Draft Newsletter Daily Worksheet for MARCH 2026Draft
Latest Update of Draft - 22 February 2026
Board & Special Guests Use Only. Not for publication
This is my worksheet during the month for the next Newsletter.
powellcentaur@gmail.com
Centaur Website Newsletter - March 2026
INDEX: Checking In, News, Corrections , War Stories/Photos , Deceased, Reunions,
Our Spam email problems continue. Please be sure to not open anything from Bruce Powell that doesn not show the email address of powellcentaur@gmail.com
--- Checking In---
If you have never checked in with us please send the webmaster a note (no obligations): email powellcentaur@gmail.com
...Don Borey.....Jim Hoag......Frank Dillon......Carl Betsill......Richard Stegner......Tom Fleming....Jerry Headley....John Jones.....Curt Knapp....
....Chuck Sullivan (Marty's son)....John Moore......Michael Peake.....
--- News ---
Wargasm Model: You can now purchase a plastic model on Ebay.
LOH (OH-6A) 66-17795 was first flown by Curt Knapp (2nd Bde, 101st) in Vietnam and later assigned to F Troop Centaurs. Carl Betsill worked on restoring the history of Wargasm and met Curt in that process. Turns out that after the war Knapp found Wargasm in the AAHF. He joined them in Georgia, flew Combat Assault Demos, and gave visitor rides in the Huey and Cobra.
This great aircraft history is recorded on our website in our Essay Section "The History of "Wargasm". Many pilots and crew members are mentioned in this history. Maybe you can add to it.
contact "Betsill, Carl" <betsill@coastalnet.com>
Declassified LRRP Reports now available to those interested. It is a 95meg file of PDFs. There are over 900 PDF LRRP reports from one in October 26, 1966 and the rest beginning February 1, 1967 through October 27, 1970, and another 50 PDFs that contain multi-page documents of hand-drawn maps with reports. Then there are links to online sites that allow access to additional reports especially for 1968 to 1970. Thanks to Mike Peake!
Send a note to the webmaster if you want to download it. powellcentaur@gmail.com.
--- Website Corrections/Updates---
Richard Stegner: Corrected tour dates on his MyPage.
Marty Sullivan: Wife's name corrected on his MyPage. Marty's son Chuck is donating some items for the next Reunion.
SSG Turner: Based on Tom Fleming's story below the name SSG Turner (LRRP) has been added to our Centaur Roster. Turner was on his first VN tour. Past assignment was at Ft Benning in the Ranger school as an instructor. He was awell built large, black NCO. Very assertive and maybe a bit cockey. We hope to find some Nam photos of him.
--- War Stories & Photos---
LRRP Extraction Charcoal Kiln - 1967: Tom Fleming remembers this story of a memorable LRRP mission under the Operational Control of D Troop near Dau Tieng. SSG Turner and his squad may have gotten a little to close to the trail of VC moving weapons and were spotted. They were lucky to have been successfuly extracted.
It is unusual that we have no records or photos of SSG Turner. We are hoping that you might remember him or have spotted him in a photo on the website. contact powellcentaur@gmail.com.
Centaur Flight Helmets: A discussion page has been created where the different helmet designs can be shown and discussed.
One of the more memorable helmets is that of Bob Dunbar where the bullet penetrated his helmet and creased his skull. See the story by Frank Delvy on page 97 of the Centaurs In Vietnam Book by Carl Burns.
Let us know if you find other photos or helmet stories. powellcentaur@gmail.com
--- Deceased ---
Jose M. Casanova
SP4 Flight Operations, died 1 March 2025.
Very little info available on him. Can you add anything?
Paul David Matakovich SP4, Centaur from 1965 to 1967 died 28 Nov 2007. He has been listed on our rostders as deceased for some time, but just recently John Moore has located his online Obituary. A link has been added to his name on our rosters. Paul was a Petroleum Storage Specialist (MOS 56C). We have no photos or other information about him. Maybe you can help.
James G. "Jim" Matney PVT, Centaur from March 1966 to March 1967 was a 67N Crew Chief. John Moore has located his online Obituary We have no Nam photos or other information about him. Maybe you can help.
--- Reunions ---
•••••••••••Centaur Vets Reunion December 2026•••••••••••
Current proposal is to do a cruise. See Hosts Bob and Dee Forringer notes throughout the months by clicking on the Reunion Button on the website.
11 Reservations so far.
•••••••••••••3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion August 2026••••••••••
The next 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion will be in Lexington, KY August 23d thru August 27th 2026. See after action report in the Dave Cox 2025 Fall Edition Cav Newsletter.
Lifetime membership has been reduced to $10 from $75. Annual membership is eliminated.
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...........................PENDING - "My Swamp"...........................................
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Need to go thru all of this someday
Review Pending "My Swamp" below & see what can be done, or has been already done, or given up on. Haven't had a chance to go through this lately. Maybe you can
Attempted to contact Chuck O'Connell....
The My Chanh Line - May 1972: Discussion Page?: The success of one of those big battles is greatly do to the heroics of CPT Ron Radcliffe and his crew CPT Elder and Bruce Anderson. see the Radcliffe interview.
Consider creating a special YOUTUBE presentation to advertize our Centaur Website.
