James Charles Tipton - Jan 1933 - July 2011 R.I.P.

James Charles Tipton (7/15/11)

J.C. Tipton died at Southwestern Medical Center on Wednesday, 13 July. His ashes will be inurned at USNA at a later date.

A tribute to J.C. From his son, Chris:

James Charles Tipton - Jan 1933 - July 2011

My father, known by his family and friends as J.C., passed away peacefully this morning at 11:50, surrounded by his wife of 53 years and his two children. He lived a truly wonderful life. He had a huge smile for everyone he met, he would ask you how you were doing because he really wanted to know, listen to your stories intently, and leave you with a feeling that he was the nicest man you'd ever met, and he was. He was a twin brother, a loving son, a patriotic and loyal man, an amazing father and a doting husband.

He grew up in rural northern Alabama. He served his country for over 25 years, beginning in Korea as an Underwater Demolition Specialist before being accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1958. Upon graduation from Annapolis, J.C. was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and served around the world - Vietnam, Japan, Canada, Denmark and various U.S. bases. His wife Peggy was by his side from their first blind-date in Annapolis in 1957, and they had their 53rd wedding anniversary two days ago, July 12th. He and Peggy adopted me and then their daughter Liz while they were stationed in Canada with the Air Force, and boy did we get lucky! He was the best father either of us could have ever wanted. He was confident but humble, hard-working but jovial, strict but fair, and he had our respect. He loved his family with all his heart and we loved him back.

He retired with the family to Dallas in 1977. His second career with Rockwell-Collins in Richardson led him to many of the friends our family still shares today. He was an avid runner, voracious reader, non-stop traveler and a lover of life. He lost his battle with dementia but he never lost that smile, even if he had forgotten your name. He would still hold the hands of his grandchildren with a look of pure love in his eyes. His granddaughters both gave him stuffed animals to hold on to when the end drew near, and he clutched them both as he passed on. His spirit lives on with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his brother and his vast network of friends all over the world. We love you Dad...you will be missed.

Bud King, Jim Tipton Jack Lynch Cathy Townsend King, Fred Cox, Rudy, Karen Cox

Archie Grayson, Joe Silva, Jim Tipton, "Eagle" Gallagaher

Lt to Rt: Jack Lynch, ? ? , Rudy Boesch, Jim Tipton

Top Row, 6th Sailor from left is Jim Tipton

Jim Tipton R.I.P.

Dennis, Rudy, Jim

Navy Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Radarman Second Class Robert J. Thomas, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 23 March 1969 while serving with Sea-Air-Land Team TWO (SEAL-2), Detachment ALFA, Seventh Platoon, during combat operations against communist aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam.

Embarked in a Seawolf helicopter on a visual reconnaissance and strike mission on Da Dung Mountain near the Cambodian border when the aircraft was struck by enemy ground fire and crashed in an exposed rice paddy, Petty Officer Thomas was thrown from the wreckage, sustaining multiple injuries. Fighting off the stunning effects of shock, he immediately moved to the aid of the helicopter crewmen who were still in the burning aircraft.

Despite the intense flames and the heavy gunfire from both the mountain and a nearby tree line, Petty Officer Thomas managed to remove one of the crewmen to safety and, with the aid of another man who had been dropped onto the site by an accompanying helicopter, succeeded in freeing the trapped pilot from the flaming cockpit. Petty Officer Thomas then made a gallant attempt to rescue the two remaining men trapped beneath the twisted metal, discontinuing his efforts only when driven back by the exploding bullets and rockets of the burning helicopter.

After moving the two previously rescued men to a greater distance from the crash site, Petty Officer Thomas realized that Viet Cong troops were steadily advancing on his position. He selflessly threw himself upon the body of one of the wounded men and began returning the enemy fire. His deadly accuracy accounted for at least one enemy dead and held the aggressors at bay until an Army rescue helicopter landed.

By his valiant efforts and selfless devotion to duty while under hostile fire, Petty Officer Thomas upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

Action Date: 23-Mar-69

Service: Navy

Rank: Radarman Second Class

Company: Sea-Air-Land Team 2 (SEAL-2)

Regiment: Detachment ALPHA

On Thu, Jun 30, 2011
RJ Thomas <win70shooter [at] live DOT com
wrote:

Guys,
March of 69 has our Platoon's little dust ups in Ha Tien, they (COMNAVFORV) obviously only counted the two I dumped at the crash site...interesting how COMVAVFORV screwed it up.

