320th Field Artillery Association

Exciting Stuff!

From Vice Chairman Tom Walinski:

After several years of discussion we are proud to announce that 320^th AFA Association is forging ahead into the electronic media age! We are developing a 320^th AFA Web Site and expect to have it on line with most of the “bells and whistles” by reunion time! Input has been gathered from several computer savvy and knowledgeable members and decisions are being made daily on making this site very user friendly and helpful to all our members with Internet access.

We expect to demonstrate the site at the reunion in September and get everything completed by the end of this year. “Completed” does not mean a static site that will never change. It means that we will have the ability to update real-time and do an excellent job of communicating with each other regardless of where you may be now or in the future.

We are not restricted by any definite guidelines. We will listen to any and all ideas and implement what we can based on our finances. In that regard, if you haven’t paid your dues lately, please do so ASAP. It does cost real $$$$$ to run the Association on behalf of all the members.

This Website project is one of the more aggressive we have undertaken, yet one that absolutely positively has to be implemented. The only way we have to pay for it is through the dues we collect and we are counting on each member to be ”in good standing” by bringing delinquent dues up to date.

Membership Report WWII to Present

From Treasurer Rodger Jacobson:

I have not made an official count but we know that we have several hundred Troopers from the 50’s and 60’s that have been receiving the Newsletter in the past and are currently behind on dues or have never ever paid dues at all. We need the moral and financial support of every 320 Trooper possible. Do you remember the 320^th motto? “WILLING AND ABLE”. If you take this Motto seriously the rest is easy.

If you are among this group of tardy troopers and would like to bring your dues up to date and become current again, this is what you need to do. Fill out the Application Blank at the end of this letter and send us a check for $20.00. $10.00 is for 2007 Dues and the other $10.00 is for all past delinquent years regardless of how many it may be. The Dues Year runs from Jan 01 to Jan 01 regardless of what month you have paid your dues in.

If you are NEW to the Association just check the New Member Box and send in your annual dues of $10.00 or Lifetime dues of $100.00.

The WWII Troopers, Widows, family members and certain other troopers that have for health or other reasons fallen on difficult times will continue to receive the Newsletter at no charge.

If you find it difficult for any reason to pay the Membership Fee and would like to continue receiving the Newsletter just notify any of the Association Officers and it will be taken care of.

Most organizations require Paid Membership to attend their Reunions. We have never done this in the past but are seriously considering it at this time. If Membership isn’t a requirement then a dual Registration fee for Members/Non-Members will have to be enacted.

Emailing Newsletter/Instant updates

If you received this Newsletter by regular mail and you DO HAVE EMAIL, please send us a message at rodleone@centurytel.net

Please put (320^th Email address) in the subject line so I know to open it. I will not have your new address in my address book and it will be deleted unless I have some idea who it is from..

Please update us at the same time with your current mailing address, telephone etc. We will need your Full Name as your Signature. I get emails every day with EG, RJ, LM, Gus, Tim, Tom or whatever signature you use and in some cases no signature at all. In my advanced age I can no longer remember who you are by a couple of initials

We do have a few with email that can’t receive a large Newsletter or emails with a lot of pictures. Please be sure to tell me this so I can keep you in the unit address book for instant updates but send you the Newsletter by regular mail. Sending the Newsletter by Email cuts postage and printing cost’s for the Association. However, what I like and appreciate about the email is I have 350 less Newsletters to fold, stamp, and address.

Another point I would like to make is if I send you a message and ask you a question please REPLY with the Question intact in the email. I may send 15 emails a day asking a few questions about your unit or if you knew someone or whatever. If you reply with a one-word yes or no it is difficult for me to piece together. The questions I asked recently about Pay pal and if you would be attending the Reunion got many replies such as nope, and maybe and several with no signature.

I do however want to thank you for those brief messages. I sent out 380 email messages asking for information and only 40 of you replied. Of those 40 that replied more than half asked what Pay Pal was as I didn’t explain how it was to be used and they had never had an occasion to use it.

I have, as most of you know an email address book for each unit of the 320^th. A few Battery’s are consolidated with another Btry as they only have one or two addresses at this time.

Bounced Email Addresses and Newsletter

I have 2,000 email addresses now and I no longer try to call you to get your new address every time you change it. If your address bounces I take you off the email roster and you get no more instant updates. The next information you receive will be in the next Newsletter if your dues are current.

We have many email address update systems that may be used to keep us informed of address changes. I use the PLAXO Email update system and I am asking each of you to use it, if for no one else than the Association.

PLAXO is free and when you change your address you only change the address in your own personal address book and then click send. All your friends that use PLAXO (including the 320^th Association get your new address installed in our address book and we don’t have top do a thing.) Remember it is FREE and it saves the Association a lot of time and work.

As most of you know our last Newsletter was late, pieced together and not of the quality you deserve. I was burned out and not giving what I should have.

I was getting ready to print the last Newsletter and had no Message from the Chairman to print. After sending a few emails and asking a few questions I found out Chairman Shannon Cash had sent the Chairman’s Message to me two weeks prior. I started searching my computer and found his message in my DELETED FILE.

We still have that problem but I have learned how to set up Email Message Rules. When an Email comes from Chairman Shannon Cash now it comes in a Shannon Cash file so it doesn’t get deleted.

News From The 60’s Troops

(Ed Note) When we say 60’s we really mean anyone from the 60’s to present as we do have many from all the years up to the present Day Troops in Iraq

For many years now our Newsletter has been about the WWII and 50’s 320^th Troopers. We had a group of about twenty C/2/320^th Troopers that had started there own group and attended a reunion about 10 years ago but we never stayed connected.

They have since at the urging of Ernest McCray and a few others been communicating again and sounds like some will be attending the Sept Reunion. At the 2003 Reunion we elected Tom Walinski as our first Association Officer from the 60’s as our Vice Chairman.

Tom known as “Waldo” by his friends, worked for our Past Chairman Joe Montoya in the FDC Section in Ft Campbell, KY and Viet Nam in the 60’s. In 2005 we elected two more 60’s Troopers Shannon Cash as Chairman and Bob Runo as Secretary, both serving with Joe and Tom also.

At the 2005 Reunion a challenge went out to the 60’s troopers in attendance by (I think by Tom Walinski) to go out and bring in another trooper and in turn challenge him to do the same. In the past two years we have been locating many of these 60’s Troopers again.

Thanks to the hard work of these Troopers and some new ones like Jack Johnston we now have 180 on the Current address roster and 101 of them have email. We also have another 50 with not current addresses, 200 more not found and 40 that are on the Deceased roster.

We recently found a Trooper that has on his own, located about 30 or 40 of his friends and has stayed in contact with them for several years now. We may have some of them attending the reunion also.

The next few pages of this Newsletter are copies of some of the many emails that have been flying back and forth while visiting with new Troopers gathering information. This will give you a look at what is going on behind the scenes. I will do my best to identify everyone but if I fail to do so let me know and I will try to clear it up.

I’m not sure exactly where it really started but I think Vice Chairman Tom Walinski put a message on a Viet Nam Website that he was looking for some of his friends from the 320^th and this is where we pick up.

To: Tom Walinski from Jack Johnston in North Hills, CA, Are you the same Walinski that was in my FDC Section at Fort Campbell, KY in 1964?

Thanks,

Jack Johnston

(Ed Note, Jack by the way has been the most active of the 60’s group at searching for these V/N guys.)

From Jack Johnston:

I have not kept in touch with any of the guys. I had a drink with Dennis Bubnar in Oxnard in 79 and talked to Shannon Cash on the phone at about the same time. I know where they are but I am sure you do too. I bumped into McMillan from "A" battery in 79 also but did not stay in contact with him. He told me at the time about all the 320th guys that got killed in Nam and about Anderson getting the CMH. If you have contact for Jerry Briggs please pass it along, I know he was in Racine WI. If you have his e-mail that would be great. Also for Shannon Cash and Andrew H. Ross.

I will go for now and probably send you another e-mail Sunday night when I have the watch engineer duties here at work in the San Fernando Valley. Forward this e-mail along to any one you want to.
Great to hear from you,

Jack Johnston

Hello Tom Walinski:

I’m Peter Ramirez, El Centro, California.

I served with the 101^st from 7/03/64 – 7/28/66. I served with ‘B’ Btry, 321^st Artillery In May 1965 I, along with other buddies, volunteered and transferred over to the 2/320^th.

