GUESTBOOK
2007
I was with the 43rd Signal Battalion Alpha Company at Dak To 1 from the summer of '67 through March of '69. Our radio site was setup right at the door step of the ARVN 42nd and MACV compound. Our radio van was located between the water tower and the wooden building that housed a 15kw diesel generator that supplied electricity to the 42nd and MACV compound. Just before I left Nam we moved the site inside of the compound. I made a lot of runs down to Dak To 2 to the fuel depot to get fuel for our generators.
Edward Chock
Waldorf, Maryland USA - Friday, December 21, 2007 at 05:42:28 (PST)
I was first stationed at Pleiku in March of '69 and assigned to Tan canh (Tin Can) in August if I remember correctly. We were 3 air force techs who kept the Tactical air nav. beacon going up there. Our antenna was on the old french water tower you mentioned in your article. I was there most of the time until Oct of '70 and saw lots go down. I had to stay for they had no replacements. I heard later that they had wiped the place. Took me a long time to come home...most of me anyway. I still choke up when reading accounts like this one. I avoided all such for years. I only happened on this site while looking for a map to show a fellow vet I just met (ex seal) to show him where I served as it was not an area he was familiar with. God bless us all and especially those who gave all for we surely have earned it. And God bless our troops serving now. I get mad at other people who do not appreciate exactly what these young men and women have to face as do us "old war dogs" but then they have no way to know and you can not tell it to them for they have not the understanding either.
Gene Hilllllman <benttree80@yahoo.com>Neely, MissIssippi USA - Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 08:51:25 (PST)
My Father is Captain Dolph Todd. I know that he wasn't mentioned in this story but one time. I've never known my father very well. I was hoping that if you check this often, if there is anyway I can get more info on his time in the Army and in Vietnam I would greatly appreciate it. Please email me with any information you may have or where I could find out more. Thank you so much. This is a great story and helps enlighten those of us who were not yet born to find out what went on, at least in a small part of the Vietnam war.
Claire Janine Todd <FireAngelx24@aol.com>Round Rock, Texas USA - Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 22:47:40 (PST)
I was at FOB-2 Dec 71 to May 72, then STDAT-158 till Nov 72. Great site Brings back a lot of memories. I have several good shots of Leghorn. I spent about 6 weeks there. Also spent time around Plie Djering, Ben Het, Plie Mrong, and Dakto.
Sammy Cathey <sammy2580@bellsouth.net>Buckhead, GA USA - Monday, November 05, 2007 at 13:02:03 (PST)
Great site! I was pilot-in-command of the UH-1 shot down on April 24th at location ZB105175.
Frank ShiptonNewbury Park, California - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 14:31:55 (PDT)
Thank you for such a great site.
I served in Tan Canh as a RTO with the advisory team in 1966-1967. I was assigned to the 42nd INF. REGT. 1st BN. Where may I locate others from that time frame. You may think I am crazy but do you know what Adv. team # was there then. My paper work said Team 21. I saw a map site, the info said Team 23, your site said Team 25? If you can let me know, sir, I would appreciate it forever.
El Mirage, AZ U.S.A. - Monday, October 08, 2007 at 19:39:16 (PDT)
Great site
James Patterson <jpatterson69@gmail.com>Vashon, WA USA - Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 06:46:03 (PDT)
Your site is very interesting to me. I will come back and read more when I have time. My father was an officer in ARVN. I always admire brave soldiers, and I believe you're one of them. Thank you very much for your hard working of providing great details of the battle of Kontum. I've read many great stories about the battle in Vietnamese version, and now, your story is in American version. Many American war heroes are from West Point. What a great school with a great tradition! Big admiration is always for great soldiers who dedicate the most for their country.
Matthew Nguyen, a Senior Project Engineer, and a Georgia Tech graduate with highest honor.
LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA USA - Monday, October 01, 2007 at 14:50:51 (PDT)
GREAT SITE. TO ALL THE VIET NAM ERA VETS WELCOME. PLEASE REMEMBER ALL GAVE SOME BUT SOME GAVE IT ALL. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE TILL WE MEET AGAIN. SP/4 TOM GLATH 1971-73.
SP/4 TOM GLATHUSA - Friday, September 28, 2007 at 11:34:39 (PDT)
best people i've ever known
tom keyes <tom.keyes@sbcglobal.net>lawton, ok usa - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 19:54:02 (PDT)
"Uncle Jack"- I am really proud of your site. As you know, I am a younger generation that does not know too much of what you have been through in your past. I learn of it now, as I give groceries to one of the Veterans in my neighborhood. He tells me so many memories he has from the War. I appreciate you so much and everything you and he has done for this country. I look forward to giving you a big hug at our next family reunion. God bless.
