Before I get to the article submitted for publication in the next
issue of "Patrolling," I'd like to pass on the good news that Buster
Bosarge has been released from the VA hospital. Buster was in the
hospital for a month before getting his "discharge papers." We are
pleased to hear that he is now recovering at home. Buster, we hope
you are making continued progress.
For those who enjoy reading about E Company history, I highly
recommend "Last Light With the Boys" by Prescott "Puck" Smith. The
505-page book describes Puck's tour with the 9th Infantry Division,
first with the Pathfinders and then with the Long Range Patrol. Puck
reported to the unit after I rotated back to the States so it was
with great interest that I read about our operations in the Delta
during the time he was there. I found it hard to put the book down
as I learned about incidents like the one that took place at Fire
Support Base Moore when we had a team in contact. Poncho was on duty
in the TOC that night and when the call came in, he requested an
immediate extraction. The assistant S-3 denied the request saying it
would have to wait until morning as it was too dangerous to pick up
a team at night. Poncho threatened to "kick his ass" if a chopper
was not sent right away and a heated argument broke out. That's when
the 1st Brigade Commander, COL John Geraci entered the TOC and asked
what was going on. When Poncho explained there was a LRRP team in
trouble, the brigade commander fired the assistant S-3 on the spot.
He then got on the radio and using his call sign, ordered an
immediate extraction.
I had to twist Puck's arm to find out how to order the book as it
is not available in stores. The book was written for Puck's family
and he thought those of us who were with the 9th might not be
interested as we already know what happened. I had to disagree as
many of us were there for different portions of E Company's history
and I found the entire book to be meaningful and well-written.
Ordering the book was easy. Just put lulu.com in your search
engine and you will be connected to the publishing company. Click on
"buy," and then type "last light with the boys" where it says
"search." You should then see what the cover looks like (a drawing
of Puck done by his mother) and you can place an order ($23.13 for
paperback.) Puck has not asked me to publicize the book but I
enjoyed it greatly and thought others would too.
I had a nice chat with Bob Copeland the other day. You will
see some of his comments in the article that follows and I want to
thank him for his excellent work in getting both Emory and Joseph on
the Mountain Ranger Camp sign post. The date of the ceremony has not
been finalized but we will let you know as soon as the word is out.
We anticipate it will be sometime next spring so Dalhonega, Georgia
might be a possible location for a "mini-reunion" as we gather to
support the Castagna and Parrish families. Stay tuned for further
details. In the meantime, best wishes to all for a Happy Labor
Day. Rick
Fall '09
Patrolling Article
E Company had three excellent representatives to attend the Ranger
Rendezvous/Reunion at Ft. Benning. Bob Copeland, Marshall Larsen and
Jim Godbolt enjoyed the opportunity to meet with dedicated veterans
of other Ranger units and tour the newly-opened National Infantry
Museum.
I received an "after action" phone call from Copeland who
said the 190,000 square foot museum with more than 30,000
artifacts is well worth seeing. The contributions of the foot
soldier from the colonial period up to Operation Iraqi Freedom
is depicted in life-like scenes. Copeland was especially
interested in the Vietnam exhibit which even pumped in high heat
and humidity to make the viewer feel as if he was back "in
country." I was pleased to learn there is a section of the
museum dedicated to the Rangers and there are plaques on display
to honor the nearly 1500 infantrymen who are recipients of the
Medal of Honor.
We are proud to announce that thanks to the outstanding
narrative writing by Copeland, E Company will have two Rangers,
Joseph Castagna and Emory Parrish, honored by the Mountain Ranger
Association next spring at the Ranger open house in Dalhonega,
Georgia. Joe was KIA in Nam in 1968 and Emory died a couple of
years ago in Florida. I had the privilege of serving with Emory
in Vietnam where he was one of our most distinguished patrol
leaders. Both men will have their names on the signpost at the
Mountain Ranger Camp where they will be seen by Ranger students
as they head out to the field on tactical training exercises.
E Company is sad to report the loss of MSGT Bob Maushardt who
died of cardiac arrest in June. Burial was held at Ft. Rosecrans
Military Cemetery in San Diego. "Top" Muashardt, a combat
veteran of three wars, was respected by all who knew him. We
were blessed that he was able to be with us at our reunion last
spring in San Diego. His son-in-law, Dan Crawford, wrote how
much it meant for Top to meet with his old Ranger buddies before
he died. He gave special appreciation to Bob Hernandez and Ron
Tessensohn for being with Top's family after the funeral and to
Marshall Larsen and Hilan Jones for the flower arrangements.
Before closing, I'd like to pass along portions of an email
we received this summer from Vietnam. It was sent by our PRU
buddy, Nhan, who served as point man for many an E Company
patrol. When Sal DiSciascio learned that Nhan and two of his PRU
friends were experiencing some financial troubles, he sent out
an appeal to E Company which resulted in the following:
Dear My Old Rangers:
We have received (the donation) you send to help us overcome
the difficult period we are having. Sal did not tell us who has
contributed but we still want to send you all a sincere thanks
from deep in our heart.
Though many of you do not know or do not remember who we are,
even if we lose contact with one another nearly 40 years, but
when we need it you do not demur that help is available, and
demonstrate that our team was very deep and is recorded in
military history. We are not duds.
Thank you good friends of us. Thank you for not forgetting us.
God of fitness for you and your family.
Nhan, Bao and Nghia
Thank you Sal and all others from E Company who helped Nhan
and his friends in a time of need. Some of us would not be here
today were it not for the PRU's. Their assistance while we were
on patrol will never be forgotten.
Rangers Lead the Way