Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

All the best for 2007

 

 

 

 

Army time article

I guess we really were in Vietnam.  This is a copy of an Army Times article that was sent to me by one of the 196th. guys.  See attached photo

 

BlueGhost Two-Zero

Bob Drury

Attachment: Blue_Ghost_20.jpg

New Volunteer Force

This message was forwarded by Teeburkee.

 

The U.S. Military is now accepting older recruits so that enlistment goals can be met .

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Inbox

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Thanksgiving

Dear Ghosters,

 

I have so much to be thankful for.  I have both Sons home from a combat zone, I am married to and in love with the best woman on Earth,  I'll be 60 next year...24 years longer than I ever expected. And I can call some of the best people in the world friends YOU FOLKS!!!!!  Thanks to all of you

 

Two-Zero

Bob Drury

New addy for my son

I'm sorry but I gave youall the wrong email addy for my Son, Jon, it is >>jcdrury@gmail.com<<  Again let's give him the "Welcome Home" we never got.

 

Two-Zero

Bob Drury

All Call to BlueGhosts

It would be great if as many of you as possible send my Son, a WELCOME HOME message.  He arrived at Ft Hood yesterday afternoon after a year in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division.  His e-mail is >>jcdrury@google.com<< .  Let's give him the welcome home we never got.  Please identify yourself as a blueghost or friend of blueghosts.  I am attaching the picture of him with the BlueGhost patch he had tatooed on his arm.

 

Thanks

 

Two-Zero

Bob Drury

Attachment: JonsIraqLeave 005.jpg

4th/31st,

Before the message was taken down I visited their website and posted a message with our call sign and time I was in country.  I got a reply back from one of their RTOs.  We've been talking online since.  He was on LZ West and patroled that area.  We shot so many times in the area and he thanked us for our work.  Nice to actually meet (if only online) a name behind the voice on the ground

 

Hope you all had a great Veteran's Day.  I certainly did.  I awoke to my wife standing at the foot of the bed saying "It's Jon, he's on the phone and he is in Kuwait".  I haven't been that clear in my head so fast in 37 years.  He should be on a jet to the Conus by now.  I even got a call from Ft. Hood yesterday telling me that the welcome home was scheduled for 18:30 hrs tomorrow.  I am one happy and proud papa.

 

Best to all

BlueGhost Two-Zero

Proud Papa

Bob Drury

Leprechauns, a message from Terry.

From :  T. L. Rippy Sent :  Saturday, November 11, 2006 6:59 PM To :  blueghostred@msn.com Subject :  FW: Leprechauns

| | | Inbox

From: "LEONARD ROBBINS" To: Subject: Leprechauns Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 15:54:40 -0600 An American golfer playing in Ireland hooked his drive into the woods. Looking for his ball, he found a little Leprechaun flat on his back, a big bump on his head and the golfer's ball beside him. Horrified, the golfer got his water bottle from the cart and poured it over the little guy, reviving him "Arrgh! What happened?" the Leprechaun asked. "I'm afraid I hit you with my golf ball," the golfer says. "Oh, I see. Well, ye got me fair and square. Ye get three wishes, so whaddya want?" "Thank God, you're all right!" the golfer answers in relief. "I don't want anything, I'm just glad you're OK, and I apologize." And the golfer walks off. "What a nice guy," the Leprechaun says to himself. I have to do something for him. I'll give him the three things I would want... a great golf game, all the money he ever needs, and a fantastic sex life." A year goes by (as it does in stories like this) and the American golfer is back. On the same hole, he again hits a bad drive into the woods and the Leprechaun is there waiting for him. "Twas me that made ye hit the ball here," the little guy says. "I just want to ask ye, how's yer golf game?" "My game is fantastic!" the golfer answers. I'm an internationally famous golfer now." He adds, "By the way, it's good to see you're all right." I did that fer yer golf game, you know. And tell me, how's yer money situation?" "When I need cash, I just reach in my pocket and pull out $100.00 bills I didn't even know were there!" "I did that fer ye also. And tell me, how's yer sex life?" The golfer blushes, turns his head away in embarrassment, and says shyly, "It's OK." "C'mon, c'mon now," urged the Leprechaun, "I'm wanting to know if I did a good job. How many times a week?" Blushing even more, the golfer looks around then whispers, "Once, sometimes twice a week." "What??" responds the Leprechaun in shock. "That's all? Only once or twice a week?" "Well," says the golfer, "I figure that's not bad for a Catholic Priest in a small parish." Happy Veterans Day!!!  TLR

