82nd Airborne Division (Vietnam) Golden Brigade

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Units

• B Troop 1/17 CAV
• A Co 1/505th INF

May 18, 2012

• Bob Patterson commented on Hue April 3, 1968

May 17, 2012

• CSM Dunn commented on Biloxi 2012 Reunion After-Action Report
• Michael Seiler is looking for Michael J. Stribling in Looking for Buddies
• Alvin Haver is looking for William Evans in Looking for Buddies
• Wayne Pike is looking for B or D 2/505 buddies  in Looking for Buddies
• Eddie Ramirez and Phil Cronin commented on Hue April 3, 1968
• Bob Haines commented on General Orders 43 – VIETNAMESE CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM

May 14, 2012

• Biloxi 2012 Reunion After-Action Report

April 30, 2012

• Mike Torrence commented on Hue April 3, 1968

April 22, 2012

• Theodore Bauguess is Looking for Buddies.

April 21, 2012

• Food and transportation info updated  for Biloxi 2012!

April 18, 2012

• Reunion info updated for Biloxi 2012!

April 15, 2012

•  Dave Gardner is looking for B Troop 1/17 CAV buddies.

April 13, 2012

• Wilbur and Mary Lou McAninch won’t be able to attend Biloxi 2012!

April 12, 2012

• Nick Susick commented on General Orders 43 – VIETNAMESE CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM

April 5, 2012

• Ed Avila replied to Bob Patterson on Deployment to Nam

April 4, 2012

• Ed Martin commented on Hue April 3, 1968

April 1, 2012

• Forever Young – The Sergeant Danny Scurfield Project
• Dave Stewart commented in B Troop 1/17 CAV

March 28, 2012

• Sean McPhail commented on Hue April 3, 1968
• Sean McPhail created a Facebook page for 1/505th

March 26, 2012

• Reid Lyon and Charles Severino commented on 1969 Village Sweep KIAs

March 25, 2012

• Thomas Quinn commented on Looking for B Med 82 ABN

March 20, 2012

• Steve Molden replied to Tim Dibble on SFC Roland D. Dibble – Taps
• SFC Roland D. Dibble – Taps

March 18, 2012

• Martin Calloway commented on February 13, 1969 – FIRE!

March 14, 2012

• Thanks to Jim Littig for his important contribution on the Agent Orange Registry

March 13, 2012

• Hue April 3, 1968
• Nick Susick has a comment for Bob Guthrie on General Orders 43 – VIETNAMESE CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM

March 9, 2012

• Bruzer Kizer replied to Dave Cooper on A Co 1/505th INF
• Comments by Rick Talioaga, Bill Culp, and Sean McPhail on Air Medals

March 8, 2012

• Rick Talioaga commented on  Air Medals
• David Cooper comment on A 1/505th INF
• Bruce Kinzer commented on Air Medals
• Jerry Grabowski commented on In Contact
• Claude Dunn commented on General Orders 43 – VIETNAMESE CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM

