3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division (Vietnam)

Good Morning Guys,

I received the below article from Stephanie Kovac, the young lady from Fox News, who covered our reunion in April.  It’s pretty moving.  Thought we might want to share it with the Brigade.  I’ll be meeting with John Moody from FOX News Group after Labor Day to present him with our plaque.  I will then ask for a copy of the video of the interviews in Dallas.

Stephanie Kovac is a producer for FOX local news channel, Dallas Texas.  She covered the 40th Anniversary reunion of the 82nd Airborne’s 3rd Brigade, Golden Brigade’s, deployment to Vietnam 40 years ago.  She was born the same month and year, February 1968.  Some may remember the 1968 Tet Offensive.

PaddyB
Airborne All The Way!

———————

As a journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to not only witness history, but in a sense, write it.  This weekend, I was afforded a rare luxury.  It was as if I was allowed to step back in time and set foot on a page right out of my high school history book.  The only difference was the room full of heroes I found myself standing among weren’t the ones I’d read about.

I was born in February 1968 – the same month the 82nd Airborne’s 3rd Brigade deployed to Vietnam – on February 20th – the same day they suffered their first casualty.

This weekend, I stood face to face with those who survived as I was assigned to cover their 40th anniversary commemoration.  I thought for sure I’d meet a group of old timers eager to share war stories.  Instead, I was introduced to a group of men who’ve been in some strange way frozen forever young in a faraway place.

I heard many stories of how they’d sustained their war wounds, and most of the time, the room resonated with laughter.  It was as if there was a kind of camaraderie in killing that I couldn’t possibly understand.

Granted, I knew who “Charlie” was.  The history books had taught me that.  But, the stories of “gooks” took me back.  Most of the time, the word seemed to slip, and was often followed with an immediate apology.  I wasn’t offended.  I thought it utterly fascinating that a generation who’d fought so bravely for freedom hadn’t yet succumb to the censorship in this country known as “political correctness”.  As if these old warriors have anything for which to apologize?

This country owes them.  Much more than an apology.  This country owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.  This country owes them their due.

I’m not sure I have any greater understand of what Vietnam was really about, any better understanding than I had in high school.  And, to hear the men of the 3rd Brigade tell it, I’m not sure that Lyndon Johnson really understood it either.  Every time I posed the question – what were you fighting for – the answer was the same.  To stay alive.

The Golden Brigade, as they’re known, served 22 months in Nam.  227 were killed.  Two remain missing.  They never lost a battle.

Yet, my history book taught me that America lost the war.  I now know we won it militarily, and lost it politically somewhere between Paris and Washington, D.C.  I can’t help but wonder if public perception was the real reason these men paid such a steep price for their sacrifice.  Was it because we weren’t victorious on all fronts that those who came home from Vietnam had no homecoming?

Hearing the barrage of stories, it was easy to draw similarities between the war in Vietnam and the war in Iraq.  There are many who believe, like Vietnam, we have no place in Iraq.  That it is not America’s duty to police the world.  I wonder what it will mean to the young men and women on the frontlines today if politics cost us another victory?  Will they come home to streaming yellow ribbons or anti-war demonstrations and banners of protest?  Will they be welcome?

I’ve always heard “war is hell” but it wasn’t until I stood among these aging soldiers that I fully understood what that meant.  It has been 40 years since these men fought in the killing fields of Vietnam.  40 years.  And, each told stories in such vivid detail it was as if I was watching a movie.  40 years was a lifetime away, and as close as yesterday.

It was their eyes that told the whole story.  Haunted by images time can never heal.  Brimming with raw emotion.  Sadness.  Anger.  Resentment.  And, justification for it all. 

Their stories seemed incomprehensible, unfathomable.  It was as if a page had been torn from my history book.

How long had these men lived with the stigma of Vietnam?  One returned home to find women wouldn’t date him because he’d served in Nam.  Another ducked into an airport bathroom seconds after arriving in the States, hoping to change his clothes before anyone noticed his military fatigues.  Another remembered only one parade – it was 40 yards long, and 15 years after the fact.

These men weren’t the Harley hippies that have become America’s stereotypical image of the Vietnam vet.  They were doctors and lawyers, and officers of the law.  Productive members of society who still live with Vietnam.  Still go to bed with it at night.  Still wake up with it every day.  Still shudder that a song on the radio, or a copse of trees could cause them to “flip”.  One told me a rock hit his windshield while he was en route to the celebratory event.  He dove beneath the dash.  That same man had six brothers and couldn’t relate to a one.  He was the only son who’d served in the military.  But, he found comfort in the room that night.  And, every man among him understood his sense of peace.

It wasn’t as if these men were the best of friends – then or now.  It was circumstance that bonded them together as a band of brothers.  And, I learned that bond may not have stemmed from what they endured together but what they lost.  Their innocence.

