Guest Book for 1st Battalion 6th Infantry Home Page (Vietnam era)

Guest Book Entries

Because of AOL memory constraints and the size of this web site, the guest book entries will be
consolidated, condensed, and added or linked to this page. Please email if "mistakes were made."

Please forward your guest book entries and comments to wr9r@cei.net or wr9r@aol.com.

If you served in the 1st Battalion 6th Infantry in Vietnam, please indicate the specific unit and dates.
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1
Apr
01 Kenneth A. McNab
KMcNab@interactive.rogers.com HHC 1-6
Sep70-Jun71 Great site. I served primarily in the S-4 Shop, as Support Platoon Leader, PBO, Motor Officer and acting S-4 at times. Moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where I still live as a retired (disability) federal civil servant. Best of luck with the site.
"LT Mac"

10
Mar
01 Don Kaiser
Dondkaiser@aol.com A/1-6
1967-68 I have contacted 48 men from A Co. and have pictures and an account of the battle at Lo Giang in Feb 68. A Co lost 19 dead and 55 wounded. [Don has offered to help add information to the site from that time frame when the 1-6 Inf was awarded the Valorous Unit Citation for its part in Operation Miracle]

4
Mar
01 Donald R. McCabe
mt.hope@mindspring.com 4/A/1-6
Sep69-Sep70 Thanks for the web site, really enjoy looking at it. I was a squad leader and have contacts with others in the platoon. Hi to all Co. A Gunfighters

2
Mar
01 Mark (Hoppy) Hoplin
tv3@lakesnet.net 4/C/1-6 Inf
Nov70-Jun71 Thanks so much for the site. None of my things got back to the world, so I don't have any photos - only my headband and what was in my pockets. The information on the site has put the whole experience into perspective. We had a mission and we accomplished what we set out to do. At the time it seemed like nobody knew what we were doing or why. I am just amazed to learn that we knew what VC & NVA units were fighting, their strength, and whether we had any effect on them. Our missions had names and a purpose.[Mark provided info about soldiers at Dai Loc]

30
Feb
01 John Foster
jofo@home.com 4/B/1-6 Inf
70-71 You can't believe how much excitement the 1/6 Inf and 3/B/1-6 websites have stirred in me. It is such a rush seeing all of those names and faces that I had placed in memory by had gotten "fogged up" due to the passing of time.[John sent photos of Dai Loc and Van Thien that are on the site]

27
Feb
01 Russell Martin
Rmgraywolf50@aol.com 4/B/1-6 (att fr
A/1-14 Arty)
Aug 70-Jun 71 B Co was my second tour. I was working with FO LT Cooper. He was wounded and then we got another FO. Rich (?) was our RTO. My first tour was with A/1-14 arty at LZ Dottie Apr 69-Apr 70. I sure like this web site. It brings back memories good and bad. I have some photos and will send them as soon as I get a scanner.

18
Feb
01 Basil (Ricco) Pederzani
Sunrunr24@cs.com 2/C/1-6
Jan 70-Nov70 I have been in touch with SGT McPherson my plt. sgt. until Jul 70. I have a few pictures from the field and various operations that might be interesting to the people. Luckily I wrote most of the names on the backs, so identification should be easy. This is the first contact I've had with anyone since 1970. I never realized how much of it was still with me. You guys have done an unbelievable job with these pages--they are great.

9
Feb
01 Terry B. Lem
tlem@centurytel.net 4/B/1-6
Jul 69-Jul 70 Greetings. Address is N6142 Thronson Drive, Ladysmith, Wisconsin 54848. MOS was 11B40 - finished tour as a SGT in mortar plt. It would be great to see a full roster of Bravo Co. from '69 and '70. In one afternoon my platoon went down to 5 -i.e. mine field. Great site please keep up the good work. I will contribute more later.

