Vol: 9Issue: 1

3 Mar 2017Gathering 15

Inside this issue: Gathering XV info Gathering XIV picsTruck NewsGone But Not ForgottenMaps & Mileage; Jack Horvath

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GATHERING XV, MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA:

Our 15th Gathering!It’s a beautiful place and we will be able to meet up with many of our western U.S. veterans! They haven’t complained about

all reunions being on the east coast, but we have noted their absences, and hope to make it up with this one.

http://www.vietnam-guntrucks.com

“Vietnam . . . remembered by those who should forget, forgotten by those who should remember”

“I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep.

Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted at their best; men who suffered and sacrificed.

I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the military. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given

anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation,

the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.

As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day.I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my

family and my comrades... Such good men.”

Author unknown(submitted by MG David Whaley)

We had another great reunion in Chattanooga! It’s always good see old friends, and we are fast becoming another family! Photos and a description of our reunion follow, but first I want to provide you information about next year’s Gathering place.

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CHATTANOOGA REUNION:

OKAY, back to our most recent reunion in Chattanooga. We stayed in the same hotel as last year, with a big hospitality room, great breakfast, and great set up for registration, sale of raffle tickets, etc. EZ (Ezell Gladney) also set up his ‘shop’ again

this year. There were many donations to the raffle prizes and free candy and books from the U.S.O. And another one of Teresa Cochran’s beautiful quilts made from Gathering and Vietnam t-shirts. A thank-you to all who donated!!

DATES: September 10-15, 2017......Please note the changes in the dates. In an effort to secure the most affordable rates, our reunion will be from Sunday, 9/10/2017 to Friday, 9/15/2017. This gets us out of weekend dates and out of summer tourist season.

HOTEL INFORMATION: Inn at Morro Bay 60 State Park Rd Morro Bay, CA 93442

Reservation number: 805-772-5651 (book directly through the hotel at the above number and ask for “The Gathering”). Room rates are $115.00 plus 14.065% tax. We have secured a block of 60 rooms.

The absolute cutoff date is August 27, 2017. On that date, any rooms left in our block will be opened up to the general public and return to their much higher regular price.

Cancellation Policy:

“Any cancellations to guaranteed rooms must be made 72 hours prior to date of arrival. Failure to cancel guaranteed rooms 72 hours prior to the arrival date will result in a penalty of full payment for the cancelled rooms based on the agreed upon room rate and dates and will be billed to the individual attendee.” In cases of an Act of God, where there is no control over the circumstances of your cancellation, there will be no charges to your account.

Airports: Mileage to Morro Bay. Major International Airports: San Jose (SJC) 189 miles, Los Angeles (LAX) 203 miles, and San Francisco (SFO) 220 miles Regional airports: San Luis County Regional (SBP) 14 miles, Santa Maria Public-Hancock Field (SMX) 39 miles. Morro Bay is a gorgeous area - lots to see and do there. Here is a drone’s view of Morro Bay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3asKCsaQZY

GATHERING XV (continued):

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CHATTANOOGA (continued):

On Wednesday, many signed up for the DUKW ride with a narrated tour of the city and a splash into the Tennessee River to view the city from water. The designation of DUKW is not a military pun – the name comes from the terminology used for military vehicles in

World War II; the D indicates a vehicle designed in 1942, the U meant “utility (amphibious)”, the K indicated all-wheel drive and the W indicated two powered rear axles. It is basically a 2-1/2 ton truck built to also float and navigate water. Designed by the Transportation Corps in WW II.

Added here are photos of attendees. A special thanks to John Dodd, Deb, Jack Horvath, and Kathy Blackstone for sharing photos

All vehicles on display at hotel Danny Cochran, Robbie Roberson, both 523rd vets and Rex (wary of camera!)

D.C. Russell (88th TC) and Kathy Blackstone, Registration

Jim Baird (523rd TC) and gun truck owners/operators in background

USO donations by Jack & Pat Horvath (64th)

Julie Cook and Michael Dodd

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CHATTANOOGA (continued):

On Friday evening we had our annual dinner followed by the raffle. Because of the numbers of people who signed up for dinner, we had to find another site, and the

Shriners Hall was selected. Big beautiful room with lots of space for the raffle and auctions.

