Da Nang Gang
Email
The following are on-going email exchanges concerning Da Nang Air Base.
To:DonPoss-LM37@vspa.com
Date:Sunday, December 22, 1996 7:00 PM
Don, I'm Al Ellison of Goldsboro, NC. Like yours, my name is on Steve Quigley's page. I noticed that you were in USAF and stationed at Da Nang, a couple of years before I got there. I would imagine that there were a considerable number of changes at Da Nang during that interval. I have a few pictures of the area scanned now and will have a few more in a few days. I will be glad to email them to you if you are interested. I had the good fortune to meet Steve Quigley today, along with his wife. For me it was an experience I won't ever forget. You are never sure of how meetings like this will turn out; always a little apprehension. But for me, this particular meeting was just great. I had developed the idea that Steve was a class act during email correspondence and I was certainly not disappointed in my judgement. Steve is just a great guy. I don't know how else to put it. If you would like a few small .jpgG images of Da Nang just let me know. Take care, Al Ellison
From:Robert Johnson
Date:Thursday, January 30, 1997 10 PM
Subject:Re:K-9s
When I came back from Nam, I was stationed at Ft. Huachuca in a unit that
trained personnel in Counter-Insurgency before being assigned overseas. One
of the men in my unit was a point-man in the Infantry as a dog-handler. He
use to tell us stories of his dog, but one dog story that stood out was one
named Buddha. It was suppose to be the most longest active K-9 in VN.
I have always thought a good movie should be about a dog handler in Nam.
It could be made heart-warming, funny, and scary (knowing the situations
that we were all in especially you guys in K-9. You had extra sensory
perception with the dogs by your side. Just thought I would share. Again
-- You have such a great site!Robert
Robert: Blackie (129-X) was indeed a friend whom I owe my life to. Over my
page, I have met a handler that had Blackie two years after I, and he knows
of a third handler after him. I DEROSd home end-of-war for me and out of the
service. I had wanted to be a Police officer when I went into the Air Force,
but when I got out, I just didn't want anything to do with weapons--or
tents--for many years. Don
366th. Security Police Squadron, Sentry Dog Section
Da Nang Air base, Republic of Viet Nam
November 1968 to January 1970
by Monty J. Moore
(Thursday, March 20, 1997 11ᛄ AM)
In early 1969, the Air Force Sentry Dog Section at Da Nang Air base consisted
of approximately 45 sentry dog teams, one kennel attendant, and the
Kennel Master. The Kennel Master, SSgt Carl Wolfe, had been in-country for
several years. He later taught at the Dog School at Lackland AFB, Texas, in
the mid-70's. The dog teams worked on the base perimeter, between defensive
M-60 machine gun positions and the actual perimeter fence. The machine gun
bunkers were at the rear corners of our posts. One post was located on the
Air Force side of the base and 37 posts were alongside three Marine
companies from the 3rd MP Battalion. There were two posts located in the
off-base bomb dump, located near an ARVN camp and the Marine ammo dump.
From time to time, special posts were developed as needed, such as the
temporary post located in the interior of the Napalm dump. One handler had
been during a rocket attack.
The most lovable dog in the section was Cinder handled by Jerry Cox.
Cinder was the only female dog and was not very aggressive. But as Cox said,
if someone farted on the perimeter he knew it. The biggest dog was Lance,
always weighing over 100 lbs. Lance was prone to turn on his handler, but he
would let anyone take him out of the kennels. You just didn't give him any
commands. He also loved to play with rocks. Lance and his handler had been
in the one of the bomb dumps when it had been blown up. They crawled out
using the ditches. Lance's neck was so big that a regular choke chain
wouldn't fit him. His choke chain was improvised from the "old, old" kennel
chains that had a choke chain in one end.
The meanest dog was a tie between Blackie and a dog named Baron. Baron
would try to nail another handler for talking to his handler on post.
Blackie would take his chow pan to the back of his kennels and dare you to
come in and get it. The dog least likely to be mistaken for a German
Shepherd was a big hound dog named Marblehead. He looked and sounded like a
Blue Tick hound, but he had a hell of a nose and was fairly aggressive.
Newcomers to the three Marine companies, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie, were
always surprised to find Air Force dog teams with them at night on the
perimeter. All of the handlers preferred to work the Marine perimeter rather
than the Air Force post.
