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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
Rarely did an ARVN unit remain in the field overnight. In one instance where they did, they were over run and we had to haul out a lot of dead ARVN's the next morning. There were quite a few VC dead as well. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
Before most troop insertions, we had either airstrikes or artillery prep an LZ. The T-Birds would then go in to do a final recon and escort the slicks. We were standing off while the airstrike finished. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
I believe this painting hung on the wall of the T-Bird lounge. Maybe someone else can verify this. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
"Arty resupply" T-Birds were covering Chinooks slinging in 105 Howitzers, ammunition and crew to set up a temporary fire base. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
The Brothers Four putting on a USO show for a small Special Forces detachment at Father Hoa's (a Chinese Catholic missionary) in the town of Ca Mau in the U Min forest. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
"CPT Knight in camo" was taken behind the T-Bird hooches. |
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Photographs provided by Roger A. Nale
This is the entrance to Father Hoa's compound in Ca Mau. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
From the left, WO Bill Hitch, WO Ashley, Lt. Verlon Meyer. Lt. Meyer was KIA on his second tour. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
From the left, WO Bill Hitch, WO Frank Ovnic, WO(?) Wells, WO Ashley, WO Jerry Ireland, LT. Verlon Meyer. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
This was taken just before “The Gang” (below)
Cpt. Knight, T-Bird Chief is on the far left, next to him is Lt. Dave Hutchinson, WO Frank Ovnic is the tall one in the middle, Lt. Verlon Meyer is third from right. |
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Photograph provided by David W. Hutchison Jr.
The Gang |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
After the main picture was taken the fun began. It was obviously around Halloween!!! |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
More fun at Halloween. The tall one is WO Frank Ovnic and second from the right is LT(?) Nelson. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
CPT Knight & friend 2 |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
In '65 and '66 we flew "D" model slicks. On a good day we could carry 10 ARVN's. Here, we are loading the "Tiger Battalion". They were made up of repatriated VC and were the only ARVN troops I worked with who would advance under covering fire. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
Major Whitehead, Company Commander. and hooch maid |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
Major Whitehead, Company Commander |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
"On the job" shows a troop insertion with the T-Birds flying cover. I'm not sure if this was when we were mortared in the LZ or not. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
CPT. Alexis Perez (T-Bird 5) and WO Jack Milavic. There seems to be a theme running through the pictures of Jack. In many of them he is just hanging out, with no shirt, and with some type of drinking vessel in his hand. Makes you kinda' go hmmmmmmmmmmm! |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
Picture taken from the flight line showing the T-Bird hooches and the water tank with the T-Bird logo. The area between is where I got knocked on my keester while runing out to my aircraft during a mortar attack. There were new parking pads being constructed in the open area. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
The red bandana and paint scheme on the helmet were distinctive to the Tiger Battalion. |
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Photograph provided by Roger A. Nale
This is either WO Don Begay or a hooch boy decked out in a captured uniform, holding a captured VC rifle and flag, with a captured weapon of unknown type in front.
Note: Can anyone identify this weapon? |
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