Aviation Unit

Roll Call main page

Nicola Zeuzem (Crew Chief), August, 1965 - August, 1966. While not crewing his helicopter, Nicola was put to work as the company artist. It was he who painted Snoopy on the rock near the communications shack (see HISTORY / WHAT'S IN A NAME). He was also involved in erecting the rotor blade archway at An Khe and he did the artwork on that structure (see HISTORY / A PLACE TO HANG OUR HAT). Nicola is a graphic designer, graduating with a BS in 1975. He presently works for a small local newspaper, and lives in San Mateo, CA. Check out his web site through the LINKS section.

Ronald Ehmann (Pilot), August, 1965 - May, 1966. Ron was another of the original group who went to Vietnam on the USNS Boxer. At that time, the callsign for the HHC 1st BDE was "Quarterback". Ron remembers Al Smith playing "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd" on his tape deck until everyone was ready to throw it and him overboard. Ron was shot down in May of 1996, spent two weeks at the 85th Med  Evac hospital in Qui Nhon, was med evaced to Denver, and was honorably discharged on June 29, 1966. After about two years, Ron got his flight physical back and flew for Petroleum Helicopters in Louisiana for about a year  and a half.  He then went to work for Immigration Service, spent 21 years with them, and retired in 1992.

Joe Marr (Helicopter Mechanic, Air Traffic Control), August, 1965 - December, 1966. Joe was assigned to the HHC 1st Brigade, 11th Air Assault group when it became the HHC 1st Brigade 1st Cavalry in July, 1965. He came to Vietnam on the USNS Geiger with those first groups, helping to build the main base camp at An Khe. Though initially assigned as a mechanic and door gunner, Joe was later trained as an air traffic controller. He operated at several of the LZ's in the area, often working from his jeep. Joe had painted the comic strip character Snoopy on the front of his jeep. As the aviation unit was designated as "10", his radio station became known by the pilots as "Snoopy 1 zero". Joe was transferred to the 11th Aviation Group in December, 1966, where he trained others in the roll of air traffic control until he returned to the US in April, 1967. Joe remembers Al Smith somehow getting an OH-13 off the ground near Pleiku with Joe, Al, and a 200+ pound wild boar onboard. Joe is presently working with his son installing electric mains for new housing developments in the Denver, CO area.

Michael Dhunjishah (Company Clerk, Armorer), August, 1965 - August, 1966. Michael joined the unit at Ft. Benning and traveled to Vietnam on the USNS Geiger.  As of 2001, Michael has been married for 35 years to the same woman. He has two kids--both in the Army. His son is a Captain at Ft. Bragg and his daughter is a JAG Captain at Jackson.  Michael is a civil engineer, currently living in Orange, CA. He would welcome any troopers who come out his way to stop by. (He warns that he does not drink light beer--life is too short.) He runs marathons for fun.

Alfred C. Smith (Pilot), Fullback 13, September, 1965 - September, 1966. Al was among the first members of the 1st Cav  to arrive in Vietnam, sailing into Qui Nhon on the USNS Boxer. He was one of the first to land on Hong Kong Mountain, when it still had a peak. Al retired from the Fort Worth, Texas, Police Department in 1993, where he was the Chief Pilot of the Air Support Division. He now spends his time traveling around in his RV as much as possible.

Bill Medsker (Pilot), MUSCLES, Muscles 13, March, 1966 - March, 1967. Bill did a second tour in the 1969 - 1970 time frame, flying for the Cobra NETT in the Vung Tau area. He retired from the Army in 1981, and returned to his family farm in North West Missouri.

Thomas Winkler (Scout Gunner, UH-1 Crew Chief), July, 1966 - July, 1967. Thomas is currently living in Scotia, NY.

Harold Daulphin (Crew Chief, Gunner), July, 1966 - July, 1967. Harold is living in Bathe, ME.

Bill Conway (Pilot), SWAMP FOX, August, 1966 - August, 1967. Bill remembers helping to build the club at LZ English. He now lives with his wife in Bishopville, SC, where he is the Assistant County Administrator for Lee County, SC. He has four children and three grandchildren. Bill points out that he is now 100 pounds heavier than he was in Vietnam.

Jim Bell (Gunner, Crew Chief), November, 1966 - November, 1967.

