N O T I C E !                                               also   click on   REFRESH !

Right mouse any photo that does not download to your computer.  from the drop down menu select "SHOW PICTURE."
I am 99% sure all the photos are there.  Email me at docrio45 [at] gmail  DOT com  if you find any problems.       Rio

TO:   Doc Rio45  [at] gmail  DOT com

 My friend Doc Salts just passed and I feel bad on that' he saved my sorry ass in Guam when I was pretty messed up w/ undiagnosed Hepatitis A and was totally out of it w/ fever.  I got medavac'd out of there a month later thankfully that was July 1970 coming back from RVN.  

BTW:    CDR Bob Thomas and I  went to the same OCS class, matter of fact.  we finished in Feb '77.  He forgot where the North Star was in the nasty Celestial Final, so he got commissioned 2 days after me.  So I was always senior to him. ha  ha 

Of course, I cannot shoot quite as well as he does. 

 Hey, hey he (RJ) was lucky his (now) beloved wife Colleen basically tutored us thru OCS else wise we might not have made it.  Thomas did not go for the CORFAMS either even though he got lambasted for the stuck with his full out leather shoes.

 Got to love RJ ...he stuck w/ his essentials yes, we patrolled our way to the dark side but have never forsaken our roots, as it were I still have my original issue cracker jacks jumper ....... even Popeye would be proud of me.   it was my last shot over the bow since they seemed to work hard to find ways to give me also humongous (relatively) responsibility even as an E5. same RJ his Navy Cross and all

when they outlawed beards when the Zumwalt era ended, I thought  that he was going to have to go into permanent counseling.   RJ's  is out there in Fallon with his massive weapon collection. 

I stayed overnight with he and Colleen a few yrs back after I did some work at Hawthorne where we train some of the G-2 folks with the mobility vehicles.   Almost my entire adult life has been with NSW. I am still here running ranges including this monster $14M one that is now  the centerpiece of training and containment here at the Creek for many of our combat skills.   

  
3 more yrs and I am out of here to go sailing and stuff in Coronado and then spend summers in the San Juan Islands in WA State. That is the basic plan at least.  

Steve Frisk, CDR USN Ret.
No spill check,
not politically correct

John Chalus Yes Steve was already in the SEAL TEAM ONE when I arrived. He was a great guy. He later became an officer and went to SEAL TEAM TWO. He was an incredible athlete.

Doc,

here you go from the wayback machine Mike Thornton on the right and I as BUD/S First Phase Instructors at yet another party at trainee Ens Randy Albrecht's (Class 81) house with his then wee son. Circa late 1974/early 1975. 

                      
                    Lt to Rt:Steve frisk and Mike Thornton

Note the sideburns going on......we drank a lot of jug wine in those halcyon days.........i can assure and Mike and I were on the Mike Douglas Show out on the "O" Course when it came to town doing all the Navy and one day reserved for NSW. 

  We had Cliff Robertson out there, the Lennon sisters,Larry Czonka, the Monkees Singing Group......I personnally had to, of course, help (physically assist)one of the Lennon Sisters over one of the obstacles....a lower rung of the "Dirty Name".....  :-) This was sent to me as: "Child Molestors"  

 Steve Frisk, I was ET1 at the time. 

 To: BUDS81 [at] aol.com ; Carl Yuill ; Eugenio Crescini ; Erasmo "Doc"Riojas ; Fred Schempp ; Gary Powel ; Jeff Moran ; John Edson ; John Schmidt ; Markley H. Boyer ; PAUL D WNEK ; Ray Fritz ; Rich Black ; Robinson, Joseph G. ; Sgtsteprt [at] aol.com ; TERRA FLYNN ; Tip Ammen ; Tom Blais ; Tony Rossi ; Udt21frogman [at] aol.com ; WMyers6694 [at} aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 7:39 AM
Subject:  Bob Thomas MOH
From: fmilcusguns [at] aol.com [mailto:fmilcusguns [at] aol.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 13,
To: rmuzslay [at] sterlingcreditcorp.com 

Subject: Bob Thoms MOH

The following is the account of the Battle in which PO 2 R.J. Thomas saved many wounded people and killed at least 35 enemy combat troops. Using only a 45 with 85 rounds at his disposal. He was put in for the Medal of Honor by the US Army. More later. 

