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
the new site: http://15thmedassociation.org
For the 2002 15th MED Reunion scheduled in Denver, CO, 29
June-01 July, go to the Web site for it:
<HTTP: homepage.htm pmartin2237.tripod.com>or contact Pat
MARTIN <PMARTIN2237@AOL.COM>. After that Reunion you can
drive down the road to Colorado Springs and attend the 55th
Annual First Cav Division Reunion from 03 July-07 July.
Colorado Springs is about 70 miles south of Denver, so if one
was thinking about attending both reunions they should keep
this in mind as there are places to stay along the I-25
corridor between the two cities.
Cameron MARSALA <RUGER270BOLT@HOTMAIL.COM>from Buffalo, MO
wrote, "I was checking out your site, and would like to thank
you, for helping getting my brother back home. PFC
Christopher MARSALA, C-1/12. Thanks so much."
Murray T. GIBBS <MRMADMUR@AOL.COM>of Berlin Center, OH
signed into the Guestbook: "Hi Guys, I was in the 15th Med
Battalion from August 1967 to June 1967. I flew as a door
gunner in the Air Ambulance Platoon. I remember Corky WALSH,
Terry BALDWIN, Capt LONG, Major GOODMAN, Major NORRIS and
more of the guys I flew with. I am Gunner GIBBS and remember
LZ Uplift, LZ English, Camp Radcliff and later going up to
Camp Evans and the Ashau Valley. The battle of Hue I will
never forget because it was very trying times for crews of
the MEDEVAC.
"UH-1H Hueys, 453, 454, 455, and the rest, are still numbers
that I, and the rest of the guys that flew on them, will
never forget. I just recently talked with Roger BOUYER who
called me yesterday and told me about the site. I hope I can
contribute to the site in the near future.......Later Gunner
GIBBS."
Murray goes on to say, "I was a door gunner in the MEDEVAC
Platoon 15th Medical Battalion Aug '67 to June '68. Wounded
on June 17, 1968 doing a hoist mission close to Ashau
Valley."
When I had made contact with him and asked him to submit any
stories of his experiences if he wanted to he replied,
"Thanks Mike, I was glad to get a response from you.
Currently I am at work watching my area on 3.0 hrs overtime.
Being a supervisor I have access to the Internet from my
office computer. Yes, I will give you some real life
testimony of experiences I had.
"The one I would like to write about is about a buddy of mine
that was a pilot. I was a Sgt. at the time. His name is
Thomas Ronald PURSEL (Warrant Officer). He died on May 19th,
1968. It goes like this:
"On May 19th 1968 I, Murray GIBBS (Gunner GIBBS), and Pilot
WO Pursel had lunch together at, I believe, Camp Evans. We
were talking about the states and what we were going to do
together when we got back. We were very tight buddies.
"As we were talking about what we were going to do once we
were back into civilian life a hot mission came. We ran to
out to the aircraft, MEDEVAC 454 or 453. I just don't
remember. We were in the air in minutes. Mr. PURSEL was co-
commander and Major NORRIS was the commander. The Medic was
Terry BALDWIN. I don't remember who was the crew chief.
"We flew to the area and requested smoke. The ground unit
popped smoke and we identified it. The area was somewhere
east of Quang Tri. We came in from the west to the east to
land on a rice paddy dike. The ground was on the east side.
We had some wounded to pick up from sniper fire.
"I was clearing the right to land and looking at the GIs
below. We were about to land on the dike and I just cleared
right the second time. The helicopter started to break to the
right and I said we are clear right to land on the dike.
Major NORRIS said, quote, 'Oh my god, Mr. PURSEL has been
shot in the head!' I didn't even feel the change of control.
"Mr. PURSEL was flying the MEDEVAC in and Major NORRIS had
taken the controls so smoothly I couldn't feel it. Well I
looked over at Mr. PURSEL and saw the blood coming out just
under his helmet just behind the left back of his head. The
feeling that went through me was a rage of retaliation. I
want to kill the VC that did it.
"The aircraft was breaking or turning to the right just above
the rice paddy. I tried to shoot at the tree where everyone
on the ground was shooting at.
