Received 18 March , 1999 from Elden Teal, Hale, Michigan

Elden called requesting information on the reunion, says he was assigned to Det. 1 6994th SS at Phu Cat from September 1970 to September 1971, was a MSgt and Chief Air Operations.

Elden does not have an e-mail address but his US Postal address is: 8904 West Esmond Road, Hail Michigan, 48739

Received 19 March, 1999 from Marv Ressmann

Marv says, I a SSgt and was stationed at DaNang in the 362nd TEWS from August 1970 to August 1971. Started out as the crew chief on 208, and then worked in the phase dock. Some one sent me a flag of Texas and left it with Dan Flores. He passed it to someone else. I was suppose to get it back at the end of the war, but never did. Does anyone know where it is? I remember standing in the NCO club getting a cup of iced tea on the 4th or 5th of July 1971 when the rocket hit the barracks across the street. The most beautiful sunrise I ever saw was on Aug 29, 1971, as I was headed for the pax terminal to board the "Freedom Bird" What a year! What a waste! 2 freinds lost and lots of beer an Seagrams drank.

Marv's Email Address is: [email protected]

Received 19 March, 1999 from Frank A. Kreiger

Frank says, I was assigned to the 361st TEWS at Nha Trang and at Phu Cat as Intelligence Officer, 1969/70.

Received 20 March, 1999 from Mark Morris

Mark was inquiring about more information on the upcoming Reunion. Mark says, I was assigned to Det.3 6994th Security Squadron at NKP December 1972 to October 1973

Mark does not have an email address, but his U.S. Postal address is: 117 1/2 Washington Street Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 53916

Received 20 March, 1999 from Ted Duncan

Ted says he was a Sgt and was assigned to Det. 3 6994th Securtiy Squadron. He was a ground 202 and was stationed at Tan Son Nhut, Pleiku and NKP during his tour, June 1969-July 1970.

Received 23 March, 1999 from Ted Cummings

Ted says he was assigned to eht 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut and was an aircraft mechanic, from September 1967 to September 1968.

Received 29 March, 1999 from Truman Kent Berge, Marco Island, Florida

Truman says he was a pilot, stationed with the 361st TEWS at Nha Trang in 1967-68. Was the editor of the 361st TEWS Yearbook 66-68 and was one of the 5 to make Colonel on the same cycle.

Truman has no E-mail address but his U.S. Postal address is: 2376 Marco Island, Florida 34146-2376

Received 29 March, 1999 from Leroy Mulch, Citrus Heights, CA

Leroy was a pilot with the 362nd TEWS at Pleiku from December 1966 to December, 1967. Says he enjoyed his tour in the Goon.

Received 29 March, 1999 from Owen Costello, Port Washington, NY

Owen says he was stationed at DaNang with Detachment 2, 6994th Security Squadron from September, 1971 to October, 1972. He was a 1stLt and then Captain and worked in the Maintenance Area. Says he has contact with Bill Shea, Dave Stamps and Lee Jewitt.

Received 29 March, 1999 from Jimmy R. Terrell

Jimmy says he was a TSGT Morse Sys and ARDF operator stationed at 6994thSS, Tan Son Nhut AB June 67-June 68. Worked "X" "Y" & "Z" positions...TDY enroute to Sanders Assoc, NH. Helped develope and testing of the "Q" systems (which we never was allowed to use in Nam). Others TDY on this project: Julian Timberlake, Craig Donald, Jackie Pope, Willard Sudds and Kenneth Corbin.

Was at Tan Son Nhut during the TET Offensive when a Navy dude shot up a bunch of our EC-47's (claimed he was shooting at charlies) Remember 056 took 110 hits.. Flew a lot on balls nine (009), 112, 646, and others. 1039hrs, 165 missions.. Came home with the DFC, Bronze star, and 9 Air medals.. Also helped construct the Cougar Den between our barracks. Names remembered: Bill Francis, George Montague, Yates White, Bill Belcher, Les Kimball, and of course Mike Presslar.. Retired Dec 81 as CMSGT at the 207X2School in Pensacola , Fla.. E-mail Add: [email protected]...

Received 1 April, 1999 from Roy L. Gentry Jr, Little Rock, Arkansas

Roy says he was part of a ferry flight crew, taking one of the birds over to SEA. Says he departed the CONUS in January, 1967. Was stationed at Tan Son Nhut with the 360th TEWS, January to March or 67 then went TDY to Commander of Detachment at Hue Phu Bai, April to September 67, then back to Tan Son Nhut October through December 1967. Departed on January 8th, 1968.

