Always hanging a round...

The photo (above) was taken in 1967 probably in the Kontum or Pleiku area; not much to say about it, just ready to rock and roll.

The photo (right) was taken at Dak To in late June 1967 just after A Co. 2/503 RD, 173 RD had been overrun by an NVA battalion in the mountains of Dak To with close to 100% casualties. I had been in country two months; we listened to the battle on the radio, we could hear the calls for help, we could hear our buddies being murdered as the wounded were being killed as the NVA passed over the area again and again. You cannot imagine the feeling of not being able to do anything to help these brothers of ours in their worst time of need. To this day, every time I think about that June 22, 1967 the most terrible sinking feeling comes over me; it is very difficult not to become emotional. The Brigade learned a great and terrible lesson that day, it was our first big operation in the Central Highlands and our leadership was sadly unprepared for the occasion.

This photo was taken during a fire mission from a mountain top in Cambodia (yes Cambodia) that we occupied during Christmas 1967. We relieved a CIDG Mike Force at this location which had been reduced to match sticks by heavy air strikes from B-52's. I enjoyed my first MRE's here, having swapped C rations with the CIDG soldiers; the MRE's were definitely a step up from C's. While here, we also received Bennie Boxes and letters from the kind folks in Rochester, Minnesota, the city that adopted the 173 RD. We really appreciated their kindness and support during those troubles times; it almost made being stuck there at Xmas bearable. Two of our Brigade reunions have been hosted by the kind people of Rochester; they still carry us in their hearts. I will never forget their kindness.

Nothing like a good hot C ration meal before you move out. Got my cheese and crackers and other goodies, and of course, Kool-Aid. (only way to drink the water).  This photo was taken at Ban Me Touite in late February 1968. We had been hit by an NVA sapper squad in the early morning of February 14th, 1968; our platoon leader was KIA as was our medic who had just come back to the field from a previous wound. Several platoon members were also wounded by incoming mortar rounds from the NVA 60's. We captured numerous AK 47s, RPG rocket launchers, mortar tubes, hand grenades, and ammo for all the above, plus many dead NVA soldiers. A Valentine's Day one tends to remember.

These two photos show the weapons confiscated after the NVA sapper attack on our position on 14 February 1968. Several AK-47's, RPG rocket launchers, 60 mm mortar tubes, other small arms, and assorted ammunition for the above. As I mentioned previously, our platoon leader and medic were KIA and several platoon members were WIA from this attack. We retrieved several dead NVA soldiers, but no live prisoners...

Photo (right) was taken by my wife Janice at "The Wall", Veterans' Day, November 11, 1986. I do not know the names of the other "Herd" troopers on my left and right. We were forming up to march to "The Wall' to place the 173 RD wreath at the center of the apex. As it was in Vietnam, we were the first in for the ceremony, and as always, we were standing tall and looking good as airborne troopers should.  Silence fell over the memorial as our ranks proceeded down the walkway with "Old Glory" and the 173 RD guide on leading the way; you could hear faint murmurs in the gallery of onlookers, "that's the 173 RD, The Herd, man do they look good". The hairs on the back of my neck were standing straight up, you had to be there to feel the energy. Talk about pride and esprit de corps, I felt like I was twenty-one again just out of jump school. I met the late General Ellis Williamson at this ceremony; he presented me with one of his challenge coins, I was quite honored. The General was the original Brigade commander from 1963 to 1966.  He formed the Brigade on Okinawa in 1963 from the old 503 RD Battle Group (The Rock) from WWII  as a new type of unit for combat in Vietnam.

Another photo (right) of platoon members taken by my wife Janice at the 173 RD reunion in Yuma, AZ, February 2009. Pictured L-R: Keith Manning, Michael Matthews, John Schulte, and Steve Monroe. John and I have been in close contact for a number of years, having visited each other on several occasions. I had not seen or heard from Keith or Steve since 1968 in Nam; it was quite an emotional gathering for all of us. I also met Nick Aguilar Sr. at this gathering; had not seen him since 1968 either. It certainly was a reunion well worth the trip; we spent a lot of time looking at old photos and rehashing those indelible events forever imprinted in our minds. So glad that we were able to get together after so many years.