The pictures were great, not many thought to carry a camera like you did. Sorry for your losses, thanks for serving and welcome home. Thank God I went in the Navy and got an aircraft carrier.
After 41 years it's almost unbelievable to find a website about one of the companies that I served in in Vietnam. Randy has done a great job and he and everyone that has contributed are to be congratulated.
I was with the 1st and 5th Mech out of Qaung Tri Province and saw the web site. I have very few photos and have not looked at any of this in a very long time. Thanks and Regards.
Great pics and for all of us, some sadness too.
I served from Mar 68-69 as a squad leader. I
worked with the Bobcats many times. Solid unit;
tough soldiers!
I
was very fortunate to be assigned to the 544th
Replacement Company from Feb 68 to Feb 69 and
wore the white hat for 12 months. Thank you so
very much for the walk down memory lane.
AAwesome website. I was with A Co. 1/5, 3rd
platoon '67-'68.I looked at your pics about 6
months ago and they brought back many memories,
then this week I looked at them again and saw
many different things and I realized how much
the Nam experience has influenced my life and
the lives of all who lived through that insane
hell. And I really appreciate he humor of some
of the captions. Thanks for a great trip back
through time.
Hallo TThank you so much for your really
interesting photo-album. It reflects everyday
life and some of the things I have read about so
many times before. Also without hate and rage
towards the other side. Thanks for your duty and
passion and remembering your fellow fighters. I
salute you.
I served with K Troop, 11th Armored Cav in 1968, Allons. Trying to find a web site for a friend applicable to his service with B, 1st of the 5th in 68-69. Came across yours. Nice site.
Seen the link many times on 25th ID Assoc
link link site, and finally opened it. You have a
very good site. I was with the 66th Inf Combat
Tracker Plt. Welcome home.
MyMy
father was B Co. 4/9 "manchus" 25th Infantry
Division, in cu chi from 67-68, he recently
passed away while i was in Iraq, Me and my
mother recently found old ducument and pictures
from when he was there, but most arent labled,
anyone who was there at that time it would be
nice to hear from his name was PFC MICHAEL LYON,
from NJ, B.Co 4th/9th 25th div. 67-68 in CU CHI
OK... the Friend is you.. got it from your
e-mail. Enjoyed looking at your web page...
seeing the photos of you, the way I remember
you. I will look at more later, but really
enjoyed the photos... Patti
Looking for info on my father in law who served
in Vietnam, 69-70 Sgt Armon Earl Cloud, Co B,
1st Bn,(Mech), 5th Inf, 25th Inf Division. He
was from Marianna Fl.
Looking for info on my brother Darrell Colford.
Served 2nd platoon, CO B, 1st of the 5th
Mechanized infantry, 25 div. KIA 11-8-70. When
did you serve there?
i
was with B 1/5 2nd sq 2nd plt from aug.67-aug68
our track was (22 ducies wild) lt.currin was plt.
leader.our plt. sgt.name was coleman some of use
called him the one eyed jack he was wonded right
around tet . hoc mon i thank some of the guys
names were Reed Rich ,Roch thay called me the
liv . iwould like to hear from any of my
brothers that served in nam LIV.
Could you help me -- I am seeking information on PFC Dennis Michael O'Neill killed 2/2/66 supposedly with B/1/5th Mech according to one website I found. Do you have any info /AARs I could read on his death and the combat action that occurred. I went to High School with his younger brother. I, myself, am a retired SF soldier --both enlisted and Officer. Thank you for any help you can provide.
I
served as F.O./RTO with HHC 22nd Infantry
mechanized, 4th Inf. Div. in early spring to
summer of 1967. We operated in the same area
around Nui Ba Den and Tay Ninh. We lost many
good men there. After being wounded I was
reassinged to MACV. If anyone from that time
remembers me drop me a note. I love your
website.
Just a note to let you know that I named Ethel's
Ambulance in March of '70. My crew chief (jim
o'neil) and I put it on there while we were
flying a standby up in Tay Nihn. The next day we
had to pull a night (St. Patrick's day) hoist
off the side of Nui Ba Dihn and got it all shot
up but no one got hit and we did make it back to
base camp. Just thought you might be interested.
She was gone for good during the invasion of
Cambodia. Chick
I served in Cuchi, South Vietnam fron October 19, 1967 to April 4, 1968. I remeber the 5th Mech going out one night during the Tet Offensive. I want to thank you and all of the 5th Mech
Jack, I was the third platoon sgt. from 4/69 to 4/70 and then I came back to do another six months for the early out. I really enjoyed your photos and one liners. We did loose some great friends over there and we will never forget them. I was contacted two months ago bye the Bobcats and I guess I was lost for 39 years. I never new that there was a Bobcat reunion or anything like that. I am still trying to locate some of the guys from the third platoon and Dennis McDonough is helping with Capt. Ralph Laubecher. It was great hearing from a few of the third platoon and some of the other guys. I hope we can meet at one of the reunions in the future. Great job on the photos.. Thank you again for the memories.. Airborne Infantry Platoon Sgt. Steve Stubblefield
really enjoyed seeing all the pics , sorry for our loss of your good friends, to bad I didn't take any pics at all .... brought back many memories .. thanks a lot , Brian 67/68 Dau Tieng Vn 588 Eng Bn Co.C
Wonderful site. My track turned upside down on the first operation, Bob Jones(reporter) mentioned it in a news artical in a Chicago paper. I was senior track mech- anic in "C" Company 1/5, RVN Jan 1966, Dec 1966, I was WIA in August, returned to duty 6 wks later. I made it home on Dec 23 1966. I retired from the U S ARMY at Ft Ord CA in 1979. Thanks again for the wonderful, excellent web site.
I am trying to help a freind get in touch with the Bobcats who served with the 38th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon. My friend serverve--served in Cu Chi from 1969-70. Any contacts etc, will be heplful. His name is Mauel---Manuel De La Cruz
Very good site. Brought back many memories, good and bad. I was there when you were, evidently. I was with 25th Inf. Div., 3/13 FA, 155 SP battery. Glad you made it back. Thank you for your service then, and your service now by keeping the memory of those no longer with us alive. Best wishes to you and yours.
I was an E6 shake-n-bake with 1/5 Mech from May, 1970 until April, 1971, Co. A. Spent most of the year in the field doing 'bushes. Tay Ninh, Cu Chi, Bearcat, Long Binh, Xuon Loc. Been in touch with Jerry Mahaffey, Ronnie Wright, Don Manuel, John Alexander. Lost touch with Werner Stanley, Bob Molter. Looking for any others.
Served with the 25th from 9/69 to 10/70. Was with Division Headquarter/Admin. Spent enough volunteer time in the field to be awarded a Bronze, yet nothing like what you guys went through. Great site. Respectfully, Sgt Steve Linne
It took me a long time to figure out that even though I was born in 1962 Vietnam had an impact on me. I remember watching the news -- it stayed with me. I had a POW bracelet and knew he never came back. Your photos and captions do a great job of conveying what things looked like. My oldest brother almost got drafted. I have 3, 1 living. Whenever I see photos of these YOUNG men (amazing how young you were, really) in Vietnam it is always in the very front of my mind that any one of these guys could have been my brothers. In my mind's eye I see my brothers the age you all were when you went over there. I think it is great you posted all those photos, it is a very nice way to remember the guys who didn't come back. I'm glad for you that you had all that family to come back t
Brings back loads of memories, was with6/31st, 9th Inf, went into Cambodia with them, also was with 5/7th Cav., 1st Cav. Good site, Welcome Home Brothers!
Served from Apr68-Apr 69.BN RTO for 2d plt B Co. and as Co. Bn RTO B Co. Bn. I served 25 years 4 months, and 16 days, retired 1 jun 1992. Served one more time in combat during The first Gulf war with the 24th Inf Div.
Iam a tet vet looking for a Michael Salinas that went to the 25th (bobcat), I went to the 9th (panthers) C Co 2nd 47th Mech, would like any info about him and where abouts, THANKS
Randy, great site. Brings back a lot of
memories. I have many similar pictures. I was
with the 4/23 Mech Tomahawks, mostly in and
around Tay Ninh from June,1969 to June,1970.