RJ Thomas, CDR USN Ret. (SEAL)

From: langleychfs [at] knology DOT net
To: langleychfs Email Listing
Subject: Vietnam records
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2011

This is interesting for Vietnam veterans from Doc Riojas. Navy Operation reports declassified from Vietnam.
http://www.history.navy.mil/ branches/org10-8.htm

From:Kent Graham
to: Doc Riojas, RJ, Andy, Al, B, Carl, Cisco, Cliff, Dave, Dick,
Don, me, Fred, Gordy, Fred, Gus, Hawk, Hunter, Jay, Jim, Jim, Jud, Jud, Kevin, Kirk, Larry, Mike

Thanks, RJ -

This is interesting for Vietnam veterans.
http://www.history.navy.mil/ branches/org10-8.htm

That report also cost you the MOH.

With regard to two aircraft - could have been, but we went in twice - after the first time when Mike was hit the Master Caution panel looked like a Christmas tree from all the hits - did a go-around - climbed to 1000 feet and checked the gauges to make sure we had engine and transmission oil pressure, put out a MayDay call - we had a light fire team at Tri Ton - they didn't respond - then back in at 120 knots and a low level autorotation to the site.

Once landed, I did not see anything out the front of the helicopter as I was trying to count moving bodies out the side of the bird to make sure we had everybody on board before we lifted off.

I did see a whole bunch of former NVA on the ground that you took care of as we lifted off. These were the guys you waxed with the M1911 .45 pistol.

Kent

----- Original Message -----
From: RJ Thomas
To: Andy Nelson ; Al Morris ; B W ; Carl McLellen ; Cisco Morton ; Cliff Heavern ; Dave Fiehtner ; Dick Barr ; Don Hill ; Erasmo Riojas ; Fred Filkins ; Gordy Nakagawa ; Fred Miller; Gus Taylor ; Hawk Holloway ; Hunter Grimes ; Jay Lindstrom ; Jim Ebbert ; Jim frigiola ;Jud Munger ; Jud Thomas ; Kent Graham ; Kevin Quint ; Kirk Scarboro ; Larry Baily ; Mike Dyer ; Mike Iovino ; Mike Turpen ; Paul Doolittle ; Phil McMillen ; Ronal Ryder ; Rick and Vik O'Haire ; Ron Anglin ; Rupert Wyble ; Ted Holmes ; Tom Cox ; TFC ; Vic Wilson ; Vic Williams ; Will Mayberry ; Ron Yeaw ; Paul Kirchner ; Jim Kauber ; Jack Varga ; Ed Head ;Bill Langly
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Subject: FW: Vietnam records
This is interesting for Vietnam veterans.
http://www.history.navy.mil/ branches/org10-8.htm

----- Original Message -----
From: RJ Thomas
To: Andy Nelson ; Al Morris ; B W ; Carl McLellen ; Cisco Morton ; Cliff Heavern ; Dave Fiehtner ; Dick Barr ; Don Hill ; Doc Erasmo Riojas ; Fred Filkins ; Gordy Nakagawa ; Fred Miller; Gus Taylor ; Hawk Holloway ; Hunter Grimes ; Jay Lindstrom ; Jim Ebbert ; Jim frigiola ;Jud Munger ; Jud Thomas ; Kent Graham ; Kevin Quint ; Kirk Scarboro ; Larry Baily ; Mike Dyer ; Mike Iovino ; Mike Turpen ; Paul Doolittle ; Phil McMillen ; Ronal Ryder ; Rick and Vik O'Haire ; Ron Anglin ; Rupert Wyble ; Ted Holmes ; Tom Cox ; TFC ; Vic Wilson ; Vic Williams ; Will Mayberry ; Ron Yeaw ; Paul Kirchner ; Jim Kauber ; Jack Varga ; Ed Head ;Bill Langly
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2011

March of 69 has our Platoon's little dust ups in Ha Tien, they obviously only counted the two I dumped at the crash site...interesting how COMVAVFORV screwed it up. RJ

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Adm Kauffman Suth Mike Toussaint Travis & Becky and Max

Steve & Sharon Robinson and R.D. Russell

FROG (a different take on)= "Fully Rely On God" Erasmo Riojas Henry Beal and his wife

Keith Davids

Fred Miller and Linda Miller, below Linda is Doc Riojas Travis Morgan and his SEAL dad

MK 15 sniper rifle

Clark Schwedler

James "Patches" Watson and wife

Adm William Mc Raven " Yes sir, We will get Bin Laden today!"

