I was with the 1st Cav Division as a door gunner in the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion from June of
1966 to June of 1967. The base camp for the 1st Cav (Air Mobile) was at AnKhe, in the Highlands.
Almost all of our operations were in the Highlands near the Cambodian and Laos borders. My ship was
shot down once with small arms fire and crashed once due to engine or transmission failure. My first
official kill was 24 June 1966. It was my 21st birthday. I was very lucky in that I did not suffer any
permanent physical damage and was able to return home with all my limbs.
I am very supportive of the MIA issue. I have adopted an MIA my wife went to high school with, and I
am very supportive in getting Terry back home. I also stay in contact with Terry's sister and we send
each other information when we receive any news on the progress of the MIA's being searched for. I
am a life time member of Heli-Vets, Vietnam Helicopters Crew Member Association, the DAV, VFW,
American Legion, and the 229th AHB Association.
I can't describe to you how much I loved flying on my Huey. It was exciting every day to hear that baby
crank up and be on it as we took off for unknown destinations. We never knew how hot our situation
was going to turn out so we were always prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. As I look back
now, even though I still hate that war, I wouldn't change anything, except not seeing all those KIA's. I
could have done without that part of it. Unfortunately that's part of war. At the time, as I have said, I
hated being in Vietnam and I hated the war, but now as I recall some fond memories, I still think about
all those brave soldiers I would have never come into contact with had I not gone to Vietnam. Even
today I still have the pleasure of meeting Vietnam vets at the VA Hospital. I didn't realize it in Vietnam
but we were truly appreciated by the grunts we worked with. They hated to hear us coming to take
them into battle but they were sure happy to hear us coming to take them out of battle. I remember
feeling that same way every time I went into the field on a patrol. I had an infantry MOS(11BP) so
whenever we were back at base camp our CO would have all the 11Bravo guys go on short patrols. It
was a very empty, scary feeling when we got dropped off and watched that chopper fly off. I have never
met a grunt at the VA who said anything to the contrary.
I flew in a Huey in November of 2002 for the first time in over 30 years. It was one of the best days of
my life. See the story below "In The Shadow Of The Blade".
As others wish they could have, would have, or glad they didn't, I did, and am proud to say,
"I fought in Vietnam". Keith (Hacksaw) Bodine
1966 to June of 1967. The base camp for the 1st Cav (Air Mobile) was at AnKhe, in the Highlands.
Almost all of our operations were in the Highlands near the Cambodian and Laos borders. My ship was
shot down once with small arms fire and crashed once due to engine or transmission failure. My first
official kill was 24 June 1966. It was my 21st birthday. I was very lucky in that I did not suffer any
permanent physical damage and was able to return home with all my limbs.
I am very supportive of the MIA issue. I have adopted an MIA my wife went to high school with, and I
am very supportive in getting Terry back home. I also stay in contact with Terry's sister and we send
each other information when we receive any news on the progress of the MIA's being searched for. I
am a life time member of Heli-Vets, Vietnam Helicopters Crew Member Association, the DAV, VFW,
American Legion, and the 229th AHB Association.
I can't describe to you how much I loved flying on my Huey. It was exciting every day to hear that baby
crank up and be on it as we took off for unknown destinations. We never knew how hot our situation
was going to turn out so we were always prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. As I look back
now, even though I still hate that war, I wouldn't change anything, except not seeing all those KIA's. I
could have done without that part of it. Unfortunately that's part of war. At the time, as I have said, I
hated being in Vietnam and I hated the war, but now as I recall some fond memories, I still think about
all those brave soldiers I would have never come into contact with had I not gone to Vietnam. Even
today I still have the pleasure of meeting Vietnam vets at the VA Hospital. I didn't realize it in Vietnam
but we were truly appreciated by the grunts we worked with. They hated to hear us coming to take
them into battle but they were sure happy to hear us coming to take them out of battle. I remember
feeling that same way every time I went into the field on a patrol. I had an infantry MOS(11BP) so
whenever we were back at base camp our CO would have all the 11Bravo guys go on short patrols. It
was a very empty, scary feeling when we got dropped off and watched that chopper fly off. I have never
met a grunt at the VA who said anything to the contrary.
