A publication of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
August 2000/September 2000
A VVA Staff Report
LocatorVVA does not guarantee the accuracy of any information, not does VVA endorse any group, individual, or cause cited here in.
Looking for anyone from 1st Bn., 9th Mar., Bravo Co., 3rd Plt. who survived the ambush near Con Thien, July 2, 1967, Operation Buffalo. I was on R&R. When I returned, I was told you were all killed. My nickname was Hap. Miss you all. Contact: Garry Harte, P.O. Box 103, Springfield, ME 04487.
Vietnam 1969, Tunnel Rat, USMC, "Underdog." I have been in prison since 1983 and I am not guilty. Anyone out there who remembers me, or just wants to write, check out my web site www.inmate.com Contact: Burl Bilyeu, D46650, P.O. Box 409000, Zone, CA 95640; burlb@inmate.com
Looking for vets attached to MAC IV and ARVN soldiers (base camp) during 1968 Tet Offensive, Bde. 20th, 168 Combat Eng., Co. C, 3rd and 2nd Plt. How many were wounded or killed? Fighting for service-connected disability since 1981. Appreciate names and current addresses. Also, how many Purple Hearts to 3rd Plt., 168th Eng.? Contact: John S. (Steve) Everett, 1116 S.W.Woodard Ave., Topeka, KS 66604-3923; 785-233-0862.
USS Koiner (DER-331), Vietnam, 1965-66, for VA claims. Electronics Technicians Jennings, Mulkins, Carey, Scott, Daigle, Dunkle, Neaves; E.T. Chiefs Mathey, Furst. Furst assisted RMC Cole in lancing cyst that developed after I fell down a steel ladder going to G.Q. at ET shop right in front of sick bay. "Trichlor Party," anyone? Contact: Martin Eric (Jon-Jon or John) Johnson, P.O. Box 271, Albion, CA 95410; 707-937-3314 (messages).
I would like to locate SP5 Terry Smith from Welch, West Virginia, or anyone who served with the HHB 8th TAB, 26th Arty., Base Camp An Khe, May 1969 to April 1971. We served in the Long Range Survey Platoon and surveyed over a million meters. Contact: Larry E. Pennington, Sr., P.O. Box 158, Kegley, WV 24731; 304-487-3280.
Searching for LTJG George Toraso Kurisu, CEC, USN. He was the officer in charge of Seabee Team 0511, Vietnam, 1967-68. I understand he was from Hawaii and was released from active duty in 1970. The team has been having biannual reunions and he is the only member not yet located. Contact: Larry Holman, 6746 Souder St., Philadelphia, PA 19149-2208; 215-725-4938; lholman@prodigy.net
Americal, 198th LIB, 1st of 46th, Co. E, 1968-69. Looking for Mike Bullock, Makanda, Illinois; Lonnie Good, Rose City, Oregon; Woody Brice, Baltimore, Maryland; Sgt. Hollingsworth; Lt. John Love, Tennessee. Contact: John P. Smeekens, 15550 Frederick Dr., Clinton Township, MI 48038; 810-286-2304.
Looking for anyone who fought with Robert Douglas, Co. E, 3rd Bn., 7th Inf., 199th Light Inf. Bde. He was KIA on November 14, 1967, while crossing a canal near Binh Chanh. He went back into the canal to help a wounded squad member when he was shot. Contact: Michael Hughes, 535 Clark St., Waverly, NY 14892; 607-565-8249.
Attention Seabees from CBMU-302 who served with me in Vietnam, 1968-69, Cam Ranh Bay. Looking for SW2 Joe Tabler, GMG2 James L. "Gunner" Oritz, EA2 Guy Fisher, SK2 Bryson, YN2 Simmons, SK1 Jim Rush, EO1 Geerdes, or any Seabee from the unit. Contact: Frank M. "Purple" Hayes, 2441 Cedar St., Millville, NJ 08332; 856-825-5364.
Stoner 63, Plt. 236, USMC, Parris Island, 1964. Putting together a reunion in 2001. Contact: C.L. Manley, 59 Observation Ave., No. 4, Lake Placid, FL 33852-6343; 863-465-0163; dragon@htn.net
Come on you Tug Boat GIs, where are you? I am still looking for guys who served with me on LT-529 out of Okinawa, 1972. Muster up and let’s hear from you. Contact: Frank T. Griffin, 19129 Cheyenne, Clinton Twp., MI 48036.
