is there any chance you knew 1lt Bob Townsend? He was with the 9th detachment of the 619th tactical air support squadron in 68-69 at the forward air control post. Might have been there longer. He received a bronze star but we only knew about it after he passed last year. We were really close. I believe the medal was earned after the tet offensive, not during, and I’m unclear as to what it was like in ban me thuot in those years so I would love to connect with anyone willing to share.
Long shot but I am looking to see if anyone knew of a Roy Mathew Spurgeon? He was my grandfather that my family doesn’t really talk about and supposedly he was the fire chief of East Airfield Ban Me Thuot under contract PA&E. From what little I have heard, He supposedly built a fire station there in ‘68-69. Sometimes late May-June of ‘72 someone rigged a grenade to explode in a fire truck, and He was flown to Hawaii for medical treatment when He passed away mid-flight.
I can’t really say I knew him anonymous. However, I did know of him. I served with the 361st Signal Det. on Camp Coryell-Ban Me Thuot, Vietnam. We had a small “social club” where a lot of service personnel and PA&E civilians came to drink and exchange lies. He visited our club often and I would overhear his conversions with others. He always had a portable radio with him at all times because ,being the fire chief, he was on call 24/7. My memory is foggy at my age, so forgive me. Seems like he only had Vietnamese working for him on the fire truck. Once, there was a small village outside Ban Me Thuot that the enemy had burned to the ground. He personally organized a group to gather spare lumber and delivered to them to get them started on rebuilding. I was one of the ones in that group. Sorry but that is about all I can tell you. Sorry to hear he was killed in the manner you described.
I was a 20th SOS Green Hornet flying missions out of Ban Me Thuot-East (FOB-5) July ‘70-‘71. We flew virtually no night missions. But I was called out during a synchronized attack on BMT/Corey one night to provide perimeter defense. Our mini-guns lacked flash suppressors. The first time my right gunner swung to fire forward-right, with the muzzle 18 inches from my head, the flash blinded me, and we were at about 50 feet AGL. I don’t know how I kept from crashing! Oh, and as to PTSD — Per VA, I don’t have it. The flash-backs, night sweats requiring 2 a.m. showers….. Nah.. normal!
CHARLIE MIKE, CONTACT DISABLED AMERICAN VETS. THEY WILL FILE YOUR PAPERWORK. I TRIED FOR YEARS AND GOT NOTHING FROM THE VA. 6 MOS AFTER I FILED WITH THE DAV I WAS AWARDED 90% DISABILITY.
My father was Captain Clyde W. Enderle, and he served with the 20th SOS from August of 1969 to March 1970, he too was a Green Hornet. Dad was killed in action on 19 March 1970, hard to believe it was almost 55 years ago. Thank you for your service.
I would like anyone who knew my husband, Sgt Robert Pinkston, to contact me at pinkjazz33@yahoo.com. He was killed on March 14, 1968. I’m writing his life story for our children and granddaughter and want to include any relevant information. Sharon
I was in the guard tower by the front gate at Camp Coryell (Ban Me Thout) on the night TET-offensive began, when at around 0300-0400 we took a direct hit by a 82mm mortar. I’ve slways wondered about my co-partner (sorry his name is unknown). Still have many thoughts around Christmas time about our Missionay friends located nearby in BaMeThout that were massacred by NVA. It’s only been in the last year that I’ve recovered my hearing (thanks to the VA) to actually hear birds chirp, rattlesnakes rattling, and hear and understand some music.
I was a Huey Mechanic (67N20) and Airframe repair (68G20) assigned to the 165th Transportation Detachment, 155th Assault Helicopter Company.
I was there in 1967-68 for the TET offensive. I was on the M-60 in the sentry dog handler bunker when they tried to overrun us. I went through 1200 rounds in a few minutes along with all the others taking turns at the other openings with their m-16s. They came at us from the coffee plantation. I’ll never forget that night and the week before they attacked us. Welcome home!
Thank you for your service John Oldham. I am a retired Army helicopter pilot. My father served from August of 1969-March 1970 with the 20th SOS out of BMT. I was unaware the Army had a helicopter unit stationed there as well. My father was KIA on 19 March 1970, his name is Major Clyde W. Enderle. Take good care, and thank you for your service.
