ECHO Co. 3rd/60th 9th Inf. Div                   Mobile Riverine Force Jan-May 1968

Originally the 3rd/60th had Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Echo Company. Echo was changed to Delta Company around Sept 68. This seems to have been common in the 9th Div. I believe this was done to be consistent with the rest of the forces.

This section contains new info, notes of my conversations with other guys from the 9th division and recollections of my experiences. Below are links to other pages. If you want anything posted on these pages e-mail me at DocMcClain@webtv.net

complete webpage index

Doc McClains pictures

Jim Toneys pictures & diary

Bob Stumpfs pictures

Pat Reyes pictures

Tom Forbes Pictures

Bob Lisko`s Pictures

Tim Goins Picture

John Ellis`s Pictures

Wayne Delks Pictures

John McManus`s Pictures

Bob Flaiges Pictures

John Gallo`s Pictures

Fallen Heros

Info on Jim Johson`s book

Pictures from the 2002 reunion

List of contacts made with Company Vets so far. Click on below.

List of contacts

2005 reunion

John Adame

Richard "Augie" Augustyniak

Cpt Martin Cook

John Ellis

John Gallo

Kathryn Goudeluck ( Forrest`s wife)

John Hughes

Earl Jeffries

Chaplain Jim Johnson

Bobby Lisko

Ron "Doc" McClain

Dave Oulette (on leave fron Iraq)

Charles Peterson

Hank Rolen

Jim Smalkowski

Bob Stunpf

Ed Thornton (Batallion Medical)

Jim Toney

"Doc" Tooley

Phillip Whiteside

Keston Williams

Willie "Doc Soul" Williams

Tom Wright

Nov 04 Joe Mangan died on Nov 4th.

Oct 2004 Sorry to report that Alvin Rogers and Joe Ropel both passed away recently

Received an e-mail recently from Sgt Louis Cooper. He left Feb 20, 68. Was close with Dougherty and Sgt Quintero

August 2004 Jim Ueeck has been in touch with Bobby Lisko..

Aug 2004 Bob Stumpf told us that Joe Mangan was in the hospital recently and he would probably like to hear from some of us. Bob and I have the contact info.

Aug 2004 Received an e-mail from Steve Lynch who was with us from July 68 to July 69. He said we were missing 2 names from Delta Co on the KIA list. They are Mike Lewis from Iowa and Scott Saylor from Pennsylvania. They have recently been added to our list. Thanks Steve!

Reunion roster John Adame, Richard 'Augie' Austyniak, Ed Brennan, Wayne Delk, John Ellis, Halford Fore, John Gallo, Kathryn Goudeluck (wife of Forrest) Curtis `Col`Hofstetter, John Hughes, Earl Jefferies, Bobby Lisko, Ron 'Doc' McClain, Henry Rolen, Jim Smalkowski, Rick Smith, Bob Stumpf, Jim Toney, Phil Whiteside and Keston Williams. Pictures to follow.

MRFA Reunion 2003 Pictures taken by Carol Ellis

(L to R) John Hughes, Henry Rolan, John Ellis, Phil Whiteside, Keston Williams, Halford Fore, Curtis Hofstetter, Kathryn Goudeluck (wife of Forrest and Gold Star Wife,) John Gallo, Richard 'Augie' Austyniak, Rick Smith, Wayne Delk, Ed Brennan, Jim Smalkowski, Bob Stumpf, Jim Toney (missing in picture: Lisko, Adame, Ron 'Doc' McClain, Earl Jefferies)

(L to R) John Ellis, Ron 'Doc' McClain, John Hughes, Keston Williams, Phil Whiteside, Henry Rolan, John Gallo, Curtis 'Col' Hofstetter, Bobby Lisko, Jim Smalkowski, Halford Fore, Wayne Delk, John Adame, Ed Brennan, Bob Stumpf, Jim Toney, Rick Smith (missing in picture: Augie, Earl Jefferies, Kathryn Goudeluck)

June 03 Latest contact is Brad Franks.

May 2003 John Gallo has pictures that can be seen at the http://community-2.webtv.net/DocMcClainIII/JohnGallosPictures/

John Ellis sent a picture tittled `Newbies`. Five new arrivals in late 68. It can be seen on his picture page at the bottom. Two of them have been added to the KIA list, Russell Ellis and Melville Rose KIA 2/1/69.

Bobby Lisko sent this photo of Sgt Goudelock on the left. John Ellis says Arthur Lynn from Recon is in the middle. Can anyone ID the guy on the right?

April 03 Bob Flaige sent some pictures. See link above.

March 03 John McManus sent a few more pictures. They are on his 3rd page. See link above.

Jan, 03 Lots of info this month. Robert Wright who was listed as KIA in Jan 68 completed his tour. Thanks to Tim Goins this error was corrected. David Lopez, a Sgt in Recon in 67, added Ottis Reed who was KIA on June 23, 1967. Many more names have been added to the company roster thanks to John Ellis and Tim Goins.

December, 02 Jon Kio has been in contact. John Ellis saw a post by Jon on a 9th Division website and referred him here. Jon is looking to contact thos who remember him. Hope everyone has a happy holiday season. New contact this month is Gary Winger 66-67. Bravo Company is having a reunion this summer in Charlston, S.C. Echo Company is invited. If you are interested let me know. John Sperry is our contact person.

October 2002 Wayne Delk has been in contact with John Gallo. He lives in New Jersey and retired as a Lt. in the police force. He sends greetings to all. He has also been in contact with Eddie Guzman. He sends his regards and best wishes to all this 9div. buddies. He is making plans to join us at the reunion at Ft. Mitchell.  He says he 'wouldn't miss it for the world'.  He is in banking, like Wayne. Eddie lives in New York but is moving to Jersey City in December.