Pete Pirate & john Wayne Gus Kaminski Richard "Hook" Tuure

Vickie Mc Cutchan Hank T. Envelope

AIRBORNE FROGMAN ESCAPES PARACHUTING ACCIDENT IN ITALY

By: Gene Cahill (UDT-SEAL Association BoD Member)

The routine of daily life is sometime taken for granted. Never again will I assume the usual to take place. I am Chief Petty Officer Eugene A. Cahill, U.S. Navy Platoon Chief, Underwater Demolition Teams.

On the morning of March 28, 1968, my unit was engaged in parachute training. Our aircraft was flying 1500 feet, and 110 knots above Salerno, Italy at 12 noon. It was another routine training parachute jump, and I was looking forward to the end, because my unit was packing up and getting ready for a return to the states, from a six-month deployment. I had written my wife and four children the night before and relayed the news and anticipated arrival date. I was the Jumpmaster for the first group of jumpers, and I was breaking in a Lieutenant Junior Grade as Jumpmaster for another group of jumpers. I gave the prejump briefing; covering all the safety precautions and emergency procedures in case one of the jumpers had trouble. Just prior to exiting the aircraft, I asked the LTJG if he had his knife, (a required piece of equipment for all UDT jumpers). His reply was, "I forgot to bring it." Before leaving the aircraft I said "Here take mine, I won't need it." The several minutes that followed, passed like several hours. I was the first jumper in a six-man stick. Immediately after jumping, five other men hit me on the way out. My parachute had deployed and was wrapped around the tail section of the plane. I was hanging by my neck about 25-feet behind the plane. The shroud lines of the parachute were wrapped around my neck. One man knocked my helmet off with his foot. One kicked me in the jaw and neck and another kicked me in the knee. I was bleeding from my mouth and neck. I was near strangulation from the tangled shroud lines around my neck, and the weight of my body was pulling them tighter and tighter.

Somehow, I remained conscious throughout this ordeal. Shifting my position slightly, I was finally able to assess my precarious situation. I signaled the aircraft that I was conscious, using the standard signals (left hand on head, right hand on reserve parachute handle). The aircraft circled the airport for almost ten minutes; weaving and dipping, trying to shake me free. This did not work.

At this point, I was trailing the aircraft lying on my back. I instinctively reached for the one necessity in this situation; my knife. I had to get my shroud lines free from my neck. It was not there! Then I remembered, "Here take mine, I won't need it," as I had said to the other Jumpmaster before leaving the plane. My knife was in his possession, and it was the one thing that could help most.

I finally managed to free the lines from my neck by rolling and pulling myself toward the aircraft. The rushing wind from the plane's speed made breathing difficult. Pulling my body toward the plane was like doing a chin up with lead shoes on. Then it was time for a new maneuver. I reached across my chest and pulled the canopy release and was free from the plane, and my parachute. I started to tumble through the air. I remembered that while I was tumbling through the air, that my watch band had become uncoupled and that I reached over and recouped it.

I went into a free-fall position, parallel to the earth in order to get somewhat stable before pulling my reserve. When I became stable, I was coming down with my back to the ground. I pulled the reserve chute. The small pilot chute came out and blew apart, because of the force from the 120 miles per hour speed at which I was falling. Instinctively, I reached in and pulled the main reserve out and threw it into the wind.

My falling motion was slowed by a jarring jolt. Looking down, I estimated that I was between 300 and 400 feet from

athe ground. This was later confirmed by the jumpers who were already on the ground. I was directly over a highway with railroad tracks and high-tension wires running along both sides.

I was trying to maneuver and, next thing I knew, I had fallen and landed in a courtyard about two feet from the side of a building. My first impulse was to silently thank God for helping me to remember what Airborne training had taught me.