Charles A. Barone (Crew Chief), CB, November, 1966 - November, 1967. Charles was from New York, and is now living in New Rochelle. After working in stone grinding for a few years, Charles went to art school and became a sculptor.

Ralph S. (Stan) Childress (Pilot), PLAYBOY, November, 1966 - November, 1967. Stan, as most people know him, was the commander of the aviation detachment at Ft. Jackson, SC, when he retired in November, 1980 as a Major. After that, he spent 14 years in the banking industry in Alabama and Georgia. Stan now has a small trucking company in Byron, GA.

Steve Rossiter (Pilot), KING NINE, Ring Master White 19, December, 1966 - November, 1967. Steve is the Inter-Regional Aviation Manager for the US Department of the Interior, in Missoula, MT.

Johns, Jeff (Pilot), HUNTER, January, 1967 - January, 1968. Jeff did a tour as an instrument instructor at Ft. Rucker after leaving the Flying Circus, and then did another tour in Vietnam flying Cobras with the 101st. He retired as a Major at the end of 1985. Jeff currently works supporting the U.S. Boarder Patrol under the Department of Homeland Security at their headquarters in Washington, DC.

William (Bill) H. Pool (Gunner, Armament repair), KILLER, February, 1967 - January, 1968. When Bill first flew scouts, they were still using the "Comet White" call signs. Bill was a supervisor for 18 of the 22 years he spent with the Orlando, Florida Police Department after he left the Army.

Jim Willey (Pilot), BEAVER, February, 1967 - February, 1968. Jim worked for the Polaroid Corporation for some 20 years after leaving the Army. In 1993 he left Polaroid and help his brother expand the business they had started in 1983. Jim retired in 2001, and now lives with his wife in Rye Beach, NH.

Jim Zanavich (Pilot), DRAGON, March, 1967 - April, 1968. Jim is now living in Connecticut.

Bill Hinson (Pilot), March, 1967 - March, 1968. Bill is living in Charlotte, NC.

Steve Salinas (Crew Chief), June, 1967 - June, 1968. Steve is remembered by Dave Gray as "the guy with the California flag" at LZ's English and Betty. Steve is a retired police officer, and now lives with his wife and family in Brea, CA.

Joe Randolph (Crew Chief, Gunner), June, 1967 - June, 1968.

Phillip Rybolt (Pilot), ROAD RUNNER, Stingray White 21, July, 1967 - June, 1968. Phil retired from the Illinois National Guard in 1997 and is currently living and working in Douglasville, Ga. Phil is a Senior Account Manager in the Logistics Division of Caterpillar Inc.

Dennis Farmerie (Gunner, Crew Chief), BLADE, July, 1967 - July, 1968. Dennis retired from the Army in 1987, but is still working for them as an A&P Technician. He is with the 15th MIBN at Ft. Hood, TX.

Dave Gray (Pilot), FOX, August, 1967 - August, 1968. Dave retired as a CW4 in 1987. He currently works for Petroleum Helicopters and lives in Harker Heights, Texas.

Arthur "Rocky" Essenpreis (Pilot), PINK PANTHER, Stingray White 13, August, 1967 - August, 1968. Arthur retired from the Army Reserves in 1996. He worked as a DOD Army Mil Tech with the Army Reserves at Scott AFB, IL, as a Maintenance Supervisor/Test Pilot flying OH-58s, UH-1s, and UH-60s. He now works as an Aeronautical Analyst with National Imagery and Mapping Agency in St. Louis, where he lives with his wife, Paula. 

Thomas Kuypers (C.O., Pilot), CHEYENNE, Circus 6, October, 1967 - September, 1968. Tom is the person who introduced the name "Flying Circus" for the unit. Tom now lives in St. Charles, MO, and was a Systems Engineering Manager for Boeing until he retired in January, 2004.

Frank Vanatta (Pilot), PHANTOM, Stingray White 24, November, 1967 - November, 1968. Frank was the first of our pilots to be checked out in the OH-6, and delivered the unit's first one to the Quang Tri base in early February, 1968. The Captain of the USS Princeton stated that Frank was the first person to be Carrier Qualified in the OH-6. Frank now lives in Sale, Victoria, Australia, and spent the final part of his aviation career flying S-76's in offshore oil support for Esso Australia - part of the ExxonMobile group. After over 32 years with Esso, and having accumulated over 21,200 hours flight time, Frank retired at the end of January, 2005.

