RONALD O GADDIS
1209 VINE ST 
WEATHERFORD, TX 76086-2201
Age at Death - 53
Deceased Date - 10/00/1989
DOB - 08/12/1936

I remember Gaddis, a nice guy who was a bit older than we were. He and Tom Buckley flew the slick that snatched Garrett and Oksa out of the bamboo, on Sunday morning, during the Delta operation at Song Be.  With my memory what it is I may have him confused with someone else. I do know that Ron was in the 281st in 1966 - he may have come with the infusion from the 1st Cav.   I remember Gaddis being in the Tay Ninh and Song Be Delta operations in Aug 66. 

Good folks. I miss them.  Fred Phillips

RICARDO M. GARCIA 
 SSAN: 454-86-4643, Date of Birth: 15 Sep 1951, Date of Death: 18 Sep 1978, Last residence: VA, SSAN Issued: Texas

      DAVID E. GEHLING
CWO-3 Gehling served as and Aviator in the 6th Airlift Platoon and relocated with the unit to Nah Trang  when the Platoon became part of the 281st AHC.  He returned to the states in 1966 shortly after making the move.   David was born on 6 April 1934 and died on 6 November 1999.  Last Residence:  76086  Weatherford, Parker, Texas,  SSN:  050-26-3946, issued in the state of New York before 1951.  He is buried in the Ft Sam Houston Cemetery:

Gehling, David E, b. 04/06/1934, d. 11/06/1999,US Army, CW03, Res: Elmendorf, TX, Plot: 21 0 2233,
bur. 11/09/1999  DAVID 1965

John Hyatt served with and remembers Dave:

I have been looking for some of my old Army buddies and found some information on Dave Gehling that probably should be in the DAT data. Dave was with the 6th Platoon and moved to Nha Trang with us not long before he rotated home.  I'm not sure of his DROS, but most likely in June 66.An interesting note:  Dave was an AC giving in country orientations to 1st Cav pilots in the summer of 1965.  Major Radcliff was his pilot when they received fire killing Radcliff.  The 1st Cav base, Camp Radcliff, was named for him. I later served with Dave on our second tours with the 159th ASH BN. 101st, in 68-69. I saw him in Germany in 73-74 time frame when I was Avn Off at TASCOM.  He was in one of out units- 22d Avn Det at Pirmasens. The last I had heard of Dave was in the early 90's; that he was suffering from diabetes (maybe having lost his legs) and living in Weatherford, TX. The group picture of the 6th platoon on the Assn web site shows Dave.

CW2 Robert L. George   (Wolf Pack)
DOD: 17 Feb 1999. DOB: 11 January 1949
 Bob George was born in Johnstown, PA, January 11, 1949.  His parents, William D. and Jean L. George, moved the family to East Stroudsberg, PA when Bob was in elementary school.  Bob's sister, Nancy, rounded out the family of four.  Bob graduated as a National Honor Society student from East Stroudsberg High School, also excelling in varsity sports where he lettered in baseball and basketball.  Bob was voted the most valuable baseball player in his senior year.  He was also a member of the school's rifle team.  Bob graduated form high school with a full academic scholarship to Pennsylvania State University to pursue a curriculum in dentistry.  However, he decided to join the Army and become an Army Aviator and helicopter pilot.  Bob graduated basic training at Ft. Polk, LA and flight school at Ft. Wolters, TX and Ft. Hunter, GA.  Upon completion of flight training he was assigned to the 281st Assault Helicopter Company at Nha Tran, South Vietnam, which supported special operations missions of the 5th Special Forces Group.  Upon his return from the one-year assignment with the 281st AHC he married Lind P. LaBadie on May 4, 1970, before reporting to Ft. Hunter/Ft. Stewart as a helicopter instructor pilot.  The couple set up their first home in nearby Savannah, GA.  Bob trained South Vietnamese pilots to fly gun ships.  He was offered a direct Army commission but turned it down.  His wife Linda recently stated that Bob had "already used up his nine lives over there" and by accepting a commission another Vietnam tour would have been likely.

