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"A MAN IS NOT DEAD UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN"

K



PHILLIP KARJENTA
May 6, 1948 - June 18, 2002  

Karjenta     Karjenta


Last known address: 1863 76th Avenue N, St Petersburg, FL  33702-483.   SS issued in Michigan; born in Detroit. 
Moved to Florida as a child.

_____________________________________

From: Pozzi, Kathy E wrote:

Gary -- We got your postcard in the mail.  I'm writing to let you know that my brother, Philip Krajenta (Karjenta) passed away on June 18, 2002 after a long illness.  I know that he would have liked to make connections with his old friends from Nha Trang; he spoke about the experience for years after getting out of the Army.  Good luck in your search for others.

Kathy Pozzi District Marketing Coordinator
PBS&J/Tampa
Phone:  813.282.7275, ext. 526
Fax:      813.287.1690

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02/01/03:  From his cousins:: E-Mail: eugnnanc@cmedic.net   (Eugene and Nancy Martin). I would appreciate if you would share with me if you learn anything more about Phillip.  I would love to hear any stories about him that some of the people who knew him when he was in Viet Nam might tell.

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From: Jim Christensen [ click to email ]
I'm sorry to hear about Krajenta. I don't know  if anybody remembers or not but, I'm pretty sure, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. If my memory serves me correctly it was during the operations were conducting out of the Kontum area in Nov of '67 through Feb? of '68. I don't recall which of the flight platoons he was in. After that adventure I think he returned to maintenance. He was an alright guy.  Jim

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From: Mike Feely [ click to email ]
Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002 5:51 PM

I was looking through the Assn site this morning and was saddened to note the passing of Phil Krajenta. I had the privilege of knowing Phil when I was in the 281st and found him to be an upbeat and fun-loving person. We had many good times; some of them were at the expense of Phil, but it never bothered him. I am even more saddened by the fact that he had recently popped into my mind several times during the last few weeks and I was wondering if it were possible to locate him to  find out how he was doing. Unfortunately, I have a serious problem with doing things right away - I prefer to do it tomorrow. Too late now. Thanks,

Mike (Weelee)



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CW2 ROBERT LEE KATH
November 27, 1947 - January 10, 2015  

Bob Kath Bob Kath

Robert (Bob) served in the 281st in the 1970 as a Wolf Pack Pilot. At the time of his death Bob was a resident of Willmar, Minnesota. In the 281st, Bob was a skilled aviator and respected by all. Full military honors for Robert Lee Kath [were] held at Arlington National cemetery in Washington DC. He shall be remembered by his Intruder Family.

His obituary follows:

“Robert Lee Kath, 67, of Willmar, MN, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2015 in Willmar, Minnesota with his loving son, Brian, and wife, Rosanne, by his side. Bob Kath was born on November 27, 1947. He was the oldest child of Butch and Jane Kath in Grand Island, Nebraska. He graduated Norfolk Senior high school in 1966, attended Norfolk Junior College, and then joined the U.S. Army in 1968. In 1969, Bob married Wendi (Garden) Kath. Together, they had four children, Carmen, Robin, Brian, and Kelli. He was accepted into flight school in 1969. Bob was an accomplished helicopter pilot. He served in the Vietnam War in 1971 and flew successful missions in Vietnam with the [281st Assault Helicopter Company of the 1st Aviation Brigade as Wolf Pack 10]. Bob was a Chief Warrant Officer and served his country receiving numerous medals, including Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, National Service Defense Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Aviator Badge and honorable mentions.

Later in life, Bob studied at Northeast Community College and earned a drafting degree. He worked at Marv-Rosvold Architecture firm and also Kinning & Reil in Norfolk as a mechanical engineer. Bob was an avid collector of model cars and his love of drafting and design lead him to an extensive assortment of these model vehicles over the years, meticulously creating and finishing each piece and displaying them proudly.

Bob is survived by his children: Carmen Kath Garden of North Bergen NJ; Robin (Kevin) Kerr of Ansonia, CT; Brian (Rosanne) Kath of Willmar, MN; Kelli Kath of Atlantic Beach, FL.”

