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Michael McLeod

Thanks  for the suggestion about taking photos jim.

I once had a very good camera that was passed down to me and I loved capturing beautiful images --  It was a bit like trying to capture people and places in words, which was my job as a journalist -- only I never had words that could capture those people and those places as vividly and faithfully as the lens of that camera did. I was quite naive at the time as to what you could do with a really good camera. 

As I grew older I also loved the partnership I enjoyed with photographers who took pictures that illustrated my stories for the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Orlando Sentinel and the LA.Times (as a freelancer) over the years. The photographers often saw things that I missed and would make suggestions that helped me to paint pictures with words. I learned a lot from those photographers. We had a kinship I really enjoyed - both, each in our own way, trying to capture people and places and events and share them with others.

But that's all in the past. And I miss it. So yep I may just go shopping. And of course I'd want a good camera but not too terribly expensive. If you have any suggestions I'm all ears. Make that all eyes. 

David Mitchell

Mike,

Speaking as another (once apon a time) camera enthusiast, I suggest you at least look at the newer line of Fujicolor cameras. They turned the market upside down about 15 years ago with a new series of professional cameras under the model names of the "X" series. Beginning with the iconic X100 model (now in it's 6th or 7th iteration)

They now make about 20 different varitions but the two features that have brought on so much popularity are the magnificent color rendition of their lenses, and going back to the design of "old fashioned" analog settings for shutter speed and and aperture settings. 

Expensive but lots of older models available on eBay.

Do some searching and view the various models before taking the plunge.

David Mitchell

 “DAMAGE FIVE-NINE ALPHA” - My Longest Day in the Cockpit

(part 4)

        “Comanche, can you brief me on your situation and give me something to identify the target? All they told us was that you are just a bit north of My Tho” (“mee toe”).

“Roger (yes) Cowboy. We are a few clicks north of Cai Lay which is northeast of Cai Bay.” 

       Do you see the large north south canal and heavy wood line, with a smaller perpendicular east-west canal line intersecting, and then a winding creek connecting them into a sort of triangle?”  (Note: He’s at five or six thousand feet so we need to be absolutely certain). 

            “We’ve got about a dozen guys pinned down by what looks like an NVA Company (about 200+ men) - with two .51 caliber guns. They are in too close and can’t even move back.” 

            “Roger (yes) Comanche. I have it. Uhh,,, I think We’ll come up from the south and drop along that larger tree line. We’ll each make one pass heading north and then come back and make one pass heading south. We carry four 500-pound Napalm. We’ll each drop two at a time, so tell your boys on the ground to keep their heads down and plug their ears. This isn’t going to be pretty.” 

            I could see them from way up at several thousand feet, and I watched them drop in a steep circle. They bottomed out a mile or two south of us and headed straight for us. Our two Cobras and I all flew off a few hundred yards to be clear of their path. The Phantoms got all the way down to about 100 feet of altitude and slowed to maybe 200 miles per hour (my guess). They swept along the tree line so fast it was just a blur, and each dropped a pair of 500-pound napalm bombs. “Jeeesus!” I yelled in my seat. I had never seen anything like this - a huge flash of bright orange explosion followed by enormous black smoke cloud. Then they circled in the distance and came back to the south. The second set of flashes was equally frightening! 

            Meanwhile on the ground, Damage Five-Nine Alpha let out a scream over his radio. I had warned him, but it still doesn’t prepare you for this huge explosion - the noise, the flash, nor the shock wave. This must have taken quite a toll on those NVA troops in the main wood line, but not in that east-west tree line that they did not hit. The situation was better but only just so much. 

I thanked him and he wished me good luck as he flew away.

These 2 slides are not mine, but they are similar to what I was seeing, except that we were much closer to the scene - this is a mile away. We were actually nearly on top of these guys. The (tiny) Phantom Jet is in the right middle - in the smoke.

And the explosion had more orange flash.

I thanked him and he wished me good luck as he flew away.

David Mitchell

 “DAMAGE FIVE-NINE ALPHA” - My Longest Day in the Cockpit

cont. (part 5)

Later in the afternoon I received a call from another unit - a voice with a Vietnamese accent I will call Viper Two-Six. He was headed our way and asking for directions. He was also out of Saigon and flying a pair of old WW2 Sky raiders (I think) - two older single engine Vietnamese Air Force fighters carrying just two 200 or 300-pound napalm bombs each. We basically went through the same drill, getting him located on the target and they dropped their smaller payload. It helped but we were still dealing with a serious mess.

