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15th Field Artillery Regiment
1917 - 2004

15
The 15th Field Artillery motto - ALLONS - Let's Go!
Allons!

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2008
 
Notice 4/6/2008  Dan Gilloti has notified us that he is resigning as Battalion Historian. Please contact Dave "Davo" Holdorf  for any Regimental history related questions. Thank you Dan for all the historical records you have donated to this website. Without your insight and research the site would not be complete.

 

2007

Just repaired  the guest book. Sorry but no one advised me it was in that condition. 7/31/07

Notice: 7/5/2007  Carl Moback, One of our Battalion members lost his battle with Hepitis-C this morning about 7a.m..
His wife, June, ask that I notify the 15th Arty
His family is having a viewing for family and friends This Saturday and Sunday at:
Advantage Funeral Home
9761 E. 31st. Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma
From 1p.m.-7p.m.
There will be a service at 10:00 am Monday, July 9th at the funeral home, than a Vietnam Veterans motorcycle club will escort Carl to Ft. Wagner Cemetary, Wagner, Okla. There will be a flag service and taps at grave-side
Cards may be sent to:
June Moback
213 N. 11th St.
Broken Arrow, Okla. 74012
Rich Pennell

Anyone interested in assisting this writer?

 

Dear Mr. Holdorf, 

I am writing to you to request your assistance. I am an American magazine writer and author. More information about me can be found by clicking on the website below.

For the subject of my next book, I am looking to find a willing participant. This person is a Vietnam veteran who is considering/planning a trip to Vietnam to see what the place he fought in/patrolled looks like today, preferably on his own or as part of one of the organized reconciliation tours. Ideally, I am looking for someone who also has a son who fought (or is fighting) in Iraq, the experience of his son having in part prompted a desire to return to Vietnam.

Through this veteran’s experience, I hope to tell a story of how America ultimately reconciles the war experience, both for his generation and the following ones. While I realize that many thousands of vets have already had the ‘return to Vietnam” experience (and I have met several on previous trips to Vietnam myself), I am interested in one who has not yet gone but plans to, so that I would be able to chronicle the experience as it goes along.

Since you are in contact with a number of veterans through the regiment’s website, please feel free to forward my request widely in hopes of a response.

 With thanks in advance,

Sheri Prasso

==============================
http://www.sheridanprasso.com
700 West End Ave. 3B
New York, NY 10025
tel: 212-678-6789

 

Upcoming Reunions

All Battalions
15th FA Regiment Association

June 14th - 17th
Branson MO
Contact: Dave Holdorf
See more here

 

DEADLY “A” BATTERY
6th Bn 15th FA

April 26th - 28th
Oklahoma City, OK
Contact: Terry Emery
See more here

2006

November 23, 2006

Here is a link to Carr's Compendiums.

http://www.carrscompendiums.com/

We don't do commercial sites as a rule, but Davo thinks that this one 
will have some closure for a few of our members. Just click the link to
be taken to the site. 
 

Hi -

Here's my tentative proposal for a reunion in Nha Trang in July, 2007.  I know that it may seem a little early to start planning for such an event.  Ticket prices tend to go up about 3 months before a trip.  I'd like to start looking for tickets in a couple of months.  I may try a consolidator in "Little Saigon" in Orange County, CA.  We may be able to get a better price with a group going.

For those of you who would like to start saving, you have about 11 months to do so.

My wife and I, and some of our children are definitely going.  We would love to have any and all of you go with us.

Please note that the cost estimate is based on my last trip in January, 2006.  Prices may go up.  I have tried to guesstimate the mid-range cost of hotels and meals.

When I went, I spent about $200US per week on in-country travel, hotels, food, and beer.  While I did not stay in the low-end hotels, I also did not stay in 5 star hotels, or eat in 5 star restaurants.  But for the cost of the airplane tickets, it is a very inexpensive vacation.

I'll be back in touch in a month or so, to get some type of "head count" - even if you are only interested.

In the meantime, get your passport and talk to your doctor about what shots will be needed.

Take a look at some documents I created for this. Return to 'Nam  Estimated Expenses
Thoughts and Musings


David Gunn 

The Data stolen has been recovered......
Personal data on millions of US veterans stolen
 
Reuters
By Will Dunham
56 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Personal information on 26.5 million U.S. veterans was stolen from an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who took the data home without authorization, exposing them to possible identity theft, the department said on Monday.

The computer records included names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for the military veterans and some spouses, the department said. The electronic data related to everyone discharged from the military since 1975, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson said.

Lawmakers and veterans' advocates expressed alarm that the government failed to safeguard the data, which could be used in credit card fraud and other crimes.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said that "we have no reason to believe at this time" that the data has been exploited for identity theft.

"We are going to send out an individual notification letter to every veteran to the extent possible," warning them of the risk of identity theft, Nicholson told reporters by telephone.

Nicholson said the employee, a career data analyst and not a political appointee or senior official, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The department said the theft of equipment containing the records from the employee's home took place this month. Nicholson declined to identify the employee, the location of the burglary or how long the person had the data at his home.

The FBI said the theft occurred in the Maryland area and its Baltimore field office has been looking into the matter since it was referred to the agency last week.

'RANDOM BURGLARY'

"They believe that this was a random burglary and not targeted at this data," Nicholson said, adding that there had been a series of burglaries in that community. "It's highly probable that they do not know what they have," he said.

