UNITED STATES VETERANS
ALEMANY CLASS OF 1966
Mark Belmont (Air Force)
Bob Cosgrove (Army)
Leonard J. DiTrapani (Vietnam 1969-70)
Les Dunkin (Vietnam 1969-70)
Bobby Guerrero (Vietnam 1969-70)
Robert M. Johnson (Air Force 1970-72)
Wayne Jzyk
Bill Killian (Army, Vietnam 1968-69)
Bill Ludgate
Brad Kopp (Army, Vietnam 1969-70)
Ken Matwiczak (US Army Air Defense Artillery, 1971-93)
Martin D. Molidor (Navy 1969-72)
Bob Morneau (USAF, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Airbase, 1970-72)
Rex Olliff (U.S. Army, Fort Ord 1970-72)
Bob Orlando (Coast Guard, 1970-74)
Jay Pelzer (Air Force, multiple trips into Vietnam 1971-73)
Jim Poltl (Navy, 1966-69)
Guy Proto (USAF, 1969-73)
Ned Ryan (Navy)
Don Soberg (Army Green Berets, Vietnam)
David C. Surges (Viet Nam 1971-72)
Richard Weier (Navy, 1968-71)
Ronald West (Navy, 1969-72)
Details of Service
Bobby Guerrero. Drafted in July, 1968, took an extra year (3 year enlistment) to guarantee a school, ended up in Personnel School. Started active duty 9/30/68. Boot camp and Personnel School at Fort Ord, CA. Also assigned there for an additional 6 months. Shipped out to Vietnam on 10/1/69, landed in Cam Rahn Bay and was assigned to Personnel Services Company (the Fighting 518th PSC, WE DON'T RETREAT, WE BACKSPACE!!). Served 364 days, including 2 visits to Thailand for R&R. Left Viet Nam on 9/30/70 with a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service ... 11/1/70 assigned to Oakland Induction Center in downtown Oakland, at the height of the Black Panther Party movement. Oakland was more dangerous at that time than Cam Rahn Bay, there were daily demonstrations and protests at the Induction Center, including some vandalism caused by explosive devices. Wearing your uniform on the street was a no-no, although the haircuts were a dead giveaway. 7/21/71: Got an "early out" from my enlistment to return to college, was awarded a Joint Services Commendation medal for Meritorious Service. My cousin, Richard Guerrero (AHS '67), an Air Force vet at the same time period, likes to tell me, "We never got a parade." I think anyone who served, wherever they served, deserves the honor of their service. Thanks, Bobby Guerrero
Bob Johnson. Graduated Loyola University in 1970 and was commissioned a 2nd Lt, USAF the same month. Assigned originally to pilot training, but washed out due to a previously unknown eye condition which kept me from flying at night ... Assigned to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City SD from August 1970 to December 1972. Executive officer in the 28th Bomb Wing. We flew B-52's and KC-135s on missions originating in Guam and Thailand (don't know if that is still classified!). Also ran the secondary Airborne Command Post for SAC headquarters on a rotating basis with Offutt AFB. Did some additional training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi MS, was down south right after the big hurricane ... The most positive thing that I did while in the AF was a volunteer assignment rescuing flood victims from the Great Flood of '71 in Rapid City, SD ... God gave me a reprieve on December 24, 1972 (a date which I still celebrate each year with a prayer for my lost friends) and let me resign my commission a year and a half early to head back to law school. Lt RMJBill Killian. I was drafted in 1968 while attending (then) Valley State College. While stationed in Georgia I volunteered to go to Vietnam, spent 13 months there in the Central Highlands attached to a South Vietnamese infantry unit as a radio operator. I stayed an extra month to get out the Army early. That's it for me.
