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I forgot to mention that a couple of weeks ago I had some Nam brothers here for a week for a pheasant hunt. Wally Searight, Rex Allen and Dennis Silva was my guest as well as Wally’s son in law Terry Moore. We had a great time and got to do a lot of shooting with the long rifles and shotguns. The hunt was a good hunt as we nearly limited out each day.
Wally gave me a nice donation for the web site and other related expenses. Thank you Brother Wally!
Happy Thanksgiving, Brothers. Be thankful for what we have. Family, Friends and each other. Lets also be thankful for those not able to be with their families. God bless them all.
HERE’S AN EARLY THANKSGIVING DAY WISH FOR ALL MY BROTHERS! MAY YOU ENJOY A HEARTY MEAL , LOVE WITH YOUR FAMILY, FELLOWSHIP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND DON’T FORGET THOSE WHO WON’T BE ABLE TO JOIN US AT THE TABLE!
This is the 5th time in our country’s history that a candidate has won the electoral vote and not the popular vote. We are a strong country regardless how the next four years go! I am praying for the best!
OOOOOPPPPSSSS–I FORGOT TO STUT STUT—-STUTTER
Good one Short Round! :>)
JUST GOT A SHORT CALL FROM CPT. MORRIS. HE WAS IN 7-1/2 HOURS OF SURGERY, IN CLEVELAND–AND NOW HAS A NEW KNEE/ HOPE THIS 1 WORKS OK.
I USUALLY USE MY OTHER EMAIL NAME–AZRETIRE@AOL.COM—-SO IF I AM SLOW ANSWERING–TRY THAT EMAIL.
IS RUDY YAP STILL ALIVE ? BEEN A WHILE SINCE I HEARD FROM HIM–WE HAD A DISAGREEMENT OF SORTS.
HAD A DECENT VETS DAY–WHEW–MEMORIES. GLAD SOME OF US CAN STILL TYPE A BIT.
BE WELL ALL—
Greg,
Did not talk to Capt Yap but we did a lot of e-mailing back and forth about a month ago a number of times concerning a doing a joint operation with Company A of 2/1 in Thinh Phuoc in the Que Son Valley around or about March 19,1969.
HAPPY VETERANS DAY! LOVE YOU BROTHERS!
Well, brothers, now that the election is out of the way, we can move on to other things, like recognition of all that our veterans have sacrificed and contributed to our great nation. This is our day! I hope that each of you have a wonderful Veterans Day, with family and memories of all those that preceded us and those serving today.
Hey LT…I think the Hilary supporters stole the Democratic nomination from Bernie. Bernie had a better chance of beating Trump than Hilary…..but I think Trump will do just fine.
Wow! How about Donald Trump! Talk about shock and awe. It took Hillary 8 hours to stop crying! What’s up with CO Larry? They went for her–must be too much recreational marijauna!
LT:
You asked about Colorado going for Hillary. Colorado is not Colorado anymore. Too many radicals from California and other states have moved to Colorado. Hanoi Jane could probably win a political race here.
Man, am I glad it’s finally Election Day. I am beyond tired of all the ads, etc.
On to something a lot better. Yesterday a contract was signed for Crowne Plaza hotel in Cleveland for our 2017 reunion. The reunion date has been set for September 6-9. As the information becomes available it will be posted. The initial notice should be posted to the reunion tab in a few days.
Bill ,you can get help from the American Legion ,V.F.W.,D.A.V..etc.
Bill, yes. The V.A. has a form to fill out to apply. When I got bumped up to 70% , they sent me a notice that I could apply. You have to be at least 70% . Once I sent the paperwork in ,I got a phone call from the V.A. about 10 days later that I was at 100%. The paperwork from the V.A. came a few days later . It was no big deal. Look in to it. If you have a service officer ; they can get the form for you. Tooch
Tooch,
Don’t have a service officer but will get the paperwork & apply.
Thanks.
Tooch is INDIVIDUAL UNEMPLOYABILITY ADJUSTMENT file with the VA?
Guys I would like to get the 100% but I am going to be 71 in Dec & been retired for 5 years. Gary it appears I wasn’t crazy enough to get 100% even if my wife says I am not of sound mind & certifiable. Wanting it more for my wife if I go first. Open to suggestions? Tried the DAV a few years back but the rep blew me off. Looked for a lawyer to help but could not find one who specializes in VA only SS rejections.
