Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Military Vietnam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Military Vietnam. Show all posts

Thursday, December 04, 2014

Obituary for the The Honorable Jerry Francis Barnes, 66 of Westminster

Obituary for Jerry Francis Barnes

The Honorable Jerry Francis Barnes, 66, of Hampstead, Maryland died Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Carroll Hospital Center.



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 See also: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html

See also: We mourn the passing of the late Carroll County Md. State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes 

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html

Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes - Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-1207-20141202-story.html

Born October 9, 1948, he was the son of the late Charles A. and Mary R. Byers Barnes. He was the devoted husband of Florence J. Barnes and loving step father of Jenna B. Wilmot and husband, Chris, of Cockeysville. He is also survived by his Aunt, Sandra Cook, cousins, Gregory Hutsell, Jeffrey Hutsell and Jennifer Freeman, all of Westminster.

Mr. Barnes graduated from Westminster High School in 1966, and after working a short period at Bendix Field Engineering, he was drafted into the US Army in 1968. In 1969, he qualified as a Green Beret, after which he served in Vietnam as a member of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). After receiving two Bronze Stars (one for “Heroism in Ground Combat”), the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and being Honorably discharged in 1971, he attended and graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School.

He was thereafter a career prosecutor serving both with Frederick County State's Attorney's Office and Carroll County State's Attorney's Office. He was distinguished as Chief Narcotic's Prosecutor for Frederick County from 1991 through 1994. From 1995 until present, Mr. Barnes served as the elected State's Attorney for Carroll County, Maryland.

Since becoming a prosecutor in 1978, Mr. Barnes personally prosecuted thousands of criminal cases. He also oversaw a busy office comprised of 54 staff members - all responsible for successfully prosecuting criminal, juvenile and traffic cases in Carroll County's three courts. Mr. Barnes devoted his entire working career to helping his community.

Over the decades, he helped others both professionally and personally, many times when they did not even know it. Among some of his initiatives, he spearheaded and implemented the Heroin Action Coalition and established a position specifically designated to prosecute Domestic Violence cases.

Mr. Barnes was a specialist in drug enforcement serving as Chief Narcotics Prosecutor and actively prosecuting numerous drug distribution and other serious drug felony and misdemeanor charges. He attended and graduated from the Drug Enforcement Administration Agent's Course and the Maryland State Police Undercover Drug Course. He was sworn in as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland to prosecute drug cases.

Throughout his legal career, he received a multitude of awards for his hard work, leadership and dedication to the citizens of Carroll County and the State of Maryland. Highlights of the numerous awards and accolades he received include but are not limited to the following:

U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, Certificate of Recognition- In recognition of “Exemplary Performance, Initiative and Commitment in Fostering and Preserving Public Safety Within the District of Maryland” (1999);
Named Chief Narcotics Prosecutor;
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Certificate of Appreciation, 1994;
Maryland Troopers Association Lodge #20 Endorsement;
Carroll County, Maryland Marine Cadet Corps Commander Award;
Maryland State Fire Marshall, Certificate of Appreciation for “Outstanding Leadership and Commitment to Protecting the Citizens of Carroll County”;
U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office, Certification of Recognition for the Reality Program;
Maryland State Police - Certificate of Appreciation;
Attorney General's Family Violence Council, Domestic Violence Unit, Certificate of Merit;
The Westminster Lions Club- Outstanding Leadership Award;
Carroll County Health Department Recognition Award;
Governor's Certificate of Merit- Crime Prevention;
United States' Senators Award of Excellence- Service to Seniors;
The United States Committee for Celebration of the United States Nations International Year of Older Persons;
Maryland House of Delegates, House Resolution Award- Cell Phones for Seniors;
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), for Outstanding Service;
US Attorney's Office, for Outstanding Service;
United Nations, for Outstanding Service (Senior “911” Cell Phones);
US Senate, for Outstanding Service (Drug Awareness Programs);
Governor's Office, for Outstanding Service (Victim Witness Services);
Maryland State Police, Superintendent's Recognition for Specific Prosecution’s/Efforts;
Maryland State Police, Superintendent's Recognition for Superior Drug Enforcement Accomplishments;
Victim/Witness Associations, for Superior Victim/Witness Efforts;
Frederick County Narcotics Task Force, for Superior Service in Drug Enforcement;
Maryland State Fire Marshal, for Superior Successful Arson Prosecutions;
Maryland State Trooper's Association, for Working on Cpl. Ted Wolf's Homicide Case;
Reality Program, for Maryland's Most Productive Reality Program; and
National History Honor Society (Phi Alpha Theta)

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-8 pm at Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Rd., Westminster.

