"Folded Wings"

Light Horse Troopers

Who Have Preceded us to
Fiddler's Green
(Fiddler's Green)

Names Shown in brown color were added in 2007.
Thanks to the extensive work of JB West using 1968 unit rosters and SSN records we are able to include these Troopers.
They are not forgotten!

Updated November 4, 2024


Conley West
Doughboy 67-68 Passed away September 22, 2024
Link to obituary


Ken Lake
Long Knife Passed away on 28 in '68-69 October 6, 2024
Link to obituary


Raymond "Ray" J Gribbin

War Wagon 14 1969-70
November 30, 1949 to July 4, 2024


Duane R Brofer
 Light Horse 6
Dec 27, 1929 to Apr 17, 2024
Link to obituary


 Richard F. "Rick" Waite
Died December 6, 2023
Link to Memorial Page


Don Kargel

Passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023


Gridley "Chief" Hilpert

Long Knife Crew Cheif
May 25, 1948 - September 30, 2023

(Memorial Page coming)


James Driver
Long Knife Crew Chief 1968-70
Died July 18, 2023


Calvin Kelly Rita
Long Knife Door Gunner 1969-70
Passed away August 18, 2020 at age 69


Edwin Rita
Long Knife Crew Chief 1968-70


LTC Johnny A Phillips
Light Horse 6 '70-71
Passed away March 14, 2010



Jeffrey "Bullfrog" VanBuren
May 3, 1950 - February 24, 2023
War Wagon Doorgunner '71-72
Link to Obituary


Lorin A. Bliss
April 29, 1945 - December 10, 2022
War Wagon 17  '68-69
Link to Obituary


Gordon J. Beatty
January 2, 1950 - September 30, 2022
War Wagon 18 '71-72
Link to Obituary


Stan Strack
Died December 1st, 2022


Steven Wasson
10/10/1948 to 11/24/2022


LTC William "Bill" Kaler
First Commanding Officer of D Troop 3/5
10/04/1934 to 11/11/2022
Link to his obituary:   https://www.white-ranson.com/obituary/lt-col-william-kaler


William E. "Whit" Whitworth
Died September 16, 2022
Link to Whit's obituary



Dr. Jack "Doc" Waller

Squadron Flight Surgeon but he wore the Silverbelly Hat
Died June 2, 2022 he was 79


Rick Stetson

Plank Owner
LRRP and Doughboy Platoon Leader
Passed away on July 28 from injury from a fall while running.


Robert E. Hill

Operations Sergeant 1967-68
Passed away June 29, 2022



Calvin "Kelly" Rita
Equipment Operator 1968
December 4, 1950 - August 15, 2020


John Eldon Elliott
War Wagon Pilot  1971-72
May 21, 1948 - May 8, 2022


Robert "Bob" Allen
Crusader Pilot '69-70
Passed away March 12, 2022


Kenny VanHook

Doughboy '67-68
Passed away January 8, 2021
Link to Obituary



Billy Norman
Long Knife Door Gunner  1967-68
Died November 16, 2020
Link to Obituary


Joe Zavis
Long Knife Crew Chief 1970-71
Passed away May 25, 2021
Link to Memorial Page


Larry Sprader
Scavenger Armament, Long Knife Door Gunner,  1968-70
Lost his long battle with cancer on April 5, 2021
Link to memorial page


Chuck Nole
Crusader 34 & War Wagon 12 '68-70
Died April 3, 2021 in Washington state
Link to military photo


Matthew Matulewicz
Long Knife Crew Chief 69-70


George Rein
Doughboy 67-68


David J Newkirk
War Wagon 14 '68-69
Passed away at home on December 3, 2020


Ruben M Albares
Doughboy and Long Knife Door Gunner '67-'68
B. January 8, 1947 - November 29,2020
Link to memorial page


Gary Clark
Long Knife 29 1969-70
Passed away June 12, 2020
Link to obituary


George D Dyer, Sr
Spook/War Wagon Pilot

George designed the War Wagon patch. He passed away May 19th, 2020
Link to obituary. (Leaves this website)



Gary W. Olson
Passed away in October 2019
Informed by his Niece.
Link to obituary


Johnnie J. Spearman
May12, 1944 to September 5, 2019
Cpt Spearman came to D 3/5 in 1970 and C/3/17 Light Horse in 1971
There is very little information available. The death notice came via VHPA "Taps."
An internet search located a possible wife in AZ.

