| 2009 Mar-Apr |
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
I received a phone call from Charles FREEMAN who was in G 1-8
Cav in 1950. He was reassigned to the 15th QM after being
wounded. He said that he was recently put on the Board of
Directors for the 8th Cav. If you would like to contact him,
call the 1st Cav Div. Assn. HQ.
Monty HALCOMB <medevac08@hotmail.com> posted: "Bugs MORAN was
a C Battery {2-20 A.R.A.} Blue Max pilot '70-'71 who covered
quite a few of our MEDEVAC missions. One particular mission
out of Quan Loi, he flew his Cobra between us (Hank TUELL and
me) to take the enemy fire for us - Bugs had expended his
ammo. We were able to extract the critically wounded (plus
one dog) with minimal damage. Bugs' Cobra took pretty heavy
damage.
"If you'd like to sign the guest book at his funeral parlor,
here's the link: <http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries
/obituary.cfm?o_id=220490&f h_id=10707>"
Monty also replied to me, "Mike, Monty HALCOMB, MEDEVAC 8,
'70-'71. We flew together, as I recall! I was in the same
pilot group as Lee CAUBARREAUX (MEDEVAC Meadow), Tom TRIFIRO,
and Craig HOLLENBECK."
Lou ESPOSITO <CASASITO@AOL.COM> of Davie, FL, comments:
"I was with B Co. 15th MED LZ Buttons from 01\'70 until
11\'70. I was the cook that burned down the mess tent."
Jim BRODIE <jbr8519738@aol.com> in Columbus, GA, signed the
Guestbook, "'65\'66. TI along with John BUBELA. Don't
recognize any names. I stayed at An Khe and only saw the
crews when in for maint. Sorry I didn't get to know you all.
Best to you all."
Ronald INGRAM <papillion251@aol.com> at Papillion, NE {?}
writes, "A great spread on 15th MED\MEDEVAC. Medic '66\'67 on
{aircraft} 499 577.
David FLOYD <webmaster@alpha2-7cav.com> from Warren, MN,
requests, "I would like to locate a Native American (Tribe is
unknown) who was with A 2-7 Cav on 13 June 1969 when he was
shot through both lungs. Later on in '70\'71 I met him in the
chow line at Fitzsimmons Hospital. He was working there and I
was a patient."
Jim CALIBRO, MEDEVAC 6\'67-6\'68, <jimcc4@att.net> Modesto,
CA, mentions, "Sure seems strange with the MSN Website down
and out. No way to see who will be at the next Reunion;
Myrtle Beach 4\2-4\5\09. I'm sure Murray will come up with
something to re-establish the Reunion list.
"For those who haven't been to one of the Reunions yet you
are missing out on a lot of fun & reminiscing with old
friends."
Webmaster\Past President 2003-2006 15th MED Association
Murray GIBBS, MEDEVAC '67-'68 <gunnermadmur@neo.rr.com>
e-mails, "FYI, I received this e-mail from Cliff DAVIS' wife.
E-mail address: <cliffdavis@comcast.net>.
""I am sending out this quick update on Cliff. He is in Roper
Hospital here in Charleston, SC. They have diagnosed him with
advanced pancreatic cancer. He will be getting a port put in
tomorrow afternoon, and then will be getting chemo. Our
doctors are keeping him pain free. I'm sorry I am just
getting this news to you, but he was only diagnosed after
severe abdominal pain started on January 5th. Pass the word
if you can as I am not able to reach everyone. Please keep
him and me in your thoughts and prayers. Sherie DAVIS'
"The 2009 Reunion is one and a half months away. I put a
picture of the Registration Form in the Feb. Newsletter. Just
right click with the mouse and then print picture.
Link to the newsletter: <http://www.15thmedassociation.com
/Newsletters/2009FebNewsletter.html>"
"I have some bad news about the MSN Website. MSN plans to
shut down all of the <groups.msn.com>. I got this e-mail
about it stating that I had three options: '1. Do the
migration. 2. Start from scratch. 3. Move all the files to a
storage place on MSN.'