I flew in a Huey in November of 2002 for the first time in over 30 years. It was one of the best days of
my life. See the story below "In The Shadow Of The Blade".
As others wish they could have, would have, or glad they didn't, I did, and am proud to say,
"I fought in Vietnam". Keith (Hacksaw) Bodine
TAPS ...
This site is dedicated to:
Jerry Preston Denham DOB 2-15- 47 / DOD 07/15/89 US Army Vietnam Vet
John Richard Gregoire DOB 6-12- 46 / DOD 04-2-67 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Roger Hogan DOB 12-14-48 / DOD 11-14-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Charles (Dutch) Covert DOB 12-27- 51 / DOD 10-25-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Raymond Horace Pike DOB 3-3- 48 / DOD 01-31-68 US Army Vietnam Vet
Ron Timberlake DOB 12-27-51 / DOD 05-05-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
Larry Tweedie DOB 10-27- 49 / DOD 05-26-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
Terry Lanier Alford DOB 10-22- 47 / (MIA 11-04-69) US Army Vietnam Vet (Terry is still MIA)
Jesus DeLa Rosa Jr. DOB 05-07- 42 / DOD 07-19-66 US Army Vietnam Vet
Dennis M. Fair DOB 11/19/46 / DOD 8/20/2010 USMC Vietnam Vet
Major Glen Granberry (Retired) DOB 3/23/39 DOD 02/08/2012 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Bealer Caudill DOB 04/26/1942 DOD 2/17/2012 US Army Vietnam 5th/7th Cavalry
This page is also dedicated to all my Combat Brothers who fought and died
in Vietnam or after Vietnam and have gone to Fiddler's Green.
May they rest in Peace and their Families have closure over their loss.
I know What It Feels Like To Lose A Loved One, And It's Tough.
This site is dedicated to:
Jerry Preston Denham DOB 2-15- 47 / DOD 07/15/89 US Army Vietnam Vet
John Richard Gregoire DOB 6-12- 46 / DOD 04-2-67 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Roger Hogan DOB 12-14-48 / DOD 11-14-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Charles (Dutch) Covert DOB 12-27- 51 / DOD 10-25-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Raymond Horace Pike DOB 3-3- 48 / DOD 01-31-68 US Army Vietnam Vet
Ron Timberlake DOB 12-27-51 / DOD 05-05-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
Larry Tweedie DOB 10-27- 49 / DOD 05-26-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
Terry Lanier Alford DOB 10-22- 47 / (MIA 11-04-69) US Army Vietnam Vet (Terry is still MIA)
Jesus DeLa Rosa Jr. DOB 05-07- 42 / DOD 07-19-66 US Army Vietnam Vet
Dennis M. Fair DOB 11/19/46 / DOD 8/20/2010 USMC Vietnam Vet
Major Glen Granberry (Retired) DOB 3/23/39 DOD 02/08/2012 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Bealer Caudill DOB 04/26/1942 DOD 2/17/2012 US Army Vietnam 5th/7th Cavalry
This page is also dedicated to all my Combat Brothers who fought and died
in Vietnam or after Vietnam and have gone to Fiddler's Green.
May they rest in Peace and their Families have closure over their loss.
I know What It Feels Like To Lose A Loved One, And It's Tough.
* John (Rick) Gregoire was the only KIA in a helicopter crash
on 02 Apr 1967. He was the only casualty, when the Huey he
was on had an engine failure and upon landing, Rick, instead
of running away from the slick after he got the co-pilot out,
ran towards the nose and up a hill, not realizing what was
about to happen. As he ran up the hill the main rotor was still
turning and he ran right into it, taking off the top of his head. I
didn't even recognize him and had to ask the pilots who he
was. When they told me, my knees buckled and I broke down.
