Bill Reynolds at DiAn
On December 29th 2019, I received the following e-mail from Bill Reynolds’ wife, Julie:
“My dear husband and best friend, William (Bill) Marshall Reynolds passed away last night. He was a great patriot and a comrade to many.
“He asked that I relay (in his words) — ‘I’ve checked out, signed off, and will not be on the net any longer.’
“Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights will handle the arrangements with internment at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery.”
Bill’s Obituary & Funeral Arrangements
My former Scout Platoon Leader, Spur 16, Bill Reynolds has passed on December 28, 2019 to Fiddler’s Green after battling serious health problems for many years. Bill served as our Scout Platoon Leader from 1969-1970.
He was a personal inspiration to me, a very courageous and highly decorated patriot that served our nation so very well both while in the U.S. Army and later working with TEXCOM at Ft. Hood, a civilian contractor that helped develop the Apache attack helicopter and Abrams main battle tank.
To my knowledge looking through our Silver Spur history, Bill received 6 DFCs, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart and other decorations while serving two tours in Nam.
When I see this graphic below, I think of Bill Reynolds. The man was absolutely fearless and aggressive always taking the fight to the enemy. In March ’70, Bill and his Observer Sp/5 Kevin McCormick had 30 KBA operating out of Soc Trang on one mission as documented in the March 70 Redhorse Review in the section linked here entitled, A TROOP ROUTS NVA
My wife, Pam Young (U.S. Navy ’70-’74) writes of Bill:
At some of the reunions we attended, I was privileged to hear some of these incredible, awe-inspiring stories of the bravery, fearlessness, and courage exhibited by Bill and his fellow Silver Spurs serving in Vietnam. These gentlemen are the best examples of Americans who performed their duties in the most highest and honorable manner. And then, I experienced another side of Bill, one of a southern gentleman, who had only the best interests in his family, friends and country…a kind and gentle soul and heart. I will miss him dearly. And I will miss his sweet reference to me as “Miss Pam.”
My love and sincerest sympathies to his beloved wife, Julie, and cherished children. – Pam Young
I will truly miss his friendship and leadership. He loved his family, our country and his fellow Silver Spurs. I’m thankful that I was able to visit Bill in 2000 and at one of our Spur reunions years back at Ft. Rucker. And I’m thankful that my beloved wife, Pam Young, was able to locate him years after serving with Bill in Vietnam. I will truly miss this great man and true American patriot… God speed my Brother…
God bless his beloved wife Julie and his entire family.
Roger “Bear” Young – Scout crew chief
REMEMBERING BILL by Spur 34 & Spur 14, Terry Shulze
Bill Reynolds and I did a few memorable things together, most of it involved combat. However, there was one non-combat story that really stands out with me. It was a trip to a bar in Soc Trang.
Bill got a jeep and we headed into the bar. As we walked in there was a ruckus between one of the ‘ladies’ of the bar and one of our troopers. Apparently he believed she had taken money from his wallet while they were engaged in some ‘business’. She denied it and told him to empty his pockets. He had a field jacket on with bulging pockets. He looked over at Bill and me and declined to empty his pockets.
Bill and I got a couple of beers, sat down and started telling war stories from our first tour. I had some pretty good ones with the 1st Cav at Hue, Khe Sahn, Ah Shau valley, SF A-teams over the border, some ugly night river patrols, Camp Evans ammo dump exploding, getting shot in the balls, etc. However, Bill one upped me with the day he went down THREE TIMES!
The first time was an engine problem and he got the OH-13 down OK. He went back to the base and picked up another aircraft, went out to the AO and promptly got shot down. The aircraft got pranged fairly badly and that pissed Bill off. So he went back to the base and got another aircraft to go after the bastards that shot him down. This time he came in from a different angle, and they shot him down again! He crashed about 100 yards from the first crash. He figured he was having a bad day and decided to take the rest of the day off.
