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QUAD CITIES CHAPTER 299 WWW.QCVVA299.ORG

CHAPTER 299

SEPTEMBER 2017

VETS IN CRISIS HOTLINE

1.800.273.8255President - LARRY TSCHAPPAT

309 - 788-2729 [email protected]

Vice President-BOB JACKSON 1-309-781-0175

Secretary-TOM HICKSON 1-309-558-7102

Treasurer-JERRY MANICCIAMembership - LARRY TSCHAPPAT

309 - 788-2729 [email protected]

Veteran Service Officers (VSO)Al “Butch” Huber-VSO

309.721.1453VVA National Offices

800.882.1316VA Outpatient Clinic Bettendorf

563.332.8528VA Med Cent IA City

319.338.0581 & 800.346.1843IL Dept of Veterans Affairs

VSO Carla Waibel 309.793.1460

RI Cty Vet Ast & VSO Todd Harlow

309.558.3546 VET CENTER (Counseling)

1-309-755-3260IA Vet Affairs & VSO

David Woods563.326.8723

Honor Guard Co-CaptainsDennis Laird - Funerals

309.721.7468Andy Andersen - Parades

C: 563.940.5980

“We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us.”George Orwell

VOLUME 31 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER2

DOG SOLDIERS *Submitted by Chief Master Sgt. Dan Johnson

While we remember our troops, let’s not forget their loyal “war dogs” who are often fearlessly by their side.

Mr. Reeder: Reference your column in the 24 August Dispatch-Argus regarding your Grandmother’s efforts to obtain a headstone for a relative who served in the Confederacy. Usually I support your statements, but I think you’re off base this time. Those who served in the Confederate Army were supporting a cause that they believed in, albeit it contradicted the Union’s beliefs. All of us who have worn the uniform support Our Nation, bad, good or indifferent and the causes that go with it. Though the idiots in Charlottesville were merely spoiling for a fight (both sides), it shouldn’t be a

Letter To Scott Reeder at the Moline Dispatch / Rock Island Argus

MCAThe Eastern Iowa - Western Illinois

Mechinical Contractors Association of America

Salute America and Our Veterans!

[email protected]

reflection on their gray-suited ancestors. Nevertheless, you’ll find the info below that sets the record straight on why your Grandma did what she did. CMSgt Dan Johnson (USAF, Ret.)

VOLUME 31 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER 3

I want to thank our Vet 2 Vet Volunteers that made the trip to VA Medical Center last month = Al Bradley, Ken Madden, Jim Stanbary and Service Dog Bella, Doug Holmgren, Tom Skorepa, Larry Tschappat, Rich Hockenberry and Don “The Scrounger. Scavenger” Theesfeld. The Ditty Bags were full and we were well received by our ill and hospitalized Brothers and Sisters, their Families and Hospital Staff. We returned to the QCA by 1 PM. NATIONAL CONVENTION REPORT 2017 – NEW ORLEANS – Frenchy Eaves was elected as a National Delegate along with many Chapter Presidents and elected members. “Our work is not done. We must aright a 15 yearlong wrong. In February 2002 the Department of Veterans Affairs changed its rules terminating Blue Water Navy and Coast Guard Veterans and FMF [ Fleet Marine Force ] from receiving exposure to Agent Orange Benefits thereby limiting the scope of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 solely to Veterans that could provide evidence of ‘boots on the ground’ in Vietnam.” “In March 2002 offshore Veterans stopped receiving Agent Orange related illnesses VA Health Care Disability payments.” Agent Orange did not “walk” to Vietnam, it was carried there

VET 2 VET REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2017

The Vietnam War – Premiers September 17th, 2017 – 7 PM THE VIETNAM WAR is a ten-part, 18-hour documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick that will air on PBS September 17, 2017. In an immersive 360-degree narrative, Burns and Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. THE VIETNAM WAR features testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides. Six years in the making, the series brings the war and the chaotic epoch it encompassed viscerally to life. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward, produced by Sarah Botstein, Novick and Burns, it includes rarely seen, digitally re-mastered archival footage from sources around the globe, photographs taken by some of the most celebrated

photojournalists of the 20th Century, historic television broadcasts, evocative home movies, revelatory audio recordings from inside the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon administrations and more than 100 iconic musical recordings by many of the greatest artists of the era. The film will be accompanied by an unprecedented outreach and public engagement program, providing opportunities for communities to participate in a national conversation about what happened during the Vietnam War, what went wrong and what lessons are to be learned. In addition, there will be a robust interactive website and an educational initiative designed to engage teachers and students in multiple platforms.