Thanks guys
Bill Beckum: Between the Regulars, Reserves and National Guard, I did a little less than 15 years before the Army caught up with the fact that I can barely hear out of my left ear. So, no I don’t get any retirement. But, it’s OK because I do get 100% from the VA and that’s better anyhow. 🙂
Gary,
Well deserved. I have hearing loss & wear hearing aids & service connected. Not enough loss to be a VA disability. Do have 80% disability caused by various things through agent orange & PTSD.
Still looking for the gold in those “golden years” but blessed in many ways.
Bill, if you are not working, you can apply for INDIVIDUAL UNEMPLOYABILITY ADJUSTMENT. Because of your condition, you are unable to work. This will get you to 100% Tooch
Right. And, it can even be considered permanent and total, which would get you dental care and CHAMPVA insurance for your wife. My brother, also a Vietnam Vet, got that. I applied for it, but I guess the VA thought I was crazy enough to just skip that step and give me 100% P&T for PTSD.
Gary, you can also fly free on military aircraft anywhere in the world; but only on their schedule. One of the really good perks here in New Jersey is at 100% ,you do not have to pay any property tax!!! Tooch
It was suggested I post a major action I was involved with in March, 1969. Besides my own recollections I am honored to have Capt Yap’s recollection and one other I will keep private but came forward to help me. Thanks
We were doing a joint operation with Company A of 2/1 in Thinh Phuoc in the Que Son Valley around or about March 19,1969. Company A was either ahead or somewhere on the side of us and killed an NVA. They had left an Ace of spade in his mouth as a sign it was Co A. My first witness of a confirmed kill. Capt Yap has been kind enough to send me his recollections of this event.
Capt Yap says “His predecessor was relieved and he assumed command the day before we made our combat assault from LZ Ross to the Que Son Valley into Thinh Phuoc. He became the Captian of Co. C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Inf., 196th LIB, in March 1969, and relinquished command in Sept 1969.
Two other battalions had preceded us in running into the 2nd NVA Div. and had their butts kicked in the Thien Phuoc and took heavy casualties. We CA’d (Combat Assaulted from LZ Ross and shared a NDP (Night Defensive P) with Alpha Co.â€
I remember around March 19, 1969 we stopped and a platoon was sent out to scout an area. Soon my platoon was sitting on its butts when we heard small round fire. Next thing we are all flat on the ground taking defensive positions. The next thing I know word came down the line a wounded grunt was being evacuated. I saw him go by and he was conscious. All these years I thought it was Bernstein who had been wounded but I just found out it was Alexander who went by me. I believe he was shot in the abdomen. I thought he would make it because the rumor was that if you could make it to the rear and were conscious your survival was above 90%. Well we heard later he had died in Da Nang. The two who were killed in action were Alan Bernstein from Flushing, NY and Donald Alexander from Socorro, NM. Alan died March 21, 1969 the day of the ambush and Donald died March 22 from his wounds. Alexander and Bernstein were killed by an enemy in a spider hole while 1st platoon was engaged and maneuvering attacking a dug in enemy on the hill. Capt Yap “believes Bernstein so torn up that what was left would have fit in a sandbag. It hit Capt Yap really hard.â€
Lt Cecil Wright was the platoon leader that day and was hit in the side while directing the assault and he to was evacuated eventually to Japan, then home and received the silver star for his actions that day.
Second platoon, of which I was a part, was ordered to lead out in a different direction from where the firefight had started. The firing had stopped so I figured we were flanking the position or just going else where. After a short distance we ordered to drop our gear, proceed out of a wood line at the bottom of a hill, spread out, cross a major clearing going up the a hill into another tree line.
I was in the first or second line going up the hill. We got about two thirds up this steep hill in the open when automatic fire open. We all hit the dirt and no one appeared to be hit. We returned fire. I shot three or four grenades from my M-79. Then the firing stopped on both sides and we all laid there waiting for the next move. I don’t remember any orders being given. Just extremely quiet. Then it started, bullets hitting all around us. Could feel them hitting next to me on both sides. Thought it was all over. Then it stopped. Have no idea how long it lasted but seemed like an eternity. Found out later one or two Huey’s thought we were NVA in our fatigues and the door gunners opened up with there M-60’s.
