Robert “Bob” Graham
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The Jesus Nut - April 1966
In army aviation, the “Jesus Nut” has become a real specific item to many. This story touches on this metaphor’s possible origin or development and how it played on the minds of a Hog crew returning from a night fire mission. We were supporting the fortified hamlet of Bo Tri when suddenly things seemed to go wrong. Violent one to one vertical vibrations threatened to bring the Hog out of the sky. This firsthand account has some short poetic lines about the divinity of certain chopper parts. The article was published in the The VHPA Aviator magazine. Mentioned in this story are MAJ Prosser, MAJ Squires, LT Alto, LT Allred, SP5 Cooper.
Counter Mortar Tactics–1966 - April 1966 - March 1967
I experienced severe mortar attacks while on outsourced incountry training with the 114th AHC Knights gun platoon, the Cobras, at Vin Long in the Delta shortly after arriving at Cu Chi. Their well-organized scramble to the alert horn put at least 60 Hueys airborne in minutes, day or night. At the Centaur Corral the tactic was to hanker down in the bunkers.
The First Centaur Casuality - 5 May 1966- March 1967
Door gunner SP4 Mac Meece was killed on a mission over the Playground. Graham tells the story of this tragic event and the impact that it had on the unit. SP5 Reggie Slater, who was on that mission, provides a video interview at the 2016 Cav Reunion.
Little Bear Crash – 20 May 1966
This is an eye witness account of the tragic crash of Little Bear slick (65-09623) at the Cu Chi Airfield. A Huey totaled, two lives lost and two severely wounded crewmen all due to a loose plastic water can. There are excellent images of the tragedy. Little Bear casualties were MAJ Winters (flying right seat) and crew chief PFC Stahl. Survivors were MAJ Evans and door gunner SP4 Chevis. Incorporated are the vivid rescue experiences of LT Alto and WO Bob Dunbar and comments of SP4 Tegelman.
Shell Rep by “Fearless Frank” - Early June 1966
Caught in the open with incoming mortar and recoilless rifle fire is the experience. Then CPT Frank Delvy dutifully conducts a shell rep as the rounds continue to fall around the Cu Chi base camp.
Luck Has Its Day – June 1966
Geometry and good luck save Centaur maintenance officer CPT Thompson when a mortar round lands within three feet of his bunk. In the aftermath CPT Delvy and I discover that Thompson is bleeding from wounds on the chest and back indicating that shrapnel may have passed through him. We did a mini damage assessment and attributed the minor wound to geometry and good luck.
The Birth of Robin - June 1966
This is an essay of an emotional event in my first tour in Vietnam, the birth of Diana’s and my third child, Robin. I share my experience of the evening at the Centaur’s new home at Cu Chi.
Flameout 66 – June 1966
LT Herbert Caddell was my copilot for an early morning mission supporting the ARVN Ranger School at Trang Bang. Although the cloud ceiling was low, flying VFR on top was an option in fulfilling the mission. While establishing radio contact with the rangers, Herb and I experienced a flame out and executed an autorotation through the overcast, jettisoned our rocket pods and landed successfully in a dry rice patty. CPT Thompson in Stable Boy responded to our dilemma, and we were out to fly another day. I close the story with a poem “Emergency Reaction”.
The Claymore Ambush – July 1966
The Cu Chi base defensive perimeter of bunkers overlook wide bands of concertina wire. An area named in honor of entertainer Ann Margaret is the scene of a squad ambush by LT Alto’s aero rifles utilizing claymore mines.
This account with a poem includes the tricky task of defensive wire maintenance and the stealthy setting of an ambush with a real nerve- racking surprise ending. Also named in the story are PSGT Horner, Squad Leader SGT Nixon
Extractions – R – Us July-August 1966
During a period of intense intelligence gathering, the split Centaur operation out of our forward base at Dau Tieng became overcommitted with two active LRRP teams. A compromised team called for extraction. I joined MAJ Mike Squires and his crew (crew chief James Pyburn and door gunner Herb Beasley) of 661 as copilot for the hot extraction. This article was published in theThe VHPA Aviator magazine. Also mentioned was MAJ Peterson.
LRRP Insertion - Actual event Around September 1966
This is a short vignette with poem of a LRRP insertion in the story “Cambodian Sunset” published in the The VHPA Aviator Magazine, The action was authenticated by personal contact with SP4 Mike Wood of the LRRP and SP4 Herbert Beasley, the insertion slick door gunner. The insertion slick crew and the five man LRRP team are all identified. Mentioned in this story are MAJ Squires, CPT Hatfield, Pyburn, Beasley and LRRP Team members; Arp, Wood, Blackman, Robins, and Caldwell
Cambodian Sunset - September 1966
Inserting the LRRP at choice spots along the Ho Chi Minh trail stretched the Centaurs operation out of Tay Ninh. Just after a picture perfect insertion as the sun set, an Air Force RB-66 spent a split second in nearly the same air space as MAJ Peterson and I in the C&C. This article was published in the The VHPA Aviator magazine. Mentioned in this story are MAJ Squires, CPT Hatfield, Pyburn, Beasley and LRRP Team members; Arp, Wood, Blackman, Robins, and Caldwell
Return to the Devil’s Playground – 24 January 1967
The crew assignments for MAJ Squire’s slick (661) gave First SGT Petty an opportunity to give “wannabe” door gunner CPL James Spencer a mission as SP4 Herb Beasley was on shit burning detail for the day’s checkmate operation in the ‘Devils Play Ground east of Cu Chi. This account chronicles the hazards LT Alto’s aero rifles face while checking the credentials of indigents with the assistance of the Vietnamese police, ‘white mice.’ MAJ Peterson elects to join LT Alto, the squad, and the white mice as they proceed through a sequence of very close calls. Highlighted are the very tenuous low level maneuvers by slicks and gunships in support of this specific event when CPL Spencer was shot at close range following a squad insertion. This story will continue to be updated as others clarify their account of the action. Mentioned also are CPT Lacy, his crew chief Lara and door gunner Mike Vaughn and riflemen SP4 Risner.
II Field Force - March 1966 to 1968
This version gives a very brief history of II Field Force Vietnam [to which the 25th Infantry Division was assigned] to the end of the Third Tet Offensive. It is an original copy obtained when I was on the general staff of GEN Julian Ewell; the CG of II FF as assistant G-3 (Air): allocating army air resources, and planning air mobile operations. In general, mention is only of major force elements at the brigade, squadron, and division level and a few smaller independent organizations plus allied forces. This is an overview of the II FF organization for combat during the period.
Possible future Stories:
Black Cat in the Playground - July 1966
The Aero Rifle Rescue of 7 January 1967
Training at the Michelin Pool - September 66
Demolition Derby - November 66
CH-47 Down- The Rescue of the 25th ID Division Staff - June 66