7
Feb
01 Larry Boetsch
ALBOETSCH@msn.com 1-6 Inf
Oct 67- I am an original who shipped over with the 1/6 Inf in Oct 67. We are having a reunion this June in Cleveland, OH. Many of the original grunts willbe there. Those of you who were there after us should come & we will share stories.

30
Jan
01 Robert Behm
rbehm@epix.net 3/C/1-6 Inf
Jul70-Nov70 I was injured when coming back from patrol. I got into a booby trap of barbed wire on 1 Oct 70 and injured my right knee. I was sent to 27th Surg Hosp. If you know of me or someone who does I would appreciate it. I am trying to get verification for the purpole heart. Thanks.

23
Jan
01 Don Pannell
bpannell@iopener.net C/1-6 Inf
Aug68-Aug69 May God Bless all who served our country's efforts in Viet Nam and "other" areas that we "were never there!" Death Valley, Rocket Pocket, Hill 707, Hill 69, Fat City and others.

10
Jan
01 Jerry Griffith
GGriff662@aol.com E Recon
1-6 Inf
Nov69-Mar70 Nice site. After Recon I went to A Co 123rd Avn till Nov 70. I will send some photos later.

7
Jan
01 Stetson Tinkham
toucan@ix.netcom.com FO, C/1-6 Inf
(1-14 Arty)
Nov 70-Feb71 Good work, albeit totall "grunt-centric!" Will try to did up some 1/14 Arty records so you can fill in the names of artillery types who were "on the ground" with the Regulars. [Stetson supplied the names of several FO and details of several fights]

5
Jan
01 Chuck Schumacher
Chucks70@home.com E Recon
1-6 Inf
70-71 A friend Bill Devan from Recon 1-6 called and told me about this web page. Great job to everyone for their hard work. All the photos and stories sure brought back memories.

17
Dec
00 Lynn Baker
LBaker1947@aol.com D/1-6
1970 On the way home from Vietnam I worked very hard trying to forgt. NOW I want to remember but can't. Thanks for the work on the WIA/KIA 1970 page-that is very meaningful information. [Lynn sent a video he made from an old 8mm film he took in Vietnam; still photos from it will be posted on the site. He also created a D/1-6 roster for the site]

3
Dec
00 Arthur "R.C." Castro
arc1@earth1.net 2/B/1-6
Jul 70-Jul 71 Just visited your site and plan on doing so regularly. Great job, to Ray and anyone else involved.

27
Nov
00 David Disch
namvet99@hotmail.com C/1-6
Jul 70- Dec 70 I found the 1/6 site through a link from the Americal home page. I was the RTO for the Forward Observer team, but did not see any names for the FO team on the unit roster on the site. Any way to find out names that are not on the list? The pictures and stories brought back come memories. I have been back to Nam twice so far and it has been a healing process. Thanks.
Life is good!! So is God!! :)

16
Nov
00 Richard D. Ross
rdross@charter.net HHC 1-6
May 67-Sep68 I served as the Bn PSNCO. LTC Baxter was the first CO and at the time I left, LTC Kelly was Co and MAJ McDonald was the S3. I remember assisting in preparing the paperwork for the VSM the Bn was awarded. Will send photos and rosters of the Bn at that time

Nov
00 Randolph H. Bordner
"Randy"
randy.bordner@gte.net D/1-6
1970 I just found your website; its great. Thank you. [Randy was in refit area at the time of the attack by the Viet Cong in the "Commando Raid" story. He also provided additional details about the firefight mentioned in the "198th Inf Bde Commander Wounded" story]

[Nov 00] Doug Sykes
Ddamnedsaint@webtv.net 2/D/1-6
1969 Mugsy (Claude Pavia) and Mumbles (Matias), thanks for saving my life. I never got a chance to thank you guys. When the medic said I would die because my appendiz had burst from rocket concussions and no medivacs were available, you guys said in unision "no he's not!" You decided to risk it and drove down QL1 in the middle of the night to get me to the hospital. You both deserve a medal for bravery for doing that. Eventually I was medivaced to Japan for 90 days and then sent stateside. I did the rest of my time at 1st Ranger Co. in Florida.