My dad (Air Force) was there… I was a kid but I believe it was Feb 69 through Jan 70.
I recall him talking about living in the hotel and having to move on base after a certain point.
He passed a couple of years ago and his whatever-she-was has been keeping his service records, pics, 8mm film and bronze star from my brothers and I, so I’m mostly in the dark.
Mike Walterscheidt.I was a controller at the radar site in 1970. Best story is drawing straws to find out who had to leave the bunker during a motor attack to remove the pizzas from the oven.
CAPT VON RABENAU, I REMEMBER YOU WE JOKED ABOUT POSSIBLY BEING RELATED (RABE) YOU WERE A COMBAT CONTROLLER I WAS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, TOP DIAS REAR OF THE OPS CENTER. I REMEMBER ALSO A CPT LONNIE SHEFF FROM ROCKY MOUNT NC.
Apologies to all that responded to my post. I tried to reply to each of you individually and then realized my answers came up as Anonymous bc I forgot to log in. Duh.
If I missed replying to any of you, I think he was still a lieutenant and his name was Franz von Rabenau. I believe he did air traffic control.
I’m his eldest son, Franz, known mostly by my middle name Erik or nickname Rico.
I’ll be back more frequently checking for replies. Thank you for your replies!
I recently found my Dad’s Legion of Merit citation where he formed a highly successful screen around Ban Me Thuot against an anticipated multi-regimental attack by the North Vietnamese. Dad was LTC Robert W. Noce. He earned this July 1968-June 1969 as Commander, 1st Sq 10th Cav 4th ID.
Hello Frank did you by any chance know a Richard Breitenstein? He was a crew chief with the 155th AHC from august 1968-august 1969 and stayed at Camp Coryell. If you do you can contact me at joey1caston@icloud.com. Have a good day
Frank, I was an Air Traffic Controller at the same time as you were with the 155th at BMT. We were Pyramid ATRC. We brought many a scarred shitless helo crew safely back to BMT during the Monsoons.
I landed by chopper in October 1967 near ban me thuot in October 1967 with Charlie co. 4/503.several of us drove a jeep downtown to look at the city. . We flew out about 2 hours later. We were only there for 3 or 4 hours.dustiest windiest place I ever saw in my life.
Pulled two tours in BMT at Camp Coryell with the 361st Signal (1969-1971). Good and bad memories of the place. Good=drinks at Dar-Loc Hotel and Madam Lee. Bad=day the Grand Bungalow burnt to the ground. Lots of late night mortars in 1969, not so much 1971. I was the “last” GI in my unit to finally ship home. Thank you Lord!
We left in 1968 after the TET offensive. We were in Bam for an air drop to and SF team in the field. We were out of Bien Hoa from 67-68 and went to several areas.
Jim, I was an AF Air Traffic Controller at BMT 69-70. We were room 10 a-GO-GO at the DARLAC Hotel, so you probably ended up at one of our parties, yes sad day when the Grand Bungalow burnt down
Hi Jim: I think it has been a few years since we last talked–I was stationed at the Long Lines Battalion North-1st Signal Brigade-BMT—67-68 time period—we were the first crew at the new IWCS -EE building site—with the famous 60 foot dish antenna. I was a 32D20-Tech Controller and we had a great crew of microwave, teletype, generator maintenance and tech. controllers. I hope you are well and thank-you for your service.
hello Jim. My name is Bill Perkins. I was a ground radio operator with the AF forward air control unit. I had just climbed into my bunk after working a night shift the day the bungalow burned down. I heard it started with someone cooking with a stereo and the curtain caught fire. If you recall it was a very windy day and whole camp minus the chow hall went up in minutes.
I was at Ban MemThuot in 1968 before the TET offensive. Myself and Danny McKinney were tasked to ground recovery of an air drop at BMT and another at Lang Vei. Lang Vei was overrun soon after McKinney and I left. It’s difficult to find anyone who has been there, let alone, know where it is. Even a lot of SF men never heard of BMT.
Was stationed at Ban me thuot in February of 69,was one of six,air Force security police,I worked nights at the pryamid radar site with the 155th AHC STAGECOACH..Had many Army buddies,we stayed at the Dar-Loc hotel,down town Ban me thuot left in may of 69,only four months in Ban me thuot..
I was a dog handler on the base at BMT.