Earlier this week, I sent a care package to a friend’s son serving in Iraq.  I loaded up a box with beef Jerky, and mixed nuts; crossword puzzles, and a deck of cards; Chap Stick and anti-bacterial wipes; batteries, an international calling card, a disposable camera; and a can of Silly String to detect trip wires.  I never met the kid.  I don’t even know if he likes Jerky, and I don’t agree with the war in Iraq.  But, I know freedom isn’t free, and that that young man is fighting for me.  I pray he comes home to a hero’s reception. 

The greatest history lesson I ever learned came long after high school, taught by the wounded warriors of the 82nd Airborne’s Golden Brigade.  This time, there wasn’t a single page missing.

Welcome home, guys.  Welcome home!

Fellow Rangers,

Sadly Don Lassen, veteran paratrooper of 2-505 PIR at Normandy and Holland , and Editor Emeritus  of the STATIC LINE has made his last jump and is heading for the assembly area, where Jim Gavin and the paratroopers of yesteryear await his arrival.

There was a viewing on Sunday August 10 at the Ford Stewart Funeral Home  in Jonesboro, GA.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Airborne Historical Association, POB 87518 College Park, GA 30337-0518.

May St Michael, our airborne patron, welcome his arrival and guide him forward,

BDQ Roy Lombardo

Don will be missed in the Airborne Community.

RLTW

Art Silsby
Director, USARA Southern Region

Before I lay me down to sleep…
And fall into a slumber deep…
Hear this little prayer of mine…
Hope it gets to you in time…
Bless those on land and sea and air…
Who fight for freedom here and there…
Send special blessings from above…
Protect them with your shield of love…
Return them safely, we humbly pray…
To the Land of the Free…
And the Home of the Brave.

Anonymous

2LT Raymond George Krobetzky deployed with the Golden Brigade to Viet Nam and arrived in-country on February 14, 1968. He served as an infantry platoon leader with C 1/508th and was KIA by small arms fire on August 25, 1968 in Thua Thien Province. He was a native of Armonk, New York, born on February 11, 1947.

2LT Krobetzky is honored on The Wall on panel 46W, line 17. He will always remain “Forever Young” in our hearts. Please visit him on The Wall and post your remembrance.

We are making concerted efforts to identify and honor all of our fallen brothers. You can help by reviewing our “Forever Young” page and letting us know of any corrections that need to be made.

No one gets left behind, no one gets forgotten.

Troopers - we have just learned of Stu Harrell’s loss. Please join us in supporting him by conveying your wishes …

Darrel,

I just heard from Stu that his wife Martha passed away in mid May after a long and painful battle with cancer. He is really down in the dumps now.

Stu was the last ‘B’ Co Tiger 6 in Nam … came in after Roy Duncan replaced Dick Patterson for a time after Patterson was KIA. After we went home he was transferred to First Inf Div and had the Aerofifle Platoon in the 1/4 Cav.

Note: the last chapter of Hugh Mills’s book Low Level Hell features Stu and his guys.
 
If anyone wants to send condolences his e- mail is nttybmpo@aol.com.

Snail mail is 6712 N. 19th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
 
He is one of the good guys and was at the reunion in Texas this year.
 
See you in August,

Jerry

Presidents often visit the 82nd. President Eisenhower received a delegation in the Oval Office. Lyndon Johnson sent us off to Vietnam. On Thursday, May 22, 2008, President George Bush spent almost the entire day at Fort Bragg honoring our recently returned young heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan.

He spoke at Division Review and “trooped the line” on foot. This is a ceremonial inspection that goes back to Roman or Greek times in which the commander shows himself to his men. Walking is highly unusual as previous guests rode in a Humvee to inspect the troops due to the size of the formation but the President insisted that he get on the ground with the soldiers. A very noble gesture, to be sure.

He also presented 2 Distinguished Service Crosses and several Silver Stars to 82nd troopers.

After the Division Review, he attended the Memorial Service outside the 82nd Museum and dedicated the Global War on Terrorism monument. The 82nd lost 97 troopers this past year alone. The President greeted each Gold Star family and expressed his condolences before they placed a gold rose at the base of the monument.

The tears rolled, including mine, at the reading of the names of so many young heroes.  God Bless them all.  Following is a letter that I wrote to the President in thanks for paying tribute to our fallen men and women.  We have also sent him a Golden Brigade challenge coin. 

—————-

May 28, 2008

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20502

RE: Fort Bragg, NC Memorial Service

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of all the members of the Golden Brigade Chapter, I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the honor that you bestowed upon the heroes of the 82nd Airborne Division, past and present, by your appearance at Fort Bragg on Thursday, May 22, 2008.

Our chapter is composed of Veterans who served with the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam.  We lost 227 KIA and about 1,250 WIA during our 22 months “in country” 40 years ago. We have a special place in our hearts and souls for those that have followed on after us and have served our country with their selfless sacrifices. 

These young men and women who are serving today are our “historical sons and daughters”. They carry on a proud tradition that goes back 91 years and we are very, very proud of them as all Americans should be.

On behalf of our chapter, please accept the enclosed Challenge Coin as a small token of our profound appreciation for taking the time to honor these young heroes.

Airborne, All the Way and God Bless America!!