Love,
Elizabeth Henry (Kennedy)
Lebanon, Ohio USA - Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 21:27:23 (PDT)
Served at Tan Canh as a CWO2 from April 1970-Nov 1970. 6/14 Arty Jump TOC, OPCON to MACV Team 25 who were advising the ARVN 42nd Inf. Reg. Got a lot of great support from the 170 AHC (Bikini Birds). Great people, great site. Thanks for setting it up - brings back a lot of memories.
Vince Vitale <vincemv@hotmail.com>Phoenix, AZ USA - Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 12:06:31 (PDT)
In 1972 I was Deputy S-3, 3d BDE Separate, 1st Cav Div and then Cdr, TF Garry Owen Arty. I can recall making a flight to Pleiku and Kontum during the Easter Offensive. We were heavily into the battle at An Loc, but were tasked to provide a counter mortar radar to Kontum/Pleiku. We did. After my return from your area, I was sent into An Loc as the G-3 advisor to the 18th ARVN that had replaced the 5th ARVN after the Cav made two 1,500 man lifts into An Loc. It was a very busy time. I stayed in An Loc until November 72 and rotated back to the US in March 73. The rest is history. God bless all. COL Bill Parnell, US Army, Retired.
Bill Parnell <wparn58787@aol.com>Spring, TX - Saturday, August 04, 2007 at 07:58:52 (PDT)
i got hit on firebase 14 on 4-7-68 5 section have pics n dvd of fb 14 n more , A BATT 2/9 4TH ID
charlie <theazduo@yahoo.com>texas - Monday, July 16, 2007 at 11:03:57 (PDT)
I was a crew chief with the 170th from April 1970-1971 when the company went home.
I flew each day with the SOG teams. insetion and extraction. we lost alot of good men and ships. welcome home to all
Sparks, Nevada US - Friday, July 06, 2007 at 08:30:22 (PDT)
can anyone tell me the dates of the fire fight known as fire base bravo, and fire base charlie.
Also does anyone have an account of the military personel that survived this fight (fire base bravo)
I am researching this for my husband, he suffers from allot of trama associated with his service in VN. He cant remember allot of the details, people he served with. Does anyone recongize the name Randall Cox.(this is my husband) he was in the BTRY 4th sqdn 7th CAV 2d INF Div. was this even part of fire base bravo?
Pendleton, Oregon USA - Friday, June 29, 2007 at 11:51:33 (PDT)
Hi Jack: First, thank you for the great site. I arrived second tour in June 1972 and was fortunate to be assigned as the first replacement to the first TOW team (hawks claw) as operations officer and A/C. We had big shoes to fill from the original team and went on to kill our share of tanks, trucks, tow jeeps, etc. Thanks to the first heat diffusers installed on the aircraft exhaust, we survived 2 SA-7 firings. Ceasefire in Jan 73 was a celebration, however I had the honors of being selected to fly for the Peace Team for the last 60 days. I left on the second to last flight out on Mar 28. It was my distinct honor to serve in this "nobel cause" with the finest soldiers I have ever known. All the best,
Terry C. Gannon, Col (Ret) USA
Palm Coast, Florida USA - Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 04:00:14 (PDT)
Great site brings back a lot of memories.
Pleiku - Kontum Oct.67-Sept.69 125ATC
Air Traffic Control
Framingham, Mass USA - Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 09:26:14 (PDT)
I have really enjoyed reading this site
Marke Griftur <Marke.Griftur@googlemail.com>UK - Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 17:35:55 (PDT)
Excellent site. Have read and re-read.
William <ws1887@yahoo.com>Seattle , WA USA - Friday, June 01, 2007 at 18:22:15 (PDT)
Heavy site my people
Kalu O. Kalu <kaluboy@nigeria.com>Lagos, Lagos Nigeria - Friday, June 01, 2007 at 04:46:58 (PDT)
I was in the 4th grade on May 26,1968. That's the day my dear cousin from Elkhart, Indiana , "Robert Davis" from the 4th infantry lost his life at Kontum. I remember viewing his body at the funeral home and wondering how something like this could happen. I will never know what he or the rest of you BRAVE soldiers went through during your time in Vietnam. I never had the priviledge to serve, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't look at the "etching" I have framed on my living room wall...and remember the friendly tomato fights with my cousin Bob prior to his tour. I miss him very much. This website was a wonderful source for me. Thank each one of you for what each one of you did.