69-70 981st Sentry Dog
What happened during Tet of 68, I know they supposedly pulled the dogs out. Then we went back in.
Mark Schulthess
981st mpdogs1969@gmail.com
I was a Army MP at the Grand Bungalow 1965-1966. We did duty along with Air Force security at the Darlac Hotel, town patrol and security at the Bungalow. Madam Lee ran the Darlac when I was there.
Hi Ray..
I got to Ban me thuot in Jan of 69,coming from Da Nang& Nha Trang,I stayed at the Dar- Loc hotel and worked nights at the Pryamid from 6pm to 6 am..Their were six of us SP’S AIRFORCE, What I remember of the Hotel,of course the upper part were the drinks and girls were..lol.i also remember right to the right of the gate,was a small building,were they had beer,I remember taking a fast bath from using the he water from the water wagons,using my helmet to wash and rinse off,for in the hotel those showers or water never worked,I had a couple buddies live at Camp Coreyell..I remember one night in February of 69, we all were watching a clint eastwood flick sitting outside of the hotel,and man op man all hell let loose,the 122’s and mortars were coming in..Right across the road from the hotel,were papason did our laundry,we got into a hell of a firefight..I remember spooky flying over and all you seen was two red tracers lines down to the ground..ended up getting four or five NVA THAT NIGHT…DAMN I STILL DREAM OF THAT ONE TO THIS DAY,NOW AND THEN..ANYHOW GID BLESS..(TAM)..
Hey Chris my name is Tom Garbin. I was there that night! I was with the 12th Combat Support Group (Air Force). I was positioned on the second floor balcony of the Dar-Loc hotel during the NVA attack/firefight. I was never awarded the Combat Action Medal because I have not been able to come up with my TDY paperwork. I have pictures of me on the LZ and FSB Aquarius. Too old to worry about it now I suppose LOL.
Hey Tom,WOW,so happy to hear from you..Yes that night was a wild ride…I was in a bunker in front of the water wagon,not far from the front gate,me and a guy named Charlie Bickford was together in the bunker… I’m so happy to of met someone who was there that night…I also never received any medals from that night…God bless and welcome home BROTHER..
I was stationed in BanMeThuot 67-68 during the TET offensive with my dog Rommel. We didn’t pull out and the VC tried to overrun us, but our fire power was too much.
Yes I went out there with Keno and Dunn? not sure about the names getting to old Bob stover and I our going to the 981st reunion in Phoenix,Arizona 11/11/2023 please come if you can..
I was at Camp Coryell as a bunker and tower guard also one of 6 security police in 1969. I remember Gary Gardy, Leo McCormick, Larry Lamb, ken DeRussy. Sorry I can’t remember the other two guys names.
I was at Camp Coryell from around Nov. 1969 until May 1970. Was friends with Pete Biasi. 619th TCS. Det.9. Air Force. Also knew Security Police David Warner.
I was there from September – December 1969 with the security police as bunker guard and sometimes the tower. Do you remember TSgt Thrasher ? And the chow hall cook was Pete Biasi
I was there May-Aug 1969.TDY with the USAFsecuirity police I remember Tsgt Thrasher as he was our NCOIC. Also there was Mark Hayes, Gary McChesney, Raymond Soltyki, Dan Nault , Tom Green. Stayed at the Dar Lat hotel down town. Remember the red horse unit was building housing but had their own party hall with a bar and ping pong. Also remember the off base activities center across the street from the main gate.
Chris, I remember when your unit worked at BMT. During rocket/mortar attacks we would run up into the tower to plot the locations of the enemy fire, directing gunships to suspected locations. One night during an attack I was running up the tower stairs, and when i reached the second to the last landing, someone (turns out it was one of you guys) yelled “halt who go’s there”! Since you guys were just arrived and we had not interacted with your procedures, I thought it was one of my buddies joking around. as I came up the last few steps I was looking at a bad ass Airman pointing an M-16, at me ready to fire. scarred us both shitless! I quickly learned your procedures for challenge/reply! I thank God for the Airman’s professionalism, controlling that M-16!
Ron, this is Dave and I was there in 1969 after coming up from Phu Quoc off Cambodia. Was in communications at on nite shift and got messages into where radio and such was. I was on shift by myself with a top secret crypto clearance. Didn’t file for PTSD until bout 2 years ago and now they aren’t convinced I was there I guess. DUH! glad u made it out ok.
with the rigger at the air field,claim ptsd, tdy from 109th airborne .
