Guestbook Apr - Jul 98

 

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DATE:18 Jul 98
RANK:E-5
NAME:Carl R. Prince
CALL SIGN:Blue
UNIT:Chu Lia DUSTOFF
E-MAIL: prince@marki@compu.net
MESSAGE: Crew chief from 70 to 71 with Chu Lia DUSTOFF. Would like to hear from anyone that served in the unit, at any time. Glad I got the privilege to fly DUSTOFF.


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DATE:16 Jul 98
RANK:SGT
NAME:Bob Jenkins
CALL SIGN:Ridgerunner 2-6-India
UNIT:B 2/5 1st Cav. (1-68/1-69)
E-MAIL: RFJnSpring@aol.com
MESSAGE: Just another grunt saying thank God for you guys. We moved around a lot; got to Khe Shan just after all the real heavy stuff. We worked out of LZ Jane a lot. Did R&R in Tai Pei with one of your crew chiefs. He got drunk and...satisfied on my Gratitude to DUSTOFF. If I would have had more money, he'd have been AWOL for awhile. I'm a fire fighter/EMT now and every so often meet a Medevac/DUSTOFF pilot flying Life Flight out of Herrman Hospital in Houston or Galveston. We never get a chance to talk much. Every time I stand in that rotor wash now-a-days I think of you guys and Nam and I wonder if these folks we're loading on Life Flight realize how much they owe to the courage of you DUSTOFF crews. God Bless You.


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DATE:16 Jul 98
RANK:CW2
NAME:D. Lewis
CALL SIGN:Bikini 25
UNIT:170th AHC
E-MAIL: flyboy@beaumontwings.com
MESSAGE: I am trying to locate the crew of a DUSTOFF based in Pleiku that was shot down on Feb 2, 1968 in the city of Kontum during the Tet offensive. The aircraft took a round through the engine and went in on bad smoke. They were going in to extract wounded in street fighting just west of the airport. All got out unharmed but I need to talk with them about this day. The real crew will be able to verify facts and I would appreciate any help your association can give me. I also served in the 273rd Med. Detachment as a DUSTOFF pilot in the 70s. Thanks again for any help you guys can give me.


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DATE:2 Jul 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Michael Ballinger
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:326th Med. Bn. (Eagle DUSTOFF)
E-MAIL: ARC-LIGHT@msn.com
MESSAGE: Flew with Eagle DUSTOFF in 83/84. I flew as a medic (My eyesight prevented me from piloting) to see more closely the way in which my father, MAJ William J. Ballinger, ultimately gave his life for his country. ---57th MED 'DUSTOFF"


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DATE:2 Jun 98
RANK:MAJ
NAME:Clendon Raines
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:DDEAMC
E-MAIL: rain7830@juno.com
MESSAGE: Flew with 247th Med. Det. in CA from '82-85 (Sec/Ops), 507th Med. Co. in SATX from '86-89 (Maint). Served as S4, 421st Evac. Bn. - '90-93 and Chief, FLATIRON - '93-95. Presently, serving as Chief, Logistics Division at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Ft. Gordon, GA.


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DATE:30 Jun 98
RANK:CPT
NAME:John P. Metcalf
CALL SIGN:DUSTOFF 68
UNIT:498th Medical Company
E-MAIL: aviator@leblink.com
MESSAGE: Flew as an AC with the 498th Med. out of Lane AHP near Qui Nhon RVN from April 1968 thru April 1969. 612 combat hours, 976 missions and 1675 patients carried. Mostly flew out of LZ English and Uplift with some time at Ahn Khe. Had an interesting first mission with .51 cal holes in the rotor blades. Lots of vibration. Very unnerving for a new pilot in Vietnam. Our unit specialized in night hoist missions. Went back to RVN in 1971 flying Cobras. Quite a difference.


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DATE:28 Jun 98
RANK:SGT
NAME:Terry L Marquiss
CALL SIGN:Mogwa
UNIT:D Co., 326 Med. (AA), 50th Med. Co. (AA)
E-MAIL: uh60q ce@aol.com
MESSAGE: I have been a Crewchief with Eagle DUSTOFF since Jan 1992. I participated in the rescue during the 1993 Storm of the Century in the TN Smoky Mountains. I am currently helping test the UH-60Q at Ft Campbell.