 

Gary Larrow
War Wagon CE/Gunner '71
Departed December 24, 2019
Link to memorial & obituary


Tony Bankston
Crusader 30 '69-70
Passed away on February 11, 2019


Richard D Hahn
Long Knife Crew Chief '70-71
We lost Rich on July 28, 2019
Link to obituary
 

Randy F Yarbrough
Plank holder, Scavenger
Passed away July 15, 2019
Link to obituary


Russell W. Dillow
SSG, Long Knife Doorgunner '68-'69
May 1, 1947 to March 18, 2010



David John Conrad
Long Knife 20 & 26 1968
Passed away May 20, 2019
Link to Obituary


Richard "Ray" Perkins
Long Knife Pilot 71-72
Passed away on March 26, 2019
Link to obituary
Link to photo


Dennis L. Krulder

Longknife Door Gunner 68-69
Passed away January 8, 2015
Link to obituary


Donald W "Bill" King
War Wagon 16
Passed away on January 8th 2019
Reunion Host for 20+ years
Link to Memorial Page



William "Billy" Large
Long Knife Crew Chief
1969-70
Billy lost a long fight with cancer and passed away in December, 2018


Steven Ray Parker
War Wagon Gunner/Observer 70-71
Steve passed away on July 2, 2002
He is buried at Quanico National Cemetery, Virginia
Submitted by Rick Waite

James E Clary III
Long Knife 21 in 1968-69
Passed away 19 September, 2017
Link to a memorial page


Leo Gomez
Doughboy
Left us on 2 November, 2018
Link to Memorial Page


Robert Sensat
War Wagon 17 '71-72
Passed away August 8, 2007 in Houston, TX
Link to obituary

Carter D Brooks
The first Crusader Platoon Leader
Left us on April 6, 2018
Link to memorial page

Ed Serrano

War Wagon Pilot
Passed away November 17, 2007 in Fairbanks, AK
Link to obituary


Vern Delaware
Spook and War Wagon Crewchief/Gunner
Left us on September 29, 2017
Link to Memorial Page


Johnny L. Helms
Crusader Pilot 1970-71
Died March 30, 2017

Link to obituary


Bruce Barney
War Wagon Crewchief/Gunner
Passed away in Seattle, WA on May 22, 2017 after a long illness
Link to a memorial page, includes a partial biography.


Kevin Kelly
Crusader 34 '71-72
Left us on May 8th, 2017
Kevin Lived in Sun City, FL


Dennis Sorges
Long Knife 25
Passed away unexpectedly near Ridgecrest, CA on April 13, 2017
Dennis was the unit's UH-1 Instructor Pilot in 1970
He was a regular attendee at VHPA functions.


Tom Suprock
War Wagon Pilot
Passed away February 9, 2017 after lengthy illness
Tom was 66 years young
Link to a memorial page


Howard Paul Osterlin
Crusader Pilot
Killed in a Colorado NG Cobra crash in Nevada in February 1989
Reported by Carl Luthman


Rodney Honkola
Crusader Crewchief, 1967
B. March 15, 1945 -  D.  Jan. 7, 2017
Link to Memorial Page

 
John Ninneman
Crusader Doorgunner, 1967
October 29, 1945 - December 20, 2016
Link to Memorial Page