Turned down, say I can’t prove it? I guess the good news is,the Doctors are wrong!!
Larry, I was at BMT in support of Team 33. Contact the DAV (Disabled American Vets) they will file your paper work, they got me 90% after years of getting my paper work denied. You deserve it man
Ron what was your last name, I was there as a radar Air Traffic Controller Det 1 1879 Com SQD, Mar 69 to Mar 70. Looking for guys I served with, names escape me but “PeeWee”, “TJ”, “SKI”, “Freed Queen”, “Dave” from the Orderly Room, who was awarded the Soldiers Medal, for pulling a driver from a burning POL tanker, CPT Armondo A Culturie, our Detachment CO, MSG Richard, my boss at the time, and others whose names have faded from memory over the years. Spent short times at Dalat, Hue, Na Trang, and other locations that were some temporary fire base.
My grandfather was there I have his photos labeled Ban Me Thuot some of crashed helis and the damage he took and some of the people and tents. George Candelori? He was a Green Hornet the 20th SOS, a Heli pilot from 67 till April 68 he talks about none of it.
Your Grand Father was an American Hero in every sense of the word. The Green Hornets flew inserts/extrations in any weather, any LZ, day or night and rescued many a compromised SOG team from an enemy determined to kill them and their helo crews. They rescued teams in Cambodia and North Viet Nam. He is a national Treasure, along with all the men and women who served in Viet Nam, and were spit on when they returned to an ungrateful, self centered drug fueled Nation. Cant wait till Hanoi Jane kicks off and I can piss on her grave!
CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website 
is there any chance you knew 1lt Bob Townsend? He was with the 9th detachment of the 619th tactical air support squadron in 68-69 at the forward air control post. Might have been there longer. He received a bronze star but we only knew about it after he passed last year. We were really close. I believe the medal was earned after the tet offensive, not during, and I’m unclear as to what it was like in ban me thuot in those years so I would love to connect with anyone willing to share.
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Long shot but I am looking to see if anyone knew of a Roy Mathew Spurgeon? He was my grandfather that my family doesn’t really talk about and supposedly he was the fire chief of East Airfield Ban Me Thuot under contract PA&E. From what little I have heard, He supposedly built a fire station there in ‘68-69. Sometimes late May-June of ‘72 someone rigged a grenade to explode in a fire truck, and He was flown to Hawaii for medical treatment when He passed away mid-flight.
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I can’t really say I knew him anonymous. However, I did know of him. I served with the 361st Signal Det. on Camp Coryell-Ban Me Thuot, Vietnam. We had a small “social club” where a lot of service personnel and PA&E civilians came to drink and exchange lies. He visited our club often and I would overhear his conversions with others. He always had a portable radio with him at all times because ,being the fire chief, he was on call 24/7. My memory is foggy at my age, so forgive me. Seems like he only had Vietnamese working for him on the fire truck. Once, there was a small village outside Ban Me Thuot that the enemy had burned to the ground. He personally organized a group to gather spare lumber and delivered to them to get them started on rebuilding. I was one of the ones in that group. Sorry but that is about all I can tell you. Sorry to hear he was killed in the manner you described.
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TRYING TO LOCATE CPT ARMONDO A CULTURI DET 1 18979 COM SQD BAN ME THUET 69-70
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I was a 20th SOS Green Hornet flying missions out of Ban Me Thuot-East (FOB-5) July ‘70-‘71. We flew virtually no night missions. But I was called out during a synchronized attack on BMT/Corey one night to provide perimeter defense. Our mini-guns lacked flash suppressors. The first time my right gunner swung to fire forward-right, with the muzzle 18 inches from my head, the flash blinded me, and we were at about 50 feet AGL. I don’t know how I kept from crashing! Oh, and as to PTSD — Per VA, I don’t have it. The flash-backs, night sweats requiring 2 a.m. showers….. Nah.. normal!
Charlie Mike Charlie
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CHARLIE MIKE, CONTACT DISABLED AMERICAN VETS. THEY WILL FILE YOUR PAPERWORK. I TRIED FOR YEARS AND GOT NOTHING FROM THE VA. 6 MOS AFTER I FILED WITH THE DAV I WAS AWARDED 90% DISABILITY.