A funeral service will be held on Friday at 1pm at St. John Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster , with Chaplain Pat Geyer, officiating. Internment will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to Misfits Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 75, Finksburg, MD 21048-0075.

Online condolences may be offered at www.prittsfuneralhome.com.

 To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Jerry Francis Barnes please visit our Tribute Store. http://www.prittsfuneralhome.com/

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Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes - Baltimore Sun

Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes - Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-1207-20141202-story.html

Labels: , , , 

See also: We mourn the passing of the late Carroll County Md. State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes 

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html

Baltimore Sun: Honoring Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes' legacy of service to our community and and country. -- by Kevin E. Dayhoff

It was an eerie juxtaposition in Westminster on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Participants were making their final preparations for marching in the annual Westminster Christmas parade — "Miracle on Main Street."

But word spread quickly through the tight-knit community of law enforcement, public officials and old main-line Carroll County families that Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes had died.

See also:  State's attorney Jerry Barnes dead from apparent suicide Jacob deNobel, Times Staff Writer 
Later, as the parade began, Capt. Richard L. Hart Jr., of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, released a statement: "at approximately 10:30 a.m., Carroll County Sheriff's Deputies responded to … a report of an attempted suicide.

Upon the Deputy's arrival, EMS personnel were providing aid to a male who was suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man was transported to the Carroll Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead."

 The man was identified as Jerry Francis Barnes, the Carroll County State's Attorney, a Vietnam veteran, "

'via Blog this'

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-1207-20141202-story.html

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Sunday, November 30, 2014

We mourn the passing of the late Carroll County Md. State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes

We mourn the tragic loss of our good friend, Vietnam veteran, and life-long public servant, the late Carroll County State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes.

Word spread quickly early Saturday afternoon, November 29, 2014 through the tight-knit Carroll County community of law enforcement, public officials and old main-line Carroll County families that Mr. Barnes had passed away.

By Kevin E. Dayhoff November 29, 2014

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html


Labels: Military Vietnam, People Barnes CC State's Attorney Jerry, People Tributes, Tributes

Late at night – Westminster, Md. - - Over the years I have written several stories about my friend Mr. Barnes. I had the chance to talk with him at length on November 2, 2007 for several articles I wrote for Veterans Day. It was one of the first occasions he and I took to talk about Vietnam in all these years.

Jerry Barnes served as a Sergeant in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces from September 16, 1969 to September 16, 1970. In Vietnam, one of his assignments was working as a Special Forces advisor with twelve Montagnard fighters of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) at a radio relay site, in Kon Tum Province, on the Ho Chi Minh trail ‘near’ Laos.

Soon after arriving at Cam Ranh Bay in September 1969, he was assigned to the first of three “A-Camps” in Kon Tum Province which is located in the Central Tay Nguyen Highlands and is bordered on the north by Quang Nam; on the south by Gia Lai; on the east by Quang Ngai and on the west by Laos.  The “A-Camp” counterinsurgency concept is still being used to this day and was used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Kon Tum province he served at A-241 Polei Kleng; A-244 Ben Het; A-245 Dak Seang – about 20 miles from the Laotian border as one of approximately 10 American “advisors” serving with several hundred Montagnard tribesmen in the “Civilian Irregular Defense Group” counterinsurgency program.  The Montagnards had aligned themselves with the South Vietnamese and the Americans to patrol the Ho Chi Minh trail.

In particular one of Barnes’ assignments was to work with twelve Montagnard fighters at a radio relay site. While serving with the 5th Special Forces Group a “typical” assignment was to go out on 8 to 10-day operations as (more often than not) the lone American with a contingent of South Vietnamese Special Forces counterparts – or Montagnards, to monitor and patrol the Ho Chi Minh trail.  “Our objective was to interdict and disrupt the supply activities of the trail.”

