The Stand Alone Battalion · the doors of the buildings and prepare to start cleaning up our new homes. It was early March and really cold, so the first order of business was to start

The Stand AloneBattalion

...a newsletter for the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry (Currahees)

ISSUE #2 Remembering a time and place as Currahees November 2003

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SECTION IOUR LEGACY-- Our Quest-- Our Battalion Newsletter-- The First Currahees-- Famed WW II Stable Barracks for 506 PIRHeaded To Toccoa

SECTION IIPREDEPLOYMENT -- Operation CROCIGATOR-- THE 'WEIGEL WORD' - The Ship's Newspaper

-- LTC John P. Geraci's Wife - Write Song forDeparting 3-506th-- The Paratrooper's Song - Blood on the Risers

SECTION IIIVIETNAM DIARY-- News From Home-- Thirty-Six Years Ago-- Where Where We Then --Novembers-- Battleship New Jersey-- C-Rations

SECTION IVPOST VIETNAM-- 'A Tribute To A Soldier' -- Trails, Careers & Families --Chaplain Burnham-- A Veteran's Bond

SECTION VREALTIME-- Eagle-Gram-- Reunion 2004

OUR LEGACY

OUR QUEST

Thousands of men served with the famed 3-506TH Battalion, either asmembers or support members during the Vietnam Era (1 April 1967 through 15May 1971). These soldiers served with the battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky,as well as various locations in the Republic of Vietnam-- Phan Rang, Song Mao,Bao Loc, Phan Thiet, DaLat, Ban Me Thout, An Khe, Phu Bai, and Camp Eagle.

Whether or not a soldier wore the Screaming Eagle patch is not as significantas the one thing we all have in common--we all are Vietnam Veterans! Theprimary purpose of our website and this newsletter is to reach as many formermembers, support members, and the families of our KIAs as possible and informthem about our unit, its proud history, the Vietnam Odyssey and our currentAssociations. The families and friends of former members and support membersof the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry (Currahees), 1st Brigade, 101stAirborne Division (Screaming Eagles) are also welcome to visit our website andsubscribe to our 3-506th Newsletter.

As veterans who served honorably with the 3-506th Airborne Battalion and itsSupport Units, we would like to invite you to join us. You will be helping uscarry on a legacy that began in World War II and was carried forward at FortCampbell from 1967 through the Vietnam years 1965-1971, and continues inSouth Korea. There are no membership fees required. It is our desire to providesome answers, bring our former members back together, find the families of ourKIA, honor our fallen, and bring closure to some.

This website and newsletter will provide information about past, present, andupcoming events, personal stories, and memorabilia items for sale, and muchmore. Check our website Message Board for announcements and ongoing

The Stand Alone Battalion

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-- The Buffalo Theory-- The "Currahee"-- Bookstore-- PX News-- Things to Ponder-- 3-506th Currahee is New Directorof Veterans Office-- Medical News-- Big Fish Story-- Adopt-A-Gravesite-- Taps

SECTION VIPOST SCRIPT-- Newsletter Information-- Subscriptions-- Currahee Business Cards-- Professional Graphic Design-- For Your Information-- Photo Albums-Uploading YourPhotos

conversation. On our Story Board, you will be able to also post and read storiesabout our time in Vietnam. If you know of a member of the unit, a support unitmember, or of a family member of a Currahee or Support Unit member KIA, andhave any information to share about fellow veterans, please get in touch with meeither by snail mail at the address below, or by email. The information youprovide will aid in the completion of two books that I am currently working onand hope to have published in the near future entitled "They Called UsCurrahees" and "My Gift To You". Visit our Currahee Gift Shop (PX) on thewebsite to view and/or purchase Currahee & Screaming Eagle related items. Purchases help support our website and much much more. Thanks for all thesupport that you bring to our "Stand Alone Battalion" goals. -- Jerry Berry

OUR BATTALION NEWSLETTER

The "Stand Alone Battalion" newsletter is intended to keep our membersinformed on 3-506th happenings, provide information, and to open windows intoour military service with the battalion--Remembering a time and place asCurrahees! Members will have an opportunity to see photos and read articlesabout their battalion, some never seen before or seen again since their tour ofduty in Vietnam. For those Currahees that lost all their personal belongings ornever had the means to collect and save these things during their tour, thisnewsletter will fill the void left by that time in their lives.

Our first edition of 'The Stand Alone Battalion' newsletter (October issue)provided readers with the format they can expect in subsequent editions--sixsections: Section I - Editorial & Ramblings about our battalion and our 506thlegacy. Section II - Predeployment--Stories and information related to the daysand months leading up to the deployment of the battalion to Vietnam. SectionIII - Vietnam Diary-- Stories and information related to battalion combatoperations in the Vietnam War. Section IV - Post Vietnam--Stories andinformation related to Currahees after returning from Vietnam. Section V - RealTime--Stories and information related to news of today. Section VI - Publication& Assistance Information.

This newsletter will be published monthly and a subscription fee charged (seeSection VI). Members are reminded to submit their recollections, photos, andarticles for inclusion in the newsletter. Be sure to click on any thumbnail photo toview it in a larger mode or blue text, which is a link to another document.

WHO WERE THE FIRST CURRAHEES?

You probably thought that the WW II PIR Currahees were the first ot be calledCurrahees, but the Currahee name goes further back into our Nation's history. Actually, there was another group who called themselves 'Currahees'--the'Currahee Rangers' of the Civil War era.

The Currahee Rangers were formed as part of the CSA(Confederate States of America) in September of 1861near the base of Currahee Mountain near the junction ofmodern day Banks, Franklin, Habersham, and Stephens

Counties in Northeast Georgia. Their camp was known as Camp 935. The unitwas attached to the 24th Georgia Infantry and was designated as Company "H".



The unit saw action in some 48 engagements during the war, including most ofthe major engagements after the first battle at Bull Run (Mannassus July 21,1861). During the fall of 1863, after the Battle of Gettysburg, General Longstreetbrought a detachment of his corp, which included the 24th Georgia, to Georgia todefend the state against the Yankee invasion of Georgia. The 24th Georgia sawaction in Knoxville before returning to Virginia. There were only three membersof the Currahee Rangers present at the surrender ceremony at AppomattoxCourthouse on April 9, 1865--the day Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered hisConfederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.

FAMED WW II STABLE BARRACKS FOR 506 PIR HEADED TODEPOT

Chappy Burnham, who lives in Williamston, SC, and who's wife grew up atthe foot of Currahee Mountain sends me clippings from the Toccoanewspaper--The Toccoa Record. This article was published in the September 23,2003 edition.

SECTION II





SECTION IOUR LEGACY-- Our Quest-- Our Battalion Newsletter-- The First Currahees-- Famed WW II Stable Barracks for506 PIR Headed To Toccoa

SECTION IIPREDEPLOYMENT -- Operation CROCIGATOR-- THE 'WEIGEL WORD' - The Ship'sNewspaper-- LTC John P. Geraci's Wife - WriteSong for Departing 3-506th-- The Paratrooper's Song - Blood onthe Risers



SECTION VREALTIME-- Eagle-Gram-- Reunion 2004-- The Buffalo Theory-- The "Currahee"-- Bookstore-- PX News-- Things to Ponder-- 3-506th Currahee is NewDirector of Veterans Office-- Medical News-- Big Fish Story-- Adopt-A-Gravesite-- Taps

SECTION VIPOST SCRIPT-- Newsletter Information-- Subscriptions-- Currahee Business Cards-- Professional GraphicDesign-- For Your Information-- Photo Albums-UploadingYour Photos

PREDEPLOYMENT & PRE VIETNAMSTORIES

JUMP SCHOOL AT FT. CAMPBELLBy Michael J. Stuart (2/C 3-506th 1967/68)

When I first entered theArmy on February 23, 1966,I was sent to Fort Ord for aweek of inprocessing. Fromthere, a bunch of us new recruits were sent to FortCampbell for Basic Training. Upon our arrival byplane at Nashville, Tennessee, we were immediatelybused to Fort Campbell to begin our eight weeks oftraining.

