Centaur Website Newsletter - June 2025

INDEX: News, Checking In, Corections , MyPages, War Stories & Photos , Deceased, Reunions/Events, Centaur Shirts

--- News ---

For those thinking about flying to the November Centaur Reunion, here is somemore informatiion:

 

Homepage Hidden Links: Get more out of our great Centaur Legacy Website: In addition to the 11 Navigation buttons on the left side of the Homepage, there are more than two dozen hidden buttons (links) for more information. View the picture below and note the light blue areas. Each is a hidden button (link).

Go to the Homepage then click on one of the blue areas, then return to the Homepage and click on another.
Note: anytime your cursor turns into a finger pointing hand, that means it is over a clickable link.

 

--- Checking In---

If you would ike to contact any one send the webmaster a note

Bob Tegelman.....Frank Dillon.....Geoff Zorger.....Roger Martin.....Marty Jenkins....Clay Maxwell....John Jones..
Matt Jackson.....Ken Hundt....Robin Haywood.....Ken Kloppel.....Bob Forringer.....Sam Wright...KC Allcock...
Lloyd Goldsmith.......Terry Young......Bruce Wyrwitzke (C/227/1CAV).......Bruce Anderson......Larry Richardson.....
Nancy Roberson Johnson....Fred Stuckey.....David Young (cousin SGT Clarty).....Shellie Rice....Bob Taylor......
Ethan Norris (Little Bears).....Christine (Dow) Smith.....Matthew J. Meggers (Dakota Troop Cdr).....Jim Brothers......
Jim Hutchins.....Dwain Adkins..... Tom Fleming....Jim Hoag.....Tom Dooling.....Bob Tegelman...Gary Jones...Pat Eastes...

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

More Buttons: The Centaur Homepage has been upgraded with two buttons, the "Newsletter" button in the lower left and the latest Centaur "Reunion" button in the upper left over the small Centaur logo. The Newsletter button will now list the latest Newsletter month (June in this case). The "Reunions" button in the Navigation list still goes to a listing of all reunions.

Dakota Troop Contact: CPT Matthew J. Meggers, CDR Dakota Troop, 3-4 CAV, 3 IBCT, 25th ID provides us with some answers about what has happened to Dakota Troup in Hawaii.

Steven Geoff Zorger has an updated MyPage. He goes by his middle name Geoff pronounced "Jeff"

Do you read the Infosheets? One of the great and most interesting aviation ones is that of CW5 (retired) Harlan Gray Sparrow III, who now resides on Goat Island (Lake Talquin) Florida. Check it out.

SP4 James R. Pysher was listed on our Roster as serving in 1972; that was corrected to 1968-69

Nancy Roberson Johnson I am Nancy Roberson Johnson, the only child of SP/5 Daniel C. Roberson. I would like to thank you for memorializing my Father. Can I also request that you make a correction that he died in Crowley, Texas and not Crowley, NC. Done

Fixed Larry Parrish MyPage errors. Slick Crew Chief 1970-71. Still no contact with him.

Fixed bad 8mm movie link on Buck Buxton's MyPage. Shows him and Jim Moore talking outside the "White House Hootch"

Added Buxton Video describing him soloing the Outhouse and the heroics of Mike Vaughn to Mikes MyPage.

 

Lost photo of Mike Kramarczyk found and posted to his Deceased MyPage.

 

 

 

 

 

Update Thomas "Tom" Youngblood SP5 LOH Crew Chief Mar 72 to Jul 72, Deceased page by colorizing the photos and adding a Silver Star to the photo; His SP5 rank is also added to the Rosters.

 

 

 

 

Multiple photos and information below from Jim Brothers has generated many upgrades to our website:
re: Rivera, Elias, Davis, Dingess, Neil

Photo of Aerorifle guys 1970 from Jim Brothers was used to create some new MyPages and add to existing ones.

MyPage created for William V. "Willie" Rivera SP4 1969-70 (no other info);

MyPage created for Tony "Ox" G. Davis SP4 1970 - 3 MP's added (some notes called him Antony)

Deceased MyPage created for David E, Dingess PFC, (several possible obits online.)

Ronald Elias has a MyPage which is now updated with tour dates, hometown and InfoSheet. Note he was also a Door Gunner.

Add pic of John McCabe to his MyPage (Jim Brothers) as MP1. Add first name John to roster. His Job? Add SP4

Incorrect link to Ken Kloppel 2022 Reunion Introduction video has been corrected.

Video story of Buck Buxton soloing the outhouse in a storm has been relinked

Unfinished Letter Home - Gun Team Scramble War Story Essay upgraded with first names and links to SP4 Hal Hebert CE and SP4 Charles Loher Gunner (ex LRRP).

 

We need info on Cobra Crew Chief 1969/70 named "Neil". Do any of you recognize him from this photo?

We have no record of him at all.

 

 

 

Emails:

6May2025: Powell to Ron Welsh: My notes say we haven't been in contact for nearly five years! Just wanted to check and see if you are still kicking. It looks like we may have the wrong Nam photo up on your MyPage. SSG Welsh is listed as Slick Flt Plt Sgt and 1972-73. No other records on him. We would like to have the correct Nam pic and a current photo of you for your MyPage and maybe a photo of you and Margaret to your InfoSheet.

6May2025: Powell to Robin Haywood: Great to hear from you! I'm back at trying to get more info on Bill Bradford. We had him erroneously called Brandford. I decided to use your SlideShow photo 24 and do a draft MyPage for him. We will continue to search for more info on him: Job, rank, wife, exact tour dates, etc. (please check the index of your slides page for any caption updates or correction). Name added to roster

24May2025: Rolland Fletcher: The Forward Observer in A Troop told his son, when asked what he did in the war,,,, told him' "I observed it"

--- MyPages ---

 

 

Bill Brandford SP4 Armament 1972 to 1973. We now have enough information to publish a Draft MyPage for him.

 

 

 

 

 

Ronald "Ron" Elias E5 Aerorifleman and Slick Door Gunner has his MyPage updated with an MP1 from Jim Brothers and an InfoSheet with another Nam pic.

 

 

 

 

Tony G. "Ox" Davis SP4 Aerorifleman 1969 to 1970.

His name on the Centaur Roster is listed as above. However there are several references calling him Antony.

It was said at one point that Davis died of an Anurism. We are searching for evidence of that.

 

 

 

William V. "Willie" Rivera SP4 Aerorifleman 1969 to 1970 now has a Draft MyPage using a photo from Jim Brothers

 

 

 

 

 

 

John P. Carter SSG Avionics NCO May 1972 to December 1972.

John also has an Info Sheet

 

 

 

Duane B. Ramey SP4 Aerorifles 1969 has a draft MyPage with photo from Jim Brothers.

No other photos or information

 

 

 

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

 

In this 2024 Reunion Video Ron Cooper CW2 UH-1H Slick Pilot March 1971 to March 1972 is introduced by Harlan Gray Sparrow III, his long time friend from Basic training to Flight School and Vietnam.

It is posted to the War Stories Video section and to their MyPages

 

 

 

 

Richard "Rick" Ellison LRRP October 1966 to February 1967 does a 2024 Reunion Video Introduction

 

 

 

 

We added a Dakota Troop War Story Essay page that chronicles events with D and F Troop Veterans and our decendent units (Dakota Troop) still with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Latest answers provide by current Dakota CDR CPT Mathew Meggars.

Also see Who, What, Where is Dakota Troop?

 

 

---Deceased ---

There is a photo of him and Dave Martinez on Dave's MyPage (MP3). The Martinez reunion video (2012) mentions James and is added to his page.

If you find any other info on him please let us know.

