A DOD news release yesterday identified that the 2nd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division is to deploy as part of the rotation of forces operating in Afghanistan. The brigade is scheduled for a late Spring 2012 rotation. The 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery is part of the brigade. This will be the first tour for the battalion to Afghanistan.

I was in B Btry 7th Bn 17th Arty 2nd Inf. Div. in Korea in Feb. 1968-May 1969. I was in a 105mm unit. I was a crew chief and I went to the DMZ and to ACTA school in Aug 1968 and became an Injim Scout. I am getting 30% disability for Ischemic Heart Disease from Agent Orange. I have periferal Neuropathy and will be putting in a claim for that. I would hope to hear from anyone who served at that time and place.

Please keep our treasurer, Rich Siebe and his family in your prayers. His father passed away yesterday Monday Jan. 23, 2012.

service battery 2/17 ankhe,vietnam. april,67 to april,68 hauled amo to A,B,C,and D 155 unit.304-965-6088

I served with Battery A 2 nd 17th artillery on Sep 3 1967 we were rocketed and we lost one Hero and our Top was wounded. I have been haunted for 40 plus years about the young man who was killed that night. I have always wondered what happen to his family. If any of you could help.

I was an Infantry Plt. Ldr. in the 4th Div in Nam- '68-69. We moved to An Khe in April '69 and established Firebase Denise about 8k Northeast of Radcliff. There was a 105 battery there. I'm not sure if it was the 17th or not. If anyone can let me know I would appreciate it. Some pictures would be great- trying to resolve some things.
I called for artillery support in the An Khe & Mang Yang Pass area several times. Thanks guys, you can't imagine how much it was appreciated.
PS- I grew up in Lawton, enjoyed your 4th of July shows too.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all

The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, was awarded to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces and other nations for
valorous achievment in combat during the Vietnam Conflict.

U.S. Military units were cited individualy for the award, however the Vietnamese Government issued the award to all units
subordinate to Military Assistance Command Vietnam during the period from February 8, 1962 to March 28, 1973 and to
U.S. Army Vietnam and it's subordinate units for the period July 20, 1965 to March 28, 1973. This action permits all military personnel serving in Vietnam to wear the Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation

All personnel who were in the unit during the time period that the unit was awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross, may wear the
award at all times. Individuals not in the unit during the time period of the award can only wear the award while assigned to the unit.

The RVN Gallantry Cross was established by the Vietnamese Government by Decree No. 74-b/Qt, dated August 15, 1950
and Decree No. 96/DQT/HC, dated May 2, 1952. Authorization for all U.S. Army personnel was confirmed in HDQA General Orders No. 8, dated March 19, 1974. Authorization for all other miltary branches defers to the Army authorization
date.

If the unit citation is not listed on your DD214, you can request an ammended document by submitting a SF 180 (PDF) to the National Personnel Records Command.

The Gallantry Cross is not issued by any U.S. Agency, but is available commercially.

It was the Night before Christmass, on a plateau far, far away, I had just ended H & Is ….all the Guns were covered with dust as it may, I in my Pot/Kevlar, Shorty in his booney Hat, had just settled down for a SHORTIMERS Nap, when out in Indian Country there arouse such a CLATTER, I sprang from that GUN to see what might be the matter, when what to my Dirt covered Eyes should appear, but this little old Peasant Farmer with a case of 33 Beer, He bolted from a Water Buffalo so lively and quick, I knew in a moment that This CAT was NOT St. NICK ....Up through the wire He came, knowing his way, with a bag full of sapper packs, and Bam-E-Bah, Beer, he came throwing things right then to the left, when he got right in front NOTHING was left, Then putting his finger along side of his FACE, he turned with a JERK Up to the OP to sit on TOP. He cracked open a BREW….motioned to US to Join HIM…..where we all sang SILENT NIGHT…..from Pleiku to Siagon….Cambodia to the Gulf…..wishing that war had been over…..Iraq, has ended and troops still stand near……REMEMBER THOSE FAR AWAY……WHEN YOUR DRINKING YOUR BEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WISHING ALL OUR COMRADS NEAR AND FAR……..MERRY CHRISTMASS …..MY FRIENDS…..I WILL TOAST YOU THIS CHRISTMASS……right here at the BAR……………….and may PEACE COME TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shep

