Draft October 2022 Newsletter Daily Worksheet Draft
UPDATED 29 September 2022
Board Use Only. Not for publication
This is my worksheet during the month for the next Newsletter
...Working notes are Green on Yellow
...Green notes not completed by end of August will move to Pending section.
Centaur Website Newsletter - October 2022
News
Our huge Legacy Website: Have you viewed all our 244 Videos? Our 8000 photos (Album/SlideShows)? - Over 400 Essays/Discussions? Watched our 8mm & 16mm films? We hope that you are watching and having your memory cells revived so you can add your input to it. Every little piece, comment, photo, story is valuable. Time to help out. email powellcentaur@gmail.com
My First D Troop/Squadron Reunion, by MIke Vaughn. This is an essay that Mike wrote in 2002 after attending his first D Troop/Squadron reunion. Date: September 5, through September 8, 2002. Mike has expressed the deep feelings of many of us from our first reunions. If you haven't been, you may be depriving yourself of an enormeous experience and deep feelings of self worth.
Centaur Vets Day Reunion Updates:
.....Attendance Roster updated and Video Schedule begun.
.....Confirmed that there will be Cobra, Huey and LOH static displays. Sit in them/take photos.
.....We hope to have Helicopter Rides. Good chance on the Huey but probably not on the Cobra. They might be able to get a Cobra up for rides but no guarentee at this point. This is a tough business keeping the old aircraft flyable and certified for passenger rides. We will keep you informed on the Reunion Page of our website.
.....Things are moving rapidly! A large group of Centaurs have signed up for the parade. If you are interested, and haven't signed up yet, please contact Jim now. jim@thewaltfamily.com
.....Next years (2023) Reunion Host and location will be chosen by a public vote at this years reunion. If you are interested in being a Host in the future or determining the next location, please talk to Jim Walt soon, so he can present that input to the group before the vote. jim@thewaltfamily.com
AH-1G Cobra #68-15012 "#1 Du Me Mi" has been found and being resurrected!
Back in the June 2022 Centaur Newsletter, Matthew R. Godec from the US Army Museum put out a note requesting any information on Cobra 012.
In this Newsletter Jonathan A. Bernstein, Arms and Armor Curator at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia, follows up with his note:
"I wanted to reach out to see if it would be possible to contact any pilots or ground crews that flew or worked on AH-1G 68-15012, better known as #1 Du Me Mi. This past May I was on a parts acquisition mission for the restoration of our AH-1G (68-15140) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds when I was sitting in 012's rear cockpit about to remove the main control panel. When I saw the tail number, I immediately recognized it (Lou Drendel's original painting of her is hanging over my desk at home) and contacted colleagues of mine over at the National Museum of the US Army." read the whole article.
Send input to "Peake, Michael" <thegermansons@yahoo.com>
Centaur LRRP SFC Alvin Floyd (KIA) will be inducted into the Georgia Military Hall of Fame on 5 Nov 2022.
We encourage everyone to reread his InfoSheet with comments and DSC Award.
Michael Peake updates the Centaur Call Signs page with 14 new entries. Is your name and call sign correct?
Want to get excited about Army Aviation? Check out these few, of many, available videos:
AAHF Southwest Chapter 17 Sep2022 in Show Low, AZ
AAHF Restoration of Huey 315 and Cobra 518
It would be hard not to when watching some of the videos available about the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. These folks, their families and friends have found something truly exciting and fun to be involved with during these otherwise trying times.
Major upgrade to the Centaur Website: Centaur Society Nav Button becomes the Helicopter Button.
The Navigation Buttons on the left side of every page on the website has been changed. The third button down used to be Centaur Society. Since the Society has served its purpose and grown into, and become the Centaurs In Vietnam Organization (CIVO), this button is no longer needed. The Society is still remembered for all its work in the History Section and the buton changed to "Helicopters".
Organizations: Confused by the many groups and organizations involving Centaurs? Check out this new Discussion page on the website that trys to explain it all: Relationship of Organizations Involving Centaurs.
