12th Cavalry
News - Saber Column
January - February 2008
Ken Howser
DA 1594 Daily Staff Journal of the 12th Cavalry Regiment
0001 Journal Opened. “Fuller Brush, nobody home, I hope, I hope…” (Two disparate radio quotes joined for your edification.) Maybe you are wondering, as are others, exactly what direction I am taking our Journal. Suffice it to say, I have my basic shtick down but change the basics from time to time as my mind whims.
0015 I am writing in the heart of December 2007 so be aware that Christmas and New Year still lie ahead, the month of January and maybe a couple of weeks in February also, before you read me. Some of our fellow 12th and 1st Cav troopers may have made the flights home before Christmas, they are expected throughout the rest of this year, and until 6 PM Jan 11, 2008, (actual date/time may vary). A hearty welcome home and a job well performed in the traditional manner of the Cavalry to all deployed, rear area, and family personnel. To us left behind the wait was daunting and sometimes it seemed deployment would last forever. Finally and at long last, a semblance of order and right may exist in our lives. We missed you!
0026 Using my super powers to the max, I can get this close, and do apologize for any misstatements: The 4th Brigade CT, 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas, will be re-designated as the ‘new’ 4th Brigade CT, 1st Cavalry Division and the 3/67th Armor will become the ’new’ 2/12th Cavalry. That re-designation will take place sometime in March 2008. The brigade consists of approximately 3500 personnel and will deploy to Iraq as a replacement unit in the summer of 2008 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.
0027 The existing 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, based in Fort Bliss, Texas is currently re-deploying stateside. After its return to home station, it will re-designate to become part of 1st Armored Division, and the ‘current’2/12th will be re-flagged 1/77th Cavalry of the 1st Armored Division. The three Brigade Combat Teams of the 1st Cavalry Division assigned to Fort Hood will remain, as is. With this change, when they return again, the 4th Brigade CT will be stationed at Fort Hood, uniting the entire Division again, 4 BCTs. The 1/12th Cav will remain in the 3rd BCT. Confused yet?
0110 Culminating the first year of my authoring this Journal, I wish to thank and pay homage to those who have contributed so mightily to the success of my efforts on your behalf, (or not as you may see things.) While not a full year, it is a year nonetheless; therefore I do count a year of combat experience. I will start with our superb Webmaster Charlie BADER, the HCOR Jim DINGEMAN, the HSMOR John BERGER, and Alan and Tweek VAN DAN for giving me leads and the muscle/status to pry free material from recalcitrant sources. I wish also to thank those with whom I have exchanged email, letters, phone calls, and text messages. I value each interchange and they have been valuable to me, no matter the value placed upon them by their authors. I am patiently awaiting the first communication from the actives that is not of my incitement. I still believe that they have something to say and thoughts they wish to convey to the keepers of the Regiment faith, history, and experience. We remain their opportunity and means of expression if they avail themselves of this forum.
0220 For those who have not emailed, called, texted or written; what is your hang-up? I don’t bite, (often), and my answering machine tells me it loves you. The Journal would be better and greater with your benefaction. If you get tired of hearing the same names or people quoted, change it. We all have interesting, funny, or poignant stories to tell, even if we were only PLO - Permanent Latrine Orderly. All columnists of this paper are dependant upon and await your input, we espouse the same mantra and express it bimonthly in our varying ways; these columns’ belong to you and reflect your interests and participation, therefore it is a reflection upon you both individually and collectively. Because we say the same, does not make the statement any less true. We are to be held blameless and above belittling fray. If the column is bad you are to be blamed; if it is good, it is your fault likewise. (Meant figuratively, not literally.) Therefore I, with them, am hanging around the house awaiting you, and the chance to write and profound upon something other than my own devising. This is my story and I am sticking with it.
0303 http://www.familycircus.com/art/ww2/hist01.html - http://www.familycircus.com/files/files.htm - “In Brisbane, Australia, Bill Keane, who went overseas in 1943 with the 1st Cavalry Division, was assigned duty doing publicity art for the Theater Fiscal Office of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East. He promoted buying War Bonds and National Service Life Insurance to all service personnel in the Southwest Pacific.” The even older timers than I may know of this but it was news to me and an added reason to read his drawings online and “the Family Circus” in the papers. The listed sites archives his WW II and other early material along with his Circus strips. We claim Bill Kean for our own Cav ‘family circus’.
http://news.webshots.com/album/70050769zmyhJI?start=0 - First Cavalry Division pictures from Korea service and links to other albums.
0436 Does anyone remember the KAL-55B secret code chart, AKA ’Whiz Wheel’ used in Vietnam? I have been discussing this chart with two former RTOs from the 12th, Ron SAUERS and A 2/12 Elvis POE, (the other Ace High 6 India). The real true Elvis is a retired state game officer in Arkansas. and was an Ace High 6 India on the company frequency 1969-70 into Cambodia after I left country. He reminded me of Capt Gallagher (My last Company Commander, whose name I had forgotten) and who’s RTO we both were, at separate times, and also of Lt Camp, USMA. If the good Capt or Lt is out there, please give us both a shout. Elvis remembers going to a training session on this code chart and radio after security clearance. In my time we didn’t, “Security checks and training? We ain't got no security checks and training. We don't need no security checks and training. I don't have to show you any stinking security checks and training. “ (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.) We learned OJT and used ‘shackle’ codebooks. We two never got around to discussing the merits of PRC25 vs. PRC77, that I assume he carried.