Brad Kopp. I enlisted in the military (Army) in Feb '68, because I knew my draft number was coming up. I was in Vietnam from July '69 until the end of June '70 as a helicopter pilot. Upon my return I was stationed at Fort Wolters, Texas, a basic helicopter training base. I was a helicopter pilot instructor there for three years. I had volunteered to go back to Vietnam a year later but was told no because I was needed as an instructor. Thank goodness, why I wanted to go back is beyond me. But when your 21 years old you think you are infallible. I retired from the Army in 1989. As far as other people in the military I know that Bob Cosgrove was in the US Army for three years but never went to Vietnam.Bill Ludgate. Just to let you know I served at that time but didn't get to go over to Vietnam. Also seeing all these emails since I'm going thru chemo and radiation now is a great help. God bless all of you. Bill Ludgate
Ken Matwiczak. Commissioned 2LT, US Army Air Defense Artillery, West Point, June 1971. Retired as Lieutenant Colonel, August 1993 ... Did not serve IN Vietnam. (Volunteered to do so, but Army had other ideas) ... Places served: Karlsruhe, Germany, 71-74 ... Fort Hood, TX (Killeen - just north of Austin), 75-76 ... Fort Bliss, TX (El Paso), 77, 82-86 ... West Point (Faculty), 79-82 and 89-93 ... Purdue Univ (for Masters Degree on Army time and Army fellowship), 78-79 ... Texas A&M Univ (for Ph.D. on Army time and Army fellowship), 86-89.
Marty Molidor. US Navy Feb 1969 to Dec 1972 ... Bootcamp and tech training (Radioman) San Diego, CA ... Two years NATO Southern HQ, Naples Italy ... 16 Months aboard USS Nashville, Atlantic Amphibious Fleet - Caribbean Ready Group ... We attacked Puerto Rico (with Marines) repeatedly, just in case Cuba ever needed a Thumpin.Bob Morneau. I enlisted in the USAF in September '68, and was immediately shipped to Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Miss. with no training as a security policeman! I learned the hard way! Then off to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Airbase, Thailand, in June, '70 for a year. We were a top-secret base supporting the war effort in a tactical fighter sense. Gunship raids and major rescue missions were staged every day from our
base, and we were always on alert for incoming Pathet Lao sappers and bombers. I had the job of patrolling the perimeters with my "Heavy Weapons" crew, and was trained in mortar weapons by the Green Berets from Nam. The Air Force had a ridiculous policy of sending us on patrol in the jungle off base armed with only a bayonet, after receiving intelligence reports of Pathet Lao activity in the area assassinating village chiefs! I could go on and on. I finally finished at Luke AFB, Arizona, in September, '72.Bob Orlando. I also served during Viet Nam. I was in the Coast Guard (June 70 - Sep 74) with time in Southern Thailand (remember the Stigo visit), in support of our efforts, for 366 days. Went to Con Son Island off the coast of So Viet Nam to assist with operations there on one occasion; flew in and out in a few days. I joined the Coast Guard to stay out of Viet Nam since my brother, Michael (AHS '64), had about all he could handle there; didn't kill him but nearly did in my parents. I came back in June 1972. The Coast Guard had me fly commercial air, TWA, out of Bangkok in civilian cloths, so I would not be hassled or spit on as I went through the terminals. I did look sharp though, in my custom handmade silk suit, but the short hair, that what was left, was my Achilles heel. My friends were supportive, event the hippy law students I hung with in San Francisco. I'm glad I can say I did; would not want to do it again.
Veterans Day is important to me. Having lived in a foreign country and seeing what a vote is worth and that it is worth fighting for, I take pride in my service. I've only missed one privilege to vote since I was of age. The Flag flies over my home everyday and night (with lights; solar lights). I think Ron's apology is not necessary; many served; the unfortunate took the brunt. Anyway, thanks for the thoughts. Regards, Bob O
Jay Pelzer. USAFA 1966-1970 ... Pilot Training 1970-1971 ... Mather AFB, Sacramento 1971-1976 ... multiple trips into Vietnam 1971-1973 ... Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Graduate school 1976-1977 ... Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE SAC Headquarters 1977-1980 ... Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE Pilot, 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing 1980-1982 ... Hellenikon Air Base Athens, Greece 1983 -1987 Chief of Current Operations for Strategic Reconnaissance ... Yakota Air Base Tokyo, Japan 1987-1990 OIC Command Advisory Function ... Retirement July1, 1990.
Guy Proto. I was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. I was in from February 1969 to February 1973. I was stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida for a year and Andrews AFB in Washington DC for three years. I was in the technology end of research and development.
