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These pages are dedicated to the men who served with
Dusters, Quad 50's, Searchlights, Vulcans and HAWKs
in the Vietnam and Korean wars. |
(Click on photo for larger image.)
ADA'S Medal of Honor Recipient - Sgt. Mitchell W. Stout
"We were the most highly decorated army artillery outfit in Vietnam. The only A.D.A. unit with a Congressional Medal of Honor,
Mitchell Stout. We were awarded Presidential and Meritorious Unit citations, Silver Stars, Bronze stars, and over 1,000 Purple Hearts.
"We were in demand, 'Fire Power for Hire'. Over four million 40 MM rounds, ten million .50 cal. rounds, and a million miles of illumination from the D.M.Z. to the Delta."
- Hugh Roberts, former President of "Dusters, Quads and Searchlights Association"
Click here for information about the vehicles, history and Order of Battle of ADA units in Vietnam.
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"I am frankly of the belief that no amount of American military assistance in Indochina can conquer an enemy which is everywhere and at the same time nowhere, 'an enemy of the people' which has the sympathy and covert support of the people. . . . In November of 1951, I reported upon my return from the Far East as follows: 'In Indochina we have allied ourselves to the desperate effort of a French regime to hang on to the remnants of empire. There is no broad, general support of the native Vietnam Government among the people of that area . . . . [To try to win military victory] apart from and in defiance of innately nationalistic aims spells foredoomed failure.'"
- Senator John F. Kennedy, 1954 |
"What has become of the steed?
What has become of the warrior?
What has become of the seats of banquet?
Where are the joys of the hall?
O for the bright cup!
O for the mailclad warrior!
O for the glory of the prince!
How that time has passed away
And grown dark under the cover of night,
As if it had never been."
- "The Wanderer" (Anglo-Saxon) |
If you served in a Duster, Quad 50, Searchlight, Vulcan or Hawk unit and want your own memoirs and images to be included on these pages e-mail Paul Kopsick, the DQS Historian, at: dqshistorian@cox.net |
Vietnam Memoirs Book Shelf
See reviews of some excellent books on the war and its aftermath.
Order directly on-line from Amazon Books.Click here!
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Dusters, Quads and Searchlights Sites
ADA Magazine Online - the professional journal of Air Defense Artillery
Fort Bliss - U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School
Red Sigle's Vietnam Photo Slideshow
Have-Gun, Will Travel - C 5/2 Arty (Octofoil Magazine, 1969)
The Battle at Khe Gio Bridge (Don Wittenberger)
Vietnam Memorabilia of a Duster Crewman (Joe Belardo)
Links to Other Vietnam Sites |
Announcements
New Novel - Hard Way Home
I was in the 1/44th .... Dong Ha, Con Thien and various I-Corps locations in 69-70.
I have written a new novel. It is fiction; however, it is fact based. The first chapters start with observations while in serving in 1/44th in I-Corps. The book has been well received by those who have read it.
Dennis Clark
The link to the book and my website is dennisclarknovels.com. | 
Click on image for larger view
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Ronald Marks HHB 1/44, 67-68
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I am the son of Ronald Marks who passed away in 1987. He was part of HHB 1st BN 44th Arty in 67-68. He died before I had the opportunity to ask him about his service in Vietnam. I was 7 when he died and am very eager to learn about his experiences while he was stationed there. Any info would be great. I have enclosed a pic from his tour in case you recognize him. Thanks again.
Daniel Marks, Principal
Pioneer Conferencing LLC
E-mail: dmarks@pioneerconference.com
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Stained Glass IIFFV Patch| Now available!
This beautiful artwork has been crafted by Col. (Ret) Jim Perry (I-29 68-69).
Art shipped within 2 weeks of receiving order.
$5 of every order will be contributed to the National Dusters, Quads and Searchlights Association.
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See Jim's other work at BookNCrafts. Jim can also make up a First Field Force patch at the same price for those who are interested.
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| Proposed 1/44 Memorial
A memorial has been planned for the 1st Battalion of the 44th Artillery at Fort Bliss.
Donations may be made c/o the 1/44 Fallen Hero's Fund, 1/44, Fort Bliss.
For more information contact
CPT Frank Nieto at jfrank.l.nieto@us.army.mil.
Bricks will be made up in memory of veterans for contributions of $100 or more.
(Click on links below to load images.)
The 1/44 "Fallen Hero's Bell" is self
explanatory. The memorial at the left front is the Mitchell Stout memorial. The tablets at the right are from the command structure of the
Republican Guards Air Defense School, which were captured by members of
1/44 in Iraq.
