Albumpage2

Oddly, the thought of going to war didn't bother me much. I just didn't like the idea of leaving my family for so long. We learned three weeks before I left for Vietnam that Sonja was pregnant. She remained in Valdosta while I was gone, so my folks and my sister, Mary Jo, were with her during her pregnancy and delivery of our daughter, Theresa.

My first tour in Vietnam was with the First Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the Central Highlands from Dec '66 to
Dec '67. I was assigned to Company B, 229th Aviation Battalion. I had a camera that year, and accumulated
nearly 1,000 slides. I have managed to convert some of them, and placed them on these pages. If any of my old RVN buddies happen to see this collection, and can remember the folks depictetd without names, I would appreciate some help. As you will see, I need a lot of help with names from my second tour.

Just after I arrived in Vietnam ... LZ Hammond, 1966 ... uniform isn't even faded!

This is one of the stickers we sometimes placed on supplies we delivered in the early days.

This is LZ Hammond ... my new home in the field. No buildings here ... just tents!

My bunk at LZ Hammond ... who said sleeping on air was a new thing?

Another shot of my living area. Note the "Early Ammo Box" furniture and the "chicken plate" in the center of the photo.

LTC John Blair was the Battalion Commander when I reported for duty with the 229th.

OK, guys, listen up! Try to keep your number of landings equal to the number of takeoffs. Takeoffs are optional ... landings are mandatory!

Lt. John Sager, CPT Jones, Maj Bryan. (Maj Bryan was the Company Commander when I arrived in B Co).

Lt Calvin Gary Patterson, cutting Lt George Meade's hair. I think George got his revenge later.

Lt. Alligood

WO Chick Chandler

Lt Bob Adams, sprucing up.

Lt Jim Snyder and Lt Bob Adams, relaxing at LZ Hammond

Lt Hal Carruthers, clowning in the background.

Maj Balint and WO "Pancho" Flores-Reyes

"What ... Me Worry?" Jim Snyder, 1966

WO Dennis Pfaltzgraph

WO Jerry Drennen on the road to Qui Nhon

2/20th Aerial Rocket Artillery (Hog ... all rockets)

Those brave 1/9 pilots flew these things as scouts!

Shot of An Khe in the early days.

Another view of early An Khe

Snyder asks if anyone knows where we are.

Preparing for an "Ash & Trash" mission

S-4, Maj Rocky Lane at the controls of his H-13. He later became Commander of B Company.

Album Page 2

Jim's Memorabilia

Album Page 2

Click on the photo for a larger image ... click "Back" to return.

For a photo album of the April 2003 Charlottesville reunion,