Alpha company lines ran from the main Air Force cantonment area to a gate
located on the south side of the base. The road out of this gate ran past a
silk factory, leading to one of the bridges over the river. Alpha company's
CO was a Captain Swartz. He checked posts almost every night, and usually
stopped to talk to each handler. We regarded him as having "brass ones"
because of the way he ignored dogs agitating on him. He would walk up so
close that it took a determined effort to prevent a dog from biting him.
I believe that Bravo Company had two platoons on the bridge south of the
base and silk factory, and one was overrun. On Da Nang, Bravo Company lines
were short. The aforementioned silk factory was located at the gate, off
base next to the perimeter fence. Past the gate, Bravo Company lines were on
the perimeter fence with the on-base bomb dump behind them. We only had a
few posts here. They were between the perimeter fence and an inner chain
link fence, with a road used only in the daytime and a high dirt revetment.
The bomb dump was on the other side of the revetment.
The area of the silk factory was the scene of sapper and sniper activity
in the Tets of '68 and '69. Some of us had to low crawl from our posts
during those attacks. In the Feb 23, 1969 attack, VC moved into the silk
factory. Alpha Company attempted to take the factory, but met with heavy
resistance, with one Marine killed. The VC were hiding in large drainage
pipes under the floor.
The Marines contacted the Security Police Squadron and asked for dog
teams to go into the drains. By this time most of us were in the rack
attempting to sleep with the noise, small arms fire, F-4's taking off and
explosions. The first two handlers found in the hut area agreed to go. When
the dog teams entered the drainage pipes, the VC immediately fled into the
factory. Alpha Company then took the factory with no more friendly
causalities. I think that one of the handlers was Gary Beck, handling
Sparky.
The Freedom Bird due to land that morning, circled the Air Base for
several hours before landing. When it finally did land, fires were still
burning from the attack. That flight also brought in about 7 new handlers
from a pipeline sentry dog class. Three of those handlers were Bill Grife,
Gill Perry, and Pete Koenig. They later described how it felt circling the
base, looking down at the smoky fires. Talk about a welcome wagon!
Charlie Company lines were the longest. They stretched from the POL tank
farm on the northwest Marine side of the base, around a large swamp that was
north of the ends of the two parallel runways, to the POL tank farm located
on the northeast Air Force side. Our posts, beginning with Kilo-1, were
between bunkers manned by 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, with the last post
on Charlie Company lines being Kilo-14. Kilo-15 was on the Air Force side.
Kilo-16 started with Alpha Company.
The Da Nang kennels had earlier been located near the Air Force area on
base known as "Tent City". By my late 1968 arrival in-country, the kennels
had been moved to the side of the base near the terminal and the main
compound housing base headquarters. The kennel was located just off of the
main road that circled the base, behind a SAC detachment and had a POL tank
farm located on the north side. Charlie Company's last bunker was near the
rear of the kennels. The kennel was located behind a SAC detachment. The new
kennels had a steel roof over the cinder block and chain link dog kennels.
An air conditioned kennel support building housed the office, supply room,
kitchen, and the veterinarian's office.
Security Police lived in a compound between the base headquarters
compound and the main AF compound. We lived in barracks that had been built
by the French. We went out at night and worked along side Marines, but came
back in the morning to the luxuries of the Air Force side of the base.
Handlers lived in one of two huts. One hut was for the party crowd, the
other for the more sedate handlers. The party hut had a "get together" every
morning. A few drinks (the definition of a few drinks varied for some of the
guys!) and we would hit the rack and attempt to sleep until the heat of the
day and aircraft noise woke us up. We would go have our evening meal in the
chow hall, then started getting ready for post. Our weapons were kept in our
wall lockers, until someone shot up the NCO hut next to ours in late '69. An
armory was soon built thereafter.
We were dropped off alongside the main road and walked to the perimeter,
and then walked parallel to the perimeter until we reached our post. As we
walked past bunkers manned by Marines, we were always asked if our dog knew
any tricks. Handlers quickly learned that showing off a few dog tricks
would guarantee cordial relations with the Marines manning the bunkers. They
would give up a sandwich or two from the "midnight rations" delivered to
the Marines on the perimeter. The sandwich was a welcome break from the C
rations that we were given. The sandwich was always split with the most
important member of the sentry dog team, the dog.