Submitted by Robert H. Lauver (G-65, 66-68) rhlauver@juno.com
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The National Rakkasan* Association HAS APPROVED an attempt to organize a sub Chapter For ALL Hamburger Hill Vets.
You need NOT have been a member of the 187, just either under their control or in support off them - Arty, Engineers, other grunt outfits, etc. ARE eligible - basically ANYONE In the 3rd Bde of the 101st during 10-22 May 1969, plus other supporting XXIV Corps Art, etc. ( I think even a few Marines.)
IN ADDITION any Rakkasan from any time period is eligible
1. You MUST be eligible to join the National Association (and join!)
2. You can be from ANY geographical part of the world. (This is an exception to most sub chapters.)
3. You can be active duty or a vet.
ANY ONE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT DIRECTLY Ltcrhd101abn@aol.com
If you know of anyone who does NOT have e-mail, my snail mail address is:
Roger H. Dent
7929 Charter Oak Lane
Charlotte, NC 28226
* Rakkasan is the Japanese term for "umbrella.". They had NO WORD for parachute when the 187th Combat Inf Regt first jumped in during WW2. It now applies to any member of the 1/187- 2/187-3/187; which are all currently comprise the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division It hasn't always been that way. They were part of the 11th Airborne and at times part of the 82nd also. It will probably change some with the new changes scheduled in the near future.
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A Chaplain Remembers Vietnam by Sam Hopkins, who served with 4th Battalion 60th Artillery (Dusters), is now available.
"From 1966 to 1968, I was privileged to serve with 800 men who were called upon by our country to go to Vietnam and fight against a dedicated and deadly foe. We formed a new unit together, trained for six months together, shipped out together, served our tour of duty together, and came home together. Togetherness is the main theme of our unit's wartime experiences.
"My unit's veterans celebrate these precious bonds to this very day, especially our affections for our former fallen buddies and their surviving families. The National Dusters, Quads, and Searchlight Association actively supports the American Gold Star Mothers, an organization for women who lost their sons in combat. Proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to projects and services that will benefit these ladies. May God add His blessings to these enterprises".
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For God and Country,
CH (COL) Samuel W. Hopkins, Jr., Ph.D.
USA, Ret.
Priced at $19.95, A Chaplain Remembers Vietnam is 294 pages soft cover and features over 80 full-page photos.
Click here (Truman Publishing) for more details, photos, excerpts and ordering information. |
Jim McLaughlin, brother of DQS KIA John McLaughlin, would like to hear from anyone who knew or served with his younger brother.
PFC John McLaughlin was KIA on may 11, 1969 at Fire Base (LZ?) Oasis in the vicinity of Pleiku. He was an Azimuth Tracker on a Duster with D Battery, 4/60. D-4/60 was attached to D-5/16 Arty at Oasis.
Jim has been searching for many years for info or someone who knew his brother. Let's do what we can to help!
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Stuart Robinson from Redmond, Washington has
acquired a Duster from Craig Rossner which has been almost completely restored to its original operating condition. For Craig, it was a labor of love which he dedicated to all Duster crewmen who served in Vietnam. Currently, Stuart wants to complete restoration of the interior. He would appreciate advice from anyone with technical expertise on the Duster.
If you are able to help and willing to answer a few questions, please contact Stuart at:
Hummer1234@aol.com
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Chuck Baker (Triple B) served with C Battery. 1/44 Arty (AW) (SP) - the DMZ DUSTERS.
"My service with the Dusters was at Fort Bliss to Orogrande then by ship to Vietnam in Oct.66 to Oct. 67. The 1st, 44th service was with the 3rd Marines at Khe Sahn, Calu, Rockpile, Camp
Carroll, and convoy duty on Highway 9, along with the Quad 50's. I was wounded in March 1967 at Camp Carroll during all night fire fight during an NVA attack. Would love to hear from any fellow Dusters."You can contact Chuck at:
charles.baker@rcn.com
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Were you there 12 March 1970, Khe Gio Bridge, Republic of Vietnam?
"Looking for members of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 44th Artillery and G-29, who might remember Sgt. Mitchell W. Stout. He was a KIA on that date and was awarded the Medal of Honor on the 17th of July, 1974. A memorial has been built where Sgt. Stout is buried in Knoxville, TN. I would like to recognize the other 12 Americans who were at Khe Gio Bridge on March 12, 1970."
Anyone who can help, contact Gary Puro at: namlights@yahoo.com |
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