South Vietnam tour 1968-69 Photo Gallery by David Parsley at pbase.com

South Vietnam tour 1968-69

I served in South Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and aircraft maintenance officer with the 605th Trans. Company ADS (Aircraft Direct Support), from November 1968 to November 1969. These photos were taken during this time. They represent what I saw. Most of the color photos were taken as slides using my Canon FT-QL purchased in South Vietnam in 1968. I copied them to digital using my Fuji S602Z with my old Canon slide adapter attached. These slides were in rough shape when I converted them to digital. two years ago. I apologize for the condition of these photos, but they are all that I have. *

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605th Patch & Map	605th Company Area	Members of the 605th	Me having FUN	Mr Cao
Maids washing Laundry	Kids and An My villiage	Happy Pilot	Miss Lan-605th Parts Clerk	$Cobra w\o tail rotor$ Cobra w\o tail rotor
LSIcrew1.jpg	605-HQ	OH-6 on Wrecker	Lt. Parsley with kids	An My girl
Teacher Cooking Lunch	Teachers Cooking Lunch	An My teachers	An My homes	An My girls
An My kids	S. Vietnam Army Trucks	Lt. David Parsley	CH-47 Chinook	S. Vietnamese local militia

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post a comment

Guest		10-Apr-2009 02:42
david great job,. my name is bob brancazio I was with the 1st inf 1st avation battalion in phu loi jan69 thru 7jan 1970,went flying with cwo wong from hawaii spent new years eve flying in a birddog.Our hut was near the air strip which always got shelled great job again and welcome home all

Richard Calmes		10-Dec-2008 15:30
This is an amazing treasure trove of memories! And mostly in color! It brought back many memories! Thank you! V

Gary Worthington		04-Dec-2008 15:21
WOW nice pictures,It's been 40 years since I saw pictures of Phu Loi.I was with the 612th trans det with the 205th Chinooks May 67 to May 68 Welcome home brother All you brothers and sisters visit our site at www.vietnambrotherhood.com.

Dave Berry		27-Nov-2008 03:18
Dave, I was a combat medic with the 1st Infantry Division in '67-'68. We owed a lot to the aviators who not only took us in, but brought us out and flew protective cover. This is a great gallery. Thanks for all that you did and for sharing your memories. Voted Best regards, Dave Berry

Barry Campbell		15-Nov-2008 02:06
Dave I was in Phu Loi from Jan 1968 to late 1969. I was a crew chief with Pipesmoke. These pictures bring back some deep memories. Thank you for sharing your part of the war. I noticed a picture in the O-club and one of my favorite pilots, Darrel Carneal.

Bob		30-Jul-2008 18:56
I was in Viet Nam 1966-67 Top Tigers/Mustangs, Bien Hoa. Second tour Phu Loi with Aviation Section, HHB, 23rd ARTY GRP, Jan 1969-70. Great job with this web site, thanks for all those brothers who served and stood up for the cause, even though it got fuzzy sometimes. I am searching for any information or how to obtain information about an accident that occured in the practice sod area along side the runway at Phu Loi Mar 5 or 9, 1969. I was transitioning into the OH-6A when my IP, who name escapes me, when he rolled the aircraft. The aircraft was destroyed, but we manages to escape with minor injuries. If you can help please contact me, Thanks.

Bud Reddington		16-Jul-2008 07:51
I WAS IN LONG BIEN FROM JULY69 -70 AT THE 185TH MAINTENANCE BATALLION WORKING IN A COMMO TEAM. THERE WAS A GREAT GROUP OF GUYS HERE AND A LOT OF MEMORIES. PEACE BROTHERS!

Tom Pawloski Sr		13-Jul-2008 23:41
I was stationed in Phu loi from May 66 to May 67 with the 213Th. I worked as a Airframe repairman. I worked at the NCO club at night.

Ed Gundrum		17-Jun-2008 18:32
Thanks for the photos. I was in Phu Loi in 1968. Landed during Tet and remember it well. Lost contact with everyone over the years. //ed g

Russ Mason		12-Jun-2008 18:06
I can see my hooch in the 605th, the "club", our shop and bunkers. I was with Avel Central mar.68-Mar.69, part of 539th (detachment) housed at 605th. Lost all my photos taken with the Minolta bought at the PhuLoi PX, which I still have..the camera...not the photos...nasty divorce. Thanks for the photos. Hello to Black Cats, Pipesmoke, Avel guys, Big Bloody One guys.Good morning Vietnam...I can still hear "specialist 4 Pat Sajack"...thanks again, David.

