Viet-REMF Stories Index
Viet-REMF ~ Honoring all who served....
"In the rear with the gear"
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The following pages contain original writings contributed by REMF's or by the friends and families of those who served in rear echelon assignments. Click on each author's name in Hypertext below to read. |
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| The crucible of war provides many an inspiration and moves many a man to eloquence in poem and prose. These two thought provoking poems by Karl King question the whys of war.
Karl served as a member of the 1973 Comm Squadron at Udorn, Thailand from 1970-1972 with an AFSC of 54350. Karl welcomes your emails at bbshutterbug@verizon.net and he invites you to visit his web site at http://www.karlkingphotography.com |
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A visit to The Wall, whether it be to the one in DC or one of the "Moving Walls" that tour the country is always a moving experience for any veteran of the Vietnam War. The emotions evoked have inspired many a poem lamenting young lives cut short and dreams never realized. This poignant piece, "At The Wall" was contributed by Bob Price, Msgt USAF ret. 58 -78. Bob describes his duty assignments below:
Recip Engine Mech on the C124s till 66, when I went to Binh Thuy V.N. to work primarily on the O1E Bird Dogs, but got experience on the Helio OV10s as well as the C47 "Puffs".
Went on to Nha Trang in Oct 66 to finish my year. Was stationed at McClellan AFB, CA, and became a flight engineer on the EC121 Super Constellations. Then spent much time in SEA: the bulk of it flying out of Korat, Thailand to various tracks over Cambodia, V.N. and Laos. Included one memorable 122MM night under the bunk at Danang, after an engine shutdown over Gulf of Tonkin. |
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Tom Williams, was a Navy Corpsman with Helicopter Hunter Unit Hu-1 from the USS Maury AGS-16, and Task Unit 73.2.1. Maury was on station in the Gulf of Thailand when the Helicopter Unit received orders to report TDY to the American Embassy at Bangkok, Thailand. Orders that would soon involve Tom and his Unit in what would be an event they would never forget. This would be Toms third memorable tour in South East Asia.
Tom was also assigned as a Medic with a Recon Coastal Survey Team, 3rd Marine Div, during 1959, through 1962, deployed from the USS Maury. The Survey team was responsible for what was later described as a pre-invasion coastal survey off the coast of Vietnam. This information can be found by visiting the Kennedy/Johnson Libraries under a search for the Secret War, Laos, 1962. Tom may be contacted via email at squid560@usadatanet.net |
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A short story by Sgt Vince Wuwert, who served with Det. 4, 6922nd SW at Ramasun Station, just south of Udorn, reveals how a special friendship, with a village girl touched his life. Sgt Wuwert served at Ramasun Station from April of 1968 until March of 1969, as a Morse Intercept Operator. He is presently retired from the US Postal Service, and spends time writing short stories and free verse. He is a member of Vietnam Veterans of America #142, Monroe, Michigan and a member of VFW Post 10249, Udorn, Thailand. Sgt Wuwert is also a major contributor of artifacts and information for the Americans at Chicksands Museum in Bedfordshire, England where he was assigned to the 6950th SG before his SEA assignment. His wife, Sandy is an elementary school teacher and an accomplished musician. Vince can be reached at email: VAWUWERT@AOL.COM. |
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Rog Hamann tells of his experiences flying as a back seater over Cambodia in an OV-10. Rog served as a French interpreter, translating transmissions between Cambodian ground forces and the FAC pilots with whom he flew. Flying out of Ubon Air Base, Thailand, under the call sign "Rustic Yankee," Rog logged 169 missions over Cambodia, before returning Stateside. You may reach Rog by email at: RusticYankee72@aol.com |
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Dan McKegney was a radio operator with the U.S. Air Force 1876th Communications Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, RVN, from Aug '67 to Aug '68. He speaks of REMF Saigon and the change which occurred in January '68, the beginning of the TET Offensive, an event which was the turning point in the war. Thirty-four years later another turning point came with his claim for Agent Orange-related prostate cancer being approved by the VA. From the mid '70s to mid '80s, Dan had worked for the Department of the Navy as a civilian employee. During that time he had the privilege of working directly for two former Naval aviators (fighter pilots) who had been shot down over North Vietnam and who had each spent many years as POWs. He is still in contact with one of those men, the former Executive Officer at the Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Miramar was the former home of the Pacific Fleet Fighters and inspired the movie called Top Gun. |
| Another military funeral.... perhaps just one of many in any given week for the ten men of the Honor Guard, whose job it is to perform this ritual. The team carries out its assigned duties with dignified solemnity and precision, displaying steely calm, businesslike exteriors to the observers gathered here. One would expect, after all, they would have to eventually become calloused and immune to it all - an emotional defense mechanism of sorts... Or would they? Outward appearances are deceiving. The Saddest Sound, a moving sonnet by Wyatt Avery eloquently describes the experience as seen through his eyes as a member of the 92nd Strategic Aerospace Division Honor Guard, while stationed at Fairchild AFB in Washington. Several other of Wyatt's writings are included on his page. Wyatt was assigned to the 4133 Provisional Bomb Wing during the '68 Tet Offensive, and later, to the 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Ramstein, Germany. Wyatt, a.k.a. "Mike 33", is a member of the B-52 Association. |