Upon leaving the service Bob and Linda moved back to Pennsylvania where Bob became an engineer with Instrument Specialties, a private company.  Bob was an avid sportsman and enjoyed golf, fishing, and hunting.  he coached a baseball team and loved playing softball.  During his active and busy life he also restored his sports car and he and Linda became fans of NASCAR racing.  The couple's last race together was the inaugural at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Bob loved to travel the racing circuit.  He and Linda also loved their Doberman, TAZ.

The following is a personal written message from Linda, Bob's devoted wife, to a member of the 281st AHC Association's Memorial Committee.  "Guess you can tell he was my hero from the 'The Wind Beneath My Wings', Beth Midler's song from 'Beaches'.  I never tire of talking about him.  Since his death he has received the medal from the Order of the Silver Rose.  I don't know how much you all know about Bob's Silver Star.  Jim Brown actually put Bob in for the Medal of Honor but because no one was injured they knocked it down to a Silver Star.  Jim used to tell Bob that he should have shot him in the foot so he would have gotten the Medal of Honor which he so richly deserved." 

Bob George and Jim Brown remained steadfast friends throughout their lives since first serving together in Vietnam with the 281st AHC.  They both died of cancer within nine days of each other.  May they rest in peace!  Bob was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 68, Grave 2745.  His date of death was 17 February, 1999.

 

On April 16, 2001, Bob was among fifty deceased Vietnam veterans honored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for their Third Annual "In Memory Day Observance" for those who died as a result of their involvement in the war, such as Agent Orange exposure, but not as a direct result of combat wounds.

 

Bob's awards include, the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with cluster, Air Medal with clusters, Purple hear, enlisted Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and various decorations.  he won Expert and Sharpshooter badges for four different weapons and he wore the Army Aviator Bade with pride.   (A copy of the award certificate for Bob's Silver Star is shown below.  Noteworthy is the personal message that he wrote to Jim  "Beatle" Bailey  who was the crew chief of UH-1C #520, the Gun ship that Bob flew on the mission for which he was awarded the Silver Star.)

 

Following Robert's death his widow, Linda became active in the 281st AHC Association and the Vietnam Wall Foundation.   In March of 2006 Linda traveled to Vietnam with Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Danny Graves, major league baseball's first Vietnamese-American player, and VVMF President Jan C. Scruggs.  A local newspaper ran the following report of her trip:

 

Pocono Life

Home run for humanity HIT Around the world.  Stroud Township woman joins with Cleveland Indians pro player to bring baseball to Vietnamese children

NATHAN MATTISE
For the Pocono Record
March 28, 2006

This time of year, many college students travel all over the globe on Spring Break vacations, visiting family or providing service. Even though she's no longer in school, Linda George took a notable service trip of her own this year.

The Stroud Township woman traveled to Vietnam on the Bringing Baseball to Vietnam delegation sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
The delegation stayed in Vietnam Jan. 17-25 and was co-hosted by Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Danny Graves, major league baseball's first Vietnamese-American player, and VVMF President Jan C. Scruggs. The trip was part of an MLB effort to introduce baseball in the country and help strengthen relations between Vietnam and the United States. The experience was documented and featured on the March 7 edition of the HBO program "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."

"It was very rewarding," George said. "The kids had a wonderful time. Thousands of kids were there. They flipped when Graves hit the ball at the clinic. They just loved him. He was so good with the children. The whole trip was heartwarming. What I thought would be a difficult experience was wonderful."

The kids knew absolutely nothing about baseball, George said. The delegation literally started from scratch. According to the VVMF Web site, the group dedicated the first ever baseball field in the country, at Le Hoi High School in Dong Ha. The delegation also donated more than $60,000 worth of sports equipment, apparel and donations to establish baseball. Finally, the group held an exhibition game and a clinic for children to get hands-on experience with the sport. For many Vietnamese participants, it was their first look at baseball.

