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 members of D Co., 158th Avn. Bn. who served in Camp Evans, Vietnam, February 1969-70. Contact: Fred Sypolt, guardshack13@aol.com

Trying to locate an old friend, William Brantford Benton, who was a Navy officer in Vietnam, 1969-70. Contact: Faye Mather, ifayemather@gmail.com

Trying to locate airfield crash crew Marines Maj. John Havlik, Master Sgt. George J. Edwards, Sgt. Sittner, Gunnery Sgt. Donald H. McIntyre, Lt. Eugene L. Keiter, Cpl. Gregory W. Zemanek, Lance Cpl. Glen D. Pike, Master Gunnery Sgt. John Driver, and Cpl. Paul R. Carmean, Jr., who served with EOD Det., Ammo Co., Supply Bn., 1st Force Svc. Regt., III MAF and were at the Khe Sanh base in January 1968. Please respond if you remember my brother, Sgt. Jesus Roberto Vásquez, who was KIA January 30, 1968. Also trying to locate Robert Cook, who was friends with my brother at Camp Lejeune and in Virginia. Contact: Beatriz M. Vásquez, 4010 Hueco Ave., El Paso, TX 79903-2815; chutis94@att.net

Seeking anyone who served with my brother, John Allen Heika, in HHC, 2nd Bn., 2nd Inf., 1st Inf. Div. He was KIA on August 10, 1966. Contact: Bill Heika, statenbill@aol.com

Need help for Agent Orange claim. I served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Btry., 3rd Bn., 81st Field Arty., Camp Colburn, Korea, July 1967-68. I have contended that as an artillery surveyor I visited the DMZ where herbicides were used. Seeking anyone who has any knowledge of the 81st Field Arty. or the surveyors in general, and whether their work at missile sites would have taken them within the DMZ and its environs. Contact: Alveraldo Garcia, c/o James Stanley, Jr., 917 W. Markham, Suite A, Little Rock, AR 72201; 501-324-2889.

Need to get in touch with Danny Green, Hatch, Edwards, McKenzie, Egan, Shoemaker, Hatfield, Cotto, Banks, and Lt. Betz, who served with 199th, B Co., 2/3, Vietnam, 1967-68. Contact: Harold Hill, 609-646-1628; HHill69191@aol.com

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.

Trying to locate my friends who served with me in Korea, 1974-75. One friend’s name is Raymond McDaniel. My other friend, whose name I can’t remember, called me “Brother Howard.” He left the Army to fight in the 1976 Olympics for the U.S.A. Boxing Team. Contact: Darrell Wayne Howard, D74690, 130-90 Low, P.O. Box 9, Avenal, CA 93204.

Looking for anyone who served with CAP 3/4/4. Contact: Johnny, jjhoward@highland.net

Looking for cooks or medics from D Co., 70th Eng. who were in Ban Me Thuot, 1968-69, and remember when I got hit in my eye and medics had to remove fragments. Contact: James Keiser, P.O. Box 426, Upton, KY 42784. 

Looking for a Basic Training book from Ft. Bliss. I was in B Co. 2-2, January 1969. Contact: Roberto C. Gonzalez, Jr., 218 Agnes Dr., San Antonio, TX 78212-1603; 210-514-2981.

Looking for Blue Jackets who served with Assault Craft Divs. 11, 12, and 13—later changed to Assault Craft Sqdrn. One, Coronado, Calif., 1965-68. LCUs, Mike 8 and 6s. Contact: Ernest Brewer, Lyle Frederickson, Thomas Allen, 407 E. Holly St., Sheridan, AR 72150; 870-942-9480.

In search of Vietnam veterans who went on to fight in Rhodesia, Angola, Namibia, Biafra, Ireland, or elsewhere following their service. I am working on an upcoming feature article. Contact: Xande Anderer, xanderer@vva.org; 202-579-9110.

Trying to locate Jerónimo Zamora and Col. Pablo Adnesen, both Vietnam veterans. They were my companions at Ft. McNair, 1982-83. I was a graduate of the Inter-American Defense College. Contact: Francisco Alberto Ruiz, f.ruiz.6@hotmail.com or ruiz_rafael@hotmail.com

Looking for Tim Morrow (Ohio) and Jim Sweet (Fla.). We were assigned to HHQ USA TRANSCOMEUR, 1972-73. I worked in the reproduction office. Also looking for Patrick “Space Monkey” Thompson (Bradford, Pa.) and Roger Keese (Pryor, Okla.). We were with the 365th Trans. Co. with the 548th Supply & Service Bn., Ft. McClellan, 1973-74. Would like to hear from anyone else who remembers me. Contact: John Beal #0024543, P.O. Box 310, Polkton, NC 28135.