Seawolf Detachment Three Seawolf Door Gunner Bill Rutledge 

Battle at Ha Tien 23 March 1969, Da Dung Mountain Area 

Other articles with limited information have been written about these two difficult days in the lives of these brave pilots and gunners from Detachment Three. As other articles I have written, I write this to add to our history and to pay tribute to those that fought these horrific battles, those killed in action and the survivors. In other articles, details and participants were left out that need to be recognized for their heroism and participation in these missions. I have collected much of20this missing history and using o fficial documents, written first hand accounts, citations and phone conversations wi th individuals on scene, have for the most part been able to reconstruct part, if not most of what occurred on these missions. I have not been able to contact everyone involved and apologize if some details are missing and personnel not noted but I have done the best I could with limited information. Maybe the whole story will never be known. 

Until May 1970 when President Nixon legalized incursions into Cambodia, there were to be no crossing of the border. Although there had been several large operations along and over the border, one being operation SEALORDS, many other covert missions had been executed in which the Seawolves were involved with no after action report or one reflecting the action being flown this side of the border. It was hard at times to distinguish which side of the border you were on. The Cambodians 20 would let enemy unit s openly operate and stage from the Cambodian side. They would make raids into Vietnam and escape back 20 across the border, knowing we would not follow and attack. On many occasions they were in for a SURPRISE! 

Ha Tien 23 March 1969, Approximately 10 AM. I don’t have all the details on this mission, but it went as follows. The Navy light fire team of two heavily armed Gunships from HA(L)3, Detachment Three, staging from Ha Tien on the Northwest coast of Vietnam near the Cambodian border. They went on a scouting/strike mission to locate a local Warlord in the Da Dung Mountains area. The Warlord had been coming off the Mountains, pillaging, plundering and killing residents of the local villages, and having his troops attack military outposts. He would then retreat back into the mountains, and using his 4 inch Mortar, rain down havoc on the villages and any pursuing troops. With this intel the Det 3 Gunships went out. =2 0 =2 0 

The situation on Det 3 with three FTLs20(Fire Team Leader) at the time was 48 hrs on 24 off and alternating the FTL after each strike. On the first mission the lead bird was manned by: 


LTJG Randy Miller, Fire team Leader (FTL). LCDR Keyes (Copilot), Petty Officer Mike Schafernocker (Gunner/Crew Chief) Petty Officer Dan Riordon (Gunner) 

The trail gunship was manned by: LTJG Dick Barr, Attack Helicopter Aircraft Commander (AHAC), LTJG Pawlowski (Copilot), Petty Officer Rick Abbott (50 Cal.Gunner/ Crew Chief) Petty Officer Howard Meute (Gunner) Navy SEAL, Petty Officer Seco nd Class Robert Thomas (Recon/Observer). 

The area where the strike was to be put in was very near Ha Tien=2 0and consisted of rice paddies leading up to two mountains, the Nui Sa Ti and Nui Di Yung. Nui Dai Yung was the target where the Warlord operated from. As LTJG Miller rolled his fire team in, he started taking heavy fire from both mountains and the surrounding area. LCDR Keyes and both gunners commenced firing on the enemy positions. Miller’s Gunship was armed with 14 rockets with proximity fuses. The enemy fire was so heavy that when the fourth rocket was launched it was exploded by the intense enemy fire just in front of his aircraft. Not being able to fire any more rockets for fear of one being exploded immediately after launching, he broke off the attack to save the bird and his crew and returned the fire team to Ha Tien. There they fixed a problem with a rocket pod, rearmed with PD rockets, refueled and went out again. 