 

 

 

David E. Dingess PFC Aerorifleman 1969 to 1970 now has a Draft MyPage using a photo from Jim Brothers

 

 

 

 

Harold B.White SSG 1966 to Mar 1966 died 13 June 2017. He was burried in Bellvevue Memorial Gardens in Grovetown, GA. We are searching for photos of him. Contact Bob Tegelman with any information bobtegelman@gmail.com His deceased InfoSheet is linked to from his name. No photos

Richard H. "Richie" Carr PFC Aerorifleman 11b 1966 to March 1967. Bob Tegelman found his obituary. It is linked to from our Roster and Deceased Roster. No photos yet.

Comments added to MAJ Buck Fraizer's deceased page by John Evans and Steve Lane

Ryszard Wiktor Kasprzak SGT Service Platoon 1969 died 19 January 2005. He was from Poland, moved to the United States, became a citizen and joined the Army. We know little about him and have no photos.

Our First Sergeants 1969-70 era. It is unfortunate that we have so little information on our 1SG's of that time. Steve Lane (Jan69-Sep70) remembers 1SG Lyons who is not listed anywhere in our files. Lyons may have arrived in December 1969. Lane was his clerk. John Moore found this Obituary which may be Lyons.
Jim Brothers (Sep69-Aug70) remembers a 1SG Thompson during that period. Lane also remembers 1SG Thompson who was there when he returned from leave in January 1970. Any help here?

 

-- Reunion/Events/Promtions ---

Centaur Vets Reunion November 2025 - Branson, MO

KC Allcock will host the Centaur reunion in Branson, Missouri.

Please take another look at KC's Vets Reunion introduction movie.

Click on the Centaur Reunion red button on the lower left of our Home Page for continous updates from KC.

Or go to the Reunions page and click on Branson, MO

 

 

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.

 

-- Centaur Shirts --

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)

 

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Centaur Website Newsletter - May 2025

INDEX: News, Checking In, Corections , MyPages, War Stories & Photos , Deceased, Reunions/Events/Promotions, /Centaur Shirts

--- News ---

Emails for Lew Barger and Pat Lacy rejected. No contact

The Centaur Veterans Day Reunion is on for this November in Branson, MO
At the Reunion we do videos of our men telling Centaur Warstories or just introductions, then we edit them with photos and text information on the screen behind them while they are taking. Come to Branson and do yours. Get your name, face and voice enshrined on our Legacy Website so future generations will know you. See Attendee List

NEW Hunter Killer patches for D and F Troop, by Don Borey, now available. $3.00 ea or 2 for $5 plus shipping. Each patch is 3.5" x 1.25". Send request to Don at donpatb@gci.net and put "Centaur HK Patch" in subject line.

 

--- Checking In---

Talk to us!! powellcentaur@gmail.org

John Jones.....Don Borey.......Jim Hoag....Tom Dooling.....Allen "KC" Allcock......Frank Dillion.....Bob Tegelman..
Steve Lane......John Moore.....Marshall Huckaby......Ed Wolfe.....Wayne Cooper.....Tom Fleming....Ray Clark....
Don Purdy.....Jim Brothers.....Clay Maxwell.....

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Bad Link Fixed: Gary Lee Bassett CW2 OH-23 Pilot June 1966 to July 1967. Deceased infosheet relinked and notes from Michael Banks added. We have no photos of him.

Article "Ghosts of the Battlefield" is now linked to from Ed Wolfe's MyPage.

 

--- MyPages --

 

1SG Thompson (no first name) D Troop 1SG 1969-1970 now has a draft MyPage. We know very little about him.

Jim Brothers (Sep69-Aug70) remembers1SG Thompson during that period.

 

 

 

 

John J. Miller SP5 LOH crewmember 1972 -1973 now has a new MyPage

 

 

 

 

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

 

Marshall Huckaby SSG LRRP April 1966 to March 1967 tells us his great story on video at the 2024 Centaur Reunion in Panama City Beach, FL (8min video)

Marshall was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in June 2023.

 

 

 

SP4 Donald E. Purdy LRRP Aerorifleman August 1969 to August 1970, does his Video Introduction at the 2024 Centaur Reunion in Panama City Beach, FL (3min 56sec video)

 

 

 

 

Wayne R. Cooper WO1 OH-23G Scout Pilot and UH-1D Slick Pilot January 1967 to September 1967 does an Introduction Video at the 2024 Centaur Reunion.

 

 

 

 

 

Lloyd Goldsmith 1LT Cobra Pilot Centaur 48 June 1971 to March 1972 does an Introductory Video at the 2024 Centaur Reunion.

 

 

 

 

John McGee LRRP Rifleman and Team Leader from May 1968 to November 1968 introduces himself with a video at the 2024 Centaur Reunion.

John is currently the Unit Director of CoF 25th ID LRRP/50th Inf, LRP/75th Rangers.

 

 

 

 

 

Can you identify this photo?

 

 

 

 

---Deceased ---

 

Hamil J. Millsaps SGT Slick Crewchief 1965 to 1966 died 1 January 2022 in DeKlab, MS

He often crewed for Mike Squires

 

 

 

 

William N. "Bill" Moye 1LT Centaur Pilot 1971 died 17 May 2018 in Fredrick County, VA. We do not yet know his exact tour dates or what his duty position was.

See his Obituary and Grave Marker

 

 

 

 

Roosevelt Tyre SP4 Aerorifleman 40mm Gunner 1965 to1966 died 7 March 2015.

He was in SGT Nixon's 2nd squad with Bob Tegelman.

 

 

Comments added to MAJ Buck Fraizer's deceased page by John Evans and Steve Lane

Ryszard Wiktor Kasprzak SGT Service Platoon 1969 died 19 January 2005. He was from Poland, moved to the United States, became a citizen and joined the Army. We know little about him and have no photos.

Our First Sergeants 1969-70 era. It is unfortunate that we have so little information on our 1SG's of that time. Steve Lane (Jan69-Sep70) remembers 1SG Lyons who is not listed anywhere in our files. Lyons may have arrived in December 1969. Lane was his clerk. John Moore found this Obituary which may be Lyons.
Jim Brothers (Sep69-Aug70) remembers a 1SG Thompson during that period. Lane also remembers 1SG Thompson who was there when he returned from leave in January 1970. Any help here?

Once again, British aviation book publisher Fonthill Media, via their U.S distributor Casemate Publishers, will make available this September my two photo-books, Vietnam War Army Helicopter Nose Art, Vols. 1+2. First published in 2017 and 2021, added together, these 316-page portfolios will again contain 460 color pics of nose art + captions, 280 aircrew quotations, and a "Contributors" name list of 712 vets who provided photos, captions, anecdotes, and quotations. I'll be available for any questions at johnmailman2@yahoo.com. Thank you, John Brennan, author + former SP5, 114 AHC, Vinh Long Army Airfield, IV Corps, 1970-71.

 

 

 

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Centaur Website Newsletter - April 2025

INDEX: News, Checking In, Corections , MyPages, War Stories & Photos , Deceased, Reunions/Events, Hats & Shirts

--- News ---

Centaur Veterans Day Reunion for this November is on!! Details developing.

Centaur Clay Maxwell and his family visit the 3/4 Cav in Hawaii and their air support "Hammerheads"

Clay Maxwell: As a Michigan native, it was a delight to take two things off my bucket list this winter: A vacation to Hawaii and a visit to Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield. Having flown for D Troop 3/4 Cavalry, 25th Infantry in Vietnam, it was a pleasure to visit the home of the 25th, especially with the connections the 25th had with Pearl Harbor at the beginning of WW2. We were fortunate to be introduced to LTC Sam Diehl, Commander, 3-25 Aviation Regiment. It was a Saturday, his wife's birthday, and he was just back from field exercises, but amazingly, he took the time to show us around. On top of all that, he was soon to be deployed overseas for 6 months or so. We visited the airfield, hangars, the 3-4 Cav 25th Day Room, museum and static displays, including a Cobra with Shark Teeth (probably a Diamond Head Cobra. They adopted our Sharks Teeth design). My family and I had a great time and can't thank LTC Diehl enough for taking time from his Saturday to show us around.

