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Dave Berry | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Vietnam War '67 - '68 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Vietnam War '67 - '68

Photos and memories from a tour in Vietnam as a combat medic with the 2/2nd Infantry (Mechanized) Ramrods (April - Sept. '67) and 2/28th Infantry Black Lions (Sept. '67 - April '68), 1st Infantry Division. Although most were, not all of these photos were taken by me personally. Some were taken by friends or came from archives or other sources. I have had the privilege of reconnecting with many of the guys I served with in the last several years through the magic of the internet. They were brave soldiers and I am blessed to have these good friends whose courage and loyalty I respect and treasure.

The gallery shares experiences and people who were important in my life and the lives of others. It also attempts to honor those who should be more than just names on a wall or award citations. I have added details and recollections when relevant (although sometimes irreverently and probably not always accurately) and links to other sources in order to provide more information. If you are interested in historical photos you will find some of those. If you are interested in learning more about what those photos mean, then please read the narratives and follow the links.

Comments are very much appreciated, but please be patient if your comments do not show immediately. I have had to alter the settings to give myself the opportunity to review all comments before they are posted, and delete any that are inappropriate. Sometimes that takes days, since I don't check the galleries daily.

Simon and Garfunkel said it best in the lyrics to "Old Friends/Bookends":

Time it was,
And what a time it was.
It was . . .
A time of innocence.
A time of confidences.

Long ago . . . it must be . . .
I have a photograph.
Preserve your memories,
They’re all that’s left you.