Da Nang was nicknamed "Rocket City" due to the large number of attacks by
122mm and 140mm rockets. Most of the sentry dogs displayed a specific
behavior pattern or alert whenever there were incoming. This few seconds
warning was greatly appreciated. We realized that the dog's superior senses,
was sensing something but there was still an aura of mystique about this. I
now realize that it was just a case of pure Pavlov conditioning. The dog
would hear a rocket either going overhead or on either side of his location,
and anticipate the "excitement" that always accompanied the rocket. One dog
named Sugar, would jump up and snap at the air. My dog Kobuc would start
pulling to the closest bunker. I only had to crawl, he would navigate.
In mid-1969, The off-base munitions dumps exploded and burned for hours
early one morning after we had come in from post. The Marine kennels,
located near the munitions dumps had to be evacuated. Their dogs were
brought to our kennels, staked out to the fence, with shipping crates used
as dog houses. I remember that one of the Marine handlers had his leg in a
full cast. After a few days, they were moved to the Navy sentry dog kennels
at China Beach. A short time later a K-9 party was held at the Navy kennels
for all of the Da Nang handlers. I don't remember too much about the party,
but I do recall seeing the beach from the kennels.
We had two other Kennel Masters in mid to late 1969, each for a short
duration. One was a SSgt Doctor, the other was a TSgt Faust, who wasn't a
dog handler. Both went home for emergency reasons. Several handlers were on
their second 'Nam tour. The Air Force had more dogs in Viet Nam than
elsewhere, so it was pure math with a four year enlistment. Hillard, Comer,
and several others had been in 'Nam at other bases. Many handlers came to
'Nam from other overseas bases. Cox, from Okinawa, and Bill Humpla, from the
Philippines.
The size of the Sentry Dog Section at Da Nang Air base varied, depending
on the number of posts manned. In January 1970, the section was reduced.
When I came back from my 30 day "free" leave for extending, I discovered
that 9 other handlers and I were being transferred to Phu Cat Air base.
Excess dogs were shipped to other units. My dog was shipped to Phu Cat
Air base. It is my understanding that the Da Nang section was increased
sometime in 1970.
Thanks to the VDHA, I have been able to contact another handler who
worked Kobuc after I did. Steve Jannick and I have shared pictures and fond
memories of "our dog," whom we both loved and Kobuc in turn gave each of us
his love.
There probably aren't anymore Viet Nam dog handlers on active duty. I
wish that other handlers would combine their personal experiences in their
sections or units so that a history of the military dog program could be
recorded, or perhaps compiled.
Monty J. Moore
From:Craig Lord
Date:Monday, May 19, 1997 11ᚻ PM
Subject:Re:35th SPS K-9 Home Page
Hi Don, Mike Daoust advised me that you are the keeper to the VSPA Website.
I am a member of VSPA and Vietnam Dog Handler Association.. As you know we have a
VDHA web site. We also now have a 35th SPS K-9 link within the VDHA under
units. Craig
Craig: I really like your Hill top view of Phan Rang! I wish I had something
like that for Da Nang Air Base. Was the 35th SPS at Phan Rang? Because it was
at Da Nang in 1965. Attached is a slide of the sign on my barracks in Jan of
1966. I might just be a candidate for membership in the 35th SPS, as I was
in K-9 at Da Nang in 65-66. Don
Don:In the interest of making better web sites we would like to have the
35th linked with SPS (I have already linked VSPA). Take a look at the web
site at:VDHA. BTW, thanks for putting
together the VSPA site. I found a couple of old K-9 pals including our Flight
Chief, Glenn Redmond.
Thanks again,
Craig Lord
Secretary VDHA, 35th SPS K-9
Hey...thank you.
Don Poss
6252 Combat Air Police Squadron, 366th SPS, Da Nang, 65-66
PS:Da Nang Air Police was the 6252 Combat Air Police, the 35th APS, then 366th SPS.
Craig Lord wrote:
Don, You seem to be a great source for the history of Phan Rang. We know
that the 366th came down to Phan Rang in late 65 early 66 with the F-4s.