Checking In
Bain Cowell Former Centaur Director checks in. He is still a Docent at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, GA and continues to support our Centaur Legacy effort by handing out his Centaur BS cards. It needed to be updated with his new email address.
Jake Cirincione 2LT (Bill Cirincione's son) contacted us for more info on his dad. Wants to talk. If you remember more about Bill or have photos or documents not on the website, please email me at powellcentaur@gmail.com
Carl Burns a Centaur Director, checks in from the UPS store where he had several items printed up for the Centaur Reunion in Phoenix this next November.
Carl hopes to make the reunion this year with his son.
Allen Brinkerhoff 1LT Centaur 28 Heavy Scouts D/F Troops Sep 70 to May 71: Allen checks in and will hopefully get some photos to us so we can create a MyPage.
Finding Centaurs & Friends
Does anyone remember a PFC or SP/4 Chris McKay? Air Traffic Controller MOS. Served in 1972 at Tan My. Do any of you pilots or crewmembers remember having an ATC controller at Tan My? Please send info to Frank Dillon at <dillon@casstel.net> or on the F Troop Facebook page.
Donut Dollies
Nicknamed “Donut Dollies” as an homage to the Red Cross women who handed out donuts to troops in previous wars, these Red Cross workers were part of the Red Cross Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) program.
Donut Dollies War Story Discussion Page has been started. Go to the War Stories Discussion page and scroll down to Donut Dollies. Send your Centaur stories and photos to be included.
Sandy McLeod sends photo of Donut Dollies with LOH 68-17154 "Sweet Carolin" and wants to identify the pilot. Photo probably taken in Apr to June of 1971. powellcentaur@gmail.com
"Did anyone take other photos of these Donut Dollies during that visit? I’m sure the Donut Dolly Association would appreciate them. May also help ID at least one of them - the one wearing a nametag. Also talking about the LOH; Harlan Sparrow got there in April, ’71 when it was, or soon to be, Sweet Carolin. Ed Wolfe, who left shortly thereafter in early May doesn’t recall Sweet Carolin name on any of the LOHs. I left in mid-June. So, having taken the picture, we’re tentatively concluding the Donut Dollie visit to be May/June. But, knowing name change time, if anyone can recall, would confirm." Sandy
MyPages
Michael K. "Mike" Remington SP4 Aerorifle Platoon "Blues" 1972 has been located by Tina Cook and has signed up for the Newsletter Distribution. We have created a draft MyPage for him using his photo from the 1971-72 Yearbook.
Leon Bond SP4 Company Clerk F Troop Jan 1971 to Jan 1972 has a draft MyPage awaiting a current photo. Also an InfoSheet. Leon has some photos he will sort through for posting on the website in the furture.
Charles Traylor PFC Avionics Mechanic Oct 1972 to Jan 1973 now has a draft MyPage using a 1977 pic of him as a SP5 at Ft Campbell. His Nam photos were destroyed. Maybe you can find a Nam photo of him for us. powellcentaur@gmail.com
James "Jim" Turner SP4 Medical Technician February 1971 to September 1971 sends in a current photo for his MyPage. He is also going to send us some Nam Photos.
An InfoSheet has been added
Deceased
We found the Obit for CPT Jack D. Dickson with photo. A Deceased page has been created and an InfoSheet/Obit page. He is mentioned in article on Time line TLN 19 May 1969
Does anyone know him well enough to send condolences to Family from Centaurs?
Kenneth Ray "Kenny" Campbell SP4 Aug 1970 to Aug 1971, Service Platoon and then to Scout Crew Chief.
Ken is remembered by his close Centaur friend Joe Hoover in the InfoSheet/Obit
Enrique A. Bustamante CW3 Pilot 1965-1966 died 26 November 2017. John Moore located this photo of him.
He has a limited Info/Obit page. He retired as a CW4 and may have been on his third tour to Nam. Do you remember him or have any photos or stories.
