BOWS MILITARY BOOKS
Welcome to Bowsmilitarybooks.com
Preserving U.S. Military History 
Click on the book cover or item of interest to learn more
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact
  • Previous Books
  • Our Policies
  • Blog
  • Reviews

Bows Logistics On Ground (BLOG)

This page is created to allow Ray Bows to keep you informed of his book signing schedule and to share some of his experiences concerning the books he has written.

back to store

Operation STARLITE - Vietnam

8/15/2016

0 Comments

 
Operation STARLITE, the first major Marine Corps operation in Vietnam, was launched on 18 August 1965 and lasted until 24 August.  A presumptive strike was directed at the 1st Viet Cong Regiment base camp near the village of Van Tuong, 15 miles from Chu Lai.  On the morning of 18 August, a large number of US troops, including four Marine battalions (3d Battalion, 3d Marines; 2d Battalion, 4th Marines; 3d Battalion, 7th Marines and 1st Battalion, 7th Marines Special Landing Force), a tank and armored battalion, two  105mm cannon battalions, six landing vessels and aircraft launched an operation, advancing toward Van Tuong.  After heavy shelling and bombing, US troops were divided into four contingents to attack Van Tuong from four directions.  The first contingent from Chu Lai followed the road to Van Tuong while two contingents came from the sea and the remaining contingent landed from the air. 

Major Donald Gordon Radcliff, a tanker during the Korean War, by 1965, was flying helicopters for the First Cavalry Division in the Central Highlands.  When the site selection committee for the 1st Cavalry Division was exploring locations for possible inclusion of their base camp, the Marine Corps put out a call for all available helicopters in the greater area to support Operation STARLITE, and Major Radcliff and his crew volunteered.  He flew from II Corps to I Corps to assist the Marines at Chu Lai.  On 18 August 1965, during a Marine Corps troop lift, in which he was participating, Major Radcliff was killed at Landing Zone Blue, and subsequently the First Cavalry Division Base Camp at An Khe was named in his honor (see "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" page 326). 


Picture
Major Donald G. Radcliff, as a captain, US Army. Photo courtesy of Connell Radcliff
Picture
Aerial view of Camp Radcliff, An Khe. Photo by COL Bentley Herbert, USA (ret.)
Meanwhile, at Van Tuong Village, on the border of Quang Tin/Quang Ngai provinces, I Corps, Captain Bruce Douglas Webb, company commander of India Company, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, was killed by a Viet Cong feigning death who hurled a grenade while Captain Webb was admonishing a platoon sergeant for shooting "already dead" Viet Cong.  Captain Webb was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic leadership in earlier outflanking the enemy, and setting an example of calmness and courage during the operation.  Camp Bruce E. Webb, Chu Lai, was ultimately named in his honor (see "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" page 422) .      
Picture
Bruce D. Webb Photo by Northwest University Library (Arts 1955)
Picture
Camp Bruce D. Webb, Chu Lai, Quang Tin Province
PictureL/Cpl Joe C. Paul, US Marine Corps
Also, on 18 August 1965,  Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Joe Calvin Paul was serving with Hotel Company, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines when, after his unit was pinned down by enemy fire, sustaining several casualties, he advanced between the enemy positions and his fellow Marines, laying down suppressive fire until his comrades could be evacuated.  L/Cpl Paul was hit by enemy fire.   He died the following day on 19 August 1965.  The Medal of Honor was posthumously awarded to him and the USS Joe C. Paul (FF-1080), launched on 20 June 1970, was named in his honor (see "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" page 305A).

Operation STARLITE involved approximately 5,500 US Marines.  Ultimately, the 1st Viet Cong Regiment and their supporting units were decimated.  Our US forces suffered 51 killed and 203 wounded.    It has been an education for us to learn and write about Operation STARLITE; Major Radcliff, Captain Webb and L/Cpl Paul, and this week we remember their sacrifice and dedication to duty. 