Bob Potvin (Pilot), HOSS, Stingray White 25, November, 1967 - November, 1968. Bob was with the Circus when they changed over from OH-13's to OH-6's. He was the first Circus pilot to become an IP in the OH-6. He was also the first to crank a round in the dirt while clearing the mini-gun. Bob is currently living in East Lansing, MI. Bob is using two email addresses at present while he is commuting between East Lansing and Suttons Bay.

Wayne Wehrheim (Gunner), November, 1967 - November, 1968. Wayne says he was "the kid from Chicago". Wayne is living in Davenport, IA, where he works as a policeman. He left active service in 1970 and then reenlisted into the Army Reserves 13 years later.

Phil Bishop (Gunner, Crew Chief), YOSEMITE SAM, November, 1967 - October, 1968. The main thing Phil recalls from his time with the unit is that he was shot down several times. Phil is now living in Elk City, OK, where he is teaching caricature woodcarving. He has been teaching this across the U.S., and has taught in 22 states so far. His goal is to teach in all of the states.

Ronnie Robinette (Pilot), CHEROKEE, March, 1968 - March, 1969. Ronnie lives in Killeen, TX, and is in retail sales.

John Hewitt (Pilot), WILD THING, Stingray White 30, April, 1968 - depart ??.  John was killed in a mid-air collision on the 24th of September, 1981, near The Meadowlands, NJ.

Ed Holmes (Pilot), CHARTREUSE OX, Stingray White 31, April, 1968 - March, 1969.  Ed lives in Southaven, MS and has been one of the biggest contributors of photos to date.

Pete Anderson (Pilot), SNAKE, Stingray White 33, April, 1968 - March, 1969. Pete lives in Louisville, KY and flies for UPS.

Clay Greager (Platoon Sergeant, Maintenance NCO), POP-TOP, April, 1968 - December, 1968. Clay owns and operates his own business in Key West, Florida.  Check out Clay's place through his web site which is accessible through the LINKS section from the Home Page.

Mike Paitz (Pilot), BLUE GOOSE, April, 1968 - September, 1970. Mike is now working for the Pyxis Corporation in San Diego.

Enoch Rex Wingate (Crew Chief / Gunner), WIND, April, 1968 - May, 1969. When Rex got out of the Army, he had a small trucking company for awhile. He later started a plumbing company. Rex now lives in Dyersburg, TN.

W.M. Sullivan (Pilot), GAUCHO, Stingray White 34, May, 1968 - May, 1969. Gaucho currently lives in Pacific Grove, CA. He now gets his kicks as a Correctional Officer.

Darryl "Pat" Riley (Gunner), May, 1968 - May, 1969. Darryl is now living in White Lake, Michigan with his wife and three children.

Terry Bartee (Crewman), May, 1968 - September, 1968.

Merlin Dede, (Technical Inspector, Gunner), BLACK KNIGHT, May, 1968 - ??. Merlin was last known to be living near Columbia, SC.

Larry Emberton (Gunner), MIGHTY MOUSE, May, 1968 - May, 1969.

Cleveland Grant (Crew Chief, Gunner), GOMER, June, 1968 - June, 1969. Cleveland  was a fireman for thirty years after he left Vietnam, and retired from the City of Cocoa Fire Department in Florida in 1999.

Sam Estes (Gunner, Crew Chief), June, 1968 - June, 1969. After Vietnam, Sam was at Ft. Eustis for about nine months, with a Guard unit for another year, then was in the USAF for about eight more years. Sam is now an insurance claim representative with the Farmers Insurance group.

Harry Oberg (Pilot), COWBOY, Stingray White 37, July, 1968 - March, 1969. Harry is currently living in Alexandria, VA, with his wife, Jeanna.

Warren Lashley (Maintenance Technical Inspector), July, 1968 - July, 1969. Warren now lives in Lillington, NC, with his wife and two grown sons. Warren is an Industrial Manufacturing Machinery Controls Engineer.

William Van Noy (Pilot), MOLE, Stingray White 42, September, 1968 - August, 1969. Bill is currently living in the Seattle area. He retired as a CW4 from the NY National Guard in 1989. Bill now works in the flight department of Boeing in Seattle. He is married and has two children.

Joe Potvin (Pilot), LITTLE JOE, Chickenman 24, September, 1968 - November, 1968.  Joe is living in Lansing, MI. Joe works for PaineWebber with his twin brother Bob.

