This issue of the Dragon's Tale is dedicated to our Battalion Commander, Lt Col William E Davis of Greensboro, North Carolina.      Colonel Davis is scheduled to depart on or about 14 December.   Colonel Davis arrived in Vietnam on Christmas Day, 1965 as a member of the 25th Infantry Division Advance Command Group.  He traveled extensively to ports of debarkation and into combat areas near Pleiku and Cu Chi to coordinate the arrival of men, equipment and supplies of the 2d and 3d Brigades and other elements of the Division.   He served as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4 prior to being assigned as the commander of the Golden Dragons on 12 July 1966.  The battalion under his command has established an enviable combat record and all of us have benefited from his leadership and guidance.  Many members of the battalion who were wounded in combat recall with gratitude the occasions when Colonel Davis landed his command helicopter in hostile areas to evacuate them to a medical treatment facility.  Although we will miss him in the battalion, we wish him speed on his journey to rejoin his family and a rewarding assignment in the Office of Personnel Operations, Department of the Army.

 

THE DRAGON'S TALE THE CHAPLAIN'S CORNER      In transferring classified documents from base headquarters to a ship anchored off Devil's Island, a young man boarded a ship in the harbor at Cayenne, French Guiana.  The Captain of the ship explained that there would be a delay because the ship was stuck in the mud.  No human power, no mechanical assistance available, and no amount of wishing could move it.      But the incoming tide was due.  Soon one little drop of water joined the other little drops;  little waves became bigger waves;  and the incoming tide lifted the giant vessel as gently as a mother lifts her baby from the cradle.      Little things are significant.  Little acorns become giant oak trees;  little atoms make terrible bombs;  and little sins with their terrible cumulative power can waste a life.      One ray of light can tell us what the sun is made of.  One small act will reveal the nature of a man.  And one human life can demonstrate the presence and power of God. IN TRIBUTE      The men of Company B have paid tribute to a fallen comrade by dedicating their mess hall in his honor.   The mess hall stands as a remembrance to Private First Class William E Pharris who was critically wounded on 7 July 1966 while participating in a search and destroy operation in the infamous Filhol Rubber Plantation and as a result of this wound became one of Company B's first KIA's.  The officers and men of Company B will long remember him as representative of the fighting spirit and dedication of the American soldier.		PAGE 2 WORSHIP SERVICES 4 DEC 66 ROMAN CATHOLIC CONF ------0745 ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS ------0800 PROTESTANT SERVICES --------0900 AT 2/14 BATTALION BN HQS BIRTHDAYS      On 25 November 1966, SP5 Lewis L Snow, senior medic in the Battalion Aid Station, celebrated his twenty-third birthday.      On 25 November 1966, PFC Ivan J Valentine, Headquarters Company mail clerk, celebrated his twentieth birthday.      On 28 November 1966, SP5 Wilford C Horab, legal clerk in S-1 section, celebrated his twentieth birthday. PROMOTIONS      The following individuals were promoted to Sergeant (E-5) on 22 November 1966.     SP4 Ronald S Harrison       HHC     SP4 Aaron D Hunt              HHC     SP4 Robert L Goforth        HHC     SP4 Richard W Koleff        A Co     SP4 Calbert E Allen             A Co     SP4 Johnnie Holloway Jr     A Co     SP4 Nathanel Alicea-Rios   A Co     SP4 Virgil V Kass                B Co     SP4 Carl L Watson              C Co
THE DRAGON'S TALE WE SALUTE MEDICS      The success of a combat operation is not merely dependent on how many of the enemy we eradicate, but also on how well we treat those casualties that we sustain.  This part of the job is accomplished very adequately by the Battalion Aidmen commanded by Captain Jeffrey L Brown.  Half of the men assigned as medics are attached to line units and participate actively in all the combat operations.  If and when the going gets tough they are there to comfort and treat the wound, quite often at great peril to their own lives.  This is well evidenc4ed by the fact that 23 of the medics have been wounded and many of them have received awards for deeds of valor.  The other half of the medics man the battalion dispensary.  They are on call 24 hours a day and are ready to cope with all emergencies.  