Draft Newsletter Daily Worksheet for October 2023 Draft
Latest Update of Draft - 22 September 2023
Board Use Only. Not for publication
This is my worksheet during the month for the next Newsletter
Centaur Website Newsletter - October 2023
index: News, Checking In, Finding, MyPages, War Stories, Deceased, Reunions, Centaur Places,
Note: Past Newsletters: Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022
--- News ---
Carl Betsill SP4 Avionics Mechanic Aug 1971 to Apr 1972, CIVO Director and Map Master has upgraded his Google Earth app that shows location of Centuar Helicopter crash sites and other key locations in Vietnam.
It is an easy and fun Google Earth interactive Centaur map. You can download the app (CentaurPlaces.kmz) from Carl's MyPage, the Help section item #61 and also on the War Story Discussion Page.
Once you have downloaded the .kmz app, also download the free Google Earth application. Then click on the CentaurPlaces.kmz file and it will open in Google Earth. Then click on the small icons for more information.
Dan Miller WO1 Slick Pilot Centaur 28, has added a 30 picture Photo Album. It is linked to from his MyPage and from the PhotoAudioFilm page.
Dan's photo of himself, Charles L. "Chuck" Rose, Dan Keirsey and Steve Deaton has been added to everyones MP's.
--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter
Gary Schmidt....Terry Branham....Bruce Wyrwitzke.....Oscar Castillo......Stan Allen......Dave Cox.....Dan Miller.... Jan & Trudy White....Charles L. "Chuck" Rose....John Jones (His patch collection)....Darrell (Kat) Katovsich....Dan Keirsey... Jerry Shelton.....John Brennan (Centaur Aircraft Names)...
Daniel Dobbs commander of the Cu Chi/Tay Ninh resupply convoy for the 25th I.D. in 1968 for the first half of his tour then as a team leader of an ambush and reconnaissance team for the remainder of his tour. He posts his fond memories of Centaur CPT Gene Carolyn.
--- Finding Centaurs ---
Await pics from John Webster of his dad Robert
Await input from Ron Radcliffe wife Elizabeth - gmail contact. No response so far
Await new contact info from John Spencer - Phoncon
--- MyPages ---
Help us with the MyPages - Send Photos! Current and Nam powellcentaur@gmail.com
Bennis J. "BJ" Jans CW2 Cobra Pilot November 1971 to November 1972
Bruce Powell CPT 1967-68 Scout and Cobra Pilot has an InfoSheet/Bio and Index of Articles added to MyPage.
Jim Starling + pics and input
--- Deceased ---
--- War Stories ---
Centaur Aircraft Names is a new War Stories Discussion Page added by Centaur Friend and book author John Brennan. John publishes "Nose Art" books of Vietnam War Helicopters. He took the time to assemble all of ours on to one page also showing which of his books some of the photos are in. We are adding Hyperlinks to the ones we have reference to on our website.
Rick Martin Videos
Cliff Brugsting videos
--- Reunions ---
--- "Centaur Places" Additional Information---
Remember that the CentaurPlaces.kmz file is an application designed to be opened in Google Earth and show Centaur locations & events.
Centaur Places (an app for Google Earth) has been updated. New features include additional crash sites, corrected or new locations of interest and color coding of crash sites involving mortality. If you are unfamiliar with Centaur Places and are interested in maps, finding old bases, villages, geographical features or just want to see where you were in Vietnam it may be worth your time to review the Google Earth Pro Centaur Interactive Map heading in Item 61 in the Help Section of our website. If you are unsure, click on the following link for a YouTube demonstration video: Centaur Places Demo.
If you then decide you are interested, all that is required is installing either Google Earth or Google Earth Pro on your computer, Phone or Tablet and also loading the “Centaur Places” application (centaurplaces.kmz). If you think that sounds too technical or expensive, it is not. The programs are free and involve no advertising and are simple to install.
Here is how to do it. First go ahead and download our CentaurPlaces.KMZ file to your hard drive. Then go to the Google Earth Website at https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. If you have a laptop or desktop computer choose” Google Earth Pro on Desktop” then click on the button “Download Earth Pro on Desktop”. Follow the directions on screen and once Google Earth is installed on your computer open it. Now when you click on your copy of our CentaurPlaces.KMZ file it will open up in Google Earth ready for your actions. That’s it.
If you have a phone or tablet, then choose “Google Earth on Mobile” then click on either to Download on the “AppStore” if you have an Apple Product, or Get it on “Google Play” if you have an Android device. Loading Centaur Places requires a couple of extra steps using an iPhone as shown in this video. The video is specific for Apple products but should be very similar for Android products.
Finally if you are using a Chrome book or Chrome browser there is an option to “Launch Earth” on the Web. This option should work, but I do not have experience with using this version and using this version will require downloading CentaurPlaces.KMZ file, finding it on your computer and loading it into the Projects folder Google Earth. If you are experienced with finding your “Downloads” file, it should not be a problem for you. Carl
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..................PENDING - "My Swamp"...........................................
Contact Black Rifle Coffee about their HunterKillerTeam video
Phoncon with CW2 Bob Long A trp 1/9th then D troop Will send pics Calld again 26Aug2023
Lee Majors sending pics for MyPage PFC Supply Rm Aircraft parts sp.
Upgrade Ed Risner Memoriam page and links
Is Harold B. Swiencki still alive?
Contact Altenhofen and Stenehjem - still around?
