| 2008 May-Jun |
MEDEVAC
15th MED\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
13010 N Lakeforest Drive
Sun City, AZ 85351-3250
(623)972-4395
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
Web site: http://15thmedassociation.com
Forum:
http://communities.msn.com/15thMEDASSOCIATION/_whats new.msnw
Dan TOOTHMAN (Fang) <MEDEVAC19@msn.com> of Newport News, VA,
signed the Guestbook: "Pilot 1\69-1\70. Best 'job' I had in
29 years flying for the Army. Would welcome contacts from
anyone willing. Would like especially to find Jack DAHLMANN,
CE '68-'69."
Ralph MC GREW <RACS@RACS.NET> from Mt. Horeb, WI, also
signed the Guestbook: "I was in the 15th MED in Korea in
1963, and with the 35th Eng. in Vietnam in 1966."
Terry GARLOCK sent over what he terms a long shot, trying to
identify a MEDEVAC crew. "If anyone knows the MEDEVAC pilots
or crew who flew near Lai Khe in III Corps in December 1969,
please ask them to contact me (tgarlock@mindspring.com).
"My Cobra helicopter was shot down in a firefight near Lai
Khe Dec 17, 1969, and we went down hard. I had a broken back,
legs paralyzed (until after surgery) and the broken bird had
to be destroyed by rocket fire from the air to keep the
weapons, ammo and radios out of enemy hands.
"I would like to know who was flying MEDEVAC to pick me up.
It is not an entirely rational desire, and I have passed on
similar messages myself from grunts who want to find the
MEDEVAC crew who saved their ass, while I knew the chance of
finding them was small.
"In my case, maybe a broken Cobra on the ground would stand
out in memories among so many missions. Maybe someone even
took a photo.
"Please pass it on, and to all MEDEVAC pilots and crews who
see this message, you will never know how many guys think of
you with gratitude for the rest of their life. Terry L.
GARLOCK."
Jim CALIBRO, 15th MED Assn. past president 2006-'07
"Marchetti9" <jimcc4@att.net> had written, "I just wanted to
comment that I'm looking forward to the Reunion in Biloxi.
(April 3rd to April 6th). The Reunions are always special to
Holly and me, because we reunite with old friends, and make
new ones. Everyone we've met, is special to us. I have a lot
of friends, but it's hard to explain to them the bondage we
share, unless they were there. We're all brothers, all of us,
regardless of your job description. This Reunion will be
extra special this year; I will be able to reunite with Randy
BREWER, this year's Reunion host. It will be our 40th
anniversary on Friday, April 4th, 2008, to the day, April
4th, 1968, that we were shot down flying a mission into the
Ashau Valley. Randy and our pilot Larry FENSTERMACHER
were both shot up that day. By the grace of God we were
saved. I'll let Randy buy me a beer or two to celebrate on
that day.
"I'm sorry that some of our brothers won't be able to make it
this year, especially Corky and that funny guy Casey. He kept
us laughing in Portland. You may not be there in body, but
you're not forgotten. Normally I don't get sentimental, but I
have had several health issues in the last two years like a
lot of others, so I just wanted to say what was on my mind.
Clear Right..."
After the Reunion, Jim wrote: "First of all I would like to
comment that we had a great turnout for the Reunion in
Biloxi, MS. Holly and I got caught up in the SNAFU with the
airlines flying home. We went through five airplanes, in two
days, but made it home safely. Two of those planes were
grounded before we had a chance to back out of the gate. We
had to get off and reboard another plane twice. Our luggage
caught up with us four days later.
"Regardless of the SNAFU, we had a great time and everything
was worth it. Our next Reunion will be held at Myrtle Beach,
SC, in April 2009. If you haven't been to a Reunion yet, and
live east of the Mississippi, this will be a good time for
you to go. You'll never regret it.
"There was a member of the 15th MED Assn. at the Reunion who
has made several trips back to Vietnam and is putting
together another trip for a Vietnam tour in Feb. '09. I can't
remember his name, but he was a former supply Sgt. in the
15th MED Bn. around the '66-'67 time period. If anyone has
any info. regarding this trip or the member's name and
address, please forward that info. to me or post it on the
Website. We have several members interested in taking this
trip.
"Congratulations to the new officers of the 15th MED Assn.
I'm sure after talking to Murray, he will be putting out a
newsletter in the next week posting all the information.
Jim CALIBRO, Secretary '08-'09."
PEGGY LUSK <peggylusk@yahoo.com> writes, "I would love to
hear from anyone who knew my brother, SFC James Harrison
BROOKS Jr., in Vietnam. He was a crew chief, killed April
25th, 1970. That is all we know. If anyone knew him; worked
with him; I would like to hear from you.