Veterans Day

This message has been deleted by the author.

The Que Son Valley

In his reply message (#7) regarding awards of the DFC, John Shepardson, Blue Ghost 6x, writes about the Que Son Valley where the Blue Ghosts were often in contact with the NVA and VC in 1968.

The Que Son Valley was located to the northwest of Hawk Hill in our area of operations. In this valley, Mike Chambers and crew were shot down May 16, 1968 and Sgt. Louis Bradley, a door gunner, died in the crash. Chambers and crew had to crawl frantically away from their crashed C -Model gunship while under fire before they were spotted and picked up. I don’t remember the exact grid square but it was in the southern part of the valley in a large rice field along the grid line of 0030 to 0430. It’s on this map of the Que Son Valley. http://www.rjsmith.com/Hiep_Duc_Que_Son.html

Jack Shanahan and crew in a C-Model gunship were shot down in this valley on March 16, 1968. Dan Buckley, Blue Ghost Blue, describes in detail the insertion of the Blues and the rescue of the injured crew. http://blueghosts.xtreemhost.com/page15.html

On the same map at grid coordinates 955308 was where James Phipps, Ranier Ramos, Fred Secrist and Warren Newton were shot down on January 9, 1968. All four apparently died in the crash. Their C-Model gunship, #66-00745, was crashed and burning on top of the small hill at this grid and this is where the lift platoon with the Blues attempted an approach but turned off because of the tremendous volume of automatic weapons fire coming up from all around the hill and the high ground to the west. We came back there about two weeks later after the NVA had left and put a recovery team on the ground. They were nervous and did not stay very long but recovered some human remains and a 38-caliber pistol belonging to Phipps. I wonder if anyone has ever been back there to look for them? I have never heard nor read of any further attempts to recover the remains of this crew. Three of them are still listed as MIA. With the exact coordinates of the crash site available and eyewitnesses to the crash, it would seem a rather straightforward endeavor to go and excavate this site.

Can anyone provide the name and address of the agency that is doing excavation and recovery in Vietnam? They should go to this site. It’s long past time for these men to be brought home.

The file attached to this message is a Placemark on Google Earth for the crash site in the Que Son Valley. You can install Google Earth at http://earth.google.com./ After you have Google Earth installed, double click the Placemark and you will see the crash site as it looks today.

The latitude and longitude coordinates of the crash site are 15.38’29.10”N, 108.09’28.72”E. The lift platoon attempted an approach to the site on approximately a 270-degree heading at 500’ altitude and at about one quarter mile from the hill aborted and turned to the right. The C-Model was sitting and burning on top of the north part of the hill. It later slid down the north slope toward the ravine. According to Google Earth, these satellite images are no more than three years old. The valley looks the same to me as it did in 1968.

Attachment: CrashSite_66-00745.kmz

4/31 Inf 196 LIB, Americal

This message has been deleted by the manager or assistant manager.

Hello Blue Ghost

Served in 1969 with the 75th Rangers out of Chu Lai.  You guys did some awesome insertions and extractions for our Ranger teams.  Thank.  Always knew we could count on the choppers being there when the call sign was Blue Ghost.  Landed on Hill 1364 with Blue Ghost in 1969.  Was WIA thru the floor of the chopper on a  Ranger insertion in Aug. or Sept. 1969.  Was that with Blue Ghost?  Do any of you guys recall that mission? 

