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 3rd Div. Marines Lt. Enos, Kemp, Feaster, Garrett, Larsen, Costa, Bush, Jones, and Fred Swett, who were with me at Vandergrift Combat Base, 1969. Contact: Rick “Hoocho” Hollihan, Jr., AJ-0676, 1600 Walters Mill Rd. BB-34, Somerset, PA 15510.

Looking for Santiago “Jimi” Soto (from N.Y.), who served with A Co., 1/5th Marines, 1969-70. Contact: Roger Smith, hogierj1@gmail.com or Bill Schwindt, c322locate@aol.com

Seeking fellow firefighters who served at Bien Hoa AB in 1965. Contact: Warren Driver, 1415 W. Ball Rd., Apt. 352, Anaheim, CA 92802-1749; 562-338-9800; warrendriver007@gmail.com

Looking for anyone who served with 98th Med. Detachment, Valley Forge Hospital, Nha Trang, 1966-67. Also looking for Mike Sciutto (from the San Francisco area), who served with 8th Field Hospital, Nha Trang. Contact: Jim Shingler, 610-630-6903; jws6903@aol.com

Seeking anyone who served in the Army with Ludwig Baradt in Vietnam, 1969. His last-known location was California. Contact: Ed Jarmolinski, ejarmolinski@gmail.com

Looking for Lt. Col. Cunningham, my CO with HMM-269, Marble Mountain, Vietnam, 1968-70. Need corroboration that I should have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Contact: Nestor Chavez, 520-409-3788; nestor1949@msn.com

Need information for my memoir. Searching for Marines or others who served with me in 2/1, October 1966-67, or 1/1, November 1967-May 1968. I was battalion supply chief for both units. Contact: Robert Gambol, 610-304-6649; regambol2010@yahoo.com

We have just formed a group for those who served with the 597th Transportation Co. in Vietnam. If you would like to reunite with former personnel, send an email with “597” in the subject line. Contact: Bob Overfield, RWOPAO@aol.com

Looking for a copy of my Basic Training graduation yearbook photo: Co. D-33, Ft. Ord, April 12, 1968. Contact: Manny P. Ignacio, P.O. Box 218246, Barrigada, GU 96921; 671-637-2669. 

Seeking John Reynolds, who served with me in 1st Signal Bde., Long Binh, October 1971-June 1972. Contact: George Basden, 314-544-5654; gebasden@charter.net

Trying to locate Ed Farrell, Lawrence Lay, Don Gentile, and George Hart, who were stationed on the Coast Guard cutter Mallow with me in Honolulu, 1966. Contact: Darrell Robinson, 943 Orr Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601; 740-642-2426; onetime@horizonview.net

Looking for anyone who served with my late brother, Donald Lee Hubbard, with the Big Red One, 1st Inf. Div., 18th Swamp Rats. He was hit by shrapnel in the shoulder, but he never received the Purple Heart. He later served with Co. B at Ft. Hood, Texas. Contact: O.H. Hubbard, Jr., 226 E. Lake Ave., Sherman, TX 75090; 903-815-3890.

Trying to find David Allen Taylor, who served in the military sometime between 1966-72. His last-known address was Greenville, S.C. Contact: David Allen Dean #1067705, Green Rock Correctional Center, P.O. Box 1000, Chatham, VA 24531.

Looking for anyone who served with Conley F. “Big Heavy” Monk, Jr., who served as a motor vehicle operator with Trans. Co., 9th MT Bn., 3rd Marine Div., November 1968-September 1970. He participated in military operations at Iroquois Grove, Arlington Canyon, Idaho Canyon, Georgia Tar, and Williams Glade. Contact: Zach Strassburger, Veterans Legal Services Clinic, Yale Law School, P.O. Box 209090, New Haven, CT 06520-9090; zachary.strassburger@clinics.yale.edu

Searching for fellow sailors who served aboard the U.S.S. Midway (CVA-41) in 1963-66, especially those who worked in V-3 Hangar Deck or V-1 Flight Deck. Contact: Robert Estill DZ7230, 1100 Pike St., Huntingdon, PA 16654-1112.