Would like to hear from 2nd Lt. Lucille Leonard (from Minn.), ANC. We served together on the burn ward at Ft. Sam Houston, 2nd Surg., Vietnam, and then reupped 1969-70. Contact: Patricia Hugle Biggs, 10850 Royal Bluff, San Antonio, TX 78239; Patricia.Biggs@va.gov

Looking for anyone who served with me in 1969-70 with B Co., 69th Eng., Camp Hoy, and B Co., 93rd Eng. Bn., 20th, My Tho. I was five-ton dump truck driver and two-ton lowboy. I was TDY with Sims. We were with the Navy Seabees, putting the landing strip down. Contact: Joseph Sciarrino, 2073 Stokes Elementary School Rd., Stokes, NC 27884; 252-758-5754.

My mother, Nguyen Thi Thai, and I are looking for Sal Rebe, a Vietnam veteran. His last-known address was in Austin. Contact: Jimmy Nguyen, 402-613-5637.

Seeking info related to the events surrounding the death of my cousin, 2nd Lt. Robert Bruce Maddox, KIA in 1969. Also searching for Army AVN mechanics and cadre of 56th Trans. Co. (DS), Tan Son Nhut and Saigon Heliport. I was the UH-1 Maint. team leader, 56th T.C. DS. Contact: William Maddox 152221, Crossroads Correctional Ctr., 1115 E. Pence Rd., Cameron, MO 64429; 816-632-2727. 

Need verification of injuries. Searching for anyone who served with me in Vietnam, 8th Radio Research Field Station, “D” Row, Phu Bai, Tet 1968, and remembers the night the Officers Qtrs. was hit and destroyed. Contact: Larry Ridgway, Box 355, Stockdale, PA 15483; 724-938-2197; larylin@zoominternet.net 

Trying to find my friends from 1st Inf. Div., 3rd Bde. Headquarters Co., Lai Khe, 1966-67. Contact: John Murphy, jmurphy111@ymail.com

Would like to hear from Tony Reyes, who served in the Navy in 1993-95, stationed in Yokuska, Japan, aboard the U.S.S. Independence (CV-62). Contact: Samuel H. Watts 168199, 19225 U.S. Hwy. 27, Clermont, FL 34715-9025; 256-864-4180.

Seeking anyone who served with my father, Lloyd “Hollywood” Boreman, Jr., in the 15th Cav. Mechanized, 198th, Americal Div., Vietnam. He operated a tank. Contact: Kourtney Boreman, kourtneyb10@yahoo.com

Trying to locate anyone who served in 306th TFS, 31st TFW at Tuy Hoa AB, June-July 1968. Seeking anyone who had contact with Lt. Lance La Grange, an F-100 pilot who was KIA July 2, 1968, during LZ prep in Thuan An, Binh Dinh Province; anyone connected with the LZ or his final flight; or his classmates from Cannon AFB, class 68-FR. Contact: Jeff Gorss, 398 North Creek Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833; 518-587-1631; jgorss@nycap.rr.com

Trying to locate Patrick Allen Spence. Contact: Katie Cox, ktbcox@gmail.com

Seeking Horacio Kamalani Silva (originally from Hawaii), a Vietnam veteran. I wrote to him in 1967 as part of my school’s “Pen Pals to the Military” program. He sent me a photo of himself in a white tuxedo. Contact: Karen (Oberg) Conners, ksconners@charter.net

My father, Robert Brehmer, was a Vietnam veteran. I would like to hear from any ammunition truck drivers or anyone who has pictures of ammunition trucks from 1965-66. Am also interested in knowing more about my father’s black jacket, which says, “Bien Hoa 1966.” Contact: Brian Brehmer, b.brehmer@gmail.com

Looking for any info about my brother, Tony “Dickie” Ogden, who served at Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam, 1970. Contact: ogdend@middlesex.mass.edu or Janice Ogden, JaniceOgden@comcast.net

Trying to locate anyone from the 27th Engineers Bn. attached to the 101st Airborne, Camp Eagle, 1970-71. I was a medic. Contact: Thomas Moore, 23650 Peoria Rd., Harrisburg, OR 97446; 559-994-5373; tntmoore23@yahoo.com

Would like to hear from the Sgt. and one other man who volunteered with me around October 1967 to check out some bridges at night on a jeep. We were in 805 Transportation, 1st Log. Contact: Albert Macias, 559-260-8838; albertmacias50@yahoo.com

Zippo lighter found forty-two years ago in Vietnam. Markings on lighter read, “MAC  DLM” on one side with a picture of a Huey helicopter. The other side reads, “118th AHC, 1967, 1968, 1969.” Contact: Robert S. Trace, 3858 Tahgajute Dr., Akron, OH 44319; 330-418-0776.

