Draft Newsletter Daily Worksheet for JULY 2026Draft

Latest Update of Draft - 16 June 2026

Board & Special Guests Use Only. Not for publication
This is my worksheet during the month for the next Newsletter.
powellcentaur@gmail.com

Centaur Website Newsletter - JULY 2026

INDEX: Checking In, News, Corrections/Updates War Stories/Photos, Interesting Videos, Deceased, Emails, Reunions, Hats,

--- Checking In---

These are the people who are keeping the Monthly Newsletter flowing: email powellcentaur@gmail.com ....

.... Michael Peake..... ....Frank Dillon.....Lin Riniker.... Ron Smith........Joe DeMaio... ..Ron Smith.
.........Dan Keirsey....Joe Bowen.... Bob Tegeman.....Tom Dooling....Lou Drendel.... Chris DeMarco

--- News ---

Upgrade War Story: Burning Rockets

LIn Riniker: I just read Ken Hundt's account of the explosion and fire in his inboard pod.  Very nasty and he was lucky.  As a result of that jettison failure we replaced the cartridges in the ejection racks and found some were corroded and had never been checked or replaced based on having to use a cheater bar on the wrench in order to remove them. This was supposed to be done as part of every PE.  I believe Greg Spung began checking out the racks after he was assigned to rear maintenance in DaNang.  Most blown tubes came from sand infiltration and the outboard pods were most susceptible to this due to not being used in the same frequency as the inboards.  We also started a periodic cleaning program of the outboards by downloading the rockets and brushing out the tubes.  This greatly helped reduce hung rockets.  I believe Babysan Joe DeMaio frequently got that duty.

Frank Dillon writes: That’s quite a stretch, Gausman misspelled as Guosse.
Bill,
Do you have any idea? Date is 4/26/72. The day Martindale and Haines were KIA and Crank droppped a grenade down the hatch of a tank.

 Ron Smith Hi Frank, Dwight Brown was from Spokane, Washington, and Donald P. Burns was from NashvilleTenn.I even have the full addresses if needed.  There was also a Charlie Brown that worked in the motor pool that could be one of the Browns listed as 1,2,3,4. He was from Hardinsburg, Kentucky. 

Donald P. Burns added to roster replacing Burns1. Shelbyville, TN. Ron Smith is trying to contact him.

Charlie Brown, 1971, Motor Pool - Hardinsburg, KY added to Centaur Roster.

12 Brown's on roster

…..Hi Bruce, This is Ron Smith, I have some slides I would like to send you too If I can get them transferred to digital format. I really enjoy reading your newsletters, keep up the good work.

LOH Crewmen (Sparrow pic): Most information provided by Ron Smith.

 

--- Website Corrections/Updates---

CPT Joe Bowen has had his MyPage updated and a photo of he, his wife Lexie and daughter Melanie added to his InfoSheet.

Joe Bowen and Billy Malloy were shot down between DaNang and Hue on the last day of Joint Military Commission flight ops (27 March 1973) while flying to turn in their Huey. We had already turned the rest of our JMC Hueys over to VNAF but Scarborough swiped one anyway and flew up to get them. Bowen and crew were mostly OK (minor cuts and bruises) and were able to board their freedom bird the next morning.

Photo of Joe Bowen and Rennie Funderburk added to their MyPages.

Ron Radcliffe Index of Articles had several bad links repaired. Michael Peake

2 Jun 2026: Lin Riniker: I can attest to everything Hugh Stovall said.  That "rusty tube" mortar was initially a reclaimed US 60mm we picked up from ARVN after they threw down their weapons and ran from the NVA.  My M60 was also one of those weapons.  That 60mm did outstanding work firing illum rounds and even HE when a sampan load of alleged VC (the hooch maids said they were just dumb assed fishermen who wanted to see the aircraft) landed on the beach and tried to infiltrate the flight line. The tube eventually cracked on the 60mm and was replaced by a recovered 61mm Chicom one, which worked fine given the short distance needed. Also, my platoon frequently used the unofficial "range" outside the berm.  The whore house was a gift from MAJ Spencer in an attempt to keep down the cases of VD from local girls.