Ken Davis <deskofkendavis@yahoo.com>Cincinnati, Ohio None other than the USA - Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 00:29:53 (PDT)
Two towns bring back many memories for me, Dak To and Kontum. I spent plenty of time forward in both with 4th Div-Arty Aviation (OH-23's) and 4th Aviation's Gambler Guns (UH1B's). I was wounded on Firebase 14 on 4/4/68. I think of the brave boys who's souls are still there. Welcome Home Brothers.
Paul G. Mittelstaedt <dorschelpgardner@yahoo.com>Rochester, NY USA - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 19:07:50 (PDT)
Jack, Thanks for all the hard work and persistance, you've managed to document a piece of our soul and add shine to a tarnished memory. Thank You! Your brother always Bart
Bart Burns <bartjburns@msn.com>Houston, Texas USA - Monday, April 23, 2007 at 10:36:33 (PDT)
I was moved by reading the accounts of The Battle of Kontum. I was the Senior Advisor to the 2nd BN 42nd ARVN Regiment at Kontum in 1969-70
John Avila Jr. <javila@tsbyrne.com>Fort Worth, Texas USA - Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 11:09:20 (PDT)
The site tells the story of the biggest battles of the Vietnam war. Ten enemy Divisions were in attack, three of them in the Kontum region. Their tanks and long range artillery blasted away at us. I advised and fought with the 11th Vietnamese Airborne Battalion. We went in with 451 paratroopers and after two weeks of ferocious battle - we fought our way out with 37 survivors; bloodied but unbroken. The rescue of that group was due to the heroic efforts of helicoptor pilots who braved enemy fire even when their aircraft was being riddled.
This offensive was four years in preparation, and the North Vietnamese lost an estimated 60,000 in these battles. This gave our Vietnamese allies three years before the final offensive which toppled the South Vietnamese government.
John J Duffy <johnjduffy@aol.com>Santa Cruz, CA USA - Friday, April 20, 2007 at 17:45:20 (PDT)
[ View a Stars and Stripes article about John Duffy's account of this battle ]
I WAS IN "A" COMPANY 3/12/ 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION IN VIETNAM - SEPT 67-SEPT 68. HILL 1338 WAS ONE OF THE HILLS "A" CO. HELP TO TAKE. I AM LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO WAS THERE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE ASSAULT. AT THE END OF THE DAY 13 PEOPLE WAS LEFT IN MY PLATOON. IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS ANY CONTACT WITH ANY OF THESE 13 --PLEASE CONTACT ME MY E-MAIL.. ALSO THE NEWS FILM CREWS CAME OUT LATE THAT AFTERNOON. IF ANYONE HAS A COPY OF THEIR FILMS OR CAN HELP ME IN THE SEARCH FOR ONE--PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
NICHOLSON, GA USA - Friday, April 20, 2007 at 13:20:16 (PDT)
Wonderful site. I love to read stories of great American Heroes. It is something that this country needs more of.
EriK J. Gerischer <ejlg90@winco.net>Milan, Illinois USA - Friday, March 30, 2007 at 14:48:55 (PDT)
The Chinese Bandit Recon LRRP Team was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations for Extraordinary Heroism for their participation in the Battles of Ia Drang (Nov 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 Laos borders in the spring of 1966. More information on the Chinese Bandits can be obtained online at: Chinese Bandits Recon LRRP Team
RANGER Jerry Conners <jconnersn94k@att.net>Virginia City, Nevada USA - Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 14:49:41 (PST)
Just looking to make reconnections. I was in HHC 17th CAG in Nha Trang all of 1969. I have written a memoir entitled 'REMF "War Stories"' which is available at lulu.com or Amazon and which covers all of the experiences of a rear echelon trooper that are usually not found in writings on Vietnam. I have never found a site for the headquarters company. The best to all my fellow veterans and to those who gave so much more than I did.
Dean Muehlberg <bearmakker@rap.midco.net>Rapid City, SD USA - Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 14:07:07 (PST)
Just a note to say I was a FAC out of Bien Hoa 70-71. My callsign was rustic u and my handle was lunchbox. I flew the backseat in the OV10 and the right seat in the 02. I flew 2 weeks out of tan son nhut in the 02 for 9 missions and i flew 10 months out of Bien Hoa with 181 missio in the ov10 bronco. All missions where in Cambodia. They declassified our mission in 1991 so then we could start talking about it.Up to that time it was top secret.I was a staff sargeant at the time. You can see me listed on the website (www.rustic.org.) good day to you all. And to all you nam vets, welcome home.