            On about  my fourth refueling trip I had to relieve myself in my cockpit seat - again. 

I was humiliated but decided this time to tell the guys on board (my co-pilot and our two door gunners). Don’t ask me why - It felt like I needed to make a confession. I had wet myself in church in third grade while waiting for Father Foley to give my class our “Brown Scapular”, 

and still felt the same embarrassment.

tbc

Michael McLeod

Buckeyes Back To Back!

That's my suggestion for a sweatshirt with that slogan on it come fall.

If they do, I'm buyin'

Speaking of buying, thanks for the camera suggestions, dave.

And yes, Mary Clare was a rock solid friend to many of us, at IC and beyond.

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

As our 60th BWHS Reunion draws near, it seems especially fitting to pause today and remember Clare on the first anniversary of her passing.

For so many years, Clare was the heart behind our Class of '66 reunions and gatherings....always the enthusiastic organizer, the faithful cheerleader, and the one who brought us together. While we will celebrate cherished memories and lifelong friendships at this reunion, her absence will be deeply felt.

May we remember her with gratitude, smiles, and the same joy she brought to all of us.

This photo was taken at our 15 year reunion.

Mark Schweickart

Excuse my bad memory, or simple ignorance, but who are the others in this photo? 

David Mitchell

M/M

Great photo and a nice tribute.

It'll be hard to share the occaision without her.

(that IS Christina on the left isn't it?)

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

In the photo from left to right are: Christine Woodward, Beth Broadhurst, Clare and myself. All IC alumni.

Joseph Gentilini

Thanks for the pictures, Mary Margaret. Brings back memories for sure.  Sorry I can't be at this reunion.  Joe

Joseph Gentilini

Dear classmates, I wanted people to know that Jeff Eisenman died this past Tuesday, July 7th. The following information is in an obituary through egan-ryan funeral home and I am putting it below.  I was a close friend of Jeff's and we stayed in touch with each other (and his wife) for many years. While I knew he was not well, I didn't think he was dying.  Keep him and famly in your prayers and thoughts. I will on vacation in Florida for his wake and funeral - darn it!.

Joe

Joseph Gentilini

Foks, I tried to paste an obituary on this Watterson chain, but it looks like it didn't come through.  Jeff Eisenman died this past tuesday, July 7th and his obituary  is on the Egan-Ryan Funeral Home website. His wake is on Friday, July 24 and funeral the next morning. Unfortunately, I will be out of town for both days. I kept in touch with him throughout his life and knew him as a closre friend.  Joe

Bill Reid

 As Joe Gentilini just shared, I'm so sad to bring news of the death of our classmate Jeff Eisenman. Jeff died of Parkinson's Disease on Tuesday July 7. He's been sick for the past few years but seemed to be dealing with the disease, but obviously it ended up getting the better of him.

Jeff was one of my best friends. We first met in the 1st grade at St. Agatha and we went through grade school and high school together as best friends. When he went to Notre Dame and I went to Purdue, we had a most friendly rivalry between us, especially during football season. He was the best man in my wedding, and I in his. We stayed in contact often through these years. I will miss him greatly.

Here's a link to Jeff's obituary: https://www.egan-ryan.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Eisenman His funeral will be on the morning of our reunion, July 25. Let us pray for Jeff's wife Ginny, and for Jeff, that he may now enjoy God's eternal and restful peace.

Michael McLeod

thanks, and a hand salute for posting that pvt ryan clip dave.

too many angels.

Sheila McCarthy (Gardner)

Bill and Joe: Thank you for your remembrances of your friendship with Jeff ... how fortunate we were to have his quiet and brilliant presence for so many years as classmates at St. Agatha and Watterson. And to Mary Margaret, thank you for the picture of Chris, Clare, Beth and you. These opportunities for us to be together are precious.

