18th INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

18^th INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

www.18inf.org OCTOBER 2005 www.18inf.org

2005 REUNION REPORT

The 2005 reunion was an awesome event. There were over two hundred 18th Infantry warriors and their ladies in attendance, making it the biggest reunion in recent memory. The venue provided a spacious room for the CP, and it was often filled and seldom empty. Our gratitude and thanks to Ed and Louise Fedrick, and their crew of dedicated volunteers, for the CP decorations and the ample supply of snacks and beverages that made our CP such a comfortable and popular place for us to gather. Small groups were often seen together in the CP, and at the various sites around DC, such as the Wall, Arlington Cemetery, the 1st Division Monument, and Etc. Part of the reason for our large attendance was a group of 2nd Battalion Vietnam Vets pulled together by Brian Smith and Rogers Lyons, who held a special Brunch following the 18th Infantry Regiment Annual Meeting on Friday, July 22.

The Annual Meeting had a full agenda. It began with Bill Chamberlain and Mike Binkley, the Honorary Colonel and Honorary Sergeant Major, giving reports on their recent visits to our active duty battalion in Germany. They then introduced the three soldiers from 1-18 INF that were present with us: SGT Santee, CPL Press, and SPC Tallini, who gave us an update on their time in Iraq and current morale among our soldiers. Meeting these soldiers quickly brought back memories of when we were soldiers – and young. You can be proud of the soldiers serving in the 18th Infantry – another generation of 18th Infantry combat soldiers have now joined our ranks, and will bend an elbow and tell war stories with the best of us. Next came a surprise “off agenda” item. Larry Paul, Executive Director, interrupted the meeting to call forward our former Honorary Colonel, George Tronsrue. Colonel Tronsrue then proceeded to call the assembly to order and give attention to the reading of orders. Ed Fedrick, Vice President, read the order awarding the Bronze Star to 1st Lieutenant George Gentry for Meritorious Service in the Republic of Vietnam (see article on page 4). Following this, recognition was given to Distinguished Members of th Regiment (DMOR). Jim Brannen (Company I) and Frank Vargo (Company L) were recognized as WWII DMORs, while Dan Rogers (B-1-18, 64-66), Lee Baniki (C-1-18, 64-66), and Patrick McLaughlin (C-1-18, 66-67) were recognized as RVN DMORs. Then, Bob Baumer (and Mark Readon, not present) were recognized as Honorary Members of the Regiment for their work in writing the recently published WWII history of the regiment – if you haven’t read it, you should. In addition, at a later ceremony, Colonel Butch Botters and Cindy Botters, recently returned from Germany, received their DMOR and HMOR certificates (issued in 2002). (Continued on Page 3 ... 2005 Reunion)

SOCIETY of the FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION

2006 BRO Reunion

The 2006 BRO Reunion is scheduled at the Arizona Biltmore in the Phoenix, AZ area for July 12-16. This is a classy location and we expect accommodations even better than those this year in Washington DC, where we had a large turn out and a great time together. As usual, the 18th Infantry Annual Meeting will be held on Friday morning, and the grand banquet on Saturday night.. Don’t miss it.

For information, please contact Jennifer Sanford, 1933 Morris Rd, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Ph: 1-888-324-4733.

E-mail: soc1ID@aol.com or www.bigredone.org

18th INFANTRY REGIMENT REUNION – JULY 12-16, 2006 — PHOENIX, AZ

*** 1965 VIETNAM 2005 ***

40 Years ago

By the Fall of 1965, both the 1st Battalion (call sign – Duchess) and the 2nd Battalion (call sign – Darkness) of the 18th Infantry (Vanguards) were conducting combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN). After landing at Cam Ranh Bay in July, the 1st Battalion mission was to provide security for the construction of a port facility. On August19-20, it joined in Operation BARRACUDA, a search and destroy operation conducted about 12 miles west of Nha Trang, a coastal city near Qui Nhon. This was the first combat operation for the 1st Battalion and it resulted in 25 VC killed, with no losses of its own. In the meantime, the 2nd Battalion was having more deadly contact while securing it’s base at Bien Hoa. On 17 July, the base camp came under mortar attack, with no casualties. However, a repeat the next night took the life of SGT Stephen Phillips (HHC-2-18), who was reported KIA on 18 July 1965. In the next few days, 4 other 2nd Battalion soldiers were killed by enemy fire. The 2nd Battalion’s first combat search and destroy mission was accomplished near Vung Tau on 30 July-2 August. Contact was light, with no Vanguard casualties reported. Then, on August 11, the 2nd Battalion was deployed from the 2nd Brigade base camp at Bien Hoa to Pleiku, in the Central Highlands, where it operated with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

