4/12 Echo Recon, 199th LIB-Redcatchers

Stand-Down at BMB Long Binh November 1969. From left to right N/A, Red Anderson, Travis Lienhardt (dec. post Vietnam-RIP),  Doc Sam ( I was a short timer, but sharing the spirit with the team), Francis Delena, Mullins, Conley, Sandt. The Team got a break from the front lines, shower down, fresh camouflage outfit. At the stand-down, we had barbque steaks, hotdog, hamburger, cold cuts, beer and sodas that could easily feed a Company of 140, at the most the Echo team was only 23 grunts, basically two squads. Photo Courtesy of Hank Shockley

Forefront is Hank "Hearts" Shockley and Mullins. Hank said, I can recall getting advise and paying attention to SGT Bobby Porter (RIP), it paid off as Hank got to E-5 and return to the world, so did all members of this team. Team members not in photo are Grant Norton, Dick Hartman & Lt. Kimball. Scene: Wooden Barracks, gone where the days of tents and parachute canopy that serves as cover for the refreshment stop. On the next street in the rear was the Engineer's area, they had a nice club. Between Hank and Mullins to the rear on the stand is the barbque pit. BTW Hank was always smiling just as in photo Photo Courtesy of Hank Shockley

Team members on left are Malen Malenski (Sw. Minn) and Mike Gobeli (Iowa). I am not sure who was the Doc (Medical Corpman) after I rotated out to the MedCap Team up in Vu So and Vu Dat. I want to thank Hank for responding to my appeal of photos of me (Doc Sam), that were taken by other Redcatchers. Such a great feeling, to know that all the members of this Recon Team  return from Vietnam alive. Photo Courtesy of Hank Shockley

SFC Bobby Porter - E 4/12.  He was the Recon Team Sergeant and second in command, and he knew how to command, he was able to maintain discipline in the ranks, by balancing fun and serious times, he earned those stripes. His Texan twang reminds me a little of Chill Wills the movie star.  He was the oldest soldier that I had ever hump the jungles with, The team operations at times would take us beyond the range of the 155 MM artillery at FSB Nancy. We had to call in artillery on our position and dee dee out of that area, where we came across a freshly cut trail, and there was a lot of movements around us. His choice of the modified M-16 is better suited for jungle fighting. SFC Bobby Porter passed away in 2002, may he "Rest in Peace" old warrior. Photo Courtesy of SFC Bobby Porter

Created 5/29/05                                                                        Previous

Modified 12/05/2007