 

Captured VC Flag video: Those of you who attended the 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion in Nashville 2012 may remember when our Willi Williams presented this VC flag to the 3/4 Cav Squadron Commander and his men. It remains on display in their Museum. Unfortunately they spelled Tay Ninh wrong.

Update 3/4 Cav Squadron Standing down: The reflagging is estimated to be 1 October 2026.

...The last yearly Raider (3/4 Cav) Ball will be 17 April 2025 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. All Centaurs Invited.

...From LTC James W. Lucas 3/4 Cav Commander) US Army 25 ID 3 BCT (USA) "Raider 6":
Please feel free to share my e-mail address (james.w.lucas32.mil@army.mil) for anyone who maybe interested in attending and I can work directly with them on payment, etc.
We have two meal options for the ball: chicken and beef, or vegetarian. The ticket price for the chicken and beef is $88.50 and the price for the vegetarian option is $67.00.

 

Rick and Dy Arthur visit Vietnam 2025

"We are just returning from a trip to Vietnam. The country is beautiful. Lot of emotions with a number of NVA vets. Acceptance, congratulations on surviving and our bravery. Good wishes for the future." Rick

Many Centaurs have returned for a visit and were able to leave their bad memories behind. It can be a healthy closure.

See Ricks Return to Vietnam 2025 War Story Essay.
Also see: Cowell 2015 Return and Powell 2016 Return

 

 

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Centaur Website Newsletter - March 2025

INDEX: News, Checking In, Corections , MyPages, War Stories & Photos , Deceased, Reunions/Events, Hats & Shirts

--- News ---

Sad News: The 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division will be Stood down and Case Colors. Here is the message: Email from LTC Lucas, SCO, on the 3/4 Cav inactivation: Although the Army has made the decision to get rid of 3/4 CAV as we currently stand, the exact timeline for the casing of our colors and subsequent reflagging as an Infantry Battalion is still up in the air. The current no later than date for us to be fully established as an Infantry Battalion is October 2026; however, I do anticipate something will happen before then. Right now, it looks like we will start referring to the Squadron as “Task Force Raider” starting in April of 2025 to mark the start of the transition process. We are planning on executing one final RAIDER Week from 7-11 April and a final Squadron Ball on Thursday, 17 April. We are still working through the coordinating instructions for the ball but will reach out to the 3/4 CAV Association to extend an invitation to attend to all former members of the unit.........
Sincerely, Jimmy Lucas, LTC

More Details: It is a sad time indeed for the US Army Cavalry Squadron and particularly the very unique units of the defunct US Army Air Cavalry Troop. The Air Cavalry Troops, about the size of a standard Infantry Company, were created specifically for the Vietnam War and then deactivated at the end of the war. There was a small number of them, each assigned to a major Army force like the 25th "Tropic Lightning" and the 1st "Big Red One" Army Divisions as the fifth platoon of a Cavalry Squadron. See the book "Winged Sabers" for a better description. The Cavalry Squadrons became the eyes and ears, and Strike Force for each Division. Many of us felt that the Divisions thought of the Cav Squadrons as their bastard child, and initially had no idea how to use them. It was a hard learning curve for all, but the Cav bore the brunt of it and made history with their mostly self taught tactics.

Towards the end of the war when major units began withdrawal to the States, the Cavalry Squadrons went with them. However the Air Cavalry Troop was too valuable to let go. So they took the remaining men of the Troop and renamed it to be passed around to other major units, kind of like a "Have Gun Will Travel unit". The D Troop (Air) 3/4 Cav "Centaurs", for example, went home with their parent 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav Regiment, 25th Infantry Division to Hawaii. They were stripped of their aircraft and became basically a ground recon and transportation support unit. But still a Cavalry Unit. The men left behind in Vietnam became F Troop (Air) "Centaurs" of the 4th Cavalry Regiment. No Squadron number was listed. They became legendary with their spectacular combat support of the units remaining in Vietnam. They were totally deactivated at the end of the war. The 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry of the 25th Division continued to accept the men of F Troop “Centaurs” as their own, providing a place for them in our history.

Now, in April 2025, the Army, in its infinite wisdom, is eliminating the Army Cavalry Squadron's from the inventory. Those units, many of which had maintained their heritage and the Guidon and Battle Streamers of their Vietnam brothers, are now to become mostly Infantry units. Each Trooper will now be stripped of their Cav Hat and spurs and their heritage. It is a sad time.

 

What is a Regiment? Many of us never totally understood what a Regiment was. Did it actually have a Commander, a unit, a location and any authority over the Cavalry Squadrons? Google says "An army regiment is a military unit that is made up of companies, battalions, or squadrons. Regiments are the largest permanent units in an army and are organized for tactical control". Yet it goes on to say “The levels of the U.S. Army are squads, platoon, companies, battalions, brigades, and corps.” Regiment is not now listed as a level in the US Army. This leaves many of us quite confused.

As best we know there has been a 4th Cavalry Regiment Association, at least up to 2022, where members of that Association gathered together and nominated/elected an Honorary Colonel and Honorary Sergeant Major from members of their group. Current status is unknown. Unfortunately only available on Facebook.

The good news is that the 3/4 Cavalry Website hosted by John Moore is an independent organization and will not be effected by the 3/4 Cavalry no longer being a member of the 25th infantry Division.

Our Squadron remains a strong and active representative of the "Cavalry" in our great military history.

 

The Last Visit: Probably the last Centaur to visit the still active 3/4 Cav Squadron and D Troop areas at Schofield Barracks, 25th Inf Div will be Clay Maxwell, his wife, daughter and son in law. Our great friend LTC Samuel Diehl Commander of the 3-25 Aviation Regiment, 25th Inf Div "Hammerheads" (Avn support for the 3/4 Cav) is hosting Clay and his family's visit today, Saturday 1 March 2025. More info in our April Newsletter.

 

Proposed Memorial Bench (Ft Rucker Novosel)
Photo is the draft bench plaque designed by Marshall Huckaby

In 2014, 25th ID LRRP, D Troop 3/4 Cav, Marshall Huckaby, 1SG (Ret) hosted a meeting for LRRPs, LRPs and LRS from all eras. The meeting resulted in the organization of the Long Range Reconnaissance (LRRA).

The LRRA now has over 800 active members who conducted missions in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Albania, Macedonia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They have an annual Rally in Branson MO.

The members of the LRRA decided that there should be a permanent marker to pay tribute to the many Aviators who supported their combat and peacetime missions.

The LRRA has commissioned the placement of a granite bench on Fort Novosel. It is expected to take 3-4 months for the manufacture and placement of the bench.

The date of the unveiling will be published and all Aviators are more than welcomed to attend.

 

Fred Stuckey SGT LRRP December 1968 to July 1970 has been appointed as a Director to the Centaur Board of Directors.

Altho our Centaur LRRPs have been constantly searched for and honored on our website we have never had a LRRP as a Centaur Director. Fred has been selected by his fellow LRRPs to take on that role.

Get the word out to our LRRP friends that might not be listed on our free Monthly Centaur Newsletter distribution. send email address to powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Sharks Teeth Article:

The December Issue of the VHPA Magazine published the Bruce Powell story of how the Centaur Cobra Sharks Teeth came about.