Anyone remember Erickson KIA on April 7,1968? hello brave Veteran... To:    DocMcClain@webtv.net I am currently doing research for my Cousin's wife on her uncle,Leonard Erickson.As a tribute to his brave service and meaningful life, we are paying homage by expanding our knowledge to those that had served along-side Leonard. Penny and I have looked  at some of the sites you and other Brothers from the 3rd Battalion,60th infantry,9th Inf Div. and are saddened that Len didn t have along enough tenure to be in any of the pictures that were posted, but maybe that's not a bad thing either?!I guess Oliver Stone's depiction says it best ..."If you are gonna get it, best to in the first month you are there,"not to make lite of Leonard's life but that seemed his fate.I have read about Operations Coronado XI, Troung Cong Dinh of the Mobile Riverine Forces in the Mekong Delta sounded like a very difficult area to secure and fortify.Our biggest trouble I guess from the reads are that of "Phouc"(fook) and what he knew and when ,or if it even had any merit at all ?! It was said ! in one script that the 5 in question killed that day of 4/07/68 were all ambushed and gunned down ,and in another were killed by an initial blast by mortar fire.I suppose only maybe the "dead" will know or those closest that saw???...We humbly accept any info you have or remember of Leonard and please pass this mail along to any of those you may think that might...God Bless brothers of the Vietnam War... and take care ,we are greatful to you and Leonard for all you've given.                                                            sincerely R.Venturella and Penny Kelly rickfrommodestoca@yahoo.com

John McManus`s Notes

Wayne Delk sent 3 pictures. Link above.

JULY 2002 Pictures from the 2002 reunion in San Diego can be seen at http://community-2.webtv.net/docsphotos/2002ReunionSanDiego/

John McManus has been in contact with me. Will post some of his info soon!

June, 2002 Received an e-mail from Alvin Rogers. Was in D/E CO. from 4/68 to 4/69. He may be going to the reunion. John Hughes met Obidah Durham and he is alive and well. Retired from the Army!

May 2002 Have updated company roster from CIB (16 Oct 68)and Air Medal (16 Dec 68) orders sent by John Ellis

April 2002 Pete Russell, one of the original members of Echo Co. is looking for a copy of the orders sending Echo Co to VietNam from Ft. Reilley. If you have any info let us know.

John Chastain sent a description of what happened to Sgt Carroll. It can be found at: http://community.webtv.net/DocII/November241968

John Sperry found an address for John G. Carrillo, thanks to Tim Goins sending Carrillo`s SSAN. I mailed a letter a week ago will post the results here.

Re: April 7th, 1968. Yes, indeed, I recall this operation. I was walking point for 1st Platoon (Romeo), and had been in country since March 4th, 1968, and with the company since March 14th (the night before the mess in Dinh Tuong). As I remember it, my platoon had gone into a night ambush position when we were advised over the radio that 3rd Platoon had been hit. As I recall, we were southwest of Cai Lai, whereas the ambush took place on a road that went slightly southeast of Cai Lai (back in the direction of Dong Tam). We humped overland I the dark to link up with the main element of the 3rd Platoon (which was almost back at the outskirts of Cai Lai). I got partway down to the ambush site, but the dead guys had already been moved back. You (and the others) will probably recall that the following night in that stupid little EM club/mess hall in the company area there was a disturbance involving Phouc (the tiger scout with the 3rd) and members of the 3rd platoon. The issue was, of course, whether Phouc had foreknowledge of the ambush, since he had fallen back from the normal position in the column just before the ambush. I do not think that the issue was ever resolved. Just to update what happened to me (in case there's someone interested), I walked point for the 1st platoon until I became Echo-6-Oscar. I was the battalion RTO until around September, when I wormed my way into the company office. I most vividly remember the 15th of March, the 17th and 18th of March (Snoopy's Nose), the 15th and 16th of July, June in Can Tho, and all the miserable operations near the Crossroads. Best to all, Timothy S. Goins

1/31/02 My name is Virginia Herrera Martinez and my brother is Ben Herrera.I have been looking for pictures or anyone with any info on him.Ben was in Echo company 3rd/60th infantry.I  dont have any pictures of him and I have been to all kind of different military web sites looking for anyone who knows him.Then I come across Bob Stumpf's pics and the 1st pic happened to be him.I was wondering if he or anyone else could help me out.The last time I saw Ben I was 12 yrs old,now Im 46.This would really mean alot to me. Please E-mail me and I would love to hear if anyone has any stories Thank you and God bless!!!!  Virginia Herrera Martinez   Bob Lisko has been in touch with Ben Herrera`s sister. Bob Stumpf also is contacting her. Thanks guys!

1/19/02 Spoke to Doc Soul (Willie Williams) today. Harold Doc Tooley got us together. I was very glad to hear Doc Soul. I have always admired him for the bravery he showed us all those many years ago. He says he was as scared as I was but I`m not so sure. Willie you sure seemed `faster than a speeding bullet`. Willie always answered the call.

12/15/01 Bobby Lisko has sent e-mails from Forrest Gouldelock`s niece. They can be seen on the KIA page by clicking on the date 4/19/68 or at Address:http://community-2.webtv.net/DocII/ForrestGoudelocks/ Thanks Bobby!

