================================================

 

Captain Joe W. Eubanks
United States Army

 

JOE WOFFORD EUBANKS
is honored on Panel 1W, Row 34 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

 

Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 06/02/1972 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 25.8
Date of Birth: 07/30/1946
Home City: Concord, NC
Service: AR branch of the regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 57 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 71-26
Service: AR branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 01W-034
Short Summary: Resupplying ARVN near Kontum, .51 cal shot out cyclic control causing hard landing. Joe was trapped and burned. AC Bruce Delan OK.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17446
Call sign: Gladiator
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: suffocation or strangulation
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 11/13/1971
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
The initial status of this person was: missing in action - P I D
Length of service: *
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA189689



Additional information about this casualty:
On 2 June 1972 CPT Joe Eubanks was flying right seat with CW2 Bruce Delan as aircraft commander on an ARVN resupply run near Kontum. They came under heavy .51 cal fire that shot out all cyclic control. As they went in, Mr. Delan pulled in all the collective he had and made a hard landing that put the rotor through the windshield in Joe's lap. Joe had no visible injuries, but all attempts to release him failed due to the tangled wreckage and spreading fire. The crew chief and gunner had to drag Bruce away before the A/C exploded. He still suffered burns on his hands and face. CPT Eubanks burned to death in the wreckage and CW2 Delan was medevaced home with burns and a back compression. He later returned to duty stateside and is now flying choppers in Australia (address Unknown). Submitted by Thomas C. Schalk on 25 Feb 1989.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
This record was last updated on 12/28/2000


==============================================

I graduated from Concord High two years after Joe. He dated my sister. His dad and mine were best friends. He influenced me to to to the Citadel from which i graduated two years after he did. He was a good friend and one I always looked up to. The day he died my dad and I went to his house. Joe's dad was so grief-stricken he couldn't get out of bed for days. Joe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and is buried near the south entrance to Oakwood Cemetery in Concord. I miss him and think of him often. He was a hero and a very fine person.

Posted by: Jim Brown, Citadel, Class of '71
Relationship: We were close friends
Saturday, December 27, 2008

 

================================================

 

The first Hueys to operate in Vietnam were medevac HU-1As that arrived in April 1962, before the United States became officially involved in the conflict. These Hueys supported the South Vietnamese Army, but American crews flew them. In October, the first armed Hueys, equipped with 2.75-inch rockets and .30 caliber machine guns, began flying in Vietnam. The main role of these Huey 'gunships' was to escort Army and Marine transport helicopters. By the end of 1964, the Army was flying more than 300 'A and 'B model Hueys. During the next decade, the Huey was upgraded and modified based on lessons learned in combat: Bell introduced the UH-1D and UH-1H variants. It was in Vietnam that Army and Marine soldiers first tested the new tactics of airmobile warfare. In a typical air assault mission, Huey helicopters inserted infantry deep in enemy territory while Huey gunships, equipped with machine guns, rockets, and grenade launchers, often escorted the transports. Within minutes, helicopters could insert entire battalions into the heart of enemy territory - this was airmobility.

The Huey became a symbol of U.S. combat forces in Vietnam and millions of people worldwide watched it fly in TV news reports. At its peak in March 1970, the U.S. military operated more than 3,900 helicopters in the war in Vietnam and two thirds of them were Hueys. Their impact was profound, not only in the new tactics and strategies of airmobile operations, but on the survival rate of battlefield casualties. U.S. Army patients made up 390,000 of the total number of people transported by medevac helicopters in Southeast Asia. Almost a third of this total (120,000) were combat casualties. The Huey airlifted ninety percent of these casualties directly to medical facilities. From the very beginnings and over the next decade Camp Holloway became the center of operations and headquarters to numerous Army aviation, maintenance, security, and support units which were involved in some of the Central Highlands' and Vietnam's fiercest battles.

 

================================================

 

Captain Carter A. Howell
United States Air Force

 

F-4C

 

pics_002.jpg

========================================

CARTER AVERY HOWELL

CAPT - O3 - Air Force - Reserve

His tour began on Mar 7, 1972
Casualty was on Jan 21, 1975

In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered

Panel 02W - Line 113

========================================

 

Roy Spencer
Fellow Vietnam Veteran
American Heros
1Lt. Carter A. Howell was the pilot and 1Lt. Stephen A. Rusch the co-pilot of an F4E Phantom from the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. On March 7, 1972, the two were sent on an operational mission over Laos. During the mission their aircraft was seen to impact the ground while making a run on a target. No parachutes were seen and no emergency beepers were heard to indicate the crew was safe. However, the opportunity existed for the two to safely eject, and they were not declared dead, but missing in action. The loss occurred about 25 miles east of the town of Ban Toumlan in Saravane Province, Laos.
Jan 21, 2007

 


U.S. Department of Defense

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 1354-07

27 November 2007

AIRMAN MISSING IN ACTION FROM VIETNAM WAR IS IDENTIFIED AND RETURNED TO FAMILY FOR BURIAL

The Department of Defense POW / Missing Personnel Office ( DPMO ) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is
Captain STEPHEN ARTHUR RUSCH,
United States Air Force, of Lambertville, New Jersey.

He will be buried on Friday 30 November 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery.

On 7 March 1972, Rusch was the weapons systems officer in an F-4E Phantom II aircraft attacking enemy targets in Salavan Province, Laos.

The plane was the number two aircraft in a flight of two.

When Rusch's aircraft was cleared to begin its second run over enemy targets, the flight leader of the number one aircraft lost sight of Rusch's plane and observed enemy ground fire followed by a large explosion.

An immediate search was begun, but all attempts to establish radio contact and later search efforts were unsuccessful.

In 1995, a joint U.S. / Lao People's Democratic Republic ( L.P.D.R. ) team, led by the Joint POW / MIA Accounting Command ( JPAC ), investigated the incident and interviewed several Laotian citizens.

