VISITOR'S COMMENTS

Guest Book
(Revised 7 Mar 08)

Due to the spammers and hackers who recklessly destroy the property of others, please leave your Visitor/Guest Book comments at the E-Mail address below.  Your comments will be posted promptly to the website.

Any photos, war stories, or corrections are most welcome!  Thank you for stopping by.

TheMightyNinth@cableone.net
{click on link above}

16 June 10

April, 1967, Operation Task Force Oregon: when the brigade moved to Bong Son, I was XO with C/2/9. We ended up moving around the coastal area and ended up on Hill 54 outside Chu Lai. I had been FO with C/2/35 in Pleiku area November 66 to March 67.  Cpt Rykowski was CO of C/2/35 at the time.  The CO of C/2/9 after Oregon was Cpt. Myers. Anyone from 2/9th when we were Tropic Lightning, I would like to hear from you. The 4th Div folks we were all brothers in that mess. God speed to all of you. I am now 75 and wonder where it all went.  

Best wishes, John Murphy, MAJ  Retired
arty2_9@yahoo.com

10 Apr 10

I served with Delta-HHC 2/35th from July '67 thru Sept'68. During the period of Oct '67 thru May '68 while in the Jungles with Delta we had a FO whose name I can not remember. I was hoping that you may be able to assist in researching his name and email or phone number. He always had an upbeat attitude and was great to around. My time with Delta was spent mostly as Battalion RTO. Hope fully he is still with us. Thanks for any assistance possible.

John Morgan HHC-D 2/35th, 67-68
916-804-5284
 
bayvuepugs@live.com

24 Mar 10

Hello :  I am Raymond Delano and my son informed me of your site and I'm glad he did I served in B Btry 2/9 Arty from June 1966-June 1967 I was assigned to the Bn Ammo Section and Capt Osborne asked me if I would go to Alpha Company 1-14th Inf as a Arty Recon Sgt I did and served as the Arty Recon Sgt from Aug 66 to Jan 67 I have some picture I would like to send you and also some orders I would like to send in to you.  Glad I found the site will be in touch with you soon keep up the good work.

Raymond. T .Delano@usace.army.mil

15 Feb 10

I was on LZ Destruction  and then we changed the name to LZ Snoopy. I believe the XO was Lt Aiken just before I left.  I live in Schaumburg, Illinois There is a guy named Ward, he lives somewhere in Florida.  I found in some website that had something to do with the 2nd 9th I was the only Asian guy ( Japanese) in B battery so the nickname "Dink".  Also, I remember a guy named  "Red" from Jacksonville. Other names, Adam from Florida, Arabian from Boston, Finfrock from Ohio, Tucker from Mississippi.  I also had a picture taken from someone I can't remember, of me holding a giant snake I killed underneath my cot. Maybe you remember that incident. I think everyone saw that snake. I have a lot of pleasant memories of the guys I met while in Viet Nam. 
Ron Mishima  mishimaronnie@att.net

24 Dec 09

To whom it may concern:
My name is Roy Sandoval, son of Telesfor Sandoval.  My father passed on back in 1976 and I have been trying to find any photos, stories and friends of his during his tour.  He was in Pleiku and his grade was PFC E-3 (P) - Cannoneer.  He was in Vietnam around October 66 through Mar 14,1967 when he was injured by a motor explosion in RVN.  If you have anything please respond.
Thank you
Roy F. T. Sandoval  sandoval04@gmail.com

{Webmaster's Note: Very pleased to inform Mr. Sandoval that, thanks to Lt Gary "Dean" Springer's personal journal of the events of that day, his father was injured in a concentrated mortar attack on "C" Battery where both the Battery CO and the Battery XO were also wounded.}