Nicholson advised veterans to monitor their credit card and banking transactions and be alert for anything suspicious.

He said the employee had access to the data as part of a project but "took home a considerable amount of electronic data from the VA which he was not authorized to do."

Nicholson said there is no indication the employee intended to do any wrong beyond improperly taking the material home. No medical records and no financial information was compromised, he said, though the data included information on some veterans' physical disabilities.

Identity theft, or obtaining personal or financial information about someone else to make transactions in that person's name, has mushroomed with the growth of the Internet and electronic business.

"We look to V.A.'s executive management to hold everybody accountable who was involved. And accountability we define as immediate termination," Bob Wallace, executive director of the Washington office of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, told Reuters.

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Larry Craig, an Idaho Republican, said he was alarmed the department had "no security or checks or balances" for protecting the data.

"I hope this administration would send an alert out to all of its agencies to take serious look at how they are handling all of its data," Craig said in telephone interview.

The government is setting up a toll-free number, 1-800-333-4636, for veterans to call if they notice anything suspicious, as well as putting information on a government Web site, www.firstgov.gov, he said.

 

2005

Dec 6, 2005   The new December  Newsletter is on line  Here

 

A bill is being introduced in the House of Representatives for the "Veterans' Right to Know Act" Commission. The hyperlink below will take you to the site where you can read it for yourself.

 http://www.washingtonwatchdog.org/rtk/documents/cong_bills/109/h/h109_ 4259ih.html

Thanks to Jerry Cooke for being proactive and forwarding this information to us.

 

The following letter is from John Sarantakes, originally with B Btry 6th/15th.

Thoughts on the 15th Field Artillery Regiment’s Sixth Reunion.

 I attended the sixth reunion of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment in Cleveland, Ohio

from 18 - 20 August. 52 former members of the Regiment attended, two from 6/15 FA and 50 from 7/15 FA, along with 26 wives.

Folks traveled from 21 states; the furthest coming from Washington, California and Florida. Other states represented included AL, OH, TX, WI, NY, IL, VA, GA, OK, NE, MI, KS, PA, AR, IN, NC, KY, and MN. 

While the numbers might suggest that the reunion was only for veterans of the 7th Bn, that was not the case. Let me explain. When you look at the Regimental web page, at www.landscaper.net , you will see that the Regiment was / is made up of several battalions. At one time there were eight battalions, today only two remain active: the 1/15 FA (155 SP) in Korea and the 2/15 FA (105 T) at Fort Drum, NY. Two battalions, the 6/15 FA (105 T) and 7/15 FA (8”/175 SP), served in Vietnam. One member of C Battery, 6/15 FA was awarded the Medal of Honor, (Posthumously).  

In 1990, several former members of 7/15 FA got together to share experiences and reminiscences. Since then, they have held reunions every two or three years at various locations. Even though the reunions have been open to any Regimental veteran, usually only members of 7/15 FA attended. This year two members of the 6/15 FA attended … 1SG (ret) Mike Howell (Service Battery Supply – 1968-1969) and myself (B Btry – 1969). 

The reunions have been held in Pittsburg, PA, Clarksville, TN, Louisville, KY, Fort Sill, OK, Fayetteville, NC and this last one in Cleveland, OH. Photographs and descriptions of the reunions can be found on the Regimental web page at www.landscaper.net/reunions.htm. Photographs of the Cleveland reunion may not be posted for several weeks. The Cleveland reunion was originally scheduled to be held at Fort Drum sponsored by the 2/15th FA. The battalion, however, was alerted and sent to Iraq so Cleveland was chosen as an alternative location. The “15th FA Regimental Headquarters” is located at Fort Drum within the headquarters building of the 2/15th FA. There are two 105 mm Howitzers on display in front of the building: one is stenciled “6/15th FA” with the name “Pinky” (the nickname of 2Lt Durham – the Medal of Honor awardee from C Battery) on the tube while the other is stenciled “7/15th FA. The building was dedicated as Durham Hall several years ago and contains numerous memorabilia from the Regiment. 

If you have never attended a reunion let me fill you in on my experiences:

Travel: I chose to fly to Cleveland from Kansas City. Had my wife attended I probably would have driven. I booked my flight several months in advance and it cost me $140. Everyone stayed at the same hotel at special rates and the three nights stay including tax was $220. The registration fee was $90, which included Friday morning continental breakfast, buffet dinner on Friday evening, dinner at the banquet on Saturday evening, bus transportation on our tour  to downtown Cleveland, two hospitality rooms and all of the snacks and drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) available every day and night. We gathered and talked in the hospitality rooms where we looked at scrap books and photo albums and just plain reminisced with folks we had not seen in over thirty years.  

Comradeship: I was a little apprehensive at first since I knew only one person at the reunion …. Mike Howell from Service Battery, 6/15th whom I had only met a few weeks before the reunion …. turns out we live in the same town! I should have not been concerned... from the moment I walked into the hospitality room to register, I was “one of the boys”. I can’t tell you how many times someone came up to me and introduced themselves and we began talking about the “old days”. Different batteries and battalions, different times and different ways of doing things, but we all shared many of the same experiences. Everyone was friendly and had stories to tell and many had attended several of the previous reunions. The regimental historian brought his many books of the regiments history (even included a book on 6/15th) for everyone to look through. And it seems as though most of the vets brought their personal photo albums with pictures of their days in the Army to include Vietnam. I took mine as did Mike. Incidentally, you can find many of our photographs of Vietnam on the web site. I think that there are more pictures of the 6/15th FA posted than those of the 7/15th FA. Just click on the appropriate battalion and take a look. 