I then looked around and about 150 Italians were crowded around me, all excited and all trying to help me. I had made a nice soft standup landing.

lMy men arrived along with the Italian Police, and sped me away to an aid station. A doctor immediately insisted I should drink some wine, which I refused. The last thing in the world I wanted was a drink. They then washed my burns, applied sulfur medication to my cuts, and transported me back to the airport.

Soon our C-117 Aircraft returned to pick us up. It had flown to its home base at Naples and landed to remove my parachute from its tail section. We then flew back to Naples, and I was taken to the Naval Hospital by ambulance.

When the ambulance finally arrived at the hospital, I walked inside and the Corpsman asked, "What happened to you Chief?' I replied, "I had a fall, but I'm Okay." The Corpsman started to check my cuts and bums and ask me to fill in an accident report and write a brief summary of what had happened. After reading what happened the Corpsman and two other doctors rushed in to check me over. Although I had no broken bones, I did have multiple contusions. Due to the vast swelling in my neck area from cuts and bums from the shroud line, I was unable to eat for three days. Aside from some scars around my neck, which [make me] look like I had been lynched, I have fully recovered and resumed normal jumping with the Teams.

Investigations never determined exactly how or why my parachute became hung up on the plane's tail section. It was one of those freak accidents, which requires one to utilize all past experiences and, to recall in an instant, all the instructions that one has been taught, and very possibly to create a few new ones.

Needless to say, I am lucky and very thankful to be alive.

source: The BLAST 3d quarter 1997 Vol. 29 No.3

Webmaster's Note: Gene was an instructor at the UWSS at the same time that i was ships's company there way before this incident. Gene was a superby instructor both in the classroom and on dives. We will miss him at the UWSS reunions. Doc Riojas

Jack Lynch RIP

LT John "Jack" Lynch USN (Ret) SEAL, Class 29 President - UDT-SEAL Association

It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs the membership about the passing of LT John "Jack" Lynch USN (RET), Class 29 and President - UDT-SEAL Association.

Jack suffered a cardiac arrest due to arrhythmia on February 2, 2010. Jack's condition remained critical and unresponsive, requiring life support. Due to the severe brain damage which occurred as a result of the lack of oxygen during his cardiac arrest, and upon consultations with the attending physicians, the difficult decision to suspend life support was made by Jack's family.This decision was made due to a prognosis of little or no improvement in the quality of life, and the known wishes of Jack.

Jack was removed from life support on Saturday, February 13^th at 3:00pm and had been moved to a private room. He remained as comfortable as possible with his family at his side. The care Jack had been receiving from the medical staff at the hospital was of great comfort and support to the family.

Jack completed his mission and reported for a new assignment yesterday, Saturday, February 15^th, at 4:20pm with his family at his side. Details regarding services will be forwarded as soon as they are available.

The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation marked "Building Fund in memory of Jack Lynch".

Naval Special Warfare Foundation
P.O. Box 5965

Virginia Beach, VA 23471

or on-line www.nswfoundation.org

The below photos were submitted by Kerry Ruth, son of LT. Herb Ruth (SEAL)

Eric Greitens Biography

Eric Greitens was born and raised in Missouri, where he was educated in the public schools. He was an Angier B. Duke Scholar at Duke University where he studied ethics, philosophy, and public policy. Selected as a Rhodes and Truman Scholar, he attended the University of Oxford from 1996 through 2000. There he earned a master’s degree in development studies in 1998, and a Ph.D. in politics in 2000.

Eric’s award-winning book of photographs and essays, Strength and Compassion, grew from his humanitarian work. His doctoral thesis, Children First, investigated the ways in which international humanitarian organizations can best serve war-affected children. He has worked as a humanitarian volunteer, documentary photographer, and researcher in Rwanda, Cambodia, Albania, Mexico, India, the Gaza Strip, Croatia, and Bolivia. Strength and Compassion is a collection of striking photographs from each of these countries, combined with bold essays on Strength, Pity, Dignity, Courage, Faith, Time, Hope, and Compassion. Among other accolades, Strength and Compassion has been recognized as ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year and the Grand Prize Winner of the 2009 New York Book Festival.