Would like to hear from anyone who served with MAG 39, Helicopter Sqdrn. 161 or 262, Quang Tri, May/June 1968-69. While on a rescue mission, we took a hit to a rotor and went down near Tiger Ridge, I Corps. I was starboard gunner, and our call sign was Coconut Candy 1. Also would like to hear from anyone from MAG 39 Security Plt. Contact: Jerry Camacho, pd18s12jerry@yahoo.com

Looking for anyone who served with my late father-in-law, Laurence Rene St. Onge. He served two tours in Vietnam with the Army. Contact: Scott A. Barkalow, 256-955-8343; scott.a.barkalow.civ@mail.mil

Looking for anyone who served with me in 1st Inf. Div., 701st Maint. Co., Lai Khe, 1968. I was the assistant section chief, and was wounded in May 1968. Contact: Ray Helm, 502-592-9002; rayhelm@ymail.com

Searching for anyone from 299th CBT Engineers, Vietnam. I was with Charlie Co. at LZ North English, the An Loa Valley, LZ Salem, LZ Uplift, LZ Pony, and the Bong Son area, 1969-70. Contact: Jay Gearhart, 231-922-3471; jaybird718@att.net

Seeking all members of 765th Security Plt. (Vung Tau Army Airfield) for a planned reunion. Contact: Alan K. Abraham, 608-274-3516; abraham.alank@gmail.com

Looking for anyone who served with me in 4th Inf. Div., 4th Aviation Bn., A and B Cos., Camp Enari, Pleiku, 1968-69. Contact: Dan Little, 989-629-8993.

Looking for those who served with me in 3rd/39th Inf. “River Rats,” Mekong Delta, 1967-69. Contact: Frank Krolczyk, 4177 Dawson Ave., Warren, MI 48092; 586-264-9016.

Would like to hear from former members of the 266th USARV Band, Long Binh Post, November 1969-70. Interested in photos, movies, or sound recordings. Contact: Barton Cummings, 550 Cambridge Dr., Benicia, CA 94510.

Seeking Mike Alioto, William Arnt, Capt. Frank Bauer, Howard Bennett, Dan Bryan, Ray Buhler, Richard Burgess, Herbert Comstock, Joe Cunningham, Capt. Dingbaum, Ron Ely, William “Frog” Foley, Donald R. Moon, Richard Neal, Tom Osborne, Jimmie Shannon, Scott Spina, Zeke Szweibaumer, Robert Wood, and any other grunts from Bravo/1/501/101st Airborne, especially 2nd Plt., 1969-70. We would like you to join us at our reunion in September. Contact: Randy Shaner, 843-655-5862; rshaner@sc.rr.com 

Looking for any survivors of Detachment X-Ray, USN MCB-3, Nakom Panom, Thailand, 1963-64. We built PSP runways for RTAF. Contact: Louis Weckmann, 951-842-6140; LWeckmann@amrofab.com

Trying to locate anyone who served with SP4 Ray Ira Haas in Co. D, 1st Bn., 8th Inf., 1st Cav. Div., Vietnam. He was from Pennsburg, Pa., and was killed in 1968. I am writing a book about him. Contact: Clyde Hoch, 313 4th St., Pennsburg, PA 18073; 215-679-9580; hochclyde@yahoo.com

Trying to find Ron Phillips. In 1967, when I was three years old, I was on a medevac flight from San Antonio to Patrick AFB in Florida. There were many wounded Vietnam veterans on the plane with me, and we shared stories about our wounds—mine was from surgery. Phillips was one of the veterans. He was on crutches and had several bandages over his multiple wounds. He took a Purple Heart out of his bag and gave it to me, telling me I deserved it. My mother tried to return it to him, but he refused to take it back, saying he had two more. I would like to return the Purple Heart to him or his family. Contact: Curtis Newman, 24459 Sweet Springs Rd., Elkmont, AL 35620; 256-636-2706. 