Photos from the banquet:

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CHATTANOOGA (continued):

GUN TRUCK BRUTUS DEDICATION: A dedication ceremony took place is Oshkosh, Wisconsin of the replica gun truck BRUTUS at the Military Veterans Museum and Education Center. Roger Blink, owner of BRUTUS, was the third driver of the vehicle in Vietnam and a veteran of the 359th TC. Blink and his crew manned BRUTUS to haul fuel and supplies to fellow soldiers. Soldiers were tasked with protecting the convoys and save the lives of drivers.

The version on display at the Oshkosh museum is a replica. They weren’t manufactured by the military, but instead were built out of desperation by the crews that ran them. “This truck was built from material that was begged, borrowed, or stolen, or traded for,” Blink said. BRUTUS will be on permanent loan to the museum, but will be taken out by Blink at various times for parades and special events.

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TRUCK NEWS :

Museum crew who assisted in building BRUTUS

Bruce Askew (523rd TC) (sent by John Dodd (585th and 359th TC)). “I must sadly report that Bruce Askew has passed. Bruce attended many Gatherings and loved to sit on my tailgate and

tell stories. He will be missed. My prayers go out to Diane and Bruce’s family. “Bruce passed away suddenly on Tuesday August, 9, 2016. He was born in Schenectady to the late Ralph and Marion (Peg) Askew. “He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War in the US Army, 1971-1972, 523rd Trans Co. Bruce worked as a truck driver for William M. Larned & Sons. He

was also a proud member of the Eagles Fraternity in Rotterdam. Bruce loved to fish, hunt, and spend time at Sacandaga Lake. He was a true family man and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.” Bruce is survived by Diane Mattoon; his children, Jason (Sarah) Askew, Joshua Askew, Melissa (Steve) Gepfert, Elizabeth (Ryan) Zocchi, Alison (Blake) Mattoon, and Christine (Saul) Mattoon, brother, Ronnie Askew; sister, Wendy Miller.

Cards may be sent to: Diane Mattoon, 27 Huckleberry Lane, Albany, NY 12205.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

LOOKING FOR:

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I have a request from Scott Martin, whose wife is the daughter of Soren Cornforth, who served in the 669th TC on Satan’s Li’l Angel, 69-70. Scott is trying to find more information about his father-in-law. Here is what he sent to me; perhaps there are some clues that might help you remember him: My father in law told 2 stories to his brother and wife. After that the he went quiet and did not share any more stories. I married his daughter in 1992 and soon after that he started sharing 3 stories only to me with little details around the edges about his Nam service. He repeated those stories many times and they were all related to the Gun Truck “Satan’s Li’l Angel.” For some reason he talked to me most about his service and also shared with me the most detail. His children and family on the other hand were not allowed to see his photo albums. My wife as a child was caught looking at is photos and was severely scolded. His wife and siblings have never seen his photos.

My father in law met a violent death in 1999 as a long haul truck driver delivering Idaho potatoes to Richmond VA. He was asleep in his truck when 3 men tried to steel his semi truck. He came out of the sleeper and was fighting them out of the truck when one of the thugs was able to get a shot off with a pistol and killed him. About 2 years ago his widow sent us his Nam photo albums. I quickly went through them and recognized some pictures by the stories he told. He told me one story of a gun fight he got into where the shell casings where knee deep. When I looked through his photos I quickly found the picture of the knee deep casings and turned to my wife and said “Oh man, your Dad was telling the TRUTH!” This July 4th I was watching a local PBS channel and it had a quick Nam documentary and they had a few minutes on gun trucks and the Angel Truck was mentioned or shown. Also they showed a quick clip of the Angel Truck replica.