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CONTACT DAV (DISABLED AMERICAN VETS) THE VA DENIED ME, DAV GOT ME 90%
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My father was Captain Clyde W. Enderle, and he served with the 20th SOS from August of 1969 to March 1970, he too was a Green Hornet. Dad was killed in action on 19 March 1970, hard to believe it was almost 55 years ago. Thank you for your service.
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I was with the 70th in HCC 1969 left when we pulled out.
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great
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I was sts
spent almost 1969 outside bame thout 70 combat engineers
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Hello Anoymous,
I was also there, near Ban Me Thuot 12/68 – 11/69, B company, 70th Engineers.
Came home with all my parts and somewhat sane.
Re-assigned at Cam Ron from Infantry to Combat Engineer. A true blessing.
Best to ya, L J
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I was there too! 69-70
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My dad was stationed at Camp Coryell, his name is Terry Darling,would anyone here know or remember him
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I would like anyone who knew my husband, Sgt Robert Pinkston, to contact me at pinkjazz33@yahoo.com. He was killed on March 14, 1968. I’m writing his life story for our children and granddaughter and want to include any relevant information. Sharon
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I was in the guard tower by the front gate at Camp Coryell (Ban Me Thout) on the night TET-offensive began, when at around 0300-0400 we took a direct hit by a 82mm mortar. I’ve slways wondered about my co-partner (sorry his name is unknown). Still have many thoughts around Christmas time about our Missionay friends located nearby in BaMeThout that were massacred by NVA. It’s only been in the last year that I’ve recovered my hearing (thanks to the VA) to actually hear birds chirp, rattlesnakes rattling, and hear and understand some music.
I was a Huey Mechanic (67N20) and Airframe repair (68G20) assigned to the 165th Transportation Detachment, 155th Assault Helicopter Company.
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Anyone knew my Father, Al Davis?
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I was there in 1967-68 for the TET offensive. I was on the M-60 in the sentry dog handler bunker when they tried to overrun us. I went through 1200 rounds in a few minutes along with all the others taking turns at the other openings with their m-16s. They came at us from the coffee plantation. I’ll never forget that night and the week before they attacked us. Welcome home!
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Thank you for your service John Oldham. I am a retired Army helicopter pilot. My father served from August of 1969-March 1970 with the 20th SOS out of BMT. I was unaware the Army had a helicopter unit stationed there as well. My father was KIA on 19 March 1970, his name is Major Clyde W. Enderle. Take good care, and thank you for your service.
Kim Enderle
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My dad (Air Force) was there… I was a kid but I believe it was Feb 69 through Jan 70.
I recall him talking about living in the hotel and having to move on base after a certain point.
He passed a couple of years ago and his whatever-she-was has been keeping his service records, pics, 8mm film and bronze star from my brothers and I, so I’m mostly in the dark.
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Mike Walterscheidt.I was a controller at the radar site in 1970. Best story is drawing straws to find out who had to leave the bunker during a motor attack to remove the pizzas from the oven.
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I was there also, air traffic control or combat control?
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I just saw this now. Franz von Rabenau. I believe he was air traffic control.
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I knew your dad, a good guy…..
Mu name is Joe
joerabe@me.com
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I was there from August 69 until April 70. What was your Dad’s name? I worked in radar in the Air Force..
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Franz von Rabenau
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JOE RABE SSG AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLER DET 1 1879TH COM SQD
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Your Dad’s name? I was there from Aug 69 to April 70. Air Force radar operator.
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I’m just seeing your response. Sorry about the lag.
Franz von Rabenau
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CAPT VON RABENAU, I REMEMBER YOU WE JOKED ABOUT POSSIBLY BEING RELATED (RABE) YOU WERE A COMBAT CONTROLLER I WAS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, TOP DIAS REAR OF THE OPS CENTER. I REMEMBER ALSO A CPT LONNIE SHEFF FROM ROCKY MOUNT NC.
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I WAS AT BMT MARCH 69-MAR 70. WE WERE BILLITED IN THE BARLAC HOTEL DOWNTOWN. WHAT WAS YOUR FATHERS NAME, RANK AND JOB? I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN HIM
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I believe he was a lieutenant at the time, Franz von Rabenau. I think he did air traffic control.