Daily activities: Our first day was devoted to registration, meeting folks and getting acquainted. The second day started with a continental breakfast before we boarded the bus for our ride into downtown Cleveland. We had the opportunity to tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the USS Cod, a WW II attack submarine, a 1920’s ore carrying ship, the SS Mather, and the Great Lakes Science Museum. All of these venues were within walking distance of each other and were on the shore of Lake Erie. After a quick lunch, most of us took a two hour boat cruise. That evening we held a memorial service for the members of all battalions who had died defending their country in all wars. Mike and I read the names of the fallen members of the 6/15th FA. After our buffet dinner we participated in raffles and an auction of items donated by members. On the third day we held our business meeting in the morning where we discussed membership, finances, a proposal to become a “formal” organization and the location for the next reunion. After the meeting pictures were taken of the attendees for the web site, the history books and our personal photo albums. Then we were free until the awards banquet that evening. After dinner, awards were presented to several organization officers who had devoted much of their time to the organization. Of course, the hospitality room was open after dinner and many adjourned there to relax, talk, have a snack or a drink and look at the history books and picture albums. Amazing how much younger, handsome and debonair we all looked in those days! 

Departure: The final morning was devoted to saying goodbyes and hitting the road for the interstate or the airport. Some folks tied the reunion in with further travels to visit friends or relatives, while for others, this was their vacation.  

Next Reunion: The location for the next reunion has not been set yet. A committee was established to look at several proposed locations, ranging from Nebraska to Fort Leavenworth, KS to Branson, MO and a decision will be made within a few months. If any of you have any suggestions or comments on future locations, sound off to Mike Howell or myself. 

I enjoyed myself at the Cleveland reunion and, if I didn’t know anyone when I walked in, I certainly knew a lot of folks when I walked out. Many of those friendships will last a life time. Regular Army or draftee or volunteer, we all went through a defining time in our lives and history while we were in Vietnam whether we liked it or not. Reunions are not a place to glorify wars but to grasp, renew, honor and hold on to the friendships we developed during that time. It’s been thirty six years since I was in Vietnam, probably about the same for most of you and none of us are getting any younger. I am sure that we have already lost some of our friends from the past and that will, unfortunately, continue as time goes on. 

I would encourage you all to think seriously about attending the next reunion wherever it is held so that we can relive those friendships and experiences before we lose them forever. 

As some of you know, Gaither Kitchell and I are researching the history of our battalion and batteries. Dick Brown is providing yeoman work in trying to locate “lost” members and Mike Howell has volunteered to help anyway he can and is pursuing the possibility of setting up the Fort Leavenworth/Kansas City area for the next reunion. You can help us in several ways.  

First, look in your garage or storage areas for any old letters, rosters, orders or pictures from your Fort Sill or Vietnam days. Send copies to Gaither or myself. We will forward the pictures to the Regimental webmaster for inclusion in our battalion’s “rogue’s gallery”. Please be sure to write what you remember of the event on the back of the pictures. If nothing else your name, your job, battery, and the year will work. Even if don’t have anything from the past, send us an e-mail or call us so that we can get-together and talk. 

Second, if you know the whereabouts of any of your friends from those days contact them and ask them to get in touch with us. 

And third, start thinking today about attending the reunion in two years wherever it may be held. The cost of attending is not great and can be tied in with a vacation. We do need to meet again to talk and renew friendships before we are too old to recall the past.  

Thanks for taking the time to read this memo, I  hope that it provided you with the information you need to help us in our research and that you will seriously start planning to join us at  the next reunion.

John Sarantakes
sarantakes@leavenworth.army.mil

  

The passing of a comrade in arms due to dioxins acquired in the line of duty in Viet Nam.

Don Trent: Who served on the Guns in C Btry from Jan 1969 to Jan 1970.  Don was operated on for Pancreatic Cancer on Tuesday and died on Friday, 19 August.  His wife, Patricia, said it was Agent Orange Related and hopes all of the guys will get checked for Agent Orange. The wake is Wednesday, 24 August from 4 to 8 PM and the Funeral Service is Thursday at 10 AM.  The viewing and funeral will be at:

Glenn E George & Son Funeral Home
437 Amos Road

Shelbyville, IN  46176

Phone:
317-398-4599

A recommended florist is “Drake’s” right there in Shelbyville and you can call them at 317-398-8155. 

For those wishing to send a Condolence Card, Pat Trent’s address is as follows: 

Patricia Trent
638 Hoover Street

Shelbyville
, IN 46176

Phone: 317-508-2201 

May the Good Lord bless his soul!

 

Thanks and “ALLONS”

Dan Gillotti

 

 

Subject: I Corps reunion
 
You guys are welcome to attend our reunion – I Corps Artillery
We are holding it November 10 – 13, 2005
In Branson at the Westwood Inn 

You can contact me for further information at airdsie@charter.net

Its also at our web site
http://www.willpete.com/I-CorpsArtilleryVets.htm

 

New Web Page: Vietnam Revisited - One of our members, David Gunn revisited Vietnam in February of this year. Returning to where most of us spent a year of our lives. He has written a narrative to go along with his photos. Please join me in thanking David for his contribution to the 15th's Website for all to enjoy.

