1967/03, The Pineapple Plantations, South of Cu Chi — This is a pretty typical view of the plantation. I was a vast network of canals and swamps. It was also a VC regular staging area and supply route.

1967/07, Camp Caroline near Trang Bang — Our artillery FO and Larry Mueller his RTO and backup FO. This was taken just prior to a night operation.

We covered most of this area from Katum at the Fish Hook, to Saigon. Pic from the web.

1967/02, Operation Gadsen (Cambodian border) —There was lots of activity around this camp. There was movement and encounters all around the camp every night. Several times we had to pull the LPs in, so we could saturate the area with the 81 mortars. The gunship in the background is protecting the Chinook, which is dropping off a water trailer. A quad fifty was placed at each end of the camp for additional fire power. I believe the unit that relieved us was almost overrun at this camp.

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (May 24, 2018) - An AH-64 Apache assigned to the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, provides fire support using its M230 Chain Gun at a target during a live fire exercise for Tiger Balm 18 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Tiger Balm is a bilateral exercise held yearly between the U.S. and Singapore armies. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Armando R. Limon, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division) 180524-A-EL056-018

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1967/02, location: On our way to Tay Ninh — We were heading to the Tay Ninh base camp to prepare for an air assault and operation on the Cambodian border. The tank was passing us as he was heading in the opposite direction.

A good buddy. We had some good times despite being in that hell hole. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

L to R: Witherspoon, Steven L. Bailey, Paul G. Rossi standing, Washington and Gerald Bigham. Time off before getting ready to go on night ambush patrol. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment prepares to drop water from a 500-gallon bucket while assisting with efforts to extinguish a brush fire at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa, Hawaii, Oct. 24, 2013. The fire, which had burned approximately 400 acres, resulted from a flare-up two days earlier of a fire from the previous week at a training range at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. (DoD photo by 1st Lt. Crystal Karp, U.S. Army/Released)

Skinny dipping in the jungle. If you wanted to get almost clean, this bomb crater was the only place to go. Defoliated (Agent Orange) bamboo thickets and jungle in the background. Life in the boonies. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

Several 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning) Soldiers, USAG-PōhakuloaCommand Sgt. Maj. Lynice Thorpe, Pohakuloa firefighters and a Department of the Army Police Officer visited Keaau Middle School Careeer Day on May 4.

The Soldiers--Combat Medics and Military Police--firefighters and police officer talked about their jobs in the Army and brought their gear to show the students. Each of them ephasized the importance of staying in school and studying hard to succeed in life.

U.S. Army photos by Bob McElroy

To learn more about USAG-Pōhakuloa visit:

www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta/default.htm

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1967/02, Cu Ch areai—Prisoners are being sent to Cu Chi base camp for interrogation.

Frank Davis and me on a dilapidated bridge to nowhere in the jungle at the Cambodian border. One hell of a place! We pulled LP on the other side of the bridge. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

This war we are waging is already lost,

The cause for the fighting has long been a ghost,

Malice and habit have now won the day,

The honors we fought for are lost in the fray.

from Procol Harum, "Fires (which burnt brightly)"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRONeSgFYZs Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

Raul was shot by a sniper during a fire fight when we were at the Fil Hol Plantation. Three other Bobcats, William E. Price, Sammy R. Sneed and medic Roger W. Letto were also KIA, and 23 others were WIA when our own 105mm artillery short rounds landed on us. He was just 21 years old. Raul was kind of a quiet guy who never complained and could always be counted on. He is survived by his wife, Wanda and daughter Tammy, who was born in Dec. '67 while we were at Katum. Those of us who knew him miss him. This photo is on his grave marker in Shreveport, LA. Not taken by me. For more information about Raul, click on the following links" www.bobcat.ws/raul-robledo-tribute.html and www.bobcat.ws/history1968.htm#robledo and www.virtualwall.org/dr/RobledoRx01a.htm

1967/02, location: Outside the Tay Ninh base camp wire — We were camped outside the wire for a day or two, until we were ready to participate in operation Gadsen on the Cambodian border. This took place around the beginning of Feb. A sniper put a bullet through my equipment bag during the night. I found the hole in my towel and through the side of the bag. The bullet was still in perfect condition, inside my bag, which I was sleeping behind during the night.

1967/03, South of Cu Chi— The Manchus paid a farmer to setup in his tobacco field. This was home for two weeks or so. It was also home for snakes, scorpions, large spiders, frogs and various gigantic insects.

