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Newsletter of the Carson Area Chapter - 388 of the Vietnam Veterans of Americacommobunker388@charter.net

388TH

AUGUST 2016

ANR SE OT FE V A MM EA RN IT CE AIV

Operation Crimp (January 8 through the 14, 1966), also known as the Battle of the Ho Bo Woods, was a joint US-Australian military operation during the Vietnam War, which took place 12 miles north of Cu Chi in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. The operation targeted a key Viet Cong headquarters that was believed to be concealed underground, and involved two brigades of the US 1st Infantry Division including the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), which was attached to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade. Heavy fighting resulted in significant casualties on both sides, but the combined American and Australian force was able to uncover an extensive tunnel network with 130 miles of passageways.

The operation was the largest allied military action mounted during the war in South Vietnam to that point, and the first fought at division level. Despite some success, the allied force was only able to partially clear the area and it remained a key communist transit and supply base throughout the war. The tunnels were later used as a staging area for the attack on Saigon during the 1968 Tet offensive before they were largely destroyed by heavy bombing from American B-52 bombers in 1970, ending their utility.

The battle began at 09:30 on January 8th with heavy American preparatory fire from artillery, as well as napalm and airstrikes from B-52 bombers which resulted in significant defoliation. Soon after the airmobile operation commenced with the first American units being inserted by helicopter to the north, west and south. The US 3rd Infantry Brigade - under the command of Colonel William Brodbeck - was subsequently inserted by helicopter and by road. The brigade headquarters and command element departed Di An in convoy and reached Trung Lap on the western boundary of the brigade's area of operations by midday. Concurrently, two battalions were inserted by helicopter to the south-west, one blocking the south side of the Ho Bo Woods while the other conducted a sweep. The Americans were in contact almost immediately, although the engagements were generally small scale, or involving snipers. Meanwhile the brigade's third battalion moved by road to Trung Lap and then moved on foot to its assigned search area. Cont’d on Page 3

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Contact Information:

Newsletter Email: commmobunker388@charter.net Chapter 388 Website: http://vva388.com/

Chapter Facebook Page: VVA Chapter 388 Carson City Nevada

Chapter President: Frank Reynolds: vva388@gmail.com

Chapter Meetings:Veterans Hall - 2nd and Curry Streets, Carson City, NV 89701

1st Thursday of each month - 5:30 pmBreakfast Meetings

Grandma Hatties Restaurant - 2811 So. Carson St., Carson CityMid- Month - email vva388@gmail.com for specific date and time.

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388th is a monthly publication of the Vietnam Veterans of America - Carson Area Chapter 388 and is published solely for the education of and communi-cation with it’s membership and other interested parties. Not for Sale.

CHAPTER ORGANIZATION

AD HOC COMMITTEES

Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day

** Membership established by Chapter By-LawsChapter President is a member of all Committees

Scholarship Darrol Brown/Bruce Bertram

Health/Transportation Neal Davies

Darrol BrownGovernment Affairs

STANDING COMMITTEES: CONTACT

POW/MIA Darrol BrownCommunications Verne Horton

Membership Affairs Outreach Verne Horton

Finance Committee** Frank Reynolds

Executive Committee**

Women’s Affairs Lee Jackson

Adopt-a-Vet Dental Program Brenda Horton

VSO Joe Matisohn

Tom SpencerTom Spencer

Dan Dirodoni

Community Services Committee

Rick Arnold

Special Events Jack McQuirk/Larry Knack/Ron Moore

Verne R. Horton, Editor/Publishere

As Called for by the President

ELECTED OFFICERS

Tom Spencer PresidentDan Dirodoni Vice PresidentJack McQuirk Treasurer

APPOINTED POSTS

Lee Jackson Secretary

Members of the Executive Committee

Sgt - at - ArmsFrank Reynolds

ChaplainBruce Bertram

ParliamentarianDarrol Brown

LT. COL. CHARLES KETTLESMEDAL OF HONOR

Four helicopter trips into a combat zone. Forty-four people saved. Forty-nine years.

On July 18, 2016, he rece ived the na t ion ' s highest honor, the Medal of Honor, for his efforts.

Kettles' helicopter crews reached the trapped soldiers, near Duc Pho on the south-central coast of Vietnam, around 9 a.m. that day. The crews took losses while they were still airborne but Kettles managed two trips before his helicopter was damaged by gunfire, wounding his door gunner and piercing the fuel tank.