The team surveyed the crash site identified by one of the citizens and found aircraft wreckage.

In 2001, a U.S. citizen, acting as an intermediary for a Laotian citizen, turned over to U.S. officials a bone fragment and a photocopy of Rusch's military identification tag.

The bone fragment proved not to be from Captain Rusch.

In 2002 - 2003, joint teams conducted two excavations of the crash site.

The teams recovered human remains and non-biological evidence including U.S. coins and life support equipment.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



CAPTAIN CARTER AVERY HOWELL

and

CAPTAIN STEPHEN ARTHUR RUSCH


The Phantom, used by Air Force, Marine and Navy air wings, served a multitude of functions including fighter-bomber and interceptor, photo and electronic surveillance.

The two man aircraft was extremely fast (Mach 2), and had a long range (900 - 2300 miles), depending on stores and mission type).

The F4 was also extremely maneuverable and handled well at low and high altitudes.

Most pilots considered it one of the "hottest" planes around.

1st Lieutenant Carter Avery Howell was the pilot and 1st Lieutenant Stephen Arthur Rusch the co-pilot of an F4-E Phantom from the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam.

On 7 March 1972, the two were sent on an operational mission over Laos.

During the mission their aircraft was seen to impact the ground while making a run on a target.

No parachutes were seen and no emergency beepers were heard to indicate the crew was safe.

However, the opportunity existed for the two to safely eject, and they were not declared dead, but missing in action.

The loss occurred about 25 miles east of the town of Ban Toumlan in Saravane Province, Laos.

When American involvement in Southeast Asia ended with the signing of the Paris Peace agreements, prisoners of war, it was agreed, would be released.

The country of Laos, meanwhile, not having been included in the peace talks, announced publicly that prisoners of war held in Laos would be released from Laos.

The U.S. never negotiated for the release of these men.

Not one American serviceman held in Laos was released, although nearly 600 went down there, and many survived their crashes and were known to have been captured.



YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE


31 JULY 2001

Posted by: CLAY MARSTON
Email: CMARSTON@INTERLOG.COM
Relationship: BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHER - USAF
Tuesday, November 27, 2007

 

HOWELL, CARTER AVERY
 
Name: Carter Avery Howell
Rank/Branch: O2/US Air Force
Unit: 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Da Nang
Date of Birth: 08 April 1947
Home City of Record: Fayetteville NC
Date of Loss: 07 March 1972
Country of Loss: Laos
Loss Coordinates: 160100N 1063500E (XC720744)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: F4E
Refno: 1800
Other Personnel In Incident: Stephen A. Rusch (missing)
 
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 March 1991 from one or more of
the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK 1998.
 
REMARKS:
 
SYNOPSIS: The Phantom, used by Air Force, Marine and Navy air wings, served
a multitude of functions including fighter-bomber and interceptor, photo and
electronic surveillance. The two man aircraft was extremely fast (Mach 2),
and had a long range (900 - 2300 miles, depending on stores and mission
type). The F4 was also extremely maneuverable and handled well at low and
high altitudes. Most pilots considered it one of the "hottest" planes
around.
 
1Lt. Carter A. Howell was the pilot and 1Lt. Stephen A. Rusch the co-pilot
of an F4E Phantom from the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Da Nang,
Republic of Vietnam. On March 7, 1972, the two were sent on an operational
mission over Laos. During the mission their aircraft was seen to impact the
ground while making a run on a target. No parachutes were seen and no
emergency beepers were heard to indicate the crew was safe. However, the
opportunity existed for the two to safely eject, and they were not declared
dead, but missing in action. The loss occurred about 25 miles east of the
town of Ban Toumlan in Saravane Province, Laos.
 
When American involvement in Southeast Asia ended with the signing of the
Paris Peace agreements, prisoners of war, it was agreed, would be released.
The country of Laos, meanwhile, not having been included in the peace talks,
announced publicly that prisoners of war held in Laos would be released from
Laos. The U.S. never negotiated for the release of these men. Not one
American serviceman held in Laos was released, although nearly 600 went down
there, and many survived their crashes and were known to have been captured.
 
Over the years since the war, reports have amassed indicating that many
Americans are still held prisoner. As of July 1987, nearly 6000 such reports
had been received by the U.S. Government, yet the U.S. seems unable to
secure the freedom of those men who were left behind.
 
Men like Rusch and Howell served in Vietnam because their country asked them
to. They went to war prepared to be injured, killed or even taken prisoner.
They were not prepared to be abandoned. They must be brought home.
 
 

================================================


 

1st Lieutenant Christopher L. Clearwaters
United States Army


CHRISTOPHER L CLEARWATERS

 

 

1LT - O2 - Army - Regular
1st Cav Division (AMBL)

His tour began on Aug 2, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 20, 1971

In PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered

Panel 05W - Line 123

 

===========================================


Chris was born in Seattle, as were my other brother, Boyd Lee Clearwaters, and my sister, Lynda Clearwaters Lewis, but our father (Boyd Henry Clearwaters) was a career Army man, and we were what is commonly referred to as Army Brats. Being a Brat, Chris went to several high schools, none of which were in Seattle. Our Grandmother (Genevieve Lynn White) and Grandfather (Richard F. White) lived in Seattle most of their lives, and died there too. Our aunts, uncles, and cousins went to school (some ended up in WSU, some at UW) their whole lives. Chris graduated from the Citadel (military college of South Carolina) in 1969 (after graduating from George Washington High School in Philadelphia PA in 1965. Chris volunteered for Vietnam. My brother Boyd Lee was also in Vietnam when Chris was killed. Boyd brought Chris' body "home" to Hawaii to be buried in the Punchbowl (the National Cemetery in Honolulu Hawaii). My father and mother retired to Hawaii when his military career ended. My father (who was born in Spokane) is buried in the Punchbowl near my brother. My mother (Priscilla White Clearwaters) currently resides in Hawaii. My brother Boyd lives in Florida. My sister Lynda lives in Silverdale, and I live in Germany.  Candy Casper,  5 May 2003(Chris’s sister)

