March / April 2012.

Hello once again fellow Sky Troopers. It seems like just last week I was sitting here writing the Jan/Feb article. Let's not delay and pull pitch to launch the mail sortie.
"Hank I am looking for info on CW2 John MALLOY who was a helicopter pilot with Bravo 229 from April 1969 until March 21, 1970, when he died from injuries sustained in a March 14, rotor strike that occurred during a re-supply mission for C Co. 1/9th Cav. I went to high school with John and his wife. I was the last of his friends to see him alive, as I was in Bien Hoa, where he visited me in Feb 1969. I went home March 8, 1970. Do you remember him? Thanks Steve ATWOOD, 15th Admin Co., 1st Air Cavalry. The incident was in Phuoc Long Province, III Corps., March 14, 1969. The aircraft was a Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17785 < John, I did not know CW2 John MALLOY. I hoping one of the readers will remember. Thanks for writing and sharing.

Hi Hank, it's Joe Mirabella, long time no talk. I hope you and your family are well. I've been reading the column on the web and wanted to write to let you know I had the chance to track down a good friend, Dan Green, after reading about him in your column. I was interested in reading his book The Red Tavern but had the darndest time finding the book. It's self published through Lulu.com. I was able to buy a copy, read it, and was inspired to find Dan...the last time I spoke with him was over 20 years ago. Anyway after some very good investigative efforts , I was able to e-mail him through his work in San Antonio Texas - Dan's the secretary of his church. Needless to say our telephone call was very special...we laughed a lot about common experiences we had flying together. He is doing well with some medical issues. We have exchanged some current photos and it seems we have grown a little"...I wonder if the two of us would fit in my H-13, and, if we could, would there be enough power to get off the ground. Anyway, I thought I would drop you a line to say hello and bring you up to date, tell you all is well in Florida, and to pass on my hello's to Fred and Bob at the NY-NJ chapter. Stay well Joe." <. Great heaing you reconnected with Dan. Good hearing from you.

Roger DeWITT reflected on a Lightning Bug-Firefly mission of yesteryear. I really liked those night "Bug" missions as I was excused from duty the following day. Roger wrote: "I was working as liaison to Brigade until a couple weeks before my rotation. To keep up flight time, I would sometimes ride right seat on the flare (read target) ship. One evening we took heavy fire from a single weapon from one of the villages NE of LZ English near the coast. We continued to drop flares and left our nav lights on bright as the aim became better. Before the guns silenced the action I felt the chink and then the thud of a round directly under my seat. I was sure it had hit the bottom armored plate. Being late and the guns low on fuel, we retired to our pads for the night. We searched under my seat and no penetration, so we laid out under the chin and took off a couple panels until we found the round. It had been a tracer with the lead bouncing off the floor interior and the brass tube for the marker bouncing around inside. We all laughed, especially at me as I vowed never to fly again in my short time. I moved into the bunker after my replacement as LNO took over. Back to that mission; the chief handed me the small lead reminder and I declined and said it was his ship and he would have to patch the damage. It was his. He refused and replied I was at the controls when we were hit and that I had brought the crew home in "almost" one piece. I put it somewhere and lost it over time. A couple of weeks ago, I opened a medal presentation box for my DFC and there was that relic. I've opened that every few years and never noticed it before. Now the mystery over memory. It was a routine mission for the time. There were no discussions or medals awarded and all was forgotten before I left country. Now who did I have as A/C? He was one of the younger pilots who had excelled. Who maintained the ship and who were the gunners. We knew those guys by their first names back than and the rank was pretty liberal until you made O-3. No the EM didn't call us by our first names, but it was often "Sure Mr. D". I look inward at times and realize so much is gone forever. Thankfully faces and names come back easily and I have found some of us again. We didn't lose a Huey to ground fire while I was there even though we did lose a few to other causes. God smiled on us as he tested us (or we tested ourselves). That was an accomplishment I was sure would have me in front of the AG. Roger DeWitt A/229 1967 23rd Arty IIFF 1970, Kiowas In country SIP.

Carl BUICK, O-1 Pilot, E Btry, 82FA, 0-1 pilot, 70-71 > sent a nice short note commenting on the Jan/Feb Wings article. Carl, I enjoyed, thanks.

Steve BUCKEY sent the Wing mail box an e-note. Those of you who attended the reunion Silver Wings Luncheon will remember Steve as his knowledge, wit and humor entertained us. "I have recently moved to another Safety position, outside of the 1st CAV DIV. Mostly due to the current downsizing of the entire military no less. I am now assigned to the 172nd Seperate Infantry Brigade, who are stationed out of Grafenwoer Germany. Myself and the unit are currently deployed in Afghanistan, FOB Sharana and should return this Spring. The unit is under the Regional Command-East, (RC-E) which is headquartered by the 1st CAV DIV. Go figure. So, I did not move too far away from my fellow brothers in arms. With the upcoming uncertainty of the two heavy Brigades that are scheduled to disband or move back to the US from Germany, I may be right back in the CAV next year. Too bad, I was looking forward to the German beer. Wishing you well." V/R Steven Buckey, (CW4,Ret.)(1st CAV DIV, 2003-2011, 615th ASB, HQ 1CD) Safety Manager Task Force Blackhawk, (172nd Infantry Brigade) FOB Sharana, Paktika, Afghanistan >.