Kettles found another helicopter and successfully completed a third trip before discovering that eight soldiers had been left behind. So he went back.

By all rights, Kettles' fourth trip should have been his last. He no longer had artillery support or other helicopters to draw fire and he was flying so fast that, on his descent, his craft bounced along the ground for hundreds of feet before coming to rest. When he landed, his windshield and rotor blades were hit by mortar blasts.

The remaining eight soldiers piled into the now-smoke-filled helicopter's cabin – pushing the aircraft 600 pounds over its weight limit – and took off. Kettles, speaking with The Detroit News last year, said the helicopter "flew like a two-ton truck, but we were able to get up in the air and get everyone to safety."

With his helicopter damaged and overweight, Kettles was forced to skip it like a stone across the terrain to get enough speed to take to the air. Again, it was hit by enemy fire, causing the craft to rock so violently, a soldier was thrown out of the helicopter and had to grab one of the landing skids.

"A soldier who was there said, 'That day, Major Kettles became our John Wayne," With all due respect to John Wayne, he couldn't do what Chuck Kettles did."

Kettles, who was drafted into the Army in October 1951 after attending Michigan State Normal College, completed two tours in Vietnam before returning to his native Ypsilanti, Michigan and finishing his bachelor's degree in aviation. He then earned his master's – also in aviation – established an aviation management degree at the school (now Eastern Michigan University) and taught classes there while also working for Chrysler Pentastar Aviation.

Kettles received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1968 for his bravery, but it was only four years ago that William Vallano, of the Veterans History Project, launched a local campaign to award Kettles with the Medal of Honor. It eventually reached then-Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn), who petitioned the Defense Department to consider Kettles' case – the Medal of Honor usually must be awarded within five years – and eventually earned the backing of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. The years of red tape culminated in the award ceremony .

"I had to do what I thought was necessary," Kettles told The Detroit Times. "I couldn't leave anyone behind."

Charles S, Kettle, LTC, USA (Ret.) receives the Medal of Honor

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Cont’d from Page 1

In the north, 1RAR was inserted into its new landing zone - LZ March - 1.9 miles to the south-west. With B Company securing the site, the battalion moved on foot to the line of departure but not before they were mistakenly engaged by US helicopter gunships and artillery fire. However, after the Australians established communications, the shelling was halted and they began their advance. No sooner had the lead elements - D Company under the command of Major Ian Fisher - emerged into the cleared area that was originally to have been used as the battalion's LZ, when the forward platoon came under fire from Viet Cong positions in the tree-line on the north-east corner. In the action which followed, six Australians from 12 Platoon were wounded, including platoon commander Lieutenant Jim Bourke, who was shot through the jaw but remained in command until he passed out from loss of blood. Meanwhile two medics who attempted to move forward to treat the casualties were themselves shot and killed.

1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Alex Preece moved around each flank of D Company, and towards the battalion's original blocking position. Soon they were also in contact with small groups of Viet Cong from positions behind trees and in bunkers, while others popped up from spider holes and tunnel entrances; it became apparent to the Australians that they had stumbled across a significant Viet Cong force in extensive fortifications, sufficient to hold a battalion. B Company, under the command of Major Ian McFarlane, also uncovered a small dug-in hospital with simple transfusion equipment, documents and bandages. Meanwhile, the remaining battalions of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade had also been inserted. The 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment flew into LZ April at 12:00, while 2/503rd Battalion arrived at LZ May at 14:30. With the insertion going largely according to plan, the brigades began their advance eastwards. Converging on the suspected location of the communist headquarters, a thorough search of the area yielded little, and it was believed that the Viet Cong had withdrawn earlier in response to the initial Australian advance.

Amid strong resistance, the Australians were made to fight their way through the maze of bunkers, punji stakes and booby traps but they were eventually able to force a Viet Cong regional force company to withdraw as they continued their advance. The area was heavily seeded with trip wires connected to shells and grenades dangling from branches, one of which blew McFarlane and several of his men off their feet. The defenders subsequently withdrew, with 7th Cu Chi Battalion forced north and 3rd Quyet Thang Battalion to the east. Suspecting they were being drawn into a trap - as one of the American battalions of the brigade had been previously during Operation Hump - the Australians moved into a tightly defended perimeter before dark and waited for the communists to counter-attack. As night fell, movement was detected along a trench on the C Company perimeter when a squad of Viet Cong attempted to infiltrate the Australian position. Initially believing the movement to be another Australian patrol that had just departed on a clearing patrol, the machine-gunner on sentry duty finally opened fire at the last safe moment, killing one of the infiltrators at point-blank range and wounding a number of others before they withdrew.