On this strike LTJG Barr became FTL with his crew and LTJG Miller the cover bird. Arriving back on target and rolling in again under the heaviest fire every seen by the fire team, LTJG Barr launched several rockets with all other weapons firing. 

His gunship took a disabling enemy hit and Barr called to Miller he was hit and going down. Miller followed the lead bird around and again Barr radioed he was hit, meaning he personally had taken a hit in the foot. Autorotating to the ground from around 500 feet, his bird hit hard within firing range of both mountains. The trail bird saw Petty Officer Thomas, the Navy SEAL, thrown a distance from the crashed lead bird. Smoke was seen coming from the wreck and no one was seen moving. 

Miller made a decision to land and let Petty Officer Riordan out of the gunship to help the crew of the downed bird. Then, Miller went airborne again, positioning his bird between the mountains and the downed crew to take the fire off of them. Now, with Schaf e rnocker as his lone Gunner and LCDR Keyes using the four M-60 external flex guns, he made pass after pass, radioing May Day for assistance. 

Immediately after exiting the20aircraft, Petty Officer Riordan was wounded in the leg, but continued on and pulled Petty Officer Rick Abbott and LTJG Barr from the wreck. Navy SEAL Thomas worked his way back to Barr who was lying on the ground. To protect the injured Barr from the enemy fire, Thomas layed across Barr’s body and grabbed the only weapon available, Barr’s 45 pistol. He then took under fire the enemy, who were coming across a dike. LTJG Barr relates that Petty Officer Thomas was hitting an enemy with virtually every round.

 During this ground action, LTJG Miller made contact with two Army helos from the 175th Assault Helicopter Company who were inbound. Miller saw the advancing enemy and made a pass from behind the wreck, shooting rockets over the downed bird into them, as Shafernocker and Keyes continue firing. Miller continued makin g more rocket runs. The first Army helo on scene was 20immediately shot up trying to make the rescue. 

The pilot was hit, and left the area trailing fuel. The SEAL Team from Ha Tien had made their way on the ground to the battle zone, and along with LTJG Miller and his only gunner Schafernocker, they placed fire on the advancing enemy. This allowed the second Army helo with Copilot Kent Graham aboard to make an attempt at the rescue.

 This rescue slick was also hit numerous times, with the pilot being hit in the face and hand. With the wounded pilot, the Army bird went in again, landed and made the evacuation of the surviving downed Seawolves and Navy SEAL. As they were loaded up, Petty Officer Thomas’s injured back gave out. He saw an enemy soldier as he fell to the ground, turned over and in one motion, blew him away with one shot at 15 yards. 

During the rescue LTJG Miller kept his gunship positioned between the rescue bird and the enemy, taking the fire off of them. Dust Off arrived and took the wounded to Third S urg Hospital in Binh Thuy. The SEALS remained on the=2 0gr ound to recover the Seawolf KIAs. LTJG Miller returned to Ha Tien with his shot up bird. 

The enemy fire around the downed Seawolf was described as the same as a hard20rain hitting a dusty field leaving thousands of marks in the dust. A short time later, fast movers (Jets) arrived and unloaded rockets and napalm on the area. The downed Seawolf gunship was destroyed in place. 

Army rescue Copilot Kent Graham commented, “The most striking part of the rescue was the way the Seawolf cover bird (LTJG Miller and his crew) stayed with his downed comrades.

 What we did was SOP, anyone would have done the same thing. The Seawolf Wingman (LTJG Miller) was the real hero. I have no doubt that he would have continued making attacks until he ran out of fuel. 

This is one of the most important lessons of my life, no matter what happens, NEVER let your comrades down. Thanks, Seawolves” . 

