Dear Fellow Banshee's,
Another reunion has come and gone and I am very grateful that we have had another successful opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones. I just hope everyone had as much fun as I did.
Speaking of reunions, I would like to take this opportunity to review how the B Troop 2/17th Cavalry Association was formed. I would like to do this for the benefit of those of you who just joined us since we organized.
I received a phone call from David Martin ('69) in the early months of 1997. It was the first time we talked since serving in Vietnam. After exchanging pleasantries he asked if I thought it would be possible to locate any more people that served in B Troop for a little get together. At that time I don't think either of us had any idea of what this phone call was going to develop into.
In the summer of 1997 a group of former B Troopers gathered for a weekend in Shelbina, Missouri at the invite of Arthur Ratliff ('69) and his lovely wife Cy. At this gathering 22 former officers and enlisted men, decided to form the B Troop 2/17th Cavalry Association. We all greed that anyone who served in B Troop 2/17th Cavalry and it's preceding unit, B Troop 17th Cavalry, in any capacity, during any time frame was entitled to join our Association. Whether you were "Airborne", "Airmobile" or "Air Assault" you are welcome to join our Association and have an active part in all of our events.
It was during this organizational meeting that Dave Martin volunteered to be the editor, publisher, circulation manager and all of the other titles that go along with creating, producing and mailing our "Banshee Gazette." It is our intentions to send the Banshee Gazette to every former trooper that we have located, unless they request that we remove them from our mailing list. We realize that some have no desire to join any organization but we bare the financial cost of sending out the Gazette, just to let them know who we are and how to contact us if they change their mind.
Finally, I would like to remind you that just because you are on our mailing list you are not a Regular Member in our Association. You have to fill out a membership application and pay the yearly dues to belong to our organization. In Shelbina, we decided that we would accept any former or present day member of B Troop, even if they couldn't afford the dues. We realized that some of us are more fortunate than others and we would extend the Regular Membership in the B Troop 2/17th Cavalry Association to those less fortunate. If you have come across financial hard times please make us aware of your situation so we can enroll you or continue your membership in our Association until such time you can afford the membership dues.
That brings us up to today. Since forming the B Troop 2/17th Cavalry Association, we have identified over 1,100 people that served with our unit. We were able to contact approximately 700 of these people and from this group we have had 134 former and present day troopers join our organization as Regular Members. The future of the B Troop 2/17th Cavalry Association can only be determined by the involvement and interest of our members. To borrow a few words that every "Screaming Eagle" should know. As an Association we have very little history, but as an Association we do have a "Rendezvous With Destiny."
"Out Front"
Jim Matthews
by David Martin
Las Wages…was an exciting Reunion. Ed Blair told me he hit a slot machine for over $1,200.00. Everyone I talked with had an exciting time.
Friday morning we had a preview of "Return to VIETNAM: Healing on the Hill", the documentary film that WDAY TV made of our returning Banshee's thirty years later. This was a very emotional beginning of the Reunion. You have to see this documentary! It's a must for all former Banshees'.
Friday night we gathered as customary to reacquaint and look at each other's pictures. Randy Kunkleman had additional pictures that were taken in Vietnam during the return trip to Vietnam. I had the opportunity to visit with Fred Pierce and reminded him that it was he that had given me the approval to marry Jinger in December 1968. I sure wished Tom Green had shown up… he has a greet story about him and Authur Ratliff going through one of Pierces weapons inspections to get a pass to come to our wedding. As Tom tells it Pierce was not his usual self and was somewhat lienent that day.
Saturday night's diner was superb…great cuisine. Our guest speaker was Dr. Ronald Frankum, Jr. from The Vietnam Center at Texas Tech University. His presentation was excellent and showed the great effort this institution is going through to preserve the Vietnam experience.
During our business meeting it was voted that The Vietnam Center would become the repository for the Associations documents. Tee Cook presented Dr. Frankum with a kill card from the airborne unit that preceded the Air Cavalry unit as the first official donation to the archives.
Steven Maxner from the Archives was able to being five oral histories of our members. We would like to encourage all of you to participate in this endeavor. This will help the Archives better document our unit's history in Vietnam.
The Reunion scheduled was voted on and the results were:
2000 Ft. Rucker, Ala.
2001 Lubbock, Texas
Dates for the Reunions should be determined by the next Gazette.
If you missed the Reunion I can personally say, you missed a lot and we encourage you to make plans for Ft. Rucker and Lubbock.