Minor actions continued into the night, with small groups of Viet Cong able to pop up undetected and then disappear at will from within the Australian defensive position. The searching units were unable to locate Viet Cong in large numbers but experienced a significant number of sudden engagements and ambushes throughout the day, and it became clear that the communists were using tunnels for movement and concealment. Preece suspected that the area was honeycombed with tunnels and that the communist headquarters that he had been tasked to destroy was in fact located beneath the feet of the battalion. The battalion spent a sleepless night and in the early hours of the morning there were a number of short exchanges of fire as small groups of Viet Cong returned to the area. Not wanting to fire the machine-guns for fear of giving their positions away or hitting friendly troops, the Australians resorted to using grenades forward of the perimeter. Meanwhile, in the US 3rd Infantry Brigade area of operations contact had been light, with only six Viet Cong killed.

During the fighting the Australians had faced stiff resistance and had suffered eight killed and 29 wounded, while claiming 27 Viet Cong killed and a further 30 probably killed. The Americans had also been involved in heavy fighting and their casualties included 14 killed and 76 wounded. Total communist casualties included 128 confirmed killed, and another 190 probably killed, as well as 92 captured and another 509 suspects detained. In addition many more Viet Cong were thought likely to have perished in the tunnels as they were collapsed by charges laid by the Australian engineers. The Americans later claimed that the headquarters of the communist 4th Military Region had also been destroyed. Due to the quantity of information recovered

According to the Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency, Air Force Col. Patrick H. Wood, killed during the Vietnam War, has now been accounted for.

On Feb. 6, 1967, Wood was the pilot of an HH-3E aircraft carrying three other crew members on a recovery mission over north Vietnam. After successfully recovering an individual from a separate incident, the aircraft was hit by

enemy ground fire, causing it to crash. Rescue aircraft flew over the area and were only able to recover one survivor.

Multiple joint investigations were conducted concerning the fate of the missing Americans, and in December 2015, a team from the Vietnamese Office for Seeking Missing Persons interviewed a witness who was in possession of possible human remains. The witness led the team to the site where the remains were found.

Interment services are pending.

AF PILOT FINALLYRETURNS HOME

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FLAGS RETIRED INCARSON CITY

Several Chapter members attended the recent Flag Retirement Ceremony held at the Nevada State Veterans Memorial on the Capitol grounds. Conducted each year by Capital Post 4 of the American Legion as part of the Nevada Boys State program, the ceremony retires countless American flags collected by the Post throughout the year. The flags were respectfully burned in accordance with Title 36, Chapter 10, §176 k of the United States Code. In the future, there will be a bin in the Vets Hall where flags to be retired can be placed throughout the year.

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SUMMERSIZZLER

BBQBBQ

UNDERGROUNDVIETNAM

At one point, the Cu Chi tunnel complex had 130 miles of passageways. It allowed the Vietcong to become invisible, allowed weapons to move silently, concealed snipers and booby traps. To Amer ican so ld ie r s , the tunnels stood for all that was horrific about fighting in Vietnam.

There were G. I . ’s who specialized in raiding the tunnels - called “tunnel rats” - but they were a rare breed. Some of the tunnel entrances were designed so that in the dark, a soldier would feel his way along the wall, only to fall into a pit of pungi stakes - sharpened lengths of bamboo, sometimes smeared with dung to ensure infection, if not death.

In some cases, the last guerrilla fighter to enter a tunnel would set explosives around the entrance, so that an American who tried to follow would be blown up. At the same time, the blast would seal the entrance, allowing the Vietcong to escape through another passageway.

The tunnel entrances were so well concealed that even the fighters themselves needed an experienced guide. Duong Thanh Phong, a Saigon-based photographer, recorded the war from inside the tunnels for five years, said that at least once, he was mortified to find himself above ground, unable to find his way back to the entrance.

At the time, there was little other cover. The forest had been obliterated by U.S. bombers and helicopters. Rome Plow bulldozers finished off the work in this area, creating a wasteland - a free-fire zone. Still, the tunnels survived much of this destruction, in part because their builders had burrowed so deep, with the lowest of three levels out of reach even to crater-making B-52 bombs.

