Remembering Fallen Eagles: 12 December 1985

[Juker]

December 12 is for me a deeply personal 'day of days'. It's coming up again on Monday. Twenty-six years this time. Twenty-six years. More years than most of them were on this Earth.

December 12, 1985. Quite a few of you here weren't even born, or were too young to remember.

Arrow Air Flight 1285.

You won't hear about it on the news. They're not interested, not when there's a Hollywood tramp or political scandal to report.

The crash at Gander, Newfoundland. The largest peacetime loss of life in the history of the United States military.

We were the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and wore our "Currahee!" heritage proudly. In May of 1984 the Army spent a great deal of time and money on a new regimentalization system, and in one fell swoop, with parades and ruffles and flourishes, we were redesignated the 3-502. There were three 502 infantry battalions at Fort Campbell, and three more were redesignated within the Berlin Brigade.

Our battalion had received orders for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) mission, a U.N. peacekeeping operation in the Sinai. It was a big deal, so big there's a distinctive medal awarded to those who perform this duty. Training had begun, and we were short weeks away from a unit lockdown - meaning no soldier would be transferred out, and the battalion would be brought up to full strength; a rarity in the peacetime Army. Then one afternoon the senior NCO in personnel (S-1) strolled into my office in the S-3 (operations) section, and calmly announced, "You're going to Berlin." 54 names on that particular roster. The other 53 had been reassigned to Korea.

So a few months later off I went, 110 miles inside East Germany, to the Walled City.

The MFO mission was a success, and the Screaming Eagles of Task Force 3-502 were heading home for Christmas. They left Cairo on a chartered Arrow Air DC-8-63, refueled in Cologne, Germany, and made a final stop in Gander, Newfoundland. Locals reported how the tiny airport was suddenly filled with jubilant soldiers, buying Christmas presents and souvenirs, standing in line at the bank of pay phones. Even fax machines didn't exist then, much less computers and cell phones.

The plane departed from Runway #22 at 0645 hours. And something went horribly wrong. Barely gaining altitude, the plane impacted 3000 feet from the end of the runway, exploding in a hell I cannot imagine. 248 soldiers and 8 crew members perished. There were no survivors.

At Fort Campbell, a merry welcoming celebration was just warming up. The wives and children of the married soldiers were gathered in the 2nd Brigade gymnasium, 13 days before Christmas, joyfully awaiting the arrival of their loved ones. Then the word came.

In Berlin, we were entering a bitter winter. I was at Brigade HQs signing for the daily pouch in the G-2 (intelligence) office. One of the clerks turned to me and said, "Didn't you come here from the 101st?" and handed me a telex. "Air crash at Gander. Returning MFO mission. No survivors."

An entire United States Army infantry regiment wiped out. The battalion command structure, all HQs sections, company commanders, platoon leaders, platoon sergeants, squad leaders .. Lieutenant Colonel down to private. Including my roommates and the entire S-3 section where I had served. We were a tight bunch, so tight that officers and NCOs and enlisted men routinely socialized off duty, even calling each other by their first names. They were some of the finest men I've ever known.

It would take several months to identify all of the remains. The 248th funeral was held in May 1986.

Conspiracy theories abound as to what happened to that aircraft. The official report was excessive ice on the wings.

There's a large memorial at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, next to a field of 248 trees, each marked with a plaque and a name. On Monday wreaths will be laid there, and at the memorial at Gander. Buglers will play 'Taps'. Across this nation, parents and wives and families will reflect, and tell what were once young children stories of the fathers whom they cannot remember.

They are frozen in time in my mind's eye, and it is difficult to believe I am now so much older than all of them. Young soldiers in the prime of life.

I have attended some of the memorial services over the years. I look into the eyes of those young War on Terror veterans who have been through their own hell, and for them, the Gander crash is as distant as Normandy or A Shau Valley. They have their own friends to mourn.

I ask each of you that on this day of days, December 12, remember them. Remember 248 of our nation's finest who gave up all of their tomorrows in the service of their nation.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

[hkruss]

Wow

My respects to your fallen Brothers, and to you.

I can only imagine the emotional price this has exacted on you all these years.



.

[Dennis C]

Through your remembrance of them you honor them all!

[geds]

Very moving Juker - much better than any coverage at the time! My condolences to you and their family and friends.

[medalguy]

We will remember. Thank you for your service and the load you have carried all these years.

