Stories/ Memories
/Comments
From: "Jack Hynes"
gitbakjak@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000
Bill, I am a Gunslinger - nothing against Tomahawks (I was one
briefly).
I was there, I think in 66/67. I ET'd out, stayed in the states about 3
days, went to the Virgin Islands for a weeks vacation and came back about
two years later. I've had a number of jobs, worked with Outward Bound
Schools on a contract basis with some other vets, drove trucks, worked in
advertising and finally after getting married went to work for Exxon in
Louisiana (got the job passing through on my way to Texas). Was an
operations supervisor for EXXON FOR 20+YRS. and now working in safety and
OSHA compliance for Exxon.
Hope to retire in a year or so and go back to New Hampshire or Maine and do
something I enjoy for lower pay. We have a sick child that requires that I keep
my medical coverage after I retire. I have two other children and all three have
been
great kids.
I will try to scan some photos of some Gunslinger friends - I know I have
one of Doc sitting in a ship in the revetment and one or two of Don
Page
wandering around the flight line when we were busting rockets. Don was an
absolutely outstanding crewchief and of course Doc's prowess as a pilot was
well known and respected. We had the CG on that ship so screwed up in order
to put a 650 round 40mm magazine in the hell hole that we could have used
that ship for a snow plow.
Your "welcome home" I heard for the first time about two years
ago at a
festival downtown from some Vietnam Veterans group - I was amazed at the
feeling I got. This year , on Veterans Day, one of my coworkers came into my
office to say 'thank you.' What's going on?
Well, there's an earful for you!
Thanks, Jack Haynes
From:
Jay Riseden JRiseden@aol.com
Tue. Feb. 20, 2001
Former 128th AHC pilot and Gunslinger, Rod Hooks, was found dead in
his horse
trailer the morning of 18 Feb 01 at a parking lot at the Houston Rodeo and
Livestock show. He had advanced to the cutting horse finals and was a long
time competitor in this event. He apparently died of carbon monoxide
poisoning as reported in the press. Known as "Captain Rod" to
Houston TV
viewers, he was a long time helicopter pilot for KPRC television in Houston.
Rod was a VHPA member and graduated with class 66-9. He served with the 128th
in 1966 and 1967. He served a second tour with ACT/11 ACR in 69 and 70.
More messages from Jay:
I checked it out and the notes on the Tomahawk Memorial Page are accurate
except that Don Wann was not actually Bill Hartwell's replacement.
He was
already in the Gunslingers, he just moved into my hootch after Bill was
killed. I suggest that you take these notes and use them to replace the ones
on the KIA by Aircraft page as they are now contradictory. Thanks for the
work on the 128th web site.
Jay
Glad to see the info on aircraft and KIA/MIA for 128th on the
web site.
Great job.
I have one correction to offer: Terry Lee Means should be Terry Lee Manz
In regard to the notes, I listed Thomas Michael McDonald in the 128th KIA
list because he served with the 128th prior to transfer to the 116th. His
death was mentioned in a 128th newsletter after he was KIA. He was in
fact in
the 116th when KIA.
Re Donald Lynn Wann. Don was my hootchmate in the Gunslingers
after Bill
Hartwell was killed. Don was on a second tour with D/158 AVN 101 ABN flying
Cobras when shot down. His body was never recovered. I listed him and
McDonald because they had previously served with the 128th.
I hope this clears things up a bit.
Jay Riseden
Gunslinger 35
128th AHC, Phu Loi 67-68
Winner/Medalist Tet Winter Games 68
First Place - 2.75 FFAR and 40 mm
Thanks for the update. Glad to hear you are in webmaster training. I suspect
you have a good instructor.
As I write this, our own Doc Daugherty is being honored by his community
in
Irwin, PA this evening as one of it's outstanding veterans. The West Point
Glee club is performing and all his kids came home for the event. The Glee
club is presenting him with a plaque for his service. There will speeches and
acknowledgment by members of his community. It should be in their local
papers tomorrow. Maybe Doc will let us mention this to other 128th guys
because his wife Sandy talked him into accepting this honor for all of us
that served.