13 Nov 09

I joined the 2/9 Arty in early 64 - Nov or early Dec 65.  I was in the Commo section.  I think the Section Chief was SSG Cary, then SSG Alexander took over as Chief and SSG Cary went to team chief position. I went on shotgun 10 in May 65 and got back in Sept 65.  Just before they shipped, I was transferred to HHB DivArty into an E-5 slot as a Recon Sgt on an FO team.  I went back to Nam with that unit.  Sure wish I could have went with the 2/9th.  All the guys I knew well and trained with were there. They were my real buddies.  I hardly knew anyone in HHB.  I know it affected my morale for a while.  Those guys were like brothers to me after 2 yrs with them.  That will always be my unit that I most associated with.  I have seen a few of them since Nam though. After I came back, I was assigned to Ft Campbell Ky as a D I.  Then I  almost went back to Nam, in fact I was on orders to go back but I didn't re-up again. They were going to send me to Replacement Depot as cadre . I got out and went to driving a semi (39yrs).  During that time I went into the NC Guard.  I didn't want to throw away the time I had.  I retired with 23 1/2 yrs so I get a little pay and good insurance.   OH! James A. Hall (B Btry was on his 2nd tour of shotgun when he was KIA  near Go Cong  a little northwest of Soc Trang. Talk to you latter,  take care.

Harold Woody
hwoody@northstate.net

12 Nov 09

Great Web Site!  A great tribute to all our 2/9 Vets.
I was also with the Advance Party for the Firing Battery of "C" Btry, 2nd Bn, 9th Arty, 3rd Bde, 25th Inf Div and landed in Pleiku in December, 1965 as part of "Operation Blue Light".    I was really excited to see your website and all the great info and tributes.
Thanks to Michael Huseth for the great posts and photos. As a result, we have been back in touch after many years.  He was a good buddy (see his photo MH7) and showed me the ropes when I first arrived in Hawaii in 1965.  My memories have faded and my many photos are on slides in the basement, maybe one day I will have the time to find them and select a few for this Web Site.  It will give me a new mission.
Thanks so much!

Jay R. Uler
East Jordan, Michigan

jruler@charter.net

19 Oct 09

Well, I thought I would send you this picture. {See Danny Fort's Photo Album}  I ran across Geary Burrows this week while I had some of my grandkids out for the state Youth Deer hunt . I told him about the website, but he said he didn't get on the computer much.   But his wife sometimes does, so she said she would look it up. He was in "B" Battery FDC 1967 - 68 until he was injured in the spring or summer and was sent home.  Keep up the good work; things are coming together.  
Cowboy Danny Fort

27 Sep 09

It's being a long time guys.  As I'm getting older and realize that a lot of us never got in touch after the war.  I was part of the FDC headquarters during the years of 1968.  Would like to hear from you if you were part of this unit during this year.  After I saw a news report on TV of a homecoming from other units {Ft Campbell, KY}.  Would it be nice for us to think that something similar to it could happen and meet once again???  However, if this never happens I'll like to say how proud I'm of all of you guys.  I would be proud to march next to my brothers.

Wayne T. Shea
sheacobaja@att.net

24 June 09

I was the Advance Party for the Firing Battery of "A" Btry, 2nd Bn, 9th Arty, 3rd Bde, 25th Inf Div and landed in Pleiku on Christmas Day, 1965.   I was the #3 Section Chief until November 1966 when I came home 30 days early because I went over on the Advance Party.  I was really excited to see your web page. 

MSG (Ret) Alfred C Martin
Ardmore, Al   35739
alfmartin@ardmore.net

12 June 09

It was quite a shock when I came across the website.  It stirred up some memories.  The sights sounds, and the smell of gunpowder came  back as strong as they were over forty years ago.  I need to make a correction of my name. It is J. William Ward.  I have more pictures, they are in pretty bad shape.

J. William Ward
jww@triad.rr.com

26 May 09

Found your great web site and saw a face I recognized, Danny Fort.   I have a couple of pictures of he and I being awarded  an ACM.  I was a Asst Gunner and Gunner on Righteous One.  Would like to correspond with anyone who served during 67- 68
Sherm Machgan,  Bravo Battery,  Sept1967- Sept1968
smachgan@raleys.com

3 Apr 09

Hello...