"All these years, I have believed he is still alive. But,
time has a toll on your mind.
"I miss him. I would like to know what he was like over
there. Just general information. Thanks, his sister, Peggy."
Randy BREWER, MEDEVAC 458\578 SP/5 CE Vietnam '67-'68,
compiled a message, especially for the 15th Medical
Battalion\MEDEVAC brothers who attended the 11th Annual
Reunion at Biloxi. He wanted to thank one and all for coming
and sharing with him in "Katrinaland." He says he believes it
was the most inspirational event in his life.
Randy said talking with Jim CALIBRO, who confided in Randy
that the three times in their tour together that they thought
was the "last," "He and I were together-although we did not
'hang' together that much. It was true, and very touching."
Randy says their Marine friend, Frank PLASS, regressed back
to the night Tet '68 started, and that he and his friends
who were left alive, eleven out of seventy, were lying there
in the rice paddies, wounded and not daring to move, lest
they be shot, having given up all hope of living. Above them
in the night sky appeared three 1st Cav gunships, who
immediately dispatched the enemy, and low and behold, an
angel of mercy in the form of a 1st Cav MEDEVAC appeared and
rescued Frank and his wounded companions.
From that time on, there was no "inner-service" rivalry
between himself and the Army's 1st Cav. Because of MEDEVAC
he says he is alive and well today. The motto of: "SO THAT
OTHERS MAY LIVE" is just as strong and as much alive today as
it was 40 years ago- Jan. 31, 1968.
Larry MOSS <Jorel611@yahoo.com> of Charleston, SC, makes
contact and mentions he was "in country" Jun '68-Sep. '70.
Larry served in 15th MED Bn. during Jan.-Sep. '70 as a
MEDEVAC crew chief. He just wanted to say hello and would
welcome any contact.
Larry wrote a journal about his experiences in Vietnam
several years ago. Here is once excerpt..."As I said in my
last post I am going to tell you about the bravest person I
met both in Vietnam and in my life.
"When I first met Glenn SHUMWAY, I was serving in the MEDEVAC
platoon, 15th Medical Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division.
Our home base was in a little Vietnamese hamlet called Phouc
Vinh. It was in the III Corps region of Vietnam. I had been
'in country' for over fifteen months and I was a flying crew
chief on a MEDEVAC (acronym for medical evacuation)
helicopter. A crew for a MEDEVAC chopper consisted of a
pilot, a co-pilot, a crew chief, a Medic and a machine
gunner. The battalion would forward deploy our units to three
different fire support bases nearer where the troops were
fighting and being wounded. That way the transportation time
to the doctors at the field aid station was significantly
reduced.
"Glenn was a Medic. He and I were about the same age,
nineteen years old. He had been drafted and sent to Army
Medic training before being assigned to duty in Vietnam.
Glenn was a quiet and soft spoken young man. We became
friends as we flew on the same chopper crew for some of the
missions. The crew chief and gunner were assigned to the same
chopper but the medic and pilots rotated between the
choppers. This system gave the crew chief extra incentive to
take care of the maintenance of his chopper.
"There was one thing unique about Glenn. Army medics were
allowed to carry weapons to protect their patients and
themselves if they came under enemy fire. The unique thing
about Glenn was he was a conscientious objector. His
religious beliefs would not allow him to kill another human
being even if he was fired upon. So when he was drafted, he
volunteered for Medic duty so he could serve, but would not
have to carry a weapon. Now, all the other Medics in the
platoon carried and fired weapons when they were in danger,
but not Glenn. Being a MEDEVAC crew chief I had fired the
machine gun mounted on the side of the chopper many times
when I took enemy fire on the way into a hot landing zone to
pick up the wounded.
"So while all the rest of us carried weapons and fired them
when under fire, Glenn would not. His beliefs were so strong
he would rather die than take another human life. He flew the
missions like all the rest of the Medics, came under fire
many times, but never once wavered in his beliefs.
"On one particular mission, the bravery of Glenn was
graphically demonstrated. The MEDEVAC chopper that Glenn was
the Medic on was called to the site where some wounded
infantryman needed to be MEDEVACed. As the site was in the
trees, the chopper could not land. The helicopter hovered
about the wounded men, taking fire all the time. Then Glenn
used a small hoist mounted in the helicopter to go down into
the jungle to take care of the wounded. To evacuate the
wounded, Glenn had to give them first aid and then get them
into a semi-rigid litter so they could be hoisted out of the
jungle. They would then be MEDEVACed to an aid station. All
the while the helicopter was hovering, the Viet Cong soldiers
were firing at the chopper. After hoisting the wounded into
the chopper, Glenn then rode the hoist back into the chopper.