 

--- War Stories/Photos ---

Lou Drendel, Aviation Artist and Book Author is working on publishing his latest book titled "The AH-1GCobra Illustrated" featuring our Centaur Cobra photos and war stories.

He is also bringing publicity to our original Sharks Teeth iconic design.

 

 

 

Larry R. Thetford LRRP PFC 1967 has been located and a MyPage created. HIs name was changed to Chris DeMarco in 1973 for his music career. Chis has provided information and photos to help us with other LRRP information.

His Book about from Vietnam to Hollywood is called "The Cherry Boy Chronicles"

Finish his MyPage. Add info to Webster & Steele

 

 

Do Jim Steele LRRP 1967 MyPage

 

--- Interesting Videos---

 

--- Deceased ---

Dwight L. Byrd SP4 OH-23G Scout Crewchief and Gunner died 11 June 2026. He started with D Troop in Hawaii in May 1965 and DEROSed from CuChi in March of 1967.

He and his main pilot, Bob Dunbar, were known for their experimentation and development of the M2 Skid guns for the OH-23G. see their joint video from the 2016 Reunion.

 

Lenaro Phillip CW2 Pilot 1970 died 11 April 1980. We hope to replace this terrible photo with a better one of him.

We also have no information on what his job was or his exact tour dates.

 

 

 

Roger Wayne Payne SP4 Crew Chief died 31 May 2006

 

Could this be Greg Spung? obit ask Riniker

Frank Dillon finds Roger Wayne Payne? Obit - No Pics - Gravestone pic.- Other notes:
PAYNE, ROGER WAYNE, also known as ROGER W PAYNE, was born 26 December 1952 in KANSAS CITY, Missouri, son of EUGENE W PAYNE (father) and VIRGINIA P NASH, was assigned Social Security number 492-60-8194 (indicating Missouri), is listed as a U.S. citizen, and died 31 May 2006. Check the Source file [free] and Archives.com for ROGER WAYNE PAYNE. [$] Payne, Roger Wayne, who was SP5 in the US ARMY during the Viet Nam War, was born 26 December 1952, died 31 May 2006, and was buried in Section 58, Row 58, Site 18, in LEAVENWORTH NATIONAL CEMETERY, 150 MUNCIE ROAD, LEAVENWORTH, KS 66048 Telephone 1-913-727-1376, Website http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/leavenworth.asp.-----------Tombstone says SP5 1st Air Cav

--- Recent Selected Emails---

 

--- Reunions ---  

•••••••••••Centaur Veterans Reunion NOVEMBER 8 to 14 2026•••••••••••

The Centaurs will be doing a cruise. See Hosts Bob and Dee Forringer notes by clicking on the Reunion Button on the website homepage.

"It is getting closer to the cruise. 160 some days!
The plan is a very relaxing cruise. No specific events. You plan your own days. Carnival will try their best to seat us as close as possible at the early dinning time. This will give those enough time to eat and catch the evening events, for those who can stay up past 7 PM. Once on board we will find a small niche were we can sit, meet, post notes and try the drink of the day.

Please contact me if you have any questions. Bob Forringer deenbob5683@gmail.com

Below is a list of the 23 people who made reservations for the Centaur Reunion Cruise:

•••••••••••••3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion August 2026••••••••••

The next 3/4 Cav Squadron Reunion will be in Lexington, KY August 23d thru August 27th 2026. See after action report in the Dave Cox 2025 Fall Edition Cav Newsletter.

Lifetime membership has been reduced to $10 from $75. Annual membership is eliminated.

 

•••••••••••••Attack Helicopter Association Reunion 2027••••••••••

The Attack Helicopter Association (AHA) is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. Stories of military attack helicopter operations. FaceBook only.

AHA is planning for reunion in Mesa Az. They have a tentative yes from Boeing to host us at the Apache assembly facility in Mesa. Sep/Oct 2027. Dave Sale <davesale64@gmail.com>

AHA was created from the 2023 Cobra Hall Reunion. 250 people attended.

