05/01/2026
Saturday, May 2, is the annual anniversary of the 173d Airborne assault on Vietnam in 1965. They went to serve their country and to obey the President of the US. Most of the enlisted were teenagers. Some lied about their age to go do their duty. In the Airborne, all were volunteers. I assumed command of 3d Platoon of the 2d Battalion in September of 1966 until January of 1967. I never lost a man. We had minimal contact. The battalion made the only battalion combat jump in Vietnam on Feb 22, 1967. We patrolled the area for over a month searching for a POW camp where Americans were being held. Found nothing. At that time I was promoted to battalion and put in charge of the 4.2 mortar platoon. In early March Lt Bill Callahan, only recently arrived and put in my place as Plt Leader, walked into an ambush. He and 15 of my men were KIA in an ambush. Lt Al Guyer took over. He and the remaining 15 men of my platoon walked into another ambush. Al and the rest of my 30 men walked into an ambush. All KIA. On May 2 of every year survivors of the 173d meet at the Brigade Marker at Arlington Cemetery to read the names of those who perished. It is breaking my heart that I am unable to attend this year because my men will be remembered. I am physically unable. I constantly pray for my men. It’s been 60 years and I still hurt. I never lost a man. My men respected me. It hurts big time but I can’t let it go. I lived. They didn’t. I ask God constantly to bless them and have them in formation when I get there. All good men (boys). Lord help me.