Steve Sarratt
ssarratt@blueridgecarpet.com
My closest friend, at The Citadel
1902, Sourwood Drive, Dalton, GA., 30720, USA
Veterans Day, 2005, Thank You, Chris

Chris was my best friend, at The Citadel. While serving, with the 1/36th, Infantry, 3rd, Armored Division, in Germany, I received a letter, from Chris's sister Candy, telling me, of his death. I have never been able, to fully understand, this tragedy and I was never able, to contact, his family and give them, my heartfelt condolences. I pray, that Chris is at peace, along, with his family, wherever they may be. I truly loved, this brother.
Friday, November 11, 2005

 

Jim Chappelear
Sundog60@aol.com
Friend, fellow alumnus, The Citadel
8412 Forest Creek Rd
Waldorf, MD 20603 USA

Chris, I think of you often. I cannot understand the reasons of why your life was cut so short and you have been denied the joys of children and grandchildren. For those of us who served there, our lives have all been changed by Vietnam. We both lost good friends there. Our friendship that we formed at The Citadel will certainly last my lifetime and you are not forgotten. I return to the Citadel every five years for my class reunion. Each time that I step into Summerall Chapel and read your name and the names of Johnny Fuller, John Bradman, Bob Woodhouse, Buddy Suprenaut and others on that plaque, I am deeply saddened. I can only hope and pray that you are at peace. Your old friend, Jim
Saturday, March 18, 2000

 

Services held in Honolulu for 1st Lt. Clearwaters
    Military funeral services for Army 1st Lt. Christopher L. Clearwater, 23, former Seattleite and member of a military family, were held Friday in Honolulu. Lieutenant Clearwaters, who was assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam, was killed 20 Feb (1971) when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed and burned after coming under enemy fire in Southeast Asia. Lieutenant Clearwaters was the son of Army Lt. Col. and Mrs. Boyd H. Clearwaters, former Laurelhurst residents, now of Honolulu. Colonel Clearwaters is widely known for his work in aiding Korean orphans. Born in Seattle, Lieutenant Clearwaters attended Laurelhurst Elementary School and graduated from high school in Philadelphia. He joined the Army after graduating with honors from The Citadel, Charleston SC in 1969. He went to Vietnam last summer. Survivors besides his parents are a brother, Army Capt. Boyd L. Clearwaters, in Vietnam; two sisters, Mrs. Robert Marsh, Fort Bragg, NC and Mrs. Q. E. D. Lewis, Gulfport MS, and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Richard F. White, Seattle. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 5 Mar 1971)
Chris and I were very good friends in High School. He went to The Citadel, and I went to the University of Hawaii after graduation from HS in 1965. I served in the Marine Corps, and I always knew Chris would go Army. Today I was searching for old friends, one does that when one starts to get old. I found Chris. I was stunned. I know it has been 35 years since he died, but for me the shock was today. I assumed Chris was retired, growing content, old, and maybe adding a few pounds, like me. No, Chris was gone. I have always had the fondest memories of Chris, and I always will. I wanted to talk to Chris about that blue Chevy he got in high school that we drove around in, and so many other things. I am so sorry he missed so much of life.  Semper Fi, Chris, Semper Fi
Joe W Dixon (Was 'Joe W Jinks' in high school)  28 Oct 2006
3800 Oglethorpe Drive, Winterville, NC 28590
joewdixon@earthlink.net

 

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

 

Four men died and one survived when a UH-1H (tail number 68-15589) of B Company, 227th Avn Bn, was hit in the port side by a B-40 rocket while at low altitude. The four dead were

The pilot, CW2 Timothy E. Cleary, still strapped in his seat, was ejected by the force of the explosion and although seriously injured survived his wounds. His account of the incident is available on the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Association web site, where he notes they had been called in to evacuate a wounded infantry lieutenant (1LT Clearwaters). Although they took no fire while extracting Clearwaters, immediately after take-off they were hit by heavy small arms and machinegun fire. Captain Head and SP4 Malone were killed by gunfire but the Huey was brought down by the rocket. WO Cleary was able to get SP4 Coronado clear of the burning wreckage, and both were recovered by the infantry unit. SP4 Coronado died of his injuries the following day.

 

 

================================================

 

1st Lieutenant Richard G. Repole
United States Army

 

 

First Lieutenant Rick Repole, 22, graduated from the Citadel as a member of the Class of 1969 – as a senior he was a cadet Lieutenant in R Company of the 4th Battalion. As a cadet Rick was on the Dean’s List, as well as the Summerall Guards Drill Team and qualified s a Distinguished Military Graduate who could always be counted on to extend his good humor and positive approach to life to his classmates, the staff, the faculty and his fellow cadets. He was an aggressive athlete and competitor, positively loved the obstacle course and was a master skydiver. After graduation he volunteered for the airborne infantry and was further qualified as an elite commando – earning the prestigious Ranger Tab and black beret along with the silver wings and coveted red beret of a paratrooper.

After unconventional and counter-guerilla warfare training at Fort Benning and Fort Bragg Rick was assigned to the Americal Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. He aspired to serve his country on the frontiers of freedom and died a hero’s death shortly after taking command of a company of combat infantry in the field.  At only 22 years of age – he was reported killed in action by a land-mine while leading a patrol in search of enemy forces on 8 July 1970.

He was a 1965 graduate of Danbury High school in Connecticut and was at the time survived by his parents Dr. and Mrs.  Frank Repole, his sister Marita Jean, and his two brothers, Dennis and Brian.

