My Friend Carl McLelland, Pilot, Race car
driver, 'nam Vet and so many hobbies !
Brett
Jones
Jim's wife, Doc Riojas, Jim Glasscock
SUB-OPS
group and Ordance Group of UDT - 21 1955
M.O.H. SEALs
Lt-Rt: Ramos, Simmons, Irish, Hyde
Lt-Rt: Joseph "Red" Coyle, Rudy Boesch, Terry Sullivan, ??
Rudy Boesch and two SEALs
The
Toughest School on Earth
Rebecca "Becky" Byers-
Menendez R.I.P.
From: Jack Menendez Date:Jan 24 2012
Doc Rio,
Today is 2 months since Becky's passing. Tomorrow would have been our 27th anniversary.
I've attached some good photos of Halloween and my last trip as Master on the SS AMERICAN VICTORY on 10 NOV 2012 (Veteran's Day "Relive History
Cruise"). My wife, Becky, was very proud of everything we did, and rightly so. She was a good woman and we miss her.
In 1990, after we attended Rudy
Boesch's retirement ceremony, and a tour of Disney World, Lourdes, Mandy (grandaughter)
and I visited the Byers in Brooksville FL.
Dow looked great, seemed very very
happy and was spending much of his time painting, and tending to his horses at
his ranch. We talked about old times at UWSS, and at Little Creek. Dow was
retired from US Navy, and also from Old Dominion University where he was the
Chief of the Security Department. He employed several retired SEALs and had a
successful second career there. John Francis Rabbitt, Dow's very best
friend, went to Dow's funeral along with their friend a BMC that worked
with them at the Old Dominion University. We did not get to see his
remains because Byers was cremated. I understand his son David took his
ashes and scattered them in the Gulf of Mexico.
He was living with Annise (wife),
Terry(daughter), David (his son), and Bevin Richards (his grandaughter) in
Brooksville, FL. when he met his untimely demise.
He was found many hours after his
fatal CVA by his children. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the
ocean by his son David Byers. Attending his family gathering after his death
were his sole survirors:
David
Byers and MCPO Driscoll at taken
1998 FO UWSS 1st Reunion
Marijeane Buers-Perry, Dan Perry and
Kristen Perry
Terry Anne Byers-Richards, Dennis
Richards, and Bevin Richards
Becky Byers-Menendez, CDR Jack
Menendez, Velika, and Jamie.
David Byers, Cheryl Byers, Christopher
Byers, and Jennifer Byers
Guests were: John Francis Rabbitt
Erasmo "Doc" Riojas and
Lourdes Tolentino
CPO (Ret) his friend from Old Dominion
came with Johnny Rabbitt, sorry, his name escapes my memory.
Annice B. Byers resides with her
daughter Marijeane Perry in Pride, LA. 70770
Dow may you Rest in
Peace in heaven
Service
Record
YNCS Dow F. Byers (SS) (PJ) (DV) (UDT)
Service
Record
YNCS Dow F. Byers (SS) (PJ) (DV) (UDT)
Unit
Duty Station
From
To
o
USN Enlisted
Buffalo, NY
15 July 1949
USNTC Great Lakes
Great Lakes, IL
July 1949
Oct 1949
USS Barton (DD 772)
Norfolk, VA
Oct 1949
May 1951
UDT BUDS [Class 7]
Little Creek, VA
May 1951
August 1951
UDT Team 4
Little Creek, VA
August 1951
November 1953
USN Rhine River Patrol
Wiesbaden, Germany
November 1953
April 1956
USN Shore Patrol
NAS Pensacola, FL
April 1956
January 1958
USS Redfish (SS 395)
San Diego, CA
January 1958
September 1959
COMSUBDIV 32 (Staff)
San Diego, CA
September 1959
September 1962
Underwater Swimmers School (UWSS)
Key West, FL
September 1962
June 1967
UDT Team 22
Little Creek, VA
June 1967
January 1968
UDT BUDS (Instructor – East Coast)
Little Creek, VA
January 1968
July 1971
USN Retired
Little Creek, VA
7 July 1971
Badges & Insignia Medals & Awards
Special Warfare (UDT/SEAL)
National Defense Service w/Star (Korea & Vietnam Era)
Naval Parachutist (PJ) Navy Good Conduct w/Stars (5)
Submarine Warfare (SS)
WWII Navy Occupation (European Theater)
Scuba Diver (DV) Navy Expert Pistol Shot
BMC Gerhard Klann, Story of Iran in 1979,
published in The Blast
I met Gerhard in 1998. I had no clue what being a Navy SEAL even meant. We got
along great. We spent a lot of time talking on our porch. Gerhard showed me a
box of coins that he’d collected while in various countries when he served. I
decided I’d take a coin out of the box, and when I did, he could tell me the
story behind that coin. One evening, I grabbed a 1979- 200 Lire Coin. This is
the story I heard that night:
Gerhard finally received the Legion of Merit with a “V” for combat valor
on November 11, 2011, for this operation. It only took 32 years, several
promises of a Medal of Honor, and a lot of sweat and tears. I’m very proud to
be his wife. http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1112680
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Spec Ops Profile: 1st Special Operations Wing
1st Special Operations Wing shield Military.com
Mission
The 1st Special Operations Wing (1st SOW) at Hurlburt Field, Fla. is one of two Air Force active duty special operations wings and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
The 1st SOW mission focus is unconventional warfare: counter-terrorism, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, psychological operations, aviation assistance to developing nations, "deep battlefield" resupply, interdiction and close air support. The wing has units located at Hurlburt Field, Fla. and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
The wing's core missions include aerospace surface interface, agile combat support, combat aviation advisory operations, information operations, personnel recovery/recovery operations, precision aerospace fires, psychological operations dissemination, specialized aerospace mobility and specialized aerial refueling.
The 1st SOW also serves as a pivotal component of AFSOC's ability to provide and conduct special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower to infiltration, exfilitration, resupply and refueling of special operations force operational elements. In addition, the 1st SOW brings distinctive intelligence capabilities to the fight, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance contributions, predictive analysis, and targeting expertise to joint special operations forces and combat search and rescue operations.
In addition, the 1st SOW brings distinctive intelligence capabilities to the fight, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance contributions, predictive analysis, and targeting expertise to joint special operations forces and combat search and rescue operations.
Kim
& Roy Dean Matthews
Taken from the USNavy SEAL recruiting movie ~1967 "Men
With Green Faces" These are SEAL Team ONE men.
Copied from the U.S. navy Training film of the 1960's "Men with Green
Faces" These are SEAL Team ONE frogmen
Lou Boyles
Jeff Jacobs
SEALs Vietnam
ST-1 50th Anniversary 13
Lucky guys
Bob Nissley, Bill Brummuller, Rudy Boesch, and Jerry Hammerle
John Dearmon & Erasmo Riojas
Bob Shouse
Kevin
R. Ebbert KIA
Duane Lee McDonald
Dan Potts and Art Streeter
Ivan Alexander Trent
CDR Job Price (SEAL) R.I.P.
Funeral services held for Navy Seal
Commander from Montgomery County, PA.
Monday, January 07, 2013
this is
Frank Richard said Bill Ferrand.
From: spikey1971 [at] aol.com To:
docrio45 [at] gmail.com
Date: 26June2013 Subj:
SEALstuckINmud.jpg
Doc Riojas,
I hope the message finds you and your family well. A picture,
shown below, has a couple names at the bottom of it that are neither
right for this SEAL. His name is Lt.(jg) John Hollow, 2IC of Foxtrot
platoon at Sea Float 1970. All the best.
Clinton
Injured, US Navy Seal Killed In Secret US Mission To IranPosted
by EU Times on Dec 30th, 2012
A new Foreign Military Intelligence (GRU) report circulating in the Kremlin
today is saying that United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton [photo 2nd
right] was injured, and a top US Navy Seal Commander killed when their C-12
Huron military passenger and transport aircraft crash landed nearly 3 weeks ago
in the Iranian city of Ahvaz near the Iraqi border.
LT. Tom BOYHAN
LT. Tom BOYHAN, Charlie Platoon, SEAL
Team ONE, Vietnam
photo 011 - Loading C-47 for flight to Can Tho Feb'70 L-
Joe Tvrdik, Lou DiCroce, Doc Brown,
Mike Thornton, Hal Kuykendall, John Duggar & Rich Doyle
photo 028 - VN Navy base Long Phu / Dung Island ops Apr'70 LSSC being
used for an entire platoon op L->R:Rich Doyle, Barry Enoch, unidentified back, Mac McCarthy (MSST guy), Mike
Thornton, VN interpreter Nelson (in front of Thornton), Lou DiCroce,
Doc Brown (sitting in back) Joe Tvrdik, Rich Solano & Kenne Meier.
photo 004 - NAS North Island leaving for RVN Dec'69 L->R standing: Ltjg
John Duggar, Rich Doyle, Barry Enoch,
Mike Sands, Hal Kuykendall, Mike LaCaze, Wayne Hampton.In front: Kenne Meier, Mike Thornton, Lou DiCroce,
Pete VanFlagg, Langlois(ST1 but not with C platoon)Sitting with DiCroce's baby: Doc Brown
photo 044 - Cleaning weapons post-op looking out across the perimeter at
Long Phu L->RBarry Enoch, Mike Thornton (behind Barry), Rich Solano, Mike Sands &
Doc Brown
A typical day at
the Tan Son Nhut Airport in Saigon (1968)
From: Franklin Anderson
Date: Aug 30 , 2013
to: Doc Rio, Joe, Alan, Apo, Al, Bill, Bo, Bob,
Bruce, Bruce, Carl, Carlos, Chip, CHUCK, Clint, Dave, Goodie,
Don, Peter, Fletcher, Frank, Fred, Gary, George, Irish, Jim
Subj: video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=103kHGjdy9w:
Title: A typical day at the Tan Son Nhut Airport in
Saigon (1968)
Men,
It really brings back the
memories---first arrived in June 64, and the airport was about
½ the size it was the last time I left in July 68. I was at
TSN to pick up my relief “Bill Early”, and while he was in
the briefing room they set off some explosions nearby---Late
June 65, lot’s of Glass and shit flying around.