David Mitchell

tried to post this last night but severe weather had me off line

“DAMAGE FIVE-NINE ALPHA” - My Longest Day in the Cockpit

(part 6)

By now it was coming on evening. The light was fading, and we were still here in this mess. But now we got word that ARVN troops had been released to us back at Dong Tam. I was quick to call our “Slicks” and get these troops out into the struggle. As my “slicks” made their final approach, I made sure they came in from the West and did not go past a certain point across the creek near the area of those NVA troops. And I yelled at them over the radio to exit by turning completely around at a hover and leaving 180 degrees from the way they came in. I couldn’t allow them to overfly the wood line. That would have been a disaster!

            But as they arrived on short final, at the usual slow speeds and few feet of altitude for the drop, those remaining NVA troops in both tree lines opened fire with everything they had, and the tracer rounds (more visible now in the evening light) were more automatic weapons fire than I had ever seen at one time - a lot more. I had a sudden panic thought -“Oh my God, now I’m gonna get everybody killed!” By some miracle, they dropped their troops and got back out with only a few hits in one or two of the Hueys.   I could breathe again.

            By this time, it was almost fully dark, but we had one more card to play. Just before we were to pull off station and go home for the night (we did not fly any night missions - usually), I got a call from a “Spooky” gunship. A “Spooky” is an older fixed-wing aircraft from WW2 that was converted to a special use. They converted these older AC-47s (like a DC-3) and mounted three mini-guns inside with small doors to fire out of one side, so when the aircraft banked and dipped its wing, the guns were trained toward targets on the ground - an incredible amount of rapid-fire power with a huge capacity of ammunition. They were sometimes called “Puff” as in “Puff the Magic Dragon”, but more commonly referred to as just “Spooky”. 

            So, this Spooky calls me and explains who he is and that he’s been called out to “work” this target. We get him located over the target, and he goes to work. I had seen this once in an old John Wayne movie ("The Green Berets” - I think). So, I was familiar with his firepower. But when he dipped his wing and opened fire, I was still shocked. It’s simply amazing to watch those three solid lines of orange tracer rounds spitting out of the side of the aircraft like hoses. 

tbc

David Mitchell

“DAMAGE FIVE-NINE ALPHA” - My Longest Day in the Cockpit         

   cont.

(part 7)  

          Now comes the hardest part of the day for me. I have to call Damage Five Nine Alpha - my new friend on the ground - and tell him I am going “off-station” (leaving him). There is nothing more I can do at night. He gave me a reluctant “Thank you,,,, Thank you, Comanche” and I called back to my other ships at Dong Tam to release them for the flight back home to Vinh Long - a short twenty-minute flight, but a world apart from where we had spent this day. 

            It was customary when we ended each day’s mission and headed home, to have some light-hearted conversation over the air between the guys in our group of ships - maybe even a joke or two. But not this night. There was dead silence over our radios. I was feeling frustrated - and really down. It had been 12.5 cockpit hours, and I felt like we hadn’t done enough. I was wondering if those guys would ever live to see the sunrise. I began to pray to myself that God would somehow get them through this night, and they would see the next morning. And after 12.5 very tense hours in the cockpit (compared to my usual six or eight) I was completely spent ! 

            But as always, the next day would be another mission, and another day to try our best and forget the day before.

TBC

Michael McLeod

Dave: i'm with mark right there in edge of my seat territory. gotta love the casual touch of that dispatcher guy offering backup, yawn,  "after a while" 

AFTER A WHILE????? DUDE!!! 

I know i've told you before that you've got a book in you but can't remember just how much you have gotten down on paper over the years. hand salute from this spec 5 paper-pusher for your service, bro.

Michael McLeod

usta think I was a pretty good writer. then i read annie prouix.

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

I was asked to post this notice for any IC alumni 

Michael McLeod

thanks mm

might try to work that in to a visit back home

clever title for that event 

David Mitchell

Reminds me of "NIGHTS on Broadway" an all-time favorite by the BeeGees - Barry, Robin, and Maurice.

David Mitchell

“DAMAGE FIVE-NINE ALPHA” - My Longest Day in the Cockpit         

conclusion - sorry it's taken me so long long Mark and Mike

            About a month later I was called into the TOC one evening. The TOC was “The Operations Center” - a sort of bunker/office that served as the Troop’s nerve center - radio room - flight scheduling room - important meeting room - and all-around place that I will describe as the place of “tactical importance, mission planning, blackboards, wall maps, and file cabinets”. It was made much stronger than the other “Hooches”, with a steel girder structure and then sandbagged all around the outside and on the roof.   