20 

Results of this battle: 

One Seawolf gunship shot down/destroyed 

One Seawolf gunship shot up, destroyed in place 

=2 0 

Two Army Slicks from the 175th AHC shot up 

LTJG Pawloski KIA 

AN Meute 
20 

KIA 

20 

LTJG Barr WIA 

Navy SEAL Roberts WIA 

20 

PO Riordan WIA 

PO Abbott WIA 

20 

2 Army Pilots WIA 


Webmasters NOTE:         Bob Thomas RD2 (SEAL) was recommended for the MOH biy the U.S. Army, but the "desk-jockey" politicians downgraded it to a Navy Cross.  There is hope that this can be reversed in the year 2009.

  retires after 33 years  this July 2007      

2nd ZHSZanesville, OH 43701 ,Quarterback Club luncheon to have patriotic theme By DAVE WEIDIG
Sports EditorZANESVILLE 

Ron Apperson pulled off a major coup last year, getting both Mark Dantonio and Jim Tressel here for the >  Zanesville High School Quarterback Club's first Past Presidents luncheon.He feels this year's program is just as important: appreciation of service in the armed forces, for those with and without football  ties. It will be held at noon on Friday, May 6, at North Terrace Church of We're not trying to duplicate last year, but we're still looking for equal success," Apperson said. 

It will honor U.S. Naval Academy Vice Admiral Albert M. (Bert) Calland III, a former football star at ZHS and Navy, who went on  to become a Navy SEAL platoon commander and is now Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support for the  CIA. Following the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, he transitioned his headquarters war fighting functions from MacDill Air Force  to the forward-deployed Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command. There he directed more than  and Coalition Special Operations Forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and eventually was appointed  Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command.  The event will also feature Calland's position coach at Navy, Gary Tranquill, now offensive coordinator at North Carolina FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> former assistant at Michigan State with Mark Dantonio when the Spartans upset then No. 1 ranked in Ohio  Stadium. Calland still holds the Navy record for pass receptions in a season (61 in 1972) and was the Silver Helmet Award  winner in 1973 as team MVP in his senior year. "Bert doesn't have the name recognition of a Dantonio or Tressel, but he's such a role model for all our area youth with his  achievements," said Apperson, who coached Calland in 1969 after he had been coached by Mel Adams in 1967 and 1968.

  "Here's a guy who commanded a 3,000-man Navy SEAL force, and was the first officer to set foot on the ground in Afghanistan ." Calland was appointed to the Naval Academy by Congressman Clarence Miller. >Also on hand for the Past Presidents Dinner will be another former ZHS football player, Willett Sawyer of , a Navy SEAL Vietnam era of the 1960's and 70's. Former ZHS football players who graduated from the military academies have  also been invited: Jim Queen (Navy), Dennis Lunghofer (Navy), Keith Farmer (Air Force), Tony Tabler (Army), Col. Jack Faires  (Army) and John Politis (Army). 

Jordan Young from ZHS is currently playing football at Navy, while Blue Devil Drake Aronhalt is playing basketball at the Navy  "Other veterans who didn't play football are still welcome to attend this and be honored," Apperson said. "Now is the time people  need to show appreciation for our military, what with them taking the National Guard right out of our communities. 

This gives our  community the opportunity to show that appreciation, and to show our kids what role models 

these people are."The Navy Honor Guard is also expected to attend.   March 17, 2005  
Adm. Bert CallandThe Calland File Vice Admiral Albert M. (Bert) Calland III, 52 Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support, CIA 1970 graduate, Zanesville High School , where he starred in football and also played baseball and basketball. 

1974 graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, where he holds the record for most pass receptions in a season (61 in 1972) 10pt; COLOR: black;   Class of 1982, Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) training.   Platoon commander for SEAL Delivery Vehicle and SEAL Platoon and most recently, Commander,  Personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards),  the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Award (two awards), the Meritorious Service Medal   (five awards) and the Navy Commendation Medal. 

Mother Nancy Calland, of Zanesville ; brothers Dick and Joe Calland.