We sailed to Viet Nam with the First Brigade aboard the cruise liner General Leroy Eltinge. (Ed Note, from what I hear the term Cruise Liner is used very loosely here as most referred to it as the “Rusty Bucket”)

I was an RTO assigned to one of our FO teams. When I returned stateside, I was assigned to 1^st Bn. 320^th FA at Ft. Bragg, NC.

Please give me information on the 320^thFA Association. Is this the same group that is associated with Rodger Jacobson? Does the 320^th FA have reunions that include Viet Nam Vets? I attended the 1^st Brigade 9^th Reunion in Mesa, AZ in 2003 and I was very surprised and disappointed that only the Battalion CO, A Battery CO and three cannon cockers attended.

Through the 1^st Brigade Quarterly Publication and Website, I’ve been able to locate former members of my unit. They found me, also.

I hope to hear from you. Peter

Waldo’s Reply

Peter, glad to hear from you! I also am a "boat person". I went over with HHB and served with "B" Btry as FDC Chief from 1/66 to 6/66. I likely directed some of your fire mission requests! After returning to Ft Campbell I spent time with HHB 2/321st. When the rest of the 101st was assigned to VN I transferred to Ft Bragg and spent 67-68 with HHB 2/319th. I got out 5/68.

Yes, I am the Vice Chairman of the 320th Association. Rodger Jacobson is the Secretary and and we are trying to keep in touch with each other (320th Vets). If that is to be then we from the VN era and beyond are going to have to take charge and recruit each other and organize, etc. Are you getting the 320th newsletter? Do you have names of others I can contact? Please, if you do it will help us a great deal if you send them to us. I also subscribe to Ivan Worrell's publication and am contacting guys I find in there.

We have a reunion at Clarksville every other year. We are also about to dedicate a permanent 320th Airborne Field Artillery memorial monument at the entrance to the Airborne and Special Operation Museum at Fayetteville.

I spearheaded that project and we raised $3500 (the entire cost) through contributions beginning at the last reunion. At that reunion we had several people from the VN era including Lt Dan Mydy and PFC Ray Brevik. Dan was an FO and Ray was his RTO, both from "B" Btry and both "boat people". I have a copy of the orders transferring you to VN, if this is you, RA 19797552. I got the copy from Clarence Best. He was the Gun Chief on #5 in "B". He and I were there together the night of June 7, 66.

Dennis Bubnar came from Oxnard, CA and we had people from Phoenix, FL, Indiana and Georgia. I am always trying to find others and trying to keep everyone on the "Jacobson" roster. He has done a great deal of work in maintaining it and I'd hate to loose it. We will schedule another Clarksville reunion in 2007.

All the best, Tom

(Peters reply.) It sure is good to hear from another 320^th trooper. I know Ray Brevik well. He hails from a small town in the state of Washington; Sedro-Woolly if I recall. The RTO’s were Ray, and a big fellow named Magnus and myself. My chief was Lt. Taylor.

After Viet Nam, Ray and I were together at FT. Bragg with Charlie Battery, 320^th, along with my old Recon Sgt. Thomas Sturdevant. If you have an e-mail address on Ray, please pass it on. Please tell me more of the 320^th reunions. Are they held in other parts of the country? The 101^st held a reunion in Reno, NV in 2003 but I missed it. Yes, the RA 19797552 is definitely my serial number.

Other 320^th pals I have communicated with are:

Harold Buckner, Robert Dickson and Frank Esquerra.

Please do keep me in your communications loop.

Peter

From Donald Fox

I saw your add in the Always First Vol. 8 and thought I'd drop you a line and get an info package on the 320 ABN FA Association.

Donald Fox

Det. 2/CCS, 28th Test & Evaluation Squadron

Tyndall AFB Florida

COMM: (850) 283-6751

From Waldo to Donald Fox

Hey Donald,

I forwarded your message to Rodger Jacobson, our 320th Assn. Secretary. He'll get you on our newsletter mailing list, etc.

The 320th Arty Assn has members all the way back to WWII. We meet (reunion) every 2nd year in Clarksville and usually have over 150 people. We from the VN era are beginning to transition to the positions of leadership within the Assn necessitated by the aging of the other guys.

Just this month we placed a 320th Unit Memorial at the entrance to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC. We have yet to arrange for a dedication ceremony, but will soon. We are always looking for the guys from the 320th and our roster is growing all the time. If you have any contacts we can add we would appreciate it.