-mail from Bob Sterns Subject: pictures and purple heart orders While looking at the website and its great!!!! I saw you need puple heart orders. I have three sets with a lot of E co names on them I can send them by FAX or hardcopy if you want or maybe I can have my son scan them for me .I also have a ton of E 3/60 photos showing a lot of the Guys who were killed. If you want I can send them to you I can also identify most of the people on them. There are a few of Reyes, Mimms, LT WOODS, SSG REYNOLDS, PSG QUINTERO and some of the others we lost on 27 Feb. If you want hard copy or scan I can do either I also have black and white video history of the 9th riveine ops made by us army from fort stewart if any of our guys are interested .I can make copies and send to them I`m still in military and have access to video imager .BOB STERN I was with E 3/60 from may 11 1967 -April 1 1968

12/7/01 Bobby Lisko has been in touch with Forrest Goudelock`s family. They have a memorial to him at the following link:  http://www.virtualwall.org/dg/GoudelockFx01a.htm

12/1/01 Received the following e-mail from John Adame: Hi Doc. Hope both of you are in good health and spirits. Read about your trip and hearing Bob made it ok. good to hear things like that. Well anyway I got copies of my military orders. I found these names among them. Bob Lisko Promotion to E-4 and Air Medal John Christie CIB Paul Wolf Air Medal Jim Toney Air Medal-CIB Earl Jeffries CIB Henry Rolen CIB If there is any other names you would like me to look Up let me know. If any one wants a copy let me know. Take care John (L M F) Adame

Also received an e-mail from Doc Schmitt last week. We probably should remember each other but neither of us does.

10/27/01 Jim Toney found out we had an error on our KIA list. We had Lt Peter Wood as KIA on 1/10/68 from an entry in a morning report. Actually it was Lt Ronald Wood who was KIA o 2/4/68. Thanks for the correction, Jim.

10/16/01 Just got back from a road trip we started the day after Labor Day. Seems so long ago with what`s gone on during that time. We drove up I-95 (The New Jersy Turnpike) on Sept 6th and saw the World Trade Center Towers, across the river. I`ve always been impressed by the site of them and they looked beautiful on this day. Little did we know it would be our last time passing them. On `Black` Tuesday we on the Mohawk Trail in western Mass and had the Good Morning America show on the TV and saddley vewed the events live. My heart dropped when the 2nd plane hit before my eyes. I couldn`t watch any more. According to the reports the planes flew over where we were before turning toward NYC. My saddness soon turned to anger as we heard about plot. Wanted to go get the `Bastards`! I did remember that Bob Stumpf worked in Manhattan. After a few days I called to find out if he was okay. Bob said he as about a mile away and was fine physically. Great news!

John Ellis sent a new picture from the reunion. Can be seen on the 2001 reunion page listed above. Thanks John.

Rolen sent a copy of his CIB orders to post but my computer and scanner are acting up, so it will be a while before I get them on. There are quite a few names on it.

John Ellis and Bob Lisko sent a new picture. Click on http://community.webtv.net/docsphotos/JohnEllisBarbosaDoc

Doc.. it is so amazing.. ONE look at Toms pics and I saw Earl (Jeffries).. it came back in a flash !! Listen, tell Tom that on the third pic down with the guys standing in a row and the has the 2 ? ? 's on the right. The guy on the far right is Harold Baucom. If you will remember..he went AWOL for several weeks. They found him stoned out of his gourd, living with some VN girl in some village. MP's brought him back to Dong Tam. While I was on light duty recouping from my frag wounds of Sept 68. They had me guard him while he was awaiting court martial. I was told they shipped him to Leavenworth. I hung out with John Thomas quite a bit. I know the guy holding the peanuts.. but cannot remember his name. I vaguely remember he was from Georgia.   I appreciate you guys.     Wayne Delk

Just returned from the MRF reunion in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. All I can say is fantastic! Albert and the rest of the `crew` did a fine job. Thankyou! There will be lots to tell plus pictures to add later. I`ll list the names I can remember. If I leave someone off, please let me know. There was John Adame, John Ellis, John Hughes, Earl Jeffries, Chaplain Jim Johnson, Bobby Lisko, Dennis McDougal, Henry Rolen, Jim Toney and Harold `Doc` Tooley. It was sure great to see you guys. All these years I never thought it would happen! And nobody looked a day older!

JUST RECEIVED THIS SAD NEWS From:    "Mike Lynn" To:    DocMcClain@webtv.net Subject:    JIM R. LYNN Date:    Fri, Mar 30, 2001, 8:40pm (EST-3) Please let everyone know that James R. Lynn, passed away at Madigan Army Medical Center Fort Lewis, Washington on 30 March 01. He was glad that he meet all of you in Washington D.C., and looked forward to the next meeting. --- Mike Lynn

LOOKING FOR ANYONE REMEMBERING FRANK MONTEMAYOR Received the following e-mail from Franks nephew. Frank was KIA on May 2,1967. If you remember him e-mail me at DocMcClain@webtv.net and I will forward it. Thanks. Dear Sir, I recently came across your webpage detailing the list of men KIA in Echo and Delta company. As you can tell by my name, I am related to one of those men. He was my uncle, who I never met, but have felt this bond with him ever since I was a kid. I really appreciate the website and the detail of the circumstances. I was also wondering if you or anyone you knew might have other details or insights into what happend that day or night? I have always wondered what happened and I knowing that would settle alot of conflicts and bring closure to those feelings. It would also be great if you know someone who knew him. Thank you so much for your hardwork and dedication to your fellow soldiers. Kind Regards, Frank E. Montemayor

3/11/01 Talked to Rolen today. He said John Hughes stopped by recently and had a nice visit. We both feel thankful and lucky that we are able to get together after all these years. But for the grace of God our names would be engraved on The Wall. We may have forgotten many of the details of what happened over there but our friendship has endured. I still find it hard to call Rolen by his first name after knowing him as Rolen for so many years. Can`t wait for Kentucky. Adame says only 107 days!