Memorial Day weekend, 2020
Memorial Day weekend, 2020
Play the game
Play the game
Big Red One
Big Red One
2/2nd Infantry (Mechanized)
2/2nd Infantry (Mechanized)
28th US Infantry Regiment - Black Lions of Cantigny
28th US Infantry Regiment - Black Lions of Cantigny
Combat Medics and Navy Corpsmen
Combat Medics and Navy Corpsmen
AO map
AO map
AO map 2
AO map 2
En route
En route
War Wagon
"War Wagon"
Where am I?
Where am I?
New sheriff in town
New sheriff in town
Aid Station Forward
Aid Station Forward
What I had in mind was a GTO
What I had in mind was a GTO
Aid Station Forward
Aid Station Forward
Aid Station Forward
Aid Station Forward
Aid Station bunker
Aid Station bunker
Tough neighborhood
Tough neighborhood
CH-47 Chinook bringing in supplies
CH-47 Chinook bringing in supplies
Downed chopper
Downed chopper
Daring HQ
Daring HQ
War is Hell
War is Hell
Lookout
Lookout
Guys cleaning out a truck at the water point
Guys cleaning out a truck at the water point
Guard shack at the water point
Guard shack at the water point
Rule #1
Rule #1
Giving guys the needle
Giving guys the needle
Sandbag detail
Sandbag detail
Battalion Aid Station Forward
Battalion Aid Station Forward
Let me get this straight, Sarge . . .
Let me get this straight, Sarge . . .
Hey Dad, can I borrow the car tonight?
Hey Dad, can I borrow the car tonight?
In the rear with the gear
In the rear with the gear
Digging in
Digging in
Operation Dallas
Operation Dallas
OH-13 helicopters on the ground
OH-13 helicopters on the ground
F-102 Delta Dagger flying close air support for my unit
F-102 Delta Dagger flying close air support for my unit
On the perimeter
On the perimeter
Inside the perimeter
Inside the perimeter
Camp Swampy - welcome to the monsoon.
Camp Swampy - welcome to the monsoon.
Monsoon patrol
Monsoon patrol
Tent, sweet tent, part 1
Tent, sweet tent, part 1
Tent, sweet tent, part 2
Tent, sweet tent, part 2
Don Scott  & me - '67
Don Scott & me - '67
Still crazy after all these years
Still crazy after all these years
Don Scott on .50 cal
Don Scott on .50 cal
Me on the .50 cal
Me on the .50 cal
222 track
222 track
Convoy - gunner's view
Convoy - gunner's view
POW camp
POW camp
Church
Church
Another church in the AO
Another church in the AO
ARVN soldier
ARVN soldier
2/2nd Infantry (Mechanized) area - Lai Khe basecamp
2/2nd Infantry (Mechanized) area - Lai Khe basecamp
Recon 2/2nd Infantry
Recon 2/2nd Infantry
VC for lunch
VC for lunch
Bravo 2/2nd
Bravo 2/2nd
232 track
232 track
233 track
233 track
234 track
234 track
212 track in the rubber
212 track in the rubber
CPT (Ret.) George Sonny Gratzer.  Rest in Peace, Bandit Six
CPT (Ret.) George "Sonny" Gratzer. Rest in Peace, Bandit Six
SP5 Joe Lupo - KIA 26 Aug. '67
SP5 Joe Lupo - KIA 26 Aug. '67
20 track - 26 Aug. '67
20 track - 26 Aug. '67
The 20 medic track
The 20 medic track
206 Track - 14 Sept. '67
206 Track - 14 Sept. '67
Cpt. Joseph S. Rose - KIA 14 Sept. '67
Cpt. Joseph S. Rose - KIA 14 Sept. '67
Platoon Sgt. Thomas Murray - KIA 14 Sept. '67
Platoon Sgt. Thomas Murray - KIA 14 Sept. '67
SP4 David C. Stanley - KIA 14 Sept, '67
SP4 David C. Stanley - KIA 14 Sept, '67
PFC David Howard - KIA 14 Sept. '67
PFC David Howard - KIA 14 Sept. '67
Bravo Co. - Minesweeping with machines (and people)
Bravo Co. - Minesweeping with machines (and people)
Bravo Co. Minesweeping 2
Bravo Co. Minesweeping 2
Command track - 306
Command track - 306
SP4 Jeff Hahn - KIA 11 Oct. '67
SP4 Jeff Hahn - KIA 11 Oct. '67
Search and seal
Search and seal
Gathering of the children
Gathering of the children
Boys will be boys
Boys will be boys
Don & Boots
Don & Boots
Eddie Caudill and Grunt
Eddie Caudill and Grunt
Grunt
Grunt
Grunt - King of the Jungle and Irma, the Jungle Tease
Grunt - King of the Jungle and Irma, the Jungle Tease
Damn!
Damn!
SP4 Ken Neal and Irma, KIA 24 March '68
SP4 Ken Neal and Irma, KIA 24 March '68
Mahoney and Bloomberg on foot patrol
Mahoney and Bloomberg on foot patrol
2/2nd Infantry (Mech) on the move, mid-'67
2/2nd Infantry (Mech) on the move, mid-'67
Herringbone formation
Herringbone formation
Through a town
Through a town
Passing through
Passing through
Rubber plantation
Rubber plantation
Maintenance
Maintenance
In garrison
In garrison
Preparing to move out
Preparing to move out
Sometimes, beauty finds you
Sometimes, beauty finds you
Children of war
Children of war
Children in the fields
Children in the fields
g1/38/800338/3/115796695.b8UKLDQR.jpg
Local village
Local village
Farming
Farming
Observing
Observing
Cemetery
Cemetery
Operation Paul Bunyan, blown track 25 July '67
Operation Paul Bunyan, blown track 25 July '67