It seems that I was just leaving as you were
coming. I actually left while my unit was still
in Cambodia. When I got back to the USA, the
army sent me to Fort Sheridan, IL, just north of
your hometown of Chicago, until my discharge in
December, 1970. We have a core group from
Charlie Co, 4/23 that has managed to find each
other and we have a reunion once a year. I
hope all is well with you.
was with the 1st of the 5th from 8/68 to 3/70
with HHC flame platoon as a track commander.
Hobo's, Michelin etc. great site with alot of
memories. Welcome home all Vietnam Vets. Flame52
Welcome home. Thanks for a great site. Served w/
First Air Cavalry Dec 68-69. Your pics are
terrific. Wish I had taken some. Just wanted to
forget for the longest time. Now I want to
remember.
My father served with B Company, 4th Bn.(Mech.),23rd Inf.(Tomahawks) from 4-67 to 4-68. Great website! I recognize alot of places in your pictures from my dads pictures and conversations(Hobo Woods,Michelin Rubber Plantation,Big Black Virgin Mt.). Next time I visit my father, I plan on showing him your site. Great job. Thank You for your service.
I served with 4th Bn 23 (Mech) Inf Jan. 67 - Jan. 68 Cu Chi, Tay Ninh, etc. . How did you guys like your gas tracks?? We had diesel engines. Much safer except for the mines. Great site. Keep on truckin'
In search for my husbands father- any pictures or addiontal history, I came across this page. His father was Lester Ray Davis, if anyone knows him or his family please contact us. God Bless
The Chinese Bandit Recon LRRP Team 1st Bn (ABN) 8th Cav 1965-66 was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism for their participation in the Battles of the Ia Drang (November 1965) and Nathan Hale (June 1966); conducted the historic FIRST night combat rappel; and DOD/MACV directed long range reconnaissance (LRRP) operations along the northern Cambodia and Southern Laos borders in the spring of 1966..."Laying Down FIRST Tracks in the Central Highlands".
RANGER Jerry Conners Master Parachutist, Special Forces Weapons Expert, 101st Recondo Chinese Bandit 13 http://www.geocities.com/d6566mustangs http://www.geocities.com/d6566mustangs/history ... for more articles on the combat and reconnaissance patrols performed by the Chinese Bandits
I
I was looking around for information to add to
the scrapbook I am making for my father's
military career in Vietnam and came across your
site. I just wanted to say thank you for serving
our country and allowing others, such as myself,
to learn more about our nations history and
heros. Thank you.
Love the site Looking for buddies 3/18 Arty 1st
Cav Radio wireman 66'-67' Base Camp - Radcliff ,
Ankhe, Chulai Anyone know Dave Coffman Charles
Botkins
II
servered in the 1/5 during 1966-67 as plt ldr.
3rd plt, B co. call sign Bobcat Bravo 36. Lost
men and friends. That was 41 years ago. I still
remember them. God bless all Bobcats.
DDE Class of 69, 4th Bn 14 Marines class of 70.
Loved your web site. Did not get to go to VN,
Never been quite sure if that was good or bad.
Lost many friend there also.
Served with Bravo Co. 1/5 as 4th Squad leader.
Spent most of my time in the Michelin and the
Ben Cui rubber. Dusted off on 17Sep68. I miss
the guys but not the place. Great website!
Great site, I was with the 1/5 Mech,A Co. in the
lovely Hobo Woods Nov 68-Nov 69 outside of Cu
Chi. Lots of good and bad memories. Welcome home
"Bobcat" from "The Hillbilly" ,Combat 88
Thank you, thank you. I cried and laughed. I
loved your site. I served with the 4th of the
9th 25 Division from Jan to Nov 1970. Man you
brought it home. Thanks for serving your
Country. Ron Paulsen
Anyone remember my dad, Randy Foster from
Indiana? He was in Cu Chi in '67 and was wounded
shortly after arriving in country. He was an 11C
in one of the tracks. Please contact me.
My
father was Captain Charles A. Springer who was
the CO of Bravo Co. 2/27th Wolfhounds from 5 May
until he was KIA on 12 November 1967. I was only
seven when he was killed and am looking for
anyone that may have served with him. Great
Website...Welcome Home!