Just stumbled onto your web site by accident. It brought back a lot of memories... and do I have the stories to tell! AND I saved a lot of photos! AND I saved my uniform and 2/9th insignias and special berets!  Here is me in Duc Pho wearing a 2/9th camouflage beret (that's my 3/4-ton commo truck in the background- notice the hex insignia on the door)... {See Dixon Album - Photo Gallery}

Here are the berets.  Note the 2/9th embroidery and the shield on the red one. The other also as "2/9 Arty" embroidered on it, but hard to see. We were told that we were authorized to wear the red only at special functions or on post. And the camouflage was for the field... but our sergeants never made much comment about them and we could not wear them in formations.  {See Dixon Album - Photo Gallery}

Here is my uniform with 2/9th shields on the epaulets and  BOTH 25th division and 4th division patches due to the fact the 3rd Brigade 25th spent so much time in 4th Division territory (and 3rd of 4th spent so much time in the 25th area) they simply swapped during the time I was there. The specialty braid in red is not exactly correct for me since I was a Signal Corps guy (which was orange) but I was told by my CO to wear the red braid in honor of our artillery unit rather than my training. They made me remove the orange braid...  {See Dixon Album - Photo Gallery}

I also knew Charles McClurg very well (he preferred to be called just "Bruce" for some reason). We were both from Michigan, but he was younger than me. We talked all the time and he kinda looked up to me. He was also an "RA" and told me he put his age up to get in, so I still wonder today what his real age was... especially as listed. And while he is listed as "C" Battery on your site, he was actually originally part of my commo team in the Headquarters Battery and got himself transferred over to Battalion HQ... which then farmed him out from there to a deeper field battery.  His death is always listed as December 25th, 1967, but I very well remember that he was actually killed on Christmas eve.  And the letter from the fellow on your site matches exactly what I was told over the radio that night as to how he died.  I was one of the first to hear since I was commo.  I ran the HQ radios, radio teletype and crypto machines.  I remember us soldiers in a tent in Duc Pho crying tears that night over news of his death.  He slept in the same tent with us until his transfer and he was a good friend of mine.  I think of him often. In fact, when he left our unit, he actually believed he was not coming back. I tried to convince him otherwise, but he gave me his cigarette lighter and Kodak camera "to keep in case I don't return"... which I still have to this day. I have often thought of trying to contact his family and sending them these items. Here they are...  {See Dixon Album - Photo Gallery}

And 2/9th had special insignias that went on our trucks. I don't see this mentioned anywhere. They were hexagons  of red and outlined in yellow. I am told they were to symbolize an ammo box turned on it's side. You can see the symbol on the door of my commo truck and on our commo jeep (below... look over the grille... and again I have a beret on)...
{See Dixon Album - Photo Gallery}

The place I remember that was so dangerous and remote was a place we called LZ Liz. I spent a few days and nights there huddled in a bunker while the guns went off.  I forget which battery was there, but they had very rough accommodations and a scary place on top of a hill.  I was stationed in Duc Pho at the time. I was also in Kontum, Bong Son, and other areas.

Thanks for keeping the memories alive. There were some very brave young men in that unit.  Some like McClurg didn't come home. Others did and I sometimes wonder where they are now.  Our part of the unit came from all over the eastern USA and middle areas like Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  I have many more pics, some personnel lists and more.  I even still have all of my R&R stuff from Bangkok!


Sincerely,

Leon "Lee" Dixon
leeedy@aol.com

19 Mar 09 My name is Ron Griffin (Sgt, A/1-82 FA 70-71). I am the web page manager for the 82nd FA Regimental web site at www.lzhurricane.com.   Several members of C Btry, 1st Bn, 82nd FA are looking for information on units who operated out of LZ Liz in Quang Ngai Provence before the later 1/2 of 1968.   "C" Btry took over for a 105mm unit on Liz in mid to late '68 and would like information on the startup of that fire base.    We believe the unit involved was the 2/9 while operating as part of Task Force Oregon and would like to hear from any of you that has info on Liz they can share.  Just contact me through LZ Hurricane if you can help and I will get you in touch with the C Btry vets. 