Roy does not have an email address. His U.S. Postal address is 3106 Hinson Road, Little Rock AR 72212 He said it was okay to put his phone number here, so here 'tis (501) 228-4412

Received 1 April, 1999 from Harvey Burniston, Mountain City, TN

Harvey called requesting reunion information. Says he was with the 361st TEWS Maintenance at Nha Trang from August 1967 to August 1968.

Harvey does not have an email address. His U.S. Postal address is 219 W. Hillcrest Street, Mountain City, TN 37683

Received 2 April, 1999 from Ben Pennell, Manila Philippins

Ben writes the following, I was just a E-6 AMS/IRO flying out of Da Nang, Phu-Cat when we closed that place and Saigon during the An Loc Time. When I returned to Nang we had to have our last flight due to so many new guys, some of which were with Todd on the ill fated bird.

When I was AMS on that smoker every tape of my briefing heard me say "If we took a round don't wait to hand out chutes just hit the red button and go". Also chutes were to be kept tight and worn - not hung over the seats.

I still think the four taken up trail were the back end crew. Nothing was found to prove anyone but the front enders were still on board and it was upside down.

So in June 72 before we moved to points west, we all had to have our last missions in a few days. Steve Transue and my self both were AMS's and were dunked in the going away beer bust at the barn and also tossed in our new commander who we had just met after the last flight.

Still looking for Wee Willie (Christian) as we took leave in San Angelo Christmas time and got stuck close to Loake Inn. So I only retired as an E-8 with heart problems, I think due to the first Larson ladie Ops Officer.

Taught the Sigint search and Development Course from Shu Lin Kou for many years till Nixon messed that up and had to be assigned to the 6990 at Torri Station. Was at Trabzon TUSLOG det 3-1 in 57, Italy, Crete, back to Turkey, Nam, Taiwan, Okinawa, Philippines, 20 radar for a while, ATC Instructor for a while but, ended up head of the flights in 6922.

Guess everyone knows we lost Jim Cobble a few years back. I flew out of Siagon with Jim while I was there, he was 202 type. Of course the guy with the most flights was lost in a car accident while on leave in the US from the 6922 in the 80's.

Think I'm glad I don't have a before and after picture. Whew! time really zips when ur having fun for sure. Think the PI is the best place to be. Age means nothing.

When flying out of Siagon, Col. Mac. came up to me and told me I was so maxed out in hours that I would have to return to Da Nang however he heard I had a kid brother in the Army there so Just get lost for two weeks. Which I did. That's the kind of guy Col. Mac was. Well enough of that stuff and see you on the 28th. 73's Ben Pennell (4F2BP)

Ben's Email Address: 4f2bp(at)comclark.com

Received 3 April, 1999 From Thomas V. Slater

Thomas says, I was a 292 with 6994th SS at Ton Son Nhut. DFC plus 4 air medals. Aug 68 through Aug 69. Says "No special message except to say 'HI' to everyone and if someone remembers me I'd love to hear from them and some stories to refresh the gray matter."

Received 3 April, 1999 from Kenneth R. Schapendonk

Kenneth says, I was a 292 with 6994th SS at Ton Son Nhut. DFC plus 4 air medals. 68/69 Went by the nickname of "Moose." No e-mail yet, but

His U.S. Postal address is: 17637 South 70th Court, Tinly Park, Il. 60477

Received 5 April, 1999 from John Doss of Ft., Walton Beach, Florida

John say's I picked up my aircraft in New Hampshire in Jan 1967. Flew cross country to McClellan AFB, Ca. On to Washington State. From there to Elmerndorf, Alaska.

We took off from McClellan at about 33,000 gross. I think we landed at Elmerndorf at about 40,000 gross. It seems we turned on the wing de-icing boots too soon and had ice build up on the wings that we could not get off. When we landed everyone was surprised that we were able to stay in the air. But knowing the Goon, everything is possible. 10 days at Elmerndorf then on to Adak--that's where the fun began.

We landed that night and had winds of 80+ mph. It collapsed both main gear struts, lost control locks, broke rudder balance cables and ripped holes in rudder and left elevator. As you know, the Navy runs the show at Adak and they had no fabric. So after we constructed balance cables for the rudder I asked the Navy guys for some duct tape. It's like WD 40--good for everything. We got a ground heater and heated the fabric on the elevator and the rudder and applied the duct tape. I told Maj. Cervantes, my A/C, what I had done. The crew discussed it and we decided to continue on to Midway, Guam and then the Phillipines.

That's where they removed the ferry tanks and replaced the rudder and left elevator before proceeding on to Vietnam. It just goes to show you can't keep a good Goon down.

My second tour in Vietnam was 1970 also on C-47's, the Phsy-birds, out of Bien Hoa with the 9th SOS. But that's another story where I almost met my Waterloo. I cannot say enough about the old Goons. They took me through two tours and brought me home. J.C.'s website is just fantastic and I am enjoying it more and more everyday. Keep up the good work.