Unfortunately no photos of the Teeth and no reference to our Website were provided.

The VHPA editoral staff let us down on this one.

Our Sharks Teeth Cobras continued with amazing combat support until the last day of the war when our F Troop, 4th Regiment "Centaurs" were disbanded in February 1973. See story with images on our website.

 

Centaur Call Sign?

It is our understanding that the Centaur Call Sign Logo first came about in Vietnam. See CPT Tony Robertson MP2. So the question is did D Trp 3/4 Cav use this call sign in Hawaii before they had this logo? If not then what was their call sign before Nam?

 

Finding anything on our huge website quickly:

Click on the "Help" button (left side of the Website Home Page). Then click on the first item (#1) "How to search the Centaur Website for anything"

 

--- Checking In---

Talk to us!!

David Cox......Koleta Thompson.... Tom Fleming....Matt Jackson......Rex Gooch.......Clay Maxwell.......
Marshall Huckaby.....John Moore.....Pat Eastes.....Tom Dooling......Austin Derden.......Ray Clark.........
Karl Kaufman.........Steve Chicoine.......Bob Forringer.........Bruce Hinds.........Rick Williams.......
Michael Banks.......Bruce Wyrwitzke.......Robert Bobo.......Larry Simpson.....Megan Magoon......
Dennis Rogers......Ron Holmes........Susan Jones Gasaway.......Frank Dillion.....Bob Tegelman......
Jim Hoag.......Tim Walsh.......Linda Dooling......Fred Stuckey.......Jim Hutchins.......John Evans.....
Sam Dheil......Carl Betsill........Reggie Slater.....

Ron Holmes: I have been in contact with Susan Gasaway (Pappy's widow). Here is what she said: "Good afternoon!! I talked to Steve Pullen and he told me about some stories that I had not heard and some I had heard parts of from Hayden Pappy Jones. I cannot remember what year it was when we talked. Know I was living in house I am in now- so in last five years. I don’t know what else I can tell you to help. I met him at more than one- I want to say 3 or more reunions over the years. I remember he and Pappy talking. I am sorry to hear he has dementia.
Over all, I am doing well- thanks. Just like all of us, I am getting older!! Just got my Aviator yesterday and trying to decide about coming to St Louis?!
Hope all is well with all Centaurs!! Please feel free to share my email or phone number with any of them!
Hugs!! Susan Jones Gassaway"

Frank Dillion: Randy Baisden had some Hunter Killer patches made a few years ago. I don’t know details such as quantity or who he had make them. Bruce Karn and I have used “The Studio” in CA to make patches. You can do it all online. They were fast, however the patches were shipped directly to me from the maker in China. With the new restrictions on packages from China, they may not be very fast anymore.

HunterKiller Patch: Don Borey adds comment to this Discusion Page. The Patch had to be earned.

Some comments on deactivation of the 3/4 Cavalry Squadron:

,,,,Fleming: I was stunned by the news that the the Brigade Cavalry Squadrons of the Light Infantry Divisions were to be deactivated. The Heavy Divisions retain their Cavalry Squadrons; none the less their Cav Squadrons are not organized in any force structure that relates to the Armord Cavalry Squardon that we served with in the 1960s and earlier. The force planners don't place aviation assets beneath non aviation HQs.

....Eastes: "There is no such thing as Military Intelligence"

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Carl Betsil provides updates for Item #2 at Help Answers.

John Evans provides corrections: John was incorrectly listed in several places as a 1LT. He was a WO1 then promoted to 2LT. Larry Turley MP1 is Evans not Turley. Link to "Wounded" on Turley's page is fixed.
Added Silver Star pic to Turley's MyPage. Could not find the award document. Photo MP8 from Evans MPs is corrected and added to Turley's MP's.

Larry and Linda Richardson's couples photo was not showing up. Fixed

Added to our Centaur Glossary, the terms SCO and Cavalry Regiment and Deactivated

Bruce Hinds adds comments to his InfoSheet.

Ken Kloppel MyPage and InfoSheet updated.

Updated "Boonie Hats" Discussion Page

Tom Broadbent was listed as Call Sign Centaur 18 from May to June 1971. That has been corrected to May 1971 to Jan 1972. It is still a bit confusing since Roger Blaha is listed with that Call Sign as 1971 - 1972. Emails:
.....Peake to Broadbent: Your images along with one from Bob Jones, and the history of OH-6A LOH (Loach) #68-17180 "Blind Faith," clearly shows your account is spot on, but VHPA only shows the aircraft was with F Troop until February 1972 and it is also shown listed in the 1968 MASN, but without any data. This is one of those irritating history gaps. Makes even more so since there is an incident report from March 1972 showing the aircraft went into the trees with three crewmen mentioned, Centaurs pilot T. J. Noss, Perez and someone identified as Porter, but likely Porterfield. ,br/>So after your combat damage, the aircraft was repaired in country and came back. Unit listed in the incident report was obviously the recovering unit, 605th Trans. Co., Aircraft Direct Support, posted at Phu Loi. They would not have been flying combat missions. There was an unidentified lieutenant colonel as a passenger and total cost was $71,000. Apparently, while on recon over a suspected enemy position, a CS1 riot grenade exploded on the panel between the pilot and observer and they crashed into the trees.
..... Broadbent I was Centaur18 from May 1971 to at least January 30th. 1972. January 30th. 1972 was the day I and my crew were shot up and forced down in the CuiChi area. Bob Jones can verify this as he was flying Cobra covering us that day. I also have a document for a DFC for that date. After a stint in the hospital, I was cleared back to F Troop probably middle of February. As far as I know, I was still Centaur18. Before I was cleared to fly, the doctors decided I had nerve damage to my left arm. Shortly thereafter I was on a flight to the Philippines and eventually William Beaumont in El Paso.

Bob Jones Photo Album has many photos mentioning Tom Broadbent. The Album is now added to Tom's MyPage.

Upgrading the KC Allcock War Story "Left Alone" with links to the men mentioned. Bobo, Waite, Stanley and Shirley. A CPT Dixon Maintenance Officer is mentioned, but we have no record of him; only a WO1 Johnny Dixon. Also CPT Robert P. Mack Maintenance Officer who we don't have any photos or information on.

CPT Robert P. Mack LOH pilot is mentioned in the story "Left Alone". We have been unable to find any photos or references to him. Can you help?

 

REQUEST: Are you getting the most out of our website? Connecting all the articles, MyPages, InfoSheets and Bios can take some time and diligence. It can start with a single story or Centaur Troopers name, and lead on to hours of reading all of the related information. The time you put in on our website like this contributes to our Internet rating and gives us higher priority with Search Engines like Google.

We ask that those of you who do spend time like this, to take notes where we might not have provided all the necessary corrections & links on all the related pages. Send that info to the Webmaster for upgrades, providing a better Centaur Legacy.

What is a MyPage? This page is our main vehicle to recognize and honor our men. if you take the time to understand how it works you may be better prepared to help us update your MyPage and to get more out of your visit to our website.

 

--- MyPages --

 

Steven R. Pullen CPT LOH Pilot March 1972 to May 1972 has his MyPage updated with a more recent photo, provided by Susan Jones Gasaway (Pappy Jones Widow). Thanks to Ron Holmes.

 

 

 

John Durham SP4 Aerorifleman 1968 to 1969 recently joined the 3/4 Cav Squadron Facebook account.

We have not, so far, been able to talk to him about our Centaur website or his updated MyPage.

Awaiting more info

 

 

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

The LRRP-Centaur Bond: Few War Stories exemplify the close bond of the LRRPs and the Centaurs as the story Cobra 23 LRRP Team Rescue of 2 July 1968. (note that "Cobra" was the radio call sign of the LRRPs).