DOCUMENTARY
Return to VIETNAM: Healing on the Hill
By Jim Matthews
Last year Fernando De Pierris ('69) organized a trip back to Vietnam. Two members of his group were Kevin Wallevand and Erik Speer from WDAY TV in Fargo, ND. who intended to document the meaningful trip. The main subject matter of the film was the losses B Troop suffered on June 2, 1969 when four members of the "Blues" platoon and "Doc" La Pointe were killed in action and closure of those former Banshees that made the trip with Fernando.
During our 1999 reunion, we were given a sneak preview of the documentary film that they created and everyone speechless after seeing the story they told. Kevin's narration and Erik's use of the camera were nothing less that fantastic.
An original copy of the documentary was made available to Fernando, who is in the process of professionally duplicating the films. He is taking orders for copies at $10.00 each. Any proceeds from the film will be donated to the Tam Ky Veteran's Organization that helps handicapped Vietnamese children.
If you served in B Troop at that time period or are very interested in the history of our unit, this is a must have documentary and is highly recommended by the Association's officers.
Please send inquiries to Fernando De Pierris at 504 West Elmwood Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA. 17055 or contact him at Mote1954@aol.com.
At the 1999 reunion, in Las Vegas, the Association was notified that Arthur Ratliff, our Association Chaplain was resigning due to personal reasons. We would like to thank Arthur for his service as the Association Chaplain since being elected to that position at our organizational meeting during the 1997 reunion is Shelbina, Mo.
Arthur nominated Joe Cone ('69) to assume the office of Chaplain and Joe was unanimously voted on by the membership in attendance in Las Vegas. We know that Joe will do an outstanding job as our new Chaplain.
By Jim Matthews
I received the following message from Ed McDonald, webmaster of the 2/17th website. If there are any B Troopers from the 1968 era that can help with this request, please contact me and I'll tell you whom to contact. Some of us had the privilege in personally meeting LeRoy Johnson at our 1998 reunion in Clarksville, TN. He is a Regular Member in our Association. Let's help him get the recognition he deserves.
Jim Matthews
Hi Jim:
General Becton, Commanding Officer 2/17, 1967-1968, sent me a copy of a letter he rec'd from the daughter of Lee Roy Johnson. Mr. Johnson was in B Troop during that time period.
Would you poll your members to see if anyone has any recollection of an ambush on June 5 - 6, 1968 when Sgt. Gonsalves was killed. It seems that most members of the ambush team were wounded because charlie had turned our claymores around.
It seems that Mr. Johnson saved his fellow plt members by running through the night to the Troop NDP from an ambush site 5 -6 miles away.
It also seems that this act of heroism has long gone unnoticed.
A notarized statement from SP4 Eugene Schiappacasse accompanied the letter.
Thanks
Ed
Just prior to our 1997 reunion is Shelbina, I contacted Arthur J. Kroll ('69). He informed me that he was dying of cancer and if he lived long enough he would attend the upcoming reunion. Unfortunately Arthur passed away just before our gathering in Shelbina.
Several months ago I received an Email from Arthur Kroll, Jr. asking me if we could supply him with any information about his father. I remember the name but do not remember anything about him. I told his son I would pass on his request through our newsletter and a few of you might be able to share some information with him. The following is an excerpt of his email to me:
...Please...if you can forward this to anyone that might have known my father, it would be appreciated (for official purposes, yes, you have permission to forward my prior e-mail). I wish my father had more time on this good earth to tell me more about his life, but unfortunately, that didn't work out that way. I spent a good 24yrs with him, of which some of that time I was not conscious enough to remember anything. That is a lot of time, but still not enough. Man, I almost came to tears when I saw your reply and your willingness to help. I sincerely thank you for all and any that you can do and I know my family that my father never got to see (two grandkids, one here, one on the way) appreciates it too.
Thanks again.
Arthur
If anyone can help him, please contact me for his e-mail or home address.
Jim Matthews
The jackets that given to each member that attended the 1999 Reunion in Las Vegas, NV were such a hit, that several people asked about getting another jacket for their better half or significant other.
The jacket is zippered, polly-cotton blend, corporate style jacket that has a navy blue bodice and tan sleeves. The cavalry flag with the 2/17 crossed sabers and "B Troop 2/17th Cavalry" over the flag, is embroidered on the left breast. Sizes (mens) small to 3X large.
The jackets with basic embroidering and shipping and handling is $55.00 per jacket. Your first name or nickname (up to 10 letters) can be embroidered on the right breast for an additional $4.00.
