Guest Book

I am so proud to have found this web site .
I served with the brave and honorable men of the 2/501st. Avengers from September 1968 to October 1969. I hope to hear from some of them and from the ones that I will never hear from again we must always remember their contribution to the freedom we all cherish so much.

Thank you so much , Andrew Harey

Hi! I'm John Strass and I like your site!

Thank you!

I was browsing the site and on the letters from home page, ran across pictures from Rod Songer. The last picture in the series sure looks like Santos Salinas to me. Do you know anything about it?

Thank you so much, Pam and Diane for all you have done to document the legacy of A 2/501. In many ways it is like coming home. Thank you Brigadier General James Mitchell for your leadership back in those wild days, and your willingness to take time with each of us in this last year. I would also like to mention my good friend Edward Bishop, KIA Fire Base Granite, 29 APR 1970. He has been and will always be missed.

Just a friend of a Veteran of Alpha Co. 2/501st, 1969-70. He taught me some valuable lessons about life 37 yrs ago when he made it back to the world. Lessons about life because he lived so close to death everyday. You are all heroes. Welcome Home to all of you and Thank You, Thank you, Thank you!!

Thank you both for all the endless hours you both must put forth on this awesome tribute to the Alpha Avengers and the memorial to Ned, Ray, & "Tex". I know John "Tex" would be so proud of you for carrying on he and his brother's dream of this association. I know Ned and Ray are proud of you also. I remember when John "Tex" would be searching for fellow brothers, that had not been heard from in years, when he was trying to get the Alpha Avenger Association organized. He wanted everyone contacted, for every soldier was important, no matter what his duty may have been. He put his all into this organization and words cannot express to you how touching it is for me to see the care and love put into this site by the two of you. John "Tex" Fair loved his Alpha Avenger brothers. He always told me how special all of you are. God Bless all of you Alpha Avengers for all the sacrifices you gave for our country and "Thank You," for Loving My Brother!

A NOTE FROM PAM MORRIS, WEBMASTER, and DIANNE KINTZER, Sec/Treas, OF THE Alpha Avengers of Vietnam Association -

Since the launching of this website on September 21, 2007, we are on our way to almost 1,000 hits. How thrilling for us and for all you Avengers!

We have received so many well wishes and positive comments included in phone calls, e-mails, and notes sent in along with membership dues. It is incredible and at the same time very humbling.

We continue to update and add new information to the website,
so check back often. Please make it a priority to especially pay close attention to the following pages---HOME, LOCATE LOST AVENGERS, and GUESTBOOK.
Also, remember to consider making your reservations for the up-coming reunion in June 2008. That'll be here before you know it! We're looking for a lot of new faces, so we highly encourage you to attend.

Again, we sincerely THANK YOU for the overwhelming response to YOUR website.

May you have a most joyous Holiday Season, and may the New Year bring good health and happy moments to you and your loved ones. We pray that one day man will live in a world of PEACE. God Bless You All and all the troops serving our country.

It is with deepest sorrow I write this letter after receiving the Newsletter that told of the passing of John 'Tex' Fair. Tex and I were in the same platoon for most of our tours of duty. I entered Alpha company during stand down in Nov. 70 , Tex probably a month or so later. Unfortunately, the years have all but erased the memories I have of my year in Viet Nam. I remember Tex as just our "sixty gunner", an easy going guy that got along with everybody.

It was Tex who 'found' me back in the early '90's when he would make blind phone calls trying to locate lost Avengers. He probably didn't even know who he was calling, because very few, if any, knew my name. I was only know by the nickname Ken Forsythe had given me when I joined Alpha company, "Peabody". Still remember Jesse Leos, Sgt. Perry and Pringle. A few others whose names I'm not sure of. I was platoon RTO for a long time and I always set up with the the Lt. and medic, that's probably why I don't remember but a few of the guys. I was probably a pain in the ass that nobody wanted to remember. Jeeze, I don't even remember what platoon we were in or the names of the 3 LT's and medics that we went through.

So long "Tex", it was an honor serving with you.
Danny "Peabody" Straessle (Nov.'70-Dec.'71)

This a great website! I have sent this website to friends of mine and they are so honored to be able to have this website. They send me messages all the time about how they are so drawn to the website. One friend, who did not serve, tells me all the time how much he has learned about Nam from this site and how proud he is of us.

Our three brothers who have left us would be very proud of the website. Gloria and I are making plans to be in San Antonio for the 2008 reunion.

Thanks for a great web site! As we approach Veteran's Day 2007,
I salute the men of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry for their service
to the nation, the United States Army, and most importantly, to fellow Avengers.
I remain humbled, proud, and deeply honored to
have been an Avenger commander to many of
the finest patriots this nation has ever produced.
God bless you and your families this Veteran's Day 2007
and never ever forget those we lost.
Brigadier General (Ret) James E. Mitchell, USA.

There is no one who I have more respect for than our soldiers
who put themselves in harms way for the benefit of their countrymen.
They are the greatest and bravest of all.
May God bless you all.
Gerald McVay

Thanks for your service. I have more of an appreciation now that my son is serving.

Thanks for sharing, I love this website. Please tell Bob we are grateful for him too!
Thank you from the Ware’s.

Bob, great hearing from you! I'm humbled by your kind words and it was my honor to have served as your company commander in A Company while in Viet Nam. All of you are truly a vital part of the long line of great patriots who have answered the call of our nation and your sacrifices, under the harshest conditions, are a testament to the greatness of our nation. Unfortunately, most of our citizens fail to recognize the price you and countless others have made in service to our country. I, for one, take nothing you and other veterans did for granted and will be forever grateful and privileged to have walked the ground you walked on. You, like all those who served in A Company, are a special breed of men and I will forever remember each of you fondly.

As for me, I took the lessens learned from each of you in A Company and charged on until retiring after 30+ years in the uniform. I'd change few things over the course of my career, given the change, and if I could do it all over again I'd enlist tomorrow! Career wise, I stayed in light infantry assignments and operational staff jobs almost totally. I ended up commanding 4 infantry companies, a light infantry battalion, and a light infantry brigade. In between commands and formal schooling I was a battalion S3, division G3, Chief of Current Operations for the Army in the Pentagon, and Deputy Director of Operations for the National Military Command Center, the Joint Staff. I also managed to complete assignments as the Deputy Commander for Operations and Deputy Commander for Support for the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. I certainly will put the A Company reunion dates on my schedule for next summer and will make every effort to attend. Again, great hearing from you and I look forward to continuing the dialogue.

I would like to thank you both for the time you spent on the site, it is fantastic.
I know it had to take numerous hours of time and thought
but it certainly paid off.

Ned, LT Houghton and Tex would be very proud of both of you.
Linda and I are making plans for the San Antonio reunion
but know it won’t be quite the same without the 3 of them.
Again thanks and I know all of the Alpha avengers are thankful as well.

PLEASE SEND YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS TO ME
SO WE HAVE CORRECT INFO ON ALL
A CO/2ND/501ST/101ST AIRBORNE!

over the weekend, and it is absolutely wonderful! I was crying the whole time I

that much about him to do such a wonderful tribute. So thank you from all of us.

A wonderful website. Thank you to all of our Nam Vets for their service to our country. God Bless.

Specials E-4 May 70 to Jan 71 Richard Olson, good website. Proud Eagle.
Veteran of Firebase Henderson and Ripcord.
Would like to name Richard Timmos as All Gave Some award.
God Bless all Eagles.
09-21-07

Beautiful website! Dianne, I passed it on to
the rest of the family especially
the two that fought in "Nam"

Words are inadequate to thank you, and to reveal my deepest gratitude to you
all for the kindness shown in the passing of my husband, Ned Kintzer.
Your prayers, love, phone calls, e-mails, cards and letters,
and contributions given in memory of Ned have made my heart focus on thanksgiving
to God for such precious friends.

A special word of thanks to fellow Avengers, Avery Dalton and his family,
for driving the long distance to attend Ned's funeral in N.C.,
and to Glen Means for attending the memorial service in PA.