3/6/01 Things have slowed to a crawl as far as working on these pages this week. We`re having our kitchen and bath remodeled at the same time. ? Mistake We`re living in the livingroom with all our kitchen belongings. Had to find another place for the webtv. Had to use our old camping toilet for a day and night. Now we are in the middle of the snowstorm of the mellenium! Work slowed considerably. Oh well! Have been working on a new webpage index. When I add new pages I used to have to build a new index and try to get everything straight. Now, hopefully, we will have one index. Jim Toney called Sunday night. We are looking forward to Ft. Mitchell!

2/25/01 Tomorrow is the 33rd anniversary of the battle at CanTho. I`ve been adding more pictures to Tom Forbes`s page. I still have lot`s more to go. I also added a couple of pictures taken at The Wall. They are located at http://community-2.webtv.net/DocII/PICTURESFROMTHEWALL/ The link for those pictures will be on the Fallen Heros page.

2/21/01 Still adding new pics. Bob Lisko`s page now added. Scanning going slow but steady!

2/17/01 We have 2 'new' pictures of Feb 26,1968 from Jim Toney on his Page. Soon to start a page for Bob Lisko! I`m still having difficulty with this scanning thing, but hope to get better. My friend, Gerry Weiner spoiled me!

2/15/01 Finally scanned a picture! It may not be pretty but it`s done. Hope to get better at it. Started Tom Forbes page (only 1 picture so far). Link above. Plan on adding many more new pictures and hope to get faster at it. 2/16/01 Scan program crashed! Working on a fix.

2/12/01 Tom Forbes sent a batch of pictures. Will try and make a page for them. Thanks, Tom. I had to send back my first scanner. Never could get it to work. It was the usual computer problem: the software people blame it on the hardware and the hardware people blame it on the software! Just got the new scanner to scan but haven`t figured out how to get it to the webpage. Will keep you posted.

2/10/01 Received an e-mail from John Hughes. He added some names and dates for the WIA list. Oh yeah, he also mentioned that I did look ratty in some of those photos! Hope to speak to him on the phone soon.

2/2/01 I`ve been updating the WIA list with the info from Chaplain Jim Johnson. Found another KIA not on our list, Lt George Stivers, KIA 11/11/67.

1/25/01 Jim Johnson`s notes

1/16/01 Pat Reyes recently found out that Joe Barbosa died in an accident 18 years ago. Sorry to hear about that.

1/13/01 Rolen put me in touch with Jim Johnson. Spoke with him on the phone today. He was the batallion chaplain from 67 to March 68. He kept a diary while he was there and has written a book about his experiences due out in March. I`m really looking forward to it!

1/10/01 Just noticed that I hadn`t recorded anything on this page since 12/10! If I had a boss I might be fired! Hope everyone had a nice holiday! Started a WIA page(link above). I got the scanner a couple of days ago and ran into trouble getting it to run so no new pictures yet, but hopefully soon.

12/10/00 Finished Jimmy`s Diary. Can be seen at Address:http://community-2.webtv.net/DocMcClain/JimToneysDiaryJan10/. The link is on Jim`s Picture Page also. 12/6/00 Bobby Lisko Called last night. Had a good discussion. He is sending a picture or two. Plan on keep in touch with him. Jim Toney called Sunday night. P.S. This must sound crazy, but I had a dream last night that during my travels I got lost in Cleveland, Ohio. When I stopped to ask for directions guess who I asked? John G. Carrillo. I don`t know what that means. I had about 28 more slides made into prints. No faces though, only boats, Dong Tam, Choppers and more boats. I plan on getting a scanner after Christmas, so will probaby not get them on until then.

Details of our fall trip can be seen at http://community-2.webtv.net/RonMcClain/FALL2000TRIP/

11/24/00 Started a page in memory of John Christie (link above). I`m looking for any pictures, stories or comments to include. In doing these pages I communicate mostly by e-mail because it`s so convienent. John did not return any of my e-mails but called personally instead to respond to each one. Now I`m glad he did because I was able to talk to him several times.

11/17/00 Jim Toney gave me two pictures taken on Feb 26, 1968. Will add it too his pictures soon. Jim also has compiled a chronological list of events that happened during his tour(Jan 10,1968 to Jan 8,1969). Will be adding that also. I also found CMB(combat medical badge) orders dated Mar 21,1968 which includes many more medics. Can`t tell which ones were with Echo but added them to the Echo co roster at the bottom. I also found some orders promoting many to E-5 ( Henry Rolen, myself and many others). I gave a copy to Rolen in D.C. When I find another copy I hope to post it also.

11/14/00 Still have been too busy to update these pages. Just got back from Washington D.C. MRFA had a Veterans Day get together. It was great! Others from Echo were Ed Brennan, Earl Jeffries, Henry Rolen, Bob Stumpf and Jim Toney. Also met John Lynn`s brother, Jim. I was sorry to hear from Jim Toney that John Christie, Company Commander in 68 died of a heart attack a few weeks ago. I had talked to John on the phone in August. May he rest in peace. Hope to add lots more soon. I`ve been in touch with a fellow who is helping us correct our KIA list. He`s been working on finding the companies for all the 9th Div Kia`s. It appears we have a few errors on our list and we gave him info on some he didn`t have. Hope to update our list soon.

10/29/00 Just got back from our 8 week trip. Visited John Adame, Jim Toney and Hank Rolen and their wives. The visits were short but priceless! Will write more about the visits later.

8/4/00 Pat Reyes sent 10 more pictures. Check them out.