Robert Simmons CPT Troop XO, Centaur 5, 1969-1970, died 13 July 1995. We have no photos of him. He has been listed in our "Wanted" Memory Jogger section since 25 Jul 2019 (MJ056) - The only info we have on him up until now is "CPT 1970 Died after tour 95/06/13 VHPA". John Moore has located an old newspaper article and photo of Bob's gravestone that we have used to create a Deceased MyPage for him. Eric Brethen remembers him as the Troop XO. Terry Branham remembers him and makes comments on the Deceased Obit page. Mike Holder mentions in his reunion video that Simmons checked him out in an LOH in one flight. Surely someone will spot a photo of Bob so we can properly honor him.
Photos/Slideshows/Video
Don Borey finds pic of Skip Petrie in Goldsmith's Photo Album. It is now added as an MP to Skip Petrie's Deceased MyPage. Notice also that the MP on Petrie's page is linked to go to Goldsmith's Photo Album page.
If you notice other good photos of guys that are not shown on their MyPage as an MP, please send an email with that info to the Webmaster. powellcentaur@gmail.com
War Stories
Daniel "Dan" Wilson Story - 1969, by Allen KC Allcock. KC tells about Dan his great friend during their tour together in 1969, before Dan's unfortunate death in 1970 - KIA. Story is linked to from the War Stories Essay page and from Allcock and Wilson's MyPages.
KC also tells the story of how he and Colleen, Dan's sister, got together.
Reunions
November 10-13 - Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion Phoenix, Arizona. See Roster for those already planning to attend - Approximatey 80+ people.
Next door to the Commemorative Air Force - World's Largest Flying Museum
Contact Jim Walt at jim@thewaltfamily.com. We hope to have Huey and Cobra Rides available for a fee. See Huey Rides Video.
Download the official Reunion Registration Packet
Add Doolings T Shirts
Glossary
..................PENDING - "My Swamp"...........................................
!!!!!!! REMINDER - Nov 2022- add Tegelman's what is a vet article
Should we say anything about our world wide stats, charts?
Update info on the 2024 Cav Reunion San Antonio
Gordon Eatley will work on his 8mm movie for captions. Tower is Water tower being built.
Need to go thru all of this someday
Wayne Cooper Aerorifle Pilot rated by Fisher and Fleming. Sent another email for info 26Jun. Long phone con 30Jun2022 - he will send stuff
Cobra down war story by Russ Mattison Meeks/Moose - the real story. Wolfe, Gabrielson
Don Borey and shoulder patches Don Borey asks if we had a D Trp Hunter Killer Team patch like the F Trp one.
Info obit for Ken Mick??
Richard Quantas dead??
This is not T Berry: Karn note 29 JUN: YES there was a second black enlisted man that joined the scouts before I left. I don't recall his name. I remember flying with him once and he didn't like the CS gas that we threw and then flew through. And yes, he wasn't any "T -berry".
Tyrone T. Thornsberry "T Berry" SP4 LOH Door Gunner/Observer 1969 now has a draft MyPage and an MP1 using a John Evans photo of Evans, Kreil and Tyrone, with their LOH "SNAFU"
Bruce Karn remembers Thornsberry as his LOH Observer. He could fly quite well from the left seat. see story
Email to Gaylen Randell 66-67 for photos. we have infosheet.
Edmond Manville aol.com not found??
Bill Comeau Dual with Dragon thanks Centaurs
Discussion page for 20 minute fuel warning light. Mattison
Will Pat McGarry bring his OH-23 to the reunion? Looks like he may
May 5-8, 2022 - Florida's 34th Annual All Veterans Reunion
1May2022 NOTES Phoncon Reggie Slater:
Fix your email. Have him talk to friends Richard Dennison and Jim Wells. Send pics and info to me. Come to Nov reunion and do videos. Wells was in auto accident and not doing well. Is in photo with Col Pete in the book. He talked to Beasley (throat cancer) who is doing better. Reggie was looking for someone from his 66 tour year going to the DC Reunion. No one was and he has had some health problems. He said the videos I did for him helped him tremendously in his life. I told him to tell that to his buddies and get them to me at the Nov reunion. We will see if that works. Told him about Carl and Ruth Ann Burns health problems
Contact Buford - no luck so far
Has our AH-1G plaque in museum been fixed? Pending - Email to Headley 14Apr22
Bob Acker Photos to website - update An Duc War Story - pics to Aircraft Tail number sections (links) and Helicopter photos section
661 494 and 659 pics and info
Info Sheet for Mike Reed
Contact Joe Pisano editor of AAAA mag
Contact Jerry Shelton in Hawaii. His email is rejected. Phone #no good 2Apr2022. Email to Jerry Shelton used to work now does not. Phone # bad Hawaii
Get current pic from Randy Love
Who knows what happened with George Stenehjem?
