2015 Nov-Dec

MEDEVAC 15th Med\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main Copperas Cove, TX 76522
1704 254-542-1961
E-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com

Note the new 15th MED Assn. Web address: www.15thmedbnassociation.org . The new Webmaster is Ron "Baby Huey" Huether. The previous Website, <www.15thmedassociation.com> is still accessible for historical and other information until such information is transferred to the new Website.

Emil (Lefty) Ercolano gotopop13@yahoo.com of C 2-7 Cav '68-'69 writes: "I was Medevaced to 15th MED on 10 Oct 1968. My squad was pulling security for the engineers sweeping Hwy 1. On our trip back, the dump truck we were in hit a mine and we were blown out of truck. Can't find any medical records of me being at 15th MED up at Camp Evans. Maybe with a little luck one of your guys might remember the incident." Anyone with any suggestions for Emil on how to obtain records please contact him.

From Terry McCarl: "One of the most unforgettable characters at HSC 15th MED Bn. was not a person, but a primate, Charlie, the monkey. I'm not sure when or how Charlie became the more-or-less official unit mascot. He was there when I arrived at Phuoc Vinh in November '68 and was still there when I left in November '69. Attached is a photo that I took of Charlie during 1969.

"During my tour, Charlie was under the primary care of Orben Pratt, CPT, VC (Veterinary Corps) whose tour was from 05/68-05/69. Attached is a photo of Charlie's hooch located by the Veterinary and Optometry Clinics (photo by John E. Taylor, CPT, MSC, Optometrist, 06/69-06/70). "In his book, So that Others may Live, Dale McGuff (Medic, MEDEVAC, 10/69-03/70) devoted a chapter (#27) to Charley and his exploits. Some comments from some 15th MED brothers that I have received seem to indicate the following: Charlie was at HSC at least as late as March '71. Some remember a monkey around HSC whose name was 'Monk' as far back as '66 through January '68. Possibly the same monkey renamed for whatever reason. "Charlie was somewhat entertaining to watch, but had a real mean streak-would bite, steal, make messes, and a lot of other nasty stuff! If anyone has any memories of Charlie, please let me know (terryamccarl@gmail.com ). I am curious as to how long he was at HSC and what eventually happened to him. Thanks!"

Also from Terry, "SEEN IN VIETNAM; Here are some signs that I remember seeing in VN in 1969: Unit Sign for Defoliating unit at Long Binh: 'Only We Can Prevent Forests.' Signs in Supply Rooms of 1st Cav units (forgot which ones): 'Hey, GI! We got a name for your toilet paper. We call it 'John Wayne.' Because it rough, it tough, and it don't take s**t off anybody.' 'They say we must win the hearts and minds of the people. I say, 'Let us grab them by the b***s, and their hearts and minds will follow!' Unit sign for Engineer unit at Long Binh: 'The difficult, we do immediately. The impossible takes a little longer!' Signs at HSC 15th MED mess hall identifying flavors of Kool-Aid available one day in 1969: 'ETS Orange,' 'DEROSING Lime,' and 'Lifer Cherry.' Writing on wall of latrine, 1st Cav Unit (forgot which one.): 'People who write on s**t house walls should wad their s**t in little balls. People who read these lines of wit should have to eat these bits of s**t!' 'Never run when you can walk. Never walk when you can stand. Never stand when you can sit. Never sit when you can lie down.'"

Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the world; over and out.

FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 '69
MEDEVAC 1-7\70
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE