Locator

A VVA STAFF REPORT

Send your Locator and Reunion notices to Locator, The VVA Veteran, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Alternately, send an email to veteranlocator@gmail.com or mkeating@vva.org

The Locator and Reunion services are provided without charge.

Looking for photos of the following men who were killed in Vietnam: Peter W. Baxter, Marines, KIA July 1, 1966; Walter Burke, Marines, November 22, 1968; Robert Nielsen, Marines, January 7, 1968; Theodore E. Moon, Jr., Army, March 28, 1969; David Nieves, Army, December 5, 1969; Bobby James Perkins, Army, December 26, 1968. We would like to display their photos at the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony for the eighty-four Staten Islanders killed in Vietnam. Contact: Dan Ingellis, VVA Chapter 421, P.O. Box 100097, Staten Island, NY 10310; dannyeye046@verizon.net

Would like to hear from Franklyn C. Goode, Ivar W. Rundgren, Robert W. Sims, Ronald A. Carl, and Randy West, who were assigned to 58th Trans. Bn. (AM&S), Red Beach, 1971. Contact: Jim Mouw, jwmouw@earthlink.net

Trying to locate my cousin, David Kaye, a Vietnam era Navy veteran who retired at the rank of Chief. He was born in 1955. His mother’s name is Bobbie Kaye and he has two brothers, Ronald and Mitch. His last-known location was Pa. Also trying to locate another cousin, Edward Bailey, an Air Force veteran who served with

the Military Police in Desert Storm, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. He was born in Brooklyn in June 1966. His last-known location was Ft. Dix, N.J. Contact: Hans C. Anderson 925481, C1116S, Zephyrhills C.I., 2739 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills, FL 33541-9701.

Joseph Robert Merlenbach is searching for anyone who served with him in the 709th Inf., Maintenance Div., Vietnam, June 1966-March 1967. He was then with USAR PAC in Bear Cat, January-November 1968. He left for Vietnam out of Junction City, Kans. Contact: Sherry Lynn, blueangelks47@yahoo.com

Would like to hear from Capt. Grady, who was a pilot for 219th Avn. Birddog Plt., Qui Nhon, 1966-67. I was his crew chief. Contact: Manuel A. Enos, P.O. Box 722, 308 3rd St., Yoncalla, OR 97499; 541-912-4288.

Seeking the Vietnam veterans from Alaska and Oregon with whom I used to correspond while I lived in Norilsk in the northern former USSR. I am a Russian veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Contact: Sergey Popov, sergey-popov-61@inbox.ru

Seeking information on Nguyen Thi Hue and two sisters who worked for Sinbad at the EM club in Bien Hoa for the 173rd Abn., 1966-67. Contact: sinbad173@aol.com

Would like to find David W. Vines, Richard Smith, Whittfield, Powers, Goodman, or anyone else I was stationed with in the Marines, 1971-75. I served with Co. B, 3rd Mt. Bn., 3rd Marine Div.; HSC BLT 1/9, 3rd Mar. Div.; and Co. D, BLT 1/9, 3rd Mar. Div. Contact: Donald D. Hartman, 1715 Oakland Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402; 319-270-4422.

Seeking my buddies from Basic Training, Co. B, Old 3rd, Ft. Dix, January-February 1966; 7th Admin Co., Korea, 1966-67; and 19th AG DPU and Data Service Center, Long Binh, 1968. Contact: Steve Holinka, 201-434-5278; stephenholinka@yahoo.com

I was on an Army Duster in November 1967-68 and spent a lot of time in Gio Linh (A-2). During that time a Marine company lost most of its men in a three-day period. On the third day, our track went out with them. I’ve forgotten the company and unit designation. Contact: Frank Cappadonia, andolinafrank@gmail.com

I arrived in Saigon on October 14, 1970. I was transported with four other guys to Camp Carroll, where we were trained in arms interdiction by a Special Forces guy named Jack O’Reilly. I seek contact with O’Reilly, Bob Hatfield, Mark Patenaude, and Tom Whitman. On May 18, 1971, Patenaude and Hatfield were wounded on the Ho Chi Minh Trail when we were involved in a brutal firefight. We never heard from them again after they were dusted off. Also would like to hear from anyone else who served with me. Contact: Steve Printz DJ0312, 1 Kelley Dr., Coal Township, PA 17866-1021.

Trying to locate personnel who were stationed with me in Nha Trang, September 1968-69. I was the NCO in charge of the Tool Issue Center, Equipment Management Branch, 14th Supply Sqdrn. Contact: Christopher Zarate, jzarate711@comcast.net

Trying to locate Jon Reynolds, a Vietnam veteran who graduated from Tombstone High School (Arizona) with me in 1961. I have a personal item of his to return. Contact: Douglas Huber, 1175 Chestnut St., Unit 6, Newton, MA 02464; 617-244-0843; douglashuber777@yahoo.com

Searching for anyone who served with Co. A, 1/508th Inf., 82nd Airborne, 4th Plt., 1968-69. Contact: Alvin A. Ohaver, 411 Shenandoah Ave., Mt. Lake Park, MD 21550; aamb00@verizon.net

Trying to find Alan Risman, a Vietnam veteran who graduated from Miami Beach High School in 1966. A group of us played football together. We will be attending our 50th high school reunion in October and would like him to join us. The last time anyone heard from him was several years ago, when my friend saw him driving a cab in the Miami area. Contact: Ron Herron, K. Bell Socks, 550 N. Oak St., Inglewood, CA 90302; 310-693-8930; 310-720-5676 (cell); Ron.Herron@kbellsocks.com

Trying to locate Sgt. Hamby, Army Special Forces. My last contact with him was from overhead in a C-123 “Smoky Bear” during the siege of Special Forces Camp Plei Me, October 25-26, 1965. Contact: Robert Hutchinson, 10320 Proverb Ct., New Port Richey, FL 34654.

Looking for those who tested the MUST (Medical Unit Self Transportable) Unit at Ft. Sam Houston, 1971-73. Contact: Bob Wilken, 128 Turner Ave., Edison, NJ 08820; Lurch1220@aol.com

Looking for anyone who served in Vietnam with Project Counter out of Ft. Lee in 1967, especially those who went over on the advanced flight out of Langley AFB in a camouflaged C-130 with stops in Hawaii, Wake Island, and Clark AFB, Philippines. Contact: Gary Gantt, P.O. Box 26813, Winston-Salem, NC 27114; 336-425-5931.

Trying to locate anyone I served with in B Btry., 6th Bn., 56th Arty., Bien Hoa and Long Binh, June 1966-67. Contact: Dallas E. Miller, 673 Crackers Neck Rd., Cleveland, VA 24225; 276-889-5052.

Looking for Dewey E. Smith from Franklin, Ohio, who graduated with me from Miami-Jacobs in Dayton in 1965. He served in the Army, I believe, with the Big Red One, and served at least two tours in Vietnam in 1966-68. Contact: Steve Wendling, radar.6768@yahoo.com

Need help for a disability claim. Looking for any Fitron 211 office personnel who served aboard U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19) or with Beach Det., Subic Bay, Philippines, to confirm in-country status in Vietnam, November 1969-March 1970. Contact: Thomas Kenney, tfkenney49@gmail.com

Found: Basic Training graduation book (KEEL) for Co. 234, 1st Regt., 12th Bn., United States Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill., June 15-August 10, 1964. It was found in suburban Philadelphia. Contact: Joe Henderson, leaper420@aol.com

In July 1970 I was stationed in Phu Bai with the 101st Airborne Div., B Co., 2nd/501st. On my first helicopter combat assault I was wounded by shrapnel in the face. Smitty lost a leg, receiving his fourth Purple Heart. I am trying to locate Lt. Joey or anyone who remembers the incident. Contact: George E. Wegman, 85 Forgham Rd., Rochester, NY 14616; 585-663-9034.