Bob Kath

Bob's awards for his heroic service include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars (one for valor),
 two Army Commendation medals (one for valor), thirty-three Air Medals (one for valor), and
the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Korean award We were some years before we could identify the yellow ribbon with the three red stripes that appears in the bottom center of the award frame. It has now been identified by a member as a Korean Military Merit Medal (1967-1971). The 281st frequently flew missions for other organizations; this webmaster, for a month, was the personal pilot of the Commanding General of the White Horse Division of the Republic of Korea (ROK) which HQ was located just a few miles north of Nha Trang; this is the first known award of that medal to the 281st.



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CWO 2 STEVEN F. KAY
Steve Kay steve
November 2, 1947 - February 14, 1969

Steve died as a result of an aircraft accident on February 14, 1969, at Ft. Rucker.
He was a graduate of class 67-17 at Ft. Rucker, Alabama
He and Patricia Metcalf married in May of 1967 when he was 19, prior to his tour.

66-17
back row, third from right.

grav
Wauchula, Florida

images from searches on Ancestry and findagrave.




JACKIE HOWARD KEELE
Jackie Keele
January 8, 1937 - July 17, 2023

Jackie served as a Wolf Pack pilot in 1969. The obit from a local publication, The Daily American Republic follows:

Jackie Howard Keele, 86, passed away on July 17, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Jackie was born Jan. 8, 1937 in Williamsville, Missouri and enlisted in the U.S. Army upon graduating from high school. Jackie worked his way up through the ranks becoming a Green Beret and Ranger and then becoming a Chief Warrant Officer flying helicopters. He served in two tours in Vietnam and trained militia in Africa and Ethiopia. After serving 26 years in the military he finished out his career with the U.S. Post Office.

Jackie loved bowling, working in the yard with plants and traveling. He always tried to joke with people to get a rise out of them. He never met a stranger and had great friends he met while bowling like Don and Gloria Wolf, Don and Sissey Beyer, and Art Wilson. He loved talking with neighbors as they passed by and became friends with Reid Jaffe. Reid was always there for Jackie and a great neighbor.

Jackie is survived by his loving wife, Geneva “Ginny” Keele; sons, Gregory L. Keele (Tonya) and grandsons, Nicholas, Alex and Mason, J. David Keele (Camy); stepsisters, Julie Mcinnis, Mickie Robinson; stepson, Steve Yates (Kay); stepdaughter, Paula Cullison (Steve) and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jackie was predeceased by parents Chester Oliver Keele, Lillie Evelyn Durrow, Janie Keele; first wife, Mary Jane Bilbrey Keele; stepsister, Martha (Junior).

Special thanks to all at the Veterans Administration and care taker Charlotte for helping Jackie with all his needs. Jackie was interred at Duncan Cemetery in Piedmont, Missouri.

Thanks to nunnleefuneralchapel.com




JAMES E. "JIM" KERNS
Jim Kerns
Died after his tour with the 281st on March 22, 2020

Jim was assigned to the 483rd Maintenance. Detachment and served as a helicopter door gunner.
He received our newsletters in Port Charlotte, Florida with his wife, Elaine.
Many thanks to his son, Mel, for advising the Association of his passing.

Jim Kerns
Jim and family

Jim Kerns
Jim (L) and friends in country



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BELTON W. KING

August 21, 1941 - August 17, 1999
Served as a door gunner in the 145th Airlift Platoon

From: DVinc10103@aol.com
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2003 21:24:47 EST
Subject: 281st AHC DAT Info.
To: jmayhew@huntwood.net

 Jack, I was looking through the DAT files not too long ago and was distressed to learn that Belton King had died.  I knew him well back in 1965-66.  He had come to the 145th Airlift Platoon as a gunner from the 25th Division during the Shotgun Program, if I remember correctly.  He was a great guy in the air and in our Hooch.
 I did a little research on the Internet and found an Obituary from the Savannah Morning News with information about his passing at too young an age.  I have attached it so that you can consider adding it to his DAT notice.
 In my mind I can clearly see his smiling face with his ever-present cigarette.  Hopefully, it's because I've got a picture of him somewhere.  If I find it, I'll forward to the Association.