Trying to locate any information or photos of SFC Robert Dwight Taylor before or during his tour in Vietnam, September 6 to November 26, 1967. He was attached to the 335th RR Co., 9th Div.; was KIA in Long An Province. Would like information on his final mission. Contact: Bruce P. Rakish, 3939 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 300, Metairie, LA 70002; 504-835-8505; brakish@portlite.com
Want to hear from anyone who was in Plt. 232, Parris Island, December 28, 1966, to March 1967. Also, anyone who was at Maint. Bn., Danang, Recovery Group (Dirty Dozen). I was a crew member on the Amtrac R-1 and the tank retriever. We were assigned in Phu Bai and Chu Lai several times. I became crew chief of the R-1 in Phu Bai. Anyone remember? Contact: John "Val" Valenti, 36 School St., Bath, ME 04530; 207-442-3997.
Looking for William (Bill) Davidson from Wilmington, Delaware. He was in Vietnam, September 1969 to September 1970, Americal Div. Basic training in April 1969, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; AIT, Ft. Dix, New Jersey, June 1969. Last-known address, Flint, Michigan. Contact: Charles (Wes) Byrd, 3162 Ryerson Cr., Baltimore, MD 21227; 410-247-0348.
Ex-POWs, Wake Island: Need to locate Marines who were captured on Wake Island and sent to northern island of Japan to work in the coal mines. Contact: Beata J. Williams, 4919 Maurita, Spring, TX 77373.
Looking for Robert A. White from Seattle, U.S. Army. He worked at Tan Son Nhut, 1966-67. Vietnamese family Han who befriended you now is living in Houston and wants to renew friendship. Contact: Joe Jordan, 2615 Waugh Dr., Apt. 512, Houston, TX 77006; 713-680-3181; powstryk@flash.net
Former 188th Assault Helicopter Co. (Black Widow) door gunner who is working on a book for the unit needs photos of NVA and VC. We served eight months in western III Corps at Dau Tieng and four months at LZ Sally in I Corps. Credit will be given for any photos used in the book. Also need aerial photos of the A Shau Valley and Hamburger Hill. Contact: Dick Detra, 202 Visitacion Ave., Apt. 3, Brisbane, CA 94005-1576; 415-468-1528; gunsup68@yahoo.com
Seeking Capt. Gomez, Senior Adviser, 23rd Bn. Ranger, 2nd Grp., II Corps, 1969-71, Camp at Bien Hoa, Pleiku. Contact: Hao Van Le, 2743 Washington Ave., El Monte, CA 91733; 626-575-1527; 626-579-7272.
Searching for long-lost Marines of Co. C, 1st Bn., 4th Mar., 3rd Mar. Div., 1967-69, who served with our CO, Capt. Bill Negron (Lt. Col. Ret.). We are particularly searching for survivors of a battle called LZ Loon, fought June 4-6, 1968. Our units suffered some 40-50 KIA during the battle. We would like to locate members and have a reunion to honor the dead and celebrate the living. Contact: Dan Burton, dburton1@prodigy.net
Trying to locate an old Army buddy, Dennis Solice. We were together in Hawaii with the 25th Admin. Co., 25th Div., 1965. I heard he went to Vietnam with the same unit in 1966. I went to Flight School at the end of 1965 and then to Vietnam with the 4th Div. in 1967. Dennis was a PFC when I left and was from Houston, Texas, born about 1944. Contact: Ray Pollok, 310-332-5152; pollora@mail.northgrum.com ; Ray.MaryAlice@usa.net
Looking for Michael Schmidt, age 46-49, 185th Maint. Bn., 9th Green Beret Div., Contact Team, 1971-72. I served with Mike and would like to locate him. Contact: David Ellis, 3408 Hampton Ridge Dr., Apt. 4, Rockford, IL 61109; 815-874-7653.