Click on the picture above to visit the Website.
 

2004

Col. Norm Barnes Arlinigton Funeral Announcment 12/19/04
Information on VA Diabetes   12/16/04
Vietnam Troop Ship: Gen. Nelson M. Walker  11/28/04
Vietnam Veteran helping returning injured soldiers!
Col. Norman L. Barnes (Ret) 1928 - 2004
Korean War MIA remains found in North Korea   10/8/04
First ever National Welcome Home to Vietnam Vets  10/6/04
D.O.D. News Release  8/2/04
D.O.D. News Release  7/28/04
New 15th Webmaster!  6/20/04
Reunion 2005 Dates & Location Changed  5/30/04
Combat Artillery Badge  5/2/04
Military Phone Card Donation Program Goes Public  4/23/04
M107 in Vietnam War Museum at Hue  4/6/04
Brudno Added to Vietnam Veterans Memorial  4/2/04
Carol Donley  3/21/04
An Open Letter to the 2-15th Field Artillery Regiment  2/14/04
Send a 'Welcome Home' to the 2/15th FA  2/9/04
DoD Announces Korean Defense Service Medal  2/9/04
URGENT! Assistant Hosts Wanted for Reunion 2005  2/3/04
Korea DMZ Vets and Agent Orange 1/11/04

2003

The American Soldier named TIME Person of the Year 12/21/03
Soldiers Honored at Fort Sill 12/18/03
Authors Wanted 12/8/03
15th Commanders web page  12/7/03
HELP WANTED From those who served in the 6/15th FA 1966-1970  11/7/03
SHAD Vets Could Get VA Care  11/6/03
Artillerymen Killed in Iraq  11/3/03
Who fired the first round in Vietnam?  10/6/03
ATTENTION 7/15th FIELD ARTILLERY VETS!   6/10/03
U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Vietnam Veterans' Right to Sue for Injuries Caused by Agent Orange   6/9/03
New Agent Orange and Dioxin Study  6/4/03
Request Military Personnel Records Online  5/9/03
Museum in Australia  4/13/03
Combat Artillery Medal   3/6/03
Gulf War Syndrome Defined  1/6/03

   


 

Col. Norm Barnes Arlington Funeral Announcement 12/19/04
Funeral Information
Just in case you haven't received all the information regarding Norman's 
funeral at Arlington, here is the info you'll need. It is on December
27th at 11:00. Arlington requires everyone to be there by 10:30. At the guard 
station, tell them you are going to a funeral. The guard will direct you
to the Administration Center where we will all meet. We will be having a
luncheon afterwards at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge which is a
couple of miles away from the cemetery. We'll have directions for you at
the funeral. We hope you will be able to attend both the funeral and the
luncheon.

 

Information on VA Diabetes
This VA info is appicable primarily for diabetes.  It originated from a former SF Vietnam vet who is also a lawyer. But its good info for everyone.  Hard Charger-Sir! Dan Gillotti
Pass it on please! And Merry Christmas to all! 
 
The easiest way is to have 1 disease or disability that is rated at 100%. With diabetes for instance you have to almost be confined to the hospital on a monthly basis. Since the chances are that you're not locked up you must know how the system works.
 
1) Don't believe anything that a service officer from Am. Legion, DAV, or any other service organization tells you!

2) Get the regulations read and understand them. It is necessary to go the  Code of Federal Regulations at
www.findlaw.com/casecode/cfr.html, then click on CFR Home Page, then click on Search or browse your choice of CFR titles and/or volumes (current and/or historical data), then go to Title 38 and click on July 1, 2004, then click on parts 1-17, you are now into the information you need to get your disability, the correct rating, and everything else you could hope for.

3) There are a lot of Sections and Chapters within the Sections. You can learn a lot just by opening each of these sections to find out what is applicable to you. The primary Section you are interested in is Section 4.
Schedule for rating disabilities
.

4) There are a number of things you need to know which can all be found here:

a. What does it take to get each rating, for instance for diabetes:

                                   
                                  7913 Diabetes mellitus
                      Requiring more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted          100
                       diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous
                       occupational and recreational activities) with episodes of
                       ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least
                       three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a
                       diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of
                       weight and strength or complications that would be
                       compensable if separately evaluated..........................
                       Requiring insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of               60
                       activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic
                       reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or
                       twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus
                       complications that would not be compensable if separately
                       evaluated....................................................
                       Requiring insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of               40
                       activities...................................................
                       Requiring insulin and restricted diet, or; oral hypoglycemic             20
                       agent and restricted diet....................................
                       Manageable by restricted diet only............................                     10
                       Note (1): Evaluate compensable complications of diabetes
                       separately unless they are part of the criteria used to
                       support a 100 percent evaluation. Noncompensable
                       complications are considered part of the diabetic process
                       under diagnostic code 7913.
 
b. Find the schedule for each of the conditions you may have and know them inside and out.

5) If you are asked to describe your symptoms for a disease or an injury read them back the exact requirements of the rating. Do not tell them things that are not part of the rating. If you have neuropathy know exactly where the tingling is and where it isn't. If it includes the bottom of the foot where does it stop!

6) If you are asked to have your doctor write a letter describing your disability (even a VA doctor) give them a copy of the rating chart and specifically instruct them what to write. Just because they are doctors doesn't mean they can write for a disability rating.