 

--- Centaur Hats ---

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx END DRAFT xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

...........................PENDING - "My Swamp"...Really old stuff........................................

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Need to go thru all of this someday

Review Pending "My Swamp" below & see what can be done, or has been already done, or given up on. Haven't had a chance to go through this in some time. Maybe you can .

1LT Larry J. Kastanek Feb 70-71 Gunpilot D/F left phone message. 18Apr (785) 770-7565 lft msg again

Consider creating a special YOUTUBE presentation to advertize our Centaur Website.

Discussion page for 20 minute fuel warning light. Mattison

site:centaursinvietnam.org 20 minute warniing

Get current pic from Randy Love

Is Harold B. Swiencki still alive?

Gerald L. "Jerry" Wright 1LT pilot Centaur 24 Jan to Jun 1967 sent him welcome email long time ago

LRRP with foot injury rescued by Dooling 21 Feb 1970

Consider making Draft MyPages for those we have full names for but no pics of information, That asks whoever clicks on it to help out.

Get InfoSheet from Jack "Beetle" Bailey

Get InfoSheet from Chuck O'Connell

Huckaby still researching Larry Dean McIntosh...deceased?

Huckaby: Resembles the guy I knew, but we all changed in the first few months. Charles Loher HS pic

Update add links to Petty story KIA and Bob Bobo's OH6 rescue

Ad Carl Burns Rutgers Interview: https://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/explore/alphabetical-index/interviewees/30-interview-html-text/671-burns-carl

Dec2024

draft InfoSheet for Russ Mattison

Try to contact Jose M. Casanova lft msg 30Dec

Gordon Eatley stuff?

Upgrade History Section Links

Publish mov of 2014 San Antonio Reunion Cav. Movies and images!

2014 San Antonio Reunion Cav. Videos of Jenkins, Walt, Reese, Neymeyer!!

Review Carl Burns book Centaurs In Vietnam and see what stories we haven't trasfered to the the Website.

Find stories from other books of Centaurs and publish on Website.

Start a monthly War Story second look article. Maybe the Bu Dop Mission of Nov 1967. Or do them by "50 Years ago this month" 57 years ago for Bu Dop

Maybe later when they link to us: Lost Link: Somewhere along the line we lost our link to the Friends Of Army Aviation website. It has been revised and placed on our "Links" page.

Mike Law friends mypage? He does not want one 17Oct2024

1LT Larry J. Kastanek Feb 70-71 Gunpilot D/F left phone message. 18Apr (785) 770-7565 lft msg again 8Jul2025

Add Index of Articles for MyPages: , Beasley, Meeks, Wayne Moose, Peake, Radcliffe, Mike Vaughn

No response Russell James Mattison Oct2024

Await Anthony Holm info & Photo Oct2024

An attempt to help is a new Centaur discussion page Understanding the Modern 25th Inf Div.

Also there is a link to the AAAA video of the event that was provided by <a href="Roster/MyPageFriendsDuals/GoochRexDual.jpg">Rex Gooch</a>

MSR Discussion

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

Couples photo listings (to infosheets) Richardson,

Work Harlan Coopers pics from Tegelman into Reunion section. Same with those from Linda Richardson

3/4 Cav 2010 Reunion page - fix links

2019 Centaur Reunion Bowling green create index page of photos for all the movies! ????

Dows pics of old reunions

Minor upgrades to these other MyPages ..........

Old Reunion Photos found and posted to the Reunion section. Those from Janis Cooper 2016 Cav Reunion (Harrisburg,PA or Centaur Reunion (Omaha)?

Big time 2012 - 48 videos at Nashville

More Reunion After Action Notes from the Centaur Vets Day Reunion Last Month:

Reunion photos and videos of long past have been repaired and relinked Cav 2008 and 2010

2006 Cav Reunion video and Photo Album

Add Reunion photos and videos to PhoAudVideo page at bottom

Do a page for the Cat House? Cat house vs EM club?

