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.

My father, Ronald Francis Sopata, is looking for guys from the 40th ARRS, Vietnam, or the 79th ARRS: Richard Beasley, Terry Caffery, Thomas Dymond, Curtis Herrin, Gregory Lepley, Leonard Murray, James Phelps, Brenton Schicker, Douglas Wilson, Robert Jackson, James Nash, Arthur Davis, Gregory McDonald, Robert Martin, Larry Meyers, Leland Sorenson, Randy Carmichael, Henry Schse, Donald Faber, Dennis Luffy, Barry Fletcher, Robert Sully, Joseph Mangina, Glenwood Wilkinson, Stephen Vasser, Benjamin Meece, Don Weaver. Contact: Kim Sopata, kimsopata@gmail.com

Looking for anyone who was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61), V-1 Div., especially anyone who prepared the flight deck for resurfacing and was later diagnosed with histoplasmosis. Contact: Michael Stewart, 478 Dolphin Dr., Hemphill, TX 75948-3015.

Trying to reconnect with Frank Goho, formerly of Tamaqua, Pa. I last saw him in New York City, 1971-72, when we were in the VA hospital together. Contact: Steve Printz #DJ0312, 1 Kelley Dr., Coal Township, PA 17866-1021.

Need help for a VA claim. Looking for anyone from the 2/13th Inf., Mannheim, Germany, 1977, who remembers when I got burnt in an emersion heater explosion in the forward area when the unit went on alert. An officer carried me to the medevac chopper. Does anyone know which Army hospital was in that part of Germany? Contact: Robert Dalmaso #174375, Holman Unit 3700 (Honor Dorm), Atmore, AL 36503.    

Trying to locate Mike McDonald and his wife, Elinda, whom I met when I was stationed at Ft. Ord in 1974. They were both from El Paso. Contact: Charles Henderson #137052, 3700 Holman Unit, C-61-A, Atmore, AL 36503. 

Need help for a claim. Seeking any “Recon Raiders” of 4th Bat., 503rd Inf., 173rd Abn. Bde., the “Sky Soldiers,” especially those who have had any cancers. Contact: Craig R. McLaren #115624, Holman Unit 3700 (E-20A), Atmore, AL 36503.   

Looking for the HM attached to the Preventive Medicine Unit at the Naval Hospital, NSA, Da Nang, 1967, who was also a Ham operator and would place calls for the wounded. You were in a chopper crash in late 1967, and I saw you in December when you were shipping out. You made it possible for me to call my wife and son, and I would like to thank you again. Contact: Russ Noble, 4608 Buckhorn Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684; 231-944-2148; Olnoble@att.net

Need help for a claim. Looking for anyone who served aboard the U.S.S. Cacapon (AO-52), 1971-73, especially during 1972-73 WESTPAC. I was thrown into the fire main in front of the oil shack when we were headed for Sasebo. I also had blood poisoning in my knee while in Thailand. Contact: Kenneth L. Bryson, P.O. Box 403, Savannah, MO 64485; 816-752-4321.

Looking for Jim Tuttle, Ken Adams, Kevin Cass, Sgt. Fugitt, Capt. Mike Cain, or anyone else I served with in 199th LIB, Black Horse, Long Binh, July 1969-May 1970. I was also at BAMC with SP4 Ron Fulton and Gabe DeSimone. My nickname was “Toro.” Contact: Tom Del Giorno, drdelgiornojr@verizon.net   

Looking for a José who was a Vietnamese linguist in Vietnam, 1966-67. I believe he was from Oklahoma and served with the Navy. Contact: Robert Seigel, cad348@embarqmail.com

Looking for Larry Odham and Jim M., 720th, A Co., MP Group, night convoys from Newport to Long Binh, 1968-70. Contact: Charles J. Wolff 70079, 281 N. State St., Concord, NH 03301.

Looking for anyone who served with the 240th Assault Helicopter Co. and remembers the R.P.G. LZ attack on May 14, 1970. I was the door gunner on Aircraft #206. Who were the other crew members? Contact: Walter Weber, 35 Elm Tree Ln., Galax, VA 24333.

Looking for “John Wayne,” “Babysan,” Sgt. Eastwood, or anyone else who served with the 3rd SPS, Bien Hoa Air Base, 1971, the Tiger Flight, midnight-8 a.m. Contact: Richard Garofalo, 224 Liberty Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305; 718-987-0822.

Looking for anyone who served with the 588th Trans. Co. Depot, Cam Ranh Bay, 1966-67. Troop ship left San Francisco in September 1966. Especially interested in hearing from anyone from Wisconsin. Contact: Donald Brunke, W235 N1137 Busse Rd., Waukesha, WI 53188; 262-548-0039.  

Need help for a claim. While stationed at FASO Det., Warner Springs, Calif., a steel beam fell across my back at the compound in May 1985. Would like to hear from anyone who remembers this. Contact: Tadyrall L. Bell, P.O. Box 25213, Federal Way, WA 98093.