primarily by US Naval Vessels and disbursed and distributed by US Naval Personnel to a variety of duty stations in Vietnam and aircraft flying A.O. to Vietnam. I call all Members to call Capitol Hill in support of H.R. 299 = The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017 to call your Congressional Leaders. The current bill was introduced by Congressman David Valadao [R] 21st District, California and its Senate bill S.422 introduced by Kristen Gillibrand [D] New York in a bi-partisan agreement to right this wrong headed nullification. Please get on the telephone and dial [ 202 ] 224 – 3121 and give the operator your State and Zip Code and you will be directed to your Representatives’ Offices. Kindly ask to speak with the Liaison Assistant for Veterans Affairs and make it clear you’re calling as a constituent asking for support of H.R.299 & S. 422 = The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Legislation. Be firm but polite. Submitted by National Delegate Paul “Frenchy” Eaves

James W. VictorExecutive DirectorFinancial Advisor4300 East 53rd Street, Suite 300Davenport, IA 52807563-344-4334 or [email protected]

© 2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.CRC897541 05/14


TAPSFollowing is a list of funerals at which military honors were performed by the combined efforts of the VVA Chapter 299, VVA Chapter 776, and the MAVA (Mexican American Veterans Association) Honor Guards. Included in the list are the dates of the funerals, names, ages, and branches of service in which these veterans served. Any Chapter 299 Members are designated by bold letters and underlined.

Date of funeral Name of veteran Age Branch of service AUG. 03, 2017 JOHAN A. “MO” MULLER 69 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)AUG. 04, 2017 JOHN E. HULTEN 71 U. S. NAVY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)AUG. 08, 2017 JOHN P. SUNDERBRUCH 67 U. S. MARINE CORPS (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN) AUG. 08, 2017 DONALD A. SCHMIDT 70 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)AUG. 09, 2017 DONALD R. “DON” SEBILLE 82 U. S. AIR FORCE (COLD WAR VETERAN)AUG. 10, 2017 ANTHONY J. “TONY” RODRIGUEZ 67 U.S. AIR FORCE (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)AUG. 10, 2017 RICHARD C. “DICK” KELLER 82 U. S. ARMY (COLD WAR VETERAN)AUG. 12, 2017 JOHN B. RUIZ SR. 70 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)AUG. 14, 2017 FREDDIE W. DAVIS 66 U. S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN)AUG. 24, 2017 MAURICE S. “JUNIOR” VASQUEZ 68 U. S. NAVY (VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN)AUG. 28, 2017 FRANK P. CLARKE 94 U. S. ARMY (WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM WARS VETERAN, RETIRED BRIG. GEN.)AUG. 29, 2017 MICHAEL D. SOUTHERS 69 U.S. ARMY (VIETNAM WAR VETERAN)AUG. 29, 2017 EARL J. “JACK” LUETJE 84 U. S. ARMY (COLD WAR VETERAN)

CHAPTER 299 HONOR GUARD UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2017SEP. 03 ROCK ISLAND GRAND PRIX PARADE. 04 LABOR DAY PARADE IN ROCK ISLAND. 09 ANDALUSIA PARADE. 09 QUAD CITIES CRUISERS “CRUISE IN”. SELL 50/50 TICKETS. PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS. 5 - 9PM. 10 9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY AT THE MILAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 23 NAMI WALK IN MOLINE. PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS AND SOME WILL WALK. VOLUNTEER WALKERS STILL NEEDED. OCT. 14 LULAC EVENT AT THE LECLAIRE PARK IN DAVENPORT. FIRING. 28? HALLOWEEN PARADE IN DAVENPORT. NOV. 01 HONOR FLIGHT RETURNING. NEED GREETERS AT AIRPORT FOR RETURN. 10 WELCOME HOME DANCE AT JUMER’S. PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS. 11? VETERANS DAY PARADE IN DAVENPORT, POSSIBLY SOMETHING AT THE ARSENAL. 18 THANKSGIVING BASKET DELIVERY. NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP DELIVER THEM. 18 FESTIVAL OF TREES PARADE. Ken Stotmeister CLU LUTCF 563-349-9160 Producer/Broker [email protected] Personal & Business Insurance Solutions

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Thomas SkorepaATTORNEY AT LAW

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Continuing the tradition of service to those in need.