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Obituaries for August 22, 1999
Savannah Morning News

"AUGUSTA -- Belton Wayne King, 56, died Aug. 17. 1999.He was a native of Rock Hill, S.C. and had lived in Augusta for many years. He was a Vietnam veteran, having served as a sergeant in the Army, where he received numerous National Defense Service Medals, the Purple Heart, Expert Rifle Medals, Vietnam Service Medals, and Vietnam Campaign Medals. He was a lifelong member of Disabled Veterans of Columbia Post No. 28. SURVIVORS: three sisters, Margaret Jo Lee of Savannah, Mary E. Dawkins of Waycross, and Annette McSwain of Columbia; a niece, Diane Harrell; and several other nieces and nephews. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 10 a.m. Tuesday in Beaufort National Cemetery. REMEMBRANCES: Disabled Veterans (D.A.V.) Post 28, Columbia, SC. Hubert C. Baker Funeral Home, Victory Drive Chapel."

Thanks,  Duane Vincent

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As you know I had sent out some postcards to several addresses we had come up with in our search for Belton W. King and James Goff. One of the cards came back as undeliverable for Goff and this morning we received a call from a friend of Belton King's. He said that he and Belton were lifelong friends and that Belton died approx. 3 years ago. Just thought you would want to know.
Rhonda [mailto:rperren1@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Monday, July 01, 200212:19 PM

Belton King grave
photo from findagrave.com



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LAWRENCE R. "LARRY" KITTS
October 19, 1941 - June 12, 2014

larry kitts young
483rd Maintenance Det. January 1966 - May 1967

Lawrence was one of the original members of the 483rd Maintenance Detachment and traveled to Vietnam with the unit in 1965. He served in the 483rd / 281st as a Technical Inspector until May of 1967.
His obituary reads:

"Lawrence R. Kitts "Larry", age 72 of Clarksville, passed from this life to be home with the Lord on June 12, 2014. He was born October 19, 1941 in Memphis, TN. Larry was a 32nd degree Mason and a 33rd degree Shriner. Larry served in the US Army and worked in aviation maintenance and supervision for 48 years. He was employed by DynCorp Intl, and Lockheed Martin in Ft. Campbell, KY. He was a member of the 281st Assault Helicopter Company and a Vietnam veteran. He is preceded in death by his son, Bradley S. Ash. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn G. Kitts of Clarksville; son, Jeffery L. Ash, Sr. of Clarksville; and Hervie E. Kitts of Memphis; daughters, Michelle R. Kitts and Lisa Ash Craig, both of Clarksville; sister, Lillian Kitts Earl of Texas; and brother, William Gregory of Nashville."

Larry's family reports that Larry's wife, and their mom, died on April 26th, 2018. She appears in all three of these photos.


Kitts    Kitts    Kitts

  


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JOSEPH THOMAS KOENIG
Koenig - greens
October 21, 1946 -- September 8, 2005

Koenig at the bunker
Joe's cousin Steve confirms that Joe desired no services after cremation and no obituary.
Nevertheless, the 281st will remember those who served with us.

Koenig Nha Trang Koenig - grave

From: Martin Koening: Martin1037@aol.com.
"Just wanted to let you know that my cousin, Joseph Thomas Koenig passed away on September 8, 2005.
Martin Koenig"



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JOHN "COUNTRY" KORSBECK
Died after his tour in the 281st on May 1, 2008

Korsbeck
Rat Pack Pilot 1969 - 1970

John passed away on 1 May 2008 at his home in Malta,  Montana after a lengthy illness. "JK", as he was fondly known, served with the Rat Pack of the 281stAHC during 1969 and 1970 and, as a former member of Special Forces, he brought valuable experience to the unit.

Following his service JK entered the insurance world where he built a very successful practice. As a life member he was an active supporter of both the 281st AHC Association and the Special Operations Association. He is fondly remembered the folks he served with and those that he befriended in his later years. He is survived by his wife Judy, his son Kelly and his daughter Kristie.