Norman L Lillard
Crusader Crewchief SP/5, 1967
B. Jun. 20, 1945 - D. Apr. 13, 1979
Burial: Providence Cemetery
Williamstown, Lewis County
Missouri, USA
Norman was a Veteran and a Missouri Highway Patrolman with 2 young daughters when he was killed


Kim R. Peterson
  Long Knife Doorgunner 1970-71
Passed away December 3, 2016
Reported by his daughter, Elissa
Link to photo album


Charles "Chuck" Haddon Roberts II

Long Knife Crewchief 
Died February 24, 2016
Link to obituary


Jerry Lynn Riddles
"Scavenger" Maintenance Officer 1971-72
Born 27 Feb 1947  Died 25 Nov 1997  
Military Marker; 1st LT US ARMY VIETNAM;  D/3/5th Cav., renamed C/3/17 Cav.
Old Hall Cemetery
Denton County, Cemeteries of Texas
Reported by War Wagon 16, John Elliot


MG Robert A Goodbary
Former CO of Light Horse C/3/17
1942-2016
Link to Obituary

Clemont J. "Sonny" Palazzo
December 20, 1949 - November 11, 2008
Submitted by Gary Larrow
Link to Obituary.

James R "Tony" Spletestoser
A Friend to Light Horse
July 02, 1927 - August 21, 2016
Tribute Page

Melvin "Mel" Minney
Crusader Crewchief and Plank Owner
Passed away June 27, 2016
Memorial Page

Sidney E. Lyons, Jr
LTC US Army (Ret)
Second D Troop Commanding Officer from April 1967 to January 1968
Died August 21, 2015
Link to interment information


Robert L Grove, Sr
The first War Wagon 15
Passed away March 22, 2015
Link to obituary page

James F Macleod

Operations Officer 1968
Died November 4, 1995
Submitted by Steve Kirkland


Robert Lee Harshberger
"The Mad Russian"
War Wagon Crewchief, 1969-70
Passed away 22 October, 2015

Link to Memorial Page

Russell "Russ" Allison

Long Knife 28, 1970-71
Died September 18, 2015 in Lakeland, FL
Link to Memorial Page

Gerald Jerry Long
Scavenger and Long Knife Pilot
Passed April 24, 2015

Link to obituary

I.G. Joseph Fonte
Long Knife Crewchief and Plank Holder
Passed away December 11, 2011
Link to obituary
Link to personal photo album.


James Robert Chambless
Crusader Pilot and Plank Holder
Passed away June 6, 2015
Link to a memorial page

James I. Pratt
Operations Sergeant 1968-69

Joseph "Little Joe" Williams

Robert "Bob" Hawkinson
Long Knife Crewchief  1967
Passed away on February 14, 2015
Plank Holder
Link to a Memorial page


Robert "Bob" Applehans
Scavenger 6  1970-71
Bob lost his log battle with illness on January 13, 2015
Link to a Memorial page for Bob.

John "Jack" Kasada

Doughboy '67'- '68
Jack passed away on December 11, 2014
Link to obituary
Link to a Memorial page for Jack.


Michael "Mac" McGuire
Long Knife Crew Chief from May 1968 to April 1970
Mike passed away July 13, 2014
Link to Memorial page


Al Orgain

Crusader 3 in 1967
Troop "Plank Holder"
Passed away June 27, 2014

Link to a Memorial Page
Link to obituary page

Ray Reiblein
Crusader 33 in 1968
Passed away in March, 2014
Link to obituary/memorial page


LTC Jerry H. Brown

D Troop Pilot and Plank Owner
Link to obituary/memorial page

Cpt Paul Booterbaugh
Passed away in Fayetteville. AR on 29 October, 2002
Paul was the Troop Maintenance Officer in 1969
Submitted by Marty Schroeder

Paul C. "Doc" Aulik
Doughboy, 67-68
Link to obituary

Charles Kilmer

D Troop Pilot and Plank Owner
Link to obituary

Johnny Sheffield
Doughboy, 67-68
Link to obituary page

Donald (Donny) K Rahm
Long Knife Crewchief
Link to obituary page

LTC Kenneth Nielsen
Former D Troop Commanding Officer in 1968
Link to obituary page