Richard F. O’Hare, American
Treasurer, Golden Brigade Chapter, 82nd Abn Div. Assn. Inc.

Videos from the Division Review.  http://fayobserver.com/special/bushvideos/

It is with deep regret that the National Office announces the death of Past President (1989-1990)Lawrence A. Law.

Larry Law was the keeper of the Association Educational Fund and did a magnificent job that benefited many of our children, including mine, and newly discharged troopers.  He was a fine man who will be sorely missed.

More information regarding the funeral, etc will be made available in a few days once his son Christopher has had the opportunity to make the arrangements.

They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water,iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP- rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks.

They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets and steel pots. They carried the M-16 assault rifle.

They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine guns, the M-70 grenade launcher, M-14’s, CAR-15’s, Stoners, Swedish K’s, 66mm Laws, shotguns, .45 caliber pistols, silencers, the sound of bullets, rockets, and choppers, and sometimes the sound of silence. They carried C-4 plastic explosives, an assortment of hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes.

Some carried napalm, CBU’s and large bombs; some risked their lives to rescue others. Some escaped the fear, but dealt with the death and damage.

Some made very hard decisions, and some just tried to survive. They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworms and leaches. They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots. They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones - real and imagined.

They carried love for people in the real world and love for one another. And sometimes they disguised that love: “Don’t mean nothin’!”

They carried memories for the most part, they carried themselves with poise and a kind of dignity. Now and then, there were times when panic set in, and people squealed or wanted to, but couldn’t; when they twitched and made moaning sounds and covered their heads and said “Dear God” and hugged the earth and fired their weapons blindly and cringed and begged for the noise to stop and went wild and made stupid promises to themselves and God and their parents, hoping not to die.

They carried the traditions of the United States Army, and memories and images of those who served before them.

They carried grief, terror, longing and their reputations. They carried the soldier’s greatest fear: the embarrassment of dishonor. They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire, so as not to die of embarrassment. They were afraid of dying, but too afraid to show it.

They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at any moment.

They carried the weight of the world; they carried each other

Author Unknown

I had every intention of attending the reunion in Dallas, however I have developed some health issues that will keep me away.

I was a 2LT assigned to Bde S-3 Chemical Officer (1LT Jim Ramsey) when the Bde deployed to Viet Nam.

I have a collection of pictures that I took in Viet nam, several of staff, the TOC, Camp Rodriquez, etc.  I would be happy to copy them to a CD and mail to someone to take to the reunion.  I also have a 1:50,000 map of the Hue/Phu Bai area which has Camp Eagle, Camp Rodriquez, FB Boyd, FB Bastogne
and FB Birmingham marked.

Tom Ladwig
thladw@centurytel.net

My name is Juan F. Sanchez, I deployed with the 3rd. Bde. in 68 served in “Recon Plt” 2/505 until deros in Feb. 69. After ETS in 1970, I joined the Texas National Guard attended O.C.S. at Ft. Benning Ga. And retired from the guard as a major.
 
At this time there are five of us who served in “Recon” that are in touch and would like very much to contact other guys from “Recon” or friends from the line companies we served with. I live in Laredo, Tx. and hope to see you at the 40th reunion in Dallas, Tx.

Juan F. Sanchez
raiderlrrpjuan@hotmail.com

Great website - this has been permanently added to our ‘Links’ section.

http://www.history.army.mil/

Be sure to look for the 82nd on the “Special Designation” page.

http://www.history.army.mil/lineage/SpcDes-123.htm

Thanks to Rich!

To minimize, and hopefully prevent, the spamming that shut down our previous message board, you’ll need to register to contribute comments to posts on this site. It’s a simple process; just e-mail me your full name and a brief bio that includes your time and unit in ‘Nam. I’ll send you a user ID and password. You may then add your comments to any post made on this site… you may even be granted Author status to initiate new posts and articles … just let me know if you’re interested.

Was with the 82 MPs in Phu Loi,Vietnam. I have a company picture and several other pics.  Would love to hear from anyone who knew me or was in the company in 1969.  Have been trying to make contact for years.  I have some names and states, but can’t get any farther. If anyone is out there, and is interested, please let me know.  Thanks

Bill (William L. Ashby)
rabbit58@comcast.net

I was in Co. D 1/505th too! I was there from June ‘69 until Vietnamization in November, when I was sent to the 25th Division.

I remember Raider and how sharp he was - - - the blue towel, the sunglasses. He really had it all together! Do you remember his sucessor, “Jumper”?

My Platoon Leader was “Thunderball”, and my squad leader was Sgt. Daniel Coruthers.

Clifton L. Summerall, Jr.
cliftonsummerall@hotmail.com

I got a call from CSM (Ret) Michael Lynn on Friday that Jake Privette passed away about 6 months ago,  Lynn was the Bn SGM under Jake in the 2/505.  They both lived in Columbia, SC. Jake was a special person and led the BN 2 times in Vietnam. We are very fortunate to have had such wonderful leaders and I sincerely do miss Col John Jameson. He was  a dear friend.

See you in Dallas - things are heating up.

Rich