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WHAT WAS YOUR FATHERS NAME, I WAS AT BMT 3/69 -3/70 AND STAYED IN THE DARLAC HOTEL, I MAY HAVE KNOWN HIM
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Franz von Rabenau. I believe he was a lieutenant.
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Apologies to all that responded to my post. I tried to reply to each of you individually and then realized my answers came up as Anonymous bc I forgot to log in. Duh.
If I missed replying to any of you, I think he was still a lieutenant and his name was Franz von Rabenau. I believe he did air traffic control.
I’m his eldest son, Franz, known mostly by my middle name Erik or nickname Rico.
I’ll be back more frequently checking for replies. Thank you for your replies!
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YOUR DAD WAS A CPT, A REAL NICE GUY ,HE WAS A COMBAT TAC AIR CONTROLLER…
I WORKED AS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER IN THE SAME OPS CENTER, HE WAS PART OF THE 619 TACTICAL CONTROL SQUADRON
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I recently found my Dad’s Legion of Merit citation where he formed a highly successful screen around Ban Me Thuot against an anticipated multi-regimental attack by the North Vietnamese. Dad was LTC Robert W. Noce. He earned this July 1968-June 1969 as Commander, 1st Sq 10th Cav 4th ID.
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I was an OH-23 pilot at Ban Me Thout East from Aug 69 to Dec 69
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MARY, YOUR FATHER AND HIS COMMAND SAVED OUR LIVES WHEN A MAJOR NVA UNIT ATTACKED US. 10CAV 4TH ID WERE HEROS
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I was with the 155th AHC in 1969 at Bam Me Thout
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Hello Frank did you by any chance know a Richard Breitenstein? He was a crew chief with the 155th AHC from august 1968-august 1969 and stayed at Camp Coryell. If you do you can contact me at joey1caston@icloud.com. Have a good day
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Frank, I was an Air Traffic Controller at the same time as you were with the 155th at BMT. We were Pyramid ATRC. We brought many a scarred shitless helo crew safely back to BMT during the Monsoons.
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I landed by chopper in October 1967 near ban me thuot in October 1967 with Charlie co. 4/503.several of us drove a jeep downtown to look at the city. . We flew out about 2 hours later. We were only there for 3 or 4 hours.dustiest windiest place I ever saw in my life.
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Pulled two tours in BMT at Camp Coryell with the 361st Signal (1969-1971). Good and bad memories of the place. Good=drinks at Dar-Loc Hotel and Madam Lee. Bad=day the Grand Bungalow burnt to the ground. Lots of late night mortars in 1969, not so much 1971. I was the “last” GI in my unit to finally ship home. Thank you Lord!
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At Green Hornets camp with my buddy Danny McKinney. In from Bien Hoa to get air drop from Bien Hoa. Ban Me Thout 1968.
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I was there from August 69 until April 70. What was your Dad’s name? I worked in radar in the Air Force..
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Franz von Rabenau. I think he was a lieutenant at the time. I think he was an air traffic controller.
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Jon when did you leave Vietnam? Where you there when the two helicopters crashed in March of 1970?
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We left in 1968 after the TET offensive. We were in Bam for an air drop to and SF team in the field. We were out of Bien Hoa from 67-68 and went to several areas.
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ecer heard of a George Candelori was part of the 20th SOS he was a heli pilot 67 and ik April of 68 in Ban Me Thuot? Silver Star and 2 DFC’s.
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Jim, I was an AF Air Traffic Controller at BMT 69-70. We were room 10 a-GO-GO at the DARLAC Hotel, so you probably ended up at one of our parties, yes sad day when the Grand Bungalow burnt down
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Hi Jim: I think it has been a few years since we last talked–I was stationed at the Long Lines Battalion North-1st Signal Brigade-BMT—67-68 time period—we were the first crew at the new IWCS -EE building site—with the famous 60 foot dish antenna. I was a 32D20-Tech Controller and we had a great crew of microwave, teletype, generator maintenance and tech. controllers. I hope you are well and thank-you for your service.