5 Mar 09

Hi, I just looked up this site for a buddy of mine, a former Red Leg from your outfit, I imagine he will be in contact with you soon. I just wanted to comment on what a great web site you have and to thank you for your service and to say "Welcome Home". I too was in the Fourth Infantry Div., Co C 1st/12th Inf. and don't know if you ever did any fire missions for us (got kind of confusing over there) in and out of somebody's operational control, places where the fields of fire might have overlapped but at any rate we (the Infantry) couldn't have handled our mission of closing with the enemy unless we had the big guns helping us. My motto out in the field was "For a good time call in Artillery" lol.   We were certainly in the same places but usually at different times.  I wish all my Fourth Div. brothers the best.........

Paul Pagliaro 
an11bravo@aol.com

22 Feb 09

First and foremost, thank you for the response.  The picture in frame 159/173 very likely could be me.  The picture in frame 163/173 is not me; I can not identify who it could be.  I do know and remember you.  I also would note that I spent time with Lt. Landau in the field as his RTO.   I have seen your photos on the Cacti web site, but these are more and  more familiar.  Thanks again, if I hear from others or can come up with new info, I will forward it.   I left country in September, 1968.   I took a three month extension and left the army as a SGT E5.  Now living in Livonia, MI.       

Thanks again, SGT NOSE (Greg Malnar) 
gmalnar@sbcglobal.net

18 Feb 09

1Lt Bill Farmer, Forward Observer for C Company, was a genuine hero.  Fatally wounded on 20 May, he died on 29 May, 1967.  An impact DSC was submitted and I discovered only recently that the award had been downgraded to a Silver Star.  Will you please help to change this error and injustice to Bill?  The vehicle for this is DD Form 149 July 2006---“Application For Correction of Military Record Under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Cord, Section 1552”.   I have two eyewitnesses to the action---Lt. Rutledge and PFC Thorne.  Can any of you help to locate his wife, Carletta V. Farmer or daughter Lee, or access to his Silver Star Citation?  I hope to work with you and look forward to your replies.  Sincerely, 
Jim Lanning (commanded C Company in the action where Bill gave his all)
brotherjim@grandecom.net

6 Feb 09

I came to the TF (3rd Brigade, 25th Ind Div Special Task Force) in December 65 and was assigned as FO to B/1/14 Infantry (Golden Dragon/Right of the Line).  I also had the privilege of serving as A/1/14's FO when Hap Shanles was company commander.  And Jock Miller did his famous "John Wayne" on an ambush in the TF Oregon AO.  I will be looking at the 1/14 web site for all my old friends.
 
Dave Whaley

panzer_pilot@hotmail.com

2 Feb 09

Golden Dragons, Sir! to all you cannon-cockers!  You "Kings of Battle" certainly provided the balls to us who served in the "Queen" many times when called upon to save our butts.  Hats off to Dennis for establishing this wonderful site. My name is Tom Jones and I deployed from Hawaii as XO of B/1/14.  Spent my first 3-4 months humping the Cambodian border alongside one of your FO's, Bill Diehl from Battery B.  Later, when I was on staff of 1-14 Infantry spent a lot of time with LNO's Carl Morin and Charlie Jackson.  Would love e-mail contact from any of them. 1-14 has a web site at the link provided and we invite you to check out our "Timeline" section of Battalion Journal entries and share our mutual history.  We have also recently started a 14th Infantry Regiment Association and invite any of you that "humped" with us to join. I would also request your help in telling the forgotten history of our Brigade.  I am editing a book initiated by  the 25th Infantry Division Association to be titled "The Bastard Brigade: A History of the 3rd BDE Task Force in the Central Highlands and Beyond.  There will be sections about the 3 Infantry BN's (1/14,1/35,2/35), 2/9 Artillery and 1/69 Armor.  I've seen comments in this Guest Book about battles at LZ St. George and Oasis and would love to have details from your perspective.  Historical detail from mid-1967 through 1970 are sketchy, so we need your help.  Thanks.  