Some of the 366th where dog handlers, such as Phil Savage. There is very
little about the SPs and K-9 that originated Phan Rang. Some of the Army dog
handlers where also there.
I have a good history of Phan Rang overall, i.e.; 315th air Commando
etc., but there isn't anything on SPS, Combat Air Police, or K-9 starting at
the inception of the base, when 366th started the joint. To complicate
matters, I have nothing on the closing of the base, when the 35th closed
down.
I found the current 35th SPS on the Web and will be asking for their
help, but I found in most cases the current military doesn't have a clue
about their units history, other than what they are doing currently. Craig
Craig&#:00 PM it's interesting that the 35th/366th went to Phan Rang. I was at
Da Nang from July 65 to July 66. At one point, our K-9 unit was about to pack
up and go to Nha Trang. Don
From:Monty Moore
Date:Sunday, June 15, 1997 2:00 PM
Subject:Re:Da Nang
Don:Saw your request to contact other Da Nang handlers on the VDHA Bulletin
Board. I was there late 68,69,and 70. I worked Kobuc and have been talking
with Kobuc's prior handler, Ron Mundell. He lives in Reading, PA and we are
planning a meeting since I live in MD. I am caching this to Don Poss who
handled Blackie I think about your time span at Da Nang.
Where do you live??? I have a feeling that we might be close. Monty
Monty: Well guys...California (the left coast) is a bit far from the two of
you. But email puts us close, and what we have shared in Vietnam bonds us as
brothers. Don
From:Don Poss
To:Monty Moore
Date:Sunday, June 15, 1997 2ᛀ AM
Subject:Da Nang
Monty: I just finished scanning over 100 35mm slides of Da Nang K-9 posts and
Dog Patch Kennels. I'll get them uploaded to you asap. I also just received
info from 48th Air Force in England. They are naming a barracks after SSgt
Jensen, KIA at Da Nang in 1965. They sent me some newspaper clippings and a
copy of his Silver Star accounting for his actions. The sergeant single
handedly stopped the advance of a 15 man sapper team that blew some F-102s
on the flightline and kept them from sapping a bunker with 25 unarmed a/c
mechanics inside. He died of his second wounds, but the VC didn't know that
and withdrew. Don
From:Robert
Sent:Sunday, June 15, 1997 11ᚩ PM
To:Monty Moore
Subject:Re:Da Nang
Thanks for the e-mail. I'm in Chester, VA, about 20 miles south of
Richmond. I don't believe Kobuck was there when I was. I think Poss rings a
bell - its been a long time - I know we had a Blackie. We were the first
AF dog handlers actually assigned at Da Nang. The stateside handlers came
over with their dogs on 90 days TDY summer of 65 and cross trained their
dogs to volunteers from the permanent party when they left. We were just the
K-9 section of the 6252nd APS at that time - heck, there were only 32 APs
there when I got there - our basic load was a .38 and 18 rounds of ammo! We
didn't get M-16s until we got hit and SSgt Larsen (Jensen?) got killed.
My dog's original handler was Louis Guzman, from Texas and he taught Shep
all the commands in Spanish - took me a month to reteach him English. Was
Shep still their when you were? He was a young dog, only about 28 months
when I got him, so he would have only been 5 or 6 when you were there. At
first we had no kennels, just shipping crates on loading pallets in GP
medium tents. The "Da Nang Growl Pad" was constructed by us and Vietnamese
labor, using left over materials - insulation for the roof was Styrofoam
from sidewinder packing crates. Lots of memories of that year. Robert
From:Monty Moore
To:Robert
Date:Tuesday, June 17, 1997 11ᚩ AM
In late '69, There was a tall, lanky dog we called "Crazy Shep". He would
bite jeep tires and cause them to go flat. Was he your Shep??? Let me know
what your last name is also??
From:Monty Moore
To:Don Poss
Date:Sunday, July 13, 1997 9ᛃ PM
Subject:Scanned Photos
I have been experimenting with the photo retouching.