Leonard Charbeneau		31-Mar-2008 15:24
David, I am fillled with memories looking at all of the pics, I served at Phu Loi 4/69-4/70 in the 74th Recon Airplane Company O-1 Birddogs, I was a Crew Chief and company armorer. Thanks

Bob Cayze		19-Mar-2008 18:27
Dave, nice gallary, I was with the 213 ASHC "BlackCats" in Phu Loi Feb-68/69. Thanks

John Schier		17-Mar-2008 22:52
It's been 40 years and I still remember almost all the details of Phu Loi, I was stationed at HHB 23rd Artillery Group, 1-68 thru 5-69 we were in charge of 6 arty batallions in III Corp. We were located Just a few hundred yards south and in the middle of the runway. I have lots and lots of pictures of the area and all those cobras and hueys and the string of 5 choppers that you could see flying from dawn to dusk.

Bruce Carbone		07-Mar-2008 13:34
Served with HHC 520th Trans Bn, Nov67-Nov68. Worked in commo section, and security platoon. I got rid of my pics from Nam a long time ago. Going thru pics on this site brings back a lot of memories. Some good and some not so good, however life goes on.

Peter G.		16-Feb-2008 01:37
Hi David I was just a kid of 10 when you were in Vietnam. I would like to thank you and all the woman and men who served and, for all you/they did. Thank You.

Ralph J. Page		04-Feb-2008 02:27
David, your site has been very touching. I was in the 605TH from Oct. '71 till early 1972, I was an airframe repairman(68G20) & had previously been at Chu Lai(176th AHC) & survived typhoon Hester. I worked mostly in the Big Hanger. As Supply Sgt. Joe Scott mentioned in his message, I to was also envolved in several conveys, turning in beds,lockers,etc at Long Bien. My hooch was near the main gate, spent many nights in the gate guard tower. My first experience with a Starlight Scope was on guard in the tower. Also, I have a couple of pic's of "Slick" the python and of the repainting of the Company(?) jeep. I hope to get my pic's on the web in the near future. Wishing you the best with "your kids". Ralph Page Vietnam Vet: '70-73 Desert Storm Vet: 26 Sept 1990- 01 Aug. 1991 Retired 1993 home:Adrian,Ga.

bruce philipie		30-Jan-2008 17:03
Hi David, We must have crossed paths..... I left 605th in 12/68. I was in supply and arms specialist. Great pics of the past. Take care and welcome home!!!

K�RJ		28-Jan-2008 15:02
Hello David. Enjoyed Back-in-the-Day. I was at Qui Nhon & Bein Hoa 68-70 ERA. Civilian A/C Maintanence . Would take a Huey down to Vung Tau for Sat. nite and Back Sunday with the UH-1 Crew. Nice Web-site. Regards Gene aka www.k0rj.com ...

Bruce Reischmann		13-Jan-2008 16:49
I worked in the armament shop in the 605th from June 70 until early 71, when lots of us were transfered to the 611th. Good photographs,

John Cokos		26-Dec-2007 21:03
David: Just surfed in on a link. Great set of photo's ! Used to hit Vung Tau now and then on an ammo ship and park out off the coast line. I remember that you had to back on board before dark, the VC used Vung Tau for R&R too! I also recall that jets used to bomb the hell out of the mountain range at dusk on what seemed a daily routine. I do photo restoration work, if you have anything photo's would need any work, contact me and I'll do it at no cost. It's a labor of love ! John Cokos

John Flath		08-Dec-2007 13:25
Hi, I left Ft Hood, Tx in Feb, 1967 bound for Oakland, Ca. Boarded the Gen Gordon, and arrived off shore of Vung Tau early March, 1967. Did guard duty at Long Binh amo-dump just after it was blown up by VC. Tranferred to Pho Loi with service at Hqs & Support Co, 610th Maint Battalion through Tet Offensive in February 1968. For the time that I was at the 610th Maint Battalion, we would hear the engines of the choppers warming up in the early morning hours. A little bit later, one after the other, lines of choppers would take off, and again during the late afternoon hours, these choppers would arrive in lines again to settle down from another day of flying. I remember standing in line for the mess hall and receiving fire from never seen VC off in the tree line. I remember the frequent VC mortar attacks, and their continual attempts to damage the parked choppers. My most vivid memories of Phu Loi was viewing the few helicopter remains in the 'bone yard' when I first arrived in March of 1967. You could walk through the area then. Very disturbing was the condition of the choppers, bullet holes, and blood. There were only a half dozen chopper frames there when I first arrived. On my last day at Phu Loi, I drove by the 'bone yard' and cannot forget how many frames were stacked up like so many lifeless piles of cordwood, and how many lives were forever changed for the people and families of those who flew in those machines. Thank you for posting the pictures. I had forgotten how the place looked. The 610th Maint Battalion was located on the perimeter, probably north of the runway.

