Chuck Braziel, Alpha Co & CSC 1/39 Inf: 1979-1982
A few months back I got some news from Chuck Braziel -- lots of news! and more than I can handle in my usual Saturday morning rush to catch up -- anyway, this is my attempt to capture the main parts. Thanks, Chuck, for the splendid set of memories, photos and names.
First, a memory jogger, this photo of Chuck in front of Alpha Co. Somewhere, there's a shot of me next to the same sign in the same pose. I can tell you, this really brings it back . . . not least because as I write I am freezing my butt off here in the 'home office', enjoying some Baumholder weather, up at zero-dark-thirty, on my fifth coffee, looking a fool in my OD beanie, and wondering whether I can finish this post before my numb toes drive me back to the living room and the fire. All that's missing is the rain and snow.
From Chuck:
More from Chuck:
In addition to these memories, Chuck also put a lot of work into typing up a giant list of the soldiers from Alpha Co (Weapons Platoon) and CSC.
Well, there we have it. Thanks once again to Chuck for stepping forward with all this info. If you served with Paddy's Gang during that period (1979-1982), be sure to drop a line.
AAAO!
First, a memory jogger, this photo of Chuck in front of Alpha Co. Somewhere, there's a shot of me next to the same sign in the same pose. I can tell you, this really brings it back . . . not least because as I write I am freezing my butt off here in the 'home office', enjoying some Baumholder weather, up at zero-dark-thirty, on my fifth coffee, looking a fool in my OD beanie, and wondering whether I can finish this post before my numb toes drive me back to the living room and the fire. All that's missing is the rain and snow.
From Chuck:[Note from MG: sounds like CPT Maginnis may have shared some common TOW experiences with CPT Ray Nagy.]
I retired from AD in 2007, but was assigned to A Co/CSC, 1-39 INF from 1979-82. Actually, remember Johnny Wireman (previous entry) from the old days. . . .
. . . the late 70's were a rough time for our Army. We were kind of sandwiched between Vietnam and the Reagan era build-up. Saw many a soldier sent home early for various infringements. A long story for another day....
Our BC at the time was LTC Ken Date (pronounced Da - tey) who hailed from Hawaii; LTC Date's forefathers were Japanese Samurai as he told us during our in-brief to the battalion.
Then-CPT Bob Maginnis -- well known defense commentator for the history channel as well as the major news networks -- was either the CO for A Co or CSC at the time.
More from Chuck:I was in the tow section then with Stanley Scott, Scott Baker, Mike Garcia, Jim Clark, William Brooks, SSG Thompson, SGT Cason and SGT Sitig.
Also knew SGT Bill Chandler while serving with AT Platoon, CSC.
[That's Chuck on the TOW, withDave Boardman standing in shades and SSG Gene Limbaugh in the background]
During its day, AT Plt was very large, but we had a shortage of 11H ITV qualified NCO's in the battalion. The answer was the "Acting Jack" CPL (not hard stripe) system. I was one of these "Acting Jacks" for a period, but reverted back to SPC prior to ETS. It was tough and interesting going from one of the boys to their supervisor the next day.
After Baumholder, took some time away from the military and joined the reserves in 83-90. Retired in Aug 07 As an O-4 and working for L-3 at Redstone Arsenal, AL. Living in Alabama.
Have only exchanged e-mail with Martin Conde.
Also built an enlisted profile on military.com to see if I may get any "hits" from old service buds.
Chuck Braziel
brazielc_50@yahoo.com
In addition to these memories, Chuck also put a lot of work into typing up a giant list of the soldiers from Alpha Co (Weapons Platoon) and CSC.
A Co 79-80
CO CPT Eric Scott
1SG 1SG Meadows
XO 1LT Brown
Plt SGT SFC Rudy Ford
SSG Graham
Driver SPC Dillard
SPC Jimenez
SPC McDonald
Weapons Plt
Plt SGT MSG Gilley
Plt Leaders LT Cannon/LT Mcallister
4.2 mortar sect
SFC Conner
SGT Nyguck
SPC Margritz
PFC Taylor
PFC Campbell
PFC Lindley
SPC Cooper
SPC Torres
Tow Sect. M-113s with Tow Caps
Sect Sgt SSG Thompson
SSG Limbaugh
Squad Ldr SGT Chuck Sitig
Squad Ldr SGT Cason
SPC Jim Clark
SPC Stanley Scott
PFC Scott Baker
PFC William Brooks
PFC Chuck Braziel
PFC Mike Garcia
PV2 Dave Boardman
CSC, 1SG 1SG Rudy Ford
CSC, AT PLT 1/39 INF 81-82 M901 ITV equipped…
PLT Ldr LT Dehan/LT Anderson
PLT SGT SFC White
SSG Kevin Overman
SSG Welsh
SGT Thomas
SGT Wood
SGT Kurt Chipman
SSG Woodrow "T" Longmire
SGT Chandler
CPL Turner
CPL Charlie Greenwald
CPL Wharton
CPL Truitt
CPL Joe Graham
SPC Chuck Braziel
SPC Mike Garcia
SPC Glenn Boege
SPC Dan Knapp
PFC Tierney
SPC Leonard "Sly" Glover
PFC Harkness
PFC Marrow
PV2 Greg Freidman
SPC Chris Delawder
PFC Mike Wood
SPC Scott Davidson
PFC Lee McHaney
PFC Marty Conde
PV2 Schrimsher
PFC Buchanen
SPC Kimmich
PFC Gilmore
PFC Riveria
PFC Handy
PV2 Ron Westhoff
SPC William Brooks
Well, there we have it. Thanks once again to Chuck for stepping forward with all this info. If you served with Paddy's Gang during that period (1979-1982), be sure to drop a line.
