Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
frederick l smith [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign:
to John Mayteko, I talked to John Bracken, He was not on recovery ship, but he gave the name of thr crew chief. it is John Ek, also john told me the blade went through door as I had said, and was tied down with rope, hope this helps. and a happy veterans day to all of us, WELCOME HOME
November 10, 2019 - rochelle, il USA
frederick l smith [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign:
this message is for Ron Seabolt, John Mateyko, thought I should mention, if my memory serves me right. when snakedocter brought back a blade, they put it through the door opening, not sure, but that is what I remember.
November 9, 2019 - rochelle, il USA
frederick l smith [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign:
to John Mateyko, I was the crew chief, on that mission, if I remember right, we had a counterweight shot off, and it took a portion of blade off. I remember snake doctor coming in with blade sticking through door. best I can remember, my gunner and I set up perimeter as best we could. do you by chance remember who was with cwo. pat, on Feb. 8 1966 when we were shot down in flames, of which none of should have survived, but we all did. in total I was shot down 6 times, 3 times with cwo. Pat Gwaltney, he was one hell of a pilot. thank you, and have a great Veterans Day
November 9, 2019 - rochelle, il USA
John Mateyko [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign:
Fifty-four years ago today(November 8, 1965) I was flying co-pilot with Pat Gwaltney. We were shot down while escorting an Air Force HH-43 on a med-evac mission supporting the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Operation Hump. If you were the crew chief or gunner of 925, or in the repair team which came to us in Snake Doctor, please contact me.
November 8, 2019 - Lansing, IL
Steve Mackey [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
I was at s fundraising event tonight at Pechanga Casino in Temecula California. The celebrity guest this year was Loretta Swit so the event organizer, a Marine Vietnam Vet, asked us to were our jungle fatigues. Of course I had my Americal patch on my uniform. A gentleman walks up to me and asks if I was in the Americal. I said yes and he says so was I. I asked him what unit he was with. He says a helicopter unit with the snake painted on the nose, Rattlers. I took out my Rattler/Firebird coin and showed it to him. We could not believe it. He wad there in 1969. He didn’t know anything about the association or web site. He will be here checking it out. Oh and I gave him my challenge coin. I will keep in touch with him. What a small world.
October 19, 2019 - Riverside, CA USA
Chico Marcano [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Maintenance with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
It is with sadness that I report the death of Angelina Silva Elisbee at the Walmart in El Paso, TX. She is the sister of our own Tomas Silva. May she rest with our Lord in His Kingdom.
August 11, 2019 - Perkasie, PA
Stephen Tanner [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
The 196th Light Infantry Brigade will be having a reunion August 21-25 2019 at The Westin Hotel in Lombard IL. Attendance is usually around 700. Since you Rattlers/Firebirds worked with us a lot thought it might be of interest.
July 25, 2019 - McCutchenville, OH
harold bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
For any who haven't already, it's time to get our reservations in for the Mobile Reunion. Ron says we have a smaller block of rooms this time so we need reservations in early so Military Reunions can renegotiate for a larger block of rooms. Don't miss this and be disappointed when you hear how great it was. Not only will you be disappointed, but so will your fellow Rattlers and Firebirds. Let's set a new attendance record. Call or email your close friends and urge them to attend, particularly anyone who has never attended a reunion. Hope to see all of you in the Mobile Snakepit. Hal
June 30, 2019 - Gasburg, VA USA
frederick l smith [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign:
On This Memorial Day, We Must Look Back And Remember, All Of Those That Gave Their Lives For The Freedom We Enjoy, Through All Of The Years And All Of The Wars, We Live In The Greatest Country In The World, With Men Like We Fought With In Vietnam, We Will Continue To Be The Greatest Country, Welcome Home To All Of You Rattlers & Firebirds
May 27, 2019 - rochelle, il USA
harold bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
Capt Degen, I served with the Rattlers as a Capt Mar '67-Mar '68. Would love to carry on a discussion with you about both of our experiences. Please contact me by email and we can trade stories. Look forward to hearing from you.
May 4, 2019 - Gasburg, VA USA