November 2008 - Davo has finally released the newsletter to publication. It is now available here.  This is your Newsletter guys. It does need some input from you to make it grow. And for those who prefer Adobe here is the PDF file

2007

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

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 

2005

 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.

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

 I attended the sixth reunion of the 15^th 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 7^th 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 2/15^th FA. The battalion, however, was alerted and sent to Iraq so Cleveland was chosen as an alternative location. The “15^th FA Regimental Headquarters” is located at Fort Drum within the headquarters building of the 2/15^th FA. There are two 105 mm Howitzers on display in front of the building: one is stenciled “6/15^th 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 “7/15^th 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, 6/15^th 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 6/15^th) 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 6/15^th FA posted than those of the 7/15^th 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 6/15^th 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:

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

Click on the picture above to visit the Website.
 

2004

2003

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 7^th Bn, 15^th 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 41^st 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, 15^th FA Regiment

Remains of American MIA's Found in North Korea

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! 

Reunion 2005 Dates & Location Changed

Combat Artillery Badge

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

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

Capt E. Alan Brudno Added to Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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 one is taken away. However, Mike we love you in a special way and we will always be with you in our prayers. 

Our love - 
Luis and Virginia Cantu
7-15th Newsletter Editors
   

An Open Letter to the 2-15th Field Artillery Regiment

7/15th Field Artillery Association
9343 West Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI. 53222-1534
1-414-464-2939
http://www.landscaper.net

David E. Holdorf
9343 W. Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI  53222

14 February 2004

Michael A. Albaneze
LTC   U.S. Army
Cmdr. 2/15th FA Regt.

   
Dear LTC Albaneze,

With great respect and admiration the 7/15th FA Association wishes to extend a “Welcome Home” to the 2/15th FA TOC Team Troops returning from Northern Iraq. 

Those soldiers who honorably served their country deserve the respect and a huge “Thank You” from all Americans. 

Our Best Wishes to all and the Families of the returnees, may your homecoming be wonderful! 

We look forward to our association's 6th Reunion at Ft. Drum in 2005 and hopefully meeting some of the soldiers serving there. 

You will always have our support. Freedom is Not Free! 

Sincerely,
Dave Holdorf
Dave Holdorf, Group Leader 
7/15th FA Association, Vietnam 
July 1967 - November 1971 
   

DoD Announces Korean Defense Service Medal

Public Law 107-314 legislated the creation of a new medal to recognize military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters.

Members of the armed forces authorized the KDSM must have served in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land and water areas.

The KDSM period of eligibility is July 28, 1954, to a future date to be determined by the secretary of defense.

Servicemembers must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility and have been physically deployed in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days or meet one of the following criteria:

· Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility.

· Is wounded or injured in the line of duty and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.

· While participating as a regularly assigned air crewmember flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60-day requirement.

· Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered eligible for the award as long as the basic time criteria is met. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM eligibility, the nonconsecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period.

The KDSM may be awarded posthumously, and only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any individual.

Each military department will prescribe appropriate regulations for administrative processing, awarding and wearing of the KDSM and ribbon for their servicemembers, to include application procedures for veterans, retirees, and next-of-kin.

More than 40,000 members of the U.S. armed forces have served in the Republic of Korea or the waters adjacent thereto each year since the signing of the cease-fire agreement in July 1953, which established the Demilitarized Zone. For more than 50 years, U.S. Armed Forces’ efforts to deter and defend the Korean Peninsula have helped maintain democracy and preserve the indomitable spirit of freedom.

URGENT!  Assistant Hosts 
Wanted for Reunion 2005 

 Assistant Reunion Hosts Wanted for 15th FA Reunion 

The 15th FA Organization needs to find volunteer hosts/hostesses for Reunion 2005 ASAP. The reunion will take place at Fort Drum, New York during mid-May 2005, covering a 4-Day weekend -- Thursday thru Sunday. The daily schedule will be similar to that of our previous reunions.

As in the past, it’s been a real plus to have a Vet near the action for needed face-to-face contacts. The 2/15th FA is an active unit at the fort, and we will receive some assistance from them. That alone, should help make a volunteer's job that much easier.

The requirements of a host are: Good Commo skills, a home computer and e-mail service. Input is also needed on local hotel, banquet and dining facilities in the Watertown / Ft Drum area.