MSG USAF 1964-1886

[Juker]

Thank you for your sentiments. Like everyone else, I've had a few close calls in life, but I have always wondered why God chose me and a few others to be transferred and spared.

And I just learned that the mayor of Gander, Claude Elliott, has announced that memorial services will no longer be held at the crash site.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...nder-1208.html

[goofy]

Juker Our fallen brothers will never be forgoten because of post like yours and they are still strong in our hearts and prayers.Sometimes there are no ansers to "why them and not me" We just go on knowing that it was'nt our time and try to keep strong and true to the word.Thank you sir for your sevice.

[Juker]

Here are their names.

[Juker]

On Monday, December 16, 1985, President Ronald Reagan spoke at the memorial service at Fort Campbell.

The service aired late at night on Armed Forces Network (AFN), and we were able to see it in Berlin. I am sorry for those of you who are too young to recall hearing Ronald Reagan speak - he loved this country and he embodied the word "presidential". These are some of the most profound and moving remarks that he or any other president ever gave (video link below):



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-0V7r8XYE8

[geds]

Pres. Reagan was the last of the great orators. Just one more thing we are missing in today's leaders.

This has to be one of his most moving speeches.

Thanks again for reminding us Juker and for your service!

[Juker]

Thank you, my brothers.

Because of my work in the operations section, I had a lot of interaction with men up and down the chain of command in the 1-506 and 3-502. The S-3 coordinated the daily activities of the unit, as well as our various deployments. Everyone and everything worked through the S-3 in that unit. That's how I came to know so many of the men who died.

I have an ARCOM hanging above me on the wall signed by LTC Jeffcoat, the battalion commander who was on board.

Another man I should mention is Staff Sergeant Tom Davis. I worked with Tom when I got to Berlin. He was a true country boy from New Jersey and we became instant friends. Tom was a natural leader and a superb soldier. He was nearing the end of his Berlin tour and got picked up in the inter-regimental shuffle, and got to Fort Campbell in time for the MFO mission.

[AL MOUNT]

I remember....

I was in the 2/501st, "Geronimo", RVN 67/68

A man is never truly dead, until he is forgotten.

May our brothers Rest in Peace.

[Juker]

Thank you for remembering, AL, and thanks for your service to our nation.

[Rocketman1]

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.”

ALABAMA
Davis, Jimmy D ; Spec 4 ; . ; Aliceville , Al
Highfill, Joe W ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Daleville , Al
Hughes, Frank J ; Staff Sgt ; . ; North Carrollton , Al
Simmons, Carl N ; Pfc ; . ; Banks , Al
Turner, Vincent L ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Huntsville , Al
Winston, James A ; Staff Sgt ; . ; West Birmingham , Al
Wright, John R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Daleville , Al

ARKANSAS
Kidd, Timothy Linn ; Sgt ; . ; North Little Rock , Ar
Long, Paul D ; 1st Lt ; 24 ; Pine Bluff , Ar
Stewart, Randy S ; Sgt ; 21 ; Texarkana , Ar
Thomas, Randall K ; Sgt ; 31 ; Springdale , Ar
Walker, Guy W ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; Jacksonville , Ar

ARIZONA
Barber, Daniel Mark ; Spec 4 ; 24 ; Flagstaff , Az
Danielson, Thomas ; Spec 4 ; . ; Mesa , Az
Hobbs, Kevin S ; Pfc ; . ; Flagstaff , Az
McArdle, Paul A ; Sgt ; . ; Winslow , Az

CALIFORNIA
Andreoff, Steven A ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Antioch , Ca
Burdette, James D ; Spec 4 ; . ; Lancaster , Ca
Carter, Gregory T ; Pfc ; . ; Covina , Ca
Chaddock, Garett R ; Pfc ; . ; Lake Isabella, Ca , Ca
Gonzales, Michael J ; Spec 4 ; . ; La Puenta , Ca
Graham, Kelly O ; Pvt 2 ; . ; San Jose , Ca
Jackson, Adrian D ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Los Angeles , Ca
Millett, John M ; Sgt ; . ; Idyllwild , Ca
Padgett, Gary W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Vista , Ca
Pevey, Terry R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Port Heuneme , Ca
Spears, James M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Costa Mesa , Ca
Wallace, Brian E ; Pfc ; . ; Canoga Park , Ca