 

===========================================================

 

Charlie Company, “The Gunfighters”

1st Bn 6th Infantry,  198th LIB, 23rd American DIV, I Corps, RVN CHU LAI

REPOLE RICHARD GLENN 1LT DANBURY CT KIA 08-Jul-70 DOB 11/14/1947 CHARLIE CO

VIETNAM MEMORIAL “THE WALL” - PANEL 09W  LINE 132


RICHARD GLENN REPOLE

 

1LT - O2 - Army - Regular
198th Light Infantry Brigade

His tour began on Jun 3, 1970
Casualty was on Jul 8, 1970

In QUANG NGAI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered

Panel 09W - Line 132

 

========================================================

 

Leon Cochenour
stargazr@cjnetworks.com
Fellow soldier
I only knew LT Repole for a few days as he was new to the company. We were ordered to an area where we had encountered VC a couple of days before. The reason you didn't do that was exactly what happened. A booby trap went off. I was working on Sgt "Mac" and heard someone yell that the LT was hit bad. I ran to him, but I could do nothing to help him. I made sure he did not die alone. I contacted his family in Apr 1999. They never knew the whole story until then. Even though I knew him a short time, he was a good man and a fine soldier.
Friday, December 24, 1999

 

LTC Al Jacobs
aljacobs@alltel.net
classmate, The Citadel, 1969
Rick was a friend through 4 years at The Citadel. After we were commissioned together in June, 1969, we subsequently attended Officer's Basic, Airborne and Ranger schools together. Our orders for Nam came down together - Rick wanted to depart as soon as possible but I decided to take a 2 week leave. He was dead by the time I got there. Rest in peace Rick - I'm sorry I never got to tell you good-by. Al
Friday, March 26, 2004

 

COL(RET) Gordon (Bud) Bryant
gbryant2@aol.com
Classmate
4907 80th ST SW
Lakewood, WA 98499 US
Classmate, The Citadel 1969
Rick and I were classmates and graduates of The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina. Over thirty years have passed and I can still see him running over by Indian Hill and doing the obstacle course. He worked out more than any other classmate that I remember or maybe the ones that I went to meetings with at Big Johns. Also during Special Forces Officers Training he was the guerrilla chief supporting our team. I am glad that I knew him as he was a very dedicated soldier and a loyal classmate.
Friday, March 26, 2004

 

rich Riel
richinspirit@juno.com
class of "69" The Citadel
8672 harjoan
san diego, ca 92123 USA
Rick was a catholic, as was I at The Citadel. We both were in 4th Battalion and knew each other well. He was the first person in the Class of "69" I knew to die in Viet Nam. Words can never adequately describe Rick. Knowing him was to know that The Citadel was capable of turning out outstanding men and leaders. Whenever I am reminded of the Viet Nam War, I remember my classmate and friend. God Bless You for your Sacrifice I carry you always in my heart and mind.
Sunday, March 28, 2004

 

Lewis Walker
lewwalker77@hotmail.com
Fellow officer, went to VN together
1221 Cobblecreek Ct.
Conroe, TX 77384 USA
I met "Re-pole" at IOBC at FT. Benning. We roomed across the hall from each other. I remember him as intelligent and full of humor. After IOBC, we both went to AB and Ranger schools but not the same classes.We met again in VN in Bien Hoaat the repo depo, both wondering where we were to be assigned. The night before we were to ship out, we had a couple of drinks together. I didn't find out he was killed until I read it in the Stars and Stripes. I miss you my friend! As so many others, you left long before you should have.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004

 

 

Roster of Soldiers Killed in Action (KIA),  1st Battalion 6th Infantry, US Army, Vietnam, 1967-71


    The following roster lists 203 soldiers who were killed in action (KIA) while serving with the 1st Battalion 6th Infantry in Vietnam from September, 1967 to November, 1971.  This information has been extracted from the Coffelt Database, an extraordinary compilation of information from the DoD Southeast Asia Combat Area Combined Casualty File (the 1993 "CACCF"), the Army Adjutant General's casualty database (the "TAGCEN" file), the Presidential Letters of Condolence from the Johnson and Nixon Presidential Libraries, and the Virtual Wall sources.  We are indebted to Richard Coffelt, David Argabright, Richard Arnold, and unnamed others who contributed countless hours in collating casualty information for over 54,000 individuals.


     This roster may contain errors and omissions, as it represents only the first efforts at identifying
all the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving with in the 1st Battalion 6th Infantry in Vietnam.


23rd Infantry Division (AMERICAL) Casualty Report Codes


REPOLE, RICHARD G. 0-2 042-C
Ether 16508Jul 4244
GR COD: PMW neck
ETHER - Died as a result of hostile action before reaching a medical facility
COD - Cause of Death
PMW - Penetrating Missile Wound
GR - Graves registration at Chu Lai

Posted for: RICHARD GLENN REPOLE:
           
LT Rick Repole was a a graduate of the Citadel, and a friend and roommate at Fort Benning, GA (Infantry Officers Basic Course) and Airborne School in the summer of 1969. And again later at Fort Bragg, NC, where we served together in the 82d Airborne Division, as young naive, gung-ho airborne-ranger lieutenants. He and I traveled together to Vietnam in June, 1970, but we were assigned to different battalions. When my first combat patrol with Echo Recon, 1/46 was ended, I tried to reconnect with Rick. But the Americal personnel office told me that he had already been killed in action. I miss him and still think of him often. I still remember his good humor, his friendship, his laugh, and his yellow Mustang.