Nov
00 "Leon"
stargazr@cjnetworks.com C/1-6
1970 Great site. Makes me proud. [Leon contributed to the "Short Bursts" stories on the site.]

15
Oct
00 Ward Odom
WardOdom@earthlink.net A/1-6 Inf
1971 Here is some stuff I promised you a while back. [Ward emailed a newspaper clipping "Dealers of Death" from the Americal newspaper]

5
Oct
00 Bryan Beaderstadt
nikkic@netins.net A/1-6 Inf
Aug69-Aug70 Our AO in Aug was the Rocket Pocket and Gator. We went to the mountains to the west for a few months. Then in Mar we went to that giant booby trap called the Batangan.[Bryan provided original maps of the AO that he carried in RVN]

13
Sep
00 John Barden
jbflaco@yahoo.com 39th Engr Bn Just saw your site while searching for 39th Engr and found your support unit page. We are getting a site going for 39thbattalion.com. Keep up the good work.

9
Sep
00 Mike Horkavi
zeppo@csinet.net ERecon/1-6
Jan-Nov70 Thank you for putting the site together. I will spread the word. I will ask others from recon to check out the site and contribute info. P.S. Recon was with you guys on stand down when the sappers hit-it was my birthday.

31
Aug
00 Ray Findley
rfindley@cdtechno.com B/1-6 Inf
1970-71 Just found your site. Great site! I'll be back.[Ray provided photos of his unit at
Dai Loc]

31
Aug
00 Bruce M. Butler "Butts"
BBUTLER@wpsr.com Divarty, IOS;
196th DaNang
101PhuBai
1971-72 I just went to your web site and clicked on hill 270. To my amazement there was a picture of my old bunker. I was on Hill 270 until the end. We tore it down and were taken off and put into the rearguard for Chu Lai base. I was one of the last guys to leave Chu Lai. Great web site, brings back a lot of memories, good and not so good.

28
Aug
00 Bud Carlson
budcarl@execpc.com 2/D/1-6 Inf
1970-71 "I found the home page late last night, stayed up way too late for working on Monday, but ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF INFORMATION YOU HAVE ON IT." [Bud added details for the "Commando Raid" story and located orders, photos, etc. to sent for the site].

21
Aug
00 Joe Trez
Trezj@Citadel.edu B/1-6 Inf
1970-71 I was XO B Co. Continued on after VN and had 26 yr. career, retiring in '95. Thanks-the pictures from the site brought back many memories.

21
Aug
00
15
Oct
00
David L. Gibson
dgibson@wk.net 2/D/1-6 Inf
Nov68-Nov69 I have been searching for any of the guys I served with for a while. There is one guy in particular I am looking for but can't remember his first name. I always just called him Ware. I have also looked for a unit roster for months. [After a five month wait, David received a poor quality roster from St. Louis in Oct 00. It will be added to the site as soon as a readable version is obtained][David finally located his friend's family, only to learn that his buddy died a few years ago. Lesson for us all -- don't delay in making that phone call or writing that letter. We won't be here forever.]

3
Aug
00 Mark A. Seelbach "Tex"
Mark_A_Seelbach@oxy.com 2/B/1-6 Inf
Mar68-Nov69 Enjoyed the web site. I'll see what I can dig up to send. I was WIA Jun68. Was on Hill 352, LZ Center, etc. Ran radio relay after leaving hosp, then flew resupply, and ran supply room until DEROS.

24
Jul
00 Ron Griffin
rgriffin@vbe.com
new email 4 Mar 01
rgriffin@new.rr.com
A/1-82 Arty
Oct70-Oct71 Just spent some time going through the 1/6 site in great detail. Wow! Therer's a lot of interesting info on you site and I really enjoyed it. I was Section Chief on Gun#5 at LZ Dottie.
I would really appreciate any additional info on fire missions from that time frame that we may have fired for you guys. I used to have a journal with those marked down but lost it years ago and now have little info to go on to add to our unit history.