In September, the 1st Battalion was relieved of it’s mission at Cam Ranh Bay and moved to the base camp at Bien Hoa. Before leaving Cam Rahn Bay, the 1st Battalion received it’s first KIA in Vietnam, PFC Orlando Bearwald (HHC), who was reported killed on 8 September 1965. The 2nd Battalion was also recalled from the Central Highlands, as the 18th Infantry was needed to secure the Division staging areas for the arrival of the rest of the 1st Infantry Division from the States. 1st Division Base Camps were being established at Phouc Vinh (1st Brigade), Di An (2nd Brigade and Division HQ), Lai Khe (3rd Brigade) and Phu Loi (Div Arty). Both battalions were constantly in the field conducting search and destroy operations to clear the area for the arrival of their brother units.

Called Operation HOPSCOTCH, a series of search and destroy missions was designed to clear the area around Phouc Vinh. It was a costly operation for the 1st Battalion. On 6 October, Company B lost 2 sergeants KIA. Then the 1st Battalion was caught in a VC ambush on 8 October. This action has become controversial, as many officers and enlisted men objected to convoy movement in the darkness. 5 Vanguards were killed in this action and another died the next day of wounds. Company A lost another soldier on 13 October. October was not a good month for the 2nd Battalion either, with an HHC 2nd Lieutenant and 4 men in Company C KIA on 5 October.

The rest of 1965 was filled with routine (if anything in a combat zone can be called “routine”)search and destroy operations, combat patrols around the base camp area, and digging out of the mud of the Monsoon season to construct fortifications and improve living areas. Significant contact during this period occurred between November 19-24, when A-1-18 engaged a VC force, suffering the loss of 2LT Paul Eklund, SGT Dave Reeder, and SP4 Arlin Jensen on 19 November, SGT Frank Trypus and SP4 Billy Wilson on 20 November, and CPL Cleo Smith and PFC Sammy Thompson on 24 November. The 2nd Battalion lost 2 men in November. However, B-2-18 lost 3 men killed in action on 12 December, and 3 other 2nd Battalion soldiers were reported killed that month. There were no casualties reported for the 1st Battalion in December. Spending their first Christmas in a combat zone since WWII, the soldiers of the 18th Infantry had been bloodied and seasoned for the years of fighting that would follow.

[Editor’s note: I would like to ask our Vietnam veterans to share their experiences and remembrances in short one or two page typewritten articles. If enough material is received, we will increase the newsletter from 6 to 8 pages and print them for all to read. Please contact me by email at: HQ18INF@aol.com or send your articles to the address on the last page.]

ATTENTION – 18th Infantry Chicago Event, 21-22 October 2005

LTC George Glaze is bringing a 1-18IN Color Guard for an 18th Infantry ceremony at the Cantigny 1st Division Museum in Wheaton, IL at noon on October 22. This ceremony is for the purpose of honoring a severely injured soldier from the Iraq War. There will be a number of 18th Infantry veterans in attendance. We are planning an 18th Infantry “family” dinner a 5pm on Friday, October 21. If you are interested or if you live close enough to participate, please contact Mike Binkley at 419-339-0978 (home) or 419-230-3132 (cell) for information and details. In Omnia Paratus! Duty First!

NO MISSION TOO DIFFICULT, NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT, DUTY FIRST!

18th INFANTRY NEWS FROM GERMANY

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VANGUARD SIX’S FOXHOLE –

In July 1966, the 18th Regiment fought its heaviest combat in Vietnam. The mission found the Regiment moving all night on a forced road march to stop the VC along routes into Cambodia. The enemy met the Vanguards and refocused their attack on them. By the morning light, the enemy regiment that attacked our Vanguards gave up and fled back into Cambodia. The battle became known as HO KRIGNOU. On 29 September 2005, the Vanguards stepped off for their first of many 18 Mile Tactical Missions. This one was known as the KRIGNOU 18 Miler and all 385 Vanguards completed the movement.

The Vanguard Battalion has taken on a spirit of its own – moving together to get ready for combat. Each task trained is built into the next, on a steady progression for readiness, focused on first individual, then team, and then squad training. Progressive individual training events that the Vanguards have completed in the month of September include: The Vanguard First Responder Course and Combatives Level I training. The Vanguard First Responder Course trained the Combat Lifesavers and took them closer to an EMT level of Lifesaving. The Combatives Level I training certified junior leaders on how to train other soldiers to win at close combat while also conditioning them mentally and physically for the riggers of combat.