John Herndon (Gunner), September, 1968 - September, 1969. John was a union electrician until 2003 when he retired from that occupation and got into Real Estate. He and his wife sold their house in Poway, CA, took a year off, and lived in their trailer for nine months while their new house was built in Hemet. John got back into Real Estate in 2005, just in time for the market downturn. He says that despite that, he is holding his own in the market.

Ron Grossmann (Gunner, Crew Chief), September, 1968 - April, 1969.

Joe Baginski (Pilot), BAGGY, Stingray White 41, October, 1968 - April, 1969. Joe is a small business owner in Rocklin, CA.

Michael O'Rourke, (Avionics), October, 1968 - October, 1969. Michael is from Minneapolis, MN.

Mick McCann (Pilot), HAWG, Stingray White 46. Transferred to the unit December, 1968 - June, 1969. Mick is retired and is currently living in Phillipsburg, N.J. Mick is not on line himself, but his nephew, Jason Bissett, is able to pass on things to Mick.

Linwood Joyner (Crew Chief, Gunner), "J", December, 1968 - December, 1969. Lin recalls how heavy the M-60 was until "the action heated up" - then it was almost weightless. Most of the gunners will relate to that feeling. Lin now lives in Milton, FL.

Tommy H. Harris (Door Gunner), SMILEY, January, 1969 - June, 1969. Tom originally arrived in country in April, 1968, and was assigned to D/2/8 ANGRY SKIPPER until January 1969 when he was reassigned to the Flying Circus. Tom currently lives in Newman, GA, and has recently retired from the Georgia Army National Guard.

James M. Wilhite (Pilot), EVIL EYE FLEAGLE, January, 1969 - August, 1969 . Jim is currently living in Trinidad and Tobago and is the Managing Pilot for Bristow Helicopters' operations in the Caribbean.

Barry Reimer (Pilot), GRUB, January, 1969 - ??, 1969. Barry arrived in Vietnam in July, 1968, and was assigned to the 229th. He finally got re-assigned to the Circus the following January, where he caught up with his classmate, Harry Oberg. Barry was last known to be in the Los Angeles / Orange County area.

Terrance D. Racine "Terry" (Helicopter Mechanic, Records Clerk), January, 1969 - December, 1969. Terry spent the first part of his tour doing maintenance on and filling in as a door gunner on one of the C&C helicopters. He spent the final part of his time with the unit as a records clerk. After returning from Vietnam, Terry spent a year in the accounting and finance department at Ft. Rucker. After leaving the Army, he operated his own tax and accounting business up until 2001. Terry is married, with two daughters, and lives on a 40 acre spread which contains its own lake. Terry is enjoying retirement.

Alan W. Smith (Pilot), SNUFFY, Stingray White 15, January, 1969 - January, 1970. Alan says he was tasked as the Tech Supply Officer, though never did find out what the job was. He shared a room with McCann and Houghton (ANIMAL). Though Alan retired from the Army after 20 years, he still continues to fly. He did two years as a Civil Service pilot, then 17 more years with TWA, American and now American Eagle. He is looking forward to retirement in about 2008.

Bill Squire (Pilot), SQUIRREL, Stingray White 16, February, 1969 - June, 1969. Bill is a retired CW4 and worked as a test pilot for an aviation company in Longmont, CO until September, 2001. After that, Bill was working with the Gilpin County Seniors Program, "Meals on Wheels" and the local Teen Center and really enjoying retirement. Bill passed away on 28 July, 2006.

Bill Hogan (Pilot), GOAT, February, 1969 - September, 1969. Bill was a Department of the Army Standardization Instructor Pilot. He is currently living in Alabama.

John Shearer (Pilot), SCROTUM, White 18, February, 1969 - February, 1970. John is currently living in Manhattan, KS.

Lew F. Jones (Crew Chief), February, 1969 - August, 1969. Lew is an Arborist, and is enjoying an active outdoor life style living in the Northwest.