7) Make sure if you have secondary problems relating to the disease or injury that they are kept separate and rated separately. There are a number of associated disease related to Diabetes, if you have one or more make sure that you get the rating or ratings separately.

8) If you have something wrong with say each leg – peripheral neuropathy bilaterally, then you are entitled to an additional 10% for the Bilateral Factor. But you wouldn't know that you are entitled if you hadn't read the CFR.

9) If you have 5 separate disabilities of 40% or more, the VA will give you a 100% rating.
 
     Let me finish by saying never give up! You can challenge them on everything they give you from the level of the rating to the start date of the payment of the disability. If you find a rating officer that will work with you (there are some) you can get the 100%. If you leave it to a service officer at the VA or in one of the groups that are supposed to help, you are lost. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU!!! They only know they have a job to do and like so many people in social work there are too many people that have needs that eat up all the social worker’s time. If you want to get through the system YOU HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF. I spent more than 25 years fighting the bastards. I have been to the appeals board in 86, 88 and again in 99. I haven't quit yet, if I can get the VA agree that my 100% disability is based on the 5 40% ratings that I have which I think I can then those other disabilities that are not included in the 100% can go to complete a 60% separate set of disabilities then I am entitled to additional monies. They couldn't understand why I wanted to get additional disabilities increased when it wouldn't increase my 100%, they obviously didn't read the regs.

 


 

Vietnam Troop Ship: Gen. Nelson M. Walker

Guys,

            An Art Beltrone contacted me via phone a few days ago and sent info via the po. There’s info on the Internet also.
            Art mentioned that the ship that the 7/15th FA went to Nam on is being scraped via a recent contract. Prior to being scraped, the ship was used in the movie “The Thin Red Line”, and Art & his brother were allowed to board the ship for viewing, photos, taking memorabilia.

            On the phone Art mentioned lots of graffiti left near the bunks. One of those is “Going to Nam June 9, 1967 to settle things down and make sure “Charlie” is turned upside down”.

            I spoke to Mike Donley, he said two FA units and an aviation unit were aboard for that trip, some boarding several days prior to leaving the harbor. I checked the Internet and it appears the 7/8th FA was the other unit as per Gary Harrington’s website. I can’t find the aviation unit?

            Art & his brother have released info on a book via Howell Press “Vietnam Graffiti: Messages from a Forgotten Troopship”. By Art & Lee Beltrone.

            Art’s letter mentions that Ross Howell will send postpaid to any member ordering, I will order one copy for our history files.

             Info: Howell Press 1125 Stoney Ridge Road Suite A, Charlottesville VA 22902 1-434-977-4006 fax: 1-434-971-7204

            http://www.howellpress.com  Ross Howell: rhowell@howellpress.com

            Book: http://www.howellpress.com/Index.html?item69.htm

            Smithsonian Magazine article http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues04/oct04/object.html

            Scrap Contract: http://www.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=76082&ran=195624

            Info/photos: http://www.usstorsk.org/volunteers/stripship02/stripship202.htm   

            Davo


 


 



 

 
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2004 – It happened to Steve Cobb during his first tour in
Vietnam with the 11th Light Infantry Brigade. He was wounded in combat - four
times.
 
"I got four Purple Hearts my first tour and zero my second," Cobb said. "I
finally learned to duck."
 
While learning to duck may have been an extremely valuable lesson, it can't
compare to what being combat wounded taught him. That is what he draws on when
he meets the wounded servicemembers who arrive at Andrews Air Force Base from
Iraq or Afghanistan three times a week.
 
It is that experience that gives him credibility when he meets one of those
servicemembers, as he's been doing since April. It is also that experience that
helps him put what has happened to that servicemember into perspective.
 
"The bond and understanding is instant, it is deep, and it's lifelong," Cobb
said, "because they recognize I've been through the same thing that they have.
 
"It's hard to describe to someone who hasn't experienced all the trauma and the
shock and the pain and the inconvenience of evacuation," he continued. "It's
really hard to understand what that person feels deep inside. But when you've
been there and gone through that, you have that understanding and the bonding
is so instant."
 
Cobb, currently the commander and adjutant of the Military Order of the Purple
Heart Chapter 353, Greater Washington Area, doesn't meet planes at 1 a.m. for
the glory. His motivation is the reception he received when he returned from
Vietnam.
 
"When I came home there was nobody but demonstrators to meet the troops. And I
just never wanted to see another generation of troops come home without being
welcomed (and) appreciated," Cobb said.
 
Cobb and his wife, Tanya, try to meet each servicemember at Andrews and offer
whatever help is within their scope. Usually that includes easing hesitations
and maybe even eliciting a laugh or two to put things in perspective. But the
duo's main focus is to make sure nobody leaves empty-handed.
 
MOPH supports combat wounded veterans of all wars. When that status has been
determined regarding a particular servicemember, they receive a specially
prepared packet of information. That packet includes information on benefits,
treatment and contact information in case there are any questions or problems.
 
It also contains some "morale boosting" items, including a miniature Purple
Heart medal, a history of the medal, a phone card, a sheet of Purple Heart
postage stamps and a welcome-home letter. Also included is a year's free
membership with any MOPH chapter.
 
Non-combat-injured veterans aren't left out. They receive welcome-home packets
from the Veterans of Foreign Wars that include a benefits brochure, a service
officer card and a year's free VFW membership.
 