The tunnel network, and low-tech arsenal of the Vietcong are sources of great pride, and symbols of the sacrifice required to defeat an enemy that vastly outgunned them. Some fighters spent months at a stretch underground in miserable conditions. There were extended black-outs for precautionary reasons, oxygen was thin and malaria was a problem.

Water wells had be built underground because the Americans sometimes booby-trapped or poisoned above ground wells. Cooking was done underground, with elaborate venting systems to release smoke so as not to draw attention of American troops.

The tunnels were used not only to hide soldiers, supplies and military meeting rooms, but also contained classrooms, kitchens and hospitals. During periods of fierce fighting, villagers also went underground. Babies were born there, classes were held for children. Cultural troupes provided entertainment to raise morale.

But the primary use of the tunnels was strategic, putting

Communist forces in the midst of their American enemies — just 35 miles from Saigon.

“From the tunnels we were able to fight Americans from every angle,” said the Colonel Chau Lam, a veteran of the tunnels. “They didn’t know where we were coming from. That way we could do more damage and limit casualties with fewer forces.”

The Vietcong devised ingenious ways to conceal the tunnels from the Americans, and from their German shepherds, which were used to sniff out Vietnamese through the tunnels’ air holes and smoke vents.

Often the Vietcong would use American smells to get the dogs to go away. By planting an old piece of an American uniform, soap or after-shave near the air holes, the Vietcong made the dogs think it was friendly territory. The strategy worked so well that U.S. forces dissolved the dog units within six months of starting them.

SummerSizzler

The Chapter will provide Hot Dogs, Burgers and Brats plus the trimmings! Also soft drinks and bottled water. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish sufficient to feed at least four.

This is a fun social event for the entire family! Be sure to mark your calendars. We will be emailing everyone shortly before the event with directions and to get a count of those who will attend so we can assure ample food and drinks for all!

September 11, 4:00PMMills Park - Carson City

Note: Alcoholic beverages in “marked containers” are prohibited in the park. If you wish to enjoy a beer, wine, etc., at the BBQ, please do so discretely.

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Adopt a Vet Dental ProgramAAVD

Brenda Horton, HLMVVA-388/Adopt a Vet Dental Program Volunteer Case Manager

ANOTHER SUCCESSFULOUTREACH

IN FERNLEY!Once again our stalwart crew braved the heat and held an Outreach event in Fernley, Nevada. Working in front of the Walmart store, chapter members suffered through temperatures reportedly verging on the 102 mark!

Despite the weather keeping many people indoors enjoying what cooler air they could find, the people of Fernley, once again, demonstrated their generosity. The event was a success again helping to fund our many veterans programs. Working the event were members, Rick Arnold, Lee Jackson, Frank Reynolds, John Trammell, Steve Louks, Brandi King-Spencer, Larry Knack, Bill Brazil, Tom Spencer, Dan Diridoni and Brenda and Verne Horton.

This past month was filled with getting ready for the Annual Poker Run that was held on August 13th. There was much activity and everything turned out great due to the assistance of Chapter members. Whether they helped at a Stop or at the registration desk, their efforts played a part in the success.

A special thank you to Stuart Miller for he traveled throughout the community seeking donations for the raffle and to Jan Smith for making a spectacular HD quilt. Due to other community events the biker registration was not as high as we hoped for but in the end we collected $997 to go to the Adopt a Vet Dental Program. A special moment was held to wish AVVA member Sharon Urban a Happy Birthday as all of us joined in singing that familiar tune. A biker also gave a ride to AAVD Reno staff members, Charlotte Worthley and Doa Snyder.

John Hurzel provided a great lunch and Jeff Wayne provided the band music. A thank you goes to Battle Born Harley Davidson for they were accommodating assisted in any need we had. In closing I have begun to rethink the date for this event and felt perhaps latter in September would be a better choice. I would like to hear thoughts about this. The one thing that is missing is ‘getting the word out’ to various motorcycle groups. If you have a name or address for such a group please let me know.