“It was while out on one of these patrols that Barnes’ heroic actions earned him the first of two Bronze Stars for valor,” according to a biographical sketch written a number of years ago by former Carroll County Maryland State Delegate and newspaper reporter Carmen Amedori.

Mr. Barnes explained that he was with 20 Montagnards 18 miles from the Laotian border “manning a radio relay station for a larger operation farther out when we were attacked as dusk by a (contingent) of the North Vietnamese regular Army.”  The ensuing firefight lasted throughout the night.  “We took some casualties and before it was all over, it took calling in an artillery attack, then Cobra helicopter gunships followed by suppression fire from C-130’s, known as “Puff the Magic Dragons,” and finally two fighter jets to save them.

Before returning home he was awarded a second Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge among a number of recognitions. 

Word spread quickly early Saturday afternoon, November 29, 2014 through the tight-knit Carroll County community of law enforcement, public officials and old main-line Carroll County families that Mr. Barnes had passed away.

Those of us who work with death notifications often never quite know what to say publicly… If I am on a fire, accident or crime scene, I often wait until the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshall or another law enforcement agency puts-out a statement so that I may have an idea to how to approach a death…

When a public official dies, those of us who serve as public information officers are equally careful as to what to say and when. In the case of Mr. Barnes, Captain Richard L. Hart Jr., Commander Investigative Services Division of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office released a statement at 5:03 p.m.:

“On November 29, 2014 at approximately 10:30am, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a private residence in Westminster for a report of an attempted suicide. Upon the Deputy’s arrival, EMS personnel were providing aid to a male who was suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man was transported to the Carroll Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead.

“The man has been identified as Jerry Francis Barnes, who is the State’s Attorney for Carroll County.

“Mr. Barnes was a lifelong resident of Carroll County and has served as a criminal prosecutor for a total of 38 years, including the past 20 as Carroll County’s State’s Attorney.

“Mr. Barnes’ body has been transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is continuing….” 

This comes a cold wake-up call to always remember the sacrifices made by our nation’s military, law enforcement and public officials to preserve the quality of life and freedoms we hold so dear.

Day after day, they take some brain away…. The demons never go away. They conveniently hide in the shadows of our everyday hectic lives. On Feb. 26, 1995, I wrote, in part…. [We] are a walking sandwich board testimony to our messy, imperfect lives as much as the amused passers-by. It’s what one does with their relationship with the absurdities of life that makes one unique... and one’s repository of discarded sandwich boards... are what counts. As Mr. Shakespeare once said: “Let the end try the man. Or as the Masai say, “Epwo m-baa poking in-gitin got,” - “Everything has an end." 

Our only defense is to put on the Whole Armor of God:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6: 10-18

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http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html

Labels: Military Vietnam, People Barnes CC State's Attorney Jerry, People Tributes, Tributes
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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

December 1967: Vietnam War US Army Staff Film Report 67-3 1967 An Khe, Tây Ninh, Bình T...


Vietnam War US Army Staff Film Report 67-3 1967 An Khe, Tây Ninh, Bình Tuy, Saigon... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4nonslh0JA

more at http://quickfound.net/links/military_...

'VIETNAM - DECEMBER 1966 - 1ST AIR CAVALRY DIVISION 196TH LIGHT INFANTRY BRIGADE, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, GENERAL WESTMORELAND VISITS THE NEWPORT FACILITY, AND TESTING OF "MANPACK."'

United States Army film SFR 67-3

Public domain film from the National Archives, slightly cropped to remove uneven edges, with the aspect ratio corrected, and mild video noise reduction applied.
The soundtrack was also processed with volume normalization, noise reduction, clipping reduction, and/or equalization (the resulting sound, though not perfect, is far less noisy than the original).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Khe_D...

An Khe (Vietnamese: An Khê) is a town (thị xã) of Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam.

As of 2003 the district had a population of 63,118. The district covers an area of 199 km². The district capital lies at An Khe.

