12th Cavalry News - Saber Column
March - April, 2010
Ken Howser
0001
- Journal Opened. Hey sailor, new in town? Boil my weevil; hog gravy, and
chitlins! Ride with the best troopers of the old west to ever saddle a pony,
peel a spud, or turn a forkful of manure; all the while protecting the nation's
borders and delighting the womenfolk. Come with me to fantasy island where all
the women are comely and friendly, the gentlemen are handsome and debonair, the
children are well behaved and quiet, and the teenagers respect age, wisdom and
maturity.
0113
- The ole 12th is not mired solely in the past, in fact we've become socially
networked for you. Go to Facebook.Com.,
log onto your account, enter 12th Cavalry in the search box and there we are!
Surf on over, give us a look-see, become a fan, view and upload, and avail
yourself and your comrades of all these modern conveniences. Your service has
given you bennies, don't say we are not there for you.
0213
- Winter now has us firmly locked in its grip, but spring then cannot be too far
away. The remedy to winter doldrums and cabin fever?
Guarantee, sign seal and deliver your
winter weary bones to Bloomington, MN, 2-6 June for the 63rd annual reunion in
the barn. There “we'll all be drinking that free bubble'ub and eating that
rainbow stew.” You might get really lucky and see Col Dingeman, myself, or
Dennis Webster! Plan carefully and fill out all forms and return them early
(with your money!) Reunions are a time to greet old friends and comrades and to
meet and greet new friends. If perchance you never go, you will never know what
you have been missing these past 100 years. I cannot say enough about the
character of those Troopers who attend reunions and by doing so, honor their
fellows and our esteemed active duty Troopers; the same is also said for their
wives, friends and families. Each reunion is better than the last and worse than
the next; if I'm lying, I'm dying.
0313
- Rick Ball has heard from William W. Shook, Jr., Waynesburg, PA on his attempt to learn more on Col Ivan Boon. William was
with 2-12 Vietnam from June 68 - July 69, most of that time as the RTO to Col
Boon. Here is hoping this contact will be fruitful for all parties.
0413 -
We have learned from Alan and Tweek VanDan of the passing on 2 August 2009 of
former C 1-12 Trooper Robert E. 'Bob' Balsley of
Hooven, OH. Sgt Balsley served in Vietnam from
mid 1968 to mid 1969, the cause of his death is unknown.
0513
- We were notified that First Sergeant Paul T. Lyczak passed away on September
20, 2009 in Temple, Texas, of cancer from Agent Orange. He had the great honor
of forming his "OWN" platoon by recruiting its members as a recruiter in Dallas,
when he was assigned the 1st Cavalry at Ft Hood. He was very proud to be the 1st
Sgt. of "C" Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1972-75. He received
the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal,
Bronze Star with "V" device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, and other awards.
0613
- We note the passing of Lawrence William Gubbe, Sr. January 27, 2010. “In 1942
he enlisted in the U.S. Army and in 1943 attended Cavalry Officer's Candidate
School. He graduated with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the12th Cavalry Regiment
and was posted with the 1st Cavalry Division to Australia for further
training. Larry was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and given command of a weapons
platoon in H Troop. He subsequently led his platoon in service in New Guinea
and in amphibious landings and combat in the Admiralty and Philippine Islands.
In the Philippines he participated in the drive to Manila and the liberation of
the San Tomas Internment Camp. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic or
meritorious action in combat.” Along with their comrades we mourn the passing of
each of these patriots.
0713
- A letter from Carl H. Lawrence of Huddle Mills, NC references hour 8012 in the
last Saber issue and quotes Edgar Doleman, author of 'Tools of War' and a
company commander of C 2-12 Cav in Vietnam. “Gen Norton, our CG, told me C
Company was the best infantry company he had. Col Berenzweig, our Brigade CO
said the same thing. I know one operation we went on because he chose C Company.
(The lucky part – the hordes of enemy we were supposed to find had gone.) Years
later, I met the CG of the 24th Div and learned he'd been CO of the 2nd of the
7th Cav when we were attached in the Ia Drang, in August of '66. He said he
still told people of, in his words, C Company's “incredible fire discipline and
control.” Thank you Carl.
0813
- Items of interest to those with computer access.
<http://xeml.buglesacrossamerica.org/> (Over 5000 bugler volunteers for veterans
funerals, located in all 50 states.) <http://www.thewarriorsong.com/video.html>
(The Warrior Song), <http://www.virtualwall.org/>(The Virtual Vietnam Wall),
<http://www.cc.gatech.edu/fac/Thomas.Pilsch/Vietnam.html> (Vietnam War Resourses),
<http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/magazine-test-page/avq-page-test/issue-vi-springsummer-2009/the-lost-battalion-of-tet-a-reflection/>(The
Lost Battalion of Tet – A Reflection), <http://www.lawyersservingwarriors.com/>
(OIF & OEF; Resources and free PDF download survival guide)
<http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/march2010/Documents/Steele.pdf&ct=ga&cd=SgZwd32IM1o&usg=AFQjCNFVWGEwkVzfmkCc1GCC5VV2YooNVQ>
(PDF download of March 2010 Army Magazine ~ Greywolf End of Tour)
0913
- An email from Dick “Bean’ Udden wants to “know how I can get the name of the
Captain (a West Point grad I believe) who was in charge of Ace High 2-12 in
December, 1970 Vietnam.” Terry L. Potter writes in to ask, “Can you tell me if
there is a photo (or if anyone has a photo) of Melvin Lapp who was hit on
26 October 1967 and died from his wounds? Thank you.” Anyone having information
to share on these pleas for assistance, please contact me.