George, unlike Graves, never played in a professional baseball game. Rather, she was asked to be part of the delegation by VVMF because of her involvement with the organization following the death of her husband, Bob. George's husband was a decorated helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. In 1997, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, a disease associated to the herbicide Agent Orange which was used to clear trees of foliage during the war. Two years later, he died in February of pneumonia.

 

Not one to let his memory fade, George stepped up to the plate and excelled in her involvement with VVMF.

"Last year I was the guest speaker at a memorial service in April," George said. "One thing led to another, and I was asked to go."

As active as George was with VVMF, going to Vietnam on this baseball initiative was a new experience for her to contemplate.

"I thought about it for a few weeks, and said, yeah, it's something I want to do," George said. "My husband was an avid baseball fan. He coached Teener League in the community. It would be cool to go for that as well as to see the places he was during the war. It was a sad time, yet a wonderful experience to meet the children who really know nothing about the war or about baseball."
In addition to the baseball aspect of the trip, George and VVMF also took the trip as an opportunity to raise awareness of Project RENEW. Project RENEW is a mine-action program sponsored by VVMF to remove artillery left in the ground since the war. According to George, the project has removed roughly 350,000 tons of artillery.

 "Two weeks prior to coming, a bomb exploded under the home of a couple whose whole area was rice farming," she said. "There is so much stuff in the ground they can't do that. Project RENEW taught them to be mushroom farmers, and they can do that in their homes."

During this particular trip, the project also came to the financial aid of the unfortunate farmers.

"The CEO of E*trade Dr. Christos M. Cotsakos was also on the trip," George said. "He donated $50,000 to start with, and he then gave the man and woman who lost their home the money for a new home. People don't know these things are going on, but it's really something to be commended."

George continues to be involved with VVMF, and since major league baseball is interested in continuing the sport in Vietnam, another trip with the Bringing Baseball to Vietnam delegation could be in her future.

"We're talking about going back with MLB; I'll probably be part of the delegation," she said. "I stay in touch with Danny, but he's at spring training, so it's difficult — though I do talk to his mother every couple of weeks."

On the net: www.vvmf.org
 

Roosevelt Gills
 SSAN: 346-44-0209, Date of Birth: 20 Oct 1950, Date of Death: Jun 1980, SSAN Issued: Illinois

 

SP4 Bennie J. Goins
SP-4 Bennie J. Goins arrived in Vietnam on February 26, 1966 and spent his entire tour with the 281st AHC as a helicopter crew chief.  Bennie was on a extraction mission in August 1966 when he won the Purple Heart medal for a left leg injury and a broken right middle finger due to a crash landing all the while he was still firing at the enemy. According  to the pilot of the mission, Major Reino Oksa, he asked Bennie if he could still shoot because he noticed Goins’ right finger severely out of alignment.  Bennie replied, “You better believe it.”  Major Oksa has stated that SP-4 Goins was his crew chief on a number of missions explaining that Bennie was not only a outstanding crew member who always kept his assigned helicopter in A-1 condition but trained the infantry door gunner to become an assistant helicopter crew chief.  Major Oksa also stated that Bennie was an excellent marksman with the M-60 machine gun fired from the open doors of the helicopter.  In addition to his Purple Heart Bennie was awarded the air medal, with six clusters, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with silver star.  Upon leaving the service Bennie lived with his family at 288 Wilmouth Road, Sanford, NC. He fathered two boys and 3 girls.  Bennie passed away on May 26, 1996 due to a heart attack. He was buried at the Center United Methodist Church Cemetery in Sanford, NC. The above data was provided by Janette Hearn, daughter of Bennie and Reino Oksa former Platoon Commander and Executive Officer of the 281st AHC.  Bennie's son's address is:
Bennie Goins  (Son)
288 Wilmouth Road
Sanford, NC 27330-7569
Tel: 919-775-1265