August 22, 2017

Ms. Laura JowdyCongressional Medal of Honor Society40 Patriots Point RoadMt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464

Dear Ms. Jowdy:

In recent discussions you have had with our former Chapter President concerning the John F. Baker Jr. Memorial Bridge and Monument, I was advised that Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 299, the “Quad Cities Chapter” would be forwarding to the Medal of Honor (MOH) Society for display in the new museum, a framed artist’s print commemorating the event which took place on July 31, 2010 in Rock Island, Illinois. Locally renowned river scape artist Michael Blaser who is a Chapter 299 Member rendered the limited edition numbered print.

Chapter 299 is providing this donation to the museum as a token of our pride in the accomplishments of US Army Master Sgt. John F. Baker Jr. and the years of service he experienced on behalf of his Country, brother warriors, veterans and his community. He demonstrated a level of courage and patriotism matched only by his fellow Medal of Honor recipients and beckons a moment of reflection and gratitude from all grateful Americans who owe so much to soldiers like John F. Baker Jr.

Please accept this donation to the Medal Of Honor Society from Chapter 299 and afford it a place of display commensurate with the life well lived by our hometown hero who’s name will always be associated with a patriot of the highest order.

Respectfully

Larry TschappatPresidentChapter 299, Vietnam Veterans of America

John Franklin Baker Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in battle in the Republic of Vietnam in 1966. He was born in Davenport, Iowa and raised in Moline, Illinois, two cities on either side of the Mississippi River located in eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois. On July 31, 2010 the Inter State Bridge [I-280] connecting these two cities was renamed in recognition of Sergeant Bakers heroic action. In addition to the Bridge re-naming, a Monument was erected within a mile of the Bridge and the Monument was dedicated at the same time. The monument is located on the Front Courtyard Flagpole Garden on the grounds of the Jumers Casino and Hotel in Rock Island, Illinois. Jumers Casino and Hotel dedicated the land for the monument and provided a $10,000.00 stipend to initiate construction of the monument site. The Obelisk Monument is also dedicated

Sergeant John F. Baker Jr.

to ALL local area Vietnam Veterans, Vietnam Era Veterans and those Missing In Action (MIA). The monument contains a red brick, which came from the notorious Hanoi Hilton Prison of War (POW) facility, and the iconic black MIA brick signifying those that have not been returned home. The Bridge/Monument dedication was held on a beautiful sunny July day in front of a substantial crowd of Veterans, local area members of the Vietnamese community and military supporters and the event was reported of the NBC Nightly News. The featured guest speaker at the dedication was Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 299 Life Member and four time Super Bowl winning running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Robert Patrick “Rocky” Bleier. This Monument and Bridge re-naming was the result of the dedicated hard work of Members of VVA Chapter 299, “the Quad Cities Chapter”, a thankful community and a strong cadre of local area organized labor volunteers.

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Vietnam, other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures. A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o’clock for the 7:30 signing. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI’s so far from home. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, ‘I understand. I just wanted her to see it.’ She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, “This is one of my gentlemen and

I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for “my gentlemen.’’ With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery

of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren’t too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there. Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he’d like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears. ‘That’s the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,’ he said. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Veteran. I’ll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say ‘Thank you’ to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country. If you’d like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make. *submitted by Dan Johnson