I was the FDC Chief in "B" Btry from 1/66 to 6/66. Prior to that I was in HHB FDC. I am one of the original "Boat People", having gone to VN on the USNS Leroy El Tinge 7/65. What did you do in "B" Btry and when did you get there? Tom

From Donald Fox:

I arrived in Vietnam in late Aug or Sep 66 and was assigned to B Battery 2/320 FA and joined them at Tuy Hoa. I was in the Ammo Section with Ron Matuska, Greg?, Riley, Evens, and a few others. Ronald Barrett was there for a while as well.

I left in Sep 67 and reassigned to Ft Bragg HQ Battalion for some administrative training but opted to attend Parachute Rigger School in VA. I returned to Ft Bragg to the 82 AES Co and became the Club Rigger at the 82nd ABN DIV Sport Parachute Club until I left the Army in Feb 69.

I've worked as a Parachute Rigger in the US Air Force as a Civilian/Civil Service for 25 years and due to a hearing problem, I was reassigned to a Secretary's position and now a Commander's Secretary for the last 8 years and should retire on 2 Jan 07 if my buyout application is approved.

Thanks for writing, keep in touch.

Donald

From Waldo: Hey Jack!

100% me! It’s great to hear from you. There was Jerry Briggs, Ed Cason, Bill Hopkins, Joe Montoya, Doc Holiday (65-VN), among others. Everyone called me "Waldo".

I can get you more info on the 320th guys. I am the Vice Chairman of the 320th Assn. Can you give me some more of your contact info?

Tom Walinski, 7705 Sicilia Court, Naples, FL 34114, (239) 896-7037

I've got contact info for all but Andy Ross. Jerry Briggs is retired from American Airlines and lives in Phoenix. Dennis Bubnar lives Port Hueneme, CA and is on a temporary assignment to Seattle. WA. Shannon Cash lives in West Palm Beach, Fl and works at Florida Atlantic University.

Give me a phone number for yourself and an address and I'll get you all the roster info you need and a copy of our 320th newsletter.

Waldo

TAPS

Deceased Trooper Carl Otis Boor from Jack Johnston

Hi Waldo;

It was great talking to you Sunday.

You said that Carl Otis Boor contact had been lost some time back. I used my ancestry .com and got 3 hits, One for Carl’s death at Caldwell KS. June 01, 2001. Obituary was in the Wichita Eagle, the other two were for Carl's son who lives in Hopkinsville Ky. which gave his phone #. 270-886-2215. I was able to reach Carl Jr. mid morning after he got home from work on graveyard shift.

He verified that the Carl Otis Boor that died 06-01-01 in Caldwell was his father by the same name and the same Carl Otis Boor that was in the 320th Arty at Fort Campbell 1963-64 and later. He said Carl died in his sleep at home of natural causes after a prolonged period of failing health.

Carl Jr. is very much interested in hearing from his dad's former army friends and would like to attend the next 320th Arty. reunion at Clarksville. His e-mail # is as follows mom03@charter.net

Please pass this info along to those who knew Carl

Thank you, Jack Johnston

From Waldo to Carl Boor Jr:

Dear Carl Jr.

I got your e-mail address from Jack Johnston. He told me that you verified that you are my friend's son. I am truly sorry to hear that your Dad has passed on. Carl and I were very close friends during our days at Ft. Campbell.

He was even the Best Man at my wedding to a girl from Clarksville (since divorced). We had some wonderful experiences together and my memories of him are all good. I usually called him C.O. because I had a cousin named Carl Otto whom I called C.O. and Carl Otis was close enough to be a cousin! Everyone in the 320th Artillery called me "Waldo" and many still do to this day.

I lost track of your Dad after Vietnam and never could find him again. I am very pleased to know that he has a son to carry on his name. I'd like very much to hear about his life.

We will be having a reunion in Clarksville next year and we will most certainly keep you informed.

Sincerely,

Tom Walinski

Concerned Officers

(Ed Note) These next messages were sent back and forth last year when the Newsletter was way overdue.

This one from Vice Chairman Tom Walinski to Chairman Shannon Cash and all the Assoc.Officers.

Mr. Chairman:

Any idea when we will have a newsletter? I spoke with Rodger a couple of weeks ago and he said he was finishing up on it then. One of the most important things we must do is communicate with our members. We need to take some initiative in this and decide as officers of the association how we can handle this on a more routine time schedule.

