Centaur Website Newsletter - Jun 2024

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

May2024, Apr2024, Mar 2024, Feb 2024, Jan 2024, Dec 2023, Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023,

--- News ---

The Leonia Veterans Banner program - Memorial Day

COL Thomas Fleming D Troop 3/4 Cav Commander 1967 is honored in his home town of Leonia, NY. Tom is the President of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav Regiment, 25th Inf Div Association and a Director and Founder of the Centaurs In Vietnam Organization (CIVO).

The Leonia Veterans Banner program to honor veterans on Memorial Day was developed by Christian Choi a Boy Scout pursuing an Eagle Scout award. He did a masterful job developing the project from start to finish to include the funding, coordination and follow up. These Banners of hometown heros are hanging from all 57 of the street lamps lining the main streets of the Borough of Leonia. This is a proud town with a great heritage.

Leonia is a small community of 6 to 10 thousand individuals packed into a 1 square mile, just over the George Washington Bridge to NYC. The vast majority of the residents work in the NYC area and it is considered a bedroom community. It has the reputation of being the home town of academics, media, artist and every day people. Leonia prides itself on its schools, sense of community and diversity.

Tom lived in the same house from 1937 to graduation from college and maintained Leonia as his home of record until he retired in 1988.

COL Fleming's wife, Ginnie is also from Leonia (his high school sweetheart). Ginnie moved his family back there on two of his year long tours. He moved back to NJ in 1982 to be close to his aging parents. While assigned to Picatinny Arsensal he was able to give support to both his family and community.

Tom Fleming's contributions to our history for the Legacy Website (CIVO) is unmatched.

 

AAAA Hall of Fame Award - Ronald Radcliffe

Ronald Radcliffe CPT Centaur LOH Scout Pilot (Centaur 14) September 1971 to June 1972 is honored by the Army Aviation Association of America for his decades of heroic service to the U.S. Army. This Hall of Fame Award was presented to him 25 April 2024 in Denver, CO.

Click here to see the video. It is also linked to from Ron's MyPage & from the Centaur War Stories Video Section.

You may also remember Ron's Induction into the OCS Hall of Fame April 2019.

......Click here to see the 55 minute AAAA YouTube version)

 

After Action Report - D Troop Conference Room Dedication in Hawaii
27 March 2024 - Raider Week

D Troop, 3/4 Cav, 3IBCT, 25th Inf Div honored the Centaurs of Vietnam by naming their new Conference Room, at their base at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, after Centaur Bruce Powell. It was a great week of awards and events. this report continues from the last Newsletter in a second special section below. Click Here.
To see last months report click here.

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

....Nick LaRich.....Frank Dillon....Jim Hoag.....Roger Blaha....Tom Dooling.....Allison Litton.....Pete Holmberg....John Moore.......Thomas Fleming.......Carl Betsil.......Brian Harrison.......Mike Vaughn.......Trudy White........Julian Aranda......Jim Brothers....Richard Stegner....

Diana Brideweser, some time ago, provided the only pic we have of her husband Mike Brideweser. She now sent in a 2014 News article on WO1 William A. Haines Jr (KIA) that has been added to his InfoSheet.

Hannah Blackwell (granddaughter of Alvin "Chip" Blackwell) checks in and requests contact with Centaurs that may have worked with him. Emails were sent out to some possibilities. If you remember Chip and did not get an email, please send the webmaster a note. powellcentaur@gmail.com

Gary Jones (Centaur VHPA Rep) Located John Ford from San Diego Air And Space Museum discussing their restoration of our Centaur Huey 67- 19494. Also note that Dudley Oatman is a Docent there and involved with 494.

Richard Stegner Slick Door Gunner 1965 - March 1967: Remembers that sometime in 1967 a German (?) Film Crew came and set up in his aircraft (659 or 661). They filmed actions of one maybe two of our Gun teams. George Stenehjem was probably in command. Does anyone remember that? Maybe we could find a copy of that film. (Mike Vaughn remembers it was slick 659 with Darrell Leland Crew Chief.)

Richard Kline provides names for Troopers in Mike Brideweser's MP1.

Marshal Huckaby LRRP 1966-67 is trying to locate photos and information on several of our LRRPs that are not listed with a MyPage. Please send any info on these Centaur LRRPs to powellcentaur@gmail.com.
Call,James - Freeman,Larry. - Hermann,Irvin - Howerton,Hugh - Montgomery,Harold - Perry,Nathaniel  - Spicer,Jerry - White,Charles  

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Richard Stegner MyPage updated with link to article on UH-1H 67-19494 being restored at San Diego (Gillespie Field Annex).

Last Newsletter: Bad link on Squadron Q&A Session, "Triple Canopy Jungle" went to "Leadership Issues". That has been repaired. Not important but depressing to me is that out of nearly 500 people getting these Newsletters, only one person reported this error. Thanks Carl Bettsill for helpiing me out.

Bad link on PT Event and Rolls Knighting Ceremony movie. Fixed.

Jack Nemeyer's story about Joe Ramey KIA had the title "Drop Camera Crew - Save LOH Crewman". To make it more accurate,"Joe Ramey KIA" was added to the title. Double entry of the Cambodian Crash Story deleted.

Jack Craig's Reunion Video (2014) is updated with a note linking Tom Dooling's more accurate report of the Mark Jackson KIA Story (Loss of the Iron Butterfly - 1969). Dooling's story page is also linked back to Jack's.

Fred L. "Fritz" Anderson's Deceased Page was not linked to his InfoSheet/Obit. Fixed.

Raymond Richards middle initial changed from "E" on the Main Roster to "W" (for William).

Lloyd Hodder SP5 Avionics NCOIC 1971 has his last name corrected on the Roster. It was listed incorrectly as
"Hooder"

Thomas Fleming Index of Articles created and linked to from his MyPage.

Carl Betsill Index of Articles created and linked to from his MyPage.

Michael Peake Index of Articles created and linked to from Mike's MyPage.

Bruce Powell Index of Articles updated with dates and titles.

Order of the Spur: is added to the Glossary of Terms. Also see Wikipedia

 

--- MyPages --

 

Joseph V. Demaio SP4 Armament Specialist 1972 now has a draft MyPage using his Yearbook photo and recent photo from John Moore's research. Mike Peake remembers him from Nam and in the states. Frank Dillon has contacted him.

 

 

 

Julian C. Aranda SP4 Cobra Mechanic from February 1972 to August 1972

Julian may have some F Troop photos for us.

 

 

 

 

Marvin Weaver SSG Aircraft Electrician with F Troop 1971. We have no contact with him. May be in his 80s. An MP1 has been added to his page with photo from Carl Betsill's Photo Album (#2). Also added to Carl's MP's.

He also now has an InfoSheet provided by Carl.

 

 

 

Richard A. Webster SP4 Avionics Mechanic 1971 - 1972 was listed with no first name. Frank Dillon located the name on his Nov 1971 F Troop roster - "Richard A." from Pennsylvania.

His MyPage is corrected. Still no contact with Webster.

 

 

 

Garcia (no first name) SP4 F Troop at Tan My. We don't know much about him. MyPage made with Yearbook photo and an MP1 with Chris McKay added.

 

 

 

 

--- Deceased --

Harold E. Weaver SP4 Aerorifleman 1966 died 12 January 2015. He was from Wichita Falls.

Bob Tegelman found this Nam photo of him that we used to upgrade his Deeased MyPage.

 

 

 

Rafael Ramierz-Vinas SSG Aerorifles 1965 - 1966 died 30 October 1983. He served in Korea and in Vietnam. Bob Tegelman is still looking through the Aerorifle photos for a picture of him. His name on the Roster and Deceased Roster is linked to an Info/Obit page.

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

Wildlife in Vietnam: A discussion page by Carl Betsill talking about the many strange animals and critters that were around when we were in Vietnam. Deer, snakes, porcupines are some that Carl dealt with.

The story is listed on the War Story Discussion page and linked to from Carl's MyPage.

Others from Facebook wrote in to tell their stories. Send yours in: powellcentaur@gmail.com

A List of Articles page was created for all of Carl's great stories.

 

 

Chris McKay SP4 F Troop Air Traffic Controller 1972 now has a Photo Album with seven pics. A view from the Tower.

A pic of he and Garcia is added to his MP's and to Garcia's.

 

 

Ronald Radcliffe CPT LOH Scout Pilot 1971-72 Memoirs of his three Vietnam Tours: This article was recently discovered online. It has been edited for format, with many links added to the names involved. Linked from his MyPage & WS Essays.

Ron entered service at age 17 with first tour in Vietnam in 1965 as an MP. Second tour in 1970 as a Slick pilot with the 173rd AHC - Robinhoods, then with the Centaurs in 1971-72 as an LOH Scout Pilot Captain.

Efforts to get Ron nominated for the Medal of Honor have not yet succeeded.

 

 

This photo is MP1 at the Mike Brideweser MyPage. Many names have been added by Richard Kline.

This MP1 is added to Kline, Demaio, Sackett, Townsend, Matuska.

Would be great if we could get in contact with all these men and get them to the November Reunion.

 

The 1972 Easter Offensive Detailed Report - Angelfire.com - This article was just located and adds a lot of background to the Ken Mick and Mike Woods stories.

--- After Action Report---

Conference Room Dedication Hawaii
27 March 2024 - Raider Week

Phase Two - D Troop Motor Pool

The Motor Pool for the Squadron is owned and operated by Dakota Troop. CPT Maurice Buldoc, D Trp Commander took us through a tour of the Maintenance Yard and Facility. see video

The cooks are assigned to each forward support company in platoon elements of roughly 10 Soldiers and their field equipment (containerized kitchen, assault kitchen, water buffalo, containerized refrigerator, etc). These Soldiers fall under DTRP for administrative and training purposes. However, when we are not conducting a field training event or deployed, these Soldiers work daily at the Warrior Restaurant (Dining Facility), which offers three meals a day to all Soldiers within the Brigade.

Phase Three - 3rd Combat Avn Bde Visit

We had a little extra time before the evening Raider Banquet, so CPT Bolduc made some calls and set up a visit to Wheeler Army Airfield to see the some of the aviation assets of the 25th Inf Div in the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. The CAB was totally booked preparing for a big Change of Command, but graciously took some time to show us around. The spirit is high in the CAB and all the people we ran into were inspiring and fun to talk to.

See the Photo Album of 20 pics which includes the Banquet.

 

 

 

Phase Four - The 3/4 Cav Squadron "Raider" Banquet

The formal "Raider" Banquet is held once a year and heavily attended by all ranks of the Cavalry Squadron. SP5 (ret) Dwight Birdwell was the Guest Speaker.

We found out what "Grog" is: "Cavalry Grog has a long tradition of identifying true cavalrymen. The punch's ferocity and keen taste can be savored by those old cavalry troopers who spur their way to victory. To others, it is a poison, with the sting of a scorpion, the bite of a cobra, and the kick of a mule."

We truly enjoyed being with, and being included with, these great Troopers.

 

--- Reunions & Events ---

SEPTEMBER 2024: Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next Squadron reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel will begin accepting reservations the third week of September 2023.

T-shirt- San Antonio Reunion T-Shirts in the store so folks can buy 
them before the reunion if they desire.  Sizes are S, M, L, Xl, XXL, & XXXL.  Also be available at the reunion at Bingo's store tables.

David Cox: Provides the NEW groups's booking link for the September 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion.
Dave also notes: Once you click on the link it will take you to our hotel website, then enter your arrival/ departure dates, and it will automatically populate your group name and discounted group rate.
You may also call our 24-hour reservation phone number at 210-224-2500, option 2. If you are calling, please remember to reference your group's block code: SQU I am at your service should you or any of your guest need any assistance booking their rooms.
David Cox <cox.a.34cav@gmail.com> Last day to make reservations at your group discount will be on: August 6, 2024

NOVEMBER 2024: Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion November 2024 -Jan and Trudy White are again hosting the 2024 November Centaur Reunion in Panama City Beach Florida. The reunion they hosted last year was an amazing success! The constantly increasing participation in the Centaur Vet's Day Reunions is so very encouraging. Do not miss this one! Video interviews will be done! We will work on having helicopter rides. However that is tough to do on a Veteran's Day.

Those planning to attend so far: (Get your name on the list!!!! - email Trudy)
Rick Adams & Diane & Friends
Roger Blaha & Kate
Don Borey & Pat
Ron Cooper & Leigh
Tom Dooling & Linda
Brian Harrison & Cathey
Martin Jenkins & Charlotte
Gary Jones & JoAnne
Lee Majors & Maxine
Bruce Powell & Sharon
Kenneth Rucki
Harlan Sparrow III & Kris
Bob Tegelman & Lu
Richard Ward & Julie Hampton
Jan White & Trudy

Email Trudy White <trudyswhite@gmail.com> wiith your intent to attend soon so she and Jan can get on with planning. 2023 Reunion movie

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 2024

INDEX: News , Checking In , Corrections , MyPages , War Stories, After Action Report, Reunions/Events, Shirts & Hats

Newsletters: Apr2024, Mar 2024, Feb 2024, Jan 2024, Dec 2023, Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

Army Aviation Association of America 2024 Hall of Fame Award

Centaur 14, Ron Radcliffe, was inducted into the AAAA Hall Of Fame 25 April 2024 at the AAAA convention in Denver. Ron’s family was present to witness his induction as were fellow Centaur troopers Roger Blaha, Frank Walker, Frank Dillon, Pete Holmberg and Steve Suiter. Rex Gooch, C-3/17 Cav in 1972, friend of Centaurs, and author of The Rescue of Lady Ace, was also present.

The actual Hall of Fame is located at the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), AL, where the inductees’ portraits are hung along with brief descriptive narratives of their achievements. The AAAA itself is a non-profit organization formed to advance the knowledge, efficiency, and overall esprit of those who are engaged professionally in the field of U.S. Army aviation.

Beyond Ron Radcliffe, other inductees this year were former Chief of Staff of the Army GEN (ret.) James C. McConville, SFC Christopher A. Celiz (deceased) Medal of Honor, CPT (ret.) Larry L. Taylor (deceased) Medal of Honor, and MG (ret.) Jeffrey J. Schloesser.

Ron Radcliffe’s achievements include his being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross as the only LOH in the Vietnam War to kill a tank when his crew chief SP4 Bill LaBore dropped a white phosphorous grenade into a North Vietnamese PT-76 tank in April 1972. At two other occasions, the Radcliffe-LaBore team also killed a Soviet T-54 main battle tank in each engagement by SP4 LaBore firing his M-60 machine gun into the open turrets. One of the T-54s was subsequently displayed at Fort Knox. Previously, in February 1972, Ron had been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry displayed in a prolonged engagement in the “Mushroom” area north of Cu Chi. At this occasion, with his copilot/observer Roger Blaha, his performance and valor exceeded anything the Troop commander MAJ John J. Spencer had observed in three tours in Vietnam, including what Ron did to earn the DSC. Ron’s other awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross with five Oak Leaf clusters, the Air Medal with V-device, the Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf clusters, being named AAAA Army Aviator of the Year in 1972, induction into the OCS Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Chicago Medal of Merit in 1972. Ron was medevaced in May 1972 and retired from the Army due to wounds received in action after a year’s recovery at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Chicago.

"In all, we are honored to have served with Ron in Vietnam, to know him as a fellow Centaur, and to call him Friend". Pete Holmberg.  photo provided by Frank Dillon. Video of event will be posted later.

 

After Action Report of the Conference Room Dedication

D Troop, 3/4 Cav, 3IBCT, 25th Inf Div honored the Centaurs of Vietnam by naming their new Conference Room at their base at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, after Centaur Bruce Powell. It was a great week of awards and events that is covered in a special section of the Newsletter below. Click Here.

 

Truths and Myths about the Vietnam War:

Click here
This is included in our Newsletter by popular demand. Most may consider it preaching to the choir.

Congress should impose, on our Nations Educational System, that every young student who intends to pursue a career in Journalism, Politics, or Military Service, should have to watch this film, do their own research, and write a gradable report as a Term Paper. bap 
Thanks to Herb Beasley

 

Combat Humor

Phil Fehrenbaher from Salem, OR provides us with his great cartoon which explains the HunterKiller Team with a single frame. Maybe we can get him to do some others based on some of our crazy stories like Too Steep, Red Ants and Radciffe & LaBore killing Russian tanks. Thanks to Jan White and his brother.