Our main-players will support your efforts. Most of the work is the pre-planning. When the reunion starts, a few of the main-players show up a day early to help with last-minute set-ups. Once the leaders are there, hosting has always become a coordinated effort with  main-players and the host/hostess.

Please reply ASAP so we can continue the planning. Feel free to ask questions!

Who and What is Eligible

Military Units Eligible (April 1968 to July 1969) 

Elements of four combat brigades of the 2nd Infantry Division: 
- 72nd Armor - 1st & 2nd Battalions
- 7th Cavalry - 4th Battalion
- 9th Infantry - 1st & 2nd Battalions
- 23rd Infantry - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions
- 38th Infantry - 1st & 2nd Battalions
   
3rd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division: 
- 73rd Armor - 1st Battalion
- 10th Cavalry - 2nd Battalion
- 17th Infantry - 1st & 2nd Battalions
- 32nd Infantry - 3rd Battalion
   

The American Soldier named TIME Person of the Year

[back to index]

Soldiers Honored at Fort Sill

The Lawton Constitution 
December 18, 2003 

The service and sacrifice of three soldiers who paid the ultimate price in Vietnam was recognized with the dedication of two Fort Sill buildings Wednesday.

Building 757 now becomes Townes Hall in honor of 1st Lt. Morton E. Townes Jr., who served with the 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery, for four years and was killed in an ambush in February 1967. His forward observer team was tasked to support a South Vietnamese Special Forces mission during a raid conducted by the 101st Airborne Division in the Lam Dong Province.

Building 746 will be known as the Abrams-Snyder Hall in honor of Staff Sgt. Samuel Abrams Jr. and Staff Sgt. George E. Snyder, who died defending Fire Support Base Becky on Aug. 12, 1969. Both were howitzer section chiefs in Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery.

Both buildings are stone structures once used as stables. Townes Hall is battalion headquarters for 1st of the 30th, and Abrams-Snyder Hall is the headquarters for all of its batteries, according to Lt. Col. Samuel White, battalion commander.

Family members helped pull the lanyards to whisk away the guidons covering the nameplates over the doors. In a slightly later ceremony, members of the 30th Field Artillery Regimental Association pulled another lanyard to reveal an M114A1 howitzer that will now grace the front of Searby Hall, headquarters of the 30th Field Artillery Regiment.

For Townes’ widow, the memorial carried special meaning because at the time of her husband’s death, the climate at home was such that survivors could not talk about those who died in Vietnam without being ridiculed.

"Finally he can be recognized for the hero he was. He can be shared with his comrades he went to (Officer Candidate School) with and he served in the military with … but most important, he can be shared with his sons," Peggy Bristow said.

"He was a soldier through and through. In his heart, he always knew his destiny was to serve his country, even if that meant dying for his country. Before we were even married, we sat on the back step of the building where we went to college, and he told me, ‘After I tell you what I have to say, you may want to leave and never come back.’

"And he said he thought that his goal in life was to win the Medal of Honor, which meant going to war. And my comment was, ‘People who win the Medal of Honor die.’ And he said then that he was an Army brat, that if that happened to him, he wanted to be buried in Arlington (National Cemetery) because some of his best memories he had growing up were when his father was stationed in Fort Belvoir, (Md.)," Bristow said.

"Those who knew him knew that he did nothing halfway, and from the stories my sons were able to hear last night I can understand why," she said.

Rosalind Abrams said she did not know her father, but what she learned from the men who served with him in Vietnam was that he was not a selfish man but a great team player.

Her mother, Rosie Abrams, said of her husband that "he loved the Army. He had choices and he chose the Army for his profession. It was one of his passions. He was a dedicated husband and loving father and a man who loved and cared for his entire family. I thank the men who served close with him in Vietnam for giving us a glimpse of Staff Sgt. Sam Abrams Jr., a glimpse of the soldier that he was."

"George Snyder was probably one of the best friends a man could have," retired 1st Sgt. Gary Ponder recalled. "We went through a lot of things together. … The one thing that stuck out in my mind … the most is trying to stay ahead of what the mission was going to be. … Sam was just getting ready to go home. George was just coming back (as) we needed help on (Landing Zone) Becky. … You don’t meet people like that every day."

White said the dedications bear testimony to the motto of the 30th Field Artillery Association motto, "No one is forgotten, no one is left behind."