I saw guys grabbing
glass and cutting themselves---You know the Purple Heart
Routine. Bill and the rest of the inductee’s came running
out with big eyes, and what the shit am I in for.
A couple of days
later, they blew up the Floating Restaurant—I had told Bill
it was quiet in Saigon---He didn’t believe me. While we were
in the crowd at the Restaurant—Capt Archie Kuntze ( CALLED
THE Mayer of Saigon) came though and bump Bill—Bill bristled
up—I quickly introduced them..
I had gotten to Know Archie
quite well, and he had told me the Story of How he and Mack
Boynton helped Start SEALS. Archie was the UDT/SEAL Detailer
for a number of years. Yes, a lot of memories---Glad it’s
all behind us.
Franklin
photo 005b - Ready to leave Ben Luc for Dung Island Feb'70 L->RRich Doyle, Joe Tvrdik, Lou DiCroce, John Duggar & Doc Brown.
photo 043 - Camp at Long Phu L->RWayne Hampton with his M-60 & Rich Solano with his Stoner drum-fed
(he usually replaced the first 20 rounds in the belt with tracer
rounds - it looked like a laser when he first opened up)
photo 042 - Catching a ride to op area on PCF - note Hoi Chan guide in
white shirtWayne Hampton - note he's wearing Solano's
life jacket but more importantly he's carrying Solano's Stoner. Wayne
normally carried the M-60.
photo SEAL reunion 2011 West CoastHal Kuykendall, Mike Thornton, Tom Boyhan & Wayne Hampton
Hi Doc Rio -
We enjoyed working with ST-2 guys.
Ron Rogers & LDNN's at Dung Island (in fact I wrote him
up for a Silver Star - which I assume he got.) Y
ou & Mac Carthy who also came down and guest operated
with us. We always welcomed an extra gun on those ops.
Never heard Doc Brown called by the name
"Chucker." He is dead. Seriously - if you
were treated poorly by my guys I
apologize. I will buy the beer next time we meet.
I didn't stay in the Navy. I did
one more tour with Romeo Plt. Dec'70 - Jun'71 (only officer
during VN that got to take 2 direct action SEAL platoons
over as OIC ) got out in '72 after doing a stint as Ops
Officer for ST-1. Saw too many staff jobs in my career path.
I just wanted to be an operator not a desk jockey.
Yes - Hal Kuykendall is related to 1 of the
original Texas Rangers. Hal certainly carried on the
tradition in the sense he was a great guy to have in a
firefight plus he was my admin helper & a great morale
booster with his cheerful attitude. A true Texas gentleman!
The MOH society work has been good for Mike
Thornton & from all I hear he's been good for them -
raised a bunch of money & done a good job promoting the
values. But he'll always be "Big Mike" - of course
that's why we love him! When the bullets were cracking
overhead he got us out of harm's way. Back in those
days we payed him back by pulling him out of trouble in some
Pubs. Never saw a guy who could carry so much
weight in M-60 ammo - he was amazing!
Tom Boyhan
USNA 1966
BUD/S 45 West Coast
UDT-13 ST-1
Doc Riojas NOTE: Thank
you very much Mr. Boyhan for the photos and your
comments.
Wow! I did not know you wore an Academy ring! All of
you were great warriors. While an instructor at UWSS,
we gave you men some extra fun and games and never heard one
negative vibe from those Officers.
With all due
respect, there used to be and still is, the East Coast /
West Coast Bull/S. It is all in good fun and it never
got worse than only "words." As I
said, Doc Brown IS the meanest SEAL Corpsman that I have
ever met; totally fearless!
RIO
Janet & Tom Boyhan
Janet & Tom Boyhan
30Nov2012
Hi Doc Riojas
Enclosed are a Couple more photos -
076 - BM1 Ron Rogers marking smoke for Black Pony air strike. This op was 1 I wrote Ron up for Silver Star & Barry Enoch for Navy Cross. LDNN platoon leader Tich was KIA this op & helo's refused to extract the group because LZ was "too hot!" I know Enoch got his award and so I assumed Ron got his also. I had to get 2 PCF's and the rest of the platoon piled on board so we could secure an area near the target the guys could fight their way to with lots of clearing effect from Black Ponies overhead. That was 1 hell of an op.
099 - Charlie Platoon HooYah picture with captured VC flag at Dung Island.
L-R: Rich Solano, Rich Doyle, Lou Dicroce, Tom Boyhan, Mike Thornton & Barry Enoch. Seated in front Joe Tvrdik.
And finally here's a copy of the Barndance card proving you operated with Charlie Platoon! Do you recall that op? We ran into these guys on the way into the planned target. After we shot them up I dove into the water to try & recover the weapon(s). When I came up for air a VC surfaced right in back of me and Solano fired 1 tracer from his Stoner hitting the VC right in the forehead. (that's why I remember it so well!) Anyway thought you'd get a kick out of this.
L-R: Rich Solano, Rich Doyle, Lou Dicroce, Tom Boyhan, Mike Thornton & Barry Enoch. Seated in front Joe
Tvrdik.
Doc Riojas Operates with ST-1
Nicolas D. Checque
SEAL
killed, Nicolas D. Checque, in rescue of doctor in
Afghanistanwas
highly decorated A U.S .Navy SEAL is being praised as a fallen hero after he
died during the rescue of an American doctor kidnapped by the Taliban in
Afghanistan. NBC's Atia Abawi reports. By Jim Miklaszewski, NBC News The
Pentagon on Monday identified the U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed in the
rescue of an American doctor in Afghanistan as a highly-decorated 10-year
veteran from Pennsylvania.
U.S. Navy SEAL killed in operation to rescue American doctor in Afghanistan From Qadir
Sediqi, CNN updated 10:50 AM EST, Mon December 10, 2012 Photo
of the Doctor
Source: CNN STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: The freed doctor's family thanks U.S. and allied partners, grieves lost U.S. service member Dr. Dilip Joseph was among 3 abducted while returning from a rural clinic, officials say
2 local Afghan leaders say smugglers are responsible; ISAF blames the Taliban A U.S. official says the man killed in the rescue was a member of Navy SEAL Team Six Read a version of this story in Arabic. Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- An elite U.S. special forces team rescued an American doctor who had been abducted in Afghanistan, but lost one of their own members in the mission, officials said.
U. S Navy Navy SEAL Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., was killed in the Afghan rescue operation. He did not die in vain.
The Pentagon yesterday identified the Navy SEAL member who died over the weekend during a rescue operation that freed an American doctor from Taliban kidnappers.
Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., was killed after being shot in the head late Saturday night as SEAL Team Six was sent in to rescue Dr. Dilip Joseph, a medical adviser for Morning Star Development, a non-profit medical organization that operates in war-torn Afghanistan.
“Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., died of combat related injuries suffered Dec. 8, while supporting operations near Kabul, Afghanistan,” the Pentagon said yesterday in a statement. “Checque was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.”
Checque joined the Navy in 2002, and entered the SEAL program a year later. Awarded the Bronze Star and numerous other honors over the course of his career, Checque joined the SEAL unit that killed Osama bin Laden in 2008, though he did not take part in that raid.
From: jimebbert AT hotmail DOT com
To: jimebbert AT hotmail DOT com
Subject: Kevin Ebbert
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2012
Friends and family, As most of you know a memorial service was held
Thursday morning at the Naval Base in Little Creek Virginia for my
nephew Kevin Ebbert. Kevin was killed in action on 24 November 2012
while supporting combat operations as a combat corpman/medic in Southern
Afghanistan. Kevin was attached to SEAL Team Four. The Naval base at
Little Creek is the home to SEAL Teams Two, Four and Ten. The service
for Kevin was held at the base chapel and was extremely well attended.
Estimates were that up to 1,000 people may have attended. The chapel
seats 750 people and the place was overflowing with standing room only.
I would estimate that at least 250 to 300 people were standing along the
back, sides and front of the chapel. It was very moving to see and also
to attend. Following are notes I used as a guide when it was my turn to
speak. Several of Kevin's teammates and childhood friends got up to
speak too. It was a long day for all, but in the end I'm proud he was a
part of such a special community........truly a band of brothers. On a
final note I'd like to mention The Navy SEAL Foundation based out of
Virginia Beach, Virginia. I cannot put into mere words what this fine
organization does every day for our warrior's anf their families. I
would highly urge all of you to contribute to their meaningful cause by
donating to the foundation in the name of SO1 Kevin Richard Ebbert at:
1619 D Street, Bldg. 5326 Virginia Beach, VA 23459
navySEALfoundation.org
Best regards to all, Jim
Two days ago I received a text from Kevin's step father Mark Ritz asking
if I would be able to get up and speak at this memorial service. I
texted back that I would try. Within a few minutes I texted back to Mark
saying that it would be my honor and privilege to do so. So here I am
today, standing before you, and in doing so I am very honored and
privileged to be here to talk a little bit about Kevin.