Tom Jones  (Tom@1-14th.com) 

20 Jan 09

Wow!  Dick Ellegood---WIA  May 67 when we were at Duc Pho-Chu Lai area.  I was Bn Commo/Crypto Off so had to take a chopper ride to the port of DaNang where Dick was evac'd to the Hospital ship HOPE.  We landed the chopper on deck and I had to go track down his "VALUABLES "  to recover his map and "code book".  Had a very short visit with him --like Hi & Bye & I gotta get back to the chopper.  Strange the memories a name will bring back.   Dick--glad you made it.

Pat Kasperbauer - ptkasperbauer@yahoo.com

15 Jan 09

I can give you a little more history on Dick Ellegood.  He was also XO of "C" battery when it was just north of Guadalcanal and was wounded during a mortar attack on the FB and evacuated.  He lost an eye and was rehab'ed and sent to Field Artillery School as an instructor.  Had a great family and was one of the guys you could trust with your life.

Dave Whaley
panzer_pilot@hotmail.com

 14 Jan 09

Thank you for the website.   I have wondered what happen to some of the soldiers of 2/9th.  Yes, I think I remember Lt. Don Blankin; say hello for me.   

I served less than two years in the military; discharged Oct. 24,1969.   Went back to Dallas,TX. where my wife was staying.   Worked for the Zale Corp. 19 years then had my own jewelry business for 13 years; sold it and retired in Las Vegas in 2002.
 
Regards, 
Max 
Tel. 702-227-5759

8 Jan 09

LTC Dauphin – Joe Galloway forwarded your note, and I am closing the loop with you.  I appreciate the outreach.  I do remember my days as an FO in the Btry B, 2/9th FA Regt.  The lessons I learned in combat in Vietnam stayed with me for the next 37 years as a Soldier.  My Recon Sergeants and I have stayed in touch.  Ernie Kingcade, Enid, OK, and Les Cotton, Navarro County, TX, were two big reasons I succeeded in the Army.  Many thanks for the note.  Happy New Year and best wishes for a 2009 filled with good health, much happiness, and peace.                     

Best regards   --   Ric Shinseki   

8 Dec 08

By a stroke of luck, my web surfing this evening brought me to the Mighty Ninth web site.  For some reason, I had not come to it previously.   I am one of the names on the FO list with you.  The last name. I have some papers/orders/updates for the site you may wish to use.  During the Christmas lull, I will endeavor to organize them and email.  

I managed to hang around the Army for 30.  By coincidence, I attended the BDE  pre command class with Ric Shinseki and am very glad he has been tapped to continue to serve.  I deployed with the BN in Jan 66 (rode the C-141 with the Inf Company) and departed Dec 66.  So we overlapped.  Need to trade stories.
 
Thanks for what you do with this effort. 
 
Bob Zschoche
bobzschoche@msn.com
Whispering Pines NC
910.949.9948
c/910.638.8195
18 Nov 08
Good to hear from you.  I have been waiting for quite a long time for a web site like this.  Since I live approximately 30 miles from Washington, D.C., I have attended gatherings at "The Wall" with the hope I would run into someone I served with. 
Additionally, besides being at the Oasis for Mother's Day '69, I was also there when it was being downsized/torn down. 
 
Going to take an inventory of my Nam items tonight.  I think I have an article with a rather large picture of my 105 battery with a 155 battery, and a 175 battery along side a old Special Forces air strip.
 