    WASHINGTON, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National
Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director retired Vice Adm. John "Scott" Redd
today announced that Vice Adm. Albert M. "Bert" Calland III, Deputy
Director for Strategic Operational Planning, will retire on July 1, 2007,
culminating a distinguished naval career spanning more than 33 years.
Calland served in this key position since Sept. 2006, and was principally
responsible for the U.S. government's strategic operational planning effort
to combat terrorism by integrating all elements of national power across
multiple departments and agencies.
    "In every position Bert's served, -- a SEAL team leader in the Arabian
Gulf, a combat leader in Afghanistan, the CIA's Deputy Director, and
finally, as my deputy for strategic operational planning - his
contributions to our nation's security have had an enormous and enduring
significance," said Redd. "Bert's strong leadership, unquestionable
integrity, and total dedication to the mission and those with whom he
served, exemplify the highest qualities of naval service. I am honored and
blessed to call him 'shipmate.'"

    In June 2006, President Bush approved the National Implementation Plan
for the War on Terror. As the NCTC's Deputy Director for Strategic
Operational Planning, Calland's responsibilities encompassed the planning
and integration of existing U.S. government counterterrorism activities,
developing a common strategic direction for future operations and an
assessment of their effectiveness.

    "As an experienced operator whose career focused on counterterrorism
activities and special operations missions, Bert's credentials for this
important national planning effort were impeccable," Redd said.
    Throughout his career, Calland commanded Naval Special Warfare units
and Special Operations Forces at all levels, beginning as platoon commander
of a SEAL Delivery Vehicle and culminating as Commander, Naval Special
Warfare Command from August 2002 until March 2004, responsible for all Navy
SEALS and Combatant Craft Crewmen.

    In July 2000, Calland assumed command of Special Operations Command
Central (SOCCENT). Immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the
U. S., he transitioned his headquarters' war fighting functions to the
forward- deployed Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command,
directing more than 3,000 U.S. and Coalition Special Operations Forces in
support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. As commander of all special
operations forces for U.S. Central Command, during this operation, Calland
was the first U.S. military flag officer to set foot in Afghanistan.
    In March 2004 he received his third star and was assigned to the CIA as
Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support. In July
2005, Calland was appointed Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency,
the number two position in the CIA, where he was responsible for CIA
operations and activities around the world.

    Born in Columbus, Ohio, Calland moved to Zanesville, Ohio where he
graduated from Zanesville High School. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in
1970 and graduated in 1974 with a B.S. degree in Oceanography. He received
a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy in 1996 from the
Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.

    "On behalf of his many intelligence community colleagues and shipmates
around the globe, I want to thank Bert, Cindy and his entire family for
their many sacrifices," Redd said. "As he embarks on this next chapter of
his life, we all wish him 'fair winds and following seas.'"

GMGCM Everett Barrett SEAL USN-Ret. Class 6    R.I.P.

  It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs the membership on the passing of GMGCM Everett Barrett - Class 6.  

GMGCM Everett Barrett passed away early on 01/14/2010 following a long battle with cancer.

Everett is survived by his wife Blondel (Del) and son Frank.  He is preceded in death by his daughter Debbie

Master Chief Barrett served in UDT 22, Seal Team 2 and EOD.  He mentored many a young sailor and pushed them to be more then they dreamed they could be.  Master Chief had the voice of a man that learned to whisper in a sawmill. 

Durwood H. White, SEAL Team TWO, WIA in 'nam:  Lost a Leg to Booby Trap

From: Doc Rio
To:Bill Langley,
I am going to ask Durwood H. White for the details of his WIA and losing his leg. also the names of the guys in the platoon.
thanks
Rio 

In a message dated 8/20/2009 
Bill Langley  langleychfs [at] knology.net writes: 
Doc Rio; 
Time, I was in Durwood's first platoon in VN (ST 2-2), with Trani, Bishop, and crew. He injured his leg his second or third time over, so I can't help you with the names in that platoon. Maybe Joe Silva or Mike McQuillis can help. Nice photo. 