"Well, the aircraft was not in level flight and the bullets
from the machine gun just hit the water of the rice paddy. I
shot again but the machine gun would only go so high and the
bullets hit the water further out. When we were at level
flight I could shoot at the area but we were further away.
It must have been a good 1000 feet by the time my machine gun
could be effective. I fired into that area but at that
distance and traveling away I felt powerless. My emotions ran
deep, I could not save my buddy and I could not use the power
I had when I fired the machine gun in a combat situation and
was effective. The sadness I felt, the hate I had, and
powerless inability, was something I will never forget.
"Well we flew back to Camp Evans in our horror of a fallen
friend and buddy. When we landed I got out of the helicopter
and ran around to the front and opened the door of Mr.
PURSEL, pulled back the armor plate, and pulled him. HE WAS
DEAD. I just froze at that point and the Aid and Dispenser
guy took him. It was like the end of the world. I stood there
until the main rotor stopped and then got the hook and tied
off the rotor to the tail rotor. It seemed like hours
"Major GOODMAN felt bad and wanted the whole crew relieved.
Everyone was in a sick mood and didn't want to fly. I stayed
with the aircraft. I believed at the time that day if we had
another mission out that way maybe I could get some revenge.
It never happened and I hurt inside for a long time after
that never revealing my true feeling. Even as I type this
there are tears in my eyes asking for forgiveness of not
being able to save my buddy...MR THOMAS PURSEL.....
SGT Murray GIBBS, 15th MED Battalion\MEDEVAC August 1967 to
June 1968."
I found the following casualty notation on the Virtual Wall
site: THOMAS RONALD PURSEL WO, ARMY, YAKIMA, WA 9/17/1948 -
5/19/1968; THOMAS RONALD PURSEL was born on September 17,
1948 and joined the Armed Forces while in YAKIMA, WA. He
served as a 062B in the Army. In 1 year of service, he
attained the rank of WO/W1. On May 19, 1968, at the age of
19, THOMAS RONALD PURSEL perished in the service of our
country in South Vietnam, Thua Thien Province. You can find
THOMAS RONALD PURSEL honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
on Panel 63E, Row 16.
Corky WALSH <MEDEVAC454@AOL.COM>, Eugene, OR, wrote, "I flew
as door gunner and crew chief with MEDEVAC 1967-1968 and I'm
proud of the 1st Cav and the men that I flew and served with.
Looking for any MEDEVAC personnel."
Richie KRAUS, 15TH MED '68-'69, <LKRKMK@AOL.COM>from
Philadelphia, PA, wrote: "Anyone who served in 'C' Company
15th Medical Bn. '68-'70 please contact me. There are a few
of us in contact, looking for more."
Chuck EASTERLING, <BITTY54@EARTHLINK.NET>, Cambridge, OH,
wrote, "I am seeking info about the next reunion; time, date,
place and itinerary. I would like to attend. Also cost would
be appreciated. Thank you..your comrade Chuck."
Tim HAVERLY <TIMHAV@VERIZON.NET>writes, "I was in 15th MED
from Oct '66 to Oct '67. Was in supply for a few months, then
crewed on the MEDEVACs. Mostly at An Khe and nearby."
Bill (Doc) WALSH, C 2\7 Cav, '69-'70, and MEDEVAC Medic '70,
<CPD9283@AOL.COM>Chicago, IL, signed the Guestbook for all
to read: "Ricky 'GOODY' GOODSON and myself were sitting in
downtown Chicago bullshitting about the old days in MEDEVAC.
"With our 3rd cohort (and old crewmate) Doc BODNAR we came up
with a big list of e-mail addresses, half of which are bogus
[probably just no longer active]. We have been looking for
current e-mail addresses for KIRWAN, TUELL, BRADY, SMITTY,
VINSON, 'DEW' WARREN, 'Devil' WILKERSON, and GODSIE, or
anyone else flying in '69 and '70. Get back; if you ain't got
a computer send your address and phone thru a buddy;
appreciate it. Some of us still keep in touch and hang on a
yearly basis. Nothing formal, just like siting around the
hootch-minus the extracurriculars."