Through their untiring efforts the dispensary is now equipped with many necessities not usually found in Infantry Aid Stations such as a pharmacy, an examining room, and a minor surgery room.      Aside from caring for our sick and wounded, the Aidmen participate in civic action programs.  MEDCAP activities are conducted twice weekly under the supervision of the battalion surgeon.  Approximately 125 Vietnamese nationals are treated on every MEDCAP operation in the villages of this province, and many villagers know Americans only by the impression left by the MEDCAP personnel.  Most of them are grateful for the help rendered to them through this function.  These diverse operations which are performed by these men are a great challenge, but one which has been well met.  We salute Captain Brown, Platoon Sergeant Page, Sergeant McAlister, Specialist Snow and all members of the medical platoon for their outstanding accomplishments. (con't)		PAGE 3 COOKS      The officers and men of this battalion salute the mess stewards, the cooks, and all others connected with the preparation of the Thanksgiving repast.  This once a year undertaking of preparing the turkeys, the pies, and the trimmings is an operation of great proportion and very time consuming, but one which is appreciated by all men for it brings joy to men's' hearts and reminds them that there is a lot for which to be thankful.  The Golden Dragons know and say thanks. S-4      SP4 Arthur F Rasmus is to be commended on his outstanding job as forward battalion resupply coordinator during Operation "Attleboro".  From 8 November to 24 November SP4 Rasmus had the responsibility of receiving and distributing supplies in the forward area of the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry; ammo, medical supplies, C-rations, potable water, just to mention a few.  Our congratulations to SP4 Rasmus on a job well done. COMMO      It is a known fact that without adequate communications a unit cannot function with speed and efficiency.   This, however, is not a problem in the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, a fact which is well evidenced by the battalion's last operation.  Captain Waldo A Phinney, the Battalion Communications Officer, ensured that the battalion had excellent radio communications, even better than those units who had automatic retransmission capability.   Our battalion commo section was able to also provide the companies with equipment which is normally difficult to obtain.  SP4 George Bailey and PFC John Haslam put up lines to the companies in record time, and their efforts contributed greatly to the overall success of the operation.  Congratulations to Cpt. Phinney and his commo personnel for an outstanding and proficient job.
THE DRAGON'S TALE SILVER STARS      Sergeant Ralph M Graff is a squad leader in Company C of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry.  He knows his duty and does it well - so well, in fact, that recently he was awarded the Silver Star for doing what he considers a part of his job.      Sergeant Graff's unit was on a search and destroy mission near Tay Ninh, about 40 miles northwest of Cu Chi, to secure the area for the 25th Infantry Division's newly arrived 196th Infantry Brigade.      Company C had engaged a Viet Cong force the day before and had come out on top after a long, hard fight.  This day they were back in the same area in search of the rest of the force.      Sergeant Graff's squad had taken the point as the company moved through the jungle.  Without warning, the still air was split by the crack of a rifle.      Within minutes, the point squad found itself locked in fierce fighting with a well concealed enemy force of superior number.  Without hesitation, Sergeant Graff organized his squad, evaluated the situation, and radioed the information to his platoon leader.      In his evaluation, Graff found that two members of the lead fire team had been wounded in the initial action and lay exposed to further enemy fire.      Disregarding the intense fire throughout the area, Graff moved forward to his two wounded point men.  He quickly administered first aid and dragged one man back to the platoon medic for further treatment.      Again without hesitation, he traced his route through the dense undergrowth to bring back the second wounded man.  Half way there, enemy fire from the ground and trees forced Graff to stop and return fire until the enemy weapons were silenced.		PAGE 4      Graff  reached the wounded man, found him unable to move, and carried him to safety.  The sergeant then returned to his squad and led his men in a maneuver to relieve another squad that had been pinned down.      