 

Capt. Wyatt did a lot of fying for us back then. 

 

M.CHU

Co, G (RANGER) 75th Inf.

News Media

Subject:	News Media - unbiased?
Date:	9/29/2006 1:55:39 P.M. Central Standard Time
From:	Teeburkee

 

Interesting article - suggested reading.
Published in Legion Magazine's most recent issue.
Indicates my opinion pretty well (but I don't expect everyone to agree)

http://www.legion.org/?section=publications&subsection=pubs_mag_index&content=pub_mag_jaded

2007 Blue Ghost Reunion

www.blueghosts.com has the 2007 Reunion info posted. Dan & Donna DeLor have put a lot of  hours into this. 

Quang Tri

I went to Quang Tri with the Ghosts in '71. Did any of you? I went back to Chu Lai to out process in March. My hootch in Quang Tri was the one that took the direct hit, after I left. Some of the guys were close to me. It was hard to take, because that was a second time I got lucky and someone else got hurt and I didn't. I was a short-timer when we went north and I was really pucked-up. I went to Ft. Meade,Md next and was discharged there in January '72. There is alot that is happening Iraq that had happened in Viet Nam. I am as fearful for these young troops as I was in Nam. I just feel that young lives are being lost for no reason,,,, AGAIN !!!

Blue Ghost Blue Dan Buckley

Greetings To All,

 

The Buckleys have anew address and phone number. We moved from Fairfield, CA  all the way to Davis, CA, a whopping 30 miles. Since it was such a short distance, we did EVERYTHING (except the pool table) ourselves. And we did it in 100+ degrees of summer heat! PPPP if you ask me!

 

Our new address is   4210 Vistosa St.

                                     Davis, CA 95618

 

Our new phone is (530) 792-7217.

 

We hope all of you folks are doing well and had an enjoyable summer.

 

We look forward to a saner summer  next year and hopefully a chance to host a visitor or two. So if you are able to head west, let us know and plan to visit.

 

Take care.

 

Dan, Barbara and Matthew Buckley

Ronald Nishita FTroop 8thCav

Feb. 1970 - March 1971
(hit on March 6, 1971)
I have albums of photos but cannot recall names. Anyone recognize some of these pixs?

Capt. Arnold Holm

MIA/POW Day

Received from Dusty Holm's sister.

Paul Reitchel

Paul

Mike Lane

Hi Guys
Looking for anyone who has Mike Lanes' Name on some old orders Call me 505-373-9597
Doc

Military Shipping Kits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Teeburkee@aol.com
To: jiarussi@neo.rr.com
Subject: (no subject)
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 16:38:09 EDT

In case you ship "care" cartons to service men and women overseas, here is a
means to get FREE SHIPPING SUPPLIES from The Postal Service. I just ordered a
kit myself.

Free USPS Military Shipping Kits http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/militarykit.asp

F/8 Crew

This is a printer friendly version of an article from norwichbulletin.com

To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.









Article published Jul 24, 2006

Crash site of lost Waterford Vietnam veteran found



NORWICH - U.S. Military officials have apparently discovered the crash site

of Army Capt. Arnie Holm of Waterford, missing in action in the Vietnam War

since June 11, 1972. U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, said today he

was notified by Holms widow that she had received a call telling her of the

discovery.

Pieces of the helicopter Holm was piloting were reportedly found on a ridge

near sites where previous searches have been conducted. An excavation of the

site for remains will likely not be started until next year because of the

oncoming rainy season, Simmons said.

According to military investigation reports on the crash, on June 11, 1972,

Holm, PFC Wayne Bibbs, gunner, and SP4 Robin Yeakley, passenger, were aboard

an OH6A observation helicopter flying from Camp Eagle to the Northern

Provinces of South Vietnam on a visual reconnaissance mission. The function

of their "Loach" chopper was searching out signs of the enemy around two

landing zones. The OH6 joined with the Cobra gunship as "Pink

Teams" on a reconaissance mission to find enemy troops. On this day, Holm's

aircraft was monitoring a group of North Vietnamese regulars.