Posted by: Tom Schmitz                                                              
Email: tom_schmitz@use.salvationarmy.org
Relationship: Friends and Roomates
Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Knights of Columbus
920-921-1290
Tom Schmitz
Broadway St
Oneida, NY 13421
315-363-2072

 

======================


[From Tom Constant, TCBravo@cyberportal.net, 10 Oct 00]

I was a rifleman and a point man for 2nd Plt, Co D, 1st Bn 6th Inf, Oct '68 to Oct '69.  We lost two lieutenants (Lt.) in the month of Oct '68.  The first time was just before I arrived.  The CP section of the platoon hit some booby traps and wiped out the Lt. (wish I had his name).  The RTO, Fred Brown, and another man (maybe Jackson) also went down.
     The second Lt. that was killed was a replacement for the first one.  He arrived at the platoon on the same day as me and another private.  That night I was sent with half the platoon on ambush, while the new Lt. and the other private went with the other half.  Later we got a distress call that the new Lt. and private had hit a booby trap.  The Lt. was killed and the private (Ashe I think was his name) was wounded but I don't recall how bad.  My first night and I beat the odds.

 

[From "Leon", stargazr@cjnetworks.com]
 
Here is a story about one of the photo contributors [to the 1st Bn 6th Inf web site] -- John Large.  Hell of a man. We had been sent to a pacified village south of Quang Ngai called Van Thien.  It was a typical village in that the VC hid in the ridge line during the day and sneaked back in at night.  This was the first time we had been there.  Infantry companies rotated in and out on a 1-2 week basis.  We had only been there a couple of hours when I heard an explosion and people yelling.  I saw a medic from another platoon running with his aid bag.  I followed him thru the wire and into one of the rice paddies.  I saw a Vietnamese woman on the ground who had been hit by a dud M79 round.  When we got to her, I helped the other medic and took directions from him since he had been in the field longer than me. She had multiple sucking chest wounds.  The shrapnel had done a job on her.  We tried, but nothing worked.  When she took her last breath, I looked into her eyes.  I noticed for some reason how pretty she was.
The medic was John Large of 3rd Platoon, Co. C, 1st Bn 6th Inf, 198th Inf Bde.  He made a difficult adjustment easier.


Name:            Leon Cochenour
Email: stargazr@cjnetworks.com
HomePage:  http://www.angelfire.com/wa/namvets
Comments:   Welcome home my brother. Upon reading about your experiences, they paralleled mine quite a bit. I too for some reason can't stop thinking about Nam for the last couple of years. I have problems with PTSD and am seeing a shrink. I thought it was taken care of in the 80's, but its worse now than before. I created my website to tell my story. I would be honored if you visited. I would like to add link to your page if OK with you. "Doc" Leon Combat Medic 1/6th 198LIB Americal 70-71
January 4, 100 18:52:36 (GMT Time)

 

JAK NOTE: Leon R. Cochenour, Jr. has passed away. Per telecon with wife he died of Hepatitis in 2008, was on agent orange disability. SW JANE AVE. TOPEKA, KS 66604 - VVA Memorial List 2008

 

===============================================

 

Casualties in War:  Comparing losses in Vietnam for the Americal Division and 1st Bn 6th Inf with
losses in selected other wars in American history.  


     Vietnam War and Army Unit

Killed in Action

Wounds not mortal, WIA

1st Bn 6th Inf  (the first year in Vietnam - Nov 1967 to Oct 1968)*

103

Not available

1st Bn 6th Inf  (cumulative losses - Nov 1967 to Nov 1971)

203

Not available

1st Bn 6th Inf  (1970 only, approximately 750 soldiers serving )*

39

363

Americal Division (1970 only, 26 battalions - 20,000+  serving)*

756

5983

Americal Division (11th, 196th & 198th Inf Bdes)(cumulative1967-71)

4,093

Not available

     Other Conflicts and Units Involved

 

 

Iraqi Freedom (Post Combat Operations) - five division equivalents with more than 75 battalions) 1 May 2003 - 30 Apr 2004

462

3700 (Approx)

Iraqi Freedom (Combat Operations) - with 130,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines serving) 19 Mar 2003 - 30 Apr 2003

109

545

Desert Storm (ten Divisions, more than 300 battalions)

98

467 (all services)

Somalia

27

Not available

Grenada (7,355 serving)

12

120

Panama (25,750 serving)

18

255

Spanish American War (1898 w/ 280,564 serving)

369

1,594

Mexican War (1846-1848 w/ 78,718 serving)

1,721

4,102

War of 1812  (1812-1815 w/ 286,730 serving)

1,950

4,000

Revolutionary War (1775-1783 w/ approx. 184,000 serving)

4,044

6,004

 

 


CHARLIE  COMPANY ON PATROL

 




CHU LAI – AMERICAL BASE

 

RICK IOBC - TOP ROW 4TH FROM RIGHT

 


 

 

 

 

The Vietnam Wall isn’t too far away and I couldn’t leave without saying hello to some old friends. Recently I’ve been doing class presentations on Vietnam for several of you and I’m always surprised at the level of interest in Vietnam the students show. The picture you see shows two Citadel friends – Bob Woodhouse (upper left) and Rick Repole (lower right), killed a day apart and on The Wall together. Welcome home, guys.

 

 

================================================

 

Staff Sergeant Robert E. Sherdin
United States Army

 

 

Staff Sergeant Robert Sherdin attended the Citadel as member of the Class of 1969. He enlisted in the Army and volunteered for the Airborne Infantry and after earning the silver wings and red beret of a paratrooper he qualified for the coveted Green Beret of Special Forces Non-Commissioned Officer. 

As a cadet Bob was maverick whose enthusiasm and good humor made him a friend and colleague to all.

He was killed in action while leading a covert operations patrol deep behind enemy lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail while assigned to the Top Secret combat teams of CCC under MACSOG. He was shot by superior enemy forces while trying to rescue a fellow soldier and died a hero’s death.

 

ROBERT FRANCIS SCHERDIN

Age:    31
Race:             Caucasian
Sex:    Male
Date of Birth             Feb 14, 1947
From: SOMERVILLE, NJ
Religion:       ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status:          Single

SSGT - E6 - Army - Regular
Special Forces

His tour began on Dec 29, 1968
Casualty was on Nov 27, 1978 
DECLARED KIA – Inside CAMBODIA
Hostile, died while missing, GROUND CASUALTY
Body was not recovered
Panel 35W - Line 6


=============================================

 

Go tell the Spartans, Passerby, That here, obedient to their laws, We lie.

