This issue of the Dragon's Tale is dedicated to our Battalion Commander, LTC Charles A. Gillis, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.    Colonel Gillis is scheduled to depart on or about 21 May 1967.  Colonel Gillis arrived in Vietnam on 2 June 1966 ahd served as Brigade S1, HHC 1st Bde, 101st Airborne Division.  He served as Project Officer, Ground Combat Division prior to being assigned as the commander of the Golden Dragons on 16 December 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 rcall with gratitude the occasions when Colonel Gillis 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 his family and a rewarding assignment attending Graduate School at Tulane University in New Orleans.          This will be the final occasion for me to speak to you from the Dragon's Tale.  Your incoming commander, LTC Ladd, will be fortunate in receiving a unit which as just completed two highly successful operations; a unit which has good leaders;  and a unit which has the finest men anywhere.  The "scoreboard" for Operation "Manhattan" can be found elsewhere in the paper and it attests to your ability to "get the job done".    Commanding the Dragons since last December has been the highlight of my military career.  You have given me the privilege of observing and fighting with the American soldier which to me is the pinnacle of any Infantry officer's service.  You have and are proving yourselves to be made of the same fibre as the American soldier of 1812, 1917, 1942 and 1951.  You are of all creeds and color, possess varied backgrounds and hold different aspirations.  On the field of battle, however, you are but one - - - the American soldier fighting to preserve the ideals and principles of the great nation in which we live.    The issues involved in this war may not seem quite so obvious and clear cut as they were in Korea or World War II.  However, they have been stated time and again by the President of the United States in concise and understandable terms.  We must stand by our allies and other friendly nations and assist them to live the type of lives they choose.  When communism attempts to prevent this free choice the United States must asist.  This is simply a basic tenant of our foreign policy which in turn is an extension of our national policy.  Were we to shun these nations in need of help, it would be a short time indeed before a great portion of the world would be under communist domination and possibly extend into a power so great as to be capable of devouring all the free, democratic countries.  You do not want this nor do I.   THE CHAPLAIN'S CORNER    During the recent operation, "Manhattan," several interesting things occurred which either deserve special comment or will be of passing concern.    For one thing, the participation in the field worship services was top-notch.  Whenever the opportunity was given, nearly every available man was present to pray and worship God.  Now that the Battalion will be in garrison, it remains to be seen if the desire to worship was prompted more by a fear of "Charlie" than a love for God.    On one night when the Chaplain and his assistant were sleeping in the field with one of the rifle companies, a most interesting message was intercepted.  As the Chaplain was digging in for the night, a voice came from the next position, "Watch your language, the Chaplain's in the area.  Pass it on."  With a chuckle on his breath, the Chaplain dutifully passed on the warning for fellows to clean up their speech.  However, it occurred to me that it was strange to change ones behavior and language whenever the Chaplain's around - when we never stop to consider that God is always around and we really should live in a way which would be pleasing to him all the time.    On another occasion it was apparent that Celestial Dragon 1-9-er did not coordinate with the Big 6 concerning the weather report.  Just as Alpha Company was gathering for a worship service, the clouds opened above and water rained down upon the assembled congregation in torrents.  The Chaplain was heard to say that if he had only been a Methodist instead of a Baptist, he could have claimed 43 baptisms on his weekly report.  The service was conducted later after a watery delay.    In every mess hall, a literature chest has been located to provide men of all three major religious faiths an opportunity to read from devotional material.  The response thus far has been encouraging, and we have found it necessary to reorder several items.  Feel free to take as many as you need and share them with your friends. THIS WEEK'S "WORDS TO LIVE BY"'  There is an ancient proverb which says, "If everyone swept his own doorstep, then the whole world would be clean."  Roger Hull, a business executive, has written an essay based on this proverb called, "Two Kinds of People."    "Have you ever asked yourself this question:  If every citizen performed just as we do, where would the country be?  What if every fellow worked at his job the way you work, showed the same interest, the same diligence, the same faithfulness, the same skill and discipline?  What would happen to our country?    Someone has said that there are really only two kinds of people:  those who are part of the problem and those who are part of the solution.    Well, what about you?    Do you think in terms of yourself - how much you can make, what you can get out of life?  Those who think that way are definitely part of the problem.    Or are you concerned with the contribution you can make - how much you can give, how much you can put in?  People like that are part of the answer.    Some people treat life like a slot machine, trying to put in as little as possible, and always hoping to hit the jackpot.  But I believe that people are wiser, happier, and have more inner peace when they think of life as a solid, intelligent investment from which they receive in terms of what they put in.  And by so doing they help preserve our free society. p. 43  The Best of Words To Live By . . . William Nichols