Ann Margret.... Vietnam 1966 VOLUME 31 ISSUE 9 SHOULDER TO SHOULDER6

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The Remains of 36 WW II U. S. Marines Found on Tarawa 70+ Years After They Died Mark Noah, director of Florida-based non-profit History Flight told Radio New Zealand that a four-month excavation on Betio Island in Kiribati resulted in the discovery of the warriors’ bodies. The U.S. Marines were killed during the fierce Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, said Noah, whose organization

worked in coordination with the U.S. Defense Department on the recovery efforts. “(They) had an expectation that if they were to die in the line of duty defending their country they would be brought home… that was a promise made 70 years ago that we felt should

be kept,” Noah reportedly said on Tuesday. He added that the remains, although they have not been officially identified, almost undoubtedly include those of 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. “Bonnyman’s citation says he led a series of assaults when Marines stormed the island, finally falling when he attacked a bombproof installation that was hampering the advance,” “Overall, more than 1,000 Americans died at Tarawa, while the entire Japanese garrison of 4,800 was wiped out,” it adds. Bonnyman was presumed buried at sea. “The archaeological team found the mass grave using magnatomatry, radar scans, cadaver dogs, and interviews with surviving Veterans of the Battle.” Several hundred U.S. troops were buried in makeshift, unrecorded graves after the Tarawa Battle where they still lay, according to Noah.

The late Lt. Bonnyman’s “tale begins on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Alexander “Sandy” Bonnyman was a miner near Santa Fe, N.M. and had already served a stint in the Army and was 31 years

old on Pearl Harbor Day. When Bonnyman heard the news, he reenlisted, this time in the Marines,” reports The Washington Post. “By the time Bonnyman landed on Tarawa Atoll, a string of strategically important islands in the middle of the Pacific, he was the executive officer [XO] of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines’ Shore Party,” “For three days in late November 1943, the Marines tried to take Betio from the Japanese. Bonnyman led his party across the island, destroying enemy outposts as he went.” Clay Bonnyman Evans was present when the lieutenant’s body was uncovered, according to The Washington Post. Evans, a former Daily Camera reporter and editor, is the war hero’s grandson. “Bonnyman’s remains will be flown to a military lab in Hawaii in July, and returned to the family by the end of August,” reports Daily Camera. “He will then be buried at the family plot in Knoxville, Tennessee in late September, in one of the empty plots underneath that large marble monument bearing those false words about his final resting place.” * Submitted by Greg McCluskey

Named a military friendly

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6 years running!

Thanks to our service men and women and our

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Starting in 1941, an increasing number of British Airmen found themselves as the involuntary guests of the Third Reich, and the Crown was casting about for ways and means to facilitate their escape. Now obviously, one of the most helpful aids to that end is a useful and accurate map, one showing not only where stuff was, but also showing the locations of ‘safe houses’ where a POW on-the-lam could go for food and shelter. Paper maps had some real drawbacks they make a lot of noise when you open and fold them, they wear out rapidly, and if they get wet, they turn into mush. Someone in MI-5 (similar to America’s OSS ) got the idea of printing escape maps on silk. It’s durable, can be scrunched-up into tiny wads and unfolded as many times as needed, and makes no noise whatsoever. At that time, there was only one manufacturer in Great Britain that had perfected the technology of printing on silk, and that was John Waddington, Ltd. When approached by the government, the firm was only too happy to do its bit for the war effort. By pure coincidence, Waddington was also the U.K. Licensee for the popular American board game, Monopoly. As it happened, games and pastimes’ were a category of item qualified for insertion into ‘CARE packages’, dispatched by the International Red Cross to prisoners of war. Under the strictest of secrecy, in a securely guarded and inaccessible old workshop on the grounds of Waddington’s, a group of sworn-to-secrecy employees began mass-producing escape maps, keyed to each region of Germany or Italy where Allied POW camps were regional system). When processed, these maps could be folded into such tiny dots that they would actually fit inside a Monopoly playing piece. As long as they were at it, the clever workman at Waddington’s also managed to add: 1. A playing token, containing a small magnetic compass - 2. A two-part metal file that could easily be screwed together - 3. Useful

amounts of genuine high-denomination German, Italian, and French currency, hidden within the piles of Monopoly money! British and American air crews were advised, before taking off on their first mission, how to identify a ‘rigged’ Monopoly set -- by means of a tiny red dot, one cleverly rigged to look like an ordinary printing glitch, located in the corner of the Free Parking Square. Of the estimated 35,000 Allied POWS who successfully escaped, an estimated one-third was aided in their flight by the rigged Monopoly sets. Everyone who did so was sworn to secrecy indefinitely, since the British Government might want to use this highly successful ruse in still another, future war. The story wasn’t declassified until 2007, when the surviving craftsmen from Waddington’s, as well as the firm itself, were finally honored in a public ceremony. It’s always nice when you can play that ‘Get out of Jail’ Free’ card! I realize most of you are (probably) too young to have any personal connection to WWII (Dec. ‘41 to Aug. ‘45), but this is still interesting. *Submitted by Ray Hamilton