Trying to locate Frank Weatherwalk, a Vietnam veteran I met on a train from Washington, D.C. We wrote to each other for six months before we lost contact. I just want to know if he made it home safely from Vietnam. Contact: Gilva Russell, 2275 Whitehead Rd., Columbus, OH 43223; 614-276-4970.

Seeking those who served with 52nd Arty. Bde., Highlands AFS, Highlands, N.J., 1961-62. Contact: I.L. Dawkins, onebrokemale@yahoo.com

Seeking anyone who served with SSG David Henry Wainscott in B Trp., 1st Sqdrn., 1st Cav., Americal Div., Ft. Knox or Vietnam. He was killed in action on November 9, 1967, in Quang Nam Province. His three children were very young at the time and have little or no memory of their father. Contact: Janet Barras, barjan@fuse.net

Trying to locate Jim Ferdinand de la Serna, who served with the U.S. Military Communication Group in the Dominican Republic in 1965. He went to Vietnam the same year. Contact: Carlos Daniel Santos, Santiago de los Caballeros 51000, Dominican Republic; 809-445-8333; carlosdaniels123@hotmail.com

Looking for Mike Grady from Tulsa, Okla., who served with me at the USASA 8th RRU in Phu Bai, November 1964-December 1965. Contact: John McKay, 423-279-9882; jmckay61@yahoo.com

Trying to find anyone who was in Area 201 Laos in December 26, 1969-January 1, 1970, and remembers the attack on the night of December 31. Contact: Jack Campbell, 9715 Crescent Valley Dr. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332; gigcampbell@comcast.net

My father, James “Fred” Porter, would like to reconnect with anyone he was stationed with at Ft. Lewis, where he attended Engineer OCS, 26 Foxtrot 2, April-September 1969. He was good friends with Lt. Harry Gordon Prince, Jr., who was killed in action on March 14, 1971. He would also like to reconnect with Prince’s family. Contact: William F. Porter, 410-446-8056; wporter4671@yahoo.com

Looking for anyone who served with me in the 1st Cav., 13th Sig. Bn., Vietnam, 1965-66. Contact: Roger Harmon, raharm42@gmail.com

Seeking anyone who served with me at CORDS, MR3, Bien Hoa, 1970-71. Contact: Agostino Furnari, tfurnari@hotmail.com

Carlos Santiago Perez needs help for a claim. He is looking for anyone who served with him in the 1st Bn., 46th Inf. Regt., 1st Armored Div., Germany, 1974-76. Perez spent one year in Charlie Co. and four months in Bravo Co. He was also stationed at Co. C, 2nd Bn., 3rd Tng. Bde., Ft. Polk, for Basic Training, May-July 1974. Contact: Michael P. Pohorylo, Day Pitney, 242 Trumbull St., Hartford, CT 06103; 860-275-0619; mpohorylo@daypitney.com

Looking for Chief Harry Wheaton from Alliance, Ohio, who served in UDT and then Navy SEAL Team in Vietnam, 1967-69. He was assigned to Special Ops Swift Boat Command, Cat Lo, 1968, and also served in Special Ops in Thailand and Korea. His last-known location was Detroit. Also trying to find Warrant Officer Phil McBride. Contact: Jeremy Strong, CatLoSealTeam@aol.com

Trying to locate members of E Btry., 82nd Arty., 1st Air Cav. Div., Phouc Vinh, 1969-70. Contact: Richard Jordan, 606 Main St., Ida Grove, IA 51445.

