MEDEVAC
15th MED\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
26748 N 187th Avenue
Wittmann, AZ 85361-9413
(623)388-9150
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
Web site: http://15thmedassociation.org
Forum:
http://communities.msn.com/15thMEDASSOCIATION/_whatsnew.msnw
David COOPER <COOPER1279@COMCAST.NET>MEDEVAC '70-'71
GUNNER/MEDIC, Dallas, GA, wrote to say that he reads the
Saber column.
15th MED Assn. President Murray GIBBS <GUNNERMADMUR@AOL.COM>
writes: "Hi guys, the 2005 Reunion Invite Letter to the
Association is being sent out. I have sent e-mail to almost
everyone who has a good e-mail address. We have had some
changes and I have made the corrections of the ones that I
know of. I have also updated my address book. Snail mail is
being sent out to all those for whom we don't have an e-mail
address. If we encounter a bad e-mail then we snail mail that
member. We have these members working on them: President
Murray GIBBS, Vice President Jim CALIBRO, Secretary Corky
WALSH, Search Coordinator Norm ROBERGE, and Database Operator
James MCDONALD.
With all of us working on them we should get all of them out
shortly. James MCDONALD has over 555 members on record and I
just noticed that I have a couple in the e-mail address book
that have not been recorded with James.
That 2005 Reunion Invite Letter reads: "Greetings, We are
having our 2005 Reunion with the 1st Cav Div Association at
Killeen, Tx (Ft. Hood). It will be next year in June. If you
are planning to attend, the dates will be, June 22 to June
26. You will need to make your reservations before December
2004. The rooms fill up fast so don't wait until the last
minute. Presently there are 50 rooms reserved for the 15th
MED Association at the Howard Johnson Hotel. You must be a
member of the 1st Cav Div Assn. to attend. Avoid the long
registration lines at the Reunion. Contact the Hotel at:
Howard Johnson Hotel, 803 E. Central TX Expressway, Killeen,
TX 76541 1-800-648-6551: Front Desk; Room Rates are $69.00
for a King. When making reservation please state you are with
the 1st Cav Div Assn. and the 15th MED Bn. Assn."
Murray continues, "One thing we need for our Association is a
FLOW CHART of the 15th MED Bn. while it was in Vietnam. Who
were the battalion commanders and when did they serve?
Likewise, who were all of the company commanders of all the
companies? One key item will be the location of the battalion
at the different camps it was at. Another, is the locations
where all the companies were at during the six plus years
when in Vietnam; LZ locations from July '65 to May '72 for
each company. You guys have the information to help put this
FLOW CHART together. I have not listed here all of the
information that would be on it, but this will be the
starter. It will be a time line with the areas of operation,
major battles, and K.I.A. losses, etc. Any replies will be
documented to help put this together.
"COL DOWNEY suggested that I get copies of the Morning
Reports. One for each month while the battalion was in
Vietnam. Morning reports were turned in daily with a roster
list of all personnel. Getting these Morning Reports will
also help us find more 15th MED Bn. members. I don't expect
the Morning Reports to show everything, that is why we need
all the input we can get from the membership.
"We started this History FLOW CHART of the 15th MED Bn. So
far it is James MCDONALD, COL DOWNEY, Art MARTIN, and
myself, that are aware of this. We plan to spearhead
collective with basic information of the 15th MED Bn. from
the years '65 to '72. Although, May '71, I believe, marked
the end of the whole 1st Cav Div in Vietnam, the MEDEVAC\Air
Ambulance Platoon split and 6 aircraft were attached to the
215 CSB in June '71.
"The Flow Chart will have battalion commanders, company
commanders, battalion sgts. major, battalion XOs, many of the
main sgts., location of the battalion and companies during
all the time in Vietnam. It will display simple structure of
each company and the Air Ambulance Platoon ('MEDEVAC'). It
will also have the ID numbers of all the helicopters used.