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Ron Lee wrote:

Stumble around in the dark, trying to do a pre-flight, damn got a new a/c, big old fellow, wonder where Mop is, oh well , getting daylight now , what is that written on his beat up old flight helmet - Do Not Fold, Spindle or Mutilate.....well that’s original....then I saw above the visor cover (Big Sky Country) who is this guy? Well, that day I met a man that anyone could model their life after.......Mr. Korsbeck you're clear on the left come on up.....................RON LEE

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DeanRoesner@aol.com wrote:
He was another of the good guys, although I knew him better from the phone calls and the reunion and the endless entertaining emails than I did in VN.  I sit here not doing a very good job of holding back the tears, something I haven't ever done much of in my life.  Knowing him was way too short of time, but thank God I at least knew him, and as a friend.  Dean

_____________________________________

From: Norman Kaufman <nckmmk@msn.com>
To: 281st Hq <HQ_281AHC@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Fri, 2 May 2008
Subject: John Korsbeck

Flight,

I just got off the phone with Judy Korsbeck. She had sad news that none of us wanted to hear. JK passed away at 8:50 PM last night. JK is at peace and no longer suffering. Judy has no funeral arrangements just yet but she did say that a memorial service would probably be on Thursday. She will let me know when the formal arrangements are made.



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JERRY Lee KROECK
December 15, 1945 - June 10, 1997

Last known address: Private Rd 3901D, Henderson Tx 75654
Death Certificate issued: Missouri
Employed by Hanna Construction Co.

Kroeck grave
photo from findagrave.com



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TRUBEE A. KROTHE
Died after his tour on August 22, 2015
trubee

trubee news Trubee served as a Wolfpack door gunner from May, 1967 to April, 1968. The obituary from the Wimberg Funeral Home and the Wilmington newspaper follows:

KROTHE, Trubee A. - resident of Wilmington, NC and Ventnor, NJ, age 68, passed away suddenly on August 22, 2015. Trubee was born in Somers Point NJ, and spent his young life in Ocean City, NJ and Jenkintown, PA. Trubee joined the US Army when he was 17 years old and completed two tours of duty in the Vietnam War and later served in the Army National Guard until 2004. He was a proud veteran, enjoyed participating yearly Memorial Day parades and was proud to fly Old Glory, both at home and at the Margate Log Cabin where he and his wife Anne were members. Trubee loved life, loved trying new things, had a sense of humor and loved the shore - where he met the love of life, Anne Hauck, on July 25, 1971 at Maloney's in Margate, NJ. They were married in 1972 and enjoyed over 43 wonderful years together, and raised two daughters in Warminster, PA. Always offering a helpful hand, Trubee could fix or make anything. He made friends easily and he and Anne took great joy being surrounded by them and their precious grandchildren in retirement. Trubee retired from SEPTA in 2011 after 39 years with the company. Trubee started his career with SEPTA as a trolley driver and ended his tenure as a District Director of Transportation which often required a predawn wake ritual. This was very helpful in the many road trips he enjoyed, especially the west coast road trip he took when moving his daughter Helene to Eugene, Oregon. He was a member of the Viking Rowing Club and Cape Fear River Rowing Clubs of Ventnor, NJ and Wilmington, NC. He was also a member of Bachelors Rowing Club in Philadelphia. Trubee started rowing in 1998, after being introduced to the sport by his daughter, Annemarie, who rowed for the University of Delaware. He found a missing part of his soul on the water and rowing brought him much joy, and great friendships, which extended up and down the east coast. Trubee is survived his wife Anne (Hauck); their two daughters, Annemarie Petroff (Jeff) of Wilmington, NC and Helene Dolores, of Eugene, OR; his loving grandchildren, Behrett Broughton Thomas and Annderson Elizabeth of Wilmington, NC; his sister Mary Lynn Foglio (Joseph, Sr.) of Palermo, NJ; Tallieson Stern of San Diego, CA; members of the Hauck family and endless nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ann (Jagger) and Benjamin Krothe, Jr; stepmother mother, Lucille Duffield; and his brother, Benjamin Krothe, III. The family will receive friends at the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Avenue, Ocean City, NJ on Friday, August 28th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with a celebration of life following at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.wounded warriorproject.org/donate.aspx.
Arrangements by the George H. Wimberg Funeral Home - ghwimberg.com.

