Draft Newsletter Daily Worksheet for August 2025Draft
Latest Update of Draft - 8 July 2025
Board Use Only. Not for publication
This is my worksheet during the month for the next Newsletter
Centaur Website Newsletter - August 2025
INDEX: News, Checking In, Corrections , NeedToFind,, Emails, MyPages, War Stories/Photos , Deceased, Reunions, Centaur Shirts
--- News ---
Access to the Draft Newsletter: A few have mentioned that they would like to help more, but not necessarily at the Director or Reunion Host level. One easy way to do this is to have access to the Draft Newsletter as it is being built by the Directors and the Newsletter Editor during the month. Anything of interest is placed there during the draft month so all can make note and maybe contribute some research or notes, even photos, At the end of the month it is all edited down and the final Newsletter is published on the first of the comming month.
We can provide you with a secret button on the Centaur Website that you can click on anytime you have some time, to see if you might be able to add something. Your comments to be sent to the Webmaster at powellcentaur@gmail.com.
If you are interested, just send a request to the Webmaster. No obligations. Maybe you might be able to help once in a while.
Dave Sale Reports: Some time ago the old and new Cobra/ Apache people wanted a national group dedicated to armed helicopters such as gunships and Attack helicopters. The AHA (Attack Helicopter Association) was formed as a Facebook group. Their third Reunion will be held at Ft Walton in October 2025. davesale64@gmail.com
--- Checking In---
If you would ike to contact any one send the webmaster a note
Tom Dooling.......Gail Locke (wife Mel Locke)......Stan Miller.......Don Borey....John Moore.......Stan Miller.....
Mike Peake.....Carl Betsill,,,,,,KC Allcock......Allison Litton (daughter Joe Litton).......Annie Karn (Bruce Karn daughter).....
Dave Sale......Larry Richardson......
--- Website Corrections/Updates---
Obit Updated: Rockley Joseph Rhodes SP4 LOH Observer/Door Gunner then later Crew Chief, has his High School pic added. Also note, that in receiving the DFC as an LOH Crewman (Broom Stick Flying) in Nam, he followed directly in his father's foot steps. His dad was an Air Force Major who received the DFC flying in the Korean War. It would be great for the survivors our fallen Troopers if we had many great comments for each one, like "Rocky" has.(Thanks John Moore)
Jackie R. "Rookie" White CW2 LOH Pilot 1971-72 MyPage upgraded with call sign, hometown and an MP3 from Randy Nichols Slide show (RN-31). Still no contact with Jackie. That MP is also added to CW2 John Whysong's deceased MyPage.
We are in contact with CPT Stan Miller Cobra Pilot 1970-1971 and have updated his MyPage
Link from CW2 Lewis Mortimer's KIA page to "Together We Served" is fixed (Thanks Don Borey)
Randy Nicholas SP4 gets his Silver Star Award upgraded to a Disinguished Service Cross.
The Award ribbon is added to his MyPage and Award Newspaper Article is linked to from his MyPage.
Medivac took Nicholas and Mortimer away. What happened to the gunner? Who was the gunner?
--- Need To Find ---
Find Simpson and Carter: In the December 24, 1969 Loss To Inventory accident report on D Troop OH-6A 68-17285 the pilot was named as WO1 D. O. Simpson. Also mentioned are crew members CE SP5 Robert G. Pierson and Gunner SP4 Daniel E. Carter. Both enlisted men are on our roster, but we do not have a D. O. Simpson on the roster, only CPT. Larry D. Simpson, who didn't arrive until 1970.
VHPA reports that WO1 SIMPSON, DONALD O. was in Ft. Wolters flight class: 69-15, Hunter flight class: 69-15 and Wings date: 06/17/69. Johnny Gray, Deceased, had mentioned Carter at one time.
Can old US Army Serial Numbers be use to search for more information on our men?
Please review Johnny Gray's Slide Show to see if you can identify any of the photos.
Help us find SP4 Shiner LOH Scout Observer/Gunner in 1971. All we have on him is this photo from this photo from Randy Nicholas Slide Show #55. It is really hard to do research without a first name.
Get InfoSheet from Jack "Beetle" Bailey
--- Emails ---
Michael Peake (Historian) I've been adding/correcting aircraft information on all the birds, but concentrating on coding changes for the Cobras and Don Borey reminded me of an issue I had wanted others to put eyes on for verification.