| The Vietnam War has had a lifelong effect on virtually all who served in it. It is only natural as we enter late middle life, with retirement and our "golden" years looming in the not so distant future, to begin to think more and more on the days of our youth. We strive to put what happened back then in perspective, as viewed through the glass which represents the sum total of our life experience. We may come to the realization, while it was a small part of our lives as measured in years, our service in that "unpopular" war has to rank near the top of the list of the most significant happenings in our lives. Vietnam Melancholy, speaks to the search to find persective, to put it to rest, and to find the inner peace that still eludes many veterans of that war, even all these years later. This story by the Viet-REMF Web Master is written in third person, but I am the man in the story. |
| These stories by Herb "Ghostman" Neeland tell a few of many tragic experiences while stationed at the Udorn RTAFB at Udorn, Thailand. For Herb and others like him, tragic outcomes were sometimes an unavoidable part of the day. For in his position as a medic, tragedy was part of the territory. Herb was stationed at the 432nd Medical Hospital at Udorn from October of 1973 to September, 1974. Herb may be contacted by email at: Herb Neeland <HerbLesRN@aol.com> |
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William Brown reminisces on his time as a supply clerk in Nam, doing an unglamorous job, and doing it with pride and dedication. Bill and others like him were responsible for seeing to it the jeeps and trucks and troop carriers and other vehicles kept rolling by procuring and supplying replacement parts as required, delivering on demand the correct part from among the tens of thousands in the inventory. Bill may be contacted by email at: William J Brown <wjb79006@juno.com> |
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It's amazing how dreams can span the oceans of time that separate us from the past, carrying us sometimes as unwilling passengers, back to relive moments long forgotten by our conscious memory. This one is by "yours truly", Robert Wheatley, the Viet-REMF Web Master. Inspired by such a dream one cold winter morning, I sat down to pen this short story I call "Night Visitor." I was stationed at Ramasun Station outside of Udorn, Thailand from December, 1967 to October, 1968. There, I was assigned to Air Force Detachment 4 of the 6922 Securtiy Wing, USAF Security Service. Serving as a shift supervisor in the Mandarin Voice Intercept Processing Section, I held the rank of Sgt, E-4. I am a life member of Udorn VFW Post 10249 and Charter Member of The Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Brotherhood. Comments may be directed to me via email at r_wheatley@verizon.net |
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Aside from the obvious hazards of a tour in Southeast Asia, there was the ever present danger of venomous snakes suddenly showing up uninvited in the living or working quarters. In this story Corey Loney tells of an encounter with a Green Tree Viper in the workplace. Corey was assigned to Task Force Alpha @ Nakhon Phanom RTAFB as a computer operator from October, 1968 to November, 1969. He is a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, a member of Carl Sidney Hanson American Legion Post, Udorn VFW Post 10249, and a member of the Thailand-Laos-Cambodia Brotherhood. Corey may be contacted via his email address at jelcjl@brainerd.net |
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Malcom Calhoun remembers his time in Vietnam, the treatment he received on his return Stateside, and how he began to heal himself and get on with life. "Cal" served at Anderson AFB in 1968 as a member of a B-52 bomb loading crew, supporting the Arclight missions. At Ubon RTAFB he served with the 8th SPS from May, 1969 through May, 1970. Later tours include three bases in South Vietnam; Tan Son Nhut Air Base / 377th SPS from May to July, 1970; Tuy Hoa / 31st from August to November, 1970 and at Phan Rang / 35th SPS from November, 1970 to May, 1971. Quoting Cal here, "Worked as in Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line", guarding alert B-52 SAC aircraft. In Thailand and Viet Nam - bunkers and towers, Security Alert Teams, Quick Reaction Teams, Base Patrol,and Sector Supervisor. However, I primarily drove armored cars (V-113) and APC (coffins/tracks) to include driving for special Air Force unit called Safeside." Cal attained the rank of E-4 during his tours. Cal may be contacted by email at Member9736@aol.com |
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Alan Kinne relates a short anecdote of his time at "Monkey Mountain", a radar site in South Vietnam, where several service branches more or less peacefully coexisted. Alan was an Air Force ACW (Aircraft Control & Warning) radar operator there on TDY to the 620th TCS from September 7, 1972 to December 15, 1972. In October, 1974, he returned to Southeast Asia, this time assigned to Det 5 of the 621st TCS at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base. There, his unit provided support for the evacuation of remaining US forces in South Vietnam, and for the rescue of the Mayaguez cargo ship that had been siezed by the Cambodians. During his 4 years, 8 months, and 11 days of service, he attained the rank of E5. On October 1, 1967 he was discharged at Travis Air Base, having served a total of 2 years, 3 months and 8 days of overseas duty. Alan can be contacted via email at Alrod13@aol.com |
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Robert Humble tells of his time in SEA as a radio repair technician. Bob served in the rank of Staff Sergeant at Don Muong and Ubon RTAFB from March 1962 until March 1963. Originally his unit was a detachment of 5th Tactical Control Group, but went through several incarnations with different numbers. Last served as a detachment of 2d ADVON. "It was kind of humerous; we had a different address almost every month.", Bob says. He invites you to visit his WEB SITE where you can read more of his stories. Bob welcomes email at Robert Humble <lenrob@qmail.com> |