Phoncon with CW2 Bob Long A trp 1/9th then D troop Will send pics Calld again 26Aug2023

Upgrade Ed Risner Memoriam page and links

Note that 14 2022 reunion videos are posted in the WS Video section.

Located photo of LOH 15338 in Jim Messina old website file. Bigger pic on LOH Photos pg

Ken Rucki? Get photos and info for Dennis Piper (phone call) and current of Rucki. Maybe a current of Bill Byers

Follow up on Leo C. Rice contact from Larry Richardson

Upgrade of Richard "Frenchie" Bernier MyPage - photo album? No word back from him yet 28Oct2022

Use photo of Suoi Da Assault 1966 to talk about Suoi Da and Suoi Da Airstrip now under water. Find Airstrip pic with weapons cache from LZ Gold. Early 67 with OH-23

Gordon Eatley will work on his 8mm movie for captions. Tower is Water tower being built.

Cobra down war story by Russ Mattison Meeks/Moose - the real story. Wolfe, Gabrielson

This is not T Berry: Karn note 29 JUN: YES there was a second black enlisted man that joined the scouts before I left.   I don't recall his name.  I remember flying with him once and he didn't like the CS gas that we threw and then flew through.   And yes,  he wasn't any "T -berry".

Tyrone T. Thornsberry "T Berry" SP4 LOH Door Gunner/Observer 1969 now has a draft MyPage and an MP1 using a John Evans photo of Evans, Kreil and Tyrone, with their LOH "SNAFU"

Bruce Karn remembers Thornsberry as his LOH Observer. He could fly quite well from the left seat. see story

Email to Gaylen Randell 66-67 for photos. we have infosheet.

Edmond Manville aol.com not found??

1May2022 NOTES Phoncon Reggie Slater:

Fix your email. Have him talk to friends Richard Dennison and Jim Wells. Send pics and info to me. Come to Nov reunion and do videos. Wells was in auto accident and not doing well. Is in photo with Col Pete in the book. He talked to Beasley (throat cancer) who is doing better. Reggie was looking for someone from his 66 tour year going to the DC Reunion. No one was and he has had some health problems. He said the videos I did for him helped him tremendously in his life. I told him to tell that to his buddies and get them to me at the Nov reunion. We will see if that works. Told him about Carl and Ruth Ann Burns health problems

Bob Acker Photos to website - update An Duc War Story - pics to Aircraft Tail number sections (links) and Helicopter photos section

661 494 and 659 pics and info

Info Sheet for Mike Reed

14Apr2022: Bill Boyd called me: His son building a small house behind his for him to live. Moving right now, but will get me some info notes and check out the photos on website. He remembers Ponzillo’s note recruiting new guys. Bill was in Field Artillery. Was not ranger or airbore qualified.Gave new Gmail.

Frank Walker video - edit and post - no longer on YouTube

CW2 Larry M. Dau LOH Pilot 1970-71 Awaiting info for MyPage. sent him email 11Jan22 --Followed up Fri night - left phone msg at  (702) 498-7849 28Jan. Tried again 9Apr.

Find: Terry R. Bleed (sent email), Marty Sullivan, Melvin Locke, mentioned in McLeod audio

Find Melvin W. Locke Jr. 1LT 1970 Pasadina - mentioned in McLeod audio - call

Find Silver Star citation for Joe Don Ramey

...Nicholas, Sellers and Laird SS or Albums - check for possible MP's or myPages

...Review slides and photo albums for guys we have photos on but no links. Create rough draft MyPages.

...Found email Jun 2003 to Dow from CW2 William R. Cooper. Sparrow's hootchmate. 1971-72 Slicks. Been getting News ltr. Send contact email

...Add link to Creeping Jesus in aircraft photos section

Brian Bledsoe- can you add comments to Byrd's slideshow photos?

Possible project: Have some time? Want to help with the Centaur Website? Don't know crap about computers?
Then try this: Centaur Website Projects for Dummies - Lesson 1 - Identifying photos: Lesson 2 ?, 3? etc. Publish to Help Section

Awaiting picture captions from Eric Brethen

Do a redsign of website: Call Signs, Discussions, Glossary and other hard things to find: create buttons at top of Help page and maybe on homepage.