Help us to locate all the men involved so we can hear their story and give them recognition. Also please provide any memories you have of this amazing battle to the Webmaster. See Bob Byrd video below.

Photo: Pilot WO1 Steve Patterson, SGT Bobby Ethridge in LOH, PFC Merilan Henry hanging on. Help us find PFC Henry.

The Story - The toe of the light observation helicopter's right skid perched precariously on a boulder. The rotor blade chomped furiously at nearby trees. The chopper's body hung menacingly to the cliff's edge....Bobby Ethridge, Joe Hitchens, Merilan Henry, Ralph Hosey and Roger VanRensselarr.

LRRP Stories and Related Links on our website (assembled with Google Search)

Note that you can do this yourself. Assemble a list of Links, about any subject, name or phrase from our website by using Google Search.

Here is how to do it: Open Google Search in your Browser. Type in "site:centaursinvietnam.org" followed by a word or words. This will bring up a list of every time that word or words is mentioned on the Centaur Website.

After that selection you can also hit the "Images" button at the top of that page to show every photo related to that word or words. Try it out.

photo is LRRPs at the Renegade Woods

 

 

Video Introduction Bob Byrd, a LRRP working with the Centaurs 1968 to 1969.

Taken at the Centaur Reunion Panama City Beach in 2024.

 

 

 

 

Video Introduction CW2 Tom Dooling, LOH and Cobra Pilot Jan 1969 to August 1970

Taken at the Centaur Reunion Panama City Beach in 2024.

Tom was in the Military (Active and Reserve) for 25 years.

He is a tremendously dedicated and active Centaur Director

 

 

---Deceased ---

James R. Dedman CW2 Heavy Scout Pilot (Guns) 1966 to 1967 died after his tour in Vietnam on 24 February 2013 at the age of 68.6 from Heart attack. He was from Melbourne, Australia.

An obit index card in ancestry.com shows an obituary article for him for Miami, AZ. The actual obit is not online. Miami, AZ is 6 miles from Globe, AZ,

 

 

 

Dennis W. Noga SP4 LRRP 1966 to1967 died 8 August 2004 in Milwaukee, Wi. His MyPage has been updated to a Deceased Page and an Info/Obit sheet added.

Comments by Marshall Huckaby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

 

Centaur Website Newsletter - February 2025

INDEX: News, Checking In, Corections , MyPages, War Stories & Photos , Deceased, Reunions/Events

--- News ---

emails that didn't go through on i Feb 2025: James Starling, Mackie A. Webb,

Donald E. "Don" Borey, Cobra pilot, Centaur 43, honored at Flag Ceremony:
"Every day at the Magic Kingdom in both Disney World and Disneyland they bring the flag down from the flagpole on Mainstreet. This is pretty much the same as what is done on military posts in the U S military. First retreat is broadcast over the loudspeakers. The National Anthem is played and America the Beautiful. Everyone is encouraged to sing along. The purpose, besides to bring the flag down for the night, is to honor veterans. The flag detail folds the flag and hands it to the veteran who has been randomly selected to represent all military veterans for all the services. The veteran's name and rank is announced. The band plays a medley consisting of each service song. The band then leads the march down Main Street to the point where the detail disbands on a side street. I was presented a certificate and a special pin recognizing me and the day. Then all the cast members, as the employees are called, involved in the retreat lined up and came by to shake my hand and thank me for my service. The last part made me quite teary eyed." Don
"Be sure to wear your Centaur Hat when you go to The Magic Kingdom"

 

Webmaster Special Request to all: Take a minute sometime soon and do this:

1. Go to Google Search, or the Search Engine of your Browser, and type in site:centaursinvietnam.org

2. Add a space then type a word, name or phrase that pertains to something you are interested in on our huge website. Example site:centaursinvietnam.org flechettes

3. Review the findings. Email the webmaster with any comments, questions, notes, corrections or needed updates that you find or that occur to you.

This will greatly help us to continue our quest of producing a Centaur Legacy that is very detailed, honest and accurate (to the best of our knowledge).

 

 

Veterans Legacy Memorial: Some of you might be interested in this website that Stretch Harrison located.

 

 

 

 

David Cox (A Trp, 3/4 Cav) will be retiring this September from the many years that he and Diana have devoted to the great 3/4 Cavalry Reunion Team and the 3/4 Cav Newsletter. We thank them both and hope they have a long and happy retirement.

 

 

 

Our great Centaur Friend Rex Gooch is writing another book. It will be called "Cav Hat". He seeks our input.

"I’m writing a new book titled Cav Hat. In this book, I’ll trace the history of the Cavalry hat from the Cavalry’s inception in 1855 to the Cav hat’s reemergence during the Vietnam War. In the latter half of the book, I’ll share fascinating stories about the Cav hat in Vietnam, the Middle East, and modern-day cavalry units. I’ll also highlight the various colors and decorations of the hat.

I’m looking for stories and high-quality photos to include in my book. If you have any Cav hat stories or photos of troopers wearing Cav hats, please share them with me. Alternatively, if you know of anyone who might have such stories or photos, please let me know.

For Centaurs: Does anyone know the story of Cavalry trooper Lonnie Weck (as I recall) getting out of a Huey to assist a downed Scout pilot. Someone yelled, “You forgot your Cav hat” and Lonnie returned to the Huey, donned his Cav hat and then ran to assist the scout pilot - all while under hostile fire. I would love to include this story in the book and need more detail. Thanks for the assistance." Rex Gooch <lk23@mac.com>

Steve Suiter, Pete Holmberg and Don Borey are already providing Cav Hat stories to Rex.

 

--- Checking In---

David Cox.......Bob Forringer......Larry Patterson......Dwight Birdwell......Beetle Bailey......Lowell Kennedy.....
Fred Reese......Tom Hamilton.......Gilbert Fluhr.......John P. Carter.......James Turner.......Eddie Coppage......
Herman Witt......Dan Keirsey.......Brian Harrison........Frank Walker........Steve Suiter........Eric Brethen.....
Don Borey........Pete Barber........Dennis Rogers.......Angela Poulos.......Jan White.........Rex Gooch......
Matt Jackson.....

Andy Gerrie......"Still hanging in there. staying active with Tai Chi and doing pretty well but not traveling much these days."

Stephen Gormely: ....Our readers may find this research website interesting. https://vva.vietnam.ttu.edu/
(Note from Webmaster: Please let me know if you find anything on this confusing (to me) website that we can use).

Stephanie Pullen: "I'm Stephanie and Steve Pullen is my father. I now answer his emails. He no longer has long term memory and his short term memory gets worse with each passing day. He has more bad days than good. I do know he was in F Troop for a very short time before being badly wounded. This happened before I was born.

Many years ago at a VHPA reunion in Florida we ran into a F Troop pilot that picked him up when he was shot down. I don't remember his full name but my father introduced him to me as "Pappy." They went into a hotel room just the two of them, closed the door and talked for almost an hour.

My father left Vietnam after his first tour in May 1971. He got into some trouble at Ft. Bragg and his commander worked some deal and my father was sent back to Vietnam in February 1972 to the same unit he left in May 1971. Upon arrival he was informed the 101st Division was leaving Vietnam and going to a base in either Kentucky or Tennessee. He thought he would immediately be going back to the states. So he called my mother and told her so. Shortly after making that call my father and several other pilots were reassigned to other aviation units remaining in Vietnam.

When I was growing up he never talked about his Vietnam experiences except at reunions. After each reunion he was basically a basket case and eventually stopped going. I think he has survivor guilt. Vietnam must have been a terrifying experience for all of you.