For Vietnam Vets of the 2/17th, this is some info that "MAY" help you if filing a claim for PTSD. I know a Marine who had his DD214 ammended by the National personnel Records Center in St. Louis to reflect that he was "awarded" the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal. I am not sure if he had an "individual" award or a "Unit" award. He filed a claim for PTSD and in his rejection letter from VA, it stated he DID have a Medal for "valor". Now, you don't have to do anything to get the Unit citation except to have BEEN THERE. EVERYONE is eligible for the Unit award I'm quite sure. (I KNOW 2/17th members are) I checked into it and submitted a letter asking that my 214 be ammended and received the letter yesterday with the "Gallantry Cross" added. Now....I didn't do anything spectacular to get the thing but some of the criteria for PTSD claims are Purple Heart, CIB, OR a medal for "valor". If you weren't physically wounded, then it MAY work in your favor as my letter said it was also sent to the VA. Worth a try?? Might help, might not. Good luck and Merry CHRISTmas to all! Doug

Here is the online website. You will have to print out a hard copy and sign it plus fill out the info for what you're asking for.
[vetrecs.archives.gov]

My father Frank Marzak was in the 17th field artillery regiment, 1st battalion, C battery from 1940 to 1945. He didn't talk much about the war except for a few situations. El Guettar, Monte Casino and a concentration camp, not sure if it was Dachau, where he was a Polish interpreter to the prisoners. He said that he took the shell shocked GI, whom Patton slapped, to a hospital in a jeep, using tire chains to hold him down, when he was in Sicily. I found a you tube video of a howitzer crew in North Africa that the corporal, who is loading the firing fuses, looks and moves like he could be my father. This video can be seen at [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm7VXm5UEg4&feature=related [/url] . Does anyone know my father or been associated with his unit, who can expand on these or any other stories during his WW2 experience. Please email me with any info at [email]frank_is@hotmail.com [/email] .

Respectfully,
Frank Marzak Jr

Thank you all for your service. My father, 1LT George Bensema, served with the 17th in Vietnam as a forward observer attached to 1/50 INF and at a school that prepared FO's for their duties with units in country. Any information about his service in Vietnam or other information about him from any that new him would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Peter,
I live on the NC border in Granville Co and have relatives in the Valley. What is Little Creek near? I go to Va. about onece a year but like I said I'm about 20-25 miles from the State line.
Richard-Chaplain

I was in the 17th from early spring 1962 till mid spring 1963. I was in signal and attached to Hdgtrs. I played on the Football team and the Softball team and was the Col. alternate driver. I also edited the Batallion newspaper for a while. I was also a prison chaser. It was fun except for cleaning the battery boxes on the jeeps in the motor pool. I remember a few names. Harry Lucky. Fred Withol, Wallace who was a runing back on the team. Dave who was a cook from Grand Rapids, Mi, Shaw, who was a 3 striper. I have a picture of the football team.
I was a PFC. I didn't stay in as they wouldn't make me a general right away. The Col. was a good guy. There was also a Spc 4 named Badger. He and I did not get along well at all.
In the late spring of 1962 we put the whole Battalion on a train and went to Little Creek, Virginia for Amphibious training.
I now live about 40 miles away from there in Virginia.

Reminder
If anyone has an article or pictures for the next issue of "The Castle" (January 2012), they are due to Jack Picciolo by December 31, 2011.

To all of the association members:
For family health resaons, Norman Jones has resigned as president of the association. The 1st Vice President, Larry Miller, will assume the office as of today.
Thomas Kurtz
Past President

Fellow Redlegs now is the time where again we must come together in prayer for the family of one of our own as well as being one of the founders of this great organization.
Norm & Annette Jones have just found out their daughter has breast cancer. Please keep this family in your prayers for a successful and rapid healing. Our prayers are with you Norm and Annette.
Richard Smith

To All: I have just put the final touches on our reunion in Branson MO for October 24-27, 2012. It will be held at Westgate Branson Woods Resort. I will have the entire announcement posted to our web site next week and will also send it out via snail mail with the Jan 2012 newsletter and membership application. You can look up the resort at
www.wgbransonwoods.com

I am looking for information on how to obtain a unit patch. My brother-in-law was with C Btry 2nd Bn 17th Artillery in Vietnam and was killed in action on April 3, 1968. My wife is currently putting together a shadow box with his medals and ribbons. If anyone knows how to get a unit patch it would sure be appreciated. His name was PFC Elbert B Walker. He was killed during a rocket attack and was awarded the bronze star with "V" for his action. Please contact as soon as possible.

Just a quick follow-up on Charles Riley. He's home now from the hospital. I spoke with him this afternoon and other than feeling a little tired he's okay. The procedure took longer than expected according to his daughter yesterday. They went through his carotid artery to clear a blockage (or this might have been the part to repair a hole in a valve near his heart) and then had to go through his groin to repair and clear the other.
He thanks all of you for the thoughts and prayers. Being the Guestbook is public his address is located on the roster if you'd like to contact him.