| 2002 Jan-Feb |
MEDEVAC
15th MED\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main
Copperas Cove, TX 76522 1704
254-542-1961
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
http://ascca.ecorp.net
http://communities.msn.com/15thMEDASSOCIATION/_whatsnew.msnw
Barry B. SNYDER <BARRYBS>of Houston, TX wrote in to say, "I
am trying to contact anyone who served with the 15th MED Bn
in 1965 or 1966. I was sent over with the 15th TC Bn, 1st Air
Cav Div, (Airmobile) after the change from the 11th Air
Assault Div to 1st."
Ron STRUB <REDHOT_RON@HOTMAIL.COM>of LaCrescent, MN 55947
wrote in to mention, "I was with Co C, 15th MED at Fort
Benning & Vietnam in '65 & 66'. I went to my 1st ever 1st Cav
get together at Washington DC over Veterans Day for the Ia
Drang reuion & it was great after 35 years. - Ron"
Larry L. ASH <LASH@BLRG.TDS.NET>2\12 11B and MEDEVAC door
gunner '70-'71 of 15th Med Association
<HTTP: 15thmedassociation communities.msn.com>signs in,
"Once again I traveled here for solace and, now, solitude.
Snore, I think it is at this time of year that I miss your
presence most. I think of Anne, your wife of 100 years
as well as Chris and his family; especially, Alyssa, whom you
loved so very much. Once again, this holiday season, they are
in our prayers. Rest well, my friend. LASH"
Cathy SALLENGER <BSALNGR@FGI.NET>wrote to say, "I am married
to William J. SALLENGER, nephew of deceased Bill SALLENGER.
Have heard many many stories about him. I know his memory is
still very much alive in his family and friends." I had flown
with the Mr. SALLENGER in 1970. He was one of our great
MEDEVAC pilots-SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE.
Television's The Army News Watch had an article about the
Warrant Officer Candidate School. They showed how much the
warrant officer candidates train to perfection. I personally
never had any idea that they trained that way but I, like
everyone else who have observed U.S. Army warrant officers on
the job, know that they truely are perfection minded.
SNORE's wife Anne <MARYSHERMAN@JUNO.COM>whose Home page
title is: "Sunshine, Raindrops, and Unicorns"
<HTTP: poetic1 ascca.ecorp.net>typed, "I wish all the
"brothers" and their loved ones a great New year. Thank you
for keeping my family and me in your thoughts and for keeping
in touch this very difficult year. You all meant so much to
Snore and that makes you very special to me. Chris, Christy,
Alyssa and I are looking forward to a great New Year as
we move on."
Ruth BROOKS KADE <JASMINE@STARGATE.NET>from WV writes:
"Would love to have contact with anyone who served with my
husband SFC James H. BROOKS Jr. He was killed on April 25th
1970. Thanks, Ruth"
SFC BROOKS was one of the Air Ambulance Platoon's aircraft
maintenace sergeants. They had a bad crash out of Phouc Vinh
on a test flight on the date that his wife mentions above.
There were also others killed. Those of us in Phouc Vinh went
out to bring them in. I remember working on one of the
others, SP6 CONWAY, (James Thaddeus), who was in a solid coma
and who eventually died. One other death that day that I see
listed on <THEWALL-USA.COM>casualties for that day was W1
Rodney Kieth ARNOLD. I did not know Mr. ARNOLD. Three of four
of Sergeant BROOKS' children have been awarded 1st Cav Assn.
scholarships over the years since he died in 1st Cav service.
MEDEVAC PSG James MCDONALD '70-'71 seeks to remind us: "It's
time for a wake up call. We need to revive the MEDEVAC PLT!
Sound the Bugle !!! Get your foot on the Skid............."
Larry ASH replies, "Sarge, my foot's been on the skid for the
past 31+ years. Why don't you contact good old Mike SMITH at
<MVANCO@AOL.COM>and help us stir the crap a bit? It seems
that as time passes, we lose a lot of activity from our
membership. Perhaps, the novelty has worn off. Go ahead and
call formation (where no one shows)! Thanks for all your
posts. Do you think you can take up some of the slack? Some
of us old farts have nothing left, but old farts."
Mike SMITH says, "To all members: Sorry if we havent been
able to get a hold of you to info you of Sherman (SNORE)
BREEDEN's passing away the 28th of January. As you know he is
the man who has started our Web site and formed 15th MED
Assn. He will be missed very much in our ranks and many
others. tater"
And more from LASH: "I would, simply, add my feelings of loss
and sorrow for the passing of Sherman. I came into contact
with Sherman and Ann some six years ago and found "Snore's",
unfailing, passion to reunite with his brother-soldiers to
be refreshing, in a cynical world, as well as, wonderfully
contagious. Because of Sherman's efforts, we have been
afforded the opportunity to unite and prosper as an
association. I salute you: Sherman 'SNORE' BREEDEN."
