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
Paul LA GRONE <PLMODESTO@MSN.COM>of Modesto, CA signs in:
"HHC 15th MED, 3-'68 to 11-'69; Hi all, anyone ever hear from
Doug HARO, Bill FARR, Ray ZEPP..? Take care."
Bernard SHIVELY <BSHIV@WEBTV.NET>from Orlando, Fl comments:
"Served in H&H Co., 15th MED from Apr '54 to Sep '55 in
medical supply."
Donald E. LANE <SARGEANTLANE@MSN.COM>, West Lafayette, IN,
wrote, "Was a lowly Spec. Five with HHC 15th MED Bn., Apr '66
thru Apr '67. Was a great outfit!!! Lot of good and bad
memories !#**?..."
Skip ROZELLE <SROZELLE@HOUSTON.RR.COM>e-mailed: "Mike
You don't know me, but I decided I'd raise a request for help
locating someone while reading SABER Sept\Oct 2004. I
commanded D 1-7th Cav in late '70-'71, working out of Phouc
Vinh (rear) and FB Green.
"In an action taking place on 28 Jan 71, RVN, two brave
MEDEVAC pilots made several runs into a hot situation to
extract several of my men and me. I later met one of them in
the hospital at Bien Hoa, but the years have blocked the
name.
"Is there any facility available you can think of that stands
a chance of success in locating these heroes? I realize I
have given you only a sketch, but will provide as much as I
can if you think it might help. I'll stand by for your
response, or at minimum look forward to meeting you in
Killeen this June. In advance, my sincere thanks...
Garryowen."
Samuel H. ARMES <AGREYHORSE1@AOL.COM>sends: "I am member of
this great div. and I enjoy reading the comments that other
members send in. But, I'm really hoping to come across some
of the troopers I served with in the 15th MED Bn. from May
'63-June '64. If any of you guys are out I would love to hear
from you. James (Jim ADAMS) from PA, drop me a line and the
rest of you guy from the Bn."
Glenn MILLER <GLENN383@PTD.NET>of Lords Valley, PA signed
in. He says that he served with A Co. 15th MED in '66.
Bruce PLUMB <PLUMBCRAZY22@COMCAST.NET>from Brownstown,
MI was a crew chief and said, "Served 1-'68 to 5-'68 at Camp
Evans, & 2-'69 to 9-'69 at Tay Ninh, Quan Loi,
aircaft 449 with Gunner MEGEEHEE."
Mike MATTHEWS <MIKEMATTHEWS98@YAHOO.COM>, Hood River, OR
wrote to say, "Looking for a Medic that served with B Btry.
1-30 ARTY IN '69 - '70. In need of some help with a comp
claim."
L. Don BARTON <MUDMEDIC70@HOTMAIL.COM>, MEDEVAC PSG '70,
dropped a line to keep in touch. I inquired of him about the
following:
I got a letter from Gerald D. MCDANIEL, an E 2-5 Cav 11C,
'69-'70, who mentioned an incident to me that happened on
Jan. 05, '70. Their E Company recon walked into a bunker
complex, made heavy contact, and their D Company went out to
take over.
I also spoke to Gerald on the phone after I had received his
snail mail, because he doesn't use a computer. A hometown
friend of Gerald's, Tom MOORE, was a Medic in D 2-5 at the
time. Gerald said that he said good-bye to Tom on Tom's way
out with D 2-5, and it was the last time, because Tom was
KIA, and put in for the CMOH.
I wanted to jog anyone's memory on this, if they were in
MEDEVAC at the time. Those like gunners Tater and tater, or
MEDEVAC 121, etc. This probably was covered by those flying
out of Tay Ninh, at the time.
Gerald told me the story, that he got a lot of information
from the 2-5 Cav Daily Journal, and Lt. (ret.) James H.
HOLCOMBE of C 2-5 Cav, whom I had just e-mailed. Jim said
that he would get back to me with some photos, which he did.
The story goes that MEDEVAC had hoisted one wounded through
the trees, and trying for another but got hit by a B-40. The
MEDEVAC went down, injuring all of the crew.
A pilot had a broken back, the 1st wounded trooper was
killed, and the 2nd trooper being hoisted was crushed under
the MEDEVAC. D 2-5 Medic Tom MOORE was WIA at the time and
waiting to get MEDEVACed. About 30 minutes later, MEDEVAC 14
tried to extract all but suffered a blade strike and had to
make an emergency landing nearby.
About an hour later, MEDEVAC 26 was able to extract some of
the wounded. But, D 2-5 Medic Tom MOORE succumbed to his
wounds, and died before he could be extracted.
Tom MOORE was posthumously awarded the DSC. He was cited for
saving the life of his plt. leader. Gerald says that in 2002,
Ft. Hood dedicated it's newest, and largest medical clinic in
honor of Tom MOORE. His DSC citation can be read at:
<HTTP: moore.htm DSCs-CAV www.1stcavmedic.com>
Gerald mentioned that James Holcombe was a Lt. in D 2-5 but I
found him listed as C 2-5 on the Angry Skipper Web site 1st
Cav locator. I had contacted the C 2-5 Web master and he sent
James' e-mail address to me: <JHHOLCOMBE@ATT.NET>
I don't recall even hearing of this incident, but I had just
joined MEDEVAC, then, in Jan. '70. But, there must be '69-'70
MEDEVAC members who remember this, and know the personnel
involved.
Who was the MEDEVAC that went down? Who was MEDEVAC 14 and
MEDEVAC 26? Which crew members were involved, and hurt? All
knowledgeable please respond.
Pat MARTIN,'69-'70 crew chief, MEDEVAC121 notifies us:
"I am going to make an effort to have my book in at least
first draft by the end of 2005. But, I need help and this is
what I need:
"1. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of
all MEDEVAC crew members and operational support personal who
were involved in the Cambodian Incursion from May 1, 1970,
untill the end of June 1970.
"2. Any Incidents/Missions/Information that happened during
this period including our maintenance and operations support
people.
"3. I would like to get pictures of the places the air crews
flew out of; for Tay Ninh, Quan Loi, Song Be, Katum, and
Phuoc Vinh. I'd also like to get other pictures taken during
the period such as crew photos, and aircraft photos. I have a
high dollar scanner that I can scan them for you and I will
get them back to you if you don't have a way to send them
over the net.
"The book is more of a documentary about MEDEVAC during the
Cambodian Incursion (that's what the government called it)
and I am writing it in a diary format i.e.: May 1, May 2 ----
etc., so if there are any days you especially remember, and
have a story to tell, give it to me and I will try and
include it.
"I also would like to find as many aircraft records as
possible, and any Daily or Morning Reports for the period. If
you can help in any way it would be appreciated, and all
those that have, I want to thank you as I'm not yet finished.
"I have also tossed around the idea of sending a tape player
around with a questionnaire to follow to help me get
information; what does everyone think? Last but not least,
if you're not into talking to a tape or sending an e-mail,
how about a visit from me?"
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