Surprisingly when I received Mark's text I was reading probably one of
the greatest, if not the greatest and most eloquent eulogies ever
written. It was written by Pat Conroy for his father Don Conroy AKA
"The Great Santini", a World War II Marine fighter pilot. If
you are not aware of this eulogy from son to father, then I urge you to
Google it.
That eulogy is about a man, a father, a husband, and a warrior that
lived a complete and full life......... but did not perish in battle.
The Great Santini tells his son how successful he was in battle, and his
son asks, "How do you know you were successful." and his
father says, "Because I could see from the air that the enemy was
running". His father pauses for a moment and adds,....
......."and because they were on fire". This eulogy was
written for a warrior that lived a long and full life, but did not die
in battle.
Unlike The Great Santini, Kevin was a warrior that did die in battle.
Kevin was living a full life that was unfortunately cut short, never
completed, and sadly..........we will never know what the end of Kevin's
story would have been. This we can only hypothesize.
So today I will briefly talk about Kevin Ebbert, my nephew. The son of a
former SEAL, the nephew of a former SEAL, and a warrior and SEAL in his
own right. He is also a husband, a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a
very special human being, a friend to many, and last but not least
............... a warrior. A warrior well and thoroughly trained to go
into battle, to go into harms way, and do harm to others if necessary.
As much as we may not like to think of it this way......this is the job
of a SEAL, especially in time of war.
I'll tell you first about Kevin Ebbert the non warrior. Something many
of you may not know is that Kevin was an extremely accomplished
musician. Kevin could read, write and often composed music. The music
you are listening to today was composed and played by Kevin for a
college recital. He seemed to be as comfortable with the piano as he was
the guitar, but his true love was the guitar. Kevin would play for his
family at many family gatherings. Normally urged & prodded to do so
by his Aunt Mary. Most memorable for me though was when he played for
his grandmother Pat, my mother. She loved Kevin so much you could see
the pride bursting out of every pore she had. Kevin loved classical
music and light jazz. He would listen to it and play it often. He
received bis bachelors degree in music from UC Santa Cruz prior to
joining the Navy.
(Mention Georgia and Kevin tuning her guitar)
Kevin was also an accomplished artist. At our home in Scottsdale I
noticed that if there was a piece of paper, and a pen or pencil laying
around, Kevin would be doodling or sketching. What...........I don't
specifically recall, but I wish I had a few of those doodles now. He
also always took time to draw with his younger cousin Georgia who now is
just 6 years old, going on 7.
I think what I may remember most about Kevin though is that he was an
avid reader, and most importantly a thinker. He never spoke before
thinking about what he was going to say. One evening at our home I
walked into Kevin's room to say good night. He was staying with us on
the weekends while he was training in Marana Arizona, about an hour
south of our home. I noticed 3 books on his bedside table. One was
written by Voltaire, one by Chaucer and one was poetry. As I walked in
he took his I-Pod ear plugs out and I could make out the sound of
classical music. If I recall correctly, I think it was Vivaldi playing.
That's the Kevin I will always remember.
Another thing that I will always remember about Kevin is that....... man
that kid could eat! Not just eat.......but eat like it was nobody's
business! I kid you not, I referred to Kevin as my lean, mean, eating
machine. It was like an art form watching him eat. I learned to always
throw lots of extra food on if Kevin was coming to eat. One night Kevin
was at our home and I threw extra steaks on the grill. My wife Stacy
came outside, saw all the meat cooking and asked if other people were
coming over to eat. I said no, Just she and I, Kevin and our little
girl. She gave me a puzzled, quizzical look, and then said.......oh yea,
right, Kevin.
Many of you know Kevin was married to his beautiful bride Ursula not too
long before he deployed. There was a large (should I say HUGE) amount of
family at this celebration. Kevin was swamped with family and friends
and quite frankly I think more over whelmed by it all than what he may
have anticipated. But Kevin being who he was just quietly got through
the clamor and chaos of the Irish Catholic and Italian family members.
Thank God for Ursula's side of the family. Calm...........Norwegian I
believe.
At their wedding I was fortunate enough to actually have a couple of
minutes next to Kevin at a family photo event. I said to Kevin, "
Ursula looks beautiful today doesn't she?" Kevin responded,
"Jim she looks beautiful every day but you would be correct if you
also said that she looks exceptionally beautiful today. Not only that,
she looks extremely happy too." He then gave me that calm,
intelligent smile of his that was his trademark. Kevin then turned and
looked at Ursula and smiled even more. I could see he was truly in love
and very proud to be marrying this beautiful woman.
What many of you may not know is that on Thanksgiving day many in our
family were fortunate in that we got to speak with Kevin via FaceTime.
We all heard the news that evening that Kevin had been accepted into
medical school. Kevin then informed us that he would be released from
the Navy early so he could start school on time. It appeared that Kevin
was on his way to much bigger and better things that would help not only
himself and his family, but many more people that he would come into
contact with in the future as medical patients.
In this building are many of you that loved and knew Kevin the most, and
those that cared about him the most; his wife Ursula, his mother
Charlie, his sister Samantha, his step father Mark and many other family
members.........me included. And what I do know is that Kevin was many
things to many people, kind, gentle, quiet, never obtrusive, never over
bearing, never sarcastic, always polite,and always a gentleman to anyone
that he knew, loved, cared about, or came in contact with on a day to
day basis.
Kevin was not a big man in stature, as most SEALS are not while on
active duty. We usually get that way after we leave The Teams and
transition from our lean, trim and hardened active duty SEAL days to our
old and overweight walrus days. I'm in those days now. So Kevin was lean
and strong without an ounce of body fat on him. He was as physically and
mentally prepared as any SEAL can be for the job he was assigned to do.
(Mention Kev's evening ethos.....Jim I stay in shape not just for me,
but for others that may depend on me.)
With that being said.......he was also a warrior. A well trained,
thoroughly invested killer of men if need be. It's not easy for some of
us to speak or think of Kevin in this way, but it's the truth. He is and
was a warrior...........among many other things. He was as well trained
and prepared for battle as any soldier on this planet can be, and so are
the men he went into battle with. I can assure you that as well trained
as Kevin and his platoon mates are..................Kevin did not give
his life for his country, it was taken from him. It is the job of Kevin
and his platoon mates to make the enemy lose on the battlefield for
their cause and it's a SEAL's job to ensure that the enemy loses in a
rapid manner. I believe General Patton said something similar to this in
a much more colorful manner of which I will not repeat here today.
Unfortunately men that go into battle don't always come home to those
that love them so dearly. Often times this is the unfortunate cost of
war. Approximately 8,500 families have, and are going through the
grieving process, just as we are all doing today. Unfortunately there
will undoubtably be others, and I grieve for those that will follow.
In ending let me read what I received in recent e-mails from family
members and friends.
Kevin's uncle, Joel Rice, in Sacramento California said, " I pray
for a world where there is no need for war, as it is so damaging and the
damages are so far reaching. It goes without saying that we are all
forever in Kevin's debt, but I for one will look forward to the day when
such sacrifice will not be be necessary".
My friend, Scott Knauer, in Phoenix Arizona said, " Make no mistake
Kevin was a warrior, and as a Navy SEAL, distinguished himself in
battle, but Kevin's real dream was not to take lives, but to save them.
This is exemplified in his duties as a corpsman and his acceptance into
medical school at Old Dominion University just one day before his
passing. This was to be his last deployment. Unfortunately his life was
taken before he could pursue his true passion..........healing others.
My thoughts and prayers are with Kevin, Ursula, Charlie, Samantha, Mark
and the rest of your family and friends. I would ask that each of you
remember that every statistic, every young man and woman killed in
action, is someone's husband, son, grandson, brother, sister, niece,
nephew, cousin, neighbor and friend. The world is a better place because
Kevin lived, and it is a lessor place with him gone. Kevin loved his
country and his family, and he was loved by all who knew him, he will be
sorely missed and live in my, and others. hearts forever."
And finally, another friend of mine, John Seger, of Phoenix Arizona, a
combat wounded Army veteran of the Vietnam war, had this to say,
"Let me ask that tomorrow all of us take a minute out of our day
and ask that Kevin be welcomed into a place where there will be no more
war or death, or tears, or pain, and where Kevin will be welcomed as the
selfless hero that he is. We are free because of men like Kevin."
E.
Ralph Morgan,Senior
Gemologist, A.G.A. and Retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Discusses High-Value
Gemological Missions AUSTIN,
Texas, Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- E. Ralph Morgan was honorably
released from active duty from the U.S. Navy's SEAL Team Four in
February 1986. Following that, he immediately attended the
Gemological Institute of America and became a Graduate Gemologist
after finishing the residence course held at the school's previous
location in Santa Monica, California.
Sidney Robbins, a former Navy commander and construction company owner, dies at age 95 BY KATIE DREWS
Obit photos for Sidney Robbins. Chicago Sun-Times October 25, 2012
Sidney Robbins was a commander with one of the U.S. Navy’s original Underwater Demolition Teams in World War II who later started a construction company in Chicago and built numerous post-war homes, shopping centers and high-rises, including the Water Tower Place.
Many years later, Mr. Robbins, a widower at the time, made news headlines when he decided to tie the knot again at age 90.