0543 Ron had not seen a KAL-55B since the ‘Nam. “Got into a fire fight, heavy fire, only had 20 or so guys in the field. Called the LZ, couldn't find my Whiz Wheel and didn't have enough time to pull the crypto radio gear, so I gave the co-ordinates in the clear. Next thing I hear is, “You just gave your co-ordinates in the clear, the g ---s know where you are!" My reply, "You think they don't know where the hell we’re at?" Next thing I hear is, “FDC, Willie Pete 1,000 up, adjust for fire mission." Somewhere I had lost my Whiz Wheel. After the firefight, called to say I lost it on the crypto and they flew out a new wheel and new codes for our area. (Also flew new codes to all units working the same AO, SNAFU on my part.) Years later I told this story, and someone said, “What did you need that for? The g ---s don't have arty or air support.” I said, “You’re right, but they do know how to set up an ambush.” The room went quite. The guy was Navy, never been on the ground and wouldn't know a Whiz Wheel from his mom's fresh baked pie.” And you thought we only had fun in ‘the good old days’!
0938 http://www.capveterans.com/american_patriotism/id16.html - Tennessee is the first state in the union to proclaim March 29th, National Vietnam Veterans Day. Minnesota will be the second state to do so. On March 29 & 30, 2008, a very special Welcome Home will happen in Crossville, Tennessee and will be an Official Welcome Home Event for Vietnam Veterans. Check this website for full details and contacts.
http://members.aol.com/FLVietVets/reunion.html - Florida's 21st Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion, April 24 - 25 - 26 - 27, 2008, Melbourne, FL, 321-255-4307.
http://grunt.space.swri.edu/visit/maps/maptest.htm - ‘Walking’ map of current Vietnam.
1359 http://www.pdagold.com/themes/detail.asp?t=14528 - 1st Cav US Army, 280kb of PDA background if you have, need, or are purchasing a PDA. 629 views and 131 downloads this month, (they say). I cannot vouch for this program, as I do not have a PDA. I have neither found 1st Cav cell phone or computer backgrounds, nor ‘Cav’ ringtones> you?
1549 http://12thcav.us/stories_212_RK_backtoNam.htm - Roger L. KEHRIER, Company B & D, 2/12th Cavalry, 1967 to 1968, gives a description of activities in the Que Son Valley and the battle of LZ Ross, and of his return to the site in 2007. The picture of the war memorial (to them, not us) references this 12th Cav website entry, for your reading enjoyment. As an extra, added bonus for the first 5,000 visitors, there are loads of stores to read and share. Act now before it is too late. Don’t be left out!
2200 http://vietnamresearch.com/
Nez Perce Warrior's Reflection
They said I would be changed in my body.
I would move through the physical world in a different manner.
I would hold myself in a different posture.
I would have pain where there was no blood.
I would react to sights, sounds, movement and touch in a crazy way, as though I
were back in war.
They said I would be wounded in my thoughts.
I would forger how to trust, and I would think that others were trying to hurt
me. I would see dangers in the kindness and concern of my relatives and others.
Most of all, I would not be able to think in a reasonable manner, and it would
seem that everyone else was crazy.
They told me that it would appear to me that I was alone even in the midst of
the people, and that there was no one else like me.
They warned me that it would be as though my emotions were locked up, and I
would be cold in my heart and not remember the ways of caring for others.
While I might give meat and blankets to the elders, or food to the children, I
would not be able to feel the goodness of these actions. That I would do these
things out of habit and not from caring. They predicted that I might do harm to
others without plan or intention.
They knew that my spirit would be wounded.
They said I would be lonely and that I would find no comfort in family, friends,
elders or spirits. I would be cut off from both beauty and pain. My dreams
would be dark and frightening. My days would be filled with searching and not
finding. I would not be able to find connections between myself and the rest of
creation. I would look forward to an early death.
And, I would need cleansing in all these things.
Above Submitted by Tom"Doc"Duthie 4/47 9th I.D. "67"
Quoted from the Website
http://vietnamresearch.com/
2359 Know always that you are not alone in or with these thoughts. We all are and are not part of these thoughts, they both do and do not reflect what we feel and have experienced. Wartime or military experience changes us forever and we exist forever different and forever alike to our fellow experiencers. We walk and react differently from other folk, which is why the associations, reunions, and camaraderie have such great importance in our post military lives. Not to share ’war stories’, although that is certainly part of what we do, but to be comfortable, at ease, and at peace because we are no longer alone, as we tend to be with our families, friends and associates, we are united and joined at last with those with whom we are most comfortable, our brothers and sisters. See you at the reunion in June 2008> 18th to 22nd> Jacksonville, FL. Write if you get work.
2400 Journal Closed
Pictures are in this order and you may stick them where you will as meets spacing requirements. I do not care if they are all together top, bottom, or separate, that’s why you two get the big bucks. Last one listed gets deleted first, survival of the fittest.
1-12th Cavalry’s Volunteer of the Month_Charlie Bader_Colonel Phelps_Wendy Fil_0022
Caption: Charlie Bader "Volunteer of the Month", Col Phelps, and Wendy Fil 8-28-2007
KAL-55B_100x126_4.44kb
Caption: KAL-55B AKA ’Whiz Wheel’
Que Son_4
Caption: Roger L. Kehrier, LZ Ross Vietnamese War Memorial - "To the Victors of the Que Son"