"Folded Wings"
Light Horse Troopers
Who Have Preceded us to
Fiddler's Green
(Fiddler's Green)
Names Shown in brown color were added in 2007.
Thanks to the work of JB West using 1968 unit rosters and SSN records we are able to include these Troopers.
They are not forgotten!
Charles Kilmer
D Troop Pilot and Plank Owner
Link to obituary
Johnny Sheffield
Doughboy ,67-68
Link to obituary page
Donald (Donny) K Rahm
Long Knife Crewchief
Link to obituary page
LTC Kenneth Nielsen
Former D Troop Commanding Officer in 1968
Link to obituary page
Roy Sudeck
Crusader 36
Link to Memorial Page
Phillip Sparks
D Troop 1st Sergeant
Command Sergeant Major Retired
Roberto Ramos
War Wagon
Died on December 19, 1982 in a helicopter crash.
Link to Memorial Page
Albano, Nick Jr.
Doughboy
Died July 22, 2012. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he was born May 8, 1946.
A celebration of his life will be held at Bayshore Diplomat, 2611 Bayshore Blvd. Sat, Aug. 4, 2012, 2-4pm.
Link to a memorial page for Nick
Lewis Eugene “Buck” Buchanan
1950-2012
VIRGINIA – LTC (R) Lewis Eugene “Buck” Buchanan, the consummate warrior, was born on Johnson Air Force Base in Japan on May 18, 1950 and passed away on June 8, 2012.
Link to a Memorial Page
Ken Rountree
Passed away in 2012 after lengthy illness.
By Steve Kirkland
Nguyen Van Hai
The D Troop Doughboy's Interpreter passed away in 1980.
By Jim Flynn
Bill Rowe
Scavenger 6 Pilot 1967
It is with great sadness that I forward this message from Lynda to all of you.
Bill was a very special Plankowner and the overwhelming thoughts that came to me when I learned of his passing was that how lucky I was to have known him & how great it was to see him for the last time at our reunion last year. There have been only few people in my life who have touched me as deeply as did Bill with his great sense of humor, generosity of spirit, can-do attitude, spectacular common sense, and lack of pretension.
I, and I'm sure you as well, will miss him tremendously.
With best regards!!
Rick Roll
Obituary and Celebration of Life
Dennis R. Freeman
Long Knife Pilot 1970
I wish to have WO1 Dennis R Freeman added to the Folded Wings Roster. He passed away on 12/09/2009 in Phoenix,AZ.
I first met Dennis while forming up A Trp2/17th Air Cav at Ft Campbell, KY.
We came over on the same plane to Danang then they transfered a bunch of us to Vihn Long and to B Trp 7/1st Air Cav.
In Oct 1969 Dennis and I and a few others from B Trp transfered to D Trp 3/5th Air Cav.
I was the slick platoon leader and Dennis was in my platoon as an AC.
On one mission we were hit with groundfire so I can vouch that Dennis was a true member of D Troop.
We came home in April 1970.
Thanks! Lee Overstreet , Longknife 26
Photo of Dennis
Samuel Munn
Crusader Pilot 1968-'69
Aviator, warrior, husband and father, CPT Samuel Paul Munn, US Army (Retired), passed away January 26, 2011, in San Antonio. He was born January 20, 1948, in Columbia, South Carolina to Henry Paul Munn and R. Lee Honeycutt Munn. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Pepperdine University and completed studies for a doctorate at the University of Georgia. Samuel served in the US Army for 20 years. He served with valor in Vietnam in D Troop, 3rd/5th CAV. Following retirement from the Army, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and Premier Aeronautics. He was one of the first 1,000 to pilot the Cobra attack helicopter. He was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Distinguished Flying Cross Society, National Association of Flight Instructors, AOPA and EAA, and a lifetime member of VFW and DAV. Samuel was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Henry Paul Munn, Jr.; stepmother, Virginia Munn; grandparents, Samuel Paul Munn and Blanche Munn Price, Vance and Minnie Honeycutt; and niece, Roni Wilson Ballard. He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 36 years, Connie Pylant Munn; daughter, Linley Chandelle Munn; son, Austin Travis Munn and his fiancée Heather Florence Sieloff; sister, Peggy Munn Wilson and grand-nieces, Savannah, Olivyah, and Shelby; nieces, Shannon, Amber, Jessica and Christina; nephews, David, and wife Larissa, Damian, Kenneth, Daniel and JD. He is also survived by his aunt, Joyce King, and cousins, Chuck, Pam, Tammy and Patti of South Carolina. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 2, 2011
12:00 P.M.