Looking for Hal “Rat” Ford, Ron Hamilton, or any others who served with Recon, Echo Co., 2/501st, 101st Airborne, Camp Eagle, Vietnam. Contact: Steve “Smokey” Walton, 301 E. Gallatin Ave., Belgrade, MT 59714; walkingpoint7071@yahoo.com

Searching for military and medical records of my brother, Walter Kendrick Walker, who served in Vietnam with USMC Demolition, 1970-74. Contact: Ron Walker, ron.walker59@yahoo.com

Trying to find my men from Medical Plt., Headquarters & Headquarters Co., 2nd Bn., 505th Inf., 3rd Bde., 82nd Airborne Div., Vietnam, January-December 1969. I was the medical platoon leader. Contact: Bruce L. Andrews, 1337 Cedar Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801; 307-672-9592; 307-752-2710; bandrews@wavecom.net

Trying to locate Marvallia Matsmiller, who was a nurse at the Okinawa Hospital in August 1971. She took care of me when I was there, and I would like to thank her. Contact: Dave Hizer, 734-604-8426; davek9vet@hotmail.com

Looking for Carl B. Keirsey, who served with 377 Security Police Sqdrn. K9, Tan Son Nhut AB, 1967-68. Contact: Jim Stewart, jstewart@centurytel.net

Looking for Doc George, a medic assigned to Delta Co., 1st of the 8th Cav., L.Z. White, March 1969, or anyone else with the company at that time. Contact: Tom Paulovitz, 215-872-2071; tpaulovitz@pennstainless.com

Seeking veterans who served as Naval Advisors in RAID units in Dong Tam and Can An. Putting together a reunion in Branson for spring and possibly a book. Contact: Earl Boutell, eboutell@kc.rr.com

Looking for anyone who served with the 200 QM Detachment, Qui Nhon, or the 134 QM Co., Phu Tai, 1965-66. Contact: Donald Harris, 111 Valley Ct., Elkins, WV 26241; 304-637-5813; lindageerharris@gmail.com

Trying to locate a photo taken of me in Phu Loi, 1968. I had just returned from an ammo run, and I’m with my 2 1/2-ton truck. “Ellen” is painted on the hood. I think the photographer was in B Co., 1st Avn. Bn., 1st Inf. Div. I was in A Co. and was called “Chuck” or “Ammo Man.” Contact: Nathan C. Sollish #14470340, OSP, 2605 State St., Salem, OR 97310.  

Looking for James Barbee, Robert Donaldson, Larry Clark, and Jack Chamberlain, classmates from Signal Corps OCS class 14-66 at Ft. Gordon. Also looking for Mart T. Baumgartner, who was the TAC officer for the class and deployed to Vietnam in May or June 1966. Contact: Don Barber, major_vol43@yahoo.com

Trying to identify the badge in the photo. I am an Australian Vietnam veteran. My friend, Lorrae Desmond, was given the stuffed animal with the badge by an air crew at some point while she was touring American and Australian bases as an entertainer. She thinks she was being flown to Canberra at the time. Contact: Peter Howard, phoward@idx.com.au 

Seeking any veterans from the 577th Engr. Bn., Phu Hiep, Vung Ro Bay, Tet 1968-69. Contact: James Kinney 835603, Hospital Unit IPU A12, Washington State Penitentiary, 1313 N. 13th Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Looking for shipmates who went to boot camp with me in B Co. 403 at Great Lakes, 1966. There were one hundred of us, all from Vermont. Contact: David J. “T-Bone” Therrien, 319 Stafford St., Apt. 5, Bennington, VT 05201; 802-753-7720.

Looking for Tom Parker, Bo Kuhn, Gene Fernandez, Gary McQuestion, Lt. Woods, and any other original members of the 563rd CS Co. that formed at Ft. Lee and arrived in Vietnam on the U.S.N.S. Upshur, October 1966. We were based at Long Binh and worked at Area 208 Field Depot by Ho Nai. Also searching for Basic Training Drill Sgt. Knoch, Co. B, 2nd Bn., Ft. Gordon, March 1966. Contact: Lee Allen, allen4@optonline.net or find me on Facebook. 