SP/4 George Gomez
586-05-3075
DOD: 16 July 1978. DOB: 26 September 1949
Gunner, 69/70 Bandits/ Wolf Pack  George, an accomplished jockey, was Injured in racing accident and died a month later. George was from Guam and never saw a horse or wore shoes until he joined the Army. Following his first tour in Vietnam George went to the Pentagon to request that he be allowed to return. In December of 1969 he joined the 281st where he served his second tour. When he was discharged he went to live with the family of Doug Powel who had been his buddy in the 281st. Doug’s father took George under his wing and introduced him to the horse racing industry. At 4’11” inches and 105 pounds George went on to become a record breaking jockey at Calder Track in Florida. George was buried at Hialeah Vista Memorial Gardens, Hialeah, FL. His wife Sharon a daughter Melanie and a son Robert survive him.

LTC JAMES G. GOOD

James G. Good passed away on Jully 21, 1991 from Lung Cancer.  Jim went over To Vietnam in 1966 with the 281st AHC.  He had retired from the military As a LTC in 1981.   He helped many of a young man as he was involved with The ROTC program in schools.

 

Captain Paul Leroy Graffe
 DOD: October 3, 1969        281st AHC WO Pilot 1966
CPT Graffe died at age 27 while piloting OV-1 Mohawk SN 61-02679 for the 225th Aviation Company on a surveillance mission out of Phu Hiep, RVN, on 3 October, 1969, crashed at the 7,000 ft. level of a mountain peak north of Kontum, in inclement weather. Capt. Graffe was accompanied by his observer, PFC Kenneth L. Cunningham. Both crew members are still listed as MIA. The aircraft, call sign, Phantom Hawk 01, departed Phu Hiep during the early evening hours on a mission to gather intelligence in Military Region II in the Dak To-Dak Pek area which was believed to be heavily infested with enemy forces. The last radio contact with the crew had been made by another OV-l crew who said that Graffe had advised them that he was extending his mission for 30 minutes before returning to base. The aircraft was located on October 5th. Search teams could not reach the area on the 5th and 6th of October due to extremely bad weather. A search aircraft and crew reached the area on the 7th. However, because of enemy activity and evidence that the wreckage had been moved about since the last aerial sighting, the search was aborted. Capt. Graffe had served a previous tour in RVN in 1966 with the 281st AHC when he was a Warrant Officer. During his tour with the 225th OV-1 CO he received a direct commission to first lieutenant on July 18, 1969. He was promoted to Captain posthumously. His date of birth is August 19, 1946.  His home of record is Shelton, WA. For further details from the 225th Aviation Company's daily log go to The Virtual Wall web site and follow the instructions to CPT Paul Leroy Graffe. 

Capt. Graffe is listed on Panel 17W, Row 34 on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall. 
[Our own James Hyatt remembers serving with Paul at Ft. Rucker where they were both helicopter IP's. prior to Paul's orders to OV-1 transition. Fred Phillips also contributed to this memorial.]

 

Andrew I. Grey Sr.
 a Turner Oil Field Service employee and member of the Coastal Bend
Water Activities Association, died March 9, 2004. He was 58. Survivors
include his wife, Becky; a daughter, Crystal Fox of Bluntzer; a son,
Andrew Grey Jr. of Corpus Christi; and two grandchildren. Funeral
services will be at 10 a.m. March 12 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
 From Gary Stagman:
 Grey was my running buddy when we went to Vietnam on the UNNS Breton.    He was a very good guy, always serious but Could get a laugh or two out of him at times.  He had gotten married in 1965 before he reported to Fort Benning to join up With the 281st . 483rd and 499th…   II always for some reason thought he was a TI, but was told that he was a Prop and Rotor man.



Steve Grimshaw
Date of death: June 1988.  DOB: 07/10/47.  SSN 258-74-3463 issued in GA.  From Atlanta, Ga. served with the 281st AHC as an armorer in 1967.