Roy Sudeck
Crusader 36
Link to Memorial Page

Phillip Sparks
D Troop 1st Sergeant
Command Sergeant Major Retired


Roberto Ramos
War Wagon
Died on December 19, 1982 in a helicopter crash.
Link to Memorial Page


Albano, Nick Jr.
Doughboy
Died July 22, 2012. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he was born May 8, 1946.
A celebration of his life will be held at Bayshore Diplomat, 2611 Bayshore Blvd. Sat, Aug. 4, 2012, 2-4pm.
Link to a memorial page for Nick


Lewis Eugene “Buck” Buchanan
1950-2012
VIRGINIA – LTC (R) Lewis Eugene “Buck” Buchanan, the consummate warrior, was born on Johnson Air Force Base in Japan on May 18, 1950 and passed away on June 8, 2012.
Link to a Memorial Page


Ken Rountree
Passed away in 2012 after lengthy illness.
By Steve Kirkland



Nguyen Van Hai
The D Troop Doughboy's Interpreter passed away in 1980.
By Jim Flynn




Bill Rowe
Scavenger 6 Pilot 1967

It is with great sadness that I forward this message from Lynda to all of you. 
 
Bill was a very special Plankowner and the overwhelming thoughts that came to me when I learned of his passing was that how lucky I was to have known him & how great it was to see him for the last time at our reunion last year.  There have been only  few people in my life who have touched me as deeply as did Bill with his great sense of humor, generosity of spirit, can-do attitude, spectacular common sense, and lack of pretension. 
 
I, and I'm sure you as well, will miss him tremendously.
 
With best regards!!
Rick Roll
Obituary and Celebration of Life


Dennis R. Freeman
Long Knife Pilot 1970
I wish to have WO1 Dennis R Freeman added to the Folded Wings Roster. He passed away on 12/09/2009 in Phoenix,AZ.
I first met Dennis while forming up A Trp2/17th Air Cav at Ft Campbell, KY. 
We came over on the same plane to Danang then they transfered a bunch of us to Vihn Long and to B Trp 7/1st Air Cav.
 In Oct 1969 Dennis and I and a few others from B Trp transfered  to D Trp 3/5th Air Cav.
 I was the slick platoon leader and Dennis was in my platoon as an AC.
On one mission we were hit with  groundfire so I can vouch that Dennis was a true member of D Troop.
We came home in April 1970.
Thanks! Lee Overstreet ,    Longknife 26

Photo of Dennis

Samuel Munn
Crusader Pilot 1968-'69

Aviator, warrior, husband and father, CPT Samuel Paul Munn, US Army (Retired), passed away January 26, 2011, in San Antonio. He was born January 20, 1948, in Columbia, South Carolina to Henry Paul Munn and R. Lee Honeycutt Munn. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Pepperdine University and completed studies for a doctorate at the University of Georgia. Samuel served in the US Army for 20 years. He served with valor in Vietnam in D Troop, 3rd/5th CAV. Following retirement from the Army, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and Premier Aeronautics. He was one of the first 1,000 to pilot the Cobra attack helicopter. He was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Distinguished Flying Cross Society, National Association of Flight Instructors, AOPA and EAA, and a lifetime member of VFW and DAV. Samuel was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Henry Paul Munn, Jr.; stepmother, Virginia Munn; grandparents, Samuel Paul Munn and Blanche Munn Price, Vance and Minnie Honeycutt; and niece, Roni Wilson Ballard. He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 36 years, Connie Pylant Munn; daughter, Linley Chandelle Munn; son, Austin Travis Munn and his fiancée Heather Florence Sieloff; sister, Peggy Munn Wilson and grand-nieces, Savannah, Olivyah, and Shelby; nieces, Shannon, Amber, Jessica and Christina; nephews, David, and wife Larissa, Damian, Kenneth, Daniel and JD. He is also survived by his aunt, Joyce King, and cousins, Chuck, Pam, Tammy and Patti of South Carolina. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 2, 2011
12:00 P.M.
PORTER LORING
NORTH CHAPEL

Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunshine Cottage 603 E. Hildebrand, San Antonio, TX 78212 or EAA Young Eagles.
You are invited to sign
the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.com



Dave Maahs
Crusader Pilot 1969

I recently sent a letter to Dave Maahs at his last known address.  A few days later I got a call from his father informing Dave died some time ago.  February of 2003.  I knew Dave in 1969 when he was a Crusader and the check pilot for the Cobra pilots.  Daves' father told me exposure to Agent Orange was a contributing factor to his death.  Dave had been working for Honeywell after leaving the Army and was living in Minnesota at the time of his death.

Submitted by Bob Schultz
 Former Stingray, Former Crusader, Former Ramrod



Nazario "Charlie" Solis
Long Knife Crew Chief '70-'71
Passed away in Kankakee, IL, Dec 19, 2009



Ralph Norman Cogburn
"Rooster"

War Wagon Gunner '70-'71
August 24, 2007

Troop, through contact with Rooster's family, I have recently learned that he passed away in Oklahoma in 2007.
Click here to view a memorial page.


Cpt. James Michael Nestor
August 26, 2010

I am so very sorry to have to tell you that Jim died last Friday.
He had aggressive lung cancer and the treatments did not work. He died peacefully, with dignity and all of us who loved him are heartbroken.
We are having a Memorial Service at Embry-Riddle on Suturday. I am going to display his Medals and he will have Military Honors.
He always thought that every day he was alive after Viet Nam was bonus day, I guess I'm greedy because I wanted many more.
His Wife, friend and lover for 25 years.
Janet


Link to Jim's obituary

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-journalonline/obituary.aspx?n=james-michael-nestor&pid=144902106


CWO Richard Dale Jenks
KIA Dec 13, 1967 while flying with the 176th AHC
George Garrety escorted "Rick's" body home.
Link to Photos Of Jenks in VN while in D Troop (Bottom of that page)
Link to accident report  (leaves this website)


SFC Leonard J "Jack" Boyett
Dear Sir,
My name is Magdalene Boyett and I am the widow of Leonard J. BOYETT, "Jack".
 I have searched the net for months to find you and was thrilled to finally see the 1971 year book.
Shown below, in the second row of the photos, is my beloved husband's photo, twice, once with CPT Goodbary and one by himself.
Please feel free to add Jack's name below the pictures. Jack was with Maint Plt, C Trp, 3/17 CAV during Feb 1971-Feb 1972.
When the unit de-activated, he was sent directly from Vietnam to the 25th INF DIV in Schofield Barracks.
 
Link to a photo memorial page for Jack.
Link to a VN photo of Jack


SFC Gerold Doggett
Passed away July 13, 2007

Submitted by Red Hagen


CWO Alvin L. Tatman
Passed away on Dec 10, 2009 in Clarksville, TN.
Alvin was a Spook Pilot.
Submitted by Red Hagen

Sgt Thomas (Pete) Torrance
Pete passed away from a heart attack while living in Oklahoma City in May 1985.
He was a D Troop "Plank Holder".
Submitted by his Son Via Ken Roundtree

William "Wilt" Chamberlain
January 19, 2010
War Wagon Crew Chief
Link to Obituary

Major Robert Grof
Crusader Pilot and Executive Officer (XO)
KIA April 10, 1971
Link to Memorial Page

Joe B. Duncan
December 20, 2009
War Wagon 19
Link to Obituary

James Matthew Carson
Septtember 18, 2008
SP-5 Jim Carson served with D Troop in '68 & '69
He was a Crewchief / Door Gunner

Submitted by his Wife Rhonda and good Friend Jim Burrell

Link to Jim's Photos

Link to Memory Letter


Larry Carmichael
  August 19, 2009
Crusader 34

Larry Carmichael passed away in Florida last week from cancer.
 I noticed he was mentioned in the Moon Over Delta story by Don Callison.  He was my wife’s uncle.
 I am not sure if he was involved with the reunion group at all – he never mentioned anything about his time over there. 
 I just thought some of you guys might want to know, maybe you knew him.