 

NEWLY ASSIGNED      On 11 May 1967, 2Lt. David L. Coffman assumed duties as 2nd Platoon Leader, Company C.      On 11 May 1967, 2 Lt. Douglas H. Necessary assumed duties as 3rd Platoon Leader, Company A.      On 13 May 1967, 2Lt. Carl R. Wermuth assumed duties as 1st Platoon Leader, Company B.      On 16 May 1967, 2Lt. Robert S. Rothberg assumed duties as 2nd Platoon Leader, Company A. PROMOTION      Captain Greene B. Colvin received his new railroad tracks on 15 May 1967 at a brief ceremony conducted at the Battalion Conference Room.  Captain Colvin received his tracks from the Battalion Commander, LTC Charles A. Gillis. REASSIGNED      1Lt. William C. Mulcahy, formerly 3rd Platoon Leader, Company A, was reassigned to Headquarters Company as Recon Platoon Leader on 15 May 1967.      1Lt. David A. Cope, formerly 3rd Platoon Leader, Company B, was reassigned to Headquarters Company as Operations Liaison Officer (S-3) on 15 May 1967.      On 16 May 1967, 2Lt. John A. Arnott, formerly 2nd Platoon Leader, Company A, will assume duties as Weapons Platoon Leader, Company A.

AWARDS      On 16 May 1967, a brief awards ceremony was held at the Battalion Conference Room.  SGM Vincent F. Doyle received his 2d Star to the C.I.B. and MSG Warren C. Keck received his first Star to the C.I.B.  Our departing Battalion Commander, LTC Charles A. Gillis, made the presentations.      Also, on 7 May 1967, 1SG Joseph Wallace, Headquarters Company first sergeant, was awarded his first Star to the C.I.B.   BIRTHDAYS      SSG William V. Ellis, Company A, celebrated his twenty-seventh birthday on 16 May 1967.      SGT Carlos Rodriguez, Company A, celebrated his twenty-fourth birthday on 134 May 1967.      SGT Fanuatanu F. Mamea, Company A, celebrated his twenty-sixth birthday on 3 May 1967. BIRTHS      On 1 May 1967, PFC John C. Pitts, Company A, was notified by his wife that she gave birth to a 5 pound, 3 ounce baby girl on 9 April 1967.   WELCOME BACK      The officers and men of the battalion would like to welcome back SP5 Floyd W. Noble, Headquarters Company on his return from the hospital.

REPLACEMENTS      The officers and men of the battalion would like to welcome the following individuals to the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry "Golden Dragons" HHC

PFC Arvin G. Turner PFC William M. Bishop PFC Dennis R. Stancil PFC John A. Overton, Jr. SP5 John W. Aldrich, Jr. PFC David A. Gerren PFC George Edney PFC Jess A. Freeman PFC Alma Benson, Jr. SGT Johnny R. Crawford SP5 Raymond R. Wampler PFC Zephanial W. Richison SP4 Robert A. Bertoldi PFC Andre M. Lacorbiere PFC Robert W. Hoffman SGT Robert J. Wilson, Jr. SP4 Victor Cefaratti SP4 Donald A. Phillips PFC Ronald L. Coleman SP5 Roger F. Clark PFC Robert L. Howe PFC George Velasguez SSG Robert L. Peters PFC Oviroslars Schult PFC David G. Delgado SSG Albert J. Petrick PSG Lawrence Lackey SSG Charles A. Jackson