Our destination was a row of old woodenbarracks that hadn’t been occupied by troops sincethe Korean War. We were told to get off the busand take down the 2 X 4’s that were nailed acrossthe doors of the buildings and prepare to startcleaning up our new homes. It was early March andreally cold, so the first order of business was to startup the coal fired furnace. Once our cleaningsupplies arrived, we cleaned up the barracks andprepared for the start of our training. Of course,everyone took turns throughout the night shovelingcoal into the furnace to keep the place warm.

The Army had trained a bunch of 101st guys tobe our Drill Instructors (DI’s) for Basic Training aspart of the 101st “train and retain” program. I recallour DI’s being from the 321st Artillery, but therewere also instructors from other units such as the3/187th. Some of these guys had already been toVietnam for a tour of duty and were pretty goodinstructors.

One of the real treats handed out by these guyswas pugil stick training. We practiced withouthelmets or protection of any kind—just stand yourground and let the other trainee pound the crap outof you with the butt end of that pugil stick. Theculmination of this phase of our training wasparticipation in a pugil stick competition where youstood “one on one” inside a ring much like a boxingmatch. The goal was to hit your opponent with allthe force you could muster behind your pugil stickin an attempt to knock him off his feet. If you weresuccessful in doing this, then you were the winner ofthe match. The lucky winner, of course, got to takeon the next guy in the competition. I managed tomake it to the semi-final match in my company



before some big tough guy knocked me on my butt. Since we had no protective gear, the blow of theother guy’s pugil stick dazed me for quite a while. The DI’s really weren’t that concerned about yourbrains getting scrambled—because after all, wewere expected to be tough airborne troopers!

From the first day of Basic Training, we wereexpected to go on to Jump School. Throughout ourtraining, we continuously yelled “AIRBORNE”; andwhen asked if we wanted to be an Airborne Ranger,the answer was obviously “YES”! Hell, I was sonew to the Army that I didn’t even know what anAirborne Ranger was, but I definitely knew that anunsatisfactory response to a DI’s question wouldresult in a request for numerous pushups or miles ofremedial running.

At the end of the seventh week of Basic Training,the DI’s lined up the training battalion one morningand informed us that Basic was over and that JumpSchool would start in two days, with only one day torest. Then came the question, “Who doesn’t want togo on to Jump School?” A few unfortunate soulsthat opted not to continue on to Jump Training weregiven the task of digging holes in the hardTennessee clay for three weeks to construct makebelieve Viet Cong bunkers for training while the restof us attended Jump School.

All of us Jump School troopers eventually movedto the new barracks, and we definitely were not sadabout leaving those old wooden barracks that weremember so fondly. Along with the move to newbarracks, we also received our permanent unitassignments. I was assigned to Company A, 3 187th

as an infantryman. At that time, the unit was prettymuch depleted, because many of the guys had beenassigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade for duty inVietnam. We took jump school under the commandof the regular 3/187th NCOs and officers.

Jump School at Fort Campbell was similar inmany ways to the training given at Fort Benning. We ran about three miles everyday down to thetraining grounds, went through the swing landingtrainers, and performed three-foot jumps out of fakeairplane doors. There was also a five-mile run eachday while wearing our combat boots.

We trained extensively on the 34-foot tower, butwe didn’t have the 250-foot parachute simulatorsthat Fort Benning offered.



We did get exposed to a rather unique way oflearning to unhook our parachutes so that winddidn’t drag us once we hit the ground. Ourinstructors tried to rig up an airplane engine with apropeller to simulate wind, but couldn’t get theinvention to work—so some smart officer dreamedup the idea of hooking the parachute harness to arope that was tied to a jeep. First, the training areawas wet down to the consistency of a muddy bog sothat we would slide easily on the ground. We eachtook turns in the harness as we lay in the mud on ourbacks and were pulled around in a big circle by thejeep. When the jumpmaster blew his whistle thatwas the signal to reach up to the “quick release” andrelease our “chute”.

I made it through “the school of hard knocks”and completed the five qualifying parachute jumps. We all received our jump wings and had a proper“prop blast” party. By this time, I had been in theArmy a total of eleven weeks and finally got myfirst leave since inprocessing at Fort Ord. While onleave, I visited a buddy of mine who was in BasicTraining at Fort Ord. I wore my class A’s withjump boots, wings, tent cap, and unit crest on myshoulders; but I hadn’t completed AIT yet. Beingjust an E-2, with no stripes on my arm, the guys inBasic thought that I was an officer and keptscrambling to their feet to salute me!

Back at Fort Campbell, one of the DI’schallenged my right to wear all of the paratrooperinsignias when I told him that I was back from leaveto take Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Thescenario was all out of sequence for him, and heactually called my company commander there atFort Campbell to verify that I was actually assignedto the 3/187th and had already completed JumpSchool. Needless to say, I casually walked out ofthe DI’s office a happy, young trooper with a rathersmug look on my face.

I stayed with the 187th until volunteering for the3/506th. Ed Bassista (3/A 3-506th) and I had gonethrough Basic and Jump School together, had bothbeen assigned to the 187th, and both volunteered forthe 3/506th. I have a great picture of me andBassista in our civilian clothes at Fort Campbell. Bassista eventually was assigned to Company A,3/506th and I was one of the very first troopers toreport to Company C, 3/506th. When I reported toCharlie Company, I was assigned to clerk duties



because of a knee injury that I sustained while on anight training mission.

At this point, there wereonly about ten of us in theunit. I checked in every newguy coming into CharlieCompany thereafter as thecompany clerk andcontinued on with theseduties through ourdeployment by ship to

Vietnam. On our first day in country, CaptainNahas gave the option of further clerk duty. I toldhim that there was no way I was going to be a clerkwhile the rest of the guys went out on fieldoperations, so I trained a new clerk and was happyto be assigned to Lt. Newton’s platoon. I justwanted to do my part like everyone else. Andnow….you know the rest of the story! [Photocaption above: Sgt. Mike Stuart in Vietnam]

Operation CROCIGATOR

During the "Bastard Battalion" five-monthtraining for combat in Vietnam, the unit participatedin or conducted three large war gameexercises--Operation GOBLIN HUNT I, OperationCROCIGATOR, and Operation NIGHT EAGLE. Operation CROCIGATOR was our second majorcombat training operation.

From July 24-31, the Battalion completed theArmy Training Test (ATT) at the Company level.The training required each company to complete aweeklong field training exercise. OperationCROCIGATOR was to test their ability as acompany sized unit to coordinate and function underlive fire combat simulation.

On July 24, 1967, theCurrahees of the 3-506thparachuted into theOkeefenokee Swamps ofFort Stewart, Georgia tocommence "Operation

CROCIGATOR", a week-long Vietnam-style warexercise.



Photo Caption: Paratrooperson search and destroy mission inthe swamps of Georgia during"Operation CROCIGATOR"

The following article aboutOperation CROCIGATORappeared in the Fort Campbellnewspaper--'The Shield and Circle' sometimes inearly August 1967. Click on thumbnail to view in

large frame .