Mark Gannon 
catongannon@verizon.net
29 Oct 08 Hi -- and this is Sp 4 Joe Cook of "B" Btry 2nd Bn, 9th Arty, from Dec 65 - Jan 67.   I was in the FDC.      I have a picture of Short Round as a pup and I was blown away when reading through the site.  Had always wondered what happened to Short Round.  He would ride the supply Helo's and always come back to us.  How did he get wounded? Hope you might send some pictures of Short Round!  Right now a flood of memories are coming back and am not able to keep up and so was nice to read your recall of some of the LZs (of which I know).   I was only in Pleiku awhile and spent most of my time out all over the boonies.   But, we kept one gun section back in the area of Pleiku and so had 5 howitzers (105 mm) in the field with us.  This site new to me and so am trying it out. Hope to hear from you.
Joe Cook
  "sgtfccook@hotmail.com"

25 Sep 08

On this day in 1968, we lost 1st Lt. Roger Fulkerson at Duc-Lap. I'm taking this opportunity to remember Roger and his family, that he sadly never knew, and to remind everyone that we owe those heroes, that gave so much, a moment of our time to salute them for their sacrifices and be thankful for the opportunity we have had to enjoy our life with the freedom they helped provide. A big thanks also to Dennis for his effort in providing us with this site so that our lost Brothers have a place to be that we may visit with them from time to time.    
Don Blankin
Bravo 2/9 1968-1969

6 Aug 08

I just had a copy of the web site published to me by an old friend who served in the Mighty Ninth...(FO) Lt Rainer Stutt.   I have enjoyed reading all the stories and statements-especially that about my old friend Bill Farmer who attended OCS with me at Ft. Sill (or vice versa).  Bill was a truly unique individual.   I don't have much to contribute, but there are a couple of people and stories I would like to contribute.  May I send them through you?   My easiest contact is panzer_pilot@hotmail.com.  I made a branch switch to Armor after I left the war.

6 Aug 08

Would like to make a correction to my 24 Apr 08 message on the Visitors Comments section.  The email address was wrong since it had an extra dot in it.  It should be d.g.p@comcast.net.   Also, hello to Terry Stuber in B Battery FDC.  I remember you well, 43 Sierra.

This is 13 Papa, Dave Price, from Battalion FDC.  Greetings from Minnesota.

9 July 08

Good Morning Terry and others!     I have a pretty good list of LZ's Oct 68-69 to add to yours which include: Saber, Schyler, Steadfast, Ranger I and II (yep we landed on the wrong one and had to move after filling another million sandbags), Bridgette, Valentine, Marylou, Oasis, Cacti Blue, Thirsty, Duke, Penny, Ruth, Ernie, Patsy.........Geez, I don't remember half of them.     For new arrivals here, I was FDC, B, 2/9.

 Best Wishes, 
Tom Roman Lake Worth, Florida
tomsflor@bellsouth.net

9 July 08

Goooooooooood morning my REDLEG pals.  I would like to hear from you fellows that were assigned to 2/35th from 8-68 thru 8-69. I was a battalion RTO that stayed with the forward firebases during my entire tour.  It was not uncommon for us to mingle and make friends with the 2/9th soldiers once they got on the firebase...some of the firebase names were: LZ Saber, LZ Valentine, LZ Penny, LZ English and many more that I cannot remember.

Terry Savely
HHC 2/35th 8-68/8-69
tsavely@knust.com

8 July 08

Dear “The Mighty Ninth” Webmaster:
The following is additional information for your command and staff page.

"Dutch" (Capt.) Hutsell and I arrived in the battalion at the same time 1/22/67.  He was assigned the job as S-4, Vince (Capt.) DeJesus was made the "C" Btry Cmdr and I was made Hq Btry Cmdr. Vince was wounded in March and I was assigned command of "C" Btry on 14 March 67.  On 25 July 67,  Dutch Hutsell and I switched jobs; he became the "C" Btry Cmdr and I the S-4.  Attached is a picture of me during the time I was C Btry Cmdr.

God Bless!
Dick Dwinell MAJ Ret
ddwinell@hot.rr.com

 3 July 08

Hello all.  Sp5 Terry Stuber here, "B" Battery July 1967 - July 1968.  Danny Fort and I were in the FDC together. He called me today and told me about the website and it is GREAT.  I will try to find some pics to post if you want them.