An Air Force veteran from Green Bay is searching for Gary R. Peake, a 1964 Fordson grad who saved his life in Vietnam. Contact: Lisa, MARRET94@aol.com 

The 11th Engineer Bn. is looking for Marines and Navy Corpsmen who served in Vietnam, 1966-70. The Bn. officers are in the planning stages for our next reunion. Contact: Charles Luhan, Jr., 773-585-9629; CL11engrbn@sbcglobal.net

Trying to locate Ralph “Jerry the Wonder Boy” Jordan. He sailed from Ft. Lewis to Vietnam in September 1966 and was with the 585th T.C. Co., 5-ton tractor-trailers. He re-upped around the time I left in October 1967. Contact: Joseph Michalski, 3811 S. Hartford Dr., Saginaw, MI 48603; 989-792-9195.

Looking for Sgt. Werner, Sgt. McGowan, Mess Sgt., all COs, 1st Sgt., and any other former members of 553rd Engr. Co. (FB). I was company armorer in 1968-69. Contact: Ronald L. “Mac” Machleit, Sr., P.O. Box 211, Evart, MI 49631; 231-734-3344; engrrvn@sbcglobal.net

 Need help for a claim. Looking for anyone who was assigned to Quartermaster Student Bde., Co. L, Ft. Lee, August-November 1970, and remembers a bomb threat and barracks evacuation. An E-6 was CQ with E-2 as runner. Contact: John Konek #323955, Stiles Unit, 3060 FM 3514, Beaumont, TX 77705-7635.

Trying to locate anyone I served with aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz (CVN-68), V-1 Div. Air Dept., 1978-83; anyone who served at NALF Orange Grove, Texas, Crash and Salvage Crew, 1983-87; or anyone who served aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), V-1 Div. Air Dept. Contact: Steven B. Corker 1677116, George Beto Unit #1, 1391 F.M. 3328, Tennessee Colony, TX 75880-5000.

Need help to get an increase in my benefits. I served with the 360th Transportation Co., December 1969-November 1970. I was wounded by shrapnel on September 8, 1970. Seeking anyone who remembers this. Contact: Kenneth L. Benjamin, 710 Branch St., Sumter, SC 29150; kenndian@msn.com

Found a lighter. “Cpl. Rick Moore, Fighting Fox 2/3, Vietnam, 68-69” is written on the front. “Bush Marine” is written on the back, along with the phrase, “We have done so much with so little for so long, now they expect us to do everything with nothing.” I would like to return the lighter to Moore or his family. Contact: M. Cashman, 3665 Hwy. 64 NE, New Salisbury, IN 47161; 812-366-8186; 812-572-2079 (cell).

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

Searching for Carl Miller, who served in Vietnam as a paratrooper and crew chief for Apache Troop. He was on several operations, including Operation Eagle Snatch, and was inducted into the top secret program, Blue Book. Contact: Al, 267-908-0357; alconstruction9@gmail.com

On the night of May 28-29, 1969, Alpha Co. 1/7, 1st Marine Div. was overrun by the NVA twenty-five miles southwest of Da Nang in Thuong Duc. We had twenty-eight emergency medevacs. Two Marine CH46s refused to land because our LZ was hot. An Army crew broke into our conversation and told us they were coming in. Looking for any members of this crew. Contact: Edward M. Trzeciak, 44 Gleason Rd., Scotia, NY 12302; etrzeciak@nycap.rr.com or etrzeciak@live.com

Searching for James D. Homan, whom I served with in A Co., 2/14th, 25th Inf. Div., Vietnam, January 1969-70. I was the point man on patrols, and Homan was my “walk behind.” Homan graduated from USC around 1967. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and may have lived in Long Beach, Calif., at one time. Contact: John Carlin, 610-358-2891; carlinj68@verizon.net

Seeking the commanding officer of PFC Myron Ross when he was killed on October 6, 1968, in the vicinity of Quang Tri Province. I need your help in changing his status from a Bronze Star to a Silver Star. Contact: Ofc. A. Sadiq, 908-432-2076; jazz.18@verizon.net

Saw a request looking for people who were at LZ Stud (Vandergrift) in 1968-69. I was a corpsman with 3rd Shore Party Bn. at the time of the CH 53 crash and explosion of the ammo/resupply area on April 9, 1969. I helped the pilot and copilot get out of the burning chopper before the jet fuel, ammo, and supplies blew up. A 105/155 round knocked out the sick bay across from the supply zone, so I had to spend the next twelve hours dodging shrapnel before I could get to another bunker. Contact: Jim Gollogly, gollogly@comcast.net

Looking for anyone who remembers Darrell D. Cox, who served with B/1/501, December 1967-May 1968. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1972, and his sister would like to hear from anyone who could tell her about his time with B/1/501. Contact: Martin Paulsen, mdp@crmu.net

