GrnBrt

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Now that you have to love that as any time you can bring one of those egotistical no account brass to their knees is a high spot in my book![>:]

retnavycdr

My Feedback: (190)

Statistics: RVN,1969-1970, ICTZ, C-123-K (two props, two jets), Squadron called "Ranch Hands", 88 missions, 961 hits, four purple hearts, one crash, two air medals, cancer of kidney from dioxin in Agent Orange we were spraying over 101st AB, Americal, 3rd MarDiv, 1st MarDiv.
see attached pictures The second one is my uncle's last flight with his B-24 Liberator over Germany. He had to parachute out over France and made his way out using the silk from the chute for barter.

GrnBrt

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I saw this C-123 the other night while researching the C-123 for a friend who is building one. It was called Patches' and is on display at a museum, just can't remember where!!!! The name stuck in my mind because of its history.

cknaack

My Feedback: (1)

I didn't get the chance to "swing with the wing" while in the Marines, but I had plenty of chances to load my Truck onto a C-141 or C-5A. That was very cool! While in Beirut, I rode in serveral helo's like the Huey, the CH-46 and the CH-53 Super Sea Stallion. The CH-53 was an awsome ride.

Happy Veterans Day to all of you fellow servicemen, and Happy belated birthday to the Marines out there.

Semper Fi

Craig

h8w8n

Three tours in Vietnam, 1966-1970.U.S.S Fechteler DD870. Aircraft carrier escort, Search and Rescue and lots of close gun support.The only flying I did was United airlines.

SunShyne

My Feedback: (68)

My good friend and a cousin are in Iraq right now. My pal wrote a little story that I posted on my website, its the 1st News article.

Check it out at www.Hideinmy.com

interesting to hear 1st hand accounts as to what is going on there. My cousin is a BlackHawk pilot Im proud but scared for him.

God bless and regards

ballgunner

My Feedback: (1)

CyclicHardover. Funny you should mention Sierra Blanca. During WWII I trained at the RTU at Biggs Field. Last step before sub hunting from Langley in Virginia, from there to Italy. I probably shouldn't tell this one where everyone can see it but here goes any old how. We were on a night bombing practice, two B-24's in the air that night. Night range had a lighted red shack in the center of a circle of green lights and a four lines of white leading from the perimeter to the shack. Our Bombardier was good. He hit the shack. The tailgunner was supposed to be taking pictures from the camera hatch. He never did figure out how that bloody camera worked. Result no pictures. Next day we were called into the base CO's office and accused of bombing Sierra Blanca. The local Sheriff had complained very loudly. The other aircraft crashed that night killing all aboard. Our pictures didn't turn out at all. they couldn't prove we did it, we couldn't prove we didn't. Standoff. No proof, no punishment. Col Kane promised to make the bombardier a mess officer for the duration if he could prove anything. As I said the bomb aimer was good. 100# practice bombs with 5# black powder to flash for the camera took out the canopy of the gas station, marquee of the movie house and several ties under the railroad tracks. Years later an acquaintance of our AP Commander, passing through town asked about the only successful bombing of a US town. Sheriff was still there and wormed the name of the crew out of him. Wrote a letter to the Airplane Commander , by then a state Senator in No. Dakota. Invited him and all the crew to come to town and ride in their 4th of July
parade. Pappy replied that he wasn't too proud of the incident but thanks anyway.

MajorTomski

Patches in the United States Air Force Museum in Ohio. See

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/annex/an40.htm

HTH
Majortomski

retnavycdr

My Feedback: (190)

The museum that my old plane "patches" is in is the Smithsonian. I personallly have never gone to see, or the "Wall" for that matter, because I know it would bring back to many bad memories, and possibly flashbacks.

retnavycdr

My Feedback: (190)

Major Tomski: Interesting...It does not look exactly the same, I don't see any of the markings we put on it (as in the picture I posted). Maybe it was repainted and moved to Ohio? It got real interesting when 50 cal. came into the large pressurized tank we carried. We all got saturated with either Malathion, Agent Orange,, Agent Purple, etc. No fun!

GrnBrt

My Feedback: (5)

I here ya on the wall, haven't been there either. My team was at a forward base just south west of Khe Sanh when I left and 2 weeks later they got hit real hard and then over run 3 days after that, my team never made it out.[&o]I tried to extend but my LT wouldn't let me as I had been shot up, blown up and fragged (enemy) and needed to go home and rest so I could heal, he saved my life. I know that emotionally I wouldn't be able to handle the visit to the wall but hope someday, yes someday so I can say good bye.[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]One face for each that were lost.

DESERT RATT

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helicopters for a year and a half in NAM, Did a lot of Air coverage for guys like Art.. I was a gunner/observer, crewchief on a Loach. Hughs 500 Light observation helicopter team. I set in the back seat and did my work, Standing on the skids with a 60 cal. machine gun in hand. I musta been good at it I'm here typing this.
When the dirty work needed done on the ground they called in guys like ART, when they needed air coverage, they called in guys like me.

Welcome home to all you Vets, wherever your battlefield was.

Happy Vets day ART,, Hope everything's well for you.

Desert Ratt

Ron

ballgunner

My Feedback: (1)

My personal thanks to all the Nam vets. You weren't given the credit you deserved for serving in a REAL war. That the thing was entirely political only made it worse. I almost cried when I saw the reception you were getting on returning home. Tom Brokaw called us the "Greatest Generation" because of WWII. Only one thing missing. He should have included all Nam vets too. Many are on "The Wall" and none deserved that fate. Politics played a part in all conflicts, but none to the extent of Southeast Asia. Welcome home.

GrnBrt

My Feedback: (5)

Well this one was off topic and not with the rules but because it was out here to honor our veterans I said that I would leave it for a couple of days, which I did and now time to close it down. I thank all that posted, especially all the kind words, and for those who took time to share. I again thank all those who served our great country and the sacrifices that were made in the name of freedom, may everyday be Veterans Day!!!!!