For information on what VA benefits may be available and how to secure them, see our VA Benefits Help page . 

All those who served in D Troop during its continued deployment between 1966 and 1971 form a continuous thread in the history of this unique unit's involvement in the Vietnam conflict.  We consider all these men brothers, and we encourage all D Troopers to contact us.  Other sites featuring D Troop include Tom Wilson's (69-70) at http://d-1-10thcav-vietnam.com/;   Another site with lots of pictures is http://www.vhpamuseum.org/defaultmenu.shtml.  Select "Cav", "10th", and "D Troop".  And, there is a D Troop chat room at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dtrp1-10thcav/message/6.  Doug Maas ('70-'71) at maas0755@comcast.net can give you more information.

D Troop's "Advance Party" was transported to Vietnam on the USNS Core, a World War II escort carrier built in 1943 and operated by MSTS (Military Sea Transportation Service).  The USNS Core delivered the first US military helicopters to Vietnam (MACV) in 1962.  For more about the USNS Core, visit http://www5.pair.com/rattenne/Family/MSTS/usnsCore.htm and http://www.navsource.org/archives/03/013.htm.  The main body of D Troop made the voyage on the USNS Pope, a conventional troop transport. More information on the USNS Pope can be found at http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22110.htm

The 4th Infantry Division is a much decorated component of the US Army, having served in both World Wars, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq.  In World War II, the "Ivymen" went ashore on D-Day (June 6 1944) at Utah Beach and was the first large American force to break out into France, halting only in the face of overwhelming concerns about supply and its ability to protect its extended flanks.  Troops from the 4th Infantry Division were the first American forces to enter Paris.  The division earned a reputation for dependability in Vietnam, serving in-country from 1966-1970.  Now headquartered at Fort Carson, CO, the Division also served with distinction in Iraq.  The 4th Infantry Division Association, http://www.4thinfantry.org/, welcomes all 4th Division veterans and we encourage D Troopers to participate in the 1/10th Cavalry unit chapter.

The 9th and 10th Cavalry, the original African-American "Buffalo Soldier" units, occupy a unique and legendary spot in America's western heritage.  For more information about the Buffalo Soldiers, visit http://www.historynet.com/buffalo-soldiers-sorting-fact-from-fiction.htm.  The National Buffalo Soldiers Museum, located in Houston, TX, is dedicated to exhibiting the contributions of African-American soldiers throughout US history.  Their site at http://www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com/. 

The defoliant "Agent Orange" continues to cause concerns for Vietnam veterans today.  For a map of spray areas:  http://cybersarges.tripod.com/aospraymap.html.  Recent findings in VA treatment protocol indicate that it was not necessary to be in directly sprayed areas to have been affected by the chemical's use.  For more about Agent Orange and Vietnam Veterans benefits, see our VA Benefits Help page .

The official Vietnam Veterans of America site is http://www.vva.org/  (R:  Mack Rushing with OH-6, 1969 - p. M. Rushing)

Two national Army Aviation Vietnam veterans organizations are:  Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA), http://www.vhpa.org/ and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association (VHCMA), http://www.vhcma.org/

The Army Aviation Heritage Museum, based in Hampton, GA, has a collection of flying aircraft from the Vietnam era, and the "Sky Soldier" demonstration team.  For more information about this group and their activities, visit http://www.armyav.org/vietnam.html. 

"Good morning, Vietnam" wasn't just the name of a movie for D Troopers.  The real AFRS (Armed Forces Radio Saigon) and later AFVN (Armed Forces Vietnam Network) "Dawn Busters" morning radio show and its DJ's, and other AFVN programming, provided a soundtrack for the war for many, bringing a taste of home...along with a bit of aggravation...to anyone with a transistor radio.  For a taste of the real sound of "Good Morning, Vietnam", go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt5PXopJKrQ.  You can listen to contemporary radio broadcasts on http://webspace.webring.com/people/rr/rmorecook66/multimedia.html 

The Red Cross "Donut Dollies" were present at Dragon Mountain, and some even celebrated Christmas, 1966, with D Troop.  For troops serving in outposts throughout Vietnam, "Donut Dollies" were the only "round eyes" (non-asian women) they saw for a year and visits were always welcome.  In truth, the "Donut Dollies" endured many of the same hardships and dangers as the troops.  Learn more at http://www.donutdolly.com/.