Best Regards,
Don Woodside—Poplar Grove, Ill
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hello Jim. My name is Bill Perkins. I was a ground radio operator with the AF forward air control unit. I had just climbed into my bunk after working a night shift the day the bungalow burned down. I heard it started with someone cooking with a stereo and the curtain caught fire. If you recall it was a very windy day and whole camp minus the chow hall went up in minutes.
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I was at Ban MemThuot in 1968 before the TET offensive. Myself and Danny McKinney were tasked to ground recovery of an air drop at BMT and another at Lang Vei. Lang Vei was overrun soon after McKinney and I left. It’s difficult to find anyone who has been there, let alone, know where it is. Even a lot of SF men never heard of BMT.
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Did you ever meet a Dan Devich at BMT?
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Was stationed at Ban me thuot in February of 69,was one of six,air Force security police,I worked nights at the pryamid radar site with the 155th AHC STAGECOACH..Had many Army buddies,we stayed at the Dar-Loc hotel,down town Ban me thuot left in may of 69,only four months in Ban me thuot..
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I was a dog handler on the base at BMT.
69-70 981st Sentry Dog
What happened during Tet of 68, I know they supposedly pulled the dogs out. Then we went back in.
Mark Schulthess
981st
mpdogs1969@gmail.com
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I was a Army MP at the Grand Bungalow 1965-1966. We did duty along with Air Force security at the Darlac Hotel, town patrol and security at the Bungalow. Madam Lee ran the Darlac when I was there.
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Hi Ray..
I got to Ban me thuot in Jan of 69,coming from Da Nang& Nha Trang,I stayed at the Dar- Loc hotel and worked nights at the Pryamid from 6pm to 6 am..Their were six of us SP’S AIRFORCE, What I remember of the Hotel,of course the upper part were the drinks and girls were..lol.i also remember right to the right of the gate,was a small building,were they had beer,I remember taking a fast bath from using the he water from the water wagons,using my helmet to wash and rinse off,for in the hotel those showers or water never worked,I had a couple buddies live at Camp Coreyell..I remember one night in February of 69, we all were watching a clint eastwood flick sitting outside of the hotel,and man op man all hell let loose,the 122’s and mortars were coming in..Right across the road from the hotel,were papason did our laundry,we got into a hell of a firefight..I remember spooky flying over and all you seen was two red tracers lines down to the ground..ended up getting four or five NVA THAT NIGHT…DAMN I STILL DREAM OF THAT ONE TO THIS DAY,NOW AND THEN..ANYHOW GID BLESS..(TAM)..
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Hey Chris my name is Tom Garbin. I was there that night! I was with the 12th Combat Support Group (Air Force). I was positioned on the second floor balcony of the Dar-Loc hotel during the NVA attack/firefight. I was never awarded the Combat Action Medal because I have not been able to come up with my TDY paperwork. I have pictures of me on the LZ and FSB Aquarius. Too old to worry about it now I suppose LOL.
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Hey Tom,WOW,so happy to hear from you..Yes that night was a wild ride…I was in a bunker in front of the water wagon,not far from the front gate,me and a guy named Charlie Bickford was together in the bunker… I’m so happy to of met someone who was there that night…I also never received any medals from that night…God bless and welcome home BROTHER..
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Hey what’s your name brother? You are listed as Anonymous! Anyway, WELCOME HOME BROTHER!
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I was stationed in BanMeThuot 67-68 during the TET offensive with my dog Rommel. We didn’t pull out and the VC tried to overrun us, but our fire power was too much.
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I was stationed with the 981st 68-69 my bunkmate was Bob Stover..I talk to bob time to time..I sure am glad your alive and well.
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I was there with you, arriving early April 67 and RTS late March 68. Did you partipate with the Missionaries?
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Yes I went out there with Keno and Dunn? not sure about the names getting to old Bob stover and I our going to the 981st reunion in Phoenix,Arizona 11/11/2023 please come if you can..
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I was at Camp Coryell as a bunker and tower guard also one of 6 security police in 1969. I remember Gary Gardy, Leo McCormick, Larry Lamb, ken DeRussy. Sorry I can’t remember the other two guys names.
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Pete Biasi was the cook in the chow hall. He would visit my bunker. They were all great guys
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The message above says anonymous but it was sent by me Tom Sapio
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I use to talk with Ken Derussy on the phone back around 2005,he was also stationed with me in Tuy Hoa….Lamb was also at Tuy Hoa..