When the day was over, Sergeant Ralph M Graff had saved the lives of two men and had contributed to the success of the assault on the enemy's position.   To him it had been no more than his duty. IN THE SPOTLIGHT      If you have any questions about the "long rifle" just ask PSG Bennie J Selby of Company C, 2d Bn, 14th Inf.  PSG Selby, a seventeen year veteran in both hitting bullseye targets and moving targets such as North Koreans, Chinese, and Viet Cong, is the man to ask if you have any questions concerning firing a rifle.      After the Korean war, in which Sergeant Selby went from a scout, or point man, to a Platoon Sergeant, his interest in rifles and all weapons has paid dividends for the Army.  He is the proud possessor of the Distinguished Rifle Badge, which is the nation's highest award for excellence in competition with a service rifle, the M-1.  He has participated in numerous championship matches and was, in 1958, the all Army rapid fire champion and record holder.      PSG Selby, with Charlie Company as the third platoon sergeant, can let his record speak for itself:  the Bronze Star with "V" device for valor in action, the Purple Heart, and the acclaim of his associates as one of the best. OPERATIONS      The Battalion Recon platoon has been attached to the 3/4 Cav as a security element since 25 November, and it will remain attached for approximately 30 days.  As of 2 December they have recorded a total of 710 miles in escort operations.
THE DRAGON'S TALE AWARDS CEREMONY     The following officers and enlisted men were decorated at an awards ceremony 27 November 1966.  The presentations were made by LTC William E. Davis, Battalion Commander. 1LT Richard L. Nelson      C Co.  BSV PSG Bennie J. Selby         C Co.  BSV PFC Noel Fromkin           B Co.   BSV, PH SFC Joel Goldberg           C Co.   BSV, PH SGM David L. Parker      HHC    BSM MAJ Edwin R. Griffith      HHC    PH SSG James C. Bishop      HHC    PH SSG Angel Dela-Cruz      A Co.  PH CPL Glen E. Wyman        B Co.  PH SP4 Michael A. Aluffi       HHC   PH SP4 William A. Weir        B Co.  PH SP4 Dale M. Kirby          C Co.  PH SP4 Robert W. Jones       B Co.  PH SP4 Paul E. Ice                 B Co.  PH SP4 James D. Salmon      B Co.  PH SP4 Jackie A. Vea           HHC    PH PFC Kirk Smith                C Co. PH PFC Harry Easterling        B Co. PH PFC Alphonso Jones        B Co. PH PFC Arthur G. Troutman  C Co. PH PFC Harry L. Graham      B Co. PH      On 30 November 1966, Brigadier General G.G. O'Conner, Assistant Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division, presented PSG Samuel O. Holbrook III of Company B the Silver Star Medal and SSG Mirabal Maestas of Company B the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for heroic action on 20 November 1966 during Operation Attleboro.  After the ceremony General O'Conner addressed the Battalion.  He commended the officers and men of the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry for their immeasurable contribution to the success of Operation Attleboro.  He then commented on the Vietnam War by saying that the Viet Cong cannot possibly win, and we cannot possibly lose.		PAGE 5 CHANGE OF COMMAND      The following officers were recently reassigned within the battalion.      1LT Charles E. DeWese, formerly Heavy Mortar Platoon Leader is newly assigned as Platoon Leader, Company B.      1LT Stanley Yates is now the Executive Officer of Company B.  Prior to being reassigned he served as the Battalion Reconnaissance Platoon Leader.      1LT Michael R. Rapuano, who for the last four months served as Battalion Liaison Officer, has been reassigned as Heavy Mortar Platoon Leader.      1LT Dale R. Crafton, formerly of B Company is now the Battalion Reconnaissance Platoon Leader.      1LT Carl E. Dye of Company B has been reassigned to HHC, 25th Infantry Division. NEWLY ASSIGNED OFFICERS      On 8 November 1966, newly assigned 1LT Elliot L. Winkler Jr. assumed command of the First Platoon, Company A.      On 1 November 1966, newly arrived 2LT David A. Cope assumed command of the third platoon and 2LT Willie E. Maxwell Jr. assumed command of the weapons platoon, Company B. TDY      Captain Neal J. Senkus, of Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, has been temporarily assigned to Bangkok, Thailand, as Officer in Charge of the R&R Center for 60 days.  Cpt Senkus departed for Bangkok on 21 November.  Just for the record, there were several other officers who eagerly volunteered for this duty.  Captain Senkus said "Sorry about that!"