As we are sitting there, the trooper who had been arguing with the ‘lady’ came over and asked to talk to me outside. I went outside with him and he wanted to clear things up about his honesty. The reason he didn’t want to empty his pockets was that they were full of dope. He opened his bulging pockets and sure enough they were full of marijuana cigarettes. I said “OK, I didn’t see anything.” I went back into the bar and sat down, didn’t say anything to Bill about what I had just seen, I just picked up my beer and continued on as nothing had happened.
About 10 minutes later the fool walked up to our table again and asked Bill to come outside with him. I just shook my head, he had probably had a few smokes just to test the product. Bill came back in, sat down, picked up his beer and said, “I didn’t see anything.”
About 15 minutes later two MPs walked into the bar. I looked over at the two enlisted men and could see the panic on their faces. I looked at Bill and he said, “Think we should ask them to join us?” “Yep” I replied, went over to their table, leaned over and said “Get over to our table, now.”
They sat down, one with each of us and I asked my bloke, “Tell me about your girl-friend.” He started telling me about her as the MPs walked by, eyeing them closely. The MPs continued walking and approached the momma san that ran the bar and said something to her. She looked over at me. Apparently, the MPs advised her that there wouldn’t be any more trouble as those officers would take care of any problems.
After the MPs left I told them, “OK, looks like they left, you can go back to your table.” Bill and I got back to telling war stories and drinking beer. When it came time to leave Bill said, “Think we should give them a ride back to the base?” I replied, “Yeah, that fool will never get through the gate wearing a field jacket with bulging pockets in the heat of the Delta.” I walked over to their table and asked them if they wanted a ride back to the base. They jumped at the idea. They got in the back of the jeep and we headed back to base. As we drove through the gate, the MPs saluted Bill and I, we returned the salute.
When we stopped in the company area, Bill jumped out, slammed the door to the jeep and bellowed, “This never happened!” As he walked off, the two EMs turned to me stunned and I gave them a dressing down. “Dumb guys, really dumb. Don’t expect to get this kind of back up again.” Then I walked off saying “Fucking idiots” to myself, but loud enough for them to hear it.
Other career minded officers probably wouldn’t want to stick their necks out like that for their troopers, but when you are willing to go into a hot LZ to rescue a downed crew, a couple of MPs don’t seem like such a big deal.
Years later Bill and I were corresponding by email and I mentioned the story. He joked about us and a potential court-marshal and how our CO, Major Art Dervaes, was always concerned about us. I replied, yeah, poor Art Dervaes, he knew we were both bat-shit crazy.
Bill wasn’t just a good pilot, he was a true leader that accepted the responsibility to take care of his troops. The Army was lucky to have him and I was lucky to know him. – Terry
Bill Reynolds & Cpt. John Estep taken before Bill went home after being wounded in the leg on 20 Apr 70
Bill was shot down on 20 Apr 70 in 020. Note bulkhead stitched by enemy fire. The armored seat saved his life.
Bill Reynolds and his father, Guss, both served with the 3/17th. I believe his father was with B Troop?
Swartz, Bear & Reynolds at 2006 Spur Reunion
Photos of Bill were featured in this 2011 Silver Spur video:
[Bill’s photos at 1:42-1:53]
One of my favorite stories with Bill came 30-years after we had served together with the Silver Spurs.
While working with our Silver Spur archives, I learned many years after the fact I had received the 3/17th ‘Crew Chief of the Month’ in Feb 1970 from our Squadron. It stated I had received $10 in that honor, which I never did receive.
Soooo, in 2000 I contacted Bill as my platoon leader and stated I never rec’d the big bucks!! When we visited him in 2000 at his home in Killeen, he had a framed $10-bill for me with a stipulation that I would not hold him responsible to interest or any future financial reward!! WE HAD A BIG LAUGH over that!! And the framed ‘big bucks’ still hangs over my computer here in Seattle as a reminder! After all those years Bill was still taking care of his Cav Troopers!
Roger “Bear” Young – Silver Spur Scout Crew Chief