Draft Newsletter Daily Worksheet for November 2025Draft
Latest Update of Draft - 25 October 2025
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 Not for publication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 - October 2025
Please Click on Blue Underlined Text
INDEX: News, Checking In, Corrections , NeedToFind, War Stories/Photos , Deceased, Reunions, Video Tips
--- News ---
Dubbed the Live Music Capital of the World, with theaters, theme parks, and immersive natural beauty in every direction, Branson is finding itself perched atop more and more Americans’ bucket lists with every passing year.
This November Centaur Reunion is in Branson, Missouri (9 to 11 Nov 2025) and scheduled to have 71 Centaurs, family and friends in attendence! ...See Attendees
You can still make it to this great event in this amazing town, if you hurry. ....Click Here!
For those of you that are attending please take some time, before the Reunion, to click on each of the names of those attending, look at their photos and read their stories. This might allow you to get even more out of this gathering.
We, Bruce and Sharon Powell, plan to arrive in Payson on Friday the 7th of November, in time to checkin and go to dinner somewhere. Then see some of Branson on Saturday the 8th, maybe a Zip line or two. Then dinner that night somewhere.
If any of you are planning to arrive early, please consider contacting us so that we might spend some time together.
Email powellcentaur@gmail.com or Call or Text 619-823-0992.
D Troop Becomes MPC in 25th Div: John Moore reports an update from the squadron in Hawaii. D Troop has been reorganized in the current squadron. They are no longer a Forward Support Company (maintenance, etc). Under the Army's Structure Changes the squadron now has a D Troop which is a Multi-Purpose Company. John trys to answer some of our questions in Red Text.
The organization of the U.S. Army's new Multi-Purpose Company (MPC) is a flexible and evolving structure designed to integrate a wide range of capabilities to sense, protect, and destroy enemy forces. It replaces traditional heavy weapons with platoons with capabilities like reconnaissance, unmanned systems, electronic warfare (EW), snipers, and direct-fire weapons like the .50 caliber machine gun. The company's exact organization can vary by unit, but it is commanded by a dedicated team to provide better tactical control of these enablers for the battalion.They still have a FSC that supports them but it is part of the 325 Light Support Brigade.
Anyway, the mission appears to be closer to what our D Troop performed.
Yes: reconnaissance, surveillance, EW, security.
Now they have both an organic D Troop (MPC) and an attached D Company (FSC)
No aircraft or pilots? Aerorifle Platoon or LRRPS?
Yes none but do have unmanned systems which drones.
This article infers that new D Troop is still a Cavalry Troop, not a Company. Yet they call it a Multi Purpose Company. Will these troopers be called Cavalry, or Infantry?
Yes will be cavalry until Dec 11th when the squadron deactivates.
Will they carry on our Guidon and Streamers? Will they continue to honor our history?
Once the squadron deactivates 3-4 cav association will be only one actively honoring history. Guidons, colors, etc will go to the Army's institute of heraldry.
Will all Multi Purpose Company's in the Army only be assigned to Cavalry Units and called Cavalry?
The only cavalry squadrons in the armor's new organization will be in the heavy brigade combat teams. Light brigade combat teams will be all infantry battalions.
What is it MPC or MRC?
As I understand it the MRC is a brigade level company that does this mission for the brigade combat team. The MPC is a battalion/squadron level company the does the similar mission for the battalion or squadron.
........Google Search says:
The term "Multi purpose company 25th div" likely refers to a Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company (MRC) within the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division, which is testing new "multi-domain" capabilities. This new type of company combines traditional reconnaissance with advanced technologies like drones for night operations, and other assets for operations across multiple domains (land, sea, air, space, cyber). It is part of the Army's larger initiative to modernize and adapt its forces for future conflicts, specifically by integrating new technologies and operational concepts to improve readiness and adaptability
"Cav Hat Book" by Rex Gooch, Centaur Friend, just published. Some Centaurs provided a little help. Sure to be another Gooch Best Seller. The Cavalry price will be $20 with $11 shipping. Two books shipped together is $11 shipping. More info later.
Patriotic Flag painting: Painted on a building in Antigo, Wisconsin by the high school students.
Thanks Bob Tegelman
--- Checking In---
If you would ike to contact any one send the webmaster a note: email powellcentaur@gmail.com
....Bob Tegelman.......Frank Dillon.....Tom Fleming....Jim Hoag.....KC Allcock.....Larry Paterson...,AAAA Mag.....