Jay
From: Scott Tuttle (Son of Jerry Tutle)
GUNDERTUTT@aol.com
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2000 6:41 PM
Here is a series of messages from the son of Jerry
Tuttle who posted his dad's photos on this web site
I am writing to you on behalf of my father, Jerry N. Tuttle. Dad
was one of
the original Tomahawks and went over with the first troop deployment in
1965
aboard a troop ship.( I was 4 months old at the time) Dad went on to serve
another tour as CO of the 176th AHC. He was a Captain and platoon leader
with
the 128th. I have just found your web page today and showed it to dad
this
evening when my parents where over for dinner. He was very surprised to see
the work that you have done for the 128th AHC. Dad does not speak much of
the
war and the years he spent there but he did ask if I would write to see if
you would be interested in any of the photos and his old orders from that
era. I would be more than happy to scan all of the information he can provide
and send it to you if you can provide an address. Do to the amount of things
he has I would like to put them on disk and mail them to you to save the up
load and transfer times. (I still use an old 28.8 modem and it can be a
little cranky with large files.) I assure you I am not some whack job just
trying to waste your time. I have been dealing with Carl Zipperer who has
the
web page for 176th AHC and sent him some pictures. So if you would like
to
check out that web page you will see some of what I have sent to them. Either
way, the both of us enjoyed your web page -- Dad for some old memories and
myself, to help me understand what he did and went through. I was able to get
him to sign the guest book for you. Thank you for considering our offers to
contribute and for the work you have done on such a great web page.
Sincerely,
Scott M. Tuttle
Just saw all of Dad's photos up on the web site, kind of gives
me goose
bumps! I cannot believe you used them ALL but am grateful you did. Mom, Dad
and two of my four brothers will be over for fathers day and I will show them
the site then. I am smoking steaks and potatoes. If you have never had a
smoked Tee Bone you don't know what you are missing. If you are in South
Florida feel free to stop on by for some food and drink! When I have a little
more time there is a story of a little girl I would like to share with you.
Scott
Glad most of the photos where OK. Dad was about 27 in those
pictures which I
under stand was kind of old for Vietnam. Yes, my dad is a great guy. He is
the best father/friend I could ever ask for. I am truly lucky with the
parents I have! I am still mulling over many things in my brain and hope to
engage you in some future discussions. Two quick questions: Ever been in a
helicopter when the tranny lets loose? Ours lost the tranny last week. No big
deal it was on the pad when it self distructed to the tune of $175,000.00
dollars! They can be costly.
Take Care
Scott
From: Rolland Cronk
cronkhiten@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2001
I will take some time to let you know a little about my time with the 128th.
I worked in
Maintenance on a P.E team for 5 or 6 months after getting there. After the riot
at the EM
Club, if any has Heard of that. The Company Commander appointed me to take the
place
of the old Manager on his leaving shortly there after. I did that for a year
then returned to
Maintenance and worked on the line crew for 6 months the remainder of my
extension. in
total I spent 2 Years with the 128th.
I was there to see the end of the 128th in Vietnam. We got word about mid
Dec 71 that the
128th would Stand down at the end of the month. They continued missions till the
last day.
I think it was the 28th Dec 71 One of the slick Platoons got in to a very hot LZ
. If I remember
right I think about 8 ship received damage. Seams that 1 was destroyed in the
field. and several
others however recovered were beyond repair and we turned them in for salvage.
All the ships
were gone by the 12th of Jan 1972 and just about a dozen of us EM remained. I
left the next day
and discharged Jan 18th 1972.
The maintenance officer Capt. Don Ulrich left some time about the 20th
and Carried the colors
to there new Company in Korea. Don and I have visited a few times over
the years as we are both from
Nebraska. And both continued with the Nebraska National Guard. He flew for the
24th air Med. CO in
Lincoln. I haven't Talked to him for many Years now. But think He became the CO
of that Company.
I also believe that he was with it when they went to Desert Storm.
Rolland Cronk
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