Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
David M. Spahr [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
I was Shark 2, 174th AHC, out of Duc Pho in 68-69. On Sept. 22, 1969 we were "scambled" out of Duc Pho to support an action up "north". When we arrived and contacted the AMC(air mission commander, as it turned out, a Major flying around in an OH6)we were told that an air assault had literally landed "on top" of the enemy on top of a hill and that there was an aircraft down and friendly infantry on the ground taking fire. I flew over the area and saw the aircraft with two crew members still inside. I also saw somebody in a foxhole(spiderhole) located about 20 feet from the downed aircraft. It was too close to the aircraft and the US troops to put in minigun fire or rockets so I flew low and slow so that my crew chief, Harrison Bell(KIA 1970)could place fire with his M60. His M60 jammed and this guy stands up and stitches us up with his AK47. His fire ignites our rocket motors. As I dive off the hill to avoid the fire, my teammate(LT Jerry Crispin, Shark3, calmly announces, "2, you're on fire". We tried the electrical jettison and the manual jettison without success. CE Bell climbed out on the pylon with a screw driver and finally released the burning pod. As we were almost out of gas we landed near a US armor unit. In those days they ran on diesal fuel, not JP4! While we were waiting for a 55 gallon drum of JP4, the AMC (Major) landed next to us and asked us what we were shooting our rockets at!(He assumed that the flaming pod falling from our aircraft was aimed at something! Tragically I found out upon my return to Duc Pho that the crew I had seen was with with the 71 AHC and that the pilot I had seen in his seat was WO Barry Alexander who was my classmate in flight school. I have a photo of a Shark and a Firebird together (things were thin and we made up a team for the day). How can I post it to your site?
July 9, 2003 - alexandria, virginia usa
Steve Mackey [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
Just a welcome home to all the 71st. Hope to see everyone in Washington, DC
July 7, 2003 - Riverside, CA USA
Kenneth I. Nelson [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
The site was informative. I'm looking for more infomation. Just recived photos and a foot locker from Renick, Rattler 17 1969-70.
June 26, 2003 - Richmond, Virginia United States
PATRICK BOLTINGHOUSE [E-mail]
Former: Warrant Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: FIREBIRD 99
HOPEFULLY NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN FOUND AND MIGHT BE ABLE TO REMEMBER BACK TO JUNE/JULY 67 WHEN I WAS SHOT IN THE BACK OF ME ARMORED SET. OF ALL THINGS, I FOUND THE DOCUMENTS FROM A BACK OPERATION I HAD IN 76 WHERE THE DOCTOR STATED THAT "THIS MAN HAD A RUPTURED DISC PRIOR TO APR. 1976. I MIGHT BE GRASPING AT STRAWS, BUT WORTH THE TRY FOR MY CLAIM. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A NAME TO PUT WITH "SOMEONE GETTING SHOT IN THE BACK OF HIS ARMORED SEAT" STORY, PLEASE WRITE ME A LETTER. AGAIN, THIS IS MORE THAN A GREAT SITE AND WONDERFUL TO READ SO MANY NAMES THAT I SERVED WITH. GOD BLESS, PATRICK
June 6, 2003 - SACRAMENTO, CA. USofA
Jim Meyer USA/ret. [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
When the SF left Ha Thanh or Son Ha (Camp A-104) in June 70, I stayed with sa five man mobile advisory team and the US district bunch...to include the Phoenix office. Me and my team worked with the wonderful Hre Montagnard tribesmen in the RF/PF program. We were completely dependent upon resupply and support from the air, and I fondly recall the welcome inbound radio call from the brave men of the Rattlers. I salute all the fine soldiers from the sky who meant so much to us. Thank you.
June 4, 2003 - NULL, VA NULL
J.T. Johnson [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Maintenance with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
I have a South Vietnam flag which I remember I pulled from the top of a tree while on a test flight after a PE inspection. I think Lavigne and Martino were on this flight since it was their ship or they were on the PE crew prior to flying. Either way I was hanging from the gun mount telling the pilot (Eisley?) to back up etc. and only realized later that my mic cord had come unplugged and he couldn't hear a word I was saying. We flew without a peter pilot and either Martino or Lavigne took pictures of me hanging out. I never saw those pictures since later both of them were killed. I still wonder if may accounting of this is accurate. If anyone out there remembers please let me know.
May 31, 2003 - Plano, IL USA
Bill Di Dio [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Choose with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
If someone has a picture of Stephen Martino (KIA 8/19/69), I would appreciate it if you would post it...trying to connect the name with a face...thank you in advance.
May 29, 2003 - Pembroke Pines, FL USA
Ken Lombardi [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
Hello, "Charley",(7/17TH) and brothers of the 71st. Always remember.Ken / 155AHC / Ban Me Thout
May 27, 2003 - NULL, NULL NULL
Randy Billings Sr [E-mail]
Former: Warrant Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: RATTLER 17
HEY RATTLERS AND FIREBIRDS,JUST WANTED TO WISH EVERYONE A GOOD MEMORIAL WEEK-END AND GOD BLESS AMERICA .RANDY "RATTLER 17" bILLINGS
May 24, 2003 - Eddington, Me U.S.A
Tom Pratt [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 12
Good to find this site. Good to see names like Paxton (em) Len Ecker R-28.Would like to hear from Kerry McMahon or Steve Isreal or any of a whole bunch of guys who are all part of old memories that need to be revived
May 13, 2003 - Rancho Cucamonga, CA USA