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Hey Tom,if this is you.. I’m Chris,I sent you the little note,about talking to Ken…
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just got this Chris did you send me a note?
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I was a machine gunner on a bunker and tower guard at Camp Coryell 1969 Security Police. I remember the chow hall Pete Biasi was the cook
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I was at Camp Coryell from around Nov. 1969 until May 1970. Was friends with Pete Biasi. 619th TCS. Det.9. Air Force. Also knew Security Police David Warner.
Scott
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I was friends with Pete Biasi
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I was there from September – December 1969 with the security police as bunker guard and sometimes the tower. Do you remember TSgt Thrasher ? And the chow hall cook was Pete Biasi
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I was there May-Aug 1969.TDY with the USAFsecuirity police I remember Tsgt Thrasher as he was our NCOIC. Also there was Mark Hayes, Gary McChesney, Raymond Soltyki, Dan Nault , Tom Green. Stayed at the Dar Lat hotel down town. Remember the red horse unit was building housing but had their own party hall with a bar and ping pong. Also remember the off base activities center across the street from the main gate.
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Chris, I remember when your unit worked at BMT. During rocket/mortar attacks we would run up into the tower to plot the locations of the enemy fire, directing gunships to suspected locations. One night during an attack I was running up the tower stairs, and when i reached the second to the last landing, someone (turns out it was one of you guys) yelled “halt who go’s there”! Since you guys were just arrived and we had not interacted with your procedures, I thought it was one of my buddies joking around. as I came up the last few steps I was looking at a bad ass Airman pointing an M-16, at me ready to fire. scarred us both shitless! I quickly learned your procedures for challenge/reply! I thank God for the Airman’s professionalism, controlling that M-16!
Joe Rabe, LTC USA (ret)
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Do you remember cpt Charles Boice
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Did you Captain Craig Boice?
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I was in the radar squadron at Ban Me Thuot in 1969..
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Ron, this is Dave and I was there in 1969 after coming up from Phu Quoc off Cambodia. Was in communications at on nite shift and got messages into where radio and such was. I was on shift by myself with a top secret crypto clearance. Didn’t file for PTSD until bout 2 years ago and now they aren’t convinced I was there I guess. DUH! glad u made it out ok.
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with the rigger at the air field,claim ptsd, tdy from 109th airborne .
Turned down, say I can’t prove it? I guess the good news is,the Doctors are wrong!!
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Larry, I was at BMT in support of Team 33. Contact the DAV (Disabled American Vets) they will file your paper work, they got me 90% after years of getting my paper work denied. You deserve it man
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Hey this is Mike, I was there 7/68-7/69
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Hey mike burns this is Larry halterman you one of my best friends hope you are well
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were you AF? i was in the 1879 comm sqd AF out of nah trang
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I was at Ban Me Thuot from Aug 69 to Apr 70 as a radar operator..
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Ron what was your last name, I was there as a radar Air Traffic Controller Det 1 1879 Com SQD, Mar 69 to Mar 70. Looking for guys I served with, names escape me but “PeeWee”, “TJ”, “SKI”, “Freed Queen”, “Dave” from the Orderly Room, who was awarded the Soldiers Medal, for pulling a driver from a burning POL tanker, CPT Armondo A Culturie, our Detachment CO, MSG Richard, my boss at the time, and others whose names have faded from memory over the years. Spent short times at Dalat, Hue, Na Trang, and other locations that were some temporary fire base.
Joe Rabe
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Pete Biasi was a cook in the chow hall. He would come out to the bunker and sit with me. They were all great guys.
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My grandfather was there I have his photos labeled Ban Me Thuot some of crashed helis and the damage he took and some of the people and tents. George Candelori? He was a Green Hornet the 20th SOS, a Heli pilot from 67 till April 68 he talks about none of it.
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Your Grand Father was an American Hero in every sense of the word. The Green Hornets flew inserts/extrations in any weather, any LZ, day or night and rescued many a compromised SOG team from an enemy determined to kill them and their helo crews. They rescued teams in Cambodia and North Viet Nam. He is a national Treasure, along with all the men and women who served in Viet Nam, and were spit on when they returned to an ungrateful, self centered drug fueled Nation. Cant wait till Hanoi Jane kicks off and I can piss on her grave!
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