Re: Rodney Roat E-mails from Rodney Roat`s sister can be found at http://community.webtv.net/docsphotos/RodneyRoatNotes

7/28/00 lots of things happening this week. Recieved an e-mail from Rodney Roats cousin asking for info. Directed him to the webpages. Rodneys sister e-mailed to say thanks for the information. Will try and post her note here later................... John Christie called this week. Had a nice talk about what else? Plus Branson, Mo and the infamous, Rockaway Beach! Pat Reyes sent more pictures! Will have them on his page in a few days, hopefully. Got a computer this week. My son`s old one. I`m going to try and move my stuff off webtv sometime in the future. Will have to change all addresses but will let everyone on my e-mail list know what the one ones are.

7/22/00 Recieved the following from Pete Russell who was in Echo Dec66-Dec77. Thanks for the address, some of the names I recall. We landed in Vung Tao late in December of 66. We moved by convoy to Bear Cat?. I can remember being very down on my birthday (12/23). At Christmas we made a small tree with empty beer cans.   We were one of the first companies into Dong Tam. I don't remember when we moved from Bear Cat, but it was early in 1967. When our convoy got to the camp the MP pointed to where our area was, it was one big mud flat and we were on the far side of it. We backed up and made a run for it. I was riding shotgun in a 3/4 ton truck and as I recall we made it to the area. Many of the trucks got stuck and had to be pulled out. While setting up camp a couple of snipers took a few shots at us. I can remember talking to 1ST Sargeant Trumph and asking why we didn't go after them. "Hell, it's been three days and he ain't hit anyone yet! You get him and they might send in a good shot!" Some place I have a list of some of the guys that were in the original company. I'll try to hunt it up.

Pat Reyes is sending more pictures. He also has some orders with names we don`t have on our roster. Spoke to Jim Toney a couple of weeks ago. We were talking about drinking beer in DongTam. We talked about the Philipino beer. I think it was SanMiguel. It was awful tasting stuff. I guess if you got used to drinking it like I did you had a real drinking problem. Also the Vietnamese beer `33`, I think it was called.

Henry Rolen sent me a copy of his CIB orders dated Feb 17,1968. He had noted 2 guys as KIAs that weren`t included on our list. They are Robert L. Wright (1/8/68) and Robert J Comstock(3/9/68). Someone asked me why I didn`t include medics on the company rosters. I don`t have any lists to go by like morning reports. Medics were from the batallion medical co. and assigned to each co. Jim Toney told me a few months ago how to send a request for the reports but I haven`t gotten around to it yet. I started a list at the end of the 67-69 Echo co roster.

6/20/00 Pat Reyes pictures are now on. Link above. Pat also sent a description about the operation where Robert Jenks died.

6/1/00 Article "Vietnam Memorial Has a Virtual Twin" in the New york Times. 5/30/00 Bob sent a few more pictures. 5/26/00 Finally called Pat Reyes after e-mailing back and forth for several weeks. Pat remembers a lot, much of it before I got to Echo. Some names he mentioned were Beasley, Cooper, Haywood, Montoyer, Joe Munez, Price and Joe Ropel. I added them to the roster. Pat and I had a nice long conversation. Hope to continue it again soon. 5/27/00 Mike Renshaw called to say that the article on VietNam Veterans on the Internet will be in the New York Times Circuit section on Thursday June 1st.

5/17/00 Rec`d phone call from John Christie(Lt) John said the guys killed on March 15,68 were hit in an ambush going up to a hooch. Some others though it was a rocket from a gunship. I`ll list both on the 3/15/68 site. John also said that Jim Ueeck, his RTO fom Miniapolis(never claimed to be a good speller), Mn. would probably remember a lot. 5/14/00 Recieved the following in an e-mail " I would like to say thank you for the pictures that you have, and for the info we now have. My brother was John 'Blonde' Lynn, keep up the good work and thank you again. Michael Lynn" I told him John always had a smile. That one e-mail has made this whole Echo webpage thing worth while. I still remembering him saying he loved to walk point(with that M-79). 5/13/00 had a phone interview with Mike Renshaw who is doing an article about VietNam veterans on the internet for the New York Times (MemorialDay edition). Turns he was an army reporter in the 9th 66-67. Wrote for the Old Reliable.  He was in Vietnam from Jan. '67 to Jan. '68. In the 9th Division PIO (Public Information Office), he spent most of his time covering the 5/60th...mechanized (APCs) infantry in Bihn Phuoc...his MOS was 71Q20...Army Journalist. If your interested in copies of the Old Reliable here is the address: http://www.2-60inf.com/ornews.htm 5/11/00 I`ve been getting lots of help on descriptions of the days when our friends died. Thanks for all the help. We still have many incidents without descriptions. Check the KIA page. If you can help please e-mail me.

4/27/00 Henry Rolen asked if anyone remembered Thanksgiving 1967. Pat Reyes did. After hearing both of their recounts of it I decided I would put descriptions of the days our friends died linked to their names on the KIA list. Started with July 5.67 & Nov 24,67. If you have descriptions of the days anyone on the list died please let me know and I will include it. Also, my original intent was to limit the webpages to 1/68 to 5/68. I`m now including any and all dates for Echo Co. in RVN.

4/25/00 Pat Reyes e-mailed me about an incident in 67. A small group(8) were making a nighttime trip in sanpans to VC island to capture a village chief who was spying for the VC. 4 drowned on the way . Mission aborted. Will add the names to the KIA list when I get the info. Rolen is looking for anyone who remembers Thanksgiving 67.

4/18/00 Lots of info this week. Bob Stumpf sent two pictures and promised more. I started a page for them. John Adame just got back from the Phillipines. I believe he went to see where his father served in WWII. Had a great trip. Glad your back home again, John. He had previously gone back to VietNam. Recieved another e-mail from Pat Reyes. He was there March 67 to March 68. Our times must have just overlapped.