....Nick LaRich......Rick Arthur.......Fred Stuckey.....Ron Harrison......John Moore....Rex Gooch....Bob Forringer
--- Website Corrections/Updates---
William E. Kiely SSG F Troop 1972 Service Platoon: Found this obit which might him. However this Kiely Obit is from California not Massachusetts. Can anyone confirm?
Renegade Woods Battle: Corrected dead link to Army 18th Military History Detachment Article.
Randy W. Jones CW2 (Retired CW5) Cobra Pilot "Mississippi Queen" August 1970 to August 1971. Links corrected on his AAAA Aviation Mag Article.
Many, many years later, Randy was reunited with the "Mississippi Queen" as a rebuilt AH-1S model.
Randy was inducted into the AAAA Hall of Fame on 2 April 1998. And became a Board Member with them.
Also see: "Some Memories Will Never Fade" Article
Bruce Powell Webmaster: i have updated the current photo on my MyPage so those going to the Reunion in Branson will know who I am (old, wrinkly and ugly). I hope I get the chance to talk to everyone in attendance. Please help me with that. Also you might want to review your MyPage photo and your InfoSheet to see if corrections, photos or updates can be made. If you decide to do that, do it now while I am still around to take care of it. Send to powellcentaur@gmail.com. Thanks.
--- Need To Find ---
We have lost contact with: Carl Burns, Harold B. Swiencki, Walt Baum Carl Burns, Larry J. Kastanek & Bill Mosenthal. Can you help with this?
Charles L. Helms 1972: He is not listed on our current Centaur Roster. We located his name on an old copy of the 1972 F Troop Roster. Do you remember him? email powellcentaur@gmail.com
Tiger Pad at Tay Ninh East: if you have any notes or photos related to Tiger Pad, please send them in to powellcentaur@gmail.com.
--- War Stories & Photos---
John J. Spencer took command of F Troop, 4th Cav in 1972. This is his video story of how that happened and his Cavalry Hat gift.
This video is linked to from John's MyPage, Maj Kermit Larsen's page and listed in the War Story Video section.
Click on the image here to go directly to the movie.
Helicopter Hydraulic Failures War Story Discussion Page. Any more input?
Around Reunion time some of us return to our great Legacy Website and relook and reread some of our amazingly great War Stories. Those of Mike Vaughn come to mind. Particularly his First Reunion Story and then his dozen other stories. Hope you will take another look.
--- Deceased ---
William "Bill" Altenhofen died 29 September 2025 at the age of 92. See his Infosheet/Obituary.
CIVO sent a condolences message to his family:
Bill was a truly great combat soldier and personal friend to so many of us who served with him in Vietnam. We will update his page on our Legacy website hoping to etch his name and stories into history..
Bill wrote a book about his military adventures.
He was a major contributer to the Centaur Legacy
George F. Schmalhofer 1969-70 1LT Maintenance Officer and Pilot is believed to have died thiss year.
John Moore has found notes that indicate George was George F Schmalhofer Jr. age 79 who died in June 2025 ; Lived at 1390 W. Woodlawn Dr in Hayden,ID. (Born September 1946).
Please let us know if you remember him! powellcentaur@gmail.com
--- Tips for doing a Video at the Reunion---
Do an Introduction Video:
...1. Tell about yourself in your own words & in your way.
"I'm Your Name. My tour was from month/year to month/year"
"I was a job position & then other positions if appropriate."
...2. Mention as many names, dates, events that you recall.
...3. Try to keep it concise (2 to 5 minutes total) An opening Introduction is not necessary for additional videos stories.
Other Notes:
...1 The camera is your audience. Look at it; talk to it. (Not to the camera man).
...2. If you make a mistake or want to say something over, just pause a second and restart where you like. We can edit that out.
...3. Simplify terms. Non military people may not understand your terminology and be quickly lost.
...4. Do not separate sentences or phrases with meaningless noise like “AAHHH!” & “And AAHHH”
...5. Try not to shift around too much. Makes it hard to edit.
...6. Notes are handy, but don't read from them. You can look down at them, then look all the way up and pause a second before continuing.
Do a War Story Video:
If possible, go to the website and see if someone else has told their version of that story. It may help jog your memory. It is common for someone else’s version to have differences.
--- Reunions ---
Centaur Vets Reunion November 2026 - Not Yet Known
Let us know if you are interested in hosting the Reunion November 2026! powellcentaur@gmail.com
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.
Lifetime membership has been reduced to $10 from $75. Annual membership is eliminated.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx END DRAFT xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
...........................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?
