Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
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
William Mancil [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
The huey(497)was the ship that I was a gunner on from April 69 thru March 1970.My first crew chief was Bernard Smith from Texas.He went to the Firebirds & Hockensmith was my crew chief till I derosed.
June 22, 2021 - Pearson, Ga. USA
William Mancil [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
The huey(497)was the ship that I was a gunner on from April 69 thru March 1970.My first crew chief was Bernard Smith from Texas.He went to the Firebirds & Hockensmith was my crew chief till I derosed.
June 22, 2021 - Pearson, Ga. USA
Doug Starkey [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
We haven't had a Reunion Photo Gallery posted since 2016...?
June 20, 2021 - ELIOT, Maine United States
Hal Bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 16 & 3
Chico was a very cheerful brother. Always a big smile on his face. May he rest in peace. We'll all be joining him soon. Hal
June 8, 2021 - Wake Forest, N.C. USA
Steve Hopkins [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
I realize now that I should’ve posted the story about the water on our story page but too late now !!!
June 7, 2021 - ,
Steve Hopkins [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
I really enjoyed my first reunion and Danny Conn was great to see you and my buddy Tom Stemmes. I also got to see Jim Fulbright that I flew quite a bit with. I’m going to talk about a mission that happened in 1971. I only remember it kind of spotty. We were going out to take the grunts some water. We flew down a jungle Valley until we saw that a grunt popped smoke on the side of the mountain. The pilot came in sideways into the side of the mountain with me sitting in the door chopping his way into the jungle. Shortly we saw a grunt waving from the elephant grass we couldn’t land and I started throwing the water jugs out they were kind of like a milk jug except softer and probably 3 to 5 gallons !!! Every time I threw one out the door it would bust all over the grunt like a water balloon. It was funny as hell. And he just kept calling for more. That Grunt must’ve been terribly thirsty !!! About three of them bounced off him and landed in the grass out of a bout eight jugs !!! Thank God for that pilots excellent flying or we would’ve all been dead !! Just throwing this out there to see if someone remembers it. It’s one of those things you wouldn’t forget!!!! Steve!!
June 7, 2021 - Claremore, Ok Us
Danny Conn [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Maintenance with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
CHICO' We loved U Brother, and we always will. You left your mark on us all. We were so proud to have U for a BROTHER" You will be at our next reunion, and the ones that follow."your soul Chico" Will never leave us. To the family of Chico,Your hurt is our hurt. Rest in Peace Brother. AMEN.
June 6, 2021 - Vanderbilt, PA. USA
greg arndt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
Just read the sad news about Chico. So glad I was able to see him and talk with him at the reunion. His cheerful and loving personality made him a popular brother. We have lost another of our own. May you rest in peace my friend.
June 5, 2021 - Huntsville, Al