Looking for Vietnam veteran Gary Bauer, who was stationed at Stead Air Base, 1965. Contact: mstngjnky@aol.com
Looking for anyone who knows James E. Byrd, Jr., who served in the 101st Abn., Alpha Co., 1/506, Camp Evans, Northern I Corps. I would like to talk to anyone who knows him or served with him. Contact: talker39@aol.com
Trying to locate an old friend, Ronald Johnston, who served in the Marines in Vietnam, 1966-67, and was injured. He was originally from Pittsburgh, around Beaver Falls. When he was injured, he was stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, late 1967-68. Contact: jsjgcg@aol.com
Seeking Army friends in Vietnam, 54th Sig. Bn., Camp McDermott, Nha Thrang. Contact: Joseph P. Morales, 1411 Spaulding, Alton, IL 62002; vato1411@aol.com
USS Stoddard (DD 566). Looking for anyone who served in 1968-70 at Navy Support Activity, Saigon, and remembers spraying Agent Orange from backpack sprayers at Binh Loc and Go Dau Ha. Contact: Jim R. Riesenberg, 920-459-3054; riesejrr@co.sheboygan.wi.us
Looking for Eliah (Sandy) Leishman, Ron Grey, Jerry Ashley, Tollman, NSA Danang Flight Control. If you are out there, please get in touch with me. Contact: Alfred (Al) Chafin, P.O. Box 412, Pecks Mill, WV 25547; 304-752-3253.
I am desperately searching for a buddy, David Cassidy. We both got to Vietnam in November 1969. He looked exactly like Abraham Lincoln. We were stationed at Phu Bai and Hue until late November/December 1970. David is not listed on The Wall or Social Security Deaths. Contact: Ronald Williams, sjwill@prodigy.net
Looking for anyone who served with VA-146, 1969-72, on the USS America and USS Connie, especially John Nagle, Darryl Ulberg, Keith Ava, or anyone else from the Line Division. Contact: fatcat146@aol.com
Looking for anyone who served between December 1962 and January 1968 with CDCEC, 194th Armd. Bde., 5th Sqdn., 9th Cav. (A Trp., B Trp., C Co., 58th Inf.); 73rd Armd. Bn., 41st Inf., Umpire Control Grp. stationed at Fort Ord, Hunter Liggett Military Reservation or Camp Roberts. Contact: Richard T. Oakes, 3531 Oakton Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55305; 952-935-0733; rtoakes@ibm.net
Seeking names of combat engineers who were killed while serving with 18th Eng. Bde., 39th Combat Eng., December 1966-67. Also would like to find a map of the unit’s movement during above dates. Contact: Larry K. Barnes, 133 Virginia St., Cordela, GA 31015; 912-273-6946
"Autodin," 1st Sig. Bde., 1966-70, Phu Lam, Nha Trang, or others worldwide or Willow Grove. Contact: Ron DeGesero, 2488 NW 95th Wy., Coral Springs, FL 33065; pieomega@yahoo.com
Looking for Scotty from Baltimore who served with 3rd/39th, 9th Inf. Div., May 1968, Rach Kien. "Crazy Marty" is looking for you. Also looking for Jake from Spokane, Washington, and Hodge from California. Contact: Robert A.C. Martinez, P.O. Box 224864, Dallas, TX 75222; 214-941-5667.
Looking for anyone who was on Hill 953, Qui Son Mt. region, October 13, 1969, when 2nd Lt. John Price Pickett was KIA by NVA sniper. After Lt. Pickett was killed, an E7 Gunnery Sgt. took over our platoon, Golf Co. 2/7, 1st Bn., 7th Mar., 1st Mar Div. His name was Burns or Barnes. We need to know, because we were told that those who pulled Lt. Pickett’s body off the hill were submitted to receive the Bronze Star. Contact: Harold R. Wilson, Lot 5, Sunshine Valley, Shinnston, WV 26431; 304-534-5162.
Seeking members of the 9th Inf. Div., 4/47th stationed on the Benewah, Dong Tam, December 1968 to April 1969. Contact: Roy "Doc" Branch, 1602-B Bridge St., Lexington, NC 27292-3732.
We are looking for all our buddies from A/2/12, 3rd Bde., 4th Div., 1966-67. Contact: Bill Comeau, 372 Brooklawn Ave., New Bedford, MA 02745; bccorral@aol.com
Looking to hear from the other members of the 552nd MSF (Advisory Team 81), An Loc, Binh Long Province, RVN, October 1966 to September 1967. We were the second medical advisory team in the province. Would like to hear what has transpired between 1967 and present to the members. Contact: George H. Shields, 757 98th St., SW, Apt. 106, Albuquerque, NM 87121.