Thanks,

Gary Miller

 Link to VN Photo
Link to Story


Charlie Brown
November 7, 2008

I Just wanted to pass on to all the guys in unit that Charlie Brown – Crusader 35 passed away.
  Charlie was a long time pilot for us – PHI, Inc.  God rest his soul.

Link to a Memorial Page 

We are saddened by the loss of fellow employee Captain Charlie Brown who passed away yesterday following a battle with cancer.  National Cremation and Burial Society is in charge of the arrangements.  No visitation will be held.  A graveside service with full military honors will be held November 12 at 9:30 a.m.  Captain Brown was assigned to the Boothville, LA base.  A remembrance will be sent on behalf of Friends at PHI.

Barrancas National Cemetery

Navel Air Station

80 Hovey Road

Pensacola, FL  32508

Submitted by Dale Johnson



Snelling, Buddy
March 1970
Buddy snelling was based out of Vinh Long, he came over from 7/1 just before I left.
 He was shot down and had injured his arm, but returned to duty some time later. He and I played football at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Az.
When he came home he was working on a 30 ft wall. He and fell landed on his head on March 15 and died March17, 1970.
He is not buired in the national cemetery. His parents buried him at Phoenix Memorial Park at 200 W. Beardsley Rd.
I attended the funeral and was sadend by his loss.
I hope this helps.
Submited by Jack Lerch 
War wagon DoorGunner


Steve McClain
Long Knife Door Gunner in 70-71
Steve passed away at his home in Utah on May 3, 2007
Memorial Link



LaRoche, Joseph L.  E-7 
20 January 2007
Photo

Gilbert V. Miranda
With regret I''m informing you of the passing of SFC Gilbert V. Miranda 67 of San Antonio, TX Gilbert was one of the "Original" Aero- Rifle Platoon members formed at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1966.
Gilbert passed away on July 25, 2007 of health problems attributed to his three tours in Vietnam.
A good friend, a brave man, and a great family man.
Gilbert is survived by a wonderful family as well as his two brothers. Abel, who served as a Marine in the Korean War and later as a paratrooper in Vietnam, and Gabriel, Gilbert''s identical twin who served with the 82nd Airborne in Vietnam.
The "Alamo Silver Wings" Airborne Association, of which Gilbert was a life member, performed the honors with perfection.
Present at the burial were three other members of the Aero-Rifle Platoon of 1967-68.
Ruben Albares, Baldemar "Speedy" Gonzales, and Jose "Pancho" Sanchez as well as myself, John Stenmo.


Butch Cook
War Wagon Gunner in 71-71
Butch passed away on October 29, 2006 from a heart attack.
Please see the Memorial Page dedicated to Butch.
Memorial Link


Torgeson, Theodore  WO-1
2 February 2005


Titus, James M.  E-3
 30 January 2005


James McNamee
War Wagon 14 in 71-72
December 2004 after a lengthy battle with disease.
Memorial Link


Burchfield, Leonard D.   CW2
 
  3 Sept 2004


Hickman, Marion L. E-8
  2 August 2004


Ed Owens
War Wagon Crewchief/Gunner Extrordinaire from 69-71
Ed passed away on February 9th, 2004
from heart disease.
BIA Bruce Barney pretty well sumed all our feelings with this beautiful note and epithet written to Ed's friend Ronald Stewart.


Gurley, Leon E.   E-7
27 June 2003


James R."Smitty" Smith
Passed away on April 24th 2003.
It took awhile for his Mom to get ahold of me.