PORTER LORING
NORTH CHAPEL
Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunshine Cottage 603 E. Hildebrand, San Antonio, TX 78212 or EAA Young Eagles.
You are invited to sign
the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.com
Dave Maahs
Crusader Pilot 1969
I recently sent a letter to Dave Maahs at his last known address. A few days later I got a call from his father informing Dave died some time ago. February of 2003. I knew Dave in 1969 when he was a Crusader and the check pilot for the Cobra pilots. Daves' father told me exposure to Agent Orange was a contributing factor to his death. Dave had been working for Honeywell after leaving the Army and was living in Minnesota at the time of his death.
Submitted by Bob Schultz
Former Stingray, Former Crusader, Former Ramrod
Nazario "Charlie" Solis
Long Knife Crew Chief '70-'71
Passed away in Kankakee, IL, Dec 19, 2009
Ralph Norman Cogburn
"Rooster"
War Wagon Gunner '70-'71
August 24, 2007
Troop, through contact with Rooster's family, I have recently learned that he passed away in Oklahoma in 2007.
Click here to view a memorial page.
Cpt. James Michael Nestor
August 26, 2010
I am so very sorry to have to tell you that Jim died last Friday.
He had aggressive lung cancer and the treatments did not work. He died peacefully, with dignity and all of us who loved him are heartbroken.
We are having a Memorial Service at Embry-Riddle on Suturday. I am going to display his Medals and he will have Military Honors.
He always thought that every day he was alive after Viet Nam was bonus day, I guess I'm greedy because I wanted many more.
His Wife, friend and lover for 25 years.
Janet
Link to Jim's obituary
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-journalonline/obituary.aspx?n=james-michael-nestor&pid=144902106
CWO Richard Dale Jenks
KIA Dec 13, 1967 while flying with the 176th AHC
George Garrety escorted "Rick's" body home.
Link to Photos Of Jenks in VN while in D Troop (Bottom of that page)
Link to accident report (leaves this website)
SFC Leonard J "Jack" Boyett
Dear Sir,
My name is Magdalene Boyett and I am the widow of Leonard J. BOYETT, "Jack".
I have searched the net for months to find you and was thrilled to finally see the 1971 year book.
Shown below, in the second row of the photos, is my beloved husband's photo, twice, once with CPT Goodbary and one by himself.
Please feel free to add Jack's name below the pictures. Jack was with Maint Plt, C Trp, 3/17 CAV during Feb 1971-Feb 1972.
When the unit de-activated, he was sent directly from Vietnam to the 25th INF DIV in Schofield Barracks.
I have additional photos of Jack standing in front of buildings with signs saying:
C TRP 3/17 CAV, WAR WAGONS AERO SCOUTS LIGHT HORSE and SCAVENGERS, Maint Plt, AIR 3/17 CAV, Light Horse, etc.
If there is anyone out there who remembers my husband, please contact me via e-mail: boyettm AT hotmail.com.
Thank you.
Magdalene Boyett
Link to a VN photo of Jack
SFC Gerold Doggett
Passed away July 13, 2007
Submitted by Red Hagen
CWO Alvin L. Tatman
Passed away on Dec 10, 2009 in Clarksville, TN.
Alvin was a Spook Pilot.