COLORADO
Serna, Ernest W ; Pvt 2 ; 20 ; Denver , Co
Sloan, Matthew S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Lakewood , Co
Stephens, Dane ; Spec 4 ; 19 ; Littleton , Co
Tucker, Thomas N ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Goldon , Co

DELAWARE
Haller, Brian D ; Capt ; . ; Wilmington , De
Kuehn, John M ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; Wilmington , De

FLORIDA
Beer, Edward M ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Orlando , Fl
Brasfield, Tony L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Panama City , Fl
Britt, George A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Lighthouse Pt , Fl
Bury, David A ; Pfc ; . ; Panama City , Fl
Ferguson, James A ; Sgt ; . ; Orange Park , Fl
Graham, Thomas Lyle ; Spec 4 ; . ; Jacksonville Beach , Fl
Hart, Robert B ; 2nd Lt ; . ; Miami , Fl
Hobbs, Donald Ernest ; Spec 4 ; . ; Palm Harbor , Fl
*Jeffcoat, Marvin A * ; Lt Col ; . ; Tallahassee , Fl
Kee, Jeff S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Pensacola , Fl
Kiser, Bruce E ; Pfc ; . ; Jacksonville , Fl
Schmoyer, Ricky A ; Spec 4 ; . ; St Petersburg , Fl
Smith, Thomas E ; Pfc ; . ; Brooksville , Fl

GEORGIA
Bauman, Eric Joseph ; Spec 4 ; 19 ; Warner Robins , Ga
Benson, Wyatt David ; Spec 4 ; 19 ; Forsyth , Ga
Lawrence, Michael R ; Maj ; . ; Atlanta , Ga
Lynch, Benjamin R ; Pfc ; . ; Macon , Ga
Searcy, Blanchard T ; Pfc ; . ; Sylvester , Ga
Smith, Clinton D ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Conyers , Ga
Word, Virginia Ruth ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Warner Robins , Ga

IOWA
Mullins, Steven W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Des Moines , Ia
Phillips, Alvin ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Oakaloosa , Ia

IDAHO
Bradshaw, Steven J, ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Boise , Id
Crawford, Paul M ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Nampa , Id

ILLINOIS
Craig, Michael E ; Pfc ; . ; University Park , Il
Gayton, Anthony Lovell ; Spec 4 ; . ; Robbins , Il
Goree, Joseph W ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Edwardsville , Il
Lundgren, David C ; Spec 4 ; . ; Chicago , Il
Richardson, Gregory W ; Pfc ; . ; Sterling , Il
Wilburn, Darnell ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Chicago , Il
Witmer, John B ; 2nd Lt ; . ; North Brook , Il

INDIANA
Arvin, Roger D ; Spec 4 ; 27 ; Evansville , In
Dumpert, Brian Lee ; Sgt ; . ; Marion , In
Mayhew, Ronald C ; Sgt ; 24 ; Indianapolis , In
Miller, Larry G ; Sgt ; . ; Loogootee , In
Miller, Timothy E ; Spec 4 ; . ; Noblesville , In
Murray, Michael ; Sgt ; . ; Washington , In
Robertson, Vergil L Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Spencer , In

KANSAS
Banks, Bobby L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Junction City , Ks
Yeargan, Cary T ; Pfc ; . ; Newton , Ks

KENTUCKY
Black, Hasland O ; Cmd. Sgt ; . ; Lafayette , Ky
Bradley, John T Jr ; Spec 4 ; . ; Winchester , Ky
Carter, Troy G ; Capt ; 40 ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Cruz-Salgado, Francisco ; Pvt 4 ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Englebert, Christopher ; Spec 4 ; . ; Louisville , Ky
Grala, Douglas F ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Manion, Edward John ; Capt ; 30 ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Martin, Thomas L ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Louisville , Ky
Moore, Samuel Theodore Jr ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Nelson, Donald C ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Hammond Hts , Ky
Nichols, Richard Sidney ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Owens, Gregory Allen ; Pvt ; 21 ; Louisville , Ky
Palmisano, Jeffrey R ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Parris, Rudy ; CW3 ; . ; Hopkinsville , Ky
Phillips, James D Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Powell, Barry C ; 1st Lt ; . ; Madisonville , Ky
Rahr, Michael R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Robinson, Thomas E Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Scott, Gary L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Oak Grove , Ky
Sellner, Timothy D ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Smith, Rex V ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Smith, Scott John ; Spec 4 ; . ; Louisville , Ky
Stone, Earl C ; CW2 ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Thompson, Danny C ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
Witt, Kevin Michael ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky

LOUISIANA
Alexander, Herbert D ; Pfc ; . ; Ponchatoula , La

MASSACHUSETTS
Aponte, Ivan R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Boston , Ma
Gerdes, Scott W ; Pfc ; . ; Pittsville , Ma

MARYLAND
Duckworth, James Frederick ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Westernport , Md
Heidecker, David W ; Pvt 1 ; 21 ; Westminster , Md
Hoyer, Robert S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Pasadena , Md
Stearn, Alexander W ; Pfc ; . ; Lutherville , Md
Thornton, Christopher G ; Sgt ; . ; Tacoma Park , Md
Whiteman, Michael L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Dunkirk , Md

MICHIGAN
Andrews, Danell ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; Detroit , Mi
Guerra, Richardo ; Pfc ; . ; Ferndale , Mi
Karadsheh, Ibrahim ; Sgt ; 25 ; Warren , Mi
Parsons, Thomas F ; Sgt ; . ; Washington , Mi
Wisson, Theodore M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Port Huron , Mi
Wyn, Robert ; Pfc ; . ; Sherwood , Mi
Ziegler, Cathleen M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Novi , Mi

MINNISOTA
Kubic, Mark R ; Staff Sgt ; 25 ; Brooklyn Park , Mn
Nolan, Michael T ; Pfc ; . ; Plymouth , Mn

MISSOURI
Easley, Brian E ; Sgt ; . ; Independence , Mo
Stack, Michael Shayen ; Spec 4 ; . ; St Louis , Mo
Straub, Gary L ; Pfc ; . ; Benton , Mo
Williamson, James H ; Spec 4 ; . ; Waynesville , Mo

MISSISSIPPI
Holliman, Jerry W ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Coldwater , Ms
Staten, David C ; Pfc ; . ; Pontotoc , Ms

MONTANA
Wallace, Mark E ; Pfc ; . ; Bozeman , Mt

NORTH CAROLINA
Arrowood, Stuart N ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
Buchanan, Gregory A ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Bakersville , NC
Carter, Mark E ; Sgt ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
Edmonds, Kyle L ; Capt ; 28 ; New Hill , NC
Johnson, Jerrin Andrea ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
Johnson, Ravon Leroy ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Eaton , NC
Morgan, Lindale ; Pfc ; . ; Enfield , NC
Perry, Vickie S ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Enfield , NC
Rawls, David L ; Pfc ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
Shook, James Emerson ; Pfc ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
Simmons, George Henry ; Spec 4 ; . ; Wilmington , NC

NEBRASKA
Olson, Robert L ; Pfc ; 20 ; Omaha , Ne

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Eastman, Michael C ; Capt ; . ; Plymouth , NH

NEW JERSEY
Cordero, Miguel Angel ; Sgt ; . ; Paterson , NJ
Davis, Thomas E ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Woodbury , NJ

NEVADA
Bowen, John P ; Sgt ; . ; Las Vegas , Nv
Mathis, Donald Lee ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Las Vegas , Nv

NEW YORK
Bostwick, Paul J ; Pfc ; . ; Binghamton , NY
Brilya, William R ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Hudson Falls , NY
Campbell, Trevor ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Brooklyn , NY
Coleman, Bobby Lee ; Pfc ; 20 ; Rochester , NY
Hemingway, Paul C ; Sgt ; . ; Staten Island , NY
Jennings, Todd Martice ; Spec 4 ; . ; Yonkers , NY
Nelson, Kenneth J ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Falconer , NY
Rimiller, Richard D ; Pfc ; . ; Bloomingdale , NY
Sears, Ronald W ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Bronx , NY
Stringer, Richard ; Spec 4 ; . ; Dexter , NY
Thomas, Robert F ; Spec 4 ; . ; Roslyn , NY
Travis, Theodore ; Sgt ; . ; Niagara Falls , NY

OHIO
Brady, Darrin P ; Pfc ; . ; Brunswick , Oh
Caudill, Phillip R ; Pvt ; . ; Cincinnati , Oh
Daniels, Walter G ; Pfc ; . ; Columbus , Oh
Harris, Brian D ; Pfc ; . ; Canton , Oh
Napier, Michael A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Middletown , Oh
Reasbeck, Patrick S ; . ; . ; Adena , Oh
Seitz, Frederic C ; Pfc ; . ; Aurora , Oh
Wilson, Rodger L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Dayton , Oh