"Well, to do 1. and 3., 1. needs to be a Group Manager. I am
only an assistant manager of the MSN Website, thus I can not
do the migration which would be the option I would take. I
called the 2. Group Managers of the MSN Website to get their
e-mail address and password to make that happen. Smitty (Mike
SMITH) gave me what he has as e-mail and a password; it did
not work. I also call Larry ASH two times and left messages.
He never responded. Today is the last day for the Website and
it is all gone. I have the most important stuff on the Main
Website at <www.15thmedassociation.com>. We will be losing
the discussion board stuff and all those pictures that the
members posted. I am going in and try to capture all the
profiles members left.
"The last few days I have not been able to edit anything
because of what is going to happen. I did do a screen capture
of the Reunion List and a certain discussion on the
Discussion Board that is of historical interest. The rest we
will lose. Members will need to start using the FORUMS of the
main Website.
"This means I have a lot of work ahead for me to update some
of the screens on the main Website. I know there are going to
be a lot of questions about this. One thing is for sure, I
have full control of the main Website. One counter measure
that needs to be done is break in a couple of members on how
I setup the main Website. The access name and password of our
main Website needs to be in several hands along with all the
files of it. This must be determined at the 2009 Reunion to
insure that this doesn't happen again. Luckily, last year I
had all the main Website on my computer and was able
to reestablish it on another server and at an excellent
monthly price."
Jim BELAIR <JBelairE6@aol.com> forwards a correspondence with
Dorr JOHNSON: "Well it was nice to hear from you and I am
going to pass your name and e-mail address to everyone I know
who was with the 15th MED. We will be having a Reunion in
April."
Dorr JOHNSON <oldcop47@hotmail.com> wrote:
"Jim, I just found the 15th MED Website. Saw the pictures you
have posted there. I was attached to 15th MEDEVAC at Phouc
Vinh in late '69 to early '70. Pictures brought back many
memories. One of the pictures is by a Huey. In the picture is
a dog. I had a dog there, left her with the MEDEVAC guys when
I ETSed in April '70. Her name was Pizon. She looked a lot
like the dog in your picture. I do not remember the bear but
do remember Jo Jo the monkey. Jo Jo once grabbed my little
transistor radio and ran up on top the hootch with it.
"I didn't do ANYTHING heroic, just patched up the Hueys and
flew around a little. Have the GREATEST respect for those of
you who flew everyday. I went home just before Mr. RODNEY,
SFC BROOKS, and my friend Jim CONWAY crashed. Regards."
From Robert L. TERRELL <bobterrell@optonline.net>, "Hi Mike,
I was MEDEVACed out of Bong Son Valley, at about 0730 hrs, on
the 31st of May 1967. We were getting ready to go on a pony
team, recon mission, at 0700hrs, when a grenade came rolling
in on us, and it went off and caused M-79 rounds to blow up
as well. I was wounded by shrapnel, along with seven of my
men. One EM had to stay behind, as there was no room for him
in the MEDEVAC chopper. All of my men received a Purple
Heart-even the one EM that stayed behind; except me. I was
treated by a nurse. After pulling the shrapnel out of my
shoulder, she then put some lotion on my left shoulder and
put some gauze and tape on it, to stop the bleeding. After
awhile I talked to a doctor about my men's injuries, and I
was given a shot to calm me down. There were no beds left as
they were all filled up. I had to sit outside the tent on the
sand bags. After awhile I left and went back to the field to
my unit. I am trying to find out who was the Medic, attached
to D Co. 2-8th, 1st Cav Div., and the nurse who treated me,
as well the doctor. The head doc was LTC Donald A. NIXON,
Dep. G1 at B Co. 15th Medical Field Hospital at LZ English in
Bong Son.
"Apparently they never signed me in, so there is no record at
the hospital, so I need more information to present and prove
I was there that morning. If anybody can help me out please
e-mail the information to me."
