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As the years go by our fellow Troopers are lifted out of the LZ and our lives. We will post the sad news when we are notified on this page and on the Fiddlers Green pages. |
Another sad passing of a great Trooper.
Joe Kelbus (A Troop Blue RTO and Squad Leader 67-68) passed away around noon, 12 May 2008. His wife, Dot, daughter Melissa, son Mark, and grandchildren were with him at the hospital, as they had just spent a wonderful Mother's Day with Joe cooking at the barbeque grill.
Message from "Z" HEADHUNTER ANZELMO
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| Curtis, Joe Kelbus (center) Peter 1968 (click on picture for a larger image) |
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| Joe Kelbus, Dot Kelbus and Charles Brown at 2006 BWS Reunion (click on picture for a larger image) |
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To All,
Some of you may already have heard and some of you may not have known Craig. On May,1 2008, Trooper Craig Matlock crossed over to Fiddler's Green after a long and gallant battle with cancer. I had the honor of flying with Craig as the crew chief on Headhunter 38 along with AC Bob Phipps as my first assignment with Apache Troop.. Craig was a great crew chief and a good shot with an M 60 and was patient with a newly minted, still wet behind the ears "Wobbly One".
I spoke with Craig's son, Matthew, last night and we can send cards and remembrances to his family at 2095 6th Street, Blythe, CA 92225. I'm sure they would appreciate hearing from anyone that knew and served with Craig. There will be an obituary published next Wednesday in the "Palo Verde Valley Times" (local newspaper for Blythe, CA).
Craig was a good soldier, a good friend, a good father, a good husband and a man I was proud to know. In the end, that's how we'd all like to be remembered.
I've attached a picture of the Headhunter Crew Chiefs circa 1967. Craig is the first one on the left standing on the back row ( L-R Craig, Phil Reams, Rick Novia. kneeling, Bill Stonemean, Ralph Horowitz and Mike Coates). We wish him Godspeed on his final journey.
Mike Bond
Headhunter 39 |
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| Headhunter Crew Chiefs 1967 Standing L-R Craig Matlock, Phil Reams, Rick Novia. kneeling, Bill Stonemean, Ralph Horowitz and Mike Coates (click on picture for a larger image) |
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| BWS Newsletter Download Added 12 May |
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WELCOME !!
Many of our Troopers are returning to the squadron and renewing old friendships and finding that "once a brother, always a brother".
Our Association is having our bi-annual reunion this October 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th in Dothan, Alabama. We look forward to seeing you there if you can make it. Our last reunion had over 400 troopers and guests. The 2008 reunion will be in the new Dothan Convention Center and we will have access to a variety of events and gatherings not previously available due to size restrictions. Our reunions are a "get together" where we renew our spirits and brotherhood, pay respects to our fallen comrades, tell tall tales, and just have a good time. Reunion details are on the 2008 Reunion page.
See you there!! BWS
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1st Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment
1st Air Cavalry Division
3rd Squadron 17th Cavalry Regiment
11th Air Assault Division
The Bullwhip Squadron Association is a non-profit organization
war veterans organization filed under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Service dedicated to honoring all Vietnam Veterans who served with the
1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry between 1965-1973,
Troops HHT, A, B, C, D, E, F, LRRPs, and Combat Trackers
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| Army Photo of Bravo Troop Saber Blues into the LZ by Saber Blue Lift Huey - 1967 |
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| This famous photo was taken west of Duc Pho on or about 24 April 1967 during operation Oregon. The picture was taken by SGT Howard C. Breadlove, U.S. Army. National Archives Photo # cc111-39776. At the time of the photo there were at least 12 pilots and 80 Blues on the Aircraft. All kidding aside they tried to identify the personnel in the famous photo so they could put name tags on the mannequins in the Army Aviation Museum display - but the list is still being reviewed after almost 41 years.
For those attending the 2008 Reunion: From Phil Hendrix-
This scene has been immortalized in the Army Aviation Museum at Ft Rucker in the life-sized display of this picture. I have the cover page from the January 1968 Army Digest magazine and, as a Blue, I would sure like to know if anyone knows for sure who these guys are. I also have a beautifully framed large copy of the photo which I am going to donate to the BWS auction this year at the reunion in Dothan.
Phil Hendrix
Apache Blue 67-68 |
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| Wall 2006 |
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Do you have a story of 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry?
Can you recall a story that you want to share with others or specifically with BWS members?
Do you remember any "war stories" about you and your buddies?
How about pictures of you, fellow Troopers, aircraft, vehicles, patches, hootches, POL, LZs, fire bases, jungle, mountains, flybys and ceremonies?
If so, let us know! We'd like to include them in the BWS library.
All information will be controlled and archived for incorporation into an official BWS repository available to BWS members.
Any story/picture/item you provide by mail, email, or upload should have originator information and related event/article information. We will have more information as to a process to protect the submitted information shortly.
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The Question of the Week is an effort to identify Troopers and/or add event details for Squadron Members.
The first person that can answer the question will have thier name put into a raffle bowl for a prize during the 2008 Reunion in Dothan, Alabama. If the winner is not at the reunion the prize will be mailed to them.
Post your answers to the Gueat Book and/or email the answers to:
Larry Wright, Membership Chairman LarryW9thcav6566@aol.com |
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| B Troop Question Link |
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| Click on the picture for a larger image: A Troopers at 2006 BWS Reunion, Ron Christopher Photo |
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We are attempting to identify BWS primary and alternate points of contact for each Troop, LRRPs, and Combat Trackers.
These point of contacts would facilitate interactions within the respective units. They would assist in membership information exchange, organizing unit specific coordination, postings, forums, actions and other tasks that would help foster and maintain our brotherhood.
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| BWS Member Locations |
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