Submitted by Red Hagen
Sgt Thomas (Pete) Torrance
Pete passed away from a heart attack while living in Oklahoma City in May 1985.
He was a D Troop "Plank Holder".
Submitted by his Son Via Ken Roundtree
William "Wilt" Chamberlain
January 19, 2010
War Wagon Crew Chief
Link to Obituary
Major Robert Grof
Crusader Pilot and Executive Officer (XO)
KIA April 10, 1971
Link to Memorial Page
Joe B. Duncan
December 20, 2009
War Wagon 19
Link to Obituary
James Matthew Carson
Septtember 18, 2008
SP-5 Jim Carson served with D Troop in '68 & '69
He was a Crewchief / Door Gunner
Submitted by his Wife Rhonda and good Friend Jim Burrell
Link to Jim's Photos
Link to Memory Letter
Larry Carmichael
August 19, 2009
Crusader 34
Larry Carmichael
passed away in Florida last week from cancer.
I noticed he was mentioned in the Moon Over Delta story by
Don Callison. He was my wife’s uncle.
I am not sure if he was involved with the reunion group at
all – he never mentioned anything about his time over
there.
I just thought some of you guys might want to know, maybe
you knew him.
Thanks,
Gary Miller
Link to Story
Charlie Brown
November 7, 2008
I Just wanted to
pass on to all the guys in unit that Charlie Brown –
Crusader 35 passed away.
Charlie was a long time pilot for us – PHI,
Inc. God rest his soul.
Link to a Memorial Page
Navel Air
Station
Submitted by Dale Johnson
Snelling, Buddy
March 1970
Buddy snelling was based out of Vinh Long, he came over from 7/1 just before I left.
He was shot down and had injured his arm, but returned to duty some time later. He and I played football at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Az.
When he came home he was working on a 30 ft wall. He and fell landed on his head on March 15 and died March17, 1970.
He is not buired in the national cemetery. His parents buried him at Phoenix Memorial Park at 200 W. Beardsley Rd.
I attended the funeral and was sadend by his loss.
I hope this helps.
Submited by Jack Lerch
War wagon DoorGunner
Steve McClain
Long Knife Door Gunner in 70-71
Steve passed away at his home in Utah on May 3, 2007
Memorial Link
LaRoche, Joseph L. E-7
20 January 2007
Photo
Gilbert V. Miranda
With regret I''m informing you of the passing of SFC Gilbert V. Miranda 67 of San Antonio, TX Gilbert was one of the "Original" Aero- Rifle Platoon members formed at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1966.
Gilbert passed away on July 25, 2007 of health problems attributed to his three tours in Vietnam.
A good friend, a brave man, and a great family man.
Gilbert is survived by a wonderful family as well as his two brothers. Abel, who served as a Marine in the Korean War and later as a paratrooper in Vietnam, and Gabriel, Gilbert''s identical twin who served with the 82nd Airborne in Vietnam.
The "Alamo Silver Wings" Airborne Association, of which Gilbert was a life member, performed the honors with perfection.
Present at the burial were three other members of the Aero-Rifle Platoon of 1967-68.
Ruben Albares, Baldemar "Speedy" Gonzales, and Jose "Pancho" Sanchez as well as myself, John Stenmo.
Butch Cook
War Wagon Gunner in 71-71
Butch passed away on October 29, 2006 from a heart attack.
Please see the Memorial Page dedicated to Butch.
Memorial Link
Torgeson, Theodore WO-1
2 February 2005
Titus, James M. E-3
30 January 2005
James McNamee
War Wagon 14 in 71-72
December 2004 after a lengthy battle with disease.
Memorial Link
Burchfield, Leonard D. CW2
3 Sept 2004
Hickman, Marion L. E-8
2 August 2004
Ed Owens
War Wagon Crewchief/Gunner Extrordinaire from 69-71
Ed passed away on February 9th, 2004 from heart disease.
BIA Bruce Barney pretty well sumed all our feelings with this beautiful note and epithet written to Ed's friend Ronald Stewart.