Blown track, another view.
Blown track, another view.
Sgt Wesley Parker - KIA 25 July '67
Sgt Wesley Parker - KIA 25 July '67
Rome Plow - Operation Paul Bunyan
Rome Plow - Operation Paul Bunyan
Operation Paul Bunyan
Operation Paul Bunyan
Operation Paul Bunyan - Napalm strike in the distance
Operation Paul Bunyan - Napalm strike in the distance
Landscaping - Big Red One style
Landscaping - Big Red One style
Matt - KIA 26 Dec '67
Matt - KIA 26 Dec '67
Black Lions, Sir!
Black Lions, Sir!
Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967
Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967
Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967
Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967
Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967
Battle of Xom Bo II - 17 June 1967
Xom Bo II memorial
Xom Bo II memorial
Black Lions Battalion Command, late '67
Black Lions Battalion Command, late '67
Medics Blumenfeld, Hinger & Norgon - Operation Shenandoah II, Oct. '67
Medics Blumenfeld, Hinger & Norgon - Operation Shenandoah II, Oct. '67
The Battle of Ong Thanh - 17 Oct. '67
The Battle of Ong Thanh - 17 Oct. '67
Battle of Ong Thanh -  rescue mission
Battle of Ong Thanh - rescue mission
The Battle of Ong Thanh -  17 Oct. '67 - The human cost
The Battle of Ong Thanh - 17 Oct. '67 - The human cost
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Battle of Ong Thanh memorial service
Garland Rip Randall - KIA 17 Oct. '67
Garland "Rip" Randall - KIA 17 Oct. '67
Allen Jagielo - KIA 17 Oct. '67
Allen Jagielo - KIA 17 Oct. '67
Joe Booker - Died of Wounds 18 Oct. '67
Joe Booker - Died of Wounds 18 Oct. '67
Major Donald Holleder - Distinguished Service Cross - KIA 17 Oct. '67
Major Donald Holleder - Distinguished Service Cross - KIA 17 Oct. '67
2nd Lt. Harold Durham - Medal of Honor - KIA 17 Oct. '67
2nd Lt. Harold Durham - Medal of Honor - KIA 17 Oct. '67
LTC (Ret.) Clark Welch - Distinguished Service Cross - Rest in Peace, Delta Six
LTC (Ret.) Clark Welch - Distinguished Service Cross - Rest in Peace, Delta Six
The Battles of Loc Ninh, Nov. '67 - Overview and American Units
The Battles of Loc Ninh, Nov. '67 - Overview and American Units
The Battle of Loc Ninh Airstrip
The Battle of Loc Ninh Airstrip
Battle of Loc Ninh Airstrip
Battle of Loc Ninh Airstrip
Loc Ninh, 3 Nov. '67
Loc Ninh, 3 Nov. '67
Battle for Loc Ninh Village, Nov. '67
Battle for Loc Ninh Village, Nov. '67
Battle for Loc Ninh Village, Nov. '67
Battle for Loc Ninh Village, Nov. '67
Did anyone order a snake?
Did anyone order a snake?
Loc Ninh - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Soldiers Band
Loc Ninh - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Soldiers Band
Loc Ninh - Rocket from Hell
Loc Ninh - Rocket from Hell
Rocket from Hell - a different view
Rocket from Hell - a different view
The Tet Offensive, '68
The Tet Offensive, '68
Tet Offensive '68 - the 122mm rocket
Tet Offensive '68 - the 122mm rocket
Tom Hinger - Silver Star, 2 Purple Hearts
Tom Hinger - Silver Star, 2 Purple Hearts
Tom and me
Tom and me
Tom and Rod
Tom and Rod
Joe Costello - Silver Star, Purple Heart
Joe Costello - Silver Star, Purple Heart
Grey Lions
Grey Lions
MAJ (P) Louis C. Menetrey, Battalion Commander; and Charles Smith, medic
MAJ (P) Louis C. Menetrey, Battalion Commander; and Charles Smith, medic
LTC Louis Menetrey & CPT Jim George
LTC Louis Menetrey & CPT Jim George
Sad day for the Black Lions
Sad day for the Black Lions
General Louis C. Menetrey, 1929-2009 - Rest in Peace, Dauntless Six
General Louis C. Menetrey, 1929-2009 - Rest in Peace, Dauntless Six
Major General Keith Ware - Medal of Honor - KIA 13 Sept. '68
Major General Keith Ware - Medal of Honor - KIA 13 Sept. '68
Woody, 1967
Woody, 1967
Woody 2009
Woody 2009
Steve Goodman (Goody), 1967
Steve Goodman (Goody), 1967
Goody, Battle of Ong Thanh, Oct. 1967
Goody, Battle of Ong Thanh, Oct. 1967
Goody, Tom Hinger and I at The Wall, 1997- Rest in Peace, Goody , we'll not see your like again.
Goody, Tom Hinger and I at The Wall, 1997- Rest in Peace, Goody , we'll not see your like again.
Brothers
Brothers
Brigadier General (Retired) Jim Shelton - Rest in Peace, Fearless Leader
Brigadier General (Retired) Jim Shelton - Rest in Peace, Fearless Leader
Proud heritage
Proud heritage
Paul Fahey, combat medic
Paul Fahey, combat medic
Charles Smith, combat medic.  The wheels of a grateful nation turn slowly
Charles Smith, combat medic. The wheels of a grateful nation turn slowly
CPT (Dr.) Jim Swink, 1936-2014 - Rest in Peace, Doc
CPT (Dr.) Jim Swink, 1936-2014 - Rest in Peace, Doc