(See Da Nang-1-MontyMoore, Spooky-MontyMoore, and Kuboc_Jump-Monty Moore)
From:Don Poss
To:David C. Lane
Cc:Monty Moore
Date:Monday, July 14, 1997 11ᚿ PM
Subject:Old Barks Club
Hi David. Monty and I met on the web and have swapped a few lies and too
many truths. Vietvet web pages are really growing. I'm a member of the
Vietnam Dog Handlers Association, and the Vietnam Security Police
Association (I also webmaster that page). I guess the fastest way to see
what it was like for us, and I hope never for you, is to visit a few of
those sites. My homepage, War Stories, has several excellent stories written
by Vietvets. Check it out at the above Organization clickable address.
Three photos:
1) My K-9:Blackie (129-X). Greatest monster dog ever.
2) K-9 post:Railroad tracks and tressel on the left. Spookest post I ever
worked. Used more pop-flares than a C-47.
3) Security Police post (We were called Air Police then):I had one heck of
a firefight around one of those bunkers one night when some sappers tried
to penetrate the post. Blackie alerted--I didn't see a thing it was so
dark--and then they started firing. I went through about three magazines
in a heart beat. And it was over. The Strike Team was there in about 20
minutes but I made them stay out until I could get Blackie back. He came
back with a bloody muzzle. The Strike Team found blood trails and some
expended AK47 shells.
My K-9 buddy, Gary Eberbach showed up about 10 minutes before the
Strike Team (about a thousand yards off his post). After we both DEROSd
and were discharged (we both ended our 4 year tours in Nam), I introduced
him to his future wife, Rita. They've been married now for 32 years, and
will be out to visit us on August 5th, 1997! Gary's bringing some slides
and 8mm he had put onto video, and I plan to copy everything I can!
Don Poss
6252 Combat Air Police Squadron, 366th SPS, K-9, Da Nang Vietnam, 1965-66
(Thanks for the Forward, Monty)
From:Monty Moore
To:David C. Lane
Cc:Don Poss
Date:Monday, July 14, 1997 12ᛖ PM
Subject:Viet Nam Photos
David, we never did get into Dog utilization in Viet Nam. I am attaching a
photo. Dog post was usually on the perimeter, with the teams providing early
warning. Bases in rural areas sometimes had large areas to cover. This photo
is from a high guntower at Phu Cat. The dog post was between the Main Line
of Resistance and the actual base perimeter. Some post were a mile deep, if
you were fool-hardy enough to go all the way out to the wire. The hill in
the background is still on base. The M-60 Tower was one of the rear corners
of a post. The wooded area to the middle right was the location of 2 dog
post.
Two handlers were pinned down in a firefight one night in early '70.
Security could not find their way through the concertina in their APC and
other Armored vehicles.
In the middle of the Chrysler armored scout cars, Security would have a
big can of coffee stacked on top of M-60 ammo cans. So we called them
"Armored Coffee Trucks". Needless to say, they wouldn't bring us coffee. We
were only Dog Handlers. I am sending this {CC} this to another Da Nang
handler.
From:Monty Moore
To:Don Poss; David
Date:Tuesday, July 15, 1997 9ᚱ PM
Subject:RE:Old Barks Club
That post looks familiar, We didn't run dog there when I was there I have
several trays of slides I want to scan someday including slides of most of
the Da Nang K-9 post. Now I have to talk myself into a slide scanner.
From:Carl Tripp
Thursday, September 18, 1997 9ᚷ AM
Don(#2):I must have been your replacement. I was there April '67 through
April '68 (with a side trip to Bien Hoa late Jan - mid Mar 68). One of my
usual posts was the watchtower near 'China-3' (the Beach Gate) and I also
normally worked the West side near 'Happy Valley'.
I'm taking the liberty of forwarding a copy of your letter to Don Poss,
the Webmaster of the 'War Stories' site. Also, we'd like you to join our
Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF) - even if you don't join, go
there and see if you can find some ol buddies at the 'GUARDMOUNT' area.
Did you ever get into Top Cham and the infamous 'Pink Palace'? I'll send
some more stories your way - but, right now I have to get back to work (Year
2000 Renovation Team).
Nice hearing from you. Welcome Home to you also. Carl Tripp - St. Louis,
MO
From Don#2
Date:1997/09/17 3ᛂ PM
Carl, I was stationed at Phan Rang from April 1966 to April 1967. I was on
the Panther Flight working nights too. We basically supported the K-9 units.