Gurley, Leon E. E-7
27 June 2003
James R."Smitty" Smith
Passed away on April 24th 2003.
It took awhile for his Mom to get ahold of me.
His Mom didn't find my address till after
the funeral, and I don't think many
people showed up.
Paul Zaneske
Captain Steve Gibson
Crusader Pilot
Due to a major heart
attack in 2002.
Steve was transfered to
the Gun Platoon after the unit became designated as C
3/17th.
He was also the oficer who
was short. He and I had a wire stringing detail and chopped
down a mine while he was the OIC and I was NCO. He caught
the blast in the whole upper torso.
I had talked with him on
the phone 2 days before he died and then I got the email
from his family about the heart attack.
I'm very sorry to report
this.
Bill Large
1st Sergeant Richard H. Gardner Sr.
Passed away on August 9, 2002
Cause unknown
He was "Top" in 1970 and 1971
News Cliping
Submitted by Larry Sprader
Photo
Photo
Francis C. Minard
Passed away October 6,
2002 from Liver cancer.
He was with 3/5Cav D Troop from the time he was
at Ft.Riley Kansas until he went to Nam in Feb.67.
He was a Doorgunner for 13 months until March
68.
He then went into supply until Oct.68.
Submitted by his wife, Frances Bruno - Minard.
(Fran)
Ken Foster
Crusader 30
Passed away the morning of May 30, 2002 after a
lengthy illness.
We'll all miss him.
Bill King posts the following:
Ken was the last member of
Light Horse, C/3/17 to leave VN.
He had been assigned to go to Saigon, and the
rest of the unit left. The guys he was working with said that
he was going to have to leave for the freedom bird, but he
told them that he still had stuff in his room back at Vinh
Long. These guys said that the base had been turned over to
the Arvins for over three weeks and that his shit was long
gone.....but Ken insisted on getting a ride to Vinh Long to
get his stuff.
When he got there the base was trashed and all
hootches had been ransacked. He opened the door to his hootch,
and everything was just as he had left it.
The skull was in the rafters, just inside the
door, and facing the entrance......
He got his stuff, packed it up, waved goodbye to
the skull, and flew back to get on the freedom bird.
As far as he knew, the room and skull are still
untouched......
That's all I know about Ken,
other than that he had a great sense of humor, and was really
upset that his health prevented him from attending our
reunions.
Olson, Kenneth G. E-5
28 January
2002
Haske, Ronald L. E-5
24 September 2001
Wigfall, Abraham E-6
3 June 2001
Griffin, Joseph E. E-6
12 February 2001
Roger Hinen
War Wagon Crewchief
Died October 15, 2000.
He was found in his van that was parked in a
church parking lot.
Cause of death is unknown.
He was my friend and a true brother.
Submitted by Ron Quezada
Prez. Black Knights Association
Jacobs, Robert N. E-5
9 May 2000
Simon, David F. E-3
21February
2000
Traweek, James L. E-4
23 July 1999
McManusThomas G. 1Lt.
19
October 1998
Larry
Nobles
Long Knife Pilot
after a long
battle with a brain tumor.
I considered
Larry to be a fine pilot and a Friend.
He will be
missed.
The
family asks that he be remembered by making donations to:
The Americian
Brain Tumor Assoc.
2720 River
Road
Suite 146
Des Plains IL
60018
Submitted by
Paul Zaneske
D Trp 3/5 Cav
Vinh Long
70-71
Lemoore CA.
Merle McClendon
Don, I spoke
with you at the reunion about Merle McClendon having died
several years ago. I got a hold of his daughter and he died July 10, 1998.