During the mission, Holm reported that he saw enemy living quarters,

bunkers and numerous trails. On his second pass over a ridge, at about 25

feet altitude, the aircraft exploded and burned. It was reported that before

the aircraft crashed that smoke and white phosphorous grenades began exploding.



After the aircraft impacted with the ground, it exploded again. Other

aircraft in the area received heavy anti-aircraft fire. No one was seen to

exit the downed helicopter, nor were emergency radio beepers detected.

Wayne Bibbs - F/8

Chicago Tribune

July 26, 2006

For MIA Family, Possible Closure

Found wreckage may end long ordeal

By Jason George, Tribune staff reporter

In June of 1972, an Army captain and two helicopter crewmen--one from Illinois, the other from Indiana--were shot down over Vietnam. For 34 years, the wreckage and the men's remains were lost to the jungle.

Now, Defense Department investigators believe they've located the site of the downed chopper and appear one step closer to ending a long wait filled with frustrating dead ends and false leads.

Pfc. Wayne Bibbs of Blue Island was the door gunner in the cramped Hughes Cayuse helicopter that was on a scouting mission near the Laotian border.

Bibbs, who had left Eisenhower High School for the Army and Southeast Asia, was just three days short of his 18th birthday when the helicopter was downed June 11.

His disappearance, and the fact that his body was never recovered, caused decades of anguish for his now-deceased parents and three siblings, brother Andrei Bibbs said Tuesday from his Chicago home.

"My mother was always trying to find out, going to MIA/POW meetings in Washington, D.C., and Missouri," Bibbs said, adding that she died a decade ago. "We were always searching," he said. "We always wondered."

Margarete Holm--whose husband, Capt. Arnold "Dusty" Holm, was the helicopter's pilot--learned of the findings on Saturday from representatives of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, or JPAC, which heads the recovery efforts for lost soldiers.

"As soon as I walked in, they all had huge smiles on their faces and said they had good news," she said by telephone from her home in Lebanon, Pa. "They had just gotten the report a day or so before."

That report says that on July 7, search crews located an approximately 200-by-260-foot crash site that contains a helmet, ammunition, portions of an M-16 rifle and, most importantly, the wreckage of a Cayuse helicopter, unusually configured with three seats.

"My husband's helicopter had three seats," Holm said. "They are quite positive this is the right one because no other one has the three seats.

"They can't be 100 percent sure until the DNA is analyzed, but they are 99 percent sure," she said.

Troy Kitch, a JPAC spokesman, shared Holm's cautious optimism. "We believe we have found the site," he said.

This month's search, which Holm said was the last one planned, came after several years of fruitless trips in Vietnam's remote jungles--some just meters from the recently discovered site.

Confirmation that the wreckage is that of the helicopter carrying Holm, Bibbs and Spc. Robin Yeakley, of South Bend, Ind., will not come until next year at the soonest, Kitch said. A recovery team, which can't do its work until after the upcoming rainy season, needs to visit the site in hopes of finding some remains, he said. Whatever is recovered would have to be analyzed.

"The bottom line is that until our forensic experts back here in the lab get ahold of it, we don't know," Kitch said.

Andrei Bibbs was 14 when his older brother left for Vietnam. "I looked up to him. He was my mentor. I really miss him," he said.

If remains are recovered, Bibbs said he would bury his brother at Burr Oaks Cemetery in Alsip.

There, in death, Wayne Bibbs would be reunited at last with his parents.