Hi
Randy, I was with C Btry 1/8 Arty from 12
July69 thru 6 April 70 I was the assistant
gunner on the Number 3 base piece gun of 105's.
I was one of the Rat Killers that you night
loggered with at FSB Devon and Wood spent time
near Bear cat and Nui Ba den and along the
angel's wing(Cambodia). We fired many a contact
mission for 1/5 and 3/4 cav. Let's just say we
could always tell when the Green tracer were
flyin one way and the Red were going the other
that you were into it at the plantation or the
Hobos. My pictures mimic many of your.(The
Temple, Hwy 1) You are welcome to a cd copy if
you like. If any of my old crew Sgt John Ebinger,
Harold Hills, Herbie Waddell, Roger Roubidou
happen to read this entry drop me a line. Thank
you for your great web site and welcome back.
George Bunce
What a wonderful site with more than 30 years in
the making. Very touching and my heart goes out
to every veteran present and past. Thank you for
sharing this for everyone to see, but most
importantly, thank you for your service.
I'm looking for anyone who may have known my
father his names is Bobby Ayers was in 173rd he
was one of ones still alive after the fire base
was overran on hill 875 sometime in 1966. If
anyone knows any thing please email me . thank
you
I saw your webpage and it brought back memories
in Vietnam. I wish i could communicate with you
about some of my experiences in Nam. Also I need
some type of help with the military getting
my DD-214's, because I was seperated from my
unit, and they couldn't find my records. Happy
Surfing.
Do you
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will properly dispose of it according to federal
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Who are we? Visit our website at
http://www.kitchentablegang.org for details
about us and what we are doing to help veterans
and our soldiers overseas, and giving proper
respect for ol'glory.
The Kitchen Table
Gang Trust will retire your tattered, worn out
and frayed American flags with honor! Anything
else is desecration!
Just send your
flags to the non-profit Kitchen Table Gang
Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866
and we will dispose of your flags in a proper
and dignified manner with full honors and
dignity pursuant to the United States Flag Code
Section 8K (PL93-344). The Kitchen Table Gang
(formed over15 years ago) is a "rag-tag" bunch
of patriotic military types helping hospitalized
veterans and our soldiers and Marines overseas
with "Care" packages.
Our flag
retirement ceremonies are held on Flag Day, June
14th each year and are conducted by GySgt Daniel
Kelley USMC and an all volunteer military honor
guard with Boy Scouts assisting. The Kitchen
Table Gang Trust also has a nationally
recognized educational program for our young
people and students, teaching them the history,
traditions and respect for our national emblem.
When you send us a flag, we'd sure appreciate it
if you would enclose a tax deductible donation
for this service which allows us to continue and
expand our many programs. We do good things with
your contributions.
We are located at
the junction of Highway 41 and Avenue 12 just
down from the world famous red, white, and blue
barn on the way to Yosemite National Park.
This is a great site.I sm sure I'll visit it
many times. I was with B Co., 2nd Platoon, 1st
squad. Track 21 "To Sir Charles with Love"
7/69to7/70 Thanks.
I
am the son of 2/27 (Wolfhounds) Captain Charles
A. Springer who was KIA outside Cu Chi on
11-12-1967. I am looking for one of my fathers
closest friends who was assigned to the 1/5
Mech....his name is Dick Wells. If you know how
I can reach him or anyone else that may know him
please contact me. Thanks...
Served with hq hqco 2nd 24th armor tanks.
Probably was around You at some time. Great web
site. Thanks to all who served with us, and to
the memories of those we lost.
I
enjoyed your website and pictorial essay. I
served with the 5th SFGA, II Corps. 1967. My
brother served with 25th INF.DIV. 2/9th, 1970-71
invaded Cambodia. Thank You, Art Cam/Nguyen Cao
The.
Randy, always great to look through your site.
We are going to again honor Joe Raber from 1/5
Co. C, who was murdered in Tay Ninh in May 1970,
and his comrades with our 3rd 'Friends and
Family' Reunion, on July 1st. We expect several
veterans and appreciate contact from anyone who
is interested. Thanks again!