Work on getting Reunion section updated with links to old reunions.
14Apr2022: Bill Boyd called me: His son building a small house behind his for him to live. Moving right now, but will get me some info notes and check out the photos on website. He remembers Ponzillo’s note recruiting new guys. Bill was in Field Artillery. Was not ranger or airbore qualified.Gave new Gmail.
Updates - find Marty Sullivan
Frank Walker video - edit and post - no longer on YouTube
CW2 Larry M. Dau LOH Pilot 1970-71 Awaiting info for MyPage. sent him email 11Jan22 --Followed up Fri night - left phone msg at (702) 498-7849 28Jan. Tried again 9Apr.
WO Larry J. Kastanek Feb 70-71 Gunpilot D/F left phone message. 18Apr (785) 770-7565 lft msg
Talk to Holmberg. Does he want to say anything about putting Radcliffe in for AAAA honor?
Add Mike Sloniker VHPA Historian to Centaur Friends page for his great input to the pages of Mick, Miller and Woods.
Find: Terry R. Bleed (sent email), Marty Sullivan, Melvin Locke, mentioned in McLeod audio
Find Melvin W. Locke Jr. 1LT 1970 Pasadina - mentioned in McLeod audio - call
Find Silver Star citation for Joe Don Ramey
Ask Bill Comeau (historian 2/12th) if he can find 2/12th Warriors people involved in medivac 7 Jun 1970 where Holder was seriously wounded.Improve/update John Mackey MyPage infosheet, 7Jan22 Met with him in Yuma
...Nicholas, Sellers and Laird SS or Albums - check for possible MP's or myPages
...Review slides and photo albums for guys we have photos on but no links. Create rough draft MyPages.
...Found email Jun 2003 to Dow from CW2 William R. Cooper. Sparrow's hootchmate. 1971-72 Slicks. Been getting News ltr. Send contact email
...Add link to Creeping Jesus in aircraft photos section
Brian Bledsoe- can you add comments to Byrd's slideshow photos?
Possible project: Have some time? Want to help with the Centaur Website? Don't know crap about computers?
Then try this: Centaur Website Projects for Dummies - Lesson 1 - Identifying photos: Lesson 2 ?, 3? etc. Publish to Help Section
Awaiting picture captions from Eric Brethen
Do a redsign of website: Call Signs, Discussions, Glossary and other hard things to find: create buttons at top of Help page and maybe on homepage.
Awaiting stuff from Jim McPeak?
fix pages in reunions section - Big time project
Add discussion page for 1967 Bob Hope show. Find Star Stripes article. Add comments from Fleming
awaiting Susan Gassaway article (Pappy Jones wife) aug2021
Garrett "Moose" Marcinkowski pics?? Lost again?
Need to add History page for 2.75 rocket pods (M200) etc
Doug Olsen talked to Dennis Pfoor who said he would be contacting me soon. Nov
Nebraska Vietnam Memorial - Moore, Brosh
Jack Kenneth Swinehart 1947-2015. Find a grave. Is this our guy?
will we add Kentucky Woman American Legion group to our Friends section?
awaiting Dennis Yenser input
Add Discussion Page Volunteers - A Troop to D Troop (Air) as Door Gunners- 1967 find Fleming note
Consider publishing the 3/17 web page describing who was assigned to whom. Try to get answers for the Centaurs. http:/bluetigersite.com/vietnam/iiffv.html Otherwise comparable to "Who's on First" by Abbott and Costello. Get input from past commanders and Bob Graham. The main website with index is http:/bluetigersite.com/vietnam/chronology.html dead email address?