The Philadelphia Inquirer:

trubee beach Services have been set for Friday, Aug. 28, for Trubee A. Krothe, 68, of Ventnor, N.J., a retired district director for SEPTA, who died in a Burlington Township motorcycle accident on Saturday, Aug. 22. Mr. Krothe was driving his motorcycle east on Woodmansie Boulevard in Woodland about 12:15 p.m. Saturday when it veered off the road and hit a tree, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Fred Iezzi, a foot and ankle surgeon, knew Mr. Krothe as a fellow rower at the Bachelors Barge Club on Boathouse Row in Philadelphia and at the Viking Rowing Club in Ventnor. "He was a good rower," Iezzi said, and "a great bow - the one that steers the boat." At Viking, he was also known as the man to go to when a scull needed repairs. "He fixed all the boats at the boathouse," Iezzi said. Whenever there was a problem, he said, the call rang out, "Where's Trubee?" Born in Somers Point, N.J., Mr. Krothe grew up in Ocean City and Jenkintown, and left Abington High School at 17 to enlist in the Army. He served two tours of duty as a helicopter door gunner in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam conflict, his wife, Anne, said, and from 1989 to 2004 was in a chemical warfare unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Mr. Krothe began at SEPTA in 1972 as a trolley driver on the Route 23 line between South Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill, and completed his career in 2011 as a district director of transportation in Norristown. The Krothes resided in Warminster from 1975 to 2012, when they began to split their years between Ventnor and Wilmington, N.C., where he was a member of the Cape Fear River Rowing Club. He had gotten into sculls in the 1990s because daughter Annemarie was rowing on the Inland Waterway near Ventnor. "He just took to it," his wife said, enough to have sculls in both New Jersey and North Carolina. Before his fatal accident, she said, "he was out rowing Saturday morning at the Ventnor Viking Club." Besides his wife and daughter Annemarie Petroff, Mr. Krothe is survived by daughter Helene, two sisters, and two grandchildren. A visitation was set from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the Ocean City (N.J.) Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave., before a 3 p.m. life celebration there.

Donations may be sent to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Condolences may be offered to the family at http://ghwimberg.com.




ALAN PETER "Big Al" Kruck

Kruck Alan Peter
January 31, 1949 - June 19, 2023

From the obituary:

At age 74, Alan “Big Al” passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023. He was the son of the late Albert and Ruth (Cody) Kruck. A loving Father of Gregory A. “Biggs” (Crystal) Kruck Bigger. Grandfather of Melissa (Nathan) Novak and Heidi Bigger. Great Grandfather of Konner and Kayson. Brother to David Kruck of FL and his late siblings Gary, David and Kathy Kruck. The former husband to the late Susan “Crosby” Bigger.

Alan had many hobbies, he loved America and his Pittsburgh sports, he enjoyed going fishing and loved to have conversations with people, a very outspoken man. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.

In lieu of a visitation/viewing, a motorcycle escort by the American Legion Riders and the Patriot Guard Riders will take him to the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. A brief outdoor service with full Military Honors will be held. The date will be announced at a later time.

Obit and photo: O'Brien's Funeral Home, Pittsburgh, PA

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I roomed with Al in 69-70 in Nha Trang Vietnam, serving in the 281st Assault Helicopter Company. I served in flight operations and Al drove our commanding officer, Major George Little's jeep, AVN 6. We had another room from operations in the room, Albert Alvarado....who was the original Big Al in Vietnam! I think Al and myself got there about the same time(?) and Albert preceded us by several months. When Al wasnt busy driving for the CO, he work in POL which dealt with keeping the helicopters refueled.

We three strangers from Pittsburgh, Texas and NYC got along very well for the duration in a three man "hooch." Our unit was attached(under operational control) to 5th special forces and we were billeted on their main HQ area in Nha Trang. Hv to say, our conditions were very good!

I am deeply sorry that Al and myself never got into contact again after he left Vietnam. I stayed on for two more 6 month extensions, leaving in Sep 71 from the 10th Combat AVN Battalion, the 281st having left Vietnam, end of 1970.

The three of US got along very well. Very sorry neither Al ever attended any of our reunions. I was able to meet with Al Alvarado family in San Antonio, 2020 reunion, though Albert had passed several years earlier.

Hope to hear from any Kruck family members or friends. 718 7378194
~ Jack Interstein


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