Jack Falcone, Paddy's Gang 1961-1964 Part II

Following on from my previous post on Jack Falcone in January 2009, here are some more important details about the unit. (You'll recall that Jack served with 1/39 Inf back in the early/mid 1960s.)

My squad leader was SGT Daniels. Our track driver was Richard A. Warick. I was home on leave when my APC sank in the river. SGT Bickford, Newton and another fellow, all in my squad, died in there.

In 1964 another friend died in a river crossing. His name was Javier Alonzo, he drove the jeep for the Captain. He was crossing a river directly after me. I came out and he went down in a new scout APC. I was talking to him on the radio and yelling for him to get out. He got out but the wrong way and was pushed into the mud. His life vest came up but he didn't. Javier taught me to drive stick shift on the 3/4 ton in the motor pool in Graf. His famous call was 'KOREA'.

One night a soldier went berserk and was firing his M-14 all over the barracks. We finally got him down and placed him in a straight jacket . . . the captain told me to get my .45 and told me to guard him through the night. My orders were to shoot him if he got loose.

Got some great pictures. I posted them on the 48th Infantry web site.

Talk soon,

Jack

Well, those are certainly some sobering tales. Must say, I never had any great enthusiasm for floating the tracks, and this just tends to confirm my view.

Anyone from the unit in those days, be sure to drop me a line.  I have an increasing number of contact details from fellows like Jack who served with the 1st Battalion 39th Infantry Regiment in Worms.

AAAO

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