0 Comments

Dale R. Buis and Chester M. Ovnand

7/8/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
From Left to Right: Howard Boston, Chester M. Ovnand, Dale R. Buis, and Victor W. Gorlinsky, members of MAAG Vietnam
July 8, 2016 - On this 57th Anniversary of the death of Major Dale R. Buis and Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand, who were killed at the hands of the Viet Cong, at the BIF Compound in Bien Hoa on 8 July 1959, we are reminded of sacrifices of the early MAAG personnel, and the survivors of that attack, Howard Boston and Victor Gorlinsky, who played a major role in my 2012 book "FIRST ON THE WALL".
 
In the last two years, I have been privileged to know CW3 Doug Conklin, who, while stationed at Killen, Texas, as a young soldier under the command of First Sergeant Chet Ovnand, held Chet in high esteem.  Doug and I have become fast friends and he often mentions Master Sergeant Ovnand with fond memories, explaining that Chet was a tolerant senior NCO, who kept Doug out of trouble more than once.   Doug lives here in Florida, not too far from me, and we get together on occasion to talk about the Army and the good ole days.  He's a bright spot in my life and I am always enthusiastic about what he has to say and the stories that he tells.  At some point in the future, I may be sharing some of Doug's stories on this blog.

Picture
CW3 Doug Conklin, USA (ret.) with good friend Ray Bows
Major Howard Boston and LTC Victor Golinsky survived  the 1959 attack at Bien Hoa and, as the reader will learn, they were  interviewed extensively for "FIRST ON THE WALL".  
0 Comments

30 June 2016 - Veterans Memorial Bridge, Daytona Beach, Florida

7/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
While in attendance at the Veterans Memorial Bridge groundbreaking ceremony, Ray handed out copies of his latest book "Camp Frenzell-Jones" to officials and friends.  The bridge, designed and approved by the County of Volusia, is to be named in memory of Tom Staed, a Korean War veteran.  Completion of the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge is due approximately 32 months from today.  
 
"The new high-level, multi-arch concrete bridge construction project will replace the existing drawbridge, which is more than 60 years old.  The $38 million construction contract is funded by the federal government and being completed by Johnson Bros. Corp. Design elements of
the new two-lane bridge include handicap accessibility, 8-foot sidewalks, fishing piers on both sides of the Halifax River, and plaques at 28 scenic overlooks commemorating conflicts in America’s military history. The plaques will include descriptions of conflicts and outcomes; the number of killed, wounded and missing in action; a QR code linked to additional data; and a Braille plate with information."

Picture
Ray stands beside VFW Florida State Commander, Alan Ayoubee
Picture
Ray and good friend Gerald Bozarth stand with Eric Dietrich of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office
Picture
A group of Volusia County veterans stand at the base of the old bridge flanked by Eric Dietrich (left) and Ray Bows (right) Photo courtesy of Rod Phillips, VVA Chapter 1048
0 Comments

Special Forces Convention, Jacksonville, Florida, 2016

7/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
SFA President Jack Tobin, Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Roger Donlon, and author Ray Bows stand together at the Special Forces Convention, Jacksonville, Florida, June 2016.
On 13 June 2016, we were in attendance at the US Army Special Forces reunion in Jacksonville, where we encountered an old friend, Colonel Roger Donlon, the first Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.   We hadn't seen each other since 2001 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the day before 9/11.   The fifteen years between encounters seemed to evaporate as Ray and the colonel spoke of previous meetings at such places like Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and San Antonio, Texas.  Ray has written extensively about two of Colonel Donlon's team members at Nam Dong, Master Sergeant Gabriel Alamo and Sergeant John Houston, for whom the Alamo and Houston Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQs) in Saigon were named. 

Picture
At the reunion, we also met the current president of the Special Forces Association, Jack Tobin, as well as fellow author Andy Winfree;  Bob Mulcahy, who shared invaluable information previously unknown to us; Pete Peterson, David "Bulldog" Smith, Pete Laurence, and Johnny King, who was at Nui Coto with Ben Davan, for whom the Davan Compound was named.  We shared a table with USASF author and historian Steve Sherman and MAC V SOG historian Jason Hardy.  We  also encountered Betty, manager of the Special Forces gift shop who agreed to carry "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" at the Special Forces Museum, Fort Bragg, where it is now available in limited quantities. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
 Above (left): Pia and Major David C. "Bulldog" Smith, President of Chapter 57,  share a hug after "Bulldog" kindly shares information of several places in New York named in memory of Major George Cuomo, missing in action (MIA) in 1968.