Simonides, Greek poet (556 BC - 468 BC) Epitaph for the Spartans who fell at Thermopylae

 

 


DEEP JUNGLE RECON

 


LAST FIREFIGHT SITE

 


BOB’S RECON TEAM

 

CCC RECON TEAM BASE CAMPS

====================================================


John J Miller Jr
historian@post12nj.org
Post 12 Historian Somerville NJ
232 Union Ave
Somerville, NJ 08876 USA

Stevenson - D'Allesio American Legion Post 12, Remembers
http://www.post12nj.org/history/Scheridin.jpg
Picture of Robert taken in Vietnam. (Right Hand Salute. Two)
Thank you Robert, for stepping up.
Sunday, February 19, 2006

 

====================================================

 

 

Class of 1969 - Unofficial Deceased List


Anthony A. Anconetani
Mathematics
Fairlawn, N.J.

 

Henry R. Barwick, Jr.
English
Charleston, S.C.

 

Philip A. Bergere
Business Administration
Bordentown, New Jersey

 

Joseph H. Brown
Political Science
Moorestown, N.J.

 

Christopher L. Clearwaters
Business Administration
Seattle, Wash.

 

Dennis E. Corcoran

 

John "Jack" Costello
Political Science
Baltimore, Md.

 

Alfred Courvoisie, II
Education
Charleston, S.C.

 

Wiedeman E. Durham, Jr.
Business Administration
Greenville, S.C.

 

John O. Duvall
Biology
Greenwood, S.C.

 

Thomas H. Edwards
Political Science
Glenrock, N.J.

 

Joe W. Eubanks
History
Concord, N.C.

 

John A. Fitten
Civil Engineering
Charleston, S.C.

 

Louis "Bates" Folley Jr.
Sumter, S.C.

 

Michael Fowler

 

William D. Glasgow
Business Administration
Jacksonville, N.C.

 

Ronald W. Graham
Business
St. Stephen, S.C.

 

David E. Hamme
Electrical Engineering
Landsdale, Pa.

 

Dennis V. Hanson
Business Administration
Southampton, N.J.

 

Randall G. Heffron
Chemistry, A.B.
Charleston, S.C.

 

Henry G. Hiers, Jr.
History
Newburg, Mo.

 

Carter A. Howell
Business Administration
Bamberg, S.C.

 

David G. Joyce
Political Science
Industry, Pa.

 

Craig S. Kelly
History
Dalton, Mass.

 

Ronald L. Kennedy
Business Administration
Charleston, S.C.

 

Thomas W. Lane
Business
Columbia, S.C.

 

George W. Lanier
Business
Sharon, Pa.

 

Stephen F. Larson
Business
Charlotte, N.C.

 

Gary R. Lehmen
History
Baltimore, Md.

 

Ephraim Rutledge Liles, II

 

Albert S. Madding, III
Political Science
Columbus, Ga.

 

John W. Magann
Education
Bluefield, Va.

 

Kenneth R. McClinton

 

Sydney B. McDaniel, Jr.
Business Administration
Alcolu, S.C.

 

Lawrence P. Middleton
History
Chesterfield, S.C.

 

John M. Moniz
Business Administration
North Charleston, S.C.

 

Huey A. Montgomery, III
Business Administration
Lancaster, S.C.

 

John T. Pappas
Business Administration
Norwick, Conn.

 

John J. Powers, Jr.
Business Administration
Florence, S.C.

 

Richard A. Praete
Business Administration
Columbus, S.C.

 

Richard G. Repole
Political Science
Danbury, Conn.

 

John “Pete” Richardson
Business Administration
Summerton, S.C.

 

Allan C. Saveall
Civil Engineering
Winchendon, Mass.

 

Robert E. Sherdin
Somerville, New Jersey

 

George Standin

 

Hasford “Eliot” Taylor, Jr.
Business Administration
Batesburg, S.C.

 

Mike Townes

 

John D. Wallace
Education
Orlean, N.Y.

 

Leon P. Williams, Jr.
Education
Dillion, SC

 

William Zinsky

 


 

Citadel KIA List - Vietnam War Era

Captain Terry Cordell was the first American officer to fall in Vietnam, and some 58,000 American servicemen followed him, including 75 known Citadel Alumni. Four of our Alumni earned the Distinguished Service Cross and one earned the Navy Cross - all for "extraordinary heroism".  Most of those listed below are graduates, all of whom died as a result of combat with enemy forces.  Alumni are constantly being researched and listed as we discover their names. If you have additional information on those Citadel alumni who may have met the same fate as those listed below, please provide all information so their sacrifice is recognized. When visiting the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC, the panel and row (listed below) may be used to locate the name of that particular Citadel alumnus.

Credits to Mike Stannard, '65 for his research on this page.