OKLAHOMA
Wolford, Robert Neil II ; Sgt ; . ; Tulsa , Ok

OREGON
Fuller, Paul Koerner ; Cpl ; . ; Portland , Or
Hassing, Mark S ; Pvt 1 ; 20 ; Portland , Or
Hull, Jeffrey D ; Pfc ; 19 ; Cornelius , Or
Shultz, Robert D ; Pfc ; . ; Veneta , Or
Venneri, Steven C ; Pfc ; 19 ; Flagstone , Or

PENNSYLVANIA
Council, Orlando F Jr ; Pfc ; . ; Philadelphia , Pa
Deckman, Herbert R ; Pfc ; . ; Steeltown , Pa
Fink, Kevin F ; Pvt 2 ; 23 ; Dayton , Pa
Haugsdahl, Reginald ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Erie , Pa
Lloyd, William Michael ; Pfc ; 21 ; Philadelphia , Pa
Schremp, Peter E ; Sgt ; 24 ; Pittsburg , Pa
Shipley, Michael D ; Spec 4 ; 27 ; Huntingdon , Pa
Stritch, Scott A ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Annville , Pa
Thompson, Scott Bryan ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; South Waverly , Pa
Wester, John Charles ; Pfc ; 19 ; Pittsburg , Pa
Wilkins, Franklin R ; Pvt 2 ; 20 ; Shamokin , Pa

RHODE ISLAND
Spearman, Mark ; Pvt ; . ; Woonsocket , RI

SOUTH CAROLINA
Bittle, Sammy Dale ; Pfc ; . ; Cheraw , SC
Brown, Johnny L ; Pfc ; . ; Sumter , SC
Diventura, Joseph L ; Cpl ; 21 ; Summerville , SC
McWhite, Calvin ; Spec 4 ; . ; Columbia , SC
Ruth, Ray A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Walterboro , SC
Singleton, Earl ; Sgt ; 30 ; Hugger , SC
Walker, Gregory ; Spec 4 ; . ; Manning , SC
Ward, Abraham ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Chester , SC

SOUTH DAKOTA
McCleery, Christine M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Rapid City , SD

TENNESSEE
Avillan, Luis A ; 1st Lt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Brancato, Charles F ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Davis, James A ; Sgt ; . ; Knoxville , Tn
Dixon, Thomas D ; Spec 4 ; . ; Sequatchie , Tn
Ferguson, Mark W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Kingsport , Tn
Foskey, Thomas J ; Cpl ; 22 ; Clarksville , Tn
Givens, Gary Lynn ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Godsey, David L ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Harden, Benny J ; CW3 ; 38 ; Clarksville , Tn
Ivy, Herbert Guy ; Cpl ; . ; Knoxville , Tn
Jennings, Donny K ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Jones, Joseph A ; Sgt ; . ; Knoxville , Tn
King, Robert M ; Capt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Kosh, John K ; 1st Lt ; 27 ; Clarksville , Tn
Lane, Randall A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Malone, Jerry W ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
McCook, Robert F ; 1st Sgt ; . ; Woodlawn , Tn
McCormick, J Scott ; 2nd Lt ; 24 ; Bristol , Tn
Miller, Dirk A ; CW2 ; 30 ; Clarksville , Tn
Nelson, Steven R ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Pafford, Theodore L ; Pfc ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Rains, Terry L ; Capt ; 29 ; Clarksville , Tn
Reynolds, Jessey T ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Jamestown , Tn
Roberts, Wilbur Grant Jr ; Staff Sgt ; 28 ; Clarksville , Tn
Stevens, Kip L ; 2nd Lt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
West, Thomas E ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
White, Emery S III ; Staff Sgt ; late 20's ; Clarksville , Tn
Willingham, Richard N ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
Wooliver, William L ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn

TEXAS
Cartwright, Dennis ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Silsbee , Tx
Cupples, Troy R ; Pfc ; . ; Porter , Tx
Gray, Christopher ; Spec 4 ; . ; Alvarado , Tx
Hardeman, Chester D ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Dallas , Tx
Hughes, Charles W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Cleburne , Tx
King, Jerry J ; Pfc ; . ; Fort Worth , Tx
McCarty, Joey ; 1st Lt ; . ; Canyon Lake , Tx
Miller, Richard Dean ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Tyler , Tx
Roberts, Bobby E ; Spec 4 ; . ; Fort Worth , Tx
Wheeler, Frank C ; Spec 4 ; . ; Odell , Tx