Lost Video

We discovered a note in Dale Dow’s papers where he says “I have enclosed a picture of him (MSG Ivan R. Crandall- Sqdn Maint) standing in front of the Sqdn Maint Facility in Nam. …he has a VHS tape of an 8mm video, including Training in Hawaii and action in Vietnam…includes Cu Chi, Village of Bac Ha II, B52 mission, motor pool and bunkers". We would like to find the photo and the tape. Can you help?

 

Help Requested

To You!! - With a very small effort, you can become a contributer to our great Centaur Legacy Mission. Finding and honoring our lost Centaurs is a primary mission of the centaursinvietnam website. A lot of them have passed and we can't even find a relative or an obituary. Take a few minutes to review the Centaur Roster for men who are listed in black text. That means we have little or no information on them. The blue text with underline means we have something about that person that you can link to. Pick a name without that blue link. Do some serious computer research, phone calls, letters, or whatever works for you to find the info we need to honor them. You may not be successful, but at least you can try to show that you care about our Centaur Legacy enough to do something about it. Thanks  send to powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Simon Collins.....Tony Holm (need mypage)....Jill Lemr....Robin Haywood....Henry "Rick" Roll......Wiliam Pixton ....Nick LaRich.....Frank Dillon....Roman Millett (need InfoSheet).....Jerry Headley......Jim Hoag....Bob Schnider......Ken Kloppel.....Roger Blaha (need InfoSheet)....Tom Dooling....Allison Litton (Joe's daughter)....Frank Walker....Pete Holmberg....Genea' Erby (Tommy Lee's daughter)....Bill Hull.....Steve Deaton (need InfoSheet)....Jose Eschenwald....Randy Baisden (need InfoSheet)....Ken Wiegand.....Daniel Dobbs .....John Moore.....Maurice Bolduc (D Trp CO)....Megan Magoon (D Trp XO).......Emily Hazzard (Museum Curator HI)......John Jones (Latest Patch Album)....Jim Walt...Jim Kirker.....Tom Fleming....

Warren Waite - Fixed link to his InfoSheet. He is living in Sierra Vista, AZ. Not mobile enough to make the reunion. Remembers well the famous "Moon Doggie" Cobra flight (mentioned in the Shark's Teeth Tale War Story) and being chewed out by the company commander for flying front seat Cobra with CPT Bruce Powell.

Charles Martin - Fixed the link to his Friends InfoSheet and requested photos from him to do a Friends MyPage

Jerry Shelton - Medical complications made it impossible to join Bruce Powell at the Hawaii Conference Room Dedication. Jerry lives on the Big Island and welcomes any Centaurs to contact him if visiting there.

Daniel W. "Dan" Miller - Provides "Republic Of Vietnam Frequency Publications" from 71/72 to our CIVO Historian. Mike Law from VHPA may take them for their Archives in Lubbick, TX.

Michael Peake (CIVO Historian) "Never did hear back from the contact I used to reach out to the American Legion Post #1376, New Hartford, New York, so, I called the post bar. Spoke first to a young lady who then handed me off to Aaron Starczewski, who had just walked into the bar. He quickly read off the tail number to verify that "Centaur Max" is indeed their aircraft. Sent them Bruce's yearbook enhanced image, a revised database entry, a link to the website and a link to our story on Kentucky Woman, another Centaur aircraft at an American Legion post.
I personally find this ability to tell someone what they have pretty rewarding. They were delighted to know the history. I intend to follow-up on other Centaur birds known to be on static display."

Glen Gouge - Medical issues prevent reunion attendance. I miss the reunions and my friends, all are in my thoughts and prayers. Oh, by the way, there’s another Centaur in my home town, Clarence  (Buck) Buxton, his tour ended as tet 68 was starting.

Lloyd Goldsmith....Is creating a Centaur Challenge Coin to be presented at the Centaur Reunion. Better be there!

Bob Jones - Provides pic of Litton and Dismukes at VHPA Reunion 2010. Added as MP's to their MyPages. Bob has designed new Centaur Patch to be released at the Centaur Reunion.

Frank Dillon - Provides comment for Five Get DFC Stars & Stripes article

Tom Dooling - Getting ready for the November Centaur Reunion: See his MP3.

Joseph F. Demayo SP4 Armament guy with F Troop 1972 has not been found. However more info has been added to his InfoSheet.

Jan White - calls in to let us know that the reunion is on track and the first "Potential Attendee" list will be out soon. Be sure to get your name into Trudy real soon. <trudyswhite@gmail.com>

Donald Lee Thomas: PFC OH-23 Gunner. Might this be his Obit?

Joe Hoover - found this poem/song written by Jerry Turner 1988, and wanted to share it with us; we don't have to have PTSD to relate to this:

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Robert "Butch" Glenn PFC Aerorifles 1969. Promoted to SP4 while in hospital for wounds in action. His InfoSheet has been relinked. Still no photos of him.

Incorrect link on Lloyd Goldsmith's MyPage was fixed.

Fix link on PFC Donald Lee Thomas InfoSheet (DFC Hobo Woods).

Brian Harrison finds bad link on Bob Jones page. Night IFR link fixed

Add Chinook hoisting connex color pic to Lost Weapons of Tan My  thanks Stretch

Add FRAC to Glossary.

Update links in the Steve Chicone page about Craig Peterson Story

Link Dwight Birdwell comments about Centaurs to Craig Peterson's MyPage.

Added (QL is Vietnamese acronym for : Quốc lộ or National Highway) to Glossary under "QL". It seems a bit confusing talking about highways in Vietnam and using multiple terms like MSR, HWY and QL along with numbers.

 

--- MyPages ---

 

Alison Litton daughter of Joseph "Joe" Litton has a Friends MyPage. She continues to provide photos, video and information for our Legacy Website.

Alison shot many video interviews of F Troopers that she is sending to use for our website. She also provides us with the video Last Men Out that you can check out below.

 

 

 

Aubrey D. Dismukes CPT F Troop Maintenance Officer 1971-72 has an updated MyPage and an added InfoSheet with data provided by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

He flew Blue Max 1st tour. Went to AMOC training to be a maintenance officer. Came to F Trp as Maintenance Officer. Got Purple heart on first mission. Round hit fire extinguisher and the explosion wounded him.

 

 

Michael "Mike" Sloniker VHPA Historian, Vietnam Combat Pilot of Hueys and Cobras.

Mike provided detailed background information and encouragement for several Centaurs writing their stories.

See Mike's 2022 Video Interview on line. Click Here

 

 

 

Donald Lee Thomas PFC OH-23G Observer/Gunner 1967-68 has an updated InfoSheet.

He is one of a hand full of Centaurs that were awarded a DFC for combat flight in and OH-23G

Click here for possible obit of our PFC Donald Lee Thomas to see if this is our guy.

 

 

 

--- War Stories & Photos---

 

Who, What, Where is Dakota troop 2024?

It has taken a while to get all this sorted out. Our Centaur descendent Dakota Troop has a different structure, different equipment, different mission, however they are critical to the operation of the 3/4 Cav Squadron of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. They continue to carry our guidon and battle streamers with pride and loyalty.

 

 

William "Bill" Pixton 1LT 1971-1972 does an Introduction video at the Centaur Reunion in 2022.

Bill filled in as the ground Aerorifle Platoon leader for a short time.

He later became an Armor officer in the Idaho National Guard 

 

 

 

Joe Litton 1LT Slick Pilot Sep 1971 to Apr 1972 now has a Photo Album of 8 pictures provided by his daughter Alison.

Joseph Paul Litton, known affectionately in his childhood as Paul and throughout his career as Joe, passed peacefully at the age of 80 on the morning of March 2, 2024.

 

 

 

Last Men Out Video by Alison Litton and her friends at Inaudible Productions in Los Angelos, back in 2010 based on several video interviews that they did with F Troopers attending the VHPA Reunion.

It has been linked to from our War Stories Video page, her Friends MyPage, and also from pages of Mike Woods, Joe Litton, John Spencer, Ron Radcliffe, Russ Miller, and Dan Lott.

 

 

Who, What, Where is Dakota Troop?

The terminology of the modern 25th Infantry Division will take some mental adjustment for us old guys to understand.

The Division remains strong and proud, despite history's constant reorganizations. The fact that many units like D Troop and 3/4 Cav Squadron are making significant efforts to retain and honor their legacy, shows high morale and motovation.

We honor them in return!

 

Cavalry Hat History:
The Cavalry Stetson is a cavalry traditional headgear within the United States Army, typical worn by cavalrymen in the late 1860s, named after its creator
John B. Stetson.  More information

 

 

--- After Action Report---
Conference Room Dedication Hawaii
27 March 2024 - Raider Week

Conference Room Dedication Movie: D Troop (Dakota Troop), 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav Regiment, 3IBCT, 25th Inf Division, honors the memory of the Centaurs in Vietnam by dedicating their new Conference Room to our designated representative, LTC Bruce Powell (CPT Bruce Powell with the Centaurs).

Powell hands out Centuar Pens and his Centaur Calling Card to each Trooper, and shares a Centaur Slide Show.

CPT Bolduc and 1LT Magoon are given Centaur hats; and CPT Bolduc is presented with Ray Clark's signed book "Just Let Me Walk Away"

Squadron Awards Formation Movie:

Dwight Birdwell and Bruce Powell speak to the troops and then assist with the presentation of awards to individual troopers.

The new Raider training device is formally named the Birdwell Inclined Skills Trainer.

A Question/Answer Session followed.

 

Squadron Question/Answer Session

After the Awards formation on the parade field we assembled in the Raider Squadron auditorium where Medal of Honor awardee SP5 Dwight Birdwell and Designated Centaur Representative LTC Bruce Powell spoke to the troops and answered questions.

Shown in front row are MAJ Keith Haire (Squadron XO), Spike BigHorn (Birdwell Son In Law), Stephanie Bighorn (Birdwell Daughter), Sharon Powell (Powell wife).

 

Below are some of the movies of Centaur questions:

1. How did you get started in Army Aviation?

2. What got you into the Website?

3. What kept you in for 20 years?

4. Who were your heros?

5. What were leadership issues?

6. Did you fly in Triple Canopy Jungle?

 

 

Squadron PT Exercise

Event consisting of a jungle run, log chop, buddy team carries, a low crawl pit with simulated grenades and smoke, and a connex climb after a mud pit and a Rolls Ceremony.

See Movie

 

The next Newsletter will have more movies and pics of Raider Week including the Banquet and the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade visit (and the Chinook and Blackhawk flight simulators).

 

--- Reunions & Events ---

May 2024: The VHPA 41st Annual Reunion, Reno, NV, Tuesday 14 May - Friday May 17.
Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, NV 89431
The VHPA Group Rate is $99 plus tax per night over the dates of 13 MAY 2024 thru 18 MAY 2024 (based on availability). The cutoff date for the hotel rate is 19 APRIL 2024.

Online Reunion Registration Application

SEPTEMBER 2024: Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next Squadron reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel will begin accepting reservations the third week of September 2023.
See last Squadron Newsletter.

David Cox: Provides the NEW groups's booking link for the September 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion.
Dave also notes: Once you click on the link it will take you to our hotel website, then enter your arrival/ departure dates,
and it will automatically populate your group name and discounted group rate.
You may also call our 24-hour reservation phone number at 210-224-2500, option 2.
If you are calling, please remember to reference your group's block code: SQU
I am at your service should you or any of your guest need any assistance booking their rooms.
David Cox <cox.a.34cav@gmail.com>
Just a friendly reminder that the last day to make reservations at your group discount will be on: August 6, 2024

-- Centaur Shirts and Hats --

Marty Jenkins has located and will be receiving a dozen of the OLD style Navy Blue Centaur D Troop LOH hats and 10 of the Centaur F Troop Cobra hats. Contact him directly if you are interested in this. mjenkino@gmail.com

 

 

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
-----Yellow: 23 -----21 ------43------- 25 --------33---------- 3
-----Gray: ---22----- 28 ------27------- 25-----------22 -------6----------- 4

F Troop: Medium Large  XLarge   XXLarge    XXXLarge    4X  Large
----Yellow: --11------23------ 19------ 19 ----
----Gray------11 -----24 -------8 -------25 -------------15--------- 5

Shirts are $20.00 each including shipping costs.

Christine (Dow) Smith email at jaychris0126@live.com

 

 

*************************************************************

Centaur Website Newsletter - April 2024

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

Newsletters: Mar 2024, Feb 2024, Jan 2024, Dec 2023, Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

The amazing young Troopers of the current D Troop,
3/4 Cav, 25th Inf Division have dedicated their new Conference Room at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii to the Centaurs of Vietnam.

Centaur CPT Bruce Powell's name was selected to represent our D Troop and the rest of our Centaurs from Vietnam. They are called Dakota Troop and now have taken on our original Centaur Logo and our Call Sign name "Centaurs" as theirs. Moral is very high as they actively celebrate the Centaurs In Vietnam as their legacy. They have decorated their Orderly Room, offices and the Conference Room with Our Logo and many photos. Their T shirts worn for PT have "Centaurs" printed on the back. They have specially designed Centaur Medals.

These men and women proudly carry our Guidon forward. We salute them!

Bruce and Sharon Powell, and Dwight Birdwell (MOH awardee) his daughter and family attended four days of the "Raider Week" and were honored at every event. It was truly exciting and rewarding for all to spend this quality time with D Troop and with the men and woment of the entire Third Squadron.

In addition CPT Bolduc arranged for Bruce to meet the officers and  soldiers of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Bruce spoke to a large group of pilots and crew members and flew their flight simulators.

There will be much more in the May 2024 Newsletter including videos and more photos. Also coverage of what D Troop is now - their mission, equipment, training, leaders and troopers.

 

 

 

What was a US Army Divisional Air Calvary Unit in Vietnam? It was a unique aviation troop (a company size unit) added to the squadrons of US Army Cavalry Regiments. The best, most understandable explanation, is probably found in the book Winged Sabers (which features D Troop, 3/4 Cav).

There are many amazing and heroic ways that helicopters were used in the Vietnam War by all branches of the US Military, but this is specifically about the creation, development and employment of a unique and bold unit that was designed to use a combination of aviation and infantry in a self-contained reconnaissance and strike force configuration to enhance the US Army Divisions's advantage in this jungle war. To get a full and gritty understanding of this type of unit and the men who made it work, watch the Hunter-Killer Team Video interview created by the Black Rifle Coffee Company featuring Hugh Mills and Steve Suiter from the 1/4 Cav (Big Red One). Steve was a Centaur on his first tour. We don’t endorse products or take on any ads, but this coffee company does such a great job telling the Air Cav story that they should be rewarded with our thanks. Also shown in the War Stories Video Section.

Tom Fleming provides some history notes: The Divisional Air Cav Troop was introduced in 1962 to each division in the ROAD reorganization of the Army Divisions. It was originally forced developed for the Cold War battle in the Plains of Europe. It was adapted for the jungle war in SE Asia by MTOE, but remained basically the same. Each Infantry Division in USARV employed their Armored Cavalry Squadron as they saw fit. Some like the Cav Sqdn in the 9th Inf Div separated the air cav troop from the Squadron and physically separated it as did the 23 ID, The 25 ID and 4 ID experience power struggles between the Cav and AVN Bn on who controlled the assets. I never did figure out how the 1st ID handled theirs. The 1st Cav Div and the 101 Air Mobile had Air Cavalry Squadrons that had similar TOEs and the separate Air Cav Sqdns of the 1st Avn Bde had similar TOEs to the 2 Air mobile divisions. The bottom line is the Divisional Air Cav Trp of the Armored Cavalry Squadron was the fore runner of all the other Air Cavalry units. All were modified to meet combat objectives as the Division Commanders saw fit. I personally note that there was very little experience with how to fight this combat unit or employ it by both aviation and non aviation commanders at all levels.

...David K. Doyle Lieutenant General US Army Retired: "The air cavalry was basically home grown by men who had to persevere in the face of great odds against success"

...Lawrence H. Johnson III book author and Army CPT: "Air Cavalry was as much a state of mind as it was a tactical enity."

...Divisional Air Calvary Troop in Vietnam is a War Story Page on our website. In it Tom Fleming provides an operational example of how it all worked in 1967.