1 Apr 01	Kenneth A. McNab KMcNab@interactive.rogers.com	HHC 1-6 Sep70-Jun71	Great site. I served primarily in the S-4 Shop, as Support Platoon Leader, PBO, Motor Officer and acting S-4 at times. Moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where I still live as a retired (disability) federal civil servant. Best of luck with the site. "LT Mac"
10 Mar 01	Don Kaiser Dondkaiser@aol.com	A/1-6 1967-68	I have contacted 48 men from A Co. and have pictures and an account of the battle at Lo Giang in Feb 68. A Co lost 19 dead and 55 wounded. [Don has offered to help add information to the site from that time frame when the 1-6 Inf was awarded the Valorous Unit Citation for its part in Operation Miracle]
4 Mar 01	Donald R. McCabe mt.hope@mindspring.com	4/A/1-6 Sep69-Sep70	Thanks for the web site, really enjoy looking at it. I was a squad leader and have contacts with others in the platoon. Hi to all Co. A Gunfighters
2 Mar 01	Mark (Hoppy) Hoplin tv3@lakesnet.net	4/C/1-6 Inf Nov70-Jun71	Thanks so much for the site. None of my things got back to the world, so I don't have any photos - only my headband and what was in my pockets. The information on the site has put the whole experience into perspective. We had a mission and we accomplished what we set out to do. At the time it seemed like nobody knew what we were doing or why. I am just amazed to learn that we knew what VC & NVA units were fighting, their strength, and whether we had any effect on them. Our missions had names and a purpose.[Mark provided info about soldiers at Dai Loc]
30 Feb 01	John Foster jofo@home.com	4/B/1-6 Inf 70-71	You can't believe how much excitement the 1/6 Inf and 3/B/1-6 websites have stirred in me. It is such a rush seeing all of those names and faces that I had placed in memory by had gotten "fogged up" due to the passing of time.[John sent photos of Dai Loc and Van Thien that are on the site]
27 Feb 01	Russell Martin Rmgraywolf50@aol.com	4/B/1-6 (att fr A/1-14 Arty) Aug 70-Jun 71	B Co was my second tour. I was working with FO LT Cooper. He was wounded and then we got another FO. Rich (?) was our RTO. My first tour was with A/1-14 arty at LZ Dottie Apr 69-Apr 70. I sure like this web site. It brings back memories good and bad. I have some photos and will send them as soon as I get a scanner.
18 Feb 01	Basil (Ricco) Pederzani Sunrunr24@cs.com	2/C/1-6 Jan 70-Nov70	I have been in touch with SGT McPherson my plt. sgt. until Jul 70. I have a few pictures from the field and various operations that might be interesting to the people. Luckily I wrote most of the names on the backs, so identification should be easy. This is the first contact I've had with anyone since 1970. I never realized how much of it was still with me. You guys have done an unbelievable job with these pages--they are great.
9 Feb 01	Terry B. Lem tlem@centurytel.net	4/B/1-6 Jul 69-Jul 70	Greetings. Address is N6142 Thronson Drive, Ladysmith, Wisconsin 54848. MOS was 11B40 - finished tour as a SGT in mortar plt. It would be great to see a full roster of Bravo Co. from '69 and '70. In one afternoon my platoon went down to 5 -i.e. mine field. Great site please keep up the good work. I will contribute more later.
7 Feb 01	Larry Boetsch ALBOETSCH@msn.com	1-6 Inf Oct 67-	I am an original who shipped over with the 1/6 Inf in Oct 67. We are having a reunion this June in Cleveland, OH. Many of the original grunts willbe there. Those of you who were there after us should come & we will share stories.
