A few images of Soc Trang and our aircraft
- Thread starter Mat
- Start date
Mat
Member
Had trouble placing images. I could not get them down in size so I just placed them into my flickr photostream.
https://flic.kr/ps/3XCp6B
https://flic.kr/ps/3XCp6B
Mat
Member
Thank you I have a lot more to upload.
Mat
Member
There were two companies on my airfield, the 336th which I served the first year, then the 121st the other company I served 2 years. All the helicopters are mixed from both companies. The T-Birds was the gunship platoon which I flew as gunner right side on 38. While in the 121st I also flew as gunner and my last couple months I flew firefly quite often. Firefly was an all night protection flight that made a racetrack the airfield and out lying areas.
We came down only to refuel with engine running and back up. Long enough to get a sandwich the mess hall would bring out and always soured chocolate milk ! My two companies were in the 13th Battalion 164th Aviation Group of the 1st Aviation Brigade. The 336th came to Vietnam as an 101st airborne helicopter company, which they came over by ship. In early 1968 the 1st Avn was formed and became a Brigade. They sent all the airborne personnel up north to be reassigned to the 101 st again.
The gunships and Troop carriers remained at Soc Trang and the name 336th remained. It confuses people at times to see the 101st number on some helicopters but only because we had two 336th companies. At the close of the war the 336th was deactivated shortly and reactivated as an Army Reserve company in California. Several years ago the 336th was deactivated and no longer in service. The 121th was also deactivated, however the 13th Battalion returned to Fort Rucker Alabama and still in service Training Black Hawk and other newer helicopters.
One of our company Commanders of the 121st went on to become the Commanding General of the 1st Avn. In WWII the 121st originated as a Truck Quarter Master Regiment. We still have units in the Army that were active in the Revolutionary War but just in different roles or occupations. The Units were all very old. The 121st came over as a full unit also and they originated from Fort Carson Colorado.
The 336th had one Astronaut and one Senator after the war. The 121st Mascot was a Thailand Tiger and was raised amongst humans so he was well mannered. He did get quite large and was eventually sent to a zoo in the USA eastern region. He lived until the mid 80s.
Photos of Tuffy maybe tomorrow " The Tiger" More photos soon to be upped to my flickr stream. A lot of photos were taken. One morning on station in an LZ we were hit 3 times in the floor area and one round hit the left pilots friction tube but another hit his nice 35mm cannon he had tucked under the seat. On another mission one round thru the center console and entered the control box of the mini gun on my side. The gun went brain dead and swung full right and froze. Life was ruled by speed and angles.
Here is the Brigade Reunion Banner I made for the 50 year reunion. I have no idea if it was used or not since I never attend reunions.
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Your photos were very moving and interesting. Makes a person think of all the friends that were sent there.
Thank you for the history of the unit. Whenever I hear memories of each person and their unit it is always told
with pride and so detailed. I'd rather hear it from a person who lived it before I read it in books or see it in a movie.
It helps give you insight into the heart of the subject.
Thank you for your service and for sharing your experience and teaching us the how's and why's of a unit and what
happens to them. I look forward to seeing photos of the tiger, that was interesting on how it became the mascot.
Thank you for the history of the unit. Whenever I hear memories of each person and their unit it is always told
with pride and so detailed. I'd rather hear it from a person who lived it before I read it in books or see it in a movie.
It helps give you insight into the heart of the subject.
Thank you for your service and for sharing your experience and teaching us the how's and why's of a unit and what
happens to them. I look forward to seeing photos of the tiger, that was interesting on how it became the mascot.
Mat
Member
Several of our pilots wrote paperback books about their experience and one sent me a copy Noise of The Blade. I thumbed through it but never sat and read the book, I didn't need to
He retired and became involved in veteran affairs helping people in his region or local area, still does it today. I had made this Tribute for him so I guess he felt like he needed to show his appreciation, which of course it wasn't necessary. I think all of us would say or tell someone we were the best. I never said anything like that, we were all equal.Why does it take a war to bring out those strong feelings that stay so deep? I am not slighting any ones feelings and loyalty they hold forSeveral of our pilots wrote paperback books about their experience and one sent me a copy Noise of The Blade. I thumbed through it but never sat and read the book, I didn't need to
people in their life but you have to admit, there is something almost scared between people who served with each other. I truly wish it
didn't take an event like that to bring it out in people to that level. I for one see it, applaud it and wish there were more who could feel it.
Mat
Member
Agreed on your perspective. I think all of us realized how short life really is. Making so many Tributes for others came full circle when I would find one that had passed away. I felt good inside I had given to them something their family could print frame and remember him. Out of the many I did give I had one person very rude and he was not in my group but another aviation unit of the 1st Brigade.
He had been an officer in the group I made a request Tribute . He complained about the punctuation in the text. I simply wrote down in Photoshop the citation information that 3 men were lost. There are so few of us left today it wasn't important, the people did get the Tribute and were more than pleased because it was special to them having lost so many in one night. Moving on here is Tuffy the big tame pussy cat. I was only able to post 5 images still had 3 more so I will post all again to my media section. I love the jeep ride and the one with the dog Duffy, the Officers Club was named Duffy's Tavern
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BJintheUK
Member
- Location
- Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, UK
Has anyone here read 'Chickenhawk' by Bob Mason? It's about a helicopter pilot who flew in Vietnam. I bought a copy of the book and have read it twice. However, I've now managed to misplace it somewhere, so I'll have to search for it so that I can read it again. It was a very good read, and told the story of how Bob Mason became a pilot, how he did tours in Vietnam, and how he then returned to the States to train other pilots.
Sadly for him he had to ground himself when his balance began to go, and he never flew again. I once saw a documentary about him on the telly, and unfortunately, although he tried to start up several different businesses in civvie street, he never made a success of himself as a businessman.
Sadly for him he had to ground himself when his balance began to go, and he never flew again. I once saw a documentary about him on the telly, and unfortunately, although he tried to start up several different businesses in civvie street, he never made a success of himself as a businessman.
I have heard "Chickenhawk" seems many years back from a friend. I will have to look it up and see if there any filmed docs on it around.
Thanks BJ!
BJintheUK
Member
- Location
- Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, UK
Apparently there's even a sequel now, called 'Chickenhawk: Back in the World : Life After Vietnam'.
I'm going to see if I can buy a copy, as Bob Mason was an interesting character and I'd like to know what's happened to him.
Wikipedia has a detailed write up what happened, I didn't want to post it here as it was post-war days and he simply
made a rash decision. We all make mistakes it shouldn't erase his previous virtues.
@BJintheUK I searched for film or documentaries on Bob Mason and in films this all all that came up:
- While there may not be extensive documentaries solely focused on Mason, his appearances in films like "Lydia Lunch: The War Is Never Over" highlight his contributions to the arts and his experiences.