Anyone interested in ordering another jacket should contact Jim Matthews at JHMATTHEWS@Prodigy.Net or Phone: 412-466-3557
Vietnam Memoirs
A wife's experience in Vietnam, 30 years later
by Helen Kunkleman
Our friends and family all said, why in the world would you want to go to Vietnam? The answer I had for them was why not. Through Fernando's wonderful efforts, the way was made a reality. On Wednesday of May 26, 1999, Randy and I left for Dayton, Ohio to make our way to Los Angeles Airport. All twenty- six of us agreed to meet there so we would be together on our way to Vietnam. We have both been out of the country with a group from our church working at an orphanage or helping to erect a church. This would be a different kind of trip for me in particular but Randy had been to Vietnam some thirty years ago via Uncle Sam.
There was a lot of preliminary things to do to get ready to go but I just took one day at a time. As the time got closer, I knew there was some reservation about the whole trip, but I was determined to see it through.
In August of 1998 at the B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry Reunion, some of the guys were talking about June 2, 1999 being the 30th anniversary date of the incident at Hill 376. Someone had mentioned visiting Vietnam again someday. Fernando said that he would look into it and get back with all of us. Randy had mentioned that he might like to go. He did not know that I was slightly thinking of it myself too. We talked about it when we arrived home a few weeks later after the reunion. We both agreed that if we had the funds that we would go. I told Randy that I thought it would be closure for him at this time of his life. Believe me when I say that I have heard many of the Vietnam stories and have seen the pictures Randy took while he was over there that I could almost tell you each story quite accurately. Since the first reunion at Arthur Ratliffs house, I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people that were very much involved in Randy's life thirty years ago. I really did not know much about the early life of Randy because we have only been married nineteen years (almost twenty on March 22, 2000). I guess that is really the underlying reason that I wanted to be a part of this trip so that I could actually relive some of the events and people that Randy talks about when mentioning Vietnam.
Adrenaline was really flowing when all of us met at the Los Angeles Airport. One by one, we started bonding together as a group headed on a mission. The flight was quite long. Let's see now, I think it took four hundred hours or it seemed that long. (In reality, it was a fourteen-hour trip) I have lived through a little culture shock arriving in a foreign country before, but nothing, absolutely nothing, was like I experienced when we arrived in Ho Chi Min City, Saigon. I just literally held my breath and tongue and said to myself that it has to get better than this. We had a nice hotel while in Saigon. The people are very lovely and friendly.
Our tour host, Qui, planned a very exciting itinerary for us. We decided that everyday was a new adventure for us. Randy took each event quite casually. I was watching the different veterans that came on this trip to see how the different places that we visited affected them emotionally.
From my own perspective, I believe that most of the guys took everything in stride. Everyone got along with each other and the communist tour guides that we had. We could never have gotten through customs without the expert help of Nuyget(spelling ??) If you lay aside all the political differences, everyone became a bosom buddy. After all, people are about all the same no matter what country you live in.
I never thought that I would ever ride on a pedicycle. As Fernando would say, go for it guys. I will say that it was quite a task keeping Fernando in line though. I do have a few things to share with his wife, Renata. It was quite exciting riding through the streets of Ho Chi Min City. The sight of all the bicycles and motorbikes is enough to scare a person away. We never saw an accident so that was comforting whenever we needed to hitch a ride on a pedicycle. We did see a lot of sights that helped us to try and understand the Vietnamese people and culture. As a nation, Vietnam does have a long way to go to catch up with the modern world. They are definitely not a lazy people. We saw people working very hard at their particular trade. We would all agree that the sales people are very aggressive!!! Even though it is a communist country, they want commerce from other countries. There really is not a language barrier because most people know at least a little English.
Our accommodations were quite nice including the bus transportation. The winner of the BEST PLACE AWARD would be the FURAMA in DaNang. What can you say when you walk into a place that has people there to help you with any and everything. The welcome was fantastic with an ice cold fruit drink to quench our thirst and help to cool us off. You can not say enough about the whole place. We all thought we had died and went to heaven. Where else could you thoroughly drown yourself in relaxation and good company. Randy and I particularly enjoyed the warm swim by moonlight. (A full moon at that!!)
It seemed as though different groups of people got together at different times to share their thoughts and stories or reflections of Vietnam thirty years ago. If you felt like joining in, everyone was welcome to do so. It all reminded me of the two B-Troop reunions that I had already experienced some of the same camaraderie. There really wasn't any kind of competition going on with who had the best story or who could hold a crowd the longest. There was a true concern for each other and their well being.