Discussion page for 20 minute fuel warning light. Mattison
site:centaursinvietnam.org 20 minute warniing
Get current pic from Randy Love
Is Harold B. Swiencki still alive?
Gerald L. "Jerry" Wright 1LT pilot Centaur 24 Jan to Jun 1967 sent him welcome email long time ago
LRRP with foot injury rescued by Dooling 21 Feb 1970
Consider making Draft MyPages for those we have full names for but no pics of information, That asks whoever clicks on it to help out.
Get InfoSheet from Jack "Beetle" Bailey
Get InfoSheet from Chuck O'Connell
Huckaby still researching Larry Dean McIntosh...deceased?
1LT Larry J. Kastanek Feb 70-71 Gunpilot D/F left phone message. 18Apr (785) 770-7565 lft msg again 8Jul2025
Huckaby: Resembles the guy I knew, but we all changed in the first few months. Charles Loher HS pic
Update add links to Petty story KIA and Bob Bobo's OH6 rescue
Ad Carl Burns Rutgers Interview: https://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/explore/alphabetical-index/interviewees/30-interview-html-text/671-burns-carl
Dec2024
draft InfoSheet for Russ Mattison
Try to contact Jose M. Casanova lft msg 30Dec
Gordon Eatley stuff?
Upgrade History Section Links
Publish mov of 2014 San Antonio Reunion Cav. Movies and images!
2014 San Antonio Reunion Cav. Videos of Jenkins, Walt, Reese, Neymeyer!!
Review Carl Burns book Centaurs In Vietnam and see what stories we haven't trasfered to the the Website.
Find stories from other books of Centaurs and publish on Website.
Start a monthly War Story second look article. Maybe the Bu Dop Mission of Nov 1967. Or do them by "50 Years ago this month" 57 years ago for Bu Dop
Maybe later when they link to us: Lost Link: Somewhere along the line we lost our link to the Friends Of Army Aviation website. It has been revised and placed on our "Links" page.
Mike Law friends mypage? He does not want one 17Oct2024
1LT Larry J. Kastanek Feb 70-71 Gunpilot D/F left phone message. 18Apr (785) 770-7565 lft msg again 8Jul2025
Add Index of Articles for MyPages: , Beasley, Meeks, Wayne Moose, Peake, Radcliffe, Mike Vaughn
No response Russell James Mattison Oct2024
Await Anthony Holm info & Photo Oct2024
An attempt to help is a new Centaur discussion page Understanding the Modern 25th Inf Div.
Also there is a link to the AAAA video of the event that was provided by <a href="Roster/MyPageFriendsDuals/GoochRexDual.jpg">Rex Gooch</a>
MSR Discussion
Working on getting couples photos taken at the 2023 Centaur Reunion placed on respective InfoSheets
Couples photo listings (to infosheets) Richardson,
Work Harlan Coopers pics from Tegelman into Reunion section. Same with those from Linda Richardson
3/4 Cav 2010 Reunion page - fix links
2019 Centaur Reunion Bowling green create index page of photos for all the movies! ????
Dows pics of old reunions
Minor upgrades to these other MyPages ..........
Old Reunion Photos found and posted to the Reunion section. Those from Janis Cooper 2016 Cav Reunion (Harrisburg,PA or Centaur Reunion (Omaha)?
Big time 2012 - 48 videos at Nashville
More Reunion After Action Notes from the Centaur Vets Day Reunion Last Month:
Reunion photos and videos of long past have been repaired and relinked Cav 2008 and 2010
2006 Cav Reunion video and Photo Album
Add Reunion photos and videos to PhoAudVideo page at bottom
Do a page for the Cat House? Cat house vs EM club?
Phoncon with CW2 Bob Long A trp 1/9th then D troop Will send pics Calld again 26Aug2023
Upgrade Ed Risner Memoriam page and links
Note that 14 2022 reunion videos are posted in the WS Video section.
Located photo of LOH 15338 in Jim Messina old website file. Bigger pic on LOH Photos pg
Ken Rucki? Get photos and info for Dennis Piper (phone call) and current of Rucki. Maybe a current of Bill Byers
Follow up on Leo C. Rice contact from Larry Richardson
Upgrade of Richard "Frenchie" Bernier MyPage - photo album? No word back from him yet 28Oct2022
Use photo of Suoi Da Assault 1966 to talk about Suoi Da and Suoi Da Airstrip now under water. Find Airstrip pic with weapons cache from LZ Gold. Early 67 with OH-23
Gordon Eatley will work on his 8mm movie for captions. Tower is Water tower being built.
Cobra down war story by Russ Mattison Meeks/Moose - the real story. Wolfe, Gabrielson
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??
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
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
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.
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.
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
...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?
Add discussion page for 1967 Bob Hope show. Find Star Stripes article. Add comments from Fleming
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?
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
Reference our War Story Hunter Crew and Rescue Crew KIA: ??
will send pics
Update Odom and Rogers rescue movies to include marty lalli. add links.
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.
Awaiting: Rich Williams checks in. need MyPage. Has "Fall in well" comments Altenhofen emailed him 28Dec called him 22 feb 2020 left msg
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
25th Div Flash publcation? Should we link to it? Can we?