Perhaps we can take some action to get a website going and post news to it. Most everyone has a computer with internet access. For those who don't, we could get a few newsletters through snail mail. It would probably be cheaper in the long run, too.

As an officer I make a motion that we take, what action I don't know right now, but some action to help Rodger and/or decide how we can approach this for the future. Tom

From Vice Chairman Tom Walinski,

Rodg,

I agree 100% that the Officers need to communicate more often and get more involved in making the Association a perpetual thing. I have some time on my hands these days, am very computer literate and will help you however I need to. How can I help you?

I need some authorization from the officers to proceed with the development of a web site and am willing to pursue it on my time.

I will write an article for every newsletter as long as I am able, if you'd like and the officers want that. It seems that the position of Chairman ought to include the duty of column contribution to each and every newsletter. If the Chairman is unable to do it for a valid reason then that duty ought to fall to the Vice Chairman, Secretary and then the Treasurer. The duties of the Officers ought to be published in a newsletter prior to our next reunion and nominations for the open positions ought to be solicited in the newsletter prior to the business meeting at the reunion.

Any thoughts, Officers of the Association?

Tom

Reply from Joe Montoya in reply to my question to him about the term “Separate”

In 1965 when they decided to commit regular Army units to help the South Vietnamese, they only had only a few units in the 101st Airborne that were ready to take on the job, that was the 1st Brigade of the 101st. Brigade is just another word for an Airborne Regimental Combat team ARCT as we knew it.

The reason the 1st Brigade was called separate was because we were committed to a combat role separate from the rest of the 101st Abn Div. As I pointed out earlier the rest of the 101 came over to Vietnam in early 1967.

Bob Runo was in the 2/319 Abn FA which was part of the 173rd Brigade, stationed in Okinawa at the time. Bob went to Vietnam with them about two months before the 1st Brigade got there in July of 1965. The two units just kind of followed each other around South Vietnam.

I got the newsletter OK. I know it is not easy putting the letter together, and I appreciate your efforts I doubt that you will ever get much more input from the 1955-1956 guys, except for the Taps part of the letter. We are all getting older and don't have the energy to think along the lines of writing something for the letter. I will have more on this subject later. Joe

Rodger,

Johnny Johnson here, I received your letter, thank you so much, I am still looking for Paul Randle from C Btry 1964 he was from St Paul MN or GA

John Johnson

sgtjdj1@sbcglobal.net

From Robert “Bob” Tidwell

Rodger,

I did receive the first newsletter. It was great. My memory is so bad now I hardly remember anything, especially from back then.

I only remember a couple of names from back then. Tony Short. He was from the East Coast, I think. Elijah Harris, He was from Oakland, California; Bobby Messer; I think when he returned to the states, he went to OCS and retired as a major. Last I heard, he was a police officer, I believe in Miami, Florida.

I'm sorry, that’s all I remember. If you find them, or anyone else, let me know. I was "C" Battery, 2/320th, from about May 1965 to June 1966. I was with "C" Btry 1/321st before that, from 12/63 to May 65. Bob

Mr. Larry Brooks,

I am sending this message as a response to the email that originated with you that was forwarded to the 320^th Association members. The article was interesting, but more interesting to me was Rodger’s statement that you are writing a book on the 320^th in VN.

I was commander of B/1/30 from about October 66 to April 67. The battery was providing general fire support to the 1/101 Airborne Bde. We were associated with the 320^th in one way or another throughout my time with that Battery. That relationship began before I was there and I believe had existed from about the time the Bde went into VN. My predecessor was Cpt. Joe Toth.

I wonder if you are including anything in your book about our battery. If you do include anything, are you working with someone from the 30^th FA Association or someone who had experience with the Unit. I know I would appreciate the opportunity to contribute to your effort and expect that Joe would be interested as well.

I also have one picture of a posed photo of the 320^th officers that I believe was taken at Khan Duong (west of Phan Rang, I believe) in early ’67. I’d be happy to scan and email it to you if you are interested.

Please let me know if I and others from B/1/30 can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Ray Zugel

Fairfax Station, VA

703-625-7958

(Ed Note) I had reason to check into the Hard Chargers Website tonight Friday March 30 2007, and the first thing I ran across was this. I copied directly from the Website. I'm sorry to have to bring you such sad news.

