Pleiku, South Vietnam
Camp Enari
Hq & A Co 704th Maintenance Bn.
1969-1970

An Khe
An Khe Combat Base
Hq & A Co 704th Maintenance Bn.
1970-1970

Quang Tri, South Vietnam
Camp Red Devil
D Co 75th Spt Ban
1970-1971

Pleiku, South Vietnam
Camp Holloway
Hq's 17th Cbt Avn Gp
1972-1973

Like your site very much, especially the pictures from D Co 75th Spt Bn. The one picture you have of the Draggin Wagon hauling in an M48 tank for repair and you state that George Mudweiller was the driver. You also mention and have a picture of CW2 Craig as the armament Warrant Officer. I was there and served with both of these men at that time, so that would mean that you must have been there when I was there. I still keep in contact with two buddies that served with me during that time.
Best Regards,
Henry Geib
CW2 Retired

I salute you for your continuing service to those of us who served in your battalion so many years ago. Your website has been a great source of comfort to many of us, and is, in some respects, the only link between our dreams and reality, a testament and tangible witness to the best and worst days of our lives. I served under Captain Bob Spencer as the forward observer for B-1/61. I hope that your health has improved, that your family is well, and that you know that you have not been forgotten.

I haven’t visited your site in quite some time; but for whatever reason, I was prompted to do so tonight, and I saw the post from Jan deBour, dated 2-11-2012. Jan was my recon sergeant for a time, and was there the day that I was wounded (January 25, 1970); and at which time five or six other men were wounded and PFC Vernon Mikell Wiggins and SP4 James Vincent Vinciguerra were killed...both within about ten feet of me. Jan found my name on your website some months ago, and we’ve talked on the phone several times since then. I did not know that he had posted a comment; and he did not ask me to verify any of the incidents outlined in his post; but I personally witnessed or participated in virtually everything Jan covers in his comments. The Duke that he referred to was my radio telephone operator and Duke’s last name was Dannenfeltser (sp?)...a big happy kid from New Jersey who was Jewish and Italian and could do a decent Lowell and Hardy imitation. I was on the hill when Duke helped rescue the body of the lieutenant that had been killed, for which he and several other men received the Silver Star. This was the same operation during which Captain Gallagher was killed while commanding A company, and during which Captain Blount and Captain Starr received the DSC in support of the operation. I was the FO that directed five or six artillery batteries from Captain Spenser’s position, in support of A company, on the awful night that has come to be know as the November Battle . I also saw the rifle that had been shot out of the hands of one of the platoon leaders during that action. He was RA and a first lieutenant if I remember correctly; but I don’t remember his name. I was also within perhaps ten or twenty yards of Hector (almost sure that was his first name...don’t know his last name), whenever he stepped on a mine and lost both of his arms and legs. I also remember our Chu Hoy scout setting rats on fire and using them for target practice. While I don’t remember the maggot infested NVA soldier in the creek, there were lots of dead ones around and I have no doubt that it happened. The bottom line is that Jan was there...and served honorably.

I would be grateful if you’d allow my comments to be included on your website. I would also be grateful if anyone could help me locate the families of PFC Wiggins and SP4 Vinciguerra, so that I can pay my respects to them. Finally, I would be grateful if anyone could help me find the names of the men who were killed when a howitzer exploded at B Battery 5/4. After being wounded, I was reassigned to act as one the fire direction officers for that unit; a job that I was not very good at. It is very important to me to find their families and pay my respects before I take the big trip.

May God be with you, with all of my brothers and sisters who served, and with our Great Nation.

With respect and devotion,

Unit: Recon/HHC/1-61
EDMOND TELLO BALLANCE
PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service
5th Infantry Division Mechanized

His tour began on Dec 4, 1970
Casualty was on Jun 6, 1971
In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MISADVENTURE
Body was recovered from Quang Tri, South Vietnam

My prayers go out to the fallen and their families.

headline@nwi.net

Thanks,

Gene McCorkle
2668 Allister Circle
Miamisburg, Ohio 45342
937-648-7412
GMCCORKLE1@woh.rr.com

Best regards

Forever a Red Devil

I work for the Overland Park Fire Dept. (KS). We get a break from normal duties when we work holidays. I thought I'd spend some time this memorial day trying to learn about my uncle's military service (David Hartigan). Although I met him many times when I was small, I only knew that he was an officer in the army and served in Viet Nam near Quang Tri. He passed away in 1997. My mom (his sister) has always been very proud of his service, as am I, but she doesn't know details.

I found your website today and saw several pictures of him (some of the captions have him identified as Hardigan, with a "d"). I now understand that the story of his service there is actually a part of the story of the 1/61. I wanted to thank you for putting up a fine website so people can learn about and remember your experiences. It's a treasure of information. Words won't adequately express my appreciation for the service of everyone in the 1/61, but you can trust that I am extremely grateful. I understand that sometimes staff officers aren't very popular folks. I hope he was a good officer.