Marvin R. Stokes (C.O., Pilot), TEX, Circus 6, February, 1969 - January, 1970. Marvin joined the unit in February, and took over as its Commanding Officer in March.  Marvin retired from the Army in August, 1980, and moved to Port Orange, FL. For the past fourteen years, he has been managing travel agencies - being the manager of Suncoast Travel in South Daytona for the last nine years. Marvin is heavily involved in the American Volksport Association, which is a non-competitive walking/biking/swimming/cross-country skiing organization, currently serving as its Florida President. He is also one of the Co-Presidents of the Happy Wanderers Walking Club based in the Port Orange area. He only retired from the Army - not life. In keeping with the concept of a busy retired life, Marvin's wife, Tina, is the Deputy Risk Manager for the City of Daytona Beach.

Doug Haggard (Gunner), SCOUTBIRD, February, 1969 - December, 1969. Doug is currently living in New Salisbury, IN, where he works for a local bank.

Ira H. Burke (Pilot), STONEY, Stingray White 43, March, 1969 - March, 1970. Ira was an OH-6 Instructor Pilot, and was on his second tour when he joined the unit. He received a direct commission to 1 Lt on 11 February, 1970. Ira died from complications due to ALS (Lou Gerhig's Disease) on 16 December, 1980.

David Miles (Gunner, Crew Chief), LITTLE WOLF BUDDY, March, 1969 - October, 1969. David was on his second tour when he was assigned to the unit. He is the guy who painted "Fred's Place" on top of the WOLF DEN.

James B. Howard Sr. (Pilot), POKEY, White 52, March, 1969 - July, 1969. James flew C&C for about a month before joining the scout section. He recalls that there were eight teams when he joined the section, but only one team left by June. James got into an argument with a 51 cal. emplacement in July, which resulted in his going through four years of reconstructive surgery. James has finished four degrees, and is now employed with the U.S. Department of Labor where he works as a vocational rehabilitation specialist. He lives in the Dallas TX area with his wife.

Rod Hillard (Pilot), SPIKE, April, 1969 - November, 1969. Rod was our IP in the UH-1 and the OH-6 during his time with the unit. He is living in Richmond, KY, where he works in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky.

Keith Zuhlke (Crew Chief, Gunner), ZONK, May, 1969 - April, 1970. Keith is now a rancher and in the insurance business with his wife Deb. They live in "Big Red Country" Nebraska - "where the rivers flow north ".

Frank Galyen (Crew Chief), STUMP, May, 1969 - May, 1970. Frank owned Butch, the dog who appears in the 1969-A album.  Frank lives in Waldport, OR, and works as a Water Distribution worker and Cross Connection Inspector in Seal Rock.

Frank Amos (Pilot, Executive Officer), PARNELLI, May, 1969 - April, 1970. Frank is presently living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, where he works for the Oracle Corporation.

Jon Harris (Pilot), LITTLE LUKE,  June, 1969 - June,1970. Jon was an IP on the OH-6 while with the unit. He now lives in Ellerlie, Georgia.

Tom Smith (Pilot), ATOM ANT, Stingray White 24 (2nd use of that number), June, 1969 - May, 1970. Tom is a retired commercial helicopter pilot. He now lives in Maui with his wife and son. The book "Easy Target", written by Tom, is a first hand account of a Circus Scout Pilot.

Mike Foster (Pilot), CRAB, Stingray White 27, June, 1969 - December, 1970. Mike is a motorcycle enthusiast, and it is reported that he flew back to Bien Hoa with a motorcycle that was part of an NVA arms cache lashed to the side of an OH-6. Mike was the pilot on the "spook" Huey seen in the pictures that was the last to fly out of the embassy. Mike owns is own business in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

Larry McLeroy (Gunner, Armament Specialist), GUNNER GOOSE, June, 1969 - June, 1970. Larry lives in St. Louis, Mo.

Donald Harp (Pilot), TOAD, Stingray White 21 (second use of that number), June, 1969 - June, 1970. Don now lives in Huntsville, AL, and works at PM AW (U.S. Army Aviation Life Support Equipment) as a support contractor.

Read Armstrong (Pilot), STINKY, Stingray White 26, July, 1969 - July, 1970. Read is a retired CW4. He served 23 years as a medivac pilot in the Maine National Guard. Read lives in Bath, Maine and works at Bath Iron Works Corporation building ships.

Carl Hirlston Sr. (Parts Clerk), BIG H, September, 1969 - September, 1970. Carl is technically retired now, but is busier than ever with his association with half a dozen community groups. He lives on a 17 acre farm in Woodbury, TN, where he raises goats for a hobby.

Tony Hannell (Pilot), J. EDGAR, September, 1969 - left sometime in 1970, after the move to Bien Hoa. Tony was last known to be living in Chicago, IL.

