2012 Jan - Feb

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

I got e-mail from Al JOY who served with the 15th MED at An Khe Jan 1966 to Aug ‘67. He writes, “I was never involved in anything heroic, but I have a number of stories, mostly humorous, a few horrific I would be glad to share with you. I've ‘held on’ to these stories for almost fifty years with the intentions on passing them on someday. I guess today is the day. I'm sixty-five years old and have no intention of getting into the writing business so you might as well benefit from them." We’ll see what Al has, which may be inspiring for others to reminisce.

When asked about his background info he replied, “A Co. 15th MED Bn. (Airborne). My first tour was mostly spent as one of the catch all troopers. Drove for the First Sargent and got to participate in a lot of interesting duties. Because I was a Spec. 4 I wasn't the low man on the totem pole, but I got to participate in most of the crap jobs that need doing as the supervisor. I spent weeks on the perimeter watching for an enemy that we couldn't see, and for the most part wasn't ever there. My field time was acquired during my first tour while on ‘loan’ to various infantry units ( I even did a couple of weeks with the 7th Cav). As my time with the unit increased I was given more Medical duties and eventually ended up in the triage tent. When I was in the Triage tent I was definitely the low man on the totem pole. As an E-5 I was just there to learn and finish up.

“When my second tour began I was a seasoned Medic. A 10 week medical degree from Ft. Sam, a year’s infantry experience with the 506th Infantry stateside, and a year of genuine boots on combat experience with the 15th MED. Most of '67 was spent working in the field hospitals in the forward areas. My tour of ‘excitement’ had ended with my first year, and most of my remaining time was spent actually working as a Medic. I'll send you a few stories of my most memorable moments in the next few weeks, but be forewarned that my two tours of Nam wouldn't make a decent chapter for a Rambo movie.”

CPT Jamie CULBREATH jamie.culbreath@us.army.mil of Fort Hood, TX, comments: “I currently serve as the Charlie Company Medical Commander. I took command in August 2011 to present and would like to send out a Thank You to my predecessors throughout history. Nothing would be possible without your dedication and sacrifice. I am proud to be carrying the lineage that so many of you have built. Thank You! Jamie CULBREATH, CPT, MS Commander C Co., 15th BSB, 2/1 CD "Shamans...To Hell and Back"

Edward DIAL edrosdl@insightbb.com from Louisville Kentucky signed in the Guestbook, “Co. A 15th MED Bn. June 1967 to June 1968. Did a lot of growing up in that year.”

Derek Bull BOEVE deboeve@att.net Havana, FL, writes, “I just wanted to thank those of you who flew into FSB J [sounds like Jamie] as well as many other times to extract us wounded. You didn't let those green .51 cal tracers stop you from pulling us out at daybreak. After all these years thank you brave sons of @#%$!....Derek Bull, BOEVE, A 2/7 Cold Steel 3rd platoon, 2nd squad, bunker 18. Firebase J [sounds like Jamie] 3/29/1970 Garryowen.”

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