Sincerely,

1st tour:
Big Red One Inf Div, 701st Naint Bn, Hq in Dian, Aug 66 to Aug 67
I Was the Commander of Company D, 701st in Phuoc Vinh, Aug 66 to April 67
I also served as the Materal Readiness Expediter for the Div at the Saigon Army Depot for the rest of my tour. It was a most interesting experience.

2d tour:
Served as the SSTR (Senior Service Technical Represenative) for the The Tank Automotive Command, Warren, Michigan from Oct 1971-March 1972. Had a total of 32 civilian tech reps working for me in total. They were most all GS-12. Had three in Thailand, 1 in Cambodia and one on an advisory team that worked in Laos but stayed in Thailand at nite. They had to fly over each day in a C-47.

3rd tour:
Same as above but a longer tour in total. Oct 72 thru July 73. However I move with my unit to Thailand in April of 73 when we received Peace With Honor or so they said. The PWH situation allowed on 50 American Military to remain in Country with the MAAG. Any time a military person went into Vietnam someone had to leave so that the total never exceeded 50. I was able to get into country one time after that to assist the few troops and the Korean Division who were the only foreign troops left there. I had to fly in via Air France to get into the country.

On my 2nd tour I was in Long Binh and the third tour I was at Ton San Nut AQir Base in Saigon. I also worked closely with the Vietnan Army Arsenal personnel which had its own group of U S Army advisors.
Also assised in the set up of a rebuild program in Cambodia.
I am currently a 100% disabled Veteran.

5 = 5th Infantry Div
1 – 1 – 61 = ? - 1st Battalion - 61st Infantry
A = A Company
2 = 2nd Vehicle
Hood or Registration number “could be” 2D1554
It had various radios in it during its service life. With the 1-61.

The Jeep in the web site picture may actually be the jeep I am currently restoring. I am trying to figure out how to get more pictures or more info on who may have been the driver or passengers in this jeep.
ANY help is more than appreciated. I am obviously trying to but together a tribute to the 1-61 along with any other info when I display this jeep at parades or veteran’s events.

I served at Ft Polk with the 1/61 from Oct 1974 to Feb 1978 and Aug 1982 to Dec 1984. I retired as the HHC 1SG 31 Dec 1984.

Vietnam Veteran 1966 1st Bn 5th Inf 25 Inf Div and 1969 - 1970 2nd Bn 8th Cav 1st Cav Div.

Like to hear from anyone who served with me at Ft Polk in the Roadrunner Bn.

http://www.yourvabenefits.org/
http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-04-2010/giving-back-to-vet\s.html
http://www.vva.org/Guides/AgentOrangeGuide.pdf
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/us/08vets.html?_r=1

I have compiled an extensive list of web addresses (couple of pages on a word doc) if anyone is interested. It is a little long to post here but I'd be glad to forward them to any and all.
The VA has done a good job lately of being much more responsive. They are not perfect but hey, "It's the government." It's digging through the mountain of paperwork that is the (to a great extent)problem. As I find and receive things that are noteworthy, I'll list them.
All the Best to everyone,

In Nov, 1966 I began basic training in 1st Plt C Trp, 4/12 Cav at Ft Carson with the 5th Inf Div ( Mech ). We were told we were preparing to be the next division to be deployed to Vietnam, We trained for the better part of a year, then after we established TO&E I was transferred to 1st Plt A Trp 4/12 Cav. As time grew nigh on completeing our first year there was no sign of us preparing for deployment.. Finally it was announced that a mechanized division would not work well on the terrain in Vietnam so our deployment as a division fizzled out. In studying the history of armor in Vietnam , armor had yet to gain any respect by the fall of '67. Considering that all the line battalions were built almost entirely with draftees it seemed like a waste to build up a division and then not do anything with it. Ultimately two massive waves of orders for Vietnam came about 10 days apart in Dec, '67 for most Infantry , scouts and mortarmen. They emptied out the Fort except for a skeleton cadre in each troop or company. In the 4/12 all of we tankers were left behind with some HQ guys.

We actually had it made for awhile, then came The Tet Offensive. Feburary '68 found 1/2 of us recieving orders for VN. By the time we we arrived in VN we had 7 1/2 months before ETS. 11 tankers and one mortarman trained in the 4/12 Cav ended up in the 3/5 Cav. 8 in C Trp, 3 in A Trp and one in D Trp.. The good news we got what we trained for, the bad news was 3/5 Cav was OPCON to the 3rd Marines up on the DMZ as a diversionary force in conjunction with the Siege of Khe Sahn. Of the 12 guys that trained together; one was KIA, one was medevaced and did not return, 2 got out at the end of Aug. to go back to college. I was one of three that made Sgt E-5 and were track or tank commanders, another three made Sp-5. 5 guys got purple hearts. On May 17,'68 we were attached to the 1st Cav Div ( Airmobile) until Oct. 31, '68. I was at home in Texas at the end of Oct, '68 thinking I could put it all behind me and pick up where I left off 2 years before but 6 months later it was clear that I was forever changed.