"The philosophy behind that is, if I walk into a room with six patients and
three are battle injuries and three are non-battle injuries, no patient is ever
left empty-handed," Cobb said. "It's a huge morale factor and they all
appreciate it."
 
While the packets provide an icebreaker, getting the servicemembers to focus on
the future and not dwell on the past becomes the order of the day. Cobb's
weapon of choice for that pursuit is usually humor. And "Wednesday night
doughnuts" don't hurt anything either, Cobb said. Occasionally, wheelchair
races have to be refereed after the doughnuts are gone, he said.
 
Those who get the packets at Andrews represent about 80 percent of the wounded
servicemembers coming in, he said. The other 20 percent of the troops are
critical enough to be taken from the flight line at Andrews directly to Walter
Reed Army Medical Center or the National Naval medical Center in Bethesda, Md.,
where the Cobbs follow up to make sure the servicemembers receive a proper
welcome home, including one of the two packets.
 
It's through these follow-up visits that Cobb learns what the hospitals need by
way of personal items for the servicemembers. He said the staff is not allowed
to voice those needs unless asked directly, but when he broaches the subject,
there are always needs. The biggest, he said, is usually breakaway sweat pants.
 
He said he and his wife will continue to meet the wounded servicemembers coming
into Andrews with information and their own special brand of thanks,
understanding and appreciation.
 
Related Site:
Military Order of the Purple

 



 
Col. Norman L. Barnes (Ret) 1928 - 2004


COL (R) Norman L. Barnes
1928 - 2004

Colonel Norman L. Barnes passed away on 11 November 2004.  He served as the Bn XO for the 7th Bn, 15th FA in 1966-67 and worked diligently to get the Battalion and all of its equipment prepared for shipment to Vietnam.  This was a tremendous task considering the condition of our vehicles and equipment, but he managed to make it happened.  He was the right man for the right job at the right time.  Shortly after our arrival in Vietnam our Bn CO, LTC (later BG) Robert B. Hankins had to return on Leave to the states because of the deaths of his parents.  In his absence of about a month MAJ (later COL)  Norm Barnes became our Bn CO until LTC Hankins returned.  Shortly after this Norm was promoted to LTC and he left the Battalion to become the 41st Arty Group XO at Camp Fidel (Phu Cat).   Later, in 1978 COL Norm Barnes was my boss at Ft Sill until his retirement in 1979.     

                From my perspective he was an honest, sincere, intelligent, brave, and fair-minded soldier who became a good friend.  And most importantly he was a compassionate human being with a heart of gold.  I would like to share this story with you.  Norm was appointed as the Commander of all of the Troops on the ship when we deployed to Vietnam in June of 1967 aboard the USNS General Walker.  About 10 days into the trip two of the men in my Battalion Fire Direction Section went on-deck with their towels and wearing only a pair of shorts.  It was an overcast day and they thought it would be safe to take a nap.  They laid down on the deck and fell asleep for about an hour, woke up, rolled over and went to sleep again for another hour or more.  Needless to say, they had gotten severely sunburned on both sides of their bodies.  They were in a lot of pain and went to the Sickbay for treatment.  This incident had to be reported to Norm as the Commander of Troops.  Someone in the Sickbay felt these two men may have been trying to avoid going into the Combat Zone. 

           Norm did what he was suppose to do and looked into Military Justice charges.  There is a chapter in the Uniform Code of Military Justice that reads something like “Purposely incapacitating ones self so as to avoid combat” or words to that affect.  I went to his cabin and requested to speak to him about my men and the charges.  He gave me the opportunity to speak and I explained that I knew these two men very well.  I told him they were certainly guilty of being stupid but they weren’t guilty of being cowards.  I also told him that I needed these men when we got to Vietnam as they were an integral part of our Battalion Fire Direction Section.  He thought about it for a few minutes and offered me a deal I couldn’t refuse.   

He said, “Sergeant Gillotti, if those two knuckleheads can get off of this ship wearing all of their combat gear, flack jackets and carrying their own weapons and baggage when we get to Vietnam I won’t Courts Martial them.”  By the time we arrived in Vietnam their blisters were the size of small pancakes all over their bodies and they were in a great deal of pain.  But they did manage to get themselves and their gear off of that ship and onto shore.  Eventually their blisters healed and they served their 12-month tours honorably in Vietnam and the whole incident was never brought up again. 

Norm was a man of enormous integrity and personal convictions.  I was a much better soldier for having known him.  He kept his word and I will forever have the utmost respect for him.  May he now Rest in Peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Respectfully Yours,

Dan Gillotti

Historian, 15th FA Regiment

 

 



 

Remains of American MIA's Found in North Korea

         

 

          

 
October 8, 2004 DoD News Release

  

 

Remains believed to be those of American soldiers missing in action from the Korean War have been recovered by two teams of United States specialists and will be repatriated to U.S. control at Yongsan Military Compound in Seoul on Oct. 15.

 

            A more precise number will be determined in follow-on forensic examinations.

The repatriation marks the fifth and final remains recovery operation in North Korea this year.

 

            Since 1996, 32 joint operations have been conducted in North Korea, during which remains believed to be those of more than 200 soldiers have been recovered.  Of the 88,000 U.S. service members missing in action from all conflicts, more than 8,100 are from the Korean War.

 

            The joint remains recovery work resulted from negotiations with North Korea led by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office.  The remains are to be repatriated overland across the demilitarized zone, as was done for the first four recovery operations in 2004.