30 Jan 01	Robert Behm rbehm@epix.net	3/C/1-6 Inf Jul70-Nov70	I was injured when coming back from patrol. I got into a booby trap of barbed wire on 1 Oct 70 and injured my right knee. I was sent to 27th Surg Hosp. If you know of me or someone who does I would appreciate it. I am trying to get verification for the purpole heart. Thanks.
23 Jan 01	Don Pannell bpannell@iopener.net	C/1-6 Inf Aug68-Aug69	May God Bless all who served our country's efforts in Viet Nam and "other" areas that we "were never there!" Death Valley, Rocket Pocket, Hill 707, Hill 69, Fat City and others.
10 Jan 01	Jerry Griffith GGriff662@aol.com	E Recon 1-6 Inf Nov69-Mar70	Nice site. After Recon I went to A Co 123rd Avn till Nov 70. I will send some photos later.
7 Jan 01	Stetson Tinkham toucan@ix.netcom.com	FO, C/1-6 Inf (1-14 Arty) Nov 70-Feb71	Good work, albeit totall "grunt-centric!" Will try to did up some 1/14 Arty records so you can fill in the names of artillery types who were "on the ground" with the Regulars. [Stetson supplied the names of several FO and details of several fights]
5 Jan 01	Chuck Schumacher Chucks70@home.com	E Recon 1-6 Inf 70-71	A friend Bill Devan from Recon 1-6 called and told me about this web page. Great job to everyone for their hard work. All the photos and stories sure brought back memories.
17 Dec 00	Lynn Baker LBaker1947@aol.com	D/1-6 1970	On the way home from Vietnam I worked very hard trying to forgt. NOW I want to remember but can't. Thanks for the work on the WIA/KIA 1970 page-that is very meaningful information. [Lynn sent a video he made from an old 8mm film he took in Vietnam; still photos from it will be posted on the site. He also created a D/1-6 roster for the site]
3 Dec 00	Arthur "R.C." Castro arc1@earth1.net	2/B/1-6 Jul 70-Jul 71	Just visited your site and plan on doing so regularly. Great job, to Ray and anyone else involved.
27 Nov 00	David Disch namvet99@hotmail.com	C/1-6 Jul 70- Dec 70	I found the 1/6 site through a link from the Americal home page. I was the RTO for the Forward Observer team, but did not see any names for the FO team on the unit roster on the site. Any way to find out names that are not on the list? The pictures and stories brought back come memories. I have been back to Nam twice so far and it has been a healing process. Thanks. Life is good!! So is God!! :)
16 Nov 00	Richard D. Ross rdross@charter.net	HHC 1-6 May 67-Sep68	I served as the Bn PSNCO. LTC Baxter was the first CO and at the time I left, LTC Kelly was Co and MAJ McDonald was the S3. I remember assisting in preparing the paperwork for the VSM the Bn was awarded. Will send photos and rosters of the Bn at that time
Nov 00	Randolph H. Bordner "Randy" randy.bordner@gte.net	D/1-6 1970	I just found your website; its great. Thank you. [Randy was in refit area at the time of the attack by the Viet Cong in the "Commando Raid" story. He also provided additional details about the firefight mentioned in the "198th Inf Bde Commander Wounded" story]
[Nov 00]	Doug Sykes Ddamnedsaint@webtv.net	2/D/1-6 1969	Mugsy (Claude Pavia) and Mumbles (Matias), thanks for saving my life. I never got a chance to thank you guys. When the medic said I would die because my appendiz had burst from rocket concussions and no medivacs were available, you guys said in unision "no he's not!" You decided to risk it and drove down QL1 in the middle of the night to get me to the hospital. You both deserve a medal for bravery for doing that. Eventually I was medivaced to Japan for 90 days and then sent stateside. I did the rest of my time at 1st Ranger Co. in Florida.
Nov 00	"Leon" stargazr@cjnetworks.com	C/1-6 1970	Great site. Makes me proud. [Leon contributed to the "Short Bursts" stories on the site.]