Searching for Lt. Beakey, C Co., 1st Bn., 26th Marines. We operated out of Happy Valley in 1966. I believe he was from Boston. Contact: Robert Cohen, 734-453-7628; robert_w_cohen@hotmail.com  

Trying to locate James G. Jones (from the Chicago or Detroit areas), who served with the 1st Mobile Communications GP out of the Philippines in 1965-66. He went to Vietnam with TEAM 39-66, Monkey Mountain, Da Nang, in 1966. Also looking for anyone who served on TEAM 79-65, Binh Thuy AB, Mekong Delta, 1965. Contact: Roger Chang, ninevah1@live.com

Trying to locate anyone who served with the 1st Bn., 30th Arty., Vietnam, February 1966-67. Looking for the history of what happened to the unit. Contact: Ron Cunningham, ron44uscga@gmail.com

Looking for a Basic Training book, Ft. Jackson. I was in E-9-2, 4th Plt., March 1968. Contact: Tony Santucci, tonysan@atlanticbb.net

Looking for information on Agent Orange from Ubon, Thailand, 1966. Contact: moondog@ma.rr.com

Chin Thi Nguyen is searching for a Vietnam veteran who served with A Co. or Headquarters Co., 1st Bn., 503rd Inf., 173rd Airborne Bde., LZ North English, Bong Son, 1971. Also looking for anyone who knew Sgt. Andrew Blount, who served with HHC, 269th CAB, Cu Chi and Bien Hoa, 1969-71. Trying to find anyone who knew D.C. Bruce, who served with MAAG 17, Da Nang AB, 1969. Looking for anyone who served in 266th Co., Bien Hoa, 1969-70. Trying to locate an African-American SSG named Wall (unsure of spelling). Contact: Brian Hjort, brihj@hotmail.com  

Trying to locate Wade Schnebelen, Bravo Co., 2/3, 199th Light Inf. Bde., Vietnam, June-September 1969. Contact: Lloyd Ross, 813-625-7284; LRoss23@aol.com

Trying to locate John Herbert (from Philadelphia) and Bobby Hoffert (Mass.), whom I served with at Kunsan Air Base, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. Bobby went to Vietnam with me and Mike Humphrey. Contact: Boyd Hershman, 5872 S. Helena Strav., Tucson, AZ 85706; 520-574-1896; ihiboyd@cox.net 

Trying to connect with anyone who served with 11th Pathfinder Co. (Provisional), 1st Cav. Div. (Airmobile). We would like you to join us at future reunions. Contact: Rob Wolaver, 765-567-6138; rwolaver@gmail.com

 Trying to locate James L. Fleming, 1st Lt., Co. B, 14th Engr. Bn. (combat). I never got the opportunity to thank him for a promotion I received just before I left Vietnam. Contact: Leonard P. Dubuque, 1105 Main St., Polson, MT 59860; 406-319-2054. 

Looking for Richard E. Lyman, my former FO in Echo Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines, An Hoa, November 1969-February 1970. Also looking for Maj. E.B. Ewin, whom I served with in 5th Marines, FSCC. Contact: Glen Fiore, 518-532-9799.

Would like to hear from members of M Co., 3rd Bn., 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Div., Vietnam, 1969-71. Contact: Morris Jackson, 224 CR 7040, Booneville, MS 38829; 662-728-7765.

Would like to hear from anyone stationed at Naval Medical Center, Oakland, Calif., 1970-85. Contact: William Watkins 1184801, H.U. 6C252, Crossroads Correctional Center, 1115 E. Pence Rd., Cameron, MO 64429-8804.

Looking for pilots and the door gunner on Huey 773 on April 24, 1972. 361st AWC. Contact: Jim Shook, 29034 E. Broadway St., Walbridge, OH 43465; 419-280-1011.

Need help for a claim. Looking for anyone who served at Cam Ranh Bay in the 483 MMS gun shop, 1971-72. The gun shop supported the 20th SOS Green Hornets. Contact: Charles Fabyanski, 201-823-2582; cfabyanski@gmail.com

Looking for shipmates who were aboard U.S.C.G.C. Mendota, Coast Guard Sqdrn. 3, Vietnam. Contact: Russ Wallace, 941-685-3693; highland.sisters@yahoo.com

Trying to find anyone who served with 65th Engineering Div., Hobo Woods, Cu Chi, on February 26, 1967, and knew my uncle, SP4 Calvin C. Morgan. Contact: Cindy Morgan, 3577 Niagara, Wayne, MI 48184.

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

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 crewmen who served aboard the USS Stormes (DD780) in 1966 while deployed in Vietnam. We are trying to get the Stormes on the list to qualify for Agent Orange veterans benefits. Looking for anyone who served on board who has an Agent Orange-related illness or knows of any deceased shipmates who died from Agent Orange-related illnesses. Contact: Ken Moffett, 3000 41st Street, Suite 2, Moline, IL 61265; KenMoffett@mail.house.gov