Fortunately the wounded made it back to the hospital and
survived. All the time Glenn took fire, he never hesitated to
help the wounded even though he didn't carry a weapon.
"Glenn was awarded a Silver Star for bravery for the above
action. And for all the times he took fire and risked his
life to save wounded but would never fire back, I call him
the bravest person I know."
When I questioned Larry he replied, "As best as I can
remember I flew with Glenn out of Phouc Vinh, Quan Loi, and
possibly Tay Ninh. I believe it was in the first part of '70
when Glenn got his Silver Star. I think there was a story in
Stars and Stripes about it. I was not flying with Glenn that
day.
"Not sure if you knew, but I also flew as a crew chief with
the 1st Aviation Brigade out of Bien Hoa in '68-'69; 118th
Assault Helicopter Company. I extended after one year to fly
with B Troop 1-9th Cavalry in the last half of '69. I was
shot down in a LOH in the fall of '69 and was MEDEVACed by
15th MED Bn. While healing from my wounds, I extended again
for six months to transfer to MEDEVAC in January '70. I
worked in the maintenance platoon while my broken arm healed.
When I got the cast off I started flying again."
Larry says he believes he remembers meeting me in the 15th
MED Bn. He says my name is familiar. I may have met Larry
briefly, but I never flew with him, and I know we were both
very busy. I was also in MEDEVAC concurrently with Glenn
SHUMWAY, but I rarely, if ever, spoke to him, like other
Medics in MEDEVAC or the infantry during my time. We were all
just too busy, and remote.
I made a lot of commo with Larry MOSS over his initial
contact. I will post more from Larry in subsequent columns.
Webmaster and past president 2003-2006 of the 15th MED Assn,
Murray GIBBS, sends the elected and appointed 15th MED
Association Officers for 2008-2009: President: John CRESPI;
Vice President: Fred MC KELLER; Alt Replacement: John BELAIR.
Secretary: James CALIBRO; Webmaster/dBase Operator: Murray
GIBBS; Search Coordinator & Chaplin: Paul TROOP; Snail Mail
Coordinator: Norm ROBERGE; Reunion Coordinator: Pete MULFORD;
Historians: Paul TROOP & COL William DOWNEY.
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
13010 N Lakeforest Drive
Sun City, AZ 85351-3250
(623)972-4395
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
Web site: http://15thmedassociation.com
Forum:
http://communities.msn.com/15thMEDASSOCIATION/_whats new.msnw
Dan TOOTHMAN (Fang) <MEDEVAC19@msn.com> of Newport News, VA,
signed the Guestbook: "Pilot 1\69-1\70. Best 'job' I had in
29 years flying for the Army. Would welcome contacts from
anyone willing. Would like especially to find Jack DAHLMANN,
CE '68-'69."
Ralph MC GREW <RACS@RACS.NET> from Mt. Horeb, WI, also
signed the Guestbook: "I was in the 15th MED in Korea in
1963, and with the 35th Eng. in Vietnam in 1966."
Terry GARLOCK sent over what he terms a long shot, trying to
identify a MEDEVAC crew. "If anyone knows the MEDEVAC pilots
or crew who flew near Lai Khe in III Corps in December 1969,
please ask them to contact me (tgarlock@mindspring.com).
"My Cobra helicopter was shot down in a firefight near Lai
Khe Dec 17, 1969, and we went down hard. I had a broken back,
legs paralyzed (until after surgery) and the broken bird had
to be destroyed by rocket fire from the air to keep the
weapons, ammo and radios out of enemy hands.
"I would like to know who was flying MEDEVAC to pick me up.
It is not an entirely rational desire, and I have passed on
similar messages myself from grunts who want to find the
MEDEVAC crew who saved their ass, while I knew the chance of
finding them was small.
"In my case, maybe a broken Cobra on the ground would stand
out in memories among so many missions. Maybe someone even
took a photo.
"Please pass it on, and to all MEDEVAC pilots and crews who
see this message, you will never know how many guys think of
you with gratitude for the rest of their life. Terry L.
GARLOCK."
Jim CALIBRO, 15th MED Assn. past president 2006-'07
"Marchetti9" <jimcc4@att.net> had written, "I just wanted to
comment that I'm looking forward to the Reunion in Biloxi.