AAAO!
UPDATE: Rocky Hockenberry remembers SSG/MSG Gilley, too.
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p.s. If you're new to the Web Beacon and haven't already written in, you can add your name to the roster now!
Didn't find what you were after? Try looking in the 'previous posts' over to the right, or use the search tool at the top left of this page.
posted by mhg at 11:09 PM
16 Comments:
My name is Mike Huenecke. E-1-E-3. Was was there from 79-81 as a cook in HHC and later in C. Co. I remember when the TOW rocket went off in your face. I remember you as a CPL. Seems like alot of us got out and joined the Guard and reserves. i finally retired as a E-7 AF reserve.We were alot younger and crazier then huh
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the comments. Yep, that was me. I was very lucky that day and thankful my burns were not any worse. I could go into a long story of what was done wrong in loading the missile (procedure and arming wise) that day, but chose to move on and leave it in the past- After Baumholder, I did 5 more years enlisted reserves then went back on AD for 17 years retiring in 2007as an O-4. That was a different time for sure and the world has changed allot. The beer was good and and it was also fun traveling around Germany/Europe. Take care-
Hey Mike,
Thanks for the comments. Yep, that was me. I was very lucky that day and thankful my burns were not any worse. I could go into a long story of what was done wrong in loading the missile (procedure and arming wise) that day, but chose to move on and leave it in the past- After Baumholder, I did 5 more years enlisted reserves then went back on AD for 17 years retiring in 2007as an O-4. That was a different time for sure and the world has changed allot. The beer was good and and it was also fun traveling around Germany/Europe. Take care-
Mike,
Belated thanks for update -- how about sending a current email? You can click on one of the links on the Web Beacon home page.
Thanks!
MHG
mike, I was in bravo company when you were in a company and hung out with little rock who left in 79. I did not leave till 1980 in sept.
my name is sgt arthur fryer and i was in tows with bravo company.
I tried the email you provided but it keeps coming back as no good.
Mike i was there with you i was the commo cheif they called me little brown.can you tell me how to find others that you have contacted.I talked to Dillard on the phone about 8yrs. ago i'm on facsbook nate brown kings mountain n.c.
Hey Chuck you forgot me in the list of CSC troops. SPC Jeff Melton (I was Kimmick's roommate in the AT Platoon). Also want to let you know that SPC Ray Kimmick died July 24, 2013. His ex-wife contacted me yesterday (8/1/2013) to tell me. He lived in NC and was on his motorcycle. A van pulled out in front of him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. RIP SPC Kimmick.
Hey Jeff,
Have not kept up with the site as well as I should have. Very sorry for leaving you off the list (my mistake). At 55, the ole memory is not what it used to be. Those were some crazy times for sure. I do remember you though buddy and so very sorry to hear of Ray's death. I hope that you are doing well.
Merry Christmas,
Chuck
Hey Chuck, Jim Blackman here damn brother it is great seeing these pictures. I am still in touch with Bill Patty. Me, Bill and Chris Delawder lived together back in the mid 80's. Chris got shot back in 93. Crazy circumstance.
Hope all is well bro. AAAO
Jim, post an email address and I'll send it Chuck's way. Might be able to link a few of you guys up.
I was stationed.with csc 1/39 from 79 until 81. I was there when they switched over to the itv's. My name.is Richard Curtis. Left there in Oct 81
This comment has been removed by the author.
jimblkmn@gmail.com I am in touch with Bill Pattie also
Hey Jim and just now saw your post after all these years. Hope you are doing well my Friend! Chuck
Was in Scouts, CSC 1-39 from 77-79. This blog really brings back memories .
Heya, Tim, thanks for leaving a message. If you post an email address (or send it to MinisterForNo@proton.me), I'm happy to send it to Chuck and anyone else from your time who's on the mailing list.
Post a Comment
PLEASE INCLUDE AN EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT ! ! !
This is the right time and place to include your email address.
It's the only way your old buddies can contact you via this site.
Thanks!
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