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Posted: 07/29/2008 Name: Joe Mattison Message: To Jimmy and Brian: Brian First; I too have the same problem. It's usually after someone says something that the memory of it comes back. When it does come back, it usually comes back pretty clear. Again, thanks for the details of that crash. Jimmy: I don't recall that particular crash. I reported to Camp as Cadre in Sept 1979, so it may have happened before I got there, but because nobody was killed as you say, perhaps it quickly fell off everyone's mind and wasn't talked about. Four other aviation accidents at Camp that I'm aware of and I don't recall the years....One involved a UHIH that had just lifted off from Cavender CP and was heading towards the Frying Pan Gap ridgeline when it suddenly lost power and crashed in the trees just about where the Deer Check Station is in the Cavenders Creek area...(or was). The Deer Check station was a small log cabin, and the Helicopter crashed not too far from there. Steve seems to remember more of that on then I do, because he was freshly arrived to Camp and was detailed to go there and secure the site while Ranger Training continued. We lost a couple of soldiers on that one...being seriously injured, and one was an OPFOR I believe and the other worked in supply or commo of 2nd Ranger Co. He was the most seriously hurt and became crippled for life. The others are...I always heard of a Cobra that was refueling, starting or shutting down on Camp Merrill Airfield when it caught fire and exploded. The crew was able to escape, but that was long before I got there and I would estimate it to be 72-76 or so when it happened as I heard the story. The other was an OH58 that was at Camp doing Mountaineering Navigation Training and the thought is that both crew members became focused on the map sheet instead of one of them driving and they crashed into the mountain side below Hawk Mountain near Rock Creek Lake. The last one of course is the one that Doug and others mentioned about a couple of years ago where a Cobra crashed killing both crew members. Those are the ones I recall, or heard about in addition to the crash on Akin Mountain mentioned earlier by Brian. Anyone else know of the crashes/fires? |
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Posted: 07/05/2008 Name: Bill Miller Message: To All Mountain Rangers! The courageous and selfless service history of the BDQ Advisors during America's longest and most controversial war of moder times is known only to a relative few. Primarily those involved. When their combat time; conditions/situations of their service; and lack of combat/admin support available to them are considered, few U.S. Combat Units can match their isolated, difficult duty. Because of the relative small number of BDQ Advisors involved and the lack of a supporting structure, other than a distant MACV, in Vietnam to Record the events, the extraordinary combat history of the BDQ Advisors will likely be lost to future generations of Warriors. Therefore we must take every opportunity that is presented to establish references and reminders of their devoted service. A BDQ Advisor monument is being planned for the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC. This is a relevant location for many good reasons. For example, most advisors attended courses at Fort Bragg before going to VN and much of the Army Ranger activity and history will be collected and displayed there. A BDQ Advisor display is being developed now. We are trying to raise approximately $4,000 necessary for the monument in the next 6 to 8 months. If we are successful we will have it made and installed and ready for unveilling in time for the next BDQ Advisors reunion. In any Ranger would like to contribute to this fund donations can be made out to "BDQ Advisors Memorial Fund" and sent to: Bill Miller 1090 Brightwood Drive, Aiken, SC 29803. Any donations no matter how small will be greatly appreciated. If you have further questions you can contact me through my email or phone 803-641-9504. RLTW Biet Dong Quan Sat! Bill Miller 75th Ranger Regiment Association Biet Dong Quan Unit Director (effective 01 Sep 08) |
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Posted: 06/13/2008 Name: Ross Hall Message: Mike Flack, send them to Bob Williams at bwilliams@USmountainranger.org |
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Posted: 06/11/2008 Name: Cathy Beck Message: Doug is and has been a true friend to anyone, just as Tom Wilburn said (by the way Tom HELLO my friend). Way before Doug became LT Perry of the MP's on Camp Merrill he was there visiting friends and always making new friends. Tom was right about him giving you the shirt off his back if you needed it. While he was "DUH POLELICE" (DA Police) that is what we called him he was giving advice to the Ranger students and recycles to help him out. It wouldn't matter where you ran into him, he always talked to you and genuinely cared about you. He never complained to anyone about how bad he felt even though he went thru a lot of medical issues. He is really what a Ranger stands for and I am honored to be his friend and Terry's. She is truly a Ranger wife also. She supported the mission and her husband no matter what issues come up. God Bless them and keep them safe. Doug, I hold you high in my heart. |
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Posted: 06/02/2008 Name: Tom Wilburn Message: Rangers,I am in the mountains of Colorado for the next several weeks and wanted to send a brief message. I will miss the Ranger Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Doug Perry as I know many of you will. I am writing to congratulate Doug for his selection and most importantly to thank him for his dedicated service and sacrifice to our great Nation. Doug is a “National Treasure” and has never forgotten what it means to be a true Ranger buddy. I would encourage everyone, as many of you already have, to congratulate Doug at this site as a way of showing your support if you are not able to attend the ceremony June 11th at Fort Benning. I hope someone can get a copy of Doug’s official biography, and hopefully a transcript of his acceptance comments, so we can all share in this great moment for Doug, his family, and fellow Mountain Rangers. I have re-deployment coming in July and hope to do a fast, hard hitting tour, that puts me home around Thanksgiving and the late deer season. Take care Rangers, and please send you’re congrats to Doug either at this site, in person, or at the ceremony. |
