SwiftVets.com

[waltjones]

Ah, yes - another fine Kerry supporter, and almost as inconsistent. First Bangert implies Kerry disagrees with him about Iraq, including "strategic withdrawal", then he says Kerry will get us out of a quagmire. If this is the kind of 'Nam vet supporting Kerry, then I hope he keeps flapping his slimy jaws so more people can recognize him for what he is. He also says he didn't support the Gulf War; neither did Kerry, but they're both in a small minority.

Another thing about Joe: I hate to say it, and I could be wrong, but I think he's being truthful about being a door gunner. I was in VMO-3 (3rd MAW) up in Phu Bai for a few months from late December of '66; I later transferred to HMM-265 at Marble Mountain. Since I was in UH-1Es in Phu Bai, and since I flew a few missions as an M60 door gunner (3, I think), our buddy Joe may not be lying about that part, because I'm pretty sure VMO-6 flew Hueys also. I know a guy who was in a VMO about that time, but I don't know which one. I'll find out, and ask him if he knew Bangert.

I must close with the fact that, in 19 months and 2 squadrons/locations, I never saw nor heard of anything approaching what that maniac testified to. I have spoken with (I'd estimate) a couple hundred or more 'Nam vets over the last 35 years, and never heard anything like what he described. Joe Bangert doesn't deserve to say Semper Fidelis!, and I would be happy to tell him that to his face - Kerry must be very proud of him.

Semper Fi!
_________________
Walt Jones (USMC, '65 - '69) It says much about the person who defends a man with no honor.

[DougReese]

[PhuCat to Phu Quoc]

[The bandit]

[waltjones]

bandit: No, the enlisted parts of the crews - crew chief and door gunner - were volunteers from the maintenance crews, like me. This was also true in HMM-265. A gunner could be any enlisted MOS - hydraulics, electrician, com/nav tech. etc. All gunners in the two squadrons I served in were volunteers. The crew chiefs flew a lot more than us gunners, and typically were assigned to an aircraft; I ended up with 63 missions, but it wasn't unusual for a crew chief to have two or three hundred. When I read Bangert's story, it's like reading some made-up fantasy compared to what I experienced, but if he was in a Huey VMO at all he could have been a gunner. Note that there were fixed-wing VMOs also; I just don't know the numbers. Your assertions would almost certainly be true if that's what Bangert was in. I've got some research to do, including talking to another 'Nam vet who was in a Huey VMO squadron.

Semper Fi!
_________________
Walt Jones (USMC, '65 - '69) It says much about the person who defends a man with no honor.

[The bandit]

I was under the impression VMO-6 only had a couple of Slicks, and those were converted to gunships (which most likely did not have a door gun since only operated by a crew of two), rest all fixed winged, like Broncos.

[waltjones]

bandit: If that's true, VMO-6 was very different from VMO-3. When I was with them, from training at Pendleton to arrival and subsequent ops at Phu Bai, all we had were Hueys. The 2 most common configs were a couple slicks (no mgs or rockets) with a big red cross for medevacs. maybe another non-medevac slick or two for various non-mission related reasons, and gunships. Our gunships had rockets on either side and M60s in each rear door. The rockets were very susceptible to being set off by static; I remember at least one nasty accident. As I said, I'll do further research on this subject, unless somebody has a definitive answer as to what aircraft were in VMO-6.

Semper Fi!
_________________
Walt Jones (USMC, '65 - '69) It says much about the person who defends a man with no honor.

[ASPB]

Here's a link to a history of VMO-6:

http://www.vmo6rocks.homestead.com/history.html

Compliments of,
_________________
On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB

[waltjones]

Thanks ASPB. So it appears that up 'til 1968 they had 01s (what the hell are those??) and UH-1Es, and then got some OV s (fixed-wing, I remember seeing some) in 1968. As I said, for the short time I was with them, VMO-3 had only Hueys. One remaining question that speaks to the likelihood of slimeball being a door gunner is: What was the number and mission of the Hueys in VMO-6? I'll work on it.

Semper Fi!
_________________
Walt Jones (USMC, '65 - '69) It says much about the person who defends a man with no honor.

[Me#1You#10]

The O-1G is a two-place observation and liaison aircraft developed from the commercial Cessna Model 170 in 1949. Originally designated as L-19s, "Bird Dogs" were used by the USAF, Army, and Marines for such tasks as artillery spotting, front-line communications, medical evacuation, and pilot training.

In Vietnam, O-1s were used by forward air controllers (FACS) for reconnaissance. A "FAC", often an experienced fighter pilot, was assigned to a specific geographical area, so that he could readily identify enemy activity. If a FAC observed enemy ground targets, he marked them with smoke rockets so they could be easily attacked by fighter-bombers. The FAC remained on the scene to report bombing results.

The USAF ordered more than 3,200 "Bird Dogs," most of which were built as L-19As between 1950 and 1959. The O-1G on display was transferred to the Museum in 1971.

SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 36 ft.
Length: 25 ft. 10 in.
Height: 9 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 2,400 lbs. loaded
Armament: Generally none except smoke rockets
Engine: Continental O-470 of 213 hp.
Crew: two
Serial number: 51-11917

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 150 mph.
Cruising speed: 115 mph.
Range: 530 miles
Service Ceiling: 20,300 ft.

Air Force Museum

[waltjones]

Thanks; I'd say that answers that question!

Semper Fi!
_________________
Walt Jones (USMC, '65 - '69) It says much about the person who defends a man with no honor.