I was with 3/5 from '69 through mid '70. Then, when I got nailed with Chron's disease, I took over running the Vinh Long PX in mid '70. I was trained as a Snake driver, but I actually preferred slicks - they were more comfortable on my 6'4" frame.

    I especially remember Mike Hanno, Rusty Rogers (Rusty & I were flying C&C together when Wheeler & Greeno were hit), Paul Bilecki, and several of the guys from that era. As with everyone who saw combat there, there were good times and bad. But our troop seemed to have exceptional people, some of the best I've ever known.

    I don't think that I have much to contribute beyond what you probably already know. Some of the more memorable times were:
 When the ammo dump blew up.
 When I got stuck as base OD for more than a week because of Tet.
 Our 3/5 initiation night (the skull).

When the American POW escaped from the Hu Minh forest.

When the Navy two-star intelligence commander went down in the delta and was captured by Charlie.

The time we set our Huey down on one of Charlie's tunnel entrances.

When we tried to burn down the Hu Minh, when we uncovered a major VC/NVA troop concentration that had Chinese and/or Russian advisors.

When one of our guys opened fire on the ARVN base on the west end of the runway because they were constantly shooting at us.

The night somebody stole a whole barge full of beer but put the empty cases back.

The time an unknown Huey joined our C&C formation during an operation. We later chased them across the Cambodian border - they were the bad guys!

Of course one never forgets the loss of friends and troop members, or the extraordinary acts of bravery and self-sacrifice. It was a time of maximum intensity, both good and bad.
I look forward to learning more about the guys and how they've been doing. I would be interested in receiving any info that might be available.
Thanks for the email, 14. Glad you made it back. Let me know if there is anything I can contribute.
Kim