Mike Sheller		28-Nov-2007 23:10
David, thanks for some old memories. I remember Phu Loi well. Doubt I'll ever forget. My very best to you! Mike

steve schropp		23-Nov-2007 21:02
Thanks for this sight, i served 69-70-71 at the 539th in Phu loi. I was in charge of the turbine engine shop and i flew on some recovery missions with some of my buddies at pipesmoke. When the 539th stood down i was moved to the 605th but i was a few months of getting out so i worked very little, i had some pilots that would look me up because they liked the way that i rigged the choppers but that was about it. Our daughter got out my slides last year and put them on a disk and then found music that was in back them and put it in the background. I was proud to have served with so many great guys, and even lost a classmate at Phug Vinh. Again thank you.

Ross Friend		19-Nov-2007 01:02
Thanks for the pics. Old memories for sure. 147th ASH (assult support helicopter co.)out of Vung Tau 66/67. Phu Loi during opperation Junction City (lived in tents on the air field). Vung Tau beach was called "Back Beach" in my day but it looked the same. For some other good photos of VN check out the 147th hillclimber web site. I've contributed a few pics to them. Chaplain ROYCE RILEY- You remember me from Ft. Sill? rossfriend@sbcglobal.net

Cindy Nguyen		11-Nov-2007 19:35
My grandfather was a supervisor of the mess hall at the 2nd Battalion, 13th Artillery Regiment at Phu Loi during the war. He was and American and his last name was Schmid or Smith. My dad and I have been trying to search for my grandfather since 1992 when we came to America under the Amerasian program. I came across these pictures and my dad immediately recognize the familiar landmarks. I am wondering if you or anyone here have any more pictures of the units at Phu Loi or know of a way to help with my search please contact me at nguyency11@comcast.net. Thank You, Cindy

Royce Riley		16-Oct-2007 18:11
Dave: I was a Chaplain for the 11th Aviation Command the same time you were in Phu Loi. You've taken some beautiful shots. Brings back lots of memories.

Mai Linh Nguyen		13-Oct-2007 09:04
Thank you for your service to the Republic of Vietnam !

bob aills		15-Sep-2007 22:02
bob aills salina kansas last one out the gate

bobaills		15-Sep-2007 21:56
i was at phu loi 71 72 605th trans co maint. plt. drove the last duece and ahalf out of the gate when we shut it down. stayed in hootch behind mess hall they called me red tall skinny white boy

Tom Yoder		17-Aug-2007 20:08
Thanks very much for the great web site and pics of Phu Loi, I was there April 1968-April 1969, in the 128th AHC, also known as the Tomahawks. Lots of memories especially in the photos, thanks again and welcome home to all the brothers who served in Vietnam, Tom Yoder

BOB BELTZ		09-Aug-2007 14:34
Thanks for the memories Dave ! I served with the 610th Maintenance Battalion in PHU LOI from Oct 67 till May 69 .

Tom Briggs		12-Jul-2007 01:41
Dave ... thanks for your service and the fact that you made it back. You may be interested in my gallery on 1966 Vietnam: http://www.pbase.com/tombriggs/vietnam Seems like a long time ago in one sense and like yesterday in others ... your photos bring back many and varied memories. Thanks for sharing.

bernie horak		07-Jun-2007 21:47
184th avation co.-l-19 bird dogs-'66and '67-phu loi was a lot smaller then. thanks for the memories

Rob Smith		21-Apr-2007 02:45
Hi David I was based in Thu Do mout in 65 and worked at Phu Loi it was nowhere as big in those early days.Rob Smith ex RNZE

LA TOAN VINH		12-Feb-2007 19:57
Dear DAVID Do you like to see the Phu-Cuong(Binh Duong) on Jan. 2007 http://www.pbase.com/latoanvinh/binhduong

Sky Redpath		05-Dec-2006 20:38
Thanks for posting these great pictures. I was stationed at MACV Training Directorate in Siagon in 1971. I would love to hear from anyone who was with the same outfit or lived at Peeler Compound, and would love to see old pictures of Peeler Compound. Mike Noland, Dale Shinault?

Dale John Larsen		26-Sep-2006 11:02
Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm not sure the photo is of you but I saw someone wearing a Rigger's red hat. I served as a rigger near Cam Rahn and have a few pictures posted

Assaf Peretz		24-Aug-2006 07:41
This galery is very intresting. thanks for sharing. Assaf

Kevin O'Connor		07-Mar-2006 04:30
I believe that my father (Leonard C. O'Connor) was a Huey pilot with the 605th in 1969. Do you remember him?