15 Oct 00	Ward Odom WardOdom@earthlink.net	A/1-6 Inf 1971	Here is some stuff I promised you a while back. [Ward emailed a newspaper clipping "Dealers of Death" from the Americal newspaper]
5 Oct 00	Bryan Beaderstadt nikkic@netins.net	A/1-6 Inf Aug69-Aug70	Our AO in Aug was the Rocket Pocket and Gator. We went to the mountains to the west for a few months. Then in Mar we went to that giant booby trap called the Batangan.[Bryan provided original maps of the AO that he carried in RVN]
13 Sep 00	John Barden jbflaco@yahoo.com	39th Engr Bn	Just saw your site while searching for 39th Engr and found your support unit page. We are getting a site going for 39thbattalion.com. Keep up the good work.
9 Sep 00	Mike Horkavi zeppo@csinet.net	ERecon/1-6 Jan-Nov70	Thank you for putting the site together. I will spread the word. I will ask others from recon to check out the site and contribute info. P.S. Recon was with you guys on stand down when the sappers hit-it was my birthday.
31 Aug 00	Ray Findley rfindley@cdtechno.com	B/1-6 Inf 1970-71	Just found your site. Great site! I'll be back.[Ray provided photos of his unit at Dai Loc]
31 Aug 00	Bruce M. Butler "Butts" BBUTLER@wpsr.com	Divarty, IOS; 196th DaNang 101PhuBai 1971-72	I just went to your web site and clicked on hill 270. To my amazement there was a picture of my old bunker. I was on Hill 270 until the end. We tore it down and were taken off and put into the rearguard for Chu Lai base. I was one of the last guys to leave Chu Lai. Great web site, brings back a lot of memories, good and not so good.
28 Aug 00	Bud Carlson budcarl@execpc.com	2/D/1-6 Inf 1970-71	"I found the home page late last night, stayed up way too late for working on Monday, but ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF INFORMATION YOU HAVE ON IT." [Bud added details for the "Commando Raid" story and located orders, photos, etc. to sent for the site].
21 Aug 00	Joe Trez Trezj@Citadel.edu	B/1-6 Inf 1970-71	I was XO B Co. Continued on after VN and had 26 yr. career, retiring in '95. Thanks-the pictures from the site brought back many memories.
21 Aug 00 15 Oct 00	David L. Gibson dgibson@wk.net	2/D/1-6 Inf Nov68-Nov69	I have been searching for any of the guys I served with for a while. There is one guy in particular I am looking for but can't remember his first name. I always just called him Ware. I have also looked for a unit roster for months. [After a five month wait, David received a poor quality roster from St. Louis in Oct 00. It will be added to the site as soon as a readable version is obtained][David finally located his friend's family, only to learn that his buddy died a few years ago. Lesson for us all -- don't delay in making that phone call or writing that letter. We won't be here forever.]
3 Aug 00	Mark A. Seelbach "Tex" Mark_A_Seelbach@oxy.com	2/B/1-6 Inf Mar68-Nov69	Enjoyed the web site. I'll see what I can dig up to send. I was WIA Jun68. Was on Hill 352, LZ Center, etc. Ran radio relay after leaving hosp, then flew resupply, and ran supply room until DEROS.
24 Jul 00	Ron Griffin rgriffin@vbe.com new email 4 Mar 01 rgriffin@new.rr.com	A/1-82 Arty Oct70-Oct71	Just spent some time going through the 1/6 site in great detail. Wow! Therer's a lot of interesting info on you site and I really enjoyed it. I was Section Chief on Gun#5 at LZ Dottie. I would really appreciate any additional info on fire missions from that time frame that we may have fired for you guys. I used to have a journal with those marked down but lost it years ago and now have little info to go on to add to our unit history.