More from Jim CALIBRO, Secretary\Past President '06-'07
"Marchetti9" <jimcc4@att.net>: "The 2009 Reunion is just
around the corner, a little over a month away. Pete MULFORD
<plm8410@aol.com> has done a great job coordinating the
upcoming Reunion to be held in Myrtle Beach from
4\2-5\09. A lot of responsibility goes into setting up a
Reunion to get things right, but all in all it's worth it.
"This gives us a chance to reunite with old friends and make
new ones. Our wives, girlfriends, family members and friends
are welcomed. They always seem to have a good time. Holly was
trying to put together a brunch for the ladies of the 15th
MED on Sat. afternoon. If interested, please check the box on
the registration form. I was also informed that the pilots
may have a little get together on Friday night 4\03\09. Pete
may have more info. on that.
"If you plan to attend this year's Reunion, please notify our
treasurer, Bob MCKINLEY, at <usaretbob@aol.com>, or Murray
GIBBS at <gunnermadmur@neo.rr.corr> as soon as possible.
Pete will need a head count for dinner, and Bob collects the
fee's.
"Due to the poor economy, I'm looking for suggestions for the
2010 Reunion that would be the most cost effective for our
members. I personally feel that the next Reunion should be
held somewhere in the Midwest (smack dab in the middle of the
United States) like Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma or even Texas.
(Idaho would be cool). Somewhere near a big city to prevent
making additional flight arrangements on a small 'puddle
jumper' to smaller cities. By doing this, more members may be
able to attend the 2010 Reunion, or have the opportunity to
drive rather then fly. I've talked to several members that
were unable to make the last two Reunions, or the upcoming
Reunion, due to distance and the cost of airfare.
If you have any suggestions or are willing to coordinate the
2010 Reunion, shoot me a e-mail at <jimcc4@att.net> and I
will present your proposal at the next general meeting in
Myrtle Beach on Sat 4\4\09, for members present to vote on.
Thanks."
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
I received a phone call from Charles FREEMAN who was in G 1-8
Cav in 1950. He was reassigned to the 15th QM after being
wounded. He said that he was recently put on the Board of
Directors for the 8th Cav. If you would like to contact him,
call the 1st Cav Div. Assn. HQ.
Monty HALCOMB <medevac08@hotmail.com> posted: "Bugs MORAN was
a C Battery {2-20 A.R.A.} Blue Max pilot '70-'71 who covered
quite a few of our MEDEVAC missions. One particular mission
out of Quan Loi, he flew his Cobra between us (Hank TUELL and
me) to take the enemy fire for us - Bugs had expended his
ammo. We were able to extract the critically wounded (plus
one dog) with minimal damage. Bugs' Cobra took pretty heavy
damage.
"If you'd like to sign the guest book at his funeral parlor,
here's the link: <http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries
/obituary.cfm?o_id=220490&f h_id=10707>"
Monty also replied to me, "Mike, Monty HALCOMB, MEDEVAC 8,
'70-'71. We flew together, as I recall! I was in the same
pilot group as Lee CAUBARREAUX (MEDEVAC Meadow), Tom TRIFIRO,
and Craig HOLLENBECK."
Lou ESPOSITO <CASASITO@AOL.COM> of Davie, FL, comments:
"I was with B Co. 15th MED LZ Buttons from 01\'70 until
11\'70. I was the cook that burned down the mess tent."
Jim BRODIE <jbr8519738@aol.com> in Columbus, GA, signed the
Guestbook, "'65\'66. TI along with John BUBELA. Don't
recognize any names. I stayed at An Khe and only saw the
crews when in for maint. Sorry I didn't get to know you all.
Best to you all."
Ronald INGRAM <papillion251@aol.com> at Papillion, NE {?}
writes, "A great spread on 15th MED\MEDEVAC. Medic '66\'67 on
{aircraft} 499 577.
