Comments on: Lt. Col. John E. Gross Recalls the Tet Battles of Bien Hoa and Long Binh http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:36:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: JOHN QUIRK http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-788398 JOHN QUIRK Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:41:01 +0000 #comment-788398 Carter.. I remember you by name but not sight. I was assigned to the 90th on 3 June 1968. I was assigned to the hanger ( much to my dismay) The aircraft you mention was I believe the squadron "pet" triple seven ( later flown thru some rather low palm trees by Lt Roger Rice). I rotated out in June of ,69 and haven't seen or hear of anyone from the 90th since. Hope you are well and prosperous JJQ Carter.. I remember you by name but not sight. I was assigned to the 90th on 3 June 1968. I was assigned to the hanger ( much to my dismay) The aircraft you mention was I believe the squadron "pet" triple seven ( later flown thru some rather low palm trees by Lt Roger Rice).
I rotated out in June of ,69 and haven't seen or hear of anyone from the 90th since.

Hope you are well and prosperous

JJQ

]]> By: Deuke Eukel http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-787668 Deuke Eukel Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:37:29 +0000 #comment-787668 In my above post I inadvertantly wrote "7th" Infantry - it was 9th Infantry. I would still love to hear from anyone who may have information about my brother. Thanks. In my above post I inadvertantly wrote "7th" Infantry – it was 9th Infantry.
I would still love to hear from anyone who may have information about my brother.

Thanks.

]]> By: Deuke Eukel http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-781684 Deuke Eukel Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:00:04 +0000 #comment-781684 My brother, David D. Eukel, a PFC, Charlie Co. 3rdBN 7th Inf. 199th Light; must have been in the firefights LTC Gross wrote about - I've tracked his location from several reports and from what I can tell he was there during the battles which took Bein Hoa back from the VC. Officially, he was determined KIA on Feb. 8, 1968, but since I can find nothing about the events of Feb. 8, I'm not so sure now. He'd been in-country for more than 11mos - a Vet in Vietnam standards. I'm pretty sure he was a fighter till the end, but I'd sure like to have contact with anyone who was there during Tet and may know about him or how he died. I went later to Nam, part of evacs in 72-73 in the Navy and so understand much, but would like to have more info. If anyone knows how to contact LTC Gross or has any info they could share with me, I'd appreciate it. My email is dwriter77@yahoo.com. My brother, David D. Eukel, a PFC, Charlie Co. 3rdBN 7th Inf. 199th Light; must have been in the firefights LTC Gross wrote about – I've tracked his location from several reports and from what I can tell he was there during the battles which took Bein Hoa back from the VC. Officially, he was determined KIA on Feb. 8, 1968, but since I can find nothing about the events of Feb. 8, I'm not so sure now.

He'd been in-country for more than 11mos – a Vet in Vietnam standards. I'm pretty sure he was a fighter till the end, but I'd sure like to have contact with anyone who was there during Tet and may know about him or how he died.

I went later to Nam, part of evacs in 72-73 in the Navy and so understand much, but would like to have more info. If anyone knows how to contact LTC Gross or has any info they could share with me, I'd appreciate it.
My email is dwriter77@yahoo.com.

]]> By: Gene Young http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-781190 Gene Young Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:17:46 +0000 #comment-781190 John, I have some photos I took while assigned to Train Compound in 1938. I was there from Dec67 to Jan 69 as a redio repaireman of the FAC jeeps used througout III corps area. I was with the 19th TASS and traveled all over III corps. I remember Train Compound as it was "Home" for those wretched months. If you want I can email you the photos. They are all black and white as I developed them myself in the photo lab Upstairs in the main building at Train Compound. John, I have some photos I took while assigned to Train Compound in 1938. I was there from Dec67 to Jan 69 as a redio repaireman of the FAC jeeps used througout III corps area. I was with the 19th TASS and traveled all over III corps. I remember Train Compound as it was "Home" for those wretched months.
If you want I can email you the photos. They are all black and white as I developed them myself in the photo lab Upstairs in the main building at Train Compound.