From: Tom Valentine [mailto:tvalentineus@aol.com] Sent: Friday, December 07, 2012 12:09 PM To: Maynard Weyers Subject: Interment Ceremony for Teammate Sidney Robbins
Maynard,
Would you be kind enough to pass the below announcement to distribution. Sidney Robbins, a WWII Frogman, will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 21 December at 9:00am. I've confirmed that the burial is still scheduled as cited below; attendees should muster at the Administrative Building. The following is an excerpt from Sidney's obituary:
In 1943, he took a commission in the Navy Seabees engineering corps and later volunteered for a new unit — the
UDTs, the precursor to the Navy SEALs — in response to a call for men “physically able, good swimmers and preferably single.”
Dubbed the “Naked Warriors” and the “frogmen,” Mr. Robbins and his fellow officers performed reconnaissance missions on enemy beaches in the South Pacific with hardly any more gear than a bathing suit and face mask.
“They would have bombs in the water and bombs on the beach to deter troops, and these men were literally swimming into the beaches and defusing bombs, and then they’d go and scout out the land,” said Mr. Robbins’ daughter, Ruth.
He was involved in the invasion of Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu and Okinawa and later became the commanding officer of UDT 7. In 1944, he was awarded the Silver Star.
“I would say to myself, ‘If I ever get out of this alive and well, I’ll be thankful forever and will consider the rest of my life given to me,’” Mr. Robbins wrote later in his memoir, “Good to be Alive.”
Thanks and best regards,
Tom
Sidney Robbins
from: Rick Woolard
to: Hershel, John
John Donovan rediscovered Minh Nuygen in My Tho a few years ago and started a fundraising effort to bring him and his family to the States. I helped. The US Govt turned his application down so the money went to help Minh build a decent house and improve his family's circumstances.
The Commies are still hard on the people who helped us round-eyes back in the day.
The original money is all gone now, and I know Minh would deeply appreciate any contribution you care to make.
Rick
Rick Woolard
25Aug2015
to me, Jim I did not read the whole story at the link but will when I get some time.
Yep, I went to Ranger School too (Ranger Class 8/68, January-March 1968). It was not a pleasant experience - I'd rather go through BUDS again than Ranger School - but I was always glad I did it since it having the Ranger Tab on my cammies got trust and respect from Army guys for the next 28 years of my career.
Rick
U.S. Navy
SEAL dies in battle from fatal gunshot wound PENTAGON NOVEMBER 4, 2012 BY:ROBERT TILFORD
UDT-SEAL
Museum's annual Muster brings back memories for many By
James Kirley Posted November 10, 2012 My
Sea Daddy Bob Shouse
Tom Norris MOH
Monday, April 9, 2012–
Keith Urban announced today that all artist and publishing royalties fromFor
You,a song written for
the movie "Act of Valor," will be donated to the Navy SEAL
Foundation.
Monday, April 9, 2012–
Keith Urban announced today that all artist and publishing royalties fromFor
You,a song written for
the movie "Act of Valor," will be donated to the Navy SEAL
Foundation.
x
Annice Byers
Annice Byers
SEAL
Team TWO, Hoss Kucinski without hat. Vietnam war games
Lyons, and Marcinko
Larry Lyons
Jim Watson's Party 2011 at Ft. Pierce FL:
before the UDT-SEAL Museum Muster
Jim Watson's Party 2011 at Ft. Pierce FL:
before the UDT-SEAL Museum Muster
Please
ID all these men for me and send me an email to
: docrio45 [at] gmail DOT COM
??,
BOb "eagle Gallagaher and Doc Riojas
Janet
and friends
Mike
Gold and wife
Mike
Mc Donald, Pete Girard, Doc Riojas
Thomas C. Mc Cutchen native of
Bastrop TX
3
3
Thomas C. Mc Cutchen
Johnathan
Kim
Michael D Lumpkin
Biography
for:
Scott
C. Roe
12 July 1970 Lemoore,
California, USA
Birth
Name:
Scott Carlton Roe
Nickname:
Bear
Height 6 ft.
Alumnus
David "Scooop" Copeman Looks Ahead to a Bright Future
By
Jule Epstein | October 2010
David “Scoop” Copeman, a highly decorated Navy Seal Senior Chief, began
his UMUC master’s degree in Computer Technology with an
ambitious goal—to graduate and retire by May 2008.
No
stranger to a challenge—David completed his bachelor’s degree in
2005 while deployed in Afghanistan—he began looking for a
master’s program when his unit transferred to Iraq in 2006. He
decided on UMUC.
“I
looked at a couple of different options and found that UMUC was
the best choice for me,” says David. “UMUC has an excellent record
of being military friendly, so I signed up for my first class starting
January of 2006.”
Although
the road ahead promised some looming obstacles, David charged forward
and attributes his strong family structure and work ethic for
getting him through. At times, his service as a “Dev Group”
Seal made it extremely challenging for him to plan for his
studies. “Being in a unit that did multiple rotations overseas,
I found that the most difficult part was balancing my studies with
family, friends, training commitments, and deployments,”
explains David.
Erasmo
Elias Riojas HMC
(DV)(PJ)(SEAL)
Sterling Baker Doc
Riojas
Robert
J. Thomas
July2011 SEAL Funeral
Darryl Young
Joseph "Red"
Coyle
Adm.
McRaven
Franklin Anderson
Franklin Anderson
memories of Vietnam ST-1 operators KIA'd
From: Franklin Anderson To: Pam Russell Cc: mwagner32
at bellsouth DOT net Sent: Thu, March 31, 2011 Subject: FW: Billy Machen & Dzve Wilson
Sent: Thu, March 31, 2011 11:08:55 PM Subject: FW: Billy Machen & Dzve Wilson
From: Doc Riojas Date: Fri, Apr 08, 2011 5:52 pm To: fwaranch@wildblue.net
Subj: Sir, with your permission, i would like to place this history in www.sealtwo.org.
Very Respectfully,
Erasmo "Doc" Riojas
281 485 0177 Pearland TX
This request brings back a lot of sad memories. Dave Wilson was a good friend and an outstanding Sailor—I sent him to several schools, and he came back top of his class each time. He was an IRON MAN that was always in excellent physical condition- He was killed on an operation in the Rung Sat Special Zone on 14 Jan 69. I had detach in Jul 68, however, I kept in contact with many of the team member. I understand that Dave was in pursuit of some VC, and was hit—and passed away due to extremely serious wounds IN THE FIELD.
Frank Bomar was assigned to the PRU’S and was on an operations with his unit, and was in a Sampan and killed on 20 DEC 70. Leaving behind a wife and 2 daughters. One daughter and his wife have passed away.
David (SKINNER) Devine – Was an outstanding operator, and was on a mission, and carrying a large pack--- He was crossing a stream and was walking on the bottom, did not have quick releases on his pack, and drowned—A great loss. This happened on 6 May 68 His wife Rose has remarried, but comes to the Reunions.
Donald Zillgitt – A young man that tried very hard to over come his fears---He was on an operation in the RSSZ and was charging a VC who had come out of a spider hole and was shot.---WO Boles killed the VC. 12 May 68—Zillgitt was one of the first SEALs that I select straight out of Training.
Robert Wagner – An outstanding Plank owner who was selected for SEAL TEAM, even before he had completed training. Maynard
Weyers, Ted Kassa and Bob Wagner were responsible for the formation of the PRU’S which was a highly successful program using Choi Hoi’s against the VC. Bob made several trips to Vietnam and was a prime target for the VC, due to his high visibility in leading the PRU’S—He was blown up along with a PRU member who was fiddling with a bomb-booby trap---on 15 Aug 68- there is a website put together by Bob’s son Mike.
Leslie Funk- An outstanding young man from Roseburg, Oregon—he was on a training mission under the supervision of LT
Meston, They were practicing prisoner handling and Les was BOUND hands and feet—on the bow of an IBS, as they were attempting to board a boat- the IBS BUMPED the hull of the boat and Les went into the river—and drowned. 6 Oct 67.
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A typical day at the Tan Son Nhut Airport in Saigon
(1968)
From: Franklin Anderson
Date: Aug 30 , 2013
to: Doc Rio, Joe, Alan, Apo, Al, Bill, Bo, Bob, Bruce, Bruce, Carl, Carlos, Chip, CHUCK, Clint, Dave, Goodie, Don, Peter, Fletcher, Frank, Fred, Gary, George, Irish, Jim
Subj: video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=103kHGjdy9w:
Title: A typical day at the Tan Son Nhut Airport in Saigon
(1968)
Men,
It really brings back the memories---first arrived in June 64, and the airport was about ½ the size it was the last time I left in July 68. I was at TSN to pick up my relief “Bill Early”, and while he was in the briefing room they set off some explosions nearby---Late June 65, lot’s of Glass and shit flying around.
I saw guys grabbing glass and cutting themselves---You know the Purple Heart Routine. Bill and the rest of the inductee’s came running out with big eyes, and what the shit am I in for.
A couple of days later, they blew up the Floating Restaurant—I had told Bill it was quiet in Saigon---He didn’t believe me. While we were in the crowd at the Restaurant—Capt Archie Kuntze ( CALLED THE Mayer of Saigon) came though and bump Bill—Bill bristled up—I quickly introduced them..
I had gotten to Know Archie quite well, and he had told me the Story of How he and Mack Boynton helped Start SEALS. Archie was the
UDT/SEAL Detailer for a number of years. Yes, a lot of memories---Glad it’s all behind us.
Franklin
"Hoot"
ANdrews Phil Mees, Ben Panas,
Jim Seidel
Doc Riojas (80th B/day)
Bottow ROW:dead center with open sandals: Mike Naus
Lt
-Rt: Hook Tuure, Pete Peterson, Phil Mees, Andy ANderson, Jim Seidel
(front) Class 27 E.C.