 

Colorizing old Nam personal photos: We can now do a halfway decent job of colorizing old Black and White and Grayscale photos. Mostly done for the Nam pics on MyPages. If you would like one done, let us know. powellcentaur@gmail.com.

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Joe Owen.......Jill Lemr......Jim Brothers.....Jim Walt.......Brian Harrison.....John Moore.......Pete Holmberg.......Dave Cox.... ......Bruce Wyrwitzke C/227/1CAV.........Rick Kline........Hugh Mills 7/17th Cav.........Steve Suiter........
......Harlan Beuden Little Bird.... Bob Yapp.....Cliff Brunsting....Steve Gormley....Joe Hoover....Hunter Green (Spencer Death)...
......Josh Suthoff 3/4 Cav Commander.....Maurice Bolduc D Trp, 3/4 Cav Cdr.....Megan Magoon D Trp 3/4 Cav XO.......

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Repaired link to Dwain Adkins Chicken Rod War Story movie.

Names in photo 30 of Jim Starlings photo album provided by Cliff Brunsting ( Moulin & Dixon).

Add Ken Rucki's name to Ray Clark's All In a Day's Work War Story Essay page. Ray's article is also published in the book Winged Sabers pg 116. Ken also added a comment to Marv Runion's Info/Obit page.

Cordon and Search term added to Glossary. Do you remember how to get to our extensive Glossary? Click on the Help navigation button, then the Glossary button in the upper right. A quicker way is to be at the Home page and go down to the bottom center of the screen and click the small yellow Glossary button.

Do not forget the great secret to searching our very large website.

 

--- MyPages ---

 

Richard "Rick" Kline SP4 Cobra Crew Chief 1972 has his MyPage information updated and a colorized Nam photo added. Looks like he and Nick LaRich live in the same area and might get together.

 

 

 

Hugh L Mills Jr. CPT LOH Scout Pilot with 1/4 Cav, 1st Inf Division "Outlaws", now has a Centaur Friends MyPage.

Hugh may be the most decorated Scout Pilot in history. He first contacted us with a 16mm combat film that was of our D Troop in 1967. Now he helps us to better tell the story of what an Air Cav Troop in Vietnam really was with a video produced by the Black Rifle Coffee Company. Centaur Steve Suiter served as an Outcast with Hugh on his second tour.

 

Robert W. Yaap CPT Cobra Pilot 1972 - 73 has an updated mypage. He is currently visting Vietnam with the Dove Fund Group doing projects in Vietnam along with other Vietnam vets. See www.dovefund.org. Development of Vietnam Endeavors

His son and daughter are with him on the trip. They are very impressed with Vietnam…the vibrancy, the modernization and the people. 70% of the people are under 35. They are friendly and welcoming.

 

Bob is considering writing up his Vietnam trip in a similar mannar to those of Bain Cowell (2015) and Bruce Powell (2016) with their Vietnam trip stories on our website.

 

Clifford D. "Cliff" Brunsting CW2 Cobra Pilot has an updated MyPage with a new current photo and link to a draft InfoSheet.

 

 

 

 

DOES YOUR MYPAGE NEED AN UPDATE? Lets get it done while I am still around to do it for you. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- Deceased ---

Joseph Paul "Joe" Litton 1LT UH-1H Slick Pilot with F Troop 22 Sep 1971 to 17 April 1972 died 2 March 2024. His daughter Alison has provided photos and information for his Deceased MyPage and Info/Obit page. We would like to add some photos of him from his tour with the Centaurs. Help us if you can. powellcentaur@gmail.com

He is listed on the Deceased Roster and his Info/Obit page is linked to from his MyPage

 

Larry P. Blackman SP4 was a medical corpsman (MOS to 91B10) attached to the Centaur LRRP Detachment. He was with a LRRP team when he was killed on 17 February 1967.

John Moore located a better photo of him that we colorized and used on his KIA MyPage. An article from his hometown paper is added to his InfoSheet. His hometown was Dennison, IA. (On the Wall at 15E 053).

John J. Spencer Jr. MAJ was the F Troop Commander from February to August 1972. John had three tours in Vietnam flying both Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing aicraft. During his amazing career he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, five DFC's, two Bronze Stars and 48 Air Medals.

We were notified of his passing by his loving grandson, Hunter Green.

See a Living Memory video for John at https://www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com/obituary/John-SpencerJr

 

Add your comments to any page on our website - send to powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- War Stories ---

Great Nam Combat Video: Somewhere online was this great video from Nam about UH-1C Gunships. Can you identify where it came from, who owns it, and so on? Title was AirwarFilm2.mov.

At first a UH-1C Model Gunship with the M-16 Flex weapons system (two M60s on each side controlled by left seat pilot). Wounded soldier rescue probably in a Slick. Right Door Gunner on Slick with "SKIP" painted on ammo chute. Possibly the 4th Inf Div green and white logo on the tail boom. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Rick Kline Photo Album pic #5 of 6 shows a 2.75 inch FFAR that is a Flare. Does anyone else remember or use them?

What about the Anti Tank or the HE?

Rockets with different warheads, left to right, are: Flare, 17lb explosive, 10lb explosive, Flechette, Anti-Tank, HE high explosive and WP white phosphoorus (Willy Pete).

 

 

Hunter-Killer Team video: This great video shows the viewer what the Hunter Killer Teams of the US Army Air Cavalry Troops in Vietnam really did. It has been linked to from the War Stories Video page, Hugh Mills page, Steve Suiter page and the Glossary.

Produced by the wild vets of the Black Rifle Coffee Company who gave us permisson to edit and use it.

The OH-6 in the movie was provided by Harland Beuden of Little Bird LLC.

 

Dropping Flares: War Stories Discussion Page:
There were many different type Flares. This is about the Flares dropped from our Hueys at night in Vietnam.
Stan Allen, Tom Fleming and Tom Dooling have some real time experiences. Also a few links to other stories of men from other units and some images.
Many questions still exist, maybe you have a story, photos or some answers.
1. Stan remembers that they dropped Navy Flares, possibly the MK4 in 1969-70 era. Can we verify how long the flare burns and width of the parachute (thought to be 3 to 5 min burn time and 20 feet wide when deployed),
2. Fleming remembers in 1967 the flares were upgraded to 3000 candle power. Were they Army issue? Designation? What was the earlier version?
3. Did all the different Flares have different deployed width? Our research shows mentions of 16, 20 and 21 feet deployed parachute width.
4. Was the Northrup Grumman LUU-2D/B parachute flare in existence during the Vietnam era?
5. Mike Jones (7/17th Cav) refers to the MK24 flare. Was that the Army Version for our era?
6. Were there any close calls relating to Flares with the Centaurs?
We want to hear from more Crew Chiefs and Door Gunners about their hands on experiences. powellcentaur@gmail.com

Want to hear more about NightHawk missions? Type site:centaursinvietnam.org nighthawk into your browser search field.

 

 

 

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Centaur Website Newsletter - March 2024

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

Note: Past Newsletters: Feb 2024, Jan 2024, Dec 2023, Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

Major Website Update: The website went down a few days in February as we tried to rebuilt it and move it to a different computer. It works now, but there is a lot of little stuff and file updates to do. You can help, if and when you have some time. Just spend a few minutes now and then clicking on things on the website looking for bad links or other things that might need attention. Send your input to powellcentaur@gmail.com.

Our Historian Michael Peake Reports: Thanks to Jim Starling's Photo Album, I've learned of an error in our Loach database on the identity of "Andre's Cold Duck-Scouts Kill, Cold Duck Gives COURAGE." We currently show that as belonging to OH-6A 67-16515 due to a reference I found in John Brennan's "Vietnam War Army Helicopter Nose Art," Volume 2, page 24, showing photograph courtesy of 1LT Lloyd E. Goldsmith (71-72) of OH-6A 67-16515, "Andre's Cold Duck-Scouts Kill, Cold Duck Gives COURAGE." Jim's Photo Album Image #8 clearly shows that the name belongs to 67-16563, AND, just below that image on his album page, Image #13 shows 563 repainted with "For The Love of Freedom." ALSO, Jim's Image #8 shows an AH-1G in the background with the end-number painted in white showing it begins with 4. That means it is a 1969 model and we only have one in our database, 69-16439, one of our 20mm aircraft.

Centaur Director Frank Dillon Reports: SP4 Dick Welch was Crew Chief on the Slick that landed when Paul Martindale and WO1 Bill Haines were KIA. He and SP4 Bill Labore loaded Paul’s body. I don’t know who the pilot was. I know Dick flew mostly with CPT Peter Barber. (The War Story "37mm Takes Out Centaur Cobra" by Ron Radcliffe has been updated and added as a link from the following Mypages: Martindale, Haines, LeBore and Welch). There are probably a lot more link corrections like this needed on our website. If you see one please report it - powellcentaur@gmail.com

Big Reminder: Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion November 2024 - Jan and Trudy White have agreed to host the 2024 November Centaur Reunion again in Panama City Beach Florida. Please make an effort to join us. Click here.

Ron Radcliffe Award Event: Pete Holmberg says Good News!!  Ron Radcliff's daughter has confirmed that Ron and family will attend his AAAA Hall of Fame Induction in Denver on 25 April 2024.  I encourage all Centaurs to attend.  Doing so would honor both Ron and our Centaur legacy at the national level.  Let Rex Gooch (lk23@mac.com) know of your attendance. See Event below.

Simon Collins  <simon.w.collins@gmail.com> from the UK that works for a company that owns a O1-G Bird Dog that flew during the Vietnam war, recently ask us for any info we might have on the markings of the White Phosphorus rockets that we used. The website https://www.bulletpicker.com/rocket-warhead_-2_75-inch-smo2.html provides that information. Tom Dooling also found the photo on the right that might be useful.

Do you have any stories about the WP rockets that we used to mark enemy targets? If so we might do a War Story Discussion page for that subject on our website.

 

New Centaur commerative ballpoint pen: We have created a new Centaur quality ballpoint pen to distribute to those attending any of our reunions and to a few others for their extraordinary support of the Centaur Legacy Mision. pen created Feb 2024

More Centaur T Shirts (Yellow or White) designed by Dale Dow are Found: Dale's daughter Christine (Dow) Smith has located four boxes of these T Shirts. See the Shirts & Hats Section below. We are seeking a Centaur Volunteer to possibly take over this task of taking orders and mailing the shirts and selling them at the reunions. It would require an investment of $2250 to get the boxes mailed to the volunteer. contact powellcentaur.com with questons

 

NEED stories and pics of DROPPING FLARES. If I was a pilot or crewmember that was going on a mission to drop flares how would you train me. What Flares were used? How Many? How do they work? What position over battle? Flare cables? Safety precautions? War Stories? Photos? powellcentaur@gmail.com

Don't Let The Old Man In: Is worth mentioning. Rick Williams, Pat and Clare Eastes thought this favorite song from Toby Keith, inspired by Clint Eastwood, is appropriate for most of us.

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Rolland Fletcher.....Pete Holmberg...Fred Stuckey....JD Lewis (Cdr 1/9th Cav 70-71)....Bruce Wyrwitzke (C/227/1CAV) ..Frank Hock........Matt Jackson......Maurice Bolduc (Cdr D Trp, 3/4Cav Raiders).....Jerry Shelton.......Ken Rucki....... Bruce Karn.....Joe Owen.....Jim Walt......Billy Blackmon....Marshall Huckaby.....Chuck Rose....Jeffery "Doc" Halliday.....Jim Starling.......Christine (Dow) Smith.....

Jill Lemr is still trying to find her dad Centaur Jeffery Lemr. Please contact her directly if you have any information and copy us at powellcentaur@gmail.com

Many thanks to those of you on Facebook that go out of your way to tell the world about the Centaur Legacy. Here is one from Jim Walt.

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Ron Radcliffe My Page: Added link to "37mm Takes out Cobra" story

Michael Peake, Centaur Historian, updates the War Story Call Sign page with the following:
CENTAUR 55—Robert P. "Pat" Broderick, CW2 AH-1G Pilot & IP, 1971-1972

 

--- MyPages ---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Kenneth Clark CPT D Troop Commander November to December 1969 has his My Page updated. His War Story "Cobra Saves LOH Crew" based on his book (page 235) "Just Let Me Walk Away" is posted on our website. It is linked to from the pages of all men mentioned and from the War Stories Essay page.

You may remember the 2019 Centaur Reunion where Richard Parrish presented a Cavalry Sword to Ray.

 

Nick LaRich SP5 Line Chief UH-1D December 1967 to December 1968 has a new MyPage and InfoSheet.

Nick is a Centaur Director and is our Marketing Manager.

Nick has put out a news release to advertise the Conference Room Dedication at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (March) in hopes of helping to spread the word of our Centaur Organization and in turn possibly get the attention of some of our lost Centaurs.

 

 

Frank M. Hock CPT Operations Officer Centaur 3

January 1972 to January 1973 now has an updated MyPage and a photo of him and Sandy placed on his InfoSheet.

See his War Story about the Dead Chinese Tank on the battlefield south of Quang Tri in 1972.

 

 

 

James B. "Jim" Starling MyPage and InfoSheet

Be sure to view Jim's Photo album and try to help us further identify the Centaurs shown and possibly provide more information. List the photo number with your comments powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

Larry M. Dau CW2 Scout Pilot September 1970 to September 1971 now has an updated MyPage.

He and Patricia have been married for 51 years.

 

 

 

 

1LT Bush served with Jim Starling in 1971-72. May not have been a pilot. Nothing else is known. He is not listed on any of our military rosters.

His photo is at Jim Starling Photo Album #31 of 38.

 

 

 

Daniel J. Voner has a photo at Jim Starling Photo Album #15. He was only with the Centaurs a very short time and does not want a Centaur MyPage. Was in 116th AHC in 68-69, 269 CAB and F Trp 71-72.

Dean Tanner is listed in Jim Starling Photo Album #18. We have no record of him. We do have a PFC Lawrence R. Tanner on the F Troop 1972 Roster. No contact. Could that be him?

Dean Sanner is listed in Jim Starling Photo Album #20. We have no record of him. Wears 101st patch on right shoulder.

James a. Donadini CW2 is in Jim Starling Photo Album #32. Picture is not usable. Dale Dow showed him listed as Located at one time, but no records have been found.

 

DOES YOUR MYPAGE NEED AN UPDATE? Lets get it done while I am still around to do it for you. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- Deceased ---

 

Curtis B. Milbrook SP4 Aerorifleman 1965 to 1966 deceased after tour. Curtis is shown in the 5 August 1966 Tropic Lightning News as receiving the Purple Heart.

We cannot locate his obit. A Deceased MyPage has been created for him and an MP1 provided by Bob Tegelman. His MP1 is also added to the MyPages of Richard Stegner and Leon Rivera.

 

 

 

Loren A. Nix SP5 is shown in the 5 August 1966 Tropic Lightning News as receiving the Purple Heart. Same page that shows SP4 Curtis B Millbrook Aerorifles. Was he also in Aerorifles? Do you remember him or have photos or notes? powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

 

Gregory L. Wilson, 1LT Deceased 23 June 2013. We have VHPA confirmation of his death but no Nam photos. See his Info/Obit Sheet. John Moore found this Graduation Photo from 1969, Colorado State U. School of Forestry. Ron Radcliff (in May 2019) said that it was a "Wilson" who was flying the slick that came in to help LaBore get Martindale's body on the 28 April 1972 battle. That's the day Radcliffe and LaBore did in a tank with a White Phosphorous Grenade.

An MP1 of him with his LOH is added to his page.

 

 

Jon R. Thorkelsen WO1 F Troop 1971-1972. Need more information.

His photo came from Jim Starling Photo Album #20.

 

 

 

Can you add any information or photos? powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- War Stories ---

 

Dead Chinese Tank on Battlefield - Apr 1972 by Frank Hock Operations Officer F Troop 1972.

Please review Frank's story and see if you remember it and possibly provide more information or names of the Centaurs involved.

If a photo of the Russian gun from the Infantry Museum we will add that to the story.

 

 

 

Cobra Saves LOH Crew - October 1969: The story told by Ray Kenneth Clark CPT D Troop Cdr November - December 1969 where Cobra pilots CPT William Malinsky and WO1 Larry Bruce rescue the crew of shot down LOH with CPT Thomas Sinclair, CPT Wayne A. White and SP5 Charles D. Vierra. The story was also reported in the Tropic Lightning New article of 3 November 1969.