VIRGINIA
Bowen, Robert ; CW3 ; . ; Wytheville , Va
Colby, Stephen R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Colonial Beach , Va
Hansen, William W III ; Pfc ; . ; Stafford , Va
Kirby, Thomas James ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Salem , Va
Puntanen, Raimo K Jr ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Chesapeake , Va
Russell, Ronald C ; Pfc ; . ; Portsmouth , Va
Vinson, Wayne ; Pfc ; . ; Chesapeake , Va

WASHINGTON
Kaplin, Robert S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Gig Harbor , Wa
Lineberry, Donald G ; Sgt ; . ; Olympia , Wa
Reed, Melvin W ; Pvt ; . ; Tacoma , Wa
Wood, Lawrence A ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Everett , Wa

WISCONSIN
Schultz, Keith Mitchell ; Pfc ; 19 ; Schofield , Wi

WEST VIRGINIA
Abrams, Mark Edward ; Pfc ; . ; Rhodell , WV
Gantzer, Kevin A ; Sgt ; 22 ; Wheeling , WV
Hileman, Thomas T ; Pfc ; , ; Fairmont , WV
Jordan, David A ; Pvt 2 ; 21 ; Winfield , WV
Mollett, James Albert ; Sgt ; 22 ; Kermit , WV

WASHINGTON, DC
Fitch, David ; Spec 4 ; . ; Washington

GUAM
Nertia, Joseph A ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Tumon

PUERTO RICO
Gonzalez, Roberto ; Pfc ; . ; Quebradilla
Ocasio, Francisco Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Juana Diaz

[Juker]

Recalling with fondness on this day...

Captain Brian D. Haller, a West Point grad and Ranger, and one of the finer members of the human race. He had taken command of the battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), but when I knew him and worked with him, he was a 1LT serving as the S-3 (Air) - the battalion's assistant operations officer, and in the 101st, that "Air" designation carried a heavy responsibility, as the world's only "Air Assault" (helicopter) division. He was a brilliant officer and an unwavering Christian who held Bible studies in his home where everyone was welcome. He had an affinity for enlisted men and was admired and respected by all around him. I worked five feet away from him for several months. After every field exercise, he would serve as a repository for any leftover MREs we had; he kept a desk full of them, and truly enjoyed the fact that we nicknamed him "MRE Monger". When I left for Berlin, he signed a card for me using that moniker.

Captain John K. Kosh, who came to us as a brand new 2LT and our Battalion Chemical Officer in the S-3 section. In any combat arms unit, there are personnel from other branches - supply, administration, etc. - doing what needs to be done. If you're not infantry, it can really suck to be assigned to an infantry unit, and he had chosen the Chemical Corps through which to serve his country. What a truly remarkable man he was - in amongst a group whose uniforms were festooned with all the right infantry badges and tabs, he was immediately recognized as a leader of men and a brilliant mind. The NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) component of the Sinai MFO mission became startlingly relevant, and he took on the preparations for an entire infantry battalion single-handedly. I remember overhearing the battalion commander, LTC Jeffcoat, telling some company commanders (captains) one day, "Do what he says - he's the only one of us who knows what the hell he's talking about," and came to realize he was referring to LT Kosh. In short order he was dubbed "Osh Kosh B'Gosh", and he immediately went out and had a nameplate made for his desk that read exactly that. A 1LT at the time of the crash, he was posthumously promoted to Captain.

[DixieLandMan]

May they never be forgotten. God Speed.

[Juker]

A few days after the Gander crash I flew home to Texas on Christmas leave. It was a joyful and bittersweet time that my folks remember to this day - they had been flooded with calls from friends and relatives who knew I'd been with the 101st. I will never forget that on the way home from the airport, we were discussing the crash, and the radio station played "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Bing Crosby. My mother was sobbing.

I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams


Rest in peace, dear ones. I'll bump this thread next year if I'm still down here. If not, save me a seat, eh?

[Bobitis]

Thank you Juker.

Seriously.

I'd never read/heard of this. May the Lord bless you and your commrades.

[geds]

R.I.P.