 

Class         Rank, Name, Unit      Battle        Death Date        Memorial in DC

1938      BG Charles Jack Girard (USA)        Illness, Gia Dinh, RVN       January 17, 1970

1951      LTC Rudolph Lee Nunn, Jr. (USAF)           Shot down, Quang Tri, RVN       June 6, 1968    Panel 59W, Row 10
1951      MAJ Sam Michael Savas, Jr. (USA)               Stroke, RVN         October 12, 1965        Panel 02E, Row 120

1952      MAJ Amos Oliver Fox (USAF)        Air loss, Ninh Thuan, RVN               April 23, 1968      Panel 51E, Row 38
1952      MAJ Richard Herman Schmidt (USA)          Ground, RVN       May 17, 1966      Panel 07E, Row 76
1952      LTC William Robert Spillers (USAF)    Shot down, Binh Duong, RVN   December 17, 1969   Panel 15W, Row 68

1956      CPT Donald Bryant Button (USAF)              Air loss, Thailand                May 24, 1968      Panel 67E, Row 5
1956      LTC Robert Henry Carter, Jr. (USA)              Ground, Kontum, RVN     May 27, 1969      Panel 24W, Row 115
1956      MAJ Leo Michael Donker (USA)    Ground, RVN       April 3, 1966        Panel 06E, Row 79
1956      MAJ Roger Lee Graham (USA)       Ground, Quang Nam, RVN              June 10, 1969      Panel 22W, Row 12

1957      MAJ James Westley Ayers (USMC)               Ground, Quang Tri, RVN  May 26, 1967      Panel 20E, Row 110
1957      CPT Terry Denver Cordell (USA)    Shot down, RVN October 15, 1962                Panel 01E, Row 13
1957      CPT Thomas Joseph Margle (USAF)      Shot down, Ninh Thuan, RVN      February 15, 1968   Panel 39E, Row 50

1958      1LT Raymond Edgar Doyle, Jr. (USAF)        Air loss, Thailand                April 12, 1963      Panel 01E, Row 21

1959      CPT Clarence Larry Moorer (USA)                Shot down, RVN December 12, 1963            Panel 01E, Row 36
1959      CPT Hugh Reavis Nelson (USA)     Shot down, RVN June 5, 1966        Panel 08E, Row 12
1959      CPT David John Wick Widder (USA)            Shot down, RVN March 24, 1965  Panel 01E, Row 97
1959      MAJ William Esley Wood, Jr. (USAF)            Air loss, Quang Tri, RVN   April 21, 1971      Panel 03W, Row 2

1960      CPT John Werner Carlson (USAF)  MIA/Shot down, Tay Ninh, RVN   December 7, 1966   Panel 13E, Row 18

1961      LCDR Jere Alen Barton (USN)        Shot down, Kien Tuong, RVN         June 7, 1970        Panel 09W, Row 3
1961      MAJ Samuel Richard Bird (USA)   WIA Jan 27, '67, Bong Son, RVN   October 18, 1984      Panel 14E, Row 90
1961      MAJ James Terry Jackson (USAF) MIA/Shot down, Laos       March 23, 1972  Panel 02W, Row 118
1961      CPT Benjamin Edward Kelly, Jr. (USA)        Ground, Bihn Dinh, RVN  August 30, 1967  Panel 25E, Row 69
1961      CPT Thomas Curtis Metsker (USA)   Ground, Ia Drang Valley, RVN November 14, 1965   Panel 03E, Row 49
1961      CPT William David Howsa Ragin (USA)      Ground, RVN       August 20, 1964  Panel 01E, Row 62
1961      MAJ David Bruce Tucker (USA)     Shot down, RVN October 1, 1967  Panel 27E, Row 38

1962      CPT William Forman Abernethy (USA)        Ground, Long Khanh, RVN             July 21, 1967  Panel 23E, Row 96
1962      CPT Henry Albert Deutsch (USA)   Ground, RVN       May 11, 1965      Panel 01E, Row 113
1962      CPT Thomas Simcock Hubbell (USMC)    Ground, Thua Thien, RVN    December 27, 1967  Panel 32E, Row 74
1962      CPT Kurt Lloyd Kuhns, Sr. (USA)   Air loss, RVN       September 8, 1967             Panel 26E, Row 35
1962      CPT Richard Edward Legate (USA)               Ground, RVN       March 25, 1967  Panel 17E, Row 45
1962      CPT William Daniel Sands, III (USA)            Ground, Pleiku, RVN         March 22, 1967  Panel 17E, Row 24

1963      CPT Sam Festis Beach, Jr. (USAF) Shot down, Quang Tri, RVN            January 17, 1968     Panel 34E, Row 61
1963      2/Lt. Davis J. Boardman (USA)      KIA, Ground Long An, RVN            February 1, 1968    Panel 36E, Row 48
1963      MAJ Robert Gerald Hunter (USAF)               Shot down, Laos May 25, 1966      Panel 07E, Row 109
1963      1LT Richard Mershon Milikin, III (USAF)  MIA/Shot down, North Vietnam August 20, 1967 Panel 10E, Row 23
1963      2LT Phillip Jacob Moog (USA)        Ground, RVN       August 10, 1966  Panel 09E, Row 124
1963      Unk Viruch Tangnoi (RTA)              Royal Thai Army?, Unknown         June 25, 1968      Panel None, Row None

1964      CPT Charles Edward Heine (USA) Shot down, RVN January 3, 1969  Panel 35W, Row 26
1964      CPT Anthony George Prior (USA)   Shot down, Binh Long, RVN           May 27, 1968      Panel 65W, Row 13
1964      2LT Richard James Regan (USMC)              Ground, Quang Nam, RVN  August 11, 1965  Panel 02E, Row 50
1964      1LT James Clinton Tarkenton, III (USA)     Ground, Binh Duong, RVN   March 19, 1967  Panel 16E, Row 116
1964      1LT William Judson Thomason (USA)         WIA Nov '66, 0   January 15, 2006
1964      1LT Hugh William Wellons (USA)  Ground, RVN       October 13, 1966                Panel 11E, Row 73

1965      2LT Joseph Cyril Missar, Jr. (USMC)             Ground, Quang Nam, RVN   May 6, 1966        Panel 07E, Row 35
1965      1LT Frank Monroe Murphy (USA)                Ground, RVN       December 7, 1966              Panel 13E, Row 19
1965      MAJ Woodrow Wilson Parker, II (USAF)     Shot down, North Vietnam April 24, 1968      Panel 51E, Row 48
1965      1LT Arthur Clifton Retzlaff (USA) Ground, Kontum RVN      July 10, 1967       Panel 23E, Row 45