4/12/00 Recieved an e-mail from Pat Reyes(Sgt back then) who gave a few more names; Sgt Lee Gambradella (deceased), Sgt Wilcox, SSgt Peter Gallegos, And Sgt Garcia. Thanks Pat. They are now on the roster. Hope to talk to you soon. 4/11/00 Recieved another pack of morning reports from Jim Toney. These are Jan reports. Thanks again Jim! In looking over all the reports I think there are names I don`t have listed. One day I will try to go over them and check to make sure they are all on the roster.

3/30/00 Called John Christie after e-mailing. Was made CO of Echo late Jan or early Feb by Col Hill. John reminded Hill he was a First Lt and couldn`t be CO, so Hill promptly promoted him. Good timing John! Just in time for Tet and the battle at CanTho! John meets regularly with several from Bravo Co. We talked about many things including CanTho. The Bravo guys had asked why it took us so long to reach them. Well, it wasn`t that easy! John ordered one Lt to have his platoon cross the paddy to secure an LZ so the dustoffs could come in. The Lt refused so John had to can him and take the platoon himself. Great job, John! Plan on talking again. John is a social worker now, living with his family in St.Louis. 3/30/00 Jim Toney called again. He recently found and spoke to Ed Brennan after all these years. Must have been some conversation! Lynn`s family has been looking to talk with someone who was with him. Jim said he was going to speak with his brother soon. Told him about my conversation with John Christie. Jim said to include his pictures with the webpage. Will talk again soon.

3/22/00 Recieved a note and copies of pictures from Tom Forbes today. Great group photos that include Tom, me, Rolen, Jan `Bobo` Bobowski, Adame, Carrillo, Sgt Quintero, Mangan, Burdick, Thomas,Rolen`s RTO who got wounded in CanTho, Maddox, and many as yet unnamed. Thanks Tom!

3/24/00 Recieved another package from Jimmy Toney. It included morning reports for the entire month of Feb 68. The report for the 27th is especially moving, with the KIA`s(7) and WIA`s(8). But the icing on the cake was more pictures; crossing the canal on Feb 26th, the memorial service for the 7, a picture of Lynn and Stroye together, and pics of Floyd Smith, Harold Hunter, Michael Christy, Ed Brennan, Johnny Ewell, Christover Jones, John Sherlock, Richard Bruce, Sgt Harvey, Tom Forbes, John Thomas, Bob Lisko, and some guy named Jim Toney. Thanks again Jimmy!

CASUALTY RATES Tom Forbes ask me if I knew the casualty rate from Jan to May 68. I used to remember the exact number years ago. As I recall we fielded about 20 to 22 at any given time. Out of those 20 to 22 positions we had between 45 and 48 replacements during this time. I`m not good at math but Tom said it was a 400% casualty rate. Not many who weren`t there would believe it. Tom and I are sure the Army wouldn`t confirm those numbers. Of the 45-48 approx. 1/3 were KIA`s the rest wounded and did not return to the unit. I only have 8 of the total 15-16 KIA`s named on this site as of 3/5/2000. Hope to come up with more. I remember we had several friendly fire KIA`s that I don`t have named. Bob Stumpf remembers one getting hit by gunships but I don`t have the name yet. As of 6/24/00 the KIA total for Jan to May1,68 is 22. The number is about 45 so far for July 67 to Jan 69 and I am sure that is not a complete list.

BEYOND THE CALL This piece on John Adame is now located in the descriptions of Feb 26 & 27, 1968 which can be seen on the KIA page.

I`m just jotting down names and some notes. Later I hope to make a listing for our fallen heros only. Here is all for now, not in any particular order; Doc Ryan, Doc Maddox, John C. (Light My Fire) Adame, John Carrillo, Henry Rolen (we all thought you were an "OLD" man, 50 or so!) Henry "says" he was only 26. He was just a kid like us, but a lot braver than most. Ron Machinegun Kelly, Jeffries, Eason, Tom Forbes, John Hughs,Swank, Rivera, Christie, John Ottum, Lisko, Alfred Griffith, Mangon, Strait(got a picture of him when I bought a camera from him in DongTam),Tate, Jan "Bobo" Bobowski(why did it have to be you that day?), Reese,Toney, Lt Wolfe, Rodney Roat((was lying beside me in CanTho Feb27th when he got hit and died, So young!), Sgt Quintero(I only knew him for a short while before he got hit in the same place as Roat, they say he was one of the best),Lynn(Blonde), Fusco, Sgt Bruce, Brennan, Ewell,and Doc Johnson. I know there were many more. I`ll add them as I come across them. I seem to remember a Doc Reimer, but not sure if he was here or stateside. Rolen reminded me about David Croskey and Jim Petit, wounded Feb 26th or 27th . Tom Forbes reminded me about John C. Thomas( Tom`s looking for John. If you know where he is let me know), also Floyd Smith. Tom also remembered Douglas Burdick who died Feb27th.

MORE NAMES Going through pictures last night I came across the name, Doty. Sounds very familiar. Also Brennan, Ewell, and Doc Johnston.