Success at this level oftesting moved the Battalion one step further towardtheir completion of training for combat in Vietnam. The entire Battalion would be tested the followingmonth to determine their readiness for thejungle/guerrilla warfare being fought in Vietnam.

THE 'WEIGEL WORD' - The Ship's Newspaper

The first issue of our newsletter included anarticle about the first group of officers and enlistedmen assigned to the battalion who deployed by shipto Vietnam in October 1967 aboard the USNS Gen.William Weigel. This first group of Currahees arecommonly referred to as "the boat people". Ourjourney took 25 days, made stops at Midway Island,the Philippine Islands, Quin Nhon, Vung Tau, andCam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, where wedisembarked on October 26, 1967. Our battalionarrival in Vietnam was reported in severalnewspapers and magazines, both in the States and inVietnam. One such article--"VIETNAM--THE3/506TH JOINS THE 1ST BDE" appeared in thefirst newsletter.

Not everyone whodeployed aboard the USNSGen. Weigel is aware thatwe had a daily shipnewspaper called "TheWeigel Word". It consistedof a few mimeographedpages produced by severalmember passengers,

including our very own SP4 Jerry Hill (2/C1967/68).



Although I did not thinkto save copies of the 'WeigelWord', Sgt. Lee Bradford(CSF/LRRP 1967/68)provided me with a copy hehad saved. Each edition ofthe 'Weigel Word' usuallycontained some nationalnews off the ship's radiosystem, sports news, someparticular events and onboard training news, PXnews, movie schedule, and other small talk. Theship's newspaper was a welcomed break for manyon the long voyage.

The ship's newspaper staff on our cruiseincluded our very own Bn. XO Maj. George E.Fisher, Jr (now deceased), 2Lt. Herbert L. Hohl III(1/B 3-506), Sgt. Manuel D. Cordova (Hqts/A3-506), Sgt. Robert L. Render (B 3-506), SP4Thomas W. Croff (B 3-506), and Pfc. Pedro T.Armendariz (B 3-506).

For over 35 years, I have tried to recall the unitsthat deployed to Vietnam with our battalion. Iknew that the 3rd Battalion, 503rd Infantry(Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade deployed withus, but I could not remember the other units untilLee Bradford send me a copy of the WeigelWord. There were actually 14 military units aboardship. So far, I have our battalion, the 3/503/173rd,and the 203rd Reconnaissance Airplane Company(RAC), the "Hawkeyes". If Lee Bradford canlocated other issues of the Weigel Word that hethinks he has, we'll learn who the other unitswere. Keep searching, Lee!

LTC JOHN P. GERACI'S WIFE WRITESSONG FOR DEPARTING 3-506TH

Mrs. Geraci wrote the following song prior to theunit deployment to Vietnam:

THE 3-506TH COME ALL YOU GENTLEMEN COME ONE AND

ALL THOSE WHO ARE YOUNG, SHORT, FAT ORTALL. TIGHTEN YOUR CHUTES AND NO LONGERTHE TRICKS YOU'RE JUMPING THE FINEST, THE3-506 WE'RE HERE TO MAKE MERRY THERE'S

NOT TOO MUCH TIME. BUT 3-506 IS ALREADY ONLINE. THE WIVES ARE BEHIND YOU 100% IF YOU

DON'T BELIEVE US, JUST CHECK WHAT WE'VESPENT. 3-506 YOU ARE READY TO GO. TODAY



OR TOMORROW, 'TAINT NO ONE TO KNOW. BUTWE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOUR GREAT RETURN

AND THEN THE WHOLE ARMY WILL READILYLEARN HINKY DIE, HINKY DIX THERE AIN'T

NOTHING FINER THAN THE 3-506

--Ms. Geraci May-June 1967

THE PARATROOPER'S SONG -BLOOD UPON THE RISERS

He was just a rookie trooper and he surely shookwith fright.

He checked off his equipment and made sure hischute was tight.

He had to sit and listen to those awful engines roar. And he ain't gonna jump no more.

Refrain: Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die. Gory, gory what a hell of a way to die. Gory, gorywhat a hell of a way to die. And he ain't gonna jumpno more. Is everybody happy cried the Sergeantlooking up. Our hero feebly answered yes and thenthey stood him up He jumped into the icy blast, hisstatic line unhooked. And he ain't gonna jump nomore. ---------- Refrain He counted long, he

counted loud and waited for the shock. He felt the

wind, he felt the cold, he felt the awful drop. Hepulled his cord, the silk spilled out and wrappedaround his legs. And he ain't gonna jump no more.

---------- Refrain The risers wrapped around his

neck, connectors cracked his dome. Suspensionlines were tied in knots around his skinny bones. Hiscanopy became his shroud, he hurtled to theground. And he ain't gonna jump no more. ----------

Refrain The days he lived and loved and laughed

kept running through his mind. He thought about

the girl back home, the one he left behind. Hethought about the medicos and wondered whatthey'd find. And he ain't gonna jump no more.---------- Refrain The ambulance was on the spot

and jeeps were running wild. The medics jumpedand screamed with glee and rolled their sleeves andsmiled. For it had been a week or more since last achute had failed. And he ain't gonna jump no more.---------- Refrain He hit the ground the sound was

splat, his blood went spurting high. His comrades

they were heard to say, a hell of a way to die. He



lay there rolling in the welter of his gore. And heaint gonna jump no more. ---------- Refrain

SING SLOW

There was blood upon the risers, there were brainsupon his chute. Intestines were a dangling from his

paratrooper suit. They picked him up still in his

chute and poured him from his boots. And he ain'tgonna jump no more. ---------- Refrain

SECTION III







VIETNAM DIARYRemember to click on thumbnail or blue text

NEWS FROM HOME

These two messages appeared in theJanuary-February 1969 edition of the 101stAirborne Division Association 'The ScreamingEagle Magazine'. They appeared in the 'Newsand Comments From Our Letter Dept.' section.

"MRS. EDWARD L. JOHNSON wrote that their son, SGTSCOTT E. JOHNSON (A, 3/506), would be returning fromVN and that "our son, my husband, and I are all veryproud of his service to his Country with a unit like the 101Airborne." Scott was to receive a 101 beer mug as apresent."

This past July in Reno, NV, Scott was reunited with hisformer Co. A teammates after 35-year's. Scott is a "BoatPerson", and deployed with the battalion in October 1967. After the Tet Offensive in January/February 1968, he wasamong the Currahees transferred up north to another 1stBrigade Battalion.

"SGT MICHAEL L. MUNSON (C 3/506) wrote us fromFitzsimons Gen. Hosp., Ward 606, Denver, Colo. Hehopes to be home by New Year's and was expecting amedical discharge."

THIRTY-SIX YEARS AGO

Thirty-six years ago, the 3-506th began its





"rendezvous with destiny" on November 11,1967. By helicopter combat assault, the Curraheescombat assaulted into Landing Zones Atlanta (Co.A), Tampa (Co. B), New York (Co. C) andProvidence (CSF) and commenced OperationROSE.

On this 36th anniversary of our first combatassault, we pause to honor Curraheeseverywhere. May all those we lost in the pursuitof freedom rest in peace. May all othersremember and keep friendships by attendance atReunions through the 3-506th, 506th, and 101stAirborne Division Association, which wereformed for this purpose and to preserve thetraditions of the 506th and 101st AirborneDivision.

WHERE WE WERE THEN

VIETNAM NOVEMBERS -- If you havewondered where the "Stand Alone Battalion" wasin the month of November during your Vietnamtour of duty, well, here's your answer.