Older

• Friendly FAC and the Green Beret courtesy of Jim Littig
• Terry “Nick” Nicholson is Looking for Buddies.
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Service Branch Challenge
• Steve Smith is  Looking for Buddies.
• General Orders 48 – CIVIL ACTIONS MEDAL, FIRST CLASS
• Ron Yorkovich started a new topic – Air Medals.
• Bob Guthrie commented on General Orders 43 – VIETNAMESE CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM.
• Grover C. Barfield commented on Deployment to Nam.
• Terry “Nick” Nicholson commented on Agent Orange Spraying at Phu Loi?
• Terry “Nick” Nicholson posted a comment in Lost and Found.
• William Lewis is Looking for Buddies.
• Phil Cronin commented on Deployment to Nam.
• Paratroopers Make Sweep in Swamp
• Fred Hart commented on Colonel Joseph Ross Franklin.
• Tom Furst commented in Agent Orange Spraying at Phu Loi?
• Charles Severino is looking for recollections on 1969 Village Sweep KIAs.
• Bob Fizthum received his painting and commented on “In Contact”.
• Bob Patterson commented on Deployment to Nam.
• Ed Martin added a poem in Airborne Poetry.
• Nick Susick has a comment for John Niemi on Looking for Buddies.
• One year – 200,000 rounds later – February 13, 1969 – FIRE!
• Joe Reinhart commented on “In Contact”.
• Wayne Barlow commented on Deployment to Nam.
• Marshall Martin commented on A 2/505 mini-reunion.
• Claud Dunn wants to jam at Biloxi 2012!
• New post by Ed Martin – Deployment to Nam.
• John Niemi commented on Looking for Buddies.
• Keith Allen is looking  to share a room at Biloxi 2012!
• Tom Berryman is Looking For Donald W. Kelley, B Med.
• Tom Berryman replied to Looking for B Med 82 ABN.
• Mike Tolbert commented on Looking for Buddies.
• Tommy Locastro commented on Biloxi 2012!
• Jerry Beck commented on Biloxi 2012!.
• John Johnas commented on Looking for Buddies.
• Fank Walenga commented on Looking for Buddies.
• Tom Fuller is Looking for Buddies.
• New post by Carol Lanier-Michaels - Lt Lance B. Lanier
• New comment by Ros Round on Biloxi 2012!.
• Wayne Barlow commented on Looking for Buddies.
• Bob Fitzhum commented on Agent Orange Spraying at Phu Loi?
• Steven Molden commented on Agent Orange Spraying at Phu Loi?
• Mike Murphy on Agent Orange Spraying at Phu Loi?
• New post by Dick Tunstall – Agent Orange Spraying at Phu Loi?
• Robert Carrizales commented on Looking for Buddies.
• Golden Brigade portrait “First Contact” available for ordering.
• Are You Ready to Go Home? December 1969 – Pacific Stars & Stripes.
• Edward Dykes commented on  Phu Bai Ammo Dump.
• New post by Bill Bunch – Kit Carson Scout – Nguyen Dac Cau “Caaus”
• George Peter Algar commented on MG Alexander Russell Bolling, Jr. Memorial Services.

This was our largest gathering yet, with plenty of old friends and new friends in attendance.  We met in a beautiful beachside hotel with activities galore for everyone. True Southern hospitality with more than a smattering of good times, great memories, and great food. This was one of the best reunions yet!  The Treasure Bay hotel staff went above and beyond expectations to ensure that our every need was taken care of–thank you, Kim!

Our hosts, Charlotte and Rick Randazzo, organized a chartered bus trip to New Orleans where we visited the National WWII Museum. The film, Beyond All Boundries, narrated by Tom Hanks, was a true 4D experience–there were plenty of off-screen stimuli that were very well done–we still have our ‘startle’ reflexes. There was plenty of free time to explore the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, and to sample the world-famous beignets. Charlotte also organized a shopping/antiquing trip for the ladies and a Rick led a fishing excursion. Rick’s poolside shrimp and crawfish boil (with Carl Bludau’s homemade spicy wild pig and venison sausage) was to die for!  Even with all the scheduled activities there were quiet times in the hospitality suite for reminiscing. And then there was the casino . . .

At the General Membership meeting a VA representative discussed PTSD and claims with  follow-up Q&As. This is something that should be available to our families, as well. The Chapter will look to the new Army Museum at Ft Belvoir to display our heritage–Ft Bragg is too far off the beaten path and there’s just not enough room to properly dislpay our history. Carl Bludau will be stepping down as Chapter Chairman on January 1, 2013 after 21 years of service. At a Division reunion in Houston, TX, Carl, Rich O’Hare, and Dickie Keaton posted a small sign inviting and 82nd Vietnam veterans to stop by and have a beer–and thus, the Golden Brigade Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association was born. Carl has served as our Chairman since inception. Paddy Barry was nominated and unanimously approved as our next Chairman. Location ideas for our next and 50th reunions were tossed around without any consensus. Saigon or Hue, anyone?

At our formal dinner, the Missing Man Table ceremony honored our forever young and recent passings were remembered. James Kiser offered the benediction. Richard Armocido won the door prize for a very nice bottle of Gentleman Jack Daniels whiskey etched especially for the Golden Brigade–thanks to the Randazzo’s for donating this great gift! Ken Steelman donated a print of In Contact, the Golden Brigade portrait. It was very nicely matted and framed with our challenge coin as an inset. Leonel and Laila Alvarado very generously won the auction for this great piece of art. nicely framed painting of ou, Rick Randazzo, painting Ken Steelman, James Kiser led us in prayer. Lastly, Carl Bludau was roasted by several friends, icluding Kieth Bell, John Kapranopolous, and Dickie Keaton. We learned all about Willis and the ‘Never Again Club’. It was truly a great roast. Thanks you for your service to our Chapter, Carl–we are all better for your inspiration and steerage of the Chapter. Carl will continue to focus on the Wounded Warriors Project and Division activities.