David FLOYD <webmaster@alpha2-7cav.com> from Warren, MN,
requests, "I would like to locate a Native American (Tribe is
unknown) who was with A 2-7 Cav on 13 June 1969 when he was
shot through both lungs. Later on in '70\'71 I met him in the
chow line at Fitzsimmons Hospital. He was working there and I
was a patient."
Jim CALIBRO, MEDEVAC 6\'67-6\'68, <jimcc4@att.net> Modesto,
CA, mentions, "Sure seems strange with the MSN Website down
and out. No way to see who will be at the next Reunion;
Myrtle Beach 4\2-4\5\09. I'm sure Murray will come up with
something to re-establish the Reunion list.
"For those who haven't been to one of the Reunions yet you
are missing out on a lot of fun & reminiscing with old
friends."
Webmaster\Past President 2003-2006 15th MED Association
Murray GIBBS, MEDEVAC '67-'68 <gunnermadmur@neo.rr.com>
e-mails, "FYI, I received this e-mail from Cliff DAVIS' wife.
E-mail address: <cliffdavis@comcast.net>.
""I am sending out this quick update on Cliff. He is in Roper
Hospital here in Charleston, SC. They have diagnosed him with
advanced pancreatic cancer. He will be getting a port put in
tomorrow afternoon, and then will be getting chemo. Our
doctors are keeping him pain free. I'm sorry I am just
getting this news to you, but he was only diagnosed after
severe abdominal pain started on January 5th. Pass the word
if you can as I am not able to reach everyone. Please keep
him and me in your thoughts and prayers. Sherie DAVIS'
"The 2009 Reunion is one and a half months away. I put a
picture of the Registration Form in the Feb. Newsletter. Just
right click with the mouse and then print picture.
Link to the newsletter: <http://www.15thmedassociation.com
/Newsletters/2009FebNewsletter.html>"
"I have some bad news about the MSN Website. MSN plans to
shut down all of the <groups.msn.com>. I got this e-mail
about it stating that I had three options: '1. Do the
migration. 2. Start from scratch. 3. Move all the files to a
storage place on MSN.'
"Well, to do 1. and 3., 1. needs to be a Group Manager. I am
only an assistant manager of the MSN Website, thus I can not
do the migration which would be the option I would take. I
called the 2. Group Managers of the MSN Website to get their
e-mail address and password to make that happen. Smitty (Mike
SMITH) gave me what he has as e-mail and a password; it did
not work. I also call Larry ASH two times and left messages.
He never responded. Today is the last day for the Website and
it is all gone. I have the most important stuff on the Main
Website at <www.15thmedassociation.com>. We will be losing
the discussion board stuff and all those pictures that the
members posted. I am going in and try to capture all the
profiles members left.
"The last few days I have not been able to edit anything
because of what is going to happen. I did do a screen capture
of the Reunion List and a certain discussion on the
Discussion Board that is of historical interest. The rest we
will lose. Members will need to start using the FORUMS of the
main Website.
"This means I have a lot of work ahead for me to update some
of the screens on the main Website. I know there are going to
be a lot of questions about this. One thing is for sure, I
have full control of the main Website. One counter measure
that needs to be done is break in a couple of members on how
I setup the main Website. The access name and password of our
main Website needs to be in several hands along with all the
files of it. This must be determined at the 2009 Reunion to
insure that this doesn't happen again. Luckily, last year I
had all the main Website on my computer and was able
to reestablish it on another server and at an excellent
monthly price."
Jim BELAIR <JBelairE6@aol.com> forwards a correspondence with
Dorr JOHNSON: "Well it was nice to hear from you and I am
going to pass your name and e-mail address to everyone I know
who was with the 15th MED. We will be having a Reunion in
April."