Col. Richard G. Cardillo Jr., commander of the 30th Field Artillery Regiment, predicted the actions of the three soldiers and their legacy will inspire the younger "Hard Chargers" to continue to bring honor and glory to the 30th Field Artillery Regiment.

The M114A1 howitzer used in Vietnam was an Army staple for 40 years before it was replaced by the M198, White said. The one in front of Searby Hall was "on the East Coast looking for a home, and we had a home here and we were looking for a howitzer, and somehow through technology we were able to hook up," Cardillo said.

White said the howitzer was sitting in front of a Revolutionary War Museum in Virginia, and museum officials had another artillery piece they wanted to put in its place. The Center for Military History in Washington, D.C., knew Fort Sill needed one and contacted the 30th Field Artillery Regiment.

Jack Kloke, who commanded 1st of the 30th in Vietnam, owns a trucking company in Virginia, and he volunteered the services of his company to get the howitzer to Fort Sill. A crane was used to put it on the back of a flatbed truck, White said.

Shawn Neugebauer, a civilian working in the paint shop, gave it a rush paint job, and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Norman Wilfong christened the 155-mm howitzer with a bottle of champagne. White said Wilfong served on the M114A1, as did many other members of the 30th Field Artillery Regimental Association, in Vietnam.

"This battalion was the first battalion to do a combat air assault with the M114A1," White said.

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Our group, former members of the 6th Battalion, has been formed to write the unit’s VN history. If you have the names of any of the battalion’s personnel, stories, pictures, documents or knowledge of the battalion’s locations-fire bases or events in which we operated, please contact us:

John Sarantakes, Historian and Project Leader: 
Email:  JOHN.SARANTAKES@LEAVENWORTH.ARMY.MIL

Gaither H. Kitchell, Member: 
Email:  gatorpub1@earthlink.net

Dick Brown, Member: 
Email:  Dick.Brown@us.army.mil

From: VFW Magazine - November 2003 - Washington Wire by Tim Dyhouse

The House approved legislation September 10, 2003 that would provide VA health care for veterans who were subjected to potentially deadly toxins in Cold War biological and chemical tests. The bill, H.R. 2433 - Health Care for Veterans of Project 112 / Project SHAD Act of 2003 - would remove the current VA requirement that they prove their illnesses are related to their participation in the tests. The Pentagon has identified 5,842 troops who were used as, what one participant called, "lab rats" in some 50 tests called Project 112 conducted by the Deseret Test Center between 1962 and 1973. In some cases, anthrax and the nerve agents sarin and VX were used. Project SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense) tests were conducted at sea and were part of Project 112. 
Some veterans have complained of ailments such as cancer and hypertension, and through June VA had received 260 claims. Veterans who need help verifying their participation in a Project SHAD/112 test can call Pentagon staffers at 1-800-497-6261 Monday through Friday, 9am to 9pm. To speak with a VA representative, call the Special Issues Helpline at 1-800-749-8387 or visit the VA SHAD web site http://www.appc1.va.gov/shad/  At press time the bill had been forwarded to the Senate VA Committee. 

LINK: Congressional Action -- Visit the link below and enter H.R. 2433 in the SEARCH box: 
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html 

“VETERAN NAME LISTS”
To be listed as “FOUND”: Contact “Davo” Holdorf, 15th Group Leader hidavo@earthlink.net 
OR 1-414-464-2939 Evenings: 5:00 - 8:00pm (Central Standard Time)

Upon providing me with your 7/15th FA Service info, I will add your name to our list and send a copy of the approximately 560+ Vets listed as of June 2003. The list continues to grow, and any new members that are “Found” are published in the next newsletter that ALL listed 7/15th FA Vets receive. Newsletters are published three times a year.

Please furnish the following info, the format of our “Found” list:
1.)  Name: First, Mid-initial, Last.
2.)  Months/Years Served w/the 7/15th FA.
3.)  HHB, Service, A, B, or C-Battery.
4.)  Rank upon Leaving the 7/15th FA.
5.)  MOS/Duty Job held/performed.
6.)  “Nick-Name”, IF used, that Vets would remember you by.
7.)  Address: Street, Apt.#?, City, ST., Zip Code +4.
8.)  Evening Phone & E-mail.

Example of the format for the list:
Joe, G I  7/67-68 A-Btry. Sp4 13A “Spanky” 123 Jump St., Perfectville, US zip/phone/e-mail

Veteran Search info: I have morning rosters and orders to help find “Buddies”. However, we don’t have ALL rosters, and can always use copies of various orders you may have brought back. These items are where we get ALL of our Veteran search information. If you don’t have a complete name, please provide any/all info you have.