 

            Specialists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) comprised the 27-man U.S. element of the recovery teams.  The first team operated near the Chosin Reservoir where the 1st Marine Division and the Army’s 7th Infantry Division fought Chinese forces November-December 1950.  Approximately 1,000 Americans are missing in action from the Chosin campaign.

 

            The second team recovered remains in Unsan County about 60 miles north of Pyongyang.  This area was the site of battles between communist forces and the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry and 25th Infantry divisions in November 1950.

 

            The remains will be flown to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where the forensic identification process will take place in the JPAC laboratory.

           

            For additional information about POW/MIA recoveries, visit http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo, or call the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office at (703) 699-1169.

 

 

 

 

 


POW/MIA Consultations Conclude in Cambodia

            The four nations involved in accounting for Americans missing in action from the Vietnam War closed their meeting Friday in Siem Reap, Cambodia, agreeing to intensify cooperation on losses in border areas.

 

            The 2004 Consultations were hosted by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs Jerry D. Jennings.  Senior leaders from the United States, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam gathered to forge a common vision, share experiences and set a course for the future.

 

           Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen opened the meeting challenging the conference participants to find new ways to cooperate on the POW/MIA issue “for the sake of humanity.”  He said it was “…important to enhance cooperation and integration of efforts between the United States, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as so many of the missing were lost in border areas.”

 

           Last year’s gathering in Bangkok, was the first time the four nations had come together to hold such a meeting since the end of the war in 1975.  The United States also continues to work with each of the countries individually to investigate MIA cases and excavate loss sites in an effort to recover, identify and return to the families in the United States the remains of missing Americans. 

 

           Expressing gratitude for the assistance the United States has received from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, Jennings said, “Without your cooperation, this mission could not continue.  We know that and the families and veterans know that.”

 

           At the conclusion of the two-day session, the delegates agreed to reactivate senior-level trilateral discussions on cases in the border areas, where the United States will join either Vietnam and Laos, or Vietnam and Cambodia to mount a three-nation, or trilateral, effort for case resolution.

 

           Additionally, the delegates established new mechanisms at the expert level to coordinate efforts on these cases.  Special emphasis will be placed on the United States government’s highest priority cases, those involving servicemen last known to be alive (LKA) at the time of their incident of loss.

 

           Resolving the LKA cases and improving trilateral investigations in the border areas are two tasks President Bush has identified as key to success in accounting for missing United States personnel.   The multilateral consultations follow recent bilateral breakthroughs that also reflect President Bush’s push for greater cooperation.  These include agreements between the United States and Vietnam, and the United States and Laos on initiatives to improve access to each country’s archival holdings, along with renewed access for investigations and recoveries in previously denied areas of the Central Highlands in Vietnam.

 

           Since the end of the war, the United States has accounted for more than 700 Americans from the Vietnam War.  More than 1,800 are unaccounted-for from the war.  More than 88,000 are still missing from all conflicts.

 

            Additional information on POW/MIA accounting may be found on the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or by calling (703) 699-1169.

 


U.S. POW/MIA Official Cities Breakthrough in Vietnam

U.S. POW/MIA accounting operations will soon resume in the Central Highlands of Vietnam to account for missing Americans lost during the Vietnam War.  U.S. and Vietnamese technical experts will meet in September in Pleiku, Vietnam, to review cases and interview witnesses as an initial step.

 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs Jerry D. Jennings met with Gia Lai Province officials in Pleiku yesterday to discuss the return of American POW/MIA investigators, whose access had been denied for three years due to local unrest.  Senior province officials agreed operations will resume and that they should be conducted in the same manner as in the rest of the country.

 

"I am very pleased," Jennings said, "that Vietnamese officials both at the provincial and central government levels are again willing to allow us access to this sensitive region.  This is a very positive step."

 

Jennings has notified U.S. investigators to resume contacts with officials in the Central Highlands in order to schedule operations.  Of the 1,855 Americans missing from the Vietnam War, some 110 are thought to be in the Central Highlands area.

 

Achieving the fullest possible accounting of missing Americans is of the highest national priority.  Of the 88,000 missing from all conflicts, more than 125 are from the Cold War, 8,100 are from the Korean War, and 78,000 are unaccounted-for from World War II.

 

Additional information on POW/MIA accounting may be found on the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or by calling (703) 699-1169.

 


New 15th Webmaster! 

Please welcome the new 15th webmaster, Frank Baker. Frank served with the 7/15th in Vietnam and you can see his photo gallery here. With extensive computer experience, Frank brings a whole new set of talents to the 15th website. Best wishes Frank! 

Reunion 2005 Dates & Location Changed

The 15th Field Artillery reunion location has been changed from Watertown, New York to Cleveland, Ohio. The dates have been changed from May 2005 to 18-22 August 2005
For all the latest reunion updates see REUNIONS webpage

Combat Artillery Badge

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of a combat artillery badge to recognize combat service by members of the Army in the artillery branch. (Introduced in House)

HR 3950 IH
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3950

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of a combat artillery badge to recognize combat service by members of the Army in the artillery branch.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 11, 2004

Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin (for himself, Mr. BALLENGER, Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire, Mr. EVANS, Mr. LIPINSKI, and Mr. ROHRABACHER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services


A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of a combat artillery badge to recognize combat service by members of the Army in the artillery branch.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
      (1) The field artillery is one of the oldest and most celebrated of the Army's combat arms. 
      (2) The field artillery was critical to American success in the `War to end all Wars,' World War I. 
      (3) The field artillery also proved to be a decisive factor during World War II, helping the United States achieve victories in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. General George S. Patton Jr. remarked, `I do not need to tell you who won the war. You know the artillery did.' 
      (4) The field artillery continued to play a role in military actions in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf and it remains critical to today's military efforts. 
      (5) Despite the past heroic efforts of the members of the Army who served in the field artillery, there is no badge specifically recognizing the contribution of field artillerymen. 