Thomas L. BREAUX <TLBREAU@AOL.COM>writes, "Looking for
information about a wounded Cobra pilot that landed at
Charlie Company, 15th Medical Battalion in Quan Loi, VN
sometime in early 1969 (March-June). Pilot was the only
occupant and was in the front seat. Cobra had taken a .51 cal
round that came up between pilot's legs. His left leg was
all but amputated. I was one of the Medics that helped pull
him from the Cobra and was amazed at how calm and focused he
was. To this day, I still don't know how he landed the Cobra.
I do not know what unit he was with. This incident has been
on my mind for 30+ years, and I need closure. Any information
that anyone may have would be greatly appreciated."
Russell L. WARRINER, President BLUE MAX Aerial Rocket
Artillery Association P.O. Box 429, Biddeford, ME. 04005-0429
(207)283-4218 <BLUEMAX@BLUEMAX-ARA-ASSOC.ORG>or
<BLUEMAX@GWI.NET><HTTP: www.bluemax-ara-assoc.com>informed
me of some closure for Tom BREAUX's request:
"Mike, I will try to clear up as much as I can about Tom.
First, as I understand it, he was in C Company 15th MED on
the ground. He has made contact with another person from the
same unit that assisted him the day this happened.
"The Cobra he thought was from BLUE MAX ARA, but we know now
that it was a 229th Cobra. The pilot was in the front seat
and it was Thanksgiving day 1968. We know now that it was
Robert E. HUNTER who we have found in Ellensburg, WA.
"Tom remembers that the pilot lost his leg. True, Bob lost
his leg (they took it that day in Nam). After getting a leg
and recovering in the states he went back to flying. He jokes
of having to keep Velcro on his good leg to keep
from loosing his fake leg when flying.
"A special thanks to a BLUE MAX pilot of mine by the name of
Major Johnny GRICE, USA Retired, for helping pull this
together."
Hank LLYWELLYN supplied the following information to me:
Robert E. HUNTER, <HUNTERRE@ELTEL.NET>(509)933-1771, and I
received the following reply to my e-mail to him iquiring
why he was reported to have been the only person in the
Cobra. I also mentioned that I did not recollect that 229th
had Cobras but that I did remember some with shark's teeth on
them, if that was them; as well as, I thought that would be
logical to free BLUE MAX to cover just units in contact:
"Hi Mike, Thanks for the e-mail. I have talked to Thomas
BREAUX and the other Medic also. Thomas was mistaken to think
that I was the only pilot of the Cobra. I'm not sure where
Bill MCQUADE (the aircraft commander) was after he landed the
aircraft. I was in no condition to fly. Had I been the only
pilot aboard that day I would have surely died as I passed in
and out of consciousness many times after I was shot and
before we landed at the 15th MED.
"I can certainly understand, however, how Thomas and the
other Medic thought I was the only pilot onboard. Especially
if Bill had gotten out of the aircraft as soon as he landed.
"I am very thankful for the care I received at the 15th MED
as I am convinced that they saved my life. From all reports I
have received, most think I should have died (not necessarily
because they didn't like me, but because of the amount of
blood I lost).
"As far as the 229th having their own Cobras, from my
recollection, it seems I was told that Delta Company of the
229th was the first all Cobra gunship team. Don't quote me on
that as my memory is likely to be in error. We were called
the 'Smiling Tigers.'
"The day I got shot, November 28, 1968, we were on the second
support mission of the ARA. The first one had been several
hours earlier that morning. Thank you for the contact, Bob
HUNTER"
Jim RAMSEY <JRAMSEYMSI@AOL.COM>from San Antonio, TX (210)
497-0263 wrote to remind us that he was Medic '68-'69, in
15th MED.
Jim CALIBRO <MEDEVACCHOPPER@AOL.COM><JIMCC4@AOL.COM>
of Modesto, CA, comments: "I was on "The First Team" as a
door gunner, on a MEDEVAC helicopter, 15th MED Bn., 1st Cav.
Div., Vietnam Jun '67-Jun '68. I remember other crewmembers,
HASITINGS, WORD, BROWNE, BREWER, to name a few.