CPT (Doctor) Edward Crum
CPT (Doctor) Edward Crum
Blumenfeld and Dailey
Blumenfeld and Dailey
We're #1!
We're #1!
John McCoy - Christmas '67
John McCoy - Christmas '67
SGT John McCoy - Rest in Peace, Brother - 4/8/09
SGT John McCoy - Rest in Peace, Brother - 4/8/09
Joe Hare, New Guy - early '67
Joe Hare, New Guy - early '67
Joe Hare -  Nov. '67
Joe Hare - Nov. '67
Joe Karczynski, Dave Groh, Dale Carry, and Wayne Crisp
Joe Karczynski, Dave Groh, Dale Carry, and Wayne Crisp
Pride of Lions
Pride of Lions
1Lt. Tony Seahorn
1Lt. Tony Seahorn
Tears of A Warrior
Tears of A Warrior
PFC Sam Scriven - KIA 1 May '67
PFC Sam Scriven - KIA 1 May '67
CPT Carl Kizer - KIA 19 June '68
CPT Carl Kizer - KIA 19 June '68
CPT Carl Kizer
CPT Carl Kizer
SSG James Patrick Francis - KIA 27 May '69
SSG James Patrick Francis - KIA 27 May '69
Mortar attack
Mortar attack
VC bunker
VC bunker
Another VC bunker
Another VC bunker
Another day - another VC bunker
Another day - another VC bunker
VC overhead cover
VC overhead cover
Propaganda tree
Propaganda tree
Propaganda tree 2
Propaganda tree 2
Propaganda tree 3
Propaganda tree 3
Captured 11 Oct. '67 - Operation Shenandoah II
Captured 11 Oct. '67 - Operation Shenandoah II
Captured weapons
Captured weapons
Battle debris the morning after a ground attack
Battle debris the morning after a ground attack
Hurry up and wait
Hurry up and wait
Lai Khe assault pad
Lai Khe assault pad
Be careful, it's a jungle out there
Be careful, it's a jungle out there
Aviators
Aviators
Thank you for flying 173rd Attack Helicopter Company - Air Robinhood
"Thank you for flying 173rd Attack Helicopter Company - Air Robinhood"
Outward bound
Outward bound
Wingman
Wingman
Cruising
Cruising
Different day, same view
Different day, same view
Young warrior
Young warrior
Commuting to work
Commuting to work
In flight
In flight
Checkpoint
Checkpoint
Homecoming
Homecoming
g10/38/800338/3/166134000.iEpDqtGp.jpg Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!
LZ 1 - Recon Platoon leader 1Lt. Jim Deegan - smoke out!
LZ 1 - Recon Platoon leader 1Lt. Jim Deegan - "smoke out!"
LZ 2 - 1Lt. Deegan looking for approaching aircraft
LZ 2 - 1Lt. Deegan looking for approaching aircraft
LTC (Ret.) Jim Deegan - Rest in Peace, Two-Niner
LTC (Ret.) Jim Deegan - Rest in Peace, Two-Niner
LZ 3
LZ 3
LZ 4
LZ 4
Julio Martinez with the M-60
Julio Martinez with the M-60
Recon Patrol
Recon Patrol
Patrol
Patrol
Gunship flying cover
Gunship flying cover
Sometimes, it was actually beautiful.
Sometimes, it was actually beautiful.
Waiting
Waiting
Keep Calm and Call the Infantry
Keep Calm and Call the Infantry
Cobra gunship down in the Black Lions NDP
Cobra gunship down in the Black Lions NDP
Lt. Joe Devine and team
Lt. Joe Devine and team
Lt. Devine, Lt. Stroup and platoon Sgt
Lt. Devine, Lt. Stroup and platoon Sgt
Lt.  Al Bracey
Lt. Al Bracey
Bill Springer
Bill Springer
Mike Kotowski
Mike Kotowski
All dressed up
All dressed up
Scout Camp '68
Scout Camp '68
Break time
Break time
On palace guard - Lai Khe perimeter
On palace guard - Lai Khe perimeter
Recon Platoon, 2/28 Inf.
Recon Platoon, 2/28 Inf.
Rode hard and put away wet
"Rode hard and put away wet"
VC barber
VC barber
You better not pout
You better not pout
Thunder FSB
Thunder FSB
Fire mission
Fire mission
Patrol out
Patrol out
Patrol going out
Patrol going out
Fighting position
Fighting position
Mayo Clinic (Southeastern Branch)
Mayo Clinic (Southeastern Branch)
Fire Support Base
Fire Support Base
Services
Services
The mythical Freedom Bird
The mythical "Freedom Bird"
Lai Khe airstrip
Lai Khe airstrip
LRRPs
LRRPs
Lai Khe Aviation
Lai Khe Aviation
2/34th Armor
2/34th Armor
Air strike near Highway One - Pilot's view
Air strike near Highway One - Pilot's view
Christmas '67
Christmas '67
Christmas '67
Christmas '67
Christmas menu
Christmas menu
Lai Khe, 3rd Brigade Ammo Dump, 22 Dec. '67
Lai Khe, 3rd Brigade Ammo Dump, 22 Dec. '67
1st Division Chapel
1st Division Chapel
Lai Khe post office
Lai Khe post office
Vietnam War Flying Ace
Vietnam War Flying Ace
Litter Jeep
Litter Jeep
Flight line at Tan Son Nhut AFB
Flight line at Tan Son Nhut AFB
Vung Tau
Vung Tau
Chieu Hoi pass
Chieu Hoi pass
Chieu Hoi back
Chieu Hoi back
Nguyen Charlie
Nguyen Charlie
Chris Noel
Chris Noel
Girls say YES . . .
"Girls say YES . . .
The Combat Medical Badge (CMB)
The Combat Medical Badge (CMB)
Combat Medic Memorial
Combat Medic Memorial
The Wall
The Wall
The Wall - More than just a memorial
The Wall - More than just a memorial
Epilogue
Epilogue
Reflections on a military career
Reflections on a military career