Kenneth Steele (Crew Chief), September, 1969 - ??. Kenneth was from Fayetteville, TN.

Ron McNevin (Pilot), MORY, Stingray White 28, September, 1969 - November, 1969. Ron was shot down while flying lead scout with Tony Windham. He has been working for Delta Airlines for about 31 years (as of late 2003), and now lives in Centerville, UT.

Harris, Dan (Pilot), DUCK, Stingray White 23, September, 1969 - March, 1970. Dan transferred into the Circus from C Company of the 229th. Dan now lives in El Paso, TX, with his wife, where he operates a full service car wash and convenience store.

Ken Gardiner (Scout Gunner), CISCO, October, 1969 - April, 1970.  Ken is living in Daytona Beach, Fl. and is working in Medical Administration.

Carl Borowski (Flight Operations), SKI, October, 1969 - November, 1970. Carl is living in Chicago and is a small business owner.

Jerry Buchta (Maintenance Clerk), COP (short for KANSAS CITY COP), October, 1969 - September, 1970. Jerry recalls how Mike Foster (CRAB) showed him how the OH-6 could fly almost upside down - well, almost fly. Jerry went back to work for the Kansas City Police Department for a few years after getting out of the Army, then worked for a company that rented semi-trailers to other companies and finally settled into being an elementary school custodian. He retired in mid 2005 and now lives with his wife in Kansas City, MO.

Bruce Brattain (Pilot), BATMAN, October, 1969 - December, 1970. Bruce had a great desire to fly scouts, so Mike Foster checked him out. It turns out that the worst pounding he ever got was on his first mission, flying with Mike. The aircraft got them back in one piece, but it looked like a sieve. Bruce went to law school after the Army and became an attorney. He now lives in Indianapolis, IN.

David Ciocca (Pilot), COYOTE, Stingray White 34, October, 1969 - October, 1970.

Claudio White (Pilot), QUAIL, October, 1969 - ??. Claudio is a retired CW4 and is currently living in San Antonio, TX with his wife Rose and family.

Jim Stingley (Crew Chief), OGRE, November, 1969 - October, 1970. Jim did a second tour in Vietnam starting in April, 1971, where he was assigned to F Troop, 8th Cav, 25th Infantry Division. He was shot down and wounded in an OH-6 in December, 1971 while checking out an enemy compound. He and the pilot made their way through the jungle and were rescued by a rope from another aircraft. The enemy compound was believed to be one of the largest headquarters of top brass. It was leveled by the Air Force soon after this incident. Jim was killed in an automobile accident near Powell, Wyoming, on 13 August, 1994.

Tom Wiktorek (Pilot), PREACHER, November, 1969 - July, 1970. Tom was the unit's maintenance Officer while he was there. He believes that he is the only person to fly an OH-6A with only two rotor blades. He did this to prove to the other pilots that it could actually be done if they were in a bind. Tom and his wife own a small business in Blytheville, AR. "Cecelia Ann Inc." is a small  specialty store for ladies, having dresses and such.

David Diekmann (Aircraft Mechanic), November, 1969 - February, 1970. Dave was in Vietnam from April, 1969 to May, 1970. Though he was officially assigned to B Company, 15th Transportation Battalion of the 1st Cav., he was on temporary assignment to the Flying Circus between the dates mentioned above. During that time, Dave was a helicopter mechanic on the scout aircraft. Dave has been working for Nucor Steel for the last 30 years. He runs three Ladle Mixing Furnaces where they add alloys to recycled steel and other scrap metal to make various grades of new steel. Dave now lives in Osmond, NE.

Gary W. Norris (Gunner),  December, 1969 - October, 1970. Gary was transferred along with some of the unit's other members in about August of 1970, when the Cav began taking scouts from various units to make up the 1/9's new Echo Troop which was to be based at Lai Khe. Gary is currently assigned to an EMS helicopter at Osage Beach, MO, and is living in Eldon, MO.

Ed Maycen (Crew Chief on aircraft 189), NEWGUY, January, 1970 - December, 1970. Ed is a retired US Army First Sergeant and is currently an Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor, Washington DC area, for American Airlines based out of Washington National Airport. He resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia with his wife and daughter.

