As long as you guys are posting videos, here’s one from Australia. This is a version of ‘I was only 19’ that incorporates some older vets that I think some of us might identify with.
The song by Redgum called ‘I was only 19’ has an interesting history of the song writer spending a long time with a vet, going through pictures, listening to stories and finally writing the song. The story of how it evolved and was accepted by the vets is as interesting as the song itself.
Spur 38 Gets an Opportunity to Get Back in the Saddle
Eat your hearts out fellow Spurs!
I wanted to share this short story about being able to be on the ground floor of an AH-1G, 5 year restoration project that is just about to take flight!
Rick Clemons, HMFIC of “Cactus Aviation”, Carson City Nevada, who, besides being an avid aviation warbird collector and aviator, hasn’t quit his day job as President, Specline Manufacturing www.specline.com .
Somehow Rick has time to scour the internet for interesting aircraft projects. Like all fixed wing pilots, he started thinking about “Real” aircraft and in addition to being intrigued with the Vietnam era efforts of Army Aviation; Rick decided to pick up some helicopters to add to his stable of amazing air machines.
He certainly picked the right one, the AH-1 Cobra.
I’ve known of Rick’s passion for aircraft for some time and he found out that I was in the area, called me to ask what I thought about helping to get the project going. I was obviously ecstatic about the prospect and told him that I’d come down to his Carson City (CXP) hangar and take a look.
When I first saw her, I recognized the Cobra airframe but I was doubtful that it would ever fly again. It was in really rough shape and missing a lot of very essential things like: an engine and main rotor blades plus about a million other parts. But Rick is a very tenacious guy with a crew of aircraft mechanics that really have their hearts in these projects. Not to mention a terrific track record of turning one man’s junk into awesomely beautiful objects of flying art! www.specline.com
Rick, through his unwavering late night internet capabilities, found major components and spare parts from all over the world. Transmission from Germany; a sundry of locations for other components, parts and pieces, from people and manufacturers.
The best history that we can reconstruct so far is that the aircraft was stationed at Ft. Campbell (1980s) and eventually was made part of the Cobra inventory for the Texas Army National Guard. After production as a “G” model it was converted to “Q”, “S” and finally as an “F” model. The Cobra ended up in Florida with an enthusiast who couldn’t do much with it and finally sold it to Rick.
I contacted Dave Adams, an old 2nd ACR, and Germany Cobra buddy of mine. Dave is now editor of the VHPA magazine. Dave and I corresponded with the king of all Army Helicopter Vietnam era VHPA data Gary Roush. Gary told us that the Cobra was never assigned to a Vietnam unit. Incidentally, if there are still Silver Spurs out there who are not members of VHPA, you need to get with it and join! www.VHPA.com Like Bear and other great Spurs, they have done a terrific job keeping the memories, history and information available to us procrastinators. They are all special folks!
So, I was in! What a pleasure two weeks ago when I received the call that 70-15945 was ready for an initial engine run!
I am very fortunate to have continued flying after A Troop. I have spent 40+ combined years of Active and National Guard service retiring in 2009 as a CW5, as well as flying commercially; surpassing 15,000 hours of flying helicopters and airplanes. The last time I flew a Cobra was in 2006 for the movies “Courage Under Fire” and Con-Air (Andy Warhol’s “15 minutes of fame”). But when I strapped into this baby to start it up for the first checks, I was transformed. My 60 year old body, with its 19 year old mind was right back in Quan Loi! It is truly an amazing feeling and experience. “Riding a bicycle” comes to mind! But you all know what I mean!
Currently we are working with the FAA FSDO in Reno and are about to obtain certification as “Experimental/Exhibition”. After we complete the test flight phases, we will proudly fly her to the Reno Air Races this year (Sept 14-18 www.airrace.org ) and will have a static spot in the “Heritage Classic Warbirds” section. The 250,000 annual Air Race spectators will have an opportunity to get close, remember and enjoy the helicopter while on display.
So enjoy the pictures Bear has posted, I’ll send some additional information after the races. In the mean time, if you have ever run across 70-15945 and can help fill in the blanks, I’d appreciate it. Certainly not least, thanks for allowing me to share this great experience with my brothers! I certainly owe you all for being an essential part of my conscious and subconscious world and will be thinking about my fellow Spurs while I’m out yanking and banking!
Cpt. Robert E. DeCelle was a fellow Spur Scout pilot who was KIA on 18 Feb ’71. The following article is submitted by fellow Spur, Mike Billow from the Reno Gazette Journal:
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Reno Gazette Journal 10 June, 2011
Lake Tahoe Relay is one family’s ‘labor of love’
11:17 PM, Jun. 9, 2011 |
Robert DeCelle, the creator of the Lake Tahoe Relay, measures out the route before the 1965 event. / Provided to the RGJ
What: A seven-person, 72-mile relay race around Lake Tahoe.
Where: The race begins in South Lake Tahoe near the junctions of Highway 89 and Highway 50 at the “Y.”
When: Begins at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Who: 117 teams are expected to run at the event; each runner runs one leg between 8 to 12 miles.