Terry Stuber
Metamora, IL  61548

tlstuber@mtco.com

30 June 08

Hello all!  This is Sp5 Danny Fort.  I was in "B" Btry 2nd Bn, 9th Arty, from Sept 67 - Sept 68.  There are too many Firebases to list.   I have seen one other person who mentioned Duc Pho and Pleiku,  Ban Me Thuot,  Kontum, and Thunder Mountain.  I was in the FDC (Fire Direction Center).  They called me "Cowboy".  I have run across a couple of guys from back then.  Would like to hear from others.  I have a good picture of myself and "Short Round",  the Battery dog.  {See Photo Album}  If you were there, you know who he was.     This is a pic of short round and myself after he was wounded; I was the one who stitched him up and then took him to the doc.  When he was in our Btry, he always stayed on my bunk.  I have had contact over the years with Terry Stuber, Gary Barrows, and First Sergeant Clifford J Pullan.  One of the Battery names was Capt Donovan (I believe he was from Boston), 1gt. Pullan (he was from Aline, Ok and now lives in Alma, Ak) There was  Lt. Moyer not sure of these spellings.  Also, a Lt Baumgartner.  They were FO's and FDO's.  I remember faces to some others, but don't remember their names right now.  I'm happy you put together this site.  I have looked for years to find it.  As I have started using the VA hospital, and it has helped me remember some things.  Thanks again.      
                Danny L. Fort,  (Headrick, Okla)  aka "Cowboy", Sp5
 Fire Direction Chief, B Btry

Feel free to contact me at dfort@att.net.

23 June 08

Hello all my Mighty Ninth friends. My name is Herb Ables and I served with 2/9th Arty, "B" Battery, from 5 Oct 5 '69 to 5 Oct 5 '70.  I spent my first 6 months bouncing around LZ to LZ.  Colors went home and I didn't have enough time in country and moved on to 4/42.  Would like to hear from anyone around my time in country. I have a few pictures of my time in country and a few of the LZ's.  Looking for pictures of LZ St. George.  I was there on that fretful night of November 5th, 1969.  If you were there, you remember.  I know I'll never forget it. Nor the next evening.  

Contact me.  Herb Ables   "herb@charter.net"

PS: Does anyone remember a Lt JM Tolar? Please let me know.

11 June 08

Hi to all from the MIGHTY-NINTH.  I am Samuel Nieto; I served in Nam from 9--67 to 9--68 in "C" Battery first with Sgt Carson, then Sgt Payne and served in- between Nov & Dec with FO known as "63 KILO"  in  C/2/35th Infantry Regiment.    I returned on 12-23-67 back to 2/9 Arty and two  days later my replacement Charles McClurg  along with Danny Jeter and Lt Siengo were KIA by a deflected round that fell on top of them.   Discovered this web 6-10-08 and have talked  to three cannoneer buddies.   Still looking for Juan R. Renteria.  I use to love to go get the mail and guess what: I worked for the Postal Service until  October,  2005.   Retired with 38 years and 4 months. Hope to hear from you guys.

Sam Nieto  samnieto@sbcglobal.net

8 May 08

Good Day,
I’m glad to see your web site devoted to the Mighty Ninth!  I joined  C Battery, 2nd Bn, 9th Artillery a week before Christmas, 1963.  A fellow from Midland Texas, Walter G. Hyatt, arrived the same time on a Merchant Marine vessel from Oakland Army Terminal.  Christmas in Hawaii was just a little strange with warm weather vs. the cold & snow of Minnesota and Wisconsin that I was used to.  Also, the scraggly Christmas  tree in the middle of the Quad made it seem just a little out of whack.  Both of us started out in the ammo section, then split up within the Battery, he to 3rd Gun Section, and myself to the Orderly Room as Battery Clerk, taking Jerry Evans of Marshalltown Iowa’s place. Some of the battery departed Hawaii late December, 1965, with the balance arriving in January ’66.  I arrived in Vietnam on January 2, 1966. The 1st Sergeants I remember were James Henry, who later went to Battalion  to be Sergeant Major,  and James Taylor who went with us to Vietnam. Captain John Oliver was our CO when we left for Nam, but was relieved by Captain Ricardo Morales in early ’66. Walt Hyatt became Recon Sergeant for the FO, as did Aubrey D. Ramsey.  One of the FO’s (we had a number of them go through) was Lt. John Williams.  I’ll have to haul out the “25ths 25th” book for more names, seems the memory that was good yesterday, isn’t as good today.  I do know I left Nam around September 15, 1966, Hyatt shortly thereafter and Ramsey by the end of ’66.