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DATE:24 Jun 98
RANK:SP5
NAME:Thomas A Cumming
CALL SIGN:TC
UNIT:377th Med.Co.(73-74)
E-MAIL: tc@mainetc.com
MESSAGE: What a great bunch of people to serve with!! I've been looking for a few crewchiefs, medics, and pilots. If anyone has any info. on the following I would greatly appreciate it. SP/5 Perry Gold SP/5 Fred May SP/5 Sam Parisie CPT Miles Mr. Dowd SGT Glen Berry SP/5 Will Gooding MAJ John Kriner Thanks! You all have a safe flight.


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DATE:24 Jun 98
RANK:LTC
NAME:James H. "Nick" Nichols
CALL SIGN:Mercy 6
UNIT:Amb. Plt., 15th Med. Bn., 1st Cav.
E-MAIL: stnick@alaweb.com
MESSAGE: I was with the Cav. from June, 1966 til June, 1967. Bob Rose, Bill Hawkins and many more outstanding aviators were in the unit at that time.


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DATE:24 Jun 98
RANK:CW2
NAME:Tommy Waldrop
CALL SIGN:Texas Tommy
UNIT:B/229, Killer Spades, 1st Cav.
E-MAIL: tatom@fastlane.net
MESSAGE: I'm looking for Thomas Butler, a flight school buddy that was a DUSTOFF pilot in Vietnam in 70-71 (not sure which unit, we split at the 90th Replacement and lost contact). Thomas & I were in WORWAC 70-15. He is an American-African, from Stephens, Arkansas. Small in stature, but a very big in heart. Please contact me if you flew with him or know of his whereabouts. Thumbs up to all you DUSTOFFers! You did one hell of a job! Welcome home, my brothers!


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DATE:22 Jun 98
RANK:SP5
NAME:Richard Knupp
CALL SIGN:DOUST-OFF 060
UNIT:82nd Med. Det. (HA)
E-MAIL: jughd@gte.net
MESSAGE: Flew with MAJ Dan McBride, CWO Lee Thornton, CPT Larry Hanson. I'll never forget the great men I served with and I'm proud of each and every one of you. May God bless you all.


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DATE:21 Jun 98
RANK:SGT
NAME:Brian Curran
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:431 Med. Det.
E-MAIL: brian@tctc.com
MESSAGE: I was a crewchief at Fort Knox, KY (431 Med. Det.) Served as Medevac crewchief in Operation Desert Storm.


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DATE:21 Jun 98
RANK:SP5
NAME:James Brian O'Keeffe
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:237th Med. Det. (RA)
E-MAIL: BrianOKeef@aol.com
MESSAGE: Flew as a medic with the 237th in Dec 71-June 72; primarily supporting the ROK Tiger Division in II Corps. We had great pilots, great crewchiefs and medics, all who were dedicated to our mission - saving lives.


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DATE:20 Jun 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Ronald G. Brown
CALL SIGN:Downtown Brown
UNIT:337th Med. Co. (AA) Korea
E-MAIL: 4Runner2@forcomm.net
MESSAGE: I flew with the closest bunch of professionals I ever knew. We were so close-knit, the pilots would tell us how to get into the O-Clubs so we could all party together. We flew UH-60As out of Seoul Air Base from 1986 to `87 and spent a lot of time cruising the DMZ. We didn't win any war and we didn't see the terrible wounds, but man, the suicides and suicide attempts of our own appeared too often in the mission book.


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DATE:20 Jun 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Darrell Hardy
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:247th & 254th
E-MAIL: TREMBISH@aol.com
MESSAGE: Flew with a lot of great people in 70-71 out of Phan Rang. Proud to be DUSTOFF.


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DATE:15 Jun 98
RANK:MAJ(Ret.)
NAME:John Proe
CALL SIGN:DUSTOFF 7
UNIT:82nd Med. Det. (HA)
E-MAIL: jproe@su.edu
MESSAGE: Senior Medical Advisor, IV Corps, RVN 6/67-6/68. Flew many missions with the 82nd. Greatest guys in the world. Stories and memories beyond belief. Soc Trang, the Riverine, Can Tho, etc. all mean much to me. Best to All.


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DATE:13 Jun 98
RANK:SP5
NAME:Bryan Waltz
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:45th Med.Co. (AA)
E-MAIL: waltzb@kellnet.com
MESSAGE: Served with the 45th Medical Co. (Air Ambulance) at Ft. Bragg, NC from 03/66 to 03/67 when I was transferred to an Asslt. Hel. Co. that was headed for 'Nam. We had H-19s then and later got some A & B model Hueys. Howard Deck and Mike Trader were Operations Officers and MSG Reinaldo Collazo-Barbossa was Ops NCO. Sorry to hear of the passing of Ray Salmon, he was CO then and a Major.