Located on the main highway, QL-19 between Qui Nhon on the coast and Pleiku in the Central Highlands, An Khe was of strategic significance during the Vietnam War. From mid-1965 to 1968, the American 1st Cavalry Division was based there. The 1st Cav saw ongoing action in the war. The Army 25th Ordnance Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) also was located at the base camp and provided disposal support. Later in 1968 the 1st Cavalry Division relocated, and the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade took over the base camp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay_Ninh

Tây Ninh (About this sound listen) is a town in southwestern Vietnam. It is the capital of Tây Ninh province, which encompasses the town and much of the surrounding farmland. Tây Ninh is approximately 90 km to the northwest of Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam's largest city. As of 2003, the district had a population of 126,370.

The district covers 137 km². The city is most famous for being the home of the Cao Đài religion, an indigenous Vietnamese faith that includes the teachings of the major world religions. The Cao Đài religion's Holy See, built between 1933 and 1955, is located around 5 km to the east of Tây Ninh's town centre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binh_Tuy...

Bình Tuy province was a province of South Vietnam. It now mostly corresponds to the western part of Bình Thuận, including Hàm Tân, Hàm Thuận Nam, Tánh Linh, Đức Linh districts and La Gi town.

In 1976, it was merged with Ninh Thuận and Bình Thuận to form Thuận Hải Province. After the latter was divided again into Ninh Thuận and Bình Thuận in 1991, Bình Tuy remained part of Bình Thuận province.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_M...

Ho Chi Minh City (Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh; About this sound listen), formerly named Saigon (Sài Gòn; About this sound listen), is the largest city in Vietnam. It was once known as Prey Nokor, an important Khmer sea port prior to annexation by the Vietnamese in the 17th century.

Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochin-china and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955--75. South Vietnam, as an anti-communist republic, fought against the communist North Vietnamese and Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, with aid from the United States and countries including Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. Saigon fell when it was captured by the communists on 30 April 1975, bringing an end to the War with its enemy's victory. Vietnam was then turned into a communist state with the South overtaken. On 2 July 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Định Province and was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City after Hồ Chí Minh (although the name Sài Gòn is still commonly used).

The city center is situated on the banks of the Saigon River, 60 kilometers (37 mi) from the South China Sea and 1,760 kilometers (1,090 mi) south of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_...

William Childs Westmoreland (March 26, 1914 -- July 18, 2005) was a United States Army General, who commanded US military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak (1964--68), during the Tet Offensive. He adopted a strategy of attrition against the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and the North Vietnamese Army. He later served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff from 1968 to 1972...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cu_Chi

Củ Chi is a suburban district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

It is famous for its Củ Chi tunnels, which were constructed during the Vietnam War, and served as headquarters for the Viet Cong. Today, the district has many industrial zones.

As of 2006 the district had a population of 269,702. The district covers an area of 435 km². The district capital lies at Cu Chi.

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The US Army homepage links to the Defense Technical Information Center, the Army Center for Military History, the Army Reserve, National Guard, and ROTC, selected Army photos, Army recruiting, and many more related sites, and an index of all US Army websites.



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The Strategy Page, edited by military book author James Dunnigan, features current military news, plus articles on "leadership, peacetime operations, intelligence, information warfare and the like".

Army-Technology.com has an excellent database of info about and photos of current Army weaponry, with links to all suppliers, plus info on defense companies, exhibitions, and organizations.

The Federation of American Scientists Imagery Intelligence section has images from spy planes and satellites, including many images from the Corona ('Discoverer') spy satellite project, taken between 1960 and 1972, now declassified.


The Geometry of War, 1500-1750 includes an essay and 81 illustrations depicting European battlefield geometry of the period.

War Online is a free, web-based war strategy game.

Chemical and Biological Weapons Status at a Glance "details countries possessing or developing CW or BW."

Military.com has features such as a personnel locator, a pay and benefits guide, a worldwide base guide, a free online Uniformed Serviceman's Almanac, Chat and discussion on hot topics of community interest, daily military news and information, 20,000 homepages for units, ships and squadrons, and US and foreign military hardware profiles.