Dorr JOHNSON <oldcop47@hotmail.com> wrote:
"Jim, I just found the 15th MED Website. Saw the pictures you
have posted there. I was attached to 15th MEDEVAC at Phouc
Vinh in late '69 to early '70. Pictures brought back many
memories. One of the pictures is by a Huey. In the picture is
a dog. I had a dog there, left her with the MEDEVAC guys when
I ETSed in April '70. Her name was Pizon. She looked a lot
like the dog in your picture. I do not remember the bear but
do remember Jo Jo the monkey. Jo Jo once grabbed my little
transistor radio and ran up on top the hootch with it.
"I didn't do ANYTHING heroic, just patched up the Hueys and
flew around a little. Have the GREATEST respect for those of
you who flew everyday. I went home just before Mr. RODNEY,
SFC BROOKS, and my friend Jim CONWAY crashed. Regards."
From Robert L. TERRELL <bobterrell@optonline.net>, "Hi Mike,
I was MEDEVACed out of Bong Son Valley, at about 0730 hrs, on
the 31st of May 1967. We were getting ready to go on a pony
team, recon mission, at 0700hrs, when a grenade came rolling
in on us, and it went off and caused M-79 rounds to blow up
as well. I was wounded by shrapnel, along with seven of my
men. One EM had to stay behind, as there was no room for him
in the MEDEVAC chopper. All of my men received a Purple
Heart-even the one EM that stayed behind; except me. I was
treated by a nurse. After pulling the shrapnel out of my
shoulder, she then put some lotion on my left shoulder and
put some gauze and tape on it, to stop the bleeding. After
awhile I talked to a doctor about my men's injuries, and I
was given a shot to calm me down. There were no beds left as
they were all filled up. I had to sit outside the tent on the
sand bags. After awhile I left and went back to the field to
my unit. I am trying to find out who was the Medic, attached
to D Co. 2-8th, 1st Cav Div., and the nurse who treated me,
as well the doctor. The head doc was LTC Donald A. NIXON,
Dep. G1 at B Co. 15th Medical Field Hospital at LZ English in
Bong Son.
"Apparently they never signed me in, so there is no record at
the hospital, so I need more information to present and prove
I was there that morning. If anybody can help me out please
e-mail the information to me."
More from Jim CALIBRO, Secretary\Past President '06-'07
"Marchetti9" <jimcc4@att.net>: "The 2009 Reunion is just
around the corner, a little over a month away. Pete MULFORD
<plm8410@aol.com> has done a great job coordinating the
upcoming Reunion to be held in Myrtle Beach from
4\2-5\09. A lot of responsibility goes into setting up a
Reunion to get things right, but all in all it's worth it.
"This gives us a chance to reunite with old friends and make
new ones. Our wives, girlfriends, family members and friends
are welcomed. They always seem to have a good time. Holly was
trying to put together a brunch for the ladies of the 15th
MED on Sat. afternoon. If interested, please check the box on
the registration form. I was also informed that the pilots
may have a little get together on Friday night 4\03\09. Pete
may have more info. on that.
"If you plan to attend this year's Reunion, please notify our
treasurer, Bob MCKINLEY, at <usaretbob@aol.com>, or Murray
GIBBS at <gunnermadmur@neo.rr.corr> as soon as possible.
Pete will need a head count for dinner, and Bob collects the
fee's.
"Due to the poor economy, I'm looking for suggestions for the
2010 Reunion that would be the most cost effective for our
members. I personally feel that the next Reunion should be
held somewhere in the Midwest (smack dab in the middle of the
United States) like Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma or even Texas.
(Idaho would be cool). Somewhere near a big city to prevent
making additional flight arrangements on a small 'puddle
jumper' to smaller cities. By doing this, more members may be
able to attend the 2010 Reunion, or have the opportunity to
drive rather then fly. I've talked to several members that
were unable to make the last two Reunions, or the upcoming
Reunion, due to distance and the cost of airfare.
If you have any suggestions or are willing to coordinate the
2010 Reunion, shoot me a e-mail at <jimcc4@att.net> and I
will present your proposal at the next general meeting in
Myrtle Beach on Sat 4\4\09, for members present to vote on.
Thanks."
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