 

 

 

 

--- Reunions & Events ---

MARCH 2024:Bruce Powell to be honored along with all Centaurs in a dedication ceremony with the current 3/4 Cav in Hawaii.

The dedication will take place at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii during the last week of March (25th – 29th), which is when 3/4 Cav celebrates what they call “Raider Week.” The Troop is providing funds to have Bruce and Sharon travel to Hawaii for this dedication as well as attending the Raider Military Ball on the evening of the 28th at The Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

They have extended an invitation to all Centaurs to attend the dedication as well as the Military Ball on the 28th. The attire for the Ball is formal, to include a jacket and tie for men and a gown for women. If you are interested in attending any of these festivities, please contact Tom Dooling at tmdooling@gmail.com or 623-878-5715 for additional information. (See flyer on left). Jerry Shelton plans to attend.

The itinerary for Bruce’s visit (as well as any other Centaurs that would like to attend) includes a Conference Room dedication ceremony on 27 March (Wednesday); a visit to the 25th INF DIV Combat Aviation Brigade on 27 March (Wednesday); Raider Day PT competition and the Raider Ball on 28 March (Thursday); and a Vietnam Veterans Ceremony on 29 March (Friday).

The Dakota Troop has resurrected the connection with the Centaurs in a big way and all of us should be honored by this selection.

A little additional information – the 3/4 Cav is no longer aviation oriented. Although their mission has changed since the Vietnam era, they operate on a day-to-day basis with the Troop’s history as their guiding force. Their Soldiers take great pride in being a part of D Troop, and are reminded of the sacrifices and valiant efforts of the Centaurs who have come before them. They have already included some photos of the Vietnam era Centaurs on the wall (and will be including additional photos from our archive), and have included a copy of the book "Centaurs in Vietnam" as well as paintings throughout their footprint done by current Soldiers to honor the rich history of our Troop. 

The Squadron is currently comprised of two mounted scout companies (Troops) (think about the program Rat Patrol from the 60’s – only with HUMVEEs) and one dismounted infantry company (Troop) (like our LRRPs), as well as a forward support element providing all classes of supply and maintenance / recovery efforts to the "Raiders." Their main mission is to support and sustain the fight in peace time and war.

APRIL 2024:Ron Radcliffe's Induction to AAAA Hall of Fame. Not a lot of pilots received the Distinguished Service Cross in Vietnam. Ron did.
Ron has been approved for induction into the Army Aviation Association of America’s Hall of Fame. This is a high and exclusive honor for which the competition is extremely keen, and selection limited.
His induction will be at a AAAA conference Hall of Fame banquet in Denver 25 April 2024. It would honor Ron as well as his family—and our unit—to have as many Centaur troopers as can make the trip present at the induction. Here are the particulars from Pete Holmberg.

The annual AAAA “Missions Solutions Summit Conference” will be held at the Gaylord of the Rockies Hotel and Conference Center near the Denver International Airport 24-26 April 2024. The fee for the induction banquet is $200. However, after signing up, AAAA members are charged only $60 (one-year membership is reasonable—officers $26, enlisted $15). To register for the conference/banquet, go to the AAAA website (quad-a.org) and click the link for the Summit conference about halfway down the page. Once there, click on the link “REGISTER” near the upper right corner, and then take it from there (likewise, click on “MEMBERSHIP” if you wish to first join AAAA).

During the registration process, you’ll be presented with a choice of hotels including the Gaylord where the conference is. Turns out, the Gaylord is all booked in addition to being expensive. Rex Gooch and Pete Holmberg decided to book at Woolley’s Classic Suites Denver Airport—not quite as expensive and within a few miles of both the airport and the Gaylord which Uber or Lyft can handle. There are, of course, many other options.

Also, during the registration process, you’ll have the option to choose a table for the banquet. Rex and Pete declined choosing a table and instead will be seated with, or adjacent to, the Radcliffe’s and other Centaurs. Please notify Pete (peteholmberg@comcast.net) ASAP if you plan to attend. He needs to let AAAA know to ensure that we are seated together at Centaur table(s).Plan ahead now!

Lastly, my flight out is mid-afternoon 26 April. If anyone has a similar agenda, there is time to get together for breakfast or brunch. Please let Pete know as soon as possible if you are attending to facilitate having our own table(s). Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions. peteholmberg@comcast.net

Framk Dillon will be attending

SEPTEMBER 2024: Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next Squadron reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel has begun accepting reservations as of the third week of September 2023.
See last Squadron Newsletter.

David Cox: Provides the NEW groups's booking link for the September 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion.
Dave also notes: Once you click on the link it will take you to our hotel website, then enter your arrival/ departure dates,
and it will automatically populate your group name and discounted group rate.
You may also call our 24-hour reservation phone number at 210-224-2500, option 2.
If you are calling, please remember to reference your group's block code: SQU
I am at your service should you or any of your guest need any assistance booking their rooms.
David Cox <cox.a.34cav@gmail.com>
Just a friendly reminder that the last day to make reservations at your group discount will be on: August 6, 2024

NOVEMBER 2024: Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion November 2024 -GREAT NEWS!! Jan and Trudy White have agreed to host the 2024 November Centaur Reunion again in Panama City Beach Florida. The reunion they hosted last year was an amazing success! The constantly increasing participation in the Centaur Vet's Day Reunions is so very encouraging. Thirty Centaurs attended the 2022 reunion, not counting wives and guests. Forty attended the 2023 reunion making the total attendance around 90 people! It shows that we are full of spirit and not dead yet!! Estimates for this coming reunion are at least 50 to 60 Centaurs (100 to 120 people). Please, please do not miss this one. Video interviews will be done! We will work on having helicopter rides. However that is tough to do on a Veteran's Day.

Please email Jan White (jancwhite@msn.com) soon so he can get on with planning.
see 2023 Reunion Movie

 

 

 

 

*************************************************

 

Centaur Website Newsletter - February 2024 .

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

Note: Past Newsletters: Jan 2024, Dec 2023, Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

Reminder: How to watch Centaur Videos in the Full Screen Mode

Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion November 2024 -GREAT NEWS!! Jan and Trudy White have agreed to host the 2024 November Centaur Reunion again in Panama City Beach Florida. Click here.

3/4 Cav "Raiders": Bruce Powell to be honored along with all Centaurs in a dedication ceremony with the current 3/4 Cav in Hawaii this March. You are invited. Let us know if you can make it. You may remember the great treatment of our men by the "Raiders" from the Feb 2023 Centaur Newletter. see picture below

Point of Contact for all concerning this event is Tom Dooling. tmdooling@gmail.com

More details below: Centaur Reunion & Events Section.

Reunion 2023 Movies - See all your Centaur Brothers who attended the Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion in Panama City Beach, Florida last year. Click Here. To see a second movie with just background photos, Click here. Be sure to click the Full Screen button, generally in the lower right corner of the movie window. Use the "Back" button on your Browser to return to the website
If those movies don't play on your browser then download a different version here: Movie 1, Movie 2
Be sure to download it first then open with Quicktime

It was an exhillarating and special experience. What more can we do to inspire you all to spend some time with all of us at the next Centaur Reunion on Veteran's Day November 2024. Jan and Trudy White have graciously decided to host the reunion for us again in beautiful Panama City Beach, FL. Hope you can make it!

Tremendous thanks to Bob Jones for his great reunion photography that has allowed the 2023 Reunion Movie to be made. Many thanks also to Julie Hampton, Sandy Walt, Don Borey and Jim Brothers for submitting their Reunion photos and movies.

Major Updates of the Centaur Reunion Page continue! (and more to come).

Centaur Call Signs War Stories page is updated by our Historian Mike Peake:
CENTAUR 21—Charles L. "Chuck" Rose, A/C UH-1H Cmdr, 1972
CENTAUR 27—James B. "Jim" Starling "Blackbird," 1LT UH-1H Slick Pilot May 1971-Mar 1972
CENTAUR 36—Carl William Burns, CPT UH-1C Pilot/OH-23 Scout Pilot Apr 1966-Apr 1967
CENTAUR 52—Charles "Marty" Sullivan, WO1, Jul 1970-Jul 1971
CENTAUR 52—John P. Davis CW2 Cobra Pilot F Troop 1972 to 1973
CENTAUR 94—

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Dave Cox (3/4 Cav News Ltr Editor)....Pete Holmberg (Radcliffe update)...Dave Sale.....Linda Richardson.....Matt Jackson.....Joe Johnson.....Fred Stuckey.....Phillip John Norton......Marty Jenkins.....Bruce Wyrwitzke....Larry Patterson....Allison Popadyn (Dayton Convention Ctr)....

Fred Stuckey new MyPage with updated info and colorized Nam Photo See below

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Many thanks to those who have sent in bad links that have now been corrected.

Spelling errors corrected in Return to Vietnam 2016 article.

Larry Rudick MyPage Nam photo colorized. Colorized Jim Kreil Nam photo

Spelling of Darrell "Kat" Katovsich corrected on the Centaur Friends Roster and in the Nov 2023 Newsletter

Working on getting couples photos taken at the 2023 Centaur Reunion placed on respective InfoSheets

 

--- MyPages ---

 

Bennis (Ben) "BJ" Jans CW2 Cobra Pilot November 1971 to November 1972 has a revised MyPage and an MP1

 

 

 

Fred Stuckey SGT Scout with LRRPs 1968 to 1970 has an upgraded Centaur Friends MyPage. Be sure to watch the video interview he did with us at the San Antonio Reunion in 2014.

Fred's Tropic Lightning award article 2 April 1970 is now showing that it was an award of the Silver Star. Fred and Phillip Norton add their comments to the article. Article now linked to Phillip's Centaur Friends MyPage.

Fred & Tresina attended the last reunion in Panama City Beach, FL 2023.

 

 

Ed Wolfe CW2 LOH Scout Pilot Nov 70 to May 71 has his MyPage and his InfoSheet updated.

 

 

 

 

 

--- Deceased ---

William P "Woody" Gardner SP5 Heavy Weapons Section Crew Chief from Feb 1967 to Jul 1968, passed away on 26 Jan 2024 - Woody's step daughter notified his close friend Doug Olsen, who told us. More information will follow. We have prepared a Centaur Info/Obituary page for him based on his online Obituary at BlackburnCurry Funeral Home. Please send in your comments and stories about our great Centaur Brother to be included on our Centaur page. Our sincere condolences to Leci and family. powellcentaur@gmail.com

Please take the time to go to Woody's page and review his great input to our Centaur legacy - Woody Video Interview 2010

Thomas Alvin Owen Jr. SGT LRRP and Aerorifles 1967-1968 died 15 November 2023 at his home in Story, Arkansas. See his Info/Obituary page. MOS 11B.

He was wounded along side John Collins at the Battle of the Hobo Woods. Wounded in left arm. Nickname TAO.

Please let us know if you see a photo of him on line or have one in your files. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Allen Dwain Dawson SP4 Avionics Mechanic died way back on 9 July 1973 of a brain aneurysm. Frank Dillon, trying to find out more about his Centaur Brother, went to John Moore and John's amazing access to old files, to see what he could do. John located the details which are now shown on Allen's updated Deceased MyPage and a new Info/Obit page. Our many thanks to Frank and John for their many years of relentless research for our lost Centaurs.

Johnny Gray SGT Operations Radio Man and LOH Scout Observer February to July 1969 died on 7 December 2023.

His MyPage has been updated and an InfoSheet Obituary added. After six months he moved on from D Troop and served with A Troop, 3/4 Cav.

He was a SP4 with D Trp and picked up SGT stripes with A Troop.

 

 

 

Daniel C. Roberson SP5 UH-1 Crew Chief and mechanic 1971-72 passed away Thursday, July 19, 2007, after a long battle with diabetes and injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was from Texas and Derosed 9/5/72. He had 14 years in the Army and had a Purple Heart. He was an avid ham radio operator. We have not located any photos of him to do a MyPage. His name is linked to an InfoSheet and listed on the main and deceased Rosters. Thanks to John Moore for the Nam era photo

 

--- War Stories ---

Bruce Karn WO1 LOH Scout Pilot and frequent Cobra Front Seat CoPilot, June 1968 to June 1969 continues with his interview stories at the 2022 Centaur Vet's Reunion Phoenix, AZ.

Top Gun Pilot-Ted Pitcher. Karn in front seat on big time night mission. Pitcher takes the initiative. Hundreds of enemy killed.

Rockets Too Close! Another night mission with Ted Pitcher and no Flare Ship.

All the Guys of Hootch 5: Maxwell, Pitcher, Weseman, St John, Patterson, Peterson, Rice.
These videos are linked to from Bruce's Article page, the War Stories Video page and added to MyPages of the other pilots mentioned.

NEED stories and pics of dropping flares. If I was a pilot or crewmember that was going on a mission to drop flares how would you train me. What Flares were used? How Many? How to they work? What position over battle? Flare cables? Safety precautions? War Stories? Photos? powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- Reunions & Events ---

MARCH 2024:Bruce Powell to be honored along with all Centaurs in a dedication ceremony with the current 3/4 Cav in Hawaii. Updated 3Feb2024

In December, we received a request from Dakota Troop of the current 3/4 Cav wanting us to nominate a Vietnam era Centaur to name their Troop Conference Room after. The Centaur Board of Directors decided that since this is a legacy type of thing, we should nominate someone who has done a lot in supporting the Vietnam era Centaurs. It was decided by the BOD that Bruce Powell would be our nominee.

The dedication will take place at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii during the last week of March (25th – 29th), which is when 3/4 Cav celebrates what they call “Raider Week.” The Troop is providing funds to have Bruce and Sharon travel to Hawaii for this dedication as well as attending the Raider Military Ball on the evening of the 28th at The Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

They have extended an invitation to all Centaurs to attend the dedication as well as the Military Ball on the 28th. The attire for the Ball is formal, to include a jacket and tie for men and a gown for women. If you are interested in attending any of these festivities, please contact Tom Dooling at tmdooling@gmail.com or 623-878-5715 for additional information. (See flyer on left)

The itinerary for Bruce’s visit (as well as any other Centaurs that would like to attend) includes a Conference Room dedication ceremony at 12:30 pm on 27 March (Wednesday); also that day a visit to the 25th INF DIV Combat Aviation Brigade; On 28 March (Thursday) Raider Day PT competition at zero dark thirty and then the Raider Ball at 1800 hrs; On 29 March (Friday) is a Vietnam Veterans Ceremony at 1600 hrs. The Powells will be leaving early that morning.

The Dakota Troop has resurrected the connection with the Centaurs in a big way and all of us should be honored by this selection.

A little additional information – the 3/4 Cav is no longer aviation oriented. Although their mission has changed since the Vietnam era, they operate on a day-to-day basis with the Troop’s history as their guiding force. Their Soldiers take great pride in being a part of D Troop, and are reminded of the sacrifices and valiant efforts of the Centaurs who have come before them. They have already included some photos of the Vietnam era Centaurs on the wall (and will be including additional photos from our archive), and have included a copy of the book "Centaurs in Vietnam" as well as paintings throughout their footprint done by current Soldiers to honor the rich history of our Troop. 

The Squadron is currently comprised of two mounted scout companies (Troops) (think about the program Rat Patrol from the 60’s – only with HUMVEEs) and one dismounted infantry company (Troop) (like our LRRPs), as well as a forward support element providing all classes of supply and maintenance / recovery efforts to the "Raiders." Their main mission is to support and sustain the fight in peace time and war.

APRIL 2024:Ron Radcliffe's Induction to Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Hall of Fame. Not a lot of pilots received the Distinguished Service Cross in Vietnam. Ron did.
Ron has been approved for induction into the Army Aviation Association of America’s Hall of Fame. This is a high and exclusive honor for which the competition is extremely keen, and selection limited.
His induction will be at a AAAA conference Hall of Fame banquet in Denver 25 April 2024. It would honor Ron as well as his family—and our unit—to have as many Centaur troopers as can make the trip present at the induction. Here are the particulars from Pete Holmberg.

The annual AAAA “Missions Solutions Summit Conference” will be held at the Gaylord of the Rockies Hotel and Conference Center near the Denver International Airport 24-26 April 2024. The fee for the induction banquet is $200. However, after signing up, AAAA members are charged only $60 (one-year membership is reasonable—officers $26, enlisted $15). To register for the conference/banquet, go to the AAAA website (quad-a.org) and click the link for the Summit conference about halfway down the page. Once there, click on the link “REGISTER” near the upper right corner, and then take it from there (likewise, click on “MEMBERSHIP” if you wish to first join AAAA).