Co A

PFC Thomas Bell PFC Robert J. Conte PFC Donald R. Grover PFC John J. Piggee PFC Thomas S. Clay PFC Harold D. Carter PFC Leon D. Turner PFC William R. Cornelius PFC John W. Heckathorn PFC Ruben M. Agosto, Jr. PFC Ronald H. McIntosh PFC David Cordiero SP4 Leon Cheeks PFC Donald S. Moses PFC Irving W. Timmerman PFC Raymond R. Humphrey SGT Thomas Benjamin PFC Walter A. Ahmad SP4 Ignacio E. Vite

Co B

PFC Robert C. Fisher PFC John E. McCarty PFC Michael C. Kamph PFC Charles A. Moyer PFC Glenn Jackson, Jr. PFC Andrew J. McKenna PFC Denny Riley PFC Daniel Brown PFC Terrence Smith PFC Bob Harding PFC James M. Benson PFC Randy L. Betschart PFC Michael K. Autry PFC Francis W. Burns, Jr. PFC Barnett T. Farris PFC Robert E. Gonzales PFC Clarence E. Norton PFC Gary A. Pavlenkov PFC Dennis M. Hamma PFC Roger L. Childress PFC David M. Calhoun PFC Paul F. Muse PFC Felix R. Swiercinski PFC Louis C. Cruz SP4  George E. Hickok PFC Gerald L. Suttles PFC Roger D. Rawles PFC Leo N. Pineda PFC Jose A.C. Nieves PFC Larry J. Keeton PFC Michael P. Easer PFC Lonnie L. Goodman SSG Earnest D. Carraway PFC Eugene C. Clark PFCJohn A. Grassadonic PFC Willis R. Manoy PFC Larry D. Ware PFC Joseph H. Mason PFC Gary L. Runkles PFC Michael J. Meneligh SP4 Harold R. Clenden SP4 Richard A. Wienke

Co C

PFC Clifford N. Penserum PFC Danny L. Cathey PFC Frankie H. Pernell PFC Jack M. Fauth PFC Kenneth B. Carpenter PFC Idelfonso Irizarry PFC Richard D. Goetz PFC Terry E. Littlepage PFC Alan Hoffman PFC Robert R. Morris PFC Alan S. Kursner PFC Luthey C. Russell, Jr. PFC John A. Carpentieri PFC Sonnie G. Strength PFC Fred S. Smith PFC Reuben J. Glass, Jr. PFC Harry L. Heath SSG Curtis I. Jordan

STATESIDE SUPPORTERS      Not everyone these days is joining the demonstrators against U.S. involvement in South Viet Nam.  In fact, the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry has its own special supporters stateside.  Twenty-three girls and fourteen boys of the second grade, SS Peter and Paul School in Depew, New York, have adopted the Golden Dragons as their own Viet Nam Battalion.  One of their classmates, Miss Kim DeCollibus, wrote to us recently, "Our class goes to church every morning and we pray for all the men over there that God will keep you all safe."  they also report, "We have been hearing all about the things that are happening over there in Vietnam, and it makes us very sad to see so much suffering.  You are all in our prayers every day and we hope the war will soon be over so that you can all come back home again."  The letter is signed, "Your friends in the U.S., The Second Grade of Saints Peter and Paul School."      It is encouraging to note that all of the younger generation is not shirking its responsibilities to uphold our American freedoms and to support those of us who are doing the actual fighting to carry out our national policy.  To show how much we appreciate their support, we are suggesting that the Golden Dragons adopt the second grade class of Saints Peter and Paul School as our very special stateside supporters.  As a token of our new friendships, we are sending a Vietnamese Calendar to each member of the class; and we would like to send them pictures of members of the Battalion and some of the places we have been.  If you would like to contribute some of your own snapshots for this purpose, please contact either 1LT Paul Vasylionis or Chaplain Benner as soon as possible.  Let's show them how much we appreciate their support!

 

This copy of The Dragon's Tale was obtained and has been generously contributed by Mickey E. Powell, Charlie Co.,  2/14th Inf., 66-67    The Dragon's Tale Vol. 1 No. 13  17-May-67 Copyright © 2008 Kirk S. Ramsey Last modified: May 21, 2009