Some of the other jobs we did were convoy duties (the trip to Phu Cat
as you mentioned was one scary mutha, never ride as rear guard), night time
patrols, 3 man machine gun nests (on top of Nhu Dot ), 24 hour beach patrol
(two men), door gunner (in order to get to Tan Son Nhut for my R&R), escort
duty for VIP's and one time our hooch was asked to ruck up for insertion by
chopper, at dusk, to guard a downed F-4. Thank God that the 101st got there
first. We manned observation towers along the western perimeter and guarded
the bomb and ammo dump. Many, many long nights. C rations were better than
the chow hall food.
Sometime in July or August we received small arms fire and the K-9 units
were pinned down. A three hour fire fight ensued. We had a 81mm at Air
Police Headquarters that was providing illumination rounds fired by the A1C
desk sergeant. A C130 finally came over and kicked out those flares that
light up a football field. Tracers were everywhere and even our 50 cal. was
put into action. By the time we could see daylight, the firing had stopped.
We stayed in our positions until the 101st could search the area in front of
us. They couldn't find anything. Most of us were too excited to sleep and
the story was told and retold for several weeks.
Lt. Barth, Lt. Bonner and Sgt. Korn were so proud of the black berets.
The Panthers were indeed a different kind of Air Police Unit. I suppose that
there are many many stories of this kind and I have always wondered why the
Air Force didn't recognize their ground troops. When I returned to the
States, I just couldn't get with "STATE SIDE DUTY."
Well, I got to run, it was nice telling a story about the NAM. Hope to
hear from you soon. WELCOME HOME. Don(#2)
From:Craig Lord
To:Don Poss
Date:Saturday, November 01, 1997 4ᛉ PM
Subject:Re:Membership inquiry
Hi Don Poss, Here is something you probably didn't know. When Phan Rang
closed the unit was actually sent back to Da Nang under orders of the 35th.
They were then put back into the 366th (which originally started at Phan
Rang). This thing gets more interesting as the days go on.
Thanks for the photos, I'll check them out in a couple of minutes. I have
sent Steve Ball updates to the 35th SPS K-9 page but they aren't on-line yet.
I'm thinking about using my local provider and just have Steve link the
page, because I'm moving faster then he can. As you know, new stuff on a web
page brings people back. I0 have some other .jpgs to download from another
SPS at PR/Bien Hoa. I'll pass them on.
Drop me you snail mail, I have 2 issues of Dogman I can send right away.
Craig Lord, VDHA, ph 901-797-9713
From:Ed Case
To:Don Poss
Date:Tuesday, November 04, 1997 12ᚷ AM
Subject:Mixed Thank You
I was part of the "Top Dog 10" operation in the AMMO area when SSgt Jensen
was KIA during the Sapper Attack. He and the person with him had just drank
coffee without us in the AMMO area just about an hour before the attack. Time
dims the memories of names but not the person. I had just stumbled across
this web site by accident. My mixed thank you is for dedicating this page to
him but has re-opened bad memories of sounds, smells, and sights. One day
maybe only the good times and memories will remain. I have been told a trip
to The Wall will help...who knows. SSgt L.E. Case (Casey) AF 1961 0039
From:Al Watts, Ret. TSgt.
To:Don Poss
Date:Monday, May 18, 1998 6ᛔ PM
Subject:366sps k9
Hi Don:My name is Al Watts, I was with the 1st sentry dog unit at Da Nang in
'65. I came over with TOPDOG45 in 65. Were you one of the org dog handlers
or were you selected from the squadron when most of the org left and came
back? I built the first kennels there at Da Nang and I had to give up my dog
which was named Blackie. Later a TSgt Sorrells came in as Kennel Master. LTC
Phillips was my Commander also. He was a find officer. I left in '66, but I
have fond memories of the k9 section at Da Nang. Glad to have read your
article in DogMan. See you later. Al Watts TSgt (ret)
From:Robert A. Lee (Racon6)
To:Don Poss
Date:Thursday, May 21, 1998
Subject:Da Nang K-9
Don, I doubt you remember me, but I was in the unit with you at Da Nang. I
handled Shep, A902, who at the time was the youngest, meanest dog in the
kennel. I arrived at Da Nang in Mar of 1965, when there were only about 30
APs at the base and we were the 6252nd. I cross-trained into the dogs as the
TDY guys began to leave, getting Shep from a TexMex named Guzman. Since I
came from the states, I didn't know Jones very well, but was in the same
hooch for a while with SSgt Jensen. I still have pictures of the truck he
was driving when he was killed.