Trying to contact “Scotty,” a cook I met at Camp Alfa inside Tan Son Nhut AFB in Saigon. Contact: John Giovo, giovovet@yahoo.com

Searching for Parker (from Washington, D.C.), Wilson (Baltimore), Haywood Miller (Newark), Webb (Indiana), and Jap (Baltimore), stationed on the U.S.S. Forrestal, 1969. Contact: Osie Arnold, 10 Stone St., Newark, NJ 07104; 973-230-8904.

Looking for Gabriel Sanchez (El Monte, Calif.), John Maddox (New York City), and Art Hunt (Haverhill, Mass.), whom I served with in 11th Tac Recon Sqdrn. (432nd TRW), SEA, 1968-69. Contact: Bill Crean, 856-461-6637; 609-932-5158 (cell); williamcrean@comcast.net

Chin Thi Nguyen is searching for a veteran who served with A Co. or Headquarters C., 1st Bn., 503rd Inf., 173rd Airborne Bde., LZ North English, Bong Son, 1971. Also looking for James, who served with 585th Eng. Co., Phan Rang, 1970-71. Contact: Brian Hjort, brihj@hotmail.com

Looking for Jim Oyer, John “Pappy” Hughes, Frank Sousa, or anyone else who served with me in Civic Action, VAT 13, June 1969-70. Contact: Mike Whitcraft, 727-343-2530; mikewatrest@yahoo.com

Would like to hear from anyone who served with me in CAP 2-9-2 near An Hoa, 1969, under Capt. Dale Dean. I was a hospital corpsman from Elmira, N.Y. Contact: John Daube, jad2@zoom-dsl.com

Trying to find SP4 Donald L. Caulde, who attended sniper school with me at the Americal Combat Center, Chu Li, January 1971. I have his certification record. Also would like to hear from anyone else I served with. Contact: Eloy Tamez, 832-229-6013; eloytamez@yahoo.com

Seeking MG Pea (then Btry. commander), SFC Larry Smith, Sgt. McGowan, SP4 Cummings, and anyone else from B Btry., 4/42 Arty., 4ID who served on LZ Brillo Pad, May 5-June 20, 1968. Contact: Manuel Roman, docrjr@sbcglobal.net

Looking for anyone who served with me in 135th Assault, Blackhorse and Bearcat, May 1968-69. We flew with the Australians. I was a crew chief. Contact: Cliff Sherwood, 12 Sunnyfield Dr., Owego, NY 13827; 607-972-9092.

Looking for SP4 James Sullivan (from Chicago), whom I used to correspond with during his service with F Trp., 2/11 A.C.R. He was a tank radio operator. His birthday is May 27, and he had a pet lizard named Homesick. I began writing to him in the early 1970s as part of a school class initiative, and we continued to write until shortly before his discharge. I never knew if he made it home safely. Contact: Shawn Niessen, 414-774-9025; 744_sniess@sbcglobal.net

Looking for Bien Hoa AB firefighters who were there March-June 1965. Contact: Warren Driver, 16282 Avenida San Miguel, La Mirada, CA 90638-6200; 562-338-9800; warrendriver@hotmail.com

I’m riding my Harley, taking my lady along, and doing Sturgis on the way to The Wall this summer. If any of you guys out there share a similar dream and would like to go with me, I could use the support. Contact: Steven Grant Stratford, 3000 Broadway St. #47, American Canyon, CA 94503; 707-731-2462; 707-294-0780 (cell); CaoDaiOne@comcast.net

Trying to find 1st Lt. Richard J. Reno of Charlie Co., 5th Army, Ft. Polk; Pvt. Grimes (from N.M.), who was in my company in 1972; and Linda Smith, a senior Red Cross worker who was born in 1939. Contact: Ronnie Lee Wallace #140221, 2500 S. Avon Belden Rd., Grafton, OH 44044; 330-823-7510. 

Information needed for Purple Heart claim. I was with 3rd Bn., 26th Mar., India Co. at Con Thien, September 7, 1967, during Operation King Fisher. Our corpsman’s name was John Tinker. He was wounded, along with most of our gun team. He saved my life from heat stroke. Contact: Ernie White, 1623 Kay Dr., Pulaski, TN 38478.

Trying to locate shipmates who were aboard the U.S.S. Constitution or RVAH-12, July-December 1967. Need information about when another mess cook and I fell overboard from the hanger deck. We were picked up by a destroyer and returned by helicopter. Contact: Nick D’Ella, 15 Raydol Ave., Secaucus, NJ 07094; 201-392-9730.