ADDITIONS 2/16/00 Just remembered Lt Wolfe. Also remember the Lt of Bravo Co. who got hit by an RPG at Can Tho(2/26) Some said we looked alike. Speck is a name that just came.Phouc,tiger scout, came up in talking with Rolen and Stumpf. Was liked by some but others weren`t sure especially after the ambush on 4/7. Found some more pictures today. Not many. Have to get the slides made into prints then get them on here. Have 2 pictures of several hanging around drinking beer in Dong Tam during a standown between missions. can only see cans and cases of Black Label. If I remember the story right someone in supply always ended up with Budwiser and we were left with the Black Label.                     2/22 Spoke with Pete Ball, Bravo Co. 2nd platoon leader about the Feb 26-27 incident. He said the LZ was in a VC base with 50 cal`s that did most of the damage. He said most of the first slick of choppers were shotup and there was a trail of downed choppers all the way to Saigon. His chopper was hit killing pilot and copilot and wounding others. I can`t remember all the details. He said we were attacked twice that night, once around midnight and again around 3am.       2/24/00 Spoke with Bob Stumpf. Reminded me that the 4/7 incident to place at VienKim. He recognized Adame, Carrillo and Sgt Griffin in the beer party pics. I think Bobo is one on the right. Bob remembered the time we were overrun with rats. I think we were set up between their nest and their water. They ran over us all night, as I recall. Bob also remembered when we pulled road runner duty on Highway 4 and a track had it`s gun facing traffic and cut through a civilian bus. Oh, just remembered Adame remembered sitting around at night(must have ben at DongTam or on the boats) listening to Kris Noel on AFVN.                     3/9/00 Henry remembered these officers; Captain Pena, hit in the head the same day Pettit got hit, Captains Jenkins & Christy. He and Adame didn`t think Lt Wolfe lasted his whole tour but couldn`t remember when he got hit. We`re jogging memories so maybe it will come later.

THE BEGINNING OF THIS PAGE It`s been 32 years since I left. I`ve had many memories, both good and bad about my experience. It wasn`t until Feb12,2000, that I really started to gather information on the "net". I came across John C. Adame`s(Light my fire) tributes to Sgt Quintero and Jan " Bobo" Bobowski on a VietNam site. Having only heard from John Carrillo and Ron Machinegun Kelly since Nam I was hoping to find more of the brave young men I served with. I somehow got in contact with John Sperry from the MRF Assoc. All these years I thought it was the MRAF(Mobile Riverine Assalt Force). Well, low and behold John Sperry told me names that I hadn`t remembered, like Doc`s Ryan & Maddox, Rolen, Jeffries, Tom Forbes, Hughes, Crosby, Swank, John Ottum, Romeo, Lisko, Rivera, & Christie. Wow, what hidden memories were coming back. I had to know more. John gave phone numbers for Adame and Henry Rolen. I never knew he had any other name than just Rolen. I first called Adame and he was surprised to hear from me. We spoke for quite a while and vowed to keep in touch. The next night I called Rolen. John Sperry said he would glad to hear from me. Boy was he. I could hear it in his voice. All these years I felt guilty that I didn`t do enough to help the guys who got hit. Rolen said they were glad I was with them and glad for the help I gave. Rolen was the first I remember treating, although there must have been some earlier. I think it was Feb 26th,68. We were being airlifted(again) to find Charlie. Bravo co. landed first. somewhere outside Can Tho. Adame or Carrillo were listening on Battalion freq and heard it was a "HOT" LZ( my first, I think) Knowing this before lifting off made the chopper ride seem like an eternity. We landed a few rice paddies away from Bravo co. I don`t think we took much fire at the lz. We headed toward the right of Bravo, over a canal, and up a dike. The shit was hitting the fan. That`s when Rolen got shot in the hand and I went to him. His RTO got hit in the leg, but Rolen had patched him up before I got up there. Rolen tried not to let anyone know he got shot. I patched his hand and he went back to war. Well I`m getting off the track about my conversations. I`ll be back to Feb 26-27th later, there`s lots more to tell. Next I got a phone call from Bob Stumpf. Boy can he remember names and places. I told him I could remember lots of our friends who didn`t make it back but not much about the rest. Bob knew the names of the five who died on 4/7/68, and what vill it was in. He mentioned Leong(?spelling)the oriental fellow,M-60, and I remembered he got hit in the chest the day before "Bobo" and the rest got it near the same vill.It was a sniper. I remember kids selling coke in the paddy just after the sniper attack. What contrast. Well, I`ll be adding more as I find out. To be continued. 2/17 Doc Ryan called today. We know each other by name but neither can put a face to it. He was with Bravo Co Feb 26-27. One of the lucky ones. He went to Echo Mortor platoon. I believe I had my first joint in the Echo mortor pit in Dong Tam (no, I was not on duty and no, I didn`t inhale). We had a nice long talk and plan to do it again soon. 2/19 E-mailed John Adame to see if he remembered the following; Returning to Can Tho right after the 2/26-27 battle to search for a lost starlight scope. I think a TV reporter was along but left abruptly when we were fired on; Eating hot peppers and pepperoni in the barracks at Dong Tam(along sniper alley); The time we got caught in the crossfire between the boats and VC; Getting stuck when the tide went out and the boats couldn`t get us out; Did we have a guy drown crossing a deep canal?                       2/20 Spoke with Bob Stumpf. He reminded me that the 4/7/68 mission was in Vin Kim. He also remembered Abbot who got shot in ?Jan68.

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER? The time we were pulling security for a temporary fire support base along a major road. It was Easter weekend. I remember because a priest was supposed to come to say Mass but he never showed. Sometime Saturday night a scooter or lambretta(were they the 3 wheel vehicles?) drove through or along the perimiter. Can`t remember if it was fired upon or not.                                   How about the day someone fired at the batallion commander`s chopper?