"We don't have all the information of all the leaders,
officers, and NCOs. This is going to require the input of all
of us. We don't have the very first helicopters that started
from July '65 to Oct '66. If any of you have the information
please pass it on to me.
"COL DOWNEY suggests that I get copies of the Morning
Reports/Roster Lists from the Army Archives. I will be
working on that. It will provide us with more information
about who was in the unit. I plan to get at least one Morning
Report/Roster List for each month that the 15th MED Bn. was
in Vietnam.
"Guys, this is going to be a worthwhile project that may take
several months to complete at a summarized level. Putting
more detail may take a couple of years and with the help of
the membership that can be made possible, and possibly
shorten the time to gather all the information. We should
have a rough copy in about a month.
"As we progress in this historical project I will send copies
of it to you guys via e-mail. Hopefully, you all have
Microsoft Excel. Excel makes it possible to spread out this
flow chart. When complete we can make a banner of it and
have it for the 2005 Reunion. Being in a time line, all of us
can relate to it; comparing our personal tours of when and
where we were with the unit.
"James MCDONALD started working on information of who were
the officers and NCOs during each year. When I saw that, I
piggybacked onto his idea, to start this FLOW CHART that all
of us can have some input on. I will put this information in
the next newsletter and hopefully we will get a lot of
responses for any missing information we don't have. Time to
get back to the History FLOW CHART.....Later."
News came that 2005 Reunion Coordinator Tim KIRWIN broke his
arm. He did it while riding what is believed to be his new
motorcycle. From the source of the information, it was within
the last two months of this writing. No word yet on the exact
details of how he broke it. From what was reported, he was
trying to demonstrate how to ride-or not ride-a motorcycle.
We wish Tim a speedy recovery from this incident with no
instant replays. He has work to do, for the good of all.
Damien VIERRA, "PINEAPPLE #2" <FIVEOINSC1@MSN.COM>wrote,
"ALOHA AND HOW ARE YOU DOING???"
Search Coordinator Norm ROBERGE, "Normr1"
<NORMKARENN@AOL.COM>writes, "Hi all......Wife & I just
returned from a very pleasant visit with Jerry DICK and
family in Riverton, WY. For those of you who attended our
Portland Reunion, Jerry is doing about the same. Tough daily
existence, but with an ever pleasant smile.
"He will be going to our Reunion in June also, with the help
of his family and whatever else may be needed; he's
determined!!! He sends his greetings to all you brothers and
looks forward to the Reunion...As ever, stay well out
there...Ps...He's always very exited to hear from any of us,
his e-mail is: <JDICK@BRESNAN.NET>.
Some of the recent 15th MED Assn. Guestbook signers, for
those of you who are not online, are:
Dennis FOXWORTHY <NAMVET28@HOTMAIL.COM>Whittier, CA,
who comments: "498th MED Co. (AA) Vietnam, Feb '69-Dec '70
Flight Medic.
Robert E. WILL <RWILL@SATX.RR.COM>wrote:" Evac Pilot/Maint
Off., MEDEVAC Platoon, 215th MED Co., Nov '71 to June '72."
Larry ASH Webmaster <HTTP: 15thmedassociation.org>
<DOORGUNNER2@YAHOO.COM>says, "Sorry I went away and my love
to Terry and Murray for keeping it up for me. I miss my old
friends and hope to make new ones. Keep 'em Flyin'."
Dan BRADY, "doc bra" <STILLWATERMINING.COM>Absarokee, MT,
"Thought I'd say hello. I miss all of you guys, guess I just
need to get in touch more. Neat to see our old chopper 'Blood
Sweat and Tears' on the opening page. Figured that if I saved
that pic it would make it somewhere. It looks better than the
last time I saw it on May 23rd, 1970. Ron 'Baby Huey'
HUETHER, and (I think) Tom 'terrific' TRIFFERO, pilots; Jon
HODGES, crew chief; Mike PARSONS, gunner; myself, Medic.