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Friday, October 04, 2013

New York Times Breaking News: Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, Who Ousted U.S. From Vietnam, Is Dead

BREAKING NEWS Friday, October 4, 2013 11:38 AM EDT

Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, Who Ousted U.S. From Vietnam, Is Dead

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/05/world/asia/gen-vo-nguyen-giap-dies.html?emc=edit_na_20131004&_r=0

Vo Nguyen Giap, the relentless and charismatic North Vietnamese general whose battlefield victory at Dien Bien Phu drove France out of Vietnam and whose tenacious resistance to the United States in a long and costly war there eventually sapped America’s political will to fight, died on Friday in Hanoi. He was believed to be 102.

The death was reported by several Vietnamese news organizations, including the respected Tuoi Tre Online, which said he died in an army hospital.

General Giap was among the last survivors of a generation of Communist revolutionaries who in the postwar decades freed Vietnam of colonial rule and fought a superpower to a stalemate. In his later years, he was a living reminder of a war that was mostly old history to the Vietnamese, many of whom were born after it had ended.

READ MORE »
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/05/world/asia/gen-vo-nguyen-giap-dies.html?emc=edit_na_20131004
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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

November 11, 2007: the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reprinted by request

November 11, 2007: the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Reprinted by request on June 26, 2013: Veterans Day: 

“The Wall” at 25

November 11, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff (998 words)

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2013/06/november-11-2007-25th-anniversary-of.html


Labels: Annual Veterans Day, Carroll Co States Attorney, Dayhoff Media The Tentacle, Dayhoff writing essays military, Military veterans, Military Vietnam, People Barnes CC State's Attorney Jerry

This year Veterans Day is also the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Constitution Gardens adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  The Memorial, well known as “The Wall” was dedicated on November 13, 1982.

“Remembering Vietnam - The Wall at 25,” is the subject of a stunning original Smithsonian Channel Documentary.  The program will be simultaneously web-streamed on the Smithsonian Channel Website - www.smithsonianchannel.com with its on-air broadcast to DirecTV subscribers on Channel 267 this evening at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

My colleague at The Westminster Eagle, Heidi Schroeder and I were provided an advance copy of the documentary.  We had been contacted for research information by Lynn Kessler-Hiltajczuk last summer.

Ms. Kessler-Hiltajczuk is a writer-producer for Alexandria-based LK Productions and served as an independent producer for the program.  She was looking for additional information on Lance Cpl. Muriel Stanley Groomes, a Carroll Countian who was killed in Vietnam on Nov. 2, 1968.

Ms. Schroeder writes that in “addition to a history of The Wall's construction and interviews with veterans, the documentary provides a sneak peek into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection, which features over 100,000 items that have been left at The Wall.”

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund founder and president Jan Scruggs calls the program "the best documentary film about the wall I've ever seen."  After reviewing it several times, I could not agree more.

In the many years since the dedication of The Wall, the memorial has evolved into a national shrine for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam – an often misunderstood and inaccurately reported conflict. 

It has also become a tribute to the American veterans who served our country in that long-ago war thousands of miles away from the comfort of our living room. 

Veterans such as the current Carroll County State’s Attorney, Jerry F. Barnes, (and former Frederick County assistant State’s Attorney) who choose to forego what would have been an easily available draft deferment in May 1968 and joined the Army.

It was in that month, that the 1966 Westminster High School graduate received his draft notice.  According to a biographical sketch written by former Maryland State Delegate Carmen Amedori, Mr. Barnes joined a number of draftees from Carroll County “on a school bus at the (Westminster) Post Office downtown,” and headed to Fort Holabird in Baltimore – and then promptly to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

There Mr. Barnes opted to eschew being drafted for two years and enlisted for three years.  At first he wanted to be a helicopter pilot, but after a series of events, he signed up for Special Forces - the Green Berets.

Mr. Barnes’ Vietnam experience was one of a number of sketches by Ms. Amedori which appears in a new publication from the Historical Society of Carroll County, “Tours of Duty – Carroll County and the Vietnam War,” by Gary D. Jestes and Jay A. Graybeal.