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DATE:8 Jun 98
RANK:
NAME:Jantonsanti
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:36th Med. Det.
E-MAIL: Jantonsanti@yahoo.com
MESSAGE: Flew as flight medic with the 36th Medical Detachment, Ft. Polk, LA, from July 1994 until August 1996. Would like to contact any members of the unit that served during this time period.


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DATE:1 Jun 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Tom Agnew
CALL SIGN:Spiro
UNIT:54th & 68th, 571st
E-MAIL: martinagnew@email.MSN.com
MESSAGE: Just checking to see if any of the old guys are out there. Served from 71-72 in Chu-Lai then after the typhoon went up to Danang.


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DATE:1 Jun 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Herb Simpson
CALL SIGN:RILEY DUSTOFF
UNIT:82nd Med. Det.
E-MAIL: SIMPJR@AOL.COM
MESSAGE: Flew with the 82nd Med. Det., Ft. Riley, Kansas from 1972 to the end of 1973. Was under the M.A.S.T. program. Love to fly; was a great bunch of guys to work with. We all had our Sierra together. Saved many lives. Our motto was "If you ain't dyin, we ain't flyin". My commanding officer was Ben Knisely, pilots were Mr. Hagen, Mr. Avey, CMR Marshall, Quincy Sittingdown, etc. Looking for my crew chief Jack Mauer. Please e-mail if you served with the 82nd during the same time frame.


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DATE:28 May 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Ron Jones
CALL SIGN:Doctor Bravo 28
UNIT:B Co, 1st Med, 1st Inf
E-MAIL: rjones@ascenture.net
MESSAGE: Was RTO with B Company, 1st. Med. at Lae Kae May 66 to June 67. Call sign Digest Bravo then Doctor Bravo. I flew some hoist missions with some of you. I was strapped in with a fully automatic M-14 and acted as door gunner. Can remember DUSTOFF 31, 32, 33, 666, 34, and 36. Used to help unload liquid medical supplies you fellows brought our Doc's. We always managed to get an extra portion for the commo bunker. Remember when they blew up the new outhouse at A&D. And the time a mortar round hit the beer conex. I also remember when someone tried to teach Doc B6 (CPT. LaGosse?) how to fly. Then someone let him drive a tank! Remember the night someone brought in a chopper load of female nurses from Tay Nin! And God bless the Sherwood Forest!


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DATE:25 May 98
RANK:E-5
NAME:Rick Roe
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:3/22 Inf 25th Div
E-MAIL: tboat@gate.net
MESSAGE: I don't know who the crew was but they absolutely saved my life 29 Nov 67. Wounded near HoBo Woods I was dusted-off to Long Bien or Ben Hoa. I've been trying to say thank you for 31 years.


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DATE:17 May 98
RANK:E-4
NAME:Wes Watson
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:498th Med Co.
E-MAIL: grizzbe@hotmail.com
MESSAGE: I was with the 498th from 79 to 80 at Fort Benning GA; got to go all over the place. I ran the commo room and what ever needed doing. Would like to hear from anyone I flew with or was in Korea with. Was good to see there are so many signing up and getting together.


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DATE:15 May 98
RANK:CW4
NAME:Lee Wright
CALL SIGN:DUSTOFF 74
UNIT:57th Med.Det.
E-MAIL: oldman@crosslink.net
MESSAGE: Flew with 57th 66-67, 57th 70-71, 57th 75-76. I survived all the B.S.


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DATE:15 May 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:John Livingston
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:498th Med. Co. (A.A.)
E-MAIL: jliving1@san.rr.com
MESSAGE: I was a medic with the 4th Platoon (Ft. Jackson, S.C.) from Jan.'88 to Jan. '90. We flew mostly MAST missions, but I also pulled support missions at Camp Frank D. Merrill, Ft. Pickett, Camp Grayling, Ft. Bragg, and North AFB. Spent 9 years in the service, but nothing compared to the 2 years I spent doing "DUSTOFF".


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DATE:11 May 98
RANK:CPT
NAME:Spencer Robinson
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:172nd Med Co (AA)
E-MAIL: Spencer.Robinson@gte.net
MESSAGE: Got all SATs on FORSCOM ARMS - April 98. Used 681st, and 24th Med Co (AA) SOPs both TAC and GAR. If you would like to have a copy, let me know. They are goooooood documents. TACSOP very good field stuff.