Contact John Spencer for input on Ken Davis and Dave Stromberg - Reunion? invite Radcliffe for us? Finally found valid phone number. talked to him 21AUG & 26Aug lft msg
Dwight Birdwell - He is sending MOH video
Dan Miller has sent many photos - scan and post.!!!
Add corrections of all the Reunion new features.
Note that 14 2022 reunion videos are posted in the WS Video section.
Add some Carl Burns Book stories.
Wrong pic on Randy Love page. Ask him for correct one. Also wife? Lives? exact tour dates. Update InfoSheet with his notes.
Possible support for restoration of AAHA Cobra in Mesa, AZ - Dooling
Lynn Mobley will get pics to us for Centaur Friends MyPage
Located photo of LOH 15338 in Jim Messina old website file. Bigger pic on LOH Photos pg
More info? Was this a Centaur Helicopter?
If possible total update of Reunion interactive map
Consider creating a special YOUTUBE presentation to advertize our Centaur Website.
Follow up on this at some point
--- Create Your Own Centaurs & Friends Gathering---
Opportunity to expand our footprint in history:
AH-1G Cobra 295 has been donated to the Phoenix Chapter of the AAHF. $5000 is needed if we want it painted to look like a Centaur Aircraft.
Centaur Director Tom Dooling is honching this volunteer project for us. If you would like to participate or donate, please contact Tom at tmdooling@cox.net. All money will go directly to the AAHF 501c3 fund which means you will get a tax deductable receipt for any donations.
Anyone interested in helping on this project? Please talk to Tom Dooling at: tmdooling@cox.net
CLICK HERE to see more detailed information about this project
...Opportunity Article Continued: More information on the project of painting Cobra 295 with our sharks teeth:
For those of you who attended the Mesa Reunion in November, you got an introduction to the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF) Southwest Chapter. The SW Chapter have a total of 11 Vietnam era helicopters, about half of which either are or will be flyable (used for exhibitions and giving rides). They are part of a national organization (https://armyav.org/southwest-chapter/).
They have recently taken over the restoration of a MOD S Cobra (Cobra 295) that they will be converting into a G Model configuration - and it will be one of their flyable aircraft. They are still a ways from completing the restoration (2-3 years), depending on how many volunteers are willing to work on it and how much money they collect for the parts, etc., needed for replacement/refurbishment.
In talking with Dave Sale (the AAHF SW Chapter VP), I queried him on what it would take to have the Centaur Teeth and doghouse Centaur logo on the aircraft. On the Huey that they just completed the restoration, another unit that was call sign Spartan donated $5,000 to have the aircraft sport their nose art. He said that if we contributed $5,000, they would paint the “G” model in our scheme (teeth and Centaur).
I am working with the guy at AAHF that has done all of their aircraft painting (for those at the reunion, he did the entire paint job on the Sand Shark that was at the CAF), and he said he would love to do our paint scheme.
The “Charter” of the “Centaurs in Vietnam” organization has always included an approach that we would not ask members to donate to our organization – and with the exception of collecting money for our reunions, have remained true to that approach – and this proposal does not violate that portion of our charter – no money will be collected by CIVO. However, our Mission Statement is: Gather, record & provide a modern presentation of the history of the Centaur unit in Vietnam.
My proposal is that in furtherance of our Mission Statement, it would be really cool to have a G Model Cobra flying around and going to shows/giving rides that represents Centaurs by wearing our paint scheme. To that end, I would like to see if as a group of individual Centaurs, we would like to contribute to the AAHF specifically for the purpose of helping them in their refurbishment of Cobra 295 in exchange for having it painted with our colors. The AAHF is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit public education foundation, so any donation may be tax deductible.
AAHF already has their website set up to take donations for specific projects of which the “Cobra 295 Restoration” is one, so we would not have to collect the $$ ourselves, each member could just donate directly and I will track the donations from our group to ensure we get credit toward the paint job.
If you would like to make a donation, you can do it online by going to https://armyav.org/southwest-chapter/ , select the Donate Now tab at the top, and the screen below will appear. Click on the “Choose an Option” box and a dropdown menu appears the includes different areas for the donation to be used (see second graphic below). Select the “Cobra 295 Restoration” and make a donation amount in the block. The website will take you through the next steps to complete your donation. Once you have received the acknowledgement of your donation, please forward the acknowledgement email to me (tmdooling@cox.net) for tracking purposes. I will not share any information on individual donations, but will report to the Centaur organization via the monthly newsletter the totals of our donations.
Again, this is completely voluntary and does not have any impact on the Centaurs in Vietnam Website. The only real connection is that there will be a Cobra flying around to airshows that is painted in the scheme that we as a group were proud of as part of our heritage. Plus supporting another group (AAHF) in helping to represent the history of our Vietnam experience is probably a good thing to do!!!
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
Get B Model UH-1 parts to the San Diego Museum, Oatman. Ken Rucki; was asked to send current pic He's in contact with Dudley Oatman San Diego Museum. & Stegner
Brian "Stretch" Harrison updating our Centaur Google Share folder. Send note to Byers
Add Index of Articles for MyPages: Powell, Beasley, Meeks, Wayne Moose, Peake, Radcliffe, Mike Vaughn
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
Upgrade of Richard "Frenchie" Bernier MyPage - photo album? No word back from him yet 28Oct
Should we say anything about our world wide stats, charts?
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
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??
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
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
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
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
awaiting Susan Gassaway article (Pappy Jones wife) aug2021
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: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
25th Div Flash publcation? Should we link to it? Can we?