@Fly68able sorry Paul thought all these years your last name was Gretzingger, not Grienner. You flew with Kelly whose in the video when I went on emergency leave. Shortly after i got back you got shot. Chris. I left in April 69.
@Fly68able Thanks for the comforting. I needed it. I always tell people now, getting shot at isn't fun, but getting shot, really sucks. LOL. Crazy night. Don't know why I confronted that crazy bastard. I thought he was going to open up on everyone so I figured I'd try to talk him down. WRONG. Were you there when Meehan got shot? That was a real bummer too. I also crashed in Duc Me Pass with John Wehr and Lt. Sorem. No fun there either. ha ha. Oh well, still here to talk about it..
@fly68able Was with the 281st June 68 till April 68. Leon Kelly was my crew chief, I was the gunner. Looked like sonny (leon) in video.We were Bandits 2nd Platoon. Would like to say hi to Al Knierim, Leon Kelly, Gretzinger, George Mehan, Tom Petty, David Banks and others who might remember me Lyons. Great video think I saw the helicopter Kelly and I flew 17455. Hard to believe its been over 40 years already.
@Fly68able Hey Dude, GREAT to hear from you. Yeah I flew with Ken Embrey then with Sonny. I remember you Lurch. When I was in the hospital Kelly told me you guys were back together and you shot the hell out of a VC. Yeah, 455 is in the video, it was my ship as well. It's now in the states being converted to a corporate AC. Have you been in touch with all the guys? Go to thegeezerzone there's some good Bandits stuff there too. It's my website. Did you get a retirement from the VA?
@PaulG849 Great to hear from you too! Lurch yah haven't heard that for a long time. Sonny shot a video of me shooting the VC, wonder if he still has it? Have you heard from Sonny? Saw Al Knierim and Dave Banks, stopped in Kansas City at Sonny's on way home from first tour. Glad to hear 17455 is still around after all these years, great ship. No retirement yet. Will check out your website. You did a great job with this video.
My dad- Thomas C. Land, 69-71- Crewchief- Bandit flight. Darkened jungle holds the fate, Comrads traped beyond the Gate. Aircraft screaming fast and low, Death persues the team below. courage their shield from loss of hope, Hope as frail as stabo rope. Rotors whine- gunners in the door, Swiftly go these dogs of war. A creed unknown to most mankind, NEVER LEAVE A MAN BEHIND.......... J.R.Jarrett
Gret job!! It sure brought back memories. I was a CE with the 281st from 3-67 to 2-68. The picture you have of a blond haired kid in Jungle fatigues at about 1:50 of the video I'm certain was my gunner for a short time. Can't remember his name. I think I blocked a lot of things from those times. Great job thanks
Hi Smitty. I arrived in Nam 2/68 right when you left. Were you in the Bandits, WP or Ratpack? I was a Bandit DG. I got shot on Halloween 1968 in the Bandits hooch. Hope you've been in contact with the 281st Association.
Hi Paul. I was in the Bandit platoon. I found the 281st website about a month ago. Wanted to let you know about the 281st dedication in North Carolina last month at the Airborne Special operations museum. My friend Frankie Esquilin a CE with Wolfpack went to the dedication and sent me some info regarding the ceremony. You may have known Frankie. I read your story about the Halloween incident in the Hooch. Bad news! Some people just lost it there. I hope you are doing well now. Best of luck!!
Very good.. thanks for sharing.
epicstorm2006 3 months ago
@fly68able was a few feet away from you that night PaulG849 , tried to comfort you, Chris.
Fly68able 5 months ago
@Fly68able sorry Paul thought all these years your last name was Gretzingger, not Grienner. You flew with Kelly whose in the video when I went on emergency leave. Shortly after i got back you got shot. Chris. I left in April 69.
Fly68able 5 months ago
@Fly68able Thanks for the comforting. I needed it. I always tell people now, getting shot at isn't fun, but getting shot, really sucks. LOL. Crazy night. Don't know why I confronted that crazy bastard. I thought he was going to open up on everyone so I figured I'd try to talk him down. WRONG. Were you there when Meehan got shot? That was a real bummer too. I also crashed in Duc Me Pass with John Wehr and Lt. Sorem. No fun there either. ha ha. Oh well, still here to talk about it..