Russell WARRINER <BLUEMAX@BLUEMAX-ARA-ASSOC.ORG>OF 2\20
A.R.A. passed along, "I was contacted by Thomas BREAUX who
also was with 15 MED. He is trying to make contact with a
pilot whom he helped pull out of the front seat of an
aircraft, Cobra he thinks, and from 2\20 he also thinks. He
also thinks it was in early 1969. I am going to try to work
with him on this to see if we can locate the pilot or someone
that knows who he was."
Clifford DAVIS who is unable to type or write called from
(843)572-8043, says that he was in B Co. 15th MED and MEDEVAC
'66-'67. He would like to talk to anyone who knows about B
2\5 Cav taking extraordinary casualties out of LZ Oasis
during that time, it is still bothering his mind. Please give
him a call if you are knowledgeable.
Claude NEWBY <CDNEWBY@EARTHLINK.NET>sent over excerpts from
his books which I had requested so that those of us who have
not read his books will know a little about what he has
written:
"On September 1, 1967, 2000 hours east of the Bong Son Plain,
well after full dark, we headed down the very steep north
face of the mountain, slipping, sliding, holding on to limbs
and whatever to maintain our place in formation and avoid
falling into the abyss. Thirty minutes into the descent and
about a third of the way down the mountain Pfc. Michael
MCCORD fell into a depression. The medics and I feared
MCCORD's back or neck might be broken--he had no movement
from the neck down.
"A few minutes later a MEDEVAC chopper crept into the
extremely narrow draw and performed one of the hairiest, most
heroic extraction I ever witnessed--and I had an unenviable
bird's eye view.
"The pilot moved his chopper very carefully into the draw
until the main rotor was chopping grass a few feet below me,
to its front and across the draw. Hovering there, the pilot
held the chopper steady in the air, while the crew chief
lowered a litte r by hoist and cable. Then below the chopper,
disregarding the whirling blades over their heads, the
platoon medic and infantrymen immobilized MCCORD in the
litter. After hoisting MCCORD up, the pilot eased his chopper
backwards until it had space to bank and drop toward the
valley to pick up speed, almost too late.
"Naturally, the rescue operation required the use of the
MEDEVAC chopper's landing lights, and these attracted the
enemy. Fortunately, though, the rough terrain slowed the
enemy's efforts to get into position to shoot down the
hovering chopper. Their first shots came just as the chopper
banked and dived, at 2230 hours, and missed! Hats off the a
very brave, unnammed MEDEVAC crew."
You can order It Took Heroes I and It Took Heroes II from
Claude NEWBY by contacting him at <CDNEWBY@EARTHLINK.NET>
or by ordering direct from Tribute Enterprises at 641 W 3300
S., Bountiful, UT 84101.
Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the
world; over and out.
FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 Cav 1969
MEDEVAC 1-7\1970
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE
15th MED\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main
Copperas Cove, TX 76522 1704
254-542-1961
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
http://ascca.ecorp.net
http://communities.msn.com/15thMEDASSOCIATION/_whatsnew.msnw
Barry B. SNYDER <BARRYBS>of Houston, TX wrote in to say, "I
am trying to contact anyone who served with the 15th MED Bn
in 1965 or 1966. I was sent over with the 15th TC Bn, 1st Air
Cav Div, (Airmobile) after the change from the 11th Air
Assault Div to 1st."
Ron STRUB <REDHOT_RON@HOTMAIL.COM>of LaCrescent, MN 55947
wrote in to mention, "I was with Co C, 15th MED at Fort
Benning & Vietnam in '65 & 66'. I went to my 1st ever 1st Cav
get together at Washington DC over Veterans Day for the Ia
Drang reuion & it was great after 35 years. - Ron"
Larry L. ASH <LASH@BLRG.TDS.NET>2\12 11B and MEDEVAC door
gunner '70-'71 of 15th Med Association
<HTTP: 15thmedassociation communities.msn.com>signs in,
"Once again I traveled here for solace and, now, solitude.
Snore, I think it is at this time of year that I miss your
presence most. I think of Anne, your wife of 100 years
as well as Chris and his family; especially, Alyssa, whom you
loved so very much. Once again, this holiday season, they are
in our prayers. Rest well, my friend. LASH"
Cathy SALLENGER <BSALNGR@FGI.NET>wrote to say, "I am married
to William J. SALLENGER, nephew of deceased Bill SALLENGER.
Have heard many many stories about him. I know his memory is
still very much alive in his family and friends." I had flown
with the Mr. SALLENGER in 1970. He was one of our great
MEDEVAC pilots-SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE.
Television's The Army News Watch had an article about the
Warrant Officer Candidate School. They showed how much the
warrant officer candidates train to perfection. I personally
never had any idea that they trained that way but I, like
everyone else who have observed U.S. Army warrant officers on
the job, know that they truely are perfection minded.
SNORE's wife Anne <MARYSHERMAN@JUNO.COM>whose Home page
title is: "Sunshine, Raindrops, and Unicorns"
<HTTP: poetic1 ascca.ecorp.net>typed, "I wish all the
"brothers" and their loved ones a great New year. Thank you
for keeping my family and me in your thoughts and for keeping
in touch this very difficult year. You all meant so much to
Snore and that makes you very special to me. Chris, Christy,
Alyssa and I are looking forward to a great New Year as
we move on."