Eric is also a United States Navy SEAL officer, and he has deployed four times during the Global War on Terrorism: to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Southeast Asia. He has served as the Commander of a Joint Special Operations Task Unit, Commander of a Mark V Special Operations Craft Detachment, and as Commander of an Al Qaeda Targeting Cell. His personal military awards include the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star.

In 2005, Eric was appointed by the President to serve as a White House Fellow. The White House Fellowship is a non-partisan, non-political appointment that is considered America’s most prestigious fellowship for leadership and public service.

Eric is a sub-3 hour Marathon runner and the winner of the Shamrock Marathon at Camp Fallujah, Iraq. As a boxer, he won two Oxford Boxing Blues and the Gold Medal at the BUSA National Boxing Championships. Outside Magazine recently named Eric their first ever Reader of the Year.

Eric used his combat pay from Iraq to found The Mission Continues. The Mission Continues empowers wounded and disabled veterans to begin new lives of public service. From May 2007 to May 2009, Eric contributed over 2,750 volunteer hours as a volunteer Chairman and CEO. In October 2008, the President of the United States personally presented Eric with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his inspiring national leadership working with wounded and disabled veterans. In June 2009, the Draper Richards Foundation named Eric as a Fellow, recognizing him as one of the leading Social Entrepreneurs in America.

Eric also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri, where he teaches on public service, ethics, and leadership.

http://ericgreitens.com/biography.html

Keith Davids Dusty Turner

Lt to Rt. Bill Langley, Bob Nissley, Clay Grady, Bill Brumuller, Erasmo Riojas, Dusty Rhoades

9 of 17 UDT-SEAL Assn Presidents attended the 2009 East Coast Reunion. Lt to Rt. Jim "Tip" Tipton, Pat Paterson, Rudy Boesch, Noel SMith, Bill "Fat Rat" Sutherland, Jack Lynch, Bill "Bru" Brumuller, Tom Hawkins, Bob "Doc" Clark

About the Author

Paul Evancoe is a retired, career Navy SEAL with significant combat experience. Following his military career, he continued government service as the Director for Special Operations in the Office of the Coordinator for Counter-terrorism at the U.S. Department of State. Paul next took a position with the National Nuclear Security Administration where he later headed the Office of Emergency Response which had responsibility for world-wide nuclear and radiological accident and incident response. After 37 total years of government service he became the Vice President for Military Operations at FNH USA. Paul is the founder and president of International Security Strategies and Operations, Inc. ISSO specializes in emergency management, risk assessment, vulnerability assessment and facility hardening. .

Paul's significant military service awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star with "V" for valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Cross of Gallantry with gold star for heroism, Navy Commendation Medal with "V" for valor, Navy Combat Action Ribbon (3 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (4 awards), along with 12 other lesser medals and ribbons. Paul holds a BS in Industrial Technology and advanced degrees and certifications in Human Resource Development, Political Military Strategic Planning and Weapon Systems Engineering.

Paul is the author of numerous feature articles in various national and foreign journals and magazines. He regularly is quoted as a counterterrorism, weapons and non-lethal disabling technology expert in various newspapers and magazines. In addition, Paul has written numerous security-related policy and procedural documents for both government and commercial customers. "Own the Night" is Paul's first novel.

Paul Evancoe - Author and Counter Terrorism Expert

http://www.potomacspeakers.com/Guest_Speaker_bios.html

Archie Grayson RIP. He suffered a seizure and his Medical Practitioners went FUBAR. Archie was killed by a bunch of doctors in FL. They were not sued because Archie's NOK said that would not bring him back. True !

Fred Miller's Sea Story about Bobby Stamey at USNH Portsmouth

From: fmilcusguns [at] aol.com
To: docrio45 [at] gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 4:03 PM
Subject: Re: Davey Sutherland, Bob Stamey and Rick Trani

Rio,

When I was I the Portsmouth Hospital Bobby Stamey had the bunk on my left for a while, he was recuperating from a gunshot wound in his left cheek.

Bobby was perpetually pissed off about everything and complained about everything and was not a model patient. pulling rank or trying to on the corpsman trying to help him. One interesting story while we were there.