Trying to find Walter Sylvester Boatright, who served in the Army for three years, part of which may have been in a hospital due to the loss of his arm. He is originally from Nevada, but moved to coastal Oregon. He may have moved to Seattle. Contact: Verlene Cooper, verlenecooper@gmail.com

I am an Australian Vietnam veteran who served in 1968-69. Trying locate Capt. Al Ash from New Orleans, who served with the U.S. Air Force at Phan Rang AFB. Also looking for Capt. Wendel Cook, who served as a pilot with an F100 super sabre squadron at Phan Rang, 1968-70. Contact: Kevin “Rick” Neilsen, moho8@bigpond.com

Looking for classmates who graduated from USMC Officer Basic School Class 6-68 on May 1, 1968. Contact: Tony Joseph, 778-813-9901; abj3@sbcglobal.net

Looking for B Btry., 4/42 Arty. soldiers who survived “Brillo Pad” in May-June 1968 and can verify my right arm injury from an 82 mm mortar round. Contact: Manuel R. Román, Jr., 916-203-0211; docrjr@sbcglobal.net

I have come across the following dog tag: Cole / V.L.JR / 2486998 A / USMC S / Catholic. I would like to return the tag to its owner or his family. Contact: Victoria Westerby, vickiwxm1@yahoo.co.uk

Trying to locate my uncle, John Jerry Martens, a retired Navy Judge Advocate Gen. He enlisted in the Navy in 1971 and served aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, where he served as negotiator of a racial riot. He discharged in 1991. I was told he was living in Los Angeles and teaching Military Law at a college. Contact: David Friesen 97284, Joseph Harp Correctional Center, Box 548, Segregated Housing Unit, Lexington, OK 73051-0548.

Need help for PTSD claim. Looking for unit records and daily journals for the following units: 101st Abn. Div., A Co., 2nd Bn., 501st Sig. Bn., October 1967-June 1968; Advisory Group 100-581st, M.I. Det. (CMAC), June-August 1968; A Co., 9th Sig. Bn., 9th Inf. Div., August-December 1968. Contact: James Everett III, AS-0363; State Correctional Institution at Dallas, 1000 Follies Rd., Dallas, PA 18612.

Would like to hear from James Finn. I was transferred from Ft. Bragg in 1973 to Ft. McClellan to the 365th Trans. Co., and we became friends. Finn showed me where everything was and helped get me settled. I was from Cherryville, N.C., and he rode home with me one weekend. We wrecked his AMC Hornet and were lucky we weren’t hurt. Contact: John V. Beal #0024543, P.O. Box 222, Tillery, NC 27887.

Would like to hear from Robert, who arrived in Vietnam with me on January 15, 1969. On the 16th a mortar came into our area and blew through the hutches and into our tent. We were both hit, but Robert was badly hurt. Contact: Rich, 715-459-4932; jmbudzin@tznet.com

Searching for my Basic Training unit photograph. I had Basic at Ft. Campbell with Co. E, 2nd Bde., 7th Bn., graduation in April 1968. I was the 1st squad leader, and the platoon leader was George Heatherly (KIA 1969). Our DIs were SSG Brown and SSG Cahoon, and the training officer was 2nd Lt. Mason. I am looking for the group photo. Contact: Mike Berzinsky, 1712 Crystal Spring Rd., Two Rivers, WI 54241; 920-794-8142; lerch@charter.net

Trying to locate my brother, Andrew Joseph Alexis, who served in the Vietnam War. I saw him about three years ago in Seattle and haven’t heard from him since. Our mother would like to see him. Contact: Helen Weekes, helentweekes@hotmail.com

Seeking anyone who served on YRBM 20 and Vung Tau Naval Ord. Depot, Vietnam, January-November 1971. I was awarded 70 percent for PTSD and 10 percent for tinnitus, and could possibly help others with their claims. Contact: Monte D. Gluck, Sr., riverrat116@q.com

Seeking anyone who knew my father, SSG Ronald A. Welch, a Vietnam veteran who served with the Marines. His last station was Barstow, Calif. The Marines retired him in June 1966, probably due to his war injuries. He died of cancer in June 1980. Contact: Connie Scott, hummerscott50@hotmail.com