During the registration process, you’ll be presented with a choice of hotels including the Gaylord where the conference is. Turns out, the Gaylord is all booked in addition to being expensive. Rex Gooch and Pete Holmberg decided to book at Woolley’s Classic Suites Denver Airport—not quite as expensive and within a few miles of both the airport and the Gaylord which Uber or Lyft can handle. There are, of course, many other options.

Also, during the registration process, you’ll have the option to choose a table for the banquet. Rex and Pete declined choosing a table and instead will be seated with, or adjacent to, the Radcliffe’s and other Centaurs. Please notify Pete (peteholmberg@comcast.net) ASAP if you plan to attend. He needs to let AAAA know to ensure that we are seated together at Centaur table(s).Plan ahead now!

Lastly, my flight out is mid-afternoon 26 April. If anyone has a similar agenda, there is time to get together for breakfast or brunch. Please let Pete know as soon as possible if you are attending to facilitate having our own table(s). Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions. peteholmberg@comcast.net

 

SEPTEMBER 2024: Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next Squadron reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel will begin accepting reservations the third week of September 2023.
See last Squadron Newsletter.

David Cox: Provides the NEW groups's booking link for the September 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion.
Dave also notes: Once you click on the link it will take you to our hotel website, then enter your arrival/ departure dates,
and it will automatically populate your group name and discounted group rate.
You may also call our 24-hour reservation phone number at 210-224-2500, option 2.
If you are calling, please remember to reference your group's block code: SQU
I am at your service should you or any of your guest need any assistance booking their rooms.
David Cox <cox.a.34cav@gmail.com>
Just a friendly reminder that the last day to make reservations at your group discount will be on: August 6, 2024

NOVEMBER 2024: Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion November 2024 -GREAT NEWS!! Jan and Trudy White have agreed to host the 2024 November Centaur Reunion again in Panama City Beach Florida. The reunion they hosted last year was an amazing success! The constantly increasing participation in the Centaur Vet's Day Reunions is so very encouraging. Thirty Centaurs attended the 2022 reunion, not counting wives and guests. Forty attended the 2023 reunion making the total attendance around 90 people! It shows that we are full of spirit and not dead yet!! Estimates for this comming reunion are at least 50 to 60 Centaurs (100 to 120 people). Please, please do not miss this one. Video interviews will be done! We will work on having helicopter rides. However that is tough to do on a Veteran's Day. 2023 Reunion movie

 

 

 

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Centaur Website Newsletter - January 2024

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

Note: Past Newsletters: Dec 2023, Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

Great Success! Great Time! 2023 November Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion Panama City Beach, FL.
We should have a slideshow movie of it ready for the February Newsletter. Have you sent your photos and movies into the Webmaster?

Bob Jones took a lot of Couples Photos at the 2023 reunion which will be featured in the upcomming 2023 Reunion SlideShow movie. Many couples photos will be used to update Centaur InfoSheets.

Assistant Centaur Webmaster! Michael Peake has become the Assistant Centaur Webmaster, coding and updating all the Centaur Tail Number pages listed in the War Stories Discussion section and linked to from the Helicopter page. He has completed the OH-23G page (notice the update time is stated at the top). He will be working on all the other Tail Number pages as time permits. Please give Mike a hand by noting any additional info that needs to go up there or possible corrections.

For you History Buffs, Harlan Cooper SSG Maintenance NCOIC 1966 (Deceased Dec 2023), tells how the Centaur era came about from a concept on paper at Schofield Barracks, 25th Inf Div, in Hawaii to an amazing reality in Cu Chi, Vietnam.

Harlan's first video was in 2012 at the Nashville Reunion. He has unfortunately passed on. There are a lot of people who are already greatly missing this special man.
see Deceased section below.

The new Centaur Multimedia HomePage!!
In your browser on your computer, when you roll your cursor (Arrow Pointer) over any button or hidden button, it will turn into a Pointing Finger cursor. That means there is a link there. Just click the mouse at that time and you will be taken to a different screen or page. To get back, just click the Home Page button (which is on every screen) or hit the Back Button of your Browser. For example, if you click on the big Centaur logo in the middle you will go to the screen shown on the left.

There are over 40 buttons, including hidden buttons, making our new Multimedia Home Page the most informative and centralized location for all things Centaur. If you don't click on anything else, be sure to click on the main rotor hub of the Slick.

Major Updates of the Centaur Reunion Page Continue! (and more to come). When you go to the Centaur Website and click on the "Reunion" button on the left side, you will be taken to the updated Reunion Information Page. Make note of a couple of things: Some of the Reunions, both Cav and Centaur, have links to further information (note the black dot next to those). Click on the photo of KC Allcock to see his great movie that explains how the Centaur reunions got started.

The great section for the 2012 3/4 Cav Reunion in Nashville, TN is being revived. You can go their now and see all the Banquet videos. Individual men video interviews will eventually be linked from a master page. Until then you can go to each man's MyPage to find his video link. It is going to take a long time to get all the old Reunion photos, slides and movies straightened out. If you have information or photos of past reunions, please send them in to the Webmaster (powellcentaur@gmail.com) so we can add them.

It is going to take a long time to get all the old Reunion photos, slides and movies straightened out.
If you have information or photos of past reunions, please send them in to the Webmaster (powellcentaur@gmail.com) so we can add them.

 

Seeking info on WP Rockets (FFAR) used by Bird Dog pilots:
"I wonder if some of your members could help? I'm from the UK and work for a company that owns a O1-G Bird Dog that flew during the Vietnam war. I've been tasked with making some replica rockets for it, for display purposes only. My question is where was the yellow band on the WP warhead ? was it immediately adjacent to the fuse, or set back a bit ? I have researched on the internet, and there seems to be different locations (I've attached photos of the 2 options). Whilst I realise the Centaurs flew attack helicopters, are any members able to indicate where the yellow band was on a white phosperous warhead please? "

Respond to Simon Collins  <simon.w.collins@gmail.com>

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Dave Cox (3/4 Cav News Ltr Editor)....Pete Holmberg (Radcliffe update)....Sandy McLeod (story link).....Ron Cooper........Koleta Thompson.....Matt Jackson.....Bill Comeau......Dean Smith.......Chris Burns.....Rick Gorton.....Joe Hoover.....Lin Riniker (cmts on Johnny Trotter & Richard Yeager)......Paul Plante.....John Evans.....Herb Beasley.....Simon Collins (UK)......Jerry Headly......Linda Richardson (sends Reunion pics)....

John Jones UK Patch Collector announces his new update. You can view it if you accept cookies from the BonusPrint website that hosts his slideshow.

Contacts Reference Harlan Cooper's death:
Janis Cooper (Harlan's wife), Grant Manning (3BCT, 25th ID), Josh Suthoff (Trp Cdr, 3 BCT/25th ID), Victoria Manning (82 ABN DIV SUST BDE ), " Maurice Bolduc (25 ID 3 BCT)

Those checking into Harlan Coopers Obituary page: Janice Peed, James Wells, Dwight Byrd.

Bob Tegleman sends photos of Harlan Cooper from several past Reunions. They will be added to Reunion section.

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Link Fixes: Charles Peed Reunion Video 2010 link back to his Deceased MyPage

Sandy McLeod links his audio story to Marty Sullivan's new MyPage.

 

--- MyPages ---

Charlie L."Chuck" Rose CW2 UH-1 Aircraft Commander 1972 Centaur 21 now has a MyPage and an InfoSheet.

Ginny and he attended the 2023 Centaur Reunion.

 

 

 

 

 

Richard A. Yeager SGT 1972 Armament Specialist now has a draft MyPage and InfoSheet thanks to Brian Harrison and Michael Peake.

Do you remember Richard? How about the name of the Crew Chief in the photo?

 

 

Joseph Demayo SP4 Armament Specialist 1972 now has a draft MyPage using a Yearbook photo and a background pic from Lloyd Goldsmith.

John Moore found an obit that might be him showing Born 22 Nov 1951. Died 6 Oct 1974. Needs conformation. Mike Peake remembers Joe was born same as him 1953.

Do you remember Joe? Help us out.

 

 

 

NFN Roberson no first name SP4 Armament Specialist 1971-1972 now has a draft MyPage using a Yearbook photo and a background pic from Dan Keirsey. Also an MP1 colorized from the 1971 Yearbook.

Mike Peake served with him in Nam and later at Fort Campbell in March 1973. He served with B Battery, 4th/77th Aerial Artillery (Cobra), 101st Airborne.

 

 

Daniel Cordell Roberson SP5 Crew Chief 1972 died 19 July 2007. A MyPage has been made for him using a gravestone photo found by Frank Dillon. Also an InfoSheet with his Obituary. Let us know if you can provide more information or photos.

 

 

 

Johnny Trotter SGT Maintenance Platoon (Deceased) has a new MyPage (colorized with LLoyd goldsmith pic in background) and two MP's added from Mike Peake and Frank Dillon. MP5 is also added to Dillon, Hall and Flaharty MyPages.

His photo on the MyPage shows him as a SP4 but he was believed to have been promoted to SGT or Acting Buck SGT.

We have no photo of him from before he died. Mike Peake & Lin Riniker comment on Johnny's Obit page.

 

Thomas G. Sackett SGT Armament Specialist 1972 has an updated MyPage with colorized photo and background pic by Mike Peake.

Mike made some comments about Tom which were posted as a draft InfoSheet for him.

 

 

 

 

Richard Joe "Shorty" Mull SGT Maintenance NCOIC who passed back in November 2021, has his Deceased Mypage upgraded and colorized.

Joe's niece (and also was his care giver) has joined us with our monthly Newsletter Distribution.

If you have some memories of Joe, or Shorty as he was called, please send them in so we can post them.

powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- Deceased ---

 

Harlan Cooper Maintenance Platoon Sergeant 1966 to 1967 died 6 December 2023. Harlan was one of the very first men assigned to the newly developing D Troop 3/4 Cav, 25th Inf Div at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Be sure to view his Reunion Videos where he tells those great stories.

His MyPage has been updated as a Deceased page and an InfoSheet/Obit page added.

We posted one of his videos to his Obituary page online

 

 

Johnny Gray SP4 Radioman an LOH Scout Flight Observer with D Troop died 7 Dec 2023. Johnny went on to A Troop where he earned his Sergeants stripes.

See his 2018 Video Interview.

Waiting for his Obit or more info

 

 

 

Steven D. Lentz SGT LOH Scout Mechanic November 1971 to November 1972. His brother Niel informs us that he died 30 December 2023. Steve served two tours in Vietnam, then joined the Navy and retired as a Chief Bosun Mate.

Also notice his Combat Infantry Badge from his first tour.

 

 

Daniel C. Roberson SP5 UH-1 Crew Chief and mechanic 1971-72 passed away Thursday, July 19, 2007, after a long battle with diabetes and injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was from Texas and Derosed 9/5/72. He had 14 years in the Army and had a Purple Heart. He was an avid ham radio operator.
We have not located any photos of him to do a MyPage. His name is linked to an InfoSheet and listed on the main and deceased Rosters.

Thomas Alvin Owen SGT with Centaur Rifles died 15 November 2023. We just found out about his death today (1Jan) and will get more details for the February Newsletter. If you have any photos or info please send to Webmaster.

--- War Stories ---

Donald Borey CPT Cobra Aircraft Commander Centaur 43 March 1971 to January 1972 tells some War Stories.

Oops, The Garbage Dump: about almost landing in a real bad and unusual place.

The Unit Non-Move: We prepared to move to I Corp in Mid 1971, shipped our stuff North, then later cancelled.

Cobra Night Weather Incidents: Flying Cobras down the MSR in night IFR conditions. Being shot at by ARVNS.

These videos are linked to from Don's Article page, the War Stories Video page and added to MyPages of Bob Jones and Skip Petrie.

 

--- Reunions & Events ---

Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion November 2024 - To be announced later.
We are seeking someone to take on this next reunion as Host. Right now, Jan and Trudy White are thinking about doing it again! They will let us know.

If you are interested we can put you intouch with past Hosts to answer questions and give advice. Keep in mind that these Centaur Reunions are a bit different in that whoever takes it on is totally incharge to run it however they see fit. All decisions are theirs. CIVO and past Hosts will jump in and help as might be requested. The CIVO Webmaster is at your disposal. Any funds left over from the past reunions will be sent to you by the last Host to help defray costs and determine fees.

Ron Radcliffe's Induction to AAAA Hall of Fame:
(note the updated MyPage) Ron Radcliffe has been approved for induction into the Army Aviation Association of America’s Hall of Fame. This is a high and exclusive honor for which the competition is extremely keen, and selection limited.
His induction will be at a AAAA conference Hall of Fame banquet in Denver 25 April 2024. It would honor Ron as well as his family—and our unit—to have as many Centaur troopers as can make the trip present at the induction. Here are the particulars from Pete Holmberg.

The annual AAAA “Missions Solutions Summit Conference” will be held at the Gaylord of the Rockies Hotel and Conference Center near the Denver International Airport 24-26 April 2024. The fee for the induction banquet is $200. However, after signing up, AAAA members are charged only $60 (one-year membership is reasonable—officers $26, enlisted $15). To register for the conference/banquet, go to the AAAA website (quad-a.org) and click the link for the Summit conference about halfway down the page. Once there, click on the link “REGISTER” near the upper right corner, and then take it from there (likewise, click on “MEMBERSHIP” if you wish to first join AAAA).

During the registration process, you’ll be presented with a choice of hotels including the Gaylord where the conference is. Turns out, the Gaylord is all booked in addition to being expensive. Rex Gooch and Pete Holmberg decided to book at Woolley’s Classic Suites Denver Airport—not quite as expensive and within a few miles of both the airport and the Gaylord which Uber or Lyft can handle. There are, of course, many other options.

Also, during the registration process, you’ll have the option to choose a table for the banquet. Rex and Pete declined choosing a table and instead will be seated with, or adjacent to, the Radcliffe’s and other Centaurs. Please notify Pete (peteholmberg@comcast.net) ASAP if you plan to attend. He needs to let AAAA know to ensure that we are seated together at Centaur table(s).

Lastly, my flight out is mid-afternoon 26 April. If anyone has a similar agenda, there is time to get together for breakfast or brunch. Please let Pete know as soon as possible if you are attending to facilitate having our own table(s). Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions. peteholmberg@comcast.net

Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next Squadron reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel will begin accepting reservations the third week of September 2023.
See last Squadron Newsletter.

David Cox: Provides the NEW groups's booking link for the September 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion.
Dave also notes: Once you click on the link it will take you to our hotel website, then enter your arrival/ departure dates,
and it will automatically populate your group name and discounted group rate.
You may also call our 24-hour reservation phone number at 210-224-2500, option 2.
If you are calling, please remember to reference your group's block code: SQU
I am at your service should you or any of your guest need any assistance booking their rooms.
David Cox <cox.a.34cav@gmail.com>
Just a friendly reminder that the last day to make reservations at your group discount will be on: August 6, 2024

 

 

 

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Centaur Website Newsletter - December 2023

INDEX: News - , Checking In - , Special Request - , Corrections - , MyPages - , War Stories - , Deceased - , Photos, - Reunions -

Note: Past Newsletters: Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

UPDATED AT NOON 1 Dec 2023!!!

Great Success! Great Time! 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion Panama City Beach, FL

Click on every face above!

This was the biggest Centaur Reunion ever!
Many thanks from all of us to those responsible for making this happen!

Reunion After Action Notes from your Hosts Jan & Trudy:

"We would like to thank everyone who attended the 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion in Panama City Beach, FL and hope everyone had a safe trip back home.  It was an honor and a privilege to host this years event.  We are sorry some of you were not able to make it but look forward to seeing you at future reunions.  We would also like to thank all the volunteers that helped throughout the event and a big thank you to everyone who donated items for the raffle and auction." Jan & Trudy White

We are building a video slide show of the 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion and hope to have it in the next Newsletter. If you have photos or videos that you have not yet sent to the Webmaster (powellcentaur@gmail.com) please do so now. Thanks!!