Walter G. Hyatt has since died sometime in the ‘80’s and Aubrey Dale Ramsey in 2007.  Ramsey and I communicated for a while a few years ago, but lost touch in his final years.

Thanks for the web site, keep it up.
Michael D. Huseth,
1245 Mahtomedi Avenue, Mahtomedi MN 55115
mikeh@pierfoundry.com

6 May 08

I served with the 2/9 Arty from Sept. 67 - Sept. 68 in the liaison section with the 2/35 Inf.  It is mentioned on the 2/35 Inf Cacti Association website that there is now a 2nd/9th Arty website. If so, please forward the logon info for the site.  

Jim Connolly  connollyjt@hotmail.com

24 Apr 08

This is Spec 5 Dave Price, worked in battalion FDC with Lt Col Shirey, S3 Major Wright, plus many other great duty officers (Capt. Walker, Capt. Fagan, etc.).  Too bad you don't post names of more of us enlisted guys on the site.  Was in 3rd Brigade, 4th Inf. Div. at Duc Pho, near Chu Lai during Tet in 68, then Bong Son, Kontum, finally west of Pleiku.  Hello to all the guys from A, B, and C batteries, best wishes from Minneapolis.  This is Mike 13, Out.    d.g.p.@comcast.net

16 Mar 08

Great website.  I went thru Artillery OCS with Don Blankin 33B67.  Was with A Btry 5 BN 42Arty.  We spent a lot of time in and around Tan An.  I also moved two of our 155mm towed to support 5th SF at Tra Cu.  Thanks for all your service.   Mike Timmons  Artillery OCS 33B67.   artyfovn68@tds.net

25 Feb 08

I called in a lot of rounds from you guys....never a short round....most of the time it was HE first round...no time for a smoke round...thanks guys...26 kilo gone

20 Feb 08

Great website.  You guys saved our butts a bunch!  Thank You!  
Wiley Dodd (Tiny) Sergeant at Arms 35th Inf Assn Recon 2/35th 1969    dynawd95@aol.com

16 Feb 08

Very glad to find that the 2/9 has a site – great work!

 

I have one observation that needs clarification:  In the Order of Battle , “C” is listed as direct support for 2/35th Inf.  I was HSB 2/9th attached to 1/35th as Artillery Liaison from April 1969 to approximately August 1969 and  “C” Battery was the direct support for the 1/35th at that time.  Col English was the CO of 1/35th.  I can provide documentation for this, but it will take digging out some 4th Div newspaper articles on the hit at LZ Oasis on 11 May 1969 – Mother’s Day.  The 1/35th was on stand-down (the 2/35th had been there earlier) when we were hit.  “C” Battery set up at the Oasis for the stand down.  Anyone there will remember the attack on Mother’s Day.   

“A” Btry. was direct support for 1/14th Inf. and “B” was the 2/35th direct.  I was transferred to liaison between “A” Btry the 1/14th on +/- October 1969 after a stay in the 71st Evac.

 

Hope this does not cause too much confusion, but I lived and worked too closely with “C” Btry. and the 1/35 grunts to ever forget the connection. 

 

Thanks again for the great site.

 

Milton Pounds     mpounds@charter.net

Spec 4, MOS 13E20

HSB 2/9th, Attached 1/35th

RVN, 1969