Some guys had a lot of emotional baggage that they have been carrying around with themselves for thirty years. My heart went out to each one as he would share his story of hurt and anguish that they have been living with. At times, there were some tears shed and also some laughter. (You will have to ask Bohler to share his tiger story with you) Of all the sight seeing and traveling we did, I guess the sharing was the best of the whole trip. I think everyone else would agree also.
We left Furama with our heels dragging because it was such a nice place. Fernando, you did good!!!!!!!! We visited Marble Mountain and some marble shops along with silk shops. It certainly was very educational. The Vietnamese workers certainly do have something to be proud of. I think we were still in DaNang when we visited an Evangelical Church. They held some kind of memorial service for us. They were a wonderful group of people. They have a right to take pride in their heritage. In was enjoyable to be able to join in their singing of hymns even though we didn't understand their words, the music is the same no matter what culture you are in. I could see the young people that were in the choir smiling real big when they saw us join in with them in English.
I regret to say that I was not able to join in the memorial trip to Hill #376. The pictures that will eventually be on the Web page tell the whole story in a detailed sequence. Randy was able to go on this excruciating hike. With the heat and some people that we won't mention any names that were quite out of shape, this was a long two-hour hike. Of all the places visited, I think this was where the most emotions were brought out. For Cindy and Joe LaPoint and others that had been on that hill thirty years ago, there was mixed emotions. You can only feel with empathy for them what they were going through at this particular time. With respect for their privacy, I believe enough is said just by looking at the pictures and sharing with them personally what was accomplished on that hill that day.
The trek down the hill became eventful because of the rain or downpour that they had to walk through. The native people saw the plight that our people were in and they opened their homes to them. Randy said that there was actually an elderly man there that had fought against Americans thirty years ago. This was just one example of how our group came across some Vietnamese that fought during the war. When you talk to them, they will tell you that they fought for their country and family. They do not hold hard feelings toward our guys at all. Our group told them that they did what they were told to do also and that it wasn't anything personal. I recount many times after a conversation of this type that hands would reach out to each other as a gesture of friendship.
A big congratulations goes out to Fernando once again for the many hours setting up the meeting in Tam Ky with the Province Vice Chairman of the Peoples Party, Madame Lamb. This certainly was a historical moment for me. Madame Lamb was very cordial to our group and gave us a very nice welcome.
The thing that sticks out to me is when she talked with Cindy and Joe LaPoint. She spoke with them as one wife and mother to another. She regretted that Joe lost his father and said that she was very sorry for the misfortune as the outcome of war. She also told Cindy of her sorrow for her as a wife.
When you talk to a person that fought for the rights of the North Vietnamese, they tell you that there never was a separated Vietnam. There was only one Vietnam. Another highly emotional time is when our group met at a restaurant in Tam Ky with some NVA that were veterans of the war themselves. I believe a question was asked of the veterans about Hill #376. They asked the NVA why they just didn't plaster our guys that had been dropped down because our intelligence had said that there was over two thousand of the enemy that surrounded them. Smiling, an old NVA veteran said that they didn't need to because they could see our every movement and they didn't want to run a risk of more troops being brought in. Another NVA commented that they had to change their war tactics almost daily because of how quickly the Americans were catching on to their ways. Our guys shared stories with them and they with us. Each side said that they fought for their country and did what they were told to do. There were no hard feelings after all these years and what happened in the past is in the past.
I do not intend to rehash the rights and wrongs of the War, but after visiting with a lady named Tu, I believe that there is more than one side of the story to tell. An Army buddy of Fernando named Corky told us to look up Tu when visiting the War Museum is Saigon. Randy and I found Tu and talked with her briefly. This is hard for some of us that live in a country of so many freedoms to understand. In particular, we have religious freedom without any fear of our government to take that away from us. Tu does not live in freedom. She had a lowly job at the prison part of the War Museum because her father was a General in the South Vietnamese Army. She has lived many years with suppression. We could not talk with her for a long time because of her fear of being watched and getting us or her into trouble. In America, we joke about Big Brother watching us. This is quite a reality to people that live in a communist country. Randy and I talked with a businessman from Brazil while we were getting ready to leave the Furama. He said that he has done much traveling in Communistic countries and he believes that Vietnam is becoming a more relaxed communist country than say that of China. Vietnam is very open to tourism and businesses coming in to help their economy. I guess if you talked to all twenty-six of our group that you would arrive at different opinions. Vietnam is lightening up on some of the people that had anything to do with the South Vietnamese during the war, but they have a long way to go and their government is still communist ruled.
