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A-1-6 > TC-1 Tony Cordia (CA) receives a Bronze Star w/V for heroics at Hill 352, on 14 May 68. Sgt. Sherwin Hall (CA) received a BS w/V and is wearing glasses to Cordia's right. The grunt on Cordia's left, nearest the camera, is Kirby Heath (WA), also known as "Chief." Cordia, Hall and Heath were all in 1st Platoon. If you recognize any other men to Cordia's right, please let us know. Read what Cordia did to earn this award in the Hero's Hall section of this site. Cordia was wounded twice, earning his Purple Heart w/OLC on 16 May 68. There's a small peace sign on Cordia's helmet cover. (According to his nametag, the first three letters of the last name of the one-star general pinning the award is "You...," so it's probably BG Young.)
A-1-6 > VG-1 (? officer) is pinning a Silver Star on Vic Girling for action at Lo Giang on 8 Feb 68. To the left of Vic is SSG Claude O. Bartley, a Company A squad leader, who also received a Silver Star for action at Lo Giang. Can anyone identify other members of Company A at this ceremony, which we think was held on LZ Gator.
A-1-6 > JL-01 James A. Love, 1st Platoon Leader, receiving a Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor from Major General Hal B. Moore, author of "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young." The award was presented to Jim at the 7th Infantry Division HQ at Camp Hovey, Korea in April of 1970, two years after the nighttime attack on Company A in the Que Son Valley on 29 April 1968.
A-1-6 > SP-01 Sherwood Philpott is on the right in the hat. We think the soldier on the left was James J. Abraham who was killed in October 68 by a mine. Janes joined the Gunfighters in February of 68 and recieved a PH for action on Hill 352 on May 14, 1968 and a BS for his outstanding service.
A-1-6 > TB-01 Here is a photo from Tom Bush of a jacket he sent home from Chu Lai in November of 1967 "When I die I'll go to heaven because I've served my time in hell.
A-1-6 > During February, 2006, a short while before he died, friends and admirers of Sgt. Homer Burks (Ret.) honored him with a benefit in Corrigan, Texas. Although it was put together on short notice, the event raised over $15,000, which helped offset Burks' cancer treatment expenses. Burks was quite ill, but was able to attend, and to his surprise was greeted by several Alpha Company vets who served with him in Vietnam. Left to Right: Tommy Foley, 2nd Platoon; Don Kaiser, 3rd Platoon; Homer Burks, 3rd Platoon; Alan Allen, 1st Platoon; and Harry Thompson, HQ. Burks served as Platoon Sergeant of 3rd Platoon, and most of the time was Platoon Leader as well, as 3rd Platoon for some time did not have an officer in charge. The four vets also presented Burks a plaque of appreciation, on behalf of all the men of Company A, for his outstanding leadership and service to our country. In Vietnam, Burks earned a Silver Star and Bronze Star with "V" for Valor, as well as other medals. He also served in Korea during the Korean War. CPT Brennan called Homer in late May to wish him well. CPT Brennan and 1SG Rodriguez recruited Homer at Ft Hood, Texas. Brennan has stated that “... the NCOs assigned to the Gunfighters were the best a Company Commander could ever hope for in combat.” He remembers Homer as “...one fine NCO and I relied on his judgment and experience with The Big Red One a great deal during the entire time we all were together in A Company, 1-6 Infantry.” Brennan told Homer that “...it was a little late for me to become a praying man; I would say a few for his recovery. I went to Saint Michael's Church, patron Saint of paratroopers, and lit a candle for him ... ” Sgt. Homer Burk passed away about noon on Sunday, June 11, 2006.
A-1-6 > JL02: Sgt. Finnis D. McCleery, left, and Lt. James Love, both of 1st Platoon, reminisce about the good old days. Love traveled from Michigan to San Angelo, Texas to visit with McCleery in April, 2002. McCleery, earned the Congressional Medal of Honor on Hill 352, May 14, 1968, in South Vietnam. He was born in Stephenville, Texas, and died in June, 2002
A-1-6 > JB-01: John Hunt, left, of Georgia, is close friends with Jerry Baynes (GA), right, of 1st Platoon. They visited Alan Allen at his home in early August, 2006, and all had a great time. Hunt was in the Marines in Vietnam in 1964, and ran a lot of solo recons. Baynes was one of the original Co. A grunts, and was lucky enough to have made it through with only one Purple Heart. He got that April 25, 1968, at the same time Gary Stading (CA) was killed.
A-1-6 > This photo of Richard K. Barnard, 67/68, was sen in by Tom McDonald, his brother in law.
TB-01 Here is a photo from Tom Bush of a jacket he sent home from Chu Lai in November of 1967 "When I die I'll go to heaven because I've served my time in hell.
> TB-01 Here is a photo from Tom Bush of a jacket he sent home from Chu Lai in November of 1967 "When I die I'll go to heaven because I've served my time in hell.
TB-01 Here is a photo from Tom Bush of a jacket he sent home from Chu Lai in November of 1967 "When I die I'll go to heaven because I've served my time in hell.
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