I was manning the .50cal. that day on track #33. Spent the night there and moved out to French Fort in the morning. Sometimes I was a driver, but usually it was me and my M-16 humping it. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

KAHUKU TRAINING AREA, Hawaii (June 1, 2019) - Soldiers assigned to 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, provide suppressing fire for friendly forces in the wood line during Courage Ready on Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, June 4, 2019. Courage Ready is an emergency deployment readiness exercise conducted in conjunction with Lighting Forge 19 to enhance Brigade Combat Team readiness for future operations in the Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Austin Carrillo/55th Signal Company) 190604-A-DS579-0063

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Don't remember what or who they were incinerating. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

Unknown rear echelon Bobcat with remains of 122mm rocket from the night before. The guys in the rear seeing some action. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

1967/02, Operation Gadsen—We are about ready to load up. We had to carry everything we needed for three days. This photo taken outside the Tay Ninh base camp wire. The entire Manchu BN was flown to the Cambodian border.

The worn and toughened hands of Spc. Noah Nowell, an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, plot a grid coordinate during a land navigation course which was part of an Army scout try out held here on Sept. 5. (U.S. Army Photo By: Sgt. Thomas Duval, 1/25 SBCT Public Affairs)

1967/02, Operation Gadsen—Another Manchu company is coming into the LZ. Note, the entire area had been sprayed with Agent Orange. There were almost no leaves on the trees in this area. Fire had burned off all vegetation on the LZ.

U.S. Army soldiers, 25th Infantry Division, and New Zealand Defence Force soldiers, 1st New Zealand Brigade, move behind cover and prepare to move during Exercise Kiwi Koru Nov. 14, 2014, outside of Whangamomona, New Zealand. Exercise Kiwi Koru training elements included combat lifesaver training, Law of Armed Conflict scenarios, counter improvised explosive device training and a force-on-force tactical exercise. Approximately 60 Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks and 40 Marines from I Marine Expeditionary Force trained alongside approximately 600 New Zealand Defence Force soldiers from the 1st New Zealand Brigade. This year marks the 72nd anniversary of the arrival of U.S. forces to assist with the defense of New Zealand during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)

Fighter jets coming in to clear the way for us. Always a welcome sight. But then again, you never knew if they completely cleared the way until you got there! Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

ARVN compound in the distance behind them. This was half way between Tay Ninh and Katum at the Cambodian border. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

1968. This is the view when riding the .50 cal. Frank was on HC 3rd platoon track 69. Probably the Boi Loi Woods or Ho Bo Woods. Photo by Frank Davis

U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Tonge, an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, scans his sector as part of a security detail during a patrol in the Dand District, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Nov. 15. (U.S. Army Photo By: Sgt. Thomas Duval, 1/25 SBCT Public Affairs)

1967/02, Cu Chi base camp—I believe this is a C-123.

We covered all the places in this area and places not named or on the maps. Pic from the web.

Early in the morning of 2 Feb. '68, almost every building of the 1/5 Bobcats was destroyed or damaged by 122MM rockets and 82mm mortars, and when the ammo dump behind us took a direct hit, the explosion was deafening, shook the earth and sent a huge fire ball into the air. That sent artillery rounds, mortars, grenades and bullets flying, setting off many secondary explosions in the area. The shock wave from the blast tore down even more buildings. Most Bobcats were out in the field or there would have been many more casualties. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom)..

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - U.S. Army Soldiers from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, conduct an attack against the opposing force during Decisive Action Rotation 15-03 at the National Training Center here, Feb. 5, 2015. Decisive Action rotations at the NTC ensure units remain versatile responsive and consistently available for the current fight and unforeseen future contingencies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Charles Probst, Operations Group, National Training Center)

1967/02, Cu Chi area — C company 81 mortars are being setup to support a company sweep. This is the only time I can remember them being used for a one day sweep.

A Soldier assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divison pulls security during Lightning Forge 19 (LF 19) at Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, June 1, 2019. Exercise Lightning Forge is a home station combined training event that validates 3IBCT is prepared to conduct combat operations throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Arnada Jones/55th Signal Company)

Soldiers assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division conduct a dismounted patrol during Lightning Forge 19 on Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, June 5, 2019. LF 19 is a home-station collective training event (CTE) conducted to prepare 3IBCT for future operations and develop combat readiness as an IBCT. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Franklin/55th Combat Camera)

Paul was a real trooper, always ready and liked by all. He was killed along with four others,including Sgt William M. Clarke in fire fight when the night perimeter was attacked at midnight. He was 23 years old, and he is missed.. For more information about Paul and 22 May '68, click the following links: www.bobcat.ws/history1968.htm#dixon and www.virtualwall.org/dp/ProehlPA01a.htm and www.bobcat.ws/paul-allen-proehl-tribute.html Photo not taken by me.

