I'm happily retired, traveling full time, staying busy with my wife, photography, and volunteering. I have six children (38, 28, 26, 25, 23 & 16) and three Grandchildren (16, 3, 3, and one on the way). My wife and I work with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New Mexico, feeding the homeless, and raise money for projects in Uganda that helps women and children.
Other Comments:
In early 2005, the USPS offered a voluntary early retirement for certain levels of Postmaster. They didn't have to ask me twice. During my 28 years in the postal service, I spent time in Bozeman, MT as a clerk, in Kalispell, MT as a Supervisor, and in Rawlins, Wyoming; Polson, MT;, and Charlo, MT as a Postmaster.
Description This campaign was from 30 March 1972 to 28 January 1973. On 30 March 1972 the North Vietnamese Army launched its greatest offensive of the entire war. The enemy deployed the greatest array of troops and modern weapons to date in a major effort to end the war with conventional forces and seized considerable territory in an effort to exercise control of key provinces throughout Vietnam.
During this critical period the Vietnamization program continued in the face of the North Vietnamese invasion and the successful counterattack by the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam. Army aviation units played an impressive role throughout the period, flying reconnaissance, close support missions, and transporting troops. As U.S. combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, the role of helicopter units increased in importance and they responded to the challenge of continuing to support while preparing the RVNAF to assume their function. Similarly, advisors of all services contributed immeasurably to the defeat of the enemy invasion and the continued Vietnamization process. Army and Marine advisors fought side-by-side with their RVNAF counterparts to stop and defeat the enemy invasion, as the Vietnamese counteroffensive gained momentum and the reduction of field advisers continued. The advisory effort shifted to emphasize training and to assure that the VNAF attained self-sufficiency prior to the complete withdrawal of the U.S forces.
Recapture of Quang Tri City on 16 September 1972 marked the complete failure of the enemy to hold any of the targeted provincial capitols. Massive aid replaced materiel lost during the spring counteroffensive. Retraining and reconstruction of selected RVNAF units increased their capabilities. The completion of the massive logistical buildup of RVNAF was accomplished, which enabled the RVNAF to become more self-sufficient as direct U.S. participation diminished. The US ground role in Vietnam was totally replaced by the RVNAF. During December 1972 and January 1973 the RVIVAF flew more than 45% of air sorties within Vietnam. In November 1972, the RVNAF began a C-130 training program and by January 1973 realized a significant increase in their capability. RVNAF forward air controllers began directing USAF and RVNAF strike aircraft in January 1973. The US policy of Vietnamization continued.
US combat and combat support operations were conducted in support of RVNAF ground operations during the North Vietnamese invasion and the counteroffensive including intensive interdiction of enemy supply routes into Vietnam. Since US ground forces had been reduced to seven battalions, the US ground combat role was limited to defense of key installations. Further reduction in troop ceilings led to the redeployment of all US ground combat battalions, leaving an Army contingent of combat support and service support units.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
March / 1972
To Month/Year
January / 1973
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories May 13: HMM-164 helicopters are used to land South Vietnamese Marines behind NVA lines, near Hue, in two waves.
One CH-53 was downed and destroyed by its crew, and several CH-46?s were damaged.
We were at General Quarters this afternoon, because an attack on our ships was expected.
The 9th MAB naval gunfire element flew with Det 'B' of HML-367 aboard the USS Denver.
May 24: South Vietnamese Marines use our amphibian tractors (LVT's) for an amphibious assault near Quang Tri City in a move intended to decide the course of the war. The NVA experienced significant personnel and equipment losses.
June 23: Tripoli resumes flight operations in connection with troop movements.
HMA-369, with seven AH-IJ Cobras on board Denver (LPD-9) begins flying armed reconnaissance missions to interdict water-borne logistics craft along the coast of North Vietnam.
June 27: HMM's 164 and 165 (31st and 33rd MAU's) conduct an amphibious demonstration (feint) off the coast north of the Cua Viet River to divert NVA forces resisting the South Vietnamese counteroffensive.
June 29: HMM's 164 and 165 from the 9th MAB, aboard the Tripoli and Okinawa, lift two battalions of South Vietnamese Marines from Tam My to the rear of the enemy lines, in the vicinity of Quang Tri City. 1,400 Vietnamese Marines are transported.
July 11: HMM's 164 and 165 landed reserve South Vietnamese Marine battalion, picking them up near Route 553 and landing them behind enemy lines, about a mile and a half north-northwest of Quang Tri City.
A CH-53 was shot down, and two CH-46's crashed but were recovered. Lots of bullet holes on all the helicopters, as 28 of 34 helicopters were hit, and one CH-53 loaded with Vietnamese Marines was hit by an SA-7 missile and destroyed on impact.
They've been bringing in wounded air crews and South Vietnamese Marines all day now.
Among the wounded brought in was our combat photographer, Steve Lively, with third-degree burns on his face and hands, a broken right shoulder, and shrapnel in the butt.