]]> By: John W. Conroy http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-778811 John W. Conroy Sat, 01 Oct 2011 12:46:15 +0000 #comment-778811 I've been looking for information on the Train Compound which I was familiar with in 1967 when stationed in Long Binh at the l85th Maint. Bn. They had a great bar, mess hall and pool. Am working on a book and need information on the layout and location. Been back to VN many times but couldn't locate the exact site. Tam Hiep and Ho Nai still there and being rapidly built up as the Long Binh site becomes a major industrial park. For a number of years my brother Mark Conroy, the Director of East Meets West Foundation which was founded by Le Ly Hayslip had a bar on China Beach outside Danang called 'Conroy's Pub'. We called it the only Irish American bar in Viet Nam. I've been to Iraq five times and Afghanistan 3 times as an embedded reporter. Going back to Afghanistan in a couple of weeks. These operations in no way resemble Viet Nam. There is no opposition army in either country. And ofcourse no Navy or Air Force. I did go on an operation in Afghanistan in Kunar Province in 2007 that had the feel of VN but action was limited. This was 'Rock Avalanche' of 'Restrepo' fame and was conducted by the same 173rd Airborne that was stationed at Bien Hoa. I've a few articles from there and present day VN on my blog - johnwconroy.blogspot.com - if anyone is interested. And life goes on. I've been looking for information on the Train Compound which I was familiar with in 1967 when stationed in Long Binh at the l85th Maint. Bn. They had a great bar, mess hall and pool. Am working on a book and need information on the layout and location. Been back to VN many times but couldn't locate the exact site. Tam Hiep and Ho Nai still there and being rapidly built up as the Long Binh site becomes a major industrial park. For a number of years my brother Mark Conroy, the Director of East Meets West Foundation which was founded by Le Ly Hayslip had a bar on China Beach outside Danang called 'Conroy's Pub'. We called it the only Irish American bar in Viet Nam. I've been to Iraq five times and Afghanistan 3 times as an embedded reporter. Going back to Afghanistan in a couple of weeks. These operations in no way resemble Viet Nam. There is no opposition army in either country. And ofcourse no Navy or Air Force. I did go on an operation in Afghanistan in Kunar Province in 2007 that had the feel of VN but action was limited. This was 'Rock Avalanche' of 'Restrepo' fame and was conducted by the same 173rd Airborne that was stationed at Bien Hoa. I've a few articles from there and present day VN on my blog – johnwconroy.blogspot.com – if anyone is interested. And life goes on.

]]> By: baidu678 http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-738795 baidu678 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:06:56 +0000 #comment-738795 Thank you for letting me know your thoughts and comments, they are much appreciated by me! Thank you for letting me know your thoughts and comments, they are much appreciated by me!

]]> By: HENRY F.MILLER http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-549414 HENRY F.MILLER Thu, 05 May 2011 08:24:08 +0000 #comment-549414 Arnold, are you talking about the bomb holding area along with the fuse shop? The fuse shop was just across the road from the quansite hut type bldg. where they linked 7.62 and 20mm rounds. I was a ssgt. in the 303rd munitions. I was there for two tours. I got in country Dec.67' and left spring of 70'. I was there for 3 Tet's. I was working nightshift in the holding area during Tet of 68'. Sometime after midnight the VC started walking mortars in from the east perimeter fence. The holding area was located on a slight hill and we had a good vantage point to watch as things happened on the east perimeter. We heard that the VC had broken through the fence and had taken control of the run-up pad at the east end of the runway. The spooky gunships were still able to land on the other end of the runway and then cross over at midpoint over to the taxiway. I helped keep Spooky supplied with parachute flares and 7.62 rounds the rest of the night. That night they also pulled all non-essential personel back to the center of the base around the headquarters area. When sunrise came next morning it was all over for the VC. I don't think I have ever seen a prettier sunrise as that morning.. About the Agent Orange, I know we had a Ranchhand outfit there at Bien Hoa. I've got Neurapathy in my feet and and toes that no one can explain. I just had a gluecose tolerance test done and I don't have a sugar problem. If you want to, contact me by email. Arnold, are you talking about the bomb holding area along with the fuse shop? The fuse shop was just across the road from the quansite hut type bldg. where they linked 7.62 and 20mm rounds. I was a ssgt. in the 303rd munitions. I was there for two tours. I got in country Dec.67' and left spring of 70'. I was there for 3 Tet's. I was working nightshift in the holding area during Tet of 68'. Sometime after midnight the VC started walking mortars in from the east perimeter fence. The holding area was located on a slight hill and we had a good vantage point to watch as things happened on the east perimeter. We heard that the VC had broken through the fence and had taken control of the run-up pad at the east end of the runway. The spooky gunships were still able to land on the other end of the runway and then cross over at midpoint over to the taxiway. I helped keep Spooky supplied with parachute flares and 7.62 rounds the rest of the night. That night they also pulled all non-essential personel back to the center of the base around the headquarters area. When sunrise came next morning it was all over for the VC. I don't think I have ever seen a prettier sunrise as that morning.. About the Agent Orange, I know we had a Ranchhand outfit there at Bien Hoa. I've got Neurapathy in my feet and and toes that no one can explain. I just had a gluecose tolerance test done and I don't have a sugar problem. If you want to, contact me by email.