Norwich Bulletin

Blue Ghost Citations

From :  Sent :  Sunday, July 16, 2006 11:56 AM To :  blueghostred@msn.com, thewarthog6@comcast.net Subject :  Blue Ghost Citations

Attachment :	UnitCitations3.doc (0.03 MB)

Had the attached started a couple of years ago. Got back on it a couple of days ago and spent a lot of hours updating it to show sources of information and to provide link addresses. Perhaps something for the websites for others to reference. Would be glad to update in the future if anyone provides additional units F/8 was attached to (since they became "mobile" and moved to other locations), or if they provide the DAGO so I can investigate further. Stay safe and well. Burkie

Attachment: UnitCitations3[2].doc

C Troop 7/17th Flag

From :  Sent :  Sunday, July 16, 2006 6:29 PM To :  blueghostred@msn.com Subject :  C Troop 7/17 flag

| |

Found this guidon/flag on eBay. Know anyone interested?? http://cgi.ebay.com/Vietnam-Unit-Patch-USA-C-TRP-7-SQDN-17th-AIR-CAV_W0QQitemZ250008410143QQihZ015QQcategoryZ587QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

4th of July

I hope everyone has had a safe holiday.  Let's hear from some of our pilots who attended the VHPA reunion in DC.

VHPA Reunion 4 July 2006

Photo submitted by John Shepardson. Taken July 3, 2006 at the VHPA Reunion in Washington, D.C. Back row: Woody McFarlin, John Shepardson, Terry Rippy, Jack Shanahan, Bob Smith, Bill Owen, Lewis Crosier, Tim Sprouse

Blue Ghosts at VPHA Reunion

Stolen VA Computer

From :  Sent :  Friday, June 30, 2006 2:09 PM To :  undisclosed-recipients: Subject :  From Valley Post #375 - Stolen VA computer

| | | Inbox

This message is being sent to the private e-mail address list maintained for Valley Post #375, as well as to others who may be interested. All names do not appear because we use "blind copies". The stolen computer has been found. See the press release below. GOOD NEWS ! Cut and paste this link : http://baltimore.fbi.gov/pressrel/2006/laptop_062906.htm

saying hello

this is blueghost 20's son, jon (hurricane 7g).  im in iraq with 4th ID, 2nd BCT, E FSC 2-8 CAB.  it pretty much sucks over here right now.  im a cook in a forward support company attached to a mech infantry batt.  theyve cross attached me to 2-8's hhc, mostly cav scouts.  right now theyve got me on 24hr ops on even numbered days and a 12 hour shift at the mess hall on odd numbered days.  sleep deprevation is starting to take its toll... but shit happens and we are almost done.

 

when i joined the army my dad said to me that he never expected either of his sons to join -- let alone both.  i think that growing up in a house with a veteran gave us both a high degree of respect for those willing to serve their county in a time of war.  being deployed has only strengthed that feeling for me.  you gentleman truly were the best of your generation and me mine.  as soldiers we bear a burden that civilians will never be able to comprehend.  so know that what you did for our country is appreciated and that we understand what it is to appreciate what yall did.

 

drink acouple for me at the reunion.

JOKE

Why is it called PMS?

Because Mad Cow was already taken!

Father&#39;s Day

Happy Father's Day to all.

BlueGhosts at Ky Ha(J. Sheridan)

Need help with some names.More to come.

1970

I was a door gunner from 1969-1970. My name is Doug. UH-1 # 590.

sgt james m troyer

I just posted the in memory book of my father sgt james m troyer if anyone remembers him i sure would like to hear from you. my dad died at 59 he had cancer all over his body . we know it was because of agent orange, though the milatary will never admitt it.

IN LOVING MEMORY

THIS IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DAD JAMES M TROYER A MAN WHO DID ALL 3 TOURS OF NAM AND AND CAME BACK A EMPTY, DIFFERENT MAN.HIS SOUL DIED OVER IN NAM. HE IS NOW AT PEACE. I LOVE YOU DAD

I see my Son has joined the group

My Son, Jon, >>jonwhoismasterofall<< has joined the group.  He is serving in Iraq and I'd like to welcome him.  Jon,  this is a pretty friendly group and I'm sure you are welcome to add anything you like to the discussions (except the bad things about me:)).  Once again welcome.