Cause: All proceeds go to fighting youth obesity.
Every year in early June, April Carter and her family gather for a reunion at Lake Tahoe.
But unlike most family reunions, this one isn’t just about catching up and reminiscing about old times. It’s largely about work. And a race.
That race is the DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay, which celebrates its 47th anniversary this year and is the oldest distance relay race in the United States.
“We’re just trying to carry on the tradition,” Carter said.
Carter’s father, Robert DeCelle, created the seven-person, 72-mile relay that circles Lake Tahoe in 1965. It’s steadily grown and an expected 117 teams and 820 runners will line up when the race begins at 7 a.m. Saturday.
DeCelle served as the administrative assistant for U.S. Olympic teams in 1968 and 1972 and often trained athletes at Tahoe’s high altitudes. It was then that he decided to create this race and make it his labor of love.
The relay got the title “DeCelle Memorial” in 1971 when DeCelle’s son, Robert Jr., was killed in battle during the Vietnam War. And when Robert Sr. died following a heart attack two weeks after the 1997 race, his family had to decide whether to continue their father’s race or let it die.
“When he passed away, we had a family meeting and we said, ‘Who wants to step up and take the race over?’ I was the stupid person who said I would do it,” Carter joked. “It takes a year’s worth of work. It takes a lot of time. I don’t think I knew how much time it took until I became the race director.
“But I think he’d be really proud that we’ve kept it going. The timers and all of the volunteers are mostly family members. I think we only have two timers who aren’t part of the family. The rest of the volunteers are his grandchildren or great-grandchildren. We’ve basically made this our annual family reunion.”
And it’s not just the volunteers who are part of the family. Carter said she’s known some of the runners who participate in the race for decades.
One of those runners is Steve Paski, who said he’s competed in all but two of the Lake Tahoe Relays since 1985.
Recently there has been an ongoing conversation about Agent Orange exposure on our Spur e-mail net. We have information on this subject posted on our Spur Bulletin Board at:
Here are two recent important messages that came to me via e-mail which are very relevant:
From Jim English:
I think veterans of Vietnam should be aware that those who have ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) are presumed by the VA to be eligible for agent orange compensation. I’m beginning to receive 30% disability payments for ischemic heart disease due to service in Vietnam and I think there are others out there also eligible for such monthly payments.
I served in the 575th TC Detachment in Long Binh and Di An June ’68 to June ’69. As I remember we got sprayed by the Air Force on a regular basis in Long Binh and judging from the few green plants we saw in Long Binh it was probably agent orange. Also, there was a big depot in Bien Hoa which stored huge amounts of the stuff. Bien Hoa is only a few miles from Long Binh.
From Bob Himrod:
Comment…..the VA, as I understand it, pretty much approves claims for misc. cancers (skin & others) simply for Vietnam service. It must be remembered, you didn’t have to be sprayed to be exposed to AO. We showered with river water, it was in rain droplets and it could be assumed, generally, it was everywhere because it was airborne applied by aircraft. Our association (Vietnam Dog Handler’s Assoc.) was in the process to testify before Congress about the higher incidences of testicular cancer among K-9s in Vietnam Vs. K-9s assigned in Europe. This was during the Clinton Administration. Clinton signed into law, that six or so cancers, were considered service-connected simply by being in Vietnam without having to prove being sprayed by AO. I have a couple of my platoon members who have prostate cancer. That too is being rated by the VA as 100% disability. It’s VERY important for any Veteran who believes he’s medical condition is service connected, to file a claim with the VA ASAP. If your claim is approved, payment will be back dated to when you filed your claim. It takes time to get your claim processed. The Veterans line is getting longer. It’s also wise to use a Service Officer from the VFW, American Legion, DAV etc so your paperwork gets done right the first time. They know the drill. I hope this helps in adding to the discussion. Remember, YOU EARN IT.
Song “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, majority of pictures by the Troopers of the Silver Spurs, A Troop 3/17th Air Cav. Produced by Roger “Bear” Young – 2011
Please see the correspondence from the National Archives [below]. Charles Stutzman and I are contemplating visiting there prior to the Reunion next April. However, if someone resides in the Maryland area, perhaps they would be willing to spend some time there researching the records to see what “official” documentation is available on A Troop. (We suspect this is Squadron info and not specific logs, etc of our Spurs).
Please send out a request for a volunteer to visit the Archives.
Produced by fellow Spur, John “Waldo” Pepper for our 2006 Silver Spur reunion at Ft. Rucker, Alabama to honor all our fallen Silver Spurs from the Vietnam war from 1967-1972 who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. These brave Troopers are not forgotten by their Brothers-In-Arms!
The video also pays tribute to those 3-17th Cav Troopers killed in Iraq during their 2004 deployment:
Courtesy of Ingo Haas
Honoring Thomas Knuckey & Phil Taylor
Facts on the Wall: (submitted by Paul Clergy, Spur 13)
There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.
The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.