MONOPOLY: I did not know this!!! (You’ll never look at the game the same way again!)


For most servicemen who served in Vietnam , the Freedom Bird was that civil airliner, which took them back to the land of the big PX at the end of their tour. Mine was a bit different sort of Freedom Bird. In mid-1967, as a junior Air Force Captain, I was detailed to 7th AF HQ in Saigon as an Air Technical Intelligence Liaison Officer, short name: ATLO (the “I” gets left out, as people look strangely at anyone who calls himself an ATILO, thinking he is somehow related to Attila the Hun). My job was to provide 7AF and the air war the best technical intelligence support that the Foreign Technology Division of AF Systems Command (my parent organization) could provide, in whatever area or discipline needed. Also I was to collect such technical intelligence as became available. This was a tall order for a young Captain, and this assignment provided much excitement, including the Tet Offensive. At that time, Operation Rolling Thunder was underway, the bombing of military targets in North Vietnam . The weather in NVN was often lousy, making it difficult to find and accurately strike the assigned targets, so a radar control system was set up to direct the strike force to their targets. This system was installed in a remote, sheer-sided karst mountain just inside Laos on the northern Laos/NVN border. The site could be accessed only by helicopter or a tortuous trail winding up the near-vertical mountainside, so it was judged to be easily defensible. The mountaintop was relatively flat and about 30 acres in size. On it was a tiny Hmong village called Phu Pha Ti, a small garrison of Thai and Meo mercenaries for defense, a helicopter pad and ops shack for the CIA-owned Air America Airline, and the radar site, which was manned by “sheep-dipped” US Air Force enlisted men in civilian clothes. Both the US and NVN paid lip service to the fiction that Laos was a neutral country, and no foreign military were stationed there, when in reality we had a couple of hundred people spread over several sites, and NVN had thousands on the Ho Chi Minh trail in eastern Laos. This particular site was called Lima (L for Laos ) Site 85. The fighter-bomber crews called it Channel 97 (the radar frequency), and all aircrews called it North Station, since it was the furthest north facility in “friendly” territory. Anywhere north of North Station was bad guy land. The Channel 97 radar system was an old SAC precision bomb scoring radar, which could locate an aircraft to within a few meters at a hundred miles away. In this application, the strike force would fly out from Lima Site 85 a given distance on a given radial, and the site operators would tell the strike leader precisely when to release his bomb load. It was surprisingly accurate, and allowed the strikes to be run at night or in bad weather. This capability was badly hurting the North Vietnamese war effort, so they decided to take out Lima Site 85. Because of the difficulty of mounting a ground assault on Lima Site 85, and its remote location, an air strike was planned. Believe it or not, the NVNAF chose BIPLANES as their “strike bombers!” This has to be the only combat use of biplanes since the 1930’s. The aircraft used were Antonov designed AN-2 general purpose ‘workhorse” biplanes with a single 1000hp radial piston engine and about one ton payload. Actually, once you get past the obvious “Snoopy and the Red Baron” image, the AN-2 was not a bad choice for this mission. Its biggest disadvantage is, like all biplanes, it is slow. The Russians use the An-2 for a multitude of things, such as medevac, parachute training, flying school bus, crop dusting, and so on. An AN-2 just recently flew over the North Pole. In fact, if you measure success of an aircraft design by the criteria of number produced and length of time in series production, you could say that the AN-2 is the most successful aircraft design in the history of aviation! The NVNAF fitted out their AN-2 “attack bombers with a 12 shot 57mm folding fin aerial rocket pod under each lower