Thanks for reaching out and contacting him. I learned more from his taped interview (2014) than I ever knew. I wish my mother could have seen it. I think I have a better understanding now why he did not want to talk about his Vietnam experiences. I showed him your web page but got no response.

Thanks for your military service and for keeping the veteran's of F Troop connected. May god bless you"

John P. Carter SSG Avionics F Troop 1972. "....I am now 100% disabled and have had the VA provide home nursing service.
I am now slowly declining. The agent Orange has caught up to me! Major problems are Parkinsons, Diabetes, Congestive Heart Failure and Prostate Cancer with old age (79). We plan to keep our existing home for Tokie in Augusta which will be my permanent address. I will send you mypatient address when assigned on 30 Jan 2025. I will not have to pay for services which will be provided by VA. The GWVNH is staffed by
the Medical College of Georgia with assistance of the VA Medical Center and the Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
I hope you will come to visit me. The GWVNH has guards at front and rear entrances with a sign-in/sigh-out desk. With permission I can be signed out to leave the facility. The facility is maintained as a military barracks with similar rules. The medical care is excellent, far better than the civilian world. My affairs are in good order. There is a large black binder in my office labeled "casualty reporting" it has all papers such as life insurance, funeral, cemetery lot will, power of attorney etc.
My heart is in sorrow for the love of my life. My wife Tokie who is 82 and has mobility difficulty. My big request is that you will stay in touch with her and assist her. She is not computer literate. She can be reached by mail and phone"

Michael Banks: "...I'm living in an independent senior housing complex now, feeling the loss of skills so long maintained and savored. Still driving autos but needing lots of assistance to basic care....."

John Wayne Poston SP5 UH-1H Mechanic 1971-72 still has not responded to emails. He has a Facebook account that hasn't been active for some time. Might you know more or be in contact? powellcentaur@gmail.com

Bill Comeau A/2/12 Infantry, 4th ID shares some Centaur Articles in his Jan 2025 Newsletter.

Matt Jackson: "Always enjoy reading your newsletter. Probably one of the best out there. We are making progress, slowly on getting our motion picture project to Hollywood. We are putting the final touches on the ad package that goes to the studios and getting an agent to represent us. The Cost of Valor pays tribute to all those that flew helicopters on Nam."

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Pete Barber has provided captions for his great Slide Show of photos. We intend to eventually convert this show to a Photo Album. Help us with the captions: email powellcentaur@gmail.com
....Who had the burned out rocket pod at photo PB014?
....Who is flying this LOH (PB015)?
....Anybody remember "Shit Beach"? (PB017 & 018). Is there a story there?
,,,,Photo PB040 on left side in background is Francis E. Lewandoeski SSG (LOH Crewman we assume). Do you remember him, have any information or maybe contact?
....Can you help out with PB109?
....We have no contact with CPT William B. Miller. (PB124) Any help?
....Remember moving day? Comments? PB131

Do you have captions on all your photos? Makes them more meaningfull. email powellcentaur@gmail.com

Bob and Dee Forringer have an updated home address in Belton, Texas.

Easter Offensive Stories by Woods and Mick added to Hayden "Pappy" Jones deceased MyPage.

Tom Fleming added comments to Bob Bigalow's Infosheet: Bob was my Maintenance Technician and leader of the Maintenance Section of the Service Platoon from March 1967 until he DROSed in July of 1967. He was a highly trained & experienced aircraft maintenance technician and test pilot. He was my right hand man and responsible for the high aircraft maintenance availability and mechanical safety record. A man of faith and understanding .

Bruce K. Carroll CE on Slick 69-16862 for a while in 1972 has his Deceased MyPage upgraded to the proper format and an InfoSheet added with his deceased info. Gary Chestnut provided the initial info, but we have no contact with him.

Bill Witt adds InfoSheet/Obit, with Find A Grave link, to Chris Hilsenbeck Deceased MyPage.

 

Repaired bad video links on Powell Articles page, mostly the videos of the Squadron Question and Answer Session at the D Troop Conference Room at Schofield Barracks, 25th inf Div in Hawaii.

Our huge Centaur Glossary is updated with "Elephant Grass" and "Rice Paddy Dike", Triple Canopy Jungle, FOP, SA-2 and Basket Boats. Have we missed anything?

 

--- MyPages --

 

Harold A. Ehrhard SP5 Aerorifle Platoon 1967 to 1969 now has a MyPage and several MPs.

His Grandson Evan Strickland and Bill Witt have been providing photos and information.

Harold is not doing well at this time.

 

 

 

Clay Maxwell WO1 Cobra Pilot 1968 - 1969 now has a new MyPage with a current photo and his wife's name Linda shown. Clay was one of the original Centaur Cobra Pilots. See a bigger photo of the group pic at Clay's MP2.

He and Linda plan to visit Schofield Barracks, Hawaii soon and visit the Centaur Conference Room named in honor of the Centaurs In Vietnam.

 

 

Can you help us locate the two unidentified original Cobra Crew Chiefs, shown on the lower right of this group photo?

We do not even have their names. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

Video Interview of CPT Stephen R. Pullen taken from the 45min version of his Veterans History Project Video (2014), 45 min long, and edited down to under 7min for our Centaur Website.

His first Vietnam tour was with the 2/17th Cavalry in the 101st Airborne Division as the Aerorifle Platoon leader then as an OH-6 Scout Pilot.

His second tour with our F Troop as an LOH Scout was cut short when he was shot down and seriously wounded and burned in April 1972. see the 45min version.

 

 

Dennis Rogers remembers that in May or June of 1969 a Centaur officer, assumed to be a Cobra Pilot, had the Hunter Killer Team patch designed and approved for our LOH and Cobra Crewmembers. Who was that?

Is there more information of the evolution of this patch as D Troop became F Troop? When did other units begin getting the patch?

 

 

 

White Team & Naval Gunfire Mission: Brian Harrison, Dan Keirsey and Terry Young provide this story of when F Troop supported Naval Gunfire Missions in 1972.

Can you add comment/notes/photos? Please contact Stretch "Harrison, Brian" <briankn4r@gmail.com>

 

 

---Deceased ---

 

Charles A. Chuck" Poulos CW2 LOH Scout Pilot 1970 died 27 December 2024. Thanks to his daughter Angela Toller for letting us know. His Deceased MyPage is posted.

See the War Story "Cambodia Crash & Rescue 10 May 1970"

There will be a celebration of life for Chuck, with military honors, at their family property in Montana over Memorial Day (26 May 2025).

 

 

Richard Lee "Rich" Williams SP4 Aerorifle Platoon September 1966 to September 1967 died on 27 April 2024. He is mentioned in the "Quagmire" & Falling in the Well War Stories.

Andy Gerrie remembers that he was a SP4 in the Aerorifles in 1967. Other notes indicate he may have also been a LRRP and eventually a CW3 pilot. However he is not listed with VHPA. Please let us know if you have more information.

 

 

Richard John "Dick" Dreiman CPT Cobra Pilot 1969 to 1970 died 25 December 2014. Dick was born in Riga, Latvia in 1942. He was a war refugee in an internment camp in Germany where he attended first and second grade. His dad found his mom and him in the camp after being separated for three years.

We need any photos or notes you might have of him. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

Orville T. "OT" Failen CW2 Centaur Cobra Pilot January 1969 to November 1969 died 5 August 2022. He flew OH-6 Scouts for his last few days in Vietnam.

He was 83 years old.