November 1967 - If your tour of duty includedNovember 1967, our battalion was located at PhanRang--"The Eagle's Roost"--and conducted its firstcombat search and destroy operation--OperationROSE (11-30 November), in II Corps: Ninh Thuanand Binh Thuan Provinces, OPCON to 1stBrigade, 101st Airborne Division. We made ourfirst cherry CA on November 11, Veterans Day.

If you were a member of the Currahee ShockForce (Recon. Platoon), you were probablyinvolved the clandestine operation called"Operation SWEETPEA". During the earlyafternoon of November 18, the BattalionReconnaissance Platoon (Currahee Shock Force)initiated Operation SWEETPEA. Disguised asVietnamese peasants, 1Lt. Pearson’s Shock Forceborrowed a bus from local residents and traveleddown the highway toward the village of Vinh Hao.It’s mission to neutralize a Viet Cong taxcollection point located on Highway QL-1 southof Phan Rang. The confrontation with the enemyresulted in one Viet Cong killed and one capturedenemy weapon.

The Currahees spent their first Thanksgiving Dayin South Vietnam on November 30, 1967.

November 1968 - If you were with the battalion in



November 1968, you were operating out of LZBETTY at Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province, IICorps. On November 11, now TF 3-506 incombination with the 4th Battalion, 44th ARVNRegiment began the Combined Operations. Thesecombined U. S. and Vietnamese forces conductedvarious reconnaissance-in-force operations forseveral days in the southwest portion of BinhThuan Province. During the operation, a firesupport base named ZEWERT was establishednorthwest of Phan Thiet to provide supportingfires for the units operating in the vicinity.

After the first combined operation for November,TF 3-506 commenced unilateral small unitoperations within the AO. On November 20, 1stPlatoon, Company C engaged a squad of VietCong while positioned on a trail leading into asuspected enemy base camp. The enemy contactclaimed the life of Sgt. Gary Don Pagan, 22, fromOzona, Texas.

November also began a series of five combinedoperations involving TF 3-506 and the fourbattalions of the 44th ARVN Regiment. Thisseries of combined operations-DOUBLE EAGLESOperations-would last more than two months andwould establish an important rapport with theARVN units.

The first operation, DOUBLE EAGLES I,commenced on November 23 north of Luong Sonin the MR-6 area. A combined forward commandpost and fire support base, designated asKINNARD, were located near the center of thearea of operations. Operation DOUBLE EAGLESI would extend into the month of December andend on December 3, 1968. On November 23, anenemy sniper would take the life of DeltaCompany platoon leader, 1Lt. Daniel LynnNeiswender, 22, from South Laguna, CA.

November 1969 - As November began, TF 3-506was wrapping up its search and destroy operationsin the Southern Free Strike Zone in preparation fora move to Ban Me Thuot in Darlac Province.

On November 1, the Currahees picked up a ChieuHoi returnee, who gave information about a largeweapons cache in a nearby village. First Platoon,Company D conducted a search of the suspectedcache area and subsequently found an ammunitioncache containing a substantial number of mortarrounds, B-40 rockets, and small arms ammunition.



The “Bastard Battalion” remained at Phan Thietuntil November 5, when it moved operations northto Fire Support Base CHU KUK near Ban MeThout.

Task Force 3-506 became OPCON to the 23rdARVN Division to secure the valuable supply link,Highway QL-21, east of Ban Me Thout. DuringPhase I of Operation ROAD RUNNER, aBattalion Forward Liaison was maintained at BanMe Thuot, and the Battalion Forward CP waslocated at Fire Support Base CHU KUK.

As Operation ROAD RUNNER continued, TaskForce 3-506 was released from OPCON to the23rd ARVN Division on November 11 andbecame OPCON to the 1st Brigade, 4th InfantryDivision to conduct Phase II of the road clearingand security operations along Highway QL-21.Operation ROAD RUNNER would continue intoDecember.

The Currahees welcomed their sixth BattalionCommander on November 15, 1969. In aceremony at LZ BETTY, LTC James M. Bowerspassed the command of the 3-506 to LTC JosephN. Jaggers, Jr., who would lead the Currahees everforward in their “Rendezvous with Destiny.”

November 1970 - November began with a moveby air and overland from Fire Support BaseBIRMINGHAM to Fire Support Base ARSENALon November 1. The Currahees were now OPCONagain to the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne, whichremained operational in the six districts southeastof the Perfume River in Thua Thien Province.

In November, torrential rains and high winds fromTyphoon Joan caused extreme flooding in thelowlands of the Division AO. During the height ofthe flood disaster on October 31 and November 1,nearly 10,000 civilians from Thua Thien Provincewere displaced from their homes. Divisionpersonnel and aircraft flew hundreds of sorties todeliver food and water and to rescue strandedpeople. All flood victims returned to their homeswithin a week and were assisted by the SouthVietnamese Government in re-establishing theirhomes.

Divisional engineers also commenced assistancein the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and culvertsthroughout the lowland areas.



Throughout most of the month, the Curraheesconducted search and destroy operations withinthe ARSENAL area. Because of adverse weatherconditions, the Battalion was forced to occupylower ground, where the cloud cover would notprevent resupply and air movements. Contact withthe enemy was light, because the enemy wasscarce in the lower areas.

On November 25, the “Bastard Battalion” movedonce again. Moving by air and vehicle, theCurrahees left Fire Support Base ARSENAL andreturned the Phu Bai Combat Base to assume themission of division ready reaction force and standdown for more refresher training. 1Lt. MarkBastey and SSG Thomas E. Vennard of theReconnaissance Platoon received the Silver Star.

November 1971 - You were with another unit, notthe 3-506th.

BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY

I continue to get messages or hear fromCurrahees that we were supported at Phan Thiet in1968 by the battleship New Jersey. It didn'thappen, Currahees! However, we did get supportfrom her in 1969. Here's some facts off the NJwebsite:

"The New Jersey was recommissioned in thespring of 1968 and was the only battleship then onactive duty in any Navy. She had a successfulVietnam combat tour from September 1968 toMarch 1969, firing her main battery at hardtargets ashore and providing major-calibergunfire support for friendly troops ashore. Shewas scheduled for a second Vietnam tour butinstead was decommissioned in December 1969because of budget cuts. "

"Departing Long Beach 3 September [1968], NEWJERSEY touched at Pearl Harbor and Subic Baybefore sailing 25 September for her first tour ofgunfire support duty along the Vietnamese coast.Near the 17th Parallel on 30 September, thedreadnought fired her first shots in battle in oversixteen years. Firing against Communist targets inand near the so-called Demilitarized Zone (DMZ),her big guns destroyed two gun positions and twosupply areas. She fired against targets north of theDMZ the following day, rescuing the crew of aspotting plane forced down at sea by antiaircraftfire.



The next six months she carried out a steady paceof bombardment and fire support missions alongthe Vietnamese coast, broken only by brief visits toSubic Bay and replenishment operations at sea. Inher first two months on the gun line, NEW JERSEYdirected nearly ten thousand rounds ofammunition at Communist targets; over: 3,000 ofthese shells were 16 inch projectiles.

Her first Vietnam combat tour completed, NEWJERSEY departed Subic Bay 3 April 1969 forJapan."

This article appeared inthe March 1969 edition ofthe Stars & Stripesnewspaper praising the

battleship New Jersey for its gunfire support offthe coast of Phan Thiet.

Yep, I have the names and dates of all theNaval ships that provided us with gunfire supportduring our operations at Phan Thiet. The U.S.Navy sent me a complete list of declassifieddocuments listing each ship, dates on the firingline, targets, shells fired, etc.

