiums, have minimum
essential coverage required under the Affordable Care Act. The biggest change they will notice may be an extra letter in their mailbox every January, and an
extra box to check on their tax forms every April. Beginning with the 2014 tax season, and every tax year after that, the Department of Defense will send every
TRICARE beneficiary the same information it sends the Internal Revenue Service. Because the information sent to the IRS is generated using beneficiaries'
Social Security numbers, it is essential for sponsors to make sure their family's Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, information is
correct and up-to-date.
Coffee Stop at Mayfair Rest Area
The Coffee stop at the Mayfair Rest area was a good fundraiser for Chapter XVI and went off without any problems.
Some of the various crews at the coffee stop
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Chapter XVI Special Forces Associa on Quartermasters Store
The Quartermasters Store has Special Forces Crest Uniform and Blazer Bu ons for Sale. They can replace the Army Dress Uni-form or the SF Associa on Blazer Bu ons. They really look sharp. The Bu ons are $5.00 a piece. A set of 4 Large and 6 small are $50.00. If you would like them mailed there is a shipping and handling cost of $4.50. We also have a number of other Items of SF interest.
We also have SF T-Shirts, hats, jackets, SFA Flashes, SF Door Knockers, Belt Buckles, Money clips and numerous other Items of Special Forces interest.
1st SFG(A) Ar facts
The current 1st SFG(A) Commander is solici ng support from former 1st SFG(A) unit members for dona on of ar facts that could be displayed in the units Regimental Mess area at Fort Lewis. He has his PAO officer working on the project and he is asking for items that could be secured in display cabinets for viewing by guests who use the facility for ceremonies, re rements and other ac vi es. Hank Cramer is planning to donate some uniform items that his dad wore in Vietnam and others from SFA Chapter and First In Asia Associa on are pu ng out feelers to our community. If interested, please contact Major Jason Waggoner at [email protected]
Looking For Historical 10th SFG(A) Items ‐ Assistance Requested ‐ for Group Foyer POCs: SSG Ryan Sabin OR Andy Tyler Public Affairs NCOIC [email protected] 10th SFG (A) 719-524-4528 [email protected] We are looking for any historical items and photos that will cover the following areas. I a ached the history outline that we will be following. These items will be used in the HHC foyer and we are trying to tell the 10th SFG(A) story. - 1952- Ac va on of 10th SFG (A) - 1953- Bad Tolz - 1954-1955 Authoriza on of the wear of the Green Beret - 1962- CPT Roger Pezzelle Trojan Horse Unit Insignia - SF Soldiers opera ng in; western and eastern Europe, clandes ne organiza ons in England, France, Norway, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. - Fort Devens - JOINT ENDEAVOR and PROVIDE COMFORT - Opera on Desert Storm - Panzer Kaserne - Task Force Viking
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I am delighted to invite you to join me in celebra ng the recent publica on of my book.
Titled
Captain Ron Flying Life’s Longitudes and La tudes
The book Explores the fascina ng life and mes of
Ron Rismon.
I am looking forward to seeing you all enjoy and
share my work.
“To Order”
Books will be sold for $66.00 + $20.00 Shipping.
Call (253) 670‐2760
Or
E‐mail: [email protected]
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Driving Directions From I-5 Southbound/Northbound:
.At Exit 133 (City Center Exit) turn RIGHT onto the ramp toward I-705/ City Center.
.Keep LEFT to stay on ramp toward I-705/ City Center.
.Turn LEFT onto ramp toward A Street/ City Center.
.Keep LEFT to stay on ramp toward S. 15th Street/ Pacific Avenue.
.Follow S. 15th Street two blocks, the GTCTC will be on your left at 1500 Broadway.
.To access onsite parking, Turn LEFT on Market Street.
.Turn LEFT again on S. 17th Street to access Parking Lots *A, B, D & E.
Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center
Overnight Accommodations
