Viet Nam Recon Grouping from Family Friend

[Tom Kibler]

I am not a collector of Viet Nam era items, though so many of my friends served there and have given me things over the years.... perhaps i "do" collect them. A dear friend of mine who passed away in 2004 was in the 1st ID RECON 3/21 196 BDE. He served from 1969 - 1970. His widow has been so distraught, that only recently has she opened up the storage unit that had his things. She couldn't bear to look at them... because she loved him so much... Anything of his reminded her of him.

 

She contacted me and my father since they had no children of their own. She wanted us to have his things. It is out of respect for the family that I not put his name on the "web". I hope you can all understand.

 

Included in this group is his service uniform, medals, supporting documents, general orders, EVERY letter he wrote home, maps, and a diary. The diary is amazingly explicit. One of the entries details his actions setting up "booby traps" and trip wires. While doing so, he heard movment towards him and stepped off of the path into the undergrowth. Two NVA soldiers (a male and a female) stopped in front of him. He details firing on them in close quarters. Then he wrote that he took a belt from one and a hammock from the other. These are two of the items in the grouping.

 

From the documents, he was awarded 4 BSM, 1 PH and several others. One has a Vietnamese printed document with it.

[Tom Kibler]

Here is the belt and the hammock... Behind them are two of the maps that STILL have the locations of his last set of traps.

[Tom Kibler]

Here is his uniform ribbon bar set. I do not know what the medal is the the right of the BSM. Any help?

[Tom Kibler]

Here are some of the medals. There are even more duplicates not pictured.

[GIl Sanow]

The 'unknown' ribbon is for the Air Medal.

 

G

[Tom Kibler]

Thank you!

[doyler]

Outstanding group Tom.

[Torch03]

That's a really nice group Tom.

[Kadet]

Very nice group. The blood on that belt brings it home

[Tom Kibler]

Thank you guys. My father knew him quite well and told me he was a LRRP (Long Range Recon Patrol). Respectfully - I have no clue, except all of his mail identifies his outfit as a RECON outfit.

 

I wish I could learn more about it.

 

Thank you !

[Kadet]

Tom, in Vietnam, LRRP units existed at the infantry brigade and even battalion level. They conducted intelligence gathering and ambushes for their respective HHQ. It was very decentralized, and there were many different LRRP units. They saw some of the most close quarter, intense combat of the war though. From his unit designation listed above, I would say he served in one of these units and probably saw some pretty grim events. My wife's uncle was a LRRP in the 101st ABN Division. He suffered intensely from his experiences, but wouldn't talk about them to his family. He was involved in one particular event that really left him traumatized. I actually researched him, and figured out what it was...almost TMI though...I've never been quite sure what to do w/ the info. At any rate...very powerful group.

[Tom Kibler]

Thank you. He did say that he was good at setting up ambushes but felt his time was running out. When he came home, he was spat on and chastised so badly, he left for Canada. It was there, that our families collided and became close.

 

I was asked never to share the contents of his diary "while he was alive". I've honored that and still feel uncomfortable sharing his intimate combat experiences with anyone.

 

I aim to honor him by a proper display..... Time and $$ are the problem at the moment.

 

Thanks again for the info.

[Longhorn92]

Really nice grouping and great opportunity to honor the memory of your friend's service.

 

If he spent his entire time with 3/21 INF it looks like he was assigned to the battalion reconnaissance platoon.

[Kadet]

I believe this is the account that has given my wife's uncle a lifetime of PTSD...which he is now seeking treatment for. I think there was a bit more to this event than what is written here, but it gives a good idea of the kind of combat LRRPs were frequently involved in. In this case, the ambushers were ambushed. He was in 3/506th PIR 101st ABN Recon/LRRP, and awarded a Bronze Star w/ V device, although I believe he refused the award.

 

"251527H September, Recon had been set up around a resupply LZ vic YC963812. The weather had delayed the backhaul bird for several hours, and the platoon was tied to the LZ longer than they wanted to be. The enemy moved into high ground 200 - 400 meters north of their location and opened fire with RPG'S, mortars, machine-guns, and small arms. In the ensuing battle Recon lost two killed and five wounded. Through many acts of individual heroism, the unit formed a hasty perimeter and rained a heavy volume of organic and supporting fires on the enemy who fled, leaving an unknown number of casualties."

[Jack's Son]

A very fine and touching group.

[Tom Kibler]

I've recently located a website for his old outfit. There are nearly a hundred period photos of the Recon Plt. in action from 1969 through 1971. Several photos of my friend as well.

 

The maps that are included with this group have been sought after by members of the platoon, to help chart where they were (exactly) on several of the dates. This has taken a whole, new, positive turn.

 

Thanks guys.

[Capazo]

Fantastic!!

 

Not tell me the name, but.. Are the medals named on the back?

A friend told me that his medals were not named.

[Tom Kibler]

Fantastic!!

 

Not tell me the name, but.. Are the medals named on the back?

A friend told me that his medals were not named.

 

 

They are NOT named. I have every order and certificate to document each medal.

[dave peifer]

tom........after all this time it takes a lot to get me exicted.........this would do it................dave

[Capazo]

Thank you

[hirsca]

Amazing and very sobering. I was serving along the DMZ in the Navy at that time and really had no clue as to the heroics that were taking place in country by our bravest. RIP. Thanks, Al.

[USMC-RECON0321]

A true warrior and a salute from me!! (well I would have posted one of those saluting Emoticons, but its not there anymore)

Troy

[Tom Kibler]

A true warrior and a salute from me!! (well I would have posted one of those saluting Emoticons, but its not there anymore)

Troy

 

 

Glad you chimed in, Troy. It's up your alley.

[R Michael]

very very outstanding grouping and the best part, he was a family friend. Many thanks for posting.

 

Mike

[Jack's Son]

I hope one day a family will ask me to be a guardian!! What an honor.