(April 3rd to April 6th). The Reunions are always special to
Holly and me, because we reunite with old friends, and make
new ones. Everyone we've met, is special to us. I have a lot
of friends, but it's hard to explain to them the bondage we
share, unless they were there. We're all brothers, all of us,
regardless of your job description. This Reunion will be
extra special this year; I will be able to reunite with Randy
BREWER, this year's Reunion host. It will be our 40th
anniversary on Friday, April 4th, 2008, to the day, April
4th, 1968, that we were shot down flying a mission into the
Ashau Valley. Randy and our pilot Larry FENSTERMACHER
were both shot up that day. By the grace of God we were
saved. I'll let Randy buy me a beer or two to celebrate on
that day.
"I'm sorry that some of our brothers won't be able to make it
this year, especially Corky and that funny guy Casey. He kept
us laughing in Portland. You may not be there in body, but
you're not forgotten. Normally I don't get sentimental, but I
have had several health issues in the last two years like a
lot of others, so I just wanted to say what was on my mind.
Clear Right..."
After the Reunion, Jim wrote: "First of all I would like to
comment that we had a great turnout for the Reunion in
Biloxi, MS. Holly and I got caught up in the SNAFU with the
airlines flying home. We went through five airplanes, in two
days, but made it home safely. Two of those planes were
grounded before we had a chance to back out of the gate. We
had to get off and reboard another plane twice. Our luggage
caught up with us four days later.
"Regardless of the SNAFU, we had a great time and everything
was worth it. Our next Reunion will be held at Myrtle Beach,
SC, in April 2009. If you haven't been to a Reunion yet, and
live east of the Mississippi, this will be a good time for
you to go. You'll never regret it.
"There was a member of the 15th MED Assn. at the Reunion who
has made several trips back to Vietnam and is putting
together another trip for a Vietnam tour in Feb. '09. I can't
remember his name, but he was a former supply Sgt. in the
15th MED Bn. around the '66-'67 time period. If anyone has
any info. regarding this trip or the member's name and
address, please forward that info. to me or post it on the
Website. We have several members interested in taking this
trip.
"Congratulations to the new officers of the 15th MED Assn.
I'm sure after talking to Murray, he will be putting out a
newsletter in the next week posting all the information.
Jim CALIBRO, Secretary '08-'09."
PEGGY LUSK <peggylusk@yahoo.com> writes, "I would love to
hear from anyone who knew my brother, SFC James Harrison
BROOKS Jr., in Vietnam. He was a crew chief, killed April
25th, 1970. That is all we know. If anyone knew him; worked
with him; I would like to hear from you.
"All these years, I have believed he is still alive. But,
time has a toll on your mind.
"I miss him. I would like to know what he was like over
there. Just general information. Thanks, his sister, Peggy."
Randy BREWER, MEDEVAC 458\578 SP/5 CE Vietnam '67-'68,
compiled a message, especially for the 15th Medical
Battalion\MEDEVAC brothers who attended the 11th Annual
Reunion at Biloxi. He wanted to thank one and all for coming
and sharing with him in "Katrinaland." He says he believes it
was the most inspirational event in his life.
Randy said talking with Jim CALIBRO, who confided in Randy
that the three times in their tour together that they thought
was the "last," "He and I were together-although we did not
'hang' together that much. It was true, and very touching."
Randy says their Marine friend, Frank PLASS, regressed back
to the night Tet '68 started, and that he and his friends
who were left alive, eleven out of seventy, were lying there
in the rice paddies, wounded and not daring to move, lest
they be shot, having given up all hope of living. Above them
in the night sky appeared three 1st Cav gunships, who
immediately dispatched the enemy, and low and behold, an
angel of mercy in the form of a 1st Cav MEDEVAC appeared and
rescued Frank and his wounded companions.
From that time on, there was no "inner-service" rivalry
between himself and the Army's 1st Cav. Because of MEDEVAC
he says he is alive and well today. The motto of: "SO THAT
OTHERS MAY LIVE" is just as strong and as much alive today as
it was 40 years ago- Jan. 31, 1968.
Larry MOSS <Jorel611@yahoo.com> of Charleston, SC, makes
contact and mentions he was "in country" Jun '68-Sep. '70.
Larry served in 15th MED Bn. during Jan.-Sep. '70 as a
MEDEVAC crew chief. He just wanted to say hello and would
welcome any contact.
Larry wrote a journal about his experiences in Vietnam
several years ago. Here is once excerpt..."As I said in my
last post I am going to tell you about the bravest person I
met both in Vietnam and in my life.
"When I first met Glenn SHUMWAY, I was serving in the MEDEVAC
platoon, 15th Medical Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division.