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DATE:2 May 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Harry W."Bill" Ashton
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:173rd AHC "Robin Hoods"
E-MAIL: hwashton@earthlink.net
MESSAGE: Great site! Though I wasn't a DUSTOFFer, I was a slick DG and CE (among other things!) for the 173rd AHC at Lai Khe. My best friend, Tom Martinez, was with the 283rd Med. when he was killed 2 Feb 67; 9 months before I was in country. Took me years to find out some information concerning his last flight. Would really like to hear from anyone who knew him. Many thanks.


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DATE:30 Apr 98
RANK:CPT
NAME:Tom Parker
CALL SIGN:DUSTOFF 27
UNIT:2nd Plt, 498th Med. Co.
E-MAIL: tparker@mail.utexas.edu
MESSAGE: 1st Tour: 2nd Platoon, 498th Med Co (AA) in Pleiku, then moved w/platoon to An Son (1967). 2nd Tour: Ops Officer w/498th at An Son (1970); then CO of 283rd; moved 283rd to Long Binh (1971) then served w/combined 159th/283rd as Long Binh DUSTOFF.


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DATE:28 Apr 98
RANK:CPL
NAME:Rick Moore
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:USMC Combined Action Platoon
E-MAIL: bmoore@gate.net
MESSAGE: Have just been dusted-off from our annual Vietnam veterans reunion in Florida. It was a real cultural experience to be around DUSTOFF crews that have an I.Q. of over 20 and willingly conversed with a U.S., M.C. grunt with a straight face. It is an honor to be a member of the Florida DUSTOFF Assoc. and am very thankful for you picking me out of the paddies on AUG 6, 1970. SEMPER FI.


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DATE:26 Apr 98
RANK:SP5
NAME:Steven M. Rounding
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:498th Med. Co
E-MAIL: ROUNDING S@AOL.COM
MESSAGE: I flew with the 498th from April 1967 to August 1969. I was the medic on ship tail number 23486. As with most people in the unit, Central Highlands was my stomping grounds. Even though there was a war, excuse me, conflict, this was some of the best times I had in the Army. Loved those hoist mission. If you know me, send me an e-mail. "Doc" Rounding. Still called that to this day.


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DATE:25 Apr 98
RANK:E5
NAME:T. Jennison
CALL SIGN:DUSTOFF 76
UNIT:57th Med. Det.
E-MAIL: Panalpina1@aol.com
MESSAGE: I was in two units during my tour, the 247th and the 57th Med. Dets., from 12-68 to 12-69. Looking for old buddies.


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DATE:21 Apr 98
RANK:Private
NAME:Tor Andre Breivikaas
CALL SIGN:Medic MS-4
UNIT:APC-Medevac Platoon NordmedCoy (* Blue Factory*)
E-MAIL: torandb@max.hint.no
MESSAGE: Well I didn't fly but as a APC Medic in Bosnia as a IFOR Soldier. We cooperated a lot with the DUSTOFF squad in Bosnia (Tuzla/NormedCoy) June 1996 - Feb. 1997 (Let's meet at the Beaver :-) DUSTOFF !!!!


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DATE:21 Apr 98
RANK:SP4
NAME:Bill Kanoff
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:57th Medical Detachment
E-MAIL: kanfam@desupernet.net
MESSAGE: I flew as a medic with the 57th from April '82 - June '84. Deployed to Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada) in October 1983. The people were the greatest. I left DUSTOFF and became a Special Forces medic. I served until 1993. I enjoyed my time with DUSTOFF. As a Special Forces medic, there was no greater sound than of rotor blades coming over the trees to pick up an injured team member. I always have, and always will, respect the men and women who risk it all to save others. I currently work as a Paramedic/Firefighter in an effort to carry on the DUSTOFF tradition (even though I'm ground based). I am proud to have served and flown with the best. I am interested in hearing from anyone that was part of the unit.


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DATE:10 Apr 98
RANK:CW3(RET)
NAME:David R. Spindler
CALL SIGN:WOLF 13
UNIT:
E-MAIL: Spindlerspace@sprintmail.com
MESSAGE: I flew with the 82nd Med. from 81-83, with the 68th Med. in Hawaii from 83-86, with the 507th Ft. Sam Houston 86-90, and retired with the 68th in Hawaii in 1991. I am presently a Missionary with Teen Missions International out of Merritt Island, FL. All in all flew DUSTOFF for a total of 11 years. It was a great part of my life. God Bless you all In His Service.


