The sign at Camp Frenzell-Jones Courtesy of Robert J. Gouge I first drove through the main gate of Camp Frenzell-Jones, Long Binh, in October of 1968, and often wondered about the two names. The contemplation of whether it was one soldier had crossed my mind and I thought, who would ever name their child Frenzell. It took me several trips through headquarters of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade to realize, indeed, that the camp was named for two men.
This week will be the fiftieth anniversary of the deaths of PFC Herbert E. Frenzell and SGT Billy C. Jones, killed in action on 21 January 1967. Much has transpired since then. I was able to obtain Herb Frenzell's film footage through his mother, and Pia and I have become close, personal friends with Billy Jones' wife and his two daughters. Our book, "CAMP FRENZELL-JONES: Home of the Redcatchers in Vietnam", which tells the story of these two brave soldiers, and how the 199th got to Vietnam, was launched in Columbus, Georgia, this past June 2016 where Pia and I met 1SG Jim Diamond, the senior NCO of Company A, and other original members of the 199th units that deployed on the USNS Sultan and the USNS Pope.
This week will be the fiftieth anniversary of the deaths of PFC Herbert E. Frenzell and SGT Billy C. Jones, killed in action on 21 January 1967. Much has transpired since then. I was able to obtain Herb Frenzell's film footage through his mother, and Pia and I have become close, personal friends with Billy Jones' wife and his two daughters. Our book, "CAMP FRENZELL-JONES: Home of the Redcatchers in Vietnam", which tells the story of these two brave soldiers, and how the 199th got to Vietnam, was launched in Columbus, Georgia, this past June 2016 where Pia and I met 1SG Jim Diamond, the senior NCO of Company A, and other original members of the 199th units that deployed on the USNS Sultan and the USNS Pope.
 Herb Frenzell on board the USNS Sultan 1966 Image from Frenzell's 8mm film footage |  Billy C. Jones takes a break during a patrol in III Corps. Image taken from Frenzell's 8mm film footage. |
Needless to say, Frenzell and Jones were not the only members of the 199th to die in Vietnam, but their selfless service and the camp named in their honor epitomizes all those who served with the 199th.
Pia and I are privileged and proud to have been able to preserve a small part of the entire history of this outstanding infantry brigade, and to honor the memory of Herb Frenzell and Billy C. Jones.
Our thanks to all members of the unit who have read the book and have gotten back to us with their kind comments and appreciation.
Pia and I continue to work on the memorialization project and because of researcher/veterans Don Smith, Les Hines, and Bill Kindred, we are learning about new locations named in honor of the fallen which we are researching for future publication.
Pia and I are privileged and proud to have been able to preserve a small part of the entire history of this outstanding infantry brigade, and to honor the memory of Herb Frenzell and Billy C. Jones.
Our thanks to all members of the unit who have read the book and have gotten back to us with their kind comments and appreciation.
Pia and I continue to work on the memorialization project and because of researcher/veterans Don Smith, Les Hines, and Bill Kindred, we are learning about new locations named in honor of the fallen which we are researching for future publication.
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In addition to our book "CAMP FRENZELL-JONES", we have also paid tribute to these fine young men on page 139 of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY".
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