Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
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
Ale cruz [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
sorry for the bad news Brothers and sisters but again we lost another brother in arms my father Chico marcano is now with God and all the other brothers who have gone befor him.
June 5, 2021 - Pikeville, NC usa
Norman Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: nose art Peace/ANKA
Reports of the Mobile reunion sound great, as in wish I'd been there great! to say the least at being guilty of not supporting my fellows Rattlers! which is what I believe we do when we're at those get togethers.. even though I've only made one! 2000 St Louis... "failure to communicate" McQueen said... I'm guessing that's what PTSD does.. or maybe Im just blaming PTSD lol... I wish I were more responsible and courageous enough to go to all these rendezvous... I miss you guys and have an undying respect for each of you who were brave enough to our jobs back then, without opting to the Jane Fonda protesters... anyway long way around, to just say hope y'all had a happy and Gracious Memorial day! And know that we will carry the weight of the stories and names to our graves, hell that's the saying in the song "He ain't heavy he's my brother!" ... God bless and welcome home brothers!
June 2, 2021 - Lincoln, CA United States