When the guys were coming up to visit us they would stand around the bunks between me and Bobby and couldn't see Bobby's left cheek. I guess Bobby had his mouth open when a bullet zipped right into it blowing out his cheek but not bothering his teeth. he had big unhealed hole and you could see his teeth and tongue working while he was trying to talk.

The space between our bunks became crowded and some of the guys moved around and to the left side of Bobbys bunk. Then they saw the hole in Bobby's mouth and one of them said in a loud voice " Dam Bobby I bet you have a hard time drinking beer" If anyone could have had a heart attack from being pissed it could easily have been Bobby.

His face got red as a beet and he started accusing everyone of making fun of a injured Man. Then he got quiet and wouldn't talk at all and someone said well fuck you if you can't take a joke! shortly Bobby was put in the quiet room, at his request, so no one could bother him. I never saw him again.

Bobby and I were in the same platoon in Vietnam and when we were in the hospital together I bet he never said ten words to me. I never knew anyone like Bobby Gene Stamey while I was in the teams or ever since.

All of the Corpsman referred to Bobby as O.W. Stamey "one way Stamey" because they never did a thing right according to Bobby Gene.

Your Amigo Fred

Admiral To Take Command Of Socom On Monday

Vice Admiral Eric Thor Olson is the deputy commander, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL.

A native of Tacoma, WA, Olson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1973. During his career as a Naval Special Warfare officer, he has served operationally in an Underwater Demolition Team, SEAL Team, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team, Special Boat Squadron and at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has also served as a SEAL instructor, strategy and tactics development officer, and joint special operations staff officer. His overseas assignments include duty as a United Nations Military Observer in Israel and Egypt and as the Navy Programs Officer in Tunisia.

Olson has participated in several conflicts and contingency operations, and has commanded at every level from SEAL platoon officer-in-charge to Naval Special Warfare force commander. His primary staff duty was as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy and Operations).

Olson earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a joint specialty officer and political-military affairs subspecialist. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star. Olson is married with two children.

WASHINGTON - Eric Olson officially takes over the helm of U.S. Special Operations Command on Monday during a change-of-command ceremony set for the Tampa Convention Center.

In becoming the eighth person to head Socom, Olson will essentially assume the role as lead combatant commander in the global war on terror.

On Friday, Olson received his promotion to full admiral from vice admiral, after his confirmation last week by the U.S. Senate to become the first Navy officer to run Socom.

The 55-year-old Naval Academy Graduate has since 2003 been deputy commander of Socom, headquartered at Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base.

Socom is a confederation of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who take on the most dangerous assignments in often the worst conditions. Olson is not expected to say much publicly in the coming weeks as he focuses on meeting with troops under his command and other duties tied to his new job, said Ken McGraw, Socom's deputy public affairs officer.

Olson has said major challenges will be prioritizing the employment of special operations forces, transforming Socom's fixed-wing fleet, maintaining and streamlining acquisition processes, and increasing the special operation forces while ensuring quality and maturity.

Hi Doc Rio,

I have been in Cu Lao Dung island 1970 while Dick Marcinko was there. But I did not know Larry Bradley. Thats why I forwarded your email to my LDNN to find out whoever was there and knew Larry?

Note: To Dick, did you remember while you were in Cu Lao Dung (Naval base) . One night the guard did shot an alarm from his guard tower. It was two guys from LDNN crawed back from the navy supply stuff.

You and other SEALs came out when you heard fire. You did help those two LDNN guys out of the wire (Centina) to back their barrack? Later I was with you and Hen (Chief team) to Can Tho for hitch a bus back to LDNN's headquater.

I wanted to thank you for some money which you had exchanged in Can Tho for my bus's ticket.

Kiet Nguyen LDNN

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SEALs KIA in Afganistan, except 4th from left to right he is Marcus Luttrell (Lone Survivor)

Norval Nelson MM1C served in NCDU 43 Marcus Colburn

05 June 2008: Hey Rio , This picture of Rudy and Pierre in MyTho in 1968 is mislabeled. That is Pierre Birtz, Not Pierre Ponson. Pierre, Rudy and I were in the same squad and we relieved your platoon in MyTho on that particular trip to the 'nam.
Great Site Brother,
Jack Lynch , President UDT SEAL Assn, Little Creek VA. WEBMASTER NOTE: Thank you Jack.