The Vanguards continue to train on the tracks already laid – Infantry Teams in September, Squads and Sections in October, and Platoons in November. The Vanguards will culminate their training with M2 Bradley Gunnery and a CMTC rotation after Christmas in order to prepare us for any potential deployments next summer.

This month of October has two other special events – the Team Leader’s Course and the Battalion Staff Ride to Meuse-Argonne and Aachen France. The CSM is training the junior leaders of the battalion on how to be the Team Leader. The Fire Team is the building block for the Army and we must get this right. CSM Choudhri is the right man to do this – using the First Sergeants as the Instructors. The Battalion Staff Ride takes all the officers away so the CSM can focus on his Team Leader Course. The Battalion Staff Ride focuses on the 18th Infantry Regiment in both WWI and WWII, from Meuse-Argonne to the Battle of Aachen. Knowing our past and incorporating this rich history into today’s training keeps us prepared, in all things.

LTC George A. Glaze, CDR, TF 1-18IN, VANGUARDS!

2005 Reunion .... continued from Page 1

Next came our bi-annual election of Association officers. First, an emergency amendment to the Constitution and By-laws was adopted in order to elect two vice-presidents this year (A full report of these amendments will appear in a later newsletter). Election results are posted elsewhere in this newsletter. Larry Van Kuran, membership secretary, announced membership numbers. We continue to hover at the 300 paid veteran membership level. One of our new vice presidents will give special attention to increasing this above the needed 500 number. Jim Stone, Treasurer, passed around our financial report and announced that we are still solvent and able to pay for newsletters, postage and such. He expressed deeply felt thanks for the many generous donations that allow us to do all the soldier support projects that we undertake, such as the Thanksgiving/Christmas project, the NCO/Soldier of the Year awards, and bringing soldiers to the reunion.

Following the business meeting, member Harry Rickart (C-1-18, 66-67), presented us with a beautiful wall hanging honoring our Vietnam veterans. Harry is also a member of the Indian Nations Warriors and Veterans Honor Guard, whose medicine woman made this special gift for us. It is on display at our reunion CP. Some announcements were made and the meeting adjourned. The 2nd Battalion brunch followed and many mini-reunions were held in the CP and elsewhere on Friday afternoon and evening. On Saturday morning, we held the Division Memorial Service, honoring our fallen brothers, followed by the Society Annual Meeting, where MG Hunzeker, 1st Division Commanding General, gave an update on the Division and its future. It appears that in 2006 or 2007, the 1st Division, including the 18th Infantry, will return to Ft Riley, KS. Saturday evening was the Banquet and Sunday everyone went home. Next year the reunion is July 18-22 in Phoenix, AZ.

Distinguished Member of the Regiment

The DMOR and HMOR are a Regular Army program, established by AR 600-82, that allows the active duty component to recognize certain of it’s veteran members. Criteria for the program, as it operates in the 18th Infantry, will be posted in the January newsletter. Basically, written nominations are submitted to the Executive Director, who obtains necessary information and submits the list to the Honorary Colonel for recommendations to the Color Battalion Commander and then to the Chief of Infantry.

AFTER THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS

GENTRY RECEIVES BRONZE STAR

Thirty-eight years ago George Gentry was a rifle platoon leader assigned to A -2-18. In December 1967 he was severely wounded, resulting in paraplegia and ending his Army career.

Twenty-five years later, in July 1992, he met his former company commander, Ed Chapin, at a Big Red One reunion. It was the first reunion he had attended since leaving the Army. It was a joyful meeting and the two talked about their time together in Vietnam. Gentry mentioned that he had been quickly separated from service and that his DD214 listed only the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service and Campaign ribbons, the National Defense and Good Conduct Medals – the typical awards issued to grunts in Vietnam. He asked if he had.been put in for the Bronze Star – usual for an infantry officer with his experience. Chapin said he thought he had, but that he had been reassigned soon after Gentry was wounded and the paperwork may not have been processed. He said he would look into it. Gentry had some hope for finally receiving this award. However, Chapin’s efforts were unsuccessful and Gentry put it out of his mind. At this point enter Christine Gentry, George’s wife, who had overheard the original conversation. After waiting ten years, she decided to contact the Honorary Colonel for help. Colonel Tronsrue just happened to have a friend who worked at the Pentagon. Thanks to George Tronsrue and Hugh Shaw, the paperwork was finally processed and orders were issued awarding 1st Lieutenant George T. Gentry, Jr. the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service during his tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. All of this was done completely without Gentry knowing that it was happening.