Beginning at the apex on panel 1E and going out to the end of the East wall, appearing to recede into the earth (numbered 70E – May 25, 1968), then resuming at the end of the West wall, as the wall emerges from the earth (numbered 70W – continuing May 25, 1968) and ending with a date in 1975. Thus the war’s beginning and end meet. The war is complete, coming full circle, yet broken by the earth that bounds the angle’s open side and contained within the earth itself.
The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth, Mass. listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956.
His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.
There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.
39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.
The largest age group, 8,283 were just 19 years old
3,103 were 18 years old.
12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.
5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.
One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.
1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnan.
31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.
Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.
54 soldiers on the Wall attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia. I wonder why so many from one school.
8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.
The Marines of Morenci – They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci’s mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
The Buddies of Midvale – LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam..
In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.
The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 – 2,415 casualties were incurred.
For Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom:
The song, “Once I Was” by Tim Buckley is available as a MP3 download from Amazon.com
Lyrics:
Once I was a soldier
And I fought on foreign sands for you
Once I was a hunter
And I brought home fresh meat for you
Once I was a lover
And I searched behind your eyes for you
And soon there’ll be another
To tell you I was just a lie
And sometimes I wonder
Just for a while
Will you remember me
And though you have forgotten
All of our rubbish dreams
I find myself searching
Through the ashes of our ruins
For the days when we smiled
And the hours that ran wild
With the magic of our eyes
And the silence of our words
And sometimes I wonder
Just for a while
Will you remember me
[NOTE: The following is an excerpt from General Order 48, 1968]
4. The Valorous Unit Award is awarded by direction of the Secretary of the Army to:THE 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) and its assigned and attached units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light)
2d Battalion 3d Infantry
3d Battalion, 7th Infantry
4th Battalion, 12th Infantry
2nd Battalion, 40th Artillery
7th Support Battalion
87th Engineer Company
Troop D, 17th Cavalry Troop A, 3d Squadron, 17th Cavalry
40th Public Information Detachment
44th Military History Detachment
49th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog)
Company F, 51st Infantry (LRP)
71st Infantry Detachment (LRP)
11th Combat Tracker Team (Prov) (redesignated and reorganized as the 76th Infantry Detachment)
179th Military Intelligence Detachment
152nd Military Police Platoon
298th Signal Platoon
503d Chemical Detachment
856th Radio Research Detachment
The 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) and its assigned and attached units distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations during the period 31 January to 19 February 1968 in support of Saigon and Long Binh Post during the TET Offensive. In the early hours of 31 January, insurgent forces launched savage attacks against Long Binh by firing rockets at II Field Force Vietnam and Bien Hoa Air Base. Brigade artillery promptly and effectively reacted to the attack, destroying two rocket bases and silencing the rest with voluminous barrage. Thwarted in this aspect of their attempt, the Viet Cong then initiated well-organized and determined attacks upon Long Binh and the base camp of the brigade. In response clerks, cooks, mechanics and other support troops of the 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) manned the unit’s perimeter while maneuver elements aggressively engaged and pursued enemy
TAGO 311A[Next page] GO 48
forces. During the fighting of Long Binh, the brigade’s firepower and indomitable spirit were instrumental in depriving concentrated enemy forces of progression into the city of Saigon. The resourcefulness and tactical expertise of unit commanders enabled units to retain constant contact with the insurgents and inflict numerous casualties which totally demoralized the enemy and destroyed his initiative. The men of the 199TH INFANTRY BRIGADE (SEPARATE) (LIGHT) displayed extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty which are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect distinct credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States….
Found on YouTube – Gary Sinise took his Uncle Jack who was a navigator on B-17s during WWII, on a little surprise ride on a B-17 Flying Fortress down in Galveston, Texas.
I need a little help. I’ve been corresponding with Clayton James’ sister since last June. Her name is Wanda Konkright and she is writing a detailed history of her brother who was killed while flying Scouts with C Troop 2/17th Air Cav.
Clayton flew with the A Troop Scouts from September 1970 until November 1970 at which time he was transfered to the 334th in Phu Loi.
Wanda has learned that Clayton wanted to return to A Troop when the 334th was shut down but he had a “problem” with one of the other pilots in the troop and could not transfer back. Wanda really wants to find out what happened between her brother and the other pilot.
She is not doing this for any reason other than she wants to write a factual account of his actions while serving his country. She is very proud of his service and sacrifice and wants to know everything, both good and bad.
When asked to help I told her that I would contact you and see if you know anything and if not maybe you could ask around. You would be amazed at all of the info she has collected.
Her phone number is (210) 887-9345 and her e-mail address is wkonkright@gmail.com.
On May 12th, the 101st Airborne Division is dedicating a monument at Ft. Campbell dedicated to all the guys lost in Viet Nam that served with the 2/17th Air Cavalry. Wanda will be attending the dedication.
I hope that the both of you are doing well. I thank you for all you do with the website, it is the best. If there is anything that I can do for you please don’t hesitate to call me.
After September 2026, I will no longer be hosting our entire website. This includes military news, the Silver Spur sites, nor our racing pages. After 29-years it will be time to close it all down. Be well. – Roger ‘Bear’ Young, Spur webmaster