Note: I plan to publish articles, photos, and misc.other news in the specific month newsletter inwhich the event in Vietnam took place. So, if anevent took place in November in Vietnam, expect itto appear in the November Newsletters. This maynot always be the case, but as a rule, it will.

C-RATIONS

Here is an excerpt from my book (in draft) --"TheyCalled Us Currahees" (December 1967).

As I was enjoying some quiet time on one of tripsinto the field, I gave some thought to the food wehad to eat in Vietnam. If I had to emphasizewhich of the items we carried with us in the fieldgave us the greatest chance of survive andaccomplish our mission, I would stress theimportance of the C-ration. The food items in theC-ration meals not only satisfied our hunger, butcould often be just as effective as a round from anM-16. As a matter of fact, the crackers from ourC-rations were so hard that they could definitelybe used as deadly projectiles when thrown at closerange.



The cunning, illusive Viet Cong guerrilla couldsurvive for months on nothing more than a littlewater, rice, bugs, snakes andgod-knows-what-else. However, if he were toconsume a can of lima beans and ham, his bodilyfunctions would shut down and death would occurin eleven hours and fourteen minutes without firstaid. A Viet Cong—the poor soul—who carriedless than a half gallon of water and mistakenlyconsumed a tin of our peanut butter, would “gag”to death in less than three minutes—eaten withcrackers, death would occur in less than 45seconds. The grease in the top of a can ofbeefsteak and potatoes could be used as anAmerican “booby-trap”. You could use the greaseto “grease down” a trail and cause anunsuspecting Viet Cong to slip and break his legor injure his back. Remember what happened toPSG Thomas "Slackman" Gentry in 3rd Platoon,Alpha Company during the second night of ourfirst combat assault (November 12, 1967). Mostof his platoon still thinks he accidentally tripped,fell and broke his arm, but I believe a Viet Conghad found a discarded can of beefsteak andpotatoes and “greased down” the trail he wastraveling. The truth will never be known becausethe rest of us destroyed the accident scene in ourmad dash to find cover, thinking the Viet Congwere attacking us. PSG Gentry was ourcompany's first combat mission causality anddeserves the Purple Heart. We 'cherries' learned tobetter control our bodily fluids after that incident..

I asked my good friend and mess sergeant, SSgt.Benjamin Patterson to educate me on militaryrations. He told me that military rations were topsecret and if he told me, he would have to kill me. After convincing him that I was the PIO withclearance, he reluctantly gave in.

"We essentially provide our troopers three types ofrations,” said SSgt. Patterson. “The A-ration(meals with fresh foods that are perishables—fresheggs, corn-on-the-cob, steaks, etc.), B-rations (hotand cold meals prepared in bulk in the field), andC-rations (the individual, combat meals that we allloved and carried around with us in ourrucksacks).” He went on to tell me to think of themeals we served in the mess halls as A-rations, themeals we were served at a field camp as theB-rations. “The C-rations we are using now havereplaced the old C-rations used during WW II and



Korea,” said SSgt. Patterson. However, there arestill a few of the older C-rations from WW IIaround."

Each case of C-rations contained 12 individualmeals, each with a different menu. Each menucontained one canned meat item; one canned fruit,bread or dessert item; a B-unit; an accessorypacket containing cigarettes, matches, toilet paper,coffee, cream, sugar, salt, chewing gum, and aplastic spoon. Four P-38 can-openers wereprovided in each case of C-rations.

A daily ration was designed to provide a combatperson approximately 3600 calories of nutrition asprescribed by military regulations. Each C-rationmeal was designed to provide approximatelyone-third (1200 calories) of the minimum requirednutrient intake. A 12-meal case of C-rationsweighed approximately 24 pounds, with eachindividual meal weighing about two pounds. Thetwelve different menus in a case were as follows:CLICK HERE

Some meals would substitute the pecan cakeroll for pound cake, fruitcake or chocolate nut roll.

We also were issued a new ration called LongRange Patrol (LRP) meals CLICK HERE. Themilitary designed these meals for troopers inoperations precluding resupply for periods up toten days. These meals were packaged in a flexiblepackage that was light, compact and easy to carry. These rations were the best yet. The meals wereprecooked, then freeze-dried (dehydrated) in aconvenient package suitable for reconstitution ofthe contents. When conditions permitted, thesoldier could prepare a familiar and acceptable hotmain course in seconds simply by adding hotwater. If he was not in a situation to heat water,the soldier could redehydrate the main componentin about five minutes in cold water or even eat thecontents like dry popcorn. There were four menusavailable at the time, with more being introduced.Each meal furnished over 1000 calories in anaverage gross weight of 11.3 ounces and volumeof about 70.6 cubic inches. The meal varietieswere Chicken and Rice, Pork with EscallopedPotatoes, Beef Stew, and Spaghetti.



SECTION IV



SECTION IOUR LEGACY-- Our Quest-- Our Battalion Newsletter-- The First Currahees-- Famed WW II Stable Barracks for 506 PIRHeaded To Toccoa

SECTION IIPREDEPLOYMENT -- Operation CROCIGATOR-- THE 'WEIGEL WORD' - The Ship's Newspaper

-- LTC John P. Geraci's Wife - Write Song forDeparting 3-506th-- The Paratrooper's Song - Blood on the Risers



SECTION VREALTIME-- Eagle-Gram-- Reunion 2004-- The Buffalo Theory-- The "Currahee"-- Bookstore-- PX News-- Things to Ponder-- 3-506th Currahee is New Director ofVeterans Office-- Medical News-- Big Fish Story-- Adopt-A-Gravesite-- Taps

SECTION VIPOST SCRIPT-- Newsletter Information-- Subscriptions

POST VIETNAM

'A TRIBUTE TO A SOLDIER' The following article was written in the early80s by Cpt. Jerry Durre, Bravo Co. Commander 1968/69.

He seemed always to be talking of the beaches in sunny California, surfing and pretty girlsand indeed he seemed just the sort of guy you’d expect to see there--handsome, blonde and fullof life.

But it was October 1968, and Rick Burns found himself in the jungles and rice paddies ofSouth Vietnam fighting a forsaken war with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

As a newly arrived platoon leader, it took me precious little time to realize that Rick was noordinary soldier. For one thing, he was popular; wherever Rick was, you could expect othersto be gathered around. He was mischievous--always into one minor scrape or another, whichaccounted for his lack of rank. He was only a private, although he had certainly been aroundlong enough to achieve more. Most obvious, though, was his leadership ability.

He had that indescribable quality of which real leaders are made. You had the feeling thathe could be counted on in a tight spot, that he'd have picked up that crucial first down on fourthand one, or that he'd have coolly canned that foul shot with the score tied and no time showingon the Clock. There was a lot of untapped potential in Rick Burns, and I meant to tap into it. Istarted leaning on him.

One night we were digging in our defensive positions. Rick's spot on the perimeter lay onrock-hard ground. After considerable sweat and even more cursing, he managed to scrape aslight depression into the unyielding jungle. "How's that sir!" he asked. "It'll never do", Ibarked. "Dig!" So he dug and cussed and cussed and dug until I was happy and he wasdog-tired.

Charlie hit that night. After the rounds stopped falling around us I checked the men. Rickwas still curled up in that hole. He looked sheepishly up at me. "Sure glad you made me digthis hole," he gasped. "Me too," I replied. Rick didn't need any coaxing after that. It wasn'tlong afterward that I appointed him squad leader. He wasn't the ranking man, although I'dpromoted him to Private First Class by then. On thing for certain though--he was the right manfor the job--no doubt about that.