PaulG849 5 months ago
@Fly68able Oh, the name is Paul Greiner. Check out my website. thegeezerzone
PaulG849 5 months ago
@fly68able Was with the 281st June 68 till April 68. Leon Kelly was my crew chief, I was the gunner. Looked like sonny (leon) in video.We were Bandits 2nd Platoon. Would like to say hi to Al Knierim, Leon Kelly, Gretzinger, George Mehan, Tom Petty, David Banks and others who might remember me Lyons. Great video think I saw the helicopter Kelly and I flew 17455. Hard to believe its been over 40 years already.
Fly68able 5 months ago
@Fly68able Hey Dude, GREAT to hear from you. Yeah I flew with Ken Embrey then with Sonny. I remember you Lurch. When I was in the hospital Kelly told me you guys were back together and you shot the hell out of a VC. Yeah, 455 is in the video, it was my ship as well. It's now in the states being converted to a corporate AC. Have you been in touch with all the guys? Go to thegeezerzone there's some good Bandits stuff there too. It's my website. Did you get a retirement from the VA?
PaulG849 5 months ago
@PaulG849 Great to hear from you too! Lurch yah haven't heard that for a long time. Sonny shot a video of me shooting the VC, wonder if he still has it? Have you heard from Sonny? Saw Al Knierim and Dave Banks, stopped in Kansas City at Sonny's on way home from first tour. Glad to hear 17455 is still around after all these years, great ship. No retirement yet. Will check out your website. You did a great job with this video.
Fly68able 5 months ago
5mrmotor 1 year ago
Wonderful video and brought memories some good and some bad. November 1967-68
yukonyoung 1 year ago
@jacobtaz Who's your Grandpa and what picture is it? I hope he's connected to the 281st Association.
PaulG849 1 year ago
Sonny 1967-68 281st AHC maintance company. This is really good.
yukonyoung 1 year ago
@yukonyoung I was there in 1968. I was a Bandit Door Gunner but first I was in the 499th Signal Det as a 35K20.
PaulG849 1 year ago
Nice job, daughter of Mahlon Buckalew.
lennonmorales 2 years ago
Gret job!! It sure brought back memories. I was a CE with the 281st from 3-67 to 2-68. The picture you have of a blond haired kid in Jungle fatigues at about 1:50 of the video I'm certain was my gunner for a short time. Can't remember his name. I think I blocked a lot of things from those times. Great job thanks
48smitty 2 years ago
Hi Smitty. I arrived in Nam 2/68 right when you left. Were you in the Bandits, WP or Ratpack? I was a Bandit DG. I got shot on Halloween 1968 in the Bandits hooch. Hope you've been in contact with the 281st Association.
PaulG849 2 years ago
Hi Paul. I was in the Bandit platoon. I found the 281st website about a month ago. Wanted to let you know about the 281st dedication in North Carolina last month at the Airborne Special operations museum. My friend Frankie Esquilin a CE with Wolfpack went to the dedication and sent me some info regarding the ceremony. You may have known Frankie. I read your story about the Halloween incident in the Hooch. Bad news! Some people just lost it there. I hope you are doing well now. Best of luck!!
48smitty 2 years ago
Well done!!
240th AHC....the Greyhounds and Mad Dogs.
Smokeater717 2 years ago
Hey thanks. Where were you guys? And, thanks for your service.
PaulG849 2 years ago
Bearcat....it was south of Saigon, and former home of the 9th Infantry Division.
Smokeater717 2 years ago
Thats some heavy shit man\ and I'm so glad the war ended right before my 18 birthday. Nice tribute.....
145Slap789 2 years ago
Kudos for bringing back some great memories.
De Oppresso Liber!
HDridr2000 2 years ago
Are you a special forces guy? Thanks for the kind words.
PaulG849 2 years ago
I was - still am.. 40 years next month.
HDridr2000 2 years ago
WOW......... .Great Tribute!
southernpom 2 years ago
Hey thanks. R U a VN vet?
PaulG849 2 years ago
My father was with the 281st 66 - 67.
southernpom 2 years ago
Comment removed
southernpom 2 years ago