See his InfoSheet/Obituary

 

 

 

 

 

 

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Centaur Website Newsletter - January 2025

INDEX: News, Checking In, Corections , MyPages, War Stories & Photos , Deceased

--- News ---

NOTICE: There have been problems with Newsletter Distrubution. It was not known that Google Gmail limits the number of Blind Carbon Copy (BCC) addresses to 500 (unless we go commercial - which will never happen). Because of this some of you may not have received the Nov and Dec Newsletters. They always go out within the first couple days of each month. If you didn't receive one each month then there may be a problem with your email. Let me know.

To reduce this problem the Newsletter Distribution List is being purged of those who have not checked in for 3 years or more. Here is a list of the emails deleted so far: "Aranda, Julian C", "Chesnut, Gary", "Cichon, Brian", "Cleckler,David","Costillo, Oscar","Collins, Britt Taylor","Conway, John","Cranney, Lee","Crha, Joe", "Cunningham, Johnny","Dawson, Greg","Dell, Fred","Dismer, John D","Doiron, Nicholas", "Draganjac,Bruce", "Ennis, Marin","Fleming, Richard","Fluhr, Gilbert","Fowler, James", "Poole, Ferris" <farris@studio10photo.com>, "Williams, Richard" <rich3946@hotmail.com>

2025 Vets Reunion: So far no one has volunteered to do the 2025 Centaur Veterans' Day Reunion. A big but rewarding job. Think about it!

--- Checking In---
Thanks for checking with us once in a while

.....Bruce Wywitzke....... Bob Jones ......Tom Dooling.......John Evans.......Mike Peake........Marty Jenkins.......
.....Simon Collins......Clay Maxwell.........Karl Kaufman.....Randy Jones......Joe Bowen.....John Jones.......
.....Larry Welch....Bill Carroll...Lloyd Goldsmith....Russ Ray....Gene Yonke....Brian Harrison....Greg Jessup
.....Jim Kirker......Gary Jones......Gordon Eatley......Angie M. Koll.....Tim Walsh.....Marshall Huckaby.....
.....John Moore......Frank Dillon......Criner, Roger "Pete"......Lowell W. Kennedy......

Susie Hooper (Wayne's Wife) checks in: "Bruce this is Wayne's wife Susie, please keep sending your newsletter. Wayne has been going thru some physical struggles for the last six months resulting in the amputation of a good portion of his left leg. He does have the onset of dementia but as of late has had a enormous come back. The VA here in Miami have taken very good care of him. This VA has a special Spinal Cord ward of which there are only about 24 I believe in the U.S. It breaks my heart to see many of the vets on the ward that have absolutely no one to come see them ever and most spend months at a time when they are admitted. May your holidays be jolly and thank you for all the effort you put out for our soldiers.  Thank you for your service doesn't seem to be enough, thank you for my freedom." - Sincerely Susie Hooper

Gary Haverdick Aerorifles 1971 assigned to camp Frenzell Jones, is not currently listed on our Rosters. We are still seeking more information through his niece Angie M. Koll. John Moore found a 1971 news article says SGT Haverdick was a Team Leader and has received the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with V), the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. If you remember anything about him please email the Webmaster powellcentaur@gmail.com

John Jones sends update of his eBook: "I did complete a separate work on military signage / artwork that appeared during the war. Ever changing as units came in and out, switched locations and moved bases. Their mostly wood and painted construction often saw a short lifespan In the tropical climate, but were captured in photo images, by the soldiers that crossed their path"

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Added couples pic to Ron Holmes Infosheet.

Mike Peake does a total remake of the Centaur Call Signs page with signifantly new information.

Bac Ha's Orphanage Christmas - Dec 68 is updated and now listed on the War Stories Essay page.

Flare Ship and Twenty Minute Fuel Light added to Glossary

Jim Kreil LOH Crew Chief April to October 1969 has posted his InfoSheet. (Linked to from his MyPage)

Thomas J. "Budda" Sinclair LOH Scout Platoon Leader in 1969 now has a link on his MyPage to his Biography. Tom was a CPT with the Centaurs and retired as a Full Colonel. He is highly decorated and a very storied character. Jim Kreil and Tom Fleming both talk about him.

Russell "Russ" Mattison CW2 Flare Ship (Huey) and Cobra Pilot War Story Night Rescue Crashed Cobra Crew - Aug 1968 has that link added to Meeks Video page of that story and MyPages of Marcinkowski and Gabreilson.

Reunion Section update of links to old reunions is now updated. New links for Cav (1998 - 2004 - 2014 - 2016 - 2022 and the long lost movies of 2018 ). New Centaur links (2024). Still more to go. Do you have any input?

 

--- MyPages --

 

Robert "Bob" Tegelman Aerorifleman from April 1965 to November 1966.

Bob has updated his MyPage with a new Current Photo. Bob and Lu attended the Panama City Beach Reunion this year.

He is applauded for his hard work as a Centaur Director.

 

 

 

Lloyd Goldsmith 1LT Cobra pilot June 1971 to March 1972 has a new MyPage using photo from the 2024 Centaur Reunion.

Lloyd attended the Centaur Vets Reunion in Panama City Beach this year and did a Video Interview for us. It may be some time before we can get that video edited and up on the website.

 

 

 

Gregory A. "Greg Jessup CPT Property Book Officer in F Troop from January to October 1972.

Thanks to Stretch Harrison for finding Greg and getting his information. Greg now has a Centaur MyPage with several MP's and an InfoSheet.

 

 

 

Russell "Russ" Mattison CW2 Flare Ship (Huey) and Cobra Pilot has an upgraded MyPage.

See his War Story Night Rescue Crashed Cobra Crew - Aug 1968.

 

 

 

 

Stephen R. Pullen CPT LOH Pilot F Troop March to May 1972. Steve was Aerorifle Platoon Leader then LOH pilot during his first tour with 2/17th 101st Airborne; then to our F Troop.

He went on to serve as a Special Forces Officer, Ranger, serving in Grenada, Bosnia, Somalia and Iraq. Here is a link to a very great video interview of his career.

 

 

 

Daniel G. Nate Sr. PFC LRRP 1968-69 now has a draft Centaur Friends MyPage, an MP1 and InfoSheet.

Also see the News article he published thanking the Centaurs for rescuing the LRRPs; and his special thanks to Jim Filiatreault.

 

 

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

 

Night Rescue Crashed Cobra Crew - Aug 1968: by Russ Mattison flying the Flare Ship that rescued Meeks and Marcinkowski on 18 August 1968.

John Gabrielson was Russ's Copilot, but crew memeber names not remembered.

 

 

 

Combat Delvy story by Bill Carroll. CPT Frank Delvy was a larger than life war hero in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He saved a lot of lives and trained many Centaur Gun Pilots.

 

---Deceased --

 

Jerry D. Spicer SGT LRRP 1966 to 1967 died 9 May 2019

 

 

 

 

 

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

 

Centaur Website Newsletter - December 2024

INDEX: News, Checking In, Corrections, MyPages, War Stories & Photos, Deceased, Reunions/Events, Hats & Shirts

--- News --- revised 5 Dec 2024

 

Our Highly Successful Centaur Vets Reunion in Panama City Florida is reported on the evening TV Channel 7 Newscast in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Click Here to play the (modified) Newscast. Be sure to use the "Full Screen" feature of your Browser!

We need someone to Host the next years Centaur Vets reunion November 2025. A significant amount of money has been raised to assist in doing that reunion. Contact Jan White for more information. jancwhite@msn.com

 

--- Checking In---
Check in with the Webmaster once in a while so we will know you are still around! powellcentaur@gmail.com

....John Moore .....Trudy White ....John Jones (his archive link)....Matt Jackson.....Jerry Kidrick SD Air & Space
.....Bruce Wywitzke..... Bob Jones ..... Jim Brothers......Tom Fleming......Dave Sale..... Tom Dooling......
.....Rennie Funderburk.....John Evans.....Fred Stuckey...... Brian Harrison......Jim Kreil...... Joe Owen.....
.....Larry Patterson....Mike Peake......Frank Dillion.....Gene Peters.....Rolland Fletcher.....Jan White.......
.... .Marty Jenkins....... Ron Holmes......Phillip Norton....... Bill Eberhartdt......Bill Carroll........Greg Jones..