C Trp 3/5 Cav rolled into Wunder Beach around Aug. 1, '68 for an overdue maintenance standdown - we were filthy, fatigues were rotting off our bodies, the tanks and tracks were all beat up. As we approached the perimeter gate there they were- a fresh armored cav troop. Brand new vehicles with troopers wearing brand new fatigues and their guns and ammo were all shiny. As we started to run up next to them I recognized 3 of the troopers who stayed behind at Ft. Carson when my group left. It was mind blowing that it was A Trp 4/12 Cav-small mud ball! Their eyes were popin' out lookin' at what a tried and true cav troop looks like after running hard and battlin' in the field for lengths of time. All I could say was welcome to the real world boys and laugh and laugh...

I like your sight - keep it up. I've been searching the 5th Inf Div (Mech) high and low, I cannot find any documentation of the preparation of the division for deployment to VN 66'-67'. Doesn't matter-turns we really were not trained for VN anyway, we were trained for Europe. Fortunately my training on the M-60 Patton Tank applied for the most part to the smaller M-48A3. Having the same diesel powered engine as the M-60 was a real plus. Replacement parts were scarce and tank tactics were different than what we were taught at Ft. Carson. I adapted-I survived!

I'm David Byers, Platoon Leader (1LT) for "Charlie" CO 1/11 from 01-70 to 01-71. Mainly out of Quang Tri and off of Fuller and Dong Ha Mtn. Visited the lively Cue Viet flats into Laos on many Sparrow Hawks. Had an awesome time, left after 7.5 months to be Liasion Officer to BG Hill in Da Nang. I volunteered for extension for the field twice and was turned down due to cut back in Da Nang. The field actually was shelled the day I left on the small transport to "de de" down souh.
Looking for any and all listings of Pioneers in C Company during that time. PTSD has done me in...my memory is not good at all.
I remember a few guys but would like to hear their names again.
Thank you and God bless us all even though others did not!!

I found an article on the web that said that we were where the Marine (7th Motor Transport Group?) motor pool had been before being rotated out and replaced by the Army's 1/5.

From what few pictures I have, it appears that we were located on the perimeter of QTCB.

One friend thinks that he remembers turning west off of QL 1 just north of the airfield and driving along a stream past a Army potable water op and on into/through the Red Devil area.

Another friend thinks that he remembers that we were co-located on Camp Roberts with P Company of the 75th Ranger Battalion. I do remember sharing a few beers with those guys.

I've never seen a drawing, or any kind of layout, that gave enough detail for me to know exactly where our little radar site was located. Do you know of anything, even a sketch of the base, that would provide enough detail for me to locate where we were?

Just like the USAF I guess, we never knew exactly where we were but were always happy to tell the pilots where they were.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Howard "Woody" Woodard
23753 NE 116th Pl
Redmond, WA 98053
P: 425.968.2210
F: 425.968.2211
C: 425.761.0678

I believe this is my 3rd entry.. My Kids got me on this Facebook thing.. and well I have added a lot to it including a link to this site and some of my own pictures… Some of mine are on the site already.. thanks for the person who did all that work after the reunion in May or June of 05… Which actually help me meet my wife Minh Hai…
Anyway… A Very Grateful Thanks for the site and the effort it takes to do this.. Thank you…

Anyone .. Check out my face book for more … Like to make contact with anyone in my unit… Either in Facebook, or aol.com (bobz9) or on yahoo.com (bob9z) Stop by and say hello…
Smile… Third Wife … 6 kids… still working… and been back to Vietnam 3 times in the last 3 years…
Now they Love us…. Nobody shot at me this time….
Life goes on… We survived……
Just remember all those who didn’t make it…. God Bless them All

K. Bragg
HHC 1/61
Mortars
1987-1991

Small point - in your website at http://one-six-one.fifthinfantrydivision.com/161pg10.htm you have our Dusters listed as 1/40th. We were actually 1/44 Arty.

One of your pictures at Wunder Beach has piles identified as fishing nets or rolls of concertina wire. Actually it is excess WWII submarine netting. Hope you can use my information and get this worked out.

Hope all is well,

David W Billingsley
alabama_rolltide@email.com

July 1969 - Feb. 1970
Grenadier
Co B, 1st BN, 61st Inf, 1st Bde, 5th Div (Mech)

Thanks for the site!

Thanks
again welcome home

http:www.kob/article/stories/S1192896.shtml?cat=504#

I don't have any pictures of your Friend Chris Cordova but thought you may want to submit one of his.

Thanks

Michael Keever
C Company - 1st Battalion - 61st Infantry Regiment
1st Platoon "Renegades"
Ft. Jackson, SC 29207

Learn your trade well!

Stephen Morris

Bud Morris
950 E Northfield Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130

SSgt. Don Bludworth

Bob Matakonis
HHB 5th Bn 4th Arty (Mech)