Awaiting email from Harry Swiencki about his awards. Assemble his DFC
Consider a piece about Do No Harm doctrine. Encourage all the gory details, particularily to get it off your chest, knowing that the CIVO Board reviews all input to the website to insure that our doctrine of "do no harm to our fellow Centaurs". Yes, we know we had a few genuinely bad people and some good people who made bad decisions. We will tell the stories for history, but not judge or brand those individuals.
We are providing a place where you can vent the frustrations, guilt, anger and remorse you have been carrying for 40 or 50 years, to a group of dedicated Centaurs who have walked in your shoes. We will listen, we will talk, we will edit for the web as necessary.
Acts of Cowardice, Criminal, Inexperience, Arrogance or Stupidity should be discussed to help us all finally get it out. Do it for your mental well being, not for vengence or revenge. Get some closure. It was war. We can forgive most anything, but only you can forgive yourself. Do it and know some peace for whatever time you have left.
more photos due in from David Whitley
Ronald Dean Hoagland tina cook Feb Newsletter .....rejected at this email posted in last newsletter
2LT VHPA F Trp 1971
Gerald L. "Jerry" Wright 1LT pilot Centaur 24 Jan to Jun 1967 sent him welcome email
Reference our War Story Hunter Crew and Rescue Crew KIA: ??
will send pics
Bob Jones Video?? 13Nov2019 need his narrative says he is on it
Update Odom and Rogers rescue movies to include marty lalli. add links.
Herb Beasley dying? more info? Throat cancer. 30 some radiation treatments. Phoncon
Pending:Jeff Lemr His daughter "Jill" contacted us. Add to Newsletter list. Get her in contact with Bill Witt. Frm Witt (10Sep): ">Bruce, Thanks for the reply. I pray Jeff will contact his Daughter however, he has a hard time getting in touch with his feelings. The only time he seems free is playing his guitar. There is a Vet Center here that has a "Combat Stress Management Guitar Group" hopefully, I can get him to go with me. Might need to say something about Jeff Lemr and daughter getting together after 12yrs if that happens.
Jan 3, 12:59 PM from Hamilton.
to Frank, Carl, Carl, Thomas, Bain, Pat, Tom, Brian, Jim, Gary, Nick, Mike, Charlie, John, Jerry, me
Yes, the Designation was D 3/4 Cav until the 2nd Bde 25th was ordered to stand down and return to Hawaii. We thought we would go with them until I received orders that we would not redeploy and would be designated an independent air cav troop, F Troop, 4th U. S. Cavalry. My kids back home really got a kick out of that. Daddy commanded F Troop like on TV.
ACTION Needed:What is a Regiment anyway? 4th Reg is our major link between D and F besides the call sign. What do the Regiment records say about who F Troop was formally assigned to. Looks like it was 25th Inf Div Hawaii with some sort of attachment to 11th and 12 CAGs of the 1st Avn Brigade. Is there any presidence for wearing the patch of a unit that you are attached too?
Awaiting: Rich Williams checks in. need MyPage. Has "Fall in well" comments Altenhofen emailed him 28Dec called him 22 feb 2020 left msg
Awaiting:Bruce Hinds sending Boonie Hat stuff.
Awaiting: CW2 Richard "Rocky" Reed input 15 Sep 2019 He has never answered. Maybe Eric Brethen can get ahold of him. email 5 Dec 2021
Awaiting:James "Mike" Richey info. Photos and text. Added "Mike" to MyPage
ACTION Needed:Pat Lacy? Gilley - Not listed on the Centaur Roster (Spelling maybe?) Photo 50 Can you name the guys in photo 52 with the dog Gunner? Jerry Caldwell, SSG Photos 57
Roosevelt Martin, SSG Photo 57
Phoncon with CW2 Bob Long will send pics and notes? Frm Long: I'm a taking Methadone and Morphine my brain is messed up, can’t keep a thought etc. or remember much.
Yes I was in D trp and A trp
Consider creating a special YOUTUBE presentation to advertize our Centaur Website.
25th Div Flash publcation? Should we link to it?