Drop a line if you can, I just can't get this page to work
very well, might be my computer. Hope to hear from you."
Bill JUNKINS <HTTP: pedroairrescuechopper.net>
<PEDRO71@PEDROAIRRESCUECHOPPER.NET>Grafton, WI, says, "Great
site. Thanks for the ride."
John TABOR <JTABOR@ACADEMICPLANET.COM>Waxahachie, TX,
writes, "Larry, Please add my e-mail address. You've done a
great job keeping this Web site going."
Robert WOOD <RWOOD@OUTDRS.NET>left, "Weatherford, Parker
County, TX."
T.J. (BADDHA) WHELAN <TJLPRS@AOL.COM>Norwood, MA, was
"Aircraft tech insp. Apr '70 to Oct '70. Transferred
in from 15th Maint. The best unit and bunch of crazy guys
I ever served with.
Ret. SFC Garroll L. AAMODT Sr. <GARROLL_AAMODTSR@YAHOO.COM>
Divide, CO 80814, "Was with C company 15th MED April
'66-'67."
William D. BURNS <BBURNS@ALAWEB.COM>Geneva, AL, said, "Came
by looking for names from A Co. during Aug '65-Aug '66.
Great site."
Raymond BROUSSARD
<RMELBROUSSARD@BELLSOUTH.NET>Shelbyville,
KY, comments: "I was assigned to HHC, 15th Medical Bn. from
1969 to November 1969. My nickname was 'Pvt. Peaches.' Most
of my experiences during that time are blacked out: I
remember little other than a fractured skull in August 1969."
Dennis DEPPEN <SINNEDNEPPED@YAHOO.COM>Pittsburgh, PA wrote,
"Alive and well here in the 'Burgh.' Have kept in touch with
many from A Co., 15th MED., 1st Cav 1970. Would like to hear
from any of my old buddies."
Mike "Doc Needles" ALFE <MIKEALFE@COMCAST.NET>from near
Seattle, WA writes: "Medic at aid station LZ Mace Jan-Apr
'71. Before that, 2-5 Cav. Headquarters Company."
Alan POLIVKA, D.C. <HTTP: DrAlanPolivka@earthlink.net>
<ALLENPOLIVKA@EARTHLINK.NET>Los Alamitos, CA (near Long
Beach) says, "RVN HHC 15th MED 3/'66 - 6/'66. Cell phone
(562) 234-5672. Looking forward to seeing any of our brothers
and sisters in the area."
Robert KRIKAVA <HTTP: www.506thfielddepot.com>
<VNTIME66@MSN.COM>San Antonio, TX, writes, "Hi, I am trying
to find the three Medics that were from the 1st Cav out of
Nam, that were at HQ Btry., 8-6 Arty., Fort Riley, in '69,
'70, before I went to B Btry. 1-30 Arty., 1st Cav. I would
like to have a reunion with them. We lived in the same house
off base. Thanks for any of your help."
John DEES <JTDEES@COX-INTERNET.COM>Conroe, TX signed in:
"Served with B Co., 15th MED '69-70 at Song Be on FSB
Buttons."
Michael HERRERA <INTREPIDMIKE_H@HOTMAIL.COM>of Westchester,
CA wrote, "Gentlemen, I was assigned to HSC 15th MED at Phuoc
Vinh from May '69-August '69. I was finishing up the last
four months of my second tour. I have been working on a book
and have completed an entire section of Phuoc Vinh since it
was the shortest assignment in country. I have some articles
posted on the Internet if anyone is interested."
Barry WILLIAMSON of 8th Engineers, assigned to the 7th Cav in
Vietnam, and one of our former SABER 7th Cav columnists, sent
an article to me from the ARMY TIMES about recent changes in
the awarding of the Combat Medical Badge. It in essence says:
"More Can Earn Combat Medical Badge-
"Created as a companion to the Combat Infantryman Badge in
March 1945, the Combat Medical Badge provides recognition to
field medics who accompany infantrymen into battle.
