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Summary - July 1970
After returning to Quan Loi from a well-deserved stand down at Bien Hoa in June, 2/5 Cav moved to FSB Granite on the Song Be. For a brief time, the battalion operated out of FSB Lauffer (named after PFC Billy Lauffer of C Company, winner of the Medal of Honor in September 1966), (Source: Unit History Calendar Year 1970 2-5 Cav, and 1st Cavalry Division Operations Report - Lessons Learned 1 May - 31 July 1970)
FSB Granite. Note the 155mm artillery pieceClick on Photo to See Larger Version
Courtesy Robert Lisenby
July 3
The Battalion air-assaulted into a field that was to become FSB Granite. The new FSB was near the Song Be, east of Quan Loi, and was intended to interdict NVA infiltration routes along Serges Jungle Highway. (Source: 1st Cavalry Division Operations Report - Lessons Learned 1 May - 31 July 1970) Note that the Battalion Aid Station was built with culvert on top to make rockets detonate before penetrating the bunker.
Click on Photo to See Larger VersionCourtesy Vance "Doc" Gifford
July 7
Major General George Casey, Commanding General of the 1st Cav, was killed in a helicopter accident.
July 10
Charlie Company moved back to FSB Granite after five days in the field (Source: Robert Lisenby based on letters home.)
The company went out to FSB Wade for the day, but did not stay on Wade overnight, returning to FSB Granite before nightfall. Though not known for certain if this photo is the same operation, it is a likely possibility as the troopers are "light to fight", meaning they were not carrying gear and food to stay out overnight. Seen getting on the bird is SP4 Larry "Rat" Speight. (Source: Robert Lisenby based on letters home.)
Click on Photo to See Larger VersionCourtesy Robert Lisenby
The following members of Charlie Company are awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge per 1st Cav Division Special Order 192:
SSG Leonard F. Fletcher SGT Louis Gana SGT Roger E. Lewis SGT Barry W. McElroy SGT Edward J. Meekhof SGT John L. Misback SGT Victor Y. Nettles SGT George W. Puckett CPL Donnie R. Hill PFC Dennis R. Albin PFC Edward F. Belice PFC Charles W. Bennett PFC Ronnie E. Blair PFC Bruce J. Boehm PFC Ronald C. Brasch PFC Thomas H. Brown PFC Gerald T. Brownell PFC Michael W. Combs PFC Gregory C. Demeduc PFC Timothy N. Dube PFC Ralph D. Duffy PFC John M. Ehart PFC Robert P. Fisher PFC Darrell E. Fourkiller PFC Larry G. Fox PFC Phillip S. Gordon PFC Thomas A. Grover PFC Walter R. Hatfield PFC Michael J. Hathaway PFC Jack Johnson PFC Byron Kaul PFC Richard B. Kiem PFC Roger N. Kiddy PFC David K. McNicol PFC Candelario Z. Martinez PFC Kenneth E. Porath PFC Joe T. Renninger PFC Dominic A. Santangelo PFC Ruben M. Santillian PFC Ronald C. Sclafini PFC Clarence W. Sennett PFC James R. Sterling PFC Escom Thompson PFC Charles E. Tindall PFC John W. Tinney PFC Michael J. Vanderzee PFC Mickey L. Varner `PFC Carl L. Walker PFC Robert D. Wilcock PFC Clarence J. Wishman PVT John C. Cassie PVT Kenneth F. Clark PVT Randall A. Clow PVT Nicholas C. Gallo PVT Jeffery Hanthorn PVT Gregory A. Peterson PVT Arthur A. Salvetti PVT Leonard J. Schilling PVT Bobby O. Shipwash PVT Charles E. Walker PVT Gary D Howell
July 19 - 26
2nd Battalion 5th Cavalry did something a little different - it set up a "light" firebase that had only three tubes of 105 artillery, and 2 81mm mortar tubes. It was named FSB Lauffer, after PFC Billy Lauffer of Charlie Company who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in September 1966. 2/5 Cav secured both Granite and Lauffer at the same time. (Please contact the Webmaster if you recall Charlie Company ever being on Lauffer.) (Source: 1st Cavalry Division Operations Report - Lessons Learned 1 May - 31 July 1970)
Click on Photo to See Larger VersionCourtesy Ralph Spence
E Company Mortar Platoon
July 20-27
According the Robert Lisenby, Charlie Company operated out of Quan Loi as a part of the security force (sometimes referred to as pulling Palace Guard duty). However, some records indicate 2/5 Cav was also operating out of both FSB Granite and FSB Lauffer. It is entirely possible the battalion was split in such a manner, or that C Company was OPCON to another battalion for a brief time.
July 26
In a brief skirmish, C Company captured one wounded NVA soldier in a brief firefight. (Source: Unit History Calendar Year 1970 2-5 Cav)
July - Exact Dates Unknown
The 2nd Battalion 5th Cavalry operated out of FSB Wade for a brief period of time, thought the exact dates are not known as the C 2/5 research library has no records for the period. Obviously, we were there as this picture of medics building the Battalion Aid Station at Wade attests. FSB Wade had a small airstrip on it, with a Special Forces camp, an ARVN compound, and a nearby French rubber plantation. (Sources: "Where We Were in Vietnam by Michael Kelley and Vance Gifford.)
Click on Photo to see Larger VersionCourtesy Vance "Doc" Gifford
July - Exact Date Unknown
Robert Lisenby sent home this clipping from the 1st Cavalry Division's newspaper, The Cavalair, showing SP4 Steve Wright (left) and SP4 James Tomasulo on the berm at FSB Granite.
(Webmaster note: The company roster for June 1970 shows a Wayne Wright. Same person?)
Click on Photo to see Larger VersionCourtesy Robert Lisenby
July - Exact Date Unknown
Time to relax with a beer. On the left is SGT David Moses. On the right is SP4 Kenneth Feather. The 2/5th Cav was operating out of Quan Loi at the time
Medic Lonnie Branch sitting in a top bunk. Were you reading the Stars & Stripes, Lonnie? h In front is SP4 Tim Edwards. Back left is Steve Gerulf of Boise, Idaho, - then center rear is Vernon Whitehead, and right rear is Danny Mora of Puerto Rico
n SP4 Mike Coursey and SP4 Steve Wright
July - Exact Date Unknown
Another shot of David Moses, this time playing some cards. Anyone know who the rest of the guys are in this picture from the 1st Platoon? If you do, email the Webmaster. (Source: Jim Holcombe)
Click on Photo to see Larger VersionCourtesy Jim Holcombe
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1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
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1970 December 1970
Updated November 04, 2006