Above (right):  Ray Oden, President of Chapter 33, looks at the BOQ/BEQ  section of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" as he tells Ray Bows and Andy Winfree about his time as a dependent in Saigon when his father was stationed in Vietnam.

Left:  Pia with Johnny King, who was at Nui Coto.  Johnny knew Ben Davan for whom the Davan Compound (Det. B-55), at Nha Trang was named (see page 92 of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY"). 
0 Comments

1st Infantry Division Reunion, Atlanta, Georgia, 2016

7/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
On 9 June 2016, we left Columbus, Georgia, and arrived in Atlanta for the 1st Infantry Division reunion, where we received a very warm welcome.  During the two days we attended, we met and spoke with many interesting veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
   
We were introduced, by retired LTC Jim Holland, to Silver Star recipient Israel Tames, member of 1/2d Infantry.  Israel had been in the Army since the mid 50's, and before his time in Vietnam was a proficient military skier, who, while stationed in Alaska, made a rescue of people stranded at the top of Mount McKinley way back when most people had never even heard of Vietnam.
Picture
Ray Bows stands with Silver Star recipient Israel Tames, 1/2d Infantry, Vietnam
0 Comments

199th Light Infantry Bde 50th Anniversary Reunion

6/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Between the 6th and 9th of June, we were privileged to be in attendance of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade's 50th Anniversary Reunion.  Through the kindness of Jim Brinker and Johnny Valesquez, we were given a prime location within the reunion area to launch our newest book "Camp Frenzell-Jones: Home of the Redcatchers in Vietnam".   We met many new friends, many of whom were original members of the unit, who by virtue of the fact that they travelled on the troop ship  USS Daniel I. Sultan called themselves the "boat people".  First Sergeant Jim Diamond, Frenzell's and Jones' first sergeant, who himself received the Distinguished Service Cross in Vietnam attended the reunion.   We presented a copy of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" to him, which includes Patrol Base Diamond named in his honor.
Picture
Ray Bows displays his Vietnam unit crests and patches, as well as his newest book "Camp Frenzell-Jones" at the 199th's reunion, Columbus, GA
Picture
Ray Bows presents a copy of IN HONOR AND MEMORY to First Sergeant Jim Diamond, A Company, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry
The highlight of our time while there was meeting Billy Jones' wife, Theada, and his oldest daughter, Connie, who both flew long distances to be there with us.  We had a delightful lunch with them and, afterwards we introduced them to members of A Company, 4th Battalion, 12th infantry, who knew their loved one Billy C. Jones, posthumous recipient of the Silver Star. 

Several original members of the 199th complimented us on the book within a day or so after they had purchased it, including members of B/2/3d Infantry, who were stationed with Gene L. Bettger, KIA 22 December 1966. 
Picture
Original members of A/4/12th Infantry meet Billy C. Jones' wife, Theada, and his daughter, Connie, for the first time, who had just arrived at the reunion. Pia takes photographs for everyone. From left to right: Dan Less, Pia, Dennis Juliana, 'Buddy', Theada, Connie, Bob Martin, and Sam Toven.
0 Comments

Camp Frenzell-Jones: Home of the Redcatchers in Vietnam - New Release 6 June 2016

4/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Last year proved to be a successful year with the release of IN HONOR AND MEMORY, enabling us to complete another project that was long over due. 