"I Spent time at An Khe, Phan Thiet, Camp Evans, and the
Ashau Valley. I was also at LZ English, Uplift & Ross, and a
few others. Would like to hear from others who were also in
the same places."
Larry BIRD <DCSTRNG@EXCITE.COM>wrote, "Glad to see this
newer site, lost track after Sherm's (RIP) site, went away
(and I lost my e-mail account). Most don't remember me, but I
write to Chuck LAWHORN every once in awhile -- my gunner...
Anybody from the old site ever turn up Larry LUND or Andy
KRAMER???"
Larry L. ASH (LASH) A 2\12 Cav and MEDEVAC door gunner
from GA, mentions on the new MEDEVAC\15th MED Web site
<HTTP: www.15thmedassociation.org>:
"Just a reminder to our Alumni, we need photos, copies of old
orders, names, and last known location of personnel in order
to make our family circle complete. Don't forget to register
at the hotel for the Reunion the last weekend of June. You
will have to use the 800#, because you can't make
reservations via computer because they have blocked that
particular weekend for us. For more info, go to the Web site
and click on 'Reunion.' Thanks, and remember, we appreciate
your input."
Larry also posts to inform those who have not heard and
remind everyone who already know: "On, or about, October
10th, 1965, 15th MED Pilot, Cpt. Guy KIMZEY and his crew were
heading into the Suoi Ca Valley (Happy Valley) to evacuate
two wounded solders from the Cav's first major operation. The
operation was called Shiny Bayonet.
"On Board Cpt. KIMZEY's bird was a CBS News crew, that
included correspondent Morley SAFER, cameraman Jim WILSON
and soundman Bob FUNK.
"While landing, five or six sniper shots brought the
helicopter down, near the An Khe Pass. The soundman was
slightly grazed, but otherwise the crew and their passengers
were not wounded.
"The camera crew stayed with the Infantry while other MEDEVAC
birds transported the wounded and recovered the MEDEVAC
crewmembers, that day. In all likelihood, this was the first
MEDEVAC helicopter lost in Vietnam so, historically, it would
be a coup to share the details with the world. At the end of
the day the helicopter that was disabled, was destroyed by
artillery fire that blanketed the area, in support of the
ground troops.
"Guy KIMZEY served two tours in Vietnam, in 1965-'66 with
MEDEVAC and a second tour in 1968-'69, unit unknown at this
time. Unfortunately, Cpt. KIMZEY was killed in 1972, in a
small aircraft crash along with his wife, who served as a
nurse in RVN. The cameraman, Jim WILSON has, also, passed
away.
"CBS would very much like to find his crewmembers from that
incident to do a follow-up feature. Such a follow-up would be
of great import in locating our Brothers of 15th Medical
Battalion.
"The producer of the segment is Barbara DURY. Please send any
information you have to her at: <BD@CBSNEWS.COM>. You may,
also, submit info and comments to LASH at:
<DOORGUNNER2@15THMEDASSOCIATION.ORG>.
"This is time-sensitive and your expedience in this matter
would be greatly appreciated. We would, definitely, like to
locate the crewmembers in time for our reunion, to be held
the last weekend of June, in Denver, CO."
Joseph LANKELIS <M16JOE@AOL.COM>who is "from Philly,"
writes in the Guestbook, "I would like to say thanks to all
MEDEVAC. I was with Co. A 2\5TH 1ST. CAV. Infantry Feb '69-
'70. THANK YOU FOR saving many of my friends. ALL OF YOU WILL
ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN MY THOUGHTS."
Thomas R. MACHANDE <TRM0339@AOL.COM>of Davidsonville, MD
writes: "I was assigned to the 1st Cav. as a Firefighter,
Crash & Rescue at H.H.C. 15th MED from 9/'68 to 8/'69."
Mike "tater" SMITH <MVANDCO@AOL.COM>from ID, land of the big
potatoe [sic] comments: "Gunner '69-'70 and President of 15th
MED Assn. Looking forward to seeing you all at the Reunion.
All signs show this one to be the biggest and best yet
thanks to some special people (you know who you are). All my
thanks and see you all soon 'Clear Right' SMITTY."
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
