What unit(s) did you serve in with the 2d Cavalry?
Plt ldr H Troop, Support plt ldr HQ Troop, CO E Troop, 1967 to 1968
Where were you stationed?
Bamberg Coberg Wolbach Hof
What MOS or job description did you have?
Armor M48A3 M60A1
What was your rank/title?
1LT E Troop Comander
What years were you assigned to the 2nd Cavalry?
1966 to 1968 2LT OCS first as tank platoon leader 3 months then (top gun), support platoon leader 3 months and then E Troop commanding officer first as 2LT w/6 mos in grade and 1LT with remainder mos.until discharge late 1968.
Tell us a little about your cav days.
Border Patrol HQ in Coberg Tank Crew qualifications at Grafenwøhr Most excitement came with Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. All of 7th Army changed strategic orientation from north to east - My Eagle Troop moved via rail from border duty to near Linz on Austrian border. U.S. Ambassador to Czech Shirley Temple Black crossed border into West Germany before Russians took over border outlets. In 1968 my E troop qualified 7 of 9 tank crews while all other 38 tanks in battalion only qualified 6. We were also no. one troop in infantry, scouts, commo, maintenance, combat ready equipment, mess operations, and reenlistments. Great sargents, crews, cooks, clerks, soldiers and platoon leaders.
Tell us a little about you now.
Retired in 2004 after selling drilling/well equipment founded by my wife and I in 1977. Built log home in Black Hills of South Dakota on 80 acres. Had three sons. Two oldest were both Army Rangers in 3rd Ranger BN, Ft. Benning, GA. Now divide time between writing, reading, ranching and hunting. Stay in touch with Jack Painter, F Troop CO, Bob Whitton, H Troop CO, Nick Pavlokovich my tank loader H Troop, Howard Smith my tank driver H Troop
Phone number (Optional).
605-721-5004 (LL)
Name a few buddies you served with that you would like to find.
Dan Williamson, LTC back then, our Squadron Commander. Russ Richardson-How Batt Cmdr, Capt. Howden-S3, Fred Whitton-H Trp Cmdr
Comments
Les, thank you for your generous offer and continued support of the 2d Cavalry Association. Contact Frank Hurd. He is in charge of the reunions and donation programs and should be able to help you out.
frankkhurd@gmail.com
Always ready, sir!
les when did you get your commision,i think that we were in the same class at knox,i graudated 10/31/66 regards tom kilgore
Belated Welcome to Dragoom Base, Les.
I was an assistant manager at the 3/2 ACR in Amberg, 1969 - '70. I asked to return to the Troop [Iron Troop] after a paraticular 1Lt. was awarded the job of Officers' Club OIC by then LTC Robert Reed.
I was honored to relate to the 3rd Squadron's Officers in some of their more relaxed and private moments. Being stand-by bartender, waiter, sometimes relief cook, I did all of the operational "Events" of the Club. In Amberg, there was a monthly Command Formal Dinner at the Officers Club.
I was never so proud of serving the officers as during the formal mess. Everyone [almost] on their best behaviour, wives in tow, under the watchful eye of Mrs. LTC Robert Reed.
Many of the Cav Traditions were carried out at the club: At the formal mess , the most junior officer [what-ever "new" 2nd Lt. available] had to drink all the "Nikoloshkers" they could in 15 min. I cannot recall exactly, but the ingredients were lemon wedges along with a German Liquour, the name of which I cannot recall; Also the jr. Lt.'s had to consume all the wine left from the formal dinner, which at some events was a substantial amount.
Those types of events probably ended with the New Volunteer Army after 1972, but when I was there they were treated as sacred events and observed religiously.
Other really-fun events were promotions. LTC Reed always pinned the new 1lt or Capt. then "broke-in" their new ensignia by bathing it in champaign - sometimes over-indulging in this part. But it always turned into a good time.
All the Officers, with only an occasional exception, were a jovial bunch with a good sense of camraderie.
I hope I may have brought back some memories, Sir. But if you hang around in here, surely you'll run across an old acquaintence, as I have.
Thank You for your contributions to the Cav. sir, and I especially admire your 2 sons in Special Op's.
Tojour Pret, Sir
May the days get longer, and the snow not-so-deep.
John Boyd
2nd ACR Sp./4
Amberg '69-'72
Les, I apologize for not responding to you sooner. Permission is not needed to join a group. Uncle SAM saw fit to make you a fellow Eagle, so that makes you part of the group already. I only started it because no one else had gotten there yet.
Toujours Pres Sir!
Les,
And here I am feeling sorry that you have to spend your winters not being able to dig out of your log habitat. We've had several feet of snow here in NJ each of the last couple of years. You make SD sound like Florida.
Harry
Hello Les,
Glad to be considered your friend. Hope you can make contact with some of your old buddies or find some new ones here. You must have some mighty cold winters out there in SD.
Harry
Welcome Les.
The Dragoonbase.com, has
plenty of updated features
(similar to MySpace), lots of sub-groups,
(Officers Club,F-Trp,Amberg,Medics,and the
always busy Oldtimers club).
Also links for “2nd Cavalry Assn.”
News and History Centers.
Robb Russell has posted some tips for
navigating the site(ie,photos,links,ect)
in the Forum.
Please feel free to stop by and read the
latest “Tacoma Dave's ‘Triva Quiz’”,
you can learn some 2nd Cav history,
and you could even, win a kool prize.
If you need any help, you may contact
Robb Russell, or any of the 5 admins listed
at the top of the page, or just yell out,
another member may be able to help you.
And our only wish is to,
‘Keep it clean’.
Use your real name and picture,
(pix from back in the day,work best
for searching for Brothers),
but any picture will do.
And that you please tell all your friends
about, where to find the DragoonBase.
Thanks again for joining Dragoon Base,
and for your Service and Dedication,
to Our Great Country.
Jesse Kelley
F Troop 2/2ACR
72-75