One day, as directed, Rick took his squad on a short area reconnaissance patrol. Theremainder of the platoon waited patiently in a hasty defensive perimeter. When the squadreturned, Rick came strolling up to the perimeter carrying his M-16 loosely at his side, muchlike a briefcase.

It burned me up! I always insisted that the men carry their weapons at the ready. Mostencounters were meeting engagements and chance encounters, requiring quick reactions. Ifready, you had the edge on "Charlie". It was an edge I wanted my guys to have, and Rick knewit.

I called him aside and chewed him out properly. "Rick, those men look up to you", I said. "They'll do just as you do--no more or less and suppose it should cost one of them his life?" Igrowled. "I expect more of you than that. You're their leader. Set the example! "

Rick looked me straight in the eye. "You're right sir, it won’t happen again," he said. Itdidn't.



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On another day, Rick's squad was engaged by the VC while on patrol again. The all-too-familiar rattle of a firefight followed the sudden burst of automatic weapons fire. When Icould raise no reply on the radio, I alerted another squad to "saddle up" and we dashed to theiraid.

The sounds of gunfire ceased. Within minutes, we met Rick and his squad coming toward uscarrying the body of their dead comrade [Pfc. Kevin Edward Tweedle, 19, of Wharton, TX] whowhen shot, had jerked the cord from the radio handset, severing communications with us. Weevacuated the body and another soldier wounded in the fight and with reinforcements, headedfor the area of the encounter. Contact!

Suddenly the platoon maneuvering out of sight to our left and slightly ahead of us washeavily engaged. The volume of gunfire was deafening. My heart pounded. Frankly, I wasscared half to death. My senses of responsibility and duty intervened. "Let's go!" I shouted,and we began to jog cautiously toward the fracas.

As we approached the battleground on the enemy's flank, I ordered the platoon on line. That's when Rick Burns began to do his thing. His squad was right beside me. He waseverywhere at once, directing fire, keeping the troops on line and shouting orders. He wascompletely oblivious to his own safety. He was fearless. He was leading. Was he ever leading!

The VC broke and ran. For his part in that action, I recommended Rick for a Bronze Star,which he later received. I promoted him to Corporal shortly thereafter. Gosh he was proud! And I was proud of him.

Rick never let me down. More importantly, he never let his comrades down. I keptleaning on him and he kept living up to the fine reputation I was certain he deserved. He didthings not because he'd been ordered to do them, but because they needed to be done--a rarequality then and now. Rick was a soldier.

On February 28, 1969, we were in base camp, having come out of the "boonies" the daybefore. At dusk, I heard several mortar rounds explode on the perimeter. I grabbed my fightinggear; and when I heard the ambulance siren, I dashed for the aid station. My troops were onthe perimeter.

The ambulance rolled in just after I arrived. Three wounded soldiers were brought in. Twohad suffered only minor wounds, but one was screaming in agony. It was Rick.

I went immediately to his side. Doctors pout tourniquets on his mangled legs and he wasgiven morphine, but it was slow to take effect. I held his hand as we talked. "Hang in there,buddy," I told him. "You'll be ok." He was apparently unhurt except for his legs, which wereobviously lost. I remember thinking that his surfing days were over, but that he'd live.

"Would you like to pray?" I asked. "Yes," he gasped. Together we said the Lord's Prayer. He labored with the words as pain consumed him. He calmed down. Perhaps the morphinehad taken effect. Still holding my hands he said, "Tell my mother I love her--and dad. Tellthem I did my best. I tried. I served my country. I did my duty." "You can tell them", Isaid.

I can still remember the look in his eyes--as if his thoughts were thousands of miles away. Perhaps he was on a California beach with one of the pretty girls he seemed to talk aboutincessantly. He spoke not a word. He just sort of slipped away. l wept unashamedly.

Weeks later, from a stateside hospital bed, I telephoned his mother and told her what he hadsaid. I remember telling her also that he was a good soldier. But he was a lot more than that. Rick didn't want any part of that rotten war. He just wanted to do his own thing on the beach.There's no telling what he might have become had it not been for a mortar round in a hellholecalled Vietnam. We'll never know. Duty called. Rick answered. He hated it, but he answered.He did his best...tried...served his country...did his duty.

I think of him a lot. I'll never forget him. He was such a fine, brave, young American withhis whole life ahead of him.

Rick Burns was a patriot. Men like him won this country’s freedom and fought time andagain to keep it free--or simply because duty called. None finer than Rick Burns, however,ever gave his life for it. I love him, as one soldier loves another. I miss him very much.



--Jerry Durre

Cpt. Jerry Durre was wounded on March 5, 1969. After a week at the 7thSurgical Hospital in Long Giao and another three weeks in Japan, he was sent toFort Meade, Maryland where he remained until his release in July of that sameyear. It was shortly after arriving at Fort Meade in April 1969, that he called andspoke with Patricia Burns, Richard's mom.

Cpt. Durre attended our 7th Annual 3-506th Reunion--hisfirst, in Reno this past August. When he found out thatRick Burns' parents, Gerald and Patricia Burns, would beattending the reunion, he contacted me to tell me that hewanted to attend the reunion to meet the Burns. It wasafter the reunion that Cpt. Durre gave me details about the

day Pfc. Kevin Tweedle was killed. "I recall meeting them [Cpl. Burns' patrolon the trail and feeling so down when I saw Kevin," said Cpt. Durre. "I prayedbriefly over his body and closed his eyes. It is all so vivid in my memory evennow. I recall the wound in his chest over his heart, just a hole and very littleblood. He never knew what hit him."

TRAILS, CAREERS & FAMILIES

There are soldiers that came out of the Vietnam experience devastated, whichis very unfortunate. However, there are those who were basically solidindividuals and had the wherewithal to cope with their tour of duty. They cameout of their Vietnam experience even better individuals and went on to buildsuccessful careers and raise wonderful families.

Cpt. James L. Burnham, Battalion Chaplain(January - July 1968). Chappy was an airborne "man ofthe cloth", who provided outstanding religious support forthe paratroopers of the 1st Brigade, 101st AirborneDivision. His first six months in Vietnam were with the2/327th "No Slack". His remaining six months inVietnam were with the "Stand Alone Battalion". Thephoto below is one of Chappy's Sunday services for theCurrahees at Song Mao.

Chappy was already married when he volunteered forVietnam. He had married his college sweetheart in 1956.When he enlisted in the Army in 1966, he already hadtwo children and later adopted a third. The year hereturned from Vietnam, he served with the 6th StudentBattalion at The Candidate Brigade, Officer's CandidateSchool, Ft. Benning, GA. His next assignment wouldhave been at the Paratrooper School at Benning, but in 1970 he began a newcareer as a foreign representative of his denomination (Southern Baptist). He andhis wife moved to Israel to work with Baptist organizations and churches. In1987, he returned to the States so that his wife could receive treatment for ovariancancer. She fought a valiant battle, but cancer claimed her life that same year.

Back in the US, Chappy served churches in Tennessee and Georgia until heretired in 1988. That year, he married again to another college classmate--thelovely Marilyn Ann, who was a widow of 17 years. Along the way, he completed



an advanced theological degree.

Chappy has five grandchildren from his first marriage, and eight grandchildrenthrough his current marriage. Chappy enjoys deer and turkey hunting and troutfishing for recreation, and has a large yard and garden. His pride and joy is hisMuscadine grapes. He is active in his local church and in a crisis ministry,providing food, clothing, and other assistance to needy families. Chappypublished his book - "GOD'S SQUAD" Pages From A Chaplain's Vietnam Diary1967-1968. You can find his book in the Currahee PX.