"Mr. Hank LLEWELLYN. I live in Lock Haven, Pa. I am a life member of the 1 CDA. I was in the 571st Medical Company (AA) which was under 4/3 ACR out of Fort Carson, CO in 1996 and attached to A 215 FSB DISCOM . I have since learned my old unit has become C 2/227 Aviation Regt, 1 Air Cav Brigade. I am so proud to be affiliated with 1st CAV and find its really neat how my unit is now assigned to 1CD. I really like your section in the SABER as I learned a lot. I hope to hear from you. Thank You and God Bless. Very Respectfully, SSG Kraig MORRIS, USAR, Ret. <kraigyahoo.com>." Kraig, thanks for writing. Hope you found the information provide useful.

A note from Gene BEYER, "Guys, I have informed most of you that Ron MILLER* and I came in the service on the same set of orders, went through basic officers course and Airborne tng at Benning and then went to flight school together. We were stick buddies in advanced portion of flight school flying H-19's and were assigned to 2nd Avn. Co. 2nd Inf Div out of flight school. What he did was nothing short of a miracle. He covers it well in his book. It is a good read." The book, VIETNAM SPECIAL FLIGHT, INC. Just made the main page at Google, you can get a brief explanation of the book and order one if you like, the best deal is the paper back at $14.95---a steal I might add. *Ron Miller, National Advisory Committee, Veterans Business Affairs, U.S. SBA (2002-2011) National Veterans Adviser, National League of POW-MIA Families.

Johnny HUBBS wrote asking for some help with a information request he received at his 229th website. "My name is Randall HORN from Clover SC. I am seeking information about my uncle, Steve HORN. Uncle Steve passed a few years ago from cancer. I am trying to piece together some history on his service in Vietnam, and hoped that maybe you could help, or at least point me in the right direction. Here is what I know, so far. Steve was a pilot, CWO 1, graduating in class 69-3 b1, serving with B/229 AVN. Killer Spade, 1st Air Cav from 69-71. I would like to communicate with anyone who knew and served with him in country. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated! You may contact me at this email, or any of the following 803-222-5997 or 704-524-6277 (cell). Thank you again for any help you can provide."

Mr. HORN (photo) served in the United States Army, having served two tours in Vietnam. He was Chief Warrant Officer and received the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement in ground operations against hostile forces during the period of April 1969 - April 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam. He received Air Medals for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period of May 1969 - April 1970 and from June 7, 1971 - September 26, 1971 in the Republic of Vietnam. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism while participating in aerial flight on February 3, 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam. Mr. HORN was trained in Helicopter Safety at the University of California Los Angeles. Anyone who from the unit during his tour dates, please take a few minutes to contact Randall.

Bill SINDELAR Bucko00@sbc.global.net sent in the following in reply to a previous request from Marvin ROSS. "Read your articles in the Saber and always find them interesting. I sent you a picture some time ago of the Caribou with the 17th Aviation Company stationed first at Pleiku and then to An Khe 1966-67. I served with them until the Air Force took them over. I did not see an email address for Marvin ROSS. Are you aware of one? I am sending you some of what he requested. I remember well when the Air Force took us over ,and they complained because we were living in tents! Ha! They came from wooden barracks and showers. I spent time after they took over with the 2nd of the 19th Artillery, until I left for home in 1967. I was at LZ Pony, LZ English, LZ Hammond, LZ Green, LZ X-ray, Bon Son, Oasis, New and old Pleiku and An Khe. Thanks for your articles. I know it does take time to write them among other daily activities. I live outside Cleveland, in a suburb called Parma here in Ohio. Been married for over 40 years now and my old body feels it! Ha! I turned 21 years old a few months after I was honorably discharged in 1967, time did fly by fast. Hope the above pictures will help you and Marvin." Bill thanks for helping out. Hank

Kraig MORRIS <kraigyahoo.com wrote: "My name is SSG Kraig MORRIS,USAR Ret. I live in Lock Haven, Pa. I am a life member of the 1 CDA and served in the 571st Medical Company (AA) which was under 4/3 ACR out of Fort Carson,CO in 1996 and attached to A 215 FSB DISCOM . I have since learned my old unit has become C 2/227 Aviation Regt, 1 Air Cav Brigade. I am so proud to be affiliated with 1st CAV and find its really neat how my unit is now assigned to 1CD. I really like your section in the SABER as I learned a lot. I hope to hear from you. Thank You and God Bless." Kraig, nice to hear from you. Thanks for your input.

I want to thank everyone who sent an email commenting on the Jan/Feb column. Glad you enjoyed reading it. One more piece of information before I shut down this month's flight. Veterans enrolled in the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs have begun to receive personalized booklets that explain their health care benefits and contain other useful information. The new booklet, called a Health Benefits Handbook, will provide a personalized listing of health benefits based on each Veteran's specific eligibility. The handbook will also have contact information for their local VA medical facilities, appointment scheduling information, guidelines for communicating with their clinical team and, as applicable, information about co-pays. Distribution of the handbooks began in Feburary, with all 8.5 million Veterans enrolled in VA's health care system scheduled to receive their handbooks by 2013. Veterans will receive updates to their handbook to reflect changes to their benefits or eligibility. VA operates 152 medical centers and more than 800 community-based outpatient clinics. Last year, inpatient facilities treated more than 690,000 patients, while outpatient clinics registered more than 79 million visits. For more information about the Health Benefits Handbook, call VA's toll-free number at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

Sping is upon us. Didn't get here soon enough for me. Wishing all welll Until next time, "Clear right!". Hank