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8th Radio Research field station grouping


Mitch
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I wanted to show this group for Robin , who posted the 509th RRGp grouping folling this post. Robin, this grouping would be one example of many groups under the 509th RRGp. It is a nice grouping. Viet made patch, pocket hanger, Service medal and 1 ribbon bar. Also is his ID and some ration paperwork , Viet engraved zippo. There is some little electronic piece in there also and medals and ribbon bars. Following will be a Viet made plaque and his Viet embroidered boonie cap

Regards, Mitch

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Hi Guys ,

Thanks for the quick reply.

316th FS, Would your group possibly be for the 175RRCo. They were under the 509th at Tan Son Nhut

Regards, Mitch

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  • 8 years later...

Whomever posted this group of Viet Nam stuff. Where did you get it? I was at the 8th RRFS at Phu Bai with Dave Greenbank and have been trying to locate him. Any info greatly appreciated. Tom Lamonde Texas

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Mitch: Can you tell me where you got this photo grouping? I was in Nam with Dave Greenbank and have been trying to locate him. I know he was from Wisconsin. Any info would be appreciated. Tom Lamonde

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River Patrol

TexasTom,

 

I had this group for some time and tried to research the soldier but couldn't find any information. I sold the group a few years ago. If you could PM me, I'd like to know more about this soldier and the RR group he was assigned.

 

Thanks,

Steve

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Hey Steve. In January 1972, Dave Greenbank and I went to Fort Devens Intel School and went through a 6 month Morse code intercept course for the Army Security Agency. After graduating we both got shipped to the 8th RRFS (Radio Research Field Station) at Phu Bai RVN. ASA was not 'advertised' in Nam since out mission was Top Secret there with what we did. He and I were room mates along with 3 others. It was the 'cease fire' campaign which was pretty ironic since we got rocket attacks on our compound almost daily. In November of 1972, Phu Bai (Northernmost, hence the one Company A patch) began to shut down and handed over the the ARVNs. I ended up at the 7th RRFS in Udorn, Thailand and Dave went south to Da Nang to train the ARVN in radio research. That's when I lost contact with him. I have been searching for him and my other room mates since, to no avail. I know he was from Wisconsin. My research for him has turned up nothing so I fear the worst, that he died along the way somewhere. I have blindly send 'friend requests' to two on Facebook named Greenbank living in Wisconsin but they have not 'accepted'. Hope this helps fill you in a bit. I have a question or two for you. So I guess collecting 'groups' of stuff displayed here is a hobby for some? Where did you originally get his stuff? And I think the guy you gave it to or sold it to is from Wisconsin...wonder if it was a relative. I have a few pics of him and me I'd like to get to his daughter/son or wife or whoever. I'll include one here. I'm the 2nd head from the left, Dave is wearing my civilian jersey last on the right. Thanks for the response. Tom

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River Patrol

Tom,

 

Thank you for your service!!

 

...and thanks for the response and the great information on the ASA in Vietnam. It's not often we get first hand information directly from the veteran that was there. Many collectors enjoy the history and evolution of the units in Vietnam, but information is limited.

 

Kind regards,

Steve

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Hey Steve. The ASA was an Army entity that was under the direction of the NSA. As I look back on my 7 years with them, I'm amazed at what our mission was. As I said earlier, it was classified TS-SCI and they made us sign 'non-disclosure' statements when we left the service where we couldn't discuss our mission with anyone for like 5 or 10 years, not sure which. But many an infantry commander, Army Rangers and Marine Commanders gave lots of credit to us for saving lives with our ability to 'research' through radio intercept and identify locations of VC units in the jungle through ARDF (Airborne Radio Direction Finding). More than one Commander in the field said "I don't know how they (meaning ASA) can give us coordinates and locations of where Charlie is, but I'm glad they can do it and I credit them". Once we had a unit or regiment triangulated through radio research and ARDF, we could call in an air strike from the Navy or AF with a few F4 Phantoms and they'd strafe or napalm the area and wipe out the VC. We would know that at Phu Bai and other RRFSs in Nam because he would miss his scheduled contact times with his headquarters. When we didn't hear him sending his Morse...we knew he got wiped out. Kinda like killing the enemy without a rifle. Glad to pass on the history of ASA and if you ever get a chance, buy a book on Amazon called 'We Served In Silence' by Glenn Fannon. It kinda sums up what the ASA (that was never in RVN, ha) did. See attachment. I don't see anywhere in this block to put an attachment. Tom

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I actually have a jacket in my collection with that patch. Now I have some background to go with it, unfortunately it's not named

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River Patrol

Yes. I've been telling people for years that no VN in-country jackets/coats/shirts will have the ASA SSI on them.

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  • 5 years later...
ItemCo16527

I just found this thread doing research. I actually have this soldier's uniform and some other insignia. Please see my post here.

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