Chappy's wife, Marylyn Ann, is from Toccoa, GA. Her family was among theoriginal settlers and owners of Currahee Mountain. As an eight-and-nine year oldchild, she used to flirt with the paratroopers from Camp Toccoa.

A VETERAN'S BOND A few weeks back, I received a message from Robert Merriman, the brother of Sgt.Thomas Merriman, who died along with seven other Currahees in Cambodia on May10, 1970. Twenty-eight others were wounded during the battle. Robert wrote thefollowing message: "Dear Jerry, I'm Tom Merriman's brother and just received a note from our Township Clerk that shereceived from Jane Fulkerson. She says that you wrote a book and that Tom is in it.Would you tell me how I might get a copy of the book?If there is any information that I might get to You let me know.Sincerely,Robert Merriman20617 Rd 82Paulding, OH 45879 [email protected]"

Robert and I have since exchanged e-mail messages to provide me withinformation about his brother for our book--My Gift To You--that I'm currentlyworking on. I wanted to share with you something that Robert wrote me that saysso much about the bond between Veterans. Robert wrote:

"Here is some information about our family. Mom and Dad are both gone now and mysister died from cancer about 3 years ago. A interesting note, Ted Mathes and Tomwent into the Army at the same time they didn't know each other but in talking to eachother they found out they only lived about 40 miles from each other. They weretogether through training and went to Vietnam together where they did get separated.After Tom was killed and when Ted came Home Mom asked Ted to come and see herback in 1970. This started a tradition because Ted and his Family started to visit usevery year on Memorial Day weekend. He has not missed a year for 33 years. We notonly see the Mathes on Memorial Day weekend, but we get together at weddings andfunerals, He is like a brother to us.."



mailto:[email protected]

SECTION V



SECTION IOUR LEGACY-- Our Quest-- Our Battalion Newsletter-- The First Currahees-- Famed WW II Stable Barracks for 506PIR Headed To Toccoa

SECTION IIPREDEPLOYMENT -- Operation CROCIGATOR-- THE 'WEIGEL WORD' - The Ship'sNewspaper-- LTC John P. Geraci's Wife - Write Songfor Departing 3-506th-- The Paratrooper's Song - Blood on theRisers




SECTION VIPOST SCRIPT-- Newsletter Information

REALTIME

EAGLE-GRAM

Update: Lt. Parker's Vietnam Visit - In the October issue of the newsletter, Iincluded a message on a postcard sent to me from Lt. Henry Parker (5/27th Arty FO,TF 3-506, 1968/69) and wife Susan while on their trip to Malaysia. At that time, theParkers were planning to take a trip to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) with thehope of being able to place flowers at the site of the Battle at Ca Ty River (Feb. 19,1968) not far from what use to be LZ BETTY.

The latest news from Lt. Parker is that he was not successful in visiting our old"stomping grounds" in Vietnam. In fact, he never was allowed to leave the airlineterminal in Ho Chi Minh City. Lt. Parker was confronted by a very rude andaggressive investigating officer upon his arrival on Malaysia Airlines. It seems thatHenry did not have the appropriate Visa needed to enter the country, and his passportand return airline ticket were confiscated. Lt. Parker and his wife were immediatelyplaced on a return flight to Malaysia--and the planned trip to honor our fallencomrades ended before it even began. Our thanks to Lt. Parker for his efforts andsincerely hope that his passport is rightfully returned to him.

Rumors have it that Hank was taken prisoner by the NVA administration andforced to do environmental rehab work in the Le Hong Phong Forest around TittieMountain, where he devastated the area with his artillery mission in support of us! Hold on, Hank, we are getting the battalion back together for a rescue mission.

--------#####--------

Currahees Ambush Wapiti - LenLiebler [photo left], former platoonleader (3/A 67/68) flew out to Libby,Montana on October 24 and spent aweek with the Berry's. Lenaccompanied Jerry on his yearly elkhunt down in the Big Hole Valley of

SW Montana. They hunted the opening three days chasing the elusive elk andenjoying reminiscing about their time in the 3-506th. The two returned to Libby,where Jerry bagged a nice 5-point bull elk. Jerry took it easy on his former platoonleader and shot the elk where they were able to drive his truck right up to the animal. It took an hour and half to load the 650-800 lb animal whole.

REUNION 2004 POLL RESULTS

The poll results for the 8th Annual 3-506th Reunion in 2004 are in. A notice wasposted on the "Stand Alone Battalion" website that after several months, the poll



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would end and that the results would be published in the November Newsletter and onthe Currahee Website. The 2004 8th Annual 3-506th Reunion Poll ended on192140H with the following results. Thank you all for voting.

Option 1 - Hampton, VA: 46 Votes/35%●

Option 2 - Ft Campbell, KY: 77 Votes/59%●

Option 3 - Other: 7 Votes/5%●

Another poll will be initiated in November to vote on preferred dates for the 8thAnnual 3-506th Reunion at Ft. Campbell (Clarksville Vic.). The second poll willprovide important input as to vacation schedules, spouse's work, and family needs.

THE BUFFALO THEORY

In one episode of the TV series 'Cheers', Cliff is seated at the bar describing theBuffalo Theory to his buddy, Norm. I don't believe I've ever heard the conceptexplained any better than this...

"Well you see, Norm, it's something like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fastas the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, the slowest and weakest ones atthe back of the herd are killed. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole,because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by theregular killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest braincells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, itattacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption ofbeer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain faster and more efficientmachine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

THE 'CURRAHEE' BOOKSTORE

You can now purchase "The Stand Alone Battalion" -- A Pictorial Chronology ofthe 3-506 Vietnam Odyssey (1967-1971) on CD-ROM. Just log on to the 3-506thWebsite: www.currahee.org, go to the Gift Shop/PX Book Section.

THE CURRAHEE PX

The 3-506th PX or Gift Shop has a large selection of items that are related toCurrahees, the 101st Abn. Div., Vietnam, etc. Many of the PX items can bepersonalized with 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Battalion information, as well as with the 101stAirborne Division (Screaming Eagle) crest/patch. Contact Jerry Berry:[email protected], if you have questions or wish to order over the phone or byE-mail. You can order directly off the website as well. The proceeds from PX salesgoes for maintaining the website, office supplies to operate, search for formerCurrahees, and to locate the families of our KIAs.



http://www.currahee.org/


New items soon to be added to the Currahee PX include anew cap design that has the 2003 Reunion "Red, White &Blue" eagle on it. You will be able to order a cap with orwithout text. Another item is a design for polos and tee shirtsthat has a small graphic of the USNS Gen. Weigel. Thisspecific designed will be especially significant for the "BoatCurrahees".

3-506th CURRAHEE IS NEW DIRECTOR FOR VETERANSOFFICE

Alpha-3-6 Earl B. Stafford (7/68-7/69) has been nameddirector of the Lehigh County Veterans Affairs Office inAllentown, PA.

BIG FISH

What does this article have to do withVietnam? Absolutely nothing! Justbragging time!

ADOPT-A-GRAVESITEPROGRAM

The "Adopt-A-Gravesite" Program was initiated shortlyafter our 7th Annual 3-506th reunion in Reno, Nevada. This important projectprovides a cost effective means of placing flowers on the gravesites of our fellow3-506th Currahees who were killed in action in Vietnam. By adopting a KIAgravesite, the sponsor makes a commitment to cover the cost of annual flowerplacement on the grave of a specific KIA each Memorial Day. The following haveagreed to participate in the "Adopt-A-Gravesite" Program.