Major Update of the Centaur Reunion Page (and more to come). When you go to the Centaur Website and click on the "Reunion" button on the left side, you will be taken to the updated Reunion Information Page. Make note of a couple of things: Some of the Reunions, both Cav and Centaur, have links to further information. Roll your mouse over the Reunion Names. If your cursor (pointer) turns into a grabber hand, then that Reunion has a link. Click on it. It will go to a movie, slide show or whatever we could find on that reunion.
Click on the photo of KC Allcock to see his great movie that explains how everything got started.

Be sure to click for Full Screen viewing in your Browser!!!! It should come up that way automatically but not on some Browsers.

If you have information or photos of past reunions, please send them in to the Webmaster (powellcentaur@gmail.com) so we can add them.

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Jim Walt (Reunion).....Gene Peters....Pete Holmberg (update)....Rick Williams....James Starling (sends photos)....Jan & Trudy White (Reunion)....Chuck O'Connell....Hal Hebert....Jim Mortin....Brent Christenson (looking for Jim Mouser)....Rick Adams....Dwight Birdwell....Dave Cox (3/4 Cav News Ltr Editor)....Harold & Judy Deist....Phil Marshall (Dustoff 711).....Matt Jackson (Book Author & movie Lam son 719)....Bob Jones (Taking Reunion Photos)....Bob Taylor....Bruce Wyrwitzke (227th AHC, 1st Cav)....Stan Allen (Cu Chi Main Gate Pics)....Nate Brookshire (Ft Riley, KS-Larry Taylor MOH)....Nick LaRich (trying to contact Bill Blair)....Dan Keirsey....Frank Dillon (finding Centaurs)....Russ Catania (re: Gary Brown)....Jim Kreil (Reunion notes)....Don Borey (Reunion Photos)....John Jones (Schmidgall).....John Evans.....Bruce Dragonjac (MyPage & DaNang Bombing)....Tom Fleming (always helping)...

David Olsen: Helping Frank Dillon to locate Kim Schmidgall whose last Facebook post was 2010. David notes that Kim has an identical twin brother named Ken. We are publishing what we assume is Kim's Photo Album from his tour with the Centaurs. David reminds us of this great U S Cavalry quote on the right. Could not locate where the original quote came from.

Marlene Ryan email address deleted from Newsletter Distribution (doesn't work)

Rick Adams continues to look for Kim Schmidgall with no luck so far. David Olsen shows a Kim L Schmidgall, Age 75 - Lives in Oxnard, CA. and phone number. We left a message at that phone number.

We are still looking for photos of 1LT Gerald L. "Jerry" Wright - 1966-67 (Deceased 5 Jun 2020). Can you help?

 

--- Another Webmaster Special Request---

With a relatively small effort you could help me personally with our website. First I will assume that you visit the website once in a while. If so, then as you are browsing, you may run into an error.
Examples: something is spelled wrong; a name is incorrect, a name is missing from an article, you get a page error, a button does not work; incorrect information in an article; you spot a photo of someone and it is not included on his MyPage; you find something that should be also linked to another page: etc. I can correct these things if I know about them and can find them.
Report it to me!! Just a short email with enough specifics that I can find it on our complex website. Thanks!
Send to: powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

Link from CW2 Larry Bruce (Deceased) to his InfoSheet is repaired. We need photos of him for a MyPage!!

CPT William Malinovsky's name in the story Cobra Saves LOH Nov 1969, is now linked to his MyPage.

1LT John Evans has his InfoSheet with several new links and a photo of him and Anita added. Note that he refers to a Hank or Henry Childs of which we have no records of at Unit or Squadron level. Looks like this is Henry from the VHPA files. Flight class 69-3, same as John's. He died 20 April 1985. Lets get some more information on him before adding him to the Centaur Roster and the Squadron "Taps".

An InfoSheet has been created for SP4 Rick Adams with photo of he and Anita from the 2023 Reunion.

Stan Allen Cu Chi Main Gate pic added to Allen KC Allcocks Guard Duty Story

Minor upgrades to these other MyPages
(Correct dates, wife's name, Colorize Nam pic, tec):
Mike Moulin; Marty Sullvan; Rick Adams; Jan White:

Gene Vasser email was rejected with last Newsletter. It is removed until we can get a new one. Ideas?

Does anyone have a correct email address for Joe D. Rasnick Cypress, TX 1971-72

 

--- MyPages ---

 

Dan Keirsey 1LT Slick Pilot now has an InfoSheet with photo of he and his wife Penny.

 

 

 

 

 

George R. Wood SP5 Slick Crew Member (probably Crew Chief) now has a draft MyPage using a photo from the Kim Schmidgall Photo Album.

We know nothing else about him. Help us find more.

 

 

 

Bruce Dragonjac SP4 Maintenance Nov 1972 to Feb 1973 has the photos on his MyPage updated.

He also has a new draft InfoSheet with a photo of he and Amy. It is linked to from his MyPage.

Bruce provided more info on the War Story Navy Bombs DaNang 8 Jan 1973. That story is updated and linked to from his MyPage.

 

Emmaus "Lee" Majors SP5 Aircraft Repair Parts Specialist Feb 1971 to Jan 1972 now has a draft MyPage.

A photo of he and Maxine from the 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion has been used to start an InfoSheet for him.

 

 

 

Lowell Ogletree SP5 Crew Chief in the Heavy Scout Section 1967 now has an updated MyPage using a photo from the 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion. He and his son Duane attended.

More information coming.

Contact the Webmaster with any info or photos you may have for Lowell. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Joseph V. "Joe" Johnson CPT Heavy Weapons Section Leader (Hogs) 1967 now has a draft MyPage. Joe and Johnnie attended the 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion.

Joe was an infusion from 117th Avn who arrived in the summer of 1967. He out ranked Charlie Johnson and took over the Heavy Weapons Section from MAJ Wilde.

If you remember Joe please send any notes or photos you may have to the Webmaster powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

Benny Jack "BJ" Hall SP5 LOH Scout Observer/Gunner mid 1970 to Aug 1971 now has a Draft MyPage. He will be sending Nam photos for his update.

He and Terri were at the 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion with their friends Robert & Russanna Keen. He and Jan White served together

 

 

 

William Ron Cooper CW2 Aerorifle Platoon Pilot Mar 1971 to Mar 1972 now has a MyPage. and InfoSheet.

Ron was a slick driver and his call sign was Centaur 28. He went home on emergency leave in Dec of that year and when he returned the Troop had moved to Sanford AAF.

Ron and Leigh attended the 2023 Centaur Vets Day Reunion.

 

 

--- Deceased ---

 

Gary A. Brown CPT, OH-23 Scout and UH-1D Slick Pilot died 8 November 2023. He had been in Hospice and staying in touch with the Centaurs through his son Eric Brown. His funeral Tuesday 21 Nov 2023. Click here to see his Obituary

Gary served in combat in both Korea and Vietnam

He was 89 and married to Jeri for 70 years. If you have comments serving with him, please send them to Webmaster for posting on his InfoSheet. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Henry "Hank" Childs WO1 (retired as CW3) has been added to the Centaur Roster (Deceased). John Evans remembers him well as his Flight Class Leader (69-3) and Centaur LOH pilot. He actually lived in Larry Turley’s room after Larry was wounded and left. He was assigned to the scout platoon flying LOHs. He was there a very short time then went home on emergency leave. We located Hank in the VHPA database as deceased. An Infosheet has been created for him and linked to from our roster. If photos of him are located we can do a MyPage.

--- Photos ---

Photo Album (28 pics) of SP5 Kim Schmidgall, Slick Door Gunner 1969-1970. Mentioned in the Album are Mark Kempson (been trying to find him), Bill Byers, George Wood, Ken Rucki, Yugal, Tom Olssen, Dennis Piper. Kim's pic on right>

The photo of George Wood (image 5) has been used to create a draft MyPage for him. (can't find him either).

Please review and see if you can identify any other names or provide additional info for any of the photos.

 

 

Can you ID these guys 1972 - 73? Photo comes from Bruce Dragonjac's Photo Album image 16 of 43.

Take a look at the Photo Album and see if you can provide any other information.

 

 

 

 

 

Stan Allen's photo 160 of the Cu Chi Main Gate is added to Allen KC Allcock's Essay "Early Wake Up - 1970"

Stan Allen's photo SA-33 of King Rat LOH is added as an MP to Gary Jones MyPage.

At Image 27 of 28 in Kim's Photo Album is a really bad photo of the LOH wreckage of "Iron Butterfly". Go to Gary Schmidt's Photo Album (pics 8, 9 & 10) for better pics of this LOH crash, where 1LT Mark Jackson was KIA by round to head; crew chief SP5 Steve Snoddy and gunner/observer SP4 Rocky Rhodes were both seriousy injured but returned to duty. See the details of the Iron Butterfly's last mission.

--- War Stories ---

Jan C. White Video Introduction and a war story from the 2022 Centaur Vets Day Reunion. (4:10 min)

Jan's video is linked to from his MyPage and the War Stories Video page on the website. His MyPage is upgraded with his Centaur service dates and colorized Nam photo.

The After Action Movie of the 2022 Reunion is linked to from Jan's War Story page and his MyPage.

 

 

Inserting Ranger Teams - Apr 1970 by Rick Adams- from the 2022 Centaur Vets Day Reunion. (3:30 min). Also see Battle of the Renegade Woods War Story.

Rick's video is linked to from his MyPage and the War Stories Video page on the website. His MyPage is upgraded with his Centaur service dates and colorized Nam photo.

The After Action Movie of the 2022 Reunion is linked to from Rick's War Story page and his MyPage.

 

Joe Hoover Video Introduction at 2022 Centaur Vet's Reunion (26sec).

Joe's video is linked to from his MyPage and the War Stories Video page on the website. His MyPage is upgraded with his Centaur service dates.

The After Action Movie of the 2022 Reunion is linked to from Rick's War Story page and his MyPage.

 

The Centaur Max Cobra - Cobra Pilot CPT Don Borey tells of the unusual paint job on a replacement Cobra Helicopter that came from "The Blue Max" ARA Unit.

This is the first example we know of where U S Army OD (Olive Drab) paint was not available.

The story is linked to from Don's MyPage and from the War Stories Video page

 

The Cu Chi Main Gate: Photos from Stan Allen's Slideshow and a more current one from Bain Cowell's story remind us of what our Main Gate looked like in 1969-70. KC Allcock tells his story about guard duty at the Main Gate.

We hope to find photos of the original gate in 1966 and add those to this page.

Story is linked to from Allen, Allcock and Cowell pages

 

 

Bennis J. "BJ" Jans CW2 Cobra Pilot Nov 1971 to Nov 1972 is mentioned in the Ken Mick Easter Offensive war story and in Cliff Brungsting's 2022 Reunion Video. Those items are now linked to from BJ's MyPage.

 

--- Reunions ---

Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion November 2024 - To be announced.

We are seeking someone to take on this next reunion as Host. If you are interested we can put you intouch with past Hosts to answer questions and give advice. Keep in mind that these Centaur Reunions are a bit different in that whoever takes it on is totally incharge to run it how they see fit. All decisions are theirs. CIVO and past Hosts will jump in and help as might be requested. The CIVO Webmaster is at your disposal. Any funds left over from the past reunion will be sent to you by the last Host to help defray costs and determine fees.

Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next Squadron reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel will begin accepting reservations the third week of September 2023.
See last Squadron Newsletter.

 

 

 

******************************************************

Centaur Website Newsletter - November 2023

INDEX: - --- News ---- , Checking In ---- , MyPages ---- , War Stories --- ,- Deceased --- , Reunions --- , Reminder ---

Note: Past Newsletters: Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

Problem - Video Interviews at this months Reunion in Panama City Beach, FL: Videographer and Webmaster Bruce Powell is not avaliable to attend the big reunion this year (health). At this point there is no one willing to take on the task of shooting video interviews. We will keep looking. It is not a big job, and can even be done with an iPhone. Video files would be sent to Bruce for editing and publishing on our website. Contact Bruce at powellcentaur@gmail.com with questions.

YOUR HELP NEEDED: We have emails for nearly 500 Centaurs and Centaur Friends. Each is sent a copy of the Centaur Newsletter every month on the first of the month. Most have replied and provided information, or just replied to let us know they are still kicking and want to continue to be in the loop. If you are one of those who has not checked in in the last year or two, Please do so now! Verify your email address. Contact Bruce at powellcentaur@gmail.com

You might also help us if you have info on someone who is having trouble, or has passed on, or changed their email address. We are a magnificant Band of Combat Brothers. Each man deserves the special recognition that we can give them on our legacy website. You can help.

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

....Marty Jenkins (Great Newsletter).........Kat Katovsich (Thanks)........Herb Beasley (computer probs).....
....Bill Pixton (Thanks).....Rex Gooch(Winged Sabers).....Frank Walker (new museum)......John Evans (Reunion).....
....Walter Buford (Staying in Touch)...Jim Hoag.(Link fixes)....Steve Borden (Reunion)....Larry Patterson (FM Skipping)
....Stretch Harrison (Radios of Nam)....Jim Brothers (Les Scott Pic)......Charles Traylor (new MyPage).......
....Pat Eastes & Rick Williams Wolters Museum)....John Moore (pic of Rospert)....Bob Tegelman (Search Roger Dale Wilcox)..
....Frank Dillon (finding more Centaurs).............Bain Cowell (Radios of Nam)......Bruce Wyrwitzke (Newsltr Support).....
....Jack M "Beetle" Bailey (update email addr).......John Kelly (Bob Taylor Article)......Jim Starling (sending input)......
....Rick Williams & Bob Taylor (Agent Orange info).....John Brennan (Thanks Centaurs for your photos)....
.... Chris Kramarczyk (Mike's wife).

We have lost contact with SP5 Melvin Eugene "Gene" Vasser. Last email was Jan 2021 at "Vasser,Gene" <genevasser@yahoo.com>
Charles Traylor and Joe Rasnick have been removed from distribution (bad email addresses)

 

Pat "Jauquin" Eastes

Sends this note (12Oct2023): "Went to the Museum of the Vietnam War today during a trip to Texas with Clare (her 60th HS reunion), and who happened to be there but Rick Williams! We had a mini Centaur reunion right there in the Museum. Btw the Museum just outside of old Ft Wolters has improved greatly since my last visit. If anyone is in the vicinity of Mineral Wells, they should drop by and check it out.
It was great seeing Rick and his wife Janet, and completely by chance. A small world."

We are always interested in hearing about Centaurs getting together! Tell us when you have a Centaur Mini Reunion and send a photo. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

Brian "Stretch" Harrison asks if anyone remembers or has any information on the 372 RRC unit stationed at Cu Chi. "The 372d ASA Company originated with A Company, 303d ASA Battalion.
Coincident with the buildup of U.S. forcesin 1965-66, the company was alerted for deployment to Vietnam in early 1966. In keeping with the practice at the time, the company was redesignated the 16th Radio Research Unit. It arrived in Cu Chi in March 1966. The 16thRRU was later reorganized and redesignated the 372d Radio Research Company.During it's tour in Vietnam, the 372d supported the 25th Infantry Division and operated in the areas of Kontum, Tay Ninh, Dau Tieng, Nui BaDen, Go Da Hau and Trang Bang as well as numerous other locations and firebases."

 

Westley "Frank" Walker Sends this note: The Charlotte Air Museum is building a brand new building and plans to open a museum in about one year. I was asked to tell my story so I did about a two hour interview with Katie and Rachel before my shoulder surgery in August.
The Museum is named after Sully Sullenberger and has great financial backing. I hope that you will be willing and able to help to get D & F troop included in their Army Aviation section. These ladies are OK but the Air Force is going to get the most of the show. They asked me to share some of my photos but thus far have not been able to get the quality that they want.
We contacted them. They are not interested in new information.

 

 

--- MyPages ---
Help us with the MyPages - Send Photos! Current and Nam powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Jim Brothers identified CW2 Leslie "Les" Scott in this Ken Rucki photo. Jim remembers it because he took the photo! It has been corrected and added to Scott's MP's.

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Traylor SP4 Avionics Mechanic from October 1972 to January 1973 now has an updated MyPage and an added InfoSheet with a pic of he and Sadie.

 

 

 

 

--- Deceased ---

 

Happy to report that we have no Deceased to list this month.

 

--- War Stories ---

 

Roger Martin CW2 Slick Pilot and Opns Officer, June 1968 to June 1969, does a Video Interview at the Mesa Arizona 2022 Centaur Reunion.