Charles Stevens		25-Jan-2006 06:19
Thank you very much for these pictures. I was stationed with the 605th from Nov 1966 to about June 1967. I was transfered to Tan San Nhut just before they had some artillery rounds fall short on the compound. I was very fortunate. I'm pushing 60 now and my tv went on the blink. I was sitting here thinking about Viet Nam and I'm sure glad I did this search. Thanks again.

Guest		03-Jan-2006 20:06
I was the last Supply Sgt of the 605th, turning its assets over to AID in April 1972. The 605th, commended at the time by MAJ Spisak, was the last unit in Phu Loi. As one of the last official acts of standing down, we took Slick, the company's 140 lb python mascot and turned him lose in the bog from where he came. I don't recall what happened to Max, the company's prize fighting dog that helped us pocket big bucks on numerous wagers. SGM (ret) Joe Scott

Guest		03-Jan-2006 20:03
I was the last Supply Sgt of the 605th, turning its assets over to AID in April 1972. The 605th, commended at the time by MAJ Spisak, was the last unit in Phu Loi. As one of the last official acts of standing down, we took Slick, the company's 140 lb python mascot and turned him lose in the bog from where he came. I don't recall what happened to Max, the company's prize fighting dog that helped us pocket big bucks on numerous wagers. SGM (ret) Joe Scott

Guest		17-Oct-2005 07:43
Thank you for these really great photos. I was born in 1954 and so a little too young to be brought in for the war but fate somehow got hold of me and I made my first visit to Vietnam in 1988. I have been living and working here full time since 1994. Some places havn't changed since you were here but you would not recognize Vung Tau even since 1998. The government razed all the girlie bars on the back beach and made a beautiful park. With the help of oil money, Vung Tau has gotten quite wealthy and become really a beautiful place. Believe it or not even high rise luxury condos are sprouting up down there.

Tim Matlack		15-Aug-2005 22:46
Great pictures of the 605th . I was there from mid 70 to 71 . I was p 68 F 20 aircraft electrician. Spc 5 Mann was there at your time in charge of the elec shop . Capt Fight ,X/O W/O 1 Edelman got to fly with him quite a bit to scratch out those red X,s & /s from maint recs. Thanks for the site .

Dan Liles		19-Jul-2005 18:25
David Great Site !! I was on an OH-6 that ended up in the bone yard in October 1968...Tail boom broken, right skid collapsed and blades beat all to hell. About 35 bullet holes.....any chance you may have pictures ? Thanks, Danny Liles

Bill Williams		08-Jul-2005 01:50
David, My name is Bill Williams, I was a 1LT in the 605th from 2/68-2/69. and I admit that I barely recall knowing you during that time. To my total surprise I found your website today after putting in a Google search, while I was on holding on the telephone for a business call. WOW! Surprise is not the word, seeing all these familiar photos and the hangar and aircraft is stunning. But then, I finally get to page 7 and there I am, Christmas eve, in our little "O" club, Sam to my right (left in photo and he was my roommate). my buddy Daryl, Phil Duffy in the background, later one of my groomsmen after we both returned home, Major Vosel the "old man" and Charlie bartending. Remarkably I have several other photos, taken the same night, and they are so similar they must be from the same roll of film. Although in my photos the members of the group, especially me, are a little more "festive". Couldn't have been the Jack Daniels??? I live in Atlanta now and we have an organization called the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, very non political, dedicated to honoring those lost in service and demonstrating a positive image of the Vietnam Vets. Check out www.avvba.org Would love to hear from you and Welcome Home!

Chuck Harvey		06-Jun-2005 08:51
Welcome Home brother Chuck Harvey USMC 68-72 RVN 68-70 2nd Batln 9th Marines

wandertheglobe		03-Jun-2005 04:44
David, very nice gallery, thanks for taking the time to put together and for sharing! I have all of my dad's slides from his 2 tours but have converted very few to digital. One of from the top of the Rex Hotel and I have it posted in my Vietnam gallery. One of these days I hope to do what you have done with his pictures. http://www.pbase.com/wandertheglobe/vietnam

Peter Chou		02-Jun-2005 18:06
Excellent images of peace in a difficult and troubled times!

Paul Dickenson		01-Jun-2005 21:46
These are amazing! A fantastic historical record, brilliantly shot in what can't have always been easy conditions. Paul

zeno		31-May-2005 05:39
good view! so special ^^

click on thumbnails for full image