Awaiting stuff from Jim McPeak?

Add discussion page for 1967 Bob Hope show. Find Star Stripes article. Add comments from Fleming

Need to add History page for 2.75 rocket pods (M200) etc

Doug Olsen talked to Dennis Pfoor who said he would be contacting me soon. Nov

Nebraska Vietnam Memorial - Moore, Brosh

Jack Kenneth Swinehart 1947-2015. Find a grave. Is this our guy?

Add Discussion Page Volunteers - A Troop to D Troop (Air) as Door Gunners- 1967 find Fleming note

Consider publishing the 3/17 web page describing who was assigned to whom. Try to get answers for the Centaurs. http:/bluetigersite.com/vietnam/iiffv.html Otherwise comparable to "Who's on First" by Abbott and Costello. Get input from past commanders and Bob Graham. The main website with index is http:/bluetigersite.com/vietnam/chronology.html dead email address?

Awaiting email from Harry Swiencki about his awards. Assemble his DFC

Consider a piece about Do No Harm doctrine. Encourage all the gory details, particularily to get it off your chest, knowing that the CIVO Board reviews all input to the website to insure that our doctrine of "do no harm to our fellow Centaurs". Yes, we know we had a few genuinely bad people and some good people who made bad decisions. We will tell the stories for history, but not judge or brand those individuals.

We are providing a place where you can vent the frustrations, guilt, anger and remorse you have been carrying for 40 or 50 years, to a group of dedicated Centaurs who have walked in your shoes. We will listen, we will talk, we will edit for the web as necessary.

Acts of Cowardice, Criminal, Inexperience, Arrogance or Stupidity should be discussed to help us all finally get it out. Do it for your mental well being, not for vengence or revenge. Get some closure. It was war. We can forgive most anything, but only you can forgive yourself. Do it and know some peace for whatever time you have left.

more photos due in from David Whitley

Ronald Dean Hoagland tina cook Feb Newsletter .....rejected at this email posted in last newsletter
2LT VHPA F Trp 1971

Reference our War Story Hunter Crew and Rescue Crew KIA: ??

will send pics

Update Odom and Rogers rescue movies to include marty lalli. add links.

Pending:Jeff Lemr His daughter "Jill" contacted us. Add to Newsletter list. Get her in contact with Bill Witt. Frm Witt (10Sep): ">Bruce, Thanks for the reply. I pray Jeff will contact his Daughter however, he has a hard time getting in touch with his feelings. The only time he seems free is playing his guitar. There is a Vet Center here that has a "Combat Stress Management Guitar Group" hopefully, I can get him to go with me. Might need to say something about Jeff Lemr and daughter getting together after 12yrs if that happens.

Jan 3, 12:59 PM from Hamilton.
to Frank, Carl, Carl, Thomas, Bain, Pat, Tom, Brian, Jim, Gary, Nick, Mike, Charlie, John, Jerry, me
Yes, the Designation was D 3/4 Cav until the 2nd Bde 25th was ordered to stand down and return to Hawaii. We thought we would go with them until I received orders that we would not redeploy and would be designated an independent air cav troop, F Troop, 4th U. S. Cavalry. My kids back home really got a kick out of that. Daddy commanded F Troop like on TV.

Awaiting: Rich Williams checks in. need MyPage. Has "Fall in well" comments Altenhofen emailed him 28Dec called him 22 feb 2020 left msg

Awaiting: CW2 Richard "Rocky" Reed input 15 Sep 2019 He has never answered. Maybe Eric Brethen can get ahold of him. email 5 Dec 2021

Awaiting:James "Mike" Richey info. Photos and text. Added "Mike" to MyPage

ACTION Needed:Pat Lacy? Gilley - Not listed on the Centaur Roster (Spelling maybe?) Photo 50 Can you name the guys in photo 52 with the dog Gunner? Jerry Caldwell, SSG Photos 57
Roosevelt Martin, SSG Photo 57

25th Div Flash publcation? Should we link to it? Can we?