Does anyone have groupings to 173rd A.B soldiers that jumped during junction city?

[ColdWarRules]

I was curious to see if anyone here has groupings to men that made the only combat jump in Vietnam.

 

So does anybody?

-Nick

[ColdWarRules]

Note: I'm aware special forces made jumps but I mean the only jump into Vietnam that is...I guess you could say "formal"

[Tom Kibler]

Lt. Col. Edward Salter (then Capt. with the 173rd) was a dear family friend. He's the one who talked me into enlisting in 1984. Anyway, he knew I collected militaria and wanted me to have this. To quote him, "I know d@mn well these were in Vietnam"...

 

He told me it was so "...d@mn" hot that he cut off the sleeves and rolled them up. They are still so heavily starched, I think they could stand on their own.

 

He was part of the group that secured the LZ around the Junction City jump. He was awarded the SSM and PHM for his actions there. He was very clear to say he didn't deserve "sh!t". One of his men asked why one platoon was setting up a position by the trees (pointing). He simply said, "Those ain't our guys"! It was then they began to take incoming fire.

 

It is the only thing I have from Ed. He passed last year, unexpectedly. He is greatly missed.

[Tom Kibler]

His pants...

[ColdWarRules]

Wow...thats amazing. Do you know the whereabouts of the Silver Star?

[Tom Kibler]

Yes. His son (my friend) is a Col. outside of DC. He has all of his father's things (as it should be).

 

TK

[Tonomachi]

I don't have a grouping but I do have a sterling clutch back jump wing with an attached gold star that was supposedly worn by PFC Leonard Kreutz, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. I bought it at an insignia show maybe 30 years ago from a military insignia dealer who supposedly got it from the vet himself. I have no provenance from the veteran or seller. I did find out years later through the Internet that this particular veteran resided in the same state that this military insignia dealer was operating out of.

 

 

 

 

[Tom Kibler]

Reviving this thread....  While going through some of my collection, I located this photo, of him wearing this uniform.  I had completely forgotten I had it.  Wish I had a better image.  It's all I have.

[Red Devil]

I can add to this as well with a veteran grouping I picked up last summer -- he jumped in Junction City.  Thanks for a forum member, I now also have one of his jungle jackets and extensive paperwork on his service.  

 

[scottplen]

I believe he took place in this operation 

mans was returning to base when KIA

not sure where rest of medals are ?

[ScottG]

Here are a couple of pics of a large group to a 173rd soldier who didn't jump, but was part of Junction City. PFC Robert Adams of East Jackson Michigan. These photos are about 5 years old now, but you can see his class A uniform above his 107s on the mannequin.     Scott

[River Patrol]

I think Baystate Militaria just got a large grouping from a 173rd veteran that jumped in Vietnam. 

[Cpl. Punishment]

Didn’t jump, but fought in support. C Co. 4/503rd PIR “Geronimo Battalion”. VN made tapes and wings on the fatigues which are 1965 contract.

[Cpl. Punishment]

Fought in support operations of Junction City with C Co. 4/31st Infantry, 196th LIB. One of the original “boat people”. 1966-1967