I haven't been in touch with anyone from Viet Nam except Philip Norwich,
who handled Lucky, the biggest, friendly dog in the kennel. Philip died of a
heart attack this past December. I joined the VDHA last year just out of
curiosity and your article was the first time a familiar name popped up.
You have contact with anyone else I might know? After VN, I got my choice of
assignments and being from GA, I returned to Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA in
March 66. They tried to send me back to VN in early 68, but I'd had enough,
so I got out and became a Georgia State Trooper for 15 years. Left GA in
1983, accompanying my wife (a career civil servant) to Germany. We stayed
there for 12 years until she was selected for the Army War College in
Carlisle PA in June of 95. She received an assuagement to Ft. Lee, VA in
June of 96 where she is now the Garrison chief of Staff. I was appointed as
a magistrate with the 12th Judicial District in Aug of 96 - end of bio.
Just wanted to say hello and tell you I enjoyed the article. Drop me a
line if you feel the urge. Robert Lee
From:Don Poss
To:Robert Lee (Racon6)
Date:Thursday, May 21, 1998 9ᛊ PM
Subject:Re:Da Nang K-9
Robert:Man, do I remember Shep.... Email a photo of you "then" and I'll bet
I've got some of you. Sorry to hear about Philip Norwich. I remember him as a
very decent young man. I am attaching a photo of him when he had an eye
injury. I still have the Zippo cigarette lighter that Col Phillips gave
everyone in the squadron, labeled "6252nd Air Police Squadron, Da Nang,
Vietnam."
Ironically, I just got an email from K-9 Al Watts (Ret.TSgt), who was
with the 1st sentry dog unit at Da Nang in 65. Al is the handler whom I got
Blackie from! I've also received email from a handler that had Blackie 2
years after I left.
While at Da Nang, I became good friends with K-9 Gary Eberbach, who had
Bucky. I introduced him to his wife and they've been married nearly 32 years
now.
My web page, War Stories is dedicated to
SSgt Jensen and A3C J.B. Jones. SSgt Jensen had 3 daughters, and two of them
became Security Police (A.P.s)! The story just posted in the VDHA Memorial
Day DogMan, is one that is posted with photos at JB.
Tom Mitchell, Pres of VDHA, asked to use it for the paper. It was shorted,
so I hope you check it out to see how it was presented.
I would be interested in receiving any email photos that you may have of
Da Nang, and the truck he was KIA near, to add to the Da Nang Page I am
compiling for my other webpage, the Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF).
Check it out. I also have a story on the night SSgt was killed at:SSgt Jensen.
On the VSPA page, I am in the process of adding a complete section for
every Vietnam AP/SP base and squadron that served in Vietnam. I am preparing
to start Da Nang, and will have a photo gallery of about 300 photos, plus
stories, unit history (6252nd Combat Air Police, 35th APS, 366th SPS)...it is going to be the best page in the Base/Squadron section. So, if you want to add memories and photos, I could use the input.
There are a lot of familiar names at VSPA's Guardmount page. I think we both might know Wallace, but he doesn't have an email. Gary Eberbach, you may remember, I'll also attach a photo of him and Jim Baker (Gary's on the left).
After I DEROSed, I joined the Long Beach, CA Police Department, and
retired as a Det. Sgt. A K-9 handler from Long Beach, Gary Knutsen, I met
one time shortly after DEROS. I now have a great retirement job as Director
of Public Safety at California Baptist University in Riverside, Ca., where I
finally earned my B.S.
Robert, I would like to continue correspondence. I will also forward
this to Al Watts and Gary Eberbach...part of the old Da Nang Gang. Glad to
hear from you.
I also have exchanged email from a few Da Nang K-9/A.P., and have it all
posted at Da Nang K-9.
You even have an email there which Monty forward to me some time ago!