Ruth BROOKS KADE <JASMINE@STARGATE.NET>from WV writes:
"Would love to have contact with anyone who served with my
husband SFC James H. BROOKS Jr. He was killed on April 25th
1970. Thanks, Ruth"
SFC BROOKS was one of the Air Ambulance Platoon's aircraft
maintenace sergeants. They had a bad crash out of Phouc Vinh
on a test flight on the date that his wife mentions above.
There were also others killed. Those of us in Phouc Vinh went
out to bring them in. I remember working on one of the
others, SP6 CONWAY, (James Thaddeus), who was in a solid coma
and who eventually died. One other death that day that I see
listed on <THEWALL-USA.COM>casualties for that day was W1
Rodney Kieth ARNOLD. I did not know Mr. ARNOLD. Three of four
of Sergeant BROOKS' children have been awarded 1st Cav Assn.
scholarships over the years since he died in 1st Cav service.
MEDEVAC PSG James MCDONALD '70-'71 seeks to remind us: "It's
time for a wake up call. We need to revive the MEDEVAC PLT!
Sound the Bugle !!! Get your foot on the Skid............."
Larry ASH replies, "Sarge, my foot's been on the skid for the
past 31+ years. Why don't you contact good old Mike SMITH at
<MVANCO@AOL.COM>and help us stir the crap a bit? It seems
that as time passes, we lose a lot of activity from our
membership. Perhaps, the novelty has worn off. Go ahead and
call formation (where no one shows)! Thanks for all your
posts. Do you think you can take up some of the slack? Some
of us old farts have nothing left, but old farts."
Mike SMITH says, "To all members: Sorry if we havent been
able to get a hold of you to info you of Sherman (SNORE)
BREEDEN's passing away the 28th of January. As you know he is
the man who has started our Web site and formed 15th MED
Assn. He will be missed very much in our ranks and many
others. tater"
And more from LASH: "I would, simply, add my feelings of loss
and sorrow for the passing of Sherman. I came into contact
with Sherman and Ann some six years ago and found "Snore's",
unfailing, passion to reunite with his brother-soldiers to
be refreshing, in a cynical world, as well as, wonderfully
contagious. Because of Sherman's efforts, we have been
afforded the opportunity to unite and prosper as an
association. I salute you: Sherman 'SNORE' BREEDEN."
Russell WARRINER <BLUEMAX@BLUEMAX-ARA-ASSOC.ORG>OF 2\20
A.R.A. passed along, "I was contacted by Thomas BREAUX who
also was with 15 MED. He is trying to make contact with a
pilot whom he helped pull out of the front seat of an
aircraft, Cobra he thinks, and from 2\20 he also thinks. He
also thinks it was in early 1969. I am going to try to work
with him on this to see if we can locate the pilot or someone
that knows who he was."
Clifford DAVIS who is unable to type or write called from
(843)572-8043, says that he was in B Co. 15th MED and MEDEVAC
'66-'67. He would like to talk to anyone who knows about B
2\5 Cav taking extraordinary casualties out of LZ Oasis
during that time, it is still bothering his mind. Please give
him a call if you are knowledgeable.
Claude NEWBY <CDNEWBY@EARTHLINK.NET>sent over excerpts from
his books which I had requested so that those of us who have
not read his books will know a little about what he has
written:
"On September 1, 1967, 2000 hours east of the Bong Son Plain,
well after full dark, we headed down the very steep north
face of the mountain, slipping, sliding, holding on to limbs
and whatever to maintain our place in formation and avoid
falling into the abyss. Thirty minutes into the descent and
about a third of the way down the mountain Pfc. Michael
MCCORD fell into a depression. The medics and I feared
MCCORD's back or neck might be broken--he had no movement
from the neck down.
"A few minutes later a MEDEVAC chopper crept into the
extremely narrow draw and performed one of the hairiest, most
heroic extraction I ever witnessed--and I had an unenviable
bird's eye view.
"The pilot moved his chopper very carefully into the draw
until the main rotor was chopping grass a few feet below me,
to its front and across the draw. Hovering there, the pilot
held the chopper steady in the air, while the crew chief
lowered a litte r by hoist and cable. Then below the chopper,
disregarding the whirling blades over their heads, the
platoon medic and infantrymen immobilized MCCORD in the
litter. After hoisting MCCORD up, the pilot eased his chopper
backwards until it had space to bank and drop toward the
valley to pick up speed, almost too late.
"Naturally, the rescue operation required the use of the
MEDEVAC chopper's landing lights, and these attracted the
enemy. Fortunately, though, the rough terrain slowed the
enemy's efforts to get into position to shoot down the
hovering chopper. Their first shots came just as the chopper
banked and dived, at 2230 hours, and missed! Hats off the a
very brave, unnammed MEDEVAC crew."
You can order It Took Heroes I and It Took Heroes II from
Claude NEWBY by contacting him at <CDNEWBY@EARTHLINK.NET>
or by ordering direct from Tribute Enterprises at 641 W 3300
S., Bountiful, UT 84101.
Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the
world; over and out.
FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 Cav 1969
MEDEVAC 1-7\1970
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE
