What unit(s) did you serve in with the 2d Cavalry?
H Troop, F Troop
Where were you stationed?
Bamberg, FRG
What MOS or job description did you have?
1203 Tank Unit Commander, 1204 Recon Unit Commander
What was your rank/title?
2 LT/1st LT/CPT
CO-H Troop, CO-F Troop
What years were you assigned to the 2nd Cavalry?
Oct 1966 - Jun 1968
Tell us a little about your cav days.
I reported just after the drawdown in 1966. I was the 13th officer in the Squadron authorized 44. LTC Dan Williamson was the Commander. We had one Captain, two Warrant Officers, and the rest were Lieutenants. One of the Warrant Officers was the acting Commander of the Howitzer Battery before a new Lieutenant named Russ Richardson showed up. Jack Buckley was the Commander of F Troop, and thats where I was assigned for about 60 days, then took over as Commander of H Troop (Tank), then after about six months, Jack Buckley rotated and I became the F Troop Commander. During those days, there was only one officer in each troop, senior NCO's were in short supply and I have to say that the experience put all of us a notch ahead of where we should have been. Fortunately for all of us, we had a really good bunch of NCOs. Not many, but good ones. Very exciting time to come into the Army. After the tour in Bamberg I went to RVN where I was the S4 and later Commander of A Troop, 2/1 Cav, initially an extra Cav Squadron with 4th ID, and then reassigned to TF South opening up Highway 1 from Cam Rhn Bay to Siagon. After that, had the typical army career, culminating with the best job the Army has to offer, Command of 3-35 Armor, back in Bamberg (84 -86). Finally retired from the Pentagon in 1992.
Tell us a little about you now.
I retired from the Army in 1992 and since have moved around the east coast several times and finally decided on the N. Georgia Mountains as the place to stay. However, as things would have it, like most of you I'm getting older and had a hard time keeping up with my chores there in the Mountains, so moved to a Condo in Columbus, GA. My wife is from here and has two daughters and several grandchildren to keep up with. I now spend my time collecting and shooting old Army Infantry weapons and black powder guns. Also, work on family Ancestry and read a lot.
Name a few buddies you served with that you would like to find.
Jack Buckley, Frank Graham, Russ Richardson, Steve Kohoski, Dan Williamson, Jack Painter, Les Evjen, anyone else who served with the squadron during that time.
Comments
Howdy Bob, Don't get here very often so missed you message for a while. Yep, life is good here on the western edge of the High Desert. Nice to see you on the site here. After we last saw one another in the Pentagon (1984-85?) I went on to become the IG for the Montana Nat'l Guard - a great tour and retired in '92 also. Have run into Fred Rees several times here in Oregon - he was the stateAG for at least 12 years and just retired again at the last election. Have spoken to Jack Painter on the phone a couple months ago and had email from Les Evjen. And a bit of exchange with Jack Buckly as well. Nice to make these connections again - even if only by electronica! Yeah, I started the beard on terminal leave and have had it ever since - and when I lived in China (04-06) I had a pony tail almost to my waist! Just got tired of shaving and haircuts for thirty years. Hope life is good for you as well - there in the north Ga Mtns - anywhere near those nasty ranger types?? Dalonaga (sp) ?
Hey Bob [Captain Sir],
My first CO and mentor. Great to hear from you. I left the Army in 1968 and went back to school. Got married in 1970 [celebrating 42 years this year]. Jack Painter was my best man and Scott Lundstedt was a groomsman. Ended up in the water well drilling industry. My wife and I started a manufacturing company in 1977 producing RTT-Rig Tender Trucks under the name of Flatwater Fleet, Inc. Sound our tools and equipment in over 50 countries on six continents. Our military customers included: US Army, Air Force and Navy. Kenya East Africa Army. South Korean Army. Thailand Army. Sold the company in 2004 and retired to the Black Hills of South Dakota where we have a log home on a small ranch. I have three sons and four grandsons, all did or do play hockey. My two oldest sons were Army Rangers, 3rd Ranger Bn, Ft. Benning, GA. I have had many blessings in my life and serving under you and LTC was one of them.
Les
Welcome Robert.
The Dragoonbase.com, has
plenty of updated features
(HTML and format friendly), 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