William Underwood (Pilot), UNDERDOG, January, 1970 - December, 1970.  Bill is a retired CW4 and is currently operating is own Air Conditioning Company. Underdog lives in Big Sandy, Texas with his wife.

Duke McKinney (Gunner, Crew Chief), CALIFORNIA FLASH, January, 1970 - December, 1970. Duke was married to Judy Ann while on R&R in August of 1970, and it was her name that adorned the nose of Huey 68-16126. Duke had two sons after his return to the U.S. He is now divorced, is retired and lives a carefree life in Dallas, TX.

Warren L. Winter (Pilot), SNOWMAN, March, 1970 - March, 1971. Warren worked as a commercial helicopter pilot in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea until he retired in 1988. He is living with his wife and kids in Singapore.

George Gluski (Pilot), JOLLY GREEN GIANT, March, 1970 - March, 1971. George was based at Fort Rucker as an O6 when he retired. He jumped from CW2 to 2lt in 1978, and says that he was probably the oldest O6 at Rucker. George is now retired and living in Tucson, AZ.

Hanz Zinsman (Door Gunner), MINI GOOK, April, 1970 - March, 1971. Hanz is retired from the Hawaiian National Guard and still lives in Hawaii with his family.

Mike Caifa (Pilot), CADILLAC JOE, April, 1970 - March, 1971. Mike was with the unit almost to the end of its time in Vietnam. According to our HISTORY section, the official duties of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam were ending by late March. The colors of the Division, minus those of the 3rd Brigade, moved back to Fort Hood on 5 May, 1971. Towards the end of Mike's stay, the unit was receiving pilots transferring in to finish out their tours in country. Mike was one of the last of our people to serve his entire tour with the unit.

Charlie McAllister (Crew Chief), TATERS, June, 1970 - March, 1971. Charlie was a gunner on 722, and then became the crewchief on 394. When the 1st Brigade stood down in 1971, Charlie transferred to the 229th and served until January, 1972. Charlie now lives in Macon, GA, where he is working for GE in X-ray field service.

Thomas L. Twist (Pilot), JOKER, June, 1970 - April, 1971. Tom was with the 1st 187th, in the 11th Air Assault's 1st Airborne Brigade when it became the 1st Cav. He shipped over on the USNS Geiger in 1965. Tom served 14 months in the airborne infantry that tour, appreciating our scouts and C&C from the ground. He remembers the scouts warning his infantry group of two tigers that were tailing them, an OH-13 that killed an elephant the NVA were using to haul gear from Cambodia / Laos, and a daring impromptu hillside medivac using an OH-13 where stones were being plucked from the hillside by the rotor blades as the pilot tried to get the skids as close to the hill as possible. Tom's second tour was as a pilot with the Flying Circus. Tom stayed in the Army until 1973, and then tried his hand as a cop, an en route air traffic controller at L.A. Center, owned a private investigation / security / armored car service, spent 20 years as a private investigator (still licensed) and retired in 1999. Tom wanted to become an air marshal, but was "too old". He signed on with the Transportation Security Administration to help get that outfit off the ground, and was a supervisor of airport security at Monterey Airport in Monterey, CA. Tom is now a Department of Homeland Security aviation security inspector stationed at San Jose, CA. Tom has two daughters and two grandsons, and lives with his wife on 41 acres in the mountains just east of Monterey Bay between Watsonville and Gilroy, CA.

Thomas Buell (Gunner), WHITE RABBIT, June, 1970 - May, 1971. Thomas is retired from the Railroad, and lives on his farm eight miles west of Havre, MT.

Phillip Aigner (C.O., Pilot), CAPTAIN AMERICA, July, 1970 - February, 1971.

Rob Brooks (Pilot), SNIDLEY WHIPLASH, July, 1970 - January, 1971. Rob flew scouts and slicks with the Circus before being reassigned to A/227th (Chickenman 21) in January, 1971, as the CAV began to downsize. Rob was originally from Dallas, but now lives in the Chicago area and is employed by USAA as a claims adjuster. He has been married for 30+ years, and has one son. Rob enjoys his annual 2-3K mile Harley road trip to blow the cobwebs out and local car shows in his '64 Vette to relax. He is looking forward to retirement in the next couple of years so he can do more of both.

Micheal Appis (Crew Chief), September, 1970 - March, 1971. Mike was also with the unit until it was wound down in 1971. He was transferred to the 229th where he finished up his tour in Vietnam.