wing, and 20 250mm mortar rounds with aerial bomb fuses set in vertical tubes let into the floor of the aircraft cargo bay. These were dropped through holes cut in the cargo bay floor. Simple hinged bomb-bay doors closed these holes in flight. The pilot could salvo his bomb load by opening these doors. This was a pretty good munitions load to take out a soft, undefended target like a radar site. Altogether, the mission was well planned and equipped and should have been successful, but Murphy’s Law prevailed. A three-plane strike force was mounted, with two attack aircraft and one standing off as command and radio relay. They knew the radar site was on the mountaintop, but they did not have good intelligence as to its precise location, it was well camouflaged, and could not be seen readily from the air. They also did not realize that we had “anti-aircraft artillery” and “air defense interceptor” forces at the site and neither did we. The AN-2 strike force rolled in on the target, mistook the Air America ops shack for the radar site, and proceeded to ventilate it. The aforementioned “anti-aircraft artillery” force - one little Thai mercenary about five feet tall and all balls- heard the commotion, ran out on the helicopter pad, stood in the path of the attacking aircraft spraying rockets and bombs everywhere, and emptied a 27-round clip from his AK-47 into the AN-2, which then crashed and burned. At this juncture, the second attack aircraft broke off and turned north towards home. The “air defense interceptor” force was an unarmed Air America Huey helicopter, which was by happenstance on the pad at the time, the pilot and flight mechanic having a Coke in the ops shack. When holes started appearing in the roof, they ran to their Huey and got airborne, not quite believing the sight of two biplanes fleeing north. Then the Huey pilot, no slouch in the balls department either, realized that his Huey was faster than the biplanes! So he did the only thing a real pilot could do -attack! The Huey overtook the AN-2’s a few miles inside North Vietnam, unknown to the AN-2’s as their rearward visibility is nil. The Huey flew over the rearmost AN-2 and the helicopter’s down-wash stalled out the upper wing of the AN-2. Suddenly the hapless AN-2 pilot found himself sinking like a stone! So he pulled the yoke back in his lap and further reduced his forward speed. Mean-while, the Huey flight mechanic, not to be outdone in the macho contest, crawled out on the Huey’s skid and, one-handed, emptied his AK-47 into the cockpit area of the AN-2, killing or wounding the pilot and copilot. At this point, the AN-2 went in to a flat spin and crashed into a mountainside, but did not burn. A couple of firsts occurred: (1) The first and only combat shootdown of a biplane by a helicopter, and (2) The first known CIA Air-To-Air victory. As an addition to this story, there is a painting of this shoot down on prominent display at the University of Texas Dallas Research Library in Richardson Texas. Also, the throttle quadrant from the downed AN-2 is displayed along with other Air America memorabilia. Have you ever seen an Air America 1 K.G. gold bracelet? Not many of those around. Last year, the CIA finally turned over all of the Air America records to UTD. There was a reunion of dozens of CIA and Air America personnel at the event, which included several panel discussions, open to the public. The helicopter involved was actually a civilian Bell 205 which looks like the Bell UH-1H or Huey. *** Submitted by Chief Master Sgt. Dan Johnson

“Air Story” out of Vietnam - By Lawrence E. Pence - Colonel, USAF (Ret)


280 East 90th Street • Davenport, IA 52806Phone: (563)285-1914 • Fax: (563)285-1917

Thanking our Veterans for their service to our country!

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307 6th Avenue E - Andalusia, IL - Phone: (309) 798-2512

61204-6076

VIETNAM VETERANS of AMERICA Chapter 299 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership open to U.S. armed forces Veterans who served on active duty (other than training purpose) in Vietnam between February 28.1961 and May 7, 1975, or any other duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.ATTENTION: All new members must submit a copy of your DD Form-214 along with this application and dues payment.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________City: _________________________________________ State: _________________ ZIP: ___________________ Home Phone: ________________________Cell Phone________________________ Work Phone___________________e-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________Date of Birth: _____________________________ Gender: Male / FemaleOptional : SPONSOR________________________________________ VVA Membership Number___________________I am already a VVA member and would like to become a life member. My current VVA Member number is: ___________

Type of Membership: (Please circle one)

___Individual Member – 1 year: $20 (One year Membership Special $10.00)(Chapter 299 only), Individual Member – 3 years: $50, Life Member – Ages 56-60: $200, Ages 61-65: $175, Ages 66-71: $150., Ages 72+: $100, Life Member Time Payment Plan - $50 down, $25/month (until age bracket is paid in full) * (Please make checks payable to “VVA”)Associate Membership available to anyone not covered by the requirements for VVA membership. This includes family, members, friends, and Veterans not eligible for VVA Membership. (One year VVA Membership Special - $10.00 - this is only offered by Chapter 299 & must be sent to Chapter address).