At the reunion in Washington DC in July, the award and decoration was presented to Gentry at the Annual Meeting. Present were Ed Chapin, over 100 Vietnam veterans of the 2d Battalion, including half a dozen men from George’s old platoon, many other veterans and friends, and his wife. Gentry was unaware that this would happen at the reunion and was completely surprised. Gentry said, “It is a great honor to receive this award. I am truly humbled by it. And now, after 38 years, I feel that the Army has finally recognized my service in Vietnam and the sacrifices I made in combat there. It is a good feeling.”

Congratulations to our President on receiving the Bronze Star for service in Vietnam, even if it was a little belated.

Text Box: Hugh Shaw, George Gentry, George Tronsrue

PROJECT FOR THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS

As we look forward to the Thanksgiving/Christmas Holiday season, let us again remember our soldiers in Germany by generous support for our traditional soldier project. We work in conjunction with the battalion to provide food baskets and assistance to soldiers and their families who could use a little help to fully enjoy the holidays. Please send your checks to 18th Inf Regt Assn,% Jim Stone, 258 Pells Rd, Rhinebeck NY 12572.. Thank you!

18th Infantry Memorabilia is available. 18th Infantry Hats, Golf Shirts, crests, lapel pins, belt buckles, and more! Order gifts for Christmas or just get yours now. Contact Larry Van Kuran, 6378 Jamieson Ave, Encino, CA 91316. Email: vankuran@ix.netcom.com

American Iliad

The 18th Infantry Regiment in World War II

Written by Robert W. Baumer, with Mark J. Reardon. This is an outstanding book about the exploits and achievements of the 18th Infantry Regiment during WWII. We have a few copies available from Larry Paul, phone 419-332-5782 or email: LFP18INF@aol.com. Orders may be placed directly with the publisher, Aberjona Press, on-line via the link on our web site, or directly by telephone at 866-265-9063. A portion of the prceeds go to the 18th Infantry Regiment Association. If you do not have one, get one. If you have one, buy a copy for your local public or high school library. This story should be read by every American.

18th INFANTRY REGIMENT REUNION – JULY 12-16, 2006 — PHOENIX, AZ

Text Box: Vice President Robert E. Callahan

I am proud to have been chosen to become one of the Vice Presidents for the 18th Infantry Regiment. And to follow in the footsteps of those before is a REAL HONOR. I’m looking forward to the challenges of the duties of the VP.

Serving in 18th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, and having the opportunity to meet some of the GREATEST men around has been and will continue to be a very important part of my life.

A little about myself: I was born on 17 May 1944 in Trenton, NJ. Married my loving wife of 38 yrs on 11Nov 1967. We have a daughter Tina and son-in-law Don. I enlisted in the Army on 20 August 1962. Trained at Fort Dix where I became a “INFANTRY MEN”. Was assigned to the 3rd AD in Germany January 1963. In 1966 went to Vietnam was assigned to A Company 2nd Battalion 18th Infantry. Was a rifleman, RTO for C.O., Rifle Squad Leader. Left Vietnam March 1967. Reassigned 3rd ID Germany. Wife joined me there. Left Germany April 1970 as a SSG. Assigned to Fort Dix Committee Group for 1 year. Returned to Vietnam 1972 with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. Made SFC returned to the States. Assigned to Drill Sergeant duty for the next 3 years at Fort Dix. 1976 assigned to 2nd ID in Korea. Returned state side. Honorable discharge after 14 years of service. Twenty-four years later joined the NJ Army National Guard. Retired June 1,2005 21 years total service.

My decorations include CIB, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal W/V Device(4th award), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Medal (2nd Award), Korea Defense Service Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/#3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon w/#2, RVN Service Medal, RVN Campaign Medal and State Medals and Ribbons.

My Civilian life is less exciting. I worked as a Heavy Equipment operator, factory worker, and a marble and ceramic tile installer for 10 years. Working for DOD/NJARNG for last 8 years. Planning to retire in May 06. Enjoy being with my wife, daughter and friends. The annual reunion is one event we look forward to each year. Feel free to contact me at 211 Nottinghill Lane, Trenton, NJ 08619, Tel:609-584-9475, e-mail: cal4416@aol.com