In a recent phone interview Mr. Barnes talked about his service in Vietnam from September 16, 1969 to September 16, 1970.  Mr. Barnes began his Special Forces – Green Beret training in January 1969. 

Soon after arriving at Cam Ranh Bay he assigned to the first of three “A-Camps” in Kon Tum Province which is located in the Central Tay Nguyen Highlands.  The “A-Camp” counterinsurgency concept is still being used to this day in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Kon Tum province he served at A-241 Polei Kleng; A-244 Ben Het; A-245 Dak Seang – about 20 miles from the Laotian border as one of approximately 10 American “advisors” serving with several hundred Montagnard tribesmen in the “Civilian Irregular Defense Group” counterinsurgency program.

In Vietnam, Sgt. Barnes served with the 5th Special Forces Group and a “typical” assignment was to go out on 8 to 10-day operations as (more often than not) the lone American with a contingent of South Vietnamese Special Forces counterparts – or Montagnards, to monitor and patrol the Ho Chi Minh trail.  “Our objective was to interdict and disrupt the supply activities of the trail.”

“It was while out on one of these patrols that Barnes’ heroic actions earned him the first of two Bronze Stars for valor,” according to Ms. Amedori.

Mr. Barnes explained that he was with 20 Montagnards 18 miles from the Laotian border “manning a radio relay station for a larger operation farther out when we were attacked as dusk by a (contingent) of the North Vietnamese regular Army.” 

The ensuing firefight lasted throughout the night.  “We took some casualties and before it was all over, it took calling in an artillery attack, then Cobra helicopter gunships followed by suppression fire from C-130’s, known as “Puff the Magic Dragons,” and finally two fighter jets to save them.

Before returning home he was awarded a second Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge among a number of recognitions.  He turned down a number of Army re-enlistment offers and served the remainder of his enlistment stateside with the 10th Special Forces with the famed 10th Mountain Division in New England.

After his honorable discharge in June 1971, he utilized the GI Bill and graduated first from the University of Baltimore and went on to graduate from the University of Baltimore Law School in June 1977.

“I actually started as an intern with the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office in 1976,” said Mr. Barnes.  With the exception of four years with the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s office he has been with Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office ever since.  He served as an Assistant State’s Attorney until he was first elected to the office of Carroll County State's Attorney in November 1994.

Mr. Barnes has “tried as best I can to attend all the Veterans Day ceremonies...  It is important to remember individuals who have dedicated their lives for the establishment and preservation of our freedoms.”

It is important that this Veterans Day, we remember the service of Sgt. Barnes and countless other veterans.  God bless them all for their dedication and commitment.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kevindayhoff at gmail.com

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Films of 1st Cavalry Air Mobile at An Khe, Vietnam,filmed between December 1965 and January 1966.

PFC Ronald Kenny, 18, Binh Dinh province Feb. 19, 1966

This Memorial Day we remember the service and sacrifice of a fallen son of Carroll, Ronald M. Kenny

My God, we were so young…

My Memorial Day column this Sunday in the Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/, is Ron Kenny, a 1965 graduate from Robert Moton High School and the first son of Carroll to be killed in Vietnam… http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2013/05/eagle-archive-explorecarrollcom-pfc.html

Labels: Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Military Vietnam, Military Vietnam CC Memorial, Military Vietnam Kenny Ron

In past Carroll Eagle Archives columns we have shared the stories of some of the eighteen fallen heroes from the Vietnam War who faces are etched in the black granite memorial in the Carroll County Vietnam Memorial Park on Willis Street.

The stories of Frederick John Magsamen, Christopher Jesse Miller, Jr., Stanley Groomes, Joseph William Blickenstaff, Herbert Eugene Mulkey, Jr., James Norman Byers and Sherman E. Flanagan, Jr., have been told.

Very little has been written about Private First Class (PFC) Kenny. In my research I came across a You Tube, “An Khe, Vietnam; “Films of 1st Cavalry Air Mobile at An Khe, Vietnam, filmed between December 1965 and January 1966…” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD81o3yYwV0

“Films of 1st Cavalry (Air Mobile) at An Khe, Vietnam, filmed between December 1965 and January 1966. Films were done as part of a briefing for the Army leadership.”


Kenny had entered the Army following graduation. In November 1965 he was stationed in central-coastal Vietnam in an area remembered for its heavy combat and high American casualties at the time.

Kenny was deployed with C Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division; which can trace its roots as far back as 1855, when it was organized and deployed in Texas in the Native American Plains Wars. The 5th Calvary regiment participated in twelve campaigns in Vietnam.

Kenny was killed in action in the ‘Iron Triangle’ region of Binh Dinh province, in Vietnam Feb. 19, 1966, along with Sgt. Elzie Jefferson Collins, Jr., and Sgt. Freddie Wallace Green. This was soon after the Battle of Bong Son – Operation Irving, January 28 to February 12, 1966.

Bong Son was essentially the second major battle of the war, not that long after the 5th Cavalry had been engaged in the Battle of Ia Drang, November 14-18, 1965, also in Binh Dinh. Many know Binh Dinh as where An Khe and Camp Radcliff were located.

The area known as the Iron Triangle was a heavily fortified position about 12-miles below Bong Son in the hills south and east of the Kim Son Valley, and was defended by a combined Viet Cong (VC) – North Vietnamese Army (NVA) force that included the Sao Vang - Yellow Star – Division, 2nd VC Main Force Regiment, and the acclaimed NVA 22nd Regiment.

Be sure to read more this Sunday in the Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/

Eagle Archive www.ExploreCarroll.com:  PFC Ronald Kenny, 18, Binh Dinh province Feb. 19, 1966 by Kevin Dayhoff... 

Related:

Eagle Archive: McDaniel talk offers glimpse into history of 'Presidents Club'

Eagle Archive: Civil War era baseball revisits county's love of the grand old game

Eagle Archive: King's letter reminds us of a journey too long


Eagle Archive: McDaniel donation comes from graduate of 120 years ago

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

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My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Saturday, December 15, 2012

"13 Cent Killers" by John J. Culbertson USMC

ABOUT 13 CENT KILLERS

"13 Cent Killers" by John J. Culbertson USMC 

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/12/about-13-cent-killers.html

Labels: Art Library authors, Art Library books, Military Vietnam - See more at: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/12/about-13-cent-killers.html#sthash.CoM51jOt.dpuf

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/35531/13-cent-killers-by-john-j-culbertson/

(Retrieved Dec 15, 2012)

Mass Market Paperback Published by Presidio Press Jan 01, 2003 | 288 Pages | 4-3/16 x 6-7/8 | ISBN 9780345459145

“It’s not easy to stay alive with a $1,000 bounty on your head.”

In 1967, a bullet cost thirteen cents, and no one gave Uncle Sam a bigger bang for his buck than the 5th Marine Regiment Sniper Platoon. So feared were these lethal marksmen that the Viet Cong offered huge rewards for killing them. Now noted Vietnam author John J. Culbertson, a former 5th Marine sniper himself, presents the riveting true stories of young Americans who fought with bolt rifles and bounties on their heads during the fiercest combat of the war, from 1967 through the desperate Tet battle for Hue in early ’68.

In spotter/shooter pairs, sniper teams accompanied battle-hardened Marine rifle companies like the 2/5 on patrols and combat missions. Whether fighting their way out of a Viet Cong “kill zone” or battling superior numbers of NVA crack troops, the sniper teams were at the cutting edge in the art of jungle warfare, showing the patience, stealth, combat marksmanship, and raw courage that made the unit the most decorated regimental sniper platoon in the Vietnam War. Harrowing and unforgettable, these accounts pay tribute to the heroes who made the greatest sacrifice of all–and leave no doubt that among 5th Marine snipers uncommon valor was truly a common virtue.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


John J. Culbertson served with the 2/5, 1st Marine Division, at An Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, from December 1966 to July 1967. Mr. Culbertson served as a Marine Rifleman, MOS 0311, on Operation Tuscaloosa.

He completed 1st MarDiv Sniper School in Da Nang, where he earned the secondary MOS 8541.

He was wounded in action and earned three Purple Hearts. He also was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and multiple expert rifleman badge awards. Mr. Culbertson received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1971 at the rank of sergeant.

See also: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/blog
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