My name is Jono Krawczyk and I am a student at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. My English class is reading “The Things They Carried”, and is now beginning a project memorializing soldiers whose names are on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. We are commemorating lost soldiers and I received Sergeant Danny Scurfield’s name.

I am hopingyou would be willing to share any memories, experiences or photos you have with Sergeant Scurfield that I can include in my memorial to make my tribute more personal.

If you would like to see similar projects to the one I’m working on and where my memorial will eventually be posted, please visit http://www4.eanesisd.net/~vietnam/.

Thank you very much for your time,

Jono Krawczyk

Please feel free to email me at jonokrawczyk@gmail.com

Hi,

My name is Tim Dibble, the son of SFC Dibble. He was in the 82nd Airborne in Vietnam. He was also in the third infantry division. He was in Vietnam in 25 May 69 to 24 June 70. Please if you knew him or was one of his buddies please feel free to contact me. I am sorry to let you know that on March 13 1998 he had passed away with cancer do to agent orange. I live in Florida  and my number is (352)489-7815. Please, please, please feel free to call me if you knew him. Thanks in advance

Tim Dibble
jrsmom63@netzero.com

 VA’s Agent Orange Registry health exam alerts Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to Agent Orange exposure during their military service. The registry data helps VA understand and respond to these health problems more effectively.

Forever Young

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5tG5bFu0Zw&feature=share

Thanks to Jim Littig for this . . .

I am the daughter of All American LTC William L. Deane, who was declared MIA in Vietnam on January 8, 1973. In April 2000, we interred his remains at Arlington Cemetery.  I am the Education Center Programs Consultant at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) in Washington, DC, and graciously asking for your help.  First, we need high resolution photos (600 dpi or higher) of the fallen soldiers whose names are inscribed on The Wall, and those who died in  Iraq and Afghanistan so we can put faces with names by including them in the new Education Center’s digital exhibit.  Secondly, we need help to raise funds for the Center that will be located on the Mall (located behind The Wall). We currently have a Service Branch Challenge out, asking all active duty and veterans to contribute towards the building of the Center. Please contact me or see http://www.buildthecenter.org/

Sharon M. Deane
sdeane@vvmf.org

HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, DC, 14 October 1971

CIVIL ACTIONS MEDAL, FIRST CLASS

The Civil Actions Medal, First Class has been awarded by the Government of the Republic of Vietnam for outstanding service during the period February 1968 through 2 May 1970 to the 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION and its assigned and attached units: (more…)

Dozens and dozens of Popper and Eagle Flights. We were told that logs were being kept for us.  I have to say that this has been a sore point for many years. I left at the end of July 1969. Who received orders for their Air Medals? How can we get them now? Any volunteers to take on getting this resolved?

Looking as if they were scudding over grass except for a telltale ridge of spray, American paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division rode a flat-bottomed boat through a swampy area about 10 miles northwest of Saigon. They were searching for Viet-Cong soldiers. (A.P. wirephoto, October 5, 1969)

Forever Young

I was with the 17th. Cav.  Does anyone remember the two infantrymen that were KIA in their foxhole during a village sweep?  The memory isn’t very good so I don’t recall exactly where we were or when, I think it was early 69′.  I do recall we dropped them off around 0400hrs. then we set up in a hedgerow on one side of the village and the infantry would sweep the village at first light so anyone fleeing would run into us.  Unfortunately some VC made a run for it away from us and shot the two troopers.  We removed them from the hole and transported them back to base camp. I would really like to know their names as it has been haunting me for the last 43 years.  Thanks and welcome home brothers.

Charles Severino
nhbatt3@msn.com

Thanks to CPL Richard Armocido (artilleryman in photo above & below) for this!

Richard Armocido  at Fire Support Base All-American with the 2/321st Artilleriy’s 200,000th round to be fired from base piece #3. “Took 3 days to polish that.”

HEY, I just remembered that this is February. That’s the month the Brigade got the alert orders to deploy to Nam. Does anyone know the exact date? I remember that they wouldn’t tell us where we were going untill we were coming into Chu Lia.

Landing in Japan to refuel kind of gave the secret away. Just a few months before that we were on alert for Korea.

Ed Martin