 His Mom didn't find my address till after the funeral, and I don't think many
people showed up.
 Paul Zaneske


Captain Steve Gibson
Crusader Pilot
Due to a major heart attack in 2002.
Steve was transfered to the Gun Platoon after the unit became designated as C 3/17th.
He was also the oficer who was short. He and I had a wire stringing detail and chopped down a mine while he was the OIC and I was NCO. He caught the blast in the whole upper torso.
I had talked with him on the phone 2 days before he died and then I got the email from his family about the heart attack.
I'm very sorry to report this.
Bill Large
 

 1st Sergeant Richard H. Gardner Sr.
Passed away on August 9, 2002
Cause unknown
He was "Top" in 1970 and 1971
News Cliping
Submitted by Larry Sprader
Photo
Photo


Francis C. Minard
Passed away October 6, 2002 from Liver cancer.
He was with 3/5Cav D Troop from the time he was at Ft.Riley Kansas until he went to Nam in Feb.67.
He was a Doorgunner for 13 months until March 68.
He then went into supply until Oct.68.
Submitted by his wife, Frances Bruno - Minard. (Fran)
 

Ken Foster
Crusader 30
Passed away the morning of May 30, 2002 after a lengthy illness.
We'll all miss him.
Bill King posts the following:
    Ken was the last member of Light Horse, C/3/17 to leave VN.
He had been assigned to go to Saigon, and the rest of the unit left. The guys he was working with said that he was going to have to leave for the freedom bird, but he told them that he still had stuff in his room back at Vinh Long. These guys said that the base had been turned over to the Arvins for over three weeks and that his shit was long gone.....but Ken insisted on getting a ride to Vinh Long to get his stuff.
When he got there the base was trashed and all hootches had been ransacked. He opened the door to his hootch, and everything was just as he had left it.
The skull was in the rafters, just inside the door, and facing the entrance......
He got his stuff, packed it up, waved goodbye to the skull, and flew back to get on the freedom bird.
As far as he knew, the room and skull are still untouched......
    That's all I know about Ken, other than that he had a great sense of humor, and was really upset that his health prevented him from attending our reunions.
 

Olson, Kenneth G. E-5
 28 January 2002


Haske, Ronald L. E-5
 24 September 2001

Wigfall, Abraham E-6
 3 June 2001


Griffin, Joseph E.  E-6
12 February 2001


Roger Hinen
War Wagon Crewchief
Died October 15, 2000.
He was found in his van that was parked in a church parking lot.
Cause of death is unknown.
He was my friend and a true brother.
Submitted by Ron Quezada
Prez. Black Knights Association
 

Jacobs, Robert N.   E-5
9 May 2000


Simon, David F. E-3
 21February 2000


Traweek, James L.  E-4
 23 July 1999


McManusThomas G. 1Lt.
  19 October 1998


Larry Nobles
Long Knife Pilot

Passed away on Tuesday Aug. 18th 1998,

after a long battle with a brain tumor.
I considered Larry to be a fine pilot and a Friend.
He will be missed.
  The family asks that he be remembered by making donations to:
The Americian Brain Tumor Assoc.
2720 River Road
Suite 146
Des Plains IL 60018
Submitted by Paul Zaneske
D Trp 3/5 Cav
Vinh Long 70-71
Lemoore CA.
 

Merle McClendon

Don,  I spoke with you at the reunion about Merle McClendon having died several years ago. I got a hold of his daughter and he died July 10, 1998. Merle was a cobra crew chief and I do recall one of his pilots was Tony Bankston, but I am not sure who’s ship he crewed after Tony left Vietnam. Merle came to Vinh Long about the same time I did in January 1970. Maybe you remember, but they had a deal where you could leave just before Christmas 1970 if you had like 11 months in. That’s what Merle did. He bunked across the hall from Ed Owens and I. If you look through those slides, there is a picture of him and I standing there with each of us holding a hammer. That was the day the lifer’s made us tear down the plywood partitions in our barracks. Please add Merle to our roll call. His daughter said Merle would was proud to serve with us and she really liked the idea someone else is saying his name and remembering.