Lt-Rt:
John Roat, Larry Bailey, Mrs and Bill Goines, Jerry Todd and ???
Joe
DiMartino, Aldo Ray,
???
Ty Zellers , LDNN and Sitting McDonald
Adam Smith
Navy SEAL Adam Smith Laid to Rest in Missouri
October 4th, 2010
Special Operator 2nd Class Adam Smith is one of three Navy SEALs who
perished in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last September 21. On
October 2, he was laid to rest in his native Missouri, according to a
feature on the Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=56366
The town of Macon, Missouri, Smith’s hometown, gave honor to the
fallen Navy SEAL and remembered him as a hometown hero. Thousands
attended the memorial ceremony and the funeral procession that followed.
The funeral service was held at the First
Baptist Church, with hundreds of people in attendance. Thousands of
citizens of the town of Macon then came out to pay their last respects
to the fallen Navy SEAL, as the funeral procession that took Smith from
the church to his final resting place made its way through the town.
Denis Miranda
Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan is interred in Toms River
Published: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 6:17 PM
Updated: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 8:56 PM
MaryAnn
Spoto/The Star-Ledger
Andrew
Mills/The Star-LedgerNavy SEALs line up to
pound their Special Warfare insignias, also known as SEAL Tridents, into
the lid of the casket of their fallen comrade, Denis Miranda, during his
funeral at Ocean County Memorial Park. Each of the 28 Navy Seals in
attendance walked up to the casket and pounded his Trident into the top of
the casket, a special forces tradition. See
more photos here.
TOMS RIVER — For almost as long as Denis Miranda talked about joining
the Navy, he also talked about becoming a Navy SEAL, but he wasn’t sure he
was ready to join the elite special operations force.
But his best friend, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Eugene Lewis III, knew
Miranda would make it.
"He thought he was too young and he wasn’t ready. But when he
decided he wanted to be a SEAL, I knew he was going to be ready because all
he did was read books about it, talk about it," Lewis, a fellow Navy
man, said.
In a ceremony yesterday with military honors, Miranda was laid to rest
and remembered as a humble man who put others’ safety and concerns over
his own.
Joining the Navy just months after his 2003 graduation from Toms River
High School East, Miranda attended aviation technical training and was
assigned to Patrol Squadron 8 in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was a
maintenance technician. In 2007, he was accepted into Basic Underwater
Demolition/SEAL training and became a Navy SEAL in 2008.
Navy SEALs line up to pound their Special Warfare insignias, also known
as SEAL Tridents, into the lid of the casket of their fallen comrade, Denis
Miranda, during his funeral at Ocean County Memorial Park. Each of the 28
Navy Seals in attendance walked up to the casket and pounded his Trident
into the top of the casket, a special forces tradition.
DOD Identifies Navy Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four sailors who
died in a helicopter crash Sept. 21 during combat operations in the Zabul
province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Killed were:
Lt. (SEAL) Brendan J. Looney, 29, of Owings, Md., assigned to a West
Coast-based SEAL Team.
Senior Chief Petty Officer David B. McLendon, 30, of Thomasville, Ga.,
assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.
Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Adam O. Smith, 26, of Hurland, Mo.,
assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL Team.
Petty Officer 3rd Class (SEAL) Denis C. Miranda, 24, of Toms River, N.J.,
assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL Team.
For further information related to this release, contact Lt. Arlo
Abrahamson at 757-763-2007 or 757-620-3109.
SEAL Funeral
B.J.Looney
KIA
Local SEAL killed in Afghanistan crash laid to rest in
Missour
Rear Adm. Garry Bonelli presents the American flag that draped the
coffin of Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Smith to Smith's family at his
funeral Saturday in Missouri. Smith was one of nine servicemembers
killed when the helicopter in which they were traveling crashed in Zabul
province in southern Afghanistan on Sept. 21. (Photo by Senior Chief
Petty Officer Robert J. Fluegel) (U.S. Navy photo)
The third special warfare sailor killed in a helicopter crash in
Afghanistan was buried Saturday in his Missouri hometown.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Smith, a SEAL assigned to Joint
Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, was 26.
He was one of nine U.S. military members who perished when the Army
Blackhawk helicopter they were traveling on in support of a special
operations mission went down Sept. 21 in the southern Afghanistan province
of Zabul.
Hundreds packed First Baptist Church in Macon, Mo., for his funeral
service.
David M. Bodkin, USN (Ret) SEAL Class 28 August 17,
2010
"Kalokidave"
MARROWSTONE
ISLAND -- A Nordland man who was killed in a collision Tuesday was a
"gentle giant," a retired Navy SEAL and explosives expert
who yet always put people at ease.
David
M. Bodkin, 67, died Tuesday afternoon when the motor home he was
driving swerved across the double yellow line and collided with a car
at about 2:30 p.m., the State Patrol said.
Bodkin "loved shooting the breeze with
his friends" and recalling old times, said his stepdaughter,
Alene Moroni of Seattle, on Wednesday. He was proud of his service in the armed
forces, and loved talking to both older veterans and those who had
served more recently.
He "loved sailing, fishing, and
hunting," Moroni said.
After his retirement from the Navy in 1982,
he and his wife, Sharon, spent eight years sailing around the world in
their sailboat, The Kaloki, Moroni said.
Kaloki,
which means "swan," was also the nickname of the
6-foot-4-inch-tall man, she added. "People really connected with
him," Moroni said.
She said that those connections extended into
unexpected places, such as when she phoned a doctor's office to cancel
an appointment on Wednesday and "the receptionist started crying
when she heard the news."
Bodkin,
a Seattle native, joined the Navy upon his graduation from high
school in West Seattle in 1961. He was a Navy SEAL until he retired
in 1982, Moroni said.
He served in Vietnam before moving to
Jefferson County in 1979 to work at the Indian Island Naval
Magazine, at which time he moved into his current home in Nordland
on Marrowstone Island, she said.
After his retirement from the Navy, he
continued doing contract work and had recently worked in Iraq,
Moroni said.
He was
an expert in clearing explosives, which was the basis of much of his
contract work, she said.
Bodkin also is survived by his wife of 33
years, Sharon Bodkin of Nordland, and a sister, Laura McDonald of
Broken Arrow, Okla.
Former Navy SEAL Capt. Dick CouchOffers Advice to Future Leaders
LEXINGTON, Va., Oct. 6, 2010 – Many in VMI’s Corps of
Cadets know retired Navy Capt. Dick Couch as the author of nonfiction works
such as The Warrior Elite, Chosen Soldier, and The Sheriff of
Ramadi. His personal experience as a former Navy SEAL, CIA operations
officer, and journalist gives him credibility among soon-to-be military
officers. After his visit to the Institute on Oct. 5, Couch raised his
stature by offering valuable words of wisdom.
Couch was among many well known leaders from the military, academia, and
business who converged on VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics for the
Institute’s inaugural leadership conference Oct. 4-6. Taking the theme
“Answering the Nation’s Call for Leaders of Character,” the conference
sought to address elements vital to developing ethical leadership.
“Honor, trust and moral courage are the bedrock of service,” said Couch.
“As a second lieutenant, you’ll be caught in the middle. Those above you
will want to know if they can trust you; those down the chain will need you
to serve as a moral agent.”
Couch laid out three simple rules for those about to commission: set a
personal example, make your values known, and revisit those values often.
In comparing the challenges he faced as a young officer in Vietnam to those
experienced by today’s generation, Couch said changes in society have made
the job harder for current young officers. Yet while moral standards have
become ambiguous, the standards of the military have remained the same.
“The graphic nature of the media you’re exposed to is vastly different
than when I was your age,” he said. “The people coming into the military
have less moral standards. Your job is to prepare them, take them into
battle and bring them back. You have a duty to them but also to your
country, and you must protect the relationship you have with the people that
you serve.”
Couch advised the VMI cadets and those from other military schools to strike
a happy medium in their leadership style. When asked how to relate to men
and women in their command, he said they must learn to fit in but not to fit
in too much. He added that they cannot let their enlisted leaders intimidate
them.
“If I were you, I would meet with my senior enlisted leaders and ask them
about their men,” he said. “I would say ‘Let’s talk about your role
and my role, and let’s lead together,’ and I would define
responsibilities and lay them out. You’re there to lead but you’re also
there to learn.”
The audience at VMI is one of many Couch has addressed since he retired from
the Navy Reserves in 1997. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he’s
appeared frequently as a military expert on nationally syndicated TV and
radio programs and is the author of 10 works of fiction and non-fiction.
Couch’s most recent work of non-fiction, The Sheriff of Ramadi, reports on
the actions of the SEAL Task Unit during the Battle of Ramadi in Iraq’s
al-Anbar Province between 2005 and 2007. Calling the Battle of Ramadi one of
the most significant military engagements in the global war against
terrorism since the terrorist attacks on the U.S. of Sept. 11, 2001, and the
most sustained and vicious engagement ever fought by SEALs, he describes the
success of special operations forces and Navy SEALs fighting side by side
with conventional forces.
–VMI–
Rob Rambeck
Bike Badger
John Muckle
.
JULIET
Platoon SEAL Team ONE
I.D.'s of the all the SEALs in this
photo
front:Scott
Brachman the SEAL behind him ???