Our home base was in a little Vietnamese hamlet called Phouc
Vinh. It was in the III Corps region of Vietnam. I had been
'in country' for over fifteen months and I was a flying crew
chief on a MEDEVAC (acronym for medical evacuation)
helicopter. A crew for a MEDEVAC chopper consisted of a
pilot, a co-pilot, a crew chief, a Medic and a machine
gunner. The battalion would forward deploy our units to three
different fire support bases nearer where the troops were
fighting and being wounded. That way the transportation time
to the doctors at the field aid station was significantly
reduced.
"Glenn was a Medic. He and I were about the same age,
nineteen years old. He had been drafted and sent to Army
Medic training before being assigned to duty in Vietnam.
Glenn was a quiet and soft spoken young man. We became
friends as we flew on the same chopper crew for some of the
missions. The crew chief and gunner were assigned to the same
chopper but the medic and pilots rotated between the
choppers. This system gave the crew chief extra incentive to
take care of the maintenance of his chopper.
"There was one thing unique about Glenn. Army medics were
allowed to carry weapons to protect their patients and
themselves if they came under enemy fire. The unique thing
about Glenn was he was a conscientious objector. His
religious beliefs would not allow him to kill another human
being even if he was fired upon. So when he was drafted, he
volunteered for Medic duty so he could serve, but would not
have to carry a weapon. Now, all the other Medics in the
platoon carried and fired weapons when they were in danger,
but not Glenn. Being a MEDEVAC crew chief I had fired the
machine gun mounted on the side of the chopper many times
when I took enemy fire on the way into a hot landing zone to
pick up the wounded.
"So while all the rest of us carried weapons and fired them
when under fire, Glenn would not. His beliefs were so strong
he would rather die than take another human life. He flew the
missions like all the rest of the Medics, came under fire
many times, but never once wavered in his beliefs.
"On one particular mission, the bravery of Glenn was
graphically demonstrated. The MEDEVAC chopper that Glenn was
the Medic on was called to the site where some wounded
infantryman needed to be MEDEVACed. As the site was in the
trees, the chopper could not land. The helicopter hovered
about the wounded men, taking fire all the time. Then Glenn
used a small hoist mounted in the helicopter to go down into
the jungle to take care of the wounded. To evacuate the
wounded, Glenn had to give them first aid and then get them
into a semi-rigid litter so they could be hoisted out of the
jungle. They would then be MEDEVACed to an aid station. All
the while the helicopter was hovering, the Viet Cong soldiers
were firing at the chopper. After hoisting the wounded into
the chopper, Glenn then rode the hoist back into the chopper.
Fortunately the wounded made it back to the hospital and
survived. All the time Glenn took fire, he never hesitated to
help the wounded even though he didn't carry a weapon.
"Glenn was awarded a Silver Star for bravery for the above
action. And for all the times he took fire and risked his
life to save wounded but would never fire back, I call him
the bravest person I know."
When I questioned Larry he replied, "As best as I can
remember I flew with Glenn out of Phouc Vinh, Quan Loi, and
possibly Tay Ninh. I believe it was in the first part of '70
when Glenn got his Silver Star. I think there was a story in
Stars and Stripes about it. I was not flying with Glenn that
day.
"Not sure if you knew, but I also flew as a crew chief with
the 1st Aviation Brigade out of Bien Hoa in '68-'69; 118th
Assault Helicopter Company. I extended after one year to fly
with B Troop 1-9th Cavalry in the last half of '69. I was
shot down in a LOH in the fall of '69 and was MEDEVACed by
15th MED Bn. While healing from my wounds, I extended again
for six months to transfer to MEDEVAC in January '70. I
worked in the maintenance platoon while my broken arm healed.
When I got the cast off I started flying again."
Larry says he believes he remembers meeting me in the 15th
MED Bn. He says my name is familiar. I may have met Larry
briefly, but I never flew with him, and I know we were both
very busy. I was also in MEDEVAC concurrently with Glenn
SHUMWAY, but I rarely, if ever, spoke to him, like other
Medics in MEDEVAC or the infantry during my time. We were all
just too busy, and remote.
I made a lot of commo with Larry MOSS over his initial
contact. I will post more from Larry in subsequent columns.
Webmaster and past president 2003-2006 of the 15th MED Assn,
Murray GIBBS, sends the elected and appointed 15th MED
Association Officers for 2008-2009: President: John CRESPI;
Vice President: Fred MC KELLER; Alt Replacement: John BELAIR.
Secretary: James CALIBRO; Webmaster/dBase Operator: Murray
GIBBS; Search Coordinator & Chaplin: Paul TROOP; Snail Mail
Coordinator: Norm ROBERGE; Reunion Coordinator: Pete MULFORD;
Historians: Paul TROOP & COL William DOWNEY.
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