Also, a sincere thank you to Bob Morris, Avenger Past President,
for sending a beautiful letter which was read at
both Ned's funeral and memorial services.

The passing of Ned has dealt a life-altering blow to me and my family,
but we will continue to "DRIVE ON".

I served with 1st Plt A Co 2/501st Infantry 101st Airborne in Vietnam from 31 August 1971 to 15 February 1972.

2. Also, I have all of my Nam pictures (170+ in .jpg format) as well as my "Task Force 2/501 - Drive On - Phu Bai -- Cam Ranh Bay Republic of Vietnam 1971-1972" Yearbook.

If interested in receiving .jpg pictures of all, I can mailyou a CD containing such. I also have copies of my medal awards orders etc.
(listing other comrades), if interested as well.

P.S. I am a member of the following veterans organizations (in reserve chronological order):

Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America (04 â€“

Combat Infantrymens â€™ Association (04 â€“ Present, Life Member No. 5382TXL0804-LIFE)

David L. Ross 1sg (Ret) US Army
4019 Ashland City Road
Clarksville, TN 37043
931-362-2692

I am trying to get a message to Clifton Whitaker. I have just found this site and I served with him in 1968. I was in third platoon Alpha Co and my platoon was walking point for him on 20 July 1968. He asked me to walk point man for him that day and after exhaustion, he gave me a break with Evans ( "Cool Pappa") and Gibson both listed as KIA on 20 July 1968. As we scaled a steep mountain I was third man when "Cool Pappa" and Gibson were cut down by an enemy machine gun ambush. The rounds barely missed me as I had just crossed over the crest line. As I dove for cover a trip wire caught me around the neck and I cringed as I hit the ground waiting for the blast.

I looked in amazement at an old chicomb grenade strapped to a tree as it spewed and sputtered, it was a dud. After realizing we were separated from the platoon and that no help was coming, with God's Grace I was able to crawl forward to "Cool Pappa" against the machine gun fire. Somehow the rounds just wouldn't hit me. When I got to him and realizing how bad his wounds were, I lifted him up and carried him running back down the trail just as a sniper opened up on us. Lieutenant Whitaker had made it up to the crest line and met me when I got there with "Cool Pappa." The sniper's rounds were hitting all around us while we were talking. The Medic, James Cleveland took a round and died on the spot just a few meters away. I told Lieutenant Whitaker that I had promised Gibson that I would go back for him.

His wounds were so bad that I straddled him on all fours and crawled back and drug him back through the sniper fire. I got him back alive. It was a tough and tragic day for us that day. I learned later that both "Cool Pappa" and Gibson went into shock on the Medivac and died enroute to the hospital.

I was devastated that they died and I lived. Lieutenant Whitaker put me in for a Silver Star. I actually didn't get it until after I came home. I wanted to thank him. After I came back with Gibson, Lieutenant Whitaker was amazed that I made it back alive and told me he wanted to talk to me later and get the details and wanted to know how I had accomplished getting them out. Sir, I am reporting the details to you now and it was by the grace of God that I survived that day. "Cool Pappa" had begged me to get him to his family. He saw them standing back down the trail where I carried him and Gibson had made me promise that I would not leave him there for the enemy.

I offered my life to fulfill their promises. God chose not to take mine at that time. I didn't see Lieutenant Whitaker again after that day. I think he had 11 days left and he left on one of the Medivacs that day and I never saw him again.
I live in Dunn, North Carolina.

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Copyright © 2007 by [www.alphaavengers.com]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 01 May 2008 21:42:19 -0400 .

Thanks for Visiting the Alpha Avengers Web Site We would love to hear from you. Please sign our guest book below.

Add Your Comments...

Copyright © 2007 by [www.alphaavengers.com]. All rights reserved. Revised: 01 May 2008 21:42:19 -0400 .

Thanks for Visiting the Alpha Avengers Web Site
We would love to hear from you. Please sign our guest book below.

Copyright © 2007 by [www.alphaavengers.com]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 01 May 2008 21:42:19 -0400 .