If there are any questions please call (309) 788-2729 (Membership Chairman) or (309) 788-VETS (8387)(Leave message)Chapter 299 meets the third Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7:00 pm at the R. I. Arsenal Cafeteria. VISITORS WELCOME! COME CHECK US OUT BEFORE YOU JOIN! Return your completed application with payment and a copy of your DD Form-214 to:

“VVA” Chapter 299 * P O Box 6076 * Rock Island, IL. 61201-6076

Moline Vikings Club - 1450 - 41st St. Moline

o Individual Member - 1 year $20 (One year Membership Special $10.00) (Chapter 299 only)o Individual Member - 3 years $50o Life Member $100 Life Member Special $50.00 • Chapter 299 ONLY! * (Please make checks payable to “VVA 299”)

Associate Membership available to anyone not covered by the requirements for VVA membership. This includes family,members, friends, and Veterans not eligible for VVA Membership.

If there are any questions please call (309) 788-2729 (Membership Chairman) or (309) 788-VETS (8387) (Leave message)

Chapter 299 meets the third Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7:00 pm at Eriksen Chevy, 325 E. 1st Ave, Milan, IL. VISITORS WELCOME! COME CHECK US OUT BEFORE YOU JOIN! Return your completed application with payment and a copy of your DD Form-214 to: VVA Chapter 299 • PO Box 6076 • Rock Island, IL 61201-6076

Phone: 309-277-8700

Thanking Our Veterans For Our Freedom!



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Offer expires 04/30/15

VET 2 VET REPORTVET 2 VET went to Country House Residence in February to spread good cheer to the people there. Taking part in handing out Patriotic Hats, lapel pins, Flags and playing card were, Jerry Lingard, Fred “Hammer” Swim, Dale Baker, Larry Tschappat, Steve Brenner and Frenchy Eaves. A Chapter 299 Charter member is living Country House – Jeff “Doc” Lance. “Doc” was so very pleased to see us, and his Mother, Eileen resides there too. Vet 2 Vet was very well received and all had a good time. Vet 2 Vet Chairman – Paul “Frenchy” Eaves

CATERING – HOG ROASTER UPDATEAs of the November 2013 the Catering Crew for Chapter 299 wrapped up the year with 4 Events that occurred after publication. On December 11th they met at the Viking Club to internally assess the year and make rough plans for going forward into Year 2015.The Viking Club held their annual Open House Sunday December 21st and the Catering Crew provided a minimum 4 Volunteers to help with this event. The Viking Club provides a staging area for Chapter 299 to do all the prep and clean up work throughout the year.

The Roaster and its utensils were all stowed away and put “in mothballs” in December 2014. The Roaster and the Crew will take a respite from all Catering Activities until early Springtime 2015.As always, your editors request more Member Volunteers for our Chapter’s largest fund raising vehicle. Whether you can pitch in to help stage an event at the Viking Club in Moline, assist with clean up there after an event or pitch in for any amount of time at an event, The Catering Crew needs help. If you can only spare an hour or two a few times during the Roasting Season, those hours will be greatly appreciated by the hard working – core group. Please consider Volunteering this year. JL, BA, JH

SAM’S CLUB #82383845 ELMORE AVENUE

DAVENPORT, IA 563.355.3939

SAM’S CLUB #40616600-44 AVENUE

MOLINE, IL 61265309.581.7128

SERVING OUR VETERANS & OUR

COMMUNITY

With Respect and Admiration To All Who Served.

61204-6076

We proudly support Vietnam Veteran’s Chapter 299

309-756-2700

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Everyone wants peace – and they will fight the most terrible war to get it. - Miles Kington

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