Best Regards,
 Jerry & Patti Bottorff


Carstens, Ronald E.  E-5 
        
  22 July 1998


Christopher, James W.  E-6   
        23 June 1997


SSG George Bartnicki
George was with us in Vinh Long.
He passed away on September 26, 1996 as a result of Lung Cancer
Submitted by his son, Stanley E. Jones
Photo
 

Fiveash, Nelson   E-7
 
  
14 Jan 1996

Joseph E. Robinson
War Wagon Crewchief, 70-71
Passed away in 1995 from Colon Cancer
Submitted by Rick Waite via Joe's Dad.
 

Ltc. (ret) Allan "Ace" Cozzallio
Warwagon 10
Crusader 36
Passed away on April 30, 1993 after failed heart transplant attempt.
Link to Family Memorial at VHPA
 

CWO Dennis "Can-Do" Kennedy
Soc Trang Tiger
Long Knife Pilot
Cancer
1993
Submitted by Pat Ross
 

Montgomery, Clarence    E-4
19 July 1992


Cpt. John Mac Cray
Crusader 36
Heart Attack
1991
 

Worthington, Reid G.   E-3
 23 August 1991


David Dacus
Doughboy
July 1990

Heart Attack
 

Anthony (Tony) Zimecki
Crusader Pilot
10 March, 1989
Airplane Crash in Titusville, Fl.
 

Joseph Green
Long Knife Door Gunner in 1969 & 70
  December 1988
Sent in by his son Jeremy
 

Kimmel, Robert F.   E-3
 6 September 1988


Carlos "Charlie" Nunez
Doughboy
Passed away in August 1988

Weedman, Kenneth L.  E-3
    February 1987


Jetter, Larry    CW-2
December 1986

Callis, William G. JR

CW2 William "Jinx" G. Callis, Jr.  died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/01/1984 at the age of 37 (Exact date not known.)
 He had fishing alone in the Gulf of Mexico. Boat was recovered without Callis's body.
Flight Class 68-521
Date of Birth 08/05/1947
Served in Vietnam with D/3/5 CAV in 69-70
This information was provided to VHPA by Samuel P. Munn


Martin, Roy A.   E-5
  January 1983


Johnston, Robert F.  WO-1
August 1981


Hartwick, Edward A.  E-5
  February 1975


Romanski, John H. WO-1
  February 1975


Springs, George W.   E-4
    September 1975


WO Thomas E. Boeshore
War Wagon pilot in 1968
Listed by VHPA as "Died after training in an auto accident" in the VHPA directory.
He and his wife died in a car wreck on their honeymoon in 1975.

 Submitted by JB West
&
Les "Same Same" Smith
 

Captain Jon Swanson
Served with D Troop on his first tour, 1966-67.
Doughboy Platoon Leader/Aviator
KIA in February 1971.
He was on his second tour and flying Scouts with B Troop 1/9th.
Shot down while supporting ARVNs in Cambodia.
Listed as BNR he was awarded the DSC.
On may 1, 2002 President George Bush Presented Jon's family with the Congressional Medal of Honor that he was awarded for the same action.
He was interred with his gunner/observer Staff sergeant Larry Harrison, at Arlington on May 3rd.
Representatives from the 3/5th Cavalry were present.
Citation

Read Comments by fellow 1/9th CAV Troopers.
Read comments by Black Knight who attended the interment.
Vern Delaware Returns MIA Bracelett.
A letter to President Bush from Kent Converse

Memorial




CWO Robert "Smitty" Smith
War Wagon 19
Date or cause of death is unknown


These dates and other data may not be correct.
I'm sure there are other guys who have passed away that we don't know about.





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