Includes memories of Nighthawk, An Duc Extraction, Zorger, Meade and Sandmeyer.

 

 

 

Sheriff of Lai Khe - 1971: A story about pulling Guard Duty at Lai Khe Basecamp by Robert "Pat" Broderick. Officer of the Guard was sometimes called the "Sheriff".

Pat promises more War Stories on the way.

The Early Wake Up - 1970: by Allen "KC Allcock. Many Centaurs pulled Guard Duty at Cu Chi. KC tells about his experiences in that job after he made Sergeant E5. We are having trouble finding any photos of the Cu Chi Front Gate that we can add to his article.

 

Enemy Radios of the Vietnam War - by Brian "Stretch" Harrison. Brian is an amateur historian, ham radio operator, and Vietnam military radio enthusiast that just finished this v1.0 presentation for the Antique Wireless Museum (AWA) youtube channel. It discusses the commonly-used HF and VHF radios used by the VC and NVA during the Vietnam War and also the Army Security Agency (ASA)’s ground-based and aerial radio direction finding (ARDF), which produced the best intelligence of the war. There are also some personal experiences mentioned in the first part of the presentation.

Click Here to see more of Brian's wireless radio lectures. Also linked to in our War Stories Essay section.

If you have any information on the 372d Radio Research unit at Cu Chi that supported the 25th, please contact Stretch at briankn4r@gmail.com

Agent Orange Articles and Stories:

Rick Williams & Bob Taylor (Agent Orange info)

Article on Agent Orange from our Sep 2022 Newsletter:
About the time you think you know everything about Agent Orange some new information comes out. Some things like, they now say Agent Orange effects can skip a generation! and "It's an ongoing problem that will not disappear with the last Vietnam War veteran". Jim Hoag sends us this informative article to review:click here

The Claymore Ambush - article by Bob Graham. "They needed swing blades to cut grass in the access paths, field of fire, plus the two hand-pumped fire extinguishers they brought from Hawaii to fill with Agent Orange mixture as the weed killer of choice within the barbed wire."

Gas Mask M24 - Aviation - Article about the gas mask for pilots used in Nam.

Return to Vietnam, 48 Years Later - Article by Bain & Karen Cowell. Museum photos.

To see other notes on our website concerning Agent Orange type into Google:
site:centaursinvietnam.org "Agent Orange"

 

 

--- Reunions ---

Next Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion: 9 to 12 November (this month!) in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Contact Jan White jancwhite@msn.com

Go the the Centaur Website Reunion Page and click on Attendee List" to see all the names planning to go so far. You can click on the names to go to their MyPages. We hope you will put some serious thought into attending this one.

Each person will need to call the hotel at 800-633-0266 & let the reservationist know they are with the Centaur Reunion,

Download the Reunion Packet now! Help us to refine it by filling it out and emailing it to Trudy White <trudyswhite@gmail.com>

Reunion Group Photo We need someone who will commit to taking a close up photo of every Centaur in attendence. These digital photos will be sent to Bruce Powell (powellcentaur@gmail.com) for assembling into a Group Photo for the website. Please coordinate with Jan and Trudy to be sure you get everyone. Below is the pic we created for the last Reunion. Let Bruce know if you have any questions or if you would like him to send you a hiRes copy.

Do you have some photos for the past Vets Reunions that are not currently linked? Please email them to powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel will begin accepting reservations the third week of September 2023.
See last Squadron Newsletter.

 

--- Important Reminder!!---

How to search our Website and Newsletters!!

Our guess is that you will be very happy, knowing how to do this trick.
There are thousands of files on our great Legacy Website. So many that even the Webmaster needs a trick or two to find things.

Do this:
1. Go to Google in your browser and type: site:centaursinvietnam.org
2. Click the spacebar
3. Type in a word or words of something you are interested in.
4. Click Enter
5. Option: Type quotes around a word phrase if you are seeking to make the search exclusive.

For example: If I wanted to find out everything about Dale Dow, the entry in Google would look like this:

site: centaursinvietnam.org "Dale Dow"
note: if you left the quotes off, iinstead of searching for Dale Dow, it would search for all Dales and all Dows.

Other examples:
site:centaursinvietnam.org minigun

site:centaursinvietnam.org "Nui Ba Din"

Give it a try!

 

 

*****************************************************************

 

 

 

Centaur Website Newsletter - October 2023

INDEX: --- News --- , Checking In --- , MyPages --- , War Stories --- , Deceased --- , Centaur Places ---

Note: Past Newsletters: Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

Carl Betsill SP4 Avionics Mechanic Aug 1971 to Apr 1972, CIVO Director and Map Master has upgraded his Google Earth app that shows location of Centaur Helicopter crash sites and other key locations in Vietnam.

It is an easy and fun Google Earth interactive Centaur map. You can download the app CentaurPlaces.kmz from Carl's MyPage, the Help section item #61 and also on the War Story Discussion Page.

Once you have downloaded the .kmz app, also download the free Google Earth application. Then click on the CentaurPlaces.kmz file and it will open in Google Earth. Then click on the small icons for more information.

Click Here for a more detailed article.

 

 

Dan Miller WO1 Slick Pilot Centaur 28, has added a 30 picture Photo Album. It is linked to from his MyPage and from the PhotoAudioFilm page.

Dan's photo of himself, Charles L. "Chuck" Rose, Dan Keirsey and Steve Deaton has been added to everyones MP's.

 

 

 

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

..Gary Schmidt......Terry Branham.....Bruce Wyrwitzke.....Oscar Castillo......Stan Allen.......Dave Cox.......Dan Miller...... ..Jan & Trudy White........Charles L. "Chuck" Rose.......John Jones (His patch collection)..........Darrell (Kat) Katovsich......... ..Dan Keirsey........... Jerry Shelton...........John Brennan (Centaur Aircraft Names).........Reggie Slater (Jack Rospert died)...............Bob Tegelman (found obit for Eural Adams) ...James Starling (InfoSheet. Need Photos).....ranger537553 (unidentified person).... ..Joe Owen (Larry Taylor MOH)....Michael F Rafferty (Glen Otis items on eBay)......Gary Norton....

--- MyPages ---
Help us with the MyPages - Send Photos! Current and Nam powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Gary Norton CW2 Light Scout Pilot 1972 to 1973 has checked in and will be providing us with some photos and additional information.

His MyPage is updated with his hometown and wife's name.

 

 

 

Bennis J. "BJ" Jans CW2 Cobra Pilot November 1971 to November 1972.

BJ is Cliff Brunsting's Brother In Law. They served together in F Troop. See My Brother In Law & I in Vietnam video.

 

 

 

Bruce Powell CPT 1967-68 Scout and Cobra Pilot has an InfoSheet/Bio and Index of Articles added to MyPage.

 

--- Deceased ---

John G. "Jack" Rospert SP4 Aircraft Mechanic in the Service Platoon 1966-67 of Norwalk, OH, passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was 78.

Jack did video interviews at the 2012 and 2016 Reunions.

Go to Jack's MP1. Arrows in lower right of pic Who is that sitting on the sandbags with him??

 

 

Eural Eugene Euratis “Gene” Adams Jr MAJ, D Troop Commander August to November 1969 died Wednesday, November 27, 2019 in Jefferson, Georgia at age 84. Thanks to Bob Tegelman for finding this obit
Adams served in the United States Army as a Helicopter Pilot, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

(Click here for the only article we have on him)

 

--- War Stories ---

SP5 Blane K. Kirby LOH Scout Gunner August 1971 to August 1972 gives a short video introduction.

A link has been added to his MyPage

 

 

 

 

 

My Two Months as a Centaur Cobra Pilot by CW2 Clifford D. Brunsting. Video interview from the November 2022 Reunion in Mesa, Arizona.

 

 

 

 

My Brother In Law & I in Vietnam by CW2 Clifford D. Brunsting. Cliff's second video interview from the November 2022 Reunion in Mesa, Arizona. He and BJ Jans were assigned to the same unit that stood down and they both went to F Troop, 3/4 Cav in Long Binh.

 

 

 

Centaur Aircraft Names is a new War Stories Discussion Page added by Centaur Friend and book author John Brennan. John publishes "Nose Art" books of Vietnam War Helicopters. He took the time to assemble all of ours on to one page also showing which of his books some of the photos are in. We are adding Hyperlinks to the ones we have reference to on our website.

 

 

 

--- "Centaur Places" Additional Information---

Remember that the CentaurPlaces.kmz file is an application designed to be opened in Google Earth and show Centaur locations & events.

Centaur Places (an app for Google Earth) has been updated. New features include additional crash sites, corrected or new locations of interest and color coding of crash sites involving mortality. If you are unfamiliar with Centaur Places and are interested in maps, finding old bases, villages, geographical features or just want to see where you were in Vietnam it may be worth your time to review the Google Earth Pro Centaur Interactive Map heading in Item 61 in the Help Section of our website. If you are unsure, click on the following link for a YouTube demonstration video: Centaur Places Demo.

If you then decide you are interested, all that is required is installing either Google Earth or Google Earth Pro on your computer, Phone or Tablet and also loading the “Centaur Places” application (centaurplaces.kmz). If you think that sounds too technical or expensive, it is not. The programs are free and involve no advertising and are simple to install.

Here is how to do it. First go ahead and download our CentaurPlaces.KMZ file to your hard drive. Then go to the Google Earth Website at https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. If you have a laptop or desktop computer choose” Google Earth Pro on Desktop” then click on the button “Download Earth Pro on Desktop”. Follow the directions on screen and once Google Earth is installed on your computer open it. Now when you click on your copy of our CentaurPlaces.KMZ file it will open up in Google Earth ready for your actions. That’s it.

If you have a phone or tablet, then choose “Google Earth on Mobile” then click on either to Download on the “AppStore” if you have an Apple Product, or Get it on “Google Play” if you have an Android device. Loading Centaur Places requires a couple of extra steps using an iPhone as shown in this video. The video is specific for Apple products but should be very similar for Android products.

Finally if you are using a Chrome book or Chrome browser there is an option to “Launch Earth” on the Web. This option should work, but I do not have experience with using this version and using this version will require downloading CentaurPlaces.KMZ file, finding it on your computer and loading it into the Projects folder Google Earth. If you are experienced with finding your “Downloads” file, it should not be a problem for you. Carl

 

 

*****************************************************************

 

Centaur Website Newsletter - September 2023

index: News, Checking In, Finding Centaurs, MyPages, War Stories, Deceased, Reunions,

Note: Past Newsletters: Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

We are seeking a wider distribution of our Monthly Newsletter to help us contact more Centaurs and gather more info & photos.
Anyone, that means anyone from anywhere, can have our great newsletter sent to them every month. No fee, no obligations, email address protected. Just send a request to the Webmaster powellcentaur@gmail.com.

Technical but important: Michael Peake, our Historian has discovered how to write HTML code in a text edit program, in a manner where it can be pasted directly into the Webmaster written pages of the Centaur Website. This means he now edits and controls the content of the website pages he is responsible for. This will be a great relief for the Webmaster & provide quicker updates on pages like the Aircraft Tail Number pages.

 

Item number 35 on our Help Answers page, concerning how to send very large folders to the Webmaster, has been updated.

Where did the strange Red Pocket Patch come from? Our prominent Patch Collector, John Jones, from the UK, noticed the breast pocket patch being worn by Centaur Kenneth W. Davis, SP4 Crew Chief of Slick 35 Pig, 1972. John inquired amongst his fellow collectors and found out that it is the patch of a unit with the 3rd of the 17th Cav. See more info from Jay Brown at the VHPA 3/17th Museum Page.
John will do a little more research to see if any "Combat Couriers" remember Centaur Ken Davis

The OH-23G Aircraft Numbers page has been completely updated by Michael Peake, with new information. There is much work to do yet, on that page, adding hyperlinks. This is a very time consuming coding task that Mike has taken on himself.

The Long Lost (Stolen) Zippo Lighter:
Our favorite Patch Collector and VHPA website contributer John Jones, often searches Ebay and other sources to find more Vietnam era patches and memorbilla. He recently found a Zippo lighter on Ebay belonging to Robin Haywood SP4 Cobra Mechanic 1972-73. Jones is from the UK, Haywood is now from the Phillipines and are now linked together by our great Newsletter.

Error: Jim Kreil corrected an error on our master roster: We had two "Mathews" on the roster; One was "Matt Mathews" and the other "Jerry Don Matthews" (note two "T's" in last name). Turns out that "Matt" was a nickname and that there is only one "Matthews". The roster has been corrected. Please let us know if you note any errors or inconsistencies on our website like this!! Let us be as accurate as we can be for history. powellcentaur@gmail.com

How well do you understand the very important concept of the Air Cavalry Troop in Vietnam?
It was new, and it was bold. Each of the Infantry Divisions would have a Cavalry Squadron assigned as a strike force and reconnaissance element. The Air Cavalry Troop, a small unit, of the squadron, was the real untested newbee. Some great men got that concept written into the military documents for the Vietnam War. They were gambling that our young aviators could make it work in combat; and we sure as hell did! It is an old book published in 2001, but still the best.

Winged Sabers also features some of the men of the "Centaurs" who helped to write the military books on Air Cavalry tactics. bap

Here is a quote from the book (page 34) about one of our greatest:
"In D-3/4 Cavalry, only one aeroscout pilot survived six months, while Charles M. Rice, of the same platoon, may hold a record for number of forced landings on a Loach - nine, including six to hostile fire!"

 

The Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion (9 to 12 November 2023) is shaping up nicely!! Over 100 people signed up! Check out the Reunion Page. Please don't miss this one. Amazing variety of additional side activities for you to enjoy while you are in this beautiful white sand beach town (like the Crystal Beach Car Show)

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Joe Owen.....Roland Fletcher....Dan Miller......Bob Arthurs (Road Runner 33, 101 ABN DIV 163rd GS Co)....Bob Acker.....
Watts Caudill (CDR, B Co, 1/18th, 67-68)...Dwight Birdwell....Richard Ward...John Jones (Patch Guy, UK)....Dave Cox...
Harlan Sparrow....Paul Plante....Rick Adams....Larry Rudick....Bruce Wyrwitzke (C/227/1Cav)...Eric Brethen.....
Dan Coles....Koleta Thompson.....Randy Baisden....Marty Jenkins....Jim Walt.....Steve Tolle.....Gene Peters....
Matt Jackson......Lee Majors......Gary Schmidt (InfoSheet Update)......Les Scott.....John Conway......Bill Blair...... Steve Suiter......Rose Brady.......Michael Sprowles (Museum Curator, PANG Military Museum)......Dave Stromberg...... Jim Kreil......Bob Jones (Reunion Videos)......John Evans.....Hugh "Sandy" McLeod (ID's some pics).....Bruce Karn..... James "Jim" Starling...(initial contact)....Jack Winover (Green Delta 27, Can Tho 72)....Ron Radcliffe.......

--- Finding Centaurs ---

Please identify the faces in this Dan Miller pic that you can. Click Here to download larger photo. powellcentaur@.gmail.com

3Sep2023: Help from Oscar Castillo: 1- CPT James Elder Trp XO, 5 -CPT Michael Woods, 7- CPT Don Haynie, 9 - 1LT Walter Miller

Help out here if you can! We posted this SlideShow "Who's Photos?" in the last February Newsletter and have received very little input. It is suspected that the photos belong to Kim Schmidgall.

Who owns these photos? Click here to see slideshow. John Jones (UK - BonusPrint Patches) provides these photos from an unknown source. "I came across a completed auction record, that appears to relate to the 'Centaurs' There were about 50 photos in various conditions, having removed, long shots, locals and poor condition types, I have tidied up 27 to a reasonable level. Because it is a dead ebay auction, we do not have details of the ebayseller or buyer. So we will need to glean information as best we can, from these now public domain images."

Please review the slideshow and provide any information you can about each slide. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

What are the names of the three guys in the upper left of Randy Meade's photo album number 5?

 

--- MyPages ---
Help us with the MyPages - Send Photos! Current and Nam powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Matt Jackson Huey Pilot 1969 - 1970 (18 months) and author of the book series "Undaunted Valor", now has a Centaur Friends MyPage and InfoSheet.

Matt's latest book Undaunted Valor Book "Battle of Quang Tri 1972". It covers some of the Centaur actions in that battle.