TAPS

February 10, 2007
From Ray Zugel:

Dear Friends and Family,

We are very sad to report that our oldest son, Kenneth, died yesterday as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident. He leaves behind his wife Mimi and their two children, Cecilia, age 7, and Patrick, age 5. Funeral service was March 10, 2007

We miss him terribly,

Ray & Elaine

From Cliff Anderson

Hello Rodger,

Do you know how I can get in touch with Larry Brooks? I would like to talk to him about his book. And would like to get one of the first books out.

Another question. Does the 320th Association have a place where you keep information and other items about the 320th that can be looked at. The reason I am asking is I just had a painting done of our Arty Unit in Nam, and if the Association has a place to display one I will donate a framed print when I received them from the printer.

If you would like to see a picture of it I will send you one that I took, it's not the best copy but you will be able to get the ideal of what it looks like.

Thanks, Cliff

(Ed note) I asked a general question about the size of an Artillery Btry during Viet Nam and received this from Tom Gaither.

The full strength of a 105 battery, as I recall, was 106. There were four officers: BC, XO, FDO, and FO. There are six guns in a battery.

When we went to RVN in '65 we had M101A1's and shortly after arrival got issued M102's. Up in "Happy Valley", our first shit kicker, between Quinon and AnKhe, A Btry fired almost 7,000 rounds in 24 hours. My personal best, ha! Had ammo coming into the Battery position by cattle truck.

Holler if there's anything else I can help with.

Tom Gaither

RoDger,

My name is Greg Goddard and I was with the 101st from '64 to '67. I was one of the original (boat people) that went overseas in July '65 on the General Leroy Eltinge. Boy, what did that General ever do to get that piece of crap named after him?

I was assigned to 'C' Btry 2/320 Arty and helped build the base camp at Phan Rang. We went on 23 operations during that year supporting the '0' Duece and 327 grunts and logged more miles of operations than any outfit since. Always looking for trouble and finding it.
If this is helpful to you in any way then you can get touch with me @
gforce2646@hotmail.com or 801-968-4574 thanks for getting in touch with us.

God bless. Greg

From Tom Gaither: Operation Delaware.

We went over to show support for the Shaw of Iran. I made a couple of jumps there but the AF missed our DZ by five miles. Bob Clewell, Chuck Ivy, and I stole Fred J Merritt's jeep, filled it with JP4 and went hunting brass trays. I still have the brass tray and a picture over Clewell's shoulder of the speedometer and the needle is stuck past 60 mph.

Another of those priceless experiences.

Tom

Email Message to V/N group from me.

Gentlemen,

Do any of you have contact with Walter Tangel or Edward Barker?? Both have bad mailing addresses and phone numbers. Joe Montoya and I are updating all the 50's guys and Shannon Cash and Tom Walinski are updating all the guys from the 60's to present.

We will be asking for more help when they get their info to me. If you have email or regular mailing addresses on anyone from the 320th please let us know. I would rather have 10 of you send me the same address than miss out on connecting with one guy. I don't care if the address is even no longer good it gives me a place to start.

From Walter Tangel:

Rodger,
Merry Christmas to you, too!
Current home address:
2052 Moss Creek Ct.
Richmond, KY 40425
859-624-2840
Work phone: 859-622-6567
You may recall from a previous conversation, I served with Art Deverill in Vietnam. We were in the 2/11th FA when it was organic to 101st DIVARTY. I attended 101st Artillery functions at Campbell. Recently I met members of 3/320th Red Knight Rakkasans and LTC Root when they returned from Iraq. Personally, I was never assigned to a 320th unit, but 101st DIVARTY in Vietnam.
I talked to Art Deverill this date. He seems to be doing well.
Walter Tangel

(Ed Note) Edward “Bill” Barker has been found also.