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT ARTILLERY BADGE.

    (a) In General- Chapter 357 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Sec. 3757. Combat artillery badge

    (a) The Secretary of the Army shall issue a combat artillery badge to each person who, while a member of the Army in the artillery branch, participated in combat after April 5, 1917. Criteria for the issuance of the medal shall be established by the Secretary and shall be as similar as practicable for the issuance of the combat infantry badge to persons in the infantry branch. 
    (b) In the case of persons who, while a member of the Army in the artillery branch, participated in combat after April 5, 1917, and before the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue the badge described in subsection (a)-- 

      (1) to each such person who is known to the Secretary before such date of enactment; and

      (2) to each such person with respect to whom an application for the issuance of such badge is made to the Secretary after such date in such manner, and within such time period, as the Secretary may require.

    (b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

      3757. Combat artillery badge.

Military Phone Card Donation Program Goes Public

April 23, 2004 - The Department of Defense announced today that any American can now help troops in contingency operations call home. The Defense Department has authorized the Armed Services Exchanges to sell prepaid calling cards to any individual or organization that wishes to purchase cards for troops who are deployed. The “Help Our Troops Call Home” program is designed to help servicemembers call home from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

For those wishing to donate a prepaid calling card to a military member may log on to any of the three Armed Services Exchange web sites: the Army and Air Force Exchange Service http://www.aafes.com the Navy Exchange Service Command http://www.navy-nex.com and the Marine Corps Exchange http://www.usmc-mccs.org. Click the “Help Our Troops Call Home” link. From there, a prepaid calling card may be purchased for an individual at his or her deployed address or to “any service member” deployed or hospitalized. The Armed Services Exchanges will distribute cards donated to “any service member” through the American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society and the Fisher House Foundation.

The Armed Services Exchanges operate telephone call centers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and other countries and aboard ships -- anywhere servicemembers are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. All of these locations stay busy around the clock to keep up communication between deployed troops and their loved ones. The cards available through the “Help Our Troops Call Home” program offer the best value for calls made from the call centers, never expire, and there are no added charges or connection fees.

Individuals and organizations also can show their support to deployed troops and their families with gift certificates. The “Gift of Groceries” program allows anyone to purchase commissary gift certificates at http://www.commissaries.com or by calling toll free 1 (877) 770-GIFT. The Armed Services Exchanges offer the “Gift From the Homefront” gift certificate for merchandise at these exchange web sites: http://www.aafes.com and http://www.navy-nex.com or by calling toll free 1 (877) 770-GIFT. Gift certificates may be purchased to be mailed to servicemembers and family members or will be distributed to “any servicemember.” Only authorized commissary and exchange patrons may redeem the gift certificates at military commissaries and exchanges, including those stores supporting deployed personnel around the globe. 


M107 in Vietnam War Museum at Hue

In March 2004, Martin Naprstek of Prague, visited the war museum in Hue, Vietnam and photographed the 175mm gun that is on display there. Martin was kind enough to send his photos for display on the 15th website. 

   


Capt E. Alan Brudno Added to Vietnam Veterans Memorial

2 April 2004 - The Department of Defense announced today that it has informed family members of U.S. Air Force Captain E. Alan Brudno that his name will be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. His name will be inscribed on the Memorial Wall and recognized during the Memorial Day ceremony at “The Wall.”

On Oct. 18, 1965, while flying a combat mission over North Vietnam, Brudno was forced to eject from his aircraft. He was held as a prisoner of war for seven and a half years during the war period. Brudno was repatriated in February 1974. He died of his wounds when he took his life, on June 3, 1974, less than four months later.

In a March 31 letter to the Department of the Interior, the Director for Administration and Management, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Raymond F. DuBois, conveyed the decision of the Defense Department to accept the recommendation of the Air Force to add Brudno’s name to the Memorial Wall. The Brudno case, while highly unusual because it involves the suicide of a repatriated Vietnam prisoner of war, falls squarely within the existing, longstanding defined criterion for Wall inclusion: "Died as a result of wounds sustained in the combat zone." For seven and a half years Brudno endured long-term, severe physical and psychological abuse and torture-related wounds inflicted by the enemy in the defined combat zone - and from the devastating effects of these wounds he succumbed within a short time after his release from captivity.

While this case stands on the particular merits flowing from its unique circumstances, the decision must not be misunderstood to include, broadly, cases involving more attenuated circumstances that may have led to post-war suicides, or those post-war deaths more distantly based on cases of war-related psychological trauma.
   


Carol Donley

On Thursday, March 19, at approximately 1800 hours (6pm), God saw that Carol Donley was getting tired, and saw a cure was not in sight so he picked her up and said daughter you have suffered enough. She now has joined some of our comrades that left us during the Vietnam conflict and some later on. 

If you have attended the 7-15th reunion, you would always see Carol along side her husband, Mike. 

Mike, there is very little we can do to comfort a person when their loved o