There is something about the old saying that you can never really go back and visit any place in the past and it is the same. We visited Chu Lai, Hoian, Hue ,Quang Tri and Camp Eagle but nothing was really the same except for how the people lived. Some of the guys would get off the bus to try and find the exact site where they were at a particular time, but only they know for sure. I would try and visualize the camps and the goings on at the time of the war. I would try and imagine our guys living in this climate and fighting a war thousands of miles away from home and family. Most of them would tell you of a calendar that they marked off each day of their tour. This would help them keep their wits about them and get through each day. It is not hard to understand why there is closeness with guys that had nothing in common except being in Vietnam together. Closeness comes about by facing all the odds and death together.
The group of twenty-six people will not forget the luxurious train ride from DaNang to Hue or the long flights to and from Vietnam. We have laughed, cried and shared our lives with each other. This is a lifetime of memories. Most of all, I hope we continue to reach out and help those in need especially our comrades that we have a history together. I hope to do more sharing at the reunion. See you all there.
Love you all,
Helen Kunkleman
July 13,1999
Our first trip to Vietnam was so successful that we are planning another. Many vets had schedule conflicts and could not join us. Now is the opportunity for them. We travel during the low season and take advantage of prices we have already locked in. The planned dates are from 26 May through 8 June 2000.
For Additional Information Contact
Fernando De Pierris
504 West Elmwood Avenue
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Come and Join Us In:
~ Ho Chi Minh City ~
~ Da Nang ~ Chu Lai ~
~ Tam Ky ~ Hue ~
THE VIETNAM CENTER
At
Texas Tech University
By David Martin
Many of you have now had the pleasure of learning about The Vietnam Center at Texas Tech University. Dr. Ronald Frankum, Jr. made an excellent presentation at our Reunion describing the mission of this Archive.
Steven Maxner was able to take five oral histories of B Troop members. Steven was hired four days prior to our Reunion and I must say it is exciting to know that he will be compiling additional information on B Troop for the Archives.
I think it is important that we look at what we can do for the Archives and saving our legacy for future generations. I have talked to Jim Matthews in-depth about what I feel is important. I would like to share that information with all members.
When we had our first Reunion everyone was excited about getting back together. Old friendships and new were established. But…too soon we realized that we are not immortal. We lost John Hill, who left us for Fiddler's Green.
As I discussed the Archives with Jim I stated, "We need to do something to insure that all members that want to participate in preserving B Troops history are aware of the many ways of preserving their legacy".
I know I have items that I have and will continue to donate for the Museum that is to be built at Texas Tech for The Vietnam Center.
Tee Cook presented the first Official B Troop item at our Reunion in Las Vegas, a Kill Card from the infantry unit that preceded the airmobile units arrival in Vietnam. Randy Kunkleman has provided some of his numerous pictures for the Archives. Jim Matthews has provided Association documentation to Dr. Frankum. By years end I will be providing an oral history. I will soon be donating personal letters, pictures and books to the Archive.
I cannot emphasis how important I feel this project is. I am proud to be able to assist the Archives endeavors.
Enough about my thoughts…you are probably wondering what can I do? So here it is
Provide an Oral History
Submit:
Original orders
Pictures
Letters
Donate items for the Museum
Together we can build an extensive collection for B Troop and preserve our legacy. I encourage you to act today. As we have seen, we lose members each year to Fiddler's Green. This means that we have also lost their contributions to B Troops legacy. Let's act today … in this way we insure as complete a legacy as possible.
We are enclosing a sheet for The Oral History Project of The Vietnam Archive…please take time to complete it and return it to Steven Maxner. We will all benefit from your actions.
Changes in Publication of The Banshee Gazette
We now send out almost 700 Banshee Gazettes. Due to time constraints involved with printing and mailing the Banshee Gazette we have decided to publish The Gazette three times a year.
Across the street from the main gate was a small strip mall catering to the soldiers. I got my first credit card at a store called the Brick. I am not sure if it was there, or at another store, but they would allow you to "pawn" your jump boots. I paid $70 or $80 for my special "jump" boots (as if I would really wear them to jump in), and I could get $20 until payday.
This was frowned upon, and so occasionally they would have a special inspection just before payday to catch those foolish enough to do this. The credit card was a way around this.
Gary Campbell