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John MacBride Sep. 1Terry Burt Sep. 9Craig Timmerman Sep. 10Jan Smith Sep. 12Mike Billow Sep. 15Darrol Brown Sep. 18

Tom Baker Sep. 22Jack McQuirk Sep. 26

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2016 TENTATIVE CALENDAR

Date Event Location

August TBA Outreach

August 4 Chapter Meeting Carson City

August 6 Adopt a Vet Poker Run Carson City August 20 Breakfast 9AM Grandma Hattie’s

September TBA Outreach

September 1 Chapter Meeting Carson City

September 11 388 Summer Sizzler BBQ Carson City

September 16 POW/MIA Recognition Day TBA

September 17 Breakfast 9AM Grandma Hattie’s

September 17 & 18 Dayton Valley Days Dayton

October 6 Chapter Meeting Carson City

October 15 Breakfast 9AM Grandma Hattie’s

October 29 Nevada Day Parade Carson City

November 3 Chapter Meeting Carson City

November 11 Veterans Day Parade Virginia City

November 19 Breakfast 9AM Grandma Hattie’s

December Christmas Party TBA

December 1 Chapter Meeting Carson City

December TBA Christmas Shopping for

Families Walmart -Topsy Ln.

December 17 Wreaths Across America Fernley

The below events and dates with the exception of Chapter Meetings, Breakfasts and National Holidays are tentative and subject to change.

George Allison Aug. 1Brenda Horton Aug. 1Marvin Weissberger Aug. 1Sharon Urban Aug. 6Norm Whitney Aug. 11Jim Smiley Aug. 16Don Muscott Aug. 19

Craig Horn Aug. 24Tom Scholl Aug. 25Hugo Gruner Aug . 30

8,744,000 - Total number of U.S. Troops that served worldwide during Vietnam War era3,403,000 served in Southeast Asia2,594,000 served in South Vietnam

AUGUST FACTOID

NEED HELP??Nevada Department of Veterans Services now offers on-line VSOs to answer your benefit questions! Simply go to: http://www.veterans.nv.gov/form/ask-a-vso and complete the form shown.

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USEFUL CONTACTS

WebsitesVVA www.vva.org - Programs, News, Forms, Services, Applications Benefits, Publications/Forms, LSO Listings 1-877-222-8387 (Help Line) 1-800-237-8255 (Crisis Line) 1-877-424-3838 (Homeless)

Service Records www.archives.gov

Memorial Wall Research www.virtualwall.org

Agent Orange Website www.lewispublishing.com - FAQ’s, Maps, VA Compensation & Claims

Local Veteran ServicesReno Veteran Center 5580 Mill Street Reno, NV 89502 Office: 775-323-1294 Fax: 775-322-8123

F.I.S.H. 138 Long Street Carson City, NV 89706 Office: 775-992-3474 email: www.info@nvfish.com

Veterans Service Officers

Reno, NV 89511 Office: 775-321-4880 Fax: 775-321-4848

Reno- 5460 Reno Corporate Dr. Ste. 104 Fallon- 458 W. B Street, Ste. 103 Fallon, NV 89406 Office: 775-428-1177 Fax: 775-423-9371

Nevada Job Connect 775- 4684-0456 1929 N. Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701

Veterans Healthcare USA 145 Esmeralda Drive. Washoe Valley, Nevada 89704

Office: 887-338-8807

Veterans Employment Services State Dept. of Employment, Training &

Rehabilitation

1933 N. Carson Street

Carson City, NV 89701Office: 775-684-0400

US Veterans Employment Services 500 E 3rd Street Carson City, NV 89713 Office: 687-4632

Nevada Dept. of Veteran Services www.veterans.nv.us - Benefit Info, News

Army Times www.armytimes.com - Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

Navy Times www.navytimes.com - Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

Marine Corps Times www.marinecorpstimes.com - Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

Air Force Times www.airforcetimes.com

-Online Publication, News, Benefit Info

50th Anniversary - Vietnam War www.vietnam50th.comEvents, Photos, Interactive Timeline

Western Nevada College Veterans Resource CenterWestern Nevada CollegeCedar Building 3272201 West College ParkwayCarson City, NV 89703

419 W. Plumb LaneReno, NV 89509775-284-8387

305 N. Carson St., Suite 201Carson City, NV 89701(775) 283-4838(775) 360-2157 - fax

General Military www.military.com - Benefit Info, News, Stories, Buddy Finder

Healthcare for Homeless Veterans 350 Capitol Hill Reno, NV 89502

Office: 775-324-6600

Northern Nevada Veterans Resource Center

Reno

CarsonCity

Caleb Cage, Director of Military and Veterans Policy - Nevada Governors Office(775) 684-5670

Carson Area Chapter - 388, Vietnam Veterans of America website ; email: vva388@gmail.comwww.vva388.org

(775) 445-3000

Nevada Department of Veterans Services

Katherine Miller, Director - millerk@veterans.nv.gov