Douglas B. Latford "Mongo"'s Page

What Unit (s) did you serve in the 2nd ACR?

RSS, Med Troop, LST 3 & 1...

Where were you stationed?

Merrell "The Gangster Hotel" Barracks Nuernberg.

What MOS or Job Description Did you Have?

91b,
Track/Wheeled driver-in fact I was licensed for evert thing but the "articulating fork lift" (the commander said he wouldent signe off on it, I said why not I've got everything els- I think he wouldent just so I couldent complete the collection..oh-well I tried)
LST 3 medical team leader
TMC Medic

What was your rank/title?

E-4 (p) Cpl.

What years Were You Assigned to the 2nd Cavalry?

1987-1990
I think thay probably were the best and worst 3 years in the Army.

Tell us a little about your cav days and some of your buddies!

When I first got there I was pritty much older than my whole unit chain of command, I reported to the CO. first thing Mon. AM. the CO. said..."Weve been waiting for you" ( Oh-Boy) While working on the old building that would become the post TMC, one day I ran late for lunch and ran down to the dining hall just making it to the door as thay were about to close I aasked for something I could take with me back to work. Thay had served roast beef cutting it off a BIG leg bone and it still had some juicy meat left on it, I asked If I could have it for a "friend of mine's dog"? Thay wrapped it up in aluminium foil for me and after a quick salad and juice I went back to the TMC and had a seat in a dark corner of one of the rooms and began eating the meat off the bone... A Sgt. Vargas ( our X-Ray NCO) was walking one of our new lab tech's (his first duty assignment) and introducing him to every one there, till' it came my turn.Pointing through the window at me, Sgt vargas said "Oh- and that's Mongo over there... He's alright but don't try to take that bone away form him" and I kind of looked up over the bone and sneered...I was known as "Mongo" from then on. Life in the barracks was dull. I finally moved onto the economy life was better. I realized life was better in "the field" the 1st year there we spent a total of 9 out of 12 mos in the field not counting week end duties rail head coverage etc. Vol. for details at "Secrete" ammo depo's guard duty etc
Got to know Graff. Vielsec, Hoenfels and "Wildchicken" Very Well.....Became very good at land nav / night land nav. etc.
Went to PLDC in Ansbach while there....
Left the Cav. to go to BNOC / advanced med. coarse at Ft. Sam. Then went to Ft. Campbell and became (asst.)/NCOIC in the ER and ambulance srvc. supr.

Tell us a little about you now.

After working emer. med over 25 yrs. I took leave of it and now run heavy equipment and big trucks. Love off roading, fishing, shooting- skeet, targets- have a friend in the Air Force- a crew chf on a pave hawk (poor guy's been to the dsrt/afgan. like 5 times) he and I like to go out shooting verious types of guns- still one of our favorite ways to shoot is to see how far away we can still hit a soda can with a hi powered pellet rifle and a scope...."pop"........(wate for it)....."tink" got it!

name a few buddies you served with that you would like to find you!

Sgt. K. Shell ( last known at Ft. Polk La.)
Sgt. M. Prince (last known at Merrell)
CW3 H. White PA (last known at Merrell)
Pfc. Hughes is one of thoes guys that no mader how bad things were(cold, wet, dirty, hungry) he could make you laugh-thanks!