SEAL with cammie Floppy ?? lt to rt, Top: Jess Tollison(sunglasses) Bill Garnett Fred Doc Mc Carty
06 June 2008 Rio, The SEAL "with the floppy camo hat" playing cards is Bill Goins. Chuck Detmer
WEBMASTER NOTE: Thank you Chuck.

LouLou Tolentino, Bo Burwell, Doc Riojas, David "Big Bird" Hyde Curtis M. Ashton & Wife

Bill Goines Collection: lt to rt sitting: 3d man is Bill Goines the last sailor sitting is Fred Mc Carthy

ST-2 Collage, Nam Era: Was Posted at the UDT SEAL Museum for a long time. Gone in 2008.

1948 Navy Boot Camp San DIego CA. Laredo boys.
lt to rt: Cerda, Martinez, Gonzalez, Riojas Class 446

Harlan Funkhouser SEAL Team ONE R.I.P.

Harlan Funkhouser (Class 37 West Coast) passed away Fri day evening, 22 Jan,
in his hometown of Moorefield, WVA.

He had been diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer two months previously.

Harlan was in UDT-12 for a short time and then ST-1.
He retired as an MM1 after 22 yrs and 3 months of svc.

His wife said he did 5 deployments to RVN.

I deployed w/ him to RVN w/ ST-1 ALFA Plt in Aug '68-Feb '69.

Snuffy Mac: If you (also in his class) or ANYONE has any Harlan anecdotes,
pls pass them to me as I am sked to speak (after being asked by his widow
Lynn)
at a Memorial Svc for him at 2 pm Sat, 30 Jan, in Moorefield WVA at Fraleys
Funeral Home.

His ashes will be spread at sea off San Diego as his request.

Steve Frisk

Steve,
It's difficult to remember some of those thing now without a reminder. What
reminded me was the note from Mike Thornton. I can't remember, but Harlan
may have had something to do with the great Swamp Cooler fiasco. I think we
got them from DRMO. We certainly didn't have We were trying to cool down
some of the summer heat and created an actual swamp inside the building. The
mold and mildew built up so quick we had to stop using water in the coolers
and only use the fan. I think George Angerer took over from Harlan in 73 or
74.

Danny Horrell says Harlan won the two water tanks we were using to provide
water pressure for the outdoor showers. It was later that we were able to
lay cement, under the building to bring the showers into the building. We
used the P250s, in the beginning, then someone suggested we buy/steal a
bigger pump. Rumor has it that Mike Thornton was in one of the tanks with a
hose from the P250 to clean the tank before filling and the nozzle got away
from him. Beat hell out him. Friday night card games at the Past Time Café
and the ____ _______ across the street may have funded early Niland Camp
(Kerry) Billy Machen development. Harlan was called Camper Driver because he
was the only one with enough money to own a camper to live in while the Camp
building was being built, piped, wired and furnished. I know Harlan was
focused on Camp funding and development. I never saw him drink a single beer
in all that time.
Chuck Chaldekas

Harlan was the Camp Supervisor at Niland in 1970-71 and for some time after.
After we brought the building down from Cuyamaca, we started digging the
leach lines for the heads and using a P250 pump to bring water from the
canal into the camp. We had a great fun cutting through and around rocks
with picks and shovels to complete the leach field. No explosives! We didn't
want to reroute the canal.

Chuck Chaldekas

The word of Harlins passing was received yesterday. I spent several hours last night going through old scrap books and photos and found my self traveling back through the time tunnel (some 44 years) to UDTRA Class 37, UDT 12, jump school in Okinawa, and Seal Team One of which Harlin was a major player. It is my hope that the passing of Harlin in this modern day Naval Special Warfare community will not go un-noticed. The real players in this life story are the Team Mates who trained with, fought with, played with and drank with Harlin Funkhouser. To us, Harlin was a classmate, Team Mate, professional warrior and a true Shipmate all rolled into one. The term "Trusted my life with Harlin" is so true and his loss has hit home with a profound impact. We will be the keepers of Harlins memory for all time. I am proud to have served with Harlin not only as a class mate in UDTRA class 37, dropping lead lines above the DMZ with UDT 12, to giving the VC a bad time in Viet Nam. I am sure that we will see Harlin somewhere down the trail on the final patrol. R/Mike

Michael E. McCollum

Harlan was a great Guy and we had some great times together help building
Niland training camp and doing the testing the first 50cal long Gun in China
Lake, CA. He will be missed.