Sue Triffitt (wife of Dean Triffitt 1098th TC) Mrs. Susan (Runnalls) Triffitt, age 71, of Lynnfield, died on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Lahey Clinic, Burlington. She was the beloved wife of

Dean A. Triffitt, with whom she had been married for 43 years. Born in Buffalo, NY, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Gertrude (Runnalls) Atkinson. She grew up in Lynnfield and

graduated from Lynnfield High School, Class of 1968. An L.P.N., Susan had graduated from the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home School of Nursing in 1968. She worked at Union Hospital, Lynn for 25 years, and then worked at the Meadowview Healthcare Center, North Reading for 10 years. She and Dean loved to travel. Susan was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lynnfield. She is survived by her husband, Dean, and one son Mark C. Triffitt of Boston.

Cards may be sent to Dean at 291 Lowell, Lynnfield, MA 01940.

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN(continued)

LOOKING FOR (continued):

I reached out to the Army Transportation Museum on July 13th and was directed to Rich Killblane. Thinking the Army was very good about keeping records this should be an easy task to get the list of crew members or crews of the gun trucks. I was quickly taught by Rich that the gun trucks where like pirate ships. So on July 20th I started my journey to find information on my father in law and the gun truck I was sure he served on and posted a few pictures and request on John Dodd’s website. I was quickly put in touch with Deb and the journey quickly picked up speed. Here is what I know and what I’m looking for: 1. My Father in laws name: LEONARD SOREN CORNFORTH, He went by “SOREN”. I know he went by Soren in Vietnam as I have been in contact with Lucien Attuso. Both Lucien and Soren were gunners on the Angel Truck. 2. A possible nickname: “KORNFORTH” The reason I think that is in James Lyle book the “Hard Ride” I think volume 2 in the back with the index of crew members associated with different gun truck one of the drivers was listed for the Angel Truck as “KORNFORTH”. Not sure if it was a typo or a real nick name. 3. He arrived in Vietnam Dec. 9th 1969 and returned Dec. 3rd 1970. 4. He went to Vietnam as a light truck driver but seemed to be put in a armored jeep as the driver for 1st Lt. Lopez from

New York. I have just started looking for Lt. Lopez. I think they had contact after Vietnam so I am trying to find him. Any help in that would be great I do not know where to start on that. 5. I have Soren for sure in the Angel Truck with photos and talking to Lucien Attuso a fellow gunner. Looking closer at a picture today Soren seemed to be the NCOIC in a truck that might not be the Angel. The photos I have of the Angel Truck is the front 50 cal. mounted in the center. The photo of Soren as NCOIC has the front gun mounted to the front right. The picture Soren had of Larry Dahl might have him associated with the BRUTUS truck for a day. Also he seemed to be in a gun truck for a time that had a mini gun in it. I am almost sure by talking to Lucien that in 1970 the Angel Truck did not have a mini on it.

Scott is already in contact with John Dodd, Rich Killblane and Deb who scanned all his photos and put them on the gun truck site. He has been unsuccessful in tracking 1st LT Pedro Lopez from New York. It would be very kind of any of you to email him and tell him that you remember Soren, or don’t remember him at all. If you know of others in the 669th, or other photos, please send that information to him also. Scott’s email is:scott.martin1@me.com

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MAPS AND MILEAGE FROM VIETNAM:

Jack Horvath (64th TC) has shared some mileage charts of Vietnam. I’m enclosing two of them here, but I also have 3 more. If you’d like a copy of all of them, just email me at bbower1@cox.net

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MAPS AND MILEAGE FROM VIETNAM (continued):

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OTHER REUNIONS:

88th Transportation Company, Indiana: The reunion will be help the weekend of 10 March in LaPorte, Indiana. For more information, contact Rhonda Weston at rhonda_weston@yahoo.com

Third Port Reunion, Fort Eustis, VA: The Third Port 40th reunion will be held 20 May 2017 at Fort Eustis. For more information, contact Becky Brashears at (757) 508-0822 or email 3rdPortReunion@gmail.com

Hope to see all of you in September!

Special thanks to Deb for the beautiful formatting.

Penny, Fem, Barbara, Kathy, and Mary

Hope to see you

forGathering XV

Morro Bay,

California!!

SEE YOU SOON IN MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA!

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