 

 

Billy G. Knighton PFC OH-23 Scout Observer/Gunner 1967-68 has an upgraded MyPage. We are not in contact with him. He used to be on Facebook but not there now. He was wounded when LT Burgess was shot down in the Hobo Woods Feb 1967.

Please help us find him. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

Charles L. "Chuck" Rose CW2 Slick Pilot in 1972 now has a MyPage thanks to Dan Miller. Also has an MP1 with Miller, Rose, Kiersey and Deaton.

Rose was involved in the SA-7 Shoot down with Jerry Shelton as his copilot.

 

 

 

Hugh "Sandy" McLeod CPT Cobra Pilot, Armament Officer, Jul 70 to Jun 71 has identified the rest of the people in this photo by Don Borey.

It has been added as an MP to those identified.

 

 

 

Hugh "Sandy" McLeod provides identifications for this James Whitman Photo.

Photo has been added as an MP to all involved.

 

 

 

Centaur Friends MyPage:

John Jones, Collector of Vietnam Memorobilia (40 years) and Researcher for the VHPA.

John has given us significant help in gathering data on our Centaur brothers.

 

 

 

--- Deceased ---

Frank Cuff Track Commander for C Troop, 3/4 Cav has passed from liver failure. Frank was a Chapter President of our 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Organization for a time.

Frank had fond memories of the Centaurs from his combat time; particularly that of Craig Peterson and his heroic Medivac rescues of C troopers. He did a heartfelt video interview for us at the 2014 San Antonio Reunion.

His Centaur Friends MyPage has been redone as a Deceased Page with a Nam photo of him added and linked to his Obituary, with comments.

Dwight Birdwell attended the funeral and has provided additional information.

 

Nat O'Day MAJ Gun Pilot died recently on 8 August 2023 in Texas.

Nat said there were initially 28 Majors in the unit, mostly Signal Corps (1966). He flew down to Vung Tau to assemble the aircraft, put blades on etc. Before Nam he flew an old Sikorski helicopter older than the H34. The Huey was like a Cadillac. Went to Ft Huachuca flew fixed wing. He was also into Avionics Maintenance. Used to get together with all his Signal Corp buddies for a long time till they all died.

 

Jerry Don Matthews SP5 LOH Scout Crew Chief died 2 March 2010. Confusion over his name has been resolved. We had a Matt Mathews and a Jerry Don Matthews listed. The second name is correct (with two "T"s). However he did go by the nickname "Matt" also.

 

 

Bobby Wayne Pearce SP4 LRRP July 1966 to March 1967, died 8 November 2011.

Bobby served 8 ½ years in the Unites States Army, in which he served 2 tours in Vietnam. After the Army, he joined the police force.

We were unable to contact Bobby before his death. Bob Tegelman located his obituary.

 

 

--- War Stories ---

This video from last month did not work on some browsers. It has been repaired and now reposted.
LRRP Extraction 1 Feb 67 Video : Gary Hatfield CPT UH-1D Aircraft Commander, Aerorifles, 1965 to 1967 does a Video Interview telling of a very risky LRRP Extraction on 1 Feb 1967. CoPilot was WO1 Gaylen Randall. Centaur LRRPs Ervin Laird was killed and Dennis Noga was wounded. Crewchief SP4 Don Moore got some minor burns on his legs.

We are still searching for the names of the Door Gunner and two of the five LRRP Team Members. Can you help?

 

Ranger Scout Wins Combat Honor Award: Sergeant Fred B. Stuckey, (LRRP) of Longview, TX, earned the award while serving as a scout observer for an element of Company F (Rangers), 75th Infantry, on April 2, 1970.

Tropic Lightning News 15 June 1970

 

Squadron Log 18 Feb 68 - A Bad Day. Our Historian Mike Peake has provided a restored Squadron Log page that outlines the day of 18 Feb 1968. It was a very long day. Scout Pilot Lee "Smokey" Burgess 1967-68 (Deceased) got shot down in his Scout bird (OH-23G) while reconning in the Hobo Woods area. He was rescued by slick pilot Bill Gold. Then Bruce Powell & Rick Arthur had their Hog gunner (McGlaughlan?) seriously wounded by scrapnel at the recovery mission site. That night we had a large mortar & rocket attack on the base camp at Cu Chi.

 

Reunion Video Interviews (2022) with CW2 Bob Jones:

Introduction Video: CW2 Robert "Bob" Jones Cobra pilot June 1971 - March 1972 1:15 min

Brothers High and Low in Nam: Bob Jones, Cobra pilot and his brother Ed, navigator in a B52 Bomber, tell of their unique joint experience in Vietnam. 2:40 min

It is a small world: Bob Jones gets a new hootch mate. Fate hutchins. 1:33 min

 

Boonie Hats: More Boonie Hat information added to our Boonie Hat Discussion Page by Robin Haywood. Apparently there was a camoflage and a non camoflage version of the hat.

 

 

Reunion Video Interviews (2022) with WO1 Bruce Karn:

My Mentor CPT John Whitehead - John was not only a great Gun Platoon Ldr, but he really helped his pilots.

Cobra saves LOH - Bruce tells of the heroic efforts of Maxwell & Pitcher to save a downed LOH Crew.

IFR with heavy load (Slings) after An Duc - APC's stuck in the mud. Bruce had to get Chinook sling loads to the area with overloaded LOH and blinding weather.

 

--- Reunions ---

Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion 2023: So far well over 100 (Centaurs, Guests & Friends) plan to attend the 2023 Centaur Veteran's Day Reunion in Panama City Beach, Florida. Contact Jan White jancwhite@msn.com

Go the the Centaur Website Reunion Page and click on "Attendee List" to see all the names so far. You can click on the names to go to their MyPages. We hope you will put some serious thought into attending this one.

Each person will need to call 800-633-0266 & let the reservationist know they are with the Centaur Reunion, to receive the discounted rate. All rooms will need to be booked no later than Oct 12

If you haven't done a Video Interview for posting on our website, please give it some serious thought. You are our history. You need to be in the Centaur legacy. Email me at powellcentaur@gmail.com to schedule a video interview at the Reunion Hotel on 9 November 2023.

Download the Reunion Packet now! Help us to refine it by filling it out and emailing it to Trudy White <trudyswhite@gmail.com>

Do you have some photos for the past Vets Reunions that are not currently linked? Please email them to powellcentaur@gmail.com

At the 2023 Reunion we will take individual photos in order to create a big Group Photo like the 2022 pic below:

Next Squadron Reunion: - September 8th to 12th 2024. The next reunion will be held in San Antonio, TX. This reunion will take place Sunday through Thursday, instead of Wednesday through Sunday as we’ve done in the past, due to the lower room rates available. 2024 Hotel Registration - Our hotel will once again be the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, with the same group of rooms for our meetings and banquet as our last San Antonio reunion.  Our room rate will be $124 per night, plus taxes and is available 3 days prior to and after the above dates, based on availability. The hotel will begin accepting reservations the third week of September 2023.
See last Squadron Newsletter.

Next 4th Cav Regiment Reunion - Oct 10 - Oct 14 2023 at Ft. Riley, KS. This is an all squadrons reunion. Those of us that have attended these in the past have had a great time. We will be receiving great support from the three active Squadrons during the week. Starting with gunnery observation and a cookout on Tuesday. For those interested in how the Cavalry trains to fight in today's environment, we will be receiving a briefing and a motor pool visit. And no visit would be complete without a trip to the simulator . . . .NCO Induction Ceremony on Friday.

 

 

*************************************************

 

Centaur Website Newsletter - August 2023

index: News, Checking In, MyPages, War Stories, Deceased,

Note: Past Newsletters: Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022

--- News ---

 

Bob Jones provides photos from the 2023 VHPA Reunion (40th) held in San Antonio, Texas in early July.

Gary Jones met and spent time with Gold Star Family Members Larry Schmidt and his wife at the VHPA Reunion. His brother Mark Schmidt, Gun Pilot, was KIA as a Centaur 27 Dec 1967.

Larry was an Air Force H-43 (Pedro) rescue pilot in Vietnam. He later flew the 747 that transported the space shuttle around. Larry has been added to our Centaur Newsletter distribution and would like to be in contact with friends of his brothers. Send me an email if you would like to be included powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

Our Centaur "Blues" Aerorifles were replaced late in the game with Vietnamese Soldiers called "Browns". Frank Dillon remembers that only one of the "Browns" was from Cambodia, called "Combo". Do you remember Combo or any of the "Brown's" soldiers? Maybe we should add more information to our page for them on our website. Send in what you have. powellcentaur@gmail.com

Please visit your Centaur Website often: Our online stats are looking good but could be better with more hits. Please consider spending at least one minute each month (minimum) on the website. Go to centaursinvietnam.org, look at your page, view some photos, watch some videos and be a part of the Legacy Team Support.

 

--- Checking In ---
Get your friends to sign up for the Newsletter

Harlan Sparrow checks in and will attend the Panama City Beach Reunion in November

Jim Wells: We are in contact with Jim and hope to get a current photo and other info from him.

Eric Brethan: "This is hands down the best newsletter I’ve received over the years, excellent work!
An added bonus was the story on Luv Bug, brought tears to my eyes, thank you."

Bruce Hinds: "Not sure about the rabies story . . . the second half of '72 we had a black and white dog there that we just called "dog" seemed to be everyone's pet who slept most of the day and was on guard duty all night."

James Turner Medic with Joel Andres, has 4 photo albums- he will try to get them to us.

John Kelly"I am almost finished a book entitled A Thousand Chances written by BG Dan Hickman. He was a WO1 in Viet Nam with the 3/17 Cav in Di An. He was in the 25th Div AO and his stories are mirror images of us. Coincidentally, they had a Scout Pilot, named Lt Burgess! It's relatively new, being published in 2021. I recommend it to the group". John, Vindicator 32

Frank Dillon may have a lead on two new guys F Troop from David Hopper:
Bill Brandford and Donald Troup. Robin Haywood says Bill Brandford is legit and served in F Troop with him Da Nang 1972, probably 1973 too. Email Frank if you have more information "Dillon, Frank" <dillon@casstel.net>

Linda Richardson:"Were there any incidents at Tay Niny where a Dog Handlers dog bites a door gunner?"

Matt Jackson: staying in touch - "Although I was not a Centaur I always enjoy your newsletter.
For your next edition, you may want to announce the Combat Helicopter Pilots Association reunion in October in Fort Worth, Tx. I will mention to on of the board members about a tour out to Fort Wolters and the museum out there. Some of the "young kids" that did not have an opportunity to train at Wolters may be interested in that place."

CPT Caudill Watson G. "Watts": "Hi, I am Watts Caudill, was CO of “B” 1/18inf , ‘67/‘68 and one of my B Co friends shared your newsletter with me. We were attached to the 25th for a week during August or September’67 patrolling the Michelin plantations while the 25th had a larger operation ongoing, made no contact. Your people probably took us in and out." Watts has been added to our Newsletter distribution list. Please send a note if you would like to contact him. powellcentaur@gmail.com

Dave Chang "I'm looking to see if there is anyway to get in touch with a Dwaine Adkins? My Uncle Permer Sales Jr was in his unit while they were in Vietnam together. Me and my Family came across a video called Centaurs in Vietnam,  apparently it's Dwaine Adkins web page? Anyhow, I was wondering if there is anyway to get a hold of Dwaine Adkins? Thank you" Dwaine was copied

John Conway - VHPA Museum - Still researching for a woman named Samantha who was a civilian employee attached to F troop in some capacity.

Dennis W. Piper CW2 Aerorifle Platoon pilot Nov 1969 to Nov 1970, is now in contact with us. He will be sending info and photos for us to update his MyPage.

 

Brian "Stretch" Harrison is reviewing the book Moral Imperative that has several references to our F Troop. Joe Bowen Cobra Pilot and Operations Officer, Centaur 3, is mentioned. PDF Note

Email has been sent to Joe (19 Jul) requesting contact and more info.

 

 

 

--- MyPages ---
Help us with the MyPages - Send Photos! Current and Nam powellcentaur@gmail.com

John "Scottie" Hill MyPage updated with where he lives, his wife Susan's name and hopefully an update to his InfoSheet with photo and more words.

Scottie and Susan plan to attend the Panama City Beach Reunion this November and plan to meet with longtime Centaur friend Steve Mahan.

 

 

 

Steve Mahan MyPage update with his wife Angie Nairn added.

Steve and Angie plan to attend the Panama City Beach Reunion this November and meet with longtime Centaur friend John "Scottie" Hill.

 

 

 

Bill Comeau author of Dual of the Dragons book Soui Tre checks in - Sends photos & info for his Centaur Friends MyPage.

Bill has spent the last twenty-two years researching the history of his unit’s time in Vietnam. He helped form Alpha Association in the year 2000. This is a veterans organization manned by A/2/12 veterans who served in his company during his time in Vietnam.

 

 

Jerry L. Caldwell SGT LRRP has a draft MyPage using a pic from Bill Boyd. Jerry was the LRRP Team Leader in the 1 Feb 1967 LRRP Extraction by CPT Gary Hatfield .

Also see TLN article "Operation Gadsen".

If you have any info on Jerry please contact Webmaster. powellcentaur@gmail.com

 

 

Kenneth R. "Ken" Ellis SP4 Avionics Mechanic 1971-72 has a new MP provided by Frank Dillon. We are still trying to get into contact with him. He might live in TX.

 

 

 

 

--- Deceased ---

Gaylen N. Randall WO1 UH-1D Pilot who died 21 October 2022 has an upgraded Deceased MyPage. Gaylen was the copilot in CPT Gary Hatfield's LRRP War Story video. One of his greatest honors after his two tours in Vietnam was flying Army One for President Nixon from 1970-1974. Does anyone have a better picture of him from Vietnam? Send to powellcentaur@gmail.com.

 

 

Donald C. Moore SP4 Huey Crew Chief 1965 - 1966 died 10 October 2020 at Kettering Hospital in Franklin, Ohio. Agent Orange related Cancer.

Don was the Crewchief with Gary Hatfield on the 1 Feb 1967 LRRP Rescue mission. Got some burns on his legs on that mission.

Would like to have a 2020 photo of him for his Deceased MyPage.

 

--- War Stories ---

 

Lost At Sea - LOH "Arkansas Butch": by Tom Dooling. This brand new LOH (68-17215) had a very low level engine failure over the South China Sea near Vung Tau. It crashed into the ocean. CPT William "Bones" Dawson, CW2 Tom Dooling and CW2 Tom Shirley were rescued. Arkansas Butch was Deep Six!

 

 

 

The Ugly American - Vung Tau 1969: Sometimes on R&R our GI's did bad and unkind things to our Vietnamese counter parts. Tom Dooling tells of one that stays regretfully strong in his mind.

 

 

 

 

51Cal Basketballs: The glowing tracers of the 51 cal anti aircraft rounds (every fifth round) looks as large as a basketball when coming up at you at night. Tom Dooling tells about taking enemy 51 caliber hits in his Cobra on a night mission in February 1969 near the Angels Wing.

 

 

 

 

 

USS New Jersey 16 inch Guns - Practical Joke 1969 - Tom Dooling originally wrote this story thinking that he had actually adjusted artillery fire from the 16inch guns of the USS New Jersey. Tom later discovered that those guns could not have reached the target that he was shooting. He had been pranked by his friendly Artillery guys.

 

 

 

 

Trip to Nam on the USS Gordon: video by CPT Gary Hatfield. It was 21 days at sea on the Troop Ship USS Gordon from Hawaii to Vung Tau Vietnam. Then a Chinook flight to home base of Cu Chi.

 

 

 

LRRP Extraction 1 Feb 67 Video : Gary Hatfield CPT UH-1D Aircraft Commander, Aerorifles, 1965 to 1967 does a Video Interview at the 2022 Mesa Arizona Reunion telling of a very risky LRRP Extraction on 1 Feb 1967. CoPilot was WO1 Gaylen Randall. Centaur LRRPs Ervin Laird was killed and Dennis Noga was wounded. Crewchief SP4 Don Moore got some minor burns on his legs.

We are still searching for the names of the Door Gunner and two of the five LRRP Team Members. Can you help?

 

 

A Tribute to MAJ Myron "Mike" Squires video by CPT Gary Hatfield. Mike trained Gary and a lot of other guys. He was one of the most loved and respected of the Centaur pilots. Mike was a Korean Vet and did two tours in Vitenam. He died in October of 2022.