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Ken Griswold relates a rather humorous serious story of his experience one night in Vientiane, Laos. He was with Air Force Intelligence and TDY (Temporary Duty) in support of the famous Raven FACs as their Air Intelligence Officer. At NKP he was assigned to Task Force Alpha's Analysis Division. Also as a former USAF Survival Instructor he also conducted E&E (Evasion and Escape) and SERE (Survival,Evasion, Resistance & Escape) refesher briefings to all newly assigned 56th Special Operations Wing combat air crews at NKP. This story is about a friendly evasion and escape. Ken retired as a SMSgt with 24 years service. You can reach him at: kgris703@usit.net |
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In his story, Soldiers of Night, James Chadwick tells of a lonely night of trepidation, while standing guard duty at the 7th RRFS (Radio Research Field Station) in far Northeastern Thailand. Jim was with the Army Security Agency (ASA) and served as a Morse intercept operator there from August, 1967 to August, 1968. Jim's email address is chadwijk@aramco.com.sa |
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Bob Norway reminisces about his experiences in Thailand, stationed at Udorn RTAFB. Bob served on the flight line there in the rank of Buck Sergeant assigned to the 432nd Avionics Maintenance Squadron from November of 1970 through November, 1971. Bob's mission there was maintaining flight control and compass systems on F-4 Phantoms and C-130 transports. He retired with the rank of SMSGT after 26 years in the Air Force. You may contact him via email at examiner@cfl.rr.com He also invites you to visit his web site at www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/5953/mypage.html |
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The writings of MSG Stanley Hutchison, US Army (retired), are his recollections of the day-to-day life experiences of a REMF in Saigon. He was a Staff Sergeant assigned to HQ, MACV AG-AMB (Admin Machine Branch) there from October, 1968 to September, 1969. His interesting writing style makes this a good read. In addition to his knack for storytelling, Stanley is also a poet, and several of his efforts are presented here on his page. Stanley may be contacted at his email address, nighthawksh@msn.com |
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Jim Henthorn describes the bittersweet emotions he felt as he sat among thousands of other GI's who were privileged to see the Bob Hope Christmas Specials in 1967 & 1968. He served as a Weapons Mechanic and occasional door gunner with the 21st Helicopter Squadron located at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand from November, 1967 through May, 1969. Jim's email address is jhenthorn@bayserve.net Jim invites you to visit his Vietnam web site at http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/vietnam.html |
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Christina Sharik, a.k.a "Army Mom" is a prolific poet, who has been writing poetry about the Vietnam War since the Sixties. Her work has been published in many places, including the Vietnam Veterans Home Page. Her poetry reveals in her a kindred spirit, and she has a true understanding of the veteran's soul. Christina's contribution here was written specifically for the "Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Brotherhood" (TLCB), but she has graciously allowed me to display it on the Viet-REMF web site. You can find more of Christina's poetry at her web site, Army Mom's Safe Haven (http://www.angelfire.com/fl/ArmyMomsSafeHaven/index.html) It is well worth the visit! Her email address is armymom55@hotmail.com |
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This Bill Jaynes vignette tells of a touching experience he had on his return stateside after having served two tours in Thailand. Bill was Stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base from Jan, 1966 - Jul, 1967. From July to December of 1967, he served at NKP Air Base. Bill was flight engineer on a "Jolly Green" helicopter crew as part of the 37th - 38th A.R.R.S. (Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron). His duties included completion of all mechanical tasks required for the safe flight of the helicopter, assisting pilots with fuel management, instrument scanning, landing gear control, and most importantly, the pickup of downed air crews in hostile territory and bringing them back to safety. Bill's email address is wjaynes1@maine.rr.com |
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Rich Verde's story relates his experiences in coming home from Southeast Asia, where he had been stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. His is a poignant tale that points up the stark contrast between the world and the life we knew over there and the one we left back home. Rich was sent to Ubon, TDY (Temporary Duty) in Dec of '72, and he returned Stateside in early Sept of '73. He was assigned as a Crew Chief on the F4E Phantom II with the 4th OMS detachment there and worked in conjunction with the "Wolfpack". Rich invites you to visit his web site, The Shadows Lair (http://members.xoom.com/ShadowsLair/). Rich may be contacted via email at shadow@optonline.net |
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Your original short story or poem is wanted for posting here. I'm looking for responses from former REMF's who served in rear echelon assignments in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or Thailand (or family members and friends of those who did). They can be serious or humorous or shades of both. They can relate to happenings and thoughts and feelings, on-duty or off-duty. They can be about our time in Southeast Asia, or back home in the States, but they should have direct relevance to our service in the Vietnam War. Your submissions will be displayed on their own page, with due credit going to the author. If you have an interest in contributing a piece (no monetary compensation), please contact me, Bob Wheatley, at rewheatl@rush.cnz.com. To help me pick your email out from the others I receive, please make the subject line, "Viet-REMF". Thank you! |