Merle was a cobra crew chief and I do recall one of his pilots
was Tony Bankston, but I am not sure who’s ship he crewed after
Tony left Vietnam. Merle came to Vinh Long about the same time I
did in January 1970. Maybe you remember, but they had a deal
where you could leave just before Christmas 1970 if you had like
11 months in. That’s what Merle did. He bunked across the hall
from Ed Owens and I. If you look through those slides, there is
a picture of him and I standing there with each of us holding a
hammer. That was the day the lifer’s made us tear down the
plywood partitions in our barracks. Please add Merle to our roll
call. His daughter said Merle would was proud to serve with us
and she really liked the idea someone else is saying his name
and remembering.
Carstens, Ronald E. E-5
22 July 1998
Christopher, James W. E-6
23 June 1997
SSG George Bartnicki
George was with us in Vinh Long.
He passed away on September 26, 1996 as a result
of Lung Cancer
Submitted by his son, Stanley E. Jones
Photo
Fiveash, Nelson E-7
14 Jan 1996
Joseph E. Robinson
War Wagon Crewchief, 70-71
Passed away in 1995 from Colon Cancer
Submitted by Rick Waite via Joe's Dad.
Ltc. (ret) Allan "Ace" Cozzallio
Warwagon 10
Crusader 36
Passed away on April 30, 1993 after failed heart
transplant attempt.
Link
to
Family Memorial at VHPA
CWO Dennis
"Can-Do" Kennedy
Soc Trang
Tiger
Long Knife
Pilot
Cancer
1993
Submitted by
Pat Ross
Montgomery, Clarence E-4
19 July 1992
Cpt. John
Mac Cray
Crusader
36
Heart Attack
1991
Worthington, Reid G. E-3
23 August 1991
David Dacus
Doughboy
July 1990
Heart Attack
Anthony (Tony) Zimecki
Crusader
Pilot
10 March, 1989
Airplane Crash in Titusville, Fl.
Joseph Green
Long Knife Door Gunner in 1969 & 70
December 1988
Sent in by his son Jeremy
Kimmel, Robert F. E-3
6 September
1988
Carlos "Charlie" Nunez
Doughboy
Passed away in August 1988
Weedman, Kenneth L. E-3
February
1987
Jetter, Larry CW-2
December 1986
CW2 William
"Jinx" G. Callis, Jr. died after his tour in Vietnam on
10/01/1984 at the age of 37 (Exact date not known.)
He had fishing alone in the Gulf of Mexico. Boat was
recovered without Callis's body.
Flight Class 68-521
Date of Birth 08/05/1947
Served in Vietnam with D/3/5 CAV in 69-70
This information was provided to VHPA by Samuel P. Munn
Martin,
Roy A. E-5
January 1983
Johnston, Robert F. WO-1
August 1981
Hartwick, Edward A. E-5
February
1975
Romanski, John H. WO-1
February 1975
Springs, George W. E-4
September
1975
WO Thomas E. Boeshore
War Wagon pilot in 1968
Listed by VHPA as "Died after training in an
auto accident" in the VHPA directory.
He and his wife died in a car wreck on their honeymoon in 1975.
Submitted by JB West
&
Les "Same Same" Smith
Captain Jon Swanson
Served with D Troop on his first tour, 1966-67.
Doughboy Platoon Leader/Aviator
KIA in February 1971.
He was on his second tour and flying Scouts with
B Troop 1/9th.
Shot down while supporting ARVNs in Cambodia.
Listed as BNR he was awarded the DSC.
On may 1, 2002 President George Bush Presented
Jon's family with the Congressional Medal of Honor that he was
awarded for the same action.
He was interred with his gunner/observer Staff
sergeant Larry Harrison, at Arlington on May 3rd.
Representatives from the 3/5th Cavalry were
present.
Read Comments by
fellow 1/9th CAV Troopers.
Read comments by
Black Knight who attended the interment.
Vern Delaware
Returns MIA Bracelett.
A letter to
President Bush from Kent Converse
Memorial
CWO Robert "Smitty" Smith
War Wagon 19
Date or cause of death is unknown
These dates and other data may not be correct.
I'm sure there are other guys who have passed away that we don't know about.
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