Received 8 April 1999, from Ernest L. (Larry) Melin, Sr. Isle of Palms, SC

This information was relayed via David Brooks, Thanks David.

Larry says he spent a tour, 1962-65 with the 6988th Security Squadron at Yokota AB, Japan as a crew member on the RC-130 "Sun Valley II"

1965-66 was spent with Headquarters USAFSS, San Antonio, Texas

1966-67 was spent with the 6994th SS at Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam and he retired from Beale AFB, California as a MSgt.

No E-mail address as yet, his U.S. Postal address is c/o E.L. Melin, Jr. - 10 Intercoastal Ct - Isle of Palms, SC 29451

Received 9 April 1999, from Bud Allison, Alexandria, VA.

Bud says, I was stationed at DaNang from September 1970 to September 1971 with the 362nd TEWS as a Navigator. Retired in 1983 as an O-6 and am still involved with the National Air and Space Museum.

Bud's Email Address: budallison(at)cox.net

Received 9 April 1999, from Jim Smith

Jim say's hello fellow ditty boppers, PhuCat Aug - Oct 71 worked with Jack Kludge in scheduling got assigned to base X (Det 2 6994 DaNang) when we closed PhuCat. Worked in training at DaNang, if I'm not mistaken "balls nine" bit the dust on 13 Apr 72, left RVN July 72 with an assignment to the "Sands" Trying to locate a bud of mine, Cyde Pennell, heard he was in an accident after I left. I still find myself doing over the wing checks on commercial flights.

Received 13 April, 1999 from Jack Draughn

Jack was inquiring about the reunion and added, I was a Navigator with the 361st at Nha Trang beginning in October, 1968. Was there for the move to Phu Cat where I completed my tour in October 1969.

Jack does not have an E-mail address but his U.S. Postal address is: 74 Old Rawls Springs Road - Hattisburg, Mississippi 39402.

Received 18 April, 1999 from Joseph E. Snodgrass

Joseph says, I was a TSgt and a Flight Mechanic, assigned to the 360th TEWS at Tan Son Nhut 1967/68 and served as NCOIC Flight Mechanics Section.

Received 23 April, 1999 from Bob Holston

Bob says, I was trying to find some aircraft pictures when I found your EC-47 site.

I served in the 362 TEWS at DaNang from 1971 to 1972. While reading some of the entries in your visitors book someone referenced " Balls 9 " I worked on that aircraft. I was crew chief on tail number '' 313 ", I believe that was the tail number.

Anyway I painted sharks teeth on the nose and gave it the name "Captain America". I loved that old plane. It was a mini mod and had the R1830 engines, I believe that the maxi mod had the R2000.

Anyway it was a pleasure to work on and I was always proud of that aircraft. If anyone reads this who was stationed there at that time please contact me.

Thanks for creating this site, it really brings back memories. Bob Holston

Bob's Email Address: jr7695(at)sbcglobal.net

Received 23, April 1999 from Lew Davis

Lew says, I was a crew chief/Flt mech on 43-48158 at Maxwell AFB in 1962. I was part or the crew that ferried it to the bone yard (Davis Montham) prior to 1963 when I left for the Philippines.

I was with the 360 TEWS from Jan. 68 to Nov.68. While with the 360th I was sent TDY to Pleiku, and sure enough one morning at preflight briefing found out the tail No. of our plane that day was 158. It had a one piece plastic windshield at the pilots side.

While at Maxwell I had started ordering parts to replace the plastic but it was still there when I flew it in 1968.

I really love this web site and if I can ever get off my butt and go thru my fotos I might be able to get some pict for you.

Sincerely, Lew Davis

Lew's Email Address is: Fortwaltonbeac8(at)aol.com

Received 27 April, 1999 from Galen (Mike) Hoar Omaha Nebraska

Mike left the following information in my guestbook and says, I was in the 6994th. Security Sqadron, Det. 3 Pleiky AB RVN (Sept. 1966-Sept. 1967). First Airborne Maint. Personnel to arrive at the Det. Rennovated buildings built generator pads put up security fences etc. The Aircraft had not arrived yet, nor the operators, so we got our flying time on AC-47 Gunships(Puff The Magic Dragon). Enjoyed the experience but, sure was glad to leave.

Received April 27, 1999 from Peter Good, Rochester, New York

Peter says, I served as R202 6981st 70-72 and 6994th Det 3 72-73. Trained by John Ryon. Worked with Ed Flinchum and Bob Dunbar.

Received April 29, 1999 from Lee Johnson

Lee says he was a Pilot with the 362nd TEWS at Pleiku in 1967.