Need help to verify boots-on-the-ground status for Vietnam, 1968-69. I served with the 463 FMS hydraulic shop out of Clarke Air Base, Philippines, C-130 aircraft, 1968-70. I went TDY to Tan Son Nhut Air Base in December 1968 and to Cam Ranh Bay Air Base for C-130 aircraft support in 1969. Searching for Robert Brock (from Ill.), Lance Ertman (Mich.), Gordy Petersen (Wisc.), Eric Miller (Wisc.), Mark Roth, Goe Gannon, Dick Groot (Ill.), Eugene Dogget (Texas), the NCOs at Tan Son Nhut or Cam Ranh Bay or in charge of the hydraulic shop at Clarke Air Base, or anyone else who remembers me. I was from Wisc. Contact: Richard Pankoff, 6521 Rosemary Ln., Mt. Pleasant, WI 53406 flbazook@gmail.com

Looking for Larry Odham, A Co., 18th Bn., 720th MP USARV MPC, 1968-70, night convoys, Long Binh, etc. Contact: Charles Wolff 70079, South Division, 281 North State St., Concord, NH 03301; or South Division, P.O. Box 14, Concord, NH 03302-0014.

Looking for Steve Emery, Ron Parmenter, Ben Tackett, or anyone else from the commo section from HHC 520th Trans. Bn., November 1967-68. Contact: Bruce Carbone, 863-258-3042; rvn68@tampabay.rr.com

Seeking anyone who remembers the assault on one of the bases near Chu Lai on the night of October 15-16, 1965. I was on a Navy ship in the harbor. Contact: Michael W. Stasiak, 105 Hines Dr., Bonneau, SC 29431; 843-825-3842; swaz@tds.net

Looking for Lt. John David Williams, who lived in Graham, Texas, and graduated from Graham High School in 1963. My husband and I ran into him in Corpus Christi after his discharge. He had been wounded, and he came to our house for a visit. We’ve been trying to locate him for the GHS 50th class reunion next year. Contact: Suzy Stewart Brazeel, sbrazeel1@verizon.net

Looking for classmates who graduated from USMC The Basic School, Class 6-68 on May 1, 1968. Contact: Tony Joseph, 775-813-9901; abj3@sbcglobal.net

Looking for anyone who can substantiate a rocket and mortar attack on LZ Jamie during the early morning hours of January 21, 1970. LZ Jamie was north of Tay Ninh and was occupied by an ARVN Airborne unit during this attack. Contact: Steve Cook, 306-636-7240; currahee67@hotmail.com

Trying to find my family member, Edward Bailey, an Air Force veteran who served with the military police. His last-known location was Ft. Dix, N.J. His mother’s name is Barbara Dianne Bailey and he has a son named Sean Patrick Bailey. Contact: Hans C. Andersen 925481, C1116S, Zephyrhills C.I., 2739 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills, FL 33541-9701.

Looking for photos of Christmas trees taken by Vietnam veterans while in country. My goal is to publish a book of these photos. A portion of any proceeds made from this project will be given to veterans’ assistance programs. If you have a photo of yourself in Vietnam or any other Christmas-related photos, feel free to send them as well. If you have a short story to accompany your photo, you may submit it also. Please don’t send originals, as I can’t return them, and make sure the copies are good quality. Include your contact information (especially your phone number), unit, location, and date of photo. Contact: Doug S. Berg, 4037 Dolbil Dr., St. Louis, MO 63125; 314-638-4295.

Would like to hear from Tony Reyes, whom I met while stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, 1993-95. Contact: Samuel H. Watts 168199, Lake Correctional Institution, 19225 U.S. Hwy. 27, Clermont, FL 34715-9025; 256-864-4180.

Looking for Dave Wallace, Swift Boats, Cat Lo, 1968, and Anthony Arnold, NSA Hosp., Da Nang. My novel is published, and I want to send you a copy. Contact: Jack McPherson, P.O. Box 235, Coupeville, WA 98239-0235; 360-929-1776; jakmak@whidbey.net

Want to find the young G.I. whom I crushed between two trucks while backing up in the motor pool in Bien Hoa in 1967-68. Contact: John Glazier, P.O. Box 231, Merrill, MI 48637-0231; 989-842-5413.