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- Date:
- 02/03/2016
- Time:
- 09:35:00 AM
- Remote User:
Comments
As a Vietnam Army engineer veteran and being retired I have found a number of interesting websites, diaries, memoirs, etc.
I spent the year from Jan 1967 to Jan 1968 in Qui Nhon with the 523rd Engr Co (port construction) as a platoon leader. I read your diary and got some greater insight into the day to day activities of your combat battalion. We were also attached to the 45th group. The HQ was right in town and my CO reported directly to the Col. The good news was that by and large we were very secure due to being near the harbor and lots of US and ARVN troops and the ROK division HQ was right outside of town. The downside was that we were expected to be on task and be super achievers and it was easy for the brass to keep an eye on us. My big project was the welded steel POL tanks west of town. They still stand.
Your diary gave me some smiles in the hurry up-wait, changearound/changes that you went through. It appeared that an awful lot of time and effort went into sweeping the road every morning but I am sure it had to be done. Down by Qui Nhon QL1 and QL19 were in good shape and were paved during my time there but it was startling to see what a meager road it was up north.
I noticed that LT Peter Carlson was only 19 years old when he was killed. He apparently was an OCS guy, as I was. I count myself lucky that I never got shot at once in Vietnam nor did I have to fire a weapon at a real or perceived enemy. That was the luck of the draw as I didn’t have any special skill or training that would make them send me to a specialized construction unit.
I appreciated that you had a full set of ORLLs for the Bn and had gone to the effort to clean them up and make them readable.
Where did you get the files? I have been able to locate some for the 45th group and other units but not all.
Is there a central site for them?
One more thing, I don’t think I saw where you went on R&R. Did you do it?
Philip Peterson
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- Date:
- 03/31/2016
- Time:
- 02:59:00 PM
- Remote User:
Comments
I'm Al Todalen. I served with A Company 1969-1970 at Chu Lai, LZ Goldie, LZ Snoopy and LZ Bronco. My MOS was 63B vehicle mechanic but I did everything from changing brake pads to operating compressor on the work site and driving low-boy. I presently live in Spokane, WA. I enjoy seeing the pictures that others have posted and could send a few of mine if you'd be interested.
E-mail: atodalen@live.com
Here are links to some of my photos: If you were in these areas in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 some of the scenes in these photos may look familiar to you:
Chu Lai
LZ Goldie
LZ Snoopy
LZ Bronco
Song Go Ma River
Song Ve River
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- Date:
- 06/05/2016
- Time:
- 03:52:00 PM
- Remote User:
Comments
Just saw your Diary from the time you spent with the 39th at Duc Pho. I was with the 46th Eng Detachment (28 men) initially at Qui Nhon as a Heavy Equipment Operator. We were sent all over the area on "dirt" jobs that others were either too busy to handle or didn't want.
When the Beach blew up at the end of June, 1967 I was sent there with a D7 Dozer to help clean up and somehow ended up with the 101st 326th Engrs a mile or so up the road from the Beach. We lived in a Grave Yard (Photo 1), ever recall seeing it? Other photo was a bridge (Photo 2) that you guys may have built?
Like to hear from you,
Frank Nyross
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- Date:
- 07/08/2016
- Time:
- 10:20:00 AM
- Remote User:
Comments
This is SPC 5 Frank Applebey. I was with D Company at Tam Key from 69-70. I was there on 6 July 70 when we hit a mine and 17 of us was evaced. Do you have the names of who was involved and what happened to the rest. I know I spent 2 weeks at Chu Lai and then went back to Tam Key. Please answer because I think about those guys all the time. Thanks.
Frank Applebey
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- Date:
- 07/17/2016
- Time:
- 05:33:00 PM
- Remote User:
Comments
My name is Marc Ebert, I live in Berlin Germany and Collect Military Zippo. My Newest piece in my collection is a Vietnam Zippo SFC Renaud 18th Engineer Brigade, they can call me maybe say what the acronym "CIV - G-3 RANGE" means?
Best Regards,
Marc Ebert
E-mail: marc1982@outlook.de
View photo of Zippo lighter: Lighter
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- Date:
- 09/24/2016
- Time:
- 03:48:00 PM
- Remote User:
Comments
Mr. Mayes,
I sincerely enjoyed scrolling through and expanding your compilation of photographs tonite. I was a child when you were serving for my future and I thank you! The smiles are great as I'm sure they were few and far between. We see the same old views of Vietnam though the media and Hollywood. Real is preferred. Great site and a fine job, I appreciate all the views.
I was born in 1965 so there's very little I can relate to but a few little things growing up in the era of "Mayberry" that I miss very much. Especially lately.
My Dad and his twin brother both served on the carrier USS WASP during the Korean War. Neither were photographers but luckily photographers were along for the ride and the USN offered yearbooks including official and semi-official activity. Those yearbooks, from childhood to 51 years are "my" family treasure.
Again thanks for sharing those personal photos online. I was searching hillside scraping to see if some recent pics were natural erosion or fill scraping. Looks unnatural but but I'm a landscape guy, not a scraper guy. Doesn't matter, your picture collection is great!
Cheers to you and yours!
Sincerely,
Wes Peacock - Ohio
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- Date:
- 12/21/2016
- Time:
- 12:37:00 PM
- Remote User:
Comments
Hey Brother, Welcome home! My name is 1SG Michael A. Olshefski U.S.Army (Ret). I spent 2 years at LZ Liz. I stumbled on this site and remember some of the pics. I was 16 almost 17 when I lied like hell to join the Army and go to Vietnam, Long story, anyway I have a lot of memories from my time with C 1/20 11 LIB Americal. I decided to do 24.5 yrs then gave it up. Now Agent Orange Is playing hell with me! Hey if you want to bull shit you can call me at 270-531-1700 home or 270-537-3870 Upton, Ky. I like to shoot the bull with Vietnam brothers. Merry Christmas. Mike "SKI" Take Care And GOD be with you. Here is me now and my muscle truck AND another toy!
E-mail: rangerski501@gmail.com
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