Trying to locate Hal “Rat” Ford (from Dallas) and Ronnie T. Hamilton (from Richmond, Calif.), who served with me in Recon, Co. E, 2/501st, 101st Airborne, Camp Eagle, July 1970-71. Contact: Steve “Smokey” Walton, 301 E. Gallatin Ave., Belgrade, MT 59714; walkingpoint7071@yahoo.com

Trying to locate John Reavis (from N.C.), who served with USAMMAV Det. 4, Camp Davies, Saigon, 1969-70. I have some pictures I want to share with you. Contact: Pete Duff, easypetenow@verizon.net

Searching for my Basic Training Yearbook. I was with HHC 2nd, 3rd Bde., Ft. Ord, July 27-September 17, 1970. My CO was Capt. Norton and my Drill Sgt. was James Mills. I went by the name Fred Grimes at that time. Contact: Frank D. Blandori, frank_blandori@yahoo.com

Searching for anyone who knew the man in this photo, Sgt. Cox. There is a 1st Cav. pin on his pocket, but it is not an official issue unit crest. Contact: Kurt Merriman, 802-885-9490; kurtmerriman46@gmail.com

Looking for an airman from the 772nd Tactical Airlift Sqdrn. I was TDY to Tan Son Nhut Air Base when the Rebel Ramp section of the base came under rocket and mortar attack in the early morning hours of February 18, 1968. During the attack a friend and I helped the airman, who was lying on the ground near the far revetment wall. We carried him to a bunker so he could get medical help for a severe leg wound. I recognized him as a C-130 crew chief, because I had worked on his aircraft days earlier. I rotated back to Mactan Air Base in the Philippines two days later, and always wondered how he made out. Contact: John Koning, papakones@hotmail.com

Would like to hear from anyone who served with 6/32 Arty., Service Btry., September 1967-68. Contact: Tony Downey, tomjudy99@aol.com

I have an original Basic Training graduation unit photograph of D Co., 1st Bn., 1st Bde., Ft. Lewis, Wash., January 1970. Will make you a copy. Contact: Jim Pace, 360-201-3877; jpace35@msn.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.

Found: Zippo lighter. One side has a raised eagle and reads, “Vietnam,” with “Long Binh 68-69” below it. The other side reads, “Enjoy yourself for hell’s waited.” I found the lighter at Long Binh during a 2012 trip. Contact: Don Mehrer, 68 Lincoln St., Babylon, NY 11702; 631-669-3068.

Searching for any information regarding friendly fire incident on December 24, 1970, involving D Btry., 2/230 Arty., 101st Abn., Firebase Bastogne, and resulting in total devastation on A Co., 1/327, 101st. Contact: Jim Keith, 802-824-6750; randee.55@comcast.net 

Trying to locate DeLeon, Guy Steele, Randy Warren, and Reginald Robins, who served with me in the 6th PSYOP Bn., 1974-78. DeLeon, Steele, and I participated in the relocation of Vietnamese refugees. Contact: Bruce Liscombe, 1920 Waterview Way, Crystal, MI 48818; liscomberanger1sg@gmail.com

Trying to locate GM3 Daniel Sullivan, who served with me on Swift Boats in Cat Lo and Qui Nhon, July 1967-68. Contact: William A. Nelson, 2301 10th St. NW #217, Austin, MN 55912; 507-437-6338; nelsonw4588@yahoo.com

Looking for anyone who served with Co. A, 1st Bn., 2nd Inf., 1st Inf. Div., Phouc Vinh, 1967-68. Contact: J.E. Irizarry-Guiot, irizarryguiot@comcast.net

Trying to locate Bob Kizzar (from Altus, Okla.), who served with me in the 68th Transportation Co., Mannheim, Germany, 1968-69. He tried to take my place when I got shipped to Vietnam. Around six months later he visited me at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, and that was the last time I saw him. Contact: Mike Johnson, 610 West Las Olas Blvd., Apt. 1218, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, 1218camper@gmail.com

Would like to hear from anyone who served with a Postal Detachment at APO 09231 (Wheelus AFB), 1966-67; or with the Saigon AMT registry section, April 1968-March 1969. Contact: Bill Powell, brpowell@seidata.com 

Trying to locate Howie Long (from Calif.), and Johnny Johnson, my helicopter pilot on gunship “Cheap Thrills,” who served with me in 92nd Aviation Co., Assault Helicopter Gunship, USARPAC. I was the crew chief. Contact: Bill Jewell, wtjewell@verizon.net 