Mike Thornton

Amen on the Warrior, Harlin led us on a patrol for the third night (he had just returned from Rach Gia and didn’t know we had been the two previous nights) in a roll down the Ti Cam Canal. We came under fire and were ambushed coming out.

That’s where Von Esseson ( BSU) made his great stuttering comment “Ta Ta Take that you hos hos hostile Bastards”. That took us from a fierce firefight with everyone firing and the green tracers coming from both sides of the canal to complete silence – then to laughter.

Harlin got us in and out without a scratch. I’ll miss him and maybe even the early morning calls where I could barely understand him. West By God Virginia has lost a favorite son and we a great TEAMMATE.

Hooyah!! Funk ! John Ware

John Douglas Schworm R.I.P.

----- Original Message -----
From: Sherryl Schworm ; sirius2.dbaron [at] gmail.com
To: docrio45 [at] gmail.com ; Doc Rio
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 1:59 AM
Subject: My Father John Schworm; "Beachmaster" "Flapjack"

Doc Rio,

Here is the important bit of information, and the explanation is below. My name is Sherryl Schworm Johnston, I am the daughter of John Schworm. We are spending most of our time at the hospital and in intensive care we cannot have our cell phones turned on, so please leave me a message with your phone number so that I may call you back.

I want to contact you somehow because my father John Schworm is extremely ill and is on a ventilator for the moment. We think he will be taken off tomorrow and probably won't last long once it is removed. You are one person that my mother told me to try to contact with this information. I am assuming you all have met at the SEAL reunions and I know I have heard him speak of you from the bulletin boards that he perused. I will give you my phone number even though I hate doing that in email but please call me. I am sure that there are people who he would want to know when he is gone. I know he also wants some military part to his funeral and I don't know if you know of anyone that I can contact to figure out this process.

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I do want his buddies to know, and I know that he would want someone to tell them.

Thank you in advance,

Sherryl Schworm (Johnston)

Guys,

I'm saddened to inform you that John Douglas Schworm, Class 001 East Coast, is gravely ill and is not expected to survive much longer. John was on an amphib in the Pacific during World War II, then volunteered for UDT training and did a tour at UDT-2 just after the war.

He left the Navy to pursue an engineering degree, then joined the Army when the Navy told him it was downsizing after the war. John did a tour during the Korean War as a combat engineer, then left the military altogether. He was admitted to the hospital seven weeks ago with shortness of breath, underwent a quadruple bypass surgery, and has been sliding downhill since then.

John was on a ventilator until sometime today, as well as dialysis and a host of other supportive care measures. He is currently off his ventilator and on morphine, but the family expects him to pass in the next day or so. I'll post contact information and updates as I get them. John has requested a military funeral at a nearby national cemetary (near Timonium, Maryland).

Please feel free to forward this to any of John's classmates or Teammates at UDT-2.

Shaun Chittick BUD/S 135

Hi Doc,

Dad died at 2:35am this morning 26 Jan 2010. His family was with him and he went
quietly. We are making arrangements and as soon as we have them, I
will give you details.

Sherryl

Doc,

I will contact the Md National Honor Guard first thing in the morning about the burial detail. It looks like John Schworm rates two flag bearers and a bugler, since he was honorably discharged after less than 20 years of service (did not retire). Do you have comms with the VFW or any other Veteran's Organizations that might be willing to augment John's funeral?

Right now I'm planning on going up north the day of the funeral to serve as a pall bearer, provided I can cut away from work. The latest word I have is that the funeral service will be held at 1000 on Monday, 01 February 2010 at the Sol Levinson Funeral Home at 8900 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville, MD 21208 1.800.338.1701

The burial will be held at around 1130 at the Crownsville Veteran's Cemetary at 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd., Crownsville, MD 21032 410.987.6320

Shaun Chittick

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Doc,

http://www.keysnet.com/news/story/189922.html Navy SEAL dies in dive training off Key West