By now we are all exhausted, hot, and thirsty. No one had taken water with them. I had five canteens at the bottom of the hill. We withdrew to the bottom of the hill and joined the rest of the company. When I found my pack all five canteens were dry. They had been drunk by the other guys. I would have shot them all if I knew who they where. I have never been that thirsty again in my life after laying in the open sun, almost killed by friendly fire, and no water. I never went out again on a patrol with out one canteen of water.
Capt Yap relates “I wish I had known that your platoon was ordered to drop your rucksacks. I would have overruled your platoon leader. The rucks were heavy as hell, because they held three days supply of water, ammunition, and food. At a later date, when I found that LAWs had little or no effect on NVA bunkers, we kept a 90mm recoilless rifle team with us, and every one except those carrying crew served weapons or radios carried at least one 90 mm RR round. We needed to carry them because we were only resupplied once every three days, IF we were not in contact. Capt Yap “vividly recalls receiving fire from the Brigade Firebird helicopters. I called the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and told them to tell the Firebirds to get the hell out of our Area of Operation (AO) or I’d have every one of our machine guns open fire at them. They were shooting at us. One of the idiots with the Firebirds tried to claim it was the NVA. I inquired when the acquired gun ships. They left the area. (I got our payback) when I had about 60 days left in country LTC Campbell reassigned me to organize our new firebase at Hawk Hill and I designated the area next to the mess hall sump as the Firebird sleeping area.â€
Our company then moved up an opposing hill from the one we had assaulted and set up a defensive perimeter and were joined by Company A. They brought in artillery fire, shelling from the USS New Jersey, and fighter planes with bombs. For the first and only time in my tour I dug in. Capt Yap “recalls fire support from the USS New Jersey. He was told that there was a Marine (Air, Naval Gunfire Company) ANGLICO in the area and decided to put them to good use.†We were told the shells from the USS New Jersey were the size of a Volkswagen. We were quite a distance away from the other hill but I could see all the action from my position. It was like sitting in an amphitheater with us on one hill and the NVA quite a distance away on another hill. A shell from the ship went over our heads and we heard it and watched it land. A piece of shrapnel which was red hot landed in front of four of us. It about the size of your hand. We moved farther toward the peak of our hill to avoid more shrapnel and we moved back to our assigned positions and immediately started digging for China. By evening they had brought in water and more ammo. For some reason we were not expecting to be attacked because we held the steep upper ground. We were prepared for the worse.
Before all of Charlie Company started, Capt Yap recounts “LTC Melner ordered Co. A to attack through the “saddle” of two hills. I advised CPT Rinaldo to accept the mission, but not the route because he’d be caught in a cross fire. His 1SG (Quon), His 1SG (Quon), an Irishman, begged him to accept my recommendation, but Rinaldo didn’t. He took very heavy casualties as his company was caught in a crossfire.†The previous day when Charlie Company was engaged with the enemy, Alpha Company walked into an ambush and lost 10 KIA. I do not know the number wounded. During this period Company A had communications problems so Capt Yap had to call in Company A Captain’s air strikes, gun ships, and medevacs. (Later, he pissed me off when he told me I could have given him more help. I was ready to “clean his clock”, and told him that if I had not kept my remaining two platoons to secure the two-company NDP, where the hell was he going to take his company to. I got an “Oh, yeah!”
The next day, LTC Melner ordered Capt Yap to retrieve the 10 KIA from Company A. He requested close air and gun ship support. LTC Mehner refused both and said he’d only offered artillery. Capt Yap told him that wouldn’t work because our artillery positions, and the two hills formed the gun-target line. A short or long round would land on his people. He asked what my plan was. I told him that he left me only one reasonable choice. I was bringing all my machine guns to the hill between the artillery and the far hill to provide suppressive fire and one squad for protection . The rest of us would fix bayonets, charge down the hill throwing grenades and satchel charges in every hole we ran across, screaming like banshees and bayonet them in their holes and hope enough of us lived to testify at his damn court martial. He ordered me to abort.â€
Capt Yap “sent an entire platoon as litter bearers to bring out Rinaldo’s Company A wounded in Action (WIA) on the day Company A they got their butts “waxed”. Retrieving their killed in action(KIA) came the day or so later†when it was eventually decided 2nd platoon would go down the hill to retrieve the bodies of the KIAs. We were all expecting to be ambushed. It did not happen. Our squad located 4 bodies at the base of our hill and I was one of the guys who helped put the KIA’s on a ponchos and with four of us on the corners of the poncho we carried them back up the hill to evacuated to the rear. I do not know who or where the other 6 bodies were located. This is not to be funny but I found out what is meant by “dead weight†It has left a deep impression on me my whole life.