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DATE:8 Apr 98
RANK:Retired
NAME:Donald A. Donahue
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:
E-MAIL: dede@net1plus.com
MESSAGE: From July 1986 until 1994 I flew with the 507th Medical Company (AA) stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Then in Sept 95 until Mar of 97 I flew with the 542nd Medical Company (AA) stationed at Camp Page, Korea.


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DATE:7 Apr 98
RANK:Civ, formerly SSG
NAME:Stephen Palmer
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:421st and 45th Med. Co.
E-MAIL: s.palmer@ansbach.netsurf.de
MESSAGE: Served with the 421st since 1984 and 45th Med. Co. until 1990 when they told me I could not be a part of DUSTOFF Europe, so I got out and am still here as a civilian contractor. To all of you who were here with me then, not much has changed, just the faces and a bit more BS. The guys here, and gals have gone through Saudi, Somalia, Bosnia, and many training missions in Egypt, Albania, and others in flying colors. They are the best, and I am proud to be a part of that org., even if I am a civilian. You can take the boy out of MEDEVAC, but you can't take the MEDEVAC out of the boy. DUSTOFF was, is, and always will be the most noble of units. We just have to let the bosses know that it is an aviation unit with a medical specialty.


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DATE:5 Apr 98
RANK:E-4
NAME:Ralph Reed
CALL SIGN:Pedro 21
UNIT:Det 1-38 ARRS Phan Rang AB -RVN
E-MAIL: rreed10910@aol.com
MESSAGE: I was in the USAF at Phan Rang AB, RVN from Jan 70 thru Jan 71. I was with Det. 1/38 ARRS as an airborne firefighter and rescue specialist on the HH-43B helicopter. We were 24 on and 24 off. When I wasn't flying my assigned duties with the USAF, I was on the other side of the base flying with the DUSTOFFs. I can tell you this, I had some mighty good scares while flying with you guys, but I had fun doing it. Great group of people. I have a Web site on air rescue if you want to check it out sometime. If anyone out there can help me with the Unit's name there at Phan Rang, please drop a line. Many thanks. Take care and the very best to you guys....WELCOME HOME. Ralph Reed, Houston, Texas (ARRS) Airborne Firefighter Crash Rescue Det. 1/38 ARRS Phan Rang AB, RVN Jan 70 to Jan 71. Det. 8/43 ARRS Takhli RTAFB, Thai 72.


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DATE:5 Apr 98
RANK:E5
NAME:Carlos Solis
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:Chu Lai DUSTOFF (68 Med. Det.)
E-MAIL: csolis@ibm.net
MESSAGE: Flew out of Chu Lai and Duc Pho (70-71). I really miss hoist missions in general and specially night hoist missions when LRRPs claim there is no contact but they are still whispering, damn that was fun! Clear right.


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DATE:5 Apr 98
RANK:1LT
NAME:William P. Gordon Jr. (Bill)
CALL SIGN:DMZ DUSTOFF 56
UNIT:498th, 45th, 571st, 542nd
E-MAIL: Bgordon518@aol.com
MESSAGE: 498th Med. Co. 1988-1992, 45th Med. Co. 1992-1995, 571st Med. Co. 1996-1998, 542nd Med. Co. 1998-present.


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DATE:2 Apr 98
RANK:SSG
NAME:Jennings J. Rozzell
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:"D" 326 /377
E-MAIL: wombat39@netisle.net
MESSAGE: I flew with the 101st from 81-83, then with the 377th in Korea 86-88/91-92. Would like to find CW2 Phil Duocet, Tom Hanks, and SSG Johnny Eley.


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DATE:2 Apr 98
RANK:SP5
NAME:Bill Cunningham
CALL SIGN:
UNIT:82nd & 57th Med. Det. (HA)
E-MAIL: Cunningham@worldnet!att.net
MESSAGE: Navy Bihn Thuy from Dec. 70 - Oct. 71. Also temporary duty as advisor to VNAF for their DUSTOFF operations. Five other medics & six pilots from the 82nd & 57th "volunteered" to fly VNAF-fly in their helicopters with 1 US pilot, 1 US medic, 1 VN pilot, 1 VN crewchief & 1 VN medic. The helicopters were converted slicks, gun mounts still in place, and we taped a piece of cardboard with a red cross to the inside of the cargo door windows. It was an experience..... I thank then CPT Howard & Mr. Adee for getting us through.