There is a discrepancy between which aircraft was named “The Screaming ‘OD’ Zonker.” Author John Brennan, Vietnam Aircraft Nose Art, provides listing showing OH-6A 69-16032 named “Screaming OD Zonker,” however, SP4 Dave Sullivan, former crew chief of OH-6A Loach 69-16032 "Bol Shoi," identifies the Loach “The Screaming ‘OD’ Zonker” as OH-6A 69-16043, shot down in the Mushroom with the loss of CWO Edward Mortimer and the wounding of SP4 Glenn R. Nichols on July 5, 1971. This 043 loss, no name mentioned, is verified by the VHPA Combat Loss To Inventory report detailing the death of CW2 Ed Mortimer at grid XT602292 (and XT615305). Harlan Sparrow's Slide Show Image HS-22 has a close-up of “Screaming OD Zonker” showing only 160 portion of the T/N and the very next image clearly shows 69-16032 "Bol Shoi." Naturally, I made the assumption of two different aircraft, at least until recently. Some time ago, I looked more closely at Harlan's Image HS-25, that I had taken for granted, showing the "Zonker" in revetment sporting a mini-gun and unless I'm senile, it shows 16032 behind what is obviously the "Zonker" motif. Can anyone verify this? - Contact "Peake, Michael" <thegermansons@yahoo.com>
OH-6A 69-16032 is listed with a very limited Loss To Inventory report showing aircraft hours at 1026 when destroyed at grid XT601384 on November 17, 1971, with no mention of crew or cause. Don Borey, who was serving as Asst. Ops. Officer at the time, believes that Jackie White was pilot at the time of this shoot-down.
Mike
Larry Richardson would like to find any of the Aerorifle Door Gunners that flew with him from Nov 1967 to Feb 1968.
Michael Peake (Historian) I've come across a December 24, 1969 Loss To Inventory accident report on D Troop OH-6A 68-17285 naming pilot WO1 D. O. Simpson, CE SP5 Robert G. Pearson (Pierson) and Gunner SP4 Daniel E. Carter. Both enlisted men are on our roster, but we do not have a D. O. Simpson on the roster, only a CPT Larry D. Simpson, who didn't arrive until 1970. VHPA listing has a WO1 SIMPSON DONALD O. - Potential VHPA member - Ft. Wolters flight class: 69-15 -Hunter flight class: 69-15 - Wings date: 06/17/69.
John Moore says: there is no Donald O. Simpson in the Army Officer Register for 1969 or 1971. 1970 is not online.
Please review Johnny Gray's Slide Show of 73 photos and see if you can identify any of the people or other interesting things. We would like to particularily like to find his friend SP4 Daniel E. Carter LOH Gunner.
--- MyPages ---
--- War Stories & Photos---
Video: Ronald D. "Ron" Holmes 1LT UH-1H Huey Pilot Introduces himself at the Panama City Beach Reunion in Panama City Beach Florida in November 2024. Mentions the great Mess Sergeant at Tan My SFC Frank Price. Be sure to also watch the Richard Parrish (Mess Officer) video.
Video is linked to from his MyPage and the Video War Stories page.
Video: Harlan Gray Sparrow III CW2 Scout Pilot April 1971 to April 1972 talks about his good friend CW2 Tom Kennedy, Centaur Assistant Maintenance Officer.
Tom died on 1 February 2022.
Video is linked to from Harlan and Tom's MyPages,as well as the Video War Stories page.
Book Article: LOH Shot Down 13 September 1969 - In his book Centaur Flights, Richard Spaulding tells the story of when Gary Jones was shot down and wounded in his LOH. Spaulding was covering him in his Cobra.
The story has been linked to from Spaulding's MyPage and those of Gary Jones and Rocky Rhodes.
Rhodes received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his daring rescue and "Broomstick Flying".
Reunions ---
Centaur Vets Reunion November 2025 - Branson, MO Update: 20Jun2025
KC Allcock will host the Centaur reunion in Branson, Missouri.
Please take another look at KC's Vets Reunion introduction movie.- - This years Attendee List!!
Click on the Centaur Reunion red button on the upper left of our Home Page (Reunion Page) for continous updates from KC.
Or click on the Reunions Navigation button, then click on Branson, MO
We hope you will get your Banquet Registration Form in to KC as soon as possible for his Reunion Planning.
3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion September 2025
The next 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion will be 14 to 18 September 2025 in Nashville, TN.
Click here for detailed information.
Add VHPA Reunion data and Ron Holmes note.
Below are the Dale Dow designed T Shirts that are now available from Christine (Dow) Smith:
D Troop:
Small Medium Large XLarge XXLarge XXXLarge 4X Large
F Troop: Med Large XLarge XXLarge XXXLarge 4X Large
Shirts are $25.00 each including shipping costs.
Christine (Dow) Smith email at jaychris0126@live.com
For the CIVO Board of Directors,
Bruce
Bruce Powell, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster of centaursinvietnam.org
email: powellcentaur@gmail.com
1031 E Highline Drive, Payson, AZ 85541 (Summer)
11875 S Ironwood Drive, Yuma, AZ 85367 (Winter)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx END DRAFT xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
...........................PENDING - "My Swamp"...........................................
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.
Huckaby: Resembles the guy I knew, but we all changed in the first few months. Charles Loher HS pic
Who the hell is James Moody? - possible SP4 that became CSM?
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
1LT Larry J. Kastanek Feb 70-71 Gunpilot D/F left phone message. 18Apr (785) 770-7565 lft msg again 8Jul2025
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.
We need a chronological Discussion page that covers the Blues and Browns thru the war. Ask for volunteer to take that on.
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
Is Harold B. Swiencki still alive?
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
Consider creating a special YOUTUBE presentation to advertize our Centaur Website.
Need to go thru all of this someday
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
Discussion page for 20 minute fuel warning light. Mattison
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
Get current pic from Randy Love
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
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
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?