Capt Yap had “SG Holloway lead the detail that retrieved the body of Bernstein. When I saw what was left of Bernstein, tears rolled down Capt Yap’s face. “Mouse” Holloway saw that and asked, “You think I’m pretty tough don’t you?” I said I did. He said, “You can bet that tonight, I’ll cover my head with my poncho liner and cry like baby. Your tears mean a lot to the troops. It shows that you really care about them and don’t take their losses lightly.” ………….. relates his experiences in the next paragraph but says “Capt Yap has really felt bad and continues to question himself over all these years. Never forget as we all tried to do our best and that’s all that can be asked.â€
…………… “when he arrived on the scene to assist in anyway he could. During his time in the field he was very close to Alexander as he was my main point man and we always were betting on what song would be on top of the charts. Alexander took soul and I would take all other types and beat him once as Tommy James from my home town of Niles Michigan had the top song. As for Bernstein when he came to the field in December he couldn’t carry his ruck(Back Pack) and others were helping until his squad leader ask me to get him up to speed which I did by threatening to leave him behind if he couldn’t cut it out in the jungle. He sucked it up and assimilated quite well. …………was back in the rear flying in resupply with the brass when he heard Alexander had been evacuated and Bernstein was still on hill. Top Sgt Washington and I along with Sgt Holloway and a few other members of the platoon volunteered to get him. While ascending mouse(Sgt Hollaway) was pointing out where an enemy officer was prior to passing whom he saw with a female engaged. This gave the XO a chuckle in light of all the goings on. When we located Bernstein he was about 10 feet from spider hole containing a dead gook. He wasn’t all that messed up and we got him out. Then I went to see
Lt. Wright as he was flown to the rear and holding his side and I assisted him to the med station. Then I left to check on Don Alexander in the hospital. Although critical, I thought he would make it until I was back at camp and heard otherwise. I had my moments after the adrenaline wore off.â€
The one incident that will always stay with me during this engagement was a jet fighter diving at the enemy hill and firing its machine guns at the enemy. Every time it pulled out of its dive you would hear a single AK-47 firing at it. Dive, pull up, and AK fire. Here we were listening to a lone AK-47 firing after this hill had been shelled by the Ship New Jersey, bombs, and artillery. This went on a number of times. It seemed so futile on both parties part. It made no sense.
I do not remember how many days we stayed on the hill but I believe it was three or four. We finally were ordered to sweep the opposing hill. Again we were expecting the worse but our platoon was not on point. We met no opposition. Found a lot of well dug in bunkers but nothing else. They had packed up and taken everything, including wounded and KIA’s if any with them. We saw no more action on that operation.
Bill: Your comment about all your water having been drunk (is stolen too strong a word?) by your “buddies” brings back my own anger.
During the Battle of Dau Tieng (11/66) 2/1 was headquartered at the Dau Tieng airstrip and had left behind there everything that was not absolutely necessary for going into the fray.
When we returned afterwards, all of our gear had been gone through and ripped off by the men in a unit of the 25th ID which we had gone out to save and came in before we did. It still pisses me off.
Jim, I think my anger grew out of the fact of why. They should have had their own & my memory was that if mine were full when this started why wasn’t theirs? I don’t know what went through their minds. Thanks for the feedback.
It’s unfortunate, but even in the worst of situations, people can be selfish and insensitive. I guess it’s just human nature. We like to think we can be better than that, but it doesn’t appear to be so.
When I was a Drill Sergeant at Ft. Polk some years after Vietnam, half my platoon hit the ground simultaneously from the heat during a forced road march. I had the worst of them laid out in the shadow of a nearby range tower and was getting little sips of water from my canteen down him as I tried to keep him from dying. He was drifting in and out of a coma and babbling nonsense while a group of trainees stood around and watched. I reached for the canteen again and found it empty. One of the trainees standing right there and seeing what was going on drank it while my back was turned.
Gary,
I agree with your comments. How long did you serve Gary? Did you retire from the Army?
Please keep my daughter (Pastor Beth Holz) and her family in your prayers. She is on a two week mission trip to Kenya, Africa with Susquehanna Conference UMC – Volunteers in Mission. Her husband Michael has his hand full with two teens and all their actives. Thank you
Consider it done, Bill.