THE DRAGON'S TALE HAIL AND FAREWELL      Chaplain (Cpt) Bobby D Moore assumed duties as the Battalion Chaplain on 20 November 1966.  He is replacing Chaplain (Cpt) John R Fraser who was reassigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry.   Chaplain Moore arrived in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 February 1966 and served as Chaplain of the 52nd Ordnance Group at Cam Ranh Bay until he was reassigned as our 1st Brigade Chaplain.  The officers and men of the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry extend a hearty welcome to Chaplain Moore and their appreciation of a job well done and a hearty farewell to Chaplain Fraser.      On 28 November 1966, Sgt James K. Miner, the Battalion Mail Clerk, had a farewell party which was attended by LTC William E Davis, MAJ Hubert J. Whitener, and the officers and men of Headquarters Company.   Numerous friends of Sgt Miner's throughout the Division were also on hand to wish Sgt Miner a warm farewell.  PFC DeBolt was the official "Beer-Opener", ably assisted by SSG Corp of the mortar platoon.  The party was a social success and those who were present wish to extend to Sgt Miner a word of thanks for being a gracious host and success on his reassignment to Ft Polk, Louisiana.  The men of S-1 platoon would also like to wish Sgt Miner a "bon-voyage." REUNION      From 3 to 7 July 1967, the combat veterans of Company A, 2/14 Infantry plan a reunion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Anyone interested in attending the reunion will send a post-card to:   Harry Smack                       4023 N 8th St                       Philadelphia, Penn.                       19140                       Tel:   BA 9-8459                       Area Code 615		PAGE 6      Planned on the reunion is a trip to Niagara Falls, a hunting trip to the Adirondacks, and all the beverages that you are able to consume at Smack's Bar.  Also on the agenda is a "luau" which will be held at J C Child's ranch. MORALE      Company B, home of the well known "Bravo Bandits" is now providing shelter for 11 animals:  3 ducks, four dogs, and four monkeys.  These animals have been adopted as mascots by the various platoons and sections and time permitting, amusing the troops with their antics. DRAG-ON INN      Construction of the temporary Battalion EM Club began on 20 November and was completed and officially opened at 1700 hours, 22 November 1966.  From that very first moment the club was an uncontested winner, an overwhelming success.  Just ask any referee in the battalion.   This is just the beginning.  A site has been chosen for a permanent type building which will house the expanded version of the present club;  it is anticipated that construction will begin before Christmas.  Watch for Grand Opening!   The club is managed by SSG Angel Dela-Cruz who is ably assisted by Sgt James W Hurst and PFC Ackerson.  There is no doubt that the EM will support their club.   Sgt James K Miner, Battalion Mail Clerk, made the first "good-luck" contribution of five dollars on opening day.  A temporary shortage of beer has plagued the club but our G-2 indicates the supply will become more plentiful soon.   Here's mud in your eye!

 

This copy of The Dragon's Tale was obtained and has been generously contributed by Aaron Danny Hunt, Recon, HHC, 2/14th Inf., 66-67

The Dragon's Tale Vol. 1 No. 5  2-Dec-66
Copyright © 2008 Kirk S. Ramsey
Last modified: May 28, 2009