Ron West. Enlisted in the US Navy in Nov. 1969 ... Bootcamp: San Diego, CA ... Air Traffic Control School - Glynco, GA ... 1969 to 1971 Naval Air Station Kingsville, TX ... 1971 to 1972 Naval Air Station Midway Island ... May 1971 to Oct. 1972 Naval Air Station Barbers Point HI "All Navy Volleyball Team" ... Discharged Nov. 1972.
WE SALUTE YOU.
If we missed any of our class's Veterans, please email us
so we can correct it. See email links on main AHS-66
Blog page, above in right column.
http://thewall-usa.com/summary.asp
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/
http://www.military.com/veteransday?
ESRC=ggl_mem_vetday.kw&np=1
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm
Posted Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2006
If we missed any of our class's Veterans, please email us
so we can correct it. See email links on main AHS-66
Blog page, above in right column.
http://thewall-usa.com/summary.asp
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/
http://www.military.com/veteransday?
ESRC=ggl_mem_vetday.kw&np=1
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm
Posted Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2006
6 comments:
Thanks for this Veteran's Day tribute to all of us who served in military in Viet Nam and during that era. I know it is deeply appreciated by all of us who served.
At the Reunion, during the acknowledgments, it was the very first time in my life that I was recognized in a positive manner for being a Viet Nam Veteran. And it meant a Great deal to me as I am sure it did to the others as well. During that time most of us just sneaked back into society trying not to be found out. If we were, because of the unpopularity of that war, we were looked upon with a not so pleasant eye.
Thank you to today's men and women in uniform in the Middle East and around the world, past and present. I think the unanimous support of our troops today has spilled over to help cover us former combat vets of an earlier time. One that was swept under the rug and quickly forgotten by most, but always remained in the conscience minds of those who were there.
If you can remember the mind set back then, there was a draft. Every young man knew that he would more than likely have to serve some time in the Army or another Service branch. It was expected, it was our contribution to our free country. Like or disagree with the war, and most soldiers disagreed, we went because we had to, it was our duty and we all did as we were expected to. We were all just regular guys doing the best we could to come home alive and well and have the satisfaction of knowing we served our county.
Thanks.
Leonard J. DiTrapani
I was at Lancaster's first annual Veterans Day Parade yesterday. It was very touching to see all the Veterans of all ages in uniform and walking or riding in the parade. The parade was very well-attended, and it was also very touching to see and hear the people along the route cheering for the Veterans as they went by. The theme of the parade was "Welcome Home." It was long overdue.
Danny
Thank you for the Veteran’s Day tribute. I found a few words from Georgia Senator Zell Miller that seem so appropriate for our class veterans, especially those who served during the Vietnam era:
"Never in the history of the world has any soldier sacrificed more for the freedom and liberty of total strangers than the American soldier. And, our soldiers don't just give freedom abroad, they preserve it for us here at home.
"For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.
"It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest.
"It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag who gives that protester the freedom he abuses to burn that flag."
God bless all of you that have served. Thank you for serving!
Leo Restrich
I'm so proud of all you vets and so glad that you're home with your families. You all will always be in my prayers.
God Bless,
Juanita (Pacheco) Escobedo
I appreciated reading Char's blog and Len's email about Vietnam. I try telling my girls what it was like to live through the draft and that war, and it is impossible to convey. Even those of us who weren't subject to the draft lived in fear for our brothers and friends. It was so hard to care about these men and still be against the war. That time shaped us. It sensitized us to unnecessary wars that killed people we loved. My husband served in Vietnam. And I am glad for him and all the others who were there that they can now talk about it. Like Len said, you couldn't do that very well back in the 70s. The time period 1962-1968 was revolutionary in both civil society and in the church, and I am glad to have lived through it.
Barbara (Broeski) Tennis
In the spirit of recent e-mails about our Class of '66 members in the military, Vietnam era, and the pathetic, shameful homecoming they received, as well as all the men and women before, after, and currently serving, could you pass on this poem. It's worth the read.
Terry
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "It's really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at "Pearl" on a day in December."
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas "Gram" always remembers.
"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,'
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
~ Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq
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