George E. Larson <gorln45@aol.com>Orlando, Fla USA - Monday, February 19, 2007 at 21:20:01 (PST)
NICE SITE
FINE BOY <OWERRI@YAHOO.FR>COTONOU, BENIN BENIN REP - Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 05:38:52 (PST)
I WAS ASSIGNED TO ADVISORY TM23 AT TAN CANH FROM APRIL 67 TO MAY 68. WE WERE ADVISORS TO THE 42ND ARVN REGT. IAM LOOKING FOR THE MEDIC WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO TM 23 IN EARLY 68. HIS LAST NAME IS WESTON. SORRY CANT REMEMBER HIS FIRST NAME. ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED. THIS IS A VERY GOOD WEB SITE. THANKS ALOT. SSG RON CRANDALL
CRANDALL, RON <JCOOKIE41@AOL.COM>JOPLIN, MISSOURI JASPER - Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 11:42:05 (PST)
Fastastic site. Loved it!
Pete <peter.johnson@yahoo.com.au>Sydney, Australia - Thursday, February 01, 2007 at 15:10:16 (PST)
Wonderful site...I stumbled upon it while googling information on Joe Eubanks. Joe was a friend and classmate of mine (The Citadel 1969 I last saw him in April 1972 when he landed next to my hooch and one of the flourescent light bulbs fell and exploded on my desk due to vibrations from the rotors. I went out to chew out the pilot and there was Joe grinning. We had a great time in the O club that night. Several weeks later I rotated out and heard of his death about 6 months later. I still think of him almost every day. As the quote goes "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times."
L.G. 572nd MI Det. (II Corps RED) "spook"
Colorado - Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 11:46:47 (PST)
Good site, seems like yesterday.
57th AHC Doorgunner 1971
Bedford, VA USA - Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 16:22:28 (PST)
Thank you for an excellent site... I live and work in Vietnam, having previously served there as an infantryman in the Australian Army. The site is full of information and when I am next back in Vietnam (home in Australia now on R&R) I will find the time to go and have a look at Kontum. Well done.
Garry Adams <alphasix@boztek.com.au>Freemans Reach, NSW Australia - Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 23:32:09 (PST)
Thank you for your service in Vietnam and for the great website which gave me hours learning what had happened in Vietnam.
Construction Electrician, Seenior Chief Petty Officer
Cerritos, CA USA - Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:17:15 (PST)
Very Interesting website. I was looking at the Unit Rosters section and found the name of a guy I served with at Ft. Bragg. If you look at the Roster of H Troop 17th Armored Cav, there is a WO1 Steven Noe. I served with Steve in the 90s at Ft. Bragg in the 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment (AH-64 Unit). Steve retired in the late 90s as a CW5 after 31 or 32 years of service. He was a great mentor to me when I was young Warrant.
Gary D. Shortt <gary.shortt@us.army.mil.>- Monday, January 08, 2007 at 09:49:37 (PST)
I was with the 330th rrfs det 8 during the Easter Offensive 72. Spent that time around the Pleiku area.North up hwy 14 a few klicks.
Some time @ II Corp Hqs. Arty Hill. 62 Log. etc.etc.
So much was going on I could write a small. book and I was just a WORKER BEE. But, since this is largely an aviation site I'll just say thanks to the puff and snake crews plus some crazy son of a b that was flying a Huey with a huge ( here I am ) spotlight on his skid. A few nights @ Arty Hill we played host to 2 snake crews. They were resting on the ground next to their cobras one night. I asked this guy why they were there. He said they had to disperse @ night for security reasons. That was during the same period we were all on the perimeter every night. All my gear had thermite satchel charges on top ready to pull and go. Ha! That was one hell of a time leading up to,
during and after. Everyone seemed to be doing 15 things at once. I felt like one of those wind up Gorillas playing four different
instruments only I'm sure I wasn't very amusing or amused. It cracks me up when someone says." I was in-country during 68".
I usually reply, "oh really" then just hang on to the ride.
There I go. Starting that small book. Thanks for the site. Very nice!!
Vietnam Service 666,67,68, 71-72
USA - Tuesday, January 02, 2007 at 20:28:39 (PST)