Rodger,

After reading the 320th newsletter I noted

Reference to former commanders of the 320th BN assigned to 101st Divarty:
320th Commanders
LTC Andrew S. Bolcar   1967
LTC James E. London   1968
LTC George E. Peters   1968
LTC Warren G. Tucker   1968
LTC John C. Walton      1969 DFC

I distinctly recall LTC Peters. In Aug 1968 my battery, B 2/th FA (155mm) was co-located with one of LTC Peters' 105mm batteries on FSB Georgia overlooking the A Shau Valley. At the time I was a brand new in country Fire Direction Officer just out in the field on my first assignment. We frequently took incoming NVA arty. LTC Peters was hit while visiting our firebase and severely wounded. I believe he was evacuated to a hospital ship. Not long after the incident we closed the firebase and my battery went to LZ Sally. I was happy to get off FSB Georgia. Actually, when we left we were taking incoming Arty and I was in the last CH-47 out (because I was the new 2LT).
I also was acquainted with CSM Bob Kreider in Gallatin, TN when I lived there. Bob recruited me into the American Legion when I moved there in 1995 when I was appointed police chief. He was always proud of his 320th service. Bob passed away about two years ago. I was a pallbearer at his funeral. He was a great Airborne Field Artillery soldier.
Attached is a picture I took at the 320 ARTY Ball at Ft.Campbell JAN 2002 depicting Joe Montoya and Bob Kreider.
Happy Holidays!
Walter Tangel

TAPS

From Jack Johnston:

I have a sad report on Leo R Szpur from Col Gaither's "A" Battery list.

I spoke with Leo's mom on the phone today. She verified that the Leo Szpur whose death notice is public record and is buried in the vet cemetery at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial cemetery at Union Grove, WI is one and the same Paratrooper that was in the 320th Arty.101st Airborne in the 60's. Mrs. Szpur had to struggle with her English but I am sure I understood her correctly.

Leo had a home and family and as she thought he was happy. I left my phone number and e-mail in case Leo's brother would like to talk to me. I am not including her phone number as they seem to be a very private family and are still deeply touched by Leo's passing.

The Szpur family

11242 South Longwood Dr.

Chicago, Illinois 60643

More information from Jack Johnston

I have located Richard Jarvis in Jacksonville Fla.

Richard and his wife Sue have been in Jacksonville for the last 20 years. He is a retired construction worker and spends a good deal of time with his second love, after his family. (Motorcycles) They have 1 daughter, 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Richard is very much interested in attending the next 320th reunion in Clarksville and would like to receive an application, newsletter and be added to the 320th roster.

Richard does not have e-mail but his address and phone number are:

Richard Jarvis

8221 Nussbaum Dr

Jacksonville, Florida 32210

(904) 779 0339,

Waldo, please forward this to Roger Jacobson and any one that I may have left off the cc list.

Thanks, Jack Johnston.

This is one of several replies I received in reply to a Question to our V/N Troops concerning the term Fire Fly Re-Supply.

From George A Hooker

Brooks and I need to talk.

As for "Firefly": that was the abbreviated code for a flare eration and/or the flare ship, believe most commonly a C-123. I do not recall hearing the term linked to re-supply but if a re-supply were occurring after dark........well.......people sometimes made up their own terms for things not covered in the SOI.

George

From Jim Samuel: I had heard of it in the past. I can't remember if it was when we were resupplyed with ammunition when I was with the infantry or when they were getting new illumination rounds for the artillery. Jim,

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Edward H Williams HHB/2/320/ 67/68

WILLIAMS, Edward H. beloved husband of Cathy Williams and the late Melita Williams devoted father of Michelle, Kirk, Peter and the late Katie Williams, dear brother of Parker (Kathleen) Williams, Shelley (Jack) Beierschmitt and the late Rhys Williams. Friday March 23, 2007, age 61 years. Friends may call at St. Margaret Mary Church 1830 Galbraith Rd. N.C.H. Tuesday 9:30 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. Ed was a gifted artist and musician. Memorials may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, 4460 Lake Forrest Dr., Blue Ash, OH 45242. Hodapp Funeral Home, College Hill, is serving the family.

WWII 320 GFA News

(Ed Note) I had a phone call from Carlton Johnson in Krotz Springs, LA this morning and had a very enjoyable visit with him.

Carlton is a 91-year-old 320th Glider Field Artillery Veteran from WWII. I stopped and visited with Carlton about 15 years ago when I was trucking. He called to say thanks for the Newsletter we have been sending him all these years.

Carlton is very hard of hearing, is still living in his own home, and is being looked after by his niece and nephew. We don't have to many of these guys left. In fact we lost another in October.

How about sending Carlton a Card and mention that you are carrying on the 320th tradition.