"But there has been some confusion as to eligibility in a war
characterized by the frequent use of combined arms task
forces, with medics going into combat with units to which
they are not officially assigned and that may not be pure
infantry.
"During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the criteria were expanded
beyond infantry units, to include armor and ground cavalry
units of brigade size and smaller.
"Still, 'there never was any intention to award the CMB to
all medical personnel who serve in a combat zone or imminent
danger area, that is, a division-level medical company
supporting a maneuver brigade,' according to the regulation
governing military awards.
"Now, in recognition of the battlefield realities of the
global war on terrorism, which officially began Sept. 11,
2001, the criteria include other types of ground combat
units.
"'We have authorized some changes to the Combat Medical Badge
to make the award criteria conform more to today's
battlefield,' said Lt. Gen. Franklin HAGENBECK, Army G-l, in
a recent interview. 'In the past, it was more of a linear
battlefield, and where you were assigned and hung your hat
determined if you were even eligible for the CMB.'
The changes became effective July 15 and will be included in
a revision to AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards). The expanded
criteria include military medical personnel in the grade of
0-6 and below who 'are attached to or under operational
control of any ground Combat Arms units (not to include
members assigned to or attached to Aviation units) of brigade
or smaller size, who satisfactorily perform medical duties
while the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided
they are personally present and under fire.' Retroactive
awards are not authorized, and CMBs will not be awarded to
general or flag officers.- Jim Tina"
Personally, that sounds like double talk to me. Like, what is
linear; combat is combat. There have always been Combat
Medics in the other Combat Arms in WWII and since, as well as
those who have been under fire in the U.S. Army in combat.
They never received a CMB, as of the other Combat Arms, the
only combat badge authorized is to the infantry, i.e. the
Combat Infantryman Badge.
So why now? It had meaning, and a purpose, but now, like
everything else of value, it is coveted. If those who want it
so bad knew what those it was originally intended for had to
go through to earn it, they wouldn't want it.
Jim BRODIE of the Air Ambulance Platoon, Nov. '65-'66, and A
227th Feb. '68-'69 <RA9895A@AOL.COM>had signed into the 1st
Cav Assn. Guestbook. I thought that I could get some
information about the early days of MEDEVAC, and I didn't see
him at the Portland Reunion even though he lives in OR. He
did e-mail back:
"Hi Mike, You published an article I sent to somebody about
two friends of mine that I had served with for a number of
years. O'Niel BONIN and Carl RAY died a few years ago from
complications with Agent Orange. Also, I was the one that
asked about the Surgical Pod.
"Can't help you with the M60s. John BUBELA and I were the
Tech. Insp's for the helicopters. Only remember they were
hung on a bungy cord.
"I recall being at Pleiku Air Field where the aid station was
set up, one hell of a mess. I think that was from the Ia
Drang battle. I was there to work on the choppers.
"One day out in front of the operation tent, a Capt. was
talking to a couple of people from either Look or Life
magazine. They wanted to fly with MEDEVAC. This Capt. was
pissed about an article written in one of those mags. and
sent a letter to them about the article.
"I recall him telling these guys with the cameras that if
they went and they had to pick up wounded the camera crew may
get kicked out in a hot area. Sorry I don't remember the
Capt.'s name. I think his wife sent him the article from the
states. There was a Medic named SWEARENGIN that flew with
them.
"John and I slept in a CP tent across from the latrine. I was
told we got the privilage of having our own little tent
because it was originaly set up for the CO. However, a patrol
out near Hon Kong Mtn. found a log with notches cut in it.
And when the grunts laid a rifle in the notches they were
aimed right at the mentioned tent. Don't know if that's true
or not. But there you have it.
"I didn't make it to Portland because I wasn't feeling well.
Doing fine now."
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