On Aug 20, 2009, Bill Langley <langleychfs [at] knology.net> wrote: 
Doc Rio,
Here is Bo Burwell's memory of what happened. Hope it helps. 
Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: BOBURWELL [at] aol.com
To: langleychfs [at] knology.net
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 
Subject: Re: You were in Durwood's platoon? 

Durwood was injured at Nha Be in early 69, I think Bruce Williamson was the PltCdr. I was in the 3rd Plt and they relieved us in Dec 68. It was a booby trap on a dike, Durwood was injured, the LDNN was killed. Durwood was still in hospital later in the fall, I was in there with my back broke in the same ward with him. Bob Gallagher was there at same time following his wounding from a claymore on his PRU tour. Bo 

----- Original Message -----
From: DURWOOD WHITE
To: docrio45 [at] gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 
Subject:  How did Durwood White lose his leg in Vietnam?

Doc,
It was about March or April when I stepped on the booby trap(1969) and it was Williamson's Platoon. Patches Watson was injured while with Williamson's Platoon. I went over to take his place. I do remember Silva and McQuillis and the one they called Chief. 

I was there in that Platoon only a few months when I stepped on the booby trap so my memory is short. It was one morning about 4 am when I stepped on it. Most things after that is fuzzy memory. I do remember one of the guys pulling me through the paddy back to the extraction boat and I also remember going into shock. They had placed me on the front of the boat thinking I was dead I guess) and I think I got their attention by throwing a battle helmet over the wind shield. 

We were working off a naval ship that was sunk in the Mekong river. I also remember the helo that picked me up and the Corpsman cutting my pants legs to get to the wounds.. I remember passing out at the field hospital on the X-ray table. I don't remember anything after that for about a week. I do remember some of the guys in the platoon coming to visit me. Next was the naval hospital in Japan for about 2 months then to Camp Lejuene for 3 or 4 months then the naval hospital in Portsmouth, Va. Next was the VA hospital in Durham, N.C. 

1 year and 1 month, 5 hospitals and 14 operations I finally got out and was retired with disability. I don't know if this is the info you are looking for or not. Hope it helps. 

Take care old buddy.
D. Hunter 

P.S. Don't know if I have told you the latest news about my cancer or not, but the last CT scan showed no cancer. I'm cancer free now and I hope it last. 

Webmaster's NOTE:
Thank you Hunter for allowing me to post you history of how you got WIA. Rio

It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs the membership on the passing of Durwood Hunter White, USN (Ret.) Class 26.         

  Durwood Hunter White USN (Ret.) Class 26  

Durwood Hunter White, 71, of 3655 N.C. Hwy 41 W, died Dec. 28, 2009 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital.

    Durwood is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara White; brother, R.W. White; sisters, Louise Ricks and Vivian Brittingham. Durwood Hunter White was a US Navy Seal (Retired).

  He is survived by son, Sean Hunter White and wife Shannon of Washington; stepdaughters, Charlene Taylor and husband R.V. of Seven Springs and Nikki Barker and husband Eric of California; sister, Elizabeth Quinn and husband Thurston of Seven Springs; and six grandchildren, Jordan Taylor, Kyle White, Braxton Barker, Kevin White, Bradley Barker and Hannah Barker. 

    Durwood was a member of CLASS-26, Little Creek, VA. and served with UDT-21 and SEAL Team 2.  

  Funeral Services:  will be held at today at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009 at Gospel Light Church, 153 Houston Road, Comfort with the Rev. Ruffin Hill officiating.   Visitation: will be held today, Wednesday, Dec. 30, following the funeral service.    

Burial Services:  with military rites will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009 at the Philyaw Thomas Cemetery.  Hannah Barker.

kinston.com.

  UDT-SEAL Association | POB 5965 | Virginia Beach | VA | 23471