I received a email from one of our brothers that was there the day Alexander and Bernstein were shot. He sent me the following to see if it would clear up some facts:
I noticed on your site there is still some confusion re alexander and bernstein deaths please let those who were curious while attacking a dug in enemy on top of hill the 1st platoon was engaged and while manuevering on them both were shot by enemy in spider hole alexander was wounded and evacuated and died from wounds in hospital a couple of days later and the rest were driven off the hill the next day as i previously mentioned to you a few of us went up and retrieved bernsteins body as both were members of my platoon while i was in the field it hurt me to this day. Lt Cecil Wright was the platoon leader that day and was hit in the side while directing the assault and he to was evacuated eventually to japan then home and received the silver star for his actions that day. but they were all in on same day of action as the enemy soon after disappeared from battle field
Thanks Larry.
Hi tooch. Yeah. That fits. You were there when I got there (late July 69) and that event was pretty fresh. Glad the 90 made a dent in them.
Sort of a LAW story but it’s really a 90mm brag story. I get no credit. I wasn’t there yet. In about June-July 69, one of the companies in our battallion was in a situation with an NVA bunker that they could not knock out; the laws would not penetrate it. They called in to Echo company for a 90mm. As I heard the story (from someone other than a 90 guy) the 90 destroyed the bunker in one shot and made the 90 a bit more popular and so on. I asked about this at a reunion of us 90 guys and was told the gunner was Dale Usher. Real nice guy, then and now. Retired mailman. He said it was him and I believe him. I like to brag that I carried the largest caliber hand-held infantry weapon of all time. As far as I know, that’s still true of our 90mm. I’m sure they have better stuff now, but i don’t think there is any infantry carried weapon of that large a caliber.
Of course, a nice thing about the law was it only weighed a few pounds, with rocket included. 90 was about 35 lbs plus you guys had to carry our rounds at about 20 lbs. each. So, the rest of you guys can probably brag that you carried the heaviest ammunition of all time. I still feel a little guilty for that, you guys carrying our ordinance.
I think I only worked with the 90mm group once or twice but always glad to have the extra firepower but I never had to carry the rounds.
Jim, I was there that day. There were 3 gooks in the bunker who refused to come out. BOOM!! One was blown wide open and another had no wounds but died from the concussion. If I remember correctly, we were all carrying a 90 round. Tooch
I just remember a story about LAWs. Don’t remember when in my tour we had been in triple canopy jungle in the mountains and were getting low on supplies. We came to a clearing which had potential for an LZ. We started clearing it. However there were a few tall trees in the center. I have no idea who made the decision but they started shooting LAW’s at them. It became funny after a few. They couldn’t hit any of them. Only time I saw them fired. Now that I think about it almost 50 years later don’t know why we didn’t use C-4. Surely we had to have some in the company. I don’t remember if we got supplied day but do remember laughing hoping the NVA were not watching & laughing at us.
The only time I ever fired a LAW was in training and I came within a foot or so of missing a whole tank. 🙂 I aimed center mass and just clipped it on the front fender.
Thank you Gary!
OK I need help. What does LAW stand for? I know what it is but don’t know what the abbreviation stands for.
What is a “wagon wheel” maneuver? Getting older & dumber.
LAW: Light Anti-tank Weapon
I have no idea what a wagon wheel is.
Thanks Bill!
You are welcome, Bill.
Hey Bill Beckum… I looked up Don Alexander on Google and there is a Citation that says he was critically wounded by small arms and automatic weapons fire and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Maybe one of you guys that know how to do the cut and paste thing can put it on the web site.
Bill,
What was the name of the site?
Thanks,
Bill
Type ” virtual Vietnam Veteran wall of faces Donald R Alexander”
Carl Fryman,
I know you said you left country before Don Alexander was KIA. I was in that action & saw Alan Bernstein carried out. Don was killed the next day & I don’t know how or even remember. Can you or someone else who reads this site tell me the story how Don was KIA?
Brother Bill Beckum wanted to buy a round of drinks for everyone at the reunion, which I did. I sent him a copy of what the round cost and he sent me a check for way more that the round of drinks cost. He has made contributions towards the expenses of mailing reunion notices and web site expenses in the past. So here is a big thank you to Brother Bill for the drinks and donation for expenses!
sounds good, Larry
very good time and place for me
Larry, good idea. Tooch