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. 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 the G Troop, 2nd Squad, 11th Armored Cav. Regt. troopers I rode with in May-June 1969, especially our TC. I was attached to track 13/15 as the medic. Contact: Ralph Wineland, 728 Weatherstone Rd., Holland, OH 43528; 419-865-0235; rwineland@hotmail.com

Trying to locate Tom Carr, who served in the Vietnam War sometime around 1968-70. The last time I saw him was at his retirement party from Moffett Field in Mountain View, Calif., in approximately 1986. I believe he was an armament instructor there in a P-3 squadron of the Navy. At the time, he lived in Fremont, Calif., and had relatives in Ohio. Contact: Ed Martin, edreem@aol.com

Looking for anyone who served with my late husband, Larry Zywiol, HHC, 3rd Bn., 1st Inf., 11th Inf. Bde. He was a Radio TT Oper, November 1969-70. Contact: Rose Zywiol, dbnzee@gmail.com

Seeking Group Chaplain Dwight C. Jarvis, Headquarters Company Clerk Pasqualle, and anyone else who remembers me from Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 11th Aviation Grp., 1st Cav. Div., Vietnam. I was the chaplain’s assistant, December 1965-August 1966. I spent the rest of my tour in waste detail. Contact: Clyde Hawkins, clydehawkins@hotmail.com

Looking for anyone who served with Plt. 1070, USMC, Camp Pendleton, 1968-70. Contact: Ethan Brown, ethanb@thejusticecenter.org

Trying to locate an old school friend, Donald Thompson. His home town was Quakake, Pa. I believe he was in Vietnam around 1966-71. Contact: Brenda L. O’Brien O’Rourke, blo1951@verizon.net

Trying to find Paul L. Smith (from Ft. Worth), who was a member of my high school class and a close family friend. He joined the Marines in September 1968. His MOS was 0311-Rifleman, and he earned a Silver Star while serving in Vietnam. He retired in August 1990 as a Sgt. I believe he retired in Kentucky. Contact: Judy (Meine) Lindner, jdavidson3913@aol.com 

Seeking Sibyl S. Hiers (from Walterboro, S.C.), HH&S Co., 426th S&S Bn. (CS) Fwd., 101st Abn., Camp Eagle. Your pen pal needs to know if you’re okay. Contact: Laura Schumpert Buice, 210 Rusty Rd., Williston, SC 29853; 803-266-7837. 

Looking for anyone who served with me in HHB 41 Arty. Group, 8/26 TAB, Vietnam, 1968-69, near Pleiku and Central Highlands at FSB. Contact: Allen R. Ochocki, 1355 W. 15th St., Hastings, MN 55033; 651-437-3282; allenochocki@comcast.net

Would like to hear from members of M Co., 314, 3rd Marine Div., 1969-71. Contact: Morris Jackson, 224 CR 7040, Booneville, MS 38829.

Searching for my Basic Training unit photograph. I had Basic at Lackland AFB, July 31-September 7, 1962, Sqdrn. 3727, Flight 1022. Contact: Tracey Crozier, 1168 S. Seminole Dr., East Ridge, TN 37412; 423-298-1250; Gene.Tracey@yahoo.com

Looking for anyone who came from Ft. Hood to HQ Taskforce Alpha at Nha Trang. Sometime around August 1965, after a meeting at the post theater, we were loaded onto a troop train and sent to an air base in California. Some of us were loaded onto a C124 Globemaster. We made it to Honolulu, where we had to be loaded onto another C124 with a good radio system. We landed at Guam, Wake, and Manila before landing at Nha Trang. Some of us in the unit’s chemical section were pulled out of the outfit and reassigned to HQ USARV. I am trying to establish the date and location of departure (Travis or Beale). Contact: Arlen Clark, retros0000@hotmail.com

Searching for information about my father, Tan Nhat Tran, a Vietnamese veteran who worked at Tran Ngoc Minh hospital in Saigon. His rank was Captain, Military medical. He was killed in a re-education camp in Nghe An Province, February 5, 1980. Contact: Phu N. Tran, +84 903 953775; nptran01@yahoo.com

Looking for W. Higgs, 3rd AmTrac Bn., 1st Marine Div., who was wounded October 2, 1968, in Nui Kim Son. Contact: Jim Meehan, 845-496-4771; thirty2points@yahoo.com

Seeking anyone who knew Frank A. Bassarab, January-August 1970. MOS: Arty., maybe Searchlights. He died in 2009, and his family in West Haven, Conn., was awarded his Army Comm. Medal with Valor and Purple Heart. His DD-214 doesn’t list his Vietnam unit, and the family would like info. Contact: Dave Holdorf, 414-464-2939; hidavo@earthlink.netΩ