MORE CONVERSATIONS Recieved a phone call from Jimmy Toney last night(3/16/00). Great to hear from him after all these years! He`s got tons of info. He has the morning reports for Echo for the entire year he was there. He reminded me about Doc Soul (black medic who could run faster than a speeding bullet to get to the wounded), James Penland ? KIA on 2/19(have to check it out, couldn`t find it on the wall site this morning), Robert Jenks, George Speck KIA Feb27th (right near where Sgt Quintero got it), Sgt Jones, Bob Lisko, Sgt Bruce, Crosby Or Crosley?, Bob Little, Floyd Smith, Sherlock, and Stroyd? Jimmy was there when Lynn got hit. Shot by a door gunner who thought they were VC. Jimmy is sending me some info I`ll post later.

MAY 1, 1968 We were based in DongTam and were doing security patrols around the camp. I already had my orders to go to Hawaii for R&R (REST&RELAXATION!). Toxey was already on her way, stopping at her parents in California. Combat medics usually got to spend half of their tour in the field and half in headquarters.Since I only had a 6 month tour and had already been out almost 4, I was told I didn`t have to do these patrols. Well, replacement medics were hard to come by and, you wouldn`t let `your guys` go without one. And besides, this probably be my last mission. I gladly went. It was a lot safer than what we usually went through. We were working the north side of the road toward MyTho. We had just passed a unit of ARVN`s who were camped out(just hanging around in hammocks, ect) Not too far passed them we stopped. I think we came to a canal and the point was trying to find the best way across. Some were moving back. I remember stepping back to let someone go by and I heard and felt the explosion. It felt like I went flying through the air. I think we started recieving fire from across the canal at the same time. That meant it could have been command detonated but who knows(didn`t feel a trip wire). James Dunnington got hit in the butt by the same blast. Somebody patched my legs and gave me morphine. A dustoff came and took us both to the field hospital in DongTam. At the hospital I remember they couldn`t get my bloodpressure( lost too much blood, I quess). They gave me blood that was from the frig and boy did I get cold! Several blankets couldn`t warm me up. I must have passed out soon because that`s all I remember about May 1,1968.

MY JOURNEY TO ECHO CO. I arrived at Ft. Dix, New Jersey on Jan 1,1968 like a good soldier. Coming from Georgia, I had no winter uniform, and boy was it cold! In a day or two we were on a plane bound for VietNam. I`m not sure if I was nieve or blocking out, but I don`t rmember protests over the war. I just knew I was ordered to go. I had no reservations except for leaving my family. Next we boardered a chartered plane with our first stop in Ankorage, Alaska. Then on to Bien Hoa, VN. Getting off the plane you knew this was IT. The smells, the sounds, the activity. Soon I would find out that the smells included exploded ammunition, napalm, smoke from all these little columns rising everywhere ( soon to be identified as the noxious "shit burning") and diesel smoke. We went directly to Camp BearCat for assignment. Names were called and units were given. I was just waiting to see what hospital I would be assigned to. Then came "McClain-9th Infantry". There must be some mistake! I wasn`t a gun carring soldier ( I would soon learn about Grunts). There must be a hospital there. Next thing I knew, I was on a Caribou flying to Dong Tam( where the hell is that?) I remember the warning from the pilot. He said to hang on because to avoid out going artillary and incoming( I think this was the first time I heard about being in actual danger) mortors. The plane circled quickly and DROPPED, I mean DROPPED, onto a metal runway and stopped just as abruptly. The metal runway was to prevent the plane from sinking into the Mekong Delta mud and sand. I don`t have any clear recollection of the next few weeks. I must have gone to headquarters co. to be assigned. Sometime soon I went on the boats. Boats? I was in the army for God`s sake. I first had KP duty on the USS Apple( not the official nam). There`s a picture of this coming soon. I`m not sure how long, but at some point I saw the rest of the unit leaving for operations and returning. I was a medic, I shouldn`t be doing KP. I asked to be assigned to one of these companies. I forgot the universal advise, "Don`t volunteer for anything". I really didn`t realize what war really was but would soon find out. I don`t have a clear recollection of when I first went out. Over the years I`ve only kept track of three specific dates; Feb26&27(much described battle outside CanTho and my first recollection of death,Rodney Roat), April 7th( the day Bobo and the other 4 got it) and May 1st( the day I got my ticket home). I only have partial memory of events in between. Maybe that`s a good thing.

MY PRE VIETNAM MILITARY DAYS I was drafted into the army in August, 1966. Went to Ft. Jackon South Carolina by troop train form New Haven Ct. Did basic training at Jackson, then was sent to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas to become a medic. I thought the army was crazy! I was the guy who passed out when I had a blood test in 1965. I was pretty lucky though, because Toxey, my fiance, followed me to Texas. Next we went to Ft. Gordon, Georgia and was assigned to the base hospital. As I recall on most transfers you hand carried your orders so that they arrived when you did. On this occasion they sent the orders. The orders didn`t arrive when I did so I had to report to the company headquarters everyday to check in and be assigned fill in duties like kp, cleaning, ect. Toxey and I had rented a trailer in Grovetown(our first home). Since there was no records on me, I figuerd I didn`t need to report daily. After 3 or 4 weeks the orders finally arrived. I found out when Toxey told me that MP`s came looking for me. I quickly reported in and was assigned to the hospital without reprecussions. In Dec 1966, Toxey and I got married. We weren`t old enough to get married in Georgia without my parents permission(that was out of the question), so we were married in North August, South Carolina. In Jan or Feb Toxey found out she was pregnant and was due in Oct, 67. In July I recieved orders to go to VietNam. Since Toxey was expecting I was given a deferment. Taunya Lyn was born on Oct 25, 1967. In Dec I recieved orders for VietNam again. Since I had a year experience working in a hospital and only had 8 months left until discharge(6 or 7 months at the most in VietNam was my guess) I would be assigned to a hospital over there. A quick 6 months and I`d be back home! Not!

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