Brian Schad
To:
Doc Rio;
Hey
I have another ‘funny’ one for you, Doc. When I was in
BUDS, marching around NAB at double-time, we used to sing a song,
“C-130 rolling down the strip, SEAL team daddy gonna’ take a little
trip…” Well, until I got to the teams, I thought “See 130”
was our BUDS Class 130! …and I’m NOT the only one!! J
Not
on active-duty for 14 years now, so let me see what I have for an
attachment… -- Rud BrianSchad
Kiet Tiz
Morrison
Marcus "Doc" Lutrell
Fred "Tiz" Morrison
Marcus "Doc" Luttrell
Korea Police Action, Erasmo
"Doc" Riojas.
Charlie Medical Co.
Dan
Olson Vietnam Photos
Dan
Olson Vietnam Photos
All Photos by Dan Olson, SEAL
Team TWO
Waiting for ex-fil on An-Toi
island beach
ARVN leaving for their op
QM3 R. P., Steve "Doc" Elson Dan Olson Bill
Bibby
An Toi island beach waiting for the junk
Pat Martin ; Lt. Bill Gardner,
below Tom Blais
Jim Burrison and Greg Frisch
looking for B-40 rocket cache
Slick lands to let the other squat insert
Two Slicks over the Rung Sat Special Zone. Mekong River
below.
Local village with drying rice
Ron Rogers and Dave Southerland on Mo's flight
deck
Steve Dunthorn Jim Burrison Steve Elson Ron Rogers on
Mo's flight deck
VN in a sampan
Capt. Dennis Granger
Somebody! send me all their names !
Thanks Doc Riojas email me: el_ticitl@yahoo.com
Herb Ruth
From: "Ron Montgomery"
To: "Rio Doc Riojas", Norm Olson
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Subject: Do you remember Warrant Officer Ruth?
Hello Gentlemen, Do you remember Warrant
Officer Ruth? I remember him but he was not at SEAL Two
very long after I arrived. I keep in touch with his son,
Kerry Ruth. Kerry lives in Utah. He said he had
photos of Jack Lynch back in the 70's when his dad and mom took Kerry
and others down to Florida for a real estate deal . He
thinks it was "Palm Coast." Have you ever heard
of it? I am going to ask him if he has a way to scan and
transmit the photos. If he does I will send them to
you Doc, the FO and the Foundation
Monty
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To Monty & Rio,
A little background on Herb Ruth. He
reported to UDT ELEVEN while I was CO (63-66). He had been pushing
boots at NTC, San Diego and went through training as a Chief, which is
remarkable unto itself. We deployed to Vietnam together, and when he
returned, he was transferred to SEAL Team ONE, where he continued to
serve admirably. During one of his tours, he was awarded the Silver
Star.
When he was commissioned, I believe he
was first promoted to WO and then to LDO, retiring as either a LT
or LCDR in New Orleans, where he served as the Operations
Officer, Coastal River Division 22. When he was first
commissioned, he was transferred to SEAL Team TWO, where I ran into
him again in the early 70s. He was a superb operator, a perfect
gentleman and one who truly epitomized the term, "Silent
Professional."
He was a devote Mormon and didn't
drink, but he always participated in Team events, and he never had any
problem with what the rest of the guys were doing. He just kept smiling.
He retired on/about 1975 and moved back to Utah and became a State
Trooper.
A few years later, he died of a heart attack.
When I put the UDT-SEAL Museum together in Ft. Pierce (84-85), I was
contacted by his wife, Rowena, who informed me of his passing, and
over the years we kept in close contact. I also kept in contact with
his son, Kerry, but a few years back, he seemed to go off the deep end
and our communications ended. In May of last
year, he informed me that Rowena had a sever stroke and was
hospitalized.
Norm
Roger Moscone and Herb Ruth may they R.I.P.
From: Dean
Cummings
To:
'Cummings, Dean B Mr CIV USSOCOM NSWCEN'
Sent:
Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:23 PM
To All,
I’m
passing the word that Roger Moscone died either last night, or this morning
(06 Feb 2007). Some of you may have more/better info than I have but I’m
just trying to get the word out to those who may have known him. He passed
away peacefully at the VA hospital up in La Jolla…reportedly, he was telling
jokes and stories up until the end.
I’ll always remember meeting Roger when I started working the reunions;
Roger and Wally Fowler would always be the greeters at the door, and Roger was
always full of life, humor, a big smile and a big slap on the back.
He will be missed.
Dean
below
email from Bill Langley (SEAL)
From: "Ron Montgomery"
ron.montgomery @ triplecanopy.com SEAL , retired
Subject: ROGER
MOSCONE (SEAL) W.O. USN Ret
Good day all, I haven't seen, written nor spoken to some of you in
some years and some will not even remember me. That is okay because
this is an email so you will remember Roger. You may have heard this
distressing news. I don't enjoy these bad news things but Roger
Moscone was a large influence on many of us when we were young men.
He ran the detachment in PR back when we at (SEAL Two) had no
funds.
He ran much of the PR Det on the funds made on the bar we ran
(The Library). We set up shop in the old CPO club on the point. We
had a dance floor, saltwater fountain, two bars, a full kitchen and
some of the most colorful characters SEAL Two every produced. We
didn't have any berthing as the building was not designed for it. I
think we stayed at Bundy barracks during the beginning of my stay.
Every morning we would wake up to Charlie Bump on the radio
attempting to call the team back at the creek "a Singapore, a
Singapore radio check over".
I am not sure we ever made comms. Slater Blackesten (sp)
talked the Seabees into remodeling the dance floor into a berthing
area for a K-Bar and some of those extraordinarily uncomfortable tan
UDT swim trunks. We (young guys) did a lot of stupid crap but Roger
never got to the point of boiling over about it. I suppose he have
seen a lot of foolish stunts. Roger didn't even get all that upset
when Dan Sharpe and I put anchor chain oil on the roof thinking it
was tar to patch the roof.
We weren't sailors, we didn't know what anchor chain lubricant
was. It looked like tar to us. A few weeks later we started noticing
little spots of oil on the floor and couldn't figure out who was
tracking it in. Soon an entire panel of sheetrock fell to the floor
beside the pool table we had acquired from the "JINX" bar.
It had about three inches of oil on it. Roger didn't even get mad
when we would sink the boat (every month). He would be standing on
the dock when we would swim up towing the boat. We could not
understand how he always knew when we screwed up. As we swam up we
would be standing on the end of the pier with his huge arms folded
and a frown showing under his two pound mustache.
We would be spouting excuses "We went through the wave
and it swamped". About all he would say was fix it. Next
morning it would be up and running. I am sure he knew the little 12
foot whaler was way, way over powered. Les Heard and Cookie Watkins
would put together a family style dinner now and then in our huge
commercial kitchen. Roger would sit at the head of the table like
the father of a bunch of rowdy kids. Many team members came and went
during that period but there were a few that were there for extended
stays.
When I went down to PR, Rudy told me to take a toothbrush
and some civies and I would probably be there two weeks. I was there
nine months. Roger was a good man to work for and although Dan, Les,
Cookie and I were just new guys I am sure we all left there thinking
of Roger as a friend, mentor, and role model.
Some of you older team members may have known him in a
different light. That is normal but to us young guys he was as a man
that ran a SEAL training detachment and accomplished much on
charisma and little funding. I wish him well.
THIS IS THE HARDEST LETTER I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU GUYS. MY LONGTIME
FRIEND, AND BROTHER IN LAW ROGER MOSCONE IS NOT DOING WELL. MY
SISTER IN LAW SANDI HAD TO PUT ROGER BACK IN THE HOSPITAL. ROGER HAS
BEEN ILL FOR QUITE SOMETIME, AT FIRST HE WANTED FEW PEOPLE TO KNOW
BUT NOW SAYS IT IS OK IF I TELL PEOPLE. ROGER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH
HIS BLOOD A FEW YEARS, HIS BONE MARROW WAS NOT MAKING RED BLOOD
CELLS.
HE HAS HAD TO LIVE WITH GETTING BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS FOR A
LONG TIME. RECENTLY HE HAS HAD A TUMOR IN THE LUNGS AND HAS HAD
CHEMO, NOW HE HAS TUMORS ON THE BRAIN AND HAS HAD RADIATION. I
VISITED WITH ROGER THE OTHER DAY FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. HE STILL HAS
HIS GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR.
WE TALKED ABOUT OLD TIMES, LIKE BACK IN THE 60'S AND
70'S. WE HAD A GREAT VISIT AND I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL FOR THAT
TIME. SAND GOT TO HAVE SOME TIME TO DO COMMISSARY SHOPPING. SHE HAS
TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF ROGER, NEVER WANTING TO LEAVE HIM, I
PRACTICALLY HAD TO PUSH HER OUT THE DOOR. ROGER CAME TO OUR HOUSE TO
PICK UP HIS CAR REGISTRATION ONE YEAR.
THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND LEON'S SISTER SANDI WAS THERE,
THEY MET AND I THOUGHT ROGER WOULD NEVER GO HOME, THAT WAS 20 YEARS
AGO. IT HAS BEEN GREAT FOR BOTH OF THEM. I AM GLAD ROGER WAS ABLE TO
ATTEND THE REUNION LAST YEAR. I THINK SANDI HAD TO DRAG HIM OUT AT
CLOSING TIME HE WAS HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME, BUT HE PAID FOR IT THE
NEXT DAY AND I'M SURE HE FELT IT WAS WORTH IT! ROGER IS AT THE VA
HOSPITAL AND THEY SAY THEY THINK HE HAS SOME SORT OF INFECTION.
WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT FELT EVERYONE SHOULD
KNOW. I DON'T WANT TO SAY HE WILL NOT BE BACK HOME . HE HAS A LOT OF
WILL POWER AND HE IS A TOUGH SEAL. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT
SANDI, please email me for her telephone number.
FOR CARDS THE ADDRESS IS 757 EMORY ST. PMB #546 IMPERIAL BEACH,
CA. 91932.
SANDI WILL PROBABLY BE AT THE HOSPITAL MOST OF THE TIME,
BUT IF YOU CAN'T REACH HER JUST LEAVE A MESSAGE, I AM SURE SHE WILL
RELAY THE MESSAGE TO ROGER, AND GOD WILLING HE WILL BE BACK HOME!
PLEASE KEEP ROGER IN YOUR PRAYERS. ANY FURTHER NEWS I WILL
KEEP YOU POSTED, AND IF YOU ALREADY KNEW THIS, INFORMED TWICE IS
BETTER THAT NOT AT ALL.
This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from
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ROGER
Joseph MOSCONE(Class
20, Coronado)
by
Franklin Anderson (Class 18, Coronado)
Roger
Moscone was born in Quincy, Mass on 16 April l931, and joined the
Navy in l947 at the age of l7. One of his first assignments was on
the Battleship Mississippi.He was a Boatswain Mate and learned everything within his
grasp.He also learned
that he was cut out for bigger and better things and applied for
Underwater Demolition Team Training (UDTRA) in l958 and was part of
Class 20.
Upon
Graduation from UDTRA, He was assigned to UDT-12.He served in many varied capacities in UDT-12, mostly as the
team cartographer.On
January 18, l965 he volunteered and reported for duty with SEAL Team
ONE.Roger was
later selected to be a part of Detachment GOLF for deployment to the
RSSZ in Vietnam.This
Detachment was on a trial basis and they were told, "if they
did not perform Seal's would no longer be required by COMNAVFORV".Under the guidance of LT. Maynard Weyers the Detachment
immediately conducted extensive operations and were highly
successful.They
also realized that they needed some fortified means of
transportation.It
was Roger that oversaw the refurbishing of an LCM into the
"Mighty Moe".The
Mighty Moe was used for transportation, insertions and extractions
of the Squads.These
operations were highly successful, but on the l9th. Of August l966,
one squad under the command of LT Tom Truxall with Billy Machen as
Point man encountered an ambush.Billy Machen at the risk of his own life triggered the ambush
saving the rest of the squad.The
squad conducted a fierce firefight to recover Billy's body-Starting
a tradition that no SEAL is left behind.Roger carried Billy back thru the Jungle to the LCM that was
coxswained by PO Rauch.For
this action Roger received the Bronze star.
Roger
was quickly becoming a legend among the sailors at Nha Be.One sailor, Jim Dickson said, "when I first met him he
was wearing a black T shirt and his biceps were larger than my
thigh.The men
said that they needed somebody that big to keep the SEAL'S shaped
up" Jim volunteered for duty on the Might Moe and was seriously
wounded when it was hit with Mortars and heavy bombardment.When Jim regained consciousness the first thing he recalled
was Roger standing over him working on him-He credits Roger with
saving his life. Roger was a mother hen for the men, always
providing encouragement and doing most of the cooking of the SEARATS,
his favorite ingredient was MEXI-PEP Hot Sauce.His favorite saying during times of stress were "How
Sweet it is".
Detachment
Golf paved the way for many SEALS to come, and provided the
infrastructure for future SEAL Operations.Roger and the group returned to the Strand and Roger was
assigned as the CMAA of SEAL Team ONE.He was instrumental indoctrinating the new men reporting on
board.He did not
mince words and told them that they should keep their ears and eyes
open and their mouths shut and if they were to survive in the Teams.Roger was highly instrumental in helping with the instruction
and training and was always a source of accurate information and
guidance to the men in the Teams.Roger made numerous deployments to Vietnam.
In
l970 Roger was advanced to CWO-1.Upon making CWO-1 he had to transfer out of the Team and
accepted a billet at UnderwaterSwimSchool, and later served with
SEAL Team TWO, and retired in l973 as a CWO-2.Roger was a very talented man and was successful in any
endeavor he under took. He
sold real estate, refurbished houses and later was an Able Bodied
Seaman for Exxon.
Roger
is survived by his much loved wife Sandra Rauch Moscone, his
step-daughter Brandi, 3 daughters and a son from his first marriage,
Michele, Christina, Teresa and son David, and four grandchildren
Rachael, Ryan, Halley and Gianna.
Roger
will be missed at the Reunions, as he was a fixture and a volunteer.However, we are sure that there is a BIG REUNION up above and
those Pearly Gates are wide open with a party of his Teammates, as
Roger did like to Party.
The
memorial service for Roger will be held at 1:00 p.m. on23 March 2007 at the Naval Amphibious Base Chapel in
Coronado, CA.A
celebration of Roger's Life will be held immediately following the
service at the Fleet Reserve located at 667
Silver Strand Boulevard, Imperial Beach, CA.Friends and teammates
are encouraged to attend.Those
wishing to honor Roger at the memorial service or the Fleet Reserve,
please contact Susie Rauch (susierauch@aol.com).
Donations
in Roger's name may be made to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation
(Scholarship Fund), P.O. Box 5965, Virginia Beach, VA23471 or the
San Diego Hospice, 4311 3rd Avenue, San Diego, CA92103.Please note that the donation is made in honor of Roger
Moscone.
Condolences
may be sent to Mrs. Sandra Moscone 757 Emory Street, PMB 546
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
JOHN
Paul McGRAW, Sr. (S&R
6)
A
respected educator, mentor and coach to many, a loving father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather died September, 9th, he was 86
years old. He was a
resident of the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson, Louisiana.
He
was born on July 14, 1920 in Baton Rouge. A
graduate of Baton Rouge High School John obtained his B.A. Degree
from SLI, and Master's Degree from LSU. He began his
educational career teaching primarily History. He also coached
sports in St. Mary Parish and Iberia Parish.He was promoted to Principal of New Iberia High School, and
then served as Assistant Superintendent of Iberia Parish in 1968.
He retired in 1978.
He
was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Navy Lieutenant.Before the designation of modern day special forces known as
the Navy Seals, John was one of the original, never before attempted
small corps of skilled fighting men, called the U.S. Navy Underwater
Demolition Team - The Frogmen of WW II. John
was honored with a Silver Star for gallantry in the invasion of
Okinawa in March 1945, and multiple other declarations for bravery
and service.He served
in UDT 17
The
family will receive visitors at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in
Jackson Louisiana from 10am till 11am with funeral services at 11am,
conducted by Rev. Mark Crosby. Interment
will be at the Garden of Peace, Evergreen Memorial Park in Denham
Springs, Louisiana at 2pm. He is survived by three children:
daughter- Joanne Guillory, Plano, Texas; son-John Paul McGraw, Jr.,
Denham Springs, and son-Sidney F. McGraw, Houston, Texas; a brother,
O.M. (Buddy) Pourciau, Baton Rouge; a sister L. Carol (Doll)
Pourciau Hopper, New Orleans; five grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren.
He
was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Flora McGraw; his
parents Sidney Joseph and Lillian McGraw; and brothers, Sidney
Joseph McGraw and Frank A. McGraw; and a sister Florence (Sis)
McGraw Evans.
Memorial
donations may be sent to The First Methodist Church of Baton
Rouge, 930 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, 70802 or to the American
Diabetes
Association, PO Box 1131, Fairfax, Va.22038
&nb
sp;
Class 10 src="https://www.sealtwo.org/photos02/class10_small.jpg" width="100" border="2">submitted
by: John D. Bartleson Jr EOD
Bob"Eagle"
Gallagher, Don Zub, Jim "Patches" Watson in Fort Pierce FL, at the
Pointman's Castle
I cropped out their Legs because
of their ugly vericose veins: Doc Riojas
Capt. Norman Olson (SEAL) "The Sky
Fossil"
\
Guest Speaker
MCPO of SpecWarGru Clell Braining
click
to enlarge
F.O. UWSS reunion Key West Fl May 2006
Mark Metherell
Teammate
'Leaping Larry' LePage R.I.P.
Teammate
'Leaping Larry' LePage R.I.P.
Master Diver MCPO Joe Bates
From: John Roberts doubleknitkid [at] yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008
To: Teamates & Friends
Subject: CPO Larry LePage
Teammates and Friends,
Our old friend and Teammate 'Leaping Larry' LePage passed away a
little over two months ago. I had the pleasure of knowing him for many
years, from our time in the Teams on the Silver Strand in the late
'60's up until recently in Louisiana.
For the last dozen years or so I was his unofficial 'Duty Driver'
there on the Westbank. Though Larry could be a bit of a pain in the
ass at times, as many of you know, he was a good guy at heart, and I
recall our many escapades and adventures with much affection. During
his final illness I was out of the country, and another good friend of
many years, both of mine and Larry's, stepped in to render all the
assistance he possibly could to a dying Shipmate.
Joe Bates was with Larry nearly every day from the time he learned
of his illness right up to the time he passed away, and at the request
of Larry's daughters, took possession of Larry's remains after
cremation.
I had the honor of taking possession of Larry's ashes from this
fine friend, CPO and Master Diver Joe Bates, and I brought them with
me to San Diego to return to his family. Friends of Larry's signed the
attached letter I have just sent to CPO Bates in appreciation of his
noble service to a Shipmate.