            I was introduced to a young infantry First Lieutenant named O’Brian (or O’Reilly). He was from another unit and would be learning to fly as a “Backseat Trainee” with our C&C the next day. A “Backseat” was an officer in an infantry unit who would occasionally ride behind and between the two pilots in our C&C with his own radio headset - to help communicate with his troops on the ground - (if we were supporting troops that day) - and with our Air Mission Commander in the cockpit seats in front of him. He was going to bunk with someone in our Troop that night and I was ordered to take him to dinner at the Officers Club - not just the plain old Mess Hall - he was our guest.

            Lieutenant O’Brian and I walked the short distance - maybe 200 yards along the dirt “street” to the Officers Club. Our “O-club” had been a warehouse in the early days of the airfield, so it had high ceilings and a flat roof - which leaked like a sieve during the rainy season. It was divided into halves - a large “bar” side, and a “dining room” side. I led him through the bar over into to the dining room side and we grabbed a table in a back corner near the kitchen. 

            We started some light conversation, and I asked where he was from back home. “Pittsburgh”, he answered. That grabbed my attention because I knew a bunch of people from Pittsburgh. I explained that my family owned a cottage up on Lake Erie that was in a small private colony of eight cottages known as “Little Pittsburgh” (near Port Clinton - where we had our summer cottage). All the families were either from Pittsburgh or Columbus, and one of the Pittsburgh families - the McKennas - were about 6 brothers (and a few sisters) who had six to twelve kids each – many, including a set of twins, around my age. I explained how we swam, and water-skied off our dock and played hours and hours of baseball in the McKenna’s front yard over those summers on the lake.

            “Oh, I think I know those McKennas”, he responded. I dated one of the daughters in the Bill McKenna family. Did you know Betsie?” “Oh my gosh, yes, she was about the fifth oldest, just a bit older than me, and a real cutie!”  “That’s her!” 

            So, O’Brian and I hit it off right away. We ordered dinner and continued to chat.

I asked where he was from “here, in country?” He answered, “I’m from over in My Tho sector”. 

            “My Tho? (mee-toe)” I asked. “Oh man, we had one hell of a day over that way about a month ago”.  We were trying to cover a squad in deep trouble up above Cai Lay. Do you know that area?”

            In a very excited voice, he responded "Oh my Golly. We got into in a hell of a mess over there last month.”

            Then, suspecting the connection, I asked him what his call sign was. He gave me some name that didn’t match what I was hoping it would be, and I said “Oh, then that wouldn’t have been you.” 

            And he responded, “Well, we change call signs every month for security reasons”. 

(Note: Ground troops did that. We did not.)

“What was your call sign last month” I asked. And he said, “Damage Five-Nine Alpha”. 

My heart jumped into my throat! 

            Then he asked me. “What’s your call sign?”  And I responded, “I’m Comanche-Two.”

            At that he jumps up straight, knocking his chair over backward with a loud bang on the floor, and yells, “You’re Comanche-Two?   The F- - - if you’re buying my dinner. I’m buying your dinner. And I owe you every dinner for the rest of your life!” 

            And leans down and gives me a hug around my neck.

                                                                        *

            He went on to explain to me that we had done enough damage that the NVA troops had pulled back out of those wood lines and made their way out of the area before sunrise. As he and the other ARVN troops went through the two wood lines next morning, there were bodies and pools of blood all over the place - mostly in the north-south tree line where the Napalm strikes had hit.

            I would never experience that large of an enemy contact again.      

Thank God!

Michael McLeod

Dave: thanks for the tip about camera purchases and thanks even more for you beautifully written chopper accounts.

i know i've prolly mentioned before but it was such a great adventure to teach a nightschool writing glass at a pretty little college down here in winter park/orlando. rollins college. also ucf (university of central florida) i would have done it for free, mostly taught evening classes for adults, most in their late 20s and 30s, though some were also college-aged students who had day jobs. great mix and just so nice to teach lit classes and writing classes to grownups and to the varied mix of people from all parts of the country who wound up in florida. i would have done it for free. liked teaching more than i liked my day job.

Michael McLeod

Even if reading various other writers hadn't already kept me humble,  Annie Prioiux would have been enough to do the job on her own.