Carl Rattee (KIA 2/19/68) - Jose' Ramos (Medic - HHC/A 3-506th 1967/68)●

John Gfeller (KIA 2/19/68) - Jose' Ramos (ditto)●

Robert Vinscotski (KIA 1/2/68) - Dean Morrison (4/C 3-506th 1967/68)●

James Webster (KIA 2/19/68) - Louis Oswald (4/A 3-506th 1967/68)●

Walter Patterson (KIA 2/19/68) - Gary Purcell (4/A 3-506th 1967/68)●

Don Marshall (KIA 2/19/68) - John Colone (4/A 3-506th 1967/68)●

Marshall Nelson (KIA 3/10/68) - Ed Bassista (3/A 3-506th 1967/68)●

Thomas Vaughn (KIA 2/19/68) - Ed Bassista (ditto)●

Robert Griffis (KIA 2/19/68) - Mike Mullican (4/A 3-506th 1967/68)●

Frank Dodge Madrid (KIA 1/28/70) - Jane Fulkerson (Currahee Researcher)●

Robert Earl Baldwin (KIA 2/6/68) - Richard Pittman (4/C 3-506th 1967/68)●

Wade Shaw (KIA 12/19/68) - David Dalton (Plt. Ldr./D 3-506th 1968/69)●

Gerald Wrazen (KIA 2/22/69) - Henry Parker (FO 5/27th Arty. 1968/69)●

Patrick John Graham (KIA 4/25/68) - Dan Gaworecki (CSF/LRRP 1967/68)●

Thomas Gregory Noble (KIA 10/29/70) - Dan Gaworecki (ditto)●



Vincent Bertram Parkhurst (KIA 2/20/68) - Dan Gaworecki (ditto)●

Eric R. Koeppen (KIA 7/11/68 - TF Member) - Dan Gaworecki (ditto)●

Mark Andrew Wenzel (KIA 6/18/68 - TF Member) - Dan Gaworecki (ditto)●

If you are interested in participating in this important project, contact John andAnne Colone at: [email protected]

TAPS

CW2 John A. Mansini, HHC/S4 9/69-9/70 died June 1, 2002 of cancer, (sqamous cellcarcinoma). He is buried at Dale Memorial Park in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

THINGS TO PONDER

Can you cry under water?●

How important does a person have to be before they are consideredassassinated instead of just murdered?

●

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?●

Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?●

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for yourthoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

●

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?●

What did cured ham actually have?●

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be agood idea to put wheels on luggage?

●

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up likeevery two hours?

●

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?●

Why are you IN a movie, but you are ON TV?●

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars tolook at things on the ground?

●

How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for MissAmerica?

●

If an 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call?●

I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fittingclothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in thefirst place!

●

When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just "chunky dunk."●

Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press'Ctrl Alt Delete' and start all over?

●

Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize you haven't fallenasleep yet.

●




My husband says I never listen to him. At least I think that's what hesaid.

●

Just remember ... if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off. ●

If raising children was going to be easy, it never would have started withsomething called labor!

●

Why is it our children can't read a Bible in school, but they can inprison?

●

Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.●

SECTION VI







SECTION VREALTIME-- Eagle-Gram-- Reunion 2004

POST SCRIPT

The "Stand Alone Battalion" Newsletter is published monthly by: Jerry Berry 438 ManorDr Libby, MT 59923 Editor: Jerry Berry Assistant Editor: Donna Berry

Layout/graphics: Jerry Berry & Stephanie Berry

SUBSCRIPTIONS Annual subscription costs for twelve (12) issues: $40.00 peryear: Internet subscription $50.00 per year: Snail Mail subscription $60.00 per year:

Internet & Snail Mail subscriptions

Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is prohibited without priorpermission. Articles and advertisements imply no opinion or endorsement by the editor.

The "Stand Alone Battalion" Newsletter is written for 3-506th members, Task Forceunit members, KIA families. We solicit your suggestions and articles. Photos may besent hard copy or e-mail, preferably in JPEG files. If you have questions, contact JerryBerry (406) 293-7678 or by e-mail: [email protected].

CURRAHEE BUSINESS CARDS

If you have a business card, send it to me (Jerry Berry) and I will publish it in the3-506th Newsletters.

PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN

If you or your business is in need of professional graphic design & multimedia fortasks such as Logos, Corporate Identity, Posters, Flyers, Banners, Brochures, Magazineand Book Layouts, Catalogs, Book jackets, Illustrations, Packaging, Print Ads(magazine, newspaper, etc.), Newsletters, Campaign and Promotional Materials, WebsiteDesign, contact Stephanie Berry at (406) 293-2076 or email [email protected]





-- The Buffalo Theory-- The "Currahee"-- Bookstore-- PX News-- Things to Ponder-- 3-506th Currahee is NewDirector of Veterans Office-- Medical News-- Big Fish Story-- Adopt-A-Gravesite-- Taps


FOR YOUR INFORMATION

MILITARY RECORDS

Subject: DD 214

Here is a web site: http://vetrecs.archives.gov many of you may find beneficial if youneed a copy of your DD Form 21, Discharge from the military. If you do not need itnow, you may want to book mark it for future reference. It is a good idea to makeseveral copies and put them in various locations, just in case.

Subject: Access DD-214 online

You can now access your DD-214 on-line. FYI. The National Personnel RecordsCenter has provided the following website for veterans to access their DD-214 online:http://vetrecs.archives.gov.

This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 foremployment or other purposes. Please see the details below. Point of contact is:[email protected] - (410) 306-1755.

NPRC initiates online records request procedures

The National Personnel Records Center is working to make it easier for veterans withcomputers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now usea new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individualswith a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180 which can bedownloaded from the online web site.

The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on theserequests by eliminating the records center's mailroom processing time.

Also, because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRCto process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans foradditional information will be minimized. Veterans and next of kin may access thisapplication at http://vetrecs.archives.gov.

PHOTO ALBUMS--UPLOADING YOUR PHOTOS

Follow these simple steps to upload your photos to the new Currahee photo albums.

STEP. #1 - Log on to this Internet address: http://currahee.smugmug.com/STEP. #2 - Clink on the "LOG IN" button and then type in "[email protected]"in the e-mail window, and "3506abn" in the password window.STEP. #3 - Once you are in, click on "Your Galleries" in the upper menu row. Thistakes you to our photo albums.STEP. #4 - Now, you can pick which ever photo album you want to upload yourpictures to. Just click on the album to open it.STEP. #5 - Once in the album you want, click on the "Add Photo" button over thelarge picture. This opens the choices of how you want to upload your pictures. I suggestyou used "Standard" for now. Open that link.STEP. #6 - Once the add photo window is open, click the "Browse" button to the right



http://vetrecs.archives.gov/




http://currahee.smugmug.com/


of each photo window to search for the photo on your computer to upload. You repeatthis for each photo. Then, click the "Add Photos" button at the bottom of page. That's it.STEP. #7 - Once you get your photo uploaded (a window pops up and lets you knowwhen it's done), click on one of the pictures you want to add a caption to. This enlargesyour photo. Click on the "Photo Tool" window below the picture for options on whatyou want to do with your picture.

All these steps are very easy to follow, just try it and see. Yell if you have questions orrun into problems. Share your photos with us. I need reunion photos (banquet night)urgently. Jerry in MT

ATTACHMENTS



PHOTOS & MISC. DOCUMENTS

The following photographs, newspaper articles and misc. other are the larger versions ofthumbnails and links found within the newsletter.

Thanks, Subscribers!



file:///C|/CURRAHEE WEBSITE/Server's/taccoa_art.jpg

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Documents

The Stand Alone Battalion · the doors of the buildings and prepare to start cleaning up our new homes. It was early March and really cold, so the first order of business was to start