1967/02, Cu Chi base camp — Prisoners being sent to Cu Chi for interrogation. A blind folded prisoner is kneeling next to the red fire barrel.

Former Bobcat Rich, now a Manchu "straight leg" getting ready for night ambush patrol. He was transferred from the 1/5 Inf. along with 11 other Bobcats, to the 4/9 Inf. after the C Co. 4/9 Manchus had 49 KIA's and 24 WIA's at the Hoc Mon Bridge on Mar. 2. '68. The Manchus also pulled guys from the Wolfhounds and other units to fill in C Co. 4//9 Inf. Photo courtesy of good buddy Rich Purkis.

A Soldier assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divison awaits further guidance during Lightning Forge 19 (LF 19) at Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, June 6, 2019. Lightning Forge 19 is a home station combined training event that validates 3IBCT is prepared to conduct combat operations throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Arnada Jones/55th Signal Company)

FORT MAGSAYSAY, NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines (March 10, 2022) - Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Alvin Flores, the Salaknib Exercise Director, gathers with New Zealand Army Col. Michael van Welie, the 25th Infantry Division Commander of Interoperability and U.S. Army Maj. Chad Taylor, the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team operations officer to discuss Salaknib 2022 on Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, March 10, 2022. Salaknib is an annual Philippine Army-led, U.S. Army Pacific sponsored bilateral exercise designed to enhance U.S. and Philippine Army capacity and interoperability across the spectrum of military operations, while also strengthening the ties between the two longstanding partner nations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Matthew Mackintosh, 28th Public Affairs Detachment)

220310-A-KL951-1016

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Terry Brady (WIA), R. John Erbes (WIA), and Eugene Simpson at the 50 cal. on track #33. Unfortunate NVA lost his pants. He didn't need them anymore. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

Sharon, who actually drove this tank, served at the 12th Evac Hospital in Cu Chi and the 312th Evac Hospital at Chu Lai. Nurses photos courtesy of Sharon and Joe Rex. 1Lt Joseph Rex was our platoon leader.

1967/02, Operation Gadsen (Somewhere on the Cambodian border) —Charlie company landed first to secure the LZ. A second company is landing in the background. The LZ was on fire from supporting artillery when we landed. It was the dry season.

SCHOFILED BARRACKS, Hawaii (Dec. 1, 2018) - Soldiers start the first stage of the America's First Corps 2-Gun Sharpshooter Competition at Schofield Barracks hosted by 25th Infantry Division. The first stage was the Physical Training Event that consisted of an unknown distance run with 6 mystery events along the route. The first mystery event consisted of Kims game where competitors have to remember details objects on the table and report back at the end. (Photo by Sgt. Sarah Williams) 181201-A-XP872-557

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1967/02, Cu Chi base camp — Prisoners being sent to Cu Chi for interrogation. A blind folded prisoner is kneeling next to the red fire barrel.

1967/02, Cu Chi village — We were held up in the village of Cu Chi for some reason.

Only time I played tunnel rat. Only thing in there was a spider that was bigger than my hand. I backed out very quickly. Photo by Frank Thomas Goins (Tom).

Mortar away.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE NORMANDY, Iraq – An Iraqi Army mortar crew assigned to 4th Battalion, 21st Brigade, 5th IA Division fires an 81 mm mortar during a battalion live fire training exercise at Forward Operating Base Normandy, Iraq, March 27, 2011. Mortar crews bombarded a mock village prior to ground troops assaulting the target in order to demonstrate skills learned during their Tadreeb al Shamil training rotation. IA officers planned, rehearsed and completed the mission independently of U.S. assistance, preparing to take full control of the training.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO)

Paratroopers from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division jump into Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, Oct. 9 to kick off exercise Arctic Anvil 19-01. Arctic Anvil 19-01 is a joint, multi-national, force-on-force training exercise designed to provide the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division a tough, realistic training event that validates their ability to fight and win as a combined arms team in preparation for their rotation at the Army’s National Training Center in California early next year. (Army photo/John Pennell)