[email protected] or (404) 895-6253.
Thought your web site was great. The pictures
and comments were good. I served with the 199th
Light Infantry Brigade stationed in Long Binh
and Cat Lai. I was a clerk in the S-3 operations
section (HHC). I have surfed through many web
sights trying to find some of the guys that I
served with and haven't been successful. I sure
would like to find some and maybe e-mail them. I
went over from Fort Benning, Ga. in 1966 and
left in Oct. 1967. Once again GOOD JOB!
Gary Reigel
I
view this great site often. I was with the
2/47th Mech, 9th IN Div in the Delta, in
Cambodia, and at Bear Cat (1970). I think I am
still shaking the clay dust out of what little
hair I have left. I had a ball, though - no
wounds, no PTSD - just fond memories.
Thanks for the great site. I'm writing a novel
about a guy whose older brother was in the 25th
ID and died in the Michelin rubber plantation in
August 1968, durning the third offensive. I
would like to find out if the US had an
agreement with the French to not use artillery
or air support in the rubber, so the trees
didn't get damaged. Combat after action reports
say that artillery was used, but vets of the
25th have told me it was too little too late.
Some say that happened because of the agreement
to not hurt the rubber trees. If this isn't
true, I don't want to use it in the book. If it
is true, the story needs to be told. When you
look at the other ways the US politicians kept
our military from winning the war, this scenario
fits right in.
Thanks to all of you for
serving, and I would appreciate hearing from any
of you who spent time in the rubber plantations.
MY
SON FOUND THIS WEB SITE.THREE OF THE PICTURES
INVOLVE ME TWO ARE NAMED ESPINOSA AND ALSO A
PICTURE OF THE TANK I DROVE NUMBER 22 IT WOULD
BE GREAT TO GET INTO CONTACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE I
SERVED WITH
You did a great job. Your pictures are very
similier to mine, if I could find them. I was
with Co. C, 1st of the 5th, 21 squad. Dau Tieng,
Tay Ninh Ho bo woods clearing, paved highway one
so we didn't have to sweep it from mines each
day. (the lines came later) and I live in East
Hazel Crest, 20 miles south of Chicago. You did
a great job, thanks. SSG Tom Vallow
If you served with the
above units, assigned or attached, in VIETNAM,
contact me for the latest on REUNIONS and
contact information. (423) 663-3317;
[email protected]
Great web page visit often,like to say happy
Thanksgiving to everbody ,would like to hear
from any one rember me ,nov67 to nov68 Co-A 1/5
started out on track 33 ended up in hhc plt late
68.
I
SERVED WITH THE 3RD BN. 13TH ARTY 25TH INF AND
WAS ON THE ADVANCE PARTY THAT LANDED AT CU CHI
1966. THANKS FOR THE OUTSTANDING SIGHT AND
PICTURES...IT BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES
BOTH GOOD AND OF COURSE BAD.
Been a number of years since we have
communicated. I used to go by Dustoff159 when I
was running a chat channel called vietnamvets on
dal net. It is good to see your site is still up
and running. It brought back fond memories. I am
now on a new mission, not to different than the
Dustoff mission other than no one is shooting at
me and there is no danger involved. I was
diagnosed with type II diabetes, found out how
to beat it with diet and now I have a web site
decvoted to diabetic control with nutrition. The
VA isn't doing a very good job of educating us
to control it very well so I am on a one man
mission to try to do that my self. Drop me a
line and let me know how you are doing.
I
deployed with A co from Schofield in 66. Sorta
know the feelings you expressed. Over the years
during my military career I ran into several of
the guys we were with.Just now getting around to
putting down a record for the grandkids.
Good pictures ... sad memories ... i spent my
early years at Dau Tieng, the rubber trees were
my father's beloved job and big concern until he
had to leave and die ....
Sunday 09/18/2005 2:24:56am
Name:
Loyd A. Kerns
E-Mail:
Homepage Title:
Homepage URL:
Referred By:
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Location:
Maysville, Missouri
Comments:
In
country 1966, A CO. 1st BN. MECH. 5th Infantry.