1966      1LT Stephen Winfield Davis (USA)               Ground, Quang Tin, RVN August 18, 1967  Panel 25E, Row 11
1966      CPT Thomas Walter Foy (USA)      Ground, Binh Dinh, RVN  May 15, 1968      Panel 60E, Row 22
1966      2LT John Luther Fuller, Jr. (USMC)      Ground, Quang Nam, RVN     March 23, 1967  Panel 17E, Row 28
1966      CPT Fred Orr Jackson, Jr. (USA)     Shot down, Binh Long, RVN September 5, 1969             Panel 18W, Row 39
1966      1LT Mark Mac Donald Serrem (USA)          Ground, Pleiku, RVN   January 31, 1968               Panel 36E, Row 35

1967      1LT Fred Joshua Carter (USAF)      Air loss, Khanh Hoa, RVN       November 5, 1969      Panel 16W, Row 33
1967      CPT Glenn Richard Cook (USAF)  MIA/Shot down, Ninh Thuan, RVN October 21, 1969  Panel 17W, Row 100
1967      2LT Frederick Young Holjes (USA)               Ground, Thua Thien, RVN   March 22, 1968  Panel 45E, Row 57
1967      HM2 William Livingston Mc Cormick (USN)   Ground, Quang Nam, RVN  March 7, 1969   Panel 30W, Row 67
1967      CPT George Louis Miner (USA)      Shot down, Thua Thien, RVN      August 17, 1969  Panel 19W, Row 55
1967      SGT Thomas Duckett O'Connor (USMC)     Ground, Quang Nam, RVN         January 3, 1968  Panel 33E, Row 30
1967      1LT Richard William O'Keefe (USAF)     Air loss, Ninh Thuan, RVN    February 11, 1971      Panel 05W, Row 97
1967      CPT George Thomas Taylor, Jr. (USA)          Ground, Quang Tri, RVN  May 21, 1971      Panel 03W, Row 49
1967      1LT Bruce Richard Welge (USA)    Ground, RVN       January 26, 1969               Panel 34W, Row 90

1968      CPT Barry Kenneth Allmond (USAF)   Shot down, Binh Long, RVN           May 11, 1972      Panel 01W, Row 23
1968      CPT Ronald Anthony Ashe (USAF)   Air loss, U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand         July 30, 1972  Panel 01W, Row 60
1968      1LT John Fredrick Bradman (USA)   Accident, Phuoc Long, RVN            February 18, 1970    Panel 13W, Row 26
1968      1LT Carl Alfred Peterson (USA)   Ground, Thua Thien, RVN               August 10, 1969  Panel 20W, Row 125
1968      1LT Kenneth Martin Schlie (USA)  Air loss, Quang Ngai, RVN       October 20, 1970     Panel 06W, Row 13
1968      1LT Charles E. Suprenant, Jr. (USAF)           Shot down, Dak Seang, RVN     April 2, 1970    Panel 12W, Row 85
1968      CPT Robert Francis Woodhouse, Jr. (USA)  Shot down, Thua Thien, RVN  July 7, 1970    Panel 09W, Row 129

1969      1LT Christopher L. Clearwaters (USA)     Shot down, Phuoc Long, RVN        Feb. 20, 1971      Panel 05w, Row 123
1969      CPT Joe Wofford Eubanks (USA)               Shot down, Pleiku, RVN                   June 2, 1972        Panel 01W, Row 34
1969      CPT Carter Avery Howell (USAF)              MIA/Shot down, Saravane, Laos  March 7, 1972    Panel 02W, Row 113
1969      WO1 Ephriam Rutledge Liles, II (USA)     Shot down, Phuoc Long, RVN        July 4, 1969        Panel 21W, Row 61
1969      1LT Richard Glenn Repole (USA)               Ground, Quang Ngai, RVN            July 8, 1970        Panel 09W, Row 132
1969      SSG Robert Francis Scherdin (USA)           MIA/Ground, Cambodia                 Dec. 29, 1968      Panel 35W, Row 6

 

====================================================

“TAPS”


The original story regarding the history of “TAPS” involving a young Confederate Soldier and his Union Army father was an Urban Legend. The following is the alleged TRUE story according to SNOPES.COM:
Origins: It's hard to feel surprised when a melody as hauntingly beautiful as Taps picks up a legend about how it came to be written -- it's too mournfully direct a piece for the mere truth to suffice.
Taps was composed in July 1862 at Harrison's Landing in Virginia, but after that the fanciful e-mail circulating the WEB departs from reality. There was no dead son, Confederate or otherwise; no lone bugler sounding out the dead boy's last composition. How the call came into being was never anything more than one influential soldier deciding his unit could use a bugle call for particular occasions and setting about to come up with one.
If anyone can be said to have composed 'Taps,' it was Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the American Civil War. Dissatisfied with the customary firing of three rifle volleys at the conclusion of burials during battle and also needing a method for ceremonially imparting meaning to the end of a soldier's day, he most likely modified an older tune known as "Tattoo," which was a French-European bugle call used to signal "lights out," into the call that the American Armed Forces have come to know and respect as 'Taps.' (Alternatively, Butterfield supposedly wrote the whole thing from scratch, a possibility not at all supported by his lack of musical background and ability.)
Whether he wrote it straight from the cuff or improvised something new by rearranging an existing older tune, Butterfield brought 'Taps' into being in America; with the help of his bugler, Oliver W. Norton of Chicago, the concept was transformed into its present form. "Taps" was quickly taken up by both sides of the conflict, and within months was being sounded by buglers in both Union and Confederate forces.
Then as now, 'Taps' serves as a vital component in ceremonies honoring military dead. It is also understood by American servicemen as an end-of-day 'lights out' signal.
When "Taps" is played at a military funeral, it is customary to salute if in uniform, or place your hand over your heart if not.
The lyrics that accompany "Taps" are:


Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the lakes,
From the hills,
From the sky,
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.