]]> By: jeff kessen http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-529472 jeff kessen Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:55:17 +0000 #comment-529472 Rey it was great talking with you today...Welcome home, if you get to oregon call me... Jeff Kessen 541 765 2425 Rey it was great talking with you today…Welcome home, if you get to oregon call me… Jeff Kessen 541 765 2425

]]> By: Arnold Butler http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-505501 Arnold Butler Sat, 26 Mar 2011 07:29:52 +0000 #comment-505501 Bein woa AB 1966 - 1967-1968 what did they call the area where they loaded the 20mm shells in the cans that would go into the F 4 C's and F 100's I spent two tours working in that building loading those Aircraft cans. The building was a half circle dome building with stacks of empty ammo cans out side.. We were close to the flight line and aircraft. On the other side of the base was the ammo dump. Dose any body know what I'm talking about.. I sure would like to know what its called and possibly be able to contact some of the Air force troops stationed with me.. Also if there are troops that had medical issues related to the spraying of agent orange. I remember seeing them spray around the outside of the base. But back then I didn't no what it was. Agent Orange issues. Bein woa AB 1966 – 1967-1968 what did they call the area where they loaded the 20mm shells in the cans that would go into the F 4 C's and F 100's I spent two tours working in that building loading those Aircraft cans.
The building was a half circle dome building with stacks of empty ammo
cans out side.. We were close to the flight line and aircraft. On the other side of the base was the ammo dump. Dose any body know what I'm talking about.. I sure would like to know what its called and possibly be able to contact some of the Air force troops stationed with me..
Also if there are troops that had medical issues related to the spraying of agent orange. I remember seeing them spray around the outside of the base. But back then I didn't no what it was. Agent Orange issues.

]]> By: tom mulroe http://www.historynet.com/lt-col-john-e-gross-recalls-the-tet-battles-of-bien-hoa-and-long-binh.htm#comment-500911 tom mulroe Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:38:47 +0000 #comment-500911 Location;Bien Hoa airbase. Time; 3.am. Location: control tower. I was the air traffic controller on duty in the tower. (The TET Offensive) After 35 to 40 rockets pounded us the vc attacked the east end of the airfield. 3RD Security Police Sqdn; Air Force security men manned the old french buncker in the wires on the approach end of the runway. The all eventually were killed or wounded BUT they bought us time. The front end loaders put over 150 vc in a hole out there; some with there "Back packs" still on them... One of the security guys (Capt. R.V. Maisey) was nominated for the Congressional; posthumously. I have the complete written history. Its never been told as we were Air Force on an RVn base, we weren't supposed to fight. Location;Bien Hoa airbase. Time; 3.am. Location: control tower. I was the air traffic controller on duty in the tower. (The TET Offensive)
After 35 to 40 rockets pounded us the vc attacked the east end of the airfield. 3RD Security Police Sqdn; Air Force security men manned the old french buncker in the wires on the approach end of the runway.
The all eventually were killed or wounded BUT they bought us time.
The front end loaders put over 150 vc in a hole out there; some with there "Back packs" still on them… One of the security guys (Capt. R.V. Maisey) was nominated for the Congressional; posthumously. I have the complete written history. Its never been told as we were Air Force on an RVn base, we weren't supposed to fight.

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