Cumo from the Bronx, this is Paul F. Neal from Massachusetts. You and Conti were sort of broken in by me. We served with Co. D, 168th CBT Bn., Base Camp Di An, Song Be. I need to discuss the death of a 13-year-old girl with you. Contact: Paul F. Neal, 2241 Winthrop St., N. Dighton, MA 02764-1012; 508-252-6511
I am looking for J.C. Cooper, last-known location was VA-75 USS Saratoga, Vietnam, 1972-73. He was from Cleveland. Also, anyone serving with VA-75 during that cruise. Contact: Steven E. Skuba, 32 Ridge Rd., Bristol, RI 02809; 401-253-4774.
Would like to hear from anyone assigned to the 199th Light Inf. Bde., HQ Btry., 2/40th FA who sailed to RVN November 1966-67. I am trying to get help with my PTSD claim. Contact: Bridges R. Steele, 5332 N.W. Columbia Ave., Lawton, OK 73505; 580-353-0843.
Looking for anyone who served with me in 3rd Med., 3rd Mar. Div., 1969, Quang Tri. Buddha, Hawg, Arizona, Wally, are you out there? I want to hear from you. Contact: Bob "Pigpen" Penn, 5130 Ramille Rn., Winston-Salem, NC 27106; 336-924-0610; ironhorseg1150@cs.com
I am seeking fellow U.S. Army vets, 78th Arty., 2nd Armd. Div., Svc. Btry., 1st Bn. Please contact me about September 1968 attack outside of Pleiku when most of the unit was killed. Contact: Anthony Knox, 7805 Summerglen Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76133; 817-292-9133; 817-270-0699.
Looking for anyone from the 1st and 20th Americal Div. who was in Vietnam 1970-71. Contact: Tina L. Gadd, tg1959@juno.com
Looking for Charlotte Conner, Barbara Dorr Lilly, Pat Bright, and Kathy Boswell Nichols. I have written the story of a fellow Donut Dollie based on her diary. Contact: George Slook, 302-434-3112;dddiaries@aol.com
1st of the 12th Cav., Recon Element. I was a medic on two tours, July 1969 to June 1970 and July 1971 to April 1972. I am 100 percent PTSD and would like to hear from guys I served with. I remember Firebase Pace and the names Outlaw, Carlos, and Squib. Contact: John Davis, 159 Home Ave., Rutherford, NJ 07070; 201-896-1271.
Looking for Sammy Garcia, who was stationed in Gelhnhausen, Germany, Co. B, 1st of the 48th Inf., 1963-66. Contact: hgre679617@aol.com
Need information on Tan Son Nhut body bag loading. Tuy Hoa bombing of base, possible attacks. In village by Tuy Hoa killing of Vietnamese by Viet Cong. Need location of Larry M. Wilkerson. Contact: Brian R. Hinton, jhinton@vtc.vsc.edu
Looking for anyone who knows James E. Byrd, Jr., who served in the 101st Abn./Alpha Co., 1/506, Camp Evans/Northern Corps. Contact: talker39@aol.com
79th Maint. Bn., 5th LEM Co., 5th Inf., Saigon Support Command, 1969. Does anyone remember William Perry being KIA? Information needed for PTSD claim. Contact: James Riesenberg, Veterans Service Office, Courthouse 615 N. 6th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081; 920-459-3054; riesejrr@co.sheboygan.wi.us
I am looking for a couple of friends who were in Vietnam, 1965-66. We were in the 1099th River Rats, a group of Army boats that ran up and down the river hauling troops and ammo. Their names are Johnnie B. Padgett and Robert A. Little. Seeking whereabouts of these or any other individuals with the 1099th. Contact: Floyd Ford, marlinpk@aol.com
Ho Ngoc Hoa is looking for members of various American units: Capt. Wood, C.O., ACO, 1st Cav., 1968; Lt. Ingersol and Lt. Hendrickson; Maj. Erway and Col. Finley, 1972, Nha Trang NCO Academy; anyone from 545 MP Co., Camp Phuoc Ninh, 1970. Contact: Da Lu, dlu@osius.com
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