Searching for John Coughlin, 121st AHC “Soc Trang Tigers,” originally from Queens, N.Y. In 1970 Coughlin escorted home the body of SP4 Thomas Silva, and remained in contact with the family for several years. Contact: Case Nelson, casenelson1@volcano.net

Trying to locate Charles D. Dennis, who went through his BT and AIT at Ft. Jackson, S.C., starting in mid-September 1964. Dennis had family connections to Florence, S.C., and Florida. He was from an Air Force family and was “Airborne Unassigned.” Contact: Paul S. “Scott” Buchanan, 550 Main St., Somerset, MA 02726; 508-493-5261; paulsbuch@yahoo.com

Looking for Sanders, who was wounded when a booby trap exploded on May 2, 1967, near Duc Pho. He was a member of the Mortar Plt. of Charlie Co., 2/35th Inf. Regt., 25th Inf. Div. Jack Torbett and DC Bell also were wounded from the booby trap, and Kenny Wright (from Crane, Texas) was killed. Contact: Mike Miller, 740-797-2030; mmille79@columbus.rr.com

Looking for a Marine whom I found wounded in the buttocks during a rocket attack at Camp Books near Da Nang in late 1967 or early 1968. He was in country only hours. I worked on his wounds for some time until medevac was able to evacuate him. Contact: Eddie Preciado, 323-973-3462; 323-721-0305; devildog66@charter.net

Searching for veterans who want to correspond with a veteran who fought in Vietnam in 1968. Contact: H. L. Payne 036113, Union Correctional Institution, 7819 NW 228th St., Raiford, FL 32026. 

Looking for friends or family of LTCD Richard Allen Moran (from Fort Smith, Ark.), a pilot in VA-15 Sqdrn. out of Cecil Field, Fla. He was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid (CVA-11) on his first Vietnam tour. On August 7, 1966, Moran piloted an A-4B in Yankee Station on a refueling mission and rescued four A-4s with low fuel. All made it back but him. He went into the water after the second pass, and his body was never recovered. I want to let his family know what a hero he was. Contact: Sam Hudson, 5450 W. Lombard St., Springfield, MO 65802.

Trying to locate anyone who served with Co. B, 229th AVN, 1st Cav. Div., Ahn Khe, 1965-66. Contact: John A. Burrell, 1220 Hale Dr., Hampton, VA 23663-1950.

Looking for anyone who was at Long My Army Depot, Binh Dinh Province, 1969-70. Contact: Tim Pachis, tim@southfloridafair.com

Would like to find the medic who helped me patch up my wounded right thigh when our convoy was hit in in the Quang Tri area on Highway 1 and 9 in February or March. Contact: Roy Jamison, Trlr. 58, 1400 N. 30th St., Mount Vernon, WA 98273; 360-424-9265.

Looking for anyone who knew me in USAF Special Ops, 1966-68, in U-Tapao or any other Jumper sites in Thailand or Laos. Contact: Harry Jennings, 356 Cedar Falls Dr., Apollo Beach, FL 33572; hgjennings43@gmail.com

Trying to locate Ralph Haugherty, who served with me in 1st Cav., Co. D, 2/12. My last contact with him was in January 1968 at the Battle of LZ Leslie, Que Son Valley. His last-known address was Flagstaff, Ariz. Contact: Roger Blanco, P.O. Box 1178, Questa, NM 87556; 575-770-5475; artcan@newmexico.com

Searching for Lt. William R. Holland, who served with Provisional Co., 25th Inf. Div., Nui Ba Den, 1970. Contact: Buddy, bbohager@gmail.com

Looking for anyone who served with me in A Co., 1st Bn., 327th Inf., 101st Airborne Div. “Screaming Eagles,” Vietnam, May 1968-69. Contact: Willie Davis, Jr., 1209 Berthoud Pass, Hephzibah, GA 30815.

Trying to find Navy Engineman (E-3) Gary Jones (from Pine Bluff, Ark.), who went through NIOTC with me at Mare Island, Calif., spring 1970, and was stationed with me in River Assault Sqdrn. 15, Div. 152, Mekong Delta, summer-fall 1970. Contact: Bob Nyland, bnylandp38@hotmail.com

Looking for Robert Houston (from Los Angeles), who served with me in MACV, 1966-67. Contact: Darrell Morrison, Zill4344@aol.com