I don't mean to overload you with information, but I get kind of excited
when email from someone who was at Da Nang when I was. Don Poss
From: Jim Jimieson [mailto:jimjimieson@cox.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 8:13 PM
To:
Subject: WarStories:A3C-James-Bruce-Jones,KIA,
From:Rich E. Klugherz
To:Don Poss
Date:Thursday, May 21, 1998 9ᛄ PM
Subject:Vietnam Veterans' War Stories!
Dear Don, thank you very much for your hard work and dedication. I have
your page in my favorites and go to it almost daily. I was also at Da Nang
in 66 in the 405th MMs with the B57's Keep up the good work, it is greatly
appreciated. Sincerely, Rich Klugherz
Rich:Thanks! You might check out the B-57 story posted at War Stories. A
B-57 crashed on take off and the pilot/gib were killed. I did some research
and found their names and info about the crash. It's at:
B-57. Don Poss
Subject:
Date :Sun, 4 Jan 1998
From :Tim Benko
Don, I also am ex-366th TFW Da Nang; having been there from Dec. '68-69 with the
366th Supply Squadron. Wasn't "Phantom 309" by Red Sovine played a lot by AFVN? I
seem to recall hearing it on my radio, as I was issuing tool boxes to USAF people.
Tim Benko
From:Robert Kendrick
To:Don Poss
Date:Saturday, August 15, 1998 7ᛁ AM
Subject:Da Nang K-9
Don:I see that you were at Da Nang '65-66. I am assuming that you were in
the Air Force. Do you remember a SSgt. Sirois? I don't think he was over the
kennels so I am assuming that maybe he was a Flight Leader. What about some
of the other guys that were there when you were? Robert
Robert:I still am in contact with Gary Eberbach (VSPA member) who had Bucky.
I introduced Gary to his wife. They've been married 32 years now. I remember
Maxie Pierce, whom I heard retired on PTSD after J.B. Jones was KIA in Jan
1966. Don't know if that is true though. Maxie was a really great guy! Jim
Baker is another good-guy I remember, along with Cob (first name was?) and
Wallace. I will be posting the Da Nang page at VSPA within a month (I hope).
A lot of work going into it. I have a ton of photos in which it is possible
you and/or the guys you've named are in them. I got an email saying that
Philip Norwich (AP) had died recently.
I took photos of all the K-9 handlers and dogs when I was there, and will
post about 200 photos. I you have any photos, that would really add to the
Da Nang page. Monty Moore is also adding photos and stories. Photos can be
scanned and emailed in .jpg or .gif formats, or color zeroxed at your local
copy store then snail mailed to me for scanning--quality is very good, and
cheap to do.
To see some Da Nang photos, at War Stories, check out the B57 story, and
a few others with the name Da Nang in their titles. There are also stories
regarding the KIAs of SSgt Terance Jensen and A2C James Jones. Don Poss
Don:I arrived in Da Nang in July and started out with Champ who eventually
had to be put down. He caught leptisporosis I think was the disease's name.
Then I got Rinty. Do you remember Ronnie Wells from Texas whose dog was
Caesar? What about a big dog named King. Very aggressive and hard to handle!
Hope you can remember some of the above. Thanks, Robert Kendrick, from
Virginia. Robert
Robert:I recall dogs named Champ, Caesar, and King...but those were popular
K-9 names, so I can't say for sure the Champ was your Champ. But I do
remember King as being a mean-butt dog. Ronnie's name sounds familiar, but
not sure.
You might like to check out an on-going email regarding Da Nang AP/SP that
I have posted for the Da Nang Gang to add to at:Da Nang K-9. It is interesting
and I'm sure you will remember some of the names and incidents mentioned.
Don Poss, Webmaster at:War Stories, and Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF)
From:Tom Winn, [mailto:TWinn964@aol.com]
Sent:Sunday, February 18, 2001 10ᚨ AM
To:DonPoss-LM37@vspa.com
Subject:VSPA:35th SPS History:2001 Apr 69 - Jun 69 Don:It was interesting seeing the special orders of Da Nang personnel in October 65 of names I could not remember for so many years. Somehow, I was demoted 2 grades to A3C because I was promoted to A1C sometime in Oct 65. So that was the reason why I had so many lousy assignments!!! Regards,
Tom Winn
Da Nang 11/64 to 11/65
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