Rick had been on sick leave for a couple of weeks and wasn't
even supposed to be flying but as he loved to fly, like we all
did, he talked someone into letting him go up in their place. A
couple hours later he was dead. We had a memorial service
that night for Rick and as we were having the service the
chopper he crash landed on was being flown off under a
Chinook and flew right over us. It was an eerie feeling.*
on 02 Apr 1967. He was the only casualty, when the Huey he
was on had an engine failure and upon landing, Rick, instead
of running away from the slick after he got the co-pilot out,
ran towards the nose and up a hill, not realizing what was
about to happen. As he ran up the hill the main rotor was still
turning and he ran right into it, taking off the top of his head. I
didn't even recognize him and had to ask the pilots who he
was. When they told me, my knees buckled and I broke down.
Rick had been on sick leave for a couple of weeks and wasn't
even supposed to be flying but as he loved to fly, like we all
did, he talked someone into letting him go up in their place. A
couple hours later he was dead. We had a memorial service
that night for Rick and as we were having the service the
chopper he crash landed on was being flown off under a
Chinook and flew right over us. It was an eerie feeling.*
Click Here: A Documentary About The Huey
Helicopter in Vietnam And The Lives It Affected
Helicopter in Vietnam And The Lives It Affected
"WELCOME HOME!"
It’s a Journey toward Healing
And bringing Closure to some
An Outlet for some Grieving
Maybe an End that’s finally come.
A short ride back into the Past
That shows the Future out ahead
A release of all those Emotions
Which were held inside, instead.
Some Reunions of old Comrades
And keeping Promises once made
Meeting the Families of Buddies
Learning some Memories won’t fade.
A Tribute to all the Heroes
Who flew those Hueys in and out
And the Medics who rendered Aid
Showing what Bravery is all about.
An Education for some People
And to Teach a new Generation
To always Have and Show Respect
For all who Serve our Nation.
A "Welcome Home!" for all those Vets
And, "Thank you for your Sacrifice."
Our Country made this mistake once
Let’s make sure we don’t do it twice.
When we send our own into Harm’s Way
We must never again lose Sight
That they Wage the Battle in our name
Whether we think it Wrong or Right.
"IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE"
Is a must for All of Us to See
A lesson for, "We, the People."
In this, "Land of the Free."
© Del "Abe" Jones
02-22-2005
It’s a Journey toward Healing
And bringing Closure to some
An Outlet for some Grieving
Maybe an End that’s finally come.
A short ride back into the Past
That shows the Future out ahead
A release of all those Emotions
Which were held inside, instead.
Some Reunions of old Comrades
And keeping Promises once made
Meeting the Families of Buddies
Learning some Memories won’t fade.
A Tribute to all the Heroes
Who flew those Hueys in and out
And the Medics who rendered Aid
Showing what Bravery is all about.
An Education for some People
And to Teach a new Generation
To always Have and Show Respect
For all who Serve our Nation.
A "Welcome Home!" for all those Vets
And, "Thank you for your Sacrifice."
Our Country made this mistake once
Let’s make sure we don’t do it twice.
When we send our own into Harm’s Way
We must never again lose Sight
That they Wage the Battle in our name
Whether we think it Wrong or Right.
"IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE"
Is a must for All of Us to See
A lesson for, "We, the People."
In this, "Land of the Free."
© Del "Abe" Jones
02-22-2005
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The storms of life are
sometimes smooth and
sometimes rough.
Until you survive both
storms you will not
understand what life is
all about...
God Bless, Hacksaw
sometimes smooth and
sometimes rough.
Until you survive both
storms you will not
understand what life is
all about...
God Bless, Hacksaw
Song Is " Somebody To Love" By Jefferson Airplane 1967
Major Glen "Granny" Granberry (Retired) Deceased
His war is finally over. God Bless you "Granny