I first learned about the base camp of the 199th Infantry Brigade and for whom it was named, PFC Herb Frenzell and SGT Billy C. Jones, in the 1980's.  I  contacted Herb's mother, Chilant Frenzell Sprague who furnished me with excerpts from  Herb's diary and his 8mm film footage.   I later contacted Billy Jones' family, his sister, Ann, and his wife and daughters, Theada, Connie and Dana.  Ann furnished me with photographs, while Theada loaned me Billy's letters.   We compiled the letters along with information from members of the unit and official records to tell a complete anthology of the 199th's arrival in Vietnam in 1966, which is both a personal and stirring story.  The two infantrymen, Herb and Billy, died in January 1967 and the brigade main base at Long Binh was named in their honor.

We are proud to announce that the book, CAMP FRENZELL-JONES will be available for purchase on 6 June 2016, and will debut at the 50th Anniversary of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia.   Pia and I are looking forward to meeting and talking with members of the unit.   If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.
0 Comments

Melbourne, Florida Veterans Reunion, April 2016, and Camp Gordon J. Lippman

4/25/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
We were again able to attend the 29th Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion in Melbourne, Florida, starting with a delicious breakfast at the American Legion Post 81 tent, where we met and had some interesting conversations with veterans Ed, 101st Airborne Division, and Ron, 440th Terminal Transportation Company (TTCO).  Ron presented us with his unit patch (440th TTCO - ROAD RUNNER) which we will proudly display on our insignia board that we put on show when we set up with the books. Patch courtesy of Ron Longshore.

We spent time with Joe Craig, at the 1st Cav tent, President of the Florida Chapter, who is doing a great job of keeping the chapter of the 1st Cavalry Association solvent. 

Tom at the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association tent told us about Florida Chapter President and author Joe Pond, who was set up with his book, "The 600 m. o. l."   After speaking with Lieutenant Pond, we purchased a copy which meticulously pays tribute to black helicopter pilots in Vietnam, with a section on black aviators who lost their lives in combat - information which has not been published anywhere else.     


Picture
On Saturday we met up with our good friend Bill Robinson, who, in 1965, was stationed with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division at Lai Khe.   In late October and November 1965, he helped build the tactical area of operation (TAOR) at Lai Khe.  His specific job then became handling unexploded ordnance for the 3d Brigade.  "We'd bring dud rounds to our special blasting place and set them off with charges," said Robinson.  As his reputation grew, he became known as "Wild Bill" Robinson.  "Five and a half months later, before my enlistment as a draftee was up, we had set off so much dud ammo in the blasting pit, it was 10 feet deep and 40 feet around."  The base camp at Lai Khe was memorialized in honor of LTC Gordon J. Lippman, who was a personal friend of Bob Hope and who died, 11 December 1965, of wounds received from a sniper's bullet.
Picture
We encountered WWII veteran George Norris (88), again, this year, who was in full dress uniform, with his sweetheart.  George escorts the Wall into the park each year on his motorcycle.  We also saw Phil G., 39th Engineer Battalion, who purchased a copy of IN HONOR AND MEMORY last year, and who shared his incredible photo albums with us.   Phil was stationed at LZ Snoopy and had kept letters he wrote and sent from Vietnam, his draft notice, and lots of great photos.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Anyone at the park on Saturday afternoon must have seen the swarm of bees arrive and nest on the trailer hitch in the vendor area - quite an experience.  Doc Russo and the other organizers did a great job of removing and relocating the hive.
We also met up with my good friend CW3 Doug Conklin, US Army (ret.), who not only spent many years in the Army as a calibration expert but was a valued employee of NASA during Cape Canaveral Space Missions.  On our last day, we also met George P., NMCB-7, who was kind enough to share his NMCB-7 Cruise Book with us, which has become a great asset to our research.  Photo below of Doug Conklin and Ray Bows.
Picture
0 Comments

Third Marine Division and VHPA, August 2015, and the 196th Light Infantry Brigade Reunion, October 2015

4/25/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
  During the first part of August 2015 we attended the 3d Marine Division reunion in Orlando, Florida, where Ron Deverick allowed us to set up in their hospitality room.  We met a great group of Marines including those who served in Vietnam with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines.  We learned much from  the stories they shared about their time in Quang Tri Province.  The unit historian, Don Bumgarner, shared with us  his compilation of unit histories which are phenomenal.   Bill Taylor shared photographs of his time in country at Marine Base C-4, and Jerry Wilson (pictured above with Pia) recounted some interesting stories about his time in Iceland as well as Vietnam.   Photo by Richard A. Carmer and courtesy of Jerry Wilson.

