To Find Out More:
Marty Contreras, an Original D Trooper, has developed a network to help Vietnam Veterans access benefits. Contact Marty at oh23scout@yahoo.com. (Left: Marty with "Shamrock C5" OH-23 - Photo, M. Maldonado)
Those who continued the mission of D Troop 1/10th Cavalry after The Original D Troopers left form a continuous thread in the history of this unique unit's involvement in the Vietnam conflict. Because we are bound by that thread, we consider these men Brothers, and we encourage all D Troopers to contact us. Tom Wilson has a great D Troop site at http://www.geocities.com/wilcliff2003/index.html. Another site with lots of pictures is http://www.vhpamuseum.org/defaultmenu.shtml.
There is a D Troop chat room on Yahoo. Doug Maas ('70-'71) at maas0755@comcast.net can tell you how to get online with this site.
About D Troop's aircraft: http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/aviation/factsheets/uh1.html (UH-1 Hueys) and http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/aviation/factsheets/oh23.html (OH-23 Light Scouts).
D Troop's "Advance Party" was transported to Vietnam on the USNS Core, a vintage World War II escort carrier 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. 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.
One dark aspect of the Vietnam War was the use of the defoliant "Agent Orange" which continues to cause concerns for Vietnam veterans today. For a map of spray areas: http://cybersarges.tripod.com/aospraymap.html.
The official Vietnam Veterans of America site is http://www.vva.org/
"Good morning, Vietnam" wasn't just the name of a movie for D Troopers. The real AFVN (Armed Forces Vietnam Network) radio morning show and its DJ's, and other AFVN programming, brought a taste of home...along with a bit of aggravation...to anyone with a transistor radio. Sadly, the "Good morning, Vietnam" DJ who was on air during most of The Original D Troop's time in Vietnam, SP5 Cramer Haas, passed away a few years back. AFVN has a good site at http://www.geocities.com/afvn/.
The Red Cross "Donut Dollies" were present at Dragon Mountain, and some even celebrated Christmas, 1966, with D Troop. Though taken lightly at the time, the "Donut Dollies" endured many hardships and dangers to serve the troops. Learn more at http://www.donutdolly.com/.
A commercial site at http://www.military.com has an Original D Troop unit page. Beware: Once you register, expect to get an email from them EVERY DAY. But, that's their job.