 

Love Dad

 

BlueGhost Two-Zero

Bob Drury

the tattoo

I hope someone reconizes the tattoo if you have one just like it please let me know

james troyer

helicopter tattoo

james troyer

the tattoo my dad had was a helicopter with its tounge sticking out there is suppose to be one more tattoo out there like it. does anyone know who has the other one. i will put phogto of it on message board when i figure out how to do it

Photo Album

Finally got some of my pics loaded. I could use some help with names.

 

James Sheridan

James Sheridan BlueGhost 6x

L-R George "Muff" Handley, James Sheridan, Don McConeghy.

Photos submitted by James Sheridan, BlueGhost C Model gunship pilot and BlueGhost 6x in 1968-69. Photos are of combat operations with the 1/1 Armored Cavalry Squadron in August 1968.

DFC Society

I would like to direct your attention to The Distinguished Flying Cross Society, www.dfcsociety.org , and would encourage our Blue Ghost recipients to become members if they have not already done so.

Distinguished Flying Cross

I would like to compile a list of all Blue Ghosts who were awarded the DFC.  Richard Crawley, Robert Wiggins, and ....

Blue Ghost Association

Membership is now on a calendar year basis.  Dues are $25.00 per year or Life Membership for $150.  Make check or money order out to:  F Troop 8th Cav Vietnam Veterans Association and mail to:  Ron Willey; 48 Amherst ST; Nashua NH 03064.

OH-6 Pilot Michael O&#39;Byrne

Mike flew 5999 and was shot in Dec 72. I lost track of him a couple of years ago and would like to locate him.

Son on his way back to Iraq

Well, this morning I had to say "Goodbye" to my Son, Jon, as he left Dubuque Airport for his return to Iraq from his mid tour leave.  One of the harder things a Father (especially a Veteran Father) ever does.  You could tell from the last few days of his leave that, in his mind, he was already back with his friends at the unit.  It was especially true Today since he just had learned by e-mail that his best friends Sgt. had been killed in that IED explosion you may have read about in Babil provence.

 

I did get some pictures of his "BlueGhost" Tatoo and will post them soon.  He wanted to thank all the BlueGhosts for their best wishes and e-mails over the past six months.  He is not sure whether he has 6 mos or a year left in the 4th Divisions deployment.

 

I miss him already and am really looking forward to a full welcome home when he finishes this deployment.  Since he is planning to make this a career I guess I will have to get used to him leaving and returning.  But that is the way of Kids his age anyway

 

Bob Drury

BlueGhost Two-Zero

NIGHT HAWK

Looking for information as to what month and year the Blue Ghost Night Hawk mission became operational and where? Who were the first crews? I think this operation was suspended sometimes in 1972.

My Son on leave from Iraq

For those who didn't get my e-mail I just wanted to post that my Son, Jon, got home March21 from Iraq.  I is soo good to see him but knowing that he has to return is tough on 'Ol Dad.  He has decided to make a career out of the Army and plans to use the "green to gold" program to get his degree and come out an Officer (a RLO not a warrent like his Dad)  he has even chosen Aviation as his number 1 on the wish list.  When he got home he almost made me cry when he rolled up his left sleve and showed me a partially completed Combat Tat of the BlueGhost Insignia.  Today he had it almost finished with all the color and it looks great.  He used the patch that Donna Delore made for him as a good luck charm.  I am so proud of him.  Now, I just hope our country will get its sh** togeather to deserve his service.

 

Bob

Attn : BlueGhost Red

This message has been deleted by the author.

Chu Lai

This message has been deleted by the author.

Da Nang

This message has been deleted by the author.

Blue Ghost Roster

The Blue Ghost Roster posted in the documents section was made by John Williamson a couple of years ago and posted on his web site.  John was one of  the last Blue Ghosts to leave Vietnam in February 1973.