Use the 7/15th FA list to contact comrades, and consider meeting them at one of our Reunions, which are now held every two years!

Dave “Davo” Holdorf
C/7/15th FA Vietnam
15th FA Association Group leader

TLPJ Successfully Urged Court to Uphold Victims' Right to Day in Court

In a landmark victory for Vietnam veterans' injured by exposure to Agent Orange, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed today in Stephenson v. Dow Chemical that the 1984 class action settlement of Vietnam veterans' claims against the manufacturers of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange does not bar a suit by veterans who would not obtain any relief under the settlement. TLPJ had filed an amicus brief successfully urging the Supreme Court to affirm the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which recognized the veterans' right to sue for their injuries.

"This is a huge victory for Vietnam veterans injured in the line of duty," said TLPJ Foundation Board Member Gerson Smoger of Smoger & Associates in Dallas, who argued on behalf of the veterans in the Supreme Court on February 26, 2003. "Veterans exposed to Agent Orange will finally get their day in court."

An equally divided Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling in a per curiam opinion by a vote of 4-4. Justice John Paul Stevens recused himself from considering and deciding the case.

"The Supreme Court's Stephenson decision preserves an important victory in the fight against abusive class action settlements," said Brent M. Rosenthal of Baron & Budd in Dallas, the primary author of TLPJ's amicus brief.

"Manufacturers simply cannot use class actions to block 'future' personal injury victims from obtaining access to justice."

The Supreme Court's opinion in Stephenson is the latest chapter in the saga of victims' attempts to obtain recovery for injuries associated with exposure to Agent Orange. In 1984, U.S. District Court Judge Jack B. Weinstein of the Eastern District of New York approved a global class action settlement of all present and future Agent Orange victims' claims. The settlement provided nominal recoveries regardless of causation for all exposed veterans before the age of 60. But it cut off all compensation for class members after 1994. Stephenson contracted Agent-Orange-related illnesses in the late 1990s, long after the Agent Orange settlement fund had run dry. He filed a lawsuit against the chemical manufacturers seeking recovery for his injuries, but Judge Weinstein ruled that he was bound by the 1984 settlement.

In a unanimous decision, the Second Circuit reversed. The court held that the settlement's failure to provide any recovery for class members whose injuries occurred after 1994 revealed a fatal conflict between victims like Stephenson and the class representatives. In light of this conflict, the court concluded that Stephenson and victims like him had not received adequate representation in the class action and could not be bound by the settlement. TLPJ had filed an amicus brief urging the Second Circuit to rule as it did.

TLPJ's amicus briefs in Stephenson - available at www.tlpj.org - were filed as part of its Class Action Abuse Prevention Project, a nationwide campaign dedicated to monitoring, exposing, and fighting class action abuse nationwide. In addition to Rosenthal, TLPJ's legal team included Steve Baughman Jensen of Baron & Budd and TLPJ's Leslie A. Brueckner and Arthur H. Bryant.

LINK:
More details from Columbia University Health Sciences

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Posted May 9, 2003 
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), now has an  improved method of requesting documents from the NPRC. As you know, the NPRC provides copies of documents from military personnel records to authorized requesters. Their new web-based application will provide better service on  these requests by eliminating their mailroom processing time. 

See: http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/index.html

Posted April 13, 2003

John Loughman, the model curator of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia museum, has forwarded the following photo of an M110 Howitzer position in one of the artillery displays. 

[click thumbnail to enlarge photo]

M110 Howitzer Display
Photo: John Loughman
Model Curator - VVAA
   

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HR 1127 IH

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1127

To amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of the Army to establish a combat artillery medal.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 6, 2003

Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of the Army to establish a combat artillery medal.

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 medal specifically recognizing the contribution of field artillerymen.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBAT ARTILLERY MEDAL.

(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 medal

(a) The Secretary of the Army, in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary, shall issue a combat artillery medal of appropriate design with accompanying ribbon to each person who, while a member of the Army in the artillery branch, participated in combat after April 5, 1917.

(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 medal described in subsection (a)--

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

(2) to each such person with respect to whom an application for the issuance of such medal 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 medal.'.

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Gulf War Syndrome Defined

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