Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
Norm ND Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
Hey Gary! you ol' webmaster you... I posted a comment on the "In Memoriam" to Top Harris.. it doesn't show up afterward, is there a lag time or something? Norm
September 14, 2015 - oakdale, Calif United Sta
Norm ND Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
re: Schimdt, Peter A. - about Miss millers story, I'm wondering how or what are details that tie him to the Rattlers... for if he was then indeed he ought to be added to his place of honor in our "Taps" page.
August 29, 2015 - oakdale, CA United Sta
Greg Arndt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
I received this email from Erin and would like to pass it on to anyone who could help here collect this information. She is looking for information concerning Peter Schmidt and the mission he was lost and if anybody knew him and has some personal information about him. I hope someone can help her and Peter get some of the recognizition he deserves. My name is Erin Miller and I'm a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I'm in the process of putting together an oral history book of accounts from Vietnam era soldiers around Madison. It is being done with the assistance of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and the supervision of Professor John Sharpless, but it is something I want to do to honor our veterans and give them a chance to tell their stories. While I've been researching this, I've come across the 41 servicemen from Wisconsin who are, or were previously, listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War. I tried to follow up on the accounts of several of the soldiers, including SP4 Peter Schmidt, but was not able to find out much beyond federal reports. Honoring our veterans and soldiers is something I feel very strongly about, and, after discussing it with Professor Sharpless, I was hoping to be able to do this for the Vietnam War MIA. He and I discussed compiling a short book of biographies of these men to bring their stories to light. We have made some progress on this in the last few months, and are soon going to talk with the Wisconsin Historical Society about helping in publication. SP4 Peter Schmidt was declared MIA after his helicopter crashed during a reconnaissance extraction mission in Laos on August 15, 1970. I found your name and email address on the Rattler/Firebird Association website. I was wondering if you knew SP4 Schmidt and would be willing to speak with me about him, or if you know anyone who would. If so, I would greatly appreciate your help. You can reach me at this address or by my cell phone, (608) 438-8178. Thank you for your time. Erin Miller
August 28, 2015 - Huntsville, al USA
Norm ND Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
amen Pat, amen. Clear up left Peter A., welcome home brother. ND Pruett 1st plt. Widowmakers 71st AHC RVN 70-71 "Clear up left Cpt. Arno"
August 23, 2015 - oakdale, CA USA
Pat Emery [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
In memory of Sp.4 Peter A. Schmidt, "Rattler' gunner lost in Laos 45 yrs ago today. Rest in Peace.
August 17, 2015 - Globe, AZ USA
Hal Bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
A note of interest for all of you Firebirds. I just stumbled across the Firebird Association website. The 17th Airlift Squadron of the old Army Air Corps (Firebirds) had a very distinguished record during WWII. One might think there could be something significant about the similarity of the number of the unit, but of course when the Firebird name was selected, the unit was A Company, 501st. Wonder if the Firebird name had anything to do with the selection of the 71st as the resignation of A/501st. Quite a coincidence.
July 19, 2015 - Gasburg, VA USA
Jessica Morris [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
This is an amazing site! Thank you to all of you, I was looking around and saw my grandfather's name Arnold C. Morris "Ace", if anyone knew him or has pictures or stories to share of him I would love see/hear them. He was with the 71st Rattlers
July 5, 2015 - Aurora, CO USA
Hal Bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 16 & 3
Note to Dennis ref our commander's name during his father's tour with the unit. We have the names and dates for all of our commanders while the unit was in country. However, in order to determine who your father's CO was, we need to know when your dad was with the unit. Contact me at Halbow@telpage.net with the dates and I'll be glad to give you that info. Hal
July 2, 2015 - Gasburg, VA USA
J.T. Johnson [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Snake Doctor crewman
Does anyone remember someone named Ron Howard who served with us in late 68 to late 69. He contacted my old crew chief John Duncan and said he was with us around that same time. Memories fade but if I was to see a picture from that time frame I might remember him. Thanks
July 1, 2015 - Mountain Home, AR USA
Dennis Schoenborn [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
Hi, I need some help with finding out who the commanding officer was for the Rattlers during my dad's tour. Was it Col. Fern? Thank you! Dennis
June 29, 2015 - Hutto, Texas United Sta