William V. Carroll CW2 Update to new email address.

Ferris Poole email rejected.

Trying to contact Jose M. Casanova

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Item 75 in the Help Section has been added answering the question "What can I do to help?"

William R. "Bill" Malloy WO1 Cobra Pilot Nov 72 to Jan 73: Brian Harrison has added two more links to Bill's MyPage for the SAR Mickey Wilson and Navy Bombs DaNang War Stories.

Michael Peake: Continues his research on finding lost Centaur Aircraft.
"In transcribing the Daily Reports of the 11th CAB, I discovered another Centaur aircraft not in our database. Also, this report mentions Rick Kline's AH-1G 100 taking rounds in the rotor system during the shoot-down of AH-1G 160. Again, this is an example of how the VHPA Goldbook data sometimes needs to be considered with a pinch of salt, or in this case, a barrel. It shows that the aircraft in question was assigned to the 334th AHC after F Troop, but that unit departed RVN 1 March 1972, a full month before the Daily Report showing it was a Centaur aircraft. Also, take note that this would have been another A/C F Troop would have received from "Blue Max" once they left country. " Mike

 

 

 

Jim Brothers updates the Bob Forringer MP1 with the three missing names of Kempson, Tonelli and Evans.

 

 

 

Mark Ponzillo MyPage has link to his 3 Part Video at lrrp.com. It was done in 2005 and much more detailed than the one he did for us at Nashvill in 2012.

Ron Holmes Mypage has been updated.

--- MyPages --

Rennie Funderburk WO1 Cobra Pilot 1972 now has a MyPage an InfoSheet and an MP1 (from Billy Malloy)

Links to Joint Military Commission, SAR Mickey Wilson and Navy Bombs DaNang have been added to his page.

He and Dennis Hogan were also in Iran together.

 

 

 

 

Farris L. Poole WO1 Cobra Pilot 1970 to 1971 now has an updated MyPage with current photo and colorized Nam photo.

Farris is a Photographer in Franklin, TN and maintains a Facebook page: No contact yet.

 

 

 

 

Ronald "Ron" Harrison LRRP 1970 to 1971 now has a draft Centaur Friends MyPage.

Ron attended the Centaur Vets Reunion in Panama City Beach November 2024 and did a Video Interview.

He last visited us at the Squadron Reunion in Nashville in 2012.

 

 

Donald E. Purdy SP4 Rifleman with the LRRPs 1969-1970 now has a draft Centaur Friends MyPage. Don did a Video Interview at the Centaur Reunion.

The Nam photo was taken of him in 1969 at Tra Cu sugar mill along the Vam Co Ding River.

Don has a distinguished military career in the Army retiring as a Command Sergeant Major.

 

 

Timothy S. "Tim" Walsh LRRP January 1970 to March 1971 now has a MyPage.

Years later Tim became the 75th Unit Representative. See his notes/articles at lrrp.com

Tim did a Video Interview at the Centaur Reunion in Panama City Beach 2024. It will be published soon. He He helped Trudy White do the Reunion Auction.

 

 

Colin Hall LRRP Platoon Sergeant May 1970 to May 1971 now has a draft Centaur Friends MyPage.

Colin came to Centaur Reunion this year with his wife Pearlie and friends. He did a Video Interview and provided great information for his yet to be published InfoSheet.

 

 

 

Bill Eberhardt LRRP from November 1968 to June 1969 now has an upgraded Centaur Friends MyPage.

Bill and Lynne joined us at the Centaur Reunion in Panama City Beach this year. Bill did a Video Interview.

 

 

 

 

Richard "Rick" Ellison SP4 LRRP October 1966 to February 1967 has his MyPage updated.

He and Georgia attended the recent Centaur Reunion. Rick did a Video Interview.

 

 

 

 

 

Robert "Bob" Byrd LRRP 1968 to 1969 now has a Centaur Friends MyPage.

Bob and Teresa attended the Centaur Vets Reunion in Florida 2024. Bob did a video interview.

 

 

 

 

John McGee LRRP May 1968 to November 1968 Unit Director for Company F 25th ID LRRP/50th INF. LRP/75th Rangers now has a Centaur Friends MyPage.

John and Fran were at the Centaur Vets Reunion with guests. Unfortunately we did not get a couples pic with them.

 

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

 

Fred Stuckey SGT LRRP December 1968 to July 1970 does an Introductory Video at the 2024 Centaur Reunion in Panama City Beach, FL.

A newly found photo of Fred in Nam reading the Stars and Stripes Newspaper has been included.

The link for Fred's 2016 Reunion Video has been corrected.

 

 

---Deceased --

We hope that those who served with these men will send comments and stories that we can add to their InfoSheet/Deceased page.

Joseph R. "Joe" Brosh (SP4?) Armament Specialist died 16 April 2024.

His page is converted to Deceased and an InfoSheet/Obit has been added. His name is also on the Deceased Roster.

He had intended to send us some Nam pic but never got around to it. If you knew him and had contact, see if you can get the family to find the photos for us.

 

 

 

Michael E. "Rocky" Cimbrec SP5 Avionics Mechanic April 1970 to April 1971 died 8 October 2022.

His page is converted to Deceased and an InfoSheet/Obit has been added. His name is also on the Deceased Roster.

He had intended to send us some Nam pic but never got around to it. If you knew him and had contact, see if you can get the family to find the photos for us.

 

 

-- After Action Report---

Centaur Vets Reunion November 2024 - Panama City Beach, FL

Jan and Trudy White again hosted the Reunion in Florida in a most organized and professional manner. They hosted dinner for those arriving early at their amazing Restaurant "Dat Cajun Place" a short distance from the Hotel. Tell your friends about this great place.

Trudy single handedly took care of the Reunion Registrations. Very organized.

Each attendee had a room with a spectacular balcony view of the ocean and beach. A free large breakfast Buffet was provided by the hotel both Sunday and Monday mornings.

The hotel, Holiday Inn Express Inn, provided a 24/7 Hospitality Room with TVs (NFL games) and treats during our stay and it later became our Banquet Room. The Bingo session with prizes was held in the Hospitality Room.

The Duck Races were a fun event held on the "Lazy River". The small river is a feature on the Hotel grounds. Jan had tried to get little plastic helicopters for this but had to settle for plastic ducks. We loved the Ducks!

Trudy had a large scale model OH-6 helicopter made to present to Jan for all his work with the Centaurs.

John McGee, current Unit Director for the LRRPS announced that the LRRP Organization is presenting every Centaur with the official extremely high quality LRRP Challenge Coin. It was designed by Marshall Huckaby and approved by the orginal Centaur LRRP Mark Ponzillo. Also each wife will receive a specially designed Wife's Coin. Marshall Huckaby and Tim Walsh did the presentations.

After the really wonderful Buffet Banquet Trudy conducted the Raffle and Auction. Trudy was a great MC and Auctioneer as over $1300 was raised to be added to the funds used for the next Reunion.

The Hotel gratiously gave us the entire party room floor above the Hospitality Room for use by Bruce Powell and Tom Dooling to do Video Interviews. About 25 videos were shot. It will take several months to get them all edited and up on to the website. Individual photos were again done by Bob Jones.

We are desparately hoping that someone will step forward and take on the job of Hosting the next reunion in 2025. If you are interested check in with Jan White at jancwhite@msn.com