I also include photos of when I took possession from Joe, and of
where his ashes rested at Rat Miller's in Texas until the two of us
brought Larry the rest of the way home, home to the Silver Strand
where he spent the best years of his life.
I was able to talk to many of Larry's friends while in San Diego,
friends from his Class #19, from Team 11 and SEAL Team 1.
Without exception they all remembered Larry fondly and every one
had some sort of story to tell and every Man Jack of them considered
Larry to have been a good operator. His awards received in the heat of
combat in Viet Nam also attest to this. No SEAL could ask for a better
epitaph.
Larry had many friends in the New Orleans area as well, friends from
the days after his retirement from the Navy when he was a Diving
Supervisor for Taylor Diving & Salvage, and in the years after
that when he was a Diving Consultant and Welding Inspector. Three of
the best of these who did many favors for Larry, especially after his
stroke, were Mike Large, Rocky Mandible and Butch Jones. SEAL Roy Grey
also was a part of this group prior to his death.
Farewell Larry, you were an ornery old SOB but we loved you and you
were a damn fine Teammate as well.
Rest in Peace,
John Roberts
Doc Riojas, A friend sent
this to me today. FYI.
Captain Larry Bailey (SEAL) USN Retired
From: Karl & Karla Crowder
To: Bailey, Larry Bailey
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008
Subject: "The Silver Fox, "moose" Boitnott, US Navy
SEAL
Larry,
Last week I was up in Virginia visiting
one of my High School class mates and he was showing me around New
Castle (a little north of Roanoke) where he has built a Chalet in the
mountains. He took me over to Jackie Boitnott's place who was moving
out of the mountains since her husband died last year and she couldn't
keep up the place alone.
We were talking and I found out that he
had been a Navy SEAL during the 60's. I felt that you may have known
him, so my friend Tommy Palmer gave me a copy of the local newspaper
article about his death. Attached is the article as best I can scan it
in from the copy I was given.
I have been to Virginia several times
since I last saw you. We have a house in Wytheville (my mother and
father's old home place) that we have been renting for years since my
mothers death back in 1996. The tenant will be moving out Nov. 1,
So I will have to go back up then. Karla
and I will be going to Jacksonville, FL in a couple of weeks to go to
her High School Class' 50th reunion. That should be a ball since her
class seems to be a party group. We will keep you in our plans for
sometime in the future. In the meantime have a good day!
left
to right they are: CDR Jason Washabaugh, Leonard Kunz, Myself and Adm.
George Worthington
Puerto Rico: SDV Frogmen: Jim
and Karen Allgeier sent this info of this platoon Back
row L to R: Scotty
Slaughter, unknown, Frank Wysocki, unknown, unknown, Bob Auger, Lt. Clark on
end? Front Row L to R: Skinny
Andy Anderson, Ed Schmidt, Bobby Putman, Chris Kellas, Chuck
"Upchuck"?, unknown, Dale Bright?
R.L. Crossland
U.S. Halted Some Afghan Raids Over
Concern On Civilian Deaths
The New York Times WASHINGTON
By Mark Mazzetti and Eric SchmittCarter DoughertyAndrew
Pollack
March 10, 2009
The commander of a secretive branch of America’s
Special Operations forces in February ordered a halt to most commando
missions in Afghanistan, reflecting a growing concern that civilian
deaths caused by U.S. firepower are jeopardizing broader goals there.
The halt, which lasted about two weeks, came after a
series of nighttime raids by Special Operations troops in recent
months killed women and children, and after months of mounting outrage
in Afghanistan about civilians killed in air and ground strikes. The
order covered all commando missions except those against the
highest-ranking leaders of the Taliban and al-Qaida, military
officials said.
U.S. commanders in Afghanistan rely on the commando
units to carry out some of the most delicate operations against
militant leaders, and the missions of the Army’s Delta Force and
classified Navy Seals units are never publicly acknowledged. But the
units sometimes carry out dozens of operations each week, so any
decision to halt their missions is a sign of just how worried military
officials are that the fallout from civilian casualties is putting in
peril the overall U.S. mission in Afghanistan, including an effort to
drain the Taliban of popular support.
Homer "Doc" Marshall, "Doc" Williams, Ted
Kassa
MCPO Shipley, CEO, Extreme SEAL Experience
Alan Routh
ST-1
-----
Original Message -----
From: Alan Routh
To: doc rio
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 9:41 AM
Subject: VN '63 - The Dirty Work
Doc Rio-
This picture was taken in the Delta in late '62 or early '63. I'm in
left foreground (as a "frocked" LT) -- with the shades and the
then-designated AR-15.
Jesse Tolison (note: only one "l"), then of ST-2, is
immediately behind me. Next to Jesse, with the weapon, is LT. Ninh,
(worthless) OinC of the Biet Hai group that we were
"training". Next to me was one of our "top trainees"
- I don't recall his name but he was #1! Next to him was U.S. Army
Ranger, who was Provincial Advisor in the Delta -- and above him was his
#1.
THE INDOMITABLE PATRIOT Fertig,
The Guerrilla General
One of our guys, although he had the
misfortune of going Army instead of Navy, has become a writer in
his old age. His first few books were about the paranormal... he likes
to chase ghosts in his spare time. But his latest
endeavor; Wow! He has started a new series of books he calls Behind
the Lines. His first book, recently completed and
published is titled “THE INDOMITABLE PATRIOT: Fertig, the Guerrilla
General.” It’s a historically correct novel about Wendell Fertig
in the Philippines in World War II. Here’s what the book looks
like.
Cover Final :
May, 1942. General Wainwright has just surrendered the Philippines.
Wendell Fertig, a Corps of Engineers Lieutenant Colonel, refuses to
comply and flees into the mountains of Mindanao. Fertig is soon
joined by dozens of former Philippino Army scouts who encourage him to
form a guerrilla Army. Over the next few months Fertig is joined by
several other displaced American soldiers, one of whom builds a small,
makeshift transmitter and establishes contact with the Navy.
General MacArthur denounces Fertig, going on record claiming it’s
impossible for a guerrilla movement in the Philippines to succeed. The
O.S.S. decide to take a chance and covertly supplies Fertig by
submarine. Once he receives the tools to wage war, his achievements
become legendary. By the time MacArthur returns to the Philippines in
1944 he is met on the beach at Leyte by a force of over twenty
thousand of Fertig’s guerrilla Army.
This fictional accounting is based upon the actual military records
and reports of one man’s impossible achievements against
overwhelming odds; against an enemy who outnumbered him a hundred to
one. Wendell Fertig, a civil engineer and untrained amateur in the
ways of war, defied the predictions of the experts and brought the
Japanese Army to its knees. Enjoy this first installment in the new
Behind The Lines series of combat thrillers based upon historical
records.
.
About the Author
Carl’s professional career began as an
Army and then FAA air traffic controller. He advanced from a small
radar van in the Central Highlands of Vietnam to the TRACON in one of
our nation’s busiest airports. He also became a commercial pilot and
flight instructor, retiring after thirty-nine years of flying. By 1986
he was experiencing severe burnout. He put himself through the police
academy, resigned from the FAA and became a deputy Sheriff in Reno,
Nevada. He retired after a distinguished career on the street. Not
only the cop on the beat, Carl became a renowned traffic accident
reconstructionist on his departments Major Accident Investigation
Team, as well as a highly acclaimed crime scene investigator.
Throughout his life Carl has been a student of the paranormal and
often experienced the effects of the supernatural in his personal
life. In 2012 he became involved in the saga of the haunted Allen
House in Monticello, Arkansas and its resident spirit, Ladell Allen
Bonner. The result of dozens upon dozens of paranormal interactions
with Ladell led Carl to write his first book about Ladell’s life and
death. Writing that first book sparked a latent avocation in his life:
writing. Carl has always been a connoisseur of military history, and
that interest began a new direction for his writing. This latest book
is the story of Wendell Fertig, and the beginning of a thrilling new
series, 'Behind The Lines.' While the stories are fictionalized, they
are all based upon factual military history. Join in with Carl and
enjoy his books as you gain an interesting new insight in what war is
all about.
The following is typical of the reviews
I’m receiving on the book:
Just finished your book and you get 4.0 marks from this old Navy Seal.
Really enjoyed and it adds to my hobby of WWII.
Spent 22 years of my 34 in and out of the PI. Have traveled every
island and was trained a marksman by RJ when we were
stationed at Team 2 during Vietnam. Still a very good friend I keep in
contact with. Going to recommend it to my friends,
at least the ones that can read.
THE INDOMITABLE PATRIOT Fertig,
The Guerrilla General
Doc Riojas Comment: Once
i started reading this book, i have find myself hard to putting it down! because
of my very old age (84 yr old
eyes and at the end of being able to correct my vision) I
find that the way the paragraphs are other important text are spaced to be
extremly easy to read.
Having retired from the Navy
and traveled to that part of the orient reminds me of my days as a guerrilla
combatant as part of the Navy SPecial Warfare serving as a Navy SEAL in the
Jungles of Vietnam.
The author is equally as good a
military writter as Tom Clancy. This story may possibly be material for a
great movie similar to the the movie produced about the POW rescue in WWII by
Filipino Guerilla fighters and the U.S. Army Rangers.
"The Great Raid"
Do not wait to buy it tomorrow,
order
it today ! It was recommended to me by CDR R.D. Thomas (recommended
for the Medal of Honor by the US Army, but our politically correct US Navy
downgraded it to a Navy Cross. SHame on them !