Carlton Johnson

Po Box 463 721 Front St

Krotz Springs, LA 70750

News of the 1950’s

17 October 2006

I was working on Svc Btry today and made a few more phone calls. I was trying to track down a polish guy by the name of F. S. Zelankovich. There isn't one person by that name in the USA.

I talked to Willard L Zane in Victor, MT and got his new email address. It is on the Email address list that I will send you. Willard is living in MT. year around now. Has had some health problems and is a little short of breath once in a while. Willard said he is sure that Zelankovich first name was Frank.

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I called Peter (Pete) Zarrow only to find out he passed away 09 Dec 05. Pete’s widow said she had talked to someone and they were going to let me know.

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I called Archie Rodgers to ask a few questions and found out Ronald M Voorhies passed away 09 Dec 2002.

Archie has an Email address for Howard Wanke and we will have that shortly also. He asked me if we had located Marvin Wright and we have not so far. I did a quick search and have a few leads in the Seattle area.

I talked to Sgt Harvey G Hallenbeck in LaClede, ID a couple hours ago. He is doing well and volunteers driving old Vets to Doctors Appointments and Hospital. I think he also does something with the Fish and Game Dept. He say's he sees at least a dozen Moose for every Deer in his area.

It sounds like he plans on getting some guys together and attending the September 2007 Reunion in Clarksville. Sgt Hallenbeck's address is:

Harvey G Hallenbeck

PO Box 133

La Clede, ID 83864-0133

208-263-9866

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This from Joe Montoya,

David “Chief” Maciel passed away last Tuesday at his residence. Funeral Mass was yesterday with Burial today at Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholasville KY. Chief was 83. Joe,

Joe, I've had three requests for info about the "Chiefs" military career. Was there an Obit in the Clarksville paper? I only notified the 320/11th group from Germany. Was he with any of our 51-56 320th Battery's or Viet Nam or do you know. Rodg

From Joe

I've sent you all that was in the Obit'. "Chief' was in WW2, Korea and Vietnam. He was in Alpha Battery 320th of the 11th Abn.Divarty in Germany from 1956 to 1958. The 11th Abn.Division had three Batteries of the 320th. This was after our 320th was deactivated in1956. Chief is the only person I know that served continuously with the 11th Abn.Division from its activation in 1943 until deactivation in 1958.

The 11th was in the South Pacific during WWII and served in the occupation of Japan until it's return to the US and Ft Campbell in 1949. In the late 60's "Chief" was in Vietnam as an advisor to the Vietnamese Army. He earned the Silver Star for heroism during this tour. Chief had a twenty-nine year army career and retired in Oak Grove, Ky. He was a Master Parachutist and the Consummate Airborne Artilleryman.

He maintained a very low profile, had a very unassuming manner and a great sense of humor. The Parish of St Michael in Oak Grove KY and all his many Military Comrades will miss him dearly.

17 Nov 2006

Note from Carol Ann Imhoff

Rodger

If anyone ever comes this way that knew Jim Imhoff, I would love to have them call me or come to see me. I have plenty of room if they need one.

Carol Ann Imhoff

801-399-1083

Ogden, Utah (36 miles from Salt Lake)

27 March 2007

(Ed Note) Leone’s sister Lee and her husband Gary were going to spend a week in the Little Rock, AR area recently and I suggested they call John and Emma Miller (B Btry 55/56) to get together. This is what transpired. Hi Rodger and Leone,

What a great visit with Lee and Gary. We owe you two a special gift for sending those lovely Badgers our way.

The evening out was delightful and ended much too soon. "Shorty Smalls" has the best pork ribs on this planet. YUM! YUM!

Johnny has been involved in a heart test, and that causes me double duty. SMILE! I will let you know the developments of Ole John Buck

Love, Emma

28 March 2007

I ask Emma for an update on Johnny and received this.

It is good to hear from you. John goes in to have heart surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM 29 March. He will need two bypasses.

His physician has watched John very carefully every five to six years because of family history. (His mother had heart surgery in 1961 and he had a younger brother to die at 48 with a heart attack)

Please mark this date on your calendar and reserve your room ASAP

Exciting Stuff!

Emailing Newsletter/Instant updates

Bounced Email Addresses and Newsletter

News From The 60’s Troops

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WWII 320 GFA News

News of the 1950’s

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17 Nov 2006

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