Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
Norman Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Peace sign ANKA nose
Hey guys, a little sneak preview! When I came home in 71' I had one the Firebird Calling cards, "You Call We Kill", in my wallet. Many years ago I posted a picture of it here in our "Vietnam Photographs" section, under "Norm Pruett's Pictures". I always intended to send it in, to include in our memorabilia display, but had lost it.. well just tonight my wife Leslie found it! I'm making arrangement with Ron to ship it in, I hope our surviving Firebirds enjoy it! As we all sure enjoyed the cover they gave us in those hot LS's God bless bro's and welcome home ... to our Firebirds Calling Card!
September 10, 2021 - Lincoln, CA United States
Michael Stone [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
From January to June 1968 I served as an infantry platoon leader with the Americal Division, 1/52, 198th LIB. Flew many missions with the Rattler crews. I remember in particular one pilot named "Fitz". Flew with him a few times back and forth from LZ Baldy to Chu Lai. Was also on LZ Anne, Center and West among others. A special thanks to the pilots and crew who provided fire support for my unit on June 6 1968 in "Dragon Valley" and the dust off that flew into a hot LZ to evacuate me and several of my men to the hospital in Chu Lai that day.
September 6, 2021 - Exeter, RI United States
Marty Visser [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
does anyone recall the tail number of "Smokey"; the UH-1H model equipped with the fog oil sprayer mounted in the engine exhaust and pump and bladder tank under the cabin passenger seats? I crewed this bird for a little while and am looking for this information to complete a project, better yet if there any photos of her doing her thing; i.e., laying smoke, that would be fabulous
September 3, 2021 - Denton, Texas USA
Marty Visser [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
does anyone recall the tail number of "Smokey"; the UH-1H model equipped with the fog oil sprayer mounted in the engine exhaust and pump and bladder tank under the cabin passenger seats? I crewed this bird for a little while and am looking for this information to complete a project, better yet if there any photos of her doing her thing; i.e., laying smoke, that would be fabulous
September 3, 2021 - Denton, Texas USA
John Mateyko [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: Rattler 21
Do any Rattlers or Firebirds in the areas affective by heavy rains and winds in the past five days need any help?
September 2, 2021 - Lansing, IL United States
Stephen Alexander [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
My deepest thanks for creating and maintaining this great website. Not only is it the important documentation of an important part of the Vietnam war, but for someone such as myself and my family it helped solve the mystery of one of our family members death. A phone call in 1969 about the death of our cousin Barry now has a full story to it. It was researching what happened in Vietnam on 9/22/69 that lead me to your site. ~ I would suggest that if it hasn't been already this entire site should be archived at the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. My wife has been at the LC now for 30 years and was one of the staff member to head it up, as well as being one of the people to staff the table at it's first big kick-off at the opening of the WW2 memorial in DC. Her father was WW2 signal corp. front lines through most of the European theater so she has a personal connection. If you need help getting the archiving done please don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks again.
August 26, 2021 - Baltimore, MD USA
Hal Bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 16 & 3
Another sad day. Just learned that we lost Joe Galloway co-author of "We were Soldiers Once, and Young" as well as author of "God's Own Lunatics". Vietnam Veterans lost a great friend and advocate. He was a guest speaker at 2 of our reunions and gave very moving presentations. I wish you a great landing, Joe
August 18, 2021 - Wake Forest, N.C. USA
ND Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Nose art peace sign
God rest Brother Chico, I remember him: Chico's passing and Hal's post makes me want to mention something, otherwise i'd keep private: All you ex Firebirds n Rattlers -ATTENTION! Go apply your PTSD disability NOW! before its too late. I applied last Feb - just got awarded 70%...in case you're wondering - that's 1,444$ per month!!! Do it! you're owed that money! We EARNED it, its not a hand out! Don't sit on your behinds thinking it over - just DO IT! start by finding your local VA advocate, the rest is easy, really. The Gov has set aside millions for this, they expect you to claim it!
August 17, 2021 - Lincoln, CA USA
Hal Bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 16 & 3
This has been a very depressing 2 weeks. First my friend, Jim Dunham passes and now 2 of our Rattlers have passed. Though both of the Rattlers were considerably ahead of me, our paths crossed later. Duke Schwem was on his 3rd tour in July, 1971 when he replaced me as commander of the 335th AHC (Cowboys & Falcons) at Dong Tam. Don Kleiber was a close by neighbor at Ft Benning in 1976-77. I wish them both a safe landing in a secure LZ.
August 8, 2021 - Wake Forest, N.C. USA
Hal Bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 16 & 3
A very close friend of mine for the last 59 years passed away yesterday morning. Capt.James Spencer Dunham (Jim) was an assistant S-3 of the 14th AVN Bn in the summer and fall of '67. Some of you guys may have met him there. We had been OCS and Fixed Wing flight school classmates then were assigned together for 3 yrs in the Avn section of 1st Bde, 8th Div in Mainz, Germany. We both received our helicopter training at the 7th Army Aviation School near Munich, Germany Jim preceded me to RVN but we were soon reunited at Chu Lai. We then both returned to Ft Rucker as IPs for a few months until Jim opted to return to civilian life. In 1972, we were reunited for 2 yrs while I was assigned to Cinncinati, Oh. RMS. Jim was living in Cinncinati at the time. We maintained contact and shortly after I left the army and settled in the Raleigh, NC area, Jim relocated about 60 miles away in High Point, NC. We spent many happy times together at my home on Lake Gaston and at Jim's mountain cabin near Boone, NC. Jim later served in the Army Reserves sufficient time to qualify for retirement at his active duty rank of captain. Jim was a great friend, a good soldier and a fine gentleman. He will be sorely missed by many, including myself. Hal
July 25, 2021 - Wake Forest, N.C. USA