1013 -
I am sure you are aware the Troopers of 2-12 Cav are due to deploy to Iraq in
the middle of this year. Please continue to show your support of them in any of
the many ways available. Whether this is by active involvement on your part by
cards, letters, and packages, or by contributing to the many groups supporting
them, such as our Trooper Support Fund, is your choice and decision. We all know
the morale value of these gifts and the sense of belonging and joy instilled by
our fellow citizens when we were deployed, and on the receiving end of such
largess. Let's show every Trooper in what way, and how they are appreciated, as
they carry the torch we passed on to them.
1113
- The gossip from behind the barn doors has fallen off, with everyone keeping
the skive under their kepis. I am receiving no news from our active battalions
of their activities or from the family readiness groups. I am actively
recruiting stories, vignettes and photos, but none have been forthcoming. 1-12
Cav has returned from their block leave and celebrated with a Battalion Ball on
18 February. I have not officially been slipped a guest or speaker roster, but
was requested by August Wilganoski to mention the five speakers at the ball: SPC
Doolan, SSG Fili, SSG Reirs, SPC Labadie, and SPC Sosa, all of whom did an
excellent job. LTC Fadden and MAJ Smith did a great job of keeping the
ball running smoothly. Also from August on another topic, “How
many know that volunteers prepare returning soldiers rooms (those that live in
quarters) coming off of deployment? Thanks to these wonderful souls, the beds
are made and the rooms are clean when the troopers get home.”
1513
- Lt. Col. Andrew Green became commander of the 4th Squadron, 2d Stryker Cavalry
Regiment in a Co. C ceremony on Feb 16. He formerly had served as the Executive
Officer of 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, deploying in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom. We wish him well in his new command.
1713
- The Media Theatre Veterans Alliance, of PA, honored Capt. Shannon Meehan, 1st
Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment on 13 February with a plaque “for his
contributions and continued dedication to the United States of America.” He has
written a memoir of his experiences, “Beyond Duty”, published last fall. After
his book tour he has his eyes set on public service, and possibly elected
office.
1912
- An Ongoing Saga - 'Missing in the Ozone' – You have gone missing in our
directory and website locators, please check in and notify us of your emailing
and other particulars. (Anyone knowing these details, please also update us.) A
partial list includes: Garrett Anderson> B C & HHC 1/12 Cav, Richard J. Bailey>
B 1/12 Cav, James M. Barrier> B 2/12 Cav, Joe M. Bassett> 12th Cav, Matthew
Benjamin> B & HHC 1/12 Cav, Larry Bingham> C 1/12 Cav, Stephen D. Bodwell> C
2/12 Cav, Skip Bollar> A 1/12 Cav, Richard Brewer> C 1/12
Cav. If your name has not yet been listed, please ensure that we have
your data in our records; please send an email update to both myself and the
webmaster at: <WebMaster@12thCav.US>.
2113
- Cpt Matthew Makaryk, CO Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment took
on the mission of turning what was once a shotgun/pistol range on Ft Hood into a
25-meter flat range . The range would be immediately available to any unit in
the Long Knife Brigade and be similar to the flat ranges on combat outposts and
forward operating bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. Cpt Makaryk stated initial
estimates indicated the project would cost nearly $200,000 and take
approximately 47 days to complete. "We did it in 15 days for $2,600," he added.
The complex is the first of its kind on Ft Hood, allowing a unit to have
operational control over a training facility. The range was completed in
November 2009 and is used daily by the Long Knife Brigade.
2213
- Via emails from Dick Tracey, “As I write this I am in Vietnam. I have already
visited ground that is sacred to me because of two of my best friends that did
not come back (home) with me. I was led there by a Vietnamese peasant
with no ax to grind, after being denied permission by the Vietnamese army...he
did so at great personal risk, and after that invited me and another 1st Cav
Brother to his home. I will never forget his kindness. I visited Marble mountain
and was thanked by a lady there...more than I can say for most of my countrymen.
Robert McNamera said it all in his "soul cleansing" book and interview...the
"enemy" was really us. At 65 I now believe that with all my heart. I think
making "the trip" can be a very good thing for many guys. The whole trip has
been amazing and I am trying to keep a journal of sorts and take many
pictures. I have had the very special opportunity to be in the company of my 1st
Cav brother (I was also the best man at his wedding in Vietnam) who has been
back six times and supports two small girls (13 & 14) with money for school. I
have, likewise, found a very poor girl who I will be helping with school &
living expenses. We visited her family who, although they have virtually nothing
themselves, shared what they had with us. They were more concerned with two old
x-warriors with tear filled eyes than they were about themselves. It certainly
humbled this old soldier!” Thanks much Dick!