On 25 to 30 August, we attended the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)Reunion in Washington, DC.  We had a great time meeting helicopter pilots of all units, including John Flanagan, author of "Born in Brooklyn...Raised in the CAV!", and Jim Pratt, of 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, who shared incredible stories and photographs.   We got to meet Les Hines, in person, who was instrumental in helping to preserve the memory of many servicemen included in the book IN HONOR AND MEMORY.    John Turner of the 92d AHC contributed photographs and footage of his time in Vietnam, and I got to speak with members of the 93d Transportation Company about there time in Soc Trang in 1963.   We also touched bases with Annie Delp, Director of Historic Photographs, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, who  is locating photographs of the fallen for the  future educational center.  We were happy to learn that IN HONOR AND MEMORY contributed over 60 photographs that the fund did not have. 
PictureBurt Leach and Carl Lorence, of the 93d Transportation Company stand with Ray Bows Photo by Pia Bows
 
Picture
Thanks to Gene Shurtz, of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, whom we met at VVA National in July, we made contact with President Dave Eichhorn, who graciously made space for us to set up with IN HONOR AND MEMORY at their reunion at the Hilton, Daytona Beach in October 2015.  We thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to members of 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, including those who were stationed with Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, for whom Camp Crescenz in Da Nang was named; members of 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry, Captain Belcher's unit, for whom FSB Belcher was named; and members of 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry, SP4 Donald Sloat's unit, for whom the Donald P. Sloat Day Room at LZ Hawk Hill was named; and members of the 8th Medical Support Battalion.  We also made strides in our project as, after years of research, we finally found out  for whom LZ Mellon was named - survivor Captain Dan Mellon of 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry. 

In November 2015 we returned to DC for Veterans Day and got to spend time with our good friends, Ron "Big Doc" Smith and Carolyn, and spent time at the 1st Cavalry Division reunion.  When we returned home to Florida we received a couple of DVD's from Karl F. Haartz (VP), 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Association, about  Shakey's Hill in Cambodia, named for SGT Chris A. Kefalos, and the MIA's on Tiger Mountain - the DVD's were very interesting and much appreciated.

The rest of the year was spent promoting IN HONOR AND MEMORY and FIRST ON THE WALL at local libraries and shows in Florida.     

   

 
0 Comments

VVA National Convention, July 2015

8/19/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
In addition to meeting VVA delegates from all over the United States, we had the good fortune to meet Bill Dumsick, comrade of Cpl Brian Gauthier, for whom Camp Gauthier was named; and Dave Peckham, comrade of HM1 Louis V. Romanelli, for whom Camp Romanelli was named.  We got to see lots of good friends again including the West Virginia team: Dave Simmons and his wife, Ivan Freeland, Mitch Carte, John and Connie, Jerry Midkiff and others.  Dave was honored by the VVA with a prestigious award, which we know was well deserved.  Also honored with an award was Duery Felton, for his life long work as curator of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection of items left at the Wall.  We also met SFC Lovelady, US Army, who works closely with Joe Galloway on the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.  Fellow author Ken Williamson, was set up with his book, Saying Goodbye To Vietnam, which is an excellent work.  Ken was a photo journalist in Vietnam and there are then and now photos throughout his 375 page, hardbound book.

As always, thank you to those veterans who shared photographs and information about the locations they were at in Vietnam. 
Picture
1 Comment
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Author

    Master Sergeant Ray Bows, US Army (ret.) spent twenty years on active duty including overseas assignments in Korea, France, Vietnam, Germany, and Belgium, with TDY to Crete and Italy.

    Archives

    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    August 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2014 by Bows and Company   
Photographs on this site may not be copied without written permission.
 
Proudly powered by Weebly