| curtis parker |
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Hello "The Saint" after reading a letter dated 22 May 2007 from my friend Daring 19er Col (Retired) Chaplain Austin Moon our old 2/2 Infantry Battalion Chaplain about the traveling Vietnam Wall that had came to the new state Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Tx and that he had found my friend Albert Cudworth who was one of the guys who was killed during the battle on 3 April 1968 located on Panel 47 East, Line 48 on the Vietnam Wall; he also mentioned that he had found your Company Commander Daring Alpha 6 CPT August Emil ("Gus") Czerwonka who was killed on 13 July 1968 at Ben Cat during a village seal by a mine in a minefield and also SP4 Babiarz his RTO lost both legs plus lots more but did not die until 1 August 1968 andthe other RTO was on his feet staggering from the blast. Chaplain Moon witnessed the event along with Daring 6 LTC Greer and the Bn Sergeant Major (CSM) Charlie company was also part of the screening force that day. I thought that you may have been on that operation that bad day. In his letter Chaplain Moon did not say whether or not he located the names of CPT Czerwonka and SP4 Edward Marinez Babiarz on the wall. At least God watched overyou and the other Daring Alpha and Charlie Ramrods that day. I was in Ben Cat 3 times, twice in JAN 1968 just before TET and during the night of TET 31 Jan 1968 when Bravo Co fought the VC inside of the ARVN Compond. Ben Cat is a beaucoup number ten place, I hate it like I did Song Be. Take care, hope that I did not bring back any bad memories (I'm stupid, any bad day in Vietnam is a bad memory), sorry! Too much talking the talk, crow feathers in my mouth. Just wanted to share a moment of the past with you.
Daring Bravo Bandit 31 (NOLI ME TANGERE)
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| Larry G | |
| Justin |
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Where is 'Ben Cat' located in Vietnam and what was it's US military status in 1962? |
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| The Saint |
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Reply with quote | #4 |
Justin, Ben-Cat is south of Lai-Khei on Hwy 13, it is about 40 miles NW of the city of Saigon.
Now about the military status in 1962, Ben Cat had and outpost, that the Vietnamese army and some SF maintained, unti 1965 when the 3rd Inf Bde of the 1st Inf Div set base at Lai-Khei. Hope this can help you.
Be careful out there.
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| O.O.O. | |
| O.O.O. | |
| O.O.O. |
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Reply with quote | #7 |
By the way, you might want to zoom in for a closer look. You can pull the map around to wherever you want - follow 13 up through Lai khe, for example. |
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| Jim Leslie |
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Reply with quote | #8 |
I was there when Capt.August Czerwonka and RTO Babiatz stepped on the mine in the village near Ben Cat. You sure brought back something I forgot about. I remember it well....but I had forgotten the names. That was a operation in my mind which was a waste of live. I was a squad leader and could not understand why we were there. The village new we were there and they were surrounded and we found no VC or NVA. The blast from the mine was not loud...in my mind. Word came down the CO was KIA and the RTO had lost his legs. Intell said the village was a prime target....it was not. Anyway thanks for letting me remember my friends with a prayer to the past. |
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| Justin |
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Reply with quote | #9 |
Mr. Leslie, thank you for sharing the story you posted and for your service! |
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| Justin |
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Thanks 'The Saint' and 'O.O.O' for the replies. I will use the map website for my research, it is a good one!
My research led me to initially post because I am having trouble finding detailed information regarding an event on June 16, 1962 in Ben Cat; the hostile deaths of Captain Walter R. McCarthy and First Lieutenant William F. Train.
If anyone has detailed information on the small arms fire that occured, I would appreciate adding it to my research.
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| "Wild Bill" |
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Reply with quote | #11 |
Justin;FYI: Lt Train was my Platoon Leader in Honor Guard Company of the 1st Battle Group, 3rd Infantry "The Old Guard" at Fort Myer, VA from 1961-62. His father was a General officer and was nicknamed "Choo Choo" Train. He was a really good officer and had the respect of everyone in the company.
Bill Benson B Co, 2/2 Inf. 12/65-10/66
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